LARRY WILLIS | HAMIET BLUIETT — If Trees Could Talk (1999) FLAC (image+.cue) lossless

If Trees Could Talk is a 1993 duo session with Mapleshade house pianist Larry Willis and Hamiet Bluiett, the pre-eminent baritone saxophonist of his generation (percussionist Asante sits in on the opening track). Judging from the producer's liner notes, he appeared quite wary of Bluiett's reputation as some kind of roaring, screeching avant-garde monster, but he really needn't have worried. At this point in his career, Bluiett had become essentially a mainstream player. Sure, he spends an inordinate amount of time in the extreme upper register of his instrument and can squawk and honk with the best of them, but his basic conceptual approach is bluesy and down to earth, and the "experimental" conceits he occasionally offers had been in common parlance since at least the mid-'60s. Willis is a capable if somewhat florid pianist and does little to spur Bluiett into any potentially uncomfortable areas as might have occurred at the hands of, say, Don Pullen. Brian Olewnick
Tracklist :
1. The African 2:11
 Hamiet Bluiett
2. Straight Ahead—A Day On The Plantation 6:52
 Hamiet Bluiett
3. Uncle Adolf, Uncle Aaron 2:05
 Hamiet Bluiett
4.Ask Me Now 5:44
 Thelonious Monk
5.Whenever We Could 3:15
 Hamiet Bluiett
6.Ballad For E.K. 2:26
 Larry Willis
7.Cherry Pink, Apple Blossom White 4:22
 J.Richardson Jr.
8.Ballad For Frederick 3:08
 Larry Willis
9.If Trees Could Talk 8:42
 H.Bluiett / L.Willis
10.Bro' Blue 4:46
 J.Ware
11.Nightfall 4:09
 Larry Willis
12.Some Other (Schizophrenic) Blues 4:23
 John Coltrane
13.Aunt Hallie 3:38
 Hamiet Bluiett
14.Runaway  2:33
 Hamiet Bluiett
Credits :
Baritone Saxophone – Hamiet Bluiett
Piano – Larry Willis

GARY BARTZ - Episode One- Children Of Harlem (1994) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Although the theme of this CD is ostensibly supposed to be nostalgia for Harlem, the music (which includes the "Amos N'Andy Theme") actually has little to do with the subject. However Bartz (who is heard on alto and soprano) is in fine form playing with a top-notch quartet that also includes pianist Larry Willis, bassist Buster Williams and drummer Ben Riley. The hard-bop oriented music includes a few standards (including "Tico Tico" and "Crazy She Calls me") and three originals by either Bartz or Willis. It's not essential but enjoyable. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Amos N'Andy Theme One & Spoken Intro 3:08     
2     Tap Dancer 7:01
Gary Bartz    
3     Is This Isn't Love 10:39
Gary Bartz
4     Tico Tico 8:45
Gary Bartz
5     Ezekiel Saw the Wheel 8:53
Gary Bartz    
6     Children of Harlem 7:35
Larry Willis    
7     Crazy She Calls Me 12:55
Gary Bartz
8     Heavy Blue 5:12
Larry Willis    
9     Ruby Begonia & Amos N'Andy Theme Two 1:29
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Gary Bartz
Bass – Buster Williams
Drums – Ben Riley
Engineer – Maureen Sickler, Rudy Van Gelder
Piano – Larry Willis