CHET BAKER QUARTET — Jazz at Ann Arbor (1954-2002) RM | MONO | Serie Super Bit Jazz Classics | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Chet Baker (trumpet) was arguably at the peak of his prowess when captured in a quartet setting at the Masonic Temple in Ann Arbor, MI, May 9, 1954. He's joined by Russ Freeman (piano), Carson Smith (bass) and Bob Neel (drums), all of whom provide ample assistance without ever obscuring their leader's laid-back and refined style. Baker's sublime sounds also garnered notice from critics, who had placed him atop polls in both Metronome and Down Beat magazines the previous year. Evidence of these lauds are obvious upon listening to the combo as they nestle into one of the cornerstones in their repertoire, the suave "Line for Lyons" -- a track dating back to the artist's short-lived yet genre defining work with the song's author, Gerry Mulligan. Almost immediately after establishing the melodic theme, Baker dives into his trademark solos. The fluidity throughout the seemingly off-the-cuff excursions presents confirmation of both his unquestionable timing and understated subtle authority. The rhythm section ably follows the improvisations with solid, yet never overpowering support. Freeman also shines throughout, especially during the stately opening to "Lover Man" or the up-tempo jiving "Maid in Mexico." Other classics include the stark intimacy of Baker's signature "My Funny Valentine," as well as respectively frisky renditions of "Stella by Starlight" and Freeman's own crowd-pleasing "Russ Job." In 2000, these eight cuts were coupled with five additional previously unreleased sides from the Carlton Theatre in Los Angeles circa August of 1953. The results were Quartet Live, Vol. 1: This Time the Dream's on Me (2000), the first of three archival volumes featuring Baker during his initial reign as the poster child for West coast cool jazz. Lindsay Planer   

Tracklist  :

1 Line For Lyons 7:37

Written-By – Gerry Mulligan

2 Lover Man 6:05

Written-By – Jimmy Sherman, Roger Ramirez

3 My Funny Valentine 5:30

Written-By – Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers 

4 Maid In Mexico  5:18  

Arranged By, Written-By – Russ Freeman

5 Stella By Starlight 4:27

Written-By – Ned Washington, Victor Young

6 My Old Flame 6:06

Written-By – Arthur Johnson, Sam Coslow

7 Headline 5:04

Written-By – Jack Montrose

8 Russ Job 6:07

Arranged By, Written-By – Russ Freeman

Credits :

Bass – Carson Smith

Drums – Bob Neel

Piano – Russ Freeman

Trumpet – Chet Baker

BUD SHANK | BILL PERKINS — Bud Shank and Bill Perkins (1998) MONO | Serie West Coast Classics | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Two of the stars of cool jazz, Bud Shank and Bill Perkins, are featured to various degrees throughout this session. Shank in the 1950s was practically the epitome of West Coast jazz. His cool tones on alto and his fluid flute were utilized on many dates; the main set here also finds him switching in spots to tenor and baritone. Perkins, always a versatile reed soloist, is best known for his tenor playing but during that date he also plays alto, and (on two versions of "Fluted Columns") there are some rare examples of his flute. Shank and Perkins team up quite effectively with pianist Hampton Hawes, bassist Red Mitchell, and drummer Mel Lewis for the May 2, 1955 session, which includes a trio feature for Hawes ("I Hear Music"). Four numbers from February 19, 1956 (with Shank on flute and alto, pianist Russ Freeman, bassist Carson Smith, drummer Shelly Manne, and, on "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?," Perkins on tenor) are actually from a session led by Freeman but never completed, and were only put out previously on samplers. "Angel Eyes" (by a quartet with Perkins and pianist Jimmy Rowles) is a leftover track from a later date, as is "Sonny Speaks," which showcases Rowles in a trio without Perkins. This set concludes with the one surviving number ("Ain't Got a Dime to My Name") surviving from a truncated Perkins quartet set from 1958. Taken as a whole, there are many rewarding solos to be heard by Shank, Perkins, and the piano players on these formerly rare selections, even if the collection falls short of being classic. Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits

CLIFFORD BROWN – Jazz Immortal (1960-2001) RVG Edition, Pacific Jazz Series | MONO | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Sextet. This album includes some takes and Brown material unavailable elsewhere. Ron Wynn  Tracklist + Credits :

JOHNNY HODGES | BEN WEBSTER - The Complete 1960 Sextet Jazz Cellar Session (2011) FLAC (tracks), lossless

This release contains th superb November 1960 session recorded by the Ben Webster-Johnny Hodges sextet in studio conditions at the Jazz Cellar, in San Francisco (without an audience). It is presented here in its complete form on a single CD for the first time ever. The two great saxophonists were the only horn players heard at the session. They were backed by a rhythm section of piano, guitar, bass and drums. These recordings are exceptional in that no other date exists in their collaborative discography featuring them as the only horns. A complete (and very rare) octet session featuring Webster and Hodges has been added as a bonus. Notas CD
Tracklist :
1    Ben's Web 5'08
2    SIde Door (Don't Kid Yourself) 5'49
3    Blues'll Blow Your Fuse 4'21
4    I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me 2'46
5    Dual Highway 3'14
6    Big Ears 4'50
7    Shorty Gull 3'45
8    Ifida 4'36
9    Big Smack 4'51
10    I'd Be There 5'16
11    Just Another Day 5'48
12    Lollalagin Now 2'51
- BONUS TRACKS -
13    Exactly Like You 2'52
14    I'm Beginning To See The Light 4'00
15    Val's Lament 4'10
16    Tipsy Joe 5'29
17    Waiting On The Champagne 3'24
Credits 1-12 :
Ben Webster (Tenor Sax)
Johnny Hodges (Alto Sax)
Lou Levy (Piano)
Herb Ellis (Guitar)
Wilfred Middlebrooks (Bass)
Gus Johnson (Drums)
Credits 13-17 :
Ben Webster (Tenor Sax)
Johnny Hodges (Alto Sax)
Russ Freeman (Piano)
Lawrence Brown (Trombone)
Joe Mondragon (Bass)
Mel Lewis (Drums)
Emil Richards (Vibes)
Jimmy Hamilton (Arranged)
Los Angeles, January 31, 1961.

ZOOT SIMS — Choice (1961-2002) RM | Super Bit Jazz Classics | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Tracklist :
1    I'll Remember April 4:15
Bass – Red Mitchell
Drums – Larry Bunker
Leader [Leadership] – Gerry Mulligan
Piano – Bobby Brookmeyer
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Written-By – Raye, DePaul, Johnston
2    Flamingo 2:15
Baritone Saxophone, Leader [Leadership] – Gerry Mulligan
Bass – Red Mitchell
Drums – Larry Bunker
Piano – Bobby Brookmeyer
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Trumpet – Jon Eardley
Written-By – Anderson, Grouya
3    There Will Never Be Another You 5:00
Baritone Saxophone, Leader [Leadership] – Gerry Mulligan
Bass – Red Mitchell
Drums – Larry Bunker
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Valve Trombone – Bobby Brookmeyer
Written-By – Warren, Gordon
4    Red Door 7:00
Bass – Red Mitchell
Drums – Larry Bunker
Leader [Leadership] – Gerry Mulligan
Piano – Bobby Brookmeyer
Written-By, Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
5    You're Driving Me Crazy 4:47
Bass – Monte Budwig
Drums – Mel Lewis
Guitar – Billy Bean
Piano – Russ Freeman
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Written-By – Walter Donaldson
6    Brushes 6:30
Bass – Monte Budwig
Guitar – Jim Hall
Piano – Russ Freeman
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Written-By – Freeman
Written-By, Drums – Lewis
7    Choice Blues 4:30
Bass – Monte Budwig
Drums – Mel Lewis
Guitar – Jim Hall
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims
Written-By, Piano – Russ Freeman

THE CHET BAKER QUARTET WITH RUSS FREEMAN - The Complete Pacific Jazz Live Recordings of The Chet Baker Quartet With Russ Freeman (1989) 3CD / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The independent jazz reissue label Mosaic Records garnered a rightful reputation as industry leaders and enthusiast favorites with deluxe and strictly limited-edition packages such as this one. The contents of this four-LP/three-CD collection are derived from two performances during the summer of 1954 and feature the Chet Baker Quartet: Baker (trumpet/"boom bam" percussion), Russ Freeman (piano), Carson Smith (bass), and Bob Neel (drums). The two performances -- recorded July 21 at Santa Cruz's Civic Auditorium and August 10 at The Tiffany Club in Los Angeles, respectively -- are presented chronologically. The five tunes from the July set were documented by Pacific Jazz renaissance man Dick Bock using primitive portable open-reel (aka reel-to-reel) technology. Despite a few inherent tape anomalies, the amazingly rich sound rivals that of many studio releases of the same era. Unleashed from within Baker's normally reserved tone is an aggressive display of high energy and remarkably fluid bop chops on Charlie "Bird" Parker's "Billie's Bounce." The unfettered repartee between Baker and Freeman is likewise a highlight, as the two are able to augment and parlay melodies into minor works of expressionistic art. Even the decidedly cooler-toned "Stella by Starlight" and "Line for Lyons" contain fiery exchanges between the two. The Tiffany Club performance is decidedly lengthier and is joined already in progress. These August 10 performances capture the Chet Baker Quartet five nights into a run that extended over six weeks. For reasons which are unclear, this 90-plus-minutes of primal, live Baker Quartet remained for the most part unissued for well over three decades. Only edited versions of "Zing Went the Strings of My Heart" and the Freeman composition "Russ Job" were ever accessed, although neither appeared on a Baker or Freeman release. The entire quartet is in truly exceptional form on these recordings. Highlights include the Freeman- and Baker-dominated cover of Tadd Dameron's "Lady Bird," the tropically rhythmic "Frenesi," and a show-stopping reading of bassist Carson Smith's "Carson City Blues." Unlike much of Baker's catalog that remained decidedly more subdued, The Complete Pacific Live Jazz Recordings of Chet Baker With Russ Freeman captures the trumpet player as a young man at the very zenith of his talents. Although all the materials on this set are also available on the comparatively inexpensive Chet Baker Quartet Live, Vol. 2: Out of Nowhere and Chet Baker Quartet Live, Vol. 3: My Old Flame, they miss the lavish booklet that contains some of William Claxton's brilliant photography of the band circa the summer of 1954. This is an essential addition to any appreciation of Chet Baker or Russ Freeman. by Lindsay Planer  
Tracklist 1 :
Recorded At The University Of Michigan In Ann Arbor On May 9, 1954   
1    Announcements    0:39
2    Line For Lyons    6:48
3    Lover Man    5:45
4    My Funny Valentine    4:50
5    Maid In Mexico    4:50
6    Stella By Starlight    4:03
7    My Old Flame    5:44
8    Headline    4:45
9    Russ Job    5:53
Tracklist 2 :
Recorded At The Tiffany Club In Los Angeles On August 10, 1954   
1    No Ties    3:10
2    Out Of Nowhere    8:30
3    Deep Purple    6:23
4    My Little Suede Shoes    6:30
5    Lady Bird    7:19
6    Line For Lyons    5:30
7    Lullaby Of The Leaves    4:30
8    My Old Flame    5:45
9    Russ Job    6:03
10    The Wind    4:20
11    Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart    6:00
Tracklist 3 :
1    Everything Happens To Me    5:18
2    A Dandy Line    6:25
3    Frenesi    6:28
4    Moonlight In Vermont    5:07
5    Carson City Stage    7:03
Recorded In Concert In Santa Cruz, California In Late July Or Late September-October, 1954   
6    Billie's Bounce    10:22
7    Stella By Starlight    4:50
8    Line For Lyons    5:25
9    Carson City Stage    5:51
10    All The Things You Are 6:21
Credits :
Bass – Carson Smith
Drums – Bob Neel
Piano – Russ Freeman
Trumpet – Chet Baker

RUTH PRICE - Ruth Price with Shelly Manne & His Menn at the Manne-Hole (1961-1991) RM / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Singer Ruth Price on this early set falls somewhere between swinging jazz, middle-of-the-road pop, and cabaret. She does not improvise much, but her strong and very appealing voice uplifts the diverse material that she interprets (including "Dearly Beloved," "Shadrack," "Crazy He Calls Me," and "Look for the Silver Lining"), and she brings great sincerity to Leonard Bernstein's "Who Am I." Backed by Shelly Manne's quintet (with plenty heard from pianist Russ Freeman, but just guest spots by Richie Kamuca on tenor and one lone appearance by trumpeter Conte Candoli), Price is in fine form for her debut recording as a leader, which has been reissued on CD in the OJC series. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 I Love You 2:47
Cole Porter
2 They Say It's Spring 3:35
Marty Clark / Bob Haymes
3 Listen Little Girl 4:41
Fran Landesman / Tommy Wolf
4 Dearly Beloved 2:38
Jerome Kern / Johnny Mercer
5 I Know Why 3:57
Harry Warren
6 Shadrack 3:31
Robert MacGimsey
7 Crazy He Calls Me 4:29
Bob Russell / Carl Sigman
8 Nobody Else But Me 2:55
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
9 Nobody's Heart 4:32
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
10 All I Do Is Dream of You 2:06
Nacio Herb Brown / Arthur Freed
11 Who Am I 4:19
Leonard Bernstein
12 Till the Clouds Roll By / Look for the Silver Lining 3:30
Buddy DeSylva / Jerome Kern / P.G. Wodehouse
Credits
Bass – Chuck Berghofer
Drums – Shelly Manne
Piano – Russ Freeman
Tenor Saxophone – Richie Kamuca (tracks: 1 to 4, 10, 12)
Trumpet – Conte Candoli (tracks: 7)
Vocals – Ruth Price

JUNE CHRISTY - Something Cool (The Complete Mono & Stereo Versions) (2001) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

June Christy's Something Cool, originally released as a 10" LP in 1954, single-handedly inaugurated the cool jazz vocal movement. Christy had been a star vocalist with the Stan Kenton Orchestra in the late '40s, enjoying major hits with "Tampico" and "Shoo Fly Pie & Apple Pan Dowdy." Soon after she left the band, she began working with key Kenton arranger Pete Rugolo and a slew of top West Coast studio musicians (including her husband, tenor saxophonist Bob Cooper) on her first solo album for Capitol Records. The result was Something Cool, which is both a winning showcase for Christy's wistful style and a landmark of cool jazz modernism. From the start, Christy established herself as an artist who strove for the very best in song selection, arrangements, and notably intelligent interpretation. There were perhaps other vocalists with greater vocal equipment, but few could match June Christy's artistic integrity. The celebrated title track is the soliloquy of a female barfly of a certain age, reminiscing (and fantasizing) about better days to a fellow male patron who just might buy her another drink. It immediately became Christy's signature performance, and remained so throughout her career. Other highlights include a swinging "It Could Happen to You," "Midnight Sun," and an ambitious arrangement of Kurt Weill's "Lonely House." by Richard Mortifoglio  
Tracklist:
1 Something Cool 4:17
Bass – Joe Confort 
Drums – Frank Carlson
Flute, Alto Saxophone – Gus Bivona
Guitar – Barney Kessel
Piano – Geoff Clarkson 
Trumpet – Jimmy Zito 
Written-By – Bill Barnes 
2 It Could Happen To You 1:55
Written-By – J. Van Heusen, J. Burke 
3 Lonely House 3:56
Written-By – K. Weill, L. Hughes
4 This Time The Dream's On Me 1:29
Written-By – H. Arlen-J. Mercer 
5 The Night We Called It A Day 4:48
Written-By – M. Dennis*, T. Adair 
6 Midnight Sun 3:13
Alto Saxophone – Skeets Herfurt, Willie Schwartz 
Bass Trombone – Dick Noel  
Drums – Alvin Stoller
Guitar – Tony Rizzi
Piano – Paul Smith  
Tenor Saxophone – Fred Fallensby
Trombone – Dick Reynolds, Nick DiMaio
Trumpet – Ray Linn, Ray Triscari, Uan Rasey
Written-By – Mercer, Hampton, Burke 
7 I'll Take Romance 2:19
Written-By – B. Oakland, O. Hammerstein 
8 A Stranger Called The Blues 3:56
Written-By – M. Torme, R. Wells 
9 I Should Care 2:08
Written-By – Stordahl, Weston, Cahn
10 Softly As In A Morning Sunrise 2:13
Piano – Claude Williamson
Trombone – Bob Fitzpatrick
Written-By – O. Hammerstein, S. Romberg
11 I'm Thrilled 2:39
Written-By – S. Lippman, S. Dee
12 Something Cool 4:57
Written-By – Bill Barnes
13 It Could Happen To You 2:00
Written-By – J. Van Heusen, J. Burke
14 Lonely House 4:03
Written-By – K. Weill, L. Hughes
15 This Time The Dream's On Me 1:36
Written-By – H. Arlen-J. Mercer
16 The Night We Called It A Day 4:53
Written-By – M. Dennis T. Adair
17 Midnight Sun 3:31
Written-By – Mercer, Hampton, Burke
18 I'll Take Romance 2:20
Written-By – B. Oakland, O. Hammerstein
19 A Stranger Called The Blues 4:19
Written-By – M. Torme, R. Wells
20 I Should Care 2:11
Written-By – Stordahl, Weston, Cahn
21 Softly As In A Morning Sunrise 2:14
Written-By – O. Hammerstein, S. Romberg
22 I'm Thrilled 2:47
Written-By – S. Lippman, S. Dee
Credits:
Alto Flute – Bud Shank (tracks: 4, 5, 11), Harry Klee (tracks: 4, 5, 11)
Alto Saxophone [Soloist] – Bud Shank
Alto Saxophone, Flute – Bud Shank (tracks: 1 to 5, 7 to 22), Harry Klee (tracks: 2 to 5, 7 to 9, 11, 12, 14 to 17, 20, 21)
Arranged By, Conductor – Pete Rugolo
Baritone Saxophone – Bob Gordon (tracks: 4, 5, 10, 11), Chuck Gentry (tracks: 1, 6 to 8), Johnny Rotella (tracks: 2, 3, 9)
Bass – Harry Babasin (tracks: 4, 5, 11), Joe Mondragon (tracks: 2, 3, 6 to 10, 12 to 22)
Bass Trombone – George Roberts (tracks: 1, 12 to 22)
Drums – Larry Bunker (tracks: 12 to 22), Shelly Manne (tracks: 2 to 5, 7 to 11)
Flute – Ted Nash (tracks: 1 to 3, 7 to 9)
French Horn – John Graas (tracks: 2, 3, 7 to 9), Vincent DeRosa (tracks: 4, 5, 11, 13 to 16, 18 to 20, 22)
Guitar – Howard Roberts (tracks: 2 to 5, 7 to 11), Jack Marshall (tracks: 12 to 22)
Piano – Claude Williamson (tracks: 4, 5, 11), Joe Castro (tracks: 12 to 22), Russ Freeman (tracks: 2, 3, 7 to 9)
Reeds – Buddy Collette (tracks: 13, 18, 19, 22), Chuck Gentry (tracks: 12 to 22)
Tenor Saxophone – Jimmy Giuffre (tracks: 4, 5, 10, 11), Ted Nash (tracks: 1 to 3, 6 to 9)
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Bob Cooper (tracks: 1 to 3, 7 to 10, 12 to 22), Paul Horn (tracks: 12 to 22)
Trombone – Frank Rosolino (tracks: 4, 5, 11 to 22), Harry Betts (tracks: 2 to 5, 7 to 9, 11, 12, 17, 21), Herbie Harper (tracks: 1, 10), Milt Bernhart (tracks: 1 to 5, 7 to 22), Tommy Pederson (tracks: 1 to 3, 6 to 9)
Trumpet – Conrad Gozzo, Conte Candoli (tracks: 10, 12 to 22), Frank Beach (tracks: 6, 12 to 22), Maynard Ferguson (tracks: 1 to 5, 7 to 9, 11), Ollie Mitchell (tracks: 12, 17, 21), Shorty Rogers (tracks: 1 to 5, 7 to 11)
Tuba – Paul Sarmento (tracks: 2 to 5, 7 to 9, 11), Phil Stephens (tracks: 13 to 16, 18 to 20, 22)
Vocals – June Christy

CHET BAKER - Sings And Plays With Bud Shank, Russ Freeman And Strings (1955-1987) MONO / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

With the growing popularity of Chet Baker's first vocal album, Chet Baker Sings, Pacific Jazz producer Richard Bock wanted to capitalize on both facets of his young star's abilities. Hence, the trumpeter turned vocalist entered the studio in 1955 with both his quartet featuring pianist Russ Freeman and an expanded sextet including bassist Red Mitchell, Bud Shank on flute, and various string players. The resulting album, Chet Baker Sings and Plays, helped set in stone the image of Baker as the jazz world's matinee idol and icon of '50s West Coast cool. His laid-back style -- a mix of '30s crooner and Miles Davis' nonet recordings -- appealed in its immediacy to a jazz public tiring of the hyper, athletic musicality of bebop. Similarly, his plaintive, warm trumpet sound was the more sensitive antidote to such brassy kings as Dizzy Gillespie and Clifford Brown. Others artists had performed many of these standards before, but as with "My Funny Valentine" on Chet Baker Sings, tracks like "Let's Get Lost," "Long Ago and Far Away," and "Just Friends" became definitively associated with Baker for the rest of his career. Chet Baker Sings and Chet Baker Sings and Plays are not only the two most important albums of Baker's career, but are classics of jazz. [The 2004 EMI reissue of Chet Baker Sings and Plays includes an EP version of "Let's Get Lost" not included on the original album.] by Matt Collar  
Tracklist:
1 Let's Get Lost 3:43
Frank Loesser / Jimmy McHugh
2 This Is Always 3:06
M. Gordon / Harry Warren
3 Long Ago and Far Away 3:57
Ira Gershwin / Jerome Kern
4 Someone to Watch Over Me 3:01
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
5 Just Friends 2:43
John Klenner / Sam M. Lewis
6 I Wish I Knew 3:59
M. Gordon / Harry Warren
7 Daybreak 2:41
Harold Adamson / Ferde Grofé
8 You Don't Know What Love Is 4:50
Gene DePaul / Don Raye
9 Grey December 3:41
Frank Campo
10 I Remember You 3:15
Johnny Mercer / Victor Schertzinger
Credits:
Bass – Carson Smith (tracks: 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10), Red Mitchell (tracks: 2, 4, 6, 9)
Drums – Bob Neel
Flute – Bud Shank (tracks: 2, 4, 6, 9)
Harp – Corky Hale (tracks: 2, 4, 6, 9)
Piano – Russ Freeman
Trumpet, Vocals – Chet Baker