Ricky Ford - Ricky's Choice (1999)

This is a compilation of tracks picked out by Ricky Ford from his releases on the Muse jazz label released between 1980 - 1984.

Ricky has certainly chosen some wonderful tracks for the compilation. Half the tunes are his own compositions, two from Wayne Shorter and the rest well-known Jazz standards. He is joined by a solid cast of players, that include some great horn players; Wallace Roney, Jimmy Knepper, Bobby Watson, James Spaulding, pianists; John Hicks, Albert Dailey, Kirk Lightsey, guitarist; Larry Coryell and bassists; Walter Booker, Ray Drummond, Rufus Reid with the perpetual drummer Jimmy Cobb as a mainstay. This CD is just pure entertainment, Enjoy!

#1,2 - Flying Colors - Muse Records [MR 5227] (1980)
#4,9,10 - Future's Gold - Muse [MR 5296] (1983)
#3,8 - Interpretations - Muse Records [MR 5275] (1982)
#6,7 - Shorter Ideas - Muse Records [MR 5314] (1984)
#5 - Tenor For The Times - Muse Records [MR 5250] (1981) 

32 Jazz, 32172, 1999 

Musicians:
Ricky Ford - Tenor Saxophone
Wallace Roney - Trumpet (#3)
Jimmy Knepper - Trombone (#6,7)
Bobby Watson - Alto Saxophone (#3)
James Spaulding - Alto Saxophone (#6,7)
John Hicks - Piano (#1,2,3,8)
Albert Dailey - Piano (#4,5,9,10)
Kirk Lightsey - Piano (#6,7)
Larry Coryell - Guitar (#4,9,10)
Walter Booker - Bass (#1,2,3,8)
Ray Drummond - Bass (#4,9,10)
Rufus Reid - Bass (#5,6,7)
Jimmy Cobb - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Jordanian Walk {Ricky Ford} (8:37)
02. Take The Coltrane {Duke Ellington} (4:42)
03. Interpretations Opus 5 {Ricky Ford} (7:08)
04. You Don't Know What Love Is {Gene DePaul, Don Raye} (6:07)
05. This Our Love [Esse Nosso Amor] {Ricky Ford} (7:31)
06. Yes Or No {Wayne Shorter} (5:41)
07. Miyako {Wayne Shorter} (4:51)
08. Moon Mist {Mercer Ellington} (5:43)
09. A-Flat Now {Ricky Ford} (4:40)
10. Samba De Caribe {Ricky Ford} (4:34) 

Total Time: 59:34

Notes:
See Tracks [Personnel].txt for further details.
Ripped to WAV > Trimmed > Optimised > FLAC

Danny Gatton - New York Stories (1992)

Danny Gatton (4^th Sept., 1945 - 4^th Oct., 1994) was an American guitarist who fused rockabilly, jazz, and country to create his own distinctive style. When Rolling Stone magazine selected the 100 Greatest Guitarists of all Time in 2003, senior editor David Fricke ranked Gatton 63rd on his ballot. On May 26, 2010, Gibson.com ranked Gatton as the 27th best guitarist of all time

This interesting outing by an all-star group (guitarist Danny Gatton, altoist Bobby Watson, trumpeter Roy Hargrove, Joshua Redman on tenor, pianist Franck Amsallem, bassist Charles Fambrough and drummer Yuron Israel) is most notable for featuring the brilliant Gatton in a jazz setting. Together the septet, performs nine originals by group members and Gatton and Watson emerge as the main solo stars. Despite its somewhat generic name, this advanced hard bop date is quite memorable. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG.

Blue Note, CDP 7 98959 2, 1992

Recorded 16^th & 17^th February, 1992 At Unique Recording, New York City

Musicians:

Danny Gatton - Guitar

Roy Hargrove - Trumpet

Bobby Watson - Alto Saxophone

Joshua Redman - Tenor Saxophone

Franck Amsallem - Piano

Charles Fambrough - Bass

Yuron Israel - Drums

Tracks:

1. Dolly's Ditty {Danny Gatton} (3:51)

2. Wheel Within A Wheel {Bobby Watson} (7:01)

3. Ice Maidens {Charles Fambrough} (3:29)

4. Out A Day {Franck Amsallem} (6:32)

5. Mike The Cat {Danny Gatton} (5:34)

6. The Move {Yuron Israel} (8:26)

7. A Clear Thought {Roy Hargrove} (5:11)

8. 5/4 {Bobby Watson} (5:30)

9. One For Lenny {Danny Gatton} (7:36)

Credits:

Producer - Dan Doyle

Chief Engineer - Michael Finlayson

Assistant Engineer - Tim Leitner

Photography - Jeffrey Scales

Design - Patrick Roques

Art Direction - Cynthia Cochrane

Liner Notes - John Swenson (Rolling Stone Jazz Guide)

Musically And Sonically Wonderful

I agree with most of the reviewers that this is one of the finest recordings of any kind of music that I've heard. The interplay between the musicians, in a jam session no less, is astounding, and it represents Danny Gatton in his most supportive, understated, yet leading role I've also yet heard. It is also a wonderful recording, one that I use constantly to evaluate audio equipment with enjoyable music rather than a sonic spectacular. ~ Jamie Allan, Amazon.com.