ABBEY LINCOLN + ARCHIE SHEPP - Painted Lady (1987-2007) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Abbey Lincoln was in her late fifties at the time of this 1987 session in Paris, but she was showing little wear on her voice, aside for a slightly more pronounced vibrato. Joining her for this session is Archie Shepp on soprano and tenor saxophones, trumpeter Roy Burrowes, pianist Hilton Ruiz, bassist Jack Gregg, and drummer Freddie Waits. The sparse liner notes give no background as to how this session or choice of musicians came about, and at times there is such an informal air that one would think that this was a run-through prior to a record date or concert. The extended workout of Duke Ellington's "Sophisticated Lady" lives up to its title, with Lincoln, Shepp (on soprano sax), Burrowes (on muted trumpet), and Ruiz shining in their respective solos. The vocalist interprets several several of her originals, though she comments to the musicians midway through "Golden Lady" that she thinks the tempo may be a bit too slow, while she also seems to stumble at one point. But she shines in her defiant "Throw It Away." Ruiz sets up Michel Legrand's "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?" with a lush solo, and while this isn't the type of material one associates with Lincoln, she delivers a stunning, original interpretation. The release could have been improved in several ways. At times, the sound was overmodulated by the original session engineer, unnecessarily distorting Lincoln's voice and Shepp's saxes at times, while occasionally there is a bit too much reverb used on the leader's vocals. It's also puzzling not to see any composer/lyricist credits listed in the package or on the disc itself. Ken Dryden  
Tracklist :
1    Sophisticated Lady    7:45
Written-By – Duke Ellington
2    Golden Lady    9:30
Written-By – Stevie Wonder
3    Painted Lady On The Stage    5:15
Written-By – Aminata Moseka (Abbey Lincoln)
4    Throw It Away    6:35
Written-By – Aminata Moseka (Abbey Lincoln)
5    What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life    9:30
Written-By – Alan & Marilyn Bergman, Michel Legrand
6    Caged Bird    6:15
Written-By – Aminata Moseka (Abbey Lincoln)
Credits :
Atwork – Peter Kowald
Bass – Jack Gregg
Drums – Freddie Waits
Piano – Hilton Ruiz
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Archie Shepp
Trumpet – Roy Burrowes
Vocals – Abbey Lincoln

EARTHA KITT — Thinking Jazz (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although not released until 2000, the tracks on Eartha Kitt's THINKING JAZZ were recorded at a studio session in 1991 and a German live date in September, 1992, towards the end of Kitt's self-imposed European exile. This is one of Kitt's most straightforwardly jazz-oriented albums, with none of her usual pop and cabaret overtones. The five-piece combo playing behind her-clarinet and tenor saxophone plus rhythm section-is tight and economical, and the arrangements give each member room to stretch out without dissolving into extended jams. Kitt's spectacular voice remains front and center throughout, although the instrumental "God Bless the Child" that provides the link between the studio and live material shows that even without her contributions, this would be a swinging album. "Life Made Me Beautiful At Forty" and a gentle "Night and Day" are among the highlights. AllMusic
Tracklist :
1.     Something May Go Wrong    4:54
Eartha Kitt / Joachim Kühn
2.     God Bless the Child    4:50
Billie Holiday / Arthur Herzog, Jr.
3.     You Can't Fool Me    2:31
Eartha Kitt / Rolf Kühn
4.     Empty House    5:35
Eartha Kitt / Joachim Kühn
5.     Night and Day    3:43
Cole Porter
6.     That Old Hotel    2:44
Eartha Kitt / Joachim Kühn
7     You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To    3:58
Cole Porter
8.     Smoke Gets in Your Eyes    4:47 
Otto Harbach / Jerome Kern
9     Life Made Me Beautiful at Forty    5:06
Eartha Kitt / Joachim Kühn
10.     God Bless the Child    4:48
Billie Holiday / Arthur Herzog, Jr.
  Eartha Kitt feat: Rolf Kühn
11.     Lullaby of Birdland    3:09
George Shearing / George David Weiss
12.     My Funny Valentine    3:29
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
13.     How Many Times    3:11
Eartha Kitt
Credits :
Bass – Jesper Lundgaard (tracks: 1-13)
Clarinet – Rolf Kühn (tracks: 1-13)
Drums – Daniel Humair (tracks: 1-13)
Lead Vocals – Eartha Kitt (tracks: 1-10, 12, 13)
Piano – Joachim Kühn (tracks: 1-13)
Tenor Saxophone – Jerry Bergonzi (tracks: 1-13)