ROLAND KIRK - Gifts And Messages (1964-2010) 32bits-44.1hz | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

While this 1964 set is less renowned than its immediate follow-ups (I Talk with the Spirits and Rip Rig & Panic), it's one of the most straightforward hard bop sessions recorded by Roland Kirk (he added the "Rahsaan" in 1969) during his mid-'60s tenure at Mercury Records. As usual, Kirk plays between one and four reeds at a time throughout Gifts & Messages, his carefully thought-out yet often abandoned solos approaching free jazz at times. The assured hard bop of his backing trio, pianist Horace Parlan, bassist Michael Fleming and drummer Steve Ellington, does nothing to restrain Kirk's wilder fancies. The three are able to keep up with even his most outre offerings, such as "Vertigo Ro" and "Hip Chops," and are equally adept at the classically structured "March of Swan Lake" and the gentle "Petite Fleur." [Some reissues add a bonus track, the giddy improv "Jive Elephant."] Rovi Staff
Tracklist :
1    Intro By Ronnie Scott 0'17
MC – Ronnie Scott
2    Bags' Groove 12'04
Milt Jackson
3    Intro By Roland Kirk 2'17
MC – Roland Kirk
4    It Might As Well Be Spring 6'25
Rodgers / Hammerstein
5    (On A) Misty Night 9'30
T. Dameron
6    Come Sunday 5'34
D. Ellington
7    Avalon 9'31
Rose / Jolson / De Sylva
8    My Ship 650
K. Weill / Gershwin
9    A Stritch In Time 10'08Stan T
R. Kirk
10    Gifts And Messages 12'38
R. Kirk
11    Reeling And Rhyming 2'45
R. Kirk
Credits :
Bass – Rick Laird
Drums – Allan Ganley
Piano – Stan Tracey
Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Nose Flute, Siren, Voice, Saxophone [Manzello. Stritch, Saxophonium] – Roland Kirk

STAN TRACEY - Three Classic Albums Plus : Showcase / Little Klunk / Jazz Inc. (2011) 2CD / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Two of the three classic Stan Tracey album referenced on the cover of this double-disc set are Showcase, his debut album from 1958, and Little Klunk, which was his first to feature only his own compositions. Then things get murky. Jazz Inc., which is featured here in its entirety, was actually recorded by the Tony Crombie Orchestra, of which Tracey was a part. The other music here includes four tunes by Tracey's Quartet with Tubby Hayes, some selections from Tracey with the Harry Klein Quartet, and a few from his tenure as a sideman in yet another group led by American guitarist Jon Wheatley. The back sleeve has an interesting typo: it claims that Jazz Inc. is comprised of tracks 1-28 on disc two, but there are only 16 selections on the disc. In any case, there are completely new liner notes as well as reproductions of the originals, and a fine remastering job was done; all sold for a very respectable price tag. As an introduction to one of British jazz's great original voices, this is truly worthy. by Thom Jurek