LOU DONALDSON - Birdseed (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Like fellow alto saxophonists Phil Woods, Jackie McLean, Frank Morgan, Ernie Henry, and Sonny Criss, Lou Donaldson started out with a very Charlie Parker-like tone but went on to develop a recognizable sound of his own. Bird's influence never disappeared from Donaldson's playing, although he successfully combined that influence with many ideas of his own. The title Birdseed might lead some to wonder if this 1992 date is a tribute to Parker -- it isn't, and the CD doesn't contain any Parker songs at all. However, that title is Donaldson's way of acknowledging Parker's tremendous contributions. (Producer Orrin Keepnews put it best when he said that there are basically two types of jazz: before and after Charlie Parker). Though the uptempo title song has a very Bird-like melody, it is Donaldson's own ideas that make this album as appealing as it is. From the Johnny Hodges-minded ballad "Dorothy" (written by singer Rudy Nichols) to earthy blues statements on Gene Ammons' "Red Top" and Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson's "Back Door Blues," Birdseed finds Donaldson in fine form at 65. The CD's most surprising track is "Pennies From Heaven," which has usually been heard at a fast or medium speed in recent decades but is returned to a ballad tempo by Donaldson (who is joined by organist David Braham, drummer Fukushi Tainaka, percussionist Ralph Dorsey, and the Grant Green-influenced guitarist Peter Bernstein). Produced by Bob Porter, Birdseed falls short of essential but is inspired and swinging. Alex Henderson  
Tracklist :
1     Cherry 4:33
Don Redman    
2     Walkin' Again 6:56
Lou Donaldson     
3     Pennies from Heaven 6:29
Johnny Burke / Arthur Johnston    
4     Red Top 8:12
Lionel Hampton / Ben Kynard    
5     Blue Bossa 5:45
Kenny Dorham    
6     Back Door Blues 4:59
Lou Donaldson     
7     Dorothy 5:22
Rudy Nichols    
8     Birdseed 6:44
Lou Donaldson          
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Lou Donaldson
Congas – Ralph Dorsey
Drums – Fukushi Tainaka
Guitar – Peter Bernstein
Organ – David Braham

Dr. LONNIE SMITH - Too Damn Hot (2004) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Hammond B-3 boss Dr. Lonnie Smith ends up on yet another new label with Too Damn Hot!, the follow-up to his thoroughly enjoyable -- if curious -- Boogaloo to Beck outing from 2003. This studio set places the organist in the company of two fine guitarists -- Peter Bernstein (lead) and Rodney Jones (rhythm), and alternating drummers Greg Hutchinson and Fukushi Tainaka. The two-guitar format is lovely in that it presents a wide array of colors and harmonic textures to the proceedings. The material is a compendium of new soul-jazz originals like the title track, which is a sultry slow burner with killer chorded solos by Smith, and "The Whip," a slippery funky hard bopper that recalls Johnny Patton's sessions with Grant Green. There are two covers present here as well, a fine version of Horace Silver's ballad "Silver Serenade" and a whimsical read of "Someday My Prince Will Come." The album's final cut, "Evil Turn," cooks like mad in stunning bop fashion. This is a keeper and Smith's best record of the decade so far.
(This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa')
Tracklist :
1    Norleans    4:51
Dr. Lonnie Smith
2    Too Damn Hot    5:22
Dr. Lonnie Smith
3    Back Track    7:09
Dr. Lonnie Smith
4    The Whip    5:39
Dr. Lonnie Smith
5    Silver Serenade 5:58
Composed By – Horace Silver
6    Track 9    5:30
Dr. Lonnie Smith
7    One Cylinder    7:10
Dr. Lonnie Smith
8    Someday My Prince Will Come 7:32
Composed By – Churchill, Morey
9    Your Mama's Got A Complex    5:06
Dr. Lonnie Smith
10    Evil Turn    6:04
Dr. Lonnie Smith
Credits :
Drums – Fukushi Tainaka (faixas: 2, 4, 5, 8, 10), Gregy Hutchinson (faixas: 1, 3, 6, 7, 9)
Guitar – Peter Bernstein, Rodney Jones
Organ – Dr. Lonnie Smith
Producer, Recorded By – Matt Balitsaris