Ron Escheté - Homeward Bound (2003)

This album is dedicated in loving memory to George van Eps and Gene Harris with whom he played as a sideman on multiple albums, especially noted on the Concord label. It showcases the well-rounded expertise of 7-string jazz guitarist Ron Escheté as he explores 9 tunes ranging from jazz standards and contemporary compositions, including three of his own. Essentially the grouping revolves around a trio formation where Ron as the leader is backed by bassist Luther Hughes and drummers Jeff Hamilton (3 tracks) and Paul Kreibich (4 tracks). Overall, the album is quite a pleasant affair ideal for relaxation and worthy of multiple appraisals, whereby Ron's craftmanship can be further admired, Enjoy! 

REV JAZZ, 5637454850, 2003
Recorded 1998, 1999 & 2001 at Voice of the Arts Studio, Downey, California 

Musicians:
Ron Escheté - 7-String Electric Guitar
Luther Hughes - Acoustic Bass (except #4,8)
Paul Kreibich - Drums (#2,5,7,9)
Jeff Hamilton - Drums (#1,3,6) 

Tracks:
1. Ticket To Ride {John Lennon, Paul McCartney} (7:31)
2. Skating In Central Park {John Lewis} (5:17)
3. Mean Eugene {Ron Escheté} (6:30)
4. Your Samba {Ron Escheté} (3:22)
5. The Peacocks {Jimmy Rowles} (5:16)
6. It's The Talk Of The Town {Marty Symes, Al Neiburg, Jerry Livingston} (5:05)
7. Namely You {Gene De Paul, Johnny Mercer} (5:34)
8. Poor Butterfly {John Golden, Raymond Hubbell} (4:30)
9. Homeward Bound {Ron Escheté} (4:23) 

Total Time: 47:35 

Credits:
Producer - Ron Escheté
Engineer - Chuck Mitchell, Ken Givens
Art Direction - Stan Hollon

Gene Harris - Alley Cats (1999)

Too many artists have gone their entire careers without providing any live albums, but that hasn't been a problem for Gene Harris whose live recordings from the 1980s and 1990s ranged from unaccompanied solo piano to big-band dates. Arguably, the best live album he gave listeners in the 1990s was Alley Cats; recorded live at Jazz Alley in Seattle on December 11-12, 1998, this CD finds Harris' working quintet (Harris on piano, Frank Potenza on guitar, Luther Hughes on bass, and Paul Kreibich on drums) joined by such accomplished soloists as Red Holloway (tenor sax), Ernie Watts (alto and tenor sax), and Jack McDuff (organ). Many inspired moments occur, and a 65-year-old Harris really goes that extra mile on gems ranging from Nat Adderley's "Jive Samba" and Benny Golson's "Blues March" to Joe Sample's "Put It Where You Want It" (which, in the 1970s, was introduced by the Crusaders before being covered by the Average White Band). A talented but underexposed singer (underexposed in the 1990s, anyway) who has recorded R&B albums but is quite capable of handling jazz, Harris' daughter Niki Harris is featured on earthy performances of "You've Changed," "Please Send Me Someone to Love," and "Guess Who." McDuff, meanwhile, brings his gritty, down-home Hammond B-3 to two songs: Eddie Harris' "Listen Here" and Gene Harris' "Walkin' With Zach." Soul-jazz enthusiasts will definitely want this excellent CD. ~ by Alex Henderson, AMG. 

Concord Jazz, CCD-4859-2, 1999
Recorded 11^th & 12^th December, 1998 Live At Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, Seattle, Washington 

Personnel:
Gene Harris - Piano, Solo (#2)
Ernie Watts - Alto Saxophone (#1,6,7), Tenor Saxophone (#3-5)
Red Holloway - Tenor Saxophone (#1,3,9,10)
Jack McDuff - Organ [Hammond B-3] (#5,10)
Frank Potenza - Guitar (#9)
Luther Hughes - Bass
Paul Kreibich - Drums
Niki Harris - Vocals (#7-9) 

Tracks:
01. Put It Where You Want It {Joe Sample} (5:49)
02. Magic Lady {Joe Sample} (4:17)
03. Blues March {Benny Golson} (11:09)
04. Bird's Idea {Ernie Watts} (4:54)
05. Walkin’ With Zach {Gene Harris} (6:58)
06. Jive Samba {Nat Adderley} (6:03)
07. You've Changed {Bill Carey, Carl Fischer} (6:19)
08. Guess Who {Jesse Belvin, Joanne Belvin} (5:36)
09. Listen Here {Eddie Harris} (11:51)
10. Please Send Me Someone To Love {Percy Mayfield} (5:09) 

Total Time: 68:05 

Credits:
Producer - John Burk
Executive-Producer - Glen Barros
Recording & Mixing Engineer - Phil Edwards
Assistant Engineer - Ryan Kallis
Assembly & Mastering Engineer - Ron Davis
Product Development - Alexis Davis
Production Manager - David Miller
Art Direction - Scott Crawford
Cover Photography - Pam Benham

Thom Rotella 4-Tet - Out Of The Blues (2007)

Thom Rotella might not be a familiar name to the average jazz fan, but if you have an ear for jazz guitar you've probably enjoyed his music at some time over the past two decades. If so - or even if the multi-talented artist is unfamiliar to you - a new album on the Four-Bar Music label will give you the opportunity to hear him at his best. Out Of The Blues is obviously a labor of love for the artist, representing not only his musical side but also his business sense, because Four-Bar Music is his creation. He formed it in partnership with industry veteran Donald Elfman, a long-time friend from their days together at Telarc. On the musical side of the equation, Rotella has formed an outstanding quartet - or as he calls it, a 4-tet - consisting of himself, drummer Roy McCurdy, bassist Luther Hughes, and either Llew Matthews or Rich Eames on piano (varies by track). It's a talented bunch of pros, with a strong background that in some cases includes service with Cannonball Adderley, Sonny Rollins, and Jackie McClean. But Rotella is the star here, and the album leans to the bluesy side - hence the name - but still manages to provide listeners with a nice mix of traditional and newer sounds. With my built-in antenna for old standards fully operational, I found that three of the tracks qualify. Those include "My Foolish Heart" and "I Hear A Rhapsody," both played pretty straight and nicely done, and "The Way You Look Tonight," probably the best of the three. It begins traditionally and then segues into some nice improvisational play by both Rotella and drummer McCurdy. The other seven tracks are all Rotella's own compositions, and he's very good indeed at writing music. There are several keepers here, chief among them probably "Bluze 4 Youze," along with the soft ballad "Glimmer," and a little something called "All Ways." The latter was one of my favorites, an intoxicating Latin beat helping give the piece extra appeal. A nice collection from Thom Rotella and his strangely-named ensemble. ~ GeezerMusicClub.com.

Four Bar Music, none, 2007 

Musicians:
Thom Rotella - Guitars
Llew Matthews, Rich Eames - Piano
Luther Hughes - Bass
Roy McCurdy - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Who Dat? {Thom Rotella} (5:36)
02. Bluze 4 Youze {Thom Rotella} (6:39)
03. My Foolish Heart {Victor Young, Ned Washington} (7:31)
04. The Dr. Is In {Thom Rotella} (7:50)
05. Never Say Goodbye {Thom Rotella} (6:47)
06. The Way You Look Tonight {Jerome Kern, Dorothy Fields‎} (7:54)
07. All Ways {Thom Rotella} (3:25)
08. I Hear A Rhapsody {George Fragos, Jack Baker, Dick Gasparre} (5:51)
09. Shimmer {Thom Rotella} (6:18)
10. Be Here Now {Thom Rotella} (10:26)

Total Time: 67:57

A Jazzy Rotella

I can't believa that no-one has reviewed this album. This album is so great! Everybody I played it for just loves it. My bebop father, my souly wife etc etc. This is Thom doing his thing jazzy style with almost Wes Montgomery style electric guitar and good support from his all acoustic band. Every song is a winner and I play it over and over again. First, I thought it reminded a bit of Lee Ritenours jazzy Stolen moments (another great album) but now I hear Thom's own voice and I like it very much. ~ W. Anders, 5 Stars Amazon.com.

Ron Escheté - Spirit's Samba (1977) [vinyl>flac]

Ron Escheté (born Houma, Louisiana, August 19, 1948) is an American seven-string jazz guitarist. His early influences were jazz guitarists Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall, and Howard Roberts. When he was 14, he got his first guitar and performed in clubs while he was in high school. He studied classical guitar and flute at Loyola University in New Orleans. After he graduated, he toured with singer Buddy Greco. He moved to California in 1970 and worked with vibraphonist Dave Pike, then pianist Gene Harris in 1975. He has played with Ray Brown, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Milt Jackson, and Diana Krall.

This LP is his first as a leader. He is joined by Tom Ranier on pianos, bassist Luther Hughes, drummer and percussionist John Perett and partner Carol Escheté as Vocalist. It showcases a broad range of jazz styles and the majority of the tunes are his compositions. He went on to do a few albums on Muse. Enjoy!

JAS Records, JAS-4003, 1977

Recorded 18^th & 22^nd October, 1976

Musicians:

Ron Escheté - Guitar

Tom Ranier - Acoustic & Electric Piano

Luther Hughes - Bass

John Perett - Drums, Percussion

Carol Escheté - Voice

Tracks:

A1. Spirit's Samba {Ron Escheté} (6:16)

A2. Mama's Song {Ron Escheté} (5:50)

A3. Is Dis It Or Whut {Ron Escheté} (3:36)

A4. Desert Air {Chich Corea} (6:48)

B1. Metz {Ron Escheté} (7:36)

B2. Why Did I Choose You {Michael Leonard, Herbert Martin} (6:38)

B3. Isn't She Lovely {Stevie Wonder} (4:28)

Credits:

Producer - Bill Metz

Engineer - James Mooney

Album Design - The Image Machine

Illustration - Dirk Wunderlich

Liner Notes - Mundell Lowe

Dave Pike - Moon Bird (1983) [vinyl]

Another one of the post-Europe Dave Pike recordings, with a sound that's a bit straighter than usual, but still with his usual great take on jazzy vibes playing. The title track's a nice breezy groover, and the LP also includes two more originals, one with a Latiny feel called "Set the Stage", the other with the usual Pike goofiness, called "Jumpy the Snail". ~ Dusty Groove.

Muse Records, MR 5261, 1983

Recorded At Sage & Sound Studio, Mastered at The Cutting Room, New York City

Musicians:

Dave Pike - Vibraphone

Tom Ranier - Keyboards, Synthesizer, Tenor Saxophone {#A3)

Ron Escheté - Guitar

Luther Hughes - Bass

Ted Hawke - Drums, Percussion

Buck Clark - Percussion (#A1-A3,B2)

Track Listing:

A1. Moon Bird {Dave Pike} (5:45)

A2. Love For Sale {Cole Porter} (7:15)

A3. Jumpy The Snail {Dave Pike} (7:01)

B1. Set The Stage {Dave Pike} (5:04)

B2. Dream {Jimmy Mercer} (7:23)

B3. Anthropology {Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie} (6:16)

Credits:

Producer - Bill Metz

Engineer - James Mooney

Mastered [Engineer] - Joe Brescio

Artwork [Cover], Design - Ron Warwell

Liner Notes - Fred Goodman

Dave Pike - Let The Minstrels Play On (1978) [vinyl>flac, re-rip]

Here is another dynamic group led by Dave Pike with a consistent array of tunes primarily set to expose a fusion of jazz ranging from bop through to some samba styled beats. Joined with him again as on "On A Gentle Note" is Ron Escheté on guitar, Luther Hughes on Bass and along with Tom Rainer on keyboards things really start to swing. Rainer turns his hand to Alto on "Groovin' High". A favourite of mine is "Icarus" by Ralph Towner where we get to hear some wonderful bowed Piccolo bass work by Luther Hughes. The use of Musical Box by Ted Hawke on "Swan Lake" adds an interesting intro and exit to the tune. The rhythm section with powerful drumming coming from Ted Hawke and percussion from Don Williams backs Pike's vibes to the tee. The album continues on from the previous delivering this time a broader repertoire of tunes exhibiting the skills of an imaginative and gifted musician and leader.

Muse Records, MR 5203, 1978

Recorded 22^nd & 23^rd March, 1978 at Sage & Sound Studio, Hollywood, California

Personnel:

Dave Pike - Vibraphone, Percussion

Tom Ranier - Keyboards, Alto Saxophone (#A3)

Ron Escheté - Guitar

Luther Hughes - Bass, Cello, Bass [Piccolo] (#B2)

Ted Hawke - Drums, Percussion, Musical Box (#B1)

Don Williams - Percussion

Carol Escheté - Vocals

Track Listing:

A1. Spirit's Samba {Ron Escheté } (6:50)

A2. Professor Porno's Romanc {Dave Pike} (6:04)

A3. Groovin' High {Dizzy Gillespie} (7:08)

B1. Swan Lake {Tchaikovsky} (9:27)

B2. Icarus {Ralph Towner} (5:26)

B3. Rabbi Mogen's Hideout {Dave Pike} (6:52)

Credits:

Producer - Bill Metz

Engineer - James Mooney

Dave Pike - On A Gentle Note (1978) [vinyl>flac, re-rip]

After 1966, vibraphonist Dave Pike was primarily heard on European labels until he made his first album for Muse in 1975. His second effort for the label teams Pike with a variety of top L.A. players: Tom Ranier on electric piano (he plays alto on "Scrapple from the Apple"), guitarist Ron Eschete, bassist Luther Hughes, drummer Ted Hawke, and the obscure Rudolph Johnson on tenor. There are some unaccompanied solos (Eschete on "Everytime We Say Goodbye," Ranier's keyboard on "Gigi," and Pike on "Visions of Spain") and a fair amount of variety in the rhythms (ranging from straight-ahead to Latin and rock), making this a generally unpredictable (if now hard to find) LP. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG.

Muse Records, MR 5168, 1978

Recorded November & December 1977 at United Audio Studio, Santa Ana, California

Personnel:

Dave Pike - Vibraphone

Tom Ranier - Electric Piano, Alto Saxophone

Rudolph Johnson - Tenor Saxophone

Ron Eschete - Guitar

Luther Hughes - Bass

Ted Hawke - Drums, Percussion

Track Listing:

A1. Lazy Afternoon {John Latouche, Jerome Morass} (9:29)

A2. Gigi {Alan Jay Lerner, Frederick Loewe} (2:59)

Tom Ranier - Electric Piano [Soloist]

A3. Regards From Freddie Horowitz {Dave Pike} (7:58)

B1. Secret Mystery Of Hensch {Dave Pike, Volker Kreigel} (9:23)

B2. Everytime We Say Goodbye {Cole Porter} (2:23)

Ron Eschete - Guitar [Soloist]

B3. Scrapple From The Apple {Charlie Parker} (6:01)

Tom Ranier - Electric Piano [Soloist]

B4. Visions Of Spain {Dave Pike} (1:58)

Dave Pike - Vibraphone [Soloist]

Credits:

Producer - Bill Metz

Engineer - Evan Williams

Art Direction, Design [Cover Illustration] - Tamar Zinn