SAM JONES PLUS 10 — The Chant (1961-1994) RM | Original Jazz Classics Limited Edition Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Bassist Sam Jones's Riverside recordings have long been underrated. This CD reissue features Jones on bass and cello for four songs apiece with a particularly strong supporting cast including cornetist Nat Adderley, trumpeter Blue Mitchell, trombonist Melba Liston, altoist Cannonball Adderley (who only takes one solo) and Jimmy Heath on tenor; Victor Feldman and Heath provided the colorful arrangments. Highlights include "Four," "Sonny Boy," Jones's "In Walked Ray" and "Over the Rainbow" but all eight selections in this straightahead set are rewarding. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    The Chant    3:24
 Victor Feldman
2    Four    4:23
 Miles Davis / Jon Hendricks
3    Blues On Down    5:45
 Benny Golson
4    Sonny Boy    4:54
 Lew Brown / Buddy DeSylva / Ray Henderson / Al Jolson
5    In Walked Ray    4:04
Written-By – Sam Jones
6    Bluebird    4:10
 Charlie Parker
7    Over The Rainbow    6:37
 Harold Arlen / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
8    Off-Color    4:26
Written-By – Rudy Stevenson
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Julian "Cannonball" Adderley
Arranged By – Jimmy Heath, Victor Feldman
Baritone Saxophone – Tate Houston
Bass – Keter Betts (tracks: 4 to 7), Sam Jones (tracks: 1 to 3, 8)
Cello – Sam Jones (tracks: 4 to 7)
Cornet – Nat Adderley
Drums – Louis Hayes
Guitar – Les Spann (tracks: 1 to 3, 8)
Piano – Victor Feldman (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 8), Wynton Kelly (tracks: 4, 6, 7)
Tenor Saxophone – Jimmy Heath
Trombone – Melba Liston
Trumpet – Blue Mitchell
Vibraphone – Victor Feldman (tracks: 4 to 7)

BARNEY KESSEL – Let's Cook! (1957-1999) RM | FLAC (tracks+cue) lossless

This is an excellent session from guitarist Barney Kessel. Kessel is matched with vibraphonist Victor Feldman, pianist Hampton Hawes, bassist Leroy Vinnegar, and drummer Shelly Manne for a blues-with-a-bridge (the 11-minute "Let's Cook"), Vernon Duke's ballad "Time Remembered," and "Just in Time." The second half of the album has modernized versions of "Tiger Rag" and "Jersey Bounce" as played by the guitarist, tenor saxophonist Ben Webster, trombonist Frank Rosolino, pianist Jimmie Rowles, Vinnegar, and Manne. Throughout, Kessel keeps with the other all-stars, swinging hard while paying tribute to the legacy of Charlie Christian. Scott Yanow
Tracklist  :
1 Let's Cook 11:18
Written-By – Barney Kessel
2 Time Remembered 4:15
Written-By – Vernon Duke
3 Just In Time 4:57
Written-By – Adolph Green, Betty Comden, Jule Styne
4 Tiger Rag 9:45
Written-By – Original Dixieland Jazz Band
5 Jersey Bounce 9:30
Written-By – Bobby Plater, Buddy Feyne, Tiny Bradshaw
# 1-3 :
Bass – Leroy Vinnegar
Drums – Shelly Manne
Guitar – Barney Kessel
Piano – Hampton Hawes
Victor Feldman Vibraphone
# 4-5 :
Piano – Jimmy Rowles
Saxophone – Ben Webster
Trombone – Frank Rosolino
Guitar – Barney Kessel
Bass – Leroy Vinnegar
Drums – Shelly Manne

JOHNNY HODGES - Storyville Masters of Jazz (2006) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Johnny Hodges is forever associated with Duke Ellington as one of his principle soloists, though he recorded extensively as a bandleader himself beginning in the '50s. This compilation draws from earlier Storyville releases, including a number of features for the alto saxophonist with Ellington, highlighted by "All of Me" and "Jeep's Blues." But the bulk of this CD contains all ten tracks of Hodges' earlier disc, Masters of Jazz, Vol. 9, which features the saxophonist leading two separate groups of all-stars in club settings. Six tracks come from a 1960 set at The Cellar in San Francisco, with Ben Webster providing a perfect foil for Hodges, all originals by the leader. Four selections come from a Norman Granz-sponsored European tour in 1961, where Hodges led a group of fellow Ellington veterans (Harry Carney, Ray Nance, Lawrence Brown, Aaron Bell and Sam Woodyard, with pianist Al Williams). Hodges' swinging take of "On the Sunny Side of the Street" is brilliant, with the other horn providing lush background and soft rifts for the soloist. In addition to Hodges, Brown also solos in both "Good Queen Bess" and a rousing "Things Ain't What They Used to Be." Highly recommended! Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1     Don't Get Around Much Anymore 3:50     
Duke Ellington    
2     Passion Flower 4:13
Billy Strayhorn    
3     Perdido 2:56     
Juan Tizol    
4     All of Me 1:55
Gerald Marks    
5     C Jam Blues 2:30
Duke Ellington    
6     I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good 2:23    
Duke Ellington
7     In a Mellotone 7:10
Duke Ellington    
8     Cambridge Blues 3:42
Johnny Hodges    
9     Brute's Roots 4:37
Johnny Hodges    
10     Bouncing with Ben 2:51
Johnny Hodges    
11     One for the Duke 5:16
Johnny Hodges    
12     Walkin' the Frog 5:49
Johnny Hodges    
13     Rabbit Pie 4:52
Johnny Hodges    
14     On the Sunny Side of the Street 4:17
Jimmy McHugh    
15     Good Queen Bess 3:36
Johnny Hodges    
16     The Jeep Is Jumpin' 2:53
Duke Ellington / Johnny Hodges    
17     Things Ain't What They Used to Be 5:22
Mercer / Ellington
18     Jeep's Blues 02:34
Duke Ellington / Johnny Hodges    
19     Dooji Wooji 4:05
Duke Ellington

ZOOT SIMS & ART PEPPER - Art 'N' Zoot (1981-1995) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This historic music, which was released for the first time on this 1995 CD, features an exuberant session by a notable group of veteran all-stars, recorded live at UCLA in 1981. Altoist Art Pepper is heard on a lyrical and emotional version of "Over the Rainbow" (the only selection that has Charlie Haden on bass). Tenor great Zoot Sims swings on "In the Middle of a Kiss," "Broadway" and "The Girl from Ipanema"; the latter two songs also feature guitarist Barney Kessel. But the main reason to acquire this disc is to hear Sims and Pepper jamming together on "Wee" and "Breakdown Blues." The rhythm section of pianist Victor Feldman, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Billy Higgins is as tight, alert and hard-swinging as one would expect, and it is a joy to hear this rare encounter by the two great saxophonists. It is only a pity that Pepper and Sims did not record together more extensively during their careers. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Wee (Allen's Alley) 7:39
Denzil Best    
2     Over the Rainbow 10:28
Harold Arlen / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg    
3     In the Middle of a Kiss 8:51
Sam Coslow    
4     Broadway 6:29
Lew Brown / Buddy DeSylva / Ray Henderson
5     The Girl from Ipanema 10:31
Norman Gimbel / Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
6     Breakdown Blues 10:01
Art Pepper / Zoot Sims
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Art Pepper (pistas: 1, 2, 6)
Bass – Charlie Haden (pistas: 2), Ray Brown (pistas: 1, 3 to 6)
Drums – Billy Higgins
Guitar – Barney Kessel (pistas: 4, 5)
Piano – Victor Feldman
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims (pistas: 1, 3 to 6)

ZOOT SIMS - Quietly There : Zoot Sims Plays Johnny Mandel (1984) RM | Digibook | WV (image+.cue), lossless

Norman Granz's idea to match Zoot Sims' lyrical, swinging tenor sax with Johnny Mandel's equally arresting compositions was a masterful one. Sims' tart, alternately lush and furious solos were wonderfully spotlighted on such tunes as "Cinnamon and Cloves," "Emily" and "Zoot." The six-tune session, recently issued on CD, also contains effective piano solos from Mike Wofford. The date's tour-de-force was its final selection, the wonderful "Low Life," which Sims probed, illuminated and ultimately redefined via his solo. Ron Wynn
Tracklist :
1     Cinnamon and Cloves 5:45
Alan Bergman / Johnny Mandel    
2     A Time for Love 7:48
Johnny Mandel / Paul Francis Webster    
3     Zoot 6:50
Johnny Mandel    
4     Quietly There 6:08
Morgan Ames / Johnny Mandel    
5     Emily 9:44
Johnny Mandel / Johnny Mercer    
6     Low Life 6:18
Johnny Mandel
Credits :
Bass – Chuck Berghofer
Drums – Nick Ceroli
Percussion – Victor Feldman
Piano – Mike Wofford
Producer – Norman Granz
Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims

SHELLY MANNE & HIS MEN — At the Blackhawk, Vol. 1 (1959-1991) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Shelly Manne's Quintet was recorded extensively at San Francisco's Black Hawk club for three nights in 1959. Although not the most significant group that the drummer led, this edition (with trumpeter Joe Gordon, tenor saxophonist Richie Kamuca, pianist Victor Feldman, and bassist Monty Budwig) was certainly capable of playing high-quality bebop. Originally their output was released on four LPs; the reissue expanded the music to five CDs. The first volume adds an alternate take of Frank Rosolino's "Blue Daniel" to a set that includes swinging versions of "Blue Daniel," "Poinciana," "Our Delight," and "Summertime." The extended performances are easily recommended to straight-ahead jazz fans. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Summertime 12:01
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin / DuBose Heyward
2     Our Delight 12:03
Tadd Dameron
3     Poinciana 13:17
Buddy Bernier / Nat Simon
4     Blue Daniel 8:43
Frank Rosolino
5     Blue Daniel 8:15
Frank Rosolino
6     Theme: A Gem from Tiffany 0:49
Bill Holman
Credits :
Credits :
Bass – Monty Budwig
Drums – Shelly Manne
Piano – Victor Feldman
Tenor Saxophone – Richie Kamuca
Trumpet – Joe Gordon

SHELLY MANNE & HIS MEN — At the Blackhawk, Vol. 2 (1959-1991) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Vol. 2 of the five CDs that document drummer Shelly Manne's Quintet at the Black Hawk club in San Francisco during a three-day period adds a new alternate take of Charlie Mariano's "Step Lightly" to the original program ("Step Lightly," "What's New," "Vamp's Blues"). These lengthy performances ("Vamp's Blues" is over 19 minutes long) give trumpeter Joe Gordon, the cool-toned tenor-saxophonist Richie Kamuca, pianist Victor Feldman, bassist Monty Budwig and the leader/drummer a chance to really stretch out. Fine 1950s bebop. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Step Lightly 12:59
Benny Golson
2     What's New? 13:28
Johnny Burke / Bob Haggart
3     Vamp's Blues 20:14
Charlie Mariano
4     Step Lightly 14:18
Benny Golson
5     Theme: A Gem from Tiffany 0:42
Bill Holman
Credits :
Bass – Monty Budwig
Drums – Shelly Manne
Piano – Victor Feldman
Tenor Saxophone – Richie Kamuca
Trumpet – Joe Gordon

SHELLY MANNE & HIS MEN — At the Blackhawk, Vol. 3 (1959-1991) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Originally released as four LPs, the Shelly Manne Quintet's three days at San Francisco's Black Hawk club is now documented on five CDs. The third volume adds a second (and longer) version of "Whisper Not" to the original rendition, Cole Porter's "I Am in Love" and the spontaneous 18-minute "Black Hawk Blues." Considering how much music was documented, it is fortunate that trumpeter Joe Gordon, tenorman Richie Kamuca, pianist Victor Feldman, bassist Monty Budwig and drummer Shelly Manne were in top form for this enjoyable gig. The music is high-quality straightforward and uncomplicated bebop. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     I Am in Love 12:22
Cole Porter
2     Whisper Not 10:04
Benny Golson
3     Black Hawk Blues 19:20
Shelly Manne
4     Whisper Not 12:25
Benny Golson
Credits :
Bass – Monty Budwig
Drums – Shelly Manne
Piano – Victor Feldman
Tenor Saxophone – Richie Kamuca
Trumpet – Joe Gordon 

SHELLY MANNE & HIS MEN — At the Blackhawk, Vol. 4 (1959-1991) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Shelly Manne's 1959 quintet (with trumpeter Joe Gordon, tenor saxophonist Richie Kamuca, pianist Victor Feldman, bassist Monty Budwig, and the drummer/leader) was not his most important, but it was a hard-swinging unit well versed in bebop. Their three days at the Black Hawk (a popular San Francisco jazz club during this era) was almost completely documented, originally on four LPs and now expanded to five CDs. As with the first three sets, the fourth volume adds an alternate take (of "Cabu") to the original program ("Cabu," "Just Squeeze Me," "Nightingale," and a full-length version of their theme, "A Gem from Tiffany"). The lengthy solos are consistently excellent, making this entire series recommended to straight-ahead jazz fans. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Cabu 10:59
Roland Alexander
2     Just Squeeze Me (But Don't Tease Me) 13:02
Duke Ellington / Lee Gaines
3     Nightingale 12:07
Xavier Cugat / George Rosner / Fred Wise
4     Theme: A Gem from Tiffany 10:09
Bill Holman
5     Cabu 11:51
Roland Alexander
Credits :   
Bass – Monty Budwig
Drums – Shelly Manne
Piano – Victor Feldman
Tenor Saxophone – Richie Kamuca
Trumpet – Joe Gordon

SHELLY MANNE & HIS MEN — At the Blackhawk, Vol. 5 (1959-1991) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Unlike the first four volumes of this series, which included three or four selections previously released plus a "new" alternate take, the final CD of the extensive documentation of the Shelly Manne Quintet's stint at the Black Hawk club consists entirely of previously unreleased material. Fortunately, the performances by trumpeter Joe Gordon, tenor saxophonist Richie Kamuca, pianist Russ Freeman, bassist Monty Budwig, and the drummer/leader are the same high level as on the more familiar material. They perform obscure songs by Horace Silver (has anyone else ever recorded his "How Deep Are the Roots?") and Victor Feldman in addition to a trio feature on "Wonder Why," the ballad "This Is Always," and a new version of the band's theme song, "A Gem From Tiffany." Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     How Deep Are the Roots 11:12
Horace Silver
2     This Is Always 10:13
Mack Gordon / Harry Warren
3     Wonder Why 8:56
Nicholas Brodszky / Sammy Cahn
4     Eclipse of Spain 10:41
Victor Feldman
5     Pullin' Strings 4:43
Victor Feldman
6     Theme: A Gem from Tiffany 5:48
Bill Holman
Credits :
Bass – Monty Budwig
Drums – Shelly Manne
Piano – Victor Feldman
Tenor Saxophone – Richie Kamuca
Trumpet – Joe Gordon

ELAINE DELMAR - A Swingin' Chick (1960) EP / FLAC (tracks), lossless

Tracklist :

A1 Am I Blue? 3:16
Written-By – Clark, Akst
A2 Why Can't I? 3:39
Written-By – Rodgers & Hart
B1 Wonderful Guy 2:34
Written-By – Richard Rodgers
B2 Blue Turning Grey Over You 2:41
Written-By – Fats Waller
Credits :
Bass – Bill Sutcliffe
Drums – Benny Goodman
Piano – Dill Jones
Vibraphone – Victor Feldman
Vocals – Elaine Delmar

LOREZ ALEXANDRIA - Alexandria the Great (1964-2004) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Lorez Alexandria has not received her due as a jazz singer, probably due in part to her long layoff from recording (11 years) for nationally distributed labels following these 1964 studio sessions for Impulse! But the vocalist is in top form throughout each of these three sessions, each with a different group of musicians. Her soulful singing also hints at her gospel background in places, though her clear enunciation, ability to swing, and touch of charm make her a delight to hear. Most of the arrangements are fairly concise, so the longer tracks shine just a bit brighter. Her swinging take of "Get Me to the Church On Time" is playful, while her soulfulness comes across in the snappy take of "I'm Through With Love," the latter featuring guitarist Ray Crawford. This is an excellent introduction to a fine vocalist worthy of much wider recognition. Ken Dryden
Тracklist :
1. Show Me (4:05)
Alan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe
2. I've Never Been In Love Before (2:21)
Frank Loesser
3. Satin Doll (2:48)
Duke Ellington / Johnny Mercer / Billy Strayhorn
4. My One And Only Love (4:31)
Robert Mellin / Guy Wood
Bass – Paul Chambers
5. Over The Rainbow (3:59)
Harold Arlen / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
6. Get Me To The Church On Time (4:03)
Alan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe
Piano – Victor Feldman
7. The Best Is Yet To Come (2:46)
Cy Coleman / Carolyn Leigh
8. I've Grown Accustomed To His Face (4:07)
Alan Jay Lerner / Frederick Loewe
Piano – Victor Feldman
9. Give Me The Simple Life (2:23)
Rube Bloom / Harry Ruby
10. I'm Through With Love (5:24)
Gus Kahn / Fud Livingston / Matty Malneck
Bass – Paul Chambers
Credits :
Arranged By – Billy Marx (faixas: 1, 6, 8)
Bass – Al McKibbon (faixas: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
Drums – Jimmy Cobb
Flute – Bud Shank (faixas: 1, 6, 8)
Guitar – Ray Crawford (faixas: 3, 4, 95)
Piano – Wynton Kelly (faixas: 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10)
Saxophone – Paul Horn (faixas: 3, 4, 7, 9)
Vocals – Lorez Alexandria

JACK WILSON — Song for my Daughter (1968-2014) RM | SHM-CD | Blue Note, Masterworks Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

On Song for My Daughter, his third record for Blue Note, Jack Wilson "changed with the times," to paraphrase one of the record's songs. Like many of his peers on the label, Wilson pursued a pop direction as the '60s drew to a close, which meant he covered pop hits like "Scarborough Fair/Canticle" and "Stormy," and that he recorded the album with a large band augmented by a string section. It is a testament to Wilson's strengths as a pianist that he doesn't get lost in this heavy-handed setting and manages to contribute some typically graceful moments, including the lovely title song. Nevertheless, the song selection is a little uneven, and there isn't much room for the band to improvise, which makes the album of marginal interest to serious jazz listeners. Audience that aren't quite so concerned such matters will find this an engaging pop-jazz album. Although the production has dated somewhat, it remains a pleasant artifact of its time, and fans of that sound should search for it. Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Tracklist:
1    Imagine 4:24
Written-By – Francis Lai, Sammy Cahn
2    Herman's Helmet 4:33
Written-By – Jack Wilson
3    Changing With The Times 3:02
Written-By – George Shearing
4    Night Creature 3:55
Written-By – Duke Ellington
5    Scarborough Fair / Canticle (From The Motion Picture "The Graduate") 5:09
Written-By – Paul Simon - Art Garfunkel
6    Song For My Daughter 3:02
Written-By – Jack Wilson
7    Eighty-One 6:26
Written-By – Ron Carter
8    Se Todas Fossem Iguais A Voce 2:19
Written-By – Antonio Carlos Jobim, Vinicius DeMoraes
9    Stormy 5:29
Written-By – Buddy Buie, James Barney Cobb Jr.
10    Soft Summer Rain 5:56
Written-By – David N. Baker
Credits:
Bass – Andy Simpkins (tracks: 2, 4, 7), Ike Issacs (tracks: 5, 9), Ray Brown (tracks: 1, 3, 8, 10)
Cello – Jesse Ehrlich (tracks: 6, 9), Kurt Reher (tracks: 6, 9)
Conductor, Arranged By [Strings] – Billy Byers (tracks: 1 to 4, 6 to 9)
Drums – Donald Bailey (tracks: 5, 9, 10), Jimmie Smith (tracks: 2, 4, 7), Varney Barlow (tracks: 1, 3, 8)
Guitar – Howard Roberts (tracks: 2, 4, 7, 10), John Gray (tracks: 1, 3, 8)
Piano – Jack Wilson
Shaker – Stan Levey (tracks: 1, 8)
Timpani [Tympani] – Victor Feldman (tracks: 4)
Vibraphone – Stan Levey (tracks: 3), Victor Feldman (tracks: 2)
Vibraphone [Vibraharp] – Tommy Vig (tracks: 10)
Viola – Dave Burk (tracks: 6, 9), Myer Bellow (tracks: 6, 9)
Violin – Betty Marks (tracks: 6, 9), Israel Baker (tracks: 6, 9)

VICTOR FELDMAN - Merry Olde Soul (1961-1989) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Victor Feldman's one Riverside date as a leader (which has been reissued on CD) features him playing piano on five songs and vibes on four others (three of which add Hank Jones on piano). Joined by bassist Sam Jones and drummer Louis Hayes (both of whom were at the time, with Feldman, the rhythm section of the Cannonball Adderley Quintet), Feldman is in excellent form on a straight-ahead set. The trio/quartet performs five standards that for the most part are not overly familiar, plus four of the leader's originals. Tasteful and swinging music. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 For Dancers Only 4:43
Sy Oliver / Don Raye / Vic Schoen
2 Lisa 4:05
Victor Feldman / Phil Zito
3 Serenity 4:38
Victor Feldman
4 You Make Me Feel So Young 5:18
Mack Gordon / Josef Myrow
5 Come Sunday 2:17
Duke Ellington
6 The Man I Love 6:27
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
7 Bloke's Blues 5:34
Victor Feldman
8 I Want to Be Wanted 3:44

Kim Gannon / Giuseppe Spotti / Alberto Testa

9 Mosey on Down 3:58
Victor Feldman
Credits:
Bass – Andy Simpkins (tracks: 4), Sam Jones (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 9)
Drums – Louis Hayes
Piano – Hank Jones (tracks: 2, 5, 9), Victor Feldman (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 7, 8)
Producer – Orrin Keepnews
Vibraphone – Victor Feldman (tracks: 2, 5, 6, 9)

VICTOR FELDMAN - The Arrival of Victor Feldman (1958-1998) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Victor Feldman had first recorded as a leader when he was 13 and a swing-based drummer. In 1957, he moved from his native London to the United States, and by early 1958 (when he was 23) was in great demand as a pianist and vibraphonist. For his second American release and debut for the Contemporary label, Feldman is completely in the spotlight. Joined by the brilliant bassist Scott La Faro (whose playing is a strong reason to acquire the album) and drummer Stan Levey, Feldman performs a mostly boppish set including "Serpent's Tooth," "There Is No Greater Love," Dizzy Gillespie's "Bebop," a Chopin waltz and three of his diverse originals. An excellent showcase for the still-developing Victor Feldman. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 Serpent's Tooth 3:24
Written-By – Miles Davis
2 Waltz  5:00
Arranged By – Victor Feldman
Written-By – Frederic Chopin
3 Chasing Shadows 3:15
Written-By – Victor Feldman
4 Flamingo 3:15
Written-By – Edmund Anderson, Theodore Grouya
5 S' Posin 4:25
Written-By – Andy Razaf, Paul Denniker
6 Bebop 2:43
Written-By – Dizzy Gillespie
7 There Is No Greater Love 4:20
Written-By – Isham Jones, Marty Symes
8 Too Blue 4:10
Written-By – Victor Feldman
9 Minor Lament 3:55
Written-By – Victor Feldman
10 Satin Doll 4:53
Written-By – Duke Ellington
Credits:
Bass – Scott LaFaro
Drums, Cover [photograph] – Stan Levey
Vibraphone, Piano – Victor Feldman

HOWARD ROBERTS - The Swingin' Groove of Howard Roberts (2018) FLAC (tracks), lossless

When Howard Roberts (1929-1992) decided to teach himself guitar, he decided to visit every black jazz club in his native Phoenix, Arizona. “All we did was play the blues. And that’s what I came out of—the blues.” Roberts, however, felt the need to learn more about the complexities of the profession, and so he started studying harmony and composition.

Looking for more musical activity, he moved to Los Angeles in 1950, where he gigged around the city in jam sessions at after-hours clubs. There, he developed his dazzling technique and fine harmonic sense. Having played with the best instrumentalists and composers, he started getting calls for session work.

He established his reputation with the Bobby Troup trio, which appeared on TV from coast to coast, and consolidated the fame of Troup’s group with some brilliant playing of his Gibson guitar, so much so that the Down Beat jazz critics accorded Roberts the New Guitar Star Award of 1955.

In the years following he continued recording with top jazz singers and instrumentists, and eventually made his first albums as a leader for Verve. In 1959 Roberts started getting more and more work on TV and film, but not content with settling down in the Hollywood studios, in a kind of prosperous obscurity, he kept very active in the jazz scene, playing concerts and recording his own albums.

Howard Roberts was a skilled guitarist with a fondness for direct and unencumbered jazz playing, his tone always bright and penetrating, never twangy. A fine technician, he was able to execute difficult passages cleanly and forcefully. He forged a sound of his own, fiery and hard-swinging, creative and unpretentious. These sessions are an example of his jazz work, as a sideman and as a leader. freshsoundrecords
Tracklist:
01. How Do You Do? (Bert Dahlander) 3:20
02. Johnson’s Wax (Terry Gibbs) 5:13
03. When the Lights Are Low (Carter-Williams) 5:07
04. Hip Soup (S.Swenson) 6:21
05. But Not for Me (G. & I. Gershwin) 3:58
06. Emma (Bert Dahlander) 5:47
07. Room 608 (Horace Silver) 4:17
08. Ballad Medley 6:28
-Everything Happens to Me (Dennis-Adair)
-Moonlight in Vermont (Blackburn-Suessdorf)
-Flamingo (Grouya-Anderson)
09. All the Things You Are (Kern-Hammerstein II) 2:41
10. Lover Man (Ramirez-Davis-Sherman) 4:28
11. Easy Living (Rainger-Robin) 4:05
12. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (Arlen-Koehler) 2:42
13. The Most Beautiful Girl in the World (Rodgers-Hart) 2:51
14. In a Little Spanish Town (Wayne-Lewis-Young) 2:23
15. I’ll Take Romance (Hammerstein-Oakland) 2:57
16. Zigeuner (Noel Coward) 4:17
17. Aunt Orsavella (John T. Williams) 2:25
18. Anything Goes (Rodgers-Hart) 2:30
19. Caribe (John T. Williams) 2:14
Note
Tracks #1-8, from the album “Skål by Bert Dahlander and his Swedish Jazz”
(Verve MG V8253)
Tracks #9-12, from the album “Good Pickin's” (Verve MG V8305)
Tracks #13-16, from the album “The John Towner Touch” (Kapp KL-1055)
Tracks #17-19, from the album “Modern Jazz Gallery” (Kapp KXL 5001)

Personnel on #1-8: Howard Roberts, guitar; Victor Feldman, vibes & piano; Curtis Counce, bass; Bert Dahlander, drums.
Recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, September 17, 1957

Personnel on #9-12: Howard Roberts, guitar; Pete Jolly, piano; Red Mitchell, bass; Stan Levey, drums.
Recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, January 20, 1959

Personnel on #13-16: Howard Roberts, guitar; John T. Williams, piano; Joe Mondragon, bass; Jack Sperling, drums.
Recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, October 3, 1956

Personnel on #17-19: Howard Roberts, guitar; John T. Williams, piano; Curtis Counce, bass; Jerry Williams, drums.
Recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, November 2, 1956

VICTOR FELDMAN - Suite Sixteen (1958-1991) RM / APE (image+.cue), lossless

This interesting set features Victor Feldman shortly before he left England for the United States. Feldman, mostly heard on vibes but also making strong appearances on piano and drums, heads several groups filled with English All-Stars, including such notable musicians as trumpeters Jimmy Deuchar and Dizzy Reece, tenors Ronnie Scott and Tubby Hayes, and pianist Tommy Pollard. The music is boppish with some surprises in the consistently swinging arrangements, giving one a definitive look at Victor Feldman near the beginning of his  by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 Cabaletto 2:52
2 Elegy 3:32
3 Suite Sixteen 8:45
4 Sonar 6:40
5 Big Top 3:38
6 Duffle Coat 5:18
7 Brawl For All 4:16
8 Sunshine On A Dull Day 5:51
9 Maenya 3:49
Credits:
Alto Saxophone – Derek Humble (tracks: 3,4,7,8)
Baritone Saxophone – Harry Klein (tracks: 1,2,5,9)
Bass – Eric Peter (tracks: 3), Lennie Bush (tracks: 1,2,4 to 9)
Congas – Victor Feldman (tracks: 9)
Drums – Phil Seamen (tracks: 1,2,5,9), Tony Crombie (tracks: 3,4,6,7,8,), Victor Feldman (tracks: 1)
French Horn – John Burden (tracks: 1,2,5,9)
Piano – Norman Stenfalt (tracks: 1,2,5,9), Terry Pollard (tracks: 1 to 6, 8,9), Victor Feldman (tracks: 7)
Tenor Saxophone – Ronnie Scott (tracks: 1,2,5,9), Tubby Hayes (tracks: 1,2,5,9)
Trumpet – Dizzy Reece (tracks: 1,2,4,5,7,8,9), Jimmy Deuchar (tracks: 1,2,4,5,7,8,9)
Vibraphone – Victor Feldman (tracks: 2 to 6, 8)