Unrealized Tapes

In April 1964, Dolphy accompanied Charles Mingus and his band on a tour of Europe organized by George Wein.{{cite book | last1 =Simosko | first1 =Vladimir | last2=Tepperman |first2=Barry | title =Eric Dolphy: A Musical Biography & Discography | publisher =Da Capo | year =1971 | pages=82 }} (Performances from this tour were documented on Revenge!, The Great Concert of Charles Mingus, Mingus in Europe Volume I, and Mingus in Europe Volume II.) Prior to leaving the U.S., however, Dolphy told Mingus that he intended to remain in Europe upon completion of the tour, rather than remaining with the band.{{cite book | last=Jenkins | first=Todd S. | title =I Know What I Know: The Music of Charles Mingus | publisher =Praeger | year=2006 | pages=107 }} Mingus and his group returned to the U.S. in early May,{{cite book | last=Santoro | first=Gene | title =Myself When I Am Real: The Life and Music of Charles Mingus | publisher =Oxford University Press | year=2000 | pages=228 }} at which point Dolphy moved to Paris, at first staying with an old army friend,{{cite book | last1 =Simosko | first1 =Vladimir | last2=Tepperman |first2=Barry | title =Eric Dolphy: A Musical Biography & Discography | publisher =Da Capo | year =1971 | pages=85 }} and intending to settle down with his fiancée, dancer Joyce Mordecai.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/28/arts/music/a-new-focus-on-eric-dolphy-in-washington-and-montclair.html |title=Jazz Enigma of the '60s Has an Encore |last=Ratliff |first=Ben |website=NYTimes.com |date=May 27, 2014 | access-date=May 24, 2020}} During this time, Dolphy began playing at the Le Chat Qui Pêche club with trumpeter Donald Byrd and saxophonist Nathan Davis, both of whom appear on Unrealized Tapes. (Davis recalled that he'd "never been in a band that practiced as much as we practiced [with Dolphy]; we had daily rehearsals and played every night from 10 PM till 4 AM".{{cite web |url=https://www.allaboutjazz.com/impressions-of-eric-dolphy-eric-dolphy-by-clifford-allen.php |title=Impressions Of Eric Dolphy |last=Allen |first=Clifford |date=March 12, 2008 |website=All About Jazz |access-date=June 18, 2020}})

Dolphy maintained a busy schedule over the next few months. On May 28, he made a recording in Paris for radio broadcast with a quartet that featured pianist Kenny Drew, bassist Guy Pederson, and drummer Daniel Humair.{{cite web |url=http://adale.org/discographies/lateed.html |title=Late Dolphy |last=Saul |first=Alan |website=Adale.org |date=1995 | access-date=June 18, 2021}}{{cite book | last=Reichardt | first=Uwe | title =Like a Human Voice: The Eric Dolphy Discography | publisher =Norbert Ruecker | year =1986 | pages=65 }} These tracks were released on Humair's 1994 album Surrounded 1964-1987,{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/surrounded-1964-1987-mw0000927081 |title=Daniel Humair: Surrounded 1964-1987 |last=Drouot |first=Alain |website=AllMusic |access-date=June 18, 2021}} as well as on The Complete Last Recordings: In Hilversum & Paris 1964. From May 29 - June 2, Dolphy visited the Netherlands, where he performed with a variety of ensembles, including a big band,{{cite web |url=http://adale.org/Discographies/KartingHolland.html |title=Paul Karting, who produced Dolphy's tour of Holland in 1964, provided the following information and images |last=Karting |first=Paul |website=Adale.org |date=April 2, 2001 | access-date=June 18, 2021}} and where he recorded the music that would be released on the album Last Date.{{cite AV media notes |title=Last Date |others=Eric Dolphy |type=liner notes |last=De Ruyter |first=Michiel |year=1965 |publisher=Fontana |id=825 608 QY}} Back in Paris, during the remainder of June, he led a number of ensembles (including the one heard on Unrealized Tapes), and performed and recorded with Sonny Grey's big band and Jack Diéval's All Stars.{{cite book | last1 =Simosko | first1 =Vladimir | last2=Tepperman |first2=Barry | title =Eric Dolphy: A Musical Biography & Discography | publisher =Da Capo | year =1971 | pages=95–96 }}

Immediately prior to his death in Berlin on June 29, Dolphy had been making extensive plans. He expressed an interest in reuniting with the musicians who performed on Last Date, and stated that he wanted to start a band with trumpeter Woody Shaw, bassist Richard Davis, and drummer Billy Higgins. He was also planning to join Albert Ayler's group,{{cite news| url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/how-eric-dolphy-deepened-my-love-of-jazz| work= The New Yorker| title= How Eric Dolphy Sparked My Love of Jazz| date= January 25, 2019| first= Richard| last= Brody| access-date= March 3, 2020}} and was preparing himself to play with Cecil Taylor.{{cite book | last =Spellman | first =A.B. | author-link = A. B. Spellman | title =Four Jazz Lives | publisher =University of Michigan Press | year = 2004 | pages=15 }} In addition, he was writing a string quartet titled Love Suite.{{cite encyclopedia |last=Porter |first=Lewis |editor-last=Kuhn |editor-first=Laura |title=Dolphy, Eric (Allan) |encyclopedia=Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians |date=2001 |publisher=G. Schirmer, Inc. |volume=2 |location=New York |oclc=313884977 |pages=903}}

The June 11 recordings are unique in that, prior to that day, Dolphy had not recorded with either Donald Byrd or Nathan Davis. In addition, Unrealized Tapes features the first recorded appearance of the Dolphy composition "Springtime". ("245", named after the number of Dolphy's residence on Carlton Avenue in Brooklyn's Fort Greene neighborhood during 1960,{{cite web |url=https://www.mic.com/articles/119434/the-story-of-how-brooklyn-became-a-music-mecca-way-before-hipsters |title=The Story of How Brooklyn Became a Music Mecca Way Before Hipsters |last=Barnes |first=Tom |date=May 29, 2015 |website=Mic |access-date=October 25, 2020}} and "G.W.", dedicated to bandleader Gerald Wilson,{{cite book | last1 =Simosko | first1 =Vladimir | last2=Tepperman |first2=Barry | title =Eric Dolphy: A Musical Biography & Discography | publisher =Da Capo | year =1971 | pages=44 }} both originally appeared on Outward Bound, while "Serene" originally appeared on Out There.)

{{Music ratings

| rev1 = AllMusic

| rev1Score = {{rating|4|5}}

| rev2 = MusicHound Jazz

| rev2Score = {{rating|3.5|5}}{{cite book |last1=Holtje |first1=Steve |last2=Lee |first2=Nancy Ann |title=MusicHound: The Essential Album Guide |publisher=Schirmer |year=1998 |pages=336 }}

| rev3 = The Penguin Guide to Jazz

| rev3Score = {{rating|2.5|4}}{{cite book | last1=Cook |first1=Richard |last2=Morton |first2=Brian | title=The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD, LP and Cassette | publisher=Penguin Books | year=1992 | pages=294–295 }}

}}

In a review for AllMusic, Scott Yanow wrote: "This LP... features the great Dolphy on alto and bass clarinet with a sextet that includes trumpeter Donald Byrd, tenor saxophonist Nathan Davis and a French rhythm section performing four of his compositions including the otherwise unknown 'Springtime.' Eric Dolphy collectors will have to get this gem."

The authors of the Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings commented: "There has been controversy in the past over some of West Wind's contractual idiosyncrasies, but this is the authentic article... More than just another pick-up band, the Champs Elysees All-Stars sound well versed in the Dolphy literature. Davis and Byrd... blossom generously through... 'Springtime'... and on reworkings of two of Dolphy's most resilient compositions... the rhythm section plays more than adequately, and the Unrealized Tapes... make a welcome addition to the Dolphy catalogue."

All songs composed by Eric Dolphy.

1. "Springtime" – 19:20
2. "245" – 10:05
3. "GW" – 6:10
4. "Serene" – 7:58

Recorded on June 11, 1964 in Paris.

• Eric Dolphy – alto saxophone, bass clarinet
• Nathan Davis – tenor saxophone
• Donald Byrd – trumpet
• Jack Diéval – piano
• Jacques B. Hess – bass
• Jacky Bambou – congas
• Franco Manzecchi – drums

{{Reflist}}

Category:1988 albums

Category:Eric Dolphy albums

Category:West Wind Records albums

Category:DIW Records albums