BILL EVANS — Big Fun (2002) Two Version | FLAC (tracks+image+.cue), lossless

Shining a light on the underappreciated jazz-funk idiom that was fiercely popular in the '50s and '60s, saxophonist Bill Evans profiles his amazing talent on ten great songs that comprise Big Fun. The songs also provide interesting vehicles for such creative musicians as Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, Ricky Peterson on Hammond B-3 organ, Hiram Bullock on guitar, among others. Special guests Randy Brecker, Robben Ford, Les McCann, Mickey Raphael, and Willie Nelson have found ample material on which to shine -- especially "Catch You When You Fall," which features McCann providing his sly, earthy vocals, and "For What It's Worth," which features Nelson still carrying the message represented in Buffalo Springfield's huge hit and by the political activists of the '60s. Unfortunately the message espoused by "For What It's Worth" is still very relevant in this new millenium. Evans' saxophone work is sensational on "Real Heroes." He expertly captures the personality of the 9-11 American tragedy with a lyrically haunting perspective. His assessment of the importance of music within that emotionally charged time is the most evocative of the ten songs on this program. "Blues for Stanley" is also noteworthy. Evans' original intention was to record the song with the tenor saxophone legend Stanley Turrentine. However, Turrentine passed away before they could record it. Evans replaced the tenor saxophone part intended for Turrentine with Hiram Bullock's splendid guitar work and the resulting paean to the subject is outstanding. Music enthusiasts whose scope includes the jazz-funk idiom with lots of groove and infectious funk should consider Big Fun essential for their collections. Paula Edelstein   
Tracklist  :
1 Big Fun 6:40
 Bill Evans
2 Road To Bilbao 5:47
 Bill Evans
3 Catch You When You Fall 5:05
 Alan V. Abrahams / Bill Evans / Margaret Fowler
Vocals – Les McCann
4 Houdou Basin 5:18
 Bill Evans
5 For What It's Worth  4:04
 Stephen Stills
Guitar, Vocals – Willie Nelson
6 Midnight Creeper 5:49
 Bill Evans
7 That's That  4:59
 Alan V. Abrahams / Bill Evans / Margaret Fowler / Les McCann
Vocals – Les McCann
8 Blues For Stanley 6:23
 Bill Evans
9 Real Heroes 5:29
 Bill Evans
10 Street Corner Man 5:06
 Bill Evans
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Arranged By – Bill Evans
Bass – James Genus
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Guitar – Hiram Bullock, Robben Ford
Harmonica – Mickey Raphael
Organ – Ricky Peterson
Percussion – Manolo Badrena
Piano – Clifford Carter
Trombone – Conrad Herwig
Trumpet – Lew Soloff, Randy Brecker
Vocals – Manolo Badrena, Mickey Raphael
Vocals [Background] – Bruce Hornsby, Clifford Carter, Hiram Bullock, Ricky Peterson, Vaneese Thomas

MILES DAVIS - Tutu (1986-2001) Deluxe Edition / 2CD / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The controversial but memorable Tutu is mostly a duet between Miles Davis and the many overdubbed instruments of producer Marcus Miller (although violinist Michal Urbaniak, percussionist Paulinho da Costa, and keyboardist George Duke are among the other musicians making brief apperaances). Certainly the results are not all that spontaneous, but Davis is in top form and some of the selections (most notably the title cut) are quite memorable. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:

1-1 –Miles Davis Tutu 5:15

Written-By – Marcus Miller
1-2 –Miles Davis Tomaas 5:32
Written-By – Marcus Miller, Miles Davis
1-3 –Miles Davis Portia 6:18
Written-By – Marcus Miller
1-4 –Miles Davis Splatch 4:45
Written-By – Marcus Miller
1-5 –Miles Davis Backyard Ritual 4:49
Written-By – George Duke
1-6 –Miles Davis Perfect Way 4:32
Written-By – Gamson, Strohmeyer
1-7 –Miles Davis Don't Lose Your Mind 5:49

Written-By – Marcus Miller

1-8 –Miles Davis Full Nelson 5:05
Written-By – Marcus Miller
Live Performance From Nice Festival, France, Previously Unreleased
2-1 –Miles Davis Octet Opening Medley 15:11
('Theme From Jack Johnson' / 'Speak' / 'That's What Happened')
Written-By – John Scofield, Miles Davis
2-2 –Miles Davis Octet New Blues 5:23
Written-By – Miles Davis
2-3 –Miles Davis Octet Maze 10:15
Written-By – Erin Davis
2-4 –Miles Davis Octet Human Nature 9:01
Written-By – Bettis, Porcaro
2-5 –Miles Davis Octet Portia 7:56
Written-By – Marcus Miller
2-6 –Miles Davis Octet Splatch 17:07
Written-By – Marcus Miller
2-7 –Miles Davis Octet Time After Time 7:26
Written-By – Lauper, Hyman
2-8 –Miles Davis Octet Carnival 4:17
Written-By – Neil Larsen
Credits:
Arranged By – George Duke (tracks: 1-5), Marcus Miller (tracks: 1-1 to 1-4, 1-6 to 1-8)
Bass Guitar – Marcus Miller (tracks: 1-5)
Design [Original] – Susan Welt
Drums – Vincent Wilburn, Jr. (tracks: 2-1 to 2-8)
Drums, Percussion – Omar Hakim (tracks: 1-2)
Electric Bass – Felton Crews (tracks: 2-1 to 2-8)
Electric Violin – Michal Urbaniak (tracks: 1-7)
Guitar – Robben Ford (tracks: 2-1 to 2-8)
Instruments [All Other] – George Duke (tracks: 1-5), Marcus Miller
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa (tracks: 1-1, 1-3 to 1-5), Steve Thornton (tracks: 2-1 to 2-8)
Percussion [Additional] – Steve Reid (tracks: 1-4)
Programmed By [Synthesizer, Additional] – Adam Holzman (tracks: 1-1 to 1-8), Marcus Miller (tracks: 1-1 to 1-8)
Saxophone – Bob Berg (tracks: 2-1 to 2-8)
Synthesizer – Adam Holzman (tracks: 2-1 to 2-8), Robert Irving III (tracks: 2-1 to 2-8)
Synthesizer [Additional] – Bernard Wright (tracks: 1-2, 1-7)
Synthesizer [Solo] – Adam Holzman (tracks: 1-4)
Trumpet – Miles Davis (tracks: 1-1 to 1-8)
Trumpet, Synthesizer – Miles Davis (tracks: 2-1 to 2-8)

CLAUS OGERMAN - Claus Ogerman Featuring Michael Brecker (1990) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless