ROSCOE MITCHELL - Hey Donald (1994) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Since Roscoe Mitchell (who on this set made his return to the Delmark label after 28 years) is best known as a free jazz pioneer and a longtime member of the Art Ensemble of Chicago, the straightahead nature of a few of the selections will surprise some of his followers. "Walking in the Moonlight" is a sly and witty strut, "Jeremy" a melodic ballad for the leader's flute and "Hey Donald" could have come from the Sonny Rollins songbook. But Mitchell has not forsaken his innovative style. On "Dragons" his soprano playing (with its circular breathing) sounds very African, there are four free duets with bassist Malachi Favors and the blowouts on "Song for Rwanda" and "See You at the Fair" are pretty adventurous. In general Mitchell (who is joined by a versatile rhythm section comprised of pianist Jodie Christian, bassist Favors and drummer Tootie Heath) saves the more boppish pieces for his tenor while on soprano his intense sound creates a drone effect reminiscent a bit of bagpipes. All in all his release for Delmark should keep listeners guessing. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Walking in the Moonlight 6:55
Roscoe Mitchell
2     Dragons 6:48
Roscoe Mitchell
3     Jeremy 1:54
Jodie Christian
4     El 2:51
Roscoe Mitchell
5     Hey Donald 7:45
Roscoe Mitchell
6     Keep on Keeping On 2:44
Malachi Favors
7     The Band Room 2:27
Roscoe Mitchell
8     Englewood High School 4:06
Roscoe Mitchell
9     Zero 4:29
Lester Bowie
10     Song for Rwanda 6:23
Roscoe Mitchell
11     58th Street 4:33
Roscoe Mitchell
12     See You at the Fair 5:26
Roscoe Mitchell
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Sopranino Saxophone, Flute – Roscoe Mitchell
Bass – Malachi Favors
Drums, Percussion – Albert 'Tootie' Heath
Piano – Jodie Christian

THE ROSCOE MITCHEL QUARTET - In Walked Buckner (1999) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Roscoe Mitchell once fronted perhaps his most daringly different trio with multi-instrumentalist Gerald Oshita and vocalist Thomas Buckner. This recording, dedicated to Buckner, captures the singing characteristics of Buckner in a purely instrumental way, and quite beautifully. Timbres are rare and off-kilter, free flowing, static, or flat-out swinging. In the middle is Mitchell, carrying the torch that has kept him a vital, adventurous American musician for three decades. Armed with a raft of woodwind instruments, Mitchell, with yeoman's help from bassist Reggie Workman, the judicious pianistics of Jodie Christian and the masterful drumming of Al Heath, makes the quartet, when they play together, unstoppable. Substantive solo space is distributed, especially for the leader. Check out his saxophone on the self-explanatory "Squeaky." Smaller combinations are fashioned with a no-time policy. Improvisations are stark and real. Spiritual evocations are evident. The bulk of the remainder of the eight-cut program, from the ethereally nautical "Off Shore," the lilting "Le Dreher Suite," and the haunting "Opposite Sides" emphatically showcase Mitchell's otherworldly flute work. They are convincing exhibits of Mitchell's position as perhaps the premier and essential improvised musical voice in the avant-garde of them all. In spirit, execution, and intent, Mitchell succeeds on all levels, except perhaps as a hitmaker. Surely his fans like it that way. Highly recommended to appreciators of this style. by Michael G. Nastos  
Tracklist :
1     Off Shore 11:04
Roscoe Mitchell
2     In Walked Buckner 5:56
Roscoe Mitchell
3     Squeaky 7:40
Roscoe Mitchell
4     The Le Dreher Suite 8:58
Roscoe Mitchell
5     Three Sides of the Story 7:24
Roscoe Mitchell
6     Till Autumn 4:04
Roscoe Mitchell
7     Fly Over 11:15
Roscoe Mitchell
8     Opposite Sides 8:25
Roscoe Mitchell
Credits :
Bass, Percussion [Small], Whistle – Reggie Workman
Drums, Flute [Egyptian], Didgeridoo, Percussion [Small] – Albert "Tootie" Heath
Piano, Bells [Small] – Jodie Christian
Piccolo Flute, Flute [Baroque], Recorder [Bass], Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Bells [Small], Whistle [Whistles] – Roscoe Mitchell

STAN GETZ / CHET BAKER - Stan Meets Chet (1958-1999) WV (image+.cue), lossless

Tenor saxophonist Stan Getz and trumpeter Chet Baker never particularly liked each other and, even though they had musically compatible styles, they only worked together briefly in three periods. Their mutual hostility can be felt in subtle ways on this session. Getz ignores Baker's attempt to state the melody of "I'll Remember April" and he plays it himself several bars after. The two horns do not meet at all on the ballad medley and, since Baker sits out on "Jordu," they only play together on two of the four performances. Getz battles a squeaky reed on "I'll Remember April" and Baker seems a bit subpar in general although he really digs in on "Half-Breed Apache" (a very fast "Cherokee"). This effort, which also includes pianist Jodie Christian, bassist Victor Sproles, and drummer Marshall Thompson, doesn't really live up to its potential. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     I'll Remember April 12:24
Gene Paul / Don Raye
2     Autumn in New York/Embraceable You/What's New? 14:34
Johnny Burke / Vernon Duke / George Gershwin / Robert Haggart
3     Jordu 8:31
Duke Jordan
4     Half-Breed Apache 14:50
Stan Getz
Credits :
Bass – Victor Sproles
Drums – Marshall Thompson
Piano – Jodie Christian
Tenor Saxophone – Stan Getz
Trumpet – Chet Baker