JOE LOVANO NONET — On This Day At The Vanguard (2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Recorded live at the Village Vanguard, On This Day...At the Vanguard is saxophonist Joe Lovano's first recording with his award-winning nonet since the release of 52nd Street Themes in 2000. Having recorded in a variety of settings ranging from those of big-band leaders Woody Herman and Mel Lewis to duets with Mulgrew Miller on Tenor Legacy to quartets featuring such stellar artists as Dave Holland, John Scofield, and Al Foster (collectively known as Scolohofo), Joe Lovano proves with this CD that his artistry remains highly adaptable to any musical setting. Opening the program with the first of two originals written for this recording is Lovano's swinging "At the Vanguard." It has a harmonic sequence based on "Stompin' at the Savoy," and features outstanding solos by Lovano, alto saxophonist Steve Slagle, trumpeter Barry Ries, and pianist John Hicks. "Focus" and John Coltrane's "After the Rain" offer listeners two exceptional contrasts of Lovano's playing style, while "On This Day Just Like Any Other" is a 15-minute free jazz offering with amazing improvisations that Lovano wrote around the time drummer Billy Higgins passed away. The recording closes with "My Little Brown Book," a beautiful, serene ballad that returns the music to the quartet sound and served as the show's encore. Overall, On This Day...At the Vanguard captures the essence of Lovano's reverence and enthusiasm for the jazz venue that has supplied a great deal of his musical inspiration over the course of his jazz career. Paula Edelstein
Tracklist :
1    At The Vanguard 9:30
Composed By, Arranged By – Joe Lovano
2    Focus 8:09
Arranged By – Willie Smith
Composed By – Tadd Dameron
3    After The Rain 7:34
Arranged By – Steve Slagle
Composed By – John Coltrane
4    Good Bait 14:09
Arranged By – Joe Lovano
Composed By – Tadd Dameron
Orchestrated By [Orchestration] – Willie Smith
5    Laura 5:22
Arranged By – Joe Lovano, Willie Smith
Composed By – David Arksin
Orchestrated By [Orchestration] – Willie Smith
6    On This Day (Just Like Any Other) 15:22
Composed By, Arranged By – Joe Lovano
7    My Little Brown Book 9:04
Composed By – Billy Strayhorn
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Steve Slagle
Baritone Saxophone – Scott Robinson
Bass – Dennis Irwin
Drums – Lewis Nash
Piano – John Hicks
Tenor Saxophone – George Garzone, Joe Lovano, Ralph Lalama
Trombone – Larry Farrell
Trumpet – Barry Ries

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 :

JOHNNY GRIFFIN - The Cat (1990) FLAC (tracks), lossless

His latest -- a tasty, often impressive, outing. Ron Wynn
Tracklist :
1     The Cat 9'10
Johnny Griffin
2     Wistful 7'09
Johnny Griffin
3     What Do You Do? 8'20
Johnny Griffin
4     Chicago Calling 6'05
Johnny Griffin
5     Woe Is Me 9'06
Johnny Griffin
6     The Count 5'47
Johnny Griffin
7     63rd Street Theme 5'28
Johnny Griffin
8     Hot Sake 6'57
Johnny Griffin
9     Waltz for Ma 2'37
Johnny Griffin
Credits :
Bass – Dennis Irwin
Drums – Kenny Washington
Piano – Michael Weiss
Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Griffin
Trombone – Curtis Fuller (pistas: 1, 3)
Vibraphone – Steve Nelson (pistas: 3, 6)

JOHNNY GRIFFIN - Isfahan (1993) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Isfahan    10:45
Written-By – Johnny Griffin
2    Take My Hand    9:37
Written-By – Johnny Griffin
3    All Through The Night    6:27
Written-By – Cole Porter
4    Coming On The Hudson    5:15
Written-By – Thelonious Monk
5    Woe Is Me    11:05
Written-By – Johnny Griffin
6    Hush-A-Bye    7:31
Traditional
Arranged By – Johnny Griffin
7    Out Of This World    6:03
Written-By – Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer
8    If I Should Lose You     8:02
Written-By – Leo Robin, Ralph Rainger
Credits :
Bass – Dennis Irwin
Drums – Kenny Washington
Piano – Michael Weiss
Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Griffin