PAUL GONSALVES - CLEOPATRA FEELIN' JAZZY - 1963 VINYL

1963

Impulse AS-41

My Vinyl Rip + Front & Back Covers
DR Value 13

WAVE

Tenor saxophonist Paul Gonsalves casts the Egyptian queen's life in a jazz set of originals and Alex North movie themes. One of just two dates Gonsalves did for Impulse and part of an all-too-thin solo catalog, Cleopatra -- Feelin' Jazzy finds the famed Ellington soloist in the prime company of hard boppers like pianist Hank Jones, organist Dick Hyman, guitarist Kenny Burrell, bassist George Duvivier, and drummer Roy Haynes. The band shines throughout, with Hyman's organ adding exotic film theater ambience on the two North cuts that kick off the album. Switching over to more straightforward fare, Gonsalves and company stretch out on Burrell's "Bluz for Liz" (read Elizabeth Taylor, one of the leads in the movie) and Ellington's "Action in Alexandria." The album's conceptual framework is maintained on standouts like "Cleo's Asp," Burrell's second piece here, and the Manny Albam blues ballad "Cleopatra's Lament." Gonsalves impresses with both complexly swinging solos and breathy ballad statements. A very fine effort by one of the unsung giants of jazz....Stephen Cook All Music

The Tracks:

01 Caesar & Cleopatra / 02 Anthony & Cleopatra Theme / 03 Bluz For Liz / 04 Cleo's Blues / 05 Action In Alexanderia / 06 Cleo's Asp / 07 Cleopatra's Lament

PAUL GONSALVES - TELL IT THE WAY IT IS! (1963) 24~48 VINYL

1963
Impulse A-55
My Vinyl Rip
Front, Back, & Inside Covers
DR Value 12
WAVE 460 MB

When Duke Ellington's sidemen recorded on their own, the Duke's influence often had a way of asserting itself even if he was nowhere near the studio. This was true in the 1930s and 1940s, and it was true on some of Paul Gonsalves' recordings of the 1960s. Nonetheless, Gonsalves was his own man, and this excellent LP points to the fact that the breathy tenor saxophonist wasn't afraid to enter a variety of musical situations.  Tell It the Way It Is unites Gonsalves with the great Swedish trumpeter Rolf Ericson and pianist Walter Bishop, Jr. as well as such Ellington alumni as Johnny Hodges (alto sax) and Ray Nance (cornet, violin). The strong Ellington influence asserts itself on pieces that range from Hodges' "Rapscallion in Rab's Canyon" to "Things Ain't What They Used to Be" and "Duke's Place." ....AllMusic Review by Alex Henderson

The Tracks: 

01 Tell It The Way It Is! / 02 Things Ain't What They Used To Be / 03 Duke's Place / 04 Impulsive

05 Rapscallion In Rab's Canyon / 06 Body And Soul

Count Basie And The Kansas City 7

I hope you all had a great Christmas!!  My family sure did...

As we continue down Basie lane, this album seemed a logical choice after the last Basie small group.  This group is infact a septet with Wess and Foster switching out for roughly half the album each.

Unlike the last album, the rhythm keeps the swing movin' while the focus is kept upfront.  Basie pulls out some incredible solo work himself in his inimitable style - sparse and soulful.

I think the main thing that keeps this album in a class of it's own, is the playlist.  The majority of small group swing albums lean on the jam side of things, while this side has a much more focused approach to the material.  Of course, the soloing is top notch and inspired, but the song arrangements are much more than a simple jam style.  With composers like Wess, Foster and Thad Jones on board it can only be expected.

This album is certainly a small group swing classic, and if you haven't heard it yet you're in for a treat.  My album is near mint, and the fidelity is nothing short of perfect.  Wonderfully dynamic with a great focus on bass - Ed Jones really pops in different parts.  Bluesy swingin, in all of it's glory.  Ripped at 24/44.1 wav and dithered to 16/44.1 FLAC... enjoy!!!

Benny Carter - The Complete Further Definitions

What a feast for the ears this is!!  Carter is a jazz legend, without a doubt.  A true stylist, which is what enabled him to walk the path of a master.  Composition, arrangment, unheralded sensitivity and a unique ability on his chosen instrument.

For some reason, the two albums contained on this CD - Further Definitions and Additions To Further Definitions - have gone undetected on many jazz fan's radar.  Impulse decided to release both on one disc in 1997, an excellent decision.  Frankly, I think this is some of his best work and shows ALL of his talents.

Of course, the supporting players help to define the sessions.  Anybody with reasonable knowledge of jazz should be salivating upon reading the list of personnel.  All of the players are in top form, making for an incredible listening experience.  There's a wonderful sense of romanticism that's tangible when listening to this music.  Carter and co. create a sonic wonderland,  filled with all the right elements to help the listener drift off to a sublime place...

This was ripped from my Impulse! CD using EAC, then to Trader's Little Helper to create FLAC 16/44.1.  Superb reissue and remastering using all of the modern resources which make these CDs sound incredible.  The CD is OOP for sometime now...  Enjoy!!!