THE STEVE KUHN TRIO — Looking Back (1991) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Steve Kuhn is in a fun-loving mood on this trio date from 1990, accompanied by bassist David Finck and drummer Lewis Nash. His one original of the session, "Looking Back," is full of humorous moments in a driving post-bop setting, and his lagging a bit behind the beat while giving Dave Brubeck's "The Duke" a bit of an oriental sound at times is almost tongue-in-cheek. But not everything is played with a twinkle in his eye; "Stella by Starlight" is lush and dramatic, as is Michel Colombier's pretty ballad "Emmanuel." Kuhn captures the droll mood of the golden oldie "Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You" with a campy, almost country-flavored approach. This is an outstanding date by a veteran musician who's always deserving of wider recognition for his efforts. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    Looking Back 7:01
Written-By – Steve Kuhn
2    The Duke 5:39
Written-By – Dave Brubeck
3    How Insensitive 5:52
Written-By – Antonio Carlos Jobim, Norman Gimbel, Vinicius De Moraes
4    Stella By Starlight 7:21
Written-By – Ned Washington, Victor Young
5    Alone Together 8:40
Written-By – Howard Dietz - Arthur Schwartz
6    Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You 5:05
Written-By – Andy Razaf, Don Redman
7    Baubles, Bangles And Beads 5:57
Written-By – George Forrest, Robert Wright
8    Zingaro 3:57
Written-By – Antonio Carlos Jobim
9    Will You Still Be Mine 5:13
Written-By – Matt Dennis, Thomas Adair
10    Emmanuel 3:57
Written-By – Michel Colombier
Credits :
Double Bass – David Finck
Piano – Steve Kuhn
Drums – Lewis Nash

STEVE KUHN — Live at Maybeck Recital Hall, Volume Thirteen (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Steve Kuhn is generally not thought of as a solo pianist because he has rarely recorded in that format, but this 1990 concert at Maybeck Recital Hall is one of his most memorable releases. "Old Folks" is a chestnut favored by a lot of swing and bop pianists, but Kuhn's unique approach to it explores a larger range of the keyboard than most players, while powering it with a striding bassline that alternates a lot more than one would expect. He has a lot of fun introducing Miles Davis' "Solar," at first playing around with what sounds like a Scottish dirge and sneaking into a bit of the song while giving it an Oriental flavor, before getting down to business. Both "I Remember You" and "Autumn in New York" are long but fascinating interpretations, as the pianist deconstructs and rebuilds each of them with very fresh approaches. This very satisfying concert CD is well-worth acquiring. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    Old Folks 6:35
Written-By – Dedette Lee Hill, Willard Robison
2    Solar 9:47
Written-By – Miles Davis
3    Don't Explain 8:26
Written-By – Arthur Herzog, Jr., Billie Holiday
4    I Remember You 10:22
Written-By – Johnny Mercer, Victor Schertzinger
5    Autumn In New York 10:55
Written-By – Vernon Duke
6    The Meaning Of The Blues 6:15
Written-By – Bobby Troup, Leah Worth
Credits :
Piano – Steve Kuhn

MAYNARD FERGUSON & BIG BOP NOUVEAU — One More Trip to Birdland (1996-2003) SACD, Hybrid | FLAC (image + .cue), lossless

Even at the age of 67, Maynard Ferguson shows on this CD that he could still belt out the high notes. His "Big Bop Noveau" band consists of four trumpets, trombonist Tom Garling (who takes a rockish guitar solo on "Birdland"), Matt Wallace and Chris Farr on saxophones, and a rhythm section. With the exception of "Birdland," the music is strictly bebop, with plenty of screaming trumpet and heated playing; Wallace's alto outbursts often take honors. Highlights include "Manteca," "Cajun Cookin'," "Milestones" and a hyper "It Don't Mean a Thing." Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    You Got It 4:09
Composed By – Tom Garling
2    Manteca 6:21
Arranged By – Marko Marcinko
Composed By – Dizzy Gillespie, Walter Fuller, Luciano Gonzales
3    The Vibe 7:12
Composed By – Tom Garling
4    Cajun Cookin' 7:07
Composed By – Denis DiBlasio
5    Milestones 5:31
Arranged By – Tom Garling
Composed By – Miles Davis
6    She Was Too Good To Me 6:23
Arranged By – Tom Garling
Composed By – Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
7    Birdland 4:11
Arranged By – Chip McNeill
Composed By – Josef Zawinul
8    Blues From Around Here 7:34
Composed By – Alan Baylock
9    It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing 4:20
Arranged By – Chip McNeill
Composed By – Duke Ellington, Irving Mills
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Matt Wallace, Vocals (tracks: 6)
Bass – Phil Palombi
Drums – Marko Marcinko, Percussion, (tracks: 4)
Keyboards – Dan Zank
Soprano Saxophone – Chris Farr
Tenor Saxophone – Chris Farr, Matt Wallace
Trombone – Tom Garling, Guitar, (tracks: 7)
Trumpet – Carl Fischer, Larry Foyen, Maynard Ferguson, Scott Englebright

JIMMY BRUNO WITH SPECIAL GUEST JOEY DeFRANCESCO — Like That (1996) WV (image+.cue), lossless

Although Like That was recorded in New York, many of the people involved with the project were Philadelphians. The pleasing hard bop date unites Jimmy Bruno's Philly-based trio of the 1990s (which includes bassist Craig Thomas and drummer Steve Holloway) with organist/trumpeter and Philly native Joey DeFrancesco, while the liner notes were written by guitar great Pat Martino (another Philadelphian). Producer Allen Farnham, however, lived close to New York in northern New Jersey. Bruno's guitar and DeFrancesco's organ prove highly compatible on selections ranging from Sam Jones' "Unit Seven" and Jerome Kern's "The Way You Look Tonight" to Bruno originals such as the sentimental "Waltz for Nancy," the angular "Raezer's Edge," and the mellifluous "Night Dreamer." Although DeFrancesco plays organ on most of the 11 songs, he switches to the trumpet and favors a Miles Davis-influenced mute on relaxed versions of "There Is No Greater Love" and "Stars Fell on Alabama." Bruno's Concord output has been quite consistent, and this fine CD is no exception. Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1. E.V.     4:39
 Craig Thomas
2. Raezer's Edge     5:03
 Jimmy Bruno
3. Waltz For Nancy     5:41
 Jimmy Bruno
4. There Is No Greater Love     6:12
 Isham Jones / Marty Symes
5. The Iguana's Uncle     4:24
 Jimmy Bruno
6. Pat's House     5:23
 Jimmy Bruno
7. Night Dreamer     6:15
 Jimmy Bruno
8. The Way You Look Tonight     5:24
 Dorothy Fields / Jerome Kern
9. Like That     4:48
 Jimmy Bruno
10. Stars Fell On Alabama     3:26
 Mitchell Parish / Frank Perkins
11. Unit Seven     8:08
 Sam Jones
Credits :
Jimmy Bruno - Guitar
Joey DeFrancesco - Organ, Trumpet
Steve Holloway - Drums
Craig Thomas - Acoustic and Electric Bass  

CHICK COREA — Plays (2020) 2CD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Chick Corea's piano work radiates a readily-discernible dignity and if that virtue does not actually belie the lighthearted tone of this title (or his unctuous between-song repartee), then it certainly sets out in much sharper relief the whimsy and serendipity that is also intrinsic to his well-schooled and practiced approach to the instrument. Accordingly—and hardly surprisingly—a composer of such renown as this man offers reverence for all the tunes he chooses, regardless of the source, and that attribute may be the overriding thread of continuity across these two CDs. Doug Collette   All Tracks & Credits :

CHARLIE BYRD | BARNEY KESSEL | HERB ELLIS — Great Guitars (1975) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Charlie Byrd was teamed up with Barney Kessel and Herb Ellis (along with bassist Joe Byrd and drummer John Rae) for this rather exciting concert. While Ellis and Kessel have three unaccompanied duets, the inclusion of Byrd (thought of as a Brazilian specialist rather than a bopper) is the wild card that makes this set a major success. While Byrd is excellent on his features "Charlie's Blues" and "O Barquinho," it is the three stomps featuring all the guitarists ("Undecided," "Topsy" and "Benny's Bugle") that are most memorable. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Undecided    6:19
 Sydney Robin / Charlie Shavers
2    O Barquinho    4:41
 Ronaldo Bôscoli / Roberto Menescal
3    Slow Burn    5:33
 Barney Kessel
4    Charlie's Blues    8:17
 Charlie Byrd
5    Topsy    5:44
 Edgar Battle / Eddie Durham
6    Latin Groove    4:26
 Barney Kessel
7    Down Home Blues    3:57
 Herb Ellis / Barney Kessel
8    H And B Guitar Boogie    4:08
 Herb Ellis / Barney Kessel
9    Benny's Bugle    5:37
 Benny Goodman
Credits :
Bass – Joe Byrd
Drums – John Rae
Guitar – Barney Kessel, Charlie Byrd, Herb Ellis

THE BARNEY KESSEL TRIO — Jellybeans (1981-1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 On this fairly typical trio set, guitarist Barney Kessel is joined by bassist Bob Maize and drummer Jimmie Smith. "Stella by Starlight," "St. Thomas" and "Shiny Stockings" generate some heat; there are three Kessel originals and also two veteran ballads. The music swings without giving listeners any real surprises, but Kessel's fans can consider this one of his best Concord recordings. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Jellybeans    4:08
 Barney Kessel
2    Stella By Starlight    5:46
 Ned Washington / Victor Young
3    Mermaid    4:27
 Barney Kessel
4    My Foolish Heart    4:34
 Ned Washington / Victor Young
5    Juarez After Dark    4:26
 Barney Kessel
6    I've Never Been In Love Before    5:19
 Frank Loesser
7    St. Thomas    4:45
 Sonny Rollins
8    Shiny Stockings    5:14
 Frank Foster
Credits :
Bass – Bob Maize
Drums – Jimmie Smith
Guitar – Barney Kessel

JON FADDIS — Legacy (1986) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

After too long a period in the studios, talented trumpeter Jon Faddis returned to jazz with this brilliant effort. Best known for his ability to closely emulate his idol, Dizzy Gillespie (far from an easy feat), Faddis pays tribute to Gillespie with "Night in Tunisia" and "Things to Come." However, he also does a close imitation of Roy Eldridge on "Little Jazz," pays homage to Louis Armstrong on "West End Blues," shows sensitivity on Thad Jones' "A Child Is Born," and performs three other numbers. With the assistance of tenor saxophonist Harold Land, pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer Mel Lewis, Jon Faddis is in superb form throughout this outstanding release, his definitive recording. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    West End Blues 5:35
Written-By – Clarence Williams, Joe "King" Oliver
2    Little Jazz 5:37
Written-By – Roy Eldridge
3    Night In Tunisia 6:02
Written-By – Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Paparelli, Jon Hendricks
4    Instigator 4:44
Written-By – Jon Faddis
5    Things To Come 3:31
Written-By – Dizzy Gillespie, Gil Fuller
6    A Child Is Born 7:00
Written-By – Thad Jones
7    Li'l Darlin' 4:09
Written-By – Neal Hefti
8    Whisper Not 5:31
Written-By – Benny Golson, Leonard Feather
Credits
Bass – Ray Brown
Drums – Mel Lewis
Flugelhorn, Trumpet – Jon Faddis
Piano – Kenny Barron
Tenor Saxophone – Harold Land

JOHN McLAUGHLIN • CHICK COREA — Five Peace Band Live (2009) 2CD | APE (image+.cue), lossless

Chick Corea and John McLaughlin share one of the great pedigrees in the music of the 20th century: they were both key sidemen on Miles Davis' seminal albums In a Silent Way and Bitches Brew. They have played together since those heady days, as a duo or as sit-in guests. Five Peace Band was Corea's idea of putting together a dream band to play all kinds of jazz, and he approached McLaughlin. Corea chose the other members in saxophonist Kenny Garrett, drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, and bassist Christian McBride. The group toured for nearly a year following Corea's Return to Forever reunion tour, and this double CD was compiled from that jaunt. It's true that on paper supergroups are suspicious offerings. Not so here. This band includes three younger -- yet veteran -- musicians who team wonderfully with the two legends on this set. Of the eight pieces included here, five are originals -- three by McLaughlin and a pair by Corea -- along with Davis' "In a Silent Way/It's About That Time" (with Herbie Hancock guesting), Jackie McLean's "Dr. Jackle," and a reading of the standard "Someday My Prince Will Come" (a duet between pianist and guitarist that elegantly closes disc two). McLaughlin's compositions are fairly recent; they were recorded with his 4th Dimension group on his excellent Floating Point and Industrial Zen albums. As one can imagine, this material is played here the way it was there -- only more so -- as extremely engaging 21st century electric fusion. His other piece, "Señor C.S.," is reimagined from the studio version on Industrial Zen. Here it is played harder and faster yet gives away none of its Latin groove, and instead comes off as a new, much more technically ambitious mutation of samba.

It should be noted that the rhythm section here is nothing less than startling. McBride is equally at home on an electric bass, and his sense of fire, funkiness, and dynamic range is in every note. Colaiuta is simply one of the most talented and exciting drummers out there, and creates an art form of dressing his timekeeping in impeccable and imaginative ways. Corea's tunes are closer to something resembling mainstream jazz -- though the gorgeous and lengthy (it clocks in at over 27 minutes) "Hymn to Andromeda" moves gradually and beautifully to the outside, with beautiful playing by Garrett and McLaughlin, who can still handle non-fusion material with invention, restraint, and taste. Disc two begins with an odd, idiosyncratic reading of McLean's "Dr. Jackle" as an attempt to stretch hard bop toward something (via Corea's arrangement) -- but what it is, isn't quite clear. The version of "In a Silent Way/It's About That Time" with Hancock is the album's high point. He plays an electric piano and creates the necessary incantatory vibe in the ethereal, soft, speculative beginning for Corea to simply caress into being. McLaughlin just floats about as an accompanist to the keys, and when he does play single lines, they become hesitant, soft, direction-pointing exercises toward what is to come. When the tune splits and becomes more aggressive in the latter half, the band gels and he finds himself in the maelstrom as the two keyboardists vie for dominance and the rhythm section creates a sense of pulse and excitement. His solo is brief and to the point yet full of knots and turns -- his trading lines with Garrett is especially tantalizing. Five Peace Band re-creates an extremely ambitious and beautifully executed gig, where all players were firing on all cylinders.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist 1 :
1. Raju (John McLaughlin) – 12:29
2. The Disguise (Chick Corea) – 13:32
3. New Blues, Old Bruise (John McLaughlin) – 14:06
4. Hymn to Andromeda (Chick Corea) – 27:45
Tracklist 2 :
1. Dr. Jackle (Jackie McLean) – 22:53
2. Senor C.S. (John McLaughlin) – 20:15
3. In a Silent Way / It's About That Time (Miles Davis, Joe Zawinul) – 20:06
4. Someday My Prince Will Come (Frank Churchill, Larry Morey) – 7:42
Personnel :
Chick Corea - Acoustic Piano, Electric Piano, Synthesizer
Kenny Garrett - Alto Saxophone
John McLaughlin - Electric Guitar
Christian McBride - Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass
Vinnie Colaiuta - Drums, Percussion

TAL FARLOW — A Sign of the Times (1977-1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Guitarist Tal Farlow's debut for the Concord label was only his second album as a leader since 1959. Farlow, who had given up the hectic lifestyle of a full-time jazz musician to become a sign painter who played guitar on the side, had not lost any of his power or creative swing through the years. Teamed up in a drumless trio with pianist Hank Jones and bassist Ray Brown, Farlow is in typically brilliant form on such numbers as a rapid "Fascinating Rhythm," a slower-than-usual "Stompin' at the Savoy," Dave Brubeck's "In Your Own Sweet Way" and even "Put on a Happy Face." This CD is a fine example of Tal Farlow's talents. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1. Fascinating Rhythm (Gershwin-Gershwin) - 4:11
2. You Don't Know What Love Is (Raye-DePaul) - 4:08
3. Put on a Happy Face (Adams-Strouse) - 4:21
4. Stompin' at the Savoy (Webb-Sampson-Razaf-Goodman) - 7:39
5. Georgia on My Mind (Carmichael-Gorrell) - 3:45
6. You Are Too Beautiful (Rodgers-Hart) - 5:07
7. In Your Own Sweet Way (Brubeck) - 3:13
8. Bayside Blues (Brown) - 7:05
Credits :
Tal Farlow - Guitar
Ray Brown - Bass
Hank Jones - Piano

TAL FARLOW — Chromatic Palette (1981-1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This album is most notable for the interplay between veteran guitarist Tal Farlow and pianist Tommy Flanagan. With bassist Gary Mazzaroppi completing the trio, the musicians perform Tal's "Blue Art, Too" (based on a blues), plus seven superior standards, including "Nuages," "If I Were a Bell" and "St. Thomas." In general, the music is on the relaxed side but there is plenty of inner heat to be felt on the fine set. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1. In a Mellow Tone (Ellington, Gabler) - 7:32
2. Do Nothing 'Till You Hear from Me (Ellington, Russell) - 7:04
3. Tangerine (Mercer, Schertzinger) - 4:59
4. Snow Fall (Thornhill) - 5:23
5. Cherokee (Noble) - 5:11
6. In the Dark (Beiderbercke) - 3:03
7. The Very Thought of You (Noble) - 4:09
8. Three Little Words (Kalmar, Ruby) - 3:53
9. What's New? (Burke, Haggart) - 6:07
10. Moon Glow (DeLange, Hudson, Mills) - 4:58
11. Jitterbug Waltz (Maltby, Waller) - 6:15
12. I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles (Brockman, Kellette, Kendis ...) - 1:22
13. Blues for Emmett (Alden, Pizzarelli) - 5:23
Credits :
Bass – Gary Mazzaroppi
Guitar – Tal Farlow
Piano – Tommy Flanagan

HOWARD ALDEN AND BUCKY PIZZARELLI — In A Mellow Tone (2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Howard Alden and Bucky Pizzarelli played together a number of times over the years during jazz parties and in concerts, though the two seven-string guitarists never made a full CD together until In a Mellow Tone (though Alden appeared on a few tracks of Pizzarelli's A Portrait). Both heirs to the legacy of guitarist George Van Eps (who popularized the instrument), these two masters make magic on any session in which either of them takes place; combining the two meant that there was no reason for any additional players. With the extra string providing each man the ability to play a bassline for the other, they have a ball in the studio as they trade off playing gems like their cooking renditions of "In a Mellow Tone," "Cherokee," and "Three Little Words." Their slightly brisker treatment of Claude Thornhill's theme song "Snow Fall" works beautifully, while their intimate approach to "What's New" is among the best versions available on record or CD. They also capture the playful spirit of "Jitterbug Waltz" with a brilliant arrangement. Alden tackles both the haunting "In the Dark" and a brief take of "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles" as solos. The sale of this highly recommended CD benefits the Sante Fe Jazz Foundation, which assisted Alden when illness limited his ability to tour for an extended period. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1. In a Mellow Tone (Ellington, Gabler) - 7:32
2. Do Nothing 'Till You Hear from Me (Ellington, Russell) - 7:04
3. Tangerine (Mercer, Schertzinger) - 4:59
4. Snow Fall (Thornhill) - 5:23
5. Cherokee (Noble) - 5:11
6. In the Dark (Beiderbercke) - 3:03
7. The Very Thought of You (Noble) - 4:09
8. Three Little Words (Kalmar, Ruby) - 3:53
9. What's New? (Burke, Haggart) - 6:07
10. Moon Glow (DeLange, Hudson, Mills) - 4:58
11. Jitterbug Waltz (Maltby, Waller) - 6:15
12. I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles (Brockman, Kellette, Kendis ...) - 1:22
13. Blues for Emmett (Alden, Pizzarelli) - 5:23
Credits :
Guitar – Bucky Pizzarelli (tracks: 1 to 5, 7 to 11, 13), Howard Alden

HOWARD ALDEN — My Shining Hour (2002) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

With all of the recording activity by guitarist Howard Alden in the dozen or so years prior to the 2002 release of My Shining Hour, it is hard to believe that this is his first unaccompanied date. Alternating between electric and acoustic archtop seven-string guitars, Alden delivers one masterful performance after another. His brilliant technique is showcased in a dazzling take of "My Shining Hour" (which begins with a very subtle introduction), while his lyricism carries Duke Ellington's gorgeous ballad "All Too Soon." Alden, who taught actor Sean Penn to play jazz guitar for his role in Woody Allen's film Sweet and Lowdown, plays two miniatures written by Dick Hyman for its soundtrack; unfortunately, the intricate ballad "Unfaithful Woman" made only a fleeting appearance and the sparkling "E is for Emment" wasn't used at all, so Alden makes up for Allen's oversight. The inclusion of "I Wrote It for Jo," a piece by the late George Van Eps, shouldn't be any surprise to Alden's fans, who are well aware of Van Eps' pioneering work on the seven-string guitar, as well as recording four CDs with Alden. The guitarist also delves into the bossa nova classic "The Girl From Ipanema," Mal Waldron's bittersweet ballad "Soul Eyes," and Billy Strayhorn's very emotional "Blood Count" with a freshness that makes it sound as if one is hearing each piece for the first time. Howard Alden will have many shining hours ahead of him in the studio and on-stage, but this memorable CD should serve as an important landmark in his already very impressive career. Ken Dryden  
Tracklist :
1 My Shining Hour 3:44
Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer
2 All Too Soon 5:41
Duke Ellington / Carl Sigman
3 Sweet Substitute 4:02
Jelly Roll Morton
4 Unfaithful Woman 1:56
 Richard R. Hyman
5 E Is for Emment 1:32
 Richard R. Hyman
6 Blood Count 3:51
Billy Strayhorn
7 I Wrote It for Jo 3:55
George Van Eps
8 The Girl From Ipanema 4:07
Norman Gimbel / Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
9 Isn't It a Pity? 4:20
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
10 Gone With the Wind 4:59
Herbert Magidson / Allie Wrubel
11 Soul Eyes 4:27
Mal Waldron
12 Chega de Saudade (No More Blues) 4:57
Jon Hendricks / Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
13 Crazy She Calls Me 2:22
Bob Russell / Carl Sigman
Credits :
Producer, Guitar – Howard Alden

HERB ELLIS | RAY BROWN SEXTET — Hot Tracks (1976) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Guitarist Herb Ellis was the leader of six of the first dozen Concord releases. This lesser-known set has some fine playing from Ellis, trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison, tenor saxophonist Plas Johnson, bassist Ray Brown, drummer Jake Hanna and keyboardist Mike Melvoin although Melvoin's electric piano sounds a bit dated today. As usual the music is uncomplicated, straightahead, swinging and tasteful. Six of the songs are originals by group members which are performed along with Johnny Hodges' "Squatty Roo" and the ballad "But Beautiful." Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1. Onion Roll (Ellis) - 4:26
2. Spherikhal (Brown) - 4:55
3. But Beautiful (Burke-Van Heusen) - 5:25
4. Blues for Minnie (Brown) - 4:41
5. Bones (Johnson) - 5:54
6. So's Your Mother (Melvoin) - 5:20
7. Squatty Roo (Hodges) - 3:10
8. Sweetback (Edison) - 4:27
Credits :
Herb Ellis - Guitar
Ray Brown - Bass
Harry "Sweets" Edison - Trumpet
Jake Hanna - Drums
Plas Johnson - Saxophone
Mike Melvoin - Keyboards

TANIA MARIA — Come with Me (1983) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

In the early '80s, Tânia Maria burst upon the U.S. music scene, playing an exuberant blend of Brazilian pop and jazz. Her first few recordings for Concord Picante (of which Come with Me is the third) remain her most rewarding sets. Maria's spirited vocals and hyper keyboard work star throughout the date (which finds her interpreting seven of her originals and "Embraceable You"), supported by a sextet including both Eddie Duran and José Neto on guitar. Worth checking out. Scott Yanow

Tracklist :
1. Sangria (3:56)
Tania Maria
2. Embraceable You (5:53)
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
3. Lost In Amazonia (5:12)
Tania Maria
4. Come With Me (5:44)
Tania Maria / Regina Werneck
5. Sementes, Graines & Seeds (6:25)
Tania Maria
6. Nega (4:10)
Regina Werneck
7. Euzinha (6:31)
Regina Werneck
8. It's All Over Now (5:18)
Regina Werneck
Credits :
Tania Maria :Arranger, Piano, Keyboards, Vocals, Liner Notes, Fender Rhodes, Electric Cello
José Neto : Guitar, Guitar (Electric)
John Pena : Bass (Electric), Guitar (Bass)
Eddie Duran : Guitar
Lincoln Goines : Bass (Electric), Guitar (Bass)
Portinho : Percussion, Drums
Steve Thornton : Percussion, Bongos

ALAN BROADBENT — Live at Maybeck Recital Hall – Volume 14 (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

When Alan Broadbent was given a chance to shine in this solo setting in the Berkeley hills, he kept things relatively spare and to the point, unlike most of the finger-busting pianists in the Maybeck series. But flashier is not necessarily better, and Broadbent gets a lot more music out of fewer notes in these 13 selections. Among them are three originals, the longest of which, "Woody 'N' I" (no doubt a memorial to his late employer, Woody Herman), climaxes in mighty waves closer in idiom to Rachmaninoff than jazz per se. Broadbent is especially adept at getting some great solo breaks with walking bass going, particularly on "Strollin'," "Sweet and Lovely," and "Upper Manhattan Medical Group." Elsewhere, "I Hear a Rhapsody" contains echoes of "Along Came Betty," "Oleo" relies on some unison octave work, "Lennie's Pennies" has deliciously twisting right-hand bop lines, Horace Silver's "Strollin'" harkens back somewhat to an earlier locked-hands era, and yes, "Parisian Thoroughfare" finally turns on the technique in a torrent. Richard S. Ginell
Tracklist & Credits :

ALAN BROADBENT | GARY FOSTER — Recorded Live At Maybeck Recital Hall (1997) Concord Duo Series – Volume 4 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This combination works quite well. Pianist Alan Broadbent and altoist Gary Foster have worked together many times through the years and they are quite familiar with each other's playing. On this set, recorded live at the now-legendary Maybeck Recital Hall, Broadbent and Foster perform creative versions of such songs as "Speak Low," Lennie Tristano's "317 East 32nd Street," "In Your Own Sweet Way," and Hoagy Carmichael's "One Morning in May," plus two of Broadbent's originals. Foster, who sounds a bit like Lee Konitz on alto, switches to tenor on a few numbers where he emulates Stan Getz. On either horn, he acts as a third hand for the very self-sufficient Broadbent and they consistently inspire each other. Highly recommended. Scott Yanow     Tracklist & Credits :

THE ALAN BROADBENT TRIO — Pacific Standard Time (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Long a fixture in the Los Angeles area, Alan Broadbent is greatly in demand as an arranger and conductor but he has also continued to grow as a pianist. Teamed with bassist Putter Smith and drummer Frank Gibson, Broadbent digs into such standards as "Easy Living," "Easy To Love," ‘Beautiful Love" and Barry Harris' "Reets & I" in addition to his own "This One's For Bud." Bud Powell is one of the influences on Broadbent's style but he had long ago found his own voice in the swinging modern mainstream. This is one of his better all-round efforts. Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits :

THE ALAN BROADBENT TRIO — Personal Standards (1997) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Since gaining fame as a member of Charlie Haden's excellent Quartet West, Alan Broadbent has seen his own catalog rise in stature. A welcome development, since a wider audience should check out the many fine recordings this unique pianist/composer/arranger has made. And in spite of the admission that his highly lyrical bent and soft touch come out of the work of Bill Evans, Red Garland, and Nat "King" Cole, among others, Broadbent is able to produce fresh solo conceptions and plenty of original material of his own. In fact, as the title implies, Personal Standards consists almost entirely of self-penned cuts, save for one by bassist Putter Smith. (This seamless piano trio is rounded out by drummer Joe LaBarbera.) Along with material also heard on various Quartet West recordings like "The Long Goodbye" and "Song of Home," the disc features a nice mix of ballads ("Ballad Impromptu"), mid- to up-tempo swingers ("Consolation"), as well as some blues ("Uncertain Terms"). And even though Broadbent favors slow and melancholy numbers, he can still vigorously turn on the technique, especially on the faster numbers here. In addition to his solo piano outing for the Maybeck Recital Hall series, Personal Standards offers a great introduction to Broadbent's work. Stephen Cook    Tracklist & Credits :

RAY BROWN — The Best Of The Concord Years (2002) 2xCD | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Ray Brown was in at the beginning of the Concord Jazz record label in the early '70s, and starting with Brown's Bag in 1975, he recorded a dozen albums as a leader for Concord before departing for Telarc Records in the early '90s. This two-disc compilation, with a running time of almost two hours and 20 minutes, presents 24 selections drawn from 19 Concord Jazz albums recorded between 1973 and 1993, including live performances at the Concord Jazz Festivals, recordings by Brown's trio and the L.A. 4, and a Brown duet with Jimmy Rowles, among other configurations. As a bass player, Brown only rarely solos, so one usually notices the horn players (Harry "Sweets" Edison, Red Holloway, Plas Johnson, Richie Kamuca, Blue Mitchell, Ralph Moore, and Bud Shank), the pianists (Monty Alexander, George Duke, Gene Harris, Art Hillery, and Rowles), or other frontline musicians (guitarists Laurindo Almeida, Herb Ellis, and Joe Pass, violinist John Frigo) before the rhythm section. But even when Brown isn't stepping out, he is maintaining the group's swing, along with drummers John Guerin, Jeff Hamilton, Jake Hanna, Gerryck King, Shelly Manne, Mickey Roker, and Jimmie Smith, and he also wrote a number of the tunes. Brown had done relatively few sessions as a leader in the 30 years of his career prior to his association with Concord, so, while the label owes him a lot, he also was enabled to flourish with the company in a way he had not before, and that is reflected in this well-chosen compilation. William Ruhlmann
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