Donald Brown - Enchanté ! (1998)

Donald Brown is a phenomenal composer in his own right, but he primarily concentrates on overlooked gems during these 1998 sessions. He's joined by alto saxophonist Bill Easley (who doubles on clarinet and flute), trumpeter and flügelhornist Stephane Belmondo, vibraphonist Steve Nelson, bassist Essiet Essiet, and drummer Billy Higgins. Brown's imaginative scoring of Billy Strayhorn's gorgeous ballad "Day Dream" showcases Nelson's sparse vibes and Easley's lyrical clarinet. Thad Jones' "Quiet Lady," one of many treasures that awaits discovery by the jazz world, is an easygoing waltz with crisp brushwork by Higgins. Duke Pearson, another neglected composer, is represented with a driving rendition of "Big Bertha," a piece that could easily have been a part of Brown's repertoire while he was music director for Art Blakey. Easley's haunting flute is backed solely by Brown's thoughtful piano in a brilliant arrangement of Billie Holiday's "Don't Explain," which also spotlights Belmondo's rich flügelhorn. The one standard of the date is a snappy cover of "Like Someone in Love." Donald Brown also contributed three originals, with the upbeat "Enchanté!" especially standing out. Fans of this veteran pianist should snap up this French CD without hesitation. ~ by Ken Dryden, AMG. 

Space Time Records, BG 9910, 1998
Recorded 12th & 13th January, 1998 at Avatar Studios, New York City 

Musicians:
Donald Brown - Piano, Arranger, Composer
Stéphane Belmondo - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Bill Easley - Alto Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute
Steve Nelson - Vibraphone
Mark Boling - Guitar, Guitar [Electric]
Essiet Essiet - Bass
Billy Higgins - Drums
Daniel Sadownick - Percussion 

Tracks:
01. Strangers In Paradise {Donald Brown} (9:47)
02. Diane {Lew Pollack, Erno Rapee} (8:55)
03. Day Dream {Duke Ellington, John Latouche, Billy Strayhorn} (6:50)
04. Quiet Lady {Thad Jones} (4:54)
05. A Dance For Marie-Do {Donald Brown} (6:10)
06. You're Looking At Me {Bobby Troup} (8:26)
07. Big Bertha {Duke Pearson} (7:16)
08. Don't Explain {Billie Holiday} (8:13)
09. Like Someone In Love {James Van Heusen} (6:52)
10. Enchanté! {Donald Brown} (7:04) 

Total Time: 74:27 

Credits:
Producer - Donald Brown
Production Coordination - Xavier Felgeyrolles
Executive Producer - Walter Squindo
Engineer - Jim Anderson
Mastering - Raphaël Jonin
Mixing - Allan Tucker

Bill Mobley - Mean What You Say (1999)

Here, we have Bill’s second album as a leader and the first on Space Time Records. After releasing “Triple Bill” in 1996, Mobley went on to play as sideman for a number of well-known jazz artisans, including Donald Brown, Alan Dawson, Bill Easley, Geoff Keezer and Harold Mabern to name a few. Essentially, by the time he went to formulate this album he was well on his way as a noted trumpeter and composer. On this album he hand-picks a relatively similarly youthful team of players including: pianist Donald Brown, guitarist Jérôme Barde, bassist Essiet Essiet and drummer Billy Kilson. The album is structured around two quintet, three quartet and three duet groupings. The first three tunes are his own, the remaining compositions well-known jazz standards. Overall, the album clearly demonstrates a continued improvement in his delivery and will certainly appeal to any trumpet fan. 

Space Time Records, BG 9911, 1999
Recorded 1st-2nd April, 1999 at Studio Sysmo, Paris, France 

Musicians:
Bill Mobley - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Arranger
Donald Brown - Piano (#1-4,6-8)
Jérôme Barde - Guitar (#1-2)
Essiet Essiet - Bass (#1-3,5-6,8)
Billy Kilson - Drums (#1-3,6,8) 

Tracks:
1. Twilight {Bill Mobley} (6:36)
2. New Light {Bill Mobley} (8:13)
3. Annie's Fan {Bill Mobley} (7:16)
4. Sophisticated Lady {Duke Ellington} (9:15)
5. Mean What You Say {Thad Jones} (6:15)
6. Love Walked In {George Gershwin} (6:44)
7. Pent Up House {Sonny Rollins} (5:07)
8. Out Of Nowhere {John Greene} (7:47) 

Total Time: 57:13 

Credits:
Producer - Bill Mobley
Executive-Producer - Walter H. Squindo
Recording Engineer - Pierre Bornard
Mastering Engineer - Raphaël Jonin 

Love Walked In