FRANK MORGAN ALLSTARS — Reflections (1988) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Altoist Frank Morgan leads an all-star group on this excellent hard bop set. With tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, pianist Mulgrew Miller, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Al Foster also in the sextet, it is not surprising that Morgan sounds a bit inspired. The musicians all play up to their usual level, performing "Caravan" (which was added to the CD version) and Sonny Rollins' "Sonnymoon for Two," plus a song apiece by Thelonious Monk ("Reflections"), Miller, Hutcherson, Henderson and Carter. Recommended. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Old Bowl, New Grits 7:33
Composed By – Mulgrew Miller
2    Reflections 7:12
Composed By – Thelonious Monk
3    Starting Over 6:09
Composed By – Bobby Hutcherson
4    Black Narcissus 6:49
Composed By – Joe Henderson
5    Sonnymoon For Two 9:06
Composed By – Sonny Rollins
6    O.K. 6:11
Composed By – Ron Carter
7    Caravan 9:10
Composed By – Duke Ellington
Credits :
Acoustic Bass – Ron Carter
Alto Saxophone – Frank Morgan
Drums – Al Foster
Piano – Mulgrew Miller
Producer – Orrin Keepnews
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Henderson
Vibraphone – Bobby Hutcherson

ABBEY LINCOLN — Who Used To Dance (1997) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Abbey Lincoln, 65 at the time of this recording, still had a reasonably strong voice at this point in her career, and although she showed signs of mellowing now and then, she was still capable of performing fiery musical statements. This Verve release mostly emphasizes slow tempos and melancholy moods. The nostalgic "Who Used to Dance" (featuring Savion Glover's tapdancing) is a highlight, and "Street of Dreams" works well, although "Mr. Tambourine Man" is not too essential. Six different saxophonists (five of them altoists) appear on the date (usually one on a song), and despite the diversity in styles (from Steve Coleman to Frank Morgan), their subsidiary roles and respectful playing find them all sounding fairly similar. An interesting but not overly essential outing. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1        Love Has Gone Away    7:34
2        Who Used To Dance    9:43
3        Love Lament    7:10
4        Mr. Tambourine Man    6:52
5        When Autumn Sings    4:07
6        Love What You're Doin' Down There    8:24
7        Street Of Dreams    6:32
8        I Sing A Song    5:46
9        The River    4:57
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Frank Morgan (tracks: 3, 5), Justin Robinson (tracks: 9), Oliver Lake (tracks: 6, 9), Riley T. Bandy The III (tracks: 6, 8), Steve Coleman (tracks: 1, 6, 7)
Arranged By [Horns] – Randy Noel (tracks: 6)
Bass – John Ormond (tracks: 9), Michael Bowie (tracks: 1 to 8)
Cornet – Graham Haynes (tracks: 9)
Drums – Alvester Garnett (tracks: 2, 5, 6), Turu Alexander (tracks: 9)
Drums, Percussion – Aaron Walker (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 7, 8)
Piano – Marc Cary (tracks: 1 to 8), Rodney Kendrick (tracks: 9)
Tenor Saxophone – Julien Lourau (tracks: 4)
Vocals [Background Vocals Comments] – Arthur Green (tracks: 9), Bazzi Bartholomew Gray (tracks: 9)
Vocals, Arranged By – Abbey Lincoln
Words By, Music By – Abbey Lincoln (tracks: 1, 2, 6, 8, 9)

WARDELL GRAY – 1950-1955 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1463 (2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The sum of Wardell Gray's output from late in the summer of 1950 through mid-January 1955 amounts to 23 tracks, nine of them drawn from a live blowing session and the rest from three different studio dates. While Classics 1463 is not a painstakingly complete overview of Gray's performing history during the last five years of his short life, it does contain his primary work from a period which is notably lacking in recorded evidence. Captured live at the Hula Hut Club in Los Angeles on August 27 1950, "Jazz on Sunset" (recognizable as Denzil Best's "Move") and "Kiddo" (also known as Charlie Parker's "Scrapple from the Apple") were each recorded in four segments representing flip sides of 78 rpm platters cut on a portable recording apparatus. The ensemble, which had a front line that included Clark Terry, Dexter Gordon and Sonny Criss, was billed as the Wardell Gray Jazz Concept. "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" makes for a wild capper as the words to the old tune are sung by Damita Jo Du Blanc, a Texas-born R&B vocalist whose Discovery records release, "Until the Real Thing Comes Along," would achieve the status of a hit single a few months later. Surrounded by wildly improvising beboppers, she rides the lyrics to a more or less logical conclusion under conditions which must have been pleasantly challenging for her.
The next ten titles are examples of early modern West Coast jazz at its most intriguing. In January 1952 the Wardell Gray Sextet worked up six sides for Prestige, including "Jackie" and "Farmer's Market," attractive compositions which achieved national recognition after vocalist Annie Ross set quirky words to the melodies and intricately woven improvisations. Also recorded for Prestige in February 1953, "The Man I Love," "Lavonne," "So Long Broadway," and "Paul's Cause" are less well known as they were issued under the name of vibraphonist Teddy Charles & His West Coasters. The combination of minds is intriguing as Gray's session mates included alto saxophonist Frank Morgan and pianist Sonny Clark. Wardell's final studio recording session took place in Chicago in January 1955 with a group anchored by baritone saxophonist Tate Houston and a playlist that included Oscar Pettiford's "Blues in the Closet." Theories abound as to the circumstances surrounding Gray's sudden death, which shocked the jazz community four months later. When it occurred, he was scheduled to appear with Benny Carter's band at the African American-owned and operated Moulin Rouge, a short-lived venture remembered as the first racially integrated casino ever to open in Las Vegas. Hours after he failed to appear for the gig, Gray's corpse was found by the side of a road in the desert. Although his neck had been broken and foul play was clearly indicated, no autopsy was performed. The idea that he suffered a bad tumble during or after a heroin overdose seems unlikely given his well-documented stand against narcotics abuse. More plausible explanations include unresolved gambling debts or a simple straightforward hate crime. arwulf arwulf
All Tracks & Credits :

ART FARMER | FRANK MORGAN | LOU LEVY | ERIC VON ESSEN | ALBERT "TOOTIE" HEATH - Central Avenue Reunion (1989) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Three of the five musicians on this quintet date (flügelhornist Art Farmer, altoist Frank Morgan, and pianist Lou Levy) had played on Central Avenue in Los Angeles of the late '40s. Not all of the eight songs that they perform with bassist Eric Von Essen and drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath are from the era ("Blue Minor" and "Cool Struttin'" were written by Sonny Clark several years later), but the outing is very much in the bop style of the period. Their live set is highlighted by spirited versions of "Star Eyes," "Farmer's Market," "I Remember You," and "Donna Lee." This CD is filled with high-quality bebop that is easily recommended to straight-ahead jazz fans. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Star Eyes 8'43
Written-By – Raye, DePaul
2    Farmer's Market 6'58
Written-By – Art Farmer
3    Embraceable You 6'48
Written-By – Gershwin-Gershwin
4    Blue Minor 7'08
Written-By – Sonny Clark
5    I Remember You 9'03
Written-By – Mercer, Schertzinger
6    Don't Blame Me 5'45
Written-By – Fields-McHugh
7    Cool Struttin' 9'21
Written-By – Clark
8    Donna Lee 6'15
Written-By – Charlie Parker
Credits :
Acoustic Bass – Eric Von Essen
Alto Saxophone – Frank Morgan
Drums – Albert "Tootie" Heath
Flugelhorn, Arranged By, Trumpet – Art Farmer
Piano – Lou Levy