ELVIN JONES — Youngblood (1992-2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although this superior set features three of the top Young Lions (tenors Joshua Redman and Javon Jackson and trumpeter Nicholas Payton), along with the fine bassist George Mraz, drummer Elvin Jones, 64 at the time, sounds like the youngest member of the group. The well-rounded CD has individual features for Redman ("Angel Eyes"), Payton ("Body and Soul") and Mraz ("My Romance"), along with the leader (the unaccompanied drum solo "Ding-A-Ling-A-Ling"), and has consistently inspired playing from all of the musicians. An excellent effort. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Not Yet    3:52
 Javon Jackson
2    Have You Seen Elveen?    7:40
 Nicholas Payton
3    Angel Eyes    8:45
 Earl Brent / Matt Dennis
4    Ding-A-Ling-A-Ling    7:18
 Elvin Jones
5    Lady Luck    9:27
 Thad Jones / Frank Wess
6    The Biscuit Man    3:57
 Donald Brown
7    Body And Soul    6:12
 Frank Eyton / Johnny Green / Edward Heyman / Robert Sour
8    Strange    4:12
 George Mraz
9    My Romance    6:13
 Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
10    Youngblood    5:52
 Elvin Jones
Credits :
Bass – George Mraz (tracks: 1 to 3,5 to 10)
Drums – Elvin Jones
Recorded By – Rudy Van Gelder
Tenor Saxophone – Javon Jackson (tracks: 1,2,5,6,8,10), Joshua Redman (tracks: 1 to 3,5,6,8,10)
Trumpet – Nicholas Payton (tracks: 1,2,5 to 8,10)

ELVIN JONES — Going Home (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

On Elvin Jones' third Enja CD of the 1990s, the legendary drummer continues with the same formula used on his previous recording, Youngblood, with one exception. Jones adds the veteran Chicago pianist Willie Pickens to a group of younger players -- trumpeter Nicholas Payton, saxophonists Javon Jackson and Ravi Coltrane, flutist Kent Jordan, and bassist Brad Jones -- as they perform a program of standards and originals powered by Jones' always dynamic drumming. Never known as a composer, Jones wrote three of the eight compositions on Going Home. "The Shell Game" sounds like a figure Jones would play on the drums; it's a brief melody that serves as a springboard for the soloists. "April 8th" begins with Jones playing a march that quickly develops into an up-tempo burner with a march-like bridge, while the title track is a down-home blues featuring Pickens' piano. "Truth," written by Jones' wife Keiko, begins with a drum solo that develops into a Japanese folk song-like melody, then develops into a finger-poppin' groove. Payton, 19 years old at the time of this recording, shows the promise here that makes him a player to watch in years to come. A welcome addition to Jones' extensive discography. Greg Turner
Tracklist :
1    The Shell Game 12:03
Written-By – Elvin Jones
2    Going Home 4:53
Written-By – Elvin Jones
3    Cross Purpose 3:35
Written-By – Thad Jones
4    You've Changed 8:37
Written-By – B. Carey, C. Fisher
5    Truth 11:52
Written-By – Keiko Jones
6    East Of The Sun 4:00
Written-By – Brooks Bowman
7    In 3/4 Thee 6:36
Written-By – Ravi Coltrane
8    April 8th 6:32
Written-By – Elvin Jones
Credits :
Bass – Brad Jones
Drums – Elvin Jones
Flute, Piccolo Flute – Kent Jordan
Piano – Willie Pickens
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Ravi Coltrane
Tenor Saxophone – Javon Jackson
Trumpet – Nicholas Payton

CURTIS FULLER — Keep It Simple (2005) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Taking off from 2004's Up Jumped Spring, trombonist Curtis Fuller once again reunites with a former Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers alum for a set of standards and original compositions. Joining Fuller this time is tenor saxophonist Javon Jackson, who played with Blakey from the late '80s until the drummer's death in 1990. Together they reignite the fiery, soulful Jazz Messenger aesthetic on such standout Fuller tunes as the John Coltrane-influenced "Maze" and the swinging hard boppish "A La Mode." Backing Fuller here is pianist Doug Carn, bassist Rodney Jordan, and drummer Fritz Wise. Matt Collar   Tracklist & Credits :