COLEMAN HAWKINS - The Hawk Relaxes (1961-2006) RVG Remasters | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

It is said that one grows wiser and mellower with age, as proven by this recording from Coleman Hawkins that is a successful follow-up to his previous Moodsville album At Ease. There is a difference, as Kenny Burrell joins the legendary tenor saxophonist in this quintet setting, with no threat of upstaging or even a hint of any real showcasing of the guitarist's then developing laid-back side. Underrated Ronnell Bright is on the piano, and also proves a veritable equal to Hawkins even more than Burrell. But it is the burgeoning talent of bassist Ron Carter and drummer Andrew Cyrille who mark their territory, not as the maverick individualists they would become, but as supple performers who understand the strength of Hawkins from a modest standpoint. Not all ballads, the fare is standard American popular song played for people sitting by the fire, the calm ocean, or late at night with a sweetheart over candles and wine. Any version of a well-known tune can be made classic by Hawkins, as heard during the somber "I'll Never Be The Same," the straight ballad "Under a Blanket of Blue" with the tenor's slight fluttery trills, or "Just a Gigolo" where the spotlight is firmly focused on the leader's droll tones. Burrell's strumming on "When Day Is Done" signifies a downplayed, wound down feeling, and where he generally chooses a sublimated role in these recordings, he does come out with a strong lead melody for the soulful ballad "More Than You Know." The modified tunes on the session are the midtempo take of "Moonglow" as Hawkins adopts some of Lester Young's swagger as Cyrille's nimble brushwork keeps the song moving forward. "Speak Low" is interpreted in a sleek and seductive calypso beat ably conjured by the drummer, a nice touch to end the album. This quintet -- as unique as any Hawkins ever fronted -- speaks to his open mindedness, but more so to his innate ability in adapting musicians to his situational hitting. The Hawk Relaxes is one of his best latter period efforts. Michael G. Nastos  
Tracklist :
1     I'll Never Be the Same 6'11
Gus Kahn / Matty Malneck / Frank Signorelli
2     When Day Is Done 4'28
Buddy DeSylva / Robert Katscher
3     Under a Blanket of Blue 4'39
Jerry Livingston / Al J. Neiburg / Marty Symes
4     More Than You Know 4'12
Edward Eliscu / Billy Rose / Vincent Youmans
5     Moonglow 5'59
Eddie DeLange / Will Hudson / Irving Mills
6     Just a Gigolo 5'04
Julius Brammer / Irving Caesar / Leonello Casucci
7     Speak Low 6'44
Ogden Nash / Kurt Weill    
Credits :
Bass – Ron Carter
Drums – Andrew Cyrille
Guitar – Kenny Burrell
Piano – Ronnell Bright
Recorded By, Remastered By – Rudy Van Gelder
Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins

RONNELL BRIGHT / ART SIMMONS - Piano aux Champs-Elysees (2001) Jazz In Paris 61 / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This compilation in Verve's Jazz in Paris reissue series features two long unavailable studio sessions by two somewhat obscure pianists. Art Simmons, who recorded as a sideman with James Moody in 1949 and also appeared on discs by Dizzy Gillespie, Don Byas, Trummy Young, Bill Coleman, and Clark Terry, made his recording debut as a leader in 1956 with English guitarist Terry Donahue, bassist Bill Crow, and drummer Dave Bailey. Although his cool style of playing is a bit conservative, his treatments of standards such as "My Funny Valentine," "Too Marvelous for Words," and "Nice Work if You Can Get It" are worthwhile. Ronnell Bright is primarily known for his work as pianist for Sarah Vaughan and Nancy Wilson, though he did a few dates as a leader. This 1958 session, originally recorded for Polydor, is a trio session with bassist Richard Davis and drummer Art Morgan. The music includes compositions by Johnny Pate (with whom he made his recording debut), Dizzy Gillespie, and Nat King Cole, as well the venerable blues from the Ellington songbook, "Things Ain't What They Used to Be." But the highlight of the second half of this CD consists of Bright's originals, especially the Bud Powell-flavored "Chasing Sarah." by Ken Dryden  
Tracklist :
1    Art Simmons–    Art's Blues 3:25
Written-By – Art Simmons
2    Art Simmons–    My Funny Valentine 2:36
Written-By – Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
3    Art Simmons–    Hommage To Neil Hefti 3:11
Written-By – Art Simmons
4    Art Simmons–    Too Marvelous For Words 4:08
Written-By – Johnny Mercer, Richard Whiting
5    Art Simmons–    The Lady Is A Tramp 3:38
Written-By – Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
6    Art Simmons–    What Is The Thing Called Love? 5:28
Written-By – Cole Porter
7    Art Simmons–    Nice Work If You Can Get It 3:38
Written-By – Ira And George Gershwin
8    Ronnell Bright–    Sail 'Em 3:45
Written-By – Ronnell Bright
9    Ronnell Bright–    Things Ain't What They Used To Be 4:16
Written-By [Incorrectly Attributed] – Duke Ellington, Johnny Mercer
Written-By [Uncredited] – Mercer Ellington
10    Ronnell Bright–    Johnnie Pate's Blues 4:28
Written-By – Johnnie Pate
11    Ronnell Bright–    R And R Groove 4:47
Written-By – Ronnell Bright
12    Ronnell Bright–    The Champ 2:32
Written-By – Dizzy Gillespie
13    Ronnell Bright–    Easy Listening 4:25
Written-By – Nat King Cole
14    Ronnell Bright–    Chasing Sarah 3:44
Written-By – Ronnell Bright
15    Ronnell Bright–    Doxology 6:01
Written-By – Ronnell Bright
Credits :
Double Bass – Bill Crow (faixas: 1 to 7), Richard Davis (faixas: 8 to 15)
Drums – Art Morgan (faixas: 8 to 15), Dave Bailey (faixas: 1 to 7)
Guitar – Terry Donoughue (faixas: 1 to 7)
Piano – Art Simmons (faixas: 1 to 7), Ronnell Bright (faixas: 8 to 15)
Nota :
Art Simmons part (tracks 1 to 7):
Recorded March 13, 1956 in Paris.
Reissue of the Boîte à Musique 10'' LP 320.
Ronnell Bright part (tracks 8 to 15):
Recorded June 5, 1958 in Paris.
Reissue of the Polydor LP 46 106.
Track 9 is miscredited to Johnny Mercer instead of the correct Mercer Ellington.
Duke Ellington had nothing to do with composing Things Ain't What They Used To Be, it is Mercer's song, though it was supposed won in a card game from Johnny Hodges.