SIDNEY BECHET – 1923-1936 | The Classics Chronological Series – 583 (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The first in a series of Classics CDs focusing on the recordings of Sidney Bechet, this disc features the clarinetist/soprano-saxophonist on two early titles with blues singer Rosetta SissCrawford, his torrid 1932 session with The New Orleans Feetwarmers (which also features trumpeter Tommy Ladnier and is highlighted by "Shag" and "Maple Leaf Rag") and sides from Noble Sissle's somewhat commercial orchestra. Fortunately Sissle was wise enough to give Bechet plenty of solo space on some of his selections, most notably "Polka Dot Rag." Even with a few indifferent vocals, this CD is recommended to those not already owning this music. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :

GENE SEDRIC – 1938-1947 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1181 (2001) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Most people who are hip to Eugene "Honeybear" Sedric know him as the man who was Fats Waller's chosen handler of clarinet and tenor saxophone, usually paired with trumpeter Herman Autrey as the front line of the little "Rhythm" band, between the years 1934 and 1943. To be able to savor an entire CD containing virtually everything that Sedric recorded as a leader is a musical treat beyond belief. Any true Waller devotee would jump on this without hesitation. The first four tracks, recorded in November 1938, feature Waller's touring band, heard here with Hank Duncan at the piano and featuring spunky vocalist Myra Johnson, who livened up several of Waller's three-minute movies, including "The Joint Is Jumpin'." Sedric's version is fun enough, but Waller fans will get extra kicks from "Off Time," as it's rare to hear anybody singing this delightful tune, one of many great songs that the pianist composed but didn't live long enough to record for posterity. Also included in that category would be "Choo-Choo," co-written by Waller, Sedric, and Andy Razaf. It is a tight shuffle dolled up with toots from a small train whistle by Slick Jones, Waller's trusty percussionist and sound effects man. Gene sings pleasantly, seeming not at all ashamed to voice what others might have felt were foolish lyrics. "The Wail of the Scromph," a slow and easy blues by Sedric, opens with clarinet. Autrey is warm as always, Al Casey dexterous and cool. Now here's the curious part of the package: in August of 1946 Sedric's band accompanied vocalist Ruby Smith, who based her career on the fact that she was Bessie Smith's husband's niece. Sounding tough and somewhat brittle on "Chicago Woman Blues," Ruby's presence with Sedric seems surprising at first. "Baby, Baby, Baby Blues" is more subtle as Sedric talks back at her in the same way that Fats usually enjoyed cajoling his guest vocalists, particularly Una Mae Carlisle. Ruby in fact sounds more than a little like Una Mae on the moody "Sedric's Blues." Four more sides were cut on that same day without Ruby, giving this excellent band a chance to strut its stuff. "Forget It" and "Bootin' and Swingin'" are solid extensions of Fats Waller's early-1940 instrumental jam style. Eight sides recorded in New York for the Swing and Keynote labels represent Sedric's band at the apex of its creative success. Each instrumental track is outstanding, while the carefully rehearsed theatrically hip group vocals are dazzling in their complex fluidity. Sedric's last stand as a leader occurred in January of 1947, when his band once again found itself supporting Ruby Smith. Who wrote these tunes, and why? Never mind. It doesn't matter. What's important is that Al Casey seized upon the opportunity to play electrically amplified guitar behind the vocal on "You Satisfy," and "Hot Sauce Susie" enabled Sedric to yell about chops and corn bread, drawing once again upon the training he received throughout nine years of dedicated service as Thomas "Fats" Waller's right-hand man. arwulf arwulf  
Tracklist + Credits :

(RAHSAAN) ROLAND KIRK - Early Roots (1956-2001) RM | Bethlehem Archives | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Rahsaan Roland Kirk's first recording predated his second by four years and would be a real obscurity until its reissue in the mid-'70s. Kirk at 20 already had a recognizable sound on tenor and, although he had not yet mastered the art of playing two or three horns at once, he did overdub his manzello and stritch on three of the selections released on his debut, hinting at the exciting innovations to come. The music is mostly blues and ballads with a touch of R&B thrown in, a good beginning to a unique career. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Roland's Theme 2'51
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
2     Slow Groove 6'52
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
3     Stormy Weather 4'38
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
4     The Nearness of You 5'33
Hoagy Carmichael / Ned Washington
5     A La Carte 2'22
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
6     Easy Living 4'40
Ralph Rainger / Leo Robin
7     Triple Threat 2'24
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
Credits :
Bass – Carl Pruitt
Drums – Henry Duncan
Piano – James Madison
Tenor Saxophone – (Rahsaan) Roland Kirk

ROLAND KIRK - Domino (1962-2000) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The expanding musical universe of Rahsaan Roland Kirk continues its orbit on Domino. While always true to his exceptional talents, Kirk's previous efforts are somewhat derivative when compared to his later and more aggressive sound. On Domino, the genesis of his more assertive presence is thoroughly evident. Additionally, this disc features several impressive originals, as well as the most distinctly branded cover tunes to date, including the intense bop of the title track. As evidenced throughout the album, Kirk's compositions are becoming denser and more involved. "Meeting on Termini's Corner" -- an ode to the legendary Five Spot club -- mimics the off-kilter rhythms of Thelonious Monk. The tenor sax solo that rises through his multi-instrumentation is stunning. The contrast between the lilting flute work, which bookends "Domino," and the stirring tenor sax solo at the center is yet again indicative of the boundaries Kirk would be approaching. However, it's the Latin-tinged "Rolando" that might best display the unmistakably singular sound that comes from the stritch -- a Kirk modified second generation B flat soprano sax -- and the tenor sax, when performed simultaneously. The warmth and clarity are at once unique and hypnotic. Another prime example of the multiplicity in Kirk's performance styles can be heard on "I Believe in You." The juxtaposition of the husky tenor with the spry manzello provides a false sense of balance as Kirk delays combining the two until the final chorus. This produces a surprising and memorable effect, as Kirk's arrangement does not anticipate the finale. The 2000 CD reissue contains both recording dates for the original album as well as a previously undocumented session that includes Herbie Hancock(piano), Roy Haynes (drums), and Vernon Martin (bass). Additionally, Domino was the first album to feature Kirk's live band of Haynes, Andrew Hill (celeste/piano), and Henry Duncan (percussion) on several tracks. Lindsay Planer  
Tracklist :
1     Domino 3'11
Louis Ferrari / Jacques Plante / Don Raye
2     Meeting on Termini's Corner 3'39
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
3     Time 3'11
Richie Powell
4     Lament 3'37
J.J. Johnson
5     A Stritch in Time 5'04
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
6     3-In-1 Without the Oil 2'32
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
7     Get Out of Town 4'47
Cole Porter
8     Rolando 3'44
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
9     I Believe in You 4'24
Frank Loesser
10     E.D. 2'20
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
- BONUS TRACKS -
11     Where Monk and Mingus Live/Let's Call This 4'06
Rahsaan Roland Kirk / Thelonious Monk
12     Domino 4'44
Louis Ferrari / Jacques Plante / Don Raye
13     I Didn't Know What Time It Was 3'13
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
14     I Didn't Know What Time It Was 2'15
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
15     I Didn't Know What Time It Was 2'18
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
16     Someone to Watch over Me - Breakdown Take 2'34
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
17     Someone to Watch over Me 3'35
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
18     Terminis Corner - Breakdown Take 2'32
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
19     Termini's Corner 2'24
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
20     Termini's Corner 2'39
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
21     Termini's Corner - Breakdown Take And Intercuts 3'24
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
22     When the Sun Comes Out 2'38
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
23     When the Sun Comes Out 1'54
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
24     When the Sun Comes Out 2'41
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
25     Time Races With Emit 1'22
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
Credits :
Bass – Vernon Martin
Celesta – Andrew Hill (pistas: 3)
Drums – Henry Duncan (pistas: 1, 2, 4 to 6), Roy Haynes (pistas: 7 to 25)
Piano – Andrew Hill (pistas: 1, 2, 4 to 6), Herbie Hancock (pistas: 11), Wynton Kelly (pistas: 7 to 10, 12 to 25)
Tenor Saxophone, Saxophone [Manzello, Stritch], Flute, Whistle [Siren Whistle], Voice, Nose Flute – Roland Kirk