DAVE VALENTIN — Tropic Heat (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Flutist Dave Valentin's 16th album for GRP is one of his best. His regular group (a quartet with pianist Bill O'Connell, bassist Lincoln Goines, and drummer Robbie Ameen) is augmented by two percussionists and an excellent seven-member horn section that consists of the reeds of Dick Oatts, Mario Rivera, and David Sanchez; trombonist Angel "Papo" Vasquez; and three trumpeters, including Charlie Sepulveda. All of the horns get their opportunities to solo and the result is a particularly strong Latin jazz session. Valentin continues to grow as a player and he cuts loose on several of these tracks.  Scott Yanow

Tracklist :

1 My Favorite Things 4:40

Oscar Hammerstein II / Richard Rodgers

Arranged By – Bill O'Connell

2 Sweet Lips 6:12

Bill O'Connell / Dave Valentin

3 Don Q 5:05

Arranged By – Bernd Schoenhart

Written-By – Bernd Schoenhart

4 Danzon for My Father 6:08

Arranged By – Oscar Hernandez

Written-By – Oscar Hernandez

5 Mr. Evil 4:54

Bill O'Connell 

6 Bello Amanecer 4:44

Tito Enriquez

Arranged By – Angel "Papo" Vasquez

7 Sam's Groove 6:13

Bill O'Connell

8 Tasty Mango 4:01  

Arranged By, Written-By – Angel "Papo" Vasquez

9 Sangria 5:48
Dave Valentin
Arranged By – Bill O'Connell, Dave Valentin
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Dick Oatts
Bass Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone, Vocals – Mario Rivera
Congas – Jerry Gonzalez
Congas, Percussion – Milton Cardona
Drums – Robby Ameen
Electric Bass – Lincoln Goines
Flute, Producer – Dave Valentin
Guitar – Bernd Schoenhart
Piano – Bill O'Connell
Tenor Saxophone – David Sanchez
Timbales, Percussion – Andreu Johnny Almendra
Trombone – Angel Papo Vazquez
Trumpet – Charlie Sepulveda, David "Piro" Rodríguez, Ray Vega

MARY STALLINGS — Manhattan Moods (1996) APE (image+.cue), lossless

A product of the San Francisco Bay Area jazz scene, Mary Stallings recorded in New York for the first time when she entered a Manhattan studio for her third Concord release, Manhattan Moods. Contrary to what some provincial, myopic jazz critics implied, Stallings didn't have to record in the Big Apple to prove her legitimacy -- she would have been a great singer even if she'd never set foot outside of northern California. But Stallings' visit to New York was a good thing, for her talented East Coast support includes pianist Monty Alexander and producer Allen Farnham (who is a fine pianist himself, though he doesn't play on this CD). Farnham was known for his work with Mel Tormé and Susannah McCorkle, and when it came to working with singers in the 1990s, you couldn't ask for a more insightful producer. Farnham's input was obviously a major asset for Stallings, who really pours her heart into such chestnuts as "You Go to My Head," "I Wish I Knew," and "Lullaby of the Leaves." Perhaps the album's most surprising track is "How High the Moon," which was done at maximum speed by countless beboppers, but becomes a haunting ballad in Stallings' hands. With Stallings having put her singing career on the back burner for so many years, it was great to see her building an impressive catalog at Concord. Alex Henderson 
Tracklist :
1     This Can't Be Love    4:16
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
2     Sweet and Lovely    5:18
Gus Arnheim / Jules LeMare (Chas. N. Daniels) / Harry Tobias
3     I Have a Feeling    6:08
Carroll Coates
4     How High the Moon    5:36
Nancy Hamilton / Morgan Lewis
5     Lullaby of the Leaves    4:38
Bernice Petkere / Joe Young
6     I Wish I Knew    5:04
Mack Gordon / Harry Warren
7     The Surrey with the Fringe on Top    4:48
Oscar Hammerstein II / Richard Rodgers
8     You Go to My Head    6:35
J. Fred Coots / Haven Gillespie
9     He Was Too Good to Me    6:03
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
10     Willow Weep for Me    5:59
Ann Ronell
11     I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance with You    5:18
Bing Crosby / Ned Washington / Victor Young
12     I Love You Madly    4:21
Duke Ellington
 Credits
 Bass – Ben Wolfe
 Drums – Clyde Lucas
 Flute – Dick Oatts (tracks: 4,9)
 Harmonica – Hendrik Meurkens (tracks: 6, 8)
 Piano – Monty Alexander
 Soprano Saxophone – Dick Oatts (tracks: 3)
 Vibraphone – Hendrik Meurkens (tracks: 9)
    Vocals – Mary Stallings