BUNKY GREEN — Playin' For Keeps (2007) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Playin' for Keeps draws on inspirations spanning from Tin Pan Alley to bossa nova to the British Invasion to forge a soul-jazz groove with its own distinct sensibility. Though rooted in bop, Bunky Green embraces both pop and avant-garde idioms as well, channeling his myriad influences to create a soulful and lithe sound with an impressive command of space and time. Bassist Cleveland Eaton, pianist Willie Pickens, and drummer Harold Jones are all in fine form throughout, clearly relishing the indelible melodies of selections like "The Shadow of Your Smile" and "Yesterday." Green's edgy, forceful alto is nevertheless the focal point, navigating the material with skill and finesse. Jason Ankeny
Tracklist :
1    On Green Dolphin Street    5:21
2    My Ship    4:03
3    Yesterday    3:39
4    Playin' For Keeps    4:17
5    What I Can Do    5:43
6    Mi Compasion    4:09
7    My Man's Gone Now    3:51
8    Brazilano    5:29
9    Step High    5:31
10    Tamra    4:17
11    Silver Dollar    3:39
12    When The Sun Comes Out    4:31
13    Testifyin' Time    3:37
14    Tweedlee Dee    4:21
15    Orbit Six    3:27
16    The Shadow Of Your Smile (Love Theme From "The Sandpiper")    3:25
17    Mama Looka Boo Boo    4:32
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Bunky Green
Bass – Cleveland Eaton (tracks: 1-8, 10-17), Larry Ridley (tracks: 9)
Congas – Eli Gutierrez (tracks: 16-17)
Drums – Harold Jones (tracks: 3-8), Jimmy Cobb (tracks: 9), Marshall Thompson (tracks: 1-2, 10-17)
Piano – Billy Wallace (tracks: 1-2, 10-15), Charles Stepney (tracks: 16-17), Willie Pickens (tracks: 3-8), Wynton Kelly (tracks: 9)
Saxophone – Kenny Soderblom (tracks: 16-17)
Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – James Meyer (tracks: 10-15)
Trombone – John Avant (tracks: 16-17)
Trumpet – Paul Serrano (tracks: 16-17), Walter Strickland (tracks: 10-15), Warren Kime (tracks: 16-17)

FRANKIE TRUMBAUER AND HIS ORCHESTRA – 1932-1936 | The Chronogical Classics – 1275 (2002) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The 1930s recordings of C-melody saxophonist Frankie Trumbauer are fairly obscure, particularly compared to his classic 1927-29 collaborations with Bix Beiderbecke. This set starts with a couple sessions from 1932 that feature a large ensemble mostly taken from the Paul Whiteman Orchestra. A couple of interesting medleys benefit from fine arrangements and the band also sounds strong on "Business in Q" and "The Newest St. Louis Blues." There are two sessions from 1934 that feature trumpeter Charlie Teagarden and trombonist Jack Teagarden (who sings "Emaline" and "'Long About Midnight") and includes a version of Beiderbecke's "In a Mist." The other session from 1934 has spots for trumpeter Bunny Berigan and clarinetist Artie Shaw while the numbers from 1936 again include both Charlie and Jack Teagarden. The material is pretty jazz-oriented and some of the other memorable tracks are "China Boy," "Breakin' in a Pair of Shoes" and "Somebody Loves Me." This is excellent music that serves as a transition between the classic jazz of the 1920s and swing. Scott Yanow  
Tracklist + Credits :

BENNY CARTER - 'Live And Well In Japan! (1977-1985) 32bits-96hz | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Benny Carter headed a talent-filled tentet for this frequently exciting concert. With trumpeters Cat Anderson and Joe Newman, trombonist Britt Woodman, Cecil Payne on baritone and Budd Johnson doubling on tenor and soprano, it is not at all surprising that the results would be memorable, but this date actually exceeds one's expectations. In addition to fine jam versions of "Squatty Roo," "Them There Eyes" and "It Don't Mean a Thing," there is a remarkable Louis Armstrong medley on which Carter (on trumpet) plays "When It's Sleepy Time Down South," Cat Anderson follows with a high note solo on "Confessin'" and then Joe Newman (who rarely recorded vocals) does a near-perfect imitation of Louis Armstrong singing on "When You're Smiling." Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Squatty Roo 12:45
Johnny Hodges
2     Tribute to Louis Armstrong: When It's Sleepy Time Down South/Confe ... 6:05
Doc Daugherty / Marvin Fisher / Otis Rene / Ellis Reynolds / Shay
3     Them There Eyes 11:22
Maceo Pinkard / Doris Tauber / William Tracey
4     It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) 10:45
Duke Ellington / Irving Mills
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone, Trumpet, Producer – Benny Carter
Baritone Saxophone – Cecil Payne
Bass – George Duvivier
Drums – Harold Jones
Guitar – Mundell Lowe
Piano – Nat Pierce
Remastered By – Phil De Lancie
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Budd Johnson
Trombone – Britt Woodman
Trumpet – Cat Anderson, Joe Newman

MARIAN McPARTLAND - Plays The Benny Carter Songbook (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Two aspects uplift this Marian McPartland CD above most songbooks. Benny Carter is much better-known as an altoist and an arranger than as a composer, so his compositions tend to be quite fresh since they have been underplayed through the years. Also, the fact that Carter himself performs on the majority of these selections (which also include bassist John Clayton and drummer Harold Jones) makes the set something special. Highlights include "When Lights Are Low," "I'm in the Mood for Swing," "Key Largo," "Doozy," "Lonely Woman" and "Only Trust Your Heart," but all 11 songs are enjoyable and swinging. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     When Lights Are Low 4:00
Benny Carter / Spencer Williams
2     I'm in the Mood for Swing 5:12
Benny Carter / Spencer Williams    
3     A Kiss from You 4:49
Benny Carter / Johnny Mercer    
4     Key Largo 3:40
Benny Carter / Karl Suessdorf / Leah Worth    
5     Another Time, Another Place 4:38
Benny Carter    
6     Summer Serenade 4:41
Benny Carter    
7     Doozy 3:59
Benny Carter    
8     Lonely Woman 5:09
Benny Carter / Ray Sonin
9     Only Trust Your Heart 7:04
Sammy Cahn / Benny Carter    
10     Evening Star 3:37
Benny Carter    
11     Easy Money 6:00
Benny Carter
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Bass – John Clayton
Drums – Harold Jones
Piano – Marian McPartland