Larry Willis - Steal Away (1992)

An unusual 1991 trio piece recorded by Larry Willis with Gary Bartz's alto saxophone and Cecil McBee's bass. Bart's earthy saxophone, Willis' beautiful grainy piano, and McBee's all-encompassing bass create a bluesy atmosphere. ~ ventoazul.shop-pro.jp. 

Larry plays solo on three tracks (#1,3,6), and is joined in a trio grouping by both Gary and Cecil on two (#2,4) and additionally Cecil joins him in a duo on another (#5). Larry contributes three of his own compositions (#1,3,5), Cecil also offers up another (#4) and the remaining two are well-known bluesy numbers. The title track "Steal Away" was popularised by singer Jimmy Hughes and "The Meaning Of The Blues" by revered jazz composer Bobby Troup. This is a pure analog recording. The tracks were recorded "live" direct to two-track! 

AudioQuest Music, AQ-CD1009, 1992
Sledgehammer Blues, 2-AQM-1009, 1992
Recorded 23rd & 24th December, 1991 at Mapleshade Studios, Upper Marlboro, Maryland 

Musicians:
Larry Willis - Piano [Steinway], Solo (#1,3,6)
Gary Bartz - Alto Saxophone (#2,4)
Cecil McBee - Bass (#2,4,5)

Tracks:
1. Valdosta Blues {Larry Willis} (6:25)
2. Steal Away {Traditional} (13:33)
3. Fallen Hero {Larry Willis} (3:15)
4. "D" Bass-ic Blues {Cecil McBee} (8:35)
5. Ethiopia {Larry Willis} (9:03)
6. The Meaning Of The Blues {Bobby Troup, Leah Worth} (6:41) 

Total Time: 47:34 

Credits:
Producer - Joe Harley
Recording Engineer - Pierre M. Sprey
Mastering Engineer - Bernie Grundman
Art Direction, Design - Hilary Weiss, Merlin Clarke
Cover - Joanna Ashe
Photography - Mark Kornbluth, Michael Wilderman
Liner Notes - Bill Kohlhaase 

Steal Away

Roseanna Vitro - Passion Dance (1996)

One of the top jazz singers of the 1990s, Roseanna Vitro is a versatile vocalist who is not afraid to take chances. On her Telarc debut, the personnel changes on many of the ten selections with the stars among the sidemen including pianist Ken Werner (Vitro's musical director), altoist Gary Bartz, trumpeter Tim Hagans, bassist Christian McBride and drummer Elvin Jones. Among the highpoints of the diverse repertoire are an adventurous "Freedom Jazz Dance," "Out of This World," "Long as You're Livin '," McCoy Tyner's "Passion Dance" and "Strollin"' (an adaptation of Charles Mingus' "Nostalgia in Times Square"). The only number that does not work is an over-the-top rendition of "More than You Know" that is overly complex; simplicity would have been much more effective. Otherwise, this is a superior set by a very appealing singer. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG. 

Telarc Jazz, CD-83385, 1996
Recorded 19th July, 1994 at Skyline Studios, New York
& January, 1995 at Sound On Sound Studios, New York 

Musicians:
Roseanna Vitro - Vocals, Arranger
Tim Hagans - Trumpet
John Fedchock - Trombone
Gary Bartz - Alto Saxophone
Tim Ries - Tenor Saxophone
Kenny Werner - Piano, Arranger
Larry Willis - Piano
Kevin Mahogany - Piano, Vocals (#8)
Steve Nelson - Vibraphone
Romero Lubambo, Vic Juris - Guitar
Christian McBride, Ratzo B. Harris, Richie Goods - Bass
Clarence Penn, Elvin Jones - Drums
Jamey Haddad - Drums, Percussion 

Tracks:
01. Out Of This World {Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer} (5:29)
02. Long As You're Livin' {Oscar Brown Jr., Julian Priester, Tommy Turrentine} (6:16)
03. Returned To Me ["The Bird"] {Tex Allen} (5:32)
04. Freedom Jazz Dance {Eddie Harris} (5:18)
05. For Heaven's Sake {Elise Bretton, Sherman Edwards, Don Meyer} (5:04)
06. Whisper Not {Benny Golson} (4:50)
07. Simone {Frank Foster, Cheryl Pyle} (7:24)
08. Blue Monk {Thelonious Monk} (5:14)
09. Passion Dance {McCoy Tyner, Roseanna Vitro} (6:41)
10. More Than You Know {Edward Eliscu, Billy Rose, Vincent Youmans} (7:20)
11. Strollin' [Nostalgia In Times Square] {Charles Mingus} (5:20) 

Total Time: 64:32

Credits:
Producer, Engineer, Mixing - Paul Wickliffe
Executive Producer - Robert Woods
Assistant Engineer - Devin Emke, Rich Lamb, Ed Raso
Production Supervisor - Elaine Martone
Art Direction, Cover Design - Anilda Carrasquillo
Photography - Carol Friedman
Liner Notes - Roseanna Vitro, Michael G. Nastos

Roy Hargrove - Family (1995)

This well-rounded set not only features trumpeter Roy Hargrove with his mid-'90s quintet (tenor saxophonist Ron Blake, pianist Stephen Scott, bassist Rodney Whitaker, and drummer Gregory Hutchinson) but with two other rhythm sections and a few special guests. The first three selections (which includes the up-tempo blues "Brian's Bounce") are called "Trilogy" and dedicated to various family members. Hargrove shows off his warm tone on "The Nearness of You" (a ballads with strings album was in the near future), and other highlights include the lyrical "Pas de Trois," a duet by Hargrove and bassist Walter Booker on Larry Willis' "Ethiopia," and a driving version of "Firm Roots." A meeting between Hargrove and Wynton Marsalis on the bop standard "Nostalgia" is disappointingly tame, but otherwise this is a high-quality modern hard bop release. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG.

Verve Records, 314 527 630-2, 1995

Recorded 26^th-29^th January, 1995 At Studio B, Clinton Recording Studios, NY

Musicians:

Roy Hargrove - Trumpet, Flugelhorn

Ron Blake - Soprano & Tenor Saxophones

Jesse Davis - Alto Saxophone

David "Fathead" Newman - Tenor Saxophone, Flute

Wynton Marsalis - Trumpet

Stephen Scott, John Hicks, Larry Willis, Ronnie Mathews - Piano

Troy Halderson - Synthesizer

Rodney Whitaker, Christian McBride, Walter Booker - Bass

Gregory Hutchinson, Lewis Nash, Jimmy Cobb, Karriem Riggins - Drums

Tracks:

01. Velera {Roy Hargrove} (2:22)

02. Roy Allen {Roy Hargrove} (3:48)

03. Brian's Bounce {Roy Hargrove} (4:56)

04. The Nearness Of You {Hoagy Carmichael, Ned Washington} (7:03)

05. Lament For Love {Ronnie Mathews} (4:01)

06. Another Level {Roy Hargrove} (6:23)

07. A Dream Of You {Christian McBride} (6:11)

08. Pas De Trois {Paul Arslanian} (8:39)

09. Polka Dots And Moonbeams {Johnny Burke, James Van Heusen} (5:36)

10. The Challenge {Roy Hargrove} (3:46)

11. Ethiopia {Larry Willis} (3:36)

12. Nostalgia {Fats Navarro} (6:00)

13. Thirteenth Floor {David "Fathead" Newman} (5:57)

14. Firm Roots {Cedar Walton} (6:51)

15. The Trial {Roy Hargrove} (3:38)

Credits:

Producer - Roy Hargrove, Larry Clothier

Executive Producer - Richard Seidel

Engineer - Troy Halderson

Editing, Engineer, Mastering, Sequencing - Ed Rak

Assistant - Mark Agostino, Jonathon Mooney

Photography - Jimmy Katz, Michael Lavine

Art Direction - David Lau

Art Direction, Design - Patricia Lie

May He Rest In Peace

Robin Kenyatta - Gypsy Man (1972) [vinyl]

Sweet electric funk from Robin Kenyatta - but a set with some slightly complicated moments too! The album's a bit like some of Yusef Lateef's more electric moments on Atlantic, although probably not as cerebral overall - and Robin plays a range of reeds, including alto, flute, and soprano sax - the last of which is the best fit for the record, as Kenyatta plays it with a nicely snakey sort of style! Most tracks have a strong mix of keyboards and guitar - the former played by either Larry Willis or Pat Rebillot, the latter by David Spinoza or Keith Loving. Stanley Clarke plays bass on most of the set, and there's definitely some of his influence going on here too - and one track features added vocals by Robin and Lalome Wahsburn. Deodato arranged a version of "Last Tango In Paris" - and other titles include "Gypsy Man", "Melodie Chinoise", "Werewolf", "Another Freight Train", "Seems So Long", and "Reflective Silence". © Dusty Groove, Inc.

Atlantic Records, SD 1633, 1973

Recorded & Mixed in September & October, 1972 at The Hit Factory, N.Y.

Personnel:

Robin Kenyatta - Soprano & Alto Saxes, Flute, Vocals

Al Deville - Trumpet (#B2)

Seldon Powell - Saxophone (#B2)

George Patterson - Saxophone (#B2)

Jack Philpot - Saxophone (#B2)

Larry Willis - Electric Piano

George Butcher - Piano, Organ

Pat Rebillot - Piano, Organ

Charles ‘Skip’ Pitts - Guitar [Wah Wah] (#A1)

David Spinozza - Guitar

Jimmy Wood - Guitar (#B2)

Keith Loving - Guitar

Stanley Clarke - Bass, Electric Bass

Ray Lucas - Drums (#A1)

Billy Cobham - Drums

Charles Collins - Drums

Rick Marotta - Drums

Ralph MacDonald - Percussion

Don Belamy - Vocals (#A1)

Lalome Washburn - Vocals

Tracks:

A1. Last Tango In Paris (Gato Barbieri} (4:49)

A2. Another Freight Train {Robin Kenyatta} (3:36)

A3. Werewolf {Robert W. McPherson} (4:26)

A4. Reflective Silence {Robin Kenyatta} (5:19)

B1. Seems So Long {Stevie Wonder} (3:52)

B2. Gypsy Man {Robin Kenyatta} (5:22)

B3. Melodie Chinoise {Robin Kenyatta} (5:45)

B4. I've Got Dreams To Remember {Otis Redding, Zelma Redding} (6:16)

Credits:

Producer - Michael Cuscuna

Recording Engineer - Harry Maslin

Arranger - Eumir Deodato (#A1), Robin Kenyatta (#A2,A4-B4), Robert W. McPherson (#A3)

Photography [Backliner] - Penny Scherr

Photography [Cover] - Joel Brodsky

Design - Haig Adishian

Robin Kenyatta - Beggars And Stealers (1969+75) [vinyl>flac]

Robin Kenyatta is a versatile artist who has worked in a number of associations, playing with characters as varied as Archie Shepp, Barry Miles, Sonny Stitt and Mongo Santamaria. Kenyatta with his strong vibrato and earthy tone is quite at home playing styles ranging from Coleman Hawkins through to Charlie Parker. Apart from his musicianship, he clearly articulates an ability to craft astounding abstract musical concepts into his tunes. “Beggars And Stealers” documents a 1969 concert on which Kenyatta played tenor sax. This was the only time he ever used that instrument recorded on an album. An additional treat made available on this album is a magnificent duet with Muhal Richard Abrams on “Ruby My Dear”. Enjoy!

Muse Records, MR 5095, 1977

Recorded 8^th April, 1969 (#A1,A2,B1) Live at Columbia University, New York

And September, 1975 (#B2) at Generation Sound, New York

Musicians:

Robin Kenyatta - Tenor Sax (#A1-B1), Alto Sax (#B2)

Larry Willis - Piano (#A1-B1)

Muhal Richard Abrams - Piano (#B2)

Walter Booker - Bass

Alphonse Mouzon - Drums

Tracks:

A1. Nairobi Hot {Robin Kenyatta} (11:31)

A2. Dream Bug {Robin Kenyatta} (10:14)

B1. Beggars And Stealers {Robin Kenyatta} (12:30)

B2. Ruby My Dear {Thelonious Monk} (5:57)

Credits:

Producer - Robin Kenyatta

Producer, Liner Notes - Michael Cuscuna

Recording Engineer - Tony May (#B2)

Cover Design, Photography - Price Givens

Liner Design, Photography - Mark Larson, Charles Reilly

Also Released as:

Alphonse Mouson - Dream Bug (1977)

American Jazz & Blues History, Vol. 51

Tobacco Road [B/2551]

Germany

-------------------------

Happy Bird B/90085 (1977)

Germany