GORDON GOODWIN´S BIG PHAT BAND — Swingin' for the Fences (2000) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Saxophonist Gordon Goodwin (heard on this CD on alto and soprano) has loved big bands since he was a child. He arranged all of the music for his 18-piece big band's release, contributing nine of the ten compositions (all but Bach's "Two Part Invention in D Minor") and getting several notable guest soloists to make appearances. The music is mostly modern mainstream, swinging while utilizing some advanced harmonies. There are a few departures including "Sing Sang Sung" (a number based a bit on "Sing Sing Sing"), the Bach selection, a couple Latin jazz pieces, and the funky "There's the Rub" and "A Few Good Men." Among the main soloists from the orchestra are Goodwin, trombonist Andy Martin, pianist Tom Ranier, and tenorman Dan Higgins. The guests (on two songs apiece) are trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, clarinetist Eddie Daniels, and altoists Eric Marienthal and Brandon Fields. Fans of contemporary big bands will find much to enjoy on this fun set. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Sing Sang Sung 5:35
Soloist – Arturo Sandoval, Eddie Daniels
2    Count Bubba 7:33
Soloist – Dan Higgins, Gordon Goodwin
3    Samba Del Gringo 6:59
Soloist – Andy Martin, Brandon Fields
4    Bach 2 Part Invention In D Minor 7:51
Composed By – J.S. Bach
Soloist – Eddie Daniels
5    I Remember 5:50
Soloist – Dan Higgins, Gordon Goodwin
6    Swingin' For The Fences 5:09
Soloist – Andy Martin, Eric Marienthal, Tom Ranier
7    Mueva Los Huesos (Shake Your Bones) 4:52
Soloist – Arturo Sandoval, Eric Marienthal
8    Second Chances 5:05
Soloist – Gordon Goodwin
9    There's The Rub 5:46
Soloist – Brandon Fields
10    A Few Good Men 3:54
Soloist – Carl Verheyen, Gordon Goodwin
Credits :
Acoustic Bass – Dave Stone (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 6)
Composed By, Arranged By – Gordon Goodwin (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 10)
Drums – Bernie Dresel (tracks: 1, 3 to 5, 8), Gregg Bissonette (tracks: 2, 6, 7, 9, 10)
Electric Bass – John Peña (tracks: 3, 5, 7 to 10)
Guitar – Carl Verheyen (tracks: 10), Grant Geissman (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8), James Harrah (tracks: 3, 5, 7, 9, 10)
Percussion – Bernie Dresel (tracks: 1, 4), Luis Conte
Piano – Gordon Goodwin (tracks: 5, 7, 9, 10), Jim Cox (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 8), Tom Ranier (tracks: 2, 6)
Trombone – Alex Iles, Andy Martin, Bill Reichenbach (tracks: 2, 6, 7, 10), Craig Ware (tracks: 1, 3 to 5, 8), Steve Holtman
Trumpet – Dan Savant, Dennis Farias (tracks: 1, 3 to5, 8), Gary Grant (tracks: 2, 6, 7, 10), Jerry Hey (tracks: 2, 6, 7, 10), Larry Hall, Wayne Bergeron
Woodwind – Bill Liston, Dan Higgins, Gordon Goodwin, Greg Huckins, Sal Lozano

GORDON GOODWIN´S BIG PHAT BAND — XXL (2003) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band is a modern big band which successfully blends elements of jazz and rock. Goodwin, who serves as keyboardist, composer, arranger and conductor, has created music that proves to be consistently catchy to the listener and challenging to his musicians. The leader obviously loves a good laugh. The playful staccato brass and reeds are the centerpiece of "Hunting Wabbits" before it transforms into a brisk bluesy vehicle. "Horn of Plenty," his tribute to the late Latin jazz great Tito Puente, features trumpeter Wayne Bergeron, and "The Jazz Police" is a rockish but amusing slap at closed-minded critics and radio hosts. He also makes good use of special guests. The vocal group Take 6 is featured on swinging charts of the standards "Comes Love" and "It's All Right With Me." Clarinetist Eddie Daniels is showcased in the snappy "Thad Said No" and a delicious rearrangement of the well-known theme from Mozart's 40th Symphony. Singer Johnny Mathis, hardly a jazz singer, nonetheless has fun with R&B oldie "Let the Good Times Roll." Rarely are big bands like Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band so able to combine such a diversity of influences into such a tantalizing mix. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    High Maintenance 6:17
Featuring – Andy Martin, Eric Marienthal
2    A Game Of Inches 7:22
Featuring – Michael Brecker
3    Comes Love 5:32
Featuring – Brian McKnight, Take 6
4    Thad Said No 5:45
Featuring – Eddie Daniels
5    Hunting Wabbits 6:21
Featuring – Andy Martin, Gordon Goodwin
6    The Quiet Corner 6:21
Featuring – Gordon Goodwin
7    Horn Of Puente 6:19
Featuring – Wayne Bergeron
8    It's All Right With Me 4:45
Featuring – Eric Marienthal, Take 6
9    The Jazz Police 5:19
Featuring – Brian Scanlon, Carl Verheyen
10    Mozart 40th Symphony In Gm 8:08
Featuring – Eddie Daniels
11    What Sammy Said 7:51
Featuring – Bob Summers, Brian Scanlon
12    Let The Good Times Roll 3:31
Featuring – Johnny Mathis
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – John Yoakum (tracks: 3, 12)
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute – Eric Marienthal (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 11)
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Flute [Alto] – Sal Lozano
Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Flute – Jay Mason
Bass Trombone – Craig Ware
Double Bass [Ac Bass], Electric Bass – Richard Shaw
Drums – Bernie Dresel (tracks: 1, 4, 8 to 10), Peter Erskine (tracks: 2, 5 to 7, 11), Ray Brinker (tracks: 3, 12)
Guitar – Carl Verheyen (tracks: 3, 8, 9, 12), Grant Geissman (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 7, 10, 11)
Producer, Composed By, Arranged By, Piano, Saxophone – Gordon Goodwin
Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet – Brian Scanlon, Jeff Driscoll
Trombone – Alex Iles (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 11), Andy Martin, Charlie Morillas (tracks: 3, 8, 9, 12), Nick Lane (tracks: 3, 12), Steve Holtman (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 7, 10, 11)
Trumpet – Bob Summers (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 10, 12), Dan Fornero (tracks: 2, 5 to 7, 11), Dan Savant, Larry Hall (tracks: 8, 9), Pete De Siena (tracks: 3, 12), Stan Martin (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 7, 10, 11), Wayne Bergeron

GORDON GOODWIN´S BIG PHAT BAND — The Phat Pack (2006) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band proves that large jazz ensembles are still in demand with this mostly rewarding effort. Goodwin, who wrote most of the music and doubles on piano and tenor sax, makes the most of his group's abilities. Highlights include the modern swing chart "Count Bubba's Revenge," the playful "Hunting Wabbits (A Bad Hare Day)" featuring Sal Lanzo on piccolo, and "Ever Braver, Ever Stronger (An American Elegy)," which is a richly textured work suggesting the influence of 20th century composer Aaron Copland. There are also various guests: vocalist Dianne Reeves adds a nice touch to the swinging chart of "Too Close for Comfort," while virtuoso clarinetist Eddie Daniels is featured in Goodwin's demanding "Under the Wire." The vocal group Take 6 add their tight harmonies to a breezy arrangement of "It Was a Very Good Year." The only dud is the ridiculously out-of-place 1970s R&B hit "Play That Funky Music" (by the one-hit-wonder band Wild Cherry), a piece of tripe featuring shrill smooth jazz alto saxophonist David Sanborn, who is also an ill fit with this normally swinging big band. Goodwin does his best to make something of this monotonous piece, but he is done in by its lack of substance; it's hard to believe that he chose either the song or Sanborn for this otherwise outstanding CD. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    Cut 'N Run    6:08
 Gordon Goodwin
2    Too Close For Comfort 3:40
 Larry Holofcener / George David Weiss
Featuring – Dianne Reeves
3    Count Bubba's Revenge    6:36
 Gordon Goodwin
4    Play The Funky Music 6:13
Featuring – David Sanborn
5    The Phat Pack    6:40
 Gordon Goodwin
6    Hunting Wabbits 2 (A Bad Hare Day)    4:47
 Gordon Goodwin
7    La Almeja Pequena (The Little Clam)    7:36
 Gordon Goodwin
8    Get In Line    6:54
 Gordon Goodwin
9    Attack Of The Killer Tomatoes    5:10
Gordon Goodwin
10    Under The Wire 5:31
 Gordon Goodwin
Featuring – Eddie Daniels
11    Whodunnit?    6:29
 Gordon Goodwin
12    It Was A Very Good Year 5:20
Featuring – Take 6
13    Ever Braver, Ever Stronger (An American Elegy)    4:08
 Gordon Goodwin
All Credits :

GORDON GOODWIN´S BIG PHAT BAND — Act Your Age (2008) Two Version | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless & APE (image+.cue), lossless

It isn't easy to keep a big band together, but Gordon Goodwin has come up with various strategies to maintain his Big Phat Band since its founding at the turn of the 21st century. Although the band is a vehicle for his writing and arranging, Goodwin has not been shy about bringing on eye-catching guest stars and trying new things, whether that meant having Johnny Mathis sing a number or Dave Sanborn contribute to a reading of "Play That Funky Music." He has been rewarded with Grammy nominations and stratospheric sales (for this style of music, that is) in the 15,000-20,000 range. Act Your Age, the fourth Big Phat Band album (not counting the group's 2006 soundtrack to Bah, Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas) again reveals Goodwin's marketing savvy. Deliberately offered up just before the deadline for the 2008 Grammy Awards, it boasts a bevy of guests including Chick Corea, who recreates his "Senor Mouse"; Patti Austin, singing a cover of Earth, Wind & Fire's "September"; electric bassist Nathan East, taking the lead role on the title tune; Dave Grusin, playing on his "Punta Del Soul"; the album's producer, Lee Ritenour, adding electric guitar to "September" and "Punta Del Soul"; and, um, "Art Tatum." The quotation marks are necessary since the Tatum contribution is virtual, courtesy of an electronic process by which a Tatum performance of "Yesterdays" from 1949 was digitized, then re-performed by a Diskclavier, accompanied by a big band arrangement provided by Goodwin. Traditionalists will cringe, of course, but Goodwin doesn't care about them. He cares about reanimating big-band music. Funnily enough, he does that most consistently on the tracks that don't have any guests or gimmicks, and they actually take up a good part of a long disc, just not, for the most part, in the early sequencing, where the guest stars are found. As the album goes on, Goodwin's charts turn out to be punchy and inventive, and he is abetted by a precise and enthusiastic ensemble. He may have included more tangential elements than big band fans would prefer, but there is some undeniable contemporary big-band music on this album. (On CD copies of Act Your Age, "Floating Home," the album's final track, is available as a download-only track, not on the disc itself.)  William Ruhlmann
Tracklist :
1    Hit The Ground Running 4:54
Composed By – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Alto Saxophone – Eric Marienthal
2    Watermelon Man 5:27
Composed By – Herbie Hancock
Featuring, Piano – Gordon Goodwin
3    September 4:29
Composed By – Al McKay, Allee Willis, Maurice White
Featuring, Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Featuring, Vocals – Patti Austin
4    Yesterdays 3:18
Composed By – Jerome Kern, Otto Harbach
Featuring, Piano – Art Tatum
5    Señor Mouse 5:00
Composed By – Chick Corea
Featuring, Piano – Chick Corea
6    Punta Del Soul 5:04
Composed By – Dave Grusin
Featuring, Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Featuring, Piano – Dave Grusin
7    Act Your Age 5:48
Composed By – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Alto Saxophone – Eric Marienthal
Featuring, Electric Bass – Nathan East
8    Chance Encounters 7:34
Composed By – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Soprano Saxophone – Gordon Goodwin
9    Backrow Politics 8:05
Composed By – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Trumpet – Bob Summers, Dan Fornero, Dan Savant, Wayne Bergeron
10    East Coast Envy 5:12
Composed By – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Tenor Saxophone – Brian Scanlon
Featuring, Trombone – Andy Martin
11    El Macho Muchacho 6:10
Composed By – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Guitar – Andrew Synowiec
Featuring, Tenor Saxophone – Brian Scanlon
12    Gumbo Street 6:32
Composed By – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Tenor Saxophone – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Trombone – Andy Martin
Credits :
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass – Rick Shaw
Alto Saxophone, Flute, Piccolo Flute – Sal Lozano
Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet – Jay Mason
Bass Trombone – Craig Ware
Drums – Bernie Dresel
Guitar – Andrew Synowiec (tracks: 1 to 7, 9), Grant Geissman (tracks: 8, 10 to 12)
Percussion – Brad Dutz
Piano, Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Gordon Goodwin
Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Flute – Eric Marienthal
Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute – Brian Scanlon
Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet – Jeff Driskill
Trombone – Alex Iles (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 7 to 12), Andy Martin, Charlie Morillas, Francisco Torres (tracks: 3, 5, 6)
Trumpet – Bob Summers (tracks: 1 to 6, 9), Dan Fornero, Dan Savant, Pete DeSienna (tracks: 7, 8, 10 to 12), Wayne Bergeron

DAVE SIEBELS — Dave Siebels with Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band (2008) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Veteran organist, composer, and arranger Dave Siebels sounds like he is completely comfortable and at home as the guest with pianist Gordon Goodwin's acclaimed Big Phat Band. Contemporary funk, modern big-band charts, and a little bebop form the core of the band, as it plays a mix of standards, pop tunes, and seven originals penned by Siebels, including six arrangements by Goodwin, and two smaller-ensemble cuts. The music is fairly predictable, but well-revered soloists like guitarist Grant Geissman, tenor saxophonist Brian Scanlon, trombonist Andy Martin, alto saxophonist Eric Marienthal, and flutist Sal Lozano pop up and increase the band's creative quotient. Siebels himself prefers eighth notes when he jams or plays behind the big band as on three of his tunes, the sleek funk-to-bop opener "The Coupe," the Brecker Brothers-type skunk funk "Not That There's Anything Wrong with That," and the cool walking "Da Blues," where he plays more unison lines with the horn section. "Sort of Like a Samba" is actually Brazilian-based with a quintet only, while "The Eleventh Hour" is another typical funky number, with Goodwin switching to tenor sax for a solo. There is a credible version of Neal Hefti's classic cool organists' favorite "Girl Talk" (with Geissman) and a rousing, fun take of Lalo Schifrin's boogaloo groove tune "The Cat." Stevie Wonder's "I Wish" is a clever adaptation, especially in its complex introduction, as different key changes are strung together before going into the familiar straight funk tune everybody knows. The big band and small ensembles unfortunately lose momentum during "The Gospel According to Hammond" and "I Love You Even More Again," tunes that it is difficult to express much enthusiasm about. While Siebels is a competent organist, he's in the lower third of favorites. A trio date would be welcome to hear how he can effectively stretch out with a more bare-bones combo, so listeners can assess his true colors. Michael G. Nastos
Tracklist :
1    The Coupe 5:25
Arranged By – Gordon Goodwin
Composed By – Dave Siebels
Performer [Musicians] – The Phat Band
Soloist, Guitar – Grant Geissman
Soloist, Tenor Saxophone – Brian Scanlon
2    Not That There's Anuthing Wrong With That 5:09
Arranged By – Gordon Goodwin
Composed By – Dave Siebels
Performer [Musicians] – The Phat Band
Soloist, Alto Saxophone – Eric Merienthal
3    Da Blues 5:19
Arranged By – Gordon Goodwin
Composed By – Dave Siebels
Performer [Musicians] – The Phat Band
Soloist, Trombone – Andy Martin
4    Girl Talk 5:37
Arranged By – Dave Siebels
Composed By – Neil Hefti
Drums – Dave Spurr
Performer [Musician], Guitar – Grant Geissman
5    I Wish 6:11
Arranged By – Gordon Goodwin
Composed By – Stevie Wonder
Performer [Musicians] – The Phat Band
Soloist, Tenor Saxophone – Gordon Goodwin
6    The Gospel According To Hammond 5:05
Arranged By – Gordon Goodwin
Composed By – Dave Siebels
Performer [Musicians] – The Phat Band
Soloist, Alto Saxophone – Eric Merienthal
7    I Love You Even More Again 4:04
Arranged By – Dave Siebels
Bass – Michael George
Composed By – Dave Siebels
Drums – Dave Spurr
Performer [Musician], Trumpet – Roy Wiegand
8    The Cat 3:54
Arranged By – Dave Siebels
Composed By – Lalo Schifrin
Performer [Musicians] – The Phat Band
Soloist, Flute – Sal Lozano
9    Sort Of Like A Samba 4:42
Bass – Michael George
Composed By, Arranged By – Dave Siebels
Drums – Dave Spurr
Performer [Musician], Tenor Saxophone – Ed Smart
Trumpet – Roy Wiegand
10    The Eleventh Hour 6:18
Arranged By – Gordon Goodwin
Composed By – Dave Siebels
Performer [Musicians] – The Phat Band
Soloist, Tenor Saxophone – Gordon Goodwin
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Eric Marienthal, Sal Lozano
Bass – Rick Shaw
Bass Trombone – Craig Ware
Conductor – Gordon Goodwin
Contractor – Dan Savant
Drums – Bernie Dresel
Guitar – Grant Geissman
Organ [Hammond B3] – Dave Siebels
Percussion – Brad Dutz
Piano – Gordon Goodwin
Tenor Saxophone – Brian Scanlon, Jeff Driscoll
Trombone – Alex Iles, Andy Martin, Charlie Morillas
Trumpet – Dan Fornero, Dan Savant, Pete De Siena, Wayne Bergeron

GORDON GOODWIN´S BIG PHAT BAND — That's How We Roll (2011) 24-44.1Hz | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Upon seeing the title That's How We Roll, people who don't know anything about the history of pianist/tenor saxophonist Gordon Goodwin and his Big Phat Band might assume that this is a hip-hop recording. "That's how we roll" is a popular expression in hip-hop circles (at least as of 2011), but like a lot of the bebop and hipster slang of the '40s and '50s, hip-hop slang often reaches people who aren't necessarily part of hip-hop's core audience, and that includes a jazz instrumentalist like Goodwin, who is jazz-oriented on this 67-minute CD but doesn't conduct himself like a jazz purist from start to finish. Goodwin has his traditional big-band influences (Count Basie, Buddy Rich), but it's obvious that he also has a taste for soul and funk; in fact, some of the horn arrangements on That's How We Roll successfully find the link between Basie's funkiness and the funkiness of '70s funk/soul bands such as Parliament/Funkadelic, Tower of Power and Earth, Wind & Fire. That's How We Roll has its share of tracks that could easily be described as big-band soul-jazz, including "Rippin' n Runnin'," "Howdiz Songo?," and the title tune. But "Race to the Bridge" and "Gaining on You" have boppish melodies, and Goodwin's hard-swinging arrangement of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" (which is the only song on this 2011 release he didn't compose) is quite Basie-minded. Meanwhile, the least jazz-friendly track is "Never Enough," which features Take 6 and is the only vocal offering on a predominantly instrumental CD; "Never Enough" is the only time the album ventures into outright funk (as opposed to jazz-funk or soul-jazz). That's How We Roll is not an album that was recorded with jazz purists in mind, and at the same time, there is way too much improvisation for the smooth jazz crowd. But this is an enjoyable outing if one is seriously into big-band jazz and also has a strong appreciation of soul and funk. Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1    That's How We Roll 7:06
Featuring, Alto Saxophone – Eric Marienthal
Written-By – Gordon Goodwin
2    Howdix Sango? 7:10
Featuring, Guitar – Andrew Synowiec
Featuring, Trumpet – Wayne Bergeron
Written-By – Gordon Goodwin
3    Rippin' N Runnin' 6:59
Featuring, Alto Saxophone – Dave Koz, Eric Marienthal, Gerald Albright
Written-By – Gordon Goodwin
4    Hunting Wabbits 3 (Get Off My Lawn) 7:55
Featuring, Tenor Saxophone – Gordon Goodwin
Written-By – Gordon Goodwin
5    Everlasting 5:40
Written-By, Featuring, Tenor Saxophone – Gordon Goodwin
6    Gaining On You 5:33
Featuring, Piano – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Tenor Saxophone – Brian Scanlon
Written-By – Gordon Goodwin
7    Never Enough 5:45
Featuring, Electric Bass – Marcus Miller
Featuring, Organ [B-3] – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Vocals – Take 6
Written-By – Gordon Goodwin, Lisa Goodwin
8    It's Not Polite To Point 7:54
Featuring, Trombone – Andy Martin, Charlie Morillas, Craig Ware, Francisco Torres
Written-By – Gordon Goodwin
9    Race To The Bridge 6:11
Featuring, Alto Saxophone – Eric Marienthal
Featuring, Tenor Saxophone – Brian Scanlon
Written-By – Gordon Goodwin
Encore    
10    Rhapsody In Blue 7:26
Featuring, Clarinet – Sal Lozano
Featuring, Tenor Saxophone – Jeff Driskill
Featuring, Trombone – Andy Martin
Featuring, Trumpet – Wayne Bergeron
Written-By – George Gershwin
Credits :
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass – Rick Shaw
Alto Saxophone – Kevin Garren (tracks: 5 to 7)
Alto Saxophone, Flute, Flute [Alto], Piccolo Flute – Sal Lozano
Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet – Jay Mason
Drums – Bernie Dresel
Guitar – Andrew Synowiec
Percussion – Brad Dutz
Piano, Tenor Saxophone – Gordon Goodwin
Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Flute – Eric Marienthal (tracks: 1 to 4, 8 to 10)
Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet – Brian Scanlon, Jeff Driskill
Trombone – Andy Martin, Charlie Morillas, Craig Gosnell (tracks: 1 to 7, 9), Craig Ware (tracks: 8, 10), Francisco Torres
Trumpet – Bob Summers, Dan Fornero (tracks: 1 to 4, 8 to 10), Dan Savant, Wayne Bergeron, Willie Murillo (tracks: 5 to 7)

GORDON GOODWIN´S BIG PHAT BAND — Life In The Bubble (2014) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band's 2014 effort, Life in the Bubble, showcases the ensemble's lively, crisply swinging jazz sound. Included here is a mix of standards and originals including such songs as the hard-driving "Why We Can't Have Nice Things," the lively Latin-tinged "Garaje Gato," their freewheeling take on the classic "On Green Dolphin Street," and others. Matt Collar
Tracklist :
1    Life In The Bubble 6:47
Written-By – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Tenor Saxophone – Brian Scanlon
2    Why We Can't Have Nice Things 6:20
Written-By – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Alto Saxophone – Kevin Garren
Featuring, Trombone – Andy Martin
3    Synolicks 8:16
Written-By – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Guitar – Andrew Synowiec
4    Years Of Therapy 8:22
Written-By – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Trumpet – Wayne Bergeron
5    The Passage 6:47
Written-By – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Alto Saxophone – Eric Marienthal
6    Garaje Gato 6:51
Written-By – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Drums – Bernie Dresel
Featuring, Percussion, Vocals – Joey Deleon
Featuring, Tenor Saxophone – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Trombone – Francisco Torres
7    Does This Chart Make Me Look Phat? 8:21
Written-By – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Tenor Saxophone – Jeff Driskill
Featuring, Trumpet – Willie Murillo
8    Get Smart 4:28
Featuring, Alto Saxophone – Eric Marienthal
Written-By – Irving Szathmary
9    On Green Dolphin Street 3:37
Featuring, Piano – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Trumpet – Bob Summers
Written-By – Bronislaw Kaper, Ned Washington
10    Party Rockers 3:57
Featuring, Vocals, Written-By – Judith Hill
Credits :
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass – Rick Shaw
Alto Saxophone – Kevin Garren (tracks: 2)
Alto Saxophone, Flute, Piccolo Flute – Sal Lozano
Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet – Jay Mason
Drums – Bernie Dresel
Guitar – Andrew Synowiec
Percussion – Joey De Leon, Jr. (tracks: Joey Deleon)
Piano, Tenor Saxophone – Gordon Goodwin
Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Eric Marienthal
Tenor Saxophone – Jeff Driskill (tracks: 1, 2, 5, 7 to 9), Kevin Garren (tracks: 3, 4, 6)
Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet – Brian Scanlon
Trombone – Andy Martin, Charlie Morillas, Craig Gosnell, Francisco Torres
Trumpet – Bob Summers (tracks: 9), Dan Fornero, Dan Savant, Wayne Bergeron, Willie Murillo

GORDON GOODWIN´S LITTLE PHAT BAND — An Elusive Man (2016) Two Version | FLAC (tracks+image.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    The LP Shuffle    7:36
 Gordon Goodwin
2    Cot In The Act    6:37
 Gordon Goodwin
3    Behind You    6:51
 Gordon Goodwin
4    An Elusive Man    9:11
 Gordon Goodwin
5    Samba Cya    5:06
 Gordon Goodwin
6    Garaje Gato    6:17
 Gordon Goodwin
7    I Know You    5:27
 Gordon Goodwin
8    Walkin'    5:32
 Richard Carpenter
9    In A Sentimental Mood    6:35
 Duke Ellington
10    Why Can't We Have Nice Things    6:19
 Gordon Goodwin
Credits :
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass – Rick Shaw
Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Eric Marienthal
Arranged By, Piano, Tenor Saxophone, Mixed By – Gordon Goodwin
Drums – Bernie Dresel
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Andrew Synowiec
Percussion – Joey De Leon, Jr.
Trombone – Andy Martin
Trumpet – Wayne Bergeron

DAVE WECKL— Master Plan (1990) Two Version | APE (image+.cue), lossless & FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Dave Weckl's recording career as a leader was off to a decent start with Master Plan -- not a fantastic start, but a decent one. The drummer had made a name for himself playing with Chick Corea's fusion-oriented Elektric Band and his straight-ahead Akoustic Band, and his admirers greeted this CD with high expectations. But while Master Plan isn't the mind-blowing gem it could have been, it's a competent, enjoyable jazz-rock outing. Weckl has talented guests in keyboardist Jay Oliver, tenor saxman Michael Brecker and Elektric Band colleagues Corea and Eric Marienthal (soprano and alto sax), and he is in good form on pieces that range from the funky "Tower of Inspiration" to the Afro-Cuban-influenced "Festival de Ritmo" and the Brazilian-minded "Auratune." The CD's only hard bop offering is "Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise," which finds Weckl forming a trio with pianist Ray Kennedy and bassist Tom Kennedy. Master Plan isn't essential, but it isn't anything to be ashamed of either. Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1    Tower Of Inspiration 3:58
Written-By – Dave Weckl, Jay Oliver
2    Here And There 6:06
Written-By – Dave Weckl, Jay Oliver
3    Festival De Ritmo 4:50
Written-By – Dave Weckl, Jay Oliver
4    In Common 5:54
Written-By – Jim Mayer, Peter Mayer, Roger Guth
5    Garden Wall 4:32
Written-By – Jim Mayer, Peter Mayer, Roger Guth
6    Auratune 4:45
Written-By – Jay Oliver
7    Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise 4:49
Written-By – Oscar Hammerstein II, Sigmund Romberg
8    Master Plan 8:12
Written-By – Chick Corea
9    Island Magic 4:55
Written-By – Dave Weckl, Jay Oliver
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Eric Marienthal (tracks: 2, 3)
Bass – Anthony Jackson (tracks: 2 to 5, 8, 9), Tom Kennedy (tracks: 1, 7)
Drums – Dave Weckl, Steve Gadd (tracks: 8)
Guitar – Peter Mayer (tracks: 2, 4)
Keyboards – Jay Oliver (tracks: 1 to 6, 9)
Piano – Chick Corea (tracks: 8), Ray Kennedy (3) (tracks: 7)
Soprano Saxophone – Eric Marienthal (tracks: 2, 4)
Sounds [Brush Overdub] – Dave Weckl (tracks: 4)
Sounds [Sound Effects] – Jay Oliver (tracks: 1)
Synthesizer – Chick Corea (tracks: 5, 9), Jay Oliver (tracks: 6, 8, 9)
Synthesizer [Additional Synthesizer Horns] – Jay Oliver (tracks: 1, 3)
Tenor Saxophone – Michael Brecker (tracks: 5)
Timbales – Dave Weckl (tracks: 2, 9)
Trombone – Bill Reichenbach (2) (tracks: 1, 3)
Trumpet – Jerry Hey (tracks: 1, 3), Scott Alspach (tracks: 6)
Vocals – Peter Mayer (tracks: 6)

DAVE WECKL — Heads Up (1992) Two Version | APE (image+.cue), lossless & FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

On drummer Dave Weckl's GRP set the rhythms are funky but complex and intelligent, Weckl's sidemen are very complementary and the grooves are quite infectious. Altoist Eric Marienthal and tenor saxophonist Steve Tavaglione get to blow up a storm twice apiece over vamps, Jay Oliver's synth spot recalls Chick Corea on "Tomatillo" and there are strong cameos by trumpeters Randy Brecker and Jeff Beal. Listeners who hate the sound of electronics would best avoid this date, but within its genre Heads Up is a superior effort. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    7th Ave. South 5:13
Bass – Jimmy Earl
Drums – Dave Weckl
Keyboards, Programmed By [Synth] – Jay Oliver
Soprano Saxophone – Eric Marienthal
Trumpet – Randy Brecker
2    Heads Up 6:40
Bass, Drums – Dave Weckl
Keyboards, Piano, Programmed By [Synth] – Jay Oliver
Soprano Saxophone – Eric Marienthal
3    Taboo 5:21
Alto Saxophone – Eric Marienthal
Bass – Jimmy Earl
Bass [Solo, Melody] – John Patitucci
Drums – Dave Weckl
Keyboards, Programmed By [Synth] – Jay Oliver
4    Tomatillo 5:34
Bass – Jimmy Earl
Drums, Percussion [Timbalitos] – Dave Weckl
Keyboards, Programmed By [Synth] – Jay Oliver
5    Peripheral Vision 5:11
Bass [Fretless] – Jimmy Earl
Drums – Dave Weckl
Keyboards, Programmed By [Synth] – Jay Oliver
Tenor Saxophone – Steve Tavaglione
Trumpet – Jeff Beal
6    Tee Funk (For Richard Tee) 5:32
Alto Saxophone – Eric Marienthal
Bass – Jimmy Earl
Drums – Dave Weckl
Keyboards, Programmed By [Synth] – Jay Oliver
7    Against The Wall 5:44
Bass, Keyboards – Gary Novak
Drums, Programmed By [Synth] – Dave Weckl
Keyboards, Programmed By [Synth] – Jay Oliver
Tenor Saxophone – Steve Tavaglione
8    Full Moon 5:37
Bass, Keyboards – John Patitucci
Drums, Programmed By [Synth] – Dave Weckl
Keyboards [Behind Sax Solo], Programmed By [Synth] – Jay Oliver
Tenor Saxophone – Steve Tavaglione
9    Trigger Happy 3:58
Performer [Everything], Drums – Dave Weckl

CAROL WELSMAN - Carol Welsman (2007) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

If this self-titled CD had more of a straight-ahead jazz outlook, it would be easy to describe Carol Welsman as a member of the Cool School; the Canadian singer favors the type of relaxed, subtle phrasing that June Christy, Helen Merrill and Chris Connor were known for in the '50s. But for the most part, this 2007 release (which was produced by Jimmy Haslip of Yellowjackets fame) is not straight-ahead jazz but rather, is best described as jazz-tinged pop/NAC singing along the lines of Basia, Marilyn Scott and Sade. The 50-minute CD does have its improvisatory moments; the Brazilian-flavored "Café" (a Welsman original) demonstrates that Welsman can scat and improvise effectively when she puts her mind to it. But pop dominates the album, and that isn't a problem because Welsman's pop -- although certainly light -- is not lightweight. For all her subtlety and understatement, Welsman gets her emotional points across whether she is putting her spin on the Doobie Brothers' "What a Fool Believes," Madonna's "Live to Tell" or the Latin standard "Nosotros." Welsman has no problem performing in Spanish on "Nosotros"; in fact, she performs in a total of five languages on this disc -- not only English and Spanish, but also in Portuguese on "Eu Vim de Ahia," in Italian on "Ora" and in French on "Dans Cette Chambre." The latter is an example of a familiar melody with new lyrics; "Dans Cette Chambre" is Welsman's French-language interpretation of Gordon Lightfoot's "Beautiful." A Lightfoot melody and French lyrics might seem an unlikely combination, but it works for Welsman. This disc falls short of exceptional, although it's a pleasing, likable effort that is worth hearing if one has spent a lot of time listening to NAC favorites like Basia and Scott. by Alex Henderson  
Tracklist :
1    Brazasia    4:30
Oscar Castro-Neves
2    Hold Me    3:55
Carol Welsman
3    Dans Cette Chambre    4:00
Gordon Lightfoot
4    What A Fool Believes    4:00
Kenny Loggins
5    Eu Vim De Bahia    2:49
Carol Welsman
6    Café    3:53
Carol Welsman
7    Live To Tell    4:58
Patrick Leonard / Madonna
8    Nosotros    4:02
Julio Acosta / Nelson Rodriguez
9    Too Close For Comfort    5:01
Jerry Bock / Larry Holofcener / George David Weiss
10    With Me    2:27
Jeremy Lubbock
11    Dans Mon Ile    3:34
Henri Salvador
- Bonus Tracks -
12    Beautiful    3:54
Gordon Lightfoot
13    Ora    3:54
Carol Welsman
Credits :
Vocals, Co-producer – Carol Welsman
Guitar – Pierre Côté
Producer, Bass – Jimmy Haslip
Saxophone – Eric Marienthal, Vern Dorge

CHICK COREA ELEKTRIC BAND - The Chick Corea Elektric Band (1986) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Nine years after the breakup of the final version of Return to Forever, Chick Corea ended a long period of freelance projects by forming his Elektrik Band. This set, the group's initial release, finds Corea meeting up for the first time with the great bassist John Patitucci and drummer Dave Weckl; half of the selections also have either Carlos Rios or Scott Henderson on guitar. Due to the high musicianship, the personalities of the players, and Corea's colorful compositions, the Elektrik Band quickly became one of the top fusion groups of the late '80s. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 City Gate 0:54
2 Rumble 4:04
Written-By – Chick Corea
3 Side Walk 3:48
Guitar – Carlos Rios 
Written-By – Chick Corea, Dave Weckl, John Patitucci
4 Cool Weasel Boogie 6:43
Guitar – Carlos Rios 
Written-By – Chick Corea
5 Got A Match? 5:38
Written-By – Chick Corea
6 Elektric City 4:07
Guitar – Carlos Rios 
Written-By – Chick Corea
7 No Zone 5:29
Written-By – Chick Corea
8 King Cockroach 6:56
Guitar – Scott Henderson 
Written-By – Chick Corea
9 India Town 5:06
Written-By – Chick Corea
10 All Love 5:45
Written-By – Chick Corea
11 Silver Temple 8:32
Guitar – Scott Henderson 
Written-By – Chick Corea
Credits:
Bass [Electric & Acoustic] – John Patitucci
Drums [Acoustic & Electronic], Percussion – Dave Weckl
Keyboards, Synthesizer, Producer – Chick Corea

CHICK COREA ELEkTRIC BAND - Light Years (1987) APE (image+.cue), lossless

The second recording by Chick Corea's Elektric Band was the first to feature altoist Eric Marienthal and guitarist Frank Gambale in addition to bassist John Patitucci, drummer Dave Weckl and the leader/keyboardist. Unlike most other fusion groups, these musicians displayed original musical personalitites and Corea's compositions tended to be memorable. This is one of The Elektric Band's better releases. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
 1 Light Years 3:54
Chick Corea / John Patitucci / Dave Weckl
2 Second Sight 4:24
Chick Corea
3 Flamingo 4:10
Edmund Anderson / Ted Grouya
4 Prism 3:30
Chick Corea
5 Time Track 5:03
Chick Corea
6 Starlight 3:52
Chick Corea / John Patitucci
7 Your Eyes 3:56
Chick Corea
8 The Dragon 5:30
Chick Corea / John Patitucci
9 View from the Outside 6:30
Chick Corea
10 Smokescreen 4:13
Chick Corea
11 Hymn of the Heart 6:39
Chick Corea
12 Kaleidoscope 8:04
Chick Corea
Credits:
Alto Saxophone – Eric Marienthal (tracks: 2, 5, 6, 8, 9)
Arranged By, Written-By – Chick Corea (tracks: 2 to 5, 6, 7, 9 to 12)
Double Bass [Acoustic Bass], Electric Bass – John Patitucci (tracks: 1 to 9, 11, 12)
Drums – Dave Weckl
Electric Guitar – Carlos Rios (tracks: 3, 7), Frank Gambale (tracks: 1, 5, 6, 9, 11, 12)
Keyboards – Chick Corea
Mixed By – Bernie Kirsh, Chick Corea, Dave Weckl, Jay Oliver, John Patitucci

CHICK COREA ELEKTRIC BAND - Eye of the Beholder (1988) APE (image+.cue), lossless

During an era when the word "fusion" was applied to any mixture of jazz with pop or funk, Chick Corea's Elektric Band reinforced the word's original meaning: a combination of jazz improvisations with the power, rhythms and sound of rock. Eye of the Beholder, which found guitarist Frank Gambale, saxophonist Eric Marienthal and bassist John Patitucci displaying increasingly original solo voices, is one of this group's finest recordings and ranks with the best fusion of the latter half of the 1980s. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1. Home Universe (2:44)
2. Eternal Child (4:52)
3. Forgotten Past (2:58)
4. Passage (4:56)
5. Beauty (7:56)
6. Cascade, Pt. 1 (1:54)
7. Cascade, Pt. 2 (5:19)
8. Trance Dance (5:50)
9. Eye of the Beholder (6:39)
10. Ezinda (6:54)
11. Amnesia (3:28)
Personnel:
    Chick Corea – synthesizer, piano, arranger, keyboards
    Frank Gambale – guitar
    Eric Marienthal – saxophone
    John Novello – synthesizer (track 2)
    John Patitucci – bass
    Dave Weckl – drums

CHICK COREA ELEKTRIC BAND - Inside Out (1990) APE (image+.cue), lossless)

Chick Corea's Elektric Band was always a well-intergrated unit, featuring passionate solos from the rockish guitarist Frank Gambale and the R&Bish saxophonist Eric Marienthal in addition to major statements from the distinctive leader who utilized a battery of keyboards yet remained quite recognizable. With John Patitucci (arguably jazz's top electric bassist) and drummer Dave Weckl pushing the ensemble, this pacesetting fusion unit is heard at its peak on these Corea originals. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 Inside Out 5:10
2 Make A Wish - Part 1 1:39
3 Make A Wish - Part 2 6:17
4 Stretch It - Part 1 0:51
5 Stretch It - Part 2 7:51
6 Kicker 6:18
7 Child's Play 3:25
8 Tale Of Daring - Chapter 1 2:02
9 Tale Of Daring - Chapter 2 3:40
10 Tale Of Daring - Chapter 3 5:48
11 Tale Of Daring - Chapter 4 4:19
Credits:
Bass – John Patitucci
Drums – Dave Weckl
Guitar – Frank Gambale
Piano, Synthesizer – Chick Corea
Saxophone – Eric Marienthal

CHICK COREA ELEKTRIC BAND - Beneath the Mask (1991) APE (image+.cue), lossless

The fifth and final recording by the original version of Chick Corea's Elektric Band is not quite up to the level of the past few sets due to some forgettable compositions. The keyboardist/leader, guitarist Frank Gambale, and saxophonist Eric Marienthal create some fine solos and the ensembles (with bassist John Patitucci and drummer Dave Weckl) are tight, making this a worthwhile but not essential release from the top fusion group. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 Beneath the Mask 3:31
Chick Corea / John Patitucci / Dave Weckl
2 Little Things That Count 3:47
John Patitucci / Dave Weckl
3 One of Us Is Over 40 4:55

Chick Corea / John Patitucci / Dave Weckl

4 A Wave Goodbye 4:45
Chick Corea / Dave Weckl
5 Lifescape 5:10
Chick Corea
6 Jammin E. Cricket 6:51
Chick Corea / John Patitucci / Dave Weckl
7 Charged Particles 5:17
Chick Corea
8 Free Step 7:44
Chick Corea
9 99 Flavors  3:52
Chick Corea
10 Illusions 09:44
Chick Corea / John Patitucci / Dave Weckl
Credits:
Bass – John Patitucci
Drums – Dave Weckl
Guitar – Frank Gambale
Keyboards – Chick Corea
Saxophone – Eric Marienthal

CHICK COREA ELEkTRIC BAND II - Paint the World (1993) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Chick Corea's Elektric Band II found bassist John Patitucci, drummer Dave Weckl and guitarist Frank Gambale going out on their own and being replaced by Jimmy Earl, Gary Novak and Mike Miller. Saxophonist Eric Marienthal was the only sideman from the first Elektric Band to stick with Corea. Although the new members are not as distinctive as their predecessors, the high-quality material played on this release (which includes Jimmy Heath's "CTA," "Blue Miles" and a variety of Corea originals) is very jazz-oriented and occasionally there are straightahead sections. This set is recommended even to listeners who have not yet acquired a taste for fusion.  by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 Paint The World 3:56
Written-By – Chick Corea, Gary Novak
2 Blue Miles 5:30
3 Tone Poem 6:47
4 C.T.A. 5:47
Written-By – Jimmy Heath
5 Silhouette 1:43
6 Space 6:03
7 The Ant & The Elephant 7:31
8 Tumba Island 5:57
9 Ritual 7:34
10 Ished 7:14
Written-By – Chick Corea, Jimmy Earl
11 Spanish Sketch 8:06
12 Final Frontier 4:59
13 Reprise 2:50
Credits:
Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar – Mike Miller
Bass – Jimmy Earl
Drums – Gary Novak
Piano, Keyboards, Programmed By [Synth], Composed By, Mixed By, Liner Notes, Producer – Chick Corea
Saxophone – Eric Marienthal