BARNEY KESSEL — Vol. 3 "To Swing or Not to Swing" (1955-1987) Two Version | APE (image+.cue), lossless + FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Guitarist Barney Kessel's string of recordings for Contemporary in the 1950s included some of the finest work of his career. The unusual repertoire on this set -- which includes "Louisiana," "Indiana," and "12th Street Rag," along with four Kessel originals and more usual standards -- would by itself make this bop/cool set noteworthy. Add to that a very interesting lineup of players (trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison, Georgie Auld or Bill Perkins on tenor, pianist Jimmy Rowles, the rhythm guitar of Al Hendrickson, bassist Red Mitchell, and Shelly Manne or Irv Cottler on drums) and some excellent showcases for Kessel, and the overall result is a recording highly recommended to fans of straight-ahead jazz. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1. Begin The Blues 4:21
Written-By – Barney Kessel
2. Louisiana 3:55
Written-By – Andy Razaf, Bob Schaefer, J.C. Johnson
3. Happy Feeling 3:55
Written-By – Barney Kessel
4. Embraceable You 3:21
Written-By – Ira And George Gershwin
5. Wail Street 4:21
Written-By – Barney Kessel
6. Indiana 3:08
Written-By – Ballard MacDonald, James F. Hanley
7. Moten Swing 3:56
Written-By – Bennie Moten, Buster Moten
8. Midnight Sun 3:05
Written-By – Lionel Hampton, Sonny Burke
9. Contemporary Blues 4:05
Written-By – Barney Kessel
10. Don't Blame Me 2:54
Written-By – Dorothy Fields And Jimmy McHugh
11. 12th Street Rag 2:56
Written-By – Euday L. Bowman
Credits :
Bass – Red Mitchell
Drums – Irv Cottler, Shelly Manne
Guitar – Barney Kessel
Piano – Jimmy Rowles
Rhythm Guitar – Al Hendrickson
Tenor Saxophone – Bill Perkins, Georgie Auld
Trumpet – Harry Edison

CAL TJADER · MARY STALLINGS — Cal Tjader Plays, Mary Stallings Sings (1961-2005) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Mary Stallings was just 22 at the time this album, her first, was cut in 1961. Fortunately, she was teamed up with a group of top professionals led by vibist Cal Tjader. She also sticks with mostly tried and true material, with Duke Ellington's songs getting a big play. Tjader is not a virtuoso on the vibes, but has made a name for himself because of his attachment to Latin rhythms. With no such music on this album, Tjader's playing seems somewhat stiff at times, particularly on ballads and slow blues. However, alternating pianists Lonnie Hewitt and Clare Fischer get with the program to give Stallings the backing she needs. The vibes player also loosens up on up-tempo tunes like "It Ain't Necessarily So." The singer has a powerful voice with a straight from the shoulder, no holds barred delivery. Her years singing in churches in San Francisco no doubt helped to develop her powerful style, and also give her some sympathy for such tunes as "God Bless the Child," which gets a particularly reverent reading. Paul Horn's flute helps make this a premier track. Stallings also makes good use of vibrato to emphasize a word or a phrase. This technique is used effectively on blues tunes such as "Mr. Blues." Stallings' dedication to pitch comes through on "Just Squeeze Me," where the bass is her only accompaniment. But some seasoning is needed. She sings everything with just about the same volume, paying no attention to dynamics. But all the equipment is there and, coupled with a natural affinity for the blues and swing, taking care of this matter should be no problem. Dave Nathan 

Tracklist :
1     Mighty Rumblin' Blues    3:46
    Written-By – Unknown Artist
2     It Ain't Necessarily So  2:28
    Written-By – Gershwin-Gershwin

3     God Bless The Child   3:14
    Written-By – Herzog, Holiday
4     Just Squeeze Me   2:37
    Written-By – Ellington, Gaines
5     I Didn't Know About You    3:47
    Written-By – Russell, Ellington
6     I'm Beginning To See The Light    3:08
    Written-By – George, Ellington, James, Hodges
7     Goodbye    2:40
    Written-By – Gordon Jenkins
8     Why Don't You Do Right?    2:36
    Written-By – McCoy, Melrose
9     Honeysuckle Rose 2:08
    Written-By – Razaf, Waller
10     I'm Just A Lucky So And So    2:28
    Written-By – Ellington, David
11     Ain't Misbehavin' (I'm Saving My Love For You)    3:07
    Written-By – Razaf, Waller, Brooks
12     Mr. Blues    2:39
    Written-By – Costell Akrie
– BONUS TRACKS – (Previously Unreleased)
13    Just In Time    1:59
14    Why Don't You Do Right? [Alt. Take]    2:38
Credits :
    Bass – Freddie Schreiber, Victor Venegas
    Drums – Johnny Rae
    Vocals – Mary Stallings
    Flute – Paul Horn
    Piano – Lonnie Hewitt
    Vibraphone – Cal Tjader   

MILT JACKSON — Milt Jackson Quartet (1955) Two Version (2001, RM | 24 Bit Remastered Series) + (2013, RM | MONO | SHM-CD | 7000 Chronicle Series) FLAC (image+tracks+.cue), lossless

This 1955 date is an intriguing opportunity to hear Milt Jackson accompanied by the MJQ rhythm section, but with hard bopper Horace Silver substituting for John Lewis. Not only that, it's also a chance to hear a hitherto unknown, lushly romantic side of both Jackson and Silver, two blues-oriented players who rarely if ever recorded standards in this sort of style. With its excellent recording quality, it's a perfect album for intimate dinners and other late-night activities. Artie Shaw's exotic "Moonray" is rarely heard in any sort of context, while "My Funny Valentine" and "The Nearness of You" set the mood throughout.  Richard Mortifoglio
Tracklist  :
1 Wonder Why 5:22
Written-By – Brodszky, Cahn
2 My Funny Valentine 4:37
Written-By – Rodgers-Hart
3 Moonray 5:01
Written-By – Quenzer, Shaw, Madison
4 The Nearness Of You 4:01
Written-By – Carmichael, Washington
5 Stonewall 7:42
Written-By – Milt Jackson
6 I Should Care 4:16
Written-By – Stordal, Weston, Cahn
Credits :
Bass – Percy Heath
Drums – Connie Kay
Piano – Horace Silver
Vibraphone [Vibes] – Milt Jackson

KENNY BURRELL · JIMMY RANEY — Two Guitars (1957-1992) RM | Two Version | APE + FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

For this 1957 studio session, the two distinctive but complementary guitarists Kenny Burrell and Jimmy Raney are teamed up in a septet with trumpeter Donald Byrd, altoist Jackie McLean, pianist Mal Waldron, bassist Doug Watkins, and drummer Art Taylor. The full group gets to stretch out on one original each by Watkins and McLean ("Little Melonae") and three from Waldron, while the two standards ("Close Your Eyes" and "Out of Nowhere") are individual features for Burrell and Raney. This is a well-rounded set that may not contain any real surprises, but will be enjoyed by collectors of hard bop. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Blue Duke 8:46
Written-By – Mal Waldron
2 Dead Heat 4:05
Written-By – Waldron 
3 Pivot 5:12
Written-By – Waldron
4 Close Your Eyes 4:46
Written-By – Bernice Petkere
5 Little Melonae 9:27
Written-By – Jackie McLean
6 This Way 11:20
Written-By – Doug Watkins
7 Out Of Nowhere 4:31
Written-By – Hyman, Green
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Jackie Mclean
Bass – Doug Watkins
Drums – Arthur Taylor
Guitar – Jimmy Raney, Kenny Burrell
Piano – Mal Waldron
Trumpet – Donald Byrd

HELEN HUMES — 'Tain't Nobody's Biz-ness If I Do (1959-1990) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Helen Humes had not recorded as a leader in seven years when she made the first of three albums for Contemporary, all of which have been reissued on CD via the OJC imprint. Humes, 45 at the time, was at the peak of her powers, although she never really made a bad record. Accompanied by Benny Carter (on trumpet), trombonist Frank Rosolino, tenor saxophonist Teddy Edwards, pianist Andrew Previn, bassist Leroy Vinnegar, and either Shelly Manne or Mel Lewis on drums, the singer is typically enthusiastic, exuberant, and highly appealing on such numbers as "You Can Depend on Me," "When I Grow Too Old to Dream," and "''Tain't Nobody's Bizness If I Do." She even sings credible versions of "Bill Bailey" and "When the Saints Go Marching In" on this easily recommended CD. Scott Yanow
Tracklist  :
1 You Can Depend on Me 3:22
Charles Carpenter / Louis Dunlap / Earl Hines
2 Trouble in Mind 2:37 
Richard M. Jones
3 Among My Souvenirs 3:37 
Edgar Leslie / Horatio Nicholls
4 Ain't Misbehavin' 4:03
Harry Brooks / Andy Razaf / Fats Waller
5 Stardust 4:45
Hoagy Carmichael / Mitchell Parish
6 Bill Bailey 2:21
Hughie Cannon
7 When I Grow Too Old to Dream 3:34
Oscar Hammerstein II / Sigmund Romberg
8 A Good Man Is Hard to Find 3:06
Eddie Green
9 Bill 2:37
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern / P.G. Wodehouse
10 'Tain't Nobody's Bizness If I Do 2:24
Percy Grainger / Porter Grainger / Robert Prince / Everett Robbins / Clarence Williams
11 I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) 3:26
Duke Ellington / Paul Francis Webster
12 When the Saints Go Marching In 4:03
James Black / Traditional
Credits :
Bass – Leroy Vinnegar
Drums – Mel Lewis (# 3, 8, 10, 11), Shelly Manne (# 1, 2, 4 ,7, 9)
Leader, Trumpet – Benny Carter
Piano – André Previn
Tenor Saxophone – Teddy Edwards
Trombone – Frank Rosolino
Vocals – Helen Humes

JIM HALL — ...Where Would I Be? (1971-1999) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although the rhythm section was more "modern" than he usually used (keyboardist Benny Aronov, bassist Malcolm Cecil, and Airto Moreira on drums and percussion), guitarist Jim Hall (who always had a harmonically advanced style anyway) has little difficulty adapting to the fresh setting. Highlights of the well-rounded CD reissue include Hall's "Simple Samba," "Baubles, Bangles and Beads," an unaccompanied "I Should Care," and Milton Nascimento's "Vera Cruz." Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Simple Samba 4:18
Jim Hall
2 Where Would I Be? 5:11
Jane Herbert
3 Careful 4:54  
Jim Hall
4 Baubles, Bangles and Beads 3:26
Alexander Borodin / George Forrest / Robert Wright
5 Minotaur 8:08
Jim Hall
6 I Should Care 3:50
Sammy Cahn / Axel Stordahl / Paul Weston
7 Vera Cruz 3:55
Márcio Borges / Milton Nascimento
8 Goodbye, My Love 5:37  
Jane Herbert
Credits :
Bass – Malcolm Cecil
Drums – Airto Moreira
Guitar – Jim Hall
Piano – Benny Aronov

OSCAR PETERSON · STÉPHANE GRAPPELLI — Skol (1979) Two Version (1990, RM | 20 Bit Remastered Series) + (2013, RM | Original Jazz Classics Remasters Series) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Pianist Oscar Peterson and violinist Stephane Grappelli meet up on this Scandinavian concert. The "backup" crew (guitarist Joe Pass, bassist Niels Pedersen and drummer Mickey Roker) is not too bad either. In addition to a closing blues (which is highlighted by tradeoffs from Peterson and Grappelli), the quintet performs five veteran standards with creativity and swing. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1. Nuages – 8:18
(Jacques Larue, Django Reinhardt)
2. How About You? – 5:19
(Arthur Freed, Burton Lane)
3. Someone to Watch Over Me – 6:50
(George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin)
4. Makin' Whoopee – 5:10
(Walter Donaldson, Gus Kahn)
5. That's All – 7:33
(Alan Brandt, Bob Haymes)
6. Skol Blues – 7:04
 (Oscar Peterson)
– BONUS TRACK – (Previously unreleased)    
7. Honeysuckle Rose 6:32
8. Solitude 5:59
9. I Got Rhythm 6:33
Credits :
Oscar Peterson – Piano
Stéphane Grappelli – Violin
Joe Pass – Guitar
Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen – Double Bass
Mickey Roker – Drums

BENNIE GREEN — Blows His Horn (1955-1989) RM | Original Jazz Classics Limited Edition Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Bennie Green, one of the few trombonists of the 1950s not to sound somewhat like a J.J. Johnson clone, always had a likable and humorous style. He blends in well with tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse on these standards, blues, and jump tunes, two of which have group vocals. With a fine rhythm section (pianist Cliff Smalls, bassist Paul Chambers, drummer Osie Johnson, and Candido on congas), Green and his band show that there is no reason that swinging jazz has to be viewed as overly intellectual and esoteric. This CD (a reissue of the original LP) is a fine example of Bennie Green's talents and winning musical personality. Scott Yanow

Tracklist :
1. Sometimes I'm Happy 3:53
 Irving Caesar / Clifford Grey / Vincent Youmans
2. Laura 6:13
 Johnny Mercer / David Raksin
3. Body And Soul 6:58
 Frank Eyton / Johnny Green / Edward Heyman / Robert Sour
4. Say Jack 3:36
 Bennie Green / Osie Johnson
5. One Track 3:15
Bennie Green / Osie Johnson
6. Groovin' The Blues (Take 1) 5:31
 Bennie Green
7. Groovin' The Blues (Take 2)
Bennie Green
8. Travelin' Light 3:07
 Harry Akst / Sidney Clare
9. Hi Yo Silver 3:21
 Bennie Green / Osie Johnson
Credits:

Bennie Green - Trombone

Paul Chambers - Bass

Candido - Congas

Osie Johnson - Drums

Cliff Smalls - Piano

Charlie Rouse - Tenor Saxophone

J.J. JOHNSON · KAI WINDING · BENNIE GREEN — Trombone by Three (1956-1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Top drawer early fifties bop turning hard bop across the three small groups here, with Sonny Rollins in his typical fifties blistering form. Each of the three trombonists are distinctly flavoured, and we also get Max Roach and Art Blakey drumming on two thirds of the sessions Mark Harrington
Tracklist  :
1 –Jay Jay Johnson Sextet - Elysee 3:07
Written-By – John Lewis 
2 –Jay Jay Johnson Sextet - Hi-Lo 2:43
Written-By – Sonny Rollins
3 –Jay Jay Johnson Sextet - Fox Hunt 2:46
Written-By – J. J. Johnson 
4 –Jay Jay Johnson Sextet - Opus V 2:46
Written-By – Johnson 
5 –Bennie Green Septet - Green Junction 2:52
Written-By – Bennie Green
6 –Bennie Green Septet - Flowing River 2:40
Written-By – Green 
7 –Kai Winding Sextet - A Night On Bop Mountain 3:34
Written-By – Kai Winding
8 –Kai Winding Sextet - Waterworks (Alternate) 3:39
Written-By – Gerry Mulligan
9 –Kai Winding Sextet - Broadway (Alternate) 3:19
Written-By – Woods , McRae 
10 –Kai Winding Sextet - Sid's Bounce 3:16
Written-By – Joe Kaminsky
11 –Bennie Green Septet - Whirl-A-Licks 3:17
Written-By – Bennie Green
12 –Bennie Green Septet - Pennies From Heaven 2:14
Written-By – Johnston, Burke
– BONUS TRACKS –
13    –Kai Winding Sextet - Broadway 3:08
14 –Kai Winding Sextet - Waterworks 3:38
15 –Kai Winding Sextet - A Night On Bop Mountain 3:24
16 –Bennie Green Septet - Tenor Sax Shuffle 3:04
17 –Bennie Green Septet - Sugar Syrup 3:01
Credits :
# 1 to 4 - New York City; 1949
JJ.Johnson - Trombone  
Sonny Rollins - Tenor Saxophone
Kenny Dorham - Trumpet
John Lewis - Piano
Leonard Gaskin - Bass
Max Roach - Drums

# 7 to 10 & 13-15 - New York City;  1949
Trombone – Kai Winding
Tenor Saxophone – Brew Moore
Baritone Saxophone – Gerry Mulligan
Piano – George Wallington
Bass – Curly Russell
Drums – Roy Haynes

# 5,6 11,12,16, 17 - New York City;  1951
Baritone Saxophone – Rudy Williams
Bass – Tommy Potter
Drums – Art Blakey
Piano – Teddy Brannon
Tenor Saxophone – "Big Nick" Nicholas, Eddie Davis
Trombone – Bennie Green

GEORGE RUSSELL SEXTET — Ezz-thetics (1961-1992) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This is a true classic. Composer/pianist George Russell gathered together a very versatile group of talents (trumpeter Don Ellis, trombonist Dave Baker, Eric Dolphy on alto and bass clarinet, bassist Steve Swallow, and drummer Joe Hunt) to explore three of his originals, "'Round Midnight" (which is given an extraordinary treatment by Dolphy), Miles Davis' "Nardis," and David Baker's "Honesty." The music is post-bop and although using ideas from avant-garde jazz, it does not fall into any simple category. The improvising is at a very high level and the frameworks (which include free and stop-time sections) really inspire the players. Highly recommended. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Ezz-thetic 8:57
Composed By – George Russell
2    Nardis 4:34
Composed By – Miles Davis
3    Lydiot 8:06
Composed By – George Russell
4    Thoughts 5:32
Composed By – George Russell
5    Honesty 9:00
Composed By – Dave Baker
6    'Round Midnight 6:33
Composed By – Thelonious Monk
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Eric Dolphy
Bass – Steve Swallow
Bass Clarinet – Eric Dolphy (tracks: 2, 4)
Drums – Joe Hunt
Piano, Arranged By – George Russell
Trombone – Dave Baker
Trumpet – Don Ellis

ART PEPPER – The Trip (1977-1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Art Pepper made a name for himself around Los Angeles in the '50s as a leading light in the style then known as West Coast jazz -- a cool alternative to the hot hard bop being made in East Coast cities like New York and Philadelphia. Pepper never really fit the cool stereotype, however; he was too incendiary a soloist (influenced by Lester Young, perhaps, and Bird certainly), more inclined to inject overt anger and passion into his playing than contemporaries like Getz or Mulligan. By the time these sides were made in 1976, any residual coolness had been displaced by hot emotionalism and an almost manic intensity. The lessons of John Coltrane had clearly been absorbed, harmonically and otherwise; not only was Pepper more assertive than ever, but he also took more chances. Polish is for shoes and fingernails: by the late '70s Pepper was rough, raw, and nakedly vulnerable. Every solo this late in his career was an adventure. On this record the adventure is joined by ex-Coltrane drummer Elvin Jones, who doesn't interact with Pepper as much as one might expect, but nevertheless puts down the hard grooves the altoist needed to be at his best. There's a bit of a tentative cast to much of this record, almost as if the musicians were not yet completely comfortable with one another. Pepper's playing is first-rate, however: his interpretation of Michel Legrand's melody, "The Summer Knows," is by itself worth the price of the album. Given that he would not live many years longer after its recording, this one is a keeper. Chris Kelsey
Tracklist :
1    The Trip (Original Take) 8:46
Composed By – Art Pepper
2    The Trip (Alternate Take) 12:58
Composed By – Art Pepper
3    A Song For Richard 6:17
Composed By – Joe Gordon
4    Sweet Love Of Mine 6:34
Composed By – Woody Shaw
5    Junior Cat 7:46
Composed By – Art Pepper
6    The Summer Knows 7:09
Composed By – Alan & Marilyn Bergman, Michel LeGrand
7    Red Car 5:45
Composed By – Art Pepper
Credits :
Art Pepper - Alto Saxophone
George Cables - Piano
David Williams - Bass
Elvin Jones - Drums

CEDAR WALTON — Soul Cycle (1969-1995) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Soul Cycle, recorded in 1969, is pianist/composer Cedar Walton's attempt to "groove those who are already tuned in, while picking up some entirely new ears along the way." In his candid liner notes, he describes a major concern for jazz musicians at that time: How to be commercial without selling out. The electric instruments featured here are a nod to the times, but sound innocent compared to Miles Davis' contemporaneous Bitches Brew.

The opening "Sundown Express" sounds almost like an urban TV show theme, but James Moody's tentative, edgy sax solo sustains the suspense. The mellow, inoffensive, Latin-tinged "Quiet Dawn" also sounds influenced by television, while Stevie Wonder's "My Cherie Amour" finds us in the compromising place Walton describes in his liner notes. But on "Pensativa," "Easy Walker," and "I Should Care," Walton returns to the acoustic piano, and the band sounds more relaxed. An interesting effort that reflects its times, Soul Cycle confirms that Walton's playing is most authoritative in a blues/bop landscape. Rovi Staff   

Tracklist :

1 Sundown Express 6:49

Written-By – Walton

2 Quiet Dawn 7:31

Written-By – Cal Massey

3 Pensativa 6:28

Written-By – Clare Fisher

4 My Cherie Amour 4:13

Written-By – Cosby

5 Easy Walker 8:03

Written-By – Billy Taylor

6 I Should Care 3:26

Written-By – Stordahl, Wetstein, Cahn

Credits :

Bass, Bass [Fender] – Reggie Workman

Drums – Albert "Tootie" Heath

Guitar – Rudy Stevenson

Piano, Electric Piano – Cedar Walton

Tenor Saxophone, Flute – James Moody

THE CEDAR WALTON TRIO, QUARTET & QUINTET — Cedar! (1967-1990) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Pianist Cedar Walton's debut as a leader is quite impressive. This CD reissue (which includes a "new" rendition of "Take the 'A' Train") showcases Walton with bassist Leroy Vinnegar and drummer Billy Higgins on "My Ship," features a pair of quartet numbers with trumpeter Kenny Dorham, has tenor saxophonist Junior Cook in Dorham's place on two other pieces (including "Come Sunday") and uses a quintet on the two remaining selections. One of the top hard bop-based pianists to emerge during the 1960s, Walton also contributed four originals to his excellent set. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Turquoise Twice    7:17
 Cedar Walton
2    Twilight Waltz    4:17
 Cedar Walton
3    My Ship    5:31
 Ira Gershwin / Kurt Weill
4    Short Stuff    6:23
 Cedar Walton
5    Head And Shoulders    4:13
 Cedar Walton
6    Come Sunday    6:56
 Duke Ellington
7    Take The "A" Train    3:27
 Billy Strayhorn
Credits :
Bass – Leroy Vinnegar
Drums – Billy Higgins
Piano – Cedar Walton
Tenor Saxophone – Junior Cook
Trumpet – Kenny Dorham

LUCY REED — This Is Lucy Reed (1957-2001) RM | Mono | Original Jazz Classics Limited Edition Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

In a perfect world, Lucy Reed would have been much better-known and would have built a large catalog. But regrettably, the obscure Midwestern jazz singer never became well-known, and she only recorded a few albums. Recorded at various sessions in January 1957, This Is Lucy Reed is the second of two albums she provided for Fantasy. This album, which Fantasy reissued on CD in 2001, finds Reed backed by some of bop's heavyweights, including trumpeter Art Farmer, trombonist Jimmy Cleveland, bassist Milt Hinton, arranger George Russell (who is heard on drums), and arranger Gil Evans (who plays piano on four selections). Unfortunately, the sidemen usually don't get enough solo space. But Reed's vocals are the main thing, and the singer really shines on cool-toned yet expressive performances of well-known standards like "You Don't Know What Love Is" and W.C. Handy's "St. Louis Blues." Cool School goddesses like Chris Connor and June Christy are prominent influences, and yet, the recognizable Reed was a fine singer in her own right. The word "recognizable" also describes Gil Evans' arranging on "Love for Sale," "No Moon at All," and the goofy novelty item "A Trout, No Doubt"; Evans' classical-influenced style of arranging is quite distinctive, and true to form, his contributions to This Is Lucy Reed underscore his interest in European classical music. Equally attractive are Russell's arrangements on "Born to Blow the Blues," "This Is New," and "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning." Russell was only 34 when this album was recorded, but even in early 1957, he was a forward thinker. Anyone who is seriously into Cool School singers of the 1950s should give This Is Lucy Reed a very close listen. Alex Henderson
Tracklist
1        There He Goes 2:50
Arranged By – Jack English
2        Lucky To Be Me    2:28
 Leonard Bernstein / Betty Comden / Adolph Green
3        In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning 4:24
Arranged By – George Russell
4        St. Louis Blues    3:25
 W.C. Handy
5        Easy Come, Easy Go    4:55
 Johnny Green / Edward Heyman
6        Love For Sale 4:27
 Cole Porter, Arranged By – Gil Evans
7        Little Boy Blue    2:55
 Eugene Field
8        A Trout, No Doubt 2:35
Arranged By – Eddie Higgins
9        Born To Blow The Blues 4:40
 Bob Russell / Jack Segal, Arranged By – George Russell
10        This Is New 3:55
 Ira Gershwin / Kurt Weill, Arranged By – George Russell
11        No Moon At All  2:15
 Redd Evans / Dave Mann, Arranged By – Gil Evans
12        You Don't Know What Love Is    4:00
 Gene DePaul / Don Raye
 Credits :
Alto Flute – Romeo Penque (tracks: 1, 6, 8, 11)
Bass – Bill Pemberton (tracks: 1, 6, 8, 11), Milt Hinton (tracks: 3, 9, 10), Verne Rammer (tracks: 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12)
Bass Clarinet, Baritone Saxophone – Sol Schlinger (tracks: 3, 9, 10)
Bass Trombone – Tommy Mitchell (tracks: 1, 6, 8, 11)
Bassoon – David Kurtzer (tracks: 1, 6, 8, 11)
Clarinet – Ken Soderblom (tracks: 4)
Drums – George Russell, William Gaeto (tracks: 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12)
English Horn, Flute – Romeo Penque
Guitar – Barry Galbraith (tracks: 3, 9, 10), John Gray (tracks: 2)
Piano – Don Abney (tracks: 3, 9, 10), Eddie Higgins (tracks: 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12), Gil Evans (tracks: 1, 6, 8, 11)
Trombone – Jimmy Cleveland (tracks: 1, 6, 8, 11)
Trumpet – Art Farmer (tracks: 3, 9, 10)
Violin [Tenor] – Harry Lookofsky (tracks: 1, 6, 8, 11)
Vocals – Lucy Reed

HONI GORDON — Honi Gordon Sings (1962-1991) RM | Original Jazz Classics Limited Edition Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Honi Gordon's obscurity (this was her only recording as a solo singer) is a mystery for she displays a great deal of talent on this date. Her father George Gordon wrote some of the tricky lyrics (which are phrased like a horn) and Honi (who is given stimulating support by pianist Jaki Byard, Ken McIntyre on flute and alto, guitarist Wally Richardson, bassist George Duvivier and drummer Ed Shaughnessy) is up to the job. Her version of Charles Mingus's "Strollin'" is definitive, she finds something new to say on "Ill Wind" and really digs into the originals. This is bop-based jazz singing at its best. Scott Yanow
Tracklist
1     Strollin' 4:30
Honi Gordon / Charles Mingus
2     Ill Wind 2:30
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
3     My Kokomo 5:15
George Gordon
4     Why Try to Change Me Now? 4:55
Cy Coleman / Joseph McCarthy
5     Cupid 3:20
Honi Gordon
6     Walkin' (Out the Door) 3:05
Mary Lou Williams
7     Why 3:20
Consuela Moorehead
8     Love Affair 3:40
Honi Gordon
9     Lament of the Lonely 2:43
Esmond Edwards
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Flute  – Ken McIntyre
Bass – George Duvivier
Drums – Eddie Shaughnessy
Guitar – Wally Richardson
Piano – Jaki Byard
Vocals – Honi Gordon

PRINCE LASHA QUINTET ft. SONNY SIMMONS – The Cry ! (1963-2001) RM | Original Jazz Classics Limited Edition Series | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

In the early '60s, flutist Prince Lasha's work with alto saxophonist Sonny Simmons was often compared to the trailblazing free jazz that Ornette Coleman was exploring at the time. To be sure, Coleman was a major inspiration to both of them. And yet, The Cry! demonstrates that Lasha's work with Simmons had an avant-garde energy of its own. Coleman is a strong influence on this 1962 session -- which Lasha co-led with Simmons -- but The Cry! isn't an outright imitation of Coleman's work any more than Phil Woods' recordings are outright imitations of Charlie Parker's. For one thing, The Cry! is slightly more accessible than the albums that Coleman recorded for Atlantic in the early '60s. Free jazz performances like "Bojangles," "A.Y.," and the rhythmic "Congo Call" are abstract, cerebral, and left-of-center, but they're still a bit more accessible than Coleman's harmolodic experimentation. The same thing goes for the Latin-influenced "Juanita" and the bluesy "Red's Mood," which is Coleman-minded but also has a strong Charlie Parker influence -- in fact, the tune successfully bridges the gap between Bird and Coleman and shows listeners what those altoists had in common. It should be noted that, even though The Cry! (which employs Gary Peacock or Mark Proctor on acoustic bass and Gene Stone on drums) is free jazz, it isn't the blistering, ferocious stuff that Albert Ayler, Cecil Taylor, and late-period John Coltrane were known for in the 1960s. This album is quirky and dissonant, but it isn't harsh or confrontational. In avant-garde circles, The Cry! went down in history as one of Lasha's finest accomplishments -- and deservedly so. Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1    Congo Call    5:02
  Written-By – Prince Lasha, Sonny Simmons
2    Bojangles    7:00
  Written-By – Prince Lasha, Sonny Simmons
3    Green And Gold    4:52
  Written-By – Prince Lasha, Sonny Simmons
4    Ghost Of The Past    4:49
  Written-By – Prince Lasha, Sonny Simmons
5    Red's Mood    5:04
  Written-By – Prince Lasha, Sonny Simmons
6    Juanita    5:32
  Written-By – Prince Lasha, Sonny Simmons
7    Lost Generation    5:15
  Written-By – Prince Lasha, Sonny Simmons
8    A.Y.    4:46
  Written-By – Prince Lasha, Sonny Simmons
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Sonny Simmons
Bass – Gary Peacock, Mark Proctor (tracks: 1, 3 to 6)
Drums – Gene Stone
Flute – Prince Lasha

JOE HENDERSON ft. ALICE COLTRANE - The Elements (1974-1996) RM | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

This is one of the odder Joe Henderson recordings. The four lengthy selections not only feature the great tenor-saxophonist but the piano and harp of Alice Coltrane (during one of her rare appearances as a sideman), violinist Michael White, bassist Charlie Haden, percussionist Kenneth Nash and Baba Duru Oshun on tablas. The somewhat spiritual nature of the music (Henderson's compositions are titled "Fire," "Air," "Water" and "Earth") and the presence of Alice Coltrane makes these Eastern-flavored performances rather unique if not all that essential: an early example of world music in jazz. This recording has been reissued as part of Henderson's eight-CD Milestone box set. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Fire    11:07
 Joe Henderson
2    Air    9:53
 Joe Henderson
3    Water 7:27
 Joe Henderson
Flute [Wood] – Kenneth Nash
4    Earth 13:07
 Joe Henderson
Narrator – Kenneth Nash
Credits :
Bass – Charlie Haden
Congas, Percussion [North African Sakara Drum], Bells [Chinese, African, Indian], Gong, Percussion – Kenneth Nash
Drums – Leon Ndugu Chancler (tracks: 1, 4)
Piano, Harp, Tambura, Harmonium – Alice Coltrane
Tabla, Percussion – Baba Duru Oshun
Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Composed By, Alto Flute – Joe Henderson
Violin – Michael White (tracks: 1, 2, 4)

BARRY HARRIS TRIO — Preminado (1961-1990) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This CD reissue (a straight reissue of the original Riverside LP) features the great bop pianist Barry Harris in a trio with bassist Joe Benjamin and drummer Elvin Jones. Jones in particular pushes the pianist, and this fine set has many strong moments, including strong versions of "My Heart Stood Still," Harris' original title cut and "What Is This Thing Called Love"; in addition, Barry Harris takes "I Should Care" as an unaccompanied solo. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    My Heart Stood Still    6:31
 Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
2    Preminado    5:30
 Barry Harris
3    I Should Care    3:33
 Sammy Cahn / Axel Stordahl / Paul Weston
4    There's No One But You    4:06
 A. H. C. Croom-Johnson / Austen Croom / Redd Evans
5    One Down    4:35
 Barry Harris
6    It's The Talk Of The Town    5:03
 Jerry Livingston / Al J. Neiburg / Marty Symes
7    Play, Carol, Play    4:11
 Barry Harris
8    What Is This Thing Called Love    4:05
 Cole Porter
Credits :
Bass – Joe Benjamin
Drums – Elvin Jones
Piano – Barry Harris

SONNY STITT — Kaleidoscope (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Deftly handling the alto, tenor, and baritone saxophone, bebop giant Sonny Stitt is heard to perfection here on a variety of early-'50s dates. Stitt not only shows off his patented speed throughout, but he goes a long way in dispelling criticisms of him being all fire and no grace. The 16-track disc kicks off with four tight, Latin-tinged swingers featuring an octet that includes trumpeter Joe Newman and timbales player Humberto Morales. Switching to piano quartet mode for the bulk of the disc, Stitt ranges effortlessly from frenetic blasts ("Cherokee") to golden-hued ballads ("Imagination"). Capping off the set with four bonus cuts featuring the likes of Gene Ammons and Junior Mance, Stitt delivers one of the top sets of performances from the late bebop era. Stephen Cook
Tracklist :
1    Stitt's It 2:35
Written-By – Massey, Stitt
2    Cool Mambo 2:40
Written-By – Massey, Stitt
3    Blue Mambo 2:25
Written-By – Massey, Stitt
4    Sonny Sounds 2:29
Written-By – Massey, Stitt
5    Ain't Misbehavin' 3:02
Written-By – Razaf, Waller, Brooks
6    Later 3:00
Written-By – Sonny Stitt
7    P.S. I Love You 3:00
Written-By – Jenkins, Mercer
8    This Can't Be Love 2:47
Written-By – Rodgers-Hart
9    Imagination 3:24
Written-By – Burke-Van Heusen
10    Cherokee 2:33
Written-By – Ray Noble
11    Can't We Be Friends 2:41
Written-By – Swift, James
12    Liza (All The Clouds'll Roll Away) 2:45
Written-By – Gershwin-Gershwin, Kahn
– BONUS TRACK –
13    To Think You've Chosen Me 3:11
Written-By – Benjamin, Weiss
14    After You've Gone 2:25
Written-By – Creamer, Layton
15    Our Very Own 3:05
Written-By – Elliot, Young
16    'S Wonderful 2:24
Written-By – Gershwin-Gershwin
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Sonny Stitt
Baritone Saxophone – Gene Ammons (tracks: 13 to 16)
Bass – Ernie Sheppard (tracks: 1 to 4), Gene Wright (tracks: 7 to 16), Tommy Potter (tracks: 5, 6)
Drums – Art Blakey (tracks: 5, 6, 9, 10), Shadow Wilson (tracks: 1 to 4), Teddy Stewart (tracks: 7, 8, 11, 12), Wesley Landers (tracks: 13 to 16)
Engineer [Recording] – Rudy Van Gelder
Piano – Charlie Bateman (tracks: 7, 8, 11, 12), John Houston (tracks: 1 to 4), Junior Mance (tracks: 9, 10, 13 to 16), Kenny Drew (tracks: 5, 6)
Timbales – Humberto Morales (tracks: 2, 3)
Trombone – Matthew Gee (tracks: 13 to 16)
Trumpet – Bill Massey (tracks: 1 to 4, 13 to 16), Joe Newman (tracks: 1 to 4), John Hunt (tracks: 1 to 4)
Vocals – Larry Townsend (tracks: 13 to 16)
Nota.
Selections #1-4 recorded on March 25, 1952; #5-6 February 17, 1950; #7-8 February 1, 1951; #9-10 December 15, 1950; #11-12 January 31, 1951; #13-16 October 8, 1950. All selections recorded in New York City.
NoNOISE reprocessing by Sonic Solutions.
Audio restoration and digital remastering, 1992 (Fantasy Studios, Berkeley).
Selections #13-16 previously released on Stitt’s Bits (Prestige 7585).

OSCAR PETERSON | MILT JACKSON — Two Of The Few (1983-1992) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This CD reissue brings back a unique duet recording featuring pianist Oscar Peterson and vibraphonist Milt Jackson. One would expect the instrumentation to feature mostly ballads, but the opposite is true as O.P. and Bags romp through quite a few uptempo pieces. Highlights include "Oh, Lady Be Good," "Limehouse Blues," "Reunion Blues," and "Just You, Just Me." This is a successful and highly enjoyable outing. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1        Lady Be Good 7:54
Written-By – George & Ira Gershwin
2        If I Had You 4:27
Written-By – James Campbell, Reginald Connelly, Ted Shapiro
3        Limehouse Blues 4:28
Written-By – Douglas Furber, Philip Braham
4        Mister Basie 5:54
Written-By – Oscar Peterson
5        Reunion Blues 5:12
Written-By – Milt Jackson
6        More Than You Know 6:35
Written-By – Billy Rose, Edward Eliscu, Vincent Youmans
7        Just You, Just Me 5:07
Written-By – Jesse Greer, Raymond Klages
8        Here's Two Of The Few 5:56
Written-By – Milt Jackson
Credits :
Piano – Oscar Peterson
Vibraphone [Vibes] – Milt Jackson