Kaori Kobayashi - Shiny (2008)

Kaori Kobayashi's 4th Album produced, arranged and on keyboards by Shigemi Toru, who has worked with artists such as MISIA and Tatsuro Yamashita, the album adds funk and R&B flavors to the smooth jazz and programming sounds of her previous albums. On bass is Shimizu Oki from Naniwa Express, on drums is Michigan-born Jay Stixx, and on guitar is master Nishiyama 'HANK' Fumio, also known as "Hankoya." This album establishes a full-fledged groove sound. Apart from a wild arrangement of the Doobie Brothers classic "Long Train Runnin'," the album is made up entirely of original songs, and there are plenty of things to listen to, including the high quality of the songs, the urban arrangements, her distinctive, sharp and flashy tone, and sophisticated improvisation solos. 

JVC Entertainment, VICJ-61565, 2008
J Box Entertainment Inc., JBJC-8003, 2008
Recorded at Victor Yamanakako Studio and Victor Studio, Tokyo, Japan 

Musicians:
Kobayashi Kaori - Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Flute, Arranger
Shigemi Toru - Acoustic & Electric Piano, Organ [Hammond B-3], Synthesizer, Programming
Nishiyama 'HANK' Fuminori - Acoustic & Electric Guitar (#1,4-6,8,10)
Shimizu Oki - Electric Bass (#1,4-6,8,10)
Murata Takayuki - Electric Bass (#2)
Jay Stix - Drums (#1,4-6,8,10)

Tracks:
01. Shiny {Kaori Kobayasi, Takayuki Murata} (4:05)
02. Minor Reason {Kaori Kobayashi, Takayuki Murata} (4:22)
03. Children’s Dream {Kaori Kobayashi, Takayuki Murata, Yukinori”KB”Inoue} (5:34)
04. Sunny {Kaori Kobayashi} (4:36)
05. Chillin’ In Manhattan {Kaori Kobayashi, Takayuki Murata} (6:25)
06. West Police {Kaori Kobayashi, Takayuki Murata} (5:09)
07. Interlude {Kaori Kobayashi} (0:58)
08. Long Train Runnin’ {Tom Johnston} (5:13)
09. Forever {Kaori Kobayashi, Toshiya Shibata} (6:28)
10. Black Sapphire {Kaori Kobayashi} (4:54)
11. Starry Heavens {Kaori Kobayashi} (5:47) 

Total Time: 53:37 

Credits:
Producer, Recording, Arranger - Shigemi Toru
Executive-Producer - Seigo Horiuchi
Recording & Mixing Engineer - Ken Matsuoka
Engineer [Recording Assistant] - Fumi Shinohara
Mastering Engineer - Hiroshi Kawasaki
A&R, Director - Kazuhiro Sasaki
Photography - Naoto Ohkawa
Design - Kenji Kikuchi 

Shiny

Dick De Graaf Septet - Heartbeat (1994)

This is Dutch saxophonist Dick De Graaf's third CD with his septet, and although he is little known in the States, he displays a knack for attractively original slightly left-of-center compositions with strong hooks. Using two horns (the other is trombonist Hans Sparla), a traditional rhythm section of bass, piano, and drums, plus electric guitar and violin, De Graaf carves snaky lines that never cross the border but instead highlight a quirky adventurousness. The unusual instrumentation adds immeasurably to the group sound. Michael Gustorff plays his violin like a horn, with delightfully refreshing solos. Contrariwise, Onno Kelk's guitar pumps up the volume with some nasty improvisations. Sparla's trombone sticks to the middle range, but his gruff tone and rough-edged style (with hints of Grachan Moncur III) contrast with De Graaf's more traditional sound on tenor and soprano. This largely fulfilling release should win a wider audience for De Graff's writing and leadership skills. ~ by Steve Loewy, AMG. 

Timeless Records, CD SJP 420, 1994
Recorded 4th January, 1994 2-track digital at Lindenberg Recording Studio, Nijmegen, Holland 

Musicians:
Dick De Graaf - Tenor & Soprano Saxes, Arranger
Hans Sparla - Trombone
Gé Bijvoet - Piano
Onno Kelk - Guitar
Egon Kracht - Bass
Pieter Bast - Drums
Michael Gustorff - Violin

Tracks:
1. Stepping Stones (9:03)
2. P.M. (10:49)
3. Heartbeat (9:31)
4. R.A.M. [Roundabout At Midnight] (5:25)
5. Sunday Morning Soweto [At Sofie's] (7:29)
6. Slo Mo (6:44)
7. Jams And Jellies (6:05) 

All compositions by Dick De Graaf 

Total Time: 55:09 

Credits:
Producer - Dick De Graaf, Manuel Cooymans
Executive Producer - Wim Wigt, Radio Netherlands International
Engineer - Manuel Cooymans and Stephan Dirkx
Digital Editing - Stephan, Dick, Ge, Michael & Hans 6th January, 1994
A&R Timeless - Anne De Jong
Art Direction & Design - Dolphin Graphics and Sound
Photography - Joost Leijen 

Jams And Jellies

Jesper Lundgaard Trio feat. Enrico Pieranunzi, Alex Riel - 60 Out Of Shape (2015)

Bassist Jesper Lundgaaard is one of the veterans of the Danish "bass monarchy", where Niels Henning Ørsted Pedersen is the one who will forever reign at the top. On June 12 and 13 last year, he was on stage at Jazzhus Montmartre in Store Regnegade in Copenhagen, together with drummer Alex Riel (another person who has influenced Danish jazz life since the early 60s), and Italian pianist Enrico Pieranunzi (Italy's leading jazz pianist for the past 20 years). And from these two concerts, this brilliant recording of familiar standards is now available. It opens with "Autumn Leaves", before we get "All The Things You Are", "I Can't Get Started", "My Funny Valentine" and "What Is This Thing Called Love" in a medley with "Everything I Love" and "'Round Midnight", before the three go in for landing with Sonny Rollins' fine "Oleo". Trio music from the top shelf is served throughout. Pieranunzi is a brilliant interpreter of these standards, and with a following like Lundgaard and Riel, you can hardly go wrong. All the songs have nice dynamics, and you can hear that the musicians are having two good nights in Montmartre. In the cover text, journalist Peter H. Larsen asks the question of whether there is any difference between European and American jazz, in a nice little essay. I'm not so sure if we get any answers through this album, but one thing is certain, and that is that these three gentlemen in their prime, deliver jazz music that is very close to the "American model". And there are few, if any trios "over there" who do this better than the Italian and the two Danes. ~ Jan Granlie, salt-peanuts.eu. [Translated From Norwegian] 

Storyville Records, 1018452, 2015
Recorded 12th & 13th June, 2014 Live At Jazzhus Montmartre, Copenhagen, Denmark 

Musicians:
Jesper Lundgaard - Bass
Enrico Pieranunzi - Piano
Alex Riel - Drums

Tracks:
1. Autumn Leaves {Joseph Kosma} (9:21)
2. All The Things You Are {Jerome Kern} (8:50)
3. I Can't Get Started {Vernon Duke} (8:07)
4. My Funny Valentine {Richard Rodgers} (12:05)
5. Medley (16:25)
    What Is This Thing Called Love {Cole Porter}
    Everything I Love {Cole Porter}
    Round Midnight {Thelonious Monk}
6. Oleo {Sonny Rollins} (7:03) 

Total Time: 61:51 

Credits:
Producer - Jesper Lundgaard, Christian Brorsen
Recording & Mixing Engineer - Mik Neumann
Mastering Engineer - Jorgen Vad, VADYD
Photos - Torben Christensen
Design - Kenneth Schultz
Liner Notes - Peter H. Larsen
Translation - Steve Schein 

Oleo

Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers - Africaine (1959) [vinyl 24/96]

 

Throughout its existence the Messengers featured some very special line-ups but, for me, this is the pick of them. The quintessential hard bop quintet with the front line of Shorter and Morgan = made in heaven. Why this album sat in the vaults for 20+ years is incomprehensible!
In 1982 I read the review below and rushed out and bought the LP...

Review by Brian Davis, Jazz Journal (UK), April, 1982:
‘Africaine’ is on LT 1088 and is unissued from November 10,1059. This is a bit of a milestone LP in that it was actually Wayne Shorter's recorded debut with the Messengers yet has only now come to light after 21 years! This was one of the classic Blakey line ups: Shorter was already blossoming as a composer (all side 1 are his); his tenor playing then was strongly Coltrane-influenced yet paradoxically did not have the Trane heaviness which later on seemed to creep into Shorter’s work giving it a bleakness. Lee Morgan is here, very young, high-spirited and sassy, with Walter Davis Jr a pianist of the classic be-bop mould directly out of Bud Powell. Jymie Merritt is the bassist who also plays congas**[but see below], very basically, in the obligatory Blakey ‘African’ interlude in the title track， an otherwise excellent Shorter composition with an appealing descending line. Next is the first hearing of Shorter's Lester Left Town recorded five days before the version for RCA in Paris. Side 2 has all Morgan writings, already of considerable merit and not just thrown together studio heads. Haina, an affectionate tribute to Buhaina (Blakey) has some more thunderous African workouts from the boss but also some of the best jazz solos on the album. Another first, The Midget has its recorded debut here, five weeks before the Epic version, again in Paris.Recommended.

1. Africaine
2. Lester Left Town
3. Splendid
4. Haina
5. The Midget
6. Celine

Art Blakey (drums)
Lee Morgan (trumpet)
Wayne Shorter (tenor sax)
Walter Davis, Jr. (piano)
Jymie Merritt (bass)
**Dizzy Reece (conga)

Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: November 10, 1959

Blue Note LT 1088 [1981] since reissued on CD.

I have the McMaster Connoisseur CD; it has a DR of 10, this LP rip has DR14.

Gary Burton - Lofty Fake Anagram (1967) [vinyl 24/96]

Review by Scott Yanow:
The second recording of guitarist Larry Coryell as part of the Gary Burton Quartet (which included the vibraphonist/leader, bassist Steve Swallow and drummer Bobby Moses) is more memorable for the sound of the group than for any of the eight originals by Burton, Swallow, Carla Bley or Michael Gibbs. In fact, the closest piece to a "standard," Duke Ellington's then-recent "Fleurette Africaine," has the catchiest melody. But it is the interplay between Burton and the rockish Coryell in this early fusion group (predating Miles Davis' Bitches Brew by two years) that makes this session most notable.

Marc Myers, JazzWax, January 19, 2011:
Toward the end of1966, vibraphonist Gary Burton left the Stan Getz Quartet to form his own group. The personnel he chose for his quartet shifted over the early months of 1967, but by the time Gary recorded Duster in April, he was joined by guitarist Larry Coryell, bassist Steve Swallow and drummer Roy Haynes. But in the summer, drummer Bob Moses had replaced Roy in the recording studio.
The Gary Burton Quartet's second recording in August 1967 was Lofty Fake Anagram. Puzzled by the title, I gave Gary a call last week:
“Typical of the weirdo '60's, there isn't any anagram in the title. It came from a longer statement conjured up by Paul Haines, a writer acquaintance at the time. He had created a computer program to see if he could come up with a sentence that could not be turned into an anagram.
“The result—"Your rappaplat bugle calls"—was what Paul referred to as his “lofty fake anagram." According to Paul, the computer couldn't turn that odd sentence into another series of words. For some reason, “lofty fake anagram" had a ring to it that I was looking for in a title—something that was both ambiguous and provocative. 
“That is also the last time I titled a record or a song with something that required an explanation. People kept asking what it meant, and I got tired of having to offer my pretty obtuse explanation."

01. June the 15, 1967
02. Feelings and Things
03. Fleurette Africaine
04. I'm Your Pal
05. Lines
06. The Beach
07. Mother of the Dead Man
08. Good Citizen Swallow
09. General Mojo Cuts Up

Gary Burton (vb), Larry Coryell (g), Steve Swallow (b), Bob Moses (d)

Recorded RCA Music Center, Hollywood, Ca, August 1967

RCA Victor SF 7923 [1967]

A great favourite of mine, purchased in 'the city of dreaming spires' in 1968.

I feel this rip is much clearer than the muddy CD version I have and DR13 as opposed to DR10.

Akira Tana - Moon Over The World (1993, RE 2004)

Akira Tana's second CD as a leader for the Japanese label Paddlewheel doesn't restrict itself to the same jazz standards and frequently recorded jazz works. Instead, Tana and his bandmates (frequent collaborator Rufus Reid on bass and pianist Ted Lo) rely on a mix of originals, lesser-known gems by talented other jazz musicians, and a trio of Chinese folk songs. Lo's snappy post-bop "Jewel's Eyes" would fit the repertoire of talented composer/pianists like Kenny Barron, Donald Brown, Mulgrew Miller, or James Williams. Tana contributed the tense, somewhat mysterious "Skyline," while Reid's "No Place Like the End of the World" is a lovely ballad, accented by Tana's tasteful brushwork. Horace Silver's "Sweet Stuff" is hardly one of his better-known pieces, so the trio's rendition of his delicate ballad is an obvious highlight. Guitarist Gene Bertoncini wrote "Sofflee," a very intricate reworking of the chord changes to the standard "Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise," which showcases the leader's brushwork in some terrific exchanges with Reid. Jaco Pastorious penned "Three Views of a Secret," a subtle but upbeat ballad. Tana's idea to incorporate Chinese folk songs works very well. "Moon Over the World" has a pop sensibility, but the lovely melody and superb musicianship keep it viable. "Condor Man" was once a theme song to a popular kung fu TV show, yet Lo's imaginative samba setting likewise keeps it from falling into predictability. "Reflections of Love" begins as a ballad before suddenly segueing into a wild post-bop arrangement, with Tana's exciting drum solo as its centerpiece. Since the Paddle Wheel edition of this highly recommended CD is somewhat difficult to obtain, most jazz fans will be pleased to learn that Sons of Sound reissued this release in the U.S. in early 2004. ~ Ken Dryden, AMG. 

Sons Of Sound Recorded Music, SSPCD018, 2004
Recorded 15th-16th & 20th March, 1993 direct to two-track
at Red Rock Studios, Saylorsburg, PA and Skyline Studio, New York 

Musicians:
Akira Tana - Drums
Ted Lo - Piano
Rufus Reid - Bass

Tracks:
01. Jewel's Eyes {Ted Lo} (3:49)
02. Moon Over The World {Chinese Folk Song; Arr. Ted Lo} (6:13)
03. Koi-No Vacanse [Vacation Of Love] {Hiroshi Miyagawa} (5:23)
04. Sweet Stuff {Horace Silver} (6:13)
05. Skyline {Akira Tana} (6:18)
06. No Place Is The End Of The World {Orlando Murden, Rufus Reid} (7:05)
07. Sofflee {Gene Bertoncini} (6:29)
08. The Condor Man {Chinese Folk Song; Arr. Ted Lo} (5:13)
09. Three Views Of A Secret {Jaco Pastorius} (6:48)
10. Chinese Fingers {Hiroshi Miyagawa} (5:14)
11. Reflections Of Love {Chinese Folk Song; Arr. Ted Lo} (5:45) 

Total Time: 64:37 

Credits:
Producer [Original Sessions], Liner Notes - Akira Tana
Reissue Producer - Jeff Penney
Assistant Engineer - Drew Coleman, Hiro Ishihara
Engineer, Mastering - A.T. Michael MacDonald [Foothill Digital]
Photography [Cover] - Alice Chen
Originally issued as Asian American Jazz Trio in Japan on Paddle Wheel [KICJ 163]

LINK

Jewel's Eyes

Akira Tana - Secret Agent Men (2002)

Akira Tana and his musicians were definitely out to have some fun making this release, which draws heavily from works written for spy-themed movies and television series. "Secret Agent Man" is given a funky treatment with a slight Latin tinge, showcasing guitarist Rodney Jones, organist Dr. Lonnie Smith, and tenor saxophonist Bob Kenmotsu. The rendition of the "Alfred Hitchcock Theme (March of the Marionettes)" at first seems like it will be low-key, but the brisk arrangement quickly discards Kenmotsu's flute for his blistering tenor in a smoking performance. They even have a bit of fun with the unlikely inclusion of a Sting composition (the normally monotonous "It's Probably Me"), but this version has more spirit and eliminates the mundane lyrics. The band relaxes a bit with a loungy but effective take of "From Russia with Love." The CD concludes with five songs written by the band's members to make up a fictitious soundtrack for a film. A nice added touch is the campy cover photo, with each of the players photographed in standard spy gear (hat, trench coat, and sunglasses), though Smith's huge Afro covered by a turban would likely make it hard for him to tail a subject! ~ by Ken Dryden, AMG. 

Sons Of Sound Recorded Music, SSPCD012, 2002 

Musicians:
Akira Tana - Drums
Robert Kenmotsu - Flute, Soprano & Tenor Saxes
Dr. Lonnie Smith - Organ [Hammond B-3]
Rodney Jones - Guitar
Rufus Reid - Bass
Chuggy Carter - Percussion 

Tracks:
01. Secret Agent Man {Steve Barri, P.F. Sloan, Phil Sloan} (4:07)
02. Mission Impossible {Lalo Schifrin} (4:32)
03. The Guardman {Tadashi Yamauchi} (3:37)
04. In The Heat Of The Night {Alan & Marilyn Bergman, Quincy Jones} (4:54)
05. It's Probably Me {Eric Clapton, Michael Kamen, Sting} (5:52)
06. Alfred Hitchcock Theme {Lynn Murray} (3:49)
07. Charade {Henry Mancini, Johnny Mercer} (4:26)
08. From Russia With Love {Lionel Bart} (4:38)
09. When We Are Alone {Robert Kenmotsu} (6:21)
10. Struttin' About {Rufus Reid} (5:52)
11. Song For A Rainbow {Rodney Jones} (6:20)
12. Navarac {Akira Tana} (3:14)
13. Chase Game {Dr. Lonnie Smith} (6:10) 

Total Time: 64:02 

Credits:
Audio Production, Producer - Jeff Penney
Photography - Pierre Dufour
Art Direction - La Torre Productions
Licensed by King Records Co., Ltd Japan

LINK

When We Are Alone {Robert Kenmotsu}

Bob Kenmotsu Quartet - I'm In Love With You (2015)

Stockton native Bob Kenmotsu is one of the unsung heroes of contemporary jazz. On his new CD, I’m in Love with You, Bob takes the chord changes to jazz standards such as “What Is This Thing Called Love” and “Like Someone In Love,” and invents new melodic content on his full-bodied tenor sax. Kenmotsu has worked and recorded with high profile jazz masters, including Pat Martino, Jack McDuff, and Billy Hart. For this album, he selected sidemen with equally impressive resumes, including pianist David Hazeltine, drummer Billy Drummond, and bassist David Wong. Bob breathes new life into old standards but also offers some romantic originals, including the title composition and “Jun-ko,” a beautiful ballad on which Bob’s tenor says “I love you,” musically. On Thelonious Monk’s “Monk’s Dream,” Bob and company navigate the angular and tricky chord changes with ease. Bob lived in Japan from ’94 – ’97, playing many clubs and festivals. He now resides in the bay area, but continues to visit the jazz mecca of New York City, where he’s worked with many jazz greats. Although he’s traveled widely, Kenmotsu has never forgotten his central valley roots. ~ Gary G. Vercelli, capradio.org. 

Rodoken Music, 1003, 2015 

Musicians:
Bob Kenmotsu - Tenor Sax
David Hazeltine - Piano
David Wong - Bass
Billy Drummond - Drums

Tracks:
01. I'm I Love With You {Robert Kenmotsu} (6:17)
02. What Is This? {Robert Kenmotsu} (3:29)
03. I Like Someone {Robert Kenmotsu} (6:35)
04. BK Blues {Robert Kenmotsu} (7:07)
05. Jun-Ko {Robert Kenmotsu} (6:14)
06. RCB3 {Robert Kenmotsu} (6:01)
07. Archipelago {Robert Kenmotsu} (6:16)
08. Brilliant Bicycle {Robert Kenmotsu} (5:38)
09. Sachan's Lullaby {Robert Kenmotsu} (5:03)
10. Monk's Dream {Thelonious Monk} (5:06)
11. But Not For Me {George Gershwin} (5:48) 

Total Time: 63:38

LINK

Brilliant Bicycle

Bob Kenmotsu - Reunion (2002)

Another fine album by tenorist Bob Kenmotsu whereby he brings together some of his past musical colleagues: pianist Bob Corwin, bassist Danny Flahive and drummer Ron Marabuto. Together they explore and interpret a broad range of tunes and well-known jazz standards. All players are in fine form, there's not a note out of place. As a leader and producer Bob Kenmotsu fires up the quartet creating a vibrant and wonderfully entertaining atmosphere. All the showcased compositions are treated with great fervor and aptitude. Recommended. 

RoDoKen Records, RR-1001-CD, 2015
Recorded 24th-25th June, 2002 at Granada Hills, California 

Musicians:
Bob Kenmotsu - Tenor Sax
Bob Corwin - Piano
Danny Flahive - Bass
Ron Marabuto - Drums 

Tracks:
01. There Will Never Be Another You {Mack Gordon, Harry Warren} (6:34)
02. Solar {Miles Davis} (4:06)
03. I'm Glad There Is You {Jimmy Dorsey, Paul Mertz} (5:47)
04. In A Mellow Tone {Duke Ellington, Milt Gabler} (5:56)
05. Invitation {Bronislaw Kaper, Paul Francis Webster} (7:19)
06. I'll Close My Eyes {Buddy Kaye, Billy Reid} (5:01)
07. Body And Soul {Frank Eyton, John Green, Edward Heyman, Robert Sour} (6:24)
08. Dexterity {Charlie Parker} (4:23)
09. The Very Thought Of You {Ray Noble} (4:37)
10. Mambo Inn {Mario Bauzá, Edgar Sampson, Bobby Woodlen} (4:38)
11. I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face {Alan Jay Lerner, Frederick Loewe} (4:43) 

Total Time: 59:54 

Credits:
Producer, Mixing & Mastering - Bob Kenmotsu
Recording Engineer - Peter Woodford
Mixing & Mastering Engineer - Alex Baum
Graphic Design - Liz Holland, Design Paradigm

LINK

In A Mellow Tone

Bob Kenmotsu - Looking At Air (1997)

Backed by a swinging trio consisting of Joel Weiskopf on piano, Essiet Okon Essiet on bass and the well-known Bill Stewart on drums, tenor saxophonist Bob Kenmotsu delightfully dances his way through four originals and four standards in this generally hard driving set. Stewart, of course, is superb in the driver's seat, egging the group on. You can hear traces of Coltrane, and even Hank Mobley in Kenmotsu's horn, but he is clearly molding his own style. While Kenmotsu seems a tad less comfortable on the slower pieces, and his solos less adventurous, he is willing to take chances when the tempo picks up. His takes of standards such as "My Shining Hour," "Love Letters" and "On Green Dolphin Street" are different and worth hearing. While this recording is clearly in the tradition, it hints at something more, and largely succeeds on its own terms. ~ by Steve Loewy, AMG. 

Amosaya Records, AM-2529, 1997
Recorded 29th January, 1997 Brooklyn, New York 

Musicians:
Bob Kenmotsu - Tenor Sax Flute
Joel Weiskopf - Piano
Essiet Okon Essiet - Bass
Bill Stewart - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Turtle Time {Robert Kenmotsu} (7:13)
2. Dance Of The Heart {Robert Kenmotsu} (5:07)
3. My Shining Hour {Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer} (6:29)
4. Love Letters {Edward Heyman, Victor Young} (6:46)
5. On Green Dolphin Street {Bronislaw Kaper, Ned Washington} (10:06)
6. Blue In Green {Miles Davis, Bill Evans} (9:35)
7. When We Are All Alone {Robert Kenmotsu} (6:20)
8. Looking At Air {Robert Kenmotsu} (6:31) 

Total Time: 58:13 

Credits:
Producer - Robert Kenmotsu
Recording Engineer - Michael Brophy
Digital Assembly - Ed Ulloa
Mastering Engineer - George Horn [Fantasy Studios]
Cover Photo - Junko Kenmotsu
Graphic Design - Elena Welch

LINK

Looking At Air

Chick Corea - The Sun (1971)

A 1970 session featuring sixty-seven percent of the Miles Davis sextet, which finally saw the light of day in 1978. These are the midnight perambulations of the extant Miles sextet (minus Moreira and Miles himself), congregated in some eternal kitchen of the soul where scraps of meat and melody are served to the insatiable jazzeaters who would have a bronze cast of Miles’ every footfall. Originally recorded in September 1970 (and purists will point out that Steve Grossman was technically out by then), the music on The Sun didn’t see the light of day for years, and only then appropriately in the land of the rising sun. It is, like much of the Miles Davis marginalia, worthy of time and note. You could see this as a semi-Circle: a quartet of bass, drums, piano and sax with Chick Corea, Dave Holland and the brilliant Jack DeJohnette at the core. The songs fit squarely into Corea’s avant-garde phase: dissonant with a very tactile and percussive quality that includes scratching, groaning and quick staccato clusters of keys jumbled together. Solos devolve (evolve?) into an orgy of frenetic notes, structure and chaos play an endless game of tug of war, and throughout you’ll find the occasional moments of calm that pierce through the stormclouds of fierce invention and remind you of the potency of melody. Now, nothing on The Sun could be called timeless music. Corea fans have likely had their fill of this stuff already; Grossman’s fans may be more inclined to make the effort, since he shines on this recording. It appears from the liner notes that a few guests (including Dave Liebman on some bagpipe-like instrument called the musette) joined the fun on the last three tracks, although their contributions are barely audible. ~ Kronomyth, progrography.com. 

Express Records [Far East], ETJ-60004, 1971
Recorded 14th September, 1970 at Up Surge Studio, New York City 

Musicians:
Chick Corea - Piano
Steve Grossman - Tenor Saxophone
Dave Holland - Bass
Jack DeJohnette - Drums
Steve Jackson - Percussion (#B1-B3)
Dave Liebman - Musette [Chinese] (#B1-B3)
Teruo Nakamura - Bells (#B1-B3) 

Tracks:
A1. Moon Dance {Steve Grossman} (6:46)
A2. Slumber {David Liebman} (11:23)
B1. The Sun, Part 1 {Chick Corea} (9:07)
B2. The Sun, Part 2 {Chick Corea} (2:37)
B3. The Moon {Chick Corea} (6:08) 

Total Time: 36:03 

Moon Dance

John Taylor, Palle Danielsson, Martin France - Giulia's Thursdays (2012)

British pianist John Taylor's Giulia's Thursdays is a tribute to Italian film composer, Carlo Rustichelli. It is the fourth in a series of trio albums that Taylor has made for Cam Jazz. Giuliana's Thursdays is a spirited, lushly romantic outing in which Taylor, bassist Palle Danielsson and drummer Martin France shine. Rustichelli wrote well crafted, attractive tunes - but like most screen composers, he relied on orchestration and instrumental texture rather than harmonic invention to sustain interest. His tunes, pretty as they are, do not, ultimately, offer Taylor much to explore in a trio context. Taylor makes the best of the material in front of him - which is to say, more than it had in it before he started - and anyone who has been listening since the masterpiece that is Angel Of The Presence is likely to enjoy it. ~ Extract by Chris May, AAJ. 

Cam Jazz, CAMJ 7847-5, 2012
Recorded 20th-22nd October, 2006 at Bauer Studios, Ludwigsburg, Germany 

Musicians:
John Taylor - Piano
Palle Danielsson - Double Bass
Martin France - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Titoli - Main Titles {Carlo Rustichelli} (5:39)
2. Canto D'Amore {Carlo Rustichelli, Nino Nicotra} (4:50)
3. Un Amore A Roma {Carlo Rustichelli} (5:58)
4. Marcia Funebre {Carlo Rustichelli} (6:05)
5. Tarantella Della Liberazione {Carlo Rustichelli} (4:14)
6. L'Onuri DI L'Ascaluni {Carlo Rustichelli, Nino Nicotra} (5:17)
7. Guerresco Ed Elegiaco {Carlo Rustichelli} (6:27)
8. I Giovedì Della Signora Giulia {Carlo Rustichelli} (6:33)
9. Partons Partons {Carlo Rustichelli, Walter Annichiarico} (4:55) 

Total Time: 50:03 

Credits:
Producer - Ermanno Basso
Recording & Mixing Engineer - Johannes Wohlleben
Mastering Engineer - Danilo Rossi
Photography - Andrea Boccalini, Peter Bastian
Liner Notes - Federico Scoppio 

Canto D'Amore

Joey DeFrancesco - All Of Me (1989)

Organist Joey DeFrancesco's debut as a leader would be impressive even if he had not been 17 at the time! DeFrancesco, whose sound has always been strongly influenced by Jimmy Smith (sounding like an exact duplicate on "All of Me"), is backed by an eight-piece horn section on two songs and a 16-piece string section on three others but more important to the music is the playing of guitarist Lou Volpe, drummer Buddy Williams and the electric bass of Alex Blake. Houston Person's tenor is also a strong asset on two of the eight numbers in a program that ranges from swing to more modern funk. A strong start to a colorful career. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG. 

Columbia Records, CK 44463, 1989
Recorded at Mastersound Studios, Astoria, New York 

Musicians:
Joey DeFrancesco - Organ [Hammond B-3], Ensoniq Keyboards (#5,6)
Houston Person - Tenor Saxophone (#7,8)
Lou Volpe - Guitar
Alex Blake - Acoustic Bass (#3,4), Electric Bass (#2,5-8)
Buddy Williams - Drums
Bashuri Johnson - Percussion
16-Piece String Section (#2,4,6)
8-Piece Horn Section (#8)
Horace Ott - Conductor

Tracks:
1. Blues For J. {Jimmy Smith} (4:20)
2. [They Long To Be] Close To You {Burt Bacharach, Hal David} (4:31)
3. Carbon Copy {Joey DeFrancesco} (6:00)
4. All Of Me {Seymour Simons, Gerald Marks} (7:03)
5. 30th Street Station {Joey DeFrancesco} (4:06)
6. One For C.C. {Joey DeFrancesco} (6:16)
7. L.G. Blues {Joey DeFrancesco} (5:58)
8. Pétala {Djavan} (6:19) 

Total Time: 44:39 

Credits:
Producer, Arranger, Conductor - Horace Ott
Executive Producer - Dr. George Butler
Engineer - Tom Roberts
Music Copyist - Frank Zuback
Art Direction - Howard Fritzson
Photography - Mark Malabrigo
Liner Notes - Al Pyror

LINK

L.G. Blues

Ravi Coltrane - Moving Pictures (1998)

All modern saxophonists stand in the shadow of John Coltrane, but that shadow must be overwhelming for his son, Ravi Coltrane. Ravi certainly opened himself up to criticism by pursuing the saxophone as his main instrument, but he was smart enough not to play in the style of his father, opting to follow the influence of straight-ahead hard boppers like Joe Henderson. It was a wise move, since Ravi has a rich, warm tone and deft style that makes his melodic, well-structured compositions all the more appealing. Moving Pictures, his debut record, is mainly comprised of originals, with covers of Henderson, McCoy Tyner, Horace Silver, and Wayne Shorter songs thrown in for good measure. Working with drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts, bassist Lonnie Plaxico, and pianist Michael Cain, Coltrane achieves a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere on his first session. It may not offer anything new, but Moving Pictures is a promising debut from a young saxophonist who may have a lot to offer on his own terms. ~ by Stephen Thomas Erlewine, AMG. 

BMG / RCA VICTOR, 74321-55887-2, 1998
Recorded 15th-17th October, 1997 at Two Recording Studio, Brooklyn, New York 

Musicians:
Ravi Coltrane - Tenor & Soprano Saxes
Michael Cain - Piano
Lonnie Plaxico - Bass
Jeff “Tain” Watts - Drums
Special Guests:
Ralph Alessi - Trumpet (#1,3,7,11)
Steve Coleman - Alto Sax (#9,11)
Ancient Vibrations: (#1,6,11)
Junior "Gabu" Wedderburn - Djembe [Lead]
Jeremiah McFarlane - Djembe
Clyde Wedderbum - Djun-Djun 

Tracks:
01. Interlude - Thursday {Ravi Coltrane} (2:33)
02. Narcine {Ravi Coltrane} (9:20)
03. Tones For Jobe Kain {Ravi Coltrane} (7:22)
04. In Three For Thee {Ravi Coltrane} (5:05)
05. Peace {Horace Silver} (5:39)
06. Search For Peace {McCoy Tyner} (7:10)
07. Mixed Media {Ravi Coltrane} (8:22)
08. High Windows {Ravi Coltrane} (5:34)
09. Inner Urge {Joe Henderson} (7:50)
10. When You Dream {Edgy Lee, Wayne Shorter} (4:39)
11. Outerlude - Still Thursday {Ravi Coltrane} (2:50) 

Total Time: 66:28 

Credits:
Producer, Mixing - Steve Coleman
Assistant Producer - Sophia Wong
Executive Producer - Daniel Baumgarten
Engineer, Mixing - Joseph Marciano
Assistant Engineer - Nancy Marciano
Mixing, Liner Notes - Ravi Coltrane
Mastering Engineer - Ted Jensen
Photography - Jimmy Katz, Darlene DeVita, Dorothy Low
Liner Notes - Amiri Baraka

LINK

Ravi Coltrane ft. Steve Coleman - Inner Urge

Hilton Ruiz - Strut (1988)

Pianist Hilton Ruiz mixes together elements of salsa, r&b, funk and jazz but, instead of his music becoming some type of hybrid, the result is a very danceable variety of jazz that is both accessible and challenging. Ruiz, whose main influence is McCoy Tyner, gathered together a very interesting assortment of players for Strut. Trumpeter Lew Soloff contributes some high notes and leads the horn riffing, trombonist Dick Griffin's extroverted trombone is witty in its short spots, Sam Rivers (mostly on tenor) and percussionist Mongo Santamaria add their sounds to the brew and guitarist Rodney Jones is second only to Ruiz in taking solo honors. It is particularly rewarding to hear a Latin remake of "The Sidewinder" and many of the other good-natured melodies are catchy. Strut should be able to win over both jazz fans and those listeners who claim to not understand or be able to appreciative creative music. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG. 

Novus Records, PD83053, 1989
Recorded 30th November & 1st December, 1988 at Studio B, RCA Studios, New York City

Musicians:
Hilton Ruiz - Piano
Lew Soloff - Trumpet
Dick Griffin - Trombone
Sam Rivers - Tenor Sax, Soprano Sax
Rodney Jones - Guitar, Bass (#7)
Francisco Centeno - Electric Bass
Robby Ameen - Drums, Timbales, Percussion (#4,5)
Steve Berrios - Drums (#4,5)
Mongo Santamaria - Congas 

Tracks:
1. The Sidewinder {Lee Morgan} (6:19)
2. Goin' Back To New Orleans {Hilton Ruiz} (10:45)
3. Bluz {Sam Rivers} (4:59)
4. Aged In Soul {William Allen} (4:19)
5. All My Love Is Yours {Dick Griffin} (8:07)
6. Soca Serenade {William Allen} (5:55)
7. Why Don't You Steal My Blues {Bradley Cunningham} (2:34)
8. Lush Life {Billy Strayhorn} (6:24) 

Total Time: 49:24 

Credits:
Producer - Ed Michel
Producer [Series] - Steve Backer
Engineer - Tony May
Disc Mastering - Jack Adelman
Art Direction, Design - Ria Lewerke, Pietro Alfien
Photography - Brian Davis 

Aged In Soul

Tim Armacost - Fire (1995)

Let's face it, most great young players in jazz don't have careers like Charlie Parker or Joshua Redman - they don't rise right to the top. Rather, these artists make their way gradually to being the musicians everybody talks about. Tim Armacost has that kind of potential, too. He's definitely got the goods: a warm, regal tone, a commanding technique that unleashes clean, round notes at any tempo, an imagination that concocts melodic yet steamy improvisation, a sense of emotional maturity that communicates real feeling and a rhythmic whammy that makes everything swing. And he can write. Influenced by the best - Sonny Rollins, Hank Mobley, Ornette Coleman, Parker, Clifford Brown and others - Armacost has racked up some solid credits in his decade-plus as a working pro. Fire is sure to spread the good news about this superb saxophonist. ~ Extract by Zan Stewart, Liner Notes. 

Concord Jazz, CCD-4697, 1996
Recorded 20th-21st November, 1995 at Sound-On-Sound, New York 

Musicians:
Tim Armacost - Tenor Sax, Soprano Sax
Kenny Barron - Piano
Gerald Cannon - Bass
Billy Hart - Drums (#1-5)
Shingo Okudaira - Drums (#5-10) 

Tracks:
01. Norwegian Wood {John Lennon, Paul McCartney} (7:38)
02. The Old Familiar Faces {Tim Armacost} (5:43)
03. Long Haired Girl {Tim Armacost} (5:14)
04. Pennies From Heaven {Johnny Burke, Arthur Johnson} (7:25)
05. The Tabla Master {Tim Armacost} (6:21)
06. Macondé {Shingo Okudaira} (6:53)
07. There's A Lull In My Life {Mack Gordon, Harry Revel} (6:40)
08. Voyage {Kenny Barron} (6:42)
09. Imprint {Tim Armacost} (7:05)
10. Bailey's Blues {Tim Armacost} (7:50) 

Total Time: 67:34 

Credits:
Producer - Allen Farnham
Production Manager - Kathleen Vance
Executive-Producer - John Burk
Engineer - Alan Varner
Engineer [Assistant] - Devin Emke, Tsumoru ("T.K.") Kume
Mixing Engineer - Phil Edwards
Mastering Engineer - George Horn
Photography - Teri Bloom
Art Direction - Kent Judkins 

Long Haired Girl

Ravi Coltrane - Spirit Fiction (2012)

A career on the saxophone with one of the most freethinking saxophonists in music history for a father has to be a tough call. Now 46, Ravi Coltrane, son of John, has often chosen to be a sympathetic sideman rather than the boss. But his Blue Note Records debut as a leader feels like a giant step. The tracks are split between two groups (a quartet with Luis Perdomo on piano, and a superb quintet with Geri Allen at the keys, and Ralph Alessi on trumpet), playing an arrestingly original postbop repertoire, plus covers of pieces by Ornette Coleman and Paul Motian. There are delicate improv conversations between Coltrane and Alessi, passages in which Geri Allen and drummer Eric Harland uncannily recall the sound of the young Herbie Hancock and Tony Williams in the Miles Davis quintet, quiet tone-bending sax ruminations and a deliciously ramshackle version of Ornette Coleman's Check Out Time. It genuinely sounds like a coming-of-age for Ravi Coltrane. ~ John Fordham, The Guardian. 

Blue Note Records, 509999 18937 2 7, 2012
Recorded (#1,3,4,7,11) at Bennett's Studios, Englewood, New Jersey
Recorded (#2,5,8,9,10) at Sear Sound, New York City
Recorded (#6) at Systems Two Recording, Brooklyn, New York 

Musicians:
Ravi Coltrane - Tenor & Soprano Saxes
Joe Lovano - Tenor Sax (#9,10)
Luis Perdomo - Piano (#1,3,4,7,11)
Drew Gress - Bass (#1,3,4,7,11)
E.J. Strickland - Drums (#1,3,4,6,7,11)
Ralph Alessi - Trumpet (#2,5,8,9)
Geri Allen - Piano (#2,5,8-10)
James Genus - Bass (#2,5,8,9)
Eric Harland - Drums (#2,5,8,9)

Tracks:
01. Roads Cross {Gress, Strickland, Perdomo, Coltrane} (5:04)
02. Klepto {Ralph Alessi} (7:30)
03. Spirit Fiction {Gress, Strickland, Perdomo, Coltrane} (52:28)
04. The Change, My Girl {Ravi Coltrane} (6:46)
05. Who Wants Ice Cream {Ralph Alessi} (6:32)
06. Spring & Hudson {Ravi Coltrane} (2:21)
07. Cross Roads {Gress, Strickland, Perdomo, Coltrane} (5 (4:03)
08. Yellow Cat {Ralph Alessi} (6:50)
09. Check Out Time {Ornette Coleman} (7:26)
10. Fantasm {Paul Motian} (4:08)
11. Marilyn & Tammy {Ravi Coltrane} (5:42) 

Total Time: 58:57 

Credits:
Producer, Mixing - Ravi Coltrane
Producer, Mixing, Liner Notes - Joe Lovano
Executive-Producer - Bruce Lundvall
Recording Engineer - Dave Kowalski (#1,3,4,7,11)
Recording & Mixing Engineer - Chris Allen (#2,5,8-10)
Recording Engineer - Joe Marchiano (#6)
Mixing Engineer - Ravi Coltrane, Steve Genewick (#1,3,4,6,7,11)
Mixing Engineer - Joe Lovano (#2,5,8-10)
Mastering Engineer - Allan Tucker
Art Direction, Design - Hayden Miller
Photography - Darlene Devita 

Spirit Fiction

Naoko Tanaka - I Fall In Love Too Easily (2017)

The second release in the Hi-Rez Beauty Jazz series produced by Masahiko Osaka, a leading high-resolution expert in the jazz world, features pianist Naoko Tanaka. This album features jazz standard tunes in ultra-high quality high-end sound recorded in one take at native DSD 11.2MHz! The immersive, deep sound creates the ultimate space for adults. This work brings out a different charm from the original songs in Naoko Tanaka's previous album, "Memories." ~ www.cdjapan.co.jp. 

King Records, KICJ-768, 2017
Recorded 10th~11th May, 2017 at King Records Sekiguchidai Studio, Tokyo, Japan 

Musicians:
Naoko Tanaka - Piano, Arranger
Daiki Yasukagawa - Bass
Masahiko Osaka - Drums 

Tracks:
01. How High The Moon {Morgan Lewis, Nancy Hamilton} (5:49)
02. Doxy {Sonny Rollins} (4:55)
03. Someone To Watch Over Me {George & Ira Gershwin} (5:41)
04. I'll Close My Eyes {Billy Reid} (4:42)
05. I Fall In Love Too Easily {Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn} (4:31)
06. Lotus Blossom {Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn} (5:09)
07. In A Mellow Tone {Duke Ellington} (6:47)
08. Con Alma {Dizzy Gillespie} (6:27)
09. Chega De Saudade [No More Blues] {Antônio Carlos Jobim} (4:14)
10. Old Folks {Dedette Lee Hill, Willard Robison} (6:30) 

Total Time: 54:51 

Credits:
Producer - Masahiko Osaka
Recording, Mixing, Mastering - Shinji Yoshikoshi 

I Fall In Love Too Easily

Neal Smith Quintet - Live At Smalls (2010)

Drummer Neal Smith has a hell of a group here - Eric Alexander on tenor, Steve Wilson on alto, Mark Whitfield on guitar, and Mulgrew Miller on piano - a lineup that he more than lives up to with his tight leadership, and great choice of material for the date! The tunes include two numbers by Tom McIntosh - a telling inclusion, given the way the album brings together the same strands of soul, swinging, and cerebral that McIntosh brought to his compositions in the early 60s. Smith's got a great way of bringing out the most sensitive aspects of the tunes, while still setting the players free to find their own voice - thanks partly to the long takes on these live recordings - and titles include "Fifty Six", "Stew Peas", "A Portrait Of You", "With Malice Towards None", "The Cup Bearers", and "Junior". ~ Dusty Groove, Inc. 

SmallsLIVE Records, SL-0007, 2010
Recorded 23rd & 24th August, 2009 Live At Smalls Jazz Club, Greenwich Village, NYC 

Musicians:
Neal Smith - Drums
Steve Wilson - Alto & Soprano Sax
Eric Alexander - Tenor Saxophone
Mulgrew Miller - Piano
Mark Whitfield - Guitar
Dezron Douglas - Bass

Tracks:
1. The Cup Bearers {Tom McIntosh} (14:04)
2. Junior {John Farnsworth} (8:20)
3. What A Friend We Have In Jesus {Charles C, Converse} (14:58)
4. With Malice Towards None {Tom McIntosh} (12:16)
5. A Portrait Of You {Donald Walden} (14:02)
6. Stew Peas {Dezron Douglas} (8:19)
7. Fifty-Six {Johnny Griffin} (7:55) 

Total Time: 79:58 

Credits:
Producer - Spike Wilner
Engineer - Glen Forrest
Mastering - Gene Paul, Jamie Polaski
Mixing - Ben Rubin
Cover Design, Photography - Michelle Watt 

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