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

COUNT BASIE • JOE TURNER — The Bosses (1974-1994) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Count Basie and an all-star band (including trumpeter Harry Edison, trombonist J.J. Johnson and the tenors of Eddie Davis and Zoot Sims) back up veteran Kansas City blues singer Big Joe Turner on one of his better later albums. The many fine solos inspire Turner, who is in top form on such tunes as "Night Time Is the Right Time," "Wee Baby Blues" and "Roll 'Em Pete." Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1. Honeydripper 6:42
 Joe Liggins
2. Honey Hush 2:37
 Lou Willie Turner
3. Cherry Red 4:42
 Pete Johnson / Big Joe Turner
4. Night Time Is The Right Time 3:54
 Leroy Carr
5. Blues Around The Clock 4:58
 Willie Bryant
6. Since I Fell For You 3:55
 Buddy Johnson
7. Flip, Flop And Fly    3:28
 Charles E. Calhoun / Chuck Calhoun / Lou Willie Turner
8. Wee Baby Blues 5:37
 Pete Johnson / Big Joe Turner
9. Good Mornin' Blues 3:50
 Count Basie / Eddie Durham / Jimmy Rushing
10. Roll 'Em Pete 4:16
 Pete Johnson / Big Joe Turner
Credits :
Bass – Ray Brown
Drums – Louis Bellson
Guitar – Irving Ashby
Piano, Organ – Count Basie
Tenor Saxophone – Eddie Davis, Zoot Sims
Trombone – J.J. Johnson
Trumpet – Harry Edison
Vocals – Joe Turner

MILT JACKSON — A London Bridge (1988) APE (image+.cue), lossless

One of three albums of material recorded by the Milt Jackson Quartet (which consisted of pianist Monty Alexander, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Mickey Roker) during a stay at Ronnie Scott's Club in London, this excellent set features the veterans playing in their usual style (bop, blues and ballad) but with a fresher repertoire than usual including "Impressions," "Good Bait" and Alexander's "Reggae/Later." The pianist often steals the show on this fine set; all three records from this gig are easily recommended. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Impressions    5:40
 John Coltrane
2    Flamingo    5:22
 Ted Grouya / Milt Jackson
3    Eleuthera    7:11
 Monty Alexander
4    Good Bait    5:23
 Count Basie / Tadd Dameron
5    FSR    6:20
 Ray Brown
6    Reggae/Later    6:49
 Monty Alexander
7    Close Enough For Love    7:23
 Johnny Mandel / Paul Williams
8    Captain Bill    7:27
 Ray Brown
Credits :
Bass – Ray Brown
Drums – Mickey Roker
Piano – Monty Alexander
Vibraphone – Milt Jackson

NIELS-HENNING ØRSTED PEDERSEN | PHILIP CATHERINE — The Viking (1983) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

After countless sessions for Norman Granz's Pablo label as a sideman (including with Oscar Peterson and Joe Pass), bassist Niels Pedersen finally had an opportunity to lead his own Pablo date in 1983. The set of duets with guitarist Philip Catherine (which has not yet been reissued on CD) finds Pedersen engaging in close interplay with Catherine, whose sound sometimes recalls Django Reinhardt, although he has an improvising approach of his own. The music is split between standards, including "My Funny Valentine," "Nuages," and "I Fall In Love Too Easily," and inventive originals. A thought-provoking and well-played set of subtle and lyrical music. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    The Puzzle 5:40
Written-By – Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
2    Marie 4:58
Written-By – Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
3    Nuages 5:50
Written-By – Django Reinhardt
4    September Start 4:50
Written-By – Philip Catherine
5    Little Train Of The Caipria 5:16
Written-By – Heitor Villa-Lobos
6    My Funny Valentine 5:16
Written-By – Rodgers & Hart
Medley    
7a    Air Power 0:50
Written-By – Philip Catherine
7b    Dancing Girls 1:31
Written-By – Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
8    Stella By Starlight 5:15
Written-By – Ned Washington, Victor Young
9    I Fall In Love Too Easily 1:31
Written-By – Jule Styne And Sammy Cahn
Credits :
Bass – Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
Guitar – Philip Catherine

THE MODERN JAZZ QUARTET — The Complete Modern Jazz Quartet Prestige & Pablo Recordings (2003) 4CD BOX-SET | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless|

In typical Fantasy Records aplomb, this four-CD set collects the eight albums which the Modern Jazz Quartet either mentored or collaborated on during their tenure at the commencement and nadir of their reign as jazz's premier chamber ensemble. Beginning with the 1952 issue of Modern Jazz Quartet/Milt Jackson Quintet recording (the earlier Milt Jackson Quartet sides are not here for obvious reasons, as the band did not commence its fully developed form on them) featuring original drummer Kenny Clarke before Connie Kay replaced him, and ending with This One's For Basie in 1985; the association the MJQ had with Prestige was a monumental one. Signified on the band's first full-length outing included here, Django, were the quiet power and majesty the group would later showcase on its Atlantic recordings, MJQ, Fontessa, and the soundtrack for No Sun In Venice. More importantly, the band's run on Prestige showcased not only the roots of the chamber jazz sound, but a harder-edged swing than was displayed on the more expansive recordings on Atlantic. From the almost novel and humorous asides of "The Queen's Fancy," to the funkier, grittier side of the band displayed with Sonny Rollins as a guest on "No Moe," MJQ were always about swing and blues. Discs One and Two showcase the early days of the band on their debut, Django, with Sonny Rollins and Concorde recordings. Concorde is a pinnacle, and reveals John Lewis' writing and arranging to have opened up and embraced all of classical music's dynamic spectrum, while keeping the restraint of swing and the expressionism of the blues in full view. The more regal sound is the one that informed virtually all of the group's Atlantic sides in the years to come. But Concorde and Django are simply two of the first recordings that the label issued during the early 1950s. Discs Three and Four represent four Pablo albums: The Reunion at Budokan in 1981, Together Again at Montreux Jazz in 1982, Echoes from 1984, and finally, This One's For Basie. These sides offer a much more mannered and ritualistic side of MJQ, one that had its critics but nonetheless swung hard and took chances, particularly in their live encounters. There is a caveat, however, as has become typical of the Fantasy boxed sets: Perhaps they should be titled the complete "released" recordings, since there is only one unreleased track in the bunch, the deep sixed 16th alternate take of "Rockin' In Rhythm," from Topsy: This One's For Basie. Really, what is the label waiting for? Fans, no doubt, have most if not all of this material anyway, and there needs to be -- besides an excellent package, sets of liner notes by Eugene Holley and Chris Sheridan -- a definitive edition that includes the process-takes this band recorded to get to the final version: MJQ were nothing if not perfectionists. Still, it's a somewhat small complaint to have all of this material in one place and juxtaposed so brilliantly between the young jazz rebels and the celebrated masters.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist 1 :
1 All The Things You Are 3:15
 Kern, Hammerstein
2 La Ronde 3:08
 John Lewis
3 Vendome 3:12
 John Lewis
4 Rose Of The Rio Grande 2:12
 Leslie, Warren, Gorman
5 The Queen's Fancy 3:12
 John Lewis
6 Delaunay's Dilemma 3:57
 John Lewis
7 Autumn In New York 3:38
 Vernon Duke
8 But Not For Me 3:44
 Gershwin Gershwin
9 In A Sentimental Mood 3:16
 Duke Ellington
10 The Stopper 2:55
 Sonny Rollins
11 Almost Like Being In Love 3:21
 Lerner Loewe
12 No Moe 3:27
 Sonny Rollins
13 Django 7:03
 John Lewis
14 One Bass Hit 2:59
 Gillespie, Fuller, Brown
15 Milano 4:21
 John Lewis
16 La Ronde Suite 9:25
 John Lewis
17 Ralph's New Blues 7:09
 Milt Jackson
18 All Of You 4:26
 Cole Porter
Tracklist 2 :
1 I'll Remember April 5:07
 Raye, De Paul, Johnston
2 Gershwin Medley (Soon/For You, For Me, For Evermore/Love Walked In/love Is Here To Stay) 7:55
 Gershwin Gershwin
3 Concorde 3:38
 John Lewis
4 Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise 7:57
 Hammerstein, Romberg
5 Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise 5:53
 Hammerstein, Romberg
6 The Cylinder 5:01
 Milt Jackson
7 Really True Blues 5:19
 Milt Jackson
8 The Golden Striker 5:47
 John Lewis
9 Odds Against Tomorrow 8:29
 John Lewis
10 The Jasmine Tree 3:29
 John Lewis
11 Bags' Groove 5:19
 Milt Jackson
12 Django 5:12
 John Lewis
13 Django 5:25
 John Lewis
Tracklist 3 :
1 The Jasmine Tree 4:42
 John Lewis
2 Odds Against Tomorrow 8:53
 John Lewis
3 The Cylinder 5:12
 Milt Jackson
4 The Martyr 8:43
 Milt Jackson
5 Really True Blues 5:39
 Milt Jackson
6 Monterey Mist 4:05
 Milt Jackson
7 Bags' New Groove 4:15
 Milt Jackson
8 Woody'n You 3:47
 Dizzy Gillespie
9 Echoes 7:08
 Milt Jackson
10 The Watergate Blues 6:04
 Percy Heath
11 The Hornpipe 8:16
 John Lewis
12 Connie's Blues 7:21
 Milt Jackson
Tracklist 4 :
1 Sacha's March 7:54
 John Lewis
2 That Slavic Smile 8:00
 John Lewis
3 Reunion Blues 4:09
 Milt Jackson / John Lewis
4 D And E (Take 5) 9:43
 John Lewis
5 Rockin' In Rhythm (Take 16) 7:30
 Ellington, Carney, Mills
6 Valeria 6:46
 John Lewis
7 Le Cannet 8:16
 John Lewis
8 Nature Boy 5:03
 Eden Ahbez
9 Milano 5:50
 John Lewis
10 Topsy 4:40
 Durham, Battle
11 D And E (Re-take 1) 8:27
 John Lewis
Credits :
Bass – Percy Heath
Drums – Connie Kay (tracks: 1-17 to 4-11), Kenny Clarke (tracks: 1-01 to 1-16)
Piano – John Lewis
Tenor Saxophone – Sonny Rollins (tracks: 1-09 to 1-12)
Vibraphone – Milt Jackson

ELLA FITZGERALD AND ANDRÉ PREVIN — Nice Work If You Can Get It (1983) Two Version (1984, Pablo Today – 3112-50 Japan) + (1987, Pablo Records – 00025218014021) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Ella Fitzgerald, who in the late '50s recorded the very extensive George and Ira Gershwin Songbook, revisits their music on this duet outing with pianist André Previn. Her voice was past her prime by this point, but she was able to bring out a lot of the beauty in the ten songs, giving the classic melodies and lyrics tasteful and lightly swinging treatment. Nice Work If You Can Get It is not an essential CD but is a reasonably enjoyable outing. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 A Foggy Day 6:10
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
2 Nice Work If You Can Get It 5:14
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
3 But Not for Me 3:54
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
4 Let's Call the Whole Thing Off 2:46
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
5 How Long Has This Been Going On? 5:01
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
6 Who Cares? 4:30
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
7 Medley: I've Got a Crush on You/Someone to Watch Over ... 4:56
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
8 They Can't Take That Away from Me 3:27
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
Credits :
Ella Fitzgerald - Vocals
André Previn - Piano
Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen - Bass

COUNT BASIE Encounters OSCAR PETERSON — Satch and Josh (1974-1998) RM | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Producer Norman Granz occasionally got carried away with the quantity of his recording projects. In 1974 he recorded a full album teaming fellow pianists Count Basie and Oscar Peterson in a rhythm quintet; little did anyone realize that this then-unique matchup would eventually result in five albums. This first one, which finds Basie doubling on organ, is among the best. Peterson's virtuosic style somehow worked very well with Basie's sparse playing and these ten numbers really swing. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
 1. Buns Blues [4:37]
Written-By – Basie, Peterson
2. These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You) [5:45]
Written-By – Link, Marvell, Strachey
3. R B [5:35]
Written-By – Basie, Peterson
4. Burning [4:15]
Written-By – Basie, Peterson
5. Exactly Like You [6:19]
Written-By – Fields/McHugh
6. Jumpin' At The Woodside [2:54]
Written-By – Basie, Peterson
7. Louie B. [6:21]
Written-By – Basie, Peterson
8. Lester Leaps In [4:09]
Written-By – Lester Young
9. Big Stockings [4:29]
Written-By – Basie, Peterson
10. S & J Blues [7:53]
Written-By – Basie, Peterson
Credits :
Bass – Ray Brown
Drums – Louie Bellson
Guitar – Freddie Green
Organ – Count Basie
Piano – Count Basie, Oscar Peterson
Producer – Norman Granz
Remastered By – Phil De Lancie

OSCAR PETERSON and COUNT BASIE — Satch and Josh Again! (1978-1998) RM | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Recorded three years after their first full album together, this second encounter between Count Basie and Oscar Peterson on twin pianos (this time with a quartet) is as strong as the original, alternating standards with blues. Both Peterson and Basie have one number apiece on electric piano, making this album historic as well as quite musical. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1.    Roots 6:44
Count Basie / Oscar Peterson
2.    Red Wagon 5:37
Gene DePaul / Richard M. Jones / Don Raye
3.    Home Run 2:40
Count Basie / Oscar Peterson
4.    Sweethearts on Parade 6:37
Carmen Lombardo / Charles Newman
5.    Lil' Darlin' 4:28
Neal Hefti
6.    The Time Is Right 4:31
Oscar Peterson
7.    Cherry 5:50
Don Redman
8.    Lester Leaps In 4:49
Lester Young
9.    She's Funny That Way 5:38
Neil Moret / Richard A. Whiting
10.    Lady Fitz 4.46
Count Basie / Oscar Peterson
Credits :
Bass – John Heard
Drums – Louis Bellson
Electric Piano – Count Basie (tracks: 10), Oscar Peterson (tracks: 5)
Piano – Count Basie (tracks: 1 to 9), Oscar Peterson (tracks: 1 to 4, 6 to 10)
Producer – Norman Granz
Remastered By – Joe Tarantino

ELLA FITZGERALD AND JOE PASS — Easy Living (1986-2011) RM | Original Jazz Classics Remasters Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

For her third duo recording with guitarist Joe Pass, Ella Fitzgerald swings 15 mostly familiar standards that range from "My Ship" and "Don't Be That Way" to "Why Don't You Do Right?" and "On a Slow Boat to China." Although her voice was visibly fading, Fitzgerald's charm and sense of swing were still very much present. But this CD is not one of her more significant recordings, other than being one of the final chapters. Scott Yanow

Tracklist :

1 My Ship 4:24

2 Don't Be That Way 2:58

3 My Man 3:28

4 Don't Worry 'Bout Me 4:38

5 Days Of Wine And Roses 3:03

6 Easy Living 4:14

7 I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You 6:03

8 Love For Sale 4:38

9 Moonlight In Vermont 4:20

10 On Green Dolphin Street 3:27

11 Why Don't You Do Right? 2:56

12 By Myself 3:25

13 I Want A Little Girl 2:46

14 I'm Making Believe 2:37
15 On A Slow Boat To China 5:05
– BONUS TRACK –
16 Don't Be That Way (Take 3, Alternate)    3:12
17 Love For Sale (Take 1, Alternate)    4:27
Credits :
Guitar – Joe Pass
Vocals – Ella Fitzgerald

MILT JACKSON & RAY BROWN JAM — Montreux '77 (1977-1985) Serie Polydor Jazz CD Fair, Montreux '77 | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist & Credits :

ART TATUM — The Complete Pablo Group Masterpieces (1990) RM | 6CD BOX-SET | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tatum spent most of his career as a solo pianist; in fact, it was often said that he was such an unpredictable virtuoso that it would be difficult for other musicians to play with him. Producer Norman Granz sought to prove that the theory was false, so between 1954 and 1956 he extensively recorded Tatum with a variety of other classic jazzmen, resulting originally in nine LPs of material that is now available separately as eight CDs and on this very full six-CD box set. In contrast to the massive solo Tatum sessions that Granz also recorded during this period, the group sides have plenty of variety and exciting moments, which is not too surprising when one considers that Tatum was teamed in a trio with altoist Benny Carter and drummer Louie Bellson; with trumpeter Roy Eldridge, clarinetist Buddy DeFranco, and tenor saxophonist Ben Webster in separate quartets; in an explosive trio with vibraphonist Lionel Hampton and drummer Buddy Rich; with a sextet including Hampton, Rich, and trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison; and on a standard trio session. Scott Yanow    Tracklist & Credits :

ART TATUM — The Art Tatum Solo Masterpieces · Volume One (1992) RM | APE (tracks+.cue), lossless

The first of eight CDs reissuing the 119 piano solo performances that Art Tatum recorded for Norman Granz during four marathon record sessions has its moments, although in general this series lacks the excitement of Tatum's earliest recordings. The pianist interprets such standards an this first volume as "Body and Soul," "It's Only a Paper Moon" and "Willow Weep for Me."  Scott Yanow    Tracklist & Credits :

ART TATUM — The Art Tatum Solo Masterpieces · Volume Two (1992) RM | APE (tracks+.cue), lossless

The second of eight CDs in this series of solo performances taken from four marathon record sessions has among its highlights "Elegy," "This Can't Be Love" and "Tea for Two," but in qeneral this series lacks the excitement of Tatum's earliest recordings. Excellent but somewhat predictable performances by the classic virtuoso. Scott Yanow  Tracklist & Credits : 

ART TATUM — The Art Tatum Solo Masterpieces · Volume Three (1992) RM | APE (tracks+.cue), lossless

The third of eight CDs in the Norman Granz series of Tatum piano solos is highlighted by "Yesterdays," "Prisoner of Love" and "Begin the Beguine" among others. He did little prior preparation for the four marathon sessions that resulted in a dozen LPs (now reissued as eight CDs), so this series lacks the excitement and adventure of his earliest recordings although it is still enjoyable in its own right. Sott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits :

ART TATUM — The Art Tatum Solo Masterpieces · Volume Four (1992) RM | APE (tracks+.cue), lossless

On the fourth volume in this eight-CD series, Tatum sounds at his best on "Ill Wind" and "The Man I Love." Taken from the 119 piano solos he cut for Norman Granz in four lengthy recording sessions during 1953-55, these performances are concise, relaxed, and surprisingly predictable, if virtuosic. Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits :

ART TATUM — The Art Tatum Solo Masterpieces · Volume Five (1992) RM | APE (tracks+.cue), lossless

The fifth volume of this eight CD-series features Tatum interpreting 15 of the 119 standards he recorded during four marathon solo recording sessions for Norman Granz. He sounds typically wondrous in spots even though there are few surprises throughout this generally relaxed set. Scott Yanow
Tracklist & Credits :

ART TATUM — The Art Tatum Solo Masterpieces · Volume Six (1992) RM | APE (tracks+.cue), lossless

Volume Six of this eight-CD series features Tatum interpreting such standards as "Night and Day," "Cherokee," "Happy Feet" and "Someone to Watch Over Me" with taste and melodic creativity. There are no real barnburners or new revelations on this generally relaxed set, but the music should please Tatum's fans. Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits :

ART TATUM — The Art Tatum Solo Masterpieces · Volume Seven (1992) RM | APE (tracks+.cue), lossless

The next-to-last volume in this eight CD-series features interpretations of a variety of standards, including "Moon Song," "Japanese Sandman," "Moonlight on the Ganges" and even "Mighty like a Rose." Taken from the 119 numbers that Tatum recorded for Norman Granz during four marathon sessions, the music is pleasing, if at times a bit too relaxed for those who would like to hear the virtuoso really tear into these pieces. Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits :

ART TATUM — The Art Tatum Solo Masterpieces · Volume Eight (1992) RM | APE (tracks+.cue), lossless

The final volume of this eight-CD (and originally 12-LP) series is similar to the first seven in that Tatum melodically improvises on a variety of standards, in this case such tunes as "She's Funny That Way," "I Won't Dance," "Begin the Beguine" and "Humoresque." Few revelations occur (most of the interpretations are in the same relaxed medium tempo) but the music is typically well-played and generally quite enjoyable. Scott Yanow
Tracklist & Credits :

DIZZY GILLESPIE · JOE PASS · RAY BROWN · MICKEY ROCKER — Dizzy's Big 4 (1975-1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Dizzy Gillespie omits a piano on these 1974 sessions, but it is never missed due to the potent rhythm section supplied by guitarist Joe Pass, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer Mickey Roker. Starting with the inspired, occasionally funky Latin-flavored "Frelimo" (which features the leader on both muted and open trumpet), Gillespie is in top form. His deliberate treatment of the forgotten chestnut "Hurry Home" is a lyrical gem, while the breezy setting of the standard "Russian Lullaby" bubbles with excitement. But the fireworks take place in the rapid-fire performance of Gillespie's "Be Bop (Dizzy's Fingers)," in which Pass seems to play at an impossible tempo. Just as much fun is the sassy, intricate interpretation of the trumpeter's blues "Birk's Works," powered by Brown's potent bass, along with the hip updated treatment of Fats Waller's "Jitterbug Waltz." This is easily one of Dizzy Gillespie's best small-group recordings from the latter portion of his career. Ken Dryden           Tracklist + Credits :