LARRY CORYELL — Fallen Angel (1993) Two Version (1993, Essential Jazz – ESJCD 237) + (1993, CTI Records – MA 70 01 236) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

On Fallen Angel, Larry Coryell teams up with arranger Don Sebesky to produce a wide-ranging album full of sampled sounds and programmed tracks in an attempt to mix the old CTI sound of the '70s with the production techniques and rhythms of the '90s. "Inner City Blues" kicks things off with great promise, as Coryell jams over a pre-programmed rhythm track with background vocalists. On "(Angel on Sunset) Bumpin' on Sunset," he improvises along with a sampled Wes Montgomery, then turns Erroll Garner's classic "Misty" into a mid-tempo reggae jaunt through which he and pianist Mulgrew Miller travel lightly. The CTI connection is brought to the forefront with a remake of Deodato's "2001" hit called "Thus Spoke Z," on which the famous theme is implied but never stated. Other highlights include a funky, angular tribute called "Monk's Corner," Sebesky's attractive "I Remember Bill" and the solo "Westerly Wind." There are also two pleasant smooth jazz vocal pieces at the front of the album, the beautiful ballad, "Fallen," a duet between vocalists Klyde Jones and Jeanie Bryson, and the funky made-for-radio "Never Never," featuring saxophonist Richard Elliot and a vocal from Ms. Jones.
Fallen Angel was obviously an attempt to find Larry Coryell a place on the smooth jazz playlist, a task it didn't really accomplish. While it is not likely to appease those who bemoan the guitarist's failure to live up to his initial promise, it can be enjoyed if taken on its own terms. Jim Newsom
Tracklist :
1. Inner City Blues (3:31)
Vocals – Klyde Jones
Written-By – James Nyx, Marvin Gaye
2. Fallen (3:45)
Saxophone [Tenor] – Richard Elliot
Vocals – Jeanie Bryson, Klyde Jones

Written-By – Lauren Wood
3. Never Never (3:34)
Lyrics By – Klyde Jones
Music By – Don Sebesky
Saxophone [Tenor] – Richard Elliot
Vocals – Klyde Jones
4. Angel On Sunset (5:40)
Electric Guitar – Wes Montgomery
Written-By – Don Sebesky, Wes Montgomery

5. Stardust (5:55)
Piano – Mulgrew Miller
Written-By – Hoagy Carmichael, Mitchell Parish
6. Misty (4:32)
Piano – Mulgrew Miller
Written-By – Erroll Garner
7. I Remember Bill (3:07)
Written-By – Don Sebesky
8. Pieta (5:53)
Adapted By – Don Sebesky
Piano – Ted Rosenthal
Written-By – Rachmaninoff
9. Thus Spoke Z (4:49)
Adapted By – Don Sebesky, Larry Coryell
Piano – Mulgrew Miller
Saxophone [Alto] – Chris Hunter
Written-By – Richard Strauss
10. Stella By Starlight (4:31)
Written-By – Ned Washington, Victor Young
11. Monk's Corner (6:26)
Piano – Ted Rosenthal
Written-By – Don Sebesky, Larry Coryell
12. Westerly Wind (2:04)
Written-By – Larry Coryell
13. The Moors (2:53)
Written-By – Larry Coryell
Credits :
Arranged By – Don Sebesky
Electric Guitar – Larry Coryell

GIL EVANS & THE MONDAY NIGHT ORCHESTRA — Live at Sweet Basil (1985-1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Gil Evans ran into his share of would-be defenders of his "tradition" when he began experimenting with rock songs and electronic instruments in the '70s and '80s. One of jazz's greatest arrangers was suddenly viewed as a charlatan in certain circles, and a band loaded with great players was now being dismissed as a crew of frauds. This second volume of songs done live during the band's long run as Sweet Basil's regular Monday night attraction proves decisively that neither Evans nor his band lost anything. The versions of Shorter's "Parabola" and Hancock's "Prince of Darkness" are multi-faceted and compare favorably with almost anything done by any previous Evans aggregation. It may not have been "cool," but it was most assuredly great jazz. Ron Wynn    Tracklist & Credits :

THE ALEX BLAKE QUINTET ft. PHAROAH SANDERS - Now Is The Time (Live At The Knitting Factory) (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Now is the Time is a series of impeccably performed tracks culled from Alex Blake's live sessions at New York's Knitting Factory. Though nothing intensely brilliant evolves out of Now, the musicianship is paramount and unmatched on any late-'90s jazz recordings. Blake, who started as a bass player in Sun Ra's Arkestra at a very young age, sits himself comfortably in the background as it seems piano and drums take most of the attention on the record. John Hicks' piano playing immediately recalls McCoy Tyner's, while Victor Jones and Neil Clark tap out rather complex beats that help to build the central framework of the seven solid tracks. Now Is the Time is Blake's first record as a bandleader, and it proves he has come a long way since playing in the bands of Dizzy Gillespie and other post-bop performers. Surprisingly, the record is quite traditional in its style, covering "On the Spot" and plotting along through some familiar jazz territory. Perhaps a bit more experimentation would set the record aflame considering Pharoah Sanders' and Blake's worlds don't usually collide in such predictable space. Still, it's an incredibly joyous record that doesn't seem steeped in trying to bring about any great meaning. Though Now Is the Time may seem pedestrian, it simply illustrates Blake's ability to play all manner of music, ranging from traditional jazz to avant-garde to rock. To say that Blake never steps forward is an understatement, though. He rarely plays a simple walking bassline as he usually flecks them with slaps and skitters to make for exciting listening. "The Chief" and "Little Help Solo" see Blake riffing and improvising in some swung-out solos, but for the most part he's content to sit back and provide the structure for the others to create their magic. Ken Taylor  
Tracklist :
1    On The Spot    11:48
2    Intro - Neil Clark    2:53
3    The Chief    12:36
4    Little Help Solo 6:03
Electric Bass – Alex Blake
Written-By – Lennon-McCartney
5    Intro - Alex Blake    1:27
6    Now Is The Time    9:52
7    Mystery Of Love 9:18
Written-By – Guy Warren
Credits :
Acoustic Bass, Percussion, Vocals, Written-By – Alex Blake
Alto Saxophone [Additional] – Chris Hunter
Drums – Victor Jones
Liner Notes – Randy Weston
Percussion – Neil Clark
Piano – John Hicks
Tenor Saxophone – Pharoah Sanders