GEORGE RUSSELL SEXTET — Stratusphunk (1961-1995) RM | APE (image+.cue), lossless

 From 1960-1962, arranger/composer George Russell recorded six albums with his working combo that found him contributing "arranger's piano." The two Decca dates are very scarce, but the four Riversides have fortunately been reissued on CD under the Original Jazz Classics imprint. For this particular date, Russell is joined by five students at the Lenox School of Jazz: trumpeter Al Kiger, trombonist Dave Baker (who in the future would become an important jazz educator), tenor saxophonist Dave Young, bassist Chuck Israels, and drummer Joe Hunt. Surprisingly, only three of the six selections are Russell originals ("Bent Eagle" was an early effort by Carla Bley), but the leader's influence can be felt in all of the adventurous and slightly unusual yet swinging music. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Stratusphunk 6:06
Written-By – George Russell
2    New Donna 8:23
Written-By – George Russell
3    Bent Eagle 6:12
Written-By – Carla Bley
4    Kentucky Oysters 8:21
Written-By – Dave Baker
5    Lambskins 7:11
Written-By – David Lahm
6    Things New 6:52
Written-By – George Russell
Credits :
Bass – Chuck Israels
Drums – Joe Hunt
Piano, Arranged By – George Russell
Tenor Saxophone – Dave Young
Trombone – Dave Baker
Trumpet – Al Kiger

CHARLIE VENTURA – 1949-1951 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1309 (2003) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Most of the music on this CD from tenor saxophonist Charlie Ventura was formerly scarce. That is certainly true of his RCA recordings that feature his short-lived big band performing seven Duke Ellington compositions. While some of the solos are conventional, the arrangements of George Williams and particularly George Russell are certainly unusual in spots, quite impressionistic. In 1950 Ventura had another big band that also did not last. Its seven selections (five of which were previously unreleased) often utilize haunting vocals by the Honeydreamers and/or Lucy Reed, including "You've Got a Date With the Blues" and "Lonesome Darling." After that orchestra broke up, Ventura returned to playing with small groups. The final two dates on this CD were recorded for Norman Granz's Clef label; a quintet outing with trumpeter Conte Candoli that features boppish versions of six swing standards, and a quartet set with vocals from Betty Bennett, bassist Chubby Jackson, and the Blentones. Although not quite essential, this collection from Classics is valuable in making former rarities available. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

BILL EVANS — Piano Player (1998) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although this 1998 CD may at first glance seem to be a reissue, all but three of the 11 selections had never been released before. The highly influential pianist Bill Evans is heard in five different settings. An unissued (and slightly earlier rendition) of the third section of George Russell's "All About Rosie" (a showcase for Evans with Russell's 14-piece orchestra) starts off the release. Next are the three previously issued but somewhat obscure numbers: a live rendition of "My Funny Valentine" with Miles Davis in 1958 (played by just a quartet) and two songs from a 1962 set headed by vibraphonist Dave Pike. For Piano Player, producer Orrin Keepnews discovered and released six long-lost selections from 1970: duets by Evans (who also plays a little bit of electric piano) and bassist Eddie Gomez that are strong enough to make one wonder why the projects was originally abandoned. Wrapping up the intriguing set is a trio number (with Evans, Gomez, and drummer Marty Morell) that is an alternate take left over from The Bill Evans Album. The pianist's fans will definitely want this consistently enjoyable CD. Scott Yanow  
Tracklist :
1     All About Rosie 5:18
George Russell
2     My Funny Valentine 10:20
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
3     Vierd Blues 5:58
Miles Davis
4     Besame Mucho 6:53
Sunny Skylar / Consuelo Velázquez
5     Mornin' Glory 6:43
Bobbie Gentry
6     Django 8:08
John Lewis
7     Waltz for Debby 5:13
Bill Evans / Gene Lees
8     T.T.T. (Twelve Tone Tune) 3:37
Bill Evans
9     Comrade Conrad 6:40
Bill Evans
10     Gone with the Wind 6:42
Herbert Magidson / Allie Wrubel
11     Fun Ride 6:37
Bill Evans
Credits :
Bass – Eddie Gomez (faixas: 6 to 11), Herbie Lewis (faixas: 3, 4), Paul Chambers (faixas: 2)
Drums – Jimmy Cobb (faixas: 2), Marty Morell (faixas: 11), Walter Perkins (faixas: 3, 4)
Electric Bass – Eddie Gomez (faixas: 5)
Electric Piano – Bill Evans (faixas: 5 to 10)
Leader, Trumpet – Miles Davis (faixas: 2)
Leader, Vibraphone – Dave Pike (faixas: 3, 4)
Orchestra – George Russell Orchestra (faixas: 1)
Piano – Bill Evans

HELEN MERRILL - The Nearness of You (1958-1996) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Alternately breathy and atmospheric or bright and dynamic, Helen Merrill often reaches a bit too far on The Nearness of You, though her distinct style and strong personality may be refreshing to vocal fans tired of the standard versions of standards. Leading two separate sextets -- the rather more famous one, with Bill Evans, Bobby Jaspar, Oscar Pettiford, and Jo Jones, appears on only four tracks -- Merrill breezes over a raft of mid-tempo standards, with several detours through high-drama territory. Her powerful voice occasionally gets her into trouble, breaking from breathy to brash and often occupying a rather awkward middle ground. Still, her ebullient tone and playful way with "Bye, Bye Blackbird," "Let Me Love You," and "All of You" is a treat to hear, and flutist Mike Simpson cuts it up behind her as well. Merrill really shines on the darker material, with just a plucked bass to accompany her on "Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise," and a similarly spare accompaniment on a long, drawn-out tribute to "Summertime" and "I See Your Face Before Me." by John Bush
Tracklist  :
1 Bye Bye Blackbird 2:56
Double Bass – Johnny Frigo
Drums – Jerry Slosberg
Flute – Mike Simpson 
Guitar – Fred Rundquist
Piano – Dick Marx
2 When The Sun Comes Out 4:46
Double Bass – Oscar Pettiford
Drums – Jo Jones
Flute – Bobby Jaspar
Guitar – George Russell 
Piano – Bill Evans
3 I Remember You 2:09

Double Bass – Johnny Frigo

Drums – Jerry Slosberg
Flute – Mike Simpson 
Guitar – Fred Rundquist
Piano – Dick Marx
4 Softly As In A Morning Sunrise 3:18
Double Bass – Johnny Frigo
Drums – Jerry Slosberg
Flute – Mike Simpson  
Guitar – Fred Rundquist
Piano – Dick Marx
5 Dearly Beloved 2:05
Double Bass – Johnny Frigo
Drums – Jerry Slosberg
Flute – Mike Simpson  
Guitar – Fred Rundquist
Piano – Dick Marx
6 Summertime 3:26
Double Bass – Johnny Frigo
Drums – Jerry Slosberg
Flute – Mike Simpson (5)
Guitar – Fred Rundquist
Piano – Dick Marx
7 All Of You 3:31
Double Bass – Oscar Pettiford
Drums – Jo Jones
Flute – Bobby Jaspar
Guitar – George Russell  
Piano – Bill Evans
8 I See Your Face Before Me 2:39
Double Bass – Johnny Frigo
Drums – Jerry Slosberg
Flute – Mike Simpson
Guitar – Fred Rundquist
Piano – Dick Marx
9 Let Me Love You 2:47
Double Bass – Oscar Pettiford
Drums – Jo Jones
Flute – Bobby Jaspar
Guitar – George Russell 
Piano – Bill Evans
10 The Nearness Of You 4:03
Double Bass – Oscar Pettiford
Drums – Jo Jones
Flute – Bobby Jaspar
Guitar – George Russell 
Piano – Bill Evans
11 This Time The Dream's On Me 2:19
Double Bass – Johnny Frigo
Drums – Jerry Slosberg
Flute – Mike Simpson
Guitar – Fred Rundquist
Piano – Dick Marx
12 Just Imagine 3:22
Double Bass – Oscar Pettiford
Drums – Jo Jones
Flute – Bobby Jaspar
Guitar – George Russell
Piano – Bill Evans