ROLAND KIRK QUARTET WITH TETE MONTOLIU - Copenhagen Concert (2005) 2CD | FLAC (tracks), lossless

There are many wonderful ways to get acquainted or stay in touch with the spirit of Rahsaan Roland Kirk. For a truly mind-altering and life-changing listening experience, try this Lone Hill Jazz double-CD reissue of Kirk's amazing performances recorded live at the Club Montmartre in Copenhagen on October 24 and 25, 1963. (Present in the audience on the second night was John Coltrane, who was resting his chops after playing the Tivolis Koncertsal.) Earlier that year, Kirk was working out of Chicago when a promoter from Sweden heard him and suggested a Scandinavian tour. By late September Kirk was in London playing to packed houses at Ronnie Scott's and the Marquee Club. The tour then expanded as Kirk roared through Italy, France, Belgium, Germany and Holland in addition to Sweden and Denmark. Fortunately, Quincy Jones arranged for the Copenhagen Concert to be recorded, preserving for posterity the magical interplay between this joyously driven multi-instrumental Ohioan and the Barcelona-born pianist Tete Montoliu, bassists Don Moore and Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, and drummer J.C. Moses, who by the end of the decade would serve as the house drummer at Café Montmartre. Two tracks feature special guest blues harmonica legend Sonny Boy Williamson, identified on most previous issues only as 'Big Skol'. The gutsy combination of Kirk and Williamson on "Untitled Blues" and "The Monkey Thing" is a spicy treat that meshes nicely with Williamson's other European and British adventures in the company of Memphis Slim, Eric Clapton, the Yardbirds, and Eric Burdon & the Animals. According to what Kirk says by way of introduction, he and Sonny Boy Williamson had previously gigged together in Milwaukee, which makes their Danish rendezvous somewhat of a reunion jam. Every aspect of Kirk's artistry is documented on the Copenhagen recordings -- gorgeous ballads, gleefully reconstituted standards and fiery originals. Essential features are his supreme one-man three-sax and flute adaptation of "Mood Indigo," a bouncing medley that opens with a rousing "Rock-A-Bye Baby" and Kirk's blustery, screaming over-the-top flute solo during "On the Corner of King and Scott Streets." This edition also contains two exciting bonus tracks: a sunny seven-minute version of "A Stritch in Time" recorded live at the 1962 Newport Jazz Festival, and a rare recording of a nearly 15-minute jam on Charlie Parker's "Au Privave," tape recorded by an enterprising amateur at a gig in Berlin on September 24, 1964. In addition to Tete Montoliu, bassist Jimmy Woode, and drummer Kenny Clarke, this steamy blowout features alto saxophonist Sonny Stitt. Those who really love their jazz will want to absorb this track in all its muddy-sounding "bootleg" splendor, as this is the only known recording of Sonny Stitt and Rahsaan Roland Kirk performing together. Don't miss it. arwulf arwulf  
Tracklist 1 :
1-1    Narrow Bolero    8:24
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
1-2    My Heart Stood Still    5:50
 Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
1-3    No Title No. 1    5:56
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
1-4    Mood Indigo    7:14
 Ellington / Mills / Bigard
1-5    Cabin In The Sky    7:47
Duke / Latouche
1-6    On The Corner Of King And Scott Streets    4:41
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
1-7    Untitled Blues    6:16
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
1-8    The Monkey Thing    5:55
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
1-9    Will You Still Be Mine?    8:40
 Adair / Dennis
1-10    One For My Baby    3:54
 Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer
1-11    We'll Be Together Again    5:21
Fisher / Laine
1-12    Mingus-Griff Song    8:03
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
Tracklist 2 :
2-1    Mood Indigo    7:28
Ellington / Mills / Bigard
2-2    Medley: Rock-A-Bye Baby / The Nearness Of You / No Title No. 3    12:35
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk / Ned Washington
2-3    Half A Triple    4:54
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
2-4    Narrow Bolero    6:46
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
2-5    A Stritch In Time    7:08
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
2-6    Au Privave    14:37
C. Parker
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Sonny Stitt (pistas: 2-6)
Bass – Don Moore (pistas: 1-1 to 2-4), Jimmy Woode (pistas: 2-6), Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen (pistas: 1-1 to 2-4), Vernon Martin (pistas: 2-5)
Drums – Clifford Jarvis (pistas: 2-5), J.C. Moses (pistas: 1-1 to 2-4), Kenny Clarke (pistas: 2-6)
Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson (pistas: 1-7, 1-8)
Nose Flute – Roland Kirk (pistas: 1-1 to 2-4)
Piano – Andrew Hill (pistas: 2-5), Tete Montoliu (pistas: 1-1 to 2-4, 2-6)
Siren, Flute – Roland Kirk (pistas: 1-1 to 2-5)
Tenor Saxophone, Saxophone [Manzello], Saxophone [Stritch] – Roland Kirk
Vocals – Sonny Boy Williamson (pistas: 1-7)

JOHNNY HODGES - The Complete Verve Johnny Hodges Small Group Sessions - 1956-1961 (2000) 6xCD BOX-SET | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Johnny Hodges was Duke Ellington's most important soloist, so when the alto saxophonist returned to his former employer in the fall of 1955 after leading his own band for just over four and a half years, he had Ellington's approval to record under his own name for Verve on a steady basis. This limited-edition box set collects all of Hodges' small-group sessions recorded for Verve between 1956 and 1961 (excepting some selections whose masters were lost), often with a number of sidemen on loan from Ellington. The leader's chops are best exhibited in the ballads and blues features, though his originals merit attention, too. Hodges hardly hogs the spotlight; he obviously takes his share of solos but generously features his guests and associates from the Ellington band. A nonet with Clark Terry, Ray Nance, Quentin Jackson, Jimmy Hamilton, Harry Carney, Billy Strayhorn, Jimmy Woode, and Sam Woodyard is easily the best all-around session within this compilation, with many fine tracks. The humorous "Just Squeeze Me," with Nance's hip vocals complemented by Terry's talkative horn in the background, as well as a surprising extended workout of "Take the 'A' Train," with Terry taking over the famous solo spotlight that Nance first recorded in 1941 (heard on flügelhorn) and followed by Nance on his swinging violin, are among its highlights. Some of the other veterans appearing in this collection include Roy Eldridge, Vic Dickenson, Ben Webster, and Herb Ellis. The atmosphere of each session is friendly and swinging, with the feeling that each take came together quickly, whether or not that was actually the case. While Johnny Hodges' recordings as a leader from this period never rivaled Duke Ellington's in either sales or critical acclaim, they proved to be consistently enjoyable and able to stand the test of time. The set includes 30 previously unissued tracks. The detailed liner notes and discography, along with the numerous photos, also help to make The Complete Verve Johnny Hodges Small Group Sessions 1956-1961 an essential purchase for swing fans, though it is a limited edition of just 7,500, so it is guaranteed to soar in value. It is available exclusively from www.mosaicrecords.com.
Ken Dryden  
All Tracks & Credits

JOHNNY HODGES AND HIS ORCHESTRA - Not So Dukish (1958) lp | FLAC (tracks), lossless

SIDE A
1    M.H.R. 5'56
Written-By – Billy Strayhorn, Johnny Hodges
2    Broadway Babe 2'40
Written-By – Johnny Hodges, Mercer Ellington
3    Three And Six 2'18
Written-By – Billy Strayhorn
4    Not So Dukish 7'48
Written-By – Jimmy Woode
SIDE B
1    Central Park Swing 3'22
Written-By – Jimmy Hamilton
2    Preacher Blues    8:20
Written-By – Johnny Hodges
3    Jeep Bounced Back    3:30
Written-By – Johnny Hodges
4    The Last Time I Saw Paris 2'45
Written-By – Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein II
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Johnny Hodges
Bass – Jimmy Woode
Clarinet – Jimmy Hamilton
Drums – Sam Woodyard
Liner Notes – Leonard Feather
Piano – Billy Strayhorn
Tenor Saxophone – Ben Webster
Trombone – Lawrence Brown
Trumpet – Ray Nance, Roy Eldridge

JOHNNY HODGES AND THE ELLINGTON MEN - The Big Sound (1957-2010) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Don't Call Me, I'll Call You 3:31
Composed By – Anderson
2    An Ordinary Thing 3:32
Composed By – Anderson
3    Waiting For Duke 3:54
Composed By – Anderson
4    Dust Bowl 4:26
Composed By – Hodges
5    Little Rabbit Blues 9:23
Composed By – Hodges
6    Viscount 2:30
Composed By – Hodges, M. Ellington
7    Johnny Come Lately 2:26
Composed By – Strayhorn
8    Bouquet Of Roses 3:24
Composed By – Hodges, M. Ellington
9    Gone And Crazy 3:13
Composed By – Hodges
10    Digits 4:19
Composed By – Terry
11    Segdoh 3:27
Composed By – Hodges
12    Early Morning Rock 3:36
Composed By – Hodges
- BONUS TRACKS -        
13    Hi ´Ya    3:11
14    Snibor    7:17
15    I´m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter    3:30
16    Texas Blues    11:47
Tracks 1-4 :
Bass – Jimmy Woode
Drums – Sam Woodyard
Piano – Billy Strayhorn
Reeds – Harry Carney, Jimmy Hamilton, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Russell Procope
Trombone – Britt Woodman, John Sanders, Quentin Jackson
Trumpet – Cat Anderson, Clark Terry,  Harold Baker, Ray Nance, Willie Cook
Tracks 6, 8, 10 & 12 : Same session as above. Omit Cook, Anderson, Woodman & Sanders
Tracks 5, 7, 9 & 11 : Clark Terry (tp), Ray Nance (tp, vln), Quentin Jackson, Britt Woodman, John Sanders (tb), Russel Procope (cl, as), Jimmy Hamilton (ts, cl), Harry Carney (bar), Billy Strayhorn (p), Jimmy Woode (b), Sam Woodyard (d), New York, June 26, 1957.
* Bonus Tracks 13-16 : Ray Nance (tp), Lawrence Brown (tb), Jimmy Hamilton (cl, as), Harry Carney (bar), Billy Stayhorn (p), Jimmy Woode (b), Sam Woodyard (d), New York, January 11, 1956.

JOHNNY HODGES SEPTET ft. BEN WEBSTER - Blues-A-Plenty (1958-2021) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Tracklist :
1     I Didn't Know About You 3'35
Duke Ellington   
2     Cool Your Motor 3'39
Johnny Hodges   
3     Gone With the Wind 3'21
Magidson / Wrubel   
4     Honey Hill 4'05
Johnny Hodges   
5     Blues-a-Plenty 3'26
Johnny Hodges   
6     Don't Take Your Love From Me 3'43
M. Witmar   
7     Saturday Afternoon Blues 6'02
Johnny Hodges   
8     Satin Doll 5'04
Duke Ellington   
9     Reeling and Rocking 9'35
Johnny Hodges
- BONUS TRACKS -
10    M.H.R.
11    Broadway Babe
12    Three And Six
13    Not So Dukish
14    Central Park Swing
15    Preacher Blues
16    Jeep Bounced Back
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Johnny Hodges
Bass – Jimmy Woode
Drums – Sam Woodyard
Piano – Billy Strayhorn
Tenor Saxophone – Ben Webster
Trombone – Vic Dickenson
Trumpet – Roy Eldridge

JOHNNY HODGES AND HIS ORCHESTRA - Perdido + Creamy (2 LP on 1 CD) (2010) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

These 1955 Johnny Hodges sessions feature two remarkable units including mostly musicians who had been long associated with Duke Ellington. Among them were two excellent trumpet players with clear ideas about Hodges: Clark Terry and Harold Shorty Baker. In Terrys laconic opinion, Johnny had always been true to himself. In the meantime, Baker once said that Nobody knows what Johnny Hodges feels inside as he walks out to the mike. He may look as though hes on his last walk to the gallows, but he appreciates the applause and he thanks the audience with a million dollars worth of melody!.

Their insights testify to the respect and regard Johnny Hodges (1907-1970) enjoyed among musicians. That his popularity with the public, in a five decade of professional activity, should remain undiminished, similarly testifies to the fact that artistic ability and integrity do not always go unnoticed and unrewarded. freshsound
Tracklist :
JOHNNY HODGES - Perdido
1. Rose Room (6:49)
2. Blues for Basie (6:19)
3. Mood Indigo (6:19)
4. Squatty Roo (6:49)
5. Perdido (6:27)
Tracks #1-5 originally issued as:
"Perdido" (Verve MGV-8179).
Personnel :
Harold 'Shorty' Baker (tp), Lawrence Brown (tb), Johnny Hodges (as), Arthur 'Babe' Clarke (ts), Leroy Lovett (p), Johnny Williams (b) and Louie Bellson (d). Recorded in New York City, on January 7, 1955.
JOHNNY HODGES - Creamy
6. Honey Bunny (6:37)
7. Passion (3:20)
8. Pretty Little Girl (2:28)
9. No Use Kickin (10:32)
10. Ballad Medley (15:19)
-Whispering
-Tenderly
-Dont Take Your Love from Me
-Prelude to A Kiss
-Polka Dots and Moonbeams
-Passion Flower
11. Scufflin (8:13)
Personnel :
Clark Terry (tp), Lawrence Brown (tb), Jimmy Hamilton (cl, ts), Johnny Hodges (as), Harry Carney (bs), Billy Strayhorn (p), Jimmy Woode (b) and Sonny Greer (d). Recorded in New York City, on September 8, 1955.

JOHNNY GRIFFIN & DEXTER GORDON - "Jazz Undulation" (1977-2004) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Body And Soul 7'05
Written-By – Green
2    All The Things You Are 13'48
Written-By – Kern
3    Blues Up And Down 20'44
Written-By – Stitt
Credits :
Bass – Jimmy Woode
Drums – Kenny Clarke
Piano – Hampton Hawes
Tenor Saxophone – Dexter Gordon, Johnny Griffin

THE JOHNNY GRIFFIN QUARTET - Night Lady (1964-2009) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1     Scrabble 7'18
Johnny Griffin
2     Summertime 5'53
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin / DuBose Heyward
3     Old Stuff 8'05
Francy Boland
4     Night Lady 9'23
Francy Boland
5     Little Man You've Had A Busy Day 5'20
Al Hoffman / Maurice Sigler / Mabel Wayne
6     All the Things You Are 6'11
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
Credits :
Bass – Jimmy Woode
Drums – Kenny Clarke
Piano – Francy Boland
Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Griffin

CLARK TERRY - Out On A Limb (1957) lp | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Side A
1     Caravan 2'04
2     Candy 2'23
3     Clarke's Expedition 2'30
4     Trumpet Mouthpiece Blues 4'06
Side B
1     Phlanges 3'03
2     Blues for Daddy O's Jazz Patio Blues 4'34     
3     Basin Street 2'45
4     Daylite Express 2'17
5    Taking a Chance on Love 2'20
Credits :
Bass – Jimmy Woode
Drums – Sam Woodyard
Guitar – Remo Biondi
Piano – Willie Jones
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Mike Simpson
Trumpet – Clark Terry

CLARK TERRY ft. PAUL GONSALVES - Daylight Express (1957-1998) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Two obscure but very enjoyable and complementary former Lps are reissued in full on this generous CD. The first half of the disc is primarily a showcase for trumpeter Clark Terry who is joined by Mike Simpson (on tenor and flute) in a sextet. C.T. sounds a bit more influenced by Dizzy Gillespie at this time than he would but he was already quite distinctive on such numbers as "Candy," "Blues For Daddy O's Jazz Patio Blues" and "Basin Street Blues." "Phalanges" is a hot bop line (by Louie Bellson) that deserves to be revived while "Trumpet Mouthpiece Blues" sounds like an ancestor of "Mumbles." The second half of the album matches Terry with tenor-saxophonist Paul Gonsalves (who is actually the leader) and a rhythm section that features some surprisingly advanced piano from Willie Jones that sometimes hints strongly at both Cecil Taylor and Sun Ra! Terry and Gonsalves (who were both with Duke Ellington at the time) always made for a good team. The tenor revisits the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival with his long solo on "Festival" and other tunes (all originals by one of the horn players) are basic and swinging; a previously unissued ballad, "The Girl I Call Baby" closes the rewarding and memorable set. Highly recommended. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Caravan 2'01
Duke Ellington / Irving Mills / Juan Tizol
2     Candy 2'21
Mack David / Alex Kramer / Joan Whitney
3     Clark's Expedition 2'29
Mike Simpson / Clark Terry
4     Trumpet Mouthpiece Blues 4'45
Clark Terry
5     Phalanges 3'02
Louie Bellson
6     Blues for Daddy-O's Jazz Patio Blues 4'32
Clark Terry
7     Basin Street Blues 2'44
Spencer Williams
8     Daylight Express 2'16
Clark Terry
9     Taking a Chance on Love 2'18
Vernon Duke / Ted Fetter / John Latouche
10     Festival 6'53
Paul Gonsalves
11     Clark's Bars 3'36
Clark Terry
12     Daddy-O's Patrio 2'15
Clark Terry
13     Blues 4'59
Paul Gonsalves
14     Impeccable 4'19
Marion Michaels / Clark Terry
15     Paul's Idea 2'47
Paul Gonsalves
16     Phat Bach 3'17
Sykes Smith / Clark Terry
17     Milli Terry 2'32
Clark Terry
18     Funky 4'02
Clark Terry
19     The Girl I Call Baby 3'02
Clark Terry     
Credits :
Bass – Jimmy Woode
Drums – Sam Woodyard
Flute, Saxophone – Mike Simpson (pistas: 1 to 9)
Guitar – Remo Biondi (pistas: 1 to 9)
Piano – Willie Jones
Reissue Producer – Orrin Keepnews
Tenor Saxophone – Paul Gonsalves (pistas: 10 to 19)
Trumpet – Clark Terry

CLARK TERRY - Duke With A Difference (1957-1990) RM | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Trumpeter Clark Terry and some of the top Ellington sidemen of the period (trombonist Britt Woodman, altoist Johnny Hodges, tenor saxophonist Paul Gonsalves, Tyree Glenn on vibes, bassist Jimmy Woode, and drummer Sam Woodyard) perform eight songs associated with Duke, but with fresh arrangements. There is plenty of solo space for Terry, Gonsalves, and Hodges, and the arrangements by Terry and Mercer Ellington cast a new light on some of the warhorses; highlights include "C Jam Blues," "Cotton Tail," "Mood Indigo," and "Come Sunday." Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    C-Jam Blues    3:03
Barney Bigard / Duke Ellington
2    In A Sentimental Mood    2:55
Duke Ellington / Manny Kurtz / Irving Mills
3    Cottontail    6:54
Duke Ellington
4    Just Squeeze Me    6:15
Duke Ellington / Lee Gaines / Fats Waller / Clarence Williams
5    Mood Indigo    6:55
Barney Bigard / Duke Ellington / Irving Mills
6    Take The A Train    3:27
Billy Strayhorn
7    In A Mellotone    5:08
Duke Ellington / Milt Gabler            
8    Come Sunday    3:32
Duke Ellington
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Johnny Hodges
Arranged By – Clark Terry (tracks: 1, 3 to 7), Mercer Ellington (tracks: 2, 8)
Bass – Jimmy Woode
Celesta – Luther Henderson (tracks: 2)
Drums – Sam Woodyard
Piano – Billy Strayhorn (tracks: 2, 8), Tyree Glenn (tracks: 1, 3 to 7)
Tenor Saxophone – Paul Gonsalves
Trombone – Britt Woodman (tracks: 1, 3 to 7), Quentin Jackson (tracks: 2, 8)
Trumpet – Clark Terry
Vocals – Marian Bruce (tracks: 2)

ART FARMER - Art Worker (1968-2004) RM | MONO | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The music from this 1968 live recording by Art Farmer is potent, even if the origin of the recordings is sketchy. He leads a fine septet including trumpeter Ernie Royal, trombonist Jimmy Cleveland, pianist Harold Mabern, bassist Jimmy Woode, drummer Roy McCurdy, and saxophonist Oscar Estelle (heard on alto, tenor, and baritone). There are no liner notes explaining the origin of this music or identifying the arrangers, but the sound is excellent. "Stars" is an easygoing bossa nova featuring the leader's expressive flügelhorn, while the horn players distort their sound in Farmer's adventurous "Eau Sovage." Woode's walking bass is featured extensively in Fritz Pauer's ballad "Gratuliere." This historical curiosity will be of interest to Art Farmer's fans. Ken Dryden

Tracklist :
1    Delphine 4'11
Written-By – Salomon
2    Stars 4'01
Written-By – Farmer
3    Erwägung 4'29
Written-By – Kleinschuster
4    Orientierung 4'31
Written-By – Kleinschuster
5    Eau Sauvage 3'56
Written-By – Farmer
6    Gratuliere 4'48
Written-By – Pauer
7    Ala Nova 4'19
Written-By – Politzer
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Hans Salomon
Bass – Jimmy Woode
Drums – Erich Bachträgel
Flugelhorn – Art Farmer
Piano, Electric Piano – Fritz Pauer
Trombone – Erich Kleinschuster
Trumpet – Robert Politzer

THE ART FARMER QUINTET ft. JIMMY HEATH - From Vienna With Art (1970-2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This album features a standard quintet with fluegelhornist Art Farmer, Jimmy Heath (on tenor, soprano and flute) and pianist Fritz Pauer taking the solos. What makes this out-of-print LP (last available on Pausa) more special than normal are the six rarely performed compositions, none of which became standards but all of which hold one's interest. Tom McIntosh's "The Day After," the Farmer-Heath collaboration "Con-Fab" and Fritz Pauer's "Whole Tone Stomp" are good vehicles for these musicians' talents. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Cascavelo 6'21
Written-By – Horst Mühlbrodt
2    The Day After 8'28
Written-By – Tom McIntosh
3    Con-Fab 4'33
Written-By – Art Farmer, Jimmy Heath
4    The Gap Sealer 6'35
Written-By – Jimmy Heath
5    Cocodrilo 4'30
Written-By – Robert Politzer
6    Whole Tone Stomp 5'36
Written-By – Fritz Pauer
Credits :
Bass – Jimmy Woode
Drums – Erich Bachträgl
Flugelhorn – Art Farmer
Piano – Fritz Pauer
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute – Jimmy Heath

ROSEMARY CLOONEY & DUKE ELLINGTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA - Blue Rose (1956-2008) RM / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Rosemary Clooney may have seemed to be a surprising choice to be featured with Duke Ellington & His Orchestra, but this collaboration is extremely successful in spite of the fact that Clooney was unable to join the band in the studio due to complications of a very difficult pregnancy. The solution was for the band to record the music (after Billy Strayhorn made the first of several trips to Los Angeles to consult with her). The results are stunning and not in the least bit canned, due to the professionalism of all parties involved and a stellar engineering of the separately recorded tracks. Clooney swings throughout "Me and You" and "It Don't Mean a Thing" without excess, her wordless vocal on "Blue Rose," and a captivating "Mood Indigo" are among the many highlights. The sound on this Legacy series reissue is greatly improved over the earlier Mobile Fidelity CD, plus there are two tracks added, the obscure but appealing "If You Were in My Place (What Would You Do?)" and "Just a-Sittin' and a-Rockin'," that were only issued as a single and omitted from the original release. It's a pity that the collaboration of Rosemary Clooney and Duke Ellington was only a one-shot deal, as she easily ranks as one of the greatest vocalists to appear on record with the maestro. by Ken Dryden 
Tracklist:
1    Hey Baby 3:53
Soloist, Baritone Saxophone – Harry Carney
Written-By – D. Ellington
2    Sophisticated Lady 2:57
Written-By – D. Ellington, I. Mills, M. Parish
3    Me And You 2:28
Soloist, Trumpet – Ray Nance
Written-By – D. Ellington
4    Passion Flower 4:33
Soloist, Reeds – Johnny Hodges
Written-By – B. Strayhorn
5    I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart 2:37
Written-By – D. Ellington, H. Nemo, I. Mills, J. Redmond
6    It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) 2:48
Soloist, Reeds – Harry Carney, Johnny Hodges
Soloist, Tenor Saxophone – Jimmy Hamilton
Soloist, Trumpet – Clark Terry
Written-By – D. Ellington, I. Mills
7    Grievin' 4:10
Soloist, Reeds – Harry Carney, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves
Soloist, Trumpet – "Cat" Anderson
Written-By – B. Strayhorn, D. Ellington
8    Blue Rose 2:21
Written-By – D. Ellington
9    I'm Checkin' Out, Goombye 3:09
Soloist, Clarinet – Jimmy Hamilton
Soloist, Trumpet – Ray Nance
Written-By – B. Strayhorn, D. Ellington
10    I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) 3:07
Written-By – D. Ellington, P.F. Webster
11    Mood Indigo 6:28
Bass Clarinet – Harry Carney
Soloist, Trumpet – Willie Cook
Written-By – A. Bigard, D. Ellington, I. Mills
- Bonus Tracks -
12    If You Were In My Place (What Would You Do?) 3:01
Soloist, Piano – Billy Strayhorn
Soloist, Trumpet – Clark Terry
Written-By – D. Ellington, H. Nemo, I. Mills
13    Just A-Sittin' And A-Rockin' 2:40
Soloist, Trumpet – Clark Terry
Written-By – B. Strayhorn, D. Ellington, L. Gaines
Credits:
Arranged By – Billy Strayhorn
Arranged By, Piano – Duke Ellington
Double Bass [Bass] – Jimmy Woode
Drums – Sam Woodyard
Recording Supervisor [Rosemary Clooney Vocals] – Billy Strayhorn
Reeds – Harry Carney, Jimmy Hamilton, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Russell Procope
Trombone – Britt Woodman, John Sanders, Quentin Jackson
Trumpet – "Cat" Anderson, Clark Terry, Ray Nance, Willie Cook
Vocals – Rosemary Clooney

HELEN HUMES - On The Sunny Side of the Street (1974-1993) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Several major jazz personalities are heard on this Black Lion reissue CD, recorded live at the 1974 Montreux Jazz Festival. The fine singer Helen Humes sticks to standards and blues while accompanied by either Earl Hines or Jay McShann on piano, tenor-saxophonist Buddy Tate, bassist Jimmy Woode and drummer Ed Thigpen. Although Hines and McShann are not the ideal accompanists, Humes fares quite well, winning the audience over with her enthusiasm and sincerity. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1    Alright, Okay, You Win    5:08
Mayme Watts / Sidney Wyche
2    If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight    4:30
Henry Creamer / James P. Johnson
3    Ain't Nobody's Business    6:35
Porter Grainger / Everett Robbins
4    Kansas City    4:52
Jerry Leiber / Mike Stoller
5    I'm Satisfied    3:43
Duke Ellington / Mitchell Parish
6    Blue Because Of You    4:55
Charles Carpenter / Louis Dunlap / Quinn Wilson
7    On The Sunny Side Of The Street    3:58
Dorothy Fields / Jimmy McHugh
8    I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good    6:02
Duke Ellington / Paul Francis Webster
Credits:
Bass – Jimmy Woode
Drums – Ed Thigpen
Lead Vocals – Helen Humes
Piano – Earl Hines (tracks: 5-8), Jay McShann (tracks: 1-4)
Producer – Alan Bates
Tenor Saxophone – Buddy Tate

DUKE ELLINGTON AND HIS ORCHESTRA ft. MAHALIA JACKSON - Black, Brown and Beige (1958-1999) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Duke Ellington originally wrote the 50-minute Black, Brown and Beige in 1943 for a Carnegie Hall concert, where critics dismissed it as overreaching for a jazz composer. Over the next 15 years, he periodically resurrected it for performances of excerpts or, as in the case of his 1958 Columbia album, transmuting it into what was essentially a new work. Columbia's Black, Brown and Beige was one of the most extraordinary products of Ellington's second stay with the label, growing out of his 1956 Newport triumph, and it was received somewhat more readily than the original 1943 "Black, Brown and Beige." The main problem for those who knew the piece and its history lay in the absence of Johnny Hodges, who was hardly ever with the Ellington band during 1958, and on whose talents "Come Sunday," the centerpiece of the original work and even more the core of the revamped Black, Brown and Beige, was built. Instead, Mahalia Jackson sings a version of "Come Sunday" that is, if anything, equally affecting, backed by the orchestra led by Ray Nance's violin. The result on the original album was a piece that started off in big band-style blues and led to one of Ellington's most moving, wrenching pieces of work, and music that, had it been better known, might also have done more to raise people's consciousness about Civil Rights than 100 folk songs of the period. by Bruce Eder  
Tracklist :
Black, Brown, & Beige    35:42
1    Part I    8:17
2    Part II    6:14
3    Part III (aka Light)    6:26
4    Part IV (aka Come Sunday)    7:58
5    Part V (aka Come Sunday)    3:46
6    Part VI (23rd Psalm)    3:01
-  Bonus Tracks -  
7    Track 360 (aka Trains) [Alternate Take]    2:02
8    Blues In Orbit (aka Tender) [Alternate Take]    2:36
Black, Brown, & Beige [Alternate Take]    26:48
9    Part I [Alternate Take]    6:49
10    Part II [Alternate Take]    6:38
11    Part III (aka Light) [Alternate Take]    3:08
12    Part IV (aka Come Sunday) [Alternate Take]    2:23
13    Part V (aka Come Sunday) [Alternate Take]    5:51
14    Part VI (23rd Psalm) [Alternate Take]    1:59
15    Studio Conversation (Mahalia Swears)    0:07
16    Come Sunday (A Cappella)    5:47
17    (Pause Track)    0:06
Credits :
Bass – Jimmy Woode
Drums – Sam Woodyard
Piano – Duke Ellington
Saxophone [Alto] – Bill Graham
Saxophone [Baritone] – Harry Carney
Saxophone [Tenor] – Paul Gonsalves
Soloist [Violin] – Ray Nance
Trombone – Britt Woodman, Quentin Jackson
Trumpet – William "Cat" Anderson, Clark Terry, Harold Shorty Baker
Trumpet, Violin – Ray Nance
Valve Trombone – John Sanders
Vocals – Mahalia Jackson
Written-By – Duke Ellington