PAUL BLEY | SONNY GREENWICH — Outside In (1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This duet set by pianist Paul Bley and guitarist Sonny Greenwich, after two melodic solos by Greenwich and Bley's feature on "Arrival," becomes a loose bop session. "Meandering" is a blues and, in the tradition of Lennie Tristano, the origins of the originals "Willow" and "You Are" are not too difficult to figure out. The music does meander a bit but mostly swings in a floating way. Although there are some freer moments, this is as straight as Paul Bley has played on records in years and Sonny Greenwich also sounds fairly conservative, at least if one does not listen too closely. It's a relaxed and very interesting set. Scott Yanow    Tracklist & Credits :

HANK MOBLEY - Third Season (1967-1998) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley recorded frequently for Blue Note in the 1960s (six albums from 1967-1970) and, although overshadowed by the flashier and more avant-garde players, Mobley's output was consistently rewarding. For this overlooked session, which was not issued until 1980 and then finally reissued on CD in 1988, a regular contingent of top Blue Note artists (Mobley, trumpeter Lee Morgan, altoist James Spaulding, pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Walter Booker, and drummer Billy Higgins) are joined by a wild card, guitarist Sonny Greenwich. The music is mostly in the hard bop vein, with hints of modality and the gospel-ish piece "Give Me That Feelin'," but Greenwich's three solos are a bonus and the performances of five Mobley originals and one by Morgan are up to the usual caliber of Blue Note's releases. Pity that this one has been lost in the shuffle. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     An Aperitif 6'52
Hank Mobley    
2     Don't Cry, Just Sigh 6'51
Hank Mobley    
3     The Steppin' Stone 5'36
Lee Morgan    
4     Third Season 6'44
Hank Mobley    
5     Boss Bossa 5'11
Hank Mobley    
6     Give Me That Feelin' 6'33
Hank Mobley
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Flute – James Spaulding
Bass – Walter Booker
Drums – Billy Higgins
Engineer [Recording] – Rudy Van Gelder
Guitar – Sonny Greenwich
Piano – Cedar Walton
Tenor Saxophone – Hank Mobley
Trumpet – Lee Morgan