ZOOT SIMS QUARTET - Zoot at Ease (1973) RM | Original Master Recording | WV (image+.cue), lossless

This CD reissues a rare Zoot Sims set originally made for the defunct Famous Door label. Accompanied by pianist Hank Jones, bassist Milt Hinton and either Louie Bellson or Grady Tate on drums, Zoot (who doubles on tenor and soprano) is in typically swinging form. In addition to a few standards, Sims explores some obscurities (including "Alabamy Home" and "In The Middle Of A Kiss") and even turns the theme of "Rosemary's Baby" into jazz. A slightly above-average set from a saxophonist who always sounded inspired. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise 4:45
Oscar Hammerstein II / Sigmund Romberg    
2     In the Middle of a Kiss 5:16
Sam Coslow    
3     Alabamy Home 5:54
Duke Ellington / Dave Ringle    
4     Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me 4:37
Duke Ellington / Bob Russell    
5     Rosemary's Baby 6:36
Krzysztof Komeda    
6     Cocktails for Two 4:55
Sam Coslow / Arthur Johnston    
7     My Funny Valentine 5:04
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers    
8     Beach in the A.M. 4:13
Hank Jones    
9     In the Middle of a Kiss [Take 1} 4:04
Sam Coslow    
10     In the Middle of a Kiss 5:53
Sam Coslow    
11     Alabamy Home 6:54
Duke Ellington / Dave Ringle
12     Beach in the A.M. 3:42
Hank Jones    
13     Alabamy Home 6:01
Duke Ellington / Dave Ringle
Credits :
Bass – Milt Hinton
Drums – Grady Tate (pistas: 2, 4, 6, 8), Louis Belson (pistas: 1, 3, 5, 7)
Piano – Hank Jones
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims

ZOOT SIMS WITH THE KENNY DREW TRIO - Zoot Sims In Copenhagen (1978-1995) RM | Original Master Recording, Ultradisc II | 24Kt Gold Plated | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Formerly put out by Storyville, this audiophile CD reissue features the great Zoot Sims performing in a quartet with bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and two notable expatriates: pianist Kenny Drew and drummer Ed Thigpen. Sims, who doubles here on soprano, is in typically swinging form on such numbers as "Too Close for Comfort," "In a Mellowtone," an extended, nearly ten-minute rendition of "All the Things You Are," and "It's All Right with Me." The supporting rhythm section is perfect for this style of music, and Sims is heard throughout in prime form. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Too Close for Comfort 7:27
Jerry Bock / Larry Holofcener / George David Weiss    
2     (I Wonder) Where Our Love Has Gone 7:17
Buddy Johnson    
3     In a Mellow Tone 5:12
Duke Ellington / Milt Gabler
4     I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) 2:14
Duke Ellington / Paul Francis Webster    
5     Caravan 6:32
Duke Ellington / Irving Mills / Juan Tizol
6     Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise 7:33
Oscar Hammerstein II / Sigmund Romberg    
7     All the Things You Are 9:57
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern    
8     I'll Remember April 8:46
Gene DePaul / Patricia Johnston / Don Raye    
9     Morning Fun 4:49
Al Cohn / Zoot Sims
10     In the Middle of a Kiss 7:42
Sam Coslow
11     It's All Right with Me 8:15
Cole Porter
Credits :
Bass – Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
Drums – Ed Thigpen
Piano – Kenny Drew
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims

STING – ... Nothing Like The Sun (1987-1991) RM | 24 kt GOLD | Original Master Recording | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

If Dream of the Blue Turtles was an unabashedly pretentious affair, it looks positively lighthearted in comparison to Sting's sophomore effort, Nothing Like the Sun, one of the most doggedly serious pop albums ever recorded. This is an album where the only up-tempo track, the only trifle -- the cheerfully stiff white-funk "We'll Be Together" -- was added at the insistence of the label because they believed there wasn't a cut on the record that could be pulled as a single, one that would break down the doors to mainstream radio. And they were right, since everything else here is too measured, calm, and deliberately subtle to be immediate (including the intentional throwaway, "Rock Steady"). So, why is it a better album than its predecessor? Because Sting doesn't seem to be trying so hard. It flows naturally, largely because this isn't trying to explicitly be a jazz-rock record (thank the presence of a new rhythm section of Sting and drummer Manu Katche for that) and because the melodies are insinuating, slowly working their way into memory, while the entire record plays like a mood piece -- playing equally well as background music or as intensive, serious listening. Sting's words can still grate -- the stifling pompousness of "History Will Teach Us Nothing" the clearest example, yet calls of "Hey Mr. Pinochet" also strike an uneasy chord -- but his lyricism shines on "The Lazarus Heart," "Be Still My Beating Heart," "They Dance Alone," and "Fragile," a quartet of his very finest songs. If Nothing Like the Sun runs a little too long, with only his Gil Evans-assisted cover of "Little Wing" standing out in the final quarter, it still maintains its tone until the end and, since it's buoyed by those previously mentioned stunners, it's one of his better albums. Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Tracklist + Credits :