SAM RIVERS | DAVE HOLLAND | BARRY ALTSCHUL — The Quest (1976-2023) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1. Expectation (Sam Rivers) - 6:34
2. Vision (Sam Rivers) - 12:20
3. Judgement (Sam Rivers) - 10:12
4. Hope (Sam Rivers) - 6:55
Credits :
Bass – Dave Holland
Drums – Barry Altschul
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Piano – Sam Rivers

SAM RIVERS & THE RIVBEA ORCHESTRA - Mosaic Select : Trilogy (2011) 3xCD BOX-SET | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Offering  
1-1    Spice    8:52
1-2    Ganymede    9:04
1-3    Crux    8:13
1-4    Aura    15:48
1-5    Perkin    9:39
1-6    Pulsar    14:13
Progeny    
2-1    Robyn    6:21
2-2    Cindy    5:46
2-3    Monique    6:44
2-4    Traci    5:10
2-5    Iisha    4:42
2-6    Tamara    5:20
2-7    Tiffany    5:40
2-8    Jessica    7:32
2-9    Destiny    6:54
Edge    
3-1    Ridge    10:27
3-2    Brink    11:04
3-3    Precipice    9:29
3-4    Verge    10:32
3-5    Point    10:12
3-6    Visions    11:38
3-7    Pulsar    8:25
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Chris Charles, Jeff Rupert
Baritone Saxophone – Brian Mackie
Bass – Doug Mathews
Drums – Rion Smith
Tenor Saxophone – Charlie DeChant, David Pate, George Weremchuk, Sam Rivers
Trombone – Claire Courchene, David Sheffield, Josh Parsons, Keith Oshiro
Trumpet – Brian Scanlon, David Jones, Mike Iapichino, Tom Parmenter
Written-By – Sam Rivers

SAM RIVERS - Fuchsia Swing Song (1964-2003) RM | Blue Note Connoisseur Series | APE (image+.cue), lossless

Recorded in 1964 immediately after leaving the Miles Davis Quintet, Sam Rivers' Fuchsia Swing Song is one of the more auspicious debuts the label released in the mid-'60s. Rivers was a seasoned session player (his excellent work on Larry Young's Into Somethin' is a case in point), and a former member of Herb Pomeroy's Big Band before he went out with Davis. By the time of his debut, Rivers had been deep under the influence of Coltrane and Coleman, but wasn't willing to give up the blues. Hence the sound on Fuchsia Swing Song is that of an artist at once self-assured and in transition. Using a rhythm section that included Tony Williams (whose Life Time he had guested on), pianist Jaki Byard, and bassist Ron Carter, Rivers took the hard bop and blues of his roots and poured them through the avant-garde collander. The title, opening track is a case in point. Rivers opens with an angular figure that is quickly translated by the band into sweeping, bopping blues. Rivers legato is lightning quick and his phrasing touches upon Coleman Hawkins, Sonny Rollins, Coleman, and Coltrane, but his embouchure is his own. He strikes the balance and then takes off on both sides of the aisle. Byard's builds in minor key, rhythmic figures just behind the tenor. "Downstairs Blues Upstairs" sounds, initially anyway, like it might have come out of the Davis book so deep is its blue root. But courtesy of Byard and Williams, Rivers goes to the left after only four choruses, moving onto the ledge a bit at a time, running knotty arpeggios through the center of the melody and increasingly bending his notes into succeeding intervals while shifting keys and times signatures, but he never goes completely over the ledge. The most difficult cut on the date is "Luminous Monolith," showcases a swing-like figure introducing the melody. Eight bars in, the syncopation of the rhythm sections begins to stutter step around the time, as Byard makes harmonic adjustments with dense chords for Rivers to play off. This is a highly recommended date. Other than on 1965's Contours, Rivers never played quite like this again.
|> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <|
Tracklist :
1    Fuchsia Swing Song    6:03
2    Downstairs Blues Upstairs    5:33
3    Cyclic Episode    6:57
4    Luminous Monolith    6:31
5    Beatrice    6:13
6    Ellipsis    7:43
7    Luminous Monolith (Alternate Take)    6:39
8    Downstairs Blues Upstairs (First Alterate Take)    8:09
9    Downstairs Blues Upstairs (Second Alternate Take)    7:47
10    Downstairs Blues Upstairs (Third Alternate Take)    7:49
Credits :
Bass – Ron Carter
Drums – Tony Williams
Engineer [Recording] – Rudy Van Gelder
Piano – Jaki Byard
Producer – Alfred Lion
Reissue Producer – Michael Cuscuna
Tenor Saxophone, Composed By [All Compositions] – Sam Rivers

SAM RIVERS - "A New Conception" (1966-2014) RM | Blue Note, The Masterworks | SHM-CD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The title of A New Conception refers to Sam Rivers' ingenious interpretations of standards on this record. Rivers treats the songs -- such familiar items as "When I Fall in Love," "I'll Never Smile Again," "That's All," "What a Difference a Day Makes," and "Secret Love" -- with respect, but he doesn't treat them as museum pieces. He knows that if the songs are to remain fresh, they need to be heard in different ways, and he skillfully opens up each composition to contemporary avant-garde techniques. Rivers and his supporting trio of pianist Hal Galper, bassist Herbert Lewis, and drummer Steve Ellington gradually ease each number into more adventurous territory, slowly shifting into exploratory instrumental sections, slyly varying the melodic themes, or adding shaded dissonant textures. It's challenging music that remains accessible, since it reconfigures familiar items in new, intriguing ways. The sheer skill in Rivers' arrangements once again confirms his large, unfortunately underappreciated, talent. Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Tracklist :
1    When I Fall In Love 5'45
Written-By – Heyman, Young
2    I'll Never Smile Again 5'55
Written-By – Ruth Lowe
3    Detour Ahead 5'05
Written-By – Ellis, Frigo, Carter
4    That's All 5'40
Written-By – Brandt, Haymes
5    What A Difference A Day Makes 6'15
Written-By – Grever, Adams
6    Temptation 7'40
Written-By – Freed, Brown
7    Secret Love 7'35
Written-By – Webster, Fain
Credits :    
Bass – Herbert Lewis
Drums – Steve Ellington
Piano – Hal Galper
Producer – Alfred Lion
Recorded By [Recording By] – Rudy Van Gelder
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute – Sam Rivers

SAM RIVERS — Contours (1965-2004) RM | Blue Note Connoisseur Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

On Contours, his second Blue Note album, tenor saxophonist Sam Rivers fully embraced the avant-garde, but presented his music in a way that wouldn't be upsetting or confusing to hard bop loyalists. Rivers leads a quintet featuring trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, pianist Herbie Hancock, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Joe Chambers through a set of originals that walk a fine line between probing, contemplative post-bop and densely dissonant avant-jazz. Each musician is able to play the extremes equally well while remaining sensitive to the compositional subtleties. Rarely is Contours anything less than enthralling, and it remains one of the high watermarks of the mid-'60s avant-garde movement. Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Tracklist :
1    Point Of Many Returns    9:24
2    Dance Of The Tripedal    10:10
3    Euterpe    11:46
4    Mellifluous Cacophony    9:01
5    Mellifluous Cacophony [Alternative Take]    9:05
Credits :    
Bass – Ron Carter
Drums – Joe Chambers
Piano – Herbie Hancock
Recorded By – Rudy Van Gelder
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Composed By – Sam Rivers
Trumpet – Freddie Hubbard

SAM RIVERS - Dimensions & Extensions (1967-2008) RM | RVG Edition | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Ambitious, atonal, challenging -- all are accurate descriptions of Dimensions & Extensions, Sam Rivers' fourth album for Blue Note. Rivers remains grounded in hard bop structure, working with a sextet featuring Donald Byrd (trumpet), James Spaulding (alto saxophone, flute), Julian Priester (trombone), Cecil McBee (bass), and Steve Ellington (drums), but he explodes the boundaries of the form with difficult, dissonant compositions. With his unique, mercurial tone and edgy solos, he keeps pushing the sextet in different directions. It's intense, cerebral music, but since it has distinct themes and strong rhythms, the forays into free jazz, dissonant harmonies, and unpredictable tonal textures are actually quite accessible. Rivers simply burns on each track, whether playing tenor, soprano, or flute. Byrd doesn't display the wild imagination of Rivers, yet he keeps the pace with alternately languid and biting solos. Similarly, each of the remaining musicians makes a lasting impression with his individual time in the spotlight. With music as risky at this, it's forgivable that it occasionally meanders (especially on the slower numbers) but, overall, Dimensions & Extensions offers more proof that Sam Rivers was one of the early giants of the avant-garde. Stephen Thomas Erlewine  
Tracklist :
1    Precis    5:18
2    Paean    5:20
3    Effusive Melange    5:45
4    Involution    7:10
5    Afflatus    6:25
6    Helix    5:30
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Flute – James Spaulding
Bass – Cecil McBee
Drums – Steve Ellington
Producer – Alfred Lion
Producer [For Release] – Michael Cuscuna
Recorded By – Rudy Van Gelder
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Composed By – Sam Rivers
Trombone – Julian Priester
Trumpet – Donald Byrd

SAM RIVERS - Streams (1973-1989) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Since his final Blue Note session in 1967, Sam Rivers' music got freer and freer, as audiences were able to hear when he signed to Impulse at the beginning of the '70s. Streams was the recorded apex of his early-'70s move into full-fledged free jazz, a continuous 50-minute trio improvisation recorded live at the 1973 Montreux Jazz Festival. The music is pure stream-of-consciousness -- no discernible pre-set themes, just free-flowing ideas and interaction among the musicians (who also include bassist Cecil McBee and drummer Norman Connors). What's truly amazing about the set is that Rivers' streams of consciousness are more like, well, rivers. He draws from a seemingly inexhaustible supply of fresh soloing ideas -- on four different instruments -- and his playing is busy and nearly continuous throughout, stopping only to switch instruments or punctuate his lines with an excited shout. The album's title refers to the way the different sections of Rivers' improvisation connect and flow into one another, but more impressive is the fact that there are so many sections in the first place. Rivers' tenor sax playing opens the album, and it's as potent a blend of the visceral and intellectual as usual. His rhythmically and harmonically adventurous flute work follows, then a section of angular piano somewhat indebted to Cecil Taylor; things wrap up with a high-energy soprano sax dialogue that features some fantastically driving, muscular work by McBee. He and Connors color in between Rivers' stunning overflow of ideas very effectively, pushing the leader wherever possible. It's a shame there aren't more documents of this phase in Rivers' career, though that could be said of pretty much all of his phases. If it's Rivers the free improviser you're looking for, Streams is a tour de force and one of the highlights of his extremely distinguished career. Steve Huey
Streams    (49:30)
1.1    Spoken Introduction    1:18
1.2    Tenor Saxophone Section, Beginning Of Flute Section    23:12
1.3    Conclusion Of Flute Section, Piano Section, Soprano Saxophone Section    25:14
Credits :    
Bass – Cecil McBee
Drums – Norman Connors
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Piano, Written-By – Sam Rivers

SAM RIVERS - Hues (1973) lp | FLAC (tracks), lossless

All ten selections on Hues are titled by a particular color. Four of the ten trio performances are studio and six are live performances. Rivers is accompanied by drummer Norman Conners and bassist Cecil McBee on "Amber"; Connors' skin work is noteworthy, and Rivers's tenor sax cries and whines like a hungry newborn. Rivers switches to flute on "Turquoise," where he's pushed by Connors' impressionistic drum rolls. The piano is Rivers's instrument of choice on "Rose"; the melody and tempo changes enhance the beauty of the superbly executed, intricate arrangement. "Chartreuse" is mysterious, strange, and mid-Eastern-ish, and Rivers plays the mind-stretching piece on soprano sax. "Mauve" and "Indigo" were both recorded in performance, and Rivers's sidekicks are Richard Davis (bass) and Warren Smith (drums & percussion). The former is as haunting as anything here; Rivers' tenor sax seems to be exploring the brain, while Davis keeps a low profile, and Smith does percussion tricks. Staying with tenor on "Indigo," he delivers his most straightforward performance. The final four cuts were also recorded live. Avld Anderson playing bass and Barry Altschul handling drums and percussion complement Rivers on imaginative selections like "Onyx," with its mixed styles and African chants. It segues into "Topaz" without missing a beat, and Rivers' flute work is full of vigor then mellows a bit before energizing and racing with Anderson and Altschul to end the track. On "Ivory Black," Rivers tickles the ivories like he's playing a soundtrack cut for a mystery; his counterparts provide a sound canvas for Rivers's stringent playing. "Violet" sounds like the esoteric sounds John Coltrane became acclaimed for. Hues is thoroughly enjoyable and should be reissued. Andrew Hamilton 

Sessions :

A. - tracks 1, 2, 3 - Recorded in performance at The Jazz Workshop, Boston, 13 Feb 1971.

Sam Rivers - tenor sax, flute
Cecil McBee - bass
Norman Connors - drums & percussion

B. - track 4 - Recorded in performance at The Jazz Workshop, Boston, 14 Feb 1971.

Sam Rivers - soprano sax
Cecil McBee - bass
Norman Connors - drums & percussion

C. - tracks 5, 6 - Recorded in performance at Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, 27 Oct 1972.

Sam Rivers - tenor sax
Richard Davis - bass
Warren Smith - drums & percussion

D. - tracks 7, 8 - Recorded in performance at Molde Jazz Festival, Norway, 3 Aug 1973.

Sam Rivers - soprano sax, flute
Avild Andersen - bass
Barry Altschul - drums & percussion

E. - tracks 9, 10 - Recorded in performance at Battel Chapel, Yale University, US, 10 Nov 1973.

Sam Rivers - soprano sax, flute
Cecil McBee - bass
Barry Altschul - drums & percussion

SAM RIVERS TRIO ft. CECIL McBEE and NORMAN CONNORS - Emanation (1971-2019) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Emanation Part I    31:09
2    Emanation Part I    45:32
Credits :
Bass – Cecil McBee
Drums – Norman Connors
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Piano, Composed By [All Compositions By] – Sam Rivers
Notas.
Recorded 3rd June, 1971 at the Jazz Workshop, Boston

SAM RIVERS - Crystals (1974-2002) RM | Serie LP Reproduction | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

When Sam Rivers' Crystals was released in 1974, it had been over a decade since Ornette had worked with his Free Jazz Double Quartet, nine years since Coltrane assembled his Ascension band, and six since the first Jazz Composers' Orchestra Association was formed and whose first records were issued (a couple of members of that band also perform with Rivers here). It's difficult to note in the 21st century just how forward-thinking this avant-garde big band was, and how completely innovative Rivers' compositions are. The number of musicians on this session is staggering: With Rivers, it numbers 64 pieces! A few of the names appearing here are Hamiet Bluiett, Richard Davis, Bob Stewart, John Stubblefield, Bill Barron, Robin Kenyatta, Julius Watkins, Norman Connors, Andrew Cyrille, Billy Hart, Ahmed Abdullah, Charles Sullivan, Clifford Thornton, Grachan Moncur, Ronnie Boykins, and Reggie Workman -- and no pianist. Musically, this is the mature Sam Rivers speaking from the wide base of his knowledge as a composer, improviser, and conceptualist. These compositions were written between 1959 and 1972, and were finished as new elements came to him to fit them together conceptually. The fact that all six of them are so gorgeously juxtaposed is a testament to his discipline and his vision. From the beginning of "Exultation," the horns storm out of the gate, saxophones up front in what appears to be full free jazz freakout. Trumpets and trombones bleat behind, and the bass violins bow in unison on a modal opening. Within minutes, however, the rhythm section kicks in, and a full-on swinging soprano solo accompanied by the stomping bass of Workman fills the center for about 40 bars until the entire band comes back for a restated them that is knotty yet swinging. A number of instruments then jump through the center of the piece, creating an intervallic dialogue that prompts the soloists to come back in and take it. The intervals and contrapuntal structures are subtle enough to avoid seams -- though the jagged edges in the solos provide dense and beautiful textures -- and when the whole band comes back in, one doesn't notice that they are all grooving in a whole new rhythmic situation that is full of stops, starts, and sideways maneuvers. On "Tranquility," the bassist lays down a syncopated funk groove and long, drifting melodic lines that are written out comes flowing in between the bass and Stewart's tuba. They shimmer around each other in harmonic dissonance, though with the dynamics controlled, the edges are rounded. Rivers has written some of the most complex music of his life here, allowing for short, poignant, and often strictly composed solos to complement the linear, contrapuntal structures that these towering compositions are. As soloists do give way to one another, it is remarkable that the sheer density of hard swing provides the center of the maelstrom with such a wide emotional and chromatic palette. This is spiritual music in the most profound sense in that it attempts to breach the gyre between what has previously been said -- by Ellington, most notably -- what can be said, and the musically unspeakable. There is a massive centrifugal force at work in Rivers compositions here; and it pulls everything in, each dynamic stutter, legato phrase, ostinato whisper, and alteration in pitch in favor of what comes next. The swinging nature of these tunes refutes once and for all whether or not avant-garde music can be accessible -- -though it's true Sun Ra had already done that, but never to this extent. In sum, there are harsh moments here to be sure, but they are part of a greater and far more diverse musical universe, they are shards in the prism of the deep and burning soul that these six compositions offer so freely. Of the many recordings Rivers has done, this was the very first to showcase the full range of his many gifts. It is an underrated masterpiece and among the most rewarding and adventurous listening experiences in the history of jazz. Now that it is available on CD with pristine sound, you have no excuse.
|> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' |<
Tracklist :
1    Exultation    8:25
2    Tranquility    8:58
3    Postlude    2:50
4    Bursts    6:52
5    Orb    9:55
6    Earth Song    4:08
Credits :    
Bass – Gregory Maker
Design – Isabelle Wong
Drums – Warren Smith
Euphonium, Tuba – Jon Daley
Flute, Basset Horn, Tenor Saxophone – Paul Jeffrey
Flute, Flute [African], Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Roland Alexander
Flute, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Joe Ferguson
Flute, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Arranged By, Conductor, Written-By – Sam Rivers
Percussion – Harold Smith
Piccolo Flute, Flute, Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Fred Kelly
Trombone – Charles Majeed Greenlee, Charles Stephens
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Richard Williams, Sinclair Acey, Ted Daniel

DON PULLEN ft. SAM RIVERS - Capricorn Rising (1976-1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Break Out 12'35
Composed By – Sam Rivers
2    Capricorn Rising 11'48
Composed By – Don Pullen
3    Joycie Girl 6'36
Composed By – Don Pullen
4    Fall Out 15'04
Composed By – Sam Rivers
Credits :
Bass – Alex Blake
Drums, Tambourine – Bobby Battle
Piano – Don Pullen
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute – Sam Rivers

SAM RIVERS | DAVE HOLLAND - Sam Rivers | Dave Holland, Vol. 1 (1976-1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The first of two CD reissues that bring back a daylong duet session by Sam Rivers and bassist Dave Holland consists of two lengthy improvisations featuring Rivers on soprano and tenor; volume two features him playing flute and piano. Rivers' adventurous solos and interplay with the virtuosic Holland make this CD of interest to listeners with open ears toward the avant-garde, despite the LP-length playing time. Scott Yanow
Tracklist  :
1 Waterfall 17:08
Soprano Saxophone – Sam Rivers
2 Cascade 21:19
Tenor Saxophone – Sam Rivers
Credits :
Artwork [Jacket], Photography By – Carol Goss
Bass – Dave Holland
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Composed By – Sam Rivers
Producer – Paul Bley

SAM RIVERS | DAVE HOLLAND - Sam Rivers | Dave Holland, Vol. 2 (1976-1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

When Sam Rivers met up with bassist Dave Holland for a set of duets, he decided to record two LPs and play a different instrument on each of the sidelong pieces. While Rivers performs on tenor and soprano during the first volume, the second recording finds him playing "Ripples" on flute and switching to piano for "Deluge"; both performances are over 23 minutes long. Since tenor is easily Rivers's strongest ax, this set (which has now been reissued on CD) is of somewhat limited interest yet is generally successful. The flute piece has several different sections that keep both the musicians and listeners interested, while Rivers's piano feature is quite intense; he leaves few notes unplayed. Still, the first volume should be acquired. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Ripples 23:49
Flute – Sam Rivers
2 Deluge 23:23
Piano – Sam Rivers
Credits :
Bass – Dave Holland
Piano, Flute, Composed By – Sam Rivers
Producer – Paul Bley

SAM RIVERS QUARTET - Crosscurrent Live At Jazz Unité (1981-2009) RM | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Swirl    3:51
2    Riptide    5:53
3    Rapture    3:18
4    Crosscurrent    5:35
5    Sunbeams    3:45
6    Breeze    5:46
7    Serenity    1:56
8    Eddy    8:39
Credits :
Drums – Steve Ellington
Electric Bass – Rael Wesley Grant
Guitar – Jerry Byrd
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Piano, Voice, Composed By – Sam Rivers

SAM RIVERS - Black Africa! Villalago (1976-2009) Unofficial Release | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Black Africa (Soprano Section)    19:54
2    Black Africa (Piano & Flute Section)    19:56
3    Black Africa (Flute & Tenor Section)    19:58
Piano – Don Pullen
4    Black Africa (Villalago: Encore)    11:04
Credits :
Drums, Percussion – Sidney Smart
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Piano, Voice – Sam Rivers
Tuba, Euphonium – Joe Daley
Notas.
Recorded live at Villalago (Umbria Jazz) July 24, 1976.

SAM RIVERS - Waves (1978-2002) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

An explosive late '70s set with underrated composer, multi-instrumentalist, and arranger Sam Rivers leading a strong quartet. While bassist and cellist Dave Holland and percussionist Thurman Barker merged to form a strong, challenging rhythm section, Rivers and Joe Daley, playing tuba and baritone horn, worked together to create instrumental dialogues in sequence. Their array of contrasting voicings, with Rivers on tenor and soprano sax and flute, makes for compelling listening. Ron Wynn
Tracklist :
1    Shockwave    14:41
2    Torch    6:56
3    Pulse    10:22
4    Flux    6:03
5    Surge    6:13
Credits :
Bass, Cello – Dave Holland
Drums, Percussion – Thurman Barker
Tuba – Joe Daley
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Piano, Written-By – Sam Rivers

SAM RIVERS - Contrasts (1980) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tenor saxophonist Sam Rivers (also heard on soprano and flute) teams up in a quartet with trombonist George Lewis, bassist Dave Holland and drummer Thurman Barker (doubling on marimba) for a date that certainly defies the stereotype of a typical ECM session. The seven Rivers originals, although sometimes having colorful melodies, are quite complex. However, the intriguing and very alert interplay between the brilliant musicians makes the music seem fairly logical and worth exploring by adventurous listeners.  Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Circles    4:19
2    Zip    4:44
3    Solace    6:57
4    Verve    7:12
5    Dazzle    9:16
6    Images    3:54
7    Lines    7:11
Credits :
Double Bass – Dave Holland
Drums, Marimba – Thurman Barker
Producer – Manfred Eicher
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Composed By – Sam Rivers
Trombone – George Lewis

SAM RIVERS WINDS OF MANHATTAN - Colours (1983) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Stomping, swinging arrangements. Exuberant 11-piece orchestra supervised and spurred by Rivers. Ron Wynn
Tracklist :
1    Lilacs    5:44
2    Colours    5:01
3    Spiral    8:36
4    Matrix    7:53
5    Revival    1:58
6    Blossoms    11:24
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Bobby Watson, Steve Coleman
Baritone Saxophone – Jimmy Cozier, Patience Higgins
Clarinet – Nat Dixon, Talib Kibwe
Flute – Bobby Watson, Chris Roberts, Jimmy Cozier, Marvin Blackman, Nat Dixon, Patience Higgins, Sam Rivers, Steve Coleman, Talib Kibwe
Oboe – Bill Cody
Piccolo Flute – Eddie Alex
Sopranino Saxophone – Talib Kibwe
Soprano Saxophone – Chris Roberts, Marvin Blackman, Sam Rivers
Tenor Saxophone – Bill Cody, Eddie Alex, Marvin Blackman, Nat Dixon, Sam Rivers, Talib Kibwe

SAM RIVERS QUARTET - Lazuli (1990-2015) RM | Timeless Jazz Master Collection 120 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Recordings for Rivers were sporadic at best in the '80s, so this disc is a welcome addition to his discography. Electric guitarist Darryll Thompson, electric bass guitarist Rael Wesley Grant, and drummer Steve McCraven form a very capable and powerful rhythm section, contemporary and traditional, supportive and commanding in their own way. For the first half of this CD, Rivers alternates tracks between flute and soprano sax. The opener "Swirl" is the gem of the set, an ultra-funky number with a bass/guitar ostinato line setting up the cut-loose flute of Rivers. Also with flute is the bluesy funk and more prevalent Thompson on the title cut and the funky kids melody on the "Hollywood Swingers"-type bottom line of "Coral." The piquant, pungently sharp soprano of Rivers is featured on the funky calypso rocker to hard swinger "Dominant," the kinetic funk of "Chant," and the basic "Lapis." The remainder of the selections have Rivers on tenor sax where he cements the notion that he is as solid a player on that instrument as anyone out there today. The easy swingers "Ripples" and "Desire" are thoughtful or have boppish guitar, respectively, the former potentially a new standard. "Dandelions" is a soul calypso, while "Devotion" is a distinct "Body & Soul"-styled ballad. "Sprung" sports a choppy stop-start head and inserts in a hard-charging bridge, while his famous signature standard "Beatrice" is played neat and clean with McCraven, who is excellent throughout no matter the rhythm, brushing his way in a rock beat toward essentially urgent proportions. Michael G. Nastos  
Tracklist :
1    Swirl    3:51
2    Dominant    2:16
3    Lazuli    4:50
4    Chant    2:25
5    Coral    6:58
6    Lapis    6:30
7    Ripples    4:55
8    Dandelions    3:35
9    Devotion    4:31
10    Beatrice    4:19
11    Desire    5:00
12    Sprung    3:25
Credits :
Soprano Saxophone (2, 4, 6), Tenor Saxophone (7 to 2), Flute (1, 3, 5), Producer, Composed By – Sam Rivers
Drums – Steve McCraven
Electric Bass – Rael Wesley Grant
Electric Guitar – Darryl Thompson

SAM RIVERS | NÖEL AKCHOTE | TONY HYMAN | PAUL ROGERS | JACQUES THOLLOT - Configuration (1998) FLAC (tracks), lossless

 Tracklist :
1    Béatrice 4'48
Composed By – S. Rivers
2    Cheshire Hotel 7'51
Composed By – N. Akchoté
3    Etchings 5'11
Composed By – P. Rogers, S. Rivers
4    Configuration 13'10
Composed By – J. Thollot, N. Akchoté, P. Rogers, S. Rivers, T. Hymas
5    Jennifer 5'34
Composed By – T. Hymas
6    Zing 4'53
Composed By – P. Rogers, S. Rivers
7    Sketches 4'17
Composed By – N. Akchoté, S. Rivers
8    Rififi 8'41
Composed By – P. Rogers
9    Gleam 2'42
Composed By – N. Akchoté, S. Rivers
10    Ripples 5'18
Composed By – S. Rivers
11    Moonbeams 5'53
Composed By – S. Rivers, T. Hymas
12    Nightfall 5'34
Composed By – Sam Rivers
Credits :
Double Bass – Paul Rogers
Drums – Jacques Thollot
Edited By – Roger Amoros
Guitar [Guitars] – Noël Akchote
Piano – Tony Hymas
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute – Sam Rivers