WILLIS JACKSON WITH PAT MRTINO — Single Action (1978-1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Willis Jackson was a tough-toned tenor who came to fame as a honker and screamer with Cootie Williams's big band in the late '40s. Although he calmed down his style a bit through the years, he always has a passionate sound and an accessible style best heard on blues, ballads and standards. This is a CD reissue of a 1978 session that features Jackson with guitarist Pat Martino, organist Carl Wilson and a supportive rhythm section. Although the Barbara Streisand-associated "Evergreen" (heard in two versions) and "You Are the Sunshine of My Life" may not seem like the best material for the tenor, he uplifts the songs. But best are a pair of hard-driving blues and a warm rendition of "Makin' Whoopee." Joe Fields accurately states in the liner notes that Willis Jackson's best recording was his prior Muse release Bar Wars but Single Action does give one a good example of Jackson playing in a tenor style that (other than Houston Person and now Joshua Redman) is quickly disappearing. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Evergreen    4:44
 Barbra Streisand / Paul Williams
2    Bolita    8:12
 Willis "Gator" Jackson
3    Makin' Whoopee    6:59
 Walter Donaldson / Gus Kahn
4    You Are The Sunshine Of My Life    7:43
 Stevie Wonder
5    Hittin' The Numbers    5:01
 Willis "Gator" Jackson
6    Single Action    6:17
 Willis "Gator" Jackson
7    Evergreen (Alternate Take)    4:41
 Barbra Streisand / Paul Williams
Credits :
Bass – Jimmy Lewis
Drums – Yusef Ali
Engineer – Rudy van Gelder
Guitar – Pat Martino
Organ – Carl Wilson
Percussion – Ralph Dorsey
Tenor Saxophone – Willis Jackson

WALLACE RONEY — Crunchin' (1993) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Trumpeter Wallace Roney sounds poignant and fabulous throughout the eight tracks on his latest release. His lines on "What's New" and "You Stepped Out Of A Dream" are full and gorgeous, while his soloing on "Woody'n You" and "Time After Time" has warmth, intensity and edge. Alto saxophonist Antonio Hart chimes in with equal facility and spark, while Geri Allen shows that she is just as outstanding as an accompanist on standards and hard bop as in trios or as a leader. Ron Wynn
Tracklist :
1    Woody'n You    4:47
 Dizzy Gillespie
2    What's New    7:49
 Johnny Burke / Bob Haggart
3    Angel Eyes    6:19
 Earl Brent / Matt Dennis
4    Swing Spring    5:37
 Miles Davis
5    Time After Time    5:52
 Sammy Cahn / Jule Styne
6    We See    6:49
 Thelonious Monk
7    You Stepped Out Of A Dream    4:16
 Nacio Herb Brown / Gus Kahn
8    Misterioso    12:47
 Nacio Herb Brown / Gus Kahn
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Antonio Hart (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 6 to 8)
Bass – Ron Carter
Drums – Kenny Washington
Engineer – Rudy Van Gelder
Piano – Geri Allen
Trumpet – Wallace Roney