FREDDIE GREEN — Mr. Rhythm (1955-2007) RM | MONO | BMG Prime Jazz Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Freddie Green seldom led sessions and seldom played lead. Instead, he formed part of the classic rhythm section that gave the Count Basie band its steady pulse. This rare date finds Green with tenor Al Cohn, trumpeter Joe Newman, trombonist Henry Coker, pianist Nat Pierce, bassist Milt Hinton, and either Jo Jones or Osie Johnson on drums. Mr. Rhythm, in fact, will remind many of a good Basie set. The steady drums, bass, and guitar on "Back and Forth" and "Something's Gotta Give" push the music forward, swinging ever so lightly. Nat Pierce's minimalist piano work also owes something to Basie. He adds small flourishes to the rhythm of pieces like "Easy Does It," and only a scattering of tastefully chosen notes on his solo. Coker and Cohn deliver nice solos on "When You Wish Upon a Star," with the trombone's lovely tone and the tenor's deep, mellow pitch complimenting the romanticism of the piece. Newman offers a concise, discerning solos on "Free and Easy" and "Learnin' the Blues." He uses a mute for both solos, perfectly capturing a calm, bluesy mood. Of course Green doesn't solo, and while his guitar is often barely audible, his presence is always felt. This album shows him to be a fine leader who is happy to remain in his role as rhythm guitarist. For fans of Green, and for those who enjoy swinging jazz with great soloists, Mr. Rhythm is a fine release. Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.
Tracklist :
1    Up In The Blues    2:34
 Freddie Green
2    Down For Double    3:58
 Freddie Green
3    Back And Forth    2:17
 Freddie Green
4    Free And Easy    3:25
 Freddie Green
5    Learnin The Blues    3:28
 Freddie Green / Delores Vicki Silvers
6    Feed Bag    2:58
 Freddie Green
7    Something's Gotta Give    2:51
 Freddie Green
8    Easy Does It    3:42
 Freddie Green / Sy Oliver / Trummy Young
9    Little Red    2:08
 Freddie Green
10    Swinging Back     3:21
 Freddie Green
11    A Date With Ray    4:52
 Freddie Green
12    When You Wish Upon A Star    2:38
 Freddie Green / Leigh Harline
Credits
Bass – Milt Hinton
Drums – Jo Jones, Osie Johnson
Guitar – Freddie Green
Piano – Nat Pierce
Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet – Al Cohn
Trombone – Henry Coker
Trumpet – Joe Newman

BOBBY SCOTT — The Compositions Of Bobby Scott (1955-2014) RM | Serie Bethlehem Album Collection 1000 – 126 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :

1    Dot    3:38
2    Kwan Youen    2:57
3    Moon Tan    3:49
4    Betty    4:16
5    Aunt Sarah    4:10
6    Cerebellum    4:09
7    Wigwam    2:19
8    The Creed    4:03
9    Table Cloth Stomp    2:58
10    A Parable    2:59
11    The Wig    2:35
12    Count Bill    2:45
– BONUS TRACK –
13    Makin' Whoopee    4:36
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Charlie Mariano (tracks: 2, 7 to 12), Hal McKusick (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6)
Baritone Saxophone – Al Epstein (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6), Jimmy Giuffre (tracks: 2, 7 to 12)
Bass – Max Bennett (tracks: 2, 7 to 12), Milt Hinton (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6)
Conductor – Bobby Scott (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6)
Drums – Osie Johnson (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6), Stan Levey (tracks: 2, 7 to 12)
Piano – Bobby Scott (tracks: 2, 7 to 12)
Tenor Saxophone – Bill Holman (tracks: 2, 7 to 12)
Trombone – Eddie Bert (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6), Frank Rosolino (tracks: 2, 7 to 12)
Trumpet – Conte Candoli (tracks: 2, 7 to 12), Ronnie Woellmer (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6)

SHIRLEY HORN — Loads of Love + Shirley Horn with Horns (1990) Serie PolyGram Jazz Vocal Classics | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Two of pianist/vocalist Shirley Horn's rarest (and earliest) recordings are reissued in full on this single CD. Actually, Horn does not play piano at all, sticking exclusively to vocals, and she had less control over the interpretations (being persuaded to sing some songs at faster-than-usual tempos) than she would later on. The arrangements for the big bands that back Horn were written by Jimmy Jones and Quincy Jones and, although the overall music is enjoyable, Horn would have much preferred to be the pianist behind her own vocals. Since she would only record two other albums during the next 15 years (sticking to playing locally in the Washington, D.C., area while raising her daughter), this CD gives one a valuable look at the early Shirley Horn; her distinctive vocal style was already nearly fully formed. Scott Yanow
Loads Of Love
1 Wild Is Love 1:29
Written-By – Wayne, Rasch
2 Loads Of Love 2:24
Written-By – Richard Rodgers
3 My Future Just Passed 2:40
Written-By – Marion, Jr., Whiting
4 There's A Boat That's Leaving Soon For New York 2:41
Written-By – Ira & George Gershwin
5 Ten Cents A Dance 3:49
Written-By – Rodgers & Hart
6 Only The Lonely 3:05
Written-By – Cahn/Van Heusen
7 The Second Time Around 3:12
Written-By – Van Heusen/Cahn
8 Do It Again 2:56
Written-By – DeSilva, Gershwin
9 It's Love 2:01
Written-By – Comden/Green, Bernstein
10 That's No Joke 2:37
Written-By – Bailey
11 Love For Sale 3:50
Written-By – Porter
12 Who Am I 2:49
Written-By – Stone, Bullock
Shirley Horn With Horns
13 On The Street Where You Live 2:15
Written-By – Lerner/Lowe
14 The Great City 2:02
Written-By – Lewis
15 That Old Black Magic 2:34
Written-By – Mercer/Arlen
16 Mack The Knife 3:01
Written-By – Brecht, Weill, Blitzstein
17 Come Dance With Me 2:13
Written-By – Van Heusen/Cahn
18 Let Me Love You 3:04
Written-By – Howard
19 After You've Gone 2:59
Written-By – Creamer, Layton
20 Wouldn't It Be Loverly 3:42
Written-By – Lerner/Lowe
21 Go Away Little Boy 3:26
Written-By – Goffin/King
22 I'm In The Mood For Love 2:47
Written-By – McHugh/Fields
23 The Good Life 3:11
Written-By – Reardon, Distel
24 Wee Small Hours 3:20
Written-By – Hilliard, Mann
Credits:
Arranged By, Conductor – Jimmy Jones (tracks: 1 to 12)
Baritone Saxophone – Gerry Mulligan (tracks: 1 to 12)
Bass – Milt Hinton (tracks: 1 to 12)
Drums – Osie Johnson (tracks: 1 to 12)
Guitar – Kenny Burrell (tracks: 1 to 12)
Piano – Bobby Scott (tracks: 13, 16, 18, 20), Hank Jones (tracks: 1 to 6, 8 to 10, 12), Jimmy Jones (tracks: 7, 11, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21 to 24)
Producer, Conductor – Quincy Jones (tracks: 13 to 24)
Saxophone – Al Cohn (tracks: 1 to 12)
Saxophone, Flute – Frank Wess (tracks: 1 to 12), Jerome Richardson (tracks: 1 to 12)
Trombone – Jimmy Cleveland (tracks: 13 to 24)
Trumpet – Ernie Royal (tracks: 1 to 12), Joe Newman (tracks: 1 to 12)
Violin – Gene Orloff (tracks: 1 to 12)
Vocals – Shirley Horn

BOB BROOKMEYER | JIMMY CLEVELAND | FRANK ROSOLINO — The Trombones Inc. (1958-2007) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 Each of the selections on this set has between seven and a dozen trombonists along with a rhythm section. The first five selections were recorded with East Coast musicians and the next six with players from the West Coast but, truth be told, there is no real difference in the style of music. The arrangements of J.J. Johnson, Warren Barker and Marty Paich are strictly straight-ahead with an emphasis on the sound of the trombone sections. There are many concise solos along the way but the only standouts are Frank Rosolino and Jimmy Cleveland, as most of the other individual spots are brief. The final number, "I Found a New Baby," was not on the original LP and was apparently recorded half on the East Coast and half on the West, a discographer's nightmare but pointing to the unity of this project. The music is fun and very much in the idiom of 1950s J.J. Johnson although Johnson does not actually play a note on this project. Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits :

CURTIS FULLER — Soul Trombone + Cabin in the Sky (2011) RM | Serie Impulse! 2-On-1 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This budget two-fer in Impulse's 2011 reissue series offers trombonist Curtis Fuller's first two releases for the label, both recorded in 1961; they are his 18th and 19th overall. The first, Soul Trombone, recorded in November, is aptly titled and places Fuller as the leader of a stellar band that includes pianist Cedar Walton, trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, tenor saxophonist Jimmy Heath, Granville T. Hogan on drums, and either Jimmy Cobb or Jymie Merritt on bass. Of the six track on the set, three are originals, and they include the stellar hard bop offering "The Clan," the swinging "Newdles," and the breezy "Ladies Night." Two standard ballads here, "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning," and Stan Getz's arrangement of "Dear Old Stockholm," are also beautifully delivered. On this date, Fuller allowed all of his sidemen to stretch out and engage with one another generously. Cabin in the Sky is an entirely different kind of outing, and almost experimental -- though not in the avant-garde sense -- with Fuller leading a pair of different large bands that include a full string section arranged by Harry Lookofsky and conducted by Manny Albam. This date relies heavily (but not exclusively) on the tunes of Vernon Duke and John Latouche. The emphasis here is on texture, color, and harmony, but as a result, some of Fuller's authority is overshadowed by the elaborate and restrictive arrangements. That said, this set is far from uninteresting, and given the price tag, irresistible. Some of the players on this date include Bob Brookmeyer, Kai Winding, Hank Jones, Milt Hinton, and Osie Johnson. Standouts include non string-arranged tracks such as "Honey in the Honeycomb" and "Savannah."
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist & Credits :

RAY BROWN — With The All-Star Big Band ft. Cannonball Adderley + Ray Brown & Milt Jackson (2012) RM | SHM-CD | Two Original Albums On One CD | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist & Credits : 

1-9 With The All-Star Big Band
10-17 Ray Brown / Milt Jackson

RAY BROWN — This Is Ray Brown (1958-1998) RM | MONO | Serie Verve Original Collection 50 – 41 | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Tracklist & Credits :

THE GIL EVANS ORCHESTRA — Into the Hot (1962-1988) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Although this album (reissued on CD) proudly states that it is by the Gil Evans Orchestra and has Evans' picture on the cover, the arranger actually had nothing to do with the music. Three songs have the nucleus of his big band performing numbers composed, arranged, and conducted by John Carisi (who also plays one of the trumpets). Those selections by the composer of "Israel" are disappointingly forgettable. The other three performances are even further away from Evans for they are actually selections by avant-garde pianist Cecil Taylor's septet! Taylor's music features trumpeter Ted Curson, trombonist Roswell Rudd, altoist Jimmy Lyons, tenor saxophonist Archie Shepp, bassist Henry Grimes, and drummer Sunny Murray and is quite adventurous and exciting, the main reason to acquire this somewhat misleading set. Scott Yanow    Tracklist & Credits :

CLIFFORD BROWN – Brownie : The Complete EmArcy Recordings of Clifford Brown (1989) RM | 11xCD BOX-SET | MONO | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although undoubtedly an expensive acquisition, this ten-CD set is perfectly done and contains dozens of gems. The remarkable but short-lived trumpeter Clifford Brown has the second half of his career fully documented (other than his final performance) and he is showcased in a wide variety of settings. The bulk of the numbers are of Brownie's quintet with co-leader and drummer Max Roach, either Harold Land or Sonny Rollins on tenor, pianist Richie Powell, and bassist George Morrow (including some previously unheard alternate takes), but there is also much more. Brown stars at several jam sessions (including a meeting with fellow trumpeters Clark Terry and Maynard Ferguson), accompanies such singers as Dinah Washington, Helen Merrill, and Sarah Vaughan, and is backed by strings on one date. Everything is here, including classic versions of "Parisian Thoroughfare," "Joy Spring," "Daahoud," "Coronado," a ridiculously fast "Move," "Portrait of Jenny," "Cherokee," "Sandu," "I'll Remember April," and "What Is This Thing Called Love?" Get this set while it stays in print. Scott Yanow   Tracklist + Credits :

ILLINOIS JACQUET – 1953-1955 | The Chronogical Classics – 1451 (2007) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The mid-'50s were a fruitful time for Illinois Jacquet, as he was about age 30. A popular and distinctive tenor saxophone soloist who could easily fit into a swing, big-band, bop, blues, or rhythm & blues context, he was also asserting himself as a bandleader. These sessions, the fifth in a series of Classics label reissues for Jacquet, are all originally from the Clef label and produced by Norman Granz. Mostly done in New York City, they feature his five-years-older brother, trumpeter Russell Jacquet, in a series of mid-sized ensembles that were hype-dubbed an orchestra. As Jacquet was involved with Granz in his Jazz at the Philharmonic traveling shows, these tunes naturally have a jam session feel. The first eight tracks, from 1953, feature a dynamite rhythm session of pianist Johnny Acea, bassist Al Lucas, and drummer Shadow Wilson. Trombonist Matthew Gee and baritone saxophonist Cecil Payne round out the "orchestra." There's some crazed, frantic bop on the "Out of This World" variation "On Your Toes," the lithe and fast hard bop with low-end bari and high-end brass of "Jacquet Jumps" and "Heads," the easy swing of Acea buoying "It's the Talk of the Town," and the totally bluesy counterpointed trumpet of Russell Jacquet as a foil for his brother during "R.U. One," minus Payne. Percussive tongue pops inspire the calypso beat of the unusual, near-novelty item "Jatap Conga." On the next four cuts, from 1954, Leo Parker replaces Payne, and Osie Johnson is the drummer man. Conga legend Chano Pozo joins in on the hot and joyous "Mambocito Mio," with group vocals, and there's the richly arranged "Jacquet's Dilemma" and the famous ballad "September Song," where the tenor of Jacquet explores the deepest blue spectrum. Two more cuts from 1954 team Ben Webster and Jacquet's unison tenors with Pozo on the Latinized bopper "The Kid and the Brute" and the follow-up slinky blues "I Wrote This for the Kid." The 1955 sessions are from Los Angeles with West Coasters Gerald Wiggins and Carl Perkins playing organ and piano, respectively. This combination breeds a neat energy, and with guitarist Irving Ashby, the band takes a different tack. Trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison is the tenor's foil, sliding easily through "Love Is Here to Stay" and the ballad "East of the Sun," while swinging hard on the fun tune "Empathy" and doing the groove biscuit similar to "Let the Good Times Roll," here dubbed "Cool Bill" (perhaps for Bill Doggett), minus Perkins. This short but potent time capsule in what must be considered the near prime of Illinois Jacquet is as precious as mid-period straight-ahead jazz gets, and is highly recmmended. Michael G. Nastos
Tracklist :

EARL HINES – 1949-1952 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1288 (2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This disc begins with five excellent recordings that Earl Hines made for the Royal Jazz label in Paris. These joyous, optimistic trio renderings of "Honeysuckle Rose" and "Fine and Dandy" were part of a sizable bundle of great music recorded on November 4, 1949, the balance of which occupies the final eight tracks of Classics 1120. Two days later, Hines created three interesting piano solos for Royal: a relaxed revisit with Maceo Pinkard's old-fashioned love song "Sugar," a tough and powerful remake of "Boogie Woogie on the St. Louis Blues," and "Singing for My French Brothers," during which the pianist scats amiably. In July of 1950, Hines recorded eight outstanding trio performances to be issued on Columbia's newly developed long-playing 33-and-1/3-rpm format. The combination of Hines with bassist Al McKibbon and the impeccable J.C. Heard was remarkably fruitful. "These Foolish Things" seems to unfold as gradually as the dawn, "Velvet Moon" and "When I Dream of You" are slow and reflective, and the rest of this trio's work swings marvelously. "Diane" develops something like a Cuban rhythm halfway through, then prances the rest of the way home. In December of 1952 Hines was able to wax seven sides for the D'Oro label, which was created especially to record the Earl Hines Sextet, with a front line of trumpeter Jonah Jones, trombonist Bennie Green, and Aaron Sachs, who played clarinet and tenor sax. Vocalists heard here are Helen Merrill (this was her very first appearance on record), Lonnie Sattin (who bellows and croons like an Eckstine caricature), and a soulful Etta Jones (who has a lot of fun hollering "Stop"). Hines himself sings over a rhumba called "Ella's Fella," and "Whirl on a Whirl" also has a bit of that rhythmic Caribbean energy running through it. "Green's Corner" -- which in fact uses the bridge from "Love Is Just Around the Corner" -- is a friendly study for trumpet, tenor sax, and trombone with rhythm accompaniment, including brief solos from bassist Tommy Potter and Earl "Fatha" Hines. arwulf arwulf
Tracklist :

EARL HINES – 1953-1954 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1440 (2007) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The 11th installment in the Classics Earl Hines chronology charts the pianist and bandleader's professional progress during a time period running between May 1953 and August 1954. This entertaining segment of the Hines story includes eight excellent sides cut for the King label in New York, 14 selections recorded in Los Angeles for the Nocturne label, and lastly a five-and-a-half minute interview with Hines himself. The four King instrumentals ("Hot Soup," "Sleep Walking," "In the Attic," and "Space Ship") demonstrate how adaptable Hines was during these transitional years. This compilation opens with two surprisingly fine and funny vocals by world-famous pugilist Sugar Ray Robinson, while "A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody" and "When I Dream of You" are sung by 30-year-old crooner Johnny Hartman. "Crazy Rhythm" was done up by four members of the band (including trombonist Dicky Wells!) who transformed themselves into a vocal group billed as the Hines Varieties, while "Almost Like Being in Love" and "I Don't Hear Sweet Music Any More" were sung by sax and flute man Jerome Richardson. Hines himself was the featured vocalist on "New Orleans," "Pennies from Heaven," "I Can't Believe That You're in Love with Me," and "I'm a Little Blackbird Looking for a Bluebird." (This last number dates back to the mid-'20s when it was first recorded by Eva Taylor and the Clarence Williams Blue Five with Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet.) All of these diverse treats, along with cameo appearances by reedmen Budd Johnson, Morris Lane, Aaron Sachs, and Haywood Henry, make this one of the great "variety packs" in the Earl Hines discography. arwulf arwulf
Tracklist + Credits :

JOHNNY HODGES | WILD BILL DAVIS - Con-Soul and Jazz + Wild Bill Is the Boss ! (2007) 2xCD | FLAC (tracks), lossless

When the Lone Hill Jazz reissue label took on most of the many collaborative albums by alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges and organist Wild Bill Davis, the project extended over several volumes, including Mess of Blues, Blue Hodge, and Joe's Blues. Released in 2007, Con-Soul & Jazz/Wild Bill Is the Boss! is the only double-disc set in the series. This hefty helping of groove-oriented mainstream organ combo jazz combines the albums Con-Soul & Jazz, In Atlantic City, and Blue Pyramid, which date from the years 1965 and 1966. The compilation is rounded off with selections from the albums Blue Notes and Sandy's Gone, bringing the scope of the time line back to 1963. The Atlantic City recordings were made at a club called Grace's Little Belmont, and the Blue Notes album was taped about a week later in mid-August 1966. These would be the last of the Davis/Hodges collaborations, a fortuitous meeting of minds which began in August 1961 with the album Blue Hodge and ended almost exactly five years later. arwulf arwulf
Wild Bill Davis & Johnny Hodges
"Con-Soul And Sax"
1.1     On the Sunny Side of the Street 3'51
Dorothy Fields / Jimmy McHugh
1.2     On Green Dolphin Street 3'17
Washington / Kaper    
1.3     Lil' Darlin' 4'13
Neal Hefti
1.4     Con Soul and Sax 4'56
Wild Bill Davis
1.5     The Jeep Is Jumpin' 2'29
Duke Ellington
1.6     I'm Beginning to See the Light 3'29
D. Ellington / Hodges / George     
1.7     Sophisticated Lady 4'05
Duke Ellington / Irving Mills    
1.8     Drop Me off in Harlem 4'25
Duke Ellington    
1.9     No One 3'24
Mercer Ellington / Johnny Hodges    
1.10     Johnny Come Lately 3'07
Billy Strayhorn    
Wild Bill Davis And Johnny Hodges - In Atlantic City
1.11     Just Squeeze Me 4'46
Duke Ellington / Lee Gaines    
1.12     It's Only a Paper Moon 2'59    
Arlen / Harburg / Rose
1.13     Taffy 5'43
Wild Bill Davis / Johnny Hodges    
1.14     Good Queen Bess 3'22
Johnny Hodges    
1.15     L.B. Blues 5'40
Johnny Hodges    
1.16     In a Mellow Tone 3'52
Duke Ellington    
1.17     Rockville 6'36
Johnny Hodges
2.1     I'll Always Love You 3'51
Wild Bill Davis    
2.2     It Don't Mean a Thing 5'43
Duke Ellington / Irving Mills    
2.3     Belle of the Belmont 4'56
Mercer Ellington / Johnny Hodges    
Johnny Hodges & Wild Bill Davis - Blue Pyramid
2.4     Blues for Madeleine 4'53
Johnny Hodges    
2.5     When I'm Feeling Kinda Blue 2'30
Duke Ellington    
2.6     Pyramid 2'21
Duke Ellington / Juan Tizol    
2.7     Nonchalance 4'46
Johnny Hodges
2.8     At Dawn 3'11
Johnny Hodges / Tom Whaley    
2.9     The Brown-Skin Gal in the Calico Gown 2'43
Duke Ellington / Paul Francis Webster    
2.10     Stormy Weather 3'59
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler    
2.11     Rabbit out of the Hat 5'15
Mercer Ellington / Johnny Hodges    
2.12     Hash Brown 4'00
Johnny Hodges    
Johnny Hodges – Blue Notes
2.13     Blue Notes 2'52
Johnny Hodges    
2.14     Say It Again 3'29
Johnny Hodges    
2.15     I Can't Believe That You're in Love with Me 3'23
Clarence Gaskill / Jimmy McHugh    
2.16     Broad Walk 3'38
Johnny Hodges    
2.17     L.B. Blues 4'01
Johnny Hodges    
Johnny Hodges - Sandy's Gone
2.18     Sandy's Gone 2'11
Claus Ogerman    
2.19     Candy's Theme 2'10    
Nelson    
2.20     The Caretakers Theme 2'03
Elmer Bernstein    
2.21     Again 1'52
Dorcas Cochran / Lionel Newman
All Credits :
Notas.
Tracks 1-1 to 1-10 recorded in New York on January 7, 1965, and issued as Wild Bill Davis & Johnny Hodges - Con-Soul And Sax.
Tracks 1-11 to 2-3 recorded in Atlantic City on August 10 and 11, 1966, and issued as Wild Bill Davis & Johnny Hodges - In Atlantic City.
Track 2-12 recorded on November 19, 1965, tracks 2-5, 2-6, 2-8 and 2-9 recorded on December 27, 1965, and tracks 2-4, 2-7, 2-10 and 2-11 recorded on January 17, 1966, and issued as Johnny Hodges, Wild Bill Davis - Blue Pyramid.
Tracks 2-13 and 2-14 recorded on August 15, 1966, and tracks 2-15 to 2-17 recorded on August 19, 1966, and issued as part of Johnny Hodges - Blue Notes.
Tracks 2-18 to 2-21 recorded on September 3, 1963, and issued as part of Johnny Hodges - Sandy's Gone.

JOHNNY HODGES | WILD BILL DAVIS ft. KENNY BURRELL - Mess of Blues (2007) FLAC (tracks), lossless

In the 1960s altoist Johnny Hodges took a brief time off from Duke Ellington's orchestra to record eight albums with organist Wild Bill Davis. For this, their third collaboration, the duo welcome guitarist Kenny Burrell, trumpeter Joe Wilder and either Osie Johnson or Ed Shaughnessy on drums. Hodges plays typically beautifully on such numbers as "I Cried for You," "Lost in Meditation" and "Stolen Sweets" and, although no real surprises occur (and the playing time at around a half-hour is quite brief), the performances are up to par. However, the music on this long out-of-print LP has yet to appear on CD. Scott Yanow
"Mess Of Blues"
1     Jones 4:43
Johnny Hodges    
2     I Cried for You 3:02
Gus Arnheim    
3     Love You Madly 3:51
Duke Ellington    
4     Little John, Little John 4:03
Wild Bill Davis / Johnny Hodges    
5     Stolen Sweets 3:14
Wild Bill Davis    
6     A& R Blues 6:07
Wild Bill Davis / Johnny Hodges    
7     Lost in Meditation 3:17
Duke Ellington   
Credits
Johnny Hodges - Alto Sax
Wild Bill Davis - Organ
Kenny Burrell - Guitar
On all tracks except where otherwise indicated, with :
Credits 1-7
Drums – Ed Shaughnessy, Osie Johnson
Trumpet – Joe Wilder
New York, September 3 & 4, 1963.
From "Blue Rabbit"
8     I Let a Song Go out of My Heart 2:40
Duke Ellington / Redmond   
9     Tangerine 3:20
Victor Schertzinger   
10     Creole Love Call 5:34
Duke Ellington   
Credits 8-10
Drums – Bobby Donaldson
Organ – Ray Jackson (replaces Wild Bill Davis)
Bass - Jack Lesberg (#8-9), Wendell Marshall (#10)
New York, May 15 (8-9) & May 17 (10), 1963.
"Stride Right"
11     Caution Blues (Blues in Thirds) 3:58    
Earl Hines   
12     Stride Right 2:54
Earl Hines   
13     Rosetta 3:37
Earl Hines, Henri Woode
14     Perdido 5:09
Hans Lengsfelder   
15     Fantastic, That's You 3:04
George Cates / George Douglas   
16     Tale of the Fox 4:30
Duke Ellington / Johnny Hodges   
17     I'm Beginning to See the Light 3:01
Duke Ellington   
18     C Jam Blues 5:08
Barney Bigard / Duke Ellington   
19     Tippin' In 3:10
Marty Symes
Credits 11-19 :
Piano, Organ – Wild Bill Davis out. Earl Hines
Bass – Richard Davis
Drums – Joe Marshall
New Jersey, January 14, 1966

JOHNNY HODGES - The Eleventh Hour + Sandy's Gone (2012) RM | SHM-CD | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

JOHNNY HODGES - The Eleventh Hour    
1        Something To Live For    2:53
2        In A Sentimental Mood    2:58
3        I Didn't Know About You    2:38
4        Guitar Amour    3:33
5        You Blew Out The Flame In My Heart    2:04
6        Theme From "The Eleventh Hour"    2:15
7        Love Song From "Mutiny On The Bounty"    1:57
8        Solitude     2:37
9        Satin Doll    1:59
10        Don't Blame Me    2:46
11        Prelude To A Kiss    2:41
12        Warm Valley    1:57
Credits 1-12 :
Piano, Organ – Bernie Leighton
Strings, Arranged By, Conductor – Oliver Nelson
Violin – Ray Nance (solo violin #13)
Drums – Osie Johnson
Originally released as Verve
V6-8492
JOHNNY HODGES -    Sandy's Gone   
13        Sandy's Gone    2:09
14        Monkey Shack    2:14
15        Wonderful, Wonderful    2:13
16        Scarlett O'Hara    2:09
17        Candy's Theme    2:12
18        Follow Me    1:51
19        Blue Velvet    2:15
20        So Much In Love    2:19
21        Again    1:54
22        Deep Purple    2:18
23        Since    2:18
24        The Caretakers Theme    2:03
Credits 13-17 :
Johnny Hodges (Alto Sax);
with orchestra arranged and
conducted by Claus Ogerman.
Originally released as Verve
V6-4056

JOHNNY HODGES | WILD BILL DAVIS ft. LES SPANN & MUNDELL LOWE - Blue Hodge (2007) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

"Blue Hodge"    
1    And Then Some 4:06
Written-By – Johnny Hodges
2    I Wonder Why 4:30
Written-By – Mercer Ellington
3    Azure Te 2:57
Written-By – Duke Ellington, Irving Mills
4    Blue Hodge 6:19
Written-By – Gary McFarland
5    Hodge Podge 4:04
Written-By – Duke Ellington, Johnny Hodges
6    It Shouldn't Happen To A Dream 3:10
Written-By – Don George, Duke Ellington, Johnny Hodges
7    Why Are You Blue? 3:25
Written-By – Gary McFarland
8    Knuckles 5:11
Written-By – Johnny Hodges
9    Stand By Blues 4:30
Written-By – Johnny Hodges
10    There Is No Greater Love 3:27
Written-By – Isham Jones, Marty Symes
Personnel 1-10 :
Alto Saxophone – Johnny Hodges
Organ – Wild Bill Davis
Bass – Sam Jones
Drums – Louis Hayes
Guitar, Flute – Les Spann
From "Blue Rabbit"    
11    Blues O'Mighty 4:57
Written-By – Johnny Hodges
12    Fiddler's Fancy 2:52
Written-By – Johnny Hodges
13    Things Ain't What They Used To Be 4:18
Written-By – Mercer Ellington, Ted Persons
14    Wisteria 3:14
Written-By – Jimmy Jones, Mercer Ellington
15    Satin Doll 2:32
Written-By – Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer
16    Mud Pie 4:10
Written-By – Johnny Hodges
Personnel 11-16 :
Organ – Wild Bill Davis
Alto Saxophone – Johnny Hodges
Bass – Richard Davis
Guitar – Mundell Lowe
Drums – Osie Johnson
From "Blue Notes"    
17    Rent City 3:52
Written-By – Johnny Hodges
18    Sometimes I'm Happy 2:46
Written-By – Clifford Grey, Irving Caesar, Vincent Youmans
19    The Midnight Sun Will Never Set 3:35
Written-By – Quincy Jones
20    Sneakin' Up On You 5:38
Written-By – Chip Taylor, Ted Daryll
Personnel 17-20 :
Alto Saxophone – Johnny Hodges
Arranged By, Conductor – Jimmy Jones
Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet – Danny Bank
Bass – George Duvivier
Bass Trombone – Tony Studd
Drums – Grady Tate
Guitar – Eric Gale
Harmonica – Buddy Lucas
Piano – Hank Jones
Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet – Jimmy Hamilton
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Frank Wess, Jerome Richardson
Trumpet – Ernie Royal, Snooky Young
Vibraphone – Joe Venuto
Notas.
Tracks 1 to 10 recorded in New Jersey on August 23 and 24, 1961, and issued as Blue Hodge.
Tracks 11 to 16 recorded in New York on April 28 and 30, 1964, and issued on Blue Rabbit.
Tracks 17 to 20 recorded in New York on October 24, 1966, and issued on Blue Notes.
The CD erroneously credits track 13 to "Ted Parsons" and track 20 to "Creed Taylor."

JOHNNY HODGES QUINTET WITH LALO SCHIFRIN - Buenos Aires Blues + The Eleventh Hour (2009) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

This release presents two complete albums by the unique Johnny Hodges, both appearing here on CD for the first time ever.
The first, in quintet format, marks Hodges' only recorded encounter ever with Argentinean pianist an composer Lalo Schifrin. The latter LP showsases the saxophonist soloing on standard tunes with a big band conducted & arranged by Oliver Nelson.
Previously Unreleased Recordings    
1    Mama Knows 5:00
Written-By – Johnny Hodges
2    I'm In Another World 2:49
Written-By – Duke Ellington
3    Dreary Days 3:14
Written-By – Lalo Schifrin
4    I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me 4:58
Written-By – Clarence Gaskill, Jimmy McHugh
5    B.A. Blues 4:37
Written-By – Lalo Schifrin
6    Wanderlust 7:20
Written-By – Duke Ellington
7    All Too Soon 3:23
Written-By – Carl Sigman, Duke Ellington
8    Somebody Loves Me 2:48
Written-By – Ballard MacDonald, Buddy G. De Sylva, George Gershwin
9    Away From You 3:32
Written-By – Johnny Hodges
The Eleventh Hour    
10    Something To Live For 2:22
Written-By – Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington
11    In A Sentimental Mood 2:55
Written-By – Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Manny Kurtz
12    I Didn't Know About You 2:36
Written-By – Bob Russell, Duke Ellington
13    Guitar Amour 3:29
Written-By – Duke Ellington
14    You Blew Out The Flame (In My Heart) 2:02
Written-By – Ervin Drake, Jimmy Shirl, Johnny Hodges
15    Theme From "The Eleventh Hour" 2:14
Written-By – Harry Sukman
16    Love Song From "Mutiny On The Bounty" 1:55
Written-By – Bronislaw Kaper
17    Solitude 2:35
Written-By – Duke Ellington, Eddie Delange, Irving Mills
18    Satin Doll 1:57
Written-By – Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington
19    Don't Blame Me 2:44
Written-By – Jimmy McHugh & Dorothy Fields
20    Prelude To A Kiss 2:39
Written-By – Duke Ellington, Irving Gordon, Irving Mills
21    Warm Valley 1:56
Written-By – Duke Ellington
Personnel 1-9
Alto Saxophone – Johnny Hodges
Bass – George Duvivier
Drums – Dave Bailey (pistas: 1 to 9),
Guitar – Barry Galbraith
Piano, Arranged By – Lalo Schifrin
Personnel 10-21
Piano, Organ – Bernie Leighton
Strings, Arranged By, Conductor – Oliver Nelson
Violin – Ray Nance (pistas: 13)
Drums – Osie Johnson
Notas.
Tracks 1 to 9 recorded May 26, 1963, in New York and issued as Previously Unreleased Recordings.
Tracks 10 to 21 recorded August 6 and 15, 1962, in New York and issued as The Eleventh Hour.
"This release presents two complete original albums by the unique Johnny Hodges, both appearing here on CD for the first time ever. The first, in quartet format, marks Hodges' only recorded encounter with Lalo Schifrin. The latter LP showcases the saxophonist soloing on standard tunes with a big band conducted & arranged by Oliver Nelson."

SONNY STITT & ZOOT SIMS — Complete Recordings (1965-2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

A surprisingly great pairing - Sonny Stitt and Zoot Sims - heard here on 2 albums recorded in early 1965! "Inter-Action" begins the CD - a nice little set by Stitt and Sims - recorded in Chicago. "Broadway Soul" is an obscure album of Broadway tunes played jazz-wise from Sonny Stitt. Features a great set of players that include Zoot Sims, Jerome Richardson, Budd Johnson, Phil Woods, Walter Bishop Jr, Thad Jones and Osie Johnson.
INTER-ACTION (1965)
1. My Blue Heaven 8'03
Walter Donaldson
2. The Saber 3'05
Sonny Stitt
3. Katea 6'53
Sonny Stitt
4. Fools Rush In 5'33
Rube Bloom
5. Look Down That Lonesome Road 7'19
Traditional
6. I Want To Go Home 4'29
Sonny Stitt
Credits :
Sonny Stitt (Alto Sax & Tenor Sax)
Zoot Sims (Tenor Sax)
John Young (Piano)
Sam Kidd (Bass),
Philip Thomas (Drums)
BROADWAY SOUL (1965)
7. Hello Dolly 2'59
Jerry Herman
8. Better All The Time 3'35
Fain-A & M. Bergman
9. You'd Better Love Me 3'23
Gray / Martin
10. Night Song 5'09
Adams / Strouse
11. A Room Without Windows 3'27
Ervin Drake
12. Gimme Some 5'11
Adams / Strouse
13. Loads Of Love 2'15
Richard Rodgers
14. If I Gave You 5'05
Gray / Martin
Credits :
Sonny Stitt (Alto Sax & Tenor Sax)
Zoot Sims (Tenor Sax)
Thad Jones (Trumpet),
Jimmy Cleveland (Trombone),
Phil Woods (Alto Sax),
Budd Johnson, Jerome Richardson (Tenor Sax),
Roger Kellaway, Walter Bishop, Jr (Piano),
Milt Hinton (Bass),
Osie Johnson (Drums).

ZOOT SIMS QUINTET - Zoot! (1957-1991) RM | WV (image+.cue), lossless

For a little while in the mid-'50s, Zoot Sims occasionally doubled on alto although he soon switched back exclusively to tenor where he had a stronger musical personality. On the CD reissue of Riverside's 1956 Zoot!, Sims plays alto on two of the seven tracks and works well with trumpeter Nick Travis. Actually, pianist George Handy, who contributed four originals (two standards and drummer Osie Johnson's "Osmosis" complete the program) and did all of the arranging, comes across as the key supporting player; bassist Wilbur Ware and Johnson are fine in quiet support. Although Handy's arrangements are a bit modern, this is still a typically hard-swinging and melodic Zoot Sims date. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Why Cry? 5:54
George Handy    
2     Echoes of You 7:12
George Handy    
3     Swim, Jim 7:07
George Handy    
4     Here and Now 4:55
George Handy    
5     Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear to Tread) 4:30
Rube Bloom / Johnny Mercer
6     Osmosis 4:44
Osie Johnson    
7     Taking a Chance on Love 6:01
Vernon Duke / Ted Fetter / John Latouche
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Jack "Zoot" Sims (pistas: 3, 6)
Bass – Wilbur Ware
Drums – Osie Johnson
Piano, Arranged By – George Handy
Producer, Liner Notes – Orrin Keepnews
Tenor Saxophone – Jack "Zoot" Sims
Trumpet – Nick Travis

ZOOT SIMS | BOB BROOKMEYER - Stretching Out + Kansas City Revisited (1958-2007) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

"Stretching Out". Like many studio sessions recorded for United Artists, this 1958 session co-led by Zoot Sims and Bob Brookmeyer can be a bit tricky to find. Brookmeyer contributed most of the charts, including the easygoing blues which serves as the title track, as well as updated treatments of Jelly Roll Morton's "King Porter Stomp" and "Ain't Misbehavin'." Al Cohn is responsible for a swinging chart of "Pennies from Heaven" during which he switches to baritone sax, while Bill Potts wrote and arranged "Bee Kay." The rest of the superb band includes Harry "Sweets" Edison, Hank Jones, bassist Eddie Jones, guitarist Freddie Green, and drummer Charlie Persip. Aside from a few innocuous reed squeaks, the music is essentially flawless and has stood the test of time very well.

"Kansas City Revisited". Cool jazz meets swing on this valuable LP. Valve trombonist Bob Brookmeyer, tenors Al Cohn and Paul Quinichette, pianist Nat Pierce, guitarist Jim Hall, bassist Addison Farmer and drummer Osie Johnson perform four songs associated with the late-'30s Count Basie Orchestra plus a couple of numbers ("A Blues" and "Travlin' Light") that are sung by the underrated vocalist Big Miller who was making his recording debut at the time. web
Stretching Out
1    Zoot Sims - Bob Brookmeyer Octet–    Stretching Out    6:08
Written-By – Bob Brookmeyer
2    Zoot Sims - Bob Brookmeyer Octet–    Now Will You Be Good 5:27   
Written-By – Terke, Jentes, Pease
3    Zoot Sims - Bob Brookmeyer Octet–    Pennies From Heaven    6:15
Written-By – Johnston, Burke
4    Zoot Sims - Bob Brookmeyer Octet–    King Porter Stomp    4:38
Written-By – Morton, Robbins, Burke
5    Zoot Sims - Bob Brookmeyer Octet–    Ain't Misbehavin'    6:54
Written-By – Razaf, Brooks, Waller
6    Zoot Sims - Bob Brookmeyer Octet–    Bee Kay    6:42
Written-By – Bill Potts
Kansas City Revisited   
7    Bob Brookmeyer's KC Seven–    Jumpin' At The Woodside    8:00
8    Bob Brookmeyer's KC Seven–    A Blues (What's On Your Mind)    5:05
9    Bob Brookmeyer's KC Seven–    Blue And Sentimental    6:53
10    Bob Brookmeyer's KC Seven–    Doggin' Around    8:40
11    Bob Brookmeyer's KC Seven–    Moten Swing    10:12
12    Bob Brookmeyer's KC Seven–    Trav'lin' Light    3:35
Credits :
1-6
Arranged By – Bill Potts
Arranged By, Baritone Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Al Cohn
Arranged By, Valve Trombone, Liner Notes – Bob Brookmeyer
Bass – Eddie Jones
Drums – Charlie Persip
Guitar – Freddie Green
Piano – Hank Jones
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Trumpet – Harry Edison
7-12
Bass – Addison Farmer
Drums – Osie Johnson
Guitar – Jim Hall
Piano – Nat Pierce
Tenor Saxophone – Al Cohn, Paul Quinichette
Valve Trombone – Bob Brookmeyer