HERBIE MANN — Herbie Mann Plays (1956-2001) RM | Serie Bethlehem Archives | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Flutist Herbie Mann's first recording as a leader (seven selections from 1954 originally on a 10" LP plus four others cut in 1956) has been reissued on CD with three alternate takes added on. Even back in 1954, Mann (who doubles here on flute and alto flute) had his own sound. The music (featuring either Benny Weeks or Joe Puma on guitar in a piano-less quartet) is essentially straight-ahead bop and finds Mann playing quite melodically and with swing. This set is a good example of Herbie Mann's early style before he started exploring various types of world musics. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Chicken Little 2:58
 Herbie Mann
2 Cuban Love Song 3:13
 Dorothy Fields / Jimmy McHugh / Herbert Stothart
3 The Things We Did Last Summer 4:12
 Sammy Cahn / Jule Styne
4 Deep Night 3:36
 Charles Henderson / Rudy Vallée
5 Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea 4:03
 Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
6 After Work 4:04
 Herbie Mann
7 Moon Dreams 3:26
 Chummy MacGregor / Johnny Mercer
8 A Spring Morning 2:40
 Herbie Mann
9 Scuffles 2:54
 Gardner / Herbie Mann
10 The Purple Grotto 2:42
 Herbie Mann
11 My Little Suede Shoes 2:40
 Herbie Mann / Charlie Parker
– Bonus Cuts –
12 A Spring Morning (Take 6) 2:49
 Herbie Mann
13 The Purple Grotto (Take 1) 2:53
 Herbie Mann
14 Chicken Little (Take 3) 3:11
 Herbie Mann
Credits
Bass – Keith Hodgson (1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10 to 14), Whitey Mitchell (2, 4, 7, 9)
Drums – Herbie Wasserman (2, 4, 7, 9), Lee Rockey (1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10 to 14)
Flute, Alto Flute – Herbie Mann
Guitar – Benny Weeks (1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10 to 14), Joe Puma (2, 4, 7, 9)

CANDIDO ft. AL COHN - Candido (1956-2004) RM / WV (image+.cue), lossless

This album, first issued by ABC-Paramount, marked Cuban percussionist Candido Camero's recording debut as a leader, and while he obviously has a prominent role, these 1956 sessions represent far more than a vehicle for his conga and bongo playing. The band includes the always inspired tenor saxophonist Al Cohn, pianist Dick Katz, bassist Whitey Mitchell, guitarist Joe Puma, and drummer Ted Sommer. The selections include gems from the swing era, show tunes, and originals, all of which swing like mad. The group is at its very best in the driving "Stompin' at the Savoy," due to its inspired solos and the tradeoffs between Cohn and the leader (on bongos). Puma contributed the easygoing "Candi Bar," while Sommer's "Candido's Camera" is a snappy vehicle showcasing Candido and Al Cohn. One can easily imagine enjoying the lively interpretation of "Perdido" in a Cuban nightclub. The leader's march-like tempo introducing "Poinciana" suggests Ravel's Bolero before he relaxes his cadence into a more swinging setting. A romp through "Cheek to Cheek" provides a satisfying finale to a very enjoyable CD. Finally reissued in the summer of 2004, this remastered Verve limited edition should be considered essential for fans of Latin jazz. by Ken Dryden  
Tracklist :
1     Mambo Inn 4:57
Mario Bauzá / Edgar Sampson / Bobby Woodlen
2     I'll Be Back for More 4:23
Candido / Edgar Sampson
3     Stompin' at the Savoy 3:26
Benny Goodman & His Orchestra / Andy Razaf / Edgar Sampson / Chick Webb
4     Candi Bar 4:14
Joe Puma
5     Broadway 4:13
Lew Brown / Buddy DeSylva / Ray Henderson
6     Perdido 3:49
Ervin Drake / Hans Lengsfelder / Juan Tizol
7     Indian Summer 5:43
Al Dubin / Victor Herbert
8     Candido's Camera 4:09    
Sommer
9     Poinciana 4:17
Buddy Bernier / Nat Simon
10     Cheek to Cheek 4:19
Irving Berlin
Credits :
Bass – Whitey Mitchell
Bongos, Congas – Candido Camero
Drums – Teddy Sommer
Guitar – Joe Puma
Mastered By – Bob Irwin, Jayme Pieruzzi
Piano – Dick Katz
Producer [Original Recordings Produced By] – Creed Taylor
Tenor Saxophone – Al Cohn 

SUE & RALPH SHARON - Mr & Mrs Jazz [1956] Bethlehem

Tracklist
1 It Don't Mean A Thing 4:08
2 A Nightingale Can Sing The Blues 5:33
3 A Fine Romance 3:02
4 Hugette Waltz 2:09
5 I Could Have Told You 4:19
6 A Trout No Doubt 3:10
7 Mynah Lament 5:55
8 With The Wind And The Rain In Your Hair 2:55
9 Just You, Just Me 5:03
10 Nothing At All 4:43
11 That Goldblatt Magic 4:45
Credits
Bass – Milt Hinton
Drums – Jo Jones
Guitar – Joe Puma
Piano – Ralph Sharon
Tenor Saxophone – J.R. Monterose
Vibraphone – Eddie Costa
Vocals – Sue Sharon

SUE & RALPH SHARON - Mr & Mrs Jazz [1956]

[1999] Bethlehem Records ‎– TOCJ-62009

 Remastered, Mono / CBR320 / scans

O Púbis da Rosa

CHRIS CONNOR — This Is Chris (1955-2001) Mono | Bethlehem Archives Series | FLAC (tracks) 24-96Hz

During 1953-1955, singer Chris Connor recorded regularly for Bethlehem. This reissue LP has her final recordings for the label (before moving up to Atlantic) with such fine sidemen as Herbie Mann (doubling on flute and tenor), pianist Ralph Sharon, guitarist Joe Puma, bassist Milt Hinton, and drummer Osie Johnson. The two-trombone team of J.J. Johnson and Kai Winding (which had recently become very popular) is prominent on four of the ten selections. Connor's cool tone, subtle, emotional delivery and haunting voice were perfect for the music of the 1950s. Highlights of this superior set include "The Thrill Is Gone," "Blame It on My Youth," and "I Concentrate on You," but all ten numbers are rewarding. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Blame It on My Youth 2:40
Edward Heyman / Oscar Levant
2 It's All Right With Me 2:29
Cole Porter
3 Someone to Watch over Me 3:12
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
4 Trouble Is a Man 2:54
Alec Wilder
5 All This and Heaven Too 3:29
Eddie DeLange / James Van Heusen
6 The Thrill Is Gone 2:48
Lew Brown / Ray Henderson
7 I Concentrate on You 3:31
Cole Porter
8 All Dressed up With a Broken Heart 1:51
Jack Val
9 From This Moment On 2:31
Cole Porter
10 Ridin' High 4:15
Cole Porter
Personnel :
Chris Connor - Vocals
JJ Johnson - Trombone
Kai Winding - Trombone
Herbie Mann - Flute
Joe Puma - Guitar
Ralph Sharon - Piano
Milt Hinton - Bass
Osie Johnson - Drums

HERBIE MANN / BOBBY JASPAR - Flute Flight (1957-2002) RM / Mp3

Over the years, jazz has had its share of famous two-tenor, two-alto, and two-trumpet gatherings -- some of which could be highly competitive (such as Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt, Dexter Gordon and Wardell Gray, or Phil Woods and Gene Quill). But two-flute front lines have been a rarity in the jazz world. The flute isn't nearly as prominent a jazz instrument as the trumpet, the tenor sax, or the alto sax, and for every jazz flutist who became famous (Herbie Mann, Hubert Laws, and Bobbi Humphrey, among others), there were countless others who made their mark as saxophonists or trumpeters. Recorded in 1957 and reissued on CD in 2002, Flute Flight gives listeners a rare chance to hear Mann and fellow flutist Bobby Jaspar (who was also known for his Lester Young-influenced tenor playing) together as a two-flute front line. There are no saxophonists, trumpeters, or trombonists onboard -- just one or two flutes and a rhythm section that includes Tommy Flanagan on piano, Joe Puma on guitar, Eddie Costa on vibes, Wendell Marshall or Doug Watkins on bass, and Bobby Donaldson on drums. Actually, Puma's "Bo-Do" and Mann's ten-minute "Tuttie Flutie" are the only tracks that find Mann and Jaspar teaming up; the rest of the time, Jaspar is the only flutist. Nonetheless, Mann's hardcore fans will enjoy this melodic, sometimes restrained bop session, and those who appreciate the lyrical nature of Jaspar's flute playing won't be disappointed by his solos on Flanagan's wistful "Solacium" or Watkins' clever "Flute Bass Blues." Anyone who complains that jazz hasn't had enough flute playing over the years will want to add Flute Flight to his/her collection. by Alex Henderson   
Tracklist 
1 Tuttie Flutie 10:05
Written-By – Mann
2 Bo Do 5:53
Written-By – Puma
3 Flute Bass Blues 7:19
Written-By – Watkins
4 Flute Bob 6:57
Written-By – Jaspar
5 Solacium 5:50
Written-By – Flanagan
Credits
Bass – Doug Watkins (tracks: 3 to 5), Wendell Marshall (tracks: 1, 2)
Drums – Bobby Donaldson
Flute – Bobby Jaspar
Flute, Alto Flute – Herbie Mann (tracks: 1, 2)
Guitar – Joe Puma (tracks: 1, 2)
Piano – Tommy Flanagan
Vibraphone [Vibes] – Eddie Costa (tracks: 3 to 5)