YUSEF LATEEF — Eastern Sounds (1961-2006) RM | RVG Remasters Series | Two Version | WV + FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

One of multi-instrumentalist and composer Yusef Lateef's most enduring recordings, Eastern Sounds was one of the last recordings made by the band that Lateef shared with pianist Barry Harris after the band moved to New York from Detroit, where the jazz scene was already dying. Lateef had long been interested in Eastern music, long before John Coltrane had ever shown any public interest anyway, so this Moodsville session (which meant it was supposed to be a laid-back ballad-like record), recorded in 1961, was drenched in Lateef's current explorations of Eastern mode and interval, as well as tonal and polytonal improvisation. That he could do so within a context that was accessible, and even "pretty," is an accomplishment that stands today. The quartet was rounded out by the inimitable Lex Humphries on drums -- whose brushwork was among the most deft and inventive of any player in the music with the possible exception of Connie Kay from the Modern Jazz Quartet -- and bass and rabat player Ernie Farrow. The set
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Tracklist :
1.   The Plum Blossom 4:59
Written-By – Yusef Lateef
2.    Blues For The Orient 5:38
Written-By – Yusef Lateef
3.    Ching Miau 3:17
Written-By – Yusef Lateef
4.    Don't Blame Me 4:54
Written-By – Fields, McHugh
5.    Love Theme From Spartacus 4:13
Written-By – Alex North
6.    Snafu 5:40
Written-By – Yusef Lateef
7.    Purple Flower 4:29
Written-By – Yusef Lateef
8.    Love Theme From The Robe 3:59
Written-By – Alfred Newman
9.    The Three Faces Of Balal 2:23
Written-By – Yusef Lateef
Credits :
Bass, Rabab [Rabat] – Ernie Farrow
Drums – Lex Humphries
Piano – Barry Harris
Recorded By, Remastered By – Rudy Van Gelder
Tenor Saxophone, Oboe, Flute – Yusef Lateef

YUSEF LATEEF — Before Dawn (1958-1998) RM | Verve Elite Edition Series | Two Version | WV + FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

This is one of the most obscure of all Yusef Lateef recordings, one that has even been left out of some discographies. Lateef mostly sticks to tenor (playing only flute on one song and making one appearance on the double-reed arghul) and is featured with his Detroit All-Stars, a quintet also including the up-and-coming trombonist Curtis Fuller, pianist Hugh Lawson, bassist Ernie Farrow and drummer Louis Hayes. Overall, the set is more bop-oriented than normal, with versions of "Pike's Peak" (based on "What Is This Thing Called Love"), Charlie Parker's "Constellation" and the blues "Chang, Chang, Chang" showing how strong and original Lateef could be even playing conventional straight-ahead material. Some of the other pieces look toward the future and/or the East, and all eight selections have their memorable moments, with the passionate yet thoughtful ballad "Love Is Eternal" being among the high points. Recommended. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1.    Passion 4:04
    Composed By – Yusef Lateef
2.    Love Is Eternal 6:30
    Composed By – Yusef Lateef
3.    Pike's Peak 5:30
    Composed By – Yusef Lateef
4.    Open Strings 6:15
    Composed By – Yusef Lateef
Celesta [Celeste] – Hugh Lawson
Flute – Yusef Lateef
5.    Before Dawn 5:27
    Composed By – Yusef Lateef
Performer [Arghul] – Yusef Lateef
Performer [Rabab] – Ernest Farrow
6.    Twenty-Five Minute Blues    5:27
    Composed By – Yusef Lateef
7.    Chang, Chang, Chang 2:57
    Composed By – Yusef Lateef
Percussion – Yusef Lateef
8.    Constellation 4:47
Composed By – Charles Parker, Jr.
Credits :
Bass – Ernie Farrow (tracks: 1 to 4, 6 to 8)
Drums – Louis Hayes
Piano – Hugh Lawson
Tenor Saxophone – Yusef Lateef (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 8)
Trombone – Curtis Fuller

YUSEF LATEEF — The Golden Flute (1966-2004) RM | Serie LP Reproduction | APE (image+.cue), lossless

 This is one of the most obscure of all Yusef Lateef recordings, one that has even been left out of some discographies. Lateef mostly sticks to tenor (playing only flute on one song and making one appearance on the double-reed arghul) and is featured with his Detroit All-Stars, a quintet also including the up-and-coming trombonist Curtis Fuller, pianist Hugh Lawson, bassist Ernie Farrow and drummer Louis Hayes. Overall, the set is more bop-oriented than normal, with versions of "Pike's Peak" (based on "What Is This Thing Called Love"), Charlie Parker's "Constellation" and the blues "Chang, Chang, Chang" showing how strong and original Lateef could be even playing conventional straight-ahead material. Some of the other pieces look toward the future and/or the East, and all eight selections have their memorable moments, with the passionate yet thoughtful ballad "Love Is Eternal" being among the high points. Recommended. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Road Runner 4:44
Written-By – Lateef
2    Straighten Up And Fly Right 3:26
Written-By – Mills, Cole
3    Oasis 4:23
Written-By – Lateef
4    I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You 4:03
Written-By – Crosby, Washington, Young
5    Exactly Like You 2:54
Written-By – McHugh/Fields
6    The Golden Flute 3:54
Written-By – Lateef
7    Rosetta 3:51
Written-By – Hines, Woode
8    Head Hunters 4:33
Written-By – Harris, Lawson
9    The Smart Set 7:31
Written-By – Brooks
Credits
Bass – Herman Wright
Drums – Roy Brooks, Jr.
Flute, Tenor Saxophone, Oboe – Yusef Lateef
Piano – Hugh Lawson