AROOJ AFTAB — Night Reign (2024) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Night Reign is vocalist, composer, and producer Arooj Aftab's fourth long-player and her solo debut for Verve. In 2023, she collaborated with Vijay Iyer and Shazad Ismaily on the Grammy-nominated, collectively written Love in Exile for the label. Aftab has been recording since 2014, but most Westerners encountered her on 2021's Vulture Prince. 2024's Night Reign has a pervading atmosphere that sonically illustrates the album's title. Her band includes harpist Maeve Gilchrist, guitarist Gyan Riley, bassist Petros Klampanis, and percussionist Jamey Haddad. Also contributing are her Love in Exile collaborators, vibraphonist Joel Ross, pianist James Francies, spoken word artist Moor Mother, Chocolate Genius (Marc Anthony Thompson), bassist Linda May Han Oh, guitarist Kaki King, tubist Heather Ewer, and flutist Cautious Clay. Aftab arranged all but one track and produced the album. Given Aftab's aesthetic aim to illustrate the many spirits that make up the night, she delivered her most experimental, and intoxicating, recording to date.
Set opener "Aey Nahin" is colored by the acoustic guitars of King and Gyan Riley, upright bass, and harp. Aftab's deliberately soft yet throaty approach is overdubbed in layers, providing expansive harmonies for the instruments as they gently ratchet up the drama. Aftab's striking cover of standard "Autumn Leaves" is adorned by bass, percussion, synth strings, and electric piano. The vocal production underscores the emotional and spiritual desolation in the lyric. "Na Gul" is a tenderly illustrated tour de force. She sets the poem of Indian 18th century Urdu musician and courtesan Mah Laqa Bai Chanda, ruler of Hyderabad, to music and stages a conversation between herself and Chand Bibi, 16th century queen of Ahmadnagar. She rearranges or deletes verses according to the grand Urdu tradition; it marks the very first time that the author's poetry has been set to music. "Bolo Na" is driven by a dubwise bassline, economical, haunting vibes from Ross, and an airy, circular brushed snare. Aftab moans the lyrics in contralto and falsetto before an oud underscores the melody. Moor Mother begins reciting a poem of steely vulnerability as she asks if her romantic partner's love is real. The artist completely understands that nighttime is home to desire, its expression and freedom. First single "Raat Ki Rani" offers delirious, yet insistent percussion loops, resonant piano, haunting bassline, and overdubbed harps swirling around a minimal lyric to maximum effect. Second single "Whiskey" juxtaposes folk, chamber jazz, and art song. The bassline follows the vocal as cymbals, harp, guitars, and percussion overlap in a dreamscape as Aftab's lyric reflects her beloved's appeal despite intoxication and her own vulnerability in accepting love. There is a reprise of "Last Night" from Vulture Prince featuring Cautious Clay's flute, King's guitar, and Gilchrist's poignant harp. Its walking bassline and Wurlitzer piano coax the vocal and other instruments into a seductive dance. All Aftab's earlier recordings are captivating. That said, Night Reign is a powerful, sensuous, and commanding illustration of the artist's mature vision. It reveals just how receptive, and even vulnerable she is to the spirits of creative inquiry, possibility, and revelation. 
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <- 
Tracklist :
1.    Aey Nehin 5:44
Arranged By – Arooj Aftab, Kaki King, Maeve Gilchrist, Petro Klampanis
Double Bass [Upright Bass] – Petros Klampanis
Guitar – Gyan Riley, Kaki King
Harp – Maeve Gilchrist
Lyrics By – Yasra Rizvi
Percussion – Jamey Haddad
Recorded By – Damon Whittemore
Vocals – Arooj Aftab
2.    Na Gul 5:27
Arranged By – Arooj Aftab, Maeve Gilchrist, Petros Klampanis
Double Bass [Upright Bass] – Petros Klampanis
Flugelhorn – Nadje Noordhuis
Guitar [Gryphon] – Kaki King
Harp – Maeve Gilchrist
Lyrics By – Mah Laqa Bai Chanda
Recorded By – Damon Whittemore
Vocals – Arooj Aftab
3.    Autumn Leaves 4:47
Arranged By – Arooj Aftab, James Francies
Double Bass [Upright Bass] – Linda May Han Oh
Featuring – James Francies
Recorded By – Joshua Valleau
Synthesizer [Juno], Electric Piano [Rhodes] – James Francies
Vocals, Synth, Sequenced By [Percussion Sequencing] – Arooj Aftab
4.    Bolo Na 6:12
Arranged By – Arooj Aftab
Bass – Shahzad Ismaily
Featuring – Joel Ross, Moor Mother
Flugelhorn – Nadje Noordhuis
Lyrics By [English] – Camae Ayewa
Lyrics By [Urdu] – Arooj Aftab
Oud – Huda Asfour
Recorded By – Joshua Valleau
Vibraphone – Joel Ross 
Vocals, Drum Programming [Drum Sequencing] – Arooj Aftab
Voice – Camae Ayewa
5.    Saaqi 6:44
Arranged By – Arooj Aftab
Double Bass [Upright Bass] – Petros Klampanis
Featuring – Vijay Iyer
Guitar – Gyan Riley
Lyrics By – Mah Laqa Bai Chanda
Piano – Vijay Iyer
Recorded By – Damon Whittemore
Violin – Darian Donovan Thomas
Vocals – Arooj Aftab
6.    Last Night Reprise 5:07
Arranged By – Arooj Aftab, Maeve Gilchrist, Petros Klampanis
Double Bass [Upright Bass] – Petros Klampanis
Electric Piano [Wurlitzer] – Elvis Costello
Featuring – Cautious Clay, Kaki King, Maeve Gilchrist
Flute – Cautious Clay
Guitar – Kaki King
Harp – Maeve Gilchrist
Lyrics By – Rumi*
Recorded By – Damon Whittemore
Translated By [Poetry] – Maryam Mafi
Vocals – Arooj Aftab
7.    Raat Ki Rani 5:11
Arranged By – Arooj Aftab, Maeve Gilchrist, Petros Klampanis
Double Bass [Upright Bass], Piano – Petros Klampanis
Harp – Maeve Gilchrist
Percussion – Jamey Haddad, Keita Ogawa
Recorded By – Damon Whittemore
Synthesizer [Moog], Synthesizer [Juno] – Shahzad Ismaily
Tuba – Heather Ewer
Vocals – Arooj Aftab
8.    Whiskey 5:04
Arranged By – Arooj Aftab
Double Bass [Upright Bass] – Linda May Han Oh
Electric Guitar – Gyan Riley
Guitar – Kaki King
Harp – Maeve Gilchrist
Percussion – Jamey Haddad
Recorded By – Damon Whittemore
Recorded By [Additional Recording By] – Joshua Valleau
Synthesizer [Juno], Piano – TimaLikesMusic
Vocals – Arooj Aftab
9.    Zameen 4:16
Arranged By – Arooj Aftab, Marc Anthony Thompson c/o Chocolate Genius Incorporated
Featuring – Marc Anthony Thompson c/o Chocolate Genius Incorporated
Lyrics By – Shamim Jaipuri
Piano, Bass, Synth, Strings – Marc Anthony Thompson c/o Chocolate Genius Incorporated*
Vocals – Arooj Aftab

JUNKO ONISHI — Fragile (1998) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Onishi gets into a classic rock groove on this disc, rendering Hendrix's "Hey Joe," Cream's "Sunshine of Your Love" and even the Righteous Brothers'"You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" into exciting jazz workouts, while keeping the gritty sprit of the originals. Her fervent piano attack in particular keeps the disc consistently interesting. Tim Sheridan
Tracklist :
1.    BWV 8:21
Written-By – Junko Onishi
2.    Complexions 7:21
Written-By – Junko Onishi
3.    You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' 11:38
Written-By – Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil
4.    Compared To What 7:05
Written-By – Gene McDaniels
5.    Hey Joe 10:46
Written-By – Billy Roberts
6.    Eulogia Variation 6:16
Written-By – Junko Onishi
7.    Sunshine Of Your Love (Jam) 5::18
Written-By – Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, Pete Brown 
Credits :
Bass, Electric Bass – Reginald Veal
Drums – Ol Skool Jamz, Motohiko Hino (tracks: 2, 4), Tamaya Honda (tracks: 5, 7)
Piano, Keyboards, Producer – Junko Onishi
Vocals – Peace

LIANE FOLY — Les Petites Notes (1993) Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Les Faux Soleils 4:03
Arranged By [Horns] – Hervé Gourdikian
2    Doucement    4:22
3    Voler La Nuit 5:03
Backing Vocals – Trio Esperança
4    Les Parfums D'Autrefois 4:41
Arranged By [Violins] – Hervé Leduc
Backing Vocals – Trio Esperança
5    Laisse Pleurer Les Nuages 4:04
Arranged By [Horns] – Pierre Drevet
Backing Vocals – Trio Esperança
6    Une Larme De Bonheur 3:42
Arranged By [Horns] – Hervé Gourdikian
7    La Marelle 3:49
Arranged By [Horns] – Hervé Gourdikian
8    J'Irai Tranquille 4:18
Arranged By [Horns] – Hervé Gourdikian
Backing Vocals – Carole Fredericks, Yvonne Jones
9    Passe Le Temps    3:51
10    Les Yeux Doux 5:15
Arranged By [Horns] – Pierre Drevet
Backing Vocals – Trio Esperança
11    Les Petites Notes 3:56
Arranged By [Violins] – Hervé Leduc
Credits :
Accordion – Richard Galliano
Bass – Etienne M'Bape
Double Bass – Gilles Coquard
Drums – André Ceccarelli
Electronics [Programming] – Allioum Ba
Guitar – Jean Marc Benaïs
Keyboards – André Manoukian
Lyrics By – Liane Foly, Philippe Viennet
Music By – André Manoukian
Percussion – Steve Shehan
Saxophone – Hervé Gourdikian
Trumpet – Pierre Drevet

THE BUDDY DeFRANCO QUARTET — Mr. Clarinet (1956-2002) RM | LP Reproduction Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Over the years, Buddy DeFranco's admirers have often wondered why the clarinet's popularity as a jazz instrument declined considerably after World War II and the swing era -- why haven't more improvisers applied Charlie Parker's ideas to the clarinet, and why is the clarinet usually stereotyped as a swing/Dixieland/classic jazz instrument rather than a bebop, post-bop, avant-garde, soul-jazz, or fusion instrument? Perhaps it has something to do with the demands of the clarinet -- it is a tough instrument to master, and it becomes even more demanding when you're dealing with the complexities of bop. But those challenges never stopped DeFranco, who was 30 when he recorded Mr. Clarinet for Verve in 1953. By that time, DeFranco was being hailed as "the Charlie Parker of the Clarinet," and he lives up to that title on this excellent album (which boasts Kenny Drew on piano, Milt Hinton on bass, and Art Blakey on drums). Throughout Mr. Clarinet, DeFranco makes the clarinet sound perfectly logical as a bop instrument -- which was certainly an innovative thing to do back in the late '40s and early '50s. Whether he is playing original material or standards (including "But Not for Me" and "It Could Happen to You"), DeFranco refuses to let the clarinet's evolution end with Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Sidney Bechet, and Barney Bigard; he has no problem making the clarinet sound relevant to the bebop scene of 1953. (It should be noted that Shaw was also exploring bop on the clarinet in the early '50s, but regrettably, he decided to retire from music in 1955.) Most of the bop-oriented recordings that DeFranco provided in the '50s are well worth owning; Mr. Clarinet (which Verve reissued on CD in 2002) is no exception. Alex Henderson  

Tracklist : 

1. Buddy's Blues 9:01
Written-By – Buddy DeFranco 

2. Ferdinando 5:05

Written-By – Art Blakey

3. It Could Happen To You 4:21

Written-By – Jimmy Van Heusen And Johnny Burke

4. Autumn In New York 3:53

Written-By – Vernon Duke

5. Left Field 4:00

Written-By – Kenny Drew

6. Show Eyes 3:09

Written-By – Buddy DeFranco

7. But Not For Me 7:00

Written-By – George & Ira Gershwin

8. Bass On Balls 7:50

Written-By – Kenny Drew

Credits :

Bass – Milt Hinton

Clarinet – Buddy DeFranco

Drums – Art Blakey

Piano – Kenny Drew

Notes :

Recorded April 1953 in New York City.

Originally released as Verve MGV-8159  

MICHEL LEGRAND — Michel Legrand at Shelly's Manne-Hole (1968-1988) Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Michel Legrand, best known as a film composer, has only made occasional jazz records through the years, but most have been quite worthwhile. This reissue CD brings back a real rarity, a trio session with bassist Ray Brown and drummer Shelly Manne that is arguably Legrand's only jazz date from the 1963-1977 period. It is a particularly interesting set, for Legrand takes a rare (if odd) vocal on "My Funny Valentine"; "Los Gatos" is a free improvisation (one of four songs spontaneously composed by the musicians on stage), and the pianist shows that he can swing on "Ray's Riff" and "Another Blues." This underrated set is worth investigating. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1. Grand Brown Man 7:57 
R. Brown / Michel Legrand / Shelly Manne
2. A Time for Love 5:39 
Johnny Mandel / Paul Francis Webster
3. Ray's Riff 8:14 
R. Brown / Michel Legrand / Shelly Manne
4. Watch What Happens 6:13 
Norman Gimbel / Michel Legrand
5. My Funny Valentine 6:09 
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
6. Another Blues 8:30 
R. Brown / Michel Legrand / Shelly Manne
7. Willow Weep for Me 6:12 
Ann Ronell
8. Los Gatos 5:39
R. Brown / Michel Legrand / Shelly Manne
Credits :
Bass – Ray Brown
Drums – Shelly Manne
Piano – Michel Legrand 

SHIRLEY HORN — I Remember Miles (1998) Two Version | APE + FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

No thanks to the paucity of musical genius in the latter half of the 1990s, tribute albums to the departed just kept pouring forth, although in Shirley Horn's case, she was repaying an old personal debt to her subject. After all, it was Miles Davis who originally got Horn out of D.C. in 1960 as his opening act at the Village Vanguard and contributed his trumpet to one of her comeback albums (1990's You Won't Forget Me). Not only that, Horn's understated, laconic, deceptively casual ballad manner is a natural fit for the brooding Miles persona, and she doesn't have to change a thing in this relaxed, wistfully sung, solidly played collection. She doesn't actually perform any Davis compositions; everything here consists of standards that Miles covered or transformed in the 1950s, including three numbers from Porgy and Bess. Roy Hargrove adds his effective muted Miles imitations on "I Fall In Love Too Fast" and open flurries on "I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'"; and Toots Thielemans makes like a long, lonesome train whistle on "Summertime." Former Davis cohorts Ron Carter and Al Foster join the rhythm section in a remarkably searching, extended "My Man's Gone Now," the only track which takes note of the electric music that consumed so much of Miles' output (in this case, inspired by the We Want Miles version, not the more familiar Gil Evans interpretation). In a sad way, the very idea of a Miles tribute is an oxymoronic denial of the ever-restless spirit of this genius who didn't believe in looking backwards. But Shirley Horn certainly serves the man's sensitive side well. Richard S. Ginell  
Tracklist :
1     My Funny Valentine 5:33
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
2     I Fall in Love Too Easily 5:39
Sammy Cahn / Jule Styne
3     Summertime 4:59
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin / DuBose Heyward
Harmonica – Toots Thielemans
4     Baby Won't You Please Come Home 7:21
Charles Warfield / Clarence Williams
Saxophone [Tenor] – Buck Hill
5     This Hotel 3:37
Johnny Keating / Richard Quine
6     I Got Plenty O' Nuttin' 3:39
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin / DuBose Heyward
7     Basin Street Blues 5:28
Spencer Williams
8     My Man's Gone Now 10:39
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin / DuBose Heyward
9     Blue in Green 5:59
Miles Davis / Bill Evans / Al Jarreau
Credits :
Bass – Charles Ables (faixas: 1, 6, 8, 9), Ron Carter (faixas: 2 to 4, 7, 8)
Drums – Al Foster (faixas: 2 to 4, 7, 8), Steve Williams (faixas: 1, 6, 8, 9)
Illustration [Cover] – Miles Davis
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Roy Hargrove (faixas: 2, 6 to 8)
Vocals, Piano – Shirley Horn

LAÏKA — Misery : A Tribute to Billie Holiday (2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Laika Fatien sings English lyrics on songs popularized or dedicated to Billie Holiday, which is unusual for a woman born in Paris of a Spanish-Moroccan mother and a father from the Ivory Coast, and raised Jewish. There's little affectation in her phrasing that suggests her heritage, while diction and hard accents on certain syllables are unmistakable. Her pliant voice is rendered fairly straightforward in a limited range, sometimes echoing Carmen McRae, and as she describes it, is executed in a expressionistic way rather than utilizing theatrics and showy gimmicks. Jazz listeners will be familiar with her impressive bandmates, especially rising star pianist Robert Glasper, whose obvious over the top talent can easily upstage the singer, and at times does. Bassist Darryl Hall and drummer Gregory Hutchinson are more than able accompanists, while European saxophonist David El Malek -- a disciple of Michael Brecker -- adds a certain earthiness to the proceedings. There are only a few famous tunes from Holiday's repertoire, and three selections in duet with the vocalist and a single select group member. The dour "Don't Explain" represents the kind of restraint that is the strong suit of Meredith D'Ambrosio, and Glasper follows suit, while James P. Johnson's "You Can't Lose a Broken Heart" is completely reworked and modernized, with the full quintet energized in a 7/8 time signature, buoyed by El Malek's Brecker-like tenor sax and Fatien's precise and overt enunciation, which are also slightly revealing. There's a fondness for Tony Scott's tunes about Holiday, as "Lady's Back in Town" is a cute and sexy blues swing where Fatien wrote the original lyrics, but it's out of her range and is a bit flat. The title selection is also Scott's, a perfectly blues chilled ballad that has the singer plus her skilled rhythm section coalescing like tasty day old gazpacho. Standards like "How Deep Is the Ocean," "Lover Come Back to Me," and "You Turned the Tables on Me" comprise the meat and potatoes of the program, ranging from pure song form and easy swing, an unusual swirling circular mode courtesy of Glasper, and funky playful discourse with a tango reference respectively. Of the duets, Glasper goes nuts on the intro of "Strange Fruit," El Malek is warm and tender in careful call and response during "What's New?," and the rhythmically free take of "All of You," with the singer aside the rumbling drumming of Hutchinson, is arresting above all the other tracks. This is a polished effort from Laika Fatien, loaded with startling musicianship and carrying enough innovation to make you listen twice. Michael G. Nastos  
Tracklist :
1. Strange Fruit 5:12 
Written-By – Lewis Allan "Lewis Allan"
2. Lady's Back in Town 4:15 
Written-By – Laïka Fatien, Tony Scott 
3. Don't Explain 3:07 
Written-By – Billie Holiday / Arthur Herzog, Jr.
4. You Can't Lose a Broken Heart 3:18 
Written-By – Flournoy E. Miller, James P. Johnson
5. What's New 2:07 
Written-By – Bob Haggart, Johnny Burke
6. All of You 3:39
Written-By – Cole Porter
7. How Deep Is the Ocean 4:39 
Written-By – Irving Berlin
8 Lover Come Back to Me 4:39 
Written-By – Oscar Hammerstein II / Sigmund Romberg
9. Misery 4:38 
Written-By – Tony Scott 
10. You Turned the Tables on Me 4:54 
Written-By – Louis Alter / Sidney Mitchell
11. Gloomy Sunday 5:12 
Written-By – Sam M. Lewis
12. Left Alone 5:21
Written-By – Billie Holiday / Mal Waldron
Credits :
Double Bass – Daryl Hall
Drums – Gregory Hutchinson
Piano – Robert Glasper
Tenor Saxophone – David El Malek (tracks: 4, 5, 12)
Vocals, Producer, Arranged By, A&R – Laïka Fatien

RUTH CAMERON — Roadhouse (2000) Two Version | APE + FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

On her first full-length album, following the previous year's seven-song EP First Songs, Ruth Cameron continues to take a considered, deliberate approach to standards, backed by a small band anchored by her husband, bassist Charlie Haden, and drummer Larance Marable, augmented by one of three pianists and usually a saxophone or violin. The title Roadhouse suggests a far more raucous style than the one actually employed here; maybe the album should have been called After-Hours Nightclub instead. The tempos are very slow, the keys minor, and Cameron's vocals are as much spoken as sung. These are calm, quiet performances, which can give the songs an air of restrained passion, especially when the lyric has the complexity and subtext of "Something Cool" and "One for My Baby," the album's first two songs. Not all of the material is well suited to the interpretations, however. In particular, Cameron's reading of "Happiness Is Just a Thing Called Joe" works against the lyric; she may sing that, when Joe kisses her "it's Christmas everywhere," but she doesn't sound like that's anything to celebrate. If her plain-spoken, hold back the emotions approach adds depth to a lightly wistful song like "Willow Weep for Me," it robs feeling from what should be a warmly affectionate one like "My Old Flame." And the album's unrelenting tone is ultimately enervating; if she really performed this material as a set in a roadhouse, she'd likely be performing only to overturned chairs and a dozing bartender by the end. William Ruhlmann
Tracklist :
1. Something Cool 5:23
 Billy Barnes 
2. One For My Baby 5:11
 Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer 
3. My Old Flame 5:02
 Sam Coslow / Arthur Johnston 
4. Body And Soul 5:59
 Frank Eyton / Johnny Green / Edward Heyman / Robert Sour 
5. Again 4:53
 Dorcas Cochran / Lionel Newman 
6. Willow Weep For Me 5:33
 Ann Ronell 
7. Happiness Is Just A Thing Called Joe 5:17
 Harold Arlen / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg 
8. Detour Ahead 5:50
 Lou Carter / Herb Ellis / John Freigo / Johnny Frigo 
9. A Sunday Kind Of Love 4:53
 Barbara Belle / Anita Leonard / Louis Prima / Stan Rhodes 
10. All About Ronnie 4:21
 Joe Greene 
11. Give Me Time 6:05
 Alec Wilder 
12. Waitin' For The Train To Come 3:10
 Martin Block / Sunny Skylar 
Credits :
Bass, Producer – Charlie Haden
Drums – Larance Marable
Piano – Alan Broadbent (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 6, 8, 10), Brad Mehldau (tracks: 4, 11), Chris Dawson (tracks: 12), Mike Melvoin (tracks: 7, 9) 
Tenor Saxophone – Gary Foster (tracks: 7), Ralph Moore (tracks: 1 to 3, 6, 8) 
Violin – Federico Britos Ruiz (tracks: 5, 9, 12) 
Vocals, Producer – Ruth Cameron

ABBEY LINCOLN — The World Is Falling Down (1990) Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Abbey Lincoln's first in a series of impressive recordings for Verve matches her unique voice and very credible style with flugelhornist Clark Terry, the altos of Jackie McLean and Jerry Dodgion, bassist Charlie Haden, drummer Billy Higgins and French pianist Alain Jean-Marie. McLean has all of the alto solos and most of the instrumental arrangements were contributed by Ron Carter. Lincoln has always been expert at picking out superior material to record and all eight numbers on this CD are memorable in their own way, particularly Haden's classic "First Song," a French version of "How High the Moon," "Hi Fly," Michel Legrand's "You Must Believe in Spring" and Lincoln's two originals "The World Is Falling Down" and "I Got Thunder." Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1.    The World Is Falling Down 6:20
Written-By – Abbey Lincoln
2.    First Song 6:29
Written-By – Abbey Lincoln, Charlie Haden
3.    You Must Believe In Spring And Love 5:58
Written-By – Alan & Marilyn Bergman, Michel Legrand
4.    I Got Thunder (And It Rings) 5:47
Written-By – Abbey Lincoln
5.    How High The Moon (La Lune Est Grise... Mon Coeur Aussi) 7:31
Written-By – Jacques Larue, Morgan Lewis, Nancy Hamilton
6.    When Love Was You And Me 5:47
Written-By – Abbey Lincoln, Thad Jones
7.    Hi Fly 6:34
Written-By – Jon Hendricks, Randy Weston
8.    Live For Life 4:50
Written-By – Francis Lai, Norman Gimbel, Pierre Barouh
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Jerry Dodgion
Alto Saxophone, Soloist – Jackie McLean
Arranged By – Ron Carter (tracks: 1, 3 to 8)
Bass – Charlie Haden
Drums – Billy Higgins
Piano – Alain Jean-Marie
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Clark Terry
Vocals – Abbey Lincoln

PACO DE LUCÍA — Cositas Buenas (2004) Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

On his first outing in five years, and the first of the new century, flamenco guitarist Paco De Lucia has given us one of the most sublime recordings in his long career. This collection of "Good Little Things" (Cositas Buenas) is a step away from Nuevo flamenco, and back to the grain of the source music itself. It is a record full of handclapped rhythms, organic spare percussion, and burning, passionate songwriting and singing. The various singers -- including Paco himself -- wail, chant, moan, and ecstatically intone his new songs to the sheer rough-hewn grace of his playing. Most tracks are done in the canonical style of guitar, and voice with handclap accompaniment, but there are two -- the smoking, burning black soul of "El Dengue" and "Que Venga el Alba," on which he is accompanied by another guitarist. On the album's final cut, "Cassa Bernardo," a rumba, Jerry Gonzalez adds his mariachi trumpet to the proceedings. Cositas Buenas is an album that careens across the history of flamenco. While rooted in antiquity, it nonetheless points the way to a new music, one that extrapolates rhythm and harmony and adds syncopation, texture, depth, and multi-layered harmonics to the original framework. It is transcendentally beautiful if overwhelming in its passion and the sheer joy of performance. Indeed, Cositas Buenas sets a new standard for modern flamenco music and acts as the true bridge between the ancient and the future. No one but a master who cares nothing for his laurels could have articulated such a work. 
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <- 
Tracklist :
1. Patio Custodio (Bulería) 4:44
Vocals [Cante] – Montse Cortés
2. Cositas Buenas (Tangos) 4:23
Vocals [Cante] – Tana
3. Antonia (Bulería Por Soleá) 6:28
Vocals [Cante] – Paco
4. El Dengue (Rumba) 4:03
Guitar – Juan D'Anyelica, Paco De Lucía
5. Volar (Bulería) 5:30
Vocals [Cante] – Potito, Tana, Paco
6. El Tesorillo (Tientos) 4:39
Vocals [Cante] – Diego El Cigala
Vocals [Voz Mujer] – Ángela Bautista
7. Que Venga El Alba (Bulería) 4:11
Guitar – Paco De Lucía, Tomatito
Vocals [Cante] – Camarón De La Isla
8. Casa Bernardo (Rumba) 4:12
Bass – Alain Pérez
Tres – Alejandro Sanz
Trumpet – Jerry Gonzáles
Credits :
Guitar, Laúd, Bouzouki, Mandolin, Producer – Paco De Lucía
Handclaps [Palmas], Coro – Antonio El Negro, Potito, Guadiana, Tana, Montse Cortés, Paco, Ángela Bautista
Percussion – Piraña

BILL EVANS — California Here I Come (1967-2004) RM | LP Reproduction Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Philly Joe Jones was a member of the Bill Evans Trio for a short time in 1967 but none of his recordings with the pianist were released at the time. This two-LP set from 1982 features the pair (along with bassist Eddie Gomez who had recently started his own longtime association with Evans) in superb form. Jones consistently lit a fire under the pianist and, even though Bill Evans was never just an introspective ballad pianist (which became his stereotype), he does play with some unaccustomed ferocity on several of these selections. The 71 minutes of music feature strong versions of three of Evans' originals (including "Turn Out the Stars") plus a dozen standards, highlighted by "You're Gonna Hear From Me," "Gone With the Wind" and the unlikely "California Here I Come." Well worth searching for. In September 2004, Verve reissued the album in a limited edition, 24-bit remastered CD. Where the original disc sounded thin in places -- as it is a live recording -- the remastered version sounds consistently full and warm throughout.   Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1- California, Here I Come – 5:32
 (Buddy DeSylva, Al Jolson, Joseph Meyer)
2- Polka Dots and Moonbeams  – 3:22
(Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke)
3- Turn Out the Stars  – 5:52
(Bill Evans)
4- Stella by Starlight – 4:06
(Ned Washington, Victor Young)
5- You're Gonna Hear From Me  – 4:57
(André Previn, Dory Previn)
6- In a Sentimental Mood – 3:53
 (Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Manny Kurtz)
7- G Waltz  – 4:35
(Bill Evans)
8- On Green Dolphin Street  – 4:53
(Bronisław Kaper, Ned Washington)
9- Gone With the Wind  – 5:35
(Herb Magidson, Allie Wrubel)
10- If You Could See Me Now  – 3:39
(Tadd Dameron, Carl Sigman)
11- Alfie  – 5:12
(Burt Bacharach, Hal David)
12- Very Early  – 4:44
(Bill Evans)
13- 'Round Midnight - 6:07
(Thelonious Monk, Cootie Williams)
14- Emily – 5:18
 (Johnny Mandel, Johnny Mercer)
15- Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams (And Dream Your Troubles Away) – 6:49
(Harry Barris, Ted Koehler, Billy Moll)
Credits :
Bill Evans - Piano
Eddie Gómez - Bass
Philly Joe Jones - Drums

YUSEF LATEEF — Before Dawn (1958-1998) RM | Verve Elite Edition Series | Two Version | WV + FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

This is one of the most obscure of all Yusef Lateef recordings, one that has even been left out of some discographies. Lateef mostly sticks to tenor (playing only flute on one song and making one appearance on the double-reed arghul) and is featured with his Detroit All-Stars, a quintet also including the up-and-coming trombonist Curtis Fuller, pianist Hugh Lawson, bassist Ernie Farrow and drummer Louis Hayes. Overall, the set is more bop-oriented than normal, with versions of "Pike's Peak" (based on "What Is This Thing Called Love"), Charlie Parker's "Constellation" and the blues "Chang, Chang, Chang" showing how strong and original Lateef could be even playing conventional straight-ahead material. Some of the other pieces look toward the future and/or the East, and all eight selections have their memorable moments, with the passionate yet thoughtful ballad "Love Is Eternal" being among the high points. Recommended. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1.    Passion 4:04
    Composed By – Yusef Lateef
2.    Love Is Eternal 6:30
    Composed By – Yusef Lateef
3.    Pike's Peak 5:30
    Composed By – Yusef Lateef
4.    Open Strings 6:15
    Composed By – Yusef Lateef
Celesta [Celeste] – Hugh Lawson
Flute – Yusef Lateef
5.    Before Dawn 5:27
    Composed By – Yusef Lateef
Performer [Arghul] – Yusef Lateef
Performer [Rabab] – Ernest Farrow
6.    Twenty-Five Minute Blues    5:27
    Composed By – Yusef Lateef
7.    Chang, Chang, Chang 2:57
    Composed By – Yusef Lateef
Percussion – Yusef Lateef
8.    Constellation 4:47
Composed By – Charles Parker, Jr.
Credits :
Bass – Ernie Farrow (tracks: 1 to 4, 6 to 8)
Drums – Louis Hayes
Piano – Hugh Lawson
Tenor Saxophone – Yusef Lateef (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 8)
Trombone – Curtis Fuller

DIANA KRALL — Turn Up the Quiet (2017) Three Version | SHM-CD | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Diana Krall spent the better part of the 2010s exploring byways of American song -- her 2012 set Glad Rag Doll drew heavily on obscure jazz from the 1920s and '30s, its 2015 sequel Wallflower concentrated on pop and rock tunes -- but 2017's Turn Up the Quiet finds the pianist/singer returning to well-known standards from the Great American Songbook. Reuniting with producer Tommy LiPuma for the first time since 2009's bossa nova-inspired Quiet Nights, Krall works with a trio of lineups on Turn Up the Quiet, alternating between a trio, quartet, and quintet. The album isn't divided into triads but rather gently shifts between these bands, a move that's sometimes imperceptible because the focus is firmly on Krall, the pianist. Her voice often operates at a hushed whisper -- a decision that suits this collection of romantic, dreamy material; it also underscores the importance of the record's title -- and that emphasizes her lithe piano along with the solo spotlights from her featured musicians. Krall gives her three bands plenty of space to shine -- fiddler Stuart Duncan, in particular, stuns with his solo on "I'll See You in My Dreams," but there are nice turns from guitarists Russell Malone, Anthony Wilson, and Marc Ribot, along with supple playing by bassists Christian McBride, Tony Garnier, and Anthony Wilson -- but what impresses is how these ensembles are all united in spirit and attitude, all thanks to their leader. Krall has a definite vision for Turn Up the Quiet -- she wants to keep things smoky and subdued, a record for the wee hours -- and the end result is so elegant, it seems effortless. Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Tracklist :
1. Like Someone In Love 3:16
 Acoustic Bass – Christian McBride
 Composed By – Jimmy Van Heusen And Johnny Burke
 Contractor – Shari Sutcliffe
 Electric Guitar – Russell Malone
 Solo Vocal, Piano – Diana Krall
2. Isn't It Romantic 4:29
 Acoustic Bass – John Clayton
 Composed By – Rodgers & Hart
 Concertmaster – Joel Derouin
 Contractor – Shari Sutcliffe
 Drums – Jeff Hamilton
 Electric Guitar – Anthony Wilson
 Solo Vocal, Piano – Diana Krall
 Vibraphone – Stefan Harris
3. L-O-V-E 4:21
 Acoustic Bass – John Clayton
 Composed By – Bert Kaempfert, Milt Gabler
 Contractor – Shari Sutcliffe
 Drums – Jeff Hamilton
 Electric Guitar – Anthony Wilson
 Solo Vocal, Piano – Diana Krall
4. Night and Day 4:39
 Acoustic Bass – John Clayton
 Acoustic Guitar – Anthony Wilson
 Composed By – Cole Porter
 Concertmaster – Joel Derouin
 Contractor – Shari Sutcliffe
 Drums – Jeff Hamilton
 Solo Vocal, Piano – Diana Krall
5. I'm Confessin' (That I Love You) 3:24
 Acoustic Bass – Tony Garnier
 Composed By – Al Neiburg, Doc Daugherty, Ellis Reynolds
 Contractor – Shari Sutcliffe
 Drums – Karriem Riggins
 Electric Guitar – Marc Ribot
 Fiddle – Stuart Duncan
 Solo Vocal, Piano – Diana Krall
6. Moonglow 5:15
 Acoustic Bass – Tony Garnier
 Composed By – Eddie Delange, Irving Mills, Will Hudson
 Contractor – Shari Sutcliffe
 Drums – Karriem Riggins
 Electric Guitar – Marc Ribot
 Fiddle – Stuart Duncan
 Solo Vocal, Piano – Diana Krall
7. Blue Skies 4:39
 Acoustic Bass – Christian McBride
 Composed By – Irving Berlin
 Contractor – Shari Sutcliffe
 Electric Guitar – Russell Malone
 Solo Vocal, Piano – Diana Krall
8. Sway 6:13
 Acoustic Bass – John Clayton
 Acoustic Guitar – Anthony Wilson
 Composed By – Luis Demetrio, Norman Gimbel, Pablo Rosas Rodriguez
 Concertmaster – Joel Derouin
 Contractor – Shari Sutcliffe
 Drums – Jeff Hamilton
 Solo Vocal, Piano – Diana Krall
9. No Moon At All 4:06
 Acoustic Bass – John Clayton
 Composed By – David Mann, Redd Evans
 Contractor – Shari Sutcliffe
 Solo Vocal, Piano – Diana Krall
10. Dream 4:05
 Acoustic Bass – Christian McBride
 Composed By – John H. Mercer
 Concertmaster – Joel Derouin
 Contractor – Shari Sutcliffe
 Electric Guitar – Russell Malone
 Solo Vocal, Piano – Diana Krall
11. I'll See You In My Dreams 3:51
 Acoustic Bass – Tony Garnier
 Acoustic Guitar – Marc Ribot
 Composed By – Gus Kahn, Isham Jones
 Contractor – Shari Sutcliffe
 Drums – Karriem Riggins
 Fiddle – Stuart Duncan
 Solo Vocal, Piano – Diana Krall

COUNT BASIE — Basie Picks the Winners (1965-2020) RM | UHQCD | Count Basie New Basie Series | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Basie picks his own set of "Winners", tracks pulled from the Billboard Pop Charts, and re-arranged by Billy Byers to give them the true Basie touch! The set features a number of 60's standards, plus a few older tunes all performed in a warm, buoyant tone that was every bit the best side of the Basie group in that decade. Players include Eric Dixon, Al Aarons, Al Grey, and Eddie Lockjaw Davis – all bursting out of the group with tight short solos that really get the point across! Titles include "I'll Get By", "Watermelon Man", "Exodus", "I'm Walkin", and "Volare" ..  Strongly Recommended! Rick Ransom
Tracklist :
1.    Watermelon Man 3:11
 Herbie Hancock
2.    That's All    3:20
 Alan Brandt / Bob Haymes
3.    I Won't Cry Anymore 2:22
 Al Frisch / Fred Wise
4.    Main Theme From "Exodus" 3:06
 Ernest Gold
5.    I'll Get By (As Long As I Have You)    3:16
 Fred E. Ahlert / Roy Turk
6.    My Kind Of Town    2:40
 Sammy Cahn / James Van Heusen
7.    I'm Walkin'    3:34
 Dave Bartholomew / Fats Domino
8.    Rain Or Shine    2:53
 Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer
9.    Volare (Nel Blu, Dipinto Di Blu)    2:45
 Domenico Modugno
10.    Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out 2:06
 Count Basie / Jimmy Rushing / Lester Young
Vocals – Leon Thomas
11.    Oh, Lonesome Me    2:59
 Don Gibson
Credits :
Arranged By – Bill Byers
Bass – Wyatt Bull Ruether
Drums – Irv Cotler, J.C. Heard
Guitar – Freddie Green
Piano, Leader – Count Basie
Saxophone – Bobby Plater, Charlie Fowlkes, Eddie Lockjaw Davis, Eric Dixon, Marshall Royal
Trombone – Al Grey, Billy Hughes, Grover Mitchell, Henderson Chambers
Trumpet – Al Aarons, Sam Noto, Sonny Cohen, Wallace Davenport

HERBIE HANCOCK · MICHAEL BRECKER · ROY HARGROVE — Directions in Music : Live at Massey Hall (2002) Two Version | APE + FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

A double-milestone year for jazz, 2001 marked the 75th anniversary of the births of both Miles Davis and John Coltrane. With that in mind, Herbie Hancock went on tour with a quintet modeled after his V.S.O.P. bands of the '70s and '80s and the Tribute to Miles band of the '90s, which in turn were modeled after the 1965-1968 Miles Davis Quintet. The question this disc proposes: Can you go home yet again? Hancock preferred to dodge that one, saying that he was attempting to push the music onward in the Davis/Coltrane spirit of adventure rather than play for nostalgia. But essentially, despite the often unblinkingly hard-nosed soloing and the sometimes radical reworking of the old tunes, the conception of this idiom is that of Miles, and Michael Brecker's often brilliant, searching tenor sax work owes its soul to the example of Trane. Although the quintet's Los Angeles gig on October 11, 2001, was rather disappointing, the Toronto concert recorded here was a big improvement, with two weeks of roadwork evidently having the desired tightening effect. Though Hancock's piano gradually became more abstract and disconnected with its surroundings over the years, here he is in touch with his colleagues. Brecker provides the most fervent individual statement with an unaccompanied rendition of "Naima" that amounts to a virtual encyclopedia of tenor saxophone technique. Roy Hargrove does a serviceable job on trumpet and flügelhorn, trying to fill some heavy shoes, and as accomplished as the rhythm team of John Patitucci (bass) and Brian Blade (drums) is, you miss the irreplaceable combustion of Ron Carter and especially the late Tony Williams (compare the original Davis recording of "The Sorcerer" with this inward, less dynamic, less driving version). The most strikingly reworked cover tune is a slow, drawn-out, mournful take on "Impressions," almost an elegy for Coltrane, and Brecker delivers the eulogy with fire in the belly. There is new material from Hargrove ("The Poet"), Brecker ("D Trane"), and the three headliners ("Misstery"), none of which expands much beyond the parameters of the Davis and Coltrane models. While this quintet does not kick over old boundaries, it does make good, uncompromisingly intelligent music. Richard S. Ginell  
Tracklist :
1 The Sorcerer 8:54
Herbie Hancock
2 The Poet 6:35
Roy Hargrove
3 So What/Impressions 12:51
John Coltrane / Miles Davis
4 Misstery 8:16
Michael Brecker / Herbie Hancock / Roy Hargrove
5 Naima 7:29
John Coltrane
6 Transition 10:26
John Coltrane
7 My Ship 8:40
Ira Gershwin / Kurt Weill
8 D Trane 15:11
Michael Brecker
Credits :
Bass – John Patitucci
Drums – Brian Blade
Piano, Executive Producer – Herbie Hancock
Tenor Saxophone, Producer – Michael Brecker
Trumpet, Flugelhorn (tracks: 2, 7) – Roy Hargrove

LOUIE BELLSON AND HIS ORCHESTRA — Skin Deep (1954-1999) RM | Verve Elite Edition Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Louis Bellson has long been acknowledged as one of the greatest drummers in jazz history and this release combines two separate sessions that are predominately features for his incredible solos. "Percussionistically Speaking" starts as a blues, then Bellson shows off his subtle brushwork before switching to sticks for a powerful solo. There's more room for other soloists on "Fascinatin' Rhythm," where guitarist Joe Puma, pianist Ralph Martin and bassist Bob Peterson get to show off their chops, too. The title track is Bellson's best known piece, written while he was briefly with Duke Ellington; this powerful big band version is as effective as his famous earlier version. Another choice cut is "For Europeans Only," featuring a strong solo by the ill-fated tenor saxophonist Wardell Gray, who was killed a little over a year following this session. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
 1. Percussionistically Speaking (7:58)
Written-By – Louie Bellson
2. A Pearl For Louie (3:54)
Written-By – Ralph Martin
3. Fascinatin' Rhythm (4:16)
Written-By – George And Ira Gershwin
4. Copasetic (Long Version) (4:56)
 Written-By – Don Elliott, Ralph Martin
5. All God's Chillun Got Rhythm (2:55)
Written-By – Bronislaw Kaper, Gus Kahn, Walter Jurmann
6. Skin Deep (7:53)
Written-By – Louie Bellson
7. Loris (3:58)
Written-By – Joe Puma
8. For Europeans Only (3:03)
Written-By – Don Redman, Tadd Dameron
9. Phalanges (3:18)
Written-By – Clark Terry
10. Caxton Hall Swing (3:00)
Written-By – Louie Bellson
11. Copasetic (Short Version) (3:44)
Written-By – Don Elliott, Ralph Martin
Credits :
Louie Bellson plays drums on all tracks accompanied by:
On tracks 1-5, 7 and 11:
Don Elliott-trumpet, mellphone, vibraphone, bongo
Ralph Martin-piano
Joe Puma-guitar
Bob Peterson-bass
Recorded probably early February 1954 in New York City

On tracks 6 and 8-10:
Harry "Sweets" Edison, Maynard Ferguson, Conrad Gozzo, Ray Linn - Trumpet
Hoyt Bohannon, Herbie Harper, Tommy Pederson - Trombone
Benny Carter, Willie Smith - Alto Saxophone
Wardell Gray, Bumps Myers - Tenor saxophone
Bob Lawson - Baritone saxophone
Jimmie Rowles - Piano
Barney Kessel - Guitar
John Simmons - Bass
Don Redman - Arranger
Recorded August 14, 1953 at Radio Recorders, Hollywood

Original recordings produced by Norman Granz
Tracks 1-5 and 6-10 are in their respective original 10" LP sequences
Master numbers show the order in which the tracks were recorded

HANK JONES — Urbanity (1956-1997) RM | Verve Elite Edition Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Pianist Hank Jones' first LP consists of six piano solos from 1947 and four trio numbers (with guitarist Johnny Smith and bassist Ray Brown) from 1953. Particularly on the unaccompanied solos, Jones shows off the influence of Art Tatum, while the trio cuts are more boppish and sometimes recall the King Cole Trio. Excellent music. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Thad's Pad    2:56
2    Things Are So Pretty In The Spring    3:38
3    Little Girl Blue    2:45
4    Odd Number    3:30
5    Blues For Lady Day    2:41
6    The Night We Called It A Day    3:20
7    Yesterdays    3:03
8    You're Blasé    3:06
9    Tea For Two    3:00
10    The Blue Room    2:42
11    Thad's Pad - Alternative Take    3:00
Thad's Pad    
12.1    Index 1 - False Start    0:14
12.2    Index 2 - Incomplete Take    0:19
13    Thad's Pad - Alternative Take    2:58
Things Are So Pretty In The Spring    
14.0    Index 0 - False Start    0:14
14.1    Index 1 - Alternative Take    3:59
Things Are So Pretty In The Spring    
15.1    Index 1 - Breakdown    0:10
15.2    Index 2 - Breakdown    0:19
15.3    Index 3 - Breakdown    0:47
15.4    Index 4 - Breakdown    2:01
16    Things Are So Pretty In The Spring - Alternative Take    3:36
17    Things Are So Pretty In The Spring - Alternative Take    3:39
Credits :
Bass – Ray Brown (tracks: 1 to 4, 11 to 17)
Guitar – Johnny Smith (tracks: 1 to 4, 11 to 17)
Piano – Hank Jones
Notes :
Recorded 1947 and 1955.
Tracks 5-10 originally issued as Hank Jones - Hank Jones' Be-Bop Piano
Tracks 11-17: previously unreleased alternative takes

CHRISTIAN McBRIDGE BAND — Sci-Fi (2000) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

On a large scale, there is no denying that music can move masses of people to assert themselves and establish a particular vision that will benefit many for years to come. With the release of Sci-Fi, the highly acclaimed bassist Christian McBride has established another great realm of music for his fans to explore. Accompanied by the dynamic Ron Blake on tenor and soprano sax, Shedrick Mitchell on piano and Fender Rhodes, the great Herbie Hancock on piano, Rodney Green on drums, David Gilmore on electric and acoustic guitar, Dianne Reeves giving great vocalese on "Lullaby for a Ladybug," James Carter on bass clarinet, and the exciting Toots Thielemans on harmonica, listeners will soon discover that the jazz galaxy will never be the same. The acoustic fusion and thematic sound concept for the CD settled in after McBride wrote "Science Fiction" and discovered it made a great nucleus for the CD. Featured selections include McBride's brilliant arrangements of masterworks by Stanley Clarke, Sting, Jaco Pastorius, and Steely Dan as well as seven original compositions by the versatile leader. Flawless piano grace from Herbie Hancock on "Xerxes" and "Lullaby for a Ladybug" and McBride's Fender Rhodes work throughout is a listen to behold. Particularly, the conversation between McBride's double bass and Carter's bass clarinet on "Walking on the Moon" shouldn't be missed. Sci-Fi is a seminal work by seminal artists and may very well be considered one of the most essential jazz recordings of the 21st century. Paula Edelstein
Tracklist :
 1. Aja (Fagan, Becker) 6:46
2. Uhura's Moment Returned (McBride) 6:18
3. Xerxes (McBride) 7:56
4. Lullaby For a Ladybug (McBride) 7:28
5. Science Fiction (McBride) 6:50
6. Walking On The Moon (Sting) 6:43
7. Havona (Jaco Pastorius) 7:12
8. I'll Guess i'll Have To Forget (McBride) 6:10
9. Butterfly Dreams (Stanley Clarke) 6:43
10. Via Mwandishi (McBride) 8:02
11. The Sci-fi Outro (McBride) 1:13
Credits :
Christian McBride – Bass (Upright, Electric), Keyboards
Ron Blake - Sax (Tenor, Soprano)
Shedrick Mitchell – Piano, Electric Piano
Rodney Green – Drums
Herbie Hancock – Piano (on "Xerxes" and "Lullaby For a Ladybug")
Dianne Reeves – Vocalese (on "Lullaby For a Ladybug")
Toots Thielemans – Harmonica
James Carter – Bass Clarinet
David Gilmore – Guitar (Acoustic, Electric)

ELLA FITZGERALD — Whisper Not (1966-2002) RM | LP Reproduction Series | Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Whoever decided to put pianist Marty Paich and Ella Fitzgerald together in the studio in 1966 deserves a bit of credit for the great music on Whisper Not. Together, Fitzgerald and Paich deliver a dozen beautifully sung, carefully arranged standards. An orchestra tastefully backs Fitzgerald's vocals, offering cushy support without overdoing it. Even lighter pieces like "Sweet Georgia Brown" and "Old MacDonald" are given stately renditions. There's a fun version of "I Said No," filled with silly double entendres, and a relaxed take on "Thanks for the Memory." Norman Granz takes full advantage of stereo capabilities, creatively mixing the instruments to the right and left tracks while leaving Fitzgerald's voice front and center. Paich adds to the overall sound quality by varying the arrangements from song to song, carefully wrapping each tune in the right package. These fine-tuned arrangements also provide the perfect launching pad for Fitzgerald to place her own stamp on material associated with other singers. While both "Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be)" and "You've Changed" will be recognized as Billie Holiday classics, Fitzgerald delivers light, elegant versions that are distinctly her own. Whisper Not captures two intelligent artists working toward a common goal and creating beautiful music in the process. Ronnie D. Lankford
Tracklist :
1. Sweet Georgia Brown 3:35
 Ben Bernie / Kenneth Casey / Maceo Pinkard
2. Whisper Not 3:04
 Leonard Feather / Benny Golson
3. I Said No 4:04
 Frank Loesser / Jule Styne
4. Thanks for the Memory 4:05
 Ralph Rainger / Leo Robin
5. Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most 3:51
 Fran Landesman / Tommy Wolf
6. Old MacDonald 2:19
  Traditional
7. Time After Time 3:31
 Sammy Cahn / Jule Styne
8. You've Changed 3:19
 Bill Carey / Carl Fischer
9. I've Got Your Number 3:16
 Cy Coleman / Carolyn Leigh
10. Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be?) 4:24
 Jimmy Davis / Roger "Ram" Ramirez / Jimmy Sherman
11. Wives and Lovers 2:24
 Burt Bacharach / Hal David
12. Matchmaker 2:49
 Jerry Bock / Sheldon Harnick
Credits :
Ella Fitzgerald - Vocal
Marty Paich - Piano, Arranger
Chuck Berghofer - Double Bass
Louie Bellson - Drums
Harry "Sweets" Edison - Trumpet
Shelly Manne - Drums
Joe Mondragon - Double Bass
Bill Perkins - Tenor Saxophone
Jimmy Rowles - Piano
Al Viola - Guitar
Stu Williamson - Trumpet

JOE HENDERSON — Lush Life : The Music of Billy Strayhorn (1992+2005) Two Version | WV + FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

With the release of this CD, the executives at Verve and their marketing staff proved that yes, indeed, jazz can sell. The veteran tenor Joe Henderson has had a distinctive sound and style of his own ever since he first entered the jazz major leagues yet he has spent long periods in relative obscurity before reaching his current status as a jazz superstar. As for the music on his "comeback" disc, it does deserve all of the hype. Henderson performs ten of Billy Strayhorn's most enduring compositions in a variety of settings ranging from a full quintet with trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and duets with pianist Stephen Scott, bassist Christian McBride, and drummer Gregory Hutchinson to an unaccompanied solo exploration of "Lush Life." This memorable outing succeeded both artistically and commercially and is highly recommended. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1. Isfahan (Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn) – 5:59
Arranged By – Don Sickler
Bass – Christian McBride
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Henderson
Written-By – Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington
2. Johnny Come Lately – 6:30
Bass – Christian McBride
Drums – Gregory Hutchinson
Piano – Stephen Scott
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Henderson
Trumpet – Wynton Marsalis
3. Blood Count – 7:19
Bass – Christian McBride
Drums – Gregory Hutchinson
Piano – Stephen Scott
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Henderson
4. Rain Check – 5:54
Bass – Christian McBride
Drums – Gregory Hutchinson
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Henderson
5. Lotus Blossom – 4:31
Piano – Stephen Scott
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Henderson
6. A Flower is a Lovesome Thing – 6:58
Arranged By – Don Sickler
Bass – Christian McBride
Drums – Gregory Hutchinson
Piano – Stephen Scott
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Henderson
Trumpet – Wynton Marsalis
7. Take the "A" Train – 7:11
Drums – Gregory Hutchinson
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Henderson
8. Drawing Room Blues – 7:33
Arranged By – Don Sickler
Bass – Christian McBride
Piano – Stephen Scott
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Henderson
9. U.M.M.G. (Upper Manhattan Medical Group) – 5:02
Bass – Christian McBride
Drums – Gregory Hutchinson
Piano – Stephen Scott
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Henderson
Trumpet – Wynton Marsalis
10. Lush Life – 5:03
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Henderson