NANCY HARROW — Secrets (1991) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Nancy Harrow is in excellent form throughout this continually colorful set. The inventive jazz singer is joined by pianist Dick Katz, bassist Ray Drummond, drummer Ben Riley and occasionally Clark Terry on flugelhorn; C.T. also sings on a humorous "Hit the Road, Jack." The repertoire reaches back to the 1920s/'30s (including "Guess Who's In Town," "Pennies From Heaven" and "Someday Sweetheart") and also features some veteran obscurities and five recent Harrow originals. One of Nancy Harrow's best later recordings, the CD does an excellent job of showing off her talents. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1        Guess Who's In Town    2:58
 James P. Johnson / Andy Razaf
2        If You Were Mine    4:24
 Matty Malneck / Johnny Mercer
3        So Why Am I Surprised?    2:08
 Nancy Harrow
4        Rock It For Me    4:00
 Kay Werner / Sue Werner
5        Pennies From Heaven    4:02
 Johnny Burke / Arthur Johnston
6        Someday Sweetheart    3:25
 Benjamin Franklin Spikes / John Spikes
7        Secrets    4:07
 Nancy Harrow
8        Hit The Road, Jack    4:09
 Percy Mayfield
9        Skeleton Trees    3:22
 Nancy Harrow
10        Fun To Be Fooled    3:04
 Harold Arlen / Ira Gershwin / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
11        Sea Change    3:41
 Nancy Harrow
12        I'm Back    2:04
 Nancy Harrow
13        Havin' Myself A Time    5:18
 Ralph Rainger / Leo Robin
14        I'll Follow My Secret Heart    3:04
 Noël Coward
Credits :
Ray Drummond – Bass
Nancy Harrow  – Vocals
Dick Katz –   Arranger, Piano
Clark Terry – Trumpet, Vocals
Ben Riley  – Drums

DAVID FRIESEN — Two for the Show (1993) APE (image+.cue), lossless

David Friesen's Two for the Show is a series of brilliant duets featuring the bassist with six different musicians. Not only does he set an incredibly fast tempo for tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker as he introduces Sonny Rollins' "Airegin," but his complex line inspires Brecker to some of his best playing of his career. The perennial favorite "Old Folks" finds Friesen taking a back seat to the brittle, very personalized guitar of John Scofield. Uwe Kropinski sticks to acoustic guitar for his two tracks, including Friesen's adventurous "On the Road With Jazz" and Kropinski's gypsy-flavored "Pianola." "Alone Together" opens with alto saxophonist Bud Shank unaccompanied before Friesen's imaginative bassline weaves in underneath him in a spellbinding improvisation. Friesen's duets with frequent partner Denny Zeitlin are always magical; their two tracks, taken from a 1992 gig at the Jazz Bakery, include the bassist's lyrical ballad "In Times Past," while the pianist's bittersweet ballad "Maybe in Spring" also packs an emotional punch. Their chemistry together, as always, is perfect. But it is hard for anyone to upstage Clark Terry, whose instantly recognizable sound commands attention. Both Terry (on flugelhorn) and Friesen pull all stops on a brisk take of "I Want to Be Happy"; Terry switches to muted trumpet for the understated swinger "Breeze." It is hard to imagine David Friesen and his guests wanting to stop recording after two tracks during each session, because it's obvious that they were having a great time and it would have been easy to imagine an entire CD by the bassist with any one of the artists. Here's hoping that there are still tracks left in the vault for a follow-up release. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    Airegin 4:56
Written-By – Rollins
2    True Blue 7:48
Written-By – Friesen
3    I Want To Be Happy 2:55
Written-By – Caeser, Youmans
4    In Times Past 7:12
Written-By – Friesen
5    Alone Together 4:46
Written-By – Dietz/Schwartz
6    On The Road With Jazz 4:53
Written-By – Friesen
7    Signs And Wonders 6:04
Written-By – Friesen
8    Old Folks 6:15
Written By – Hill / Robinson
9    Breeze    5:18
10    Maybe In Spring 7:46
Written-By – Zeitlin
11    Double Take 3:14
Written-By – Friesen
12    Pianola 4:10
Written-By – Kropinski
Credits :
Acoustic Guitar – Uwe Kropinski (tracks: 6, 12)
Alto Saxophone – Bud Shank (tracks: 5, 11)
Electric Guitar – John Scofield (tracks: 2, 8)
Flugelhorn, Trumpet – Clark Terry (tracks: 3, 9)
Grand Piano [Acoustic] – Denny Zeitlin (tracks: 4, 10)
Tenor Saxophone – Michael Brecker (tracks: 1, 7)

ELVIN JONES | JAMES MOODY | CLARK TERRY | BUNKY GREEN | ROLAND PRINCE — Summit Meeting (1977-2019) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

This 1976 session led by Elvin Jones is a lot of fun, especially with the presence of Clark Terry and James Moody; rounding out the band are alto saxophonist Bunky Green, guitarist Roland Prince, pianist Albert Dailey, bassist David Matthews, and percussionist Angel Allende. Terry's matchless flügelhorn is the highlight of his original happy blues "Tee Pee Music." Green, who has devoted much of his career to being a jazz educator, contributed the challenging "Blues for Clark" and also the wild post-bop "Summit Song," the latter featuring a solo that borders on avant-garde. Duke Ellington's "Jones," a swinging blues that the maestro narrated to describe how to be cool as one listened to live jazz, is recast with a funky swagger, with Moody's smoking tenor sax and some fine call and response between the horns and the bass, though Terry steals the show by alternating back and forth between flügelhorn and muted trumpet. This somewhat obscure date is overdue to be reissued on CD. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    Tee Pee Music 8:06
Written-By – Clark Terry
2    Blues For Clark 5:55
Written-By – Bunky Green
3    Moody Magic 6:09
Written-By – Ed Bland
4    Summit Song 10:11
Written-By – Bunky Green
5    Jones 9:59
Written-By – Duke Ellington, Pauline Reddon
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Bunky Green
Bass, Guest – David Williams
Drums – Elvin Jones
Guitar – Roland Prince
Percussion, Guest – Angel Allende
Piano, Guest – Al Dailey
Tenor Saxophone – James Moody
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Clark Terry

TERESA BREWER — Live At Carnegie Hall & Montreaux, Switzerland (2001) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Two previously unissued live concerts from 1978 and 1983 find Teresa in rare form, singing and swinging in front of big bands simply top-heavy with great players. Kicking off with a duet with Dizzy Gillespie on "It Don't Mean a Thing" (where Dizzy plays a Jew's harp funkier than any electronic gizmo you can think of), Brewer puts the torch to tunes like "After You've Gone," "St. Louis Blues," and a smoky medley of "It Had to Be You" and "I've Got a Crush on You." The Montreux set repeats many of the same tunes, but with Clark Terry in the fold, Teresa is recharged, and the different interpretations make for very interesting comparisons. Anyone who wants to file Brewer in the "pop singer" category only needs to hear her sink her formidable chops into this material with a hot band kicking behind her. Cub Koda

Tracklist :
1    It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)    3:54
Duke Ellington / Irving Mills
2    Breakin' Up Is Hard To Do    3:32
Howard Greenfield / Neil Sedaka
3    St. Louis Blues    3:14
W.C. Handy
4    After You've Gone    4:12
Henry Creamer / Turner Layton
5    Medley: It Had To Be You / I've Got A Crush On You    4:07
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin / Isham Jones / Gus Kahn
6    Romance In The Dark    3:49
Lillian "Lil" Green
7    Mood Indigo    4:53
Barney Bigard / Duke Ellington / Irving Mills
8    Some Songs    3:52
Dennis Linde
9    That's When The Music Takes Me    3:20
Neil Sedaka
10    Medley: I Ain't Got Nobody / Baby Won't You Please Come Home    5:29
Roger Graham / Charles Warfield / Clarence Williams / Spencer Williams
11    Fats Waller Medley: We Love You Fats / Ain't Misbehavin' / Find Out What They Like / The Joint Is Jumpin'    6:22
Teresa Brewer / Harry Brooks / J.C. Johnson / Frank Owens / Andy Razaf / Bob Thiele / Fats Waller
12    Come On And Drive Me Crazy    3:30
Teresa Brewer
13    It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)    4:01
Duke Ellington / Irving Mills
14    Mood Indigo    4:27
Barney Bigard / Duke Ellington / Irving Mills
15    St. Louis Blues    3:34
W.C. Handy
16    New Orleans    5:47
Frank Guida
Personnel Includes :
Teresa Brewer - Vocals
Dizzy Gillespie - Vocals, Jews Harp
Cootie Williams, Clark Terry - Trumpet
Bucky Pizzarelli - Acoustic Guitar
Hiram Bullock - Electric Guitar
Derek Smith, Patrick Coil - Piano

QUINCY JONES AND HIS ORCHESTRA — Big Band Bossa Nova (1962-2007) RM | SHM-CD | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

A byproduct of the bossa nova fad that followed the success of "Desafinado" (and preceded the famous recording Getz/Gilberto), this set finds Quincy Jones utilizing and exploiting bossa nova rhythms in his arrangements for a big band. The personnel includes flügelhornist Clark Terry, altoist Phil Woods, pianist Lalo Schifrin, guitarist Jim Hall, and (on "Soul Bossa Nova") the remarkable Rahsaan Roland Kirk. However, since the selections are all quite brief, and some of the charts are a bit cheesy and inappropriate for the gentle rhythms, this disc (although pleasant enough) is of lesser interest. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1. Soul Bossa Nova (2:48)
 Quincy Jones
2. Boogie Bossa Nova (2:45)
 Charles Mingus
3. Desafinado (2:57)
 Antônio Carlos Jobim / Newton Mendonça
4. Black Orpheus (Manha De Carnaval) (2:58)
 Luiz Bonfá / Antônio Maria
5. Se E Tarde Me Pardoa (Forgive Me If I'm Late) (4:25)
 Ronaldo Bôscoli / Carlos Lyra
6. On The Street Where You Live (2:36)
 Alan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe
7. Samba De Uma Nota So (One Note Samba) (2:05)
 Jon Hendricks / Antônio Carlos Jobim / Newton Mendonça
8. Lalo Bossa Nova (3:13)
 Lalo Schifrin
9. Serenata (3:22)
 Leroy Anderson
10. Chega De Saudade (No More Blues) (5:39)
 Antônio Carlos Jobim
Credits :
Bass – Chris White
Drums – Rudy Collins
Flugelhorn – Clark Terry
Flute – Jerome Richardson, Rahsaan Roland Kirk (tracks: 1)
Flute [Alto] – Jerome Richardson
Guitar – Jim Hall (tracks: 3, 8-10)
Percussion – Carlos Gomez, Jack Del Rio, José Paula
Piano – Lalo Schifrin
Producer – Quincy Jones
Saxophone [Alto] – Phil Woods (tracks: 6-9)
Saxophone [Tenor] – Paul Gonsalves (tracks: 2, 4 & 7)
Trumpet – Clark Terry (tracks: 2 & 10)
Woodwind – Jerome Richardson

OSCAR PETERSON | RAY BROWN | BENNY CARTER | CLARK TERRY — The More I See You (1995) Serie Telarc 20 | APE (image+.cue), lossless

After Oscar Peterson suffered a severe stroke in the spring of 1993, it was feared that he would never again play on a professional level, but two years of intense therapy resulted in the masterful pianist returning to what sounds, on this Telarc CD, like near-prime form. For the all-star date, The More I See You, Peterson tears into seven standards and two blues and outswings all potential competitors. Altoist Benny Carter at 87 sounds like he is 47 (if Carter had retired back in 1940 he would still be a legend), and flugelhornist Clark Terry (here 74) proves to be not only (along with the remarkable 90-year-old Doc Cheatham) the finest trumpeter over 70 but one of the top brassmen of any age. The cool-toned guitarist Lorne Lofsky and drummer Lewis Nash are also strong assets while bassist Ray Brown (a year younger than Peterson at a mere 68) displays his typical limitless energy on appealing tunes such as "In a Mellow Tone," "When My Dream Boat Comes Home," and a medium/up-tempo version of "For All We Know." The musicians all play up to their usual high level, making this a joyous comeback album for the great Oscar Peterson. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     In a Mellow Tone 4'53
Duke Ellington / Milt Gabler
2     Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You 4'45
Andy Razaf / Don Redman
3     On the Trail 7'03
Harold Adamson / Ferde Grofé
4     When My Dreamboat Comes Home 8'17
Dave Franklin / David Franklin / Cliff Friend
5     Ron's Blues 8'05
Oscar Peterson
6     For All We Know 8'39
J. Fred Coots / Sam M. Lewis
7     Blues for Lisa 9'15
Oscar Peterson
8     Squatty Roo 5'39
Johnny Hodges
9     The More I See You 6'02
Mack Gordon / Harry Warren
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Bass – Ray Brown
Drums – Lewis Nash
Piano – Oscar Peterson
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Clark Terry

RAY BROWN — With The All-Star Big Band ft. Cannonball Adderley + Ray Brown & Milt Jackson (2012) RM | SHM-CD | Two Original Albums On One CD | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist & Credits : 

1-9 With The All-Star Big Band
10-17 Ray Brown / Milt Jackson

RAY BROWN | MILT JACKSON — Much In Common + All-Star Big Band (1996) 2xCD | Serie Verve Take 2 | APE (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist & Credits :

MILT JACKSON & RAY BROWN JAM — Montreux '77 (1977-1985) Serie Polydor Jazz CD Fair, Montreux '77 | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist & Credits :

RAY BROWN TRIO — Some of My Best Friends Are ... The Trumpet Players (2000) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Ray Brown did it again with the fourth installment in his Some of My Best Friends Are... series, spotlighting some of the hottest trumpet players around and producing one of the finest trumpet-fronted small group recordings to come down the jazz pike in a while. Featuring a six-pack of hornmen ranging from octogenarian Clark Terry to youngsters Roy Hargrove and Nicholas Payton, this CD alternately cooks and simmers, with the ballads especially standing out in their spaciousness and beauty. The blend of Brown's bass and Jon Faddis' trumpet on a slowed-down "Bag's Groove" is particularly appealing in its sparseness. The intro and outro duets between Brown's bass and James Morrison's dry trumpet tone on "I Thought About You" are also entrancing in their openness. Terrence Blanchard lays out a smoky lead line over Geoff Keezer's bluesy late-night piano on Benny Goodman's old sign-off theme, "Goodbye," bringing a new poignancy to the tune. On the most noteworthy upbeat number, Payton really smokes on Joe Henderson's composition, "The Kicker," though the track mysteriously fades out too early. Brown himself is fantastic throughout this disc, and he and his trio mates Keezer and drummer Karriem Riggins anchor the proceedings masterfully. Jim Newsom   Tracklist & Credits :

OLIVER NELSON — The Argo, Verve And Impulse Big Band Studio Sessions (2006) RM | 6xCD BOX-SET | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Oliver Nelson was one of the more distinctive arrangers to be active in jazz, the studios, and popular music of the '60s. While most Nelson reissues focus on his always-excellent saxophone playing (whether on tenor or alto), this six-CD set, Argo, Verve and Impulse Big Band Studio Sessions, focuses on Oliver Nelson the arranger-composer-bandleader. He does take solos on some of these dates on tenor, alto,and soprano (his only recorded solos on that instrument), but it his writing that takes center stage. Included are his albums Full Nelson, Fantabulous, Jazzhattan Suite (which finds the ensemble called the Jazz Interactions Orchestra), Sound Pieces, and his unusual and reverent tribute set Musical Tribute to JFK: The Kennedy Dream. In addition, Nelson's writing for Leonard Feather's Encyclopedia of Jazz All Stars is here, plus his contributions (usually just part of each record) for sets by organist Shirley Scott (Roll 'Em), a group co-led by Ray Brown and Milt Jackson, and clarinetist Pee Wee Russell (The Spirit of '67). Topping off this well-conceived box are all of the music for organist Jimmy Smith's Hobo Flats, Peter and the Wolf (a classic jazz version), and Smith's first collaboration with guitarist Wes Montgomery, plus a few numbers from Smith's Bashin', Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, and Hootchie Coochie Man. In addition to the playing of Jimmy Smith (who was really at his peak during this period), Wes Montgomery, Shirley Scott, and Pee Wee Russell, the most memorable soloists are altoist Phil Woods, cornetist Nat Adderley (on the Feather date), and flugelhornist Clark Terry plus Nelson himself. There is plenty of classic material here (such as the Smith/Montgomery blues jamming on "Down by the Riverside") which, even when the big-band writing is secondary, serves as a superior tribute to the underrated Oliver Nelson. Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits :

OLIVER NELSON — Verve Jazz Masters 48 (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 Considering that he was the equal of such heralded arrangers as Quincy Jones, Gil Evans, and Tadd Dameron, it's a shame Oliver Nelson has, for the most part, gone unsung. Maybe Nelson's eventual TV and film work tainted him in the eyes of critics and purists; but, then again, most jazz arrangers made that move, often out of sheer financial necessity -- and let's not scold them if it was simply a matter of wanting to expand their horizons. Before his Hollywood switch, though, Nelson used several '60s dates to not only display those pen skills, but to reveal his considerable saxophone chops (tenor, alto, and soprano!), as well. The fruits can be found on many dates for OJC, Impulse (the classic Blues and the Abstract Truth), and Verve. It's his work for the latter label that is nicely showcased on this collection. Covering the years 1962-1967 and culled to a large extent from his Full Nelson album and various Leonard Feather-sponsored releases, the 16 tracks here find Nelson at the helm of various big band lineups, plying his always swinging yet often complex and distinct sound. The mix contains a dazzling array of treats, including some of the most sophisticated jazz charts ("Patterns for Orchestra"), a taste of his later soundtrack work ("A Typical Day in New York"), beautiful ballads ("Penthouse Dawn"), and even some contemporary R&B-tinged fare ("Full Nelson"). Along with these and several other original pieces, Nelson also does fine by Ellington ("Paris Blues") and W.C. Handy ("St. Louis Blues"). And it's Joe Newman's fine solo on this last cut that ably demonstrates how Nelson, like Mingus, had a knack for bringing out the best in his players. With an all-star cast of players and plenty of fine sides to go, this Nelson roundup offers the perfect way to familiarize yourself with one of the great jazz architects of the '60s. Stephen Cook   Tracklist & Credits :

THE OLIVER NELSON ORCHESTRA ft. PHIL WOODS — Impressions Of Phaedra (1962) Vinyl, LP MONOAURAL | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Moody and long-forgotten, like the film it was inspired by, Phaedra interchanges film-like cues with some torrid jazz content (mostly courtesy of Phil Woods). Makes an interesting case for "Greek Jazz."  Douglas Payne
Tracklist & Credits :

OLIVER NELSON — Oliver Nelson Plays Michelle (1966) LP, Vinyl | MONOAURAL | FLAC (tracks), lossless

This is an album of short, often corny tunes and brief, likable solos. Nelson features one of his first uses of guitar here via Barry Galbraith and, more prominently, Billy Butler. Nelson's originals, "Jazz Bug" and "Do You See What I See?" are worth a listen. Douglas Payne   Tracklist & Credits :

OLIVER NELSON & FRIENDS – Happenings + Soulful Brass (2011) RM | Serie Impulse! 2-On-1 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This Impulse two-fer revives a pair of LPs by arranger, composer, and saxophonist Oliver Nelson, Happenings and Soulful Brass, released in 1966 and 1968, respectively. Happenings, a date with pianist Hank Jones, is the better album, unlike Soulful Brass, which was co-led with comedian/pianist Steve Allen. Unfortunately, both pianists are featured mainly on harpsichord, which tends to dominate, and at times overwhelm, the compositions. Unless you're a die-hard collector, best to skip this two-fer and pick up the Impulse releases, The Blues & the Abstract Truth and More Blues & the Abstract Truth. Al Campbell  Tracklist & Credits :

DIZZY GILLESPIE · ROY ELDRIDGE · HARRY "SWEET" EDISON · CLARKE TERRY · JOE TURNER – The Trumpet Kings Meet Joe Turner (1975-2006) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This album features a most unusual session. Veteran blues singer Joe Turner and his usual rhythm section of the mid-'70s (which includes guitarist Pee Wee Crayton) are joined by four notable trumpeters: Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Eldridge, Harry "Sweets" Edison, and Clark Terry. On three blues (including the 15-minute "I Know You Love Me Baby") and "Tain't Nobody's Bizness If I Do," the group stretches out with each of the trumpeters getting ample solo space. It is not a classic outing (a little more planning and better material might have helped), but it is colorful and unique enough to be easily recommended to straight-ahead jazz and blues fans. Scott Yanow   Tracklist + Credits :

DUKE ELLINGTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1952 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1320 (2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Here's a treat. Vol. 42 of the chronologically reissued recordings of Duke Ellington opens with some 56 minutes of music recorded live at the Civic Auditorium in Seattle, WA, on March 25, 1952. This document fully conveys the excitement of hearing Duke's orchestra in person, on tour in the great Northwest. Ellington enthusiasts have cherished these recordings for years, and this concert is particularly satisfying. "Skin Deep" is an extroverted exercise for drum kit by Louie Bellson. After this percussive fireworks display the leader provides eloquent spoken introductions, acknowledging the musician chosen as soloist on each selection. Conservatory-trained trombonist Britt Woodman -- a favorite of Charles Mingus -- expresses himself beautifully throughout "Sultry Serenade." "Sophisticated Lady" spotlights "internationally celebrated alto saxophonist" Willie Smith. Clark Terry is the star soloist on a smoky ride through Juan Tizol's "Perdido," after which that valve trombonist elucidates another of his marvelous compositions, "Caravan." Ellington composed his majestic "Harlem Suite" for the NBC Symphony Orchestra. He briefly explains the concept of the piece and reminds his audience that Harlem has "more churches than cabarets." This was in keeping with Duke's lifelong dedication to improving the public's understanding and appreciation of Afro-American culture. Louie Bellson's zippy offering, "The Hawk Talks," has a rowdy piano introduction, whereupon the band generates quite a head of steam. There is a very showy crowd-pleasing medley of Ellington hits and lastly the famous "Jam With Sam," during which Ellington briefly introduces each soloist. This may serve as a listening lexicon of more than half of the wind players in the band at that time, enabling the listener to become better acquainted with the specific sounds of Willie Cook, Russell Procope, and Quentin "Butter" Jackson, as well as the familiar tones of Paul Gonsalves and Cat Anderson. On the cusp of June and July 1952, the Ellington orchestra concentrated its energies on the art of making extended LP recordings. Betty Roche added her scat singing to eight glorious minutes of "Take the 'A' Train" and did up "I Love My Lovin' Lover" in what at times seems a fairly close imitation of Dinah Washington. Jimmy Grissom goes out of his way to sound like Al Hibbler during "Come On Home." This full helping of Ellington jazz closes with an exquisitely expanded rendition of Duke's hit of 1928, "The Mooche," with breathtaking solos by Jimmy Hamilton, Quentin Jackson, Willie Smith, Ray Nance, and the mighty Harry Carney. arwulf arwulf    Tracklist + Credits :

DUKE ELLINGTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1952-1953 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1350 (2004) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

You've got to hand it to the folks at Classics. This is Vol. 43 in their meticulous chronological survey of the recorded works of Duke Ellington. Opening with eight and a half glorious minutes of Juan Tizol's "Perdido," this disc provides a glimpse of Duke's orchestra at a time when the music industry was allowing a lot of big bands to dry up and blow away. How sweet -- and hot -- it is to hear this particular ensemble, bristling with a brass menagerie including Clark Terry, Cat Anderson, Butter Jackson, and Britt Woodman. Drummer Louie Bellson is prominently featured on his nearly seven-minute percussion showcase, "Skin Deep." These two extended LP tracks are followed by a series of lesser-known three-minute recordings. "Ballin' the Blues," with shout vocal by Jimmy Grissom, sounds almost like Wynonie Harris. A second version from 1953 provides a rare example of Ellington the boogie-woogie pianist. "Body and Soul," eloquently sung by Betty Roche, comes across majestically cool. "Primpin' for the Prom" turns on the magical Ellington light show, evoking a breathtaking sunset over any large city's skyline. Grissom grinds out a rather neurotic-sounding "Vulture Song," most memorable for Jimmy Hamilton's clarinet runs. "Satin Doll" is charming in this early incarnation. Grissom keeps returning with fairly gruesome existential offerings that make one wish for the stylistic exaggerations of Al Hibbler. But the instrumentals are exquisitely rendered. "Cocktails for Two" unfolds beautifully, and Paul Gonsalves shares "My Old Flame" with Hamilton's clarinet. Duke lays down a few delightfully eccentric chords at the piano during the opening of a marvelous rendition of "I Can't Give You Anything But Love." "Three Little Words" is particularly handsome. "Orson," apparently a portrait of a certain Hollywood director, has an appropriately film noir flavor. "Boo-Dah" features Billy Strayhorn at the piano. "Blossom," an Ellington/Strayhorn collaboration, breathes with beatific calm. The disc ends with an updated "Warm Valley," featuring the milky tenor saxophone of Paul Gonsalves. arwulf arwulf    Tracklist + Credits :

DUKE ELLINGTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1953, Vol. 2 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1434 (2007) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

During the month of December 1953, Duke Ellington made records for the Capitol label in Chicago and New York with a trio, a quartet, and the full-sized orchestra. Volume 45 in the Ellington stratum of the Classics Chronological Series makes available 21 selections from this wonderfully creative chapter in the lives of the Duke and his men. Seldom, if ever, have the big band and small group recordings from this segment of Ellington's career been reissued in chronological sequence. Over the years, for some reason, the titles "Montevideo" and "Night Time" have both been applied to the thrilling piece of work heard on track two. Inspired by the largest city in the country of Uruguay, this passionate Latin jazz workout is enlivened by the conga drumming of Ralph Collier. Track 20, accurately titled "Night Time," is a gorgeous nocturne written in collaboration with Billy Strayhorn. Tracks four, five, six, eleven and sixteen feature vocals by Jimmy Grissom, and trumpeter/violinist Ray Nance sings "Just A-Settin' and A-Rockin'." Those who desire the complete 1953 trio recordings of Duke Ellington (including the conga-driven quartet recording of "Montevideo") should most definitely seek out the Capitol album Piano Reflections. arwulf arwulf     Tracklist + Credits :

GERALD WILSON AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1946-1954 | The Chronogical Classics – 1444 (2007) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

After leaving Detroit and arriving in Los Angeles, Gerald Wilson formed his first big band in 1944. By 1946 he was firmly established as a fine trumpet player, arranger, and composer, and was developing a style fit not only for modern jazz, but also eventually film scores. The dramatics apropos for both formats is evident on this second installment of Wilson's chronological recordings for the Classics reissue label, culled from recordings originally on the Black & White, United Artists, Excelsior, Federal, King, and Audio Lab labels. There are five different mid-sized orchestras with musicians from L.A., all quite literate and displaying different areas of expertise, and Wilson writes with each player's individual sound in mind. Of course they work as a unified whole, and you get to hear a lot of Wilson's trumpet work. The Black & White sessions from 1946 have the band swinging very hard on the happy bop-bop "Et-ta," while hoppin' and barkin' for "The Saint." The opposite slow side is shown on "Pensive Mood" and the sad, dreary "The Moors." These tracks feature then-young trombonist, composer, and arranger Melba Liston, who of course would go on to great acclaim. Recordings from 1947 for United Artists and Excelsior feature vocalist Dan Grissom and there's a finger-snappin' group vocal with Grissom, Liston, and Trummy Young, "Va-ance," that approaches the territory of the Modernaires. Four more for Excelsior in 1949 reveal Wilson moving into film noir, hinted at by the spy movie piece "Dissonance in Blues" from the 1947 cuts, but more pronounced here. Wilson is assertive on his horn, and ramps up the dramatic tension on the stairstep motif of "The Black Rose" while also offering an expanded version of "Guarachi-Guaro," the second section infusing expansive oboe and flute. Here the outstanding West Coast alto saxophonist Buddy Collette also enters the fray. Jumping up to 1954, Wilson offers up three two-part pieces all prominently showcasing the exotic vibrato flute sound of Bill Green -- the hot and spicy "Mambo Mexicano," dynamic up-and-down desert dune caravan-ish "Algerian Fantasy," and slow-as-sunset "Lotus Land." These are much more provocative, but in addition, the band is loaded with all-stars like trumpeter Clark Terry, trombonist Britt Woodman, tenor saxophonists Paul Gonsalves and Teddy Edwards, and a very young Jerry Dodgion on alto sax. These cuts use pronounced world music elements in a way that Duke Ellington hinted at, and all are exuberant and levitating. The remaining pieces are the contradictory titled hard bopper "Romance," Khachaturian's famous Spanish classical ballad "Bull Fighter," and a different "Black Rose" (unknown author) than the one written by Wilson heard earlier on the CD. This collection really drives home how this group, unique unto itself, was able to stretch stereotypical big-band jazz and take it into a new arena, fueled by the vast imagination of Gerald Wilson. The only unsolved mystery: unattributed credits about various clearly audible Latin percussionists who are never identified. Michael G. Nastos  
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