LALO SCHIFRIN — Towering Toccata (1977-2017) RM | HQC | Serie CTI+RVG Ultimate Remastering Series, CTI PS | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

After scoring an unexpected high-profile success with the disco/jazz fusion of Black Widow, Lalo Schifrin quickly recorded a follow-up album in a similar vein. 1977's Towering Toccata replicates the elegant yet dance-friendly style of Black Widow to the tee, right down to the unconventional cover choices. The best of these is the title track, an insistently rhythmic piece that transforms Bach's gothic-organ extravaganza "Toccata and Prelude in F Minor" into a mid-tempo disco workout that backs up Schifrin's jazzy explorations on the electric piano and synthesizer with scratching rhythm guitar and a pronounced dance beat. Other notable moments on this album include "Most Wanted Theme," which is transformed from action-show theme music into a symphonic funk workout, and "Rollercoaster," a funky vamp from the Schifrin soundtrack of the same name that is ideally suited for Towering Toccata's disco/jazz mindset. There is even another monster-movie theme cover in the vein of the previous album's "Jaws"; this time, it's a disco-friendly treatment of John Barry's "Theme From King Kong" that layers atmospheric horn and flute lines over a bottom-heavy rhythm section fueled by wah-wah guitar and synth bass. However, other tracks on Towering Toccata fail to be as distinctive or adventurous as these highlights. For instance, the original tunes ("Macumba," "Midnight Woman") fit the album's mood but are lacking strong hooks and memorable twists in their arrangements that distinguished the originals on Black Widow. This problem of inconsistent material, combined with the fact that the album is basically a stylistic carbon copy of its predecessor, means that it isn't the ideal follow-up to Black Widow that Schifrin fans might have hoped for. That said, the album has enough strong tunes and enough of a consistent sound to please hardcore Lalo Schifrin fans and anyone who loved Black Widow. Donald A. Guarisco  
Tracklist :
1 Towering Toccata 5:02
Soloist, Flute – Jeremy Steig
2 Frances' Theme 4:19
Flute – Jeremy Steig
3 Macumba 6:31
Drums [Dahka-de-bello] – Steve Gadd
Flute – Jeremy Steig
Soloist, Guitar – Eric Gale
4 Eagles In Love 2:49
Lalo Schifrin
5 Theme From King Kong 4:12
Soloist, Guitar – Eric Gale, John Tropea
6 Most Wanted Theme 2:42
Bass – Will Lee
Soloist, Violin [Vitar] – John Blair
7 Midnight Woman 6:09
Bass – Will Lee
Soloist, Flute – Joe Farrell
Soloist, Piano – Lalo Schifrin
8 Roller Coaster 4:48
Drums – Andrew Smith
Credits:
Alto Saxophone – Gerry Niewood
Baritone Saxophone – Ronnie Cuber
Bass – Anthony Jackson
Cello – Alan Shulman, Charles McCracken
Conductor, Arranged By  – Lalo Schifrin
Drums – Steve Gadd
Flute – Dave Tofani, Lou Marini
Keyboards – Clark Spangler
Percussion – Don Armando Bonilla, Ralph MacDonald, Sue Evans
Producer – Creed Taylor
Saxophone – Dave Tofani
Tenor Saxophone – Lou Marini
Trombone – Urbie Green
Trumpet – Burt Collins, John Frosk, John Gatchell
Viola – Manny Vardi, Lamar Alsop
Violin – Charles Libove, David Nadien, Emanuel Green, Marvin Morgenstern, Matthew Raimondi, Max Ellen, Max Pollikoff, Paul Gershman

QUINCY JONES AND HIS ORCHESTRA — Big Band Bossa Nova (1962-2007) RM | SHM-CD | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

A byproduct of the bossa nova fad that followed the success of "Desafinado" (and preceded the famous recording Getz/Gilberto), this set finds Quincy Jones utilizing and exploiting bossa nova rhythms in his arrangements for a big band. The personnel includes flügelhornist Clark Terry, altoist Phil Woods, pianist Lalo Schifrin, guitarist Jim Hall, and (on "Soul Bossa Nova") the remarkable Rahsaan Roland Kirk. However, since the selections are all quite brief, and some of the charts are a bit cheesy and inappropriate for the gentle rhythms, this disc (although pleasant enough) is of lesser interest. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1. Soul Bossa Nova (2:48)
 Quincy Jones
2. Boogie Bossa Nova (2:45)
 Charles Mingus
3. Desafinado (2:57)
 Antônio Carlos Jobim / Newton Mendonça
4. Black Orpheus (Manha De Carnaval) (2:58)
 Luiz Bonfá / Antônio Maria
5. Se E Tarde Me Pardoa (Forgive Me If I'm Late) (4:25)
 Ronaldo Bôscoli / Carlos Lyra
6. On The Street Where You Live (2:36)
 Alan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe
7. Samba De Uma Nota So (One Note Samba) (2:05)
 Jon Hendricks / Antônio Carlos Jobim / Newton Mendonça
8. Lalo Bossa Nova (3:13)
 Lalo Schifrin
9. Serenata (3:22)
 Leroy Anderson
10. Chega De Saudade (No More Blues) (5:39)
 Antônio Carlos Jobim
Credits :
Bass – Chris White
Drums – Rudy Collins
Flugelhorn – Clark Terry
Flute – Jerome Richardson, Rahsaan Roland Kirk (tracks: 1)
Flute [Alto] – Jerome Richardson
Guitar – Jim Hall (tracks: 3, 8-10)
Percussion – Carlos Gomez, Jack Del Rio, José Paula
Piano – Lalo Schifrin
Producer – Quincy Jones
Saxophone [Alto] – Phil Woods (tracks: 6-9)
Saxophone [Tenor] – Paul Gonsalves (tracks: 2, 4 & 7)
Trumpet – Clark Terry (tracks: 2 & 10)
Woodwind – Jerome Richardson

DIZZY GILLESPIE — The Verve/Philips Dizzy Gillespie Small Group Sessions (2006) RM | 7CD | APE (tracks+.cue), lossless

 Dizzy Gillespie's career soared with the surge of interest in bop, but after the failure of his independent Dee Gee label, his career was in the doldrums. In 1953, Norman Granz added the trumpeter to his successful Jazz at the Philharmonic all-star roster for tours and also signed him to a non-exclusive recording contract, where the producer was very open to most anything Gillespie wished to record. This seven-CD boxed set, a limited edition of 10,000 compiled by Mosaic, draws material from selected studio and live sessions made for Granz between 1954 and 1961, in addition to a number of studio dates made for Philips, all of which featured his working bands of the time.

The Verve tracks are a treasure trove, as a good deal of these performances were not reissued on CD until this compilation, with six selections appearing for the first time in this collection. Aside from some of the early novelty songs like "Hey Pete! Let's Eat More Meat," the calypso-flavored "Money Honey," and the perennial jive number "Swing Low, Sweet Cadillac," which wear out their welcome quickly, the remaining material is very strong. Up and coming musicians in his bands include saxophonists Hank Mobley, Gigi Gryce, and Benny Golson, along with pianists Ray Bryant and Junior Mance. One of the obvious highlights is alto sax great Johnny Hodges' guest appearance on "Squatty Roo," which bolsters Gillespie's playing to its highest level. The addition of the relatively unheralded Leo Wright (who doubles on flute and alto sax) and young pianist Lalo Schifrin for a brief concert at the Museum of Modern Art marks the end of his association with Verve, which was sold by Granz that very same year.

Several of the earliest Philips sessions find Gillespie incorporating Brazilian influences and exploring the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim, Luiz Bonfá, and even one extended work by Schifrin, "Mount Olive." Dizzy Gillespie & the Double Six of Paris features collaborations with a group of French vocalists arranged by Lalo Schifrin, with most of the songs utilizing Bud Powell, Pierre Michelot, and Kenny Clarke, with the trumpeter's regular group of the time on two selections. The Double Six of Paris' leader Michel Perin's vocalese interpretations of Charlie Parker's instrumental solos from Gillespie's well-known records of "Hot House" and "Groovin' High" are outstanding, as are the big-band arrangements recast for small group and voices. The final sessions feature James Moody and Kenny Barron, with Chris White and Rudy Collins. The tracks from Dizzy Goes Hollywood are enjoyable but far too brief, as most of them hover around the three-minute mark. Better are the songs from Original Score from the Cool World, an updated look at music Dizzy composed for the film, with fine arrangements by Tom McIntosh. This collection should be considered essential for any Dizzy Gillespie fan. Ken Dryden
Tracklist + Credits :

DIZZY GILLESPIE — New Wave! (1963) Vinyl | FLAC (tracks), lossless

It is such a pity that Dizzy Gillespie Philips' LPs have yet to be reissued on CD, for the trumpeter (45 at the time of this recording) was at the peak of his powers in the early '60s. On such songs as "In a Shanty in Old Shanty Town," "Careless Love," "One Note Samba" and the "Theme from Black Orpheus," Gillespie and his expanded quintet (with guests Bola Sete or Elec Bacsik on guitar and Charlie Ventura taking a memorable bass sax solo on "No More Blues-Part II") show a great deal of spirit and creativity. Leo Wright (on alto and flute) and pianist Lalo Schifrin are also in fine form throughout this gem.  Scott Yanow   Tracklist + Credits :

DIZZY GILLESPIE — Dizzy on the French Riviera (1962-2009) RM | Serie Verve Originals | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Some of Dizzy Gillespie's best and most well-known material from the '60s with a truly talented band is included on this set of recordings done in France. A group of American expatriates and Europeans -- really musicians from all over the world -- accompany the trumpeter for music that spans bop, Brazilian sounds, and originals. Argentine pianist Lalo Schifrin plays piano and contributes the arrangements, and Leo Wright is Gillespie's main foil on flute and alto sax, while Hungarian Elek Bacsik plays guitar in subtle ways that reflect the overall style of the sounds inspired by the French Riviera. A classic, stretched-out take of Antonio Carlos Jobim's "No More Blues" kicks off the set, with the sound of kids on an ocean beach leading to Gillespie and Wright trading halves of the melody line as playful as the children in a perfectly played bossa. Another Jobim standard, "Desafinado," has Wright's bright flute and the muted trumpet of Diz in a more pensive but still hopeful romantic mood. "I Waited for You" is the ultimate languid, laying-in-wait ballad, with Schifrin's refrains cuing the trumpeter's procrastinations, while "Long, Long Summer" is the pianist's ode to a sullen affair with ultraviolet light -- cool shades included -- in a swinging and modal approach. "For the Gypsies," penned by the leader, has Bacsik more up-front rhythmically, as Wright's mysterious flute contrasts with Gillespie's sharply precise notes in a sneaky quick bossa rhythm. Also written by Dizzy, "Here It Is" is as memorable a tune as he ever did, a signature strutting shuffle jazz/blues that exemplifies the joy in life always present in his music. That all of the participants are extremely talented and can mix and match with Gillespie beautifully makes this an album that should appeal universally to all jazz lovers, and especially his biggest fans. Michael G. Nastos    Tracklist + Credits :

DIZZY GILLESPIE & THE DOUBLE SIX — Dizzy Gillespie & The Double Six of Paris (1963-1986) APE (image+.cue), lossless

This odd but successful pairing finds the Double Six of Paris singing vocalese in French to a dozen bebop classics associated with Dizzy Gillespie. Gillespie, with pianist Bud Powell and a rhythm section, take solos that uplift this date; two songs feature his quintet (with James Moody on alto). Not for all tastes, but this is a unique and colorful addition to Gillespie's discography. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

DIZZY GILLESPIE | LALO SCHIFRIN — Free Ride (1977-1993) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although Lalo Schifrin is justifiably praised for his soundtrack work, many jazz purists turn up their noses at his jazz dates, such as his '60s work with Jimmy Smith and Wes Montgomery. The things that make Schifrin an anathema to the diehards -- the huge orchestras, the pop and soul riffs, the general air of over the top theatricality -- are all over 1977's Free Ride, his reunion date with Dizzy Gillespie. (Schifrin had been Gillespie's arranger in the late '50s.) In fact, Free Ride is so painfully dated that it's transformed into cockeyed cool, just the sort of record ironic hipsters should listen to while they're reading the novelizations of '70s cop shows that they bought for a bundle off of eBay. Gillespie plays with his usual wit and panache, but most of the time, he sounds like a sideman on his own album; the real focus of Schifrin's arrangements is the funky wah-wah guitars and ARP synthesizer solos that take center stage on tracks like "Fire Dance" (which sounds exactly like it should be the theme for a Charlie's Angels spinoff) and the mellow disco of the closing "Last Stroke of Midnight." Occasionally, Gillespie gets to break out on his own album, with the lovely solo on "Love Poem for Donna" his particular standout. For what it is, Free Ride is really quite good (guests include Lee Ritenour and future star Ray Parker, Jr.), but it's very much a record of and for its time. Stewart Mason  Tracklist + Credits :

DIZZY GILLESPIE – An Electrifying Evening with the Dizzy Gillespie Quintet (1961-1999) Serie Verve Master Edition | WV (image+.cue), lossless

Dizzy Gillespie (along with altoist Leo Wright, pianist Lalo Schfrin, bassist Bob Cunningham, and drummer Chuck Lampkin) were in peak form for this live performance. Their versions of "Kush," "Salt Peanuts," and "The Mooche" are all excellent, but it is "A Night in Tunisia," with its absolutely stunning trumpet break (which lasts half a chorus), that is most memorable.  Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

JOHNNY HODGES QUINTET WITH LALO SCHIFRIN - Buenos Aires Blues + The Eleventh Hour (2009) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

This release presents two complete albums by the unique Johnny Hodges, both appearing here on CD for the first time ever.
The first, in quintet format, marks Hodges' only recorded encounter ever with Argentinean pianist an composer Lalo Schifrin. The latter LP showsases the saxophonist soloing on standard tunes with a big band conducted & arranged by Oliver Nelson.
Previously Unreleased Recordings    
1    Mama Knows 5:00
Written-By – Johnny Hodges
2    I'm In Another World 2:49
Written-By – Duke Ellington
3    Dreary Days 3:14
Written-By – Lalo Schifrin
4    I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me 4:58
Written-By – Clarence Gaskill, Jimmy McHugh
5    B.A. Blues 4:37
Written-By – Lalo Schifrin
6    Wanderlust 7:20
Written-By – Duke Ellington
7    All Too Soon 3:23
Written-By – Carl Sigman, Duke Ellington
8    Somebody Loves Me 2:48
Written-By – Ballard MacDonald, Buddy G. De Sylva, George Gershwin
9    Away From You 3:32
Written-By – Johnny Hodges
The Eleventh Hour    
10    Something To Live For 2:22
Written-By – Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington
11    In A Sentimental Mood 2:55
Written-By – Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Manny Kurtz
12    I Didn't Know About You 2:36
Written-By – Bob Russell, Duke Ellington
13    Guitar Amour 3:29
Written-By – Duke Ellington
14    You Blew Out The Flame (In My Heart) 2:02
Written-By – Ervin Drake, Jimmy Shirl, Johnny Hodges
15    Theme From "The Eleventh Hour" 2:14
Written-By – Harry Sukman
16    Love Song From "Mutiny On The Bounty" 1:55
Written-By – Bronislaw Kaper
17    Solitude 2:35
Written-By – Duke Ellington, Eddie Delange, Irving Mills
18    Satin Doll 1:57
Written-By – Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington
19    Don't Blame Me 2:44
Written-By – Jimmy McHugh & Dorothy Fields
20    Prelude To A Kiss 2:39
Written-By – Duke Ellington, Irving Gordon, Irving Mills
21    Warm Valley 1:56
Written-By – Duke Ellington
Personnel 1-9
Alto Saxophone – Johnny Hodges
Bass – George Duvivier
Drums – Dave Bailey (pistas: 1 to 9),
Guitar – Barry Galbraith
Piano, Arranged By – Lalo Schifrin
Personnel 10-21
Piano, Organ – Bernie Leighton
Strings, Arranged By, Conductor – Oliver Nelson
Violin – Ray Nance (pistas: 13)
Drums – Osie Johnson
Notas.
Tracks 1 to 9 recorded May 26, 1963, in New York and issued as Previously Unreleased Recordings.
Tracks 10 to 21 recorded August 6 and 15, 1962, in New York and issued as The Eleventh Hour.
"This release presents two complete original albums by the unique Johnny Hodges, both appearing here on CD for the first time ever. The first, in quartet format, marks Hodges' only recorded encounter with Lalo Schifrin. The latter LP showcases the saxophonist soloing on standard tunes with a big band conducted & arranged by Oliver Nelson."

COLEMAN HAWKINS & FRIENDS - Bean Stalkin' (1961-1989) FLAC (tracks), lossless

In contrast to Hawkins's sometimes sleepy studio albums from this era, his live performances were generally quite exciting. This set features the great tenor at two European concerts in 1960, performing three fairly heated numbers with a four-piece rhythm section, matching wits with trumpeter Roy Eldridge on "Crazy Rhythm" and leading two all-star jams with Eldridge, fellow tenor Don Byas and altoist Benny Carter. Some of the music is quite fiery, making this a recommended disc. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Bean Stalkin' 6:12
Coleman Hawkins
2     Indian Summer 2:28
Al Dubin / Victor Herbert
3     Stompin' at the Savoy 8:27
Benny Goodman / Andy Razaf / Edgar Sampson / Chick Webb
4     Crazy Rhythm 6:53
Irving Caesar / Roger Wolfe Kahn / Joseph Meyer
5     Take the "A" Train7:42
Billy Strayhorn
6     (Back Home Again In) Indiana 14:17
James F. Hanley / Ballard MacDonald
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter (pistas: 5 to 6)
Bass – Art Davis (pistas: 5 to 6), Max Bennett (pistas: 1 to 4)
Drums – Gus Johnson (pistas: 1 to 4), Jo Jones (pistas: 5 to 6)
Guitar – Herb Ellis (pistas: 1 to 4)
Piano – Lalo Schifrin (pistas: 5 to 6), Lou Levy (pistas: 1 to 4)
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins (pistas: 1 to 6), Don Byas (pistas: 5 to 6)
Trumpet – Roy Eldridge (pistas: 4 to 6)

LALO SCHIFRIN - The Dissection And Reconstruction Of Music From The Past As Performed By The Inmates Of Lalo Schifrin's Demented Ensemble As A Tribute To The Memory Of The Marquis De Sade [1966] Verve / Lp / FLAC

Come again? This crackpot title -- probably the longest ever concocted for a jazz album -- actually is a front for a not-so-dangerous, hard-swinging album in which Schifrin invents or borrows 18th-century classical themes and sets them into big band or small-combo contexts. Such is Schifrin's chameleonic mastery that his own inventions are a match for the themes of the period, and he is tasteful enough not to overload the window dressing and keep the rhythm section loosely swinging nearly all the time. Once, Lalo tries something wacky; on "Beneath a Weeping Window Shade," he has singer Rose Marie Jun intoning a madrigal-like Francis Hopkinson song against some avant-garde multiphonic flute from Jerome Richardson, ministrations from a string quintet, and Schifrin's own comments on harpsichord. There is also a stimulating pastiche "Aria" that sounds like Schifrin arguing with Heitor Villa-Lobos and Henry Purcell in 9/8 time. With the cream of New York's jazz session men of the '60s on board -- including the inimitable Grady Tate on drums, Richardson on flute and tenor, Gene Bertoncini on guitar, and J.J. Johnson and Kai Winding on trombones -- and Creed Taylor's production dictating the distinctive timbres, jazz buffs will have a fine time with this collision of the centuries, which leans heavily to the jazz side. The album was reissued on CD as part of Verve's limited Elite Editions series.

Tracklist
A1. Old Laces 4:20
A2. The Wig 2:40
A3. The Blues For Johann Sebastian 3:05
A4. Renaissance 3:15
A5. Beneath A Weeping Willow Shade 2:30
B1. Versailles Promenade 3:55
B2. Troubadour 3:00
B3. Marquis De Sade 2:45
B4. Aria 2:30
B5. Bossa Antique 3:26

Arranged By, Conductor, Leader, 

Piano, Harpsichord– Lalo Schifrin

Bass – Richard Davis (2)

Cello – George Ricci (tracks: A4, A5, B4)

Drums – Grady Tate

Flute [Tenor & Alto] – Jerome Richardson

Saxophone (tracks: A2, A3, A4, A5, B2, B4, B5)

Flute, Flute [Alto] – Romeo Penque (tracks: A2, A3, B2, B5)

French Horn – James Buffington* (tracks: A2, A3, B2, B5), 

Ray Alonge (tracks: A2, A3, B2, B5), 

Richard Berg (3) (tracks: A2, A3, B2, B5)

Guitar – Gene Bertoncini (tracks: A4, A5, B4)

Guitar [Classic], Electric Guitar (tracks: A1, B1, B3)

Harp – Gloria Agostini (tracks: A4, A5, B4)

Trombone – J. J. Johnson* (tracks: A2, A3, B2, B5),

 Kai Winding (tracks: A2, A3, B2, B5), 

Thomas Mitchell (tracks: A2, A3, B2, B5), 

Urbie Green (tracks: A2, A3, B2, B5)

Trumpet – Clark Terry (tracks: A2, A3, B2, B5),

 Ernie Royal, Snooky Young* (tracks: A2, A3, B2, B5), 

Jimmy Maxwell (tracks: A2, A3, B2, B5)

Tuba – Don Butterfield (tracks: A2, A3, B2, B5)

Violin – Alfred Brown (tracks: A4, A5, B4), 

Christopher Williams (10) (tracks: A4, A5, B4), 

Gene Orloff (tracks: A4, A5, B4),

 Harry Lookofsky (tracks: A4, A5, B4)

Vocals – Rose Marie Jun (tracks: A4, A5, B4)

O Púbis da Rosa