EARL HINES AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1945-1947 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1041 (1999) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This is a very interesting CD full of rarities. Part of Classics' "complete" series, the disc features the Earl Hines big band after Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie had come and gone. Tenor-saxophonist Wardell Gray was still part of the band and has quite a few solos on their selections from 1945-46. The arrangements are sometimes uncomfortably boppish (they do not really mesh with the leader's piano and the repertoire) and in other spots swinging. Lord Essex has a few high-toned vocals that sound ten years out of date but singers Dorothy Parker and Hines himself (who is heard on "Ain't Gonna Give None Of This Jelly Roll" and the novelty "Oh My Aching Back") are much better. Fortunately there are quite a few instrumentals. While the first 14 numbers are from 1945-46, there is also a small group romp on "Sweet Honey Babe" from 1947 (featuring clarinetist Scoops Cary) and six big band selections from late in the year with four vocals from Johnny Hartman who is heard at the beginning of his career. Other than a few more numbers recorded in Dec. 1947, these were the last recordings of the Earl Hines Orchestra. The music (originally released by the ARA, French Jazz Selection, MGM, Sunrise and Bravo labels) had formerly been mostly quite scarce. Worth exploring. Scott Yanow  
Tracklist + Credits :

EARL HINES AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1947-1949 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1120 (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This segment of the Earl Hines chronology finds the pianist leading smaller ensembles rather than the big band for which he had become famous throughout the 1930s and early '40s. Back in Chicago during December of 1947, Hines cut a handful of sides for the diminutive Sunrise record label. "Blues for Garroway" features the electrified guitar of Skeeter Best and Morris Lane's smooth tenor sax. "Honeysuckle Rose" is rendered by the interesting combination of organ, piano, sax, and violin, almost like gentle salon or chamber music. That's Eddie South on the fiddle, and Hines plays what sounds like an upright piano. "Dark Eyes" spotlights the viol with bass and piano accompaniment. Hines spent the last day of 1947 making six more records for Sunrise. The pianist sings a spruced-up version of "Sheik of Araby," proudly referring to himself as "streamlined" and quoting from "I'se A-Muggin'" as a lead-in to a duet with Wini Brown. The next three tracks have bluesy vocals by trumpeter Duke Garrette, but the most interesting components are Eddie South, alto saxophonist Bobby Plater, and young bassist Charles Mingus, whose solo on the "No Good Woman Blues" is tasty. Mr. Ming also mingles with the Earl behind rockin' vocals by Wini Brown and the band on "Bama Lama-Lam," a jump tune spiced with Garrette's trumpet and the baritone sax of Charlie Fowlkes. The rolling "Spooky Boogie" might be the coolest tune in the whole package, as all four horns, Mingus, and South each really strut their stuff. These last two titles were issued under the name of Curley Hamner & His Orchestra, although why Hamner -- also listed in discographies as Hamer and Hammer -- was designated as the leader is anybody's guess. If the Classics chronology is accurate, Earl Hines wasn't able to record again until December of the following year, this time for the MGM label in New York. Hines' "Swingtette" consisted of himself, guitarist Floyd Smith, bassist Arvell Shaw, and percussionist supreme Sidney Catlett. "Lazy Mornin'" is a very slow essay made of lovely tones, and the other three tunes sizzle merrily. Hines' next recording gig was in Paris on November 4, 1949, waxing eight sides for the Royal Jazz label. Forming a trio with Arvell Shaw and Wallace Bishop, Hines produced a lovely version of his own composition "I Never Dreamt," then augmented a lively number called "Snappy Rhythm" with actual finger snaps and some wild arpeggios spanning several octaves up and down the piano keyboard. Adding Buck Clayton and Barney Bigard on the same date, Hines now had a quintet with which to relax and cook up a series of fresh interpretations of old-fashioned melodies, along with "Night Life in Pompeii," a minor dance that seems to have been created especially for the marvelous clarinet artistry of Barney Bigard. arwulf arwulf
Tracklist :

COOTIE WILLIAMS AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1946-1949 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1105 (2000) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Classics picks up the story of former Ellington trumpeter Cootie Williams as the leader of his own orchestra from 1946 through 1949 on sides he recorded for Capitol, Majestic, and Mercury. Vocalists Bob Merrill, Billy Matthews, and Eddie Mack are heavily featured on these 22 cuts. The R&B jump music of Louis Jordan and Wynonie Harris were big draws in the nightclubs and jukeboxes of the time and much of this material lends itself to that style. "Inflation Blues" is a takeoff of the "Let the Good Times Roll" theme, while "Save the Bones for Henry Jones," "I Should O' Been Thinking Instead of Drinkin," "Gator Tail" (parts one and two), and "Doin' the Gator Tail" are enjoyable mixtures of novelty lyrics and stompin' R&B instrumentals. While Williams favored this commercial recipe during these years, he did manage to wax a few ballads, such as "I Can't Get Started" and "I Want to Be Loved," and orchestra numbers like "Rhapsody in Bass"; "Sound Track" leans toward the Ellingtonesque style he was an earlier participant in. Al Campbell
Tracklist + Credits :

JAY McSHANN AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1941-1943 | The Classics Chronological Series – 740 (1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Twenty-one sides cut by Jay McShann and His Orchestra and the Jay McShann Quartet for Decca Records between 1941 and 1943, with Charlie Parker on about half of what's here, and stretching out on a handful of cuts. The highlight is the group's recording of "Confessin' the Blues," which was a huge hit and resulted in their recording of more than half a dozen similar vocal blues numbers, featuring Walter Brown (who wrote "Confessin'") on vocals. The material here is pretty much weighted to jump blues and boogie-woogie-style numbers, all of it hot and extraordinarily well-played. The pity is, between Decca's insistence on more songs like "Confessin' the Blues" (which was later covered by Chuck Berry and the Rolling Stones, among others) and the 1942 recordings band, not much of McShann's repertory or Parker's more outstanding material from the period was laid down. What is here, however, is extraordinary, some of the tightest, bluesiest jazz you'll ever here, all in excellent sound as well, and Parker does soar on a large handful of these tracks. Bruce Eder  
Tracklist + Credits :

JOHNNY HODGES | BEN WEBSTER - The Complete 1960 Sextet Jazz Cellar Session (2011) FLAC (tracks), lossless

This release contains th superb November 1960 session recorded by the Ben Webster-Johnny Hodges sextet in studio conditions at the Jazz Cellar, in San Francisco (without an audience). It is presented here in its complete form on a single CD for the first time ever. The two great saxophonists were the only horn players heard at the session. They were backed by a rhythm section of piano, guitar, bass and drums. These recordings are exceptional in that no other date exists in their collaborative discography featuring them as the only horns. A complete (and very rare) octet session featuring Webster and Hodges has been added as a bonus. Notas CD
Tracklist :
1    Ben's Web 5'08
2    SIde Door (Don't Kid Yourself) 5'49
3    Blues'll Blow Your Fuse 4'21
4    I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me 2'46
5    Dual Highway 3'14
6    Big Ears 4'50
7    Shorty Gull 3'45
8    Ifida 4'36
9    Big Smack 4'51
10    I'd Be There 5'16
11    Just Another Day 5'48
12    Lollalagin Now 2'51
- BONUS TRACKS -
13    Exactly Like You 2'52
14    I'm Beginning To See The Light 4'00
15    Val's Lament 4'10
16    Tipsy Joe 5'29
17    Waiting On The Champagne 3'24
Credits 1-12 :
Ben Webster (Tenor Sax)
Johnny Hodges (Alto Sax)
Lou Levy (Piano)
Herb Ellis (Guitar)
Wilfred Middlebrooks (Bass)
Gus Johnson (Drums)
Credits 13-17 :
Ben Webster (Tenor Sax)
Johnny Hodges (Alto Sax)
Russ Freeman (Piano)
Lawrence Brown (Trombone)
Joe Mondragon (Bass)
Mel Lewis (Drums)
Emil Richards (Vibes)
Jimmy Hamilton (Arranged)
Los Angeles, January 31, 1961.

JOHNNY HODGES - Triple Play (1967-1996) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Altoist Johnny Hodges is heard in three different settings on this reissue CD. Such top swing stars as trumpeters Ray Nance, Cat Anderson and Roy Eldridge, trombonists Buster Cooper, Lawrence Brown and Benny Powell, tenors Paul Gonsalves and Jimmy Hamilton, baritonist Harry Carney, pianists Hank Jones and Jimmy Jones (the latter two sometimes together), guitarists Tiny Grimes, Les Spann and Billy Butler, bassists Milt Hinton, Aaron Bell and Joe Benjamin and drummers Gus Johnson, Rufus Jones and Oliver Jackson are heard in nonets with the great altoist. Despite the many changes in personnel, the music is pretty consistent, with basic swinging originals, blues and ballads all heard in equal proportion. As usual, Johnny Hodges ends up as the main star. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Take 'Em off, Take 'Em off, Pt. 1 3:39
(Johnny Hodges)
Piano – Hank Jones
Piano [2nd] – Jimmy Jones
Guitar – Tiny Grimes    
Cornet – Ray Nance
Bass –  Milt Hinton
Drums – Gus Johnson
Alto Saxophone – Johnny Hodges
Tenor Saxophone – Paul Gonsalves
Trombone – Buster Cooper
2     Take 'Em off, Take 'Em off, Pt. 2 2:56
(Johnny Hodges)
Piano – Hank Jones
Piano [2nd] – Jimmy Jones
Cornet – Ray Nance    
Bass –  Milt Hinton
Drums – Gus Johnson
Guitar – Tiny Grimes
Tenor Saxophone – Paul Gonsalves
Trombone – Buster Cooper
Alto Saxophone – Johnny Hodges    
3     The Nearness of You 3:46
(Hoagy Carmichael / Ned Washington)
Piano – Hank Jones
Piano [2nd] – Jimmy Jones
Cornet – Ray Nance
Bass –  Milt Hinton
Drums – Gus Johnson
Guitar – Tiny Grimes
Tenor Saxophone – Paul Gonsalves
Trombone – Buster Cooper
Alto Saxophone – Johnny Hodges    
4     Monkey on a Limb 3:53
(Johnny Hodges)
Piano – Hank Jones
Piano [2nd] – Jimmy Jones
Cornet – Ray Nance
Bass –  Milt Hinton
Drums – Gus Johnson
Guitar – Tiny Grimes
Tenor Saxophone – Paul Gonsalves
Trombone – Buster Cooper
Alto Saxophone – Johnny Hodges
5     A Tiny Bit of Blues 4:53
(Johnny Hodges)
Piano – Hank Jones
Piano [2nd] – Jimmy Jones
Cornet – Ray Nance
Bass –  Milt Hinton
Drums – Gus Johnson
Guitar – Tiny Grimes
Tenor Saxophone – Paul Gonsalves
Trombone – Buster Cooper
Alto Saxophone – Johnny Hodges
6     For Jammers Only 3:02
(Claude Bolling)
Piano – Jimmy Jones    
Bass – Aaron Bell
Drums – Rufus Jones
Guitar – Les Spann
Tenor Saxophone – Jimmy Hamilton
Trombone – Lawrence Brown
Trumpet – Cat Anderson
Vibraphone – Bill Berry    
7     On the Way Up 2:52
(Johnny Hodges)
Piano – Jimmy Jones
Bass – Aaron Bell
Drums – Rufus Jones
Guitar – Les Spann
Tenor Saxophone – Jimmy Hamilton
Trombone – Lawrence Brown
Trumpet – Cat Anderson
Vibraphone – Bill Berry    
8     Big Boy Blues 3:20
(Johnny Hodges)
Baritone Saxophone – Harry Carney
Bass – Joe Benjamin
Drums – Oliver Jackson
Guitar – Billy Butler
Piano – Nat Pierce
Piano [2nd] – Jimmy Jones
Trombone – Benny Powell
Trumpet – Roy Eldridge
Alto Saxophone – Johnny Hodges    
9     The Very Thought of You 2:49
(Ray Noble)
Piano – Jimmy Jones
Guitar – Les Spann
Bass – Aaron Bell      
Drums – Rufus Jones    
Tenor Saxophone – Jimmy Hamilton
Trombone – Lawrence Brown
Trumpet – Cat Anderson
Vibraphone – Bill Berry
Alto Saxophone – Johnny Hodges
10     Fur Piece 6:22
(Johnny Hodges)
Baritone Saxophone – Harry Carney
Bass – Joe Benjamin
Drums – Oliver Jackson
Guitar – Billy Butler
Piano – Nat Pierce
Piano [2nd] – Jimmy Jones
Trombone – Benny Powell
Trumpet – Roy Eldridge
Alto Saxophone – Johnny Hodges
11     Sir John 3:19
(Johnny Hodges)
Piano – Jimmy Jones
Drums – Rufus Jones
Bass – Aaron Bell
Guitar – Les Spann
Tenor Saxophone – Jimmy Hamilton
Trombone – Lawrence Brown
Trumpet – Cat Anderson
Vibraphone – Bill Berry    
Alto Saxophone – Johnny Hodges
12     Figurine 2:39
(Johnny Hodges)
Piano – Jimmy Jones
Bass – Aaron Bell
Drums – Rufus Jones
Guitar – Les Spann
Tenor Saxophone – Jimmy Hamilton
Trombone – Lawrence Brown
Trumpet – Cat Anderson
Vibraphone – Bill Berry    
Alto Saxophone – Johnny Hodges
13     C Jam Blues 4:21
(Barney Bigard / Duke Ellington)
Baritone Saxophone – Harry Carney
Bass – Joe Benjamin
Drums – Oliver Jackson
Guitar – Billy Butler
Piano – Nat Pierce
Piano [2nd] – Jimmy Jones
Trombone – Benny Powell
Trumpet – Roy Eldridge
Alto Saxophone – Johnny Hodges

JOHNNY HODGES - Master of Jazz (1989) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Here is a CD that is highly recommended for swing collectors. Altoist Johnny Hodges and tenor-saxophonist Ben Webster team up for a sextet set from 1960, a club appearance that was released for the first time on this set. Their six performances (all are basic Hodges originals) find the pair of veteran swing stylists in prime form. The remainder of the program (three standards plus Hodges' "Good Queen Bess") is played by a septet dominated by Ellington musicians including the leader/altoist, baritonist Harry Carney, trumpeter Ray Nance and trombonist Lawrence Brown. Excellent music that still has not dated. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Cambridge Blue 3:42
Johnny Hodges    
2     Brute's Roots 4:36
Johnny Hodges    
3     Bouncing with Bud 2:50
Johnny Hodges    
4     One for the Duke 5:16
Johnny Hodges    
5     Walkin' the Frog 5:49
Johnny Hodges    
6     Rabbit Pie 4:51
Johnny Hodges    
7     On the Sunny Side of the Street 4:18
Dorothy Fields / Jimmy McHugh
8     Good Queen Bess 3:38
Johnny Hodges    
9     The Jeep Is Jumpin' 2:53
Duke Ellington / Johnny Hodges / Billy Strayhorn
10     Things Ain't What They Used to Be 5:22
Mercer Ellington / Ted Persons
Personnel : 1-6
Bass – Wilfred Middlebrooks
Drums – Gus Johnson
Guitar – Herb Ellis
Piano – Lou Lewy
Saxophone [Alt] – Johnny Hodges
Saxophone [Tenor] – Ben Webster
Personnel : 7-10
Bass – Aaron Bell  
Drums – Sam Woodyard
Piano – Al Williams
Saxophone [Alt] – Johnny Hodges
Saxophone [Bass] – Harry Carney
Trombone – Lawrence Brown
Trumpet, Vocals – Ray Nance
Notas.
Tracks 1 to 6 have incorrect titles on this release. When they were first issued, titles were assigned, but by the time they reappeared in The Complete Johnny Hodges Verve Small Group Sessions 1955-61, the correct titles had been researched and confirmed.

Tracks 1 to 6 Recorded November 22nd & 23rd, 1960, at The Jazz Cellar, San Francisco
Tracks 7 to 10 Recorded March 14th, 1961, Stockholm

ZOOT SIMS - Four Classic Albums (2009) 2xCD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

DISC ONE
The Four Brothers... Together Again!    
1        Four And One More    4:04
2        So Blue    3:24
3        The Swinging Door    2:45
4        Four In Hand    3:10
5        A Quick One    3:47
6        Four Brothers    3:48
7        Ten Years Later    3:04
8        The Pretty One    3:30
9        Aged In Wood     2:55
10        Here We Go Again    3:46
From A To Z    
11        Mediolistic    3:30
12        Crimea River    3:09
13        A New Moon    3:52
14        A Moment's Notice    3:20
15        My Blues    3:14
16        Sandy's Swing     3:24
17        Somebody Loves Me    2:51
18        More Bread    3:05
19        Sherm's Terms    2:59
20        From A To Z    2:58
21        East Of The Sun    4:19
22        Tenor For Two Please, Jack    4:25
DISC TWO
Zoot   
1        9.20 Special    4:51
2        The Man I Love    5:13
3        55th And State    4:41
4        Blue Room    5:08
5        Gus's Blues    4:27
6        That Old Feeling    5:32
7        Bohemia After Dark    3:33
8        Woody'n You    5:20
Whooeeee     
9        The King    4:38
10        Lullaby Of The Leaves    5:10
11        I Can't Get Started    4:34
12        Snake Eyes    3:58
13        Morning Fun    5:01
14        Whooeee    5:05
15        Medley: Someone To Watch Over Me, My Old Flame    4:10
16        Box Cars    5:20

ZOOT SIMS | BOB BROOKMEYER - Tonite's Music Today (1956-1988) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Valve trombonist Bob Brookmeyer's musical partnerships in the 1950s with Stan Getz and especially Gerry Mulligan were celebrated but he also recorded three fine albums with tenor-saxophonist Zoot Sims in 1956 that are quite enjoyable, feature colorful jammed ensembles and hard-swinging yet cool-toned solos that owe as much to the swing tradition as to the innovations of bebop. This Storyville CD finds Zoot and Brookmeyer accompanied by pianist Hank Jones, bassist Wyatt Reuther and drummer Gus Johnson. Highlights include "I Hear a Rhapsody," "Blue Skies" and Sims's first ever recorded vocal on a "Blues." This release is easily recommended as is its companion Storyville CD Morning Fun. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Mr. Moon 4:56
Steve Allen    
2     I Hear a Rhapsody 2:27
Jack Baker / George Fragos / Dick Gasparre     
3     The Chant 4:27
Gerry Mulligan
4     Blues 5:39     
Traditional    
5     Zoot's Tune 4:42
Zoot Sims    
6     How Long Has This Been Going On? 4:51
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
7     Bobby's Tune 3:23
Bob Brookmeyer    
8     Blue Skies 4:53
Irving Berlin
Credits :
Bass – Wyatt Ruther
Drums – Gus Johnson
Piano, Celesta [Celeste] – Hank Jones
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Valve Trombone – Bob Brookmeyer

ZOOT SIMS - Bohemia After Dark (1994) WV (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    9:20 Special 4:52
Written-By – Warren, Engvick
2    The Man I Love 5:12
Written-By – Gershwin
3    55th And State 4:40
Written-By – Sims
4    The Blue Room 5:07
Written-By – Rodgers/Hart
5    Gus's Blues 4:16
Written-By – Gus Johnson
6    That Old Feeling 5:31
Written-By – Brown, Fain
7    Bohemia After Dark 3:33
Written-By – Oscar Pettiford
8    Woody 'N You 5:19
Written-By – Dizzy Gillespie
9    I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You 6:43
Written-By – Crosby, Washington, Young
10    September In The Rain 5:12
Written-By – Dubin, Warren
11    The Nearness Of You 3:30
Written-By – Carmichael, Washington
12    Skylark 4:03
Written-By – Carmichael, Mercer
13    Two Sleepy People 4:14
Written-By – Loesser, Carmichael
Notas.
Tracks 1-10 recorded New York City, 1956.
Tracks 11-13 recorded New York City, 1957.
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Zoot Sims (pistas: 1-10)
Baritone Saxophone – Al Cohn (pistas: 11-13)
Bass – Milt Hinton (pistas: 9-13), Knobby Totah (pistas: 1-8)
Drums – Gus Johnson
Piano – Elliot Lawrence (pistas: 11-13)
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Trombone – Bob Brookmeyer (pistas: 9-10), Jimmy Cleveland (pistas: 11-13)
Trumpet – Nick Travis (pistas: 11-13)

ZOOT SIMS - The Rare Dawn Sessions (1956-1994) MONO | WV (image+.cue), lossless

This CD is a bit of a disappointment, not for the music but for the packaging. During 1979-1980, Biograph came out with two Zoot Sims LPs (One to Blow On and The Big Stampede) that contained 16 selections in all. But this CD just has ten of the songs, seven of the eight tunes from the first album (why did they leave out "September in the Rain"?) and three of the eight numbers from the second date. The incomplete nature of this reissue series is a pity for the music is excellent. Sims's tenor fits in very well with the valve trombone of Bob Brookmeyer during the earlier quintet date and also blends nicely with the cool-toned trumpet of Jerry Lloyd on the final three numbers. The music is swinging with Sims already starting to show an original musical personality built out of the sound of Lester Young. But the CD is only recommended to those listeners unable to find the two earlier LPs. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Down at the Loft 4:30
John Williams    
2     I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance With You 6:39
Bing Crosby / Ned Washington / Victor Young
3     Not So Deep 7:06
Zoot Sims    
4     Them There Eyes 6:02
Maceo Pinkard / Doris Tauber / William Tracey
5     Our Pad 4:46
Bob Brookmeyer / Buddy Johnson    
6     Dark Clouds 4:33
Zoot Sims    
7     One to Blow On 5:32
Zoot Sims    
8     You're My Girl 3:19
Sammy Cahn / Jule Styne    
9     The Purple Cow 4:35
John Williams    
10     Bye Ya 3:45
Thelonious Monk
Credits :
Bass – Bill Anthony, Milt HInton (pistas: 1 to 7)
Drums – Gus Johnson (pistas: 8 to 10), Russ Johnson (pistas: 1 to 7)
Piano – John T. Williams
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Trombone – Bob Brookmeyer (pistas: 1 to 7)
Trumpet – Jerry Lloyd (pistas: 8 to 10)

ZOOT SIMS - Zoot Sims Goes to Jazzville (1956-1998) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1     You're My Girl 3:18
Sammy Cahn / Jule Styne    
2     The Purple Cow 4:34
John Williams    
3     Ill Wind 5:07
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler    
4     The Big Stampede 4:36
Jerry Lloyd    
5     Too Close for Comfort 3:30
Jerry Bock    
6     Jerry's Jaunt 4:07
Al Cohn    
7     How Now Blues 6:20
Zoot Sims    
8     Bye-Ya 3:46
Thelonious Monk    
- BONUS TRACKS -
9     I Cover the Waterfront 3:10
Johnny Green / Edward Heyman    
10     Blues for the Month of May 4:15
Jerry Lloyd    
11     I Should Care 4:06
Sammy Cahn / Axel Stordahl / Paul Weston    
12     Mixed Emotions 2:30
Stuart F. Louchheim    
13     How Do I Love You? 4:57
John Williams    
14     Knotty Pine 3:47
Jerry Lloyd
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Zoot Sims (pistas: 1, 4, 5, 12)
Bass – Bill Anthony (pistas: 1 to 5, 8, 9, 11), Knobby Totah (pistas: 6, 7, 10, 12 to 14)
Drums – Gus Johnson
Piano – John T. Williams
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims (pistas: 2, 3, 6 to 11, 13, 14)
Trumpet – Jerry Lloyd

ZOOT SIMS QUINTET - The Modern Art Of Jazz (1956-1998) RM | WV (image+.cue), lossless

These early 1956 sessions feature Zoot Sims in top form playing a pair of standards and originals by members of the quintet. Bob Brookmeyer is the perfect foil for the tenor saxophonist, as they seamless interweave intricate lines throughout the record, especially in an upbeat take of "September in the Rain." Pianist John Williams contributed the cool "Down at the Loft" and solos brilliantly on every track. Brookmeyer penned the slinky "Our Pad" with drummer Gus Johnson, a track that would have fit a typical Gerry Mulligan date (with whom both Sims and Brookmeyer worked from time to time). Sims contributed three originals, but the hottest solos come in the closer, appropriately titled "One to Blow On." Anchoring the rhythm section is the great bassist Milt Hinton, who is easily identifiable after just a few notes during his solos. Though most of this music was reissued on the Biograph CD The Rare Dawn Sessions, "September in the Rain" was unjustly omitted, so serious fans of Zoot Sims will want to look for this rare LP as well. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     September in the Rain 5:08
Warren / Dubin
2     Down at the Loft 4:29
John T. Williams   
3     Ghost of a Chance 6:39
Young / Crosby / Washington   
4     No So Deep 7:04
Zoot Sims   
5     Them There Eyes 6:01
Maceo Pinkard / William Tracey   
6     Our Pad 4:44
Johnson / Brookmeyer   
7     Dark Clouds 4:33
Zoot Sims   
8     One to Blow On 5:31
Zoot Sims   
- BONUS TRACKS -
9     When the Blues Come On 4:39
Darwin / Cohn
10     Buried Gold 6:16
Zoot Sims   
Credits :
Bass – Milt Hinton
Drums – Gus Johnson
Piano – John Williams
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Valve Trombone – Bob Brookmeyer

ZOOT SIMS QUARTET - That Old Feeling (1956-1995) WV (image+.cue), lossless

That Old Feeling compiles 14 songs cut at two 1956 dates, which were released on Argo and ABC-Paramount. At the sessions, Sims not only played tenor, but cut a few songs on alto and baritone sax as well. Rovi Staff
Tracklist :
1     9:20 Special 4:53
William Engvick / Earle Warren    
2     The Man I Love 5:14
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin    
3     55th and State 4:42
Zoot Sims    
4     The Blue Room 5:08
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers    
5     Bohemia After Dark 3:34
Oscar Pettiford    
6     Gus's Blues 4:28
Gus Johnson    
7     That Old Feeling 5:34
Lew Brown / Sammy Fain    
8     Woody 'N You 5:21
Dizzy Gillespie    
9     Blinuet 4:35
George Handy    
10     The Trouble With Me Is You 3:44
George Handy / Jack Segal    
11     Zonkin' 5:46
George Handy    
12     Noshin' 3:26
George Handy    
13     Minor-Minor 4:03
Flo Handy
14     Pegasus 3:58
George Handy
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Zoot Sims (pistas: 5)
Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Zoot Sims (pistas: 9, 11 to 14)
Bass – Nabil Totah
Drums – Gus Johnson
Piano – John Thomas Williams
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims (pistas: 1 to 4, 6 to 8, 10)

COLEMAN HAWKINS & FRIENDS - Bean Stalkin' (1961-1989) FLAC (tracks), lossless

In contrast to Hawkins's sometimes sleepy studio albums from this era, his live performances were generally quite exciting. This set features the great tenor at two European concerts in 1960, performing three fairly heated numbers with a four-piece rhythm section, matching wits with trumpeter Roy Eldridge on "Crazy Rhythm" and leading two all-star jams with Eldridge, fellow tenor Don Byas and altoist Benny Carter. Some of the music is quite fiery, making this a recommended disc. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Bean Stalkin' 6:12
Coleman Hawkins
2     Indian Summer 2:28
Al Dubin / Victor Herbert
3     Stompin' at the Savoy 8:27
Benny Goodman / Andy Razaf / Edgar Sampson / Chick Webb
4     Crazy Rhythm 6:53
Irving Caesar / Roger Wolfe Kahn / Joseph Meyer
5     Take the "A" Train7:42
Billy Strayhorn
6     (Back Home Again In) Indiana 14:17
James F. Hanley / Ballard MacDonald
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter (pistas: 5 to 6)
Bass – Art Davis (pistas: 5 to 6), Max Bennett (pistas: 1 to 4)
Drums – Gus Johnson (pistas: 1 to 4), Jo Jones (pistas: 5 to 6)
Guitar – Herb Ellis (pistas: 1 to 4)
Piano – Lalo Schifrin (pistas: 5 to 6), Lou Levy (pistas: 1 to 4)
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins (pistas: 1 to 6), Don Byas (pistas: 5 to 6)
Trumpet – Roy Eldridge (pistas: 4 to 6)

COUNT BASIE AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1953-1954 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1446 (2007) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

The 15th installment in the complete commercially issued studio recordings of Count Basie was released as a new segment of the Classics Chronological Series in 2007. The time line represented here begins on December 12, 1953, and ends either in June or August 1954, depending upon which discographical session index you opt for. The bright, snappy Basie big-band sound of the mid-'50s was largely the result of compositions and arrangements by Frank Foster, Frank Wess, Freddie Green, Ernie Wilkins, Neal Hefti, and Manny Albam. Four of these men also operated as crucial performers in the band, along with Joe Newman, Thad Jones, Benny Powell, and Marshall Royal. In addition to Green's "Right On" (a title that anticipates that phrase's rhetorical ubiquity among young Afro-Americans by at least ten years), noteworthy numbers include Hefti's "Two for the Blues," Foster's "Blues Backstage" and "Down for the Count," and Wilkins' "Sixteen Men Swinging," "Stereophonic," "The Blues Done Come Back," and "She's Just My Size." The Basie orchestra's rendition of Juan Tizol's "Perdido" comes as a pleasant surprise and registers as a tip of the hat to that other decisively influential bandleader who with Basie essentially defined the idiom during the 1950s, Duke Ellington. arwulf arwulf  

HERB ELLIS – Nothing But the Blues (1957-2010) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Guitarist Herb Ellis considers this is his favorite personal album and it is easy to see why. With trumpeter Roy Eldridge and tenor saxophonist Stan Getz contributing contrasting but equally rewarding solos and lots of inspired riffing while bassist Ray Brown and drummer Stan Levey join Ellis in the pianoless rhythm section, these performances have plenty of color and drive. Ellis does indeed stick to the blues during the original eight selections yet there is also a surprising amount of variety. This CD reissue has been augmented by four numbers from 1958 originally recorded for a European soundtrack. Getz, Eldridge, and Coleman Hawkins all have their features but Dizzy Gillespie fares best. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Pap's Blues 7:06
Ray Brown / Raymond Matthews "Ray" Brown
2 Big Red's Boogie Woogie 5:39
George Clarence Brunies / Herb Ellis
3 Tin Roof Blues 3:00
George Brunies / Georg Brunis / Paul Mares / Ben Pollack / Leon Roppolo / Mel Stitzel / Melville Stitzel
4 Soft Winds 6:02
Benny Goodman
5 Royal Garden Blues 4:46
Clarence Williams / Spencer Williams
6 Patti Cake 6:02
Herb Ellis
7 Blues for Janet 7:13
Ray Brown / Herb Ellis / Stuff Smith
8 Blues for Junior 4:51
Ray Brown
9 Les Tricheurs 3:12
Roy Eldridge / Stan Getz
10 Clo's Blues 3:20
Coleman Hawkins
11 Phil's Tune 4:20
Roy Eldridge
12 Mic's Jump 2:16
Dizzy Gillespie
Credits :
Bass – Ray Brown
Drums – Gus Johnson (tracks: 9 to 12), Stan Levey (tracks: 1 to 8)
Guitar – Herb Ellis
Performer – JATP All-Stars (tracks: 9 to 12)
Piano – Oscar Peterson (tracks: 9 to 12)
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins (tracks: 10), Stan Getz
Trumpet – Dizzy Gillespie (tracks: 12), Roy Eldridge (tracks: 1 to 8, 11)