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

David Murray Quartet - Black & Black (1992)

In general, tenor saxophonist David Murray's Red Baron recordings are not on the same level of his Black Saints albums; the settings tended to be more conservative and the material not as strong. This outing with pianist Kirk Lightsey, bassist Santi Debriano, drummer Roy Haynes and trumpeter Marcus Belgrave is better than most of his Red Baron releases. The material is fairly basic (including "Duke's Place" and the two-note "C Jam Blues" theme, which is listed as being composed by four people), Murray tends to play fairly freely despite the boppish rhythm section, and the closing "Head Out" (the longest of the five lengthy jams) has plenty of fiery intensity. Not essential but worth picking up by David Murray fans. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG.

Red Baron/Sony Music, AK 48852, 1992

Recorded 7^th October, 1991

Musicians:

David Murray - Tenor Saxophone

Marcus Belgrave - Trumpet

Kirk Lightsey - Piano

Santi Debriano - Bass

Roy Haynes - Drums

Tracks:

1. Anti-Calypso {Roland Prince} (10:12)

2. Duke's Place {Duke Ellington, Bob Thiele, Ruth Roberts, Bill Katz} (11:16)

3. Cool {Glenn Osser, Bob Thiele} (11:13)

4. Black And Black {Glenn Osser, Bob Thiele} (10:47)

5. Head Out {David Murray} (12:45)

Credits:

Producer - Bob Thiele

Recording & Mixing - Harvey Goldberg

Assistant Engineer - Susie Fink

Digital Mastering - Chris Herles (Sony Studios, New York)

Musical Coordinator - Gary Pacheo

Photography - Michael Hashimoto

Art Direction & Design - Sid Maurer (MPI Graphics, New york)

Liner Notes - Nat Hentoff

Chet Baker - Comin' On & Cool Burnin'

As promised here is the rest of the output of this brief spark in the Chet Baker story. The seven tracks of "Comin' On" and the first 3 of "Cool Burnin'" complete the full sessions. Tracks 4-7 of Cool Burnin' are repeated on the "On A Misty Night" disc.

I wonder what the rest of the story was behind these sessions, beyond Baker's trumpet being 'stolen' (pawned?) and the sessions being played on flugelhorn. His sessions for a year preceding these were on Limelight, those that follow are at World Pacific. This abrupt and short-lived appearance on Prestige (3 days), given what we know about the way business was done at Prestige, sounds like a cash grab for dope or debts. Chet's later complaint sounds suspiciously like those of a junkie who has forgotten he chose cash on the barrel-head.

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

Jim Pepper - Dakota Song [vinyl rip/FLAC]

Jim Pepper - Dakota Song
Enja 1987 [vinyl rip/FLAC]

1) Three Quarter Gemini
2) What's New
3) Jumping Gemini
4) Dakota Song
5) Mercer Street Blues
6) Commie II Fault
7) It Could Happen To You

I have always been a fan of the passionate tone of the late, great Jim Pepper. I have a decent vinyl copy of this fine album which I am happy to present, but I know that the CD version contained two extra tracks that I've never heard. I know from personal experience that the album which followed this one (The Path) also had two added tracks on the CD and it improved the album, so....anyone?

David 'Fathead' Newman - Fire!

I believe that this is the album pmac was referring to in his comment to the previous post; it is available cheap at Collectables so this is an mp3 copy.

"For this excellent all-around date, David "Fathead" Newman and a fine rhythm section (pianist Kirk
Lightsey, vibraphonist Steve Nelson, bassist David Williams and drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith) are joined by tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine on "Wide Open Spaces" (a tune that years earlier
Newman had recorded with fellow tenor James Clay), altoist Hank Crawford on "Lonely Avenue" and both Turrentine and Crawford on two other songs. In addition, Newman takes "Filthy McNasty" as a flute feature and is showcased on the opening "Old Devil Moon." An enjoyable set of soulful, straight-ahead jazz." AMG

A really fine live set, must have been some hot stuff to see.

Roots - Saying Something

Every now and again, one of our friends here will send me a share that gets buried in my inbox and forgotten but they always resurface once I get around to going thru emails. Obviously I am inferring that this is one of those; bluebird sent this nearly a month ago and I am just now getting around to it.

Roots is a saxophone ensemble that toured Europe each summer or much of the 90's. The band was lead by Nathan Davis and always featured at least 3 other killer saxophonist and a first class rhythm section. Each tour the band would focus on 2 or 3 sax masters and songs associated with them. Here the focus' are Wayne Shorter, Lester Young and John Coltrane and Dr. Davis is joined by Arthur Blythe, Benny Golson and Chico Freeman on the front line. The rhythm section is merely Kirk Lightsey, Buster Williams and Ed Thigpen.

The powerful 7 song live program is full of great moments and lovely songs; all done with plenty of room for folks to stretch out - now that bluebird has reminded me of them, perhaps some other recordings of this great band will be forthcoming.