WYNTON MARSALIS SEXTET - Selections from the Village Vanguard Box (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

In 1999, Wynton Marsalis was on an unheard-of path by releasing eight proper studio albums by the end of the year. It was a further comment on the respect that he received by both Columbia records and jazz audiences. Then, after the last of that series arrived in stores, seemingly out of nowhere Columbia handed down a seven-disc set of live material recorded over five years at the legendary Village Vanguard. It was amazing for several reasons: First of all, the quality of the music and packaging was great; second, it was incredibly affordable (under $40!); third, the sheer amount of releases from one non-classical artist was unprecedented. Those factors made the set very hard for any jazz fan to pass up.

Then, in March of 2000, another surprise was unleashed on unsuspecting fans: a single, full-priced disc entitled Selections From the Village Vanguard Box (a highlight disc!). Just when one might think that a major label would put out something where reaping major profits is not the goal, they prove that wrong. Sure, there are 12 fine tracks on here -- but there are 63 on the box set. Regardless of if you are a jazz collector or a casual listener, skip this disc, pay the extra 20 bucks, and get the entire set. Sam Samuelson
Tracklist :
1    Welcome '038
Wynton Marsalis
2     The Cat in the Hat Is Back 9'32
Todd Williams
3     Embraceable You 5'19
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
4     Reflections 5'58
Thelonious Monk
5     Buggy Ride 8'55
Wynton Marsalis
6     I'll Remember April 8'04
Gene DePaul / Pat Johnston / Patricia Johnston / Don Raye
7     Misterioso 5'17
Thelonious Monk
8     Flee as a Bird to the Mountain 3'12
Traditional
9     Happy Feet Blues 6'17
Wynton Marsalis
10     Cherokee 11'52
Ray Noble
11     Juba and a O'Brown Squaw 4'25
Wynton Marsalis
12     Local Announcements 4'46
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Wessell Anderson
Bass – Ben Wolfe, Reginald Veal
Drums – Herlin Riley
Piano – Eric Reed, Marcus Roberts
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Clarinet – Todd Williams, Victor Goines
Trombone – Wycliffe Gordon
Trumpet – Wynton Marsalis