HERBIE MANN · BOBBY JASPAR — Flute Soufflé (1957-1992) RM | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

At the time of this Prestige set (reissued on CD), Herbie Mann was a flutist who occasionally played tenor and Bobby Jaspar a tenor-saxophonist who doubled on flute. Two of the four songs find them switching back and forth while the other two are strictly flute features. With pianist Tommy Flanagan, guitarist Joe Puma, bassist Wendell Marshall and drummer Bobby Donaldson contributing quiet support, the two lead voices constantly interact and trade off during this enjoyable performance. Highpoints are the haunting "Tel Aviv" and a delightful version of "Chasing the Bird."  Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
 1    Tel Aviv 14:38    
Herbie Mann
 2    Somewhere Else 5:55    
Joe Puma
 3    Let's March 7:21    
Herbie Mann
 4    Chasin' the Bird 8:13
Charlie Parker
Credits :
Bass – Wendell Marshall
Drums – Bobby Donaldson
Engineer [Recording] – Rudy Van Gelder
Flute & Tenor Saxophones – Bobby Jaspar, Herbie Mann
Guitar – Joe Puma
Piano – Tommy Flanagan

LOUIE BELLSON AND HIS ORCHESTRA — Skin Deep (1954-1999) RM | Verve Elite Edition Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Louis Bellson has long been acknowledged as one of the greatest drummers in jazz history and this release combines two separate sessions that are predominately features for his incredible solos. "Percussionistically Speaking" starts as a blues, then Bellson shows off his subtle brushwork before switching to sticks for a powerful solo. There's more room for other soloists on "Fascinatin' Rhythm," where guitarist Joe Puma, pianist Ralph Martin and bassist Bob Peterson get to show off their chops, too. The title track is Bellson's best known piece, written while he was briefly with Duke Ellington; this powerful big band version is as effective as his famous earlier version. Another choice cut is "For Europeans Only," featuring a strong solo by the ill-fated tenor saxophonist Wardell Gray, who was killed a little over a year following this session. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
 1. Percussionistically Speaking (7:58)
Written-By – Louie Bellson
2. A Pearl For Louie (3:54)
Written-By – Ralph Martin
3. Fascinatin' Rhythm (4:16)
Written-By – George And Ira Gershwin
4. Copasetic (Long Version) (4:56)
 Written-By – Don Elliott, Ralph Martin
5. All God's Chillun Got Rhythm (2:55)
Written-By – Bronislaw Kaper, Gus Kahn, Walter Jurmann
6. Skin Deep (7:53)
Written-By – Louie Bellson
7. Loris (3:58)
Written-By – Joe Puma
8. For Europeans Only (3:03)
Written-By – Don Redman, Tadd Dameron
9. Phalanges (3:18)
Written-By – Clark Terry
10. Caxton Hall Swing (3:00)
Written-By – Louie Bellson
11. Copasetic (Short Version) (3:44)
Written-By – Don Elliott, Ralph Martin
Credits :
Louie Bellson plays drums on all tracks accompanied by:
On tracks 1-5, 7 and 11:
Don Elliott-trumpet, mellphone, vibraphone, bongo
Ralph Martin-piano
Joe Puma-guitar
Bob Peterson-bass
Recorded probably early February 1954 in New York City

On tracks 6 and 8-10:
Harry "Sweets" Edison, Maynard Ferguson, Conrad Gozzo, Ray Linn - Trumpet
Hoyt Bohannon, Herbie Harper, Tommy Pederson - Trombone
Benny Carter, Willie Smith - Alto Saxophone
Wardell Gray, Bumps Myers - Tenor saxophone
Bob Lawson - Baritone saxophone
Jimmie Rowles - Piano
Barney Kessel - Guitar
John Simmons - Bass
Don Redman - Arranger
Recorded August 14, 1953 at Radio Recorders, Hollywood

Original recordings produced by Norman Granz
Tracks 1-5 and 6-10 are in their respective original 10" LP sequences
Master numbers show the order in which the tracks were recorded

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