MAX ROACH — The Complete Mercury Max Roach Plus Four Sessions (2000) RM | 7xCD BOX-SET | MONO | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This seven-CD box set features 95 tracks from legendary drummer Max Roach's small group, consisting of the 1956-1960 recordings for Emarcy and Mercury Records, as these noteworthy sessions also represent the drummer's post Max Roach-Clifford Brown Quintet output. In 1956 the jazz world witnessed the tragic and untimely deaths of the great trumpeter Clifford Brown and pianist Ritchie Powell. Within these seven CDs, we find Roach maintaining his assault on jazz along with trumpeter Kenny Dorham, pianist Ray Bryant, and the drummer's bandmates from the Clifford Brown years, tenor saxophone giant Sonny Rollins and bassist George Morrow. Jazz aficionados will find a wealth of fantastic music here, as Roach also employed renowned artists such as tenor saxophonists Hank Mobley, Stanley Turrentine, and George Coleman, along with trumpeter Booker Little and many others of note. Essentially, Mosaic Records continues to excel in the reissue department, as they seemingly take great pains to portray or perhaps enhance the original LP recordings for modern day audiophiles and jazz connoisseurs. This collection also includes extensive annotations, biographies of the artists, interviews, recollections, and categorical documentation of the sessions presented in a matrix format. Here, the listener is treated to hard bop renditions of Charlie Parker's "Billie's Bounce" and "Koko," where trumpeter Kenny Dorham and tenor saxophonist George Coleman trade vicious, fierce fours, as the various aggregations and ensembles also tackle standards and originals. The infamous union of Max Roach and Buddy Rich originally titled, "Roach vs. Rich" presents an added bonus to this all encompassing package, as these works are further enhanced by Gigi Gryce's bold, fiery arrangements along with the addition of 14 previously unreleased alternate takes. Simply stated, Roach and Rich perform via a firebrand approach as the musician's distinct styles provide contrast and symmetry to Gryce's radiant horn charts. Basically, these pieces offer a glimpse of two masters/innovators whose respective techniques have often been imitated yet never duplicated. Suffice to state, Rich's blazing speed and unfathomable dexterity counterbalances Roach's complex, melodically constructed rolls, impeccable timing and bop-induced fills. Hence, the two are remarkable as they reciprocate impossibly fast motifs with cataclysmic fury. Overall, this 2000 release should be deemed required listening for astute observers of late-50's bebop and the continuing evolution of modern jazz. Highly recommended! Glenn Astarita    All Tracks & Credits :

ELVIN JONES — Live At The Village Vanguard (1968-1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

In what was probably the first recording by drummer Elvin Jones' working group (and one of his first after the death of John Coltrane), the focus is very much on tenor saxophonist George Coleman. The trio (which also includes bassist Wilbur Little) stretches out on Coleman's "By George," "Laura," and "You Don't Know What Love Is," and is joined by trumpeter Marvin "Hannibal" Peterson for a 15-minute version of "Mister Jones." The music is very much in the late-'50s/early-'60s modal vein of Coltrane, and although rather brief, the playing here is excellent and reasonably exploratory. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    M.C.    0:31
Written-By – Elvin Jones
2    By George 7:06
Written-By – George Coleman
3    Laura 12:00
Written-By – David Raskin
4    Mister Jones 15:05
Written-By – Keiko Jones
5    You Don't Know What Love Is 6:57
Written-By – Don Raye, Gene DePaul
6    M.C. 0:37
Written-By – Elvin Jones
Credits :
Bass – Wilbur Little
Drums – Elvin Jones
Tenor Saxophone – George Coleman
Trumpet – Marvin 'Hannibal' Peterson (tracks: 4)

ELVIN JONES — Poly-Currents (1969-2014) RM | SHM-CD | Serie Blue Note, The Masterworks | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Poly-Currents features drummer Elvin Jones leading a sextet full of notables, who include the underrated tenor great George Coleman; Joe Farrell on tenor, flute, and English horn; baritonist Pepper Adams; bassist Wilbur Little, and Candido on congas. They stretch out on group originals highlighted by "Mr. Jones" and "Whew." In addition, flutist Fred Tompkins teams up with Farrell's flute, Little, and Jones on his own "Yes." Advanced modal hard bop with all of the musicians playing in top form. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Agenda 13:50
Written-By – E. Jones
2    Agappe Love 5:52
Written-By – J. Farrell
3    Mr. Jones 7:35
Written-By – K. Jones
4    Yes 2:22
Written-By – F. Tompkins
5    Whew 9:33
Written-By – W. Little
Credits :
Baritone Saxophone – Pepper Adams (tracks: 1 to 3)
Bass – Wilbur Little
Bass Flute – Joe Farrell (tracks: 4)
Congas – Candido Camero (tracks: 1 to 3)
Drums – Elvin Jones
English Horn – Joe Farrell (tracks: 1)
Flute – Fred Tompkins (tracks: 4), Joe Farrell (tracks: 2)
Recorded By – Rudy Van Gelder
Tenor Saxophone – George Coleman (tracks: 1 to 3, 5), Joe Farrell (tracks: 3, 5)

ELVIN JONES — Coalition (1971-2014) RM | SHM-CD | Serie Blue Note, The Masterworks | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Drummer Elvin Jones' Blue Note sessions have long been underrated, partly because the label itself was declining during the era and also partly due to the rise of the avant-garde and fusion, which overshadowed Jones' passionate and advanced hard bop. In 1970, Elvin's band consisted of George Coleman and Frank Foster on tenors (Foster also plays bass clarinet on one number), bassist Wilbur Little, Candido on conga, and the drummer/leader. This was a particularly creative and often intense ensemble, attached to the hard bop tradition but always looking forward. On four group originals (including Coleman's "5/4 Thing") and "Yesterdays," the quintet generates a lot of heat, with the contrast between the tones of Coleman and Foster making this album (not yet reissued on CD) of particular interest. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Shinjitu 7:38
Composed By – K. Jones
2    Yesterdays 10:57
Composed By – J. Kern, O. Harbach
3    5/4 Thing 5:25
Composed By – G. Coleman
4    Ural Stradania 8:27
Composed By – F. Foster
5    Simone 6:29
Composed By – F. Foster
Credits :
Alto Clarinet – Frank Foster (tracks: 1)
Bass – Wilbur Little
Congas – Candido (tracks: 1, 3 to 5)
Drums – Elvin Jones
Recorded By – Rudy Van Gelder
Tambourine – Candido (tracks: 1)
Tenor Saxophone – Frank Foster (tracks: 2 to 5), George Coleman

ELVIN JONES — Mr. Jones (1973-2013) RM | Serie BNLA 999 Encore | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    One's Native Place 6:17
Written-By – Keiko Jones
2    Gee Gee 5:45
Written-By – Gene Perla
3    Mr. Jones 7:35
Written-By – Keiko Jones
4    What's Up-That's It 5:40
Written-By – Gene Perla
5    Soultrane 6:12
Written-By – Tadd Dameron
6    New Breed 6:55
Written-By – David Liebman
Credits :
Acoustic Bass – Gene Perla (tracks: 1, 4 to 6)
Baritone Saxophone – Pepper Adams (tracks: 3)
Bass – Wilbur Little (tracks: 3)
Congas – Carlos "Patato" Valdes (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 6)
Drums – Elvin Jones
Electric Bass – Gene Perla (tracks: 2)
Engineer – Rudy Van Gelder
Flugelhorn – Thad Jones (tracks: 1, 2)
Flute – David Liebman (tracks: 1)
Percussion – Candido Camero* (tracks: 3), Frank Ippolito (tracks: 1, 4, 5)
Piano – Jan Hammer (tracks: 1, 2, 4)
Soprano Saxophone – David Liebman (tracks: 4), Steve Grossman (tracks: 1)
Tenor Saxophone – David Liebman (tracks: 2, 6), George Coleman (tracks: 3), Joe Farrell (tracks: 3), Steve Grossman (tracks: 2, 4 to 6)
Timpani – Albert Duffy (tracks: 1, 5)

ELVIN JONES — The Prime Element (1976) 2 x Vinyl, LP | The Blue Note Re-Issue Series | FLAC (tracks), lossless

This two-LP set consists of a pair of unrelated Elvin Jones Blue Note sessions that had not been previously released. The earlier date features Jones in a septet with the tenors of George Coleman and Joe Farrell along with trumpeter Lee Morgan, while the 1973 album has an 11-piece group that includes a large rhythm section, baritonist Pepper Adams and the tenors of Steve Grossman and Frank Foster. The challenging modal material (an extension of John Coltrane's music of the early '60s) and diverse soloists make this two-fer into a rather stimulating listen. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
A1    At This Point In Time 7:30
Written-By – F. Foster
A2    Currents / Pollen 11:06
Written-By – D. Garcia, G. Perla
B1    The Prime Element 6:14
Written-By – O. Clay
B2    Whims Of Bal 12:22
Written-By – O. Clay
C1    Inner Space 6:28
Written-By – C. Corea
C2    Once I Loved (O Amor E Paz) 6:18
Lyrics By – V. De Moraes
Translated By – R. Gilbert
Written-By – A. C. Jobim
C3    Raynay 7:54
Written-By – E. Jones
D1    Champagne Baby 10:20
Written-By – J. Farrell
D2    Dido Afrique 11:14
Written-By – E. Jones
Credits :
Baritone Saxophone – Pepper Adams (tracks: A1 to B2)
Bass – Wilbur Little (tracks: C1 to D2)
Congas [Conga] – Candido Camero
Drums – Elvin Jones
Electric Bass, Acoustic Bass – Gene Perla (tracks: A1 to B2)
Electric Guitar – Cornell Dupree (tracks: A1 to B2)
Percussion – Miovelito Valles (tracks: C1 to D2), Omar Clay (tracks: A1 to B2), Richie "Pablo" Landrum (tracks: A1 to B2)
Synthesizer [Mini Moog], Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Piano [Acoustic] – Jan Hammer (tracks: A1 to B2)
Tenor Saxophone – George Coleman (tracks: C1 to D2)
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Frank Foster (tracks: A1 to B2), Steve Grossman (tracks: A1 to B2)
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Alto Flute – Joe Farrell (tracks: C1 to D2)
Timpani – Warren Smith (tracks: A1 to B2)
Trumpet – Lee Morgan (tracks: C1 to D2)

ELVIN JONES — Time Capsule (1977-2002) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Drummer Elvin Jones' Vanguard recordings of 1975-77, of which this was the final one, generally found him playing with all-stars or augmenting his band with guests. The five obscurities on this LP (three by altoist Bunky Green, who emerges as the date's top soloist) matches Jones with Green, tenor saxophonist George Coleman, the electric piano of Kenny Barron, bassist Junie Booth, guitarist Ryo Kawasaki, and percussionist Angel Allende. Two of the songs ("Frost Bite" and "Digital Display") have bassist Milt Hinton and flutist Frank Wess; the latter piece also adds the soprano of Frank Foster. Overall, the music is worthwhile, although not quite adding up to the sum of its many parts; the set has very little unity despite some individual fireworks. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Frost Bite 7:53
Composed By – Ryo Kawasaki
2    Digital Display 7:31
Composed By – Ed Bland
3    Moon Dance 6:20
Composed By – Bunky Green
4    Time Capsule 8:07
Composed By – Bunky Green
5    Spacing 10:35
Composed By – Bunky Green
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Bunky Green
Bass – Junie Booth (tracks: 3 to 5), Milt Hinton (tracks: 1, 2)
Drums – Elvin Jones
Electric Piano – Kenny Barron
Flute – Frank Wess (tracks: 1, 2)
Guitar – Ryo Kawasaki
Percussion – Angel Allende
Soprano Saxophone – Frank Foster (tracks: 2)
Tenor Saxophone – George Coleman (tracks: 1, 3 to 5)

JIMMY SMITH - House Party (1957-2000) RVG Edition / APE (image+.cue), lossless

 In 2000 when Blue Note upgraded 1958's House Party as part of the label's superior Rudy Van Gelder series, they augmented the title with a ten-plus minute driving blow of Charlie Parker's "Confirmation" as a well-chosen bonus track. Now the effort is bookended by some primal Bird, which was always a forte of the assembled coterie. In addition to sharing three of the five sides with the RVG edition of The Sermon! (1958), there are two selections from the August 25, 1957, confab of Lee Morgan (trumpet), George Coleman (alto sax), Curtis Fuller (trombone), Eddie McFadden (guitar), Kenny Burrell (guitar), and Donald Bailey (drums). The remaining three were recorded precisely six months later on February 25, 1958, with a slightly amended lineup featuring altoist Lou Donaldson (in for Coleman) alongside Tina Brooks (tenor sax) and the ubiquitous Art Blakey (drums) providing unique contributions of their own. "Au Privave" is a refined piece of indisputable bop mastery as Smith commands the combo through an incendiary and driving rendition that grooves unforced flair and organic charisma. Morgan bandies about with Smith and Brooks behind the flowing support of the amended rhythm section of Blakey and Burrell. Even at 16-plus minutes, the pace and timbre of the performance begs for more. "Lover Man" is splendid and sincere as Donaldson drives right to the heart, unreeling stunningly lyrical leads behind Smith's distinguished progressions."Just Friends" is a true gem and one of the two cuts not duplicated on The Sermon! Beginning with McFadden, each musician is given room to stretch and reveal his identity as both an ensemble player and soloist. "Blues After All" is a soulful outing that offers up arguably the most sublime and understated bop on the album. Concluding House Party is the aforementioned cover of Bird's "Confirmation," which is as stinging and incisive as its opening counterpart. It also questions why one should spend time reading about genius when the real pleasure lies in the experience of hearing it. by Lindsay Planer  
Tracklist :
1    Au Privave 15:09
Charlie Parker
2    Lover Man 7:00
Jimmy Davis / Roger "Ram" Ramirez / Jimmy Sherman
3    Just Friends 15:15
John Klenner / Sam M. Lewis
4    Blues After All 6:06
Kenny Burrell
5    Confirmation 10:34
Charlie Parker
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – George Coleman
Drums – Art Blakey, Donald Bailey
Guitar – Eddie McFadden, Kenny Burrell
Organ – Jimmy Smith
Recorded, Remastered By – Rudy Van Gelder
Tenor Saxophone – Tina Brooks
Trombone – Curtis Fuller
Trumpet – Lee Morgan

JIMMY SMITH - The Sermon! (1958-2000) RVG Edition / APE (image+.cue), lossless

When Jimmy Smith exploded onto the jazz scene in 1956, he changed everything about the way the organ was used and perceived in jazz. His first two years of recording were mind-bogglingly prolific, producing 13 albums. Three marathon jam sessions during this period produced some of his finest early work, including The Sermon! Smith displays both a youthful fire and a musical wisdom beyond his years throughout the album. Whether blazing through hard bop tunes like "Confirmation" and "Au Privave" (both Charlie Parker compositions) or gently caressing the ballad "Lover Man," Smith constantly proves himself the most inventive organist of the bop generation. In moving beyond the classic organ trio format, Smith takes the organ into new areas, and trading solos with the likes of Lee Morgan and Lou Donaldson, he makes it plain that his is an individual voice worthy of its eventual place in the jazz canon. A special treat here is the tenor work of the great, underrated Tina Brooks. by AllMusic
Tracklist :
1    The Sermon 20:12
Jimmy Smith
2    J.O.S. 11:56
Jimmy Smith
3    Flamingo 8:02
Edmund Anderson / Ted Grouya
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – George Coleman, Lou Donaldson
Drums – Art Blakey, Donald Bailey
Guitar – Eddie McFadden, Kenny Burrell
Organ – Jimmy Smith
Recorded, Remastered By – Rudy Van Gelder
Tenor Saxophone – Tina Brooks
Trumpet – Lee Morgan 

LEE MORGAN – City Lights (1957-2006) RM | RVG Edition | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Benny Golson's writing for this date uplifts it beyond most of the jam session sets of the period. Trumpeter Lee Morgan (then 19) is in excellent form, holding his own with his impressive sidemen (trombonist Curtis Fuller, George Coleman on tenor and alto, pianist Ray Bryant, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Art Taylor). Highlights include "City Lights," "You're Mine You" and "Just By Myself." This fine session has been reissued as part of Lee Morgan's four-CD Mosaic box set. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1. City Lights
Benny Golson
2. Tempo de Waltz
Benny Golson
3. You're Mine You
Johnny Green / Edward Heyman
4. Just by Myself
Benny Golson
5. Kin Folks
Gigi Gryce
Personnel :
Lee Morgan , Trumpet
Curtis Fuller, Trombone
George Coleman, Sax
Paul Chambers, Bass
Ray Bryant, Piano
Art Taylor. Drums

SLIDE HAMPTON - Exodus (1962-2000) Jazz In Paris 10/ RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Trombonist Slide Hampton, just 30 years old at the time of this octet session in Paris, had already developed into a forward-thinking arranger. Scoring a mix of standards and well-known jazz compositions for a group that included two trombones, two trumpets, tenor sax, baritone sax, bass, and drums, Hampton's stunning interpretation of "Exodus" (from the film of the same name) still sounds very fresh decades later. The brisk "Star Eyes" might suggest the so-called "cool" players of the 1950s, featuring excellent solos by trumpeter Richard Williams and bassist Butch Warren. Baritone saxophonist Jay Cameron shines in "Confirmation," while the leader explodes in a powerful rendition of "Moment's Notice." Finally reissued as a part of Verve International's wide-ranging Jazz in Paris series, fans of the trombone will definitely want to acquire this very reasonably priced CD. by Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     Exodus 3:48
Ernest Gold
2     Star Eyes 8:45
Gene DePaul / Don Raye
3     Confirmation 12:21
Charlie Parker
4     Moment's Notice 3:29
John Coltrane
5     I'll Take Romance 3:40
Oscar Hammerstein II / Ben Oakland
6     I Remember Clifford 5:10
Benny Golson
7     Straight, No Chaser 8:37
Thelonious Monk
Credits :
Arranged By – Slide Hampton
Baritone Saxophone – Jay Cameron
Bass – Butch Warren
Drums – Vinnie Ruggiero
Tenor Saxophone – George Coleman
Trombone – Benjamin Jacobs-El, Slide Hampton
Trumpet – Nat Pavone, Richard Williams
Nota :
Artist also listed as Slide Hampton Octet.
Recorded November 14 (3, 4, 6) and 18 (1, 2, 5, 7), 1962 in Paris.
Reissue of the Philips LP 77 915.