RON CARTER - Bass and I (1997) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

For this quartet set, veteran bassist Ron Carter is joined by pianist Stephen Scott, drummer Lewis Nash, and percussionist Steve Kroon. As is usual on Carter's records, he is the main soloist on many of the songs though Scott also has plenty of good spots. Recorded originally for the Japanese market, this set features the quartet jamming on four standards and three melodic Carter pieces, with all of the musicians playing quite well. Highlights include "You and the Night and the Music," "Blues for D.P.," and "Mr. Bow-Tie." by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     You and the Night and the Music 5:36
Howard Dietz / Arthur Schwartz
2     Someday My Prince Will Come 7:25
Frank Churchill / Larry Morey
3     Blues for D.P. 6:19
Ron Carter
4     The Shadow of Your Smile 7:10
Johnny Mandel / Paul Francis Webster
5     Mr. Bow-Tie 9:12
Ron Carter
6     Double Bass 8:17
Ron Carter
7     I Remember Clifford 10:23
Benny Golson
Credits :
Bass – Ron Carter
Drums – Lewis Nash
Percussion – Steve Kroon
Piano – Stephen Scott
Producer – Ron Carter
Recorded By, Mixed By – Rudy Van Gelder

RON CARTER SEXTET - Orfeu (1999) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

The great Ron Carter continues his intermittent love affair with Brazilian music, joined by a somewhat unlikely cast of characters. Guitarist Bill Frisell delivers yet another of his superb sideman performances, including a pinpoint harmonic dissection of "Goin' Home," Carter's bossa nova adaptation of Dvorak's "New World Symphony." The sonic blend of Frisell's guitar, Houston Person's tenor saxophone, and Stephen Scott's piano is consistently delightful, especially on the melody of Carter's "Por-Do-Sol." All three soloists turn in excellent performances on the three remaining Carter originals, "Saudade," "Obrigado," and "1:17 Special," as well as two Luiz Bonfa tunes from the film Black Orpheus, "Manha de Carnaval" and "Samba de Orfeu." Carter's melody statement and solo on the latter are his only steps into the spotlight; otherwise, he remains in a rhythmic support role, along with drummer Payton Crossley and percussionist Steve Kroon.
This record could have been merely one more Latin-themed album by an American jazz musician. But creative production choices and fantastic musicianship make it artistically solid and uncommonly beautiful. by David R. Adler  
Tracklist :
1     Saudade 6:34
Ron Carter
2     Manha de Carnaval 5:57
Luiz Bonfá / Antônio Maria
3     Por-Do-Sol 5:17
Ron Carter
4     Goin' Home 7:27
Ron Carter / Antonin Dvorák / William Arms Fisher
5     117 Special 6:53
Ron Carter
6     Obrigado 5:34
Ron Carter
7     Samba de Orfeu 7:36
Luiz Bonfá / Antônio Maria
Credits :
Ron Carter: bass
Houston Person: tenor sax
Bill Frisell: guitar
Stephen Scott: piano
Payton Crossley: drums
Steve Kroon: percussion

RON CARTER - When Skies Are Grey (2001) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

This beautiful, Latin-themed album by bass superpower Ron Carter almost can stand in as a Stephen Scott showcase, for the young pianist's verve and finesse are in evidence from start to finish. Carter reserves plenty of solo room (and a number of melody statements) for himself, however. Drummer Harvey Mason and percussionist Steve Kroon work together to create a luxurious, flowing Latin vibe that makes each tune a true listening pleasure. One highlight is the group's slow, polyrhythmic take on Jobim's "Corcovado." Another is a grooving version of Carter's "Loose Change," a tune that appeared in a very different light on Joe Henderson's State of the Tenor album. Scott woos with his bluesy delicacy on "Que Pasa," another Carter original, and swings exuberantly on fellow pianist Ray Bryant's "Cubano Chant." Carter's brief quote of "Seven Steps to Heaven" during the closing original, "Mi Tempo," is enough to make one skip a heartbeat. When Skies Are Grey contains nothing ambitious or wildly innovative -- just great, accessible music. Fans of Stephen Scott in particular can't miss with this one. by David R. Adler    
Tracklist :
1     Loose Change 7:08
Ron Carter
2     Besame Mucho 7:05
Sunny Skylar / Consuelo Velázquez
3     Caminando 7:08
Ron Carter
4     Que' Pasa 5:30
Ron Carter
5     Cocorvado 7:22
Antônio Carlos Jobim
6     Cubano Chant 6:02
Ray Bryant
7     Mi Tiempo 8:12
Ron Carter
Credits :
Bass – Ron Carter
Drums – Harvey Mason
Percussion – Steve Kroon
Piano – Stephen Scott 

THE RON CARTER NONET - Eight Plus (2003) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

"Playing jazz is about taking risks," says bassist, cellist, composer, and jazz elder statesman Ron Carter, and you have to give him credit for never settling into a rut over the course of his long and checkered musical career. On this album he heads a fairly standard quintet that features two significant innovations: Carter himself plays a half-size piccolo bass (which he uses mostly as a melody instrument, leaving the actual bass parts to the impressive Leon Maleson) and the quintet is further augmented by three cellists. Is the experiment a success? For the most part, yes. The intonation problems that marred Carter's cello playing in the early '60s with pianist Mal Waldron have followed him onto the piccolo bass, but his humor, energy, and inventiveness are enough to put the music across despite the occasional tuning problems. The cellos are a nice touch, and their chordal accompaniments give Carter's compositions an unusual and pleasing texture. Highlights on the program include a nicely constructed blues entitled "Blues for Bradley," a sprightly arrangement of the gospel standard "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" that comes off sounding like a cross between funk and second-line New Orleans jazz, and the lovely "Little Waltz," which is a bit slow for dancing but which beautifully showcases the cellos. On the downside, Carter's Freddie Green-style chord vamping on Leon Russell's "Song for You" is cute, but ultimately ineffective. by Rick Anderson  
Tracklist :
1     Eight 7:46
Ron Carter
2     A Blues for Bradley 7:46
Ron Carter
3     Little Waltz 9:30
Ron Carter
4     O.K. 5:14
Ron Carter
5     A Song for You 8:05
Leon Russell
6     First Trip 5:08
Ron Carter
7     El Rompe Cabeza 9:04
Ron Carter
8     Just a Closer Walk With Thee 1:53
Traditional
Credits :
Bass – Leon Maleson
Bass [Piccolo Bass] – Ron Carter
Cello – Carol Buck, Chase Morrison, Kermit Moore, Rachael Steuermann
Drums – Lewis Nash
Percussion – Steve Kroon
Piano – Stephen Scott
Producer – Ron Carter
Recorded By – Rudy Van Gelder

RON CARTER - Dear Miles (2006) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although he has participated in a couple of Miles Davis tribute bands and Herbie Hancock's V.S.O.P., Ron Carter always resisted leading a CD of Davis tunes, until this project. Actually only seven of the ten songs that are performed by Carter's quartet on Dear Miles were associated with the trumpeter (not the two Carter originals or "As Time Goes By"), and "Bags' Groove" is a bit borderline. In any case, there are no trumpeters emulating Miles and these versions rarely hint at Davis' versions. This project simply served as a good excuse to play a variety of superior songs. Carter has plenty of solo space and sometimes takes the melodic lead. Pianist Stephen Scott gets his solos and occasionally throws in unexpected and offbeat song quotes. Drummer Payton Crossley and percussionist Roger Squitero are very much in the background. Dear Miles is a cheerful and upbeat session, most highly recommended to listeners who enjoy hearing a lot of bass solos. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Gone 4:47
Gil Evans
2     Seven Steps to Heaven 4:53
Miles Davis / Victor Feldman
3     My Funny Valentine 8:04
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
4     Bags' Groove 3:43
Milt Jackson
5     Someday My Prince Will Come 6:45
Frank Churchill / Larry Morey
6     Cut and Paste 4:37
Ron Carter
7     Stella by Starlight 5:03
Ned Washington / Victor Young
8     As Time Goes By 4:58
Herman Hupfeld
9     Bye Bye Blackbird 5:28
Mort Dixon / Ray Henderson
10     595 4:36
Ron Carter
Credits :
Bass – Ron Carter
Drums – Payton Crossley
Percussion – Roger Squitero
Piano – Stephen Scott