DJANGO REINHARDT – 1951-1953 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1441 (2007) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The 17th and final installment in the Classics Django Reinhardt chronology contains the Gypsy guitarist's very last recordings. Its 22 tracks consist of Decca and Blue Star records cut in Paris between May 11, 1951, and April 8, 1953. By this time, Reinhardt had switched entirely to the electrically amplified guitar and was actively collaborating with progressive young players like alto saxophonist Hubert Fol, bassist Pierre Michelot, and pianists Raymond Fol and Martial Solal. This beautifully cool and bop-inspired music differs markedly from the Gypsy swing formula established during the 1930s by Reinhardt, Stéphane Grappelli, and the Quintet of the Hot Club of France. During the last years of his life, Reinhardt was not merely adapting to modernity -- he was actively defining it. Nowhere is this more evident than on the eccentrically reconfigured 1928 pop hit "Crazy Rhythm" and its flip side, Reinhardt's lovely "Anouman," a wistful air that feels like a Charles Mingus romance or a candidate for an early Truffaut or Godard film soundtrack. (The piece's title closely resembles the name of the monkey-faced Hindu deity Hanuman; it very well may represent one of the many links between European Gypsy culture and its East Indian ancestry.) This excellent compilation works as a moving and thought-provoking conclusion to the complete recordings of Django Reinhardt as compiled and reissued by the Classics label. (The only material that didn't make it into the series was an apparently contested body of works recorded in Rome during 1949 and 1950.) A little more than one month after recording "Le Soir," "Chez Moi," "I Cover the Waterfront," and "Deccaphonie," Django Reinhardt was felled by a stroke while fishing, was subsequently hospitalized, and left his body behind on May 16, 1953. Musically speaking, this album is his last will and testament. arwulf arwulf 

DON BYAS – 1951-1952 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1315 (2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Don Byas, one of the top tenor saxophonists of the mid-'40s, permanently moved to Europe in 1946 and was largely forgotten in the U.S. However, he continued playing and recording throughout his European years, and although his records rarely made it to the United States, they sold well in Europe. On this disc Byas, who was still very much in his playing prime in the 1950s, is first featured on three numbers with the swing/Dixieland-oriented group the Saratoga Jazz Hounds, a quintet that co-stars the erratic but exciting trumpeter Guy Longnon. The remainder of the Classics CD puts the focus entirely on Byas, who is joined by four overlapping rhythm sections. Most of the selections are slow-to-medium-tempo ballads that showcase Byas' lush tone and his ability to caress melodies, resulting in a pleasing collection. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

Elek Bacsik - Guitar Conceptions (1963-2000) Jazz In Paris 15 / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1     Conception 3:17
George Shearing
2     Tenderly 3:48
Walter Gross / Jack Lawrence
3     Work Song 3:31
Nat Adderley / Oscar Brown, Jr.
4     Over the Rainbow 2:28
Harold Arlen / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
5     Loin du Brésil 3:37
Jacques Chaumelle
6     La Saison des Pluies 3:58
Elek Bacsik / Serge Gainsbourg
7     Three to Get Ready 2:00
Dave Brubeck
8     The Midnight Sun Will Never Set 3:23
Dorcas Cochran / Quincy Jones / Henri Salvador
9     Gemini 4:08
Jimmy Heath
10     So What 3:54
Miles Davis
11     Goodbye 3:57
Gordon Jenkins
12     Room 608 2:21
Horace Silver
Credits :
Double Bass – Guy Pedersen
Drums – Daniel Humair
Guitar – Elek Bacsik
Organ – Maurice Vander (faixas: 2, 6, 9)
Percussion – Pepito Riestria (faixas: 5)
Nota :
Recorded in Paris in 1963
Reissue of the Fontana LP 680 240

DON BYAS - Laura (2000) Jazz In Paris 21 / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Don Byas was a giant of the tenor sax, though his accomplishments were all but overlooked in his native land once he moved to Europe for good. This CD from Universal Music's Jazz in Paris series compiles three separate studio sessions from the early '50s, all with different rhythm sections. Most of the tracks are standard ballads, featuring the leader throughout. His expressive take of "Laura" shows off a big tone with a bit of vibrato much like Ben Webster in his later years. The one original is his snappy "Riviera Blues," a lively number likely improvised on the spot. Had he remained in the U.S., it is possible that Don Byas might have been ranked along with Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, and Ben Webster in the top echelon of tenor saxophonists, so anyone unfamiliar with his work should seek out this very affordable collection. by Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     Summertime 2:50
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin / DuBose Heyward
2     Night and Day 2:36
Cole Porter
3     Easy to Love 2:58
Cole Porter
4     Where or When 2:38
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
5     Flamingo 2:58
Edmund Anderson / Ted Grouya
6     Stardust 3:19
Hoagy Carmichael / Mitchell Parish
7     Ol' Man River 2:50
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
8     Man I Love 2:45
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
9     Georgia on My Mind 2:54
Hoagy Carmichael / Stuart Gorrell
10     Over the Rainbow 2:51
Harold Arlen / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
11     Laura 4:16
Johnny Mercer / David Raksin
12     Somebody Loves Me 2:53
Buddy DeSylva / George Gershwin / Ballard MacDonald
13     Old Folks at Home 3:19
Stephen Foster
14     Riviera Blues (Blues à la Don) 2:39
Don Byas
15     Smoke Gets in Your Eyes 2:57
Otto Harbach / Jerome Kern
16     I Cover the Waterfront 4:07
Johnny Green / Edward Heyman
17     It's the Talk of the Town 3:27
Jerry Livingston / Al J. Neiburg / Marty Symes
18     Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody 2:56
Irving Berlin
Credits :
Double Bass – Jacques "Popof" Medvedko (faixas: 2 to 4, 8 to 10), Joe Benjamin (faixas: 11 to 16), Roger Grasset (faixas: 1, 5 to 7, 18)
Drums – Benny Bennett (faixas: 2 to 4, 8 to 10), Bill Clark (faixas: 11 to 16), Claude Marty (faixas: 1,5 to 7,18)
Guitar – Jean-Jacques Tilché (faixas: 1, 5 to 7, 18), Jean-Pierre Sasson (faixas: 2 to 4, 8 to 10)
Piano – Art Simmons (faixas: 1, 5 to 7, 11 to 16, 18), Maurice Vander (faixas: 2 to 4, 8 to 10)
Tenor Saxophone – Don Byas
Nota :
Recording dates and locations:
4 juillet 1950, studio Pathé Pelouze, Paris (Tracks 1, 5-7, 18).
19 avril 1951, studio Pathé Pelouze, Paris (Tracks 2-4, 8-10).
10 avril 1952, studio Pathé Pelouze, Paris (Tracks 11-16). 

PIERRE MICHELOT - Round About a Bass (1963-2001) Jazz In Paris 29 / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Pierre Michelot was one of the very best jazz bassists in Europe, though few fans think of him as a bandleader, composer, or arranger. This reissue of an LP made for Mercury dates from 1963, where Michelot is joined by some of the top players on the continent. In addition to fresh arrangements of standard fare like "Cherokee" and "Bye, Bye Blackbird," the leader penned five compositions, including the tasty blues "Akkilino," which is an extended feature for his bass and Roger Guerin's muted trumpet. "Elephant Green" showcases flutist Raymond Guiot and Pierre Gossez's robust baritone saxophone in a melancholy ballad setting. Like many of Verve's Jazz in Paris CD reissues, this recording is a sleeper that is well worth acquiring, even if its running time is a tad miserly at around 32 minutes. by Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     Cherokee 3:19
Ray Noble
2     Gavotte 3:26    
Roger Guérin   
3     Akkilino 3:17
Pierre Michelot
4     Elephant Green 3:59
Pierre Michelot
5     Sous Les Ponts de Paris 3:05
Jean Rodor / Vincent Scotto
6     Chet 3:50
Pierre Michelot
7     Bye Bye Blackbird 3:50
Mort Dixon / Ray Henderson
8     Sweet Feeling 4:00
Pierre Michelot
9     Klook's Shadow 4:01
Pierre Michelot
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Michel Portal (faixas: 1, 3, 4, 7 to 9)
Baritone Saxophone – Armand Migiani (faixas: 1, 3, 4, 7 to 9), Pierre Gossez (faixas: 4)
Double Bass – Pierre Michelot
Drums – Christian Garros
Flute, Piccolo Flute – Raymond Guiot (faixas: 1, 3, 4, 7 to 9)
Piano – Maurice Vander
Soprano Saxophone – Georges Grenu
Tenor Saxophone – Georges Grenu (faixas: 4), Pierre Gossez (faixas: 1, 3, 4, 7 to 9)
Trombone – Benny Vasseur (faixas: 3, 4, 7, 8), Charles Verstraete (faixas: 1, 3, 4, 7 to 9), Raymond Katarzynski (faixas: 1, 9)
Trumpet – Fred Gérard (faixas: 1, 3, 4, 7 to 9), Maurice Thomas (faixas: 1, 3, 4, 7 to 9), Roger Guérin
Nota :
Recorded July 3 (1, 9) and 4 (2-8) at the Philips D.M.S. studio, Paris
Reissue of the Mercury LP 125 500

STÉPHANE GRAPPELLI - Improvisations (1956-2000) Jazz In Paris 42 / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This is the first of Stephane Grappelli's sessions as a leader during the 1950s to be issued on CD, which is rather surprising given the availability of his work from the last two decades of his life. Grappelli is heard exclusively in a quartet with pianist Maurice Vander, bassist Pierre Michelot, and drummer Baptiste Reilles, except for two takes of "Someone to Watch Over Me," when Vander makes an ill-advised switch to harpsichord. The violinist is not nearly as aggressive as he would become in the decades to follow, seemingly concentrating more on achieving a beautiful tone than dazzling listeners with his considerable abilities as an improviser. Most of the material recorded during these three dates remained in his repertoire for the remainder of his career; with up-tempo selections like "The Lady Is a Tramp" and "'S Wonderful" getting the nod over most of the ballad interpretations. One surprise is the inclusion of Alec Wilder's "I'll Be Around" (listed as previously unreleased but it appeared on a later Barclay LP following the original issue); this may be Grappelli's only recording of this lovely standard. Although this isn't an essential CD for swing fans, the reappearance of this once hard to find music will be welcomed by fans of Stephane Grappelli. by Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     The Lady Is a Tramp 3:05
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
2     Fascinating Rhythm 2:55
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
3     Dans la Vie 3:54
Marcel Louiguy
4     Cheek to Cheek 3:10
Irving Berlin
5     A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square 3:11
Eric Maschwitz / Manning Sherwin
6     Taking a Chance on Love 3:02
Vernon Duke / Ted Fetter / John Latouche
7     'S Wonderful 2:30
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
8     Someone to Watch over Me 2:58
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
9     If I Had You 3:20
Jimmy Campbell / Reginald Connelly / Ted Shapiro
10     Body and Soul 2:35
Frank Eyton / Johnny Green / Edward Heyman / Robert Sour
11     I Want to Be Happy 2:14
Irving Caesar / Vincent Youmans
12     She's Funny That Way 2:29
Neil Moret (Chas. N. Daniels) / Richard A. Whiting
13     Time After Time 2:44
Sammy Cahn / Jule Styne
14     Just One of Those Things 3:30
Cole Porter
15     Slow en Ré Majeur 4:01
Alec Wilder
16     Taking a Chance on Love 3:01
Vernon Duke / Ted Fetter / John Latouche
17     Someone to Watch over Me 2:56
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
Credits :
Double Bass – Pierre Michelot
Drums – Baptiste "Mac Kac" Reilles
Piano, Harpsichord – Maurice Vander
Violin – Stéphane Grappelli
Nota :
Recorded 1956 in Paris: on February 6 (2, 3, 7, 13, 14), February 14 (1, 4, 6, 8, 12, 15, 16, 17) and April 10 (5, 9, 10, 11)
Reissue of the Barclay LP 84034
Tracks 15-17 previously unreleased