JAMES MOODY – 1948-1949 | The Chronogical Classics – 1116 (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

These earliest sessions recorded by saxophonist James Moody under his own leadership, follow his initial years with Dizzy Gillespie, an association that would be maintained off and on throughout Dizzy's life. The disc starts in chronological order with eight sides recorded for Blue Note in October 1948. Arranged by composer Gil Fuller and backed by Moody's Modernists, which were, in essence, musicians comprised of Dizzy Gillespie's band including baritone saxophonist Cecil Payne, alto saxophonist Ernie Henry, Chano Pozo, and Art Blakey. These sessions were recorded in New York before Moody left for Europe, not to return to the states until years later. The remaining 14 tracks find him jamming with European musicians and fellow American expatriates including fellow tenor saxophonist Don Byas, mixing bebop and standards recorded in Zurich, Paris, Lausanne, and Stockholm for Vogue, Blue Star, and Prestige. Al Campbell  
Tracklist + Credits :

JAMES MOODY – 1951-1954 | The Chronogical Classics – 1410 (2006) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Back in New York after three years spent gigging and recording in Europe, a mature and rejuvenated James Moody resumed the endless North American scuffle to get by as a contemporary jazz musician. Volume five in the Classics James Moody chronology presents 16 rare Mercury recordings made between October 1951 and June 1953, followed by eight Prestige titles from January and April, 1954. The first four tracks feature baritone saxophonist Cecil Payne; high points include the rowdy, bristling "Moody's Home" and "Wiggle Waggle," an R&B rocker that sounds like something right up out of the King record catalog. Beginning with the material recorded on May 21, 1952, Moody is heard leading a group largely composed of players who, like him, had worked in Dizzy Gillespie's big band. Two of these individuals -- trumpeter Dave Burns and baritone saxophonist Numa "Pee Wee" Moore -- show up regularly in the front line of Moody's excellent recording ensembles between 1952 and 1955. Special mention should be made of pianist Sadik Hakim as well as hip vocalists Iona Wade, Babs Gonzales, and the amazing Eddie Jefferson, who also served as Moody's band boss and road manager. If the Mercury titles are uniformly excellent, early modern jazz, James Moody's 1954 Prestige recordings, particularly his gorgeous rendition of "Over the Rainbow" and the breathtakingly vivid, dangerously danceable "Mambo With Moody" are enduring masterworks that warrant repeated listening. arwulf arwulf  
Tracklist + Credits :

JOHNNY GRIFFIN - Studio Jazz Party (1961-1997) RM | Original Jazz Classics Limited Edition Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This CD reissues a studio date that tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin and his quintet (trumpeter Dave Burns, pianist Norman Simmons, bassist Vic Sproles and drummer Ben Riley) performed before an invited and enthusiastic studio audience, who provided atmosphere. Babs Gonzales introduces several of the numbers, but proves to be an unnecessary presence. However, Griffin in particular plays quite well in this loose straight-ahead setting; Burns shows that he was always a very underrated trumpeter; and the five lengthy selections are all worth hearing. The best are "Good Bait" (which is almost 12½ minutes long), "Toe-Tappin'," and "Low Gravy." Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Party Time 1'14
Arnett Cobb
2     Good Bait 12'24
Count Basie / Tadd Dameron
3     There Will Never Be Another You 8'20
Mack Gordon / Harry Warren
4     Toe-Tappin' 7'53
David Burns
5     You've Changed 7'37
Bill Carey / Carl Fischer
6     Low Gravy 8'06
Babs Gonzales
Credits :
Bass – Victor Sproles
Drums – Ben Riley
Piano – Norman Simmons
Producer – Orrin Keepnews
Remastered By – Joe Tarantino
Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Griffin
Trumpet – Dave Burns