TED CURSON — Pop Wine (1971-2013) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This Futura CD issue of vanguard trumpet legend Ted Curson with the Georges Arvanitas Trio in a Paris studio is one of those very special dates where everything seems to go right. Curson is in excellent form here, whether he is playing free improvisation as on "Latin Quarter," which opens the set and is a fiery 13-minute excursion into the outer reaches of free jazz, or turning in a slightly bent but nonetheless streaming hard bop performance as he odes on the next track, "Flip Top." The Arvanitas Trio, an under-celebrated band that backed virtually every major American musician in Paris proves how well it adapts to Curson's muscular style by responding with more muscle. Arvanitas' left-hand rhythm comping is tough and full of fire and edges. On "L.S.D. Takes a Holiday," Arvanitas pushes Curson hard to the edges of a harmonic shelf that finally bleeds off into a blazing symmetry of angles that is propelled into an abyss by the ferocious bass playing of the under-heralded Jacky Sampson. Also noteworthy are Curson's compositions here that, like much music of their time, leave tradition to the dust. He engages it and the blues in a sort of modal inquiry, where he wraps extant ideas about form, tonal sonance, and intervallic architecture in a phraseology and compositional elegance that was beyond most of his peers. Futura's CD version sounds warm, lovely, and very much alive. Thank goodness this is available again.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist :
1    Quartier Latin    13:18
 Ted Curson
2    Flip Top    6:33
 Ted Curson
3    Pop Wine    5:09
 Ted Curson
4    L.S.D. Takes A Holiday    12:43
 Ted Curson
5    Lonely One    5:46
 Ted Curson
Credits :
Bass – Jacky Samson
Drums – Charles Saudrais
Piano – Georges Arvanitas
Trumpet, Piccolo Trumpet – Ted Curson

TOOTS THIELEMANS - Blues Pour Flirter (1961-2000) Jazz in Paris 17 / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although Toots Thielemans is far better-known for his virtuoso harmonica playing, he sticks exclusively to guitar on this pair of studio dates, initially taped in 1961 for Polydor. Accompanied by pianist Georges Arvanitas, bassist Roland Lobligeois, and drummer Philippe Combelle, Thielemans leads a primarily laid-back session with the focus on the leader, covering standards ("Willow Weep for Me" and "We'll be Together Again"), adding a soft wordless background vocal to "Satin Doll," and giving a loping treatment to Milt Jackson's "Bags' Groove." No matter that none of Thielemans' compositions have come close to matching the widespread popularity of his huge hit, "Bluesette"; two blues he wrote for this date, "Le Trottoir" and "Flirt" (the latter of which is the only track to feature his famous whistling), are very enjoyable. Even if this Verve CD reissue falls short of being an essential purchase, any fan of Toots Thielemans will want to acquire it. by Ken Dryden 
Tracklist  :
1 Winter In Madrid 2:46
Written-By – Gene Roland, Jacques Cascales
2 Willow Weep For Me 5:33
Written-By – Ann Ronell
3 Satin Doll 2:40
Written-By – Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer
4 Bag's Groove 3:20
Written-By – Milt Jackson
5 We'll Be Together Again 3:48
Written-By – Carl Fischer, Frankie Laine
6 Hot Toddy 2:24
Written-By – Hedler, Flanagan
7 Try A Little Tenderness 4:03
Written-By – Harry McGregor Woods, Jimmy Campbell, Reg Connelly
8 Talk To Me 3:21
Written-By – Eddie Snyder, Rudy Vallee, Stanley Kahan
9 Le Trottoir 2:44
Written-By – Toots Thielemans
10 Honeysuckle Rose 3:00
Written-By – Andy Razaf, Fats Waller
11 Flirt 2:48
Written-By – Toots Thielemans
Credits :
Double Bass – Roland Lobligeois
Drums – Philippe Combelle
Guitar – Toots Thielemans
Piano – George Arvanitas
Whistling – Toots Thielemans (tracks: 10, 11) 

SONNY CRISS - Mr Blues Pour Flirter (1963-2000) Jazz In Paris 23 / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 Sonny Criss was relatively inactive as a leader in the first half of the 1960s, though he did produce outstanding music during two trips to Paris. The latter visit in 1963 resulted in these studio sessions, originally released by Brunswick and reissued in complete form (with three unreleased tracks) by Polydor, before reverting to the initial version on this Verve CD reissue. Powered by some of France's finest musicians, including guitarist Rene Thomas, bassist Pierre Michelot, drummer Philippe Combelle and pianist Georges Arvanitas, the hard bop alto saxophonist mixes it up with a set which contains classic jazz compositions, standards and an original. Arvanitas switches to organ for a peppy take of "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" and Criss' two part blues "Early and Later." But the leader's best solo comes during the smoking interpretation of "On Green Dolphin Street." Arvanitas' introductory vamp to the softly played "God Bless the Child" hints at "One for My Baby (and One for the Road)" before Criss makes his entrance. Highly recommended! by Ken Dryden  
Tracklist :
1     Don't Get Around Much Anymore 6:16
Duke Ellington / Bob Russell
2     This Can't Be Love 3:29
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
3     Early and Later, Pt. 1 4:20
Sonny Criss
4     Early and Later, Pt. 2 4:36
Sonny Criss
5     Once in a While 3:41
Michael Edwards / Bud Green
6     St. Louis Blues 5:01
W.C. Handy
7     Day Dream 4:42
Duke Ellington / John Latouche / Billy Strayhorn
8     On Green Dolphin Street 3:28
Ned Washington
9     God Bless the Child 6:07
Billie Holiday / Arthur Herzog, Jr.
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Sonny Criss
Double Bass – Pierre Michelot
Drums – Philippe Combelle
Guitar – René Thomas
Organ – Georges Arvanitas (faixas: 1, 3, 4, 6)
Piano – Georges Arvanitas (faixas: 2, 5, 7 to 9)
Nota :
Recorded 1963 in Paris on April 22 (5, 6, 7), April 23 (1, 3, 4) and April 25 (2, 8, 9).
Reissue of the Brunswick LP 87 519.  

ALBERT NICHOLAS / JIMMY ARCHEY / Classic Jazz At Saint-Germain-des-Prés (2000) Jazz In Paris 47 / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
Albert Nicholas And His New Orleans Friends (1954)    
1    Albert Nicholas And His New Orleans Friends–    I'm Coming Virginia 3:41
Written-By – Donald Heywood, Will Cook
2    Albert Nicholas And His New Orleans Friends–    Blues For The Club 5:33
Written-By – Albert Nicholas
3    Albert Nicholas And His New Orleans Friends–    Ol' Man River 4:05
Written-By – Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
4    Albert Nicholas And His New Orleans Friends–    In A Mellow Tone 2:56
Written-By – Duke Ellington
5    Albert Nicholas And His New Orleans Friends–    Basin Street Blues 4:46
Written-By – Spencer Williams
6    Albert Nicholas And His New Orleans Friends–    Clarinet Marmalade 4:31
Written-By – Edwin B. Edwards, James La Rocca
7    Albert Nicholas And His New Orleans Friends–    Way Down Yonder In New Orleans 4:30
Written-By – Henry Creamer, Turner Layton
8    Albert Nicholas And His New Orleans Friends–    Demi-tasse 2:42
Written-By – Duke Ellington, Harry Carney
Jimmy Archey Avec Michel Attenoux Et Son Orchestre (1955)    
9    Jimmy Archey Avec Michel Attenoux Et Son Orchestre–    Tiger Rag 4:23
Written-By – Harry De Costa, The Original Dixieland Jazz Band
10    Jimmy Archey Avec Michel Attenoux Et Son Orchestre–    Texas Moaner Blues 5:36
Written-By – Clarence Williams
11    Jimmy Archey Avec Michel Attenoux Et Son Orchestre–    Sensation 4:00
Written By – John Gale
12    Jimmy Archey Avec Michel Attenoux Et Son Orchestre–    Christopher Columbus 4:35
Written-By – Andy Razaf, Leon Berry
13    Jimmy Archey Avec Michel Attenoux Et Son Orchestre–    Swanee River 3:30
Written-By – Stephen Foster
14    Jimmy Archey Avec Michel Attenoux Et Son Orchestre–    That's A Plenty 4:04
Written-By – Bert A. Williams, Henri Creamer
Credits :
Baritone Saxophone – Jean-Louis Chautemps (faixas: 4, 8)
Clarinet – Albert Nicholas (faixas: 1 to 8), Gérard Badini (faixas: 9 to 14)
Double Bass – Buddy Banks (2) (faixas: 1, 2, 5, 6), Guy Pedersen (faixas: 9 to 14), Ricky Garzon (faixas: 4, 8)
Drums – François "Moustache" Galepides (faixas: 9 to 14), Jacques David (faixas: 1, 2, 5, 6), Robert Barnet (faixas: 3, 4, 7, 8)
Piano – André Persiany (faixas: 1, 2, 5, 6), Claude Bolling (faixas: 3, 4, 7, 8), George Arvanitas (faixas: 9 to 14)
Soprano Saxophone – Michel Attenoux (faixas: 1, 2, 5, 6, 9 to 14)
Trombone – Benny Vasseur (faixas: 4, 8), Bernard Zacharias (faixas: 1, 2, 5, 6), Claude Gousset (faixas: 9 to 14), Jimmy Archey (faixas: 9 to 14)
Trumpet – Guy Longnon (faixas: 1, 2, 5, 6), Jean Liesse (faixas: 4, 8), Louis Henry (faixas: 9 to 14)
Nota :
Recorded March 1954 in Paris (1-8) and January 27, 1955 at the Magellan studio, Paris (9-14)
Reissue of the Club Français du Disque 10" LP 18 (1-8) and of the Barclay 10" LP 84 001 (9-14)

GEORGES ARVANITAS / ART BLAKEY / JAZZ AT THE PHILHARMONIC - Jazz & Cinéma, Vol. 2 (2001) Jazz In Paris 50 / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This compilation in the Verve Jazz in Paris reissue series gathers three separate recording sessions originally issued on various French EP discs. The first four tracks were recorded for the movie Les Tricheurs, with Oscar Peterson, Herb Ellis, Ray Brown, and Gus Johnson backing various horn soloists. The title track is a blues, composed on the spot, featuring Stan Getz and Roy Eldridge; the trumpeter easily wins the solo battle as Getz is a bit sloppy with several reed squeaks during his chance. Coleman Hawkins, Dizzy Gillespie, and Eldridge each are individually featured performing originals with the rhythm section, with Gillespie taking top honors for his driving bop tune "Mic's Jump." The 1958 edition of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, including Lee Morgan and Benny Golson in the front line, are featured in 18 mostly brief tracks from the soundtrack to Les Femmes Disparaissent, with music composed by Blakey and Golson. Because of their brevity and separation from the film, most of the selections don't stand that well on their own. The music is occasionally interesting but, as a whole, not exciting enough to interest the vast majority of Art Blakey fans. The final two songs represent only a part of the music recorded for the Roger Vadim film La Bride sur le Cou. The compositions by James Campbell are not that impressive; the introduction to "La Bride sur le Cou" is almost identical to the theme of the standard "My Old Flame," while the hard bop tune "Brigitte Strip Blues" is rather generic. The all-French quintet, which includes pianist Georges Arvanitas, tenor saxophonist François Jeanneau, and Bernard Vitet on flügelhorn, seems to be going through the motions. Overall, this CD is one of the more disappointing titles in the generally laudable Jazz in Paris series. by Kurt Morris  
Tracklist :
1    Jazz At The Philharmonic– Les Tricheurs 3:13
Written-By – Roy Eldridge, Stan Getz
2    Jazz At The Philharmonic– Clo's Blues 3:22
Written-By – Coleman Hawkins
3    Jazz At The Philharmonic– Phil's Tune 4:20
Written-By – Roy Eldridge
4    Jazz At The Philharmonic– Mic's Jump 2:17
Written-By – Dizzy Gillespie
5    Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers – Générique    2:46
6    Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers– Pierre Et Béatrice    1:04
7    Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers– Nasol    0:42
8    Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers– Tom    1:15
9    Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers– Poursuite Dans La Ruelle    0:21
10    Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers– Ne Chuchote Pas    1:26
11    Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers– Mambo Dans La Voiture    1:18
Art Blakey / Benny Golson
12    Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers– Merlin    0:46
13    Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers– Juste Pour Eux Seuls    2:26
14    Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers– Blues Pour Doudou    3:15
15    Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers– Blues Pour Marcel    4:20
16    Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers– Blues Pour Vava    3:31
17    Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers– Pasquier    1:02
18    Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers– Quaglio    0:47
19    Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers– La Divorcée De Léo Fall    2:12
20    Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers– Suspense, Tom Et Nasol    0:40
21    Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers– Des Femmes Disparaissent    1:03
22    Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers– Final Pour Pierre Et Béatrice    1:00
23    Georges Arvanitas Quintet– La Bride Sur Le Cou    3:11
James Campbell
24    Georges Arvanitas Quintet– Brigitte Strip Blues    2:37
James Campbell
Credits :
Double Bass – Jymie Merritt (faixas: 5 to 22), Louis Trussardi (faixas: 23, 24), Ray Brown (faixas: 1 to 4)
Drums – Gus Johnson (faixas: 1 to 4), Michel Babault (faixas: 23, 24)
Drums, Composed By, Arranged By – Art Blakey (faixas: 5 to 22)
Flugelhorn – Bernard Vitet (faixas: 23, 24)
Guitar – Herb Ellis (faixas: 1 to 4)
Piano – Bobby Timmons (faixas: 5 to 22), Georges Arvanitas (faixas: 23, 24), Oscar Peterson (faixas: 1 to 4)
Saxophone [Tenor] – Coleman Hawkins (faixas: 2), François Jeanneau (faixas: 23, 24), Stan Getz (faixas: 1)
Saxophone [Tenor], Composed By, Arranged By – Benny Golson (faixas: 5 to 22)
Trumpet – Dizzy Gillespie (faixas: 4), Lee Morgan (faixas: 5 to 22), Roy Eldridge (faixas: 1, 3)
Nota :
Jazz At The Philharmonic: Les Tricheurs
Original Soundtrack of Marcel Carné's Movie
Recorded May 1, 1958 at Hoche studio, Paris
Reissue of the Barclay EP 74 024

Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers: Des Femmes Disparaissent
Original Soundtrack of Edouard Molinaro's movie
Recorded December 1958 in Paris
Partial reissue of the Fontana EP 660 224

Georges Arvanitas Quintet: La Bride Sur Le Cou
Original Soundtrack of Roger Vadim's movie
Recorded April 19, 1961 at Hoche Studio Hoche, Paris
Partial reissue of the Barclay EP 72 471