Carla Cook - Simply Natural (2002)

"Simply Natural." The song's title describes what Carla Cook is all about and what makes her such a thrilling vocalist. She's genuine. Both her scat singing and her lyric interpretations result in a relaxed atmosphere where everyone can sit back and enjoy being a part of it. Accompanists Bruce Barth and Cyrus Chestnut are in fine form. The program's song selection offers a wide variety that allows Cook's natural beauty to shine through. She's crossed generations by combining classics such as "Tulip or Turnip" and "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" with "Scarborough Fair," "Watermelon Man" and Oscar Brown Jr.'s "Strong Man." The combination of scat singing with soulful lyric interpretations makes Cook's natural delivery take control. I find this album atop my ten-best list for the year. Must a jazz singer scat? I think so. It's like asking, "Should a jazz singer use E-flat, E, F, F-sharp and G?" Carla Cook sings accurately, with a natural swing, and creatively. What places her session above most others, is the natural manner she brings to the performance. This is straight-ahead jazz that everyone can turn to when they need to hear a friendly smile. ~ by Jim Santella, AAJ. 

MAXJAZZ, MXJ 115, 2002
Recorded 20th & 21st June, 2002 at Systems Two Studios, Brooklyn, New York 

Musicians:
Carla Cook - Vocals
Cyrus Chestnut - Piano (#1,3,6,7,9,11), Fender Rhodes (#2,4,9,10)
Bruce Barth - Piano (#2,5,8)
Kenny Davis - Acoustic Bass (#1-3,5-9,11), Electric Bass (#4,10)
Billy Kilson - Drums
Steve Kroon - Percussion (#1,4,7) 

Tracks:
01. Simply Natural {Carla Cook} (4:53)
02. Tulip Or Turnip {Duke Ellington, Don George} (4:55)
03. Weak For The Man {Jeanne Burns} (7:02)
04. Watermelon Man {Herbie Hancock, Gloria Lynne} (6:27)
05. Strong Man {Oscar Brown Jr.} (4:37)
06. Something 'Bout Believing {Duke Ellington} (5:25)
07. Scarborough Fair {Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel} (5:20)
08. Are You With Me {Herb Levin, Des Robinson} (3:55)
09. Summer [Estaté] {Bruno Brighetti, Bruno Martino, Joel E. Siegel} (5:15)
10. Still Gotta Thing For You {Carla Cook} (6:00)
11. I Can't Give You Anything But Love {Dorothy fields, Jimmy McHugh} (4:57) 

Total Time: 58:50 

Credits
Producer - Bruce Barth, Carla Cook
Recording & Mastering Engineer - Katsuhiko Naito
Engineer [Assistant] - Max Ross
Design & Art Direction - Pressley Jacobs
Photography - Jimmy & Dena Katz
Liner Notes - Mary Ellen Sullivan

Black California Central Avenue 1945-1950 (FLAC)

Take a little trip back to the age of bebop and L.A.'s Central Avenue. The CD version appears to be altered from the double LP described.

"One of the many excellent double LPs put out by Arista from the Savoy catalog in the mid-'70s, this two-fer contains valuable recordings that originated from Los Angeles during the bop years. Trumpeter Al Killian leads a jam session that also stars altoist Sonny Criss and Wardell Gray on tenor, the jivey guitarist and vocalist Slim Gaillard performs three numbers ("Laguna" is a near-classic) and Roy Porter's big band (with a young trumpeter Art Farmer and Eric Dolphy heard on alto) plays eight songs from 1949, the legendary orchestra's only recordings. In addition there are four vocals by Helen Humes from a live session also featuring the tenor of Dexter Gordon and dates led by tenor Harold Land, altoist Art Pepper and pianist Hampton Hawes. Although containing plenty of classic music, the contents of this two-fer have mostly not been reissued on CD yet." Yanow

Barend Middelhoff, Massimo Morganti, Nico Menci - The Cause Of The Sequence (2014)

A new "Cool Chamber Jazz" project in a less common trio format: tenor sax, trombone and piano, led by Dutch saxophonist Barend Middelhoff, whose career spread over countries: from the Netherlands, New York, Paris to Bologna Italy, where he is now resident. The music has an organic structure in its harmony, sequentially transforming itself, together with Massimo Morganti on trombone and Nico Menci on piano. The album contains 6 new compositions and 2 standards, including a beautiful velvet tune "Nothing To Lose" originally composed by Henry Mancini. ~ Tower.jp. 

Albore Jazz, ALBCD-025, 2015
Recorded 30th-31st May, 2014 at Ermes Studio, Vignola, Italy 

Musicians:
Barend Middelhoff - Tenor Saxophone
Massimo Morganti - Trombone
Nico Menci - Piano 

Tracks:
1. Nothing To Lose {Henry Mancini} (6:10)
2. Angel Eyes {Matt Dennis} (5:47)
3. Unison Party {Barend Middelhoff} (7:57)
4. Big Belly Blues {Barend Middelhoff} (4:37)
5. Slow White Blues {Barend Middelhoff} (7:31)
6. The Cause Of The Sequence {Barend Middelhoff} (6:29)
7. Ballad For Anna {Barend Middelhoff} (5:05)
8. Musiplano {Massimo Morganti} (6:54) 

Total Time: 50:30 

Credits:
Executive Producer - Satoshi Toyoda [Albore Jazz]
Recording Engineer - Marco Ferri
Mixing Engineer - Chris Weeda, Amsterdam
Mastering Engineer - Luca Bulgarelli
Photography - Andrea Frascari [afrascari@gmail.com]
Liner Notes - Roberto Paviglianiti 

Note:
Digital DL > WAV > Dynamic Processing > Optimised > FLAC > Tagged 

The combination of tenor, trombone, and piano is rare, but when you listen to it, it resonates surprisingly well. It is not a free improvisation, but rather a West Coast-style performance that allows you to listen to adult dialogue. Like a European musician, the instrument control is perfect, and the composition of the solo and the balance between the ensemble are beautifully controlled. It can be said that it is a high-level performance of the favorite. Especially for those who are interested in playing musical instruments. The front two sometimes play unison, sometimes the ensemble, and the piano rushes into the improvisation part in the pattern that it backs. The tone of the tenor is clearly influenced by the late Stan Getz. ~ Hideyuki Takiguchi, e-onkyo.com.

Enrico Pieranunzi with Simona Severini - My Songbook (2016)

The renowned Italian pianist has worked wonders on this captivating album and has shown himself to be a genius songwriter with deft technique and a restless imagination. The album contains eleven of Pieranunzi's own compositions, music and lyrics that flow effortlessly thanks to acclaimed vocalist Simone Severini, who exudes an amazing sensuality and pairs well with her expressive voice. Pieranunzi and Severini began collaborating in 2012 on the occasion of the recording of a tribute to Lucio Dalla and have continued to work together ever since. The compositions are skillfully arranged by Pieranunzi in various forms, from duet to sextet, with an amazing range of expression demonstrating the quality of the involved musicians among Italy's most famous jazz artists (Luca Bulgarelli, Nicola Angelucci and two guests Rosario Giuliani and Francesco Lento). "My Songbook" is an engaging listening experience with lyrical eloquence. ~ Via Veneto Jazz. 

Via Veneto Jazz, VVJ 106, 2016
Recorded 17th-18th-19th March, 2014 at Abbey Rucchi Studio, Rome;
#11 recorded at Pieranunzi's home on 18th September, 2014 

Musicians:
Enrico Pieranunzi - Piano, Electric Piano, Arranger, Vocals (#11)
Simona Severini - Vocals
Luca Burgarelli - Bass
Nicola Angelucci - Drums
Guests:
Francesco Lento - Trumpet (#2,5)
Rosario Giuliani - Alto & Soprano Saxophones (#2,8,10) 

Tracks:
01. My Heart In A Song {Enrico Pieranunzi, Sharman Duran} (5:40)
02. Night Bird {Enrico Pieranunzi, Dave Morrish} (5:45)
03. Fairy Flowers {Enrico Pieranunzi, Julie Goell} (3:32)
04. Coralie {Enrico Pieranunzi, Alice Zawadzki} (4:15)
05. Soft Journey {Enrico Pieranunzi, Julie Goell} (6:58)
06. Premier Moment {Jacqueline Risset, Enrico Pieranunzi} (3:58)
07. Where I Never Was {Enrico Pieranunzi} (5:57)
08. Reasons Why {Langston Hughes, Enrico Pieranunzi} (6:04)
09. Just A Song {Enrico Pieranunzi} (4:58)
10. Io Non Saprò Mai Perché {Enrico Pieranunzi} (5:13)
11. Non Posso Sognarti Come Sei {Enrico Pieranunzi} (2:35) 

Total Time: 55:01 

Credits:
Producer, Liner Notes [English] - Enrico Pieranunzi
Producer - Giandomenico Ciaramella
Sound Engineer - Eugenio Vatta
Artwork - Enzo Criscione
Cover - Gabriele Iurato
Photography - Soukizy.com 

My Heart In A Song (Official Video)

Randy Crawford - Now We May Begin (1980)

The Crusaders produced this '80 album, one of the better Randy Crawford sets. The song "Last Night At Danceland" was a hit, while the album cut "One Day I'll Fly Away" got widespread radio airplay and did well in the international market. Crawford's quivering delivery and eclectic nature has made it difficult for record companies to target and market her material; this was one of the few times she penetrated the urban contemporary and R&B markets. ~ by Ron Wynn, AMG. 

Warner Brothers Records, 7599-23421-2, 1991
Recorded at Hollywood Sound Recorders, Los Angeles, CA;
Wizard Recording Studios, Los Angeles, California 

Musicians:
Randy Crawford - Vocals
Joe Sample - Keyboards, Arranger [Strings]
Oscar Brashear - Trumpet (#3)
Dean Parks, Roland Bautista, Tim May - Guitar
David T. Walker - Guitar (#2)
Wilton Felder - Bass, Tenor Saxophone (#7)
Abraham Laboriel - Bass
Stix Hooper, Mike Baird - Drums
Eddie Brown, Paulinho Da Costa - Percussion
Gwen Owens, Julia Tillman, Maxine Willard, Melvin Franklin - Backing Vocals 

Tracks:
1. Last Night At Danceland {Joe Sample, Will Jennings} (4:57)
2. Tender Falls The Rain {Randy Crawford} (4:11)
3. My Heart Is Not As Young As It Used To Be {Joe Sample, Will Jennings} (3:54)
4. Now We May Begin {Joe Sample} (4:56)
5. Blue Flame {Joe Sample, Will Jennings} (6:28)
6. One Day I'll Fly Away {Joe Sample, Will Jennings} (5:02)
7. Same Old Story (Same Old Song] {Joe Sample, Will Jennings} (4:08)
8. When Your Life Was Low {Joe Sample, Will Jennings} (3:20) 

Total Time: 36:59 

Credits:
Producer - Stix Hooper, Joe Sample, Wilton Felder [Crusaders Records Productions Inc.]
Engineer - Jeremy Smith
Engineer [Assistant] - Bill Koepnick, Hill Brin Swimmer
Mixing - Howard Siegel, Rick Ruggieri, Bob Margouleff
Mastering - Bernie Grundman
Production Coordinator - Pamela Hope Lobue
Special Equipment Coordinator - Michael Lovelady
Photography - Norman Seeff
Art Direction - Richard Seireeni 

One Day I'll Fly Away

Claudio Fasoli, Kenny Wheeler, J.F. Jenny Clark - Land (1988)

Dust never accumulates on good music, and this album is a confirmation of how much the work of Claudio Fasoli rests on foundations that have remained fixed in his career. He has had a tendency to look for travel companions who are as close as possible to his way of seeing music. Rightly not giving a damn about "Italianness". Fasoli has very often called with him artists from various backgrounds. On "Land" (1988) sees him at the head of a trio that includes the unforgettable Kenny Wheeler and Jean-François Jenny-Clark. With Wheeler the saxophonist - and this is another foundation of his music - shared a vocation for very readable melodies developed over wide intervals. Clearly, this is noticeable in a particular way within "Land", a record of which it is impossible not to immediately grasp the great compactness: the songs flow, you pass from fun ‘Tang’ to solemnity ‘Beedie's Time’ but it is as if they are all part of a single way of feeling. In short, a very structured lyricism - here is another Fasolian constant - as well as contained by the absence of the drums, which sometimes takes the place of Jenny Clark's bass; see the pressing ‘Kammertrio’. In short, within a few months Fasoli released two very different discs, "Land and "Bodies”; Two records that are still current and engaging. ~ Extract by Piacentino, MusicaJazz.It. 

Innowo Records, IN 802, 1989
Azzurra Music, TRI1328, 2018
Recorded And Mixed November, 1988 at Jingle Machine Studios, Milan, Italy 

Musicians:
Claudio Fasoli - Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone
Kenny Wheeler - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Cornet
Jean-François Jenny Clark - Double Bass 

Tracks:
1. The Land Of Long White Clouds (3:19)
2. Fax (4:30)
3. Kitsch (3:19)
4. Dear K (5:13)
5. Afternoons (4:46)
6. Kammertrio (6:00)
7. Tang (5:37)
8. UFO (5:00)
9. Beedie's Time (5:39) 

Total Time: 43:23

All Compositions by Claudio Fasoli 

Dear K

Hilton Ruiz - Live At Birdland (1992)

Talented Piano Player
Hilton Ruiz was a Puerto Rican American pianist successful as a leader and as a sideman. I got to see him once in person as part of a Latin Jazz All Stars concert with Dave Valentin and others and it was obvious that the man could play very well. As a leader, he did sets that were traditional jazz, sets that were Latin jazz with Afro/Cuban and salsa influences and sets that were combinations of the two. This set is definitely more of a traditional jazz date with just a modest Latin flavor that was released shortly after his unfortunate passing. Very well done and definitely the work of a gifted and talented musician. ~ K. Cooper, Amazon.com. 

Candid Records, CCD79532, 1992
Recorded 24th-25th June, 1992 Live at Birdland, New York City 

Musicians:
Hilton Ruiz - Piano
David Sanchez, Peter Brainin - Tenor Saxophone
Andy Berrios - Bass
Steve Berrios - Drums
Giovanni Hidalgo - Percussion 

Tracks:
1. Something Grand {Hilton Ruiz} (6:04)
2. New Arrival {Hilton Ruiz} (7:33)
3. Blues For Two Tenors {Hilton Ruiz} (8:31)
4. Mr. Kenyatta {Lee Morgan} (6:25)
5. Lisa {Andy McCloud III} (5:50)
6. A Night In Tunisia {Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Paparelli} (5:20)
7. I'll Call You Later {Hilton Ruiz} (6:19)
8. On Green Dolphin Street {Bronislaw Kaper, Ned Washington} (8:16)
9. Footprints {Wayne Shorter} (8:57) 

Total Time: 63:15

Credits:
Producer - Mark Morganelli
Executive Producer - Alan Bates
Engineer - Michael McDonald
Design - Nieves Pascua-Bates
Photography - Mitchell Seidel
Liner Notes - Alfredo Cruz, Jack Hooke 

Note:
CD > WAV, Excess applause trimmed > Optimised > FLAC > Tagged = DR17 

The Greatest Hilton!!!
Hilton Ruiz was a great Latin Jazz piano player. On this album you can appreciate his magnificent talent while performing live. His solos and the beautiful rhythms of Latin and contemporary jazz music are present on this album. There is a lot of energy and a good choice of songs. I highly recommend this album; you won't be disappointed. ~ Edgar C., Amazon.com.

Nick Brignola - New York Bound [24/48 vinyl rip]

Link to CD bonus edition now in comments.

Nick Brignola - New York Bound
Interplay Records 1977

1 Tears Inside
2 Sophisticated Lady
3 In Your Own Sweet Way
4 Jitterbug Waltz
5 After You've Gone

Musicians-Nick Brignola reeds, Walter Bishop, Jr. piano, Sam Jones bass, and Roy Haynes drums.

Okay, how about another rare Nick Brignola? A funny little album on the interplay label. These guys seemed to be determined to spend as little as possible on their covers, they are all primitive and the cardboard is cheap but every record I've heard has been a winner and the vinyl is of decent quality.  

A late 70s sleeper from saxophonist Nick Brignola – recorded when he was a talent still waiting to be discovered by many jazz listeners, but already a player with a hell of a lot of power! Nick plays a variety of reeds here – alto, soprano sax, flute, and clarinet – and the group swings like a mo-fo, thanks to piano from Walter Bishop Jr, bass from Sam Jones, and drums from Roy Haynes – a trio who really keep the fire burning beautifully for the record – setting Nick up with the sort of sound that would already be hard to miss with – yet Brignola really rises to the occasion, and knocks it out of the park with his playing! Titles include "Tears Inside", "In Your Own Sweet Way", "Jitterbug Waltz", "After You've Gone", and "Those Were The Days". © 1996-2012, Dusty Groove

see comments

Wayne Shorter - Wayning Moments (1962) [vinyl 24/96]

 

Owned from new, so near mint condition, 1984 pressing - surface noise... you tell me?

01 - Black Orpheus
02 - Devil's Island
03 - Moon Of Manakoora
04 - Dead End
05 - Wayning Moments
06 - Powder Keg
07 - All Or Nothing At All
08 - Callaway Went That-A-Way

Freddie Hubbard, trumpet; Wayne Shorter, tenor sax; Eddie Higgins, piano; Jymie Merritt, bass; Marshall Thompson, drums.

Universal Recording, Chicago, IL, November 2 & 6, 1961

Original issue Vee-Jay VJLP 3029, this from UK Affinity – AFF 126

Booker Ervin - Back From The Gig [vinyl 24/96]

 I am aware that Tom Ryan posted an excellent vinyl rip of this here some years ago, but I've decided to share my own hi-res version as well.

Both sessions were originally give catalogue numbers and scheduled for release when recorded, however they subsequently languished in the Blue Note vaults until Cuscuna rescued them for this 1976 vinyl issue; both have since been issued individually.

Johnny Coles (tp) Booker Ervin (ts) Horace Parlan (p) Grant Green (g -1/5) Butch Warren (b) Billy Higgins (d)
Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, February 15, 1963

[originally intended for BST 84134]

A1        Home In Africa (Ronnie Boykins)
A2        A Tune For Richard (Booker Ervin)
A3        Back From The Gig (Horace Parlan)
B1        Dexi (Johnny Coles)
B2        Kucheza Blues (Randy Weston)
B3        Happy Frame Of Mind (Horace Parlan)

Woody Shaw (tp) Booker Ervin (ts) Kenny Barron (p) Jan Arnet (b) Billy Higgins (d)
Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, May 24, 1968

[originally intended for BST 84314]

C1        Gichi (Kenny Barron)
C2        Den Tex (Booker Ervin)
C3        In A Capricornian Way (Woody Shaw)
D1        Lynn's Tune (Booker Ervin)
D2        204 (Booker Ervin)

Jim Snidero - MD66 (2016)

From the title MD66 it highlights the aesthetic lines of this project by Jim Snidero, which intends to pay homage to the second Davisian quintet of the 1960s. The original compositions feature short melodic cells as they fly for a solid rhythmic texture, crossed by an excellent interplay. It is not a record that redefines the future of jazz, but transmits its most genuine meaning thanks to a sincere communication and highly enjoyable musical textures. Starting from the first track, high school solos are imposed with great assertive strength in terms of technique and executive imagination. The leader's non-derivative style does the rest, giving the listener a convincing and far-reaching work. The executive intelligence has allowed the quintet to project tradition into a rich creative bed, where the various rivers of jazz contemporaneity coexist. The result is a particularly successful record, which far from rigid virtuosity of manner, stands out for its structural balance and stylistic coherence. ~ by Maurizo Zerbo, AAJ. [Translated from Italian] 

Savant Records, SCD 2156, 2016
Recorded 22nd April, 2016 at Acoustic Recording Studios, Brooklyn, New York 

Musicians:
Jim Snidero - Alto Saxophone
Alex Sipiagin - Trumpet
Andy LaVerne - Piano
Ugonna Okegwo - Bass
Rudy Royston - Drums 

Tracks:
1. MD66 {Jim Snidero} (7:15)
2. Recursion {Jim Snidero} (9:38)
3. Free Beauty {Jim Snidero} (5:47)
4. Unified {Jim Snidero} (6:08)
5. Who We’ve Known {Jim Snidero} (6:27)
6. Un4Scene {Andy Laverne} (6:40)
7. Blue In Green {Miles Davis} (4:33)
8. Purge {Jim Snidero} (6:02) 

Total Time: 52:32

Credits:
Producer - Jim Snidero
Executive Producer - Joe Fields
Recording Engineer - Michael Brorby
Mixing & Mastering - Dave Darlington [Bass Hit, New York]
Photography [Booklet] - Earl & Sedor Photography
Photography [Front] - Christopher Drukker
Photography [Back] - Michael Brorby
Graphic Design - Christopher Drukker
Liner Notes - Dan Bilawsky 

“Miles is a muse more inspirational than technical”. ~ Jim Snidero.

Barbara Dennerlein - Plays Classics (1988)

Perhaps once or twice in a generation a young musician appears out of the blue, breathing spectacular new life into an old musical genre long regarded as passé. So, it was with Barbara Dennerlein who was largely responsible for the rebirth of interest in the almost-forgotten Hammond B-3. This album, “Barbara Dennerlein Plays Classics”, was recorded when Barbara was only 24 years old, long before worldwide fame that followed. It shows a mastery of the instrument far beyond her years, and stunning bass pedal work that is the envy of other jazz organists. Already by this time, this Munich native had reached the pinnacle of the German and European jazz scene, with far greater fame soon to come. "Barbara Dennerlein Plays Classics" captures that moment in time as a star of the European jazz scene was on the verge of worldwide recognition. Here, with dazzling Dennerlein style, the Barbara Dennerlein Trio pays homage to some of the unforgettable songs of the 50s and 60s. Classics that recall names like Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Count Basie, Cole Porter, Hoagy Carmichel, Antônio Carlos Jobim, and later, the Beatles. Barbara leads her trio effortlessly through swing, bop, ballads, blues, and even a tasty bossa, then tops it all off with two of her own compositions. Through it all, it’s all too easy to forget there is no bassist playing that tight bass, it’s just Barbara’s lightning-fast left foot. This is a truly delightful album, bound to become a favorite. In listening, one can easily see why this young 24-year-old was already on the road to achieving recognition worldwide. ~ from cdbaby. 

Bebab Records, BEBAB 250967, 1988
Recorded 28th & 29th November, 1988 at Tonstudio Bauer, Ludwigsburg, Germany 

Musicians:
Barbara Dennerlein - Organ [Hammond + Footbass]
Christoph Widmoser - Guitar
Andreas Witte - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Blues For Rudi {Barbara Dennerlein} (3:45)
2. Night And Day {Cole Porter} (3:17)
3. Georgia On My Mind {Hoagy Carmichael, Stuart Gorrell} (8:00)
4. Meditation {Antônio Carlos Jobim} (3:35)
5. How High The Moon {Nancy Hamilton, Morgan Lewis} (3:00)
6. Satin Doll {Duke Ellington} (6:51)
7. Take The "A" Train {Billy Strayhorn} (4:58)
8. Yesterday {John Lennon, Paul McCartney} (4:34)
9. This Old Fairy-Tale {Barbara Dennerlein} (4:11) 

Total Time: 42:11 

Credits:
Producer - Barbara Dennerlein
Engineer, Mixing - Johannes Wohlleben 

Barbara Dennerlein was (with Joey DeFrancesco) the most interesting jazz organist to emerge during the 1980's. She recorded several early albums for her German Bebap label before hooking up with Enja and later on Verve, and the hard-to-find recordings are all worth acquiring. This particular LP is one of her better ones, featuring the organist in a trio on seven standards and two of her originals. The liner notes are in German but the music certainly communicates, as Dennerlein swings hard on such tunes as "How High The Moon," "Take The "A" Train" and even the Beatles' "Yesterday." ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG.

Jeb Patton - A Lovesome Thing (2006)

Jeb Patton, who has appeared as a leader with his trio in some of the more famous jazz spots around the globe, such as Smoke and the Village Vanguard, is already well recognized by the discerning New York audience. This work, which he independently produced in 2006, is truly a super-powerful piano trio. The fundamental development of this album never leaves the listener bored. This is attributed to the trio's undulating ability to express a meaningful and personable colorisation of each tune. Every song is full of excitement and fun. It is a work that can only be achieved by a skilled person who holds down the visceral energy of the trio. When Jeb's piano sings happily, the tune also becomes entwined in such joy and happiness. The trio explores five standards and five original tunes penned by Patton. Essentially, this album can easily be referred to as a masterpiece that any bona fide jazz lover will find delight in with multiple appraisals. It is especially true portrayed in "Hanna's Mood" ​​that Jeb dedicated to his late teacher Roland Hanna whom he studied under. Enjoy! 

Self-Produced - none, 2006
Recorded 6th May, 2005 at Systems Two Studio, Brooklyn, New York 

Musicians:
Jeb Patton - Piano
Vicente Archer - Bass (Except #9)
David Wong - Bass (#9)
Pete Van Nostrand - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Love Walked In {George Gershwin} (6:12)
02. Worlds Apart {Jeb Patton} (3:43)
03. A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing {Billy Strayhorn} (6:11)
04. Begin The Beguine {Cole Porter} (3:17)
05. Relaxin' At Camarillo {Charlie Parker} (4:48)
06. Hanna's Mood {Jeb Patton} (6:56)
07. TF {Jeb Patton} (7:17)
08. The Wise Ones {Jeb Patton} (3:58)
09. Fantasy In F-Sharp Minor {Jeb Patton} (5:10)
10. Yemenja {John Hicks} (5:46) 

Total Time: 53:25 

Credits:
Producer - Jeb Patton
Recording Engineer - Mike Marciano 

The Wise Ones

Enzo Pietropaoli, Battista Lena, Fulvio Sigurtà - La Notte (2012)

This trio (Enzo Pietropaoli, bass; Battista Lena, guitar; Fulvio Sigurtà, trumpet and flugelhorn) takes me back over the years. As Pietropaoli himself notes, 'by studying the past one learns for the future'. And in fact, the great inertia of the music performed brings to mind, at least in my personal imagination, perhaps due to books and films read and seen, smoky but quiet rooms of some Parisian "cave". The lack of drums contributes to this feeling of relaxation, and this also determines the title of the CD (indeed, the SuperAudioCD, made in Volterra with remarkable recording techniques). But what you listen to is not a classic evening "entertainment" disc in the company of a beautiful woman, far from it. The starting point is certainly one of those "drumless" Chet Baker formations, even if the drama of Chet himself is missing here, but the search for the sounds that the trio creates produces a very personal result. This is certainly due to the skills of the individual musicians, each a champion of their own instrument, even if personally I prefer Sigurtà on the trumpet rather than the flugelhorn. The remarkable interplay between the various components facilitates listening in a dynamic way: Sigurtà's trumpet stands out above all, even for its sonority, but the "dark" work of Lena and Pietropaoli's strings gives the music very interesting dynamics. Surely the aforementioned CD recording techniques also increase these sensations. A very pleasant job: in times when everyone "screech", such productions do more than good for our ears! Best moments: 'Il Cuore E L’Azzurro', with an introduction by Pietropaoli and Lena, and 'La Notte', an opening piece that also traces the direction of the record. A piece that, personally, I did not find adequate for the aesthetics of the whole work is the final piece by Cole Porter, too swinging and manneristic. ~ by Maurizio Zorzi, Free Fall [Translated From Italian] 

Fonè Jazz, 126 SACD, 2012
Recorded August 2012 at Teatro Persio Flacco, Volterra (PI) 

Musicians:
Enzo Pietropaoli - Double Bass
Battista Lena - Guitar
Fulvio Sigurtà - Trumpet, Flugelhorn

Tracks:
01. La Notte {Battista Lena} (6:25)
02. Tre Voci {Enzo Pietropaoli} (2:53)
03. Follow The Heron {Karine Polwart} (4:26)
04. Agostino {Battista Lena} (4:25)
05. L'Ombra Della Sera {Battista Lena} (5:44)
06. El Vuelo De Lobato {Enzo Pietropaoli} (2:54)
07. Peach Trees {Rufus Wainwright} (5:46)
08. Turn Out The Stars {Bill Evans} (6:11)
09. Canzone Per Chiamarti {Enzo Pietropaoli} (4:00)
10. Polecra's Spring {Fulvio Sigurtà} (5:01)
11. Il Cuore E L'Azzurro {Enzo Pietropaoli} (3:31)
12. All Through The Night {Cole Porter} (7:09) 

Total Time: 58:29 

Credits:
Producer, Conception - Giulio Cesare Ricci
Recording - Giulio Cesare Ricci
Recording Assistant - Paola Liberato
Digital DSD Editing - Antonio Verderi
Art Direction - Cecilia Valli
Cover Photo - Chiara Pietropaoli
Liner Notes [Italian] - Battista Lena, Enzo Pietropaoli, Fulvio Sigurtà

Red Rodney - Superbop (1974) [vinyl]

Although trumpeter Red Rodney would get stronger as the 1970s progressed, this 1974 effort (not yet reissued on CD) is one of his most exciting recordings of the decade. The reason is that he is matched with the fiery trumpeter Sam Noto. With fine support from pianist Dolo Coker, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Shelly Manne, plus occasional solos from Jimmy Mulidore on alto and soprano, Rodney and Noto jam through such numbers as "Superbop" (highlighted by their rendition of Clifford Brown's "Daahoud" solo), "Last Train Out" (similar to "Ariegin") and the heated blues "Fire." "The Look of Love" (which adds a tenor and trombone to the ensembles with Mulidore contributing some alto flute) is a lyrical change of pace. There are plenty of fireworks on this trumpet-dominated set. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG.

Muse Records, MR 5046, 1974

Recorded 26^th March, 1974

Musicians:

Red Rodney - Trumpet

Sam Noto - Trumpet, Flugelhorn (#A2)

Mayo Tiano - Trombone (#A2)

Jimmy Mulidore - Alto Sax, Soprano Sax, Alto Flute (#A2)

Larry Covelli - Tenor Saxophone (#A2)

Dolo Coker - Piano

Ray Brown - Bass

Shelly Manne - Drums

Tracks:

A1. Superbop {Red Rodney, Sam Noto} (6:08)

A2. The Look Of Love {Burt Bacharach, Hal David} (4:38)

A3. The Last Train Out {Sam Noto} (7:31)

B1. Fire {Red Rodney, Sam Noto} (2:55)

B2. On Green Dolphin Street {Bronislaw Kaper, Ned Washington} (10:29)

B3. Hilton {Jimmy Mulidore} (7:00)

Credits:

Producer - Don Schlitten

Recording Engineer - Ed Barton

Mixing Engineer - Paul Goodman

Design, Photography - Don Schlitten

Photography [Liner Photo] - Billy Root

Liner Notes - Ira Gitler

Hank Crawford - Hank Crawford's Back (1976)

Hank Crawford turns his back on the cover of this sweet little set from Kudu - but the groove itself is very upfront, strongly in the best mix of funky jazz and club the label had going down into the late 70s! Arrangements are by David Matthews, who keeps things lean and mean, even when the instrumentation is fairly large - and Hank's nicely burning alto is firmly in the lead, blown with a sound that echoes back to older soul jazz modes of the 60s, but which has some smoother touches overall for the 70s. The album's got plenty of keyboards from Richard Tee, plus trombone solos from Fred Wesley, flute from Jeremy Steig, and guitar from Eric Gale - plus backing vocals on some of the cuts. © Dusty Groove, Inc. 

Kudu Records, KU-33 S1, 1976
Recorded at Mediasound in New York 

Personnel:
Hank Crawford - Alto Saxophone
Fred Wesley - Trombone [Solos]
Jeremy Steig - Flute [Solos]
Richard Tee - Electric Piano [Solos]
Eric Gale - Guitar [Solos]
Gary King - Bass (#A1-A3)
Anthony Jackson - Bass (#B1,B2)
Andy Newmark - Drums (#A1-A3)
Steve Gadd - Drums (#B1,B2)
Nicky Marrero - Percussion
Frank Floyd, Ray Simpson, Zachary Sanders - Backing Vocals
David Matthews - Arranger 

Tracks:
A1. Funky Pigeon {David Matthews} (6:07)
A2. I Can't Stop Loving You {Don Gibson} (3:07)
A3. You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine {Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff} (6:47)
B1. Canadian Sunset {Eddie Heywood, Norman Gimbel} (6:11)
B2. Midnight Over Memphis {John Stubblefield} (11:23) 

Total Time: 33:35 

Credits:
Producer - Creed Taylor
Engineer - Alan Varner, Alec Head, Joe Jorgensen
Engineer [Assistant] - Doug Epstein, Ramona Janquitto
Mixing & Mastering - Rudy van Gelder
Album Design - Rene Schumacher
Album Photography - Wendy Lombard 

Funky Pigeon

Franco D'Andrea Quartet - The Siena Concert (2008)

It is always a pleasure to listen to a Franco D'Andrea CD. His music, we know it well, is always dense and rich in content. It is always the bearer of an idea. Essential music, so to speak. Each note in place of him, with surgical precision. Never a superfluous note. The art of subtraction to its highest degree, without becoming ethereal emptiness as sometimes happens in certain European jazz. Search for the essentiality and meaning of music (which at times can therefore be rich and full!), Not for pauses and gaps. In this album we find D'Andrea at the head of his excellent quartet, in a live recording. A CD that therefore gives us the freshness and immediacy of a concert, and also those freedoms that are not usually allowed in an album recorded in the studio (who knows why?). For example, the freedom to propose six long medleys. Six long pieces, which develop according to the rhythms dictated by the music, and which explore, each in their own way, a wide range of emotional and expressive universes. From the most authentic free improvisation to the introspection of a solo double bass. A bird's eye view of a good part of the production of the pianist from Merano, with an eye to the master and reference of all time (Thelonious Monk) and a beautiful tribute to Charles Mingus. ~ by AAJ Staff. [Translated From Italian] 

Blue Note, 50999-520334-2-1, 2008
Recorded 26th July, 2006 Live at "Enoteca Italiana" during "Enoteca Jazz Club Festival"
12th Edition organized by "Siena Jazz Foundation" 

Musicians:
Franco D'Andrea - Piano
Andrea [Ayace] Ayassot - Alto & Soprano Saxophones
Aldo Mella - Bass
Zeno De Rossi - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Medley: Into The Mystery / Riff / Dancin' Thirds / Six Bars / Dancing Colours (27:25)
2. Medley: Monodic / Afro Abstraction / Deep (12:16)
3. Medley: Fragole / Monodic (6:41)
4. Medley: Slow Five / Another Riff (12:49)
5. Medley: Old Time Blues / Goodbye Pork Pie Hat (7:33)
6. Medley: Altalena / March (10:19) 

All Compositions by Franco D'Andrea Except "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" by Charles Mingus 

Total Time: 77:08

Credits:
Executive-Producer - Vittorio Albani
Recording & Mixing Engineer - Vincenzo Vanni
Editing & Mastering Engineer - Aldo Mella
Graphic Design - Panaro Design Srl
Photography - Massimiliano Sorrentini, Pino Ninfa

Guido Di Leone Quartet - Walkin' Ahead (2006)

Guido Di Leone is an Apulian musician who has already been produced by the German label and now returns with a multinational group proposing a mainstream rooted in tradition, fresh and enjoyable for sincerity. His message is clear and his solos understandable, testifying to a passion for jazz that has no limits. With him is the American special guest Allen Hermann on trombone who knows how to give verve to everything, and the Dutch (but resident in Bologna) Barend Middelhoff, a tenor saxophonist with a cool voice and beautiful fluidity in improvisation. The compositions are well chosen and those of the leader and guitarist are well made. The group gratifies the listeners with the elegance of the performances and the overflowing swing, making quality music performed with feeling. The result is a well-made mainstream record, sincere, even if perhaps not very stimulating for those who know the genre well. ~ Extract by AAJ Staff. [Translated From Italian] 

YVP Music, YVP 3138, 2006
Recorded 8th & 9th March, 2006 at Scuola Di Musica Il Pentagramma, Bari, Italy 

Personnel:
Guido Di Leone - Guitar
Barend Middelhoff - Tenor Saxophone
Pietro Ciancaglini - Bass
Alessandro Minetto - Drums
Allen Hermann - Trombone 

Tracklist:
1. Westwood Walk {Gerry Mulligan} (7:07)
2. Walkin' Ahead {Guido Di Leone} (6:42)
3. III Wind {Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler} (9:11)
4. Soft Blow {Guido Di Leone} (5:18)
5. Hypnotic Waltz {Guido Di Leone} (8:11)
6. Spring Board {Guido Di Leone} (6:02)
7. Mia Malinconia [From Amarcord] {Nino Rota} (8:21)
8. The Dishwasher Tune {Guido Di Leone} (5:06)
9. I've Got The World On A String {Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler} (7:00) 

Total Time: 63:04

Credits:
Producer - York v. Prittwitz
Recording & Mastering - Gennaro Mele
Photos - Marco Giuliani
Graphics - Antonio Delvecchio

Sumi Tonooka - Long Ago Today (2004)

Pianist, composer and educator Sumi Tonooka re-ignites her successes as an architect at the keyboard with her fifth and latest release, ‘Long Ago Today’. It's her first recording in a decade as a leader, and her remarkable musical growth is showcased on nine originals and one standard. Joining her are long-time musical partner Rufus Reid on bass and the late drummer Bob Braye. The resurgence of her creative grace and candor is felt in Cole Porter's "All of You," a familiar favorite "that keeps on evolving," says Tonooka. Her trio becomes a wild force of nature on "The Clinging," a tune inspired by the I Ching, considered an oracle of natural events and occurrences. The creation of the iridescent "Dreaming of Tibet" was guided by a vision Tonooka had of herself walking about the country called "the roof of the world." This tune is an invitation to see what she saw. The contrasting faces of "Be The Dance," a sketchpad of the trio's playful prowess and the title tune, a musing over "longing and nostalgia," speak of the many-sided approaches Tonooka takes, as one journalist notes, to bridge "between the spirit of the world and her own soul." What propels her playing, as noted by writer Herb Boyd, is her “unique way to constantly renew the rhythm." Representative of that is "Moroccan Daze," packed with flurried mechanized and free-flowing passages. Though we hear a focus of rhythm on Long Ago Today, in no way does this enervate her compositions. They're identifiers for Tonooka and take their place between your ears, plugging you into her and not into her re-soling of standards. ‘Long Ago Today’ resounds with newly emerging energies and ideas. "It's my strongest work," declares Tonooka. Journalist Russ Musto restates his praise of Tonooka from thirty years ago in the liner notes to Long Ago Today: ". . . it has been a pleasure to hear her blossom into one of the most talented musicians of her generation." ~ by Nestor Minsk, JazzNews. 

Artist Recording Collective, CRA 2116, 2008
Recorded 19th to 23rd October, 2004 at John Hodian‘s Studio, Woodstock, New York 

Musicians:
Sumi Tonooka - Piano
Rufus Reid - Bass
Bob Braye - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Be The Dance {Sumi Tonooka} (4:38)
02. All Of You {Cole Porter} (7:33)
03. The Clinging {Sumi Tonooka} (4:11)
04. Dreaming Of Tibet {Sumi Tonooka} (4:21)
05. Quantum Question {Sumi Tonooka} (5:37)
06. Long Ago Today {Sumi Tonooka} (9:57)
07. Renewal {Sumi Tonooka} (4:52)
08. Moroccan Daze {Sumi Tonooka} (5:34)
09. Just For Now {Sumi Tonooka} (6:04)
10. Nami's Song {Sumi Tonooka} (8:32) 

Total Time: 61:19

Credits:
Producer - Sumi Tonooka
Recording - Bob Bileicki
Liner Notes - Russ Musto 

Long Ago Today

Jay Hoggard - Christmas Vibes All Thru The Year (2012)

01 - Joy To World
02 - Let It Snow
03 - Over My Head I Hear Music In The AirGo Tell It On The Mountain
04 - Winter Wonderland
05 - And They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love
06 - We Three KingsWhat Child Is This
07 - Silent NightAway In A MangerO Holy Night
08 - I Want Love, I Don't Want Hate, I Want Peace I Don't Want War
09 - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
10 - Let Me Make It Clear, Christmas Vibes All Thru The Year
11 - Rejoice Ye Pure In Heart
12 - Little Drummer Boy
13 - Deliver The Word, God Loves You 

Fabio Zeppetella American Quartet - Handmade (2013)

Handmade is an emotion that takes us directly into the soul of the author with his compositions "by hand" from Zeppetella whose new project finds him the leader of a quartet of international jazz players: Aaron Goldberg on piano, Greg Hutchinson on drums and Matt Penman on bass. The originality of the sound that emanates from Fabio Zeppetella's fingers in this latest project seems to have been created by the artist and chiseled in his image. Equipped with an impeccable technique and great musical sensitivity, he uses a unique and personal language. He arrived at the elaboration of a completely original sound, passing from the tradition and music of masters such as Charlie Cristian and Wes Montgomery to the evocation of be-bop and hard-bop of the sixties. In his phrasing we discover the dominant aspects of a language that is never predictable, sometimes virtuous, sometimes sweet but always essential. Its dominant characteristics are constituted by the sweetness and strength inherent in the original way of interpreting music, in which the desire to seek a virtual link with poetry is evident. ~ romatoday.it. [Translated From Italian] 

Via Veneto Jazz, VVJ 084, 2013 

Musicians:
Fabio Zeppetella - Guitar
Aaron Goldberg - Piano
Matt Penman - Bass
Greg Hutchinson - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Ubi {Fabio Zeppetella} (5:54)
2. Choro Pra Gianlu {Fabio Zeppetella} (6:43)
3. Via Manzoni 7 {Fabio Zeppetella} (5:49)
4. Reunion {Fabio Zeppetella} (6:05)
5. Across The City {Fabio Zeppetella} (5:32)
6. The Silence Of The Mind {Fabio Zeppetella} (7:39)
7. How Deep {Fabio Zeppetella} (7:03)
8. Moment's Notice {John Coltrane} (5:41)
9. Waltz For Lu {Fabio Zeppetella} (9:01) 

Total Time: 59:33 

Handmade (Teaser)

Hans Koller - Exclusiv (1965)

It amazes today to realize that Hans Koller's music was available on records in America before it was available in Germany. It was left to MPS records to exclusively present the "complete Koller". Here we not only get to know Hans Koller the saxophonist, on alto and tenor by the way, but also the band leader and boss of his own combo, the exponent of German jazz who played with leading Americans. Today one has to testify Hans Koller that he, without a doubt, has found his own style, although he was never in America nor was ever sent to faraway places by some cultural office. "Hans Koller Exclusive" is the definite proof that this musician is the "grand old man" of German jazz! ~ Dr. Schulz-Köhn, from Liner Notes. 

MPS/SABA Records, SB 15 024 ST, 1965
Recorded 19th February, 1959 (#A2,B2) at Studio der DFW Baden-Baden, Germany [Quartett]
26th November, 1963 (#A1,A3-B1,B3-B5) at SABA-Tonstudio Villingen, Germany [Nonett] 

Musicians:
Hans Koller - Alto Saxophone (#A1,A3,A4,B1,B3-B5), Tenor Saxophone (#A2,B2)
Dick Spencer - Alto Saxophone (#A1,A3,A4,B1,B3-B5)
Erhard Wenig, Rudi Flierl - Tenor Saxophone (#A1,A3,A4,B1,B3-B5)
Helmut Reinhardt, Ronnie Ross - Baritone Saxophone (#A1,A3,A4,B1,B3-B5)
Ira Chris - Guitar (#A1,A3,A4,B1,B3-B5)
Attila Zoller - Guitar (#A2,B2)
Hans Rettenbacher - Bass (#A1,A3,A4,B1,B3-B5)
Oscar Pettiford - Bass (#A2,B2)
Allen Ganly - Drums (#A1,A3,A4,B1,B3-B5)
Jimmy Pratt - Drums (#A2,B2) 

Tracks:
A1. Natalie {Laurindo Almeida} (2:17)
A2. Blues In A Closet {Oscar Pettiford; Arr. Hans Koller} (6:40)
A3. Egil {Hans Koller} (3:50)
A4. Painter's Lament {Hans Koller} (4:50)
B1. Plädoyer {Russell Garcia} (3:20)
B2. The Gentle Art Of Love {Oscar Pettiford; Arr. Hans Koller} (4:57)
B3. Muttnik {Quincy Jones; Arr. Russell Garcia} (3:42)
B4. It's Over {H.G. Brunner-Schwer; Arr. Russell Garcia} (3:02)
B5. Pagode {Russell Garcia} (2:34) 

Total Time: 35:12 

Credits:
Producer - Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer
Engineer - Rolf Donner
Liner Notes - Dr. Schulz-Köhn, H. Flaig

Terence Blanchard - Bounce (2003)

Bounce is a collage of swinging, soulful, and artistic cuts that are bound to strike the fancy of Terence Blanchard fans. The band's vast range covers territory from bop to African beats to traditional New Orleans marching band music, as demonstrated on the cuts "Transform," "Azania," and "Bounce/Let's Go Off" respectively. Blanchard calls on the services of Brice Winston, Lionel Loueke, Robert Glasper, Aaron Parks, Brandon Owens, and Eric Harland for Bounce. Interestingly, none of the band members (save Blanchard) are proverbial household jazz names. This is testimony enough that straight up, unadulterated jazz need not include neon-light, star musicians in order to produce quality, thoughtful scores. This tight band came to play. 

The skillfully done "Nocturna" is the most seductive, mellow cut on the disc. Blanchard uses his trumpet as a voice, communicating his penchant for romantic flair. Owens keeps the melody going on bass while Loueke flicks his guitar to accent the piece. As the track quickens, Blanchard returns and turns up the heat, cooking at a mile high crescendo. And Harland's sound is simply beautiful as he massages the drums, knowing when to accent the melody. 

"Footprints," a Wayne Shorter classic, is excellently done and begins with the funky bass-driven, drum-accented vamp. Blanchard appears to lay back in the cut before he moves into Shorter's classic vein. The band handles this classic with the utmost integrity, handling the jewel with class. Parks' piano accents are skillfully conceived and well-timed along with Harland's drum strokes. Blanchard has a way of capturing the listeners ear using high notes combined with sounds from the lower range. Not to be outdone, Winston delves into a tight mini-solo on saxophone that demonstrates a fluent sense of improvisation in addition to a resonance with the original composition. ~ by Eddie Becton, AAJ. 

Blue Note, 7243 5 90953 2 5, 2003
Recorded 16th - 19th February, 2003 at Avatar Studios, New York, NY 

Personnel:
Terence Blanchard - Trumpet
Brice Winston - Tenor & Soprano Saxophones (#1-3,5-8)
Aaron Parks - Piano (#1,2,4-8)
Robert Glasper - Hammond B-3 & Fender Rhodes (#2-6,8)
Lionel Loueke - Guitar & Vocals (#1-8)
Brandon Owens - Bass
Eric Harland - Drums 

Tracks:
1. On The Verge {Aaron Parks} (8:43)
2. Passionate Courage {Terence Blanchard} (6:32)
3. Fred Brown {Terence Blanchard} (7:43)
4. Nocturna {Ivan Links, Victor Martins} (7:34)
5. Azania {Terence Blanchard} (6:04)
6. Footprints {Wayne Shorter} (7:32)
7. Transform {Eric Harland} (9:01)
8. Innocence {Brandon Owens} (7:23)
9. Bounce {Terence Blanchard}, Let's Go Off {Donald Harrison} (7:06) 

Total Time: 67:38 

Credits:
Producer - Terence Blanchard, Michael Cuscuna
Executive-Producer - Bruce Lundvall