JOE LOVANO NONET — On This Day At The Vanguard (2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Recorded live at the Village Vanguard, On This Day...At the Vanguard is saxophonist Joe Lovano's first recording with his award-winning nonet since the release of 52nd Street Themes in 2000. Having recorded in a variety of settings ranging from those of big-band leaders Woody Herman and Mel Lewis to duets with Mulgrew Miller on Tenor Legacy to quartets featuring such stellar artists as Dave Holland, John Scofield, and Al Foster (collectively known as Scolohofo), Joe Lovano proves with this CD that his artistry remains highly adaptable to any musical setting. Opening the program with the first of two originals written for this recording is Lovano's swinging "At the Vanguard." It has a harmonic sequence based on "Stompin' at the Savoy," and features outstanding solos by Lovano, alto saxophonist Steve Slagle, trumpeter Barry Ries, and pianist John Hicks. "Focus" and John Coltrane's "After the Rain" offer listeners two exceptional contrasts of Lovano's playing style, while "On This Day Just Like Any Other" is a 15-minute free jazz offering with amazing improvisations that Lovano wrote around the time drummer Billy Higgins passed away. The recording closes with "My Little Brown Book," a beautiful, serene ballad that returns the music to the quartet sound and served as the show's encore. Overall, On This Day...At the Vanguard captures the essence of Lovano's reverence and enthusiasm for the jazz venue that has supplied a great deal of his musical inspiration over the course of his jazz career. Paula Edelstein
Tracklist :
1    At The Vanguard 9:30
Composed By, Arranged By – Joe Lovano
2    Focus 8:09
Arranged By – Willie Smith
Composed By – Tadd Dameron
3    After The Rain 7:34
Arranged By – Steve Slagle
Composed By – John Coltrane
4    Good Bait 14:09
Arranged By – Joe Lovano
Composed By – Tadd Dameron
Orchestrated By [Orchestration] – Willie Smith
5    Laura 5:22
Arranged By – Joe Lovano, Willie Smith
Composed By – David Arksin
Orchestrated By [Orchestration] – Willie Smith
6    On This Day (Just Like Any Other) 15:22
Composed By, Arranged By – Joe Lovano
7    My Little Brown Book 9:04
Composed By – Billy Strayhorn
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Steve Slagle
Baritone Saxophone – Scott Robinson
Bass – Dennis Irwin
Drums – Lewis Nash
Piano – John Hicks
Tenor Saxophone – George Garzone, Joe Lovano, Ralph Lalama
Trombone – Larry Farrell
Trumpet – Barry Ries

ARCHIE SHEPP - Something to Live For (1997) FLAC (tracks), lossless

This highly anticipated vocal album does not quite make it. Unfortunately, either the saxophonist was having an off night (or nights), or he simply lost his ability to sing gracefully by the mid-'90s. The choice of tunes is perfect: "A Flower Is a Lonesome Thing," "Strange Fruit," "Hello, Young Lovers," and "Georgia on My Mind," among others. So is the band, which includes trumpeter Eddie Henderson, pianist John Hicks, bassist George Mraz, and drummer Iris Muhammad (with Steve McCracken substituting on one track). Shepp speaks and shouts the lyrics more than he sings them, seemingly agonizing over each syllable. His tenor performance is subpar, too. He sounds almost as though he is playing with marbles in his mouth. Hicks explores some nice, if familiar ground, on piano, where he adds pleasant and stimulating lines both in support and as a soloist. Shepp's career as a vocalist appears short-lived, as he again focused on his saxophones after this one was recorded. Steve Loewy
Tracklist :
1    A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing 6:00
Composed By – Billy Strayhorn
2    My Foolish Heart 5:52
Composed By – Ned Washington, Victor Young
3    Strange Fruit 4:35
Composed By – Lewis Allan
4    You're Blasé 8:41
Composed By – Bruce Sievier, Ord Hamilton
5    Something To Live For 5:31
Composed By – Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington
6    Georgia On My Mind 7:00
Composed By – Hoagy Carmichael, Stuart Gorrell
7    Hello, Young Lovers 10:35
Composed By – Oscar Hammerstein II, Richard Rodgers
8    California Blues 8:01
Composed By – Archie Shepp
Credits :
Bass – George Mraz
Drums – Idris Muhammad (pistas: 1 to 7), Steve McCraven (pistas: 8)
Piano – John Hicks
Tenor Saxophone, Vocals – Archie Shepp
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Eddie Henderson

ARCHIE SHEPP QUARTET - True Ballads (2000) 32bits-44.1hz | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This 1996 set features tenor saxophonist Archie Shepp with pianist John Hicks, bassist George Mraz, and drummer Idris Muhammad playing an inspired set of ballads. And while it's true that this is what Shepp seems to have done since 1990, giving plenty of credence to the critical notion that the fire has gone out of his playing, it's more a question of perspective than lack. As evidenced here on the opening number alone, a smoky, steamy rendition of "The Thrill Is Gone" that could have ended up in anybody's film noir, Shepp's fire may not burn angrily, but it burns low, deep, and hot just the same. The tenor player once said that you could hear every minute of every hour a musician put into practice when he played a ballad. That's certainly true here, and the answer is more than you could ever imagine. The inflection of Shepp's horn that moves somewhere between the deep, robust speech of John Coltrane and the shimmering soulful whisper of Ben Webster. If you check he and Hick's wandering around each other in the middle of "Nature Boy," or on Johnny Mandel's "The Shadow of Your Smile," you get a picture of a pair so intent on listening to the nuances in a change or harmonic syllable, that they know exactly how to aurally illustrate the bigger picture to a listener. With Muhammad on drums there is a certain laid-back groove that's organic in every number, and in Mraz, without his slim tone but silvery fingers, there's a polished elegance that makes the entire package Shepp's finest ballad date ever.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist :
1    The Thrill Is Gone 7'00
Written By – Ray Henderson
2    The Shadow Of Your Smile 9'46
Written By – Johnny Mandel
3    Everything Must Change 8'33
Written By – Bernard Ighner
4    Here's That Rainy Day 9:58
Written By – Jimmy Van Heusen
5    La Rosita 8:05
Written By – Paul Dupont
6    Nature Boy 5:55
Written By – Eden Ahbez
7    Yesterdays 9:35
Written By – Jerome Kern
8    Violets For Your Furs 9:48
Written By – Matt Dennis
Credits :
Bass – George Mraz
Drums – Idris Muhammad
Piano – John Hicks
Tenor Saxophone – Archie Shepp

ARCHIE SHEPP QUARTET - True Blue (1999) 32bits-44.1hz | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

This 1998 studio recording by tenor sax legend Archie Shepp is a study in blues and ballads as the title might suggest, but it also marks the return of Shepp as a true bandleader. With pianist John Hicks, drummer Billy Drummond, and bassist George Mraz, Shepp sounds more inspired here than he has in literally decades. There is no crutch-like reliance on hard bop and blues stylings, nor is there any over-the-shoulder tosses at being the king of the avant-garde. Instead Shepp focuses on what he does best: being a fine stylist and one of the great blues phraseologists in the business. Opening with Coltrane's "Lonnie's Lament," Shepp goes one better than just saluting his old boss -- he reharmonizes the tune and slows it down, making it a true elegy. On Cole Porter's tunes, Shepp looks to the deep lyricism in Hicks' playing to bring out his best ballad style. The two of them interact so warmly and intimately here, it could have easily been a duet. On Jimmy van Heusen's "But Beautiful," it's Hicks who leads off the tune, but it's Shepp who gives it its body and soul. Beginning to play the melody from deep in the lower register, Shepp traces the harmony out to the edges and coaxes Hicks to follow him; he simultaneously scales back just enough to open him up to fill that space with wonderful flowering chords against his warmer-than-July tone. Shepp offers one original to the mix, "A Little Surprise for the Lady," which is refreshing among all these covers for its shimmering, funky groove and slithering solo; he offers a stunning rendition of "Blue Train" and ends the program with another of the Coltrane book standards, Billy Eckstine's "I Want to Talk About You." But instead of going for Coltrane's leaping and loping harmony in the bridge, Shepp creates a new one based on the bassline instead of the lyric phrase, which adds a certain depth and dimension not heard before, no matter how many times this tune has been interpreted. The only weak spot on the whole date comes from Mraz. His lack of wood in his tone makes all of his fluidity for naught because, as with most of the sessions he plays on, he becomes too limpid to hear. But it's a small complaint for a gorgeous session.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist :
1    Lonnie's Lament 5:25
Written-By – John Coltrane
2    Everytime We Say Goodbye 7:49
Written-By – Cole Porter
3    Time After Time 7:45
Written-By – Jule Styne
4    All Or Nothing At All 9:40
Written-By – Arthur Altman, Jack Lawrence
5    But Beautiful 7:06
Written-By – Jimmy Van Heusen
6    Que Reste-t-il de Nos Amours 8:28
Written-By – Charles Trenet
7    Blue Train 10:32
Written-By – John Coltrane
8    A Little Surprise For The Lady 6:46
Written-By – Archie Shepp
9    I Want To Talk About You
Written-By – Billy Eckstine 9:40
Credits :
Bass – George Mraz
Drums – Billy Drummond
Piano – John Hicks
Tenor Saxophone, Lead Vocals – Archie Shepp

ARCHIE SHEPP QUARTET - Blue Ballads (1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Recorded in November 1995, saxophonist Archie Shepp's Blue Ballads is a counterpart to True Ballads and Something to Live For, which date from the same period. All three albums feature pianist John Hicks, bassist George Mraz, and drummer Idris Muhammad. These intimate studies in shared introspection, along with Black Ballads and True Blue, document Shepp's astute exploration of the ballad form during the 1990s. On Blue Ballads Shepp mingled time-honored standards such as Rodgers & Hart's "Little Girl Blue," Arthur Schwartz's "Alone Together," and Vincent Youmans' "More Than You Know" with the Miles Davis-Bill Evans masterpiece "Blue in Green" and "Blue and Sentimental," which had served as the feature number for Count Basie's star tenor saxophonist Herschel Evans some 60 years earlier. Once again and in all the best ways, Shepp shines in parallel with his contemporary Pharoah Sanders. Both are skilled balladeers as well as free spirits who simply cannot be bottled or pigeonholed. arwulf arwulf
Tracklist :
1    Little Girl Blue    6:03
2    More Than You Know    7:18
3    Blue In Green    7:56
4    Blue And Sentimental    5:12
5    Cry Me A River    7:54
6    If I Should Lose You    7:32
7    Alone Together    10:53
Credits
Bass – George Mraz
Drums – Idris Muhammad
Piano – John Hicks
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Vocals – Archie Shepp

GARY BARTZ QUINTET - West 42nd Street (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

After a long period of indifferent recordings, altoist Gary Bartz started to fulfill his potential in the early '90s. Joined by a superb rhythm section (comprised of pianist John Hicks, bassist Ray Drummond, and drummer Al Foster) and trumpeter Claudio Roditi (whose restrained power complements rather than competes with Bartz), the altoist really stretches out, particularly on "Speak Low" and "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes" which both clock in at within seven seconds of 19 minutes apiece. Bartz is quite lyrical on a superior version of "It's Easy to Remember" and also takes inventive solos on his modal blues "Cousins" and Wilbur Harden's "West 42nd Street." A highly recommended gem. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     West 42nd Street 8:51
Wilbur Harden    
2     Speak Low 19:10
Ogden Nash / Kurt Weill    
3     It's Easy to Remember 11:45
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers    
4     Cousins 10:02
Gary Bartz    
5     The Night Has a Thousand Eyes 18:56     
Marilyn Garrett / Dorothy Wayne / Ben Weisman
Credits :
Bass – Ray Drummond
Drums – Al Foster
Flugelhorn, Trumpet – Claudio Roditi
Piano – John Hicks
Saxophone [Alto, Soprano] – Gary Bartz

PHAROAH SANDERS - Live ... (1981-2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This album features Pharoah Sanders playing some no-nonsense tenor in a quartet with pianist John Hicks, bassist Walter Booker, and drummer Idris Muhammad. Sanders performs "It's Easy to Remember" (in a style very reminiscent of early-'60s John Coltrane), an original blues, and two of his compositions, including the passionate "You've Got to Have Freedom." The musicianship is at a high level and, although Sanders does not shriek as much as one might hope (the Trane-ish influence was particularly strong during this relatively mellow period), he is in fine form. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     You've Got to Have Freedom 14'17
Pharoah Sanders    
2     Easy to Remember 6'51
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers    
3     Blues for Santa Cruz 8'39
Pharoah Sanders    
4     Pharomba 13'26
Pharoah Sanders    
5     Doktor Pitt 21'34
Pharoah Sanders
Credits :
Bass – Walter Booker
Drums – Idris Muhammad
Piano – John Hicks
Tenor Saxophone, Producer By – Pharoah Sanders

PHAROAH SANDERS - Journey To The One (1980-1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

A two-LP set on Theresa, Rejoice features Pharoah Sanders in excellent form in 1981. Sanders sounds much more mellow than he had a decade earlier, often improvising in a style similar to late-'50s John Coltrane, particularly on "When Lights Are Low," "Moments Notice," and "Central Park West." The personnel changes on many of the selections and includes such top players as pianists Joe Bonner and John Hicks, bassist Art Davis, drummers Elvin Jones and Billy Higgins, vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, trombonist Steve Turre, trumpeter Danny Moore, a harpist, and (on "Origin" and "Central Park West") five vocalists. The music always holds one's interest, making this one of Sanders' better later recordings. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Greetings To Idris 7'28
Composed By, Arranged By – Pharoah Sanders
Guitar – Carl Lockett
2    Doktor Pitt 12'13
Composed By, Arranged By – Pharoah Sanders
Flugelhorn – Eddie Henderson
3    Kazuko (Peace Child) 8'07
Composed By, Arranged By – Pharoah Sanders
Harmonium, Wind Chimes [Wind-Chimes] – Paul Arslanian
Koto – Yoko Ito Gates
4    After The Rain 5'36
Composed By – John Coltrane
Piano – Joe Bonner
5    Soledad 4'56
Composed By, Arranged By – Pharoah Sanders
Harmonium – Bedria Sanders
Sitar – James Pomerantz
Tabla – Phil Ford
6    You've Got To Have Freedom 6'48
Composed By, Arranged By – Pharoah Sanders
Flugelhorn – Eddie Henderson
Vocals – Bobby McFerrin, Donna Dickerson, Ngoh Spencer, Vicki Randle
7    Yemenja 5'35
Composed By, Arranged By – John Hicks
Guitar – Carl Lockett
8    Easy To Remember 6'32
Written-By – Lorenz Hart, Richard Rogers
9    Think About The One 4'15
Bass – Joy Julks
Bells [Sleigh Bells] – Pharoah Sanders
Composed By, Arranged By – Pharoah Sanders
Drums – Randy Merritt
Guitar – Carl Lockett
Lead Vocals – Claudette Allen
Piano [Acoustic], Electric Piano – Joe Bonner
Shekere, Congas – Babatunde Olatunji
Synthesizer [Oberheim] – Mark Isham
Vocals – Bobby McFerrin, Donna Dickerson, Ngoh Spencer, Vicki Randle
10    Bedria 10'30
Composed By, Arranged By – Pharoah Sanders
Guitar – Chris Hayes
Credits :
Bass – Ray Drummond (pistas: 1, 2, 6 to 8, 10)
Drums – Idris Muhammad (pistas: 1, 2, 6 to 8, 10)
Illustration [Cover] – Daniel Ziegler
Piano – John Hicks (pistas: 1, 2, 6 to 8, 10)
Producer, Tenor Saxophone – Pharoah Sanders

PHAROAH SANDERS - Rejoice (1981-2003) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

A two-LP set on Theresa, Rejoice features Pharoah Sanders in excellent form in 1981. Sanders sounds much more mellow than he had a decade earlier, often improvising in a style similar to late-'50s John Coltrane, particularly on "When Lights Are Low," "Moments Notice," and "Central Park West." The personnel changes on many of the selections and includes such top players as pianists Joe Bonner and John Hicks, bassist Art Davis, drummers Elvin Jones and Billy Higgins, vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, trombonist Steve Turre, trumpeter Danny Moore, a harpist, and (on "Origin" and "Central Park West") five vocalists. The music always holds one's interest, making this one of Sanders' better later recordings. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Rejoice 12:42
Agogô – Babatunde
Bells, Composed By, Arranged By – Pharoah Sanders
Drums – Elvin Jones
Vibraphone – Bobby Hutcherson
Vocals – B. Kazuko Ishida
2     High Life 7:38
Arranged By – Pharoah Sanders
Bass, Vocals – Jorge Pomar
Congas, Vocals – Big Black
Drums, Vocals, Shaker – Babatunde
Guitar, Vocals – Peter Fujii
Vocals – Joe Bonner
3     Nigerian Juju Hilife 9:57
Arranged By – Pharoah Sanders
Bass – Jorge Pomar
Congas – Big Black
Drums, Shaker – Babatunde
Guitar – Peter Fujii    
4     Origin 5:41
Arranged By [Vocals] – William S. Fischer
Composed By, Arranged By – Pharoah Sanders
Vibraphone – Bobby Hutcherson
Vocals – Bobby London, Carroll Wilson Scott, Flame Braithwaite, Sakinah Muhammad, Yvette S. Vanterpool
5     When Lights Are Low 6:24
Composed By – Benny Carter    
6     Moment's Notice 5:16
Composed By – John Coltrane
Vibraphone – Bobby Hutcherson
Vocals – George V. Johnson Jr.
7     Central Park West 5:43
Arranged By [Vocals], Directed By – William S. Fischer
Composed By – John Coltrane
Harp – Lois Colin
Vocals – Bobby London, Carroll Wilson Scott, Flame Braithwaite, Sakinah Muhammad, Yvette S. Vanterpool    
8     Ntjilo Ntjilo/Bird Song 4:03
Arranged By – Pharoah Sanders
Harp – Lois Colin    
9     Farah 5:28
Composed By, Arranged By – Pharoah Sanders
Credits :
Bass – Art Davis (pistas: 1, 4 to 7)
Drums – Billy Higgins (pistas: 4 to 7)
Piano – Joe Bonner (pistas: 1 to 3, 8, 9), John Hicks (pistas: 4 to 7)
Saxophone [Tenor] – Pharoah Sanders
Trombone – Steve Turre (pistas: 4 to 7)

PHAROAH SANDERS - A Prayer Before Dawn (1987-1993) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Recorded in 1987, A Prayer Before Dawn is one of Pharoah Sanders' gentle, reflective dates. Some jazz fans may cringe at his versions of "Christmas Song" and Whitney Houston's "The Greatest Love of All," but the music displays a heartfelt spirituality as opposed to financial slickness. It is the opposite of Sanders' characteristic fire-breathing tenor of his Impulse days, but there is nobility in taking this tranquil direction; Sanders refuses to repeat himself. He demands you listen with open ears, dropping preconceived notions. For instance, unlike the adult contemporary direction taken by one-time free jazz tenor titan Gato Barbieri, this date doesn't sound like a polished commercial venture as much as a quiet, meditative one. The use of tabla, sarod, and chandrasarang adds to the session's spiritual nature. Al Campbell
Tracklist :
1    The Light At The Edge Of The World 5:08
Written-By – P. Piccioni
2    Dedication To James W. Clark 5:15
Written-By – P. Sanders
3    Softy For Shyla 5:21
Written-By – W. Henderson
4    The Greatest Love Of All 8:23
Written-By – Creed, Masser
5    Midnight At Yoshi's
Written-By – P. Sanders
6    Living Space 4:32
Written-By – J. Coltrane
7    After The Rain 6:34
Written-By – J. Coltrane
8    In Your Own Sweet Way 7:08
Written-By – D. Brubeck
9    Christmas Song 7:25
Written-By – Torme, Wells
Credits :
Drums – Alvin Queen
Piano [Acoustic] – John Hicks
Piano [Acoustic], Synthesizer [Kurzweil] – William Henderson
Sarod, Sarangi [Chandrasarang] – Lyn Taussig
Tabla – Brian McLaughlin
Tenor Saxophone, Instruments [Miscellaneous Instruments] – Pharoah Sanders

PHAROAH SANDERS - Africa (1987-2015) RM | Timeless Jazz Master Collection 11 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

As Kevin Whitehead's liner notes to this release reflect, Sanders "pays explicit tribute to his late mentor John Coltrane -- as this set's Coltrane-oriented sound makes unashamedly clear." Actually, Coltrane penned only one of the eight tunes, while Sanders wrote six, but the spirit of the master looms heavily throughout. Sanders displays an uncanny resemblance to Trane's unique way of over-blowing and his special ability to get inside a ballad. Pianist John Hicks is in perfect form and contributes mightily to the success of the session. Most will probably prefer the original Coltrane to Sanders' imitations, but Africa is nonetheless a joyous and worthy tribute to one of the giants of jazz. This album marked somewhat of a backtrack for the saxophonist, as he had frequently become identified with much more traditional playing. Steve Loewy
Tracklist :
1     You've Got to Have Freedom 10'01
Pharoah Sanders    
2     Naima 5'26
John Coltrane
3     Origin 6'50
Pharoah Sanders
4     Speak Low 8'04
Ogden Nash / Kurt Weill    
5     After the Morning 6'29
John Hicks
6     Africa 8'20
Pharoah Sanders
7     Heart to Heart 7'17
Pharoah Sanders    
8     Duo 4'32
Pharoah Sanders
Credits :
Bass – Curtis Lundy
Drums – Idris Muhammed
Piano – John Hicks
Tenor Saxophone – Pharoah Sanders

THE ALEX BLAKE QUINTET ft. PHAROAH SANDERS - Now Is The Time (Live At The Knitting Factory) (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Now is the Time is a series of impeccably performed tracks culled from Alex Blake's live sessions at New York's Knitting Factory. Though nothing intensely brilliant evolves out of Now, the musicianship is paramount and unmatched on any late-'90s jazz recordings. Blake, who started as a bass player in Sun Ra's Arkestra at a very young age, sits himself comfortably in the background as it seems piano and drums take most of the attention on the record. John Hicks' piano playing immediately recalls McCoy Tyner's, while Victor Jones and Neil Clark tap out rather complex beats that help to build the central framework of the seven solid tracks. Now Is the Time is Blake's first record as a bandleader, and it proves he has come a long way since playing in the bands of Dizzy Gillespie and other post-bop performers. Surprisingly, the record is quite traditional in its style, covering "On the Spot" and plotting along through some familiar jazz territory. Perhaps a bit more experimentation would set the record aflame considering Pharoah Sanders' and Blake's worlds don't usually collide in such predictable space. Still, it's an incredibly joyous record that doesn't seem steeped in trying to bring about any great meaning. Though Now Is the Time may seem pedestrian, it simply illustrates Blake's ability to play all manner of music, ranging from traditional jazz to avant-garde to rock. To say that Blake never steps forward is an understatement, though. He rarely plays a simple walking bassline as he usually flecks them with slaps and skitters to make for exciting listening. "The Chief" and "Little Help Solo" see Blake riffing and improvising in some swung-out solos, but for the most part he's content to sit back and provide the structure for the others to create their magic. Ken Taylor  
Tracklist :
1    On The Spot    11:48
2    Intro - Neil Clark    2:53
3    The Chief    12:36
4    Little Help Solo 6:03
Electric Bass – Alex Blake
Written-By – Lennon-McCartney
5    Intro - Alex Blake    1:27
6    Now Is The Time    9:52
7    Mystery Of Love 9:18
Written-By – Guy Warren
Credits :
Acoustic Bass, Percussion, Vocals, Written-By – Alex Blake
Alto Saxophone [Additional] – Chris Hunter
Drums – Victor Jones
Liner Notes – Randy Weston
Percussion – Neil Clark
Piano – John Hicks
Tenor Saxophone – Pharoah Sanders

HANK MOBLEY - Music For Lovers (2006) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

These nine ballads were recorded by Hank Mobley between 1955 and 1967. Apart from being a genuinely wonderful set of romantic tunes, Music for Lovers showcases a different side of the great hard bop tenor's playing. Mobley's approach to ballads was reverent, but it was loose, too. Mobley brought a big helping of soul to his readings of standards such as "Darn That Dream," "I Should Care," and even the ethereal "Deep in a Dream." However, as this small collection illustrates, it is in his own tunes that Mobley shines brightest. First, there's the beautiful "No More Goodbyes," recorded with Bob Cranshaw, Billy Higgins, and John Hicks from a late date in 1967. His solo touches on Ben Webster's breathy tone for a moment, and then winds out gently with blues accents in each chorus. But perhaps the finest moment here is on his "My Sin," recorded in 1965 with Freddie Hubbard (a wonderful match for Mobley on the front line), bassist Paul Chambers, Barry Harris, and Higgins once again. Here is where Mobley actually sings though his horn, as Hubbard and Harris prod him to go deeper. For the price, this is a solid little comp that achieves its objective and then some.
|> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <|
Tracklist :
1    The Good Life    5:09
2    Darn That Dream    6:09
3    I Should Care    7:45
4    I See Your Face Before Me    5:29
5    No More Goodbyes    5:37
6    Deep In A Dream    5:59
7    My Sin    6:54
8    Fin De L'Affaire    6:35
9    Alone Together     4:15

HANK MOBLEY - Hi Voltage (1967-2004) RM | RVG Edition | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This 1967 date by tenor saxophone great Hank Mobley was a high watermark for the Blue Note label during that exceptional year. Mobley wrote all six tunes here, and they offer the breadth and depth of his mature compositional method. All but one of his collaborators on this project were label veterans -- Jackie McLean, Blue Mitchell, Billy Higgins, and Bob Cranshaw. The lone exception was pianist John Hicks, and the recording session benefits greatly from his contribution. Hicks is a very lyrical player, even when he gets tough and funky. He is right at home with the hard bop blues on the title cut, which opens the set and provides a wonderfully swinging bottom for the soloists to trade fours and burrow through. His chromatic prowess and subtlety are very evident on the moving ballad "No More Goodbyes," where his gently shaded harmonies and ostinatos offer Mobley a beautiful backdrop to solo from. Mobley's sense of rhythmic invention is showcased on the breezy yet finger-popping "Bossa De Luxe," and the three horns go deep into the groove -- using Higgins and Hicks as counterweights in the funky, greasy "Flirty Gerty" that closes the set. In all, this date is solid, ranking with the very best of Mobley's offerings for Blue Note.
| This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa'|
Tracklist :
1     High Voltage 8'09
Hank Mobley    
2     Two and One 6'09
Hank Mobley    
3     No More Goodbys 5'41
Hank Mobley
4     Advance Notion 5'57
Hank Mobley    
5     Bossa De Luxe 7'31
Hank Mobley    
6     Flirty Gerty 7'00
Hank Mobley
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Jackie McLean
Bass – Bob Cranshaw
Drums – Billy Higgins
Piano – John Hicks
Recorded By [Recording By] – Rudy Van Gelder
Tenor Saxophone – Hank Mobley
Trumpet – Blue Mitchell

BOOKER ERVIN - Structurally Sound (1966-2001) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Mixing the dusky romanticism of Dexter Gordon and the progressive tonal ideology of John Coltrane, Booker Ervin is often filed under "A" for amalgam alongside other overlooked tenor masters such as Tina Brooks and Hank Mobley. Structurally Sound is perhaps not Ervin's most provocative album, but a solid and tasty endeavor featuring the suspended chord sounds popularized by McCoy Tyner during the late '60s. Here, the chords come via the brilliant pianist John Hicks, who opens the album with funky high-end triplet figures on Randy Weston's "Berkshire Blues." Joining in is a well-selected roster of musicians, many of whom were also overshadowed by their more well-known contemporaries, including Charles Tolliver on trumpet, Red Mitchell on bass, and Lenny McBrowne on drums. Tolliver contributes the original composition "Franess," a Wayne Shorter-influenced affair that features his fat and burnished tone. They also cover Oliver Nelson's blissful standard "Stolen Moments" to good effect. Originally ending with an athletic up-tempo version of "Take the 'A' Train," the Blue Note Connoisseur Series reissue includes a sparkling "Shiny Stockings," featuring an especially inspired chorus by Ervin. An oddball version of "White Christmas" also makes it onto the disc, as do alternate takes of "Franess" and "Deep Night." by Matt Collar  
Tracklist :
1     Berkshire Blues 5:30
Randy Weston
2     Dancing in the Dark 4:58
Howard Dietz / Arthur Schwartz
3     Stolen Moments 4:59
Oliver Nelson
4     Franess 5:08
Charles Tolliver
5     Boo's Blues 5:33
Booker Ervin
6     You're My Everything 4:46
Mort Dixon / Harry Warren / Joe Young
7     Deep Night 4:58
Charles Henderson / Rudy Vallée
8     Take the "A" Train 3:43
Billy Strayhorn
9     Shiny Stockings 4:48
Frank Foster
10     White Christmas 4:27
Irving Berlin
11     Franess 5:13
Charles Tolliver
12     Deep Night 7:15
Charles Henderson / Rudy Vallée
Credits :
Bass – Red Mitchell
Drums – Lenny McBrowne
Piano – John Hicks
Tenor Saxophone – Booker Ervin
Trumpet – Charles Tolliver