METHENY · MEHLDAU — Metheny Mehldau Quartet (2007) Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Guitarist Pat Metheny and pianist Brad Mehldau created a stir in 2006 with their wonderful duet recording. On that set, two of the album's ten cuts featured Mehldau's rhythm section of bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Jeff Ballard. Quartet is a mirror image: seven of these 11 cuts are full quartet sides. The musical magic established by that collaboration sets the stage for the pair to dig deeper here. It's true that melodic and harmonic invention is the root of each of the tunes here, though that doesn't mean there isn't room to move. Metheny's Way Up recording offered ample of evidence of how compositional sophistication could accomplish virtually anything. There, the players had written parts, but also had room for improvisation within that framework. The same happens here, though the pieces are shorter. Partial evidence of this is the disc's second selection, "The Sound of Water," which has a nearly pastoral theme. But Metheny uses counterpoint on a 12-string guitar to meet Mehldau's chordal investigation. One need only go one cut further in on "Fear and Trembling," by Mehldau, to see how quickly the two can step outside their bonds while retaining their commitment. The knotty playing with distortion by Metheny moves toward the rhythm section, which establishes the kind of fluidity his sense of time requires. Mehldau's own post-bop modal solo works through the lyric frames in the tune's structure and cuts through them, finding their densities and spaces. Grenadier's elasticity as a bassist allows the time to float and shift -- seemingly -- without ever losing the harmonic thread even when Metheny moves outside toward the end of the cut.

The duet ballad "Don't Wait," with Metheny on acoustic guitar, comes together with all the warmth and textured lyric sensibility that their debut displayed. These two men are not at all self-conscious here; they seem to hear each other in both solo and chorus with equally gentle ears. The shimmering piano on "Towards the Light" finds Mehldau exploring those gorgeous multi-note phrases he loves so much, with Metheny reacting sparely and creating a virtual shimmering in the cut. Ballard is very impressive here as he shades his beats with cymbals and rim shots, and gives the entire cut something earthy to hang onto. There are two Latin-tinged (barely) tunes, "En la Terra Que No Olvida" (Metheny) and "Santa Cruz Slacker" (Mehldau). The former is knottier and less obvious, but the meter is one Brubeck employed a lot in the early '60s and perhaps it serves as a model here. The latter cut is more languid on the surface, but Ballard's drumming is simply out of this world as he skitters and scampers all over and in front of the band throughout. There is perhaps no surprise at how well these two communicate -- especially with a rhythm section as wonderful as this one is. If there is a feeling that some tunes run together, they don't; this is not a suite, but a solid amalgam of brilliant musicianship, with a humble approach that is elegant and dignified. These guys have come up with a gorgeous and sexy creation, and listeners should be delighted to spend some time with it. 
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist :
1.        A Night Away    7:59
 Brad Mehldau / Pat Metheny 
2.        The Sound Of Water    3:53
 Pat Metheny 
3.        Fear And Trembling    6:56
 Brad Mehldau
4.        Don't Wait    7:08
 Pat Metheny 
5.        Towards The Light    8:10
 Pat Metheny 
6.        Long Before    6:57
 Pat Metheny 
7.        En La Tierra Que No Olvida    7:43
 Pat Metheny 
8.        Santa Cruz Slacker    6:09
 Brad Mehldau
9.        Secret Beach    9:07
 Brad Mehldau
10.        Silent Movie    6:03
 Pat Metheny 
11.        Marta's Theme (From "Passagio Per Il Parasdiso")    2:31
 Pat Metheny 
Credits :  
Guitar, Producer – Pat Metheny
Piano – Brad Mehldau 

WALTER DAVIS TRIO — Illumination (1977-1989) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Since Walter Davis, Jr. had relatively few opportunities to lead recording dates of his own, one would hope that conditions would be ideal for the occasional recording session. Sadly, he's stuck with a badly out of tune instrument on this occasion, making it almost excruciating to listen to his performance of his best-known work, the normally exciting hard bop vehicle "Scorpio Rising." Davis utilizes several different rhythm sections, including the likes of Buster Williams, Art Blakey, and Tony Williams. Guest Jeremy Steig's soulful, vibrato-laden flute is added for "Illumination" and trumpeter Charles Sullivan for a brief but haunting duet of Nino Rota's "Theme from 'La Strada'," while percussionist Nana Vasconcelos and rhythm guitarist Milton Frustino are added for the brisk, enchanting samba "Biribinya Nos States." But in spite of his best efforts, the lousy piano badly handicaps Davis' performances. The ironic cover photo, with Davis posing at a toy piano, may have indicated what he thought of the studio keyboard. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1.        Scorpio Rising 7:14
Written-By – Walter Davis
2.        Illumination 9:52
Written-By – Walter Davis
3.        Ronnie's A Dynamite Lady 8:32
Written-By – Walter Davis
4.        Backgammon 7:17
Written-By – Walter Davis
5.         Abide With Me 5:56
 – Traditional
6.        Crowded Elevator 5:18
Written-By – Walter Davis
7.        Theme From "La Strada" 2:31
Written-By – Nino Rota
8.        Biribinya Nos States 3:30
Written-By – Pepeu
9.        Just One Of Those Things 5:48
Written-By – Cole Porter
10.        Pranayama 6:00
Written-By – Walter Davis
11.        I'll Keep Loving You 7:51
Written-By – Bud Powell
Credits : 
Bass – Buster Williams (tracks: 1 to 4, 6, 8, 10)
Drums – Tony Williams (tracks: 6, 8, 10), Art Blakey (tracks: 3, 4), Bruno Carr (tracks: 1, 2)
Flute – Jeremy Steig (tracks: 2)
Percussion – Naná Vasconcelos (tracks: 8)
Piano – Walter Davis
Rhythm Guitar – Milton Frustino (tracks: 8)
Tenor Saxophone – Carter Jefferson (tracks: 10)
Trumpet – Charles Sullivan (tracks: 7, 10) 

LARRY OCHS — The Fictive Five (2015) Tzadik Spectrum Series – 12 | FLAC (tracks), lossless

 Founding member of the Rova Sax Quartet, Larry Ochs has worked with many of the greatest musicians in Creative Music—Steve Lacy, Fred Frith, Wadada Leo Smith, Terry Riley, George Lewis, John Zorn, Derek Bailey and countless others. His newest ensemble is an update on the classic New York Contemporary Five and features Larry’s Shepp-tinged tenor sax along with some of the best young players out of New York’s Downtown scene. Ochs is particularly excited by both the ensemble sound and the music here, a set of pieces he considers to be among his strongest and most successful blendings of composition and improvisation. Fabulous and soulful, The Fictive Five is a tremendous achievement by this West Coast master of surprise! Tzadik
Tracklist :
1.    Similitude (for Wim Wenders)    24:48
2.    A Marked Refraction    4:23
3.    By Any Other Name (for William Kentridge)    22:36
4.    Translucent (for Kelly Reichardt)    17:38
Credits : 
Ken Filiano - Bass, Effects
Larry Ochs - Tenor And Sopranino Saxophones
Nate Wooley - Trumpet
Harris Eisenstadt - Drums
Pascal Niggenkemper - Bass, Prepared Bass

FRED HERSCH — Thelonious : Fred Hersch Plays Monk (1998) Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Pianist Fred Hersch has a very different style than Thelonious Monk did, and on this solo tribute CD, he does not attempt to closely emulate Monk. Hersch does hint at Thelonious in spots on the 13 Monk compositions, but mostly performs in a sparse, melodic and quietly playful manner. His interpretations of such songs as "In Walked Bud," "Ask Me Now," "Let's Cool One" and "Misterioso" (which he calls "Five Views of Misterioso") are tasteful yet full of subtle invention. A pleasing and respectful effort. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1.        'Round Midnight    3:44
2.        In Walked Bud    4:48
3.        Crepuscule With Nellie/Reflections    4:51
4.        Think Of One    3:11
5.        Ask Me Now    5:30
6.        Evidence    3:31
7.        Five Views Of Misterioso    7:01
8.        Let's Cool One    4:50
9.        Bemsha Swing    3:16
10.        Light Blue/Pannonica    6:07
11.        I Mean You    4:17
12.        'Round Midnight Reprise    1:40
Credits : 
Piano [Steinway], Producer – Fred Hersch
Written-By – Denzel Best (tracks: 9), Thelonious Monk 

MARCUS ROBERTS — Gershwin for Lovers (1994) Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

This trio date (which features pianist Marcus Roberts, bassist Reginald Veal and drummer Herlin Riley) is a bit unusual in that Roberts, although he is heard interpreting vintage George Gershwin songs, gives the tunes fairly modern interpretations. There is no striding or James P. Johnson licks. Instead, the talented pianist transforms such songs as "A Foggy Day," "Our Love Is Here to Stay," "It Ain't Necessarily So" and "But Not for Me" into modern hard bop. A typically excellent effort. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1.    A Foggy Day    4:52
2.    The Man I Love    5:42
3.    Our Love Is Here To Stay    6:46
4.    Summertime    6:29
5.    Someone To Watch Over Me    2:59
6.    It Ain't Necessarily So    6:01
7.    Nice Work If You Can Get It    4:44
8.    They Can't Take That Away From Me    8:38
9.    How Long Has This Been Going On?    4:20
10.        But Not For Me    6:13
Credits : 
Herlin Riley - Drums
Marcus Roberts - Piano, 
Reginald Veal - Bass