BUD SHANK | BILL PERKINS — Bud Shank and Bill Perkins (1998) MONO | Serie West Coast Classics | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Two of the stars of cool jazz, Bud Shank and Bill Perkins, are featured to various degrees throughout this session. Shank in the 1950s was practically the epitome of West Coast jazz. His cool tones on alto and his fluid flute were utilized on many dates; the main set here also finds him switching in spots to tenor and baritone. Perkins, always a versatile reed soloist, is best known for his tenor playing but during that date he also plays alto, and (on two versions of "Fluted Columns") there are some rare examples of his flute. Shank and Perkins team up quite effectively with pianist Hampton Hawes, bassist Red Mitchell, and drummer Mel Lewis for the May 2, 1955 session, which includes a trio feature for Hawes ("I Hear Music"). Four numbers from February 19, 1956 (with Shank on flute and alto, pianist Russ Freeman, bassist Carson Smith, drummer Shelly Manne, and, on "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?," Perkins on tenor) are actually from a session led by Freeman but never completed, and were only put out previously on samplers. "Angel Eyes" (by a quartet with Perkins and pianist Jimmy Rowles) is a leftover track from a later date, as is "Sonny Speaks," which showcases Rowles in a trio without Perkins. This set concludes with the one surviving number ("Ain't Got a Dime to My Name") surviving from a truncated Perkins quartet set from 1958. Taken as a whole, there are many rewarding solos to be heard by Shank, Perkins, and the piano players on these formerly rare selections, even if the collection falls short of being classic. Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits

OLIVER NELSON — Sound Pieces (1966-1991) RM | GRP Presents The Legendary Masters Of Jazz | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Sound Pieces features Oliver Nelson in two very different settings. Although best-known as an altoist and a tenor saxophonist, Nelson sticks exclusively to soprano throughout the set. He leads a 20-piece big band on three of his compositions which, although interesting, are not overly memorable. Best are five other numbers (two of which were originally issued on the record Three Dimensions) that showcase Nelson's soprano playing with a quartet that includes pianist Steve Kuhn, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Grady Tate. Although one would not think of Nelson as a soprano stylist, his strong playing actually put him near the top of his field on such numbers as "The Shadow of Your Smile," "Straight No Chaser," and his own "Patterns."  Scott Yanow
Tracklist & Credits :

OLIVER NELSON'S BIG BAND — Live from Los Angeles (1968-2005) RM | Serie LP Reproduction | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Oliver Nelson's live recordings don't seem as sharp as his studio stuff. Good playing, though, from a good group of West Coasters, but nothing exciting happens. Douglas Payne   Tracklist & Credits :

OLIVER NELSON — Skull Session (1975-2002) RM | RCA Victor Gold Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Skull Session is hardly up to snuff for the talented and overworked Nelson, who was busy scoring TV shows at the time. The title track is a fun little dabble in electronic funk, but the rest seems beneath Nelson's abilities, as it takes his signature sounds, adds disco, dumbs down the themes, and finishes it off with pedestrian solos from L.A. studio musicians. Douglas Payne  Tracklist & Credits :

ART PEPPER — Art Pepper + Eleven (1959-1986) APE (image+.cue), lossless

This is a true classic. Altoist Art Pepper is joined by an 11-piece band playing Marty Paich arrangements of a dozen jazz standards from the bop and cool jazz era. Trumpeter Jack Sheldon has a few solos, but the focus is very much on the altoist who is in peak form for this period. Throughout, Pepper sounds quite inspired by Paich's charts which feature the band as an active part of the music rather than just in the background. Highlights of this highly enjoyable set include "Move," "Four Brothers," "Shaw Nuff," "Anthropology," and "Donna Lee," but there is not a single throwaway track to be heard. Essential music for all serious jazz collections. [Some reissues add two additional versions of "Walkin'" and one of "Donna Lee" to the original program.] Scott Yanow    Tracklist & Credits :

AL COHN | BILL PERKINS | RICHIE KAMUCA - The Brothers! (2006) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Lester Young's influence on younger tenor players was at its height in the early-to-mid-'50s. This enjoyable session matches together the three tenors of Al Cohn, Bill Perkins and Richie Kamuca but good luck telling them apart! Backed by pianist Hank Jones, either Barry Galbraith or Jimmy Raney (who used the pseudonym on this date of Sam Beethoven) on guitar, bassist John Beal and drummer Chuck Flores, the tenors play concise versions of originals by Cohn, Perkins, Nat Pierce, Bill Potts and Bob Brookmeyer in addition to the lone standard "Blue Skies." The music is fun and swinging if not all that original or distinctive. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Blixed    3:45
2    Kim's Kaper    3:10
3    Rolling Stone    3:04
4    Sioux Zan    3:05
5    The Walrus    2:45
6    Blue Skies    3:08
7    Gay Blade    3:14
8    Three Of A Kind    3:10
9    Hags!    3:14
10    Pro-Ex    3:01
11    Strange Again    3:16
12    Cap Snapper    3:36
- BONUS TRACKS-
13    Memories Of You    2:59
14    Saw Buck    3:18
15    Chorus For Morris    3:19
16    Slightly Salty    3:15
Notas.
Recorded at Webster Hall, in New York City on June 24 (#2,3,6-8,10) & 25 (#1,4,5,9,11,12), 1955.
Credits :
Bass – John Beal
Drums – Chuck Flores
Guitar – Barry Galbraith (pistas: 2, 3, 6 to 8, 10), Jimmy Raney (pistas: 1, 4, 5, 9, 11, 12)
Piano – Hank Jones
Tenor Saxophone – Al Cohn, Bill Perkins, Richie Kamuca

MARTY PAICH - Four Classic Albums (2015) 2CD / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist 1 :
Tenors West (1955)
1. Tenors West (3:22)
2. There's No You (3:06)
3. The Dragon (4:14)
4. Shorty George (3:22)
5. Paichence (4:06)
6. At the Mardi Gras (3:25)
7. Take the "A" Train (3:09)
8. Ballet du Bongo (8:27)
9. Line for Lyons (3:10)
10. Jacqueline (3:34)
11. Con-Spirito (3:04)
Take Me Along (1959)
12. Overture-Take Me Along (4:46)
13. Nine O'Clock (3:09)
14. Little Green Snake (3:01)
15. Promise Me a Rose (3:22)
16. But Yours (3:32)
17. Sid, Ol' Kid (5:04)
18. Patience of a Saint (4:08)
19. Staying Young (2:49)
20. Thinkin' Things (3:45)
21. We're Home (2:47)
Tracklist 2 :
The Picasso of Big Band Jazz (1957)
1. From Now On (5:58)
2. Walkin' on Home (4:27)
3. Black Rose (5:11)
4. Tommy's Toon (4:03)
5. New Soft Shoe (3:13)
6. What's New (3:35)
7. Easy Listnin' (5:11)
8. Martyni Time (3:09)
9. Nice and Easy (4:44)
Lush, Latin & Cool (1960)
10. Honky Tonk Train (2:49)
11. Invitation (2:41)
12. Autumn Leaves (4:07)
13. Honeysuckle Rose (2:30)
14. Stella by Starlight (2:38)
15. Cumana (2:39)
16. Sabre Dance (2:13)
17. Canadian Sunset (3:39)
18. St. Louis Blues Boogie Woogie (3:36)
19. Little Rock Getaway (2:26)
20. Misirlou (3:19)
21. One O'Clock Jump (3:20) 

 All credits

JOHN LEWIS - Grand Encounter : 2º Degrees East - 3º Degrees West (1956-1990) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Also reissued as 2 Degrees East, 3 Degrees West and occasionally listed under tenor saxophonist Bill Perkins' name, this classic session is the ultimate in cool jazz. Perkins' mellow tone matches quite well with the quiet but inwardly passionate playing of pianist John Lewis, guitarist Jim Hall, bassist Percy Heath, and drummer Chico Hamilton. Lewis is featured with the rhythm section on "I Can't Get Started," Hall is added for "Skylark," and the full group plays three standards plus Lewis' memorable (and atmospheric) "2 Degrees East, 3 Degrees West." by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1    Love Me or Leave Me 8:18    
Walter Donaldson / Gus Kahn
2    I Can't Get Started 3:33    
3    Easy Living 4:14    
Ralph Rainger / Leo Robin
4    Two Degrees East, Three Degrees West 6:07
John Lewis
5    Skylark 3:06           
Hoagy Carmichael / Johnny Mercer
6    Almost Like Being in Love 9:26
Alan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe
Credits:
Bass – Percy Heath
Drums – Chico Hamilton
Guitar – Jim Hall
Piano – John Lewis
Tenor Saxophone – Bill Perkins

 

STAN KENTON - Cuban Fire! (1960-1991) MONO / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This CD contains one of the classic Stan Kenton albums, a six-part suite composed and arranged by Johnny Richards. The Kenton orchestra was expanded to 27 pieces for these dates including six percussionists, two French horns and six trumpets. With such soloists as tenor-great Lucky Thompson (on "Fuego Cubano,") trombonist Carl Fontana, altoist Lennie Niehaus, Bill Perkins on tenor and trumpeters Sam Noto and Vinnie Tanno, and plenty of raging ensembles, this is one of Stan Kenton's more memorable concept albums of the 1950s. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 Fuego Cubano (Cuban Fire) 6:02
Johnny Richards
2 El Congo Valiente (Valiant Congo) 5:53
Johnny Richards
3 Recuerdos (Reminiscences) 5:01
Johnny Richards
4 Quien Sabe (Who Knows) 4:49
Johnny Richards
5 Guera Baila (The Fair One Dances) 5:09
Johnny Richards
6 La Suerte de los Tontos (Fortune of Fools) 4:20
Johnny Richards
7 Tres Corarones (Three Hearts) 2:59
Johnny Richards
8 Maliba Moonlight 3:51
Johnny Richards
9 El Dangon 4:34
Johnny Richards
10 Carnival 5:21
Gene Roland
11 Wagon 3:05
Johnny Richards
12 Early Hours (Lady Luck) 2:56
Gene Roland
Credits:
Alto Saxophone – Gabe Baltazar (tracks: 8 to 12), Lennie Niehaus (tracks: 1 to 7)
Baritone Saxophone – Billy Root (tracks: 1 to 7), Marvin Holladay (tracks: 8 to 12), Wayne Dunston (tracks: 8 to 12)
Bass – Curtis Counce (tracks: 1 to 7), Pete Chivily (tracks: 8 to 12)
Bass Saxophone – Wayne Dunston (tracks: 8 to 12)
Bass Trombone – Bob Knight (tracks: 8 to 12), Jim Amlotte (tracks: 8 to 12)
Bongos – Willie Rodriguez (tracks: 1 to 7)
Claves – Roger Mozian (tracks: 1 to 7)
Congas – George Acevedo (tracks: 8 to 12), Tommy Lopez (tracks: 1 to 7)
Drums – Art Anton (tracks: 8 to 12), Mel Lewis (tracks: 1 to 7)
Flugelhorn – Vinnie Tano (tracks: 1 to 7)
French Horn – Irving Rosenthal (tracks: 1 to 7x), Julius Watkins (tracks: 1 to 7)
Guitar – Ralph Blaze (tracks: 1 to 7)
Maracas – Mario Alvarez (tracks: 1 to 7)
Mellophone – Bill Horan (tracks: 8 to 12), Dwight Carver (tracks: 8 to 12), Gene Rolland (tracks: 8 to 12), Joe Burnett (tracks: 8 to 12), Tom Wirtel (tracks: 8 to 12)
Piano – Stan Kenton
Tenor Saxophone – Bill Perkins (tracks: 1 to 7), Lucky Thompson (tracks: 1 to 7), Paul Renzi (tracks: 8 to 12), Sam Donahue (tracks: 8 to 12)
Timbales – George Laguna (tracks: 1 to 7)
Timpani – George Gaber (tracks: 1 to 7), Saul Gubin (tracks: 1 to 7)
Trombone – Bob Fitzpatrick (tracks: 1 to 7), Carl Fontana (tracks: 1 to 7), Dick Hyde (tracks: 8 to 12), Don Kelly (tracks: 1 to 7), Kent Larsen (tracks: 1 to 7), Ray Sikora (tracks: 8 to 12)
Trumpet – Al Mattaliano (tracks: 1 to 7), Bob Rolfe (tracks: 8 to 12), Bud Brisbois (tracks: 8 to 12), Dalton Smith (tracks: 8 to 12), Ed Leddy (tracks: 1 to 7), John Audino (tracks: 8 to 12), Lee Katzman (tracks: 1 to 7), Phil Gilbert (tracks: 1 to 7), Sam Noto, Steve Hoffsteter (tracks: 8 to 12), Vinnie Tano (tracks: 1 to 7)
Tuba – Albert Pollan (tracks: 8 to 12), Jay McAllister (tracks: 1 to 7)

STAN KENTON - Cuban Fire! (1960) 

(1991)  Capitol / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

O Púbis da Rosa

ANNIE ROSS — Four Classic Albums Plus (Annie by Candlelight | Gypsy | A Gasser | Sings a Song with Mulligan) 2CD (2011) FLAC

Although most of her best performances came in tandem with Jon Hendricks and Dave Lambert, Annie Ross recorded a lot of quality material on her own, and most of it is right here. A collection of her (mostly) solo material from the '50s, Four Classic Albums finds Ross close to the height of her vocal powers, with excellent interpretive skills and a quickly shifting tone (sometimes caressing, other times catty). The two highlights of these classic albums are Gypsy, her run-through of the classic musical, and Sings a Song with Mulligan!, her duet album with Gerry Mulligan that ranks as one of the finest jazz vocalist/instrumentalist pairings ever (and thereby, one of the best vocal albums of all time). “I Feel Pretty” is impossibly spry and bouncy, with both Ross and Mulligan showing off their musical dexterity, playing off each other's notes with kittenish glee. Most of the rest of the material is of the torch song variety, which Ross does quite well, although the sound is a little compressed (usually the fault of the original source material, no knock on the Avid label). Rounding up a few stray EPs and bonus tracks, this is a great way to accumulate most of Ross' best solo work. John Bush  

Track Listing - Disc 1
1 The Way You Look Tonight  3:02
2 I'm Beginning to Think You Care   2:39
Frisch / Tennyson
3 Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea  2:16
Harold Arlen
4 Everytime  3:11
5 Gypsy in My Soul  2:40
Boland
6 I Love Paris   2:18
Cole Porter
7 I Didn't Know About You  3:21
Duke Ellington
8 The Lady's in Love with You  2:14

9 'Taint What You Do  2:45

10 Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying  4:50
11 Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea  2:25
Harold Arlen
12 Don't Worry 'Bout Me  2:20
13 I've Told Every Little Star  2:26
14 Manhattan  2:09
15 Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone  2:28
16 Skylark  3:00
17 Overture  3:46
Stephen Sondheim / Jule Styne
18 Everything's Coming Up Roses  3:47
Stephen Sondheim / Jule Styne
19 You'll Never Get Away   3:32
Stephen Sondheim / Jule Styne
20 Some People  4:13
Stephen Sondheim / Jule Styne
21 All I Need Is a Boy  2:58
Stephen Sondheim / Jule Styne
22 Small World  2:38
Stephen Sondheim / Jule Styne
23 Together  4:39
Stephen Sondheim / Jule Styne
24 Let Me Entertain You  3:36
Stephen Sondheim / Jule Styne
25 Reprise  2:18
Stephen Sondheim / Jule Styne
26 Annie's Lament  2:59
Annie Ross

Track Listing - Disc 2
1 Everything I've Got  2:58
2 Invitation to the Blues  4:13
3 I Didn't Know About You  5:33
Duke Ellington
4 I Don't Want to Cry Any More  6:02
5 Lucky Day  2:15
6 I Was Doin' All Right  2:37
7 You Took Advantage of Me  3:54
8 You're Nearer  5:06
9 Lucky So and So  4:50
Duke Ellington
10 Nobody's Baby  2:55
Santly
11 I Feel Pretty  3:34
Bernstein
 12 How About You  2:51
13 I've Grown Accustomed to Your Face  3:02
Lerner
14 This Time the Dream's on Me  3:25
Harold Arlen

15 Let There Be Love   3:45

16 All of You  2:20
Cole Porter
 17 Give Me the Simple Life  3:36
18 This Is Always  4:21
19 Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea  3:42
Harold Arlen
20 It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)  1:41
Duke Ellington
21 Twisted  2:41
22 Farmer's Market  2:44
Farmer

Credits
-CD1: #1-4 ("Singin' 'n Swingin"):
Annie Ross - vocals
Milt Jackson - vibraphone
Blossom Dearie - piano
Kenny Clarke - drums
Percy Heath - bass
Rec.: New York, 1 April 1952.

-CD1: #5-12 ("Annie by Candlelight") & #13-16 ("Nocturne for Vocalist"):
Annie Ross - vocals
Bob Burns - clarinet
Tony Crombie - piano
Roy Plummer - guitar
Lennie Bush - bass
Rec.: London, 28 August 1956.

-CD1: #17-25 ("Gypsy"):
Annie Ross - vocals
Buddy Bregman - arranger
Jim Hall - guitar
Herb Geller - alto saxophone
Richie Kamuca, Stan Getz - tenor saxophone
Bill Perkins - baritone saxophone
Conte Candoli, Pete Candoli - trumpet
Frank Rosolino - trombone
Russ Freeman - piano
Mel Lewis - drums
Rec.: Los Angeles, 1959.

-CD2: #1-10 ("A Gasser"):
Annie Ross - vocals
Zoot Sims - tenor saxophone
Bill Perkins - tenor saxophone
Russ Freeman - piano
Billy Bean, Jim Hall - guitar,
Monty Budwig - bass
Mel Lewis, Frankie Capp - drums
Rec.: Los Angeles, February 1959.

-CD2: #11-20 ("Sings a Song with Mulligan"):
Annie Ross – vocals
Gerry Mulligan – baritone sax
Art Farmer - trumpet
Chet Baker - trumpet
Tony Crombie – piano
Bill Crow - bass
Henry Grimes - bass
Dave Bailey – drums
Rec.: New York, December 1957.