ANN BURTON — By Myself Alone (1974) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Although Ann Burton was born in the Netherlands and made a couple of albums for the Dutch label Artone in the mid-'60s, she really made her mark in Japan. There she teamed up with some excellent local jazz musicians to make several albums, especially the 1974 set By Myself Alone. Of the ten or so albums she made before dying too young in 1989, this ranks as one of her best. The album features an intelligent and entertaining mix of tunes with unique Burton interpretations, treating the listener to more than 40 minutes of solid, if not spectacular, singing. Burton's voice could be husky and sensuous as on "Come Rain or Come Shine" or light and airy on a song favored by Blossom Dearie, "May I Come In?" She could take a tune by a one-time rock icon, Don McLean's "Oh My What a Shame," and make it sound like one of those Irish folk songs drenched with regret and resignation. A session highlight is the medley of "Yesterday" and "Yesterdays," where she focuses on the similarities rather than the differences between these two tunes written by composers from widely different backgrounds and generations. If this album is any indication, Burton was not interested in making her voice sound like a horn. There's no swooping, scatting, or other wordless vocalizing. Rather, she adhered to the lyrics the way they were written, respecting them by singing them in a straightforward manner. Dave Nathan  
Tracklist :
1. Come Rain Or Come Shine 4:48
  Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer 
2. Let Me Love You 5:10
  Bart Howard 
3. May I Come In 2:09
  Marvin Fisher / Jack Segal 
4. Love Is A Necessary Evil 3:53
  Marvin Fisher / Jack Segal 
5. Oh, My What A Shame 4:01
  Don McLean 
6. By Myself Alone 1:50
  Howard Dietz / Arthur Schwartz 
7. Yesterday & Yesterdays 2:53
  Otto Harbach / Jerome Kern / John Lennon / Paul McCartney 
8. Birthday Song 2:50
 Don McLean 
9. I Could Have Told You So 8:08
J. Oliver 
10. That Old Feeling 3:07
Lew Brown / Sammy Fain 
11. Travellin' Light 4:59
 Johnny Mercer / Jimmy Mundy / Trummy Young 
Credits :
Bass – Kunimitsu Inaba (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 to 11)
Piano – Masahiko Satoh 
Guitar – Sadanori Nakamure (tracks: 2, 4, 6, 7, 8)
Vocals – Ann Burton
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Akira Miyazawa (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 7 to 11)
Drums (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 6 to 11), Congas (tracks: 2, 4, 7, 8) – Masahiko Ozu 

JOE SAMPLE | RAY BROWN | SHELLY MANNE — The Three (1975-1978) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This Japanese East Wind LP (which was made available domestically on the now-defunct Inner City label) features pianist Joe Sample, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Shelly Manne exploring five jazz standards plus Sample's "Funky Blues" in purely straight-ahead fashion. One of Joe Sample's finest sessions as a leader, this obscure outing is highlighted by his renditions of Oliver Nelson's "Yearnin'," "On Green Dolphin Street" and "Manha Do Carnaval." Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits :

OLIVER NELSON — Stolen Moments (1975-2015) RM | Serie East Wind Masters Collection 1000 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This LP contains Oliver Nelson's final recording as a leader, cut just seven months before his premature death. Happily Nelson (on alto) is well-featured with a nonet, playing four of his compositions (including "Stolen Moments" and "Yearnin'") along with versions of "St. Thomas," Neal Hefti's "Midnight Blue" and a very brief "Straight No Chaser." In addition to Nelson, the group includes trumpeter Bobby Bryant, Jerome Richardson on soprano and flute, three other saxophonists and keyboardist Mike Wofford. A fine finish to a much-too-brief life. Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits :

LENNIE TRISTANO - Descent into the Maelstrom (1976-2015) RM | MONO | East Wind Masters Collection 1000 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This hard-to-find LP starts off with the utterly unique title cut. On this completely atonal track (which predates Cecil Taylor by a few years), Lennie Tristano overdubbed several pianos and created picturesque and extremely intense music. The remainder of this album is mostly comprised of leftovers and rehearsal tracks which, considering Tristano's slim discography, is quite welcome. The pianist is heard solo in 1961 and 1965, in a trio with bassist Peter Ind and drummer Roy Haynes in 1952 and (in what might be his last recordings) performing a pair of originals with bassist Sonny Dallas and drummer Nick Stabulas in 1966. Tristano fans can consider this important release to be essential. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Descent Into The Maelstrom    3:26
Composed By – Lennie Tristano
2    Dream: Paris 1965    3:05
Composed By – Lennie Tristano
3    Image: Paris 1965    3:18
Composed By – Lennie Tristano
4    Take 1 - Rehearsal From Recording Date    4:31
5    Take 2 - Rehearsal From Recording Date    3:11
6    Take 3 - Rehearsal From Recording Date    4:04
Composed By – Lennie Tristano
7    Stretch 6:08
Composed By – Lennie Tristano
Bass – Sonny Dallas
Drums – Nick Stabulas
8    Pastime 3:38
Composed By – Lennie Tristano
Bass – Peter Ind
Drums – Roy Haynes
Engineer – Rudy Van Gelder
9    Ju-Ju 2:14
Composed By – Lennie Tristano
Bass – Peter Ind
Drums – Roy Haynes
Engineer – Rudy Van Gelder
10    Con Con 8:48
Composed By – Lennie Tristano
Bass – Sonny Dallas
Drums – Nick Stabulas
Credits :
Engineer (tracks: 1, 4 to 6, 7, 10) Piano, Producer – Lennie Tristano

ART FARMER - To Duke with Love (1975-2015) RM | East Wind Masters Collection 1000 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Recorded less than a year after Duke Ellington's death, this Inner City LP (originally cut for the Japanese East Wind label) features flugelhornist Art Farmer performing five Ellington pieces along with Billy Strayhorn's "Lush Life." With impeccable support by pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Sam Jones and drummer Billy Higgins, Farmer sounds melodic, lyrical, swinging and typically inventive on such numbers as "In a Sentimental Mood," "It Don't Mean a Thing," "The Brown Skin Gal" and "Love You Madly." This tasteful set (which is long out-of-print) features Art Farmer at his best. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     In a Sentimental Mood 7'07     
D. Ellington, I. Mills, M. Kurtz

2     It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) 5'40
Duke Ellington / Irving Mills
3     The Star Crossed Lovers 7'16
Duke Ellington
4     The Brown Skin Gal in the Calico Gown 7'31     
Duke Ellington    
5     Lush Life 6'28     
Duke Ellington    
6     Love You Madly 6'28
Duke Ellington
Credits :
Bass – Sam Jones
Drums – Billy Higgins
Flugelhorn – Art Farmer
Piano – Cedar Walton

ARt FARMER - Yesterday's Thoughts (1976-2015) RM | East Wind Masters Collection 1000 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

With Art Farmer's phenomenal output of recordings as a leader during his long career, it isn't surprising to run across obscure gems such as this pair of 1975 studio sessions recorded in New York for release in Japan by Eastwind. Joined by frequent collaborator Cedar Walton on piano, as well as bassist Sam Jones and drummer Billy Higgins, the mellow flugelhornist excels on the ballads that make up the majority of the album. "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life" begins slowly, with the rhythm section slowly pushing the tempo, as if to push for an answer to the title of the song. "Namely You" is played as a brisk waltz, while the snappy approach to "Alone Together" finds the leader at the top of his game. A reworking of ex-partner Benny Golson's "Yesterday's Thoughts" is followed by the only up-tempo tune present, Walton's invigorating "Firm Roots." Both Jones and Higgins provide the solid support that they delivered on numerous dates throughout their respective careers. Don't expect to find this long-unavailable LP quickly or at a bargain price, but it is well worth the effort to acquire it. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life? 9'52
Alan Bergman / Marilyn Bergman / Michel Legrand
2     How Insensitive 6'35
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
3     Namely You 5'58
Gene DePaul / Johnny Mercer
4     Alone Together 9'31
Howard Dietz / Arthur Schwartz
5     Yesterday's Thoughts 8'02
Benny Golson
6     Firm Roots 4'58
Cedar Walton
Credits :
Bass – Sam Jones
Drums – Billy Higgins
Flugelhorn – Art Farmer
Piano – Cedar Walton

ART FARMER QUINTET - At Boomer's (1976-2015) RM | East Wind Masters Collection 1000 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 Although flugelhornist Art Farmer permanently moved to Europe in 1968, he has returned many times to the United States to play. For this live LP (recorded for East Wind and released domestically by the defunct Inner City label), Farmer joins up with tenor-saxophonist Clifford Jordan, pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Sam Jones and drummer Billy Higgins for lengthy versions of Charlie Parker's blues "Barbados," "I Remember Clifford," "'Round Midnight" and "Will You Still Be Mine." The group had not rehearsed beforehand but rehearsals were not really needed for these hard bop veterans and even an uptempo version of the ballad "Will You Still Be Mine" comes off quite well. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Barbados 13'05
Charlie Parker
2     I Remember Clifford 10'55
Benny Golson
3     'Round About Midnight 13'24
Bernie Hanighen / Thelonious Monk / Cootie Williams
4     Will You Still Be Mine? 8'27
Tom Adair / Matt Dennis
Credits :
Bass – Sam Jones
Drums – Billy Higgins
Piano – Cedar Walton
Tenor Saxophone – Clifford Jordan
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Art Farmer

ART FARMER QUINTET - At Boomer's, Vol. 2 (2015) RM | East Wind Masters Collection | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This exciting live set by Art Farmer is also culled from the same 1976 performances as the earlier album Live at Boomer's. Although the full quintet had not rehearsed prior to the engagement with Clifford Jordan (the rhythm section, consisting of Cedar Walton, Sam Jones, and Billy Higgins, had been working together with Farmer for over a year), the sparks fly as they stretch out on each of the four tracks present. The tenor saxophonist particularly shines in Walton's up-tempo "Fantasy in D," while the leader's inventive flügelhorn keeps "Manha De Carnaval" from being reduced to a cliché. Sam Jones is showcased on his well-known original blues "One for Amos," and the finale is an energetic take of the often placid ballad ""What's New." This well-recorded album, which was available only briefly during the LP era, was reissued by the Japanese label East Wind in early 2003. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     Fantasy in "D" 11'47
Cedar Walton
2     Manhã Do Carnival 12'07
A. Maria, F. Llenas, L. Bonfa
3     Blues for Amos 13'54
Sam Jones
4     What's New 11'12
Johnny Burke / Robert Haggart
Credits :
Bass – Sam Jones
Drums – Billy Higgins
Piano – Cedar Walton
Tenor Saxophone – Clifford Jordan
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Art Farmer

ART FARMER - The Summer Knows (1976-2015) RM | East Wind Masters Collection | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This relaxed session features fluegelhornist Art Farmer in a quartet with pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Sam Jones and drummer Billy Higgins. The material (which includes such tunes as "Alfie," "When I Fall in Love" and "I Should Care") is given lyrical treatment by these masterful players on this ballad-dominated date. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     The Summer Knows 7'42
Alan Bergman / Marilyn Bergman / Michel Legrand
2     Manhã Do Carnaval 5'24
Luiz Bonfá / Felipe Llera / Angélica María
3     Alfie 4'55
Burt Bacharach / Hal David
4     When I Fall in Love 6'13
Edward Heyman / Victor Young
5     Ditty 4'45
Art Farmer
6     I Should Care 5'30
Sammy Cahn / Axel Stordahl / Paul Weston
Credits :
Bass – Sam Jones
Drums – Billy Higgins
Flugelhorn – Art Farmer
Piano – Cedar Walton