BARNEY KESSEL – Let's Cook! (1957-1999) RM | FLAC (tracks+cue) lossless

This is an excellent session from guitarist Barney Kessel. Kessel is matched with vibraphonist Victor Feldman, pianist Hampton Hawes, bassist Leroy Vinnegar, and drummer Shelly Manne for a blues-with-a-bridge (the 11-minute "Let's Cook"), Vernon Duke's ballad "Time Remembered," and "Just in Time." The second half of the album has modernized versions of "Tiger Rag" and "Jersey Bounce" as played by the guitarist, tenor saxophonist Ben Webster, trombonist Frank Rosolino, pianist Jimmie Rowles, Vinnegar, and Manne. Throughout, Kessel keeps with the other all-stars, swinging hard while paying tribute to the legacy of Charlie Christian. Scott Yanow
Tracklist  :
1 Let's Cook 11:18
Written-By – Barney Kessel
2 Time Remembered 4:15
Written-By – Vernon Duke
3 Just In Time 4:57
Written-By – Adolph Green, Betty Comden, Jule Styne
4 Tiger Rag 9:45
Written-By – Original Dixieland Jazz Band
5 Jersey Bounce 9:30
Written-By – Bobby Plater, Buddy Feyne, Tiny Bradshaw
# 1-3 :
Bass – Leroy Vinnegar
Drums – Shelly Manne
Guitar – Barney Kessel
Piano – Hampton Hawes
Victor Feldman Vibraphone
# 4-5 :
Piano – Jimmy Rowles
Saxophone – Ben Webster
Trombone – Frank Rosolino
Guitar – Barney Kessel
Bass – Leroy Vinnegar
Drums – Shelly Manne

BUD SHANK | BILL PERKINS — Bud Shank and Bill Perkins (1998) MONO | Serie West Coast Classics | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Two of the stars of cool jazz, Bud Shank and Bill Perkins, are featured to various degrees throughout this session. Shank in the 1950s was practically the epitome of West Coast jazz. His cool tones on alto and his fluid flute were utilized on many dates; the main set here also finds him switching in spots to tenor and baritone. Perkins, always a versatile reed soloist, is best known for his tenor playing but during that date he also plays alto, and (on two versions of "Fluted Columns") there are some rare examples of his flute. Shank and Perkins team up quite effectively with pianist Hampton Hawes, bassist Red Mitchell, and drummer Mel Lewis for the May 2, 1955 session, which includes a trio feature for Hawes ("I Hear Music"). Four numbers from February 19, 1956 (with Shank on flute and alto, pianist Russ Freeman, bassist Carson Smith, drummer Shelly Manne, and, on "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?," Perkins on tenor) are actually from a session led by Freeman but never completed, and were only put out previously on samplers. "Angel Eyes" (by a quartet with Perkins and pianist Jimmy Rowles) is a leftover track from a later date, as is "Sonny Speaks," which showcases Rowles in a trio without Perkins. This set concludes with the one surviving number ("Ain't Got a Dime to My Name") surviving from a truncated Perkins quartet set from 1958. Taken as a whole, there are many rewarding solos to be heard by Shank, Perkins, and the piano players on these formerly rare selections, even if the collection falls short of being classic. Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits

SHELLY MANNE QUINTET | STAN GETZ QUARTET | ZOOT SIMS QUARTET - Live 1956 & 1957 (1995) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Stan Getz Quartet–    Introduction    0:34
2    Stan Getz Quartet–    Some Blues (Bronx Blues)    5:09
3    Stan Getz Quartet–    Polka Dots & Moonbeams    3:32
4    Stan Getz Quartet–    Introduction    0:36
5    Stan Getz Quartet–    Jordu    3:57
6    Stan Getz Quartet–    Lover Man    4:45
7    Stan Getz Quartet–    Ain't You A Mess    2:40
Stan Getz Quartet :
Bass – Willie Stump Junior (1-3), Jug Taylor
Drums – Frank Isola (1 to 3), Paul Motian (4 to 7)
Piano – Mose Allison
Tenor Saxophone – Stan Getz
8    Shelly Manne Quintet–    Introduction    0:40
9    Shelly Manne Quintet–    The Dart Game    4:47
10    Shelly Manne Quintet–    Pathenia    4:36
11    Shelly Manne Quintet–    Bea's Flat    4:10
12    Shelly Manne Quintet–    A Gem From Tiffany    3:09
Shelly Manne Quintet :
Alto Saxophone – Charlie Mariano
Bass – Leroy Vinnegar
Drums –  Shelly Manne
Piano – Russ Freeman
Trumpet – Stu Williamson
13    Stan Getz Quartet–    Little Girl Blue    3:49
14    Stan Getz Quartet–    Lover Come Back To Me    4:57
15    Stan Getz Quartet–    Closing    0:21
Stan Getz Quartet :
Bass – Oscar Pettiford
Drums –  Shelly Manne
Piano – Dick Katz
Tenor Saxophone – Stan Getz
16    Zoot Sims Quartet–    Introduction    0:35
17    Zoot Sims Quartet–    There'll Never Be Another You    4:17
18    Zoot Sims Quartet–    You Go To My Head    5:25
19    Zoot Sims Quartet–    Bohemia After Dark / Closing    1:40
Zoot Sims Quartet :
Tenor, Alto Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Bass – Nelson Boyd
Drums – Charlie Blackwell
Piano – Bill Triglia

AL COHN - Night Flight To Dakar + Xanadu In Africa (1980-2015) RM | 2CD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 This compilation brings together two of saxophonist Al Cohn's live albums featuring his Xanadu ensemble. Both recorded while touring Africa in 1980, here we get Xanadu in Africa and Night Flight to Dakar. Joining Cohn are his associates in Xanadu, tenor saxophonist Billy Mitchell, pianist Dolo Coker, bassist Leroy Vinnegar, and drummer Frank Butler. Featured are such songs as "Blues Up and Down," "Sweet Senegalese Brown," "The King," "All or Nothing at All," "Robbins Nest," "Blues in the Closet," and more. This is aggressive, straight-ahead hard bop played to an enthusiastic audience. Matt Collar
Tracklist 1 :
1    Night Flight To Dakar    8:45
2    Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying    6:44
3    Blues Up And Down    9:10
4    Sweet Senegelese Brown    12:05
5    The King    10:39
Tracklist 2 :
1    All Or Nothing At All    12:41
2    Robbins Nest    10:47
3    I Surrender Dear    8:58
4    Blues In The Closet    4:56
5    Easy Living    9:35
Credits :
Bass – Leroy Vinnegar
Drums – Frank Butler
Piano – Dolo Coker
Tenor Saxophone – Al Cohn, Billy Mitchell

BENNY CARTER - Jazz Giant (1958-1987) RM | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Benny Carter had already been a major jazz musician for nearly 30 years when he recorded this particularly strong septet session for Contemporary. With notable contributions from tenor saxophonist Ben Webster, trombonist Frank Rosolino and guitarist Barney Kessel, Carter (who plays a bit of trumpet on "How Can You Lose") is in superb form on a set of five standards and two of his originals. This timeless music is beyond the simple categories of "swing" or "bop" and should just be called "classic". Scott Yanow
 Tracklist  
1 Old Fashioned Love 7:46
Written-By – Cecil Mack, James P. Johnson
2 I'm Coming Virginia 5:45
Written-By – Donald Heywood, Will Marion Cook
3 A Walkin' Thing 5:55
Written-By – Benny Carter
4 Blue Lou 5:02
Written-By – Edgar M. Sampson, Irving Mills
5 Ain't She Sweet 3:32
Written-By – Jack Yellen, Milton Ager
6 How Can You Lose 6:12
Written-By – Benny Carter
7 Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me 4:32
Written-By – Arthur N. Swanstone, Carey Morgan, Charles R. McCarron
Credits
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter (tracks: 1, 3 to 7)
Bass – Leroy Vinnegar
Drums – Shelly Manne
Guitar – Barney Kessel
Piano – André Previn (tracks: 1, 4 to 7), Jimmy Rowles (tracks: 2, 3)
Producer – Lester Koenig
Tenor Saxophone – Ben Webster (tracks: 1 to 4, 6)
Trombone – Frank Rosolino (tracks: 1 to 4, 6)
Trumpet – Benny Carter (tracks: 2, 6)

THE BENNY CARTER QUARTET - Swingin' The '20s (1959-1988) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Combining altoist Benny Carter with pianist Earl Hines in a quartet is an idea with plenty of potential, but the results of this 1958 session are relaxed rather than explosive. Carter and Hines explore a dozen tunes (standards as well as forgotten songs like "All Alone" and "Mary Lou") with respect and light swing, but one wishes that there were a bit more competitiveness to replace some of the mutual respect. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Thou Swell    2:50
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
2    My Blue Heaven    3:18
Walter Donaldson / George A. Whiting
3    Just Imagine    2:31
4    If I Could Be With You (One Hour Tonight)    2:40
5    Sweet Lorraine    5:00
Clifford R. Burwell / Mitchell Parish
6    Who's Sorry Now    2:23
Bert Kalmar / Harry Ruby / Ted Snyder
7    Who's Sorry Now (Alternate Take)    2:24
8    Laugh! Clown! Laugh!    3:20
Sam M. Lewis / Ted Fio Rito / Joe Young
9    Laugh! Clown! Laugh! (Alternate Take)    2:50
10    All Alone    3:12
Irving Berlin
11    All Alone (Alternate Take)    3:08
12    Mary Lou    3:08
13    In A Little Spanish Town    2:44
14    Someone To Watch Over Me    2:38
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
15    A Monday Date    3:10
Earl Hines
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Trumpet – Benny Carter
Bass – Leroy Vinnegar
Drums – Shelly Manne
Producer, Liner Notes [August 12, 1959] – Lester Koenig
Piano – Earl Hines

BENNY CARTER WITH BEN WEBSTER & BARNEY BIGARD - B.B.B. & Co. (1962-1992) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

One of Benny Carter's last jazz recordings before he became totally immersed in writing for the studios, this set matches his alto and trumpet with tenor great Ben Webster, clarinetist Barney Bigard and trumpeter Shorty Sherock on a pair of lengthy blues and Carter's "Lula" and "When Lights Are Low." All of the swing all-stars are in fine form, making one wish that they were not being so neglected by critics and fans alike during this era; Webster soon left the U.S. permanently for Europe. Although not essential, this set is fun. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Opening Blues 10:10
Written-By – Leonard Feather
2    Lula 7:42
Written-By – Benny Carter
3    When Lights Are Low 4:42
Written-By – Benny Carter
4    You Can't Tell The Difference When The Sun Goes Down Blues 12:05
Written-By – Feather
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Trumpet – Benny Carter
Bass – Leroy Vinnegar
Clarinet – Barney Bigard
Drums – Mel Lewis
Guitar – Dave Barbour
Liner Notes – Leonard Feather
Piano – Jimmy Rowles
Tenor Saxophone – Ben Webster
Trumpet – Shorty Sherock

STAN GETZ - Stan Getz and the Cool Sounds (1954-1999) Verve Original Collection 50 - 1 / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Stan Getz plays with five different lineups on the recordings from 1954 and 1955 featured on Stan Getz and the Cool Sounds. The cool-toned, mellow tenor saxophonist starts off with four tracks accompanied by pianist Lou Levy, bassist Leroy Vinnegar, and drummer Shelly Manne, with the easygoing swinger "Our Love Is Here to Stay" taking top honors. Valve trombonist Bob Brookmeyer is added to the mix for two quintet selections, both of which feature pianist John Williams anchoring two different rhythm sections. The very hot "Flamingo" finds Getz and Brookmeyer alternating choruses and engaging in intricate counterpoint, while Brookmeyer's "Rustic Hop" cooks at an even higher temperature, with both players inspiring one another to the top of their respective games. Pianist Jimmy Rowles, drummer Max Roach, and bassist Bobby Whitlock back Getz in a swinging take of "Nobody Else But Me" and the overlooked chestnut "Down by the Sycamore Tree." Trumpeter Tony Fruscella, who died far too young, takes Brookmeyer's place in two works written by the underrated trumpeter and composer Phil Sunkel, the mid-tempo "Blue Bells" and the boogie-woogie-flavored "Roundup Time." by Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    Of Thee I Sing    4:07
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
2    A Handful Of Stars    3:17
Jack Lawrence / Ted Shapiro
3    Love Is Here To Stay    3:22
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
4    Serenade In Blue    3:51
Mack Gordon / Harry Warren
5    Flamingo    7:30
Edmund Anderson / Ted Grouya
6    Blue Bells    7:09
Phil Sunkel
7    Roundup Time    7:05
Phil Sunkel
8    Nobody Else But Me    3:33
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
9    Down By The Sycamore Tree    3:02
Traditional
10    Rustic Hop    3:45
Bob Brookmeyer
Credits :
Bass – Bill Anthony (tracks: 5 to 7), Bill Crow (tracks: 10), Bob Whitlock (tracks: 8, 9), Leroy Vinnegar (tracks: 1 to 4)
Drums – Al Levitt (tracks: 10), Frank Isola (tracks: 5 to 7), Max Roach (tracks: 8, 9), Shelly Manne (tracks: 1 to 4)
Piano – Jimmy Rowles (tracks: 8, 9), John T. Williams (tracks: 5 to 7, 10), Lou Levy (tracks: 1 to 4)
Tenor Saxophone – Stan Getz (tracks: 1 to 5)
Trombone – Bob Brookmeyer (tracks: 5)
Trumpet – Tony Fruscella (tracks: 6, 7)
Valve Trombone – Bob Brookmeyer (tracks: 10)

GERRY MULLIGAN / BEN WEBSTER - Gerry Mulligan Meets Ben Webster (1959-1995) RM / APE (image+.cue), lossless

Make no mistake about it, the swing and bop start right here on this legendary 1959 session between baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan and tenor man Ben Webster. Produced by Norman Granz as an early Verve album, this Mobile Fidelity 24-karat gold-disc reissue is sonically worth the extra bread as it feels like you're right in the control room every note of the way. The opening track, Billy Strayhorn's "Chelsea Bridge" is lush and emotional and truly sets the tone for this album. With Jimmy Rowles on piano (his intro on "Sunday" sounds like a ragtimer like Willie "The Lion" Smith just pushed him off the stool before the band came in), Mel Lewis on drums, and the always superb Leroy Vinnegar on bass present and accounted for, the rhythm section is superbly swinging with just the right amount of bop lines and chords in the mix to spice things up. The ghost of Duke Ellington hovers over every note on this record (Billy Strayhorn was one of his main arrangers) and that is a very good thing, indeed. There's a beautiful, understated quality to the music on this session that makes it the perfect relaxing around the house on a rainy day disc to pop in the player. File this one under cool, very smooth, and supple.   by Cub Koda  
Tracklist :
1 Chelsea Bridge 7:20
Billy Strayhorn
2 The Cat Walk 5:44
Gerry Mulligan / Ben Webster
3 Sundy 7:22
Gerry Mulligan
4 Who's Got Rhytm 7:39
Gerry Mulligan
5 Tell Me When 5:03
Gerry Mulligan
6 Go Home 10:02
 Chester Conn / Benny Krueger / Ned Miller / Jule Styne
7 In A Mellotone 6:54
Duke Ellington / Milt Gabler
8 What Is This Thing Called Love 7:26
Cole Porter
9 For Bessie 5:38
Ben Webster
10 Fajista 5:47
Ben Webster
11 Blues In B Flat 7:22
Gerry Mulligan
Credits :
Baritone Saxophone – Gerry Mulligan
Bass – Leroy Vinnegar
Drums – Mel Lewis
Piano – Jimmy Rowles
Producer – Norman Granz
Tenor Saxophone – Ben Webster

CHET BAKER & ART PEPPER - Playboys (1956-2012) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

These 1956 Pacific Jazz sides appeared in 1961 under the title Playboys. Myth and rumor persist that, under legal advice from the publisher of a similarly named magazine, the collection would have to be retitled. It was renamed Picture of Heath, as more than half of the tracks are Jimmy Heath compositions. Regardless, the music is the absolute same. These are the third sessions to feature the dynamic duo of Art Pepper (alto sax) and Chet Baker (trumpet). Their other two meetings had produced unequivocal successes. The first was during a brief July 1956 session at the Forum Theater in L.A. Baker joined forces with Pepper's sextet, ultimately netting material for the Route LP. Exactly three months to the day later, Pepper and Baker reconvened to record tracks for the Chet Baker Big Band album. The quartet supporting Baker and Pepper on Playboys includes Curtis Counce (bass), Phil Urso (tenor sax), Carl Perkins (piano), and Larance Marable (drums). Baker and Pepper have an instinctual rapport that yields outstanding interplay. The harmony constant throughout the practically inseparable lines that Baker weaves with Pepper drives the bop throughout the slinky "For Minors Only." The soloists take subtle cues directly from each other, with considerable contributions from Perkins, Counce, and Marable. With the notorious track record both Baker and Pepper had regarding other decidedly less successful duets, it is unfortunate that more recordings do not exist that captured their special bond. These thoroughly enjoyable and often high-energy sides are perfect for bop connoisseurs as well as mainstream jazz listeners. by Lindsay Planer   
Tracklist :
 1    For Minors Only 3:59    
Jimmy Heath
2    Minor Yours 6:40    
Art Pepper
3    Resonant Emotions 5:41    
Jimmy Heath
4    Tynan Tyme 5:31    
Art Pepper
5    Picture of Heath 6:43    
Jimmy Heath
6    For Miles and Miles 6:24    
Jimmy Heath
7    C.T.A. 5:14
Written-By – Jimmy Heath
8    Tynan Time 6:19
Written-By – Art Pepper
9    Little Girl 4:17
Written-By – Henry, Hyde
10    Minor Yours 7:14
Written-By – Art Pepper
11    Sonny Boy 3:57
Written-By – Jolson, De Sylva, Brown, Henderson
12    The Route 5:04
Written-By – Pepper, Baker, Kamuca
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Art Pepper
Arranged By – Art Pepper (faixas: 2,4,8,10), Jimmy Heath (faixas: 1,3, 5-7), Johnny Mandel (faixas: 9,11)
Bass – Curtis Counce (faixas: 1 to 7), Leroy Vinnegar (faixas: 8 to 12)
Drums – Lawrence Marable (faixas: 1 to 7), Stan Levey (faixas: 8 to 12)
Piano – Carl Perkins (faixas: 1 to 7), Pete Jolly (faixas: 8 to 12)
Tenor Saxophone – Phil Urso (faixas: 1 to 7), Richie Kamuca (faixas: 8 to 12)
Trumpet – Chet Baker

GLORIA SMYTH + HELYNE STEWART - Like Soul! + Love Moods (2019) M4A (tracks) lossless [16bits 44.1khz]

"This release in Fresh Sound’s Best Voices Time Forgot series sees the pairing of two more overlooked albums from the late 50s and early 60s: Gloria Smyth’s Like Soul! and Helyne Stewart’s Love Moods.
The Gloria Smyth album, from World Pacific, is mixed – some of the uptempo tracks don’t sound that convincing, and although she has a forceful and strong voice, some of the inflections seem a little forced. I feel she is at her best on the slower ones and the ballads, and it is on these that her voice sounds more assured and controlled. She sings attractively on Sittin’ And Sighin’, on which she benefits from the presence of Teddy Edwards’ sensitive tenor accompaniment, and on I’ll Remember April, where both singer and saxophonist use some imaginative phrasing.
Helyne Stewart is a more rounded and stylish vocalist, with good range and accurate pitch, and a voice at times reminiscent of Dinah Washington. Once more Teddy Edwards is involved, both as arranger and as a featured soloist, with a quartet and an all-star septet that includes fellow West Coast players Frank Butler, Art Pepper, Jack Sheldon and Frank Rosolino.
Issued originally on Contemporary Records, the material is a strong selection of standards and well-known numbers and Stewart handles them well, with straightforward interpretations and good accompanying solos – Why Don’t You Do Right is an example in point. A fine follow-on from the Lil Green and Peggy Lee versions, this has blues-tinged contributions from Edwards and pianist Phineas Newborn Jr. How Deep Is The Ocean is notable for her warm and rich delivery and for Pete Jolly’s unobtrusive but soulful background piano, the higher keys riding the wave of the lush horn arrangement." by Matthew Wright
Tracklist :
GLORIA SMYTH - LIKE SOUL! (1960)
1. Running Wild  2:14
(Gibbs-Grey-Wood)
2. Billy 1:59
(Paley-Kendis-Goodwin)
3. Sittin’ and Sighin’ (Prison) 3:35
(D’Vogna White)
4. Imagination 2:59
(Burke-Van Heusen)
5. Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child  2:02
(Traditional)
6. I’ll Remember April  3:20
(Raye-DePaul-Johnson)
7. I’ll Be Over  2:10
(Gloria Smyth)
8. Bye Bye Blackbird 2:13
(Henderson-Dixon)
9. When You’re Smiling  2:44
(Shay-Fisher-Goodwin)
10. Gee Baby Ain’t I Good to You  2:34
(Redman-Razaf)
11. Sometimes I’m Happy  3:29
(Youmans-Caesar-Grey)
12. Time After Time 3:44
(Styne-Cahn)
13. It Don’t Mean a Thing 2:32
(Ellington-Mills)
Personnel on “Like Soul!":
Gloria Smyth, vocals
Tracks #4,6,9,12: Teddy Edwards, tenor sax; Les McCann, piano; Leroy Vinnegar, bass; Ron Jefferson, drums.
Recorded at Rex Productions Studio, Los Angeles, May 2, 1960
Tracks #1,11,13: Donald Sleet, trumpet; Daniel Jackson, tenor sax; Terry Trotter, piano; Herbie Lewis, bass; Lenny McBrowne, drums.
Recorded at Rex Productions Studio, Los Angeles, March 1960
Tracks #2,3,8: Teddy Edwards, tenor sax (out #2); Ronnie Ball, piano; Ben Tucker, bass; Al Levitt, drums.
Recorded at Sound Enterprises, Los Angeles, September 12, 1959
Tracks #7,10: Teddy Edwards, tenor sax; Joe Castro, piano; Leroy Vinnegar, bass; Billy Higgins, drums.
Recorded at Sound Enterprises, Los Angeles, September 12, 1959
Track #5: Terry Trotter, piano; Herbie Lewis, bass.
Recorded at Rex Productions Studio, Los Angeles, March 1960
HELYNE STEWART - LOVE MOODS (1961)
14. Love Is Here To Stay 3:22
(George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin)
15. I Hadn't Anyone 'Til You 3:49
(Ray Noble)
16. My Heart Belongs To Daddy 2:04
(Cole Porter)
17. That Old Feeling 3:01
(Lew Brown / Sammy Fain)
18. This Love Of Mine 3:48
(Henry W. Sanicola, Jr. / Sol Parker / Frank Sinatra)
19. The Man I Love 3:11
(George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin)
20. Why Don't You Do Right? (Give Me Some Money Too) 2:56
(Kansas Joe McCoy)
21. How Deep Is The Ocean 3:25
(Irving Berlin)
22. Easy To Love 3:35
(Cole Porter)
23. Besame Mucho 3:24
(Sunny Skylar / Consuelo Velázquez)
24. My Silent Love 3:05
(Edward Heyman / Dana Suesse)
25. This Can't Be Love 2:13
(Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers)
Personnel on "Love Moods":
Helyne Stewart, vocals
Tracks #14,19,21,24: Teddy Edwards Septet
Jack Sheldon, trumpet; Frank Rosolino, trombone; Art Pepper, alto sax; Teddy Edwards, tenor sax, arranger; Pete Jolly, piano; Jimmy Bond, bass; Frank Butler, drums.
Recorded at Contemporary Records, Los Angeles, January 20, 1961
Tracks #15,16,17,18,20,22,23,25: Teddy Edwards Quartet
Teddy Edwards, tenor sax, arranger; Phineas Newborn, Jr., piano; Leroy Vinnegar, bass; Milt Turner, drums.
Recorded at Contemporary Records, Los Angeles, August 21 & 22, 1961

JIMMY SMITH - Bluesmith (1972-2006) APE (image+.cue), lossless

It is ironic that one of Jimmy Smith's best Verve releases would be his next-to-last for the label. This surprisingly freewheeling but relaxed jam session also features Teddy Edwards on tenor, guitarist Ray Crawford, bassist Leroy Vinnegar, drummer Donald Dean, and the congas of Victor Pantoja. Together they perform five of Smith's fairly basic originals and Harvey Siders's "Mournin' Wes," a tribute for Wes Montgomery. Fine straight-ahead music. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Straight Ahead 5:25
Oliver Nelson / Jimmy Smith
2    Absolutely Funky 9:12
Jimmy Smith
3    Lolita 6:23
Jimmy Smith
4    Mournin' Wes 10:00
Harvey Siders
5    Blues for 3+1 4:52
Jimmy Smith
6    Bluesmith 6:41
Jimmy Smith
Credits :
Bass – Leroy Vinnegar
Congas – Victor Pantoja (tracks: 3, 5)
Drums – Donald Dean
Guitar – Ray Crawford (tracks: 1 to 4, 6)
Organ – Jimmy Smith
Tenor Saxophone – Teddy Edwards (tracks: 1 to 4, 6) 

SHELLY MANNE & HIS FRIENDS - Modern Jazz Performances of Songs from Li'l Abner (1957-2003) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

In a follow-up to their hit recording of music from My Fair Lady, Shelly Manne and his Friends (a trio with pianist André Previn, bassist Leroy Vinnegar, and the drummer/leader) recorded nine songs from the play Li'l Abner. Although Johnny Mercer and Gene DePaul wrote the score, none of the songs caught on except for the ballad "Namely You," and this LP (whose music has not been reissued yet on CD) was not a best-seller. The musicians are in fine form but the melodies are not too memorable (when was the last time anyone played "If I Had My Druthers" or "Progress Is the Root of All Evil"?). Actually the main reason to search for this album is for the hilarious photo on the cover. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 Jubilation T. Cornpone 3:13
Gene DePaul / Johnny Mercer
2 The Country's in the Very Best of Hands 4:39
Gene DePaul / Johnny Mercer
3 If I Had My Druthers 2:46
Gene DePaul / Johnny Mercer
4 Unnecessary Town 5:04
Gene DePaul / Johnny Mercer
5 Matrimonial Stomp 4:35
Gene DePaul / Johnny Mercer
6 Progress Is the Root of All Evil 3:34
Gene DePaul / Johnny Mercer
7 Oh, Happy Day 4:28
Gene DePaul / Johnny Mercer / E. F. Rimbault
8 Namely You 5:49
Gene DePaul / Johnny Mercer
9 Past My Prime 7:25
Gene DePaul / Johnny Mercer
Credits:
Bass – Leroy Vinnegar
Drums – Shelly Manne
Piano – André Previn

SHELLY MANNE & HIS FRIENDS - Modern Jazz Performances Of Songs From My Fair Lady (1956-2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This trio set by Shelly Manne & His Friends (consisting of the drummer/leader, pianist André Previn, and bassist Leroy Vinnegar) was a surprise best-seller and is now considered a classic. Previn (who is really the main voice) leads the group through eight themes from the famous play, including "Get Me to the Church on Time," "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face," "I Could Have Danced All Night," and "On the Street Where You Live." The result is a very appealing set that is easily recommended. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 Get Me to the Church on Time 4:14
Alan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe
2 On the Street Where You Live 5:41
Alan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe
3 I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face 3:25
Alan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe
4 Wouldn't It Be Loverly? 5:36
Alan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe
5 Ascot Gavotte 4:21
Alan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe
6 Show Me 3:43
Alan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe
7 With a Little Bit of Luck 6:04
Alan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe
8 I Could Have Danced All Night 3:01
Alan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe
Credits:
Shelly Manne - Drums
André Previn - Piano
Leroy Vinnegar - Bass

LIONEL HAMPTON | STAN GETZ – Hamp And Getz (1955-1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

If one were to believe the clichés and stereotypes common in some jazz history books, this duo should not have worked. By 1955, Lionel Hampton was a veteran swing vibraphonist while Stan Getz was the leader of the "cool school" of young tenors. But what these two masters had in common (in addition to a healthy respect for each other's talents) was the ability to swing as hard as possible. Joined by a fine trio, the duo really rips into "Cherokee" and "Jumpin' at the Woodside" (listen to their blistering tradeoffs) and, even with a fine ballad medley, it is these torrid jams that make this a highly recommended LP. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Cherokee 9:15
Ray Noble
2     Ballad Medley (8:08)
2.1 Tenderly
Soloist – Stan Getz
2.2 Autumn In New York
Soloist – Stan Getz
2.3 East Of The Sun (West Of The Moon)
Soloist – Lionel Hampton
2.4 I Can't Get Started
Soloist – Lionel Hampton 
Brooks Bowman / Vernon Duke / Ira Gershwin / Walter Gross / Jack Lawrence / Leo Robin / Richard A. Whiting
3 Louise 6:47
Leo Robin / Richard A. Whiting
4 Jumpin' at the Woodside 8:24
Count Basie
5 Gladys 6:13
Lionel Hampton
6 Gladys 7:43
Lionel Hampton
7 Headache 5:07
Credits :
Bass – Leroy Vinnegar
Drums – Shelly Manne
Piano – Lou Levy
Tenor Saxophone – Stan Getz
Vibraphone [Vibes] – Lionel Hampton

THE CEDAR WALTON TRIO, QUARTET & QUINTET - Cedar! [1967] Prestige / OJC

Pianist Cedar Walton's debut as a leader is quite impressive. This CD reissue (which includes a "new" rendition of "Take the 'A' Train") showcases Walton with bassist Leroy Vinnegar and drummer Billy Higgins on "My Ship," features a pair of quartet numbers with trumpeter Kenny Dorham, has tenor saxophonist Junior Cook in Dorham's place on two other pieces (including "Come Sunday") and uses a quintet on the two remaining selections. One of the top hard bop-based pianists to emerge during the 1960s, Walton also contributed four originals to his excellent set.  by Scott Yanow
Tracklist
1 Turquoise Twice 7:17
2 Twilight Waltz 4:17
3 My Ship 5:31
4 Short Stuff 6:23
5 Head And Shoulders 4:13
6 Come Sunday 6:56
7 Take The "A" Train 3:27
Credits
Bass – Leroy Vinnegar
Drums – Billy Higgins
Piano – Cedar Walton
Tenor Saxophone – Junior Cook
Trumpet – Kenny Dorham

CEDAR WALTON
Cedar! [1967] Prestige / OJC
CBR320/scan

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