ARTHUR BLYTHE — Exale (2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Arthur Blythe's alto saxophone was first heard in combination with Bob Stewart's tuba during the late '70s on Blythe's earliest albums Metamorphosis, The Grip, and Bush Baby. Exhale, which was released by Savant Records in 2003, was something like the 14th Blythe album to feature Stewart on the big horn. Stewart's pre-Blythe adventures included dates with Taj Mahal, the JCOA, Charles Mingus, Lester Bowie, Sam Rivers, and Gil Evans. His muscular bass clef virtuosity has always proven peculiarly well suited for interaction with Blythe's soulful soaring alto sax. The other half of the unit responsible for Exhale consisted of pianist John Hicks and drummer Cecil Brooks III. In addition to several tracks designated as movements of "Exhaust Suite" (with Hicks crossing over to Hammond organ), the group revisited a fine bouquet of standards by John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Jimmy Forrest, and Nat King Cole. This enjoyable album's playlist also includes a glowing interpretation of "Just Friends" and, best of all perhaps, a pair of extended outings on "All Blues" and "Equinox." As was the case with his 2001 Savant release Blythe Byte, the title track on Exhale is a miniature that takes less than one minute to experience. arwulf arwulf
Tracklist :
1.    Cousin Mary 5:18
Written-By – John Coltrane
2.    Come Sunday 6:12
Written-By – Duke Ellington
Exhaust Suite    (11:07)
3.    Nonette 3:16
Written-By – Bob Stewart
4.    Surrender 4:10
Written-By – Arthur Blythe
5.    LC 1:15
Written-By – Arthur Blythe
6.    Phase Two 2:26
Written-By – Arthur Blythe
7.    Night Train 6:10
Written-By – Jimmy Forrest, Oscar Washington
8.    7/4 Thang 3:51
Written-By – Arthur Blythe
9.    Equinox 6:06
Written-By – John Coltrane
10.    Just Friends 4:25
Written-By – John Klenner, Sam M. Lewi
11.    CJ 5:26
Written-By – Bob Stewart
12.    All Blues 4:25
Written-By – Miles Davis
13.    Straighten Up And Fly Right 4:15
Written-By – Irving Mills, Nat King Cole
14.    Exhale 0:50
Written-By – Arthur Blythe
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Producer [Associate] – Arthur Blythe
Drums, Producer – Cecil Brooks III
Piano, Organ [B3] (tracks: 3, 6) – John Hicks 
Tuba – Bob Stewart

ARTHUR BLYTHE — In Concert (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Altoist Arthur Blythe's first two recordings as a leader, The Grip and Metamorphosis, were recorded at the same concert; all of the two LP's contents are on this single CD. Blythe was already quite distinctive and an impressive improviser at this early stage, a year before he signed with Columbia. His sextet (which consists of trumpeter Ahmed Abdullah, cellist Abdul Wadud, tuba player Bob Stewart, drummer Steve Reid and percussionist Muhamad Abdullah) performs seven of Blythe's challenging originals and "Spirits in the Field" while the 18-minute "Duet for Two" is a free collaboration by the leader and Wadud. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    My Sun Ra    3:22
Composed By – Arthur Blythe
2    Lower Nile    4:01
Composed By – Arthur Blythe
3    As Of Yet    12:35
Composed By – Arthur Blythe
4    The Grip    7:11
Composed By – Arthur Blythe
5    Sunrise Service    7:51
Composed By – Arthur Blythe
6    Metamorphosis    8:08
Composed By – Arthur Blythe
7    Spirits In The Field 8:32
Composed By – Walter Lowe
8    Duet For Two    17:59
Composed By – Arthur Blythe
9    Shadows    7:48
Composed By – Arthur Blythe
Credits :
Cello – Abdul Wadud
Drums – Steve Reid
Percussion – Muhammad Abdullah
Saxophone – Arthur Blythe
Trumpet – Ahmed Abdullah
Tuba – Bob Stewart

CHICO HAMILTON — Peregrinations (1975-2013) RM | Serie BNLA 999 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This unusual LP, the first of three featuring altoist Arthur Blythe with drummer Chico Hamilton's mid-'70s group, has an uncomfortable mixture of advanced jazz and commercial elements. Hamilton is joined by a large rhythm section that includes Steve Turre (on electric bass) and guitarists Barry Finnerty and Joe Beck, along with Blythe, Arnie Lawrence on soprano, the keyboards of Jerry Peters, and several vocalists. The overall effect is a bit weird, dated but with some colorful moments. Definitely a mixed bag. Scott Yanow
Tracklist  :
1 V-O 3:58
Soloist, Alto Saxophone – Arthur Blythe
Soloist, Guitar – Barry Finnerty
Written-By – Steve Turre
2 The Morning Side Of Love 5:18
Soloist, Guitar [1st Guitar] – Barry Finnerty
Soloist, Guitar [2nd Guitar] – Joe Beck
Written-By – Chico Hamilton
3 Abdullah And Abraham 4:16
Soloist, Sopranino Saxophone – Arnie Lawrence
Written-By – Arnie Lawrence
4 Andy's Walk 4:15
Written-By – Chico Hamilton
5 Peregrinations 3:16
Soloist, Guitar – Joe Beck
Written-By – Chico Hamilton
6 Sweet Dreams 5:53
Soloist, Alto Saxophone – Arthur Blythe
Soloist, Guitar – Barry Finnerty
Written-By – Chico Hamilton
7 Little Lisa 2:49
Written-By – Steve Turre
8 Space For Stacy 3:06
Written-By – Chico Hamilton
9 On And Off  2:56
Written-By – Chico Hamilton
10 It's About That Time 0:57
Written-By – Chico Hamilton
Credits :
Arranged By [Rhythm Arrangements] – Chico Hamilton
Arranged By [Swetening Arrangements] – Keg Johnson
Arranged By [Vocal Arrangements] – Julia Tillman, Keg Johnson, Luther Waters, Maxine Willard, Oren Waters
Art Direction, Design – Bob Cato
Bass – Steve Turre
Congas [Congos], Bongos, Percussion – Abdullah
Drums, Percussion – Chico Hamilton
Effects [Other Special Effects By] – Jerrell Ballard, Keg Johnson
Guitar – Barry Finnerty, Joe Beck
Horns – Arnie Lawrence, Arthur Blythe, Steve Turre
Keyboards – Jerry Peters
Programmed By [Synthesizer Programming] – Charlotte Politte
Vocals – Julia Tillman, Luther Waters, Maxine Willard, Oren Waters

GIL EVANS – Priestess (1977-1983) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

After the success of his studio sessions of the early to mid-'70s, Gil Evans primarily recorded live in concert during the remainder of his career. This is one of the better sets, for although two of the four selections are over 12 minutes long ("Priestess" exceeds 19 1/2 minutes), the music is generally under control. Evans's eccentric 16-piece group consists of three trumpets, trombone, French horn, two tubas, three saxes and a five-piece rhythm section including Pete Levin on synthesizer. With such soloists as altoists David Sanborn and Arthur Blyte, trumpeter Lew Soloff and George Adams on tenor, the music is quite stimulating and exciting. Scott Yanow
Tracklist & Credits :

GIL EVANS – Live at the Public Theater New York 1980 Vol. I (1980-1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

One of arranger Gil Evans's main talents was his ability to fuse diverse, unique performers into a unified ensemble. He accomplishes that on the first of two LPs taken from a pair of 1980 concerts, even if his presence is felt more than heard. Although Evans is on electric piano, he also employed two other synthesizer players (Masabumi Kikuchi and Pete Levin) in his eclectic band, which at the time included such notables as Lew Soloff, Jon Faddis and Hannibal Marvin Peterson on trumpets, altoist Arthur Blythe, trombonist George Lewis, baritone saxophonist Hamiet Bluiett and drummer Billy Cobham, among others. A lengthy "Anita's Dance" and a remake of "Gone, Gone, Gone" are the more memorable selections. Scott Yanow    Tracklist + Credits :

GIL EVANS – Live at the Public Theater New York 1980 Vol. II (1980-1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The second of two Gil Evans LPs originally recorded for the Japanese Trio label and put out in the United States on the now-defunct Black-Hawk company features the veteran arranger leading a 14-piece group at a pair of 1980 concerts. The five selections (which include Jimi Hendrix's "Stone Free," Charles Mingus' "Orange Was the Color of Her Dress" and Evans's "Zee Zee") are given colorful treatment by the unique band, which consists of three keyboardists, a rhythm section propelled by drummer Billy Cobham, three trumpets (Lew Soloff, Jon Faddis and Hannibal Marvin Peterson), two trombones (including George Lewis), John Clark on French horn, baritone saxophonist Hamiet Bluiett and altoist Arthur Blythe. Although the end results do not quite live up to the potential of this unique ensemble, there are plenty of colorful moments. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :