Green Chimneys

In the 1980s, Kenny Barron was recognized as one of jazz's top pianists, a modern mainstream master who two decades later is still in prime form. His 1983 trio date with bassist Buster Williams and drummer Ben Riley, Green Chimneys, originally consisted of six songs highlighted by "Softly As in a Morning Sunrise", "Straight No Chaser", and a lengthy version of "There Is No Greater Love". The CD reissue adds a second alternate take of "Time Was", plus three numbers ("Skylark", "When Lights Are Low", and Barron's "Morning Blues") recorded with the same musicians in 1987. The additions are of equally high quality as the earlier set, making this swinging program (which has almost 68 minutes of music) a bargain.

~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide.

Artist: Kenny Barron

Album: Green Chimneys

Year: 1983, 1987

Label: Criss Cross Jazz

Personnel:

Kenny Barron: piano

Buster Williams: bass

Ben Riley: drums

Tracks:

1. Softly As In A Morning Sunrise
2. Don't Explain
3. There Is No Greater Love
4. Skylark
5. Green Chimneys
6. Straight No Chaser
7. Time Was
8. When Lights Are Low
9. Morning Blues
10. Time Was (Take 2)

sounds like:

mp3@320:

Rapidshare

or

mediafire

Man from Two Worlds

Although it tended to get overlooked at the time, one of drummer Chico Hamilton's finest groups was his 1962-1963 quartet/quintet. With Charles Lloyd at his most fiery on tenor and flute, and the colorful solos of the up-and-coming Hungarian guitarist Gabor Szabo, this band placed a stronger emphasis on melody and softer sounds than the more avant-garde groups of the time but still pushed away at musical boundaries. Trombonist George Bohanon is also on the final four numbers of this CD reissue, which brings back all of the music from Hamilton's Man from Two Worlds LP and four of the six numbers originally on Passin' Thru. Highlights include the original version of Lloyd's most famous song, "Forest Flower".

~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide.

Artist: Chico Hamilton

Album: Man from Two Worlds

Year: 1962, 1963

Label: GRP

Personnel:

Charles Lloyd: tenor saxophone, flute

George Bohanon: trombone (#8-11)

Gabor Szabo: guitar

Albert Stinson: bass

Chico Hamilton: drums

tracks:

1. Man from Two Worlds
2. Blues Medley
a. Little Sister's Dance

b. Shade Tree

c. Island Blue

3. Forest Flower

a. Sunrise

b. Sunset

4. Child's Play

5. Blues for O.T.

6. Mallet Dance

7. Love Song to a Baby

8. Passin' Thru

9. Transfusion

10. Lady Gabor (Szabo)

11. Lonesome Child

sounds like:

mp3@320:

Rapidshare
or
mediafire

Light Out Of Darkness: A Tribute To Ray Charles

For this change of pace, singer/pianist Shirley Horn performs 15 songs associated with Ray Charles. Of course, Horn sounds nothing like Charles, but she sometimes captures his spirit on such songs as "Hit the road, Jack", "You don't Know Me" (which finds her switching to organ), "Makin' Whoopee" and "How Long Has This Been Going On". Joined by her regular trio (with bassist Charles Ables and drummer Steve Williams), some of the songs have Ables switching effectivelly to guitar, while Tyler Mitchell fills in on bass. Altoist Gary Barts guests on five of the dozen selections. While emphasizing ballads, as one always expects, this is a fun set that includes more medium-tempo tunes than usual for a Shirley Horn set.

~ Scott Yanow, AllMusic Guide.

Artist: Shirley Horn

Album: Light Out Of Darkness: A Tribute To Ray Charles

Year: 1993

Label: Verve

Personnel and Tracks (click on image to zoom):

sounds like:

mp3@320:
Rapidshare
or
mediafire

Dedication

The first of Steve Kuhn's several CDs fpr Reservoir is a multifaceted trio session with bassist David Finck and drummer Billy Drummond. Kuhn opens with a pair of enjoyable originals, the gliding post-bop "Dedication" and "The Zoo", cast as a melancholy bossa nova. He does justice to two compositions by bassist Steve Swallow, the well-known "Eiderdown" and the more obscure "Please Let Me Go", both of which prominently feature Finck's superb playing. His fresh, somewhat darker approach to Kenny Dorham's catxhy "Blue Bossa" starts subtly but grows in intensity. Nor does the leader ignore standards. His bright swinging take of "It's You or No One", the lush setting of "For Heaven's Sake", and a loping waltz treatment of "Like Someone in Love" all merit high praise.

~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide

Artist: Steve Kuhn

Album: Dedication

Year: 1997

Label: Reservoir

Personnel:

Steve Kuhn: piano

David Finck: bass

Billy Drummond: drums

Track List:

1. Dedication
2. The Zoo
3. I Waited For You
4. Eiderdown
5. Please Let Go
6. It's You or No One
7. For Heaven's Sake
8. Like Someone In Love
9. Blue Bossa

sounds like:

mp3@320:
Rapidshare
or
mediafire

Heat Wave

I suck at writing reviews. I liked it. If you don't like it don't buy it. :o)

Artist: Cal Tjader & Carmen McRae

Album: Heat Wave

Year: 1982

Label: Concord Jazz

Personnel:

Cal Tjader: vibes

Carmen McRae: vocals

Marshall Otwell: piano on 2,3,5,7,8,9

Mark Levine: piano on 1,4,6,10

Rob Fisher: bass

Vince Lateano: drums

Poncho Sanchez: congas and percussion

Ramon Banda: timbales and percussion

Al Bent: trombone

Mike Heathman: trombone

Track List:

1. Heat Wave
2. All In Love Is Fair
3. Besame Mucho
4. Evil Ways
5. Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me
6. Love
7. Upside Down (Flor De Lis)
8. The Visit
9. Speak Low
10. Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing

sounds like:

mp3@320:

Rapidshare

or

Megaupload

or flac

I Remember Miles

There are a few remarkable recreations on tenor-saxophonist Benny Golson's tribute to Miles Davis, particularly "'Round Midnight" and parts of "So What" and "Bye Bye Blackbird." Trumpeter Eddie Henderson (especially when muted) comes very close to duplicating not only the sound but the spirit of Davis while Golson sometimes discards his own strong musical personality to do close impressions of John Coltrane. Trombonist Curtis Fuller, pianist Mulgrew Miller, bassist Ray Drummond and drummer Tony Reedus are also in fine form on a program that not only has five songs associated with 1950s Miles Davis but three Golson originals including "One Day, Forever (I Remember Miles)" which (although worthy) is not in the same league as his earlier classic "I Remember Clifford." This heartfelt tribute album has enough unique moments to make it easily recommended.

~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Artist: Benny Golson

Album: I Remember Miles

Year: 1992

Label: Evidence

Personnel:

Benny Golson: tenor sax

Eddie Henderson: trumpet

Curtis Fuller: trombone

Ray Drummond: bass

Tony Reedus: drums

Mulgrew Miller: piano

Track List:

1. Four
2. Heartstrings
3. 'Round Midnight
4. Bye Bye Blackbird
5. One Day, Forever
6. Autumn Leaves
7. So What
8. Uptown Afterburn

Low Quality Sample:

mp3@320:

Rapidshare

or

Megaupload

or even flac

A Turtle's Dream

Since her 1960 recording for Candid, Abbey Lincoln has brought an unequaled passion to the jazz vocal art, an ability to invest words with special shades of meaning that recalls the spirit of Billie Holiday. Her talent has long been appreciated more by musicians than by a large general audience (perhaps because her work is so focused on maximizing the emotional potential of a lyric rather than on treating the voice as an instrument, as many jazz singers do). That respect is reciprocal: her work has always featured the finest musicians, from Eric Dolphy to Stan Getz. Lincoln composed most of the music and lyrics on this 1994 set, and each song is a journey into the self, into the wellsprings of life, from loss to joy. Her accompanists rise to the emotional occasion: fine moments are contributed by Kenny Barron, Charlie Haden, Pat Metheny, Roy Hargrove, saxophonist Julien Lourau, and Lincoln's frequent accompanist, pianist Rodney Kendrick.

-Stuart Broomer

Artist: Abbey Lincoln

Album: A Turtle's Dream

Year: 1994

Label: Verve

Personnel:

Abbey Lincoln: vocals

Rodney Kendrick: piano

Charlie Haden: bass

Victor Lewis: drums

featuring:

Roy Hargrove: trumpet on 4,8

Julien Lourau: soprano saxophone on 10 and tenor saxophone on 2,4,7,8

Kenny Barron: piano on 3,11

Pat Metheny: guitars on 1,5,6,11

Lucky Peterson: guitar and background vocals on 9

Christian McBride: bass on 4,8

Michael Bowie: bass on 7,9

String arrangements by:

Laurent Cugny on 1

Randolph Noel on 3

Track List:

1. Throw It Away
2. A Turtle's Dream
3. Down Here Below
4. Nature Boy
5. Avec Le Temps
6. Should've Been
7. My Love Is You
8. Storywise
9. Hey, Lordy Mama
10. Not To Worry
11. Being Me

Low quality Sample:

mp3@320:

Rapidshare

or

Megaupload

... And She Answered

I have been loving this since 1991. The older I get the better it gets.

Artist: AM4

Album: ...and she answered

Year: 1989

Label: ECM

Personnel:

Wolfgang Puschnig: Alto Saxophone, Alto Flute, Hojak, Shakuhachi

Linda Sharrock: Vocals

Uli Scherer: Piano, Prepared Piano, Keyboards

Track List:

1. Streets And Rivers
2. And She Answered: When You Return to Me, I Will Open Quick the Cage Do or, I Will Let the Red Bird Flee
3. Lonley Woman
4. Mi-La
5. Bhagavad
6. Over the Rainbow
7. Far Horizon
8. The Sadness of Yuki
9. Oh!
10. One T'une

Low Quality Sample:

mp3@320:

Rapidshare

or

Megaupload

Jazz 'Round Midnight

Joining her equally stunning Compact Jazz entry, Sarah Vaughan's Jazz 'Round Midnight disc makes for a very fine introduction to the singer's extensive catalog. As is the case with the entire 'Round Midnight series, the emphasis here is on the ballad-heavy, after-hours end of the spectrum, which Vaughan handled with the utmost class and skill. The 15 tracks mostly cover her prime '50s and '60s sessions, including combo, strings, and big band dates featuring Clifford Brown, Cannonball Adderley, J.J. Johnson, and top-notch arrangers like Ernie Wilkins and Thad Jones. So, turn down the lights, pour the Remy Martin, and enjoy.

~ Stephen Cook, All Music Guide.

Artist: Sarah Vaughan

Album: Jazz 'Round Midnight

Year: 1992

Label: Verve

Personnel:

Since this is a compilation the personnel differs in each song. If you want that info perhaps you should buy the CD. :o)

Track List:

1. April In Paris
2. Lover Man (1954 Version)
3. I Won't Say I Will But I Won't Say I Won't
4. I'm Glad There Is You
5. Prelude To A Kiss
6. Jim
7. My Man (Mon Homme)
8. I'm Afraid The Masquerade Is Over
9. It's Easy To Remember
10. But Not For Me
11. Darn That Dream
12. I'll Never Smile Again
13. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
14. September Song
15. Over The Rainbow

Low quality sample:

mp3@320

Reunion

In 1989, 34 years after the formation of the somewhat unique Chico Hamilton Quintet, the original members (with one exception) reunited for a tour and this Soul Note recording. In addition to drummer Hamilton, Buddy Collette (heard on flute, clarinet and alto), cellist Fred Katz, bassist Carson Smith, and guitarist John Pisano (Jim Hall's first replacement) complete the group. This studio session only includes one standard remake of "I Want to Be Happy" and is comprised of then-recent originals by band members, with two selections ("Brushing with B" and "Conversation") being freely improvised duets by Collette and Hamilton. So, rather than merely being an exercise in nostalgia, this excellent set features the Quintet members as they sounded in the late '80s, creating new music for their classic sound.

~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Artist: Chico Hamilton Quintet

Album: Reunion

Year: 1989

Label: Soul Note

Personnel:

Buddy Collette: Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone

Fred Katz: Cello

John Pisano: Guitar

Carson Smith: Bass

Chico Hamilton: Drums, Vocal

Track List:

1. I Want To Be Happy
2. Delightful, Charming And Cool
3. Brushing With B
4. Ain't Nobody Calling Me
5. Magali
6. Shirley
7. Conversation
8. These Are The Dues
9. Dreams Of Youth
10. Five Friends
11. Reunion

Low quality sample

mp3@320

The Body & The Soul

At age 25, Freddie Hubbard made inroads into modern jazz most trumpeters could not imagine, much less come through with. As a soloist, one of Hubbard's crowning achievements in his early period was this recording on which he teamed with Wayne Shorter, marginally as a performer but prominent in the role of arranger/conductor for his first time ever. Utilizing a septet, 16-piece big band, and orchestra plus stings to play concise, tight tunes, Shorter provides the backdrop to employ Hubbard's bold toned trumpet and all of its devices in a full display of his powerful melodic talents. Yeoman Reggie Workman plays bass on all selections, with drummer Louis Hayes in the seven-piece combo, and great work from Philly Joe Jones in the larger bands. Interestingly enough, the three tracks with the smaller ensemble are the most interesting, due to the presence of Eric Dolphy, Curtis Fuller, Cedar Walton, and Shorter on the front line. "Clarence's Place" is a post-bop jewel with spiky brass accents and Dolphy's ribald and outre alto sax solo contrasting Shorter's relatively reserved tenor, "Dedicated to You" is a wisp of a tune, while "Body & Soul," an atypical choice for the opening selection, is a straight read of the classic ballad with a chart that sounds larger than the small horn section, and a wavering flute via Dolphy. The big band does an unusual soul-jazz treatment of the Brazilian number "Manha de Carnaval" flavored by Robert Northern's French horn, while "Aries" is a hard bop show stopper with two-note accents buoying Hubbard's great lyrical lines, and goes further into hard bop with "Thermo" as the horns demand attention with the trumpeter as an afterthought. The string section, ten pieces strong, joins the big band on the film noir type Duke Ellington piece "Chocolate Shake," the stock "I Got It Bad," and "Skylark," with its soft clarion intro bubbling underneath with the violins, violas, and cellos. The manner in which this recording is programmed is thoughtful in that it lends to the diversity of the project, but is seamless from track to track. Dan Morgenstern's hefty liner notes also explain the concept behind this ambitious project, one which did not compare to any of Hubbard's other recordings in his career. Therefore it stands alone as one of the most unique productions in his substantive discography, and a quite credible initial go-round for Shorter as an orchestrator. Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide

~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide

Artist: Freddie Hubbard

Album: The Body & The Soul

Year: March 8, 11 and May 2, 1963

Label: Impulse

Personnel on # 1, 4, 5

Freddie Hubbard: Trumpet

Curtis Fuller: Trombone

Eric Dolphy: Alto Saxophone, Flute

Wayne Shorter: Tenor Saxophone

Cedar Walton: Piano

Reggie Workman: Bass

Louis Hayes: Drums

Personnel on # 2, 6, 9

Freddie Hubbard, Al DeRisi, Ernie Royal, Clark Terry: Trumpets

Melba Liston, Curtis Fuller: Trombones

Bob Northern: French Horn

Robert Powell: Tuba

Eric Dolphy: Alto Saxophone, Flute

Seldon Powell, Jerome Richardson: Tenor Saxophones

Charles Davis: Baritone Saxophone

Cedar Walton: Piano

Reggie Workman: Bass

Philly Joe Jones: Drums

Wayne Shorter: Arranger, Conductor

Personnel on # 3, 7, 8

Freddie Hubbard, Ed Armour, Richard Williams: Trumpets

Melba Liston, Curtis Fuller: Trombones

Bob Northern, Julius Watkins: French Horns

Eric Dolphy: Alto Saxophone, Flute

Jerome Richardson: Baritone Saxophone

Cedar Walton: Piano

Reggie Workman: Bass

Philly Joe Jones: Drums

Harry Cykman, Morris Stonzek, Arnold Eidus, Sol Shapiro, Charles McCracken, Harry Katzman, Harry Lookofsky, Gene Orloff, Julius Held, Raoul Poliakin: Strings

Wayne Shorter: Arranger Conductor

Track List:

1. Body And Soul

2. Carnival (Manha De Carnaval)

3. Chocolate Shake

4. Dedicated To You

5. Clarence's Place

6. Aries

7. Skylark

8. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)

9. Thermo

Low quality sample

mp3@320