JACKY TERRASSON — Reach (1995) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

The talented young pianist Jacky Terrasson and his trio (with bassist Ugonna Okegwo and drummer Leon Parker) find something new to say on a few standards (including a rare up-tempo version of "For Sentimental Reasons") and introduce five of Terrasson's originals. Although he has does not have an original style yet, Terrasson displays a great deal of potential for the future. Highlights include "I Should Care," "Just One of Those Things," and a medley of his "Reach" with "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes." Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits :

THE JACKY TERRASSON JAZZ TRIO WITH LEON PARKER & UGONNA OKEGWO — Lover Man (1993-1999) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Jacky Terrasson finds new routes into familiar compositions on these 1993 sessions for the Japanese Venus label. Well accompanied by bassist Ugonna Okegwo and drummer Leon Parker, the pianist dives head first into a rousing, if unusual version of Charlie Parker's "Donna Lee," initially kicking off an explosive vamp to play against its theme, though he eventually discards the vamp in favor of a more conventional, though thoroughly post-bop approach to this bop classic. Likewise, Terrasson introduces Miles Davis with a good bit of drama, even if he is more direct in his improvised introduction than Bill Evans was in his final years. The pianist's arrangement of Dave Brubeck's "In Your Own Sweet Way" is particularly haunting, with his surprising chords in the bassline, then eases up a bit as he gets into a funky mood. Terrasson has just as much fun with standards like "Broadway" and "Love for Sale," while also proving himself as a promising composer with two strong originals. Ken Dryden       Tracklist & Credits :

DEWEY REDMAN | JOSHUA REDMAN - Choices (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This is a curious set for saxophonist Dewey Redman, featuring a killer band that includes bassist Cameron Brown, drummer Leon Parker, and the first appearance of his son, Joshua, on tenor in duet on a couple of tracks. Redman himself is in fine form, playing with all of the deep, steamy lyricism he showcased so brilliantly with Ornette Coleman and in Old and New Dreams, but there is something else too, as evidenced by the track selection, and that is a new reverence for the tradition. Redman was always a melodic player, even in his most fiery avant encounters, but his love for jazz tradition, particularly its formalist considerations, was never really apparent until now. Here Redman selects the nugget "Everything Happens to Me" as the place to showcase his reverential balladic style. Over the course of ten minutes, he allows the hidden blues in the tune to come out and haunt him as he explores each nuance with minimal accompaniment. Also, the Van Heusen nugget "Imagination" is read here with such eloquence, grace, and heartbreaking sensitivity that it's almost a blues. The melodic invention Redman displays here makes this version a contender for being the definitive one. The Eastern edge is here in "O'Besso," with Joshua playing tenor and Dewey playing musette. It begins as a modal Eastern theme onto which the changes are gradually built. The melody seeps out, almost unexpectedly, and becomes a flower of interwoven harmonic figures traded between father and son. There's also plenty of the traditional Redman fire in place too, such as on "Le Clit," the original that was supposed to be recorded for the 1980/1981 sessions he did with Pat Metheny. Whether it was or not is anybody's guess, but it has never surfaced if it was. Here Dewey and Joshua, on alto and tenor, respectively, trade eights in the bridge between their solos and come to grips with a monster of their own creation -- deeply lyric, yes, but also fathomlessly dark and brooding. Finally, Redman's "For Mo" features both men on tenor and it's more of a dovetailing ride than a battle, which is as it should be. The singing goes deep here and Parker and Brown push the pair into corners of rhythmic invention that demand resolution. This is a wonderful and unexpected surprise from Dewey and a welcome entrance onto the scene from Joshua.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist :
1     Le Clit 9:09
Dewey Redman    
2     Everything Happens to Me 10:27
Tom Adair / Dennis / Matt Dennis    
3     O'Besso 14:09
Dewey Redman    
4     Imagination 8:15
Burke / Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen    
5     For Mo 13:25
Dewey Redman    
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Dewey Redman (1, 5)
Bass – Cameron Brown
Drums – Leon Parker
Musette – Dewey Redman (3)
Tenor Saxophone – Dewey Redman (2), Joshua Redman (1, 4, 5)

CHARLIE HUNTER — Charlie Hunter (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Charlie Hunter is a restless musician in a dilemma. The variety of players and settings on his first several albums are testament to his restless spirit. But as his technique and confidence grow, it seems that the best showcase for his talent would be in small groups with minimal accompaniment, due to his ability to play rhythm and melody simultaneously. Since his last album, Duo, was the epitome of minimal accompaniment, Hunter must have felt obliged to vary the sound somewhat. For this album, Hunter continues his collaboration with percussionist Leon Parker, as well as bringing Josh Roseman and Peter Apfelbaum on trombone and sax, respectively, plus a couple of Parker's students. But the show still belongs to Hunter; there is one solo cut and three duets with Parker. When the other percussionists join in, the rhythms remain lean, with each player utilizing only one or two items. This leaves plenty of space for Hunter, while providing nice counterpoint to his playing. The horns are used on only four of the nine tracks of the album, but do a lot to expand the overall sound. Apfelbaum and Roseman solo nicely, but just as exciting is hearing Hunter's comping behind them. His technique really is amazing, but always at the service of music, not virtuosity. The tunes themselves lay down a solid groove; never too far from soul-jazz or funk, but with a boppish vocabulary that says this is no ordinary groove band. Charlie Hunter is another fine offering from a uniquely talented player, demonstrating both a high degree of musical sensitivity and astonishing technical abilities. Sean Westergaard 
Tracklist :

1.    Rendezvous Avec La Verite 6:37

Congas – Leon Parker
Cowbell, Cymbal – Stephen Chopek
Guitar [8-string] – Charlie Hunter
Percussion [Floor Tom, Snare Drum] – Robert Perkins
Written By – Charlie Hunter
2.    Two For Bleu 5:39
Congas, Percussion [Floor Tom] – Leon Parker
Cowbell, Cymbal – Stephen Chopek
Guitar [8-string] – Charlie Hunter
Saxophone [Tenor] – Peter Apfelbaum
Tambourine – Robert Perkins
Trombone – Josh Roseman
Written By – Charlie Hunter
3.    Al Green 5:39
Drums – Leon Parker
Guitar [8-string] – Charlie Hunter
Written By – Charlie Hunter
4.    Nothin' But Trouble 6:33
Drums – Leon Parker
Guitar [8-string] – Charlie Hunter
Saxophone [Tenor] – Peter Apfelbaum
Trombone – Josh Roseman
Written By – Charlie Hunter
5.    Cloud Splitter 4:01
Claves – Stephen Chopek
Drums – Leon Parker
Guitar [8-string] – Charlie Hunter
Saxophone [Tenor] – Peter Apfelbaum
Trombone – Josh Roseman
Written By – Charlie Hunter
6.    Epistrophy 3:41
Guitar [8-string] – Charlie Hunter
Percussion – Leon Parker
Written By – K. Clarke, T. Monk
7.    Flau Flau 5:56
Guitar [8-string] – Charlie Hunter
Percussion [Floor Tom] – Stephen Chopek
Percussion [Snare Drum] – Robert Perkins
Saxophone [Tenor] – Peter Apfelbaum
Triangle – Leon Parker
Trombone – Josh Roseman
Written By – Charlie Hunter
8.    Dersu (A Slight Return) 5:14
Drums – Leon Parker
Guitar [8-string] – Charlie Hunter
Written By – Charlie Hunter
9.    Someday We'll All Be Free 4:55
Guitar [8-string] – Charlie Hunter
Written By – D. Howard, D. Hathaway