PHAROAH SANDERS - Africa (1987-2015) RM | Timeless Jazz Master Collection 11 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

As Kevin Whitehead's liner notes to this release reflect, Sanders "pays explicit tribute to his late mentor John Coltrane -- as this set's Coltrane-oriented sound makes unashamedly clear." Actually, Coltrane penned only one of the eight tunes, while Sanders wrote six, but the spirit of the master looms heavily throughout. Sanders displays an uncanny resemblance to Trane's unique way of over-blowing and his special ability to get inside a ballad. Pianist John Hicks is in perfect form and contributes mightily to the success of the session. Most will probably prefer the original Coltrane to Sanders' imitations, but Africa is nonetheless a joyous and worthy tribute to one of the giants of jazz. This album marked somewhat of a backtrack for the saxophonist, as he had frequently become identified with much more traditional playing. Steve Loewy
Tracklist :
1     You've Got to Have Freedom 10'01
Pharoah Sanders    
2     Naima 5'26
John Coltrane
3     Origin 6'50
Pharoah Sanders
4     Speak Low 8'04
Ogden Nash / Kurt Weill    
5     After the Morning 6'29
John Hicks
6     Africa 8'20
Pharoah Sanders
7     Heart to Heart 7'17
Pharoah Sanders    
8     Duo 4'32
Pharoah Sanders
Credits :
Bass – Curtis Lundy
Drums – Idris Muhammed
Piano – John Hicks
Tenor Saxophone – Pharoah Sanders

JOHNNY GRIFFIN & EDDIE 'LOCKJAW' DAVIS - Tough Tenors Back Again! (1984-2008) FLAC (tracks), lossless

During 1960-63, Johnny Griffin and Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis teamed up in a two-tenor quintet, inspiring each other to play at their most intense and swinging on a nightly basis. After the band's breakup, Griffin and Davis occasionally had reunions that found them playing as heatedly as ever. This 1998 CD, which released a particularly exciting encounter at Copenhagen's Montmartre in 1984 for the first time, has what might have been their last matchup since Lockjaw passed away two years later. With pianist Harry Pickens, bassist Curtis Lundy and drummer Kenny Washington keeping the momentum moving, the two tough tenors battle it out on a variety of basic material, including "Blues Up and Down" (which has a colorful chorus of conversational commentary by the two tenors before their solos), "Funky Fluke" and "Lester Leaps In." Throughout the heated bebop date, Griffin and Davis are heard at the peak of their powers, and the results are quite memorable. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Blues Up and Down 10'48
Gene Ammons / Sonny Stitt
2     Oh Gee 9'55
Matthew Gee
3     Call It What You Wanna 10'40
Johnny Griffin
4     Funky Fluke 12'09
Bernie Green
5     Hey Lock 14'41
Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis
6     Lester Leaps In 11'16
Lester Young
7     Intermission Riff 2'42
Ray Wetzel
Credits :
Bass – Curtis Lundy
Drums – Kenny Washington
Piano – Harry Pickens
Tenor Saxophone – Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis, Johnny Griffin

JOHNNY GRIFFIN & LOCKJAW DAVIS - Johnny Griffin & Lockjaw Davis in Copenhagen (1984-2007) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Johnny Griffin and Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis locked horns and raised a little hell during this exciting blowing session that took place at the Café Montmartre in Copenhagen on July 10, 1984. They were aided and abetted by pianist Harry Pickens, bassist Curtis Lundy, and drummer Kenny Washington -- the same rhythm section that had performed with Griff at the Berlin Friedrichstadtpalast nearly a month earlier. The original "Tough Tenors" formula dates back to the early '60s when Griff and Jaws collaborated on a series of definitive, mainstream two-tenor albums. This live reunion date is a marvel of spontaneous combustion; the horns cavort and jostle, barking and purling with joyous abandon. Sadly, this recording lands near the end of the Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis' discography. He was recorded in Europe by producer Norman Granz in 1985, retreated back to the U.S. and passed away in Culver City, CA in November of 1986. This is a reissue of Storyville (#8298), released in 1998 as Tough Tenors Back Again!. arwulf arwulf
Tracklist :
1     Blues Up and Down 10'49
Gene Ammons / Sonny Stitt
2     Oh, Gee 9'57
Matthew Gee
3     Call It What You Wanna 10'38
Johnny Griffin
4     Funky Fluke 12'12
5     Hey Lock 14'42
6     Lester Leaps In 11'17
Lester Young
7     Intermission Riff 3'20
Ray Wetzel
Credits :
Bass – Curtis Lundy
Drums – Kenny Washington
Piano – Harry Pickens
Tenor Saxophone – Lockjaw Davis, Johnny Griffin