LEE RITENOUR — Rhythm Sessions (2012) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Lee Ritenour's Rhythm Sessions is, in a roundabout way, a companion album to 2010's Six String Theory. For that record, he sought out a slew of guitar greats to celebrate their joint love for the instrument. Here, Ritenour assembles another top-flight cast for a set of tunes that range from fusion to pop, from contemporary jazz to post-bop and more. "The Village" places the guitarist with George Duke, Stanley Clarke, drummer Dave Weckl, and percussionist Munyungo Jackson. The fusion groove is nocturnal, slippery, even bluesy. Kurt Elling joins Dave Grusin, Nathan East, and Will Kennedy for an elegant reading of Nick Drake's "River Man." Ritenour's revisioning of Herbie Hancock's "Fat Albert Rotunda" showcases just how savvy he is at adapting a jazz-funk classic for the 21st century without sacrificing its vigor. The band -- Patrice Rushen on acoustic piano with Debron Johnson on Rhodes, Marcus Miller and Melvin Lee Davis on basses, Rob Bacon on rhythm guitar, and Oscar Seaton on drums -- rock it up a bit while keeping the ensemble and rhythmic interplay fluid, yet firmly in the pocket. Ritenour surprises by including two tunes by the European piano trio E.S.T.: "800 Streets by Feet" and "Spam-Boo-Limbo." In both cases, he uses the harmonic elasticity of the originals to dig inside their hardwired, interlocking grooves. He reveals them as rife for contemporary jazz as well as post-bop. Chick Corea stars on his own shimmering "Children's Song," with Ritenour playing classical guitar augmented by drummer Peter Erskine and Chuck Bergdorfer on bass. This set is not all cover tunes, however; Ritenour contributes three fine compositions -- "July" (a breezy little funk tune with excellent bass work by Melvin Davis), "Rose Pedals" (a crossover classical jazz piece), and "Dolphins Don't Dance" (a limber, Latin-tinged modern jazz tune with Larry Goldings on B-3). The set closer is a reading of Grusin's elegant, R&B-flavored "Punta del Soul," featuring the three young winners of his Six String Theory Guitar & Rhythm Section Competition. Rhythm Sessions underscores Ritenour's ability to place himself in any jazz ensemble -- he's almost chameleon-like -- without sacrificing his unique voice or ability as a soloist. This utterly unique recording in the contemporary jazz genre is a fine showcase for his skills as a bandleader.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist :
1.    The Village  5:06
Acoustic Bass – Stanley Clarke
Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Drums – Dave Weckl
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Synthesizer [Moog] – George Duke
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Percussion – Munyungo Jackson
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Lee Ritenour
2.    River Man  4:35
Arranged By – Ariel Mann, Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenour
Bass – Nathan East
Drums – Will Kennedy
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Dave Grusin
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Vocals – Kurt Elling
Written-By – Nick Drake
3.    Fat Albert Rotunda  4:43
Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Drums – Oscar Seaton
Electric Bass – Marcus Miller, Melvin Lee Davis
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Deron Johnson
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Percussion – Munyungo Jackson
Piano [Acoustic] – Patrice Rushen
Rhythm Guitar – Rob Bacon
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Herbie Hancock
4.    800 Streets By Feet  3:25
Acoustic Bass – Christian McBride
Arranged By – Ariel Mann, Lee Ritenour
Drums – Wesley Ritenour
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Guitar, Keyboards, Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Dan Berglund, Esbörn Svensson, Magnus Öström
5.    Children's Song #1  5:16
Acoustic Bass – Chuck Berghofer
Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Classical Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Drums – Peter Erskine
Piano – Chick Corea
Piano [Additional] – Alan Pasqua
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Chick Corea
6.    La By Bike  5:44
Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Bass – Melvin Lee Davis
Drums – Sonny Emory
Electric Organ [Hammond B3] – Larry Goldings
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Lee Ritenour
7.    Maybe Tomorrow  3:41
Arranged By – Ariel Mann, Lee Ritenour
Bass Guitar – Tal Wilkenfeld
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Engineer [Additional] – R.J. Benjamin
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Keyboards, Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Vocals – Zamajobe
Written By – Benjamin Einziger, George Purviance, Paul Fried, Stephanie Eitel
Written-By [Uncredited] – Kelly Jones
8.    Spam-Boo-Limbo 4:01
Arranged By – Ariel Mann, Lee Ritenour
Bass – Tal Wilkenfeld
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Piano – John Beasley
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Dan Berglund, Esbörn Svensson, Magnus Öström
9.    July  4:54
Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Drums – Sonny Emory
Electric Bass – Melvin Lee Davis
Electric Organ [Hammond B3] – Larry Goldings
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Lee Ritenour
10.    Rose Pedals  3:53
Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Bass [Yamaha Silet Bass] – Nathan East
Drums – Will Kennedy
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Piano [Acoustic] – Dave Grusin
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Lee Ritenour
11.    Dolphins Don't Dance  6:50
Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Drums – Peter Erskine
Electric Organ [Hammond B3], Pedalboard [Bass Pedals] – Larry Goldings
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Piano [Acoustic] – Alan Pasqua
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Lee Ritenour
12.    Punta Del Soul  5:29
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass – Michael Feinberg
Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Drums – Selim Munir
Electric Organ [Hammond B3] – Hans De Wild
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Piano [Acoustic], Arranged By [Additional] – Demetrius Nabors
Written-By – Dave Grusin

LEE RITENOUR — A Twist Of Rit (2015) SHM-CD | Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Released in conjunction with a five-LP vinyl box set of some of his classic albums, guitarist Lee Ritenour's 2015 studio effort, A Twist of Rit, finds him looking back over his career, revisiting and reworking songs from some of his earliest albums. In fact, many of the songs here were culled off his debut record, 1975's First Course. Joining Ritenour on A Twist of Rit are such longtime collaborators as pianist Dave Grusin, drummer Dave Weckl, saxophonist Ernie Watts, and Fender Rhodes keyboardist John Beasley. Also featured is classical guitarist Tony Pusztai, who took home the grand prize in Ritenour's 2014 Six String Theory competition. Musically, this is soulful, groove-oriented jazz that will be familiar to most of Ritenour's longtime fans. And while many of the cuts on A Twist of Rit are reworked versions of older songs like "Wild Rice," "Fatback," and "Sweet Syncopation," they've been given new arrangements (hence, the "twist") and sound as contemporary as anything off Ritenour's previous Concord album, 2012's Rhythm Sessions. The transformation works especially well on the melody for "Soaring," off 1986's Earth Run. Originally played on the MIDI-controlled SynthAxe, here Ritenour sticks to a rounded, more natural guitar tone for a nuanced, modern fusion sound. Nonetheless, cuts like the sultry "Ooh Yeah" and the organic "A Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That," replete with a hard-hitting R&B horn section, retain much of the breezy '70s soul style that made them sound so fresh to begin with. Similarly, "Countdown" from 1985's Rit, Vol. 1 and "Bullet Train" from 1979's Friendship 2 have the loose, congenial vibe of old friends reuniting. Ultimately, A Twist of Rit works to remind listeners of Ritenour's legacy as one of the driving innovators of instrumental smooth jazz. Matt Collar
Tracklist :
1.    Wild Rice  5:32
Lee Ritenour
Baritone Saxophone – Adam Schroeder
Clavinet, Synthesizer – John Beasley
Drums – Ron Bruner Jr.
Electric Bass – Melvin Lee Davis
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Patrice Rushen 

Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Rhythm Guitar – Michael Thompson
Tenor Saxophone – Tom Luer
Tenor Saxophone, Soloist – Ernie Watts
Trombone – Wendell Kelly
Trumpet – Rashawn Ross
2.    Fatback  5:51
Lee Ritenour
Baritone Saxophone – Bob Sheppard
Drums – Chris Coleman (9)
Electric Bass – Melvin Lee Davis*
Electric Piano [Wurlitzer] – John Beasley
Organ [Hammond B3], Soloist – Dave Grusin
Rhythm Guitar, Soloist – Michael Thompson
Tenor Saxophone – Ernie Watts
Trombone – Wendell Kelly
Trumpet – Rashawn Ross
3.    Ooh Yeah  5:01
Lee Ritenour
Drums – Ron Bruner Jr.
Electric Bass – Melvin Lee Davis
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – John Beasley
Flugelhorn – Rashawn Ross
Flute – Bob Sheppard
Rhythm Guitar – Michael Thompson
Synth [Minimoog] – Dave Grusin
4.    W.O.R.K.N' IT (Weckl, Ozone, Ritenour, Kennedy)  7:51
Lee Ritenour
Acoustic Bass – Tom Kennedy 
Drums – Dave Weckl
Organ [Hammond B3] – Makoto Ozone
5.    Little Bit of This and a Little Bit of That  5:36
Lee Ritenour
Arranged By [Original Horn] – Michael Omartian
Baritone Saxophone – Adam Schroeder
Drums – Ron Bruner Jr.*
Electric Bass – Melvin Lee Davis*
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – John Beasley
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Piano [Acoustic] – Dave Grusin
Rhythm Guitar – Michael Thompson
Tenor Saxophone – Ernie Watts
Trombone – Wendell Kelly
Trumpet – Rashawn Ross
6.    Pearl  4:50
Lee Ritenour
Acoustic Bass – Tom Kennedy 
Drums, Drums [Hand] – Dave Weckl
Piano [Acoustic] – Makoto Ozone
7.    Twist of Rit  5:38
Lee Ritenour
Drums – Chris Coleman 
Electric Bass – Melvin Lee Davis
Flugelhorn – Rashawn Ross
Flute – Bob Sheppard
Guitar – David T. Walker, Wah Wah Watson
Piano [Acoustic] – Dave Grusin
Programmed By – Lee Ritenour
Synthesizer, Arranged By [Horns] – John Beasley
Tenor Saxophone – Ernie Watts
Trombone – Wendell Kelly
8.    Countdown  4:51
Lee Ritenour
Clavinet, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Dave Grusin
Drums – Chris Coleman 
Electric Bass – Melvin Lee Davis
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Synthesizer – John Beasley
Rhythm Guitar – Michael Thompson
9.    Soaring  8:10
Lee Ritenour
Acoustic Guitar – Michael Thompson
Drums – Ron Bruner Jr.
Electric Bass – Melvin Lee Davis
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – John Beasley
Synth [Vibes] – Dave Grusin
Tenor Saxophone – Ernie Watts
10.    Sweet Syncopation  5:28
Lee Ritenour
Baritone Saxophone – Adam Schroeder
Clavinet – John Beasley
Drums – Ron Bruner Jr.
Electric Bass – Melvin Lee Davis
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Patrice Rushen
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Rhythm Guitar – Michael Thompson
Tenor Saxophone – Ernie Watts
Trombone – Wendell Kelly
Trumpet – Rashawn Ross
11.    Bullet Train  6:36
Lee Ritenour / Ernie Watts
Drums – Ron Bruner Jr.*
Electric Bass – Melvin Lee Davis*
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – John Beasley
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Piano [Acoustic], Synthesizer – Dave Grusin
Saxophone – Ernie Watts
12.    Waltz For Carmen  4:58
Mitch Holder / Lee Ritenour
Classical Guitar – Tony Pusztair 

RITENOUR | GRUSIN — Brasil (2024) | FLAC (tracks), 24-48Hz

Pianist Dave Grusin and guitarist Lee Ritenour are longtime collaborators who have worked together, periodically, for 50 years. In 1985, they released Harlequin, a collection inspired by Brazilian popular music, and brought Brazilian musicians to Los Angeles to record it. Brasil is a sequel appearing some 40 years later. This time, after recruiting a cast of players, Grusin and Ritenour traveled to Rio to record with bassist Bruno Migotto, drummer Edú Ribeiro, acoustic guitarist/vocalist Chico Pinheiro, percussionist Marcelo Costa, and vocalists Celso Fonseca, Ivan Lins, and Tatiana Parra. Harmonica maestro Grégoire Maret also appears.

The material melds contemporary jazz with bossa, gentle samba, and MPB. The featured duo contributed three compositions to the set. Opener "Cravo e Canela," composed by Milton Nascimento and Ronaldo Bastos, is led by the glorious acoustic and electric guitar interplay from Pinheiro and Ritenour, before Parra and Maret claim the foreground, guided by Grusin's piano stitching harmonies and rhythms. "For the Palms," by Rit, is a vehicle for Maret that weds mysterious samba and forro to contemporary jazz. The interplay between guitarist, pianist, and harmonicist is canny and tasteful. Nascimento's glorious "Catavento" blends Minas Gerais-style folk (the composer's hometown) with funky modern jazz that includes a killer uncredited flute break and tasty electric piano from Grusin. On "Vitoriosa," Lins (who composed the song with Vitor Martins) and Parra sound dangerously similar to Elis Regina and Antônio Carlos Jobim, guided by Grusin's keys, layered percussion, and a brushed snare. "Meu Samba Torto" ("My Crooked Samba") was written by Fonseca and includes his lithe, sensual vocals. Speaking of Jobim, the band covers the composer's magnificent "Stone Flower" with killer ensemble play from the percussionists, Migotto's rippling bassline, and Grusin's lower-register piano vamps leading the rhythm section as Ritenour lays down elliptical lines. The sultry, bumping samba "Boca de Siri" was composed by Pinheiro and brother Paulo César Pinheiro. The guitarist kicks it off and sings, while Ritenour adds ballast, color, and texture atop Grusin's layered keys, as the bassist guides the rhythm section in delivering slippery, silvery funk à la Azymuth. Ritenour's "Lil' Rock Way" features Maret as its primary soloist, with breezy, wordless backing vocals from Parra. Its bluesy guitar feel meets the band's progressive bossa beats and Grusin's lyrical chord voicings to create what is essentially a new jazz hybrid. Brasil's meld of styles inside such an accessible, continually grooving presentation offers listeners an organic, modern fusion without artifice or production gimmicks. It's one of one the more compelling intersections of music and culture thus far in the 21st century.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist :
1        Cravo E Canela (Clove And Cinnamon) 4:03
Featuring – Grégoire Maret, Tatiana Parra
Written-By – Milton Nascimento, Ronaldo Bastos
2        For The Palms 3:36
Featuring – Grégoire Maret
Written-By – Lee Ritenour
3        Catavento 3:20
Written-By – Milton Nascimento
4        Vitoriosa (Victorious) 4:48
Featuring – Ivan Lins, Tatiana Parra
Written-By – Ivan Lins, Vitor Martins
5        Meu Samba Torto (My Crooked Samba) 5:48
Featuring – Celso Fonseca, Tatiana Parra
Written-By – Celso Fonseca
6        Stone Flower 7:06
Featuring – Chico Pinheiro
Written-By – Antonio Carlos Jobim
7        Boca De Siri (Keep It Quiet) 4:04
Featuring – Chico Pinheiro
Written-By – Chico Pinheiro, Paulo César Pinheiro
8        Lil' Rock Way 5:12
Featuring – Grégoire Maret
Written-By – Lee Ritenour
9        Canto Invierno (Winter Song) 3:53
Written-By – Dave Grusin
Credits :
Bass – Bruno Migotto
Drums – Edu Ribeiro
Guitar,  Producer, Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Guitar, Vocals – Celso Fonseca, Chico Pinheiro
Harmonica – Grégoire Maret
Other [Music Preparation] – Gary Lee
Percussion – Marcelo Costa
Piano, Keyboards – Dave Grusin
Vocals – Ivan Lins, Tatiana Parra

RAY BROWN — Brown's Bag (1976-1991) Concord Jazz Collector's Series | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Bassist Ray Brown's debut for Concord (and his first recording as a leader in six years) features him with two separate groups: a quintet also including trumpeter Blue Mitchell, tenor-saxophonist Richie Kamuca, pianist Art Hillery and drummer John Guerin and (on three of the seven songs) a quartet with keyboardist Dave Grusin, guitarist John Collins and drummer Jimmie Smith. While the former group has some hot moments (particularly on "Blues for Eddie Lee" and "Surrey with the Fringe on Top"), the latter band sticks to dreamy ballads. The fact that this CD reissue has less than 35 minutes is a minus; plus none of the selections are really all that memorable despite the strong playing. Not one of the more significant Ray Brown albums. Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits : 

LEE RITENOUR & DAVE GRUSIN - Amparo (2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The careers of these two jazz legends have diverged wildly since they celebrated a lifetime of friendship and collaborations with their critically acclaimed, Grammy nominated classical excursion Two Worlds in 2000. While Ritenour has kept up a busy recording pace with gems like Smoke 'N' Mirrors and his all-star tribute productions A Twist of Marley and A Twist of Motown, Grusin was largely MIA from the original recording realm, popping up only briefly in 2004 with Now Playing: Movie Themes -- Solo Piano, featuring acoustic interpretations of his best film score pieces. No doubt Grusin's fans would still love a return to the pop/jazz realm, but there's no shortage of brilliance from either performer on their classical sequel Amparo, a worthy follow-up to the first project. On the original, they took a very traditional approach, exploring the works of Bach, Bartók, and Villa-Lobos, among others, but on Amparo, the greatest surprise is the wider ranging multi-culturalism. Grusin himself composed the hypnotic opening suite of "Three Latin American Dances," which roll from a spritely "Tango en Parque Central" to percussive and dramatic swings through "Danzon de Etiqueta" and "Joropo Peligroso." The lone holdover guest from the first project is opera great Renée Fleming, whose wordless transcendence blends magically with violinist Joshua Bell on a dreamy Gabriel Fauré piece. The duo then goes folky to pleasing effect on the graceful, charmingly lyrical and orchestra enhanced "English Folk Song Suite," which they cap with "Since I First Saw Your Face," a bright slice of 17th century English romance delivered sweetly by guest vocalist James Taylor. Before returning to tradition via the rich string arrangement on Ravel's "Mother Goose Suite," Grusin and Ritenour lovingly recall their mid-'80s Brazilian-influenced jazz project Harlequin by tapping into Jobim's passionate "Olha Maria (Amparo)" with the sweetening of Bell's violin. The thoughtful Rit original "Echos" is followed by two wonderful showcases for one of the 2000s most popular trumpeters, Chris Botti, who is perfectly at home bringing beauty and brilliance to "Adagio in G Minor" and Handel's lively "Rinaldo, Duetto," which he performs as a cheery, then pensive, then happy again narrative duet with Fleming's world-renowned vocal prowess. The sheer artistry of Amparo will make fans of all of the artists involved hope that the dynamic duo won't wait till 2016 before enchanting them again with this kind of welcome excursion. by Jonathan Widran  
Tracklist :
Three Latin American Dances   
1    I. Tango En Parque Central 4:39
Composed By – Dave Grusin
2    II. Danzon De Etiqueta 4:51
Composed By – Dave Grusin
3    III. Joropo Peligroso 6:19
Composed By – Dave Grusin
4    Pavane, Op. 50 5:51
Composed By – Gabriel Fauré
Soprano Vocals – Renée Fleming
Violin – Joshua Bell
5    English Folk Song Suite - My Bonny Boy 5:04
Composed By – Ralph Vaughan Williams
Percussion – Luis Conte
6    Since First I Saw Your Face 3:33
Composed By – Anonymous
Flute [Wooden] – Dan Higgins
Vocals – James Taylor
7    Olha Maria (Amparo) 4:37
Composed By – Antonio Carlos Jobim
Violin – Joshua Bell
8    Ma Mère L'Oye (Mother Goose Suite) 4:50
Composed By – Maurice Ravel
9    Échos 5:56
Composed By – Lee Ritenour
Percussion – Luis Conte
10    Adagio In G Minor 5:37
Composed By – Tomaso Albinoni
Trumpet – Chris Botti
11    Duetto: Scherzano Sul Tuo Volto From "Rinaldo" 3:58
Composed By – George Frideric Handel
Soprano Vocals – Renée Fleming
Trumpet – Chris Botti
Credits :
Arranged By – Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenour (faixas: 9)
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Piano – Dave Grusin

LEE RITENOUR & DAVE GRUSIN - Two Worlds (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Forging a unique creative relationship, Lee Ritenour and Dave Grusin's mutual professional history extends back some two decades. Ritenour was a core artist on Grusin's label, GRP, throughout the 1980s and early '90s; in 1986, they first collaborated on the Grammy Award winning Harlequin, a critically-acclaimed, Brazilian-themed recording. Ritenour also appeared on many of the pianist/composer's film scores and solo recordings, and the two jammed together on GRP Super Live in 1987. Two Worlds, the classical-oriented labor of love that reunites the two legends, is more than simply a beautiful creative departure from their usual jazz-oriented projects. A blend of original compositions and respectful reworkings of timeless classics from Bach, Bartok, Villalobos, Mompov, and Segovia, the collection -- which features stellar guest performances by opera star Renee Fleming, violinist Gil Shaham, and cellist Julian Lloyd-Webber -- finds Ritenour and Grusin joyously reconnecting with their rich classical roots. Among the highlights are the lush, highly percussive Vivaldi/Bach piece "Bach Concerto, featuring a twenty-piece string section; "Bachianas Aria," a piece from Brazilian composer Villalobos, provides a showcase for opera diva Renee Fleming. As for the original compositions, there's the haunting, melodic "Elegia," which Grusin composed many years ago for his late father, a violinist, featuring Gil Shaham; "Lagrima (Lee's Prelude)," a graceful Ritenour original led by the classical guitar; "River's Song," Grusin's clever medley adaptation of the folk songs "The Water Is Wide" and "Shenandoah," featuring Fleming on vocals and "Canto," an Italian-styled "winter song" which Grusin originally wrote for a Ritenour project in the late '70s. Timeless yet contemporary, Two Worlds is beautiful reunion of these musical soul mates. by Jonathan Widran  
Tracklist :
Concerto for 4 harpsichords, strings & continuo in A minor (after Vivaldi, RV 580), BWV 1065    
1     1. Allegro 4:34
Johann Sebastian Bach
Transcription By – Dave Grusin
Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5, for voice & piano, A. 390    
2     Aria (Cantilena) 5:05
Heitor Villa-Lobos
Transcription By – Dave Grusin
Featuring, Soprano Vocals – Renée Fleming
Sonatina for guitar in A major    
3     2. Andante 4:32
Federico Moreno Torroba / Moreno Federi Larrega Torroba
Percussion – Luis Conte
Transcription By – Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenour
Elegia, for 2 violins ("A Henri")    
4     Introduction and Epilogue from "Liebesleid" 3:22
Dave Grusin
Featuring, Violin – Gil Shaham, Ralph Morrison
Music By [Introduction & Epilogue from "Liebesleid"] – Fritz Kreisler
Suite Populaire Espagnole, for violin & piano (arr. from "Popular Spanish Songs" by Kochanski)    
5     3. Cancion 3:59
Manuel de Falla
Arranged By – Dave Grusin
6     Prelude for guitar No. 8 in A minor "Lágrima" 4:19
Lee Ritenour / Francisco Tárrega
7     River Songs (The Water Is Wide/Shenandoah) 7:01
Traditional
Adapted By (Text), Arranged By – Dave Grusin
Featuring, Soprano Vocals – Renée Fleming
Romanian Folk Dances (6) (Román népi táncok), for piano, Sz. 56, BB 68    
8     Stick Dance - Sash Dance - Stamping Dance - Horn Dance - Romanian Polka - Fast Dance 6:45
Béla Bartók
Transcription By – Dave Grusin
Featuring, Violin – Gil Shaham
Suite compostelana, for guitar    
9     3. Cuna 4:26
Federico Mompou
Transcription By – Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenour
Suite Populaire Espagnole, for violin & piano (arr. from "Popular Spanish Songs" by Kochanski)    
10     1. El Pano Moruno 3:18
Manuel de Falla
Arranged By – Dave Grusin
Bass – Tom Kennedy
Drums, Percussion – Alex Acuña
Featuring, Flute – James Walker
Sonata for flute & keyboard in E flat major, BWV 1031    
11     Siciliana 2:13
Johann Sebastian Bach
Featuring, Cello – Julian Lloyd Webber
Transcription By – Dave Grusin
12     Canto Invierno, for guitar & piano 3:59
Dave Grusin
Credits :
Adapted By [Strings], Arranged By [String] – Dave Grusin (faixas: 6, 9), Jorge Calandrelli (faixas: 6, 9)
Bass – Ed Meares
Cello – Cecilia Tsan, Christina Soule, Paula Hochhalter, Steve Erdody
Contractor [Orchestra] – Debbi Datz-Pyle, Patti Zimmitti, The Music Team
Viola – Carole Castillo, Carole Mukogawa, Carrie Holzman-Little, Jennie Hansen, Karen Elaine Bakunin, Keith Green, Mathew Funes, Renita Koven, Roland Kato, Scott Haupert, Victoria E. Miskolczy
Violin – Amy Hershberger, Clayton Haslop, Frances Moore, Gary Kuo, Henry Gronnier, Julie Gigante, Karen Jones, Kathleen Lenski, Lesa Terry, Leslie Katz, Liane Mautner, Lily Ho Chen, Lisa Sutton, Marc Sazer, Margaret Wooten, Mario DeLeon, Michelle Kim, Natalie Leggett, Phillip Levy, Rachel Purkin, Richard Altenbach, Roger Wilkie, Sara Parkins, Susan Rishik, Tamara Hatwan
Violin, Concertmaster – Margaret Batjer, Ralph Morrison

DAVE GRUSIN - Dave Grusin Presents West Side Story (1997) Mp3

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the opening of West Side Story on Broadway, Dave Grusin revived the score, giving its ten themes fresh arrangements that keep the original melodies in mind but add a stronger dose of jazz and Afro-Cuban rhythms to the music. For the most rewarding recording of this music since Stan Kenton's powerful renditions of the early 1960s, Grusin utilized an all-star big band with strings. Among the key soloists are trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, Bill Evans (who takes several superlative soprano solos), Michael Brecker on tenor, baritonist Ronnie Cuber and flutist Dave Valentin (who is featured on a purposely cute rendition of "I Feel Pretty") plus the pianist/leader, who clearly loves the music. In addition, one song apiece features vocalists Jonathan Butler ("Maria"), Gloria Estefan and Jon Secada. Although one wishes that the singers were more jazz-oriented (or that the entire date were instrumental), the overall result is a very respectful yet creative reworking of the famous score. Highly recommended. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Prologue 5:01
Leonard Bernstein / Stephen Sondheim
Arranged By – Dave Grusin, Don Sebesky
2     Something's Coming 5:34
Leonard Bernstein / Stephen Sondheim
Arranged By – Dave Grusin, Don Sebesky
3     Jet Song 7:42
Leonard Bernstein / Stephen Sondheim
Arranged By – Dave Grusin, Michael Abene
4     Maria 4:24
Leonard Bernstein / Stephen Sondheim
Arranged By – Dave Grusin
5     Cool 4:48
Leonard Bernstein / Stephen Sondheim
Arranged By – Dave Grusin, Tom Scott
6     Tonight 4:05
Leonard Bernstein / Stephen Sondheim
Arranged By – Dave Grusin
7     I Feel Pretty 5:16
Leonard Bernstein / Stephen Sondheim
Arranged By – Dave Grusin
8     One Hand, One Heart 4:30
Leonard Bernstein / Stephen Sondheim
Arranged By – Dave Grusin
9     Somewhere 4:26
Leonard Bernstein / Stephen Sondheim
Arranged By – Dave Grusin
10     America 8:20
Leonard Bernstein / Stephen Sondheim
Arranged By – Dave Grusin, Michael Abene
All Credits :

DAVE GRUSIN / LEE RITENOUR - Harlequin (1985) WV (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Harlequin (Arlequim Desconhecido) 4:42
Composed By – Ivan Lins
Lyrics By – Victor Martins
2    Early A.M. Attitude 4:59
Composed By – Dave Grusin
3    San Ysidro 4:59
Composed By – Lee Ritenour
4    Before It´s Too Late (Antes Que Seja Tarde) 5:18
Composed By – Ivan Lins
Lyrics By – Victor Martins
5    Silent Message 6:09
Composed By – Dave Grusin
6    Cats Of Rio 5:18
Composed By – Don Grusin
7    Beyond The Storm (Depois Dos Temporais)     5:37
Composed By – Ivan Lins
Lyrics By – Victor Martins
8    Grid-Lock 4:03
Composed By – Lee Ritenour
9    The Bird 5:48
Composed By – Harvey Mason, Mike Lang
Credits :
Backing Vocals – Carol Rogers (faixas: 1, 4), Marietta Waters (faixas: 1, 4), Regina Werneck (faixas: 1, 4)
Bass – Abraham Laboriel (faixas: 5, 8), Jimmy Johnson (faixas: 1 to 4, 6, 7)
Drums – Carlos Vega (faixas: 1 to 4, 5, 6), Harvey Mason (faixas: 1, 4)
Guitar, Producer, Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Percussion – Alex Acuña (faixas: 1, 8), Paulinho Da Costa
Piano, Keyboards – Dave Grusin
Programmed By [Drums] – Harvey Mason
Programmed By [Midi-piano] – Randy Goodrum
Programmed By [Synthesizer] – Marcus Ryle
Vocals – Ivan Lins (faixas: 1, 4)

JOE PASS AND PAULINHO DA COSTA - Tudo Bem! (1978-1985) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

After countless solo guitar albums for Pablo, Joe Pass performed this welcome change of pace, a set of Brazilian tunes. Joined by fellow guitarist Oscar Castro Neves, bassist Octavio Bailly, drummer Claudio Slon, percussionist Paulinho da Costa and keyboardist Don Grusin, Pass plays warm solos on a variety of Brazilian tunes. Highlights include three songs by Antonio Carlos Jobim (including "Corcovado" and "Wave"), Deodato's "Tears," and Luiz Bonfa's "The Gentle Rain." A melodic and infectious date that has been reissued on CD. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Corcovado 6:20
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
2     Tears (Razao de Viver) 3:32
Deodato
3     Wave 10:08
Antônio Carlos Jobim
4     Voce (You) 3:10
Ronaldo Bôscoli / Roberto Menescal
5     If You Went Away 3:04
Marcos Valle
6     Que Que Ha? 4:11
Don Grusin / Octavio Bailly, Jr.
7     The Gentle Rain (Chuva Delicada) 4:11
Luiz Bonfá / Matt Dubey
8     Barquinho 6:11
Ronaldo Bôscoli / Roberto Menescal
9     Luciana 4:55
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Gene Lees / Vinícius de Moraes
10     I Live to Love 3:20
Oscar Castro-Neves / Luverci Fiorini / Ray Gilbert
Credits :
Bass – Octavio Bailly Jr
Drums – Claudio Slon
Guitar – Joe Pass, Oscar Castro Neves
Keyboards – Don Grusin
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Producer – Norman Granz

TOOTS THIELEMANS - The Brasil Project (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This popular set matches the brilliant harmonica player Toots Thielemans with such top Brazilian performers as Ivan Lins, Djavan, Oscar Castro-Neves, Dori Caymmi, Ricardo Silveira, João Bosco, Gilberto Gil, Milton Nascimento, Caetano Veloso, Luiz Bonfá, Edu Lobo and Eliane Elias, in addition to bassist Brian Bromberg, keyboardist Michael Lang, trumpeter Mark Isham and Dave Grusin. Thielemans is often in a supportive role behind the many soothing Brazilian singers and performers. The atmospheric date surprisingly does not have any Antonio Carlos Jobim songs, instead emphasizing lesser-known tunes (other than Toots' greatest hit "Bluesette"). Easily recommended to fans of Brazilian pop and jazz, this CD was soon followed by a second (and equally rewarding) set featuring many of the same performers. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Comecar de Novo 3:54
Ivan Lins / Vitor Martins
2     Obi 4:22
Djavan
3     Felicia and Bianca 2:59
Oscar Castro-Neves
4     O Cantador 4:09
Dori Caymmi / Nelson Motta
5     Joana Francesca 5:56
Chico Buarque
6     Coisa Feita 4:25
Aldir Blanc / João Bosco / Paulo Emilio
7     Preciso Aprender a So Ser 3:17
Gilberto Gil
8     Fruta Boa 5:41
Fernando Brant / Milton Nascimento
9     Coração Vagabundo 4:27
Caetano Veloso
10     Manha de Carnaval 3:27
Luiz Bonfá / Antônio Maria
11     Casa Forte 3:37
Edú Lobo
12     Moments 2:35
Eliane Elias
13     Bluesette 9:39
Norman Gimbel / Toots Thielemans
Credits :
Bass – Brian Bromberg, Jamil Joanes, Nico Assumpção
Contrabass – Marc Johnson
Drums – Teo Lima
Electric Guitar – Ricardo Silveira
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Harmonica – Toots Thielemans
Keyboards – Gilson Peranzzetta, Mike Lang
Percussion – Cassio Duarte, Paulinho Da Costa
Performer – Caetano Veloso, Chico Buarque, Djavan, Dori Caymmi, Edu Lobo, Eliane Elias, Gilberto Gil, Ivan Lins, João Bosco, Luis Bonfá, Milton Nascimento
Piano – Dave Grusin
Producer, Performer – Oscar Castro-Neves
Trumpet – Mark Isham

DAVE GRUSIN / DON GRUSIN - Sticks and Stones (1988) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This set works very well. Dave Grusin and his younger brother Don Grusin use a variety of keyboards to create a series of colorful duets. Other than Dori Caymmi's "Southern Wind," all of the fairly spontaneous yet well-planned performances are originals by one or both of the brothers. Even listeners who are not that much into electronics will find much of interest on this melodic and funky, yet often unpredictable set.  by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 Birds With Long Legs 5:03
Dave Grusin
2 Pico Pica 4:57
Don Grusin
3 Sailing at Night 4:19
Don Grusin
4 River Song 5:10
Dave Grusin / Don Grusin
5 Sticks and Stones 6:08
Dave Grusin / Don Grusin
6 Glissade 5:18
Dave Grusin
7 Good Ol' Boys 7:28
Don Grusin / Waylon Jennings
8 This Little Pig's Got the Blues 5:28
Don Grusin
9 Dog Heaven 04:49
Don Grusin
10 Southern Wind 4:15
Dori Caymmi
11 North-Tribal Step Dance 4:48
Dave Grusin
Credits:
Synthesizer [Yamaha DXIIFD, DX7, TX816, TX7, Roland D-550, MKS20 and Super Jupiter, Sequential Circuits Prophet V.S.], Drum Machine [Yamaha RX5, Studio 440], Electronic Drums [Roger Linn - Linndrum], Piano [Steinway and Yamaha], Sampler [Emax Emulator], Computer [Atari 1040 ST], Software Instrument [Hybrid Arts Smpte Track] – Dave Grusin, Don Grusin

DAVE GRUSIN / DON GRUSIN - Sticks and Stones

 (1988) GRP / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless 

O Púbis da Rosa

NANCY WILSON - This Mother's Daughter (1976-2014) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This Mother's Daughter remains the most soulful record cut by Nancy Wilson during her Capitol tenure -- producer Eugene McDaniels proves an inspired if surprising choice to helm the session, and his subtle but ingenious jazz-funk flourishes are essential to the project's immediacy and appeal. McDaniels couches Wilson in settings as smooth and rich as velvet, crafting a series of mellow, gently propulsive grooves that flirt with contemporary soul but pay heed to the singer's roots in jazz. Wilson responds with a performance that's sophisticated yet saucy, commanding the spotlight with an intensity that's missing from her lesser Capitol efforts.  by Jason Ankeny
Tracklist
1 From You to Me to You  4:00
Rachel Perry
2 Love Has Smiled on Us  3:53
Jon Mayer / Rachel Perry
3 I Don't Want a Sometimes Man  3:55
Rachel Perry
4 Tree of Life  4:26
Gene McDaniels
5 China  3:49
Buddy Johnson / Diane Johnson / Gene McDaniels / McDaniels / Guy Wood / Jeff Wood
6 Now  4:58
Marc Hillman / Marcia Hillman / Jon Mayer
7 This Mother's Daughter  3:57
Gene McDaniels
8 He Never Had It So Good  3:14
Jon Mayer / Rachel Perry
9 In My Loneliness (When We Were One)  4:00
Jon Mayer / Leida Snow
10 Stay Tuned  4:40
Gene McDaniels / McDaniels / Rachel Perry / Wayne Perry
Credits
Arranged By – Dave Grusin (tracks: 1-4, 6-8, 10), George Duke (tracks: 5), Hugh McCracken (tracks: 9)
Arranged By [Background Vocals] – Morgan Ames
Arranged By [Strings, Horns] – Dave Grusin, Hugh McCracken (tracks: 9)
Backing Vocals – Afreeka Trees, Carla Bee, Carolyn Willis, Eugene McDaniels, Jackie Ward, Jim Gilstrap, Lisa Roberts, Morgan Ames
Bass – Chuck Rainey
Drums – Steve Gadd
Flugelhorn [Solo] – Blue Mitchell
Guitar – Hugh McCracken, Jeff Miranoy
Percussion – Oliver Brown
Piano – Dave Grusin
Synth [Moog], Piano, Backing Vocals – George Duke