Richard 'Groove' Holmes - Shippin' Out

Once again, a brand new rip - MUCH better than the old one.

Richard 'Groove' Holmes - Shippin' Out
Muse 5134, 1978
 recorded 1977

1) Feelings
2) Windows
3) Stella By Starlight
4) Where or When
5) Shippin' Out

Groove Holmes organ, David Schnitter tenor sax, Steve Giordano guitar, Idris Muhammed drums, Bobby Caldwell conga

Are those the twin towers of the World Trade Center I see off in the distance on this cover shot? I guess this one is pretty rare since I can't even find mention of it on google. I found my copy at a discogs vendor who specializes in punk rock and when I received it the vinyl looked like some punk rockers had played frisbee with it. After a good cleaning, a re-rip and a pass through Izotope RX3, I think it sounds awesome!

This is a nice record -- Groove is well, Groove and Schnitter and Giordano give fine performances on tenor and guitar in support. and as it says in the liner notes: "The players are fine. The music is fine. The recording is excellent. These are the facts."

Ted Curson - The Trio (1979) [vinyl>flac]

Review by MikeShera, Jazz Journal November 1979:
The acidic trumpet of Curson is combined well with the strong bass of Ray Drummond, and the complex and intricate drumming of Roy Haynes, to produce an album rarely descending to the commonplace. The trio work extremely well together as a unit, dominated by a bass player whose dexterity and strength is not unfortunately matched by an attractive tone. Roy Haynes' drumming has never been more intricate though he also remembers to swing as well. The exoticism of Curson, whether playing trumpet or fluegel horn, certainly ensures that the listener never goes to sleep, but equally he can never be accused of being too relaxed in his approach! My personal preference is for the second side of this album, where Straight Ice is the closest performance on the record to what could be described as a straightforward piece, and Round Midnight which receives the expected pungent treatment. Only on Pent-Up House is there anything resembling the work of the late Clifford Brown, Curson's early influence.

1. Snake Johnson
2. Pent-up House
3. Quicksand
4. Straight Ice
5. 'Round Midnight

Ted Curson (t/pic-t/flh/pc); Ray Drummond (b); RoyHaynes(d).
NYC, January 3, 1979.
(Interplay IP 7722)

Gil Evans & Gary McFarland - Dedication Series IX – The Great Arrangers

A great 2LP set – with two classic albums on Impulse! First is Gil Evans' Out Of The Cool – a pivotal session for Gil – one that brought his genius to the American public strongly and successfully, without the help of Miles Davis! Sure, Gil had recorded albums as a leader before this one – but the sparkling quality of this set is right up there with the charts he handled for Miles, and the quality of the players in the group make the performance every bit as great. Gil's band includes trumpeter Johnny Coles, plus Ron Carter on bass, Elvin Jones on drums, Budd Johnson on tenor, and Ray Crawford on guitar. Titles include "Stratusphunk", "Sunken Treasure", "La Nevada", and a great reading of Kurt Weil's "Bilbao Song". Next is Gary McFarland's Profiles – a great little jazz record by Gary – very different than his groovy/easy albums on Verve, and with a dark sound that shows his strength as a composer and arranger. The group features McFarland in the lead on vibes, plus reed work by Phil Woods, Zoot Sims, and Richie Kamuca, and lots of rhythm backing by the likes of Richard Davis, Gabor Szabo, Sam Brown, and others. Willis Conover does a bit of narration, and tracks include "Sage Hands", "Milo's Other Samba", "Winter Colors", and "Bygones & Boogie"

Frank Butler: The Stepper (1977) [vinyl>flac]

I've posted a link for this at Kubla's Crib but few seem to have noticed it...

Review by Ken Dryden, All Music Guide:
Frank Butler's first record date as a leader came about a few years following a self-imposed sabbatical to take care of his battle with drug addiction. Known especially for his work in the Curtis Counce Group and a brief tour with Miles Davis, the drummer is in top form on this quartet date with pianist Dolo Coker, tenor saxophonist Jack Montrose and bassist Monty Budwig. He never loses the listener's attention during his two long drum solos, which are the focal points of the nearly twenty minute "The Stepper" and "Urbane," both composed by Coker. Montrose and Coker share the spotlight in the one standard on the date, "Easy Living." Budwig's introduction to Charlie Parker's "Au Privave," as well as his great comping in support of Coker's solo, is a refreshing switch from the obvious focus on the saxophone, which is omitted entirely from this track. One of only two sessions which Butler recorded as a leader and out of print since the demise of Xanadu, this LP should be snapped up without delay by bop fans.


1 The Stepper - 19:58 (Charles 'Dolo' Coker)
2 Au Privave - 4:43 (Charlie Parker)
3 Easy Living - 5:38 (Leo Robin, Ralph Rainger)
4 Urbane - 8:36 (Charles 'Dolo' Coker)
5 Captain Kidd - 5:51 (Charles 'Dolo' Coker)

Jack Montrose (ts), Dolo Coker (p), Monty Budwig (b), Frank Butler (d)
Los Angeles, CA. November 19, 1977

Freddie Hubbard (w Art Pepper) - Mistral (1980) [vinyl>flac]

New link in comments.

Review at Sound Insights:
Recorded for the Japanese label East World (and later issued in the US by Liberty, an EMI label hardly known for issuing jazz), there is a slick West Coast feeling to this album that's as endearing as it is enjoyable. Perhaps it is the addition of legendary West Coast alto saxist Art Pepper into a mix that finds pianist George Cables, bassist Stanley Clarke and drummer Peter Erskine in the rhythm section. All the tunes have a relaxed, laid-back feeling (what Scott Yanow snidely refers to as "no one sounds like they're sweating"), even on the up-tempo "Bring It Back Home." While there is a casual air of familiarity in the program, all involved sound as if they are enjoying themselves and each other's company.
Hubbard has never sounded better. His playing is confident, definitive, nearly poetic, and his engagements aren't limited merely to Pepper, who seems to be just another guy in the band here. Hubbard is musically caressed by the pianist, his old comrade George Cables, but is more notably poked, prodded and provoked by bassist Stanley Clarke, who is simply outstanding here, doing things throughout that are worth paying attention to.

1. Sunshine Lady - 7:18
2. Eclipse - 7:08
3. Blue Nights - 7:17
4. Now I've Found Love - 6:53
5. I Love You - 7:27
6. Bring It Back Home - 7:55

Freddie Hubbard (t,flh) Phil Ranelin (tb) Art Pepper (as) George Cables (p,el-p) Peter Wolf (synth) Roland Bautista (g) Stanley Clarke (b,el-b) Peter Erskine (d) Paulinho da Costa (pc)
Ocean Way Recording, Hollywood, CA. September 15, 17, 18 and 19, 1980

Jack Walrath - The Muse Albums

1. The Serpent's Kiss 15:36

2. Jump Monk 10:56

3. Adagio for Strings and Organ 9:01
4. Gagaku (Fourth Movement of Sept Haikai) 7:06
5. Blues in the Guts 9:07
6. Faith 17:56

Jack Walrath - trumpet
Carter Jefferson - tenor & soprano sax
Mike Cochrane - piano
Anthony Cox - bass
Ronnie Burrage - drums

Recorded live at Merkin Concert Hall, NYC, on September 10, 1990

Jack Walrath and The Masters Of Suspense - Out of the Tradition
Muse Records 5403

Jack Walrath - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Mouthpiece
Benny Green - Piano
Larry Coryell - Guitar
Anthony Cox - Bass
Ronnie Burrage - Drums

1. Clear Out of This World
2. So Long Eric
3. Stardust
4. Wake Up and Wash It Off!
5. Come Sunday
6. Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
7. Cabin in the Sky
8. I'm Getting Sentimental over You

Recorded on May 7, 1990

1. Spherious (J. Walrath)

2. (The Last Remaake) I Can't Get Started (V. Duke, I. Gershwin)

3. Killer Bunnies (J. Walrath)

4. Inn The Pit (C. Jackson)

5. Baby, You Move Too Fast (J. Walrath)

6. Spontooneous (J. Madison, C. Jackson, J. Walrath)

JACK WALRATH trumpet, CHIP JACKSON bass, JIMMY MADISON drums

Recorded at Garden Productions, NYC, on March 15 and April1, 1986

MUSE Records 5362

1. Anya and Liz on the Veranda 6:36
2. Get on the Good Foot 5:11
3. Better Get Hit in Yo' Soul 8:06
4. Izlyal E Delyo Haidoutin 7:29
5. Monk's Feet 6:50
6. Decisions 3:04
7. Gloomy Sunday 6:31
8. Weird and Wonderful 8:08

Jack Walrath - trumpet, flugelhorn
Don Pullen - Hammond B3 organ
David "Fuse" Fiuczynski - guitar
Michael Formanek - bass
Cecil Brooks III - drums

Recorded at Van Gelder Recording Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey on April 4, 1992

Bob Brookmeyer - Back Again (1978) [vinyl]

Review by Review by Scott Yanow:
This session was valve trombonist Bob Brookmeyer's first jazz date in 13 years after a period writing for the studios and then away from music altogether. Brookmeyer, who is featured in a quintet with cornetist Thad Jones, pianist Jimmy Rowles, bassist George Mraz and drummer Mel Lewis, proves to still be in prime form playing in an unchanged style. Other than the leader's uptempo blues "In a Rotten Mood" and a Latin piece ("Carib"), the quintet sticks to veteran standards. Highlights include "Sweet and Lovely," "Caravan" and "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To."

Review Dusty Groove:
Gentle genius from Bob Brookmeyer – a 70s session recorded with all the swinging poise of his best work from the late 50s! The group on the set features Bob on valve trombone, next to Thad Jones on fluegelhorn and cornet, Jimmy Rowles on piano, George Mraz on bass, and Mel Lewis on drums. Tracks are all nicely swinging, even on the mellower numbers – and Bob proves once again that his work on the valve trombone is some of the freshest in jazz. Titles include "Carib", "Caravan", "I Love You", "In A Rotten Mood", and "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To". CD also features a bonus track! (Out of print.)

01 - Sweet And Lovely
02 - Carib
03 - Caravan
04 - You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
05 - Willow Weep For Me
06 - I Love You
07 - In A Rotten Mood

Thad Jones (flh, cnt) Bob Brookmeyer (v-tb) Jimmy Rowles (p) George Mraz (b) Mel Lewis (d)
Cl Studio, New York City, May 23-25, 1978
(Sonet 778)

Roland Kirk - Now Don't You Cry, Beautiful Edith (vinyl rip)

The second rip on the new turntable!

"Now Please Don't You Cry, Beautiful Edith (about Kirk's wife) was the first of his all groove sides. Out of ten tunes, Kirk composed eight, of the other two, only one was a recognizable jazz tune ("It's a Grand Night for Swinging" by Billy Taylor, who wrote the liner notes) and the other was a pop tune (Bacharach and David's "Alfie"). Unlike Rip, Rig, and Panic from two years earlier in 1965, this set featured an in-the-pocket rhythm section. Adventure was not the name of the game on this date, feeling was -- and for the job he got some of the finest cats working in the groove jazz idiom: drummer Grady Tate, pianist Lonnie Liston Smith, and bassist Roland Boykins. The record opens with "Blue Rol," a standard blues made more beautiful by Kirk's playing three horns throughout except for his tenor solo and Smith's tough comping in the middle register. "Alfie" is another story. Kirk blows his tenor with the same tonal warmth Ben Webster did by reading the melody faithfully and tenderly adding fills with Smith, slipping around him for subtle accents, adding color and dimension even when he picks up the tempo, which is led by a steaming, hard-swinging Tate. The end of the album is very special as well, as the title track features the only outside playing on the disc, but it feels more like it's honking R&B shouting rather than vanguard invention as it gives way to the gorgeous Latin swing of the melody. Finally, on the Taylor tune, after a breathtaking arpeggio orgy on "Stompin' Grounds" between Kirk and Smith, the elegance of the musician shines through, as Kirk's flute sweeps through the rhythm section, carrying the cut-time number through a bop permutation or two before coming back to the blues in his solo. Smith's pianism here is so light, his touch so quick and fluid, Kirk can't help but cruise over the tune. This was the beginning of the exploration that led listeners to Blacknuss and Boogie Woogie String Along for Real, and it is worth every bit as those two recordings." Thom Jurek

Archie Shepp - Black Ballads & Blue Ballads

Hmmmm....we don't seem to have spent any time here exploring the giant talent of Archie Shepp and I am more than a little stunned to have just now noticed this. REALLY?

I think a little journey into the Impulse recordings of Shepp AND Pharoah Sanders may be in the near future......

These two albums are such a logical pairing that I couldn't resist posting them together.

My first experience of Shepp was in the Impulse era and at that time I dismissed him quickly due to foolish prejudices and uneducated ears. Today I hear Ike Quebec and Ben Webster all over even his wildest work.

These two albums feature 2 entirely different, yet equally awesome awesome quartets, each is a deeply sensitive conversation over familiar and beloved ground. If you do not have these PLEASE don't pass them by.

Count Basie - Basie Rides Again

 I really must insist you read the album notes for a great overview of this album. These sides really display everything that made the Basie band so legendary.  We are also treated to some not-so-typical scenarios... 1) Basie directing w/ Oscar Peterson on piano and 2) Oscar Peterson on piano & Basie on organ.  Al Hibbler handles vocals which is another treat.  Overall a really fun time.

I spent top dollar on this US original, it's absolutely minty. This glorious mono recording is what hi-fi is all about and I challenge those of you with remasters to compare.  The dynamics of the full band are enough to bring tears of joy to my eyes.  The brass has such incredible impact - that true musical reach that punches you in the chest.This was ripped at 24/44.1 wav and dithered to 16/44.1 FLAC.  I hope it helps to shape your weekend... enjoy!!!

Hank Crawford - Help Me Make It Through The Night (1972) [vinyl>flac]

Help Me Make It Through the Night is one of those Hank Crawford albums: large band, many horns, funky chunky Hammond B-3, strings, and polyrhythms dropping all over the arrangements by Don Sebesky and company. This 1972 set by Crawford is an exemplary portrait of his movin' and groovin' style. With the help of Sebesky and Pee Wee Ellis, Crawford provides the deep groove side of his work without reservation. Jazz takes a back seat as the R&B pours forth all sweaty, greasy, and dripping with a raw, honeylike sweetness. With cats like Airto, Eric Gale, Cornell Dupree, Grover Washington, Jr., Pepper Adams, Snooky Young, and Richard Tee in the house, a masterful groove session was to be expected. Listeners get their money's worth after the opener, which is the title track. With the Junior Walker stinging alto countered by the Hammond, the mess is loose and the vibe is pure downtown. Other cuts such as "Imagine," "Go Away Little Girl," "Brian's Song" -- perfect string arrangement by Sebesky -- and "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning" make this a date of some of the most stellar covers Crawford ever cut. There are no extra notes, but there are plenty of extra beats; the improvisation is red hot, but the strings and supporting rhythm section are out of this world. Help Me Make It Through the Night is indeed one of those Crawford records. ~ Thom Jurek, Rovi

Kudu Records, KU-06, 1972

Recorded January 1972, except #B3 August 1971 at Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliff, New Jersey

Personnel:

Hank Crawford - Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone (#B3)

Grover Washington, Jr. - Tenor Saxophone (#B3)

Pepper Adams - Baritone Saxophone (#B3)

Al DeRisi, Eugene "Snooky" Young - Trumpet (#B3)

Wayne Andre - Trombone (#B3)

Richard Tee - Organ (#A1,A4,B3,B4), Piano (#A2,A3), El-Piano (#B1,B2)

Phil Kraus - Vibraphone (#A1,A4,B1)

Cornell Dupree - Electric Guitar

Eric Gale - Electric Guitar (#B3)

Ron Carter - Bass (#A2-A4,B1,B2,B4), Electric Bass (#A1,B3)

Bernard Purdie - Drums

Idris Muhammad - Drums (#B3)

Airto Moreira - Percussion (#B3)

Strings Section [All Tracks, except #B3]:

Bernard Eichen, Felix Giglio, Emanuel Green,
Harold Kohon, Harry Lookofsky, Joe Malin,

Gene Orloff, Max Polikoff, Elliot Rosoff - Violin

Alfred Brown, Theodore Israel, Emanuel Vardi - Viola

Charles McCracken, George Ricci - Cello

Margaret Ross - Harp

Track Listing:

A1. Help Me Make It Through The Night {Kris Kristofferson} (5:53)

A2. Brian's Song {Michel Legrand} (3:24)

A3. Uncle Funky {Hank Crawford} (5:36)

A4. In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning {Bob Hilliard, Redd Evans} (2:51)

B1. Go Away Little Girl {Gerry Goffin, Carole King} (4:21)

B2. Imagine {John Lennon} (4:07)

B3: Ham {Alfred Ellis} (3:09)

B4. The Sun Died {Ann Grégory, Hubert Giraud, Pierre Delanoë, Ray Charles} (4:09)

Credits:

Producer - Creed Taylor

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Arranger - Don Sebesky, Pee Wee Ellis (#B3)

Album Design - Bob Ciano

Photography - William Cadge