PAUL BLEY | JOHN GILMORE | PAUL MOTIAN | GARY PEACOCK — Turning Point (1975-1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue) lossless

Recorded for Muse Records in 1967 as Grant Green was on an extended recording hiatus -- it was his only record between 1965's His Majesty, King Funk, his only album for Verve, and 1969's Carryin' On, his return to Blue Note -- Iron City actually captures the guitarist in fine form, jamming on six blues and R&B numbers with his longtime cohorts, organist Big John Patton and drummer Ben Dixon. The trio members had long ago perfected their interplay, and they just cook on Iron City, working a hot groove on each song. Even the slow blues "Motherless Child" has a distinct swing in its backbeat, but most of the album finds the trio tearing through uptempo grooves with a vengeance. Green's playing is a bit busier than normal and he solos far more often than Patton, who lays back through most of the album, providing infectious vamps and lead lines. The two styles mesh perfectly with Dixon's deft drumming, resulting in a fine, overlooked date that showcases some of Green's hottest, bluesiest playing. Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Tracklist :
1    Calls    6:10
 Carla Bley
2    Turning    6:30
 Paul Bley
3    King Korn    6:00
 Carla Bley
4    Ictus    4:05
 Carla Bley
5    Mr Joy    3:50
 Annette Peacock
6    Kid Dynamite    3:40
 Annette Peacock
7    Ida Lupino    5:20
 Carla Bley
Credits :
Paul Bley - Piano
John Gilmore - Tenor Saxophone
Gary Peacock - Bass
Paul Motian - Drums
Billy Elgart - Drums on Nr. 5 & 6

GIUFFRE | KONITZ | CONNORS | BLEY - IAI Festival (1978-1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although four musicians are listed for this date (Jimmy Giuffre, altoist Lee Konitz, guitarist Bill Connors and pianist Paul Bley), these five performances are actually a set of duets featuring Giuffre on tenor, clarinet, bass flute and soprano interacting with the other players. Three songs are duets with Konitz (there is also one apiece with Bley and Connors), including "Blues In the Closet," and these are the main reasons to acquire this disc. The CD reissue is an exact duplicate of the original LP, with just 37 minutes of music, but it is definitely worth hearing. This was the final release by Bley's Improvising Artists label. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Blues In The Closet 5:10
Alto Saxophone – Konitz
Tenor Saxophone – Giuffre
Written-By – Oscar Pettiford
2    The Sad Time 3:10
Written-By, Alto Saxophone – Konitz
Written-By, Bass Flute – Giuffre
3    Spanish Flames 8:50
Written-By, Clarinet – Giuffre
Written-By, Guitar – Connors
4    Enter, Ivory 11:10
Written-By, Piano – Bley
Written-By, Soprano Saxophone, Flute – Giuffre
5    From Then To Then 5:50
Written-By, Alto Saxophone – Konitz
Written-By, Tenor Saxophone – Giuffre

LEE KONITZ | PAUL BLEY | BILL CONNORS - Pyramid (1977-1992) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Reissued on CD by the Black Saint/Soul Note labels, this entry from Paul Bley's IAI label features fairly free playing from an unusual trio comprised of Lee Konitz (on alto and soprano), keyboardist Bley and Bill Connors on electric and acoustic guitars. Actually, due to the free nature of the pieces, the music is less exciting than one might hope. Everyone takes chances in their solos but several of the pieces wander on much too long. Overall this session does not reach the heights one might expect from these great players. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Pyramid 4:05
Bill Connors
2     Out There 10:45
Stefano Bollani / Lee Konitz
3     Talk to Me 2:47
Bill Connors
4     Tavia 4:32
Lee Konitz
5     Longer Than You Know 4:13
Paul Bley
6     Play Blue 9:22
Paul Bley
Credits :    
Acoustic Guitar – Bill Connors (tracks: 1, 2, 4)
Alto Saxophone – Lee Konitz (tracks: 1 to 3, 5)
Electric Guitar – Bill Connors (tracks: 3, 5, 6)
Electric Piano – Paul Bley (tracks: 1, 2, 5)
Piano [Acoustic] – Paul Bley (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 6)
Soprano Saxophone – Lee Konitz (tracks: 2, 4, 6)

SAM RIVERS | DAVE HOLLAND - Sam Rivers | Dave Holland, Vol. 1 (1976-1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The first of two CD reissues that bring back a daylong duet session by Sam Rivers and bassist Dave Holland consists of two lengthy improvisations featuring Rivers on soprano and tenor; volume two features him playing flute and piano. Rivers' adventurous solos and interplay with the virtuosic Holland make this CD of interest to listeners with open ears toward the avant-garde, despite the LP-length playing time. Scott Yanow
Tracklist  :
1 Waterfall 17:08
Soprano Saxophone – Sam Rivers
2 Cascade 21:19
Tenor Saxophone – Sam Rivers
Credits :
Artwork [Jacket], Photography By – Carol Goss
Bass – Dave Holland
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Composed By – Sam Rivers
Producer – Paul Bley

SAM RIVERS | DAVE HOLLAND - Sam Rivers | Dave Holland, Vol. 2 (1976-1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

When Sam Rivers met up with bassist Dave Holland for a set of duets, he decided to record two LPs and play a different instrument on each of the sidelong pieces. While Rivers performs on tenor and soprano during the first volume, the second recording finds him playing "Ripples" on flute and switching to piano for "Deluge"; both performances are over 23 minutes long. Since tenor is easily Rivers's strongest ax, this set (which has now been reissued on CD) is of somewhat limited interest yet is generally successful. The flute piece has several different sections that keep both the musicians and listeners interested, while Rivers's piano feature is quite intense; he leaves few notes unplayed. Still, the first volume should be acquired. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Ripples 23:49
Flute – Sam Rivers
2 Deluge 23:23
Piano – Sam Rivers
Credits :
Bass – Dave Holland
Piano, Flute, Composed By – Sam Rivers
Producer – Paul Bley