ASTOR PIAZZOLLA — The Central Park Concert (1987) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

This powerful concert was recorded live in New York City on September 6, 1987. Piazzolla was playing with his best ensemble: a quintet consisting of himself on bandoneon, Pablo Ziegler on piano, Fernando Suarez Paz on violin, Horacio Malvicino on electric guitar, and Hector Console on bass. Piazzolla plays some of his finest material -- about half of Tango: Zero Hour surfaces, for example. Two of the most paradigmatic Piazzolla pieces show up too: "La Camorra," with its alternating moments of tense dance rhythms and creepy atmosphere, and "Verano Porteño," with its dancing-bear rhythms. The concert closes with "Concierto Para Quinteto," one of those long pieces that Piazzolla favored that visits many styles and moods -- almost many eras. It would be very easy to lose the thread on such an epic composition in live performance, but the quintet keeps it together admirably. The live recording is of surprisingly high quality; there is an appropriate echo and the balance is nearly perfect. The audience is completely unobtrusive -- inaudible except when they applaud. And the instruments are very clear, especially when the musicians coax those "zings" and "pops" out of them that Piazzolla loved. For someone new to his work, the "special effects" on this recording can be a revelation. There is also a wonderful spoken track, with Piazzolla talking about himself, the tango, and the mysterious bandoneon. This album is a wonderful place to start -- or finish -- with this charismatic composer of nuevo tango music. Kurt Keefner 
Tracklist
1 Verano Porteño 6:54
2 Lunfardo 5:56
3 Milonga Del Angel 6:32
4 Muerte Del Angel 3:20
5 Astor's Speech 2:20
6 La Camorra 4:27
7 Mumuki 9:09
8 Adios Nonino 8:12
9 Contra Bajissmo 10:10
10 Michelangelo 3:24
11 Concierto Para Quinteto 9:45
Credits
Bandoneon – Astor Piazzolla
Bass – Hector Console
Electric Guitar – Horacio Malvicino
 Piano – Pablo Ziegler
Violin – Fernando Suarez Paz

LEE KONITZ - Parallels (2001) APE (tracks+.cue), lossless

The veteran alto saxman isn't doing gospel music anymore, but the staff at Chesky set Konitz and the other members of his quartet up in the perfect acoustic environment of St. Peter's Church in the Chelsea area of New York City. Sonics aside, this is a solid, though fairly laid-back date which displays the formidable ensemble and solo talents of each member. Drummer Bill Goodwin and acoustic bassist Steve Gilmore provide an increasingly swinging rhythm line for Konitz to dance over on an inventive arrangement of "How Deep Is the Ocean." Guitarist Peter Bernstein adds some subtle Wes Montgomery style harmony lines, but the band plays it close to the vest for most of the tune. Bernstein's crisp improvisational solo section is the highlight. With the exception of that tune, a smoky rendition of "Skylark," and Lenny Tristano's "317 East 32nd Street," the collection offers a glimpse of Konitz's strong composing skills. One of the most remarkable aspects of this date is the joyful give and take interaction between Konitz's alto and guest tenor saxman Mark Turner on the bouncy "317 East 32nd" and the ballad "Eyes," which the two co-wrote. On the latter, Konitz and Turner sometimes engage in a witty repartee, and sometimes they fuse for a cool horn section effect. In his liner notes, Konitz says that the nature of this music is filled with possibilities to be creative. Working with cohorts like this, there's no possibility of anything else. Jonathan Widran  
Tracklist :
1     How Deep Is the Ocean? 8:06
Irving Berlin
2     For Hans 6:14
Lee Konitz
3     Skylark 7:20
Hoagy Carmichael / Johnny Mercer
4     Lt 7:39
Lee Konitz
5     317 East 32nd Street 8:32
Lennie Tristano
6     Palo Alto 8:02
Lee Konitz
7     Eyes 6:19
Lee Konitz / Mark Turner
8     Subconscious Lee 6:16
Lee Konitz
Credits :
Acoustic Bass – Steve Gilmore
Alto Saxophone – Lee Konitz
Drums, Producer – Bill Goodwin
Guitar – Peter Bernstein
Producer – David Chesky
Tenor Saxophone – Mark Turner

CLARK TERRY - Portraits (1989-2004) 24bits-96hz | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Flugelhornist Clark Terry recorded quite frequently in the 1980s, and his consistency was very impressive. Terry's good humor, joyful and immediately distinctive sound, and creative, bop-oriented ideas combined to form a very accessible style. This Chesky CD finds C.T. joined by pianist Don Friedman, bassist Victor Gaskin and drummer Lewis Nash for a variety of superior standards and Terry's lone original "Finger Filibuster." The songs all pay tribute to various trumpeters, and some, such as "Pennies from Heaven," "Little Jazz" and "I Don't Wanna Be Kissed," were not performed by the flugelhornist all that often; the resulting music is fresher than usual and often quite inspired. Recommended. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Pennies from Heaven 6'04
Johnny Burke / Arthur Johnston
2     Sugar Blues 4'37
Clarence Williams
3     Autumn Leaves 4'44
Joseph Kosma / Johnny Mercer / Jacques Prévert
4     Finger Filibuster 3'52
Clark Terry
5     Little Jazz 5'46
Roy Eldridge / Buster Harding
6     When It's Sleepy Time Down South 5'14
Clarence Muse / Otis Rene / Leon René
7     Jive at Five 8'13
Count Basie / Harry "Sweets" Edison
8     Ciribiribin 3'50
Alberto Pestalozza / Traditional
9     Ow! 3'35
Dizzy Gillespie    
10     I Can't Get Started 4'31
Vernon Duke / Ira Gershwin
11     I Don't Wanna Be Kissed 6'08
John Elliott / Harold Spina
Credits :
Bass – Victor Gaskin
Drums – Lewis Nash
Flugelhorn – Clark Terry
Piano – Don Friedman
Trumpet – Clark Terry

CLARK TERRY - Live at the Village Gate (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Flugelhornist Clark Terry, three weeks shy of his 70th birthday at the time of this live performance, sounds very much at the peak of his powers throughout Live at the Village Gate. Teamed up with old friend Jimmy Heath, who doubles on tenor and soprano, pianist Don Friedman, bassist Marcus McLauren and drummer Kenny Washington (altoist Paquito D'Rivera guests on "Silly Samba"), Terry performs eight little-known originals. The tunes are all fairly basic, but they inspire these talented musicians to some of their best playing. The hard-swinging music, which includes a trumpet-drums duet on "Brushes & Brass" and some singing from the audience on "Hey Mr. Mumbles," is quite enjoyable, and among the most accessible type of jazz. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Top and Bottom 5'10
Clark Terry
2     Keep, Keep, Keep on Keepin' On 6'01
Clark Terry
3     Silly Samba 8'49
Clark Terry
4     Pint of Bitters 8'30
Clark Terry
5     Sheba 6'35
Clark Terry
6     Brushes and Brass 3'20
Clark Terry
7     Simple Waltz 9'12
Bob Brookmeyer / Clark Terry
8     Hey Mr. Mumbles 11'04
Clark Terry
Credits :
Bass – Marcus McLauren
Composed By – Clark Terry
Drums – Kenny Washington
Piano – Don Friedman
Tenor Saxophone, Sopranino Saxophone – Jimmy Heath
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Clark Terry

CLARK TERRY - Live at the Village Gate 'The Second Set' (1995) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Clark Terry has made so many fine records in the 1990s that virtually all of them are recommended; this Chesky CD is no exception. A quintet date with tenor saxophonist Jimmy Heath, pianist Don Friedman, bassist Marcus McLauren and drummer Kenny Washington, Terry plays a variety of original tunes based on the blues and other fairly common chord changes. The good-humored music (which includes such song titles as "One Foot in the Gutter," "Serenade to a Bus Seat" and "Ode to a Flugelhorn") is quite enjoyable, highlighted by Terry's Mumbles vocal on "Joonji," a few creative singalongs, and lots of exciting flugelhorn playing. This fine set is rounded off by ten minutes of storytelling by Terry that covers Count Basie, Duke Ellington, jazz education, Dizzy Gillespie, and Miles. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     One Foot in the Gutter 11'53
Clark Terry
2     Opus Ocean 6'49
Clark Terry
3     Michelle 7'31
Clark Terry
4     Serenade to a Bus Seat 7'18
Clark Terry
5     Joonji 7'09
Clark Terry
6     Ode to a Flugelhorn 9'12
Clark Terry
7     Funky Mama 11'55
Clark Terry
8     Interview 10'42
Credits :
Bass – Marcus McLauren
Drums – Kenny Washington
Executive-Producer – Norman Chesky
Flugelhorn, Trumpet – Clark Terry
Piano – Don Friedman
Tenor Saxophone – Jimmy Heath

CLARK TERRY - One on One (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Right in the middle of celebrating his 79th birthday, Clark Terry went into the studio for several days to record 14 duets with a different pianist on each track, with many of them being veterans of many record dates and/or concerts with him. Terry remains one of the most easily identifiable trumpeters and flügelhorn players in jazz, so much so that more than one critic has claimed the ability to identify him after just one note. Each track is dedicated to a great performer of the past, though no attempt is made to copy famous recordings, of course. Terry's brilliant flügelhorn swings mightily along with Monty Alexander on the surprising dedication to Nat King Cole of "L.O.V.E.," which was a hit for him after Cole had all but quit playing piano and enjoyed even greater success as a popular singer. The choice of Lil Hardin Armstrong's "Just for a Thrill" is also an interesting one, versus her better known "Struttin' With Some Barbecue"; Terry's fat tone on his big horn is well complemented by Geri Allen. Terry scats an imitation of brushes on cymbals to introduce "Swingin' the Blues" with Junior Mance before switching to muted trumpet. Old friend Marian McPartland works with Terry to produce a mesmerizing rendition of "Skylark." Also present are Sir Roland Hanna, Kenny Barron, John Lewis, Barry Harris, Tommy Flanagan, Don Friedman, Billy Taylor, Benny Green, Eric Reed, and Eric Lewis. There is not one performance that rates less than excellent within this very highly recommended CD. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     L-O-V-E (Love) 5'10
Piano – Monty Alexander
Written-By – Berthold Kaempfert, Milton Gabler
2     Just for a Thrill 4'30
Piano – Geri Allen
Written-By – Don Raye, Lillian Hardin Armstrong
3     Liza (All the Clouds'll Roll Away) 3'40
Piano – Eric Lewis
Written-By – George Gershwin, Gus Kahn, Ira Gershwin
4     The Intimacy of the Blues 4'06
Piano – Kenny Barron
Written-By – Billy Strayhorn    
5     You Can Depend on Me 3'21
Piano – John Lewis
Written-By – Charles Carpenter, Earl Hines, Melvin Carl Dunlap
6     Memories of You 4'52
Piano – Sir Roland Hanna
Written-By – Andy Razaf, Eubie Blake
7     Honeysuckle Rose 8'09
Piano – Benny Green
Written-By – Andy Razaf, Fats Waller
8     Willow Grove 3'58
Piano – Barry Harris
Written-By – Bud Powell
9     Solitude 5'33
Piano – Tommy Flanagan
Written-By – Duke Ellington, Edgar De Lange, Irving Mills
10     Blue Monk 4'06
Piano – Don Friedman
Written-By – Thelonious Monk
11     Misty 6'54
Piano – Billy Taylor
Written-By – Errol Garner
12     Swingin' the Blues 3'48
Piano – Junior Mance
Written-By – Count Basie, Eddie Durham
13     Jungle Blues 3'36
Piano – Eric Reed
Written-By – Jelly Roll Morton
14     Skylark 4'25
Piano – Marian McPartland
Written-By – Hoagy Carmichael, John Mercer
Credits :
Technician [Piano] – Gerhard Feldmann, Mary Schwendeman
Trumpet – Clark Terry

LARRY CORYELL / BADI ASSAD / JOHN ABERCROMBIE - Three Guitars (2005) 24bits-96hz / FLAC

It's rare for three guitarists of this caliber to be assembled for a recording date. John Abercrombie claimed that he hadn't touched his acoustic guitar for three years prior to receiving an invitation to make this recording, though he was obviously ready when the tape rolled. Larry Coryell has made a number of acoustic recordings prior to this disc. Badi Assad's three previous CDs for Chesky have all merited high praise.
Assad contributed five compositions to the session, though the stunning opener, "Seu Jorge e Dona Ica," is hard to beat. She initially accompanies her fellow guitarists on a percussive instrument called a kalimba, which sounds like it originates from Africa. This six-minute work has several distinctive sections, including a bit of her mouth percussion. Her "After the Rain" showcases the intricate interplay between the three guitarists. The moody, march-like "Metamorphosis" also proves compelling, while her switch to copper flute with an interspersing vocal transforms the piece into borderline avant-garde.
Assad's body percussion introduces Abercrombie's challenging "Descending Grace," a piece full of surprising twists. His "Ralph's Piano Waltz" is every bit as difficult, but the players seem to tackle it effortlessly.
Coryell also brought several of his pieces to the sessions. "New Lute Prelude" was inspired by the late Brazilian guitarist Laurindo Almeida, it serves as a brief introduction to the much more laid-back "New Lute Interlude." He also composed two duets to play with Assad. The wild "No Flight Tonight" features her vocals and incredible mouth and body percussion as the sole accompaniment for Coryell. They also walk a musical tightrope together in his "Exercise in Fourths" without any slips. Highly recommended. by Ken Dryden  
Tracklist :
1     Seu Jorge E Dona Ica 6:00
Badi Assad / Sergio Assad
2     New Lute (Prelude) 1:34
Larry Coryell
3     New Lute (Interlude) 3:14
Larry Coryell
4     Soundtrack 4:17
John Abercrombie
5     After the Rain 4:56
Badi Assad
6     Descending Grace 5:28
John Abercrombie
7     Metamorphosis 4:03
Badi Assad
8     No Flight Tonight 4:24
Larry Coryell
9     Ralph's Piano Waltz 5:09
John Abercrombie
10     Suspended Circles 5:25
Badi Assad
11     Exercise in Fourths 2:33
Larry Coryell
12     Autumn Breeze 3:30
Badi Assad
13     Timeless 7:04
John Abercrombie
Credits :
Acoustic Guitar [Fisher Nylon String Classical], Flute [Copper], Percussion [Mouth And Body], Kalimba, Vocals – Badi Assad
Acoustic Guitar [Grimes] – Larry Coryell
Acoustic Guitar [Gruen] – John Abercrombie

BADI ASSAD - Solo (1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This young, dazzlingly virtuosic Brazilian guitarist performs entirely solo on this album, even though sometimes she seems to be doing the work of three or more musicians simultaneously. Borrowing sonic ideas from the innovative Brazilian group Uakti, she simulates various percussion instruments and sings and scats in clear, vibrant Portuguese while playing rapid-fire, technically impeccable acoustic guitar. On several tracks she also chooses only to play guitar, in a rhythmically complex or a delicate manner. The material she plays ranges all over her nation's spectrum, including the music of her brother Sergio (half of the famous Assad classical guitar duo), Edu Lobo, Chico Buarque de Hollanda, Heitor Villa-Lobos, and Egberto Gismonti, as well as non-Brazilian Ralph Towner. The combination of classical technique, a Brazilian jazz sensibility, and the unique touches of percussion and voice is exquisitely captured by Chesky's audiophile equipment. by Richard S. Ginell
Tracklist :
1    Num Pagode Em Planaltina 4:39
Written-By – Pereira
2    Prelúdio E Toccatina 2:59
Written-By – Assad
3    A Bela E A Fera 4:05
Written-By – Buarque, Edú Lobo
4    Valseana 2:32
Written-By – Assad
5    Tamoimoê 4:40
Written-By – Ferreira
6    When The Fire Burns Low 3:45
Written-By – Towner
7    Fuoco (Libra Sonatine) 3:35
Written-By – Dyens
8    Joana Francesa 4:18
Written-By – Buarque
9    Vrap 4:19
Written-By – Ferreira
10    Palhaço 2:59
Written-By – Gismonti
11    Rua Harmonia 5:14
Written-By – Michelino, Rocha
12    Estudo #1/Assum Preto 5:22
Written-By – Villa-Lobos, Gonzaga
13    Homenagem A Radamés Gnattalli 4:15
Written-By – Melo
14    Drume Negrita 3:47
Written-By – Grenet
Credits :
Guitar, Vocals, Arranged By – Badi Assad

BADI ASSAD - Rhythms (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

While Badi Assad isn't a jazz singer per se, the singer/acoustic guitarist clearly thrives on improvisation and spontaneity. This is no doubt one of the main reasons she ended up on the jazz-oriented Chesky Records. When Rhythms was recorded at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in New York, Chesky treated the project much as it would treat a jazz recording -- the tape was rolling, and Assad was encouraged to simply let loose and blow. No overdubbing took place, and this very honest and straightforward approach makes for a riveting listen on songs by Chico César, Marco Pereira and other Brazilian composers. Although the vast majority of her influences are Brazilian, Assad's Lebanese heritage is a definite advantage on the magnificent and varied Rhythms. by Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1    Pulo Do Gato 5:04
Written-By – Paulo Bellinati
2    À Gandáia Das Ondas / Beppo 6:30
Written-By – Lenine, Ralph Towner
3    À Primeira Vista 3:10
Written-By – Chico Cesar
4    O Choro De Juliana 3:02
Written-By – Marco Pereira
5    Rhythms 2:19
Written-By – Badi Assad, Sergio Assad
6    Song For Badi 3:39
Written-By – Kevin Callahan
7    Bate-Coxa 2:34
Written-By – Marco Pereira
8    Feixe 3:48
Written-By – Chico Cesar
9    Quase Um Funk P'ra Badi / Vírus 3:51
Written-By – Carlinhos Antunes, Jose Miguel Wisnik
10    Laser 3:37
Written-By – Jose Miguel Wisnik, Ricardo Breim
11    Ica 3:53
Written-By – Badi Assad
12    Pau Brasil 3:12
Written-By – Paulo Steinberg
13    Moods 7:50
Written-By – Shelia Zagury
14    Carta A L'Exili 2:12
Written-By – Albert García, Kristos Leontis
Credits :
Arranged By – Badi Assad (faixas: 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 11, 13, 14), Carlinhos Antunes (faixas: 9), Chico Cesar (faixas: 8), Cyro Baptista (faixas: 2, 3, 7, 11), Sergio Assad (faixas: 5, 9, 10)
Executive-Producer – David Chesky, Norman Chesky
Guitar, Vocals, Panpipes [Harmonic Copper Pipe], Electronics [Electric Fan], Percussion – Badi Assad
Percussion – Cyro Baptista (faixas: 2, 3, 7)

BADI ASSAD - Echoes of Brazil (1997) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Entirely instrumental, Echoes of Brazil finds Badi Assad making the acoustic guitar her sole focus and paying tribute to some of Brazil's many heroes of the instrument. This splendid CD may not be the last word on Brazilian guitarists (who have played a crucial role in samba, choro, bossa nova, tropicalismo and Brazilian classical), but Assad does a fine job of reminding us what some of them contributed. It would have been impossible to tell the entire story on a single CD, and she makes no pretense of her tribute being all-inclusive. Assad, whose only accompaniment is acoustic bassist David Finck, salutes everyone from Garoto and Laurindo Almeida to Egberto Gismonti, Baden Powell and Luiz Bonfá. Much to her credit, she doesn't become a slavish imitator of any of them, and consistently demonstrates that she is a distinctive and impressive representative of the guitar herself. by Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1    Batucada (Nós E O Rio) 3:16
Written-By – Altamir Penha, Isaías Sávio, Edison Penha
2    Abismo De Rosas 4:35
Written-By – Canhoto
3    Escadão 4:16
Written-By – Laurindo Almeida
4    Emotiva No. 1 3:01
Written-By – Hélio Delmiro
5    Sem Título 2:05
Written-By – Luis Bonfá
6    Bachianinha No. 1 3:23
Written-By – Paulinho Nogueira
7    Interrogando 2:59
Written-By – João Pernambuco
8    Tempo Feliz 3:29
Written-By – Baden Powell
9    Uma Valsa E Dois Amores 3:08
Written-By – Dilermando Reis
10    Estudo Para Violão 4:23
Written-By – Egberto Gismonti
11    Jorge Da Fusa 2:53
Written-By – Garoto
12    Pixaim 2:57
Written-By – Marco Pereira
13    Furiosa 3:47
Written-By – Paulo Bellinati
14    Farewell 3:11
Written-By – Sérgio Assad
Credits :
Acoustic Bass – David Finck
Guitar [Fisher] – Badi Assad
Percussion – Jamey Haddad, Valtinho Anastacio

PAQUITO D'RIVERA - TICO TICO (1989) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Paquito D'Rivera's alto and clarinet skills were ably displayed on this session, which featured him working in Afro-Latin, salsa, funk, swing and hard bop. Compositions ranged from intense, jam-flavored numbers with torrid solos, like "Recife's Blue" and the title tune, to introspective ballads, group pieces with rhythmically explosive sections and numbers displaying classical influences. The unifying force was D'Rivera, who also played tenor, but was most prominent on clarinet, doing both swing-oriented and looser, freer solos. While not as strict a jazz vehicle as his Columbia dates, this session presented a more eclectic, versatile Paquito D'Rivera. by Ron Wynn
Tracklist :
1     Danza Caracteristica 5:47
Leo Brouwer
2     Añorado Encuentro 4:47
Alberto Vera, Bea Giraldo
3     Three Venezuelan Waltzes: Valse Criollo 1:03
Antonio Lauro
4     Three Venezuelan Waltzes: El Mardino 1:13
Antonio Lauro
5     Three Venezuelan Waltzes: Carola 1:46
Antonio Lauro
6     Tico-Tico 5:31
Jose Abreu / Ervin Drake / Aloysio Oliveira
7     Song for Maura 6:55
Paquito D'Rivera
8     To Brenda With Love 7:21
Paquito D'Rivera
9     Serenata 7:11
Carlos Franzetti
10     Elizabeth 4:56
Danilo Pérez
11     Chorinho No. 3: Sheep Meadow 2:17
David Chesky
12     Recife's Blue 7:14
Claudio Roditi
Credits :
Bass – David Finck (faixas: 1, 2, 5, 9, 10), Nilson Matta (faixas: 6 to 8, 12)
Drums – Mark Walker (faixas: 1. 2. 5. 9. 10), Porthino (faixas: 6 to 8, 12)
Executive-Producer – Norman Chesky
Guitar – Fareed Haque (faixas: 1), Romero Lubambo (faixas: 6, 8, 11), Tiberio Nascimiento (faixas: 4, 5)
Percussion – Raphael Cruz
Piano – Danilo Perez
Producer, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Paquito D'Rivera

PAQUITO D'RIVERA - Havana Cafe (1992) APE (image+.cue), lossless

This excellent all-round session features Paquito D'Rivera on alto, clarinet, and soprano with his sextet, which is comprised of either Fareed Haque or Ed Cherry on guitar, the great pianist Danilo Perez, bassist David Finck, drummer Jorge Rossy, and percussionist Sammy Figueroa. The program has some strong group originals (such as "Havana Cafe," "Jean Pauline," "Who's Smoking?!," and "Bossa do Brooklyn"), and the result is an often-fiery set of modern Afro-Cuban jazz. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Havana Cafe 6:34
Danilo Pérez
2     Jean Pauline 8:38
Ed Cherry
3     The Search 8:03
Fareed Haque
4     Look at You 7:15
David Finck
5     Improvalsation 1:55
Paquito D'Rivera
6     Contradanza 1:32
Paquito D'Rivera
7     Who's Smoking?! 5:56
Paquito D'Rivera / Claudio Roditi
8     The Return 5:54
Fareed Haque
9     Bossa do Brooklyn 6:46
Claudio Roditi
10     What Are You Doing Tomorrow Night? 5:47
Lucio Godoy
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Clarinet, Sopranino Saxophone – Paquito D'Rivera
Bass – David Finck
Drums – Jorge Rossy
Guitar – Ed Cherry (faixas: 2 and 7), Fareed Haque
Percussion – Sammy Figueroa
Piano – Danilo Perez
Producer – David Chesky, Paquito D'Rivera

PAQUITO D'RIVERA - The Jazz Chamber Trio (2005) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This delightful project features altoist Paquito D'Rivera mostly playing clarinet in a trio with cellist Mark Summer and pianist Alon Yavnai. Although their set includes originals by all three musicians, the music overall is as strongly influenced by Cuban folk music and classical themes as by jazz. D'Rivera clearly enjoys mixing together the different idioms to create new and fresh music that is filled with the spirit and joy of his brand of jazz. The versatility of the three musicians is even more impressive than their inventive repertoire, making this a unique and highly recommended item in Paquito D'Rivera's extensive discography. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Preludio y Merengue 7:05
Paquito D'Rivera
2     Difficult 2:58
Peter Eldridge
3     Recorda a Papá 4:05
Mario Ruíz Armengol
4     A Night in Tunisia 5:50
Dizzy Gillespie / Frank Paparelli
5     Alfonsina y el Mar 7:05
Félix Luna / Ariel Ramírez
6     Kalimba 5:59
Mark Summer
7     Five After 5:12
Alon Yavnai
8     Cristal 6:05
César Camargo Mariano    
9     Improvisation (Saxophone Solo) 2:01
Eugene J. Bozza    
10     A Fuego Lento 3:43
Horacio Salgán
11     Carinhoso 3:02
Pixinguinha
12     Niebla y Cemento 7:12
Mario Herrerias
Credits :
Cello – Mark Summer
Piano – Alon Yavnai
Producer – David Chesky
Producer, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Liner Notes – Paquito D'Rivera

MONGO SANTAMARIA AND FRIENDS - Mambo Mongo (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Mango Santamaria utilizes a colorful cast of musicians on this CD. Flutists Hubert Laws and Dave Valentin are featured on two songs apiece (although unfortunately not together) and the nonet has trumpeter Eddie Allen, altoist Jimmy Cozier, and Craig Rivers on tenor and soprano, along with three percussionists. There are a lot of percussion features including the closing nine-and-a-half minute "La Mogolla," making this an excellent if not quite essential recording. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Dark Before the Dawn 5:45
Ronnie Mathews
2    Caribbean Sunrise 4:49
Hilton Ruiz
3    Mambo Mongo 6:56
William Allen
4    Los Ninos del Mundo 6:05
Eddie Allen
5    Cali 5:07
Eddie Allen
6    Are They Only Dreams 5:02
Onaje Allan Gumbs
7    Cuco y Olga 6:04
Cuco Martinez / Nicholas Martinez
8    Azteca 5:23
Marty Sheller
9    La Mogolla 9:31
Mongo Santamaria
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Jimmy Cozier
Bass – Guillermo Edgehill
Bata [Itotele] – Jerome Goldschmidt (tracks: 9)
Congas – Mongo Santamaria
Flute – Dave Valentin (tracks: 2, 4), Hubert Laws (tracks: 1, 6)
Percussion, Vocals – Eddie Rodriguez
Piano – Dario Eskenazi
Producer – David Chesky
Tambora [Cata] – Jerome Goldschmidt (tracks: 8)
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Craig Rivers
Timbales – Johnny Andreu Almendra
Trumpet – Eddie Allen 

OREGON - Beyond Words (1995-2003) SACD / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

With its combination of simple beauty and elegant intricacy, Oregon's Beyond Words truly is. This time out, the three surviving original members of Oregon perform as a drummerless trio, handling a variety of compositions old and new, primarily from the pen of Ralph Towner. Towner's multi-instrumental versatility highlights and undergirds the proceedings, with his beautiful classical and 12-string guitar work especially satisfying. Paul McCandless delivers his usual flawless performance on an amazing variety of woodwinds. The interplay between his bass clarinet and Glen Moore's restored 1715 Klotz bass is superb on "Pepé Linque" and "Sicilian Walk." Towner's classic "The Silence of a Candle," first recorded on the landmark Icarus with the Paul Winter Consort, is reprised here, as are several other Oregon standards, including "Witchi-Tai-To." The only weak moments come in the set-closing "Silver Suite," which meanders aimlessly at times. Other than that, this is an album filled with gorgeous, multi-dimensional music played by a trio of inspired virtuosos. by Jim Newsom
Tracklist :
1     Rewind 4>34
Ralph Towner
2     Ecotopia 7:45
Ralph Towner
3     Green and Golden 5:04
Ralph Towner
4     Pepé Linque 5:16
Glen Moore
5     Les Douzilles 9:38
Ralph Towner
6     The Silence of a Candle 5:19
Ralph Towner
7     Sicilian Walk 3:13
Glen Moore
8     Leather Cats 9:04
Glen Moore / Samantha Moore
9     Witchi-Tai-To 8:10
Jim Pepper
10     Silver Suite: I 4:20
Oregon
11     Silver Suite: II 3:20
Oregon
12     Silver Suite: III 6:03
Oregon
Credits :
Bass Clarinet – Paul McCandless (faixas: 4, 7, 10 to 12)
Classical Guitar – Ralph Towner (faixas: 1, 3, 5)
Double Bass – Glen Moore
English Horn – Paul McCandless (faixas: 6, 9)
Oboe – Paul McCandless (faixas: 3, 5, 10 to 12)
Piano – Ralph Towner (faixas: 2, 4, 6, 8 to 12)
Producer – David Chesky
Sopranino Saxophone – Paul McCandless (faixas: 2, 4, 9 to 12)
Soprano Saxophone – Paul McCandless (faixas: 1, 2, 8)
Synthesizer [Synthesizers] – Ralph Towner (faixas: 2, 4, 8 to 12)
Tin Whistle [Penny Whistle] – Paul McCandless (faixas: 9 to 12)
Twelve-String Guitar – Ralph Towner (faixas: 7, 9)