LEON THOMAS & GARY BARTZ QUINTET - Precious Energy (1987-1993) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Leon Thomas and Gary Bartz are two tremendously gifted artists who have had problems with direction and taste. Thomas' seminal works with Pharoah Sanders, Lonnie Liston Smith, Santana, and others in the '70s weren't matched by some things he did in the early '80s, while Bartz's tough combo dates also weren't equaled by some pop-oriented recordings he cut later. The two have since gone back to their strengths and made an excellent team on the 1987 session Precious Energy. Although he doesn't try the ambitious yodeling and special effects he did with Sanders, Thomas does demonstrate the creamy sound and full force of earlier years, while Bartz's solos are once more fluid, strong, and expansive. Ron Wynn
Tracklist :
1    Precious Energy    12:55
 Leon Thomas
2    You Treat Me Like A Yo-Yo    8:15
 Leon Thomas
3    Sunflowers    11:13
 Freddie Hubbard / Leon Thomas
4    Cousin Mary    6:58
John Coltrane / Jon Hendricks
5    Woman    4:53
 Leon Thomas
6    Close Your Eyes    7:11
Bernice Petkere
7    Boom, Boom, Boom    15:38
 Leon Thomas
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Gary Bartz
Bass – Geoff Harper
Drums – Steve Johns
Piano – Bob Butta
Trumpet – Eddie Henderson
Vocals – Leon Thomas

GARY BARTZ - Reflections of Monk (1989) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

After a long period of indifferent recordings, altoist Gary Bartz started to fulfill his potential in the early '90s. Joined by a superb rhythm section (comprised of pianist John Hicks, bassist Ray Drummond, and drummer Al Foster) and trumpeter Claudio Roditi (whose restrained power complements rather than competes with Bartz), the altoist really stretches out, particularly on "Speak Low" and "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes" which both clock in at within seven seconds of 19 minutes apiece. Bartz is quite lyrical on a superior version of "It's Easy to Remember" and also takes inventive solos on his modal blues "Cousins" and Wilbur Harden's "West 42nd Street." A highly recommended gem. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Thelonious 0'55
Thelonious Monk
2     Brilliant Corners 4'56
Thelonious Monk
3     The Pennywhistle Call/Reflections 10'05
Gary Bartz / Thelonious Monk
4     Played Twice 6'27
Thelonious Monk
5     Crepescule With Nellie 4'40
Thelonious Monk
6     Hackensack 8'16
Thelonious Monk
7     Let's Cool One 8'15
Thelonious Monk
8    Monk's Mood 9'58
Thelonious Monk   
9     Epistrophy 8'37
Kenny Clarke / Thelonious Monk
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Gary Bartz
Bass – Geoff Harper
Drum – Billy Hart
Piano – Bob Butta
Trumpet – Eddie Henderson
Vocals – Jenelle Fisher (pistas: 8), Mekea Keith (pistas: 3.2)