Jack McDuff - Jack-Pot (1991)

For this session, recorded in Milan and produced for the Italian Red Records label, Jack McDuff leads a swinging trio and quintet. He is joined within the trio formation by drummer and singer, on two tracks, Bobby Durham, and pianist and producer Massimo Faraò. Together they express great empathy for a bluesy exploration of some great standards. Massimo himself contributes a delightful composition "Martasamba," The grouping is expanded to a quintet with the addition of two emerging brilliant Italian reed players, tenorist Piero Odorici and baritone saxophonist Bruno Marini whom provides the exciting two-part “Basie Instinct.” Throughout, all nine tunes Jack and Massimo deliver a tight synergy that truly swings. A definite highlight is McDuff’s own composition “Spectator” where the trio builds into a pulsating charge. Overall, the album will grow on any discerning listener, and maybe even hit the jackpot in gratuitous aural pleasure. 

Red Records, RR 123267-2 CD, 1996
Recorded May, 1991 at Nikto Studios, Milano, Italy 

Musicians:
Jack McDuff - Organ
Piero Odorici - Tenor Saxophone (#1,3,5,9)
Bruno Marini - Baritone Saxophone (#1,3,5,9)
Massimo Faraò - Piano
Bobby Durham - Drums, Vocals (#4,7) 

Tracks:
1. Deli Blues For Blakey {Bobby Durham} (7:39)
2. Broadway {Bobby Bird, Teddy McRae, Henri Woode} (6:52)
3. Jack-Pot {Jeremy Monteiro, Alberto Marsico} (7:55)
4. When I Fall In Love {Edward Heyman, Victor Young} (5:54)
5. Basie Instinct {Bruno Marini} (4:36)
6. Spectator {Jack McDuff} (7:53)
7. Teach Me Tonight {Sammy Cahn, Gene DePaul} (3:41)
8. Martasamba {Massimo Faraò} (9:31)
9. Basie Instinct [Take 2] {Bruno Marini} (4:27) 

Total Time: 58:28 

Credits:
Producer - Massimo Faraò
Executive Producer - Sergio Veschi
Art Direction - Marco Pennisi

Red Holloway - The Burner (1963)

This is first of four albums that Red Holloway recorded for Prestige during 1963-65. On this LP Holloway is heard in fine form as a powerful bluesy tenor sax soloist. He is notably joined by trumpeters Paul Serrano & Hobart Dotson, guitarist Eric Gale, hammond organist John Patton, bassist Leonard Gaskin and drummer Herbie Lovelle. The majority of the tunes are written by Holloway with exception of "Crib Theme" and "Moonlight In Vermont". The compositions are played in a very compelling mode of soul-jazz verging on bop with some exceptional solos by many of these gifted players. As his first on Prestige this in many ways is his best and not to be missed.

Prestige Records, PRST 7299, 1963

Recorded 27^th August (#B3) and 10^th October (#A1-B2), 1963 at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Personnel:

#A1-B2

Red Holloway - Tenor Saxophone

Paul Serrano - Trumpet

John Patton - Organ

Eric Gale - Guitar

Leonard Gaskin - Bass

Herbie Lovelle - Drums

#B3 Only

Red Holloway - Tenor Saxophone

Hobart Dotson - Trumpet

George Butchka [aka John Patton] - Organ

Bobby Durham - Guitar

Thomas Palmer - Bass

Charles Lindsey - Drums

Track Listing:

A1. Monkey Sho Can Talk {Red Holloway} (3:37)

A2. Brethren {Red Holloway} (5:06)

A3. Crib Theme {Ozzie Cadena} (10:12)

B1. The Burner {Red Holloway} (10:36)

B2. Miss Judie Mae {Red Holloway} (3:13)

B3. Moonlight In Vermont {John Blackburn, Karl Suessdorf} (6:00)

Credits:

Supervision - Ozzie Cadena

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Liner Notes - Francis Squibb (Nov. 1963)

Charles Earland - Mama Roots (1978) [re-rip]

Amazing late 70s work from Charles Earland – quite different material than his contemporaneous sets for Mercury and Columbia, and much more the rootsy soul jazz he first cut at Prestige! The tracks are long, and filled with rhythms – that undeniable Earland groove, which is laid out here beautifully on the Hammond – in a real no-nonsense sort of style that holds up wonderfully over the years. Players are great throughout – and include Dave Schnitter and George Coleman on tenor, Jimmy Ponder on guitar, and Walter Perkins on drums. Titles include "Undecided", "The Dozens", "Mama Roots", "Red Green & Black Blues", "Old Folks", and "Bluesette". ~ Dusty Groove Inc.,

Organist Charles Earland recorded nine albums for the Muse label between 1977 and 1995. None stand out particularly, but each had its share of solid, organ-combo swing and programs of mostly blues and ballads. This music was all recorded between Earland's more commercial (and less memorable) outings on Mercury and Columbia and catch the organ grinder in a kind of Jimmy Smith bag (reinforced even more when paired with Wes-like guitarist Jimmy Ponder). While the funk and the fire in Earland's playing had been missing since at least his last Prestige record (1974), there's an insistently melodic and appealing groove throughout this set. Another advantage is that the majority of the tunes here are Earland originals: slow burners that really let the organist cook nicely on a low flame. There are several nice features for George Coleman on tenor sax. A surprisingly cohesive set with an enjoyable after-hours feel. ~ by Douglas Payne.

Muse Records, MR 5156, 1978

Recorded at Van Gelder Recording Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Personnel:

Charles Earland - Organ

Dave Schnitter - Tenor Saxophone (#A1)

George Coleman - Tenor Saxophone

Jimmy Ponder - Guitar

Walter Perkins - Drums (#A1,A2,B1,B2)

Bobby Durham - Drums (#A3,B3)

Tracks:

A1. Undecided {Charlie Shavers} (7:45)

A2. The Dozens {Charles Earland} (3:46)

A3. Red, Green & Black Blues {Charles Earland} (4:54)

B1. Mama Roots {Charles Earland} (6:34)

B2. Old Folks {Willard Robison} (5:27)

B3. Bluesette {Toots Thielemans, Norman Gimbel} (6:38)

Credits:

Producer - Ozzie Cadena

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Cover Design - Ron Warwell

Cover Photography - Clarence Eastmond

Liner Notes - Tony Outhwaite

Charlie Earland - Smokin' (1977) [re-rip]

Fine mid-'70s sextet set featuring Earland's customary soul-jazz, blues, and funk, with uptempo and ballad originals. Tenor saxophonists David Schnitter and George Coleman excel, as does guitarist Jimmy Ponder. ~ by Ron Wynn, AMG.

Killer work by Charles Earland – a back to basics set of grooving tunes that are cut in the best soul jazz mode of earlier years! Earland heads a great group that includes Jimmy Ponder on guitar, George Coleman on tenor, and Walter Perkins on drums – and the set swings high, wide, and mightily with that tight groove that Charles always has on these straight soul jazz sets. With a very hot version of "Milestones", plus "Penn Relays", "Soon It's Gonna Rain", and an excellent uptempo take on "Strangers In The Night". © Dusty Groove, Inc.

Muse Records, MR 5126, 1977

Recorded at Van Gelder Recording Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Musicians:

Charles Earland - Organ [Hammond B-3]

Dave Schnitter - Tenor Saxophone

George Coleman - Tenor Saxophone

Jimmy Ponder - Guitar

Bobby Durham - Drums (#A1,A2), Keyboards (#A2)

Walter Perkins - Drums (#A3,B1,B2)

Herb Fisher - Percussion

Tracks:

A1. Penn Relays {Charles Earland} (5:48)

A2. Danny Boy's Blues {Dave Paul} (3:53)

A3. Milestones #2 {Miles Davis} (8:25)

B1. Soon It's Gonna Rain {Tom Jones, Harvey Schmidt} (9:38)

B2. Strangers In The Night {Bert Kaempfert} (4:58)

Credits:

Producer - Ozzie Cadena

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Design [Cover], Photography - Hal Wilson

Liner Notes - Frederick I Douglass

Shirley Scott - Mystical Lady (1971) [vinyl]

An overlooked early 70's LP by the 'Queen Of The Organ'. The first of three albums she would cut for Cadet Records. At the age of 37 Shirley seeing the threat of the rock world started to turn her hand to a funkier soul jazz vibe. Her mastery on the organ is increasingly evident on this LP. She surrounds herself with a proven core of fine players, all of whom embrace and express the soul jazz style to the full on their own releases. For this album Shirley presents a number of covers of popular songs leaving space for only one her own co-written tunes. Overall the sound is dynamic and truly reflects how jazz musicians were trying to move with the times. This is a great sounding rip [DR 14] taken from an original LP, which is yet to surface as a CD. Enjoy!

Cadet Records, CA 50009, 1971

Recorded 1971 At Sound Exchange, New York, New York

Musicians:

Shirley Scott - Organ, Vocals (#A2)

George Patterson - Alto Saxophone (#B1)

Danny Turner - Tenor Saxophone (#A1,A2,B1,B2)

Pee Wee Ellis - Tenor Saxophone (#A3,B3)

Wally Richardson - Guitar (#A1,A2,B1,B2)

George Freeman - Guitar (#A3,B3)

Ron Carter - Bass (#A1,A2,B1,B2)

Richard Davis - Bass (#A3,B3)

Bobby Durham - Drums (#A1,A2,B1,B2)

Freddie Watts - Drums (#A3,B3)

Tracks:

A1. Mystical Lady {Esmond Edwards} (7:54)

A2. Your Song {Elton John, Bernie Taupin} (5:52)

A3. Hall Of Jazz {Shirley Scott, Gregg Hall} (6:17)

B1. Proud Mary {John C. Fogerty} (6:39)

B2. Love Dreams {George Patterson} (5:00)

B3. Let It Be {John Lennon, Paul McCartney} (7:14)

Credits:

Producer - Esmond Edwards

Recording Engineer - Steve Katz

Arranger - George Patterson (#A3)

Album Design - Maurer Productions