DUKE PEARSON — Sweet Honey Bee (1966-1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue) lossless

Pianist/composer Duke Pearson leads an all-star group on this run-through of seven of his compositions. The musicians -- trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, altoist James Spaulding, Joe Henderson on tenor, bassist Ron Carter, drummer Mickey Roker, and the pianist/leader -- are actually more impressive than many of the compositions, although the swinging minor-toned "Big Bertha" deserved to become a standard. The frameworks are quite intelligent, everyone doesn't solo on each selection, and the improvisations are concise and clearly related to each tune's melody and mood. Although not quite essential, this set has some rewarding music. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Sweet Honey Bee    4:50
 Duke Pearson
2    Sudel    5:40
 Duke Pearson
3    After The Rain    4:25
 Duke Pearson
4    Gaslight    5:50
 Duke Pearson
5    Big Bertha    5:50
 Duke Pearson
6    Empathy    6:00
 Duke Pearson
7    Ready Rudy?    6:10
 Duke Pearson
Credits :
Freddie Hubbard - Trumpet
James Spaulding - Alto Sax & Flute
Joe Henderson - Tenor Sax
Duke Pearson - Piano
Ron Carter - Bass
Mickey Roker - Drums

SONNY ROLLINS — The Quartets Featuring Jim Hall (1962-1986) RM | APE (image+.cue) lossless

This double LP contains the six songs originally on The Bridge (his comeback album after three years of retirement) plus seven additional items from 1962 and 1964 that co-star guitarist Jim Hall. At first when Rollins reappeared his style was virtually unchanged from 1959 but gradually it loosened up and became freer. This attractive two-fer, which is highlighted by "Without a Song," "Don't Stop the Carnival" and "If Ever I Would Leave You," has important music that is essential for all Sonny Rollins collectors. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    God Bless The Child    7:24
 Billie Holiday / Arthur Herzog, Jr.
2    John S.    7:31
 Sonny Rollins
3    You Do Something To Me    6:47
 Cole Porter
4    Where Are You    5:07
 Harold Adamson / Jimmy McHugh
5    Without A Song    7:24
 Edward Eliscu / Billy Rose / Vincent Youmans
6    The Bridge    5:55
 Sonny Rollins
7    If Ever I Would Leave You    11:59
 Alan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe
8    The Night Has A Thousand Eyes    9:07
 Buddy Bernier / Jerry Brainin
Credits :
Bass – Bob Cranshaw
Drums – Ben Riley (tracks: 2 to 8)
Guitar – Jim Hall
Performer – Mickey Roker
Tenor Saxophone – Sonny Rollins

MILT JACKSON — A London Bridge (1988) APE (image+.cue), lossless

One of three albums of material recorded by the Milt Jackson Quartet (which consisted of pianist Monty Alexander, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Mickey Roker) during a stay at Ronnie Scott's Club in London, this excellent set features the veterans playing in their usual style (bop, blues and ballad) but with a fresher repertoire than usual including "Impressions," "Good Bait" and Alexander's "Reggae/Later." The pianist often steals the show on this fine set; all three records from this gig are easily recommended. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Impressions    5:40
 John Coltrane
2    Flamingo    5:22
 Ted Grouya / Milt Jackson
3    Eleuthera    7:11
 Monty Alexander
4    Good Bait    5:23
 Count Basie / Tadd Dameron
5    FSR    6:20
 Ray Brown
6    Reggae/Later    6:49
 Monty Alexander
7    Close Enough For Love    7:23
 Johnny Mandel / Paul Williams
8    Captain Bill    7:27
 Ray Brown
Credits :
Bass – Ray Brown
Drums – Mickey Roker
Piano – Monty Alexander
Vibraphone – Milt Jackson

RAY BROWN — The Best Of The Concord Years (2002) 2xCD | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Ray Brown was in at the beginning of the Concord Jazz record label in the early '70s, and starting with Brown's Bag in 1975, he recorded a dozen albums as a leader for Concord before departing for Telarc Records in the early '90s. This two-disc compilation, with a running time of almost two hours and 20 minutes, presents 24 selections drawn from 19 Concord Jazz albums recorded between 1973 and 1993, including live performances at the Concord Jazz Festivals, recordings by Brown's trio and the L.A. 4, and a Brown duet with Jimmy Rowles, among other configurations. As a bass player, Brown only rarely solos, so one usually notices the horn players (Harry "Sweets" Edison, Red Holloway, Plas Johnson, Richie Kamuca, Blue Mitchell, Ralph Moore, and Bud Shank), the pianists (Monty Alexander, George Duke, Gene Harris, Art Hillery, and Rowles), or other frontline musicians (guitarists Laurindo Almeida, Herb Ellis, and Joe Pass, violinist John Frigo) before the rhythm section. But even when Brown isn't stepping out, he is maintaining the group's swing, along with drummers John Guerin, Jeff Hamilton, Jake Hanna, Gerryck King, Shelly Manne, Mickey Roker, and Jimmie Smith, and he also wrote a number of the tunes. Brown had done relatively few sessions as a leader in the 30 years of his career prior to his association with Concord, so, while the label owes him a lot, he also was enabled to flourish with the company in a way he had not before, and that is reflected in this well-chosen compilation. William Ruhlmann
Tracklist & Credits :

RAY BROWN TRIO — The Red Hot Ray Brown Trio (1987) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Bassist Ray Brown's 1985 trio (featuring pianist Gene Harris and drummer Mickey Roker) is heard in fine form throughout this swinging set. In addition to five standards and Brown's own blues "Captain Bill," there are a couple of unlikely but successful selections: Tyree Glenn's "How Could You Do a Thing Like This to Me" and "Love Me Tender." Although there is actually only one blues among the eight numbers, Gene Harris infuses all of the selections with the feeling of the blues and consistently steals the show. Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits :

DIZZY GILLESPIE · JOE PASS · RAY BROWN · MICKEY ROCKER — Dizzy's Big 4 (1975-1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Dizzy Gillespie omits a piano on these 1974 sessions, but it is never missed due to the potent rhythm section supplied by guitarist Joe Pass, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer Mickey Roker. Starting with the inspired, occasionally funky Latin-flavored "Frelimo" (which features the leader on both muted and open trumpet), Gillespie is in top form. His deliberate treatment of the forgotten chestnut "Hurry Home" is a lyrical gem, while the breezy setting of the standard "Russian Lullaby" bubbles with excitement. But the fireworks take place in the rapid-fire performance of Gillespie's "Be Bop (Dizzy's Fingers)," in which Pass seems to play at an impossible tempo. Just as much fun is the sassy, intricate interpretation of the trumpeter's blues "Birk's Works," powered by Brown's potent bass, along with the hip updated treatment of Fats Waller's "Jitterbug Waltz." This is easily one of Dizzy Gillespie's best small-group recordings from the latter portion of his career. Ken Dryden           Tracklist + Credits :

ROY ELDRIGDE | OSCAR PETERSON | DIZZY GILLESPIE — Jazz Maturity (1978-1994) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 Teaming together Dizzy Gillespie and Roy Eldridge should result in some classic music, but by 1975, Eldridge (although still a fierce competitor) was past his prime and Gillespie was starting to fade. The material performed for this CD reissue is just not all that inspiring -- a few overly played standards and blues. Despite some good efforts by Gillespie and Eldridge, pianist Oscar Peterson easily emerges as the most impressive soloist; better to acquire the magnificent collaborations of the 1950s instead. Scott Yanow
Tracklist + Credits :

DIZZY GILLESPIE Y MACHITO — Afro-Cuban Jazz Moods (1976-1990) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Here we have a summit meeting late in the careers of the pioneering titans of Afro-Cuban jazz: Dizzy Gillespie fronting the Machito orchestra on trumpet, with Mario Bauza as music director, alto saxophonist/clarinetist, and organizing force, and Chico O'Farrill contributing the compositions and arrangements. This could have been just a nostalgic retro gathering 25 years after the fact, but instead, these guys put forth an ambitious effort to push the boundaries of the idiom. The centerpiece is a 15-minute trumpet concerto for Gillespie called "Oro, Incienso y Mirra," where O'Farrill melts dissonant clusters, electric piano comping, and synthesizer decorations together with hot Afro-Cuban rhythms into a coherent, multi-sectioned tour de force. Gillespie, who had apparently never been in the same room with synthesizers before, is magnificent as he peels off one patented bebop run after another over Machito's band and in the gaps between. There is also an equally sophisticated suite of O'Farrill pieces grouped under the title "Three Afro-Cuban Jazz Moods," which mixes rock elements into the rhythms. Parts of "Pensativo" sound as if O'Farrill had been carefully listening to Santana, the teacher learning from the student, as it were. It adds up to a paltry 32 minutes of music, yet one can forgive the short length, this being all there is of a historic recording session. Richard S. Ginell         Tracklist + Credits :

COUNT BASIE AND DIZZY GILLESPIE — The Gifted Ones (1979-1993) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Norman Granz got this one backwards. Instead of featuring Dizzy Gillespie with the Count Basie Orchestra, he put Gillespie and Basie together in a quartet which the trumpeter naturally dominates. The music is generally quite rewarding, including an unusual version of "St. James Infirmary," but never reaches the great heights one might have expected. Scott Yanow       Tracklist + Credits :

ZOOT SIMS - “Live” In Philly (1973-2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Released for the first time on this 1998 CD, this excellent live set dates from the early '70s (1973 is an educated guess) and features the always swinging tenor man Zoot Sims in a quartet with pianist Benny Aronov, bassist Major Holley, and drummer Mickey Roker. Sims is in top form on a variety of veteran standards, including "In a Mellow Tone" and a lengthy "Do Nothin' 'Till You Hear from Me." Holley's bowing and singing combination is showcased on "Polka Dots and Moon Beams," and Aronov shows plenty of fire and potential. Easily recommended to bop and Zoot Sims fans. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     That Old Devil Called Love 9:08
Doris Fisher / Allan Roberts
2     Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me 10:53
Duke Ellington / Bob Russell
3     Polka Dots and Moon Beams 5:38roke
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
4     I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance With You 9:03
Bing Crosby / Ned Washington / Victor Young
5     In a Mellow Tone 5:32
Duke Ellington / Milt Gabler
6     I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) 4:31
Duke Ellington / Paul Francis Webster
7     Theme 4:46
Zoot Sims
Credits :
Bass – Major Holley
Drums – Mickey Roker
Piano – Benny Aronov
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims

ZOOT SIMS - Getting Sentimental (1974-2001) WV (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    I'm Getting Sentimental Over You 6'13
Written-By [Incorrectly Attributed] – Gus Kahn, Matty Malneck
Written-By [Uncredited] – George Bassman, Ned Washington
2    Restless 6'08
Written-By – Tom Satterfield
3    Fred 5'45
Written-By – Neal Hefti
4    Caravan 7'26
Written-By – Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Juan Tizol
5    Dream Dancing 6'41
Written-By – Cole Porter
6    The Very Thought Of You 6'21
Written-By – Ray Noble
7    Love Me 4'54
Written-By [Incorrectly Attributed] – Jacques Demy, Michel Legrand
Written-By [Uncredited] – Ned Washington, Victor Young
8    I'm Getting Sentimental Over You 6'36
Written-By [Incorrectly Attributed] – Gus Kahn, Matty Malneck
Written-By [Uncredited] – George Bassman, Ned Washington
Notas.
Recorded on April 20, 1974 in Sea Cliff, New York.
Track 1 is an alternate take and track 7 is previously unissued.
The composers are incorrect for tracks 1 & 8, as this is the well known standard from the 1930s written by George Bassman and Ned Washington.
The composers for track 7 are also incorrect, as this song is the older piece recorded in the 1930s by Art Tatum and others, written by Victor Young and Ned Washington.
Credits :
Bass – Bob Cranshaw
Drums – Mickey Roker
Piano – Jimmy Rowles
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims

BENNY CARTER | DIZZY GILLESPIE - Carter, Gillespie, Inc. (1976) lp | 32bits-96hz | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Although they were from different musical generations (Benny Carter was born ten years before Dizzy Gillespie), it is little wonder that the swing altoist and the bop trumpeter could match up so well on this sextet session; they were quite compatible. Surprisingly, the material they chose to perform could have been better (there is only one Carter composition among the six songs) but on "Broadway" and "A Night in Tunisia," the two veteran hornmen (along with pianist Tommy Flanagan and guitarist Joe Pass) sound at their best. Scott Yanow
Side A :
1     Sweet and Lovely 10:41
Gus Arnheim / Jules LeMare (Chas. N. Daniels) / Harry Tobias    
2     Broadway 7:48     
Billy Bird / Teddy McRae / Henry J. Wood    
3     The Courtship 6:29
Benny Carter
Side B :
1     Constantinople 8:57
Dizzy Gillespie    
2     Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen 9:08
Traditional    
3     A Night in Tunisia 8:26
Dizzy Gillespie / Frank Paparelli
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Bass – Al McKibbon
Drums, Vocals – Mickey Roker
Guitar – Joe Pass
Piano – Tommy Flanagan
Producer – Norman Granz
Trumpet – Dizzy Gillespie

SHIRLEY SCOTT & CLARK TERRY - Soul Duo (1967-2012) FLAC (tracks), lossless

This is one of organist Shirley Scott's lesser-known Impulse LPs (not yet reissued on CD), a quartet outing with flugelhornist Clark Terry, drummer Mickey Roker and either George Duvivier or Bob Cranshaw on bass. Together they perform four Scott originals, a pair of C.T.'s compositions, the swinging "Until I Met You" and the standard "Heat Wave." Although not playing with the force that Stanley Turrentine exhibited when jamming with the organist, Clark Terry adds humor and a wistfulness to the date that easily compensates. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Soul Duo    5:45
2    Until I Met You (Corner Pocket)    5:40
3    This Light Of Mine    3:30
4    Joonji    3:51
5    Clark Bars    4:10
6    Taj Mahal    4:00
7    Up A Hair    4:59
8    Heat Wave    4:27
Credits :
Bass – Bob Cranshaw, George Duvivier
Drums – Mickey Roker
Organ – Shirley Scott
Trumpet – Clark Terry

IRENE KRAL - The Band and I + Better Than Anything (2012) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The Band and I pairs Irene Kral with Ernie Wilkins and Al Cohn, whose energetic, robust arrangements capture a dimension of the singer rarely glimpsed on record -- upbeat and persuasive, with little of the spectral melancholy that hangs over her later, more familiar sessions. The titular backing unit in question, led by trumpeter Herb Pomeroy, expertly bridges the gap between traditional big band and modern-era jazz, creating a soulful, lightly swinging showcase that inspires Kral to deliver some of her most appealing performances -- cuts like "This Little Love" and "I'd Know You Anywhere" boast a radiance sadly absent from subsequent sessions. by Jason Ankeny

The Band and I

1 I'd Know You Anywhere 2:14

Jimmy McHugh / Johnny Mercer

2 Detour Ahead 3:43

Lou Carter / Herb Ellis / John Freigo

3 Comes Love 2:36

Lew Brown / Sam H. Stept / Charles Tobias

4 Everybody Knew But Me 2:01

Irving Berlin

5 Lazy Afternoon 2:56

John Latouche / Jerome Moross

6 What's Right for You 3:01

7 I Let a Song Go out of My Heart 2:46

Duke Ellington / Irving Mills / Henry Nemo / John Redmond

8 Memphis in June 2:58

Hoagy Carmichael / Paul Francis Webster

9 This Little Love 2:07

10 The Night We Called It a Day 2:32

Tom Adair / Matt Dennis

11 It Isn't So Good 2:32

12 Something to Remember You By 2:12

Howard Dietz / Arthur Schwartz

Better than Anythin 

This CD reissues a formerly rare Irene Kral album that was originally recorded for the Ava label, one of only two records that she recorded during 1960-1973. Kral is quite recognizable, although not singing with quite the emotional intensity that she would display during her final three albums (which are all classics). Joined by pianist Junior Mance, bassist Bob Cranshaw, and drummer Mickey Roker (whose name is misspelled Rocker), Kral was already a delightful singer. Best are her versions of "Better Than Anything," "The Meaning of the Blues," "It's a Wonderful World," "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry," and "Nobody Else But Me." This enjoyable set is available through the Spanish Fresh Sound label. by Scott Yanow

13 Better Than Anything 2:21

David "Buck" Wheat

14 The Touch of Your Lips 2:22

Ray Noble

15 The Meaning of the Blues 3:11

Bobby Troup / Leah Worth

16 Rock Me to Sleep 2:20

Lou Carter / Paul Vandervoort II

17 No More 3:10

Tutti Camarata / Bob Russell

18 Passing By 1:54

Johnny Hess / Jack Lawrence / Paul Misraki / Charles Trénet

19 It's a Wonderful World 2:34

Harold Adamson / Jan Savitt / Johnny Watson

20 This Is Always 3:23

Mack Gordon / Harry Warren

21 Just Friends 2:40

John Klenner / Sam M. Lewis

22 Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry 3:35

Sammy Cahn / Jule Styne

23 Nobody Else But Me 1:54

Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern

- Bonus Tracks -

24 The Meaning Of The Blues

25 Just Friends

26 Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most

27 Nobody Else But Me

28 Detour Ahead

29 It's A Wonderful World

30 Forgetful 

BILLIE POOLE - Confessin' the Blues! (1962-1996) Original Jazz Classics Limited Edition Series / RM / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

This CD brings back the second of two Riverside albums cut by singer Billie Poole. Other than a single from a few years earlier, the two sets were Poole's entire recording legacy. Poole was an expressive singer who felt most comfortable on blues-oriented material. For this date, she was assisted by an unbeatable rhythm section (guitarist Kenny Burrell, pianist Junior Mance, bassist Bob Cranshaw, and drummer Mickey Roker) and performed mostly vintage material, with a few more recent songs added for variety. Poole sounds fine on such tunes as "Confessin' the Blues," "Stormy Weather," "Alone Together," and even "God Bless the Child." by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1     Confessin' the Blues 3:37
Walter Brown / Jay McShann
2     Them Blues 2:10
Ollie Jones
3     God Bless the Child 3:53
Billie Holiday / Arthur Herzog, Jr.
4     I Worry 'Bout You 3:23
Norman Mapp
5     Jailhouse Blues 3:45
Bessie Smith / Clarence Williams
6     Stormy Weather 4:29
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
7     The Man That Got Away 4:52
Harold Arlen / Ira Gershwin
8     Keep Your Hand on Your Heart 3:31
Big Bill Broonzy
9     Ain't That Love 3:50
Ray Charles
10     Alone Together 2:38
Howard Dietz / Arthur Schwartz
11     When Your Well Runs Dry 2:49
Norman Mapp
12     Stormy Monday 4:00
Bob Crowder / Billy Eckstine / Earl Hines
Credits:
Junior Mance (Piano)
Kenny Burrell (Guitar)
Bob Cranshaw (Bass)
Mickey Roker (Drums)
Billie Poole (Vocals)

STANLEY TURRENTINE - Easy Walker (1969-2017) Blue Note, The Masterworks, Top 50 / SHM-CD / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Easy Walker is a fairly standard but highly enjoyable small-group soul-jazz session from Stanley Turrentine. Backed by a rhythm section of pianist McCoy Tyner, drummer Mickey Roker, and bassist Bob Cranshaw, Turrentine turns in a number of rich, round, and full-bodied leads which are perfectly complemented by Tyner's strutting, sympathetic piano. Largely divided between midtempo grooves and slow blues, with a couple of pop covers like "What the World Needs Now Is Love," thrown in, Easy Walker doesn't offer much challenging material, but it does let the musicians work a good groove, and occasionally showcase their improvisational skills, making it a good, relaxing soul-jazz session. The 1997 CD reissue features four bonus tracks which were recorded with drummer Billy Cobham and bassist Gene Taylor, along with Tyner; the highlight of these is a breezy version of Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Wave." by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Tracklist  :
1 Meat Wave 4:40
Written-By – Hank Johnson
2 They All Say That I'm The Biggest Fool 7:40
Written-By – Buddy Johnson
3 Yours Is My Heart Alone 5:00
Written-By – Franz Lehar
4 Easy Walker 6:10
Written-By – Billy Taylor
5 What The World Needs Now Is Love 6:40
Written-By – David-Bacharach
6 Alone Together 5:35
Written-By – Dietz-Schwartz
7 A Foggy Day 6:23
Composed By – G. Gershwin-I. Gershwin                                                    
8 Stan's Shuffle 6:56
Composed By – Stanley Turrentine
9 Watch What Happens 5:32
Composed By – M. LeGrand, N. Gimbel
10 Intermission Walk 6:39
Composed By – Tommy Turrentine
11 Wave 8:13
Composed By – Antonio Carlos Jobim                   
Credits :
Bass – Bob Cranshaw
Drums – Mickey Roker
Piano – McCoy Tyner
Tenor Saxophone – Stanley Turrentine 

JOE PASS / MILT JACKSON / RAY BROWN / MICKEY ROKER / - Quadrant (1977-1990) RM / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Although guitarist Joe Pass was usually heard in unaccompanied settings during his Pablo years, there were occasional departures. In this case, Pass is teamed in a pianoless quartet with vibraphonist Milt Jackson, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer Mickey Roker. Considering the musicians involved, it's no surprise that the music always swings. The group performs four originals (including two blues), "Lady Be Good," "The Man I Love," and Carl Perkins' "Grooveyard." Jackson and Pass blend together quite nicely, and their interplay, along with the stimulating support of Brown and Roker, is reason enough for bop collectors to want this. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Concorde 4:14
Joe Pass
2     Joe's Tune 4:28
Joe Pass
3     Oh, Lady Be Good 7:46
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
4     Ray's Tune 4:36
Ray Brown
5     Grooveyard 6:57
Carl Perkins
6     The Man I Love 7:47
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
7     Blues for the Stone 6:16
Milt Jackson
Credits :
Bass – Ray Brown
Drums – Mickey Roker
Guitar – Joe Pass
Producer, Layout, Design – Norman Granz
Remastered By [Digital] – Phil De Lancie
Vibraphone [Vibes] – Milt Jackson
 

BLUE MITCHELL – Boss Horn (1966-2004) RM | RVG Edition | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Trumpeter Blue Mitchell delivers a solid hard bop date with his 1966 Blue Note release Boss Horn. [The Rudy Van Gelder edition of Boss Horn features remastered sound by original producer Van Gelder that does significanly improve the overall sound quality over the original release.] Matt Collar
Tracklist :
1 Millie 6:15
Duke Pearson
2 O Mama Enit 5:34
Blue Mitchell
 3 I Should Care 7:31
Sammy Cahn / Axel Stordahl / Paul Weston
 4 Rigor Mortez 6:21
Dave Burns
 5 Tones for Joan's Bones 6:37
Chick Corea
 6 Straight Up and Down  6:36
Chick Corea
Credits
Alto Saxophone – Jerry Dodgion
Arranged By – Duke Pearson
Baritone Saxophone – Pepper Adams
Trumpet – Blue Mitchell
Bass – Gene Taylor
Drums – Mickey Roker
Piano – Cedar Walton (tracks: 1 to 4), Chick Corea (tracks: 5, 6)
Recorded By – Rudy Van Gelder
Tenor Saxophone – Junior Cook
Trombone – Julian Priester