KENNY BURRELL — Midnight Blue (1963) Three Version (1986, Serie Blue Note CD Super 50 – 29) + (1999, RM | Serie RVG Edition) + (2010, RM | SACD, Hybrid, DSD | Serie The Blue Note Reissues | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless & FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This album is one of guitarist Kenny Burrell's best-known sessions for the Blue Note label. Burrell is matched with tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, bassist Major Holley, drummer Bill English, and Ray Barretto on conga for a blues-oriented date highlighted by "Chitlins Con Carne," "Midnight Blue," "Saturday Night Blues," and the lone standard "Gee Baby Ain't I Good to You." Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Chitlins con Carne 5:30
Kenny Burrell
2 Mule 6:56
Kenny Burrell / Major Holley
3 Soul Lament 2:43
Kenny Burrell
4 Midnight Blue 4:02
Kenny Burrell
5 Wavy Gravy 5:47
Kenny Burrell
6 Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You 4:25
Andy Razaf / Don Redman
7 Saturday Night Blues 6:16
Kenny Burrell
8 Kenny's Sound 4:43
Kenny Burrell
9 K Twist 3:37
Kenny Burrell
Credits:
Bass – Major Holley, Jr.
Congas – Ray Barretto
Drums – Bill English
Guitar – Kenny Burrell
Tenor Saxophone – Stanley Turrentine

KENNY BURRELL WITH COLEMAN HAWKINS — Bluesey Burrell (1962-2019) RM | SACD Hybrid, DSD | The Prestige Stereo Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This session is valuable for the majestic playing of tenor great Coleman Hawkins, who performs on half of the eight tracks. Released on the Prestige subsidiary Moodsville -- a label that specialized in recordings with an intimate, reflective atmosphere -- the Moodsville sound doesn't sit comfortably on Hawkins. His playing is brilliantly relaxed, but it's not mood music. Leader Kenny Burrell's playing is much more in line with the Moodsville groove. The guitarist is not amplified as much as he is on his Prestige dates from this time. In fact, he performs on a nylon-string instrument almost as much as he does on his hollow-body electric. Unlike Hawkins, Burrell's subdued contribution is made to measure for this date. Listeners expecting to hear Burrell the hard bopper won't. The key moments come during the interaction between the guitarist and tenor player, especially during their exchanges on Burrell's "Montono Blues." The rhythm section, Hawkins' working band from this period (pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Major Holley, and drummer Eddie Locke) provides impeccable, sublime support. Jim Todd
Tracklist :
1    Tres Palabras 6:44
Written-By – Osvaldo Farres
2    No More 1:53
Written-By – Russell, Camarata
3    Guilty 4:17
Written-By – Kahn, Akst, Whiting
4    Montono Blues 4:45
Written-By – Kenny Burrell
5    I Thought About You 4:40
Written-By – Van Heusen, Mercer
6    Out Of This World 4:54
Written-By – Arlen, Mercer
7    It's Getting Dark 6:53
Written-By – Burrell
8    I Never Knew 5:19
Written-By – Kahn, Fiorito
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Leo Wright (pistas: 8)
Bass – George Tucker (pistas: 8), Major Holley (pistas: 1 to 7)
Congas – Ray Barretto (pistas: 1 to 7)
Drums – Eddie Locke (pistas: 1 to 7), Jimmie Smith (pistas: 8)
Guitar – Kenny Burrell
Piano – Gildo Mahones (pistas: 8), Tommy Flanagan (pistas: 1 to 7)
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins (pistas: 1, 4 to 5, 7)

OLIVER NELSON — The Argo, Verve And Impulse Big Band Studio Sessions (2006) RM | 6xCD BOX-SET | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Oliver Nelson was one of the more distinctive arrangers to be active in jazz, the studios, and popular music of the '60s. While most Nelson reissues focus on his always-excellent saxophone playing (whether on tenor or alto), this six-CD set, Argo, Verve and Impulse Big Band Studio Sessions, focuses on Oliver Nelson the arranger-composer-bandleader. He does take solos on some of these dates on tenor, alto,and soprano (his only recorded solos on that instrument), but it his writing that takes center stage. Included are his albums Full Nelson, Fantabulous, Jazzhattan Suite (which finds the ensemble called the Jazz Interactions Orchestra), Sound Pieces, and his unusual and reverent tribute set Musical Tribute to JFK: The Kennedy Dream. In addition, Nelson's writing for Leonard Feather's Encyclopedia of Jazz All Stars is here, plus his contributions (usually just part of each record) for sets by organist Shirley Scott (Roll 'Em), a group co-led by Ray Brown and Milt Jackson, and clarinetist Pee Wee Russell (The Spirit of '67). Topping off this well-conceived box are all of the music for organist Jimmy Smith's Hobo Flats, Peter and the Wolf (a classic jazz version), and Smith's first collaboration with guitarist Wes Montgomery, plus a few numbers from Smith's Bashin', Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, and Hootchie Coochie Man. In addition to the playing of Jimmy Smith (who was really at his peak during this period), Wes Montgomery, Shirley Scott, and Pee Wee Russell, the most memorable soloists are altoist Phil Woods, cornetist Nat Adderley (on the Feather date), and flugelhornist Clark Terry plus Nelson himself. There is plenty of classic material here (such as the Smith/Montgomery blues jamming on "Down by the Riverside") which, even when the big-band writing is secondary, serves as a superior tribute to the underrated Oliver Nelson. Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits :

OLIVER NELSON WITH JOE NEWMAN — Main Stem (1961-1992) RM | Original Jazz Classics Limited Edition Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Unlike most of Oliver Nelson's recordings, this one has the feel of a jam session. A Prestige set, Nelson (on tenor and alto) teams up with trumpeter Joe Newman (in exciting form), pianist Hank Jones, bassist George Duvivier, drummer Charlie Persip, and Ray Barretto on congas. There are two superior standards ("Mainstem" and "Tangerine") and four of Nelson's more basic originals. The spirited solos of Nelson and Newman are strong reasons to get this colorful session. Scott Yanow    Tracklist & Credits :

OLIVER NELSON ORCHESTRA — Afro-American Sketches (1961-1993) RM | Original Jazz Classics Limited Edition Series | APE (image+.cue), lossless

Oliver Nelson merged the rhythmic fervor of Africa and Black America with the organizational flair of Europe on this release. The often spectacular work features the orchestra sometimes whooping and clashing in the backdrop and other times giving soulful statements or converging in a blues setting. While Nelson combined Afro-Latin rhythmic support from Ray Barretto with crisp jazz drumming from Ed Shaughnessy, he also contributed his own soaring alto and tenor sax solos and conducted the orchestra. It was a monumental job, and Nelson exceeded it. Ron Wynn   Tracklist & Credits :

THE OLIVER NELSON ORCHESTRA ft. PHIL WOODS — Impressions Of Phaedra (1962) Vinyl, LP MONOAURAL | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Moody and long-forgotten, like the film it was inspired by, Phaedra interchanges film-like cues with some torrid jazz content (mostly courtesy of Phil Woods). Makes an interesting case for "Greek Jazz."  Douglas Payne
Tracklist & Credits :

THE RED GARLAND TRIO PLUS RAY BARRETTO — Manteca (1958-1990) RM | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

This is a solid LP that differs from most sets by pianist Red Garland in that, in addition to bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Art Taylor, he employs Ray Barretto on conga. The Latin flavor does not affect the music much (other than on the title cut), but Barretto does light a fire under the other musicians. A nice, swinging session. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Manteca 8:06
Written-By – Gillespie, Fuller
2 S'Wonderful 6:41
Written-By – Gershwin-Gershwin
3 Lady Be Good 5:50
Written-By – Gershwin-Gershwin
4 Exactly Like You 7:09
Written-By – Fields, McHugh 
5 Mort's Report 12:11
Written-By – Red Garland
6 Portrait Of Jenny 7:18
Written-By – Burdge, Robinson
Credits :
Bass – Paul Chambers
Congas – Ray Barretto
Drums – Art Taylor
Piano – Red Garland

THE RED GARLAND TRIO PLUS RAY BARRETTO — Rojo (1961-2014) RM | Prestige Masters Collection 1000 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Pianist Red Garland recorded frequently with trios for Prestige during the second half of the 1950s. For this set (reissued on CD), Garland, bassist George Joyner and drummer Charlie Persip are joined by Ray Barretto on congas and the emphasis is on forceful swinging. Garland takes such ballads as "We Kiss in a Shadow" and "You Better Go Now" at faster-than-expected tempos. "Ralph J. Gleason Blues" and the Latin feel of "Rojo" are among the highlights of this enjoyable disc. Scott Yanow
Tracklist & Credits :

RED GARLAND — Blues in the Night (1960-1997) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The emphasis is on the blues (although not exclusively) on Blues in the Night. The original eight-song program was played by the trio of pianist Red Garland, bassist Sam Jones, and drummer Art Taylor, from an earlier date. Most unusual about the set is that Garland makes a rare (and effective) appearance on organ during "Halleloo-Y'All." Otherwise, this is a conventional but enjoyable set of bluesy bop, highlighted by "Revelation Blues," "Everytime I Feel the Spirit," and "Rocks in My Bed." Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits :

RED GARLAND — Rediscovered Masters, Vol.1 (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Originally released for the first time on a 1977 double LP and later reissued on two separate CDs, these performances are up to pianist Red Garland's usual level. Since he was teamed with bassist Paul Chambers, drummer Art Taylor and Ray Barretto on conga, the same lineup used on the Manteca date of two months earlier, the date went unreleased for decades, but in reality, the music is excellent. Highlights include "Lover," "Blues In Mambo," "Estrellita" and "East of the Sun." Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits :

LOU DONALDSON QUINTET - Swing and Soul (1957-2000) RM | 24 Bit By RVG | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1     Dorothy 5:24
Rudy Nichols    
2     I Won't Cry Any More 4:22
Al Frisch / Fritz Wise    
3     Herman's Mambo 4:54
Herman Foster    
4     Peck Time 5:20
Lou Donaldson    
5     There'll Never Be Another You 5:06
Mack Gordon / Harry Warren    
6     Groove Junction 6:18
Lou Donaldson    
7     Grits And Gravy 6:17
Lou Donaldson
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Lou Donaldson
Bass – 'Peck' Morrison
Congas – Ray Barretto
Drums – Dave Bailey
Piano – Herman Foster
Recorded By [Recording By], Remastered By – Rudy Van Gelder

LOU DONALDSON - Blues Walk (1958-2010) RM | SACD, Hybrid | The Blue Note Reissues | WV (image+.cue), lossless

Lou Donaldson's undisputed masterpiece, Blues Walk, marks the point where the altoist began to decisively modify his heavy Charlie Parker influence and add a smoky, bluesy flavor of his own. The material is still firmly in the bebop vein, and the mellower moments aren't as sleepy as some of Donaldson's subsequent work, so the album sounds vital and distinctive even as it slows down and loosens things up. That makes it the definitive release in Donaldson's early, pre-soul-jazz period, but what elevates Blues Walk to classic status is its inviting warmth. Donaldson's sweetly singing horn is ingratiating and melodic throughout the six selections, making even his most advanced ideas sound utterly good-natured and accessible. The easy-swinging title cut is a classic, arguably Donaldson's signature tune even above his late-'60s soul-jazz hits, and his other two originals -- "Play Ray" and "Callin' All Cats" -- are in largely the same vein. Elsewhere, Donaldson displays opposite extremes of his sound; the up-tempo bebop classic "Move" provokes his fieriest playing on the record, and his romantic version of "Autumn Nocturne" is simply lovely, a precursor to Lush Life. The addition of Ray Barretto on conga is a subtle masterstroke, adding just a bit more rhythmic heft to the relaxed swing. There are numerous likable records in Donaldson's extensive catalog, but Blues Walk is the best of them all. Steve Huey  
Tracklist :
1     Blues Walk 6:44
Lou Donaldson    
2     Move 5:54
Denzil Best    
3     The Masquerade Is Over 5:54
Herbert Magidson / Allie Wrubel    
4     Play Ray 5:32
Lou Donaldson    
5     Autumn Nocturne 4:55
Kim Gannon / Josef Myrow
6     Callin' All Cats 5:15
Lou Donaldson
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Lou Donaldson
Bass – 'Peck' Morrison
Congas – Ray Barretto
Drums – Dave Bailey
Engineer [SACD Authoring] – Gus Skinas
Piano – Herman Foster
Recorded By – Rudy Van Gelder
Remastered By – Kevin Gray, Steve Hoffman

LOU DONALDSON - Light Foot (1959-2000) RM | 24 Bit By RVG | FLAC (tracks), lossless

In many ways, Blues Walk marked the culmination of Lou Donaldson's prime period as a hard-driving, straight-ahead bop saxophonist. Until that point, he had been turning out intense, furious bop workouts -- afterward, as its successor Light Foot shows, he began to slow down a bit. With Light Foot, Donaldson still was pretty firmly grounded in bop, but the tempos began to slow down, and his blues influence came to the forefront; furthermore, the bop tracks are hard bop, not straight bop, which tended to dominate his previous recordings. That diversity makes Light Foot an interesting listen, but the record suffers from slightly uneven material and performances. His quintet -- featuring pianist Herman Foster, bassist Peck Morrison, drummer Jimmy Wormsworth, and conga player Ray Barretto -- is usually up to the task at hand, but they tend to play conventionally. And, ultimately, that's what Light Foot is -- an entertaining but conventional release from an alto saxophonist capable of greatness. Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Tracklist :
1     Light Foot 5:35
Lou Donaldson    
2     Hog Maw (False Start) 7:39
Lou Donaldson    
3     Mary Ann 6:41
Ray Charles    
4     Green Eyes 5:21
Nilo Menendez / Adolfo Utrera    
5     Walking by the River 5:39
Una Mae Carlisle / Robert Sour    
6     Day Dreams 5:39
Herman Foster    
7     Stella by Starlight 5:50
Ned Washington / Victor Young
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Lou Donaldson
Bass – 'Peck' Morrison
Congas – Ray Barretto
Drums – Jimmy Wormworth
Piano – Herman Foster
Recorded By [Recording By], Remastered By – Rudy Van Gelder

LOU DONALDSON - The Time Is Right (1960-2011) RM | SACD, Hybrid | The Blue Note Reissues | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Lou's Blues 5'55
Written-By – Lou Donaldson
2    Be My Love 5'45
Written-By – Nicholas Brodszky, Sammy Cahn
3    Idaho 5'10
Written-By – Jesse Stone
4    The Nearness Of You 4'42
Written-By – Hoagy Carmichael, Ned Washington
5    Mack The Knife 5'17
Written-By – Bertolt Brecht, Kurt Weill, Marc Blitzstein
6    Crosstown Shuffle 5'15
Written-By – Lou Donaldson
7    Tangerine 4'57
Written-By – Johnny Mercer, Victor Schertzinger
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Lou Donaldson
Bass – Laymon Jackson
Congas – Ray Barretto
Drums – Dave Bailey
Engineer [SACD Authoring] – Gus Skinas
Piano – Horace Parlan
Recorded By – Rudy Van Gelder
Trumpet – Blue Mitchell

LOU DONALDSON - Midnight Sun (1960-1980) lp | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Recorded in July of 1960, Midnight Sun sat unissued in Blue Note's vaults until the early '80s, when it was issued as part of their LT series. Like many of the previously unreleased albums in the series, it's clear that the only reason this remained in the vaults was because the label was releasing too many records, not because the session itself was second-rate. Granted, there are a couple of awkward moments on the date, but for the most part, Midnight Sun is as strong as any of the hard bop records Donaldson released in the early '60s. Part of the reason the quality is so high is the fact his supporting quartet is so strong. Pianist Horace Parlan has a number of fine moments on the record, and Lou's longtime rhythm section of bassist Ben Tucker, drummer Al Harewood, and conga player Ray Barretto is as reliable as ever. Any dedicated Donaldson fan should search for this record; even if it doesn't reach the heights of Blues Walk and Here 'Tis, it still has plenty of fine music. Stephen Thomas Erlewine
A1    Candy 6:12
Written-By – Alex Kramer, Joan Whitney, Mack David
A2    Midnight Sun 5:46
Written-By – Johnny Mercer, Lionel Hampton, Sonny Burke
A3    Avalon 5:18
Written-By – Al Jolson, Buddy G. De Sylva, Vincent Rose
B1    The Squirrel 3:33
Written-By – Tadd Dameron
B2    Si Si Safronia 4:31
Written-By – Lou Donaldson
B3    Exactly Like You 5:04
Written-By – Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh
B4    Dog Walk 4:24
Written-By – Lou Donaldson
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Lou Donaldson
Bass – Ben Tucker
Congas – Ray Barretto
Drums – Al Harewood
Engineer – Rudy Van Gelder
Piano – Horace Parlan

KENNY BURRELL with COLEMAN HAWKINS - Bluesy Burrell (1962-2008) RVG Remasters | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This session is valuable for the majestic playing of tenor great Coleman Hawkins, who performs on half of the eight tracks. Released on the Prestige subsidiary Moodsville -- a label that specialized in recordings with an intimate, reflective atmosphere -- the Moodsville sound doesn't sit comfortably on Hawkins. His playing is brilliantly relaxed, but it's not mood music. Leader Kenny Burrell's playing is much more in line with the Moodsville groove. The guitarist is not amplified as much as he is on his Prestige dates from this time. In fact, he performs on a nylon-string instrument almost as much as he does on his hollow-body electric. Unlike Hawkins, Burrell's subdued contribution is made to measure for this date. Listeners expecting to hear Burrell the hard bopper won't. The key moments come during the interaction between the guitarist and tenor player, especially during their exchanges on Burrell's "Montono Blues." The rhythm section, Hawkins' working band from this period (pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Major Holley, and drummer Eddie Locke) provides impeccable, sublime support. Jim Todd
Tracklist :
1    Tres Palabras 6:44
Written-By – Osvaldo Farres
2    No More 1:53
Written-By – Russell, Camarata
3    Guilty 4:17
Written-By – Kahn, Akst, Whiting
4    Montono Blues 4:45
Written-By – Kenny Burrell
5    I Thought About You 4:40
Written-By – Van Heusen, Mercer
6    Out Of This World 4:54
Written-By – Arlen, Mercer
7    It's Getting Dark 6:53
Written-By – Burrell
8    I Never Knew 5:19
Written-By – Kahn, Fiorito
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Leo Wright (pistas: 8)
Bass – George Tucker (pistas: 8), Major Holley (pistas: 1 to 7)
Congas – Ray Barretto (pistas: 1 to 7)
Drums – Eddie Locke (pistas: 1 to 7), Jimmie Smith (pistas: 8)
Guitar – Kenny Burrell
Piano – Gildo Mahones (pistas: 8), Tommy Flanagan (pistas: 1 to 7)
Recorded By, Remastered By [2008] – Rudy Van Gelder
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins (pistas: 1, 4 to 5, 7)

EDDIE 'LOCKJAW' DAVIS - Afro-Jaws (1961-1989) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This set was a change of pace for tenor saxophonist Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis. Backed by three trumpeters (Clark Terry gets some solos), a rhythm section (pianist Lloyd Mayers, bassist Larry Gales and drummer Ben Riley) and a percussion section led by Ray Barretto, Lockjaw performs four compositions by Gil Lopez (who arranged all of the selections) plus "Tin Tin Deo," "Star Eyes" and his own "Afro-Jaws." The Afro-Cuban setting is perfect for the tough-toned tenor, who romps through the infectious tunes. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Wild Rice 4'53
Written-By – Gil Lopez
2    Guanco Lament 5'18
Written-By – Gil Lopez
3    Tin Tin Deo 5'10
Written-By – Pozzo, Fuller
4    Jazz-A-Samba 4'14
Written-By – Gil Lopez
5    Alma Alegre (Happy Soul) 5'24
Written-By – Gil Lopez
6    Star Eyes 6'20
Written-By – Raye, DePaul
7    Afro-Jaws 7'36
Written-By – Eddie Davis
Credits:
Arranged By – Gil Lopez
Arranged By [In Collaboration With] – Artie Azenzer
Bass – Larry Gales
Drums – Ben Riley
Mastered By [Mastering] – Phil De Lancie
Percussion – Ray Barretto
Piano – Lloyd Mayers
Producer, Liner Notes – Orrin Keepnews
Tenor Saxophone – Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis
Trumpet – Clark Terry, Ernie Royal, John Bello (pistas: 3, 4), Phil Sunkel

EDDIE 'LOCKJAW' DAVIS & SHIRLEY SCOTT - Bacalao (1960-2003) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

When it came to tenor saxophonists, the late organist Shirley Scott had excellent taste. One of the big-toned tenor men she worked with extensively was Stanley Turrentine, whom she married; another was Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis. Recorded in Rudy Van Gelder's New Jersey studio in 1959, Bacalao is among the many solid hard bop/soul-jazz albums that resulted from Davis' association with Scott. The two of them enjoyed an incredibly strong rapport in the late '50s and early '60s, and they are very much in sync on Bacalao (which unites them with bassist George Duvivier, drummer Arthur Edgehill, and two Latin percussion men: Luis Perez and salsa giant Ray Barretto). The presence of Perez and Barretto gives the album some Afro-Cuban appeal, and both of them do well by Davis and Scott -- who are in fine form whether they turn their attention to two James Moody items ("Last Train From Overbrook" and "Dobbin' With Redd Foxx") or well-known pop standards (which include "That Old Black Magic," "Sometimes I'm Happy," "When Your Lover Has Gone," and "Come Rain or Come Shine"). In the liner notes that he wrote for Bacalao in 1959 or 1960, Amiri Baraka (formerly Leroi Jones) describes "Come Rain or Come Shine" and "That Old Black Magic" as "old beat-up tunes"; even back then, those Harold Arlen standards were considered warhorses. But Baraka also goes on to say that Davis and his colleagues revitalize the songs. Organ combo soul-jazz was still new and fresh in 1959, and Scott was helping Davis find new ways to interpret very familiar melodies. Although not quite essential, Bacalao is a rewarding example of Davis' ability to thrive in an organ/tenor setting. Alex Henderson  
Tracklist :
1     Last Train From Overbrook 5'07
James Moody
2     Sometimes I'm Happy 6'23
Clifford Grey / Leo Robin / Vincent Youmans
3     That Old Black Magic 5'02
Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer
4     Fast Spiral 4'35
Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis
5     Dobbin' With Redd Foxx 5'27
James Moody    
6     Come Rain or Come Shine 4'54
Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer
7     Dansero 5'33
Lee Daniels / Richard Hayman / Sol Parker
8     When Your Lover Has Gone 6'23
Einar A. Swan
Credits :    
Bass – George Duvivier
Bongos, Congas – Luis Perez
Congas – Ray Barretto
Drums – Arthur Edgehill
Organ – Shirley Scott
Recorded By – Rudy Van Gelder
Tenor Saxophone – Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis

KENNY BURRELL — God Bless the Child (1971-1987) RM | Serie The Original CTI Recordings Digitally Remastered For Compact Disc | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Kenny Burrell's guitaristry is well-documented in his years with Oscar Peterson and on his first dates as a leader on the Blue Note label, but God Bless the Child, his only date for CTI in 1971, is an under-heard masterpiece in his catalog. Burrell's band for the set includes bassist Ron Carter, percussionist Ray Barretto, Richard Wyands on piano, flutist Hubert Laws, trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, and drummer Billy Cobham. CTI's house arranger, Don Sebesky, assembled and conducted the strings in a manner that stands strangely and beautifully apart from his other work on the label. Sebesky understood Burrell's understated approach to playing guitar. Burrell didn't belong with the fusioneers, but he could groove better than any of them. Sebesky built a moody, atmospheric soundscape behind him, one that was as impressionistic as it was illuminating of a player who could dig in and chop it up -- as he does on his own composition "Love Is the Answer" and "Do What You Gotta Do" -- and stroke it smooth and mellow as on the title track, the truly sublime "Be Yourself," and Thad Jones' "A Child Is Born." This is Burrell at his level best as a player to be sure, but also as a composer and as a bandleader. Magnificent.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist :
1    Be Yourself    5:53
Kenny Burrell
2    Love Is The Answer    4:57
Kenny Burrell
3    Do What You Gotta Do    9:27
Kenny Burrell
4    Ballad Of The Sad Young Men    2:14
Fran Landesman / Thomas Wolf / Tommy Wolf
5    A Child Is Born    9:21
Thad Jones
6    God Bless The Child    8:00
Fran Landesman / Thomas Wolf / Tommy Wolf
7    Lost In The Stars    2:25
M. Anderson / Kurt Weill
Credits :
Arranged By – Don Sebesky
Bass – Ron Carter
Cello – Alan Shulman, Charles McCracken, George Ricci, Lucien Schmit, Seymour Barab
Drums – Billy Cobham
Engineer – Rudy Van Gelder
Flute – Hubert Laws
Guitar – Kenny Burrell
Percussion – Airto Moreira, Ray Barretto
Piano, Electric Piano – Hugh Lawson, Richard Wyands
Producer – Creed Taylor
Trumpet – Freddie Hubbard

FANIA ALL STARS - Our Latin Thing (Nuestra Cosa) (1972-2011) 2CD / 40th Anniversary Limited Edition / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

With the salsa boom of the early '70s in full swing, and a rapidly swelling Latino American demographic, Leon Gast decided to film the beating heart of Nueva York's Puerto Rican community, their music. In 1972, that meant Fania. Unfortunately, the musical performances do not match the interesting premise of the film. In fact, considering the fantastic musicians involved, and the mediocrity of the performances captured on Nuestra Cosa, one might not believe that one is indeed listening to the Fania All-Stars. This is in part due to subpar sound quality, and also thanks to meandering arrangements that may have held interest in part because of the concert components that are lost on a soundtrack or film. There are gems to be appreciated. "Descarga Fania" features some very nice solos and the tightest groove of the entire record. "Lamente de un Guajiro" has the lush, slinky groove and sensitive interpretation that one expects from the Fania All-Stars. Many of the other tracks are obscured by verbal interactions that are confusing without decent fidelity or the visual cues present in the film. The result is a Spanish Harlem cacophony that enshrouds more than half the album. While the Fania All-Stars always feature brilliant performances, there are better places to appreciate them. by Evan C. Gutierrez  
Tracklist  :
Live At The Cheetah Vol. 1    
1    Introduction Theme (Cheetah) 5:21
Written-By – Johnny Pacheco
2    Descarga Fania 9:17
Written-By – Ray Barretto
3    Anacaona (Cheetah) 7:15
Written-By – C. Curet Alonso
4    Quitate Tú 16:45
Written-By – Roberto Valentín, Johnny Pacheco
Live At The Cheetah Vol. 2    
1    Ahora Vengo Yo 9:46
Written-By – Bobby Cruz, Ricardo Ray
2    Estrellas De Fania 7:24
Written-By – C. Curet Alonso, Johnny Pacheco
3    Que Barbaridad 6:09
Written-By – Ismael Miranda
4    Ponte Duro 9:19
Written-By – Johnny Pacheco
5    Macho Cimarrón 11:43
Written-By – Johnny Pacheco
6    Closing Theme 2:04
Written-By – Johnny Pacheco
- Bonus Tracks -    
7    Cocinando 10:09
Written-By – Ray Barretto
8    Abran Paso Part 1 2:21
Written-By – Ismael Miranda
9    Abran Paso Part 2 1:38
Written-By – Ismael Miranda
Featuring – Adalberto Santiago, Bobby Cruz, Bobby Valentin, Cheo Feliciano, Hector Lavoe, Ismael Miranda, Johnny Pacheco, Larry Harlow, Pete 'El Conde' Rodriguez, Ray Barretto, Ricardo Ray, Roberto Roena, Santos Colon, Willie Colon