NANCY HARROW — Wild Women Don't Have The Blues (1961-1989) FLAC (tracks), lossless)

Although singer Nancy Harrow made a strong impression with this debut recording (which has been reissued on CD), she did not lead another record date until 1978 other than a lesser-known effort for Atlantic in 1966. Obviously the years of obscurity were not deserved, for this set is a near-classic. Harrow is heard in her early prime singing such veteran songs as "All Too Soon," "On the Sunny Side of the Street," the seven-minute "Blues for Yesterday," and the title cut (originally done by Ida Cox in the 1920s). A more modern stylist (although influenced by Billie Holiday a little) than the material she performed at the time, Harrow is joined by such top mainstream players as trumpeter Buck Clayton (who provided the arrangements), tenorman Buddy Tate, trombonist Dickie Wells, and pianist Dick Wellstood. Highly recommended, Harrow's debut date has plenty of spirit and enthusiasm. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Take Me Back, Baby  5:14
Count Basie / Buddy Bregman / Jimmy Rushing / Tab Smith2 All Too Soon 5:26
Duke Ellington / Carl Sigman
3 Can't We Be Friends? 5:16
Paul James / Kay Swift
4 On the Sunny Side of the Street 4:57
Dorothy Fields / Jimmy McHugh
5 Wild Women (Don't Have the Blues) 5:28
Ida Cox
6 I've Got the World on a String 4:29
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
7 I Don't Know What Kind of Blues I Got 3:56
Duke Ellington
8 Blues for Yesterday 7:31
Lester Carr
Credits
Baritone Saxophone – Danny Bank
Bass – Milt Hinton
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Tom Gwaltney
Vocals – Nancy Harrow
Drums – Oliver Jackson
Guitar – Kenny Burrell
Piano – Dick Wellstood
Tenor Saxophone – Buddy Tate
Trombone – Dickie Wells
Trumpet, Leader, Arranged By – Buck Clayton

LEE KONITZ - Tenorlee (1978-2002) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tenorlee is a bit unusual in that altoist Lee Konitz exclusively plays tenor. Featured in an intimate trio with pianist Jimmy Rowles and bassist Michael Moore, Konitz explores ten superior standards from the swing era plus a brief unaccompanied workout on "Tenorlee." On "Lady Be Good," both Konitz and Rowles quote liberally from the famous 1936 recording by Lester Young and Count Basie. The relaxed, often lyrical, and slightly unpredictable interpretations are quite enjoyable. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     I Remember You 6:33
Johnny Mercer / Victor Schertzinger     
2     Skylark 3:35
Hoagy Carmichael / Johnny Mercer
3     Thanks for the Memory 4:11
Ralph Rainger / Leo Robin
4     You Are Too Beautiful 4:26
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
5     Handful of Stars 5:20
Jack Lawrence / Ted Shapiro
6     Autumn Nocturne 3:28
Kim Gannon / Josef Myrow
7     Tangerine 3:54
Johnny Mercer / Victor Schertzinger
8     Tenorlee/Oh, Lady Be Good 8:12
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin / Lee Konitz
9     The Gypsy 3:22
Billy Reid
10     'Tis Autumn 3:58
Henry Nemo
Credits :    
Bass – Michael Moore
Piano – Jimmy Rowles
Tenor Saxophone – Lee Konitz

ROLAND KIRK - Gifts And Messages (1964-2010) 32bits-44.1hz | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

While this 1964 set is less renowned than its immediate follow-ups (I Talk with the Spirits and Rip Rig & Panic), it's one of the most straightforward hard bop sessions recorded by Roland Kirk (he added the "Rahsaan" in 1969) during his mid-'60s tenure at Mercury Records. As usual, Kirk plays between one and four reeds at a time throughout Gifts & Messages, his carefully thought-out yet often abandoned solos approaching free jazz at times. The assured hard bop of his backing trio, pianist Horace Parlan, bassist Michael Fleming and drummer Steve Ellington, does nothing to restrain Kirk's wilder fancies. The three are able to keep up with even his most outre offerings, such as "Vertigo Ro" and "Hip Chops," and are equally adept at the classically structured "March of Swan Lake" and the gentle "Petite Fleur." [Some reissues add a bonus track, the giddy improv "Jive Elephant."] Rovi Staff
Tracklist :
1    Intro By Ronnie Scott 0'17
MC – Ronnie Scott
2    Bags' Groove 12'04
Milt Jackson
3    Intro By Roland Kirk 2'17
MC – Roland Kirk
4    It Might As Well Be Spring 6'25
Rodgers / Hammerstein
5    (On A) Misty Night 9'30
T. Dameron
6    Come Sunday 5'34
D. Ellington
7    Avalon 9'31
Rose / Jolson / De Sylva
8    My Ship 650
K. Weill / Gershwin
9    A Stritch In Time 10'08Stan T
R. Kirk
10    Gifts And Messages 12'38
R. Kirk
11    Reeling And Rhyming 2'45
R. Kirk
Credits :
Bass – Rick Laird
Drums – Allan Ganley
Piano – Stan Tracey
Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Nose Flute, Siren, Voice, Saxophone [Manzello. Stritch, Saxophonium] – Roland Kirk

GARY BARTZ QUINTET - West 42nd Street (1990) 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     West 42nd Street 8:51
Wilbur Harden    
2     Speak Low 19:10
Ogden Nash / Kurt Weill    
3     It's Easy to Remember 11:45
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers    
4     Cousins 10:02
Gary Bartz    
5     The Night Has a Thousand Eyes 18:56     
Marilyn Garrett / Dorothy Wayne / Ben Weisman
Credits :
Bass – Ray Drummond
Drums – Al Foster
Flugelhorn, Trumpet – Claudio Roditi
Piano – John Hicks
Saxophone [Alto, Soprano] – Gary Bartz

GARY BARTZ - There Goes The Neighborhood! (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although he dismissed notions about a comeback, this '90 album was the triumphant, exuberant vehicle Gary Bartz hadn't made in quite a while. His rippling solos and dominant presence were welcome for fans who wondered if he had squandered the potential he'd shown in the '60s. Ron Wynn
Tracklist :
1    Racism (Blues In Double Bb Minor) 9:41
Composed By – Gary Bartz
2    On A Misty Night 8:35
Composed By – Tadd Dameron
3    Laura 13:27
Composed By – David Raksin, Johnny Mercer
4    Tadd's Delight 8:54
Composed By – Tadd Dameron
5    Impressions 10:06
Composed By – John Coltrane
6    I've Never Been In Love Before 10:08
Composed By – Frank Loesser
7    Flight Path 8:44
Composed By – Kenny Barron
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Gary Bartz
Bass – Ray Drummond
Drums – Ben Riley
Piano – Kenny Barron

CLARK TERRY ft... YUSEF LATEEF - Color Changes (1961-2000) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This is one of flügelhornist Clark Terry's finest albums. Terry had complete control over the music and, rather than have the usual jam session, he utilized an octet and arrangements by Yusef Lateef, Budd Johnson, and Al Cohn. The lineup of musicians (C.T., trombonist Jimmy Knepper, Julius Watkins on French horn, Yusef Lateef on tenor, flute, oboe, and English horn, Seldon Powell doubling on tenor and flute, pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Joe Benjamin, and drummer Ed Shaughnessy) lives up to its potential, and the charts make good use of the sounds of these very individual stylists. The material, which consists of originals by Terry, Duke Jordan, Lateef, and Bob Wilber, is both rare and fresh, and the interpretations always swing. Highly recommended. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Blue Waltz (La Valse Bleue) 6:37
Chester Conn
2     Brother Terry 3:54
Yusef Lateef
3     Flutin' and Fluglin' 6:46
Clark Terry
4     No Problem 5:49
Duke Jordan
5     La Rive Gauche 5:28
Clark Terry
6     Nahstye Blues
Clark Terry    
7     Chat Qui Peche (A Cat That Fishes) 7:32
Clark Terry
Credits :    
Bass – Joe Benjamin
Drums – Ed Shaughnessy
French Horn – Julius Watkins
Piano – Budd Johnson (tracks: 6), Tommy Flanagan
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Seldon Powell
Tenor Saxophone, Flute, English Horn, Oboe – Yusef Lateef
Trombone – Jimmy Knepper
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Clark Terry

CLARK TERRY QUINTET - The Hymn (2001) FLAC (tracks), lossless

While it didn't see release until 2001, this quintet date was recorded in 1993 at New York's Birdland, which at the time was still on 105th Street (it would soon move to 44th, near Times Square). Joining trumpet legend Clark Terry in the front line is the young alto saxophonist Jesse Davis, who is quite at home with the bop-oriented material at hand. Pianist Don Friedman, bassist Marcus McLaurine, and drummer Sylvia Cuenca complete the lineup, helping Terry do his thing, whether it's the fast swing of "The Hymn," "Rhythm Ride," and "Is It True What They Say About Dixie?"; the medium tempos of "Ow!" and "On the Trail"; or the greasy, comedic, vocal showstopper "Blues for Rebecca." Terry likes to double- and even triple-time his ballads, as he does on "My Romance" and "Mood Indigo" (on the latter, listen for his quotes of "Jersey Bounce" and "Cherokee," and also Friedman's superb solo). He also covers effortlessly for his mangling of the lyrics to "Sunny Side of the Street." And no Clark Terry album would be complete without his trademark back-and-forth improv on trumpet and flugelhorn -- sure enough, it surfaces during "On the Trail." A worthy addition to a lengthy discography. David R. Adler  
Tracklist :
1     The Hymn 6'17
Charlie Parker
2     My Romance 7'11
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
3     Ow! 10'49
Dizzy Gillespie
4     On the Sunny Side of the Street 5'39
Dorothy Fields / Jimmy McHugh
5     Is It True What They Say About Dixie? 5'28
Irving Caesar / Sammy Lerner / Gerald Marks
6     Mood Indigo 12'44
Barney Bigard / Duke Ellington / Irving Mills
7     On the Trail 7'27
Ferde Grofé
8     Blues for Rebecca 9'35
Clark Terry
9     Rhythm Ride 4'48
Clark Terry
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Jesse Davis
Double Bass – Marcus McLaurine
Drums – Sylvia Cuenca
Piano – Don Friedman
Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Vocals – Clark Terry

PAQUITO D'RIVERA - Who's Smoking?! (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The answer to this CD's title is the musicians. The heated bebop-oriented session finds Paquito D'Rivera joined by trumpeter Claudio Roditi, flügelhornist Mark Morganelli, Danilo Perez or Pedrito Lopez on piano, bassist Harvie Swartz, and drummer Al Foster. An extra treat is that veteran tenorman James Moody guests on three of the nine selections, inspiring D'Rivera to be particularly heated. Highlights include exciting versions of "Giant Steps" and "I Mean You," a clarinet-bass duet on "Out of Nowhere," Perez's "You Got It, Diz," and the blazing title cut. Highly recommended. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Who's Smoking?! 8:02
Paquito D'Rivera / Claudio Roditi
2     Giant Steps 7:13
John Coltrane
3     Irremediablemente Solo (Incurably Alone) 8:04
Avelino Muñoz
4     Linda's Moody 4:48
Claudio Roditi
5     Desert Storm 8:41
Paquito D'Rivera
6     Nuestro Bolero 4:58
Pedrito Lopez
7     I Mean You 5:46
Coleman Hawkins / Thelonious Monk
8     You Got It, Diz! 6:35
Danilo Pérez
9     Out of Nowhere 5:27
Johnny Green / Edward Heyman
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Clarinet – Paquito D'Rivera
Bass – Harvie Swartz
Drums – Al Foster
Flugelhorn – Mark Morganelli
Piano – Danilo Perez, Pedrito López
Tenor Saxophone – James Moody
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Claudio Roditi 

MONGO SANTAMARIA - Brazilian Sunset (1995) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Mongo Santamaria leads a potent octet over two nights at Birdland in this live CD taped in 1992. The conga master is joined by trumpeter/flugelhornist Eddie Allen (who serves as music director as well), tenor saxophonist/flautist Craig Rivers, and alto saxophonist/baritone saxophonist/flautists Jimmy Cozier, with pianist Ricardo Gonzalez leading the rhythm section. Among Santamaria's seven originals, the peppy "Brazilian Sunset" especially stands out, along with two pieces by Marty Sheller, his former musical director. Cozier penned the upbeat "Costa Del Oro," a sizzling Latin blues that features its composer on tenor sax. There's also a fun Afro-Cuban arrangement of the standard "Summertime" and a hip-swaying treatment of Herbie Hancock's huge hit "Watermelon Man." by Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    Bonita 4:10
Ray Gilbert / Antônio Carlos Jobim / Mongo Santamaria
2    Costa del Oro 5:39
Jimmy Cozier
3    Summertime 6:26
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin / DuBose Heyward
4    Gumbo Man 6:11
Marty Sheller
5    Brazilian Sunset 6:47
Mongo Santamaria
6    When Love Begins 6:01
Mongo Santamaria
7    Being Here with You 5:41
Mongo Santamaria
8    Soca Mi Nice 3:59
Marty Sheller
9    Dawn's Light 5:15
Mongo Santamaria
10    Breaking It In 6:13
Mongo Santamaria
11    Watermelon Man 3:43
Herbie Hancock
12    Sofrito 11:18
Neal Creque / Mongo Santamaria
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Flute – Jimmy Cozier
Bass – Guillermo Edgehill
Drums, Timbales – Johnny Almendra
Percussion – Eddie Rodriguez, Mongo Santamaria
Piano – Ricardo Gonzalez
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Craig Rivers
Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Directed By [Musical Director] – Eddie J. Allen

STEVE LACY - The Straight Horn of Steve Lacy (1960) Mp3