CAL TJADER — Black Orchid (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This CD has all of the music originally on the two LPs Cal Tjader Goes Latin and The Cal Tjader Quintet. Since each album had two sessions apiece, the CD does a fine job of giving one a sampling of the influential vibraphonist's popular Latin jazz groups of the era. Among the key sideman are flutist Paul Horn; Jose "Chombo" Silva on tenor; pianists Lonnie Hewitt, Vince Guaraldi, and Manuel Duran; and Mongo Santamaria and Willie Bobo on percussion. The music (a mixture of Latinized standards and newer originals) is quite appealing, showing why this infectious blending of bop with Latin rhythms has always been one of the most accessible styles of jazz. Scott Yanow
Tracklist  :
1    Mi China 2:15
Mongo Santamaría
2    Close Your Eyes 3:11
Bernice Petkere
3    Mambo at the "M" 4:39
Luis Kant
4    Contigo 2:40
Pedro Flores
5    Bonita 2:28
Lonnie Hewitt
6    The Lady Is a Tramp 4:32
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
7    Black Orchid 3:23
Cal Tjader
8    Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe :44
Harold Arlen / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
9    I've Waited So Long 2:07
Jerry Lordan
10    Out of Nowhere 3:26
Johnny Green / Edward Heyman
11    Cuajira at the Blackhawk 5:20
Mongo Santamaría
12    I Want to Be Happy 3:15
Irving Caesar / Vincent Youmans
13    The Nearness of You 3:54
Hoagy Carmichael / Ned Washington
14    Pete Kelly's Blues 3:48
Sammy Cahn / Ray Heindorf
15    A Minor Goof 3:53
Brew Moore
16    Undecided 3:23
Sydney Robin / Charlie Shavers
17    Philadelphia Mambo 3:20
Tito Puente
18    Flamingo 4:12
Edmund Anderson / Ted Grouya
19    Stompin' at the Savoy 4:00
Benny Goodman / Andy Razaf / Edgar Sampson / Chick Webb
20    Laura 3:21
Johnny Mercer / David Raksin
21    Lullaby of Birdland 4:00
George Shearing / George David Weiss
Credits :
José "Chombo" Silva (Saxophone)
Paul Horn (Flute)
Vince Guaraldi, Lonnie Hewitt, Manuel Duran (Piano)
Eugene Wright, Carlos Duran,  Al McKibbon (Bass)
Willie Bobo (Drums, Timbales)
Luis Kant, Mongo Santamaria, Luis Miranda (Conga Drums)
Bayardo Velarde (Timbales)

JUNE CHRISTY - Something Cool (The Complete Mono & Stereo Versions) (2001) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

June Christy's Something Cool, originally released as a 10" LP in 1954, single-handedly inaugurated the cool jazz vocal movement. Christy had been a star vocalist with the Stan Kenton Orchestra in the late '40s, enjoying major hits with "Tampico" and "Shoo Fly Pie & Apple Pan Dowdy." Soon after she left the band, she began working with key Kenton arranger Pete Rugolo and a slew of top West Coast studio musicians (including her husband, tenor saxophonist Bob Cooper) on her first solo album for Capitol Records. The result was Something Cool, which is both a winning showcase for Christy's wistful style and a landmark of cool jazz modernism. From the start, Christy established herself as an artist who strove for the very best in song selection, arrangements, and notably intelligent interpretation. There were perhaps other vocalists with greater vocal equipment, but few could match June Christy's artistic integrity. The celebrated title track is the soliloquy of a female barfly of a certain age, reminiscing (and fantasizing) about better days to a fellow male patron who just might buy her another drink. It immediately became Christy's signature performance, and remained so throughout her career. Other highlights include a swinging "It Could Happen to You," "Midnight Sun," and an ambitious arrangement of Kurt Weill's "Lonely House." by Richard Mortifoglio  
Tracklist:
1 Something Cool 4:17
Bass – Joe Confort 
Drums – Frank Carlson
Flute, Alto Saxophone – Gus Bivona
Guitar – Barney Kessel
Piano – Geoff Clarkson 
Trumpet – Jimmy Zito 
Written-By – Bill Barnes 
2 It Could Happen To You 1:55
Written-By – J. Van Heusen, J. Burke 
3 Lonely House 3:56
Written-By – K. Weill, L. Hughes
4 This Time The Dream's On Me 1:29
Written-By – H. Arlen-J. Mercer 
5 The Night We Called It A Day 4:48
Written-By – M. Dennis*, T. Adair 
6 Midnight Sun 3:13
Alto Saxophone – Skeets Herfurt, Willie Schwartz 
Bass Trombone – Dick Noel  
Drums – Alvin Stoller
Guitar – Tony Rizzi
Piano – Paul Smith  
Tenor Saxophone – Fred Fallensby
Trombone – Dick Reynolds, Nick DiMaio
Trumpet – Ray Linn, Ray Triscari, Uan Rasey
Written-By – Mercer, Hampton, Burke 
7 I'll Take Romance 2:19
Written-By – B. Oakland, O. Hammerstein 
8 A Stranger Called The Blues 3:56
Written-By – M. Torme, R. Wells 
9 I Should Care 2:08
Written-By – Stordahl, Weston, Cahn
10 Softly As In A Morning Sunrise 2:13
Piano – Claude Williamson
Trombone – Bob Fitzpatrick
Written-By – O. Hammerstein, S. Romberg
11 I'm Thrilled 2:39
Written-By – S. Lippman, S. Dee
12 Something Cool 4:57
Written-By – Bill Barnes
13 It Could Happen To You 2:00
Written-By – J. Van Heusen, J. Burke
14 Lonely House 4:03
Written-By – K. Weill, L. Hughes
15 This Time The Dream's On Me 1:36
Written-By – H. Arlen-J. Mercer
16 The Night We Called It A Day 4:53
Written-By – M. Dennis T. Adair
17 Midnight Sun 3:31
Written-By – Mercer, Hampton, Burke
18 I'll Take Romance 2:20
Written-By – B. Oakland, O. Hammerstein
19 A Stranger Called The Blues 4:19
Written-By – M. Torme, R. Wells
20 I Should Care 2:11
Written-By – Stordahl, Weston, Cahn
21 Softly As In A Morning Sunrise 2:14
Written-By – O. Hammerstein, S. Romberg
22 I'm Thrilled 2:47
Written-By – S. Lippman, S. Dee
Credits:
Alto Flute – Bud Shank (tracks: 4, 5, 11), Harry Klee (tracks: 4, 5, 11)
Alto Saxophone [Soloist] – Bud Shank
Alto Saxophone, Flute – Bud Shank (tracks: 1 to 5, 7 to 22), Harry Klee (tracks: 2 to 5, 7 to 9, 11, 12, 14 to 17, 20, 21)
Arranged By, Conductor – Pete Rugolo
Baritone Saxophone – Bob Gordon (tracks: 4, 5, 10, 11), Chuck Gentry (tracks: 1, 6 to 8), Johnny Rotella (tracks: 2, 3, 9)
Bass – Harry Babasin (tracks: 4, 5, 11), Joe Mondragon (tracks: 2, 3, 6 to 10, 12 to 22)
Bass Trombone – George Roberts (tracks: 1, 12 to 22)
Drums – Larry Bunker (tracks: 12 to 22), Shelly Manne (tracks: 2 to 5, 7 to 11)
Flute – Ted Nash (tracks: 1 to 3, 7 to 9)
French Horn – John Graas (tracks: 2, 3, 7 to 9), Vincent DeRosa (tracks: 4, 5, 11, 13 to 16, 18 to 20, 22)
Guitar – Howard Roberts (tracks: 2 to 5, 7 to 11), Jack Marshall (tracks: 12 to 22)
Piano – Claude Williamson (tracks: 4, 5, 11), Joe Castro (tracks: 12 to 22), Russ Freeman (tracks: 2, 3, 7 to 9)
Reeds – Buddy Collette (tracks: 13, 18, 19, 22), Chuck Gentry (tracks: 12 to 22)
Tenor Saxophone – Jimmy Giuffre (tracks: 4, 5, 10, 11), Ted Nash (tracks: 1 to 3, 6 to 9)
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Bob Cooper (tracks: 1 to 3, 7 to 10, 12 to 22), Paul Horn (tracks: 12 to 22)
Trombone – Frank Rosolino (tracks: 4, 5, 11 to 22), Harry Betts (tracks: 2 to 5, 7 to 9, 11, 12, 17, 21), Herbie Harper (tracks: 1, 10), Milt Bernhart (tracks: 1 to 5, 7 to 22), Tommy Pederson (tracks: 1 to 3, 6 to 9)
Trumpet – Conrad Gozzo, Conte Candoli (tracks: 10, 12 to 22), Frank Beach (tracks: 6, 12 to 22), Maynard Ferguson (tracks: 1 to 5, 7 to 9, 11), Ollie Mitchell (tracks: 12, 17, 21), Shorty Rogers (tracks: 1 to 5, 7 to 11)
Tuba – Paul Sarmento (tracks: 2 to 5, 7 to 9, 11), Phil Stephens (tracks: 13 to 16, 18 to 20, 22)
Vocals – June Christy

LOREZ ALEXANDRIA - More of the Great Lorez Alexandria (1964-2007) Impulse! More Best 50 – 13 / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1 But Beautiful  4:18
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
2 Little Boat (O Barquinho)  2:17
Ronaldo Bôscoli / Roberto Menescal
3 Dancing on the Ceiling  1:32
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
4 It Might as Well Be Spring  6:58
Oscar Hammerstein II / Richard Rodgers
5 Once (It S'Aim Aient)  2:20
Norman Gimbel / Guy Magenta
6 The Wildest Gal in Town  2:54
Sammy Fain / Jack Yellen
7 Angel Eyes  4:53
Earl Brent / Matt Dennis
8 This Could Be the Start of Something Big  2:20
Steve Allen
9 No More  3:09
Tutti Camarata / Bob Russell
10 That Far Away Look  2:25
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Paul Horn
Double Bass – Al McKibbon
Drums – Jimmy Cobb (tracks: 8) 
Guitar – Ray Crawford (tracks: 8) 
Piano – Wynton Kelly

LOREZ ALEXANDRIA - Alexandria the Great (1964-2004) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Lorez Alexandria has not received her due as a jazz singer, probably due in part to her long layoff from recording (11 years) for nationally distributed labels following these 1964 studio sessions for Impulse! But the vocalist is in top form throughout each of these three sessions, each with a different group of musicians. Her soulful singing also hints at her gospel background in places, though her clear enunciation, ability to swing, and touch of charm make her a delight to hear. Most of the arrangements are fairly concise, so the longer tracks shine just a bit brighter. Her swinging take of "Get Me to the Church On Time" is playful, while her soulfulness comes across in the snappy take of "I'm Through With Love," the latter featuring guitarist Ray Crawford. This is an excellent introduction to a fine vocalist worthy of much wider recognition. Ken Dryden
Тracklist :
1. Show Me (4:05)
Alan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe
2. I've Never Been In Love Before (2:21)
Frank Loesser
3. Satin Doll (2:48)
Duke Ellington / Johnny Mercer / Billy Strayhorn
4. My One And Only Love (4:31)
Robert Mellin / Guy Wood
Bass – Paul Chambers
5. Over The Rainbow (3:59)
Harold Arlen / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
6. Get Me To The Church On Time (4:03)
Alan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe
Piano – Victor Feldman
7. The Best Is Yet To Come (2:46)
Cy Coleman / Carolyn Leigh
8. I've Grown Accustomed To His Face (4:07)
Alan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe
Piano – Victor Feldman
9. Give Me The Simple Life (2:23)
Rube Bloom / Harry Ruby
10. I'm Through With Love (5:24)
Gus Kahn / Fud Livingston / Matty Malneck
Bass – Paul Chambers
Credits :
Arranged By – Billy Marx (faixas: 1, 6, 8)
Bass – Al McKibbon (faixas: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
Drums – Jimmy Cobb
Flute – Bud Shank (faixas: 1, 6, 8)
Guitar – Ray Crawford (faixas: 3, 4, 95)
Piano – Wynton Kelly (faixas: 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10)
Saxophone – Paul Horn (faixas: 3, 4, 7, 9)
Vocals – Lorez Alexandria

CAL TJADER - Monterey Concerts (1959-1990) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This two-LP set is the definitive early Cal Tjader album and one of the high points of his career. For a Monterey concert that was considered a preview concert for the 1959 Monterey Jazz Festival, Tjader was teamed up with flutist and altoist Paul Horn, pianist Lonnie Hewitt, bassist Al McKibbon, Willie Bobo (on drums and timbales), and percussionist Mongo Santamaria. Their renditions of Latinized jazz tunes along with a few Latin originals practically define the idiom. Highlights include "Doxy," one of the earliest versions of Santamaria's "Afro Blue" (pre-dating John Coltrane's famous rendition by four years), "Love Me or Leave Me," and "A Night in Tunisia." Essential music for everyone's Latin jazz collection. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Doxy 8:48
Sonny Rollins
2     Afro Blue 6:33
Mongo Santamaria
3     Laura 5:19
Johnny Mercer / David Raksin
4     Walkin' With Wally 10:05
Lonnie Hewitt
5     We'll Be Together Again 5:11
Carl Fischer
6     'Round Midnight 6:06
Thelonious Monk / Cootie Williams
7     Love Me or Leave Me 5:56
Walter Donaldson
8     Tu Crees Que 5:27
Mongo Santamaria
9     S.S. Groove 5:18
John Mosher
10     A Night in Tunisia 6:53
Dizzy Gillespie / Frank Paparelli
11     Bess, You Is My Woman 4:10
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin / DuBose Heyward
12     Lover Come Back to Me 3:11
Oscar Hammerstein II / Sigmund Romberg
13     Tumbao 4:55
Cal Tjader
Credits :
Bass – Al McKibbon
Bongos, Percussion – Mongo Santamaria
Drums, Timbales – Willie Bobo
Flute – Paul Horn
Piano – Lonnie Hewitt
Vibraphone – Cal Tjader 

DAVID FRIESEN - Amber Skies (1984-1993) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

One of bassist David Friesen's better jazz sessions as a leader, this set (which has been reissued by other labels on CD) has some excellent playing by tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson on "Amber Skies" and "Underlying," a rare opportunity for flutist Paul Horn to take a solo in a straight-ahead setting ("Blue and Green"), and was the first opportunity that pianist Chick Corea and drummer Paul Motian had to work together; percussionist Airto completes the sextet. The diverse originals, all by Friesen, feature each of the players quite favorably, and the overall results are stimulating. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Amber Skies 7:55
David Friesen
2    Blue And Green 10:15
Bill Evans, Miles Davis
3    Underlying 5:51
David Friesen
4    Jenelle Number Four 4:37
David Friesen, Paul Patterson
5    In The Place Of Calling 7:49
David Friesen
6    Sitka In The Woods 6:09
 David Friesen
7    Voices 9:09
 David Friesen
Credits :
Bass – David Friesen
Drums – Paul Motian
Flute – Paul Horn
Percussion – Airto Moreira
Piano – Chick Corea
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Henderson

MONGO SANTAMARIA - Afro-Roots (1959-1989) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

A CD reissue of a mid-'70s repackaging of Mongo Santamaria's first two Fantasy albums, 1958's Yambu and 1959's Mongo, Afro-Roots is superb Latin jazz. Although these were Santamaria's first albums as a leader, the conga player had already worked with Pérez Prado, Tito Puente, and Cal Tjader, giving him absolutely impeccable Latin jazz credentials to go along with his obviously amazing chops. Considering that these albums were recorded for a general jazz audience and the tight, concise arrangements don't allow Santamaria room to stretch out as he did in concert (most of the songs are in the two- to three-minute range), Afro-Roots is still an impressively genuine album; although the '50s were the age of Martin Denny-style exotica kitsch, most of these tracks are extremely traditional Cuban music. Some, like "Bata" and "Timbales y Bongo," are simply hypnotic solos on the titular instruments, while others are traditional Afro-Cuban folk songs and chants. The delightful original "Afro Blue," which quickly became a Latin jazz standard, almost sounds out of place in this setting. Allmusic

Tracklist

1. Afro Blue.3:55

2. Che-Que-Re-Que-Che-Que 1:43

3 Rezo 2:10

4 Ayenye 2:38

5 Onyae 3:26

6 Bata 2:27

7 Meta Rumba 3:30

8 Chano Pozo 2:36

9 Los Conguitos 2:10

10 Monte Adentro 3:30

11. Imaribayo 2:00

12. Mazacote 10:33

13. Yeye 3:00

14. Congobel 2:54

15. Macunsere 2:59

16. Timbales Y Bongo 7:10

17. Yambu 4:00

18. Bricamo 4:19

19. Longoito 3:15

20. Conga Pa Gozar 4:04

21. Columbia 4:43

Credits

Bass – Al McKibbon

Congas – Francisco Aguabella, Modesto Duran

Percussion – Carlos Vidal, Mongo Santamaria

Piano – Vince Guaraldi (tracks: B5)

Tenor Saxophone – Jose "Chombo" Silva (tracks: B5)

Timbales – Willie Bobo

Vibraphone – Cal Tjader (tracks: B5)

Flute - Paul Horn