MAX ROACH — The Complete Mercury Max Roach Plus Four Sessions (2000) RM | 7xCD BOX-SET | MONO | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This seven-CD box set features 95 tracks from legendary drummer Max Roach's small group, consisting of the 1956-1960 recordings for Emarcy and Mercury Records, as these noteworthy sessions also represent the drummer's post Max Roach-Clifford Brown Quintet output. In 1956 the jazz world witnessed the tragic and untimely deaths of the great trumpeter Clifford Brown and pianist Ritchie Powell. Within these seven CDs, we find Roach maintaining his assault on jazz along with trumpeter Kenny Dorham, pianist Ray Bryant, and the drummer's bandmates from the Clifford Brown years, tenor saxophone giant Sonny Rollins and bassist George Morrow. Jazz aficionados will find a wealth of fantastic music here, as Roach also employed renowned artists such as tenor saxophonists Hank Mobley, Stanley Turrentine, and George Coleman, along with trumpeter Booker Little and many others of note. Essentially, Mosaic Records continues to excel in the reissue department, as they seemingly take great pains to portray or perhaps enhance the original LP recordings for modern day audiophiles and jazz connoisseurs. This collection also includes extensive annotations, biographies of the artists, interviews, recollections, and categorical documentation of the sessions presented in a matrix format. Here, the listener is treated to hard bop renditions of Charlie Parker's "Billie's Bounce" and "Koko," where trumpeter Kenny Dorham and tenor saxophonist George Coleman trade vicious, fierce fours, as the various aggregations and ensembles also tackle standards and originals. The infamous union of Max Roach and Buddy Rich originally titled, "Roach vs. Rich" presents an added bonus to this all encompassing package, as these works are further enhanced by Gigi Gryce's bold, fiery arrangements along with the addition of 14 previously unreleased alternate takes. Simply stated, Roach and Rich perform via a firebrand approach as the musician's distinct styles provide contrast and symmetry to Gryce's radiant horn charts. Basically, these pieces offer a glimpse of two masters/innovators whose respective techniques have often been imitated yet never duplicated. Suffice to state, Rich's blazing speed and unfathomable dexterity counterbalances Roach's complex, melodically constructed rolls, impeccable timing and bop-induced fills. Hence, the two are remarkable as they reciprocate impossibly fast motifs with cataclysmic fury. Overall, this 2000 release should be deemed required listening for astute observers of late-50's bebop and the continuing evolution of modern jazz. Highly recommended! Glenn Astarita    All Tracks & Credits :

KENNY BURRELL — Midnight Blue (1963) Three Version (1986, Serie Blue Note CD Super 50 – 29) + (1999, RM | Serie RVG Edition) + (2010, RM | SACD, Hybrid, DSD | Serie The Blue Note Reissues | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless & FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This album is one of guitarist Kenny Burrell's best-known sessions for the Blue Note label. Burrell is matched with tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, bassist Major Holley, drummer Bill English, and Ray Barretto on conga for a blues-oriented date highlighted by "Chitlins Con Carne," "Midnight Blue," "Saturday Night Blues," and the lone standard "Gee Baby Ain't I Good to You." Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Chitlins con Carne 5:30
Kenny Burrell
2 Mule 6:56
Kenny Burrell / Major Holley
3 Soul Lament 2:43
Kenny Burrell
4 Midnight Blue 4:02
Kenny Burrell
5 Wavy Gravy 5:47
Kenny Burrell
6 Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You 4:25
Andy Razaf / Don Redman
7 Saturday Night Blues 6:16
Kenny Burrell
8 Kenny's Sound 4:43
Kenny Burrell
9 K Twist 3:37
Kenny Burrell
Credits:
Bass – Major Holley, Jr.
Congas – Ray Barretto
Drums – Bill English
Guitar – Kenny Burrell
Tenor Saxophone – Stanley Turrentine

ABBEY LINCOLN — Through the Years : 1956-2007 (2010) 3CD SET | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Anyone who has followed Abbey Lincoln’s career with any regularity understands that she has followed a fiercely individual path and has paid the cost for those choices. Through the Years is a cross-licensed, three-disc retrospective expertly compiled and assembled by the artist and her longtime producer, Jean-Philippe Allard. Covering more than 50 years in her storied career, it establishes from the outset that Lincoln was always a true jazz singer and unique stylist. Though it contains no unreleased material, it does offer the first true picture of he range of expression. Her accompanists include former husband Max Roach, Benny Carter, Kenny Dorham, Charlie Haden, Sonny Rollins, Wynton Kelly, Benny Golson, J.J. Johnson, Art Farmer, Stan Getz, and Hank Jones, to name scant few.

Disc one commences with “This Can’t Be Love” from 1956; one of the best-known tunes off her debut album, arranged and conducted by Golson. But the story begins to change immediately with "I Must Have That Man" with her fronting the Riverside Jazz All-Stars in 1957. Tracks from It’s Magic, Abbey Is Blue, and Straight Ahead are here, and the story moves ahead chronologically and aesthetically all the way to 1984. But there are also big breaks stylistically, with her primal performance on “Triptych: Prayer/Protest/Peace” from We Insist! Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite in 1960 and the amazing “Lonesome Lover” from It’s Time: Max Roach and His Orchestra and Choir in 1962, which is where her story takes its first recording break. It picks up in 1973 with "Africa" from People in Me. It breaks again until 1980, with “Throw It Away” off the beautiful Painted Lady, and continues through appearances with Cedar Walton and Sun Ra. There is another break in the narrative between discs one and two, commencing again in 1990 with the issue of the brilliant The World Is Falling Down on Verve when she began her association with Allard and recorded regularly. This disc contains a dozen tracks all recorded between 1990 and 1992. Disc three commences in 1995 and goes straight through to 2007. The latter two discs reflect the periods when Lincoln finally assumed her rightful status as a true jazz icon; individual track performances from standards to self-written tunes and folk songs are all done in her inimitable style and are well-known to fans. This set is gorgeously compiled and sequenced. As a listen, Through the Years is literally astonishing in its breadth and depth. It establishes her commitment to artistic freedom, and her fierce dedication to discipline, song, and performance. The box features liners by Gary Giddins, and great photographs, as well as stellar sound quality.  
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist :
1-1    This Can't Be Love 2:22
Composed By – Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
Directed By, Arranged By – Benny Carter
Engineer – John Kraus
Orchestra – Benny Carter And His Orchestra
Producer – Russell Keith
1-2    Don't Explain 6:35
Bass – Wynton Kelly
Composed By – Arthur Herzog, Jr., Billie Holiday
Drums – Max Roach
Engineer – Jack Higgins
Producer – Bill Grauer, Orrin Keepnews
Tenor Saxophone – Sonny Rollins
Trumpet – Kenny Dorham
1-3    I Must Have That Man 3:37
Bass – Paul Chambers
Composed By – Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh

Drums – Max Roach
Engineer – Jack Higgins
Piano – Wynton Kelly
Producer – Bill Grauer, Orrin Keepnews
Tenor Saxophone – Sonny Rollins
Trumpet – Kenny Dorham
1-4    Little Niles 4:59
Bass – Sam Jones
Composed By – Jon Hendricks, Randy Weston
Drums – "Philly" Joe Jones
Engineer – Jack Higgins
Piano – Wynton Kelly
Producer – Orrin Keepnews
Tenor Saxophone – Benny Golson
Trumpet – Art Farmer
1-5    Let Up 5:19
Bass – Bob Boswell
Composed By – Abbey Lincoln
Drums – Max Roach
Engineer – Jack Higgins
Piano – Cedar Walton
Producer – Bill Grauer, Orrin Keepnews
Tenor Saxophone – Stanley Turrentine
Trombone – Julian Priester
Trumpet – Tommy Turrentine
1-6    Come Sunday 5:07
Bass – Sam Jones
Composed By – Duke Ellington
Drums – "Philly" Joe Jones
Engineer – Jack Higgins
Guitar – Les Spann
Piano – Phillip Wright
Producer – Bill Grauer, Orrin Keepnews
1-7    Triptych: Prayer / Protest / Peace 7:58
Composed By – Max Roach
Drums – Max Roach
Engineer – Bob D'Orleans
1-8    Left Alone 6:46
Bass – Art Davis
Bass Clarinet – Eric Dolphy
Composed By – Billie Holiday, Mal Waldron
Drums – Max Roach
Piano – Mal Waldron
Tenor Saxophone – Walter Benton
Tenor Saxophone, Soloist – Coleman Hawkins
Trombone, Arranged By – Julian Priester
Trumpet – Booker Little
1-9    Lonesome Lover 7:01
Backing Vocals, Conductor – Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson
Bass – Art Davis
Composed By – Abbey Lincoln
Composed By, Orchestrated By – Max Roach
Drums – Max Roach
Engineer, Mixed By – George Piros, Rudy Van Gelder
Piano – Mal Waldron
Producer – Bob Thiele
Tenor Saxophone – Clifford Jordan
Trombone – Julian Priester
1-10    Africa 7:08
Bass – Kunimitsu Inaba
Composed By – Abbey Lincoln, John Coltrane
Drums – Al Foster
Engineer, Mixed By – Suenori Fukui
Percussion – James Mtume
Piano – Hiromasa Suzuki
Producer – Toshinari Koinuma
Tenor Saxophone – David Liebman
1-11    Throw It Away 6:35
Bass – Jack Gregg
Composed By – Abbey Lincoln
Drums – Freddie Waits
Engineer, Mixed By – Emile Flock, Jean-Claude Talar
Piano – Hilton Ruiz
Producer – Emile De La Tour, Gérard Terronès, Odile Terronès, Éric Terronès
Tenor Saxophone – Archie Shepp
Trumpet – Roy Burrowes
1-12    The Maestro 4:38
Bass – David Williams (2)
Composed By – Cedar Walton
Drums – Billy Higgins
Engineer, Mixed By – Malcolm Addey
Piano – Cedar Walton
Producer – Cedar Walton
Tenor Saxophone – Bob Berg
1-13    The River 4:57
Alto Saxophone – Steve Coleman
Backing Vocals – Arlene Knox, Bemshee Shirer, Naima Williams
Bass – Billy Johnson
Composed By – Abbey Lincoln
Drums – Mark Johnson
Engineer, Mixed By – David Baker
Percussion – Jerry Gonzalez
Piano – James Weidman
Producer – Horst Weber, Mathias Winkelmann
2-1    The World is Falling Down 6:20
Alto Saxophone – Jerry Dodgion
Alto Saxophone, Soloist – Jackie McLean
Arranged By – Ron Carter
Bass – Charlie Haden
Composed By – Abbey Lincoln
Drums – Billy Higgins
Piano – Alain Jean-Marie
Producer – Daniel Richard, Jean-Philippe Allard
Recorded By, Mixed By – David Baker
Trumpet – Clark Terry
2-2    You Must Believe in Spring and Love 5:57
Alto Saxophone – Jackie McLean
Arranged By – Ron Carter
Bass – Charlie Haden
Composed By – Alan & Marilyn Bergman, Michel Legrand
Drums – Billy Higgins
Flugelhorn – Clark Terry
Piano – Alain Jean-Marie
Producer – Daniel Richard, Jean-Philippe Allard
Recorded By, Mixed By – David Baker
2-3    First Song 6:31
Alto Saxophone – Jerry Dodgion
Bass – Charlie Haden
Composed By – Abbey Lincoln, Charlie Haden
Piano – Alain Jean-Marie
Producer – Daniel Richard, Jean-Philippe Allard
Recorded By, Mixed By – David Baker
Trumpet – Clark Terry
2-4    Bird Alone 8:34
Arranged By – Randolph Noël
Bass – Charlie Haden
Composed By – Abbey Lincoln
Drums – Mark Johnson
Piano – Hank Jones
Producer – Jean-Philippe Allard
Recorded By, Mixed By – Richard Applegate
Tenor Saxophone – Stan Getz
Viola – Maxine Roach
2-5    I'm In Love 6:11
Bass – Charlie Haden
Composed By – Joan Griffin
Drums – Mark Johnson
Piano – Hank Jones
Producer – Jean-Philippe Allard
Recorded By, Mixed By – Richard Applegate
Tenor Saxophone – Stan Getz
2-6    A Time For Love 8:40
Arranged By – Randolph Noël
Bass – Charlie Haden
Composed By – Johnny Mandel, Paul Francis Webster
Drums – Mark Johnson
Piano – Hank Jones
Producer – Jean-Philippe Allard
Recorded By, Mixed By – Richard Applegate
Tenor Saxophone – Stan Getz
Viola – Maxine Roach
2-7    Jungle Queen 6:12
Ashiko – Kehinde O'Uhuru
Composed By – Abbey Lincoln
Djembe, Agogô – Sule O'Uhuru
Djembe, Ashiko, Shekere, Drum [Ngoma] – Babatunde Olatunji
Dunun [Jun Jun Drums] – Gordy Ryan
Producer – Jean-Philippe Allard
Recorded By, Mixed By – Richard Applegate
2-8    A Child Is Born 6:22
Bass – Marcus McLaurine
Composed By – Alec Wilder, Thad Jones
Drums – Grady Tate
Piano – Rodney Kendrick
Producer – Jean-Philippe Allard
Recorded By, Mixed By – Richard Applegate
Trombone – J.J. Johnson
2-9    You Came A Long Way From St. Louis 3:55
Composed By – Bob Russell, John Benson Brooks
Piano – Hank Jones
Producer – Jean-Philippe Allard
Recorded By, Mixed By – Claude Ermelin
2-10    I Should Care 5:45
Composed By – Axel Stordahl, Paul Weston, Sammy Cahn
Piano – Hank Jones
Producer – Jean-Philippe Allard
Recorder, Mixed By – Claude Emelin
2-11    Through The Years 5:23
Bass – Michael Bowie
Composed By – Abbey Lincoln
Composed By, Piano, Tenor Saxophone – Bheki Mseleku
Drums – Marvin "Smitty" Smith
Producer – Jean-Philippe Allard, Russell Herman
Recorded By, Mixed By – Jay Newland
2-12    When I'm Called Home 5:28
Bass – Charlie Haden
Composed By – Abbey Lincoln
Drums – Mark Johnson
Piano – Hank Jones
Producer – Jean-Philippe Allard
Recorded By, Mixed By – Richard Applegate
Tenor Saxophone – Stan Getz
3-1     Avec le temps 5:38
Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar – Pat Metheny
Bass – Charlie Haden
Composed By – Léo Ferré
Drums – Victor Lewis
Producer – Jean-Philippe Allard
Recorded By, Mixed By – Richard Applegate
3-2     Mr Tambourine Man 6:53
Bass – Michael Bowie
Composed By – Bob Dylan
Drums – Aaron Walker
Piano – Marc Cary
Producer – Jean-Philippe Allard
Recorded By, Mixed By – Richard Applegate
Tenor Saxophone – Julien Lourau
3-3    Love Has Gone Away 7:35
Alto Saxophone – Steve Coleman
Bass – Michael Bowie
Composed By – Abbey Lincoln
Drums – Aaron Walker
Piano – Marc Cary
Producer – Jean-Philippe Allard
Recorded By, Mixed By – Richard Applegate
3-4    And It's Supposed To Be Love 5:12
Backing Vocals – Maggie Brown
Bass – Michael Bowie
Composed By – Abbey Lincoln
Drums – Alvester Garnett
Marimba – Bobby Hutcherson
Percussion – Daniel Moreno
Piano – James Hurt
Producer – Jean-Philippe Allard
Recorded By, Mixed By – Jay Newland
3-5    Should've Been 7:57
Bass – Charlie Haden
Composed By – Abbey Lincoln
Drums – Victor Lewis
Electric Guitar – Pat Metheny
Producer – Jean-Philippe Allard
Recorded By, Mixed By – Richard Applegate
3-6    Nature Boy 5:04
Bass – Christian McBride
Composed By – Eden Ahbez
Drums – Victor Lewis
Piano – Rodney Kendrick
Producer – Jean-Philippe Allard
Recorded By, Mixed By – Richard Applegate
Tenor Saxophone – Julien Lourau
Trumpet – Roy Hargrove
3-7    The Windmills Of Your Mind 5:52
Bass – Jaz Sawyer, John Ormond
Composed By – Alan & Marilyn Bergman, Michel Legrand
Piano – Brandon McCune
Producer – Daniel Richard, Jean-Philippe Allard
Recorded By, Mixed By – Jay Newland
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Lovano
3-8    Skylark 5:25
Bass – Ray Drummond
Composed By – Hoagy Carmichael, Johnny Mercer
Conductor, Arranged By – Laurent Cugny
Drums – Jaz Sawyer
Piano – Kenny Barron
Producer – Daniel Richard, Jean-Philippe Allard
Recorded By, Mixed By – Jay Newland
3-9    It's Me, O' Lord 3:42
Composed By – traditional
Piano – Kenny Barron
Producer – Daniel Richard, Jean-Philippe Allard
Recorded By, Mixed By – Jay Newland
3-10    Blue Monk 5:13
Acoustic Guitar, Resonator Guitar – Larry Campbell
Bass – Scott Colley
Composed By – Abbey Lincoln, Thelonious Monk
Drums – Shawn Pelton
Producer – Jean-Philippe Allard
Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By – Jay Newland
3-11    The Music Is Magic 3:53
Bass – Scott Colley
Composed By – Abbey Lincoln
Drums – Shawn Pelton
Electric Guitar – Larry Campbell
Producer – Jean-Philippe Allard
Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By – Jay Newland
3-12    Down Here Below 8:50
Arranged By – Randolph Noël
Bass – Charlie Haden
Cello – John Robinson
Composed By – Abbey Lincoln
Drums – Victor Lewis
Piano – Kenny Barron
Producer – Jean-Philippe Allard
Recorded By, Mixed By – Richard Applegate
Violin – Sandra Bilignslea

RAY BROWN TRIO — Some of My Best Friends Are ... The Sax Players (1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

As a follow-up to bassist Ray Brown's previous record in which he collaborated with several of his favorite pianists, Some of My Best Friends Are...The Sax Players features six major saxophonists (tenors Joe Lovano, Ralph Moore, Joshua Redman and Stanley Turrentine plus altoists Benny Carter and Jesse Davis) on two songs apiece with his regular trio. Although more than 60 years separate the ageless Carter from Redman, each of the saxes originally developed their own voice in the straight-ahead jazz tradition. Highlights of the colorful set include Benny Carter's playful rendition of "Love Walked In," Moore's cooking solo on "Crazeology" (a Benny Harris bop classic which the record mistakenly lists as written by Bud Freeman), Davis ripping through "Moose the Mooche" and Turrentine's romp on the blues "Port of Rico." Pianist Benny Green and drummer Gregory Hutchinson provide suitable accompaniment (Green's solos are consistently excellent) and all dozen of the songs are successful and swinging. As an extra bonus, on the latter part of the CD each of the saxophonists has a brief chat (between 26 seconds and a minute apiece) with Brown about their early influences. There is so much good feeling and obvious mutual respect shown that one wishes these talks were at least twice as long; the Benny Carter segment is most memorable. This well-conceived project is easily recommended. Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits :

DUKE PEARSON – The Right Touch (1967-1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Duke Pearson rises to the challenge of writing for an all-star octet (with trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, trombonist Garnett Brown, altoist James Spaulding, Jerry Dodgion on alto and flute, Stanley Turrentine on tenor, bassist Gene Taylor, drummer Grady Tate, and the leader/pianist), contributing colorful frameworks and consistently challenging compositions. The set is full of diverse melodies (the CD reissue has a previously unissued take of "Los Malos Hombres") played by a variety of distinctive soloists; many of these songs deserve to be revived. This is one of the finest recordings of Duke Pearson's career. Scott Yanow    Tracklist & Credits

STANLEY TURRENTINE - Look Out (1960-2016) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although he is best known for his bluesy soul-jazz outings, tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine's first Blue Note session as a leader was a much more traditional bop affair, and the resulting album, Look Out!, featuring a rhythm section of Horace Parlan on piano, George Tucker on bass, and Al Harewood on drums, shows as much artful restraint as it does groove. Not that this is a bad thing, since it allows Turrentine's big, clear tone to shine through in all its muscular sweetness, giving Look Out! a wonderful and flowing coherence. Among the highlights here are the pretty ballad "Journey Into Melody" and the gently funky "Little Sheri."  by Steve Leggett
Tracklist :
1. Look Out 7:07
Stanley Turrentine
2 Journey Into Melody 4:52
Robert Farnon
3 Return Engagement 4:40
Horace Parlan
4.  Little Sheri 7:46
Stanley Turrentine
5.  Tiny Capers 4:56
Clifford Brown
6.  Minor Chant 6:17
Stanley Turrentine
Credits :
Bass – George Tucker
Drums – Al Harewood
Piano – Horace Parlan
Tenor Saxophone – Stanley Turrentine 

STANLEY TURRENTINE — That's Where It's At (1962-2019) Serie Blue Note 80 More 60 Works | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

A Blue Note release with Les McCann on piano, Herbie Lewis on bass, and Otis Finch on drums. Small group format. Excellent (and exciting) soul-jazz session with Turrentine blowing hot. Ron Wynn
Tracklist  :
1 Smile, Stacey 8:04
Written-By – Les McCann
2 Soft Pedal Blues 7:26
Written-By – Stanley Turrentine
3 Pia 5:33
Written-By – Les McCann
4 We'll See Yaw'll After While, Ya Heah 7:20
Written-By – Les McCann
5 Dorene Don't Cry, I 6:12
Written-By – Les McCann
6 Light Blue 6:30
Written-By – Tommy Turrentine
7 Light Blue (Alternate Take) 6:28

Written-By – Tommy Turrentine
Credits :
Bass – Herbie Lewis
Drums – Otis Finch
Piano – Les McCann
Recorded By – Rudy Van Gelder
Tenor Saxophone – Stanley Turrentine

STANLEY TURRENTINE - Joyride (1965-2009) Blue Note Best & More 1100 - 94 / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Stanley Turrentine is the featured artist in this big band session with an all-star orchestra arranged and conducted by Oliver Nelson. While Nelson's charts are funky and easygoing (without providing any solo space for the likes of Phil Woods, Clark Terry, and Jay Jay Johnson), they serve the purpose to inspire the tenor saxophonist. Turrentine is quite soulful on Percy Mayfield's "River's Invitation," and his huge tone carries the day in a waltzing chart of the 1960s hit "A Taste of Honey." The artist also contributed some originals to the date, including the easygoing "Little Sheri," which features the unison flutes of Danny Bank and Jerry Dodgion, and "Mattie T," a gospel-like song that almost seems like a march. by Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    River's Invitation    6:18
Percy Mayfield
2    I Wonder Where Our Love Has Gone    4:25
Buddy Johnson
3    Little Sheri    6:29
Stanley Turrentine
4    Mattie T.    5:59
Stanley Turrentine
5    Bayou    6:18
Jimmy Smith
6    A Taste Of Honey    3:57
Scott, Marlow
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Clarinet – Phil Woods
Alto Saxophone, Flute, Flute [Alto], Clarinet, Piccolo Flute – Jerry Dodgion
Arranged By, Conductor – Oliver Nelson
Baritone Saxophone, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Flute, Flute [Alto] – Danny Bank
Bass – Bob Cranshaw
Drums – Grady Tate
Guitar – Kenny Burrell
Piano – Herbie Hancock
Tenor Saxophone – Stanley Turrentine
Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet – Robert Ashton
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet – Albert J. Johnson
Trombone – Henry Coker, J.J. Johnson, Jimmy Cleveland
Trumpet – Clark Terry, Ernie Royal, Snooky Young

STANLEY TURRENTINE - Easy Walker (1969-2017) Blue Note, The Masterworks, Top 50 / SHM-CD / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Easy Walker is a fairly standard but highly enjoyable small-group soul-jazz session from Stanley Turrentine. Backed by a rhythm section of pianist McCoy Tyner, drummer Mickey Roker, and bassist Bob Cranshaw, Turrentine turns in a number of rich, round, and full-bodied leads which are perfectly complemented by Tyner's strutting, sympathetic piano. Largely divided between midtempo grooves and slow blues, with a couple of pop covers like "What the World Needs Now Is Love," thrown in, Easy Walker doesn't offer much challenging material, but it does let the musicians work a good groove, and occasionally showcase their improvisational skills, making it a good, relaxing soul-jazz session. The 1997 CD reissue features four bonus tracks which were recorded with drummer Billy Cobham and bassist Gene Taylor, along with Tyner; the highlight of these is a breezy version of Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Wave." by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Tracklist  :
1 Meat Wave 4:40
Written-By – Hank Johnson
2 They All Say That I'm The Biggest Fool 7:40
Written-By – Buddy Johnson
3 Yours Is My Heart Alone 5:00
Written-By – Franz Lehar
4 Easy Walker 6:10
Written-By – Billy Taylor
5 What The World Needs Now Is Love 6:40
Written-By – David-Bacharach
6 Alone Together 5:35
Written-By – Dietz-Schwartz
7 A Foggy Day 6:23
Composed By – G. Gershwin-I. Gershwin                                                    
8 Stan's Shuffle 6:56
Composed By – Stanley Turrentine
9 Watch What Happens 5:32
Composed By – M. LeGrand, N. Gimbel
10 Intermission Walk 6:39
Composed By – Tommy Turrentine
11 Wave 8:13
Composed By – Antonio Carlos Jobim                   
Credits :
Bass – Bob Cranshaw
Drums – Mickey Roker
Piano – McCoy Tyner
Tenor Saxophone – Stanley Turrentine 

STANLEY TURRENTINE - Sugar (1970-2017) CTI + RVG Ultimate Remastering Series / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

If ever there were a record that both fit perfectly and stood outside the CTI Records' stable sound, it is Sugar by Stanley Turrentine. Recorded in 1970, only three tracks appear on the original album (on the reissue there's a bonus live version of the title track, which nearly outshines the original and is 50 percent longer). Turrentine, a veteran of the soul-jazz scene since the '50s, was accompanied by a who's who of groove players, including guitarist George Benson, Lonnie Liston Smith on electric piano, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, bassist Ron Carter, organist Butch Cornell, and drummer Billy Kaye, among others. (The live version adds Airto, flutist Hubert Laws, drummer Billy Cobham, and organist Johnny Hammond.) The title track is a deep soul blues workout with a swinging backbeat and the rhythm section fluidly streaming through fours and eights as Benson, Hubbard, and Turrentine begin slowly and crank up the heat, making the pace and stride of the cut simmer then pop -- especially in Hubbard's solo. This is truly midnight blue, and the party's at the point of getting really serious or about to break up. By the time Benson picks up his break, full of slick, shiny, warm arpeggios, the seams are bursting and couples are edging into corners. Butch Cornell's "Sunshine Alley" is a solid, funky groover, paced by organ and double fours by Kaye. Turrentine and Hubbard stride into the melody and keep the vamp in the pocket, riding out past the blues line into a tag that just revs the thing up even further. But the big surprise is in the final track, one of the most solidly swinging, from-the-gut emotional rides of John Coltrane's "Impressions" ever taken. Turrentine is deep inside his horn, ringing out in legato with everything he has -- and it is considerable. Ron Carter's bass playing flows through the modal interludes, creating a basis for some beautifully intervallic invention by Benson and Smith by building a series of harmonic bridges through the mode to solos. It's hard to believe this is Turrentine, yet is could be no one else. If jazz fans are interested in Turrentine beyond the Blue Note period -- and they should be -- this is a heck of a place to listen for satisfaction.
(This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa')
Tracklist :
1    Sugar 9:56
Written-By – Stanley Turrentine                                                                                            
2    Sunshine Alley 10:42
Written-By – Butch Cornell
3    Impressions 14:16
Written-By – John Coltrane
Credits :
Acoustic Bass – Ron Carter                                                                          
Congas – Richard "Pablo" Landrum
Drums – Billy Kaye
Electric Piano – Lonnie Liston Smith, Jr.
Guitar – George Benson
Organ – Butch Cornell
Producer, Reissue Producer – Creed Taylor
Engineer, Remastered By – Rudy Van Gelder
Tenor Saxophone – Stanley Turrentine
Trumpet – Freddie Hubbard

STANLEY TURRENTINE WITH MILT JACKSON - Cherry (1972-2014) CTI Supreme Collection 12 / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Album by tenor sax man Stanley Turrentine with vibraphonist Milt Jackson recorded for Creed Taylor's label CTI in 1972. The backing band has some of Jazz music's heaviest hitters such as Ron Carter on acoustic bass, Billy Cobham on drums, Bob James on mostly Fender Rhodes electric piano and session ace Cornell DuPre on guitar.
This album is typical of what the CTI record label was putting out in the early 70s. In this case the players blend hard bop with slight overtones of soul jazz. The medium tempo tunes swing like mad thanks to the amazing hook up of Cobham Carter and James. This came out after Turrentine's successful album "Sugar" and if you're familiar with that album "Cherry" is very similar except with the addition of Milt Jackson's vibes. They share many of the same backing musicians. The music on Cherry is pretty diverse with an interesting take on Lee Morgan's tune "Speedball" that opens the album. There are two tunes composed by Weldon Irving who you may know as the composer of the tune "Mr Clean" made famous by trumpeter Freddie Hubbard on his CTI album "Straight Life". I recommend this to fans of Stanley Turrentine's CTI period and fans of albums like Freddie Hubbard's "Red Clay". by Jonathan Guarriello

 

Tracklist :
1. Speedball 6:35
Lee Morgan
2. I Remember You 5:10
Johnny Mercer / Victor Schertzinger
3. The Revs 8:00
Milt Jackson
4. Sister Sanctified 6:00
Weldon Irvine
5. Cherry 5:10
Ray Gilbert / Don Redman
6. Introspective 6:55
Weldon Irvine
Credits :
Bass – Ron Carter
Drums – Billy Cobham
Guitar – Cornell Dupree
Piano, Electric Piano – Bob James
Tenor Saxophone – Stanley Turrentine       
Vibraphone – Milt Jackson

THE INCREDIBLE JIMMY SMITH - Back at the Chicken Shack (1960-2007) RVG Edition / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Back at the Chicken Shack is one of organist Jimmy Smith's classic Blue Note sessions, and the first to draw attention to tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine. Recorded in 1960 with Kenny Burrell on guitar, Donald Bailey on drums, and Turrentine, the group reaches the peak of funky soul jazz that all other challengers of the genre would have to live up to. Included on this uptempo session is a reworking of "When I Grow Too Old to Dream" (a feature for Turrentine), Turrentine's "Minor Chant," two Smith compositions, "Messy Bessie" as well as the set's notable title cut. Smith's Midnight Special album was recorded at these same sessions, and is also exceptional. [Some reissues add a bonus track, "On the Sunny Side of the Street."]  by Al Campbell
Tracklist :
1 Back at the Chicken Shack 8:01
Jimmy Smith
2 When I Grow Too Old to Dream 9:54
Oscar Hammerstein II / Sigmund Romberg
3 Minor Chant 7:30
Stanley Turrentine
4 Messy Bessie 12:25
Jimmy Smith
5 On the Sunny Side of the Street 5:45
Dorothy Fields / Jimmy McHugh
Credits :
Drums – Donald Bailey
Guitar – Kenny Burrell
Organ – Jimmy Smith
Tenor Saxophone – Stanley Turrentine

THE INCREDIBLE JIMMY SMITH - Midnight Special (1960-2007) RVG Edition / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Midnight Special is a perfect complement to Back at the Chicken Shack, which was recorded the same day. Organist Jimmy Smith, tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, and guitarist Kenny Burrell always make for a potent team, and with drummer Donald Bailey completing the group, the quartet digs soulfully into such numbers as the groovin' "Midnight Special," "Jumpin' the Blues," and "One O'Clock Jump." Highly recommended. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Midnight Special 9:52
Jimmy Smith
2    A Subtle One 7:38
Stanley Turrentine
3    Jumpin' the Blues 5:23
Walter Brown / Jay McShann / Charlie Parker
4    Why Was I Born? 6:30
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
5    One O'Clock Jump 6:56
Count Basie
Credits :
Drums – Donald Bailey
Guitar – Kenny Burrell
Organ – Jimmy Smith
Remastered By – Rudy Van Gelder
Tenor Saxophone – Stanley Turrentine

JIMMY SMITH - Stay Loose (1968-2005) RM / APE (image+.cue), lossless

Jimmy Smith, of course, was known mostly for his Hammond B3 organ skills, where his fingers skittered over the keys with piano-like speed, and his bluesy, soulful approach to jazz, which bordered on light funk at times. There is plenty of all of that on Stay Loose...Jimmy Smith Sings Again, and yes, as advertised, he sings, which really wasn't all that unusual, just that he did it more here than he normally did. Smith had a wonderful voice, gruff and full of gravel, but also full of wry amusement and a whole lot of joy, and his vocal adaptation of "I'm Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town" which kicks off this set (backed by a trumpet and trombone horn section) may well be the definitive version of this old blues standard. He comes close to repeating the trick on "Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby," a pop hit from the 1940s. Elsewhere he mostly groans and hums in the background, which gives everything here a kind of gospel-blues feel. Other standout tracks include the title jam, "Stay Loose," which is wonderfully funky (a remix of "Stay Loose" by Lyrics Born, funked up even more, was the centerpiece for Verve Remixed 3), and a similarly loose and soulful take on Don Covay's "Chain of Fools," a hit in 1968 for Aretha Franklin. Grady Tate shines on drums throughout Stay Loose, and Stanley Turrentine's bluesy tenor sax gives two of the instrumentals, "One for Members" and "Grabbin' Hold" a nice lift. Stay Loose isn't a typical Jimmy Smith album, but it isn't radically different, either, and it belongs on a short list of the best he ever recorded. by Steve Leggett  
Tracklist :
1    I'm Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town 4:44
Louis Jordan / Andy Razaf / Will Weldon
2    Stay Loose 3:55
Jimmy Smith
3    If You Ain't Got It 3:07
Tom McIntosh
4    One for Members 6:47
Jimmy Smith
5    Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby? 3:32
Bill Austin / Louis Jordan
6    Chain of Fools 5:02
Don Covay
7    Grabbin' Hold 9:41
Jimmy Smith / Stanley Turrentine
Credits :
Arranged By, Conductor – Tom McIntosh (tracks: 1, 3, 5)
Bass – James Tyrell (tracks: 1, 3, 5), Jimmy Merritt (tracks: 4, 6, 7)
Drums – Grady Tate
Guitar – Carl Lynch (tracks: 1, 3, 5), Phil Upchurch (tracks: 4, 6, 7)
Organ – Jimmy Smith
Percussion – Johnny Pacheco (tracks: 1, 3, 5)
Reeds – Hubert Laws (tracks: 1, 3, 5), Jerome Richardson (tracks: 1, 3, 5), Joe Farrell (tracks: 1, 3, 5), Pepper Adams (tracks: 1, 3, 5)
Tenor Saxophone – Stanley Turrentine (tracks: 4, 6, 7)
Trombone – Alan Raph (tracks: 1, 3, 5), Garnet Brown (tracks: 1, 3, 5), Jimmy Cleveland (tracks: 1, 3, 5)
Trumpet – Ernie Royal (tracks: 1, 3, 5), Joe Newman (tracks: 1, 3, 5), Snookie Young (tracks: 1, 3, 5)
Vocals – Carline Ray (tracks: 2, 6), Eileen Gilbert (tracks: 2, 6), Jimmy Smith, (tracks: 1, 3, 5), Melba Moorman (tracks: 2, 6) 

JIMMY SMITH - Go for Whatcha' Know (1986-1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

23 years after leaving the label, organist Jimmy Smith returned to the Blue Note label. In addition to signing up two of his old associates who had been with him on many classic Blue Note albums of the past (guitarist Kenny Burrell and tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine), Smith uses such fine players as guest pianist Monty Alexander (on two songs), bassist Buster Williams, and drummer Grady Tate (who takes a warm ballad vocal on "She's Out of My Life"). "Fungii Mama" and "Go for Whatcha Know" are the highlights of this enjoyable LP. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Fungii Mama 4:54
Blue Mitchell
2    (Mama Said) Go For Whatcha Know 7:03
Kenny Burrell / Jimmy Smith
3    Bass Face 5:25
Kenny Burrell
4    She's Out of My Life 6:26
Tom Bahler
5    We Can Make It Work 6:49
Jimmy Smith
6    No Substitute 5:45
Jimmy Smith
Credits :
Drums – Grady Tate (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 6)
Guitar – Kenny Burrell
Organ – Jimmy Smith
Tenor Saxophone – Stanley Turrentine

JIMMY SMITH - Off The Top (1982-2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

It had been nine years since organist Jimmy Smith recorded for a major label when Bruce Lundvall approached him to make an album for Elektra Musician. Smith plays some unusual material (including Lionel Richie's "Endless Love" and the "Theme from M.A.S.H.") on this recording but swings everything and has a particularly strong supporting cast -- guitarist George Benson, Stanley Turrentine on tenor, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Grady Tate. A fine comeback date. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Off the Top 7:47
Jimmy Smith
2     Endless Love 7:06
Lionel Richie
3     Mimosa 5:49
George Benson
4     I'll Drink to That 7:34
Jimmy Smith
5     Suicide Is Painless 6:10
Michael Altman / Johnny Mandel
6     Ain't Misbehavin' 3:57
Harry Brooks / Andy Razaf / Fats Waller
7     Jimmy Smith Rap 1:08
Jimmy Smith
- Bonus Track -
8    Keep On Comin' (Live)    12:37
9    Be Yourself (Live)    8:06
10    No Problem (Live)    7:28
11    Callitwhachawana (Live)    8:18
Credits :
Bass – Ron Carter (faixas: 1 to 7)
Drums – Grady Tate (faixas: 1 to 7), Mike Baker (faixas: 8 to 11)
Guitar – George Benson (faixas: 1 to 7), Kenny Burrell (faixas: 8 to 11)
Saxophone – Johnny Griffin (faixas: 8 to 11), Stanley Turrentine (faixas: 1 to 7)

JIMMY SMITH - Fourmost (1990) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Organist Jimmy Smith has a reunion on this CD with his 30 plus-year associates tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine and guitarist Kenny Burrell along with drummer Grady Tate. Together they play spirited and creative versions of standards and blues. The highpoints include "Midnight Special," a swinging "Main Stem," Tate's warm vocal on "My Funny Valentine" and a lengthy rendition of "Quiet Nights." Suffice it to say that this all-star date reaches its potential and is easily recommended to fans of straightahead jazz. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Midnight Special 6:57
Jimmy Smith
2     Main Stem 6:42
Duke Ellington
3     Summertime 8:27
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin / DuBose Heyward
4     Things Ain't What They Used to Be 6:36
Mercer Ellington / Ted Persons
5     Soulful Brothers 10:18
Kenny Burrell
6     My Funny Valentine 5:52
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
7     Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars 10:50
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Gene Lees
Credits :
Drums – Grady Tate
Guitar – Kenny Burrell
Organ – Jimmy Smith
Tenor Saxophone – Stanley Turrentine 

JIMMY SMITH - Fourmost Return (2001) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Recorded during the same 1990 gig at Fat Tuesday's as the earlier Fourmost CD, Fourmost Return features Jimmy Smith, Stanley Turrentine, Kenny Burrell, and Grady Tate in great form once again, so this is no compilation of lukewarm leftovers. The music includes a burning, up-tempo take of "Sonnymoon for Two" and a bluesy and lyrical interpretation of "Mood Indigo," as well as an initially lounge-like "Laura" that gives way to a hot solo by Burrell. Smith also revives his popular "Back at the Chicken Shack" and adds a good-natured but rather hoarse vocal to the oldie "Ain't She Sweet." All the players are in top form and this release should appeal to fans of soul-jazz. by Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    Sonnymoon For Two    5:26
Sonny Rollins
2    Mood Indigo    6:05
Barney Bigard / Duke Ellington / Irving Mills
3    Ain't She Sweet    3:23
Milton Ager / Jack Yellen
4    Back At The Chicken Shack    6:24
Jimmy Smith
5    Organ Grinder's Swing    4:54
Will Hudson / Irving Mills / Mitchell Parish
6    Laura    10:40
Johnny Mercer / David Raksin
7    Blues For Stanley    10:16
Jimmy Smith
Credits :
Drums – Grady Tate
Guitar – Kenny Burrell
Organ – Jimmy Smith
Tenor Saxophone – Stanley Turrentine
Vocals – Jimmy Smith (faixas: 3)

STANLEY TURRENTINE - Look of Love (1968-2014) RM / BLUE NOTE MASTERWORKS / SHM-CD / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

With its mix of pop covers and jazz material, The Look of Love could be considered a typical Turrentine album from the late '60s. What sets this and a few other of his Blue Note titles apart, though, are the full yet tasteful string and band arrangements by jazz flügelhorn player and composer Thad Jones. With his flexible phrasing and muscular tone, Turrentine dives into the lush arrangements, especially on the sweeping rendition of Burt Bacharach's "Look of Love." Other pop selections bring mixed results: The plodding arrangement on "McArthur Park" garners a lukewarm response from Turrentine, while the tender settings for "Emily" and another Bacharach number, "This Guy's in Love With You," elicit the kind of velvety vaporous tone and sincere romantic phrasing Turrentine usually killed with on ballads. More upbeat, straight-ahead material like "A Beautiful Friendship" and the blues swinger "Blues for Stan" keep the date well balanced and set the table for some masterful Turrentine solos. Again, special mention should be made of Thad Jones who, along with Oliver Nelson (Nancy Wilson's Welcome to My Love in particular) and Duke Pearson, supplanted the usual syrupy arrangements found on "cross-over" dates with intelligent, complimentary charts. Turrentine certainly appreciated it, as evidenced by his strong work here. Purists who usually cringe at late-'60s jazz dates like this (yes, there is a Beatles cover here) might be pleasantly surprised. For those who feel Bacharach and Jimmy Webb provide fine material for jazz, then The Look of Love is a must. by Stephen Cook  
Tracklist:.
1 The Look of Love 4:25
Burt Bacharach / Hal David
2 Here, There and Everywhere 3:35
John Lennon / Paul McCartney
3 A Beautiful Friendship 3:18
Donald Kahn / Stanley Styne
4 Blues for Stan 5:55
Stanley Turrentine
5 This Guy's in Love With You 2:34
Burt Bacharach / Hal David
6 MacArthur Park 4:39
Jimmy Webb
7 I'm Always Drunk in San Francisco 2:22
Tommy Wolf
8 Emily 3:20
Johnny Mandel / Johnny Mercer
9 Cabin in the Sky 3:40
Vernon Duke / John La Touche
10 Smile 4:05
Charlie Chaplin 
Credits:
Arranged By – Duke Pearson, Thad Jones
Bass – George Duvivier
Bass Trombone – Benny Powell
Drums – Grady Tate (tracks: 1, 3 to 5, 7, 8, 10), Mickey Roker (tracks: 2, 6, 9)
Flugelhorn – Jimmy Nottingham, Snooky Young
French Horn – Jim Buffington
Guitar – Kenny Burrell (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 10)
Piano – Duke Pearson (tracks: 1), Hank Jones (tracks: 3 to 5, 7, 8, 10), Roland Hanna (tracks: 2, 6, 9)
Producer – Duke Pearson
Tenor Saxophone – Stanley Turrentine

FREDDIE HUBBARD — Red Clay (1970-2010) RM | Serie CTI 40th Anniversary | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This may be Freddie Hubbard's finest moment as a leader, in that it embodies and utilizes all of his strengths as a composer, soloist, and frontman. On Red Clay, Hubbard combines hard bop's glorious blues-out past with the soulful innovations of mainstream jazz in the 1960s, and reads them through the chunky groove innovations of '70s jazz fusion. This session places the trumpeter in the company of giants such as tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, pianist Herbie Hancock, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Lenny White. Hubbard's five compositions all come from deep inside blues territory; these shaded notions are grafted onto funky hard bop melodies worthy of Horace Silver's finest tunes, and are layered inside the smoothed-over cadences of shimmering, steaming soul. The 12-minute-plus title track features a 4/4 modal opening and a spare electric piano solo woven through the twin horns of Hubbard and Henderson. It is a fine example of snaky groove music. Henderson even takes his solo outside a bit without ever moving out of the rhythmatist's pocket. "Delphia" begins as a ballad with slow, clipped trumpet lines against a major-key background, and opens onto a midtempo groover, then winds back into the dark, steamy heart of bluesy melodicism. The hands-down favorite here, though, is "The Intrepid Fox," with its Miles-like opening of knotty changes and shifting modes, that are all rooted in bop's muscular architecture. It's White and Hancock who shift the track from underneath with large sevenths and triple-timed drums that land deeply inside the clamoring, ever-present riff. Where Hubbard and Henderson are playing against, as well as with one another, the rhythm section, lifted buoyantly by Carter's bridge-building bassline, carries the melody over until Hancock plays an uncharacteristically angular solo before splitting the groove in two and doubling back with a series of striking arpeggios. This is a classic, hands down.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist :
1 Red Clay 12:09
2 Delphia 7:21
3 Suite Sioux 8:37
4 The Intrepid Fox 10:42
Bonus Tracks
5 Cold Turkey 10:25
6 Red Clay (Alternate Version) 18:44
Drums [Uncredited] – Billy Cobham
Guitar [Uncredited] – George Benson
Organ, Electric Piano [Uncredited] – Johnny Hammond
Percussion [Uncredited] – Airto Moreira
Tenor Saxophone [Uncredited] – Stanley Turrentine
Credits
Bass – Ron Carter
Drums – Lenny White (tracks: 1 to 5)
Piano – Herbie Hancock (tracks: 1 to 5)
Producer – Creed Taylor
Recorded By – Rudy Van Gelder
Saxophone – Joe Henderson (tracks: 1 to 5)
Trumpet – Freddie Hubbard