Steve Turre - Steve Turre (1997)

Steve Turre is the 1997 self-titled album by American trombonist Steve Turre. This is his sixth solo album, his first of two albums he would do for Verve Records. The album features a number of special guests, including Cassandra Wilson, Randy Brecker, Jon Faddis, Mongo Santamaria, and Regina Carter. No wonder Steve Turre merely used his name as the title of this tour de force, for it is a supremely ambitious, self-defining project that covers an enormous amount of ground and means on one small disc. With his trombone and signature conch shells as a base, Turre expands his reach to embrace the Western Hemisphere - particularly Cuba and Brazil – arranging, composing, inviting stellar guests to chip in, and ending up with a beautiful, swinging record that can't be mistaken for anyone else's. One gets a powerful dose of Turre's unique sound world on the fascinating opening track, "In a Sentimental Mood," done bossa nova style with a conch shell solo that sounds like late-period Dizzy Gillespie and a smoky Cassandra Wilson vocal. There are ample layers of Turre's multi-tracked conch shell harmonies, the sweetest ensemble sound this side of Lombardo and one that is used as a genuinely musical ingredient, not a gimmick. Turre is secure enough to feature the majestic sound of J.J. Johnson, who plays magnificently on the lengthy tone poem "The Emperor" - whose title undoubtedly refers to the elder trombone giant - and on "Steve's Blues." Afro-Cuban music plays a major role here, as Mongo Santamaria's veteran chartmeister Marty Sheller arranges "Ayer Lo Vi Llorar" for the 81-year-old Queen of Boleros, Graciela Perez - and then Mongo himself duels with the madly comping McCoy Tyner on, of course, "Mongo 'n' McCoy." The booklet notes (by Turre himself) are an exhaustive play-by-play of what was clearly an exhausting project, yet the final product has much of the exuberance of a spontaneous jam session. ~ Richard S. Ginell, All Music Guide. 

Verve Records, 314 537 133-2, 1997
Recorded 7th May and 20th June, 1996 at Master Sound Astoria Studios, New York 

Personnel:
Steve Turre - Trombone, Shells
Cassandra Wilson - Vocals (#1)
Graciela Perez - Vocal (#4)
Randy Brecker - Trumpet & Flugelhorn
J.J. Johnson - Trombone
Jon Faddis - Trumpet
Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros - Trumpet
Britt Woodman - Trumpet [Open Solo, #7]
Stephen Scott - Piano
Willie Rodriguez - Piano
Stefon Harris - Marimba, Balifone, Gong, Vibraphone
Andy Gonzalez - Bass
Robin Eubanks - Shells & Trombones
Jimmy Bosch - Shells & Trombones
Douglas Purviance - Shells & Trombones
Frank Lacy - Shells & Trombones
Romero Lubambo - Guitar
Mongo Santamaria - Conga [Solo]
Herculano Federici - Surdo & Percussion
Manny Oquendo - Bongos, Timbales [Solo] Guiro & Cow Bell, Percussion
Milton Cardona - Conga & Shakere
Kimati Dinizulu - Djimbe, African Drums
Victor Lewis - Drums
Portinho - Drums
Horatio "Negro" Hernandez - Drums
Akua Dixon - Cello [Solo]
Regina Carter - Violin [Solo]
Carlos Baptiste - Violin
Ron Lawrence - Viola 

Tracks:
1. In A Sentimental Mood {Duke Ellington} (8:26)
2. The Emperor {Steve Turre} (12:47)
3. Let It Go {Steve Turre} (8:02)
4. Ayer Lo Vi Llorar {José Antonio Mendez} (5:42)
5. Coastin' With Bobby {Steve Turre} (8:43)
6. Steve's Blues {Steve Turre} (6:38)
7. Inocencia [Basta De Clamares Inocencia] {Cartola} (5:44)
8. Mongo 'N' McCoy {Steve Turre} (10:30) 

Credits:
Producer - Billy Banks
Engineer - David Merrill
Assistant Engineer - Rob Farrell, Teddy Trewhella
Pianos Tuner - Max Conti
Mixed, and Mastering - Master Sound Astoria Studios, Astoria, New York 

Once again Steve Turre has shown his style and ability by making an album that is entertaining to all. Turre not only shows his technical ability, but he shows his usual graceful and easing style. He also has great guest performances. The list includes Randy Brecker, J. J. Johnson, John Faddis, and many others. While Turre's seeming obsession with the conchshell provides the listener with a very soothing and natural sound at times, occasionally he can leave the listener wishing he would pick up his trombone. This album is a must have for anyone who values the beauty of the trombone, or the intricacies of good jazz.

Illinois Jacquet - Flying Home

Without a doubt, "The Kid" was one of the greatest sax players to ever breath life on this great Earth of ours.  His sound was gritty, raw and soulful but never without subtlety when required.  Indeed, his voice is instantly recognizable by jazz fans - "Flying Home" is quite possibly the most famous sax solo of all time.

This CD covers alot of ground while bringing you some of Jacquet's best cuts.  Bluebird  originally recorded all of these as 78's, and they have been expertly remastered here.  The recordings range in date from 1947 - 1967 and in location from Hollywood to NYC.  There are some personnel changes throughout the album, but certainly nothing to disappoint - Shadow Wilson to Jo Jones!!??!  Considering that this is technically a compilation, it plays incredibly well as an album.

And with that said, the band absolutely smokes.  It helps when each member is a seasoned pro - JJ Johnson, Leo Parker, Joe Newman, etc, etc.  It varies in size from track to track, but overall the idea is a "little big band".  One thing you will notice straight away is the weight that this band can produce.  Jacquet has basically put together a small group which can operate as a big band when called upon.  I love it.  And having dual trumpet players is one unique aspect to a band of this size.  The whole thing swings hard and is overall a definite shade of blue.  We are treated to all kinds of fun as the members all get to express themselves here, including Illinois' brother Russ who puts in some vocals on Try Me One More Time.

Flying Home is essentially a "Cole's Notes" of the impeccable Mosaic boxset which captured all of Jacquet's recordings from this period.  For those of you who are fortunate enough to have the boxset, this CD is probably not for you.  However for everybody else, including anybody looking to discover Illinois Jacquet, this album is an absolute gem.  I will include the AMG review which is glowing but curiously only scored the album a 3/5 stars.  I would say this set of classic tunes is without a doubt 4/5.  I have included all the scans and ripped the disc using EAC for 16/44.1 FLAC... enjoy!!!

This is a great selection of Jacquet's late-'40s/early-'50s work, hot on the heels of his success with Jazz At The Philharmonic and his tenure with the Lionel Hampton Band. There's lots of honking and squealing coupled to Jacquet's patented abrasive tone, one of the most exciting in jazz, heard to good effect on "Jet Propulsion." Jacquet's brother Russell vocalizes on "Try Me One More Time," making himself a worthy foil, and stalwarts like Leo Parker, Shadow Wilson and J.J. Johnson are counted up in the mix. The closing track is somewhat of a ringer; recorded live in 1967 at the Newport Folk Festival, it's a high voltage take on the the title cut with Illinois' old boss Hampton making a guest appearance. - Cub Koda/AMG

Bluebird / RCA 1992

1. Jet Propulsion 

2. Try Me One More Time 

3. Riffin' at 24th Street 

4. Symphony in Sid 

5. Jacquet for Jack the Bellboy 

6. Big Foot 

7. Black Velvet 

8. B-Yot 

9. Adam's Alley 

10. Hot Rod 

11. Flying Home

J.J. Johnson - J.J.!

This album is a 5 star gem.  Johnson figured out how to arrange and conduct a big band, while featuring himself as the star soloist.  Sounds a bit ego driven doesn't it, well who else but this master of jazz to pull it off?!?!  The band tear through bebop and hard bop tunes like no other.  Although Johnson's 'bone is the featured solo chair, we do infact hear from many other players.  The personnel reads like a who's who of bop, a real "dream band" if there was ever any.  Not a dud to be found in these 9 tracks.


Click For Personnel Details



I worked obsessively for hours on this to make it perfect, and to get it done for tonight.  I think the results speak for themselves, I was really happy with the final product.  My LP is a minty stereo RCA/Victor original, ripped at 24/44.1 wav and dithered to 16/44.1 FLAC.

RCA Victor – LSP-3350
1965

Recorded in Webster Hall, New York City.