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

Bill Barron Quartet - Live At Cobi's, Vol. 1 (1987-88)

After studying Bill Barron’s discography, I realised I still hadn’t heard the sets he performed ‘Live at Cobi’s’ recorded between 1985 and 1988 and  released on CD nearly two decades later as two volumes by SteepleChase records. Any way the good news is here we have the first one with the second to follow. Bill’s playing on this date is outstanding; his quartet here is a very tight unit; with Fred Simmons on piano, Santi Debriano on bass and Ben Riley on drums. All players step up to the mark in supporting Bill’s excellent musicianship and lyricism. There is plenty of room for all to display their individual talents with the solos beautifully integrated into the tunes. Most of the compositions are written by Bill and few by his brother Kenny, the remainder being a couple of well-known standards. I ripped the disc to wav reassembling all tracks carefully removing where possible any excessive applause. Overall, if you are a Bill Barron fan like me you will want to have this in your collection. Enjoy!

SteepleChase Records, SCCD 31570, 2005

Recorded 24^th October, 1987 - 4^th March, 1988 at Cobi's, New York

Personnel:

Bill Barron - Tenor Saxophone

Fred Simmons - Piano

Santi Debriano - Bass

Ben Riley - Drums

Track Listing:

1. This One's For Monk {Bill Barron} (13:00)

2. Easy Does It {Bill Barron} (12:15)

3. Confirmation {Charlie Parker} (10:54)

4. Row House {Kenny Barron} (9:44)

5. Angel Eyes {Matt Dennis} (5:52)

6. Voyage {Kenny Barron} (8:40)

7. Until Further Notice {Bill Barron} (9:18)

Credits:

Producer, Mastering, Restoration, Photography - Nils Winther

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?