ROLAND HANNA TRIO — Dream (2001) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

One of Sir Roland Hanna's last recordings prior to his death at the end of 2002 was this session for the Japanese Venus label. With seven of the 12 songs incorporating the word "dream" in their titles, it seemed to be a fitting title for the CD. Hanna is joined by bassist Paul West and drummer Eddie Locke, kicking off with a rollicking take of "When I Grow Too Old to Dream." The pianist and the bassist trade lines throughout the lush introduction to the infrequently heard "Street of Dreams." The joyful interpretation of "This Time the Dream's on Me" (a favorite of Marian McPartland) and swinging treatment of "Dream" are also highlights. The "non-dream" tracks include a lullaby-like arrangement of "A Sleepin' Bee" and a toe-tapping "I Hear a Rhapsody." Highly recommended. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    When I Grow Too Old To Dream    4:52
 Oscar Hammerstein II / Sigmund Romberg
2    Street Of Dreams    4:11
 Sam M. Lewis / Victor Young
3    You Stepped Out Of A Dream    5:58
 Nacio Herb Brown / Gus Kahn
4    Day Dream    6:33
 Duke Ellington / John Latouche / Billy Strayhorn
5    This Time The Dream's On Me    5:31
 Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer
6    Skylark    4:27
 Hoagy Carmichael / Johnny Mercer
7    I Hear A Rhapsody    6:04
 Jack Baker / George Fragos / Dick Gasparre
8    Dream    5:07
 Johnny Mercer
9    So In Love    4:22
 Cole Porter
10    Dream Dancing    4:22
 Cole Porter
11    A Sleepin' Bee    4:53
 Harold Arlen / Truman Capote
12    You Do Something To Me    5:49
 Cole Porter
Credits :
Bass – Paul West
Drums – Eddie Locke
Piano – Roland Hanna

STUFF SMITH — Stuff Smith, Dizzy Gillespie & Oscar Peterson (1957-1994) 2CD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The great swing violinist Stuff Smith had not recorded as a leader since 1945 when producer Norman Granz got him to make three albums for Verve during a three-month period. Smith, who was still very much in his prime, recorded 11 selections (one previously unissued) with pianist Carl Perkins, either Red Callender or Curtis Counce on bass and Oscar Bradley or Frank Butler on drums (Have Violin Will Swing), jammed nine numbers (three released for the first time here) with the Oscar Peterson Trio (for the album titled Stuff Smith), and on five tunes teamed up with trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie and a rhythm section (Dizzy Gillespie-Stuff Smith); all are reissued in full on this generous two-CD set from 1994. In each of the settings, the violinist excels, making this an easily recommended and very satisfying release.
Scott Yanow   Tracklist + Credits :

DIZZY GILLESPIE — Birks Works : The Verve Big Band Sessions (1995) 2CD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist + Credits :

DIZZY GILLESPIE — At Newport (1957-1992) RM | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

This CD features Dizzy Gillespie's second great big band at the peak of its powers. On the rapid "Dizzy's Blues" and a truly blazing "Cool Breeze," the orchestra really roars; the latter performance features extraordinary solos by Gillespie, trombonist Al Grey, and tenor saxophonist Billy Mitchell. In addition to fine renditions of "Manteca" and Benny Golson's then-recent composition "I Remember Clifford," the humorous "Doodlin'" is given a definitive treatment, there is a fresh version of "A Night in Tunisia," and pianist Mary Lou Williams sits in for a lengthy medley of selections from her "Zodiac Suite." This brilliant CD captures one of the high points of Dizzy Gillespie's remarkable career and is highly recommended. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Dizzy's Blues    11:51
2    School Days 5:47
Vocals – Dizzy Gillespie
3    Doodlin'    7:52
4    Manteca Theme    7:11
5    I Remember Clifford    4:47
6    Cool Breeze    10:30
7    Selections From Zodiac Suite (Virgo/Libra/Aries)    10:28
8    Carioca    3:42
9    A Night In Tunisia    10:00
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Ernie Henry, Jimmy Powell
Baritone Saxophone – Pee Wee Moore
Bass – Paul West
Drums – Charlie Persip
Piano – Mary Lou Williams (tracks: 7, 8), Wynton Kelly (tracks: 1 to 6, 9)
Tenor Saxophone – Benny Golson, Billy Mitchell
Trombone – Al Grey, Chuck Connors, Melba Liston

BILLY ECKSTINE | BENNY CARTER - Billy Eckstine Sings with Benny Carter (1987) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Billy Eckstine's final recording (although he would live until 1993) finds the 72-year old singer showing his age. Mr. B's famous baritone voice at this late date only hints at his earlier greatness although his phrasing and enthusiasm uplift what could have been a depressing affair. Ironically altoist Benny Carter (who was 79) still sounds in his prime on alto and he takes an effective trumpet solo on "September Song." Singer Helen Merrill opens and closes the set by interacting vocally with Eckstine on "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" and "Didn't We." Eckstine, backed by a trio headed by his longtime pianist Bobby Tucker, does his best on such songs as "My Funny Valentine," "Memories of You" and "Autumn Leaves" but his earlier recordings are the ones to get. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To 5:24
Cole Porter
Vocals – Helen Merrill    
2     My Funny Valentine 3:33
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers    
3     Here's That Rainy Day 3:52
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen    
4     Summertime 3:53
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin / DuBose Heyward    
5     A Kiss From You 3:54
Benny Carter / Johnny Mercer    
6     Memories of You 3:46
Eubie Blake / Andy Razaf    
7     I've Got the World On a String 4:42
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler    
8     Now That I Need You 3:53
Benny Moten    
9     Over the Rainbow 4:40
Harold Arlen / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg    
10     September Song 3:57
Maxwell Anderson / Kurt Weill
11     Autumn Leaves 3:44
Joseph Kosma / Johnny Mercer / Jacques Prévert    
12     Didn't We 5:25
Jimmy Webb
Vocals – Helen Merrill
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Bass – Paul West
Drums – Vernell Fournier
Piano, Arranged By – Bobby Tucker
Trumpet – Benny Carter (pistas: 10)
Vocals – Billy Eckstine, Helen Merrill (pistas: 1, 12)