KEN PEPLOWSKI QUARTET — Memories Of You (2007) FLAC (tracks+.cue) lossless

Ken Peplowski is among the top clarinetists and tenor saxophonists of his generation. After a long, fruitful period recording as a leader for Concord, Peplowski started getting a number of offers to record for overseas labels. He alternates between the two instruments during these 2006 sessions, well accompanied by pianist Ted Rosenthal, bassist Gary Mazzaroppi (long Marian McPartland's bassist of choice), and drummer Jeff Brillinger, all veterans like the leader. Peplowski's lush tenor in the first interpretation of "Memories of You" recalls Ben Webster with his soft, breathy vibrato and lyrical style. He also caresses Roland Kirk's infrequently heard ballad "Bright Moments" and renders an elegant "Dream Dancing" as well. On clarinet, Peplowski's magical treatment of "In a Sentimental Mood" (backed solely by bass at first) suggests a bird's song. The cream of the crop is his warm interpretation of Billy Strayhorn's "Lotus Blossom." This set is perfect for late-night listening. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    Memories Of You    5:36
2    I'll Be Seeing You    3:53
3    Bright Moments    5:11
4    In A Sentimental Mood    6:55
5    Dream Dancing    8:24
6    Last Night When We Were Young    4:46
7    It Might As Well Be Spring    7:53
8    Lotus Blossom    5:10
9    But Not For Me    7:36
10    Poor Butterfly    6:31
11    Memories Of You Il    6:5
Credits :
Bass – Gary Mazzaroppi
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Ken Peplowski
Drums – Jeff Brillinger
Piano – Ted Rosenthal

LARRY CORYELL — Fallen Angel (1993) Two Version (1993, Essential Jazz – ESJCD 237) + (1993, CTI Records – MA 70 01 236) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

On Fallen Angel, Larry Coryell teams up with arranger Don Sebesky to produce a wide-ranging album full of sampled sounds and programmed tracks in an attempt to mix the old CTI sound of the '70s with the production techniques and rhythms of the '90s. "Inner City Blues" kicks things off with great promise, as Coryell jams over a pre-programmed rhythm track with background vocalists. On "(Angel on Sunset) Bumpin' on Sunset," he improvises along with a sampled Wes Montgomery, then turns Erroll Garner's classic "Misty" into a mid-tempo reggae jaunt through which he and pianist Mulgrew Miller travel lightly. The CTI connection is brought to the forefront with a remake of Deodato's "2001" hit called "Thus Spoke Z," on which the famous theme is implied but never stated. Other highlights include a funky, angular tribute called "Monk's Corner," Sebesky's attractive "I Remember Bill" and the solo "Westerly Wind." There are also two pleasant smooth jazz vocal pieces at the front of the album, the beautiful ballad, "Fallen," a duet between vocalists Klyde Jones and Jeanie Bryson, and the funky made-for-radio "Never Never," featuring saxophonist Richard Elliot and a vocal from Ms. Jones.
Fallen Angel was obviously an attempt to find Larry Coryell a place on the smooth jazz playlist, a task it didn't really accomplish. While it is not likely to appease those who bemoan the guitarist's failure to live up to his initial promise, it can be enjoyed if taken on its own terms. Jim Newsom
Tracklist :
1. Inner City Blues (3:31)
Vocals – Klyde Jones
Written-By – James Nyx, Marvin Gaye
2. Fallen (3:45)
Saxophone [Tenor] – Richard Elliot
Vocals – Jeanie Bryson, Klyde Jones

Written-By – Lauren Wood
3. Never Never (3:34)
Lyrics By – Klyde Jones
Music By – Don Sebesky
Saxophone [Tenor] – Richard Elliot
Vocals – Klyde Jones
4. Angel On Sunset (5:40)
Electric Guitar – Wes Montgomery
Written-By – Don Sebesky, Wes Montgomery

5. Stardust (5:55)
Piano – Mulgrew Miller
Written-By – Hoagy Carmichael, Mitchell Parish
6. Misty (4:32)
Piano – Mulgrew Miller
Written-By – Erroll Garner
7. I Remember Bill (3:07)
Written-By – Don Sebesky
8. Pieta (5:53)
Adapted By – Don Sebesky
Piano – Ted Rosenthal
Written-By – Rachmaninoff
9. Thus Spoke Z (4:49)
Adapted By – Don Sebesky, Larry Coryell
Piano – Mulgrew Miller
Saxophone [Alto] – Chris Hunter
Written-By – Richard Strauss
10. Stella By Starlight (4:31)
Written-By – Ned Washington, Victor Young
11. Monk's Corner (6:26)
Piano – Ted Rosenthal
Written-By – Don Sebesky, Larry Coryell
12. Westerly Wind (2:04)
Written-By – Larry Coryell
13. The Moors (2:53)
Written-By – Larry Coryell
Credits :
Arranged By – Don Sebesky
Electric Guitar – Larry Coryell