ELVIN JONES — Mr. Jones (1973-2013) RM | Serie BNLA 999 Encore | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    One's Native Place 6:17
Written-By – Keiko Jones
2    Gee Gee 5:45
Written-By – Gene Perla
3    Mr. Jones 7:35
Written-By – Keiko Jones
4    What's Up-That's It 5:40
Written-By – Gene Perla
5    Soultrane 6:12
Written-By – Tadd Dameron
6    New Breed 6:55
Written-By – David Liebman
Credits :
Acoustic Bass – Gene Perla (tracks: 1, 4 to 6)
Baritone Saxophone – Pepper Adams (tracks: 3)
Bass – Wilbur Little (tracks: 3)
Congas – Carlos "Patato" Valdes (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 6)
Drums – Elvin Jones
Electric Bass – Gene Perla (tracks: 2)
Engineer – Rudy Van Gelder
Flugelhorn – Thad Jones (tracks: 1, 2)
Flute – David Liebman (tracks: 1)
Percussion – Candido Camero* (tracks: 3), Frank Ippolito (tracks: 1, 4, 5)
Piano – Jan Hammer (tracks: 1, 2, 4)
Soprano Saxophone – David Liebman (tracks: 4), Steve Grossman (tracks: 1)
Tenor Saxophone – David Liebman (tracks: 2, 6), George Coleman (tracks: 3), Joe Farrell (tracks: 3), Steve Grossman (tracks: 2, 4 to 6)
Timpani – Albert Duffy (tracks: 1, 5)

JOHNNY GRIFFIN & MATHEW GEE - Soul Groove (1963-2012) RM | Jazz Best Collection 1000 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The music seldom reaches ignition point on this undistinguished 1965 session. Co-leader Johnny Griffin has many more valuable items in his discography. While not as well-known as Griffin, the same can be said of trombonist Matthew Gee, whose resumé includes work with Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington and whose style straddles swing and bop (this was actually one of only two dates where Gee recorded as a leader).

Soul Groove disappoints in several areas, including the writing that seldom surpasses head-arrangement status. Drummer Art Taylor and bassist Aaron Bell plug away purposefully, but in a mix that blunts the personalities of their playing. The co-leaders' contributions also pass in a blur. Tenor and trombone front lines can work, but here the tone of the two instruments is too similar; Griffin and Gee's solos tend to drift and smear over one another.

Organist John Patton is on three tracks, pianist Hank Jones on four, and Jones, again, is on organ for one track. The presence of Jones and Patton looks promising, but the shuffling between the two and between organ and piano actually adds to the session's lack of focus. Jones has occasional moments of sparkle at the piano, but like his rhythm section colleagues, he often suffers from indifferent treatment in the mix. The best tracks end up being the three with Patton, as all hands settle in for the familiar pleasures of organ combo-style blowing. Jim Todd  
Tracklist :
1     Oh Gee 2'21
Matthew Gee
2     Here 5'10
Gerry Beckley / Matthew Gee
3     At Sundown 4'51
Lou Donaldson    
4     The Swingers Get the Blues, Too 8'00
Duke Ellington / Matthew Gee
5     Twist City 5'22
Matthew Gee
6     Poor Butterfly 4'59
John Golden / Raymond Hubbell    
7     Mood for Cryin' 4'42
Matthew Gee / Johnny Griffin          
8     Renee 5'18
Matthew Gee
Credits :
Bass – Aaron Bell (pistas: 1-3, 5-8)
Congas, Bongos – Carlos "Patato" Valdes
Drums – Art Taylor
Organ – Hank Jones (pistas: 2,6), John Patton (pistas: 1,5,8)
Piano – Hank Jones (pistas: 3,4,7)
Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Griffin
Trombone – Matthew Gee
Tuba – Aaron Bell (pistas: 4)

HERBIE MANN - Our Mann Flute + Impressions of the Middle East (2001) FLAC (tracks), lossless

This two-fer from Collectables features a pair of out of print Herbie Mann LPs: Our Mann Flute and Impressions of the Middle East. Originally issued in 1966 and 1967, respectively, these 21 jazz-pop tracks include "Frere Jacques," "Down by the Riverside," and "Skip to My Lou." This is an enjoyable reissue from Mann's massive catalog on Atlantic Records, but most listeners would be better served with one of the many compilations in print. by Al Campbell
Tracklist :
Our Mann Flute (1966)    
1    Scratch    2:34
Wayne Henderson
2    Philly Dog    2:28
Rufus Thomas
3    Happy Brass    2:10
Herbie Mann
4    Good Lovin'    2:51
Rudy Clark / Arthur Resnick
5    Theme From "This Is My Beloved"    5:07
Herbie Mann
6    Frere Jacques 2:15
Traditional
7    Our Man Flint    2:44
Jerry Goldsmith
8    Fiddler On The Roof    2:22
Jerry Bock / Sheldon Harnick
9    Theme From "Malamondo"    2:18
Ennio Morricone
10    Down By The Riverside    2:34
Paul Barnes / Traditional
11    Monday, Monday    2:58
John Phillips
12    Skip To My Lou    2:22
Traditional
Credits :
Arranged By, Conductor – Arif Mardin (faixas: 7), Herbie Mann (faixas: 3, 10), Jimmy Wisner (faixas: 1, 2, 4, 11), Oliver Nelson (faixas: 5), Richard Wess (faixas: 6, 8, 9, 12)
Impressions Of The Middle East (1967)    
1    Turkish Coffee    5:01
Herbie Mann -flute; Chick Ganimian -oud; Roy Ayers -vibes;Reggie Workman -bass;
Bruno Carr -drums; Carlos"Patato"Valdes -conga drums; Hachig Thomas Kazarian &
Geraldine Swee -percussion
2    Incense    7:19
Herbie Mann -alto flute; Chick Ganimian -oud; Roy Ayers -vibes;Reggie Workman -bass;
Bruno Carr -drums; Carlos"Patato"Valdes -conga drums; Hachig Thomas Kazarian &
Geraldine Swee -percussion
3    Odalisque    7:43
Herbie Mann -flute; Chick Ganimian -oud; Roy Ayers -vibes;Reggie Workman -bass;
Bruno Carr -drums; Carlos"Patato"Valdes -conga drums; Hachig Thomas Kazarian &
Geraldine Swee -percussion
4    Do Wah Diddy Diddy    2:39
Herbie Mann -flute; Chick Ganimian -oud; Jimmy Owens -trumpet; Julian Priester &
Joe Orange -trombone; Hachig Thomas Kazarian -clarinet; Reggie Workman -bass;
Mohamed Elakkad -zither; Atilla Zoller -guitar; Bruno Carr -drums; Moulay Ali Hafid,
Robert Marashlian & Carlos"Patato"Valdes -percussion
5    Uskudar    3:39
Herbie Mann -flute; Chick Ganimian -oud; Jimmy Owens -trumpet & fluegelhorn;
Hachig Thomas Kazarian -clarinet; Mohamed Elakkad -zither; Reggie Workman -bass;
Bruno Carr -drums; Robert Marashlian & Moulay Ali Hafid -percussion
6    The Oud And The Pussycat    5:04
Herbie Mann -flute; Chick Ganimian -oud; Jimmy Owens -trumpet; Julian Priester &
Joe Orange -trombone; Hachig Thomas Kazarian -clarinet; Reggie Workman -bass;
Mohamed Elakkad -zither; Atilla Zoller -guitar; Bruno Carr -drums; Moulay Ali Hafid,
Robert Marashlian & Carlos"Patato"Valdes -percussion
7    Yavuz    4:38
Herbie Mann -flute; Chick Ganimian -oud; Jimmy Owens -trumpet & fluegelhorn;
Hachig Thomas Kazarian -clarinet; Mohamed Elakkad -zither; Reggie Workman -bass;
Bruno Carr -drums; Robert Marashlian & Moulay Ali Hafid -percussion
8    Dance Of The Semites    4:29
Herbie Mann -flute; Chick Ganimian -oud; Jimmy Owens -trumpet & fluegelhorn;
Hachig Thomas Kazarian -clarinet; Mohamed Elakkad -zither; Reggie Workman -bass;
Bruno Carr -drums; Robert Marashlian & Moulay Ali Hafid -percussion
9    Eli Eli    3:57
Herbie Mann -flute; Richard Davis -bass; Gloria Agostino -harp; David Nadien,
Anahid Adjemian'Al Brown, Bernard Eichen, Leo Cahn, Leo Kruczek, Charles Libove,
Dave Mankowitz, Charles McCracken, Marvin Morgenstern, George Ockner, Raoul Poliakin,
Max Pollikoff,George Ricci, Aaron Rosand, Tosha Samaroff, Al Schulman, Sylvan Schulman,
Karen Tuttle, Emanuel Vardi & Jack Zayde -strings

GRANT GREEN - The Latin Bit (1962-2007) RVG Edition | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Grant Green, being known mainly as a soul jazz guitarist, eventually gravitated into the popular boogaloo sound. The Latin Bit is the natural bridge to that next phase, though a bit premature for most in 1961-1963, even relative to the subsequent bossa nova craze. Pianist Johnny Acea, long an underrated jazzman, is the nucleus of this session, grounding it with witty chops, chordal comping, and rhythmic meat. The Latino rhythm section of drummer Willie Bobo and conga player Carlos "Patato" Valdes personify authentic, seasoned spice, while at times the chekere sound of Garvin Masseaux makes the soup too thick. At its collective best, the group presents a steady, serene, and steamy "Besame Mucho" and the patient, slow, slinky, sultry "Tico Tico." Just a small step below is a classy take on Charlie Parker's "My Little Suede Shoes," a premier jazz bebop (emphasis) tune with a Latin undertow and Green's tiniest staccato phrases, slightly marred by the overbearing constant chekere, but still classic. "Mama Inez" ranks high for its calypso-infused happy feeling and wry stop-start lines. The straight-ahead hard bopper "Brazil" and lone soul-jazz tune, "Blues for Juanita," display the single-note acumen that made Green's style instantly recognizable. This date always yielded mixed results for staunch fans of Green, but it remains a credible effort, even if slightly flawed in part. [Some reissues add two selections with pianist Sonny Clark and tenor saxophonist Ike Quebec, the latter of whom plays hip secondary harmonies on the bossa nova-flavored "Granada," but is in the complete background and a non-factor on the pop tune "Hey There."] Scott Yanow  
Tracklist :
1 Mambo Inn 5:48
Written-By – Woodlon, Sampson, Bauza
2 Besame Mucho 7:09
Written-By – C. Velasquez, S. Skylar
3 Mama Inez 6:38
Written-By – E. Grenet, L. Gilbert
4 Brazil 4:59
Written-By – A. Barroso, S. K. Russell
5 Tico Tico 7:42
Written-By – Jose Abreu
6 My Little Suede Shoes 6:21
Written-By – Charlie Parker
7 Blues For Jaunita 7:02
Written-By – Grant Green
8 Grenada 6:23
Written-By – Augustin Lara
9 Hey There 7:24
Written-By – J. Ross, R. Adler
Credits :
Bass – Wendell Marshall
Congas – Carlos "Patato" Valdes
Drums – Willie Bobo
Guitar – Grant Green
Percussion [Checkere] – Garvin Masseaux (tracks: 1 to 6)
Piano – Johnny Acea (tracks: 1 to 7), Sonny Clark (tracks: 8, 9)
Recorded By, Remastered By [2007] – Rudy Van Gelder
Tenor Saxophone – Ike Quebec (tracks: 8, 9)
Notes
Tracks 1-6 originally issued in 1963 as Blue Note BST 84111.
Tracks 7-9 originally issued in 1996 on the first CD edition of this album. Bonus tracks, not part of original LP

KENNY DORHAM - Afro-Cuban (1955-2007) RVG Edition | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Considered Kenny Dorham's finest recording of his all-too-short career, this re-reissue has been newly remastered and presumably now includes all of the takes from these nonet and sextet sessions of 1955. Considering the time period, this date remains way ahead of the Latin-tinged and hard bop music that would follow. It would be difficult to assess the sextet being a step below the larger group effort, but only because it is much less Afro-Cuban. Nonetheless the unmistakable drumming of Art Blakey powers the combo through the blisteringly swinging "La Villa" with unison horns (Hank Mobley, tenor sax; Cecil Payne, baritone sax). The other easy swinging pieces "K.D.'s Motion," "Venita's Dance," and "Echo of Spring/K.D.'s Car Ride" display great group empathy and seem effortless, though they're not. It's the Latin-based music that really differentiates this band from all others of this era, save Dizzy Gillespie's. Payne's robust bari ignites the hip call-and-response motif of "Afrodisia," while his horn in tandem with pianist Horace Silver backs the up-front horns, supplemented by trombonist J.J. Johnson, for the heated mambo-ish hard bopper "Basheer's Dream." Two takes of "Minor's Holiday" are, curiously enough, exactly the same time at 4:24, both super cooking with Dorham's clear-as-a-bell trumpet leading the other horns, which practically act as backup singers. Percussionist Carlos "Patato" Valdes is the perfect spice added to this dish. The lone ballad, "Lotus Flower," is remarkable in that its marked tender restraint feels on the brink of wanting to cut loose, but never does. A first-rate recording for the under-appreciated Dorham, this one should be in every collection of all true music lovers. Michael G. Nastos  
Tracklist :
1    Afrodisia    5:02
Kenny Dorham
2    Lotus Flower    4:15
Kenny Dorham
3    Minor's Holiday    4:25
Kenny Dorham
4    Minor's Holiday - Alternate Take    4:21
Kenny Dorham
5    Basheer's Dream    5:00
Gigi Gryce
6    K.D.'s Motion    5:25
Gigi Gryce
7    The Villa    5:20
Kenny Dorham / Gigi Gryce
8    Venita's Dance    5:18
Gigi Gryce
9    K.D.'s Cab Ride    6:06
Kenny Dorham
Credits :
Baritone Saxophone – Cecil Payne
Bass – Oscar Pettiford (faixas: 1 to 4, 9), Percy Heath (faixas: 5 to 8)
Congas – Carlos "Patato" Valdes (faixas: 1 to 4, 9)
Cowbell – Richie Goldberg (faixas: 1 to 4, 9)
Drums – Art Blakey
Piano – Horace Silver
Remastered By – Rudy Van Gelder
Tenor Saxophone – Hank Mobley
Trombone – J.J. Johnson (faixas: 1 to 4, 9)
Trumpet – Kenny Dorham 

PAQUITO D'RIVERA - The Lost Sessions (2002) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

While the title would have listeners believe that these sessions are of a piece, they are actually compiled tracks from the years 1976-1978, with four different bands and five different sessions -- including two in Havana. Some of the D'Rivera's associates on these dates include the Finland Jazz Combo, Chucho and Oscar Valdes, Arturo Sandoval, Emilio Morales, and Irakere. The program contains everything from American standards such as "I Want to Talk About You," given a squealing yet lyrical read -- and "Stella By Starlight," to fiery Cuban jazz, such as the stomping "La Patica," to Brazilian-styled numbers such as " "Bossa Del Pico Electrico." Whether the accompaniment is Irakere, or the more traditional players in Europe or Latin America, D'Rivera's horn is constantly burning and twisting, creating new harmonic lines in the front as he reinvents cadences rhythmically. This is a stellar collection, and one that every fan should at least hear.
(This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa')
Tracklist :
1     I Want to Talk About You 8:20
Billy Eckstine
2     Mi Pequeña Anna 7:26
3     Stella by Starlight 4:33
Ned Washington / Victor Young
4     Canción a Palia 6:06
Jesús Valdés
5     La Patica 3:51
Abelardo Buch
6     Para Ti Llevo Más 3:32
Abelardo Buch
7     Mirando Caer la Lluvia 2:41
8     Pulgarcito en Guanabara 1:56
Abelardo Buch
9     Bossa del Pico Eléctrico 2:48
Carlos Emilio Morales
10     Hay Solución 3:31
Abelardo Buch
11     Te Quiero Más y Tú No Estás 3:31
Abelardo Buch
Credits :
Paquito D'Rivera - soprano, alto and baritone saxes, flute
Chucho Valdes - piano
Arturo Sandoval - trumpet
Carlos Emilio Morales - guitar
Carlos Averhoff - tenor sax
Enrique Pla - drums
Jorge Varona - trumpet
Oscar Valdes - percussion

PATATO VALDÉZ - Masterpiece (1984) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Masterpiece may not quite live up to its name, but it definitely has its moments. A few songs are dominated by group singing/chanting, and both singer Vicentico Valdes ("Reflexionado") and percussionist Patato ("A Los Pianistas") have individual features. In addition, "Cute" and "Coimelon" are straight-ahead showcases for Ronnie Cuber (on soprano and baritone) and pianist Michel Camilo, while fluitst Artie Webb is heard in top form on "Adios Pampa Mia" and Horace Silver's "Nica's Dream." Other key players include the late pianist Jorge Dalto (on his next-to-last recording), Nicky Marrero on timbales, drummer Steve Berrios, bassist Andy Gonzalez, and trumpeter Jerry Gonzalez. An intriguing set of consistently stimulating music. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Adios Pampa Mia 6:34
Francisco Canaro / Ivo Pelay
2     Cute 4:46
Neal Hefti / Stanley Styne
3     Reflexionando 5:59
Jorge Dalto
4     Feliz Navidad 8:32
Orlando Castillo / Carlos "Patato" Valdes
5     Comelon 5:12
Rafael Lay
6     Tonan Che Cabildo a Ochún 5:45
Carlos "Patato" Valdes
7     Nica's Dream 7:48
Horace Silver
8     El Montuno de Patato 3:45
Jorge Dalto
9     A Los Pianistas 7:25
Carlos "Patato" Valdes
Credits :
Bass – Andy Gonzalez
Bongos – Charlie Santiago
Chorus – José Alberto 'El Canario', Nestor Sanchez, Rodrigo Siens, Sabu Martinez
Congas – Carlos "Patato" Valdes
Drums – Ignacio Berroa, Steve Berrios
Flute – Artie Webb, Rolando Briceño
Piano – Jorge Dalto, Michel Camilo
Soprano Saxophone – Ronnie Cuber
Timbales – Nicky Marrero
Trumpet – Jerry Gonzalez
Vocals – Orlando José Castillo, Vicentico Valdés, Wilfredo "Moreno" Tejeda

BEBO VALDÉS - Bebo Ride Again (1994-2004) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This CD is both historic and quite exciting. Bebo Valdes (father of Chucho, the leader of Irakere) was one of the giants of Cuban jazz and popular music until he fled the country in 1960. Amazingly enough, he had not recorded since, despite living peacefully in Sweden. This recording is also significant in that it is one of the first times that Cuban exiles had recorded with Cubans still living under Castro (guitarist Carlos Emilio Morales and percussionist Amadito Valdes). Paquito D'Rivera (who organized this set) deserves a lot of credit for its success, but Valdes is the real star. He composed eight new selections in the 36 hours before the recordings began, although he was 76 years old at the time. Although Valdes claimed that, with the lack of sleep and excess of writing (he also arranged ten of the 11 songs), his fingers felt a bit stiff, he plays quite well throughout the very enjoyable music. The final results are full of strong melodies, stirring rhythms, exciting ensembles, and lots of variety. The instrumentation differs on each track, with plenty of solo space for D'Rivera (on both alto and clarinet), trombonist Juan-Pablo Torres (who takes "Veinte Anos" as a duet with Valdes), trumpeter Diego Urcola, and the pianist. The percussionists work together quite well behind the lead voices, and every selection is well worth hearing. This is one of the finest Afro-Cuban jazz recordings of recent times. Highly recommended. Scott Yanow 
Tracklist:
1 Al Dizzy Gillespie 5:00
2 Anda 4:54
3 Pa' Goza 4:25
4 Felicia 5:20
5 La Comparsa 4:55
6 A La Marcheré 3:42
7 Pan Com Timba 7:00
8 Veinte Años 3:37
9 Pierre Jamballah 5:31
10 To Mario Bauza 6:05
11 Oleaje 2:00
Credits:
Alto Saxophone, Clarinet, Producer – Paquito D'Rivera
Bass – Joe Santiago
Congas, Bongos – Carlos "Patato" Valdés, Gabriel Machado
Guiro, Maracas, Congas – Gerardo Rosales
Guitar – Carlos Emilio Morales
Piano – Bebo Valdés
Timbales – Amadito Valdés
Trombone – Juan Pablo Torres
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Diego Urcola