Ted Curson - Plenty Of Horn (1961)

Ted Curson, born in 1935 in Philadelphia, participated in some great Mingus albums such as Mingus At Antibes or Mysterious Blues; he is also featured on Archie Shepp's Fire Music and other albums. Ted Curson recorded this album in April 1961 in New York with some of his usual accomplices like tenor sax Bill Barron (Kenny's brother) or Roy Haynes on drums (on 4 tracks), Eric Dolphy on 2 tracks. Kenny Drew is on piano, Jimmy Garrison on double bass. Danny Richmond replaces Roy on 3 tracks and Pete La Roca on two. This is, I believe, his first album as a leader. After a very orientalist version of "Caravan" a little waltz from Ted “Nosruc Waltz”, then a beautiful ballad with guest Éric Dolphy on flute. Five original compositions by Ted follow, where "Flatted Fifth" stands out and the beautiful theme of "Bali-H'ai" (composed by Hammerstein and Rodgers) where Dolphy shines. A good disc to discover this musician. ~ Philippe A, AMG. [Translated from French] 

Old Town, OT LP 2003, 1961
Fresh Sounds Records, FSR 1622, 2004
Recorded April, 1961 in New York City 

Musicians:
Ted Curson - Trumpet
Bill Barron - Tenor Saxophone (#1,2,4-6,8,9)
Eric Dolphy - Flute (#3,7)
Kenny Drew - Piano
Jimmy Garrison - Bass
Roy Haynes - Drums (#1,3,6,7)
Dannie Richmond - Drums (#2,4,9)
Pete La Roca - Drums (#5,8) 

Tracks:
1. Caravan {Irving Mills, Duke Ellington, Juan Tizol} (2:53)
2. Nosruc {Ted Curson} (6:16)
3. The Things We Did Last Summer {Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne} (4:23)
4. Dem's Blues {Ted Curson} (3:41)
5. Ahma [See Ya] (Ted Curson} (4:21)
6. Flatted Fifth {Ted Curson} (3:34)
7. Bali-H'ai {Oscar Hammerstein II, Richard Rodgers, Jerome Kern} (3:55)
8. Antibes {Ted Curson} (5:04)
9. Mr. Teddy {Teddy Curson} (5:10) 

Total Time: 39:21 

Credits:
Producer - Hy Weiss
Produce [Reissue] - Jordi Pujol
Post Production - Duncan Cowell
Mastering - Krieg Wunderlich
Package Design - Chris Popham
Liner Notes - John Crosby, Nat Hentoff 

Flatted Fifth

Tony Scott - Golden Moments

The original rip comes courtesy of our old friend Sotise - this Muse release was a reissue of a little known 1959 session featuring some serious heavyweights.

"Tony Scott was one of the major jazz clarinetists of the 1950s, but his decision to become a world traveler in 1960 has resulted in him becoming rather obscure. This valuable Muse release features the clarinetist in top form on an original blues and four standards (including 12-minute versions of "Walkin'" and "Melancholy Baby") in a quartet that also includes the up-and-coming pianist Bill Evans (who had just left Miles Davis' sextet), bassist Jimmy Garrison, and drummer Pete LaRoca. The bop-oriented improvisations hold one's interest and make one wish that Scott had stayed in New York throughout the '60s; he had much more to say. [Golden Moments was reissued as part of 32 Jazz's double-disc set, At Last, in 1999.]" Yanow, AMG

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!!!