CURTIS FULLER — Curtis Fuller Meets Roma Jazz Trio (1987-2015) RM | Serie Timeless Jazz Master Collection – 85 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist & Credits :

ARCHIE SHEPP QUARTET - I Didn't Know About You (1991-2015) RM | Timeless Jazz Master Collection 20 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

A strong effort by Shepp, who is reunited with pianist Horace Parlan and joined by bassist Wayne Dockery and drummer George Brown for a an eight-track set recorded in Germany. The highlight is clearly the sole track with Parlan in which they perform Monk's "Ask Me Now" both effectively and emotionally. The version of "Go Down Moses (Let My People Go)" is a winner for Shepp's glorious baritone vocals and his saxophone solo. The excellent choice of tunes (including Duke Ellington's "I Didn't Know About You," Todd Dameron's "Hot House," and Bird's "Now the Time") presents Shepp in a fine light, where he blows both tenor and alto saxophones. Some of the pieces, such as Shepp's "Party Time," are less than perfect and the saxophonist's vocals on "The Good Life" are only average, but overall, Shepp and the quartet are a pleasure to hear. Steve Loewy
Tracklist :
1     Go Down Moses 11'04
Traditional
2     I Didn't Know About You 10'15
Duke Ellington / Bob Russell
3     Billie's Bossa 5'33
Horace Parlan
4     Hot House 7'36
Tadd Dameron
5     The Good Life 9'49
Sacha Distel / Jack Reardon
6     Now's the Time 5'34
Charlie Parker
7     Ask Me Now 4'50
Thelonious Monk
8     Party-Time 9'27
Archie Shepp
Credits :
Bass – Wayne Dockery
Drums – George Brown
Piano – Horace Parlan
Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Archie Shepp
Vocals – Archie Shepp (pistas: 1, 5, 8)

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

ARCHIE SHEPP - Something to Live For (1997) FLAC (tracks), lossless

This highly anticipated vocal album does not quite make it. Unfortunately, either the saxophonist was having an off night (or nights), or he simply lost his ability to sing gracefully by the mid-'90s. The choice of tunes is perfect: "A Flower Is a Lonesome Thing," "Strange Fruit," "Hello, Young Lovers," and "Georgia on My Mind," among others. So is the band, which includes trumpeter Eddie Henderson, pianist John Hicks, bassist George Mraz, and drummer Iris Muhammad (with Steve McCracken substituting on one track). Shepp speaks and shouts the lyrics more than he sings them, seemingly agonizing over each syllable. His tenor performance is subpar, too. He sounds almost as though he is playing with marbles in his mouth. Hicks explores some nice, if familiar ground, on piano, where he adds pleasant and stimulating lines both in support and as a soloist. Shepp's career as a vocalist appears short-lived, as he again focused on his saxophones after this one was recorded. Steve Loewy
Tracklist :
1    A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing 6:00
Composed By – Billy Strayhorn
2    My Foolish Heart 5:52
Composed By – Ned Washington, Victor Young
3    Strange Fruit 4:35
Composed By – Lewis Allan
4    You're Blasé 8:41
Composed By – Bruce Sievier, Ord Hamilton
5    Something To Live For 5:31
Composed By – Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington
6    Georgia On My Mind 7:00
Composed By – Hoagy Carmichael, Stuart Gorrell
7    Hello, Young Lovers 10:35
Composed By – Oscar Hammerstein II, Richard Rodgers
8    California Blues 8:01
Composed By – Archie Shepp
Credits :
Bass – George Mraz
Drums – Idris Muhammad (pistas: 1 to 7), Steve McCraven (pistas: 8)
Piano – John Hicks
Tenor Saxophone, Vocals – Archie Shepp
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Eddie Henderson

ARCHIE SHEPP - Black Ballads (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tenor saxophonist Archie Shepp, who was one of the enfant terribles of the free jazz generation in the 1960s, once said, seemingly uncharacteristically, "You can hear every minute of every hour of every day of every year a player puts into practicing his horn when he plays a ballad." He was being prophetic, of course, as this date from 1992 suggests. Teamed with pianist Horace Parlan -- with whom he recorded the magnificent duet of spirituals Goin' Home -- bassist Wayne Dockery, and drummer Steve McCraven, Shepp leads the quartet through an astonishing series of ballads that are as revelatory for their understatement as they are for their musical aplomb. Shepp takes the Ben Webster approach on these 11 sides and comes off as a singer of songs (he is not singing) rather than as a saxophone player. His readings of "Angel Eyes," "All Too Soon," and "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," and his souled-out cover of "Georgia on My Mind," are stunning for the restraint and nuance they contain. Parlan's comping slips toward fills of uncommon texture and dimensionality in the bridges of these tunes, and on Shepp's own "I Know About the Life," he reinvents the tune itself. The high point of this glorious record is Shepp's own "Déjà Vu," as it comes out of an uncommonly long "Lush Life," where the lyric of both compositions becomes a kind of recitation on the blues in stretched time. Issued on the Timeless label, this is a must-have for all Shepp fans, but more importantly, it is for all followers of the development in harmonic thinking about the ballad form in jazz.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist :
1    Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans? 7:11
Composed By – Eddie Delange, Louis Alter
2    I Know About The Life 5:20
Composed By – Archie Shepp
3    Georgia On My Mind 4:58
Composed By – Hoagy Carmichael, Reginald Connelly, Stuart Gorrell
4    Embraceable You   4:41      
Composed By – George & Ira Gershwin
5    Smoke Gets In Your Eyes 5:18
Composed By – Jerome Kern, Otto Harbach
6    How Deep Is The Ocean 5:25
Composed By – Irving Berlin
7    Lush Life 8:33
Composed By – Billy Strayhorn
8    Déjà Vu 5:08
Composed By – Archie Shepp
9    Angel Eyes 7:56
Composed By – Earl Brent, Matt Dennis
10    All Too Soon 5:55
Composed By – Carl Sigman, Duke Ellington
11    Ain't Misbehavin' 5:16
Composed By – Andy Razaf, Fats Waller, Harry Brooks
Credits :
Bass – Wayne Dockery
Drums – Steve McRaven
Piano – Horace Parlan
Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Archie Shepp

GARY BARTZ - Shadows (1991-2015) RM | Timeless Jazz Master Collection 28 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Veteran alto and soprano saxophonist Gary Bartz's debut recording for the Dutch Timeless label is one of his finest efforts as he enlisted the services of pianist Benny Green, bassist Christian McBride, drummer Victor Lewis, and tenor saxophonist Willie Williams on three selections to perform an unusual program of one Bartz composition, three jazz classics, two movie themes, and one radio theme. Bartz's strong tone, sense of swing, and improvisational imagination place him within the ranks of jazz's finest saxophonists, and he proves it throughout this recording. Favorites include the title track, which is actually two Bartz compositions, one medium, one up, joined by an excellent McBride bass solo; John Coltrane's "Song of the Underground Railroad," performed up-tempo, in the spirit of Coltrane all the way down to a blistering sax-drums duet; McCoy Tyner's "Peresina," a medium Afro-Latin number with the melody played by the not-heard-enough combination of tenor and alto sax; and Wayne Shorter's "Children of the Night" where the melody is played over a hip groove by McBride and Lewis and features one of the best Bartz solos on record. McBride, who just had turned 19 at the time of this recording, displays a huge tone, solid time, and the improvisational ability of a more experienced musician, while Lewis' dynamic drumming lays down a solid foundation along with McBride's bass, serving as the catalyst for the excellence of this recording. Shadows is an excellent addition to Bartz's extensive discography. Greg Turner  
Tracklist :
1    Marion's Theme 9:45
John Williams   
2     Shadows 12:30
Gary Bartz   
3     Song of the Underground Railroad 10:25
John Coltrane   
4     Peresina 14:35
McCoy Tyner
5     How Do You Keep the Music Playing? 4:50
Alan Bergman / Marilyn Bergman / Michel Legrand
6     Children of the Night 9:32
Wayne Shorter   
7     Holiday for Strings 7:41
David Rose
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Gary Bartz
Bass – Christian McBride
Drums – Victor Lewis
Piano – Benny Green
Tenor Saxophone – Willie Williams

PHAROAH SANDERS - Africa (1987-2015) RM | Timeless Jazz Master Collection 11 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

As Kevin Whitehead's liner notes to this release reflect, Sanders "pays explicit tribute to his late mentor John Coltrane -- as this set's Coltrane-oriented sound makes unashamedly clear." Actually, Coltrane penned only one of the eight tunes, while Sanders wrote six, but the spirit of the master looms heavily throughout. Sanders displays an uncanny resemblance to Trane's unique way of over-blowing and his special ability to get inside a ballad. Pianist John Hicks is in perfect form and contributes mightily to the success of the session. Most will probably prefer the original Coltrane to Sanders' imitations, but Africa is nonetheless a joyous and worthy tribute to one of the giants of jazz. This album marked somewhat of a backtrack for the saxophonist, as he had frequently become identified with much more traditional playing. Steve Loewy
Tracklist :
1     You've Got to Have Freedom 10'01
Pharoah Sanders    
2     Naima 5'26
John Coltrane
3     Origin 6'50
Pharoah Sanders
4     Speak Low 8'04
Ogden Nash / Kurt Weill    
5     After the Morning 6'29
John Hicks
6     Africa 8'20
Pharoah Sanders
7     Heart to Heart 7'17
Pharoah Sanders    
8     Duo 4'32
Pharoah Sanders
Credits :
Bass – Curtis Lundy
Drums – Idris Muhammed
Piano – John Hicks
Tenor Saxophone – Pharoah Sanders

PHAROAH SANDERS - Moon Child (1990-2015) RM | Timeless Jazz Master Collection 37 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

By this point in his career, Sanders had largely withdrawn from the kind of screeching avant-gardism on which he at first staked his reputation. The opening "Moon Child," with its attractively spacy vocals, is reminiscent of the days of "The Creator Has a Master Plan," but this version sounds too contrived to rival the classic earlier recording. The mood is subdued throughout and the choice of tunes definitely on the conservative side ("All or Nothing at All" and "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes," among the six tracks). William Henderson is lovely on piano, while the drummer (Eddie Moore) and percussionist (Cheikh Tidiane Fale) keep to the quiet side. The results may have originally disappointed some of Sanders' fans, but with time the saxophonist clearly reinvented himself as a more traditional improviser capable of thoughtful and pensive deliberations. Steve Loewy
Tracklist :
1    Moon Child 8:07
Written-By – P. Sanders
2    Moon Rays 6:10
Written-By – H. Silver
3    The Night Has A Thousand Eyes 12:17
Written-By – B. Bermien, J. Brainin
4    All Or Nothing At All 9:23
Written-By – A. Altman, J. Lawrence
5    Soon 5:29
Written-By – G. Gershwin
6    Moniebah 10:43
Written-By – A. Ibrahim, Dollar Brand
Credits :
Bass – Stafford James
Drums – Eddie Moore
Percussion – Cheikh Tidiane Fale
Piano – William Henderson
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Pharoah Sanders

PHAROAH SANDERS - Welcome To Love (1991) RM | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

When this was first released, the slow, straight sounds of Pharoah Sanders on a series of mostly famous ballads came as a bit of a surprise to some. Others saw Sanders as following the road of his mentor, John Coltrane, who had recorded most of these tunes himself. In retrospect, the inside playing of Sanders is less of a surprise, the saxophonist having followed that path regularly since at least the '80s. This performance has held up well through the years, and while the thin, reserved approach is reminiscent of Coltrane, it is still marked with Pharoah's print. The competent and thoroughly professional rhythm section of pianist William Henderson, bassist Stafford James, and drummer Eccleston W. Wainwright takes a decidedly reserved cue from the saxophonist, but each song is infused with a subtle emotional quality that simply does not let go. Steve Loewy
Tracklist :
1    You Don't Know What Love Is 4:55
Written-By – D. Raye, G. De Paul
2    The Nearness Of You 5:18
Written-By – H. Carmichael, N. Washington
3    My One And Only Love 8:05
Written By – R. Mellin / G. Wood
4    I Want To Talk About You 8:12
Written-By – B. Ecksteine
5    Soul Eyes 9:22
Written-By – M. Waldron
6    Nancy 6:53
Written-By – J. Van Heusen, Ph. Silvers
7    Polka Dots And Moonbeams 7:20
Written-By – J. Van Heusen, J. Burke
8    Say It (Over And Over Again) 6:56
Written-By – F. Loesser, J. McHugh
9    Lament 6:13
Written-By – J.J. Johnson
10    The Bird Song 6:50
Soloist – Pharoah Sanders
Written-By – Pharoah Sanders
Credits :
Bass – Stafford James
Drums – Eccleston W. Wainwright
Piano – William Henderson
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Pharoah Sanders

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

AL COHN - Rifftide (1987-2015) RM | Timeless Jazz Master Collection 12 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although this recording of standards was made late in his career, tenor saxophonist Al Cohn was in peak form and clearly inspired by an excellent Dutch rhythm section. Cohn's very broad tone is much in evidence, as he runs through changes on tunes that he played innumerable times in his career. A distinct stylist, Cohn was never an innovator, but his lush, relaxed, carefully honed sound was perfect for the late nightclub atmosphere. Every solo was deliberately constructed, mixing just the right amounts of emotion and technique. You can hear Coleman Hawkins in his playing, but Cohn incorporated broad influences from the early history of bop. Pianist Rein de Graff is stunning throughout, and drummer Eric Ineke and bassist Koos Serierse add solid support. Steve Loewy
Tracklist :
1     Speak Low 7'40
Ogden Nash / Kurt Weill    
2     Blue Monk 7'53
Thelonious Monk    
3     Hot House 5'07
Tadd Dameron    
4     The Thing 7:21
Al Cooper    
5     We'll Be Together Again 6:30
Carl Fischer / Frankie Laine    
6     Rifftide 5:59
Coleman Hawkins    
7     Do Nothing 'Til You're True 7:17
Al Cohn    
8     Secret Love 7:01
Sammy Fain
Credits :
Bass – Koos Serierse
Drums – Eric Ineke
Piano – Rein De Graaff
Tenor Saxophone – Al Cohn

LOU DONALDSON QUARTET - Forgotten Man (1981-2015) RM | Timeless Jazz Master Collection 7 | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Altoist Lou Donaldson was never exactly a "forgotten man," but his boppish style had been largely overlooked since his commercial electric funk sessions for Blue Note in the early to mid-'70s. This is a straightahead acoustic quartet date with pianist Herman Foster (whose block chord solos on a couple of numbers are quite exciting), bassist Geoff Fuller and drummer Victor Jones. Donaldson romps through some bop standards, Tadd Dameron's lesser-known "This Is Happiness" and his own "Tracy" and takes a humorous vocal on "Whiskey Drinkin' Woman." Although not essential, this album should easily please Lou Donaldson's fans, for it finds him in exuberant form. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Confirmation 5:58
Charlie Parker    
2     Wiskey Drinkin' Woman 5:34
Lou Donaldson / Leon Spencer    
3     This Is Happiness 3:44
Tadd Dameron    
4     Tracy 4:37
Lou Donaldson    
5     Melancholy Baby 6:52
Ernie Burnett / George Norton    
6     Don't Blame Me 5:15
Dorothy Fields / Jimmy McHugh    
7     Exactly Like You 7:00
Dorothy Fields / Jimmy McHugh
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Lou Donaldson
Bass – Jeff Fuller
Drums – Victor Jones
Piano – Herman Foster

LOU DONALDSON QUARTET - Live in Bologna (1984-2015) RM | Timeless Jazz Master Collection 38 | FLAC (tracks), lossless

A direct (musical) descendant of Bird, alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson has often been criticized for commercial concessions or for lack of imagination. Over a span of decades, his sound remained constant, rarely wavering from his initial bop conception. This set of standards is one of Donaldson's best recordings, in part due to the relaxed setting, but also because of the outstanding piano trio accompanying the saxophonist. Pianist Herman Foster is one of the underrated improvisers of the bop genre, and he, along with bassist Jeff Fuller and drummer Victor Jones, set a sophisticated, vibrant groove that meshes well with Donaldson's brand of straight-ahead blowing. While there is little to distinguish these interpretations of "Stella by Starlight" or "Summertime," the set as a whole has a joyous and even infectious exuberance that should provide an enjoyable, if light, listening experience. Steve Loewy
Tracklist :
1     Stella by Starlight 9:26
Ned Washington / Victor Young    
2     Groovin' High 8:30
Dizzy Gillespie          
3     Summertime 9:05
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin / DuBose Heyward
4     Lou's Blues 9:21
Lou Donaldson     
5     St. Thomas 6:11
Sonny Rollins    
6     Star Eyes 11:45
Gene DePaul / Don Raye
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Lou Donaldson
Bass – Jeff Fuller
Drums – Victor Jones
Piano – Herman Foster

JOHNNY GRIFFIN | ART TAYLOR QUARTET - The Jamfs Are Coming! (1981-2015) RM | Timeless Jazz Master Collection | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

A pair of small nightclubs in Wihelmshaven, Germany provided the settings for these live performances led by tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin. Accompanied by drummer Art Taylor, pianist Rein de Graaff, and either Koos Serierse or Henk Haverhoek on bass, Griffin is in top form. His explosive original blues, "The Jamfs Are Coming" ("JAMF" is an acronym for a well-known but unprintable expression), is a powerful opener recorded in 1977, with pulsing solos by de Graaff and Taylor as well. Following an unaccompanied coda, Griffin rapidly shifts gears into a brief up-tempo rendition of "Wee Dot," which is unfortunately faded out. The one-minute chorus of "Wee" is a complete performance that evidently closed a 1975 set. The LP wraps with an inspired take of "All the Things You Are," in which Griffin dodges the head initially then squeezes in a lick or two from "Happy Birthday" and a series of other humorous quotes throughout this frenzied 20-minute workout. Due to the evident demise of the various labels which have issued this music, it will be increasingly difficult to acquire. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     The Jampfs Are Coming 17'15
Johnny Griffin
2     Wee 1'00
Denzil Best
3     All the Things You Are 20'00
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern
Credits :
Bass – Henk Haverhoek (pistas: 2,3), Koos Serierse (pistas: 1)
Drums – Art Taylor
Piano – Rein De Graaff
Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Griffin

CHET BAKER - Chet Baker Sings Again (1985-2020) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    All Of You    4:40
Written-By – C. Porter
2    Body And Soul    6:31
Written-By – Greene, Sour
3    Look For The Silver Lining    3:52
Written-By – De Sylva, Kern
4    I Can't Get Started    6:54
Written-By – Gershwin, Duke
5    My Funny Valentine    7:15
Written-By – R. Rodgers, L. Hart
6    Alone Together    6:13
Written-By – Dietz, Schwartz
7    Someone To Watch Over Me    5:20
Written-By – I. And G. Gershwin
8    How Deep Is The Ocean    3:48
Written-By – I. Berlin
Credits :
Bass – Ricardo Del Fra
Drums – John Engels
Piano – Michel Graillier
Trumpet, Vocals – Chet Baker
Illustration [Cover] – Munehiro Uchimichi

CHET BAKER - As Time Goes By (1986-2020) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

While Baker's chops are clearly subpar there is a quaint romanticism to it all that somehow snares the listener. Performing with a first-rate trio (pianist Harold Danko, bassist Jon Burr, and drummer Ben Riley), the trumpeter runs through ten tunes, most of which Baker has recorded before. Nonetheless, the more than an hour of recording time gives everyone a chance to stretch. And, Baker's vocals on "As Time Goes By" and "Round Midnight" are never tiring. Baker is a more than a bit muddled in his singing, sounding as though his mouth is filled with steel wool. Yet, the feelings he displays are so pure and touching that every note is imbued with deep emotion. Most of the songs are performed slowly, sometimes heart-wrenchingly so. While Baker seems tired, there is a cool, raw touch throughout, making this a decent example of the trumpeter's later playing. His range seems even more limited than usual, too. Danko is a thorough joy, and plays splendidly in support. by Steve Loewy
Tracklist :
1    You And The Night And The Music 5:24
Vocals – Chet Baker
Written By – Arthur Schwartz, Howard Dietz
2    As Time Goes By 6:40
Written-By – Hupfeld
3    My Melancholy Baby 6:52
Written-By – Burnett, A. Norton, Watson
4    I'm A Fool To Want You 8:38
Written-By – Wolf, Herron
5    When She Smiles 6:00
Written-By – Harold Danko
6    Sea Breeze 6:54
Written-By – Jon Burr
7    You Have Been Here All Along 7:37
Written-By – Jon Burr
8    Angel Eyes 6:04
Written By – Earl K. Brent, Matt Dennis
9    You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To 4:27
Written-By – Cole Porter
10    Round Midnight 7:33
Written-By – Cootie Williams, Thelonious Monk
Credits :
Bass – Jon Burr
Drums – Ben Riley
Piano – Harold Danko
Trumpet, Vocals – Chet Baker

CHET BAKER WITH STRINGS - Heratbreak (1991) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Chet Baker lives! By taking lush string arrangements by Michel Hardy recorded after the trumpeter's death and incorporating them in what appear to be two separate quartets sessions led by Baker from 1986 to 1988, this CD is a loving tribute to an icon of 20th Century jazz. The recording of the strings is seamless, lovingly performed, and sounds as if it were recorded contemporaneously with the small groups. The ten tunes are mostly ones Baker performed before, including "Angel Eyes," "My Funny Valentine," "As Time Goes By," and "My Foolish Heart." Although Baker was not in the best of shape and has trouble with his vocalizing, his trumpet work is satisfactory and the sheer emotions produced are nearly awe-inspiring. While there is much better Baker available, this unique and creative approach to adding the strings posthumously is surprisingly attractive and opens endless possibilities. The rhythm sections, one of which includes drummer Ben Riley and pianist Harold Danko, blend smoothly and inconspicuously, permitting the focus to be Chet's singing and trumpeting. by Steve Loewy
Tracklist :
1     Angel Eyes 5:06
Earl Brent / Matt Dennis
2     All of You 3:42
Cole Porter   
3     My Funny Valentine 7:15
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers   
4     Blue Moon 4:16
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
5     I'm a Fool to Want You 7:53
Joel Herron / Frank Sinatra / Jack Wolf
6     You and the Night and the Music 4:27
Howard Dietz / Arthur Schwartz
7     As Time Goes By 5:46
Herman Hupfeld
8     'Round Midnight 6:54
Bernie Hanighen / Thelonious Monk / Cootie Williams
9     My Melancholy Baby 4:38
Ernie Burnett / George Norton
10     My Foolish Heart 7:42
Ned Washington / Victor Young
Credits :
Arranged By – Michael Hardy
Bass – John Burr, Ricardo Del Fra (faixas: 2, 3)
Conductor – Jürger Hermann
Drums – Ben Riley, John Engels (faixas: 2, 3)
Piano – Harold Danko, Michel Graillier (faixas: 2, 3)
Strings – Funk Haus Berlin String
Trumpet, Vocals – Chet Baker