JOHN TROPEA — Tropea (1975) Two Version (1996, Fusion Super 1800 Series) + (2014, RM | Blu-spec CD | FLAC (image+tracks+.cue), lossless

By the time guitarist John Tropea had recorded his solo debut on the tiny Marlin imprint in 1976, he had been a session guitarist for nearly a decade. His understated, decidedly non-show-off playing graced records by everyone from Laura Nyro to Deodato (including Prelude and Deodato 2), from Ashford & Simpson to Bo Diddley, from Billy Cobham to Peter Allen, from Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway to Paul Simon, Van Morrison, Luiz Bonfá, and Ray Bryant. After this he played with everyone from Alice Cooper to Lalo Schifrin and Kurtis Blow and way, way beyond. Tropea's cast of studio players is a who's who of the '70s, '80s, and '90s. The core band on this funky, squeaky clean, keyboard, horn, and guitar driven set are bassist Will Lee, keyboardist Don Grolnick, percussionist Rubens Bassini, and drummers Steve Gadd and Rick Marotta -- one in each channel. Some of the guest appearances are stellar: David Sanborn's trademark emotionally rich saxophone is heard on "Muff," and Bob Mintzer's wonderful flute playing on his "Cisco Disco" (which is truly funk and not disco), and Deodato plays keyboards on the beautiful "Dreams." There is a heavyweight reed section with Mintzer, Sanborn, and Michael Brecker among its members and horns that include Randy Brecker, Sam Burtis, and Dave Taylor, to name a few. Yes, this was the 1970s: there are strings with Gene Orloff among them. The tunes? Hip, funky numbers like "Tambourine," with a restrained but toothy fuzz solo by Tropea, great congas by Bassini, and a well balanced but dynamic horn chart. "7th Heaven" is a smoother workout, with punchy actual and keyboard basslines, with great breakbeat work by both drummers. Despite its mid-tempo jaunt, the thing is deep with enough of an uptown soul chorus to make it a popular stepper with the club crowd. It's tunes like these, as well as Mintzer's and Tropea's "The Jingle," that place records like this more on the CTI side of things than in the hardcore Fuzak realm. These selections are songs, not collections of riffs, vamps, and solos. When solos occur in these tunes, they do so with respect to arrangement and groove. It also sounds more lifelike than a lot of what was coming out of L.A. at the time, because it has a decidedly East Coast sensibility. Tropea's production job is expert and tight, but it's his arrangements and orchestrations that are really impressive. The opportunities for excess here with all these superchopper players are many, but not once does any of this album lapse into mere glossy show and sheen. This is one of the truly great forgotten jazz-funk sets of the '70s.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist :
 1.  Tambourine - 4:40
Arranged By, Orchestrated By – John Tropea

Bass Guitar – Will Lee
Drums [Left Drums] – Rick Marotta
Drums [Right Drums] – Stephen Gadd
Guitar [Guitars] – Tropea
Keyboards – Don Grolnick
Percussion – Rubens Bassini
Written-By – J. Tropea
2. 7th Heaven - 4:13
Bass Guitar – Will Lee
Drums [Left Drums] – Rick Marotta
Drums [Right Drums] – Stephen Gadd
Guitar [Guitars] – John Tropea
Keyboards, Arranged By, Orchestrated By – Don Grolnick
Percussion – Rubens Bassini
Written-By – Don Grolnick
3. The Jingle - 4:39
Arranged By, Orchestrated By – John Tropea
Bass Guitar – Don Payne
Contrabass [Matracca] – C. Conrad
Drums – Alan Schwartzberg
Guitar [Guitars] – John Tropea
Keyboards – Kenny Ascher
Percussion – Nick Remo, Ron Tropea, Rubens Bassini
Written-By – John Tropea
4. Just Blue - 8:17
Alto Saxophone, Soloist – George Young
Arranged By, Orchestrated By – John Tropea
Bass Guitar – Will Lee
Drums [Left Drums] – Rick Marotta
Drums [Right Drums] – Stephen Gadd
Guitar [Guitars] – John Tropea
Keyboards – Don Grolnick
Written-By – John Tropea
5. Muff - 5:59
Arranged By – R. Marotta, W. Lee
Arranged By, Orchestrated By – John Tropea
Bass Guitar – Will Lee
Drums [Left Drums] – Rick Marotta
Drums [Right Drums] – Stephen Gadd
Keyboards – Don Grolnick
Percussion – Rubens Bassini
Saxophone, Soloist – Dave Sanborn
Written-By – Marotta, Lee
Written-By, Guitar [Guitars] – John Tropea
6. Cisco Disco (Bob Mintzer) - 4:35
Arranged By, Orchestrated By – John Tropea
Bass Guitar – Will Lee
Drums [Left Drums] – Rick Marotta
Drums [Right Drums] – Stephen Gadd
Flute [Flutes] – Bob Mintzer
Guitar [Guitars] – John Tropea
Keyboards – Don Grolnick
Percussion – Rubens Bassini
Written-By – Bob Mintzer
7. Tha Bratt (David Spinozza) - 5:07
Arranged By, Orchestrated By – John Tropea
Bass Guitar – Will Lee
Drums [Left Drums] – Rick Marotta
Drums [Right Drums] – Stephen Gadd
Keyboards – Don Grolnick
Lead Guitar – John Tropea
Rhythm Guitar, Arranged By, Orchestrated By – David Spinozza
Written-By – David Spinozza
8. Dreams - 4:46
Bass – Richard Davis
Drums – Rick Marotta
Keyboards, Arranged By, Orchestrated By – Eumir Deodato
Percussion – Rubens Bassini
Trombone, Soloist – Sam Burtis
Written-By, Guitar [Guitars] – John Tropea

STEVE KUHN — Seasons of Romance (1999) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Steve Kuhn's sole session for the Postcards label feels like three separate dates. With tenorist Bob Mintzer and trumpeter Tom Harrell individually featured on three quartet tracks apiece, plus three trio selections with bassist George Mraz and drummer Al Foster, the chemistry is stimulating throughout the disc. Mintzer's brisk bop vehicle "Six Gun" explodes right from the start, while a lush treatment of Quincy Jones' "'The Pawnbroker" and Kuhn's magical samba "Clotilde" also merit praise. Harrell is added for the wistful ballad "Romance," making a late entrance following the leader's poignant opening solo. The trumpeter contributed the passionate"Visions of Gaudi" and also appears in Kuhn's upbeat "Looking Back." But Kuhn is best heard in the trio numbers, including a playful extended workout of the standard "There Is No Greater Love"; Steve Swallow's driving, intense "Remember"; and an emotional arrangement of "Good Morning, Heartache." This valuable CD unfortunately did not remain on the market for long, with the swift demise of the Postcards label after only a few years of existence. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    Six Gun    4:57
 Bob Mintzer
2    Romance    4:10
 Dori Caymmi
3    Visions Of Gaudi    5:27
 Tom Harrell
4    There Is No Greater Love    9:12
 Isham Jones / Marty Symes
5    The Pawnbroker    5:57
 Quincy Jones / Jack Lawrence
6    Remember    6:03
 Steve Swallow
7    Clotilde    6:16
 Steve Kuhn
8    Good Morning, Heartache    5:33
 Ervin Drake / Dan Fisher / Irene Higginbotham
9    Looking Back    5:02
 Steve Kuhn
Credits :
Double Bass – George Mraz
Drums – Al Foster
Piano – Steve Kuhn
Tenor Saxophone – Bob Mintzer (tracks: 1, 5, 7)
Trumpet – Tom Harrell (tracks: 3, 6, 9)

CARMEN LUNDY — Old Devil Moon (1997) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The deep voice of Carmen Lundy is well showcased on this varied set. With assistance from an impressive backup crew (pianist Billy Childs, flugelhornist Randy Brecker, Frank Foster or Bob Mintzer on tenor, and a pair of rhythm sections), Lundy performs six standards, four of her stimulating originals, and Donny Hathaway's "Flying Easy." The music ranges from fairly straight-ahead to more R&B-oriented, with Carmen Lundy's appealing voice being the main star. Scott Yanow 

Tracklist :
1 Star Eyes 4:42
Gene DePaul / Don Raye
2 When Your Lover Has Gone 4:46
Einar A. Swan
3 Just One More Chance 4:46
Sam Coslow / Arthur Johnston
4 You're Not in Love 4:35
5 I Didn't Know What Time It Was 3:21
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
6 Flying Easy 4:14
Donny Hathaway / Walter Lowe
7 I'm Worried About You Baby 3:30
Carmen Lundy
8 Old Devil Moon 4:24
E.Y. "Yip" Harburg / Burton Lane
9 At the End of My Rope 4:24
Carmen Lundy
10 In a Sentimental Mood 6:29
Duke Ellington / Manny Kurtz / Irving Mills
11 Love Me Forever 4:26
Carmen Lundy
Credits :
Acoustic Bass – Santi Debriano
Arranged By – Carmen Lundy
Drums – Omar Hakim, Winston Clifford
Electric Bass – Victor Bailey
Flugelhorn – Randy Brecker
Keyboards – Harry Whitaker
Piano – Billy Childs
Tenor Saxophone – Bob Mintzer, Frank Foster
Vocals – Carmen Lundy

TONINHO HORTA - To Jobim with Love (2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Toninho Horta has been a reliable sideman and occasionally a leader in his lengthy career playing contemporary Brazilian music. The acoustic and electric guitarist has a quiet intensity that reflects the passion and verve of genius composer Antonio Carlos Jobim. This tribute to Jobim is quite laden with string charts, most done quite tastefully, rarely overarranged, and pleasantly emphasizing a flute section. Horta has an impressive complementary combo of pianist Dave Kikoski, bassist Gary Peacock, percussionists Paulo Braga and Manolo Badrena, special guests as saxophonist Bob Mintzer, harmonicist William Galison, trumpeter Glenn Drewes, Charles Pillow on oboe, John Clark on French horn, and several members of the large Horta family. Gal Costa sings in a choir, or individually for the CD's sweetest and beautiful moments - where flutes accent but do not swarm during a great take of "No More Blues," and the simple "Modinha" with only Horta's guitar where you clearly hear the depth of both artists' souls. Herat is an accomplished singer, heard in melancholy strains for "Without You," or in brighter spirits with wordless and worded lyrics for the sensual "Agua De Beber." And the hits keep on comin' with a no-frills take of "Desafinado" with strings and choral vocals melding beautifully, while the restraint of "Meditation" echoes the holding back on love until the right moment in time. Mintzer's cameos on Horta's original "Infinite Love" and the Paulo Horta/Donato Donatti tune "Promises I Made" show the neo-bop tenorman as a player who has his heart in the right place. Only during Horta's tiny notes on "Portrait in Black & White" and Kikoski's always brilliant pianistics for "If Everyone Was Like You" do the strings bury the solo instrumentalists. This is a good outing for Horta and friends, perhaps a tad self-indulgent or overproduced, but only by degrees. Those who are just discovering this Brazilian jazz giant should explore his discography, but this CD is a fine and satisfying entry point. by Michael G. Nastos  
Tracklist :
1     Agua de Beber 5:49
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
Arranged By [Basic Track Co-arranged By], Programmed By [Synthesizer Programming By] – Andre Dequech
2     Portrait in Black and White 5:44
Chico Buarque / Antônio Carlos Jobim
3     If Everyone Was Like You 5:15
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
Lead Vocals – Luisa Schiavon Horta
4     From Ton to Tom (Silent Song) 4:45
Toninho Horta / Hillary James
5     Cristiana 4:38
Toninho Horta
6     Meditation 4:35
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
7     No More Blues (Chega De Saudade) 6:08
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
Edited By [Pro-tools Editing] – Pat Thrall
8     Infinite Love 4:00
Toninho Horta
9     Promises I Made 4:54
Paulo Horta
10     Modinha 3:30
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
11     The Girl from Ipanema 0:40
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
Acoustic Guitar – Manuel Shiavon Horta
Edited By – Jack Lee
12     Without You 3:30
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
13     Desafinado 5:14
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Newton Mendonça
All Credits

ARTURO SANDOVAL - Dear Diz (Every Day I Think of You) (2012) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval's 2012 tribute to legendary jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, Dear Diz (Every Day I Think of You) is a big-band Latin and Afro-Cuban jazz tour de force. Showcasing Sandoval's long-storied titan bop trumpet chops, Dear Diz frames the Cuban-born virtuoso with layered big-band arrangements on many of Gillespie's best-known compositions. Produced by Gregg Field and Sandoval, the album also features a bevy of name jazz musicians, including Hammond B-3 master Joey DeFrancesco, vibraphonist Gary Burton, tenor saxophonist Bob Mintzer, clarinetist Eddie Daniels, and many more. Included here, among others, are such Gillespie songs as "Salt Peanuts!," "Birks Works," "Con Alma," and, of course, Gillespie's trademark theme, "A Night in Tunisia." Gillespie was Sandoval's biggest musical influence and, after the two met during Gillespie's tour of Cuba in 1977, he became one of Sandoval's most ardent champions, mentors, and friends. In that sense, Dear Diz is clearly a labor of love, a sentiment that permeates this joyously exuberant album. by Matt Collar
Tracklist :
1    Be Bop 8:19
Alto Saxophone – Zane Musa
Arranged By – Gordon Goodwin
Piano – Shelly Berg
Written-By – Dizzy Gillespie
2    Salt Peanuts! (Mani Salado) 6:48
Arranged By – Gordon Goodwin
Tenor Saxophone – Bob Mintzer
Vibraphone – Gary Burton
Written-By – Dizzy Gillespie, Kenneth Clarke
3    And Then She Stopped 5:18
Arranged By – Chris Walden
Organ [Hammond] – Joey DeFrancesco
Written-By – Dizzy Gillespie
4    Birks Works (Ala Mancini) 6:04
Arranged By – Shelly Berg
Organ [Hammond] – Joey DeFrancesco
Tenor Saxophone – Plas Johnson
Written-By – Dizzy Gillespie
5    Things To Come 7:11
Arranged By – Gordon Goodwin
Organ [Hammond] – Joey DeFrancesco
Tenor Saxophone – Bob Mintzer, Bob Sheppard
Written-By – Dizzy Gillespie, Waler Gilbert Fuller
6    Fiesta Mojo 5:09
Arranged By – Chris Walden
Clarinet – Eddie Daniels
Written-By – Dizzy Gillespie
7    Con Alma (With Soul) 6:00
Arranged By – Nan Schwartz
Cello – Trevor Handy
Viola – Roland Kato
Violin – Sara Parkins
Violin, Concertmaster – Ralph Morrison
Written-By – Dizzy Gillespie
8    Tin Tin Deo 6:52
Arranged By – Dan Higgins
Piano – Wally Minko
Vocals – Manolo Gimenez
Written-By – Chano Pozo, Walter Fuller
9    Algo Bueno (Woody And Me) 6:15
Arranged By, Alto Saxophone – Dan Higgins
Trombone – Andy Martin
Written-By – Dizzy Gillespie
10    A Night In Tunisia (Actually An Entire Weekend!) 7:23
Arranged By – Wally Minko
Tenor Saxophone – Ed Calle
Trombone – Bob McChesney
Written-By – Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Paparelli
    Encore    
11    Every Day I Think Of You 4:27
Arranged By – Chris Walden
Vocals – Arturo Sandoval
Written-By – Arturo Sandoval
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Flute [Alto] – Rusty Higgins
Alto Saxophone, Flute, Piccolo Flute, Flute [Alto] – Dan Higgins
Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet – Greg Huckins
Bass – Carlitos Del Puerto, Chuck Berghofer
Bongos – Andy Garcia
Drums – Gregg Field
Guitar – Brian Nova, Dustin Higgins
Organ [Hammond] – Joey DeFrancesco
Percussion – Joey De Leon, Munyungo Jackson
Piano – Shelly Berg
Tenor Saxophone – Bob Mintzer
Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet – Bob Sheppard, Brian Scanlon, Rob Lockart
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Bruce Otto, Craig Gosnell, Steve Holtman, Wayne Bergeron
Trumpet, Vocals – Arturo Sandoval
Vibraphone – Gary Burton

YELLOWJACKETS - Lifecycle (2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

If the Yellowjackets needed a guest guitarist, who would be the best person for the job? Pat Metheny would be an excellent choice, as would Al di Meola, John McLaughlin, Larry Coryell, or John Scofield. Well, the Yellowjackets did hire a guest guitarist for Lifecycle -- an excellent and well-known guitarist, in fact -- and they feature him extensively on this 2008 release. The guitarist is Mike Stern, who enjoys a strong rapport with the Yellowjackets' 2008 lineup: Russell Ferrante on acoustic piano and electric keyboards, Jimmy Haslip on electric bass, Bob Mintzer on tenor and soprano sax and bass clarinet, and Marcus Baylor on drums and percussion. Stern and the Yellowjackets are a perfectly logical combination -- especially in light of the hell-bent-for-jazz direction the Yellowjackets have favored since 1991's Greenhouse. With Greenhouse (which was Mintzer's first album with the outfit), Ferrante and Haslip made it clear that they wanted the Yellowjackets to be considered a serious, heavy-duty jazz combo instead of a group that pandered to smooth jazz stations. That isn't to say that the Yellowjackets' 1980s output lacks merit -- many of their '80s recordings are quite creative -- but with Greenhouse, Ferrante and Haslip really emphasized their Weather Report/Miles Davis/Return to Forever heritage. And that mindset continues to serve the Yellowjackets well 17 years later on Lifecycle. Jazz purists and bop snobs, of course, would argue that if you use electric instruments and have been influenced by rock or funk in any way, you aren't playing jazz, but the truth is that Stern and the Yellowjackets do bring a serious jazz improviser's mentality to engaging tracks like Haslip's bluesy "Country Living," Mintzer's mysterious "Falken's Maze," and Ferrante's probing, somewhat John Coltrane-ish "Measure of a Man." With its blend of electric and acoustic instruments, Lifecycle is relevant to both fusion and post-bop -- and it is also proof that collaborating with Stern was a very wise move for the Yellowjackets. by Alex Henderson

Tracklist:

1 Falken's Maze 6:25

Written-By – B. Mintzer

2 Country Living 6:24

Written-By – J. Haslip

3 Double Nickel 6:42

Written-By – M.Stern

4 Dreams Go 6:49

Written-By – M.Stern

5 Measure Of A Man 7:33

Written-By – R.Ferrante

6 Yahoo 4:52

Written-By – B. Mintzer

7 I Wonder 6:01

Written-By – B. Mintzer

8 3 Circles 7:30

Written-By – B. Mintzer, J. Haslip, M. Baylor, R.Ferrante

9 Claire's Closet 5:05

Written-By – R.Ferrante

10 Lazaro 5:15

Programmed By [Programming], Sequenced By [Sequencing] – Jimmy Haslip

Written-By – B. Mintzer, J. Haslip

Credits:

Marcus Baylor : Drums, Percussion

Russell Ferrante : Keyboards, Percussion, Piano

Jimmy Haslip : Bass (Electric), 

Bob Mintzer : Clarinet, Clarinet (Bass), Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor)

Jerry Mitkowski : Piano Technician

Mike Stern : Featured Guitar 

YELLOWJACKETS - A Rise in the Road (2013) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The title of this Yellowjackets effort is an apt one. The departure of co-founding bassist Jimmy Haslip in 2012 left a huge hole in the lineup. Haslip wasn't only the group's bassist, but one of its most productive composers. Founding pianist/keyboardist Russell Ferrante, with longtime members saxophonist Bob Mintzer and drummer Will Kennedy, eventually chose Felix Pastorius, son of the mighty Jaco, and a seasoned performer in his own right. (On a number of tracks here, he plays his father's bass, loaned to him by its owner, Metallica's Robert Trujillo.) The younger man doesn't play with the same "lead bass" flash of his dad -- at least in the studio -- his style here reflects the role Haslip played, but his tone and nimbleness are his own. (Check his fleet-fingered work as it meets Ferrante's arpeggios in "Thank You.") The band still carries within it the meld of contemporary and straight-ahead jazz -- with Mintzer there is always going to be a nod to post-bop in there -- but the feel is far more immediate and organic. They departed from their usual recording procedure and cut the album live in the studio, adding relatively few overdubs later. Mintzer's opener, "When the Lady Dances," is a straight-ahead post-bop number that pops and swings with a fine understated solo by Ferrante. The pianist offers "Can't We Elope," a rewrite of Herbie Hancock's "Canteloupe." It's one of three tracks here that features the trumpet of Ambrose Akinmusire. The meaty piano groove and the twin horns offer a stylish, fresh take on soulful hard bop. Another of the pianist's compositions "An Amber Shade of Blue," features a knotty head with some fiery call and response between Akinmusire and Mintzer -- the track fades in what seems like mid-jam. Mintzer's "I Knew His Father" is both a welcome to the younger Pastorius and a nod to Jaco--the saxophonist played in the Word of Mouth Band and was present at Felix's birth-- drawing a large circle to a close. Its meld of Latin groove, punchy swing, and boppish blues, offers the younger bassist a fine opportunity to comp, fill, and run the board as the band gets deep inside the melody. A Rise in the Road provides longtime Yellowjackets' fans plenty; but more importantly, it delivers a a bracing new approach and a renewed sense of swinging adventure.

  (This comment is posted on allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower our blog O Púbis da Rosa)

Tracklist:

1 When the Lady Dances 5:07
Bob Mintzer2 Civil War  5:47
Bob Mintzer3 Can't We Elope  5:27
Russell Ferrante4 An Informed Decision  6:29
Russell Ferrante5 Longing  7:17
Russell Ferrante6 Thank You  5:46
Bob Mintzer7 Madrugada  5:08
William Kennedy8 An Amber Shade of Blue  6:57
Russell Ferrante9 (You'll Know) When It's Time  4:52
Russell Ferrante10 I Knew His Father  4:52
Bob MintzerCredits
Bass – Felix Pastorius
Composed By – Bob Mintzer (tracks: 1, 2, 6, 10), Russell Ferrante (tracks: 3, 4, 5, 8, 9), William Kennedy (tracks: 7)
Drums, Percussion – William Kennedy
Piano, Keyboards – Russell Ferrante
Tenor Saxophone – Bob Mintzer
Trumpet – Ambrose Akinmusire (tracks: 3, 4, 8)

BOB MINTZER & THE HORN MAN BAND - Papa Lips (1983) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Recorded in 1983 and previously only released in Japan on Cheetah, Papa Lips is Bob Mintzer's third album as a leader. A step ahead of the rather sterile production of his previous album for the label Source (both are now available in the U.S. on CD courtesy of the Elore Records imprint), Papa Lips features a stellar band playing a program comprised almost entirely of Mintzer tunes, the lone exception is the standard "I Hear a Rhapsody." The band here is stellar and includes in various places Michael and Randy Brecker, Lew Soloff, Don Grolnick, David Sanborn, Will Lee, Peter Erskine and Marvin Stamm, among others. The material is more Latin in flavor, and the arrangements are less funk-oriented than its predecessor's. The sound is still quite slick, but the material is stronger and there are no vocal performances this time out. The remarkable thing here is that the Michael and Randy Brecker and David Sanborn were not particularly well known as big band players at this time, but their execution of these often complex charts is remarkable -- check the title cut that opens the set with a fine Randy Brecker solo; it's knotty and multi-textured with colors coming from all over the tonal spectrum. "Lazy Day," a gospel flavored soul tune for big band is reminiscent of Thad Jones' and Mel Lewis' orchestra, with fine solo s from Mintzer on tenor and Grolnick on piano. Other standouts include "Latin Dance," with a great Sanborn flight on alto, and the remake of "Mr. Fonebone." It appeared on Source as well, but is much faster and more aggressive here, and Lee is less busy than Jaco Pastorius was. "I Hear a Rhapsody" contains an excellent, deeply emotional solo by Michael Brecker, though the tune itself is a bit flowery for this recording. In sum, however, Papa Lips is a fine record; it is still slick -- but that's how they made jazz records in the '80s -- but it's sheer musicality, muscle, and sophistication make it an excellent listen. 

(This comment is posted on allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower our blog O Púbis da Rosa)
Tracklist
1 Papa Lips 6:33
2 Lazy Day 9:30
Bob Mintzer
3 I Hear a Rhapsody 4:13
Dick Gasparre
4 Latin Dance 7:59
5 Truth 7:18
6 Mr Fonebone 6:42
Credits
Alto Saxophone, Flute – Pete Yellin
Arranged By, Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Piccolo Flute, Clarinet – Bob Mintzer
Baritone Saxophone, Flute – Roger Rosenberg
Bass – Tom Barney (tracks: 2, 4, 6), Will Lee (tracks: 1, 3, 5) 
Bass Trombone – Dave Taylor (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 6), George Moran (tracks: 3, 5) 
Congas – Frankie Malabe (tracks: 1, 4) 
Drums – Peter Erskine
Flute – Carla Poole (tracks: 6) 
Piano – Don Grolnick
Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – David Sanborn
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Michael Brecker
Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Piccolo Flute – Lawrence Feldman
Trombone – Dave Bargeron, Keith O'Quinn
Trumpet – Laurie Frink, Lew Soloff, Marvin Stamm, Randy Brecker
Written-By – Bob Mintzer

BOB MINTZER - Spectrum (1988) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Included is an all-star lineup of R. Brecker, Peter Erskine, D. Grolnick, B. Malach, L. Gaines, and 14 other players. This is big-band jazz at its finest. The recording was made live to two-track digital, and the music, exceptional from start to finish, deserves it.  by Paul Kohler
Tracklist  
1 Like A Child 4:47
2 Spectrum 4:48
3 My Romance 6:20
Written-By – Rodgers & Hart
4 Hanky-Panky 3:18
5 Mr. Funk 6:00
6 Mine Is Yours 5:03
7 Frankie's Tune 7:04
8 The Reunion 5:11
9 Heart Of The Matter 8:45
10 I Hear A Rhapsody 5:46
11 Solo Saxophone 1:34
12 Cowboys And Indians 5:45
Credits
Alto Saxophone – Lawrence Feldman, Peter Yellin
Arranged By, Producer, Edited By, Tenor Saxophone – Bob Mintzer
Baritone Saxophone – Roger Rosenberg
Bass – Lincoln Goines
Congas – Frankie Malabe
Drums – John Riley (tracks: 1, 6), Peter Erskine
Piano – Don Grolnick, Phil Markowitz (tracks: 8, 10)
Tenor Saxophone – Bob Malach
Trombone – Bob Smith, Dave Bargeron, Dave Taylor, Keith O'Quinn
Trumpet – Laurie Frink, Marvin Stamm, Randy Brecker, Bob Millikan
Written-By – Bob Mintzer (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 12)

 

BOB MINTZER - One Music (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This saxophonist's best small-group work, with fellow Yellowjackets. The best cuts are the title and "Look Around." Ventures funky and creative into neo-bop modes.  by Michael G. Nastos 
Tracklist 
1  One People  4:07
Composed By – Mintzer
2  One Music  6:37
Composed By – Mintzer
3  City Of Hope  5:44
Composed By – Mintzer
4  Navajo  5:45
Composed By – Haslip, Ferrante, Kennedy
5  Old Friends  6:05
Composed By – Ferrante
6  Rich & Poor  5:18
Composed By – Mintzer
7  Look Inside  5:07
Composed By – Mintzer
8  The Big Show  4:12
Composed By – Mintzer
9  The Song Is You  5:30
Composed By – Kern, Hammerstein
10  The Challenge 5:55
Composed By – Mintzer
Credits 
Bass – Jimmy Haslip
Congas – Don Alias
Drums – William Kennedy
Keyboards – Russell Ferrante
Tenor Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Electronic Wind Instrument, Producer – Bob Mintzer

BOB MINTZER BIG BAND - Swing Out (2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Bob Mintzer has led big bands off and on since the late 1970s, in addition to small groups and working as a part of the jazz fusion band the Yellowjackets. These sessions open with his colorful "'Swing Out," a forward-thinking chart in the mold of Bob Brookmeyer's large ensemble writing. "Each Day" is an upbeat number with a gospel undercurrent, while "Swangalang" is an infectious midtempo blues. Vocalist Kurt Elling once again guests on a track, writing lyrics to Lyle Mays and Pat Metheny's "Minuano," delivering a heartfelt performance followed by potent solos from Mintzer and pianist Phil Markowitz. Mintzer also finds fresh approaches with his arrangements of the standards "My Shining Hour" and the venerable "Someday My Prince Will Come." The tenor saxophonist's arrangements are first-rate throughout these enjoyable sessions. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this CD benefits the programs of the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild in Pittsburgh. by Ken Dryden
Tracklist:  
1 Swing Out  6:53
Composed By – Bob Mintzer
2 Each Day  5:42
Composed By – Bob Mintzer
3 Something Else 5:14
Composed By – Bob Mintzer
4 Swangalang  9:30
Composed By – Bob Mintzer
5 Beyond The Limit  5:30
Composed By – Bob Mintzer
6 Minuano  7:46
Composed By – Lyle Mays, Pat Metheny
Featuring, Composed By – Kurt Elling
7 My Shining Hour  7:16
Composed By – Harold Arlen & Johnny Mercer
8 Freedom Song  7:35
Composed By – Bob Mintzer
9 Someday My Prince Will Come  8:14
Composed By – Frank Churchill, Larry Morey
Credits
Alto Saxophone [Lead], Flute – Lawrence Feldman
Alto Saxophone, Flute – Peter Yellin
Arranged By, Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Bob Mintzer
Baritone Saxophone, Clarinet – Roger Rosenberg
Bass – Jay Anderson
Bass Trombone – David Taylor
Drums – John Riley
Piano – Phil Markowitz
Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet – Bob Malach
Trombone – Keith O'Quinn, Larry Farrell, Michael Davis
Trumpet – Frank Greene, Jim Rotondi
Trumpet [Lead] – Bob Millikan
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Scott Wendholt

JACO PASTORIUS - Invitation (1983-2004) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Electric bassist Jaco Pastorius' Word of Mouth big band made two recordings for Warner Bros. during its short life, of which is this is the superior one. The large ensemble (five trumpets including Randy Brecker, five reeds with solo space for Bobby Mintzer on tenor and soprano, four trombones, two French horns, Toots Thielemans on harmonica, drummer Peter Erskine, percussionist Don Alias, and Othello on steel drum) performs a variety of superior material. Although Pastorius takes his share of solo space, and the sound of a big band backing a bass soloist is rather unusual, he does not excessively dominate the music. Pastorius contributed some of the pieces (most notably "Liberty City"), is showcased on "Amerika," and also plays such tunes as "Invitation," "The Chicken," "Sophisticated Lady," "Giant Steps," and Gil Evans' "Eleven." by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 Invitation 6:58
Written-By – Bronislaw Kaper
2 Amerika 1:10
Arranged By, Adapted By – Jaco Pastorius
Written-By – Traditional
3 Soul Intro / The Chicken 6:49
Written-By [Soul Intro] – Jaco Pastorius
Written-By [The Chicken] – Alfred James Ellis
4 Continuum 4:29
Written-By – Jaco Pastorius
5 Liberty City 4:35
Written-By – Jaco Pastorius
6 Sophisticated Lady 5:18
Written-By – Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Mitchell Parish
7 Reza / Giant Steps / Reza (Reprise) 10:23
Written-By [Giant Steps] – John Coltrane
Written-By [Reza (Reprise)] – Jaco Pastorius
Written-By [Reza] – Jaco Pastorius
8 Fannie Mae 2:39
Written-By – Buster Brown, Clarence Lewis, Morgan Robinson
9 Eleven 0:50
Written-By – Gil Evans, Miles Davis
Credits:
Arranged By – Bobby Mintzer (tracks: 1), Jaco Pastorius (tracks: 2 to 9)
Baritone Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute [Alto] – Randy Emerick
Bass [Uncredited] – Jaco Pastorius
Bass Trombone – Bill Reichenbach, Peter Graves
Conductor [Co-Conductor] – Peter Graves
French Horn – Brad Warnaar, Peter Gordon
Harmonica – Jean "Toots" Thielemans
Producer – Jaco Pastorius
Soloist, Drums, Timpani, Gong – Peter Erskine
Soloist, Percussion – Don Alias
Soloist, Steel Drums – Othello Molineaux
Soloist, Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Bobby Mintzer
Soloist, Trumpet – Jon Faddis (tracks: 7), Randy Brecker
Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Clarinet, Piccolo Flute – Alex Foster
Tenor Saxophone, Oboe, English Horn – Paul McCandless
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute [Alto] – Mario Cruz
Trombone – Wayne Andre
Trombone, Tuba – David Bargeron
Trumpet – Elmer Brown, Forrest Buchtel, Ron Tooley

LYLE MAYS - Street Dreams (1988) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Lyle Mays' second solo album ventures even further afield than his acclaimed first record, into areas not associated with Mays nor his employer Pat Metheny. This time, the personnel list is far more varied, with several guest luminaries from the world of jazz-rock, as well as a big band and full chamber orchestra on some selections. Again, the main thrust of the album is bound up in a lengthy suite with new age atmospheric elements, juxtaposing fleet Brazilian grooves with a chamber orchestra, voluble Mays piano solos, and electronic interpolations by Mays and Frisell reminiscent of early classical electronic music. The solo "Chorinho" is a running classical exercise on electric keyboards, almost a contemporary Bachianas Brasileiras (to borrow Villa-Lobos' term) and a considerable feat of invention. The biggest surprise of all may well be "Possible Straight," a brief, straight-ahead piece of big band hard bop, and "Before You Can Go" seems to be the token emulation of the Metheny groove. There's a lot of inventive, mostly easygoing music here, though if one must choose, the level is not as consistently high as on Mays' first album. by Richard S. Ginell  

PETER ERSKINE - Peter Erskine (1982-1991) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Drummer Peter Erskine's debut as a leader (originally made for Contemporary and reissued on CD in the OJC series) finds him using top players (most of whom had played with Steps Ahead) in various combinations. Erskine performs a few of his own originals (including an 11-minute "All's Well That Ends" and a short drum solo) plus "My Ship," Wayne Shorter's "E.S.P.," and Bob Mintzer's "Change of Mind." With such musicians as trumpeter Randy Brecker, tenors Michael Brecker and Mintzer, pianist Kenny Kirkland, and vibraphonist Mike Mainieri getting some solo space, this post-bop music (from an often-overlooked set) is of consistent high quality. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Leroy Street 7:55
Peter Erskine
2 In Statu Nascendi 1:30
Peter Erskine
3 E.S.P. 2:58
Wayne Shorter
4 Change of Mind 7:29
Bob Mintzer
5 All's Well That Ends 11:08
Peter Erskine
6 My Ship 5:44
Ira Gershwin / Kurt Weill
7 Coyote Blues 4:42
Peter Erskine
Credits :
Bass – Eddie Gomez
Congas, Shaker, Drum [Bata Drum] – Don Alias
Drums, Percussion, Keyboards [Obx] – Peter Erskine
Electric Piano, Keyboards [Obx] – Don Grolnick
Piano – Kenny Kirkland
Tenor Saxophone – Michael Brecker
Tenor Saxophone, Bass Clarinet – Bob Mintzer
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Randy Brecker
Vibraphone [Vibes] – Mike Mainieri

SAUNDRA HEWITT - Saundra [1976] Think!-Japan / FLAC

Tracklist
1 Won't Be Water Next Time
2 Got A New Pair Of Shoes
3 Heart Of Stone
4 Up On Cripple Creek
5 I Loved You Too Much
6 Just To Be With You
Credits
Bass – Chuck Rainey (tracks: 5, 6), Tinker Barfield (tracks: 1, 2, 3, 4)
Drums – Bernard Purdie
Guitar – Shiro Mori
Keyboards – Mark Gray
Piano, Electric Piano – Kinney Landrum (tracks: 1, 2, 3, 4), Paul Griffin
Tenor Saxophone – Bob Mintzer
Vocals – Saundra Hewitt

SAUNDRA HEWITT - Saundra 

[1976] Think!-Japan / FLAC / scans

O Púbis da Rosa

JOHN ABERCROMBIE | PETER ERSKINE | BOB MINTZER | JOHN PATITUCCI — The Hudson Project (2000) HDCD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Recorded live at the Manhattan Center in New York in 1998, this CD documents a concert by the Hudson Project: a piano-less post-bop/fusion quartet uniting guitarist John Abercrombie with bassist John Patitucci, drummer Peter Erskine, and the Michael Brecker-influenced tenor saxman Bob Mintzer. You won't hear any overdone standards during the set; all four musicians contribute their own compositions, most of which are quite cerebral and angular. Clearly, the Hudson Project isn't a group that's willing to go out of its way to be accessible; complex pieces like Erskine's "Cats + Kittens," Patitucci's "Labor Day," Mintzer's "Modern Day Tuba," and Abercrombie's "Little Swing" must be accepted on their own terms. And those who can accept the Hudson Project on its own terms will find this CD to be a decent, if unspectacular, exercise in post-bop/fusion intellectualism. Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1 Runferyerlife  8:30
Bob Mintzer
2 Labor Day  7:47
John Patitucci
3 Little Swing  7:38
John Abercrombie
4 Cats & Kittens   7:53
Peter Erskine
5 The Well  7:33
John Patitucci
6 Bass Desires  12:21
Peter Erskine
7 That's for Sure  6:19
John Abercrombie
8 Modern Day Tuba  9:25
Bob Mintzer
Credits :
Bass – John Patitucci
Drums – Peter Erskine
Executive-Producer – Chick Corea, Ron Moss
Guitar – John Abercrombie
Saxophone – Bob Mintzer

JUDY WEXLER - Under a Painted Sky [2011]

Few singers would dare dive into music associated with Johnny Mathis, Carmen McRae, Abbey Lincoln and the 1962 film, The Music Man, on the same album; even fewer would be able to pull it off as vocalist Judy Wexler does on Under A Painted Sky. Wexler possesses a voice for the ages, and puts it to good use on a dozen delicious numbers that cover myriad moods and spotlight the stellar instrumentalists in her band.

Wexler's prior releases—Easy On The Heart (Rhombus, 2005) and Dreams And Shadows (Jazzed Media, 2008)— were elevated by classy arrangements and pianistic underpinnings from pianist Alan Pasqua, and this partnership continues to bear fruit on this project. Pasqua paints pictures of a sunny nature ("Wonderful Wonderful"), crafts spine-tingling settings ("Avec Le Temps") and directs swinging scenes that delight in every way ("The Great City" and "Whisper Not"), leaving Wexler free to fully explore the possibilities that reside within each one of these gems.

Wexler's vocals are ebullient and enthusiastic on "Wonderful Wonderful," as the album gets underway, but she isn't all sunshine and splendor. She deals in flirty and sensual singing on "An Occasional Man," delivers enthralling vocals of a haunting nature with Avec Le Temps," touches on the ups-and-downs in the game of love during "And How I Hoped For Your Love,," and utters a wise warning about getting sucked into the quicksand of New York's social scene with "The Great City."

While Wexler needs no help selling any of these songs, the instrumentalists add volumes to each piece, as they mirror the moods that are established through the arrangements and vocals. Tenor saxophonist Bob Mintzer adds some grit to "The Great City," Bob Sheppard's soprano saxophone swoops and soars with a fine balance between grace and gusto on "Till There Was You," and Walt Fowler's flugelhorn emphasizes the dream-like state of "Café." Pasqua and guitarist Larry Koonse blend well, whether dealing with Brazilian-laced music ("And How I Hoped For Your Love") or songs of peace and hope ("Sack Full Of Dreams"), and the bass and drums team of Darek Oles and Steve Hass has a terrific hookup in virtually every stylistic setting.
While both of Wexler's previous albums were outstanding displays of her vocal talent, Under A Painted Sky is her best yet—the third time truly is the charm.
Tracklist
1 Wonderful Wonderful  4:34
Sherman Edwards / Ben Raleigh
2 And How I Hoped for Your Love  4:38
Abbey Lincoln / Richard Lynch
3 An Occasional Man  4:19
Ralph Blane / Hugh Martin
4 Don't Wait Too Long   3:59
Sunny Skylar
5 The great City  5:40
Curtis Lewis
6 Avec Le Temps  7:48
Léo Ferré / Alan Wexler
7 A Little Tear  3:59
Eumir Deodato / Ray Gilbert / Paolo Valle
8 Last Time for Love  4:58
Carmen McRae
9 Café  4:45
Egberto Gismonti / Norma Winstone
10 Whisper Not  3:43
Leonard Feather / Benny Golson
11 Till There Was You  5:04
Meredith Willson
12 Sack Full of Dreams  5:30
Gary McFarland / Louis Savary
Personnel: 
Judy Wexler: vocals;
Alan Pasqua: piano;
Darek Oles: bass;
Steve Hass: drums;
Larry Koonse: guitar;
Bob Mintzer: tenor saxophone;
Bob Sheppard: soprano saxophone;
Walt Fowler: trumper, flugelhorn;
Alex Acuna: percussion.

JUDY WEXLER - Under a Painted Sky 

[2011] JAZZED MEDIA / CBR320 / scans

O Púbis da Rosa

MORDY FERBER - All the Way to Sendai [1990] enja / FLAC

A unique and exciting guitarist with a textural jazz style, featuring Bob Mintzer on sax, flute, and bass clarinet.  by Paul Kohler
Tracklist
1 All the Way to Sendai  7:36
Mordy Ferber
2 1369  9:38
Mordy Ferber
3 Song for Mitzi  13:43
Mordy Ferber
4 Formerly With No One  7:14
Mordy Ferber
5 A Minor Tune  6:53
Mordy Ferber
6 Flowers Affair  6:34
Mordy Ferber
Credits
Bass – Gilda Boclé (tracks: 1, 5, 6), Miroslav Vitous (tracks: 2 to 4)
Bass Clarinet – Bob Mintzer (tracks: 6)
Composed By, Arranged By, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Classical Guitar, Guitar Synthesizer, Voice – Mordy Ferber
Drums – Marty Richards
Flugelhorn – Tiger Okoshi (tracks: 1)
Flute – Bob Mintzer (tracks: 1)
Keyboards – Brad Hatfield (tracks: 1, 4, 6), Teese Gohl (tracks: 2, 3, 5)
Percussion, Voice – Naná Vasconcelos
Tenor Saxophone – Bob Mintzer (tracks: 5)
Trumpet – Tiger Okoshi (tracks: 2, 4, 6)

MORDY FERBER - All the Way to Sendai 

[1990] enja / FLAC / scans

O Púbis da Rosa