YUSEF LATEEF — The Golden Flute (1966-2004) RM | Serie LP Reproduction | APE (image+.cue), lossless

 This is one of the most obscure of all Yusef Lateef recordings, one that has even been left out of some discographies. Lateef mostly sticks to tenor (playing only flute on one song and making one appearance on the double-reed arghul) and is featured with his Detroit All-Stars, a quintet also including the up-and-coming trombonist Curtis Fuller, pianist Hugh Lawson, bassist Ernie Farrow and drummer Louis Hayes. Overall, the set is more bop-oriented than normal, with versions of "Pike's Peak" (based on "What Is This Thing Called Love"), Charlie Parker's "Constellation" and the blues "Chang, Chang, Chang" showing how strong and original Lateef could be even playing conventional straight-ahead material. Some of the other pieces look toward the future and/or the East, and all eight selections have their memorable moments, with the passionate yet thoughtful ballad "Love Is Eternal" being among the high points. Recommended. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Road Runner 4:44
Written-By – Lateef
2    Straighten Up And Fly Right 3:26
Written-By – Mills, Cole
3    Oasis 4:23
Written-By – Lateef
4    I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You 4:03
Written-By – Crosby, Washington, Young
5    Exactly Like You 2:54
Written-By – McHugh/Fields
6    The Golden Flute 3:54
Written-By – Lateef
7    Rosetta 3:51
Written-By – Hines, Woode
8    Head Hunters 4:33
Written-By – Harris, Lawson
9    The Smart Set 7:31
Written-By – Brooks
Credits
Bass – Herman Wright
Drums – Roy Brooks, Jr.
Flute, Tenor Saxophone, Oboe – Yusef Lateef
Piano – Hugh Lawson

CURTIS FULLER — The Complete Blue Note/UA Curtis Fuller Sessions (1996) 3CD BOX-SET | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Trombonist Curtis Fuller, who developed his sound out of the style of J.J. Johnson, recorded prolifically as a leader from 1957-1962. After recording three dates for Prestige and New Jazz within a seven-day period in 1957, Fuller made four albums for Blue Note from 1957-1958, and after three albums for Savoy, he cut a lone session for United Artists in 1959. All of the five Blue Note and United Artists records (plus an alternate take of "Down Home") are on this excellent three-CD limited box set, released in 1996. Fuller is heard with four different quintets that include either tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley, baritonist Tate Houston, trumpeter Art Farmer, or (on a date only previously out in Japan) fellow trombonist Slide Hampton; the rhythm sections consist of either Bobby Timmons or Sonny Clark on piano, Paul Chambers or George Tucker on bass, and Art Taylor, Louis Hayes, or Charlie Persip in the drum slot. In addition, there is a sextet session with Lee Morgan, Mobley, Tommy Flanagan, Chambers, and Elvin Jones that has arrangements by Gigi Gryce and Benny Golson. Throughout, the music is high-quality hard bop with plenty of fine features for the underrated but talented Curtis Fuller. Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits :

CURTIS FULLER — New Trombone (1957-1996) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This 1957 date matches Fuller with bluesy, fervent alto sax wailer Sonny Red Kyner. They make both a tight ensemble pair and an excellent contrasting frontline, with Kyner's spewing, flailing delivery featured on such cuts as "Blue Lawson" and "Namely You" operating against Fuller's equally intense, but lighter and smoother trombone lines. With Hank Jones operating as the rhythm section's harmonic link on piano, bassist Doug Watkins and drummer Louis Hayes mesh underneath effectively. These undiluted, straight-ahead bop and blues numbers are still par for the course. Ron Wynn
Tracklist & Credits :

CURTIS FULLER — Curtis Fuller with Red Garland (1958-1992) RM | MONO | Masters Of Jazz Series – 51 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Trombonist Curtis Fuller is featured here in a quintet with altoist Sonny Red, pianist Red Garland, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Louis Hayes, performing a pair of originals, two blues, and a couple of ballad features. Garland is outstanding on "Moonlight Becomes You" (one of his finest recordings), while Fuller does a fine job on "Stormy Weather." This set has a feel of a jam session; the blend between the trombone and the alto is particularly appealing. Despite the overly critical liner notes (written in 1962), this is an excellent hard bop-oriented date. Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits :

CURTIS FULLER — Curtis Fuller and Hampton Hawes with French Horns (1957-2000) RM | Original Jazz Classics Limited Edition Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The French horn has rarely been used in jazz as a solo instrument until recent times. Back in the 1950s, jazz's top French horn player was Julius Watkins, with David Amram certainly ranking in the top five. For this 1957 session, trombonist Curtis Fuller and his quintet with altoist Sahib Shihab, pianist Hampton Hawes (Teddy Charles, who contributed three originals, takes his place on one number), bassist Addison Farmer, and drummer Jerry Segal are joined by both Watkins and Amram. On originals by Charles, Amram, and Salvatore Zito, the colorful ensembles and the very adept soloing by the French horns make this a particularly memorable recording. Strange that this album has been obscure for so long. Only the brief playing time keeps this intriguing set from getting a higher rating. Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits :

CURTIS FULLER — Bone & Bari (1957-2003) RM | Serie 24 Bit By RVG | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Curtis Fuller emerged during the 1950s as a leading hard bop trombonist. A native of Detroit, Fuller was initially inspired by hearing J.J. Johnson, who became a mentor for the young musician. This recording was completed only weeks before Fuller went into the studio to record John Coltrane's Blue Trane. The session is unique in its pairing of trombone with the baritone sax of Tate Houston. The resultant front line sound is thick and rotund. The rhythm section of Sonny Clark, Paul Chambers and Art Taylor had a lovely rapport; individually and collectively, these three made many important recordings in the late 1950s, especially for the Blue Note label. Highlights of Bone & Bari include the title tune, penned by Fuller, and the group's rendering of the standard "Heart and Soul." Lee Bloom

Tracklist 
1 Algonquin 5:02
Written-By – Curtis Fuller
2 Nita's Waltz 6:55
Written-By – Curtis Fuller
3 Bone & Bari 6:18
Written-By – Curtis Fuller
4 Heart And Soul 4:48
Written-By – Frank Loesser, Hoagy Carmichael
5 Again 7:18
Written-By – Dorcas Cochran, Lionel Newman
6 Pickup 5:46
Written-By – Curtis Fuller
Credits :
Baritone Saxophone – Tate Houston
Bass – Paul Chambers
Drums – Art Taylor
Piano – Sonny Clark
Trombone – Curtis Fuller

CURTIS FULLER — The Opener (1957) Two Version (1996, RM | MONOAURAL | The BN Works 1500 Series) + (1999, RM | Serie 24 Bit By RVG) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The Opener is trombonist Curtis Fuller's first album for Blue Note and it is a thoroughly impressive affair. Working with a quintet featuring tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley, pianist Bobby Timmons, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Art Taylor, Fuller runs through a set of three standards -- "A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening," "Here's to My Lady," "Soon" -- two originals and an Oscar Pettiford-penned calypso. The six songs give Fuller a chance to display his warm, fluid style in all of its variations. "A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening" illustrates that he can be seductive and lyrical on ballads, while the brassy "Hugore" and hard-swinging "Lizzy's Bounce" shows that he can play hard without getting sloppy. His backing musicians are equally impressive; in particular, Mobley's robust playing steals the show. In all, The Opener, along with his three earlier sessions for Prestige and New Jazz, establishes Fuller as one of the most distinctive and original hard bop trombonists of the late '50s. Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Tracklist :
1 A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening 6:50
Written-By – H. Adamson, J. McHugh
2 Hugore 6:41
Written-By – Curtis Fuller
3 Oscalypso 5:37
Written-By – Oscar Pettiford
4 Here's To My Lady 6:40
Written-By – J. Mercer, R. Bloom
5 Lizzy's Bounce 5:21
Written-By – Curtis Fuller
6 Soon 5:35
Written-By – G. Gershwin-I. Gershwin
Credits :
Bass – Paul Chambers
Drums – Art Taylor
Piano – Bobby Timmons
Tenor Saxophone – Hank Mobley
Trombone – Curtis Fuller

CURTIS FULLER — Volume 3 (1957-1999) RM | Serie 24 Bit By RVG | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Trombonist Curtis Fuller settled in New York in April of 1957, after working for several years in his native Detroit. Volume 3 pairs him with trumpeter Art Farmer, along with a buoyant rhythm section comprising Sonny Clark (who also relocated to N.Y.C. in April '57), George Tucker and Louis Hayes. This third solo recording for Fuller on the Blue Note label is stronger than its predecessors, especially in showcasing the trombonist's writing talents. The five original tunes and one standard feature some fine ensemble playing and cover a broad range from Afro-Cuban to medium swing to ballad. Fuller's composition "Carvon" is exceptional; the main theme is played on trombone accompanied only by bowed bass. This recording firmly established Curtis Fuller as a serious, mature voice on his instrument. Lee Bloom Tracklist & Credits

CURTIS FULLER — Two Bones (1958-2014) RM | SHM-CD | Serie Blue Note, The Masterworks | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 Tracklist & Credits :

THE CURTIS FULLER SEXTETTE — Imagination (1959-1991) RM | MONOAURAL | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Prior to the official formation of the Jazztet with trumpeter Art Farmer, trombonist Curtis Fuller and tenorman Benny Golson made several albums together, usually with other trumpeters. This somewhat rare date has trumpeter Thad Jones, bassist Jimmy Garrison, drummer Dave Bailey, and, most significantly, pianist McCoy Tyner in his recording debut completing the sextet. Fuller arranged all five of the songs, four of which were his originals. Although the material (other than the lone standard "Imagination") is unfamiliar, the chord changes inspire the players to create some fine solos. Easily recommended to hard bop fans lucky enough to find this album. Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits :

CURTIS FULLER QUINTET — Blues ette (1959-1991) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Sessions in any genre of music are all too often described as "sublime," but seldom has that description been better deserved than with this relaxed hard bop classic. One looks to other catchalls such as "effortless" and "loose," but even those slight this amazing date by implying a lack of intensity -- and intensity comes in all forms. For all intents and purposes, this is the first recorded meeting of what would become the famous Benny Golson/Art Farmer Jazztet (albeit without Farmer), a group most commonly associated with its 1960 Chess session, Meet the Jazztet. Curtis Fuller's next date, The Curtis Fuller Jazztet, and his appearance on the Chess date, only compound this point. Like perhaps Jimmy Smith's flagship, The Sermon, Blues-ette's brilliance manifests itself not only within the individual solos but also in the way the group functions as a collective. One gets the impression that these tunes could have continued for hours in the studio without the slightest lack of interest on anyone's part. This might be because many of the themes presented here are so basic and seemingly obvious that they don't seem like anything to write home about upon first listen. A day or so later, when you're walking down the street to the tempo of the title track, you may begin to think otherwise. These are some exceptionally catchy heads and many have since become standards. As far as individual performances are concerned, you're not likely to find better solos by any of the members of this quintet than you will here, though they all have extensive and very high-quality catalogs themselves. Picking highlights is a moot point. Blues-ette is best experienced as an entire LP. It would have surely made a greater impact upon its initial release had it been on a more high-profile label, such as Columbia or Blue Note, but there's no sense worrying about that now. Any serious jazz collection is incomplete without this record. Period. Brandon Burke   

THE CURTIS FULLER JAZZTET — The Curtis Fuller Jazztet With Benny Golson (1959-1991) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Like the other Savoy recordings of Curtis Fuller, The Curtis Fuller Jazztet is a relaxed hard bop set featuring many of the young stars of the day. The more famous Blues-ette, from earlier in 1959, featured Tommy Flanagan, Jimmy Garrison, and Al Harewood. This time, however, the Fuller/Golson combination included Lee Morgan, Wynton Kelly, Paul Chambers, and the percussive talents of drummer Charlie Persip. Listeners already acquainted with Blues-ette (or other comparable dates) should find this session to be familiar territory. Similarly, it is also very much in the same vein as another classic, Meet the Jazztet, upon which Fuller and Golson were again paired. Even though the compositions may not be as strong as those on Blues-ette (and how could they be?), there are a number of highly engaging solos by all and perhaps a bit more diversity with regard to both tempo and arrangement. Where Blues-ette's sublime grace stems from the collective understanding displayed by the group, the greatness of The Curtis Fuller Jazztet is to be found in the individual talents of the soloists. Of particular note are Golson's flights on up-tempo numbers such as the album's opener, "It's Alright With Me," and absolutely every soloist's take on the ballad "I'll Walk Alone." Let this highly recommended set also be a testament to the sparkling, Roy Haynes-like "snap-crackle" style of the underappreciated Charlie Persip. Brandon Burke   Tracklist & Credits : 

CURTIS FULLER — Images Of Curtis Fuller (1960-1991) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist & Credits :

CURTIS FULLER — The Boss of the Soul-Stream Trombone (1960-1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 An obscure set by trombonist Curtis Fuller that was originally put out by the Warwick label, this otherwise unremarkable set is sparked by the inclusion of the young trumpeter Freddie Hubbard (recently arrived from Indianapolis) and tenor saxophonist Yusef Lateef. With veteran bebopper Walter Bishop on piano and two players from Quincy Jones' big band (bassist Buddy Catlett and drummer Stu Martin), Fuller performs four originals and three standards (including "If I Were a Bell"). Hubbard's fiery statements often steal the show. Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits :

THE CURTIS FULLER QUINTET ft. ZOOT SIMS — South American Cookin' (1961-2014) RM | Serie Jazz Collection 1000 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist & Credits :

CURTIS FULLER — The Magnificent Trombone Of Curtis Fuller (1961-2014) Serie Jazz Collection 1000 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist & Credits :  

CURTIS FULLER — Soul Trombone + Cabin in the Sky (2011) RM | Serie Impulse! 2-On-1 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This budget two-fer in Impulse's 2011 reissue series offers trombonist Curtis Fuller's first two releases for the label, both recorded in 1961; they are his 18th and 19th overall. The first, Soul Trombone, recorded in November, is aptly titled and places Fuller as the leader of a stellar band that includes pianist Cedar Walton, trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, tenor saxophonist Jimmy Heath, Granville T. Hogan on drums, and either Jimmy Cobb or Jymie Merritt on bass. Of the six track on the set, three are originals, and they include the stellar hard bop offering "The Clan," the swinging "Newdles," and the breezy "Ladies Night." Two standard ballads here, "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning," and Stan Getz's arrangement of "Dear Old Stockholm," are also beautifully delivered. On this date, Fuller allowed all of his sidemen to stretch out and engage with one another generously. Cabin in the Sky is an entirely different kind of outing, and almost experimental -- though not in the avant-garde sense -- with Fuller leading a pair of different large bands that include a full string section arranged by Harry Lookofsky and conducted by Manny Albam. This date relies heavily (but not exclusively) on the tunes of Vernon Duke and John Latouche. The emphasis here is on texture, color, and harmony, but as a result, some of Fuller's authority is overshadowed by the elaborate and restrictive arrangements. That said, this set is far from uninteresting, and given the price tag, irresistible. Some of the players on this date include Bob Brookmeyer, Kai Winding, Hank Jones, Milt Hinton, and Osie Johnson. Standouts include non string-arranged tracks such as "Honey in the Honeycomb" and "Savannah."
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist & Credits :

CURTIS FULLER — Smokin' (1972-2017) RM | Serie Mainstream Records Master Collection – 70 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Trombonist Curtis Fuller's second Mainstream album has
some dated electronics and funk rhythms, although there are some worthwhile solos from the leader, trumpeter Bill Hardman, and Jimmy Heath on tenor and soprano. The rhythm section (guitarist Earl Dunbar, Cedar Walton on electric piano, electric bassist Mickey Bass and drummer Billy Higgins) weighs down the music a bit despite their obvious talents. The band stretches out on four Fuller originals (best is the 11-minute "Smokin'") and "Stella by Starlight," but the results are not too essential. Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits : 

CURTIS FULLER — Crankin' (1973-2017) RM | Serie Mainstream Records Master Collection – 15 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist & Credits :

CURTIS FULLER — Four On The Outside (1978-2015) RM | Serie Timeless Jazz Master Collection – 55 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

While Curtis Fuller may have reached his peak in the 1960s, he continued to be an important voice well into the 1970s and beyond. This delightful set features him in a front line with Pepper Adams, and the trombone-baritone saxophone combination was a natural. (Curiously, few others have followed this intriguing coupling.) While there is no new ground broken, Adams and Fuller negotiate tunes mostly written by Fuller, with simple, yet elegant heads. The version of "Hello Young Lovers" is characteristically conservative, yet sharp and well rehearsed. Fuller's nasal tone, machine gun-like spurts, and focus on the middle range on his horn complements Adams' angular, boppish lines. The fine rhythm section of pianist James Williams, bassist Dennis Irwin, and drummer John Yarling never gets in the way, but lets the horns spread their wings. Steve Loewy
Tracklist & Credits :