ROY HARGROVE — The Vibe (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The last of trumpeter Roy Hargrove's recordings to feature his longtime altoist Antonio Hart also includes pianist Marc Cary, bassist Rodney Whitaker, drummer Gregory Hutchinson and guest spots for the tenors of Branford Marsalis and David "Fathead" Newman, plus trombonist Frank Lacy and organist Jack McDuff. Hargrove (still just 22) was already on his way to being one of the better hard bop-based trumpeters in jazz, as he shows on group originals, James Williams' "Alter Ego," Wayne Shorter's "Pinocchio," "Milestones," and "The Things We Did Last Summer." A fine example of Hargrove's rapidly emerging style. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    The Vibe    6:29
 Marc Cary
2    Caryisms    6:54
 Roy Hargrove
3    Where Were You?    4:57
 Roy Hargrove
4    Alter Ego    6:30
 James Williams
5    The Thang    4:59
 Roy Hargrove
6    Pinocchio    4:48
 Wayne Shorter
7    Milestones    5:57
 Miles Davis
8    Things We Did Last Summer    5:38
 Sammy Cahn / Jule Styne
9    Blues For Booty Green's    6:26
 Roy Hargrove
10    Runnin' Out Of Time    7:37
 Marc Cary
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Antonio Maurice Hart
Bass – Rodney Thomas Whitaker
Drums – Gregory Hutchinson
Organ [B3] – 'Cap'n' Jack McDuff (tracks: 9)
Piano – Marc Anthony Cary
Tenor Saxophone – Branford Marsalis (tracks: 6, 10), David "Fathead" Newman (tracks: 4)
Trombone – Ku-Umba Frank Lacy (tracks: 6, 8, 10)

JUNKO ONISHI TRIO — Cruisin' (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

On her debut, pianist Junko Onishi (who is accompanied by bassist Rodney Whitaker and drummer Billy Higgins) shows a great deal of creativity. She builds up her "Eulogia" gradually and colorfully with impressive use of the piano's lower register. When she tackles Ornette Coleman's "Congeniality," Onishi manages to be both free and melodic and the pianist also comes up with something fresh to say on "Caravan." In general her tricky frameworks, self-restraint, use of space and careful attention to dynamics and pacing are impressive and show quite a bit of maturity. Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 Eulogia 8:58
Written By – Junko Onishi
2 The Shepherd 6:03
Written By – Duke Ellington
3 Summertime 7:50
Written By – DuBose Heyward, George Gershwin
4 Congeniality 11:15
Written By – Ornette Coleman
5 Melancholia 2:32
Written By – Duke Ellington
6 Caravan 6:21
Written By – Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Juan Tizol
7 Roz 7:58
Written By – Rodney Whitaker
8 Switchin' It 3:31
Written By – Junko Onishi
9 Blue Seven 7:09
Written By – Sonny Rollins
Credits:
Bass – Rodney Whitaker
Drums – Billy Higgins
Piano – Junko Onishi

RODNEY WHITAKER - Children of the Light [1996] KOC / FLAC

For his debut as leader, Rodney Whitaker takes center stage on several melodies and solos frequently. His playing is well-rounded in every respect, and he has a supple, sleek, strong tone. His core group for this outing consists of James Carter (tenor sax), Cassius Richmond (flute), Wallace Roney and Nicholas Payton (trumpet), Cyrus Chestnut (piano), Karriem Riggins and Gregory Hutchinson (drums), and Andrew Daniels (percussion); pianist Geri Allen and baritone saxophonist Alex Harding make cameo appearances. Three of the 11 tracks were penned by Whitaker -- the bass/percussion workout "Woman Child," the jungly "(Queen) Roz," and the crackling "Langman." Ken Cox's triumphant melody for Nelson Mandela, "Mandela's Mood," is a highlight, featuring bright melodies and Afro-Cuban underpinnings. Everyone solos on this piece, but it's Carter's histrionics that really provide the exclamation point. There are two hard boppers -- a version of "Broadway" featuring a path-clearing solo by Carter, and Richmond's "Mood Swings," which finds Carter and Roney acting like Wayne Shorter and Miles Davis. The title track features Payton's plaintive head statement and Chestnut's fervid solo. Whitaker's wife, Monzola, contributes the soft "One Silent Moment," while Roney lights things up for "On Dolphin Street." Allen waxes poetic beneath a bed of exotic, subtle rhythms on "El Morro," and the finale, "Cultural Warrior," is languid and solemn. Whitaker shows a grand diversity on this complete package of modern jazz. Highly recommended.  by Michael G. Nastos 
Tracklist
1. Mandela’s Muse (Kenn Cox) 6:47
2. Broadway (Henry Woode / Teddy McRae / Bill Bird) 4:30 
3. One Silent Moment (Monzola Whitaker) 6:06
4. On Green Dolphin Street (Ned Washington / Bronislaw Kaper) 5:32
5. Woman Child (Rodney Whitaker) 5:14
6. Mood Swings (Cassius Richmond) 7:26
7. (Queen) Roz (Rodney Whitaker) 6:53
8. Children of the Light (Roland Guerrin) 5:51
9. Langman (Rodney Whitaker) 7:00
10. El Morro (Francisco Mora) 7:14
11. Cultural Warrior (Francisco Mora) 7:02
Recorded at Power Station, NYC on September 13 & 14, 1995.
Credits
Nicholas Payton – Trumpet (1, 2, 3, 7, 8)
Wallace Roney – Trumpet (4, 6, 9, 10)
James Carter – Tenor Saxophone (except 5, 8, 11)
Cassius Richmond – Flute (1, 3, 10)
Cyrus Chestnut – Piano (except 4, 5, 10)
Geri Allen – Piano (4, 10)
Alex Harding – Baritone Saxophone (3)
Rodney Whitaker – Bass
Kariem Riggins – Drums (1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 11)
Gregory Hutchinson – Drums (4, 5, 6, 9, 10)
Andrew Daniels II – Percussion (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10)

RODNEY WHITAKER - Children of the Light 

[1996] KOCH JAZZ / FLAC / scans

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