Ayumi Koketsu - Balladist (2014)

This is Japanese jazz alto saxophonist Ayumi Koketsu's second in her New York series, the previous work "Brooklyn Purple". It is a collection of ballads with the support of top-notch New York musicians: pianist David Hazeltine, bassist David Williams and drummer Lewis Nash. Ayumi weaves an air of soft and smooth phrases that penetrate your heart, bringing forth a warm and enveloping atmosphere. The album is predominantly made up of well-known jazz standards with only two of Ayumi's own compositions. Essentially, the performance spins out phrases that soak in deep, creating a soothing album for all occasions, enjoy! 

M & I Records, MYCJ-30647, 2014
Recorded 29th, 30th & 31st July, 2014 at Systems Two, Brooklyn, New York City 

Musicians:
Ayumi Koketsu - Alto Saxophone
David Hazeltine - Piano
David Williams - Bass
Lewis Nash - Drums

Tracks:
1. Autumn In New York {Vernon Duke} (7:34)
2. The Good Life {Sacha Distel} (6:52)
3. Beatrix {Ayumi Koketsu} (5:13)
4. Dedicated To You {Cahn, Zaret, Chaplin} (7:44)
5. Flora {Ayumi Koketsu} (6:03)
6. Night Lights {Gerry Mulligan} (7:34)
7. Setembro {Peranzzetta, Lins, Winbush} (6:09)
8. Detour Ahead {Ellis, Frigo, Carter} (8:24) 

Total Time: 55:37 

Credits:
Producer - Hiro Yamashita
Executive-Producer - Ryuichi Sawazaki
Recording & Mixing Engineer - Max Ross
Mastering Engineer - Shuji Nose
Art Direction, Design - Mayumi Matsumura
Photography - Yuji Susaki, Takehiko Tokiwa 

Beatrix

Ayumi Koketsu - Brooklyn Purple (2013)

Combining beauty and ability, Ayumi Koketsu is an attractive item that has become a boom in recent years. Following the first overseas recording of the previous work, this is the first recording in New York, the center of jazz. The second overseas recording by Ayumi Koketsu, who has become a central figure among female saxophonists. A masterpiece that has been played in all directions by interacting with authentic veteran musicians. Here is her unstoppable evolution, expanding her range of expression with her debut soprano saxophone and continues to evolve. Five of the ten songs are by Ayumi Koketsu, the rest well-known jazz standards. All songs arranged by Ayumi Koketsu. [Translated from Japanese] 

M & I Records, MYCJ-30640, 2013
Recorded 20th, 21st June, 2013 in New York 

Musicians:
Ayumi Koketsu - Alto (#1-5,9,10), Soprano (#6-8)
David Hazeltine - Piano
David Williams - Bass
Willie Jones III - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Signs Of Autumn {Ayumi Koketsu} (5:32)
02. As What You Are {Ayumi Koketsu} (7:32)
03. Freight Trane {Tommy Flanagan} (3:27)
04. It's Easy To Remember {Richard Rodgers} (6:50)
05. Chase {Ayumi Koketsu} (5:09)
06. How Is The Weather {Ayumi Koketsu} (6:37)
07. Baily's Beads {Ayumi Koketsu} (6:38)
08. Calling You {Bob Telson} (5:40)
09. Jitterbug Waltz {Fats Waller} (6:31)
10. In A Mellow Tone {Duke Ellington} (6:33)

Total Time: 60:29

 It's Easy To Remember

Kazuko Baba - I'll Keep Loving You (2006)

Japanese pianist Kazuko Baba was born in Marugame City, Kagawa Prefecture. She is currently living back in Tokyo after spending nine years in New York. This is her second album and is the result of her progressive time well spent in New York. For the album she surrounds herself with a crack black American rhythm section in bassist David Williams and drummer Leroy Williams supplemented with guests: Japanese guitarist Satoshi Inoue and the renowned bassist Reggie Workman. She showcases seven of her own original tunes, works she composed during her daily life and performances in and around the Big Apple, as well as two favourite standards. This album sets the record straight, that she is indeed a prominent contender as a superlative modern jazz pianist. 

What'sNew Records, WNCJ-2172, 2006
Recorded 22nd August, 2005 at Kaleidoscope Sound, Union City, New Jersey 

Musicians:
Kazuko Baba - Piano
David Williams - Bass
Leroy Williams - Drums
Guests:
Satoshi Inoue - Guitar (#1,4)
Reggie Workman - Bass 

Tracks:
1. Unknown Story {Kazuko Baba} (7:57)
2. The Leaning Waltz {Kazuko Baba} (3:17)
3. Autumn Leaves {Joseph Kosma} (5:30)
4. Wandering On The Shore {Kazuko Baba} (6:38)
5. Illusion {Kazuko Baba} (7:15)
6. Dancing Dolls {Kazuko Baba} (6:12)
7. Air {Kazuko Baba} (7:35)
8. I’ll Keep Loving You {Bud Powell} (6:52)
9. Calm {Kazuko Baba} (3:44) 

Total Time: 55:00 

I'll Keep Loving You

Ernie Watts - Chariots Of Fire (1981)

Great album. Ernie's proficiency comes through on Chariots of Fire followed by other funk-jazz infused tracks, obviously with Quincy's production influence. A delightful listen overall! ~ Pa Colin, Amazon.com. 

On this album saxophonist Ernie Watts blows in all directions and can easily be considered one of the masterpieces of Qwest Records led by producer Quincy Jones. The theme was the title song composed by Vangelis for "Chariots of Fire" which won the Best Picture Award at the 54th Academy Awards, and arranged by Michael Omartian. Ernie is joined by some great musicians including: Keyboardists Richard Tee, Don Grusin, Greg Phillinganes; guitarists Steve Lukather, David E. Williams, bassist Neil Stubenhaus and drummer John Robinson to name a few. Overall, a disco-fusion flavoured sound that will entertain even the most discerning of listeners, Enjoy! 

Qwest Records, QW 56 982, 1982
Qwest Records, WPCR-28018, 2014
Recorded 19th-31st October, 1981 at Westlake Audio, Los Angeles, California 

Musicians:
Ernie Watts - Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Flute, Percussion, Vocals
Larry Hall - Trumpet
Jerry Hey - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Horn Arrangements
Bill Reichenbach Jr. - Trombone, Trumpet
Don Grusin - Keyboards, Piano [Electric], Synthesizer
James Ingram - Keyboards, Rhythm & Vocal Arranger, Vocal Effect, Vocals
Michael Omartian - Keyboards, Piano, Strings, Arranger
Greg Phillinganes - Synthesizer, Synthesizer Bass
Richard Tee - Keyboards, Piano [Electric]
Ian Underwood - Synthesizer
Steve Lukather - Guitar
Carlos Rios - Guitar
David E. Williams - Guitar [Rhythm]
Neil Stubenhaus - Bass
John "J.R." Robinson - Drums
Paulinho Da Costa - Percussion
Quincy Jones - Percussion, Rhythm Arrangements
Howard Hewett, Phillip Ingram - Vocals 

Tracks:
A1. Chariots Of Fire [Theme] (Dance Version) {Vangelis} (5:55)
A2. Hold On {James Ingram, Quincy Jones} (4:25)
A3. Lady {Lionel B. Richie Jr.} (3:49)
A4. Gigolo {Quincy Jones, Merria Ross} (4:36)
B1. Valdez In The Country {Donny Hathaway} (5:14)
B2. Abraham's Theme {Vangelis} (3:46)
B3. Five Circles {Vangelis} (3:40)
B4. Chariots Of Fire [Theme] (Slow Version) {Vangelis} (4:27) 

Total Time: 35:56 

Credits:
Producer, Liner Notes - Quincy Jones
Recording & Mixing - Bruce Swedien [Acusonic]
Mastering - Bernie Grundman
Art Direction & Design - Art Sim [11:24 Design]
Photography - Bobby Holland 

UK 12" Special Dance Mix

Ted Curson Quintet - Traveling On (1996) [re-rip]

Here we have another fine album by late Ted Curson. He assembles as per usual another great quintet. The majority of the tunes are his and he doesn’t waste any time showcasing his trumpet playing virtuosity through some brilliant solos. The pianist and flutist also show off their excellent versatility. In addition the listener gets to hear Ted vocalise on three numbers. Overall any fan will be pleased to scoop this one up just hear newer versions of Quicksand, Flatted Fifth, Tears For Dolphy and Song Of The Lonely. Enjoy!

Some people may never get past referring to Ted Curson as "the other soloist" in the great Charles Mingus bands with Eric Dolphy, but that hasn't deterred the trumpet player from pursuing his own, albeit less commercially and critically acclaimed, path. He just keeps Traveling On, the title of his twentieth album and his first release in seventeen years. Even though Curson is Traveling On, he looks back long enough to pay tribute to several of the magnificent musicians with whom he's been partnered in the past with "Tears for Dolphy," "Reava's Waltz (More Mingus)" and the set-ending "Song of the Lonely One (Ode to Booker Ervin)" (another Mingus-Curson connection). This set also includes well-executed covers of Herbie Hancock's venerated "Watermelon Man," the traditional "When the Saints Go Marching In" and "Flip Flop and Fly." Curson's playing is confident, taut and swinging throughout, and, on four of these nine selections, it benefits greatly from the addition of four percussionists to the traditional bass/drum/piano backing. Traveling On proves worth the seventeen-year wait. ~ by Chris Slawecki, AMG.

Evidence Records, ECD 22182, 1997

Recorded 23^rd June, 1996 at Sound On Sound, New York City

Personnel:

Ted Curson - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Piccolo Trumpet, Vocals (#6-8)

Mark Gross - Flute, Soprano & Alto Saxophones

Misako Kano - Piano

Ray Drummond - Bass

Sylvia Cuenca - Drums

Everald Brown, Guilherme Franco, Ricky "Bongo" James, David Williams - Percussion (#1-3,6)

Tracks:

1. Lin's Garden {Ted Curson, Graham Collier} (7:51)

2. Quicksand {Ted Curson} (6:55)

3. Flatted Fifth {Ted Curson} (5:50)

4. Tears For Dolphy {Ted Curson} (9:17)

5. Reava's Waltz {Ted Curson} (6:03)

6. Watermelon Man [Lyrical Version] {Herbie Hancock, Jon Hendricks} (7:28)

7. When The Saints Go Marching In {Traditional} (2:42)

8. Flip Flop And Fly {Charles E. Calhoun, Lou Willie Turner} (2:08)

9. Song Of The Lonely One [aka Ode To Booker Ervin] {Ted Curson} (7:20)

Archie Shepp - Body And Soul (1975) [vinyl>flac]

Another great LP by Archie Shepp when working in Rome, Italy in 1975.

HORO Records, HZ 10, 1978

Recorded 28^th September (#A2,B) and 16^th October (#A1), 1975 in Rome, Italy

Musicians:

Archie Shepp - Tenor Saxophone

Cicci Santucci - Trumpet (#A2)

Charles Greenlee - Trombone (#A2,B)

Irio De Paula - Guitar (#A1,A2)

Dave Burrell - Piano (#B)

David Williams - Bass (#B)

Alessio Urso - Bass (#A2)

Beaver Harris - Drums (#B)

Afonso Vieira - Drums (#A2)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tracks:

A1. Body And Soul {Johnny Green, Robert Sour, Edward Heyman, Frank Eyton} (8:19)

A2. Tropical {Irio De Paula, Alessio Urso, Afonso Viera} (8:46)

B. Dogon {Archie Shepp} (18:23)

Credits:

Producer - Aldo Sinesio

Assistant Producer - Gianni Gualberto

Recording Engineer - Raimondo Caruana (#A1-A2), Giorgio Loviscek (#B)

Cover Art - Maria Teresa Ortolan

Photography - Isio Saba

Liner Notes - Marco Cristostomi [Italian]

Note:

#A1 from Mariamar Session released on [Horo HZ 01]

#A2,B from the same session released as Jazz A Confronto [Horo HLL 101-27]

Charles Davis - Ingia! (1974) [vinyl>flac]

Charles Davis is joined by Louis Hayes & Company on this rare post-bop outing released on Strata-East Records back in 1974. Charles excels as a musician, composer and arranger. All players are on fire and there is plenty of room for them to express their individual talents. It is an LP that can be revisited many a time. Highly Recommended!

Strata-East Records, SES-7425, 1974

Recorded 15^th July, 1974 At Minot Sound Studio, White Plains, New York

Musicians:

Charles Davis - Baritone Saxophone

Andrew "Tex" Allen - Trumpet, Flugelhorn

Gerald Hayes - Alto Saxophone, Flute

Ronnie Mathews - Piano, Electric Piano

Louis Davis - Guitar

David Williams - Bass

Louis Hayes - Drums

Tracks:

A1. The Gems Of Mims {Charles Davis} (10:30)

A2. Little Miss Jump Up {Charles Davis} (7:05)

B1. Linda {Charles Davis} (11:22)

B2. Ingia {Billy Higgins} (9:07)

Credits:

Producer, Arranger - Charles Davis

Recording & Mixing Engineer - John R. Battiloro

Mastering Engineer - Donald Van Gorden

Design - Sandra Williams

Photography - Charles Stewart