PAT MARTINO – Desperado (1970-1989) RM | APE (image+.cue), lossless

Guitarist Pat Martino's first five recordings as a leader were made for the Prestige label, and this one (the fifth) has been reissued on CD by Original Jazz Classics. Martino performs Sonny Rollins' "Oleo" and five of his originals, using the 12-string guitar. The rhythm section (keyboardist Eddie Green, electric bassist Tyrone Brown, and drummer Sherman Ferguson) is funky in spots, electric, and swinging when called for. Eric Kloss makes a guest appearance on soprano for the opening "Blackjack," but otherwise, most of the focus is on Martino's consistently inventive playing. Scott Yanow

Tracklist :

1. Blackjack (Martino) – 7:45

2. Dearborn Walk (Martino)– 3:50

3. Oleo (Sonny Rollins) – 4:53

4. Desperado (Martino/Green) – 7:55

5. A Portrait of Diana (Martino) – 4:30

6. Express (Martino) – 6:43 

Credits :

Pat Martino - Guitar

Eric Kloss – Soprano Sax

Eddie Green – Electric Piano

Tyrone Brown – Electric Bass

Sherman Ferguson - Drums, Bells

Jimmy Cobb – Drums

PAT MARTINO - East! (1968-2006) RM / SACD / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Despite the title and the cover of this CD reissue (which makes it appear that the performances are greatly influenced by music of the Far East), the style played by guitarist Pat Martino's quartet is very much in the hard bop tradition. Martino was already developing his own sound and is in excellent form with pianist Eddie Green, drummer Lenny McBrowne, and either Ben Tucker or Tyrone Brown on bass during two group originals, Benny Golson's "Park Avenue Petite," John Coltrane's "Lazy Bird," and the standard "Close Your Eyes." It's a good example of Pat Martino's playing in his early period.  by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 East 12:50
T.W. Brown / Tyrone Brown
2 Trick 7:00
Pat Martino
3 Close Your Eyes 6:14
Bernice Petkere
4 Park Avenue Petite 5:54
Benny Golson
5 Lazybird 6:29
John Coltrane

Credits :

Bass – Ben Tucker, Tyrone Brown (tracks: 1) 

Drums – Lenny McBrowne 

Guitar – Pat Martino 

Piano – Eddie Green