CAL TJADER — Black Orchid (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This CD has all of the music originally on the two LPs Cal Tjader Goes Latin and The Cal Tjader Quintet. Since each album had two sessions apiece, the CD does a fine job of giving one a sampling of the influential vibraphonist's popular Latin jazz groups of the era. Among the key sideman are flutist Paul Horn; Jose "Chombo" Silva on tenor; pianists Lonnie Hewitt, Vince Guaraldi, and Manuel Duran; and Mongo Santamaria and Willie Bobo on percussion. The music (a mixture of Latinized standards and newer originals) is quite appealing, showing why this infectious blending of bop with Latin rhythms has always been one of the most accessible styles of jazz. Scott Yanow
Tracklist  :
1    Mi China 2:15
Mongo Santamaría
2    Close Your Eyes 3:11
Bernice Petkere
3    Mambo at the "M" 4:39
Luis Kant
4    Contigo 2:40
Pedro Flores
5    Bonita 2:28
Lonnie Hewitt
6    The Lady Is a Tramp 4:32
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
7    Black Orchid 3:23
Cal Tjader
8    Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe :44
Harold Arlen / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
9    I've Waited So Long 2:07
Jerry Lordan
10    Out of Nowhere 3:26
Johnny Green / Edward Heyman
11    Cuajira at the Blackhawk 5:20
Mongo Santamaría
12    I Want to Be Happy 3:15
Irving Caesar / Vincent Youmans
13    The Nearness of You 3:54
Hoagy Carmichael / Ned Washington
14    Pete Kelly's Blues 3:48
Sammy Cahn / Ray Heindorf
15    A Minor Goof 3:53
Brew Moore
16    Undecided 3:23
Sydney Robin / Charlie Shavers
17    Philadelphia Mambo 3:20
Tito Puente
18    Flamingo 4:12
Edmund Anderson / Ted Grouya
19    Stompin' at the Savoy 4:00
Benny Goodman / Andy Razaf / Edgar Sampson / Chick Webb
20    Laura 3:21
Johnny Mercer / David Raksin
21    Lullaby of Birdland 4:00
George Shearing / George David Weiss
Credits :
José "Chombo" Silva (Saxophone)
Paul Horn (Flute)
Vince Guaraldi, Lonnie Hewitt, Manuel Duran (Piano)
Eugene Wright, Carlos Duran,  Al McKibbon (Bass)
Willie Bobo (Drums, Timbales)
Luis Kant, Mongo Santamaria, Luis Miranda (Conga Drums)
Bayardo Velarde (Timbales)

BILL EVANS TRIO | LEE KONITZ & WARNE MARSH - Cross-Currents (1977-1992) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This superior set was a logical idea. One of pianist Bill Evans' earlier influences was Lennie Tristano, so for this date, Evans' trio (with bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Eliot Zigmund) was teamed with Tristano's two top "students": altoist Lee Konitz and tenor saxophonist Warne Marsh. The quintet performs four standards (all of which fit easily into Evans' repertoire) plus "Pensativa" and Steve Swallow's "Eiderdown." Konitz and Marsh always worked very well together and their cool-toned improvising makes this outing by Bill Evans something special. Recommended. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Eiderdown 8:19
Steve Swallow
2     Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye 3:32
Cole Porter
3     Pensativa 5:37
Clare Fischer / Claire Fisher
4     Speak Low 6:32
A.M. Brunner / Ogden Nash / Geoff Tate / Kurt Weill / Michael Wilton
5     When I Fall in Love 4:18
Edward Heyman / Victor Young
6     Night and Day 6:06
Cole Porter
7     Eiderdown 5:36
Steve Swallow
8     Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye 3:29
Cole Porter
9     Night and Day 7:06
Cole Porter
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Lee Konitz
Bass – Eddie Gomez
Drums – Eliot Zigmund
Piano – Bill Evans
Tenor Saxophone – Warne Marsh

BILL EVANS / EDDIE GOMEZ - Intuition (1974-2012) RM / SHM-CD / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

After having played together on a regular basis for eight years, it is not surprising that this set of duets by pianist Bill Evans and bassist Eddie Gomez is intuitive and bordering on the telepathic. The material is quite fresh. Evans might have recorded "Invitation" and "Show-Type Tune" previously, but the other six songs were getting their debut in his hands. Whether it be "Hi Lili, Hi Lo," Claus Ogerman's "A Face Without a Name," Steve Swallow's "Falling Grace" or "Blue Serge," the sensitive and generally introspective playing on this LP definitely holds one's interest. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Invitation 6:29
Bronislaw Kaper
2     Blue Serge 5:06
Mercer Ellington
3     Show-Type Tune 4:05
Bill Evans
4     The Nature of Things 3:23
Irvin Rochlin
5     Are You All the Things? 4:59
Bill Evans
6     A Face Without a Name 5:36
Claus Ogerman
7     Falling Grace 4:29
Steve Swallow
8     Hi Lili, Hi Lo (For Ellaine) 7:18
Helen Deutsch
Credits :
Bass – Eddie Gomez
Piano, Electric Piano – Bill Evans

BILL EVANS - Re : Person I Knew (1974-2012) RM / SHM-CD / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Recorded at the same Village Vanguard sessions that resulted in Since We Met, this posthumous collection (first put out in 1981 and later reissued on CD) features pianist Bill Evans, bassist Eddie Gómez, and drummer Marty Morell playing material that was passed over for release at the time -- some of the songs were overly familiar, while others were works in progress. But even though the results fall short of classic, they should interest Bill Evans collectors; highlights include remakes of "Re: Person I Knew," "Alfie," "T.T.T. (Twelve Tone Tune)," and "34 Skidoo." by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Re: Person I Knew 5:20
Bill Evans
2     Sugar Plum 8:17
Bill Evans
3     Alfie 4:59
Burt Bacharach / Hal David
4     T.T.T. (Twelve Tone Tune) 5:31
Bill Evans
5     Excerpt from Dolphin Dance/Very Early 7:26
Bill Evans / Herbie Hancock
6     34 Skidoo 6:05
Bill Evans
7     Emily 5:17
Johnny Mandel / Johnny Mercer
8     Are You All the Things 6:21
Bill Evans
Credits :
Bass – Eddie Gomez
Drums – Marty Morell
Piano – Bill Evans

THE BILL EVANS TRIO - Since We Met (1974-1991) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Thirteen years after his legendary Village Vanguard recordings, Bill Evans recorded Since We Met at the famous New York establishment again. Using his trio of the era (which includes bassist Eddie Gómez and drummer Marty Morell), Evans explores both familiar ("Time Remembered," "Turn Out the Stars" and "But Beautiful") and new (Joe Zawinul's "Midnight Mood," "See-Saw" and "Sareen Jurer") material. This CD reissue gives listeners a good example of Bill Evans' early-'70s trio as it typically sounded in clubs. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Since We Met 8:52
Bill Evans
2     Midnight Mood 6:53
Ben Raleigh / Joe Zawinul
3     See-Saw 6:53
Cy Coleman
4     Sareen Jurer 6:39
Earl Zindars
5     Time Remembered 5:27
Bill Evans
6     Turn Out the Stars 5:07
Bill Evans
7     But Beautiful 6:21
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
Credits :
Bass – Eddie Gomez
Drums – Marty Morell
Piano – Bill Evans

BILL EVANS - Alone (Again) (1975-2012) RM / SHM-CD / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Bill Evans was at his best playing solo piano; his touch, harmonic and rhythmic creativity, phrasing, and total technique were so accomplished that he needed ideal accompanists to excel in any trio or group situation. But when playing unaccompanied, he was free to explore any and all directions, developing and exploiting them without concern about other musicians following, fitting in, or expanding the territory behind or underneath him. There were only five cuts on this 1975 date, and the superb CD remastering illuminates Evans' brilliant solos. It offers a textbook example of how Evans opened, developed, and finished a composition; he examined it to the utmost, explored multiple options with flair, then concluded it in spectacular fashion. by Ron Wynn
Tracklist :
1     The Touch of Your Lips 5:17
Ray Noble
2     In Your Own Sweet Way 5:02
Dave Brubeck
3     Make Someone Happy 5:16
Betty Comden / Adolph Green / Jule Styne
4     What Kind of Fool Am I? 4:45
Leslie Bricusse / Anthony Newley
5     People 14:28
Bob Merrill / Jule Styne
Credits :
Piano – Bill Evans

BILL EVANS TRIO / LEE KONITZ & WARNE MARSH - Cross-Currents (1977-1992) RM / APE (image+.cue), lossless

This superior set was a logical idea. One of pianist Bill Evans' earlier influences was Lennie Tristano, so for this date, Evans' trio (with bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Eliot Zigmund) was teamed with Tristano's two top "students": altoist Lee Konitz and tenor saxophonist Warne Marsh. The quintet performs four standards (all of which fit easily into Evans' repertoire) plus "Pensativa" and Steve Swallow's "Eiderdown." Konitz and Marsh always worked very well together and their cool-toned improvising makes this outing by Bill Evans something special. Recommended. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Eiderdown 8:19
Steve Swallow
2     Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye 3:32
Cole Porter
3     Pensativa 5:37
Clare Fischer / Claire Fisher
4     Speak Low 6:32
A.M. Brunner / Ogden Nash / Geoff Tate / Kurt Weill / Michael Wilton
5     When I Fall in Love 4:18
Edward Heyman / Victor Young
6     Night and Day 6:06
Cole Porter
7     Eiderdown 5:36
Steve Swallow
8     Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye 3:29
Cole Porter
9     Night and Day 7:06
Cole Porter
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Lee Konitz
Bass – Eddie Gomez
Drums – Eliot Zigmund
Piano – Bill Evans
Tenor Saxophone – Warne Marsh

THE BILL EVANS TRIO - I Will Say Goodbye (1977-2012) SHM-CD / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The title refers to the Michel Legrand piece performed twice on the date, and to the fact that pianist Bill Evans was on the verge of switching labels from Fantasy to Warner Bros. For his final Fantasy album, Evans, bassist Eddie Gómez, and drummer Eliot Zigmund perform memorable renditions of such songs as Herbie Hancock's "Dolphin Dance," Johnny Mandel's "Seascape," and Burt Bacharach's underrated "A House Is Not a Home." Fine post-bop music from an influential piano giant. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     I Will Say Goodbye 3:27
Alan Bergman
2     Dolphin Dance 6:01
Herbie Hancock
3     Seascape 5:21
Johnny Mandel
4     Peau Douce 4:16
Steve Swallow
5     Nobody Else But Me 5:04
Jerome Kern
6     I Will Say Goodbye [Take 2] 4:47
Alan Bergman
7     The Opener 6:09
Bill Evans
8     Quiet Light 2:26
Earl Zindars
9     A House Is Not a Home 4:37
Burt Bacharach
10     Orson's Theme 3:47
Michel Legrand
Credits :
Bass – Eddie Gomez
Drums – Eliot Sigmund
Piano – Bill Evans

MONGO SANTAMARIA - Our Man In Havana (1960-1993) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The two records that make up Our Man in Havana (the other date was originally called Bembe) were recorded in 1960 during a visit to Cuba by Mongo Santamaria and Willie Bobo. The first set is superb, featuring an unusual mixture of instruments for a Cuban band: two trumpets, flute, piano, tres (Nino Rivera), bass, timbales, bongos, guiro, conga, and two vocalists. The playing by the local musicians is of high quality, and the ten selections are quite enjoyable. Unfortunately though, that project is combined with the cuts from Bembe, which are in a very different style. The latter project has the music performed entirely by vocalists, other than the percussion of Santamaria and Bobo. Consisting of folk melodies and religious songs, with the emphasis totally on the chanting and singing, the music is intriguing from a historical standpoint but the jazz content is nil on this emotional date (which has Merceditas Valdes taking the vocal on four numbers). So, overall, this is definitely a mixed bag. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
Our Man In Havana (1960)
1     Jamaicuba 3:27
Esther Cruz Alvarez
2     Manila 4:42
Mongo Santamaria
3     He Guapacha 4:08
Mongo Santamaria
4     Cha Cha Rock 3:47
Mongo Santamaria
5     Vengan Pollos 4:59
Mongo Santamaria
6     Barandanga 3:16
Armando Peraza
7     Linda Guajira 3:08
Mongo Santamaria
8     Vamos a Gozar 2:34
Mongo Santamaria
9     Miss Patti Cha Cha 4:15
Mongo Santamaria
10     Viva la Felicidad 2:31
Mongo Santamaria
Mongo In Havana Bembé! (1960)
11     Tele Mina for Chango (God of Thunder) 3:00
Mongo Santamaria
12     Olla de for Olla (Wife of Chango) 3:48
Mongo Santamaria
13     Yemaya Olodo for Olla (Mother of Chango) 3:33
Mongo Santamaria
14     Yeye-O for Ochun (Counterpart of Venus) 4:10
Mongo Santamaria
15     Wolenche for Chango (God of Thunder) 2:47
Mongo Santamaria
16     Aqua Limpia (Guaguanco) 3:10
Francisco Aguabella
17     Ochun Mene (Columbia) 4:10
Mongo Santamaria
18     Mexico 3:20
Mongo Santamaria
19     Mañana Son Mañana (Columbia) 4:09
Mongo Santamaria
20     Complicaciones (Guaguanco) 3:47
Francisco Aguabella
Credits :
Bass – Pepito (faixas: 1 to 10)
Bongos, Triangle – Yeyito (faixas: 1 to 10)
Congas – Mongo Santamaria
Flute – Julio (9) (faixas: 1 to 10)
Guiro – Gustavito (faixas: 1 to 10)
Piano – Pacquito (faixas: 1 to 10)
Remastered By – Phil De Lancie
Timbales, Bongos – Willie Bobo (faixas: 1 to 20)
Tres, Arranged By [Arrangements] – Niño Rivera (faixas: 1 to 10)
Trumpet – Armandito (faixas: 1 to 10), El Fine (faixas: 1 to 10)
Vocals – Armando Raymat, Carlos Embale (faixas: 16, 18 & 20), Cheo Junco (faixas: 1 to 10), Finco (faixas: 16 & 20), Luis Santamaria (faixas: 11 & 15), Macucho (faixas: 19), Mario Arenas (faixas: 18), Merceditas Valdes (faixas: 12 to 14, 17)
Nota :
Reissue of "Our Man In Havana" and "Mongo In Havana Bembé!" from 1960:
Fantasy F-8045 and 8055.

MONGO SANTAMARIA Y SU ORQUESTA - Sabroso! (1960-1993) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

At the time that Sabroso was recorded, Mongo Santamaria's group was essentially a charanga band with two trumpets added, a combination that works quite well. The group has superior playing by Jose "Chombo" Silva on both violin and tenor (helping "Para Ti" to become a classic), two little-known but talented trumpeters (Louis Valizan and Marcus Cabuto), the great flutist Rolando Lozano, pianist Rene Hernandez, bassist Victor Venegas, and Willie Bobo on drums. Pete Escovedo is one of the background singers as Rudi Calzado takes the lead on a few numbers but does not dominate. There are many fine individual moments on this joyous and infectious set.  by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1. Que Meravilloso (Pachanga) 2:43
Written-By – Rudi Calzado
2; En La Felicidad (Charanga) 2:04
Written-By – Felix Legarreta
3. Pachanga Pá Ti (Pachanga) 2:21
Written-By – Anna Duran
4. Tulibamba (Charanga) 3:58
Written-By – Mongo Santamaria
5. Mambo De Cuco (Pachanga) 3:50
Written-By – Nicholas Martinez
6. El Bote (Descarga) 3:56
Written-By – Armando Peraza
7. Pito Pito (Mambo) 2:43
Written-By – Santamaria
8. Guaguanco Mania (Guaguanco) 2:30
Written-By – Santamaria
9. Ja, Ja-Ja (Charanga) 3:00
Written-By – Duran
10. Tula Hula (Pachanga) 2:36
Written-By – Peraza
11. Dimelo (Charanga) 2:32
Written-By – Legarreta
12. A La Luna Me Voy (Charanga) 3:05
Written-By – Miguel Hernandez Avila
13. Para Ti (Descarga) 6:02
Written-By – Santamaria
Credits :
Bass – Victor Venegas
Congas, Drums – Mongo Santamaria
Flute – Rolando Lozano
Piano – Renè "El Flaco" Hernandez
Timbales – Willie Bobo
Trumpet – Louis Valizán, Marcus Cabuto
Violin – José "Chombo" Silva, Felix "Pupi" Legarreta
Vocals – Bayardo Velarde, Pete Escovedo
Vocals [Solo] – Rudi Calzado

MONGO SANTAMARIA - At The Black Hawk (1962-1994) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Applying their famous two-fer philosophy to the digital era, Fantasy combines Mighty Mongo and Viva Mongo! on a single CD, showcasing two somewhat different slants on Mongo Santamaria's music during a period of exploration. Mighty Mongo leans more to Mongo's jazz side without sacrificing his Afro-Cuban rhythmic base, while Viva Mongo has a more distinctly ethnic Cuban sound with Rudy Calzado's solo vocals and the band's group chanting, Rolando Lozano's wooden flute riding playfully above the ensemble, and the traditional Cuban use of string counterlines. On Mighty Mongo, "Descarga at the Black Hawk" sets an especially tasty groove, with some timbales/congas/cymbals action on an extended vamp. Lozano shines in an extended flute solo on "Bacoso" before a scorcher of a percussion battle develops, while composer/pianist Joao Donato also doubles on trombone on "Sabor." Viva Mongo's highlights include "Las Guajiras," a relaxed spellbinder at a guajira tempo; "Merengue Changa," a stupefying merger of two different rhythmic feelings; and the appropriately titled "Mambo Terrifico." Jose "Chombo" Silva, the Cuban Stan Getz worshipper who also evokes Coleman Hawkins on occasion, careens pleasingly on both albums. Of the two, Viva Mongo is perhaps the more vital record, but it's a close call; both are vibrant expressions of Mongo's art. by Richard S. Ginell  
Tracklist :
1    Bluchanga 8:00
João Donato
2    Tenderly 4:04
Walter Gross / Jack Lawrence
3    Descarga at the Black Hawk 7:30
João Donato
4    Bacoso 8:54
Rolando Lozano / Cuco Martinez / Victor Venegas
5    Sabor 4:05
João Donato
6    All the Things You Are 4:57
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
7    Pachanga Twist 3:27
Mongo Santamaria
8    Las Guajiras 7:47
Mongo Santamaria
9    Para Ti 3:04
Mongo Santamaria
10    Body and Soul 5:40
Frank Eyton / Johnny Green / Edward Heyman / Robert Sour
11    Merengue Changa 3:48
Isaac Irzarry
12    Dulce Sueño 2:38
Jose Lozano
13    Mambo Terrifico 2:54
Jose Lozano
14    Close Your Eyes 5:43
Bernice Petkere
Credits :
Baritone Saxophone – Pat Patrick (tracks: 9)
Bass – Victor Venegas
Congas, Bongos – Mongo Santamaria
Flute – Rolando Lozano
Lead Vocals – Rudy Calzado
Percussion – Julito Collazo, Cuco Martinez (tracks: 7 to 14)
Piano – Rene "El Latigo" Hernandez (tracks: 7 to 14)
Piano, Trombone – João Donato
Tenor Saxophone, Violin – Jose "Chombo" Silva (tracks: 7 to 14)
Timbales – Cuco Martinez (tracks: 1 to 6), Willie Bobo
Violin – Pupi Legarreta

MONGO SANTAMARIA - Mongo's Greatest Hits (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This is a excellent single-disc sampler of what Mongo Santamaria was like before "Watermelon Man" catapulted him into the charts. Some of the Fantasy tracks sound like the musicians were just off the boat from Havana, and are a bit primitive in contrast to the brassy Santamaria of the mid- to late '60s, but they have overwhelming charm. The revered "Afro-Blue" can be heard in its original, spooky, stripped-down form, and it would be hard for anyone to resist the voodoo spell that the ten-plus minute "Mazacote" conveys. Besides Santamaria himself, included among the world-class percussionists on this record are Willie Bobo and Armando Peraza. The CD version adds four tracks, including "Watermelon Man" from the Battle/Riverside period and an alternate take of "Para Ti."  by Richard S. Ginell
Tracklist :   
1     Afro Blue 3:55
Mongo Santamaria
2     Mi Novia 2:50
Alicia Correa
3     Linda Guajira 3:06
Mongo Santamaria
4     Pito Pito 2:43
Mongo Santamaria
5     Mazacote 10:38
Mongo Santamaria
6     Para Ti 3:01
Mongo Santamaria
7     Watermelon Man 2:20
Herbie Hancock
8     Manteca 5:25
Gil Fuller / Dizzy Gillespie
9     Sabroso 3:40
Mongo Santamaria
10     Conga Pa Gozar 4:05
Mongo Santamaria
11     Federico 3:25
Mongo Santamaria
12     Mi Guaguanco 4:35
Mongo Santamaria
13     Para Ti 6:02
Mongo Santamaria
14     Las Guajiras 7:44
Mongo Santamaria
Credits :
Featuring – The Mongo Santamaria Orchestra, Willie Bobo 

CAL TJADER'S MODERN MAMBO QUINTET - Mambo with Tjader (1955-1992) RM / APE (image+.cue), lossless

Mambo with Tjader was one of vibraphonist and composer Cal Tjader's first major recordings. Fascinated with the rhythms and atmospheres of Latin music, Tjader was one of the first musicians to successfully fuse South American musical styles with straight-ahead jazz. In retrospect, the lush, laid-back, vibes-heavy groove of Tjader's inventions anticipates the "lounge" music of the '50s and '60s -- offering the sort of soft, swinging soundtrack appropriate for the consumption of dry martinis on leatherette love seats.
But Mambo with Tjader is valuable for more than mere kitsch factor. Over the course of the album's 12 tracks, a rich tapestry of tropical percussion works through three rhythmic models -- the mambo, the cha-cha, and the bolero. Overlaid with jazz structures and Tjader's easygoing vibes playing, this set is a tasty cross-section of early Tropicalia. While the disc lacks the hot salsa that would characterize El Sonido Nuevo or the large-scale orchestrations of the composer's collaborations with Lalo Schifrin, Mambo with Tjader is a vintage exploration of the fusion of jazz and Latin music. by Rovi Staff  
Tracklist :
1     Mamblues 2:28
Clark Terry / Cal Tjader
2     Midnight Sun 3:57
Sonny Burke / Lionel Hampton / Johnny Mercer
3     Sonny Boy 2:37
Lew Brown / Buddy DeSylva / Ray Henderson / Al Jolson
4     Cherry 3:24
Ray Gilbert / Don Redman
5     I'll Remember April 3:21
Gene DePaul / Pat Johnston / Patricia Johnston / Don Raye
6     This Can't Be Love 3:05
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
7     Tenderly 3:49
Walter Gross / Jack Lawrence
8     Dearly Beloved 3:58
Jerome Kern / Johnny Mercer
9     Chloe 2:32
Neil Moret (Chas. N. Daniels) / Gus Kahn
10     Lucero 3:17
Cal Tjader
11     Bye Bye Blues 2:59
David Bennett / Chauncey Gray / Frederick Hamm / Bert Lown
12     Autumn Leaves 2:49
Joseph Kosma / Johnny Mercer / Jacques Prévert
Credits :
Bass – Carlos Duran
Congas – Edgar Rosales
Piano – Manuel Duran
Remastered By – Phil De Lancie
Timbales, Bongos – Bayardo Velarde
Vibraphone – Cal Tjader 

CAL TJADER - Tjader Plays Tjazz (1954-1998) RM / MONO / APE (image+.cue), lossless

In a change of pace, for this recording vibraphonist Cal Tjader recorded cool-toned bop without a Latin rhythm section. Half of the ten songs (mostly jazz standards) feature Tjader switching to drums (his original instrument) in a quartet also including the obscure trombonist Bob Collins, guitarist Eddie Duran and bassist Al McKibbon. Tjader is back on vibes for the quintet selections with tenor saxophonist Brew Moore, pianist Sonny Clark, bassist Eugene Wright and drummer Bobby White. He sounds right at home in both formats and the swinging quintet numbers in particular are a good reason to search for this valuable album. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1      Moten Swing 4:02
Bennie Moten / Buster Moten
2     I've Never Been in Love Before 2:33
Frank Loesser
3     There Will Never Be Another You 5:04
Mack Gordon / Harry Warren
4     How About You? 3:04
Ralph Freed / James Van Heusen / Burton Lane
5     Jeepers Creepers 3:17
Johnny Mercer / Harry Warren
6     A Minor Goof 3:56
Brew Moore
7     My One and Only Love 2:47
Robert Mellin / Guy Wood
8     Imagination 3:18
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
9     I'll Know 2:59
Frank Loesser
10     Brew's Blues 3:29
Brew Moore
Credits :
Bass – Al McKibbon (faixas: 2, 4, 7, 9), Eugene Wright (faixas: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10)
Drums – Bobby White (faixas: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10), Cal Tjader (faixas: 2, 4, 7, 9)
Guitar – Eddie Duran (faixas: 2, 4, 7, 9)
Liner Notes – Ralph J. Gleason
Piano – Sonny Clark (faixas: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10)
Tenor Saxophone – Brew Moore (faixas: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10)
Trombone – Bob Collins (faixas: 2, 4, 7, 9)
Vibraphone – Cal Tjader (faixas: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10) 

CAL TJADER - Cal Tjader Quartet (1956-1997) RM / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Vibraphonist Cal Tjader took a brief vacation from playing Afro-Cuban jazz to record this fine straight-ahead bop set. The 1956 LP matches Tjader with the underrated but always swinging pianist Gerald Wiggins, bassist Eugene Wright (shortly before he joined the Dave Brubeck Quartet), and drummer Bill Douglass. They perform four basic originals (two apiece by Wiggins and Wright) and five standards, including a swinging "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "Our Love Is Here to Stay." On this date, more than almost any other one, Tjader displays his debt to Milt Jackson's style. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Battle Hymn of the Republic 3:28
Julia Ward Howe / William Steffe
2     It Never Entered My Mind 3:38
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
3     A Light Groove 5:11
Gerald Wiggins
4     The Night We Called It a Day 3:06
Tom Adair / Matt Dennis
5     Fancy Bea 4:16
Eugene Wright
6     A Fifth for Frank 4:50
Gerald Wiggins
7     For All We Know 4:43
J. Fred Coots / Sam M. Lewis
8     Miss Wiggins 5:57
Eugene Wright
9     Love Is Here to Stay 5:26
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
Credits :
Bass – Eugene J. Wright
Drums – Bill Douglass
Piano – Gerald Wiggins
Vibraphone – Cal Tjader

CAL TJADER - Tjader Plays Mambo (1956-1994) RM / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Having finished his tenure with George Shearing in 1954, a thoroughly Latin-inoculated Cal Tjader took off on his own, recording several short slices of infectious Latin jazz, from which a dozen were selected for this album. Many of the selections are standards retrofitted with percolating Latin rhythms, cut and shaped to fit the old three-minute limit of 45 or 78 rpm singles. Tjader's crystalline vibes are teamed with a San Francisco Latin percussion section that lays down the grooves crisply and succinctly, with an occasional emulation of the more laid-back Shearing Latin sound ("East of the Sun"). Elsewhere, Cal experiments with a hot four-man trumpet section on four of the tracks, the best of which is a rhumba version of "Fascinating Rhythm." The earliest Tjader-led recording of "Guarachi Guaro" (later known as "Soul Sauce") is also included here. These seminal tracks helped launch the Cal Tjader Latin jazz style, and they still sound fresher than many other such historical landmarks. by Richard S. Ginell
Tracklist :
1     Yesterdays 3:24
Otto Harbach / Jerome Kern
2     Out of Nowhere 3:04
Johnny Green / Edward Heyman
3     Fascinating Rhythm 2:47
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
4     Guarachi Guaro 3:01
Dizzy Gillespie / Chano Pozo
5     The Lady Is a Tramp 2:54
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
6     It Ain't Necessarily So 2:06
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
7     Have You Met Miss Jones? 3:05
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
8     For Heaven's Sake 2:57
Elise Bretton / Sherman Edwards / Don Meyer / Donald Meyer / Sherman Edwards & Donald Meyer
9     Mambo Macumba 2:22
Cal Tjader
10     East of the Sun (And West of the Moon) 3:05
Brooks Bowman
11     Bei Mir Bist du Schön 3:08
Sammy Cahn / Saul Chaplin / Jacob Jacobs / Sholom Secunda
12     I Concentrate on You 1:59
Cole Porter
Credits :
Bass – Carlos Duran
Congas – Edgar Rosales (faixas: 1,3,4,6,8,9,11,12), Luis Miranda (faixas: 2, 5, 7, 10)
Maracas – Edgar Rosales
Piano, Claves – Manuel Duran
Remastered By – Phil De Lancie
Timbales, Cowbell [Cencero], Congas – Bayardo Velardi
Trumpet – Al Porcino (faixas: 3, 6, 9, 12), Charlie Walp (faixas: 3, 6, 9, 12), Dick Collins (faixas: 3, 6, 9, 12), John Howell (faixas: 3, 6, 9, 12)
Vibraphone, Cowbell [Cencero] – Cal Tjader

CAL TJADER - Latin Kick (1956-1991) RM / APE (image+.cue), lossless

Cal Tjader's era-defining mixture of Afro-Cuban rhythms and mainstream jazz solos undergoes a bit of a horizontal expansion in these 1956 sessions. The tracks are often longer than on previous albums, finally taking advantage of the logistics of the LP, and as a result, both the Latin and jazz elements benefit. Tenor saxophonist Brew Moore gets extended chances to blow in an easy-grooving Getz-like manner on several tracks, and on "I Love Paris," Luis Miranda (congas) and Bayardo Velarde (timbales) engage in some spirited percussion battles over the vamping of the brothers Duran (Manuel on piano and Carlos on bass). Everything cooks in a bright yet disciplined manner, and Tjader's elliptical, swinging vibes preside genially over the ensemble. by Richard S. Ginell
Tracklist  :
1 Invitation 4:13
Written-By – Kaper
2 Lover Come Back To Me 3:41
Written-By – Hammerstein, Roberg
3 September Song 2:58
Written-By – Weil
4 Will You Still Be Mine 3:28
Written-By – Dennis, Adair
5 I Love Paris 5:52
Written-By – Porter
6 Tropicana 3:14
Written-By – Tjader
7 Moonlight In Vermont 2:58
Written-By – Blackburn, Sues
8 Bye Bye Blues 3:40
Written-By – Lown, Gray, Bennet, Hamm
9 Manuels Mambo 3:17
Written-By – Duran
10 All The Things You Are 4:10
Written-By – Kern, Hammerstein
11 Blues From Havana 3:13
Written-By – Tjader
Credits :
Bass – Carlos Duran
Congas – Luis Miranda
Piano – Manuel Duran
Tenor Saxophone – Brew Moore
Timbales – Bayardo Velarde
Vibraphone – Cal Tjader

CAL TJADER - Cal Tjader's Latin Concert (1956-1991) RM / APE (image+.cue), lossless

Latin Concert is a pretty good sampling of vibraphonist Cal Tjader's influential Latin jazz of the 1950s. With pianist Vince Guaraldi, bassist Al McKibbon, Willie Bobo on timbales and drums, and the congas of Mongo Santamaria, Tjader's impressive unit performs four of his catchy originals and two by Santamaria in addition to Latinized versions of "The Continental" and Ray Bryant's "Cubano Chant." This highly rhythmic music is hard to dislike. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Viva Cepeda 3:40
Cal Tjader
2     Mood for Milt 3:13
Cal Tjader
3     The Continental 3:40
Con Conrad / Herbert Magidson
4     Lucero 4:26
Cal Tjader
5     Tu Crees Que? 4:47
Mongo Santamaria
6     Mi Guaguanco 4:43
Mongo Santamaria
7     Cubano Chant 4:04
Ray Bryant
8     A Young Love 9:24
Cal Tjader
9     Theme 0:54
Cal Tjader
Credits :
Bass – Al McKibbon
Congas – Mongo Santamaria
Drums, Timbales – Willie Bobo
Piano – Vince Guaraldi
Remastered By – Phil De Lancie
Vibraphone – Cal Tjader 

CAL TJADER - Latino com Cal Tjader (1962-1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Vibraphonist Cal Tjader is heard leading five different groups throughout this set, but the identities of the flutists, bassists, and pianists are less important than knowing that Tjader, Willie Bobo (on drums and timbales), and the great conga player Mongo Santamaria are on every selection. The music really cooks, with torrid percussion, inspired ensembles, and occasional solos from the sidemen (which sometimes include pianists Lonnie Hewitt or Vince Guaraldi, bassist Al McKibbon, and flutist Paul Horn). Highlights include Latinized versions of "Key Largo" and "September Song," "Night in Tunisia," "The Continental," and a definitive version of Santamaria's "Afro Blue." This is Latin jazz at its finest. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Manila [Live] 3:31
Mongo Santamaria
2     Key Largo 3:31
Benny Carter / Karl Suessdorf / Leah Worth
3     Tumbao [Live] 6:43
Cal Tjader
4     Bludan 3:05
Eddie Cano
5     Chispita 3:24
Eddie Cano
6     September Song [Live] 3:42
Maxwell Anderson / Kurt Weill
7     Cal's Pals 3:33
Eddie Cano
8     Para Ti [Live] 3:26
Mongo Santamaria
9     Mamblues [Live] 4:38
Cal Tjader
10     Afro Blue 6:32
Mongo Santamaria
11     Cuban Fantasy 6:30
Ray Bryant
12     Rezo 5:57
Mongo Santamaria
13     Mambo Terrifico 4:21
Jose Lozano
14     A Night in Tunisia 8:35
Dizzy Gillespie / Frank Paparelli
15     The Continental 4:45
Con Conrad / Herb Magidson
Credits :
Bass – Al McKibbon (faixas: 10, 14), Eddie Coleman (faixas: 11, 15), Victor Venegas (faixas: 13, 15)
Congas – Mongo Santamaria
Flute – Paul Horn (faixas: 10), Rolando Lozano (faixas: 13, 15)
Piano – Lonnie Hewitt (faixas: 10-13, 15), Vince Guaraldi (faixas: 14)
Saxophone – Jose "Chombo" Silva (faixas: 14)
Timbales – Willie Bobo
Vibraphone – Cal Tjader

CAL TJADER - Primo (1973-1992) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This CD brings back one of Cal Tjader's best late-period recordings and finds the vibraphonist adapting his 1950s Latin jazz concept to the 1970s without losing any vitality. Tjader is joined by four horns, the legendary keyboardist Charlie Palmieri, electric bassist Bobby Rodriguez, and six percussionists; Tito Puente (who plays timbales on Mario Bauza's "Tanga") and Palmieri provided the heated arrangements. A previously unreleased alternate take of "Bang Bang" is added to the CD reissue. Highly recommended to collectors of Latin jazz. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Mama Aguela 4:10
Tito Rodriguez
2     Bang Bang 4:00
Joe Cuba / Jimmy Sabater
3     Gringo City 5:35
Charlie Palmieri / Cal Tjader
4     Vibe Mambo 3:15
Tito Puente
5     Mambo Show 5:10
Charlie Palmieri
6     Azucar Mama 4:15
Alvarez / Hernandez
7     La Murga Panameña 2:59
Willie Colón / Héctor Lavoe
8     Tanga 3:08
Mario Bauzá
9     El Watusi 1:46
Ray Barretto
10     Bang Bang 6:03 - Bonus Track -
Joe Cuba / Jimmy Sabater
Credits :
Arranged By – Tito Puente
Bass Trombone, Tuba – Jack Jeffers
Bongos – William Rodriguez
Congas – Luis Rodriguez
Electric Bass – Bobby Rodriguez
Engineer [Recording] – Rudy Van Gelder
Keyboards, Arranged By – Charlie Palmieri
Percussion, Vocals – Ismael Quintana, Victor Aviles, Victor Velasquez
Tenor Saxophone – Bobby Nelson
Timbales – Enrique Davila, Tito Puente (faixas: 8)
Trumpet – Jose Merino, Louis Laurita
Vibraphone – Cal Tjader