McCOY TYNER — Tender Moments (1968-1987) Serie Blue Note CD Treasury – CP32-9545 | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

On this excellent set, McCoy Tyner had the opportunity for the first time to head a larger group. His nonet is an all-star aggregation comprised of trumpeter Lee Morgan, trombonist Julian Priester, altoist James Spaulding, Bennie Maupin on tenor, Bob Northern on French horn, Howard Johnson on tuba, bassist Herbie Lewis, and drummer Joe Chambers in addition to the pianist/leader. Tyner debuted six of his originals, and although none became standards (perhaps the best known are "The High Priest" and "All My Yesterdays"), the music is quite colorful and advanced for the period. Well worth investigating. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Mode To John    5:40
 McCoy Tyner
2    Man From Tanganyika    6:52
 McCoy Tyner
3    The High Priest    6:05
 McCoy Tyner
4    Utopia    7:35
 McCoy Tyner
5    All My Yesterday    6:03
 McCoy Tyner
6    Lee Plus Three    5:41
 McCoy Tyner
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Flute – James Spaulding
Bass – Herbie Lewis
Drums – Joe Chambers
French Horn – Bob Northern
Piano – McCoy Tyner
Recorded By – Rudy Van Gelder
Tenor Saxophone – Bennie Maupin
Trombone – Julian Priester
Trumpet – Lee Morgan
Tuba – Howard Johnson

CLIFFORD JORDAN — Clifford Jordan In The World (1972-2006) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Whether at the helm of a record date or as a sideman, Clifford Jordan was known for giving his all. These studio recordings were originally made for Strata East, a label known for its adventurous spirit. The tenor saxophonist leads two separate groups. The sextet selections include trombonist Julian Priester, pianist Wynton Kelly, bassists Wilbur Ware and Richard Davis, drummer Albert Heath, and trumpeter Don Cherry. Jordan's pensive "Vienna" is given an extended workout, with Cherry's somewhat abstract playing fitting in rather well. The second piece, Jordan's "Doug's Prelude," is also a bit brooding, showcasing the leader, Priester, and Kelly. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1 Vienna 17:10
Clifford Jordan
2 Doug's Prelude 4:47
Clifford Jordan
3 Ouagoudougou 11:00
Clifford Jordan
4 872 7:14
Clifford Jordan
Credits :
Bass – Richard Davis, Wilbur Ware
Drums – Al Heath (tracks: 1, 2), Ed Blackwell (tracks: 3, 4), Roy Haynes (tracks: 3, 4)
Piano – Wynton Kelly
Tenor Saxophone – Clifford Jordan
Trombone – Julian Preister
Trumpet – Don Cherry (tracks: 1, 2), Kenny Dorham (tracks: 3, 4)

SAM RIVERS - Dimensions & Extensions (1967-2008) RM | RVG Edition | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Ambitious, atonal, challenging -- all are accurate descriptions of Dimensions & Extensions, Sam Rivers' fourth album for Blue Note. Rivers remains grounded in hard bop structure, working with a sextet featuring Donald Byrd (trumpet), James Spaulding (alto saxophone, flute), Julian Priester (trombone), Cecil McBee (bass), and Steve Ellington (drums), but he explodes the boundaries of the form with difficult, dissonant compositions. With his unique, mercurial tone and edgy solos, he keeps pushing the sextet in different directions. It's intense, cerebral music, but since it has distinct themes and strong rhythms, the forays into free jazz, dissonant harmonies, and unpredictable tonal textures are actually quite accessible. Rivers simply burns on each track, whether playing tenor, soprano, or flute. Byrd doesn't display the wild imagination of Rivers, yet he keeps the pace with alternately languid and biting solos. Similarly, each of the remaining musicians makes a lasting impression with his individual time in the spotlight. With music as risky at this, it's forgivable that it occasionally meanders (especially on the slower numbers) but, overall, Dimensions & Extensions offers more proof that Sam Rivers was one of the early giants of the avant-garde. Stephen Thomas Erlewine  
Tracklist :
1    Precis    5:18
2    Paean    5:20
3    Effusive Melange    5:45
4    Involution    7:10
5    Afflatus    6:25
6    Helix    5:30
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Flute – James Spaulding
Bass – Cecil McBee
Drums – Steve Ellington
Producer – Alfred Lion
Producer [For Release] – Michael Cuscuna
Recorded By – Rudy Van Gelder
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Composed By – Sam Rivers
Trombone – Julian Priester
Trumpet – Donald Byrd

JOHNNY GRIFFIN SEXTET - The Little Giant (1959-1995) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

A bit of an offbeat session for tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin, The Little Giant features three originals by then-obscure pianist Norman Simmons, a reworking of the pop tune "Playmates," Babs Gonzalez's "Lonely One," and the tenorist's "63rd Street Theme." Simmons' arrangements for the three horns (which include trumpeter Blue Mitchell and trombonist Julian Priester) are colorful; the rhythm section (pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Sam Jones, and drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath) is state of the art for the period, and Griffin (who is featured in a trio with Jones and Heath on "Lonely One") is in fine form. An interesting set of obscure straight-ahead jazz. Scott Yanow
Tracklist  :
1 Olive Refractions 4:15
Written-By – Norman Simmons
2 The Message 7:20
Written-By – Norman Simmons
3 Lonely One 4:13
Written-By – Babs Gonsalez
4 63rd Street Theme 7:34
Written-By – Johnny Griffin
5 Playmates 4:18
Written-By – Saxie Dowell
6 Venus And The Moon 6:29
Written-By – Norman Simmons
Credits
Bass – Sam Jones
Drums – Albert Heath
Piano – Wynton Kelly (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 6)
Producer, Liner Notes – Orrin Keepnews
Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Griffin
Trombone – Julian Priester (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 6)
Trumpet – Blue Mitchell (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 6)

JOHNNY GRIFFIN ORCHESTRA - The Big Soul-Band (1960-1990) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tenor-saxophonist Johnny Griffin is showcased with a ten-piece group on this CD reissue of a Riverside LP which is augmented by a previously unreleased version of "Wade in the Water." The repertoire is a bit unusual with some spirituals (including "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen" and "Deep River"), a tune apiece by Bobby Timmons ("So Tired") and Junior Mance, and three originals from Norman Simmons who arranged all of the selections. Trumpeter Clark Terry and trombonists Matthew Gee and Julian Priester have some short solos but the emphasis is on the leader who is in typically spirited and passionate form. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Wade in the Water (Alternate Take) 3'51
Traditional
2     Wade in the Water 3'47
Traditional
3     Panic Room Blues 4'37
Norman Simmons
4     Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen 2'43
Traditional
5     Meditation 8'21
Norman Simmons
6     Holla 3'39
Norman Simmons
7     So Tired 6'38
Bobby Timmons
8     Deep River 5'29
Traditional
9     Jubilation 3'57
Junior Mance
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Frank Strozier, Pat Patrick (pistas: 1, 2, 3, 8)
Arranged By – Norman Simmons
Baritone Saxophone – Charlie Davis
Bass – Bob Cranshaw (pistas: 1, 2, 3, 8), Vic Sproles (pistas: 4 to 7, 9)
Celesta – Bobby Timmons (pistas: 4)
Drums – Charlie Persip
Piano – Bobby Timmons (pistas: 5), Harold Mabern (pistas: 1 to 4, 6 to 9)
Producer, Liner Notes – Orrin Keepnews
Remastered By – Phil De Lancie
Tenor Saxophone – Edwin Williams, Johnny Griffin
Trombone – Julian Priester, Matthew Gee
Trumpet – Bob Bryant, Clark Terry

DAVE HOLLAND QUINTET — Jumpin' In (1983) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Bassist Dave Holland leads one of his most stimulating groups on this superlative quintet date. With the young Steve Coleman on alto and flute, trumpet great Kenny Wheeler, trombonist Julian Priester, and drummer Steve Ellington in the band, Holland had a particularly creative group of musicians in which to interpret and stretch out his six originals; Coleman also contributed one composition. This set, which has plenty of variety in moods, tone, colors, and styles, is one of Holland's better recordings. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Jumpin' In    7:41
Dave Holland
2    First Snow    6:28
Dave Holland
3    The Dragon And The Samurai 8:25
Steve Coleman
4    New-One    7:37
Dave Holland
5    Sunrise    5:26
Dave Holland
6    Shadow Dance    5:22
Dave Holland
7    You I Love    7:56
Dave Holland
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Flute – Steve Coleman
Bass, Cello – Dave Holland
Design – Barbara Wojirsch
Drums – Steve Ellington
Producer [Produced By] – Manfred Eicher
Trombone – Julian Priester
Trumpet, Trumpet [Pocket Trumpet], Cornet, Flugelhorn [Fluegelhorn] – Kenny Wheeler 

DAVE HOLLAND QUINTET - Seeds of Time (1985) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

In the mid-1980s, bassist Dave Holland led his finest group, a quintet with up-and-coming altoist Steve Coleman, trombonist Julian Priester, trumpeter Kenny Wheeler and (on this date) drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith. The all-star musicians pack plenty of music and concise solos into each performance (nine originals), and the unique group carved out its own niche, not quite free but certainly unpredictable. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Uhren 4:53
Composed By – Steve Coleman
2    Homecoming 6:01
Composed By – Dave Holland
3    Perspicuity 3:42
Composed By – Doug Hammond
4    Celebration 5:11
Composed By – Julian Priester
5    World Protection Blues 7:00
Composed By – Doug Hammond
6    Gridlock (Opus 8) 8:23
Composed By – Steve Coleman
7    Walk-a-way 3:55
Composed By – Holland, Smith
8    The Good Doctor 5:54
Composed By – Kenny Wheeler
9    Double Vision 7:09
Composed By – Dave Holland
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute – Steve Coleman
Design [Cover Design] – Barbara Wojirsch
Double Bass – Dave Holland
Drums, Percussion – Marvin "Smitty" Smith
Producer [Produced By] – Manfred Eicher
Trombone – Julian Priester
Trumpet, Cornet, Trumpet [Pocket Trumpet], Flugelhorn – Kenny Wheeler

BLUE MITCHELL – Boss Horn (1966-2004) RM | RVG Edition | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Trumpeter Blue Mitchell delivers a solid hard bop date with his 1966 Blue Note release Boss Horn. [The Rudy Van Gelder edition of Boss Horn features remastered sound by original producer Van Gelder that does significanly improve the overall sound quality over the original release.] Matt Collar
Tracklist :
1 Millie 6:15
Duke Pearson
2 O Mama Enit 5:34
Blue Mitchell
 3 I Should Care 7:31
Sammy Cahn / Axel Stordahl / Paul Weston
 4 Rigor Mortez 6:21
Dave Burns
 5 Tones for Joan's Bones 6:37
Chick Corea
 6 Straight Up and Down  6:36
Chick Corea
Credits
Alto Saxophone – Jerry Dodgion
Arranged By – Duke Pearson
Baritone Saxophone – Pepper Adams
Trumpet – Blue Mitchell
Bass – Gene Taylor
Drums – Mickey Roker
Piano – Cedar Walton (tracks: 1 to 4), Chick Corea (tracks: 5, 6)
Recorded By – Rudy Van Gelder
Tenor Saxophone – Junior Cook
Trombone – Julian Priester