MILES DAVIS - Ascenseur Pour L'Échafaud (1957-2000) Jazz In Paris 3 / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Jazz and film noir are perfect bedfellows, as evidenced by the soundtrack of Louis Malle's Ascenseur Pour L'Echafaud (Lift to the Scaffold). This dark and seductive tale is wonderfully accentuated by the late-'50s cool or bop music of Miles Davis, played with French jazzmen -- bassist Pierre Michelot, pianist René Urtreger, and tenor saxophonist Barney Wilen -- and American expatriate drummer Kenny Clarke. This recording evokes the sensual nature of a mysterious chanteuse and the contrasting scurrying rat race lifestyle of the times, when the popularity of the automobile, cigarettes, and the late-night bar scene were central figures. Davis had seen a screening of the movie prior to his making of this music, and knew exactly how to portray the smoky hazed or frantic scenes though sonic imagery, dictated by the trumpeter mainly in D-minor and C-seventh chords. Michelot is as important a figure as the trumpeter because he sets the tone, as on the stalking "Visite du Vigile." While the mood of the soundtrack is generally dour and somber, the group collectively picks up the pace exponentially on "Diner au Motel." At times the distinctive Davis trumpet style is echoed into dire straits or death wish motifs, as on "Generique" or "L'Assassinat de Carala," respectively. Clarke is his usual marvelous self, and listeners should pay close attention to the able Urtreger, by no means a virtuoso but a capable and flexible accompanist. This recording can stand proudly alongside Duke Ellington's music from Anatomy of a Murder and the soundtrack of Play Misty for Me as great achievements of artistic excellence in fusing dramatic scenes with equally compelling modern jazz music. by Michael G. Nastos  
Tracklist :
1    Générique    2:52
Miles Davis
2    L'Assassinat De Carala    2:12
Miles Davis
3    Sur L'Autoroute    2:21
Miles Davis
4    Julien Dans L'Ascenseur    2:13
Miles Davis
5    Florence Sur Les Champs-Élysées    2:53
Miles Davis
6    Dîner Au Motel    3:59
Miles Davis
7    Évasion De Julien    0:55
Miles Davis
8    Visite Du Vigile    2:05
Miles Davis
9    Au Bar Du Petit Bac    2:55
Miles Davis
10    Chez Le Photographe Du Motel    3:55
Miles Davis
Credits :
Double Bass – Pierre Michelot
Drums – Kenny Clarke
Piano – René Urtreger
Tenor Saxophone – Barney Wilen
Trumpet, Composed By – Miles Davis
Nota :
Original soundtrack of the Louis Malle's movie.
Reissue of the Fontana 10" LP 660 213.
Recorded December 4 and 5, 1957 at the Poste Parisien, Paris.
 

RENÉ THOMAS - The Real Cat (2000) Jazz In Paris 16 / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Rene Thomas was a Belgian guitarist who hoped to make it big on the international jazz scene following his move to Paris and a flurry of recording activity in the 1950s and early 1960s, though his goal ultimately eluded him. This CD in Verve's Jazz in Paris reissue series combines two separate dates originally made for Barclay and Polydor. For the most part, Thomas' approach to the guitar is rather laid back, particularly in his spacious arrangement to "All the Things You Are." As a result, the music throughout both dates is enjoyable though it falls short of being an essential purchase. by Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     L' Imbécile 3:13
René Thomas
2     How About You? 2:37
Ralph Freed / Burton Lane
3     All the Things You Are 3:41
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
4     Relaxin' at the Grand Balcon 3:17
René Thomas
5     The Continental 2:54
Con Conrad / Herbert Magidson
6     There Will Never Be Another You 2:27
Mack Gordon / Harry Warren
7     Lover Man 3:38
Jimmy Davis / Roger "Ram" Ramirez / Jimmy Sherman
8     If I Had You 4:15
Jimmy Campbell / Reginald Connelly / Ted Shapiro
9     Shine 2:59
Lew Brown / Ford Dabney / Cecil Mack
10     My Old Flame 4:47
Sam Coslow / Arthur Johnston
11     Goodnight, Wherever You Are 4:01
Al Hoffman / Dick Robertson / Frank Weldon
12     Easy to Love 2:42
Cole Porter
13     The Real Cat 4:18
René Thomas
14     Someone to Watch over Me 3:19
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
15     Get Happy 3:16
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
16     A Night in Tunisia 4:41
Dizzy Gillespie / Frank Paparelli
Credits :
Double Bass – Benoît Quersin, Jean-Marie Ingrand (faixas: 1 to 8)
Drums – Jean-Louis Viale (faixas: 1 to 8), José Bourguignon (faixas: 9 to 16)
Guitar – René Thomas
Piano – René Urtreger (faixas: 1 to 8), Roland Ronchaud (faixas: 9 to 16)
Tenor Saxophone – André Ross (faixas: 1, 3, 8), Serge "Bib" Monville (faixas: 9 to 16)
Nota :
Tracks 1 ton 8 recorded April 17, 1954 at the Magellan studio, Paris and March 22, 1956 in Paris (9-16)
Tracks 1 to 8 reissue of the Barclay LP 84 030 René Thomas And His Orchestra
Tracks 9 to 12 reissue of the Polydor EP 20 706
Tracks 13 to 16 reissue of the Polydor EP 20 707
In tracks 1-8 Double Bass is played either by Benoit Quersin or Jean-Marie Ingrand
(P): 1954 (1-8) & 1956 (9-16) Universal Music S.A. France 

BOBBY JASPAR - Modern Jazz Au Club Saint-Germain (1955-2000) Jazz In Paris 27 / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Bobby Jaspar is in top form in this pair of sessions previously released in the 1980s on an Emarcy CD entitled Memory of Dick prior to its reappearance in 2001 as a part of Verve's ambitious Jazz in Paris series. The tenor saxophonist is joined by pianist René Urtreger, guitarist Sacha Distel, bassist Benoit Quersin, and drummer Jean-Louis Viale for this bop-oriented disc, which includes a sauntering take of Milt Jackson's "Bag's Groove," a revival of "Milestones" (an early gem by Miles Davis from his days with Charlie Parker), and a delightful romp through "You Stepped Out of a Dream." The Belgian leader puts his own stamp on a frenetic but brief arrangement of "A Night in Tunisia," but the most memorable track is "I'll Remember April," featuring his haunting flute in a captivating piano-less setting, which also has fine solos by Distel and Quersin. Jaspar's premature death in 1963 robbed the jazz world of a promising talent; this disc is among his best efforts as a leader. by Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     Bags' Groove 4:46
Milt Jackson
2     Memory of Dick 5:37
Bobby Jaspar
3     Milestones 5:55
Miles Davis
4     Minor Drops 5:01
Francis Doppieters       
5     I'll Remember April 5:46
Gene DePaul / Patricia Johnston / Don Raye
6     You Stepped Out of a Dream 3:37
Nacio Herb Brown / Gus Kahn
7     I Can't Get Started 6:06
Vernon Duke / Ira Gershwin
8     A Night in Tunisia 4:06
Dizzy Gillespie / Frank Paparelli
Credits :
Double Bass – Benoit Quersin
Drums – Jean-Louis Viale
Flute – Bobby Jaspar (faixas: 5)
Guitar – Sacha Distel
Piano – René Urtreger
Saxophone [Tenor] – Bobby Jaspar (faixas: 1 to 4, 6 to 8)
Nota :
Recorded December 27 and 29, 1955 at the Pathé Magellan studio, Paris.
Reissue of the Barclay LP 84 023. 

LIONEL HAMPTON - Lionel Hampton And His French New Sound Vol. 1 (1955-2000) Jazz In Paris 44 / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Lionel Hampton joins forces with a number of top French musicians for this 1955 studio session, reissued in Verve's Jazz in Paris series. Three of the four compositions are Hampton's, swinging tunes arranged by Christian Chevalier. The first, "Voice of the North," is primarily for the leader's matchless vibes with the rhythm section, though individual soloists are featured, including fellow Americans Nat Adderley and Benny Bailey on trumpets and David Amram on French horn, as well as clarinetist Maurice Meunier and baritone saxophonist William Boucaya. It's just Hampton and the rhythm section (pianist René Urtreger, bassist Guy Pedersen, and drummer Jean-Baptiste Reilles) for the long workout of "À la French." The one standard of the date, "Crazy Rhythm," suffers from somewhat muddy sound, particularly the overly distant brass. Guitarist Sacha Distel, though admittedly intimidated by Hampton, rises to the leader's level of playing with a fine solo. Overall, this is an enjoyable if not quite essential CD by Lionel Hampton. by Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     Voice of the North 8:52
Lionel Hampton
2     À la French 11:53
Lionel Hampton
3     Crazy Rhythm 7:50
Irving Caesar / Roger Wolfe Kahn / Joseph Meyer
4     Zebu 10:05
Lionel Hampton
Credits :
Arranged By – Christian Chevalier (faixas: 1, 3, 4)
Baritone Saxophone – William Boucaya (faixas: 1, 3, 4)
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Maurice Meunier (faixas: 1, 3, 4)
Double Bass – Guy Pedersen
Drums – Jean-Baptiste "Mac Kac" Reilles
French Horn – David Amram (faixas: 1, 3, 4)
Guitar – Sacha Distel (faixas: 3)
Piano – René Urtreger
Trumpet – Benny Bailey (faixas: 1, 3, 4), Bernard Hulin (faixas: 1, 3, 4), Nat Adderley (faixas: 1, 3, 4)
Vibraphone – Lionel Hampton
Nota :
Recorded March 19, 1955 at the Schola Cantorum, Paris
Reissue of the Barclay LP 84 004 

HUBERT ROSTAING / MAURICE MEUNIER - Clarinettes À Saint-Germain Des Prés (2001) Jazz In Paris 54 / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Hubert Rostaing–    Bonjour Benny    2:25
2    Hubert Rostaing–    Autour De La Femme    2:20
3    Hubert Rostaing–    Champs Elysées Club    2:57
4    Hubert Rostaing–    Trop Tôt    2:06
5    Hubert Rostaing–    Sweet Renée    3:07
6    Hubert Rostaing–    L'Heure Tourne 2:52
Written-By – Martial Solal
7    Hubert Rostaing–    J'En Suis Saisie    2:35
8    Hubert Rostaing–    Say When?    2:53
9    Hubert Rostaing–    Ça Va Bouillir    2:23
10    Hubert Rostaing–    Oh Lady Be Good 2:14
Written-By – Ira And George Gershwin
11    Hubert Rostaing–    Remember    3:06
12    Hubert Rostaing–    Cherokee 3:07
Written-By – Ray Noble
13    Maurice Meunier–    Too Marvelous For Words 4:31
Written-By – Johnny Mercer, Richard Whiting
14    Maurice Meunier–    Samakoutra 4:11
Written-By – René Urtreger
15    Maurice Meunier–    Somebody Loves Me 3:36
Written-By – Ballard MacDonald, B. G. De Sylva, George Gershwin
16    Maurice Meunier–    Sweet Mau-Mau 4:19
Written-By – Maurice Meunier
17    Maurice Meunier–    Dig 3:04
Written-By – Miles Davis
18    Maurice Meunier–    Crazy Rhythm 3:01
Written-By – Irving Caeser, Joseph Meyer, Roger Wolfe Kahn
19    Maurice Meunier–    Blues For The Reverend 3:01
Written-By – Onzy Matthews
20    Maurice Meunier–    Don't Blame Me 4:20
Written-By – Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh
21    Maurice Meunier–    With The Wind And The Rain In Your Hair 3:31
Written-By – Clara Edwards, Jack Lawrence
22    Maurice Meunier–    (Back Home Again In) Indiana 3:44
Written-By – Ballard MacDonald
23    Maurice Meunier–    I Know, Don't Know How 4:31
Written-By – Gerry Mulligan
24    Maurice Meunier–    Tangerine 3:07
Written-By – Johnny Mercer, Victor Schertzinger
Credits :
Baritone Saxophone – William Boucaya (faixas: 14, 17, 21, 23)
Clarinet – Hubert Rostaing (faixas: 1 to 12)
Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Maurice Meunier (faixas: 13 to 24)
Double Bass – Alf Masselier (faixas: 1 to 12), Pierre Michelot (faixas: 13 to 24)
Drums – Christian Garros (faixas: 14, 17, 21, 23), Jean-Louis Viale (faixas: 13, 15, 16, 18 to 20, 22, 24), Roger Paraboschi (faixas: 1 to 12)
Piano – Martial Solal (faixas: 1 to 12), Raymond Fol (faixas: 14, 17, 21, 23), René Urtreger (faixas: 13, 15, 16, 18 to 20, 22, 24)
Trombone – Charles Verstraete (faixas: 5, 10, 12), Nat Peck (faixas: 5, 10, 12)
Trumpet – Fernand Verstraete (faixas: 5, 10, 12)
Vibraphone – Michel Hausser (faixas: 1 to 12)
Written-By – Hubert Rostaing (faixas: 1 to 5, 7 to 9, 11)
Nota :
Recorded May 1957 at the Pathé-Magellan studio, Paris (1-12).
Recorded in Paris on January 11th 1956 (14, 17, 21, 23).
Recorded in Paris on February 20th 1956 (13, 15, 16, 18-20, 22, 24).
Reissue of the Véga LP 30 787 (1-12).
Reissue of the Barclay LP 84 025 (13-24).

HUBERT FOL / MICHEL DE VILLERS / SONNY CRISS - Saxophones à Saint-Germain des Prés (2001) Jazz In Paris 55 / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Hubert Fol–    A Fine Romance 3:19
Written-By – Dorothy Fields, Jerome Kern
2    Hubert Fol–    They Can't Take That Away From Me 3:38
Written-By – Ira And George Gershwin
3    Hubert Fol–    You Go To My Head 5:27
Written-By – Haven Gillespie, J. Fred Coots
4    Michel de Villers–    Cat On The Stairs 2:06
Written-By [Prob.] – Michel de Villers
5    Michel de Villers–    These Foolish Things 2:45
Written-By – Harry Link, Holt Marvell, Jack Strachey
6    Michel de Villers–    I Only Have Eyes For You 2:18
Written-By – Al Dubin, Harry Warren
7    Michel de Villers–    Penitas De Amor 2:36
Written-By [Prob.] – Michel de Villers
8    Sonny Criss–    Mighty Low 3:49
Written-By – Milt Buckner
9    Sonny Criss–    Don't Blame Me 2:49
Written-By – Dorothy Fields / Jimmy McHugh
10    Sonny Criss–    Black Coffee 2:44
Written-By – Paul Francis Webster, Sonny Burke
11    Sonny Criss–    We'll Be Together Again 2:59
Written-By – Carl Fischer, Frankie Laine
12    Sonny Criss–    Early And Later (Part 1) 3:22
Written-By – Sonny Criss
13    Sonny Criss–    Early And Later (Part 2) 2:41
Written-By – Sonny Criss
14    Sonny Criss–    Blues Pour Flirter Nº 2 5:07
Written-By – Sonny Criss
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Hubert Fol (faixas: 1 to 7), Sonny Criss (faixas: 8 to 14)
Baritone Saxophone – Michel de Villers (faixas: 4 to 7)
Double Bass – Alix Bret (faixas: 4 to 7), Jean-Marie Ingrand (faixas: 1 to 3), Michel Gaudry (faixas: 8 to 11), Pierre Michelot (faixas: 12 to 14)
Drums – Bernard Planchenault (faixas: 4 to 7), Jean-Louis Viale (faixas: 1 to 3), Philippe Combelle (faixas: 8 to 14)
Guitar – René Thomas (faixas: 12 to 14)
Piano – Henri Renaud (faixas: 8 to 11), René Urtreger (faixas: 1 to 3)
Piano, Arranged By – André Persiany (faixas: 4 to 7)
Piano, Organ – Georges Arvanitas (faixas: 12 to 14)
Tenor Saxophone – Maurice Meunier (faixas: 4 to 7)
Trombone – Charles Verstraete (faixas: 4 to 7)
Vibraphone – Géo Daly (faixas: 4 to 7)
Nota :
Recorded in Paris on January 18, 1956 (1-3), in 1954 (4-7), on October 10, 1962 (8-11) and in April 1963 (12-14)
Reissue of the Barclay EP 74 016 (1-3), Decca EP 450 511 (4-7), Polydor EP 27 004 (8-11) and Polydor EP 27 049 (12-14) 

HENRI CROLLA & co - Notre Ami Django (2001) Jazz In Paris 60 / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

French guitarist Henri Crolla is heard with a variety of different groups in this compilation of recordings from the 1950s. Although the first ten tracks were recorded as a tribute to the late Django Reinhardt, Crolla stays in the background to allow violinist Stéphane Grappelli to dominate the brief rendition of "Swing 39." In "Minor Swing," Grappelli clarinetist Hubert Rostaing and alto saxophonist Andre Ekyan solo prior to the leader, with Crolla capturing some of the flavor of Reinhardt without copying him outright. But the ballad features without Grappelli are the most surprising tracks. Reinhardt's lovely but obscure "Anouman" showcases Ekyan with the rhythm section, minus Crolla, who evidently sat out this number. Crolla does justice to "Nuages" with a lively solo, complemented by Rostaing's clarinet. The final four selections come from an EP, with Crolla leading a sextet including Rostaing, trumpeter Roger Guerin, and pianist Martial Solal. The guitarist has a far more prominent role throughout this date and seems inspired by the material, which consists of standards of the swing era. This volume in Universal Music's extensive Jazz in Paris CD reissue series is definitely worth picking up. by Ken Dryden  
Tracklist :
1     Swing 39 2:40
Stéphane Grappelli / Django Reinhardt
2     Minor Swing 3:41
Django Reinhardt
3     Manoir de Mes Rêves 4:06
Django Reinhardt
4     Swing from Paris 2:28
Stéphane Grappelli / Django Reinhardt
5     Artillerie Lourde 3:26
Django Reinhardt
6     Nuages 3:20
Django Reinhardt
7     Djangologie 2:36
Django Reinhardt
8     Anouman 3:43
Django Reinhardt
9     Swing 42 3:03
Django Reinhardt
10     Place de Brouckère 3:37
Django Reinhardt
11     Jeepers Creepers 2:29
Johnny Mercer / Harry Warren
12     What's New 3:26
Johnny Burke / Bob Haggart
13     Hallelujah 2:29
Clifford Grey / Leo Robin
14     Night and Day 2:37
Cole Porter
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – André Ekyan (faixas: 1 to 10)
Clarinet – Hubert Rostaing
Contrabass – Emmanuel Soudieux
Drums – Al Levitt (faixas: 1 to 10), Christian Garros (faixas: 11 to 14), Pierre Lemarchant (faixas: 1 to 10)
Guitar – Henri Crolla
Piano – Martial Solal (faixas: 11 to 14), Maurice Vander (faixas: 1 to 10), René Urtreger (faixas: 1 to 10)
Trumpet – Roger Guérin (faixas: 11 to 14)
Vibraphone – Géo Daly (faixas: 1 to 10)
Violin – Stéphane Grappelli (faixas: 1 to 10)
Nota :
Tracks 1 to 10 recorded 1958 in Paris. Reissue of the Véga LP 30 805.
Tracks 11 to 14 recorded 1956 in Paris. Reissue of the Véga EP 45 1730. 

RENÉ URTREGER - Joue Bud Powell (1955-2011) Jazz In Paris 67 / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

René Urtreger was only 20 years old and brand new to the jazz scene at the time of his debut recording, yet he was already making an impression. His tribute to Bud Powell finds him playing bop with some authority, covering some of the troubled genius' best compositions. Accompanied by bassist Benoit Quersin and drummer Jean-Louis Viale, Urtreger shows a tendency to tackle nearly everything at a moderate tempo, though it might have been that his rhythm section wasn't up to handling a faster pace. "So Sorry Please" is full of campy humor as Powell intended, though "Parisian Thoroughfare" would have benefited from a bit more risk-taking. Urtreger's two original works include the roller coaster "À la Bud" (which seems to be based on the chord changes of "Tea for Two") and the stunning ballad "Mercedes." The CD is rather short, timing in at just over 24 minutes, but the mid-line pricing of this Jazz in Paris CD reissue makes it very affordable. by Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     Dance of the Infidels 3:09
Bud Powell
2     Budo 3:18
Miles Davis / Bud Powell
3     Parisian Thoroughfare 3:39
Bud Powell
4     So Sorry Please 3:09
Bud Powell
5     Bouncing with Bud 2:47
Bud Powell
6     À la Bud 2:14
René Urtreger   
7     Mercedes 3:05
René Urtreger   
8     Celia 2:56
Bud Powell
Credits :
Double Bass – Benoit Quersin
Drums – Jean-Louis Viale
Piano – René Urtreger
Written-By – Bud Powell (faixas: 1 to 5, 8)
Notas
Recorded February 24, 1955 at the Pathé-Magellan Studio, Paris.
Reissue of the Barclay LP 84 003. 

ANNE DUCROS - Piano, Piano [2006] APE (image+.cue), lossless

There is little information about European jazz singer Anne Ducros within the liner notes to Piano, Piano, but she clearly endeared herself to each of the four guest pianists with whom she worked on her CD. She soars in the lush setting of "Never Let Me Go," where she packs an emotional punch, though her tripping over a few words slightly handicaps her interpretation of Billie Holiday's "God Bless the Child." One of Europe's greatest jazz pianists, Enrico Pieranunzi, joins her for the powerful rendition of "You Go to My Head" and a graceful take of "Moon and Sand." She came to the United States in order to work with Chick Corea, singing "Les Feuilles Mortes" (Autumn Leaves) in its original language in a terrific duet and adding some humorous horn-like scatting reminiscent of Ella Fitzgerald on-stage. Both her lyrical "My Foolish Heart" and explosive "Body and Soul" are just as effective. Another veteran European pianist, René Urtreger, is paired with Ducros for a gently loping duet of "I Thought About You" and anchoring the rhythm section for another Ella-like scat exhibition in the swinging "Just in Time." Benoît de Mesnay, who doubles on piano and Fender Rhodes in "Four" (where she once again scats up a storm) and joins her for the swinging interpretation of "Naima," is evidently her regular accompanist. All in all, this is a very enjoyable effort.  by Ken Dryden  

Tracklist:
1. Four (Davis)
2. God Bless The Child (Holiday/Herzog Jr.)
3. You Go To My Head (Gillespie/Coots)
4. Les Feuilles Mortes (Prevert/Kosma)
5. Never Let Me Go (Evans Jr./Livingstone)
6. Gnossienne N°1 (Satie)
7. I Thought Abut You (Mercer/Heusen)
8. My Foolish Heart (Washington/Young)
9. Moon And Sand (Wilder/Palitz/Engvich)
10. Just In Time (Comden/Green/Styne)
11. Body And Soul (Sour/Heyman/Hollingworth)
12. Naima (Coltrane)
Credits 
Chick Corea, Piano
Benoit de Mesmay, Piano
Anne Ducros,, Vocals
Bob Franceschini, Saxophone
Karl Jannuska, Drums
Sal La Rocca, Double Bass
Enrico Pieranunzi, Piano
Manhu Roche, Drums
Jacky Terrasson, Piano
René Urtreger, Piano

ANNE DUCROS - Piano, Piano

 [2006] Dreyfus / APE (image+.cue), lossless

O Púbis da Rosa