FRANK WESS — The Frank Wess Quartet (1960-2004) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Frank Wess has long been one of the most underrated flautists in jazz, but it's his primary instrument on this CD reissue of a Moodsville LP recorded in 1960. With fine accompaniment by piano master Tommy Flanagan, bassist Eddie Jones and drummer Bobby Donaldson, the leader's lyrical chops are evident in Alec Wilder's rarely performed ballad "It's So Peaceful in the Country." The light Latin setting of "Star Eyes" initially spotlights Flanagan's elegant piano, with the rhythm switching gears as Wess works his magic on flute. Flanagan alone introduces the dreamy interpretation of "But Beautiful," while Wess will melt any heart with his gorgeous flute solo. Wess is best known for his swinging tenor saxophone, heard on the richly textured "Gone With the Wind," a spacious "Stella by Starlight" (which will rival any saxophonist's recording for pure beauty), as well as his bluesy original "Rainy Afternoon," with Donaldson's light percussion possibly suggesting stepping in sidewalk puddles or windshield wipers clearing intermittent precipitation. Highly recommended. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    It's So Peaceful In The Country    4:58
 Alec Wilder
2    Rainy Afternoon    8:24
 Frank Wess
3    Star Eyes    3:51
 Gene DePaul / Don Raye
4    Stella By Starlight    5:08
 Ned Washington / Victor Young
5    But Beautiful    4:33
 Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
6    Gone With The Wind    5:44
 Herbert Magidson / Allie Wrubel
7    I See Your Face Before Me    6:04
 Howard Dietz / Arthur Schwartz
Credits :
Bass – Eddie Jones
Drums – Bobby Donaldson
Flute, Tenor Saxophone – Frank Wess
Piano – Tommy Flanagan
Recorded By – Rudy Van Gelder

CURTIS FULLER — Images Of Curtis Fuller (1960-1991) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist & Credits :

HERBIE MANN / BOBBY JASPAR - Flute Flight (1957-2002) RM / Mp3

Over the years, jazz has had its share of famous two-tenor, two-alto, and two-trumpet gatherings -- some of which could be highly competitive (such as Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt, Dexter Gordon and Wardell Gray, or Phil Woods and Gene Quill). But two-flute front lines have been a rarity in the jazz world. The flute isn't nearly as prominent a jazz instrument as the trumpet, the tenor sax, or the alto sax, and for every jazz flutist who became famous (Herbie Mann, Hubert Laws, and Bobbi Humphrey, among others), there were countless others who made their mark as saxophonists or trumpeters. Recorded in 1957 and reissued on CD in 2002, Flute Flight gives listeners a rare chance to hear Mann and fellow flutist Bobby Jaspar (who was also known for his Lester Young-influenced tenor playing) together as a two-flute front line. There are no saxophonists, trumpeters, or trombonists onboard -- just one or two flutes and a rhythm section that includes Tommy Flanagan on piano, Joe Puma on guitar, Eddie Costa on vibes, Wendell Marshall or Doug Watkins on bass, and Bobby Donaldson on drums. Actually, Puma's "Bo-Do" and Mann's ten-minute "Tuttie Flutie" are the only tracks that find Mann and Jaspar teaming up; the rest of the time, Jaspar is the only flutist. Nonetheless, Mann's hardcore fans will enjoy this melodic, sometimes restrained bop session, and those who appreciate the lyrical nature of Jaspar's flute playing won't be disappointed by his solos on Flanagan's wistful "Solacium" or Watkins' clever "Flute Bass Blues." Anyone who complains that jazz hasn't had enough flute playing over the years will want to add Flute Flight to his/her collection. by Alex Henderson   
Tracklist 
1 Tuttie Flutie 10:05
Written-By – Mann
2 Bo Do 5:53
Written-By – Puma
3 Flute Bass Blues 7:19
Written-By – Watkins
4 Flute Bob 6:57
Written-By – Jaspar
5 Solacium 5:50
Written-By – Flanagan
Credits
Bass – Doug Watkins (tracks: 3 to 5), Wendell Marshall (tracks: 1, 2)
Drums – Bobby Donaldson
Flute – Bobby Jaspar
Flute, Alto Flute – Herbie Mann (tracks: 1, 2)
Guitar – Joe Puma (tracks: 1, 2)
Piano – Tommy Flanagan
Vibraphone [Vibes] – Eddie Costa (tracks: 3 to 5)