Thursday 31 December 2009

MFS Radio Presents: ''Jump For Joy! (The Ossanha Chant)''

MFS Radio Presents:

''Jump For Joy! (The Ossanha Chant)''


Tracklisting:
01 Willis Jackson - The Song Of Ossanha
02 Willis Jackson - Niamani
03 Wood Brass & Steel - Always There
04 The Rhythm Makers - Monterey
05 Roy Ayers - There's A Masterplan
06 Gloria Lynne - The Shelter Of Your Love
07 Della Reese - Choice Of Colours
08 Norma Jenkins - I Fooled You (Didn't I)
09 Sly Stone - That's Lovin' You
10 Michael Jackson - Dont' Stop 'Til You Get Enough (Original Demo)
11 The Jacksons - Jump For Joy
12 Stanley Turrentine - Evil Ways
13 Dan Hartman - Hands Down (LP Version)
14 LJ Johnson - 24 Hours A Day
15 Funky 4+1 - That's The Joint (Instrumental)

Total Time: 1:00:51
Selected By JP
A My Favourite Sound© Production, 2009

DL/Listen here.

MFS wish to you a fantastic 2010!

Wednesday 30 December 2009

Moacyr Silva E Seu Conjunto ''Sax Sensacional N°5''

Moacyr Silva E Seu Conjunto

''Sax Sensacional N°5''
( LP Copacabana Records, 1964 )
Catalog # CLP11392


Tracklisting:
01 - Diz Que Fui Por Aí (Zé Keti / Hortêncio Rocha)
02 - Jogado Fora (João Mello)
03 - Fly Me To The Moon (In The Words) (B. Howard)
04 - Days Of Wine And Roses (Henry Mancini / J. Mercer)
05 - Garota de Icaraí (Avarese / Jean Pierre)
06 - Sabor a Mi (Álvaro Carrillo)
07 - I'm So In Love (H. Land)
08 - Eu Sei Tu Não Sabes (Carlito / Romeo Nunes)
09 - The Right Thing To Say (S. Gallop / Chester Cann)
10 - Bossa na Praia (Pery Ribeiro / Geraldo Cunha)
11 - Acorrentados (Encadenados) (C. A. Briz)
12 - Lado Bonito de Um Mal (Billy Blanco)

Note:
This is Moacyr Silva e Seu Conjunto - Sax Sensacional Nr. 5 (1964), for Copacabana, which is the last album recorded by Moacyr Silva on his successful “Sax Sensacional” series of five albums. Unfortunately did not bring credits for the Conjunto members that certainly brings Chaim Lewak at the piano, delivering great duels with Moacyr Silva tenor sax.

By Pier

Konk ''The Sound Of Konk''

Konk

''The Sound Of Konk''
( 2xLP Soul Jazz Records, 2004 )
Catalog # SJR LP 090


Tracklisting:
A1 Baby Dee
A2 Elephant
A3 Soka Loka Moki
B1 Love Attack
B2 Konk Party
B3 Your Life
C1 Machina Jam
C2 What U Want (Plus DJ Mixers)
D1 Alien Jam
D2 Konk Party (DJ Mixers)
D3 Baby Dee (Live)

Credits:
Mastered By - Duncan Cowell , Pete Reilly
Written-By - Dana Vlcek (tracks: 1 to 6, 9 to 11) , Geordie Gillespie (tracks: 7, 8),
Konk (tracks: 1 to 6, 9 to 11) , Shannon Dawson (tracks: 7, 8)

Notes:
Subtitle: Tales of the New York Underground 1981-88
Format:2 x Vinyl, LP
Country:UK
Released:2004

Members:
Dana Vlcek,
Shannon Dawson,
Angel Quinones,
Scott Gillis,
Geordie Gillespie,
Richard Edson,
Johnny Sender.

By Pier

Tuesday 29 December 2009

Chaka Khan ''CK''

Chaka Khan

''CK''
( LP Warner Bros. Records, 1988 )
Catalog # 1-25707


Tracklisting:
Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours) 4:45
Soul Talkin' 4:16
It's My Party 5:11
Eternity 4:03
Sticky Wicked 6:54
The End Of A Love Affair 5:10
Baby Me 4:04
Make It Last 4:47
Where Are You Tonite 4:54
I'll Be Around 5:20
* Bonus track: It's My Party (Club Edit) 5:10

Personnel & Credits:
Drums - Jimmy Bralower (tracks: A1, A3, B2)
Keyboards - Rob Mounsey (tracks: A3, B1, B2, B4, B5)
Keyboards, Drums - Ron Skies (tracks: A3, A4, B1 to B3)
Mixed By - Gary Wright (tracks: A,B2 to B4)
Percussion - Carol Steele (tracks: A1, A3, B3, B4)
Producer - Russ Titelman (tracks: A1 to A4, B)
Miles Davis Solo Instrumental, Trumpet, Vocals
More info on personnel here.

Notes:
Format:Vinyl, LP
Country:US
Released:1988

Review:
A first-class release, despite the fact that it didn't pack the normal commercial punch. But it had excellent production, many outstanding selections, and uniformly dazzling, booming, triumphant vocals from Khan. She currently speaks with disdain about the record business, and it's probably due to the relative failure of great records like this to break out and really enjoy the success they merit that's disillusioned her.
By Ron Wynn (AMG)

By Pier

The Who ''Won't Get Fooled Again''









DJ Rodriguez ''4 Steps'' 12''

DJ Rodriguez

''4 Steps'' 12''
( 12'' Disco Single, Cuadra Records )
Catalog # CUADRA 002


Tracklisting:
4 Steps 7:07

Notes:
Format:Vinyl, 12", 45 RPM
Country:Italy

By Pier

Lee Morgan "Volume 3"

Lee Morgan

( LP Blue Note Records, 1957 )
Catalog # BLP 1557
** also issued on Blue Note CDP 7 46817-2.
** part of Mosaic MR6-162, MD4-162.


Personnel & Tracklisting :
Lee Morgan (tp)
Gigi Gryce (as, fl)
Benny Golson (ts, arr)
Wynton Kelly (p)
Paul Chambers (b)
Charlie Persip (d)

Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, NJ, March 24, 1957

tk.3 Hasaan's Dream
tk.5 I Remember Clifford
tk.7 Mesabi Chant
tk.11 Tip-Toeing
tk.13 Domingo

Review :
Vol. 3 is Lee Morgan's final recording from a series done in the spring of 1957, an important year not only for the teenage trumpeter, but for the dominant hard bop sound that swept the landscape of modern jazz. Morgan preferred the sextet format at this time, recruiting alto saxophonist Gigi Gryce and retaining tenor player Benny Golson, while grabbing bassist Paul Chambers and pianist Wynton Kelly from the Miles Davis/John Coltrane combo. The selection of lesser-known but very talented drummer Charlie Persip for this date is a wise choice, as he is more homogeneous to the composed jazz of Golson, which comprises this entire set. Because of the Golson factor, the music is consistent, but not the hard bop blowing session some may have expected. "Tip-Toeing" is inspired by Persip's fanciful, cat-and-mouse-type drumming in a delicate strut drenched in blues, with wonderful solos from Chambers and the author/saxophonist. On other side of the coin, "Domingo" is not Latin-flavored, but instead a straight hard bop line, as the three horns are locked in with great invention and energy. The barren Minnesota flatlands that inspired "Mesabi Chant" are hardly represented by an arid feeling, but instead are enabled by the desolation to create a complicated construct via a 34-bar (not 32-bar) chorus, an aspect that identifies Golson's emerging ideas as a unique jazz composer. The best and most unusual track of the bunch is "Hasaan's Dream," where the expressive flute playing of Gryce and tacit piano give an open-ended Arabic or Asiatic feel to the piece, as underscored trumpet and tenor preclude the held tension of Chambers, leading to a most lovely, easily rendered bop. There's an immortal version of "I Remember Clifford" as well, with Morgan pouring his heart out, while the horns act as musical pallbearers for the late Clifford Brown, who died less than a year prior. This is one of the earliest, and best, recorded versions of this Golson-penned tribute to Brownie. A composed (in more than one way) and relaxed session for this stellar small ensemble, it also brings forth the intelligence and street smarts of all the players, one of the best recordings in Lee Morgan's early career and well worth a hearty recommendation to all.
By Michael G. Nastos [AMG]

By Rob

Monday 28 December 2009

MFS Radio Presents: ”Gettin’ Hot Volume 4 - Go Go Beats” Music For Your Happiness

MFS Radio Presents:


Tracklisting:
01 - Trouble Funk - Good To Go 12''
02 - Redds & The Boys - Movin' & Groovin' 12''
03 - AM-FM - All We Want Is Go-Go
04 - Trouble Funk - Pump Me Up 12''
05 - Slim - Good To Go
06 - Chuck Brown - We Need Some Money (8.18) 12''
07 - Go Go Lorenzo & The Davis Pickney Project-You Can Dance If You Want To
08 - TTED All Stars - All Wrapped Up In One (Fast Version)
09 - Little Benny & The Masters - Who Comes To Boogie 12''
10 - Donald Banks - Status Quo
11 - AM-FM You Are The One (Instrumental)
12 - Trouble Funk - E Flat Boogie (Instrumental)

All original versions
Compiled by JP
A My Favourite Sound© Production, 2009

Books: ''The Beat!''


The Beat!was the first book to explore the musical, social, and cultural phenomenon of go-go music. In this new edition, updated by a substantial chapter on the current scene, authors Kip Lornell and Charles C. Stephenson, Jr., place go-go within black popular music made since the middle 1970s--a period during which hip-hop has predominated. This styling reflects the District's African American heritage. Its super-charged drumming and vocal combinations of hip-hop, funk, and soul evolved and still thrive on the streets of Washington, D.C., and in neighboring Prince George's County, making it the most geographically compact form of popular music.Go-go--the only musical form indigenous to Washington, D.C.--features a highly syncopated, nonstop beat and vocals that are spoken as well as sung. The book chronicles its development and ongoing popularity, focusing on many of its key figures and institutions, including established acts such as Chuck Brown (the Godfather of Go-Go), Experience Unlimited, Rare Essence, and Trouble Funk; well-known DJs, managers, and promoters; and filmmakers who have incorporated it into their work. Now updated and back in print,The Beat!provides longtime fans and those who study American musical forms a definitive look at the music and its makers.

More info & buy here.

Moacyr Silva E Seu Conjunto ''Moacyr Silva''

Moacyr Silva E Seu Conjunto

''Moacyr Silva''
( LP Copacabana Records, 1956 )
Catalog # CLP 3081


Tracklisting:
01 - Pennies From Heaven (A. Johnston / J. Burke) Fox
02 - Sacode Carola (Hélio Nascimento) Samba
03 - Love Is a Many Splendored Thing (Paul Francis Webster / S. Fain) Fox
04 - Catita (Carvalhinho / Loyola) Bolero
05 - If You Can Dream (S. Cahn / N. Brodszky) Fox
06 - Sal e Pimenta (Nazareno de Brito / Newton Ramalho) Samba
07 - Memories Are Made Of This (T. Gilkyson / R. Dehr / F. Miller) Fox
08 - Convite ao Samba (Inaldo Vilarim / Gaúcho) Samba

Personnel:
Moacyr Silva (sax tenor)
Maurilio da Silva Santos (piston)
Nelson dos Santos (trombone)
Chaim Lewak (piano)
Dom Um Romao (drums)
Rodolfo Taranto (bass)

By Pier

Saturday 26 December 2009

MFS Radio Presents : ''This Christmas''

MFS Radio Presents :

''This Christmas''


Tracklisting:
01 Shawn Phillips - A Christmas Song
02 Les Brown & His Band of Renown - The Nutcracker Suite
03 Les Brown - I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm-Jing-A-Ling
04 Louis Armstrong - Cool Yule
05 Kay Starr - (Everybody's Waitin' For) The Man With the Bag
06 Sammy Davis, Jr - Jingle Bells
07 Dean Martin - I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
08 Carmen McRae - Baby, It's Cold Outside
09 Louis Jordan - May Every Day Be Christmas
10 Lou Rawls - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
11 Elvis Presley - Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me)
12 Mel & Kim - Rockin´Around The Christmas Tree
13 Shakin´Stevens - Merry Christmas Everyone
14 Bryan Adams - Run Rudolph Run
15 Gladys Night And The Pips - This Christmas
16 The Pointer Sisters - Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
17 The Pretenders - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
18 Chris Rea - Driving Home For Christmas


Selected & Compiled by Rob
A My Favourite Sound© Production, 2009

DL / Listen here.

Friday 25 December 2009

Stan Hunter/Sonny Fortune ''Trip On The Strip''

Stan Hunter/Sonny Fortune

''Trip On The Strip''
( LP Prestige Records, 1965 )
Catalog # PR 7458


Tracklisting:
HFR
Invitation
Trip On The Strip
This Is All I Ask
Sonny's Mood
Corn Flakes
Yesterdays

Personnel & Notes:
Sonny Fortune (as, ts)
Stan Hunter (org)
Sherman Suber (g)
John Royal (d)
Recorded at Rudy Van Gelder Studio,
Englewood Cliffs, NJ, October 28, 1965

**Also on My Jazz World blog

By Pier

Thursday 24 December 2009

Kraftwerk ''Tour De France Soundtracks''

Kraftwerk

''Tour De France Soundtracks''
( 2 x Vinyl, LP, EMI Music Records, Germany, 2003 )
Catalog # 591 708


Tracklisting:
A1 Prologue 0:31
A2 Tour De France Étape 1 4:28
A3 Tour De France Étape 2 6:41
A4 Tour De France Étape 3 3:56
A5 Chrono 3:19
B1 Vitamin 8:09
C1 Aéro Dynamik 5:05
C2 Titanium 3:21
C3 Elektro Kardiogramm 5:16
D1 La Forme 8:41
D2 Régéneration 1:16
D3 Tour De France 5:10

Notes:
Comes with two printed thick paper inner sleeves.
Format:2 x Vinyl, LP
Country:Germany
Released:18 Aug 2003

Review:
Among electronic artists (as well as virtually the entire record industry), only Kraftwerk could construct a viable album by making only minimal adjustments to a sound they made definitive more than 30 years earlier. Tour de France Soundtracks, the group's first record in more than 15 years, is quintessentially Kraftwerk but still fits in well with contemporary dance trends like the experimental microhouse scene (highly influenced by the group's ultra-minimalism). The story of Tour de France Soundtracks actually begins 20 years earlier, in 1983, when Kraftwerk released the "Tour de France" single. Recorded in tribute to one of the sporting world's most grueling events, the track was a hi-res piece of dance-pop that made lyrical reference to various biking landmarks (like the infamous mountaintop finish at Tourmalet) and an assortment of sonic references as well (including a bike chain in free spin and the belabored breathing of a bicyclist -- in rhythm, of course). Techno-Pop, the album Kraftwerk scheduled to accompany "Tour de France," was postponed and later canceled (ironically, after a serious biking accident by Ralf Hütter, one of the group's resident biking maniacs). The track resurfaced two decades later, just in time for the centenary anniversary of the race, though Kraftwerk still missed the deadline -- only the rejuvenated single was available during the race. It has little in common with the original, but the new "Tour de France" is impressive nonetheless, boasting the kinetic power of a 100-strong peloton, a guttural Teutonic vocoder of the type beloved by fans, and a recurring tag so sublime Jan Ullrich could hum it through each of the Tour's 20 stages without fear of annoyance. Except for a closing reprise of the original "Tour de France," the rest of the album isn't as focused on biking; Hütter and Schneider construct sublime beatpieces with conceptual lines close to biking topics ("Aéro Dynamik," "Titanium," "Chrono," "Vitamin"), but never confront the listener with yet another track dropping bike terms like peloton or a l'enfer du nord. "Chrono" is the track closest to the Kraftwerk ideal, with its future-shock synth and percussion precision, while "Vitamin" is the farthest away (a downbeat track that still could only have escaped from the Kling Klang studio). Tour de France Soundtrack
From AMG

Covers here.

By Pier

Timmy Thomas ''The Magician''

Timmy Thomas

''The Magician''
( LP Glades Records, 1976 )
Catalog # LP-7510


Tracklisting:
A1 The Magician
A2 Say Love, Can You Chase Away My Blues?
A3 Stone To The Bone
A4 Show Me Tenderness
B1 Watch It! Watch It! Watch It! For Dudley Dudley Dorite
B2 Make Peace With Yourself
B3 Let My People Go
B4 Don't Put It Down
B5 Running Out Of Time

Credits & Notes:
Producer - Willie Clarke
Format:Vinyl, LP
Country:US
Released:1976

Biography:
Timmy Thomas is notable for having been a major one-hit wonder with "Why Can't We Live Together?," a song distinguished by its stripped-down production -- soulful organ, played seemingly improvisationally over a rhythm from a primitive drum machine, with Thomas' impassioned vocals layered over both. The result was a 1973 hit for Thomas and for T.K. Records subsidiary Glades. While Thomas had released records before "Why Can't We Live Together?," and continued to release them afterwards, none of them garnered much in the way of sales. He continued to work on sessions for T.K. Records artists (including Gwen McCrae and Clarence Reid's alter-ego, Blowfly) and could be spotted in the '90s working as a producer for LaFace Records.
By Steven McDonald (AMG)

**Also on Funkydisposition blog

Courtesy of Funkysoul59

Wednesday 23 December 2009

Al Jarreau & Lou Rawls "Soul Men"

Al Jarreau & Lou Rawls

"Soul Men"
( 2xLP K-TEL Records, 1988 )
Catalog # NE 1400


Tracklisting:
01 - Ain't No Sunshine
02 - Lean On Me
03 - Use Me
04 - Kissing My Love
05 - Grandma's Hands
06 - You
07 - Lonely Town, Lonely Street
08 - The Same Love That Made Me Laugh
09 - Sad Song
10 - Trying As Hard As I Can
11 - I Love You, Yes I Do
12 - Season Of The Witch
13 - I Wonder
14 - I Want To Be Loved
15 - Your Good Thing Is About To End
16 - When A Man Loves A Woman

Note:
Great Soul Albums and Titles include Al Jarreau's take on 8 Bill Withers songs.

By Celo

Formula 7 "Som Psicodelico, Volume 1"

Formula 7

"Som Psicodelico, Volume 1"
( LP Parlophone Records,1968 )
Catalog # PBA 13007


Tracklisting:
01 - Watermelon Man
02 - Pata Pata
03 - Ponteio
04 - Call me
05 - Bond Street
06 - Simplesmente
07 - Suck'um Up
08 - You Only Live Twice
09 - Alegria, Alegria
10 - Rossana
11 - I'm a Believer
12 - Batman

Review:
A groovy instrumental LP, full of brass and a nice rhythm section. Tracks include a mix of Brazilian songs with some American standards and a nice version of Batman TV show theme.

By Celo

Bong Penera "Batucada Sa Calesa"

Bong Penera

"Batucada Sa Calesa"
( LP Sony / CBS Records, 1974 )
Catalog # ELP-5002


Tracklisting:
A1 - Beat contemplation
A2 - Samba for Luisa
A3 - Imee
A4 - Two themed samba
A5 - Lullaby
B1 - Batucada sa calesa
B2 - Amanda's theme
B3 - Go
B4 - Tell me
B5 - Valse nova

Review:
Fantastic work from Bong Penera a pianist who might well be called the Sergio Mendes of the Philippine jazz scene of the 70s! Like Sergio, Bong's got a style that's breezy, jazzy, and filled with bossa influenced and like Sergio in the 70s, Bong's working here in a mode that brings together acoustic and electric instrumentation with a heck of a lot of soul using vocals on most of the jazzier cuts, and going for a style that's clearly influenced by the rhythms of Brazil, but inflected with the warmth and sunniness of the 70s LA scene! Lyrics are often in English, and sung either by Bong or female singer Mila Garcia in a sensitive, gentle style that works wonderfully with the light rhythms of the set. All the tunes are originals, and pretty darn fresh and titles include "Samba For Luisa", "Batucada Sa Calesa", "Amanda's Theme", "Go", "Tell Me", "Valse Nova", "Imee", and "Two Themed Samba".

By Celo

Bemibem "Bemowe Frazy"

Bemibem

"Bemowe Frazy"
( LP Polskie Nagrania - Muza Records, 1974 )
Catalog # SXL 1013


Tracklisting:
A1. Podaruj mi troche slonca
A2. Bemowe frazy
A3. Nie bójmy sie wiosny
A4. Dlaczego nas tam nie ma
A5. Kolorowe lato
B1. Nigdy w zyciu nie jest tak
B2. Podróz bez dziewczyny
B3. Juz ci nigdy nie przyrzekne
B4. Wedrowiec i pegaz
B5. Zawsze mamy siebie
B6. Jajecznica

Personnel & Credits:
Ewa Bem - vocal, percussion
Pawel Dabrowski - bass guitar
Mariusz Mroczkowski - piano, vocal
Tomasz Jaskiewicz - guitar
Aleksander Bem - percussion

Guest Musicians:
Marek Blizinski - acoustic guitars
Jan Jarczyk - Fender piano
Wojciech Kowalewski - cong, percussion
Jaroslaw Bem - percussion, vocal
Tomasz Szukalski Ensamble

Note:
Recorded , March 1974, Warsaw, Poland

Review:
Very groovy vocal jazz from Poland very much in the style of the best work by the Novi Singers! The group's led by the lovely Ewa Bem, but features harmonizing male voices behind her on many titles -- set alongside lightly electric instrumentation that has lots of sweet breezy touches! There's a very playful feel to the tunes that's clearly inspired by the bossa vocals of Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66 -- but which also has some great electric Polish jazz 70s touches as well.
From Dustygroove

By Celo

Tuesday 22 December 2009

MFS Radio Presents: ''Gettin' Hot (Old School)'' Music For Your Happiness

MFS Radio Presents:

''Gettin' Hot (Old School)''
Music For Your Happiness


Tracklisting:
01 - Grandmaster Melle Mel - Pump Me Up
02 - Heavy D & The Boyz - We Got Our Own Thang (Club Version)
03 - Great Peso & Mr.Nasty - It's Time To Rock (Rock Time)
04 - Fantasy Three - Summer (Vocal)
05 - Roxanne Shante - Go On Girl
06 - Three Times Dope - Funky Dividends
07 - Brand Nubian - Brand Nubian
08 - Dr.Jeckyll & Mr.Hide - Gettin' Money
09 - Ice T Feat. War - Heartbeat 12''
10 - Fresh 3 MC's - Fresh
11 - Vicious 4 - Getting To The Point (Instr.)
12 - Rockers Revenge - Rockin' On Sunshine (Instr.)

All original versions
Compiled by JP
A My Favourite Sound© Production, 2009

MFS Radio Presents: ''Gettin' Hot (Funky Beats)'' Music For Your Happiness

MFS Radio Presents:

''Gettin' Hot (Funky Beats)''
Music For Your Happiness


Tracklisting:
01 - Gwen Guthrie - Getting Hot (Larry Levan Remix)
02 - Vaughan Mason & Crew - Rockin' Big Guitar 12''
03 - Dr. Perry Johnson - Psyched Up (Instr.)
04 - Prince Charles & The City Big Band - The Jungle Stomp 12''
05 - Oneness Of Juju & Plunky Nkabinde - Every Way But Loose (Slow Version)
06 - Manu Dibango - Abele Dance 12''
07 - Asphalt Jungle - Freakin' Time (Pt.1)
08 - Tom Browne - Funkin' For Jamaica 12''
09 - Stanley Clarke - We Supply
10 - Rare Essence - Body Moves 12''
11 - Trouble Funk - Trouble Funk Express 12'' (Instr.)
12 - Russ Brown - Gotta Find A Way (Instr.)

All original versions
Compiled by JP
A My Favourite Sound© Production, 2009

MFS Radio Presents: ''Gettin' Hot (Disco)'' Music For Your Happiness

MFS Radio Presents:

''Gettin' Hot (Disco)''
Music For Your Happiness


Tracklisting:
01 - Ian Dury - Wake Up And Make Love With Me
02 - Eli's Second Coming - Love Chant
03 - Crown Heights Affair - The Rock Is Hot
04 - David Hudson - Pump It 12''
05 - Brass Construction - Get Up To Get Down
06 - Montana - Warp Factor II
07 - Tony Silvester - Pazuzu
08 - Playmate - Love Dance
09 - Brenda Harris - Freakin' Freak 12''
10 - Wardell Piper - Supersweet 12''
11 - C.J.& Co. - We Got Our Own Thing
12 - The Salsoul Orchestra - Nice 'N' Naasty 12''

All original versions
Compiled by JP
A My Favourite Sound© Production, 2009

Brecker Brothers "Blue Montreux"

Brecker Brothers

"Blue Montreux"
( LP Arista Records, 1978 )
Catalog # AL 4224


Tracklisting:
1 - Blue Montreux 8:47
2 - Rocks 7:54
3 - I'm Sorry 8:38
4 - A Funky Waltz 5:56
5 - Floating 7:53
6 - Uptown Ed 6:35
7 - Cloud Motion 9:27
8 - Love Play 10:52

Review:
A sweet session of 70s electric jazz recorded as a unique live all-star outing by a group of Arista's best jazz players at the time! The group's an octet, but plays together in differing formations throughout the record with Warren Bernhardt on keyboards, Michael Brecker on saxes, Randy Brecker on trumpet, Steve Jordan on drums, Steve Khan and Larry Coryell on guitars, Tony Levin on bass, and Mike Maineri on vibes the last of which really make for some of the best numbers on the album! Bernhardt's keyboards are pretty good too stepping out with a spacious, fluid feel that's never jamming and more in the open-ended Bob James side of the spectrum, although his overall sound is a lot different than Bob's! Titles include "Blue Montreux", "Rocks", "I'm Sorry", "Magic Carpet", "Buds", "Floating", and "The Virgin & The Gypsy".
From Dusty Groove America, Inc.

Review 2:
At the 1978 Montreux Jazz Festival, a variety of artists (including keyboardist Warren Bernhardt, tenor-saxophonist Michael Brecker, guitarists Steve Khan and Larry Coryell, trumpeter Randy Brecker and vibraphonist Mike Mainieri) recorded a dozen funky selections which were originally released on two Arista LPs. This single set has the eight top performances from these important fusion stylists; Michael Brecker in particular is in good form. The results are not essential but offer listeners a time capsule of where R&B-oriented fusion was in 1978.
By Scott Yanow (AMG)

Note:
Also on Bluebird Rec., Cat.# Bluebird 6573-2-RB11

By Celo

Brecker Brothers "Don't Stop The Music"

Brecker Brothers

"Don't Stop The Music"
( LP Arista Records , 1977 )
Catalog # AL 4122


Tracklisting:
A1 - Finger Lickin' Good 3:58
A2 - Funky Sea, Funky Dew 6:13
A3 - As Long As I've Got Your Love 4:15
A4 - Squids 7:45
B1 - Don't Stop The Music 6:33
B2 - Petals 4:20
B3 - Tabula Rasa 8:19

Personnel & Credits:
Sanford Allen Violin
Beverly Billard Vocals (bckgr)
Doug Billard Vocals (bckgr)
Michael Brecker Flute, Sax (Tenor)
Randy Brecker Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Horn
Ariana Bronne Violin
Josh Brown Vocals (bckgr)
Hiram Bullock Guitar
Robin Clark Vocals (bckgr)
Louis del Gatto Sax (Baritone)
Peter Dimitriades Violin
Christine Faith Vocals (bckgr)
Sammy Figueroa Conga
Jerry Friedman Guitar, Piano (Electric)
Steve Gadd Drums
Paul Gershman Violin
Don Grolnick Keyboards
Steve Khan Guitar (Electric), Guitar (12 String)
Harold Kohon Violin
Will Lee Bass, Vocals (bckgr)
Jesse Levy Cello
Richard Locker Cello
Harry Lookofsky Violin
Guy Lumia Violin
Ralph MacDonald Percussion
Lou Marini Sax (Alto)
Chris Parker Drums
Matthew Raimondi Violin
Jack Richardson Producer
Doug Riley Keyboards
Barry Rogers Trombone
Aaron Rosand Violin
Alan Rubin Trumpet
David Taylor Trombone
Sandy Torano Guitar
Lenny White Drums

Review:
This 1977 effort continues their hitmaking streak of one of fusion and R&B's durable and respected units. While this album's predecessor, Back to Back, was credited to the Brecker Brothers Band and featured members including David Sanborn and Steve Khan, it came off as underdone and facile. Don't Stop the Music does present their gifts in a more cogent fashion, but not without a few odd detours. The title track and "Finger Licking Good" are pure disco efforts, with pushy rhythms and ingratiating backing vocals. Although they are both a little silly, they have great horn riffs and boast a potent production. Despite those danceable offerings, Don't Stop the Music also features some of the brothers' most challenging work. The funky and quirky "Squids" features Randy Brecker's customarily offbeat and singular electric trumpet work. Hiram Bullock's articulate guitar also shines on that track and he fit into the Breckers sound like no other player. "Funky Sea, Funky Dew" is a reflective, urbane mid-tempo offering that has great tenor solos from Michael Brecker. The just-as-strong "Petals" features a poignant trumpet work from Randy Brecker. Don't Stop the Music enlists rock producer Jack Richardson, and he and co-producer Steve Backer both capture the more powerful aspects of the duo. Recorded at Atlantic Studios and engineered by Gene Paul, Don't Stop the Music boasts an interesting sound, and is one of the Brecker Brothers' better efforts.
By Jason Elias (AMG)

By Celo

Brecker Brothers "Back To Back"

Brecker Brothers

"Back To Back"
( LP Arista Records, 1976 )
Catalog # AL 4061


Tracklisting:
A1 Keep It Steady (Brecker Bump) 6:20
A2 If You Wanna Boogie...Forget It 3:52
A3 Lovely Lady 6:11
A4 Night Flight 6:12
B1 Slick Stuff 4:44
B2 Dig A Little Deeper 3:57
B3 Grease Piece 5:41
B4 What Can A Miracle Do 4:10
B5 I Love Wastin' Time With You 6:27

Personnel & Credits:
Patti Austin Vocals
Steve Backer Executive Producer
The Brecker Brothers Producer
Michael Brecker Flute, Sax (Tenor)
Randy Brecker Piano, Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Vocals, Electric Trumpet
Robin Clark Vocals, Vocals (bckgr)
Rafael Cruz Percussion
Lew DelGatto Sax (Baritone)
Louis del Gatto Saxophone, Sax (Baritone)
Godfrey Diamond Engineer
Jimmy Douglass Engineer
Sammy Figueroa Percussion
Benno Friedman Photography
David Friedman Marimba
Steve Gadd Drums
Nancy Greenberg Art Direction, Design
Don Grolnick Trombone, Keyboards
Bob Heimall Art Direction, Design
Steve Khan Guitar
Will Lee Bass, Bass (Electric), Vocals
Ralph MacDonald Percussion
Bob Mann Guitar
Chris Parker Drums
Christopher Parker Drums
David Sanborn Sax (Alto)
Diane Snyder Vocals (bckgr)
Jerry Solomon Assistant Engineer
Diane Sumler Vocals, Vocals (bckgr)
G. Diane Sumler Vocals
Luther Vandross Vocals, Vocals (bckgr), Vocal Arrangement
Dave Whitman Synthesizer, Programming, Vocals (bckgr), Producer, Synthesizer Programming
Allee Willis Vocals

Review:
A great batch of soulful fusion tracks from The Brecker Brothers recorded back before they got too cheesy! The album features the twin horns of Randy & Michael Brecker, along with alto by David Sanborn, keyboards by Don Grolnick, and guitar by Steve Khan but one of the things that really makes the album great is the vocal arrangements, which were handled by Luther Vandross, who also sung on the album along with Patti Austin. The set’s got a great soulful feel with some wonderful mellow groovers that have a sweet 70s sound.
(Dusty Groove America)

By Celo

Brecker Brothers "Brecker Bros"

Brecker Brothers

"Brecker Bros"
( LP Arista Records, 1975 )
Catalog # AL 4037


Tracklisting:
A1 - Some Skunk Funk 5:50
A2 - Sponge 4:00
A3 - A Creature Of Many Faces 7:40
A4 - Twilight 6:32
B1 - Sneakin' Up Behind You 4:50
B2 - Rocks 4:37
B3 - Levitate 4:31
B4 - Oh My Stars 3:14
B5 - D.B.B. 4:45

Personnel & Credits:
Artwork By [Art Direction] - Bob Heimall
Artwork By [Design] - Arton Associates
Bass [Electric] - Will Lee
Drums - Harvey Mason
Engineer [Assistant Remix] - David Stone , Leanne Unger
Engineer [Recording, Remix] - Gerald Block
Executive Producer - Steve Backer
Guitar - Bob Mann
Keyboards - Don Grolnick
Percussion - Ralph MacDonald
Photography - John Paul Endress
Producer, Trumpet, Trumpet [Electric], Composed By,
Arranged By, Flugelhorn - Randy Brecker
Saxophone [Alto] - Dave Sanborn
Saxophone [Tenor] - Michael Brecker

Review:
In the ’70s, brothers Michael and Randy Brecker co-led a band of New York session big shots that included, at various times, David Sanborn, Don Grolnick, Will Lee, and George Duke, among others. When they chose, the Brecker Brothers Band could be one of the most intelligent and creative fusion outfits. Chief composer/trumpeter Randy’s best tunes were structurally unpredictable, melodically intricate, and harmonically complex, inside/out bop heads played in an impossibly precise manner over a bed of funk rhythms. Unlike the bulk of jazz-funk (then and now), the Breckers on their first record, at least kept the pandering to a minimum. Though it had a certain commercial appeal, 1975’s Back to Back was an artistic success as well. The Brothers’ music was a smart combination of extended pop forms, top-notch jazz improvisation, and sophisticated compositional techniques. On later albums, the temptation to sell lots of records apparently became too great to resist. Even the otherwise excellent first record bore some marks of disco, and with each subsequent album, the band’s creative IQ shrank by several points. Still, virtually every record had something of substance to recommend it. In the early ’90s, RCA issued a pair of compilation sets that combined the best of the band’s purely instrumental, jazz-based work. By 1982, the brothers had ceased working together, but did reunite for touring and recording in the early ’90s.
First date for brothers from 1975. Side one is solid jazz/funk/fusion.
(AMG)

By Celo

Monday 21 December 2009

Merry Christmas


Charles Mingus

Director: Don McGlynn
Producer: Sue Mingus, Don McGlynn
Runtime: 78 mins


Reviews :
A thorough, poignant profile of jazz legend Charlie Mingus, whose distinctive bass stylings and radical arrangements revolutionized the jazz scene. Includes an extensive personal background,... A thorough, poignant profile of jazz legend Charlie Mingus, whose distinctive bass stylings and radical arrangements revolutionized the jazz scene. Includes an extensive personal background, detailing Mingus' struggles with psychological problems and Lou Gehrig's disease, as well as performance footage.

******************************************************************
Charles Mingus 'Triumph of the Underdog' is the first comprehensive documentary about jazz bassist, bandleader, and composer Charles Mingus. Mingus led a tumultuous life filled with trauma and frustration, joy and creativity. Not light enough to be considered white and not dark
enough to fit into the black community, he was an outcast in American society who charted his own path. Likewise, his legacy as a 20th century composer reaches far beyond conventional jazz idioms.
Performances include Epitaph, Peggy's Blue Skylight, Better Get Hit in Your Soul, So Long Eric, Sue's Changes, Goodbye Porkpie Hat, and
more.

Note : Merry Christmas to the MFS' crew & to all of you, dear readers. This is my little special gift for you.

By Rob

Merry Xmas WP Motherfuckers!


That was ridicolous....

====================================

From Mark - WordPress.com

1.Hi,
Your disclaimer has no legal basis and your blog is breaking the law.
It has to leave.
-
Mark

2.Hi,
There is only one way - remove every download link, to not offer music for free that is not yours to give away.
-
Mark

3.Hi,
The blog is open but Private.
You can edit / export as needed.
But please do not make the blog public - that would mean suspension.
-
Mark

4.Hi,
As the blog is Private no-one can see it so there are no worries about the comments.
-
Mark

After this, the MFS blog was definitively blocked,
within any announcement....

==============================================

This was the ''Word Press'' novela (soap opera)
It is gourgeous that, after this, he never respond to me.
I think that WP is a fascist site- i mean the intimate ''But please do not make the blog public - that would mean suspension'' and said ''please'' to me was very funny.

So, adeus to that enormous shit and to all that had contributed for the WP shuting off (i know all of you)
Merry Xmas, WP motherfuckers!

PS: noto che ci sono innumerevoli blog su Word Press che postano a più non posso cose anche più nuove di quelle postate da noi, e che vanno avanti spediti e tranquilli.
Spero solo che un giorno ci sia più giustizia, meno invidia e meno delatori in Web.
Certe persone dovrebbero vergognarsi....chi vuol intendere intenda....


Martha Reeves & The Vandellas "Riding High"

Martha Reeves & The Vandellas

"Riding High"
( LP Gordy Records, 1968 )
Catalog # GLPS 926


Tracklisting:
1 "I Promise to Wait My Love"
2 "Honey Chile
3 "(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me"
4 "Leave It in the Hands of Love"
5 "Love Bug Leave My Heart Alone"
6 "I'm In Love (And I Know It)"
7 "To Sir With Love"
8 "Forget Me Not"
9 "(We've Got) Honey Love"
10 "I Say a Little Prayer"
11 "Show Me the Way"

Review:
"Ridin' High" is a soul album released by Motown girl group Martha and the Vandellas on the Gordy (Motown) label in 1968. This album featured the last Top 40 pop hits scored by the group during their recording tenure, "Love Bug Leave My Heart Alone" and "Honey Chile". It was a series of firsts for the group: it was the first album without the help of since departed producers William "Mickey" Stevenson and Holland-Dozier-Holland, however, Motown included one HDH track on the album, "Leave It In The Hands Of Love." Bringing in Richard Morris and songwriter Sylvia Moy, the group managed to release two hit singles though this was the beginning of the end for the group as hitmakers on the pop charts as like their label mates The Supremes and The Four Tops stalled without the team of Holland-Dozier-Holland though they continued to chart well on the R&B charts and in England until their 1972 disbanding. This was also the first album to include lead singer Martha Reeves's sister Lois Reeves, who was replacing Betty Kelly after Kelly was fired from the group in 1967 and also the first album where they were credited as Martha Reeves and the Vandellas. It was also the last album to feature original member Rosalind Ashford, who would exit out of the group shortly a year after this album came out.
From Wikipedia

By Celo

Martha & The Vandellas "Dance Party"

Martha & The Vandellas

"Dance Party"
( LP Gordy Records, 1965)
Catalog # G 915


Tracklisting:
A1 Dancing In The Street
Written By - Stevenson-Gaye
Written-By - Gaye, Stevenson
A2 Dancing Slow
Written By - Stevenson-Hunter-Weatherspoon
Written-By - Stevenson-Hunter , Weatherspoon
A3 Wild One
Written-By - Stevenson-Hunter
A4 Nowhere To Run
Written-By - Holland-Dozier-Holland
A5 Nobody'll Care
Written By - Stevenson-Hunter-Wonder
Written-By - Stevenson-Hunter , Wonder
A6 There He Is (At My Door)
Written By - Holland-Gorman-Dozier
Written-By - Holland , Gorman , Dozier
B1 Mobile Lil The Dancing Witch
Written-By - Stevenson-Hunter
B2 Dance Party
Written-By - Stevenson-Hunter
B3 Motoring
Written-By - Stevenson
B4 The Jerk
Written-By - Stevenson-Hunter
B5 Mickey's Monkey
Written-By - Holland-Dozier-Holland
B6 Hitch Hike
Written By - Stevenson-Gaye-Paul
Written-By - Paul , Gaye , Stevenson

Review:
One of the great party albums of the 1960s, Dance Party was, oddly enough, the work of a Motown act that wasn't known for delivering great albums. Martha & the Vandellas had enjoyed some serious hits from 1964 onward, but hadn't quite measured up in the LP department until the release of Dance Party in the spring of 1965. Made up of material from singles that went back to the previous summer, the album benefited from the presence of the group's biggest single, "Dancing in the Street," its follow-up, the hypnotically pounding, driving, soaring "Wild One," and the classic "Nowhere to Run," surrounded by a trio of well-above-average B-sides and covers of such Motown dance standards as "Mickey's Monkey" and "Hitch Hike." Even the rest was hardly filler, however, with Martha Reeves turning in a gloriously impassioned performance on the ballad "There He Is (At My Door)" and the group acquitting itself beautifully on "Motoring." Each side was always good for at least two plays at any self-respecting teen party of the '60s, and it all still holds up today.
By Bruce Eder (AMG)

Covers here.

By Celo

Sunday 20 December 2009

The Duke Pearson Nonet ''Honeybuns''

The Duke Pearson Nonet

''Honeybuns''
( LP Atlantic Records, 1965 )
Catalog # LP 3002


Tracklisting:
Honeybuns
New Girl
You Know I Care
Is That So?
Our Love
Heavy Legs

Personnel & Notes:
Johnny Coles (tp)
Garnett Brown (tb)
Les Spann (fl)
James Spaulding (as)
George Coleman (ts)
Pepper Adams (bars, cl)
Duke Pearson (p, arr)
Bob Cranshaw (b)
Mickey Roker (d)
Recorded in NYC, May 25 & 26, 1965
** Also issued on Atlantic SD 3002

Review:
This reissue of a Duke Pearson LP from 1966, containing music from the previous year. Other than "Our Love" (a familiar classical theme adapted to American pop music by Larry Clinton), all six selections are originals by the pianist. Utilizing a nonet that includes trumpeter Johnny Coles (who does his best to be soulful on "Honeybuns"), trombonist Garnett Brown, flutist Les Spann, altoist James Spaulding, tenor saxophonist George Coleman, baritonist Pepper Adams, bassist Bob Cranshaw, and drummer Mickey Roker, Pearson performs music in a style that would have fit in quite well on Blue Note. Most memorable among his originals is "Is That So." This is not an essential date, but it is nice to have this rarity back in print again.
By Scott Yanow (AMG)

By Pier

Lee Morgan "Volume 2 : Sextet"

Lee Morgan

( LP Blue Note Records, 1956 )
Catalog # BLP 1541


Personnel & Tracklisting :
Lee Morgan - Trumpet
Kenny Rodgers - Alto Sax
Hank Mobley - Tenor Sax
Horace Silver - Piano
Paul Chambers - Bass
Charlie Persip - Drums
Benny Golson, Owen Marshall - Arrangements

Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, NJ, December 2, 1956

tk.2 Latin Hangover
tk.5 Whisper Not
tk.8 His Sister
tk.9 D's Fink
tk.11 Slightly Hep
tk.13 Where Am I?

* Lee Morgan, Vol. 2 (Blue Note BLP 1541, BST 81541 (pseudo stereo))
= The Complete Blue Note Lee Morgan Fifties Sessions (Mosaic MR6-162, MD4-162)

Review :
Trumpeter Lee Morgan's second recording as a leader (which has been reissued in his four-set "complete on Blue Note" Mosaic box set) is as notable for the writing of Benny Golson (who composed and arranged four of the six selections) as for the solos of the leader. The set is highlighted by the debut version of "Whisper Not." Actually Morgan, tenor-saxophonist Hank Mobley, pianist Horace Silver, bassist Paul Chambers, drummer Charlie Persip and the obscure altoist Kenny Rodgers all play quite well. Morgan was just 18 and starting to come out of the shadow of his early influence Clifford Brown. An above-average hard bop set.
By Scott Yanow [AMG]

By Rob

Paul Chambers Quartet ''Chamber's Music''

Paul Chambers Quartet

''Chamber's Music''
( LP Blue Note Records, 1956 )
Catalog # BN-LA 451-H2


Tracklisting:
1. Dexterity
2. Stablemates
3. Easy to Love
4. Visitation
5. John Paul Jones
6. Eastbound
**(That's What I've Been Thru - unissued)

Personnel & Notes:
John Coltrane (ts -1,2,5/7)
Kenny Drew (p)
Paul Chambers (b)
Philly Joe Jones (d)
Recorded at Western Recorders,
Los Angeles, CA, March 1 or 2, 1956
* Paul Chambers - Chambers' Music (Jazz West JWLP 7; Score SLP 4033; Imperial LP 9182-A, LP 12182-A)
* Paul Chambers/John Coltrane - High Step (Blue Note BN-LA 451-H2)
* Various Artists - Just Jazz! (Imperial LP 9246)

Review:
This reissue bassist Paul Chambers' first sessions as a leader, recorded while he was a member of the Miles Davis Quintet. The first six selections feature Chambers with pianist Kenny Drew, drummer Philly Joe Jones and (on four numbers) the immortal tenor saxophonist John Coltrane. This somewhat obscure date includes such jazz standards as "Dexterity" and "Stablemates" along with "Easy to Love" and three straightahead group originals. Coltrane dominates the numbers he is on although his sound was not quite mature yet. The final three numbers (not on the original LP) are listed on the set as being from April 20, 1955 but logic says that it must be exactly a year later. Chambers, Jones and Coltrane welcome two young musicians recently transplanted from Detroit: baritonist Pepper Adams and trombonist Curtis Fuller. In addition, pianist Roland Alexander is on the lengthy "Trane's Strain." Although none of this music (even the oddly titled "Nixon, Dixon and Yates Blues") is classic, it does give listeners a valuable early look at these important jazzmen.
By Scott Yanow (AMG)

By Pier

Saturday 19 December 2009

Friday 18 December 2009

Roland Kirk ''We Free Kings''

Roland Kirk

''We Free Kings''
( LP Mercury Records, 1961 )
Catalog # 826 455-2
* Also Reissued on Verve Records


Tracklisting:
1. Three for the Festival (3:07)
2. Moon Song (4:20)
3. A Sack Full of Soul (4:37)
4. The Haunted Melody (3:37)
5. Blues for Alice [Alternate Take][*] (5:11)
6. Blues for Alice [Master Take] (4:0
7. We Free Kings (4:44)
8. You Did It, You Did It (2:27)
9. Some Kind of Love (6:09)
10. My Delight (4:28)

Personnel & Notes:
Rahsaan Roland Kirk (flute)
Hank Jones (piano)
Wendell Marshall (bass)
Charlie Persip (drums).
Recorded: New York, August 17, 1961
Tracks 3-6, 10
Roland Kirk - tenor sax, flute, stritch, manzello, siren
Richard Wyands - piano
Art Davis - Bass
Charlie Percip - drums
Tracks 1, 2, 7-9
Hank Jones replaces Wyands on piano
Wendell Marshall replaces Davis on bass

Review:
We Free Kings, Roland Kirk's third long-player, is among the most consistent of his early efforts. The assembled quartet provides an ample balance of bop and soul compliments to Kirk's decidedly individual polyphonic performance style. His inimitable writing and arranging techniques develop into some great originals, as well as personalize the chosen cover tunes. With a nod to the contemporary performance style of John Coltrane, as well as a measure of his influences -- most notably Clifford Brown and Sidney Bechet -- Kirk maneuvers into and out of some inspiring situations. His decidedly 'Trane-esque solos on "My Delight" are supported with a high degree of flexibility by one-time Charles Mingus' pianist Richard Wyands and Dizzy Gillespie percussionist Charlie Persip. The album's title track is a Kirk original, based on the melody of the Christmas hymn "We Three Kings." Incorporating recognizable melodies into Kirk's oft times unorthodox musical settings would prove to be a motif throughout his career. An example is the highly touted cover of Charlie Parker's "Blues for Alice." This is an ideal avenue for the quartet to explore one of Kirk's specialties -- the blues. The almost irreverent manner in which he fuses blues and soul music into the otherwise bop-driven arrangements is striking. "A Sack Full of Soul" is a funky number with a walking-blues backbeat that perfectly supports Kirk's swinging solos. The stop time syncopation is reminiscent of Ray Charles' "What'd I Say." The 1987 set version also includes an alternate take of "Blues for Alice." One additional track -- a cover of the Frank Loesser standard "Spring Will Be a Little Late This Year" -- was also recorded at these sessions and remained unissued until its inclusion on the ten-disc Rahsaan: The Complete Mercury Recordings of Roland Kirk box set.
By Lindsay Planer (AMG)

By Pier

Freddie Redd "Shades Of Redd"

Freddie Redd

( LP Blue Note Records, 1960 )
Catalog # BLP 4045
** Also issued on Blue Note BST 84045, CDP 7243 8 21738-2.
** Part of Mosaic MR3-124, MD2-124.


Personnel & Tracklisting :
Jackie McLean - Alto Sax
Tina Brooks - Tenor Sax
Freddie Redd - Piano
Paul Chambers - Bass
Louis Hayes - Drums

Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, August 13, 1960

tk.1 Thespian
tk.4 Blues-Blues-Blues
tk.5 Shadows
tk.6 Swift
tk.9 Ole!
tk.11 Just A Ballad For My Baby
tk.16 Melanie

Review :
In an all too small discography, Freddie Redd's Shades of Redd is without a doubt his crowning achievement. Completed after a successful stint composing music for the stage play The Connection, Redd wrote music specifically geared for his two formidable front line saxophonists -- emerging alto giant Jackie McLean and the unsung hero of the tenor, Tina Brooks. Redd, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Louis Hayes, fresh out of the Detroit scene, took New York City by storm playing clubs and working with Redd when he was not doing production music. All of these tracks, originals by Redd, are brimming with the hope, optimism, and fresh ideas of the early '60s, music perfectly rendered and representative of the time period. The darting, daring, tart sweet alto of McLean and the robust, lean, protein enriched tenor of Brooks fit beautifully together when they play in unison, and they do that a lot. The calm, lovely, then bursting into bop piece "The Thespian" sets the tone, followed by the swinging, head nodding "Blues-Blues-Blues," and the happy, hip, swing/shuffle "Melanie" brings the cream to the top. The teamwork displayed here rivals any seasoned veteran band of the era. Redd's piano playing, never spectacular or boisterous, is instead literate and street smart, and comes to the forefront in any tempo, whether the fleet hard bopper to Latin tinged near-show tune "Swift" and the spicy calypso to swing strutter "Ole," where Brooks steps up and takes a marvelous John Coltrane cum Hank Mobley solo. McLean's feature on "Just a Ballad for My Baby" illustrates his unique style, slightly but purposefully using microtones that might seem somewhat off-putting to the non-cognoscenti, but is remarkable upon closer inspection. Considering this is 1960, and Ornette Coleman was also making his way beyond conventional means, McLean is innovating just as much. Stretched out alternate takes of "Melanie" and "Ole" are included on this single set, and are also available on Redd's 1988 Mosaic label reissue of his complete Blue Note efforts. Redd is still alive as of this writing, performing occasionally in his Los Angeles area home and in New York in 2007 for a revisited production of The Connection. Shades of Redd, his zenith as a jazz musician, would be a wonderful addition to any collection, and shows that the lesser known musicians have plenty of music to play, in addition to a unique perspective aside from the giants of this music.
By Michael G. Nastos [AMG]

By Rob

Sam Jones ''The Soul Society''

Sam Jones

''The Soul Society''
( LP Riverside Records, 1960 )
Catalog # RLP 12-324
** Also issued on Riverside RLP 1172; Fantasy OJCCD 1789-2.


Tracklisting:
1 Some Kinda Mean Betts 5:49
2 All Members Heath 4:11
3 The Old Country Adderley 6:05
4 Just Friends Klenner, Lewis 4:13
5 Home Adderley 5:13
6 Deep Blue Cello Jones 4:57
7 There Is No Greater Love Jones, Symes 3:41
8 So Tired Timmons 6:17

Personnel & Credits:
Cannonball Adderley Liner Notes
Nat Adderley Cornet
Keter Betts Bass
Charles Davis Sax (Baritone)
Louis Hayes Drums
Jimmy Heath Arranger, Saxophone, Sax (Tenor)
Jack Higgins Engineer
Sam Jones Bass, Cello
Orrin Keepnews Producer
Blue Mitchell Trumpet
Bobby Timmons Piano

Review:
Bassist Sam Jones' debut as a leader resulted in one of his finest recordings. On four of the eight selections on the reissue of his Riverside set, Jones is well featured on bass while the other four numbers find him playing very effective cello. The uncredited arrangements for the groups are uniformly excellent and there is solo space for cornetist Nat Adderley, trumpeter Blue Mitchell, Jimmy Heath on tenor, baritonist Charles Davis, and pianist Bobby Timmons. The repertoire is superior, too, with highlights including the debut of Adderley's "The Old Country," a fine jam on "Just Friends," Keter Betts' "Some Kinda Mean," Jones' bowing on "Home," and Bobby Timmons' "So Tired." Actually all eight selections are memorable on this highly recommended disc.
By Scott Yanow (AMG)

Biography:
Samuel Jones (12 November 1924–15 December 1981) was a jazz bassist, cellist, and composer.
Jones played with Bobby Timmons, Tiny Bradshaw, Les Jazz Modes, Kenny Dorham, Illinois Jacquet, Freddie Hubbard, Dizzy Gillespie (1958-59) and Thelonious Monk. He is likely best known for his work with Cannonball Adderley (1959-65), but also spent several years working with Oscar Peterson and Cedar Walton and recorded with Bill Evans in the 1950s. His career primarily revolved around the New York City jazz scene.[1] Jones wrote the jazz standard "Del Sasser", among other tunes.
From Wikipedia

By Pier

Thursday 17 December 2009

Pat Martino ''Consciousness''

Pat Martino

''Consciousness''
( LP Muse Records, 1974 )
Catalog # MR 5039


Tracklisting:
1. Impressions
2. Consciousness
3. Passata on Guitar
4. Along Came Betty
5. Willow
6. On the Stairs
7. Both Sides Now
8. Along Came Betty (alt. take)

Personnel & Credits:
Bass - Tyrone Brown
Drums, Percussion - Sherman Ferguson
Electric Piano - Eddie Green
Engineer - Tony May
Guitar - Pat Martino
Percussion - Eddie Green (tracks: B2)
Photography - Ron Warwell
Producer - Michael Cuscuna

Notes:
Format:Vinyl, LP, Album
Country:US
Released:1974

Review:
Martino on the way up. Mostly quartet recordings for the brilliant guitarist. "Willow," a dark, understated gem. Contains seven tracks, three by Martino, three standards, and Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now." Guitar students should study this one.
By Michael G. Nastos (AMG)

Comment:
This record is special for me, because one of my all-time favourite tracks are found here:
Pat Martino’s version of Coltrane’s modal song ‘Impressions’.
I have listened many, many times to this version of Impression. Martino immediately sets the atmosphere with the stark moody intro. And then he drives his solos with impeccable technique and flow, and the true Martino jazz guitar sound.
He used really heavy gauged strings a distance from the neck (no rattling), and thick hard plectrums, all a part in creating this sound.
The song consists of only two chords, but it is still very difficult to improvise to this song, as it’s easy to run out of ideas and then starting to repeat oneself. But Martino knows everything about creating inversions and substitutions etc, to keep the flow all the time. Also great comping by the band.
Highly recommended!
By Jazz Organ Fan

By Pier

Wednesday 16 December 2009

Bobby Timmons ''The Prestige Trio Sessions''

Bobby Timmons

''The Prestige Trio Sessions''
( Prestige Records, 1964 )
Catalog # PRSG PRECD24277
(Re-issue of 2 LPs, 2003)


Tracklisting:
1.Little Barefoot Soul, A
2.Walkin'-Wadin'-Sittin'-Ridin'
3.Little One
4.Cut Me Loose Charlie
5.Ain't Thinkin' 'Bout It
6.Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen
7.Chun-King
8.Walking Death
9.O Grande Amor
10.Gettin' It Togetha'
11.I Could Have Danced All Night
12.Someone to Watch Over Me

Personnel & Credits:
Bobby Timmons (piano)
Sam Jones, Keter Betts (bass)
Albert "Tootie" Heath, Ray Lucas (drums)
Audio Remasterer: Kirk Felton.
Liner Note Authors: Joel Dorn; Chris Albertson.

Notes:
Recorded at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs,
New Jersey on June 18, 1964 and August 12, 1964.
THE PRESTIGE TRIO SESSIONS contains 2 LPs on 1 record set:
LITTLE BAREFOOT SOUL (1964)/CHUN-KING (1964).

Reviews:
This reissue combines two long-available Prestige LPs by Bobby Timmons, Little Barefoot Soul and Chun-King. The first date was actually the pianist's debut for the label, and it nearly didn't take place at all. A quintet session suddenly turned into a trio with bassist Sam Jones and Ray Lucas, the latter a last minute substitution on drums. Although Timmons' jazz immortality was assured with his earlier hit "Moanin'," most of the originals sound as if they were written shortly beforehand and were still evolving. The standout among them is easily
"A Little Barefoot Soul," a piece which gets underway without the leader at all. But its catchy gospel flavor eventually gives way to a driving, bluesy hard bop setting. Timmons' solo interpretation of the spiritual "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen" is another gem. The later 1964 session matches Timmons with bassist Keter Betts and drummer Tootie Heath and draws from a much wider range of material. The opener, "Chun-King," was co-written by Betts with Charlie Byrd and features an extensive bass solo. Timmons contributed two compositions, the gospel-inflected "Getting' It Togetha'" (with the call and response played by the pianist alone) and the happy, strutting, and very oddly titled blues "Walking Death." Rounding out the date are some very familiar works, including the bossa nova " "O Grande Amour" and the standards "I Could Have Danced All Night" and "Someone to Watch Over Me." Timmons' fans will rejoice with the return of this long out of print music.
Ken Dryden

Wicked work by Bobby Timmons -- two albums recorded during a less-documented period in the life of this amazing soul jazz pianist, both of them killers all the way through! Bobby got his start in the group of Art Blakey -- where he first wrote some incredible soul jazz hits, and got the chance to record a number of mellower sides for Riverside. But by the time of these two albums -- Little Barefoot Soul and Chun-King -- Timmons' was one of the more free-thinking pianists in jazz -- still a soul jazz player who could groove like a mofo, but willing to stretch things out and mess up the groove a bit more than the rest. Both of these sides are trio ones, but that doesn't stop them from being as intense as any of Timmons' larger group sessions, as the interplay between bass, drums, and piano is incredible -- filled with fire, soul, and a sense of space that makes each note count a heck of a lot more than on some of the showier sides by other players. We love both of these records to death, and it's wonderful to have them together on one record set -- so that we can plug in, kick back, and listen to over 70 minutes of work by one of our favorite piano players ever! Titles include "A Little Barefoot Soul", "Chun King", "Walking Death", "O Grande Amor", "Getting It Together", "Ain't Thinkin Bout It", and "Cut Me Loose Charlie".
© 1996-2009, Dusty Groove America, Inc.

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