FRANZ KOGLMANN & LEE KONITZ - We Thought About Duke (1995-2002) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Duke Ellington tributes, much like Cole Porter, George Gershwin, John Coltrane, and Miles Davis tributes, were a dime a dozen in the '80s and '90s. All too often, these Ellington tributes were unimaginative and predictable, sticking to the standards while ignoring the many lesser-known gems that were written by Ellington or his partner Billy Strayhorn. But predictability isn't a problem on We Thought About Duke, a cerebral post-bop date that trumpeter/flugelhornist Franz Koglmann co-led with alto sax master Lee Konitz. This is definitely one of the more daring Ellington tributes that came out of the '90s. Instead of inundating us with standards that we've heard time and time again, Koglmann provides arrangements of such underexposed Ellington pieces as "Love Is in My Heart," "Zweet Zurzday" (which he co-wrote with Strayhorn), and "Lament for Javanette." In fact, one could be a serious Ellington enthusiast and be unfamiliar with these compositions. The best-known song on the CD is "The Mooche," which Ellington unveiled in 1928. Although "The Mooche" can hardly be considered obscure, it hasn't been done to death à la "In a Mellow Tone" or "Cotton Tail." Koglmann's arrangements have strong classical/chamber music leanings, and his admiration for Gil Evans is evident. For those seeking an Ellington tribute that is adventurous rather than conventional, We Thought About Duke is highly recommended. Alex Henderson  
Tracklist :
1    Monoblue Quartet & Lee Konitz–    Lament For Javanette 5:15
Written-By – Duke Ellington
2    Pipe Trio & Lee Konitz–    Ko-Ko 4:14
Written-By – Duke Ellington
3    Monoblue Quartet & Lee Konitz–    Zweet Zursday 8:01
Written-By – Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington
4    Pipe Trio–    Thoughts About Duke I 6:30
Written-By – Franz Koglmann
5    Monoblue Quartet & Lee Konitz–    Thoughts About Duke II 4:34
Written-By – Franz Koglmann
6    Monoblue Quartet & Lee Konitz–    Love Is In My Heart 5:29
Written-By – Duke Ellington
7    Pipe Trio & Lee Konitz–    Pyramid 5:52
Written-By – Juan Tizol
8    Pipe Trio & Lee Konitz–    Thoughts About Duke III 4:33
Written-By – Franz Koglmann
9    Monoblue Quartet & Lee Konitz–    The Mooche 5:49
Written-By – Duke Ellington
10    Pipe Trio & Lee Konitz–    Dirge 6:07
Written-By – Billy Strayhorn
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Lee Konitz (pistas: 1 to 3, 5 to 10)
Bass – Klaus Koch (pistas: 1, 3, 5, 6, 9)
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Tony Coe (pistas: 1, 3, 5, 6, 9)
Guitar – Burkhard Stangl (pistas: 1, 3, 5, 6, 9)
Trombone – Rudolf Ruschel (pistas: 2, 4, 7, 8, 10)
Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Arranged By – Franz Koglmann
Tuba – Raoul Herget (pistas: 2, 4, 7, 8, 10)