JOHN COLTRANE AND JOHNNY HARTMAN - John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman (1963-2008) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

John Coltrane's matchup with singer Johnny Hartman, although quite unexpected, works extremely well. Hartman was in prime form on the six ballads, and his versions of "Lush Life" and "My One and Only Love" have never been topped. Coltrane's playing throughout the session is beautiful, sympathetic, and still exploratory; he sticks exclusively to tenor on the date. At only half an hour, one wishes there were twice as much music, but what is here is classic, essential for all jazz collections. by Scott Yanow

Tracklist:

1 They Say It's Wonderful 5:20
Irving Berlin
2 Dedicated to You 5:32
Sammy Cahn / Saul Chaplin / Hy Zaret
3 My One and Only Love 4:55
Robert Mellin / Guy Wood
4 Lush Life 5:29
Billy Strayhorn
5 You Are Too Beautiful 5:36
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
6 Autumn Serenade 4:19
Peter DeRose / Sammy Gallop
Credits:
Bass – Jimmy Garrison
Drums – Elvin Jones
Engineer – Rudy Van Gelder
Piano – McCoy Tyner
Tenor Saxophone – John Coltrane
Vocals – Johnny Hartman

WESLA WHITFIELD - September Songs : The Music of Wilder, Weill and Warren (2003) Mp3

MONICA ZETTERLUND / BILL EVANS - Waltz for Debby (1964-2001) FLAC (tracks), lossless

An oddity in Bill Evans' catalog, this 1964 date places the Swedish jazz vocalist Monica Zetterlund alongside the Evans Trio (with Chuck Israels on bass and Larry Bunker on drums). Still, the match is seemingly perfect. Evans' lyricism is well suited to a breezy, sophisticated songstress like Zetterlund. There is an iciness on this recording, but it is difficult to decipher if it is in the performance or in the engineering where she seems to be way out in front of the band, when she was really in the middle of all the musicians in the studio. This is a minor complaint, however, as the tune selection and decorum of these sessions are quite lovely. From the opener "Come Rain or Come Shine" through the Swedish ballad "A Beautiful Rose" and the achingly gorgeous delivery of "Once Upon a Summertime," it's as if Zetterlund were destined to sing with Evans for a career instead of an album. For his part, Evans is very relaxed, allowing the lyrics to feed his musing on the simple, yet elegant harmonics. The Swedish version of "Waltz for Debbie" is a true delight because Zetterlund's voice becomes another instrument, soloing over the top of Evans' stunning selection of comping chords. In all this is an odd but special item, one that is necessary -- for at least one listen -- by any serious fan of the pianist and composer.  by Thom Jurek  
Tracklist:
1 Come Rain or Come Shine 4:41
Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer
2 A Beautiful Rose (Jag Vet en Dejlig Rosa) 2:53
Bill Evans / Monica Zetterlund
3 Once Upon a Summertime 3:03
Eddie Barclay / Michel Legrand / Johnny Mercer
4 So Long Big Time 3:49
Harold Arlen / Dory Previn
5 Waltz for Debby (Monica Vals) 2:47
Bill Evans / Gene Lees
6 Lucky to Be Me 3:36
Leonard Bernstein
7 Sorrow Wind (Vindarna Sucka) 3:03
8 It Could Happen to You 3:00
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
9 Some Other Time 5:35
Leonard Bernstein / Betty Comden / Adolph Green
10 In the Night (Om Natten) 1:40
Olle Adolphson
Credits:
Bass – Chuck Israels
Drums – Larry Bunker
Piano – Bill Evans
Vocals – Monica Zetterlund