SONNY CRISS — Sonny Criss Plays Cole Porter (1956-1990) Serie We Love Jazz | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    I Love You 4:13
Cole Porter
2    Anything Goes 3:12
Cole Porter
3    Easy to Love 3:16
Cole Porter
4    It's All Right With Me 3:10
Cole Porter
5    In the Still of the Night 4:19
Cole Porter
6    Love for Sale 2:43
Cole Porter
7    Night and Day 4:43
Cole Porter
8    Just One of Those Things 2:48
Cole Porter
9    What Is This Thing Called Love? 5:43
Cole Porter
10    I Get a Kick Out of You     2:46
Cole Porter
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Sonny Criss
Bass – Buddy Clark
Drums – Lawrence Marable
Piano – Sonny Clark
Vibraphone – Larry Bunker

PEGGY LEE — Black Coffee & Dream Street : The Complete Sessions (2009) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Black Coffee (1956)
1. Black Coffee (3:09)
Written-By – Paul Francis Webster, Sonny Burke
2. I've Got You Under My Skin (2:32)
Written-By – Cole Porter
3. Easy Living (2:47)
Written-By – Leo Robin, Ralph Rainger
4. My Heart Belongs to Daddy (2:12)
Written-By – Cole Porter
5. It Ain't Necessarily So (3:26)
Written-By – George & Ira Gershwin
6. Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You? (3:26)
Written-By – Andy Razaf, Don Redman
7. A Woman Alone with the Blues (3:17)
Written-By – Willard Robison
8. I Didn't Know What Time It Was (2:21)
Written-By – Richard Rodgers-Lorenz Hart
9. (Ah, the Apple Trees) When the World Was Young (3:21)
Written-By – Angele Uannier, Johnny Mercer, M. Philippe Gerard
10. Love Me or Leave Me (2:11)
Written-By – Gus Kahn, Walter Donaldson
11. You're My Thrill (3:26)
Written-By – Jay Gorney, Sidney Clare
12. There's a Small Hotel (2:48)
Written-By – Richard Rodgers-Lorenz Hart
13. Do I Love You? (1:37)
Written-By – Cole Porter
14. Guess I'll Go Back Home (This Summer) (3:19)
Written-By – Ray Mayer, Willard Robison
Dream Street (1956)
15. Street of Dreams (3:23)
Written-By – Sam M. Lewis, Victor Young
16. What's New (3:00)
Written-By – Bob Haggart, Johnny Burke
17. You're Blase (2:50)
Written-By – Bruce Sievier, Ord Hamilton
18. It's All Right with Me (2:24)
Written-By – Cole Porter
19. My Old Flame (2:39)
Written-By – Arthur Johnston, Sam Coslow
20. Dancing on the Ceiling (3:41)
Written-By – Richard Rodgers-Lorenz Hart
21. It Never Entered My Mind (3:02)
Written-By – Richard Rodgers-Lorenz Hart
22. Too Late Now (3:49)
Written-By – Alan Jay Lerner, Burton Lane
23. I've Grown Accustomed to His Face (2:47)
Written-By – Alan Jay Lerner-Frederick Loewe
24. Something I Dreamed Last Night (2:30)
Written-By – Herbert Magidson, Jack Yellen, Sammy Fain
25. Last Night When We Were Young (2:57)
Written-By – Yip Harburg, Harold Arlen
26. So Blue (2:14)
Written-By – Buddy G. DeSylva, Lew Brown, Ray Henderson
27. I Still Get a Thrill (Thinking of You) (2:21)
Written-By – Benny Davis, J. Fred Coots
Credits :
Arranged By – Shorty Rogers (tracks: 15 to 27), Sy Oliver (tracks: 15 to 27)
Bass – Buddy Clark (tracks: 5, 6, 11 to 14), Max Wayne (tracks: 1 to 4, 7 to 10)
Drums – Ed Shaughnessy (tracks: 1 to 4, 7 to 10), Nick Fatool (tracks: 15 to 27)
Drums, Vibraphone – Larry Bunker (tracks: 5, 6, 11 to 14)
Flute, Saxophone – Bud Shank (tracks: 15 to 27)
Guitar – Bill Pitman (tracks: 5, 6, 11 to 27)
Harp – Stella Castellucci (tracks: 5, 6, 11 to 27)
Piano – Jimmy Rowles (tracks: 1 to 4, 7 to 10), Lou Levy (tracks: 5, 6, 11 to 14)
Saxophone – Bob Cooper (tracks: 15 to 27)
Trumpet – Pete Candoli (tracks: 1 to 4, 7 to 10)
Vibraphone, Percussion – Larry Bunker (tracks: 15 to 27)
Vocals – Peggy Lee
This cd contains the complete sessions from Peggy Lee's two celebrated albums "Black Coffee" and "Dream Street", marking the first time ever that either of these LPs is released with all of the tracks from its studio dates.

Black Coffee :
1-4 & 7-10: New York, April 30, May 1 & May 4, 1953
5-6 & 11-14: LOs Angeles, April 3, 1956

Dream Street :
15-27: Los Angeles, June 5 & 7, 1956
Bass on these sessions was either played by Max Bennett or Buddy Clark.

Tracks 13, 14, 27: from the same sessions but not issued on the original LPs.

ELLA FITZGERALD – 1954-1955 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1457 (2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The 15th installment in the complete studio recordings of Ella Fitzgerald as reissued in the Classics Chronological Series contains 22 titles cut between March 30, 1954, and August 5, 1955, marking the tail end of her contractual obligations as a Decca recording artist. Ella's involvement with Decca extended a full 20 years back to her initial recording session with the Chick Webb Orchestra in June 1935; by January of 1956 she would be working with Norman Granz (who had already been recording her in live performance with his Jazz at the Philharmonic package), inaugurating one of the great longstanding singer/producer collaborations in the entire history of recorded jazz. Drawing upon material originally made available on the LPs Sweet and Hot, Songs in a Mellow Mood, The First Lady of Song, Lullabies of Birdland and Songs from "Pete Kelly's Blues" (a motion picture in which Ella appeared cast as a jazz singer), this patchwork compilation opens with three songs that close out one of the delightful sessions that she shared with pianist Ellis Larkins during the spring of 1954. The next two titles come from a date that was typical of Decca's approach to artists and repertoire, for here Ella and a sextet including tenor saxophonist Sam Taylor, pianist Hank Jones, and organist Bill Doggett were pitted against a standard issue '50s pop vocal choir. Other ensembles heard on this disc were conducted or supervised by Benny Carter, Sy Oliver, André Previn, Dick Hyman, and Toots Camarata. Altogether, it's a fine portrait of Ella Fitzgerald in one of her primes, and an effective appetizer for the next chapter in her musical biography. arwulf arwulf
Tracklist + Credits :

LEE KONITZ & THE GERRY MULLIGAN QUARTET - Konitz Meets Mulligan (1957-1988) MONO | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Too Marvelous For Words    3:36
R. Whiting / Jonny Mercer
2    Lover Man    3:01
Davis / Ramirez / Sherman
3    I'll Remember April    4:08
Raye / De Paul / Johnston
4    These Foolish Things    3:15
Strachey / Marvell / Link
5    All The Things You Are    3:55
J. Kern / O. Hammerstein
6    Bernie's Tune    3:32
Bernie Miller
7    Almost Like Being In Love    2:50
F. Lerner / F. Loewe
8    Sextet    2:59
Gerry Mulligan
9    Broadway    2:54
Woode / Byrd / McCrae
10    I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me    3:05
G. Gaskill / J. McHugh
11    Lady Be Good    2:38
Gershwin
12    Lady Be Good (Alternate Take)    1:52
Gershwin
Credits :   
Alto Saxophone – Lee Konitz
Baritone Saxophone – Gerry Mulligan
Bass – Carson Smith (tracks: 1 to 9), Joe Mondragon (tracks: 10 to 12)
Drums – Larry Bunker
Producer [Produced For Release], Liner Notes – Michael Cuscuna
Trumpet – Chet Baker
Notas.
All selections are monaural.
Tracks 1-5 and 7-11 were originally issued in 1957 on Pacific Jazz PJM 406 (and later reissued as PJ 1273 and PJ 38).
Track 6 was originally issued in 1983 on Mosaic MR5-102.
Track 12 was originally issued in 1955 on Pacific Jazz JWC 500.
Recorded at The Haig (#1-6), unknown studio (#7-9) and at Phil Turetsky's home studio (#10-12), all locations in the Hollywood-Los Angeles area, in late January 1953.

ZOOT SIMS — Choice (1961-2002) RM | Super Bit Jazz Classics | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Tracklist :
1    I'll Remember April 4:15
Bass – Red Mitchell
Drums – Larry Bunker
Leader [Leadership] – Gerry Mulligan
Piano – Bobby Brookmeyer
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Written-By – Raye, DePaul, Johnston
2    Flamingo 2:15
Baritone Saxophone, Leader [Leadership] – Gerry Mulligan
Bass – Red Mitchell
Drums – Larry Bunker
Piano – Bobby Brookmeyer
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Trumpet – Jon Eardley
Written-By – Anderson, Grouya
3    There Will Never Be Another You 5:00
Baritone Saxophone, Leader [Leadership] – Gerry Mulligan
Bass – Red Mitchell
Drums – Larry Bunker
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Valve Trombone – Bobby Brookmeyer
Written-By – Warren, Gordon
4    Red Door 7:00
Bass – Red Mitchell
Drums – Larry Bunker
Leader [Leadership] – Gerry Mulligan
Piano – Bobby Brookmeyer
Written-By, Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
5    You're Driving Me Crazy 4:47
Bass – Monte Budwig
Drums – Mel Lewis
Guitar – Billy Bean
Piano – Russ Freeman
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Written-By – Walter Donaldson
6    Brushes 6:30
Bass – Monte Budwig
Guitar – Jim Hall
Piano – Russ Freeman
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Written-By – Freeman
Written-By, Drums – Lewis
7    Choice Blues 4:30
Bass – Monte Budwig
Drums – Mel Lewis
Guitar – Jim Hall
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Written-By, Piano – Russ Freeman

BENNY CARTER - Aspects (1958-1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This CD reissues an enjoyable obscurity. Although originally associated with big bands, the set has what was Benny Carter's only big-band recording as a playing leader during 1947-86. While the song titles are a bit gimmicky, saluting the 12 months of the year (including "June in January," "I'll Remember April," "June Is Busting Out All Over," etc.), the music (which includes four alternate takes) is solid, mainstream big-band swing. The less familiar titles include four Carter originals written for the date, plus Hal Schaefer's "February Fiesta." The leader/altoist solos on every selection, and among the other top West Coast studio players featured are trumpeters Shorty Sherock, Pete Candoli and Joe Gordon, trombonists Frank Rosolino and Herbie Harper, vibraphonist Larry Bunker, pianists Arnold Ross and Gerry Wiggins, and guitarist Barney Kessel. Two overlapping big bands were utilized, and the music alternates between being forceful and lyrical. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     June in January 3:12
Ralph Rainger / Leo Robin    
2     February Fiesta 1:54
Hal Schaefer    
3     March Wind 3:16
Benny Carter    
4     I'll Remember April 3:21
Gene DePaul / Pat Johnston / Patricia Johnston / Don Raye
5     One Morning in May 2:49
Hoagy Carmichael / Mitchell Parish    
6     June Is Bustin' Out All Over 2:59
Oscar Hammerstein II / Richard Rodgers
7     Sleigh Ride in July 2:50
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen    
8     August Moon 3:39
Benny Carter / Ottmar Liebert    
9     September Song 2:39
Maxwell Anderson / Kurt Weill    
10     Something for October 2:52
Benny Carter    
11     Swingin' in November 3:02
Benny Carter    
12     Roses in December 2:36
George Jessel / Herbert Magidson / Ben Oakland
13     February Fiesta 1:55
Hal Schaefer    
14     June Is Bustin' Out All Over 3:00
Oscar Hammerstein II / Richard Rodgers    
15     August Moon 3:33
Benny Carter / Ottmar Liebert    
16     Swingin' in November 3:05
Benny Carter
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Leader, Arranged By – Benny Carter
Bass – Joe Comfort
Drums – Shelly Manne
Guitar – Barney Kessel (pistas: 3, 6, 7, 10 to 12), Bobby Gibbons (pistas: 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9)
Mastered By – Ron McMaster
Piano – Arnold Ross (pistas: 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9), Gerry Wiggins (pistas: 3, 6, 7, 10 to 12)
Reeds – Buddy Collette, Chuck Gentry (pistas: 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9), Jewell Grant (pistas: 3, 6, 7, 10 to 12), Justin Gordon (pistas: 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9), Plas Johnson (pistas: 3, 6, 7, 10 to 12), Bill Green
Trombone – Frank Rosolino (pistas: 3, 6, 7, 10 to 12), George Roberts (pistas: 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9), Herbie Harper (pistas: 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9), Russ Brown (pistas: 3, 6, 7, 10 to 12), Tommy Pederson
Trumpet – Al Porcino (pistas: 3, 6, 7, 10 to 12), Conrad Gozzo (pistas: 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9), Joe Gordon (pistas: 3, 6, 7, 10 to 12), Pete Candoli (pistas: 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9), Ray Triscari (pistas: 3, 6, 7, 10 to 12), Shorty Sherock (pistas: 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9), Stu Williamson (pistas: 3, 6, 7, 10 to 12), Uan Rasey (pistas: 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9)
Vibraphone [Vibes] – Larry Bunker (pistas: 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9)

GERRY MULLIGAN — The Complete Pacific Jazz Recordings of the Gerry Mulligan Quartet with Chet Baker (1996) 4CD BOX-SET | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Baritonist Gerry Mulligan's pianoless quartet of 1952-1953 with trumpeter Chet Baker was one of the most popular groups of the period and an influential force on West Coast Jazz. Mulligan's interplay with Baker looked back toward the collective improvisation of Dixieland but utilized up-to-date harmonies. This four-CD set overlaps with a previous (and now out-of-print) five-LP Mosaic box. In addition to all of the Pacific Jazz (as opposed to Fantasy and GNP/Crescendo) recordings of the Mulligan Quartet (including the hit version of "My Funny Valentine"), this box has a few slightly earlier titles that find Mulligan gradually forming the group (even utilizing pianist Jimmie Rowles on two songs), tunes from live sessions in which altoist Lee Konitz made the band a quintet, the 1957 Mulligan-Baker set called Reunion, and an Annie Ross date from the same period (leaving out the numbers that have Art Farmer in Baker's place). Despite both musicians remaining active for over 30 years, Mulligan and Baker only teamed up again on one occasion, for a 1970s Carnegie Hall concert released by CTI. The consistently delightful music on this box (much of which is classic) is highly recommended for all jazz collections. Scott Yanow  
Tracklist 1 :
The Original Sessions
1     Get Happy 2:30
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
2     'S Wonderful 3:32
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
3     Godchild 2:49
George Wallington
4     Dinah 2:55
Harry Akst / Sam M. Lewis / Joe Young
5     She Didn't Say Yes, She Didn't Say No 2:33
Otto Harbach / Jerome Kern
6     Bernie's Tune 2:51
Jerry Leiber / Bernard Miller / Mike Stoller
7     Lullaby of the Leaves 3:09
Bernice Petkere / Joe Young
8     Utter Chaos, No. 1 0:32
Gerry Mulligan
9     Aren't You Glad You're You 3:58
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
10     Frenesi 3:05
Alberto Dominguez / Leonard Whitcup
11    Nights at the Turntable 2:52
Gerry Mulligan
12     Freeway 2:42
Chet Baker
13     Soft Shoe 2:36
Gerry Mulligan
14     Walking Shoes 3:10
Gerry Mulligan
15     Aren't You Glad You're You 3:36
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
16     Get Happy 5:50
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
17     Poinciana 3:49
Buddy Bernier / Nat Simon
18     Godchild 3:55
George Wallington
19     Makin' Whoopee 3:26
Walter Donaldson / Gus Kahn
20     Cherry 2:55
Charlie Daniels / Dizzy Gillespie
21     Motel 2:33
Gerry Mulligan
22     Carson City Stage 2:30
Carson Smith
Tracklist 2 :
The Original Sessions
1     My Old Flame 3:11
Sam Coslow / Arthur Johnston
2     All the Things You Are 5:06
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
3     Love Me or Leave Me 2:47
Walter Donaldson / Gus Kahn
4     Love Me or Leave Me 2:41
Walter Donaldson / Gus Kahn
5     Swinghouse 2:53
Gerry Mulligan
6     Swinghouse 2:52
Gerry Mulligan
7     Jeru 2:30
Gerry Mulligan
8     Utter Chaos, No .2 0:30
Gerry Mulligan
9     Darn That Dream 3:49
Eddie DeLange / James Van Heusen
10     Darn That Dream 3:20
Eddie DeLange / James Van Heusen
11     I May Be Wrong 2:37
Harry Ruskin / Henry Sullivan
12     I May Be Wrong 2:50
Harry Ruskin / Henry Sullivan
13     I'm Beginning to See the Light 3:35
Duke Ellington / Don George / Johnny Hodges / Harry James
14     I'm Beginning to See the Light 3:06
Duke Ellington / Don George / Johnny Hodges / Harry James
15     The Nearness of You 2:50
Hoagy Carmichael / Ned Washington
16     Tea for Two 2:46
Irving Caesar / Vincent Youmans
17     Five Brothers 2:57
Gerry Mulligan
18     I Can't Get Started 4:00
Vernon Duke / Ira Gershwin
19     Ide's Side 4:21
Gerry Mulligan
20     Funhouse 3:26
Gerry Mulligan
21     My Funny Valentine 5:16
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
Tracklist 3 :   
The Reunion
1     People Will Say We're in Love 3:40
Oscar Hammerstein II / Richard Rodgers
2     Reunion 4:03
Gerry Mulligan
3     When Your Lover Has Gone 5:06
Einar A. Swan
4     Stardust 4:42
Hoagy Carmichael / Mitchell Parish
5     My Heart Belongs to Daddy 4:12
Cole Porter
6     Jersey Bounde 4:27
Tiny Bradshaw / Buddy Feyne / Edward Johnson / Bobby Plater / Robert Wright
7     The Surrey With the Fringe on Top 4:42
Oscar Hammerstein II / Richard Rodgers
8     Ornithology 5:09
Benny Harris / Charlie Parker
9     Trav'lin' Light 3:39
Johnny Mercer / Jimmy Mundy / Trummy Young
10     Trav'lin' Light 4:32
Johnny Mercer / Jimmy Mundy / Trummy Young
11     The Song Is You 3:21
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
12     Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You 3:35
Andy Razaf / Don Redman
13     Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You 3:31
Andy Razaf / Don Redman
14     I Got Rhythm 5:59
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
15     All the Things You Are 6:45
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
16     Festive Minor 4:08
Gerry Mulligan
Tracklist 4 :    
The Collaborations
1     Too Marvelous for Words 3:36
Johnny Mercer / Richard A. Whiting
2     Lover Man 3:01
Jimmy Davis / Roger "Ram" Ramirez / Jimmy Sherman
3     I'll Remember April 4:11
Gene DePaul / Patricia Johnston / Don Raye
4     These Foolish Things 3:20
Harry Link / Holt Marvell / Jack Strachey
5     All the Things You Are 3:55
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
6     Bernie's Tune 3:32
Jerry Leiber / Bernard Miller / Mike Stoller
7     Almost Like Being in Love 2:55
Alan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe
8     Sextet 2:59
Gerry Mulligan
9     Broadway 2:53
Billy Bird / Teddy McRae / Henry J. Wood
10     I Can't Believe That You're in Love With Me 3:06
Clarence Gaskill / Jimmy McHugh
11     Oh, Lady Be Good 2:29
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
12     Oh, Lady Be Good 1:52
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
13     Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea 3:38
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
14     This Time the Dream's on Me 3:22
Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer
15     Let There Be Love 3:41
Ian Grant / Lionel Rand
16     How About You? 2:50
Ralph Freed / Burton Lane
17     I Guess I'll Have to Change My Plans 2:23
Howard Dietz / Arthur Schwartz
18     This Is Always 3:58
Mack Gordon / Harry Warren
19     My Old Flame 3:47
Sam Coslow / Arthur Johnston
20     It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) 2:08
Duke Ellington / Irving Mills
21     The Lady's in Love With You 2:24
Burton Lane / Frank Loesser
22     I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face 3:03
Alan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe
23     You Turned the Tables on Me 3:23
Louis Alter / Sidney Mitchell

VICKY LANE - I Swing For You (1959-2010) Mp3

This RCA Victor LP marked the recording debut of Vicky Lane, a native of Ireland who was also an actress. Although gifted with an attractive voice in the alto range, Lane evidently didn't make much of an impression with record buyers, as this also seems to be the only recording under her name. This doesn't mean this is a bad record; in fact, she shows a lot of promise for a first time recording artist, assisted by Pete Candoli's swinging arrangements and a supporting cast that also includes Jimmy Rowles, Barney Kessel, Alvin Stoller, and Joe Mondragon, along with a host of additional percussionists.  by Ken Dryden
Tracklist:
1 The Trolley Son 2:21
Ralph Blaine / Hugh Martin
2 Our Very Own 3:15
Jack Elliott / Victor Young
3 My Romance 2:50
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
4 You Hit the Spot 2:03
Mack Gordon / Harry Revel
 5 Love Isn't Born (It's Made) 3:52
Frank Loesser / Arthur Schwartz
 6 My Heart Stood Still 2:51
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
 7 They Say It's Wonderful 2:40
Irving Berlin
8 The Song Is You 2:35
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
9 Long Ago (And Far Away) 2:22
Ira Gershwin / Jerome Kern
10 I Love You 1:58
Cole Porter
11 Right as the Rain 2:18
Harold Arlen
12 This Heart of Mine 1:44
Vicky Lane
Credits :
Arranged By, Conductor, Trumpet – Pete Candoli
Bass – Joe Mondragon
Drum – Alvin Stoller, Larry Bunker
Guitar – Barney Kessel
Percussion – Gene Estes, John Cyr, Lou Singer, Milt Holland, Ralph Hansell
Piano – Jimmy Rowles, Johnny Williams
Vocals – Vicky Lane

PEGGY LEE - Black Coffee With Peggy Lee (1956-1999) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Peggy Lee left Capitol in 1952 for, among several other reasons, the label's refusal to let her record and release an exotic, tumultuous version of "Lover." Lee was certainly no Mitch Miller songbird, content to loosen her gorgeous pipes on any piece of tripe foisted upon her; she was a superb songwriter with a knowledge of production and arrangement gained from work in big bands and from her husband, Dave Barbour (although the two weren't together at the time). The more open-minded Decca acquiesced to her demand, and watched its investment pay off quickly when the single became her biggest hit in years. Black Coffee was Lee's next major project. Encouraged by longtime Decca A&R Milt Gabler, she hired a small group including trumpeter Pete Candoli and pianist Jimmy Rowles (two of her favorite sidemen) to record an after-hours jazz project similar in intent and execution to Lee Wiley's "Manhattan project" of 1950, Night in Manhattan. While the title-track opener of Black Coffee soon separated itself from the LP -- to be taught forever after during the first period of any Torch Song 101 class -- the album doesn't keep to its concept very long; Lee is soon enough in a bouncy mood for "I've Got You Under My Skin" and very affectionate on "Easy Living." (If there's a concept at work here, it's the vagaries of love.) Listeners should look instead to "It Ain't Necessarily So" or "Gee, Baby, Ain't I Good to You?" for more examples of Lee's quintessentially slow-burn sultriness. Aside from occasionally straying off-concept, however, Black Coffee is an excellent record, spotlighting Lee's ability to shine with every type of group and in any context. [When originally recorded and released in 1953, Black Coffee was an eight-song catalog of 78s. Three years later, Decca commissioned an LP expansion of the record, for which Lee recorded several more songs. The 2004 Verve edition is therefore a reissue of the 1956 12-song LP.] by John Bush  

Tracklist :

1 Black Coffee 3:09
Sonny Burke / Paul Francis Webster
2 I've Got You Under My Skin 2:31
Cole Porter
3 Easy Living 2:47
Ralph Rainger / Leo Robin
4 My Heart Belongs to Daddy  2:11
Cole Porter
5 It Ain't Necessarily So 3:26
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
6 Gee, Baby, Ain't I Good to You? 3:26
Andy Razaf / Don Redman
7 A Woman Alone With the Blues 3:16
Willard Robison
8 I Didn't Know What Time It Was 2:21
Richard Rodgers
9 (Ah, The Apple Trees) When the World Was Young 3:21
Johnny Mercer
10 Love Me or Leave Me 2:10
Walter Donaldson / Gus Kahn
11 You're My Thrill 3:26
Sidney Clare / Jay Gorney
12 There's a Small Hotel 2:48
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
Credits :
Bass – Max Wayne
Drums – Ed Shaughnessy
Piano – Jimmy Rowles
Trumpet – Pete Candori
Vocals – Peggy Lee

JUNE CHRISTY - Something Cool (The Complete Mono & Stereo Versions) (2001) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

June Christy's Something Cool, originally released as a 10" LP in 1954, single-handedly inaugurated the cool jazz vocal movement. Christy had been a star vocalist with the Stan Kenton Orchestra in the late '40s, enjoying major hits with "Tampico" and "Shoo Fly Pie & Apple Pan Dowdy." Soon after she left the band, she began working with key Kenton arranger Pete Rugolo and a slew of top West Coast studio musicians (including her husband, tenor saxophonist Bob Cooper) on her first solo album for Capitol Records. The result was Something Cool, which is both a winning showcase for Christy's wistful style and a landmark of cool jazz modernism. From the start, Christy established herself as an artist who strove for the very best in song selection, arrangements, and notably intelligent interpretation. There were perhaps other vocalists with greater vocal equipment, but few could match June Christy's artistic integrity. The celebrated title track is the soliloquy of a female barfly of a certain age, reminiscing (and fantasizing) about better days to a fellow male patron who just might buy her another drink. It immediately became Christy's signature performance, and remained so throughout her career. Other highlights include a swinging "It Could Happen to You," "Midnight Sun," and an ambitious arrangement of Kurt Weill's "Lonely House." by Richard Mortifoglio  
Tracklist:
1 Something Cool 4:17
Bass – Joe Confort 
Drums – Frank Carlson
Flute, Alto Saxophone – Gus Bivona
Guitar – Barney Kessel
Piano – Geoff Clarkson 
Trumpet – Jimmy Zito 
Written-By – Bill Barnes 
2 It Could Happen To You 1:55
Written-By – J. Van Heusen, J. Burke 
3 Lonely House 3:56
Written-By – K. Weill, L. Hughes
4 This Time The Dream's On Me 1:29
Written-By – H. Arlen-J. Mercer 
5 The Night We Called It A Day 4:48
Written-By – M. Dennis*, T. Adair 
6 Midnight Sun 3:13
Alto Saxophone – Skeets Herfurt, Willie Schwartz 
Bass Trombone – Dick Noel  
Drums – Alvin Stoller
Guitar – Tony Rizzi
Piano – Paul Smith  
Tenor Saxophone – Fred Fallensby
Trombone – Dick Reynolds, Nick DiMaio
Trumpet – Ray Linn, Ray Triscari, Uan Rasey
Written-By – Mercer, Hampton, Burke 
7 I'll Take Romance 2:19
Written-By – B. Oakland, O. Hammerstein 
8 A Stranger Called The Blues 3:56
Written-By – M. Torme, R. Wells 
9 I Should Care 2:08
Written-By – Stordahl, Weston, Cahn
10 Softly As In A Morning Sunrise 2:13
Piano – Claude Williamson
Trombone – Bob Fitzpatrick
Written-By – O. Hammerstein, S. Romberg
11 I'm Thrilled 2:39
Written-By – S. Lippman, S. Dee
12 Something Cool 4:57
Written-By – Bill Barnes
13 It Could Happen To You 2:00
Written-By – J. Van Heusen, J. Burke
14 Lonely House 4:03
Written-By – K. Weill, L. Hughes
15 This Time The Dream's On Me 1:36
Written-By – H. Arlen-J. Mercer
16 The Night We Called It A Day 4:53
Written-By – M. Dennis T. Adair
17 Midnight Sun 3:31
Written-By – Mercer, Hampton, Burke
18 I'll Take Romance 2:20
Written-By – B. Oakland, O. Hammerstein
19 A Stranger Called The Blues 4:19
Written-By – M. Torme, R. Wells
20 I Should Care 2:11
Written-By – Stordahl, Weston, Cahn
21 Softly As In A Morning Sunrise 2:14
Written-By – O. Hammerstein, S. Romberg
22 I'm Thrilled 2:47
Written-By – S. Lippman, S. Dee
Credits:
Alto Flute – Bud Shank (tracks: 4, 5, 11), Harry Klee (tracks: 4, 5, 11)
Alto Saxophone [Soloist] – Bud Shank
Alto Saxophone, Flute – Bud Shank (tracks: 1 to 5, 7 to 22), Harry Klee (tracks: 2 to 5, 7 to 9, 11, 12, 14 to 17, 20, 21)
Arranged By, Conductor – Pete Rugolo
Baritone Saxophone – Bob Gordon (tracks: 4, 5, 10, 11), Chuck Gentry (tracks: 1, 6 to 8), Johnny Rotella (tracks: 2, 3, 9)
Bass – Harry Babasin (tracks: 4, 5, 11), Joe Mondragon (tracks: 2, 3, 6 to 10, 12 to 22)
Bass Trombone – George Roberts (tracks: 1, 12 to 22)
Drums – Larry Bunker (tracks: 12 to 22), Shelly Manne (tracks: 2 to 5, 7 to 11)
Flute – Ted Nash (tracks: 1 to 3, 7 to 9)
French Horn – John Graas (tracks: 2, 3, 7 to 9), Vincent DeRosa (tracks: 4, 5, 11, 13 to 16, 18 to 20, 22)
Guitar – Howard Roberts (tracks: 2 to 5, 7 to 11), Jack Marshall (tracks: 12 to 22)
Piano – Claude Williamson (tracks: 4, 5, 11), Joe Castro (tracks: 12 to 22), Russ Freeman (tracks: 2, 3, 7 to 9)
Reeds – Buddy Collette (tracks: 13, 18, 19, 22), Chuck Gentry (tracks: 12 to 22)
Tenor Saxophone – Jimmy Giuffre (tracks: 4, 5, 10, 11), Ted Nash (tracks: 1 to 3, 6 to 9)
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Bob Cooper (tracks: 1 to 3, 7 to 10, 12 to 22), Paul Horn (tracks: 12 to 22)
Trombone – Frank Rosolino (tracks: 4, 5, 11 to 22), Harry Betts (tracks: 2 to 5, 7 to 9, 11, 12, 17, 21), Herbie Harper (tracks: 1, 10), Milt Bernhart (tracks: 1 to 5, 7 to 22), Tommy Pederson (tracks: 1 to 3, 6 to 9)
Trumpet – Conrad Gozzo, Conte Candoli (tracks: 10, 12 to 22), Frank Beach (tracks: 6, 12 to 22), Maynard Ferguson (tracks: 1 to 5, 7 to 9, 11), Ollie Mitchell (tracks: 12, 17, 21), Shorty Rogers (tracks: 1 to 5, 7 to 11)
Tuba – Paul Sarmento (tracks: 2 to 5, 7 to 9, 11), Phil Stephens (tracks: 13 to 16, 18 to 20, 22)
Vocals – June Christy

SHIRLEY HORN - You're My Thrill (2001) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

With the swanky midnight mood of their previous collaboration Here's to Life in mind, Shirley Horn and arranger Johnny Mandel go at it again -- a move that is sure to send her legions of latter-day fans into blissful orbit. This time, though, the six sophisticated string-laden ballads are interspersed with five relatively short, swinging numbers with just Horn, her trio, and various instrumental guests. As a result, you get a better balanced album, not weighted too much in one direction or another. Mandel's orchestrations are paragons of subtlety, sometimes creeping almost imperceptibly like a slow moving fog upon Horn's trio. Like his singer, Mandel respects the value of silence and space; they're a well matched pair, their different ideas of timing dovetail together neatly. Though some of us would have wanted Horn and her jazzmen to stretch out more on the small group tracks, they do serve effectively as breathers, or intermezzos, in between the languorous collaborations with Mandel. In lieu of the participation of Wynton Marsalis (who contributed to Here's to Life), Carl Saunders offers some soulful trumpet obbligato work on "Solitary Moon." Guitarist Russell Malone and bassist Brian Bromberg also appear on the small group tracks -- Malone even does a soft focused rockabilly thing on "Why Don't You Do Right?" -- while bassist Charles Ables and drummer Steve Williams stoke the rhythm in Horn's trio. Another worthy stylish outing for Horn. by Richard S. Ginell  
Tracklist :
1     You're My Thrill 4:46
Bass – Charles Ables
Drums – Steve Williams
Vibraphone – Larry Bunker
Written-By – Jay Gorney, Sidney Clare   
2     The Best Is Yet to Come 2:37
Bass – Brian Bromberg
Drums – Steve Williams
Written-By – Carolyn Leigh, Cy Coleman
3     Solitary Moon 5:06
Bass – Chuck Domanico
Drums – Steve Schaeffer
Guitar – Dori Caymmi
Piano – Alan L. Broadbent
Trumpet – Carl Saunders
Vibraphone – Larry Bunker
Written-By – Alan & Marilyn Bergman, Johnny Mandel
4     Sharing the Night With the Blues 3:00
Bass – Brian Bromberg
Drums – Steve Williams
Guitar – Russell Malone
Written-By – Emanuel Logan
5     I Got Lost in His Arms 4:52
Bass – Charles Ables
Drums – Steve Williams
Vibraphone – Larry Bunker
Written-By – Irving Berlin
6     The Rules of the Road 3:37
Bass – Brian Bromberg
Drums – Steve Williams
Guitar – Russell Malone
Written-By – Carolyn Leigh, Cy Coleman
7     My Heart Stood Still 4:39
Bass – Charles Ables
Drums – Steve Williams
Vibraphone – Larry Bunker
Written-By – Richard Rodgers-Lorenz Hart
8     You'd Better Love Me (While You May) 1:58
Bass – Brian Bromberg
Drums – Steve Williams
Written-By – Hugh Martin, Timothy Gray
9     The Very Thought of You 5:14
Bass – Charles Ables
Drums – Steve Williams
Vibraphone – Larry Bunker
Written-By – Ray Noble
10     Why Don't You Do Right? 2:45
Bass – Brian Bromberg
Drums – Steve Williams
Guitar – Russell Malone
Written-By – Joel McCoy
11     All Night Long 7:44
Bass – Charles Ables
Drums – Steve Williams
Vibraphone – Larry Bunker
Written-By – Curtis Lewis      

JIMMY SMITH - Respect + Livin' It Up (2010) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Jazz organist Jimmy Smith redefined the instrument with his classic recordings for Blue Note in the 1950s, working the drawbars and pedals of his Hammond B-3 like no one before him and bringing a pianist’s speed to his fills and runs, drawing the blues base out of bop and setting the stage for the later soul-jazz movement. Smith's records for Verve in the 1960s were quite different. His style as a player didn’t change so much as the personnel around him and the kind of material he tackled -- the two albums combined here, 1967’s Respect and 1968’s Livin’ It Up!, are a case in point. One could call it the pop Jimmy Smith, although his lightning-fast and sinewy organ runs aren’t all that removed from his Blue Note days. Respect features Smith in a funky soul mood, tackling Otis Redding's “Respect,” Allen Toussaint's “Get Out of My Life,” and Joe Zawinul's “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” with characteristic verve and energy, and it’s pretty exciting stuff. Livin’ It Up! features Smith backed by Oliver Nelson's big band and sweeping cinematic string arrangements taking on Tinseltown movie themes like “Valley of the Dolls” and “Mission: Impossible,” pure pop fare like Gerry Goffin and Carole King's “Go Away Little Girl,” soothing ballads like Antonio Carlos Jobim's “The Gentle Rain,” and even gruffly singing on Willie Dixon's “Big Boss Man” (which Smith co-wrote). What’s most surprising here is the bonus track, a version of Smith singing the Mickey Mouse Club theme that was recorded at the Respect sessions. Do these two albums work together on a single disc? They do, and the reason they do is that Jimmy Smith was Jimmy Smith no matter what kind of ocean he sailed across -- yeah, he was a jazz organ player, but even more than that, he was an organ player like no other. by Steve Leggett  
Tracklist :
Respect (1967)
1     Mercy, Mercy, Mercy 6:39
Joe Zawinul
2     Respect 2:19
Otis Redding
3     Funky Broadway 6:40
Ariester Christian
4     T-Bone Steak 7:24
Jimmy Smith
5     Get Out of My Life 8:58
Allen Toussaint
6     Mickey Mouse 3:24
Jimmy Dodd
Livin`It Up (1968)
7     Mission: Impossible 3:37
Lalo Schifrin
8     Refractions 4:50
Oliver Nelson
9     The Gentle Rain 2:40
Luiz Bonfá / Matt Dubey
10     Burning Spear 3:56
Richard Evans
11     Go Away Little Girl 2:53
Gerry Goffin / Carole King
12     Livin' It Up 5:07
Jimmy Smith
13     This Nearly Was Mine 3:16
Oscar Hammerstein II / Richard Rodgers
14     Big Boss Man 6:27
Willie Dixon / Jimmy Smith
15     Valley of the Dolls 4:51
André Previn / Dory Previn
Credits :
Tracks 1-6
Bass – Bob Bushnell, Ron Carter
Drums – Bernard Purdie, Grady Tate
Engineer – Rudy Van Gelder
Guitar – Eric Gale, Thornel Schwartz
Organ – Jimmy Smith
Producer – Creed Taylor
Tracks 7-15
Arranged By, Conductor – Oliver Nelson
Bass – Ray Brown
Bass Guitar [Fender] – Carol Kaye
Guitar – Howard Roberts
Organ – Jimmy Smith
Percussion – Larry Bunker
Soloist, Tenor Saxophone – Plas Johnson (faixas: 9)
Vocals – Jimmy Smith (faixas: 9)

ANN RICHARDS - Ann, Man! (1961-2002) Mp3

Ann Richards, an excellent singer who was married to Stan Kenton for a few years, only recorded a few solo albums before slipping away into obscurity. Ann, Man! is her most intimate date, a quartet set with trumpeter Jack Sheldon, guitarist Barney Kessel, bassist Red Callender, and drummer Larry Bunker. Four of the songs (including "There's a Lull in My Life" and "You Go to My Head") are duets with Kessel. Richards shows off her versatility and sensitivity on this well-rounded set, swinging lightly and singing with restrained emotions. It is a pity that she did not have a prosperous career, for the talent was definitely there. by Scott Yanow
Credits:

Bass – Red Callender
Drums – Larry Bunker
Guitar – Barney Kessel
Trumpet – Jack Sheldon
Vocals – Ann Richards

MONICA ZETTERLUND / BILL EVANS - Waltz for Debby (1964-2001) FLAC (tracks), lossless

An oddity in Bill Evans' catalog, this 1964 date places the Swedish jazz vocalist Monica Zetterlund alongside the Evans Trio (with Chuck Israels on bass and Larry Bunker on drums). Still, the match is seemingly perfect. Evans' lyricism is well suited to a breezy, sophisticated songstress like Zetterlund. There is an iciness on this recording, but it is difficult to decipher if it is in the performance or in the engineering where she seems to be way out in front of the band, when she was really in the middle of all the musicians in the studio. This is a minor complaint, however, as the tune selection and decorum of these sessions are quite lovely. From the opener "Come Rain or Come Shine" through the Swedish ballad "A Beautiful Rose" and the achingly gorgeous delivery of "Once Upon a Summertime," it's as if Zetterlund were destined to sing with Evans for a career instead of an album. For his part, Evans is very relaxed, allowing the lyrics to feed his musing on the simple, yet elegant harmonics. The Swedish version of "Waltz for Debbie" is a true delight because Zetterlund's voice becomes another instrument, soloing over the top of Evans' stunning selection of comping chords. In all this is an odd but special item, one that is necessary -- for at least one listen -- by any serious fan of the pianist and composer.  by Thom Jurek  
Tracklist:
1 Come Rain or Come Shine 4:41
Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer
2 A Beautiful Rose (Jag Vet en Dejlig Rosa) 2:53
Bill Evans / Monica Zetterlund
3 Once Upon a Summertime 3:03
Eddie Barclay / Michel Legrand / Johnny Mercer
4 So Long Big Time 3:49
Harold Arlen / Dory Previn
5 Waltz for Debby (Monica Vals) 2:47
Bill Evans / Gene Lees
6 Lucky to Be Me 3:36
Leonard Bernstein
7 Sorrow Wind (Vindarna Sucka) 3:03
8 It Could Happen to You 3:00
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
9 Some Other Time 5:35
Leonard Bernstein / Betty Comden / Adolph Green
10 In the Night (Om Natten) 1:40
Olle Adolphson
Credits:
Bass – Chuck Israels
Drums – Larry Bunker
Piano – Bill Evans
Vocals – Monica Zetterlund

PEGGY LEE - Dream Street (1957-1999) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Dream Street captures Peggy Lee at her most intimate and melancholy -- a song cycle exploring love and loss in uncompromisingly frank terms, it strips away the saccharine and schmaltz so common among the singer's Decca sessions to effectively create the first truly adult music of her career. Lee occupies the same harrowing emotional territory staked out by Frank Sinatra via the landmark In the Wee Small Hours, investing the material with the kind of heartbreak and longing that belies the whole "easy listening" tag -- this is music shorn of pretense and artifice, as intense as a primal scream yet beautiful in the way only art of this magnitude can be.  by Jason Ankeny
Tracklist 
1 Street Of Dreams  3:17
Written-By – S.M. Lewis, V. Young
2 What's New  2:55
Written-By – B. Haggart, J. Burke
3 You're Blase  2:46
Written-By – B. Sievier, O. Hamilton
4 It's All Right With Me  2:20
Written-By – C. Porter
5 My Old Flame  2:35
Written-By – A. Johnston, S. Coslow
6 Dancing On The Ceiling  3:36
Written-By – L. Hart, R. Rogers
7 It Never Entered My Mind  2:57
Written-By – L. Hart, R. Rogers
8 Too Late Now  3:44
Written-By – A. J. Lerner, B. Lane
9 I've Grown Accustomed To His Face  2:42
Written-By – A. J. Lerner, F. Lowe
10 Something I Dreamed Last Night  2:25
Written-By – H. Magidson, J. Yellen, S. Fain
11 Last Night When We Were Young  2:51
Written-By – E.Y. Harburg, H. Arlen
12 So Blue  2:11
Written-By – DeSylva, Brown, Henderson
Credits
Larry Bunker - Percussion, Vibraphone
Nick Fatool - Drums
Peggy Lee - Primary Artist, Vocals
Lou Levy - Piano

VICKY LANE - I Swing For You (1959-2010) Mp3

This RCA Victor LP marked the recording debut of Vicky Lane, a native of Ireland who was also an actress. Although gifted with an attractive voice in the alto range, Lane evidently didn't make much of an impression with record buyers, as this also seems to be the only recording under her name. This doesn't mean this is a bad record; in fact, she shows a lot of promise for a first time recording artist, assisted by Pete Candoli's swinging arrangements and a supporting cast that also includes Jimmy Rowles, Barney Kessel, Alvin Stoller, and Joe Mondragon, along with a host of additional percussionists.
Track Listing
1 The Trolley Son 2:21
Ralph Blaine / Hugh Martin
2 Our Very Own 3:15
Jack Elliott / Victor Young
3 My Romance 2:50
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
4 You Hit the Spot 2:03
Mack Gordon / Harry Revel
 5 Love Isn't Born (It's Made) 3:52
Frank Loesser / Arthur Schwartz
 6 My Heart Stood Still 2:51
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
 7 They Say It's Wonderful 2:40
Irving Berlin
8 The Song Is You 2:35
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
9 Long Ago (And Far Away) 2:22
Ira Gershwin / Jerome Kern
10 I Love You 1:58
Cole Porter
11 Right as the Rain 2:18
Harold Arlen
12 This Heart of Mine 1:44
Vicky Lane
Personnel: 
Pete Candoli, Barney Kessel, Johnny Williams, Joe Mondragon, Alvin Stoller, Larry Bunker, Milt Holland, Lou Singer, Ralph Hansell, Johnny Cyr, Gene Estes

BILL EVANS – Bill Evans Trio with Symphony Orchestra (1966-1984) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This collaboration (reissued on CD) is predictably dull. Bill Evans and his 1965 trio (which also includes bassist Chuck Israels and drummer Larry Bunker) meet a symphony orchestra conducted and arranged by Claus Ogerman. They perform adaptations of six classical themes plus a pair of Evans compositions ("Time Remembered" and "My Bells") but, as one might expect, the strings weigh down the music and Evans' improvisations are somewhat buried beneath the unimaginative arrangements. This is one of Bill Evans' least significant recordings, a weak third stream effort. Scott Yanow

Tracklist :
1. Granadas (Enrique Granados) – 5:54
2. Valse (Johann Sebastian Bach) – 5:52
3. Prelude (Alexander Scriabin) – 3:01
4. Time Remembered (Bill Evans) – 4:10
5. Pavane (Gabriel Fauré) – 4:01
6. Elegia (Elegy) (Claus Ogerman) – 5:12
7. My Bells (Evans) – 3:48
8. Blue Interlude (Frédéric Chopin) – 6:04
Credits :
Bill Evans – Piano
Larry Bunker – Drums
Chuck Israels – Bass
Grady Tate – Drums
Claus Ogerman – Arranger, Conductor