SPIKE ROBINSON | AL COHN QUINTET - Henry B. Meets Alvin G. 'Once in a Wild' (1987-2000) APE (image+.cue), lossless

After working as an engineer for 34 years, Spike Robinson finally became a full-time musician late in 1985. This outing with fellow tenor Al Cohn and a rhythm section comprised of pianist Richard Wyands, bassist Steve La Spina and drummer Akira Tana finds Robinson holding his own with his better-known sidemen. The two tenors had similar but complementary styles (Cohn's tone at this point in time was deeper and darker than Spike's), and their interplay and occasional tradeoffs are delightful. In addition to some standards, they perform Miles Davis' "Sippin' at Bells," Bob Brookmeyer's "Rustic Hop" and Johnny Mandel's "Low Life" on this easily recommended LP. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Sippin' at Bells 6'16
Charlie Parker   
2     Ballad Medley: East Living/These Foolish Things 10'26
Eric Maschwitz / Ralph Rainger / Spike Robinson / Jack Strachey   
3     Sweet's Blues 7'22
Harry "Sweets" Edison   
4     Rustic Hop 5'35
Bob Brookmeyer   
5     Once in a While 7'19
Michael Edwards / Bud Green   
6     Low Life 5'52
Johnny Mandel   
7     Bye Bye Blues 5'52
David Bennett / Chauncey Gray / Frederick Hamm / Bert Lown
8     Just an Old Manuscript 10'20
Andy Razaf / Don Redman / Dick Redmond   
9     This Can't Be Love 7'55
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
Credits :
Bass – Steve LaSpina
Drums – Akira Tana
Engineer – Rudy Van Gelder
Piano – Richard Wyands
Tenor Saxophone – Al Cohn, Spike Robinson

BENNY CARTER - New York Nights (1997) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

To say that Benny Carter is a marvel is to make an obvious understatement. 87 at the time of this live quartet set (which also includes pianist Chris Neville, bassist Steve LaSpina and drummer Sherman Ferguson), Carter could easily pass for 47, playing without any hesitant or faltering moments in a timeless swing style that he largely invented. There are no surprises to the repertoire other than the fact that Carter's perennial set opener "On Green Dolphin Street" (which is to him what "Indiana" was to Louis Armstrong in the 1950s) is programmed sixth. Two of the songs ("Easy Money" and "When Lights are Low") are Carter's, while the other pieces have been performed by him hundreds of times through the years. No matter; Benny Carter comes up with fresh variations during his enthusiastic solos, including a classic statement on "Secret Love." His logical and thoughtful improvisations manage to be unpredictable, except in their consistent excellence. An easily recommended set from an apparently ageless master. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     What Is This Thing Called Love? 6:56
Cole Porter   
2     Easy Money 8:44
Benny Carter   
3     The Shadow of Your Smile 6:38
Johnny Mandel / Paul Francis Webster   
4     Secret Love 8:47
Sammy Fain / Paul Francis Webster   
5     When Lights Are Low 5:23
Benny Carter / Spencer Williams   
6     On Green Dolphin Street 7:45
Bronislaw Kaper / Ned Washington   
7     But Beautiful 7:00
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen   
8     Just in Time 6:54
Betty Comden / Adolph Green / Jule Styne   
9     Perdido 7:57
Ervin Drake / Hans Lengsfelder / Juan Tizol
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Bass – Steve LaSpina
Drums – Sherman Ferguson
Piano – Chris Neville

BENNY CARTER - Songbook (1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Due to his being such a talented altoist, arranger and occasional trumpeter for seven decades, it is often forgotten that Benny Carter wrote some worthy songs along the way. "When Lights Are Low" and "Blues in My Heart" are standards while "Only Trust Your Heart," "Key Largo" and the novelty hit "Cow-Cow Boogie" are close. For this unusual set, 14 different singers had opportunities to interpret one or two Carter compositions while joined by a fine quintet consisting of cornetist Warren Vache, pianist Chris Neville, bassist Steve LaSpina, drummer Sherman Ferguson and Carter himself (88 at the time!) on alto. The ambitious program includes five Carter songs that were receiving their world premiere; in addition Carter also wrote or co-wrote the lyrics to nine of the pieces. The singers all show respect for the melody and words with Jon Hendricks being playful on "Cow-Cow Boogie," Joe Williams quite touching on "I Was Wrong" and a weakened Peggy Lee making a memorable cameo on "I See You." The vocalists consistently seem quite inspired by the unique project. There are many short Carter and Warren Vache solos and, even with the emphasis on ballads, there is more variety than one might expect. The well-conceived tribute (which also has fine appearances by Dianne Reeves, Carmen Bradford, Kenny Rankin, Marlena Shaw, Diana Krall, Billy Stritch, Shirley Horn, Bobby Short, Ruth Brown, Weslia Whitfield and Nancy Marano) is easily recommended. Scott Yanow   
Tracklist :
1 Only Trust Your Heart 5:28
Sammy Cahn / Benny Carter
Vocals – Dianne Reeves
2 All That Jazz 4:53
Benny Carter / Al Stillman
Vocals – Carmen Bradford, Kenny Rankin
3 I Was Wrong 4:21
Benny Carter
Vocals – Joe Williams
4 Rain 4:58
Benny Carter
Vocals – Marlena Shaw
5 Cow Cow Boogie 5:32
Benny Carter / Gene DePaul / Don Raye
Vocals – Jon Hendricks
6 Fresh Out of Love 5:37
Benny Carter
Vocals – Diana Krall
7 Speak Now 4:54
Benny Carter
Vocals – Billy Stritch
8 A Kiss from You 5:27
Benny Carter / Johnny Mercer
Vocals – Shirley Horn
9 You Bring Out the Best in Me 4:15
Benny Carter
Vocals – Bobby Short
10 My Kind of Trouble Is You 5:46
Benny Carter / Paul Vandervoort II
Vocals – Ruth Brown
11 When Lights Are Low 4:05
Benny Carter / Spencer Williams
Vocals – Weslia Whitfield
12 Lonely Woman 6:33
Benny Carter / Ray Sonin
Vocals – Nancy Marano
13 Key Largo 4:32
Benny Carter / Karl Suessdorf / Leah Worth
Vocals – Carmen Bradford
14 We Were in Love 6:00
Benny Carter
Vocals – Dianne Reeves, Joe Williams
15 I See You 4:48
Benny Carter
Vocals – Peggy Lee
Credits
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Bass – John Heard (tracks: 15), Steve LaSpina (tracks: 1 to 14)
Cornet – Warren Vaché (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 7, 9, 11, 13, 14)
Drums – Roy McCurdy (tracks: 2, 10, 13), Sherman Ferguson (tracks: 1, 3 to 9, 11, 12, 14, 15)
Piano – Chris Neville (tracks: 1 to 14), Gene DiNovi (tracks: 15)

BENNY CARTER - Songbook, Vol. 2 (1997) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    My Mind Is Still On You 3'22
Vocals – Joe Williams
Words By – John Moen, Leonard Feather
Words By, Music By – Benny Carter
2    Echo Of My Dream 5'07
Vocals – Diana Krall
Words By, Music By – Benny Carter
3    Rock Me To Sleep 5'58
Drums – Roy McCurdy
Vocals – Ruth Brown
Words By, Music By – Benny Carter, Paul Vandervoort II
4    Stop Me Before I Fall In Love Again 4'01
Vocals – Billy Stritch
Words By, Music By – Benny Carter
5    He Doesn't Need Me Now 8'31
Vocals – Nancy Marano
Words By – Paul Vandervoort II
Words By, Music By – Benny Carter
6    Doozy 6'02
Vocals – Jon Hendricks
Words By, Music By – Benny Carter
7    Nevermore 5'07
Vocals – Billy Stritch
Words By, Music By – Benny Carter
8    Malibu 7'04
Vocals – Lainie Kazan
Words By, Music By – Benny Carter
9    Blue Moonlight 5'50
Vocals – Marlena Shaw
Words By, Music By – Benny Carter
10    Evening Star 5'27
Drums – Roy McCurdy
Vocals – Kenny Rankin
Words By, Music By – Benny Carter
11    Slow Carousel 4'44
Vocals – Nancy Marano
Words By, Music By – Benny Carter
12    Whisper To One 4'02
Music By – Benny Carter
Vocals – Barbara Lea
Words By – Al Stillman
13    I'm The Caring Kind 5'52
Music By – Benny Carter
Vocals – Weslia Whitfield
Words By – Irving Gordon
14    When Hilma Smiles 4'15
Vocals, Words By, Music By – Benny Carter
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Liner Notes – Benny Carter
Bass – Steve LaSpina
Cornet – Warren Vaché (pistas: 1 to 11, 13, 14)
Drums – Sherman Ferguson (pistas: 1, 2, 4 to 9, 11 to 14)
Piano, Producer [Production Assistance] – Chris Neville

JIM HALL TRIO ft. TOM HARRELL - These Rooms (1988) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This 1988 studio date is one of the overlooked treasures in the considerable discography of Jim Hall, possibly due to the label's low-key promotion and less than eye-catching cover art. It is easy to understand why artists like Art Farmer and Paul Desmond omitted a pianist after hearing a release such as this one, because it would only clutter Hall's soft yet complete accompaniment. Joined by Tom Harrell (heard mostly on flügelhorn), bassist Steve LaSpina, and drummer Joey Baron, this CD is a delight from start to finish. The interaction of the musicians in the opener, a lively, waltzing "With a Song in My Heart," makes it sound like they have been a working unit for years. The well-conceived arrangement of "Where or When," which Hall dedicated to Basie guitarist Freddie Green (who died the year prior to the sessions), proves to be the most captivating track, with its understated yet consummately swinging air. Hall contributed the tense "Cross Court," a smoking post-bop vehicle, a pulsing calypso written originally for his 1985 Montreux concert with Michel Petrucciani and Wayne Shorter, as well as the haunting ballad "These Rooms," which opens with Harrell's melancholy unaccompanied trumpet solo, and has an abstract solo by the leader. "Something Tells Me" is a lovely bittersweet ballad by Jane Hall (Jim's wife, a talented composer whose work he has often recorded), featuring Hall and Harrell. Hall's unaccompanied take of Duke Ellington's "All Too Soon" makes one wonder why he has never recorded an entire album of guitar solos. This out of print CD is destined to become a collectible. Ken Dryden 

Tracklist:

1 With a Song in My Heart 8:26

Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers

2 Cross Court 5:15

Jim Hall

3 Something Tells Me 5:13

Jane Hall

4 Bimini 9:20
Jim Hall
5 All Too Soon 4:02

Duke Ellington / Carl Sigman

6 These Rooms 11:28

Jim Hall

7 Darn That Dream 4:08

Eddie DeLange / James Van Heusen

8 My Funny Valentine 6:25

Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers 

9 Where or When 5:51

Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers

10 From Now On 7:08
Tom Harrell
Credits:
Bass – Steve LaSpina
Drums – Joey Baron
Flugelhorn – Tom Harrell (tracks: 1 to 5, 7 to 10)
Guitar – Jim Hall
Trumpet – Tom Harrell (tracks: 6)

THE JIM HALL QUARTET - All Across the City (1989-2003) SACD / APE (image+.cue), lossless

Jim Hall's successful blend of contemporary and mainstream jazz should appeal to both camps on this well-crafted CD. Hall displays the subtle quiet lyricism that makes his guitar sound instantly identifiable. Gil Goldstein is a perfect choice on keyboards, because he uses synthesizer only to color rather than overpower a song, while avoiding schmaltz. Both "Beja-Flor" and the title track benefit from his contributions. Though his piano is frequently in the background, it matches Hall's hushed, effective guitar lines. Bassist Steve LaSpina and drummer Terry Clarke frequently lay out during the introductions and then enter to add either gentle shadings or full steam, if needed. One of Jim Hall's best CDs. Ken Dryden
Tracklist:
1 Beija-Flor 6:32
Nelson Cavaquinho / Noel Silva
2 Bemsha Swing 5:13
Denzil Best / Thelonious Monk
3 Prelude to a Kiss 4:51
Duke Ellington / Irving Gordon / Irving Mills
4 Young One (For Debra) 4:27
Jim Hall
5 R.E.M. State 5:34
Gil Goldstein
6 Jane 4:59
Jim Hall
7 All Across the City 5:32
Jim Hall
8 Drop Shot 5:33
Jim Hall
9 How Deep Is the Ocean? 3:29
Irving Berlin
10 Something Tells Me 5:00
Jane Hall
11 Big Blues 6:25
Jim Hall
Credits:
Bass – Steve La Spina
Drums – Terry Clarke
Guitar – Jim Hall
Keyboards – Gil Goldstein 

CAROL SLOANE - We'll Meet Again (2009) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Carol Sloane has paid her dues over a career that stretches over half a century, surviving the various detours into temporary fads and the fickle whims of the jazz marketplace. For her 37th album as a leader, the vocalist chose to omit both piano and drums, looking toward a cleaner, more intimate sound, which she achieves throughout the sessions. She could have hardly picked a better guitarist than Bucky Pizzarelli, a master who seems to have accompanied nearly everyone and has encyclopedic knowledge of thousands of songs, along with one of her biggest fans, tenor saxophonist/clarinetist Ken Peplowski (who has long told jazz journalists that she is one of his favorite vocalists), and veteran bassist Steve LaSpina. The Basie-like swing setting of "Exactly Like You," adding young violinist Aaron Weinstein to the trio, will have listeners tapping their feet along with it. Joe Williams' longtime pianist Norman Simmons wrote "If You Could Love Me" back in the 1950s, though the song never caught a wide audience -- Sloane's warm bossa nova setting is complemented by Peplowski's lyrical clarinet. Sloane exhibits both warmth and playfulness in "Zoot Walks In," opening with an unaccompanied half-chorus, then follows it with a snappy segment accompanied solely by LaSpina's walking bass. Peplowski salutes the late great Zoot Sims with a spirited tenor solo, after which Weinstein adds a wry chorus on violin in the manner of Ray Nance. Sloane is at her very best tackling the bittersweet "A Cottage for Sale," imbuing it with emotion without getting carried away. Carol Sloane is like a fine vintage wine; her voice keeps improving with time.  Ken Dryden 
Tracklist :
1 Exactly Like You 5:43
Dorothy Fields / Jimmy McHugh
2 Something to Remember You By 3:24
Howard Dietz / Arthur Schwartz
3 Anytime, Anyday, Anywhere 2:40
Ned Washington / Lee Wiley / Victor Young
4 I Haven't Got Anything Better to Do 6:32
Lee Pockriss / Paul Vance
5 If You Could Love Me 2:37
Norman Simmons
6 Why Don't You Do Right 3:36
Kansas Joe McCoy
7 The Meaning of the Blues 4:42
Bobby Troup / Leah Worth
8 Zoot Walks In 5:51
Dave Frishberg
 9 Where Are You? 6:35
Harold Adamson / Jimmy McHugh
 10 Spring Will Be a Little Late This Year 6:29
Frank Loesser
 11 A Cottage for Sale 5:18
Larry Conley / Willard Robison
12 I Never Loved Anyone 4:45
George R. Brown
 13 We'll Meet Again 3:24
Hughie Charles / Ross Parker
Credits
Steve LaSpina Bass
Ken Peplowski Clarinet, Sax (Tenor)
Bucky Pizzarelli Guitar
Carol Sloane Primary Artist, Producer, Vocals