Mulgrew Miller - Getting To Know You (1995)

Mulgrew Miller is in top form for these 1995 sessions. as he covers a wide range of compositions. With his regular trio on hand, including bassist Richie Goods and drummer Karriem Riggins, plus the addition of percussionist Steve Kroon and conga player Big Black, this marked the pianist's final recording for the Novus label. Miller's exotic "Eastern Joy Dance" and thoughtful "Second Thoughts" (which brings James Williams' writing style to mind) provide an excellent introduction. Standards include a breezy waltz treatment of "Getting to Know You" (from The King and I) and a driving rendition of "If I Should Lose You." The Beatles' "Fool on the Hill" takes flight in Miller's hands, as he adds a sprightly touch without sounding like a cocktail pianist. He also manages to make something of the usually lame "I Don't Know How to Love Him," as one wouldn't expect an introspective gospel flavor added to an Andrew Lloyd Webber composition, even if it is from Jesus Christ Superstar. Goods' contributed the soulful "Nandhi" to provide a strong finish to this rewarding, though now sadly out of print, CD. ~ by Ken Dryden, AMG. 

RCA/Novus Records, 01241 63188-2, 1995
Recorded & Mixed 20th-21st March, 1995 At Manhattan Center Studios, New York City 

Musicians:
Mulgrew Miller - Piano [Steinway Concert Grand]
Richie Goods - Bass
Karriem Riggins - Drums
Big Black - Conga (#1,2,4,7)
Steve Kroon - Percussion (#1,2,7,8) 

Tracks:
01. Eastern Joy Dance {Mulgrew Miller} (6:39)
02. Second Thoughts {Mulgrew Miller} (5:49)
03. Sweet Sioux {Freddie Hubbard} (6:52)
04. Getting To Know You {Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II} (6:19)
05. Whisper {Mulgrew Miller} (5:46)
06. Didn't We {Jimmy Webb} (5:15)
07. Fool On The Hill {John Lennon, Paul McCartney} (6:46)
08. I Don't Know How To Love Him {Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice} (5:11)
09. If I Should Lose You {Ralph Rainger, Leo Robin} (6:54)
10. Nandhi {Richie Goods} (5:36) 

Total Time: 61:07 

Credits:
Producer - Tim Patterson
Recording, Mixing & Mastering - James Nicholls
Assistant Recording & Mixing Engineer - Richard Clarke
Art Direction, Artwork, Design - Sean Mosher-Smith
Photography - Daniel Miller
Liner Notes - Samuel Fromartz

Harry Allen - I Love Mancini (2007)

A collection of Henry Mancini's beautiful melodies arranged and conducted by Kenny Werner for tenor saxophone, rhythm section and strings.

BMG/Novus J, BVCJ-34022, 2002

Slider Music, 2007

Personnel:

Harry Allen - Tenor Saxophone

Kenny Werner - Piano, Synthesizer

Johannes Weidenmueller - Bass

Tim Horner - Drums

Laura Friedman - Vibraphone

Park Stickney - Harp

Gilad - Percussion

Strings:

Todd Reynolds, Conway Kuo, Laura Seaton, Joyce Hammann, Heidi Stubner - Violin

Ralph Farris, Kenji Bunch - Viola

Dorothy Lawson, Leo Grinhauz - Cello

Tracks:

01. Breakfast At Tiffany's (3:38)

02. Charade (5:31)

03. Dear Heart (5:56)

04. The Days Of Wine And Roses (4:15)

05. The Shadow Of Paris (5:14)

06. Send A Little Love My Way (5:33)

07. Moon River (6:02)

08. Too Little Time (4:34)

09. Whistling Away The Dark (7:12)

10. Mr. Lucky (3:45)

11. Dreamsville (4:31)

12. Two For The Road (3:12)

All Compositions by Henry Mancini

Roy Hargrove - Approaching Standards (1994)

This compilation serves as a fine entrance point into Hargrove's work. The playing is measured and a fine representation of he the jazz played by the Young Lions of the early 90's. Hargrove would evolve and his sound would change. These 10 songs are the sound of promise, later albums would arguably deliver on that promise. This is a must have if you're interested in the early sound of Hargrove's ballads. ~ by Dave Rullo, AMG.

Here Is Beauty Pure And Simple

Every track is a delight, just put it on and let it go. It very beautifully showcases the trumpet as a jazz instrument and reaffirms Roy Hargrove as a main interpreter of the standards. This CD is a good introduction into jazz for anyone not yet acquainted. It is also one of my favorites to put on at night for go-to-sleep music. ~ Paul Phelps, Amazon.com

RCA/Novus Records, 01241 63178 2, 1994

Jazz Heritage, 513900W, 1995

Recorded December, 1989 to February, 1993
At BMG Studios & Clinton Recording, New York

Personnel:

Roy Hargrove - Trumpet, Flugelhorn

Frank Lacy - Trombone

Ran Blake - Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone

John Hicks - Piano

Stephen Scott - Piano

Christian McBride - Bass

Rodney Whitaker - Bass

Scott Colley - Bass

Al Foster - Drums

Billy Higgins - Drums

Gregory Hutchinson - Drums

Tracks:

01. Easy To Remember {Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers} (6:17)

02. Ruby My Dear {Thelonious Monk} (6:17)

03. Whisper Not {Benny Golson} (7:31)

04. What's New? {Johnny Burke, Bob Haggart} (5:10)

05. September In The Rain {Al Dubin, Harry Warren} (7:23)

06. You Don't Know What Love Is {Gene DePaul, Don Raye} (6:20)

07. End Of A Love Affair {Thelonious Monk} (8:05)

08. Things We Did Last Summer {Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne} (5:38)

09. Everything I Have Is Yours {Burton Lane, Harold Adamson}
/Dedicated To You {Sammy Cahn, Hy Zaret} (4:48)

10. My Shining Hour {Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer} (6:09)

Credits:

Producer - Larry Clothier

Mastering - Jimmy Nichols At BMG Studios, NYC

Photography - Ruedi Hofmann

Art Direction - Jacqueline Murphy

Design - Amy Wenzler