CHET BAKER — Chet Baker Plays the Best of Lerner & Loewe (1956-2013) RM | Serie Original Jazz Classics Remasters | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This is one of the last Chet Baker (trumpet) long players recorded in the States prior to the artist relocating to Europe in the early '60s. Likewise, the eight-tune collection was the final effort issued during his brief association with the Riverside Records imprint. The project was undoubtedly spurred on by the overwhelming success of the Shelly Manne-led combo that interpreted titles taken from the score to My Fair Lady (1956). In addition to becoming an instant classic, Manne's LP was also among of the best-selling jazz platters of all time. While Baker and crew may have gained their inspiration from Manne, these readings are comparatively understated. That said, the timelessness of the melodies, coupled with the assembled backing aggregate, make Chet Baker Plays the Best of Lerner and Loewe (1959) a memorable concept album. Although Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe had produced a number of well-received and luminous entries, half of the material on this disc is derived from My Fair Lady (1956). "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" is given a languid torch song treatment that spirals around Baker's cool inconspicuous leads, featuring some equally sublime contributions from Zoot Simms (alto sax/tenor sax). This contrasts the resilient and free-spirited waltz on "I Could Have Danced All Night," which benefits from Herbie Mann's (flute) breezy counterpoint and solo. Bill Evans (piano) also lays down some tasty licks over top of the solid rhythm of Earl May (bass) and Clifford Jarvis (drums). "On the Street Where You Live" is a highlight, as the personnel take the time to stretch out and thoroughly examine with some key counterpoint between Baker's honey-toned horn and Pepper Adams' (baritone sax) husky and ample involvement. Of the non-My Fair Lady sides, "The Heather on the Hill" and a superior "Almost Like Being in Love" hail from Brigadoon (1947), while the scintillating and smoldering "Thank Heaven for Little Girls" comes from Gigi (1958). Not to be missed is "I Talk to the Trees," with an unhurried and evenly measured tempo that is coupled to Baker's austere, yet rich and purposeful lines. Lindsay Planer  
Tracklist :
1    I've Grown Accustomed To Your Face    4:11
Alan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe
2    I Could Have Danced All Night    3:39
Alan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe
3    The Heather On The Hill    5:01
Alan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe
4    On The Street Where You Live    8:35
Alan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe
5    Almost Like Being In Love    4:49
Alan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe
6    Thank Heaven For Little Girls    4:31
Alan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe
7    I Talk To The Trees    5:47
Alan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe
8    Show Me    6:29
Alan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Baritone Saxophone – Pepper Adams
Bass – Earl May
Drums – Clifford Jarvis
Flute – Herbie Mann
Piano – Bill Evans (2, 6 to 8), Bob Corwin (1, 3 to 5)
Tenor Saxophone – Herbie Mann (5)
Trumpet – Chet Baker

BILLY TAYLOR – 1950-1952 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1344 (2004) FLAC (tracks), lossless

This second volume covering Billy Taylor's pre-Prestige recordings opens with four sides cut for Brunswick Records in 1950, followed by eight tracks done for Atlantic, and concluding with an early LP of Cuban-inspired jazz, all of which will be of interest to collectors. Taylor's bop-inflected piano style remains elegant throughout, always with a veneer of swinging brightness, and two of the best pieces here, the self-penned "Double Duty" and "Good Groove," show an acute awareness of both time and space, areas Taylor would go on to explore with his subsequent trios. Steve Leggett
Tracklist + Credits :

BILLY TAYLOR – 1952-1953 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1383 (2005) FLAC (tracks), lossless

The third volume in the complete recordings of pianist Billy Taylor opens with five selections from a live trio session recorded at the Storyville Club in Boston during the autumn of 1952 and subsequently released on the Roost record label. The powerful presence of bassist Charles Mingus brought out the best in Billy Taylor and his drummer Marquis Foster. Taylor's wonderfully facile improvisations are stunning on this live date. Beginning with the Prestige studio session of November 18, 1952, he alternately bubbles or simmers in the company of bassist Earl May and drummer Charlie Smith. Four mambos recorded on May 7, 1953 find Taylor and May surrounded by congas, bongos, maracas and timbale. Billy Taylor's style owed something to Bud Powell and Art Tatum; he was operating in a set of grooves that paralleled those being used by Al Haig, Erroll Garner, Sir Charles Thompson, Oscar Peterson, Ahmad Jamal, and, at times, even Lennie Tristano and Herbie Nichols. This excellent compilation is highly recommended, especially on account of the extended bass solos of Charles Mingus. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

ARCHIE SHEPP - Day Dream (1977-1989) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Don't You Know I Care 7:06
Composed By – Duke Ellington
2    Caravan 5:52
Composed By – Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Juan Tizol
3    Day Dream 5:42
Composed By – Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington
4    Satin Doll 5:19
Composed By – Duke Ellington
5    I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good 7:30
Composed By – Duke Ellington
6    Prelude To A Kiss 5:27
Composed By – Duke Ellington
Credits :
Bass – Earl May
Drums – Philly Joe Jones
Piano – Walter Davis
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Archie Shepp