AHMAD JAMAL — Ahmad's Blues (1958-1994) RM | The Original Chess Masters Jazz Series, GRP Presents The Legendary Masters Of Jazz | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

One of Miles Davis's favorite musicians, Ahmad Jamal has a unique approach as a pianist, composer, and arranger that is highly influential and distinctive. Possessed of a light, almost classical touch, and a purveyor of negative space and minimal phrasing (his influence on Davis can certainly be seen here), Jamal worked largely in trio settings, and used his conceptions of space and subtlety to create dynamic tensions within the group. At the same time, the artist's work is rooted firmly in the blues and swings intently, without fail. Ahmad's Blues, the trio's 1958 live date in Washington D.C., demonstrates all of these qualities in spades. Supremely attentive playing by bassist Israel Crosby and drummer Vernel Fournier (his brush work on the intricate, gear-shifting "Autumn Leaves" is especially noteworthy) provides groundwork, foil, and shifting frames for Jamal's virtuoso explorations. The ensemble's work brings new ideas -- the musicians often incorporate understated mambo, fractured swing rhythms, or airy, abstract structures -- to standards ("Stompin' at the Savoy;" "Cheek to Cheek") and to Jamal's own compositions (the delicate "Seleritus"). Ahmad's Blues allows us to eavesdrop on the sophisticated, innovative artist and company at work. AllMusic
Tracklist :
1. Ahmad's Blues 4:05
 Ahmad Jamal
2. It Could Happen To You 4:15
 Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
3. I Wish I Knew 3:45
 Mack Gordon / Harry Warren
4. Autumn Leaves 7:40
 Joseph Kosma / Johnny Mercer / Jacques Prévert
5. Stompin' At The Savoy 4:15
 Benny Goodman / Andy Razaf / Edgar Sampson / Chick Webb
6. Cheek To Cheek 4:47
 Irving Berlin
7. The Girl Next Door 3:26
 Ralph Blane / Hugh Martin
8. Secret Love 3:51
 Sammy Fain / Paul Francis Webster
9. Squatty Roo 2:18
 Johnny Hodges
10. Taboo 4:01
 Margarita Lecuona / Bob Russell
11. Autumn In New York 3:18
 Vernon Duke
12. A Gal In Calico 4:44
 Leo Robin / Arthur Schwartz
13. That's All 2:38
 Alan Brandt / Bob Haymes / Clyde Otis / Kelly Owens
14. Should I? 3:39
 Nacio Herb Brown / Arthur Freed
15. Seleritus 3:12
 Ahmad Jamal
16. Let's Fall In Love 5:06
 Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
Credits :
Bass – Israel Crosby
Drums – Vernell Fournier
Piano – Ahmad Jamal
Notas :
Recorded in performance at the Spotlite Club, Washington D.C.; September 6, 1958.
Tracks 3,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 & 14 originally issued as Argo LP636, "Ahmad Jamal".
Tracks 1,2,4,13,15 & 16 were included on Argo LP2-638, "Portfolio of Ahmad Jamal".

AHMAD JAMAL TRIO — At the Pershing : But Not for Me (1958-2002) RM | Argo Cadet Special Collection – 6 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The first album by the trio of pianist Ahmad Jamal, bassist Israel Crosby, and drummer Vernell Fournier was a big seller partly due to the classic rendition of "Poinciana." The live LP (which unfortunately has only 29 minutes of music) features very tight interplay among the musicians and light but passionate versions of such other songs as "But Not for Me," "Surrey With the Fringe on Top," and "Woody 'n You." A classic that really defined Ahmad Jamal's distinctive sound in many people's minds.  Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 But Not for Me 3:31
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
2 The Surrey With the Fringe on Top 2:35
Oscar Hammerstein II / Richard Rodgers
3 Moonlight in Vermont 3:09
John Blackburn / Karl Suessdorf
4 (Put Another Nickel In) Music! Music! Music! 2:56
Bernie Baum / Stephen Weiss
5 No Greater Love 3:26
Isham Jones / Marty Symes
6 Poinciana 8:07
Buddy Bernier / Nat Simon
7 Woody 'N You 3:40
Dizzy Gillespie
8 What's New? 4:08
Johnny Burke / Bob Haggart
Credits
Bass – Israel Crosby
Drums – Vernell Fournier
Piano – Ahmad Jamal

BILLY ECKSTINE | BENNY CARTER - Billy Eckstine Sings with Benny Carter (1987) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Billy Eckstine's final recording (although he would live until 1993) finds the 72-year old singer showing his age. Mr. B's famous baritone voice at this late date only hints at his earlier greatness although his phrasing and enthusiasm uplift what could have been a depressing affair. Ironically altoist Benny Carter (who was 79) still sounds in his prime on alto and he takes an effective trumpet solo on "September Song." Singer Helen Merrill opens and closes the set by interacting vocally with Eckstine on "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" and "Didn't We." Eckstine, backed by a trio headed by his longtime pianist Bobby Tucker, does his best on such songs as "My Funny Valentine," "Memories of You" and "Autumn Leaves" but his earlier recordings are the ones to get. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To 5:24
Cole Porter
Vocals – Helen Merrill    
2     My Funny Valentine 3:33
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers    
3     Here's That Rainy Day 3:52
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen    
4     Summertime 3:53
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin / DuBose Heyward    
5     A Kiss From You 3:54
Benny Carter / Johnny Mercer    
6     Memories of You 3:46
Eubie Blake / Andy Razaf    
7     I've Got the World On a String 4:42
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler    
8     Now That I Need You 3:53
Benny Moten    
9     Over the Rainbow 4:40
Harold Arlen / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg    
10     September Song 3:57
Maxwell Anderson / Kurt Weill
11     Autumn Leaves 3:44
Joseph Kosma / Johnny Mercer / Jacques Prévert    
12     Didn't We 5:25
Jimmy Webb
Vocals – Helen Merrill
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Benny Carter
Bass – Paul West
Drums – Vernell Fournier
Piano, Arranged By – Bobby Tucker
Trumpet – Benny Carter (pistas: 10)
Vocals – Billy Eckstine, Helen Merrill (pistas: 1, 12)