STANLEY JORDAN — Friends (2011) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Guitarist Stanley Jordan's innovative touch technique, often played in a solo setting at the beginning of his career in the mid-'80s, was a breath of fresh air. He has since been an explorer open to many styles, as heard on this collaboration with a number of different musicians. He is still very much a force as a soloist, yet not one to hog the spotlight with his formidable abilities. Jordan is joined by Kenny Garrett (on soprano sax), trumpeter Nicholas Payton, bassist Christian McBride, and drummer Kenwood Dennard for his blazing post-bop anthem "Capital J." The same lineup is used for the mellow contemporary ballad "Bathed in Light" with Dennard overdubbing on keyboard; the robust solos and crisp ensemble work keep things from degrading into run-of-the-mill smooth jazz. Jordan collaborates with several different guitarists. Octogenarian Bucky Pizzarelli, a master of seven-string guitar who is equally capable playing lead and rhythm, is on hand for a gently swinging, bluesy "Lil' Darlin'," while Russell Malone joins the leader and Pizzarelli for an explosive take of "Seven Come Eleven" (a tune Pizzarelli doubtlessly played many times during his time with Benny Goodman). Mike Stern accompanies Jordan for a brisk workout of "Giant Steps," with Dennard sticking to soft brushwork. Guitarist Charlie Hunter is on hand for Jordan's funky "Walkin' the Dog" and Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl," the latter in which the leader plays piano with one hand and guitar with the other. Perhaps the most unusual track is an adaptation of the "Romantic Intermezzo" from Béla Bartók's Concerto for Orchestra, with Jordan playing piano (his first instrument) accompanied by the brilliant violinist Regina Carter, demonstrating Jordan's love for a good melody regardless of the style of music. Jazz fans who have lost track of Stanley Jordan since his early solo recordings will have their ears opened by this diverse, successful meeting with his many friends. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    Capital J    6:40
 Stanley Jordan
2    Walkin' The Dog    6:12
 Stanley Jordan
3    Lil' Darlin'    5:43
 Neal Hefti
4    Giant Steps    4:33
 John Coltrane
5    I Kissed A Girl    5:46
 Cathy Dennis / Dr. Luke / Max Martin / Katy Perry
6    Samba Delight    5:30
 Stanley Jordan
7    Seven Come Eleven    5:33
 Charlie Christian / Benny Goodman
8    Bathed In Light    7:49
 Stanley Jordan
9    Romantic Intermezzo From Bartok's Concerto For Orchestra    8:33
 Béla Bartók
10    Reverie    3:59
 Claude Debussy
11    One For Milton    4:08
 Kenwood Dennard / Stanley Jordan / Russell Malone
Credits :
Contrabass – Charnett Moffett (tracks: 5,6,10), Christian McBride (tracks: 1,8)
Drums – Kenwood Dennard (tracks: 1 to 8,10,11)
Guitar – Bucky Pizzarelli (tracks: 3,6), Charlie Hunter (tracks: 2,5), Mike Stern (tracks: 4), Russell Malone (tracks: 6,11), Stanley Jordan
Piano – Stanley Jordan (tracks: 5,9)
Soprano Saxophone – Kenny Garrett (tracks: 1,8), Ronnie Laws (tracks: 7)
Trumpet – Nicholas Payton (tracks: 1,8)
Violin – Regina Carter (tracks: 7,9)

CHARLIE HUNTER - Charlie Hunter (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Charlie Hunter is a restless musician in a dilemma. The variety of players and settings on his first several albums are testament to his restless spirit. But as his technique and confidence grow, it seems that the best showcase for his talent would be in small groups with minimal accompaniment, due to his ability to play rhythm and melody simultaneously. Since his last album, Duo, was the epitome of minimal accompaniment, Hunter must have felt obliged to vary the sound somewhat. For this album, Hunter continues his collaboration with percussionist Leon Parker, as well as bringing Josh Roseman and Peter Apfelbaum on trombone and sax, respectively, plus a couple of Parker's students. But the show still belongs to Hunter; there is one solo cut and three duets with Parker. When the other percussionists join in, the rhythms remain lean, with each player utilizing only one or two items. This leaves plenty of space for Hunter, while providing nice counterpoint to his playing. The horns are used on only four of the nine tracks of the album, but do a lot to expand the overall sound. Apfelbaum and Roseman solo nicely, but just as exciting is hearing Hunter's comping behind them. His technique really is amazing, but always at the service of music, not virtuosity. The tunes themselves lay down a solid groove; never too far from soul-jazz or funk, but with a boppish vocabulary that says this is no ordinary groove band. Charlie Hunter is another fine offering from a uniquely talented player, demonstrating both a high degree of musical sensitivity and astonishing technical abilities. by Sean Westergaard 
Tracklist:

1 Rendezvous Avec La Verite 6:37

Congas – Leon Parker
Cowbell, Cymbal – Stephen Chopek
Guitar [8-string] – Charlie Hunter
Percussion [Floor Tom, Snare Drum] – Robert Perkins
Written By – Charlie Hunter
2 Two For Bleu 5:39
Congas, Percussion [Floor Tom] – Leon Parker
Cowbell, Cymbal – Stephen Chopek
Guitar [8-string] – Charlie Hunter
Saxophone [Tenor] – Peter Apfelbaum
Tambourine – Robert Perkins
Trombone – Josh Roseman
Written By – Charlie Hunter
3 Al Green 5:39
Drums – Leon Parker
Guitar [8-string] – Charlie Hunter
Written By – Charlie Hunter
4 Nothin' But Trouble 6:33
Drums – Leon Parker
Guitar [8-string] – Charlie Hunter
Saxophone [Tenor] – Peter Apfelbaum
Trombone – Josh Roseman
Written By – Charlie Hunter
5 Cloud Splitter 4:01
Claves – Stephen Chopek
Drums – Leon Parker
Guitar [8-string] – Charlie Hunter
Saxophone [Tenor] – Peter Apfelbaum
Trombone – Josh Roseman
Written By – Charlie Hunter
6 Epistrophy 3:41
Guitar [8-string] – Charlie Hunter
Percussion – Leon Parker
Written By – K. Clarke, T. Monk
7 Flau Flau 5:56
Guitar [8-string] – Charlie Hunter
Percussion [Floor Tom] – Stephen Chopek
Percussion [Snare Drum] – Robert Perkins
Saxophone [Tenor] – Peter Apfelbaum
Triangle – Leon Parker
Trombone – Josh Roseman
Written By – Charlie Hunter
8 Dersu (A Slight Return) 5:14
Drums – Leon Parker
Guitar [8-string] – Charlie Hunter
Written By – Charlie Hunter
9 Someday We'll All Be Free 4:55
Guitar [8-string] – Charlie Hunter
Written By – D. Howard, D. Hathaway

Charlie Hunter Trio - Bing, Bing, Bing! [1995] FLAC

It is difficult not to be impressed with the playing of guitarist Charlie Hunter. By using an extra string, Hunter is able to create his own basslines and have a very self-sufficient bassless (and keyboardless) trio with tenor-saxophonist Dave Ellis and drummer Jay Lane that has all of the parts covered. The music on Bing, Bing, Bing! crosses over between straight-ahead jamming to '70s retro-funk (à la Eddie Harris) that is infectious enough to fit into an acid jazz setting. However, even at its funkiest, the rhythms are subtle and the improvising reasonably creative, making this a potentially popular group who should still interest jazz listeners.

Track listing

"Greasy Granny" – 4:34

"Wornell's Yorkies" – 3:58

"Fistful of Haggis" – 6:44

"Come as You Are" (Cobain) – 6:08

"Scrabbling for Purchase" – 4:49

"Bullethead" – 5:34

"Bing, Bing, Bing, Bing!" – 7:56

"Squiddlesticks" – 4:03

"Lazy Susan (with a client now)" – 6:15

"Elbo Room" – 5:58

Personnel

Charlie Hunter - 8-string guitar

Dave Ellis - Tenor saxophone

Jay Lane - Drums

David Phillips - Pedal steel guitar on tracks 3 and 7

Ben Goldberg - Clarinet on tracks 5 and 9

Jeff Cressman - Trombone on tracks 5 and 9

Scott Roberts - Percussion on tracks 2 and 3

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