BILL SMITH — Folk Jazz (1959-2003) RM | Original Jazz Classics Limited Edition Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

A record that could only have been made in the late '50s, 1959's Folk Jazz is a meeting of the two great collegiate crazes of the period, post-bebop modern jazz and traditional folk music. Clarinetist Bill Smith and a low-key piano-less trio ? Jim Hall on guitar, Monty Budwig on bass and the great Shelly Manne on drums ? take 10 songs from the folk tradition, strip them down to the bare essentials of melody and chord progressions and turn them into a Kind of Blue-like experiment in cool-toned modal jazz. Familiar standards like "Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair" (which opens with an extended unaccompanied solo by Smith that's a marvel of economy) are presented in entirely new and fresh settings. Perhaps the best of the lot is an extended meditation on the spiritual "Go Down Moses" that turns the song from a gospel shout to an intimate whisper. The 2003 CD reissue adds two tracks, alternate takes of "Reuben, Reuben" and "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen." Stewart Mason
Tracklist :
1    A-Roving    4:12
 Traditional
2    Greensleeves    5:00
 Traditional
3    Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen    3:35
 Traditional
4    John Henry    4:18
 Traditional
5    Wayfaring Stranger    4:21
 Traditional
6    Three Blind Mice    3:27
 Traditional
7    Go Down, Moses    6:44
 Traditional
8        Blow The Man Down    3:34
 Traditional
9    Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair    4:10
 Traditional
10    Reuben, Reuben    3:30
 Traditional
11    Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen (Alt. Take 1)    5:50
 James Cox
12    Reuben, Reuben (Alt. Take 14)    3:49
 Traditional
Credits :
Bass – Monty Budwig
Clarinet, Arranged By, Adapted By – Bill Smith
Drums – Shelly Manne
Guitar – Jim Hall

HERB ELLIS TRIO — Sweet and Lovely (1984) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist  :
1    Bags Groove 4:49
Composed By – M.Jackson
2    Angel Eyes 4:32
Composed By – M.Dennis
3    Sweet And Lovely 5:19
Composed By – G.Arnheim, J.Lemare
4    Willow Weep For Me 5:48
Composed By – A.Ronell
5    What Is This Thing Called Love 4:34
Composed By – C. Porter
6    The Shadow Of Your Smile 5:34
Composed By – J.Mandel, P.F.Webster
7    Fred 3:16
Composed By – N.Hefti, C. Sammy
8    I Only Have Eyes For You 3:26
Composed By – A.Dubin, H.Warren
9    Gunk And Funk 5:17
Composed By – H.Ellis
Credits :
Herb Ellis - Guitar
Monty Budwig - Bass
Shelly Manne - Drums

ZOOT SIMS — The Best of Zoot Sims (1980-1987) WV (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1     Willow Weep for Me 6:32
Ann Ronell
2     Bloos for Louise 7:58
Zoot Sims    
3     Someday, Sweetheart 6:00
Benjamin Franklin Spikes / John Spikes    
4     Wrap Up 3:43
Zoot Sims
5     The Girl from Ipanema 4:10
Norman Gimbel / Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
6     More Than You Know 5:57
Edward Eliscu / Billy Rose / Vincent Youmans
7     Main Stem 5:00
Duke Ellington    
8     I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) 6:15
Duke Ellington / Paul Francis Webster'
Credits :
Arranged By, Conductor – Bill Holman
Bass – George Mraz (pistas: 1 to 4), Monty Budwig
Clarinet [Baritone], Bass Clarinet, Flute – Bill Hood
Clarinet, Flute, Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Jerome Richardson
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Richie Kamuca
Drums – Grady Tate (pistas: 1 to 4), Nick Ceroli
Piano – Ray Bryant (pistas: 1 to 4), Ross Tompkins
Producer – Norman Granz
Trombone – Frank Rosolino
Trumpet – Oscar Brashear
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Snooky Young

ZOOT SIMS — Choice (1961-2002) RM | Super Bit Jazz Classics | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Tracklist :
1    I'll Remember April 4:15
Bass – Red Mitchell
Drums – Larry Bunker
Leader [Leadership] – Gerry Mulligan
Piano – Bobby Brookmeyer
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Written-By – Raye, DePaul, Johnston
2    Flamingo 2:15
Baritone Saxophone, Leader [Leadership] – Gerry Mulligan
Bass – Red Mitchell
Drums – Larry Bunker
Piano – Bobby Brookmeyer
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Trumpet – Jon Eardley
Written-By – Anderson, Grouya
3    There Will Never Be Another You 5:00
Baritone Saxophone, Leader [Leadership] – Gerry Mulligan
Bass – Red Mitchell
Drums – Larry Bunker
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Valve Trombone – Bobby Brookmeyer
Written-By – Warren, Gordon
4    Red Door 7:00
Bass – Red Mitchell
Drums – Larry Bunker
Leader [Leadership] – Gerry Mulligan
Piano – Bobby Brookmeyer
Written-By, Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
5    You're Driving Me Crazy 4:47
Bass – Monte Budwig
Drums – Mel Lewis
Guitar – Billy Bean
Piano – Russ Freeman
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Written-By – Walter Donaldson
6    Brushes 6:30
Bass – Monte Budwig
Guitar – Jim Hall
Piano – Russ Freeman
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Written-By – Freeman
Written-By, Drums – Lewis
7    Choice Blues 4:30
Bass – Monte Budwig
Drums – Mel Lewis
Guitar – Jim Hall
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Written-By, Piano – Russ Freeman

ZOOT SIMS — On the Korner (1983-1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Just two years and three days away from his death at age 59, the great tenor Zoot Sims is heard in prime form on this live session from San Francisco's legendary club Keystone Korner. The music was not initially released until this 1994 CD but it was worth the wait. The hard-swinging tenor (who plays equally effective soprano on Duke Ellington's "Tonight I Shall Sleep" and "Pennies from Heaven") is ably supported by the fine pianist Frank Collett, bassist Monty Budwig and drummer Shelly Manne. Sims plays his usual repertoire from the period (including "I Hear a Rhapsody," "If You Could See Me Now" and "Dream Dancing") but, although he had previously recorded virtually all of these selections, the "new" versions are well worth hearing. This late date gives one a definitive look into Zoot Sims's playing of his last decade, when he interpreted standards in a timeless style that had grown but not really changed since the 1950s. Recommended. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     I Hear a Rhapsody 8:09     
Jack Baker / George Fragos / Dick Gasparre
2     Tonight I Shall Sleep (With a Smile on My Face) 6:21
Duke Ellington / Irving Gordon
3     Pennies from Heaven 8:08
Johnny Burke / Arthur Johnston    
4     If You Could See Me Now 5:21
Tadd Dameron / Carl Sigman    
5     Dream Dancing 8:06
Cole Porter    
6     Changes 6:49
Walter Donaldson    
7     I'll Remember April 6:14
Gene DePaul / Patricia Johnston / Don Raye
Credits :
Bass – Monty Budwig
Drums – Shelly Manne
Mastered By – Phil De Lancie
Piano – Frank Collett
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Zoot Sims

BILL EVANS — Empathy + A Simple Matter of Conviction (1989) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Two of pianist Bill Evans' better Verve recordings are combined on this single CD. Although separated by over four years time, in both cases the lyrical pianist is joined by drummer Shelly Manne; the bass spot is taken by either Monty Budwig or Eddie Gomez (the latter was making his recorded debut with Evans). The earlier session (the pianist's first project for Verve) has some unusual material including a pair of Irving Berlin obscurities ("The Washington Twist" and "Let's Go Back to the Waltz"), "Danny Boy" and "I Believe in You." The later date is most notable for including four obscure Evans tunes (including "Only Child" and "These Things Called Changes") plus his interpretation of "My Melancholy Baby" and some more conventional material. In any case, fans of the influential pianist will want to pick up this generous set which contains nearly 73 minutes of intriguing music. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
Empathy
1     The Washington Twist 6:28
Irving Berlin
2     Danny Boy 3:42
Frederick Edward Weatherly
3     Let's Go Back to the Waltz 4:30
Irving Berlin
4     With a Song in My Heart 9:12
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
5     Goodbye 5:10
Gordon Jenkins
6     I Believe in You 5:48
Frank Loesser
A Simple Matter Of Conviction
7     A Simple Matter of Conviction 3:18
Bill Evans
8     Stella by Starlight 4:09
Ned Washington / Victor Young
9     Orbit (Unless It's You) 3:41
Bill Evans
10     Laura 4:17
Johnny Mercer / David Raksin
11     My Melancholy Baby 5:14
Ernie Burnett / George Norton
12     I'm Getting Sentimental over You 4:11
George Bassman / Ned Washington
13     Star Eyes 4:56
Gene DePaul / Don Raye
14     Only Child 4:02
Bill Evans
15     These Things Called Changes 3:34
Bill Evans
Credits :
Bass – Eddie Gomez (faixas: 7 to 15), Monty Budwig (faixas: 1 to 6)
Drums – Shelly Manne
Engineer – Rudy Van Gelder
Piano – Bill Evans
Producer – Creed Taylor

SHELLY MANNE & HIS MEN — At the Blackhawk, Vol. 1 (1959-1991) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Shelly Manne's Quintet was recorded extensively at San Francisco's Black Hawk club for three nights in 1959. Although not the most significant group that the drummer led, this edition (with trumpeter Joe Gordon, tenor saxophonist Richie Kamuca, pianist Victor Feldman, and bassist Monty Budwig) was certainly capable of playing high-quality bebop. Originally their output was released on four LPs; the reissue expanded the music to five CDs. The first volume adds an alternate take of Frank Rosolino's "Blue Daniel" to a set that includes swinging versions of "Blue Daniel," "Poinciana," "Our Delight," and "Summertime." The extended performances are easily recommended to straight-ahead jazz fans. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Summertime 12:01
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin / DuBose Heyward
2     Our Delight 12:03
Tadd Dameron
3     Poinciana 13:17
Buddy Bernier / Nat Simon
4     Blue Daniel 8:43
Frank Rosolino
5     Blue Daniel 8:15
Frank Rosolino
6     Theme: A Gem from Tiffany 0:49
Bill Holman
Credits :
Credits :
Bass – Monty Budwig
Drums – Shelly Manne
Piano – Victor Feldman
Tenor Saxophone – Richie Kamuca
Trumpet – Joe Gordon

SHELLY MANNE & HIS MEN — At the Blackhawk, Vol. 2 (1959-1991) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Vol. 2 of the five CDs that document drummer Shelly Manne's Quintet at the Black Hawk club in San Francisco during a three-day period adds a new alternate take of Charlie Mariano's "Step Lightly" to the original program ("Step Lightly," "What's New," "Vamp's Blues"). These lengthy performances ("Vamp's Blues" is over 19 minutes long) give trumpeter Joe Gordon, the cool-toned tenor-saxophonist Richie Kamuca, pianist Victor Feldman, bassist Monty Budwig and the leader/drummer a chance to really stretch out. Fine 1950s bebop. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Step Lightly 12:59
Benny Golson
2     What's New? 13:28
Johnny Burke / Bob Haggart
3     Vamp's Blues 20:14
Charlie Mariano
4     Step Lightly 14:18
Benny Golson
5     Theme: A Gem from Tiffany 0:42
Bill Holman
Credits :
Bass – Monty Budwig
Drums – Shelly Manne
Piano – Victor Feldman
Tenor Saxophone – Richie Kamuca
Trumpet – Joe Gordon

SHELLY MANNE & HIS MEN — At the Blackhawk, Vol. 3 (1959-1991) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Originally released as four LPs, the Shelly Manne Quintet's three days at San Francisco's Black Hawk club is now documented on five CDs. The third volume adds a second (and longer) version of "Whisper Not" to the original rendition, Cole Porter's "I Am in Love" and the spontaneous 18-minute "Black Hawk Blues." Considering how much music was documented, it is fortunate that trumpeter Joe Gordon, tenorman Richie Kamuca, pianist Victor Feldman, bassist Monty Budwig and drummer Shelly Manne were in top form for this enjoyable gig. The music is high-quality straightforward and uncomplicated bebop. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     I Am in Love 12:22
Cole Porter
2     Whisper Not 10:04
Benny Golson
3     Black Hawk Blues 19:20
Shelly Manne
4     Whisper Not 12:25
Benny Golson
Credits :
Bass – Monty Budwig
Drums – Shelly Manne
Piano – Victor Feldman
Tenor Saxophone – Richie Kamuca
Trumpet – Joe Gordon 

SHELLY MANNE & HIS MEN — At the Blackhawk, Vol. 4 (1959-1991) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Shelly Manne's 1959 quintet (with trumpeter Joe Gordon, tenor saxophonist Richie Kamuca, pianist Victor Feldman, bassist Monty Budwig, and the drummer/leader) was not his most important, but it was a hard-swinging unit well versed in bebop. Their three days at the Black Hawk (a popular San Francisco jazz club during this era) was almost completely documented, originally on four LPs and now expanded to five CDs. As with the first three sets, the fourth volume adds an alternate take (of "Cabu") to the original program ("Cabu," "Just Squeeze Me," "Nightingale," and a full-length version of their theme, "A Gem from Tiffany"). The lengthy solos are consistently excellent, making this entire series recommended to straight-ahead jazz fans. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Cabu 10:59
Roland Alexander
2     Just Squeeze Me (But Don't Tease Me) 13:02
Duke Ellington / Lee Gaines
3     Nightingale 12:07
Xavier Cugat / George Rosner / Fred Wise
4     Theme: A Gem from Tiffany 10:09
Bill Holman
5     Cabu 11:51
Roland Alexander
Credits :   
Bass – Monty Budwig
Drums – Shelly Manne
Piano – Victor Feldman
Tenor Saxophone – Richie Kamuca
Trumpet – Joe Gordon

SHELLY MANNE & HIS MEN — At the Blackhawk, Vol. 5 (1959-1991) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Unlike the first four volumes of this series, which included three or four selections previously released plus a "new" alternate take, the final CD of the extensive documentation of the Shelly Manne Quintet's stint at the Black Hawk club consists entirely of previously unreleased material. Fortunately, the performances by trumpeter Joe Gordon, tenor saxophonist Richie Kamuca, pianist Russ Freeman, bassist Monty Budwig, and the drummer/leader are the same high level as on the more familiar material. They perform obscure songs by Horace Silver (has anyone else ever recorded his "How Deep Are the Roots?") and Victor Feldman in addition to a trio feature on "Wonder Why," the ballad "This Is Always," and a new version of the band's theme song, "A Gem From Tiffany." Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     How Deep Are the Roots 11:12
Horace Silver
2     This Is Always 10:13
Mack Gordon / Harry Warren
3     Wonder Why 8:56
Nicholas Brodszky / Sammy Cahn
4     Eclipse of Spain 10:41
Victor Feldman
5     Pullin' Strings 4:43
Victor Feldman
6     Theme: A Gem from Tiffany 5:48
Bill Holman
Credits :
Bass – Monty Budwig
Drums – Shelly Manne
Piano – Victor Feldman
Tenor Saxophone – Richie Kamuca
Trumpet – Joe Gordon

JOE PASS & Co. — Joe Pass Quartet Live At Yoshi's (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

An inspired and exciting set by jazz's guitarist nonpareil, it ranges from a blistering race through Sonny Rollins' "Oleo" to the gentle duet with Pass's longtime partner Pisano on "Alone Together." "Swingin' Till the Girls Come Home" is a feature for Budwig, the great West Coast bass player who died shortly after this set. It's one of the best of the many Joe Pass albums. Les Line
Tracklist :
1     Doxy 6:00
Sonny Rollins
2     The Breeze and I 4:23
Tutti Camarata / Ernesto Lecuona / Al Stillman
3     Blues for Monty 6:25
Joe Pass
4     You Were Meant for Me 6:22
John Pisano
5     Swingin' Till the Girls Come Home 4:40
Oscar Pettiford
6     I Thought About You 4:36
James Van Heusen / Johnny Mercer
7     Alone Together 5:59
Howard Dietz / Arthur Schwartz
8     Good Bait 5:16
Count Basie / Tadd Dameron
9     Oleo 5:32
Sonny Rollins
10     The Song Is You 6:20
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
Credits :
Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar – John Pisano
Bass – Monty Budwig
Drums – Colin Bailey
Guitar – Joe Pass