RAY BROWN TRIO — Live at Scullers (1997) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Staying young by working with the young, Ray Brown and cohorts Benny Green (piano) and Gregory Hutchinson (drums) laid down a set of jazz and pop standards at a club in a Boston Double Tree Hotel. Though Brown is the leader and anchor of the date, quite obviously the pianist is going to dominate the act -- and Green definitely puts on a show, wiping everyone out with the pyrotechnics of "You're My Everything," engaging in a gentle stride opening to "But Not for Me," and coming logically to a bombastic climax. Hutchinson is capable, swinging, and occasionally volatile, and Brown mostly steps back and gives these guys a firm underpinning, with a sly solo now and then ("Bye, Bye Blackbird.") There are few surprises or deviations from the mainstream here, but a good time will be had by anyone who gives this a spin. Richard S. Ginell   Tracklist & Credits :

RAY BROWN WITH JOHN CLAYTON & CHRISTIAN McBRIAN — SuperBass : Recorded Live At Sculler's (1997) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This live Boston summit meeting between Ray Brown, Christian McBride and John Clayton was the logical outcome of several joint appearances, as well as an extension of a one-off bass troika track that McBride included on his first solo album. The idea of a bass trio on records probably would have been unthinkable in the primitive days of recording when Brown was coming up, but Telarc's fabulously deep yet clear engineering makes it seem like a natural thing to do. Whether pizzicato or bowed, whether taking the melodic solo or plunking down the 4/4 bottom line, all three perform with amazing panache, taste, humor, lack of ego, and the sheer joy of talking to and against each other beneath the musical staff. But if one has to pick out a single star, the choice has to be McBride, whose unshakeable time, solid tone and amazing ability to play his cumbersome bull fiddle like a horn stands out in astonishing fashion on the right speaker. On two tracks, the fleet-fingered Benny Green and drummer Gregory Hutchinson join Brown to form a conventional trio that serves as an effective change of pace. It's a fun set without a doubt, but these guys are also clearly making coherent music, and that is what will hold our interest over the long haul. Richard S. Ginell   Tracklist & Credits :

RAY BROWN TRIO — Some of My Best Friends Are ... The Sax Players (1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

As a follow-up to bassist Ray Brown's previous record in which he collaborated with several of his favorite pianists, Some of My Best Friends Are...The Sax Players features six major saxophonists (tenors Joe Lovano, Ralph Moore, Joshua Redman and Stanley Turrentine plus altoists Benny Carter and Jesse Davis) on two songs apiece with his regular trio. Although more than 60 years separate the ageless Carter from Redman, each of the saxes originally developed their own voice in the straight-ahead jazz tradition. Highlights of the colorful set include Benny Carter's playful rendition of "Love Walked In," Moore's cooking solo on "Crazeology" (a Benny Harris bop classic which the record mistakenly lists as written by Bud Freeman), Davis ripping through "Moose the Mooche" and Turrentine's romp on the blues "Port of Rico." Pianist Benny Green and drummer Gregory Hutchinson provide suitable accompaniment (Green's solos are consistently excellent) and all dozen of the songs are successful and swinging. As an extra bonus, on the latter part of the CD each of the saxophonists has a brief chat (between 26 seconds and a minute apiece) with Brown about their early influences. There is so much good feeling and obvious mutual respect shown that one wishes these talks were at least twice as long; the Benny Carter segment is most memorable. This well-conceived project is easily recommended. Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits :

RAY BROWN TRIO — Some of My Best Friends Are ... Singers (1998) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

What does a bass player do when he's recording an album as a leader? Surely not an hour's worth of bass solos! Ray Brown solved the bass player's dilemma with a series of recordings under the Some of My Best Friends Are... heading. This 1998 release is the third in the series, following the earlier Some of My Best Friends Are...Piano Players and Some of My Best Friends Are...Sax Players, and it's a gem. Featuring a sextet of fine vocalists, ranging from the well-established to the unknown, this CD is a class act from beginning to end. The rising jazz vocal superstar of the late '90s, Diana Krall, is showcased to great effect on "I Thought About You" and "Little Boy." Well-established female vocal veterans Etta Jones, Dee Dee Bridgewater, and Marlena Shaw deliver superb performances, soulfully giving master lessons in the art of singing. The lone male singer spotlighted here, Kevin Mahogany, wraps his smooth baritone around the ballad "Skylark," and swings gently on "The Party's Over."

The one unknown in this collection is Oregonian Nancy King. This veteran of the San Francisco and Pacific Northwest scenes shows she has a fine way with a ballad on "But Beautiful," and scats her way across the upbeat Brown original "The Perfect Blues," that closes this set. Both of these songs also feature Antonio Hart's alto saxophone. In addition to Brown's trio mates Geoff Keezer and Gregory Hutchinson, musical support includes guitarist Russell Malone on two tracks and tenor saxman Ralph Moore cooking alongside Bridgewater on "Cherokee." Jim Newsom   Tracklist & Credits :

RAY BROWN — Walk On : The Final Ray Brown Trio Recording (2003) 2CD | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

What a curious, if delightful, package Walk On is. Comprised of two CDs -- the first is the final Ray Brown trio date from January 2000 with Geoffrey Keezer and Karriem Riggins, and the second is two separate live shows from 1994 and 1996 respectively -- the players range from Keezer to Monty Alexander and Bennie Green, bassists Josh Clayton and Christian McBride, and drummers Lewis Nash and Gregory Hutchinson. Disc one is pure Brown majesty as he and the band literally walk, very sprightly, through a series of classics such as "You Are My Sunshine," "Stella by Starlight," Wes Montgomery's "Fried Pies," and "Sunday." But more importantly, they showcase the delicate intricacy of Brown's own compositions on the three-part "Ray Brown Suite," the illustriously lush "Hello Girls" -- with a stunning interplay dialogue between Keezer and Brown -- and the funky "Lined With a Groove" that reveals the Horace Silver soul touch in its melodic line. Disc two is from gigs that showcase the different sides of Brown as a leader: the driven, intense improviser who found a groove and extrapolated upon it until it turned into something else, with Hutchinson and Green on "F.S.R." and "Stardust"; the loping strolling bassist who can drive a band with his easy, slippery phrasing, with Alexander and Nash on "Woogie Boogie"; and the dialogue artist concerned with dynamics and the intricacy of a melody's separate harmonic elements, with McBride, Keezer, and Clayton on "Down by the Riverside." In each case, Brown is the consummate listener, the very archetype of economic musical wisdom and a supreme lyricist in his phrasing. One of the most revealing things about this set is how Brown's true worth as a composer, bandleader, and improviser is not yet known and probably won't be for decades to come. But make no mistake; it will be. This may not be the finest of Brown's moments on record, but the recordings are fine, shining examples of his artistry, and they are, alas, the final examples.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-    Tracklist & Credits :

JOHNNY GRIFFIN - Chicago, New York, Paris (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1     The Jampfs Are Coming 7'50
Johnny Griffin
2     Do It 5'47
Johnny Griffin
3     To Love 4'38
Johnny Griffin
4     Hush-A-Bye 7'26
Traditional
5     You Must Believe in Spring 6'58
Alan Bergman / Marilyn Bergman / Jacques Demy / Michel Legrand
6     Without a Song 8'19
Edward Eliscu / Billy Rose / Vincent Youmans
7     Leave Me Alone Blues 5'57
Johnny Griffin
8     My Romance 8'39
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
9     Not Yet 7'12
Johnny Griffin
Credits :    
Acoustic Bass – Christian McBride
Drums – Greg Hutchinson, Victor Lewis
Piano – Kenny Barron
Saxophone – Johnny Griffin
Trumpet – Roy Hargrove

Dr. LONNIE SMITH - Too Damn Hot (2004) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Hammond B-3 boss Dr. Lonnie Smith ends up on yet another new label with Too Damn Hot!, the follow-up to his thoroughly enjoyable -- if curious -- Boogaloo to Beck outing from 2003. This studio set places the organist in the company of two fine guitarists -- Peter Bernstein (lead) and Rodney Jones (rhythm), and alternating drummers Greg Hutchinson and Fukushi Tainaka. The two-guitar format is lovely in that it presents a wide array of colors and harmonic textures to the proceedings. The material is a compendium of new soul-jazz originals like the title track, which is a sultry slow burner with killer chorded solos by Smith, and "The Whip," a slippery funky hard bopper that recalls Johnny Patton's sessions with Grant Green. There are two covers present here as well, a fine version of Horace Silver's ballad "Silver Serenade" and a whimsical read of "Someday My Prince Will Come." The album's final cut, "Evil Turn," cooks like mad in stunning bop fashion. This is a keeper and Smith's best record of the decade so far.
(This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa')
Tracklist :
1    Norleans    4:51
Dr. Lonnie Smith
2    Too Damn Hot    5:22
Dr. Lonnie Smith
3    Back Track    7:09
Dr. Lonnie Smith
4    The Whip    5:39
Dr. Lonnie Smith
5    Silver Serenade 5:58
Composed By – Horace Silver
6    Track 9    5:30
Dr. Lonnie Smith
7    One Cylinder    7:10
Dr. Lonnie Smith
8    Someday My Prince Will Come 7:32
Composed By – Churchill, Morey
9    Your Mama's Got A Complex    5:06
Dr. Lonnie Smith
10    Evil Turn    6:04
Dr. Lonnie Smith
Credits :
Drums – Fukushi Tainaka (faixas: 2, 4, 5, 8, 10), Gregy Hutchinson (faixas: 1, 3, 6, 7, 9)
Guitar – Peter Bernstein, Rodney Jones
Organ – Dr. Lonnie Smith
Producer, Recorded By – Matt Balitsaris

RAY BROWN TRIO ft. ULF WAKENIUS — Seven Steps to Heaven (1995) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

The Ray Brown Trio in 1995 featured pianist Benny Green and drummer Gregory Hutchinson along with the leader/bassist. In the tradition of the mid-'50s Oscar Peterson Trio, the group featured tight arrangements with concise but consistently brilliant solos. For this Telarc session, guitairst Ulf Wakenius (a little reminiscent of Herb Ellis) fits in perfectly. Highlights include "Seven Steps to Heaven" and "Cotton Tail.". Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Two Rbs 6:05
Ray Brown
2     Seven Steps to Heaven 4:03
Miles Davis / Victor Feldman
3     Dejection Blues 6:02
Ray Brown
4     Thumb 4:08
Wes Montgomery
5     My Romance 5:01
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
6     Cotton Tail 6:48
Duke Ellington
7     Samba de Orfeu 4:49
Luiz Bonfá / Antônio Maria
8     No Greater Love 7:14
Isham Jones / Marty Symes
9     In a Sentimental Mood 5:38
Duke Ellington / Manny Kurtz / Irving Mills
10     Stella by Starlight 9:01
Ned Washington / Victor Young
11     Things Ain't What They Used to Be 4:16
Mercer Ellington / Ted Persons
Credits :
Bass – Ray Brown
Drums – Gregory Hutchinson
Guitar – Ulf Wakenius
Piano – Benny Green

RAY BROWN TRIO with ULF WAKENIUS — Summertime (1998) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Bassist's bassist Ray Brown is inspired and inspiring on Summertime, which finds him in the company of his trio and guest guitarist Ulf Wakenius. Whether it's the addition of Wakenius, new pianist Geoff Keezer, or just the felicitous combination of peerless players and dynamite material, this set easily eclipses Brown's preceding "Live at Sculler's.". Ross Boissoneau
Tracklist :
1     West Coast Blues 4:41
Wes Montgomery
2     Summertime 6:38
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin / DuBose Heyward
3     Topsy 5:21
Edgar Battle / Eddie Durham
4     Yours Is My Heart Alone 4:43
Ludwig Herzer / Franz Lehár / Beda Fritz Loehner
5     It's Only a Paper Moon 7:45
Harold Arlen / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg / Billy Rose
6     My One and Only 7:18
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
7     Reunion Blues 8:28
Milt Jackson
8     Watch What Happens 3:24
Norman Gimbel / Michel Legrand
9     The More I See You 5:05
Mack Gordon / Harry Warren
10     Honeysuckle Rose 7:38
Andy Razaf / Fats Waller
11     Cakes' Blues 4:05
Ray Brown
Credits :
Bass, Producer, Arranged By – Ray Brown
Drums – Gregory Hutchinson
Guitar – Ulf Wakenius
Piano – Geoff Keezer

JANE MONHEIT - Come Dream with Me (2001) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Jane Monheit's sophomore outing follows in the same accessible mold as her debut, Never Never Land. The young, fairly green vocalist is joined again by all-star musicians, including renowned pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Christian McBride, and drummer Greg Hutchinson, with Michael Brecker and Tom Harrell making a handful of guest appearances each. Closing the album on a surprising note, African phenom Richard Bona joins for an intimate duo rendition of Joni Mitchell's "A Case of You," playing acoustic guitar accompaniment and overdubbing fretless bass filigree behind Monheit's vocal. Monheit's exquisite voice is becoming more seasoned and expressive, particularly on sassier numbers like "Hit the Road to Dreamland" and "I'm Through with Love." She also wraps her seductive charm around Jobim's swaying free-association poem "Waters of March" and takes on two of jazz's grand ballads, Billy Strayhorn's "Something to Live For" and Fran Landesman's "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most." The latter, a duet with Kenny Barron, prompts one to compare and contrast Chaka Khan's rendition with Chick Corea on 1982's Echoes of an Era. "Blame It on My Youth," "I'll Be Seeing You," and "Over the Rainbow" are pleasant but less remarkable. (The hidden 12th track, which features Monheit as a child croaking her way a cappella through "Over the Rainbow," is a harmless bit of self-indulgence.) There are a number of textural enhancements that distinguish this album from its predecessor, including subtle overdubbed background vocals, unobtrusive string orchestrations by Bill Fisher, and general arranging input from the superb young pianist David Berkman. With the Joni Mitchell tune and also with "If," a '70s soft rock hit by Bread, Monheit complicates her image as a retro jazz classicist, which earned her some rather severe critical drubbing when she broke onto the scene in 2000. by David R. Adler
Tracklist :
1     Over the Rainbow 6:38
Harold Arlen / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
2     Hit the Road to Dreamland 4:05
Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer
3     Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most 6:47
Fran Landesman / Tommy Wolf
4     Waters of March 4:42
Antônio Carlos Jobim
5     I'm Through with Love 3:16
Roger Cook
6     I'll Be Seeing You 3:07
Sammy Fain / Irving Kahal
7     Something to Live For 5:35
Duke Ellington / Billy Strayhorn
8     So Many Stars 4:34
Alan Bergman / Marilyn Bergman
9     If 4:10
David Gates
10     Blame It on My Youth 4:30
Edward Heyman / Oscar Levant
11     A Case of You 4:23
Joni Mitchell
12     Over the Rainbow 0:39
Harold Arlen / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
Credits :
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass – Christian McBride (faixas: 1, 2, 4, 6 to 10)
Arranged By – Richard Bona (faixas: 11)
Arranged By [Rhythm And Horns] – David Berkman (faixas: 6 to 8, 10)
Arranged By [Strings], Conductor [Strings] – William S. Fischer
Arranged By [Vocal And Rhythm] – Jane Monheit (faixas: 1, 9)
Arranged By [Vocals] – Jane Monheit
Drums – Gregory Hutchinson (faixas: 1, 2, 4, 6 to 10)
Guitar, Bass [Fretless] – Richard Bona (faixas: 11)
Piano – Kenny Barron (faixas: 1 to 10)
Saxophone – Michael Brecker (faixas: 6, 8)
Trumpet – Tom Harrell (faixas: 1, 4, 8, 10)