FREDDIE HUBBARD — First Light (1971-2011) RM | Serie CTI Records 40th Anniversary Edition | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Never one to take lyricism for granted, trumpeter and composer Freddie Hubbard entered Creed Taylor's studio for the third time in 1971 with the express purpose of making a record radically different from anything he'd cut before; he was looking for it to use electricity and to be out of the soul-jazz mold, but was also more ambitious and wanted to push that envelope and himself. Taylor and Hubbard assembled a band that included Herbie Hancock on Rhodes, guitarists Eric Gale and George Benson, bassist Ron Carter, Jack DeJohnette on drums, Airto Moreira on percussion, and Richard Wyands on acoustic piano to back him. The band was also supported by the truly ethereal and adventurous string arrangements of Don Sebesky (a first for Hubbard). The result is a masterpiece of textured sound, gorgeously far-flung charts, sweet, tight grooves, a subtle mystic feel, and some of Hubbard's most exciting playing ever. The title track and Hubbard's ingenious read of Paul and Linda McCartney's "Uncle Albert/ Admiral Halsey," as well as Leonard Bernstein's "Lonely Town," are so in the pocket that they bleed soul. Benson's uncharacteristically edgy guitar playing juxtaposed against Hubbard's warm tone, and Hancock's beautifully modal Rhodes lines that are drenched with big, open, minor chord voicings, are simply made more illustrious and graceful by Sebesky's strings. While Red Clay and Straight Life are both fine albums, First Light is the one that connects on all levels -- and it did with the jazz-buying public as well. A masterpiece.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist :
1    First Light 11:05
Written-By – Freddie Hubbard
2    Uncle Albert / Admiral Halsey 8:17
Written-By – Paul & Linda McCartney
3    Moment To Moment 5:43
Written-By – Henry Mancini, Johnny Mercer
4    Yesterday's Dreams 3:55
Written-By – Don Sebesky, Norman Martin
5    Lonely Town 7:00
Written-By – Adolph Green, Betty Comden, Leonard Bernstein
6    Fantasy In D (Polar AC) 6:55
Written-By – Cedar Walton
7    First Light (Live) 16:04
Written-By – Freddie Hubbard
Credits :
Arranged By – Don Sebesky
Bass – Ron Carter
Bassoon – Jane Taylor, Wally Kane
Cello – Charles McCracken, Emanuel Vardi
Clarinet – George Marge, Romeo Penque
Drums – Jack DeJohnette
English Horn, Oboe – Romeo Penque
Flute – George Marge, Hubert Laws, Romeo Penque, Wally Kane
French Horn – James Buffington, Ray Alonge
Guitar – Eric Gale (tracks: 7), George Benson
Harp – Margaret Ross
Percussion – Airto Moreira
Piano – Richard Wyands
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Freddie Hubbard
Vibraphone [Vibes] – Phil Kraus
Viola – Alfred Brown, Emanuel Vardi
Violin – David Nadien, Emanuel Green, Gene Orloff, Harold Kohon, Irving Spice, Joe Malin, Matthew Raimondi, Paul Gershman, Tosha Samaroff

OLIVER NELSON SEXTET ft. ERIC DOLPHY | RICHARD WILLIAMS — Screamin' the Blues (1960) Two Version | 1991, RM | Original Jazz Classics – OJCCD-080-2 + 2018, SACD | The Prestige Stereo Series | FLAC (tracks+.image+.cue), lossless

Oliver Nelson (on tenor and alto sax) meets Eric Dolphy (alto, bass clarinet and flute) on this frequently exciting sextet session with trumpeter Richard Williams, pianist Richard Wyands, bassist George Duvivier, and drummer Roy Haynes. Although Dolphy is too unique and skilled to be overshadowed in a setting such as this, Nelson holds his own. He contributed five of the six compositions (including "Screamin' the Blues," "The Meetin'," and "Alto-Itis") and effectively matches wits and creative ideas with Dolphy. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Screamin' the Blues 10:59
Oliver Nelson
2 March on, March On 4:59
Esmond Edwards
3 The Drive 5:48
Oliver Nelson
4 The Meetin' 6:43
Oliver Nelson
5 Three Seconds 6:25
Oliver Nelson
6 Alto-Itis 4:58
Oliver Nelson
Credits:
Alto Saxophone, Bass Clarinet – Eric Dolphy
Bass – George Duvivier
Drums – Roy Haynes
Piano – Richard Wyands
Recorded By, Remastered By – Rudy Van Gelder
Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Oliver Nelson
Trumpet – Richard Williams

OLIVER NELSON WITH LEM WINCHESTER — Nocturne (1960-1991) RM | Original Jazz Classics Limited Edition Series | APE (image+.cue), lossless

This relaxed set (originally on the Prestige subsidiary Moodsville) puts the emphasis on ballads and slower material. Nelson (switching between alto and tenor) is joined by vibraphonist Lem Winchester, pianist Richard Wyands, bassist George Duvivier and drummer Roy Haynes for four standards and three of his originals (including the swinging "Bob's Blues"). Everyone plays well but the intentional lack of mood variation keeps this release from being all that essential. Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits :

OLIVER NELSON WITH ERIC DOLPHY — Straight Ahead (1961-1989) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

A very interesting quintet set, Straight Ahead matches together Oliver Nelson (on alto and tenor) and Eric Dolphy (tripling on alto, flute, and bass clarinet). With the assistance of pianist Richard Wyands, bassist George Duvivier, and drummer Roy Haynes, the two reedmen battle it out on six compositions (five of Nelson's originals plus Milt Jackson's "Ralph's New Blues." Although none of Nelson's tunes caught on, this is a pretty memorable date. It certainly took a lot of courage for Oliver Nelson to share the front line with the colorful Eric Dolphy, but his own strong musical personality holds its own on this straight-ahead date. Scott Yanow    Tracklist & Credits :

ROLAND KIRK - "Rahsaan" The Complete Mercury Recordings of Roland Kirk (1990) 11xCD BOX-SET | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Rahsaan Roland Kirk's nearly one-dozen long-players on the Mercury Records family of labels -- including the Smash and Limelight subsidiaries -- are gathered on this massive ten-disc compilation. Actually, it is 11 discs if you count the surprise bonus CD. Additionally, Rahsaan: The Complete Mercury Recordings of Roland Kirk lives up to its name by augmenting those albums with more than two-dozen previously unissued sides. Kirk's thoroughly innovative multi-instrumental reed work caught the attention of legendary producer Quincy Jones, then the vice-president of Mercury Records, who signed Kirk and would later arrange and conduct orchestrations for several of his memorable sessions. Perhaps the most recognizable among them is "Soul Bossa Nova" which is heavily featured in the Austin Powers franchise. Kirk's ability to perform several reed instruments -- including the tenor, flute, clarinet, manzello, and stritch -- simultaneously allowed him a musical autonomy few instrumentalists are afforded. His youthful embrace of the R&B, soul, pop, and eventually rock genres produced swinging interpretations of "And I Love Her" and "Walk on By," among others. Regardless of the genre, however, Kirk's ability to Swing -- with a capitol "S" -- is imprinted upon every piece he performed. Although Kirk continued his prolific output on Atlantic records in the late '60s and '70s, arguably his most profound sides are included here. We Free Kings, Domino, Reeds and Deeds, Gifts and Messages, I Talk with the Spirits and Rip, Rig & Panic are offered in their entirety. Undoubtedly the centerpiece of Kirk's work for the label is the live Kirk in Copenhagen, which features some wicked harp blowing from blues legend "Sonny Boy" Williamson, aka Big Skol. It is only fitting that this album benefits so greatly from inclusion on this set. The original six sides have been supplemented with an additional ten to present the entire October '63 performance, now complete at an hour and 45 minutes. Rahsaan: The Complete Mercury Recordings if Roland Kirk is complimented visually with a 56-page information packed booklet that includes: complete discographical and recording session logs, as well individual essays for each disc. Although not for the light of funds, this is truly the best way to become immersed in these early works of Rahsaan Roland Kirk. Lindsay Planer
All Tracks & Credits

THE ZOOT SIMS FOUR - The Innocent Years (1981-1995) RM | WV (image+.cue), lossless

This CD reissue of one of tenor-saxophonist Zoot Sims's final recordings adds a version of "Emaline" to the original program. Pianist Jimmy Rowles often co-stars on the date (with bassist George Mraz and drummer Akira Tana offering solid support). The lyrical repertoire emphasizes ballads and pretty melodies with the highpoints including such offbeat material as Woody Guthrie's "So Long," Sims's "Brahms...I Think," "In the Middle of a Kiss" and the more familiar "Never Let Me Go" and "Suddenly It's Spring." The melodic performances are quite warm, romantic and enjoyable, fine examples of subtle creativity. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     I Hear a Rhapsody 5:26
Jack Baker / George Fragos / Dick Gasparre
2     Pomme au Four 6:14
Zoot Sims    
3     Over the Rainbow 10:52
Harold Arlen / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg    
4     The Very Thought of You 6:33
Ray Noble    
5     If You Were Mine 6:17
Matty Malneck / Johnny Mercer    
6     Indian Summer 6:04
Al Dubin / Victor Herbert
Credits :
Bass – Frank Tate
Design – Gilles Margerin, Norman Granz
Drums – Akira Tana
Piano – Richard Wyands
Producer – Norman Granz
Remastered By – Phil De Lancie
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims

SPIKE ROBINSON | AL COHN QUINTET - Henry B. Meets Alvin G. 'Once in a Wild' (1987-2000) APE (image+.cue), lossless

After working as an engineer for 34 years, Spike Robinson finally became a full-time musician late in 1985. This outing with fellow tenor Al Cohn and a rhythm section comprised of pianist Richard Wyands, bassist Steve La Spina and drummer Akira Tana finds Robinson holding his own with his better-known sidemen. The two tenors had similar but complementary styles (Cohn's tone at this point in time was deeper and darker than Spike's), and their interplay and occasional tradeoffs are delightful. In addition to some standards, they perform Miles Davis' "Sippin' at Bells," Bob Brookmeyer's "Rustic Hop" and Johnny Mandel's "Low Life" on this easily recommended LP. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Sippin' at Bells 6'16
Charlie Parker   
2     Ballad Medley: East Living/These Foolish Things 10'26
Eric Maschwitz / Ralph Rainger / Spike Robinson / Jack Strachey   
3     Sweet's Blues 7'22
Harry "Sweets" Edison   
4     Rustic Hop 5'35
Bob Brookmeyer   
5     Once in a While 7'19
Michael Edwards / Bud Green   
6     Low Life 5'52
Johnny Mandel   
7     Bye Bye Blues 5'52
David Bennett / Chauncey Gray / Frederick Hamm / Bert Lown
8     Just an Old Manuscript 10'20
Andy Razaf / Don Redman / Dick Redmond   
9     This Can't Be Love 7'55
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
Credits :
Bass – Steve LaSpina
Drums – Akira Tana
Engineer – Rudy Van Gelder
Piano – Richard Wyands
Tenor Saxophone – Al Cohn, Spike Robinson

BENNY CARTER - Cookin' At Carlos I (1988) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

During the late '80s up to the present, Benny Carter (now an octogenarian) has recorded a string of consistently excellent and frequently superb CDs for Music Masters. This particular effort is a rare live recording for Carter with his regular group which in 1988 consisted of pianist Richard Wyands, bassist Lisle Atkinson and drummer Al Harewood. The repertoire is typical of his club performances: five standards, a blues and just one of Carter's compositions, "Key Largo." A special treat is Carter's trumpet solo on "Time for the Blues"; otherwise his wonderful alto dominates this fine set. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To 8:11
Cole Porter    
2     All the Things You Are 9:07
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern    
3     Key Largo 8:40
Benny Carter / Karl Suessdorf / Leah Worth
4     Just Friends 8:05
John Klenner / Sam M. Lewis    
5     My Romance 10:22
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers    
6     'S Wonderful 8:15
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin    
7     Time for the Blues 8:18
Benny Carter
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Trumpet – Benny Carter
Bass – Lisle Atkinson
Drums – Al Harewood
Piano – Richard Wyands

BENNY CARTER ALL-STAR ENSEMBLE - Over the Rainbow (1989) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Benny Carter has recorded so frequently since the mid-'70s that it must be a constant challenge to come up with new settings for his alto. This particular Music Masters CD finds Carter taking his place in a saxophone section with fellow altoist Herb Geller, the tenors of Jimmy Heath and Frank Wess and baritonist Joe Temperley. The program is split evenly between standards and Carter compositions with the altoist also writing all of the colorful arrangements. This swinging and tasteful Benny Carter recording is a credit to his superb series of Music Masters dates. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Over the Rainbow 8:20
Harold Arlen / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
2     Out of Nowhere 5:39
Johnny Green / Edward Heyman
3     Straight Talk 9:24
Benny Carter    
4     The Gal from Atlanta 7:39
Benny Carter    
5     The Pawnbroker 5:18
Quincy Jones
6     Easy Money 11:10
Benny Carter
7     Ain't Misbehavin' 9:04
Harry Brooks / Andy Razaf / Fats Waller
8     Blues for Lucky Lovers 5:38
Benny Carter
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone – Herb Geller
Alto Saxophone, Arranged By – Benny Carter
Baritone Saxophone – Joe Temperley
Bass – Milt Hinton
Drums – Ronnie Bedford
Piano – Richard Wyands
Tenor Saxophone – Frank Wess, Jimmy Heath

EDDIE 'LOCKJAW' DAVIS BIG BAND - Trane Whistle (1961-1990) RM | FLAC (tracks), lossless

This CD reissue brings back an Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis session in which the distinctive tenor saxophonist is joined by a 13-piece big band arranged by Oliver Nelson. Most significant is the inclusion of the original version of "Stolen Moments" (here called "The Stolen Moment" and predating the more famous Oliver Nelson recording by several months). Eric Dolphy is in the backup group but is not heard from in a solo capacity. There are some spots for trumpeters Richard Williams, Clark Terry and Bobby Bryant along with Nelson on alto but this is primarily Davis' showcase. On a set comprised of four Oliver Nelson originals, the ballad "You Are Too Beautiful" and the leader's "Jaws," Lockjaw as usual shows plenty of emotion during his driving solos. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Trane Whistle 6'19
Oliver Nelson
2     Whole Nelson 3'35
Oliver Nelson
3     You Are Too Beautiful 5'11
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
4     The Stolen Moments 7'54
Oliver Nelson
5     Walk Away 5'27
Oliver Nelson
6     Jaws 4'36
Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis
Credits:
Bass – Wendell Marshall
Drums – Roy Haynes
Mastered By – Phil De Lancie
Piano – Richard Wyands
Recorded By – Rudy Van Gelder
Reeds – Eric Dolphy, George Barrow, Jerome Richardson, Oliver Nelson, Bob Ashron
Tenor Saxophone – Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis
Trombone – Jimmy Cleveland, Melba Liston
Trumpet – Clark Terry, Richard Williams

JEROME RICHARDSON - Roamin' with Richardson (1959-1994) Original Jazz Classics Limited Edition Series / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Jerome Richardson has long been one of the most versatile of jazzmen, able to get a personal sound and to swing on flute, tenor, alto, soprano and baritone. For his quartet date with pianist Richard Wyands (who at this point often sounded like Red Garland), bassist George Tucker and drummer Charlie Persip, Richardson plays baritone on three songs (in a deep tone a little reminiscent of Pepper Adams and Leo Parker), two on tenor and one on flute. The CD reissue (the second of only four sessions that the reedman has had as a leader) finds Richardson in excellent form, swinging through three group originals, "I Never Knew," "Poinciana" and a strong version (on baritone) of Duke Ellington's "Warm Valley." by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Friar Tuck 5:36
George Tucker
2     Up at Teddy's Hill 6:20
Jerome Richardson
3     Warm Valley 8:40
Duke Ellington
4     Poinciana 7:33
Buddy Bernier / Nat Simon
5     I Never Knew 6:38
Gus Kahn / Ted Fio Rito
6     Candied Sweets 4:25
Richard Wyands
Credits :
Bass – George Tucker
Drums – Charlie Persip
Flute, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Jerome Richardson
Piano – Richard Wyands

JEROME RICHARDSON - Going to the Movies (1962-2011) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Movie themes, along with songs from Broadway, have long been fodder for jazz musicians. This United Artists LP features Jerome Richardson leading his working quintet during a live engagement, though the venue is unidentified. The extended workout of Duke Jordan's "No Problem" (from the film Les Liaisons Dangereuses) showcases Richardson's robust baritone sax and Les Spann on flute, with the leader adding a tag at the end on piccolo. Richardson switches to tenor sax and Spann to guitar for a rather brisk arrangement of "Moon River." "Tonight" (from West Side Story) is a bit unusual in that it features both musicians on flute. The potent rhythm section includes pianist Richard Wyands, bassist Henry Grimes, and drummer Grady Tate. Richardson's recordings as a leader after the early '60s were rather sporadic, but this early effort gives a strong indication of his potential. Long out of print, this LP will be difficult to acquire. by Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     No Problem 8:45
Duke Jordan / Pat McLaughlin
2     Moon River 4:34
Henry Mancini / Johnny Mercer
3     Never on Sunday 4:32
Manos Hadjidakis
4     Tonight 3:46
Leonard Bernstein / Stephen Sondheim
5     Delilah 7:34
Victor Young
Credits :
Baritone Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Jerome Richardson
Bass – Henry Grimes
Drums – Grady Tate
Guitar, Flute – Les Spaan
Performer – Jerome Richardson Quintet
Piano – Richard Wyands

ETTA JONES - Hollar! (1963-2001) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Etta Jones had the spark that made each of her vocals special, though she was never acknowledged properly during a long career. Following her hit "Don't Go to Strangers," she continued to record first-rate songs. Many of her albums were unjustly out of print for decades, though Hollar! was finally reissued by Fantasy as part of their Original Jazz Classics series in 2001. Jones is backed by three separate groups on this release. Guitarist Wally Richardson provides the driving rhythm to back her swinging take of "And the Angels Sing," while vibraphonist Lem Winchester and pianist Richard Wyands support Jones in her emotional rendition of "I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)." Jones would eventually return to the brisk bop gem "Reverse the Charges" decades after this recording, but this early version is preferable, with a nice interlude by pianist Jimmy Neely. There's a bit of friendly conversation in the studio as Jones gets underway with another swinger, "Our Love Is Here to Stay," adding a boisterous tenor sax solo by Oliver Nelson. This is easily one of Etta Jones' best recordings. by Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     And the Angels Sing 3:37
Ziggy Elman / Johnny Mercer
2     I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) 4:11
Duke Ellington / Paul Francis Webster
3     Give Me the Simple Life 2:54
Rube Bloom / Harry Ruby
4     The More I See You 4:13
Mack Gordon / Harry Warren
5     Love Is Here to Stay 3:49
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
6     Reverse the Charges 2:59
Paul Francis Webster / Clarence Williams
7     They Can't Take That Away from Me 2:52
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
8     Answer Me My Love 3:20
Fred Rauch / Carl Sigman / Gerhard Winkler
9     Looking Back 3:44
Brook Benton / Belford Hendricks / Clyde Otis
10     Nature Boy 2:55
Eden Ahbez
Credits :
Bass – Ernest Hayes (faixas: 10), George Duvivier (faixas: 2, 4, 5, 7), Michael Mulia (faixas: 1, 3, 6, 8, 9)
Drums – Bobby Donaldson (faixas: 10), Roy Haynes (faixas: 2, 4, 5, 7), Rudy Lawless (faixas: 1, 3, 6, 8, 9)
Guitar – Bucky Pizzarelli (faixas: 10), Kenny Burrell (faixas: 10), Wally Richardson (faixas: 1, 3, 6, 8, 9)
Piano – Jimmy Neeley (faixas: 1, 3, 6, 8, 9), Richard Wyands (faixas: 2, 4, 5, 7)
Recorded By – Rudy Van Gelder
Tenor Saxophone – Jerome Richardson (faixas: 10), Oliver Nelson (faixas: 2, 4, 5, 7)
Vibraphone – Lem Winchester (faixas: 2, 4, 5, 7)