David Liebman Quartet - Sweet Fury (1984) [vinyl]

A hard to find From Bebop To Now vinyl pressing of a quartet formed by David Liebman during a visit to Canada in 1984. Recorded over two days at Puget Sound, Toronto, Liebman teams up with pianist, vibist, bassist, producer, engineer and composer “Full Nelson” Don Thompson, bassist Steve La Spina and drummer Claude Ranger. Together they lay down some very dynamic grooves verging on free improvisational jazz. For this recording David showcases six of his own compositions and known for his multi reed virtuosity chooses both soprano sax and flute as his tour de force. His flute playing in particular is very haunting on "Tender Mercies", backed by some beautiful accompaniment by Don Thompson on piano. The rest of the team aren't left out of the picture, there's some dynamic bass by Steve La Spina right throughout. In addition, Claude Ranger contributes not only in rhythm but with his own composition "Feu Vert", plus the striking cover photo. Overall, a very engaging and entertaining outing, a must for any David Liebman fan, enjoy! 

From Bebop To Now, BBN 1002, 1984
Recorded 23rd, 24th March, 1984 at Puget Sound, Toronto, Canada 

Musicians:
David Liebman - Soprano Saxophone, Flute
Don Thompson - Piano, Vibes, Bass
Steve La Spina - Bass
Claude Ranger - Drums 

Tracks:
A1. Full Nelson {Don Thompson} (8:14)
A2. A Distant Song {David Liebman} (3:35)
A3. Nadir {David Liebman} (3:11)
A4. Spring '82 {David Liebman} (3:06)
B1. Missing Person {David Liebman} (3:59)
B2. Tender Mercies {David Liebman} (10:50)
B3. Feu Vert {Claude Ranger} (5:44)
B4. A Picture Of Dorian Grey {David Liebman} (1:36) 

Total Time: 40:15 

Credits:
Producer, Engineer - Don Thompson
Producer, Engineer, Jacket Design - Hal Hill
Photography [Front] - Claude Ranger
Photography [Back] - Bill Smith
Jacket Design - Norma Thompson

Gato Barbieri - Yesterdays (1974) [re-rip]

Fantastic slice of latin jazz. The album smokes from start to finish, with Gato in his prime as a sax player. Also featuring the great bass of Ron Carter and the fine drumming of Pretty Purdy. Check out "A John Coltrane Blues" and "Marnie". ~ jimslim11

Gato Barbieri wails his jazz-sax to some great latin rhythms. The title track is complex, driving, and joyous. Driving percussion, thumping bass. Brilliant playing. When they dive into Coltrane's "Village Blues" - (here called "A John Coltrane Blues), ya better strap on your seat belts. ~ phnuggle

Flying Dutchman, BDL 1-0550, 1974

Recorded in New York; 1974

Musicians:

Gato Barbieri - Tenor Saxophone

George Dalto - Piano

Ron Carter - Bass

Paul Metzke - Electric Guitar

Bernard "Pretty" Purdie - Drums

Babafemi - Congas

Raymond Mantilla - Timbales

Tracks:

A1. Yesterdays {Jerome Kern, Otto Harbach} (10:44)

A2. A John Coltrane Blues {John Coltrane} (8:19)

B1. Marnie {Bernard Herrmann, Peter Jason, Gloria Shayne} (7:08)

B2. Cariñoso {Pixinguinha} (10:53)

Total Time: 37:04

Credits:

Producer - Bob Thiele

Recording Engineer - Bob Simpson

Eddie Fisher Quintet - The Third Cup (1969) [re-rip]

Edward Thomas Fisher was born March 4, 1943 and after listening for only a few moments you know he's the one...he's the important part of the next legend...the legend of "Boss String-Pickers." Good guitar players are not easy to come by. Reason: the guitar can't be faked. In other words, you can't ride the wind on someone else's blowing. Charlie Christian, Johnny Smith, Barney Kessell, Kenny Burrell and Wes Montgomery are club members in Guitar's "Hall of Fame." They all wore the label Boss Guitar, and I'm sure they'll be remembered for their varied contributions to modern music. But the Bossest Guitar of 'em all could belong to this young mover from the east...East St. Lois, by way of Little Rock, Arkansas. ~ by Leo Chears, Liner Notes.

Eddie Fisher (1943-2007) came out of Wes Montgomery & Grant Green, but on his Cadet albums there's a spareness, a rawness, a looseness in his playing. The whole album is excellent. The title track is one of the high masterpieces of soul-jazz. The best stuff here isn't funk, it's shimmering, limber, spare steppers; with organ and a second, rhythm guitar, and one Paul Jackson on bass.

Cadet Records, CA 828, 1969

Recorded February, 1969 at Saico Studios, St. Louis, Missouri

Musicians:

Eddie Fisher - Lead Guitar

Phil Westmoreland - Rhythm Guitar

Bobby Selby - Organ

Paul Jackson - Bass

Kenny "Spider Webb" Rice - Drums

Tracks:

A1. Scorched Earth {Eddie Fisher} (3:11)

A2. A Dude Called Zeke {Eddie Fisher} (6:12)

A3. Shut Up {Eddie Fisher} (6:43)

A4. The Third Cup {Eddie Fisher} (5:59)

B1. Two By Two {Oliver Lake} (3:20)

B2. Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Be-Do-Da-Day {Stevie Wonder, Cosby, May} (3:36)

B3. The Shadow Of Your Smile{Johnny Mandel, Paul Francis Webster} (11:02)

Credits:

Producer & Engineer - Oliver Sain

Cover Photography & Album Design - Jerry Griffith

Liner Notes - Leo Chears, KADI-FM, St. Louis, Missouri

The Third Cup

Karl Berger, Dave Holland - All Kinds Of Time (1976) [vinyl]

Relatively few of Karl Berger's recordings have been made available in the U.S. (he has lived most of his life in his native Germany), but this Sackville release has generally been one of the easier ones to acquire. A set of rather dry duets with bassist Dave Holland, Berger is heard interpreting five of his originals on vibes, piano and balafon, showing originality and taking chances on each of his instruments. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG. 

As per usual Scott’s ears are very conservative, relying heavily on his love of pure-line jazz. Listeners that wish to explore improvisational avenues will well appreciate this outing, enjoy! 

Sackville Records, 3010, 1976
Recorded 26th April, 1976 at Thunder Sound, Toronto, Canada 

Musicians:
Karl Berger - Piano, Vibraphone, Balaphon
Dave Holland - Bass 

Tracks:
A1. Simplicity (7:58)
A2. Perfect Love (4:03)
A3. Fragments (9:20)
B1. The Beginning (5:08)
B2. Now Is, D'Accord, All Kinds Of Time, We Are (15:55) 

All Compositions by Karl H. Berger 

Total Time: 42:24 

Credits:
Producers - Bill Smith, John Norris
Recording Engineer - Phil Sheridan
Cover [Batik] - Cloe, Karla & Natasha Smith
Cover Photography & Art - Bill Smith

Donald Brown - Enchanté ! (1998)

Donald Brown is a phenomenal composer in his own right, but he primarily concentrates on overlooked gems during these 1998 sessions. He's joined by alto saxophonist Bill Easley (who doubles on clarinet and flute), trumpeter and flügelhornist Stephane Belmondo, vibraphonist Steve Nelson, bassist Essiet Essiet, and drummer Billy Higgins. Brown's imaginative scoring of Billy Strayhorn's gorgeous ballad "Day Dream" showcases Nelson's sparse vibes and Easley's lyrical clarinet. Thad Jones' "Quiet Lady," one of many treasures that awaits discovery by the jazz world, is an easygoing waltz with crisp brushwork by Higgins. Duke Pearson, another neglected composer, is represented with a driving rendition of "Big Bertha," a piece that could easily have been a part of Brown's repertoire while he was music director for Art Blakey. Easley's haunting flute is backed solely by Brown's thoughtful piano in a brilliant arrangement of Billie Holiday's "Don't Explain," which also spotlights Belmondo's rich flügelhorn. The one standard of the date is a snappy cover of "Like Someone in Love." Donald Brown also contributed three originals, with the upbeat "Enchanté!" especially standing out. Fans of this veteran pianist should snap up this French CD without hesitation. ~ by Ken Dryden, AMG. 

Space Time Records, BG 9910, 1998
Recorded 12th & 13th January, 1998 at Avatar Studios, New York City 

Musicians:
Donald Brown - Piano, Arranger, Composer
Stéphane Belmondo - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Bill Easley - Alto Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute
Steve Nelson - Vibraphone
Mark Boling - Guitar, Guitar [Electric]
Essiet Essiet - Bass
Billy Higgins - Drums
Daniel Sadownick - Percussion 

Tracks:
01. Strangers In Paradise {Donald Brown} (9:47)
02. Diane {Lew Pollack, Erno Rapee} (8:55)
03. Day Dream {Duke Ellington, John Latouche, Billy Strayhorn} (6:50)
04. Quiet Lady {Thad Jones} (4:54)
05. A Dance For Marie-Do {Donald Brown} (6:10)
06. You're Looking At Me {Bobby Troup} (8:26)
07. Big Bertha {Duke Pearson} (7:16)
08. Don't Explain {Billie Holiday} (8:13)
09. Like Someone In Love {James Van Heusen} (6:52)
10. Enchanté! {Donald Brown} (7:04) 

Total Time: 74:27 

Credits:
Producer - Donald Brown
Production Coordination - Xavier Felgeyrolles
Executive Producer - Walter Squindo
Engineer - Jim Anderson
Mastering - Raphaël Jonin
Mixing - Allan Tucker

Bill Mobley Jazz Orchestra - Live At Small's Vols. 1 & 2 (1996)

The difficulties of keeping a big band together are enormous, but trumpeter/flügelhornist Bill Mobley's efforts in the York City area pay off immensely, as documented in the first of two CDs recorded in 1996 at Small's. With some of the finest musicians based in the city (including Jon Gordon, Bill Easley, Greg Gisbert, and Tony Reedus, to name but a few) and several notable guests, this is a band that musicians will especially appreciate. Mobley's arrangement of pianist Mulgrew Miller's "Farewell to Dogma" is a masterpiece, never falling into predictability, and the solos by its composer and soprano saxophonist Billy Pierce add to the freshness of this performance. The leader's "49th Street" is a snappy reworking of the chord changes to "Lover," while his rich flügelhorn and Donald Brown's intense piano solo are the focus of Mobley's "Judgement Day." Other memorable charts, by Brown, Harold Mabern, and James Williams (all special guests on the two dates heard on this CD), are every bit as potent as Mobley's writing. This release is easily one of the most enjoyable large jazz ensemble recordings from the final decade of the 20th century, and post-bop fans should snap up this French release (and its companion second volume) without further ado. ~ by Ken Dryden, AMG. 

Space Time Records, BG 9805, 1997
Space Time Records, BG 9809, 1998
Recorded 17th & 18th September, 1996 Live at Smalls Jazz Club, Greenwich Village, NYC 

Musicians:
Bill Mobley - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Leader
Andy Gravish, Craig Johnson, Greg Gisbert, Jim Rotondi - Trumpet
Pat Hallaran, Tim Sessions - Trombone
Mike Fahn - Trombone [Slide & Valve]
Tim Newman - Bass Trombone
Jay Brandford - Alto Saxophone, Flute
Jon Gordon - Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute
Mike Lee - Tenor Saxophone
Bill Easley - Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet
Ray Franks - Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Flute
Matthew Fries - Piano
Bill Moring - Bass
Tony Reedus - Drums 

Guests:
Donald Brown, Harold Mabern, James Williams, Mulgrew Miller - Piano
Billy Pierce - Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone
Miles Griffith - Vocals

CD1:
1. Farewell To Dogma {Mulgrew Miller, Arr. Bill Mobley} (9:49)
featuring Billy Pierce, Mulgrew Miller
2. 49th Street {Bill Mobley, Arr. Bill Mobley} (8:59)
featuring Bill Mobley, Billy Pierce, Jay Brandford
3. Song For My Mother {Donald Brown, Arr. J. Schneider} (8:50)
featuring Billy Pierce, Donald Brown
4. Black Scholars {James Williams, Arr. Geoff Keezer} (9:48)
featuring James Williams, Mike Fahn, Miles Griffith
5. Judgement Day {Bill Mobley, Arr. J. Schneider} (10:46)
featuring Bill Mobley, Donald Brown
6. Alex The Great {Harold Mabern, Arr. Bill Mobley} (10:42)
featuring Bill Easley, Harold Mabern, Jon Gordon

CD2:

1. Second Thoughts {Mulgrew Miller, Arr. Bill Mobley} (12:58)
featuring Jon Gordon, Mulgrew Miller
2. Sudan Blue {Billy Pierce, Arr. Bill Mobley} (8:08)
featuring Billy Pierce, Donald Brown, Pat Hallaran
3. Chuck's Groove {Billy Pierce, Arr. Bill Mobley} (6:40)
featuring Andy Gravish, Bill Mobley, Billy Pierce, Jim Rotondi
4. Lament {J.J. Johnson, Arr. Bill Mobley} (6:45)
featuring Bill Mobley
5. For My Nephews {James Williams, Arr. Greg Hopkins} (10:05)
featuring Bill Easley, James Williams, Miles Griffith
6. Affaire D'Amour {Donald Brown, Arr. Bill Mobley} (10:00)
featuring Donald Brown, Jon Gordon 

Total Time: 58:54 + 54:36 

Credits:
Producer - Bill Mobley, Ray Franks
Executive-Producer - Walter H. Squindo
Recording Engineer - David Baker
Mastering Engineer - Raphaël Jonin
Liner Notes - Loren Schoenberg 

N.B.
Excess applause, lead-ins & commentary have been carefully trimmed and faded out.

Thelonious Monk - The Complete Prestige 10 Inch LP Collection [vinyl 24/96]

 Contributed by KingCake.

Full discographical details can be found here:

https://www.jazzdisco.org/thelonious-monk/

Ted Curson Quintet - Live At La Tête De L'Art (1962) [re-rip]

This was to be Curson's second date as a leader, the first being "Plenty Of Horn" on the Old Town label recorded in NYC in 1961. As a younger musician he is in fine form. Lots of 'Fire Down Below' in this live concert. His supporting crew are also inspirational, although unknown to me. In particular the altoist soars well with Ted's horn. Also of significance and harmony is the pianist. Overall an impressive blowing session of his own tunes; many of these would become a stable part of his repertoire. Sadly Ted is no longer with us, but this is one great place to start; to appreciate his mighty contribution to the jazz world.

Trans World Records, TWJ-7000, 1962

Recorded 15^th September, 1962 at La Tête de L'Art, Montreal, Canada

Musicians:

Ted Curson - Trumpet, Pocket Trumpet

Al Doctor - Alto Saxophone

Maury Kaye - Piano

Charlie Biddles - Bass

Charlie Duncan - Drums

Tracks:

A1. Cracklin' Bread {Ted Curson} (7:58)

A2. Ted's Tempo {Ted Curson} (7:44)

A3. Playhouse March {Ted Curson} (6:56)

B1. Straight Ice {Ted Curson} (12:34)

B2. Quicksand {Ted Curson} (8:08)

This album has also been released on vinyl as: Ted Curson - The Canadian Concert of Ted Curson Can-Am [CA 1701] LP-Mono (1983)

Ted Curson is known in jazz circles as one of those "very promising young men" as well as one of the "dynamically promising of the new wave" of young trumpeters. To list all the fine views and reviews the jazz critics have written about "TED CURSON" would not be justified in the small amount of space alloted here. Ted Curson is definitely one of the leading trumpeter-composers of the next decade. Our only hope is that many of you will have the opportunity to see and hear him in person .... ~ by Leroi Jones, extracts taken from the Liner Notes.

Ari Hoenig Punkbop - Live At Smalls (2010)

This is a killer high octane live set by drummer Ari Hoenig with his Punk Bop Band which features some of the most talented in demand players in NYC. On guitar Jonathan Kreisberg who's playing is not to be missed here. He goes from Pat Martino inspired tones to wet fx drenched Pat Metheny like sounds on his Gibson 175. On alto sax Will Vinson of the U.K. On bass is Danton Boller who anchored Roy Hargrove's fabulous 2008 album "Ear Food", Danton really lays it down here on upright bass. The music is a unique fusion of styles but it's less like 70s "fusion" and more just what modern jazz is becoming as time passes and the stylistic boundaries blur. Pick this up if you're a fan of Ari Hoenig and if you're looking for some new music to digest, I promise you'll find something to like here. Not recommended for anyone that thinks all Jazz after the 50s was crap. ~ Jonathan Guarriello, User@AllMusic.com. 

SmallsLIVE, SL-0013, 2010
Recorded 8th February, 2010 Live at Smalls Jazz Club, Greenwich Village, NYC 

Musicians:
Ari Hoenig - Drums, Arranger
Will Vinson - Alto Saxophone
Tigran Hamasyan - Piano
Jonathan Kreisberg - Guitar
Danton Boller - Bass 

Tracks:
1. Birdless (12:29)
2. Remembering (10:03)
3. Rapscallion Cattle (12:34)
4. Green Spleen (15:22)
5. Dark News (9:51)
6. Ska (12:53) 

All Compositions by Ari Hoenig 

Total Time: 73:15 

Credits:
Producer, Executive-Producer - Spike Wilner
Producer, Mixing - Ben Rubin
Engineer - Jimmy Katz
Mastering - Gene Paul, Jamie Polaski
Photography, Design - Michelle Watt 

Green Spleen