HAMPTON HAWES — I'm All Smiles (1966-1993) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 Pianist Hampton Hawes led a trio during the 1960s and '70s that remained popular without compromising its sound or musical integrity. His phrasing and voicings could entice or amaze, and he displays great range, rhythmic vitality, and harmonic excellence during the five selections featured on this 1966 live date now reissued on CD. Hawes moves from the Afro-Latin feel of "Manha de Carnaval" to the brilliant chordal exposition on "Spring Is Here" and "The Shadow of Your Smile," before concluding with a flourish on "Searchin." Hawes is backed by wonderful bassist Red Mitchell and steady drummer Donald Bailey, who had both been with him for over a decade. They are not just a cohesive unit, but an intuitive team, maintaining a communication with him that is amazing even within a genre that demands it. Ron Wynn
Tracklist :
1. I'm All Smiles (7:39)
 Michael Leonard / Herbert Martin
2. Manha De Carnaval (5:36)
 Luiz Bonfá / Antônio Maria
3. Spring Is Here (5:14)
 Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
4. The Shadow Of Your Smile (10:07)
 Johnny Mandel / Paul Francis Webster
5. Searchin' (10:31)
 Hampton Hawes
Credits :
Bass – Red Mitchell
Drums – Donald Bailey
Piano, Liner Notes – Hampton Hawes

ANDRÉ PREVIN'S TRIO JAZZ — King Size! (1958-2001) RM | Serie Heritage Of Jazz By Digital K2 Contemporary 40 – 40 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The multi-talented Andre Previn is heard on this recording as the leader of a trio with bassist Red Mitchell and drummer Frankie Capp. Previn always had his own swing/bop piano style, and he is in top form on two of his originals (including the bluish "Much Too Late") and four superior standards. This fine release gives one an excellent example of Previn's skills as a jazz pianist. Scott Yanow

Tracklist
1. I'll Remember April - 6:25
(Raye-DePaul-Johnston)
2. Much Too Late - 9:31
(André Previn)
3. You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To - 7:04
(Cole Porter)
4. It Could Happen to You - 5:57
(Van Heusen-Burke)
5. Low and Inside - 9:00
(André Previn)
6. I'm Beginning to See the Light - 8:02
(George-Hodges-James-Ellington)
Credits:
André Previn - Piano
Red Mitchell - Bass
Frankie Capp - Drums

BEN WEBSTER — At The Renaissance (1985-1993) RM | 24 Karat Gold | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

This live set features tenor great Ben Webster playing with pianist Jimmy Rowles, guitarist Jim Hall, bassist Red Mitchell, and drummer Frank Butler in a club, and the music is consistently wonderful. Whether showing warmth and sentimentality on "Georgia on My Mind" and "Stardust" or growling and roaring on "Caravan" and "Ole Miss Blues," Webster (who was then somewhat taken for granted) is in superior and creative form. Recommended. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Caravan 10:15
Written-By – Ellington, Mills, Tizol
2    Georgia On My Mind 6:41
Written-By – Carmichael, Gorell
3    Ole Miss Blues 6:45
Written-By – W.C. Handy
4    What Is This Thing Called Love 7:49
Written-By – Cole Porter
5    Stardust 11:09
Written-By – Hoagy Carmichael
6    Gone With The Wind 9:01
Written-By – Wrubel, Magidson
7    Renaissance Blues 5:49
Written-By – Webster, Butler, Hall, Rowles, Mitchell
8    Mop Mop 8:27
Written-By – Heard, Wilson
Credits :
Bass – Red Mitchell
Drums – Frank Butler
Guitar – Jim Hall
Piano – Jimmy Rowles
Tenor Saxophone – Ben Webster

BUD SHANK | BILL PERKINS — Bud Shank and Bill Perkins (1998) MONO | Serie West Coast Classics | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Two of the stars of cool jazz, Bud Shank and Bill Perkins, are featured to various degrees throughout this session. Shank in the 1950s was practically the epitome of West Coast jazz. His cool tones on alto and his fluid flute were utilized on many dates; the main set here also finds him switching in spots to tenor and baritone. Perkins, always a versatile reed soloist, is best known for his tenor playing but during that date he also plays alto, and (on two versions of "Fluted Columns") there are some rare examples of his flute. Shank and Perkins team up quite effectively with pianist Hampton Hawes, bassist Red Mitchell, and drummer Mel Lewis for the May 2, 1955 session, which includes a trio feature for Hawes ("I Hear Music"). Four numbers from February 19, 1956 (with Shank on flute and alto, pianist Russ Freeman, bassist Carson Smith, drummer Shelly Manne, and, on "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?," Perkins on tenor) are actually from a session led by Freeman but never completed, and were only put out previously on samplers. "Angel Eyes" (by a quartet with Perkins and pianist Jimmy Rowles) is a leftover track from a later date, as is "Sonny Speaks," which showcases Rowles in a trio without Perkins. This set concludes with the one surviving number ("Ain't Got a Dime to My Name") surviving from a truncated Perkins quartet set from 1958. Taken as a whole, there are many rewarding solos to be heard by Shank, Perkins, and the piano players on these formerly rare selections, even if the collection falls short of being classic. Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits

FRANK ROSOLINO — Four Horns and a Lush Life (1956-2000) RM | MONO | Serie ベツレヘムCDコレクション – 52 | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Russ Garcia was a popular arranger in the mid-'50s, often working with some of the best jazz artists of the day. On this session for Bethlehem, he conducts an octet with four trombonists (including Maynard Ferguson, Frank Rosolino, Herbie Harper and Tommy Pederson), plus baritone saxophonist Dick Houlgate, pianist Marty Paich, bassist Red Mitchell and drummer Stan Levey. Most of Garcia's cool arrangements are of standards, while his "I'll Never Forget What's Her Name (The Lo-est)" is a barely disguised reworking of the chord changes to "Fine and Dandy." Obviously, the trombonists are the primary focus of the solos, though Paich, Houlgate and Mitchell get a chance to get in a few licks of their own. Garcia's use of a trombone choir is very effective in the warm treatment of "Lush Life" and a cooking "What Is This Thing Called Love." Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1 I'll Never Forget What's Her Name 3:20
Russell Garcia
2 But Beautiful 2:17
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
3 Dancing on the Ceiling 3:09
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
4 The Boy Next Door 2:37
Hugh Martin
5 Just One of Those Things 4:06
Cole Porter
6 Zigeuner 2:55
Noël Coward
7 Limehouse Blues 3:04
Philip Braham / Douglas Furber
8 Lush Life 2:07
Billy Strayhorn
9 Lover, Come Back to Me 5:36
Oscar Hammerstein II / Sigmund Romberg
10 Ramona 2:40
Louis Wolfe Gilbert / Mabel Wayne
11 Someone to Watch over Me 2:31
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
12 What Is This Thing Called Love? 3:04
Cole Porter
Credits :
Baritone Saxophone – Dick Houlgate
Bass – Red Mitchell
Drums – Stan Levey
Piano – Marty Paich
Trombone – Frank Rosolino, Herb Harper, Maynard Ferguson, Tommy Pederson

JOE SAMPLE — Fancy Dance (1969-1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This recording (a reissue of a project for Sonet) was pianist Joe Sample's first solo set, although he was already well-known for his nine high-profile years with the Jazz Crusaders. Teamed with bassist Red Mitchell and drummer J.C. Moses, Sample plays mostly adventurous straight-ahead jazz on his date. There are some funky moments (particularly on the two blues), but all six of his originals have their challenging moments and Sample is heard stretching himself way beyond the predictable. Scott Yanow

BARNEY KESSEL — Barney Kessel Volume 1 : Easy Like (1956-2006) RM | MONO | APE (image+.cue), lossless

Other than four songs apiece released by Onyx and Verve, the CD reissue of Easy Like, Vol. 1 has guitarist Barney Kessel's first sessions as a leader, performances which launched his longtime association with the Contemporary label. Augmented by two "new" alternate takes, the set features Kessel in boppish form with quintets in 1953 and 1956 featuring, either Bud Shank or Buddy Collette doubling on flute and alto. Kessel shows off the influence of Charlie Christian throughout the performances, with the highlights including "Easy Like," "Lullaby of Birdland," "North of the Border," and the accurately titled "Salute to Charlie Christian." Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Easy Like 4:04
Barney Kessel
2 Tenderly 4:06
Walter Gross / Jack Lawrence
3 Lullaby of Birdland 3:16
George Shearing / George David Weiss
4 What Is There to Say? 3:10
Vernon Duke / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
5 Bernardo 3:34
Barney Kessel
6 Vicky's Dream 2:37
Barney Kessel
7 Salute to Charlie Christian 2:52
Barney Kessel
8 That's All 3:18
Alan Brandt / Bob Haymes
9 I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart 4:12
Duke Ellington / Irving Mills / Henry Nemo / John Redmond
10 Just Squeeze Me (But Don't Tease Me) 3:41
Duke Ellington / Lee Gaines
11 April in Paris 3:00
Vernon Duke / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
12 North of the Border 2:46
Barney Kessel
13 Easy Like 2:44
Barney Kessel
14 North of the Border 2:44
Barney Kessel
Credits :
Bass – Harry Babasin (tracks: 3 to 8, 10, 11), Red Mitchell (tracks: 1, 2, 9, 12 to 14 )
Drums – Shelly Manne
Flute, Alto Saxophone – Bud Shank (tracks: 3 to 8, 10, 11), Buddy Collette (tracks: 1, 2, 9, 12 to 14 )
Guitar – Barney Kessel
Piano – Arnold Ross (tracks: 3 to 8, 10, 11), Claude Williamson (tracks: 1, 2, 9, 12 to 14 )

STAN GETZ – 1952-1953 | The Classics Chronological Series – 1379 (2003) FLAC (tracks), lossless

This fifth installment in the Classics Stan Getz chronology opens with a 60-mph workout on Sigmund Romberg's "Lover, Come Back to Me." Accompanied by pianist Duke Jordan, guitarist Jimmy Raney, bassist Bill Crow, and drummer Frank Isola, and using everything he learned about saxophones from Lester Young and Charlie Parker, Getz also sounds at times a tiny bit like his contemporaries John LaPorta and Lee Konitz. Several of these 12 sides recorded for the Mercury, Norgran, and Royal Roost labels during December 1952 are slow luxurious ballads, a treat for anyone enamored of Getz's intoxicating suede-toned manner. "Lullaby of Birdland," "Fools Rush In," "How Deep Is the Ocean?," and especially this band's spirited rendition of Gigi Gryce's "Hymn to the Orient" are invigorating examples of what Getz could accomplish at higher velocities. Four Mercury/Clef sides recorded on April 16, 1953, are infused with composer and valve trombonist Bob Brookmeyer's smooth ideas and cool textures. "Erudition" is a particularly rewarding dose of hot modernity. The rhythm section of Bill Crow, drummer Al Levitt, and pianist John Williams works wonders here behind the pleasantly paired horns. The four tracks closing this excellent compilation were recorded for Prestige on April 23, 1953, with Frank Isola behind the drums, pianist Hall Overton, bassist Red Mitchell, and heavily featured guitarist Jimmy Raney, who composed three of the four tunes rendered on that day. Note also that a few years later, some of the players heard on this disc -- Brookmeyer, Mitchell, and Isola -- would show up gigging with Lee Konitz in Paris. arwulf arwulf 

LEE KONITZ & RED MITCHELL - "I Concentrate on You" A Tribute To Cole Porter (1974-1987) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Lee Konitz has been a constant explorer throughout most of his career, never satisfied with a standard approach or falling into a rut with a particular instrumentation. This 1974 duo session with bassist Red Mitchell, which focuses exclusively on the works of Cole Porter, is one great example. With an inventive accompanist like Mitchell spurring him on, the alto saxophonist is able to work magical variations of the familiar Porter works, while Konitz retains his remarkable dry signature tone. "Easy to Love" has a bit of a bittersweet air in his hands, as does the more deliberate "Ev'rytime We Say Goodbye." Mitchell is a bit more subdued in the hip treatment of "'You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To," as Konitz's intricate improvisation works its magic. The usually over the top "Love for Sale" features an understated arrangement here. Mitchell switches to piano for "Night and Day," playing a soft bop line behind the leader. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     Just One of Those Things 5:09
Cole Porter
2     Just One of Those Things 3:05
Cole Porter
3     Easy to Love 3:15
Cole Porter
4     It's All Right with Me 3:00
Cole Porter
5     Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye 2:49
Cole Porter
6     Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye 2:50
Cole Porter
7     You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To 3:46
Cole Porter
8     Love for Sale 5:16
Cole Porter
9     In the Still of the Night 2:11
Cole Porter
10     Night and Day 5:14
Cole Porter
11     Night and Day 3:56
Cole Porter
12     I Love You 3:36
Cole Porter
13     I Love Paris 3:23
Cole Porter
14     I Concentrate on You 9:12
Cole Porter
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone – Lee Konitz
Bass – Red Mitchell
Piano – Red Mitchell (tracks: 10, 11)

LEE KONITZ - From Newport to Nice (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This compilation consists of live tracks from various sources, including festivals, television and radio broadcasts over a quarter century. While the playing of Konitz and his various band mates is first rate, the sound quality ranges from excellent to poor, probably due to the condition of the tapes and the fact that some of the songs likely come from audience tapes. Highlights include "All The Things You Are," heard in a swinging quintet that included guitarist Rene Thomas and pianist Misha Mengleberg; Lennie Tristano's "At Twilight," by a quartet that featured the late guitarist Atilla Zoller; and the lengthy but delightful second version of "Lover Man," in a quartet with Shelly Manne, Red Mitchell and Jimmy Rowles. Konitz fans should not let the sometimes dismal sound quality keep them from acquiring this excellent CD. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     Two Not One 5:41
Lennie Tristano
2     My Melancholy Baby 3:09
Ernie Burnett / George Norton
3     I'm Getting Sentimental over You 3:38
George Bassman / Ned Washington
4     Easy Living 3:53
Ralph Rainger / Leo Robin
5     Some of These Days 4:14
Shelton Brooks
6     Lover Man 4:19
Jimmy Davis / Roger "Ram" Ramirez / Jimmy Sherman
7     Will You Still Be Mine? 4:05
Tom Adair / Matt Dennis
8     'Round Midnight 5:10
Bernie Hanighen / Thelonious Monk / Cootie Williams
9     All the Things You Are 9:20
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
10     317 East 32nd Street 6:17
Lennie Tristano
11     At Twilight 7:59
Maceo Pinkard
12     Lover Man 10:05
Jimmy Davis / Roger "Ram" Ramirez / Jimmy Sherman
13     Body and Soul 5:54
Frank Eyton / Johnny Green / Edward Heyman / Robert Sour
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Lee Konitz
Contrabass – Barre Phillips (pistas: 10, 11), Bob Carter (pistas: 1), Frank Carroll (pistas: 2), Henry Grimes (pistas: 5 to 7), Johnny Fischer (pistas: 3, 4), Red Mitchell (pistas: 12), Rob Langereis (pistas: 8, 9)
Drums – Buzzy Drootin (pistas: 1), Don Lamond (pistas: 2), Ed Levinson (pistas: 5 to 7), Han Bennink (pistas: 8, 9), Rudi Sehring (pistas: 3), Shelly Manne (pistas: 12), Stu Martin (pistas: 10, 11)
Guitar – Attila Zoller (pistas: 10, 11), Jimmy Raney (pistas: 13), Johnny Smith (pistas: 2), René Thomas (pistas: 8, 9)
Piano – Jimmy Rowles (pistas: 12), Misha Mengelberg (pistas: 8, 9), Roland Kovac (pistas: 3), Russ Freeman (pistas: 1)
Tenor Saxophone – Warne Marsh (pistas: 1)

ORNETTE COLEMAN - Tomorrow Is the Question! (1959-1988) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

On his second outing for the Contemporary label, Ornette dusted the piano from the bandstand and focused instead on a quartet. For some unexplained reason, Billy Higgins was replaced by Shelly Manne; the only constants remain Coleman and Don Cherry. The focus, then, is on the interplay between the altoist and trumpeter in executing Ornette's tunes, which were, more than on the preceding album (Something Else!, recorded a year earlier), knottier and tighter in their arrangement style. The odd-syncopation style of the front line on numbers such as "Tears Inside," which comes out of the box wailing and then simmers down into a moody, swinging blues, was a rough transition for the rhythm section. And the more Ornette and Cherry try to open it up into something more free and less attached to the tune's form, the more Manne and especially bassist Percy Heath hang on. Still, there are great moments here: for example, the celebratory freedom of "Giggin'," with its wonderful trumpet solo, and "Rejoicing," which has become one of Coleman's classics for its elongated melody line and simple obbligato phrasing, which become part of a wonderfully complex solo that keeps the blues firmly intact. The final track, "Endless," is pure magic. After Manne carries it in 6/8, Coleman uses a nursery rhyme to move to the solo terrain and, when he does, the solo itself becomes a part of that rhyme as even Don Cherry feels his way through it in his break. And, if anything, this is one of the things that came to define Ornette -- his willingness to let simplicity and its bright colors and textures confound not only other players and listeners, but also him too. In those days, Coleman's musical system -- although worked out in detail -- always left room for the unexpected and, in fact, was played as if his life depended on it. As a result, Tomorrow Is the Question! was a very literal title; who could have guessed the expansive, world-widening direction that Coleman's system would head into next?
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist :
1    Tomorrow Is The Question!    3:09
2    Tears Inside    5:00
3    Mind And Time    3:08
4    Compassion    4:37
5    Giggin'    3:19
6    Rejoicing    4:01
7    Lorraine    5:55
8    Turnaround    7:55
9    Endless    5:18
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Composed By – Ornette Coleman
Bass – Percy Heath (pistas: 1 to 6), Red Mitchell (pistas: 7 to 9)
Drums – Shelly Manne
Trumpet – Don Cherry

ZOOT SIMS — Choice (1961-2002) RM | Super Bit Jazz Classics | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Tracklist :
1    I'll Remember April 4:15
Bass – Red Mitchell
Drums – Larry Bunker
Leader [Leadership] – Gerry Mulligan
Piano – Bobby Brookmeyer
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Written-By – Raye, DePaul, Johnston
2    Flamingo 2:15
Baritone Saxophone, Leader [Leadership] – Gerry Mulligan
Bass – Red Mitchell
Drums – Larry Bunker
Piano – Bobby Brookmeyer
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Trumpet – Jon Eardley
Written-By – Anderson, Grouya
3    There Will Never Be Another You 5:00
Baritone Saxophone, Leader [Leadership] – Gerry Mulligan
Bass – Red Mitchell
Drums – Larry Bunker
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Valve Trombone – Bobby Brookmeyer
Written-By – Warren, Gordon
4    Red Door 7:00
Bass – Red Mitchell
Drums – Larry Bunker
Leader [Leadership] – Gerry Mulligan
Piano – Bobby Brookmeyer
Written-By, Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
5    You're Driving Me Crazy 4:47
Bass – Monte Budwig
Drums – Mel Lewis
Guitar – Billy Bean
Piano – Russ Freeman
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Written-By – Walter Donaldson
6    Brushes 6:30
Bass – Monte Budwig
Guitar – Jim Hall
Piano – Russ Freeman
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Written-By – Freeman
Written-By, Drums – Lewis
7    Choice Blues 4:30
Bass – Monte Budwig
Drums – Mel Lewis
Guitar – Jim Hall
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Written-By, Piano – Russ Freeman

AL COHN - Broadway (1954-1992) RM | MONO | Original Jazz Classics Limited Edition Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This long-lost session was originally cut for the Progressive label in 1954 and was not released until Prestige put it out in 1970. On it, listeners can hear tenor saxophonist Al Cohn and bassist Red Mitchell in fine form, in a quintet with three lesser known players: altoist Hal Stein, pianist Harvey Leonard, and drummer Christy Febbo. The music (Mitchell's "Help Keep Your City Clean Blues," a four-song ballad medley, and two versions apiece of "Broadway" and "Suddenly It's Spring") is fine although there are no surprises. The most interesting aspect to this obscure session is how similar the light-toned Cohn and altoist Stein (who tended to emphasize lower notes) sounded to each other.  Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Help Keep Your City Clean Blues 6:47
Red Mitchell    
2     Broadway (take 1) 9:05
Ray Henderson / Teddy McRae / Henri Woode
3     Broadway (Take 2) 7:51
Ray Henderson / Teddy McRae / Henri Woode
4    Suddenly It's Spring 6:28
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen    
5     Suddenly It's Spring 6:59
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen    
6     Ballad Medley: 8:49
6.1    These Foolish Things    
6.2    Everything Happens To Me    
6.3    Sweet Lorraine    
6.4    When It's Sleepy Time Down South
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone – Hal Stein
Bass – Red Mitchell
Drums – Christy Febbo
Piano – Harvey Leonard
Recorded By – Rudy Van Gelder
Remastered By – Phil De Lancie
Tenor Saxophone – Al Cohn

BENNY CARTER - Benny Carter All Stars (1986-2004) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

After recording very few jazz sessions during 1963-75, Benny Carter has returned to the scene with a vengeance, but no one is complaining. Virtually all of Carter's recordings are worth acquiring and this Gazell LP, although not essential, is no exception. Vibraphonist Red Norvo (on one of his last recordings before his retirement) is featured on "Here's That Rainy Day," cornetist Nat Adderley gets to perform yet another version of his "Work Song" (taking a rare vocal) and Carter joins the sextet for "Memories of You" and three of his own compositions. This nice session offers few surprises but satisfying music. Scott Yanow

Tracklist :
1    Easy Money 10:32
Written-By – Benny Carter
2    Memories Of You 5:27
Written-By – Andy Razaf, Eubie Blake
3    Here‘s That Rainy Day 4:39
Written-By – Jimmy Van Heusen - Johnny Burke
4    Blues For Lucky Lovers 8:47
Written-By – Benny Carter
5    Work Song 5:33
Vocals – Nat Adderley
Written-By – Nat Adderley, Oscar Brown Jr.
6    When Lights Are Low 6:33
Written-By – Benny Carter, Spencer Williams
- BONUS TRACK -
7    Just Friends 6:24
Written-By – John Klenner, Samuel M. Lewis
8    Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be) 4:30
Written-By – Jimmy Davis, Jimmy Sherman, Roger Ramirez
9    What Is Thing Called Love 6:51
Written-By – Cole Porter
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter (pistas: 1, 2, 4, 6 to 9)
Bass – Red Mitchell
Drums – Ronnie Gardiner
Piano – Horace Parlan (pistas: 1, 2, 4 to 9)
Trumpet – Nat Adderley (pistas: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9)
Vibraphone – Red Norvo (pistas: 1 to 4, 7, 9)

CLARK TERRY | RED MITCHELL - Jive at Five (1990) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Tracklist :
1     Jive at Five 5'47
Count Basie / Harry "Sweets" Edison
2     Late Date 5'42
Neal Hefti
3     Sophisticated Lady 7'16
Duke Ellington / Irving Mills / Mitchell Parish
4     Love You Madly 5'40
Duke Ellington
5     Cotton Tail 5'09
Duke Ellington
6     Cotton Tail 5'13
Duke Ellington
7     Cute 5'37
Neal Hefti
8     Cute 5'37
Neal Hefti
9     Big 'N' the Bear 2'46
Red Mitchell
10     Prelude to a Kiss 4'50
Duke Ellington / Irving Gordon / Irving Mills
11     Lester Leaps In 3'54
Lester Young
Credits :
Bass, Piano, Vocals – Red Mitchell
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Clark Terry

CLARK TERRY - Out Of Nowhere (1991) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Out Of Nowhere 5'58
Green
2    Whiffin Poof Song 4'46
Clark Terry
3    Blue Moon 7'26
Rogers
4    Days Of Wine And Roses 7'43
H. Mancini | J. Mercer
5    What Will I Tell My Heart 6'25
Glanne
6    Putte's Patter 3'46
Clark Terry
7    Simple Waltz 6'04
Clark Terry
8    Brahms Lullabye 7'57
Y. Victor
9    The Perils Of Pauline 8'41
Clark Terry
Credits :
Bass – Red Mitchell
Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Vocal – Clark Terry
Piano - Horace Parlan

ART FARMER - A Sleeping Bee (1976-2004) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This Sonet LP finds Art Farmer with an atypical supporting group that includes fellow veteran Red Mitchell on bass, Latin percussionist Sabú Martínez, and several Europeans, among them guitarist Jan Schaffer and pianist Goran Strandberg. The opener, an easygoing take of "It Might As Well Be Spring," finds Farmer finally opening up in the closing chorus. Farmer's rich-toned flugelhorn interacts beautifully with Mitchell's imaginative bassline in the swinging take of "Come Rain or Come Shine," while the brisk bossa nova "Green Witch" is one of the more challenging charts on the date, with Farmer switching to trumpet. "A Sleeping Bee" is often played at fast tempos, but the hip-swaying, relaxed arrangement better showcases lyrical solos by the leader and Mitchell. This excellent record is long overdue to be reissued on CD. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    It Might As Well Be Spring 8'38
Written-By – Richard Rodgers - Oscar Hammerstein II
2    Come Rain Or Come Shine 5'56
Written-By – Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer
3    Green Witch 5'58
Written-By – Horst Muhlbrandt
4    A Sleeping Bee 8'35
Written-By – Harold Arlen, Truman Capote
5    A Bitty Ditty    4:35
Written-By – Art Farmer
6    Smilin' Billy 10'01
Written-By – Jimmy Heath
- Bonus Tracks -    
7    Art For Lunch    4:30
Written-By – Art Farmer
8    It Might As Well Be Spring (Alternate Take) 8'52
Written-By – Richard Rodgers - Oscar Hammerstein II
9    Smilin' Billy (Alternate Take) 10'00
Written-By – Jimmy Heath
Credits :
Bass – Red Mitchell
Drums – Island Östlund, Tony Inzalaco
Guitar – Jan Schaffer
Percussion – Sabu Martinez
Piano – Göran Strandberg
Producer [Original Recordings], Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Art Farmer

GERRY MULLIGAN — The Complete Pacific Jazz Recordings of the Gerry Mulligan Quartet with Chet Baker (1996) 4CD BOX-SET | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Baritonist Gerry Mulligan's pianoless quartet of 1952-1953 with trumpeter Chet Baker was one of the most popular groups of the period and an influential force on West Coast Jazz. Mulligan's interplay with Baker looked back toward the collective improvisation of Dixieland but utilized up-to-date harmonies. This four-CD set overlaps with a previous (and now out-of-print) five-LP Mosaic box. In addition to all of the Pacific Jazz (as opposed to Fantasy and GNP/Crescendo) recordings of the Mulligan Quartet (including the hit version of "My Funny Valentine"), this box has a few slightly earlier titles that find Mulligan gradually forming the group (even utilizing pianist Jimmie Rowles on two songs), tunes from live sessions in which altoist Lee Konitz made the band a quintet, the 1957 Mulligan-Baker set called Reunion, and an Annie Ross date from the same period (leaving out the numbers that have Art Farmer in Baker's place). Despite both musicians remaining active for over 30 years, Mulligan and Baker only teamed up again on one occasion, for a 1970s Carnegie Hall concert released by CTI. The consistently delightful music on this box (much of which is classic) is highly recommended for all jazz collections. Scott Yanow  
Tracklist 1 :
The Original Sessions
1     Get Happy 2:30
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
2     'S Wonderful 3:32
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
3     Godchild 2:49
George Wallington
4     Dinah 2:55
Harry Akst / Sam M. Lewis / Joe Young
5     She Didn't Say Yes, She Didn't Say No 2:33
Otto Harbach / Jerome Kern
6     Bernie's Tune 2:51
Jerry Leiber / Bernard Miller / Mike Stoller
7     Lullaby of the Leaves 3:09
Bernice Petkere / Joe Young
8     Utter Chaos, No. 1 0:32
Gerry Mulligan
9     Aren't You Glad You're You 3:58
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
10     Frenesi 3:05
Alberto Dominguez / Leonard Whitcup
11    Nights at the Turntable 2:52
Gerry Mulligan
12     Freeway 2:42
Chet Baker
13     Soft Shoe 2:36
Gerry Mulligan
14     Walking Shoes 3:10
Gerry Mulligan
15     Aren't You Glad You're You 3:36
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
16     Get Happy 5:50
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
17     Poinciana 3:49
Buddy Bernier / Nat Simon
18     Godchild 3:55
George Wallington
19     Makin' Whoopee 3:26
Walter Donaldson / Gus Kahn
20     Cherry 2:55
Charlie Daniels / Dizzy Gillespie
21     Motel 2:33
Gerry Mulligan
22     Carson City Stage 2:30
Carson Smith
Tracklist 2 :
The Original Sessions
1     My Old Flame 3:11
Sam Coslow / Arthur Johnston
2     All the Things You Are 5:06
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
3     Love Me or Leave Me 2:47
Walter Donaldson / Gus Kahn
4     Love Me or Leave Me 2:41
Walter Donaldson / Gus Kahn
5     Swinghouse 2:53
Gerry Mulligan
6     Swinghouse 2:52
Gerry Mulligan
7     Jeru 2:30
Gerry Mulligan
8     Utter Chaos, No .2 0:30
Gerry Mulligan
9     Darn That Dream 3:49
Eddie DeLange / James Van Heusen
10     Darn That Dream 3:20
Eddie DeLange / James Van Heusen
11     I May Be Wrong 2:37
Harry Ruskin / Henry Sullivan
12     I May Be Wrong 2:50
Harry Ruskin / Henry Sullivan
13     I'm Beginning to See the Light 3:35
Duke Ellington / Don George / Johnny Hodges / Harry James
14     I'm Beginning to See the Light 3:06
Duke Ellington / Don George / Johnny Hodges / Harry James
15     The Nearness of You 2:50
Hoagy Carmichael / Ned Washington
16     Tea for Two 2:46
Irving Caesar / Vincent Youmans
17     Five Brothers 2:57
Gerry Mulligan
18     I Can't Get Started 4:00
Vernon Duke / Ira Gershwin
19     Ide's Side 4:21
Gerry Mulligan
20     Funhouse 3:26
Gerry Mulligan
21     My Funny Valentine 5:16
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
Tracklist 3 :   
The Reunion
1     People Will Say We're in Love 3:40
Oscar Hammerstein II / Richard Rodgers
2     Reunion 4:03
Gerry Mulligan
3     When Your Lover Has Gone 5:06
Einar A. Swan
4     Stardust 4:42
Hoagy Carmichael / Mitchell Parish
5     My Heart Belongs to Daddy 4:12
Cole Porter
6     Jersey Bounde 4:27
Tiny Bradshaw / Buddy Feyne / Edward Johnson / Bobby Plater / Robert Wright
7     The Surrey With the Fringe on Top 4:42
Oscar Hammerstein II / Richard Rodgers
8     Ornithology 5:09
Benny Harris / Charlie Parker
9     Trav'lin' Light 3:39
Johnny Mercer / Jimmy Mundy / Trummy Young
10     Trav'lin' Light 4:32
Johnny Mercer / Jimmy Mundy / Trummy Young
11     The Song Is You 3:21
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
12     Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You 3:35
Andy Razaf / Don Redman
13     Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You 3:31
Andy Razaf / Don Redman
14     I Got Rhythm 5:59
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
15     All the Things You Are 6:45
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
16     Festive Minor 4:08
Gerry Mulligan
Tracklist 4 :    
The Collaborations
1     Too Marvelous for Words 3:36
Johnny Mercer / Richard A. Whiting
2     Lover Man 3:01
Jimmy Davis / Roger "Ram" Ramirez / Jimmy Sherman
3     I'll Remember April 4:11
Gene DePaul / Patricia Johnston / Don Raye
4     These Foolish Things 3:20
Harry Link / Holt Marvell / Jack Strachey
5     All the Things You Are 3:55
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
6     Bernie's Tune 3:32
Jerry Leiber / Bernard Miller / Mike Stoller
7     Almost Like Being in Love 2:55
Alan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe
8     Sextet 2:59
Gerry Mulligan
9     Broadway 2:53
Billy Bird / Teddy McRae / Henry J. Wood
10     I Can't Believe That You're in Love With Me 3:06
Clarence Gaskill / Jimmy McHugh
11     Oh, Lady Be Good 2:29
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
12     Oh, Lady Be Good 1:52
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
13     Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea 3:38
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
14     This Time the Dream's on Me 3:22
Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer
15     Let There Be Love 3:41
Ian Grant / Lionel Rand
16     How About You? 2:50
Ralph Freed / Burton Lane
17     I Guess I'll Have to Change My Plans 2:23
Howard Dietz / Arthur Schwartz
18     This Is Always 3:58
Mack Gordon / Harry Warren
19     My Old Flame 3:47
Sam Coslow / Arthur Johnston
20     It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) 2:08
Duke Ellington / Irving Mills
21     The Lady's in Love With You 2:24
Burton Lane / Frank Loesser
22     I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face 3:03
Alan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe
23     You Turned the Tables on Me 3:23
Louis Alter / Sidney Mitchell

BOOKER ERVIN - Structurally Sound (1966-2001) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Mixing the dusky romanticism of Dexter Gordon and the progressive tonal ideology of John Coltrane, Booker Ervin is often filed under "A" for amalgam alongside other overlooked tenor masters such as Tina Brooks and Hank Mobley. Structurally Sound is perhaps not Ervin's most provocative album, but a solid and tasty endeavor featuring the suspended chord sounds popularized by McCoy Tyner during the late '60s. Here, the chords come via the brilliant pianist John Hicks, who opens the album with funky high-end triplet figures on Randy Weston's "Berkshire Blues." Joining in is a well-selected roster of musicians, many of whom were also overshadowed by their more well-known contemporaries, including Charles Tolliver on trumpet, Red Mitchell on bass, and Lenny McBrowne on drums. Tolliver contributes the original composition "Franess," a Wayne Shorter-influenced affair that features his fat and burnished tone. They also cover Oliver Nelson's blissful standard "Stolen Moments" to good effect. Originally ending with an athletic up-tempo version of "Take the 'A' Train," the Blue Note Connoisseur Series reissue includes a sparkling "Shiny Stockings," featuring an especially inspired chorus by Ervin. An oddball version of "White Christmas" also makes it onto the disc, as do alternate takes of "Franess" and "Deep Night." by Matt Collar  
Tracklist :
1     Berkshire Blues 5:30
Randy Weston
2     Dancing in the Dark 4:58
Howard Dietz / Arthur Schwartz
3     Stolen Moments 4:59
Oliver Nelson
4     Franess 5:08
Charles Tolliver
5     Boo's Blues 5:33
Booker Ervin
6     You're My Everything 4:46
Mort Dixon / Harry Warren / Joe Young
7     Deep Night 4:58
Charles Henderson / Rudy Vallée
8     Take the "A" Train 3:43
Billy Strayhorn
9     Shiny Stockings 4:48
Frank Foster
10     White Christmas 4:27
Irving Berlin
11     Franess 5:13
Charles Tolliver
12     Deep Night 7:15
Charles Henderson / Rudy Vallée
Credits :
Bass – Red Mitchell
Drums – Lenny McBrowne
Piano – John Hicks
Tenor Saxophone – Booker Ervin
Trumpet – Charles Tolliver 

ALICE BABS - Serenading Duke Ellington (1975-1994) Mp3

Well, it's Alice Babs, so, as you would expect, the vocals are crisp and stunning. The earlier selections on this album are largely staple, well-known and loved classic Big Band Era vocals, and the latter selections are from Duke Ellington's sacred music.
All wonderful, of course. But this album is not, and does not try to be, all things to all people. The genre is narrow, as outlined above.
Also--if you buy this album thinking it's going to be Alice Babs and Duke Ellington together, that's not what this is. This is Alice Babs, with Swedish band leader Nils Lindberg, doing a posthumous tribute to Duke Ellington.
If you like classic pieces like "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" or "Lady In Blue," and if you like Duke Ellington's upbeat sacred pieces, like "Freedom," you will love this album.
But if you're looking for a broader selection of Alice Babs vocals, which may include scat, folk, and even some rock and roll, You may want to try "Alice Babs and the Swe-danes" for startlingly athletic, fun scat, and most of all, "Music With a Jazz Flavour," which contains a much more varied and interesting range of musical genres. by J. M. Kahn

Tracklist :
1. Lady In Blue [03:34]
Duke Ellington
2. Me and You [04:39]
Duke Ellington
3. Don't Get Around Much Anymore [03:56]
Duke Ellington / Bob Russell
4. Freedom I [03:23]
Duke Ellington
5. There's Something About Me [05:00]
Duke Ellington
6. Somebody Cares [04:34]
Duke Ellington
7. Warm Valley [05:54]
Duke Ellington
8. I Don't Mind [05:25]
Duke Ellington / Billy Strayhorn
9. Jump for Joy [03:42]
Duke Ellington / Sid Kuller / Paul Francis Webster
10. I Like the Sunrise [02:41]
Duke Ellington
11. Freedom I and III [02:37]
Duke Ellington
12. Somebody Cares [03:12]
Duke Ellington
13. Thank You for Everything [04:15]
Duke Ellington
14. Something 'Bout Believing [06:03]
Duke Ellington
15. Solitude [04:15]
Eddie DeLange / Duke Ellington / Irving Mills
Personnel :
Reeds - Arne Domnerus, Lennart Aberg, Ulf Andersson, Erik Nilsson, Claes Rosendahl
Trumpet - Jan Allan
Alice Babs, Vocals
Composer - Duke Ellington
Guitar - Rune Gustafsson
Piano , Arranger, Leader - Nils Lindberg
Organ - Ulf Wesslen
Bass - Red Mitchell
Trombone, Tuba - Sven Larsson
Trombone - Bertil Strandberg, Torgny Nilsson, Lars Olofsson