Kaori Kobayashi - Urban Stream (2013)

Asia's most beautiful saxophone player, Kaori Kobayashi, presents an urban instrumental R&B album. In addition to original R&B-flavored tracks, covers of "Lovin' You" and "September" are produced by R&B creator Nobu-K, who has worked with EXILE and Namie Amuro, and Manaboon, who is also produced by Shota Shimizu and Miliyah Kato. This stylish, urban saxophone R&B album is a collaboration with cutting-edge trackmakers such as Swing-O a.k.a. 45, known for producing Miho Fukuhara and Minmi, and Yoichiro Kakizaki, who has worked with Toshinobu Kubota, Chemistry, Yuki Koyanagi, and others. This is the eighth album from popular and talented saxophone artist Kaori Kobayashi, who has been praised by the Thai Saxophone Association as "Asia's Most Beautiful Saxophone Player" and whose Taiwanese albums have topped the jazz charts for two consecutive years. It's also her second self-produced release. ~ kaorikobayashi.com. [Translated From Japanese] 

JVC Entertainment, VICJ-61680, 2013
Recorded at Power House Studio, Suginami-ku, Tokyo, Japan 

Musicians:
Kaori Kobayashi - Alto Sax (#1-3,5-10,12,13), Flute (#11), Arranger
Takahiro Izumikawa - Programming, Arranger (#1)
Nobuya Kato - Programming, Arranger (#2,7)
Yoichiro Kakizaki - Programming, Arranger (#3)
Toshiaki Otsubo - Programming, Arranger (#4,5,11)
Kyoko Osako - Programming, Arranger (#6)
Takuya "Tak" Tanaka - Programming, Arranger (#8)
Shingo Suzuki - Programming, Arranger (#9)
Swing-O - Programming, Arranger (#10)
Tadashi Ohtsubo - Programming, Arranger (#12)
Manaboon - Programming, Arranger (#13)

Tracks:
01. Prayer {Kaori Kobayashi} (5:40)
02. Time {Kaori Kobayashi} (5:34)
03. Dream Market {Kaori Kobayashi} (4:46)
04. Gotta Go To School [Interlude] {Kaori Kobayashi} (0:32)
05. Gotta Go To School {Kaori Kobayashi} (4:22)
06. Solitude {Kaori Kobayashi} (4:36)
07. Cat's & Dog {Kaori Kobayashi} (4:32)
08. Tears {Kaori Kobayashi} (4:48)
09. Sulty Nights {Kaori Kobayashi} (5:15)
10. Back Street {Kaori Kobayashi} (4:40)
11. Lovin' You {Minnie Riperton, Richard Rudolph} (4:51)
12. September {Al McKay, Allee Willis, Maurice White} (5:08)
13. City Lights {Kaori Kobayashi} (5:44) 

Total Time: 60:36 

Credits:
Producer - Kaori Kobayashi
Executive-Producer - Gen Kato, Sumio Jono
Recording & Mixing Engineer - Takao Nakazato
Engineer [Assistant] - Kaori Kato
Mastering Engineer - Hiroshi Kawasaki
Photography - Naoto Ohkawa
Art Direction, Design - Kenji Kikuchi

LINK

Lovin' You

Chet Baker Quartet - Chet Baker In Paris Vol. 1 (1956)

In October 1955, Chet Baker and his Quartet were to give a series of concerts, notably in France. Many French people expected a playboy and dilettante trumpeter to get off the plane; the man who arrived was someone who lived only for, and by, his art. A first album recorded in Paris placed him in the jazz avant-garde; the series of recordings that followed formed the private journal of someone so incapable of hiding his emotions that he sublimated them in the only way he knew: in music. Volume One brings together the first two sessions recorded on October 11 and 14, 1955. With Richard “Dick” Twardzik on piano, Jimmy Bond on bass and Peter Littmann on drums, Chet performs eight originals of Robert L. ‘Bob’ Zieff ("Rondette," "Pièce-Caprice," "Mid-Forte," "Re-search," "Pomp," "Sad Walk," "Just Duo," "Brash") plus a solitary contribution from Twardzik ("The Girl From Greenland.") ~ shop.udiscovermusic.com. 

Recorded 11th & 14th October, 1955 at the Pathé-Magellan Studio, Paris, France 

Musicians:
Chet Baker - Trumpet
Dick Twardzik - Piano
Jimmy Bond - Bass
Peter Littman - Drums 

Tracks:
A1. Rondette {Bob Zieff} (2:10)
A2. Pièce Caprice {Bob Zieff} (5:11)
A3. Mid-Forte {Bob Zieff} (3:07)
A4. Re-search {Bob Zieff} (5:00)
A5. Pomp {Bob Zieff} (4:42)
B1. Sad Walk {Bob Zieff} (4:15)
B2. Just Duo {Bob Zieff} (4:12)
B3. The Girl From Greenland {Dick Twardzik} (5:15)
B4. Brash {Bob Zieff} (5:54) 

Total Time: 39:53

LINK

Brash

Chet Baker Quartet - Chet Baker In Paris Vol. 2 (1956)

In October 1955, Chet Baker and his Quartet were to give a series of concerts, notably in France. Many French people expected a playboy and dilettante trumpeter to get off the plane; the man who arrived was someone who lived only for, and by, his art. A first album recorded in Paris placed him in the jazz avant-garde; the series of recordings that followed formed the private journal of someone so incapable of hiding his emotions that he sublimated them in the only way he knew: in music. On Volume Two, recorded October 24, just three days after Twardzik's passing (due to an overdose), Chet leads his quartet with only Jimmy Bond left from his original accompanying trio, young French pianist Gérard Gustin, and Swedish drummer Nils-Bertil Dahlander (filling in Peter Littman who returned to America). Given the context, they fall back on standards, Chet choosing eight: "These Foolish Things," "There's a Small Hotel," "Autumn In New York," "Summertime," "You Go To My Head," "Tenderly," "I'll Remember April," and "Lover Man."  The whole session exudes a kind of sadness that's impossible to put down, whatever the choice of tune or tempo. ~ shop.udiscovermusic.com. 

Recorded 24th October, 1955 at Studio Pathe Magellan, Paris, France 

Musicians:
Chet Baker - Trumpet
Gérard Gustin - Piano
Jimmy Bond - Bass
Bert Dahlander - Drums 

Tracks:
A1. There's A Small Hotel {Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart} (3:47)
A2. I'll Remember April {Don Raye, Gene De Paul, Patricia Johnston} (5:54)
A3. These Foolish Things {Harry Link, Holt Mavell, Jack Strachey} (4:44)
A4. Autumn In New York {Vernon Duke} (7:07)
B1. Summertime {DuBose Heyward, George Gershwin} (4:15)
B2. You Go To My Head {J. Fred Coots} (5:53)
B3. Tenderly {Jack Lawrence, Walter Gross} (6:40)
B4. Lover Man {Jimmy Davis, Jimmy Sherman, Roger Ramirez} (4:55) 

Total Time: 43:20

LINK 

You Go To My Head

Chet Baker Quartet - Live At Fasching, Stockholm, Sweden (1978)

Chet Baker was very active in Europe, especially after his famous comeback in the early 1970s, but he had already been banned from several countries by the late 1960s, including France, Switzerland, and Italy, following the Lucca riots. In Germany, for example, he was arrested in Berlin for drug possession and, after being held in prison for 40 days, was banished from the country and deported to the USA in March 1964. There, as throughout Europe, Chet's figure became legendary, and when he was able to return in the fall of 1978, thanks to the efforts of John Snyder and Gabrielle Kleinschmidt, the fan reception was remarkable, and many clubs hired the trumpeter again. On November 1st, Baker embarked on a long tour with Phil Markowitz on piano, Jeff Brillinger on drums, and Scott Lee on bass, as usual disorganized to the point of exhaustion, with daily stops ranging from Berlin to France, from Nuremberg to the Netherlands, from Dortmund to Stockholm, and so on. From those two months in 1978, at least four historic recordings are known to exist in the archives, two of which with Jean-Louis Rassinfosse replacing Scott Lee: "Live at Nick's" in the Netherlands, and the three titles recorded in France: "Live in Chateauvallon," "Broken Wing," and "Two a Day." However, many other recorded concerts are circulating among fans, but they have not been turned into official releases. ~ Extract from jazzfromitaly.blogspot.com. [Translated from Italian] 

One such recording is this one, an audience recording captured in 1978 live at a concert held in Fasching, Sweden. The original FLAC tracks were located via Soulseek, but needed some TLC.  Converted to WAV removing excess applause at beginning and end. Finally, tested and re-encoded to FLAC adding tags and some art, enjoy! 

Audience Recording
Recorded 11th December, 1978 Live at Fasching, Stockholm, Sweden 

Musicians:
Chet Baker - Trumpet, Vocals
Phil Markowitz - Piano
Jean-Louis Rassinfosse - Bass
Jeff Brilllinger - Drums

Tracks:
1. If I Should Lose You {Ralph Rainger, Leo Robin} (11:41)
2. Sad Walk {Bob Zieff} (15:30)
3. There Will Never Be Another You {Harry Warren, Mack Gordon} (10:12)
4. But Not For Me {George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin} (12:15)
5. Love For Sale {Cole Porter} (15:37)
6. The Touch Of Your Lips {Ray Noble} (15:31) 

Total Time: 01:20:46

LINK

Love For Sale [Excerpt]

Rob Jacoby - Step Up (2007)

This is the debut album by young tenor Rob Jacoby. Although he is noted as a multi-reed player, on this release, he focuses purely on the tenor saxophone. Invariably, this emphasis leads him to choose a selection of classic hard bop compositions by Hank Mobley, Duke Ellington, Horace Silver, Jimmy Heath, George & Ira Gershwin, Fred Lacey and Dexter Gordon, as well as two of his own tunes, all brilliantly played and successfully produced by Teo Macero. His greatest tenor teacher was Ralph Lalama, and Rob Jacoby's playing inherits his master's hard-boiled bop flavor, rich in swing and drive. The album presents performances as both a quartet and quintet featuring Brian Lynch on trumpet, pianist David Hazeltine, bassist John Ray and drummer Ron Vincent, all contributing a diversity of skills to the album. In all, this a well-rounded album that will satisfy hard bop fans and tenor aficionados. 

Garagista Music, JZ090212-09, 2007
Recorded 2007 in New York 

Musicians:
Rob Jacoby - Tenor Sax
Brian Lynch - Trumpet (#2,4,7)
David Hazeltine - Piano
John Ray - Bass
Ron Vincent - Drums

Tracks:
1. This I Dig Of You {Hank Mobley} (5:38)
2. Step Up {Rob Jacoby} (6:18)
3. In A Sentimental Mood {Duke Ellington} (5:27)
4. The Cape Verdean Blues {Horace Silver} (6:15)
5. Gingerbread Boy {Jimmy Heath} (5:42)
6. Rollertoaster {Rob Jacoby} (6:09)
7. Love Walked In {George & Ira Gershwin} (7:01)
8. Theme For Ernie {Fred Lacey} (5:35)
9. Montmartre {Dexter Gordon} (4:36) 

Total Time: 52:48

LINK

Step Up

Robert Bosscher - Multiple Views (2013)

One day, a young man casually strolls into Swingmaster, Sem van Gelder's record store in Groningen. He has a stack of CDs in his hand, ready to sell. Van Gelder puts on the record. The customers present sit down. Before the first song is even over, the deal is sealed. With "Multiple Views," Robert Bosscher has delivered an excellent CD with a fantastic lineup. Bassist Joris Teepe and drummer Billy Hart bolster the rhythm section, which is then joined by tenorist Mark Turner and trumpeter Scott Wendholt. The album opens strongly with "Staying Real," whose East Coast jazz style clearly sets the tone of the album. The song "Fierce," in particular, is full of interesting harmonic and rhythmic twists. The title track, "Multiple Views," is a somewhat dreamy yet beautiful trio piece. On the cover, Bosscher writes that his album is "a reflection of daily life, with its many influences and perspectives." At the end of the album, these many influences and perspectives are explored in "Echoes from my mind" and "Wondering," in which the Groningen pianist experiments with opera-style vocals. Perhaps not surprising for those who know that Bosscher also composed the musical "One year later." However, the tone of the CD changes drastically with this release, and these kinds of experiments really belong on a different album. Fortunately, between the two "vocal" pieces is the magnificent "Brainstorm," which again emphasizes the quintet. "Multiple Views" is self-released. Robert Bosscher has delivered a gem with it! A successful record deal must surely be on the horizon. ~ Bart Hollebrandse, JazzFlits. [Translated from Dutch] 

Self-Released, Jan 16 2013 

Musicians:
Robert Bosscher - Piano
Scott Wendholt - Trumpet
Mark Turner - Tenor Sax
Joris Teepe - Bass
Billy Hart - Drums

Tracks:
1. Staying Real (5:46)
2. Cell (6:30)
3. Lantana (8:12)
4. Dreamwake (6:38)
5. Multiple Views (5:17)
6. Fierce (6:55)
7. Wondering (6:49)
8. Brainstorm (8:07)
9. Echoes From My Mind (6:59) 

All compositions by Robert Bosscher 

Total Time: 60:18

LINK

Fierce

Lorenzo Tucci - Sweet Revelation [Remastered] (2012)

One of the hardest-hitting albums we've ever heard from Italian drummer Lorenzo Tucci -- a set that's got some especially smoking tenor from Daniele Scannapieco of the High Five Quintet! Daniele's sound is proud and bold right from the start -- working with a soulful, 60s sort of energy as he carves out these massive lines on tenor that really take hold of a tune, and give it an even greater sense of feeling and form! Tucci's drums are great too -- recorded with a sharper sound than before, to provide a great illustration of his key power for moving a group -- in this case a quartet that also features piano from Pietro Lussu and bass from Dario Rosciglione. The set features great versions of the Wayne Shorter tunes "Adam's Apple" and "Fee Fi Fo Fum" -- plus the cuts "Sweet Revelation", "Dede's Song", "Ghost", "In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning", and "Tita's Song".  © Dusty Groove, Inc. 

Philology Records, W195.2, 2001
Albore Jazz, ALBCD-501, 2012
Recorded 4th-5th December, 2000 at Interface Studio, Lavinio, Italy 

Musicians:
Lorenzo Tucci - Drums
Daniele Scannapieco - Tenor Sax
Pietro Lussu - Piano
Dario Rosciglione - Double Bass 

Tracks:
1. Adam's Apple {Wayne Shorter} (10:05)
2. Sweet Revelation {Piero Umiliani} (7:11)
3. In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning {Dave Mann} (7:16)
4. Dede's Song {Stefano Di Battista} (7:04)
5. Feen Fi Fo Fum {Wayne Shorter} (6:00)
6. Ghost {Daniele Scannapieco} (9:49)
7. Tita's Song {Pietro Lussu} (5:39)
8. My Heart Belongs To Daddy {Victor Young} (5:24) 

Total Time: 58:30

LINK

Sweet Revelation

Jonn Reyna Quartet - Consolidão (2014)

Although versatile Dutch pianist Jonn Reyna (born 1969) boasts a remarkable track record, the CD "Consolidaõ" marks his first fully self-produced album, featuring primarily original compositions and arrangements. Not only that, but he also assembled three prominent names for his quartet: Rick Margitza (Miles Davis and Chick Corea) on tenor saxophone, Gene Jackson (Herbie Hancock and Christian McBride) on drums, and our very own Joris Teepe on bass. This ensemble delivers a beautiful album that varies in style and is brimming with lovely melodies, adventure, and rhythm. There's room for punchy grooves in the funky and melodic "Deep Throat," the exhilarating "Sensodyne," and the Tania Maria ode "Tania Mania." The Joris Teepe composition "Art & Science Blues," heavily influenced by the classic Blue Note sound, is particularly strong. But there's also room for tranquility, as in the languid "Chasin' Clouds," brimming with lyricism. Melancholy and romance flow freely in the nightclub atmosphere of "Dark Blue," and you drift away during the captivating "Lullabye." Special guests on the album are trumpeter Philip Harper, saxophonist Dmitri Shapko, and singer Deborah J. Carter, whose warm vocals deliver a successful "Summertime." Reyna's playing on both acoustic and electric piano is dynamic, rhythmic, intense, and melodic. Although this is his first album with this lineup, it sounds as if he's been playing with these gentlemen for years. The joy and craftsmanship are evident. "Consolidaõ" is an excellent production from a remarkable quartet. ~ Serge Julien, Jazzflits Issue 232. [Translated From Dutch] 

Jonn Reyna Jazz Records, Digital, 2014 

Musicians:
Jonn Rayna - Acoustic & Electric Piano
Rick Margitza - Saxophone
Joris Teepe - Bass, Bass Guitar
Gene Jackson - Drums
+ Special Guests:
Philip Harper - Trumpet (#3,4,10)
Dmitri Shapko - Tenor Sax (#4,8,10)
Deborah J. Carter - Vocals (#9)

Tracks:
01. Consolidão {Jan Reinen, Jonn Reyna} (5:17)
02. Deep Throat {Jan Reinen, Jonn Reyna} (7:34)
03. Chasin' Clouds {Jan Reinen, Jonn Reyna} (5:30)
04. Art & Science Blues {Joris Teepe} (5:34)
05. Lullaby {Rick Margitza} (6:02)
06. Dark Blue {Jan Reinen, Jonn Reyna} (8:26)
07. Sensodyne {Jan Reinen, Jonn Reyna} (4:53)
08. Waltz For M. {Jan Reinen, Jonn Reyna} (5:05)
09. Summertime {George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin} (5:27)
10. Tania Maria {Jan Reinen, Jonn Reyna} (5:02)
11. Doin' The Laundry {Jan Reinen, Jonn Reyna} (6:28)
12. Deep Throat [Electric Version] {Jan Reinen, Jonn Reyna} (5:54) 

Total Time: 71:21

LINK

Art & Science Blues

Makoto Terashita - The Great Harvest (1978) [vinyl]

A great harvest of sounds from Japanese pianist Makoto Terashita -- a set that also features strong contributions from Bob Berg on tenor, who comes in at a few key spots to really deepen the sound! The core of the record features Terashita working with his trio -- Errol Walters on bass and Jo Jones on drums -- plus a bit of guitar from Yoshiaki Masuo -- and these trio tracks are really wonderful, with a long-flowing vibe that's a bit like work from the time by Fumio Karashima. Berg really steps it up in the right places -- especially on the wonderful 12-minute track "Tell Me An Old Story Grand Papa" -- which is a perfect illustration of the strength of the Japanese jazz scene at the time, and the way it found a unique way to blend together post-Coltrane ideals of soul and spiritualism, but at a level that's different than the US. Other tracks include "Samoa", "Dai Hokasu", and versions of "Ruby My Dear" and "Take The Coltrane". © Dusty Groove, Inc. 

Union Records, GU-5014, 1978
Recorded 3rd June, 1978 at West End Sound, New York 

Musicians:
Makoto Terashita - Piano
Bob Berg - Tenor Saxophone
Yoshiaki Masuo - Guitar
Errol Walters - Bass
Jo Jones Jr. - Drums

Tracks:
A1. Samoa {Makoto Terashita} (7:22)
A2. Take The Coltrane {Duke Ellington} (5:27)
A3. Dai Hosaku [Great Harvest] {Makoto Terashita} (11:25)
B1. Tell Me An Old Story, Grand Papa {Makoto Terashita} (12:35)
B2. Ruby My Dear {Thelonious Monk} (5:27) 

Total Time: 42:16 

Credits:
Producer - Yoshiaki Masuo
Recording & Mixing Engineer - Tom Michaels
Music Director - Masaaki Onuki
Photography - Akira Aimi
Design - Adacheeno
Liner Notes - Toshio "Monty" Honda

LINK

Tell Me An Old Story, Grand Papa

Monty Alexander - The River (1985)

On this Concord CD, pianist Monty Alexander performs religious hymns plus a few of his originals that also fit comfortably in that tradition. Accompanied by bassist John Clayton and drummer Ed Thigpen, Alexander's sensitive, but generally swinging, interpretations of these timeless melodies communicate very well. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG. 

Beautifully Lyrically Sacred Music
=========================
Monty Alexander is not exactly a pop star but he should be included in any serious music connoisseur's collection. Monty's prowess on the piano is legendary in his native Jamaica, but even his fans may not know his spiritual side so beautifully revealed in The River: an inspired sacred collection played in inimitably playful, non-conventional Monty style - rhythm & syncopation with sweet, sensuous (oops - pure Monty ;-) musicality. ~ Melanie N, 5 Stars, Amazon.com. 

Concord Jazz, CCD-4422, 1990
Recorded in October 1985 at Omega Studios, Rockville, Maryland 

Musicians:
Monty Alexander - Piano
John Clayton - Bass
Ed Thigpen - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus {George Duffield, George James Webb} (5:23)
02. The River {Monty Alexander, Frank Severino} (5:37)
03. The Serpent {Monty Alexander} (3:26)
04. Ave Maria {Franz Schubert; Arr. Monty Alexander} (4:32)
05. David Danced {Edward Kennedy Ellington} (4:55)
06. Renewal {Monty Alexander} (8:30)
07. Ain't Gonna Study War No More {Traditional; Arr. Monty Alexander} (4:05)
08. Holy! Holy! Lord God Almighty {Reginald Heber, John Dykes; Arr. Monty Alexander} (3:31)
09. What A Friend We Have In Jesus {Horatius Bonar, Charles Crozat Converse} (6:17)
10. How Great Thou Art {Traditional; Arr. Monty Alexander} (5:18) 

Total Time: 51:38 

Credits:
Producer, Liner Notes - Monty Alexander
Executive Producer - Caarl E. Jefferson
Recording Engineer - Bob Yesbek
Assistant Recording Engineer - Billy Brady
Assembling Engineer - Phil Edwards
Mastering Engineer - George Horn
Art Direction - Sandi Young

LINK

Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus

Sumire Kuribayashi Trio - Toys (2014)

Toys is pianist Sumire Kuribayashi’s debut leader album from 2014. Since then, the spirited musician has been on an outpouring, with several more leader albums released from her own projects as well as collaborations with a variety of Japanese and international musicians. With Toys, Kuribayashi plays nine tracks on the forty-eight-minute album, with five of her own songs and four beloved covers arranged together in a lively display of her musical vision. Whatever Toys may mean as a concept title (hinted at in the Obi Notes), it's a playful album that works as a perfect medium for her musical worldview. Some of the most melodically striking and immediately felt songs on the album are Kuribayashi’s own originals. Of these five songs, "Forest and an Elf" is fluid and magical, "Grand Line" is busy yet delicate, "Flying Toys" is sparkling and exciting, "W.M.P." is bluesily modal and modern, and "Somethin’ Warm" is patient, pretty, and sincere. The medium tempo and straight-eights time feel color the songs with modern finesse and understated power. What’s clear in each is that Kuribayashi thinks through her compositions, not only the mechanics of structure and form, but how she wants them to imaginatively feel, how the players should think about them, and where she wants them to go. Her selection of the four cover songs also demonstrates her consideration for balance and respect. She brings together songs from distinct planes of influence, from the worldwide megapop stars U2, to the sweet lyricism of Bill Evans, to the current-day Japanese vibraphonist and musical peer Reiko Yamamoto, to a deep cut from the much-loved bop pianist Sonny Clark. "I Still Don’t Know What I’m Looking For" is down-home groovy, "Letter to Evan" is comfortably plush, "That Blue Bird" is tender and engrossing, and "Minor Meeting", as the last cut on the album, hooks listeners and leaves them ready to hear more from Sumire Kuribayashi’s toy trove. ~ by Brian McCrory, www.jazzofjapan.com. 

Somethin' Cool, SCOL1003, 2014
Recorded 20th, 21st May, 2014 at Studio Mech, Tokyo, Japan 

Musicians:
Sumire Kuribayashi - Piano
Shinichi Kato - Bass
Takehiro Shimizu - Drums

Tracks:
1. Forest And An Elf {Sumire Kuribayashi} (9:01)
2. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For {U2} (4:54)
3. Grand Line {Sumire Kuribayashi} (4:07)
4. Letter To Evan {Bill Evans} (5:10)
5. That Blue Bird {Reiko Yamamoto} (5:17)
6. Flying Toys {Sumire Kuribayashi} (5:54)
7. W.M.P. {Sumire Kuribayashi} (4:12)
8. Somethin' Warm {Sumire Kuribayashi} (3:33)
9. Minor Meeting {Sonny Clark} (4:57) 

Total Time: 47:05 

Credits:
Producer - Ryuichi Sakamoto, Hitoshi Namekata
Engineer - Akihiko Kurazono
Assistant Engineer - Sayaka Ogoshi
Mastering Engineer - Akihito Yoshikawa
Cover Photo - Hozumi Nakadaira
Inner Photo, Liner Notes - Fumiaki Fujimoto

LINK

Forest And An Elf

Victor Gould - Clockwork (2016)

Pianist Victor Gould's debut utilizes a variety of large gears, pinions, and regulators to help fashion his own ideas. You just never know who'll be standing in for which of those parts. The high-octane combination of Gould, bassist Ben Williams, and drummer E.J. Strickland is at the center of each scene, but they're joined, at different times, by a variety of other musicians and instruments - saxophones, trumpet, flute, strings, and percussion - which help to create an intricate sonic mesh and add a variety of tonal colors to the mix. It's heady modernistic jazz language and high art rolled into one. The album opens on the title track, a bubbly Latin cauldron fired and forwarded by the aforementioned trio in cahoots with percussionist Pedrito Martinez. The pieces that follow - "Room," a sunny yet contemplative work in three, and "Chaancé," a mellow, strings-enhanced feature that puts the spotlight on Jeremy Pelt's flugelhorn and the composer's piano - stand apart in mood and musical complexion, marking Gould as a composer of great ambition and skill. While shifting focal points, different emotional tides, and the track-to-track addition and subtraction of musicians all allow the listener to indulge in a variety of musical worlds and fantasies, Gould's voice rings true in each and every one. He excels at every turn, regardless of where those turns may lead. He brilliantly works the beautiful-to-brooding range on the prelude to "Apostle John"; he shows patience and restraint over a throbbing base/bass on that tune proper, standing in stark contrast to the raw intensity that comes from his colleagues; and he delivers a scene-stealer statement full of daring and darting maneuvers on "Blue Dales." It's easy to see what his A-list employers - trumpeter Wallace Roney, drummer Ralph Peterson, and saxophonist Donald Harrison, among others - see in Gould. He's got the musical world on a string, in his mind, and at his fingertips. ~ by Dan Bilawsky, AllAboutJazz. 

Fresh Sound New Talent Records, FSNT 502, 2016
Recorded 14th Dec., 2015 & 19th Jan., 2016 At Systems Two Studios, Brooklyn, New York

Musicians:
Victor Gould - Piano, Composer
Jeremy Pelt - Trumpet (#1-3,6-8,11)
Godwin Louis - Alto Saxophone (#1-3,5-8,11)
Myron Walden - Tenor Saxophone (#1-3,6-8,11)
Anne Drummond - Flute (#3,7)
Ben Williams - Bass (#1-5,7,9-11)
E.J. Strickland - Drums (#1-5,7-11)
Pedrito Martinez - Percussion (#1,4,7)
Yoojin Park - Violin (#3,6,7)
Heejin Chang - Viola (#3,6,7)
Veronica Parrales - Cello (#3,6,7) 

Tracks:
01. Clockwork (7:39)
02. Room (7:09)
03. Chaancé (5:22)
04. Blue Dales (5:21)
05. The Return (7:55)
06. Apostle John [Prelude] (3:09)
07. Apostle John (9:00)
08. Sir Carter [Intro] (0:45)
09. Sir Carter (4:52)
10. Nefertiti (5:37)
11. Three Souls (8:06) 

All songs composed & arranged by Victor Gould, except #5 by Wayne Shorter 

Credits:
Co-Producers - Victor Gould, Myron Walden
Executive Producer - Jordi Pujol
Recording Engineer - Max Ross
Mixing & Mastering Engineer - Dave Darlington
Painting - Martel Chapman
Photos - Anne Yatskevich
Liner Notes - David R. Adler

LINK

Emily Remler - Live At Fitzpatrick's (1989)

A wonderful opportunity to hear Emily Remler playing live as a trio. Taken from two sets captured at Fitzpatrick's in Kansas City, Missouri. Much gratitude to original taper. Downloaded from net, ripped to WAV normalised and re-encoded to FLAC, tagged, researched and artwork repackaged for archive, enjoy! 

Musicians:
Emily Remler - Guitar
Kelly Roberti - Bass
Steve Unger - Drums 

Tracklist: 

Set 1 (71:23)
01. Blues For Herb {Emily Remler} (8:19)
02. Band Intro (0:46)
03. Sweet Georgia Fame {Blossom Dearie, Sandra Harris} (13:15)
04. Daahoud {Clifford Brown} (7:41)
05. Mocha Spice {Emily Remler} (8:19)
06. Mozambique {Emily Remler} (12:50)
07. Snowfall {Claude Thornhill} (8:51)
08. Hot House [inc.] {Tadd Dameron} (11:17) 

Set 2 (57:54)
09. Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise {Oscar Hammerstein II, Sigmund Romberg} (12:39)
10. How Insensitive {Antônio Carlos Jobim, Norman Gimbel} (11:22)
11. Nardis {Miles Davis} (13:11)
12. Moanin’ {Bobby Timmons} (11:26)
13. St. Thomas {Sonny Rollins} (5:39)
14. Tenor Madness {Sonny Rollins} (3:35) 

Total Time: 02:09:37

LINK

Live at Fitzpatricks (Moanin')

Jürgen Seefelder meets Azymuth - Rio de Janeiro (1989)

A great 1989 Brazilian fusion album by German saxophonist Jürgen Seefelder and Azymuth 

ITM Records, ITM 0044, 1989
West Wind latina, WWL 2227, 1997 

Recorded 13th & 14th April, 1989 at "Estudio Som Fantastico", Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 

Musicians:
Jürgen Seefelder - Soprano Sax, Tenor Sax
Marinho Boffa - Keyboards, Piano
Alex Malheiros - Electric Bass
Ivan Conti - Drums

Tracks:
1. 500 Miles High {Chick Corea} (8:40)
2. Madalena {Ivan Lins} (6:26)
3. For Nathan {Jürgen Seefelder} (6:59)
4. Virgo {Wayne Shorter} (9:37)
5. Convidados {Jürgen Seefelder} (4:55) 

Total Time: 36:37

Credits:
Recording Engineer - Toninho Barbosa
Cover Photo - Schötteldreier + Bogner Wuppertal

DR17

Magdalena

Stanley Turrentine with Milt Jackson - Cherry (1972) [+ Bonus]

This 1972 CTI date by Stanley Turrentine was his third for the label, and was produced by Creed Taylor with Rudy van Gelder at the board. Shockingly, Don Sebesky was not called in to arrange anything here. The band chosen to back up Turrentine's edgy, soulful tenor is a fine and diverse one, especially in the heyday of the fusion years: Milt Jackson on vibes, drummer Billy Cobham, pianist (electric of course) Bob James, Ron Carter on bass, and guitarist Cornell Dupree. 

The opener is Lee Morgan's "Speedball," played as a near straight-ahead hard bop barnburner, with a killer little vamp in the melody that is accented and filled by both Bags and James alternating bars. This is followed by a fine is not exceptional read of Johnny Mercer's "I'll Remember You," though Jackson's vibe solo that opens the tune and offers the lead into the melody is quite moving. Jackson's own "The Rev's" is a bluesed-out strut, with Turrentine, James, and Bags holding through the lead riffs before Turrentine digs deep into his soulful bag for a brilliant solo that runs over the bluesology of the old masters -- Dexter Gordon and Ben Webster most notably. But it is the last half of the album that holds the real beauty, with the title track framed by two Weldon Irvine Jr. classics, "Sister Sanctified" and "Introspective" as the closer. Irvine arranged his own tunes, and they are far more wondrous and strange than anything in the CTI catalog. "Sister Sanctified," a deep gospel with repetitive choruses and assertive lead lines, has James playing a gospel piano more reminiscent of Abdullah Ibrahim than himself. Cobham shoves the beat to the margin, double- and triple-timing in places while never leaving the pocket of the groove. Turrentine's solo, especially in the bridge, is phenomenal, guttural, and nearly squalling. "Introspective" is a loping post-bop blues. The long, intricate melody lines are perfectly suited to the complex sense of lyricism that is Turrentine's strength. The more general figures and accents are picked up by Jackson, and Cobham slips through and around the chances in a Latin-styled dance to hold the middle and bring in the blues feel. It's phenomenal and sends this session off on a high note. Recommended. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide. 

CTI Records, CTI 6017, 1972
CBS Records, ZK 40936, 1988 

Recorded 17th, 18th & 24th May, 1972 at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 

Musicians:
Stanley Turrentine - Tenor Saxophone
Milt Jackson - Vibraphone
Bob James - Piano, Electric Piano
Cornell Dupree - Guitar
Ron Carter - Bass
Billy Cobham - Drums

Tracks:
1. Speedball {Lee Morgan} (6:40)
2. I Remember You {Johnny Mercer, Victor Schertzinger} (5:10)
3. The Revs {Milt Jackson} (7:46)
4. Sister Sanctified {Weldon Irvine Jr.} (6:04)
5.. Cherry {Ray Gilbert, Don Redman} (5:10)
6. Introspective {Weldon Irvine Jr.} (7:00)
7. The More I See You {Harry Warren, Mack Gordon} (7:58) [Bonus Track] 

Total Time: 45:52 

Credits:
Producer - Creed Taylor
Reissue Producer, Liner Notes - Didier C. Deutsch
Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder
Mastering - Tim Geelan
Arranger - Weldon Irvine Jr. (#4,6)
Design [Album] - Bob Ciano
Photography [Cover] - Pete Turner

DR14

Sister Sanctified

Milt Jackson - Sunflower (1972) [vinyl]

Recorded over two days in December of 1972 at Rudy Van Gelder's Englewood, New Jersey home studio, vibraphonist Milt Jackson's Sunflower is the first -- and best -- of his three albums for Creed Taylor's CTI imprint. (And one of the finest offerings on the label.) With a core band consisting of Herbie Hancock (playing electric and acoustic piano), bassist Ron Carter, drummer Billy Cobham, trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, drummer/percussionist Ralph McDonald, and guitarist Jay Berliner. A chamber orchestra exquisitely arranged and conducted by Don Sebesky adorns the session as well. Jackson's "For Someone I Love," opens the five-tune set, with Berliner playing solo flamenco guitar before the vibes, trumpet, and elements from the chamber orchestra delicately, impressionistically color the background. It gradually moves into a languid, bluesy ballad that slowly gains in both texture and dynamic until the strings trill tensely. Hubbard and Hancock engage them in solos that gently swing out the tune. The reading of Michel Legrand's "What Are You Doing for the Rest of Your Life" is a gorgeous showcase for Jackson; his solo dominates the arrangement. Carter gets downright funky on his upright to introduce Thom Bell's "People Make the World Go Round," and Hancock follows him on Rhodes. Jackson takes the melody, striking a layered contrast as Hubbard slips around all three playing an extension of the melody with requisite taste, fluidity, and taut phrasing. Hancock gets funky to the bone in his brief solo, as the vibes soar around and through his phrases. The title track is a Hubbard composition that floats and hovers with a Latin backbeat before shifting tempos as the solos begin. The expanded harmonic palette of trumpet with the reeds, woodwinds, and strings on the melody add an exotic textural palette for his solo. While Sunflower sometimes feels more like a group session rather than a Jackson-led one, that's part of its exquisite beauty. ~ Thom Jurek, AMG.

CTI Records, CTI 6024, 1973

Recorded 12^th & 13^th December, 1972 at Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Musicians:

Milt Jackson - Vibraphone

Freddie Hubbard - Trumpet, Flugelhorn

Herbie Hancock - Piano

Jay Berliner - Guitar

Ron Carter - Bass

Bill Cobham - Drums

Ralph MacDonald - Percussion

Plus Reeds & Strings:

George Marge - Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Alto Flute, English Horn

Romeo Penque - Alto Flute, Oboe, English Horn

Phil Bodner - Flute, Alto Flute, Piccolo Flute, English Horn

Alan Shulman, Charles McCracken, George Ricci - Cello

Margaret Ross - Harp

Charles Libove, David Nadien, Elliot Rosoff, Emanuel Green, Gene Orloff,

Irving Spice, Joe Malin, Max Ellen, Paul Gershman - Violin

Tracks:

A1. For Someone I Love {Milt Jackson} (10:21)

A2. What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life? {Michel Legrand, Alan & Marilyn Bergman} (6:57)

B1. People Make The World Go Round {Thomas Bell, Linda Creed} (8:29)

B2. Sunflower {Freddie Hubbard} (11:01)

Credits:

Producer - Creed Taylor

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Arranger & Conductor - Don Sebesky

Album Photograph - Pete Turner

Liner Photograph - K. Abe

Album Design - Bob Ciano