Takuya Kuroda - Rising Son (2014)

A good jazz album needs to be aware of the history of jazz and of its own place within that history. It can't be content simply to recreate sounds that have been done before, but needs to understand jazz as living, vital and evolving. It also needs energy and great playing. 

Takuya Kuroda's Blue Note debut Rising Son understands all of this, and nails it. The grooves are new and exciting, but not in the least bit pedantically avant-garde. The album sits mostly at the meeting point between funky fusion in the tradition of Bitches Brew (emphasized on tracks like "Afro Blues" and "Call") and a heavier hip-hop beat ("Piri Piri," "Everybody Loves the Sunshine"). Kuroda's soloing is innovative and energetic, but also technically precise and not shy to make auditory references to his predecessors. 

The heads on this album are crunchy and smooth, and serve as good taking-off point for the solo sections. Each track is balanced, and never devolves into a show-offy 'extended solo.' The rhythm section is extremely solid, although I might have preferred a piano to a keyboard on a few of the tracks. The interplay between Nate Smith's drums and Solomon Dorsey's bass is especially good. Listen for Lionel Loueke's guest guitar work on "Afro Blues" and producer José James' vocals on "Everybody Loves the Sunshine." 

Simply put, this is an excellent album. In an age in which most jazz players see their work as being more appropriate for a museum than a club, it is refreshing to know that people like Takuya Kuroda are carrying the genre forward with enough style and confidence to hold new grooves in their pockets. ~ jeremytroy, RYM. 

Blue Note, B001 966302, 2014
Recorded At ‘The Motherbrain’, Brookylyn and At Sear Sound, New York

Musicians:
Takuya Kuroda - Trumpet (#1- 6,8-10), Flugelhorn (#7)
Corey King - Trombone (#1-3,5,6-9)
Kris Bowers - Rhodes Piano (#1-3,5-10), Synth (#1,2,5,8,9), Piano (#4)
Lionel Loueke - Electric Guitar (#2)
Solomon Dorsey - Bass (#1-4,5-8,10), Synth [Bass] (#1,9);
Percussion (#1,4,8), Vocals (#5,10)
Nate Smith - Drums, Percussion (#1,2,4,8,9)
José James - Vocals (#5,10) 

Tracks:
01. Rising Son {Takuya Kuroda} (4:43)
02. Afro Blues {Takuya Kuroda} (7:23)
03. Piri Piri {Takuya Kuroda} (7:04)
04. Mala {Takuya Kuroda} (5:59)
05. Everybody Loves The Sunshine {Roy Ayers} (9:25)
06. Green And Gold {Roy Ayers} (4:58)
07. Sometime, Somewhere, Somehow {Takuya Kuroda} (6:35)
08. Call {Takuya Kuroda} (9:14) 

Total Time:  55:21

Bonus Tracks on: Blue Note - TYCJ-60050, Japan, MP3
09. Unchain {Takuya Kuroda} (4:27)
10. Promise In Love {DJ Mitsu The Beats, Jose James} (4:11) 

Credits:
Producer - José James
Recording & Mixing Engineer - Brian Bender
Additional Engineering - Jon Anderson
Assistant Engineer - Jon Anderson, Taft Masburn, Owen Mulholland, Todd Carder
Mastering Engineer - Nathan James (Vault Mastering Studios, Phoenix, Arizona)
A&R - Don Was
A&R Administrator - Steve Cook
Design, Layout - Hayden Miller

Stefano Di Battista, Flavio Boltro Quintet - Volare (1997)

Here we have an early collaboration of a number of emerging European jazz musicians in the late 90's. This album is especially good due to the pairing of both Stefano Di Battista and Flavio Boltro before they made a name for themselves in their own backyards. In fact, all the musicians, predominantly Italian and French, on this date have gone on to carve out solid careers. Recorded in France and released on Label Bleu, this CD will be of interest to any hard bop and post-bop lover with a leaning towards the European jazz scene. In all a fine recording that's very recommended, Enjoy!

Label Bleu, LBLC 6613, 1998

Recorded & Mixed in July, 1997 At Studio Gil Evans, Amiens, France

Musicians:

Stefano Di Battista - Saxophones

Flavio Boltro - Trumpet

Eric Legnini - Piano

Jean-Pierre Taïeb - Guitar

Rosario Bonaccorso - Bass

Benjamin Henocq - Drums

Tracks:

01. Prima Di Partire {Stefano Di Battista} (5:28)

02. Blues For Michel {Stefano Di Battista} (3:51)

03. Widows Walk {Rick Margitza} (9:15)

04. Funky Porcini {Stefano Di Battista} (4:02)

05. Stars Fell On Alabama {Mitchell Parish, Frank Perkins} (7:08)

06. Matbon {Rosario Bonaccorso} (8:31)

07. My Foolish Heart {Ned Washington, Victor Young} (2:39)

08. Patacchione {Eric Legnini} (8:33)

09. Volare {Stefano Di Battista} (5:26)

10. Rap [Hip Criminal Time Top] {Stefano Di Battista} (4:21)

11. Caligola {Flavio Boltro} (1:44)

12. One Finger Snap {Herbie Hancock} (4:38)

Total Time: 65:36

Credits:

Executive Producer - Michel Orier

Production Assistant - Martine Patrice

Recording Engineer - Philippe Teissier du Cros

Assist Engineer - Pierre Guinot

Digital Editing - Jean-Pierre Bouquet

Photos - Didier Cry

Sleeve Design - Christophe Rémy

Translation - Stephanie Carwin

Eric Dolphy - Giants Of Jazz (1958-61)

This CD contains a selection of some of Eric Dolphy’s prime cuts. It spans the years from 1958 when he spent time with Chico Hamilton through to the classic 1961 tracks taken from the infamous Five Spot date. In addition, the listener will be treated to further tunes taken from his association with Booker Little, Charles Mingus etc., to name a few of the notorieties he interfaced with during his condensed career, like Booker cut short by an untimely death. Any jazz lover should know his work, but this compilation will certainly serve to enhance his following. So, sit back and marvel at Eric’s musicianship, and no doubt many newcomers to jazz will be won over, Enjoy!

Giants Of Jazz, CD 53164, 1995

Recorded 30^th December, 1958 - 16^th July, 1961

#1 from Eric Dolphy At The Five Spot, Volume 1 (1961)

#2,3 Eric Dolphy - Here And There (1960)

#4-6 Booker Little - Out Front (1961)

#7 Charles Mingus - Mingus (1960)

# 8-10 - Chico Hamilton - Gongs East! (1958)

Personnel:

Eric Dolphy - Alto Sax (#2-10) Flute (#2,4-6,8-10), Bass Clarinet (#1,2,8-10)

Booker Little - Trumpet (#1,4-6)

Freddie Hubbard - Trumpet (#3)

Ted Curson - Trumpet (#7)

Julian Priester - Trombone (#4)

Mal Waldron - Piano (#1)

Jaki Byard - Piano (#2,3)

Don Friedman - Piano (#4-6)

Dennis Budimir - Guitar (#8-9)

Richard Davis - Bass (#1)

George Tucker - Bass (#2,3)

Art Davis - Bass (#4)

Ron Carter - Bass (#5,6)

Charles Mingus - Bass (#7)

Wyatt Ruther - Bass (#8-10)

Nate Gershman - Cello (#8-10)

Ed Blackwell - Drums (#1)

Roy Haynes - Drums (#2,3)

Max Roach - Drums, Percussion (#4-6)

Dannie Richmond - Drums (#7)

Chico Hamilton - Drums (#8-10)

Tracks:

01. Bee Vamp {Booker Little} (12:19)

02. April Fool {Eric Dolphy} (4:04)

03. G.W. {Eric Dolphy} (7:57)

04. Quiet, Please {Booker Little} (8:02)

05. Moods In Free Time {Booker Little} (5:37)

06. Hazy Hues {Booker Little} (5:29)

07. Stormy Weather {Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler} (13:15)

08. Where I Live {Gerald Wilson} (2:58)

09. Gongs East {Chico Hamilton} (5:03)

10. Beyond The Blue Horizon {Leo Robin, Richard A. Whiting} (3:04)

Total Time: 67:48

Scott Hamilton - Race Point (1992)

Has Scott Hamilton Ever Turned Out A Bad CD?

===================================

If he has, I've never heard it! In my opinion he's the current reigning master of the tenor sax. This CD contains a great mixture of standards........some of the often-recorded songs like "Limehouse Blues", one of the more popular Howard Dietz/ Arthur Schwartz compositions "Alone Together", and the Oscar Hammerstein II/ Jerome Kern collaborations "The Song Is You". It also includes the Carl Perkins 1958 composition "Groove Yard" which is reason enough for bop collectors. Another little-known goody is "Oh, Look At Me Now" written by Jumpn' Joe Bushkin about the time when he played with Tommy Dorsey which was recorded with Frank Sinatra and the Pied Pipers. My favorite is a beautiful ballad "I've Just Seen Her" which may also be one of Scott's since he also recorded it on "Gerry Mulligan Meets Scott Hamilton". To further enhance this set, guitarist Howard Alden appears on four tracks, two of them duos with Scott. So, you get 2 duo tracks, 2 quintet and 7 quartet selections further adding to the variety. You will like this album if you like small group jazz, Scott Hamilton, or great tenor sax. ~ Robert J. Ament, Amazon.com.

Concord Jazz, CCD-4492, 1992

Recorded 18^th September, 1991 At Sage & Sound, Hollywood, California

Musicians:

Scott Hamilton - Tenor Saxophone

Gerry Wiggins - Piano

Howard Alden - Guitar

Andy Simpkins - Bass

Jeff Hamilton - Drums

Tracks:

01. Groove Yard {Carl Perkins} (5:09)

02. Chelsea Bridge {Billy Strayhorn} (3:52)

03. Race Point {Scott Hamilton} (5:26)

04. Close Enough For Love {Johnny Mandel, Paul Williams} (5:52)

05. Oh, Look At Me Now {Joe Bushkin, John DeVries} (3:52)

06. Alone Together {Howard Dietz, Arthur Schwartz} (7:14)

07. I've Just Seen Her {Charles Strouse, Lee Adams} (5:06)

08. Limehouse Blues {Philip Braham, Douglas Furber} (4:46)

09. You're My Thrill {Sidney Clare, Jay Gorney} (4:20)

10. You Say You Care {Jule Styne, Leo Robin} (7:17)

11. The Song Is You {Oscar Hammerstein II, Jerome Kern} (4:40)

Total Time: 56:50

Credits:

Producer - Carl E. Jefferson

Assistant Producer - Nick Phillips

Recording Engineer - James Mooney

Assistant Engineer - Jerry Wood

Remixing Engineer - Phil Edwards [Per Hayward]

Mastering Engineer - George Horn

Production Coordination - Elizabeth Bell

Cover Photography - James Gudeman

Art Direction - Timothy Toffoli

Liner Notes - Bob Porter [WBGO]

Takehiro Honda - This Is Honda (1972)

One of the best pianists to arise out of Japan and one of the best trio formations to highlight and showcase the finest expression of some truly well-played jazz standards. Theses tracks are taken from a live performance many moons ago but can still enthrall even the most discerning listener; all pieces are played with exceptional finesse. It’s not a long concert by modern standards, what one would have given to be there at the time. A time-honored jazz classic no jazz aficionado should overlook this special album, enjoy!

Trio Records, PA-7005, 1972

Absord Music, ABCJ-272, 2003

Recorded 14^th March, 1972 At Iino Hall, Tokyo, Japan

Musicians:

Takehiro Honda - Piano

Yoshio Suzuki - Bass

Fumio Watanabe - Drums

Tracks:

1. You Don't Know What Love Is {Don Raye, Gene DePaul} (8:51)

2. Bye Bye Blackbird {Mort Dixon, Ray Henderson} (7:05)

3. 'Round About Midnight {Bernie Hanighen, Cootie Williams, Thelonious Monk} (3:28)

4. Softly As In Morning Sunrise {Oscar Hammerstein II, Sigmund Romberg} (6:57)

5. When Sunny Gets Blue {Jack Segal, Marvin Fisher} (4:28)

6. Secret Love {Paul Francis Webster, Sammy Fain} (8:03)

Total Time: 38:52

Credits:

Engineer - Okihiko Sugano

A&R [Reissue] - Masahiro Maeda

Artwork [Reissue] - Sally Kubota

Co-Mastering, Liner Notes - Tamaya Honda

Franco D'Andrea with Fabrizio Bosso - Jazzitaliano Live (2007)

Here we have one of the many albums within Italian pianist Franco D'Andrea's vast discography and of the Jazzitaliano series. A live date from 2007 where he is joined by special guest Fabrizio Bosso on trumpet; also included within the quintet are Gianluca Petrella on trombone, Daniele D'Agaro on clarinet and Zeno De Rossi on drums. The group sets about exploring a number of lively medleys intermingled with a few of Franco's own compositions. A rewarding program, Enjoy!

Casa Del Jazz, CdJ2_07, 2007

Recorded 26^th February, 2007 At Casa del Jazz, Rome, Italy

Musicians:

Franco D'Andrea - Piano

Fabrizio Bosso - Trumpet

Gianluca Petrella - Trombone

Daniele D'Agaro - Clarinet

Zeno De Rossi - Drums

Tracklist:

1. Medley (14:59)

=============

1a. March {Franco D'Andrea}

1b. King Porter Stomp {Jelly Roll Morton}

1c. Misterioso {Thelonious Monk}

1d. M 3 {Franco D'Andrea}

1e. Half The Fun {Billy Strayhorn}

2. Medley (13:05)

=============

2a. Savoy Blues {Kid Ory}

2b. Turkish Mambo {Lennie Tristano}

2c. Caravan {Juan Tizol, Duke Ellington}

3. Deep {Franco D'Andrea} (3:54)

=========================

4. I've Found A New Baby {Spencer Williams} (6:25)

===========================================

5. Medley (8:05)

============

5a. Epistropy {Thelonious Monk}

5b. Grapes {Franco D'Andrea}

6. Medley (10:13)

=============

6a. Lychees {Franco D'Andrea}

6b. Two Colors {Franco D'Andrea}

7. March {Franco D'Andrea} (4:30)

=============================

8. Medley (7:19)

============

8a. Rag And Blues {Franco D'Andrea}

8b. Turkish Mambo {Lennie Tristano}

Credits:

Artistic Producer - Luciano Linzi

Sound Supervision - Pasquale Minieri

Sound Technician - Ascanio Cusella

Mixing - Marti Jane Robertson

Mastering - Antonio Baglio / Nautilus

Photography - Luciano Viti

Graphics - Arké

Artistic Consultancy And Booklet Texts - Alberto Castelli

Text Collaboration - Federico Scoppio

Harry Allen Quintet - A Night At Birdland, Volume 1 (1994)

A glance at this CD's cover might cause collectors to have a double take for it looks similar to the original A Night at Birdland album by Horace Silver and the Jazz Messengers from the mid-'50s. The Birdland in this case is a jazz club in Hamburg, Germany and the music is not hard bop but hard-driving swing. The excellent young tenor Harry Allen is heard leading a quintet that also includes trumpeter Randy Sandke, pianist Brian Dee, bassist Len Skeat and (in one of his final sessions) drummer Oliver Jackson. Allen has an attractive and passionate tone and is heard in excellent form throughout the nine standards; he and Sandke make for a very effective team. A rewarding release (as is the second volume) from the German Nagel-Heyer label. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG.

"This must have been a marvellous concert to attend, but Nagel-Heyer's usually superb recording brings its quality right into your living room again and again. Very highly recommended!" Jazz Journal International

Nagel-Heyer Records, NHCD 007, 1994

Nagel-Heyer Records, NHCD 5002, 2002

Recorded 19^th & 20^th Nov. 1993 Live At Birdland Jazzland, Hamburg, DE

Musicians:

Harry Allen - Tenor Saxophone

Randy Sandke - Trumpet

Brian Dee - Piano

Len Skeat - Bass

Oliver Jackson - Drums

Tracks:

1. My Heart Stood Still {Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers} (9:04)

2. On A Slow Boat To China {Frank Loesser} (10:47)

3. Tickle Toe {Jon Hendricks, Lester Young} (7:42)

4. You Took Advantage Of Me {Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers} (7:29)

5. Stardust {Hoagy Carmichael} (7:40)

6. Sometimes I'm Happy {Clifford Grey, Irving Caesar, Vincent Youmans} (7:35)

7. How Deep Is The Ocean? {Irving Berlin} (9:59)

8. I Got It Bad [And That Ain't Good] {Duke Ellington, Paul Francis Webster} (5:08)

9. The Man I Love {George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin} (10:67)

Total Time: 76:21

Credits:

Producer, Liner Notes - Hans Nagel-Heyer

Producer, Executive-Producer, Liner Notes - Frank Nagel-Heyer

Executive-Producer - Sabine Nagel-Heyer

Recording & Mixing Engineer - Bernd Schultze

Assistant Engineer - Axel Fidelak

Digital Remastering - Mario Buthmann

Photography - Dieter Borgschulte, Harry Allen, Jan Sandtke

Art Direction - Nikolai Woeller

Notes:

Special Limited Edition: 24 bit digitally remastered reissue of NHCD 007

Source: http://www.nagelheyer.de/cd-details/cd/a-night-at-birdland-vol-1.html

CD ripped to WAV and excess applause trimmed prior to converting to FLAC

Harry Allen Quintet - A Night At Birdland, Volume 2 (1995)

Harry Allen leads a fine quintet on the second of two volumes recorded over a pair of nights in 1993 at Hamburg's Birdland nightclub. The tenor saxophonist was quite familiar with bandmates trumpeter Randy Sandke and drummer Oliver Jackson, having worked with them extensively on recordings and in all-star lineups assembled by George Wein. The band is rounded out by two veterans of the British jazz scene, pianist Brian Dee and bassist Len Skeat. Obviously, the familiarity keeps the group from sounding like a pickup effort with little or no rehearsal. Allen's melodic solos are steeped in the tradition of Coleman Hawkins and Ben Webster, especially in rich ballads like "My Foolish Heart" and the deliberate "Sweet Lorraine." For a little bit of variety from the swing era, the quintet offers a stimulating bop number and the early jazz chestnut "Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives to Me." ~ by Ken Dryden, AMG.

Nagel-Heyer Records, NHCD 010, 1995

Nagel-Heyer Records, NHCD 5005, 2003

Recorded 19^th & 20^th Nov. 1993 Live At Birdland Jazzland, Hamburg, DE

Musicians:

Harry Allen - Tenor Saxophone

Randy Sandke - Trumpet

Brian Dee - Piano

Len Skeat - Bass

Oliver Jackson - Drums

Tracks:

01. Isn't This A Lovely Day {Irving Berlin} (6:17)

02. From This Moment On {Cole Porter} (8:01)

03. My Foolish Heart {Ned Washington, Victor Young} (6:20)

04. The Song Is You {Oscar Hammerstein II, Jerome Kern} (8:45)

05. Blues My Naughty Sweety Gives To Me {Russ Morgan, Arthur Swanstone} (8:39)

06. Sweet Lorraine {Clifford R. Burwell, Mitchell Parish} (5:42)

07. All God's Chillun Got Rhythm {Walter Jurmann, Gus Kahn, Bronislaw Kaper} (6:50)

08. Stardust {Hoagy Carmichael, Mitchell Parish} (5:42)

09. Now Is The Time {Charlie Parker} (7:24)

10. Sophisticated Lady {Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Mitchell Parish} (6:00)

11. Lover Come Back To Me {Oscar Hammerstein II, Sigmund Romberg} (7:40)

Total Time: 77:20

Credits:

Producer, Liner Notes - Hans Nagel-Heyer, Frank Nagel-Heyer

Producer - Sabine Nagel-Heyer

Recording, Mixing & Remastering - Bernd Schultze

Assistant Engineer - Axel Fidelak

Photography - Jan Sandtke, Harry Allen

Art Direction - Nikolai Woeller

Notes:

Special Limited Edition: 24 bit digitally remastered reissue of NHCD 010

Source: http://www.nagelheyer.de/cd-details/cd/a-night-at-birdland-volume-2-1.html

CD ripped to WAV and excess applause trimmed prior to converting to FLAC

Shirley Scott - Shirley Scott & The Soul Saxes (1969) [vinyl]

One of Scott’s best albums, Shirley Scott and the Soul Saxes finds the organist on a 1969 set of mostly soul covers. This was one of her few dates for the soul-heavy Atlantic label, but it certainly qualifies as a standout in the entire soul-jazz catalog. Joined by the royal sax trio of David Newman, King Curtis, and Hank Crawford, Scott plies her smooth, yet deep B-3 alchemy atop a stellar rhythmic pulse supplied by Chuck Rainey, Bernard “Pretty” Purdie, and Richard Tee. And this fine contingent does not fail to please, especially on a joyous take of “More Today Than Yesterday” and the gospel-infused “I Wish I Knew (How It Feels Like to Be Free).” The versions of classics by the Isley Brothers, Aretha Franklin, and the Beatles aren’t bad either. ~ Stephen Cook, AMG.

Atlantic Records, SD 1532, 1969

Recorded 10^th September, 1968 (#A3) in New York City; 9^th July, 1969 (#A1,B1,B2)

and 10^th July, 1969 (#A2,B3,B4) at Regent Sound Studios, New York

Musicians:

Shirley Scott - Organ

Ernie Royal - Trumpet (#A1,A2,B1-B4)

Hank Crawford - Alto & Baritone Saxophones (#A1,A2,B1-B4)

King Curtis - Tenor Saxophone (#A1,A2,B1-B4)

David "Fathead" Newman - Tenor Saxophone, Flute (#A1,A2,B1-B4)

Richard Tee - Piano (#A1,A2,B1-B4)

Eric Gale - Guitar

Chuck Rainey - Electric Bass (#A1,A2,B1-B4)

Jerry Jemmott - Electric Bass (#A3)

Bernard Purdie - Drums (#A1,A3-B2)

Jimmy Johnson - Drums (#A2,B3,B4)

Tracks:

A1. It's Your Thing {O'Kelley Isley, Ronald Isley, Rudolph Isley} (4:27)

A2. [You Make Me Feel Like] A Natural Woman {Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Jerry Wexler} (4:17)

A3. I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free {Billy Taylor, Dick Dallas} (6:20)

B1. You {Ivy Hunter, Jack Goga, Jeffrey Owen} (5:40)

B2. Stand By Me {Ben E. King, Elmo Glick} (4:02)

B3. Get Back {John Lennon, Paul McCartney} (4:43)

B4. More Today Than Yesterday {Patrick Upton} (3:37)

Credits:

Producer - Joel Dorn

Marty Sheller - Arranger, Conductor (except #A3)

Engineer - Adrian Barber (#A3), Bob Liftin (#A1,A2,B1-B4)

Engineer [Re-Mix] - William Arit

Photography [Backliner] - Joel Brodsky, Walter Looss

Photography [Cover] - O. Vernon Matisse

Total Time: 33:08

Dado Moroni, Luigi Tessarollo - On TV Show (2017)

This is a duo work is between two of Italy's most talented jazz musicians; pianist Dado Moroni and guitarist Luigi Tessarollo. Invited to be recorded live by an Italian TV broadcaster, they explore together a small sample of famous jazz standards penned by great writers such as Sammy Fain, Jimmy Van Heusen and Bill Evans. Prior to this engagement they released together a full album simply called "Talking Strings" on the Abeat label. The listener will be absorbed into a dynamic and swingin' interplay, where they'll hear delicate and lyrical interpretations, a wonderful blending of two unique veterans, enjoy!

TV Broadcast 7 Resette, Italy, 2017

Musicians:

Dado Moroni - Piano

Luigi Tessarollo - Guitar

Tracks:

1. Secret Love {Sammy Fain, Paul Francis Webster} (8:24)

2. Darn That Dream {Jimmy Van Heusen, Eddie De Lange} (7:02)

3. Funkallero {Bill Evans} (5:11)

Total Time: 20:37

Included in archive is edited MP4 of original video leaving just the concert.

Lennart Aberg - Partial Solar Eclipse (1977) [vinyl]

Swedish saxophonist Lennart Åberg assembles a force to be reckoned with for this out-of-print JAPO release. Fronting a 20-piece ensemble that includes early appearances by pianist Bobo Stenson, bassist Palle Danielsson, and drummer Jon Christensen, Partial Solar Eclipse plays out in a six-part suite of epic proportions. The trumpet-led swell of Part I gives way to a groovy bass line amid big band brilliance infused with Brazilian percussion (courtesy of Okay Temiz). A soaring solo from Åberg flirts with the clouds even as it transcends them in fiery sunset. The twinned bass action from Stefan Brolund and Danielsson impels the spirit toward Stenson’s winding finish. Out of these dense beginnings comes a mosaic of hues and textures. From the flanged ground line and backing horns of Part II, which sound like a warped version of “Baby, You’re a Rich Man,” to the oozing finality of Part VI, the album as a whole bursts with a jazz that squeals, “I made it!” Jan Tolf’s guitar work is the conclusive highlight, along with the florid and soulful tenor work of Åberg himself. Between the two we find the Motown edge of Part III, with its radiant flute and oceanic pianism, and the killer baritone work in Part IV of Erik Nilsson, who also unleashes a fabulous bass clarinet solo over the chalky backdrop of Part V. This is an album that foregrounds itself by foiling the otherworldliness of all that came before. In so doing, it offers the glare of its namesake without the need for glasses. It’s an intense thrill ride, to be sure, but one that offers choice rewards even (if not especially) for those not tall enough to enter. ~ Tyran Grillo, ECM.

Japo Records, JAPO 60023 ST, 1978

Recorded 5^th-9^th September, 1977 At Metronome Studios, Stockholm, Sweden

Personnel:

Lennart Åberg - Alto, Soprano & Tenor Saxophones

Stephen Franckevich - Trumpet (#B3)

Bertil Lövgren - Trumpet, Fluegelhorn

Jan Kohlin - Trumpet, Fluegelhorn

Ulf Adåker - Trumpet, Fluegelhorn

Jörgen Johansson - Trombone (#B3)

Lars Olofsson - Trombone

Sven Larsson - Bass Trombone, Tuba

Håken Nyquist - French Horn, Trombone, Fluegelhorn

Ulf Andersson - Alto Saxophone, Piccolo Flute, Flute

Erik Nilsson - Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Flute

Bobo Stenson - Piano, Electric Piano

Harald Svensson - Synthesizer (#A1,B1)

Jan Tolf - Electric Guitar (#A1-A3,B3)

Palle Danielsson - Bass (#1-5)

Stefan Brolund - Electric Bass (#A1,A2,B3)

Jon Christensen - Drums

Leroy Howe - Drums

Okay Temiz - Percussion (#A1-A3)

Tracks:

A1. Partial Solar Eclipse I (8:06)

A2. Partial Solar Eclipse II (6:01)

A3. Partial Solar Eclipse III (6:41)

B1. Partial Solar Eclipse IV (9:36)

B2. Partial Solar Eclipse V (4:22)

B3. Partial Solar Eclipse VI (6:47)

Total Time: 41:33

Credits:

Producer - Håken Elmquist

Engineer - Rune Persson, Metronome

Cover Photo - Stefan Söderhjelm, Lund Observatory

Layout - Barbara Wojirsch

Check back cover for further details.

Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis with Shirley Scott - Moodsville Volume 4 (1960) [vinyl>flac]

Among the finest Moodsville recordings, and there were quite a few, were the ones by tenor saxophonist Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis. During the late '50s and early '60s, the tough tenor was a hard-charging exclamation point whether backed by a trio, a soul-gospel organ or Count Basie's band. But on ballads - really slow ones - Davis had room to snort, shove notes around and proudly exhibit his huge, bossy sound on the reed instrument. In January 1960, Davis recorded on the Moodsville label with Shirley Scott. Known primarily for her work on the Hammond organ, Scott here plays piano, which gives you a chance to hear her in a different space. The pair was supported exquisitely by bassist George Duvivier and drummer Arthur Edgehill. Each of the 8 songs featured virtually the exact same seductive walking tempo, and all the songs were standards that suited Davis perfectly. Great players like Davis and Scott could leave a cloud of dust when playing up-tempo. But they also could break your heart on the crawlers. This is a fine example of that side of their personalities, particularly the clarity of their improvisation and Davis' gruff touches. I'm not sure why Prestige hasn't reissued all of these Moodsville albums in a set, but such is life. You'll find seven of the tracks on Moodsville, Vol. 4 on Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis with Shirley Scott: The Complete Cookbook Sessions. While it's not as "complete" as the title would lead you to believe, since not all the Moodsville, Vol 4 tracks are here, but the sound is absolutely fantastic. ~ Extract by Marc Myers, JazzWax.

Moodsville Records, MVLP 4, 1960

Recorded 31^st January, 1960 At Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Musicians:

Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis - Tenor Saxophone

Shirley Scott - Piano

George Duvivier - Bass

Arthur Edgehill - Drums

Tracks:

A1. Serenade In Blue {Harry Warren, Mack Gordon} (4:07)

A2. It Could Happen To You {Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke} (5:32)

A3. What's New {Bob Haggart, Johnny Burke} (3:49)

A4. I Cover The Waterfront {Edward Heyman, Johnny Green} (5:28)

B1. The Man I Love {George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin} (4:14)

B2. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes {Jerome Kern, Otto Harbach} (4:24)

B3. The Very Thought Of You {Ray Noble} (6:15)

B4. Man With A Horn {Eddie de Lange, Jack Jenney, Bonnie Lake} (4:23)

Total Time: 38:12

Credits:

Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder

Liner Notes - Ron Eyre

For further insight into Shirley Scott see: Interview with Marian McPartland

MP3 Pro recording of this included in archive.

Rossano Sportiello, Harry Allen, Joel Forbes - I Walk With Music (2013)

The Hoagy Carmichael Songbook

What does Hoagy Carmichael's music sound like in your mind? I think of leaves rustling and water flowing over small stones; I think of a musical playfulness allied with deep feelings, sadness and joy. His music has been given life on a million pianos and by tens of millions of singers and instrumentalists - but it is sublimely expressed on a new CD by the trio of Harry Allen, tenor saxophone; Rossano Sportiello, piano; Joel Forbes, string bass. I Walk With Music: Hoagy Carmichael Songbook is both familiar and fresh, both embracing and sweetly surprising. Harry, Rossano, and Joel are masters of small-group playing: each of them is a superb soloist, able to entrance us all by himself. But they excel at swing synergy, so that this trio is much more than the three soloists assembled in a room. Their deep empathy for Hoagy’s melodies comes through: they do not use the chord changes as a reason to convert the composer’s deep melodic lines into a series of ninths and thirteenths. Indeed, this CD is a master class in singing through instruments. Harry and Rossano - sweet melodists with great inventiveness and agility - are in inspired form. Neither of them will mind if I take a few lines to celebrate Joel Forbes, unsung hero of so many sessions and recordings.  Bassists get very little respect; when I asked one of them if he approved of some videos I’d made (and I really wanted his opinion), he said, "Well, I'm only the bass player." But Milt Hinton always reminded us that the string bass was the base, the foundation on which everything rested. And Milt would recognize Joel Forbes as a true master - participating in the ensemble without trying to dominate it, his sound rich and full, his time marvelously supportive, his notes the right ones. I hope to be able to write about a Joel Forbes Trio date or CD someday - until then, I hope listeners aren’t so entranced by the tenor saxophone and the piano that they neglect Mister Forbes. ~ JazzLives.wordpress.com.

Gac Records/CDBaby, 5638084013, 2013

Recorded 9^th January, 2013 At Trading 8s Recording Studio, Paramus, New Jersey

Musicians:

Rossano Sportiello - Piano

Harry Allen - Tenor Saxophone

Joel Forbes - Bass

Tracks:

01. Moon Country {Hoagy Carmichael, Johnny Mercer} (6:40)

02. In The Cool, Cool, Cool Of The Evening {Hoagy Carmichael, Johnny Mercer} (5:20)

03. I Get Along Without You Very Well {Hoagy Carmichael, J.B. Thompson} (3:25)

04. New Orleans {Hoagy Carmichael} (7:20)

05. The Nearness Of You {Hoagy Carmichael, Ned Washington} (5:53)

06. I Walk With Music {Hoagy Carmichael, Johnny Mercer} (5:26)

07. Two Sleepy People {Hoagy Carmichael, Frank Loesser} (3:59)

08. Rockin' Chair {Hoagy Carmichael} (6:40)

09. One Morning In May {Hoagy Carmichael, Mitchell Parish} (5:57)

10. Georgia On My Mind {Hoagy Carmichael, Stuart Gorrell} (6:41)

11. April In My Heart {} (6:36)

12. Jubilee {Stanley Adams, Hoagy Carmichael} (4:28)

13. Skylark {Hoagy Carmichael, Johnny Mercer} (2:48)

Total Time: 71:13

Credits:

Producer - Rossano Sportiello, Harry Allen, Joel Forbes

Recording, Mixing & Mastering Engineer - Christopher Sulit

Photography - Fran Kaufman

Design and Art Direction - Brian Wittman

Liner Notes - Hoagy B. Carmichael

Stephen Dreyfuss - Broadway Blues (2002)

Ten tracks of news and views and blues that just can't lose. Some fantastic players on this CD sparked just the right vibe and I thank these rock-solid musicians who did great work on this go-around: Ed McClary on Drums, Gary Brown on Bass, and Jim Pugh on Hammond B3 organ...Larry James helped write the new material and is featured on guitar and some vocals. I play all the sax solos, sing on half a dozen songs and wrote the rhythm section and horn arrangements. The rest of this great crew are listed. ~ Stephen Dreyfuss, 10th October, 2001.

My wife bought this CD last year straight from Stephen who regularly plays at pier 39, San Francisco. It's unusual that she tolerates any jazz, but with me in mind brought this one home to Australia. I have played it a few times and was quite impressed by the range of music showcased on this disc, Enjoy!

Mad-Lin Records, B3-01014, 2002

Recorded 2001 At McClary Music Studios (All Tracks)

Hammond B3 At Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California

Musicians:

Stephen Dreyfuss - Baritone Sax (#1,4,6,8-10), Vocals (#1,3-5,7,9)

John Worley - Trumpet (#1,8,9)

Marc Selby - Trumpet (#4,6)

Oscar Myers - Trumpet [Solo] (#9)

Larry Leight - Trombone (#4,6)

Robert Zuckerman - Alto Sax (#6), Tenor Sax (#1,4,8,9)

Doug Rowan - Tenor Saxophone (#6)

Jim Pugh - Organ [Hammond B-3]

Terence Disley - Piano (#4,7)

Joel Jaffe - Guitar (#1,2,5,10)

Larry James - Guitar (#3,4,6-9), Vocals (#6,7)

Gary Brown - Bass

Ed McClary - Drums

Michael Peloquin - Harmonica (#3,8,10)

Melisa Kary - Vocals (#4)

Cynthia - Voice Of Tigress (#9)

Tracks:

01. Bring Back News {Stephen Dreyfuss, Larry James} (2:58)

02. A Whiter Shade Of Pale {Gary Brooker, Keith Reid, Matthew Fisher} (4:41)

03. Matchbox Blues {Traditional} (5:33)

04. If You Were Mine {Jimmy Lewis} (4:17)

05. Days Like This {Van Morrison} (3:52)

06. Frankie And Johnny {Traditional} (4:05)

07. When Something Is Wrong [With My Baby] {Isaac Hayes, David Porter} (4:26)

08. C.C. Rider {Ma Rainey} (5:08)

09. Catnip To The Cats {Brown, Dreyfuss, James, McClary} (4:00)

10. Broadway Blues {Stephen Dreyfuss} (5:46)

Total Time: 44:44

Credits:

Producer - Stephen Dreyfuss

Producer, Engineer - Edward B. McClary (McClary Music Studios)

Assistant Engineer - Thomas Milkey (McClary Music Studios)

Engineer - Dave Wellhausen (Fantasy Studios)

Mixing & Mastering - Joel Jaffe (Studio D)

Assistant Engineer - Steve Pierson

Graphic Design - Deirdre McCathy, StarDrive Graphics

Scott Hamilton & Harry Allen - Heavy Juice (2004)

This CD has been a recording waiting to happen for twenty years. Back then, highschooler Harry Allen joined Scott Hamilton on stage at the Newport Jazz Festival for a cameo performance with the George Wein-led Newport All-Stars. Allen grew up in Rhode Island, which also claims Hamilton as a native son. And Hamilton certainly was a role model as Allen blossomed then—and fast became a welcome young player on the New York swing jazz scene. They've had occasional chances to collaborate on the bandstand. And now, Heavy Juice enables them to join a line of great tenor summit session pairings that through the years have included Ben Webster and Coleman Hawkins, Gene Ammons and Dexter Gordon, Ammons and Sonny Stitt, and Al Cohn and Zoot Sims. This is a splendid session in which two good musical friends mine common musical ground with very similar sounds. Both favor a breathy, growling Webster tone at times. These days, Allen comes more out of a Stan Getz melodic bag, which Hamilton explored in an earlier phase. At times, when they're playing in unison or locked into the same tone, it helps to know that Hamilton is on the left stereo channel, Allen on the right. The crack rhythm section provides a strong cushion, with John Bunch's dancing hands providing some elegant twists and turns at the piano. Nothing here disappoints, but their bop-meets-R&B take on "Blues Up and Down" by Ammons and Stitt ranks as my clear favorite. It's filled with an exuberant spirit of one-upmanship until they blend together for the final shout chorus. In contrast, the Duke Ellington ballad "Warm Valley" enables them to share a Websterish blend. From start to finish, through all eight tracks, this blend of Heavy Juice is very, very good. ~ by Ken Franckling, AAJ.

Concord Jazz, CCD-2258-2, 2004

Recorded 11^th & 12^th February, 2004 At Sound On Sound Recording, New York

Musicians:

Scott Hamilton - Tenor Saxophone

Harry Allen - Tenor Saxophone

John Bunch - Piano

Dennis Irwin - Bass

Chuck Riggs - Drums

Tracks:

1. Heavy Juice {Leroy Bass, Wilburt Prysock, Tiny Bradshaw} (6:04)

2. Did You Call Her Today? {Ben Webster} (6:57)

3. Groovin' High {Dizzy Gillespie} (7:03)

4. If I Should Lose You {Leo Robin, Ralph Rainger} (6:48)

5. Blues Up And Down {Gene Ammons, Sonny Stitt} (6:29)

6. If Dreams Come True {Benny Goodman, Edgar Sampson, Irving Mills} (8:32)

7. Warm Valley {Duke Ellington} (5:47)

8. Ow! {Dizzy Gillespie} (9:06)

Total Time: 56:46

Credits:

Producer - Scott Hamilton

Executive-Producer - John Burk

Recording & Mixing Engineer - Josiah Gluck

Mastering Engineer - Seth Presant

Design [Package Design] – Kurt Sievert

Photography - Jay Andersen

Liner Notes - Ira Gitler

Kishi Mitsuaki Trio and Harry Allen (2017)

World renowned Japanese pianist Mitsuaki Kishi and his trio are joined by virtuoso tenorist Harry Allen on a fairly recent and remarkable date in Japan. Harry tours regularly in Japan and his following there is proof in this recording. Both musicians have no trouble blending together their unique skills. The choice of compositions certainly gives the listener an opportunity to hear these great players at their best. This wonderful meeting is exemplified by the cohesive interplay within Mitsuaki's own trio as they set about interpreting some well-known jazz standards and some modern pop songs. Included in the selection are a few tunes by Kiski and Harry manages to slip one of his own into the mix. This album was released in 2017 both on LP and CD in Japan on the unique Swing Brothers label. Presented here is the larger CD version giving the audiophile an hour plus of solid entertainment; any music lover won't be disappointed, Enjoy!

Swing Brothers Records, CMSB-28037, 2017

Recorded October, 2016 At Tago Studio, Takasaki City, ‎Gunma, Japan

Musicians:

Mitsuaki Kishi - Piano

Harry Allen - Tenor Saxophone

Yuhei Motokawa - Bass

Makoto Rikitake - Drums

Tracks:

01. I Won't Dance {Jerome Kern} (5:52)

02. Come Dance With Me {Jimmy Van Heusen} (5:25)

03. Let's Face The Music And Dance {Irving Berlin} (4:57)

04. By The Time I Get To Phoenix {Jimmy Webb} (5:21)

05. Let It Be {John Lennon, Paul McCartney} (5:25)

06. Oh, Prez Be Great! {Mitsuaki Kishi} (4:43)

07. An Affair To Remember {Harry Allen} (6:01)

08. Firefly {Cy Coleman} (3:38)

09. Hearbeat Of The Bear {Mitsuaki Kishi} (6:05)

10. Time On My Hands {Vincent Youmans} (4:07)

11. On The Sunny Side Of The Street {Jimmy McHugh, Dorothy Fields} (5:07)

12. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve? {Frank Loesser} (5:40)

13. When You Wish Upon A Star {Leigh Harline} (2:40)

Total Time: 65:01

Don Patterson - The Best Of Don Patterson & The Jazz Giants (1969)

The term "jazz giants" is no overstatement for this selection of choice tracks from the brilliant organist's output for Prestige between 1964 and 1969. The various lineups on the LP's six tracks are made up of players who excel in playing Patterson's brand of smart, hard-bopping soul jazz: Sonny Stitt, Pat Martino, Charles McPherson, George Coleman, Blue Mitchell, Junior Cook among others. Cohesive pacing and sound put this release a few notches above most all-star/best-of sets. There's no awkward shoehorning guests in for celebrity cameos, rather the players all sound like members of tight, working units. It helps to have Patterson stalwarts guitarist Martino and drummer Billy James on board for most of the music, as they share the artist's ability to generate exciting, hard-driving music with their great blues feeling and outstanding chops. The three tracks with Martino are the high points: Stitt's "Ratio and Proportion," Billy James' "Little Shannon," and Charlie Parker's "Donna Lee." As he consistently does in his work with Patterson, Martino impresses with his stunning rhythm work, in addition to his more widely recognized role as a killer soloist. The version of "Donna Lee" here is also significant for the presence of veteran bebopper Howard McGhee, who is in excellent form on this feature for his trumpet. The mark of a strong best-of package is one that stands on its own as a coherent presentation of the artist's work, as well as one that prompts the listener to seek out the complete sessions that were drawn on for the compilation. On both these accounts, this survey of Patterson's work is a complete success. ~ by Jim Todd, AMG.

Prestige Records, PRST 7772, 1969

Recorded 24^th September, 1968 (#A1) in New York City

Recorded 2^nd June, 1969 (#A2) At Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Recorded 22^nd February, 1968 (#A3) in New York City

Recorded 10^th May, 1967 (#B1) At Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Recorded 19^th March, 1964 (#B2) At Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Recorded 5^th June, 1968 (#B3) in New York City

Personnel:

Don Patterson - Organ

Virgil Jones - Trumpet (#A2)

Howard McGhee - Trumpet (#A3)

Blue Mitchell - Trumpet (#B3)

Charles McPherson - Tenor Saxophone (#A1)

Sonny Stitt - Tenor Saxophone (#A1,B2)

George Coleman - Tenor Saxophone (#A2)

Houston Person - Tenor Saxophone (#A2)

David "Fathead" Newman - Tenor Saxophone (#B1)

Junior Cook - Tenor Saxophone (#B3)

Pat Martino - Guitar (#A1-A3,B3)

Billy James - Drums (#A1,A3,B1,B2)

Frankie Jones - Drums (#A2)

Tracks:

A1. Ratio And Proportion {Sonny Stitt} (5:09)

A2. Perdido {Ervin Drake, Hans Lengsfelder, Juan Tizol} (8:50)

A3. Donna Lee {Charlie Parker} (6:16)

B1. Mellow Soul {Don Patterson} (6:35)

B2. Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone {Sidney Clare, Sam H. Stept} (5:42)

B3. Little Shannon {Billy James} (6:56)

Total Time: 39:28

See Session Info [Personnel].txt for further details