BABY FACE WILLETTE — Behind The 8 Ball (1964-1998) RM | Soul Jazz Collection Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Behind the 8-Ball was Baby Face Willette's second album for Argo, his second of 1964, and -- unfortunately -- the last one he would record as a leader, for reasons that aren't well-documented. Compared to his past releases, Behind the 8-Ball is short on original compositions (only two of eight tracks), but the emphasis here is more on Willette's deep roots in gospel and R&B, two circuits he worked extensively during his pre-Blute Note dues-paying days. This perhaps accounts for the brevity of the album -- only two cuts top the five-minute mark -- but it also provides a chance to hear Willette at his most soulful, playing the music he grew up with. Willette is again joined by guitarist Ben White, plus new drummer Jerold Donavon, who are usually solid if nothing special; Willette's Hammond B-3 is the star. On the R&B side, Willette's short, self-penned title track is strongly reminiscent of the very early rock & roll era, and his cover of Big Joe Turner's "Roll 'Em Pete" features some nifty trade-offs with White. From the gospel side of the equation, altoist Gene Barge makes his only appearance on the traditional standard "Amen"; there's also the R&B-ish waltz "Sinnin' Sam" and an extended take on "Just a Closer Walk," which had recently been recorded in similar fashion by Willette's former Blue Note compatriot Grant Green. Elsewhere, Willette throws a curveball with his lengthy original "Song of the Universe"; a confused White seems to have difficulty keeping up with the hyperspeed waltz time, but Willette tosses out lightning-quick leads and riffs with a light, nimble touch. Again, it's not quite as good as his Blue Notes (with their stellar supporting casts), but for a look at Willette's roots, Behind the 8-Ball is a solid acquisition, and worth tracking down for devotees as a Japanese CD reissue. Steve Huey
Tracklist :
1.    Behind The 8 Ball  2:21
Written-By – Roosevelt Willette
2.    Song Of The Universe  7:06
Written-By – Roosevelt Willette
3.    Amen  2:33
Arranged By – Roosevelt Willette
4.    Tacos Joe  3:12
Written-By – Bennie White
5.    Roll 'Em Pete  3:28
Written-By – Joe Turner, Pete Johnson
6.    Just A Closer Walk  6:57
Arranged By – Roosevelt Willette
7.    St. James Infirmary  2:22
Written-By – Joe Primrose
8.    Sinnin' Sam  4:25
Written-By – Nesbitt Hooper
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Gene Barge (tracks: 3)
Drums – Jerold Donavon
Guitar – Ben White 
Organ – Baby-Face Willette 

LOU DONALDSON & GRANT GREEN - Cool Blus (1961-2012) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    A Foggy Day    6:38
2    Here Tis    9:26
3    Cool Blues    6:54
4    Watusi Jump    7:32
5    Walk Wid Me    8:37
6    Misty    8:33
7    Please    6:09
8    Man With A Horn    5:49
9    Prisoner Of Love    5:12
10    Stardust    6:12
Notas.
Tracks 1-5: Recorded January 23, 1961. Previously issued as Here 'Tis.
Tracks 6-10: Recorded September 25, 1961. Previously issued on A Man With A Horn.

LOU DONALDSON — Here' Tis (1961-2010) RM | SACD, Hybrid | The Blue Note Reissues Series | WV (image+.cue), lossless

Here 'Tis is in the front rank of Lou Donaldson records, an exceptionally funky soul-jazz session that finds the saxophonist swinging harder than usual. As he moves from hard bop to soul-jazz, Donaldson reveals a bluesy streak to his playing while keeping the vigorous attack that defined his best bop. Donaldson's playing is among his finest in the soul-jazz vein, but what makes Here 'Tis such an enjoyable session is his interaction with his supporting trio of guitarist Grant Green, organist Baby Face Willette, and drummer Dave Bailey. As support, all three know how to keep a groove gritty and flexible, following Lou's lead and working a swinging beat that keeps flowing, never growing static. Green and Willette also have their time in the spotlight, and both musicians are frequently stunning. Green's single-note leads are clean and inventive; Willette is rhythmic and forceful, but also capable of soulful, mellow leads on the slow blues. Their talent, combined with Donaldson at a peak, results in a terrific record. Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Tracklist :
1 A Foggy Day 6:35
Written-By – Gershwin
2 Here 'Tis 9:23
Written-By – Lou Donaldson
3 Cool Blues 6:50
Written-By – Charlie Parker
4 Watusi Jump 7:30
Written-By – Lou Donaldson
5 Walk Wid Me 8:36
Written-By – Lou Donaldson
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Lou Donaldson
Drums – Dave Bailey
Guitar – Grant Green
Organ – 'Baby Face' Willette
Recorded By – Rudy Van Gelder

GRANT GREEN - Grant's First Stand (1961-1999) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Grant Green's debut album, Grant's First Stand, still ranks as one of his greatest pure soul-jazz outings, a set of killer grooves laid down by a hard-swinging organ trio. For having such a small lineup -- just organist Baby Face Willette and drummer Ben Dixon -- the group cooks up quite a bit of power, really sinking its teeth into the storming up-tempo numbers, and swinging loose and easy on the ballads. The influence of the blues on both Green and Willette is strong and, while that's far and away the dominant flavor of the session, Green also displays his unique bop phrasing (learned by studying horn players' lines, rather than other guitarists) to fine effect on his high-octane opener, "Miss Ann's Tempo," and Willette's "Baby's Minor Lope." Green's original blues "A Wee Bit O'Green" and "Blues for Willarene" are both memorable, particularly the former, and the two standards -- "Lullaby of the Leaves" and "'Tain't Nobody's Bizness If I Do" -- are given smoky treatments soaked in bluesy, late-night atmosphere. Willette and Dixon both supply a tremendous rhythmic drive, and Willette's solos burn with gospel fervor. This same trio performed together on Willette's Stop and Listen album, with equally heated results. None of Green's contemporaries used the single-note style (Green rarely played chords, leaving that to the organ or piano) to quite the same degree, making him a unique voice on his instrument. And his terrific debut pegged him as an up-and-comer to watch closely.  by Steve Huey  

Tracklist :

1 Miss Ann's Tempo 5:37

Written-By – Grant Green

2 Lullaby Of The Leaves 7:39

Written-By – B. Petkere, J. Young

3 Blues For Willarene 7:06

Written-By – Green

4 Baby's Minor Lope 7:13

Written-By – Baby Face Willette

5 'Tain't Nobody's Business If I Do 4 :23

Written-By – E. Robbins, P. Grainger

6 A Wee Bit O' Green 7:46

Written-By – Green

Credits :

 Drums – Ben Dixon

Guitar – Grant Green

Organ – Baby Face Willette