Ray Bryant - Golden Earrings (1988) [vinyl>flac]

Pianist Ray Bryant's records of the 1980's are consistently enjoyable but sometimes the repertoire could be fresher. Virtually every song on this EmArcy release was recorded earlier by Bryant except possibly "I'm A Fool To Want You." Bryant, bassist Rufus Reid and drummer Freddie Waits explore such numbers as "'Round Midnight," "Misty," Duke Ellington's "What Am I Here For" and Bryant's "Lullabye," but the lack of surprises makes this a rather predictable effort. ~ Scott Yanow, AMG.

EmArcy/Mercury Records, 836 368-1, 1988

Recorded 23^rd, 24^th January & 26^th June, 1988 Power Station, New York, N.Y.

Musicians:

Ray Bryant - Piano

Rufus Reid - Bass

Freddie Waits - Drums

Tracks:

A1. Golden Earrings {Jay Livingston, Ray Evans, Victor Young} (7:18)

A2. I'm A Fool To Want You {Frank Sinatra, Jack Wolf, Joel Herron} (5:32)

A3. 'Round Midnight {Bernie Hanighen, Cootie Williams, Thelonious Monk} (8:03)

A4. I Remember Clifford {Benny Golson} (5:40)

B1. Speak Low {Kurt Weill, Ogden Nash} (8:51)

B2. Misty {Erroll Garner} (6:15)

B3. What Am I Here For {Duke Ellington} (8:20)

B4. Lullabye {Ray Bryant} (2:53)

Credits:

Producer - Kiyoshi Koyama

Recording Engineer - Tom Lazarus

Design - Marlyn Rennie-Bryant

Photography - Daniels & Glionna

Liner Notes - Alain Gerber

FRANK WESS - with KENNY BURRELL - STEAMIN' - 1963 - WAVE

1963

Prestige PR 7278

MY Vinyl Rip

Front & Back Covers

WAVE

One of Frank Wess' strongest albums from the time – a harder-than-usual burner recorded with Kenny Burrell on guitar, plus Thad Jones trumpet, Mal Waldron piano, and rhythm by Paul Chambers and Art Taylor. Tracks are long and very jamming – almost in the mode of the Prestige blowing sessions of a few years hence, especially when Wess is playing tenor. Titles include "Count One", "Empty Street", "Steamin", and "Blue Jelly".

01 Steamin'

02 Blue Jelly

03 Count One

04 Empty Street

David Newman - Mr. Fathead (1976) [vinyl>flac]

A pretty sweet set from reedman David Newman - a record that has him working with larger instrumental backdrops, in a mode that's almost like the sound going on with Stanley Turrentine over at CTI! William S. Fischer handled all the arrangements - so although things are tight, there's still a cool creative undercurrent too - way more than just standard orchestrations behind Newman's sweet solo lines on alto, tenor, and soprano sax. A few cuts have backing vocals - used in ways you might hear on a Hank Crawford album - and titles include "Shiki", "Promise Me Your Love", "Ebo Man", "Groovin To The Music", "I Love Music", and "Mashooganah". © Dusty Groove, Inc.

David "Fathead" Newman plays alto sax, tenor sax & flute backed by Ron Carter, Anthony Jackson, Dom Um Romão, Jimmy Johnson, Pat Rebillot, Andy Newmark, Jerry Friedman, David Carey, Bill Salter, Ralph MacDonald, Keith Loving, Jimmie Young, Dave Valentin (playing percussion!) et al, plus brass section (featuring Burt Collins, Joe Shepley, Jim Bossy & Richard Peck), strings (feat. Selwart Clarke on viola) and backing vocals (including Patti Austin). My personal favorite tracks: "You Got Style" (a lush arrangement of the Ralph MacDonald/Bill Salter tune previously recorded by Phil Upchurch & Tennyson Stephens on Kudu), "Groovin' To The Music," "Ebo Man," "Promise Me Your Love" and "I Love Music". ~ Arnaldo Desouteiro.

Warner Bros. Records, BS 2917, 1976

Recorded At Regent Sound Studios, New York City

Personnel:

David Newman - Alto, Soprano & Tenor Saxophones, Flute

Jim Bossy, Burt Collins, Joseph Shepley - Trumpet

Buddy Morrow - Trombone

Jonathan Dorn - Tuba

Billy Slapin - Clarinet, Piccolo Flute

Richard Landry - Tenor Saxophone

Arthur Jenkins - Keyboards

Bill Fischer - Electric Piano, Synthesizer

Arthur Jenkins - Piano

Jose Cruz - Electric Piano

Pat Rebillot - Clavinet

Luis Cruz, Jerry Friedman, Keith Loving - Guitar

Bill Salter - Bass

Anthony Jackson - Bass Guitar

Ron Carter - Bass

Jimmy Johnson - Drums

Jimmie Young - Drums

Andy Newmark - Drums

John Rodrieguez, Ralph MacDonald - Percussion

David Valentin - Percussion

Dom Um Romão - Percussion

and others [See Info file]

Tracks:

A1. Dance With Me {John & Johanna Hall} (3:55)

A2. Groovin' To The Music {G. P. Coverdale, D. Cameron, D. McGriff} (5:51)

A3. You Got Style {Ralph MacDonald, William Salter} (4:32)

A4. Ebo Man {David Newman, Arthur Jenkins} (5:29)

B1. Shiki {Bill Fischer} (3:59)

B2. Promise Me Your Love {Ralph MacDonald, William Salter} (4:30)

B3. I Love Music {Leon Huff, Kenny Gamble} (6:12)

B4. Mashooganah {David Newman} (5:08)

Credits:

Producer - Joel Dorn, Jonathan Dorn

Arranger - William S. Fischer (#A1-A3,B1,B3,B4)

Engineer [Recording & Mixing] - Robert Liftin

Engineer [Mastering] - Vince McGarry

Art Direction - Ed Thrasher

Design - Brian Hagiwara, Rod Dyer Inc.

Photography [Front Cover] - H. E. Edgerton

Photography [Liner] - David Gahr

Liner Notes - Vernon Gibbs

Notes:

Mixed and Mastered At Regent Sound Studios, New York City

JOHNNY HODGES - CREAMY - 1955 - WAVE

1955
Norgran MGN-1045 (Mono)
Verve 70-5706
My Vinyl Rip
Front & Back Covers
WAVE
DR Value 11

 Johnny Hodges' small group dates for various Norman Granz-owned labels (Norgran, Clef, and Verve) pleased fans of Duke Ellington, due in part to the frequent presence of fellow sideman from the band. The 1955 Creamy session is no exception, with Clark Terry (trumpet and flügelhorn), baritone saxophonist Harry Carney, clarinetist Jimmy Hamilton (who doubles on tenor sax), and trombonist Lawrence Brown joining Hodges in the front line. The rhythm section consists of Billy Strayhorn, bassist Jimmy Woode, and drummer Sonny Greer. In addition to a long ballad medley with individual features for each player (except for Greer), the remainder of the date is devoted to originals by Hodges or Strayhorn, along with "Scufflin'," an impromptu-sounding swinger credited to the alto saxophonist's wife, Cue Hodges. While there are no real surprises anywhere on this record, it is well worth acquiring...AllMusic Review by Ken Dryden

01 The Ballad Medley:  Whispering, Tenderly, Don't Take Your Love From Me, But Not For Me, Prelude To A Kiss, Polka Dots And Moonbeams, Passion Flower / 02 Scufflin' / 03 Honey Bunny / 04 Passion / 05 Pretty Little Girl / 06 No Use Kicking

CHARLIE SHAVERS - GIRL OF MY DREAMS - 1960 - 24/48 FLAC

1960
Everest SDBR 1070
My Vinyl Rip
Front & Back Covers
DR Value 12

The focus is almost entirely on Shavers' horn, for he is in the spotlight throughout while backed by pianist Ray Bryant (who is very much in a supportive role), bassist Aaron Bell, and drummer Roy Burns.  Although the performances are mostly very concise (nearly all of the selections are under three-minutes long), the trumpeter makes every note count during the consistently exciting program. There definitely isn't much in the way of improvisational jams going on here, but if you like your jazz short and sweet, you'll enjoy getting close with Shavers. Reviewed by Scott Yanow & Michael Brad Richman

01 Girl Of My Dreams /  02 September In The Rain /  03 What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry / 04 Lover / 05 I'll Get By / 06 Out Of Nowhere / 07 Dream / 

08 Bye Bye Blackbird / 09 Pennies From Heaven / 10 Frenesi / 

11 Green Eyes / 12 Let's Fall In Love

WOODY SHAW - LOVE DANCE - 1975 - 24/48

Muse  MR-5074
My Vinyl Rip
Front & Back Covers
FLAC
DR Value 13

Love Dance is the fourth album led by trumpeter Woody Shaw which was recorded in 1975 and released on the Muse label.  Love Dance was reissued by Mosaic Records as part of Woody Shaw: The Complete Muse Sessions in 2013.   Shaw gives us a polished performance as he shows his versatility throughout the session.  I like the title track Love Dance as the highlight.  At over twelve minutes in length, it's a showcases of wonderful solos by all the players.    

01 Love Dance / 02 Obsequious / 03 Sunbath / 04 Zoltan /
05 Soulfully I Love You (Black Spiritual of Love)

Woody Shaw - trumpet;  Steve Turre - trombone, bass trombone;  René McLean - alto saxophone, soprano saxophone;
Billy Harper - tenor saxophone;  Joe Bonner - piano, electric piano;  Cecil McBee - bass;  Victor Lewis - drums:
Guilherme Franco - percussion;  Tony Waters - congas