Aldo Romano - Because Of Bechet (2002)

Italian-born drummer Aldo Romano is a respected European jazz musician who has played with many avant-garde and contemporary jazz stars. Living in France from his early teens, his music usually is a mix of Italian emotionalism and French sentimentality, influenced by world leading avant-garde jazz artists of the 60s and 70s. "Because Of Bechet" is quite a radical step in his musical career - this album is a tribute to American jazz sax/clarinet star Sidney Bechet. Full of tunes and straightforward jazz compositions, this album isn't just a nostalgic retrospective. Aldo also uses sampling and electronic rhythms plus organ as well as more traditional instruments to give this music, which is deeply rooted in jazz from the 20-30s, a new interpretation. With French charm and almost dance-able beats this album is an easily accessible and modern reading of a traditional jazz legacy. ~ snobb, jazzmusicarchives.com. 

EmArcy Records, 017 275-2, 2002
Recorded 31st August-4th September, 2001 at Studio Le Château, Paris, France 

Musicians:
Aldo Romano - Drums (#5,10-12), Keyboards (#2-4,6,7), Bass (#2,6),
Guitar (#4,7,8), Drum-Sampling (#2,3,6,8,9,13), Arranger (#3,12,13)
Emanuele Cisi - Soprano Sax (#1,5), Tenor Sax (#2,3,6,8-13), Arranger (#12)
Francesco Bearzatti - Soprano Sax (#2,5,11), Tenor Sax (3,8,9,13), Clarinet (#12)
Emmanuel Bex - Organ (#2,3,5,8,10-12), Arranger (#5,11)
Nico Morelli - Piano (#1,8)
Michel Benita - Double Bass (#3,8)
Olivier Sens - Double Bass (#10-12)
Naab - Drum-Sampling (#2,13)
Giorgia Fiorio - Poem Recitation (#7) 

Tracks:
01. Dans Les Rues D'Antibes [Extrait 1] {Sidney Bechet} (1:04)
02. 50 Years Later {Aldo Romano} (6:27)
03. Les Oignons {Sidney Bechet} (5:29)
04. Fina {Aldo Romano} (1:07)
05. Petite Fleur {Sidney Bechet} (5:09)
06. Blossom {Aldo Romano} (4:32)
07. Giorgia {Aldo Romano, Marina Tsvétaïéva} (3:42)
08. Crossbreed {Aldo Romano} (5:18)
09. Across {Aldo Romano} (3:30)
10. Dreams And Waters {Aldo Romano} (5:07)
11. Song For Bechet {Aldo Romano} (4:48)
12. Muskrat Ramble {Sidney Bechet} (3:57)
13. Dans Les Rues D'Antibes [Extrait 2] {Sidney Bechet} (1:06) 

Total Time: 51:24 

Credits:
Producer, Programming, Sampling - Aldo Romano
Executive-Producer - Daniel Richard
Recording, Post-production, Mixing - Philippe Teissier Du Cros
Engineer [Assistant Recording] - Manu Gallet
Mastering Engineer - Nilesh Patel
Design - Gilles Guerlet
Photography [Cover] - Gilles Guerlet
Liner Notes [English Translation] - Martin Davies

Pete Rugolo & His All-Stars - Out On A Limb

This is a really nice album of mostly originals by the west coast jazzman, Pete Rugolo.  It mostly serves as a vehicle for his compositions and arrangements which are of course, fantastic.  We hear some brief but gorgeous soloing from a nice cross section of west coast talent.

Rugolo was no Basie, but he certainly could put the band to great effect.  There are some stunning moments where he uses the whole brass section, or band itself to emphasize a note.  "Repetitious Riff" is hands down my favorite tune as he finds the best balance between putting down his own material while still allowing the band to shine individually.  There are definitely a few tunes with very little in the way of personal expression from his all stars.

Overall its a nice listen, but certainly not a classic.  The album cleaned up nicely and there was only one issue I couldn't clean up (a small pop for 4 rpm).  Brought to you in glorious mono, this was ripped at 24/44.1 wav and dithered to 16/44.1 FLAC.  There are some really nice notes on the back cover, which is of course included in hi rez.  Enjoy the golden days of the west coast jazz sound!!

Emarcy (MG 36115)
1957

Recorded in Los Angeles, CA
July 9 -11, 1956

Smoke Gets In Your Eyes:

Harry Klee (alto saxophone, alto flute, piccolo) Ronny Lang (alto saxophone, flute) Gene Cipriano, Dave Pell (tenor saxophone) Chuck Gentry (baritone saxophone) Russ Freeman (piano) Howard Roberts (guitar) Joe Mondragon (bass) Shelly Manne (drums) Pete Rugolo (arranger, conductor)

Don't Play The Melody;  The Boy Next Door:

Pete Candoli, Maynard Ferguson, Ray Linn, Don Paladino (trumpet) Milt Bernhart, Herbie Harper, Frank Rosolino (trombone) George Roberts (bass trombone) John Cave, Vince DeRosa (French horn) Clarence Karella (tuba) Harry Klee (alto saxophone, alto flute, piccolo) Ronny Lang (alto saxophone, flute) Gene Cipriano, Dave Pell (tenor saxophone) Chuck Gentry (baritone saxophone) Larry Bunker (vibraphone, xylophone, percussion, timpani) Russ Freeman (piano) Howard Roberts (guitar) Joe Mondragon (bass) Shelly Manne (drums) Pete Rugolo (arranger, conductor)

Cha-Lito Linda;  Early Duke;  In A Modal Tone:

Same as previous but Don Fagerquist (trumpet) replaces Paladino

Sunday, Monday Or Always;  Ballade For Drums; Nancy (With The Laughing Face);  Repetitious Riff:

Jay McAllister (tuba) Bud Shank (alto saxophone, flute) Bob Cooper (tenor saxophone) Jimmy Giuffre (baritone saxophone) Barney Kessel (guitar) replaces Karella, Lang, Cipriano, Gentry, Howard Roberts

A1 Don't Play The Melody
A2 In A Modal Tone
A3 Early Duke
A4 Nancy
A5 Sunday, Monday Or Always
B1 The Boy Next Door
B2 Cha-Lito Lindo
B3 Ballade For Drums
B4 Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
B5 Repetitious Riff

Dinah Washinghton - A Slick Chick (On The Mellow Side) FLAC LP Rip

Since I have just recently completed a crispy fresh rip of this relatively rare double LP from Unkie Cliff, I thought it might be appreciated if I shared.

The sub-title tells you the story of this one, the focus is Dinah's reign as the queen of the R&B charts. It will depend on your collection as to whether or not this one fills any holes for you. The covers will expand in high rez when double clicked, so you can check to see what's here.