Monday 29 March 2010

Frederick Knight ''Knight Kap''

Frederick Knight

''Knight Kap''
( LP Juana Records, 1977 )
Catalog # 200 00015


Tracklisting:
01 - Betcha Didnt Know That
02 - River Flowing
03 - Wrapped In Your Love
04 - Staying Power
05 - I Love The Way You Love
06 - You Make My Life Complete
07 - When It Ain't Right With My Baby
08 - Uphill Peace Of Mind

Notes:
T. K. Productions, 1977

Biography:
Frederick Knight's catchy "I've Been Lonely for So Long" was a sizable R&B hit on Stax in 1972, and he wrote and produced Anita Ward's across-the-board smash "Ring My Bell" in 1979. Knight cut his own "I've Been Lonely for So Long" in Birmingham, Alabama with a seasoned southern soul crew behind him, and hit again in 1975 with "I Betcha Didn't Know That."
By Bill Dahl
(AMG. Copyright © 2010 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.)

By Pier

Friday 26 March 2010

Info: Andy's Jazz Show #9



Tracklisting:
The Baron - Hubert Laws
Fly by night - Lee Ritenour
Back to my Roots - Fania All Stars
Prossiga - Don Burrows
Manha Do Carnaval - Art Farmer
Funk to Grover = Toni Sola
Black Cow - Ahmad Jamal
Little Sunflower - Louis Hayes
Nica's Dream - Archie Shepp

Thursday 25 March 2010

Jimmy Scott ''The Source''

Jimmy Scott

''The Source''
( LP Atlantic Records, 1970 )
Catalog # SD8242


Tracklisting:
1 Exodus 4:34
2 On Broadway 3:32
3 Our Day Will Come 3:51
4 I Wish I Knew 4:26
5 Unchained Melody 5:47
6 Day By Day 4:49
7 Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child 4:53
8 This Love Of Mine 4:21

Personnel & Credits:
Arranged By - Arif Mardin (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 7 & 8), William Fischer (tracks: 3, 5 & 6)
Bass - Ron Carter
Drums - Bruno Carr
Guitar - Billy Butler, Eric Gale
Piano - Junior Mance
Producer - Joel Dorn
Vocals [Obbligato] - Cissy Houston (tracks: 2)

Notes:
Reissued as part of the Atlantic Jazz Masters series.
Originally released as Atlantic SD8242
© 1970 Atlantic Recording Corp.

Review:
After over 30 years of legal wrangling, the inspirational genius of Jimmy Scott has been re-released by master producer Joel Dorn on an album that is as beautiful and strong today as it was when it was recorded for Ray Charles' Tangerine Records. The lyrical links of "Unchained Melody" are absolutely righteous and the strains of "Exodus" could lead a listener to cry the Red Sea or to part it. While "Motherless Child" aches with orphaned loneliness, "Our Day Will Come" is confidentially encouraging. For over 40 years, Scott's frankly feminine registers, delayed deliveries, easy shapings, and full-soul bellows have been a source of inspiration and style for everyone from Nancy Wilson to k.d. lang, and this collection carries that legendary legacy into the 21st century.
By Matthew Robinson
(AMG. Copyright © 2010 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.)

By Pier

Wednesday 24 March 2010

Earth,Wind & Fire ''Open Our Eyes''

Earth,Wind & Fire

''Open Our Eyes''

( Cassette, Columbia/CBS Records, 1974 )
Catalog # PC 32712


Tracklisting:
1 Mighty Mighty 3:03
2 Devotion 4:50
3 Fair But So Uncool 3:39
4 Feelin' Blue 4:28
5 Kalimba Story 4:03
6 Drum Song 5:10
7 Tee Nine Chee Bit 3:45
8 Spasmodic Movements 1:50
9 Caribou 3:25
10 Open Our Eyes 5:06

Personnel & Credits:
Philip Bailey Percussion, Conga, Vocals
Bruce Botnick Engineer
Stacey Boyle Tape Research
Mike Cimicata Packaging Manager
Larry Dunn Organ, Synthesizer, Piano, Keyboards, Moog Synthesizer
Earth, Wind & Fire Arranger
Howard Fritzson Art Direction
David Gahr Photography
Johnny Graham Guitar, Percussion
Ralph Johnson Percussion, Drums
Matthew Kelly Tape Research
Paul Klingberg Mixing
Cameron Marcarelli Assistant
Al McKay Guitar, Percussion, Vocals
Stephan Moore Project Director
Steve Newman Design
j. poet Liner Notes
Leo Sacks Reissue Producer, Mixing
Charles Stepney Arranger, Associate Producer
Maurice White Drums, Vocals, Kalimba, Producer, Mixing
Verdine White Bass, Percussion, Vocals
Mark Wilder Mastering
Joseph Wissert Producer
Andrew Woolfolk Flute, Sax (Soprano), Wind

Andy's note:
Another great tape and a great EWF album,plenty of everything in this soul,jazz,funk before they hit on the mix that made them multi millionaires.

Review:
Finally, after almost half a decade of serious dues-paying, Earth, Wind & Fire took off commercially with its fifth album, Open Our Eyes. EWF had been delivering great albums since 1971, but it wasn't until 1974 that the public proved genuinely receptive to Maurice White's mystical and unorthodox take on soul and funk. No longer would EWF enjoy only a small cult following. Thanks to treasures like "Kalimba Song," the gritty funk smoker "Mighty Mighty," and the unforgettable "Devotion," Open Our Eyes became EWF's first gold album and went to the top of the R&B charts. It's also interesting to note that with this album, singer Jessica Cleaves was gone, resulting in the first time EWF had an all-male lineup. The 2001 reissue adds four previously unreleased bonus tracks, one of them a "Walkin' in N'awlins" mix of "Fair But So Uncool," though the other three songs did not appear on the original album in an alternate form.
By Alex Henderson
(AMG. Copyright © 2010 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.)

By Andy

Various Artists ''The Best Of Philadelphia Records'' Volume1



Lou Rawls
The Jones Girls

A break from the Jazz posts as I go through some of the other tapes in the boxes.
Here's a collection of Philly tracks,a nice compilation.


Tracklisting:
You'll never find another love like mine - Lou Rawls
If only you knew - Patti Labelle
I heard it in a love song - McFadden and Whitehead
Turn off the lights - Teddy Pendergrass
Use ta be my girl - The O'jays
You're my latest,my greatest inspiration - Teddy Pendergrass
I just love the man - The Jones Girls
Cooling out - Jerry Butler

By Andy

Tuesday 23 March 2010

Sonny Stitt / Bud Powell / J.J. Johnson "Sonny Stitt / Bud Powell / J.J. Johnson"

Sonny Stitt / Bud Powell / J.J. Johnson

( LP Fantasy Records, 1989 )
** Reissue of Prestige PRLP 7024 + 3 bonus tracks.


Personnel:
Selections #1-4
Sonny Stitt - Tenor Sax
Bud Powell - Piano
Curly Russel - Bass
Max Roach - Drums

Recorded in NYC, December 11, 1949

Selections #5-9
Sonny Stitt - Tenor Sax
Bud Powell - Piano
Curly Russel - Bass
Max Roach - Drums

Recorded in NYC, January 26, 1950

Selections #10-17
Sonny Stitt - Tenor Sax
J.J. Johnson - Trombone
John Lewis - Piano
Nelson Boyd - Bass
Max Roach - Drums

Recorded in NYC, October 17, 1949

Tracklisting:
01 All God's Chillun Got Rhythm
02 Sonny Side
03 Bud's Blues
04 Sunset
05 Fine and Dandy [Take 1]
06 Fine and Dandy [Take 2]
07 Strike Up the Band
08 I Want to Be Happy
09 Taking a Chance on Love
10 Afternoon in Paris [*]
11 Afternoon in Paris [Take 2]
12 Elora [*]
13 Elora [Take 2]
14 Teapot [*]
15 Teapot [Take 2]
16 Blue Mode [Take 1]
17 Blue Mode [Take 2]

Review:
This superb reissue set is the complete output of three classic bop sessions including five "new" alternate takes. Sonny Stitt (who plays tenor throughout) is heard in a quintet with trombonist J.J. Johnson, pianist John Lewis, bassist Nelson Boyd and drummer Max Roach (playing three Johnson compositions and the original version of John Lewis's "Afternoon in Paris") and in a quartet with the great pianist Bud Powell, bassist Curly Russell and Max Roach. The latter two sessions are highlighted by rapid versions of "All God's Chillun Got Rhythm," "Strike up the Band" and "Fine and Dandy." Highly recommended music.
By Scott Yanow
(AMG. Copyright © 2010 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.)

By Rob

Monday 22 March 2010

"Big" John Patton ''Blue John'' Re-Uploaded

"Big" John Patton

''Blue John''
( LP Blue Note Records, 1963 )
Catalog # BN 84143


Personnel, Credits & Tracklisting:
#"Big" John Patton Quintet
Tommy Turrentine (tp -2/4)
George Braith (ss, str -1/4)
"Big" John Patton (org)
Grant Green (g)
Ben Dixon (d)
Recorded at Rudy Van Gelder Studio,
Englewood Cliffs, NJ, July 11, 1963
-Blue John
-Nicety

#"Big" John Patton Quartet
George Braith (ss)
"Big" John Patton (org)
Grant Green (g)
Ben Dixon (d)
Recorded at Rudy Van Gelder Studio,
Englewood Cliffs, NJ, August 2, 1963
-Hot Sauce
-Bermuda Clay House
-Dem Dirty Blues
-Country Girl

Note:
Rudy Van Gelder Engineer
Francis Wolff Photography
Alfred Lion Producer
Terry Martin Liner Notes
Ron McMaster Digital Transfers
Reid Miles Design, Cover Design
* Also released on Blue Note BST 84143, 4143 & B2-84143.
Recording date: (11/7&2/8/1963)

Review:
Big John Patton's second album, Blue John, was one of several '60s sessions the organist led for Blue Note that remained unissued until much later (in this case, 1986). Although the six selections are all straightforward soul-jazz, the results end up far more offbeat than one might expect. That's due largely to the presence of soprano sax/stritch player George Braith, one of the very few Rahsaan Roland Kirk disciples to master the art of playing multiple horns simultaneously. Braith is far and away the most distinctive element of Patton's quintet, which also includes trumpeter Tommy Turrentine and frequent Patton collaborators Grant Green on guitar and Ben Dixon on drums. While the grooving interplay between Patton, Green, and Dixon is as instinctive as ever, Braith's piercing, honking stabs are what really liven up the proceedings, giving Blue John a crazed sense of fun that makes it one of Patton's most infectious and enjoyable records. There may be something of a novelty element to Braith's playing, but bluesy, groove-centered soul-jazz rarely sounds this bright and exuberant, which is reason enough not to dismiss his contributions. Highlights include the opener, "Hot Sauce," one of Braith's signature compositions, and drummer Dixon's "Nicety."
By Steve Huey
(AMG. Copyright © 2010 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.)

Original post:15/09/2008


By Pier

Various Artists ''The History Of Chess Jazz''

Various Artists

''The History Of Chess Jazz''
( Compilation, GRP Records, 1996 )
Catalog # 812


Tracklisting:
Disc: 1
1. Poinciana - Ahmad Jamal
2. My Main Man - Bennie Green, Sonny Sitt
3. Shaw 'Nuff - Red Rodney
4. Killer Joe - The Jazztet
5. Man I Love - Zoot Sims, Zoot Sims
6. Soul Station - Rahsaan Roland Kirk
7. Parker's Mood - Eddie Jefferson, James Moody
8. Keep on Keepin' On - Woody Herman
9. Gotta Travel On - Ray Bryant
10. Benny Rides Again - Benny Goodman
11. My Love Has Butterfly Wings (Meu Amor Tem Asasa Borboleta) - John Klemmer
12. At Last - Etta James
13. "In" Crowd - Ramsey Lewis

Disc: 2
1. Ornithology - Barry Harris
2. Last Train from Overbrook - James Moody
3. My Foolish Heart - Gene Ammons
4. Baltimore Oriole - Lorez Alexandria
5. Bientot - Oliver Nelson
6. Morning [Excerpt] - Yusef Lateef
7. Mellow Yellow - Odell Brown
8. Tonk - Art Farmer
9. You're My Thrill - Illinois Jacquet
10. House Warmin' - Howard McGhee
11. Tiny's Blues - Chubby Jackson
12. Candy - Clark Terry
13. Touch - Benny Golson
14. Silent Night - Kenny Burrell

Note:
A very nice 2 cd set featuring 27 Jazz classics on the Chess label.Set also contains a nice booklet with lots of famous names associated with the label making contributions.I am not too sure if this is still available (published 1996) but if it is, make sure you track it down.Recommended.
Credits here.

Review:
History of Chess Jazz is a double-disc set featuring highlights from the label's overlooked jazz catalog. Among the artists included are Kenny Burrell, Woody Herman, Ramsey Lewis, Etta James, Ahmad Jamal, and Zoot Sims. Jazz wasn't one of Chess' strong points, but there is plenty of fine music here, making it a worthwhile sampler.
By Stephen Thomas Erlewine
(AMG. Copyright © 2010 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.)

By Andy

Teddy Edwards Quartet ''Good Gravy''

Teddy Edwards Quartet

''Good Gravy''
( Cassette, Contemporary/OJC Records, 1991 )
Catalog # OJCCS 661


Tracklisting:
Good Gravy (5:26)
Could You Forget (5:40)
Stairway to the Stars (4:39)
A Little Later (4:14)
On Green Dolphin Street (5:23)
Just Friends (5:17)
Laura (3:16)
Yes, I'll Be Ready (4:03)
Not So Strange Blues (3:02)

Andy's note:
Another one off tape and apart from some tape hiss and some limitations in the recording process it's a worthwhile listen.I will certainly be checking out other recordings from this quartet.

Review:
Teddy Edwards has long been one of the most underrated of the bop tenors, due in large part to his decision to settle in Los Angeles. Edwards is in typically swinging form on this quartet date with either Phineas Newborn, Jr., or Danny Horton on piano, bassist Leroy Vinnegar and drummer Milt Turner. The tenor contributed four originals and also performs the obscure "A Little Later" and four standards with warmth and creativity within the hard bop genre.
By Scott Yanow
(AMG. Copyright © 2010 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.)

By Andy

Various Artists ''Prestige Soul Masterpieces''

Various Artists

''Prestige Soul Masterpieces''
( Cassette, Compilation, 1988 )

An excellent sampler from Prestige that features 15 tracks, the majority of which are between 3 and 4 minutes long.Again this is off tape from 1988 but it sounds fine.This album is a great starting point to discovering an excellent catologue of soul jazz.



Tracklisting:
1. The Mighty Burner - Charles Earland
2. B&B Calypso - Billy Butler
3. Mellow Gravy pt1 - Jack McDuff and Gene Ammons
4. Slow Burn - Charles Kynard
5. Blues at the Five Spot - Oliver Nelson
6. Zoo Boogaloo pt1 - Rusty Bryant
7. The Funky Fox - Shirley Scott and Stanley Turrentine
8. Please Mr Jackson - Willis Jackson
9. Goodness - Houston Person
10. Rakin' and Scapin' pt1 - Harold Mabern
11. Foxy - Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis
12. Brother Red - Red Holloway
13. Yeah, Baby pt1 - Jack McDuff
14. Let's split - Arnett Cobb
15. Misty - Richard 'Groove' Holmes

By Andy

Billy Butler ''Guitar Soul!''

Billy Butler

''Guitar Soul!''
( LP Prestige/Fantasy OJC Records, 1969 )
Catalog # PR 7734/OJC 334


Tracklisting:
1 - The Thumb (Montgomery)
2 - Golden Earrings (Evans, Livingston, Young)
3 - B and B Calypso (Bushnell)
4 - Blow for the Crossing (Black, Butler)
5 - Autumn Nocturne/You Go to My Head (Coots, Gannon, Gillespie, Myrow)
6 - Honky Tonk (Butler, Doggett, Scott, Shepherd)
7 - Seven Come Eleven (Christian)

Personnel & Notes:
Seldon Powell (ts, fl, varitone)
Sonny Phillips (org)
Billy Butler (g, bag, ac-g)
Bob Bushnell (el-b)
Specs Powell (d)
Recorded at Rudy Van Gelder Studio,
Englewood Cliffs, NJ, September 22, 1969

Review:
The jazz world is infamous for having a lot of narrow-minded snobs who could care less about other forms of music -- myopic individuals who wouldn't know Marvin Gaye from the Sex Pistols or Joan Baez from Joan Jett. The late Billy Butler, however, wasn't one of them; he was a versatile, flexible, broad-minded guitarist whose taste in music ran from hard bop to soul, funk, and the blues. Produced by Bob Porter in 1969, Guitar Soul reflects Butler's diversity. Parts of this album are straight-ahead, hard-swinging bop; his interpretations of Wes Montgomery's "The Thumb" and Benny Goodman's "Seven Come Eleven" certainly fit that description. But the nine-minute "Blow for the Crossing" is another matter; this gem (which Butler co-wrote with his nephew, Charles Black) boasts an infectious New Orleans-style funk groove -- it's exactly the sort of thing that the Meters would have recorded in the late 1960s or early 1970s. Equally groove-oriented and equally memorable is a performance of Bill Doggett's "Honky Tonk," the tune that Butler is best remembered for. To his credit, the Philadelphian doesn't try to turn this 1969 remake of "Honky Tonk" into a carbon copy of the famous 1956 version -- he knows better, and the "Honky Tonk" found on Guitar Soul has a magic of its own. Meanwhile, "B&B Calypso" is a Caribbean-flavored gem that is influenced by Sonny Rollins' jazz/calypso experiments, and was written by Bob Bushnell, who is employed on electric bass. Butler's other sidemen on this LP include saxman Seldon Powell, organist Sonny Phillips, and drummer Specs Powell, all of whom do their part to make Guitar Soul the creative triumph that it is.
By Alex Henderson
(AMG. Copyright © 2010 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.)

By Pier

Sunday 21 March 2010

Stanley Turrentine ''What About You?''

Stanley Turrentine

''What About You?''
( LP Fantasy Records, 1978 )
Catalog # 9563


Tracklisting:
A1 Heritage 3:50
A2 Feel The Fire 5:03
A3 Disco Dancing 7:58
B1 Manhattan Skyline 4:17
B2 My Wish For You 5:10
B3 Wind And The Sea 4:25

Personnel:
Shondu Akiem Percussion
Carla Benson Vocals (bckgr)
Evette Benton Vocals (bckgr)
Quentin Dennard Drums
Barbara Ingram Vocals (bckgr)
Ronnie James Guitar (Electric)
Greg Middleton Guitar (Electric)
Greg Poree Guitar (Electric)
Don Renaldo Violin, Conductor
Richard Rome Keyboards
Stanley Turrentine Sax (Tenor)

Andy's note:
I am a huge Stanley Turrentine fan and I'll be the first to admit it's not his finest album, but that doesn't make it bad.For me and I suspect a fair number of people of my age ,Disco Dancing was my first taste of Stan T.All those years ago I really liked his playing,you could tell this dude could play (apologies to all who had discovered this fact 20 years earlier!). This is off vinyl and condition is fair,I hope you like it.

By Andy

Don Ellis ''Soaring''

Don Ellis

''Soaring''

( Cassette, MPS Records, 1973 )
Catalog # 15400


Tracklisting:
1. Whiplash
2. Sladka Pitka
3. Devil Made Me Write This Piece
4. Go Back Home
5. Invincible
6. Image Of Maria
7. Sidonie
8. Nicole

Review:
I have waited and waited for this reissue to come out. "Soaring" is one of my favorite Ellis albums competing with "Tears of Joy" as perhaps the best. I can only say that once I received this record, I immediately listened to it three times in a row. I would have gone for a fourth time, but it was getting late.
To me "Soaring" is the studio-recorded book-end to the "Tears of Joy" live album. It mostly has the same personnel, same type of compositions, same excellent musicianship. This album holds, I think, some of the best writing of all the Ellis discography. Not to judge a book by its cover, but the simple, elegant rendering of a seagull image in white, black and blue perfectly compliments the "Tears of Joy" cover. From the liner notes I learned that Maria Eckstein provided the graphic artwork for "Soaring" and, given the similarity in composition, I would think perhaps "Tears of Joy" as well.
"Soaring" opens with "Whiplash", a Hank Levy piece, a bracing opener that quickly finds its groove in the fashion that exhibits Hank Levy to be a master of composition in odd-metered tempos.
"Sladka Pitka" is a contribution from keyboardist Milcho Leviev of "Bulgarian Bulge" fame who again mines Hungarian folk music as an inspiration for a multi-faceted big band. This track, however, is a more straight ahead piece that builds to a stunning climax (think: good ending for a DCI show)
"The Devil Made Me Write This Piece" features Don on drums in (I learned from the liner notes) his last recording as a drummer. You can guess the meter, or read the liner notes and learn what was really going on.
"Go Back Home" is all Sam Falzone. Pounding, hard-hitting, straight ahead 4/4 with a tenor solo and a false ending guaranteed to bring a crowd to its feet in concert.
"Invincible" is, I think, one of the finest pieces written by Don. It starts as a haunting ballad, then builds and builds, and then concludes with a most satisfying statement. A beautiful piece with fine sectional playing among the saxes and an excellent alto solo by Vince Dedham who has a great tone and the ability to create a solo that meshes seamlessly with the orchestration behind him. Vince would later go on to back Loggins & Messina along with another Ellis alumnus, Jon Clarke, on the "Native Sons" album
"Images of Maria", a piece Don wrote for graphic designer Maria Eckstein (mentioned above) is a composition as beautiful as her artwork.
"Sidonie" is one of my all-time favorite Ellis pieces with a myriad of colors, textures, time signatures and some very tasteful soloing by Don again showing his masterful ability to blend soloing with orchestration. This piece is on a par with "Chain Reaction" from the "Connection" album.
"Nicole" is a haunting ballad that concludes the record very nicely.
Excellent liner notes by Nick Di Scala with information about the tracks that I did not know (for instance the inspiration for "Images of Maria" and the fact that "Nicole" is from an unused portion of "The French Connection" score.) I am most grateful to Nick and all who brought "Soaring" back to the light of day in digital format.
Like I said - Buy it, buy it now.

Andy's note:
Another off cassette tape on the BASF/MPS label.Again it sounds just fine (This 200 cassette tapes for $NZ 60 was a real bargain!).The review is from the web and I note that this has been re-released on the Jazz Club series,if you like the sound treat yourself to a copy of a fine album.

By Andy

Saturday 20 March 2010

Coming Soon!






And lots more! Only at your favourite place on the web!

Keiko Matsui ''Night Waltz''

Keiko Matsui

''Night Waltz''
( Sin-Drome Records, 1991 )
Catalog # 761800


Tracklisting:
1. Night Waltz
2. Moon Sailor
3. White Gate
4. Eyes Were Made to Cry
5. Hope
6. Lake of the White Owl
7. Where Wildflowers Grow
8. Grey Cliffs
9. Seagull

Note:
Another off tape and this is a demo tape,sound is fine.Track 10. Morning pasture is missing and track 2. is called Moon Sailor instead of Moonlight Sailor.I have played this a couple of times and I have to say the more I play it the more I like it,I hope you do as well.

Review:
If there's such a thing as poetic music, Matsui continues her discovery of it on this effort. For all its beauty ad more aggressive touches, this collection doesn't quite measure up to her previous collection No Borders, but there are moments of fusion in her work here which cook like never before, thanks to Eric Marienthal, Gerald Albright and guitarist Ron Komie. While husband/producer Kazu Matsui adds his mysterious shakuhachi wind to "Grey Cliffs," Matsui spends her time creating soundscapes which range from mainly acoustic to punchy electric pieces like "Hope." Clay Jenkins' flugelhorn is a plus. The two vocals here don't give Greg Walker enough excitement to play with; instead they seem too ambitious. Don't let the flowers on the cover fool you because this disc is anything but fluffy and pastoral in nature.
By Jonathan Widran
(AMG. Copyright © 2010 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.)

Not available on the free blog edition

By Andy

Tim Weisberg ''Night Rider!''

Tim Weisberg

''Night Rider!''
( Cassette, Universal Special Products Records, 1979 )
Catalog # 20333


Tracklisting:
1. Katie
2. Magic Lady
3. I'm the lucky one
4.Everyone loves a mystery
5. Westchester Faire (Edit)
6. Touchstone
7. Yesterday's dreams
8. Knight Rider

Note:
Another off cassette tape and the playlist appears different to the album. I don't know much regarding this artist but it sounds good to me. There is a little bit of distortion on Westchester Faire intro,so I have faded it in. Hope you like it.

By Andy

Jimmy McGriff, George Freeman, Lucky Thompson ''Concert - Friday The 13th — Cook County Jail''

Jimmy McGriff, George Freeman, Lucky Thompson

''Concert - Friday The 13th — Cook County Jail''
( LP Groove Merchant Records, 1972 )
Catalog # GM-515


Tracklisting:
1. Freedom Suite, Part I
2. Freedom Suite, Part II
3. Green Dolphin Street
4. Everything Happens to Me
5. Cherokee

Personnel:
Jimmy McGriff (org)
George Freeman, O'Donel Levy (g)
Mickey Bass (b)
Marion Booker, Jr. (d)

Notes:
Other titles on Groove Merchant GM-515, Beast Retro 12072 by Lucky Thompson.
Live at Cook County Jail; Chicago, Illinois: October 13, 1972

Issues: a-b on Groove Merchant GM-515, Unidisc/Groove Merchant (Can) GM-515 , Beast Retro 12072.
Samplers: a also on Groove Merchant GM-4405 titled LIVE BLUES IN CONCERT and LaserLight 15 779 titled BLUES IN THE NIGHT.
Producer: Sonny Lester
Engineer: Paul Serrano, Malcolm Addey
Notes: Tom Surowicz (Beast Retro 12072 ).

Review:
This album contains two separate sets that were both performed before inmates at the Cook County Jail one day in 1972. Organist Jimmy McGriff and his quintet (with guitarists George Freeman and O'Donell Levy, bassist Mickey Bass and drummer Marion Booker, Jr.) performs his lengthy two-part "Freedom Suite," generating a great deal of heat. Lucky Thompson, mostly on soprano, jams on three standards with keyboardist Cedar Walton, bassist Sam Jones and drummer Louis Hayes. Thompson's hot playing (particularly on "Cherokee") makes this album worth searching for.
By Scott Yanow
(AMG. Copyright © 2010 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.)

By Pier

Friday 19 March 2010

McFadden & Whitehead ''I Heard It In A Love Song'' 12"

McFadden & Whitehead

''I Heard It In A Love Song'' 12"
( 12'' Disco Single, TSOP Records, 1980 )
Catalog # AS 832


Tracklisting:
A I Heard It In A Love Song 6:43
B I Heard It In A Love Song 6:43

Credits:
Arranged By - John R. Faith
Producer - Gene McFadden, Jerry Cohen, John Whitehead
Written-By - G. McFadden, J. Cohen, J. Whitehead

Notes:
Demonstration - Not For Sale
Taken From The TSOP Lp: "I Heard It In A Love Song" JZ 36773
Special Version Of The TSOP Single: ZS9 4788
1980 CBS Inc.
Same mix on both sides.
Format:Vinyl, 12", 33 1/3 RPM, Promo
Country:US
Released:1980

Note:
Just the A side of the 12" single that was the follow up to Ain't no stoppin' us now.
A great track in it's own right,enjoy it!

By Andy

Thursday 18 March 2010

James Morrison & Ray Brown ''Two The Max''

James Morrison & Ray Brown

''Two The Max''
( WEA/Atlantic Records, 1992 )


Tracklisting:
1. Max
2. Honeysuckle Rose
3. Moten Swing
4. Seven Steps To Heaven
5. Ain't That Nothing
6. My Beautiful
7. Freddie The Freeloader
8. Our Waltz
9. Nice 'n' Easy
10. Imagination

Andy's note:
Off a cassette tape, that I have had since new but fidelity is perfectly ok.
This is a great album and I really like James Morrison.If you like this,I suggest you check out his extensive catalogue, he is one talented dude,recommended.

Biography:
A natural musician able to play many instruments in numerous styles, James Morrison has made a strong impression every time he has played in the United States. Born into a musical family, Morrison began on the cornet when he was seven and was soon also playing trombone, tuba, and euphonium. Within a few years, he was also playing alto sax and leading a Dixieland band. He worked steadily as a teenager and at the age of 18 joined Don Burrows' quintet, touring Australia and the Far East. In 1987, he visited the U.S. as a member of Red Rodney's group and was soon a popular fixture on the European jazz festival circuit. Two years later, a pair of his albums (Postcards From Down Under and Swiss Encounter) were released on Atlantic at the same time in the U.S., and he toured with Gene Harris' Philip Morris Superband as a trombonist. To show off his versatility, on his 1991 album Snappy Doo (which also includes a rhythm section), Morrison overdubbed himself on four trumpets, four trombones, five saxophones, and piano. In addition to playing music (he has the ability to trade fours with himself on trumpet and trombone), James Morrison does stunt flying, climbs mountains, and drives a racing car.
By Scott Yanow
(AMG. Copyright © 2010 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.)

More info about Mr. James Morrison here.

By Andy

Pat Metheny Group ''We Live Here''

Pat Metheny Group

''We Live Here''
( Geffen Records, 1994 )
Catalog # 24729


Tracklisting:
1. Here to Stay
2. And Then I Knew
3. The Girls Next Door
4. To the End of the World
5. We Live Here
6. Episode D' Azur
7. Something to Remind You
8. Red Sky
9. Stranger in Town

Note:
Another one off cassette tape and again this one doesn't appear to have been played.

Reviews:
This 1994 recording marks one of the closest collaborations of guitarist Pat Metheny and keyboardist Lyle Mays, with every composition co-composed by the two except Mays's "Episode d'Azur." It's a varied, engaging tapestry. Metheny's ever- shifting guitar sounds percolate and soar over the smooth backgrounds of Mays's piano and synthesized orchestrations, occasional background vocals by David Blamires and Mark Ledford, and a strong foundation provided by bassist Steve Rodby. The title song builds over a wall of rapid, insistent percussion from Paul Wertico and Luis Conte, while there's a brooding, luminous sweep that seethes, then explodes, in the 12-minute "To the End of the World." But it's Metheny's inventive guitar work that distinguishes this music, including the long, lyrical lines of the very pretty "And Then I Knew," the tunefully subdued funk of "The Girls Next Door," and the soaring, bubbling excitement of "Episode."
By Adam Rains

Principally recorded at The Hit Factory, New York, New York in 1994.
WE LIVE HERE won a 1996 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Jazz Performance.
The Pat Metheny Group have always been on the move. Previous album titles such as THE ROAD TO YOU, OFFRAMP and LETTER FROM HOME indicate a proclivity for motion, and on their latest production, WE LIVE HERE, they show that their home is a constant state of travel. Throughout these nine songs they challenge the listener to not go with them.
The Pat Metheny/Lyle Mays composition team works with hooky structures which provide foundations for thoughtful, and, at times, passionate improvisations. The rousing riff behind "Stranger In Town" serves as a jumping-off point for one of Pat's many stunning solos. With a full, warm sound, he masterfully develops his improvisations as if he were telling tales, weaving lines through carefully fabricated collages of harmonic color. Thematic and motivic development are standard in Metheny's playing, and he expresses his ideas with such conviction and craft that you may find yourself humming them later.
Another highlight of WE LIVE HERE is the propelling percussion of Luis Conte. From the hip-hoppish groove of "Here To Stay" to the fierce, tribal soundscape supporting the title track, Conte always adds the right juice to the mix.
The Pat Metheny Group are at home when they are playing with fire--sometimes smoldering, sometimes blazing, but always burning.
Pat Metheny Group: Pat Metheny (guitar, guitar synthesizer); David Blamires (vocals); Mark Ledford (vocals, whistles, flugelhorn, trumpet); Lyle Mays (piano, keyboards); Steve Rodby (acoustic & electric basses); Paul Wertico (drums); Luis Conte (percussion).
Additional personnel: Dave Samuels (cymbals); Sammy Merendino (drum programming).
Entertainment Weekly (1/20/95, p.53) - "...With a sure instinct for sleek grooves, Metheny travels a path between jazz, Latin-esque ideas, and, this time out, soft-core R&B--with winning musicality..." - Rating: A-

More info here.

Not available on the free blog edition

By Andy

Wednesday 17 March 2010

Joe Henderson "Our Thing"

Joe Henderson

( LP Blue Note Records, 1963 )
Catalog # BLP 4152


Personnel & Tracklisting:
Kenny Dorham - Trumpet
Joe Henderson - Tenor Sax
Andrew Hill - Piano
Eddie Khan - Bass
Pete LaRoca - Drums

Recorded at Rudy Van Gelder Studio,
Englewood Cliffs, NJ, September 9, 1963

tk.14 Our Thing
tk.17 Escapade
tk.23 Back Road
tk.27 Pedro's Time
tk.28 Teeter Totter

** Also issued on Blue Note BST 84152, CDP 7 84152-2.

Review:
Joe Henderson's second recording as a leader features a very strong supporting cast: trumpeter Kenny Dorham (one of Henderson's earliest supporters), pianist Andrew Hill, bassist Eddie Khan, and drummer Pete La Roca. Together they perform three Dorham and two Henderson originals, advanced music that was open to the influence of the avant-garde while remaining in the hard bop idiom. The up-tempo blues "Teeter Totter" contrasts with the four minor-toned pieces and, even if none of these songs became standards, the playing is consistently brilliant and unpredictable. Even at this relatively early stage, Joe Henderson showed his potential as a great tenorman.
By Scott Yanow
(AMG. Copyright © 2010 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.)

By Rob

Rick Braun ''Body And Soul'' (Sampler)

Rick Braun

''Body And Soul'' (Sampler)
( Bluemoon Records, 2007 )
Catalog # 92743


Tracklisting:
1. Notorious
2. Missing in Venice
3. Slick
4. Road to Coolsville

Note:
This is a 4 track sampler for the Rick Braun album Body and Soul. Again this is off cassette tape but it appears unplayed and quality is good.
If you like the sampler,buy the album.

Review:
Body & Soul, explores an introspective, thoughtful side of Rick Braun's artistry. Funk grooves and irresistible pop melodies still prevail in subtler shades, but Braun reflects maturely on the changes of his life with a collection that pays homage to his ongoing love for more traditional jazz. The result is his most thought-provoking, eclectic and artistically satisfying album to date. While he plays all the keyboard, trumpet and flugelhorn parts on Body and Soul, he's joined by some of the genre's best musicians, who got together at various times in the comfort of Braun's sunny home to record tracks reflective of friends gathering for a smooth sailing jam session. On hand for various tracks are sax star Boney James, guitarists Chris Standring and Jeff Golub, bassist Cliff Hugo, and drummers Dave Palmer and Dave Karasony. Body & Soul kicks off with the album's first single, the dreamy, cool, and seductive "Notorious," which features interplay between Braun and Boney James's horns and was co-produced by Paul Brown (who's produced hits for James as well as Peter White and Sam Riney). Braun gently fuses jazz sensibilities with streetwise seduction on the gently hypnotic "Missing In Venice" before exploring the pulsating edges of night on the spirited retro-soul vibe of "Slick." "Chelsea" is an easily shuffling romantic ode to the section of Manhattan where Jeff Golub lives, while "Long Tall Judy" finds musical soul mates Braun and Golub invoking the ghosts of Lee Morgan and Wes Montgomery in a sparsely arranged, slow burning jazz/blues jam.
By Jonathan Widran
(AMG. Copyright © 2010 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.)

Biography:
A native of Allentown, Pennsylvania, trumpeter Rick Braun first surfaced as a member of the jazz-fusion outfit Auracle, formed while he was a student at the prestigious Eastman School of Music. After two LPs the group disbanded, and Braun turned to songwriting, scoring a hit with REO Speedwagon's "Here with Me; " in time he directed his focus to contemporary jazz, issuing his solo debut Intimate Secrets in 1993. After touring with Sade, he returned in 1994 with Night Walk as well as the seasonal release Christmas Present. With 1995's Beat Street, Braun's popularity continued to snowball, with 1996's smash Body and Soul launching the NAC chart-topper "Notorious." A two-time winner of the Gavin Report's smooth jazz artist of the year award, he returned in 1998 with South of Midnight. He also collaborated with Boney James on the 2000 release Shake It Up. Kisses in the Rain followed a year later.
By Jason Ankeny
(AMG. Copyright © 2010 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.)

Not available on the free blog edition

By Andy

Joe Henderson ''Double Rainbow (The Music Of Antonio Carlos Jobim)''

Joe Henderson

''Double Rainbow (The Music Of Antonio Carlos Jobim)''
( LP Polygram Records, 1995 )
Catalog # 527222
*Also on Verve Records


Tracklisting:
1. Felicidade 4:45
2. Dreamer 5:25
3. Boto 6:36
4. Ligia 4:32
5. Once I Loved (Amor Em Paz) 5:25
6. Triste 5:29
7. Photograph 5:02
8. Portrait In Black And White 5:19
9. No More Blues 6:41
10. Happy Madness 3:13
11. Passerim 5:40
12. Modinha 4:32

Note:
This is a nice album from Joe Henderson.It is off cassette tape so there is some noticable tape hiss in the quieter passages.However if you like it I recommend you buy the album or purchase the digital download from Verve Records.

Review:
The third of tenor-saxophonist Joe Henderson's tribute sets on Verve was originally supposed to be a collaboration with the great bossa nova composer Antonio Carlos Jobim but Jobim's unexpected death turned this project into a memorial. Henderson performs a dozen of the composer's works with one of two separate groups: a Brazilian quartet starring pianist Eliane Elias and a jazz trio with pianist Herbie Hancock, bassist Christian McBride and drummer Jack DeJohnette. In general, Henderson avoids Jobim's best-known songs in favor of some of his more obscure (but equally rewarding) melodies and in some cases (such as a very straight-ahead "No More Blues") the treatments are surprising. Highlights of this very accessible yet unpredictable record include "Felicidade," "Triste," "Zingaro" and a duet with guitarist Oscar Castro-Neves on "Once I Loved," although all of the performances are quite enjoyable. Highly recommended.
By Scott Yanow
(AMG. Copyright © 2010 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.)

By Andy

Johnny Reason ''Johnny Reason''

Johnny Reason

''Johnny Reason''
( LP Fantasy/At-Home Records, 1977 )
Catalog # AH 402


Tracklisting:
A1 Get The Ants Out Ya Pants 4:07
A2 Blues American Style 4:05
A3 For You 4:43
A4 Idealistic Preoccupations 4:04
B1 When The Gettin' Is Good 3:59
B2 Love Is Such A Lovely Sound 5:12
B3 For You To Lose Your Love 4:32
B4 Everybody's Friend 4:33

Personnel & Credits:
Drums - Bruce Carter
Percussion - Vance "Mad Dog" Tenort
Piano - Bobby Lyle
Producer - Wayne Henderson
Saxophone [Baritone], Flute - John Stephens
Saxophone [Tenor] - Herman Riley
Synthesizer [Programming] - Dean Gant
Trombone - Maurice Spears
Trumpet - Dennis Christanson , Ronald King
Vocals, Bass, Guitar [Electric, Guitar Bag] - Johnny Reason

Notes:
Format:Vinyl, LP
Country:US
Released:1977
RARE OUT OF PRINT
DJ PROMO ORIGINAL PRESS

By Pier

Tuesday 16 March 2010

Various Artists ''Blue Instrumentalists Saxophone''

Various Artists

''Blue Instrumentalists Saxophone''
( Compilation, Blue Note Records, 2008 )


Tracklisting:
1.Avalon - Donaldson, Lou
2.Ultramarine - Mobley, Hank
3.It's All Right With Me - Griffin, Johnny
4.Locomotion - Coltrane, John
5.Yes Or No - Shorter, Wayne
6.Why Don't I - Rollins, Sonny
7.Gee Baby Ain't I Good To You - Turrentine, Stanley & Three Sounds
8.Repay In Kind - Osby, Greg
9.Loose Change - Henderson, Joe
10.Sweet Pea - Ervin, Booker
11.Devilette - Gordon, Dexter
12.Tadd's Delight - Lovano, Joe

Note:
A nice collection on Blue Note Records that gives a taste of twelve quality players.
Each track fills the room but brings a relaxing tone to the ear 12 gloriously velvet tracks. I would recommend this to any Blue Note fan or if you just like good music this album is a must.
Buy at Amazon

By Andy

Willis Jackson ”Soul Night/Live!” & ”Tell It…” Re-Uploaded

Willis Jackson

”Soul Night/Live!”
& ”Tell It…”
( Both LPs on Prestige Records, 1964 )
Catalog # PR 7396 & PR 7412


Tracklisting:
One Mint Julep
The Man I Love
Blue Gator
Secret Love
Up A Lazy River
I Can’t Stop Loving You
Perdido
Ebb Tide
Jumpin’ With Symphony Sid
Tangerine
All Soul
Thunderbird
Polka Dots And Moonbeams
Flamingo

Personnel & Credits on both LPs:
Willis Jackson Quintet
Frank Robinson (tp)
Willis Jackson (ts)
Carl Wilson (org)
Pat Martino (g)
Joe Hadrick (d)
“The Allegro”, NYC, March 21, 1964

Review:
Hard grooving with Willis — recorded during his incredible mid 60s years, when he had a great tone, a crack band, and an approach to the grooves that blew away most of his other work! Willis at this point is like Jack McDuff with his classic quartet — totally capable, working with all pros, and hitting on burners that other players didn’t even know existed! Pat Azzara’s on guitar, Carl Wilson is on organ, and Frank Robinson is on trumpet. Tracks include “All Soul”, “The Man I Love”, “Thunderbird”, and “Flamingo”.
© 1996-2010, Dusty Groove America, Inc.

Original post here (24/10/2008).

By Andy

Billy Butler ''Yesterday, Today And Tomorrow''

Billy Butler

''Yesterday, Today And Tomorrow''
( LP Prestige Records, 1970 )
Catalog # PR 7797


Personnel & Tracklisting:
Jerome Richardson (ts, fl)
Sonny Phillips (org, el-p)
Everett Barksdale, Billy Butler, Billy Suyker (g)
Chuck Rainey (el-b)
Jimmy Johnson (d)
Recorded at Rudy Van Gelder Studio,
Englewood Cliffs, NJ, April 27, 1970
1.The Butler Did It
2.Evening Dreams

Houston Person (ts)
Ernie Hayes (org, el-p)
Billy Butler (g)
Jimmy Lewis (el-b)
Jimmy Johnson (d)
Recorded at Rudy Van Gelder Studio,
Englewood Cliffs, NJ, June 29, 1970
3.Dancing On The Ceiling
4.Yesterday, Today And Tomorrow
5.Girl Talk
6.Hold It
7.Sweet Georgia Brown

Biography:
A tasty soul-jazz and blues guitarist, Billy Butler adroitly mixed a Charlie Christian approach with '50s R&B grooves and backbeats. He coaxed a warm, fat tone from his hollow-bodied electric guitar, and provided deceptively simple solos and fills that became staples of the R&B guitar vocabularly. Bill Doggett's "Honky Tonk," featuring Butler, is perhaps the prototype R&B guitar instrumental. "Ram-Bunk'-Shush" and "Big Boy" are other highlights of his tenure with Doggett. He began playing with the doo-wop/R&B group the Harlemaires in the late '40s, then led combos until 1952, when he joined Doc Bagby's trio. Butler co-wrote "Honky Tonk" while playing with Doggett from 1954 to 1961. He also recorded with King Curtis, Dinah Washington, Panama Francis, Johnny Hodges, Jimmy Smith and David "Fathead" Newman in the '60s. Butler worked in Broadway pit bands beginning in the late '60s, but found time for recording sessions with Houston Person and Norris Turney in the late '60s and '70s. He led his own band and recorded for Prestige in the late '60s and early '70s. Butler also recorded with Al Casey and Jackie Williams. He toured Europe frequently in the '70s and '80s, doing sessions there and in America.
By Ron Wynn and Richard Lieberson
(AMG. Copyright © 2010 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.)

By Pier

Monday 15 March 2010

Jimmy Smith ''The Preacher''

Jimmy Smith

''The Preacher''
( Noble Price Records, 2005 )
Catalog # 223040


Tracklisting:
1. The Preacher 11:48
2. Get Happy 7:19
3. Caravan 10:19
4. Rosetta 10:15
5. It's Alright With Me 11:53
6. Sweet Georgia Brown 9:23

Personnel:
Jimmy Smith, org
Thornel Schwartz, guit
Donald Bailey, dr

By Pier

Sunday 14 March 2010

Cedar Walton ''Within Me''

Cedar Walton

''Within Me''
(2004)
*Materiale da rivista Musica JAZZ (5/2004)
Recording date 1985-1990

Tracklisting:
01. Ojos De Rojo (7:06)
02. Off Mirror (9:02)
03. Hagy (10:44)
04. I Can't Get Started (8:04)
05. Holy Land (9:03)
06. Voices Deep Within Me (10:53)
07. Blues For Alberto (6:44)

Review:
One of the most valued of all hard bop accompanists, Cedar Walton is a versatile pianist whose funky touch and cogent melodic sense have graced the recordings of many of jazz's greatest players. He is also one of the music's more underrated composers; although he has always been a first-rate interpreter of standards, Walton wrote a number of excellent tunes ("Mosaic," "Ugetsu," and "Bolivia," to name a few) that found their way into Art Blakey's book during the pianist's early-'60s stint with the Jazz Messengers.

By Pier

Saturday 13 March 2010

Hank Ballard ”Hanging With Hank” Re-Uploaded

Hank Ballard

”Hanging With Hank”
( LP All Platinum/Stang Records, 1976 )
(Not JB-produced)
Catalog # ST-1031


TRACKLISTING :
SIDE ONE
1. SKINNY DIPPING
2. LOVE ON LOVE
3. NITE PEOPLE (INSTRUMENTAL)
4. NITE PEOPLE (VOCAL)
5. SEXY LADY (VOCAL)
SIDE TWO
1. STREAKING
2. SEXY LADY (INSTRUMENTAL)
3. HAVE YOU BEEN GOOD TO YOUR NOSE
4. HALLELUJAH

Note:
Picture copyright held by photographer.
If you are the photographer of this picture and would like it removed please email us.
Rare and not often seen mid 70’s Soul/Funk LP by the music hall of fame artist. Revered by Funk collectors for the two minor James Brown-produced Funk hits: 1968’s “How You Gonna Get Respect (If You Haven’t Cut Your Process Yet?)” and 1972’s “From the Love Side.” Track like “Nite People”from this LP are just as strong as the JB produced offerings.
A very special thank to Mr.Blax for the contibution.

Posted: 30/11/2007

By Pier

Friday 12 March 2010

Gene Ammons ''Red Top''

Gene Ammons

''Red Top''
( Compilation, Savoy Jazz, 2004 )


Tracklisting:
1. El Sino 3:13
2. Ineta 2:54
3. Wild Leo 2:56
4. Leaping Leo 3:03
5. Just Chips 3:06
6. Street Of Dreams 2:58
7. Good Time Blues 2:57
8. Travellin' Light 2:57
9. Red Top 3:07
10. Fuzzy 3:09
11. Stairway To The Stars 2:48
12. Jim Dawgs 3:04
13. Big Slam Part 1 4:34
14. Big Slam Part 2 2:44

Personnel & Credits:
Gene Ammons (Sax (Tenor))
Johnny Coles (Trumpet)
Leo Parker (Sax (Baritone))
Al Brown (Mastering)
Howard McGhee (Trumpet)
Steve Backer (Executive Producer)
Mack Easton (Sax (Baritone))
Mack Easton (Sax (Tenor))
John Houston (Piano)
Junior Mance (Piano)
Bob Porter (Liner Notes)
Bob Porter (Reissue Producer)
Teddy Reig (Producer)
Jack Towers (Editing)
Jack Towers (Transfers)
Gene Wright (Bass)
Ben Stuberville (Bass)
David Redfern (Photography)
Bob Heimall (Art Direction)
Bob Heimall (Design)
Lewis Simpkins (Producer)
Jerry Valburn (Editing)
Jerry Valburn (Transfers)
Chuck Williams (Drums)
George Brown (Drums)

Notes:
Compilation Release Date: November 8, 1994
Original Savoy Album, (Savoy SJL 1103), October 4, 1947 (info here)

More info here.

Review:
Tenor-saxophonist Gene Ammons is well-featured on this LP, playing as a sideman with baritonist Leo Parker's sextet on four numbers from 1947 and heading two sessions of his own from 1952-53. The latter performances (which also include trumpeter Johnny Coles and pianist John Houston in the octet) are highlighted by a remake of Ammons's hit "Red Top," warm ballad versions of "Street of Dreams," "Travellin' Light" and "Stairway to the Stars" and an extended tenor battle with Mack Easton on "Big Slam."
BY Scott Yanow
(AMG. Copyright © 2010 All Media Guide, LLC. Content provided by All Music Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC. All rights reserved.)

Courtesy of Soultrane

Thursday 11 March 2010

The Kenny Clarke Francy Boland Big Band ''More Smiles''

The Kenny Clarke Francy Boland Big Band

''More Smiles''


Andy's Note:
I was very pleased to pick up a clean vinyl copy of this album on a recent trip to England. Nothing stunning but a solid work out from a very good big band featuring amongst others Dusko Gojkovic, Ake Persson, Johnny Griffin, Ronnie Scott and Sahib Shihab.
This was re-issued in 2004 but sounds great on vinyl, enjoy!

By Andy

Fania All Stars ''Social Change''

Fania All Stars

''Social Change''


Andy's Note:
I purchased this on holiday in Spain 1981, it still has the 250pts sticker on it!
The Fania All Stars with guests Gato Barbieri, Steel Pulse, Eric Gale, David Spinozza, Idris Muhammed.
Plenty of good stuff on this a joy to play almost 30 years on. I hope you agree.

By Andy

Leprechaun ''Loc-it-up / Party Freaks'' 12''



Andy's Note:
Well I must say that I can't match the quality of the mega Joe Henderson post but i have some vinyl rips to share. Firstly a 12" single from 1981 Leprechaun Loc-it-up and Party Freaks. Both catchy numbers from back in the day. I hope you like.

By Andy

Joe Henderson ''The Milestone Years'' (8 CD's Box Set)

Joe Henderson

''The Milestone Years'' (8 CD's Box Set)
( Compilation, 1994 )


Personnel:
Joe Henderson, Nat Adderley, Lee Konitz, Flora Purim, Herbie Hancock, Alice Coltrane, Woody Shaw, Joe Zawinul, Kenny Barron, George Cables, George Duke, Larry Willis, MIke Lawrence, Ron Carter, Dave Holland, Stanley Clarke, J.F. Jenny Clark, Louis Hayes, Jack DeJohnette, Lenny White, Harvey Mason, Airto, Grachan Moncur, Jeremy Steig, Ichikawa-Inaba-Hino, James "Blood" Ulmer, Luis Gasca, Michael White, Patrick Gleeson, Lee Ritenour, Ernie Watts.


Tracklisting:
CD 1
The Kicker
01. Mamacita [0:03:23]
02. The Kicker [0:04:09]
03. Chelsea Bridge [0:04:40]
04. If [0:05:36]
05. Nardis [0:04:43]
06. Without A Song [0:06:03]
07. Mo' Joe [0:04:11]
08. O Amor Em Paz (Once I Loved) [0:05:34]
Tetragon
09. Tetragon [0:05:39]
10. First Trip [0:05:16]
11. I've Got You Under My Skin [0:05:00]
12. Invitation [0:06:16]
13. "R.J." [0:05:37]
14. Waltz For Zweetie [0:04:25]
Time: 70:38

CD 2
Tetragon
01. The Bead Game [0:08:38]
Lee Konitz
02. You Don't Know What Love Is [0:03:31]
Nat Adderley
03. Unilateral [0:06:05]
04. The Scavenger [0:08:12]
05. But Not For Me [0:05:56]
Power On The People
06. Power To The People [0:08:42]
07. Afro-Centric [0:07:00]
08. Black Narcissus [0:04:50]
09. Isotope [0:04:53]
10. Opus One-Point-Five [0:04:56]
11. Lazy Afternoon [0:04:33]
12. Foresight And Afterthought [0:07:32]
Time: 74:55

CD 3
At The Lighthouse
01. Carribean Fire Dance [0:05:39]
02. Recorda-Me [0:08:21]
03. A Shade Of Jade [0:10:32]
04. Isotope [0:04:32]
05. 'Round Midnight [0:09:03]
06. Mode For Joe [0:08:34]
07. If You're Not Part Of The Solution, You're Part Of The Problem [0:11:32]
08. Blue Bossa [0:09:47]
09. Closing Theme [0:00:46]
Time: 68:50

CD 4
In Pursuit Of Blackness
01. Gazelle [0:07:33]
02. Invitation [0:07:34]
03. Mind Over Matter [0:13:19]
04. No Me-Esqueca [0:07:08]
05. A Shade Of Jade [0:07:44]
Joe Henderson In Japan
06. 'Round Midnight [0:12:38]
07. Out 'n In [0:09:06]
08. Blue Bossa [0:08:26]
Time: 73:33

CD 5
Joe Henderson In Japan
01. Junk Blues [0:14:47]
Black Is The Color
02. Terra Firma [0:12:12]
03. Vis-A-Vis [0:06:49]
04. Foregone Conclusion [0:04:57]
05. Black Is The Color (Of My True Love's Mind) [0:07:03]
06. Current Events [0:05:36]
Multiple
07. Tres-Gun-Deo-La [0:10:35]
08. Turned Around [0:06:39]
09. Song For Sinners [0:06:23]
Time: 75:06

CD 6
Multiple
01. Me, Among Others [0:07:06]
02. Bwaata [0:10:56]
Canyon Lady
03. Tres Palabras [0:10:10]
04. All Things Considered [0:08:39]
05. Canyon Lady [0:09:07]
06. Las Palmas [0:09:58]
07. In The Beginning, There Was Africa... [0:06:03]
The Elements
08. Air [0:09:54]
Time:71:57

CD 7
The Elements
01. Water [0:07:32]
02. Fire [0:11:07]
03. Earth [0:13:13]
Flora Purim
04. Butterfly Dreams [0:07:00]
05. Light As A Feather [0:05:55]
06. Love Reborn [0:03:42]
07. Summer Night [0:05:54]
Black Narcissus
08. Black Narcissus [0:05:09]
09. Hindsight And Forethought [0:02:41]
10. Power To The People [0:12:26]
Time: 74:45

CD 8
Black Narcissus
01. The Other Side Of Right [0:07:18]
02. Good Morning, Heartache [0:06:58]
03. Amoeba [0:05:39]
Black Miracle
04. Gazelle [0:05:23]
05. My Cherie Amour [0:06:46]
06. Old Slippers [0:06:02]
07. Immaculate Deception [0:04:13]
08. Soulution [0:07:07]
09. Black Miracle [0:09:21]
Flora Purim
10. Black Narcissus [0:06:38]
11. What Can I Say? [0:05:06]
12. Windows [0:05:34]
Time:76:09

Note:
MP3 CBR@320 Kbps
Scan - cover - inform
Time - 581:39
~1,23 Gb

Not available on the free blog edition

Courtesy of GNB2

Yusef Lateef ''A Flat, G Flat And C''

Yusef Lateef

''A Flat, G Flat And C''
( LP Impulse! Records, 1966 )
Catalog # A-9117


Tracklisting:
A1 Warm Hearted Blues 4:34
A2 Nile Valley Blues 3:45
A3 Robbie 2:40
A4 Psyche Rose 2:31
A5 Chuen Blues 4:45
B1 Feather Comfort 5:16
B2 Blind Willie 2:40
B3 Feelin' Alright 3:07
B4 Sound Wave 3:57
B5 Kyoto Blues 4:14

Personnel & Credits:
Bass - Reggie Workman
Drums - Roy Brooks
Engineer - Rudy Van Gelder
Piano - Hugh Lawson
Producer - Bob Thiele
Saxophone [Tenor, Alto], Flute, Oboe, Theremin - Yusef Lateef

Notes:
Format:Vinyl, LP, Mono
Country:US
Released:1966

Review:
Haunting set of stripped down tracks by the brilliant Yusef Lateef, who not only plays his usual assortment of reeds here -- tenor, alto, flute, and oboe -- but also lays down a bit of theremin! He's accompanied by Hugh Lawson on piano, Reggie Workman on bass, and Roy Brooks on drums -- and the track list includes "Chuen Blues", "Pyche Rose", and "Sound Wave", which is a great showcase for the theremin.
© 1996-2010, Dusty Groove America, Inc.

By Pier

Wednesday 10 March 2010

Duke Ellington ''Ellington Uptown''

Duke Ellington

''Ellington Uptown''
( LP Columbia Records, 1953 )
Catalog # LPCB 32061


Tracklisting:
1. Skin Deep
2. The Mooche
3. Take the "A" Train
4. A Tone Parallel to Harlem (The Harlem Suite)
5. Perdido

Personnel & Credits:
Saxophones: Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney, Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Hilton Jefferson
Trumpets: William Anderson, Clark Terry, Willie Cook, Ray Nance
Trombones: Juan Tizol, Quentin Jackson, Britt Woodman
Drums: Louis Bellson
Bass: Wendell Marshall
Piano: Billy Strayhorn, Duke Ellington.

Notes:
Recorded in 1951-52.
Released by Columbia in 1953
Brazilian press.

Review:
Duke Ellington's concert bands broke through this boundary around the turn of the century, with entrancing results. Following on the heels of Masterpieces by Ellington, producer George Avakian introduced the original Ellington Uptown with a flourish. Columbia has bunched this reissue with Masterpieces by Ellington and Festival Session, including original liner notes and heavy essays by historian Patricia Willard. Ellington Uptown is the fourth release of a record which originally came with five tracks, having since been picked over and rearranged repeatedly by Columbia.There's nothing to complain about with this combination of standards ("Take the 'A' Train," "The Mooche," "Perdido"), suites ("Harlem Suite"), and one Louie Bellson original ("Skin Deep") which is essentially a vehicle for lots of drumming. The reissue, containing recordings from 1951-52, sounds good: hi-fi indeed.
This particular combination of tunes actually comes across a bit unnerving, making you sit up and pay attention when vocalists pop in and out, composition and improvisation change seats, and the tone of pieces shifts dramatically. But the upside is that diversity is basically a good thing. Notable moments include (of course) Louie Bellson's pert drumming and blizzard-laden solo space on the opener. "Take the 'A' Train" goes from piano trio to big band and back, featuring gentle if spare vocals (plus scatting) by Betty Roche, infectiously melodic and casually sophisticated. More of Duke's piano comes through again on "Perdido," playfully bouncing in the lower register but still hanging on the occasional oblique harmonies that he used like spice. Nils Jacobson
A hardcore Ellington massacre that would embarrass most modern musicians for its thickness and complexity. Some of the best, strangest and heaviest renderings of Duke's repertoire and an almost baroque excursion into Ellington country, sometimes verging on vertigo: a meta-ellington reflection.
By David Jacobs

By Pier

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