STEVE KUHN TRIO — Three Waves (1966-1978) Vinyl, LP | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Predictable is not an adjective associated with the recordings of pianist Steve Kuhn. He is joined by bassist Steve Swallow and drummer Pete La Roca for this exciting studio session from the mid-1960s, both of whom he had worked with under Art Farmer, as well as on La Roca's smashing debut as a leader, Basra. With the exception of "Ida Lupino" and "Never Let Me Go," the music will likely be unfamiliar to most jazz fans, but adventurous souls are in for a treat. Kuhn's originals include the furious modal work "Bits and Pieces," which sounds as if it represents the center of a storm, as well as "Today I Am a Man," which suggests a well-known composition from the heyday of the bop era. "Why Did I Choose You" is played with a soft bossa nova accent, while Sergio Mihanovich's "Three Waves" is intense, with overlapping changes of rhythm. "Never Let Me Go," a favorite of singers, is understated and subtle, only hinting briefly at the melody. Originally issued on LP by the long-defunct Contact label, and briefly available as a Flying Dutchman reissue, BMG in Japan has since released a CD version. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
A1    Ida Lupino    2:34
 Carla Bley
A2    Ah, Moore    3:23
 Al Cohn
A3    Today I Am A Man    5:55
 Steve Kuhn
A4    Memory    2:41
 Steve Kuhn
B1    Why Did I Choose You?    2:52
 Michael Leonard
B2    Three Waves    6:50
 Sergio Mihanovich
B3    Never Let Me Go    2:59
 Jay Livingston
B4    Bits And Pieces    4:38
 Steve Kuhn
B5    Kod Piece    0:22
 Steve Kuhn
Credits :
Bass – Steve Swallow
Drums – Pete LaRoca
Piano – Steve Kuhn

STEVE KUHN TRIO — Sing Me Softly of the Blues (1997) 24-48.2 Hz | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Tracklist :
1    This Is New 7:28
Written-By – K. Weill
2    Dance Only With Me 5:22
Written-By – J. Styne
3    Chicken Feathers 4:56
Written-By – S. Kuhn
4    My Funny Valentine 5:59
Written-By – R. Rodgers
5    Sing Me Softly Of The Blues 5:47
Written-By – C. Bley
6    Naima 4:21
Written-By – J. Coltrane
7    Sticky Kisses 4:19
Written-By – S. Swallow
8    Who Cares? 4:38
Written-By – G. Gershwin
9    Lament 5:28
Written-By – J. S. Johnson
10    The Very Thought Of You 7:09
Written-By – R. Noble
Credits :
Bass – George Mraz
Drums – Bill Stewart
Piano – Steve Kuhn

PAUL BLEY WITH STEVE SWALLOW, PETE LAROCA — The Floater Syndrome (1990) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Tracklist & Credits :

CHARLES LLOYD QUARTET - Of Course, Of Course (1965-2007) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Charles Lloyd's second album as a leader teams him with guitarist Gabor Szabo (his old friend from the Chico Hamilton group), bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Tony Williams. Although Lloyd was still a member of Cannonball Adderley's group, his playing on the set shows that he was clearly ready to become a leader. Seven of the nine diverse compositions are his originals; he takes "The Things We Did Last Summer" as a duet with Szabo and rips through "Apex," a trio number without the guitarist, but it is this cut most certainly reflects Ornette Coleman's influence (whereas Lloyd and everyone else who played tenor were being written about in the shadow of Coltrane). Certainly Coltrane's flurry of notes and deconstruction of chords is evident in places, but here, it is Coleman's unshakable sense of melody and rhyme that is most prevalent, and it sports is a brief but wonderfully woody solo by Carter. Other notable selections include "Goin' to Memphis" and Sammy Kahn's "Things We Did Last Summer" (where, according to Stanley Crouch's new liner notes, the saxophonist directly quotes the melody of Coleman's "Free at 3:00 of..."). Other cuts that really stand out here are the title track and the serious blowing session of "One for Joan," where the twinning and counterpoint interplay between Szabo and Lloyd is almost synchronous. Whether on tenor or flute, Lloyd was quickly coming into his own as an original voice, and this underrated set is a minor classic. [In 2007, Mosiac Records in its Singles series, reissued the recording for the first time on CD. In addition to a beautiful remastering job that is warm and clean, there are three bonus tracks also recorded in 1965 but not released until Lloyd's Nirvana album in 1968. Two of these, "Island Blues," and "Sun Dance" feature Albert Stinson on bass and Pete La Roca on drums in place of Carter and Williams. Another oddity is that in addition to Szabo's guitar playing, the Band's Robbie Robertson makes an appearance on the Caribbean-flavored latter tune. The other bonus cut, "East of the Sun and West of the Moon," uses the primary rhythm section, and was recorded for the original session, and left off the final version of the LP.] Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Of Course, Of Course 4'45
Charles Lloyd
2     The Song My Lady Sings 2'28
Charles Lloyd    
3     The Best Thing for You 5'18
Irving Berlin    
4     The Things We Did Last Summer 6'08
Sammy Cahn / Jule Styne
5     Apex 3'59
Charles Lloyd
6     One for Joan 5'07
Charles Lloyd
7     Goin' to Memphis 3'38
Charles Lloyd
8     Voice in the Night 6'44
Charles Lloyd
9     Third Floor Richard 6'16
Charles Lloyd
10     East of the Sun (And West of the Moon) 4'54
Brooks Bowman
11     Island Blues 3'25
Charles Lloyd
12     Sun Dance 3'32
Charles Lloyd
Credits :
Bass – Albert Stinson (11, 12), Ron Carter (1 to 3, 5 to 10)
Drums – Tony Williams (1 to 3, 5 to 10), Pete LaRoca (11, 12)
Flute – Charles Lloyd (1 to 10)
Guitar – Gabor Szabo (1 to 4, 6 to 12), Robbie Robertson (12)
Tenor Saxophone – Charles Lloyd

CHARLES LLOYD - Manhattan Stories (1965-2014) 2xCD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Manhattan Stories features two live concerts showcasing saxophonist/flutist Charles Lloyd performing with his group at Slugs Saloon in New York City in 1965. Joining Lloyd here are guitarist Gábor Szabo, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Pete La Roca. This is expansive, adventurous music by four of the jazz world's most forward-thinking luminaries.  Matt Collar
Tracklist 1 :
1     Sweet Georgia Bright 17'49
Charles Lloyd
2     How Can I Tell You 11'55
Charles Lloyd
3     Lady Gabor 12'51
Gabor Szabo
Tracklist 2 :
1     Slugs' Blues 12'56
Charles Lloyd
2     Lady Gabor 13'49
Gabor Szabo
3     Dream Weaver 15'27
Charles Lloyd
Credits :
Bass – Ron Carter
Drums – Pete La Roca Sims
Guitar – Gábor Szabó
Producer – Dorothy Darr, Zev Feldman
Saxophone, Flute – Charles Lloyd

CHARLES LLOYD - Nirvana (1968-2014) RM | Jazz Collection 1000 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Charles Lloyd & His Quintet–    Island Blues 3:26
Written-By – C. Lloyd
2    Charles Lloyd & His Quintet–    Carcara 1:45
Written-By – J. Candido, J. Vale
3    Charles Lloyd & His Quintet–    Long Time, Baby 2:12
Written-By – C. Lloyd
4    Charles Lloyd & His Quintet–    East Of The Sun (And West Of The Moon) 4:57
Written-By – B. Bowman
5    Charles Lloyd & His Quintet–    Love Theme From 'In Harm's Way' 2:11
Written-By – J. Goldsmith
6    Charles Lloyd & His Quintet–    Sun Dance 3:17
Written-By – C. Lloyd

7    Charles Lloyd & His Quintet–    You Know (From "Ecco") 1:39
Written-By – R. Ortolani
8    Chico Hamilton & His Quintet Featuring Charles Lloyd–    One For Joan/Freedom Traveler (Part I-Prayer) (Part II-Journey) 14:39
Written-By – C. Lloyd
Credits :
Bass – Albert Stinson (pistas: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9), Ron Carter (pistas: 4, 7)
Drums – Anthony Williams (pistas: 4, 7), Chico Hamilton (pistas: 8, 9), Pete La Roca (pistas: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6)
Guitar – Gabor Szabo
Producer – Teo Macero
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Charles Lloyd
Trombone – Garnett Brown (pistas: 7, 8)

ART FARMER & JIM HALL QUARTET - The Complete Live Recordings (2008) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

The Art Farmer-Jim Hall Quartet recorded only a handful of times in the early 1960s, making this reissue of two separate live performances all the more valuable. By the time Farmer recruited Hall for his new group, he had made the switch from trumpet to the richer sound of the flugelhorn, while the guitarist's style of playing complemented the leader perfectly. The first date originally was issued by Atlantic, though both the album and the subsequent CD reissue have long been unavailable; the rhythm section consists of Steve Swallow (who had not yet made the switch to electric bass) and drummer Walter Perkins. Except for Miles Davis' "Swing Spring," all of the songs are from the swing era. The extended workout of "Stompin' at the Savoy" is illustrative of the group's abilities, while Hall is featured in a lush setting of "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You." The last five tracks first appeared on the Moon bootleg CD Meets Mulligan & Hall, though it too has been out of print for some time, with Pete La Roca (aka Pete Sims) taking over on drums. The sound of these performances is a bit muddy, as if taken from a second or third generation of a broadcast taping, though the music is excellent throughout the set. This Gambit reissue repeats the earlier CD's sloppy composer credits, which attribute the lilting take of "Sometime Ago" to Chick Corea instead of Sergio Mihanovich, though the addition of detailed liner notes is welcome. The heartfelt arrangement of "'Darn That Dream" and burning take of Sonny Rollins' unusual jazz waltz "Valse Hot" are also highlights. Ken Dryden  

Tracklist :
1     Stompin' at the Savoy 12'25
Benny Goodman & His Orchestra / Andy Razaf / Edgar Sampson / Chick Webb
2     Swing Spring 5'56
Miles Davis
3     What's New? 4'28
Haggart / Burke   
4     I Want to Be Happy 9'43
Irving Caesar / Vincent Youmans
5     I'm Getting Sentimental Over You 5'07
George Bassman / Ned Washington
6     Sometime Ago 7'49
Chick Corea
7     Bilbao Song 6'10
Kurt Weill
8     Darn That Dream 4'55
James Van Heusen
9     Valse Hot 11'21
Sonny Rollins
10     Theme 0'58
Art Farmer
Credits :
Bass – Steve Swallow
Drums – Pete La Roca, Walter Perkins
Flugelhorn – Art Farmer
Guitar – Jim Hall

JOE HENDERSON — Page One (1963-1999) RM | RVG Edition | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The title Page One is fitting for this disc, as it marks the beginning of the first chapter in the long career of tenor man Joe Henderson. And what a beginning it is; no less than Kenny Dorham, McCoy Tyner, Butch Warren, and Pete La Roca join the saxophonist for a stunning set that includes "Blue Bossa" and "Recorda Me," two works that would be forever associated with Henderson. Both are bossa novas that offer a hip alternative to the easy listening Brazilian trend that would become popular with the masses. Henderson and Dorham make an ideal pair on these and other choice cuts like the blistering "Homestretch" and the engaging swinger "Jinrikisha." These both show the already mature compositional prowess that would become Henderson's trademark throughout his legendary career. The final blues number, "Out of the Night," features powerful work by the leader that only hints of things to come in subsequent chapters. Rovi Staff
Tracklist :
1 Blue Bossa 7:55
Composed By – Kenny Dorham
2 La Mesha 9:05
Composed By – Kenny Dorham
3 Homestretch 4:10
Composed By – Joe Henderson
4 Recorda Me 5:56
Composed By – Joe Henderson
5 Jinrikisha 7:20
Composed By – Joe Henderson
6 Out Of The Night 7:20
Composed By – Joe Henderson
Credits :
Bass – Butch Warren
Drums – Pete La Roca
Piano – McCoy Tyner
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Henderson
Trumpet, Liner Notes [Original] – Kenny Dorham

JOE HENDERSON — Our Thing (1963- 2000) RM | RVG Edition | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Joe Henderson's second recording as a leader features a very strong supporting cast: trumpeter Kenny Dorham (one of Henderson's earliest supporters), pianist Andrew Hill, bassist Eddie Khan, and drummer Pete La Roca. Together they perform three Dorham and two Henderson originals, advanced music that was open to the influence of the avant-garde while remaining in the hard bop idiom. The up-tempo blues "Teeter Totter" contrasts with the four minor-toned pieces and, even if none of these songs became standards, the playing is consistently brilliant and unpredictable. Even at this relatively early stage, Joe Henderson showed his potential as a great tenorman. Scott Yanow
Tracklist  :
1 Teeter Totter   8:33
Written-By – Joe Henderson
2 Pedro's Time 10:05
Written-By – Kenny Dorham
3 Our Thing 5:36
Written-By – Joe Henderson
4 Back Road 6:20
Written-By – Kenny Dorham
5 Escapade 8:05
Written-By – Kenny Dorham
6 Teeter Totter (Alternative Take) 7:10
Written-By – Joe Henderson
Credits :
Bass – Eddie Khan
Drums – Pete La Roca
Piano – Andrew Hill
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Henderson
Trumpet – Kenny Dorham

SONNY ROLLINS —A Night at the Village Vanguard, Vol. 1 (1957-1987) MONO | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Sonny Rollins, one of jazz's great tenors, is heard here at his peak with a pair of piano-less trios (either Wilbur Ware or Donald Bailey on bass and Elvin Jones or Pete La Roca on drums) stretching out on particularly creative versions of "Old Devil Moon," "Softly As in a Morning Sunrise," "Sonnymoon for Two," and "A Night in Tunisia," among others. Not only did Rollins have a very distinctive sound but his use of time, his sly wit, and his boppish but unpredictable style were completely his own by 1957. Truly magical. [Originally released as separate albums, A Night at the Village Vanguard has also been reissued in its entirety, complete with alternate takes.] Scott Yanow
Tracklist :

1 A Night in Tunisia 7:43

Dizzy Gillespie / Frank Paparelli
2 I've Got You Under My Skin 9:52
Cole Porter
3 A Night in Tunisia 8:53
Dizzy Gillespie / Frank Paparelli
4 Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise 6:39
Oscar Hammerstein II / Sigmund Romberg
5 Four 8:31
Miles Davis
6 Woody 'N You 8:20
Dizzy Gillespie
7 Old Devil Moon 7:43
E.Y. "Yip" Harburg / Burton Lane
Credits:
Elvin Jones,  Pete LaRoca - Drums
Sonny Rollins - Sax (Tenor)
Wilbur Ware, Donald Bailey - Bass