KENNY DORHAM — Trompeta Toccata (1964) Two Version (1995, The BN Works 4100 Series) + (2006, RM | Serie RVG Edition) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

It seems strange and somewhat tragic that this was trumpeter Kenny Dorham's last full album as a leader for he was only 40 at the time and still in his prime. Dorham contributed three of the four selections to the session (Joe Henderson's catchy "Mamacita" also receives its debut), and his very underrated abilities as a writer, trumpeter, and talent scout are very much in evidence. This modern hard bop quintet set with Henderson on tenor, pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Richard Davis, and drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath served as a strong (if premature) ending to Dorham's impressive career as a solo artist. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Trompeta Toccata 12:28
Written-By – Kenny Dorham
2    Night Watch 5:48
Written-By – Kenny Dorham
3    Mamacita 11:06
Written-By – Joe Henderson
4    The Fox 8:02
Written-By – Kenny Dorham
Credits :
Bass – Richard Davis
Drums – Albert Heath
Piano – Tommy Flanagan
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Henderson
Trumpet – Kenny Dorham

WES MONTGOMERY — The Incredible Jazz Guitar (1967-1999) RM | Serie Jazz紙ジャケ十八番 | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

The incredible Wes Montgomery of 1960 was more discernible and distinctive than the guitarist who would emerge a few years later as a pop stylist and precursor to George Benson in the '70s. On this landmark recording, Montgomery veered away from his home Indianapolis-based organ combo with Melvin Rhyne, the California-based Montgomery Brothers band, and other studio sidemen he had been placed with briefly. Off to New York City and a date with Tommy Flanagan's trio, Montgomery seems in his post- to hard bop element, swinging fluently with purpose, drive, and vigor not heard in an electric guitarist since bop progenitor Charlie Christian. Setting him apart from the rest, this recording established Montgomery as the most formidable modern guitarist of the era, and eventually its most influential. There's some classic material here, including the cat-quick but perhaps a trifle anxious version of the Sonny Rollins bop evergreen "Airegin," the famous repeated modal progressive and hard bop jam "Four on Six," and Montgomery's immortal soul waltz "West Coast Blues," effortlessly rendered with its memorable melody and flowing, elegant chiffon-like lines. Flanagan, at a time shortly after leaving his native Detroit, is the perfect pianist for this session. He plays forcefully but never overtly so on the bop tracks, offering up his trademark delicacy on the laid-back "Polka Dots and Moonbeams" and easy-as-pie "Gone with the Wind." With the dynamic Philadelphia rhythm section of brothers Percy Heath on bass and drummer Albert Heath, they play a healthy Latin beat on the choppy and dramatic melody of
Montgomery's original "Mr. Walker." Montgomery is clearly talented beyond convention, consistently brilliant, and indeed incredible in the company of his sidemen, and this recording -- an essential addition to every jazz guitarist fan's collection -- put him on the map. Michael G. Nastos

Tracklist :
1.    Airegin (Sonny Rollins) – 4:26
2.    D-Natural Blues (Wes Montgomery) – 5:23
3.    Polka Dots and Moonbeams (Jimmy Van Heusen) – 4:44
4.    Four on Six (Montgomery) – 6:15
5.    West Coast Blues (Montgomery) – 7:26
6.    In Your Own Sweet Way (Dave Brubeck) – 4:53
7.    Mr. Walker (Montgomery) – 4:33
8.    Gone With the Wind (Allie Wrubel) – 6:24
Credits :
Wes Montgomery- Electric Guitar
Tommy Flanagan - Piano
Percy Heath - Bass
Albert Heath - Drums

JIMMY HEATH — Triple Threat (1962-1998) RM | Original Jazz Classics Limited Edition Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Jimmy Heath has long been at least a triple threat as a musician (tenor, flute and soprano), arranger and composer. On this 1998 CD reissue, Heath sticks to tenor, performing "Make Someone Happy" and "The More I See You' while joined by pianist Cedar Walton and his two brothers, bassist Percy Heath and drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath. The other five numbers consist of four of his originals (best-known is "Gemini") plus a reworking of the ballad "Goodbye." For these selections, the quartet is augmented by young trumpeter Freddie Hubbard (who takes a few fiery solos) and Julius Watkins on French horn. The arrangements of Heath uplift the straightahead music and make each selection seem a bit special. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Gemini 6'09
Jimmy Heath
2     Bruh Slim 5'16
Jimmy Heath
3     Goodbye 7'04
Gordon Jenkins
4     Dew and Mud 5'01
Jimmy Heath
5     Make Someone Happy 3'41
Betty Comden / Adolph Green / Jule Styne
6     The More I See You 4'18
Mack Gordon / Harry Warren
7     Prospecting 5'40
Jimmy Heath
Credits :
Bass – Percy Heath
Drums – Albert Heath
French Horn – Julius Watkins (pistas: 1 to 4, 7)
Piano – Cedar Walton
Producer – Orrin Keepnews
Remastered By – Phil De Lancie
Tenor Saxophone – Jimmy Heath
Trumpet – Freddie Hubbard (pistas: 1 to 4, 7)

HEBIE HANCOCK — Fat Albert Rotunda (1969-2001) RM | Warner Bros. Masters Series | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Centered around some soundtrack music that Herbie Hancock wrote for Bill Cosby's Fat Albert cartoon show, Fat Albert Rotunda was Hancock's first full-fledged venture into jazz-funk -- and his last until Head Hunters -- making it a prophetic release. At the same time, it was far different in sound from his later funk ventures, concentrating on a romping, late-'60s-vintage R&B-oriented sound. with frequent horn riffs and great rhythmic comping and complex solos from Hancock's Fender Rhodes electric piano. The syllables of the titles alone -- "Wiggle Waggle," "Fat Mama," "Oh! Oh! Here He Comes" -- have a rhythm and feeling that tell you exactly how this music saunters and swaggers along -- just like the jolly cartoon character. But there is more to this record than fatback funk. There is the haunting, harmonically sophisticated "Tell Me a Bedtime Story" (which ought to become a jazz standard), and the similarly relaxed "Jessica." The sextet on hand is a star-studded bunch, with Joe Henderson in funky and free moods on tenor sax, Johnny Coles on trumpet, Garnett Brown on trombone, Buster Williams on bass, and Albert "Tootie" Heath on drums. Only Williams would remain for Hancock's 1977 electric V.S.O.P.: The Quintet album to come. In addition, trumpeter Joe Newman, saxophonist Joe Farrell, guitarist Eric Gale, and drummer Bernard Purdie make guest appearances on two tracks. Richard S. Ginell  

Tracklist :

1 Wiggle-Waggle 5:51

Alto Saxophone [Uncredited], Tenor Saxophone [Uncredited] – Joe Farrell

Baritone Saxophone [Uncredited] – Arthur Clarke

Drums [Uncredited] – Bernard Purdie

Electric Bass [Uncredited] – Jerry Jemmott

French Horn [Uncredited] – Ray Alonge

Guitar [Uncredited] – Billy Butler, Eric Gale

Percussion [Uncredited] – George Devens

Trombone [Uncredited] – Benny Powell

Trumpet [Uncredited] – Ernie Royal, Joe Newman

2 Fat Mama 3:49

3 Tell Me A Bedtime Story 5:03

4 Oh! Oh! Here He Comes 4:08

5 Jessica 4:12

6 Fat Albert Rotunda 6:28

7 Lil' Brother 4:25

Alto Saxophone [Uncredited], Tenor Saxophone [Uncredited] – Joe Farrell

Baritone Saxophone [Uncredited] – Arthur Clarke

Drums [Uncredited] – Bernard Purdie

Electric Bass [Uncredited] – Jerry Jemmott

French Horn [Uncredited] – Ray Alonge

Guitar [Uncredited] – Billy Butler (3), Eric Gale

Percussion [Uncredited] – George Devens

Trombone [Uncredited] – Benny Powell

Trumpet [Uncredited] – Ernie Royal, Joe Newman

Credits :
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass, Soloist – Buster Williams (tracks: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
Drums, Soloist – Tootie Heath (tracks: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
Engineer – Rudy Van Gelder
Flute [Alto], Tenor Saxophone, Soloist – Joe Henderson
Piano, Electric Piano, Producer, Written-By, Arranged By, Conductor, Soloist – Herbie Hancock
Trombone, Soloist – Garnet Brown
Trumpet, Flugelhorn [Fluegel Horn], Soloist – Johnny Coles

ANTHONY BRAXTON - What's New in the Tradition (1991) 2CD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This compiles the earlier two volumes into one release. The great avant-gardist Anthony Braxton threw the jazz world a curve with these two albums. Braxton, filling in for an ill Dexter Gordon, was joined by pianist Tete Montoliu, bassist Niels Pedersen, and drummer Tootie Heath for a set of jazz standards. Braxton pays tribute to each song's melody before tearing into complex, abstract improvisations that are generally ignored by the rhythm section, who go about playing in their usual bop-oriented style. An exception is a duet with bassist Pedersen on a very spooky "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat," one of two songs on which Braxton plays contrabass clarinet. His solo on "Ornithology" on that instrument is a bit silly, for the contrabass clarinet is so low that one has difficulty telling some of its notes apart from each other. A short "Duet" (which teams the leader with Pedersen) is a change of pace and much freer. It's a historical curiosity, but features much less interaction between the trio and Anthony Braxton than one would hope. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1-1    Marshmallow 7:48
Written-By – Warne Marsh
1-2    Goodbye Pork Pie Hat 4:53
Written-By – Charles Mingus
1-3    Just Friends 9:47
Written-By – Klenner, Lewis
1-4    Ornithology 7:22
Written-By – Charlie Parker
1-5    Lush Life 11:59
Written-By – Billy Strayhorn
1-6    Trane's Blues 5:34
Written-By – John Coltrane
2-1    What's New 9:56
Written-By – Haggart
2-2    Duet 3:37
Written-By – Braxton, Ørsted Pedersen
2-3    Body And Soul 10:14
Written-By – Johnny Green
2-4    Marshmallow 6:39
Written-By – Warne Marsh
2-5    Donna Lee 6:33
Written-By – Charlie Parker
2-6    My Funny Valentine 8:05
Written-By – Richard Rodgers
2-7    Half Nelson 4:16
Written-By – Miles Davis
Credits :
Alto Saxophone [Alto Sax], Contrabass Clarinet – Anthony Braxton
Bass – Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
Drums – Albert Tootie Heath
Piano – Tete Montoliu

JIMMY HEATH SEXTET - The Thumper (1960-1994) RM | Original Jazz Classics Limited Edition Series | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Jimmy Heath at age 33 made his recording debut as a leader on this Riverside session which has been reissued on CD in the OJC series. The hard bop tenor-saxophonist is in superior form, contributing five originals (of which "For Minors Only" is best known), jamming with an all-star sextet (including cornetist Nat Adderley, trombonist Curtis Fuller, pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath) and taking two standards as ballad features. The excellent session of late '50s straightahead jazz is uplifted above the normal level by Heath's writing. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     For Minors Only 4'53
Jimmy Heath
2     Who Needs It? 5'35
Wynton Kelly
3     Don't You Know I Care (Or Don't You Care to Know) 5'02
Mack David / Duke Ellington
4     Two Tees 4'14
Jimmy Heath
5     The Thumper 4'01
Jimmy Heath
6     New Keep 4'11
Jimmy Heath
7     For All We Know 4'35
J. Fred Coots / Sam M. Lewis
8     I Can Make You Love Me 3'27
Peter DeRose / Bob Russell
9     Nice People 3'52
Jimmy Heath
Credits :
Bass – Paul Chambers
Cornet – Nat Adderley (pistas: 1, 2, 4 to 7, 9)
Drums – Albert Heath
Piano – Wynton Kelly
Producer, Liner Notes – Orrin Keepnews
Remastered By – Phil De Lancie
Tenor Saxophone – Jimmy Heath
Trombone – Curtis Fuller (pistas: 1, 2, 4 to 7, 9)

THE JIMMY HEATH ORCHESTRA - Really Big! (1960-1992) RM | Original Jazz Classics Limited Edition Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Jimmy Heath's first chance to lead a fairly large group, an all-star ten-piece, found him well featured both on tenor and as an arranger/composer. With such colorful players as cornetist Nat Adderley, flugelhornist Clark Terry, altoist Cannonball Adderley, and either Cedar Walton or Tommy Flanagan on piano, Heath introduces a few originals (including "Big 'P'" and "A Picture of Heath") and uplifts "Green Dolphin Street," "Dat Dere," and "My Ideal," among others. A well-conceived set. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Big "P" 3'53
Jimmy Heath
2     Old Fashioned Fun 4'34
Jimmy Heath
3     Mona's Mood 4'53
Jimmy Heath
4     Dat Dere 4'24
Oscar Brown, Jr. / Bobby Timmons
5     Nails 4'47
Jimmy Heath
6     On Green Dolphin Street 4'42
Bronislaw Kaper / Ned Washington
7     My Ideal 4'10
Newell Chase / Leo Robin / Richard A. Whiting
8     Picture of Heath 4'30
Jimmy Heath
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Julian "Cannonball" Adderley
Baritone Saxophone – Pat Patrick
Bass – Percy Heath
Cornet – Nat Adderley
Drums – Albert Heath
French Horn – Dick Berg
Piano – Cedar Walton (3 to 5, 7, 8), Tommy Flanagan (1, 2, 6)
Producer – Orrin Keepnews
Remastered By [Digital Remastering, 1992] – Phil De Lancie
Tenor Saxophone – Jimmy Heath
Trombone – Tom McIntosh
Trumpet – Clark Terry

JIMMY HEATH - The Quota (1965-1995) RM | Original Jazz Classics Limited Edition Series | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Jimmy Heath's considerable talents are very evident on this fine hard bop title. His supple, Dexter Gordon-inspired tenor work shines throughout the album's seven tracks, which range from the challenging yet fleet originals "Funny Time" and "The Quota" to attractive covers like "When Sunny Gets Blue" and Milt Jackson's "Bells and Horns." Heath also mixes it up stylistically with elements of both East Coast jazz (Philly native, vigorous ensemble work) and West Coast jazz (spry, vaporous arrangements), showing his flexibility amidst the music's healthy, bi-coastal rivalry of the late-'50s and early-'60s California stars Art Pepper and Chet Baker would cover several Heath numbers on their excellent 1956 collaboration Playboys. The Quota also benefits from stellar solo contributions by trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, French horn player Julius Watkins, and pianist Cedar Walton; brothers Percy and Albert Heath handle the bass and drums chores admirably, and they make a family reunion of it. The Quota's strong material, tight arrangements, and thoughtful solos help make this Heath title one of the better hard bop releases available and a must for any jazz collection. Stephen Cook  
Tracklist :
1     The Quota 5'08
Jimmy Heath
2     Lowland Lullaby 4'38
Jimmy Heath
3     Thinking of You 5'08
Bert Kalmar / Harry Ruby
4     Bells and Horns 4'55
Milt Jackson / Milton Jackson, Jr.
5     Down Shift 5'47
Jimmy Heath
6     When Sunny Gets Blue 6'29
Marvin Fisher / Jack Segal
7     Funny Time 6'23
Jimmy Heath
Credits :
Bass – Percy Heath
Drums – Albert "Tootie" Heath
French Horn – Julius Watkins
Piano – Cedar Walton
Producer – Orrin Keepnews
Remastered By – Phil De Lancie
Tenor Saxophone, Arranged By – Jimmy Heath
Trumpet – Freddie Hubbard   

JIMMY HEATH AND BRASS — Swamp Seed (1963-1997) RM | Original Jazz Classics Limited Edition Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This is a delightful if underrated set that was reissued on CD in 1997. The multi-talented Jimmy Heath has many consistently rewarding and distinctive tenor saxophone solos; he also contributed three of the seven pieces and arranged all of them for a group also including trumpeter Donald Byrd, two French horns, Don Butterfield's tuba and a rhythm section that has bassist Percy Heath and (on three numbers) drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath. The music is straight-ahead but contains some unpredictable moments. Highlights include Heath's versions of Thelonious Monk's "Nutty" and "More Than You Know." Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1. Six Steps 4'49
Jimmy Heath
2. Nutty 4'05
Thelonious Monk
3. More Than You Know 5'09
Edward Eliscu / Billy Rose / Vincent Youmans
4. Swamp Seed 5'19
Percy Heath
5. D. Waltz 6'33
Jimmy Heath
6. Just In Time 5'28
Betty Comden / Adolph Green / Jule Styne
7. Wall To Wall 5'27
Jimmy Heath
Credits
Jimmy Heath - Tenor Saxophone
Donald Byrd - |Trumpet
Julius Watkins - French Horn
Jim Buffington - French Horn
Don Butterfield - Tuba
Harold Maybern - Piano (tracks 1, 2, 4)
Herbie Hancock - Piano
Percy Heath - Bass
Albert "Toothie" Heath - Drums (tracks 1, 2, 4)
Connie Kay - Drums

JIMMY HEATH QUINTET — On The Trail (1964-1994) RM | Original Jazz Classics Limited Edition Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Unlike some of his other Riverside recordings, the accent on this Jimmy Heath CD reissue is very much on his tenor playing (rather than his arrangements). Heath is in excellent form with a quintet that also includes pianist Wynton Kelly, guitarist Kenny Burrell, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath. The instantly recognizable hard bop saxophonist performs four standards and three of his own compositions, including the original versions of "Gingerbread Boy" and "Project S." It's a good example of his playing talents. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 On the Trail 5:04
Ferde Grofé
2 Cloak and Dagger 4:17
Jimmy Heath
3 Vanity 4:37
Bernard Bierman / Jack Manus / Guy Wood
4 All the Things You Are 5:19
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
5 Gingerbread Boy 5:29
Jimmy Heath
6 I Should Care 5:13
Sammy Cahn / Axel Stordahl / Paul Weston
7 Project S 8:01
Jimmy Heath
Credits
Bass – Paul Chambers
Drums – Albert Heath
Guitar – Kenny Burrell
Piano – Wynton Kelly
Tenor Saxophone – Jimmy Heath

JIMMY HEATH - The Gap Sealer + Love and Understanding (1972-2008) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Some of Heath's finest, most aggressive playing. He is a standout on soprano, flute, and tenor. Ron Wynn

This is one of Jimmy Heath's more unusual and versatile records, and fortunately it has been reissued on CD. Heath switches between tenor, soprano and flute on a diverse program (five originals plus Duke Ellington's "In a Sentimental Mood") that ranges from hard bop to light funk and R&Bish jazz. Heath's sidemen (trombonist Curtis Fuller, cellist Bernard Fennell, keyboardist Stanley Cowell, electric bassist Bob Cranshaw and drummer Billy Higgins) sound quite inspired by the material and Heath plays at his most inventive throughout the underrated set. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Heritage Hum 7'48
Jimmy Heath
2     Invitation 5:46
Kaper    
3     A Sound For Sore Ears  7'20
Jimmy Heath
4     Gap Sealer 7'28
Jimmy Heath
5     Angel Man 7'20
Jimmy Heath
6     Alkebu-Lan (Land of the Blacks) 7'34
James Mtume
 Love and Understanding (1973)
7     One For Juan 7'04
Jimmy Heath
8     Hands Up! Feet Down! 7'06
Jimmy Heath
9     Far Away Lands 5'02
Jimmy Heath
10     Smilin' Billy 5'46
Jimmy Heath
11     Gemini 7'53
Jimmy Heath
Credits :
1-6
Bass – Bob Cranshaw
Drums – Al "Tootie" Heath
Percussion – Mtume
Piano – Kenny Barron
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Jimmy Heath
7-11
Cello – Bernard Fennell
Drums, Tambourine – Billy Higgins
Electric Bass – Bob Cranshaw
Piano, Electric Piano – Stanley Cowell
Flute, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Jimmy Heath
Trombone – Curtis Fuller

THE HEATH BROTHERS | ALBERT, JIMMY & PERCY ft. STANLEY COWELL - Marching On! (1976-1990) FLAC (tracks), lossless

The debut recording by the Heath Brothers -- which at the time consisted of Jimmy Heath on tenor, soprano and flute, bassist Percy Heath, drummer Al "Tootie" Heath and pianist Stanley Cowell -- was one of their best, but also their most obscure release. Made for the soon-defunct Strata East label, this LP has Jimmy Heath's four-part "Smilin' Billy Suite," an original apiece from Cowell and the two other brothers (including Percy's "Watergate Blues"), and Duke Ellington's "Warm Valley." High-quality hard bop. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Warm Valley 2'29
Flute [Lead] – Albert Heath
Written-By – D. Ellington
2    Tafadhali 3'54
Flute [Lead] – Albert Heath
Written-By – A. Heath
3    The Watergate Blues 5'54
Written-By – P. Heath
4    Maimoun (From "Illusion Suite") 8'02
Flute [Lead] – Albert Heath
Written-By – S. Cowell
5    Smilin' Billy Suite 6'04
Written-By – J. Heath
6    Part I 6'00
Written-By – J. Heath
7    Part II 4'23
Written-By – J. Heath
8    Part III 3'28
Reeds [African Double Reed Instrument] – Albert Heath
Written-By – J. Heath
9    Part IV 4'35
Written-By – J. Heath
Credits :
Bass [Baby, Violin] – Percy Heath
Drums – Albert Heath
Flute, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Jimmy Heath
Piano [Acoustic], Mbira – Stanley Cowell

THE HEATH BROTHERS - As We Were Saying (1997) FLAC (tracks), lossless

During the Modern Jazz Quartet's temporary retirement from 1975-83, bassist Percy Heath teamed up with tenor and soprano great Jimmy Heath and drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath (who left after a few years) to form the Heath Brothers. There had been occasional reunions since then, but this is the first record done under the Heath Brothers name in over a decade, and it finds the musical communication between the three siblings as strong as ever. Joined by either Stanley Cowell or Sir Roland Hanna on piano and such guests as guitarist Mark Elf, trombonist Slide Hampton, trumpeter Jon Faddis (brilliant during his three appearances) and percussionist James Mtume (Jimmy's son), the Heaths perform a varied yet continually colorful set. The music is largely bop-oriented and includes six likable originals, "I'm Glad There Is You," "Daydream," and Fats Navarro's "Nostalgia." Although Percy has some solo spots, as do the guests, the main voice throughout is Jimmy Heath, who has long had his own distinctive sounds on tenor and soprano. Without exaggeration, it can be accurately stated that all nine performances on this CD are memorable in their own way. Highly recommended. Scott Yanow  
Tracklist :
1     The Newest One 6'18
Jimmy Heath
2     Bop Again 7'13
Jimmy Heath
3     For Seven's Sake 4'47
Albert "Tootie" Heath
4     South Filthy 3'29
Albert "Tootie" Heath / Jimmy Heath / Percy Heath
5     I'm Glad There Is You 7'38
Jimmy Dorsey / Paul Mertz
6     Dave's Daze 6'06
Percy Heath
7     Day Dream 6'46
Duke Ellington / John Latouche / Billy Strayhorn
8     Nostalgia 8'20
Fats Navarro
9     This Is What It Is 8'18
Jimmy Heath
Credits
Acoustic Bass, Cello [Jazz Cello] – Percy Heath
Drums, Percussion – Albert "Tootie" Heath
Guitar – Mark Elf (pistas: 1, 2, 3, 6)
Percussion – James Mtume (pistas: 4)
Piano – Sir Roland Hanna (pistas: 1, 6, 7, 9)
Piano, Kalimba – Stanley Cowell (pistas: 2, 3, 5)
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Jimmy Heath
Trombone – Slide Hampton (pistas: 1, 8, 9)
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Jon Faddis (pistas: 1, 8, 9)

HEATH BROTHERS - Endurance (2009) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Brothers Jimmy Heath and Albert "Tootie" Heath carry on together in the tradition of the Heath Brothers band, minus their deceased brother, bassist Percy Heath. David Wong ably fills the bass chair, while pianist Jeb Patton has been working with the Philadelphia-based siblings for going on his dozenth year. There's a certain ease and calm present in Jimmy Heath's tenor sax playing that reflects the wisdom of his seasoned years, an assured stance that is never rushed or over-pronounced. This tone sets up the type of uncomplicated mainstream modern jazz based in bop that most fans can embrace and enjoy. It is refreshing that Jimmy Heath can still crank out new compositions that retain both traditional values and a universal appeal. And -- if it actually needs to be said -- Albert Heath is one of the greatest jazz drummers of all time, and continues on his tasteful, skillful, perfectly balanced path, a common example for students and fellow pros to follow. A perfect example of their combined expertise kicks off the set with "Changes," an effortless, light, breezy, and melodic a type of straight-ahead jazz as you will ever find. "Wall to Wall" reflects the good-time, free-flowing, shuffle blues typified by the best of Art Blakey's material. Where "You or Me" is masterful bop based on a deconstructed and extended idea of the changes of "There Will Never Be Another You" with Wong's bass at the core, "Two Tees" takes tenor and piano intertwined into a crisp and precise bop tone, and "The Rio Dawn" is the obligatory Brazilian piece, light, airy, and alluring. Wong's other feature with his bowed, upright, acoustic instrument, "From a Lonely Bass" is the ensemble's tribute to Percy Heath similar to Duke Ellington's immortal "Solitude." There's a single contribution from Patton's pen, as "Dusk in the City" is a dynamic, modal piece, very modern, with Jimmy Heath's dusky soprano sax on display, and Patton's chord progressions or two-handed accents loading up the track. A more-upbeat-than-normal version of "Autumn in New York" expresses the hopeful instead of melancholy side of this seasonal change, still easygoing and serene but confident that better times are ahead, and that it is good to be alive. Of the handful of Heath Brothers recordings in the world, this one is very good despite the absence of the third sibling. Patton and Wong work quite well with the surviving brothers, making this an attractive album -- with not a speck of filler or cereal -- that most jazz listeners will want in their collections. Michael G. Nastos  
Tracklist :
1     Changes 7'41
Jimmy Heath
2     Wall to Wall 5'11
Jimmy Heath
3     You or Me 4'38
Jimmy Heath
4     Ballad from Leadership Suite 6'09
Jimmy Heath
5     Dusk in the City 6'16
Jeb Patton
6     Two Tees 4'23
Jimmy Heath
7     Autumn in New York 7'44
Vernon Duke
8     From a Lonely Bass 3'24
Jimmy Heath
9     The Rio Dawn 7'31
Jimmy Heath
Credits
Albert "Tootie" Heath -    Drums
Jimmy Heath - Sax (Sopranino), Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor)
Jeb Patton - Piano
David Wong - Bass

JOHNNY GRIFFIN SEXTET - The Little Giant (1959-1995) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

A bit of an offbeat session for tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin, The Little Giant features three originals by then-obscure pianist Norman Simmons, a reworking of the pop tune "Playmates," Babs Gonzalez's "Lonely One," and the tenorist's "63rd Street Theme." Simmons' arrangements for the three horns (which include trumpeter Blue Mitchell and trombonist Julian Priester) are colorful; the rhythm section (pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Sam Jones, and drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath) is state of the art for the period, and Griffin (who is featured in a trio with Jones and Heath on "Lonely One") is in fine form. An interesting set of obscure straight-ahead jazz. Scott Yanow
Tracklist  :
1 Olive Refractions 4:15
Written-By – Norman Simmons
2 The Message 7:20
Written-By – Norman Simmons
3 Lonely One 4:13
Written-By – Babs Gonsalez
4 63rd Street Theme 7:34
Written-By – Johnny Griffin
5 Playmates 4:18
Written-By – Saxie Dowell
6 Venus And The Moon 6:29
Written-By – Norman Simmons
Credits
Bass – Sam Jones
Drums – Albert Heath
Piano – Wynton Kelly (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 6)
Producer, Liner Notes – Orrin Keepnews
Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Griffin
Trombone – Julian Priester (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 6)
Trumpet – Blue Mitchell (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 6)

JOHNNY GRIFFIN - The Man I Love (1967-1988) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Teamed up with pianist Kenny Drew, bassist Niels Pedersen and drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath for a club date at Copenhagen's Montmartre in 1967 (reissued on CD by Black Lion), the great tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin really stretches out on four numbers: "The Man I Love," "Hush-A-Bye," "Blues for Harvey" and a memorable version of "The Masquerade Is Over." Griffin shows why he was early on billed as "the world's fastest tenor" although he also displays warmth on "Sophisticated Lady." A fine example of Griffin's underrated talents. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     The Man I Love 12'18
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
2     Hush-A-Bye 9'16
Traditional
3     Blues for Harvey 12'29
Johnny Griffin
4     The Masquerade Is Over 12'58
Herbert Magidson / Allie Wrubel
5     Sophisticated Lady 5'44
Duke Ellington / Irving Mills / Mitchell Parish
6     Wee 2'17
Denzil Best
Credits :
Bass – Nils-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
Drums – Al Heath
Piano – Kenny Drew
Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Griffin

JOHNNY GRIFFIN - Bush Dance (1983) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Johnny Griffin has (at least since the mid-'50s) been one of the masters of the tenor sax although consistently underrated. This studio session is one of his great achievements, particularly a fascinating (and cleverly constructed) 17-minute version of "A Night in Tunisia." Whether it be his own "The Jams Are Coming" or a lyrical version of the veteran ballad "Since I Fell for You," Griffin (joined here by guitarist George Freeman, bassist Sam Jones, drummer Albert Heath and percussionist Kenneth Nash) is inspired and quite creative throughout this highly recommended gem. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     A Night in Tunisia 17'07
Dizzy Gillespie / Frank Paparelli
2     Bush Dance 4'59
Johnny Griffin
3     The Jamfs Are Coming 7'06
Johnny Griffin
4     Since I Fell for You 7'21
Buddy Johnson
5     Knucklebean 7'19
Eddie Marshall
6     I Mean You 8'43
Thelonious Monk
7     Lover Man 11'35
Jimmy Davis / Roger "Ram" Ramirez / Jimmy Sherman
8    Call It Whachawana 6'34
Johnny Griffin
9     A Waltz With Sweetie 6'36
Johnny Griffin
Credits :
Bass – Sam Jones
Drums – Albert Heath
Guitar – George Freeman
Percussion, Congas – Kenneth Nash
Piano – Cedar Walton
Saxophone – Johnny Griffin

THE JAZZTETT AND JOHN LEWIS - The Jazztet and John Lewis ft. Art Farmer & Benny Golson (1953-2013) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The Jazztet had been in existence for two years when they recorded what would be their final LPs, Here and Now and Another Git Together. The personnel, other than the two co-leaders, flugelhornist Art Farmer and tenor-saxophonist Benny Golson, had completely changed since 1960 but the group sound was the same. The 1962 version of the Jazztet included trombonist Grachan Moncur III, pianist Harold Mabern, bassist Herbie Lewis, and drummer Roy McCurdy. It is remarkable to think that this talent-filled group wasn't, for some reason, snapped up to record even more albums together. Highlights of their excellent out-of-print LP include Ray Bryant's "Tonk," "Whisper Not," "Just in Time," and Thelonious Monk's "Ruby My Dear." A classic if short-lived hard bop group. [This is the original issue and does not include bonus tracks.] Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Bel 4'05
Composed By – John Lewis
2    Milano 4'49
Composed By – John Lewis
3    Django 4'50
Composed By – John Lewis
4    New York 19 7'04
Composed By – John Lewis
5    2 Degrees East, 3 Degrees West 8'40
Composed By – John Lewis
6    Odds Against Tomorrow 12'27
Composed By – John Lewis
Credits :
Bass – Thomas Williams
Drums – Albert Heath
Piano – Cedar Walton
Tenor Saxophone – Benny Golson
Trombone – Thomas McIntosh
Trumpet – Art Farmer
Written-By, Conductor – John Lewis

ART FARMER | FRANK MORGAN | LOU LEVY | ERIC VON ESSEN | ALBERT "TOOTIE" HEATH - Central Avenue Reunion (1989) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Three of the five musicians on this quintet date (flügelhornist Art Farmer, altoist Frank Morgan, and pianist Lou Levy) had played on Central Avenue in Los Angeles of the late '40s. Not all of the eight songs that they perform with bassist Eric Von Essen and drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath are from the era ("Blue Minor" and "Cool Struttin'" were written by Sonny Clark several years later), but the outing is very much in the bop style of the period. Their live set is highlighted by spirited versions of "Star Eyes," "Farmer's Market," "I Remember You," and "Donna Lee." This CD is filled with high-quality bebop that is easily recommended to straight-ahead jazz fans. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Star Eyes 8'43
Written-By – Raye, DePaul
2    Farmer's Market 6'58
Written-By – Art Farmer
3    Embraceable You 6'48
Written-By – Gershwin-Gershwin
4    Blue Minor 7'08
Written-By – Sonny Clark
5    I Remember You 9'03
Written-By – Mercer, Schertzinger
6    Don't Blame Me 5'45
Written-By – Fields-McHugh
7    Cool Struttin' 9'21
Written-By – Clark
8    Donna Lee 6'15
Written-By – Charlie Parker
Credits :
Acoustic Bass – Eric Von Essen
Alto Saxophone – Frank Morgan
Drums – Albert "Tootie" Heath
Flugelhorn, Arranged By, Trumpet – Art Farmer
Piano – Lou Levy

ROSCOE MITCHELL - Hey Donald (1994) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Since Roscoe Mitchell (who on this set made his return to the Delmark label after 28 years) is best known as a free jazz pioneer and a longtime member of the Art Ensemble of Chicago, the straightahead nature of a few of the selections will surprise some of his followers. "Walking in the Moonlight" is a sly and witty strut, "Jeremy" a melodic ballad for the leader's flute and "Hey Donald" could have come from the Sonny Rollins songbook. But Mitchell has not forsaken his innovative style. On "Dragons" his soprano playing (with its circular breathing) sounds very African, there are four free duets with bassist Malachi Favors and the blowouts on "Song for Rwanda" and "See You at the Fair" are pretty adventurous. In general Mitchell (who is joined by a versatile rhythm section comprised of pianist Jodie Christian, bassist Favors and drummer Tootie Heath) saves the more boppish pieces for his tenor while on soprano his intense sound creates a drone effect reminiscent a bit of bagpipes. All in all his release for Delmark should keep listeners guessing. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Walking in the Moonlight 6:55
Roscoe Mitchell
2     Dragons 6:48
Roscoe Mitchell
3     Jeremy 1:54
Jodie Christian
4     El 2:51
Roscoe Mitchell
5     Hey Donald 7:45
Roscoe Mitchell
6     Keep on Keeping On 2:44
Malachi Favors
7     The Band Room 2:27
Roscoe Mitchell
8     Englewood High School 4:06
Roscoe Mitchell
9     Zero 4:29
Lester Bowie
10     Song for Rwanda 6:23
Roscoe Mitchell
11     58th Street 4:33
Roscoe Mitchell
12     See You at the Fair 5:26
Roscoe Mitchell
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Sopranino Saxophone, Flute – Roscoe Mitchell
Bass – Malachi Favors
Drums, Percussion – Albert 'Tootie' Heath
Piano – Jodie Christian