Michael Dease - Coming Home (2012)

Trombonist Michael Dease's Coming Home is the evolutionary culmination of all of the small group work of which he has been a part. Dease's musical personality reveals itself fully on the disc, one he has populated with a very fine band and thoughtfully composed and selected pieces for that band. Dease's previous work as a leader on Dease Bones (Astrix Media, 2007), Clarity (Blues Back Records, 2008) and Grace (Legacy Jazz Productions, 2011), as well as with multi-reedist Sharel Cassity on Just For You (DW Records, 2009) and Relentless (Legacy Jazz Productions, 2009). Where Curtis Fuller is the patriarch, Wycliffe Gordon the earthy keeper of the flame (and Dease's teacher) and Luis Bonilla the Latin soul of the trombone, Dease is its intellectual heart. Following his fellow Augusta Georgia trombonist teacher to Juilliard, Dease established himself as part of an ambitious group of young musicians who were combining smarts, chops, bandstand and practice and translating that into recordings. Members of this group include Sharel Cassity, trumpeter Carol Morgan, and pianist Orrin Evans. Dease's compositional and performance approaches are ruled by passionate precision. His playing is exact and well-practiced. His tone is expansive and uniform through all registers. These characteristics are demonstrated immediately on the opening tune, "Solid Gold" where Dease shows great velocity in both head and solo playing. He adds mass to this velocity, creating an infectious momentum when playing with a mute as on Duke Ellington's "In a Sentimental Mood." Tony Lustig drops in with his tenor saxophone for the piece giving it a throaty presence. Lustig adds foundation to "Good and Terrible" with his crack baritone playing. His solo is at once gentle and virile on this angular, post-bop piece. Alto saxophonist Steve Wilson turns the gas on high, navigating Dease's complex circuitry. Dease rolls up his sleeves and gets his hands dirty on a searing performance of Oscar Peterson's "Blues Etude." While playing with his typical precision in the head, Dease begins to properly slur and wail in his solo, throwing off notes like pale blue sparks. He shares his solo space with bassist Christian McBride who amply demonstrates why he is Christian McBride and no one else. The instructive presence of pianist Renee Rosnes is heard throughout this fine disc as its timekeeper and drummer Ulysses Owens, Jr. Dease could not have put together a better band for this recording. He has come fully into his own as a leader. ~ by C. Michael Bailey, AllAboutJazz. 

D Clef Records, DCR 157, 2013
Recorded 12th August, 2012 at Alleycat Studios, South Orange, New Jersey 

Musicians:
Michael Dease - Trombone
Steve Wilson - Alto Saxophone
Renee Rosnes - Piano
Christian McBride - Bass
Ulysses Owens, Jr. - Drums
Eric Alexander - Tenor Saxophone (#11)
Tony Lustig - Tenor Sax (#4), Baritone Sax (#5)
Andrew Swift - Percussion (#10) 

Tracks:
01. Solid Gold {Michael Dease} (6:58)
02. Motherland {Michael Dease} (5:46)
03. Blues Etude {Oscar Peterson} (7:46)
04. In A Sentimental Mood {Duke Ellington; Arr. Michael Dease} (4:56)
05. Good & Terrible {Michael Dease} (7:01)
06. Lifewish {Renee Rosnes} (7:42)
07. The Shade Of The Cedar Tree {Christian McBride} (6:42)
08. Just In Time {Jule Styne} (3:41)
09. All Heath {Michael Dease} (6:30)
10. The Release {Michael Dease} (5:41)
11. Take It To The Ozone {Freddie Hubbard} (6:18) 

Total Time: 69:05 

Credits:
Producer - Michael Dease
Producer [Assistant], Mixing, Mastering, Graphic Design, Layout - Andrew Swift
Producer [Assistant] - Ulysses Owens Jr.
Engineer - John Lee
Photography [Cover] - Ernest Gregory
Photography [Inside] - Simon Yu
Liner Notes - Christian McBride 

Coming Home EPK

Gianni Basso Quartet - Gianni Basso In Bari - You're My Everything (2003)

In Italy, the tenor saxophonist Gianni Basso has a similar status to the trumpeter Dusko Goykovich here; they are also comparable because both have repeatedly worked with the same classics of American jazz. It is thanks to the tireless enthusiasm of the producer York von Prittwitz that the original voices of Italian mainstream jazz can also be heard here. In Bari he recorded the current Basso quartet and captured a great moment. In his warm-sounding, completely naturally swinging playing, Gianni Basso combines the elegance of a Stan Getz with the committed lyricism of a Ben Webster. The program of originals and standards is precisely tailored to this musical ideal, and his accompanists could not be better chosen. Guido Di Leone's guitar combines the single-line sophistication of a Jim Hall with a slightly metallic attack that has not been heard since Tiny Grimes. Bassist Giuseppe Bassi plays wonderfully rooted, similar to a Pierre Michelot four-to-the-bar, and is a virtuoso but never intrusive soloist; and Salvatore Tranchini's drumming - especially the brushwork - gives this springy beat a light-footed grace - che allegria! [what joy!] Modern mainstream can be so convincing, so heartfelt and touching when the great originals cultivate it. ~ Thomas Fitterling, www.rondomagazin.de. [Translated from German] 

YVP Music, YVP3107, 2003
Recorded 9th April, 2002 at Studio Sorriso, Bari, Italy 

Musicians:
Gianni Basso - Tenor Saxophone
Guido Di Leone - Guitar
Giuseppe Bassi - Double Bass
Salvatore Tranchini - Drums

Tracks:
01. You're My Everything {Harry Warren, Mort Dixon} (4:03)
02. My Old Friend {Gianni Basso} (6:47)
03. It's You Or No One {Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne} (5:20)
04. Blues For Pietro {Gianni Basso} (4:21)
05. Minton's Mood {Guido Di Leone} (5:15)
06. Thinking Of You {Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar} (6:22)
07. Somebody Loves Me {George Gershwin} (6:10)
08. My Foolish Heart {Victor Young} (8:21)
09. Mister G.B. {Gianni Basso} (3:56)
10. Marizio "Nunez" Caldura {Guido Di Leone} (5:17)
11. Swinging Blues {Gianni Basso} (5:56) 

Total Time: 61:53 

Credits:
Producer - Gianni Basso, Guido Di Leone, Giuseppe Bassi
Executive Producer, Liner Notes - York von Prittwitz
Sound Engineer - Tommy Cavalieri
Graphic Design - Tonio Del Vecchio 

Guido Di Leone Trio with Ottonando Brass Ensemble - Isole (2004)

A 2003 recording Guido Di Leone is the signature guitarist of YVP. This album is an interesting attempt to use a trio with fellow YVP regulars Giuseppe Bassi and Massimo Manzi, a brass ensemble instead of an orchestra, and sometimes a soloist as a session member for a small arrangement (quartet or quintet). Apart from five of Guido's own compositions the ensemble tackles a few well-known standards "East Of The Sun And West Of The Moon", "Alone Together" and Dolphy's "Les". In addition, two other pieces are included by composers L. Giannatempo and ensemble member Marco Sannin. Guido's arrangements uphold a very sophisticated performance of the above-mentioned standards. His own tunes offer a complex, but invigorating journey augmented by the Ottonando Brass Ensemble. Overall, a genuine exploration of music that further highlights the virtuosity of this skilled guitarist.

 YVP Music, YVP3123, 2004
Recorded 4th-5th December, 2003 at Studio Sorriso, Bari, Italy 

Musicians:
Guido Di Leone - Guitar
Giuseppe Bassi - Double Bass
Massimo Manzi - Drums
Ottonando Brass Ensemble:
Mino Lacirignola - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Trumpet Piccolo Eb, Bandleader
Marco Sannini - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Donato Semeraro - French Horn
Giuseppe Zizzi - Trombone
Domenico Zizzi - Tuba 

Tracks:
01. Isole [Islands] {Guido Di Leone} (11:20)
02. Il Momento Infranto {Guido Di Leone} (6:20)
03. East Of The Sun And West Of The Moon {Brooks Bowman} (5:50)
04. Composed On Piano For Mal Waldron {Guido Di Leone} (10:26)
05. Alone Together {Howard Dietz, Arthur Schwartz} (4:23)
06. Rota E Fellini {Guido Di Leone} (5:14)
07. It Might Be True {L. Giannatempo} (7:10)
08. Les {Eric Dolphy} (4:25)
09. Tema Per Un Film Che Non C'è{Guido Di Leone} (5:55)
10. The Tale Of The Black Cat {Marco Sannini} (5:14) 

Total Time: 66:23 

Credits:
Producer - York von Prittwitz
Sound Engineer - Tommy Cavalieri
Graphic Design - Tonio Delvecchio 

The Tale Of The Black Cat

Rosario Bonaccorso Quartet - Viaggiando (2015)

Bonaccorso is one of the "elder statesmen" in modern Italian Jazz circles. In Italian, "viaggiare" can have any number of meanings from traveling, to journey, or to tour. Inherent in the term is the idea that the flow of movement is the focal point, it is the journey itself that counts, not necessarily getting to the destination. Traveling with friends makes the process all that more enjoyable and also helps the time pass more pleasurably. He is joined by old and new traveling companions: Roberto Taufic: Guitar, Fabrizio Bosso: Trumpet and Javier Girotto: Soprano Sax, Quena and Moseño. The music on this CD is different because it reflects past jazz traditions while, at the same time, incorporating influences from today’s World Music. The music swings but the time is less metronomic and more inferred through the use of Latin Jazz rhythms. 

‘Viaggiando’ consists of 14 original compositions that propel listeners head-long on an incredible journey, subtly shifting from one continent to another, while drifting through emotions linked by the common thread of the "voyage”. A deep introspection pervades Rosario Bonaccorso’s music, portraying a soul-searching autobiography that reveals his passions and inspirations. There are also a few tracks where the musician sings for the first time: Storto, My Faith, Mon Frere. Once again, he has chosen his travelling companions with acute sensitivity and awareness. At his side, Fabrizio Bosso sustains the creative flow, as he intuitively chisels evocative melodic fragments with his trumpet, while Argentinian saxophonist Javier Girotto and Brazilian guitarist Roberto Taufic blend in seamlessly into the fabric, further flavouring this journey with the cultural sensitivity deriving from their homelands." ~ Extract from Jazz Profiles. 

Via Veneto Jazz, VVJ 098, 2015
Recorded at Toto Sound Studio, Rome, Italy 

Musicians:
Rosario Bonaccorso - Double Bass, Vocals
Fabrizio Bosso - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Javier Girotto - Soprano Sax, Quena, Moxeno
Roberto Taufic - Guitar, Backing Vocals

Tracks:
01. Viaggiando (3:13)
02. Matto (3:49)
03. My Faith (5:31)
04. Storto (2:38)
05. ACJ (4:32)
06. Domin (3:22)
07. Come La Neve (4:42)
08. Give Me Your Hand And Sing (3:20)
09. Song For My Father (2:56)
10. Buon Volo (3:00)
11. Agosto (4:25)
12. Indian Summer (3:27)
13. Mister Kneipp (5:03)
14. Mon Frere (3:01) 

Music and lyrics by Rosario Bonaccorso 

Total Time: 53:05 

Credits:
Producer Jando Music
Recording Engineer - Stefano Del Vecchio
Mixing & Mastering - Eduardo Taufic
Cover "Giando Blu" - Luigi Boille
Photos - Paolo Soriani
Artwork - Enzo Criscione 

Give Me Your Hand And Sing

Andrea Brachfeld - Lady Of The Island (2011)

This is Andrea's 6th release on ZOHO music which was released in 2012. This is Andrea's first jazz release as she started moving back to her first love, jazz. The guest artists on this CD were Wallace Roney, Wycliffe Gordon, Todd Bashore, Yasek Manzano, Bill O' Connell and Chembo Corniel. It received rave reviews. ~ Andrea Brachfeld Bandcamp. 

Lady of the Island is a wonderful mix of musical selections to be enjoyed by everyone from the studied musician to the casual listener. The tunes on this recording swing hard and groove hard, and are executed at the highest level of musicality and musicianship. To date, this may be the clearest representation of Andrea's expression through her music. Though she has varied tastes in musical approaches and stylistic interpretations, she is a hard bopper at heart, and this is obvious on this date. ~ Wycliffe Gordon, Cover Notes. 

Zoho Music, ZM 201210, 2012
Recorded 20th, 21st August, 2011 at Knoop Studios, River Edge, New Jersey 

Musicians:
Andrea Brachfeld - C Flute (#1,2,4-7,9), Alto Flute (#3,8), Vocals (#8)
Wallace Roney - Trumpet (#5), Solo (#2)
Yasek Manzano - Trumpet (#2,6,9), Flugelhorn (#8)
Wycliffe Gordon - Trombone (#1,2,6)
Todd Bashore - Alto Saxophone (#2,6)
Bill O’Connell - Piano (#1-3,5-8)
Bob Quaranta - Piano (#4,9), Fender Rhodes (#8)
Andy Eulau - Bass (#1,2,4-9)
Kim Plainfield - Drums (#1,2,4-9)
Chembo Corniel - Congas (#2,6,8,9), Percussion (#8)

Tracks:
1. BeBop Hanna {Andrea Brachfeld} (6:39)
2. Eye Of The Hurricane {Herbie Hancock} (6:04)
3. I Got It Bad {Duke Ellington} (6:02)
4. Little Girl's Song {Andrea Brachfeld} (7:57)
5. Dead Ahead {Bill O’Connell} (7:00)
6. Birdlike {Freddie Hubbard} (5:47)
7. In The Center {Andrea Brachfeld, Bill O’Connell} (7:47)
8. Lady Of The Island {Graham Nash} (6:59)
9. Four Corners {Andrea Brachfeld} (6:26) 

Total Time: 60:40 

Credits:
Producer, Liner Notes - Andrea Brachfeld
Producer - Bill O'Connell
Executive Producer - Joachim "Jochen" Becker
Recording and Mixing - Chris Sulit
Mastering - Ed Littman
Design, Photography - Jack Frisch
Photography - Maureen Plainfield 

Lady Of The Island

Guido Di Leone, Vito Di Modugno, Mimmo Campanale - Con Alma (2000)

Between feeling and atmosphere, the warm and effusive sound of Vito Di Modugno's Hammond organ, the crystalline and miniature sound of Guido Di Leone's electric guitar and the rustling and fitting sound of Mimmo Campanale on drums meet and blend together for an effective and substantial jazz proposal. Both with their own songs and with renditions of various authors, Di Leone, Di Modugno and Campanale expertly tackle and resolve this formula and this sound dimension: the balance and interweaving between the parts is always adequate and the propriety of expression denoted by the musicians deserves attention. The bright and evocative flow and advance of Di Modugno's periods unfolds well-disposed and lights up airy in its underlining and sanctioning and in its growth with generous determination and lively coordination. Soft, precious and smooth, Di Leone's phrasing speaks with savoir faire and now expands into lush and clear streams of mature ease, now punctuates and jousts with inventiveness and shrewdness in his conducting, which is always enriched with new ideas. With his Drumming, Campanale proves to be a versatile accompanist, who with diaphanous and light scanning pushes the becoming of the songs and also knows how to rise to the foreground with full-bodied concreteness. ~ Giordano Selini, JazzItalia.net. [Translated From Italian] 

YVP Music, CD 3084, 2000
Recorded 20th-21st October, 1999 at Tom Tom Studio, Bari, Italy 

Musicians:
Guido Di Leone - Guitar
Vito Di Modugno - Organ [Hammond]
Mimmo Campanale - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Blue Seven {Sonny Rollins} (6:36)
02. Mr. Smith {Vito Di Modugno} (5:33)
03. Goin' Out Of My Head {Bobby Weinstein, Teddy Randazzo} (6:52)
04. Waltz {Vito Di Modugno} (6:29)
05. Mr. Montgomery {Guido Di Leone} (5:26)
06. Cariba {Wes Montgomery} (4:36)
07. The Nearness Of You {Hoagy Carmichael} (7:24)
8a. Clementine Waltz {Giacomo Giannotti} (5:36)
8b. Le Veronique {Vito Di Modugno} (0:48)
09. Zoom {Vito Di Modugno} (3:08)
10. Palavras De Um Traidor {Guido Di Leone, Paola Amesano} (6:05)
11. I Love You {Cole Porter} (4:45)
12. Whisper Not (Benny Golson} (6:38) 

Total Time: 69:52 

Credits:
Producer - York von Prittwitz
Sound Engineer - Angelo Pantaleo
Photos - Luigi Fiore
Graphic Design - Tonio Delvecchio 

Whisper Not

Roland Kirk - Gifts and Messages

 Roland Kirk - 1964 Gifts And Messages  (Mercury MG 20939)

01 The Things I Love  3:09
02 Petite Fleur  3:08
03 Hip Chops  3:29
04 Gifts And Messages   4:02
05 Vertigo Ro   4:03
06 March On, Swan Lake  3:56
07 My Heart at Thy Sweet Voice  3:22
08 Tears Sent By You   5:54
09 Where Does The Blame Lie?    2:48
10 Blues For C&T   3:06
 
Roland Kirk (ts, mzo, str, fl, siren, ob) Horace Parlan (p) Michael Fleming (b) Steve Ellington (d)

Los Angeles, CA, July 22, 1964

 Do not confuse with a posthumously issued live session from Ronnie Scott's Club, London, recorded in Oct and Sept, 1964

After Reeds and Deeds what else but Gifts and Messages? Another forgotten miracle from the man who was made of music. The version of 'Petite Fleur' is haunting and the tune 'Hip Chops' is just plain cool as hell (just try to picture how in the hell you play a flute and saxophone simultaneously). My only real complaint with this record is that the cuts are shorter than I'd like (somehow I think I'll survive).

Thomas Clausen, Tomas Franck, Jesper Lundgaard, Billy Hart - Blue Rain (2015)

Thomas Clausen, Tomas Franck, Jesper Lundgaard and Billy Hart are all jazz stars. The first three mainly on the European firmament, while the legendary American drummer's light shines throughout most of the universe. This new group was on the road during the fall of 2014 and wrapped up their tour with a two-day recording session in Copenhagen. They brought the atmosphere from their intense concerts with them to the studio and played away. It was a hot session: All four musicians in the same room; no headphones, and exclusively first takes focusing on the improvisational art that is the heartbeat of jazz. This new quartet is a reunion for Thomas Clausen and Swedish tenor saxophonist Tomas Franck. Tomas Franck is one of Scandinavia's leading saxophonists with numerous recordings under his belt. Blue Rain also brings one of Denmark's leading bassists, Jesper Lundgaard together with Tomas Franck again. Jesper has played with just about everybody -you name them; he's been there! As a new challenge, Thomas invited one of the absolute top drummers in the world, Billy Hart. Thomas Clausen put this super-group together to play a repertoire consisting mainly of his original compositions. The two exceptions are the lovely Ellington tune "Prelude to a Kiss" and a special bonus, the wonderful "Spring Is a Promise of Fall" composed by Cecilia Heick, who sings the tune with the band on the album. ~ Extract from www.amazon.com. 

Stunt Records, STUCD 15012, 2015
Recorded 22nd-23rd September, 2014 at Millfactury Studios, Copenhagen, Denmark 

Musicians:
Thomas Clausen - Piano
Tomas Franck - Tenor Saxophone
Jesper Lundgaard - Double Bass
Billy Hart - Drums
Cecilia Heick - Vocals (#7) 

Tracks:
1. Leaves {Thomas Clausen} (7:26)
2. Blue Rain {Thomas Clausen} (10:07)
3. Punk Monk {Thomas Clausen} (10:35)
4. Prelude To A Kiss {Duke Ellington} (10:12)
5. Prism {Thomas Clausen} (10:44)
6. Things You Are {Thomas Clausen} (9:03)
7. Spring Is A Promise Of Fall {Cecilia Heick} (9:25) 

Total Time: 67:32 

Credits:
Producer - Thomas Clausen
Executive-Producer - Peter Littauer, Søren Friis
Recording Engineer - Boe Larsen
Mixing & Mastering - Bjarne Hansen
Photography - Stephen Freiheit
Cover - Yellow1

Leaves

Salvatore Tranchini - Faces (2004)

A contemporary Italian hard bop masterpiece that has been difficult to obtain for over a year is finally back in stock for a limited time! Wonderful melodies are played out in rapid succession. The leader is Salvatore Tranchini, a drummer from Naples, but this work also features Fabrizio Bosso's superb solo on trumpet in a variety of tunes. First, the fast tempo (1) features sharp and melodic phrases backed by superb technique. The ballad (2) features muted play full of poetry. The melancholy lyrical solo in (3) with a Spanish/Mediterranean atmosphere is sexy! "Clifford's Memories" is performed by a piano trio alone, interpreted with a Euro-aesthetic feeling, and is also a gem. ~ ventoazul.shop-pro.jp. [Translated from Japanese] 

Red Records, RR 123301-2 CD, 2004
Recorded 12th-13th April, 2003 at Studio Il Parco, Naples, Italy 

Musicians:
Salvatore Tranchini - Drums
Fabrizio Bosso - Trumpet
Daniele Scannapieco - Saxophone
Francesco Nastro - Piano
Aldo Vigorito - Bass 

Tracks:
1. Eurostar {Fabrizio Bosso} (5:40)
2. Just A Moment {Francesco Nastro} (5:29)
3. Sad Day {Daniele Scannapieco} (10:29)
4. Triton {Francesco Nastro} (6:28)
5. Baires {Aldo Vigorito} (6:21)
6. Running {Steve Swallow} (4:07)
7. Que Te Pasa {Aldo Vigorito} (7:26)
8. Nettuno {Francesco Nastro} (5:20)
9. I Remember Clifford {Benny Golson} (6:45) 

Total Time: 58:09 

Credits:
Producer - Sergio Veschi
Recording, Mixing & Mastering - Carlo Gentiletti
Graphics - Fabio Scopino
Photography - Pierpaolo Tamasi
Liner Notes - Maurizio Franco 

Eurostar

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