ELVIN JONES — In Europe (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Recorded live at a jazz festival in Germany, In Europe represents a typical Jazz Machine live performance, three selections from the group's regular repertoire where the musicians get plenty of room to stretch out, fueled by Jones' propulsive polyrhythms. "Ray-El," written by Elvin's brother Thad Jones, is a medium tempo blues number featuring a fine flute solo by Sonny Fortune. The traditional Japanese folk song "Doll of the Bride" is a 32 minute tour-de-force beginning with Fortune's flute and a long Jones drum solo using mallets, then moving into a Latin-ish vamp with excellent solos from Fortune on tenor sax and Willie Pickens on piano. "Island Birdie," written by McCoy Tyner, is a happy calypso reminiscent of "St. Thomas" with a nice turn on soprano sax by Ravi Coltrane, the son of Elvin's former employer John Coltrane, and bassist Chip Jackson. This was Jones' return to recording after a seven year hiatus. Greg Turner
Tracklist :
1    Ray 17:25
Composed By – Thad Jones
2    Doll Of The Bride 32:28
Japanese Traditional
Arranged By – Keiko Jones
3    Island Birdie 13:02
Composed By – McCoy Tyner
Credits :
Bass – Chip Jackson
Drums – Elvin Jones
Ensemble – The Elvin Jones Jazz Machine
Piano – Willie Pickens
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Sonny Fortune
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Ravi Coltrane

ELVIN JONES — Going Home (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

On Elvin Jones' third Enja CD of the 1990s, the legendary drummer continues with the same formula used on his previous recording, Youngblood, with one exception. Jones adds the veteran Chicago pianist Willie Pickens to a group of younger players -- trumpeter Nicholas Payton, saxophonists Javon Jackson and Ravi Coltrane, flutist Kent Jordan, and bassist Brad Jones -- as they perform a program of standards and originals powered by Jones' always dynamic drumming. Never known as a composer, Jones wrote three of the eight compositions on Going Home. "The Shell Game" sounds like a figure Jones would play on the drums; it's a brief melody that serves as a springboard for the soloists. "April 8th" begins with Jones playing a march that quickly develops into an up-tempo burner with a march-like bridge, while the title track is a down-home blues featuring Pickens' piano. "Truth," written by Jones' wife Keiko, begins with a drum solo that develops into a Japanese folk song-like melody, then develops into a finger-poppin' groove. Payton, 19 years old at the time of this recording, shows the promise here that makes him a player to watch in years to come. A welcome addition to Jones' extensive discography. Greg Turner
Tracklist :
1    The Shell Game 12:03
Written-By – Elvin Jones
2    Going Home 4:53
Written-By – Elvin Jones
3    Cross Purpose 3:35
Written-By – Thad Jones
4    You've Changed 8:37
Written-By – B. Carey, C. Fisher
5    Truth 11:52
Written-By – Keiko Jones
6    East Of The Sun 4:00
Written-By – Brooks Bowman
7    In 3/4 Thee 6:36
Written-By – Ravi Coltrane
8    April 8th 6:32
Written-By – Elvin Jones
Credits :
Bass – Brad Jones
Drums – Elvin Jones
Flute, Piccolo Flute – Kent Jordan
Piano – Willie Pickens
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Ravi Coltrane
Tenor Saxophone – Javon Jackson
Trumpet – Nicholas Payton

ELVIN JONES — Jazz Machine (1997) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    April 8th 7:03
Composed By – Elvin Jones
2    East Of The Sun 4:06
Composed By – Brooks Bowman
3    Zenzo's Spirit 6:57
Composed By – Keiko Jones
4    A Change Is Gonna Come 5:25
Composed By – Sam Cooke
5    It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing 5:38
Composed By – Duke Ellington
6    Angel Eyes 8:50
Composed By – Matt Dennis
7    Have You Seen Elveen 7:54
Composed By – Nicholas Payton
8    My Romance 6:25
Composed By – Rodgers & Hart
9    A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing/Ask Me Now 9:13
Composed By – Billy Strayhorn, Thelonious Monk
10    Island Birdie 13:02
Composed By – McCoy Tyner
Credits :
Bass – Brad Jones (tracks: 1,2), Cecil McBee (tracks: 3-5,9), Chip Jackson (tracks: 10), George Mraz (tracks: 6,7,8)
Flute, Piccolo Flute – Kent Jordan (tracks: 1,2)
Piano – Willie Pickens (tracks: 1-5,9,10)
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Ravi Coltrane (tracks: 1,2,10)
Tenor Saxophone – Javon Jackson (tracks: 1,2,7), Joshua Redman (tracks: 6,7)
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Sonny Fortune (tracks: 3-5,9,10)
Trombone – Delfeayo Marsalis (tracks: 3-5,9)
Trumpet – Nicholas Payton (tracks: 1-5,7,9)