SAM RIVERS - "A New Conception" (1966-2014) RM | Blue Note, The Masterworks | SHM-CD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The title of A New Conception refers to Sam Rivers' ingenious interpretations of standards on this record. Rivers treats the songs -- such familiar items as "When I Fall in Love," "I'll Never Smile Again," "That's All," "What a Difference a Day Makes," and "Secret Love" -- with respect, but he doesn't treat them as museum pieces. He knows that if the songs are to remain fresh, they need to be heard in different ways, and he skillfully opens up each composition to contemporary avant-garde techniques. Rivers and his supporting trio of pianist Hal Galper, bassist Herbert Lewis, and drummer Steve Ellington gradually ease each number into more adventurous territory, slowly shifting into exploratory instrumental sections, slyly varying the melodic themes, or adding shaded dissonant textures. It's challenging music that remains accessible, since it reconfigures familiar items in new, intriguing ways. The sheer skill in Rivers' arrangements once again confirms his large, unfortunately underappreciated, talent. Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Tracklist :
1    When I Fall In Love 5'45
Written-By – Heyman, Young
2    I'll Never Smile Again 5'55
Written-By – Ruth Lowe
3    Detour Ahead 5'05
Written-By – Ellis, Frigo, Carter
4    That's All 5'40
Written-By – Brandt, Haymes
5    What A Difference A Day Makes 6'15
Written-By – Grever, Adams
6    Temptation 7'40
Written-By – Freed, Brown
7    Secret Love 7'35
Written-By – Webster, Fain
Credits :    
Bass – Herbert Lewis
Drums – Steve Ellington
Piano – Hal Galper
Producer – Alfred Lion
Recorded By [Recording By] – Rudy Van Gelder
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute – Sam Rivers

SAM RIVERS - Dimensions & Extensions (1967-2008) RM | RVG Edition | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Ambitious, atonal, challenging -- all are accurate descriptions of Dimensions & Extensions, Sam Rivers' fourth album for Blue Note. Rivers remains grounded in hard bop structure, working with a sextet featuring Donald Byrd (trumpet), James Spaulding (alto saxophone, flute), Julian Priester (trombone), Cecil McBee (bass), and Steve Ellington (drums), but he explodes the boundaries of the form with difficult, dissonant compositions. With his unique, mercurial tone and edgy solos, he keeps pushing the sextet in different directions. It's intense, cerebral music, but since it has distinct themes and strong rhythms, the forays into free jazz, dissonant harmonies, and unpredictable tonal textures are actually quite accessible. Rivers simply burns on each track, whether playing tenor, soprano, or flute. Byrd doesn't display the wild imagination of Rivers, yet he keeps the pace with alternately languid and biting solos. Similarly, each of the remaining musicians makes a lasting impression with his individual time in the spotlight. With music as risky at this, it's forgivable that it occasionally meanders (especially on the slower numbers) but, overall, Dimensions & Extensions offers more proof that Sam Rivers was one of the early giants of the avant-garde. Stephen Thomas Erlewine  
Tracklist :
1    Precis    5:18
2    Paean    5:20
3    Effusive Melange    5:45
4    Involution    7:10
5    Afflatus    6:25
6    Helix    5:30
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Flute – James Spaulding
Bass – Cecil McBee
Drums – Steve Ellington
Producer – Alfred Lion
Producer [For Release] – Michael Cuscuna
Recorded By – Rudy Van Gelder
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Composed By – Sam Rivers
Trombone – Julian Priester
Trumpet – Donald Byrd

SAM RIVERS QUARTET - Crosscurrent Live At Jazz Unité (1981-2009) RM | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Swirl    3:51
2    Riptide    5:53
3    Rapture    3:18
4    Crosscurrent    5:35
5    Sunbeams    3:45
6    Breeze    5:46
7    Serenity    1:56
8    Eddy    8:39
Credits :
Drums – Steve Ellington
Electric Bass – Rael Wesley Grant
Guitar – Jerry Byrd
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Piano, Voice, Composed By – Sam Rivers

DAVE HOLLAND QUINTET — Jumpin' In (1983) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Bassist Dave Holland leads one of his most stimulating groups on this superlative quintet date. With the young Steve Coleman on alto and flute, trumpet great Kenny Wheeler, trombonist Julian Priester, and drummer Steve Ellington in the band, Holland had a particularly creative group of musicians in which to interpret and stretch out his six originals; Coleman also contributed one composition. This set, which has plenty of variety in moods, tone, colors, and styles, is one of Holland's better recordings. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Jumpin' In    7:41
Dave Holland
2    First Snow    6:28
Dave Holland
3    The Dragon And The Samurai 8:25
Steve Coleman
4    New-One    7:37
Dave Holland
5    Sunrise    5:26
Dave Holland
6    Shadow Dance    5:22
Dave Holland
7    You I Love    7:56
Dave Holland
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Flute – Steve Coleman
Bass, Cello – Dave Holland
Design – Barbara Wojirsch
Drums – Steve Ellington
Producer [Produced By] – Manfred Eicher
Trombone – Julian Priester
Trumpet, Trumpet [Pocket Trumpet], Cornet, Flugelhorn [Fluegelhorn] – Kenny Wheeler