MARCUS ROBERTS — As Serenity Approache (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Every one of pianist Marcus Roberts's recordings thus far are recommended. This outing has 11 impressive solo performances and eight duets with trumpeters Scotty Barnhart, Nicholas Payton and Wynton Marsalis (the latter on a fun version of Jelly Roll Morton's "King Porter Stomp"), Todd Williams on clarinet and tenor and trombonist Ronald Westray in addition to two meetings with fellow pianist Ellis Marsalis. This music finds Roberts using techniques of the past (especially stride and old-time breaks) in both his new originals and revivals of classic tunes. However he never resorts to mere copying and feels free to update elements of the music or to throw in eccentric ideas. There is a great deal for listeners to investigate on this thoroughly fascinating recital. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Cherokee 5:29
Written-By – Ray Noble
2    Angel 4:20
Written-By – Marcus Roberts
3    Slippin' And Slidin' 2:46
Written-By – Marcus Roberts
4    Blues In The Evening Time 6:44
Written-By – Marcus Roberts
5    Ferdinand LeMenthe 4:46
Written-By – Marcus Roberts
6    Nigh Eve 2:43
Clarinet – Todd Williams
Written-By – Marcus Roberts
7    As Serenity Approaches 2:37
Trumpet – Scotty Barnhart
Written-By – Marcus Roberts
8    The Jitterbug Waltz 4:18
Piano – Ellis Marsalis
Written-By – Fats Waller
9    St. Louis Blues 5:55
Written-By – W.C. Handy
10    I Remember You 2:58
Written-By – J. Mercer, V. Schertvinger
11    Preach, Reverend, Preach 3:52
Trumpet – Nicholas Payton
Written-By – Marcus Roberts
12    A Tint Of Blue 3:05
Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet – Todd Williams
Written-By – Marcus Roberts
13    When The Morning Comes 4:39
Written-By – Marcus Roberts
14    Where Or When 3:09
Written-By – L. Hart, R. Rodgers
15    King Porter Stomp 2:46
Trumpet – Wynton Marsalis
Written-By – Jelly Roll Morton
16    Creole Blues 1:43
Trombone – Ronald Westray
Written-By – Duke Ellington
17    Broadway 2:38
Piano – Ellis Marsalis
Written-By – Byrd, Woode, McCrea
18    Angel 4:22
Written-By – Marcus Roberts
19    Cherokee 5:22
Written-By – Ray Noble
Credits :
Piano – Marcus Roberts

MARCUS ROBERTS — If I Could Be With You (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This is one of Marcus Roberts' finest all-around recordings. The set of solo piano improvisations features Roberts performing many older tunes (including "Maple Leaf Rag" and four James P. Johnson tunes) plus some of his originals, showing off his stride technique. Roberts' right hand borders on the miraculous, while his left often breaks up rhythms, jumping one beat ahead or behind purposely for short stretches and adding tension to the performance. Among the CD's highlights are "Just a Closer Walk With Thee," "Carolina Shout," "Keep Off the Grass," "What Is This Thing Called Love," and Roberts' "Preach, Reverend, Preach." Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    In A Southern Sense    0:43
 Marcus Roberts
2    Just A Closer Walk With Thee    1:54
 Traditional
3    Maple Leaf Rag    2:52
 Scott Joplin
4    Arkansas Blues    4:14
 Anton Lada / Spencer Williams
5    Carolina Shout    3:37
 James P. Johnson
6    Embraceable You    3:11
 George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
7    Moonlight In Vermont    4:18
 John Blackburn / Karl Suessdorf
8    Keep Off The Grass    3:26
 James P. Johnson
9    Rippling Waters    4:44
 Marcus Roberts
10    Sweet Repose    1:53
 Marcus Roberts
11    Country Blues    3:40
 Marcus Roberts
12    If I Could Be With You (One Hour Tonight)    1:59
 Henry Creamer / James P. Johnson
13    Let's Call This    2:15
 Thelonious Monk
14    Everytime We Say Goodbye    3:13
 Cole Porter
15    What Is This Thing Called Love    3:58
 Cole Porter
16    Mood Indigo    8:13
 Barney Bigard / Duke Ellington / Irving Mills
17    Preach, Reverend Preach    4:28
 Marcus Roberts
18    Snowy Morning Blues    3:37
 Marcus Roberts
19    Fascination    3:56
 James P. Johnson
20        In A Southern Sense    9:26
 Marcus Roberts
Credits :
Piano [Solo Piano] – Marcus Roberts

JOHN PIZZARELLI — Dear Mr. Cole (1995) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

John Pizzarelli's tribute to Nat King Cole features him in a drumless trio with pianist Benny Green and bassist Christian McBride on all but one selection. Pizzarelli is fine as a rhythm guitarist, but since he sings on most of the selections and his voice is merely average, this session (which includes 18 selections, most of which were originally associated with Cole) is of less interest than one might hope. At least Pizzarelli has a cheerful style and does not seem to take himself too seriously; Green has many forceful solos, but the leader's limited vocal abilities keep this recording from being too essential. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Style Is Coming Back In Style 2:42
Written-By – Leiber/Stoller
2    What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry 2:24
Written-By – Lyman, Donaldson
3    Little Girl 2:51
Written-By – Henry, Hyde
4    You Must Be Blind 3:39
Written-By – Cole
5    Sweet Georgia Brown 5:47
Written-By – Bernie, Casey, Pinkard
6    It's Only A Paper Moon 2:33
Written-By – Rose, Harburg, Arlen
7    September Song 3:30
Written-By – Weill, Anderson
8    On The Sunny Side Of The Street 2:54
Written-By – McHugh/Fields
9    Nature Boy 3:44
Written-By – E. Ahbez
10    This Way Out 4:49
Written-By – Cole
11    Too Marvelous For Words 2:05
Written-By – Mercer, Whiting
12    Route 66 6:42
Written-By – Troup
13    Sweet Lorraine 3:29
Written-By – Burwell, Parish
14    Straighten Up And Fly Right 5:08
Written-By – Mills, Cole
15    Honeysuckle Rose 2:54
Written-By – Razaf, Waller
16    L-O-V-E 2:18
Written-By – Kaempfert, Gabler
17    Unforgettable 1:58
Written-By – Gordon
18    Portrait Of Jenny 2:53
Written By – Newman
Credits :
Bass – Christian McBride
Drums – John Guerin (tracks: 1)
Guitar, Vocals – John PIzzarelli
Piano – Benny Green (tracks: 2 to 18), Ray Kennedy (tracks: 1)

DANILO PÉREZ — Danilo Pérez (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1     Panamá Libre 4'07
Danilo Pérez
2     Serenata 2'42
Carlos Franzetti
3     Alfonsina y el Mar 7'49
Félix Luna / Ariel Ramírez
4     Solo Contigo Basta 5'24
Piloto / Vera    
5     Irremediablemente Solo 8'24
Avelino Muñoz
6     Body and Soul 6'57
Frank Eyton / Johnny Green / Edward Heyman / Robert Sour
7     Claudio 3'33
Danilo Pérez
8     Time on My Hands 10'01
Harold Adamson / Mack Gordon / Vincent Youmans
9     Friday Morning 4'50
Danilo Pérez
10     Skylark 3'32
Hoagy Carmichael / Johnny Mercer
Credits :
Bass – Santi Debriano
Drums – Jack DeJohnette
Piano – Danilo Perez
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Joe Lovano
Vocals – Ruben Blades