New York Jazz Quartet - Blues For Sarka (1978)

The New York Jazz Quartet, an excellent though overlooked band which was active in the 1970s and 1980s, is heard live at Jazzclub Domicile in Munich on this Enja album. Pianist Roland Hanna, the founder of the group, is accompanied by tenor saxophonist Frank Wess, bassist George Mraz, and drummer Grady Tate, who had just replaced Richard Pratt. Aside from an extended workout of Miles Davis' "All Blues," which centers on Wess' soulful tenor sax, the remainder of this performance consists of originals each by Hanna or Mraz. The pianist's exciting "Rodney Round Robin," which he had debuted only two years earlier while recording a studio date under Red Rodney's leadership, contrasts strikingly with his dark, funky "Smelly Jelly Belly." The bassist's contributions are also laudable. The feverish "I'll Tell You Tonight" is like a roller coaster with plenty of hairpin turns, while his "Blues for Sarka" isn't actually a blues at all but a heartfelt ballad. Issued by both Inner City and Enja, this now out of print disc is easily one of the best releases by the New York Jazz Quartet. ~ by Ken Dryden, AMG. 

Enja Records, ENJA 3025, 1978
Enja Records, ENJA 3025-2, 1998
Recorded 17th May, 1978 "Live" at the Jazzclub Domicile, München, West Germany 

Musicians:
Roland Hanna - Piano
Frank Wess - Flute, Tenor Sax
George Mraz - Bass, Bass [Upright]
Grady Tate - Drums 

Tracks:
1. All Blues {Miles Davis} (15:29)
2. Rodney Round Robin {Roland Hanna} (5:44)
3. I'll Tell You Tonite {George Mraz} (7:14)
4. Blues For Sarka {George Mraz} (7:11)
5. Smelly Jelly Belly {Roland Hanna} (9:33) 

Total Time: 45:13 

Credits:
Producer, Liner Notes - Horst Weber
Recording Engineer - Carlos Albrecht
Cover Photo - Josef Werkmeister
Photography - Hans Harzheim

LINK

Blues For Sarka

Abraham Burton - Closest To The Sun (1994)

“Closest To The Sun” is Abraham Burton's first recording as a leader, which was released by Enja Records in 1994. The album is a showcase for an emerging alto saxophonist, who sets about to explore a variety of hard bop and post-bop tunes. For this session Abraham assembled a quartet that comprised of pianist Marc Cary, bassist Billy Johnson and drummer and fellow producer Eric McPherson. Essentially, it is a great introduction to Abraham's abilities as both player and composer. On that note, he offers up three of his own compositions, one coming from Marc Cary and Eric McPherson, completing the playlist with three jazz classics. Overall, a bright start to a wonderful career, enjoy! 

Enja Records, ENJ-8074 2, 1994
Recorded 11th & 12th March, 1994 at Systems Two Studios, Brooklyn, New York City 

Musicians:
Abraham Burton - Alto Saxophone
Marc Cary - Piano
Billy Johnson - Double Bass
Eric McPherson - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Minor March {Jackie McLean} (7:52)
2. Laura {Johnny Mercer, David Raksin} (4:59)
3. E=MC {Eric McPherson} (3:50)
4. Romancing You {Abraham Burton} (6:07)
5. So Gracefully {Marc Cary} (12:57)
6. Corrida De Toros {Abraham Burton} (8:48)
7. Left Alone {Mal Waldron} (5:52)
8. Closest To The Sun {Abraham Burton} (7:13)
9. So Gracefully [Radio Version] {Marc Cary} (7:19) 

Total Time: 65:30 

Credits:
Producer - Abraham Burton, Eric McPherson, Gust William Tsilis
Executive Producer - Matthias Winckelmann
Engineer - Mike Marciano
Design - Elisabeth Winckelmann
Photography - Jimmy Katz
Liner Notes - Gene Kalbacher

LINK 

Closest To The Sun

Makiko Hirabayashi, Klavs Hovman, Marilyn Mazur - Surely (2013)

Another prodigious album, the third by the gifted Makiko Hirabayashi and her trio partners: bassist Klavs Hovman and drummer, percussionist Marilyn Mazur. Recorded in 2013 the trio entered the Realistic Sound studio in Munich and laid down thirteen tracks. Makiko is predominantly credited for writing eight of the tunes, but Marilyn Mazur also contributes three first-rate compositions and the remaining two small tracks are attributed to the trio as a whole. Fundamentally, the album showcases Makiko wonderful skills as pianist and compelling composer. Her sound is bright and alluring, sumptuously balanced by Klavs Hovman's exalting bass-lines, all the while backed by Marilyn Mazur's driving drum set. The listener is taken on a wide-ranging journey becoming truly lost in the scintillating rhythms and the majestic composure of Makiko's piano playing. In addition, on a few tunes Marilyn Mazur adds further colouring with her unique voicing. The interplay among the players is very sharp and crisp, utterly captivating and instantly enjoyable. In many ways, it is not an easy-listening album but one that engages the listener into a musical experience that is truly memorable, if not paradoxical. The trio ushers forth music that is seemingly full of contradictions, but this trifling simplicity is sustained by subtle complexity, creating an encounter that’s not diminished by further playtime, enjoy! 

Enja\Yellowbird Records, yeb7738, 2013
Recorded 22nd, 23rd April, 2013 at Realistic Sound, Munich, Germany 

Musicians:
Makiko Hirabayashi - Piano
Klavs Hovman - Bass
Marilyn Mazur - Drums, Percussions, Voice (#7,11) 

Tracks:
01. Surely {Makiko Hirabayashi} (4:14)
02. Moon Bells {Makiko Hirabayashi, Klavs Hovman, Marilyn Mazur} (1:08)
03. Asunder Asunder {Makiko Hirabayashi} (5:38)
04. Life Of A Cactus {Makiko Hirabayashi} (6:29)
05. Stepping On It {Makiko Hirabayashi} (4:08)
06. Black {Makiko Hirabayashi, Klavs Hovman, Marilyn Mazur} (1:28)
07. Ode To Okinawa {Makiko Hirabayashi} (4:31)
08. Eagles And Angels {Marilyn Mazur} (5:22)
09. Parachute City {Makiko Hirabayashi} (2:25)
10. Våd Vinkel [Wet Angle] {Marilyn Mazur} (5:19)
11. Paradox {Makiko Hirabayashi} (5:49)
12. Challenge {Marilyn Mazur} (2:05)
13. Indigo {Makiko Hirabayashi} (2:30) 

Total Time: 51:14

Credits:
Producer - Makiko Hirabayashi, Werner Aldinger
Recording & Mixing - Florian H. Oestreicher
Mastering - Christoph Stickel
Photography - Karolina Zapolska
Cover Design - Franziska Erdle [Gold-Unlimited.DE] 

Våd Vinkel [Wet Angle]