SARAH VAUGHAN — Sassy Swings The Tivoli (Complete Version) 2xCD (1963-1987) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

After four years on Roulette, Sarah Vaughan returned to Mercury (her main label of the 1950s) with this wonderful live session, one of her very best of the 1960s. Joined by her rhythm section of the period (pianist Kirk Stuart, bassist Charles Williams and drummer Georges Hughes), Vaughan is quite expressive on such signature tunes as "Misty," "Sometimes I'm Happy," "Tenderly" and "I Cried For You." A gem. Scott Yanow
Tracklist 1 :
1     I Feel Pretty 2:34
Leonard Bernstein / Stephen Sondheim    
2     Misty 5:56
Johnny Burke / Erroll Garner
3     What Is This Thing Called Love? 2:04
Cole Porter    
4     Lover Man 5:56
Jimmy Davis / Roger "Ram" Ramirez / Jimmy Sherman
5     Sometimes I'm Happy 4:30
Irving Caesar / Clifford Grey / Vincent Youmans
6     Won't You Come Home, Bill Bailey? 3:14
Hughie Cannon    
7     Tenderly 2:33
Walter Gross / Jack Lawrence    
8     Sassy's Blues 5:40
Quincy Jones / Thad Jones / Sarah Vaughan
9     Polka Dots and Moonbeams 4:27
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen    
10     I Cried for You 2:20
Gus Arnheim / Arthur Freed / Abe Lyman    
11     Poor Butterfly 3:12
John Golden / Raymond Hubbell
12     I Could Write a Book 2:21
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers    
13     Time After Time 4:56
Sammy Cahn / Jule Styne    
14     All of Me 1:43
Gerald Marks / Seymour Simons    
15     I Hadn't Anyone Till You 3:17
Ray Noble    
16     I Can't Give You Anything But Love 2:46
Dorothy Fields / Jimmy McHugh
Tracklist 2 :    
1     I'll Be Seeing You 5:32
Sammy Fain / Irving Kahal    
2     Maria 5:51
Leonard Bernstein / Stephen Sondheim    
3     Day In - Day Out 2:15
Rube Bloom / Johnny Mercer    
4     Fly Me to the Moon 4:39
Bart Howard    
5     Baubles, Bangles and Beads 3:07
Alexander Borodin / George Forrest / Robert Wright
6     The Lady's in Love With You 2:15
Burton Lane / Frank Loesser    
7     Honeysuckle Rose 3:14
Andy Razaf / Fats Waller    
8     What Is This Thing Called Love? 2:01
Cole Porter    
9     Lover Man 4:06
Jimmy Davis / Roger "Ram" Ramirez / Jimmy Sherman
10     I Cried for You 2:19
Gus Arnheim / Arthur Freed / Abe Lyman    
11     The More I See You 5:26
Mack Gordon / Harry Warren    
12     Say It Isn't So 5:11
Irving Berlin    
13     Black Coffee 4:40
Sonny Burke / Paul Francis Webster    
14     Just One of Those Things 2:33
Cole Porter    
15     On Green Dolphin Street 3:04
Bronislaw Kaper / Ned Washington    
16     Over the Rainbow 5:10
Harold Arlen / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
Credits :
Bass – Charles Williams
Drums – George Hughes
Performer – The Kirk Stuart Trio
Piano – Kirk Stuart
Producer – Quincy Jones
Vocals – Sarah Vaughan

DEE DEE BRIDGEWATER — Eleanora Fagan (1915-1959) : To Billie with Love from Dee Dee Bridgewater (2010) WV (image+.cue), lossless

It shouldn't come as much of a surprise that Dee Dee Bridgewater chose to record a tribute album to Billie Holiday. In quick succession beginning in the mid-'90s Bridgewater cut tribute albums to Ella Fitzgerald, Horace Silver, and Kurt Weill, and prior to that, in the late '80s, she was nominated for an award for her one-woman star turn in a European theater production of Lady Day, the Holiday story. That Bridgewater would eventually turn to Holiday (whose given name of Eleanora Fagan explains the title) for an album-length exploration was almost a given -- it was just a question of when. It's one of her grandest efforts, too. With arrangements by Edsel Gomez (who also provides piano) and a stellar cast of participants including bassist Christian McBride, saxophonist/flutist/bass clarinetist James Carter, and drummer Lewis Nash, Bridgewater doesn't attempt to mimic Holiday's mannerisms or inflections but, as one would expect of such a gifted artist, to absorb and reframe Holiday -- this is pure Bridgewater, not another performance of Lady Day. Gomez, for his part, quite often pulls the arrangements squarely away from Holiday territory to reinvent these classic songs for a modern audience. The opening "Lady Sings the Blues" is both instantly recognizable yet freshly reconceived as something of an uptempo blues packed with polyrhythmic punch. "All of Me," which follows, is taken at near-breakneck speed, Bridgewater jumping ahead of the beat, following Carter's thrilling soprano sax solo with a raging scat that's more Ella than Billie. Not everything is meant to redefine, though: "God Bless the Child" is mostly true to the original, though Carter's soprano solo again brings the tune into the new century, and "Lover Man," though livelier than Holiday's take, is offered in a somewhat timeless and straightforward manner. As one might expect, there's no way a singer with Bridgewater's commitment to jazz history could release a Holiday tribute without tackling "Strange Fruit," the controversial anti-lynching landmark that remains Holiday's most daring moment, and it's saved for last here. It's an eerie, ominous interpretation, Bridgewater's raw vocal up front and fraught with emotion. Carter's brooding bass clarinet and McBride's bass lend a foreboding quality to the take, Nash relies heavily on his cymbals to dramatic effect, and Gomez's piano is subtle, allowing the nakedness of Bridgewater's voice -- at times unaccompanied -- to retell this story that can never be told enough. It's a stunning finale to one of the finest Billie Holiday homages ever recorded. Jeff Tamarkin  
Tracklist :
1    Lady Sings The Blues 3:30
Written-By – Billie Holiday, Herbie Nichols
2    All Of Me 2:58
Written-By – Gerald Marks, Seymour B. Simons
3    Good Morning Heartache 5:10
Written-By – Dan Fisher, Ervin M. DRake, Irene Higginbotham
4    Lover Man 4:43
Written-By – James Edward Davis, James Sherman, Roger J. Ramirez
5    You've Changed 5:10
Written-By – William "Bill" Carey, Carl Fischer
6    Miss Brown To You 2:12
Written-By – Leo Robin, Ralph Rainger, Richard A. Whiting
7    Don't Explain 6:14
Written-By – Arthur Herzog Jr., Billie Holiday
8    Fine And Mellow 4:54
Written-By – Billie Holiday
9    Mother's Son-In-Law 2:46
Written-By – Alberta Nichols, Mann Holiner
10    God Bless The Child 5:13
Written-By – Arthur Herzog Jr., Billie Holiday
11    Foggy Day 4:33
Written-By – George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
12    Strange Fruit 4:16
Written-By – Lewis Allan
Credits :
Bass – Christian McBride
Bass Clarinet – James Carter (pistas: 3, 12)
Drums – Lewis Nash
Flute [Alto] – James Carter (pistas: 7)
Arranged By, Piano – Edsel Gomez
Soprano Saxophone – James Carter (pistas: 2, 4, 10)
Tenor Saxophone – James Carter (pistas: 1, 5, 6, 8, 9)
Vocals – Dee Dee Bridgewater

ROBERTA GAMBARINI & HANK JONES — You Are There (2007) APE (image + .cue), lossless

Roberta Gambarini is a breath of fresh air among female jazz vocalists. Gifted with superb clear diction, a warm engaging voice, and an uncanny ability to bring out the best in each song, Gambarini shines throughout this one-afternoon session, recorded without isolation booths, splicing, or overdubs. Her sole accompanist is the masterful pianist Hank Jones, a veteran who knows something about inspiring great vocalists with his inventive piano playing, having recorded with Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Anita O'Day, and Helen Merrill during a career that began over six decades prior to this session. The duo chose a wide-ranging mix of standards, show tunes, and jazz compositions (both familiar and lesser-known), along with some forgotten chestnuts of yesteryear. It is not surprising to learn that Gambarini and Jones entered the studio without a rehearsal or any arrangements, yet completed most of the 14 songs in a single take. "Stardust" is one of the most recorded works of all time, yet Gambarini recognizes the nuances within it and takes her time exploring each chorus, while Jones' elegant backing and delicious solo are flawless. Billy Strayhorn's "Lush Life" is one of the most demanding jazz compositions, a melancholy ballad with an unusual structure that trips up many vocalists, but Gambarini takes her time with a deliberate interpretation that ranks with any previous vocal recording of it. Their magical rendition of the sentimental ballad "You Are There" (music by Johnny Mandel, lyrics by Dave Frishberg) seems like it would be a natural choice for a film soundtrack. "Deep Purple" may have fallen out of favor in modern jazz, but Gambarini and Jones reveal its timeless quality with a sparkling performance. She's in a playful mood in "You're Getting to Be a Habit with Me." This exceptional vocal/piano duo recording is clearly one for the ages. Ken Dryden 
Tracklist :
1. You Are There (Frishberg/Mandel) 2:48
2. Then I ll Be Tired of You (Harburg/Schwartz) 5:07
3. People Time (B. Carter)
4. When Lights Are Low (B. Carter/S. Williams) 4:57
5. Deep Purple (Parish/de Rose) 5:16
6. Reminiscing (Gryce/Hendricks) 6:04
7. Suppertime (Berlin) 6:18
8. Just Squeeze Me (Ellington/Gaines) 6:18
9. Something to Live For (Ellington/Strayhorn) 5:14
10. Stardust (Carmichael/Parish) 6:09
11. Lush Life (Strayhorn) 4:36
12. You re Getting to Be a Habit With Me (Warren/Dubin) 3:17
13. Come Sunday (Ellington) 5:02
14. How Are Things in Glocca Morra? (Lane/Harburg) 4:00
Credits :
Piano – Hank Jones
Vocals – Roberta Gambarini

DANILO PÉREZ — Across The Crystal Sea (Arranged & Conducted by Claus Ogerman) (2008) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Many jazz pianists desire to record with strings at least one time in their careers. Unfortunately, this frequently causes them to play a bit too conservatively, while the strings overwhelm the release. Such is the case on this CD by pianist Danilo Perez with arrangements by Claus Ogerman (who previously worked on recording projects with Bill Evans and Oscar Peterson, among others). The jazz group, which includes bassist Christian McBride, drummer Lewis Nash, and percussionist Luis Quintero, plays acceptably but they clearly are having to rein in too much in deference to the strings. One wonders how Perez has top billing when hearing "Lazy Afternoon," as the piece is nearly two-thirds over by the time he and his group make their entrance, though vocalist Cassandra Wilson shines in the dreamy setting. She also appears in "(All of a Sudden) My Heart Sings," a neglected gem from decades ago; fortunately, Perez isn't shunted aside by the strings in this chart. Ogerman's originals, many of which are derived from themes by classical composers Rachmaninov, Sibelius, Massenet, and others, frankly aren't memorable at all. Skip this disappointing release. Ken Dryden  
Tracklist :
1    Across The Crystal Sea    7:13
Claus Ogerman
2    Rays And Shadows    4:41
Claus Ogerman
3    Lazy Afternoon    6:39
John Latouche / Jerome Moross
4    The Purple Condor    8:41
Claus Ogerman
5    If I Forget You    5:39
Claus Ogerman
6    (All Of A Sudden) My Heart Sings    7:44
Henri Herpin / Harold Rome
7    The Saga Of Rita Joe    7:39
Claus Ogerman
8    Another Autumn    9:28
Claus Ogerman
Credits :
Bass – Christian McBride
Concertmaster – Bruce Dukov
Conductor, Arranged By – Claus Ogerman
Drums – Lewis Nash
Percussion – Luis Quintero
Piano – Danilo Perez
Vocals – Cassandra Wilson (pistas: 3, 6)

STAN GETZ | KENNY BARRON — People Time (1992) 2CD | APE (image+.cue), lossless

Stan Getz's final recording, a two-CD live set of duets with pianist Kenny Barron that was cut just three months before his death, finds the great tenor in surprisingly creative form despite an occasional shortness of breath. Getz's tone is as beautiful as ever and he does not spare himself on this often exquisite set. His version of Charlie Haden's "First Song" is a highlight but none of the 14 performances are less than great. A brilliant farewell recording by a masterful jazzman. Scott Yanow
Tracklist 1 :
1     East of the Sun (And West of the Moon) 9:29
Brooks Bowman
2     Night and Day 8:16
Cole Porter
3     I'm Okay 5:24
Eduardo del Barrio
4     Like Someone in Love 8:02
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
5     Stablemates 8:47
Benny Golson
6     I Remember Clifford 9:04
Benny Golson
7     Gone With the Wind 7:12
Herbert Magidson / Allie Wrubel
Tracklist 2 :       
1     First Song (For Ruth) 9:55
Charlie Haden
2     There Is No Greater Love 8:36
Isham Jones / Marty Symes
3     The Surrey With the Fringe on Top 9:22
Oscar Hammerstein II / Richard Rodgers
4     People Time 6:14
Benny Carter
5     Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise 7:54
Oscar Hammerstein II / Sigmund Romberg
6     Hush-A-Bye 9:33
Sammy Fain / Jerry Seelen / Ambroise Thomas
7     Soul Eyes 7:32
Mal Waldron
Credits :
Piano – Kenny Barron
Sax Tenor – Stan Getz

RANDY CRAWFORD & JOE SAMPLE — No Regrets (2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Randy Crawford and Joe Sample go back a long way; Crawford was featured on the Crusaders' 1979 hit "Street Life," a gem that held up pleasingly well 30 years later. And even though Crawford has generally been more of an R&B singer than a jazz singer, she is certainly quite capable of singing jazz -- which is what she does to a large degree on No Regret, a session Crawford co-leads with pianist Sample. It would be inaccurate to say that this 2009 release, which Sample produced with Tommy LiPuma, is the work of jazz purists. The musical recipe is jazz meets soul meets the blues -- in other words, soul-jazz -- and Crawford and Sample (who are joined by bassist Christian McBride and drummer Steve Gadd) enjoy a strong rapport on material that ranges from Memphis Slim's "Every Day I Have the Blues" and Clyde Otis' "This Bitter Earth" to the Staple Singers' "Respect Yourself" and Mel & Tim's "Starting All Over Again." There are some interesting surprises on No Regret; Crawford and Sample also tackle Sarah McLachlan's "Angel" with memorable results, and they even find the soul-jazz possibilities in Charles Dumont's Edith Piaf-associated "Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien." That French classic, which was a major hit for Piaf in 1960, has a lot of history attached to it; it is considered Piaf's anthem (much like "My Way" was for Frank Sinatra), it has been adopted as an anthem by the French Foreign Legion -- and of course, it's a great song to crank when you want to give the middle finger to all the racist, wacky neo-cons who have an obsessive and downright irrational hatred of France (evidently, neo-cons forget where the Statue of Liberty came from). But Crawford doesn't try to emulate Piaf; she embraces an English-language version, and a song that came out of French pop works surprisingly well in a soul-jazz setting. No Regret is a consistently rewarding follow-up to Crawford and Sample's previous collaboration Feeling Good. Alex Henderson    Tracklist & Credits :

GIL EVANS | LAURENT CUGNY | BIG BAND LUMIERE – Rhythm-A-Ning (1988-2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This is a very interesting recording. Aging arranger/pianist Gil Evans agreed after much persuasion to come to Paris and play his music at a few concerts with Laurent Cugny's Orchestra. After only one rehearsal, the first event took place, and it gratified Evans to realize that the young French musicians were not only excellent players but big Gil Evans fans. Their interpretations of Thelonious Monk's "Rhythm-A-Ning," "London" and "La Nevada" rank with the best versions of Evans's regular Monday Night Band, and Cugny's "Charlie Mingus' Sound of Love" (an answer to Mingus' "Duke Ellington's Sound of Love") is also excellent. Few of the sidemen, other than tenor-saxophonist Andy Sheppard and percussionist Marilyn Mazur, are known in the U.S., but they did an excellent job of bringing Gil Evans's music to life. Scott Yanow    Tracklist & Credits :

CLIFFORD BROWN – Brownie : The Complete EmArcy Recordings of Clifford Brown (1989) RM | 11xCD BOX-SET | MONO | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although undoubtedly an expensive acquisition, this ten-CD set is perfectly done and contains dozens of gems. The remarkable but short-lived trumpeter Clifford Brown has the second half of his career fully documented (other than his final performance) and he is showcased in a wide variety of settings. The bulk of the numbers are of Brownie's quintet with co-leader and drummer Max Roach, either Harold Land or Sonny Rollins on tenor, pianist Richie Powell, and bassist George Morrow (including some previously unheard alternate takes), but there is also much more. Brown stars at several jam sessions (including a meeting with fellow trumpeters Clark Terry and Maynard Ferguson), accompanies such singers as Dinah Washington, Helen Merrill, and Sarah Vaughan, and is backed by strings on one date. Everything is here, including classic versions of "Parisian Thoroughfare," "Joy Spring," "Daahoud," "Coronado," a ridiculously fast "Move," "Portrait of Jenny," "Cherokee," "Sandu," "I'll Remember April," and "What Is This Thing Called Love?" Get this set while it stays in print. Scott Yanow   Tracklist + Credits :

CLIFFORD BROWN AND MAX ROACH – Clifford Brown And Max Roach (1954-1986) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

According to the original 1955 liner notes to Clifford Brown & Max Roach, the announcement that Clifford Brown and Max Roach had begun recording and playing together sent shock waves throughout the jazz community and predictions ran rampant about how the two might shape bop to come. The last duo to really shape the music had begun over ten years earlier, with the relationship between Bird and Diz. This recording was early fruit from a tree that would only live as long as Clifford Brown was around to water it (1956, the year of his tragic auto accident). The result is by far some of the warmest and most sincere bebop performed and committed to tape. Brown's tone is undeniably and characteristically warm, and he keeps the heat on alongside Roach's lilting vamps and pummeling solos. What really keeps this record on the orange side of things (other than the decidedly orange cover) is the solo work of saxophonist Harold Land, who plays part Bird and part Benny Goodman. His tone is as delightful as it gets on the sultry "Deliah" and as bop-expressive as it gets on "The Blues Walk" and "Parisian Thoroughfare," where he and Brownie go head to head blowing expressive runs of sheer New York-style jazz. This collection of songs runs a nice gamut between boplicity and pleasant balladry. It represents bop at its best and is recommended for collectors and casual fans alike. Sam Samuelson   Tracklist + Credits :

CLIFFORD BROWN – Clifford Brown with Strings (1955-1987) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

There are two schools of thought regarding this Clifford Brown with strings session (which has been reissued on CD). Brownie plays quite beautifully and shows off his warm tone on such numbers as "Portrait of Jenny," "Memories of You," "Embraceable You" and "Stardust." But on the other hand the string arrangements by Neal Hefti border on muzak and Brown never really departs from the melody. So the trumpeter's tone is the only reason to acquire this disc which to this listener is a slight disappointment, not living up to its potential. Scott Yanow     Tracklist + Credits :

CLIFFORD BROWN AND MAX ROACH – Study in Brown (1955-1985) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 Study in Brown features the 1955 version of the Clifford Brown/Max Roach Quintet, a group also including tenor saxophonist Harold Land, pianist Richie Powell, and bassist George Morrow. One of the premiere early hard bop units, this band had unlimited potential. Highlights of this set are "Cherokee" (during which trumpeter Brown is brilliant), "Swingin'," and "Sandu." All of this group's recordings are well worth acquiring. Scott Yanow   Tracklist + Credits :

RAHSAAN ROLAND KIRK - We Free Kings (1961-1990) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

We Free Kings, Roland Kirk's third long-player, is among the most consistent of his early efforts. The assembled quartet provides an ample balance of bop and soul compliments to Kirk's decidedly individual polyphonic performance style. His inimitable writing and arranging techniques develop into some great originals, as well as personalize the chosen cover tunes. With a nod to the contemporary performance style of John Coltrane, as well as a measure of his influences -- most notably Clifford Brown and Sidney Bechet -- Kirk maneuvers into and out of some inspiring situations. His decidedly 'Trane-esque solos on "My Delight" are supported with a high degree of flexibility by one-time Charles Mingus' pianist Richard Wyands and Dizzy Gillespie percussionist Charlie Persip. The album's title track is a Kirk original, based on the melody of the Christmas hymn "We Three Kings." Incorporating recognizable melodies into Kirk's oft times unorthodox musical settings would prove to be a motif throughout his career. An example is the highly touted cover of Charlie Parker's "Blues for Alice." This is an ideal avenue for the quartet to explore one of Kirk's specialties -- the blues. The almost irreverent manner in which he fuses blues and soul music into the otherwise bop-driven arrangements is striking. "A Sack Full of Soul" is a funky number with a walking-blues backbeat that perfectly supports Kirk's swinging solos. The stop time syncopation is reminiscent of Ray Charles' "What'd I Say." The 1987 CD version also includes an alternate take of "Blues for Alice." One additional track -- a cover of the Frank Loesser standard "Spring Will Be a Little Late This Year" -- was also recorded at these sessions and remained unissued until its inclusion on the ten-disc Rahsaan: The Complete Mercury Recordings of Roland Kirk box set. Lindsay Planer  

Tracklist  
1 Three For The Festival 3:07
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
2 Moon Song 4:20
Written-By – Arthur Johnston, Sam Coslow
3 A Sack Full Of Soul 4:37
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
4 The Haunted Melody 3:37
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
5 Blues For Alice (Alt. Take) 5:11
Written-By – Charlie Parker
6 Blues For Alice (Master Take) 4:06
Written-By – Charlie Parker
7 We Free Kings 4:44
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
8 You Dit It, You Did It 2:27
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
9 Some Kind Of Love 6:09
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
10 My Delight 4:28
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
Credits
Bass – Art Davis (tracks: 3 to 6, 10), Wendell Marshall (tracks: 1, 2, 7 to 9)
Composed By – Roland Kirk (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 7 to 10)
Drums – Charlie Persip
Flute – Roland Kirk
Piano – Hank Jones (tracks: 1, 2, 7 to 9), Richard Wyands (tracks: 3 to 6, 10)
Saxophone [Manzello, Stritch] – Roland Kirk
Siren – Roland Kirk
Tenor Saxophone – Roland Kirk

BILLY ECKSTINE | BENNY CARTER - Billy Eckstine Sings with Benny Carter (1987) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Billy Eckstine's final recording (although he would live until 1993) finds the 72-year old singer showing his age. Mr. B's famous baritone voice at this late date only hints at his earlier greatness although his phrasing and enthusiasm uplift what could have been a depressing affair. Ironically altoist Benny Carter (who was 79) still sounds in his prime on alto and he takes an effective trumpet solo on "September Song." Singer Helen Merrill opens and closes the set by interacting vocally with Eckstine on "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" and "Didn't We." Eckstine, backed by a trio headed by his longtime pianist Bobby Tucker, does his best on such songs as "My Funny Valentine," "Memories of You" and "Autumn Leaves" but his earlier recordings are the ones to get. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To 5:24
Cole Porter
Vocals – Helen Merrill    
2     My Funny Valentine 3:33
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers    
3     Here's That Rainy Day 3:52
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen    
4     Summertime 3:53
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin / DuBose Heyward    
5     A Kiss From You 3:54
Benny Carter / Johnny Mercer    
6     Memories of You 3:46
Eubie Blake / Andy Razaf    
7     I've Got the World On a String 4:42
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler    
8     Now That I Need You 3:53
Benny Moten    
9     Over the Rainbow 4:40
Harold Arlen / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg    
10     September Song 3:57
Maxwell Anderson / Kurt Weill
11     Autumn Leaves 3:44
Joseph Kosma / Johnny Mercer / Jacques Prévert    
12     Didn't We 5:25
Jimmy Webb
Vocals – Helen Merrill
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Bass – Paul West
Drums – Vernell Fournier
Piano, Arranged By – Bobby Tucker
Trumpet – Benny Carter (pistas: 10)
Vocals – Billy Eckstine, Helen Merrill (pistas: 1, 12)

ANDY LAVERNE WITH JOHN ABERCROMBIE - Natural Living (2005) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This duo date marks the first occasion during which Andy LaVerne and John Abercrombie played together, so with the impressive results it isn't surprising to learn that they would get together again in the studio. The give and take between the pianist and guitarist is at the high level of the Bill Evans-Jim Hall sessions. An inventive interpretation of "Sweet and Lovely" starts things off at a high level. They skim the surface of "All the Things You Are" by adding some interesting re-harmonization, while "When You Wish Upon a Star" has a rhapsodic introduction by LaVerne and wonderful comping by each player for his partner's solo. The influence of Bill Evans upon LaVerne's playing during "Stella by Starlight." Both men also contributed original tunes to the date. LaVerne's "Natural Living" is a hard to predict bossa nova with Abercrombie on acoustic guitar, while the pianist's "Archetypal Schemata" and Abercrombie's "John's Waltz" are post-bop masterpieces. Their one collaboration seems to be a joint improvisation, with Abercrombie on guitar synthesizer. This is an excellent all around release. by Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     Sweet and Lovely 5:01
Gus Arnheim / Jules LeMare (Chas. N. Daniels) / Harry Tobias
2     Actual Sighs 6:03
Andy LaVerne
3     John's Waltz 4:48
John Abercrombie
4     All the Things You Are 5:19
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
5     Among Tall Trees 5:24
Andy LaVerne
6     Natural Living 8:20
Andy LaVerne
7     Archetypal Schemata 4:13
Andy LaVerne
8     Magnetic Flux 4:03
John Abercrombie / Andy LaVerne
9     Labour Day 5:19
John Abercrombie
10     When You Wish upon a Star 7:32
Leigh Harline / Ned Washington
11     Stella by Starlight 7:11
Ned Washington / Victor Young
12     Suzy's World 7:30
Andy LaVerne
Credits :
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Guitar [Guitar-synthesizer] – John Abercrombie
Piano – Andy LaVerne

RON CARTER - All Alone (1988) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Nice showcase for Carter's impeccable bass skills. by Ron Wynn
Tracklist :
1    D.B. Blues    7:36
Ron Carter
2    New York Standard Time    6:18
Ron Carter
3    Body And Soul 8:12
Composed By – Heyman, Eyton, Green, Sour
4    Tap, Tap, Tap    9:09
Ron Carter
5    Quick And Easy    3:58
Ron Carter
6    Guyava    6:59
Ron Carter
7    The Same 12 Tones    5:51
Ron Carter
8    Two Hands Only    7:46
Ron Carter
Credits :
Strings, Double Bass, Bass – Ron Carter
Engineer – Rudy Van Gelder

JANE MONHEIT – The Heart Of The Matter (2013) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

A technically proficient singer with a distinctive style that straddles the line between Ella Fitzgerald's extroverted, loosely swinging approach and Linda Eder's more restrained Broadway and cabaret style, Jane Monheit is a virtuoso. One minute she's dazzling you with her resonant bebop-ready chops and the next she's making you cry with a single verse of a ballad. On her ninth studio album, 2013's Heart of the Matter, Monheit brings all of her gifts to bear on a set of mature, heartfelt songs that rank among her best. The album also works as a companion piece to 2009's The Lovers, the Dreamers and Me. With that album, Monheit celebrated such milestones as the birth of her son Jack and turning 30. She then followed up with 2010's equally as compelling if more swinging and straight-ahead jazz-sounding Home. Heart of the Matter, with its ruminations on motherhood and fidelity, returns Monheit to the more intimate, contemporary pop sound of The Lovers, the Dreamers and Me. Working with producer/arranger Gil Goldstein (who also adds his lyrical accordion sound to several tracks) and her usual rhythm section of drummer Rick Montalbano (her husband), pianist Michael Kanan, and bassist Neal Miner, Monheit has crafted a sumptuous, immaculately arranged album that once again shines a light on her immense vocal talent. Whether she's framed by a lush orchestral backing on the bossa nova "Depende de Nós" or a spare electric piano and flute arrangement on "Two Lonely People," Heart of the Matter finds Monheit nestled deep into the pocket of her own cross-genre sound, and it's a warm place to be. Matt Collar
Tracklist :
1     Until It's Time for You to Go 6:01
Accordion – Gil Goldstein
Bass – Neal Miner
Cello – Richard Locker
Drums – Rick Montalbano
Percussion – Rogerio Boccato
Vocals [Vocal] – Jane Monheit
Words By, Music By – Buffy Sainte-Marie    
2     Depende de Nós 4:32
Accordion – Gil Goldstein
Alto Flute – Barry Crawford
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Jane Monheit
Bass – Neal Miner
Cello – David Eggar, Richard Locker
Drums – Rick Montalbano
Flute [Bass] – Sheryl Henze
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
Percussion – Rogerio Boccato
Piano – Michael Kanan
Vocals [Vocal] – Jane Monheit
Words By, Music By – Ivan Lins, Victor Martins
3     Little Man You’ve Had a Busy Day 5:16
Alto Flute – Kathleen Nester
Bass – Neal Miner
Cello – David Eggar, Richard Locker
Drums – Rick Montalbano
Electric Piano – Gil Goldstein
Flute [Bass] – Sheryl Henze
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
Percussion – Rogerio Boccato
Piano – Michael Kanan
Vocals [Vocal] – Jane Monheit
Words By, Music By – Al Hoffman, Mable Wayne, Maurice Sigler
4     Two Lonely People 4:53
Alto Flute – Kathleen Nester
Electric Piano – Gil Goldstein
Flute [Bass] – Sheryl Henze
Lyrics By – Carol Hall
Music By – Bill Evans
Vocals [Vocal] – Jane Monheit
5     A Gente Merece Ser Feliz 5:27
Accordion – Gil Goldstein
Alto Flute – Barry Crawford
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Jane Monheit
Bass – Neal Miner
Cello – David Eggar, Richard Locker
Drums – Rick Montalbano
Flute [Bass] – Sheryl Henze
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
Percussion – Rogerio Boccato
Piano – Michael Kanan
Vocals [Vocal] – Jane Monheit
Words By, Music By – Ivan Lins, Paulo Pinheiro
6     Golden Slumbers/Long and Winding Road 7:19
Bass – Neal Miner
Cello – David Eggar, Richard Locker
Drums – Rick Montalbano
Electric Piano – Gil Goldstein
Percussion – Rogerio Boccato
Piano – Michael Kanan
Vocals [Vocal] – Jane Monheit
Words By, Music By – John Lennon And Paul McCartney
7     When She Loved Me 2:54
Alto Flute – Barry Crawford
Cello – David Eggar, Richard Locker
Flute [Bass] – Sheryl Henze
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
Vocals [Vocal] – Jane Monheit
Words By, Music By – Randy Newman
8     Born to Be Blue 4:22
Alto Flute – Barry Crawford
Arranged By [Rhythm Arrangement] – Neal Miner
Bass – Neal Miner
Cello – David Eggar, Richard Locker
Drums – Rick Montalbano
Flute [Bass] – Sheryl Henze
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
Lyrics By – Mel Tormé
Music By – Robert Wells
Orchestrated By [Orchestration] – Gil Goldstein
Piano – Michael Kanan
Vocals [Vocal] – Jane Monheit
9     Close 4:19
Alto Flute – Barry Crawford
Bass – Neal Miner
Cello – David Eggar, Richard Locker
Drums – Rick Montalbano
Electric Piano – Gil Goldstein
Flute [Bass] – Sheryl Henze
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
Lyrics By – Cliff Goldmacher
Music By – Larry Goldings
Piano – Michael Kanan
Vocals [Vocal] – Jane Monheit
10     Night Night Stars 3:08
Alto Flute – Barry Crawford
Bass – Neal Miner
Cello – David Eggar, Richard Locker
Drums – Rick Montalbano
Electric Piano – Gil Goldstein
Flute [Bass] – Sheryl Henze
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
Percussion – Rogerio Boccato
Piano – Michael Kanan
Vocals [Vocal] – Jane Monheit
Words By, Music By – Jane Monheit
11     I Get Along Without You Very Well 4:12
Alto Flute – Barry Crawford
Arranged By [Rhythm Arrangement] – Michael Kanan
Arranged By, Conductor [Conducted By] – Gil Goldstein
Bass – Neal Miner
Cello – David Eggar, Richard Locker
Drums – Rick Montalbano
Flute [Bass] – Sheryl Henze
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
Lyrics By – Jane Brown Thompson
Music By – Hoagy Carmichael
Orchestrated By [Orchestration] – Gil Goldstein
Percussion – Rogerio Boccato
Piano – Michael Kanan
Vocals [Vocal] – Jane Monheit
12     Sing 5:13
Alto Flute – Barry Crawford
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Jane Monheit
Bass – Neal Miner
Cello – David Eggar, Richard Locker
Drums – Rick Montalbano
Electric Piano – Gil Goldstein
Flute [Bass] – Sheryl Henze
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
Percussion – Rogerio Boccato
Piano – Michael Kanan
Vocals [Vocal] – Jane Monheit
Written-By – Joe Raposo

HELEN MERRILL - Dream of You (1956-1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 One thing that set Helen Merrill apart from other '50s jazz singers was her acutely dramatic vocal style. Her earnest phrasing, elongated notes, and incandescent tone might even strike the contemporary listener as qualities more appropriate for the Broadway stage than a jazz club. On 1955's Dream of You, though, Merrill found reconciliation, sounding both melodramatic and swinging within Gil Evans' darkly spacious, yet economical arrangements. Suitably, torchy ballads are prominent. On the somewhat grandiose side there's "Where Flamingos Fly" and "I'm a Fool to Want You," which find Merrill in a pensive mood amidst a variety of tempo and timbre shifts. More subdued ground is covered on "I've Never Seen" and "He Was Too Good to Me." Briskly swinging numbers like "People Will Say We're in Love," "By Myself," and "You're Lucky to Me" balance the program and feature the demure, yet fluid delivery Merrill favored on fast numbers. What is most impressive on this date is a group of sultry, medium tempo numbers including "Anyplace I Lay My Hat Is Home," "Just a Lucky So and So," and in particular "A New Town Is a Blue Town." The programmatic quality of Merrill's coyly sensual voice and Evans' slightly askew, bubbling reeds and languid rhythm conjure up dramatic, balmy southern scenes á la Tennessee Williams. In the picturesque arrangements one also hears the seeds of Evans' own future collaborations with Miles Davis. Even though her collaborations with Clifford Brown and others are great recordings, this one with Gil Evans shows off more of Merrill's expressive vocal talents, due in no small part to the sympathetic and urbane arrangements. Stephen Cook   
Tracklist:
1 People Will Say We're In Love 2:34
Written-By – O. Hammerstein II, R. Rodgers
2 By Myself 3:23
Written-By – A. Schwartz, H. Dietz
3 Anyplace I Hang My Hat Is Home 4:10
Written-By – Arlen, Mercer
4 I've Never Seen 3:30
Written-By – Marcotte, D. Cochran
5 He Was Too Good To Me 3:01
Written-By – L. Hart, R. Rodgers
6 A New Town Is A Blue Town 3:09
Written-By – J. Ross, R. Adler
7 You're Lucky To Me 3:26
Written-By – A. Razaf, E. Blake
8 Where Flamingos Fly 2:44
Written-By – E. Thea, H. Courlander, J. Brooks
9 Dream Of You 2:54
Written-By – S. Oliver
10 I'm A Fool To Want You 4:07
Written-By – F. Sinatra, J. Wolf, J. S. Harron
11 I'm Just A Lucky So And So 3:08
Written-By – D. Ellington, M. David
12 Troubled Waters 3:14
Written-By – A. Johnston, S. Coslow
Credits:
Alto Saxophone – John Laporta (tracks: 3, 6, 8, 11)
Alto Saxophone, Flute – Jerome Richardson (tracks: 3, 6, 8, 11)
Arranged By, Conductor – Gil Evans (tracks: 1 to 12)
Bass – Oscar Pettiford (tracks: 1, 2, 7, 9)
Bass Saxophone – Danny Banks (tracks: 3, 6, 8, 11)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – John Laporta (tracks: 1, 2, 7, 9)
Drums – Joe Morello (tracks: 1, 2, 7, 9)
Guitar – Barry Galbraith (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12)
Piano – Hank Jones (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12)
Trombone – Jimmy Cleveland (tracks: 1, 2, 7, 9), Joe Bennett (tracks: 3, 6, 8, 11)
Trumpet – Art Farmer (tracks: 1, 2, 7, 9), Louis Mucci (tracks: 1, 2, 7, 9)
Vocals – Helen Merrill

HELEN MERRILL - The Nearness of You (1958-1996) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Alternately breathy and atmospheric or bright and dynamic, Helen Merrill often reaches a bit too far on The Nearness of You, though her distinct style and strong personality may be refreshing to vocal fans tired of the standard versions of standards. Leading two separate sextets -- the rather more famous one, with Bill Evans, Bobby Jaspar, Oscar Pettiford, and Jo Jones, appears on only four tracks -- Merrill breezes over a raft of mid-tempo standards, with several detours through high-drama territory. Her powerful voice occasionally gets her into trouble, breaking from breathy to brash and often occupying a rather awkward middle ground. Still, her ebullient tone and playful way with "Bye, Bye Blackbird," "Let Me Love You," and "All of You" is a treat to hear, and flutist Mike Simpson cuts it up behind her as well. Merrill really shines on the darker material, with just a plucked bass to accompany her on "Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise," and a similarly spare accompaniment on a long, drawn-out tribute to "Summertime" and "I See Your Face Before Me." by John Bush
Tracklist  :
1 Bye Bye Blackbird 2:56
Double Bass – Johnny Frigo
Drums – Jerry Slosberg
Flute – Mike Simpson 
Guitar – Fred Rundquist
Piano – Dick Marx
2 When The Sun Comes Out 4:46
Double Bass – Oscar Pettiford
Drums – Jo Jones
Flute – Bobby Jaspar
Guitar – George Russell 
Piano – Bill Evans
3 I Remember You 2:09

Double Bass – Johnny Frigo

Drums – Jerry Slosberg
Flute – Mike Simpson 
Guitar – Fred Rundquist
Piano – Dick Marx
4 Softly As In A Morning Sunrise 3:18
Double Bass – Johnny Frigo
Drums – Jerry Slosberg
Flute – Mike Simpson  
Guitar – Fred Rundquist
Piano – Dick Marx
5 Dearly Beloved 2:05
Double Bass – Johnny Frigo
Drums – Jerry Slosberg
Flute – Mike Simpson  
Guitar – Fred Rundquist
Piano – Dick Marx
6 Summertime 3:26
Double Bass – Johnny Frigo
Drums – Jerry Slosberg
Flute – Mike Simpson (5)
Guitar – Fred Rundquist
Piano – Dick Marx
7 All Of You 3:31
Double Bass – Oscar Pettiford
Drums – Jo Jones
Flute – Bobby Jaspar
Guitar – George Russell  
Piano – Bill Evans
8 I See Your Face Before Me 2:39
Double Bass – Johnny Frigo
Drums – Jerry Slosberg
Flute – Mike Simpson
Guitar – Fred Rundquist
Piano – Dick Marx
9 Let Me Love You 2:47
Double Bass – Oscar Pettiford
Drums – Jo Jones
Flute – Bobby Jaspar
Guitar – George Russell 
Piano – Bill Evans
10 The Nearness Of You 4:03
Double Bass – Oscar Pettiford
Drums – Jo Jones
Flute – Bobby Jaspar
Guitar – George Russell 
Piano – Bill Evans
11 This Time The Dream's On Me 2:19
Double Bass – Johnny Frigo
Drums – Jerry Slosberg
Flute – Mike Simpson
Guitar – Fred Rundquist
Piano – Dick Marx
12 Just Imagine 3:22
Double Bass – Oscar Pettiford
Drums – Jo Jones
Flute – Bobby Jaspar
Guitar – George Russell
Piano – Bill Evans

JOE PASS WITH RED MITCHELL - Finally : Live in Stockholm (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    The Shadow Of Your Smile    6:11
Johnny Mandel / Paul Francis Webster
2    Have You Met Ms. Jones    5:38
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
3    I Thought About You    7:25
James Van Heusen / Johnny Mercer
4    All The Things You Are    5:03
Sonny Rollins
5    Doxy    5:28
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
6    These Foolish Things    8:40
Harry Link / Holt Marvell / Jack Strachey
7    Blue Moon    5:45
Harry Link / Holt Marvell / Jack Strachey
8    For Django    3:33
Joe Pass
9    Finally    5:15
10    Pennies From Heaven    3:03
Johnny Burke / Arthur Johnston
11    Softly As In A Morning Sunrise    6:15
Oscar Hammerstein II / Sigmund Romberg
Credits :
Bass – Red Mitchell (faixas: 1-7, 9-11)
Guitar – Joe Pass (faixas: 1-9, 11)
Producer – Joe Pass (faixas: 1-11)
Vocals – Red Mitchell (faixas: 9)

JIMMY CLEVELAND - Introducing Jimmy Cleveland and His All Stars (1956-2000) RM / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

The first of five albums headed by trombonist Jimmy Cleveland during 1955-1959 (he has not led any since), this out of print LP (which was reissued by Trip in the 1970s) features Cleveland in medium-size groups with trumpeter Ernie Royal; either Lucky Thompson or Jerome Richardson on tenor; baritonist Cecil Payne; Hank Jones, John Williams, or Wade Legge on piano; Barry Galbraith, Paul Chambers, or Oscar Pettiford on bass; and either Max Roach, Osie Johnson, or Joe Harris on drums. The all-star cast interprets a variety of Quincy Jones arrangements, alternating standards with lesser-known originals, and although many of his sidemen get fine spots, Cleveland generally wins solo honors.  by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 Hear Ye! Hear Ye! 5:47
Written-By – Jimmy Cleveland, Quincy Jones
2 You Don't Know What Love Is 4:57
Written-By – Don Raye, Gene DePaul
3 Vixen 4:26
Written-By – Leonard Feather
4 My One And Only Love 4:01
Written-By – Guy Wood, Robert Mellin
5 Little Beaver 7:40
Written-By – Jimmy Cleveland, Quincy Jones
6 Love Is Here To Stay 3:29
Written-By – George And Ira Gershwin 
7 Count 'Em 6:33
Written-By – Quincy Jones
8 Bone Brother 5:36
Written-By – Jimmy Cleveland, Quincy Jones
9 I Hadn't Anyone Till You 4:12
Written-By – Ray Noble
10 See Minor 4:48
Written-By – Jimmy Cleveland, Quincy Jones
11 Love Is Here To Stay - Alternative Version 3:30
Written-By – George And Ira Gershwin 
Credits:
Arranged By – Quincy Jones
Baritone Saxophone – Cecil Payne
Bass – Oscar Pettiford (tracks: 3, 4, 6 to 8), Paul Chambers (tracks: 1, 2, 5, 9 to 11)
Drums – Joe Harris (tracks: 9 to 11), Max Roach (tracks: 1, 2, 5), Osie Johnson (tracks: 3, 4, 6 to 8)
Guitar – Barry Galbraith
Piano – Hank Jones (tracks: 3, 4, 6 to 8), John Williams (tracks: 1, 2, 5), Wade Legge (tracks: 9 to 11)
Tenor Saxophone – Jerome Richardson (tracks: 9 to 11), Lucky Thompson (tracks: 1 to 8)
Trombone – Jimmy Cleveland
Trumpet – Ernie Royal