STEVE KUHN — Non-Fiction (1978) Vinyl, LP | 24-96Hz | FLAC (tracks), lossless

An interesting set of inside/outside music with a bit more energy than the more stereotypical ECM set, this set of five originals is performed by pianist Steve Kuhn (who was really developing his own original sound around this time), Steve Slagle (heard on alto, soprano and flute), bassist Harvie Swartz, and drummer Bob Moses. This is a fine release that was soon overshadowed by Kuhn's collaborations with singer Sheila Jordan. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
A1    Firewalk 8:00
Written-By – Harvie Swartz
A2    Random Thoughts 8:08
Written-By – Steve Kuhn
A3    A Dance With The Wind 5:48
Written-By – Harvie Swartz
B1    The Fruit Fly 5:54
Written-By – Steve Kuhn
B2    Alias Dash Grapey 11:57
Written-By – Steve Kuhn
Credits :
Bass – Harvie Swartz
Drums – Bob Moses
Piano, Percussion – Steve Kuhn
Producer – Manfred Eicher
Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Flute, Percussion – Steve Slagle

STEVE KUHN — Life's Backward Glances : Solo and Quartet (2008) 3CD BOX-SET | Serie Old & New Masters Edition | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This collection brings together three much sought-after recordings by Steve Kuhn: the solo piano album “Ecstasy” (recorded 1974), and two quartet albums. “Motility” (1977) features the band of the same name with saxophonist Steve Slagle in the front line, while “Playground” (1979) is the album that introduced the Steve Kuhn-Sheila Jordan Quartet. Singer Jordan is of course one of the great jazz vocalists, and this was an inspired teaming. Kuhn himself is a superlative pianist of vast gifts; each of these recordings illuminates another aspect of his work. Of these three discs only “Ecstasy” was previously available on compact disc, and then only in Japan. “Motility” and “Playground” here receive their first CD releases. ECM
Tracklist :
(CD1) 1977 - Motility (ECM 2090)
1    The Rain Forest    6:20
2    Oceans In The Sky    5:07
3    Catherine    5:33
4    Bittersweet Passages    4:55
5    Deep Tango    7:28
6    Motility / The Child Is Gone    7:21
7    A Danse For One    3:00
8    Places I've Never Been    4:53
(CD2) 1979 - Playground (ECM 2091)
1    Tomorrow's Son    6:02
2    Gentle Thoughts    7:22
3    Poem For No. 15    7:08
4    The Zoo    4:32
5    Deep Tango    10:40
6    Life's Backward Glance    5:36
(CD3) 1974 - Ecstasy (ECM 2092)
1    Silver    8:53
2    Prelude In G    4:26
3    Ulla    7:23
4    Thoughts Of A Gentleman – The Saga Of Harrison Crabfeathers    12:16
5    Life's Backward Glance    4:50
Credits :
Double Bass – Harvie Swartz (tracks: 1-1 to 2-6)
Drums – Bob Moses (tracks: 2-1 to 2-6), Michael Smith (tracks: 1-1 to 1-8)
Executive-Producer – Manfred Eicher (tracks: 2-1 to 2-6)
Piano – Steve Kuhn
Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Flute – Steve Slagle (tracks: 1-1 to 1-8)
Voice – Sheila Jordan (tracks: 2-1 to 2-6)

JOE LOVANO NONET — On This Day At The Vanguard (2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Recorded live at the Village Vanguard, On This Day...At the Vanguard is saxophonist Joe Lovano's first recording with his award-winning nonet since the release of 52nd Street Themes in 2000. Having recorded in a variety of settings ranging from those of big-band leaders Woody Herman and Mel Lewis to duets with Mulgrew Miller on Tenor Legacy to quartets featuring such stellar artists as Dave Holland, John Scofield, and Al Foster (collectively known as Scolohofo), Joe Lovano proves with this CD that his artistry remains highly adaptable to any musical setting. Opening the program with the first of two originals written for this recording is Lovano's swinging "At the Vanguard." It has a harmonic sequence based on "Stompin' at the Savoy," and features outstanding solos by Lovano, alto saxophonist Steve Slagle, trumpeter Barry Ries, and pianist John Hicks. "Focus" and John Coltrane's "After the Rain" offer listeners two exceptional contrasts of Lovano's playing style, while "On This Day Just Like Any Other" is a 15-minute free jazz offering with amazing improvisations that Lovano wrote around the time drummer Billy Higgins passed away. The recording closes with "My Little Brown Book," a beautiful, serene ballad that returns the music to the quartet sound and served as the show's encore. Overall, On This Day...At the Vanguard captures the essence of Lovano's reverence and enthusiasm for the jazz venue that has supplied a great deal of his musical inspiration over the course of his jazz career. Paula Edelstein
Tracklist :
1    At The Vanguard 9:30
Composed By, Arranged By – Joe Lovano
2    Focus 8:09
Arranged By – Willie Smith
Composed By – Tadd Dameron
3    After The Rain 7:34
Arranged By – Steve Slagle
Composed By – John Coltrane
4    Good Bait 14:09
Arranged By – Joe Lovano
Composed By – Tadd Dameron
Orchestrated By [Orchestration] – Willie Smith
5    Laura 5:22
Arranged By – Joe Lovano, Willie Smith
Composed By – David Arksin
Orchestrated By [Orchestration] – Willie Smith
6    On This Day (Just Like Any Other) 15:22
Composed By, Arranged By – Joe Lovano
7    My Little Brown Book 9:04
Composed By – Billy Strayhorn
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Steve Slagle
Baritone Saxophone – Scott Robinson
Bass – Dennis Irwin
Drums – Lewis Nash
Piano – John Hicks
Tenor Saxophone – George Garzone, Joe Lovano, Ralph Lalama
Trombone – Larry Farrell
Trumpet – Barry Ries