DJANGO REINHARDT – 1947 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1001 (1998) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

After being separated by the Second World War for more than five years, Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli recorded eight sides together in London on January 31 and February 1, 1946. Their next shared studio recording date occurred in Paris on May 26, 1947, resulting in the five decidedly modernistic tracks that open this volume of the Classics Django Reinhardt chronology. Django had clearly evolved at a rate commensurate with the rapid evolution of jazz itself from 1939 to 1947. His solos reveal a musical consciousness well beyond where he had been only a few years earlier. Stéphane, of course, had also experienced his own sort of artistic development. Yet the contrast between the two is noticeable and it would take the violinist many years to absorb and fully digest what he was now experiencing. On April 16, 1947, Django recorded a "Minor Blues" with the 12-piece band that had been working with him at the Boef sur le Toit, a Parisian nightclub where his own paintings -- a sensual series of landscapes and nudes -- were on display. He then led a reconstituted Quintet of the Hot Club of France, featuring clarinet/alto saxophonist Michel de Villers, through four pleasant musical episodes intended to be used as a soundtrack for La Fleur de l'Age, a film by Marçel Carne that unfortunately never reached completion. Note that this group's "Clair de Lune" is not the famous movement from Claude Debussy's Suite Bergamasque, but something just as lovely. Django's next opportunity to make records in a studio occurred in Brussels on May 21st during a tour of Belgium. The six sides cut on that day and subsequently released on the Decca label represent Reinhardt's very first recordings using an electric guitar. They also herald the return of master clarinetist Hubert Rostaing, who made great records with Reinhardt's groups during the year 1940 and reappears sporadically in the Django discography like a will o' the wisp throughout most of the decade. This excellent clarinetist was in the same league as Marshall Royal, Aaron Sachs, Hank D'Amico, or perhaps most of all Buddy DeFranco. Rostaing recorded extensively with Django during the year 1947, and their phonographic collaborations would continue until another Belgian tour in November of 1948. Everything included on this disc qualifies as jazz of the very highest order. There's bebop running through these sessions like quicksilver, and Reinhardt had begun to experiment with the quirks and expanded potentials of the electrified guitar. "Porto Cabello" is smoky, almost a tango. "Blues for Barclay," dedicated to Blue Star record label founders Eddie and Nicole Barclay, feels like a spontaneous jam session. Even Edvard Grieg's Danse Norvegienne, which sounded almost silly when they tried it on in 1940, comes across in its 1947 incarnation as effortlessly hip. arwulf arwulf           Tracklist + Credits :

KENNY CLARKE – 1946-1948 | The Chronogical Classics – 1171 (2001) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Although issued on the Swing label -- a French enterprise -- the four selections that open this exciting collection are full-force American bebop, recorded in New York during September of 1946. With Fats Navarro, Kenny Dorham, Sonny Stitt, and Bud Powell in the band, the energy is so powerful that sensitive listeners may experience gooseflesh. "Epistrophy" sounds profoundly modern, far ahead of nearly anything else on the scene in 1946. "52nd Street Theme" is a brave essay in a new form. The trumpets dance circles around each other and the whole session comes off like the grand achievement that it surely was. Although this is considered Vol. 1 of the Kenny Clarke chronology, his discography really begins with pianist and bandleader Edgar Hayes. Clarke's excellent drumming and his work as a skilled vibraphonist are well documented on both Edgar Hayes volumes in the Chronological series (Classics 730 and 1053). In March of 1938 Kenny Clarke's "Kvintet," with Hayes at the piano and Clarke playing vibes, made four records in Stockholm, only one of which -- the instrumental -- was memorable. Almost exactly ten years later Clarke was entrusted with the task of touring Scandinavia with a group composed of players from the Dizzy Gillespie big band. Financial hassles curtailed their plans and they landed instead in Paris, where most of the material on this CD was recorded. The session recorded March 2, 1948, is notable for the presence of trumpeter Benny Bailey and baritone saxophonist Cecil Payne. It also provides an audible glimpse of sadly under-recorded alto saxophonist Joe Brown, an early follower of Charlie Parker. Note also the presence of pianist Ralph Schecroun, who would eventually change his name to Errol Parker and move to the U.S., developing a ferocious, almost chiropractic technique as he forged his own unique style of ultra-percussive modern piano. As Kenny Clarke continued to sow bop ideology among Parisians during the spring of 1948, it is fascinating how quickly and adroitly these young Frenchmen took it up without resorting to base mimicry. The most musically advanced material emerged during the session recorded on May 4, with violinist Andre Hodeir providing a wistful intro for Clarke's intriguing opus "Algerian Cynicism." The title refers to the enigma of French colonialism in North Africa, and reflects a political awareness every bit as progressive as the music itself. The material recorded on the following day is permeated with a Coleman Hawkins flavor, echoing that saxophonist's healthy response to the latest developments in jazz. "Working Eyes" sounds a little like "Raincheck" or any one of Billy Strayhorn's upbeat modern ideas. This outstanding collection of recordings -- rarely heard outside of Europe for many years -- reaffirms Kenny "Klook" Clarke's crucial role as a primal innovator in early modern jazz. arwulf arwulf
Tracklist + Credits :

BUCK CLAYTON – 1953, Vol. 2 | The Chronogical Classics – 1427 (2006) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This fourth volume in the Classics Buck Clayton chronology is mainly devoted to the excellent music he recorded in Paris during the first two weeks of November 1953. Much different from the old-fashioned jazz he blew with Mezz Mezzrow during the same tour, this material represents a fresh, modern approach to the traditions Clayton had helped to establish with (and without) Count Basie during the 1930s and '40s. Tracks one through five showcase informal jam bands co-led by Clayton and drummer Gerard Pochonet. There are several fine soloists featured here, including electrically amplified guitarist Jean-Pierre Sasson, clarinetist and baritone saxophonist Michel de Villers, trombonist Benny Vasseur, and pianist Andre Persiani. That's a short list -- these pleasantly loose blowing sessions involved some of the top jazz musicians available in Paris at that time. Back in New York and recording for Columbia on December 14 and December 16, 1953, Clayton led a ten-piece group that was essentially the Count Basie Orchestra with Sir Charles Thompson at the piano. Three extended romps close out this highly rewarding segment of the Buck Clayton story: "Lean Baby," a sultry blues by Billy May, cruises at a relaxed lope for eight-and-a-half minutes; the great Kansas City swing anthem "Moten Swing" rolls for twelve-and-a-half minutes, and a cool "Sentimental Journey" stretches out for nearly 14 minutes. Excellent music, superbly rendered. arwulf arwulf  
Tracklist :

PEANUTS HOLLAND / BUD CLAYTON / CHARLIE SINGLETON - Club Session (2000) Jazz In Paris 6 / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
Club Session 1: Buck Clayton (November 1953, Paris)
1    Buck Clayton–    Buck's Bon Voyage 4:39
Written-By – André Persiany
2    Buck Clayton–    Fast Bus Soft 3:06
Written-By – Michel de Villers
3    Buck Clayton–    Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone 3:06
Written-By – Sam H. Stept, Sydney Clare
4    Buck Clayton–    Easy To Riff 2:57
Written-By – Jean-Pierre Sasson
5    Buck Clayton–    Gift For The Club 3:51
Arranged By – Buck Clayton
Written-By – Mary Lou Williams
Club Session 2: Peanuts Holland (1954, Paris)    
6    Peanuts Holland–    Flying Home 5:47
Written-By – Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, Sid Robin
7    Peanuts Holland–    That's My Desire 4:20
Written-By – Carroll Loveday, Helmy Cresa
8    Peanuts Holland–    It's Wonderful 4:04
Written-By – Cameron Wells, Mitchell Parish, Stuff Smith
9    Peanuts Holland–    Blue Feeling 5:26
Written-By – Duke Ellington
Club Session 3: Charlie Singleton (22 September 1955, Schola Cantorum, Paris)    
10    Charlie Singleton–    Lester Leaps In 6:05
Written-By – Lester Young
11    Charlie Singleton–    These Foolish Things 4:08
Written-By – Harry Link, Holt Marvell, Jack Strachey
12    Charlie Singleton–    Purple Sound 4:13
Written-By – Dizzy Gillespie
13    Charlie Singleton–    Lullaby Of Birdland 2:38
Written-By – George Shearing
14    Charlie Singleton–    Yesterdays 4:56
Written-By – Jerome Kern, Otto Harbach
15    Charlie Singleton–    Blues À La Schola 4:02
Written-By – Charlie Singleton
Credits :
Double Bass – Charlie Blareau (faixas: 1 to 9), Eddie De Haas (faixas: 10 to 15)
Drums – Gérard Pochonet (faixas: 1 to 5), Jean-Baptiste "Mac Kac" Reilles (faixas: 6 to 9), Reggie Jackson (faixas: 10 to 15)
Guitar – Jean-Pierre Sasson (faixas: 1 to 5)
Piano – André Persiany (faixas: 1 to 5), Jean-Claude Pelletier (faixas: 6 to 9), Jules Dupont (faixas: 10 to 15)
Tenor Saxophone – Charlie Singleton (faixas: 10 to 15), Guy Lafitte (faixas: 6 to 9)
Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Michel de Villers (faixas: 1 to 5)
Trombone – Charles Verstraete (faixas: 10 to 15)
Trumpet – Bernard Hulin (faixas: 10 to 15), Buck Clayton (faixas: 1 to 5), Peanuts Holland (faixas: 6 to 9)
Vibraphone – Géo Daly (faixas: 6 to 9)
Nota :
Reissue of the Club Français du Disque 10" LP's 6 (1-9) and 13 (10-15).
℗ 1954 (1-9) & 1956 (10-15) Universal Music S.A. France.

BERNARD PEIFFER / BERNARD ZACHARIAS - Modern Jazz at Saint-Germain-Des-Prés (2000) Jazz In Paris 48 / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Bernard Peiffer And His Saint-Germain-des-Prés Orchestra– I Want To Be Happy 5:17
Written-By – Irving Caesar, Vincent Youmans
2    Bernard Peiffer And His Saint-Germain-des-Prés Orchestra– Paris Je T'aime... D'amour 2:40
Written-By – Henri Battaille, Clifford Grey, Victor Schertzinger
3    Bernard Peiffer And His Saint-Germain-des-Prés Orchestra– Pinocchio (When You Wish Upon A Star) 2:36
Written-By – Leigh Harline, Ned Washington
4    Bernard Peiffer And His Saint-Germain-des-Prés Orchestra– Who Is Me? 2:19
Written-By – Fats Waller
5    Bernard Peiffer And His Saint-Germain-des-Prés Orchestra– Frozen Feet 3:35
Written-By – Francy Boland
6    Bernard Peiffer And His Saint-Germain-des-Prés Orchestra–    There's A Small Hotel 3:33
Written By – Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
Written-By – Rodgers & Hart
7    Bernard Peiffer And His Saint-Germain-des-Prés Orchestra– Strip Tease 2:20
Written-By – Bernard Peiffer
8    Bernard Peiffer And His Saint-Germain-des-Prés Orchestra– Don't Touch The Grisby 2:05
Written-By – Bernard Peiffer
Gershwin Parade   
9    Bernard Zacharias Et Ses Solistes–    Transcendentology 2:56
Written-By – Buddy Banks
10    Bernard Zacharias Et Ses Solistes–    The Man I Love 3:25
Written-By – Ira And George Gershwin
11    Bernard Zacharias Et Ses Solistes–    Somebody Loves Me 2:32
Written-By – Ballard McDonald, B.G. De Sylva, Georges Gershwin
12    Bernard Zacharias Et Ses Solistes–    Lady Be Good 4:32
Written-By – Ira And George Gershwin
13    Bernard Zacharias Et Ses Solistes–    It Ain't Necessarily So 4:34
Written-By – Ira And George Gershwin
14    Bernard Zacharias Et Ses Solistes–    Summertime 3:52
Written-By – DuBose Heyward, George Gershwin
15    Bernard Zacharias Et Ses Solistes–    My Man's Gone Now 2:09
Written-By – DuBose Heyward, George Gershwin
16    Bernard Zacharias Et Ses Solistes–    I Got Plenty Of Nothing 1:09
Written-By – DuBose Heyward, Ira And George Gershwin
Credits :
Arranged By – Buddy Banks (faixas: 9 to 16), Francy Boland (faixas: 1 to 8)
Bass Clarinet – Michel de Villers (faixas: 9 to 16)
Double Bass – Guy Pedersen (faixas: 9 to 16), Jean-Marie Ingrand (faixas: 1 to 8)
Drums – Jacques David (faixas: 9 to 16), Jean-Baptiste "Mac Kac" Reilles (faixas: 1 to 8)
Flugelhorn – Roger Guérin (faixas: 9 to 16)
French Horn – Robert Casier (faixas: 9 to 16)
Piano – Bernard Peiffer (faixas: 1 to 8)
Piano, Celesta – Jules Dupont (faixas: 9 to 16)
Tenor Saxophone – Bib Monville (faixas: 1 to 8), Bobby Jaspar (faixas: 1 to 8), Jean-Claude Fohrenbach (faixas: 9 to 16)
Trombone – Bernard Zacharias (faixas: 9 to 16)
Trumpet, Euphonium [Baritone Saxhorn] – Roger Guérin (faixas: 1 to 8)
Nota :
Recorded January 14, 1954 at the Magellan studio, Paris (1-8) and simply in Paris, 1954 (9-16)
Reissue of the Blue Star 10" LP 6842 (1-8) and of the Club Français du Disque 10" LP 39 (9-16) 

HUBERT FOL / MICHEL DE VILLERS / SONNY CRISS - Saxophones à Saint-Germain des Prés (2001) Jazz In Paris 55 / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Hubert Fol–    A Fine Romance 3:19
Written-By – Dorothy Fields, Jerome Kern
2    Hubert Fol–    They Can't Take That Away From Me 3:38
Written-By – Ira And George Gershwin
3    Hubert Fol–    You Go To My Head 5:27
Written-By – Haven Gillespie, J. Fred Coots
4    Michel de Villers–    Cat On The Stairs 2:06
Written-By [Prob.] – Michel de Villers
5    Michel de Villers–    These Foolish Things 2:45
Written-By – Harry Link, Holt Marvell, Jack Strachey
6    Michel de Villers–    I Only Have Eyes For You 2:18
Written-By – Al Dubin, Harry Warren
7    Michel de Villers–    Penitas De Amor 2:36
Written-By [Prob.] – Michel de Villers
8    Sonny Criss–    Mighty Low 3:49
Written-By – Milt Buckner
9    Sonny Criss–    Don't Blame Me 2:49
Written-By – Dorothy Fields / Jimmy McHugh
10    Sonny Criss–    Black Coffee 2:44
Written-By – Paul Francis Webster, Sonny Burke
11    Sonny Criss–    We'll Be Together Again 2:59
Written-By – Carl Fischer, Frankie Laine
12    Sonny Criss–    Early And Later (Part 1) 3:22
Written-By – Sonny Criss
13    Sonny Criss–    Early And Later (Part 2) 2:41
Written-By – Sonny Criss
14    Sonny Criss–    Blues Pour Flirter Nº 2 5:07
Written-By – Sonny Criss
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Hubert Fol (faixas: 1 to 7), Sonny Criss (faixas: 8 to 14)
Baritone Saxophone – Michel de Villers (faixas: 4 to 7)
Double Bass – Alix Bret (faixas: 4 to 7), Jean-Marie Ingrand (faixas: 1 to 3), Michel Gaudry (faixas: 8 to 11), Pierre Michelot (faixas: 12 to 14)
Drums – Bernard Planchenault (faixas: 4 to 7), Jean-Louis Viale (faixas: 1 to 3), Philippe Combelle (faixas: 8 to 14)
Guitar – René Thomas (faixas: 12 to 14)
Piano – Henri Renaud (faixas: 8 to 11), René Urtreger (faixas: 1 to 3)
Piano, Arranged By – André Persiany (faixas: 4 to 7)
Piano, Organ – Georges Arvanitas (faixas: 12 to 14)
Tenor Saxophone – Maurice Meunier (faixas: 4 to 7)
Trombone – Charles Verstraete (faixas: 4 to 7)
Vibraphone – Géo Daly (faixas: 4 to 7)
Nota :
Recorded in Paris on January 18, 1956 (1-3), in 1954 (4-7), on October 10, 1962 (8-11) and in April 1963 (12-14)
Reissue of the Barclay EP 74 016 (1-3), Decca EP 450 511 (4-7), Polydor EP 27 004 (8-11) and Polydor EP 27 049 (12-14) 

LUCKY THOMPSON - Lucky Thompson With Dave Pochonet All Stars (1956-2001) Jazz In Paris 73 / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

While visiting France in 1956, tenor saxophonist Lucky Thompson recorded over a dozen sessions within a span of just four months, with various groups put together by drummer Gerard "Dave" Pochonet. This CD reissue in Verve's Jazz in Paris series combines two different studio dates. Four tracks feature a septet with an unusual lineup that includes bass trombonist Charles Verstraete and baritone saxophonist Michel de Villers and a rhythm section anchored by pianist Martial Solal. The full group blends very well, with excellent solos by each member of the front line, though Thompson's quartet feature, "Lullaby of the Leaves," is marred somewhat by his squeaking reed. The remaining five selections are by a tentet that includes the entire septet, except Henri Renaud takes over on piano. Thompson's lush quartet treatment of "I Should Care" is the highlight of the latter date. The French musicians prove up to the task of working with the visiting American star on both dates, while Thompson is in top form throughout most of the two sessions. by Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     Fascinating Blues:03
Jean-Pierre Sasson
2     I Should Care 4:17
Sammy Cahn / Axel Stordahl / Paul Weston
3     One for the Boys and Us 7:09
Gerard Pochonet / Lucky Thompson
4     Home Free 5:07
Lucky Thompson
5     Bluebird Blues 3:57
Neal Hefti
6     Lullaby of the Leaves 4:00
Bernice Petkere / Joe Young
7     Easy Going 4:08
Lucky Thompson
8     Let's Try Again 6:30
Michel de Villers
9     Stewin' Up a Wig 3:54
Gerard Pochonet
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Michel de Villers (faixas: 2 to 5, 7)
Alto Saxophone, Clarinet – Jo Hrasko (faixas: 2 to 5, 7)
Baritone Saxophone – Marcel Hrasko, Michel de Villers
Bass Trombone – Charles Verstraete (faixas: 1, 6, 8, 9)
Double Bass – Benoit Quersin
Drums – Dave Pochonet
Guitar – Jean-Pierre Sasson
Piano – Henri Renaud (faixas: 2 to 5, 7), Martial Solal (faixas: 1, 6, 8, 9)
Producer – Frank Ténot
Tenor Saxophone – Lucky Thompson
Trombone – Charles Verstraete (faixas: 2 to 5, 7)
Trumpet – Fernand Verstraete (faixas: 2 to 5, 7)
Notas
Recorded in Paris in 1956 on April 16 (1, 6, 8, 9) and May 11 (2-5, 7) 

MICHEL DE VILLERS / CLAUDE BOLLING - Danse À Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Jazz In Paris 76) (2001) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1     Topsy 3:14
Edgar Battle / Eddie Durham
2     Veal Isn't Good for Leony 3:21
Michel de Villers
3     Mes Frères (Manhattan Spiritual) 2:46
Billy Maxted
4     Fumée aux Yeux (Smoke Gets in Your Eyes) 4:40
Jerome Kern
5     Twilight Time 2:55
Artie Dunn / Al Nevins / Morty Nevins / Buck Ram
6     My Prayer 3:00
Jimmy Kennedy
7     Symphonie d'Un Soir 3:42
Bob Crewe
8     Sarah 2:54
Charles Aznavour / Jacques Plante
9     Rock de I'inauguration 2:20
André Gosselain   
10     Demain 3:04
Ed Townsend
11     Toi le Venin 3:11
André Gosselain   
12     Vive Aznavour 3:00
Pierre Roche
13     En Chantant Ce Air Là 0:54
Claude Bolling
14     Lorraine Blues 5:09
Claude Bolling
15     Présentation de Musiciens Par Raymond Mouly 0:39
Claude Bolling
16     Bowling Green 2:56
Claude Bolling
17     Rock a Bye Bolling 4:48
Claude Bolling
18     Le Piège 3:00
Claude Bolling
19     Bulles de Savon 2:41
Claude Bolling
20     Tranquillement "Quietly" 4:24
Claude Bolling
21     Announce 0:12
Claude Bolling
22     Bach to Swing 3:28
Claude Bolling
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Claude Civelli (faixas: 13 to 22), Michel de Villers (faixas: 1 to 12)
Arranged By – André Persiani (faixas: 1 to 12)
Directed By [Tv Show] – Jean-Christophe Averty (faixas: 13 to 22)
Double Bass – Michel Gaudry (faixas: 13 to 22)
Drums – Roger Paraboschi (faixas: 13 to 22)
Piano, Written-By – Claude Bolling (faixas: 13 to 22)
Producer – Boris Vian (faixas: 1 to 12)
Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet – Gérard Badini (faixas: 13 to 22)
Trombone – Claude Gousset (faixas: 13 to 22), Raymond Katarzynsky (faixas: 13 to 22)
Trumpet – Ivan Jullien (faixas: 13 to 22), Vincent Casino (faixas: 13 to 22)
Nota :
Recorded 1958 (5-12), 1959 (1-4) & 1961 (13-22) in Paris.
Reissue of the Fontana EP's 460 040 (1-4), 460 589 (5-8) and 460 611 (9-12).
Reissue of the Philips 10" LP 76 528 (13-22).
Tracks 13-22: original soundtrack of the TV show "Spécial Show" directed by Jean-Christophe Averty.