ELVIN JONES — Youngblood (1992-2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although this superior set features three of the top Young Lions (tenors Joshua Redman and Javon Jackson and trumpeter Nicholas Payton), along with the fine bassist George Mraz, drummer Elvin Jones, 64 at the time, sounds like the youngest member of the group. The well-rounded CD has individual features for Redman ("Angel Eyes"), Payton ("Body and Soul") and Mraz ("My Romance"), along with the leader (the unaccompanied drum solo "Ding-A-Ling-A-Ling"), and has consistently inspired playing from all of the musicians. An excellent effort. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Not Yet    3:52
 Javon Jackson
2    Have You Seen Elveen?    7:40
 Nicholas Payton
3    Angel Eyes    8:45
 Earl Brent / Matt Dennis
4    Ding-A-Ling-A-Ling    7:18
 Elvin Jones
5    Lady Luck    9:27
 Thad Jones / Frank Wess
6    The Biscuit Man    3:57
 Donald Brown
7    Body And Soul    6:12
 Frank Eyton / Johnny Green / Edward Heyman / Robert Sour
8    Strange    4:12
 George Mraz
9    My Romance    6:13
 Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
10    Youngblood    5:52
 Elvin Jones
Credits :
Bass – George Mraz (tracks: 1 to 3,5 to 10)
Drums – Elvin Jones
Recorded By – Rudy Van Gelder
Tenor Saxophone – Javon Jackson (tracks: 1,2,5,6,8,10), Joshua Redman (tracks: 1 to 3,5,6,8,10)
Trumpet – Nicholas Payton (tracks: 1,2,5 to 8,10)

ELVIN JONES — Going Home (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

On Elvin Jones' third Enja CD of the 1990s, the legendary drummer continues with the same formula used on his previous recording, Youngblood, with one exception. Jones adds the veteran Chicago pianist Willie Pickens to a group of younger players -- trumpeter Nicholas Payton, saxophonists Javon Jackson and Ravi Coltrane, flutist Kent Jordan, and bassist Brad Jones -- as they perform a program of standards and originals powered by Jones' always dynamic drumming. Never known as a composer, Jones wrote three of the eight compositions on Going Home. "The Shell Game" sounds like a figure Jones would play on the drums; it's a brief melody that serves as a springboard for the soloists. "April 8th" begins with Jones playing a march that quickly develops into an up-tempo burner with a march-like bridge, while the title track is a down-home blues featuring Pickens' piano. "Truth," written by Jones' wife Keiko, begins with a drum solo that develops into a Japanese folk song-like melody, then develops into a finger-poppin' groove. Payton, 19 years old at the time of this recording, shows the promise here that makes him a player to watch in years to come. A welcome addition to Jones' extensive discography. Greg Turner
Tracklist :
1    The Shell Game 12:03
Written-By – Elvin Jones
2    Going Home 4:53
Written-By – Elvin Jones
3    Cross Purpose 3:35
Written-By – Thad Jones
4    You've Changed 8:37
Written-By – B. Carey, C. Fisher
5    Truth 11:52
Written-By – Keiko Jones
6    East Of The Sun 4:00
Written-By – Brooks Bowman
7    In 3/4 Thee 6:36
Written-By – Ravi Coltrane
8    April 8th 6:32
Written-By – Elvin Jones
Credits :
Bass – Brad Jones
Drums – Elvin Jones
Flute, Piccolo Flute – Kent Jordan
Piano – Willie Pickens
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Ravi Coltrane
Tenor Saxophone – Javon Jackson
Trumpet – Nicholas Payton

ELVIN JONES — It Don't Mean A Thing ... (1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Elvin Jones has participated in many recording sessions through the years, but this CD is one of the most well-rounded sets he has ever led. The lineup of musicians is very impressive: trumpeter Nicholas Payton, Sonny Fortune on tenor and flute, trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis, pianist Willie Pickens, bassist Cecil McBee, and vocalist Kevin Mahogany. Everyone plays up to their potential and the material has plenty of variety, ranging from Monk, Ellington, and Strayhorn to a traditional Japanese folk song arranged by Elvin's wife, Keiko ("A Lullaby of Itsugo Village"), two features for Mahogany (a touching version of "Lush Life" and his scat-filled "Bopsy"), and some authentic-sounding R&B (Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come"). Payton, Marsalis, and Fortune are not on every selection, but each have their chance to shine while pianist Willie Pickens is showcased with the trio on a medley of "A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing" and "Ask Me Now." And as for the drummer, there is still no one around who has captured the sound and spirit of Elvin Jones. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Green Chimneys 6:58
Written-By – Thelonious Monk
2    A Lullaby Of Itsugo Village 6:04
Traditional
Arranged By – Keiko Jones
3    It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing 5:39
Written-By – Duke Ellington
4    Lush Life 6:41
Written-By – Billy Strayhorn
5    Zenzo's Spirit 6:54
Written-By – Keiko Jones
6a    A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing
Written-By – Billy Strayhorn
6b    Ask Me Now 9:06
Written-By – Thelonious Monk
7    Bopsy 4:18
Written-By – Kevin Mahogany
8    Fatima's Waltz 6:26
Written-By – Keiko Jones
9    A Change Is Gonna Come 5:23
Written-By – Sam Cooke
Credits :
Arranged By – Gene Perla
Bass – Cecil McBee
Drums – Elvin Jones
Flute, Tenor Saxophone – Sonny Fortune
Trombone – Delfeayo Marsalis
Trumpet – Nicholas Paytona\Q1Q
Vocals – Kevin Mahogany

ELVIN JONES — Jazz Machine (1997) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    April 8th 7:03
Composed By – Elvin Jones
2    East Of The Sun 4:06
Composed By – Brooks Bowman
3    Zenzo's Spirit 6:57
Composed By – Keiko Jones
4    A Change Is Gonna Come 5:25
Composed By – Sam Cooke
5    It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing 5:38
Composed By – Duke Ellington
6    Angel Eyes 8:50
Composed By – Matt Dennis
7    Have You Seen Elveen 7:54
Composed By – Nicholas Payton
8    My Romance 6:25
Composed By – Rodgers & Hart
9    A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing/Ask Me Now 9:13
Composed By – Billy Strayhorn, Thelonious Monk
10    Island Birdie 13:02
Composed By – McCoy Tyner
Credits :
Bass – Brad Jones (tracks: 1,2), Cecil McBee (tracks: 3-5,9), Chip Jackson (tracks: 10), George Mraz (tracks: 6,7,8)
Flute, Piccolo Flute – Kent Jordan (tracks: 1,2)
Piano – Willie Pickens (tracks: 1-5,9,10)
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Ravi Coltrane (tracks: 1,2,10)
Tenor Saxophone – Javon Jackson (tracks: 1,2,7), Joshua Redman (tracks: 6,7)
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Sonny Fortune (tracks: 3-5,9,10)
Trombone – Delfeayo Marsalis (tracks: 3-5,9)
Trumpet – Nicholas Payton (tracks: 1-5,7,9)

STANLEY JORDAN — Friends (2011) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Guitarist Stanley Jordan's innovative touch technique, often played in a solo setting at the beginning of his career in the mid-'80s, was a breath of fresh air. He has since been an explorer open to many styles, as heard on this collaboration with a number of different musicians. He is still very much a force as a soloist, yet not one to hog the spotlight with his formidable abilities. Jordan is joined by Kenny Garrett (on soprano sax), trumpeter Nicholas Payton, bassist Christian McBride, and drummer Kenwood Dennard for his blazing post-bop anthem "Capital J." The same lineup is used for the mellow contemporary ballad "Bathed in Light" with Dennard overdubbing on keyboard; the robust solos and crisp ensemble work keep things from degrading into run-of-the-mill smooth jazz. Jordan collaborates with several different guitarists. Octogenarian Bucky Pizzarelli, a master of seven-string guitar who is equally capable playing lead and rhythm, is on hand for a gently swinging, bluesy "Lil' Darlin'," while Russell Malone joins the leader and Pizzarelli for an explosive take of "Seven Come Eleven" (a tune Pizzarelli doubtlessly played many times during his time with Benny Goodman). Mike Stern accompanies Jordan for a brisk workout of "Giant Steps," with Dennard sticking to soft brushwork. Guitarist Charlie Hunter is on hand for Jordan's funky "Walkin' the Dog" and Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl," the latter in which the leader plays piano with one hand and guitar with the other. Perhaps the most unusual track is an adaptation of the "Romantic Intermezzo" from Béla Bartók's Concerto for Orchestra, with Jordan playing piano (his first instrument) accompanied by the brilliant violinist Regina Carter, demonstrating Jordan's love for a good melody regardless of the style of music. Jazz fans who have lost track of Stanley Jordan since his early solo recordings will have their ears opened by this diverse, successful meeting with his many friends. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    Capital J    6:40
 Stanley Jordan
2    Walkin' The Dog    6:12
 Stanley Jordan
3    Lil' Darlin'    5:43
 Neal Hefti
4    Giant Steps    4:33
 John Coltrane
5    I Kissed A Girl    5:46
 Cathy Dennis / Dr. Luke / Max Martin / Katy Perry
6    Samba Delight    5:30
 Stanley Jordan
7    Seven Come Eleven    5:33
 Charlie Christian / Benny Goodman
8    Bathed In Light    7:49
 Stanley Jordan
9    Romantic Intermezzo From Bartok's Concerto For Orchestra    8:33
 Béla Bartók
10    Reverie    3:59
 Claude Debussy
11    One For Milton    4:08
 Kenwood Dennard / Stanley Jordan / Russell Malone
Credits :
Contrabass – Charnett Moffett (tracks: 5,6,10), Christian McBride (tracks: 1,8)
Drums – Kenwood Dennard (tracks: 1 to 8,10,11)
Guitar – Bucky Pizzarelli (tracks: 3,6), Charlie Hunter (tracks: 2,5), Mike Stern (tracks: 4), Russell Malone (tracks: 6,11), Stanley Jordan
Piano – Stanley Jordan (tracks: 5,9)
Soprano Saxophone – Kenny Garrett (tracks: 1,8), Ronnie Laws (tracks: 7)
Trumpet – Nicholas Payton (tracks: 1,8)
Violin – Regina Carter (tracks: 7,9)

RAY BROWN TRIO — Some of My Best Friends Are ... The Trumpet Players (2000) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Ray Brown did it again with the fourth installment in his Some of My Best Friends Are... series, spotlighting some of the hottest trumpet players around and producing one of the finest trumpet-fronted small group recordings to come down the jazz pike in a while. Featuring a six-pack of hornmen ranging from octogenarian Clark Terry to youngsters Roy Hargrove and Nicholas Payton, this CD alternately cooks and simmers, with the ballads especially standing out in their spaciousness and beauty. The blend of Brown's bass and Jon Faddis' trumpet on a slowed-down "Bag's Groove" is particularly appealing in its sparseness. The intro and outro duets between Brown's bass and James Morrison's dry trumpet tone on "I Thought About You" are also entrancing in their openness. Terrence Blanchard lays out a smoky lead line over Geoff Keezer's bluesy late-night piano on Benny Goodman's old sign-off theme, "Goodbye," bringing a new poignancy to the tune. On the most noteworthy upbeat number, Payton really smokes on Joe Henderson's composition, "The Kicker," though the track mysteriously fades out too early. Brown himself is fantastic throughout this disc, and he and his trio mates Keezer and drummer Karriem Riggins anchor the proceedings masterfully. Jim Newsom   Tracklist & Credits :

ABBEY LINCOLN — Wholly Earth (1998) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Lincoln's place among the pantheon of great jazz singers is undisputed, but this recording finds her voice past its best years. The ravages of time have taken their toll, and the result is pleasant but not her best work. The drop in strength is especially evident in the opening duet with a much younger Maggie Brown. Still, the album has many fine moments, such as an easy swinging "If I Only Had a Brain" and the sweet original "And It's Supposed to Be Love." Her band is particularly fine, especially pianist Marc Cary and Bobby Hutcherson on vibes. Tim Sheridan
Tracklist :
1     And It's Supposed to Be Love 5:12
Abbey Lincoln
2     Midnight Sun 8:23
Sonny Burke / Lionel Hampton / Johnny Mercer
3     Wholly Earth 6:01
Abbey Lincoln
4     Look to the Star 6:42
Abbey Lincoln
5     Another World 9:13
Abbey Lincoln
6     Conversation With a Baby 6:36
Abbey Lincoln
7     If I Only Had a Brain 5:33
Harold Arlen / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
8     Another Time, Another Place 7:13
Benny Carter
9     Caged Bird 7:04
Abbey Lincoln
10     Learning How to Listen 6:32
Abbey Lincoln
Credits :
Bass – John Ormond (faixas: 2 to 8, 10), Michael Bowie (faixas: 1, 9)
Drums – Alvester Garnett
Flugelhorn – Nicholas Payton (faixas: 8)
Marimba – Bobby Hutcherson (faixas: 1)
Percussion – Daniel Moreno (faixas: 1, 3, 5, 6, 9)
Piano – James Hurt (faixas: 1, 9), Marc Cary (faixas: 2 to 8, 10)
Trumpet – Nicholas Payton (faixas: 4)
Vibraphone – Bobby Hutcherson (faixas: 2, 4, 8, 10)
Vibraphone, Marimba – Bobby Hutcherson (faixas: 5, 6, 9)
Vocals – Maggie Brown (faixas: 1, 9)
Vocals, Arranged By – Abbey Lincoln

TERESA BREWER & FRIENDS - Memories of Louis (1992) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

 The singing of Teresa Brewer was always producer Bob Thiele's blind spot. Although equipped with a voice quite suitable for pop and country music, Brewer always sounded overly cute and out of place when performing jazz, despite her husband's successful attempts to team her with the who's who of jazz. This CD is quite remarkable, for there are few singers who sound less like Louis Armstrong than Brewer, yet here she is singing a dozen of Satch's standards. What's more, she is joined by a different trumpeter on each track: Clark Terry, Nicholas Payton, Ruby Braff, Freddie Hubbard, Wynton Marsalis, Roy Hargrove, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Lew Soloff, Terence Blanchard, Yank Lawson, Red Rodney and Dizzy Gillespie. (Where was Miles Davis?) Fortunately, each of the brassmen gets a worthwhile amount of solo space, only two songs are under 4½ minutes, and Brewer generally takes just two choruses. None of the boppish renditions sound at all close to New Orleans jazz, nor do any of the trumpeters show off much of a Louis Armstrong influence. A strange but very intriguing record. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist  :
1 I Can't Give You Anything But Love 5:51
Dorothy Fields / Jimmy McHugh
2   What a Wonderful World 7:01
George Douglas / Bob Thiele / George David Weiss
3   Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams (And Dream Your Troubles Away) 5:38
Harry Barris / Ted Koehler / Billy Moll
4  Basin Street Blues 5:40
Spencer Williams
5  I'm Confessin' (That I Love You) 7:21
Doc Daugherty / Al J. Neiburg / Ellis Reynolds
6  Ain't Misbehavin' 4:14
Harry Brooks / Andy Razaf / Fats Waller
7  Hello, Dolly! 5:44
Jerry Herman
8  I've Got the World on a String 6:17
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
 9 St. Louis Blues 4:43
W.C. Handy
10   When It's Sleepy Time Down South 6:26
Clarence Muse / Otis Rene / Leon René
11     Stardust 3:52
Hoagy Carmichael / Mitchell Parish
12  Blueberry Hill 4:43
Al Lewis / Vincent Rose / Larry Stock

 Credits :
Trumpet – Freddie Hubbard, Roy Hargrove, Terence Blanchard, Wynton Marsalis
Vocals - Teresa Brewer

JIMMY SMITH - Damn! (1995) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Damn! marked Jimmy Smith's return to the Verve label after an absence of 20-plus years (he originally recorded for the label from 1963 to 1972), and paired with a group of young and sympathetic jazz players that includes Roy Hargrove and Nicholas Payton on trumpet and Ron Blake and Mark Tuner on sax, he sounds invigorated here, striding across the Hammond B-3 keys with definite energy. The whole album, start to finish, works a wonderful groove, but versions here of James Brown's "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag," Herbie Hancock's "Watermelon Man," and Charlie Parker's "Scrapple from the Apple" are particularly strong. Smith was arguably at his best in stripped-down trios, and his work for Blue Note between 1956 and 1960 will always be the quality reference point for his extensive canon, but Damn! is right up there with his best work, full of a joyous energy, and it sparked a resurgence of sorts for Smith. by Steve Leggett
Tracklist :
 1     Papa's Got a Brand New Bag 730
James Brown
2     Sister Sadie 6:57
Horace Silver
3     Woody 'N' You 6:50
Dizzy Gillespie
4     The One Before This 6:53
Gene Ammons
5     Watermelon Man 8:43
Herbie Hancock
6     This Here 7:30
Bobby Timmons
7     Scrapple from the Apple 5:25
Charlie Parker
8     Hi-Fly 6:35
Randy Weston
9     A la Mode 6:25
Curtis Fuller
Credits :
Bass – Christian McBride
Drums – Art Taylor (faixas: 2 to 4, 6 to 9)
Guitar – Mark Whitfield
Organ – Jimmy Smith
Tenor Saxophone – Mark Turner (faixas: 4, 6, 7), Ron Blake (faixas: 4, 5, 9), Tim Warfield (faixas: 2, 4, 5, 9)
Trumpet – Nicholas Payton (faixas: 1, 3, 5, 7, 8), Roy Hargrove (faixas: 1, 3, 5 to 7) 

RODNEY WHITAKER - Children of the Light [1996] KOC / FLAC

For his debut as leader, Rodney Whitaker takes center stage on several melodies and solos frequently. His playing is well-rounded in every respect, and he has a supple, sleek, strong tone. His core group for this outing consists of James Carter (tenor sax), Cassius Richmond (flute), Wallace Roney and Nicholas Payton (trumpet), Cyrus Chestnut (piano), Karriem Riggins and Gregory Hutchinson (drums), and Andrew Daniels (percussion); pianist Geri Allen and baritone saxophonist Alex Harding make cameo appearances. Three of the 11 tracks were penned by Whitaker -- the bass/percussion workout "Woman Child," the jungly "(Queen) Roz," and the crackling "Langman." Ken Cox's triumphant melody for Nelson Mandela, "Mandela's Mood," is a highlight, featuring bright melodies and Afro-Cuban underpinnings. Everyone solos on this piece, but it's Carter's histrionics that really provide the exclamation point. There are two hard boppers -- a version of "Broadway" featuring a path-clearing solo by Carter, and Richmond's "Mood Swings," which finds Carter and Roney acting like Wayne Shorter and Miles Davis. The title track features Payton's plaintive head statement and Chestnut's fervid solo. Whitaker's wife, Monzola, contributes the soft "One Silent Moment," while Roney lights things up for "On Dolphin Street." Allen waxes poetic beneath a bed of exotic, subtle rhythms on "El Morro," and the finale, "Cultural Warrior," is languid and solemn. Whitaker shows a grand diversity on this complete package of modern jazz. Highly recommended.  by Michael G. Nastos 
Tracklist
1. Mandela’s Muse (Kenn Cox) 6:47
2. Broadway (Henry Woode / Teddy McRae / Bill Bird) 4:30 
3. One Silent Moment (Monzola Whitaker) 6:06
4. On Green Dolphin Street (Ned Washington / Bronislaw Kaper) 5:32
5. Woman Child (Rodney Whitaker) 5:14
6. Mood Swings (Cassius Richmond) 7:26
7. (Queen) Roz (Rodney Whitaker) 6:53
8. Children of the Light (Roland Guerrin) 5:51
9. Langman (Rodney Whitaker) 7:00
10. El Morro (Francisco Mora) 7:14
11. Cultural Warrior (Francisco Mora) 7:02
Recorded at Power Station, NYC on September 13 & 14, 1995.
Credits
Nicholas Payton – Trumpet (1, 2, 3, 7, 8)
Wallace Roney – Trumpet (4, 6, 9, 10)
James Carter – Tenor Saxophone (except 5, 8, 11)
Cassius Richmond – Flute (1, 3, 10)
Cyrus Chestnut – Piano (except 4, 5, 10)
Geri Allen – Piano (4, 10)
Alex Harding – Baritone Saxophone (3)
Rodney Whitaker – Bass
Kariem Riggins – Drums (1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 11)
Gregory Hutchinson – Drums (4, 5, 6, 9, 10)
Andrew Daniels II – Percussion (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10)

RODNEY WHITAKER - Children of the Light 

[1996] KOCH JAZZ / FLAC / scans

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