DIZZY GILLESPIE Y MACHITO — Afro-Cuban Jazz Moods (1976-1990) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Here we have a summit meeting late in the careers of the pioneering titans of Afro-Cuban jazz: Dizzy Gillespie fronting the Machito orchestra on trumpet, with Mario Bauza as music director, alto saxophonist/clarinetist, and organizing force, and Chico O'Farrill contributing the compositions and arrangements. This could have been just a nostalgic retro gathering 25 years after the fact, but instead, these guys put forth an ambitious effort to push the boundaries of the idiom. The centerpiece is a 15-minute trumpet concerto for Gillespie called "Oro, Incienso y Mirra," where O'Farrill melts dissonant clusters, electric piano comping, and synthesizer decorations together with hot Afro-Cuban rhythms into a coherent, multi-sectioned tour de force. Gillespie, who had apparently never been in the same room with synthesizers before, is magnificent as he peels off one patented bebop run after another over Machito's band and in the gaps between. There is also an equally sophisticated suite of O'Farrill pieces grouped under the title "Three Afro-Cuban Jazz Moods," which mixes rock elements into the rhythms. Parts of "Pensativo" sound as if O'Farrill had been carefully listening to Santana, the teacher learning from the student, as it were. It adds up to a paltry 32 minutes of music, yet one can forgive the short length, this being all there is of a historic recording session. Richard S. Ginell         Tracklist + Credits :

DIZZY GILLESPIE — Afro (1955-2002) RM | Serie LP Reproduction | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Pairing Dizzy Gillespie with Cuban arranger/composer Chico O'Farrill produced a stunning session which originally made up the first half of a Norgran LP. O'Farrill conducts an expanded orchestra which combines a jazz band with a Latin rhythm section; among the participants in the four-part "Manteca Suite" are trumpeters Quincy Jones and Ernie Royal, trombonist J.J. Johnson, tenor saxophonists Hank Mobley and Lucky Thompson, and conga player Mongo Santamaria. "Manteca," written during the previous decade, serves as an exciting opening movement, while the next two segments build upon this famous theme, though they are jointly credited to O'Farrill as well. "Rhumba-Finale" is straight-ahead jazz with some delicious solo work by Gillespie. A later small-group session features the trumpeter with an all-Latin rhythm section and flutist Gilberto Valdes, who is heard on "A Night in Tunisia" and "Caravan." Both of the Latin versions of these pieces are far more interesting than "Con Alma," as the excessive percussion and dull piano accompaniment add little to this normally captivating theme. Long out of print, this 2002 CD reissue will only be available until May 2005; it is well worth acquiring. Ken Dryden 
Tracklist :
1 Manteca Theme 4:11
2 Contrastes 2:46
3 Jungla 4:44
4 Rhumba-Finale 4:39
5 A Night In Tunisia 4:15
6 Con Alma 5:01
7 Caravan 7:20
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – George Dorsey (tracks: 1 to 4), Hilton Jefferson (tracks: 1 to 4)
Arranged By, Conductor – Chico O'Farrill (tracks: 1 to 4)
Baritone Saxophone – Danny Bank (tracks: 1 to 4)
Bass – Roberto Rodriguez, Lou Hackney (tracks: 1 to 4)
Bongos – José Manguel
Congas – Candido Camero, Mongo Santamaria (tracks: 1 to 4)
Drums – Charlie Persip (tracks: 1 to 4)
Flute – Gilberto Valdez (tracks: 5, 7)
Percussion – Rafael Miranda (tracks: 5 to 7)
Piano – Ray Concepcion (tracks: 1 to 4), Rene Hernandez (tracks: 5 to 7), Wade Legge (tracks: 1 to 4)
Tenor Saxophone – Hank Mobley (tracks: 1 to 4), Lucky Thompson (tracks: 1 to 4)
Timbales – Ubaldo Nieto
Trombone – George Matthews (tracks: 1 to 4), J.J. Johnson (tracks: 1 to 4), Leon Comegys (tracks: 1 to 4)
Trumpet – Dizzy Gillespie, Ernie Royal (tracks: 1 to 4), Jimmy Nottingham (tracks: 1 to 4), Quincy Jones (tracks: 1 to 4)
Notes
Tracks 1-4: Recorded May 24, 1954 at Fine Sound, New York City
Tracks 5-7: Recorded June 3, 1954 at Fine Sound, New York City

BENNY GOODMAN AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1948-1949 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1425 (2006) FLAC (tracks), lossless

 For a man who collaborated with Béla Bartók, the making of modern-sounding bop records in the company of Fats Navarro, Wardell Gray, and Chico O'Farrill was a perfectly logical experiment in form and style. Decades later, however, biased critics and die-hard swing fans were still griping about "Goodman's bop band." With the 2006 release of this volume in the extended Classics Benny Goodman chronology, listeners are able to place those "controversial" recordings in their proper historical context, right alongside Buddy Greco's sweet-to-stupid crooning and various gee-whiz novelty group vocals by a wholesome team identified only as "The Singers." Their slicked back treatment of the pop tune "The Hucklebuck" is highly ironic when encountered amidst various exciting bop tunes, for "Hucklebuck" was the notorious exercise in plagiarism based upon Charlie Parker's "Now's the Time." Parker never received royalties for this very lucrative hit. The real gold in this part of the Goodman retrospective may be found in the tenor saxophone of Wardell Gray (Navarro only appears on the first track) and those exciting Chico O'Farrill arrangements with Latin percussion erupting throughout "Shishkabop." Enclosed is a photo of Gray blowing his horn as Goodman beams in the background, obviously delighted with the younger man's creative approach to the music. arwulf arwulf
Tracklist :

CLARK TERRY & CHICO O'FARRILL - Spanish Rice (1966-2004) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Clark Terry joined forces with Cuban bandleader Chico O'Farrill for these 1966 studio session, which consist almost exclusively of Latin tunes. Although there are a number of all-stars present in addition to Terry, including trumpeters Joe Newman, Ernie Royal, and Snooky Young, along with guitarists Everett Barksdale and Barry Galbraith, the solos are all by Terry, so there is little interaction in these brief charts. Terry is in top form, as always, with his rich flügelhorn in "Angelitos Negros" and his fat-toned trumpet in an original blues called "Joonji." Terry and O'Farrill collaborated on the narrative comic original "Spanish Rice," though it isn't particularly memorable. Terry's modification of the lyrics to "Happiness Is" salutes a number of fellow jazz greats (particularly his impression of Louis Armstrong's singing), though the anonymous vocal group that accompanies him is quite forgettable. This is a fun recording that had the potential to be a memorable one, but it falls a bit short. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     Peanut Vendor 2'18
Louis Wolfe Gilbert / Moisés Simóns / Marion Sunshine
2     Angelitos Negros 2'41
Alberto Bianco / Manuel Álvarez Maciste
3     El Cumbanchero 2'12
Rafael Hernández
4     Jooni 3'37
Clark Terry
5     Que Sera 2'45
Tito Puente
6     Mexican Hat Dance 2'42
Traditional
7     Spanish Rice 2'47
Chico O'Farrill / Clark Terry
8     Say Si Si 2'30
Ernesto Lecuona / Francia Luban / Al Stillman
9     Macarena (La Virgen de la Macarena) 3'02
10     Tin Tin Deo 2'46
Gil Fuller / Chano Pozo
11     Contigo en la Distancia 3'02
César Portillo De La Luz
12     Happiness Is 3'21
P. Hope Evans / Paul Parnes
Credits :
Arranged By, Conductor – Chico O'Farrill
Bass – George Duvivier
Drums – Grady Tate
Guitar – Barry Galbraith, Everett Barksdale
Percussion [Latin Percussion] – Bobby Rosengarden, Chino Pozo, Frank Malabe, Julio Cruz
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Clark Terry, Ernie Royal, Joe Newman, Snooky Young

CHICO O'FARRILL - Carambola (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The astounding comeback of Chico O'Farrill at age 79 continued with this terrific collection of mostly Afro-Cuban styled compositions -- some brand-new, some more than half a century old. Originally written for Dizzy Gillespie, the swinging title tune takes on a more complex Afro-Cuban treatment this time, with Michael Mossman capably taking on the trumpet work. "The Aztec Suite," written for Art Farmer, comes together smoothly and cohesively, with even more spectacular work by Mossman -- and "Crazy City (...But I Love It)" is "Gone City" (recorded by Machito in 1949) in a more refined, shipshape, somewhat less frantic performance. The oldest piece, "Oye Mi Rumba" (1945), lures singer Graciela out of retirement for some endearingly authentic atmosphere. Don't overlook newer material like O'Farrill's treatment of "Delirio" -- a beautiful bolero, very sophisticated in harmony -- and "Rhapsody for Two Islands," a flamboyant little piece designed to evoke Cuba and Manhattan with a sudden, broadly-paced solo piano break that explicitly quotes "Rhapsody in Blue." Yet the highlight of the CD is undoubtedly the amazingly successful re-recording of O'Farrill's visionary "Afro-Cuban Jazz Suite," 50 years after the original Machito version was cut. His crisply executing 21st Century orchestra makes the material seem even more emotionally moving than before, although you do miss the impossibly fluid alto of Charlie Parker (guest soloist Mario Rivera makes an honorable stab at Bird's part) and irreplaceably wild Buddy Rich drums from the Machito record. This is a must-hear for Latin jazz lovers. by Richard S. Ginell
Tracklist :
1     Carambola 5:18
Dizzy Gillespie / Chico O'Farrill
2     The Aztec Suite 15:10
Chico O'Farrill
3     Delirio 4:24
César Portillo De La Luz / Cesar Narciso De Luz Portillo
4     Havana Blues 5:28
Chico O'Farrill
5     Vanna's Song 3:21
Chico O'Farrill
6     Crazy City (... But I Love It) 3:56
Chico O'Farrill
7     Waller Excercise 1:47
Chico O'Farrill
8     Rhapsody for Two Islands 3:34
Chico O'Farrill
9     Oye Mi Rumba 2:19
Chico O'Farrill
10     Enamorado (Falling in Love) 4:46
Chico O'Farrill
11     Afro-Cuban Jazz Suite 15:53
Chico O'Farrill
Credits :
Bass – Andy Gonzalez
Bongos, Bells – Joe Gonzalez
Composed By, Arranged By, Conductor – Chico O'Farrill
Conductor, Music Director, Piano – Arturo O'Farrill
Congas, Wood Block, Bells – Roland Guerrero
Drums, Timbales, Percussion, Bata, Shekere, Congas, Maracas, Claves – Steve Barrios
Guest, Alto Saxophone, Flute – Mario Rivera (faixas: 8, 11)
Guest, Bass – John Benitez (faixas: 3, 5, 7)
Guest, Chorus – Sandra Rodriguez (faixas: 9), Yolanda Maldonado (faixas: 9)
Guest, Drums – Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez (faixas: 10), Victor Jones (2) (faixas: 3, 5, 7)
Guest, French Horn – Chris Komer (faixas: 2), Vincent Chancey (faixas: 2)
Guest, Violin – Lewis Kahn (faixas: 5)
Guest, Vocals – Graciela (faixas: 9)
Saxophone – Jimmy Cozier, Marshall McDonald, Max Schweiger, Mike Migliore, Peter Brainin
Trombone – Gary Valente, Jack Jeffers, Papo Vázquez, Sam Burtis
Trumpet – Jim Seeley, Jon Owens, Kenny Rampton, Matt Hilgenberg, Michael Mossman 

CHICO O' FARRILL - Cuban Blues : The Chico O' Farrill Sessions (1996) 2CD / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

For any and all Latin jazz collectors, casual or serious, this is a fabulous deal, for it gathers together no less than six exceedingly rare Chico O'Farrill Clef and Norgran 10" albums, plus one under Machito's name, onto a slimline two-CD set. It will also come as a revelation to anyone who might scoff at anything associated with the 1950s mambo craze, for these discs reveal O'Farrill as a sophisticated, even daring arranger/composer who reached beyond merely providing a beat for dancers. Many of these charts -- whether for the brief, dance-oriented Latin numbers; ultra-familiar standards like "Malaguena" and "The Peanut Vendor"; or jazz tunes -- are loaded with intricate figures and striking harmonies obviously gleaned from classical study, all crisply executed with a brash, shiny edge by his Afro-Cuban groups and bands staffed by American jazzmen. Occasionally, he even conjures a delicate, classical ambience from a number like "Angels' Flight" (named after Los Angeles' legendary downtown funicular). The apotheosis of O'Farrill's experiments are his two full-blown, groundbreaking Afro-Cuban jazz suites. The first features Flip Phillips and the redoubtable Charlie Parker as soloists within the Machito band, and the second is even bolder in its zigzag journey through the classical, Latin, and jazz camps. Yet for all of his erudition, O'Farrill never forgets to ask for madly percolating Afro-Cuban grooves from his rhythm teams -- which clinches the deal for any Latin music fan. by Richard S. Ginell 
Tracklist 1:

1 Avocadoes 2:43

Composed By – Marco Rosales, Sylvia Rosales
2 Taboo 2:52
Composed By – Margarita Lecuona
3 JATP Mambo 2:46
4 Duerme 2:45
Composed By – Gabriel Luna de la Fuente, Miguel Prado
5 Almendra 2:38
Composed By – Abelardo Valdés
6 The Disappearance 2:56
7 Cuban Blues 3:05
8 Sin Titulo 2:27
Composed By – Pepi del Río, Rojas Berríos, Valencia Castro
9 Dance One 3:14
10 Bright One 2:34
11 Flamingo 3:36
Composed By – Edmund Anderson, Theodor Grouya
12 Last One 2:54
13 Tierra Va Temblá 3:01
Composed By – Mariano Merceron
14 Vamos Pa La Rumba 2:39
Composed By – Delgrado
15 Mambo Korula 3:07
Composed By – Bobby Escoto, Chico O'Farrill
16 Frizilandia 2:27
Composed By – Beque
17 Peanut Vendor (El Manisero) 2:33
Composed By – Moises Simons
18 Ill Wind (You're Blowin' Me No Good) 2:48
Composed By – Harold Arlen, Ted Koehler
19 Malagueña 3:14
Composed By – Ernesto Lecuona
20 Castígala 3:12
Composed By – Bobby Escoto
21 The Second Afro-Cuban Jazz Suite 16:46

Tracklist 2:

1 Havana Special 3:03

2 Carioca 3:05
Composed By – Edward Eliscu, Gus Kahn, Vincent Youmans
3 Fiesta Time 3:16
4 Heat Wave 3:35
Composed By – Irving Berlin
5 It Ain't Necessarily So 3:14
Composed By – DuBose Heyward, George & Ira Gershwin
6 Guess What 2:57
7 Cry Baby Blues 2:49
8 Lamento 2:39
Composed By – Antonio Carlos Jobim
9 You Stepped Out Of A Dream 2:35
Composed By – Gus Kahn, Nacio Herb Brown
10 Cachita 2:34
Composed By – Rafael Hernández
11 Rumbonsito 2:18
12 Te Quiero Dijiste 2:21
Composed By – Maria Grever
13 Siboney (Orig. Canto Siboney) 2:48
Composed By – Ernesto Lecuona
14 Angel's Flight 2:27
15 Tres Palabras 2:26
Composed By – Osvaldo Farrés
16 No Te Importe Saber 2:18
Composed By – René Touzet
17 Vaya Con Dios 2:57
Composed By – Buddy Pepper, Inez James, Larry Russell
18 Pianarabatibiri 2:20
19 L.A. Mambo 2:11
20 Quiéreme Mucho 2:28
Composed By – Gonzalo Roig
21 More Mambo 2:50
22 Mambo For Bunto 2:13
23 Botellero 2:39
Composed By – Gilberto Valdés
24 Afro-Cuban Jazz Suite 17:14
Performer, Featuring – Machito & His Afro-Cubans
Credits:
Arranged By, Conductor – Chico O'Farrill
Performer – Chico O'Farrill And His Orchestra