NIELS-HENNING ØRSTED PEDERSEN — The Unforgettable NHØP Trio Live (2007) FLAC (tracks+.cue) lossless

 Two wonderful live recordings of the great, legendary Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen with his preferred trio of recent years, which also show guitarist Ulf Wakenius in top form. A fitting tribute to an unforgettable artist. "Sensational album - dreamy and unforgettable." - STEREOPLAY ACT

Niels Pedersen became one of the most heralded jazz bassists of his generation, playing with Bud Powell and Sonny Rollins while gaining international acclaim for his many recordings with Oscar Peterson. But the phenomenal bassist, whose sound is readily identifiable with a note or two, especially shined as a leader. This live CD documents a pair of concerts with guitarist Ulf Wakenius (who also worked with Peterson) and drummer Jonas Johansen, the first five tracks from 1999 and the last six from Pedersen's final recorded concert in March 2005, just a few weeks before his sudden death from a heart attack. The first set shows the bassist's many musical interests, blending his intricate solo arrangement of a piece by Baroque composer Johann Sebastian Bach with his own mellow "Memories," a brisk samba treatment of the standard "The Song Is You," Wakenius' up-tempo cooker "Lines" and a subtle but virtuoso setting of "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square." The latter performance fits seamlessly with the one from six years earlier. The intricate interplay between Pedersen and Wakenius is amazing in "You and the Night and the Music," with Johansen's alternating between brushes and sticks. Their inventive approach to Charlie Parker's "My Little Suede Shoes" is another highlight, while Pedersen's love of his homeland is evident in a pair of lush arrangements of folk songs from Denmark and Scandinavia. This superb release wraps with an easygoing setting of "Our Love Is Here to Stay" in which both Pedersen and Wakenius dazzle the audience with their formidable technique. Both concerts are intimately recorded and this is easily one of Niels Pedersen' best CDs as a leader. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    The Bach Piece 1:27
Arranged By – NHØP
Written-By – J.S. Bach
2    Memories 1:40
Written-By – NHØP
3    The Song Is You 4:27
Written-By – Kern/Hammerstein
4    Lines 6:55
Written-By – Ulf Wakenius
5    A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square 7:32
Written-By – Maschwitz, Sherwin
6    You And The Night And The Music 9:26
Written-By – Dietz/Schwartz
7    My Little Suede Shoes 5:44
Written-By – Charlie Parker
8    NHØP Presentation    0:34
9    I Skovens Dybe Stille Ro 3:38
Arranged By – NHØP
Written-By – Danish Folk Song
10    Jeg Gik Mig Ud En Sommerdag 9:08
Arranged By – NHØP
Written-By – Scandinavian Folk Song
11    (Our) Love Is Here To Stay 7:24
Written-By – George Gershwin
Credits :
Bass – Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
Drums – Jonas Johansen
Guitar – Ulf Wakenius

ALBERT MANGELSDORFF | JOHN SURMAN — ROOM 1220 (1970-1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Three stunning tunes featuring some of the best improvisers in the world today, all of them written -- yes, written -- by trombonist Albert Mangelsdorf. Interestingly, with a band this diverse and dimensionally articulate, the composer has come up with a program addressing each of the band's particular strengths. The title track, clocking in at over 21 minutes, is a study in the spatial relationship of tonalities. Even so, with its slow unwinding passages -- and interesting interplay between Surman on baritone and Mangelsdorf -- there are intervals, which allow for the creation of alternate harmonies and timbral interjections in chromatic architecture. Pianist Eddy Louis, along with Pedersen, are largely responsible for keeping the slowly revolving beast moving, but they add true depth in microtones and chord voicings. "Triple Circle" is quintet jazz, pure and simple, with everybody playing the hard bop line. Pedersen's solo is of particular interest here, in that his pizzicato playing moves through all three registers and offers scalar blues attacks in each. Finally, "My Kind of Beauty" caps it all off with a pastoral, late-night into courtesy of the horns and Louis on organ. It's a shimmering ballad until almost five minutes in, when Surman begins playing the baritone in the upper register and makes it cry with loneliness and an outpouring of what can only be called amorous emotion. Just as he finishes his sojourn, Pedersen and Louis begin to pace off a blues and transform the number into a groove tune with room enough for every body in the slowly evolving mix of textures in the intervallic transition. Louis' own solo is light and airy, whispering itself along the changes until it shifts into a noirish piece of film music with Mangelsdorf's solo. It all ends on a groove in the backbeat somewhere, but not without making the listener smile. Room 1220 is a hell of a Mangelsdorf date to be sure, but this is once in a lifetime ensemble, and the recording proves it.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist :
1    Room 1220    22:05
2    Triplet Circle    8:32
3    My Kind Of Beauty    12:51
Credits :
Baritone Saxophone – John Surman
Bass – Nils-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
Drums – Daniel Humair
Piano, Organ [Hammond] – Eddy Louis
Trombone, Composed By – Albert Mangelsdorff

STÉPHANE GRAPPELLI | PHILIP CATHERINE | LARRY CORYELL | NIELS-HENNING ØRSTED PEDERSEN — Young Django (1979-1984) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This CD finds veteran violinist Stephane Grappelli joined by bassist Niels Pedersen and guitarists Philip Catherine and Larry Coryell for a memorable tribute to Django Reinhardt. Grappelli has recorded many Reinhardt memorial albums through the years but this one is particularly special for both Coryell and Catherine go out of their way to display the unexpected influence that Reinhardt has had on their styles. The guitarists contribute a song apiece and also enjoy playing seven compositions co-written by Django and Grappelli. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Djangology 3:24
Written-By – Reinhardt, Grappelli
2    Sweet Chorus 4:20
Written-By – Reinhardt, Grappelli
3    Minor Swing 3:27
Written-By – Reinhardt, Grappelli
4    Are You In The Mood? 3:27
Written-By – Reinhardt, Grappelli
5    Gallerie St. Hubert 4:08
Written-By – Catherine
6    Tears 6:18
Written-By – Reinhardt, Grappelli
7    Swing Guitar 3:49
Written-By – Reinhardt, Grappelli
8    Oriental Shuffle 3:43
Written-By – Reinhardt, Grappelli
9    Blues For Django And Stephane 4:57
Written-By – Coryell
Credits
Guitar [Left] – Larry Coryell
Guitar [Right] – Philip Catherine
Piano – Stephane Grappelli (tracks: 9)
Voice – Larry Coryell (tracks: 7, 9), Stephane Grappelli (tracks: 7)

NIELS-HENNING ØRSTED PEDERSEN | PHILIP CATHERINE — The Viking (1983) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

After countless sessions for Norman Granz's Pablo label as a sideman (including with Oscar Peterson and Joe Pass), bassist Niels Pedersen finally had an opportunity to lead his own Pablo date in 1983. The set of duets with guitarist Philip Catherine (which has not yet been reissued on CD) finds Pedersen engaging in close interplay with Catherine, whose sound sometimes recalls Django Reinhardt, although he has an improvising approach of his own. The music is split between standards, including "My Funny Valentine," "Nuages," and "I Fall In Love Too Easily," and inventive originals. A thought-provoking and well-played set of subtle and lyrical music. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    The Puzzle 5:40
Written-By – Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
2    Marie 4:58
Written-By – Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
3    Nuages 5:50
Written-By – Django Reinhardt
4    September Start 4:50
Written-By – Philip Catherine
5    Little Train Of The Caipria 5:16
Written-By – Heitor Villa-Lobos
6    My Funny Valentine 5:16
Written-By – Rodgers & Hart
Medley    
7a    Air Power 0:50
Written-By – Philip Catherine
7b    Dancing Girls 1:31
Written-By – Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
8    Stella By Starlight 5:15
Written-By – Ned Washington, Victor Young
9    I Fall In Love Too Easily 1:31
Written-By – Jule Styne And Sammy Cahn
Credits :
Bass – Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
Guitar – Philip Catherine

PHILIP CATHERINE | NIELS-HENNING ØRSTED-PEDERSEN — Spanish Nights (1989-1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Spanish Nights 3:46
Written-By – Philip Catherine
2    Aranjuez 5:06
Written-By – J. Rodrigo
3    Django 6:23
Written-By – J. Lewis
4    My Favorite Things 5:34
Written-By – R. Rodgers
5    Leaving 6:56
Written-By – R. Beirach
6    Esmeralda 4:56
Written-By – N. Pedersen
7    Armando's Rhumba 4:10
Written-By – Chick Corea
8    Black Orpheus 5:51
Written-By – Jobim, Bonfa
9    Little Anna 3:28
Written-By – N. Pedersen
10    Qua Pasa 4:08
Written-By – K. Drew
11    René Thomas 4:52
Written-By – Philip Catherine
Credits
Arranged By – Ernie Wilkins, Kenny Drew, Ole Kock Hansen
Bass – Niels-Henning Ørsted-Pedersen
Guitar – Philip Catherine
Orchestra – The Royal Copenhagen Chamber Orchestra

NIELS PEDERSEN | PHILIP CATHERINE – Art Of The Duo (1993) APE (image+.cue), lossless

»Un album sur lequel interaction rime avec concentration. Avec juste ce qu´il faut de chaleur et de lyrisme.« Compact Jazz
Tracklist :
1    Twice A Week 8:45
Written-By – Philip Catherine
2    My Foolish Heart 4:27
Written-By – Victor Young
3    Stella By Starlight 7:35
Written-By – Victor Young
4    All The Things You Are 4:03
Written-By – Jeromy Kern
5    The Puzzle 7:50
Written-By – N.H. Ørsted Pedersen
6    I Should Care 4:04
Written-By – Stordahl, Weston, Kahn
7    Janet 11:41
Written-By – Philip Catherine
8    Air Power / Dancing Girls 5:13
Written-By – N.H.Ø. Pedersen, P. Catherine
Credits
Bass – Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
Guitar – Philip Catherine

ELLA FITZGERALD AND ANDRÉ PREVIN — Nice Work If You Can Get It (1983) Two Version (1984, Pablo Today – 3112-50 Japan) + (1987, Pablo Records – 00025218014021) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Ella Fitzgerald, who in the late '50s recorded the very extensive George and Ira Gershwin Songbook, revisits their music on this duet outing with pianist André Previn. Her voice was past her prime by this point, but she was able to bring out a lot of the beauty in the ten songs, giving the classic melodies and lyrics tasteful and lightly swinging treatment. Nice Work If You Can Get It is not an essential CD but is a reasonably enjoyable outing. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 A Foggy Day 6:10
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
2 Nice Work If You Can Get It 5:14
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
3 But Not for Me 3:54
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
4 Let's Call the Whole Thing Off 2:46
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
5 How Long Has This Been Going On? 5:01
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
6 Who Cares? 4:30
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
7 Medley: I've Got a Crush on You/Someone to Watch Over ... 4:56
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
8 They Can't Take That Away from Me 3:27
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
Credits :
Ella Fitzgerald - Vocals
André Previn - Piano
Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen - Bass

WARNE MARSH & LEE KONITZ - Two Not One (2009) 4CD | BOX-SET | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Two Not One combines the contents of five previously issued Storyville CDs, including all three volumes of Warne Marsh and Lee Konitz leading a quintet at the Club Montmartre, plus trio and quartet sessions led by Marsh. With both saxophonists having studied with Lennie Tristano, his stamp is unmistakable, in their playing, compositions, and choice of repertoire. Among the quintet recordings, highlights include Tristano's "April" (an intricate reworking of "I'll Remember April") that features inspired solos by the co-leaders, Konitz's brilliant "Subconscious-Lee" (based on "What Is This Thing Called Love," it became a part of his lifelong repertoire), and a driving setting of Charlie Parker's "Au Privave." Pianist Ole Kock Hansen and bassist Niels Pedersen provide outstanding support, with drums alternating between Svend-Erik Nørregård and Al Levitt, though a different rhythm section is used on some tracks (bassist Peter Ind, guitarist Dave Cliff, and Levitt). For the trio sessions Marsh is joined by Pedersen and Levitt, with Cliff added for the quartet selections. Marsh's tasty "Blues in G Flat" showcases each member of the quartet, while his heartfelt interpretation of "You Don't Know What Love Is" features an inventive bassline by Pedersen. Since this four-CD set contains all of the music of five CDs, it is a very affordable and space-saving option. Ken Dryden  
Tracklist 1 :
1     Background Music 10:52
Warne Marsh
2     You Don't Know What Love Is 3:57
Gene DePaul
3     April 9:40
Lennie Tristano
4     Kary's Trance 4:06
Lee Konitz
5     Subconscious Lee 11:03
Lee Konitz
6     Back Home 10:55
Lee Konitz / Warne Marsh
7     Blues by Lester 7:46
Lester Young
8     You Stepped Out of a Dream 10:12
Nacio Herb Brown / Gus Kahn
9     Lennie Bird 8:27
Lennie Tristano
Tracklist 2 :
1     Just Friends 7:52
Klenner
2     Little Willie Leaps 7:59
Miles Davis
3     Old Folks 4:08
Willard Robison
4     Au Privave 10:51
Charlie Parker
5     Wow 6:32
Lennie Tristano
6     Kary's Trance 6:10
Lee Konitz
7     Foolin' Myself 5:52
 Lawrence, Tinturan
8     Sound-Lee 8:11
Lee Konitz
9     Chi-Chi 7:16
Charlie Parker    
10     Two Part Invention No. 1, Allegro 1:11
Johann Sebastian Bach
11     Two Not One 7:07
Lennie Tristano
12     Darn That Dream 5:02
Eddie DeLange / James Van Heusen
Tracklist 3 :
1     317 East 32nd Street 8:18
Lee Konitz
2     Two Part Invention No. 13 Allegro Tranquillo 1:20
Johann Sebastian Bach
3     April 9:14
Lennie Tristano
4     Everything Happens to Me 5:08
 Dennis, Adair   
5     Blues in G Flat 7:24
Warne Marsh
6     After You've Gone 3:30
Henry Creamer / Turner Layton
7     The Song Is You 6:07
Jerome Kern
8     Lennie Bird 5:47
Lennie Tristano
9     It's You or No One 6:01
Jule Styne
10     God Bless the Child 6:38
Billie Holiday / Arthur Herzog, Jr.
11     The Way You Look Tonight 5:46
Jerome Kern
12     Without a Song 6:22
Vincent Youmans
13     Be My Love 5:39
    Lee Konitz / Warne Marsh     
Tracklist 4 :    
1    You Don't Know What Love Is 6:21
Gene DePaul / Don Raye
2     Lennie Bird 5:01
Lennie Tristano
3     Confirmation 4:36
Charlie Parker
4    I Can't Give You Anything But Love 5:30
Jimmy McHugh
5     Without a Song 6:57
Vincent Youmans
6     Just One of Those Things 3:28
Cole Porter
7     All the Things You Are 5:08
Jerome Kern
8     I Should Care 4:24
Sammy Cahn / P. Weston
9     The More I See You 6:25     
H. Warren
10     When You're Smiling 2:57
J. Goodvin, L. Dhay, M. Fisher   
11     Taking a Chance on Love 3:39
Vernon Duke
12     Little Willie Leaps 4:48
Miles Davis
13     Everytime We Say Goodbye 4:11
Cole Porter
14     I Want to Be Happy 4:27
Vincent Youmans
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone – Lee Konitz (tracks: 1-1 to 3-4)
Bass – Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen (tracks: 1-1 to 2-5, 3-5 to 4-14), Peter Ind (tracks: 2-6 to 3-04)
Drums – Alan Lewitt (tracks: 2-6 to 4-14), Alex Riel (tracks: 1-1, 1-2), Svend Erik Nørregard (tracks: 1-3 to 2-5)
Guitar – Dave Cliff (tracks: 2-6 to 4-2)
Piano – Ole Kock Hansen (tracks: 1-1 to 2-5)
Tenor Saxophone – Warne Marsh

BILL EVANS | LEE KONITZ QUARTET - Together Again (1965-1990) RM | Unofficial Release | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The somewhat notorious bootleg label Moon, which has evidently ceased operations, will really frustrate jazz fans with this release. The quartet featuring both pianist Bill Evans and alto saxophonist Lee Konitz appears only on the closing medley and is marred by a continuous hum. Konitz appears with Niels Pedersen and Alan Dawson on "All the Things You Are" and "What's New?" Evans joins the rhythm section for "Come Rain or Come Shine" and "Beautiful Love." The poor sound with occasional tape dropouts will make it appealing only to the most obsessive fans of Bill Evans and/or Lee Konitz. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    All The Things You Are 10:03
J.Kern
2    What's New? 8:56
B. Haggart
3    Come Rain Or Come Shine 4:22
H. Arlen
4    Beautiful Love 3:21
Young / King / Van Alstyne
5    How Deep Is The Ocean / Detour Ahead / My Melancholy Baby 17:27
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone – Lee Konitz
Bass – Niels Henning Ørsted-Pedersen
Drums – Alan Dawson
Piano – Bill Evans

LEE KONITZ - Move (1994) Unofficial Release | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Lee Konitz has recorded often during his career, but many of the tracks within this CD may be fairly rare. The first eight songs are from two 1956 studio dates in Germany with either Hans Koller on tenor sax and a rotating cast of one or two baritone saxophonists, including Lars Gullin, Willi Sanner, and Rudi Sehring. With the exception of "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You" in which Konitz is the only reed player, the material sticks to originals by either pianist Roland Kovac, Gullin, or the leader; though the music is pleasant, none of the tunes are particularly memorable. Better is a 1958 New York session with Warne Marsh on tenor sax, pianist Billy Taylor, mellophonist Don Elliott, and guitarist Mundell Lowe covering lively takes of "Move" and "Subconscious Lee," Konitz's well-known reworking of "What Is This Called Love?" The last three tracks with Niels Pedersen and Alan Dawson are of historical interest. A very brief but wild interpretation of "What's New" is mainly a feature for Pedersen's extended bass solo; while Konitz invites Evans to join them on stage for a rather choppy "How Deep Is the Ocean," which features a terrific introduction by the pianist, and the more accessible "Beautiful Love." Like most Moon CDs the sound is rather erratic, with the live tracks showing lots of tape hiss and a fair amount of distortion. But both Konitz and Evans fans should consider adding this now out-of-print release to their collections. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    East Of Eden    4:02
2    Stephany    5:01
3    Late Summer    7:02
4    En Rodage    3:58
5    Ablution    4:00
6    Variations No.8 From "Passacaglia"    3:04
7    I'm Getting Sentimental Over You    2:50
8    Lee-La-Lu    5:00
9    Move    3:09
10    Subconscious Lee    2:33
11    What's New    2:30
12    How Deep Is The Ocean?    7:28
13    Beautiful Love    3:38
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Lee Konitz (pistas: 1 to 3, 6 to 13)
Baritone Saxophone – Lars Gullin (pistas: 4, 5), Lee Konitz (pistas: 4, 5), Willi Sanner (pistas: 1, 2, 8)
Bass – Eddie Safranski (pistas: 9, 10), Johnny Fischer (pistas: 1 to 8), Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen (pistas: 11 to 13)
Drums – Alan Dawson (pistas: 11 to 13), Ed Thigpen (pistas: 9, 10), Karl Sanner (pistas: 3 to 8), Rudi Sehring (pistas: 1, 2)
Guitar – Mundell Lowe (pistas: 9, 10)
Mellophone – Don Elliott (pistas: 9, 10)
Piano – Bill Evans (pistas: 11 to 13), Billy Taylor (pistas: 9, 10), Roland Kovac (pistas: 1 to 8)
Tenor Saxophone – Hans Koller (pistas: 1 to 3, 6, 8), Warne Marsh (pistas: 9, 10)
Notas.Tracks 1 to 8 Lee Konitz Ensemble, Kohln, Germany, January 17 & 21, 1956
Tracks 9 to 10 Lee Konitz/Warne Marsh Ensemble, New York, 1958
Tracks 11 to 13 Lee Konitz Trio special guest Bill Evans, Stockholm, Sweden, 1966

ANTHONY BRAXTON - What's New in the Tradition (1991) 2CD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This compiles the earlier two volumes into one release. The great avant-gardist Anthony Braxton threw the jazz world a curve with these two albums. Braxton, filling in for an ill Dexter Gordon, was joined by pianist Tete Montoliu, bassist Niels Pedersen, and drummer Tootie Heath for a set of jazz standards. Braxton pays tribute to each song's melody before tearing into complex, abstract improvisations that are generally ignored by the rhythm section, who go about playing in their usual bop-oriented style. An exception is a duet with bassist Pedersen on a very spooky "Goodbye Pork Pie Hat," one of two songs on which Braxton plays contrabass clarinet. His solo on "Ornithology" on that instrument is a bit silly, for the contrabass clarinet is so low that one has difficulty telling some of its notes apart from each other. A short "Duet" (which teams the leader with Pedersen) is a change of pace and much freer. It's a historical curiosity, but features much less interaction between the trio and Anthony Braxton than one would hope. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1-1    Marshmallow 7:48
Written-By – Warne Marsh
1-2    Goodbye Pork Pie Hat 4:53
Written-By – Charles Mingus
1-3    Just Friends 9:47
Written-By – Klenner, Lewis
1-4    Ornithology 7:22
Written-By – Charlie Parker
1-5    Lush Life 11:59
Written-By – Billy Strayhorn
1-6    Trane's Blues 5:34
Written-By – John Coltrane
2-1    What's New 9:56
Written-By – Haggart
2-2    Duet 3:37
Written-By – Braxton, Ørsted Pedersen
2-3    Body And Soul 10:14
Written-By – Johnny Green
2-4    Marshmallow 6:39
Written-By – Warne Marsh
2-5    Donna Lee 6:33
Written-By – Charlie Parker
2-6    My Funny Valentine 8:05
Written-By – Richard Rodgers
2-7    Half Nelson 4:16
Written-By – Miles Davis
Credits :
Alto Saxophone [Alto Sax], Contrabass Clarinet – Anthony Braxton
Bass – Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
Drums – Albert Tootie Heath
Piano – Tete Montoliu

ALBERT AYLER - My Name Is Albert Ayler (1963-1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 Hearing the soft-spoken voice of Albert Ayler at the beginning of this 1963 recording is spooky. Not because he's gone, but because he's so calm, so young, and so hesitantly articulate: Nothing like the voice of his saxophone playing at all. This session is a reissue of a Fantasy recording, and one which pairs Ayler up with a Scandinavian rhythm section that includes the 16-year-old Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen on bass. After the weirdly wonderful spoken intro, Ayler goes for the throat on soprano in "Bye Bye Blackbird." It's difficult to tell if Ayler's tonality on the horn is intentional or the rhythm section is just so stick-in-the-butt rigid that he sounds more out of tune than he is. Ayler plays tenor on the rest of the program, which includes "Summertime," "Billie's Bounce," "On Green Dolphin Street," and "C.T." The session becomes irritating in that the rhythm section refuses to give Ayler the room he needs: they play straight bop no matter what, as if they couldn't play anything else. Only on "Summertime" does he connect with the inner voices of his emotions and lets loose in what would be come his trademark wail. Born equally of gospel, R&B, and early jazz phrasing, Ayler lets loose a torrent of emotion on the tune, making everything -- and everyone on the bandstand -- else seem nonexistent in comparison. This is a strange record, like a soloist mismatched with the recording of another band, but nonetheless there is that singular tenor voice to contend with, and, on "Summertime," it is unfathomably beautiful.  
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist :
1 Introduction By Albert Ayler 1:15
2 Bye Bye Blackbird 7:30
Written-By – Dixon, Henderson
3 Billie's Bounce 5:59
Written-By – Parker
4 Summertime 8:47
Written-By – Gershwin
5 On Green Dolphin Street 9:05
Written-By – Caper, Washington
6 C.T. 12:02
Written-By – Ayler
Credits :
Bass – Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
Drums – Ronnie Gardiner
Piano – Niels Brønsted
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Albert Ayler

ROLAND KIRK - "Rahsaan" The Complete Mercury Recordings of Roland Kirk (1990) 11xCD BOX-SET | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Rahsaan Roland Kirk's nearly one-dozen long-players on the Mercury Records family of labels -- including the Smash and Limelight subsidiaries -- are gathered on this massive ten-disc compilation. Actually, it is 11 discs if you count the surprise bonus CD. Additionally, Rahsaan: The Complete Mercury Recordings of Roland Kirk lives up to its name by augmenting those albums with more than two-dozen previously unissued sides. Kirk's thoroughly innovative multi-instrumental reed work caught the attention of legendary producer Quincy Jones, then the vice-president of Mercury Records, who signed Kirk and would later arrange and conduct orchestrations for several of his memorable sessions. Perhaps the most recognizable among them is "Soul Bossa Nova" which is heavily featured in the Austin Powers franchise. Kirk's ability to perform several reed instruments -- including the tenor, flute, clarinet, manzello, and stritch -- simultaneously allowed him a musical autonomy few instrumentalists are afforded. His youthful embrace of the R&B, soul, pop, and eventually rock genres produced swinging interpretations of "And I Love Her" and "Walk on By," among others. Regardless of the genre, however, Kirk's ability to Swing -- with a capitol "S" -- is imprinted upon every piece he performed. Although Kirk continued his prolific output on Atlantic records in the late '60s and '70s, arguably his most profound sides are included here. We Free Kings, Domino, Reeds and Deeds, Gifts and Messages, I Talk with the Spirits and Rip, Rig & Panic are offered in their entirety. Undoubtedly the centerpiece of Kirk's work for the label is the live Kirk in Copenhagen, which features some wicked harp blowing from blues legend "Sonny Boy" Williamson, aka Big Skol. It is only fitting that this album benefits so greatly from inclusion on this set. The original six sides have been supplemented with an additional ten to present the entire October '63 performance, now complete at an hour and 45 minutes. Rahsaan: The Complete Mercury Recordings if Roland Kirk is complimented visually with a 56-page information packed booklet that includes: complete discographical and recording session logs, as well individual essays for each disc. Although not for the light of funds, this is truly the best way to become immersed in these early works of Rahsaan Roland Kirk. Lindsay Planer
All Tracks & Credits

ROLAND KIRK - Kirk In Copenhagen (1963-2004) RM | Serie : LP Reproduction | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

In addition to being Roland Kirk's first live long-player, the breakthrough Kirk in Copenhagen was his fifth in a little over two years during his particularly prolific relationship with Mercury Records. On this 1964 release, Kirk heads up a truly integrated quintet featuring the multi-reedsmith (tenor sax, flute, manzello, strich, nose flute, and siren) as well as Tete Montoliu (piano) from Spain, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen (bass) from Denmark, and a pair of Yanks in Don Moore (bass) and J.C. Moses (drums). The dementedly humorous blues workout on "The Monkey Thing" features a character by the name of Big Skol (mouth harp) -- whose true identity is none other than Sonny Boy Williamson. It is presumed that contractual or other potentially litigious circumstances prevented the blues legend from being properly credited at the time of this LP's initial release. Although somewhat ragtag in derivation, the combo quickly finds its sonic niche. The opener, "Narrow Bolero," audibly suffers from a rhythmically disoriented Moses, whose sloppy skins and decidedly uneven timing are brutally evident on occasion. Thankfully, he quickly smartens up and his contributions -- especially to "Cabin in the Sky" -- are both engaging and active in their solidification of the rhythm section. Nowhere is Moses more in control than the set's brilliant conclusion, "On the Corner of King and Scott Streets." The band commences and concludes with an open throttle as it blazes through the high-velocity and densely intricate jam, the bottom of which falls out, providing Kirk plenty of space to improvise wildly, utilizing his clever wit and immensely expressive musicality. The ten-CD Rahsaan: The Complete Mercury Recordings of Roland Kirk box set from 1990 embellishes the half-dozen performances included on this album with an additional ten sides. Ultimately, this yields over an hour and 45 minutes of primal live Kirk, and is considered by many enthusiasts as worthy of the nominal investment needed to acquire the otherwise essential and definitively comprehensive compilation. Kirk in Copenhagen was reissued on CD as part of Verve's classic reissue program in a limited edition with beautifully remastered sound in a digipack replica of the original LP sleeve. There is no bonus material on this reissue. Lindsay Planer  
Tracklist :
1     Narrow Bolero 5'23
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
2     Mingus-Griff Song 8'07
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
3     The Monkey Thing 5'43
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
4     Mood Indigo 7'17
Barney Bigard / Duke Ellington / Irving Mills
5     Cabin in the Sky 7'46
Vernon Duke / John Latouche
6     On the Corner of King and Scott Streets 4'12
Rahsaan Roland Kirk
Credits :
Bass – Don Moore, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
Drums – J.C. Moses
Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson
Piano – Tete Montoliu
Producer – Quincy Jones
Tenor Saxophone, Idiophone [Manzello, Stritch], Flute, Siren, By – Roland Kirk

ROLAND KIRK QUARTET WITH TETE MONTOLIU - Copenhagen Concert (2005) 2CD | FLAC (tracks), lossless

There are many wonderful ways to get acquainted or stay in touch with the spirit of Rahsaan Roland Kirk. For a truly mind-altering and life-changing listening experience, try this Lone Hill Jazz double-CD reissue of Kirk's amazing performances recorded live at the Club Montmartre in Copenhagen on October 24 and 25, 1963. (Present in the audience on the second night was John Coltrane, who was resting his chops after playing the Tivolis Koncertsal.) Earlier that year, Kirk was working out of Chicago when a promoter from Sweden heard him and suggested a Scandinavian tour. By late September Kirk was in London playing to packed houses at Ronnie Scott's and the Marquee Club. The tour then expanded as Kirk roared through Italy, France, Belgium, Germany and Holland in addition to Sweden and Denmark. Fortunately, Quincy Jones arranged for the Copenhagen Concert to be recorded, preserving for posterity the magical interplay between this joyously driven multi-instrumental Ohioan and the Barcelona-born pianist Tete Montoliu, bassists Don Moore and Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, and drummer J.C. Moses, who by the end of the decade would serve as the house drummer at Café Montmartre. Two tracks feature special guest blues harmonica legend Sonny Boy Williamson, identified on most previous issues only as 'Big Skol'. The gutsy combination of Kirk and Williamson on "Untitled Blues" and "The Monkey Thing" is a spicy treat that meshes nicely with Williamson's other European and British adventures in the company of Memphis Slim, Eric Clapton, the Yardbirds, and Eric Burdon & the Animals. According to what Kirk says by way of introduction, he and Sonny Boy Williamson had previously gigged together in Milwaukee, which makes their Danish rendezvous somewhat of a reunion jam. Every aspect of Kirk's artistry is documented on the Copenhagen recordings -- gorgeous ballads, gleefully reconstituted standards and fiery originals. Essential features are his supreme one-man three-sax and flute adaptation of "Mood Indigo," a bouncing medley that opens with a rousing "Rock-A-Bye Baby" and Kirk's blustery, screaming over-the-top flute solo during "On the Corner of King and Scott Streets." This edition also contains two exciting bonus tracks: a sunny seven-minute version of "A Stritch in Time" recorded live at the 1962 Newport Jazz Festival, and a rare recording of a nearly 15-minute jam on Charlie Parker's "Au Privave," tape recorded by an enterprising amateur at a gig in Berlin on September 24, 1964. In addition to Tete Montoliu, bassist Jimmy Woode, and drummer Kenny Clarke, this steamy blowout features alto saxophonist Sonny Stitt. Those who really love their jazz will want to absorb this track in all its muddy-sounding "bootleg" splendor, as this is the only known recording of Sonny Stitt and Rahsaan Roland Kirk performing together. Don't miss it. arwulf arwulf  
Tracklist 1 :
1-1    Narrow Bolero    8:24
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
1-2    My Heart Stood Still    5:50
 Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
1-3    No Title No. 1    5:56
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
1-4    Mood Indigo    7:14
 Ellington / Mills / Bigard
1-5    Cabin In The Sky    7:47
Duke / Latouche
1-6    On The Corner Of King And Scott Streets    4:41
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
1-7    Untitled Blues    6:16
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
1-8    The Monkey Thing    5:55
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
1-9    Will You Still Be Mine?    8:40
 Adair / Dennis
1-10    One For My Baby    3:54
 Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer
1-11    We'll Be Together Again    5:21
Fisher / Laine
1-12    Mingus-Griff Song    8:03
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
Tracklist 2 :
2-1    Mood Indigo    7:28
Ellington / Mills / Bigard
2-2    Medley: Rock-A-Bye Baby / The Nearness Of You / No Title No. 3    12:35
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk / Ned Washington
2-3    Half A Triple    4:54
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
2-4    Narrow Bolero    6:46
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
2-5    A Stritch In Time    7:08
 Rahsaan Roland Kirk
2-6    Au Privave    14:37
C. Parker
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Sonny Stitt (pistas: 2-6)
Bass – Don Moore (pistas: 1-1 to 2-4), Jimmy Woode (pistas: 2-6), Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen (pistas: 1-1 to 2-4), Vernon Martin (pistas: 2-5)
Drums – Clifford Jarvis (pistas: 2-5), J.C. Moses (pistas: 1-1 to 2-4), Kenny Clarke (pistas: 2-6)
Harmonica – Sonny Boy Williamson (pistas: 1-7, 1-8)
Nose Flute – Roland Kirk (pistas: 1-1 to 2-4)
Piano – Andrew Hill (pistas: 2-5), Tete Montoliu (pistas: 1-1 to 2-4, 2-6)
Siren, Flute – Roland Kirk (pistas: 1-1 to 2-5)
Tenor Saxophone, Saxophone [Manzello], Saxophone [Stritch] – Roland Kirk
Vocals – Sonny Boy Williamson (pistas: 1-7)

ARCHIE SHEPP | LARS GULLIN QUINTET - The House I Live In (1963-1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This is a fascinating release. Tenor-saxophonist Archie Shepp would not burst upon the U.S. avant-garde scene until 1964-65 but here he is featured at a Danish concert with the great coolbop baritonist Lars Gullin and a top-notch straightahead rhythm section (pianist Tete Montoliu, bassist Niels Pedersen and drummer Alex Riel). The quintet stretches out on four lengthy standards (including "Sweet Georgia Brown" and a 19-minute rendition of "You Stepped out of a Dream") and it is particularly interesting to hear the reactions of the other musicians to Shepp's rather free flights; at a couple of points Gullin tries to copy him. An important historical release. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     You Stepped Out of a Dream 19'06
Nacio Herb Brown / Gus Kahn
2     I Should Care 9'00
Sammy Cahn / Axel Stordahl / Paul Weston
3     The House I Live In 9'09
Earl Robinson
4     Sweet Georgia Brown 11'22
Ben Bernie / Kenneth Casey / Maceo Pinkard
Credits :
Baritone Saxophone – Lars Gullin
Bass – Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
Drums – Alex Riel
Piano – Tete Montoliu
Tenor Saxophone – Archie Shepp

ARCHIE SHEPP & NIELS-HENNING ØRSTED PEDERSEN - Looking At Bird (1981-1986) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Avant-garde tenor saxophonist Archie Shepp created a stir in 1977 when he recorded a set of hymns and folk melodies in melodic duets with pianist Horace Parlan. On February 6, 1980, he reunited with Parlan for a set of blues associated with Bessie Smith, and the following day, as a sort of sequel, Shepp played eight songs associated with Charlie Parker in collaboration with bassist Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen. Although never a bebopper, Shepp does surprisingly well on such tunes as "Moose the Mooche," "Ornithology," "Yardbird Suite" and "Confirmation," even if he makes the mistake of doubling on his erratic soprano during a few numbers. Archie Shepp pays tribute to Bird not by copying him, but by being creative and playing Parker's repertoire in his own sound. Recommended. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Moose The Mooche 6:23
Composed By – Charlie Parker
2    Embraceable You 4:40
Composed By – George Gershwin
3    Ornithology 5:42
Composed By – Benny Harris
4    Billie's Bounch 5:20
Composed By – Charlie Parker
5    Yardbird Suite 4:31
Composed By – Charlie Parker
6    Blues For Alice 5:48
Composed By – Charlie Parker
7    How Deep Is The Ocean 5:50
Composed By – Irving Berlin
8    Confirmation 5:46
Composed By – Charlie Parker
Credits :
Bass – Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Archie Shepp

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

BENNY CARTER 4 - Montreux '77 (1977-1989) RM | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1     Three Little Words 5:44
Bert Kalmar / Harry Ruby    
2     In a Mellow Tone 8:35
Duke Ellington / Milt Gabler    
3     Wave 6:18
Antônio Carlos Jobim    
4     Undecided 5:45
Sydney Robin / Charlie Shavers    
5     Body and Soul 7:01
Frank Eyton / Johnny Green / Edward Heyman / Robert Sour
6     On Green Dolphin Street 6:27
Bronislaw Kaper / Ned Washington    
7     Here's That Rainy Day 6:00
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Trumpet – Benny Carter
Bass – Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
Drums – Jimmie Smith
Piano – Ray Bryant
Producer – Norman Granz

JOHNNY GRIFFIN - The Man I Love (1967-1988) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Teamed up with pianist Kenny Drew, bassist Niels Pedersen and drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath for a club date at Copenhagen's Montmartre in 1967 (reissued on CD by Black Lion), the great tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin really stretches out on four numbers: "The Man I Love," "Hush-A-Bye," "Blues for Harvey" and a memorable version of "The Masquerade Is Over." Griffin shows why he was early on billed as "the world's fastest tenor" although he also displays warmth on "Sophisticated Lady." A fine example of Griffin's underrated talents. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     The Man I Love 12'18
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
2     Hush-A-Bye 9'16
Traditional
3     Blues for Harvey 12'29
Johnny Griffin
4     The Masquerade Is Over 12'58
Herbert Magidson / Allie Wrubel
5     Sophisticated Lady 5'44
Duke Ellington / Irving Mills / Mitchell Parish
6     Wee 2'17
Denzil Best
Credits :
Bass – Nils-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
Drums – Al Heath
Piano – Kenny Drew
Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Griffin