Cedar Walton - Eastern Rebellion (Remaster) [Japan LTD CD] CDSOL-6301 by Cedar Walton

Eastern Rebellion, Vol. 1 is a classic set featuring four giants of the modern mainstream: Pianist/leader Cedar Walton, tenor saxophonist George Coleman, bassist Sam Jones, and drummer Billy Higgins. All five performances are noteworthy, particularly a definitive version of Walton's most famous composition "Bolivia," Coleman's tricky "5/4 Thing," and Jones' boppish "Bittersweet." The veteran musicians all sound quite inspired on this advanced straight-ahead set. A gem.Volume 2 is just as good. You can SKIP version 3 and 4

Fantastic, absolutely great CD. Heard it and wanted to buy it. It was out of stock so I never got it through here.

Not much to argue with the other reviews here. This album is a killer. IMO it's right up there with "Kind of Blue" and "The Blues and the Abstract Truth" etc as super classic, all time greatest, must have, and, if you don't have this album you're culturally deprived. Although that's tongue in cheek, it also happens to be true. After you get it and you're diggin the groove, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. The album was recorded in NYC, 12/10/75. The album cover you see pictured above, is the orig Timeless cover. For awhile Timeless had a relationship with Muse records. If you're looking for vinyl, there's another cover with blue sky/rainclouds background and four inserts with photos of the musicians. It's Timeless Muse TI 306. Just a few notes about this album, which was Waltons first as producer, and also the very first release for Timeless. The tune Naima had special meaning for Walton. Walton was playing with Coltrane when he wrote it. Walton was living on 91st street and Trane was living on 103rd street with his wife Naima. Cedar used to go over, and play with Trane in his living room. The tunes: (1) Bolivia - Cedar Walton (2) Naima - John Coltrane (3) 5/4 Thing - George Coleman (4) Bittersweet - Sam Jones (5) Mode for Joe - Cedar Walton. That's correct, Cedar wrote Mode for Joe, the tune that made Joe Henderson famous. Cedar might be the most under-appreciated figure in jazz. He truly is a giant.

A very useful jazz reference book, compiled by a couple of Englishmen (I believe) and appropriately entitled "Jazz on CD," calls the first "Eastern Rebellion" probably the finest session Cedar Walton ever put to a recording. Not only do I wholeheartedly agree with the assessment, but also recommend it as one of the greatest jazz albums of all time. When I compiled my list of fifteen great albums for "initiating the neophyte to the joys of jazz," I would have included this album, unhesitatingly, enthusiastically, without any qualification. Unfortunately, Amazon did not have it listed anywhere and thus it was denied inclusion. I have not seen this CD available anywhere for several years, and I had to jump through hoops, backwards, to acquire a copy, five years back, from a great store in Eugene, Oregon. How great to see it available to a wider audience again. CONGRATULATIONS !!! Amazon and whoever decided to reissue it!!! The opening track, "Bolivia," shows off some great stick work on the cymbals by the most recorded drummer in jazz history, Billy Higgins, and just smokes, and George Coleman's tenor work on "Naima" would have done Coltrane proud. Cedar's homage to the late great Joe Henderson, "Mode For Joe," sizzles. and the rest of the album, similarly excellent, surpasses anything done by the group afterwards, although subsequent groups worked with the handicap, not to belittle Bob Berg and Ralph Moore, of not having George Coleman. The recording quality, at least on the CD that I acquired 5 years ago, is superb, and I think it is fantastic to see such fine work available again.

As was mentioned before this LP starts with what has become a Cedar Walton demi-standard Bolivia and it is totally "clockin'".Just superb.This super group with Walton,George Coleman who never put in a bad performance ANYWHERE on LP (ok that Ledbelly LP in early 60's with Banjo might be exception, the sideman/leader extraordinaire,the bassman's bassist Sam Jones and Mr.Billy Higgins have and LP that deserves to be in any serious collection.Even the title is wry ( a rebellion against West Coast jazz without any balls-get it) is a tongue in cheek great.It is too bad as fine as Bob Berg is Eastern Rebellion 2 could not touch this effort though on it's own it is fine.Latter efforts also include fine bassist Buster Williams (long with Billy Cedars cohort) but latter efforts got progressively weaker.This LP was done at a time when Blue Note was going into insipid Organ combos and beginnings of fusion were coming on.This group of stalwarts said "NO!" hard bop was not dead.This is a MUST have!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I often wonder why some titles are " Sat on " when they could be sold to the public. Well i am glad for those who missed this the first time around that they have let it back out to the public. I love!!! this CD. It is great and in my view the best so far of the ER releases. Mode for joe is My favorite cut (Dare i say of all time) As a reward for reading this review, i will hip you to a secret. It's called " Darn that Dream " It's on " Real Time Records " It is Art Peppers Last gig, and i think he knew it. His version of Mode for Joe and Green Dolphin Street are off the planet. They rival and depend on my mood even top this CD. They are 1 and 2 in my collection and often trade places. If you even half way like the Eatern Rebellion CD then PLEASE!! Get "Darn That Dream" before it (If not already) Goes out of print.

The overlooked pianist/composer Cedar Walton(1934-2013) recorded this marvellous debut album with his band Eastern Rebellion in New York City on December 10, 1975.With Walton(piano) were George Coleman(tenor sax); Sam Jones(bass) & Billy Higgins(drums) playing four band originals and one John Coltrane tune. Highlights include Walton's 10-minute 'Bolivia' & 'Mode For Joe' plus a wonderful version of John Coltrane's 'Naima'.The currently hard-to-find 'Eastern Rebellion' contains some inventive playing from every member of the quartet and this inspired modern jazz session is a fitting memorial to Cedar Walton.

Comme souvent le pianiste Cedar Walton nous offre un album de tres haute qualité. Il reunit sur cet enregistrement de decembre 1975, le saxophoniste ténor George Coleman, le bassiste Sam Jones et Billy Higgins à la batterie. Cinq morceaux dont deux compositions de Cedar, une de Sam et une de George et le célèbre « Naima » de Coltrane. Les quatre instrumentistes sont fort bien inspirés et nous livrent une séance dans un jazz comme je l'aime : inventif, mélodique, syncopé avec des musiciens ayant la pêche et des « choses à dire » lors de leur solo. C'est bien le cas ici avec quatre comparses de haut niveau qui connaissent leur sujet. Bravo