MORGANA KING — Looking Thruogh the Eyes of Love (1981-1995) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Morgana King is definitely an acquired taste. Her semi-operatic vocals, high voice, and dramatic delivery take some time to get used to, though her fans have long gone out of their way to collect her records. This CD reissues a 1981 set cut for Muse. The backing is a bit jazz-oriented, thanks to the presence of guitarist Joe Puma, but the singer is also accompanied on some cuts by a string quartet; Torrie Zito's arrangements fit King's voice well. The better selections include "Time After Time," "I Wished on the Moon," and "Dearly Beloved." Morgana King's followers will enjoy this outing; her detractors will not be persuaded. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Through the Eyes of Love 3:25 
Marvin Hamlisch / Carole Bayer Sager
2 Gentleman Friend 2:42 
Arnold B. Horwitt / Richard Lewine
3 Time After Time 2:56 
Sammy Cahn / Jule Styne
4 I Wished on the Moon 2:54 
Dorothy Parker / Ralph Rainger
5 Love Is Sweeping the Country 3:21 
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
6 With You I'm Born Again 2:35 
Carol Connors / David Shire
7 Medley : Imagination / I'm Old Fashioned 4:41 
8 Dearly Beloved 2:35 
Jerome Kern / Johnny Mercer
9 Lilac Wine 4:51
 James Alan Shelton 
Credits :
Vocals – Morgana King
Bass – Art Koenig
Drums – Ed Caccavale, Warren Odze
Guitar – Joe Puma
Keyboards – Don Rebic
Percussion – Ray Mantilla, Sue Evans
Ensemble [String Quartet] – Composers String Quartet :
Cello – Mark Shuman
Viola – Jean Dane
Violin [Violin I] – Matthew Raimondi
Violin [Violin II] – Anahid Ajemiang

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