STEVE KUHN TRIO — Watch What Happens! (1968-2006) RM | Serie European Collection – 22 | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Like many pianists, Steve Kuhn seems to put out one quality disc after another but doesn't ever seem to get the attention he deserves. This beautifully recorded studio date from 1968, with bassist Palle Danielsson and drummer Jon Christensen, is a good example. Eschewing the typical easygoing approaches to Michel Legrand's "Watch What Happens," he launches into a very brisk bossa nova arrangement. J.J. Johnson's gorgeous ballad "Lament" was never in better hands as Kuhn delivers a shimmering but poignant performance; the piece segues into Gary McFarland's unjustly neglected "Once We Loved." A mini-medley of Burt Bacharach songs, "Windows of the World" and "Here I Am," with its unusual chanting introduction, has also stood the test of time. Carla Bley's "Ad Infinitum" delves briefly into the avant-garde but quickly reverts to post-bop. [The Japanese reissue of this long unavailable session, originally on MPS, retains the identical gatefold packaging of the LP, complete with photos and liner notes -- a very nice touch.] Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    Watch What Happens 2:50
Written-By – Michel Legrand
2    Silver 2:17
Written-By – Steve Kuhn
3    Lament / Once We Loved 6:57
Written-By [Lament] – Jay Jay Johnson
Written-By [Once We Loved] – Gary McFarland
4    Tom Jones 6:41
Written-By – John Addison, Mack Davis
5    Windows Of The World / Here I Am 4;20
Written-By – Burt Bacharach
6    I Fall In Love Too Easily 4:07
Written-By – Cahn-Styne
7    Ad Infinitum 8:57
Written-By – Carla Bley
Credits :
Double Bass – Palle Danielsson
Drums – Jon Christensen
Piano – Steve Kuhn

THE OSCAR PETERSON TRIO WITH HERB ELLIS — Hello Herbie (1969-2005) RM | Serie Most Perfect Sound Edition | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 Guitarist Herb Ellis still considers this to be one of his personal favorite recordings. Ellis was reunited with his old boss Oscar Peterson and, with the assistance of Peterson's trio of the period (with bassist Sam Jones and drummer Bobby Durham), the two lead voices often romp on the jam session-flavored set. Most of the chord changes are fairly basic (including three blues and "Seven Come Eleven"), and Peterson was clearly inspired by Ellis' presence (and vice versa). Scott  Yanow
Credits :
1 Naptown Blues 5:20
Written-By – Wes Montgomery
2 Exactly Like You 4:48
Written-By – Beda, McHugh - Fields
3 Day By Day 4:40
Written-By – Stordahl, Weston
4 Hamp's Blues 3:46
Written-By – Hampton Hawes
5 Blues For H.G. 6:10
Written-By – Oscar Peterson
6 A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening 8:25
Written-By – Adamson, McHugh
7 Seven Come Eleven 5:10
Written-By – Goodman, Christian
Credits :
Bass – Sam Jones
Drums – Bob Durham
Guitar – Herb Ellis
Piano – Oscar Peterson

STÉPHANE GRAPPELLI | PHILIP CATHERINE | LARRY CORYELL | NIELS-HENNING ØRSTED PEDERSEN — Young Django (1979-1984) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This CD finds veteran violinist Stephane Grappelli joined by bassist Niels Pedersen and guitarists Philip Catherine and Larry Coryell for a memorable tribute to Django Reinhardt. Grappelli has recorded many Reinhardt memorial albums through the years but this one is particularly special for both Coryell and Catherine go out of their way to display the unexpected influence that Reinhardt has had on their styles. The guitarists contribute a song apiece and also enjoy playing seven compositions co-written by Django and Grappelli. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Djangology 3:24
Written-By – Reinhardt, Grappelli
2    Sweet Chorus 4:20
Written-By – Reinhardt, Grappelli
3    Minor Swing 3:27
Written-By – Reinhardt, Grappelli
4    Are You In The Mood? 3:27
Written-By – Reinhardt, Grappelli
5    Gallerie St. Hubert 4:08
Written-By – Catherine
6    Tears 6:18
Written-By – Reinhardt, Grappelli
7    Swing Guitar 3:49
Written-By – Reinhardt, Grappelli
8    Oriental Shuffle 3:43
Written-By – Reinhardt, Grappelli
9    Blues For Django And Stephane 4:57
Written-By – Coryell
Credits
Guitar [Left] – Larry Coryell
Guitar [Right] – Philip Catherine
Piano – Stephane Grappelli (tracks: 9)
Voice – Larry Coryell (tracks: 7, 9), Stephane Grappelli (tracks: 7)

BILL EVANS – Symbiosis (1974-1994) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Legendary jazz pianist Bill Evans is most often thought of as a "trio" player, as most of his albums have been piano/bass/drums, with the occasional solo or duo album. But he did record a select few albums with orchestras, and that's what makes SYMBIOSIS a special and unique entry in Evans' hugh catalog. Recorded in 1974, it was released in 1994 on CD for the first time. Further, this albums contains no standards or Evans originals--the title piece is a multi-part suite composed, arranged and conducted by Claus Ogerman (who also collaborated with Stan Getz and Frank Sinatra, among many others).

The album runs the stylistic gamut: there are moments of Philip Glass-like minimalism (!), samba-flavored big-band passages, echoes of the early 20th century Russian composers, Third Stream jazz, lush yet slightly ominous string arrangements and '70s film music. Throughout, Evans, alternating between acoustic and electric pianos, shimmers and entrances with his inventively lyrical solos. Not your "typical" Bill Evans album--but that's what makes SYMBIOSIS such a fine, gently challenging listen. AllMusic
Tracklist  :
1st Movement (Moderato, Various Tempi)
1. (a) (7:55)
2. (b) (5:18)
3. (c) (11:55)
2nd Movement (Largo, Andante, Maestoso, Largo)
4. (a) (9:14)
5. (b) (6:47)

The Bill Evans Trio
Bill Evans - Steinway grand piano, Fender Rhodes electric piano
Eddie Gomez - Bass
Marty Morell - Drums

Orchestra conducted by Claus Ogerman
Phil Woods, Jerry Dodgion, Walt Levinsky, Harvey Estrin - Alto Saxophone
Bill Slapin, Don Hammond, Hubert Laws - Flute
George Marge, Phil Bodner - Oboe
Danny Bank, Ron Janelly - Clarinet, Bass Clarinet
Wally Kane - Bassoon
Don MacCourt - Contra Bassoon
Brooks Tillotson, James Buffington, Earl Chapin, Ray Alonge, Al Richmond, Pete Gordon - French Horn
Marvin Stamm, John Frosk, Bernie Glow, Marky Markowitz, Victor Paz, Mel Davis - Trumpet
Urbie Green - Tenor Trombone
Paul Faulise, Tommy Mitchell - Bass Trombone
Don Butterfield - Tuba
George Devens, Dave Carey, Doug Allen - Percussion
Ralph McDonald - Congas
David Nadien - Concertmaster

LEE KONITZ - Zo Ko Ma (1968-2008) RM | Series : Most Perfect Sound Edition | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Guitarist Attila Zoller, alto saxophonist Lee Konitz and trombonist Albert Mangelsdorff had played with one another on earlier occasions for over a decade, but this 1968 recording was their first together though Zo-Ko-Ma is officially billed by producer Joachim Ernst-Berendt as the "Attila Zoller-Lee Konitz Quartet with guest Albert Mangelsdorff." Joined by bassist Barre Phillips and drummer Stu Martin on some tracks, a good deal of the music has an experimental feeling to it, especially Konitz's "Feeling-In and Filling-In Villingen," which feature overlapping improvisations by the three players. Zoller's easygoing waltz "At Twighlite" and Mangelsdorff's "Alat's Mood" (the latter a trombone/guitar duet) are straight-ahead arrangements, while Konitz's haunting "Danke for the Memory" is a spacy trio piece with bass and guitar. Issued on LP by MPS in Europe, this extraordinary session is long overdue to be re-released on CD. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     Zores Mores 5:42
Albert Mangelsdorff
2     Feeling-In and Filling-In in Villingen 4:10
Lee Konitz
3     Ach! Tavia /  Skertzo - Alicia's Lullaby 6:26
Lee Konitz
4     At Twighlite 5:54
Attila Zoller
5     Struwwelpeter 4:37
Attila Zoller
6     Alat's Mood 4:50
Albert Mangelsdorff
7     Freeline Fraulein 4:41
Lee Konitz
8     Danke for the Memory 4:02
Lee Konitz
9     Rumpelstilzchen 4:37
Attila Zoller
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone – Lee Konitz
Double Bass – Barre Phillips (tracks: 1, 4, 5, 9)
Drums – Stu Martin (tracks: 1, 4, 5, 9)
Guitar – Attila Zoller
Trombone – Albert Mangelsdorff

ARCHIE SHEPP - Live At The Donaueschingen Music Festival (1967-2000) RM | Most Perfect Sound Edition – 28 | FLAC (tracks), lossless

This is an exciting album. The important tenor Archie Shepp and his 1967 group -- with both Roswell Rudd and Grachan Moncur on trombones, bassist Jimmy Garrison, and drummer Beaver Harris -- romp through the continuous 43-and-a-half-minute "One for the Trane" before an enthusiastic audience at a German music festival. Although he improvises very freely and with great intensity, Shepp surprised the crowd by suddenly bursting into a spaced-out version of "The Shadow of Your Smile" near the end of this memorable performance. On the whole, this very spirited set represents avant-garde jazz at its peak and Archie Shepp at his finest. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     One for the Trane, Pt. 1 22:09
Archie Shepp    
2     One for the Trane, Pt. 2 21:54
Archie Shepp
Credits
Bass – Jimmy Garrison
Drums – Beaver Harris
Tenor Saxophone – Archie Shepp
Trombone – Grachan Moncur III, Roswell Rudd

CLARK TERRY - Clark After Dark : The Ballad Album (1978-2007) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Clark Terry's 1977 studio date with an orchestra conducted by Peter Herbolzheimer might very well fall into the easy listening category were it not for his brilliant improvisations on fluegelhorn, which he plays throughout the session. Most of the material consists of classic songs that Terry was undoubtedly very familiar with by the time of this 1977 recording, including "Misty," "Willow Weep for Me," "Angel Eyes," and "Yesterdays," with the arrangements all having pretty much a low-key, late-night feeling, hence the album title. Producer Mike Hennessey co-wrote "November Song" with Willi Fruth, a ballad with swirling strings; and Herbolzheimer contributed "Clark After Dark," a tasty blues that is a good deal looser than most of the rest of the album, which also features great solos by pianist Gordon Beck and trombonist Dave Horler, as well as some great muted horn from Terry. The loping "Girl Talk" showcases tenor saxophonist Tony Coe and guitarist Martin Kershaw briefly. While this isn't one of Clark Terry's most essential LPs, his flawless playing make it a worthwhile investment -- if you can only find it. Ken Dryden  
Tracklist :
1     Misty 5'31
Johnny Burke / Erroll Garner
2     Nature Boy 4'24
Eden Ahbez
3     Georgia on My Mind 5'24
Hoagy Carmichael / Stuart Gorrell
4     November Song 5'06
Willi Fruth / Mike Hennessey
5     Clark After Dark 6'15
Peter Herbolzheimer / Clark Terry
6     Willow Weep for Me 5'48
Ann Ronell
7     Yesterdays 4'25
Otto Harbach / Jerome Kern
8     Emily 4'31
Johnny Mandel / Johnny Mercer
9     Angel Eyes 5'33
Earl Brent / Matt Dennis
10     Girl Talk 5'06
Neal Hefti / Bobby Troup
All Credits 

DON ELLIS - Soaring (1973-2008) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The last album by Don Ellis' big band before the trumpeter suffered a heart attack that would ultimately cut short both his career and his life, this underrated set finds Ellis' orchestra consisting of seven brass (including tuba), four strong woodwind players, a string quartet, and an enlarged six-piece rhythm section that includes guitarist Jay Graydon and keyboardist Milcho Leviev. A special highlight is "Invincible" which is an outstanding feature for altoist Vince Denham; whatever happened to him? Ellis composed four of the eight originals including one titled "The Devil Made Me Write This Piece!" This out-of-print Lp is well worth searching for. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Whiplash 4:27
Hank Levy
2     Sladka Pitka 6:43
Milcho Leviev
3     The Devil Made Me Write This Piece 5:55
Don Ellis
4     Go Back Home 3:19
Sam Falzone
5     Invincible 6:44
Don Ellis
6     Image of Maria 3:03
Don Ellis
7     Sidonie 6:42
Alexej Fried
8     Nicole 5:34
Don Ellis
Credits :
Bass – Dave McDaniel
Bass Trombone – Ken Sawhill
Cello [Electric] – Pat Kudzia
Clarinet, Flute, Oboe, Soprano Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Gary Herbig
Clarinet, Flute, Tenor Saxophone – Sam Falzone
Congas – Lee Pastora
Drums – Ralph Humphrey
Flute, Alto Flute, Piccolo Flute, Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Fred Selden
Flute, Piccolo Flute, Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Vince Denham
French Horn – Sidney Muldrow
Guitar – Jay Graydon
Organ, Piano, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Clavinet – Milcho Leviev
Percussion, Drums – Ron Dunn
Producer – Don Ellis
Trombone – Mike Jamieson
Trumpet, Drums, Flugelhorn – Don Ellis
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Bruce MacKay, Gil Rathel, Jack Caudill
Tuba – Doug Bixby
Viola [Electric] – Renita Koven
Violin [Electric] – Earle Corry, Joel Quivey 

ALBERT MANGELSDORFF | JACO PASTORIUS | ALPHONSE MOUZON – Trilogue Live! (1976-2000) RM | Most Perfect Sound Edition – 26 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

For those of you looking for some funky, chunky Jaco Pastorius jams, this isn't the place. For those looking for extremely free playing where Mangelsdorff's trombone runs wild and chaotic, this isn't it either. For the fusion freaks entranced by Alphonse Mouzon's skittering drum work that stops and starts on a sliver of light, best look elsewhere. For the rest who are seeking great jazz in any configuration, this just might be your ticket. Trilogue Live! was recorded at The Berlin Jazz Days in 1976 and originally issued on LP while Pastorius was at the height of his tenure with Weather Report. Playing an all-Mangelsdorff selection, this trio

delivers an inspired performance that relies on timing, virtuosity, and a little humor for its bread and butter. The title track is the opener, and its slight abstraction is quickly replaced by Pastorius suggesting the frame of the melody to his counterparts, who pick it up and glide. On "Zores Mores," knotty little post-bop lines are woven into an easy framework of Mouzon's dancing hands and a solid yet very flexible interplay between the trombonist and Pastorius' ever-inquisitive basslines. The shimmering tension between the trio's members is all heat on "Accidental Meeting," the closest piece to pure abstraction here, but Mangelsdorff insists on, at the very least, the articulation of jazz formalism. "Foreign Fun" starts out like surreal circus music, but quickly walks the razor's edge between Weather Report's more adventurous material and noirish jazz. The set closes with the groaning humor of "Ant Steps on Elephant's Toe," a bumping, bubbling, dub-style cut that features Mangelsdorff blowing fully out of the blues and Pastorius playing the very best Aston Barrett he can. The dub effect gives way to funk about halfway through, and Mouzon becomes animated, doubling and tripling his cohorts in a joyful dance of curiosity and discovery. This cut is street-tough, plenty nasty, and leaves the audience -- and listeners too, no doubt -- begging for more.
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Tracklist + Credits :