Laura Põldvere & Tõnu Naissoo Trio - Memories Of Tomorrow (2012)

The brilliance of a gemstone awakened in the Baltic Sea! A rising vocal star discovered by Tõnu Naissoo. The heartfelt voice of this Estonian songstress is now available to you... Her name is Laura Põldvere. She is a vocalist who is literally a diamond in the rough, discovered in her native Estonia by Tõnu Naissoo, an important Sawano artist. Her rich voice and rich mid-range style may be unique in today's female vocal world where only "cutesy girls" dominate, but her unrestrained scat singing is also worth listening to, and you can feel her extraordinary talent. The exoticism that the way the words sound is also a big attraction. And above all, it's great that Tõnu Naissoo himself leads the backing trio. The repertoire this time is full of Beatles, Hancock, and Bacharach, but the Joni Mitchell on track 4 is a nice choice that only Tõnu would have produced. And the title track is the best of all. Keith's incredibly beautiful solo performance recorded at the Cologne concert is revived with new life here. Tõnu's unchanging devotion to Keith is sure to make any enthusiast smile. The little bird in Tõnu's hands, who is now approaching the level of a master, is a Baltic diva. I want to keep watching over her for a long time. ~ by Hiiragi Kitami, jazz-sawano.com. 

Atelier Sawano, AS 123, 2012
Recorded November, 2011 at Eesti Rádio 2 Studio, Tallinn, Estonia 

Musicians:
Laura Põldvere - Vocals
Tõnu Naissoo - Piano
Taavo Remmel - Double Bass
Ahto Abner - Drums 

Tracks:
01. My Shining Hour {Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer} (2:59)
02. Memories Of Tomorrow {Stanley Cornfield, Keith Jarrett} (4:28)
03. What Game Shall We Play Today {Neville Potter, Chick Corea} (4:19)
04. A Case Of You {Joni Mitchell} (4:17)
05. Triste {Antônio Carlos Jobim} (5:02)
06. Maiden Voyage {Mark Murphy, Herbie Hancock} (7:12)
07. A Night In Tunisia {Jon Hendricks, Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Paparelli} (5:37)
08. Falling Grace {Stanley Cornfield, Steve Swallow} (3:47)
09. Alfie {Burt Bacharach, Hal David} (6:17)
10. The Fool On The Hill {John Lennon, Paul McCartney} (6:12) 

Total Time: 50:14 

Credits:
Producer - Tõnu Naissoo
Recording, Mixing & Mastering - Teet Kehlmann
Photography - Henri Siht, Tõnu Naissoo
Design - Loud Minority 

Falling Grace

Andrea Marcelli Trio featuring Thomas Clausen - Sundance (2008)

Sometimes, when listening to a record for the first time, I like to play a simple game. Without checking the liner notes, and just by listening to the music, I try to figure out who the leader in the band is. Here’s a nice trio with Thomas Clausen/p, Davide Petrocca/b and Andrea Marcelli/dr, and after a few songs, it becomes clear that the guy doing most of the work and display here is the Marcelli, who seems to be giving a workshop on various drum styles and deliveries. Now, mind you, there’s nothing about Clausen’s piano playing that is to be ashamed of; he’s got a nice rich touch, sort of like a pared down Bill Evans lyricism and romanticism, and Petrocca’s bass work is sublime and supportive. But on this collection of standards and originals Marcelli goes between orchestral arrangements of something like "A House Is Not A Home" to very hip brush work to driving high hats and snappy latin snares on other pieces. It’s fun just to sit back, listen, and wonder "Just what is this cat going to try on the NEXT tune?" Enriching music here, and highly creative for those with ears to learn. ~ by George W. Harris, jazzweekly.com. 

Storyville Records, 101 4275, 2012
Recorded 3rd February, 2008 at the AudioCue TonLabor in Berlin, Germany 

Musicians:
Andrea Marcelli - Drums
Davide Petrocca - Acoustic Bass
Thomas Clausen - Piano

Tracks:
01. A House Is Not A Home {Burt Bacharach} (6:05)
02. Waltz For Debby {Bill Evans} (4:32)
03. Strawberry Moments {Andrea Marcelli} (6:27)
04. Con Alma {Dizzy Gillespie} (4:12)
05. Sundance {Andrea Marcelli} (4:38)
06. Just In Time {Jule Styne} (4:36)
07. The Bridge {Andrea Marcelli} (5:15)
08. Sempre Amore {Duke Ellington} (7:12)
09. All Of You {Cole Porter} (5:34)
10. After The Rain {Andrea Marcelli} (4:03)
11. Caro Mio Ben {Guiseppe Giordani} (4:21)
Bonus Tracks:
12. O Cessate Di Piagarmi {Alessandro Scarlatti; Arr. Andrea Marcelli} (3:53)
13. More {Riz Ortolani, Nino Oliviero} (3:52) 

Total Time: 64:40 

Credits:
Producer - Andrea Marcelli
Recording Engineer - Rainer Robben
Mixing Engineer - Rainer Robben, Andrea Marcelli
Digital Mastering - Jan Erik Kongshaug
Art Direction, Graphic Design - Paul G. Kohler 

Toots Thielemans, Thierry Lang Trio - Cully (1989 & 1990)

Great live work from this famous jazz harmonicist -- a player who often gets standout moments in larger ensembles, or on well-known recording sessions -- but who we especially like in a small combo mode like this! The CD features two different live sets -- recorded a year apart, but each featuring the same core group -- and each with very long tracks that really lets Toots stretch out and do his thing! There's nobody like Thielemans at all -- which you'll know if you've ever heard him on record (which you probably have!) -- and here, he wins us all over again, as he stretches out with well-crafted solos on tracks that really push towards the ten-minute mark. The rest of the group features Thierry Lang on piano, Ivor Malherbe on bass, and Marcel Papaux on drums -- and titles include "Estate", "Sno' Peas", "Stella By Starlight", "Days Of Wine & Roses", "I Do It For Your Love", and "Weaver Of Dreams". © Dusty Groove, Inc. 

TCB Records, TCB 02442, 2019
Recorded 11th March, 1989 (#1,3,4,6) & 31st March, 1990 (#2,5,7)
by Radio Suisse Romance Live at Cully Jazz Festival, Switzerland 

Musicians:
Toots Thielemans - Harmonica
Thierry Lang - Piano
Ivor Malherbe - Bass
Marcel Papaux - Drums 

Tracks:
1. The Days Of Wine And Roses {Henry Mancini, Johnny Mercer} (8:26)
2. A Weaver Of Dreams {Jack Elliott, Victor Young} (7:58)
3. I Do It For Your Love {Paul Simon} (8:50)
4. Stella By Starlight {Ned Washington, Victor Young} (10:06)
5. My One And Only Love {Guy Wood, Robert Mellin} (8:59)
6. Estate {Bruno Brighetti, Bruno Martino} (10:31)
7. Sno' Peas {Phil Markowitz} (9:34) 

Total Time: 64:24 

Credits:
Producer - TCB Music SA
Executive Producer - Barbara Frei Schmidlin / TCB
Concert Producer, Radio Recording, Liner Notes - Yvan Ischer / RTS
Recording, Digital Editing & Mastering - Blaise Favre
Recording Engineer - Pierre Resin [Radio Suisse Romance]
Photos - Jos L. Knaepen, Gerald Bosshard
Graphic Artwork - Juan Carlos Villaroel, Natasja Wallenburg 

Excess applause where possible has been trimmed/faded out to enhance listening. 

A Weaver Of Dreams

Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson - Kidney Stew (1969-1978, 1996)

Here’s another remastered compilation of Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson output spanning the years 1969 through to 1978 by Black & Blue Records and released in 1996. It is accurately packaged with more information, liner notes and photos. Most remarkedly, it includes two additional tracks Person To Person and Alimony Blues from a session in 1972 with Al Grey & Wild Bill Davis. Eddie truly showcases his versatility as great altoist and jazz-blues singer. 

Black & Blue Records, BB 878.2 ND 215, 1996
Recorded 28th March, 1969 (#1-10) at Pathé Studio, Paris, France
Recorded 28th July, 1972 (#11,12) at Seed Studio, Vallauris, France
Recorded 14th July, 1978 (#13,14) at Black & Blue Studio, Nice, France 

Musicians:
Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson - Alto Sax, Vocals
Al Grey - Trombone (#11,12)
Hal Singer - Tenor Saxophone (#1-10)
Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis - Tenor Saxophone (#13,14)
Jay Mc Shann - Piano (#1-10)
Wild Bill Davis - Organ (#11,12)
Bill Doggett - Organ (#13,14)
T. Bone Walker - Guitar (#1-10)
Floyd Smith - Guitar (#11,12)
Roland Lobligeois - Bass (#1-10)
Milt Hinton - Bass (#13,14)
Paul Gunther - Drums (#1-12)
J.C. Heard - Drums (#13,14)

Tracks:
01. Kidney Stew {Leona Blackman, Eddie Vinson} (3:04)
02. Wait A Minute Baby {Eddie Vinson} (3:16)
03. Old Maid Boogie {Eddie Vinson} (3:49)
04. Somebody's Got To Go {B.B. Broonzy} (3:20)
05. Things Ain't What They Used To Be {Mercer Ellington, Ted Persons} (4:50)
06. Wee Baby Blues {Pete Johnson, Big Joe Turner} (3:21)
07. Juice Head Baby {Eddie Vinson, Louis Zito} (4:35)
08. I Had A Dream {B.B. Broonzy} (3:40)
09. I'm In An Awful Mood {T-Bone Walker} (3:20)
10. Please Send Me Someone To Love {Percy Mayfield} (4:12)
11. Person To Person {Eddie Vinson} (2:55)
12. Alimony Blues {Eddie Vinson} (5:44)
13. Hey Little Doggey {Bill Doggett} (7:24)
14. Totsy {Eddie Vinson} (5:25) 

Total Time: 58:55 

Credits:
Recording Engineer - Serge Remi
Digital Remastering - Gilbert Préneron
Photograph - Jean-Pierre Tahmazian
Design, Liner Notes - Jean-Marc Fritz, Jean-Michel Proust
English Translation - Jeff and Patricia Kresser 

Alimony Blues

Eddie Vinson - Cleanhead Blues (1995)

These numbers are the perfect synthesis of jazz and the blues; clean-cut sounds from Cleanhead. Eddie Vinson had been recently 'rediscovered' when most of these tracks were recorded. A new lease of life is evident as he takes a few blues classics for a spin. The quality of the 'sidemen' here is notable as is their willingness to let Eddie stretch out and take center stage. T-Bone Walker, for example, confines himself to accompaniment, adding a second instrumental voice as Vinson sings, and soloing in his riff-based, dramatic style. ~ Liner Notes. 

Orbis Records, BLU NC 057, 1995
Recorded 28th March, 1969 (#1-10) in Boulogne-Billancourt, France;
Recorded July, 1978 (#11,12) Nice, France 

Musicians:
Eddie Vinson - Alto Saxophone, Vocals (#1-10)
Hal Singer - Tenor Saxophone (#1-0)
Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis - Tenor Saxophone (#11)
Jay McShann - Piano (#1-10)
Bill Doggett - Organ (#11,12)
T-Bone Walker - Guitar (#1-10)
Roland Lobligeois - Bass (#1-10)
Milt Hinton - Bass (#11,12)
Paul Gunther - Drums (#1-10)
J.C. Heard - Drums (#11,12) 

Tracks:
01. Wee Baby Blues {Pete Johnson, Big Joe Turner} (3:20)
02. Wait A Minute Baby {Eddie Vinson} (3:14)
03. I Had A Dream {B.B. Broonzy} (3:38)
04. Kidney Stew {Leona Blackman, Eddie Vinson} (3:02)
05. Old Maid Boogie {Eddie Vinson} (3:47)
06. I'm In An Awful Mood {T-Bone Walker} (3:18)
07. Juice-Head Baby {Eddie Vinson, Louis Zito} (4:34)
08. Things Ain't What They Used To Be {Mercer Ellington, Ted Persons} (4:48)
09. Somebody's Got To Go {B.B. Broonzy} (3:19)
10. Please Send Me Someone To Love {Percy Mayfield} (4:12)
11. Hey Little Doggey {Bill Doggett} (7:23)
12. Totsy {Eddie Vinson} (5:24) 

Total Time: 50:08 

Kidney Stew

Al Grey & Jesper Thilo Quintet - Al Grey & Jesper Thilo Quintet (1987)

This studio session in which the great swing trombonist Al Grey leads a fine quintet through a set of mostly standards is exactly what journalist Eddie Cook calls "Happy Jazz" in the liner notes. Grey is right at home with tunes such as "God Bless the Child," "The Girl From Ipanema," and "A Night in Tunisia." The surprise of the session is "On the Sunny Side of the Street," which is played at a slow though compelling pace. Grey came to favor the tenor-bone front line in his small groups, and the Dane, saxophonist Jesper Thilo, does a commendable job as his partner. Thilo's thick, rich tone recalls Coleman Hawkins, a perfect foil to the trombonist's brash, brassy sound. While Grey's best work was performed as a big-band sideman, both with Dizzy Gillespie and Count Basie, his excellent solo work here and in other intimate settings is nonetheless an important part of his discography. His unique tone and style are in full bloom, and this recording should appeal to anyone who enjoys the sound of the jazz trombone in a joyous, no frills, and straight-ahead role. ~ by Steve Loewy, AMG. 

Storyville Records, STCD 4136, 1987
Recorded Sunday 10th August, 1986 at Studio 39, Copenhagen, Denmark 

Musicians:
Al Grey - Trombone
Jesper Thilo - Tenor Saxophone
Ole Kock Hansen - Piano
Hugo Rasmussen - Bass
Alex Riel - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Just Jazz {Al Grey; Arr. Don Sickler} (5:25)
2. God Bless The Child {Arthur Herzog, Jr., Billie Holiday} (6:13)
3. The Girl From Ipanema {Jobim, Gimbel, De Moraes} (6:49)
4. I'm Hungry, Sabrina {Al Grey} (5:07)
5. The Vanguard Groove {Al Grey} (7:11)
6. A Night In Tunisia {Gillespie, Paparelli, Robin} (7:13)
7. On The Sunny Side Of The Street {Fields, McHugh} (6:55) 

Total Time: 44:56 

Credits:
Producer - Arnvid Meyer
Executive-Producer - Karl Emil Knudsen
Engineer - Hans Nielsen
Layout - Chris Olesen 

Just Jazz

Horace Silver Quintet & Trio - Blowin' The Blues Away (1959, 2004)

Blowin' The Blues Away is one of Horace Silver's all-time Blue Note classics, only upping the ante established on Finger Poppin' for tightly constructed, joyfully infectious hard bop. This album marks the peak of Silver's classic quintet with trumpeter Blue Mitchell, tenor saxophonist Junior Cook, bassist Gene Taylor, and drummer Louis Hayes; it's also one of the pianist's strongest sets of original compositions, eclipsed only by Song for My Father and Horace Silver and the Jazz Messengers. The pacing of the album is impeccable, offering up enough different feels and slight variations on Silver's signature style to captivate the listener throughout. Two songs - the warm, luminous ballad "Peace" and the gospel-based call-and-response swinger "Sister Sadie" - became oft-covered standards of Silver's repertoire, and the madly cooking title cut wasn't far behind. And they embody what's right with the album in a nutshell -- the up-tempo tunes ("Break City") are among the hardest-swinging Silver had ever cut, and the slower changes of pace ("Melancholy Mood") are superbly lyrical, adding up to one of the best realizations of Silver's aesthetic. Also, two cuts ("Melancholy Mood" and the easy-swinging "The St. Vitus Dance") give Silver a chance to show off his trio chops, and "Baghdad Blues" introduces his taste for exotic, foreign-tinged themes. Through it all, Silver remains continually conscious of the groove, playing off the basic rhythms to create funky new time patterns. The typical high-impact economy of his and the rest of the band's statements is at its uppermost level, and everyone swings with exuberant commitment. In short, Blowin' the Blues Away is one of Silver's finest albums, and it's virtually impossible to dislike. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide. 

Blue Note Records, TOCJ-6421, 2004
Recorded 29th August (#1,6), 30th August (#3,4,5) and 13th September (#2,7), 1959
at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 

Musicians:
Horace Silver - Piano
Blue Mitchell - Trumpet (#1,3-6)
Junior Cook - Tenor Saxophone (#1,3-6)
Gene Taylor - Bass
Louis Hayes - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Blowin' The Blues Away (4:45)
2. The St. Vitus Dance (4:09)
3. Break City (4:57)
4. Peace (6:03)
5. Sister Sadie (6:19)
6. The Baghdad Blues (4:53)
7. Melancholy Mood (7:09) 

All compositions by Horace Silver 

Total Time: 38:19 

Credits:
Producer - Alfred Lion
Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder
Cover Design - Reid Miles
Cover Illustration - Paula Donohue
Liner Notes - Ira Gitler 

Blowin' The Blues Away

Jan Lundgren Trio - A Touch Of You (1998)

Here we have another excellent early Jan Lundgren Trio release on the Japanese Alfa Jazz label in 1998. For this trio Jan, whilst in New York is joined by bassist Peter Washington and drummer. Billy Drummond. Together they interpret and probe a vibrant selection of eight jazz standards close to Jan's heart, as well as showcasing three of his own compositions that include the evocative title track "A Touch Of You". The interplay between these unique musicians is superb, from start to finish the listener no doubt will be truly captivated, enjoy! 

Alfa Jazz, ALCB-3934, 1998
Recorded 29th & 30th April, 1998 at Avatar Studio, New York 

Musicians:
Jan Lundgren - Piano
Peter Washington - Bass
Billy Drummond - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Blues For Raz {Jan Lundgren} (5:45)
02. Love You Madly {Duke Ellington, Luther Henderson} (4:46)
03. Willow Weep For Me {Ann Ronell} (7:30)
04. Cleopatra’s Dream {Bud Powell} (5:15)
05. A Touch Of You {Jan Lundgren} (4:44)
06. Midnight Waltz {Cedar Walton} (4:52)
07. The Time Is Now {Jan Lundgren} (5:12)
08. While My Lady Sleeps {Bronislaw Kaper, Gus Kahn} (6:47)
09. Tranquille {Oscar Peterson} (5:45)
10. Fingers {Thad Jones} (5:17)
11. Lotus Blossom {Billy Strayhorn} (3:42) 

Total Time: 61:35 

Credits:
Producer - Satoshi Hirano
Co-producer - Kyoko Aikawa
Recording Engineer - Alec Head
Mastering Engineer - Mitsuo Koike
Liner Notes [Japanese] - Yasukuni Terashima 

A Touch Of You

Reut Regev - this is R*time (2009)

“...this is R*time is a 'stunning' and 'breathtakingly expansive and unabashedly modern record from an upcoming artist. A musical collaboration between Reut and her husband, drummer Igal Foni, R*time has been kicking and creating since their internationally acclaimed debut, "this is R*time" was released in 2009. Regev combines the expressivity of the avant-garde and the technical precision of bop with the farsightedness of a musician in step with her own time. As one of the jazz idiom's oldest, most versatile instruments, the trombone provides both a connection to the past and a link to the future, a place Regev is prepared to take us." ~ Troy Collins, AAJ. 

Ropeadope Records, RADDIG-58, 2009
Recorded 28th January, 2008 at Avatar Studios, New York 

Musicians:
Reut Regev - Trombone (#1,2,4-6,8,9), Flugabone (#3,7), Congas (#5,6)
David Phelps - Guitars
Brad Jones - Acoustic Bass (#2,4-6,8), Electric Bass (#1,3,7,9)
Igal Foni - Drums, Percussion
Special Guest:
Eddie Bobé - Congas (#4), Bongos (#6) 

Tracks:
1. Swill {Igal Foni, Reut Regev} (4:03)
2. Hula Hula {Igal Foni, Reut Regev} (4:56)
3. Nutcase Scenario {Igal Foni} (6:10)
4. Balibalaila {Reut Regev} (6:38)
5. Some Of The Best Fish Are Alive {Reut Regev} (5:54)
6. Faradise {Reut Regev} (5:11)
7. Elephant Steps {Igal Foni, Reut Regev} (2:56)
8. Clean Dirt {Reut Regev} (5:20)
9. True Story {Reut Regev} (5:04) 

Total Time: 46:17 

Credits:
Producer - Igal Foni, Reut Regev
Recording, Mixing, Mastering [Assistant] - Scott Young
Recording, Mixing [Assistant] - Brian Montgomery, Rob Anderson
Mastering Engineer - Randy Merrill
Photography [Front] - Haim Bargig
Photography [Inside] - Rod \ Le-HibOO.com
Design - Mark Slawinski 

Balibalaila

Dmitri Kolesnik - Blues For Dad (2001)

Over twenty or more years ago New York bassist Dmitri Kolesnik invited tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, trumpeter Alex Sipiagin, pianist Andrei Kondakov and drummer Lenny White to record his music. The musicians clicked instantly, and were so comfortable playing Kolesnik's compositions that all the tracks used on the CD were first takes, alive with freshness and feeling. The recording, ‘Blues For Dad’, was released on a leading Russian label, Boheme Music, in 2001 and received good responses in Russia and the US. Since the release of that album, the group has been performing regularly in New York. The outstanding personnel on 'Blues For Dad', especially noted Alex Sipiagin, are among most sought-after players in New York. At the heart of the group, Lenny White brings his unique energy and style to the music. Kolesnik's friend and collaborator Andrei Kondakov is a famous Russian musician who often appears on the New York jazz scene. ~ Extract from challengerecords.com. 

Boheme Music, CDBMR 103207, 2001
Recorded 31st May, 2000 at Knoop Studios, River Edge, New Jersey 

Musicians:
Dmitri Kolesnik - Bass
Alex Sipiagin - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Eric Alexander - Tenor Saxophone
Andrei Kondakov - Piano
Lenny White - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Blues For Dad {Dmitri Kolesnik} (6:16)
2. Home {Dmitri Kolesnik} (9:11)
3. Waltz For B. E. {Dmitri Kolesnik} (7:45)
4. New York Wind {Andrei Kondakov} (11:37)
5. White Nights, Gray Days {Dmitri Kolesnik} (7:33)
6. Giving Rise To Doubt {Dmitri Kolesnik} (7:28) 

Total Time: 49:50 

Credits:
Producer - Dmitri Kolesnik, Andrei Kondakov
Sound Engineer - Tom Swift [Manfred Knoop's Studio]
Mixing Engineer - Jill McManus
Mastering Engineer - Iain Fraser
Liner Notes - Ron Carter 

Blues For Dad

George Masso Quintet - Trombone Artistry (1994)

Trombone and clarinet are an unusual front line. However, the concept is not new. This exact instrumentation prevailed in the Benny Goodman Sextet of the early 1940’s. Both, Ken and George worked with the Benny Goodman Sextet at various times. This CD is their offering in a similar context. George Masso describes this CD as his best live recording ever. 

"George Masso is one of the finest trombone players we know and is often overlooked as one of the premier players going." ~ Jersey Jazz 

This German CD teams together trombonist George Masso, clarinetist Ken Peplowski, pianist Brian Dee, bassist Len Skeat and drummer Jake Hanna. The trombone-clarinet frontline works together quite well, and overall, this is one of Masso's finest recordings. Mainstream fans should enjoy the live recording, which is highlighted by “You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To,” “More Than You Know,” “It All Depends On You” and a burning rendition of “Three Little Words.” ~ Scott Yanow, AMG. 

The noted New York Times music critic John S. Wilson called Ken Peplowski "a clarinetist with a Benny Goodman tone and a Buddy DeFranco style." ~ georgemasso.bandcamp.com. 

Nagel Heyer Records, Nagel-Heyer CD 014, 1995
Recorded 27th August, 1994 Live at Amerika Haus, Hamburg, Germany 

Musicians:
George Masso - Trombone
Ken Peplowski - Clarinet
Brian Dee - Piano
Len Skeat - Bass
Jake Hanna - Drums

Tracks:
01. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To {Cole Porter} (7:43)
02. In A Mellow Tone {Duke Ellington, Milt Gabler} (5:19)
03. More Than You Know {Vincent Youmans, Billy Rose, Edward Eliscu} (6:52)
04. Blue Monk {Thelonious Monk} (10:11)
05. If I Were A Bell {Frank Loesser} (7:09)
06. It All Depends On You {Ray Henderson, Buddy G. DeSylva, Lew Brown} (8:53)
07. Just Friends {John Klemmer, Sam M. Lewis} (10:08)
08. I Thought About You {Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Mercer} (5:21)
09. On The Alamo {Isham Jones, Gus Kahn} (9:52)
10. Three Little Words {Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar} (7:59) 

Total Time: 79:32 

Credits:
Producer - Sabine & Hans Nagel-Heyer
Recording & Mixing Engineer - Ben Ahrens
Digital Mastering - Sonopress, Gütersloh
Photos - Nancy Miller Elliott, New York City
Art Direction - woellergestaltung, Hamburg 

Jan Lundgren Trio - I Love Jan Lundgren Trio (2013)

Within the last six months, the highly acclaimed album I Love Jan Lundgren Trio has reached more than 1.300.000 streams on Spotify. Among its Swedish jazz record contemporaries this number is almost unique. Jan Lundgren Trio was formed in the nineties and lines up Lundgren himself, Mattias Svensson and Zoltan Csörsz Jr. Their seventh album "I Love Jan Lundgren Trio" was recorded with a wholly analogue process in 2012 at the legendary Swedish Radio Studio 3. Produced by Eric Palmcrantz, the album was released on the label Buben and is distributed by Figaro Music and Media Group. British Jazz Journal promptly gave it five out of five stars. Pianist and composer Jan Lundgren is pleasantly surprised with the album's popularity: "I'm very pleased and quite astounded. We chose to release the album both as a numbered, limited-edition vinyl and through various online streaming services. To reach out like this, with so many streams in such a short time, is really cool. It gives one hope for the future that we have broken through the white noise in a time when listeners have so much good music to choose from." ~ soundeffect-records.gr. 

Buben Records; BUBLP003, 2013
Figaro Music & Media Group, none, 2013
Recorded 16th-18th May, 2012 at Studio 3, Swedish Radio, Stockholm, Sweden 

Musicians:
Jan Lundgren - Piano
Mattias Svensson - Double Bass
Zoltan Csörsz Jr. - Drums

Tracks:
A1. The Poet {Jan Lundgren} (6:17)
A2. Garden Of Delight {Jan Lundgren} (4:48)
A3. Can You Please {Mattias Svensson} (5:05)
A4. The Magic Stroll {Jan Lundgren} (5:40)
B1. Hidden Truth {Jan Lundgren} (6:54)
B2. Almas Vaggvisa [Alma's Lullaby] {Jan Lundgren} (3:48)
B3. Chega De Saudade [No More Blues] {Antônio Carlos Jobim} (4:53)
B4. Jive Master M {Jan Lundgren} (5:04) 

Total Time: 42:29 

Credits:
Producer - Eric Palmcrantz
Recording Engineer - Eric Palmcrantz, Fredrik Möller, Gert Palmcrantz
Technician [Piano Tuning] - Edgar Lips
Mastering - Björn Engelmann
Lacquer Cutting - Janne Hansson
Photography [Cover] - Daniel Olsén
Photography [Liner] - Natasja Kinneen
Album Design - Pelle Jansson, Pelle von Malmborg 

The Magic Stroll

Manhattan Jazz Orchestra - Moanin' (1989)

The Manhattan Jazz Orchestra's first album. The selection of songs is superb, from Caravan to the exciting Moanin' to My Funny Valentine! Each member has outstanding technique and the arrangement is excellent. The performance and atmosphere are hot. Starting with Duke Ellington's "Caravan," "Summertime," "Moanin'," "My Funny Valentine," "Sidewinder," and "Autumn Leaves," famous songs that represent jazz history are performed one after another. The recording is excellent, the horns are crisp, and the roar of the bass and the sound of the drums are realistic. ~ fleamarket. 

Heat Relief: Oh, yeah? Blow away the intense heat, the performance was immediately MJQ's genealogy, very pleasant! It is exhilarating. It will be a piece that will listen to with a good quality device! ~ ACE, 5 Stars, [Translated from Japanese] Amazon.com. 

Paddle Wheel, 292E 6046, 1989
Recorded 12th, 15th & 21st August, 1989 at A&R Studio, New York 

Personnel:
Dave Matthews - Piano
Alan Rubin, Joe Shepley - Trumpet (#1,3-5,7)
Jon Faddis - Trumpet (#1,3,4)
Earl Gardner, Robert Millikan, Tony Kadleck - Trumpet (#2,6)
Lew Soloff, Randy Brecker - Trumpet (#5,7)
Birch Johnson - Trombone (#1,3-5,7)
Jim Pugh, Keith O'Quinn, Urbie Green - Trombone (#2,6)
Paul Faulise - Bass Trombone (#1,3-5,7)
David Taylor - Bass Trombone (#2,5-7)
Fred Griffin, John Clark - French Horn (#1,3-5,7)
Chris Hunter, Dick - Alto Saxophone Oatts (#2,6)
George Young - Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet
Lawrence Feldman - Tenor Saxophone (#2,6)
Roger Rosenberg - Bass Clarinet, Baritone Saxophone (#2,6)
Hiram Bullock - Guitar (#2)
Chip Jackson - Bass
Danny Gottlieb - Drums (#1-4,6)
Dave Weckl - Drums (#5,7)

Tracks:
1. Caravan {Duke Ellington, Juan Tizol} (7:43)
2. Moanin' {Bobby Timmons} (4:45)
3. My Funny Valentine {Richard Rodgers} (7:13)
4. Summertime {George Gershwin} (10:03)
5. The Sidewinder {Lee Morgan} (8:25)
6. Big Apple Jam {David Matthews} (8:42)
7. Autumn Leaves {Joseph Kosma} (8:19) 

Total Time: 55:14 

Credits:
Producer - David Matthews (#1,2-7), Kenzo Yokokura (#2)
Reissue Producer - Yoichi Nakao
Engineer - Michael Farrow
Mastering Engineer - Hatsuro Takanami
Cover Design - Shigo Yamaguchi, Takuya Watanabe
Art Direction - Munco Hanzawa
Notes - Yasuki Nakayama 

Moanin'

Keno Duke Contemporaries - Crest of the Wave

Another repost by request...

Keno Duke Contemporaries - Crest of the Wave
Trident (3) – TRS 501 1975

A1 Crest Of The Wave 6:39
    Written-By – K. Duke*
A2 Some Other Time 4:40    
    Written-By – F. Strozier*
A3 Little "D" 5:15
    Written-By – K. Duke*
B1 My Father Knows 5:48
    Written-By – K. Duke*
B2 Uschi I 7:02
    Written-By – K. Duke*
B3 Chateau 12 4:21
    Written-By – K. Duke*

    Alto Saxophone, Flute – Frank Strozier
    Bass – Lisle Atkinson
    Drums – Keno Duke
    Flute – Frank Strozier
    Piano – Harold Mabern
    Tenor Saxophone – George Coleman

Oddly the final album of this marvelous band is the least exciting of the three. That is not to infer that it by any means bad, it is just that the bar was set awfully high by the first two albums. Even on their worst day these guys were not capable of bad. Listening to the record now I am loving it, just not as much as the other two. This scary perfect rip comes from our pal Wid.

Nicholas Payton - Dear Louis (2001)

Dear Louis is based upon Nicholas Payton's commissioned tribute to jazz icon Louis Armstrong and was recorded primarily during the year 2000. The CD features 13 songs primarily popularized by Louis Armstrong with Payton performing some priceless trumpet solos in the stellar company of his 14-piece band. He is joined by special guest vocalists Dr. John and Dianne Reeves. Nicholas Payton premiered his original title track, "Dear Louis," as a quartet feature at Lincoln Center as part the commission that spurred the recording. On this record, the trumpeter's big band expands the musical concept with such mastery that it is hard to fathom it scaled for quartet. Dear Louis opens with "Potato Head Blues," which features a re-harmonized melody and a rearrangement of Armstrong's original break. Payton's use of a conga solo by Kenyatta Simon adds a colorful dimension to "Hello Dolly," while "I'll Be Glad When You're Dead, You Rascal You" gives listeners another side of Payton the vocalist. Dianne Reeves turns in a great performance on "Blues in the Night," one of Payton's favorite Armstrong records, whose original vocals were performed by Ella Fitzgerald. Reeves also sings a dynamic rendition of "Sunny Side of the Street." The set closes with "West End Blues," with Payton capturing Armstrong's classic introduction before launching into a straight-ahead blues shuffle. As a whole, the artist captures the fiery trajectories of Armstrong's classic solos with a command not heard since the master himself performed many of them. Each and every song on the CD truly belongs to Payton and company, and the listener in no way is ever offered a simple rehash of Armstrong's style. Their playing is solid, deserves admiration, and listeners can be forever grateful to Payton for capturing the true essence of the Armstrong jazz legacy through his own personal sound. Nicholas Payton plays trumpet, flugelhorn, Fender Rhodes electric piano in addition to vocals and writing all of the arrangements. Dear Louis is by far the best CD recorded by the artist to date and offers a remarkable perspective for appreciating how far the young genius has come since making his Verve debut, From This Moment. ~ by Paula Edelstein, AMG. 

Verve Records, 549 419-2, 2001
Recorded 9th-11th September and 2nd October, 2000 at Avatar Studios, New York 

Musicians:
Nicholas Payton - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Rhodes, Vocals
Paul Stephens, Ray Vega - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Vincent Gardner - Trombone
Bob Stewart - Tuba
Bill Easley - Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Flute
Scott Robinson - Bass Clarinet, Baritone Sax, Contrabass Sax, Flute
Tim Warfield - Tenor Sax, Soprano Sax, Flute
Peter Bernstein - Guitar
Melvin Rhyne - Organ
Anthony Wonsey - Piano
Walter Payton - Bass
Reuben Rogers - Bass (#5)
Adonis Rose - Drums
Kenyatta Simon - Percussion
Dianne Reeves - Vocals (#6,8)
Dr. John - Vocals (#8,10)

Tracks:
01. Potato Head Blues {Louis Armstrong} (5:59)
02. Hello, Dolly {Jerry Herman} (8:30)
03. I'll Be Glad When You're Dead, You Rascal You {Sam Theard} (4:35)
04. Tight Like This {Langston Curl} (7:06)
05. Interlude [St. James Infirmary {Traditional}] (0:42)
06. On The Sunny Side Of The Street {Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh} (4:04)
07. Dear Louis {Nicholas Payton} (6:03)
08. Blues In The Night {Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer} (3:49)
09. The Peanut Vendor {L. Gilbert, Moisés Simóns, Marion Sunshine} (5:25)
10. Mack The Knife {Marc Blitzstein, Bertolt Brecht, Kurt Weill} (2:53)
11. Tiger Rag {Da Costa, Edwards, LaRocca, Ragas, Sbarbaro, Shields} (6:06)
12. I'll Never Be The Same {Gus Kahn, Matty Malneck, Frank Signorelli} (4:59)
13. West End Blues {King Oliver, Clarence Williams} (7:58) 

Total Time: 68:14 

Credits:
Producer, Arranger - Nicholas Payton
Executive Producer - Richard Seidel
Engineer, Mastering, Mixing - James P. Nichols
Release Coordinator - John Newcott
Music Copyist - Victor Goines
Design - Greenberg Kingsley
Art Direction - Hollis King 

Dear Louis

Ruby Braff-Buddy Tate - With The Newport All Stars (1967)

Cornetist Ruby Braff and tenor saxophonist Buddy Tate make for a very complementary team on this fine CD reissue which also includes pianist George Wein, bassist Jack Lesberg, and drummer Don Lamond. Several alternate takes and a previously unreleased "Lullaby of the Leaves" expand this fine session which has among its highlights are enjoyable versions of "Mean To Me," "My Monday Date," "Take The "A" Train," and "The Sheik of Araby." This is high-quality small-group swing by some of the best which was recorded at a time when the idiom was considered very much out of style by the modernists. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG. 

Black Lion Records, BLCD 760138, 1990
Recorded 28th October, 1967 at Chappell Studios, London, England 

Musicians:
Ruby Braff - Cornet
Buddy Tate - Tenor Saxophone
George Wein - Piano
Jack Lesberg - Bass
Don Lamond - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Mean To Me [Take 1] {Fred E. Ahlert, Roy Turk} (6:33)
02. Body And Soul {Frank Eyton, Johnny Green, Edward Heyman, Robert Sour} (4:40)
03. I Surrender Dear {Harry Barris, Gordon Clifford} (5:01)
04. My Monday Date {Earl Hines} (6:13)
05. Take The "A" Train [Take 2] {Billy Strayhorn} (3:49)
06. Don't Blame Me {Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh, David Raksin, F. Wess} (4:30)
07. Pan Am Blues {George Wein} (3:20)
08. These Foolish Things {Harry Link, Holt Marvell, Jack Strachey} (5:10)
09. The Sheik Of Araby [Take 2] {Harry Beasley Smith, Ted Snyder, Francis Wheeler} (5:33)
10. Lullaby Of The Leaves {Bernice Petkere, Joe Young} (2:41)
11. Mean To Me [Take 2] {Fred E. Ahlert, Roy Turk} (7:28)
12. Take The "A" Train [Take 1] {Billy Strayhorn} (4:25)
13. Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone {Sidney Clare, Sam H. Stept} (4:12)
14. The Sheik Of Araby [Take 1] {Harry Beasley Smith, Ted Snyder, Francis Wheeler} (4:37) 

Total Time: 68:19 

Credits:
Producer - Alan Bates
Recording Engineer - John Timperley
Supervisor - Jack Higgins, Terry Brown
Design [Sleeve] - Malcolm Walker
Photography [Back Sleeve] - Fred Warren
Photography [Front Sleeve] - David Redfern
Liner Notes - Alun Morgan 

Take The "A" Train

Ryuichiro Tonozuka - Rush Tone (2003)

Flugelhorn player Ryuichiro Tsunozuka, whose debut album "Sweet Home" recorded extraordinary sales, has finally made his debut on the scene! His talent is obvious, as he has been performing at live music venues all over the country, as well as on the streets of Shinjuku and Kichijoji, stopping even those unfamiliar with jazz. His passionate performance, which combines a sense of speed similar to Freddie Hubbard, songfulness and wildness, is overwhelming. Half of the album is original and half is a cover, and you can feel the great range of his music from there. The second album by flugelhorn player Ryuichiro Tsunozuka. This work is a harmonious blend of the warm tone of the flugelhorn and his performance style as a plow hitter with a sense of scale. ~ Asako Kodaka, [Translated From Japanese] Tower Records. 

Omagatoki Records, OMCZ-1015, 2003 

Musicians:
Ryuichiro Tonozuka - Flugelhorn
Mitsuhiro Itagaki - Piano
Shinji Nakamura - Piano, Organ
Keisuke Torigoe - Bass
Mitsutaka Uyama - Drums

Tracks:
01. Lotus Blossom {Billy Strayhorn} (4:48)
02. Lonely Flower {Ryuichiro Tonozuka} (4:41)
03. Flood In Franklin Park {Ryuichiro Tonozuka} (5:31)
04. A Child Is Born {Thad Jones} (8:52)
05. Alone Together {Howard Dietz, Arthur Schwartz} (4:57)
06. Kumi {Ryuichiro Tonozuka} (7:51)
07. Poem {Wynton Marsalis} (3:39)
08. Desert Highway {Ryuichiro Tonozuka} (3:16)
09. Pucchi, Walk About {Ryuichiro Tonozuka} (6:32)
10. [They Long To Be] Close To You {Burt Bacharach, Hal David} (5:48)
11. This I Dig Of You {Hank Mobley} (4:53) 

Total Time: 60:52 

Kumi

Frank Basile - Modern Inventions (2012)

Like most instruments, the baritone saxophone has a strong legacy in jazz history. Musicians such as Harry Carney, Gerry Mulligan, Serge Chaloff, Cecil Payne, Nick Brignola, Pepper Adams, Scott Robinson, and Gary Smulyan have all developed the horn into a nimble, expressive solo instrument. These great musicians provide the legacy for younger musicians to draw from as they develop their own marks on the music. Frank Basile is a prime example. For his third release Frank has assembled some of the finest players who he has collaborated with in New York over the past decade. 

‘I met Fabien in December 2006 when I was playing in Caen, a town in Normandy, with the Dizzy Gillespie All Star Big Band, Frank says. 'After the gig, some of us went to sit in at the jam session at Camion Jazz which is an amazing jazz club housed in an empty semi-trailer in the middle of a field. I first heard Fabien there and I was an instant fan. Washington, D.C. native Alex Hoffman has been in New York since 2005, Frank knows him from gigs around New York. 'Whenever he plays, I say to myself, 'Why didn't I think of that?'' Like Basile and Mary, his playing is astute while pulling no punches. The rhythm section has similar tenure on the New York music scene. Drummer Pete Van Nostrand was born in Binghamton, New York, has been around NYC since 2000. Pianist Ehud Asherie was born in Israel in 1979, and lived in Italy before moving to New York when he was nine. Bassist David Wong is a New York City native. He and Frank first met in 2001 when both were at Juilliard. These musicians share a respect for the mainstream jazz tradition that continues to excite listeners and attract talented young musicians to a music that has been dominant since decades before they were born. They're also dedicated to move the music forward with their improvisations and fresh approaches to standard repertoire and their own (in this case Frank's) compositions. Frank's horn arrangements have that classic sound, too; I hear strains of Tadd Dameron, Shorty Rogers, and Horace Silver throughout. The 'classics' presented here cover a broad spectrum. 'João' is by Clare Fischer, a canny bossa nova dedication. 'Venita's Dance' is from Kenny Dorham's classic Afro Cuban. 'The Gypsy' has been played by the likes of Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, and Quincy Jones, but Frank prefers a recording by Sonny Stitt with Oscar Peterson; he plays this ballad with just the rhythm section. 'Project S' is one of Jimmy Heath's many great lines, and 'Smoke Gets in Your Eyes' is an up-tempo arrangement that Frank has written and revised over the past few years. Frank's tunes fit in like hand in glove. 'The High Desert,' sounds like a line that would fit a Woody Shaw or Joe Henderson band. Listen how Mary's horn lifts the ensemble here on the theme. 'Fountain City Bounce' was named after a recent Kansas City-based tour of the Midwest, and was inspired by the writing on the 1962 Impulse! Record, Count Basie and the Kansas City 7. The fleet 'Modern Inventions' is named for a favorite Donald Duck cartoon that Frank used to enjoy with his dad. If one needed evidence that jazz was in good hands, this Frank Basile Sextet should provide all the proof that is needed. ~ Extract by Roger Atkinson, JAM Magazine, Kansas City. 

Frank Basile Music, 1st August, 2012
Recorded 13th April, 2012 at Tedesco Studio, Paramus, New Jersey 

Musicians:
Frank Basile - Baritone Saxophone
Fabien Mary - Trumpet
Alex Hoffmann - Tenor Saxophone
Ehud Asherie - Piano
David Wong - Bass
Pete Van Nostrand - Drums

Tracks:
1. The High Desert {Frank Basile} (6:51)
2. João {Clare Fisher} (6:18)
3. Fountain City Bounce {Frank Basile} (7:15)
4. Venita's Dance {Kenny Dorham} (7:20)
5. Modern Inventions {Frank Basile} (4:21)
6. The Gypsy {Billy Reid} (6:58)
7. Project S {Jimmy Heath} (7:13)
8. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes {Jerome Kern, Otto Harbach} (5:42) 

Total Time: 51:59 

Credits:
Producer - Frank Basile
Engineer - Tom Tedesco
Mixing and Mastering - Jon Rosenberg
Cover Photo - Myriam Garnier
Layout and Design - Jared Stone
Liner Notes - Roger Atkinson 

Modern Inventions

Jimmy Ponder, Ron Carter, Ben Green - I Giganti Del Jazz, Vol. 28 (1981) [vinyl]

A rare piece of vinyl released on the Italian Curcio Records label in 1981. Jimmy is in top form joined by bassist Ron Carter, drummer Ben Green and pianist Warren Bernhardt. On the last track it is suggested according a few sources that saxophonist William Skinner and organist Jimmy McGriff also come into the grouping. Jimmy showcases four of his own compositions along with one from Sam Jones and another from Miles Davis. Overall, a worthwhile earlier addition to Jimmy Ponder's discography that truly demonstrates his virtuosity and the emergence of a great guitarist. 

Curcio Records, GJ-28, 1981
Recorded prob. New York City: c. 1980 (?) 

Musicians:
Jimmy Ponder - Guitar
William Skinner - Tenor Saxophone (#B3)
Warren Bernhardt - Piano (#A1,A3,B1,B2), Electric Piano (#A2)
Jimmy McGriff - Organ (#B3)
Ron Carter - Bass
Ben Green - Drums 

Tracks:
A1. Seven Minds {Sam Jones} (4:46)
A2. Visions {Jimmy Ponder} (7:51)
A3. Ponder'n {Jimmy Ponder} (5:33)
B1. Blues Bag {Jimmy Ponder} (4:06)
B2. All Blues {Miles Davis} (5:42)
B3. Pices {Jimmy Ponder} (5:36) 

Total Time: 33:34 

Blues Bag