RICHIE BEIRACH & GREGOR HUEBNER — Live At Birdland New York (2017) FLAC (tracks), lossless

"Live at Birdland New York" is a document of the long-standing and intense collaboration between two masters. It is also a statement that the American piano virtuoso Richie Beirach is not a relic of the past but a vibrant presence in the world of jazz. ACT
Tracklist :
1        You Don't Know What Love Is 10:18
Composed By – Gene de Paul
2    Around Bartók Bagatelle #4 11:18
Composed By – Gregor Huebner, Richard Beirach
3        Siciliana 10:27
Arranged By [Arr. By] – Huebner, Beirach
Composed By – Johann Sebastian Bach
4        African Heartbeat 13:26
Composed By – Gregor Huebner
5        Elm 18:40
Composed By – Richard Beirach
6        Transition 13:32
Composed By – John Coltrane
Credits :
Richie Beirach - Piano
Gregor Huebner - Violin
Randy Brecker - Trumpet
George Mraz - Bass
Billy Hart - Drums

BEIRACH | HUEBNER | MRAZ — Round About Monteverdi (2003) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Following early interpretations of the music of Béla Bartók and Federico Mompou, pianist Richie Beirach is once again joined by violinist Gregor Huebner and bassist George Mraz for a series of stunning interpretations of classical music, though most of this CD is devoted to the compositions of early Baroque composer Claudio Monteverdi. The mournful opener, Lamento d'Arianna, is the only remaining fragment of Monteverdi's lost opera Arianna. Beirach opens Don Carlo Gesualdo's Responsorium No. 5 (from his Sabato Sancto) alone, then ducks out as the bowed strings work their magic. Palestrina's Chant opens elegantly, then Mraz switches to a pizzicato line, with Huebner gradually making his way from the outer fringes, with Beirach eventually adding a passionate improvisation. Beirach's moving improvisation of Monteverdi's Orfeos Lament is spacious, followed by a brief fantasy upon the theme featuring wild pizzicato violin and occasionally hand-muted piano in an intense setting. Mraz, who assisted Beirach and Huebner with their arrangements, is solely responsible for Fantasy on Fili Mi, Absalon, a composition by Heinrich Schütz. Rarely heard unaccompanied on bass, Mraz makes the most of this opportunity with a powerful effort. No exploration of Baroque music is complete with venturing into the works of Johann Sebastian Bach, and Mraz's solo improvised introduction to Siciliano is every bit as powerful. He accompanies Beirach's brilliant improvisation, though the theme is never stated until Huebner joins in, taking the music down paths its composer could have never imagined. This outstanding release will cause more than a few jazz fans to search out classical recordings of these timeless works if they aren't already familiar with them. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    Lamento D'Arianna 1:31
Arranged By [Arrangement By] – Gregor Huebner, Richie Beirach
Arranged By [Arrangement With Enormous Help From] – George Mraz
Composed By – Claudio Monteverdi
2    Responsorium #5 4:18
Arranged By [Arrangement By] – Gregor Huebner, Richie Beirach
Arranged By [Arrangement With Enormous Help From] – George Mraz
Composed By – Carlo Gesualdo
3    Eja Mater Fons Amoris 5:50
Arranged By [Arrangement By] – Gregor Huebner, Richie Beirach
Arranged By [Arrangement With Enormous Help From] – George Mraz
Composed By – Giovanni Battista Pergolesi
4    Chant 4:56
Arranged By [Arrangement By] – Gregor Huebner, Richie Beirach
Arranged By [Arrangement With Enormous Help From] – George Mraz
Composed By – Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
5    Ben Mio, Rimanti In Pace 4:35
Arranged By [Arrangement By] – Gregor Huebner, Richie Beirach
Arranged By [Arrangement With Enormous Help From] – George Mraz
Composed By – Claudio Monteverdi
6    Orfeos Lament 7:27
Arranged By [Arrangement By] – Gregor Huebner, Richie Beirach
Arranged By [Arrangement With Enormous Help From] – George Mraz
Composed By – Claudio Monteverdi
7    Fantasy On Orfeos Lament 1:14
Arranged By [Arrangement By] – Gregor Huebner, Richie Beirach
Arranged By [Arrangement With Enormous Help From] – George Mraz
Composed By – Claudio Monteverdi
8    Fantasy On Fili Mi, Absalon 2:48
Arranged By [Arrangement By] – George Mraz
Composed By – Heinrich Schütz
9    Dialog Orfeo Messanger 4:18
Arranged By [Arrangement By] – Gregor Huebner, Richie Beirach
Arranged By [Arrangement With Enormous Help From] – George Mraz
Composed By – Claudio Monteverdi
10    Around Dialog Orfeo Messanger 3:07
Arranged By [Arrangement By] – Gregor Huebner, Richie Beirach
Arranged By [Arrangement With Enormous Help From] – George Mraz
Composed By – Claudio Monteverdi
11    Sancta Mater, Istud Agas 6:06
Arranged By [Arrangement By] – Gregor Huebner, Richie Beirach
Arranged By [Arrangement With Enormous Help From] – George Mraz
Composed By – Giovanni Battista Pergolesi
12    Siciliana 5:59
Arranged By [Arrangement By] – Gregor Huebner, Richie Beirach
Arranged By [Arrangement With Enormous Help From] – George Mraz
Composed By – Johan Sebastian Bach
13    Fantasy On Lamento D'Arianna 4:31
Arranged By [Arrangement By] – Gregor Huebner, Richie Beirach
Arranged By [Arrangement With Enormous Help From] – George Mraz
Composed By – Claudio Monteverdi
Credits :
Artwork [Coverart ©] – Mimmo Paladino
Bass – George Mraz
Piano – Richie Beirach
Violin – Gregor Huebner

BEIRACH ... HUEBNER ... MRAZ — Round About Federico Mompou (2001) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Impressiones Intimas #1 4:29
Composed By – Mompou
2    Musica Callada #6
Composed By – Mompou
3    Fantasie On Musica Callada #10 2:11
Composed By – Mraz, Huebner
4    Musica Callada #10 6:33
Composed By – Mompou
5    Bass Fantasie On Musica Callada #1 2:58
Composed By – Mraz
6    Musica Callada #1 3:52
Composed By – Mompou
7    Musica Callada #27 1:48
Composed By – Mompou
8    Around Musica Callada #27 4:36
Composed By – Huebner, Beirach
9    Fantasie On Musica Callada #19 3:11
Composed By – Huebner, Beirach
10    Around Musica Callada #19 1:00
Composed By – Huebner, Beirach
11    Musica Callada #19 3:39
Composed By – Mompou
12    Musica Callada #18 7:40
Composed By – Mompou
13    Fantasie On Musica Callada #18 1:55
Composed By – Huebner, Beirach
14    Musica Callada #15 2:28
Composed By – Mompou
15    Musica Callada #22 8:20
Composed By – Mompou
Credits :
Artwork [Cover Art By] – Antoni Tàpies
Bass – George Mraz
Piano – Richie Beirach
Violin – Gregor Huebner

GEORGE MRAZ & EMIL VIKLICKÝ — Together Again (2014) Duo Art Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

George Mraz and Emil Viklický - two of the leading Czech jazz musicians reunited: the former is one of the most distinguished bass players worldwide and made his career in the USA. Viklický is less well known internationally than his compatriot, but no less important: he is the "patriarch of Czech jazz piano" (London Evening Standard). The result of the reunion by producer Siggi Loch: a new Czech way of jazz, fresh ideas on the ground of tradition ACT
Tracklist :
1    Dear Lover 2:48
– Traditional
Arranged By – Emil Viklický
2    Poem 6:34
Arranged By – Emil Viklický
Composed By – Zdenko Fibich
3    Theme From 5th Part Of Sinfonietta 5:34
Arranged By – Emil Viklický
Composed By – Leoš Janáček
4    A Bird Flew By 5:22
Composed By – Emil Viklický
5    U Dunaja, U Prešpurka 5:32
– Traditional
Arranged By – Emil Viklický
6    Austerlitz 3:47
Composed By – Emil Viklický
7    Moon, Sleeping In The Cradle 4:09
Composed By – Emil Viklický
8    Thank You, Laca 4:00
Arranged By – Emil Viklický
Composed By – Leoš Janáček
9    Up On A Fir Tree 3:21
Composed By – Emil Viklický
10    I Saw A Grey Pidgeon 5:07
– Traditional
Arranged By – Emil Viklický
11    In Holomóc Town 5:44
Composed By – Emil Viklický
Credits:
Artwork [Cover Art (Detail)] – Philip Taaffe
Bass – George Mraz
Piano – Emil Viklický

STEVE KUHN — Seasons of Romance (1999) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Steve Kuhn's sole session for the Postcards label feels like three separate dates. With tenorist Bob Mintzer and trumpeter Tom Harrell individually featured on three quartet tracks apiece, plus three trio selections with bassist George Mraz and drummer Al Foster, the chemistry is stimulating throughout the disc. Mintzer's brisk bop vehicle "Six Gun" explodes right from the start, while a lush treatment of Quincy Jones' "'The Pawnbroker" and Kuhn's magical samba "Clotilde" also merit praise. Harrell is added for the wistful ballad "Romance," making a late entrance following the leader's poignant opening solo. The trumpeter contributed the passionate"Visions of Gaudi" and also appears in Kuhn's upbeat "Looking Back." But Kuhn is best heard in the trio numbers, including a playful extended workout of the standard "There Is No Greater Love"; Steve Swallow's driving, intense "Remember"; and an emotional arrangement of "Good Morning, Heartache." This valuable CD unfortunately did not remain on the market for long, with the swift demise of the Postcards label after only a few years of existence. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    Six Gun    4:57
 Bob Mintzer
2    Romance    4:10
 Dori Caymmi
3    Visions Of Gaudi    5:27
 Tom Harrell
4    There Is No Greater Love    9:12
 Isham Jones / Marty Symes
5    The Pawnbroker    5:57
 Quincy Jones / Jack Lawrence
6    Remember    6:03
 Steve Swallow
7    Clotilde    6:16
 Steve Kuhn
8    Good Morning, Heartache    5:33
 Ervin Drake / Dan Fisher / Irene Higginbotham
9    Looking Back    5:02
 Steve Kuhn
Credits :
Double Bass – George Mraz
Drums – Al Foster
Piano – Steve Kuhn
Tenor Saxophone – Bob Mintzer (tracks: 1, 5, 7)
Trumpet – Tom Harrell (tracks: 3, 6, 9)

STEVE KUHN TRIO — Sing Me Softly of the Blues (1997) 24-48.2 Hz | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Tracklist :
1    This Is New 7:28
Written-By – K. Weill
2    Dance Only With Me 5:22
Written-By – J. Styne
3    Chicken Feathers 4:56
Written-By – S. Kuhn
4    My Funny Valentine 5:59
Written-By – R. Rodgers
5    Sing Me Softly Of The Blues 5:47
Written-By – C. Bley
6    Naima 4:21
Written-By – J. Coltrane
7    Sticky Kisses 4:19
Written-By – S. Swallow
8    Who Cares? 4:38
Written-By – G. Gershwin
9    Lament 5:28
Written-By – J. S. Johnson
10    The Very Thought Of You 7:09
Written-By – R. Noble
Credits :
Bass – George Mraz
Drums – Bill Stewart
Piano – Steve Kuhn

ELVIN JONES ft. DAVID LIEBMAN — Earth Jones (1982-2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

On this interesting but unfortunately out of print LP, the immortal drummer Elvin Jones teams up with four advanced but very different improvisers: Dave Liebman (doubling on soprano and flute), cornetist Terumasa Hino, pianist Kenny Kirkland and bassist George Mraz. Other than a lyrical version of "Never Let Me Go," the songs were contributed by either Jones ("Three Card Molly") or Liebman, whose "Day and Night" is not surprisingly based on the chord changes of "Night and Day." The solos are unpredictable but logical, and the blend between the lyrical Hino and Liebman is appealing. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Three Card Molly 8:04
Written-By – Elvin Jones
2    Is Seeing Believing? 7:58
Written-By – Elvin Jones
3    The Top Of The Middle 3:56
Written-By – David Liebman
4    Earth Jones 7:07
Written-By – David Liebman
5    Never Let Me Go 7:27
Written-By – Raymond Evans/Jay Livingston
6    Day And Night 7:46
Written-By – David Liebman
Credits :
Bass – George Mraz
Cornet – Terumasa Hino
Drums – Elvin Jones
Engineer – Rudy Van Gelder
Piano – Kenny Kirkland
Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Producer [Associate] – David Liebman

ELVIN JONES — Youngblood (1992-2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although this superior set features three of the top Young Lions (tenors Joshua Redman and Javon Jackson and trumpeter Nicholas Payton), along with the fine bassist George Mraz, drummer Elvin Jones, 64 at the time, sounds like the youngest member of the group. The well-rounded CD has individual features for Redman ("Angel Eyes"), Payton ("Body and Soul") and Mraz ("My Romance"), along with the leader (the unaccompanied drum solo "Ding-A-Ling-A-Ling"), and has consistently inspired playing from all of the musicians. An excellent effort. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Not Yet    3:52
 Javon Jackson
2    Have You Seen Elveen?    7:40
 Nicholas Payton
3    Angel Eyes    8:45
 Earl Brent / Matt Dennis
4    Ding-A-Ling-A-Ling    7:18
 Elvin Jones
5    Lady Luck    9:27
 Thad Jones / Frank Wess
6    The Biscuit Man    3:57
 Donald Brown
7    Body And Soul    6:12
 Frank Eyton / Johnny Green / Edward Heyman / Robert Sour
8    Strange    4:12
 George Mraz
9    My Romance    6:13
 Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
10    Youngblood    5:52
 Elvin Jones
Credits :
Bass – George Mraz (tracks: 1 to 3,5 to 10)
Drums – Elvin Jones
Recorded By – Rudy Van Gelder
Tenor Saxophone – Javon Jackson (tracks: 1,2,5,6,8,10), Joshua Redman (tracks: 1 to 3,5,6,8,10)
Trumpet – Nicholas Payton (tracks: 1,2,5 to 8,10)

ELVIN JONES — Jazz Machine (1997) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    April 8th 7:03
Composed By – Elvin Jones
2    East Of The Sun 4:06
Composed By – Brooks Bowman
3    Zenzo's Spirit 6:57
Composed By – Keiko Jones
4    A Change Is Gonna Come 5:25
Composed By – Sam Cooke
5    It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing 5:38
Composed By – Duke Ellington
6    Angel Eyes 8:50
Composed By – Matt Dennis
7    Have You Seen Elveen 7:54
Composed By – Nicholas Payton
8    My Romance 6:25
Composed By – Rodgers & Hart
9    A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing/Ask Me Now 9:13
Composed By – Billy Strayhorn, Thelonious Monk
10    Island Birdie 13:02
Composed By – McCoy Tyner
Credits :
Bass – Brad Jones (tracks: 1,2), Cecil McBee (tracks: 3-5,9), Chip Jackson (tracks: 10), George Mraz (tracks: 6,7,8)
Flute, Piccolo Flute – Kent Jordan (tracks: 1,2)
Piano – Willie Pickens (tracks: 1-5,9,10)
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Ravi Coltrane (tracks: 1,2,10)
Tenor Saxophone – Javon Jackson (tracks: 1,2,7), Joshua Redman (tracks: 6,7)
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Sonny Fortune (tracks: 3-5,9,10)
Trombone – Delfeayo Marsalis (tracks: 3-5,9)
Trumpet – Nicholas Payton (tracks: 1-5,7,9)

CHET BAKER | JIM HALL | HUBERT LAWS — Studio Trieste (1982-2007) RM | Serie CTI Timeless Collection | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1.    Swan Lake 8:42
Composed By – Tchaikovsky
2.    All Blues 9:43
Composed By – Miles Davis
3    Malagueña 9:44
Composed By – Ernesto Lecuona
4    Django 10:02
Composed By – John Lewis
Credits :
Arranged By – Don Sebesky
Bass – George Mraz (tracks: 1, 4)
Drums – Steve Gadd
Electric Bass – Gary King (tracks: 2, 3)
Engineer – Rudy Van Gelder
Flugelhorn, Trumpet – Chet Baker (tracks: 1, 2, 3)
Flute – Hubert Laws (tracks: 1, 2, 3)
Guitar – Jack Wilkins (tracks: 2), Jim Hall (tracks: 1, 3, 4)
Keyboards – Jorge Dalto (tracks: 2, 3)
Percussion – Sammy Figueroa
Piano, Electric Piano, Synthesizer – Kenny Barron (tracks: 1, 4)
Producer – Creed Taylor

TOMMY FLANAGAN — Jazz Poet (1989-2015) RM | Timeless Jazz Master Collection – 14 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

By the time of this recording, pianist Tommy Flanagan had been performing for decades -- mostly as a sideman -- for a who's who of jazz: players such as Miles Davis, J.J. Johnson, and Sonny Rollins, to name a few. His perfect, yet unassuming style made him the pianist of choice for dozens of musicians. While he has recorded as a leader from time to time, this album may be the best representation of his work available. He performs a set of great tunes ("Caravan," "Willow Weep for Me," "St. Louis Blues," "Lament," and others) in a topflight trio, with George Mraz on bass and Kenny Washington on drums. Flanagan is at the peak of his powers. Never flashy, never showy, this is just outstanding music performed by a true master who is one of the great bop pianists of the 20th century. Steve Loewy
Tracklist  :
1 Raincheck 4:55
Written-By – B. Strayhorn
2 Lament 4:49
Written-By – J.J. Johnson
3 Willow Weep For Me 5:55
Written-By – Ann Ronnel
4 Caravan 6:17
Written-By – Ellington, Mills, Tizol
1 That Tired Routine Called Love 7:04
Written-By – Matt Dennis
6 Glad To Be Unhappy 4:48
Written-By – Rodgers & Hart
7 St. Louis Blues 6:29
Written-By – W. C. Handy
8 Mean Streets 4:14
Written-By – Tommy Flanagan
Credits :
Bass – George Mraz
 Drums – Kenny Washington
 Piano – Tommy Flanagan

DIZZY GILLESPIE – To Bird With Love (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

To Bird with Love: Live at the Blue Note was taken from a month that Dizzy Gillespie was featured at the Blue Note in New York, virtually at the end of his playing career, the 74-year-old trumpeter is quite erratic on this set of bop standards. However, his supporting cast (heard from in different combinations) includes such major players as altoists Jackie McLean, Antonio Hart and Paquito D'Rivera and tenors Benny Golson, Clifford Jordan and David Sanchez, in addition to a strong trio led by pianist Danílo Perez. The sidemen are in generally fine form and Bobby McFerrin literally came out of the audience to scat on "Oo Pa Pa Da." The good spirits and obvious love that these musicians had for Gillespie make up for his technical lapses. Scott Yanow         Tracklist + Credits : 

ARCHIE SHEPP - Something to Live For (1997) FLAC (tracks), lossless

This highly anticipated vocal album does not quite make it. Unfortunately, either the saxophonist was having an off night (or nights), or he simply lost his ability to sing gracefully by the mid-'90s. The choice of tunes is perfect: "A Flower Is a Lonesome Thing," "Strange Fruit," "Hello, Young Lovers," and "Georgia on My Mind," among others. So is the band, which includes trumpeter Eddie Henderson, pianist John Hicks, bassist George Mraz, and drummer Iris Muhammad (with Steve McCracken substituting on one track). Shepp speaks and shouts the lyrics more than he sings them, seemingly agonizing over each syllable. His tenor performance is subpar, too. He sounds almost as though he is playing with marbles in his mouth. Hicks explores some nice, if familiar ground, on piano, where he adds pleasant and stimulating lines both in support and as a soloist. Shepp's career as a vocalist appears short-lived, as he again focused on his saxophones after this one was recorded. Steve Loewy
Tracklist :
1    A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing 6:00
Composed By – Billy Strayhorn
2    My Foolish Heart 5:52
Composed By – Ned Washington, Victor Young
3    Strange Fruit 4:35
Composed By – Lewis Allan
4    You're Blasé 8:41
Composed By – Bruce Sievier, Ord Hamilton
5    Something To Live For 5:31
Composed By – Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington
6    Georgia On My Mind 7:00
Composed By – Hoagy Carmichael, Stuart Gorrell
7    Hello, Young Lovers 10:35
Composed By – Oscar Hammerstein II, Richard Rodgers
8    California Blues 8:01
Composed By – Archie Shepp
Credits :
Bass – George Mraz
Drums – Idris Muhammad (pistas: 1 to 7), Steve McCraven (pistas: 8)
Piano – John Hicks
Tenor Saxophone, Vocals – Archie Shepp
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Eddie Henderson

ARCHIE SHEPP QUARTET - True Ballads (2000) 32bits-44.1hz | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This 1996 set features tenor saxophonist Archie Shepp with pianist John Hicks, bassist George Mraz, and drummer Idris Muhammad playing an inspired set of ballads. And while it's true that this is what Shepp seems to have done since 1990, giving plenty of credence to the critical notion that the fire has gone out of his playing, it's more a question of perspective than lack. As evidenced here on the opening number alone, a smoky, steamy rendition of "The Thrill Is Gone" that could have ended up in anybody's film noir, Shepp's fire may not burn angrily, but it burns low, deep, and hot just the same. The tenor player once said that you could hear every minute of every hour a musician put into practice when he played a ballad. That's certainly true here, and the answer is more than you could ever imagine. The inflection of Shepp's horn that moves somewhere between the deep, robust speech of John Coltrane and the shimmering soulful whisper of Ben Webster. If you check he and Hick's wandering around each other in the middle of "Nature Boy," or on Johnny Mandel's "The Shadow of Your Smile," you get a picture of a pair so intent on listening to the nuances in a change or harmonic syllable, that they know exactly how to aurally illustrate the bigger picture to a listener. With Muhammad on drums there is a certain laid-back groove that's organic in every number, and in Mraz, without his slim tone but silvery fingers, there's a polished elegance that makes the entire package Shepp's finest ballad date ever.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist :
1    The Thrill Is Gone 7'00
Written By – Ray Henderson
2    The Shadow Of Your Smile 9'46
Written By – Johnny Mandel
3    Everything Must Change 8'33
Written By – Bernard Ighner
4    Here's That Rainy Day 9:58
Written By – Jimmy Van Heusen
5    La Rosita 8:05
Written By – Paul Dupont
6    Nature Boy 5:55
Written By – Eden Ahbez
7    Yesterdays 9:35
Written By – Jerome Kern
8    Violets For Your Furs 9:48
Written By – Matt Dennis
Credits :
Bass – George Mraz
Drums – Idris Muhammad
Piano – John Hicks
Tenor Saxophone – Archie Shepp

ARCHIE SHEPP QUARTET - True Blue (1999) 32bits-44.1hz | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

This 1998 studio recording by tenor sax legend Archie Shepp is a study in blues and ballads as the title might suggest, but it also marks the return of Shepp as a true bandleader. With pianist John Hicks, drummer Billy Drummond, and bassist George Mraz, Shepp sounds more inspired here than he has in literally decades. There is no crutch-like reliance on hard bop and blues stylings, nor is there any over-the-shoulder tosses at being the king of the avant-garde. Instead Shepp focuses on what he does best: being a fine stylist and one of the great blues phraseologists in the business. Opening with Coltrane's "Lonnie's Lament," Shepp goes one better than just saluting his old boss -- he reharmonizes the tune and slows it down, making it a true elegy. On Cole Porter's tunes, Shepp looks to the deep lyricism in Hicks' playing to bring out his best ballad style. The two of them interact so warmly and intimately here, it could have easily been a duet. On Jimmy van Heusen's "But Beautiful," it's Hicks who leads off the tune, but it's Shepp who gives it its body and soul. Beginning to play the melody from deep in the lower register, Shepp traces the harmony out to the edges and coaxes Hicks to follow him; he simultaneously scales back just enough to open him up to fill that space with wonderful flowering chords against his warmer-than-July tone. Shepp offers one original to the mix, "A Little Surprise for the Lady," which is refreshing among all these covers for its shimmering, funky groove and slithering solo; he offers a stunning rendition of "Blue Train" and ends the program with another of the Coltrane book standards, Billy Eckstine's "I Want to Talk About You." But instead of going for Coltrane's leaping and loping harmony in the bridge, Shepp creates a new one based on the bassline instead of the lyric phrase, which adds a certain depth and dimension not heard before, no matter how many times this tune has been interpreted. The only weak spot on the whole date comes from Mraz. His lack of wood in his tone makes all of his fluidity for naught because, as with most of the sessions he plays on, he becomes too limpid to hear. But it's a small complaint for a gorgeous session.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist :
1    Lonnie's Lament 5:25
Written-By – John Coltrane
2    Everytime We Say Goodbye 7:49
Written-By – Cole Porter
3    Time After Time 7:45
Written-By – Jule Styne
4    All Or Nothing At All 9:40
Written-By – Arthur Altman, Jack Lawrence
5    But Beautiful 7:06
Written-By – Jimmy Van Heusen
6    Que Reste-t-il de Nos Amours 8:28
Written-By – Charles Trenet
7    Blue Train 10:32
Written-By – John Coltrane
8    A Little Surprise For The Lady 6:46
Written-By – Archie Shepp
9    I Want To Talk About You
Written-By – Billy Eckstine 9:40
Credits :
Bass – George Mraz
Drums – Billy Drummond
Piano – John Hicks
Tenor Saxophone, Lead Vocals – Archie Shepp

ARCHIE SHEPP QUARTET - Deja Vu (2001) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Archie Shepp has long established a reputation as a fiery avant-garde jazz stylist, though he is remarkably restrained in this collection of ballads recorded in 2001. The rhapsodic songs help restrain him somewhat, along with the presence of the terrific rhythm section, consisting of pianist Harold Mabern, bassist George Mraz, and drummer Billy Drummond. "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life" has a few rough edges to retain Shepp's personal flavor, while the rhumba setting of Sidney Bechet's "Petite Fleur" works well, too. Mabern's lush introduction to "Les Feuilles Mortes" (Autumn Leaves) sets up a touching, spacious arrangement. Shepp opens Lerner & Loewe's infrequently performed "Gigi" unaccompanied, producing a majestic performance. The snappy treatment of "April in Paris" swings like the famous tune should, while he also retains the well-known "Pop Goes the Weasel" quote inserted in Basie's version. All in all, this is an enjoyable date. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life 4'54
 Michel Legrand
2    Petite Fleur 9'20
 Sidney Bechet
3    Les Feuilles Mortes 7'30
 Joseph Kosma / Jacques Prévert
4    L' Ame Des Poetes 7'59
 Charles Trénet
5    Gigi 4'08
 Alan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe
6    April In Paris 6'34
 Vernon Duke / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
7    Sous Le Ciel De Paris 7'50
 Hubert Giraud
8    Deja Vu 3'13
 Archie Shepp
Credits :
Bass – George Mraz
Drums – Billy Drummond
Piano – Harold Mabern
Tenor Saxophone – Archie Shepp

ARCHIE SHEPP QUARTET - Blue Ballads (1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Recorded in November 1995, saxophonist Archie Shepp's Blue Ballads is a counterpart to True Ballads and Something to Live For, which date from the same period. All three albums feature pianist John Hicks, bassist George Mraz, and drummer Idris Muhammad. These intimate studies in shared introspection, along with Black Ballads and True Blue, document Shepp's astute exploration of the ballad form during the 1990s. On Blue Ballads Shepp mingled time-honored standards such as Rodgers & Hart's "Little Girl Blue," Arthur Schwartz's "Alone Together," and Vincent Youmans' "More Than You Know" with the Miles Davis-Bill Evans masterpiece "Blue in Green" and "Blue and Sentimental," which had served as the feature number for Count Basie's star tenor saxophonist Herschel Evans some 60 years earlier. Once again and in all the best ways, Shepp shines in parallel with his contemporary Pharoah Sanders. Both are skilled balladeers as well as free spirits who simply cannot be bottled or pigeonholed. arwulf arwulf
Tracklist :
1    Little Girl Blue    6:03
2    More Than You Know    7:18
3    Blue In Green    7:56
4    Blue And Sentimental    5:12
5    Cry Me A River    7:54
6    If I Should Lose You    7:32
7    Alone Together    10:53
Credits
Bass – George Mraz
Drums – Idris Muhammad
Piano – John Hicks
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Vocals – Archie Shepp

ZOOT SIMS — The Best of Zoot Sims (1980-1987) WV (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1     Willow Weep for Me 6:32
Ann Ronell
2     Bloos for Louise 7:58
Zoot Sims    
3     Someday, Sweetheart 6:00
Benjamin Franklin Spikes / John Spikes    
4     Wrap Up 3:43
Zoot Sims
5     The Girl from Ipanema 4:10
Norman Gimbel / Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
6     More Than You Know 5:57
Edward Eliscu / Billy Rose / Vincent Youmans
7     Main Stem 5:00
Duke Ellington    
8     I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) 6:15
Duke Ellington / Paul Francis Webster'
Credits :
Arranged By, Conductor – Bill Holman
Bass – George Mraz (pistas: 1 to 4), Monty Budwig
Clarinet [Baritone], Bass Clarinet, Flute – Bill Hood
Clarinet, Flute, Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Jerome Richardson
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Richie Kamuca
Drums – Grady Tate (pistas: 1 to 4), Nick Ceroli
Piano – Ray Bryant (pistas: 1 to 4), Ross Tompkins
Producer – Norman Granz
Trombone – Frank Rosolino
Trumpet – Oscar Brashear
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Snooky Young

ZOOT SIMS - Zoot Sims and the Gershwin Brothers (1975-2013) RM | Original Jazz Classics Remasters | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Along with his album with Count Basie (Basie and Zoot) during the same period, this is one of Sims' most exciting recordings of his career. Greatly assisted by pianist Oscar Peterson, guitarist Joe Pass, bassist George Mraz, and drummer Grady Tate, he explores ten songs written by George and Ira Gershwin. Somehow the magic was definitely present and, whether it be stomps such as "The Man I Love," "Lady Be Good," and "I Got Rhythm" or warm ballads (including "I've Got a Crush on You" and "Embraceable You"), Zoot Sims is heard at the peak of his powers. A true gem. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     The Man I Love 6:26
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin    
2     How Long Has This Been Going On? 2:16
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin    
3     Oh, Lady Be Good 4:37
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin    
4     I've Got a Crush on You 3:01
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin    
5     I Got Rhythm 7:09
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin    
6     Embraceable You 4:52
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin    
7     'S Wonderful 4:40
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin    
8     Someone to Watch over Me 3:46
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin    
9     Isn't It a Pity? 3:27
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin    
10     Summertime 5:25
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin / DuBose Heyward
- BONUS TRACKS - (Not On Original Album)
11    They Can't Take That Away From Me (Bonus Track)    4:37
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
12    Oh, Lady, Be Good! (Take 2, Alternate)    4:30
13    I've Got A Crush On You (take 5, Alternate)    3:00
Credits :
Bass – George Mraz
Drums – Grady Tate
Guitar – Joe Pass
Piano – Oscar Peterson
Producer – Norman Granz
Remastered By – Joe Tarantino
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims

ZOOT SIMS - Soprano Sax (1976-1996) RM | WV (image+.cue), lossless

Zoot Sims, known throughout his career as a hard-swinging tenor-saxophonist, started doubling successfully on soprano in 1973 and managed to become one of the best by simply playing in his own musical personality. This particular LP (not yet available on CD) was his only full-length set on soprano but it is a rewarding one. Assisted by pianist Ray Bryant, bassist George Mraz and drummer Grady Tate, Sims is in top form on such songs as "Someday Sweetheart," "Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams," "Ghost of a Chance" and two of his originals. A delightful set of swinging jazz, it's a surprise success. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Someday Sweetheart 6:04
Benjamin Spikes / John Spikes    
2     Moonlight in Vermont 4:44
John Blackburn / Karl Suessdorf    
3     Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams (And Dream Your Troubles Away) 5:00
Harry Barris / Ted Koehler / Billy Moll
4     Blues for Louise 8:01
Zoot Sims    
5     Willow Weep for Me 6:35
Ann Ronell    
6     Wrap Up 3:44
Zoot Sims    
7     (I Don't Stand) A Ghost of a Chance With You 7:03
Bing Crosby / Ned Washington / Victor Young
8     Baubles Bangles and Beads 4:46
Alexander Borodin / George Forrest / Robert Bruce Wright
Credits :
Bass – George Mraz
Drums – Grady Tate
Piano – Ray Bryant
Producer – Norman Granz
Remastered By – Joe Tarantino
Soprano Saxophone – Zoot Sims