HANK CRAWFORD — Wildflower (1973-2002) Serie Best Value | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Hank Crawford's '60s sides for Atlantic rightfully established him among the preeminent soul-jazz saxophonists. For pure phrasing and feel, Crawford was in a class by himself. When Creed Taylor kicked off CTI in 1970, he brought Crawford on board immediately. This date from 1973 – one of eight cut between 1971 and 1978 – is Crawford's strongest for the label and one of the better records of his career, though jazz purists would never agree. Produced and arranged by Bob James with a smoking cast that includes Joe Beck, Idris Muhammad, Richard Tee, and Bob Cranshaw, as well as a brass section of crack New York studio cats, Wildflower is the album Crawford had been trying to make since 1971. Recorded in two days, the band provides a slick, right, colorful platform for Crawford's melodic improvisation that is rooted in the art of the phrase. One long note held on "Mr. Blues" or a series of carefully articulated verbal feelings, such as on "Corazon," may not step out of the groove, but make it both a deeper blue and as wide as the human heart's complexity. On the title cut, with a vocal chorus in the background, Crawford turns a pop melody into a torrent of raw emotionalism and savvy groove-conscious glory. James' charts are big but never obtrusive; they point in one direction only, to bring that huge soul sound out of Crawford's alto – check out the way the melody line breaks down into the solo in Stevie Wonder's "You've Got It Bad Girl," or the backbeat arpeggio exercises in "Good Morning Heartache." This record is so hot the only soul-jazz it can be compared to in both its contemporary form and funky feel are Grover Washington's Feels So Good and Mister Magic issues. In other words, Crawford's Wildflower is indispensable as a shining example of '70s groove jazz at its best.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist :
1    Corazon 6:02
Written-By – C. King
2    Wildflower 3:54
Written-By – D. Richardson, D. Edwards
3    Mr. Blues 6:05
Written-By – H. Crawford
4    You've Got It Bad Girl 9:34
Written-By – Y. Wright
5    Good Morning Heartache 6:08
Written-By – D. Fisher, E. Drake, I. Higginbothan
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Hank Crawford
Arranged By, Conductor – Bob James
Backing Vocals – Hilda Harris, Maeretha Stewart, Randy Peyton, Bill Eaton
Bass – Bob Cranshaw
Bass Trombone – Tony Studd
Drums – Idris Muhammad
Engineer – Rudy Van Gelder
French Horn – Brooks Tillotson, Jim Buffington
Guitar – Joe Beck
Percussion – Arthur Jenkins, David Friedman, George Devans, Phil Kraus, Ralph MacDonald, Rubens Bassini
Piano, Organ – Richard Tee
Trombone – Paul Faulise, Wayne Andre
Trumpet – Alan Rubin, Bernie Glow, Marvin Stamm

JOE BECK — Nature Boy (1968-2006) RM | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Nature Boy 5:29
 Eden Ahbez
2    Spoon's Caress    3:06
 Joe Beck / Diane Doe
3    Let Me Go    3:43
 Danny Whitten
4    Come Back: Visions Without You    6:07
 Joe Beck
5    Maybe    3:18
 Joe Beck
6    No More Blues    6:21
 Joe Beck
7    Goodbye L.A.    6:15
 Joe Beck / Diane Doe
8    Please Believe Me    5:35
 Joe Beck / Diane Doe
9    Ain't No Use In Talkin'    5:34
 Joe Beck
Credits
Bass – Don Payne (tracks: 7, 9)
Bass, Guitar, Organ, Vocals, Written-By, Producer, Liner Notes – Joe Beck
Guitar, Vocals – Danny Whitten (tracks: 3)
Percussion – Donald MacDonald
Trumpet – Randy Brecker (tracks: 4)

JOE FARRELL — Canned Funk (1974-2011) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Joe Farrell's final of six CTI dates has fairly lengthy versions of four of his originals. Farrell, who adds baritone to his usual trio of instruments (tenor, soprano and flute), once again welcomes guitarist Joe Beck as his co-star, along with bassist Herb Bushler, drummer Jim Madison and percussionist Ray Mantilla. The music is melodic, sometimes funky, and enjoyable if not essential, but all of Joe Farrell's CTI sets are worth acquiring. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1.    Canned Funk (Joe Farrell) – 7:20
2.    Animal (Farrell) – 9:55
3.    Suite Martinique (Farrell) – 9:03
4.    Spoken Silence (Farrell) – 7:43
Credits :
Joe Farrell – Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Flute
Herb Bushler – Bass
Joe Beck – Guitar
Jim Madison – Drums
Ray Mantilla – Conga, Percussion

CHICO HAMILTON — Peregrinations (1975-2013) RM | Serie BNLA 999 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This unusual LP, the first of three featuring altoist Arthur Blythe with drummer Chico Hamilton's mid-'70s group, has an uncomfortable mixture of advanced jazz and commercial elements. Hamilton is joined by a large rhythm section that includes Steve Turre (on electric bass) and guitarists Barry Finnerty and Joe Beck, along with Blythe, Arnie Lawrence on soprano, the keyboards of Jerry Peters, and several vocalists. The overall effect is a bit weird, dated but with some colorful moments. Definitely a mixed bag. Scott Yanow
Tracklist  :
1 V-O 3:58
Soloist, Alto Saxophone – Arthur Blythe
Soloist, Guitar – Barry Finnerty
Written-By – Steve Turre
2 The Morning Side Of Love 5:18
Soloist, Guitar [1st Guitar] – Barry Finnerty
Soloist, Guitar [2nd Guitar] – Joe Beck
Written-By – Chico Hamilton
3 Abdullah And Abraham 4:16
Soloist, Sopranino Saxophone – Arnie Lawrence
Written-By – Arnie Lawrence
4 Andy's Walk 4:15
Written-By – Chico Hamilton
5 Peregrinations 3:16
Soloist, Guitar – Joe Beck
Written-By – Chico Hamilton
6 Sweet Dreams 5:53
Soloist, Alto Saxophone – Arthur Blythe
Soloist, Guitar – Barry Finnerty
Written-By – Chico Hamilton
7 Little Lisa 2:49
Written-By – Steve Turre
8 Space For Stacy 3:06
Written-By – Chico Hamilton
9 On And Off  2:56
Written-By – Chico Hamilton
10 It's About That Time 0:57
Written-By – Chico Hamilton
Credits :
Arranged By [Rhythm Arrangements] – Chico Hamilton
Arranged By [Swetening Arrangements] – Keg Johnson
Arranged By [Vocal Arrangements] – Julia Tillman, Keg Johnson, Luther Waters, Maxine Willard, Oren Waters
Art Direction, Design – Bob Cato
Bass – Steve Turre
Congas [Congos], Bongos, Percussion – Abdullah
Drums, Percussion – Chico Hamilton
Effects [Other Special Effects By] – Jerrell Ballard, Keg Johnson
Guitar – Barry Finnerty, Joe Beck
Horns – Arnie Lawrence, Arthur Blythe, Steve Turre
Keyboards – Jerry Peters
Programmed By [Synthesizer Programming] – Charlotte Politte
Vocals – Julia Tillman, Luther Waters, Maxine Willard, Oren Waters

LONNIE LISTON SMITH & THE COSMIC ECHOES — Astral Traveling (1973-2014) RM | Flying Dutchman Jazz Classics Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 Lonnie Liston Smith was 32 when, in 1973, he finally got around to recording his first album as a leader, Astral Traveling. By that time, the pianist/keyboardist had a great deal of sideman experience under his belt, and this superb debut made it clear that former employers like Pharoah Sanders, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Gato Barbieri, and Betty Carter had taught him well. One hears a lot of Sanders, John Coltrane, and McCoy Tyner influence on Astral Traveling; Smith obviously shares their passion for all things spiritual. Nonetheless, this LP leaves no doubt that the improviser is very much his own man and has a wealth of brilliant ideas of his own; thankfully, he has a cohesive band to help him carry them out. On Astral Traveling, Smith's 1973 edition of the Cosmic Echoes includes George Barron on soprano and tenor sax, Joe Beck on guitar, Cecil McBee on bass, David Lee Jr. on drums, James Mtume and Sonny Morgan on percussion, Badal Roy on Indian tabla drums, and Geeta Vashi on the Indian tamboura. An impressive lineup, and one that shows a great understanding of Smith's spiritual nature. Ninety-five percent of the time, Astral Traveling is serene and tranquil; but on "I Mani (Faith)," the unexpected interesting happens when Barron goes outside during his sax solo and gets into the type of dissonant, forceful screaming one would expect from Albert Ayler or late-period Coltrane. "I Mani (Faith)" has a hauntingly peaceful melody, but Barron's out-of-left-field solo makes it the most avant-garde track that Smith ever recorded as a leader. Produced by the late Bob Thiele -- an eclectic heavyweight who worked with everyone from Coltrane, Ayler, and Charles Mingus to Coleman Hawkins, Count Basie, and Louis Armstrong -- Astral Traveling is among Smith's most essential and rewarding albums. Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1. Astral Traveling (Smith) - 5:30
2. Let Us Go into the House of the Lord (Smith) - 6:22
3. Rejuvenation (Smith) - 5:36
4. I Mani (Faith) (Smith) - 6:11
5. In Search of Truth (Smith) - 7:12
6. Aspirations (Smith) - 4:23
7. Astral Traveling (alternate take) (Smith) - 5:38
8. Rejuvenation (alternate take) (Smith) - 6:33
9. I Mani (Faith) (alternate take) (Smith) - 5:57
10. In Search of Truth (alternate take) (Smith) - 6:23
Credits :
Lonnie Liston Smith - Piano, Electric Piano
George Barron - Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone
Joe Beck - Guitar
Cecil McBee - Bass
David Lee, Jr. - Drums
Badal Roy - Tabla
Sonny Morgan, James Mtume - Congas, Percussion
Geeta Vashi - Tamboura

JOE FARRELL— Penny Arcade (1974-2011) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Joe Farrell gained his greatest fame with his popular string of CTI recordings. For this set, he performs three of his originals (none of which caught on), guitarist Joe Beck's "Penny Arcade," and a 13-minute version of Stevie Wonder's "Too High." Farrell (heard on tenor, soprano, flute and piccolo) is in excellent form, as are keyboardist Herbie Hancock, Beck, bassist Herb Bushler, drummer Steve Gadd and Don Alias on conga. As is true of his other CTI sets, this Joe Farrell effort expertly mixes together some slightly commercial elements and superior recording quality with strong solos. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1. Penny Arcade (Joe Beck) – 4:45
2. Too High (Stevie Wonder) – 13:15
3. Hurricane Jane (Joe Farrell) – 4:25
4. Cloud Cream (Joe Farrell) – 6:15
5. Geo Blue (Joe Farrell) – 7:30
Credits :
Joe Farrell – Tenor and Soprano Sax, Flute, Piccolo
Herbie Hancock – Piano
Joe Beck – Guitar
Steve Gadd- Drums
Herb Bushler – Bass
Don Alias – Conga

THE GIL EVANS ORCHESTRA — Blues in Orbit (1980-2009) RM | Serie Enja · 24bit Master Edition | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Arranger Gil Evans's first recording as a leader in five years found him leading an orchestra that could be considered a transition between his 1950s groups and his somewhat electric band of the 1970s. Several of these charts, particularly his reworking of George Russell's "Blues in Orbit," are quite memorable, and Evans utilizes his many interesting sidemen, including the distinctive voices of trombonist Jimmy Cleveland, Howard Johnson on tuba and baritone, tenor-saxophonist Billy Harper and guitarist Joe Beck, in unexpected and unpredictable ways. A near-classic release which has been made available on CD by Enja. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Thoroughbred 4:55
Baritone Saxophone – Howard Johnson 
Drums – Alphonse Mouzon
Flute, Soprano Saxophone – George Marge
Flute, Written-By – Billy Harper
French Horn – Ray Alonge
Percussion – Donald McDonald
Trombone – Garnett Brown
Trumpet – Ernie Royal, Johnny Coles
2 Spaced 3:03
Written-By – Gil Evans
3 Love In The Open 6:47
Written-By – Warren Smith
4 Variation On The Misery 3:01
Written-By – Gil Evans
5 Blues In Orbit 6:47
Baritone Saxophone – Howard Johnson
Drums – Alphonse Mouzon
Flute – Billy Harper
Flute, Soprano Saxophone – George Marge
French Horn – Ray Alonge
Percussion – Donald McDonald
Trombone – Garnett Brown
Trumpet – Ernie Royal, Johnny Coles
Written-By – George Russell
6 Proclamation 1:46
Written-By – Gil Evans
7 General Assembly 7:10
Written-By – Gil Evans, Miles Davis
8 So Long 2:27
Written-By – Gil Evans
Créditos
Bass – Herb Bushler
Drums – Elvin Jones (tracks: 2 to 4, 6 to 8)
Flute – Hubert Laws (tracks: 2 to 4, 6 to 8)
French Horn – Julius Watkins
Guitar – Joe Beck
Harp – Gene Bianco (tracks: 2 to 4, 6 to 8)
Percussion – Sue Evans (tracks: 2 to 4, 6 to 8)
Piano, Electric Piano, Arranged By, Conductor – Gil Evans
Tenor Saxophone – Billy Harper
Trombone – Jimmy Cleveland, Jimmy Knepper (tracks: 2 to 4, 6 to 8)
Trumpet – Snooky Young (tracks: 2 to 4, 6 to 8), Mike Lawrence (tracks: 2 to 4, 6 to 8)
Tuba – Howard Johnson