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