CURTIS FULLER — The Story Of Cathy & Me (2011) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Curtis Fuller has long been recognized as a jazz trombone master, having appeared on numerous important recordings as a leader or sideman. Yet this CD is a project that is especially dear to his heart, a touching tribute to his late wife Cathy, who died following a battle with cancer. Interspersed between the songs are four spoken vignettes where Fuller describes how he met his wife-to-be, his rewarding life with her, and the pain of losing her to the terrible disease, though she was two-plus decades younger than he was. The program mixes originals and familiar songs to tell their story. Fuller utilizes a mix of different musicians to accompany him, with trumpeter Lester Walker and drummer Henry Conerway III being the constants. Fuller is still very much at the top of his game as an inventive soloist, and while the supporting cast isn't nearly as well known, they do an excellent job interpreting his charts. His upbeat "Little Dreams" is a reworking of "In the Good Old Summer Time," with sparkling solos from the brass and reeds. Tenor saxophonist Daniel Bauerkemper and pianist Kenny Banks, Jr. shine in the lush setting of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," a beautiful arrangement that is sentimental without being syrupy. Jacey Falk's "I Asked Her and She Said Yes" begins with a lively Afro-Cuban rhythm, then switches to energetic bop. Fuller's sauntering, funky "Sweetness" is another upbeat number. Vocalist Tia Michelle Rouse is added for the emotional ballad "Love Was Everything When Love You and Me," delivering a powerful performance of the Thad Jones/Abbey Lincoln piece. The last two instrumentals are both standards, a poignant "Too Late Now" and a melancholy "Spring Will Be a Little Late This Year." It is clear that all of the musicians involved were moved by Curtis Fuller's tragic loss, as they buoyed him in his time of sorrow with brilliant performances. Benny Golson's heartfelt liner notes are an added bonus. Warmly recommended. Ken Dryden   Tracklist & Credits :

LEE KONITZ with the BERT van den BRINK trio - Dialogues (1998) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

On the alto saxophone, Lee Konitz has been an undisputed master, and now in his seventies, he shows no signs of slowing down. His fresh, rambling melodicism is ever-present and strong. For this recording, he is inspired and summarily has the favor returned by his excellent Netherlands-based rhythm section of pianist Bert Van den Brink, bassist Hein Van de Geyn, and drummer Hans van Oosterhout. They play with keen spirit, telepathic notions, and musical brilliance behind the always sharp Konitz. It's also important to note that this session was done in one sitting. Of the 11 tracks, nine are standards, including the obligatory version of "All the Things You Are" that Konitz reharmonizes and calls "Thingin'." This "thing" has Konitz laying out until the second bridge chorus, well past Van de Geyn's bass solo. The majority of the pieces are done in easy swing fashion, and there are many passages where just piano and alto stand alone (the intro of "Yesterdays," the entire "Moonlight in Vermont") where Van den Brink hits a stride mood while Konitz touches on stratospheric high tones, or the section right before the coda during a lighter than usual "Cherokee," the rhythm dropping out and the other two marveling at each other's wares. "Lover Man" is done as an easy waltz but has a distinct sense of urgency, with the trio, especially Van de Geyn digging in, and "East of the Sun" is a good swinger that kicks off the program. The title track is a free bop improv with loose, melodic associations and signposts that are fun to listen to, while Rentaro Taki's "Kojo No Tsuki" has a steady Oriental feel accented by Asiatic rays of refracted light trying to somewhat illuminate a darker mood. Van den Brink goes solo with wit and charm, not to mention a high degree of skill for Cole Porter's "I Love You," and the trio (without Konitz) on the ballad "Spring Fever" more than proves their mettle as improvisers and staunch jazzmen. Of the dozens of fine recordings from Konitz over the past decade, this just might be his best. There a spontaneous, smoldering combustion and consistency the Van den Brink trio provides him that cannot be denied. It's quite a pleasurable listening experience, and another high-water mark in the continuing career of one of the jazz world's premier icons. Michael G. Nastos  
Tracklist :
1     East of the Sun 6:15
Brooks Bowman
2     Yesterdays 5:43
Otto Harbach / Jerome Kern
3     Kojo No Tsuki 5:50
Rentaro Taki
4     Spring Fever 7:14     
Hein van de Geyn
5     Thingin' 6:23
Lee Konitz
6     If You Could See Me Now 6:20
Tadd Dameron / Carl Sigman
7     Dialogue 5:55
Bert van den Brink / Lee Konitz
8     I Love You 4:33
Cole Porter
9     Moonlight in Vermont 6:12     
John Blackburn / Karl Suessdorf
10     Lover Man 7:36
Jimmy Davis / Roger "Ram" Ramirez / Jimmy Sherman
11     Cherokee 6:26
Ray Noble
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Lee Konitz
Bass – Hein Van de Geyn
Drums – Hans Van Oosterhout
Piano, Producer – Bert Van Den Brink