BOB BROOKMEYER | JIMMY CLEVELAND | FRANK ROSOLINO — The Trombones Inc. (1958-2007) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 Each of the selections on this set has between seven and a dozen trombonists along with a rhythm section. The first five selections were recorded with East Coast musicians and the next six with players from the West Coast but, truth be told, there is no real difference in the style of music. The arrangements of J.J. Johnson, Warren Barker and Marty Paich are strictly straight-ahead with an emphasis on the sound of the trombone sections. There are many concise solos along the way but the only standouts are Frank Rosolino and Jimmy Cleveland, as most of the other individual spots are brief. The final number, "I Found a New Baby," was not on the original LP and was apparently recorded half on the East Coast and half on the West, a discographer's nightmare but pointing to the unity of this project. The music is fun and very much in the idiom of 1950s J.J. Johnson although Johnson does not actually play a note on this project. Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits :

FRANK ROSOLINO — Four Horns and a Lush Life (1956-2000) RM | MONO | Serie ベツレヘムCDコレクション – 52 | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Russ Garcia was a popular arranger in the mid-'50s, often working with some of the best jazz artists of the day. On this session for Bethlehem, he conducts an octet with four trombonists (including Maynard Ferguson, Frank Rosolino, Herbie Harper and Tommy Pederson), plus baritone saxophonist Dick Houlgate, pianist Marty Paich, bassist Red Mitchell and drummer Stan Levey. Most of Garcia's cool arrangements are of standards, while his "I'll Never Forget What's Her Name (The Lo-est)" is a barely disguised reworking of the chord changes to "Fine and Dandy." Obviously, the trombonists are the primary focus of the solos, though Paich, Houlgate and Mitchell get a chance to get in a few licks of their own. Garcia's use of a trombone choir is very effective in the warm treatment of "Lush Life" and a cooking "What Is This Thing Called Love." Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1 I'll Never Forget What's Her Name 3:20
Russell Garcia
2 But Beautiful 2:17
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
3 Dancing on the Ceiling 3:09
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
4 The Boy Next Door 2:37
Hugh Martin
5 Just One of Those Things 4:06
Cole Porter
6 Zigeuner 2:55
Noël Coward
7 Limehouse Blues 3:04
Philip Braham / Douglas Furber
8 Lush Life 2:07
Billy Strayhorn
9 Lover, Come Back to Me 5:36
Oscar Hammerstein II / Sigmund Romberg
10 Ramona 2:40
Louis Wolfe Gilbert / Mabel Wayne
11 Someone to Watch over Me 2:31
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
12 What Is This Thing Called Love? 3:04
Cole Porter
Credits :
Baritone Saxophone – Dick Houlgate
Bass – Red Mitchell
Drums – Stan Levey
Piano – Marty Paich
Trombone – Frank Rosolino, Herb Harper, Maynard Ferguson, Tommy Pederson

RAY BROWN — Bass Hit! (1958-1998) RM | Serie Verve Elite Edition | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Ray Brown's earliest date as a leader features him prominently in the solo spotlight with arrangements by Marty Paich. They collaborated on a swinging original blues, "Blues for Sylvia," and the snappy "Blues for Lorraine." The rest of the release concentrates on familiar standards, with the addition to the reissue of several complete and incomplete takes of "After You've Gone," which didn't appear on the original release. The supporting cast includes the cream of the crop of musicians living on the West Coast at the time: Jimmy Rowles, Harry "Sweets" Edison, and Jimmy Giuffre among them. Out-of-print for a long time, this record was reissued in 1999, though as a limited-edition title in the Verve Elite series, so it will not remain available for long. Ken Dryden
Tracklist & Credits :

ART PEPPER — Art Pepper + Eleven (1959-1986) APE (image+.cue), lossless

This is a true classic. Altoist Art Pepper is joined by an 11-piece band playing Marty Paich arrangements of a dozen jazz standards from the bop and cool jazz era. Trumpeter Jack Sheldon has a few solos, but the focus is very much on the altoist who is in peak form for this period. Throughout, Pepper sounds quite inspired by Paich's charts which feature the band as an active part of the music rather than just in the background. Highlights of this highly enjoyable set include "Move," "Four Brothers," "Shaw Nuff," "Anthropology," and "Donna Lee," but there is not a single throwaway track to be heard. Essential music for all serious jazz collections. [Some reissues add two additional versions of "Walkin'" and one of "Donna Lee" to the original program.] Scott Yanow    Tracklist & Credits :

ZOOT SIMS | AL COHN | TONY SCOTT - East Coast Sounds (1956-1999) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Zoot Sims and Al Cohn made many records together in small-group settings, but this isn't one of their better-known dates, though it is a rewarding one. These 1956 sessions recorded for the Jazzland label and reissued under Fantasy's limited-edition OJC imprint feature tenor saxophonist Sims (who doubles on alto sax) and Cohn (playing baritone sax on most of the selections) with clarinetist Tony Scott (who doubles on tenor), trumpeter Joe Wilder, and trombonist Urbie Green rounding out the front line. Either Marty Paich or Dick Hyman (neither of whom play on these pianoless charts) contributed the arrangements, all of which fall into the cool category. Though they include quite a few pieces by well-known composers, most of them are lesser-known works, such as George Gershwin's "Treat Me Rough," Vernon Duke's "I Like the Likes of You," and Richard Rodgers' "Where's That Rainbow?" Bassist Trigger Alpert gets some solo time as well and contributed one original, the loping "Trigger Fantasy." Recommended. Ken Dryden  
Tracklist :
1     Treat Me Rough 2:50
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin    
2     Looking at You 4:20
Cole Porter    
3     Love Me Tomorrow (But Leave Me Alone Today) 4:51
George Duke / John Latouche    
4     Trigger Happy 2:28
Tony Scott    
5     Tranquilizer 4:28
Dick Hyman    
6     I Like the Likes of You 4:08
Vernon Duke / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg    
7     I Wish I Were in Love Again 3:35
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers    
8     I Don't Want to Be Alone Again 3:28
Johnny Mercer / Jimmie Smith    
9     Trigger Fantasy 5:24
Trigger Alpert    
10     Where's That Rainbow? 3:35
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Arranged By – Dick Hyman (pistas: 1, 5, 9, 10), Marty Paich (pistas: 2, 3, 6, 7), Tony Scott (pistas: 4, 8)
Bass – Trigger Alpert
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Tony Scott
Drums – Ed Shaughnessy
Producer – Orrin Keepnews
Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Al Cohn
Trombone – Urbie Green
Trumpet – Joe Wilder

MARTY PAICH - Four Classic Albums (2015) 2CD / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist 1 :
Tenors West (1955)
1. Tenors West (3:22)
2. There's No You (3:06)
3. The Dragon (4:14)
4. Shorty George (3:22)
5. Paichence (4:06)
6. At the Mardi Gras (3:25)
7. Take the "A" Train (3:09)
8. Ballet du Bongo (8:27)
9. Line for Lyons (3:10)
10. Jacqueline (3:34)
11. Con-Spirito (3:04)
Take Me Along (1959)
12. Overture-Take Me Along (4:46)
13. Nine O'Clock (3:09)
14. Little Green Snake (3:01)
15. Promise Me a Rose (3:22)
16. But Yours (3:32)
17. Sid, Ol' Kid (5:04)
18. Patience of a Saint (4:08)
19. Staying Young (2:49)
20. Thinkin' Things (3:45)
21. We're Home (2:47)
Tracklist 2 :
The Picasso of Big Band Jazz (1957)
1. From Now On (5:58)
2. Walkin' on Home (4:27)
3. Black Rose (5:11)
4. Tommy's Toon (4:03)
5. New Soft Shoe (3:13)
6. What's New (3:35)
7. Easy Listnin' (5:11)
8. Martyni Time (3:09)
9. Nice and Easy (4:44)
Lush, Latin & Cool (1960)
10. Honky Tonk Train (2:49)
11. Invitation (2:41)
12. Autumn Leaves (4:07)
13. Honeysuckle Rose (2:30)
14. Stella by Starlight (2:38)
15. Cumana (2:39)
16. Sabre Dance (2:13)
17. Canadian Sunset (3:39)
18. St. Louis Blues Boogie Woogie (3:36)
19. Little Rock Getaway (2:26)
20. Misirlou (3:19)
21. One O'Clock Jump (3:20) 

 All credits

JERI SOUTHERN - Southern Breeze (1958-1989) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

One mark of a great jazz vocalist is the material she picks. Jeri Southern was one of the great students of jazz-era song, and the material she chose for Southern Breeze is strong in two ways -- they're not only great songs, but they're great for her. Never blessed with a strong voice, Southern instead realized the artistic advantages those qualities brought, and often chose torch songs or unlucky-in-love songs that accentuated her seeming weaknesses and everywoman qualities. With charts from arranger genius Marty Paich, Southern opens on a high note, the glib "Down with Love." Yet to come are happy yet forlorn choices "Who Wants to Fall in Love" and "Because He Reminds Me of You" -- Southern even finds the catch in "Crazy He Calls Me." And in true West Coast fashion, the music features brass that swings lightly and a dynamic range that frequently plumbs the depths (including tuba and baritone sax), all possible thanks to Paich's charts and able musicians including Georgie Auld, Don Fagerquist, and Bob Enevoldsen. Upbeat standards get their chance to shine as well -- "Ridin' High," "I Like the Likes of You" -- but most of Southern Breeze is gloriously melancholy. by John Bush
Tracklist :
1    Down with Love 3:14
Harold Arlen / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
2    Crazy He Calls Me 3:49
Bob Russell / Carl Sigman
3    Lazy Bones 3:07
Hoagy Carmichael / Johnny Mercer
4    Who Wants to Fall in Love 3:17
Bart Howard
5    Then I'll Be Tired of You 3:50
E.Y. "Yip" Harburg / Arthur Schwartz
6    Ridin' High 2:24
Cole Porter
7    Because He Reminds Me of You 3:16
Mack Gordon / Harry Revel
8    Porgy 3:37
Dorothy Fields / Jimmy McHugh
9    Are These Really Mine 3:43
Robert Cook / David Saxon / Sunny Skylar
10    Isn't This a Lovely Day 3:01
Irving Berlin
11    Warm Kiss 2:58
Doris Fisher
12    I Like the Likes of You 2:55
Vernon Duke / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Herb Geller
Arranged By, Conductor – Marty Paich
Baritone Saxophone – Jack Dulong
Bass – Bud Clark
Drums – Mel Lewis
French Horn – Vince De Rosa
Guitar – Bill Pittman
Tenor Saxophone – Georgie Auld
Trumpet – Don Fagerquist, Frank Beach
Tuba – John Kitzmiller
Valve Trombone – Bob Enevoldsen
Vocals – Jeri Southern

TONI HARPER - Night Mood (1960-1989) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Toni Harper's final RCA session pairs the singer with arranger Marty Paich to create the richly atmospheric after-hours album that she was born to make. By alternating between pop standards and jazz originals, Night Mood underscores the complete breadth of Harper's talents. Even better than her sophisticated and poignant interpretations of chestnuts like "Round Midnight" and "My Ship" is a swinging rendition of "Saturday Night Is the Loneliest Night of the Week" that deserves serious consideration as the song's definitive treatment. Paich's soulful arrangements further enhance the dusky beauty of Harper's vocals, even making room for some lovely alto saxophone solos courtesy of the great Art Pepper. by Jason Ankeny
Tracklist :
1    In The Still Of The Night    2:39
Cole Porter
2    Paradise    2:52
Brown-Clifford
3    'Round Midnight    3:37
Hanighen-Williams-Monk
4    The Meaning Of The Blues    3:09
Troup-Worth
5    Saturday Night (Is The Loneliest Night In The Week)    2:58
Cahn-Styne
6    Night After Night    3:04
Beal-Bialas
7    Just Go    2:47
Hamilton
8    A Sleepin' Bee    2:41
Capote-Arlen
9    My Ship    3:20
Gershwin-Weill
10    You And The Night And The Music    2:09
Dietz-Schwartz
11    Petals On The Pond    2:54
Ellis-Narbert
12    Where Flamingos Fly    3:17
Courlander-Thea-Brooks
Credits :
Art Pepper (as)
Toni Harper (vo)
Marty Paich (arr, cond) unidentified orchestra

TONY PERKINS - Tony Perkins (1957-2003) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Tony Perkins will undoubtedly be best remembered for his considerable cinematic contributions rather than musical ones. However during the late '50s, Perkins demonstrated remarkable versatility as a sensitive vocalist on a series of pop recordings. By the time the entertainer issued this platter in 1957, he had already become an Academy Award nominee for his role in the Civil War era drama Friendly Persuasion (1956). Under the orchestration and scoring of arranger/conductor Marty Paich, Perkins reveals a real flair for the cool and easygoing approach of the West Coast post-bop jazz movement. In fact the song selection as well as darker vocal inflections recall a striking similarity to that of Chet Baker. Paich's contributions are tasteful and never overpower Perkins' warm and supple tones and are highlighted by an equally engaging choice of material. Among the more notable performances are "Just Friends," "This Time The Dream's On Me" and the hipster's lullaby "Hit The Road To Dreamland"." These sides, although his first to be released, were not Perkins' initial foray as a vocalist. At his suggestion, "A Little Love Can Go A Long, Long Way" was incorporated into the Goodyear Playhouse television adaptation of the screenplay Joey. The success and enthusiasm generated by the telecast led to an offer by Epic Records. Even before this album, Perkins had recorded half-a-dozen sides that eventually filled out the respective A and B sides of three 7" singles. Chief among these was his reading of the afore mentioned "A Little Love Can Go A Long, Long Way" as well as the title song from his concurrent motion picture Friendly Persuasion which was also known by its parenthetical title "Thee I Love." In 2003 Collectors' Choice Music issued Tony Perkins on CD and included not only these 45's, but also a previously unreleased reading of "If You Were The Only Girl" among the supplementary materials. Although Paich was not involved with the singles, Perkins' was in the respective company of Buddy Cole, jazz arranger Obie Masingill and Buddy Bergman. Jazz vocal enthusiasts might find themselves pleasantly surprised at the emotive range and style of Tony Perkins. Followers of the West Coast cool scene are highly encouraged to investigate this title as well.  by Lindsay Planer 
Tracklist
1 April Fool  3:06
2 Just Friends  1:53
John Klenner / Sam M. Lewis
3 Hit the Road to Dreamland  2:49
Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer
4 This Time the Dream's on Me  2:08
Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer
5 How Long Has This Been Going On 2:53
George Gershwin
6 But Beautiful  2:50
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
7 Why Shouldn't I  2:11
Cole Porter
8 I Wish I Knew  4:03
Mack Gordon / Harry Warren
9 Accidents Will Happen  2:28
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
10 Gone With the Wind  2:29
Herbert Magidson / Allie Wrubel
11 Better Luck Next Time  3:08
Irving Berlin
12 How About You  2:36
Ralph Freed / Burton Lane
13 A Little Love Can Go a Long, Long Way  3:02
14 If You'll Be Mine  2:46
Hugh Martin
15 If You Were the Only Girl  2:48
Nat D. Ayer / Clifford Grey
16 Fool in Love  2:21
Ike Turner
17 Melody For Lovers  2:57
18 If You Were the Only Girl  2:56
Nat D. Ayer / Clifford Grey
19 Friendly Persuasion (Thee I Love)  2:47
Credits :
Marty Paich  -  Direction
Tony Perkins  -  Primary Artist