CURTIS FULLER QUINTET — Blues-Ette, Part II (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Curtis Fuller and Benny Golson were charter members in the Jazztet of the late '50s and early '60s. The band was revived a few times by Golson and founder Art Farmer, but this 1993 edition has no trumpeter. Tommy Flanagan, Ray Drummond, and Al Harewood comprise a dynamite rhythm section that allows the front-line musicians all the freedom they need to play tandem melodies signifying the happy feeling of the original Jazztet. Golson, the consummate player and especially composer, asserts his will on most of this date, while Fuller, the leader in name, follows merrily along and plays as cleanly as he ever has. Flanagan is a definite force, quoting phrase upon phrase of jazz standards spontaneously and adding his refined, unlimited string of genius ideas whether comping or playing harmonious chords. The best-known tracks of the collection are Golson's evergreens like the Art Blakey-adopted beloved standard and easy swinging "Along Came Betty" and an updated take of the classic hard bopper "Five Spot After Dark," identified by the perfect tandem melody from Golson and Fuller. "Love, Your Spell Is Everywhere" holds the most mysterious intrigue, with a patented Flanagan intro and a fine Fuller solo. There's an overall sense of cool, as nothing is rushed or blatantly fast. Though "How Am I to Know?" is quicker, it is not blindingly so, as the band also echoes the hopeful theme of "Watch What Happens" in a display of ultimate democracy and balance. Themes of "A Child Is Born" and "I Remember Clifford" convene during the sensitive Golson ballad "Is It All a Game?," while other hushed moments on the big-city blues "Manhattan Serenade" settle further into a slow, lazy mood. More of that exonerated good-time feeling is extracted during Fuller's "Capt' Kid," a bright parallel calypso to the Sonny Rollins standard "St. Thomas." It's clear the past and present are merging during the entire program, as the band snatches snippets to expound upon, most notably when Flanagan borrows blue phrases from show tune, Dizzy Gillespie, or Milt Jackson melodies during "Blues-ette '93" -- not a take on the famous Toots Thielemans tune "Bluesette." A solid recording from top to bottom with no filler or cereal, and showcasing a good chunk of Golson's many great works, this comes easily recommended to all modern mainstream jazz lovers without hesitation. Michael G. Nastos    Tracklist & Credits :

LEE KONITZ NONET - Live at Laren (1984) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Lee Konitz revived his nonet for the occasion of this 1979 concert, with trumpeters Red Rodney and John Eckert, baritonist Ronnie Cuber, trombonist Jimmy Knepper, and tuba player/bass trombonist Sam Burtis joining him in the front line. Lennie Tristano's "April," a challenging reworking of the standard "I'll Remember April," proves to be an inspired opener, with great solos all around. Knepper's blues "Who You" has the flavor of Charles Mingus' early-'60s compositions. Konitz's scoring of "Without a Song" begins with an unaccompanied alto solo before taking on a Latin flavor. Pianist Benny Aronov switches to the electric keyboard for an intricate take of Chick Corea's "Times Lie," while the nonet charges head first into the lengthy exploration of Corea's "Matrix." One of the less familiar releases in Lee Konitz's extensive discography. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    April 7:03
Written-By, Arranged By – Lennie Tristano
2    Who You 6:15
Written-By, Arranged By – Jimmy Knepper
3    Without A Song 9:32
Arranged By – Lee Konitz
Written-By – Billy Rose, Edward Eliscu, Vincent Youmans
4    Moon Dreams 3:45
Arranged By – Gil Evans
Written-By – Chummy McGregor, J. Chalmers, Johnny Mercer
5    Times Lie 10:54
Arranged By – Sy Johnson
Written-By – Chick Corea
6    Matrix 13:38
Arranged By – Sy Johnson
Written-By – Chick Corea
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Lee Konitz
Baritone Saxophone, Clarinet – Ronnie Cuber
Bass – Ray Drummond
Drums – Billy Hart
Piano, Electric Piano – Ben Aronov
Trombone – Jimmy Knepper
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Red Rodney
Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Piccolo Trumpet – John Eckert
Tuba, Bass Trombone – Sam Burtis
Notas.
Recorded live at Laren Jazz Festival August 12, 1979 by the Dutch Broadcasting, NOS -Hilversum
Mastered at Polygram, Tribiano - Milano

GARY BARTZ - Reflections of Monk (1989) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

After a long period of indifferent recordings, altoist Gary Bartz started to fulfill his potential in the early '90s. Joined by a superb rhythm section (comprised of pianist John Hicks, bassist Ray Drummond, and drummer Al Foster) and trumpeter Claudio Roditi (whose restrained power complements rather than competes with Bartz), the altoist really stretches out, particularly on "Speak Low" and "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes" which both clock in at within seven seconds of 19 minutes apiece. Bartz is quite lyrical on a superior version of "It's Easy to Remember" and also takes inventive solos on his modal blues "Cousins" and Wilbur Harden's "West 42nd Street." A highly recommended gem. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Thelonious 0'55
Thelonious Monk
2     Brilliant Corners 4'56
Thelonious Monk
3     The Pennywhistle Call/Reflections 10'05
Gary Bartz / Thelonious Monk
4     Played Twice 6'27
Thelonious Monk
5     Crepescule With Nellie 4'40
Thelonious Monk
6     Hackensack 8'16
Thelonious Monk
7     Let's Cool One 8'15
Thelonious Monk
8    Monk's Mood 9'58
Thelonious Monk   
9     Epistrophy 8'37
Kenny Clarke / Thelonious Monk
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Gary Bartz
Bass – Geoff Harper
Drum – Billy Hart
Piano – Bob Butta
Trumpet – Eddie Henderson
Vocals – Jenelle Fisher (pistas: 8), Mekea Keith (pistas: 3.2)  

GARY BARTZ QUINTET - West 42nd Street (1990) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

After a long period of indifferent recordings, altoist Gary Bartz started to fulfill his potential in the early '90s. Joined by a superb rhythm section (comprised of pianist John Hicks, bassist Ray Drummond, and drummer Al Foster) and trumpeter Claudio Roditi (whose restrained power complements rather than competes with Bartz), the altoist really stretches out, particularly on "Speak Low" and "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes" which both clock in at within seven seconds of 19 minutes apiece. Bartz is quite lyrical on a superior version of "It's Easy to Remember" and also takes inventive solos on his modal blues "Cousins" and Wilbur Harden's "West 42nd Street." A highly recommended gem. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     West 42nd Street 8:51
Wilbur Harden    
2     Speak Low 19:10
Ogden Nash / Kurt Weill    
3     It's Easy to Remember 11:45
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers    
4     Cousins 10:02
Gary Bartz    
5     The Night Has a Thousand Eyes 18:56     
Marilyn Garrett / Dorothy Wayne / Ben Weisman
Credits :
Bass – Ray Drummond
Drums – Al Foster
Flugelhorn, Trumpet – Claudio Roditi
Piano – John Hicks
Saxophone [Alto, Soprano] – Gary Bartz

GARY BARTZ - There Goes The Neighborhood! (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although he dismissed notions about a comeback, this '90 album was the triumphant, exuberant vehicle Gary Bartz hadn't made in quite a while. His rippling solos and dominant presence were welcome for fans who wondered if he had squandered the potential he'd shown in the '60s. Ron Wynn
Tracklist :
1    Racism (Blues In Double Bb Minor) 9:41
Composed By – Gary Bartz
2    On A Misty Night 8:35
Composed By – Tadd Dameron
3    Laura 13:27
Composed By – David Raksin, Johnny Mercer
4    Tadd's Delight 8:54
Composed By – Tadd Dameron
5    Impressions 10:06
Composed By – John Coltrane
6    I've Never Been In Love Before 10:08
Composed By – Frank Loesser
7    Flight Path 8:44
Composed By – Kenny Barron
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Gary Bartz
Bass – Ray Drummond
Drums – Ben Riley
Piano – Kenny Barron

PHAROAH SANDERS - Journey To The One (1980-1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

A two-LP set on Theresa, Rejoice features Pharoah Sanders in excellent form in 1981. Sanders sounds much more mellow than he had a decade earlier, often improvising in a style similar to late-'50s John Coltrane, particularly on "When Lights Are Low," "Moments Notice," and "Central Park West." The personnel changes on many of the selections and includes such top players as pianists Joe Bonner and John Hicks, bassist Art Davis, drummers Elvin Jones and Billy Higgins, vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, trombonist Steve Turre, trumpeter Danny Moore, a harpist, and (on "Origin" and "Central Park West") five vocalists. The music always holds one's interest, making this one of Sanders' better later recordings. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Greetings To Idris 7'28
Composed By, Arranged By – Pharoah Sanders
Guitar – Carl Lockett
2    Doktor Pitt 12'13
Composed By, Arranged By – Pharoah Sanders
Flugelhorn – Eddie Henderson
3    Kazuko (Peace Child) 8'07
Composed By, Arranged By – Pharoah Sanders
Harmonium, Wind Chimes [Wind-Chimes] – Paul Arslanian
Koto – Yoko Ito Gates
4    After The Rain 5'36
Composed By – John Coltrane
Piano – Joe Bonner
5    Soledad 4'56
Composed By, Arranged By – Pharoah Sanders
Harmonium – Bedria Sanders
Sitar – James Pomerantz
Tabla – Phil Ford
6    You've Got To Have Freedom 6'48
Composed By, Arranged By – Pharoah Sanders
Flugelhorn – Eddie Henderson
Vocals – Bobby McFerrin, Donna Dickerson, Ngoh Spencer, Vicki Randle
7    Yemenja 5'35
Composed By, Arranged By – John Hicks
Guitar – Carl Lockett
8    Easy To Remember 6'32
Written-By – Lorenz Hart, Richard Rogers
9    Think About The One 4'15
Bass – Joy Julks
Bells [Sleigh Bells] – Pharoah Sanders
Composed By, Arranged By – Pharoah Sanders
Drums – Randy Merritt
Guitar – Carl Lockett
Lead Vocals – Claudette Allen
Piano [Acoustic], Electric Piano – Joe Bonner
Shekere, Congas – Babatunde Olatunji
Synthesizer [Oberheim] – Mark Isham
Vocals – Bobby McFerrin, Donna Dickerson, Ngoh Spencer, Vicki Randle
10    Bedria 10'30
Composed By, Arranged By – Pharoah Sanders
Guitar – Chris Hayes
Credits :
Bass – Ray Drummond (pistas: 1, 2, 6 to 8, 10)
Drums – Idris Muhammad (pistas: 1, 2, 6 to 8, 10)
Illustration [Cover] – Daniel Ziegler
Piano – John Hicks (pistas: 1, 2, 6 to 8, 10)
Producer, Tenor Saxophone – Pharoah Sanders

PHAROAH SANDERS ft. LEON THOMAS - Shukuru (1985) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Pharoah Sanders and singer Leon Thomas had a reunion on this Theresa recording on two of the numbers (most notably "Sun Song") and, although the magic of "The Creator Has a Master Plan" is not recaptured, the music is still enjoyable. The other four numbers are instrumentals featuring Sanders' tenor with keyboardist William Henderson, bassist Ray Drummond and drummer Idris Muhammad. Sanders does a close impression of late-'50s John Coltrane on "Body and Soul" and "Too Young to Go Steady" and shows a bit more heat on the other two numbers. But fans of his most passionate dates are advised to get a sampling of the earlier Impulse recordings instead. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Shukuru 5'44
Pharoah Sanders    
2     Body and Soul 7'33
Frank Eyton / Johnny Green / Edward Heyman / Robert Sour
3     Mas in Brooklyn (Highlife) 3'41
Linger Francisco    
4     Sun Song 6'04
Leon Thomas    
5     Too Young to Go Steady 5'21
Harold Adamson / Jimmy McHugh    
6     Jitu 5'43
Pharoah Sanders    
7    For Big George 7'59
Pharoah Sanders / Leon Thomas
Credits :
Bass – Ray Drummond
Drums – Idris Muhammad
Synthesizer [Kurzweil 520] – William Henderson
Tenor Saxophone – Pharoah Sanders
Vocals – Leon Thomas (pistas: 3, 4), Pharoah Sanders (pistas: 1, 3)

JOHNNY GRIFFIN - The Return Of The Griffin (1979) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Johnny Griffin recorded this studio album during his first visit to the United States in 15 years. Accompanied by a very supportive trio (pianist Ronnie Mathews, bassist Ray Drummond and drummer Keith Copeland), the great tenor is in frequently exuberant form on such tunes as "Autumn Leaves," his own "A Monk's Dream" and the funky "The Way It Is." Long one of the underrated masters, Johnny Griffin is heard at the peak of his powers on this modern bop session. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Autumn Leaves 5'36
Joseph Kosma / Johnny Mercer / Jacques Prévert
2     When We Were One 7'42
Johnny Griffin
3     A Monk's Dream 6'18
Johnny Griffin
4     The Way It Is 5'09
Johnny Griffin
5     Fifty-Six 9'29
Johnny Griffin
6     I Should Care 5'26
Sammy Cahn / Axel Stordahl / Paul Weston
Credits :
Bass – Ray Drummond
Drums – Keith Copeland
Piano – Ronnie Mathews
Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Griffin

JOHNNY GRIFFIN - To the Ladies (1982) lp | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Using the same trio that had joined him on NYC Underground (pianist Ron Mathews, bassist Ray Drummond and drummer Idris Muhammad), tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin sticks exclusively to group originals on this interesting but not essential (and unfortunately out-of-print) LP. Griffin is in excellent form, as usual, but none of the tunes (by the leader, Drummond, and Mathews) caught on; the best is "Soft and Furry," which is taken in three parts. Scott Yanow
A1    Miriam    4:45
Written-By – Johnny Griffin
A2    Susanita    7:46
Written-By – Ray Drummond
A3    Jean Marie    8:07
Written-By – Ron Mathews
B1    Soft And Furry, Part 1    6:51
Written-By – Johnny Griffin
B2    Soft And Furry, Part 2    4:54
Written-By – Johnny Griffin
B3    Soft And Furry, Part 3    3:57
Written-By – Johnny Griffin
B4    Honey Bucket    7:00
Written-By – Johnny Griffin
Credits :
Bass – Ray Drummond
Drums – Idris Muhammed
Piano – Ron Mathews
Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Griffin

JOHNNY GRIFFIN - Live / Autumn Leaves (1997) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Tracklist :
1     Autumn Leaves (Les Feuilles Mortes) 15'41
Joseph Kosma / Johnny Mercer / Jacques Prévert
2     Prelude to a Kiss 13'41
Duke Ellington / Irving Gordon / Irving Mills
3     Blues for Gonzie 8'20
Johnny Griffin     
4     John Charles 10'05
Ronnie Mathews    
5     I Mean You 6'50
Thelonious Monk
Credits :
Bass – Ray Drummond
Drums – Kenny Washington
Piano – Ronnie Mathews
Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Griffin

THE JAZZTET - Moment to Moment (1983) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1     Moment to Moment 8:50
Henry Mancini / Johnny Mercer
2     Along Came Betty 6:45
Benny Golson
3     Farmer's Market 5:32
Art Farmer
4     Fair Weather 5:50
Benny Golson
5     Yesterday's Thoughts 8:21
Benny Golson
6     Ease Away Walk 8:21
Benny Golson
Credits :
Bass – Ray Drummond
Drums – Albert "Tootie" Heath
Flugelhorn – Art Farmer
Piano – Mickey Tucker
Tenor Saxophone – Benny Golson
Trombone – Curtis Fuller

THE ART FARMER / BENNY GOLSON JAZZTET - Back to the City (1986) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Recorded at the same sessions as Real Time, this set features a reunion by the Jazztet, a classic sextet that originally broke up in 1963 due to lack of work. Twenty-three years later, flugelhornist Art Farmer and trombonist Curtis Fuller are heard playing in their unchanged styles while tenor-saxophonist Benny Golson (who had evolved from a Don Byas-type approach to a sound influenced by Archie Shepp) is in fine form. With pianist Mickey Tucker, bassist Ray Drummond and drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith completing the group, the band plays four lesser-known Golson compositions, Farmer's "Write Soon" and the standard "Speak Low." Timeless hard bop music. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Back to the City 7:55
Composed By – Benny Golson
2     From Dream to Dream 6:49
Composed By – Benny Golson
3     Write Soon 9:44
Composed By – Art Farmer
4     Vas Simeon 7:31
Composed By – Benny Golson
5     Speak Low 6:07
Ogden Nash / Kurt Weill
6     Without Delay/Time Speaks 6:59
Composed By – Benny Golson
Credits :
Arranged By – Art Farmer, Benny Golson
Bass – Ray Drummond
Drums – Marvin "Smitty" Smith
Flugelhorn – Art Farmer
Piano – Mickey Tucker
Tenor Saxophone – Benny Golson
Trombone – Curtis Fuller