LEE KONITZ - The Lee Konitz Nonet (1977-1997) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The Lee Konitz Nonet never really prospered, but they recorded several excellent albums. With such top players as flügelhornist John Eckert, trombonist Jimmy Knepper, and baritonist Ronnie Cuber in the group, and colorful arrangements provided by Sy Johnson, this band's repertoire was as wide as one would expect from a Konitz band. Whether it be the Louis Armstrong-associated "Struttin' with Some Barbeque," a Lester Young-inspired "Sometimes I'm Happy," Charlie Parker's "Chi-Chi," "Giant Steps," or some newer originals, the results are frequently superb. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Fanfare 0:40
Lee Konitz
2     Chi-Chi 10:56
Charlie Parker
3     If You Could See Me Now 5:04
Tadd Dameron / Carl Sigman
4     Sometimes I'm Happy 3:20
Irving Caesar / Vincent Youmans
5     Giant Steps 5:27
John Coltrane
6     April/April Too 4:48
Eckert / Lennie Tristano
7     Who You 7:25
Jimmy Knepper
8     Stryker's Dues 5:00
Sievert
9     Fourth Dimension 3:44
Lee Konitz
10     Struttin' with Some Barbecue 4:44
Lil Hardin Armstrong / Louis Armstrong / Lil Hardin / Don Raye
11     Hymn Too 0:55
Lee Konitz
12     Jazzspeak 9:35
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone – Lee Konitz
Baritone Saxophone – Ronnie Cuber
Bass – Knobby Totah
Bass Trombone – Sam Burtis
Drums – Kenny Washington
Flugelhorn – John Eckert
Piano – Ben Aronov
Piccolo Trumpet, Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Burt Collins
Trombone – Jimmy Knepper

ALBERT AYLER - New Grass (1969-2005) RM | Impulse! Originals | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Possibly the most notorious Albert Ayler release and universally misunderstood (i.e., hated) by fans and critics alike. When New Grass was released in 1969 it received a hostile outcry of "sell-out." Listening to New Grass in hindsight; it must be taken into account that even though commercial elements are apparent -- a soul horn section, backup singers, boogaloo drumming from Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, and electric rock bass -- Ayler's vocals and tenor playing could hardly gain commercial radio exposure at any time. It's likely Impulse prodded Ayler to move into a more pronounced blues-oriented sound and he went willingly. Ayler wasn't a stranger to R&B or gutbucket blues; he had started his career playing saxophone with Chicago bluesman Little Walter in the '50s. Ayler's screeching tone remains intact on New Grass, but it's mixed with definite R&B riffs like the obvious honkin' nod to "Slippin and Sliddin" on "New Generation." Ayler's attempt to explain himself on the opening track with "Message from Albert Ayler," reveals his impending dread over controversy concerning the material. It is a problem many artists face at some point in their careers when trying to move in a different direction, no matter what the reason; they may end up losing a majority of their audience by taking a foreign approach. Al Campbell
Tracklist :
1     Message From Albert/New Grass 3'55
Albert Ayler / Bert DeCoteaux
Flute – Seldon Powell
Voice [Recitation On Message From Albert] – Albert Ayler
2     New Generation 5'10
Albert Ayler / Rose Marie McCoy / Mary Parks
3     Sun Watcher 7'30
Albert Ayler
Piano, Organ – Call Cobbs
Whistling – Albert Ayler
4     New Ghosts 4'12
Albert Ayler / Mary Parks
Piano – Call Cobbs
Tambourine – Unknown
Vocals – Albert Ayler    
5     Heart Love 5'34
Albert Ayler / Mary Parks    
6     Everybody's Movin' 3'44
Albert Ayler / Rose Marie McCoy / Mary Parks
7     Free at Last 3'08
Albert Ayler / Rose Marie McCoy / Mary Parks
Credits :    
Baritone Saxophone – Buddy Lucas (tracks: 1, 2, 5 to 7)
Conductor, Arranged By – Bert DeCoteaux (tracks: 1, 2, 5 to 7)
Drums – Bernard Purdie (tracks: 2 to 7)
Electric Bass – Bill Folwell
Electric Harpsichord – Call Cobbs (tracks: 2, 5 to 7)
Tenor Saxophone – Albert Ayler, Seldon Powell (tracks: 2, 5 to 7)
Trombone – Garnett Brown (tracks: 1, 2, 5 to 7)
Trumpet – Burt Collins (tracks: 1, 2, 5 to 7), Joe Newman (tracks: 1, 2, 5 to 7)
Vocals – The Soul Singers (tracks: 2, 5 to 7)