OLIVER NELSON — Swiss Suite (1972-2014) RM | Flying Dutchman Jazz Classics Series | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Recorded at the 1971 Montreux Jazz Festival, this big-band outing features a mostly all-star band and altoist Oliver Nelson (who wrote all of the arrangements and compositions) and trumpeter Danny Moore on remakes of "Stolen Moments," "Black, Brown & Beautiful" and "Blues and the Abstract Truth." However it is the nearly 27-minute "Swiss Suite" that dominates this album and although tenorman Gato Barbieri has a couple of raging solos, it is a five-minute segment when guest altoist Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson plays the blues that is most memorable. Vinson's classic spot alone is worth the price of this hard-to-find LP.  Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits :

PEARL BAILEY – 1944-1947 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1213 (2001) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Pearl Bailey was a magnificent jazz singer and comedienne. Check her out in front of the Cootie Williams Orchestra! That's Bud Powell back there behind the piano. Cleanhead Vinson and Lockjaw Davis are in the reed section. Pearl seems perfectly at home with this early modern-sounding big band, and Cootie puts extra sass in his horn to complement the lady's personality. Herman Chittison leads a much smaller and more intimate ensemble for "He Didn't Ask Me," a subtly soft-spoken lament with wistful incidental whistling. Pearl attracted a lot of attention by being unusually tough, candid, and outspoken in ways that few pop vocalists had ever dared to pursue. For a black woman to assert herself in this way anywhere near the mainstream was particularly refreshing during the late '40s. Pearl's high-stepping improvisations on "St. Louis Blues" are spectacular, but her relaxed conversational musings on "Tired" are perfectly timed theater, naturally hip and funny as hell. "I Ain't Talkin'" has a similar easy perfection about it. Some of this material is pure entertainment. "Personality" turns out to be a metaphor for booty. "That's Good Enough for Me," "Say It Simple," and "Get It Off Your Mind" are clever routines. Some of this stuff seems like it was inspired by Cole Porter's high camp. The Mitchell Ayres Orchestra likes to pour on a little extra glitz, and low-tech reverb makes it seem like Pearl is performing in a gymnasium. Finally, there's a two-part duet with Frank Sinatra. They sound at ease with each other: two actors with seasoned pipes who enjoy tearing apart a slow song note for note and phrase by phrase. arwulf arwulf
Tracklist + Credits :

COOTIE WILLIAMS AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1941-1944 | The Classics Chronological Series – 827 (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist + Credits :

COOTIE WILLIAMS AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1945-1946 | The Classics Chronological Series – 981 (1998) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Having already starred in both Ellington's and Goodman's bands, trumpeter Cootie Williams marked the '40s with a slew of sides featuring his own big band and a variety of combos. His fiery, Armstrong-inspired blowing always was full of narrative wit, and this mighty horn package is certainly on display on Classics' chronological roundup of some of Williams' 1945-1946 sides. Still a bit shy of later R&B-styled work, Williams swings nicely on standouts like "Juice Head Baby," "Jumping to Conclusions," and "Echoes of Harlem." The supporting cast may not be star studded -- save for a young Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson -- but the playing is all top-notch and Williams certainly delivers more than just a few meaty solos. A choice collection best suited to dedicated listeners. Stephen Cook
Tracklist + Credits :

CLARK TERRY - "Yes, the Blues" (1981) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This blues-oriented Pablo recording has an ideal matchup: flugelhornist Clark Terry and altoist Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson. Both musicians take a good-humored vocal apiece, but the emphasis is on their playing. The complementary stylists, backed by pianist Art Hillery, bassist John Heard and drummer Roy McCurdy, work together very well on their originals, plus "Swingin' the Blues," and create some memorable, if fairly basic, music straddling the boundaries between swing, bop and early R&B. Scott Yanow

Tracklist :
1     Diddlin' 8'45
Clark Terry
2     Railroad Porter's Blues 5'36
Jessie Mae Robinson
3     Swingin' the Blues 7'00
Count Basie / Eddie Durham
4     Marina Bay Rednecks 7'46
Clark Terry
5     Quicksand 4'05
Clark Terry
6     The Snapper 5'05
Clark Terry
7     Kidney Stew 4'41
Clark Terry
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Vocals (pistas: 2) – Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson
Bass – John Heard
Drums – Roy McCurdy
Harmonica – "Harmonica George" Smith
Piano, Organ – Art Hillery
Producer – Norman Granz
Trumpet, Vocals (pistas: 7) – Clark Terry