Andy LaVerne Quartet - Modern Days & Nights: Music Of Cole Porter (1996)

Cole Porter wrote some of the most enduring songs of this century. So, when it came time to choose material for this collection, the problem was not a matter of inclusion, rather a matter of selection. Along with the intrinsic beauty of his compositions, Porter infused his songs with a malleability to absorb countless interpretations. While playing jazz is more expressive than interpretive, the arranging and harmonization of familiar melodies opens the way to interpretation. The expressive side of this project was covered by the musicians. The chemistry between Bill, John, Steve, and myself proved most gratifying. The result of having the Porter tunes as vehicles for self-expression, is the four of us coalescing into a strong, yet flexible unit. Of course, the gentle, genial, and generous guidance of Jamey D. Aebersold certainly helped complete the package. We really had fun playing, so have fun listening! ~ Andy LaVerne, February, 1997. 

Double-Time Records, DTRCD-120, 1997
Recorded 23rd November, 1996 at the Steve Davis Studio, Yonkers, New York 

Musicians:
Andy LaVerne - Piano, Arranger
Bill Evans - Soprano Sax (#1,2,4,8), Tenor Sax (#3,5,7,9)
John Patitucci - Acoustic Bass (#1-7,9)
Steve Davis - Drums (#1-7,9) 

Tracks:
1. A Cole Porter Flat {Andy LaVerne} (8:13)
2. I Love You {Cole Porter} (7:30)
3. Love For Sale {Cole Porter} (8:35)
4. What Is This Thing Called Love {Cole Porter} (8:11)
5. Everytime We Say Goodbye {Cole Porter} (7:24)
6. I've Got You Under My Skin {Cole Porter} (6:19)
7. Just One Of Those Things {Cole Porter} (8:42)
8. Everything I Love {Cole Porter} (4:06)
9. Night And Day {Cole Porter} (7:08) 

Total Time: 66:08 

Credits:
Producer - Jamey D. Aebersold
Mixing Engineer - Steve Davis
Photography - Andy Tommasi
Liner Notes - Andy LaVerne, Zan Stewart

Freddie McCoy - Peas 'N' Rice (1967) [re-rip>flac]

Throughout the sixties Freddie McCoy was an active vibraphonist for the Prestige label releasing seven LPs in all. In many ways he was severely overlooked; both critics and radio stations alike didn't give him the airplay or the recognition he well deserved. Despite this he still laid down some great funky cool grooves, many penned by him and others covering contemporary R&B and pop tunes. This album "Peas 'N' Rice" was released in the middle of his short-lived career, and by now he had developed a set formula in compositions and playing. Many of these sides have now become underground collector's items among acid jazz and rare-groove enthusiasts. What makes this LP stand out is the inclusion of Joanne Brackeen, Wally Richardson and Wilbur "Dud" Buscomb to nominate a few of the band members. Together they weave an elaborate mixture of Soul Jazz tunes. Joanne Brackeen joined Freddie on Funk Drops (1966), again on this date and his last three albums for Prestige Records: Beans & Greens (1967), Soul Yogi (Prestige, 1968) & Listen Here (1968) as did Wally Richardson. McCoy's vibes blend beautifully with Joanne's piano playing. Equally Richardson adds his distinctive touch and flavour here and there. The Trumpets of Buscomb and Williams act as a great backing to Freddie's vibes whilst a changing array of drummers keep a tight pace. Very entertaining and worth listening to regularly, Enjoy!

Prestige Records, PRST 7487, 1967

Recorded 6^th October, 1965 (#B4); 10^th April, 1967 (#A2,A3,A5,B1,B2)

& 4^th May, 1967 (#A1,A4,B3) at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Personnel:

Freddie McCoy - Vibraphone

Wilbur "Dud" Buscomb - Trumpet (#A2,A3,A5,B1,B2)

Edward David Williams - Trumpet (#A2,A3,A5,B1,B2)

Joanne Brackeen - Piano (#A1-B3)

Wally Richardson - Guitar (#A2,A3,A5,B1,B2)

Charles L. Wilson - Piano (#B4)

Steve Davis - Bass (#B4)

Eustis Guillemet - Bass (#A1,A4,B3), Electric Bass (#A2,A3,A5,B1,B2)

Ray Lucas - Drums (#A2,A3,A5,B1,B2)

Kalil Madi - Drums (#A1,A4,B3)

Rudy Lawless - Drums (#B4)

Tracks:

A1. Peas 'N' Rice {Freddie McCoy} (3:27)

A2. Summer In The City {John Sebastian, Mark Sebastian, Steve Boone} (2:44)

A3. Huh! {Freddie McCoy} (4:05)

A4. 1-2-3 {John Medora, David White, Len Barry} (4:10)

A5. One Cylinder {Freddie McCoy} (3:05)

B1. Call Me {Tony Hatch} (3:33)

B2. Lightning Strikes {Freddie McCoy} (2:54)

B3. My Funny Valentine {Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart} (6:14)

B4. You Stepped Out Of A Dream {Nacio Herb Brown, Gus Kahn} (4:55)

Total Time: 34:39

Credits:

Producer - Cal Lampley

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Arranger, Conductor - Dave Blum
Design - Mary Jo Schwalbach

Liner Notes - Walter Cat (June, 1967)

The Cutting Edge feat. Tim Hagans - The Cutting Edge (1998)

Brilliant Post-Bop Giants

This release features some of the finest current players on the jazz scene, Tim Hagans is in my mind the most fluent trumpet player out there. His lyrical Miles-like sparseness is totally his own. Walt Weiskopf is out of Trane and no tenor has more technique at their disposal. Conrad Herwig is a breathtaking bone player, blasting through mind blowing changes on every solo. The ensemble work is swinging and seamless. Very hip rhythm section as well. Cannot Go Wrong With This One! ~ Robert Ricketts, Amazon.com.

Double-Time Records, DTRCD-141, 1999

Recorded January, 1998 At Steve Davis Studios, Yonkers, New York

Musicians:

Tim Hagans - Trumpet

Conrad Herwig - Trombone

Walt Weiskopf - Tenor Saxophone

Andy Laverne - Piano, Arranger

Jay Anderson - Bass

Steve Davis - Drums

Tracks:

1. Footprints {Wayne Shorter} (8:03)

2. Yesterdays {Jerome Kern, Otto Harbach} (5:57)

3. Code Bleu {Andy Laverne} (10:10)

4. Cantaloupe Island {Herbie Hancock} (6:41)

5. Cutting Edge {Andy Laverne} (8:01)

6. Secret Of The Andes {Andy Laverne} (7:24)

7. Space Dozen {Tim Hagans} (5:20)

8. Our Destiny {Conrad Herwig} (7:17)

9. Get Out Of Town {Walt Weiskopf} (6:35)

Credits:

Producer - Andy Laverne

Mastering, Graphic Design - Jamey Aebersold

Liner Notes - Ted Panken

Total Time: 65:28

James Moody - Cookin' The Blues (1961) [vinyl>flac]

The genius of Moody! It's an album like this that you need to prove to your friends that Moody was way more than a simple bopper. The set was recorded live in San Francisco in 1961, and it's got a hip mix of soul jazz, filtered through some modernist ideals, all played by a great little group that includes Bernard McKinny on trombone, Howard McGhee on trumpet, Musa Kaleem on baritone, and Sonny Donaldson on piano. Eddie Jefferson sits in for 2 numbers - "Disappointed" and "Sister Sadie" - and other tracks include "One For Nat", "Bunny Boo", "Moody Flooty", and "Home Fries". © Dusty Groove, Inc.

“Cookin’ the Blues”, features his septet recorded live at the Jazz Workshop in June 1961, during his tour on the West Coast. Moody, wonderfully relaxed and in good form, fronts a band (with trumpeter Howard McGhee in his come back to the coast) offering inspired performances and more musical content than groups with a bigger name. Eddie Jefferson was also was one of the moving forces behind the whole show, with his humorous, and happily frantic singing. ~ Fresh Sound Records.

This album was recorded live in San Francisco and the band sound on good form with well worked and, most likely, well-rehearsed ensembles. The opening blues, The Jazz Twist, has Moody playing alto although he sounds equally at home on this or tenor sax. These are very well cooked blues and Moody is on sparkling form on both this and the studio set that follows. He digs into the blues on the opening selection and again on Bunny Boo, measuring his solo phrasing carefully as the rhythm section pulses along beside him. Moody Flooty has the leader showing how well he can perform on flute, his tone strong and his ideas forming unimpeded. The rhythm section plays well throughout. Arnold Enlow, who is aka Buddy on some discs, is steady on all selections. Moody is the only soloist but the group sound overall, is impressive. ~ Derek Ansell (Jazz Journal, March 2015)

“Cookin’ the Blues” finds Moody with a medium sized group which includes trumpeter Howard McGhee unfortunately none of the group get to solo except pianist Sonny Donaldson. Moody plays alto, tenor and flute, on alto he displays his debt to Parker but on tenor and flute he is more his own man. This is a live recording and may have been exciting in person but this does not transfer to the recording. Apart from “It Might As Well Be Spring” all the compositions are originals and includes to vocals by Eddie Jefferson in his vocalese style. ~ Roy Booth, Jazz Views.

Argo/Cadet Records, LPS-756, 1965

Recorded at the Jazz Workshop, San Francisco, 1961

Musicians:

James Moody - Tenor & Alto Saxophones, Flute (#A4)

Howard McGhee - Trumpet

Bernard McKinney - Trombone

Musa Kalleem - Baritone Saxophone

Sonny Donaldson - Piano

Steve Davis - Bass

Arnold Enlow - Drums

Eddie Jefferson - Vocals (#B2,B3)

Track Listing:

A1. The Jazz Twist {James Moody} (6:36)

A2. One For Nat {Gene Kee} (5:53)

A3. Bunny Boo {James Moody} (5:32)

A4. Moody Flooty {James Moody} (4:16)

B1. It Might As Well Be Spring {Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II} (5:55)

B2. Disappointed {Eddie Jefferson} (2:10)

B3. Sister Sadie {Horace Silver} (2:50)

B4. Little Buck {James Moody} (2:12)

B5. Home Fries {Gene Kee} (6:17)

Credits:

Supervisor, Producer - Jack Tracy

Sound Engineer - Paul Gayten

Photography [Cover] - Don S. Bronstein

Design - Michael Reid Design

Liner Notes - Ira Gitler