MARY LOU WILLIAMS — Black Christ of the Andes (1964-2004) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Complex and brooding suites by jazz artists have often received mixed reviews. Whether hailed as brilliant and visionary or slammed as self-indulgent and trite -- Ellington's Black, Brown and Beige, Charles Mingus' infamous Town Hall Concert, or even Wynton Marsalis' Blood on the Fields all come to mind -- these works are, if nothing else, great risks for the artists involved. At the time of its initial performance, "Black Christ of the Andes" (or "St. Martin de Porres") was called everything from "blues stripped of its accent" to a "hokey prayer," prompting Williams to cut it from her repertoire before the release of the LP in 1964. An unfortunate fate for a very enjoyable and, now, highly regarded piece of music. Williams explained her pioneering concept of pairing jazz with spirituals as an attempt to heal the disparity between the gifted nature of the African-American and his tendency toward the worst kinds of sin. In fact, the original title for this LP was Music for Disturbed Souls. Certainly, by 1962 others had employed the modes and feel of the church into jazz, but Williams' use of the Ray Charles Singers (no relation to the other Ray Charles) added an element that made "St. Martin," an a cappella choral piece, a much more church-oriented affair than, say, John Coltrane's "Spiritual." Williams' vision, like Coltrane's, was at times dark and sobering while at others full of warmth and hope. It would have been completely out of place, however, at the Village Vanguard. This is a piece that belongs, if not in the church, then certainly out of the nightclub circuit. Other tracks on this LP, though, like her sublime rendition of "It Ain't Necessarily So," would have been welcome in their dark and smoky confines. Otherwise, expect a jump blues number, a handful of trio cuts (some featuring Percy Heath), and a smattering of various vocal combinations throughout. A number of styles are represented here and they weave amongst one another with ease and grace. This is a very enjoyable record with some especially rewarding piano solos by Williams. Brandon Burke
Tracklist :
1    St. Martin De Porres 6:32
Lyrics By – Rev. A. S. Woods, S.J.
Music By – M. L. Williams
2    It Ain't Necessarily So 4:41
Written-By – George And Ira Gershwin
3    The Devil 4:00
Lyrics By – Ada Moore
Music By – M. L. Williams
4    Miss D.D. 2:28
Written-By – M. L. Williams
5    Anima Christi 2:48
Written-By – M. L. Williams
6    A Grand Night For Swinging 3:06
Written-By – Billy Taylor
7    My Blue Heaven 3:21
Written-By – George Whiting, Walter Donaldson
8    Dirge Blues 2:57
Written-By – M. L. Williams
9    A Fungus A Mungus 3:21
Written-By – M. L. Williams
10    Koolbonga 3:21
Written-By – M. L. Williams
11    Forty-Five Degree Angle 2:50
Written-By – Denzil Best
12     Nicole 3:37
Written-By – M. L. Williams
13    Chunka Lunka 3:07
Written-By – M. L. Williams
14    Praise The Lord 5:55
Written-By – M. L. Williams
Credits :
Bass – Larry Gales (tracks: 5, 14), Percy Heath (tracks: 6 to 8, 10 to 13), Theodore Cromwell (tracks: 2, 4)
Bass Clarinet – Budd Johnson (tracks: 5)
Choir – The George Gordon Singers (tracks: 5, 14), The Ray Charles Singers (tracks: 1, 3)
Conductor – Howard Roberts (tracks: 1, 3)
Drums – George Chamble (tracks: 2, 4), Percy Brice (tracks: 5, 14), Tim Kennedy (tracks: 6 to 8, 10 to 13)
Guitar – Grant Green (tracks: 5, 14)
Piano – Mary Lou Williams
Tenor Saxophone – Budd Johnson (tracks: 14)
Vocals [Solo] – Jimmy Mitchell (tracks: 5, 14)

EDDIE 'LOCKJAW' DAVIS - Afro-Jaws (1961-1989) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This set was a change of pace for tenor saxophonist Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis. Backed by three trumpeters (Clark Terry gets some solos), a rhythm section (pianist Lloyd Mayers, bassist Larry Gales and drummer Ben Riley) and a percussion section led by Ray Barretto, Lockjaw performs four compositions by Gil Lopez (who arranged all of the selections) plus "Tin Tin Deo," "Star Eyes" and his own "Afro-Jaws." The Afro-Cuban setting is perfect for the tough-toned tenor, who romps through the infectious tunes. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Wild Rice 4'53
Written-By – Gil Lopez
2    Guanco Lament 5'18
Written-By – Gil Lopez
3    Tin Tin Deo 5'10
Written-By – Pozzo, Fuller
4    Jazz-A-Samba 4'14
Written-By – Gil Lopez
5    Alma Alegre (Happy Soul) 5'24
Written-By – Gil Lopez
6    Star Eyes 6'20
Written-By – Raye, DePaul
7    Afro-Jaws 7'36
Written-By – Eddie Davis
Credits:
Arranged By – Gil Lopez
Arranged By [In Collaboration With] – Artie Azenzer
Bass – Larry Gales
Drums – Ben Riley
Mastered By [Mastering] – Phil De Lancie
Percussion – Ray Barretto
Piano – Lloyd Mayers
Producer, Liner Notes – Orrin Keepnews
Tenor Saxophone – Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis
Trumpet – Clark Terry, Ernie Royal, John Bello (pistas: 3, 4), Phil Sunkel

THE JOHNNY GRIFFIN AND EDDIE 'LOCKJAW' DAVIS QUINTET - Tough Tenors (1960-2003) RM | FLAC (tracks), lossless

If one feels their music getting a bit stale, perhaps a little too predictable, then they have a couple choices. They can dig back into their roots to reconnect with the music they love, or they can go head to head with a counterpoint in an effort to create sparks. Johnny Griffin and Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis choose the latter course in Tough Tenors, turning a half-dozen pieces into an enticing mix of edgy solos and synchronized ensemble playing. The fun stuff here bops along at a giddy pace, letting Griffin and Davis trade their tough leads, while pianist Junior Mance offers a slight pause with his swift keyboarding. Lester Young's "Tickle Toe" kicks off the affair with aplomb, and Davis/Griffin's "Twins" provides plenty of room for explosive solo work. The album's center rests with the nine-minute take on Bennie Green's "Flunky Flute," a spontaneous piece that eventually -- because of the players' intensity -- becomes an endurance test. The medium tempo of "Soft Winds" qualifies as a ballad for these guys, and the mellow groove makes it an easygoing closer. Bassist Larry Gales and drummer Ben Riley also do a fine job of keeping this boisterous crew on the ground. Tough Tenors is one of the many amazing jazz recordings from 1960, and will please saxophone fans, Davis/Griffin fans, and anyone who enjoys classic hard bop. Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.
Tracklist :
1     Tickle Toe 5'30
Lester Young
2     Save Your Love for Me 7'09
Buddy Johnson
3     Twins 6'35
Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis / Johnny Griffin
4     Funky Fluke 9'16
Bernie Green
5     Imagination 4'29
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
6     Soft Winds 7'17
Benny Goodman / Fletcher Henderson
Credits :
Bass – Larry Gales
Drums – Ben Riley
Piano – Junior Mance
Producer – Orrin Keepnews
Remastered By – Joe Tarantino
Tenor Saxophone – Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Johnny Griffin

JOHNNY GRIFFIN AND EDDIE 'LOCKJAW' DAVIS QUINTET - Lookin' At Monk (1961-1998) RM | Original Jazz Classics Limited Edition Series | APE (image+.cue), lossless

Originally recorded in 1961, this tribute program features two of the best tenor saxophonists of the period along with pianist Junior Mance and a rhythm section composed of bassist Larry Gales and drummer Ben Riley (both of whom would later work as Thelonious Monk sidemen). If the program seems a bit obvious ("'Round Midnight," "Epistrophy," "Well, You Needn't," etc.), bear in mind that this was only the second all-Monk program anyone had recorded and several of these numbers had yet to attain standard status. The playing is uniformly inventive and witty (both required attributes when approaching this repertoire), and Mance is particularly to be commended for maintaining a graceful and elegant attack and not trying to praise Monk by imitation. If there's a complaint to be made here, it's with the tempos, which sometimes verge on the headlong. The arrangement of "Well, You Needn't" suffers from too much forward momentum, as does "I Mean You." On the other hand, the group's vigorous approach to "Rhythm-A-Ning" (and the honking two-note tag they append to the head) is perfect. Rick Anderson  
Tracklist :
1     In Walked Bud 4'34
Thelonious Monk
2     Well, You Needn't 5'31
Thelonious Monk
3     Ruby, My Dear 4'39
Thelonious Monk
4     Rhythm-A-Ning 3'53
Thelonious Monk
5     Epistrophy 8'36
Kenny Clarke / Thelonious Monk
6     'Round Midnight 5'26
Bernie Hanighen / Thelonious Monk / Cootie Williams
7     Stickball (I Mean You) 5'52
Coleman Hawkins / Thelonious Monk
Credits :
Bass – Larry Gales
Drums – Ben Riley
Piano – Junior Mance
Producer – Orrin Keepnews
Remastered By – Joe Tarantino
Tenor Saxophone – Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis (pistas: 1 to 5, 7), Johnny Griffin (pistas: 1, 2, 4 to 7)

EDDIE 'LOCKJAW' DAVIS & JOHNNY GRIFFIN - Live at Minton's (1961-1998) RM | FLAC (tracks), lossless

This duo (tenor saxophonists Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis and Johnny Griffin) made about a dozen LPs together, most for Jazzland and Prestige, and they are all worth investigating. They had a special affinity for pianist Thelonious Monk's music, and while there were other sets which emphasize that better, the Monk pieces ("Straight No Chaser"/"In Walked Bud") included in the program on this live set were among the highlights. Bob Rusch
Tracklist :
 1     Billie's Bounce 8'43
Charlie Parker
2     Epistrophy 7'17
Kenny Clarke / Thelonious Monk
3     Well, You Needn't 8'58
Thelonious Monk
4     In Walked Bud 6'14
Thelonious Monk
5     Land of Dreams 7'52
Norman Gimbel / Eddie Heywood
6     Bean O 6'42
Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis    
7     Robbins Nest 10'12
Illinois Jacquet / Bob Russell / Sir Charles Thompson
8     Our Delight 7'17
Tadd Dameron
9     Dee Dee's Dance 6'12
Denzil Best
10     Epistrophy 8'46
Kenny Clarke / Thelonious Monk
Credits :
Bass – Larry Gales
Drums – Ben Riley
Piano – Junior Mance
Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Griffin, Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis

JOHNNY GRIFFIN - Change Of Pace (1961-1999) RM | Original Jazz Classics Limited Edition Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1     Soft and Furry 3'43
Johnny Griffin
2     In the Still of the Night 3'29
Cole Porter
3     The Last of the Fat Pants 4'20
Johnny Griffin
4     Same to You 4'25
Johnny Griffin
5     Connie's Bounce 4'01
Consuela Lee
6     Situation 3'56
Julius Watkins
7     Nocturne 5'27
Bill Lee
8     Why Not? 5'02
David Freel / Johnny Griffin
9     As We All Know 4'46
Bill Lee
Credits :
Bass – Bill Lee, Larry Gales
Drums – Ben Riley
French Horn – Julius Watkins (pistas: 2, 3, 5, 6, 8)
Producer – Orrin Keepnews
Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Griffin