David Murray Octet - Picasso (1993)

Picasso is an album by the David Murray Octet, released on the Japanese DIW label in 1993. It features performances by Murray, Rasul Siddik, Hugh Ragin, Craig Harris, James Spaulding, Dave Burrell, Wilber Morris and Tani Tabbal. "Picasso Suite" is a tribute to both Pablo Picasso and Coleman Hawkins's tribute to Picasso. It was written for the Northeast Ohio Jazz Society and the Cleveland Museum of Art. ~ Wiki. 

The title suite is a lively, mostly up-tempo composition where the five brass players more often play with each other than try to outshine each other with solos. While it apparently is an arranged piece of music, it sounds fresh and often spontaneous. It is worth the record alone. ~ R.Walsh, AMG. 

DIW Records, DIW-879, 1993
Recorded 1st-11th September, 1992 at Sound On Sound, New York City 

Musicians:
David Murray - Tenor Sax, Bass Clarinet, Arranger (#1,3,4)
Hugh Ragin - Trumpet
Rasul Siddik - Trumpet
Craig Harris - Trombone
James Spaulding - Alto Saxophone, Flute
Dave Burrell - Piano, Arranger (#2)
Wilber Morris - Bass
Tani Tabbal - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Picasso Suite {David Murray}:
I) Introduction (2:22)
II) Catalonian Vonz (9:32)
III) La Vie - The Jazz Life (4:37)
IV) Portrait Of A Sax And Vac (3:28)
V) Airtime For Hawkins (4:01)
VI) When Hawk Meets Pablo (11:21)
VII) Reprise: Catalonian Vonz (2:27)
2. Menehune Messages {Dave Burrell, Monika Larsson} (7:44)
3. Chazz {Wilber Morris} (7:11)
4. Shakill's Warrior {David Murray} (9:26) 

Total Time: 62:15 

Credits:
Producer - Kazunori Sugiyama & DIW
Recording & Mixing Engineer - Jim Anderson
Assistant Engineer - Peter Beckerman, John Siket
Mastering Engineer - Allan Tucker
Painting [Cover] - Pablo Picasso
Photography [Back] - Noboru Ikushima
Liner Notes - Jon W. Poses 

Airtime For Hawkins

Dick Griffin - Time Will Tell (2011)

This set of eight original tunes, all penned by trombonist/leader Dick Griffin is a testament to the old KISS adage: keep it simple, stupid. Get some good players together, write some straightforward melodies, and blow, and Griffin has assembled some good players. "Could It Be the Blues" strikes the perfect mood to open this record. Few instruments lend themselves to a blues as well as a trombone. Naturally plaintive, in the hands of a player like Griffin, the instrument takes on a human quality, an extension of the trombonist's voice. Griffin is widely known in the free jazz world and has made a name for himself for his circular breathing technique, but here - and throughout the session - he sounds happy to be just blowing, carefree. This is a blues in 3/4, with a few nice little twists along the way. "Home Song" is a very intuitive, hummable song with a memorable melody, while "For the Love in My Heart" cries out for lyrics. "Let's Take a Chance" shows off Griffin's ability to take a simple, singable little tune and craft it into a complete song - nothing fancy, just respect for where the melody wants to go. As with much of the record, this is a strong showcase for his sidemen, though there really are no sidemen on a project like this, especially with players of this caliber, and here everyone contributes to getting the songs off the ground and keeping the energy going. The combined experience of the group is quite something, typified by alto saxophonist/flautist James Spaulding - always such a joy to hear, and this record is no exception. The songs featuring him on flute ("Time Goes By", "My Fantasy") are some of the best of the set. His original plays off of the very famous title track, and the entry of flute, followed by bassist Cecil McBee and Griffin are sonically scrumptious. The band is at its finest on the cookin,' slightly sinister and vamp-driven "Mind Over," while the closing title track is like much of the record encapsulated. It features a very catchy phrase, endearingly played loosely by a front line of interesting sonic textures, followed by solid solos and empathetic accompaniment. Easy as pie. Griffin is a wonderful musician who has contributed mightily to improvised music. He is also a very talented painter, and is responsible for the wonderful cover art featured on Time Will Tell. ~ by William Carey, AAJ. 

Ruby Records, 0884501515689, 2011 

Musicians:
Dick Griffin - Trombone, Arranger
James Spaulding - Alto Saxophone, Flute (#5,7)
George Cables - Piano
Cecil McBee - Bass
Victor Lewis - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Could It Be The Blues {Dick Griffin} (5:01)
2. Home Song {Dick Griffin} (5:32)
3. For The Love In My Heart {Dick Griffin} (6:37)
4. Let's Take A Chance {Dick Griffin} (6:25)
5. Time Goes By {Dick Griffin} (6:02)
6. Mind Over {Dick Griffin} (5:47)
7. My Fantasy {Dick Griffin} (7:28)
8. Time Will Tell {Dick Griffin} (8:29) 

Total Time: 51:21 

Credits:
Producer - Dick Griffin
Cover Photo - Adjua Mantebea
Group Photo - Joanne Klein
Design - Sandy Jordan 

Some wonderful bop, some wonderful blues, a wonderful album.

Listen to Track here:
My Fantasy

Ricky Ford - Ricky's Choice (1999)

This is a compilation of tracks picked out by Ricky Ford from his releases on the Muse jazz label released between 1980 - 1984.

Ricky has certainly chosen some wonderful tracks for the compilation. Half the tunes are his own compositions, two from Wayne Shorter and the rest well-known Jazz standards. He is joined by a solid cast of players, that include some great horn players; Wallace Roney, Jimmy Knepper, Bobby Watson, James Spaulding, pianists; John Hicks, Albert Dailey, Kirk Lightsey, guitarist; Larry Coryell and bassists; Walter Booker, Ray Drummond, Rufus Reid with the perpetual drummer Jimmy Cobb as a mainstay. This CD is just pure entertainment, Enjoy!

#1,2 - Flying Colors - Muse Records [MR 5227] (1980)
#4,9,10 - Future's Gold - Muse [MR 5296] (1983)
#3,8 - Interpretations - Muse Records [MR 5275] (1982)
#6,7 - Shorter Ideas - Muse Records [MR 5314] (1984)
#5 - Tenor For The Times - Muse Records [MR 5250] (1981) 

32 Jazz, 32172, 1999 

Musicians:
Ricky Ford - Tenor Saxophone
Wallace Roney - Trumpet (#3)
Jimmy Knepper - Trombone (#6,7)
Bobby Watson - Alto Saxophone (#3)
James Spaulding - Alto Saxophone (#6,7)
John Hicks - Piano (#1,2,3,8)
Albert Dailey - Piano (#4,5,9,10)
Kirk Lightsey - Piano (#6,7)
Larry Coryell - Guitar (#4,9,10)
Walter Booker - Bass (#1,2,3,8)
Ray Drummond - Bass (#4,9,10)
Rufus Reid - Bass (#5,6,7)
Jimmy Cobb - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Jordanian Walk {Ricky Ford} (8:37)
02. Take The Coltrane {Duke Ellington} (4:42)
03. Interpretations Opus 5 {Ricky Ford} (7:08)
04. You Don't Know What Love Is {Gene DePaul, Don Raye} (6:07)
05. This Our Love [Esse Nosso Amor] {Ricky Ford} (7:31)
06. Yes Or No {Wayne Shorter} (5:41)
07. Miyako {Wayne Shorter} (4:51)
08. Moon Mist {Mercer Ellington} (5:43)
09. A-Flat Now {Ricky Ford} (4:40)
10. Samba De Caribe {Ricky Ford} (4:34) 

Total Time: 59:34

Notes:
See Tracks [Personnel].txt for further details.
Ripped to WAV > Trimmed > Optimised > FLAC

Richard Davis - Dealin' (1974) [vinyl>flac]

This album was released on Muse in 1974. The first side is made up of a couple of funky jazz groovers while the second side is on a more mellow tip. The session is led by bassist Richard Davis, who also wrote the tunes. Marvin Peterson is on trumpet, Clifford Jordan on saxophone, Paul Griffin plays Piano, Rhodes, Organ and Clavinet, David Spinozza plays guitar and Freddie Waits is on drums.

“After Scott LaFaro, Richard Davis is the most important of the young bassists who helped extend the role of their instrument during the early Sixties. He influenced every important bassist of his generation. Like many brilliant sidemen, Davis doesn’t score so well as a leader. There is a general lack of focus that few of his LP’s have overcome.” ~ Steve Futterman. ~ Listening to this album years later brings a different perspective and in a lot ways the reviewer’s comment may seem a bit over stated.

Muse Records, MR 5027, 1974

Recorded 14^th September, 1973

Musicians:

Richard Davis - Bass, Vocals (#A3)

Marvin Peterson - Trumpet, Tambourine, Cow Bell

Clifford Jordan - Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Cow Bell

Paul Griffin - Piano, Organ, Rhodes Piano, Clavinet

David Spinozza - Guitar

Freddie Waits - Drums

Tracks:

A1. What'd You Say (6:17)

A2. Dealin' (5:59)

A3. Julie's Rag Doll (5:33)

B1. Sweet'n (3:49)

B2. Sorta (3:10)

B3. Blues For Now (10:50)

All Compositions by Richard Davis

Credits:

Producer, Design, Photo - Don Schlitten

Recording Engineer - Paul Goodman [RCA]

Liner Notes - Dan Morgenstern

Richard Davis - Harvest (1977) [vinyl>flac]

A very nice record that bassist Davis did for Muse in the late 70s. As with previous recordings he works closely with fellow bass player Bill Lee. Lee plays on the record, co-produced and arranged the album and shares songwriting credit with Davis on a couple of the tracks. Davis is joined by Ted Dunbar on guitar, Consuela Moore on piano, Freddie Waits on drums, James Spaulding on flute and alto sax and Marvin 'Hannibal' Peterson on trumpet, among others. Tracks include the two Davis/Lee originals "Half Pass" and "A Third Away" plus in conjunction with the title, there are several songs with flowers in the titles such as "Windflower", "Forest Flower", and "Passion Flower". He also throws in some familiar tunes like "Take The “A” Train". ~ Dusty Groove, Inc.

Muse Records, MR 5115, 1979

Recorded on May 3^rd & 16^th, 1977 at CI Recording, New York City

Personnel:

Richard Davis - Bass

Marvin Hannibal Peterson - Trumpet (#B1,B3,B4)

James Spaulding - Flute (#B1), Alto Saxophone (#B1,B3,B4)

Consuela Moore - Piano (#A1-B2,B5)

Ted Dunbar - Guitar (#A1-A3,B1-B2)

Bill Lee - Bass (#A1-B2,B4)

Billy Hart - Drums (#B1,B3,B4)

Freddie Waits - Drums (#A1-A3,B2), Percussion (#B1)

Tracks:

A1. Forest Flower {Charles Lloyd} (4:55)

A2. This Masquerade {Leon Russell} (6:33)

A3. Half Pass {Bill Lee, Richard Davis} (4:12)

A4. Three Flowers {McCoy Tyner} (1:51)

B1. Windflower {Sara Casey} (7:13)

B2. Passion Flower {Billy Strayhorn} (4:15)

B3. A Third Away {Bill Lee, Richard Davis} (4:25)

B4. Take The 'A' Train {Billy Strayhorn, Milt Raskin} (3:08)

B5. Forest Flower [Reprise] {Charles Lloyd} (1:55)

Credits:

Producer - Frederick Seibert

Co-Producer, Arranger - Bill Lee

Engineer - Elvin Campbell

Cover Photo - Pat Davis

Cover Design - Ron Warwell

Liner Notes - Richard Davis

James Spaulding - Plays The Legacy Of Duke Ellington

Duke Ellington's passing in 1974 left a giant hole not only in Jazz, but in music itself.  Undoubtedly one of the 20th century's most important artists.  Many musicians were moved to pay tribute, and James Spaulding was one of them.

There are no shortage of Duke tribute albums, and I certainly have my favorites.  A couple that stand out for me are Art Farmer's - To Duke With Love; and Sempre Amore from the duo of  Steve Lacy & Mal Waldron.  That said, Spaulding has given us a solid upbeat treatment of some Ellington classics.

A few things stand out on this record for me.  Firstly, Spaulding moves between several instruments and is technically wonderful on all.  His flute work is particularly incredible.  The addition of Avery Brooks also makes this session a touch different.  The vocalist has a baritone voice, akin to Paul Robeson and adds a nice flavour to the chosen songs.  Mtume's presence is also strongly felt, and helps to drive the band with an upbeat and joyous feel to all of the songs.  Overall, a really strong album which serves to honour the great Duke Ellington.  I would say it's a must have for fans of James Spaulding.

This minty vinyl was ripped at 24/48 wav and compressed to 24/48 FLAC for your convenience.  As always, hi-rez scans of the cover are included.  Remember people... "it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!!"  Enjoy!!

_____________________________________________________

Storyville ‎– SLP 4034

1978

Archie Shepp - For Losers (1968+1969) [vinyl]

One of the grooviest albums from Archie Shepp's post-new thing years for Impulse - a nicely grooving session that mixes soul-based tracks with more righteous spiritual jazz moments! The approach here is a nicely varied - a laidback, collaborative spirit that's even quite different from Shepp's work in France at the time, or even from some of his other sessions for Impulse. At one moment, Archie's playing in a gently spare and soulful mode - foreshadowing his late 70s sides - but at another, he'll be opening up with intensity, egged on by a group of well-matched players who include Woody Shaw, Grachan Moncur III, James Spaulding, and Cedar Walton. Side 2 features the extended "Un Croque Monsieur" - a modally building number with some free post-Coltrane energy, and a righteous poem from Chinalin Sharpe. Sharpe returns in a completely different spirit on "I Got It Bad" - singing the lyrics in a Billie Holiday mode alongside Shepp's solo - and Leon Thomas sings on the soul-based number "Stick Em Up", again very different than usual! Titles also include a great version of Cal Massey's "What Would It Be Without You" and the funky groover "Abstract". © Dusty Groove, Inc.

Impulse! Records, AS-9188, 1970

Recorded 9^th September, 1968 (#A1) at RCA Studios, New York City

Recorded 17^th February, 1969 (#A2) at RCA Studios, New York City

Recorded 26^th August, 1969 (#A3,A4,B) at RCA Studios, New York City

Personnel:

A1. Stick 'Em Up {Archie Shepp} (2:05)

Archie Shepp - Tenor Saxophone

Robin Kenyatta - Alto Saxophone

Grachan Moncur III - Trombone

Martin Banks - Trumpet, Flugelhorn

Andrew Bey - Piano

Mel Brown - Organ, Guitar

Bert Payne - Guitar

Albert Winston - Fender Bass

Wilton Felder - Fender Bass

Beaver Harris - Drums

Doris Troy - Vocals

Leon Thomas - Vocals

Tasha Thomas - Vocals

A2. Abstract {Archie Shepp} (4:21)

Archie Shepp - Tenor Saxophone

James Spaulding - Alto Saxophone

Charles Davis - Baritone Saxophone

Grachan Moncur III - Trombone

Jimmy Owens - Trumpet, Flugelhorn

Wally Richardson - Guitar

Dave Burrell - Organ

Bob Bushnell - Fender Bass

Bernard Purdie - Drums

A3. I Got It Bad [And That Ain't Good] {Duke Ellington, Paul Webster} (5:15)

Archie Shepp - Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone

Clarence Sharpe - Alto Saxophone

Cedar Walton - Piano

Wilbur Sharpe - Bass

Joe Chambers - Drums

Chinalin Sharpe - Vocals

A4. What Would It Be Without You {Cal Massey} (4:05)

Archie Shepp - Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone

Cecil Payne - Baritone Saxophone, Flute

Cedar Walton - Piano

Wilbur Sharpe - Bass

Joe Chambers - Drums

B. Un Croque Monsieur [Poem: For Losers] {Archie Shepp} (21:47)

Archie Shepp - Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone

Cecil Payne - Baritone Saxophone

Clarence Sharpe - Alto Saxophone

Woody Shaw - Trumpet

Matthew Gee - Trombone

Cedar Walton - Piano

Wilbur Sharpe - Bass

Joe Chambers - Drums

Chinalin Sharpe - Vocals

Credits:

Producer - Ed Michel

Supervision - Bob Thiele (#A1,A2), Ed Michel (#A4,A4,B)

Artwork Design - George Whiteman

Photography - Chuck Stewart

Liner Notes - Archie Shepp

Tracklist:

A1. Stick 'Em Up {Archie Shepp} (2:05)

A2. Abstract {Archie Shepp} (4:21)

A3. I Got It Bad [And That Ain't Good] {Duke Ellington, Paul Webster} (5:15)

A4. What Would It Be Without You {Cal Massey} (4:06)

B. Un Croque Monsieur [Poem: For Losers] {Archie Shepp} (21:47)

At the time this record was recorded, Shepp was bouncing back and forth between Paris and New York. He also bounced between the Impulse! and BYG labels. He also bounced between styles. For BYG, his music reached to grasp the bare beginnings of black music, back to Africa and the blues. His music for Impulse! tried to embrace the contemporary sounds of R&B, with very mixed results that to this day divide his fans. This record is a transitional one. For the traditionalists, there's his shattering and amusing cover of "I've Got It Bad" performed by the usual suspects one would think to find on an Archie Shepp record, including Cecil Payne and Joe Chambers. For those enraptured by albums like Attica Blues, songs like "Stick 'Em Up" will fascinate, as Shepp's raspy tenor is joined not only by a legion of avant-garde brethren (including names like Beaver Harris and Grachan Moncur), but also by the funky wood of electric bass, guitar, and organ. Some will find those later tracks a bit hard to take. Some will even find themselves snickering. But for anyone wishing to understand the music and career of this brilliant musician, this is an undervalued piece of the puzzle. ~ Rob Ferrier, AMG.

Kenny Barron - Lucifer (1975) [re-rip]

Totally excellent Kenny Barron album on Muse, and one of his hardest to find! There's a killer cut on here called "Hellbound" that's got Kenny playing this fantastic electric piano and moog stuff on top of overdubbed acoustic piano, which provides a rhythmic underpinning. The track is long and spacey, with an excellent modal groove that would make an excellent sample, but which also grooves beautifully on its own! Lots of other cool cuts too, all with more instrumentation, and a nice soulful funky sound. Titles include "Lucifer", "Spirits", "Firefly", and "Ethereally Yours" – and players include James Spaulding, Bill Barron, and Billy Hart. Beautiful! ~ Dusty Groove, Inc.

Kenny Barron recorded this album in 1975, at the age of 32 with the help of his brother and host of heavy jazz cats. The result is pure bliss. Not unlike his previous album "Peruvian Blue", Lucifer hands us a bit of a mixed bag as far as styles go. There are some scorching jazz-funk numbers, a spiritually tinged acoustic affair and an almost avant-garde fusion cut. Kenny even coined a term to describe his music called “Electracoustic Fusion” which is talked about in length on the back cover. Regardless of what its called, the music is surely one of the bright spots in Kenny’s career as a leader.

This album was recorded just as Barron was leaving Yusef Lateef’s band. The liner notes on the back are all about Barron’s thoughts and experiences with Fusion and electronic instruments as opposed to Bop, which was Barron’s roots having played with Dizzy Gillespie in the mid-1960s. I don’t know what the big deal was though, because his other albums from the time period all had electric instruments on them as well, but let’s focus on the actual music. The reason to check for this album is the opening Spirits, a fine piece of funky Soul-Jazz with a nice rhythm and a series of solos. Hellbound is also a good Fusion piece with a distorted bass line over which Barron plays electric and acoustic piano as well as clavinet.

Muse Records, MR 5070, 1975

Recorded 28^th April, 1975 at Bell Sound, New York City

Musicians:

Kenny Barron - Piano (#A1,A3,B1,B2,B3), Electric Piano (#A2,B1)
String Synthesizer (#A2,B1), Clavinet (#A1), Cowbell (#A1,B2)

Charles Sullivan - Trumpet (#A1,A2,B2)

James Spaulding - Bass Flute (#A2,A3), Alto Saxophone (#A1,B2)

Bill Barron - Soprano Saxophone (#A1,A2,B2)

Carlos Alomar - Guitar (#A1,B2)

Chris White - Electric Bass (#A1,A2,B1,B2)

Billy Hart - Drums (#A1,A2,B2)

Track Listing:

A1. Spirits {Kenny Barron} (8:56)

A2. Firefly {Kenny Barron} (8:45)

A3. Ethereally Yours {Kenny Barron} (5:45)

B1. Hellbound {Kenny Barron} (12:58)

B2. Lucifer {Kenny Barron} (5:32)

B3. Oleo {Sonny Rollins} (5:03)

Credits:

Producer - Michael Cuscuna

Engineer - Malcolm Addey

Mixing - Tony May

Cover - Ron Warwell

Ricky Ford - Shorter Ideas (1984) [vinyl>flac]

Ricky Ford explores the music and ideas of Wayne Shorter - a perfect fit for Ford's deeply soulful style of blowing the tenor! The set's actually got a more tightly arranged feel than you might expect - which makes for a nicely fresh take on some of Shorter's greatest numbers from earlier years, and creates some extremely inventive playing between group members that include Jimmy Knepper, James Spaulding, Kirk Lightsey, Rufus Reid, and Jimmy Cobb. Titles include Shorter tunes "Yes Or No", "Miyako", "Dance Cadaverous", and "Pinnochio" – and Ford originals "Wolf Trap" and "Tabloid Blues". © Dusty Groove, Inc.

Ford, who has usually recorded with small groups, here heads an all-star sextet with altoist James Spaulding and trombonist Jimmy Knepper -- an inspired idea that works. They perform four Wayne Shorter numbers, a couple of Ford's originals, and Duke Ellington's "Happy Reunion." Ford takes the lion's share of the solo space and is clearly up to the task, making these sometimes complex compositions seem accessible and logical. Ford has long been underrated (too old to be a Young Lion and too young to be an elder statesman), but based on the evidence of this recording alone he clearly deserves much greater acclaim. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG.

Muse Records, MR 5314, 1985

Recorded 28^th August, 1984 at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Personnel:

Ricky Ford - Tenor Saxophone

James Spaulding - Alto Saxophone, Flute

Jimmy Knepper - Trombone

Kirk Lightsey - Piano

Rufus Reid - Bass

Jimmy Cobb - Drums

Track Listing:

A1. Yes Or No {Wayne Shorter} (5:33)

A2. Miyako {Wayne Shorter} (4:44)

A3. Dance Cadaverous {Wayne Shorter} (6:08)

B1. Pinnochio {Wayne Shorter} (3:30)

B2. Tabloid Blues {Ricky Ford} (4:03)

B3. Wolf Trap {Ricky Ford} (5:05)

B4. Happy Reunion {Duke Ellington} (4:14)

Credits:

Producer, Liner Notes - Michael Cuscuna

Arranger - Ricky Ford

Recording & Mastering - Rudy van Gelder

Cover Photo - Clarence Eastmond

Back Liner Photos - J. Flint

Art Direction - Dick Smith