TERRI LYNE CRRINGTON — Jazz is a Spirit (2002) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

In the male-dominated jazz genre, this veteran drummer has been happily accepted as one of the guys and has forged a strong touring career (Al Jarreau, David Sanborn) as she has, on her solo projects, pushed the improvisational and conceptual boundaries. This free-spirited recording emerges from the fun of bebop and traditional jazz balladry into the more challenging realm of tribal rhythms and global-mindedness -- a wacky journey to be sure, but true to her heart of wanderlust and her contention that, indeed, jazz can only be defined as a spirit. She opens with a weird, mystical ambience behind Cosby Show kid Malcolm Jamal Warner's spoken-word definition, then jams in a live setting with longtime associates like Herbie Hancock, Terence Blanchard, and Paul Bollenback (guitar) on tunes that range from the avant-garde ("Little Jump") to the smoky and romantic ("Samsara," a thoughtful tribute to Wayne Shorter). Throwing off the shackles, she does a long tribal drum roll piece and opens the door for a "Journey East From West" with Kevin Eubanks. "Journey of Now" combines the best of all worlds, with Wallace Roney's traditional trumpet, Jeff Richman's fusion guitar edges, and an irrepressible percussive tribalism. The remaining tracks are a balance between measured craziness and gentle tradition, with a bit of advice offered to Terri Lyne Carrington as she plays before the spoken words of Papa Jo Jones on "Mr Jo Jones." Innovative yet sometimes maddening, this is above all else her truest heart. Jonathan Widran
Tracklist :
1    Jazz Is    2:28
Written-By – Terri Lyne Carrington
2    Little Jump 7:30
Performer [Introduction] – Wren T. Brown
Written-By – Lars Danielsson
3    The Corner    7:02
Written-By – Terri Lyne Carrington
4    Lost Star    4:11
Written-By – Terri Lyne Carrington
5    Samsara (For Wayne)    7:23
Written-By – Terri Lyne Carrington
6    Journey Agent    1:31
Written-By – Terri Lyne Carrington
7    Journey East From West    0:49
Written-By – Terri Lyne Carrington
8    Journey Of Now 4:13
Written-By – Bob Hurst, Terri Lyne Carrington
9    Giggles    6:12
Written-By – Terri Lyne Carrington
10    Middle Way    6:55
Written-By – Terri Lyne Carrington
11    Princess 5:30
Written-By – Niels Lan Doky, Terri Lyne Carrington
12    Witch Hunt 3:09
Written-By – Wayne Shorter
13    Mr. Jo Jones 2:25
Speech [Speaking To Terri Lyne In 1984] – Papa Jo Jones
14    Jazz Is A Spirit    3:47
Written-By – Terri Lyne Carrington
Credits :
Bass – Bob Hurst (tracks: 2 to 5, 7 to 12)
Bass, Speech [Spoken Word] – Malcolm-Jamal Warner (tracks: 1, 14)
Drums – Terri Lyne Carrington
Flute – Gary Thomas (tracks: 3)
Guitar – Danny Robinson (tracks: 1, 14), Jeff Richman (tracks: 8, 12), Kevin Eubanks (tracks: 5, 7), Paul Bollenback (tracks: 2 to 4, 9, 11)
Keyboards – Greg Kurstin (tracks: 1, 3, 7, 12, 14)
Percussion – Ed Barguiarena (tracks: 1, 7, 14), Darryl "Munyungo”"Jackson (tracks: 3, 8, 14)
Piano – Greg Kurstin (tracks: 3, 4, 7 to 9), Herbie Hancock (tracks: 2, 5, 10)
Soprano Saxophone – Katisse Buckingham (tracks: 3)
Tenor Saxophone – Gary Thomas (tracks: 2 to 5, 9 to 12)
Trumpet – Terence Blanchard (tracks: 10), Wallace Roney (tracks: 2, 7, 8, 14)

SAM RIVERS' RIVBEA ALL-STAR ORCHESTRA - Inspiration (1999) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Prior to Inspiration, Sam Rivers hadn't recorded for a major label in nearly 20 years, and he hadn't cut a studio session in two decades. That doesn't mean he was inactive; he was teaching, playing, and giving concerts but never recording. Aware that many of Rivers' big-band compositions -- not only his recent material, but some earlier works as well -- had never been given the proper treatment, saxophonist Steve Coleman helped arrange a recording contract with BMG, with the end result being the astonishing Inspiration album. The compositions on Inspiration are as old as 1968's "Beatrice" and as new as 1995's "Solace" (incidentally, both of those pieces are tributes to his wife Beatrice, who also provides half of the name of the featured big band, the Rivbea All-Star Orchestra). Remarkably, all of the compositions not only sound fresh, they sound visionary -- still ahead of their time. It's not only because the stellar musicians give vibrant, unpredictable performances, although that undeniably helps; Rivers' writing is the real key. His writing for big band is utterly original, blending big-band, bop, and avant-garde traditions together in unique, surprising ways. The dissonance never sounds irritating -- it sounds melodic -- and the complex themes are strangely inviting. Similarly, Rivers' playing is robust, swinging between intense bursts of sound and beautiful lyricism, and sometimes combining it all at once. His 16 colleagues -- including such luminaries as Steve Coleman, Greg Osby, Chico Freeman, and Ray Anderson -- follow suit, delivering wonderfully shaded, invigorating performances. Inspiration truly is a revelation, proving not only that Rivers retains all his creative power at the age of 75, but that avant-garde jazz can be as inviting as any other style without sacrificing any of its depth or daring. Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Tracklist :
1    Vines    13:36
2    Nebula    11:18
3    Beatrice    10:36
4    Inspiration    9:41
5    Solace    11:01
6    Whirlwind    5:43
7    Rejuvenation    8:32
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Greg Osby, Steve Coleman
Baritone Horn – Joseph Daley
Baritone Saxophone – Hamiet Bluiett
Bass – Doug Mathews
Drums – Anthony Cole
Producer – Steve Coleman
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Written-By – Sam Rivers
Tenor Saxophone – Chico Freeman, Gary Thomas
Trombone – Art Baron, Joseph Bowie, Ray Anderson
Trumpet – Baikida Carroll, James Zollar, Ralph Alessi, Ravi Best
Tuba – Bob Stewart

SAM RIVERS' RIVBEA ALL-STAR ORCHESTRA - Culmination (1999) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Sam Rivers' second recording with his Rivbea All-Star Orchestra for RCA is similar to his first one in that he uses an impressive 17-piece band full of top avant-gardists to interpret the dense arrangements of his originals. The music, which is frequently atonal, has so much going on at times that it will take several listens to comprehend everything; it certainly does not lose one's interest! The only fault to this stimulating set is that the soloists are not identified. Although one may recognize the various saxophonists (Steve Coleman, Greg Osby, Chico Freeman, Gary Thomas, and Hamiet Blueitt) and trombonist Ray Anderson, most of the brass players will be more difficult to determine. This very adventurous music is remarkable in ways and well worth acquiring by free jazz collectors. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Spectrum    7:22
2    Bubbles    8:27
3    Revelation    10:36
4    Culmination    8:12
5    Ripples    13:38
6    Neptune    5:53
7    Riffin'    6:26
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Greg Osby, Steve Coleman
Baritone Horn – Joseph Daley
Baritone Saxophone – Hamiet Bluiett
Bass – Doug Mathews
Drums – Anthony Cole
Painting – Scramble Campbell
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Written-By – Sam Rivers
Tenor Saxophone – Chico Freeman, Gary Thomas
Trombone – Art Baron, Joseph Bowie, Ray Anderson
Trumpet – Baikida Carroll, James Zollar, Ralph Alessi, Ravi Best
Tuba – Bob Stewart

GARY THOMAS & SEVENTH QUADRANT - By Any Means Necessary [1989] JMT / APE (image+.cue), lossless

The M-Base concept, which never caught on in a big way but did influence the playing of a dozen or so top jazz improvisers, is heard in its prime on this Gary Thomas release. The tenor saxophonist (doubling on flute) meets up with the fiery altoist Greg Osby, keyboardist Geri Allen, keyboardist Tim Murphy, bassist Anthony Cox, drummer Dennis Chambers, percussionist Nana Vasconcelos, and, on some selections, guitarists John Scofield and Mick Goodrick. The music features dense ensembles, simultaneous improvisations, eccentric funk rhythms, and rhythmic but very dissonant horn solos that have a logic of their own. One can think of this noisy date as being an updated extension of Ornette Coleman's Prime Time and is recommended to open-minded listeners who think that nothing new has been played in jazz since the mid-'70s. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist
1 By Any Means Necessary 7:44
Gary Thomas
Guitar – John Scofield
Percussion – Nana Vasconcelos
2 Continuum 6:52
Gary Thomas
Percussion – Nana Vasconcelos

3 You're Under Arrest 7:17

John Scofield
Guitar – John Scofield
4 Potential Hazard 6:23
Gary Thomas
Percussion – Nana Vasconcelos
Piano, Synthesizer – Geri Allen

5 To the Vanishing Point 4:37

Gary Thomas
Piano, Synthesizer – Geri Allen

6 Screen Gem 5:02

Gary Thomas
Guitar – Mick Goodrick
Percussion – Nana Vasconcelos

7 Janala 2:39

Geri Allen / Greg Osby / Gary Thomas / Naná Vasconcelos
Alto Saxophone, Synthesizer – Greg Osby
Percussion – Nana Vasconcelos
Piano, Synthesizer – Geri Allen
8 At Risk 7:12
Gary Thomas
Guitar – John Scofield, Mick Goodrick
Percussion – Nana Vasconcelos
 9 Out of Harm's Way 6:12
Gary Thomas
Alto Saxophone, Synthesizer – Greg Osby

 GARY THOMAS & SEVENTH QUADRANT - By Any Means Necessary 

[1989] JMT / APE (image+.cue), lossless 

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