Out of the Cool (Gil Evans, 1961)

We may have changed quarters, but big band jazz still rules the roost. Of course, one shouldn't confuse Duke Ellington and Gil Evans, even if 20 years were not separating the two albums. Like most people, I discovered Gil Evans as the partner and (sometimes) man behind the curtain on some of Miles Davis's albums. While albums like Sketches of Spain are certainly iconic, they require a different approach to listening than, say, Kind of Blue or the other small-combo recordings of Miles Davis. Out of the Cool, launched by the ice-cold (in a good way) original "La Nevada" reveals a somewhat more energized Evans, boosted by Elvin Jones on the drums. This album also shows some new directions in Evans's music, with some discordant piano and a few progressive (for 1960!) guitar solos.

I may need to do some maintenance work on this album, as I seem to be missing the last track, "Sister Sadie" - I guess it's good to learn these things sooner rather than later!