ARTHUR BLYTHE — Focus (2002) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Altoist Arthur Blythe has always loved to play in unusual instrumental settings. His soulful sound and adventurous style are quite flexible and they sound right at home in this set with Gust William Tsilis on bass marimba, Bob Stewart on tuba, and drummer Cecil Brooks III. The performances are lyrical and often melodic, but searching and unpredictable. Blythe contributed eight of the dozen songs (including "Opus 1," "My Son Ra," and "Bubbles") in addition to digging into "C.C. Rider," Thelonious Monk's obscure "Children's Song," "Stuffy Turkey," and "In a Sentimental Mood." In grooves ranging from New Orleans to R&B-ish, along with freer explorations, this is a continually colorful set of high-quality music. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1.    Opus 1    6:49
 Arthur Blythe / Sy Oliver 
2.    Children's Song aka That Old Man  3:15
 T. Monk
3.    C.C. Rider    4:54
 John Hurt 
4.    Once Again    2:49
 Arthur Blythe 
5.    My Son Ra    8:05
 Arthur Blythe 
6.    Hip Toe    6:17
 Arthur Blythe 
7.    Night Song    6:46
 Arthur Blythe / Charles Strouse 
8.    Bubbles    3:13
 Arthur Blythe 
9.    Stuffy Turkey  4:57
 T. Monk
10.    Night Creeper    5:15
 Arthur Blythe 
11.    In A Sentimental Mood  7:54
 E. Ellington
12.    Focus    1:16
 Arthur Blythe / Tadd Dameron 
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Co-producer [Associate Producer] – Arthur Blythe
Drums, Producer – Cecil Brooks III
Marimba – Gust William Tsilis
Tuba – Bob Stewart

ARTHUR BLYTHE — Exale (2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Arthur Blythe's alto saxophone was first heard in combination with Bob Stewart's tuba during the late '70s on Blythe's earliest albums Metamorphosis, The Grip, and Bush Baby. Exhale, which was released by Savant Records in 2003, was something like the 14th Blythe album to feature Stewart on the big horn. Stewart's pre-Blythe adventures included dates with Taj Mahal, the JCOA, Charles Mingus, Lester Bowie, Sam Rivers, and Gil Evans. His muscular bass clef virtuosity has always proven peculiarly well suited for interaction with Blythe's soulful soaring alto sax. The other half of the unit responsible for Exhale consisted of pianist John Hicks and drummer Cecil Brooks III. In addition to several tracks designated as movements of "Exhaust Suite" (with Hicks crossing over to Hammond organ), the group revisited a fine bouquet of standards by John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Jimmy Forrest, and Nat King Cole. This enjoyable album's playlist also includes a glowing interpretation of "Just Friends" and, best of all perhaps, a pair of extended outings on "All Blues" and "Equinox." As was the case with his 2001 Savant release Blythe Byte, the title track on Exhale is a miniature that takes less than one minute to experience. arwulf arwulf
Tracklist :
1.    Cousin Mary 5:18
Written-By – John Coltrane
2.    Come Sunday 6:12
Written-By – Duke Ellington
Exhaust Suite    (11:07)
3.    Nonette 3:16
Written-By – Bob Stewart
4.    Surrender 4:10
Written-By – Arthur Blythe
5.    LC 1:15
Written-By – Arthur Blythe
6.    Phase Two 2:26
Written-By – Arthur Blythe
7.    Night Train 6:10
Written-By – Jimmy Forrest, Oscar Washington
8.    7/4 Thang 3:51
Written-By – Arthur Blythe
9.    Equinox 6:06
Written-By – John Coltrane
10.    Just Friends 4:25
Written-By – John Klenner, Sam M. Lewi
11.    CJ 5:26
Written-By – Bob Stewart
12.    All Blues 4:25
Written-By – Miles Davis
13.    Straighten Up And Fly Right 4:15
Written-By – Irving Mills, Nat King Cole
14.    Exhale 0:50
Written-By – Arthur Blythe
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Producer [Associate] – Arthur Blythe
Drums, Producer – Cecil Brooks III
Piano, Organ [B3] (tracks: 3, 6) – John Hicks 
Tuba – Bob Stewart

CURTIS FULLER — Keep It Simple (2005) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Taking off from 2004's Up Jumped Spring, trombonist Curtis Fuller once again reunites with a former Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers alum for a set of standards and original compositions. Joining Fuller this time is tenor saxophonist Javon Jackson, who played with Blakey from the late '80s until the drummer's death in 1990. Together they reignite the fiery, soulful Jazz Messenger aesthetic on such standout Fuller tunes as the John Coltrane-influenced "Maze" and the swinging hard boppish "A La Mode." Backing Fuller here is pianist Doug Carn, bassist Rodney Jordan, and drummer Fritz Wise. Matt Collar   Tracklist & Credits :