Charles Lloyd - Forest Flower (At Monterey) - 180g Vinyl LP

High Quality Pure Analogue 180g Virgin Vinyl LP!
AAA Recording!
Audiophile Mastering By Kevin Gray From Original Master Tapes!

Michael Fremer Rated 10/11 Music, 9/11 Sonics!

It was a clever move by George Avakian, producer at Atlantic Records, to record live the Charles Lloyd Quartet during their appearance in Monterey, and to release the LP under the title "Forest Flower". Although the hippy flower-power movement tended towards a rather different musical genre at the end of the Sixties, they were blown away by this music. The four artists attracted masses of people and ensured that every seat was taken and all standing room filled at jazz festivals such as Newport, Molde (Norway), Antibes (France) and the Fillmore East and West. The super group also appeared in Monterey, 120 Km south of San Francisco, the centre of the hippy movement, on September 18, 1966.

On the LP we have the almost 18-minute-long title piece and the standard work "East Of The Sun", which were recorded at the festival. The disc is complemented by a Keith Jarrett composition and one by Cecil McBee, both of which were recorded in the studio ten days before the festival.

Of particular note is the rich interplay, the energy that is palpable throughout, the perfect harmony in each and every change of mood, and the intensity. Even 50 years later, it is quite clear that Charles Lloyd managed to break down the barriers between pop and jazz. Charles Lloyd is committed to this objective to this very day! All four musicians are still active, although they no longer appear together as a group. Such a special treat for the ears is offered by this newly mastered LP.

Recording: September 1966 live at Monterey Jazz Festival by Wally Heider

"Kevin Gray's cut is far superior to my original Atlantic pressing, which despite all of the Dual 1009SK/Shure V15 plays, remains quiet and fully extended on top. However, this reissue is far more dynamic and far better EQ'd, especially in the far more transparent midrange that also manages to well convey the outdoor space.

"This is so easy to recommend for the music, the sound for its being reissued just in time for the 50th anniversary of the "Summer of Love" and for every other reason real and invented. Highly recommended!" - Michael Fremer, Analog Planet, June 2017