Joanne Brackeen Trio, The - Havin' Fun (1985)

After 3½ years off records, Joanne Brackeen returned by getting signed to Concord and cutting her first standards album. Joined by bassist Cecil McBee and drummer Al Foster, Brackeen explores such unlikely tunes as “I've Got the World on a String,” “This Is Always” and “Day by Day,” but that does not mean that she was suddenly sounding like Teddy Wilson. Brackeen's distinctive style is heard very much intact in this fairly accessible format, and she makes the ancient tunes sound fresh. Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow, AMG. 

Concord Jazz, CCD-4280, 1985
Concord Jazz, K32Y 6061, 1986
Recorded June, 1985 at Classic Sound Productions, New York 

Musicians:
Joanne Brackeen - Piano
Cecil McBee - Bass
Al Foster - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Thinking Of You {Bert Kalmar, Harry Ruby} (5:03)
2. I've Got The World On A String {Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler} (5:33)
3. Emily {Johnny Mandel, Johnny Mercer} (6:51)
4. Just One Of Those Things {Cole Porter} (4:04)
5. This Is Always {Harry Warren, Mack Gordon} (5:14)
6. Everything She Wants {George Michael} (4:17)
7. Manha De Carnaval {Antonio Maria, Luiz Bonfá} (7:20)
8. Day By Day {Axel Stordahl, Paul Weston, Sammy Cahn} (5:33) 

Total Time: 43:58 

Credits:
Producer - Carl E. Jefferson
Recording Engineer - A.T. Michael MacDonald
Assistant Engineer - M. Denise McGrath
Mastering Engineer - George Horn
Design - Joanne Moss Design 

I've Got The World On A String

Harry Allen Quartet - A Little Touch Of Harry (1997)

Much lauded by jazz critics, 32-year-old tenor saxophonist Harry Allen is an example of perfection in motion on this collaboration with pianist Kenny Barron, bassist George Mraz, and drummer Al Foster. Throughout the 12 standards, Allen shows plenty of versatility, passion, precision, and panache. Working with one of the best New York rhythm sections, the saxophonist maintains a honey-toned sound at any tempo, not unlike performances on 17 earlier recordings. Allen is broadly talented. He capably refreshes bop-ish numbers ("From This Moment On" and "I Never Knew"), medium-swingers ("Luck Be A Lady Tonight" and "Easy To Love"), and a samba ("It Might as Well Be Spring"). Best, though, are his burnished, breathy tender tenorisms on ballads such as "Nobody’s Heart," "This Is All I Ask," "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most," and the finale, "I Get Along Without You Very Well." Indeed, a little touch of Harry goes a long way. Factor in the skills of Barron, Mraz, and Foster, and you have a welcome addition to any album collection. ~ Nancy Ann Lee, Jazztimes.com.

Sound Hills Records, SSCD8083, 1997

Recorded in 1997

Personnel:

Harry Allen - Tenor Saxophone

Kenny Barron - Piano

George Mraz - Bass

Al Foster - Drums

Tracks:

01. From This Moment On {Cole Porter} (6:26)

02. Luck Be A Lady Tonight {Frank Loesser} (5:28)

03. Nobody's Heart {Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart} (4:48)

04. Just Like Another Dream {Harry Allen, Gloria Planner)} (4:45)

05. All God's Chillin' Got Rhythm {Walter Jurmann, Gus Kahn, Bronisław Kaper} (4:16)

06. I Wanna Be Around {Sadie Vimmerstedt, ‎Johnny Mercer} (6:36)

07. This Is All I Ask {Gordon Jenkins} (6:38)

08. I Never Knew {Gus Kahn, Ted FioRito} (4:28)

09. It Might As Well Be Spring {Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II} (6:35)

10. Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most {Tommy Wolf, Fran Landesman} (6:19)

11. Easy To Love {Cole Porter} (6:16)

12. I Get Along Without You Very Well {Hoagy Carmichael} (4:07)

Total Time: 66:42

Roy Hargrove - Approaching Standards (1994)

This compilation serves as a fine entrance point into Hargrove's work. The playing is measured and a fine representation of he the jazz played by the Young Lions of the early 90's. Hargrove would evolve and his sound would change. These 10 songs are the sound of promise, later albums would arguably deliver on that promise. This is a must have if you're interested in the early sound of Hargrove's ballads. ~ by Dave Rullo, AMG.

Here Is Beauty Pure And Simple

Every track is a delight, just put it on and let it go. It very beautifully showcases the trumpet as a jazz instrument and reaffirms Roy Hargrove as a main interpreter of the standards. This CD is a good introduction into jazz for anyone not yet acquainted. It is also one of my favorites to put on at night for go-to-sleep music. ~ Paul Phelps, Amazon.com

RCA/Novus Records, 01241 63178 2, 1994

Jazz Heritage, 513900W, 1995

Recorded December, 1989 to February, 1993
At BMG Studios & Clinton Recording, New York

Personnel:

Roy Hargrove - Trumpet, Flugelhorn

Frank Lacy - Trombone

Ran Blake - Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone

John Hicks - Piano

Stephen Scott - Piano

Christian McBride - Bass

Rodney Whitaker - Bass

Scott Colley - Bass

Al Foster - Drums

Billy Higgins - Drums

Gregory Hutchinson - Drums

Tracks:

01. Easy To Remember {Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers} (6:17)

02. Ruby My Dear {Thelonious Monk} (6:17)

03. Whisper Not {Benny Golson} (7:31)

04. What's New? {Johnny Burke, Bob Haggart} (5:10)

05. September In The Rain {Al Dubin, Harry Warren} (7:23)

06. You Don't Know What Love Is {Gene DePaul, Don Raye} (6:20)

07. End Of A Love Affair {Thelonious Monk} (8:05)

08. Things We Did Last Summer {Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne} (5:38)

09. Everything I Have Is Yours {Burton Lane, Harold Adamson}
/Dedicated To You {Sammy Cahn, Hy Zaret} (4:48)

10. My Shining Hour {Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer} (6:09)

Credits:

Producer - Larry Clothier

Mastering - Jimmy Nichols At BMG Studios, NYC

Photography - Ruedi Hofmann

Art Direction - Jacqueline Murphy

Design - Amy Wenzler

David Liebman - Light'n Up, Please! (1976) [re-rip]

Along with mainstay Pee Wee Ellis, Dave Liebman turns his hand to funk. Many admirers of his Post-Bop adventures may not at first be impressed but with further appraisals this LP is still a solid bit of well-crafted jazz and not to be so easily written off as a less important album within his now vast discography. He is joined by some mighty fine players including the poorly acknowledged Link Chamberland. Others include the splendid pianist Richie Beirach, drummer Al Foster and percussionists Juma Santos and Sonny Brown. Not to overlook the mighty voice of Leon Thomas on three tunes. Overall Liebman still continues to showcase his multi-instrumental talents with great prowess. A highlight is his soprano mastery on “Tranquility Of The Protective Aura.” Enjoy!

Horizon Records, SP-721, 1977

Recorded May, 1976 at the Record Plant, Sausalito, California
and September, 1976 at Electric Lady Studio, New York City

Personnel:

David Liebman - Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, C Flute, Alto Flute,
Electric Piano, Talking Drum, Percussion, Vocals

Pee Wee Ellis - Tenor Sax, Soprano Sax, Electric Piano, Percussion, Vocals

Harold Williams - Electric Piano, Minimoog, Vocals (#A3,B2,B3,B5)

Richie Beirach - Acoustic Piano (#B4)

Link Chamberland - Electric Guitar (#A1,A3,B1-B3,B5)

Chris Hayes - Electric Guitar (#A1,A2,A4,B1)

Jeff Berlin - Electric Bass (#A3,B2,B3,B5)

Tony Saunders - Electric Bass (#A1,A2,A4,B1)

Jimmy Strassburg - Drums, Percussion

Al Foster - Drums (#A3,B2,B3,B5)

Juma Santos - Congas, Percussion (#A1,A3,B1-B3,B5)

Sonny Brown - Percussion (#B2)

Leon Thomas - Vocals, Percussion (#A1,B1,B2)

Tracks:

A1. Light'n Up, Please! {David Liebman} (6:39)

A2. Children Of The Ghetto {David Liebman, Leon Thomas, Eleana Steinberg, Pee Wee Ellis} (3:44)

A3. Tranquility Of The Protective Aura {Harold Williams} (5:54)

A4. The Fonz's Strut {David Liebman, Pee Wee Ellis} (5:55)

B1. Got To Work {David Liebman, Pee Wee Ellis, Leon Thomas} (3:17)

B2. Chicken Soup {David Liebman, Pee Wee Ellis} (3:52)

B3. Exquisite Torture {David Liebman} (5:05)

B4. Win Your Love {David Liebman} (1:31)

B5. Slow Dance On The Killing Ground {David Liebman} (4:24)

Credits:

Producer - David Liebman, John Snyder, Pee Wee Ellis

Engineer - Skip Juriad , Assistant - Jerry Soloman [Electric Lady]

Engineer - Tom Anderson [The Record Plant]

Mixing - Bob Edwards, Assistant - Eric Schilling [The Record Plant]

Photography - James Fee [Front], Benno Friedman [Back]

Photography - Barbara Ellis

Art Direction - Roland Young

Design - Phil Shima

Sax boffin and one-time Miles Davis sideman, David Liebman, and James Brown's sax man Pee Wee Ellis get together for a light-hearted rhythm workout. On two tracks ("Light'n Up Please!" and "Got To Work") they lock swords with their tenors and Ellis plays electric piano and tenor on the others. Liebman tries his hand at funky stuff on side one, and although the whole album sounds hastily produced rather than spontaneous, we are treated to some wonderfully creative and searching soprano solos on "Slow Dance On The Killing Ground", "Exquisite Torture" and "Tranquility Of The Protective Aura". ~ vitalwill, RYM.

Neal Creque - Contrast! (1972) [vinyl>flac]

Neal Creque was a soul-jazz luminary of the late ‘60’s and ‘70’s, recording extensively with Grant Green, and writing and arranging many of Cuban conguero Mongo Santamaria’s funkiest efforts. This album of his is all over the map stylistically, from solo piano tunes to Latin-funk fusion, and it encapsulates a number of varied moods within its relatively short playing time. Not easy to acquire. ~ by dmay28.

Ripped from a well-used LP, contains a few artifacts, otherwise a great listen, Enjoy!

Cobblestone Records, CST 9023, 1972

Personnel:

Neal Creque - Piano, Electric Piano, Clavinet, Organ, Bells

Billy Butler - Guitar

John Hart - Fender Bass

Kermit Moore - Cello

Al Foster - Drums

James Morrison, Leo Flemming, Richard Landrum, Steve Kroon, William Bivins:
Congas, Bongos, Tambourine, Triangle, Cuica, Shekere, Bells, Oboe [African],
Bajo Quinto, Claves, Guiro, Percussion [Other Miscellaneous]

Alfred Brown, Selwart Clarke, Winston Collymore - Viola

Tracks:

A1. Kenya (8:00)

A2. Help Yourself (4:32)

A3. Bacalau (4:24)

A4. Happy Go Lucky (2:23)

A5. Just A Moment (2:52)

B1. D Train (3:27)

B2. Love And Life (5:18)

B3. Jasmine (2:59)

B4. Two Loving Hearts (3:19)

B5. All This World Has To Offer (6:00)

All Compositions by Neal Creque

Credits:

Producer, Design, Photography - Don Schlitten

Executive-Producer, A&R Coordinator - Joe Fields

Recording Engineer - Paul Goodman

Mastering - Sam-Feldman (Bell Sound Studios, New York City)

Composer, Arranger - Neal Creque

Liebman, Beirach, Mraz & Foster - Quest (24/48 vinyl rip)

Came across a sealed copy of this one!

"Quest was the name of the quartet that Dave Liebman (who is heard here on soprano and alto flute) had with pianist Richie Beirach, bassist George Mraz and drummer Al Foster.

"Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," Foster's tribute to Miles Davis, sounds nothing like the trumpeter's music but builds up expertly in passion and intensity with Liebman's soprano taking honors. Mraz's "Wisteria" is a memorable ballad, Lieb's soprano is explosive on "Softly s in a Morning Sunrise" and Beirach's tender ballad "Elm" (a tribute to the late violinist Zbigniew Seifert) gets fairly adventurous during its latter half. Liebman's hyper "Napanoch" and an atmospheric and floating version of Ornette Coleman's "Lonely Woman" complete this superior postbop release." Yanow

David Liebman - Light'n Up, Please! (1976) [vinyl>flac]

Allied with Pee Wee King of James Brown fame, Dave Liebman plunges headlong into funk in the wake of Herbie Hancock's Headhunters, but his heart doesn't seem to be in it. At times, he sounds bored playing R&B riffs that he seemed to have outgrown at the time, lapsing into free-jazz flurries in an effort to stay interested, and the rhythm section is leaden. The whole thing is recorded with a dry, airless ambience, possibly emulating Headhunters and its sought-after riches -- but no, it didn't translate into anything close to a gold record. Leon Thomas makes some fairly ridiculous vocal appearances on the energetic but mindless funk of "Children of the Ghetto" and the pale imitation of a JB groove, "Got to Work." Yet there are a few moments, particularly on "Tranquility of the Protective Aura," where Liebman's lovely soprano is permitted to soar unimpeded. The title of the album refers either to photography or cigarettes, depending upon which side of the cover you're looking at. ~ Richard S. Ginell, All Music Guide.

Horizon Records, SP-721, 1977

Recorded May 1976 at the Record Plant, Sausalito, California;
and September 1976 at Electric Lady Studio, New York City

Personnel:

David Liebman - Tenor & Soprano Saxes, Alto & C Flutes, Electric Piano,
Talking Drum, Vocals, Handclaps

Pee Wee Ellis - Tenor & Soprano Saxes, Electric Piano, Vocals, Handclaps

Harold "Ivory" Williams - Synthesizer [Mini Moog], Electric Piano, Vocals

Link Chamberland - Electric Guitars

Chris Hayes - Electric Guitar

Jeff Berlin - Bass

Tony Saunders - Bass

Al Foster - Drums

Jimmy Strassburg - Percussion

Jumma Santos - Congas, Handclaps

Sonny Brown - Percussion

Richard Beirach - Piano [Acoustic]

Leon Thomas – Vocals

[See included Info.txt file for specific details]

Track Listing:

A1. Light'n Up, Please! {David Liebman} (6:39)

A2. Children Of The Ghetto {Liebman, Thomas, Steinberg, Ellis} (3:44)

A3. Tranquility Of The Protective Aura {Harold Williams} (5:54)

A4. The Fonz's Strut {David Liebman, Pee Wee Ellis} (5:55)

B1. Got To Work {Liebman, Ellis, Leon Thomas} (3:17)

B2. Chicken Soup {David Liebman, Pee Wee Ellis} (3:52)

B3. Exquisite Torture {David Liebman} (5:05)

B4. Win Your Love {David Liebman} (1:31)

B5. Slow Dance On The Killing Ground {David Liebman} (4:24)

Like many appraisals they can be quite subjective to a reviewer’s preferences and prejudices. Although not the usual side you would expect from David Liebman, it is however a major attempt to fashion a pleasurable jazz funk album. He is helped by a myriad of sophisticated players and performers. If the listener overlooks some of the dated riffs and concentrates on some of the artists solos they will soon realise a high standard of music. It is also an opportunity to hear the elusive Link Chamberland in action. Overall Liebman demonstrates some wonderful virtuosity across a broad range of instruments, in particular when he swaps to soprano. Pee-Wee Ellis’ contribution as musician, writer and producer is also impressive. Apart from a couple of rambling moments, this LP sets up some very funky grooves. Ripped from a well loved vinyl the resulting music makes for an enjoyable listen.