DAVID BINNEY — South (2001) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

"A brilliant debut" - (STEREOPLAY) "CD of the Month, February 2001" ACT
Tracklist :
1    Out Beyond Ideas    5:23
2    Moment In Memory    8:58
3    The Global Soul    5:12
4    Leaving The Sea    12:07
5    Von Joshua    5:18
6    Traveler    5:51
7    New York Nature    8:32
8    Southpaw    6:27
9    The Global Soul (Reprise)    1:57
10    Tangles Outcome 3:44
Composed By – Rogers, Potter, Binney, Black, Colley, Caine
11    South    6:54
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Sampler, Composed By, Producer – David Binney
Bass – Scott Colley
Design – Peter Krüll
Drums – Brian Blade, Jim Black (tracks: 5, 10)
Guitar – Adam Rogers
Piano – Uri Caine
Tenor Saxophone – Chris Potter

CHRIS POTTER — Gratitude (2001) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Saxophonist Chris Potter honors the legacy of some of jazz's greats on Gratitude, his debut for Verve. The award-winning virtuoso and composer is compelling on his tributes to John Coltrane, Eddie Harris, Wayne Shorter, Charlie Parker, and several other legendary saxophonists. Gratitude contains nine original compositions written by Potter, who plays tenor saxophone on the majority of the songs, switches to soprano saxophone on "Eurydice," his tribute to Wayne Shorter, and plays the alto saxophone and Chinese wood flute on "Star Eyes," the tribute to Charlie Parker. Chris Potter is outstanding on bass clarinet on his composition "The Visitor" for Lester Young and captures the ambience that reflects the many styles of these accomplished players, including sliding from one note to a higher or lower note with intermediate pitches on "The Source," his tribute to the glissandi (sheets of sound) of John Coltrane, and capturing the dense, soulful sound of Joe Henderson on "Shadow." Gratitude also includes a song titled "What's New," for the current generation which completes the set. Potter, leading his great quartet of contemporaries -- keyboardist Kevin Hayes, bassist Scott Colley, and drummer Brian Blade -- makes a significant contribution to jazz history with this project and offers musical statements and voices that are truly varied in scope and deep in their essence. Paula Edelstein   
Tracklist :
1 The Source (for John Coltrane) 6:36
2 Shadow (for Joe Henderson) 5:47
3 Sun King (for Sonny Rollins) 7:00
4 High Noon (for Eddie Harris) 8:19
5 Eurydice (for Wayne Shorter) 6:00
6 The Mind's Eye Intro 0:44
7 The Mind's Eye (for Michael Brecker And Joe Lovano) 7:14
8 Gratitude (for All The Past Masters) 3:05
9 The Visitor (for Lester Young) 7:39
10 Body And Soul (for Coleman Hawkins) 5:29
Written-By – Edward Heyman, Frank Eyton, Johnny Green, Robert Sour
11 Star Eyes (for Charlie Parker) 5:23
Written-By – Don Raye, Gene DePaul
12 Vox Humana (for Ornette Coleman) 5:24
13 What's New (for The Current Generation) 2:22
Written-By – Bob Haggart, Johnny Burke
Credits :
Alto Flute – Chris Potter (tracks: 4, 7)
Alto Saxophone – Chris Potter (tracks: 11)
Bass – Scott Colley (tracks: 1 to 12)
Bass Clarinet – Chris Potter (tracks: 4, 7, 10)
Composed By – Chris Potter (tracks: 1 to 9, 12)
Drums – Brian Blade (tracks: 1 to 12)
Electric Piano – Kevin Hays (tracks: 2, 4, 6, 7)
Flute [Chinese Wood] – Chris Potter (tracks: 12)
Piano – Kevin Hays (tracks: 1, 3, 5 to 9, 12)
Soprano Saxophone – Chris Potter (tracks: 5, 12)
Tenor Saxophone – Chris Potter (tracks: 1 to 4, 6 to 9, 13) 

V.A. — The Music of Eric von Essen, Vol. III (2002) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Eric von Essen never recorded as a leader during his lifetime, though he played bass and cello as a sideman on a number of memorable releases between 1980 and 1994. This third (and evidently, final) volume of his original compositions features a number of different artists, including a few who collaborated with him on earlier releases. Guitarist Nels Cline, with whom the composer made his recording debut, plays 12-string acoustic guitar with Ken Filiano's arco bass in the moving "Blues for Me," which isn't really a blues at all. Violinist Jeff Gauthier and drummer Alex Cline, both of whom appeared on von Essen's first date as well, join the guitarist and bassist Michael Elizondo for the tense, very complex "Unresolved." The brisk, Latin-flavored "It's Just One Big Party" showcases tenor saxophonist Chuck Manning and pianist Theo Saunders. The delightful trio arrangement of "Norton's Last Words" is not a slow, mournful elegy as its title might imply, but a catchy post-bop vehicle with superb solos by pianist Jeff Colella and bassist Putter Smith. "Finska Flues" is a roller coaster ride centered around Stacy Rowles' tasty flügelhorn. Kate McGarry contributed the vocals and the lyrics to the reflective "One Eye Laughs, One Eye Weeps," which she also performed at Eric von Essen's funeral. Jazz fans should regret the premature death of this talented composer before he had a chance to record many of his compositions, though at least his friends and admirers seem dedicated to making his rewarding music more widely known. Ken Dryden    Tracklist & Credits :

JANE MONHEIT - The Lovers, The Dreamers And Me (2009) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The beautifully subtle pop/jazz vocalist has been one of the great old souls of music since launching her recording career after winning the first runner up prize at the 1998 Thelonious Monk Institute Vocal Competition. But she celebrated the significant chronological milestone of passing 30 while making this graceful and exquisite album. Beyond that, Monheit also celebrates her new motherhood to son Jack, and that's what inspired the inclusion of the always welcome "Rainbow Connection"; she sings the charming song -- and its lyrics that inspired the name of the recording -- to Jack all the time. At home, however, it doesn't have the exquisite Gil Goldstein accordion touch that makes this one of the best renditions ever. Goldstein arranged many of the tracks, but one of the most exciting jazzy turns, Monheit's swinging, swaggering "Get Out of Town," was done by pianist Michael Kanan, who was part of the ensemble that recorded half of these tracks while the singer was still pregnant. In many ways, then, this 13-track collection is a chronicle of the singer pre- and post-motherhood -- and all something that Jack will be proud of as he grows older. As always, the key to a great interpreter's project is the choice of material, and Monheit makes interesting picks, ranging from a wistful take on Paul Simon's "I Do It for Your Love" to Fiona Apple's dark and haunting "Slow Like Honey" and Corinne Bailey Rae's "Like a Star." She also mines her traditional comfort zone with songs by Cole Porter, Jimmy Dorsey, and Leonard Bernstein, but taps into even richer emotions with Ivan Lins' "Acaso" and the bubbling samba "A Primeira Vez." Another triumphant set, no matter what side of 30 or motherhood Monheit is on. by Jonathan Widran  
Tracklist :
1    Like A Star 5:15
Written-By – Corinne Bailey Rae
2    Something Cool 4:56
Written-By – William C. Barnes
3    Slow Like Honey 5:58
Written-By – Fiona Apple
4    This Girl's In Love With You 4:56
Written-By – Burt Bacharach-Hal David
5    I'm Glad There Is You 5:08
Guitar – Frank Vignola
Written-By – Jimmy Dorsey, Paul Mertz
6    Get Out Of Town 3:40
Tenor Saxophone – Seamus Blake
Written-By – Cole Porter
7    I Do It For Your Love 4:04
Written-By – Paul Simon
8    I Ain't Gonna Let You Break My Heart 5:21
Written-By – David Eldon Lasley, Julie Ann Lasley
9    Ballad Of The Sad Young Men 6:01
Written-By – Frances Landesman, Thomas J. Wolf, Jr.
10    No Tomorrow (Acaso) 5:12
Written-By – Abel Ferreira Da Silva, Ivan Lins, Peter Eldridge
11    Lucky To Be Me 5:26
Written-By – Adolph Green, Betty Comden, Leonard Bernstein
12    A Primeira Vez 3:03
Written-By – Armando Marcal, Bide
13    Rainbow Connection 4:09
Written-By – Kenneth Ascher, Paul Williams
Credits :
Accordion – Gil Goldstein (faixas: 9, 13)
Arranged By – Gil Goldstein (faixas: 1 to 4, 7 to 9, 13), Michael Kanan (faixas: 5, 6), Romero Lubambo (faixas: 10, 12)
Bass Clarinet – Charles Pillow (faixas: 1, 7, 9)
Double Bass [Bass] – Neal Miner (faixas: 5, 6, 10), Scott Colley (faixas: 1 to 4, 7 to 9)
Drums – Antonio Sànchez (faixas: 1 to 4, 7 to 9), Rick Montalbano (faixas: 5, 6, 10)
Flute – Gen Shinkai (faixas: 1, 7, 9)
Flute [Alto] – Gen Shinkai (faixas: 2), Kathleen Nester (faixas: 1, 3, 7, 9)
Flute [Bass] – Kathleen Nester (faixas: 2), Wendy Stern (faixas: 1 to 3, 7, 9)
Guitar – Peter Bernstein (faixas: 3, 4, 8, 13), Romero Lubambo (faixas: 1, 2, 7, 9, 10, 12)
Other [Makeup & Hair] – Maria Verel
Other [Wardrobe Stylist] – Nikko
Percussion – Bashiri Johnson (faixas: 1, 3, 4, 7, 10)
Piano – Gil Goldstein (faixas: 1 to 4, 7, 8, 13), Michael Kanan (faixas: 5, 6, 10, 11)
Vibraphone [Vibes] – Stefon Harris (faixas: 2 to 4, 7, 9)
Viola – Kathryn Lockwood (faixas: 1, 3, 7 to 9)
Violin – Entcho Todorov (faixas: 1, 3, 7 to 9)
Vocals – Jane Monheit

JIM HALL - Magic Meeting (2004) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Jim Hall has continued to explore new possibilities as a performer and composer late in his career, refusing to coast on his past successes. This live CD was recorded over a series of several nights at the Village Vanguard in the spring of 2004, with longtime collaborators Scott Colley on bass and drummer Lewis Nash (though they have never recorded as a trio). The leader contributed three originals, including the adventurous opener "Bent Blue," "Canto Neruda" (post-bop with a Mexican-like vamp by Hall) which showcases Colley to good effect, along with "Furnished Flats," a seemingly loping theme that is full of sudden twists. Hall conducts a virtual master class for would-be guitarists with his spacious interpretation of the standard "Skylark," suggesting just a hint of Latin flavor. It is little challenge for the veteran guitarist to find new possibilities within a venerable standard like "Body and Soul," while "St. Thomas," the traditional calypso made famous by Sonny Rollins, features a marvelous opening duet by Hall and Nash, before Colley joins the fun as the trio strays far from its original theme, though the leader adds a humorous surprise quote from "I've Been Working on the Railroad." The Village Vanguard audience and staff seem intent on not letting out a peep (though they do applaud some solos) as they obviously realize they are witnessing jazz history in the making; the engineering is flawless. Issued exclusively as a limited edition available through www.artistshare.com, this CD is somewhat pricey but well-worth the investment. by Ken Dryden
Tracklist:
1 Bent Blue 8:50
Jim Hall
2 Blackwell's Message 13:04
Joe Lovano
3 Skylark 9:18
Hoagy Carmichael
4 Canto Neruda 6:37
Jim Hall
5 Furnished Flats 8:25
Jim Hall
6 Body and Soul 11:03
Frank Eyton / Johnny Green / Edward Heyman / Robert Sour
7 St. Thomas 6:49
Sonny Rollins
Credits:
Bass, Producer – Scott Colley
Drums – Lewis Nash
Guitar – Jim Hall  

HELIO ALVES - It's Clear (2009) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Since coming to the U.S. during the 1980s to study at Berklee, Brazilian pianist Helio Alves has built a formidable discography as a sideman with Joe Henderson, Claudio Roditi, Slide Hampton, and Louis Hayes (among others), while his work as a leader has been consistently rewarding as well. After working frequently with a trio on his own recordings, he expanded to a quartet with the addition of masterful guitarist (and fellow countryman) Romero Lubambo, plus bassist Scott Colley and drummer Ernesto Simpson. Alves opens with Lubambo's driving "Sweeping the Chimney," which is highlighted by terrific solos all around and an engaging theme. The leader contributed several originals, including the unusual, rather abstract "Helium," in which Alves' piano lines seem to float in unpredictable ways. Alves also explores the works of several Brazilian greats, including an intimate, romantic arrangement of Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Falando de Amor," a relaxing setting of Luis Ecca's "The Dolphin" (a favorite of Stan Getz and Denny Zeitlin), and a sparkling duet with Lubambo of Jaco Do Bandolim's "Doce de Coco." Highly recommended. by Ken Dryden  
Tracklist:
1    Sweeping the Chimney 6:09   
Romero Lubambo
2    Duality 6:15
Helio Alves
3    Doce de Coco 4:21
Jacob Do Bandolim
4    Helium 5:56
Helio Alves
5    Intro 0:53
Helio Alves
6    It's Clear 7:34
Helio Alves
7    Ta Boa, Santa 6:35
Egberto Gismonti
8    Falando de Amor 4:43
Antônio Carlos Jobim
9    Coisa #10 5:51
Moacir Santos
10    The Dolphin 5:56
Luiz Eça
Credits:
Bass – Scott Colley
Drums – Ernesto Simpson
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
Piano – Helio Alves