JON HENDRICKS — ¡Salud! João Gilberto (1963-2002) RM | Collectables Jazz Classics Series | Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Jon Hendricks idolizes João Gilberto -- he has spoken fondly of their first meeting where they scatted to each other before ever speaking a word -- and he wasted little time putting together a tribute album at the height of the first bossa nova wave. It ought to come as no surprise that he would display total sympathy with the bossa nova manner here, singing softly and smoothly -- and Hendricks' English wordplay is quite faithful to the original tunes and meanings of the Portuguese lyrics, in contrast to his usual whimsical work with jazz improvisations. Hendricks is particularly winning, and irresistibly swinging on the rare occasions ("Voce E Eu," "Samba Da Minha Terra") when he scats to the Brazilian rhythm; he should have done more of that here. But then, his versions of Gilberto's repertoire are carefully based on Gilberto's early EMI/Odeon recordings (now available on The Legendary João Gilberto); even Antonio Carlos Jobim's string and wind charts for the originals are preserved by adapter Johnny Mandel. Alas, the only Hendricks lyric that has become a universal standard is Jobim's "Chega de Saudade" ("No More Blues"). As Hendricks' only album-length encounter with bossa nova, Salud! João Gilberto Originator of the Bossa Nova is essential. Richard S. Ginell   
Tracklist :
1.     The Duck (O Pato)    1:55
Jon Hendricks / Jayme Silva / Neuza Teixeira
2.     Quiet Nights (Corcovado)    2:06
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Gene Lees
3.     You and I (Voce E Eu)    3:06
Jon Hendricks / Carlos Lyra
4.     Love in Peace (O Amor Em Paz)    2:34
Jon Hendricks / Antônio Carlos Jobim
5.     Little Paper Ball    1:16
Jon Hendricks
6.     Longing for Bahia    2:26
Dorival Caymmi / Jon Hendricks
7.     Little Train of Iron (Trem de Ferro)        1:55
Jon Hendricks
8.     No More Blues (Chega de Saudade)    2:06
Jesse Cavanaugh / Jon Hendricks / Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
9.     Rosa Morena    2:11
Dorival Caymmi / Jon Hendricks
10.     The Most Beautiful Thing (Coisa Mais Linda)    3:06
Jon Hendricks / Carlos Lyra / Jimmy Eat World
11.     Samba of My Land (Samba da Minha Terra)    2:29
Dorival Caymmi / Jon Hendricks
12.     Once Again (Outra Vez)    1:57
Jon Hendricks / Antônio Carlos Jobim
13.    Jive Samba      2:18
Nat Adderley / Jon Hendricks
Credits :
Milt Bernhart  - Trombone
Pete Candoli  -  Trumpet
Buddy Collette  -  Flute
Conte     Trumpet
Jon Hendricks  -  Vocals
Antônio Carlos Jobim  - String Arrangements
Gildo Mahones  -  Piano
Frank Messina  -  Accordion
Ray Sherman  -  Organ
Jimmie Smith  -  Drums 

THE BARNEY KESSEL TRIO — Jellybeans (1981-1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 On this fairly typical trio set, guitarist Barney Kessel is joined by bassist Bob Maize and drummer Jimmie Smith. "Stella by Starlight," "St. Thomas" and "Shiny Stockings" generate some heat; there are three Kessel originals and also two veteran ballads. The music swings without giving listeners any real surprises, but Kessel's fans can consider this one of his best Concord recordings. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Jellybeans    4:08
 Barney Kessel
2    Stella By Starlight    5:46
 Ned Washington / Victor Young
3    Mermaid    4:27
 Barney Kessel
4    My Foolish Heart    4:34
 Ned Washington / Victor Young
5    Juarez After Dark    4:26
 Barney Kessel
6    I've Never Been In Love Before    5:19
 Frank Loesser
7    St. Thomas    4:45
 Sonny Rollins
8    Shiny Stockings    5:14
 Frank Foster
Credits :
Bass – Bob Maize
Drums – Jimmie Smith
Guitar – Barney Kessel

KENNY BURRELL WITH COLEMAN HAWKINS — Bluesey Burrell (1962-2019) RM | SACD Hybrid, DSD | The Prestige Stereo Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This session is valuable for the majestic playing of tenor great Coleman Hawkins, who performs on half of the eight tracks. Released on the Prestige subsidiary Moodsville -- a label that specialized in recordings with an intimate, reflective atmosphere -- the Moodsville sound doesn't sit comfortably on Hawkins. His playing is brilliantly relaxed, but it's not mood music. Leader Kenny Burrell's playing is much more in line with the Moodsville groove. The guitarist is not amplified as much as he is on his Prestige dates from this time. In fact, he performs on a nylon-string instrument almost as much as he does on his hollow-body electric. Unlike Hawkins, Burrell's subdued contribution is made to measure for this date. Listeners expecting to hear Burrell the hard bopper won't. The key moments come during the interaction between the guitarist and tenor player, especially during their exchanges on Burrell's "Montono Blues." The rhythm section, Hawkins' working band from this period (pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Major Holley, and drummer Eddie Locke) provides impeccable, sublime support. Jim Todd
Tracklist :
1    Tres Palabras 6:44
Written-By – Osvaldo Farres
2    No More 1:53
Written-By – Russell, Camarata
3    Guilty 4:17
Written-By – Kahn, Akst, Whiting
4    Montono Blues 4:45
Written-By – Kenny Burrell
5    I Thought About You 4:40
Written-By – Van Heusen, Mercer
6    Out Of This World 4:54
Written-By – Arlen, Mercer
7    It's Getting Dark 6:53
Written-By – Burrell
8    I Never Knew 5:19
Written-By – Kahn, Fiorito
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Leo Wright (pistas: 8)
Bass – George Tucker (pistas: 8), Major Holley (pistas: 1 to 7)
Congas – Ray Barretto (pistas: 1 to 7)
Drums – Eddie Locke (pistas: 1 to 7), Jimmie Smith (pistas: 8)
Guitar – Kenny Burrell
Piano – Gildo Mahones (pistas: 8), Tommy Flanagan (pistas: 1 to 7)
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins (pistas: 1, 4 to 5, 7)

RAY BROWN — Brown's Bag (1976-1991) Concord Jazz Collector's Series | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Bassist Ray Brown's debut for Concord (and his first recording as a leader in six years) features him with two separate groups: a quintet also including trumpeter Blue Mitchell, tenor-saxophonist Richie Kamuca, pianist Art Hillery and drummer John Guerin and (on three of the seven songs) a quartet with keyboardist Dave Grusin, guitarist John Collins and drummer Jimmie Smith. While the former group has some hot moments (particularly on "Blues for Eddie Lee" and "Surrey with the Fringe on Top"), the latter band sticks to dreamy ballads. The fact that this CD reissue has less than 35 minutes is a minus; plus none of the selections are really all that memorable despite the strong playing. Not one of the more significant Ray Brown albums. Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits : 

MILT JACKSON & RAY BROWN JAM — Montreux '77 (1977-1985) Serie Polydor Jazz CD Fair, Montreux '77 | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist & Credits :

BENNY CARTER 4 - Montreux '77 (1977-1989) RM | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1     Three Little Words 5:44
Bert Kalmar / Harry Ruby    
2     In a Mellow Tone 8:35
Duke Ellington / Milt Gabler    
3     Wave 6:18
Antônio Carlos Jobim    
4     Undecided 5:45
Sydney Robin / Charlie Shavers    
5     Body and Soul 7:01
Frank Eyton / Johnny Green / Edward Heyman / Robert Sour
6     On Green Dolphin Street 6:27
Bronislaw Kaper / Ned Washington    
7     Here's That Rainy Day 6:00
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Trumpet – Benny Carter
Bass – Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
Drums – Jimmie Smith
Piano – Ray Bryant
Producer – Norman Granz

EDDIE 'LOCKJAW' DAVIS 4 - Montreux '77 (1977-1989) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Part of Norman Granz's extensive documentation of the 1977 Montreux Jazz Festival, this excellent outing for tenor saxophonist Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis teams him with pianist Oscar Peterson, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer Jimmie Smith. Lockjaw plays six of his favorite standards (including a rapid "This Can't Be Love," "Angel Eyes," and "Blue Lou") plus his own "Telegraph." A typically swinging and highly expressive recording by the unique tenor man. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     This Can't Be Love 5'49
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
2     I Wished on the Moon 7'04
Dorothy Parker / Ralph Rainger
3     The Breeze and I 7'34
Tutti Camarata / Ernesto Lecuona / Al Stillman
4     Angel Eyes 6'02
Earl Brent / Matt Dennis
5     Telegraph 6'00
Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis
6     Land of Dreams 7'19
Norman Gimbel / Eddie Heywood
7     Blue Lou 3'43
Irving Mills / Edgar Sampson
Credits:
Bass – Ray Brown
Drums – Jimmie Smith
Piano – Oscar Peterson
Producer, Liner Notes – Norman Granz
Remastered By – Phil De Lancie
Tenor Saxophone – Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis