BILL EVANS — The Alternative Man (1986) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The fact that Bill Evans' years as a Miles Davis sideman had so positive an effect on him is evident on The Alternative Man -- an unpredictable fusion date that, although overproduced at times, is full of spirited blowing and adventurous composing. Ranging from the reggae-influenced "The Path of Resistance" to the addictive "Let the Juice Loose!" to the angular "Jojo," Evans' material is consistently impressive. A Michael Brecker disciple but definitely his own man, Evans tends to be robust and aggressive on tenor and more reflective on soprano. Guest John McLaughlin (electric guitar) is characteristically persuasive on the poetic "Flight of the Falcon." Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1    The Alternative Man 5:45
Bass Guitar – Mark Egan
Drums – Danny Gottlieb
Electric Guitar – Jeff Golub
Keyboards – Mitchel Forman
2    The Path Of Least Resistance 4:37
Drums – Danny Gottlieb
Electric Guitar – Sid McGinnis
Keyboards – Clifford Carter
Percussion – Manolo Badrena
Vocals, Composed By – Clifford Carter
3    Let The Juice Loose 5:40
Bass Guitar – Marcus Miller
Drums – Danny Gottlieb
Electric Guitar – Hiram Bullock
Percussion – Manolo Badrena
Trumpet – Lew Soloff
4    Gardiners Garden 4:30
Bass – Mark Egan
Electric Guitar, Composed By – Chuck Loeb
Percussion – Danny Gottlieb
5    Survival Of The Fittest 3:25
Acoustic Guitar – John McLaughlin
Bass – Mark Egan
Drums – Danny Gottlieb
Grand Piano – Mitchel Forman
Keyboards – Clifford Carter
Percussion – Manolo Badrena
6    Jojo 6:21
Composed By – Rich Meitin
Drums – Danny Gottlieb
Electric Guitar – Sid McGinnis
Keyboards, Composed By – Clifford Carter
Percussion – Manolo Badrena
7    The Cry In Her Eyes 5:41
Bass Guitar – Marcus Miller
Drums – Danny Gottlieb
Electric Guitar – Dave Hart, Hiram Bullock
8    Miles Away 5:24
Bass Guitar – Marcus Miller
Drums – Al Foster
9    Flight Of The Falcon 7:23
Acoustic Guitar – John McLaughlin
Bass – Mark Egan
Drums – Danny Gottlieb
Grand Piano – Mitchel Forman
Keyboards – Clifford Carter
Percussion – Manolo Badrena

MARK EGAN — As We Speak (2006) 2CD | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Atmospheric and serpentine, the two-disc As We Speak finds electric fretless bassist Mark Egan leading his trio through a series of enigmatic and propulsive original songs. An acolyte of the late great bassist Jaco Pastorious, Egan has a lithe touch on his instrument, and tracks such as the leadoff "Spirals" evince a hypnotic, fusion-esque aesthetic. Joining Egan here are the equally superb jazz giants guitarist John Abercrombie and drummer Danny Gottlieb. These are three technical dynamos as well as artists sensitive to creative group interplay. Cuts such as "Dream Sequence" showcase this as Abercrombie and Egan both lay down harmonic lines against each other allowing Gottlieb to fill in the background with organic cymbal flourishes and flickering drum patterns. Cinematic and expansive, As We Speak has a real spark of intimacy and is a truly engaging work. Matt Collar
Tracklist
1-1 Spirals 6:22
Mark Egan 
1-2 As We Speak 10:01
Mark Egan 
1-3 Vanishing Point 9:38
Mark Egan 
1-4 Mississippi Nights 6:19
Mark Egan 
1-5 Alone Together 8:10
Mark Egan 
1-6 Your Sweet Way 5:55
Mark Egan 
1-7 Three-Way Mirror 9:07
Mark Egan 
1-8 Tone Poem For My Father 4:59
Mark Egan 
2-1 Shade And Shadows 8:54
Mark Egan 
2-2 Next Left 2:17
John Abercrombie / Mark Egan / Danny Gottlieb
2-3 Dream Sequence 3:39
John Abercrombie / Mark Egan / Danny Gottlieb
2-4 Depraw 7:49
Mark Egan 
2-5 Stiletto 5:21
Mark Egan 
2-6 Plane To The Trane 7:46
Mark Egan 
2-7 Time Out 3:37
John Abercrombie / Mark Egan / Danny Gottlieb
2-8 Summer Sand 2:25
John Abercrombie / Mark Egan / Danny Gottlieb
Credits
Bass Guitar – Mark Egan
Drums – Danny Gottlieb
Guitar – John Abercrombie

DANNY GOTTLIEB — Aquamarine (1987) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist:
1. Aquamarine (Doug Hall) 4:59
2. Monterey (Danny Gottlieb, Joe Satriani) 4:22
3. The Aviary (Danny Gottlieb, John Abercrombie) 4:39
4. Alaska (Danny Gottlieb, Doug Hall) 6:52
5. Waterfall (Doug Hall) 3:08
6. Being (Mitchell Forman) 6:27
7. Duet (John McLaughlin) 3:28
8. Upon A Time (John Abercrombie) 4:54
9. Peace Of Mind (John McLaughlin) 3:33
Credits:
Personnel:
Bass – Mark Egan (tracks: 2, 4, 5, 9)
Drums – Danny Gottlieb
Guitar – Jeff Mironov (tracks: 4), Joe Satriani (tracks: 2), John Abercrombie (tracks: 1, 3, 8), John McLaughlin (tracks: 7), Steve Kahn (tracks: 1)
Keyboards – Mitchell Forman (tracks: 2)
Keyboards, Producer, Engineer, Mixed By – Doug Hall (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 5)
Percussion – Cafe (tracks: 1, 2, 5)
Saxophone – Bill Evans (tracks: 4, 5)
Vibraphone – Dave Samuels (tracks: 5)

GIL EVANS & THE MONDAY NIGHT ORCHESTRA — Live at Sweet Basil (1985-1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Gil Evans ran into his share of would-be defenders of his "tradition" when he began experimenting with rock songs and electronic instruments in the '70s and '80s. One of jazz's greatest arrangers was suddenly viewed as a charlatan in certain circles, and a band loaded with great players was now being dismissed as a crew of frauds. This second volume of songs done live during the band's long run as Sweet Basil's regular Monday night attraction proves decisively that neither Evans nor his band lost anything. The versions of Shorter's "Parabola" and Hancock's "Prince of Darkness" are multi-faceted and compare favorably with almost anything done by any previous Evans aggregation. It may not have been "cool," but it was most assuredly great jazz. Ron Wynn    Tracklist & Credits :

GIL EVANS & THE MONDAY NIGHT ORCHESTRA — Bud And Bird (1987-1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Gil Evans celebrated his 75th birthday shortly before this session was issued in Japan. He was not looking back, judging from the progressive, animated quality of these numbers. They included some extensive, rollicking numbers, songs with multiple movements, and energized solos from John Clark on French horn, trumpeter Lew Soloff, bass trombonist Dave Tucker, and bassist Mark Egan. Special guest Johnny Coles chimed in on "Half Man, Half Cookie." Some critics rapped Evans' '80s orchestras for their almost chaotic sound and loose feel. But Evans wanted a sprawling sensibility, and although his bands often seemed disorganized, they always maintained discipline in the midst of what others thought sounded like musical anarchy. Ron Wynn    Tracklist & Credits :

GIL EVANS – The Honey Man (1986-1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist & Credits :

AIRTO MOREIRA - Struck by Lightning (1990) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    It's Time For Carnival 5:56
Acoustic Guitar – José Neto
Electric Bass [Fretless] – Randy Tico
Electric Guitar – José Neto
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – José Neto
Lyrics By – Airto Moreira
Percussion – Airto Moreira
Tamborim – Junior Homrich
Vocals – Airto Moreira
Written-By – A. Moreira
2    Burning Money (Queimando Dinheiro) 4:08
Acoustic Bass ["John Hawk" Fretless] – Randy Tico
Acoustic Guitar – José Neto
Electric Bass [Fretless] – Randy Tico
Flute, Keyboards [Korg M-1] – Gary Meek
Percussion, Vocals – Airto Moreira
Twelve-String Guitar – José Neto
Written-By – J. Neto
3    Berimbau First Cry 5:07
Berimbau, Vocals, Flute [Wooden], Percussion, Noises [Background Noises], Voice – Airto Moreira
Written-By – A. Moreira
4    Sea Horse 6:48
Acoustic Bass ["John Hawk" Fretless] – Randy Tico
Acoustic Guitar – José Neto
Electronic Wind Instrument [EWI] – Gary Meek
Lyrics By [Underwater] – Airto Moreira
Percussion, Vocals, Electronics [Electronic Water Bottle] – Airto Moreira
Twelve-String Guitar – José Neto
Written-By – J. Neto
5    Struck By Lightning 4:42
Drums [Trap Drums] – Mike Shapiro
Electric Bass – Rob Harrison
Keyboards – Marcos Silva
Lyrics By – Flora Purim
Percussion – Airto Moreira
Vocals – Flora Purim
Written-By – G. Meek
6    Samba Louco (Crazy Samba) 2:03
Electric Bass – Mark Egan
Percussion – Airto Moreira
Synthesizer [Yamaha Tx-7, Roland D-50, Fairlight SG10] – Chick Corea
Tenor Saxophone – Gary Meek
Written-By – A. Moreira, C. Corea, M. Egan
7    Seven Dwarfs 4:18
Electric Bass – Mark Egan
Electronic Wind Instrument [EWI] – Gary Meek
Percussion, Drums [Trap Drums], Vocals – Airto Moreira
Piano – Chick Corea
Soprano Saxophone – Gary Meek
Written-By – A. Moreira
8    Samba Nosso (Our Samba) 9:04
Electric Bass – Stanley Clarke
Electronic Wind Instrument [EWI] – Gary Meek
Percussion, Drums [Trap Drums], Vocals – Airto Moreira
Piano, Synthesizer [Yamaha Tx-7, Roland D-50, Fairlight SG10] – Herbie Hancock
Soprano Saxophone – Gary Meek
Written-By – A. Moreira, H. Hancock, S. Clarke
9    Skins & Rattle 5:56
Percussion – Airto Moreira
Written-By – A. Moreira

AIRTO MOREIRA AND THE GODS OF JAZZ - Killer Bees (1989) APE (image+.cue), lossless

In November of 1989, after ten years of California living, Brazilian percussionist Airto Moreira felt the need to get back in touch with the free-music roots he established two decades earlier in New York City. A spate of slumberous L.A. studio sessions, in combination with a tired scene in his adoptive hometown of Santa Barbara, was beginning to take its toll on the creative percussionist. New York of the late 1960s bustled with musical vibrancy for Moreira. All night jam sessions with the likes of Chick Corea, Dave Holland, Jan Hammer, Stanley Clarke, Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, and Walker Booker were the rule for the artist. On occasion, even such heavyweight legends as Lee Morgan, Cannonball Adderley, Buster Williams, and Thelonious Monk would sit in. In an effort to shake off L.A. studio stupor and re-create the wonder days of impromptu dream team sessions, he invited long time jazz comrades Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Mark Egan, and Stanley Clarke to record improvised music with him in a local Santa Barbara studio. Jumping at the opportunity to play with their friends for the sake of playing, these musicians ended up producing the Killer Bees CD. Peppered with subtle overdubs by vocalist Flora Purim, saxophonist Gary Meek, and guitarist Hiram Bullock, Killer Bees is a set of nine tracks characterized by the sense of spontaneity and adventurousness that Airto intended to revisit. From the opening "Banana Jam," a track in which Moreira, Corea, and Egan experiment with sounds in an improvised section that eventually crescendos into a powerful bass and piano ostinato, to the concluding "Chicken on the Mind," a whimsical track that builds on the sounds of a barking dog and the cackles of Corea, this CD captures superb studio musicians playing out on a limb. If you are looking for the precise articulation of rigid song structures, then this CD may leave you feeling a bit unsatisfied. On the other hand, if you enjoy listening to evolving and amorphous forms full of mercurially virtuosic content, then Killer Bees will make you yearn for more projects that recreate Moreira's free-jazz jams of yore. by John Vallier  
Tracklist :
1     Banana Jam 6:03
Chick Corea / Mark Egan / Airto Moreira / Flora Purim
2     Be There 4:43
Stanley Clarke / Herbie Hancock / Airto Moreira
3     Killer Bees 7:36
Hiram Bullock / Chick Corea / Mark Egan / Airto Moreira
4     City Sushi Man 4:03
Hiram Bullock / Chick Corea / Mark Egan / Airto Moreira
5     See Ya Later 5:36
Chick Corea / Mark Egan / Airto Moreira
6     Never Mind 7:46
Stanley Clarke / Herbie Hancock / Airto Moreira
7     Communion 8:39
Stanley Clarke / Herbie Hancock / Airto Moreira
8     Nasty Moves 2:12
Hiram Bullock / Mark Egan / Airto Moreira
9     Chicken in the Mind 3:29
Chick Corea / Mark Egan / Airto Moreira
Credits :
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass – Stanley Clarke
Drums, Percussion, Vocals – Airto Moreira
Electric Bass, Fretless Bass – Mark Egan
Guitar – Hiram Bullock
Overdubbed By – Steve Hart
Piano, Keyboards – Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Gary Meek
Vocals, Producer – Flora Purim

FLORA PURIM - Flora's Song (2005) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Throughout Flora's Song, the veteran Brazilian singer Flora Purim is heard in prime form. The ten compositions fit her style well; she swings in her own fashion and puts plenty of feeling into her vocals. In addition, there are many fine solos along the way, with the standouts including Harvey Wainapel's flute solo on "Flora's Song" and the steel drums of Andy Narrell on "E Precisa Perdoar" and "Forbidden Love." Whether any of the songs eventually become standards is open to question, but they are welcome additions to Flora Purim's repertoire. This is her most rewarding recording in several years, and she sounds quite happy throughout the excellent set. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Las Olas 6:57
Diana Moreira Booker / Jaco Pastorius / Flora Purim
2     Less Than Lovers
Diana Moreira Booker / Lynne Earls
3     This Is Me 4:53
Diana Moreira Booker / Krishna Booker
4     Flora's Song 9:19
Flora Purim
5     É Preciso Perdoar 4:08
Carlos Coqueijo / Aleyvando Luz    
6     Silvia 6:25
Airto Moreira
7     Forbidden Love 4:46
Diana Moreira Booker / Andy Narell
8     Anjo de Mim 4:28
Ivan Lins / Vitor Martins
9     Lua Cheia 5:58
Diana Moreira Booker / Lynne Earls
10     Anjo Do Amor 4:48
Toninho Horta / Flora Purim
Credits :
Diana Moreira Booker - Arranger, Composer, Vocal Arrangement, Vocals (Background)
Krishna Booker - Arranger, Beat Box, Composer, Keyboard Programming, Vocals (Background)
Jimmy Branly -     Drums, Timbales
Gary Brown - Bass
Grecco Buratto - Guitar
Adam Camardella - Vocals (Background)
Dori Caymmi - Guitar (Acoustic)
Andre De Santanna - Bass
George Duke - Piano
Mark Egan - Bass, Bass Instrument
Rob Gardner - Vocals (Background)
Reggie Hamilton - Bass
Giovanni Hidalgo - Congas
Christian Jacob - Arranger, Piano
Gary Meek - Flute, Flute (Alto)
Airto Moreira - Audio Production, Composer, Drums, Percussion, Producer, Vocals (Background)
Andy Narell - Arranger, Composer, Keyboards, Steel Pan
José Neto - Guitar
Flora Purim - Audio Production, Composer, Producer, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Marcos Silva -     Arranger, Keyboards
Harvey Wainapel - Saxophone

MIKE STERN - Upside Downside (1988) APE (tracks+.cue), lossless

Mike Stern's debut as a leader mostly features the high-powered guitarist heading a sextet also including tenor saxophonist Bob Berg, keyboardist Mitch Forman, bassist Mark Egan, drummer Dave Weckl and percussionist Dr. Gibbs. Altoist David Sanborn makes a guest appearance on "Goodbye Again," while "Mood Swings" features the quartet of Stern, Berg, electric bassist Jaco Pastorius (with whom Stern had worked in the Word of Mouth Orchestra) and drummer Steve Jordan. The guitarist wrote or co-wrote all six selections, which generally have viable chord changes. The playing mostly fits into the genre of funky fusion, with Stern's passionate guitar heard throughout in fine form. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1    Upside Downside    5:41
Mike Stern
2    Little Shoes    5:33
Mike Stern
3    Goodbye Again    6:33
Mike Stern
4    Mood Swings    6:01
Mike Stern
5    After You    5:25
Mike Stern
6    Scuffle    6:11
Mike Stern
Credits:
Alto Saxophone – David Sanborn (tracks: 3)
Arranged By – Jeff Andrews (tracks: 6)
Bass – Jaco Pastorius (tracks: 4), Jeff Andrews (tracks: 2), Mark Egan (tracks: 1 to 3, 5)
Drums – Dave Weckl (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 6), Steve Jordan (tracks: 4)
Guitar, Composed, Arranged By – Mike Stern
Percussion – Dr. Gibbs (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 6)
Piano, Synthesizer – Mitch Forman (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 6)
Producer – Hiram Bullock
Tenor Saxophone – Bob Berg

BILL EVANS - Touch (1999) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Mixing laid-back melodies with go-for-broke jams with some of the greatest names in modern instrumental music, saxophonist Bill Evans lives in the middle ground between smooth jazz and what could easily be termed of as contemporary jazz fusion. On his Zebra Records debut, Touch, the distinction is based on each song's sense of adventure. "In Your Heart," for instance, is the kind of right in the pocket, sweet little slice of passion that radio drools over, made unique (as Evans does on all tunes) by switching off from the high tones of the soprano with the darker shades of tenor to better discuss the emotional complexities of love. Likewise there's the cool, urban-flavored "Remember," which features subtle vocal chanting floating off in the distance. But then there's the edgier side of Evans intertwining his soprano with Lew Soloff's staccato trumpet energy on the brisk blues of "Dixie Hop," and kicking up all sorts of dust on the last two tunes, "Back to the Walls" and the ten-minute "Country Mile." "Back to the Walls" blends both of Evans's axes with Soloff's trumpet, an African vocal chant, the insistent wah-wah guitar of Adam Rogers, and a jamming Memphis soul-inspired horn section featuring Soloff and trombonist Conrad Herving as the Voodoo Horns. by Jonathan Widran 

Tracklist:
1     Wild Ride     3:41
2     In Your Heart     4:46
3     Remembering     4:30
4     Dixie Hop     4:54
5     Girl By The Sea     5:20
6     Nashville Cowboys     4:01
7     Touch     5:00
8     Little Hands     4:44
9     Skippin'     4:46
10     BackTo The Walls     5:30
11     Country Mile     10:32
Credits:
Acoustic Bass – Chris Minh Doky
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass – Tim Lefebvre
Bass – Mark Egan, Victor Bailey
Drum Programming – Michael Colina, Zach Danziger
Drums – Lionel Cordew, Vinnie Colaiuta
Grand Piano – Jim Beard
Grand Piano, Keyboards [Additional] – Henry Hey
Guitar – Adam Rogers, Chuck Loeb, Dean Brown, Lee Ritenour
Percussion – Manolo Badrena
Producer, Written-By, Arranged By – Bill Evans
Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Keyboards – Bill Evans
Trombone – Conrad Herwig
Trumpet – Lew Soloff, Wallace Roney
Vocals – Lani Groves, Philip Hamilton

PAT METHENY GROUP — Pat Metheny Group (1978) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

The first recording by the Pat Metheny Group features the innovative guitarist along with keyboardist Lyle Mays, bassist Mark Egan, and drummer Dan Gottlieb. The music is quite distinctive, floating rather than swinging, electric but not rockish, and full of folkish melodies. The best known of these six Metheny-Mays originals are "Phase Dance" and "Jaco." This music grows in interest with each listen. Scott Yanow

Tracklist:

1. San Lorenzo (10:16)

2. Phase Dance (8:25)

3. Jaco (5:40)

4. Aprilwind (2:09)

5. April Joy (8:15)

6. Lone Jack (6:43)

Credits:

    Pat Metheny - 6 and 12-string electric and acoustic guitars

    Lyle Mays - piano, Oberheim synthesizer, autoharp

    Mark Egan - fretless electric bass

    Danny Gottlieb - drums 

RANDY BRECKER & ELIANE ELIAS – Amanda (1986) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Considering the talents of trumpeter Randy Brecker and his wife, pianist Eliane Elias, one would expect their 1985 collaboration to be quite worthwhile. However this out-of-print LP is a disappointment for they perform generally weak material, emphasize electronics and utilize rather dull rhythms. Brecker's tone is distorted on many of the numbers and even the presence of altoist Sadao Watanabe, tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker, bassist Mark Egan and drummer Danny Gottlieb on some selections does not save this effort. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :

1. Splash (5:22)

2. Para Nada (For Nothing) (7:09)

3. Pandamandium (6:25)

4. Samba De Bamba (8:16)

5. Amandamada (4:46)

6. Guaruja (8:51)

Credits :

Eliane Elias-piano, keyboards, flute, lead and background vocals

Randy Brecker-trumpet, electric trumpet

Michael Brecker-tenor saxophone, alto flute, background vocals

Dave Weckl-drums

Danny Gottlieb-drums

Will Lee-bass, background vocals

Manolo Badrena-percussions

Mark Egan-bass

Jeff Minorov-guitars

Sadao Watanabe-alto saxophone

Cyro Baptista-percussions

Chris Parker-drums

Barry Finnerty-guitar, background vocals