THE WALTER BISHOP JR. TRIO — Speak Low + 3 (1961-1987) MONO | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The first album as a leader would of course be an occasion of incredible pressure, especially for an artist such as this one. By the time this recording was originally released in 1961, pianist Walter Bishop, Jr. had spent so much time in other people's bands that it seemed the sideman stigmata would never heal. And it really never did, since despite more than a dozen efforts as leader between this one and his death in 1998 he never really achieved the acknowledgement as a leader that some of his contemporaries did, even ones who were somewhat lesser players. Of course anyone who peruses commentary on the bebop era that Bishop paid his dues in will come across opinions to the contrary. It is sometimes said that this pianist "lacked chops," hip lingo concerning technique and not meant to suggest he failed to stop off at the butcher on the way home as requested. True, this is not a flashy keyboardist and also one who did not choose his debut as a leader to unveil a stack of up til then hidden original masterpieces of composition. He plays standards here, choosing either the long or short form for six different titles, some of them quite familiar. Listeners may be advised that this is a side worth owning simply for the playing of the bassist, Jimmy Garrison, the value of the piano playing put aside temporarily. By the '60s this bassist was mostly associated with John Coltrane, and was a member of what is often considered Trane's classic quartet. While that group was quite adept at playing standards, the type of straight-ahead approach presented in the Bishop trio was more the way Coltrane played before Garrison came into his group. This album is full of this bassist's wonderful touch with mainstream jazz material, including some rumbling arco solos and terrific walking. "Blues in the Closet" holds steady to its quick tempo; after all, Garrison hardly flagged on the long, fast "Chasin' the Trane" that would follow only a few years later.

Interesting drummer Wilbert G.T. Hogan recorded with some other fine pianists besides this one, notably Randy Weston. He also wound up with the Ray Charles band at one point and lays down a somewhat harder beat on sides by tenor saxophonist and Charles alumni Hank Crawford. This is somewhat more information that was given about him on the original album and reissues, the total sum of which was the following: "G.T. Hogan is on drums. Notice his fine brush work. A diminishing art today." The final comment isn't really true if any contemporary percussionists are asked -- they would all love to play brushes as well as Hogan and many are trying very hard. Whether the same comment could be made concerning the pianist is hard to say. Many keyboardists have missed out on the influence of pianists such as Bishop, who knows how to state themes simply and eloquently. His use of dissonance in 1961 is subtle, hinting at tritones in "Sometimes I'm Happy" and letting somewhat delirious overtones ring out on the superb performance of "Alone Together." Needless to say, the piano is a bit out of tune here and there, adding to the mystique. Despite that, there is the sense that this album must have been something special for Bishop. His final recordings came out under the title of Speak Low Again several years after his death, kind of like a set of bookends. Eugene Chadbourne
Tracklist :
1    Sometimes I'm Happy (Alt. Take) 7:24
Composed By – I. Caesar, V. Youmans
2    Sometimes I'm Happy 6:25
Composed By – I. Caesar, V. Youmans
3    Blues In The Closet (Alt. Take) 3:47
Composed By – O. Pettiford
4    Blues In The Closet 2:57
Composed By – O. Pettiford
5    Green Dolphin Street 9:45
Composed By – B. Kaper, N. Washington
6    Alone Together 6:45
Composed By – A. Schwartz
7    Milestones 4:45
Composed By – M. Davis
8    Speak Low (Alt. Take) 9:25
Composed By – K. Weil, O. Nash
9    Speak Low 9:20
Composed By – K. Weil, O. Nash
Credits :
Bass – Jimmy Garrison
Drums – G. T. Hogan
Piano – Walter Bishop Jr.

CURTIS FULLER — The Boss of the Soul-Stream Trombone (1960-1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 An obscure set by trombonist Curtis Fuller that was originally put out by the Warwick label, this otherwise unremarkable set is sparked by the inclusion of the young trumpeter Freddie Hubbard (recently arrived from Indianapolis) and tenor saxophonist Yusef Lateef. With veteran bebopper Walter Bishop on piano and two players from Quincy Jones' big band (bassist Buddy Catlett and drummer Stu Martin), Fuller performs four originals and three standards (including "If I Were a Bell"). Hubbard's fiery statements often steal the show. Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits :

CURTIS FULLER — The Magnificent Trombone Of Curtis Fuller (1961-2014) Serie Jazz Collection 1000 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist & Credits :  

CURTIS FULLER — Fire And Filigree (1979) Vinyl, LP | 24bits-96Hz | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

For this excellent hard bop date, trombonist Curtis Fuller and the powerful tenor Sal Nistico make for a potent front line. With pianist Walter Bishop Jr., bassist Sam Jones and drummer Freddie Waits keeping the momentum flowing, the quintet performs two Fuller originals, Kenny Dorham's "Minor's Holiday," and three standards. Although the bop-oriented BeeHive label has since become inactive, one might be able to find this swinging and enjoyable album, one of Curtis Fuller's best sets of the era. Scott Yanow   Tracklist & Credits 

CHARLIE PARKER – 1951-1952 | The Chronogical Classics – 1314 (2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

There's a lot to be said for this kind of chronological survey when it's applied to someone like Charlie Parker. It forces you to take into account not only the critically accepted material but everything that Bird accomplished in his professional life -- that is, every commercially released studio recording from this time period. The music resulting from the sessions of January 17 and August 8, 1951, is universally regarded as substantial and masterful. Critics have been "legitimating" these wonderful recordings for decades. They've also complained ad nauseum about the rest of the material on this album. Time after time, issue after reissue, album liner notes hint wryly at Bird's "artistically unsuccessful" experiments with both Latin American percussion and a big band augmented by a chamber string ensemble. It is possible, after all, for listeners to honor Parker by saying to themselves, "This is what the artist felt compelled to do, and we are capable of being receptive to -- appreciative of -- his ideas and the recordings he has left behind." Forget all notions of what belongs or doesn't belong on a jazz record -- specifically on a Charlie Parker record. The South of the Border stuff is fun -- thrilling, even -- and at times beautiful. The selections from Bird with Strings are fascinating and rewarding for those who are not uptight or prejudicial. The wonderful truth is this: music invariably legitimates itself, and ultimately no critics are necessary provided the listener has ears and a heart through which to listen. arwulf arwulf          Tracklist + Credits :

STAN GETZ | ZOOT SIMS — The Brothers (1956-1989) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The music on this LP recalls the airy "Four Brothers" sound that tenor saxophonists Stan Getz, Zoot Sims and Herbie Steward, and baritone saxophonist Serge Charloff, plied in Woody Herman's band of 1947. For this outing, Steward and Charloff exit, and four become five with the addition of tenor luminaries Al Cohn, Brew Moore, and Allen Eager. The set appropriately kicks off with Gerry Mulligan's "Five Brothers," a tune reminiscent of Jimmy Giuffre's original "Four Brothers" in its fluid and bouncy arrangement. Three other attractive and similarly disposed originals (one more by Mulligan and two by Cohn) complete the saxophone session from 1949, all featuring swinging statements by each soloist. A 1952 sextet date led by Sims and Cohn is also included, offering up another round of original and buoyantly swinging cuts, bolstered by lively contributions from trombonist Kai Winding and solid rhythmic support by pianist George Wallington, bassist Percy Heath, and drummer Art Blakey. A fine release that nicely showcases the cool, proto-West Coast bop forged by both these soloists and Miles Davis. Stephen Cook  

Tracklist :
1 Stan Getz And His Four Brothers- Five Brothers 3:10
Gerry Mulligan    
2 Stan Getz And His Four Brothers- Five Brothers [Alternate Take] 3:34
Gerry Mulligan    
3 Stan Getz And His Four Brothers- Battle of the Saxes 3:52
Al Cohn    
4 Stan Getz And His Four Brothers- Battleground 3:46
Al Cohn    
5 Stan Getz And His Four Brothers- Battleground [Alternate Take] 3:31
Al Cohn    
6 Stan Getz And His Four Brothers- Four and One Moore 3:22
Gerry Mulligan    
7 Stan Getz And His Four Brothers- Four and One Moore [Alternate Take] 3:15
Gerry Mulligan    
8 Zoot Sims And Al Cohn– The Red Door 4:34
Zoot Sims    
9 Zoot Sims And Al Cohn– Zootcase 4:18
Zoot Sims
10 Zoot Sims And Al Cohn– Tangerine 4:24
Victor Schertzinger    
11 Zoot Sims And Al Cohn– Morning Fun 5:37  
Al Cohn
Credits :
1-7
Bass – Gene Ramey
Drums – Charlie Perry
Piano – Walter Bishop
Tenor Saxophone – Brew Moore, Stan Getz, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn, Allen Eager
8-11
Bass – Percy Heath
Drums – Art Blakey
Piano – George Wallington
Tenor Saxophone – Al Cohn, , Zoot Sims
Trombone – Kai Winding
Notas.
#1-7 recorded April 8, 1949. #8-11 recorded September 8, 1952.
#2, 5 and 7 are bonus tracks.
Remastered By [Digital Remastering] – Joe Tarantino
Artwork – Don Martin

SONNY STITT & ZOOT SIMS — Complete Recordings (1965-2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

A surprisingly great pairing - Sonny Stitt and Zoot Sims - heard here on 2 albums recorded in early 1965! "Inter-Action" begins the CD - a nice little set by Stitt and Sims - recorded in Chicago. "Broadway Soul" is an obscure album of Broadway tunes played jazz-wise from Sonny Stitt. Features a great set of players that include Zoot Sims, Jerome Richardson, Budd Johnson, Phil Woods, Walter Bishop Jr, Thad Jones and Osie Johnson.
INTER-ACTION (1965)
1. My Blue Heaven 8'03
Walter Donaldson
2. The Saber 3'05
Sonny Stitt
3. Katea 6'53
Sonny Stitt
4. Fools Rush In 5'33
Rube Bloom
5. Look Down That Lonesome Road 7'19
Traditional
6. I Want To Go Home 4'29
Sonny Stitt
Credits :
Sonny Stitt (Alto Sax & Tenor Sax)
Zoot Sims (Tenor Sax)
John Young (Piano)
Sam Kidd (Bass),
Philip Thomas (Drums)
BROADWAY SOUL (1965)
7. Hello Dolly 2'59
Jerry Herman
8. Better All The Time 3'35
Fain-A & M. Bergman
9. You'd Better Love Me 3'23
Gray / Martin
10. Night Song 5'09
Adams / Strouse
11. A Room Without Windows 3'27
Ervin Drake
12. Gimme Some 5'11
Adams / Strouse
13. Loads Of Love 2'15
Richard Rodgers
14. If I Gave You 5'05
Gray / Martin
Credits :
Sonny Stitt (Alto Sax & Tenor Sax)
Zoot Sims (Tenor Sax)
Thad Jones (Trumpet),
Jimmy Cleveland (Trombone),
Phil Woods (Alto Sax),
Budd Johnson, Jerome Richardson (Tenor Sax),
Roger Kellaway, Walter Bishop, Jr (Piano),
Milt Hinton (Bass),
Osie Johnson (Drums).

HANK MOBLEY — Messages (1956-1989) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

With the exception of Hank Mobley's original "Alternating Current," which was left out due to lack of space, this single CD has all of the music from the two Prestige LPs Mobley's Message and Hank Mobley's Second Message; a two-LP set from 1976 which had the same Messages title and catalog number, but also the complete program, is actually the preferred acquisition, but will be difficult to locate. The first session mostly features the fine tenor Hank Mobley jamming on four superior bop standards, including "Bouncing with Bud," "52nd Street Theme" and "Au Privavem" and his own "Minor Disturbance" in a quintet with trumpeter Donald Byrd, pianist Barry Harris, bassist Doug Watkins and drummer Art Taylor; altoist Jackie McLean has a strong cameo on "Au Privave." The second set, recorded a week later, is less of a jam session, with Mobley, trumpeter Kenny Dorham, pianist Walter Bishop, bassist Doug Watkins and drummer Art Taylor essaying three of Mobley's now-obscure compositions, Benny Harris's "Crazeology" and the standards "These Are the Things I Love" and "I Should Care." The two dates give one a good example of Hank Mobley's playing prior to becoming a regular Blue Note artist, where he would create his greatest work. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Bouncing with Bud 6:57
Bud Powell    
2     52nd Street Theme 5:41
Thelonious Monk    
3     Minor Disturbance 6:15
Hank Mobley    
4     Au Privave 7:31
Charlie Parker    
5     Little Girl Blue 8:41
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers    
6     These Are the Things I Love 6:37
Harold Barlow / Lewis Harris    
7     Message from the Border 6:03
Hank Mobley    
8     Xlento 5:36
Hank Mobley    
9     The Latest 5:48
Hank Mobley    
10     I Should Care 10:01
Sammy Cahn / Axel Stordahl / Paul Weston    
11     Crazeology 6:56
Benny Harris
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Jackie McLean (tracks: 4)
Bass – Doug Watkins
Drums – Art Taylor
Piano – Barry Harris (tracks: 1 to 5), Walter Bishop (tracks: 7 to 11)
Tenor Saxophone – Hank Mobley
Trumpet – Donald Byrd (tracks: 1 to 4), Kenny Dorham (tracks: 6 to 11)

KENNY DORHAM — Kenny Dorham Quintet (1953- 1993) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Kenny Dorham's debut as a leader found the 29-year-old trumpeter more than ready to take control; unfortunately, he spent virtually his entire career in the shadows of other trumpeters (such as Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Clifford Brown, and Lee Morgan). This set was originally released by the Debut label as a six-song 10" LP, reissued with two alternate takes as a regular album, and then re-released during the CD era with two additional blues and another alternate take. The fine playing by the quintet (with Jimmy Heath on tenor and baritone, pianist Walter Bishop, bassist Percy Heath, and drummer Kenny Clarke) is not watered down by the extra material. A special bonus is the fine arranging of Dorham for the ensemble, a much overlooked talent of a continually underrated musician. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 An Oscar For Oscar (Take 1) 2:46
Kenny Dorham
2 Ruby, My Dear (Take 2) 3:02
Thelonious Monk
3 Be My Love (Take 2) 3:32
Nicholas Brodszky / Sammy Cahn
4 Ruby, My Dear (Take 1) 3:04
Osie Johnson
5 Osmosis 2:40
Osie Johnson / Cole Porter
6 I Love You 3:51
Eddie DeLange / James Van Heusen
7 Darn That Dream (Take 1) 4:47
James Van Heusen / Thelonious Monk
8 Darn That Dream (Take 2) 4:51
James Van Heusen / Thelonious Monk
- Bonus Track -
9 I Love You (Take 2) 3:53
Cole Porter
10 Chicago Blues 2:50
Paul Biese
11 Lonesome Lover Blues 3:05
George Jackson / Jean Lenoir
Credits :
Kenny Dorham - trumpet, vocals (tracks: 10, 11)
Jimmy Heath - tenor,  baritone saxophone
Percy Heath - bass
Kenny Clarke - drums
Walter Bishop - piano