Despite contributions from an abundance of soul-jazz greats including Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jimmy Owens, and Garnett Brown, Virgo Red is the most stripped-down and nuanced of Roy Ayers' Ubiquity LPs. Its sinuous funk grooves are first and foremost a showcase for the intuitive interplay of Ayers and electric keyboardist Harry Whitaker, whose Fender Rhodes' fills orbit Ayers' vibes' solos like a planet circling the sun. The material is a crazy quilt of righteously soulful originals and deeply funky covers spanning Leroy Hutson's soul classic "Giving Love" to Stories' soft pop smash "Brother Louie" to absolute treacle like The Poseidon Adventure's "The Morning After" -- by all rights it shouldn't work, but as the astrological overtones winding through Virgo Red attest, sometimes the stars align. Jason Ankeny
Tracklist :
1 Brother Louie 6:08
Composed By – E. Brown, T. Wilson
2 Virgo Red 2:58
Composed By – C. Clay, R. Ayers
3 I Am Your Mind 6:13
Composed By – C. Clay, R. Ayers
4 The Morning After 4:37
Composed By – A. Kasha, J. Hirschhorn
5 Love From The Sun 2:43
Composed By – C. Clay, R. Clay, W. Garfield
6 It's So Sweet 4:23
Composed By – R. Alderson, W. Salter
7 Giving Love 4:26
Composed By – J. Reaves, L. Hutson
8 Des Nude Soul 4:49
Composed By – R. Ayers
Credits
Arranged By [Vocals] – Bert DeCoteaux
Artwork – Haruo Miyauchi
Baritone Vocals – Argerie Ayers, Arthur Clark, D.D Bridgewater, Leslie Carter, Seldon Powell, Willie Michael
Bass – David Johnson, Gordon Edwards
Congas, Bongos, Vocals – Chano O'Ferral
Drums, Percussion – Dennis Davis
Guitar – Dennis Heaven, Will Hawes
Percussion – Adrian Dey, Stephen Sadiz Shbazzberrios
Piano, Electric Piano, Organ – Harry Whitaker
Sitar [Electric Sitar] – Jerry Friedman
Trombone – Garnett Brown
Trumpet – Cecil Bridgewater, Jimmie Owens
Vibraphone, Organ, Vocals, Percussion, Arranged By [Vocals] – Roy Ayers
16.6.24
ROY AYERS UBIQUITY — Virgo Red (1973-2009) RM | Serie Verve Originals | FLAC (tracks+.cue) lossless
22.3.24
BILLY COBHAM — Crosswinds (1974-2001) RM | Atlantic Masters Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Billy Cobham's second date as a leader was one of his better sessions.
Four songs (all originals by the leader/drummer) comprise "Spanish Moss
-- A Sound Portrait," and, in addition, Cobham contributed three other
pieces. The selections team him with guitarist John Abercrombie, both of
the Brecker Brothers, trombonist Garnett Brown, keyboardist George
Duke, bassist John Williams, and Latin percussionist Lee Pastora. In
general, the melodies and the vamps are reasonably memorable. Cobham
also takes an unaccompanied drum solo on "Storm." Worth searching for by
fusion collectors. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
Spanish Moss - "A Sound Portrait" 17:08
1.a Spanish Moss 4:08
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass – John Williams
Guitar – John Abercrombie
Keyboards – George Duke
Percussion – Billy Cobham
Percussion [Latin] – Lee Pastora
Trombone – Garnett Brown
Trumpet – Randy Brecker
Woodwind – Michael Brecker
1.b Savannah The Serene 5:09
Acoustic Bass – John Williams
Acoustic Guitar – John Abercrombie
Keyboards [Solo] – George Duke
Percussion – Billy Cobham
Trombone [Solo] – Garnett Brown
1.c Storm 2:46
Percussion [Solo] – Billy Cobham
1.d Flash Flood 5:05
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass – John Williams
Guitar [Solo] – John Abercrombie
Keyboards – George Duke
Percussion – Billy Cobham
Percussion [Latin] – Lee Pastora
Trombone – Garnett Brown
Trumpet [Solo] – Randy Brecker
Woodwind – Michael Brecker
2 The Pleasant Pheasant 5:11
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass – John Williams
Guitar – John Abercrombie
Keyboards [Solo] – George Duke
Percussion [Latin, Solo] – Lee Pastora
Percussion [Solo] – Billy Cobham
Trombone – Garnett Brown
Trumpet – Randy Brecker
Woodwind [Solo] – Michael Brecker
3 Heather 8:25
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass – John Williams
Guitar – John Abercrombie
Keyboards [Solo] – George Duke
Percussion – Billy Cobham
Percussion [Latin] – Lee Pastora
Trombone – Garnett Brown
Trumpet – Randy Brecker
Woodwind [Solo] – Michael Brecker
4 Crosswind 3:39
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass – John Williams
Guitar [Solo] – John Abercrombie
Keyboards – George Duke
Percussion – Billy Cobham
Percussion [Latin] – Lee Pastora
Trombone – Garnett Brown
Trumpet – Randy Brecker
Woodwind – Michael Brecker
15.3.24
HEBIE HANCOCK — Fat Albert Rotunda (1969-2001) RM | Warner Bros. Masters Series | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless
Centered around some soundtrack music that Herbie Hancock wrote for Bill
Cosby's Fat Albert cartoon show, Fat Albert Rotunda was Hancock's first
full-fledged venture into jazz-funk -- and his last until Head Hunters
-- making it a prophetic release. At the same time, it was far different
in sound from his later funk ventures, concentrating on a romping,
late-'60s-vintage R&B-oriented sound. with frequent horn riffs and
great rhythmic comping and complex solos from Hancock's Fender Rhodes
electric piano. The syllables of the titles alone -- "Wiggle Waggle,"
"Fat Mama," "Oh! Oh! Here He Comes" -- have a rhythm and feeling that
tell you exactly how this music saunters and swaggers along -- just like
the jolly cartoon character. But there is more to this record than
fatback funk. There is the haunting, harmonically sophisticated "Tell Me
a Bedtime Story" (which ought to become a jazz standard), and the
similarly relaxed "Jessica." The sextet on hand is a star-studded bunch,
with Joe Henderson in funky and free moods on tenor sax, Johnny Coles
on trumpet, Garnett Brown on trombone, Buster Williams on bass, and
Albert "Tootie" Heath on drums. Only Williams would remain for Hancock's
1977 electric V.S.O.P.: The Quintet album to come. In addition,
trumpeter Joe Newman, saxophonist Joe Farrell, guitarist Eric Gale, and
drummer Bernard Purdie make guest appearances on two tracks. Richard S. Ginell
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass, Soloist – Buster Williams (tracks: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
Drums, Soloist – Tootie Heath (tracks: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
Engineer – Rudy Van Gelder
Flute [Alto], Tenor Saxophone, Soloist – Joe Henderson
Piano, Electric Piano, Producer, Written-By, Arranged By, Conductor, Soloist – Herbie Hancock
Trombone, Soloist – Garnet Brown
Trumpet, Flugelhorn [Fluegel Horn], Soloist – Johnny Coles
29.2.24
DEODATO — Deodato 2 (1973-1988) RM | Bonus Tracks | Serie The Original CTI Recordings Digitally Remastered For Compact Disc | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Deodato's debut for CTI, Prelude, earned him a genuine reputation for funky fusion with its groove-tight cover of "Thus Spake Zarathustra," the theme from Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey. The rest of the album isn't quite as memorable, but it fit the bill and got nice reviews for its innovative read of Borodin and Debussy's "Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun." On 2, the Brazilian composer and arranger dips into the funked-up fusion tank once again, and comes out with a more consistent disc than its predecessor. Arranged, conducted, and keyboarded by Deodato himself instead of CTI house arrangers Don Sebesky or Bob James, the maestro enlisted a fusion who's who of sidemen including drummer Billy Cobham, bassist Stanley Clarke, and flutist Hubert Laws, as well as rockers like John Tropea on guitar. The larger ensemble that provides brass, woodwind, and string support includes trumpeter Jon Faddis and Jim Buffington. "Super Strut" kicks it off. Deep-grooved lines of accented angular riffing and rim-shot syncopation by Cobham turn this simply notated four-stepper into a burning ball of greasy rock and souled-out jazz. This is followed by a wildly campy but nonetheless wondrous read of "Rhapsody in Blue" done Stevie Wonder-style. Deodato's keyboard work never lets the groove drop; he pulls the rhythm section down around him and hunkers his phrasing to punch up the long, sweeping horns and string lines. Less successful is a read of "Nights in White Satin," with its overwrought strings, and a "Pavane for a Dead Princess" that's a snore. The album officially closes with "Skyscrapers," another jazz-rock rave-up that blasts holes in the sonic sky with its dueling keyboard and guitar lines.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist :
1. Super Strut 9:29
2. Rhapsody In Blue 8:43
3. Nights In White Satin 6:01
4. Pavane For A Dead Princess 4:24
5. Skyscrapers 7:00
6. Latin Flute 4:19
– BONUS TRACKS –
7. Venus 3:28
8. Do It Again 5:30
Credits :
Eumir Deodato - keyboards
Stanley Clarke, John Giulino - Bass
Billy Cobham, Rick Marotta - Drums
Rubens Bassini, Gilmore Degap - Percussion, Congas
John Tropea - Guitar
Hubert Laws, Jerry Gordon, Romeo Penque, George Marge - Flute
Jon Faddis, Burt Collins, Victor Paz, Alan Rubin, Marvin Stamm - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Garnet Brown, Wayne Andre - Trombone
Tony Studd - Bass Trombone
Jim Buffington - French Horn
Joe Temperley - Baritone Sax
String Section - Violins, Violas, Cellos
25.1.24
JOE SAMPLE — Rainbow Seeker (1978-1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Back in 1978 when this set was recorded, fusion (the mixture of jazz improvisation with rock rhythms) was declining. Keyboardist Joe Sample, best-known for his work with the Crusaders, was in the process of being one of the founders of "contemporary jazz," an idiom that has since solidified into smooth jazz. Sample emphasized catchy melodies, light funk rhythms, appealing chord changes and a pop sensibility. For this accessible release, Sample is joined by the late legendary guitarist Billy Rogers, bassist Pops Popwell, his old Crusaders drummer Stix Hooper, a horn section and several guest guitarists. All eight tunes (which include "Fly with the Wings of Love" and "Islands in the Rain") are by the leader, who is heard throughout in melodic form, setting up a variety of light grooves that serve as superior background music. Scott Yanow Tracklist & Credits :
1.12.23
DUKE PEARSON – The Right Touch (1967-1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Duke Pearson rises to the challenge of writing for an all-star octet (with trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, trombonist Garnett Brown, altoist James Spaulding, Jerry Dodgion on alto and flute, Stanley Turrentine on tenor, bassist Gene Taylor, drummer Grady Tate, and the leader/pianist), contributing colorful frameworks and consistently challenging compositions. The set is full of diverse melodies (the CD reissue has a previously unissued take of "Los Malos Hombres") played by a variety of distinctive soloists; many of these songs deserve to be revived. This is one of the finest recordings of Duke Pearson's career. Scott Yanow Tracklist & Credits
30.11.22
ALBERT AYLER - New Grass (1969-2005) RM | Impulse! Originals | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Possibly the most notorious Albert Ayler release and universally misunderstood (i.e., hated) by fans and critics alike. When New Grass was released in 1969 it received a hostile outcry of "sell-out." Listening to New Grass in hindsight; it must be taken into account that even though commercial elements are apparent -- a soul horn section, backup singers, boogaloo drumming from Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, and electric rock bass -- Ayler's vocals and tenor playing could hardly gain commercial radio exposure at any time. It's likely Impulse prodded Ayler to move into a more pronounced blues-oriented sound and he went willingly. Ayler wasn't a stranger to R&B or gutbucket blues; he had started his career playing saxophone with Chicago bluesman Little Walter in the '50s. Ayler's screeching tone remains intact on New Grass, but it's mixed with definite R&B riffs like the obvious honkin' nod to "Slippin and Sliddin" on "New Generation." Ayler's attempt to explain himself on the opening track with "Message from Albert Ayler," reveals his impending dread over controversy concerning the material. It is a problem many artists face at some point in their careers when trying to move in a different direction, no matter what the reason; they may end up losing a majority of their audience by taking a foreign approach. Al Campbell
Tracklist :
1 Message From Albert/New Grass 3'55
Albert Ayler / Bert DeCoteaux
Flute – Seldon Powell
Voice [Recitation On Message From Albert] – Albert Ayler
2 New Generation 5'10
Albert Ayler / Rose Marie McCoy / Mary Parks
3 Sun Watcher 7'30
Albert Ayler
Piano, Organ – Call Cobbs
Whistling – Albert Ayler
4 New Ghosts 4'12
Albert Ayler / Mary Parks
Piano – Call Cobbs
Tambourine – Unknown
Vocals – Albert Ayler
5 Heart Love 5'34
Albert Ayler / Mary Parks
6 Everybody's Movin' 3'44
Albert Ayler / Rose Marie McCoy / Mary Parks
7 Free at Last 3'08
Albert Ayler / Rose Marie McCoy / Mary Parks
Credits :
Baritone Saxophone – Buddy Lucas (tracks: 1, 2, 5 to 7)
Conductor, Arranged By – Bert DeCoteaux (tracks: 1, 2, 5 to 7)
Drums – Bernard Purdie (tracks: 2 to 7)
Electric Bass – Bill Folwell
Electric Harpsichord – Call Cobbs (tracks: 2, 5 to 7)
Tenor Saxophone – Albert Ayler, Seldon Powell (tracks: 2, 5 to 7)
Trombone – Garnett Brown (tracks: 1, 2, 5 to 7)
Trumpet – Burt Collins (tracks: 1, 2, 5 to 7), Joe Newman (tracks: 1, 2, 5 to 7)
Vocals – The Soul Singers (tracks: 2, 5 to 7)
26.11.22
ROLAND KIRK - Slightly Latin (1965-1997) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Tracklist :
1 Walk on By 2:32
Burt Bacharach / Hal David
2 Raouf 3:03
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
3 It's All in the Game 5:14
Charles G. Dawes / Carl Sigman
4 Juarez 5:22
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
5 Shaky Money 2:36
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
6 Nothing But the Truth 3:33
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
7 Safari 4:26
Eddie Mathias
8 And I Love Her 2:53
John Lennon / Paul McCartney
9 Ebrauqs 8:16
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
Credits :
Arranged By [Vocals] – Coleridge Perkinson
Baritone Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Saxophone [Manzello, Strich] – Roland Kirk
Bass – Edward Mathias
Congas – Montego Joe
Drums – Gerald Brown
Flugelhorn – Martin Banks
Percussion – Manuel Ramos
Piano, Celesta [Celeste] – Horace Parlan
Trombone, Harp [Nagoya Harp], Arranged By – Garnett Brown
Trumpet – Virgil Jones
31.10.22
CHARLES LLOYD - Nirvana (1968-2014) RM | Jazz Collection 1000 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Tracklist :
1 Charles Lloyd & His Quintet– Island Blues 3:26
Written-By – C. Lloyd
2 Charles Lloyd & His Quintet– Carcara 1:45
Written-By – J. Candido, J. Vale
3 Charles Lloyd & His Quintet– Long Time, Baby 2:12
Written-By – C. Lloyd
4 Charles Lloyd & His Quintet– East Of The Sun (And West Of The Moon) 4:57
Written-By – B. Bowman
5 Charles Lloyd & His Quintet– Love Theme From 'In Harm's Way' 2:11
Written-By – J. Goldsmith
6 Charles Lloyd & His Quintet– Sun Dance 3:17
Written-By – C. Lloyd
Written-By – R. Ortolani
8 Chico Hamilton & His Quintet Featuring Charles Lloyd– One For Joan/Freedom Traveler (Part I-Prayer) (Part II-Journey) 14:39
Written-By – C. Lloyd
Credits :
Bass – Albert Stinson (pistas: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9), Ron Carter (pistas: 4, 7)
Drums – Anthony Williams (pistas: 4, 7), Chico Hamilton (pistas: 8, 9), Pete La Roca (pistas: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6)
Guitar – Gabor Szabo
Producer – Teo Macero
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Charles Lloyd
Trombone – Garnett Brown (pistas: 7, 8)
2.10.22
LOU DONALDSON - Lush Life (1967-2007) RM | RVG Edition | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless
After brief sojourns at Argo and Cadet, Lou Donaldson marked his 1967 return by recording Lush Life, the grandest project he ever attempted. With its plush arrangements and unabashedly pretty melodies, Lush Life stands in stark contrast to everything else he cut in the '60s. There are no blues, no stabs at soul-jazz grooves, no hard bop -- only sweet, sensitive renditions of romantic standards. Donaldson shone on ballads before, but it's nevertheless surprising how successful he is on this set of slow love songs. His tone is full and elegant -- it's easy to get lost in his rich readings of these familiar melodies, as well as his slyly seductive improvisations. Of course, it helps that his instrumental backdrops are as lovely as those his nine-piece backing band provide. Nonets are unwieldy, to be certain, but Duke Pearson's arrangements are clean, sparkling, and attractive, and the superstar band -- Wayne Shorter (tenor sax), Jerry Dodgion (alto sax, flute), Pepper Adams (bari sax), Freddie Hubbard (trumpet), Garnett Brown (trombone), McCoy Tyner (piano), Ron Carter (bass), Al Harewood (drums) -- knows enough to provide sympathetic support and not steal the show. When they do take solos, it enhances Donaldson's original statements, and helps make Lush Life the singularly enchanting record it is. Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Tracklist :
1 Sweet Slumber 5'56
Lucky Millinder / Al J. Neiburg / Henri Woode
2 You've Changed 4'23
Bill Carey / Carl Fischer
3 The Good Life 4'53
Jean Broussole / Sacha Distel
4 Star Dust 3'40
Hoagy Carmichael
5 What Will I Tell My Heart 4'25
Irving Gordon / Jack Lawrence / Peter Tinturin
6 It Might as Well Be Spring 5'58
Oscar Hammerstein II / Richard Rodgers
7 Sweet and Lovely 5'58
Gus Arnheim / Jules LeMare (Chas. N. Daniels) / Harry Tobias
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Lou Donaldson
Alto Saxophone, Flute – Jerry Dodgion
Arranged By – Duke Pearson
Baritone Saxophone – Pepper Adams
Bass – Ron Carter
Drums – Al Harewood
Piano – McCoy Tyner
Recorded By, Remastered By – Rudy Van Gelder
Tenor Saxophone – Wayne Shorter
Trombone – Garnett Brown
Trumpet – Freddie Hubbard
2.9.21
THE BOOKER ERVIN SEXTET - Heavy!!! (1966-1998) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
This 1998 CD reissue differs from the original LP in that the immediately distinctive tenor saxophonist Booker Ervin is featured on a previously unreleased four-minute dirge, "Ode to Charlie Parker." The set matches Ervin with a remarkable rhythm section (pianist Jaki Byard, bassist Richard Davis, and drummer Alan Dawson), plus trumpeter Jimmy Owens and trombonist Garnett Brown (who sometimes takes co-honors). The music is quite moody, soulful, and explorative yet not forbidding. Although the originals are fine (particularly Brown's "Bächafillen"), the main highlights are an inventive reworking of "Bei Mir Bist du Schön" and Ervin's quartet feature on an emotional rendition of "You Don't Know What Love Is." by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Bächafillen 8:15
Garnett Brown
2 You Don't Know What Love Is 8:43
Gene DePaul / Don Raye
3 Aluminum Baby 5:00
Jaki Byard
4 Not Quite That 7:54
Garnett Brown
5 Bei Mir Bist du Shoen 12:28
Sammy Cahn / Saul Chaplin / Jacob Jacobs / Sholom Secunda
6 Ode to Charlie Parker 3:57
Jaki Byard
Credits :
Bass – Richard Davis
Drums – Alan Dawson
Flugelhorn – Jimmy Owens (faixas: 1)
Piano – Jaki Byard
Tenor Saxophone – Booker Ervin
Trombone – Garnett Brown (faixas: 1, 3 to 6)
Trumpet – Jimmy Owens (faixas: 3 to 6)
6.7.20
THE GIL EVANS ORCHESTRA — Blues in Orbit (1980-2009) RM | Serie Enja · 24bit Master Edition | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Tracklist :
1 Thoroughbred 4:55
Baritone Saxophone – Howard Johnson
Drums – Alphonse Mouzon
Flute, Soprano Saxophone – George Marge
Flute, Written-By – Billy Harper
French Horn – Ray Alonge
Percussion – Donald McDonald
Trombone – Garnett Brown
Trumpet – Ernie Royal, Johnny Coles
2 Spaced 3:03
Written-By – Gil Evans
3 Love In The Open 6:47
Written-By – Warren Smith
4 Variation On The Misery 3:01
Written-By – Gil Evans
5 Blues In Orbit 6:47
Baritone Saxophone – Howard Johnson
Drums – Alphonse Mouzon
Flute – Billy Harper
Flute, Soprano Saxophone – George Marge
French Horn – Ray Alonge
Percussion – Donald McDonald
Trombone – Garnett Brown
Trumpet – Ernie Royal, Johnny Coles
Written-By – George Russell
6 Proclamation 1:46
Written-By – Gil Evans
7 General Assembly 7:10
Written-By – Gil Evans, Miles Davis
8 So Long 2:27
Written-By – Gil Evans
Créditos
Bass – Herb Bushler
Drums – Elvin Jones (tracks: 2 to 4, 6 to 8)
Flute – Hubert Laws (tracks: 2 to 4, 6 to 8)
French Horn – Julius Watkins
Guitar – Joe Beck
Harp – Gene Bianco (tracks: 2 to 4, 6 to 8)
Percussion – Sue Evans (tracks: 2 to 4, 6 to 8)
Piano, Electric Piano, Arranged By, Conductor – Gil Evans
Tenor Saxophone – Billy Harper
Trombone – Jimmy Cleveland, Jimmy Knepper (tracks: 2 to 4, 6 to 8)
Trumpet – Snooky Young (tracks: 2 to 4, 6 to 8), Mike Lawrence (tracks: 2 to 4, 6 to 8)
Tuba – Howard Johnson
+ last month
ESBJÖRN SVENSSON TRIO — Winter In Venice (1997) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Esbjörn Svensson has stood not only once on stage in Montreux. He was already a guest in the summer of 1998 at the jazz festival on Lake Gen...