John Campbell - Turning Point (1990)

A good second album for pianist Campbell on the Contemporary label, this one had an added bonus of excellent contributions from jazz immortal Clark Terry. His spry solos and presence elevated both the session and the other participants, particularly Campbell, who played with much more edge and energy than on his previous release. He used different rhythm section personnel as well, this time recruiting Jay Anderson and Joel Spencer. ~ by Ron Wynn, AMG. 

Great performer. Good selection of his work. Since he has few recordings, all of his albums are worth purchasing to hear his work. ~ Kathy Meehanon, Amazon.com. 

Contemporary Records, CCD-14061-2, 1990
Recorded 18th-19th June, 1990 Direct to Digital at BMG Recording Studios, NYC 

Musicians:
John Campbell - Piano
Clark Terry - Trumpet, Flugelhorn (#2,5,8,10)
Jay Anderson - Bass
Joel Spencer - Drums 

Tracks:
01. You Stepped Out Of A Dream {Nacio Herb Brown, Gus Kahn} (5:06)
02. Chicken Red {John Campbell} (4:35)
03. Quicksilver {John Campbell} (6:21)
04. Tin Tin Deo {Gil Fuller, Dizzy Gillespie, Chano Pozo} (6:01)
05. In Orbit {Clark Terry} (4:15)
06. Turning Point {John Campbell} (5:12)
07. Shaw 'Nuff {Ray Brown, Gil Fuller, Dizzy Gillespie} (4:47)
08. Canadian Sunset {John Campbell} (4:28)
09. Prelude To A Kiss {Duke Ellington} (5:46)
10. This Time The Dream's On Me {Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer} (4:48) 

Total Time: 51:21

Credits:
Producer - Terry Gibbs
Recording Engineer - Rick Rowe
Mastering - George Horn (Fantasy Studios, Berkeley)
Artwork, Design, Illustrations - Gilles Margerin
Art Direction - Phil Carroll
Liner Notes - Kevin Whitehead

Billy Higgins - Bridgework (1980/86) [vinyl 24/48]

An mp3 rip of this was posted at the old Crypt, this is from my own LP.

One of the few times drummer, Billy Higgins recorded as a leader. This 1986 Contemporary release is comprised of two sessions: one from 1980, and another from 1986. Billy Higgins is arguably the most recorded drummer in the history of jazz. Having the ability to float between hard bop and free jazz, Higgins was the perfect drummer for the modern world. Never in your face, Billy was always there, subtly conducting his business in amazing ways ~ eat.sleep.vinyl

Review by Scott Yanow:
This LP features drummer Billy Higgins in a rare leadership role at two unrelated sessions separated by six years. The three titles from 1980 match Higgins with the underrated (and generally underrecorded) but talented tenor James Clay, pianist Cedar Walton and bassist Tony Dumas; they perform Thelonious Monk's "Evidence," a standard, and a Walton tune. The equally rewarding later set (cut in 1986) has Higgins, Walton, tenor saxophonist Harold Land, and bassist Buster Williams playing three group originals and a nearly 11-minute rendition of "I Hear a Rhapsody." The music overall is excellent hard bop with some strong moments but no major surprises.

Harold Land (tenor saxophone) Cedar Walton (piano) Buster Williams (bass) Billy Higgins (drums)
Los Angeles, CA, April 23, 1986
1. Deception
2. I Hear A Rhapsody
3. Plexus

James Clay (tenor saxophone) Cedar Walton (piano) Tony Dumas (bass) Billy Higgins (drums)
Los Angeles, CA, January 4-5, 1980
4. Evidence
5. Bridgework
6. Old Folks
7. The Theme

The Bill Perkins Quartet - Journey To The East (1984) [vinyl]

For some strange reason, this doesn't appear to have had a CD reissue.

Review by Scott Yanow
Bill Perkins, a West Coast jazz legend, evolved from a cool-toned tenor into a John Coltrane-inspired player who did not lose his original musical personality. For this fine effort (not yet reissued on CD), Perkins is joined by pianist Frank Strazzeri, bassist Joel Di Bartolo and drummer Peter Donald for seven standards, two Strazzeri songs and one by Alan Broadbent. Perkins uses a saxophone-synthesizer interface that he invented on a few numbers to make the ensembles fuller, but he mostly plays his solos on a regular tenor and flute. Highlights include an emotional version of Billy Strayhorn's "Blood Count," "I'm an Old Cowhand," "'Tis Autumn" and "Invitation." One of Bill Perkins' better sessions.

1. From The Hip
2. Blood Count
3. I'm An Old Cowhand
4. Mendocino Nights
5. Moose The Mooche
6. Journey To The East
7. 'Tis Autumn
8. Invitation
9. You Must Believe In Spring
10. All Through The Night

Bill Perkins (tenor saxophone, flute) Frank Strazzeri (piano) Joel Di Bartolo (bass) Peter Donald (drums)
Granada Hills, CA, November 19, 20 & 21, 1984
[Contemporary 14011]