Terence Blanchard - The Heart Speaks (1996)

Although trumpeter Terence Blanchard gets first billing on this recording, it is very much a joint effort with singer-composer Ivan Lins. Not only are all 13 songs by Lins but he sings on all but the three instrumentals although sometimes just wordlessly in the background. Blanchard often harmonizes with Lins' voice, creating a melancholy and dreamy atmosphere. Most selections feature Blanchard's regular rhythm section of the time, augmented by Paulinho Da Costa's percussion and occasionally Oscar Castro-Neves' acoustic guitar. This CD, which is full of haunting ballads along with a few more jubilant numbers, serves as a superior introduction to Lins' music for jazz fans who might only be familiar with his "Love Dance." ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG. 

Columbia Records, CK 67415, 1996
Recorded 28th-31st August, 1995 at Conway Studios, Studio C, Hollywood, California 

Musicians:
Terence Blanchard - Trumpet, Arranger [Cello]
Ivan Lins - Piano, Vocals (#1-4,6,8,9,11-13)
Edward Simon - Piano (#1,2,4-10,12,13)
Oscar Castro-Neves - Guitar (#1-3,9,13)
David Pulphus - Bass (#1-10,12,13)
David Bohanovich - Cello (#2)
Fred Zlotkin - Cello (#8,10)
Troy Davis - Drums (#1-7,9,10,12,13)
Paulinho Da Costa - Percussion (#1-4,6,9,12,13)

Tracks:
01. Aparecida {Ivan Lins, Maurício Tapajós} (6:02)
02. Antes Que Seja Tarde {Ivan Lins, Vitor Martins} (5:30)
03. Meu Pais [My Country] {Ivan Lins, Vitor Martins} (3:57)
04. Valsa Mineira {Ivan Lins} (4:54)
05. The Heart Speaks {Ivan Lins} (5:28)
06. Congada Blues {Ivan Lins, Vitor Martins} (5:37)
07. Nocturna {Ivan Lins, Vitor Martins} (5:26)
08. Just For Nana {Ivan Lins} (5:04)
09. Orizimbo And Rosicler {Ivan Lins, Vitor Martins} (4:31)
10. Choros Das Aguas {Ivan Lins, Vitor Martins} (7:29)
11. Love Dance {Paul Williams, Ivan Lins, Gilson Peranzzetta, Vitor Martins}
/ Começar de Novo {Ivan Lins, Vitor Martins} (4:26)
12. Menino {Ivan Lins, Vitor Martins} (4:50)
13. Aparecida Reprise {Ivan Lins, Maurício Tapajós} (1:05) 

Total Time: 64:27 

Credits:
Producer - Miles Goodman
Executive Producer - Tony McAnany
Associate Producer - Robin Burgess
Engineer, Mixing - Joel Moss, James Nichols
Assistant Engineer - Sean O’Dwyer
Mastering - Vladimir Meller
Photography - Hans Neleman
Art Direction - Joel Zimmerman
Liner Notes - Ivan Lins

Terence Blanchard - Simply Stated (1992)

Terence Blanchard is in top form throughout this highly enjoyable outing. The trumpeter is most memorable on "Dear Old Stockholm" (a song from the 1950's that he helped revive), an emotional "When It's Sleepy Time Down South" and a medley of his "Glass J," the theme from "Mo' Better Blues" and Ornette Coleman's "Lonely Woman." Blanchard, who also plays "Detour Ahead" and four of his originals, is joined by tenor-saxophonist Sam Newsome, pianist Bruce Barth, bassist Rodney Whitaker, either Troy Davis or Billy Kilson on drums and (on "Dear Old Stockholm") the up-and-coming altoist Antonio Hart. The music is tied to the hard bop tradition yet is quite fresh and open to more modern influences. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG. 

Columbia Records, CK 48903, 1992
Recorded 1992 at BMG Studios, New York, New York 

Personnel:
Terence Blanchard - Trumpet, Piano [Solo] (#5)
Antonio Hart - Alto Saxophone (#4)
Sam Newsome - Tenor Saxophone
Bruce Barth - Piano
Rodney Whitaker - Bass
Billy Kilson - Drums (#7)
Troy Davis - Drums, Cymbals 

Tracks:
1. Lil' Fawdy {Terence Blanchard} (5:23)
2. Central Focus {Terence Blanchard} (4:38)
3. Simply Stated {Terence Blanchard} (8:24)
4. Dear Old Stockholm {Traditional} (10:03)
5. Little Miss Olivia Ray {Terence Blanchard} (2:32)
6. Glass J {Terence Blanchard} / Mo' Better Blues {Bill Lee}
/ Lonely Woman {Ornette Coleman} (11:25)
7. Detour Ahead {Lou Carter, Herb Ellis, John Freigo} (11:41)
8. When It's Sleepy Time Down South {Clarence Muse, Otis & Leon René} (8:34) 

Total Time: 62:44

Credits:
Producer - Terence Blanchard
Executive Producer - Dr. George Butler
Recording, Mixing & Mastering - James P. Nichols
Studio Technician - Marian Conaty, Major Little
Art Direction, Design - Joel Zimmerman
Photography - Jim Galante