Search - Eastern Rebellion :: Eastern Rebellion

Recovered Masterpiece

Steven Fernow | Salt Lake City, Utah | 07/15/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

Good Move!!!

Kenyatta Becktemba | 10/30/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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."

One of the GREAT hard bop/post bop LP's EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

C. Katz | Peoples Republic Of Massachussettes | 10/18/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"