Various Artists - Blues For Tomorrow (1957) [vinyl>flac]

The success of this project will make listeners wish jazz of this ilk had been more frequently released in nifty compilations such as this. It is like some kind of heat-and-serve DJ set, complete with a cover that looks like a hand-colored landscape shot from a '50s science fiction movie, perhaps "Invasion of the Bluesy Snatchers." A key part of the success of any compilation is to avoid the issue of quality through careful programming or some other inexplicable mojo. Since it is impossible for every track to have the same equal value, a compilation relies on charades, presenting an image of the epic and universal appeal of music as pure enjoyment, song to song, whether it is a genius leading the band or...well, Herbie Mann. It is surely no question of fame, since the latter artist was at least for a time the commercial equal if not the better of tenor saxophone genius Sonny Rollins, whose "Funky Hotel Blues" is the ultimate performance here. In terms of quality, comparing his improvisations with the flute wheezing of Mann is like comparing Chateaubriand with "hot 'em" burgers. Yet few listeners will probably bail out of the flutist's "A Sad Thing," possibly because there is a kind of intense happiness that comes from knowing it is the sole track by this Mann in the collection, but also because it is actually an effective, moody instrumental, and not the only one to be hampered not by the lack of a really good jazz soloist. Guitarist Mundell Lowe, who could always use some more recognition, becomes a champion by suggesting to his quintet "Let's Blow Some Blues." His playing is so strong that one imagines that if this performance had actually followed that of Rollins on a stage, nobody in the audience would have complained. There are many classic jazz players lurking in the wings as this collection of tracks unfolds. The first 13 and a half minutes would make a tremendous first act in a play, a loose jam on a tune by Gigi Gryce that is full of the marvelously happy spirit of hard bop. ~ by Eugene Chadbourne, AMG.

Riverside Records, RLP-12-243, 1957

Original Jazz Classics, OJC-030, 1982

Recorded (#A1,B1-B3) At Reeves Sound Studios, New York

(#A2) At Capitol Tower, Los Angeles, California in 1957

Tracklist:

A1. East Coast All-Stars - Blues For Tomorrow {Gigi Gryce} (13:32)

Ray Copeland - Trumpet

Gigi Gryce - Alto Saxophone

John Coltrane - Tenor Saxophone

Coleman Hawkins - Tenor Saxophone

Wilbur Ware - Bass

Art Blakey - Drums

A2. Herbie Mann's Californians - A Sad Thing {Herbie Mann} (5:04)

Herbie Mann - Bass Clarinet

Jack Sheldon - Trumpet

Jimmy Rowles - Piano

Buddy Clark - Bass

Mel Lewis - Drums

B1. Sonny Rollins Quartet - Funky Hotel Blues {Sonny Rollins} (6:00)

Sonny Rollins - Tenor Saxophone

Sonny Clark - Piano

Paul Chambers - Bass

Roy Haynes - Drums

B2. Mundell Lowe Quintet - Let's Blow Some Blues {Mundell Lowe} (7:53)

Mundell Lowe - Guitar

Gene Quill - Alto Saxophone

Billy Taylor - Piano

Les Grinage - Bass

Ed Thigpen - Drums

B3. Bobby Jaspar Quartet - The Fuzz {Bobby Jaspar} (6:13)

Bobby Jaspar - Tenor Saxophone

George Wallington - Piano

Wilbur Little - Bass

Elvin Jones - Drums

Credits:

Producer, Liner Notes - Orrin Keepnews

Recording Engineer - Jack Higgins

Design - Paul Bacon

Cover Photo - Rapho Guillumette Pictures

Coleman Hawkins - Jazz Tones 1954 (24/48 vinyl rip)

A nice, clean 24/48 rip of the Xanadu Gold LP.

"This 1954 studio date by Coleman Hawkins finds the tenor saxophonist in great form, joined by a fine group that includes pianist Billy Taylor, bassist Milt Hinton, drummer Jo Jones, trombonist Eddie Bert, and trumpeter Emmett Berry. Hawkins' boppish take on "Cheek to Cheek" moves at a fast clip, though he never exhausts himself of ideas. The full sextet is heard on a portion of the session, including a lush but brisk take of "Lullaby of Birdland," a snappy run through "Get Happy," and the old swinger "Blue Lou." There are many strong solos by the supporting cast, but it's difficult to eclipse the sound of Hawkins' tenor when he is in top form." AMG

Billy Taylor - Billy Taylor Introduces Ira Sullivan 1956 (LP-24-48-flac)

 
A great early session from Chicago trumpeter Ira Sullivan – a very strong player who came out strongly in the late 50s as one of the big jazz hopefuls from the Windy City. This set has Ira backed by the Billy Taylor Trio – presented by Billy on ABC, where the Taylor trio was recording at the time. Tracks have a nice open-ended feel, and a lot more drive than Billy's own work at the time, and the best numbers feel like they were recorded for a Prestige blowing session. Titles include "Strolling", "Leslie's Gauge", "You Don't Know What Love Is", and "So In Love".  (dustygroove.com)
 
Tracks...

  1. So In Love
  2. Imagination
  3. Strolling
  4. They Can't Take That Away From Me
  5. Leslie's Gauge
  6. In A Mellow Tone
  7. You Don't Know What Love Is

Personnel...

Billy Taylor - Piano
Ed Thigpen - Drums
Earl May - Bass
Ira Sullivan - Trumpet

My LP > flac 24/48 > Complete 600 DPI Scans > 491MB