Various Artists - The History Of Chess Jazz (1996)

History of Chess Jazz is a double-disc set featuring highlights from the label's overlooked jazz catalog. Among the artists included are Kenny Burrell, Woody Herman, Ramsey Lewis, Etta James, Ahmad Jamal, and Zoot Sims. Jazz wasn't one of Chess' strong points, but there is plenty of fine music here, making it a worthwhile sampler. ~ by Stephen Thomas Erlewine, AMG. 

Chess Records, GRD-2-812, 1996
Recorded May, 1950 - April, 1967 

Tracklist: 

CD1:
01. Ahmad Jamal - Poinciana {Buddy Bernier, Nat Simon} (9:31)
02. Sonny Stitt, Bennie Green - My Main Man {Bennie Green, Sonny Stitt} (5:59)
03. Red Rodney - Shaw 'Nuff {Ray Brown, Gil Fuller, Dizzy Gillespie} (6:36)
04. The Jazztet - Killer Joe (Benny Golson} (4:14)
05. Zoot Sims - The Man I Love {George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin} (5:16)
06. Roland Kirk - Soul Station {Rahsaan Roland Kirk} (5:28)
07. James Moody, Eddie Jefferson - Parker's Mood {Eddie Jefferson, Charlie Parker} (3:24)
08. Woody Herman - Keep On Keepin' On {Richard Evans} (4:19)
09. Ray Bryant - Gotta Travel On {Paul Clayton, Larry Ehrlich, Dave Lazer, Tom Six} (4:24)
10. Benny Goodman - Benny Rides Again {Eddie Sauter} (4:33)
11. John Klemmer - My Love Has Butterfly Wings {John Klemmer} (3:53)
12. Etta James - At Last {Mack Gordon, Harry Warren} (3:00)
13. Ramsey Lewis - The "In" Crowd {Billy Page} (5:50) 

Time: 66:32 

CD2:
01. Barry Harris - Ornithology {Benny Harris, Charlie Parker} (3:32)
02. James Moody - Last Train From Overbrook {James Moody} (3:03)
03. Gene Ammons - My Foolish Heart {Ned Washington, Victor Young} (2:48)
04. Lorez Alexandria - Baltimore Oriole {Hoagy Carmichael, Paul Francis Webster} (3:11)
05. Oliver Nelson - A Bientot {Billy Taylor} (3:48)
06. Yusef Lateef - Morning [Excerpt] {Yusef Lateef, Sandy Owen} (3:14)
07. Odell Brown - Mellow Yellow {Donovan} (5:28)
08. Art Farmer - Tonk {Ray Bryant} (3:05)
09. Illinois Jacquet - You're My Thrill {Jay Gorney, Burton Lane, Ned Washington} (3:50)
10. Howard McGhee - House Warnin' {Marshall Pau, Paul Winley} (2:31)
11. Chubby Jackson - Tiny's Blues {Al Cohn, Tiny Kahn} (5:01)
12. Clark Terry - Candy {Mack David, Alex Kramer, Joan Whitney} (2:23)
13. Benny Golson - The Touch {Benny Golson} (5:19)
14. Kenny Burrell - Silent Night {Franz Gruber, Joseph Mohr} (2:35) 

Time: 49:54 

Total Time: 01:56:26

Red Rodney - Superbop (1974) [new link]

Although trumpeter Red Rodney would get stronger as the 1970s progressed, this 1974 effort (not yet reissued on CD) is one of his most exciting recordings of the decade. The reason is that he is matched with the fiery trumpeter Sam Noto. With fine support from pianist Dolo Coker, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Shelly Manne, plus occasional solos from Jimmy Mulidore on alto and soprano, Rodney and Noto jam through such numbers as "Superbop" (highlighted by their rendition of Clifford Brown's "Daahoud" solo), "Last Train Out" (similar to "Ariegin") and the heated blues "Fire." "The Look of Love" (which adds a tenor and trombone to the ensembles with Mulidore contributing some alto flute) is a lyrical change of pace. There are plenty of fireworks on this trumpet-dominated set. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG.

Muse Records, MR 5046, 1974

Recorded 26^th March, 1974

Musicians:

Red Rodney - Trumpet

Sam Noto - Trumpet, Flugelhorn (#A2)

Mayo Tiano - Trombone (#A2)

Jimmy Mulidore - Alto Sax, Soprano Sax, Alto Flute (#A2)

Larry Covelli - Tenor Saxophone (#A2)

Dolo Coker - Piano

Ray Brown - Bass

Shelly Manne - Drums

Tracks:

A1. Superbop {Red Rodney, Sam Noto} (6:08)

A2. The Look Of Love {Burt Bacharach, Hal David} (4:38)

A3. The Last Train Out {Sam Noto} (7:31)

B1. Fire {Red Rodney, Sam Noto} (2:55)

B2. On Green Dolphin Street {Bronislaw Kaper, Ned Washington} (10:29)

B3. Hilton {Jimmy Mulidore} (7:00)

Credits:

Producer - Don Schlitten

Recording Engineer - Ed Barton

Mixing Engineer - Paul Goodman

Design, Photography - Don Schlitten

Photography [Liner Photo] - Billy Root

Liner Notes - Ira Gitler

Buried Treasure in your own yard! Part one...

 

One of the things that many of you can testify to is that when you have a ridiculous huge digital collection, things can hide from you in your own files... even stunningly good stuff that you never got around to listening to! There was a time when I was into live recording trading and to this day there is a Live and Unreleased file on my hard-drive that has a bunch of stuff that I never quite got around to listening to. Now that I am officially in the 'old fart do it now' mode, I make a point of exploring what is there at least once a month. Today was that day and I found 2 jaw dropping gems... both in FLAC! I am relatively sure that I never actually listened to either of these recordings as it is tough to believe that I would not remember. Here is part one of what will be a two parter! The following comes from a text file in the file...

Red Rodney, Ira Sullivan & the Jack Wilkins Trio

Amsterdam (de Meervaart), International Jazz Festival, 9 August, 1980

The Jack Wilkins Trio with guests Red Rodney and Ira Sullivan at the International Jazz Festival Amsterdam (de Meervaart), Saturday 9 August, 1980. My taping of the direct Dutch radio broadcast.

Ira Sullivan arriving a little late on stage, thinking the Jack Wilkins Trio would play a longer set; Rodney and Sullivan had never played with Wilkins before.

There was a news bulletin (of almost 5 minutes) in between "Mr Oliver" and the following track, causing these tracks to be incomplete and  fading in, respectively.

Any info on the two "unknown" tunes is of course appreciated.

Enjoy!

Personnel:

Red Rodney (tp,flh), Ira Sullivan (tp,flh,as,fl), Jack Wilkins (g), Ron McClure (b), Billy Hart (d)

Track list:

1 Announcements

2 Unknown

3 Mr Oliver (nc)

4 Unknown (fading in)

5 Dolphin Dance

6 Monday Dance

7 The Red Arrow

8 Announcements

9 Happy Birthday into Buzzy

Lineage: FM > tape > recording, tracking and editing wav file in Audacity > CD-R > Wav > TLH (Flac 8, sector align) 

Audio quality:

A- (FM)

There it is, that is what I got... Hell, I didn't even know that I had it!

Red Rodney - Live At The Village Vanguard (1980) [vinyl>flac]

Red Rodney’s 1980 sessions at The Village Vanguard marked the beginning of his comeback and finds the leader’s trumpet work in fine form. Two experienced horn players and a young rhythm section made for a strong program with hard bop drama and pure musical ballad sentiment. In the liner notes, Rodney states, "I was determined to associate myself with young musicians in order to move ahead with the music of today." Ira Sullivan picks up the flugelhorn as Red Rodney carefully interweaves muted trumpet lines around Johnny Mandel’s "A Time For Love." And they both opt for flugelhorns on "What Can We Do" with Sullivan coming from the right channel, Rodney from the left. Again, on the final track, the two seasoned veterans perform together on trumpet and flugelhorn. Jack Walrath, who wrote half the tunes on this program, contributed much to Rodney's band library over the years. It's Walrath's "Come Home To Red" that allows the leader to pour his open trumpet sound over the room (backed by Sullivan's gentle flute fills) as a reminder that one of his earliest influences was Harry James. After a long career with several disturbing setbacks, it's nice to remember that Red Rodney succeeded in the end by passing the torch on triumphantly to the next generation. ~ Extract by Jim Santella, AllAboutJazz.

Muse Records, MR 5209, 1980

Recorded 8^th & 9^th May and 5^th July, 1980, At The Village Vanguard, New York City

Musicians:

Red Rodney - Trumpet (#A1-A3,B2,B3), Flügelhorn (#A2,B1)

Ira Sullivan - Flügelhorn (#A2,B1,B3), Soprano Sax (#A1), Tenor Sax (#A3), Flute (#B2)

Garry Dial - Piano

Paul Berner - Bass

Tom Whaley - Drums

Tracks:

A1. Lodgellian Mode {Jack Walrath} (8:41)

A2. A Time For Love {Johnny Mandel} (5:36)

A3. Mr. Oliver {Jeff Meyer} (8:42)

B1. What Can We Do {Simon Salz} (9:54)

B2. Come Home To Red {Jack Walrath} (5:06)

B3. Blues In The Guts {Jack Walrath} (6:38)

Credits:

Producer - Bob Porter

Recording Engineer - Malcolm Addey (Remote Facilities)

Mastering Engineer - Joe Brescio At The Master Cutting Room, NYC

Cover Design - Mark Larson

Liner Notes - Red Rodney

Red Rodney - The 3 R's (1979) [vinyl>true flac]

Personally, I never tire of listening to Red Rodney and this particular album is a favourite. With Red joined by such excellent musicians this LP is destined to entertain. It’s sound today is just as potent when it was launched in 1982. The 3 R’s refer to Red, Richie & Ricky, in fact there is a 4^th in Roland. Add to the mix a fine rhythm section, the only regret is that this ensemble did not go on to produce more great music together, even Scottie is impressed, Enjoy!

Three of the Muse label's top artists of the time teamed up for this album: trumpeter Red Rodney, altoist Richie Cole and tenor saxophonist Ricky Ford. Actually, Ford is only on three of the six selections, but the talented Turk Mauro (doubling on tenor and baritone) fills in well, and the rhythm section (keyboardist Roland Hanna, bassist George Duvivier and drummer Grady Tate) was fully capable of playing anything. The music is mostly post-bop, with recent originals by Cole, Jack Walrath and Rodney alternating with Kenny Dorham's "Dead End," Art Farmer's "Blueport" and the standard "For Heaven's Sake." Excellent straight-ahead performances, with all of the musicians in fine form. ~ Scott Yanow, AMG.

Muse Records, MR 5290, 1982

Recorded 13^th & 14^th March, 1979 At Nola Studio, New York City

Musicians:

Red Rodney - Trumpet, Flugelhorn

Richie Cole - Alto Saxophone

Ricky Ford - Tenor Saxophone (#A1,A2,B2)

Turk Mauro - Tenor & Baritone Saxophones

Roland Hanna - Keyboards

George Duvivier - Bass

Grady Tate - Drums

Tracks:

A1. The Mack Man {Red Rodney, Gerry LaFurn} (7:38)

A2. For Heavens Sake {Donald Meyer, Elise Bretton, Sherman Edwards} (4:32)

A3. Dead End {Kenny Dorham} (6:56)

B1. Waiting For Waits {Richie Cole} (5:56)

B2. Samba De Vida {Jack Walrath} (7:06)

B3. Blueport {Art Farmer} (4:50)

Credits:

Producer - Bob Porter

Recording Engineer - Malcolm Addey

Mastering Engineer - Joe Brescio, The Master Cutting Room, NYC

Cover Photo - Joe Rosen

Liner Photos - Charles Reilly

Art Direction - W. Dale Cramer

Liner Notes - Howard Mandel

Note:

deGallo posted this LP in late 2001 at the muse blog, but unfortunately it fails audiochecker on many tracks. This newer rip addresses those issues.

Red Rodney with Ira Sullivan - Night And Day (1981) [vinyl>re-rip>flac]

The Red Rodney-Ira Sullivan Quintet was one of the finest groups of the early 1980s. Rodney had an opportunity to play fresh material; Sullivan gained more exposure than he ever had in his career; and pianist Garry Dial was given high-profile and challenging writing assignments; bassist Barry Smith and drummer Steve Bagby completed the band in mid-1981. On this Muse LP (their fourth of six recordings), the musicians perform fresh versions of two standards ("Night and Day" and "You Leave Me Breathless"), plus four challenging originals. Sullivan plays trumpet on three of the six pieces, alto on two, and soprano on one. The exciting "Dial-A-Brew" is a highlight of this recommended (but sadly out of print) set. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG.

This studio date was the final Muse session for this band and it is truly a monster! Ira plays trumpet along with Red on three of the tunes, alto on a couple and one on soprano. It is kind of a rare sound with two trumpets fronting a quintet but Ira's versatility gives this band a lot of sounds to work with; as a result none of these albums sounds quite like the last. Ira's alto solo on Muck and Meyer is so strong you have to wonder why he didn't use that horn more. Well worth repeated listens, Enjoy!

Muse Records, MR 5274, 1981

Recorded 15^th & 16tth June, 1981 at Nola Studio, New York City

Musicians:

Red Rodney - Trumpet (#A1,B3), Flugelhorn (#A2-B2)

Ira Sullivan - Trumpet (#A1,B3), Alto Sax (#A1,B1), Soprano Sax (#A2)

Garry Dial - Piano

Barry Smith - Double Bass

Steve Bagby - Drums

Tracks:

A1. Night And Day {Cole Porter} (4:03)

A2. You Leave Me Breathless {Frederick Hollander, Ralph Freed} (6:20)

A3. Babies {Jeff Meyer} (5:55)

B1. Muck And Meyer {Jeff Meyer} (5:25)

B2. Frito Mistos {Jeff Meyer} (5:20)

B3. Dial-A-Brew {Garry Dial} (6:11)

Credits:

Producer - Bob Porter

Engineer - Malcolm Addey

Mastering Engineer - Joe Bresco at The Master Cutting Room, NYC

Cover Concept and Photo - Arthur Paxton

Back Photo - Hugh Bell

Liner Notes - Richard M. Sudhalter

Red Rodney - Home Free (1977) [vinyl>re-rip>flac]

From 1976-79, trumpeter Red Rodney recorded three LPs with altoist Richie Cole that otherwise mostly used different lineups of musicians. This excellent outing (which also includes tenor saxophonist David Schnitter, pianist Barry Harris, bassist George Duvivier and drummer Leroy Williams) has a bit of a jam session feel to it. Cole contributed "Starburst" and "Red Rodney Rides Again"; the trio plays Rodney's "Helene," and the full group romps on "Out of Nowhere," "All the Things You Are" and "Bluebird." By 1977, Rodney's chops were back in prime form, and his mastery of bebop (along with the colorful Cole's) is obvious in these recordings. Worth searching for. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide.

Muse Records, MR 5135, 1979

Recorded 19th December, 1977 at CI Recording Studio New York City

Musicians:

Red Rodney - Trumpet

Richie Cole - Alto Saxophone

David Schnitter - Tenor Saxophone

Barry Harris - Piano

George Duvivier - Bass

Leroy Williams - Drums

Tracks:

1. Starburst {Richie Cole} (5:41)

2. Out Of Nowhere {Johnny Green} (6:17)

3. All The Things You Are {Jerome Kern} (9:16)

4. Red Rodney Rides Again {Richie Cole} (5:53)

5. Helene {Red Rodney} (5:35)

6. Bluebird {Charlie Parker} (9:35)

Credits:

Producer - Bob Porter

Engineer - Chuck Irwin

Album Design - Mark Kaplan

Barry Harris courtesy of Xanadu Records

Woody Herman - The Fourth Herd

As some of you may or may not know, I am a collector of the Jazzland label.  I began the project by firstly seeking out the sides which were issued under the labels imprint.  After acquiring the low hanging fruit, I still have a handful of sessions to find.

The Fourth Herd has crossed my path before, but in horrid condition so I was forced to pass.  My patience was rewarded when I found this copy through a local dealer.  The album is just fantastic - Herman at his best.  All of the tunes are hard swingin and uplifting, wonderfully positive vibes.  The featured players all play their asses off, particularily Adderley.

The idea of Woody's Fourth Herd was to have a band within a band.  So when the orchestra pulls back, there is a core octet to pick up the tune - this is where the featured guests really come in.  It worked out quite nicely, and of course when the full band comes in they hit hard.  Super tight, bright and brassy - a huge dynamic punch to the gut!!  The whole album is a winner, filled with excitement and interesting twists and turns.

As far as I know, this album was paired with another for a CD release by Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs (MOFI) and is the only instance of a digital release.  I haven't heard it but we can assume it would be excellent.  Well I would put this transfer against anything that may be out there.  The mono vinyl is minty, ripped at 24bit / 48kHz wav and converted to FLAC.  It's wonderfully dynamic and open... enjoy!!!

This CD is quite a bit different than most audiophile releases for it contains rare rather than famous recordings. 1959's The Fourth Herd (which features an all-star group of studio musicians and Woody Herman alumni along with his octet of the time) was only put out briefly by Jazzland while the music on 1962's The New World of Woody Herman was never available commercially before; both were originally cut for the SESAC Transcribed Library and were available only to selected radio stations on a subscription basis. The earlier session has solo spots for tenors Zoot Sims, Al Cohn and Don Lanphere, trumpeters Nat Adderley and Red Rodney, vibraphonist Eddie Costa and Herman on clarinet, a bit of alto and two vocals; Cohn and pianist Nat Pierce wrote most of the colorful and diverse arrangements. By the later session (which has charts by Pierce, Gene Roland, Phil Wilson and Bill Chase), Woody Herman once again was leading an exciting big band of his own. Trombonist Phil Wilson, Duke Ellington's tenor Paul Gonsalves (filling in for the temporarily absent Sal Nistico) and Herman are the solo stars and (as with the first date) the music swings hard and contains its share of surprises. - Scott Yanow / AMG for CD release of The Fourth Herd & the New World of Woody Herman

Jazzland JLP-17
July 31 & Aug 1, 1959

A1 Panatela
A2 Lament For Linda
A3 Misery, Stay Away From My Door
A4 In A Misty Mood
A5 Catty' Corner
A6 The Thirteenth Instant
B1 The Magpie
B2 Blues For Indian Jim
B3 The Devil And The Stoker
B4 The Swing Machine
B5 Summer Nights
B6 Johnny On The Spot

Bass – Milt Hinton
Clarinet – Woody Herman (tracks: A1, A4, A5, B2, B4, B6)
Cornet – Nat Adderley (tracks: A1, A4, A5, B2, B4, B6)
Drums – Don Lamond
Guitar – Barry Galbraith
Piano – Nat Pierce
Reeds – Al Cohn (tracks: A2, A3, A6, B1, B3, B5), Dick Hafer (tracks: A2, A3, A6, B1, B3, B5), Don Lanphere (tracks: A2, A3, A6, B1, B3, B5), Gene Allen (tracks: A2, A3, A6, B1, B3, B5), Sam Markowitz* (tracks: A2, A3, A6, B1, B3, B5), Zoot Sims (tracks: A2, A3, A6, B1, B3, B5)
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims (tracks: A1, A4, A5, B2, B4, B6)
Trombone – Bob Brookmeyer (tracks: A2, A3, A6, B1, B3, B5), Frank Rehak (tracks: A2, A3, A6, B1, B3, B5), Jim Dahl* (tracks: A2, A3, A6, B1, B3, B5), Jimmy Cleveland (tracks: A2, A3, A6, B1, B3, B5)
Trumpet – Bernie Glow (tracks: A2, A3, A6, B1, B3, B5), Burt Collins (tracks: A2, A3, A6, B1, B3, B5), Ernie Royal (tracks: A2, A3, A6, B1, B3, B5), Irvin Markowitz* (tracks: A2, A3, A6, B1, B3, B5), Red Rodney (tracks: A2, A3, A6, B1, B3, B5), Reunald Jones (tracks: A2, A3, A6, B1, B3, B5)
Vibraphone [Vibes] – Eddie Costa (tracks: A1, A4, A5, B2, B4, B6)

Clifford Jordan - Dr. Chicago (1984) [vinyl>flac]

Re-upped from the old Crypt. I couldn't resist a sealed copy of this, so ripped from mint vinyl. On the BeeHive label, a catalogue that has never been issued on CD.

This excellent Bee Hive LP features tenor saxophonist Clifford Jordan on three quartet numbers with pianist Jaki Byard, bassist Ed Howard and drummer Vernel Fournier, welcoming trumpeter Red Rodney to two other selections and taking "If I Had You" as a duet with the very versatile Byard. The repertoire is colorful and diverse (three jazz standards, an obscurity, Jordan's bluesy title cut and Fournier's intriguing "Zombie"), and the very consistent Jordan is up to his usual high level. ~ Scott Yanow

01 Dr. Chicago
02 Something To Live For
03 Zombie
04 Touch Love
05 If I Had You
06 Be Bop

Clifford Jordan (ts) Red Rodney (t, flh) Jaki Byard (p) Ed Howard (b)
Vernel Fournier (d)
Vanguard Studios, NYC, August 3, 1984

Red Rodney - Red, White and Blues (LP to flac)

"This Muse LP features a logical combination: veteran bop trumpeter Red Rodney and bop revivalist altoist Richie Cole. With pianist Roland Hanna, bassist Buster Williams and drummer Eddie Gladden offering stimulating support, the frontline is in fine form. It is surprising that the quintet mostly performs newer originals (by Rodney, Hanna, Cole and Bernie Senesky) with just two standards: "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" and Charlie Parker's "Little Suede Shoes" (here mistakenly listed as "Little Red Shoes"). However, the music (which includes such colorful titles as "No Jive Line" and "Ode to a Potato Plant") is largely straight-ahead. An underrated set.

Tracks: It's the Same Thing Everywhere, Lolita's Theme, Red White and Blues, Rodney Round Robin, Little Red Shoes, Smoke Gets In Your Eyes, No Jive Line, and Ode to a Potato Plant

Personnel: Red Rodney on trumpet, Richie Cole on alto sax, Roland Hanna on piano, Buster Williams on bass, and Eddie Gladden on drums