THELONIOUS MONK — Genius of Modern Music, Vol. 2 (1952) RM | MONO | RVG Edition, Modern Jazz Series | Two Version | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The second volume in this two-disc series displays Thelonious Monk coming into his own fully as a leader. The program consists almost entirely of original compositions, and in fact it opens with two of his most difficult: "Four in One" (with its conventional bop intro that leads into a bizarre, repeated five-against-two quintuplet sequence) and the forbiddingly abstract "Criss Cross." Get through those and you'll eventually be rewarded with the relatively straightforward, blues-based "Straight No Chaser" and the sweet ballad "Ask Me Now," among other treats. Sidemen include the young trumpeter Kenny Dorham and bassist Al McKibbon, as well as a more clued-in Art Blakey and (replacing Blakey on half of the program) Max Roach. Sahib Shihab's sax tone is more appropriate this time out, and the production quality is somewhat better. This disc, along with Volume 1, belongs in every jazz collection. Rick Anderson
Tracklist :
1.    Four In One    3:27
 Thelonious Monk 
2.    Four In One (Alternate Take)    3:26
 Thelonious Monk 
3.    Criss Cross    2:55
 Thelonious Monk 
4.    Criss Cross (Alternate Take)    2:48
 Thelonious Monk 
5.    Eronel    3:01
 Thelonious Monk 
6.    Straight No Chaser    2:54
 Thelonious Monk 
7.    Ask Me Now (Alternate Take)    4:26
 Thelonious Monk 
8.    Ask Me Now    3:12
 Thelonious Monk 
9.    Willow Weep For Me  3:00
Written-By – Ann Ronnell
10.    Skippy    2:55
 Thelonious Monk 
11.    Skippy (Alternate Take)    3:07
 Thelonious Monk 
12.    Hornin' In (Alternate Take)    3:05
 Thelonious Monk 
13.    Hornin' In    3:07
 Thelonious Monk 
14.    Sixteen (First Take)    3:28
 Thelonious Monk 
15.    Sixteen (Second Take)    3:36
 Thelonious Monk 
16.    Carolina Moon  3:25
Written-By – Davis, Burke
17.    Let's Cool One    3:45
 Thelonious Monk 
18.    I'll Follow You  3:46
Written-By – Alhert, Turk
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Lou Donaldson (tracks: 10 to 17), Sahib Shihab (tracks: 1 to 6, 9)
Bass – Al McKibbon (tracks: 1 to 9), Nelson Boyd (tracks: 10 to 18)
Drums – Art Blakey (tracks: 1 to 9), Max Roach (tracks: 10 to 18)
Piano – Thelonious Monk
Producer – Alfred Lion
Reissue Producer – Michael Cuscuna
Tenor Saxophone – Lucky Thompson (tracks: 10 to 17)
Transferred By [Disc Transfers, 2001], Restoration [Digital Audio Restoration, 2001], Remastered By [Mastered By, 2001] – Rudy Van Gelder
Trumpet – Kenny Dorham (tracks: 10 to 17)
Vibraphone – Milt Jackson (tracks: 1 to 6, 9) 

DIZZY GILLESPIE — Birks Works : The Verve Big Band Sessions (1995) 2CD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist + Credits :

ERROLL GARNER – 1947-1949 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1109 (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Here's one package that demonstrates the piano artistry of Erroll Garner in several settings -- as a solo act, with trio and quartet, and as an integral part of a jumpin' sextet caught live in concert. The Just Jazz series was producer Gene Norman's answer to Norman Granz's Jazz at the Philharmonic. Beginning with a jam on Edgar Sampson's "Blue Lou," the main attraction here is tenor saxophonist Wardell Gray. "One O'Clock Jump" and its three sequels bring on trumpeter Howard McGhee, trombonist Vic Dickenson, and Benny Carter on alto sax. (Neither the bassist nor the excellent guitarist are even mentioned let alone identified in the enclosed discography.) In a tasty example of resourceful editing, tracks three through six have been seamlessly linked into one more or less continuous performance. The same trick was accomplished with both halves of "Lover" (tracks seven and eight), which was performed by the rhythm section only. Garner's next recordings were made almost exactly one year later in front of a live audience with guitarist Ulysses Livingston and bassist John Simmons. Four beautiful, superbly crafted studies for solo piano were recorded for the Vogue label in Paris on May 15, 1948. These tracks, which might be new to some U.S. listeners, are a real treat for the Garner connoisseur. Garner was back in California two months later, punching out a version of "Just You, Just Me" at another Just Jazz concert with guitarist Oscar Moore, bassist Nelson Boyd, and drummer Teddy Stewart. This excellent compilation concludes with seven relaxed ballads and one feisty take of "Stompin' at the Savoy" recorded for the Savoy label in February and March 1949. Alvin Stoller and John Simmons interact marvelously with Garner, who was now developing into a purveyor of what has been accurately described as the "rhapsodic ballad." The wide range of styles and instrumentation on this disc mark it as an excellent choice for those who wish to experience the art of Erroll Garner from a variety of musical perspectives. arwulf arwulf  
Tracklist + Credits :