ARCHIE SHEPP QUARTET - Lover Man (1989-2015) RM | Timeless Jazz Master Collection 56 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Shepp has been criticized for his more commercial ventures such as this, but many will enjoy its accessibly light charm. Most of the numbers are standards, including "My Funny Valentine," "Lover Man," and "Lush Life," and are performed by the saxophonist backed by a solid rhythm section. Dave Burrell is wonderfully deft on piano, and he is given ample opportunity to interact with Shepp. Annette Lowman sings on several numbers, and she adds just the right touch and phrasing. Shepp is in somewhat less than perfect form, but he is clearly enjoying himself. There is a touch of a blues and R&B feel that adds to the ambiance. Unlike some of Shepp's other ventures, there are no attempted serious statements made -- only relaxing, good, swinging jazz that lifts the spirits or touches the soul, if only just a bit. Steve Loewy
Tracklist :
1     Stars Are in Your Eyes 6:28     
Archie Shepp
2     Lover Man 6:11
Jimmy Davis / Roger "Ram" Ramirez / Jimmy Sherman
3     Brand New World/Breaking a New Day 9:22
Archie Shepp    
4     Yesterdays 5:38
Dave Burrell    
5     My Funny Valentine 5:21
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers    
6     Lush Life 6:48
Billy Strayhorn    
7     Squeeze Me 6:17     
Thomas Waller    
8     Margy Pargy 5:18
Jerome Kern     
9     Tribute to Bessie Smith 8:37
Archie Shepp    
Credits :
Bass – Herman Wright
Drums – Stephen McCraven
Piano – Dave Burrell
Saxophone – Archie Shepp
Vocals – Annette Lowman

SAM RIVERS QUARTET - Lazuli (1990-2015) RM | Timeless Jazz Master Collection 120 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Recordings for Rivers were sporadic at best in the '80s, so this disc is a welcome addition to his discography. Electric guitarist Darryll Thompson, electric bass guitarist Rael Wesley Grant, and drummer Steve McCraven form a very capable and powerful rhythm section, contemporary and traditional, supportive and commanding in their own way. For the first half of this CD, Rivers alternates tracks between flute and soprano sax. The opener "Swirl" is the gem of the set, an ultra-funky number with a bass/guitar ostinato line setting up the cut-loose flute of Rivers. Also with flute is the bluesy funk and more prevalent Thompson on the title cut and the funky kids melody on the "Hollywood Swingers"-type bottom line of "Coral." The piquant, pungently sharp soprano of Rivers is featured on the funky calypso rocker to hard swinger "Dominant," the kinetic funk of "Chant," and the basic "Lapis." The remainder of the selections have Rivers on tenor sax where he cements the notion that he is as solid a player on that instrument as anyone out there today. The easy swingers "Ripples" and "Desire" are thoughtful or have boppish guitar, respectively, the former potentially a new standard. "Dandelions" is a soul calypso, while "Devotion" is a distinct "Body & Soul"-styled ballad. "Sprung" sports a choppy stop-start head and inserts in a hard-charging bridge, while his famous signature standard "Beatrice" is played neat and clean with McCraven, who is excellent throughout no matter the rhythm, brushing his way in a rock beat toward essentially urgent proportions. Michael G. Nastos  
Tracklist :
1    Swirl    3:51
2    Dominant    2:16
3    Lazuli    4:50
4    Chant    2:25
5    Coral    6:58
6    Lapis    6:30
7    Ripples    4:55
8    Dandelions    3:35
9    Devotion    4:31
10    Beatrice    4:19
11    Desire    5:00
12    Sprung    3:25
Credits :
Soprano Saxophone (2, 4, 6), Tenor Saxophone (7 to 2), Flute (1, 3, 5), Producer, Composed By – Sam Rivers
Drums – Steve McCraven
Electric Bass – Rael Wesley Grant
Electric Guitar – Darryl Thompson