CLIFFORD BROWN – Brownie : The Complete EmArcy Recordings of Clifford Brown (1989) RM | 11xCD BOX-SET | MONO | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although undoubtedly an expensive acquisition, this ten-CD set is perfectly done and contains dozens of gems. The remarkable but short-lived trumpeter Clifford Brown has the second half of his career fully documented (other than his final performance) and he is showcased in a wide variety of settings. The bulk of the numbers are of Brownie's quintet with co-leader and drummer Max Roach, either Harold Land or Sonny Rollins on tenor, pianist Richie Powell, and bassist George Morrow (including some previously unheard alternate takes), but there is also much more. Brown stars at several jam sessions (including a meeting with fellow trumpeters Clark Terry and Maynard Ferguson), accompanies such singers as Dinah Washington, Helen Merrill, and Sarah Vaughan, and is backed by strings on one date. Everything is here, including classic versions of "Parisian Thoroughfare," "Joy Spring," "Daahoud," "Coronado," a ridiculously fast "Move," "Portrait of Jenny," "Cherokee," "Sandu," "I'll Remember April," and "What Is This Thing Called Love?" Get this set while it stays in print. Scott Yanow   Tracklist + Credits :

EARL HINES – 1949-1952 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1288 (2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This disc begins with five excellent recordings that Earl Hines made for the Royal Jazz label in Paris. These joyous, optimistic trio renderings of "Honeysuckle Rose" and "Fine and Dandy" were part of a sizable bundle of great music recorded on November 4, 1949, the balance of which occupies the final eight tracks of Classics 1120. Two days later, Hines created three interesting piano solos for Royal: a relaxed revisit with Maceo Pinkard's old-fashioned love song "Sugar," a tough and powerful remake of "Boogie Woogie on the St. Louis Blues," and "Singing for My French Brothers," during which the pianist scats amiably. In July of 1950, Hines recorded eight outstanding trio performances to be issued on Columbia's newly developed long-playing 33-and-1/3-rpm format. The combination of Hines with bassist Al McKibbon and the impeccable J.C. Heard was remarkably fruitful. "These Foolish Things" seems to unfold as gradually as the dawn, "Velvet Moon" and "When I Dream of You" are slow and reflective, and the rest of this trio's work swings marvelously. "Diane" develops something like a Cuban rhythm halfway through, then prances the rest of the way home. In December of 1952 Hines was able to wax seven sides for the D'Oro label, which was created especially to record the Earl Hines Sextet, with a front line of trumpeter Jonah Jones, trombonist Bennie Green, and Aaron Sachs, who played clarinet and tenor sax. Vocalists heard here are Helen Merrill (this was her very first appearance on record), Lonnie Sattin (who bellows and croons like an Eckstine caricature), and a soulful Etta Jones (who has a lot of fun hollering "Stop"). Hines himself sings over a rhumba called "Ella's Fella," and "Whirl on a Whirl" also has a bit of that rhythmic Caribbean energy running through it. "Green's Corner" -- which in fact uses the bridge from "Love Is Just Around the Corner" -- is a friendly study for trumpet, tenor sax, and trombone with rhythm accompaniment, including brief solos from bassist Tommy Potter and Earl "Fatha" Hines. arwulf arwulf
Tracklist :

LEE KONITZ - Rhapsody (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Lee Konitz's Evidence release has seven selections from the veteran altoist that utilize different all-star personnel. The performances all have a similar commitment to relaxed and melodic freedom, but some work better than others. "I Hear a Rhapsody" (featuring a haunting vocal by Helen Merrill) precedes a more abstract "Rhapsody" (titled "Lo-Ko-Mo-And Frizz") which has wandering interplay by Konitz (on alto, soprano, and tenor), Joe Lovano (switching between tenor, alto clarinet, and soprano), guitarist Bill Frisell, and drummer Paul Motian. Jay Clayton's beautiful voice and adventurous style is well displayed on "The Aerie," and baritone great Gerry Mulligan sounds reasonably comfortable on a free improvisation with Konitz and pianist Peggy Stern, but a fairly straightforward vocal by Judy Niemack on "All the Things You Are" is followed by an overlong (19-minute) exploration of the same chord changes (renamed "Exposition") by the quartet of Konitz, clarinetist Jimmy Giuffre, pianist Paul Bley, and bassist Gary Peacock; their different approaches never really mesh together, and this selection is a bit of a bore. The final performance, an extroverted duet by Konitz (on soprano) and flügelhornist Clark Terry (titled "Flyin': Mumbles and Jumbles") adds some badly needed humor to the set. While one can admire Lee Konitz for still challenging himself after all this time, some of the dryer material on the CD (especially the two quartet numbers) should have been performed again; maybe the next versions would have been more inspired. Scott Yanow  
Tracklist :
1     I Hear a Rhapsody 4:31
Jack Baker / George Fragos / Dick Gasparre
Alto Saxophone – Lee Konitz
Piano – Peggy Stern
Vocals – Helen Merrill
2     Lo-Ko-Mo-And Frizz 12:05
Bill Frisell / Lee Konitz / Joe Lovano / Paul Motian
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Lee Konitz
Drums – Paul Motian
Guitar – Bill Frisell
Tenor Saxophone, Alto Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone – Joe Lovano
3     The Aerie 7:11
Peggy Stern
Alto Saxophone – Lee Konitz
Bass – Ben Allison
Drums – Jeff Williams
Piano – Peggy Stern
Vocals – Jay Clayton
4     Trio, No. 1 8:52
Lee Konitz / Gerry Mulligan / Peggy Stern
Baritone Saxophone – Gerry Mulligan
Piano – Peggy Stern
Soprano Saxophone – Lee Konitz
5     All the Things You Are 5:07
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
Guitar – Jean François Prins
Soprano Saxophone – Lee Konitz
Vocals – Judy Niemack
6     Exposition 19:00
Paul Bely / Paul Bley / Jimmy Giuffre / Lee Konitz / Gary Peacock
Bass – Gary Peacock
Clarinet – Jimmy Giuffre
Piano – Paul Bley
Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Lee Konitz
7     Flyin': Mumbles and Jumbles 5:55
Lee Konitz / Clark Terry
Flugelhorn, Scat – Clark Terry
Soprano Saxophone, Scat – Lee Konitz

BILLY ECKSTINE | BENNY CARTER - Billy Eckstine Sings with Benny Carter (1987) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Billy Eckstine's final recording (although he would live until 1993) finds the 72-year old singer showing his age. Mr. B's famous baritone voice at this late date only hints at his earlier greatness although his phrasing and enthusiasm uplift what could have been a depressing affair. Ironically altoist Benny Carter (who was 79) still sounds in his prime on alto and he takes an effective trumpet solo on "September Song." Singer Helen Merrill opens and closes the set by interacting vocally with Eckstine on "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" and "Didn't We." Eckstine, backed by a trio headed by his longtime pianist Bobby Tucker, does his best on such songs as "My Funny Valentine," "Memories of You" and "Autumn Leaves" but his earlier recordings are the ones to get. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To 5:24
Cole Porter
Vocals – Helen Merrill    
2     My Funny Valentine 3:33
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers    
3     Here's That Rainy Day 3:52
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen    
4     Summertime 3:53
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin / DuBose Heyward    
5     A Kiss From You 3:54
Benny Carter / Johnny Mercer    
6     Memories of You 3:46
Eubie Blake / Andy Razaf    
7     I've Got the World On a String 4:42
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler    
8     Now That I Need You 3:53
Benny Moten    
9     Over the Rainbow 4:40
Harold Arlen / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg    
10     September Song 3:57
Maxwell Anderson / Kurt Weill
11     Autumn Leaves 3:44
Joseph Kosma / Johnny Mercer / Jacques Prévert    
12     Didn't We 5:25
Jimmy Webb
Vocals – Helen Merrill
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Bass – Paul West
Drums – Vernell Fournier
Piano, Arranged By – Bobby Tucker
Trumpet – Benny Carter (pistas: 10)
Vocals – Billy Eckstine, Helen Merrill (pistas: 1, 12)

HELEN MERRILL - Dream of You (1956-1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 One thing that set Helen Merrill apart from other '50s jazz singers was her acutely dramatic vocal style. Her earnest phrasing, elongated notes, and incandescent tone might even strike the contemporary listener as qualities more appropriate for the Broadway stage than a jazz club. On 1955's Dream of You, though, Merrill found reconciliation, sounding both melodramatic and swinging within Gil Evans' darkly spacious, yet economical arrangements. Suitably, torchy ballads are prominent. On the somewhat grandiose side there's "Where Flamingos Fly" and "I'm a Fool to Want You," which find Merrill in a pensive mood amidst a variety of tempo and timbre shifts. More subdued ground is covered on "I've Never Seen" and "He Was Too Good to Me." Briskly swinging numbers like "People Will Say We're in Love," "By Myself," and "You're Lucky to Me" balance the program and feature the demure, yet fluid delivery Merrill favored on fast numbers. What is most impressive on this date is a group of sultry, medium tempo numbers including "Anyplace I Lay My Hat Is Home," "Just a Lucky So and So," and in particular "A New Town Is a Blue Town." The programmatic quality of Merrill's coyly sensual voice and Evans' slightly askew, bubbling reeds and languid rhythm conjure up dramatic, balmy southern scenes á la Tennessee Williams. In the picturesque arrangements one also hears the seeds of Evans' own future collaborations with Miles Davis. Even though her collaborations with Clifford Brown and others are great recordings, this one with Gil Evans shows off more of Merrill's expressive vocal talents, due in no small part to the sympathetic and urbane arrangements. Stephen Cook   
Tracklist:
1 People Will Say We're In Love 2:34
Written-By – O. Hammerstein II, R. Rodgers
2 By Myself 3:23
Written-By – A. Schwartz, H. Dietz
3 Anyplace I Hang My Hat Is Home 4:10
Written-By – Arlen, Mercer
4 I've Never Seen 3:30
Written-By – Marcotte, D. Cochran
5 He Was Too Good To Me 3:01
Written-By – L. Hart, R. Rodgers
6 A New Town Is A Blue Town 3:09
Written-By – J. Ross, R. Adler
7 You're Lucky To Me 3:26
Written-By – A. Razaf, E. Blake
8 Where Flamingos Fly 2:44
Written-By – E. Thea, H. Courlander, J. Brooks
9 Dream Of You 2:54
Written-By – S. Oliver
10 I'm A Fool To Want You 4:07
Written-By – F. Sinatra, J. Wolf, J. S. Harron
11 I'm Just A Lucky So And So 3:08
Written-By – D. Ellington, M. David
12 Troubled Waters 3:14
Written-By – A. Johnston, S. Coslow
Credits:
Alto Saxophone – John Laporta (tracks: 3, 6, 8, 11)
Alto Saxophone, Flute – Jerome Richardson (tracks: 3, 6, 8, 11)
Arranged By, Conductor – Gil Evans (tracks: 1 to 12)
Bass – Oscar Pettiford (tracks: 1, 2, 7, 9)
Bass Saxophone – Danny Banks (tracks: 3, 6, 8, 11)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – John Laporta (tracks: 1, 2, 7, 9)
Drums – Joe Morello (tracks: 1, 2, 7, 9)
Guitar – Barry Galbraith (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12)
Piano – Hank Jones (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 12)
Trombone – Jimmy Cleveland (tracks: 1, 2, 7, 9), Joe Bennett (tracks: 3, 6, 8, 11)
Trumpet – Art Farmer (tracks: 1, 2, 7, 9), Louis Mucci (tracks: 1, 2, 7, 9)
Vocals – Helen Merrill

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

HELEN MERRILL - The Artistry of Helen Merrill (1965-2014) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

This is a rare Helen Merrill folk-oriented album from 1965, with songs from all over the world. Perhaps it was her Croatian upbringing, but very few jazz singers sound as natural singing non-jazz material as Merrill does. She sounds just like herself (which she always does anyway), with no particular adjustment to a straighter idiom, as if she had to shed herself of jazz sophistication in order to become more "innocent." Highlights include the quasi-folk bossa nova "Quiet Nights" and "Itsi No Komoriuta." The great Charlie Byrd is on board, to provide the requisite acoustic accompaniment, as is Jimmy Giuffre on clarinet. Richard Mortifoglio
Tracklist :
1    Quiet Nights (Corcavado) 2:44
2    Careless Love 3:30
3    Scarlet Ribbons 3:01
4    The House Of The Rising Sun 2:37
5    I Left My Heart Behind 2:20
6    Cannetella 2:18
7    The River (Sciummo) 2:58
8    Minha Rocca 2:29
9    Itsi No Komoriuta 2:18
10    Forbidden Games 2:35
11    John Anderson, My Love 2:07
Credits
Keter Betts - Bass
Charlie Byrd - Guitar
Jimmy Giuffre - Clarinet
Osie Johnson - Drums
Teddy Kotick - Bass
Hal McKusick - Flute
Helen Merrill - Vocals
Jimmy Raney - Guitar