JOE ZAWINUL — Zawinul (1971-1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Conceptually, sonically, this is really the first Weather Report album in all but name, confirming that Joe Zawinul was the primary creative engine behind the group from the beginning. It is also the link between WR and Miles Davis' keyboard-laden experiments on In a Silent Way; indeed, the tune "In a Silent Way" is redone in the more complex form in which Zawinul envisioned it, and Miles even contributes a brief, generous tribute to Zawinul on the liner. Two keyboardists -- Zawinul and the formidable Herbie Hancock -- form the underpinning of this stately, probing album, garnishing their work with the galactic sound effects of the Echoplex and ring modulator. Earl Turbinton provides the Wayne Shorter-like beams of light on the soprano sax, spelled by Wayne himself on "Double Image." The third founder of WR, Miroslav Vitous, checks in on bass, and hard-bopping trumpeter Woody Shaw proves to be perfectly adept at the jazz-rock game. Two short-lived standards of the jazz-rock era, the aforementioned "Double Image" and "Doctor Honoris Causa," are introduced here, yet it is mood pieces like "His Last Journey" and "Arrival in New York" that with the help of tape-speed manipulation, establish the lasting, murky, reflective ambience of this CD. Richard S. Ginell      Tracklist & Credits :

HARRY JAMES AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1945-1946 | The Chronogical Classics – 1313 (2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Classics' gathering of Harry James' material between July of '45 and May of '46 showcases a band on the far side of their peak as one of the finest swing bands in jazz history. The group is still in top-notch form, and provides a glimpse into vocalist Kitty Kallen's finest moments with the band on numbers such as "Wonder of You." Fans of swing will find this an appealing set to twirl along to. Gregory McIntosh
Tracklist :

LEE KONITZ - Chicago 'N All That Jazz (1975-1986) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

For Chicago 'N All That Jazz, altoist Lee Konitz and his augmented nonet perform eight numbers from the musical Chicago, all songs that have been long forgotten since. However, Konitz (switching between alto and soprano) and his sidemen (who include trumpeter Richard Hurwitz, Dick Katz, and Michael Longo on keyboards, and bassist Major Holley, who also takes a couple of vocals) play with enthusiasm and melodic creativity; some of the themes are quite catchy. The playing time (around 36 minutes) is quite brief and the music is far from essential but the performances are surprisingly pleasing, making this a worthy purchase if found at a budget price. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     My Own Best Friend 3:55     
Fred Ebb / John Kander
2     Razzle Dazzle 4:09
Fred Ebb / John Kander
3     Loopin' the Loop 3:59
Fred Ebb / John Kander
4     Funny Honey 5:03
Fred Ebb / John Kander
5     Class 5:51
Fred Ebb / John Kander
6     Me and My Baby 5:20
Fred Ebb / John Kander
7     Roxie 3:30
Fred Ebb / John Kander
8     Ten Percent 4:36
Fred Ebb / John Kander
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Lee Konitz
Bass, Vocals – Major Holley
Drums – Eddie Locke
Guitar – George Davis
Keyboards, Synthesizer – Michael Longo
Percussion – Ray Armando
Piano, Electric Piano – Dick Katz
Trombone – Alan Raph, Barry Maur
Trumpet – Lloyd Michels, Richard Hurwitz