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CHRIS ANDERSON

2012-02-17T23:06:00.000+01:00

Inverted Image + My Romance (2 Lps On 1 Cd)
Chris Anderson
Featuring: Chris Anderson (p), Bill Lee (b), Art Taylor, Walter Perkins, Philly Joe Jones (d)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 688

Entirely self-taught, unfazed by blindness and brittle bone disease, Chicagoborn Chris Anderson (1926-2008) remains a legendary figure among jazz pianists and an acknowledged influence on Herbie Hancock, who studied with him in 1960. Hancock was quick to spread the word among musicians. His teacher, he said, had "a whole other facet of tools of expression and harmonies that I hadn’t heard in Bill Evans," adding that "Chris Anderson is a master of harmony and sensitivity."

The reverence in which he is held by jazz musicians was not reflected in anything remotely like wider acclaim, but Anderson’s few recordings are much sought-after gems among those in the know.

His first two trio albums, for VeeJay and Riverside/Jazzland, both of which are included here, were made in 1960 and ’61 respectively. They show a very individual and provocative harmonic sense, as distinctive as Thelonious Monk’s or Bill Evans’s, a light but firm and elegant swing, and a delicate balance of the cerebral and the emotional. It gave his music tremendous power to touch the heart and appeal to the intellect at the same time. His was a very special talent.

Charlie Haden, who made the superb "None But The Lonely Heart" with him for Naim in 1997, said at the time, a propos Anderson's brittle bone disease: "Chris is risking his life with every chord, that's how much it means to him. He has such reverence for beauty, he plays like an angel." That says it all.

Tracklisting:

01. Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams (Harris) 3:28
02. So in Love (Porter) 4:23
03. You Stepped Out of a Dream (Brown) 6:21
04. Soon (Gershwin) 2:44
05. Monica (Lee) 2:38
06. A Fellow Needs a Girl (Rodgers) 3:07
07. I Could Write a Book (Rodgers) 3:50
08. My Romance (Rodgers) 5:18
09. Love Letters (Young) 7:01
10. Inverted Images (Anderson) 5:58
11. Lullaby of the Leaves (Young-Petkere) 4:53
12. My Funny Valentine (Rodgers-Hart) 4:24
13. See You Saturday (Anderson-Lee) 4:31
14. Dancing in the Dark (Dietz-Schwartz) 4:28
15. Only One (Lee) 3:59
16. I Hear a Rhapsody (Fragos-Baker) 5:02
17. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To (Porter) 5:45

Total time: 78:00 min. approx.

Sources:

Tracks #1-9, from the Vee Jay album
"My Romance" (RJL-2669)

Tracks #8-11, from the Jazzland album
"Inverted Image" (JLP 957)

Personnel on "My Romace":

Chris Anderson (p), Bill Lee (b), Art Taylor (d).

Recorded in Chicago, at Universal Recording Studios,
on October 12, 1960.

Personnel on "Inverted Image":

Chris Anderson (p), Bill Lee (b), Walter Perkins (d)
or Philly Joe Jones (d on #13,16 & 17).

Recorded in New York City, at Bell Sound Studios, on June 28 (#13,16 & 17), and the rest of tracks at Plaza Sound Studios, on November 8, 1961.

Original recordings produced by Sid McCoy (#1-9),
Orrin Keepnews & Ray Fowler (#10-17)

Engineers: Bernie Clapper (October 12), Bill Stoddard (June 28), and Ray Fowler (November 8).

Produced for CD release by Jordi Pujol

Stereo · 24-Bit Digitally Remastered

EDDIE DAVIS & JOHNNY GRIFFIN

2012-02-17T23:04:00.000+01:00

Griff & Lock - Complete Studio Recordings 1960-1961 (3 Lps On 2 Cds)
Eddie Lockjaw Davis & Johnny Griffin
Featuring: Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis, Johnny Griffin (ts), Junior Mance (p), Larry Gales (b), Ben Riley (d)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 690_2

The three studio albums recorded for Jazzland by the aptly named Tough Tenors, Johnny Griffin and Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis, and their calorific Junior Mance-Larry Gales-Ben Riley rhythm section epitomize what this incendiary group was about. As Gene Lees put it succinctly in Down Beat magazine at the time, "This is five men swinging up a storm, and jazz is fortunate that such men exist to feed it." It’s hearty, full-blowing jazz of the kind now associated with the partnership of contrasting tenor styles.

Here at the height of their game together, Griff and Lock stand as two swaggering swingers in a take-no-prisoners quintet greatly enhanced by the down-home soulfulness of Mance’s piano. Brusquely disposed of by the leaders, the tunes are jumping off points for combative improvisations in which both tenors display a sinewy, elastic muscularity that enables them to create roaring, vital, driving jazz.

Half a century on, these ebulliently swinging collaborations possess a joie de vivre that is well nigh irresistable.

Tracklisting:

CD 1
01. The Last Train from Overbrook
02. Hey Lock!
03. Midnight at Minton’s
04. Second Balcony Jump
05. I’ll Remember April
06. Good Bait
07. Tickle Toe
08. Save Your Love for Me
09. Twins

CD 2
01. Funky Fluke
02. Imagination
03. Soft Winds
04. In Walked Bud
05. Well, You Needn’t
06. Ruby My Dear
07. Rhythm-a-ning
08. Epistrophy
09. 'Round Midnight
10. Stickball (I Mean You)

Sources:

CD 1, tracks #1-6, from the Jazzland album
"Griff & Lock" (JLP 942).

CD 1, tracks #7-9 and CD 2 tracks #1-3, from
the Jazzland album "Tough Tenors" (JLP 931).

CD 2, tracks #4-10, from the Jazzland album
"Lookin' at Monk!" (JLP 939).

Personnel on all tracks:

EDDIE 'LOCKJAW' DAVIS & JOHNNY GRIFFIN Quintet
Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis, Johnny Griffin (ts), Junior Mance (p), Larry Gales (b), Ben Riley (d).

Sessions recorded at Plaza Sound Studios, New York City, November 4 & 10 (CD1 & CD2 #1-3), 1960 and February 7 (CD2 #4-10), 1961.

Original recordings produced by Orrin Keepnews.
Engineered by Ray Fowler.
Cover designs by Ken Deardoff & Donald Silverstein

Produced for CD release by Jordi Pujol.

Stereo · 24-Bit Digitally Remastered

SONNY RED

2012-02-17T23:02:00.000+01:00

Quartet, Quintet & Sextet (4 Lps On 2 Cds)
Sonny Red
Featuring: Sonny Red (as), Blue Mitchell (tp), Yusef Lateef, Clifford Jordan (ts), Barry Harris, Tommy Flanagan, Ronnie Matthews, Cedar Walton (p), Grant Green (g), Bob Cranshaw, Art Davis, George Tucker (b), Albert 'Tootie' Heath, Elvin Jones, Jimmy Cobb (d)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 691_2

Inspired by Charlie Parker and then Jackie McLean, the widely experienced, Detroit-born altoist Sonny Red, nee Sylvester Kyner (1932-1980) was an archetypal Motor City bopper, who, like many of his confreres there, also absorbed the blues-drenched lines of pianist Bud Powell. Forthright, direct, unpretentious, a skilled soloist with a strong feeling for the blues, he played and recorded with some of the finest jazzmen around.

The presence here of such luminous talents as, most notably, pianist Barry Harris, along with fellow pianist Tommy Flanagan, trumpeter Blue Mitchell, saxophonists Clifford Jordan and Yusef Lateef, and guitarist Grant Green left no doubt about his stature among them.

Despite this and the fact that he also worked with such marquee names as Art Blakey, Kenny Dorham, Donald Byrd, Curtis Fuller and Paul Quinichette, he never quite made the breakthrough his skills suggested he would and his recordings have been difficult to find.

This collection of quartet, quintet and sextet settings brings together four albums he made for the Jazzland label during one of the most productive spells of his career and shows why he was held in such esteem by his contemporaries.

Tracklisting:

CD 1
01. Brother B
02. All I Do Is Dream of You
03. The New Blues
04. Ditty
05. 'Teef
06. Breezin'
07. A Handful of Stars
08. If There Is Someone Lovelier Than You
09. Cumberland Court
10. A Story Tale
11. You're Driving Me Crazy
12. Defiance
13. Prints
14. Hip Pockets
15. They Say It's Wonderful
16. If I Didn't Care

CD 2
01. I Like the Likes of You
02. Bye, Bye Blues
03. Never, Never Land
04. Ko-kee
05. Images
06. Blues for Donna
07. Dodge City
08. Moon River
09. Super-20
10. The Mode
11. Blue Sonny
12. The Rhythm Thing
13. Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered

Sources:

CD 1, tracks #1-8, from the Jazzland album
"Breezing" (JLP 932)

CD 1, tracks #9-16, from the Jazzland album
"Clifford Jordan & Sonny Red - A Story Tale"
(JLP 940)

CD 2, tracks #1-4 & #8-10, from the
Jazzland album "The Mode" (JLP 959)

CD 2, tracks #5-7 & #11-13, from the
Jazzland album "Images" (JLP 974)

Personnel on "Breezing":

Sonny Red Quartet and Sextet
Sonny Red (as); Barry Harris (p); Bob Cranshaw (b); Albert 'Tootie' Heath (d). On tracks #1,3,5 & 6: Blue Mitchell (tp) & Yusef Lateef (ts), added.

Recorded at Plaza Sound Studios, New York City, November 3, 1960.

Personnel on "A Story Tale":

Clifford Jordan and Sonny Red Quintet
Sonny Red (as); Clifford Jordan (ts); Tommy Flanagan (p); Art Davis (b); Elvin Jones (d). On tracks #9,10 & 16: Ronnie Mathews, replaces Flanagan.

Recorded at Bell Sound Studios, New York City, February 14, 1961.

Personnel on "The Mode" (CD 2, #1-4):

Sonny Red Quartet
Sonny Red (as); Cedar Walton (p); George Tucker (b); Jimmy Cobb (d).

Recorded at Plaza Sound Studios, New York City, May 29, 1961.

Personnel on "Images" (CD 2, #5-7):

Sonny Red Quintet
Blue Mitchell (tp); Sonny Red (as); Barry Harris (p); George Tucker (b); Lex Humphries (d).

Recorded at Plaza Sound Studios, New York City, June 25, 1961.

Personnel on "The Mode" (CD 2, #8-10) / "Images" (CD 2, #11-13)

Sonny Red Quintet:
Sonny Red (as); Barry Harris (p); Grant Green (g except on #13); George Tucker (b); Jimmy Cobb (d).

Recorded at Plaza Sound Studios, New York City, December 14, 1961.

Original recordings produced by Orrin Keepnews.
Engineers: Ray Fowler & Bill Stoddard (CD 1 #9-16)
original cover designs by Ken Deardoff.

Produced for CD release by Jordi Pujol.

Stereo · 24-Bit Digitally Remastered

BOBBY SCOTT

2012-02-17T23:00:00.000+01:00

Early Sessions 1954-1955 Bethlehem / Savoy / Abc Paramount
Bobby Scott
Featuring: Bobby Scott (p, vib), Whitey Mitchell, Jim Corbett, Nabil 'Knobby' Totah (b), Will Bradley Jr., Al Levitt (d)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 686

Although Bobby Scott was only 17 when he made his recording debut with the first trio on this album, he was already a precociously gifted, Bud Powell-inspired pianist with a depth of experience that belied his youth. As this suggests, his playing was direct and emotionally expressive, with superb technique and swing, abundant imagination and a strong feeling for the blues. He was also a talented vibist, using this instrument to great effect in several performances on the third date here.

Together, these sessions seemed to herald the emergence of a considerable performer, particularly as he subsequently demonstrated his abilities as a singer, cellist, bassist and clarinetist. But they also display his distinctive gifts as a composer—"you don’t create music," he said, "you organize sound"—so it was not totally surprising that he turned to composing and teaching for much of his subsequent career, dying of lung cancer in 1990.

Tracklisting:

01. Pee Wee (Scott) 2:13
02. Phil's Mood (Scott) 2:39
03. Moonbeaux (Scott)1:58
04. Tenderly (Gross-Lawrence) 2:43
05. Ode to Monk (Scott) 2:34
06. Polka Dots and Moonbeams
(Burke-Van Heusen) 2:50
07. Gone with the Wind (Wrubel-Magidson) 2:11
08. Lullaby of Birdland (Shearing) 2:29
09. Just One of Those Things (Porter) 2:39
10. But Beautiful (Burke-Van Heusen) 2:47
11. Once in a While (Edwards-Green) 2:59
12. I Married an Angel (Rodgers-Hart) 2:32
13. Two Toes (Scott) 3:29
14. What's New (Burke-Haggart) 2:41
15. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
(Arlen-Koehler) 4:49
16. Summer Night (Scott) 3:04
17. Over the Rainbow (Arlen-Harburg) 4:13
18. Squaw Rock (Scott) 3:01
19. Potatoe Zalud (Scott) 4:09
20. These Foolish Things (Link-Strachey) 4:13
21. Milt Shake (Scott) 3:45
22. Skyline (Bishop) 6:02
23. Richard the Lion Hearted (Cavanaugh) 3:25

Total time: 74:00 min. approx.

Original sources:

Tracks #1-8, from the 10" album
"Great Scott" (Bethlehem BCP 1004)

Tracks #9-12, from the 10" album
"Bobby Scott & Wally Cirillo" (Savoy MG 15055)

Tracks #13-23, from the 12" album
"Scott Free" (ABC Paramount ABC 148)

Personnel on "Great Scott":

Bobby Scott (p), Whitey Mitchell (b), Will Bradley Jr. (d)

Recorded in New York City, September 21, 1954.

Personnel on "Bobby Scott & Wally Cirillo":

Bobby Scott (p), Jim Corbett (b), Al Levitt (d)

Recorded in Hackensack, New Jersey, March 15, 1955.

Personnel on "Scott Free":

Bobby Scott (p, vib), 'Knobby' Totah (b), Al Levitt (d)

Recorded in Hackensack, New Jersey, Sept. 19, 1955.

Original recordings produced by Creed Taylor (#1-8), Ozzie Cadena (#9-12), and Don Costa (#13-23).

Behlehem & ABC Paramount original covers designed by Burt Goldblatt.

Produced for CD release by Jordi Pujol.

24-Bit Digitally Remastered

CHARLIE PERSIP

2012-02-17T22:57:00.002+01:00

And The Jazz Statesmen + Pleasure Bent (2 Lps On 1 Cd)
Charles Persip
Featuring: Freddie Hubbard, Marcus Belgrave (tp), Roland Alexander (ts), Ronnie Mathews (p), Ron Carter, Gene Taylor (b), Charles Persip, Clarence Stroman (d)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 687

When Charlie Persip formed The Jazz Statesmen in 1959 he was already one of the best drummers around, a status anointed by his time with Dizzy Gillespie’s big band and quintet from 1953-1958 and subsequently by his numerous sideman appearances on recordings with such diverse talents as Gil Evans, Don Ellis, Eric Dolphy and Dinah Washington.

So he was able to call on some of the finest young players on the scene for the new group; trumpeters Freddie Hubbard or Marcus Belgrave and, in the rhythm section, the great bassist Ron Carter and piano stalwart Ronnie Mathews. They brought exuberance, skill and dynamism to the music, much of which was composed by a young writer, Roland Alexander, who also contributes his robustly individual tenor to the band. And, in contrast to Persip’s frequent avant garde associations, the music was essentially post-bop mainstream.

But, with both the writing and the playing reflecting the leader’s determination to make it fresh and exciting, the results, including the very rare follow-up quintet recording with Alexander as leader and Belgrave in for Hubbard, have stood the test of time surprisingly well.

Tracklisting:

01. Sevens (Alexander) 6:38
02. Right Down Front (Cassey) 5:20
03. The Song Is You (Kern-Hammerstein II) 6:40
04. Soul March (Alexander) 7:48
05. The Champ (A Suite in six movements)
(Gillespie) 9:35
06. Pleasure Bent (Alexander) 11:11
07. I’ll Be Around (Wilder) 5:29
08. Dorman Road (Alexander) 4:43
09. Lil’s Blues (Alexander) 7:21
10. Orders to Take Out (Alexander) 7:00
11. My Melancholy Baby (Burnett-Norton) 4:58

Total time: 78:00 min. approx.

Sources:

Tracks #1-5, from the Bethlehem album
"Charles Persip And The Jazz Statements" (BCP 6046)

Tracks #6-11, from the Roland Alexander New Jazz
album "Pleasure Bent" (NJLP 8267)

Personnel on #1-5:

Freddie Hubbard (tp), Marcus Belgrave (tp only on #2), Roland Alexander (ts), Ronnie Mathews (p), Ron Carter (b), Charles Persip (d).

Recorded in New York City, on April 2, 1960.

Personnel on #6-11:

Roland Alexander Quintet
Marcus Belgrave (tp), Roland Alexander (ts), Ronnie Mathews (p), Gene Taylor (b), Clarence Stroman (d).

Recorded in New York City, on June 17, 1961.

Producers: Teddy Charles (#1-5), Ozzie Cadena (#6-11)
Engineers: Peter Ind (#1-5), Rudy Van Gelder (#6-11)

Bethlehem cover photo by Stephen Haas
New Jazz cover photo & design by Don Schlitten

Produced for CD release by Jordi Pujol.

Stereo · 24-Bit Digitally Remastered

HANK CRAWFORD

2012-02-17T22:56:00.000+01:00

More Soul & The Soul Clinic (2 Lps On 1 Cd)
Hank Crawford
Featuring: Hank Crawford (as, p, arr), Phil Guilbeau, John Hunt (tp), David 'Fathead' Newman (ts), Leroy 'Hog' Cooper (bs), Edgar Willis (b), Milt Turner, Bruno Carr (d), Ray Charles (arr)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 685

This inspired and talented group under the leadership of altoist/arranger Hank Crawford, is the Ray Charles band, minus Ray. But it is also a striking unit in its own right. The big-little-band sound on these two exciting albums, "More Soul" and "The Soul Clinic," is compellingly arranged and orchestrated, equally arresting on incendiary, swinging up-tempo performances as it is on blues-drenched ballads. And it provides a frame for notably lyrical and melodic soloists.

The result is a joyous blend combining order and vitality in equal measure. Crawford—who also plays piano, when it is heard—is revealed as a moving and beautifully singing post-Bird alto player whose highly vocalized horn displays an instinctive understanding of structure and the tension-release qualities of good jazz.

And, while bearing a relationship to what became known as "Soul" music, it is also a reaffirmation of the validity of the original concept of that feeling. Remarkably, given the way that jazz and blues suffused its DNA, the unique voice of this gripping Ray Charles smallband operated only in concert or dance halls, outside the jazz club circuit.

Tracklisting:

01. Boo's Tune (Moody) 6:38
02. Angel Eyes (Dennis-Brent) 6:31
03. Four-Five-Six (Crawford) 5:06
04. The Story (Moody) 4:40
05. Dat Dere (Timmons-Brown) 4:50
06. Misty (Garner-Burke) 5:30
07. Sister Sadie (Silver) 4:36
08. Please Send Me Someone to Love
(Percy Mayfield) 3:29
09. Easy Living (Robin-Rainger) 5:27
10. Playmates (Crawford) 4:20
11. What a Difference a Day Made
(Grever-Adams) 5:29
12. Me and My Baby (Silver) 4:19
13. Lorelei's Lament (Crawford) 5:35
14. Blue Stone (Crawford) 6:03

Total time: 73:00 min. approx.

Original sources:

Tracks #1-7, from the album
"More Soul" (Atlantic SD 1356)

Tracks #8-14, from the album
"The Soul Clinic" (Atlantic SD 1372)

Personnel on "More Soul":

Phil Guilbeau (tp); John Hunt (tp, flgh); Hank Crawford (as, p, arranger except #4); David 'Fathead' Newman (ts); Leroy 'Hog' Cooper (bs); Edgar Willis (b); Milt Turner (d). Ray Charles (arranger #4).

Recorded in New York City, on October 7, 1960.

Personnel on "The Soul Clinic":

Phil Guilbeau (tp, soloist on #11); John Hunt (tp, flh); Hank Crawford (as, p on #8, arranger); David 'Fathead' Newman (ts); Leroy 'Hog' Cooper (bs); Edgar Willis (b); Bruno Carr (d) or Milt Turner (only on #11).

Recorded in New York City, October 7, 1960 (#11),
February 24 (#8,9,12) and May 2 (#10,13,14), 1961.

Original recordings supervised by Nesuhi Ertegun.
Recordings engineers: Town Dowd, Phil Iehle, Bob
Arnold & George Engfer.

This CD release produced by Jordi Pujol.

Stereo · 24-Bit Digitally Remastered

JUNIOR MANCE

2012-02-17T22:54:00.001+01:00

The Junior Mance Trio (3 Lps On 2 Cds) + Live Bonus Tracks
Junior Mance
Featuring: Junior Mance (p), Ben Tucker, Jimmy Rowser, Larry Gales (b), Bobby Thomas, Paul Gusman, Ben Riley (d)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 684_2

Chicago-born pianist Junior Mance first came to prominence with Gene Ammons and Lester Young in the late Forties and consolidated his place at the top table touring and recording with Dinah Washington, the Cannonball Adderley Quintet and the Dizzy Gillespie Quintet in the Fifties.

By the time he formed his own trio in 1961 he had evolved into one of the most compelling, joy-generating performers of the groove-funk-soul-plus-neo-bop school, amply signalled on "The Soulful Piano of Junior Mance."

Later, on "Big Chief!," he proved this to be only a partially valid designation, projecting a variety of moods and spicing his work with distinctive chord voicings and a much lighter touch than that of most of soul-pianists, especially in his sensitive exploration of Sara Cassey’s exquisite impressionistic composition, The Seasons.

The second CD on this set contains mostly live performances, including his trio album, "At the Village Vanguard," and five tracks from broadcasts recorded during the trio’s frequent 1961 engagements at Birdland.

Throughout his work in this collection Junior Mance stands as a particularly pleasurable example of a generation of bop pianists, one who–like Bobby Timmons, Ray Bryant and the great Wynton Kelly–combined the innovations of bop with a firm grounding in the timeless verities of the blues.

Tracklisting:

CD 1
01. The Uptown (Mance) 4:02
02. Ralph’s New Blues (Jackson) 4:22
03. Main Stem (Ellington) 4:21
04. Darling, Je Vous Aime Beaucoup (Sosenko) 3:34
05. Playhouse (Mance) 4:13
06. Sweet and Lovely (Lemare-Arnheim-Tobias) 3:36
07. In the Land of Oo-Bla-Dee (Williams-Orent) 4:36
08. I Don’t Care (Bryant) 4:27
09. Swingmatism (McShann-Scott) 5:13
10. Big Chief! (Mance) 4:15
11. Love for Sale (Porter) 4:56
12. The Seasons (Cassey) 3:30
13. Fillet of Soul (Gales) 4:28
14. Swish (Mance) 3:41
15. Summertime (G.& I. Gershwin) 4:12
16. Ruby, My Dear (Monk) 5:59
17. Little Miss Gail (Mance) 4:48

CD 2
01. Atlanta Blues (Handy-Elman) 5:51
02. Looptown (Mance) 5:04
03. Letter from Home (Mance) 4:46
04. Girl of My Dreams (Clapp) 3:58
05. 63rd Street Theme (Griffin) 6:17
06. Smokey Blues (Mance) 6:33
07. 9:20 Special (Warren-Palmer) 5:07
08. Bingo Domingo (Davis) 4:39
09. You Are Too Beautiful (Rodgers-Hart) 5:26
10. Woody’n You (Gillespie) 5:40 (*) Bonus Track
11. The Uptown (Mance) 6:19 (*) Bonus Track
12. Girl of My Dreams (Clapp) 4:05 (*) Bonus Track
13. Summertime (G.& I. Gershwin) 8:12 (*) Bonus Track
14. Ruby My Dear (Monk) 5:49 (*) Bonus Track

Original sources:

CD 1, tracks #1-9 from the jazzland album
"The Soulful Piano of junior Mance" (JLP 930)

CD 1, tracks #10-17 & CD 2, track #1 from
the album "Big Chief" (Jazzland JLP 953)

CD 2, tracks #2-9 from the Jazzland album
"Junior Mance Trio At the Village Vanguard" (JLP 941)

CD 2, tracks #10-14 from the album
"Junior Mance Trio" (Ozone LP 23)

Personnel on "The Soulful Piano":

Junior Mance (p), Ben Tucker (b), Bobby Thomas (d).

Recorded at Plaza Sound Studios, New York City,
on October 25, 1960.

Personnel on "Big Chief":

Junior Mance (p), Jimmy Rowser (b), Paul Gusman (d).

Recorded at Plaza Sound Studios, New York City,
on August 1, 1961.

Personnel on "At The Village Vanguard":

Junior Mance (p), Larry Gales (b), Ben Riley (d).

Recorded live at the Village Vanguard,
New York City, February 22 & 23, 1961.

The bonus tracks are broadcast performances:

Junior Mance (p), Jimmy Rowser (b), Paul Gusman (d).

Recorded live at Birdland, New York City,
on June 25, October 21 & November 25, 1961.

Original recordings produced by Orrin Keepnews.
Broadcast recordings taped by Boris Rose.
Original Jazzland covers designed by Ken Deardoff.
Photos by Donald Silverstein.

This CD release produced by Jordi Pujol.

Stereo / Mono · 24-Bit Digitally Remastered

QUINCY JONES

2012-02-17T22:52:00.000+01:00

Around The World + I Dig Dancers (2 Lps On 1 Cd)
Quincy Jones
Featuring: Quincy Jones (arr, cond), with Benny Bailey, Clark Terry (tp), Curtis Fuller, Melba Liston (tb), Phil Woods, Budd Johnson, Sahib Shihab (saxes), Patti Bown (p), Les Spann (g, fl), Buddy Catlett (b), Stu Martin (d), Patato Valdes (perc)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 689

As displays of sonic excitement made with specific audiences in mind, the two Quincy Jones albums included in this set are tremendously effective performances, brilliantly recorded.

Around the World was aimed at fans who like their quality big band music easy on the ear, for though there is some nice soloing by Clark Terry, Phil Woods, Sahib Shihab and Benny Bailey, these are primarily lushly voiced atmospheric arrangements delivered by a brilliant, airy and swinging band.

I Dig Dancers was, as the title indicates, aimed at attracting dancers and securing an identity for the band as a dance organization. There is, therefore, a plenitude of tunes eminently suitable for tripping the light fantastic to a band with a full solid ensemble sound and relaxed, clever and swinging arrangements at tempos tailor-made for the ballroom. Packed with the cream of New York’s jazz musicians, as a musical organization the band was top-flight. Whether catering for listeners or dancers, Quincy Jones would have it no other way.

Tracklisting:

01. Hot Sake (Jones) 2:56
02. Strike Up the Band (G.& I. Gershwin) 2:24
03. Africana (Jones) 3:05
04. Meadowlands (Jones) 3:06
05. Rico Vacilón (Ruiz) 2:12
06. Under Paris Skies (Giraud-Drejac-Gannon) 2:29
07. Mack the Knife (Weill-Bretch) 2:25
08. Manolete de España (Jones) 3:15
09. Baía (Barroso) 3:50
10. Come Back to Sorrento (De Curtis) 2:25
11. Swedish Warmland (Dear Old Stockholm)
(Traditional) 3:56
12. Pleasingly Plump (Jones) 2:15
13. G'wan Train (Bown) 6:18
14. Moonglow (Hudson-DeLange-Mills) 2:45
15. Tone Poem (Liston) 3:37
16. You Turned the Tables On Me
(Alter-Mitchell) 2:28
17. Chinese Checkers (Glover) 2:39
18. Love Is Here to Stay (G.& I. Gershwin) 3:09
19. The Midnight Sun Will Never Set
(Jones-Salvador-Cochran) 4:31
20. Trouble on My Mind (Noble) 2:28
21. A Sunday Kind of Love
(Prima-Bell-Leonard-Rhodes) 2:30
22. Blues from Free and Easy
(Arlen-mercer) 1:57 (*) Bonus Track
23. Close Your Eyes (Petkere) 2:04 (*) Bonus Track
24. Parisian Thoroughfare (Powell) 3:47 (*) Bonus Track

Sources:

Tracks #1-11, from the Mercury album
"Around the World" (SR69014).

Tracks #12-21, from the Mercury album
"I Dig Dancers" (SR60612).

Tracks #22-24 does not appear on the
original LP configuration.

Personnel on "Around the World":

QUINCY JONES and His Orchestra
Benny Bailey, Clark Terry, Ernie Royal (tp); Curtis Fuller, Melba Liston, Wayne Andre, Quentin Jackson (tb); Jay McAlister (tuba); Julius Watkins (frh); Phil Woods, Porter Kilbert (as); Jerome Richardson (ts,cl,fl); Eric Dixon (ts,b-cl,fl); Sahib Shihab (bs,fl); Don Elliott (xylophone); Patti Bown (p); Don Arnone (g); Buddy Catlett (b); Stu Martin & Jimmy Crawford (d,perc); Tito Puente (vib,timb); Carlos 'Patato' Valdés (tumb, guiro); Michael Olatunji (bongos, vcl). Arrangements by Quincy Jones, except #5 by Tito Puente.

Recorded at Fine Recording Studios, New York City,
January 24, February 21, 23 & 27, 1961.

Personnel on "I Dig Dancers":

QUINCY JONES and His Orchestra
Tracks #14 & 17-24: Benny Bailey, Clark Terry or Roger Guerin (#19,20,21 & 24), Lennie Johnson, Floyd Standifer (tp); Julius Watkins (frh,tp); Jimmy Cleveland, Ake Persson, Melba Liston, Quentin Jackson (tb); Phil Woods, Porter Kilbert, Joe Lopes (as); Jerome Richardson (cl,ts); Budd Johnson (ts); Sahib Shihab (bs); Patti Bown (p); Les Spann (g,fl); Buddy Catlett (b); Joe Harris (d).

Tracks #12-13,15,16: Benny Bailey, Clyde Raesinger, Freddie Hubbard, Jerry Kail (tp); Melba Liston, Quentin Jackson, Curtis Fuller, Wayne Andre (tb); Phil Woods, Joe Lopes (as); Jerome Richardson (cl,ts); Oliver Nelson (ts); Sahib Shihab (bs); Patti Bown (p); Les Spann (g,fl); Buddy Catlett (b); Stu Martin (d).

Arrangements by Quincy Jones.

Recorded at Barclay’s Hoche Studio, Paris, on
February 27 & 29, and April 21 (#19,20,21 & 24), 1960

Recordngs supervised by Hal Mooney.

Recordings engineers: Bob Fine (#1-11), Gerhard Lehner (#14,17-24), Bill MacMeekin (#12-13,15,16).

Produced for CD release by Jordi Pujol.

Stereo · 24-Bit Digitally Remastered

LES McCANN

2012-02-17T22:50:00.000+01:00

In San Francisco - Recorded Live At The Jazz Workshop (complete Recordings)
Les McCann
Featuring: Les McCann (p), Herbie Lewis (b), Ron Jefferson (d)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 682

The experiences of singing sacred music in church and listening to modern jazz in clubs were blended to produce in pianist Les McCann’s style a reflection of these seemingly contradictory influences.

As the critic Leonard Feather pointed out: “Aside from any polemics concerning its nature and origin, the vital factor in McCann’s music is the ability of the trio to establish a jubilant rapport with the audience. Through an amalgamation of several forces—the music itself, the visual impact of the trio and Les’ mordantly witty personality—there has been a consistent ability to get across to the public.”

Some of the most potent evidence of this power was gathered in these performances recorded at the Jazz Workshop in San Francisco, where McCann, bassist Herbie Lewis, and drummer Ron Jefferson played for two and a half successful weeks in December 1960.

Tracklisting:

01. Oh, Them Golden Gates (McCann) 3:54
02. Red Sails in the Sunset
(Williams-Kennedy) 8:18
03. Big Jim (McCann) 6:57
04. I Am In Love (Porter) 4:45
05. Jeepers Creepers (Warren-Mercer) 6:06
06. Gone On and Get That Church (McCann) 6:04
07. We’ll See Yaw’ll After While,
Ya Heah (McCann) 1:17
08. Frankie and Johnnie
(Traditional /Adapted by Les McCann) 6:09 (*)
09. Medley: 7:47 (*)
But Beautiful (Burke-Van Heusen)
It Could Happen to You (Burke-Van Heusen)
10. Taking a Chance On Love
(Duke-Fetter-Latouche) 4:23 (*)
11. Love Letters (Young-Heyman) 4:07 (*)

Total time: 61:00 min. approx

Sources:

Tracks #1-7, from the Pacific Jazz album
"Les McCann Ltd. in San Francisco" (Stereo PJ-16)

Tracks #8-11, from the Pacific Jazz album
"From The Top of the Barrel" (ST-20120)

(*) These tracks come from the same set of recordings but were not on the original LP configuration.

Personnel:

Les McCann (piano), Herbie Lewis (bass), and Ron Jefferson (drums).

Recorded live at the Jazz Workshop, in San Francisco, December 1960.

Original recordings produced by Dick Bock.
Audio engineering: Reece Hamel.
Original cover design & photo by Bernard Yeszin.

Produced for CD release by Jordi Pujol.

Stereo 24-Bit Digitally Remastered

PEGGY LEE

2012-02-17T22:48:00.000+01:00

Blues Cross Country + If You Go (2 Lps On 1 Cd)
Peggy Lee
Featuring: Peggy Lee (vcl), with Quincy Jones (arr, cond). Orchestras includes Jack Sheldon, Pete Candoli (tp), Frank Rosolino (tb), Benny Carter, Buddy Collette, Plas Johnson, Bill Perkins (saxes), Jimmy Rowles (p), Dennis Budimir (g), Shelly Manne (d)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 683

One of the most remarkable aspects of Peggy Lee’s many-faceted personality was her seemingly inexhaustible creativity, amply demonstrated on these two fine albums she made at the peak of her career.

On “Blues Cross Country”, surrounded by the cream of Hollywood studio and jazz musicians in a stellar orchestra conducted by Quincy Jones, she gives full rein to her twin talents as a nonpareil vocal stylist and gifted lyricist. Seven of the dozen songs on this album are hers. They show her in a many-hued blues mood—sad, happy, wistful, celebratory and always swinging. A further great asset is the fact that, in addition to his work as director, Jones is also the arranger of all tunes except San Francisco, by Benny Carter.

On “If You Go,” she pours her wonderful voice like pure honey into warmly romantic and husky performances of soft, moody ballads. Jones again brings his arranging skills to the table, this time making deft use of strings and woodwinds in varied combinations on an album with songs that sound as if they were written with Peggy’s breathless, intimate and insinuatingly personal delivery especially in mind.

Tracklisting:

01. Kansas City (Leiber-Stoller) 2:28
02. Basin Street Blues (Williams) 3:03
03. Los Angeles Blues (Lee-Jones) 2:36
04. I Lost My Sugar in Salt Lake City
(René-Lange) 2:51
05. The Grain Belt Blues
(Lee-Raskin-Schluger) 1:50
06. New York City Blues (Lee-Jones) 3:19
07. Goin’ to Chicago Blues (Basie-Rushing) 2:34
08. San Francisco Blues (Lee-Raskin-Schluger) 2:35
09. Fisherman’s Wharf (Lee-Raskin) 3:08
10. Boston Beans (Lee-Raskin-Schluger) 2:02
11. The Train Blues (Lee-Jones) 2:40
12. St. Louis Blues (Handy) 2:13
13. Hey! Look Me Over
(Coleman-Leigh) 1:53 (*) Bonus Track
14. As Time Goes By (Hupfeld) 2:51
15. If You Go (Emer-Parsons) 2:40
16. Oh Love Hast Thou Forsaken Me (Bowers) 2:35
17. Say It Isn’t So (Berlin) 2:55
18. I Wish I Didn’t Love You So (Loesser) 2:46
19. Maybe It’s Because
(I Love You Too Much) (Berlin) 2:01
20. I’m Gonna Laugh You Out of My Life
(Coleman-McCarthy) 2:47
21. I Get Along with You Very Well (Carmichael) 2:47
22. (I Love Your) Gypsy Heart (Lee-Burke) 2:28
23. When I Was a Child (Huddleston-McIntyre) 3:14
24. Here’s That Rainy Day (Van Heusen-Burke) 2:48
25. Smile (Chaplin-Turner-Parsons) 2:20

Total time: 66:00 min. approx.

Sources:

Tracks #1-12, from the Capitol album
"Blues Cross Country" (ST-2732)

Track #13, from the Capitol album
"Extra Special!" (ST-2732)

Tracks #14-25, from the Capitol album
"If You Go" (ST-1630)

Both albums features Peggy Lee, with Orchestra Arranged & Conducetd by Quincy Jones

Personnel on "Blues Cross Country":

Jack Sheldon, Conrad Gozzo, Joe Graves, Pete Candoli, Bob Fowler, Ray Triscari, Al Porcino (tp); Frank Rosolino, Tom Shepard, Dick Nash, Lew McCreary, Hoyt Bohanon, Vern Friley (tb); George Roberts, Bob Knight (b-tb); Benny Carter, Bill Green (as); Buddy Collette, Plas Johnson, Bill Perkins, Justin Gordon (ts); Jack Nimitz (bs); Jimmy Rowles, Frank Strazzeri (p); Dennis Budimir (g); Max Bennett (b); Stan Levey (d); Francisco 'Chino' Pozo (bongos); Frank Guerrero (conga).

Recorded at Capitol Towers, Hollywood, April 14,15,17 & 19, 1961.

Personnel on "If You Go":

Dan Lube, Anatol Kaminsky, Marshall Sosson, Herman Clebanoff, Jacques Gasselin, Victor Arno, James Getzoff, Louis Kaufman, Harry Bluestone, Benny Gill, Felix Slatkin, Paul Shure (violins); Paul Robyn, Alvin Dinken, Cecil Figelski, Virginia Majewski (violas); Ray Kramer, Armand Kaproff, George Neikrug, Eleanor Slatkin (cellos); Verlye Brilhart (harp); Vince De Rosa, John Cave, Dick Perissi, James Decker (Frh); Ted Nash, Jules Kinsler, Justin Gordon, Wilbur Schwartz (woodwinds); Benny Carter (as); Victor Feldman (p); Dennis Budimir, Al Hendrickson (g); Max Bennett (b); Shelly Manne (d); Francisco “Chino” Pozo (bongos); Ray Rivera, Mike Gutierrez, Melvin Zelnick (percussion).

Recorded at Capitol Towers, Hollywood, June 22,23 & 24, 1961.

Original recordings produced by Page Cavanaugh.
Original cover photos: John Engstead.

Produced for CD release by Jordi Pujol.

Stereo 24-Bit Digitally Remastered

BUD SHANK

2011-12-30T22:10:00.003+01:00

New Groove & Barefoot Adventure (2 Lps On 1 Cd) Feat. Carmell Jones & Bob Cooper
Bud Shank
Featuring: Carmell Jones (tp), Bud Shank (as, bs), Bob Cooper (ts), Dennis Budimir (g), Gary Peacock (b), Mel Lewis, Shelly Manne (d)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 678

The two albums included here, “New Groove,” and “Barefoot Adventure,” present Bud Shank not only on alto sax, but also on baritone, an instrument he had played in clubs and as a sideman in sporadic studio sessions since the early ‘50s, but never before on his own recording dates. And while his alto has his customary command and fluency, his work on the less familiar baritone is equally impressive, the sound hard and driving, with expressive use of dynamics.

In these 1961 recordings, he fronts two similar groups, with a fresh approach, more groove-based and soulful, compared to previous works. With that in mind, he hired the young and talented trumpeter Carmell Jones, just arrived to the L.A. scene from Kansas City, whose warmth and enthusiasm on both sides are contagious. On “Barefoot,” the presence of Bob Cooper is felt throughout, with his tenor solos consistenly fluent and swinging.

In the rhythm, Dennis Budimir on guitar handles most of the comping chores in his puckish prodding way; Gary Peacock shows he was developing into a reliable rhythm mate; and Mel Lewis in the first date and Shelly Manne in the second, play with their celebrated taste, imagination, and musicianship.

Tracklisting:

01. New Groove
02. The Awakening
03. White Lightnin’
04. Sultry Serenade
05. Well, You Needen’t
06. Liddledabllduya
07. Barefoot Adventure
08. Shoeless Beach Meeting
09. Jungle Cruise
10. How High the Makaha
11. Well, ‘Pon My Soul
12. Ala Moana
13. Bruce Is Loose
14. Dance of the Sea Monsters

Original sources:

Tracks #1-6 from the Pacific album
"New Groove" (Stereo-21)

Tracks #7-14 from the Pacific album
"Barefoot Adventure" (PJ-35)

THE MANGIONE BROTHERS

2011-12-30T22:09:00.000+01:00

The Jazz Brothers: Complete Sextet & Quintet Recordings (3 Lps On 2 Cds)
Mangione Brothers
Featuring: Chuck Mangione (tp), Larry Coombs (as), Sal Nistico (ts), Gap Mangione (p), Bill Saunders, Steve Davis (b), Roy McCurdy (d)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 675_2

The Jazz Brothers was an amazing band considering it was formed by a group of youngsters that Cannonball Adderley introduced on Riverside Records in 1960.

Just how amazing can be gauged from the fact that several subsequently became major figures in their own right. The band’s youthful brashness was combined with considerable sensitivity in its search for a group sound, reminiscent in some ways of the Jazz Messengers or the Horace Silver quintet. The group used a powerful approach and sustained it remarkably well, with clean, crisp ensembles, vigorous and brightly voiced.

Trumpeter Chuck Mangione, at only 19, already possessed a lovely tone and an innate, relaxed sense of phrasing. Sal Nistico, 20, already a very forceful musician, contributes consistenly interesting solos. Brother Gap Mangione, 22, is a strong, prodding accompanist and arranger. Altoist Larry Coombs, 20, is only heard in the first album, “The Mangione Brothers Sextet,” on which he solos with guts and fits very well in the front line with Chuck and Sal. Throughout, bassists and drummers on each date were well integrated and driving, and Roy McCurdy was already developing into a dynamic drum soloist.

In 1961 two more albums by The Jazz Brothers followed. “Hey Baby!,” and “Spring Fever,” were both quintet sessions, and the last before the group disbanded. They left a legacy of a fine group whose skills and authority belied its astonishingly youthful personnel.

Tracklisting:

CD 1
01. Something Different
02. Secret Love
03. Alice
04. Struttin’ with Sandra
05. Nemesis
06. The Gap
07. Girl of My Dreams
08. Hey Baby
09. Bags’ Groove
10. The Night Has a Thousand Eyes
11. Givin’ the Business

CD 2
01. What’s Happ’nin’
02. Just You, Just Me
03. Old Folks
04. The Bassett Sound
05. First Waltz Riv
06. What’s New?
07. Spring Fever
08. Brook’s Brothers
09. Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise
10. Not Too Serious

Original sources:

CD 1, tracks #1-7 from the Riverside album
"The Jazz Brothers" (RLP-9335)

CD 1, tracks #8-11 & CD 2, tracks #1-4 from
the Riverside album "Hey Baby!" (RLP-9371)

CD 2, tracks #5-10 from the Riverside album
"Spring Fever" (RLP-9405)

EDDIE DAVIS/ JOHNNY GRIFFIN

2011-12-30T22:07:00.002+01:00

Live At Minton's Playhouse In New York City - Complete Recordings (4 Lps On 2 Cds)
Eddie Lockjaw Davis & Johnny Griffin
Featuring: Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis & Johnny Griffin (ts), Junior Mance (p), Larry Gales (b), Ben Riley (d)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 680_2

The exciting music presented in this set was recorded live at the historic Minton’s Playhouse in New York, on the night of January 6, 1961, by the fiery quintet co-lead by Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis and Johnny Griffin. It epitomises the kind of hearty, full-blowing jazz associated with this partnership of contrasting tenor styles.

Davis was always clear about their partnership. It was never that jazz cliché, a tenor battle, he insisted. "No, it’s not really a battle at all. What we are doing is presenting, side by side, two different styles of playing tenor—a contrast, not a contest. The idea is to stimulate creation, not hinder it.”

Like other in-person dates, this one brings to the listener all the joie de vivre of these visceral swingers, Lock and Griff, as they compellingly surf a well integrated rhythm section, enhanced by the lucid, soulful piano of Junior Mance. Over its strong, relentless pulse the two tenors perform with the take-no-prisoners urgency that characterized the team in its finest hours.

Now, these great performances—originally issued on four Riverside albums—are gathered together on CD for the first time.

Tracklisting:

CD 1
01. Light and Lovely
02. Straight No Chaser
03. Woody’n You
04. Bingo Domingo
05. I’ll Remember April
06. Billie’s Bounce
07. Epistrophy
08. Well You Needn’t

CD 2
01. In Walked Bud
02. Land of Dreams
03. Bean-O
04. Robbins’ Nest
05. Our Delight
06. Dee Dee’s Dance
07. Epistrophy [Alternate Version]
08. Billie’s Bounce [Alternate Version]
09. The Theme

Original sources:

CD 1, tracks #1-5 from the Prestige album
"The Tenor Scene" (PR7191)

CD 1, tracks #6-8 from the Prestige album
"The First Set" (PR7309)

CD 2, tracks #1-5 & 9 from the Prestige album
"The Midnight Show - Live!" (PR7330)

CD 2, tracks #6-8 from the Prestige album
"The Late Show" (PR7357)

Personnel:

EDDIE 'LOCKJAW' DAVIS & JOHNNY GRIFFIN QUINTET

Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis & Johnny Griffin (ts), Junior Mance (p), Larry Gales (b) and Ben Riley (d).

Recorded live at "Minton’s Playhouse," New York City,
on January 6, 1961.

Original recordings produced by Esmond Edwards
Recording engineer: Rudy Van Gelder
Cover photo: Esmond Edwards

This compilation produced by Jordi Pujol

Stereo 24-Bit Digitally Remastered

------------------------------------------------------

Note:

The Same take of "I'll Remember April" (CD 1, track 5) was issued on two Prestige albums, 7191 & 7309. The same goes for "Light and lovely" (CD 1, track 1) issued on 7191 & 7357.

ANITA O´DAY

2011-12-30T22:06:00.002+01:00

Trav'lin Light + All The Sad Young Men (2 Lps On 1 Cd)
Anita O'Day
Featuring: Anita O'Day (vcl), with Johnny Mandel & Gary McFarland Orchestras, including Jack Sheldon, Herb Pomeroy (tp), Frank Rosolino (tb), Bob Brookmeyer (vtb), Ben Webster, Zoot Sims, Phil Woods (sax), Jimmy Rowles, Hank Jones (p), Buddy Clark (b), Mel Lewis (d)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 673

The late, great Anita O’Day was perhaps the finest of the comparative handful of jazz singers good enough to emerge enhanced from the over-riding influence of Billie Holiday. So, when she made “Trav’lin’ Light” as a tribute to her inspiration, it was doubly appropriate that it was one of O’Day’s most successful albums. The overall mood is one of restraint. On these sides O’Day is at her relaxed, unself-conscious best, sure and swinging, with a deftness and grace that few vocalists could match.

At least half of the credit for this goes to arranger-conductor Johnny Mandel, whose charts for the larger ensemble are conceived with taste and intelligence. On “All the Sad Young Men,” she again demonstrates her ability to reshape songs through individual interpretation, in a take-it-or-leave-it style that left no doubt about the strength of her personality. Although it features such well-worn standards as St. Louis and Do Nothing, the highlights are new songs by young composers.

The man responsible for the striking arrangements was the late Gary McFarland, one of the brightest young composer-arrangers to emerge from the ‘60s scene. Anita O’Day’s years of experience taught her just about every trick in the vocalist’s book, and more besides. She was a tough customer and a rough diamond, and though she mellowed and matured as the years passed, she remained unmistakably a diamond among jazz singers.

Tracklisting:

01. Trav’lin’ Light
02. The Moon Looks Down and Laughs
03. Don’t Explain
04. Remember
05. Some Other Spring
06. What a Little Moonlight Can Do
07. Miss Brown to You
08. God Bless the Child
09. If the Moon Turns Green
10. I Hear Music
11. Lover Come Back to Me
12. Crazy He Calls Me
13. Boogie Blues
14. You Came a Long Way from St. Louis
15. I Want to Sing a Song
16. A Woman Alone with the Blues
17. The Ballad of All the Sad Young Men
18. Do Nothin’ Till You Hear from Me
19. One More Mile
20. Night Bird
21. Up State
22. Señor Blues

Originl sources:

Tracks #1-12 from the Verve album
"Trav'lin' Light" (V6-2157)

Tracks #13-22 from the Verve album
"All the Sad Young Men" (V6-8442)

PETE JOLLY

2011-12-30T22:05:00.000+01:00

Impossible + 5 O'clock Shadows (2 Lps On 1 Cd)
Pete Jolly
Featuring: Pete Jolly (p), Ralph Peña (b), Nick Martinis (d)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 681

Pianist Pete Jolly’s command of his instrument in these recordings emphasizes something important about his playing—the fact that he had something personal, positive and real to say with it. Combining propulsive swing and great melodic charm with spirit, feeling and humor, his was an irresistible, full-bodied, warm-blooded, two-handed style whose vivacity of touch and clear, tangy quality of tone remain unmistakable.

In 1958 Jolly formed a duo with bassist Ralph Peña, an unusual move instead of the more traditional trio; the aim was to achieve greater cohesiveness and a more individual sound. The result was the sparkling 1959 album, “Impossible.”

A year later the duo became a trio when Nick Martinis joined them on drums for the equally engaging “5 O’Clock Shadows.” But, whether in a duo or trio setting, Jolly’s distinctive, swinging touch and felicitous invention suffuses these sessions with a sinuous attractiveness undimmed by time.

Tracklisting:

01. Dearly Beloved (Kern-Mercer) 2:47
02. My Star (Peña) 3:15
03. Easy to Love (Porter) 3:23
04. If I’m Lucky (Myrow-DeLange) 3:37
05. Love Letters (Young-Heyman) 3:43
06. Impossible (Allen) 2:32
07. On Green Dolphin Street
(Kaper-Washington) 4:21
08. But Beautiful (Burke-Van Heusen) 2:05
09. Blue Gil (Jolly) 3:24
10. I Should Care (Stordahl-Weston-Cahn) 4:02
11. Russian Lullaby (Berlin) 2:22
12. Say “Si Si” (Lecuona-Luban) 3:22
13. Down Home Under Blues (Jolly) 2:25
14. Cabin in the Sky (Duke-Latouche) 4:45
15. Easy Living (Robin-Rainger) 3:23
16. Ill Wind (Arlen-Koehler) 1:48
17. Swinging Door (Mulligan-Sims) 4:50
18. I Don’t Wanna Be Kissed (Spina-Elliott) 2:51
19. Variations (Wallington) 3:04
20. Dear Old Stockholm (Traditional) 3:38
21. As Long as There’s Music (Styne-Cahn) 2:45
22. One for Carl (Peña) 3:56
23. Deep Night (Henderson-Vallee) 3:53

Total time: 77:00 min. aprox.

Original sources:

Tracks #1-11 from the Metrojazz album
"Impossible" (SE1014)

Tracks #12-23 from the MGM album
"5 O'Clock Shadows" (SE4127)

Personnel on "Impossible":

Pete Jolly (piano) and Ralph Peña (bass).

Recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, December 4 & 15, 1959.

Personnel on "5 O'Clock Shadows":

Pete Jolly (piano), Ralph Peña (bass) and Nick Martinis (drums).

Recorded at Radio Recorders, Hollywood, April 3, 4 & 5, 1961.

Original recordings produced by Jesse Kaye.
Recordings engineers: Val Valentin (#1-12)
and Dayton 'Bones' Howe (#13-24).

This compilation produced by Jordi Pujol

Stereo 24-Bit Digitally Remastered

HOWARD McGHEE

2011-12-30T22:03:00.000+01:00

Maggie's Back In Town!! + Together Again!!!! + Dusty Blue (3 Lps On 2 Cds)
Howard McGhee
Featuring: Howard McGhee (tp), Bennie Green (tb), Teddy Edwards, Roland Alexander, Pepper Adams (saxes), Tommy Flanagan, Phineas Newborn, Jr. (p), Leroy Vinnegar, Ray Brown, Ron Carter (b), Shelly Manne, Ed Thigpen, Walter Bolden (d)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 679_2

A contemporary of Dizzy Gillespie, Howard McGhee (1918-1987) left an indelible mark on the history of modern jazz as it developed in the 1940s. He was the first important post-swing-style (i.e., bebop) trumpeter after Gillespie himself. Despite the fact that in 1949 he had won first place in the trumpet category of the Down Beat Readers Poll, he fell into a decline that kept him in almost total obscurity through the 1950s. It was a period that was probably necessary for McGhee to achieve real musical maturity.

Then in 1959, in a remarkable comeback, he began an extended stay with James Moody’s band, and in the next two years recorded, as leader, the three albums included here, one for Bethlehem and the other two for Contemporary. They proved he had paid his dues and learned well. The frenzy of old was muted and his most precious gift—melodic originality—was brought to the fore.

McGhee said “I need for people to know me again. Now I’m nearer to my horn than I ever was before.” The passage of time has somewhat dimmed the luster of his name, but his vital, imaginative work on these dates is that of a truly great player, not an obscure talent deserving of wider recognition.

Tracklisting:

CD 1
01. Demon Chase
02. Willow, Weep for Me
03. Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise
04. Sunset Eyes
05. Maggie’s Back in Town
06. Summertime
07. Brownie Speaks
08. Together Again
09. You Stepped Out of a Dream
10. Up There

CD 2
01. Perhaps
02. Misty
03. Sandy
04. Dusty Blue
05. The Sound of Music
06. I Concentrate on You
07. Sleep Talk
08. Park Avenue Petite
09. Flying Colors
10. With Malice Towards None
11. Groovin’ High
12. A Cottage for Sale

Original sources:

CD 1, tracks #1-7 from the Contemporary
album "Maggie's Back in Town!!" (S7596)

CD 1, tracks #8-10 & CD 2, tracks #1-3
from the Contemporary album
"Together Again!!!!" (S7588)

CD 2, tracks #4-12 from the Bethlehem album
"Busty Blue" (BCP 6055)

JOE NEWMAN

2011-12-30T22:01:00.002+01:00

The Complete Swingville Sessions (3 Lps On 2 Cds)
Joe Newman
Featuring: Joe Newman (tp), Frank Wess, Frank Foster (saxes), Tommy Flanagan (p), Eddie Jones, Wendell Marshall (b), Oliver Jackson, Bill English (d)

These Joe Newman Swingville sessions, an object lesson in relaxed and intelligent blowing, are among the happiest recorded by the trumpeter. All the elements fit —compatible musicians, familiar material, congenial atmosphere— dovetailed into a deceptively simple and always swinging whole.

The potential of a two-horn front line has rarely been exploited as brilliantly as it is here by Newman with Wess or Foster. The three Basie-ites are in top form, playing with more imagination and vitality than in most similar dates. Tommy Flanagan, present in all tracks, is a constant delight, sensitive, forceful when necessary, always sympathetic to the soloist, an essential part of the ideal rhythm sections employed. And the quartet session is a model of complete relaxation and how to assimilate individual expression into a collective whole—in itself an ideal summation of what Joe Newman achieved on these dates.

Tracklisting:

CD 1
01. Taps Miller
02. Jive at Five
03. Wednesday’s Blues
04. More Than You Know
05. Don’t Worry ‘Bout Me
06. Cuein’ the Blues
07. A.M. Romp
08. Loop-D-Loop
09. Li’l Darlin’

CD2
01. To Rigmor
02. Mo-Lasses
03. Just Squeeze Me
04. Oh Gee
05. Dacquiri
06. The Very Thought of You
07. Strike Up the Band
08. The Continental
09. Blues for Slim
10. For You

Original sources:

CD 1, tracks #1-6 from "Jive at Five"
(Swingville SVLP 2011)

CD 1, tracks #7-9 and CD 2, tracks #1-3
from "Good 'N' Groovy" (Swingville SVLP 2019)

CD 2, tracks #4-10 from "Joe's Hap'nin's"
(Swingville SVLP 2027)

SLIDE HAMPTON

2011-12-30T21:59:00.003+01:00

The Slide Hampton Octet (2 Lps On 2 Cds) + Unreleased Live Recordings
Slide Hampton
Featuring: Freddie Hubbard, Ernie Royal, Richard Williams, Hobart Dotson (tp), Slide Hampton (tb, arr), Bill Barber (tuba), George Coleman, Walter Benton, Jay Cameron (saxes), Nabil 'Knobby' Totah, Larry Ridley (b), Pete La Roca (d)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 674_2
BAR CODE: -

In 1959, trombonist Slide Hampton was known mainly for the excellent arrangements he did for the Maynard Ferguson Band, so it was no surprise that he formed his octet band and began making a serious bid for recognition as a top jazz artist and arranger, recording his first album for the small label Strand. His impact was immediate and in 1960 Slide signed for Atlantic resulting in two studio albums, “Sister Salvation” and “Somethin’ Sanctified,” which were the octet’s first for the label.

Both of them are in this set and, as a bonus included here, a previously unreleased gem in a series of broadcast octet performances recorded live at Birdland in 1961. Soloists like Freddie Hubbard, George Coleman, Jay Cameron and the leader were featured, but it’s also worth noting that the octet’s personnel on the live dates differs at times from the studio recordings, including, among others, tenor saxophonist Walter Benton and trumpet player Willie Thomas.

Hampton summed up his overall approach simply. “I tried to get an instrumentation which would be between all the other sizes and yet get a little of each of these sounds.” These recordings show how well he succeeded and how exciting the band was, particularly heard live.

Tracklisting:

CD 1
01. Sister Salvation
02. Just Squeeze Me
03. Hi Fly
04. Asseveration (Soul Searching)
05. Conversation Piece
06. A Little Night Music
07. On the Street Where You Live
08. The Thrill Is Gone
09. Ow!
10. Milestones
11. El Sino
12. Somethin’ Sanctified

CD 2
01. Presentation by Symphony Sid / Theme
02. Straight Street
03. El Sino
04. Sid and Hampton introduce the band members
05. Sister Salvation
06. Street of Dreams
07. Theme
08. Jazz Corner
09. Slide talks
10. Stella by Starlight
11. ‘Round About Midnight
12. Red Top
13. Slide introduces the musicians
14. On the Street Where You Live
15. Sophisticated Lady
16. Straight No Chaser
17. Strollin’
18. Somethin’ Sanctified

Original sources:

CD 1, tracks #1-6 from the album
"Sister Salvation" (Atlantic 1339)

CD 1, tracks #7-12 from the album
"Somethin' Sanctified" (Atlantic PLP 803 S)

CD 2, unreleased live broadcast recorded at
Birdland Club "The Jazz Corner of the World"
New York City, 1961.

HERB ELLIS

2011-12-30T21:53:00.000+01:00

Softly...but With That Feeling + Thank You, Charlie Christian (2 Lps On 1 Cd)
Herb Ellis
Featuring: Herb Ellis (g), with Victor Feldman, Frank Strazzeri (p), Harry Babasin (cello), Leroy Vinnegar, Chuck Berghofer (b), Ronnie Zito, Kenny Hume (d)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 676

Guitarist Herb Ellis first became prominent as a member of the Oscar Peterson Trio from 1953 to 1958 in a musical and personal community of spirit rare in jazz history.

It was during this period that, in addition to recording countless Verve LPs with Peterson, he began making albums as a leader, including the two excellent releases in this collection. Recorded with the pick of the crop of West Coast jazz musicians, these sessions confirm an assessment Ellis made in 1961 of his own evolution through the years: “As Oscar said to me, you can only develop what you are best capable of doing, I hope I can continue to develop in just that way.”

His personal roots, affirmed here on Thank You Charlie Christian, but also evident on Softly... But with That Feeling, go back to another great guitarist, Charlie Christian. “Before that I just played fast,” Ellis said. “In fact, the first time I heard Charlie I thought he really wasn’t so much, because I felt I could play faster than that. Then after a few more times he really hit me, and I realized that speed wasn’t everything. I got quite emotional—put my guitar away and said I’d never play again. But the next day I got it out and started to try to play like Charlie.”

He succeeded but, as these recordings prove, he found his own distinctive and inimitable voice to become one of the greats of jazz guitar.

Tracklisting:

01. One Note Samba
02. Toni
03. Like Someone In Love
04. Jim’s Blues
05. John Brown’s Body
06. Detour Ahead
07. You Better Be Ready
08. Gravy Waltz
09. Pickly Wickly
10. I Told You I Loved You, Now Get Out
11. Cook One
12. Karin
13. Cherry Kijafa
14. Thank You, Charlie Christian
15. Alexander’s Ragtime Band
16. Lemon Twist
17. Everything’s Pat
18. Workin’ with the Truth

Original sources:

Tracks #1-8 from the Verve album
"Softly... But With That Feeling" (V6-8448)

Tracks #9-18 from the Verve album
"Thank You, Charlie Christian" (MGV S 6164)

CARMEN McRAE

2011-12-30T21:52:00.000+01:00

The Complete Kapp Recordings (3 Lps On 2 Cds)
Carmen McRae
Featuring: Carmen McRae (vcl), with Frank Hunter, Luther Henderson, Jr. & Ernie Wilkins Orchestras, including Art Farmer (tp), Jimmy Cleveland, Billy Byers (tb), Phil Woods, Zoot Sims, Budd Johnson (saxes), Dick Katz (p), Tommy Williams (b), Floyd Williams (d)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 677_2

There have been many attempts to describe Carmen McRae’s ballad mastery, but perhaps she gave the most succinct explanation: “Experience and emotion take over when I sing. I try to convince the audience of what I am singing about. I try to entertain the people, not just myself.”

This release contains the three albums she recorded for the Kapp label which revealed her full maturity as a singer: “Book of Ballads,” and the soulful “When You’re Away”—two brilliant sets, each an impeccable testimony to her pre-eminence in modern song—and “Something to Swing About,” a finger-snapping selection of up tempo swinging arrangements by Ernie Wilkins, featuring a group of outstanding jazz soloists, with McRae, in fine form, showing why she was considered to be one of the few original stylists of her time. She was a singer blessed with a unique sound and exquisite taste.

Tracklisting:

CD 1
01. By Myself
02. The Thrill Is Gone
03. How Long Has This Been Going On?
04. Do You Know Why?
05. My Romance
06. Isn’t It Romantic?
07. If Love Is Good to Me
08. When I Fall In Love
09. Please Be Kind
10. He Was Too Good to Me
11. Angel Eyes
12. Something I Dreamed Last Night
13. When You’re Away
14. The More I See You
15. I Only Have Eyes for You
16. Willingly (Melodie Perdue)
17. If I Could Be with You
(One Hour Tonight)
18. I’ll Be Seeing You

CD 2
01. I Concentrate on You
02. Ain’t Misbehavin’
(I’m Savin’ My Love for You)
03. Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye
04. When Your Lover Has Gone
05. I’m Glad There Is You
06. Two Faces in the Dark
07. Three Little Words
08. I Couldn’t Care Less
09. That’s for Me
10. (How Little It Matters)
How Little We Know
11. You Leave Me Breathless
12. It’s Love
13. Love Is a Simple Thing
14. Comes Love
15. A Sleepin’ Bee
16. I See Your Face Before Me
17. Alone Together
18. Falling In Love with Love

Original sources:

CD 1, tracks #1-12 from the Kapp album
"Book of Ballads" (KS3001)

CD 1, tracks #13-18 & CD 2, tracks #1-6
from the Kapp album "When You're Away"
(KS3018)

CD 2, tracks #7-18 from the Kapp album
"Something to Swing About" (KS3053)

EVANS BRADSHAW/ROOSEVELT WARDELL

2011-11-25T10:57:00.001+01:00

Evans Bradshaw Trio + Roosevelt Wardell Trio (3 Lps On 2 Cd)

Evans Bradshaw / Roosevelt Wardell

Featuring: Evans Bradshaw (p), Jamil Nasser, Al Jackson (b), Richard Allen Philly Joe Jones (d) / Roosevelt Wardell (p), Sam Jones (b), Louis Hayes (d)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 665_2

This set presents the only albums recorded for the Riverside label by two young and talented pianists: Evans Bradshaw (1933-1978) and Roosevelt Wardell (1934-1999). Both enjoyed some success in the late 50s and early 60s, and showed signs of maturing into significant jazz figures, but both remained largely unrecognized and their careers never took off as expected.

Evans Bradshaw, mostly associated with the Detroit scene, is featured in two albums displaying his inventive playing, technical command and undoubted promise, swinging hard at uptempo performances and revealing considerable sensitivity on ballads.

Roosevelt Wardell was an R&B singer before he became a jazz pianist. Altoist Cannonball Adderley, who by then was also acting as a Riverside A&R, discovered Wardell in Los Angeles while he was playing with Dexter Gordon. He quickly arranged for the recording of “The Revelation”, Wardell’s debut. An authoritative performer, the young pianist showed a maturity beyond his years, developing well-constructed, imaginative lines and absorbing his formative influences into an individual style devoid of empty flourishes or gimmicks, in which his roots and swing are ever present.

Their careers never lived up to the promise of these recordings. But the promise is still there to be recognized, savoured and enjoyed.

Tracklisting:

CD 1

01. Georgia on My Mind

02. Hallelujah!

03. The Prophet

04. Love for Sale

05. Coolin’ the Blues

06. Blueinet

07. Angel Eyes

08. Old Devil Moon

09. The Trolley Song

10. Mangoes

11. Pushing the Blues

12. It Ain’t Necessarily So

13. Take the “A” Train

CD 2

01. A Foggy Day

02. It’s All Right with Me

03. Blues for Jim

04. A Night in Tunisia

05. Like Someone In Love

06. Lazarus

07. Autumn in New York

08. Max the Maximum

09. Elijah Is Here

10. Willow Weep for Me

11. Cherokee

12. The Revelation

Personnel on LOOK OUT FOR EVANS BRADSHAW!

(CD 1, #1-8): Evans Bradshaw (p), Jamil Nasser (b except #7), Philly Joe Jones (d except #7).

Recorded at Reeves Sound Studio, New York City, on June 9, 1958.

Personnel on PIECES OF EIGHTY-EIGHT

(CD 1, #9-13 and CD 2, #1-4): Evans Bradshaw (p), Al Jackson (b), Richard Allen (d).

Recorded at Reeves Sound Studio, New York City, on January 27, 1959.

Personnel on THE REVELATION: ROOSEVELT WARDELL TRIO

(CD 2, #5-12): Roosevelt Wardell (p), Sam Jones (b), Louis Hayes (d).

Recorded at United Recording Studios, Los Angeles, on October 5, 1960.

Stereo 24-Bit Digitally Remastered

MAX ROACH

2011-11-25T10:56:00.001+01:00

Complete 1959-1960 Studio Recordings (4 Lps On 2 Cd)

Max Roach

Featuring: Max Roach (d), Tommy Turrentine (tp), Julian Priester (tb), Stanley Turrentine (ts), Ray Bryant, Cedar Walton (p), Bob Boswell (b), Abbey Lincoln (vcl)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 666_2

After overcoming the creative crisis brought about by the death of his trumpeter and co-leader Clifford Brown in 1956, and having disbanded his new quintet with Booker Little and George Coleman, Max Roach (1924-2007) kept his faith in the strength of hard bop, and reformed his piano-less group Max Roach Plus Four in 1959.

This time he put his trust in a band of young jazzmen that included the Turrentine brothers—Stanley and Tommy, on tenor sax and trumpet respectively— trombonist Julian Priester, bassist Bob Boswell and, occasionally, pianists Ray Bryant or Cedar Walton.

This 2-CD set gathers the complete studio recordings this group made (except one issued under Tommy Turrentine’s name) between July 1959 and January 1960, thus giving new life to one of the least known periods in Max Roach’s intense jazz career. In addition, the songs featuring Abbey Lincoln catch this exceptional singer in fine form.

Tracklisting:

CD 1

01. The More I See You

02. Lotus Blossom

03. Quiet as It’s Kept

04. As Long as You’re Living

05. To Lady

06. Juliano

07. Speak Low

08. Never Let Me Go

09. Come Rain or Come Shine

10. Namely You

11. Moon Faced, Starry Eyed

12. Wild Is the Wind

13. You’re Mine You

14. You’re My Thrill

CD 2

01. I Concentrate on You

02. Never Leave Me

03. Afro Blue

04. Let Up

05. Laugh, Clown, Laugh

06. Long As You’re Living

07. Nica

08. Liberté

09. Petit dejeuner

10. Un nouveau complet

11. Parisian Sketches:

-The Tower

-The Champs

-The Caves

-The Left Bank

-The Arch

Personnel on MAX ROACH PLUS FOUR

(CD 1, #1-6): Tommy Turrentine (tp), Julian Priester (tb), Stanley Turrentine (ts), Bob Boswell (b), Max Roach (d).

Recorded at Capitol Studios, New York City, July 21, 1959.

Personnel on MAX ROACH SEXTET

(CD 1, #7-14 and CD 2, #1-2): Tommy Turrentine (tp), Julian Priester (tb), Stanley Turrentine (ts), Ray Bryant (p), Bob Boswell (b), Max Roach (d),

Recorded at Universal Recording Studios, Chicago, October 9 & 10, 1959.

Personnel on ABBEY LINCOLN with MAX ROACH Quintet

(CD 2, #3-6): Tommy Turrentine (tp), Julian Priester (tb), Stanley Turrentine (ts), Cedar Walton (p), Bobby Boswell (b), Max Roach (d), Abbey Lincoln (vcl).

Recorded in New York City, 1959.

Personnel on MAX ROACH QUINTET

(CD 2, #7-11): Tommy Turrentine (tp), Julian Tommy Turrentine (tp), Julian Priester (tb), Stanley Turrentine (ts), Bob Boswell (b), Max Roach (d).

Recorded in Paris, on March 1, 1960.

Stereo 24-Bit Digitally Remastered

GENE QUILL

2011-11-25T10:55:00.001+01:00

Gene Quill 'the Tiger' - Portrait Of A Great Alto Player

Gene Quill

Featuring: Dick Sherman (tp), Gene Quill (as), Argonne Thornton, Dick Katz, Terry Pollard (p), Dick Garcia (g), Buddy Jones, Teddy Kotick, Bill Anthony (b), Sol Gubin, Osie Johnson, Frank Isola (d)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 667

BAR CODE: -

Gene Quill—or “Tiger” as he was affectionately called by his cohorts in New York—was born in Atlantic City, N.J. in 1927. Unmistakably a Parker inspired musician and a brilliant, hard-edged, imaginative soloist with a tight, strained sound, he had a very characteristic attack that revealed Bird’s influence in his tone and the shape of his lines.

While with Claude Thornhill in 1953, he began to attract greater attention, becoming one of the best lead alto players in the New York scene. In 1955 he formed a combo with his friend, trumpeter Dick Sherman, a veteran of the big name bands who had played with him in the Goodman and Thornhill orchestras. From 1956 onwards, Quill was on almost all big band recordings that took place in New York, but he also recorded with smaller groups, such as the last two featured on this set.

About him, the noted jazz critic Burt Korall said: “His technical resource is large and he possesses a definite ability to create pointedly swinging musical pictures.”

He died in 1989. His desire to live on the “edge” cost the music world the loss of a great talent, but jazz fans won’t easily forget him.

Tracklisting:

01. Introduction by Al “Jazzbo” Collins

02. Flying Down to Rio

03. The Things We Did Last Summer

04. Darn That Dream

05. Sid Meets Haig

06. Blues for the Camels

07. Lover Man

08. Achilles’ Heel

09. Everything Happens to Me

10. Rubbin’ the Genie

11. If I’m Lucky

12. The Deacon

13. It Could Happen to You

14. Stompin’ at the Savoy

15. Round Table

16. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

17. I Don’t Know

18. Tangerine

Persnnel on GENE QUILL QUINTET (#1-5):

Dick Sherman (tp), Gene Quill (as), Argonne Thornton (p), Buddy Jones (b), Sol Gubin (d).

Recorded at Pythian Temple, New York, on November 7, 1955.

Personnel on GENE QUILL QUINTET (#6-10):

Dick Sherman (tp), Gene Quill (as), Dick Katz (p), Teddy Kotick (b), Osie Johnson (d).

Recorded in New York, on December 8, 1955.

Personnel on GENE QUILL QUINTET (#11-14):

Gene Quill (as), Terry Pollard (p), Dick Garcia (g), Bill Anthony (b), Frank Isola (d).

Recorded in New York, 1956.

Personnel on GENE QUILL QUARTET (#15-18):

Gene Quill (as), Hank Jones (p), Barry Galbraith (g), Milt Hinton (b), Osie Johnson (d).

Recorded in New York, on June 26, 1956.

24-Bit Digitally Remastered

AL SMITH/MILDRED ANDERSON

2011-11-25T10:53:00.001+01:00

Al Smith & Mildred Anderson With Eddie 'lockjaw' Davis (2 Lps On 1 Cd)

Al Smith / Mildred Anderson

REFERENCE: FSRCD 668

Tenor saxophonist Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis’ group gives Al Smith and Mildred Anderson sympathetic backing in these two fine albums recorded for the Prestige/Bluesville label in 1959 and 1960.

Smith, whose bold style was greatly influenced by the Gospel tradition, had the earthy quality often found in the best blues artists. His singing ranges from full-voiced and declamatory to intimate and confidential, but it always carried a charge of vitality that jolts the listener into full awareness. Mildred Anderson possesses a very individual Blues style, neither haunting, nor painful and filled with nostalgia, and certainly not the pretty, dressed up Blues then in vogue. Hers is the rough-hewn, pay-youback, swinging blues, direct, forceful and unsentimental.

Shirley Scott, Wendell Marshall, George Duvivier, and Arthur Edgehill drive powerfully, while on both sessions “Jaws” brings his huge, bustling highly vocalized tenor to bear with idiomatic authority on the material.

Tracklisting:

01. Night Time Is the Right Time

02. I’ll Be Alright

03. I’ve Got the Right Kind of Lovin’

04. Never Let Me Go

05. I’ve Got a Girl

06. Tears in My Eyes

07. Come On Pretty Babby

08. Pledging My Love

09. I’m Gettin’ ‘Long Alright (Connections)

10. I’m Free

11. Don’t Deceive Me (Please Don’t Go)

12. Hello Little Boy

13. Person to Person

14. Cool Kind of Poppa (Good Kind Daddy)

15. Kidney Stew Blues

16. I Didn’t Have a Chance

Personnel on HEAR MY BLUES (#1-8):

Al Smith (vcl), Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis (ts), Shirley Scott (org), Wendell Marshall (b), Arthur Edgehill (d).

Recorded at Englewood Cliffs, N.J., on September 20, 1959.

Personnel on PERSON TO PERSON (#9-16):

Mildred Anderson (vcl), Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis (ts), Shirley Scott (org), George Duvivier (b), Arthur Edgehill (d).

Recorded at Englewood Cliffs, N.J., on January 20, 1960.

Stereo 24-Bit Digitally Remastered

PAUL QUINICHETTE/CHARLIE ROUSE

2011-11-25T10:51:00.001+01:00

The Chase Is On + Taylor's Tenors (2 Lps On 1 Cd)

Paul Quinichette & Charlie Rouse

Featuring: Charlie Rouse, Paul Quinichette, Frank Foster (ts), Wynton Kelly, Hank Jones, Walter Davis Jr. (p), Freddie Green (g), Wendell Marshall, Sam Jones (b), Ed Thigpen, Art Taylor (d)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 669

BAR CODE: -

The idea of two-tenor battles had its origin in the original Count Basie band, where Lester Young and Herschel Evans were the alpha males competing for supremacy. It made good copy and the public lapped it up.

It could also make for exciting music when two such great talents were involved, something recognized when Wardell Gray and Dexter Gordon made their celebrated recording of “The Chase” in 1947. By the late Fifties, however, the idea had been diminished by fashion overkill when two of the best tenors around, Charlie Rouse and Paul Quinichette, met in the studio and proved the “contest” still had much to offer, especially in the company of such blue riband players as Wynton Kelly, Hank Jones, Wendell Marshall, Ed Thigpen and Freddie Green.

Two years later, under the leadership of Art Taylor, Rouse was back duelling successfully again, this time with the renowned Basie-ite, Frank Foster, with Walter Davis Jr and Sam Jones completing the rhythm section.

The music that emerged from both encounters, mature, powerful and swinging, redolent of its era while somehow transcending it, has stood the test of time remarkably well.

Tracklisting:

01. The Chase Is On

02. When the Blues Come On

03. This Can’t Be Love

04. Last Time for Love

05. You’re Cheatin’ Yourself

06. Knittin’

07. The Tender Trap

08. The Things I Love

09. Rhythm-A-Ning

10. Little Chico

11. Cape Millie

12. Straight No Chaser

13. Fidel

14. Dacor

Personnel on THE CHASE IS ON (#1-8):

Charlie Rouse & Paul Quinichette (ts), Wynton Kelly #1,3,4,6-8 or Hank Jones #2, 5 (p), Freddie Green (g #2,5), Wendell Marshall (b), Ed Thigpen (d).

Recorded in New York City, August 29 (#1,3,4,6-8) and September 8 (#2,5), 1957.

Personnel on Art Taylor - TAYLOR’S TENORS (#9-16):

Charlie Rouse & Frank Foster (ts), Walter Davis, Jr. (p), Sam Jones (b), Art Taylor (d).

Recorded at Hackensack, N.J., June 3, 1959.

Stereo 24-Bit Digitally Remastered

Featuring: Charlie Rouse, Paul Quinichette, Frank Foster (ts), Wynton Kelly, Hank Jones, Walter Davis Jr. (p), Freddie Green (g), Wendell Marshall, Sam Jones (b), Ed Thigpen, Art Taylor

CARMEN McRAE

2011-11-25T10:49:00.001+01:00

Carmen For Cool Ones + Mad About The Man (2 Lps On 1 Cd)

Carmen McRae

Featuring: Carmen McRae (vcl), with Orchestra directed by Fred Katz & Jack Pleis, feat. Pete Candoli, Charlie Shavers (tp), Milt Bernhart, Jimmy Cleveland (tb), Buddy Collette (fl, as), Seldon Powell (ts), Ray Bryant (p), Barry Galbraith (g), Ike Isaacs, Red Mitchel

REFERENCE: FSRCD 670

This release presents two outstanding albums featuring Carmen McRae at her best. On “For Cool Ones,” she’s backed by various studio groups, all directed by cellist Fred Katz, on which she sings a dozen tunes with a mature, natural style that epitomized her approach. Aware at all times of the lyrics and what they’re about, she invests them with the kind of significance a great singer and interpreter of songs can bring to them.

On “Mad About the Man,” she explores a dozen Coward tunes—some romantic, some touchingly perceptive, and all sophisticated—this time backed by three studio groups directed by Jack Pleis, with with her own rhythm section (Ray Bryant, piano; Ike Isaacs, bass; Specs Wright, drums) in place throughout. She makes the most of the sometimes insouciant airiness of Coward’s creations and invests all his songs with her own warmth and rigorous attention to detail.

Tracklisting:

01. You’re Mine

02. Oh Yes, I Remember Clifford

03. A Shoulder to Cry On

04. Weak for the Man

05. All the Things You Are

06. (What Can I Say) After I Say I’m Sorry

07. If I Were a Bell

08. Any Old Time

09. What’s New?

10. Without a Word of Warning

11. The Night We Called It a Day

12. I Get a Kick Out of You

13. Zigeuner

14. I’ll See You Again

15. Someday I’ll Find You

16. I’ll Follow My Secret Heart

17. If Love Were All

18. Mad About the Boy

19. World Weary

20. A Room with a View

21. I Can’t Do Anything at All

22. Never Again

23. Poor Little Rich Girl

24. Why Does Love Get in the Way

Personnel on CARMEN FOR COOL ONES (#1-12):

Carmen McRae, with Orchestra Directed by Fred Katz

Collective personnel includes: Ray Linn, Pete Candoli (tp), Vince DeRosa (frh), Milt Bernhart, Bob Enevoldsen (tb), Buddy Collette (fl, as), Bill Green, Harry Klee (fl), Warren Webb (oboe), Justin Gordon, Mahlon Clark (b-cl), George W. Smith (cl), Joe Marino, Ike Isaacs, John T. Williams, Joe Marino, Calvin Jackson (p, celeste), Joseph Gibbons, Billy Bean, (g), Frank Flynn (vib, marimba), Ike Isaacs, Red Mitchell (b), Specs Wright (d), Larry Bunker (vib, d), Fred Katz (cello), John 'Tommy' Johnson (tuba), nine violins, two violas, two cellos.

Recorded in Los Angeles, December 5 (#1-4), 16 (#5-11), 1957, and April 21 (#12), 1958.

Personnel on MAD ABOUT THE MAN

Carmen McRae Sings Noel Coward (#13-24):

Carmen McRae, with Orchestra Directed by Jack Pleis

Collective personnel includes: Charlie Shavers (tp), George Berg (fl), B. Kaufman, Ed Brown, (as), Seldon Powell, Mel Tax (ts), William Holcombe (bar), Frank Rehak, Chauncey Welsch, Jimmy Cleveland (tb), Tom Mitchell (b-tb), Ray Bryant (p), Al Casamenti, George Barnes, Barry Galbraith, Danny Perri (g), Charles Isaacs (b), Specs Wright (d), Raoul Poliakin, Mac Ceppos, Herb Bourne, J. Held, F. Orlewitz, Tom Frost (violins), George Browne, H. Kaye (cellos).

Recorded in New York City, June 18 (#13-16), June 19 (#17-20), June 20 (#21-24), 1957.

24-Bit Digitally Remastered

THE MONTGOMERY BROTHERS

2011-11-25T10:48:00.001+01:00

The Montgomery Brothers + Groove Yard (2 Lps On 1 Cd)

Wes, Buddy & Monk Montgomery

Featuring: Buddy Montgomery (p), Wes Montgomery (g), Monk Montgomery (b), Lawrence Marable, Bobby Thomas (d)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 671

The Montgomery Brothers Quartet Studio Sessions

Complete Master Takes

In April 1960, The Montgomery Brothers—Wes, Monk and Buddy —(they were called The Mastersounds not too long before), opened at the Swingin’ Lantern in Sacramento. The group was a breath of fresh air at a time when there were plenty of poseurs around purveying an ersatz earthiness that was far away from the real thing. There was nothing fake about the Montgomery Brothers; they had the feel of the earth in their playing without having to exaggerate, pose, or labor at it.

At the core of the group and of this collection is the mature and fully rounded guitar mastery of Wes Montgomery, whose chorded use of the instrument and his trademark octave playing are among the most immediately distinguishing characteristics of his work. Buddy contributes strong, virile piano, and Monk, when these recordings were made, had picked up the upright bass again and stopped playing the electric version, on which he was a pioneer.

Direct, unpretentious, packed with ideas always executed with consummate skill – and swinging powerfully – the Montgomery Brothers were emphatically the Real Thing.

Tracklisting:

01. Monterey Blues (D Natural Blues)

02. June in January

03. Bud’s Tune

04. Lover Man

05. Jingles

06. Doujie

07. Just for Now

08. Groove Yard

09. Heart Strings

10. Remember

11. Delirium

12. Bock to Bock (Back to Back)

13. If I Should Lose You

Personnel on THE MONTGOMERY BROTHERS (#1-5):

Buddy Montgomery (p), Wes Montgomery (g), Monk Montgomery (b), Lawrence Marable (d).

Recorded in San Francisco, November, 1960.

Personnel on GROOVE YARD (#6-13):

Buddy Montgomery (p), Wes Montgomery (g), Monk Montgomery (b), Bobby Thomas (d).

Recorded at Plaza Sound Studios, New York City, on January 3, 1961.

Stereo 24-Bit Digitally Remastered

REX STEWART

2011-11-01T17:16:00.003+01:00

Cool Fever / The Big Reunion - Fletcher Henderson All Stars (newly Remastered Stereo Edition)
Rex Stewart
Featuring: Rex Stewart, Emmett Berry, Taft Jordan (tp), J.C. Higginbotham, Dickie Wells (tb), Hilton Jefferson, Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, Haywood Henry (saxes), Buster Bailey (cl), Red Richards (p), Al Casey (g), Bill Pemberton (b), Jimmy Crawford (d)

REFERENCE: BMCD 817
http://www.freshsoundrecords.com/

Presented in DIGIPACK
For the First Time on CD
Original Stereophonic Recordings
Newly Remastered in 24-Bit HQ Sound

This album reunited many members of the legendary Fletcher Henderson band in a set that recalled the tradition of big-band swing and stellar soloists. It is not only a reunion, but also a recreation of the sound and style that foreshadowed the heyday of the big white bands that borrowed so much from outfits such as Henderson’s.

The storming drive and roaring spirit is clearly evident in the section work and in the wild succession of solos. Rex Stewart’s cornet and the three trumpets lend constant solo quality to the set, and Hawkins and Webster, seminal figures on the tenor saxophone, both play magnificently, while Buster Bailey’s fluid clarinet and Jefferson’s alto are heard in several swinging, warm, and expertly controlled solos.

Tracklisting:

01. SUGAR FOOT STOMP (Oliver-Armstrong) 4:15
02. A HUNDRED YEARS FROM TODAY (Young-Washington) 4:14
03. THREE THIEVES (Stewart) 4:36
04. HONEYSUCKLE ROSE (Waller-Razaf) 7:32
05. WRAPPIN' IT UP (Henderson) 6:38
06. 'ROUND ABOUT MIDNIGHT (Monk-Williams) 3:25
07. THE WAY SHE WALKS (Stewart) 4:16
08. KING PORTER STOMP (Morton)
09. CASEY STEW (Casey) 5:01
10. KING PORTER STOMP (Morton) 7:04 (*)

(*) Unedited Mono Version

Original sources:

Tracks #1-8 were originally issued
on Jazztone as "The Big Reunion"
Fletcher Henderson All Stars in Hi Fi,
Under the direction of Rex Stewart" (J 1285).

Later reissued on Urania Records
as "Cool Fever" (USD 2012).

Personnel:

Rex Stewart, Emmett Berry, Taft Jordan, Joe Thomas (tp), J.C. Higginbotham, Benny Morton, Dickie Wells (tb), Garvin Bushell, Hilton Jefferson (as), Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster (ts), Haywood Henry (bs), Buster Bailey (cl), Al Casey (g), Red Richards (p), Bill Pemberton (b), and Jimmy Crawford (d).

Dick Vance replaces Berry, Norman Thornton replaces Henry on #4,5 & 7.
Stewart, Hawkins, Jefferson, The Trombones and Rhythm play on #2,3,6 & 9.

Recorded in New York City, November 26 & 29, and December 2, 1957.

"The Big Reunion" was produced especially
for Jazztone Society by George T. Simon.

Recording engineer: Ernie Oelrich

Photos by Kal Weyner.

Produced for CD release: Jordi Pujol

Stereo 24-Bit Digitally Remastered

------------------------------------------------------

Additional note:

As George T. Simon reports in his excellent liner notes, all the soloists except Jordan, Casey and Richards, at one time or another, worked with Henderson.

Not all the tracks are big-band chargers. Jim Timmens wrote four arrangements for a smaller group, giving Hawkins and Jefferson opportunity to play ballads.

Under the supervision of jazz writer and producer George T. Simon, this album was recorded and originally issued on LP in highfidelity mono on the Jazztone label as The Big Reunion, and later in stereo on Urania Records, under the title Cool Fever.

BUDDY DE FRANCO/TOMMY GUMINA

2011-11-01T17:14:00.002+01:00

The Buddy De Franco - Tommy Gumina Quartet (2 Lps On 1 Cd)
Buddy De Franco
Featuring: Buddy De Franco (cl), Tommy Gumina (acc), Bob Stone, Bill Plummer (b), Frank De Vito, John Guerin (d)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 2260
http://www.freshsoundrecords.com/

The Buddy De Franco-Tommy Gumina Quartet made a sensational debut at Hollywood’s “Pick-a-Rib” night club in March 1960, playing assertive, driving modern jazz. In this new setting, Buddy’s fleet, fluid clarinet gained an exciting, fresh context with jazz accordion virtuoso Tommy Gumina.

Besides the mutually enhanced over-all sound of clarinet and accordion, the appealing arrangements De Franco and Gumina devised reveal a shared outlook. It firmly placed the emphasis on melody and rhythm, lyricism and stimulation, as much as on their dazzling technical accomplishments.

The quartet’s first two albums, “Pacific Standard (Swingin’!) Time,” and “Presenting...” reflect this. Not only is De Franco warmed by Gumina’s strongly swinging attack, but both he and Gumina are also pushed hard by the sturdy rhythm support of bassists Bob Stone and Bill Plummer, and drummers Frank De Vito and John Guerin. Together they delivered straightforward, thoughtfully conceived and beautifully played unpre- tentious small-group jazz, with a character all its own.

Tracklisting:

01. All the Things You Are
02. Ill Wind (You’re Blowin’ Me No Good)
03. A Foggy Day
04. Satin Doll
05. Darn That Dream
06. How High the Moon
07. The Song Is You
08. Misty
09. In a Mellow Tone
10. Polka Dots and Moonbeams
11. Autumn in Rome
12. Yesterdays
13. When Lights Are Low
14. Street of Dreams
15. Runaway
16. Never on Friday
17. Gone with the Wind
18. 'S Wonderful
19. On Green Dolphin Street
20. Scrapple from the Apple
21. Playin’ It Cool
22. You Are Too Beautiful

Original sources:

Tracks #1-12 from the Decca 12 " album
"Pacific Standard (Swingin'!) Time"
(DL 74031 Stereo).

Tracks #13-22 from the Mercury 12" album
"Presenting The Buddy De Franco-Tommy Gumina"
(SR 60685).

Personnel on tracks #1-12:

Buddy De Franco (cl), Tommy Gumina (acc), Bob Stone (b), and Frank De Vito (d).

Recorded at Decca Recording Studio, Hollywood, March 15, 16 & 31, 1960.

Personnel on tracks #13-22:

Buddy De Franco (cl), Tommy Gumina (acc), Bill Plummer (b), and John Guerin (d).

Recorded at Universal Recording Studios, Chicago, October 17 & 18, 1961.

Original recordings supervised by Leonard Feather (#1-12) and Jack Tracy (#13-22)

Produced for CD release by Jordi Pujol.

Stereo 24-Bit Digitally Remastered

PAUL SERRRANO

2011-11-01T17:12:00.001+01:00

Blues Holiday + Daddy-o Presents Mjt+3 (2 Lps On 1 Cd)
Paul Serrano
Featuring: Paul Serrano (tp), Bunky Green (as), Nicky Hill (ts), Jodie Christian, Richard Abrams (p), Don Garrett, Bob Cranshaw (b), Pete LaRoca, Walter Perkins (d)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 664
http://www.freshsoundrecords.com/

In 1960, Paul Serrano was a young trumpet player from Chicago, with a considerable and varied experience as a sideman, mainly in his hometown jazz scene. Cannonball Adderley heard him there with this group of promising jazz musicians, and decided to record him.

The result was the album, “Blues Holiday,” on which Serrano’s quintet displays a driving, penetrating attack that was carried partly by the leader’s flaring, brassy trumpet, and partly by Bunky Green’s hard, lean, multitoned alto saxophone, that reflected the band’s strength and potential. The rhythm section is tight and ideal, with fine solos by Jodie Christian and further bolstered by Pete LaRoca, who filled in when the quintet’s regular drummer was unavailable for the date.

The other album included here finds a younger Serrano when he was member of another outstanding Chicago quintet, MJT + 3; the name stands for Modern Jazz Two, and refers to bassist Bob Cranshaw and drummer Walter Perkins, the co-leaders, while the three are Serrano, tenor Nicky Hill, and pianist Richard Abrams. It was a strong, empathetic group and makes a fitting addition to this homage to Paul Serrano, an unsung hardbop trumpeter.

Tracklisting:

01. Me, Too
02. Dream of Igor
03. Blues Holiday
04. Little Niles
05. Mr. Lucky
06. Everything’s Coming Up Roses
07. Ray’s Idea
08. My One and Only Love
09. End of the Line
10. They Can’t Take That Away From Me
11. Egypic
12. No Name
13. Temporarily Out of Order
14. Little Brother
15. No Man’s Land

Original sources:

Tracks #1-6 from the original Riverside album
"Blues Holiday" (RLP 9359).

Tracks #7-15 from the original Argo album
"Daddy-O Presents MJT+3" (LP 9012).

Personnel on "Blues Holiday" (#1-6):

Paul Serrano (tp), Bunky Green (as), Jodie Christian (p), Don Garrett (b), and Pete LaRoca (d).

Recorded at Universal Recording Studios, Chicago, on November 8, 1960.

Personnel on "Daddy-O Presents MJT+3" (#7-15):

Paul Serrano (tp), Nicky Hill (ts), Richard Abrams (p), Bob Cranshaw (b), and Walter Perkins (d).

Recorded in Chicago, 1957.

Produced for CD release: Jordi Pujol

Stereo / Mono 24-Bit Digitally Remastered

BILL POTTS

2011-11-01T17:10:00.001+01:00

The Jazz Soul Of Porgy & Bess (digipack Edition)
Bill Potts
Featuring: BIll Potts (arr, cond), with Charlie Shavers, Harry Edison, Art Farmer (tp), Bob Brookmeyer (v-tb), Jimmy Cleveland (tb), Phil Woods, Gene Quill, Zoot Sims, Al Cohn (saxes), Bill Evans (p), Herbie Powell (g), George Duvivier (b), Charlie Persip (d), Bill

REFERENCE: FSRCD 663
http://www.freshsoundrecords.com/

Presented in DIGIPACK

New crisp and restored Stereo Sound
in 24-Bit HQ Sound to be enjoyed as never before

24-Page Illustrated Booklet with Pictures from the sessions. Includes original liner notes and Discography

Music that will endure, played with all the skill, passion and imagination that great jazz musicians can bring to bear on it. These are but two of the basic factors which make THE JAZZ SOUL OF PORGY AND BESS one of the finest jazz albums ever made. Just as crucial was a third – the superb work of arranger Bill Potts, which established him as a major figure in the field of arranging for jazz orchestra. Add to all that a score that includes the top songs written by George and Ira Gershwin for this classic musical.

The result was itself a multifaceted classic, a faithful translation to the language of big band jazz of the emotional rollercoaster of love and tragedy set to music by the Gershwins, brought to dramatic life by one of the finest groups of jazz ever assembled under one roof for a recording session.

Tracklisting:

01. Summertime (5:26)
02. A Woman Is a Sometime Thing (2:19)
03. My Man’s Gone Now (4:09)
04. It Takes a Long Pull to Get Here (2:42)
05. I Got Plenty o’ Nuttin(3:25)
06. Bess, You Is My Woman (5:16)
07. It Ain’t Necessarily So (3:13)
08. Medley (5:13)
- Minor Themes
- Prayer
- Strawberries
- Honey Man
- Crab Man
09. I Loves You, Porgy (3:12)
10. Clara, Clara (3:37)
11. There’s a Boat Dat’s Leavin’ Soon
for New York (3:23)
12. Oh Bess, Oh, Where’s My Bess (4:38)
13. Oh Lawd, I’m on My Way (3:21)

All compositions by George Gershwin.
Music conducted, orchestrated & arranged by Bill Potts.

Original sources:

Tracks #1-13 previously issued as a limited edition
United Artists 12" album UAL 4032.
Later reissued as WWR 3517.

Personnel:

Charlie Shavers, Harry Edison, Bernie Glow, Art Farmer, Markie Makowitz (tp), Bob Brookmeyer (v-tb), Frank Rehak, Earl Swope, Jimmy Cleveland (tb), Rod Levitt (b-tb), Phil Woods, Gene Quill (as), Zoot Sims, Al Cohn (ts), Sol Schlinger (bs), Bill Evans (p), Herbie Powell (g), George Duvivier (b), Charlie Persip (d).

Recorded at Webster Hall, New York City, January 13, 14 & 15, 1959.

Original recordings produced by Jack Lewis.
Executive producer: Max E. Youngstein.
Recording engineer: Roy Hall
Photos by Laurence N. Shustak

This CD release produced by Jordi Pujol.

Stereo 24-Bit Digitally Remastered

LURLEAN HUNTER

2011-11-01T17:08:00.003+01:00

The Velvet Voice (4 Lps On 2 Cds)
Lurlean Hunter
Featuring: Lurlean Hunter (vcl), with Al Nevins, Manny Albam, Phil Moore & Jimmy Giuffre Orchestras, including Ernie Royal, Joe Newman, Harry Edison (tp), Hal McKusick, Frank Wess, Al Cohn, Bud Freeman (saxes), Herbie Mann (fl), Hank Jones (p), Jim Hall (g)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 662_2

http://www.freshsoundrecords.com/

Lurlean Hunter (1928-1983) was, with all her skills, one of the most underappreciated singers in America. Other singers, who held her in universal high regard, were in no doubt as to her quality. A singers’ singer, she was revered for her near perfection in vocal styling, technique, and delivery, gifts she blended into a captivating combination.

This distinction is self-evident in the four albums she recorded during her career: Lonesome Gal (1955), Night Life (1956), Stepping Out (1957), and Blue and Sentimental (1960). On them she is accompanied by orchestras filled by some of the best New York jazz musicians. The skillful writing was provided by a handful of top arrangers, including Quincy Jones, Marion Evans, Manny Albam, Al Cohn, Ernie Wilkins, Phil Moore, and Jimmy Giuffre.

All of them—with the exception of Cohn and Wilkins—also conducted their own scores. Throughout she is refreshingly unselfconscious, her voice strong and firm, her conception mature and intelligent and her phrasing meaningful. Blessed with fantastic intonation, effortless ease and innate musicianship, she also had an innately lyrical approach to the songs she sang, and they flowed out of her like something made of rich velvet, done in exquisite taste.

Tracklisting:

CD 1

01. Lonesome Gal
02. Alone Together
03. It’s You or No One
04. You Don’t Know What Love Is
05. You Make Me Feel So Young
06. My Heart and I Decided
07. It Never Entered My Mind
08. You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To
09. Brief Encounter
10. A Stranger in Town
11. But Not for Me
12. On Green Dolphin Street
13. Georgia on My Mind
14. What a Difference a Day Made
15. Have You Met Miss Jones
16. That Old Feeling
17. It’s the Talk of the Town
18. Gentleman Friend
19. Night Life
20. It Could Happen to You
21. Moondrift
22. Sunday
23. Like Someone In Love
24. This Time the Dream’s On Me

CD 2

01. Steppin’ Out with My Baby
02. Easy to Love
03. I Feel So Smoochie
04. Kiss Me Again
05. Old Devil Moon
06. If I Could Be with You
07. Blues in the Night
08. Nobody’s Heart
09. You Do Something to Me
10. Under a Blanket of Blue
11. Oh! Look at Me Now
12. Some Other Time
13. Blue Turning Grey Over You
14. If You Could See Me Now
15. My Kinda Love
16. Crazy He Calls Me
17. Just Imagine
18. Blue and Sentimental
19. The Song Is You
20. Then I’ll Be Tired Of You
21. Fool That I Am
22. We’ll Be Together Again
23. As Long As I Live

Original sources:

CD 1, tracks #1-12 from the RCA Victor 12" album
"Lonesome Gal" (LPM 1151)

CD 1, tracks #13-24 from the VIK 12" album
"Night Life" (LX 1061)

CD 2, tracks #1-12 from the VIK 12" album
"Stepping Out" (LX 1116)

CD 2, tracks #13-23 from the Atlantic 12" album
"Blue And Sentimental" (SD 1344)

Personnel on "Lonesome Gal":

Lurlean Hunter with Al Nevins and His Orchestra.
Featuring: Ernie Royal (tp), Urbie Green (tb), Jimmy Buffington (frh), Hal McKusick, Frank Wess, Charlie Fowlkes (reeds), Hank Jones (p), Barry Galbraith (g), Osie Johnson, Phil Kraus (d), among others; plus strings with Harry Lookofsky, concertmaster. Arrangements: Quincy Jones and Marion Evans

Recorded in New York City, October 4, 5 & 7, 1955.

Personnel on "Night Life":

Lurlean Hunter with Manny Albam and His Orchestra.
Featuring: Joe Newman (tp), Al Cohn, Al Epstein, Ray Beckenstein (reeds), Hank Jones (p), Marty Wilson (vib), Barry Galbraith (g), Milt Hinton (b), Osie Johnson (d). Arrangements: Al Cohn (#13, 14, 15 & 23), Ernie Wilkins (#16, 18, 21 & 22) and Manny Albam (#17, 19, 20 & 24)

Recorded in New York City, August 27 & 28, 1956.

Personnel on "Stepping Out":

Lurlean Hunter with Phil Moore and His Orchestra.
Featuring: Nick Travis (tp), Herbie Mann (fl), Barry Galbraith (g), Milt Hinton (b), Osie Johnson (d). Arrangements: Phil Moore.

Recorded in New York City, May 6, 8 and 10, 1957.

Personnel on "Blue And Sentimental":

Lurlean Hunter with Jimmy Giuffre and His Orchestra.
Featuring: Harry “Sweets” Edison (tp), Rudy Rutherford (cl), Bud Freeman (ts), Jimmy Jones (p), Jim Hall (g), George Duvivier (b on #13, 14, 16, 18 & 23), Trigger Alpert (b on #15, 17, 19, 20, 21 & 22), Don Lamond (d). Arrangements: Jimmy Giuffre.

Recorded in New York City, August 12 (#13, 14, 16, 18 & 23) and 23 (#15, 17, 19, 20, 21 & 22), 1960.

Original recordings produced by Jack Lewis (CD 1), and Herman Díaz, Jr. and Jerry Wexler (CD 2).

Produced for CD release by Jordi Pujol.

24-Bit Digitally Remastered

BOB THOMPSON

2011-11-01T17:07:00.001+01:00

Just For Kicks · Mmm Nice! · On The Rocks (3 Lps On 2 Cds)
Bob Thompson
Featuring: Bob Thompson, His Orchestra & Chorus. Featured soloists: Don Fagerquist (tp), Ted Nash, Bud Shank, Pete Candoli, Ronny Lang (saxes), Milt Bernhart, Frank Rosolino (tb), Larry Bunker (vib), Howard Roberts (g), Red Mitchell (b), Shelly Manne (d)

REFERENCE: BMCD 819_2
http://www.freshsoundrecords.com/

Presented in DIGIPACK
16-Page Illustrated Booklet
Comprehensive Discographical details and Liner Notes
Original Stereophonic Recordings Newly Remastered
24-Bit HQ Sound

3 LPs on 2 CDs + Bonus Tracks

Back in 1958, Bob Thompson was a young arranger and conductor from California with the firm belief that the unexpected is exciting. If music is going to be fun—he reasoned—it ought to have surprises. With that in mind, he created a jazz-influenced choral-orchestral sound he could justifiably call his own. The chorus, thanks to Thompson’s astute conception, became an integrated section of the orchestra.

This collection presents the three great albums he recorded for RCA Victor, including a batch of choice standards and several of Thompson’s own compositions, all light-hearted and with the infectious flavor that was his signature. You will find his music refreshing, adventuresome, spontaneous, swinging, sensuous, hip, and, above all, intelligent. It was especially designed with an eye (and both ears) toward Stereo, and includes the excellent musical contributions of some outstanding Hollywood jazz musicians.

Bob’s albums are some of the finest examples of what later became known as Space Age Pop records.

Tracklisting:

CD 1

01. ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE (Lerner-Loewe) 2:45
02. ALL OF YOU (Porter) 2:22
03. BYE BYE BLACKBIRD (Dixon-Henderson) 2:24
04. ANGEL EYES (Brent-Dennis) 2:55
05. MAKIN’ WHOOPEE (Kahn-Donaldson) 2:38
06. DIGA DIGA DOO (Fields-McHugh) 2:43
07. LOOK FOR THE SILVER LINING (De Sylva-Kern) 2:28
08. IT MIGHT AS WELL BE SPRING
(Rodgers-Hammerstein II) 2:21
09. WHY DO I LOVE YOU (Kern-Hammerstein II) 2:28
10. JUST FOR KICKS (Thompson) 2:27
11. A FOGGY DAY (G. & I. Gershwin) 2:14
12. PEEK-A-BOO (Thompson) 2:34
13. IT’S ALL RIGHT WITH ME (Porter) 2:20
14. MAD ABOUT THE BOY (Coward) 2:16
15. THEY CAN’T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME
(G. & I. Gershwin) 2:25
16. HELLO YOUNG LOVERS (Rodgers-Hammerstein II) 2:18
17. THE BEST THING FOR YOU (Berlin) 2:27
18. AIN’T WE GOT FUN (Kahn-Egan-Whiting) 2:38
19. THE SONG IS YOU (Kern-Hammerstein II) 2:23
20. DO IT AGAIN (Gershwin-De Sylva) 2:14
21. PLAYBOY (Thompson) 2:15

CD 2

01. YOUNGER THAN SPRINGTIME
(Rodgers-Hammerstein II) 2:09
02. JOIE DE VIVRE (Thompson) 2:31
03. I’VE GROW ACCUSTOMED TO HER FACE
(Lerner-Loewe) 2:24
04. PEOPLE WILL SAY WE’RE IN LOVE
(Rodgers-Hammerstein II) 2:34
05. WHILE WE’RE YOUNG (Engvick-Wilder-Palitz) 2:05
06. MMM, NICE! (Thompson) 2:23
07. HAPPY TALK (Rodgers-Hammerstein II) 2:28
08. ALMOST LIKE BEING IN LOVE (Lerner-Loewe) 2:39
09. ALL THE THINGS YOU ARE
(Kern-Oscar Hammerstein II) 2:25
10. THERE’S A SMALL HOTEL (Rodgers-Lorenz Hart) 2:24
11. BREEZIN’ ALONG WITH THE BREEZE
(Simons-Whiting-Gillespie) 2:31
12. JUST YOU, JUST ME (Greer-Klages) 2:44
13. JUNE IS BUSTIN’ OUT ALL OVER
(Rodgers-Hammerstein II) 2:15
14. ALWAYS (Berlin) 2:08
15. THE LITTLE BLACK BOX (Thompson) 2:29
16. ON THE ROCKS (Thompson) 2:28
17. JERSEY BOUNCE
(Wright-Plater-Bradshaw-Johnson) 2:21
18. I’LL SEE YOU AGAIN (Coward) 2:16
19. Radio Theme in the Style of Bob Thompson 0:41 (*)
20. Texaco 1:01 (*)
21. PEPSI is for Swingers – Vocals
by Mel Tormé 1:20 (*)

(*) Are Bonus Tracks

Original sources:

CD 1, tracks #1-14 from "Just For Kicks"
(RCA Victor LSP-2027).

CD 1, tracks #15-21 & CD 2 tracks #1-6
from "Mmm Nice!" (RCA LSP-2117).

CD 2, tracks #7-18 from "On The Rocks"
(RCA LSP-2145).

CD 2, tracks #19-21 taken from original
radio and TV commercials.

Personnel on "Just For Kicks":

ALL OF YOU / THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE / BYE BYE BLACKBIRD / ANGEL EYES

Don Fagerquist, trumpet; Joe Howard, Tommy Pederson, Milt Bernhart, Ed Kusby, trombones; George Roberts, bass trombone; Red Callender, tuba; Ted Nash, flute; Jules Jacob, flute & oboe; Howard Roberts, guitar; Joe Mondragon, bass; Shelly Manne, drums; Larry Bunker, vibes; Frank Flynn, Louis Singer, Ralph Hansell, Milt Holland, percussion; Kathryn Julye, harp.

Radio Recorders, Hollywood, on November 3, 1958.

MAKIN’ WHOOPEE / DIGA DIGA DOO / LOOK FOR THE SILVER LINING / IT MIGHT AS WELL BE SPRING

Pete Candoli, trumpet; Dick Nash, Tommy Pederson, Lloyd Ulyate, Ed Kusby, trombones; Kenny Shroyer, bass trombone; Red Callender, tuba; Ted Nash, flute; Gene Cipriano, oboe & flute; Howard Roberts, guitar; Red Mitchell, bass; Shelly Manne, drums; Larry Bunker, vibes; Frank Flynn, Louis Singer, Ralph Hansell, Milt Holland, percussion; Kathryn Julye, harp.

Radio Recorders, Hollywood, on November 10, 1958.

WHY DO I LOVE YOU / JUST FOR KICKS

Don Fagerquist, Ray Triscari, Uan Rasey, Manny Stevens, trumpets; Dick Noel, Milt Bernhart, Ed Kusby, Nic DiMaio, trombones; Kenny Shroyer, bass trombone; Red Callender, tuba; Ted Nash, alto sax & flute; Howard Roberts, guitar; Red Mitchell, bass; Frank Capp, drums; Larry Bunker, vibes; Frank Flynn, Louis Singer, Ralph Hansell, Milt Holland, percussion.

Radio Recorders, Hollywood, on November 17, 1958.

A FOGGY DAY / PEEK-A-BOO / JUST FOR KICKS / IT’S ALL RIGHT WITH ME / MAD ABOUT THE BOY

Don Fagerquist, Frank Beach, Uan Rasey, Al Porcino, trumpets; Dick Nash, Joe Howard, Milt Bernhart, Lloyd Ulyate, trombones; George Roberts, bass trombone; Phil Stephens, tuba; Ronny Lang, alto sax & flute; Howard Roberts, guitar; Red Mitchell, bass; Frank Capp, drums; Larry Bunker, vibes; Bernie Mattinson, Louis Singer, Ralph Hansell, Milt Holland, percussion.

Radio Recorders, Hollywood, on November 28, 1958.

Personnel on "Mmm Nice!":

THEY CAN’T TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME / HELLO YOUNG LOVERS

Don Fagerquist, trumpet; Joe Howard, Milt Bernhart, Richard Noel, trombones; Kenny Shroyer, George Roberts, bass trombones; Red Callender, tuba; Ted Nash, flute; Howard Roberts, guitar; Joe Mondragon, bass; Alvin Stoller, drums; Victor Feldman, vibes; Frank Flynn, Louis Singer, William Kraft, Richard Cornell, Milt Holland, percussion; Kathryn Julye, harp.

Radio Recorders, Hollywood, on June 22, 1959.

THE BEST THING FOR YOU / AIN’T WE GOT FUN

Don Fagerquist, trumpet; Joe Howard, Milt Bernhart, Harry Betts, Tommy Pederson, trombones; Kenny Shroyer, bass trombone; Red Callender, tuba; Ted Nash, Paul Horn, alto saxes & flute; Howard Roberts, guitar; Joe Mondragon, bass; Alvin Stoller, drums; Emil Richards, vibes; Richard Cornell, marimba; Jerry Williams, bongos; John Cyr, Louis Singer, percussion; Kathryn Julye, harp.

Radio Recorders, Hollywood, on June 29, 1959.

THE SONG IS YOU / DO IT AGAIN / PLAYBOY

Don Fagerquist, Pete Candoli, Conte Candoli, Buddy Childers, Al Porcino, trumpets; Bob Enevoldsen, valve trombone; Murray McEachern, Milt Bernhart, Tommy Pederson, trombones; Kenny Shroyer, bass trombone; Phil Stephens, tuba; Ronny Lang, Paul Horn, flutes; Howard Roberts, guitar; Joe Mondragon, bass; Mel Lewis, drums; Emil Richards, vibes; Richard Cornell, marimba; Alvin Stoller, John Cyr, Louis Singer, percussion.

Radio Recorders, Hollywood, on July 9, 1959.

YOUNGER THAN SPRINGTIME / JOIE DE VIVRE / I’VE GROW ACCUSTOMED TO HER FACE

Don Fagerquist, trumpet; Dick Noel; Harry Betts, Ed Kusby, Tommy Pederson, trombones; George Roberts, bass trombone; Red Callender, tuba; Bud Shank, alto sax & flute; Paul Horn, flute; Al Hendrickson, guitar; Joe Mondragon, bass; Irving Cottler, drums; Larry Bunker, vibes; Louis Singer, Ralph Hansell, Frank Flyn, John Cyr, percussion; Kathryn Julye, harp.

Radio Recorders, Hollywood, on August 12, 1959.

PEOPLE WILL SAY WE’RE IN LOVE / WHILE WE’RE YOUNG / MMM, NICE!

Don Fagerquist, Pete Candoli, Conte Candoli, Buddy Childers, Al Porcino, trumpets; Joe Howard, Milt Bernhart, Harry Betts, Tommy Pederson, trombones; George Roberts, bass trombone; Red Callender, tuba; Bud Shank, Ted Nash, alto sax & flute; Al Hendrickson, guitar; Joe Mondragon, bass; Shelly Manne, drums; Larry Bunker, vibes; Louis Singer, Ralph Hansell, Frank Flyn, John Cyr, percussion.

Radio Recorders, Hollywood, on August 12, 1959.

Personnel on "On The Rocks":

HAPPY TALK / ALMOST LIKE BEING IN LOVE / ALL THE THINGS YOU ARE

Don Fagerquist, trumpet; Joe Howard, Lloyd Ulyate, Dick Noel, Milt Bernhart, trombones; Kenny Shroyer, bass trombone; Red Callender, tuba; Ronny Lang, alto saxe flute; Paul Horn, flute; Al Hendrickson, guitar; Joe Mondragon, bass; Shelly Manne, drums; Larry Bunker, vibes; Louis Singer, Ralph Hansell, Richard Cornell, John Cyr, percussion; Kathryn Julye, harp.

R.C.A. Victor Studios, Hollywood, on October 21, 1959.

THERE’S A SMALL HOTEL / BREEZIN’ ALONG WITH THE BREEZE / JUST YOU, JUST ME

Don Fagerquist, trumpet; Joe Howard, Lloyd Ulyate, Harry Betts, Milt Bernhart, trombones; Kenny Shroyer, bass trombone; Red Callender, tuba; Ted Nash, Ronny Lang, flutes; Al Hendrickson, guitar; Joe Mondragon, bass; Shelly Manne, drums; Louis Singer, Ralph Hansell, William Kraft, Milt Holland, percussion; Ann Stockton, harp.

R.C.A. Victor Studios, Hollywood, on November 4, 1959.

JUNE IS BUSTIN’ OUT ALL OVER / ALWAYS / THE LITTLE BLACK BOX

Don Fagerquist, Ray Triscari, Conte Candoli, Buddy Childers, Al Porcino, trumpets; Joe Howard, Frank Rosolino, Harry Betts, Lloyd Ulyate, trombones; Kenny Shroyer, bass trombone; Red Callender, tuba; Paul Horn, alto sax & flute; Bud Shank, Ted Nash, flutes; Al Hendrickson, guitar; Red Mitchell, bass; Mel Lewis, drums; Emil Richards, vibes; Ralph Hansell, Richard Cornell, John Cyr, Milt Holland, percussion.

R.C.A. Victor Studios, Hollywood, on November 11, 1959.

ON THE ROCKS / JERSEY BOUNCE / I’LL SEE YOU AGAIN

Don Fagerquist, Ray Triscari, Conte Candoli, Buddy Childers, Al Porcino, trumpets; Frank Rosolino, Harry Betts, Lloyd Ulyate, Tommy Pederson, trombones; Kenny Shroyer, bass trombone; Red Callender, tuba; Bud Shank, Ronny Lang, alto sax & flute; Al Hendrickson, guitar; Monty Budwig, bass; Shelly Manne, drums; Emil Richards, vibes; Ralph Hansell, Richard Cornell, John Cyr, Milt Holland, percussion.

R.C.A. Victor Studios, Hollywood, on November 18, 1959.

Original recordings produced by Neely Plumb.

Produced for CD release by Jordi Pujol.

Stereo 24-Bit Digitally Remastered

COOTIE WILLIAMS

2011-11-01T17:05:00.001+01:00

Jazz At Stereoville / The Big Challenge (newly Remastered Stereo Edition)
Cootie Williams
Featuring: Cootie Williams (tp), Rex Stewart (cnt), Lawrence Brown, J.C. Higginbotham (tb), Coleman Hawkins, Bud Freeman (ts), Billy Bauer (g), Hank Jones (p), Milton Hinton (b), Gus Johnson (d)

REFERENCE: BMCD 818

http://www.freshsoundrecords.com/

Presented in DIGIPACK
For the First Time on CD
Original Stereophonic Recordings
Newly Remastered in 24-Bit HQ Sound

The idea of this album was one often found in jazz: the pairing of outstanding soloists on the same horn, with an eye on the competitive atmosphere thus created. In this case the chosen musicians were brassmen Cootie Williams and Rex Stewart, who had been partners in the bands of Fletcher Henderson and Duke Ellington.

Although co-leaders, they had paired alongside them some of the greatest swingers in the history of jazz, including tenor saxists Coleman Hawkins, a particular idol of Cootie’s, and Bud Freeman, and trombonists Lawrence Brown and J.C. Higginbotham.

Hawk’s art, in particular, went beyond schools, eras, and style; his elegant simplicity and his stark, monolithic, dominating sound are among the high points of the entire album. For the record, Cootie’s plea to “don’t just put us in the studio and tell everybody to blow, please,” was met by assigning the arranging chores to Ernie Wilkins and Joe Thomas.

The results were brilliant, simultaneously redolent of an era of mainstream jazz, yet also sounding as freshly minted as the day they were made.

Tracklisting:

01. I'M BEGINNING TO SEE THE LIGHT (Ellington) 6:06
02. DO NOTHIN' TILL YA HEAR FROM ME (Ellington) 4:07
03. ALPHONSE AND GASTON (Wilkins) 8:29
04. I GOT A RIGHT TO SING THE BLUES (Arlen) 4:09
05. WALKIN' MY BABY BACK HOME (Ahlert) 4:42
06. WHEN YOUR LOVER HAS GONE (Swan) 5:08
07. I KNEW YOU WHEN (Stewart) 4:42 (*) Alternate

Original sources:

Tracks #1-6 were originally issued on Jazztone as
"Cootie and Rex In The Big Challenge" (J 1268).

Later reissued on Urania Records as
"Jazz at Stereoville" (USD 2004).

Personnel on all tracks:

Cootie Williams (tp), Rex Stewart (cnt), Lawrence Brown, J.C. Higginbotham (tb), Coleman Hawkins, Bud Freeman (ts), Billy Bauer (g), Hank Jones (p), Milton Hinton (b), and Gus Johnson (d).

Recorded in New York City, April 30 (#1, 2 & 3),
and May 6 (#4, 5, 6 & 7), 1957.

"The Big Challenge" was produced especially
for Jazztone Society by George T. Simon.

Recording engineer: Ernie Oelrich

Photos by Kal Weyner.

Produced for CD release: Jordi Pujol

Stereo 24-Bit Digitally Remastered

------------------------------------------------------

Additional note:

Under the supervision of jazz writer and producer George T. Simon, this album was recorded and originally issued on LP in highfidelity mono on the Jazztone label as Cootie and Rex in the Big Challenge, and later in stereo on Urania Records under the title Jazz at Stereoville.

This date was conceived for stereo by noted jazz producer George T. Simon. The idea was to have three top soloists on one channel fighting three other soloists on the other channel—locking horns, as it were. Underneath, the indispensable keystone of all jazz great—a solid, swinging rhythm section.
blue line

FELSTED BOX SET THE ORIGINAL BOX

2011-09-15T21:02:00.001+02:00

The Complete Stanley Dance Felsted 'mainstream Jazz' Recordings 1958-1959 (9-cd Box Set)
Various Artists
Featuring: Rex Stewart, Earl Hines-Cozy Cole, Buster Bailey, Buddy Tate, Coleman Hawkins, Dicky Wells, Budd Johnson, Billy Strayhorn, Dicky Wells

REFERENCE: FSRCD 661_9
http://www.freshsoundrecords.com/

9-CD DeLuxe Box Set · 44-Page Booklet

Facsimile Edition · STEREO
24 Bit Digitally Remastered

Stanley Dance, the noted jazz critic, writer and producer came to the United States in 1958 to organize the sessions in this set for an affiliate of London Records (Felsted). He had been sponsored in this project by Sir Edward Lewis, the head of British Decca.

The result were nine legendary albums recorded in 1958 and 1959, and designed primarily for the European market under the generic name “Mainstream Jazz” —a description Dance is credited with coining.

This set brings together the complete Felsted recordings on 9 CDs, each of them a replica of the original LPs. It constitutes a wonderful jazz panorama of the mainstream style, with sessions led by outstanding jazzmen who had fine-turned their craft,and with a 44-page booklet attractively illustrated with photographs by Mike Youngman, all made even more enjoyable by Mr. Dance’s comprehensive notes.

Tracklisting:

Volume 1 - Rex Stewart

01. Tillie’s Twist (Stewart-Edwin) 4:39
02. Pretty Ditty (Stewart-Cary) 6:26
03. Tell Me More (Stewart-Edwin) 8:28
04. Trade Winds (Stewart-Cary) 7:22
05. My Kind of Gal (Stewart-Goodman) 5:11
06. Blue Echo (Stewart-Cary) 7:41

Originally issued as Felsted SJA 2001
"Rendezvous With Rex"

Volume 2 - Earl Hines / Cozy Cole

01. Brussels’ Hustle (Hines) 7:59
02. Oooh! (Hines) 5:03
03. Backroom at the Villa d’Este (Hines) 6:49
04. Caravan (Tizol-Ellington) 9:58
05. Phatz’ Blues (Morris-Thompson) 5:16
06. Margie (Davis-Conrad-Robinson) 4:26

Originally issued as Felsted SJA 2002
"Earl's Backroom And Cozy's Caravan"

Volume 3 - Buster Bailey

01. Bear Wallow (Bailey-Vance) 7:22
02. Hatton Avenue & Gayoso Street (Bailey-Vance) 4:08
03. Sunday Parade (Bailey-Vance) 5:31
04. Beale Street Blues (Handy) 4:08
05. Memphis Blues (Handy) 2:36
06. Chickasaw Bluff (Bailey) 6:08
07. Hot Water Bayou (Bailey) 4:22

Originally issued as Felsted SJA 2003
"All About Memphis"

Volume 4 - Buddy Tate

01. Bottle It (Hall) 6:00
02. Walk That Walk (Wells) 8:32
03. Miss Sadie Brown (Robinson) 5:57
04. Moon Eyes (Tate) 7:38
05. Rockin’ Steve (Clayton) 7:00
06. Rompin’ with Buck (Tate) 5:22

Originally issued as Felsted SJA 2004
"Swinging Like... Tate!"

Volume 5 - Coleman Hawkins

01. Bird of Prey Blues (Hawkins) 11:13
02. My One and Only Love (Mellin-Wood) 7:21
03. Vignette (Jones) 4:25
04. Ooh-Wee Miss G.P.! (Hawkins) 3:55
05. You’ve Changed (Carey-Fischer) 7:39
06. Get Set (Jones) 4:53

Originally issued as Felsted SJA 2005
"The High And Mighty Hawk"

Volume 6 - Dicky Wells

01. Bones for the King (Wells) 6:36
Dedicated to the late Tommy Dorsey
02. Sweet Daddy Spo-de-o (Wells) 7:26
03. You Took My Heart (Hall) 6:01
04. Hello Smack! (Tate) 6:20
Dedicated to the late Fletcher Henderson
05. Come and Get It (Wells) 8:04
06. Stan’s Dance (Clayton) 6:35

Originally issued as Felsted SJA 2006
"Bones for the King"

Volume 7 - Budd Johnson

01. Foggy Nights (Johnson) 5:37
02. Leave Room in Your Heart for Me
(Johnson-Dobson) 7:16
03. Destination Blues (Johnson) 5:19
04. À La Mode (Johnson) 7:31
05. Used Blues (Johnson) 7:05
06. Blues by Five (Johnson) 6:06
Bonus Track:
07. Foggy Nights (Johnson) 5:54 (Mono Version)

Originally issued as Felsted SJA 2007
"Blues à la Mode"

Volume 8 - Billy Strayhorn

01. Cue’s Blue Now (Hodges-Strayhorn) 10:03
02. Gone with the Wind (Magidson-Wrubel) 4:16
03. Cherry (Redman-Gilbert) 5:51
04. Watch Your Cue (Hodges-Strayhorn) 3:07
05. You Brought a New Kind of Love to Me
(Fain-Kahal-Norman) 7:20
06. When I Dream of You (Hines-Carpenter) 3:31
07. Rose Room (Williams-Hickman) 6:02

Originally issued as Felsted SJA 2008
"Cue for Saxophone"

Volume 9 - Dicky Wells

01. Blue Moon (Rodgers) 3:38
02. Air Lift (Hall) 6:32
03. It’s All Over Now (White) 3:55
04. Wine-O Junction (Wells) 5:29
05. Heavy Duty (Wells) 6:31
06. Short,Tall, Fat, Small (Wells) 6:24
07. Girl Hunt (Wells) 6:20

Originally issued as Felsted SJA 2009
"Trombone Four-in-Hand"

Personnel on CD 1:

Tracks #1,3,5: Rex Stewart (cnt, vcl on #5), George Stevenson (tb), Haywood Henry (cl, bs), George Kelly (ts), Willie 'The Lion' Smith (p on #1 & 3), Dick Cary (p on #5), Leonard Gaskin (b), Arthur Trappier (d).

Recorded in New York City, on January 28, 1958.

Tracks #2,4,6: Rex Stewart (cnt), Hilton Jefferson (as, cl), Garvin Bushell (bassoon, cl), Dick Cary (p), Everett Barksdale (g), Joe Benjamin (b), Mickey Sheen (d).

Recorded in New York City, on January 31, 1958.

Personnel on CD 2:

Tracks #1-3: Earl Hines Quartet
Curtis Lowe (ts, bs), Earl Hines (p), Charles Oden (b), Earl Watkins(d).

Recorded in San Francisco, on February 3, 1958.

Tracks #4-6: Cozy Cole Septet
Lou Jones (tp), Walter 'Phatz' Morris (tb, hmca on #5), Boe McCain (ts), Reuben Jay 'June' Cole (p), Dickie Thompson (g, vcl), Peter Compo (b), Cozy Cole (d).

Recorded in New York City, on February 7, 1958.

Personnel on CD 3:

Tracks #1,3,6: The Septet
Herman Autrey (tp), Buster Bailey (cl), Vic Dickenson (tb), Hilton Jefferson (as), Red Richards (p), Gene Ramey (b), Jimmy Crawford (d).

Recorded in New York City, on February 27, 1958.

Tracks #2,4,5,7: The Quartet
Buster Bailey (cl), Red Richards (p), Gene Ramey (b), Jimmy Crawford (d).

Recorded in New York City, on February 13, 1958.

Personnel on CD 4:

Tracks #1-3: Pat Jenkins (tp), Eli Robinson (tb), Ben Richardson (as, cl), Buddy Tate (ts, cl), Skip Hall (p), Evrett Barksdale (g), Joe Benjamin (b), Herbie Lovelle (d). The Strollers [Jenkins, Richardson, Robinson & Tate] (vcl on #2).

Recorded in New York City, on February 26, 1958.

Tracks #4-6: Buck Clayton (tp), Dicky Wells (tb), Earl Warren (as, bs), Buddy Tate (ts), Skip Hall (p), Lord Westbrook (g), Aaron Bell (b), Jo Jones (d).

Recorded in New York City, on February 12, 1958.

Personnel on CD 5:

Buck Clayton (tp), Coleman Hawkins (ts), Hank Jones (p), Ray Brown (b), Mickey Sheen (d).

Recorded in New York City, February 18 & 19, 1958.

Personnel on CD 6:

Tracks #1-3: Dicky Wells, Vic Dickenson, Benny Morton & George Matthews (tb), Skip Hall (p), Major Holley (b), Jo Jones (d).

Recorded in New York City, on February 3, 1958.

Tracks #4-6: Buck Clayton (tp), Dicky Wells (tb), Rudy Rutherford (cl, bs), Buddy Tate (ts, bs), Skip Hall (p), Everett Barksdale (g), Major Holley (b), Jo Jones (d).

Recorded in New York City, on February 4, 1958.

Personnel on CD 7:

Tracks #1,3,5,7: The Septet
Charlie Savers (ts), Vic Dickenson (tb), Budd Johnson (ts), Al Sears (bs), Bert Keyes (p, org), Joe Benjamin (b), Jo Jones (d).

Recorded in New York City, on February 11, 1958.

Tracks #2,4,6: The Quintet
Charlie Savers (ts), Budd Johnson (ts), Ray Bryant (p), Joe Benjamin (b), Jo Jones (d).

Recorded in New York City, on February 14, 1958.

Personnel on CD 8:

Harold 'Shorty' Baker (tp), Quentin Jackson (tb, except on #6), Russell Procope (cl, except on #6), Johnny Hodges [Originally credited as Cue Porter] (as), Billy Strayhorn (p), Al Hall (b), Oliver Jackson (d).

Recorded in New York City, on April 14, 1959.

Personnel on CD 9:

Tracks #1-4: Dicky Wells, Vic Dickenson, Benny Morton & George Matthews (tb), Skip Hall (p, org), Kenny Burrell (g), Everett Barksdale (b), Herbie Lovelle (d).

Recorded in New York City, on April 21, 1959.

Tracks #5-7: Same personnel except Kenny Burrell out, Everett Barksdale (g, el-b on #5), Major Holley (b). Wells & Dickenson (vcl on #6).

Recorded in New York City, probably on April 22, 1959.

Original recordings produced by Stanley Dance.
Liner notes by Stanley Dance.
Photography by Mike Youngman.

Produced by Jordi Pujol.

Stereo 24-Bit Digitally Remastered

---------------------------------------------------------

Note: The additional notes on each album were written by Stanley Dance during the 70's for the American label MJR (Master Jazz Recordngs). Two of the albums do not include them because they were not reissued at the time.

This CD-box set is dedicated to the memory of Stanley Dance.

COLEMAN HAWKINS

2011-09-15T20:57:00.000+02:00

Coleman Hawkins & Tommy Flanagan (3 Lps On 2 Cds)
Coleman Hawkins & Tommy Flanagan
Featuring: Joe Thomas (tp), Vic Dickenson (tb), Coleman Hawkins, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis (ts), Tommy Flanagan (p), Wendell Marshall, Ron Carter (b), Osie Johnson, Gus Johnson (d)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 659_2

In 1960, the year these recordings were made, Hawk was in his mid ‘50s and still at the height of his creative powers. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he was not out of fashion. Younger musicians did not merely respect him as a great historic figure: their admiration was open and active. They went to hear him play, and they played with him. As a musician and as a man, he seemed unmarked by any “generation gap.”

When he played, what came out was timeless music in rich, full-bodied phrases. His imagination was as fecund as ever, his control as strong, his hands as sure. On these three albums, made with some of the finest musicians of the swing, bop and mainstream eras – including the gilt-edged piano of the late, great Tommy Flanagan, an ever-present on all these sessions - he showed yet again he remained a master able to work well within any framework. And still the boss tenor of jazz.

Tracklisting:

CD 1
01. You Blew Out the Flame in My Heart
02. I’m Beginning to See the Light
03. More Bounce to the Vonce
04. Cool Blue
05. Some Stretching
06. Trouble Is a Man
07. While We’re Young
08. Then I’ll Be Tired of You
09. Poor Butterfly

CD 2
01. For You, for Me, for Evermore
02. At Dawning
03. I’ll Get By (As Long As I Have You)
04. Mighty Lak’ a Rose
05. Pedalin’
06. There Is No Greater Love
07. Don’t Take Your Love from Me
08. In a Mellow Tone
09. Night Hawk
10. Lover (*) Bonus Track

Sources CD 1:

Tracks #1-5 from the Prestige/Swingville album
"Coleman Hawkins All Stars" (SVLP2005).

Tracks #6-9 from the Prestige/Moodsville album
"At Ease with Coleman Hawkins" (MVLP7).

Sources CD 2:

Tracks #1-4 from the Prestige/Moodsville album
"At Ease with Coleman Hawkins" (MVLP7).

Tracks #5-9 from the Prestige/Swingville album
"Coleman Hawkins with Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis: Night Hawk"
(SVLP2016).

Track #10 from the Prestige album
"Coleman Hawkins - Night Hawk" (PR7671).

Personnel on CD 1:

Joe Thomas (tp except on #6-9), Vic Dickenson (tb except on #6-9), Coleman Hawkins (ts), Tommy Flanagan (p), Wendell Marshall (b), Osie Johnson (d, tambourine on #3).

Recorded in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., January 8 (#1-5) & 29 (#6-9), 1960.

Personnel on CD 2:

Tracks #1-4 Coleman Hawkins (ts), Tommy Flanagan (p), Wendell Marshall (b), Osie Johnson (d, tambourine on #3)

Tracks #5-10 Coleman Hawkins and Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis (ts), Tommy Flanagan (p), Ron Carter (b), Gus Johnson (d).

Recorded in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., January 29 (#1-4); and December 30 (#5-10), 1960.

Original recordings produced by Esmond Edwards.

This compilation produced by Jordi Pujol.

Stereo 24-Bit Digitally Remastered

RED GARLAND RAY BRYANT

2011-09-15T20:56:00.000+02:00

Alone - Blues & Ballads (3 Lps On 2 Cds)
Red Garland / Ray Bryant
Featuring: Red Garland / Ray Bryant (piano solo)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 658_2

Red Garland and Ray Bryant display their ability and good taste exploring a selection of ballads, blues, standards and originals. Despite their different styles, both pianists deliver, in their respective ways, a moving experience.

The incredibly tasteful Garland’s discerning touch, phrasing and innately melodic sense make his playing a constant joy and show why Miles Davis hired him for his first great quintet.

Where the Ray Bryant session is concerned, the blues take over from the first dark, rolling figure that opens the date. The result is a multi-faceted, happy, dolorous, impish, whimsical blues outing played by an interpreter steeped in the genre, a set that gives full rein to Bryant to express his soul.

Tracklisting:

CD 1
01. In the Evening
(When the Sun Goes Down) (Carr) 5:24
02. These Foolish Things (Remember Me of You)
(Link-Strachey-Marvell) 5:06
03. Chains of Love (Wells-Ertegun) 5:59
04. The Nearness of You
(Carmichael-Washington) 5:02
05. Wee Baby Blues (Johnson-Turner) 6:56
06. When Your Lover Has Gone (Swan) 6:42
07. Blues in the Closet (Pettiford) 4:20
08. You Are Too Beautiful (Rodgers-Hart) 4:42
09. Trane’s Blues (Coltrane) 5:49
10. When I Fall In Love (Young-Heyman) 5:06
11. Cloud (williams) 4:49
12. Tired (Roberts-Fisher) 6:35

CD 2
01. I Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good)
(Ellington-Webster) 7:06
02. My Last Affair (Johnson) 3:36
03. Sent for You Yesterday (And Here You Come Today)
(Basie-Durham-Rushing) 5:06
04. Nancy (With the Laughing Face)
(Silvers-Van Heusen) 5:22
05. Me and the Blues (Blues No.1) (Bryant) 5:01
06. Rockin’ Chair (Carmichael) 5:17
07. Lover Man (Oh, Where Can You Be?)
(Davis-Ramirez-Sherman) 3:53
08. Joy (Blues No.2) (Bryant) 4:00
09. Blues No.3 (Bryant) 7:16
10. Stocking Feet (Blues No.4) (Bryant) 4:49
11. My Blues (Blues No.5) (Bryant) 7:43
12. Greensleeves (Traditional) 2:25 (*) Bonus Track
13. Ill Wind (Koehler-Arlen) 3:12 (*) Bonus Track

Sources CD 1:

Tracks #2,4,6,8 & 10 from the Moodsville LP
"Red Garland: Red Alone" (MVLP3).

Tracks #1,3,5,7,9,11 & 12 from the Moodsville LP
"Red Garland: Alone With The Blues" (MVLP10).

Sources CD 2:

Tracks #1,2 & 4 from the Moodsville LP
"Red Garland: Red Alone" (MVLP3).

Track #3 from the Moodsville LP
"Red Garland: Alone With The Blues" (MVLP10).

Tracks #5-11 from the New Jazz album
"Ray Bryant: Alone With The Blues" (NJ-8213).

Track #12 from the Columbia LP "Little Susie" (CS-8244).

Track #13 from the Columbia LP "Con Alma" (CS-8433).

Personnel on CD 1:

Red Garland, piano solo.

Recorded at Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, on April 2, 1960.

Personnel on CD 2:

Red Garland, piano solo (#1-4)

Recorded at Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, on April 2, 1960.

Ray Bryant, piano solo (#5-13)

Same location as #1-4, recorded on December 19, 1958.

Bonus tracks:

Ray Bryant, piano solo

Recorded in New York City, January 19 (#12), 1960; and January 26 (#13), 1961.

Original recordings produced by Esmond Edwards.

This compilation produced by Jordi Pujol.

24-Bit Digitally Remastered

---------------------------------------------------------

Additional notes:

At the end of the 2nd CD we have included 'Greensleeves' and 'Ill Wind,' two piano solo tunes recorded by Ray Bryant for the LPs “Little Susie” & “Con Alma” on January 19, 1960 and December 5, 1960 respectively. The remaining trio tunes are included on the CD “The Ray Bryant Trio ‘Con Alma’ & ‘Little Susie’” (FSRCD 657).

RAY BRYANT

2011-09-15T20:54:00.000+02:00

Con Alma & Little Susie (2 Lps On 1 Cd)
Ray Bryant Trio
Featuring: Ray Bryant (p), Bill Lee, Arthur Harper, Tommy Bryant (b), Mickey Roker, Eddie Locke, Gus Johnson (d)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 657

Ray Bryant (1931-2011) was a superb, consummately talented and thoroughly accomplished pianist whose talents were honed by performing in all kinds of places and situations with all kinds of players.

Unusual for a pianist who emerged during the bop era, he had a two-handed, orchestral approach to the piano and his career soon reached one of its early peaks with “Con Alma,” a trio album that confirmed his all-round skills. On it, everything he does is pointed and considered: his solos have a sense of continuity and climax and, unlike many of his contemporaries he can and does use the full resources of the instrument.

It is paired with “Little Susie,” another delightful trio album, solidly in the best tradition of jazz piano at the time, swinging, melodic and filled with joie de vivre. There are undeniable influences in his work, particularly a more earthy Teddy Wilson, and a compendium of many major leaguers up to his contemporaries. But he was also recognisably his own man, with a touch that was more emphatic than the older pianists of his style, yet also more refined than younger exponents.

Both albums catch the essence of what made Ray Bryant such an outstanding young jazz pianist.

Tracklisting:

01. Con Alma (Gillespie-Fuller) 6:56
02. C Jam Blues (Ellington) 4:23
03. Nuts and Bolts (Bryant) 3:05
04. Cubano Chant (Bryant) 4:23
05. 'Round Midnight (Monk-hanighen-Williams) 3:52
06. Autumn Leaves (Kosma-Mercer) 5:23
07. Milestones (Davis) 4:11
08. Django (Lewis) 5:38 (*) Bonus Track
09. Little Susie (Bryant) 4:42
10. By Myself (Schwartz-Dietz) 3:19
11. Blues for Norine (Bryant) 4:34
12. Misty (Garner) 4:02
13. Moon-Faced, Starry-Eyed (Weill-Hughes) 3:24
14. Big Buddy (Bryant) 5:33
15. Willow Weep for Me (Ronell) 5:09
16. So In Love (Porter) 5:36
17. If I Can Just Make It (Bryant) 2:11

Total time: 77:00 min. aprox.

Original sources:

Tracks #1-7 from the Columbia album
"Con Alma" (CS-8433).

Track #8 is a bonus track unissued on the original LP.

Tracks #9-17 from the Columbia album
"Little Susie" (CS-8244).

Personnel on "Con Alma":

Ray Bryant (p), Bill Lee (b on #1-6), Arthur Harper (b on #7-8),
and Mickey Roker (d).

Recorded in New York City, December 5 (#1-6),
December 7 (#7-8), 1960.

Personnel on "Little Susie":

Ray Bryant (p), Tommy Bryant (b), Gus Johnson (d on #9-12), and Eddie Locke (d on #13-17).

Recorded in New York City, December 10 (#9-12), 1959, and January 19 (#13-17), 1960.

Original recordings produced by John Hammond.

This CD release produced by Jordi Pujol

Stereo 24-Bit Digitally Remastered

---------------------------------------------------------

Additional notes:

1) We have excluded Ray Bryant’s piano solo tunes 'Greensleeves' and 'Ill Wind' from this release of the “Little Susie” & “Con Alma” albums, because they did not fit on a single CD. Bryant recorded them in New York City on January 19, 1960 and December 5, 1960 respectively, and they are included on the double CD “Red Garland / Ray Bryant – Alone - Blues & Ballads” (FSRCD 658).

2) Some sources state that the album "Con Alma" was recorded on different dates. We have chosen to keep the ones that appeared on the back cover of the original LP.

COUNT BASIE JOE WILLIAMS

2011-09-15T20:52:00.000+02:00

Count Basie Swings & Joe Williams Sings (2 Lps On 1 Cd)
Joe Williams / Count Basie
Featuring: Joe Williams (vcl), Thad Jones, Joe Newman (tp), Benny Powell (tb), Marshall Royal, Frank Wess, Frank Foster, Charlie Fowlkes (saxes), Count Basie (p), Freddie Green (g), Eddie Jones (b), Sonny Payne (d). Ernie Willkins, Frank Foster & Buddy Bregman (arr)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 655

Although the musical art of the early-50s Count Basie band had been widely appreciated by jazz fans and musicians even before Joe Williams joined on the Christmas Day, 1954, his arrival as the band’s vocalist put the final seal on public approval. It was a marriage made in heaven. From the first day, he won over both jazz fans and r&b audiences with his laconic, deadpan delivery and earthy, beat-rich blues declamatory style.

What Joe Williams—Down Beat’s New Star of the Year—brought to the Basie band was a link to the people, a vocal bridge over which they could join themselves to the band. What Basie got in Williams was not the best blues singer of the age, nor the best ballad singer of the year, but a man who was adapted to the peculiarly complex Basie sound. It took that firmness, that strength of Williams and his qualities as a preacher, to give the band the extra excitement needed to complete the package.

The blues were wailing and swinging and shouting night after night, and the riffs and figures echoed wordless phrases in response to the singer’s full-bodied vocal belting. Williams backed by the Basie band was a magical combination.

Tracklisting:

01. Every Day I Have the Blues
02. The Comeback
03. Alright, OK, You Win
04. In the Evening, When the Sun Goes Down
05. Teach Me Tonight
06. Please Send Me Someone to Love
07. My Baby Upsets Me
08. Every Day I Fall In Love
09. Roll ‘Em Pete
10. As I Love You
11. Stop! Don’t!
12. I’m Beginning to See the Light
13. Our Love Is Here to Stay
14. A Fine Romance
15. Nevertheless
16. Singin’ in the Rain
17. There Will Never Be Another You
18. My Baby Just Cares for Me
19. 'S Wonderful
20. This Can’t Be Love
21. Come Rain or Come Shine
22. I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love with Me
23. Thou Swell
24. I’m Beginning to See the Light -Alternate take

Total time: 78:00 min. aprox

Original sources:

Tracks #1-9 from the Clef 12" album
"Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings" (678 mono).

Tracks #10-11 from the Verve 7" single MGV-2004.

Tracks #12-23 from the Verve 12" album
"The Greatest!! Count Basie Plays, Joe Williams
Sings Standards" (SW-90558 stereo).

Track #24 is an alternate take.

Personnel on all tracks:

Count Basie & His Orchestra with Joe Williams
Reunald Jones, Wendell Culley, Thad Jones, Joe Newman (tp), Bill Hughes, Henry Coker, Benny Powell (tb), Marshall Royal (as, cl), Bill Graham (as), Frank Wess (as, ts, fl), Frank Foster (ts, arr), Charlie Fowlkes (bs, b-cl), Count Basie (p), Freddie Green (g), Eddie Jones (b), and Sonny Payne (d).

Arrangements by Ernie Wilkins (#1,5), Frank Foster (#2,3,4,6,7,8,9), and Buddy Bregman (#12-24).

Recording locations:

Fine Studios, New York City, May 17 (#1-4);
July 26 (#5-9), 1955.

Universal Recordings Group, Chicago, January 23
(#10-11), 1956.

Capitol Studios, Los Angeles, April 28 (#12-17 & 24);
May 1 (#18-23), 1956.

All sessions originally produced by Norman Granz.

Reissue produced by Jordi Pujol and "Beethoven" Jean-Michel Reisser.

Mono / Stereo 24-Bit Digitally Remastered

HERBIE MANN

2011-09-15T20:50:00.002+02:00

African Suite + Flute, Brass, Vibes And Percussion (2 Lps On 1 Cd)
Herbie Mann
Featuring: Herbie Mann (fl, b-cl), Johnny Rae (vib), Bob Corwin (p), 'Knobby' Totah (b), Philly Joe Jones, Rudy Collins (d), Ray Barretto, Carlos “Patato” Valdés, Victor Pantoja, Ray Mantilla, Jose Mangual (perc). Plus 'Doc' Cheatham, Siggy Schatz, Leo Ball (tp)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 654

Herbie Mann was one of the most forthright, rhythmically acute and culturally receptive of jazz flute players, virtues amply demonstrated on the two albums, African Suite and Flute, Brass, Vibes & Percussion, collected here.

They were made when, inspired by a stint with Machito’s Afro-Cuban orchestra in 1958, he decided to form his own small-combo using some of the same basic rhythmic concepts and opened with the new group in June 1959 at New York’s Basin Street East club. The move established Mann as the leading exponent of jazz played with African percussion instruments added to the rhythm section, a position underlined by his passionate playing and consistent musical perception on these two albums.

Although vibraphonist Johnny Rae is exhilarating throughout both, at the music’s core remains the wonderfully exciting rhythmic interplay between the congas, bongos and drums. With this combination of ingredients Mann created a signature style for himself for a time, one which appealed not only to jazz audiences, but whose accessibility also appealed to audiences not normally receptive to jazz.

Tracklisting:

01. St. Thomas (Rollins) 8:02
02. Jungle Fantasy (Morales) 7:54
03. Sorimao (Mann) 5:24
African Suite (Mann)
04. Bedouin – Part I 4:46
05. Sudan – Part II 3:53
06. Ekunda – Part III 3:11
07. Guinean – Part IV 4:23
08. Dearly Beloved (Kern-Mercer) 4:39
09. You Stepped Out of a Dream (Brown-Kahn) 6:36
10. I'll Remember April (Raye-DePaul-Johnson) 8:32
11. A Ritual (Mann) 7:30
12. Fife 'n Tambourie Corps (Mann) 2:02
13. Autumn Leaves (Prevert-Kosma-Mercer) 9:51

Total time: 77:00 min. aprox.

Original sources:

Tracks #1-7 from the United Artists 12" LP
"Herbie Mann's African Suite" (UAS 5042).

Tracks #8-13 from the Verve 12" album
"Flute, Brass, Vibes and Percussion" (V6-8392).

Personnel on "African Suite":

Herbie Mann's Afro-Jazz Sextet
Herbie Mann (fl, b-cl), Johnny Rae (vib), Bob Corwin (p), Jack Six (b), Philly Joe Jones (d on #1-3), Carlos “Patato” Valdés, Victor Pantoja (conga), José Mangual (bongo).

Recorded in New York City, 1959.

Personnel on "Flute, Brass, Vibes and Percussion":

The Herbie Mann Nonet
Herbie Mann (fl, b-cl), Johnny Rae (vib), Nabil “Knobby” Totah (b), Rudy Collins (d), Ray Mantilla (conga, d), Ray Barretto (bongos except on #8 and #12).
Plus trumpet section: “Doc” Cheatham, Siggy Schatz, Jerome Kail and Leo Ball.

Recorded in New York City, 1959.

Original recordings produced by Tom Wilson (#1-7)
and Leonard Feather (#8-13).

Produced for CD release by Jordi Pujol.

Stereo 24-Bit Digitally Remastered

ERNIE HENRY

2011-09-15T20:49:00.000+02:00

The Last Sessions (2 Lps On 1 Cd)
Ernie Henry
Featuring: Lee Morgan (tp), Melba Liston (tb), Ernie Henry (as), Benny Golson (ts), Cecil Payne (bs), Wynton Kelly (p), Paul Chambers, Wilbur Ware (b), Philly Joe Jones (d)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 653

The great bop trumpeter, Fats Navarro, used to tell his friends that the ill-starred Ernie Henry was the only other altoist beside Bird who had something different, something very much worth having. Born in Brooklyn in 1926, Henry took up violin at eight and alto at twelve and was discovered by Tadd Dameron, who asked him to join his band at the Famous Door in 1947.

He left Dameron after a year to play with Fats Navarro, Dizzy Gillespie’s big band and the groups of Charlie Ventura, Max Roach, Georgie Auld and Kenny Dorham. During his later, second stint in Gillespie’s band (1956-57) his work was brilliant, often spectacular. It wasn’t to last. His life was suddenly cut short on December 29, 1957, after Gillespie’s band finished its Saturday night stint at Sugar Hill on Newark, NJ.

Before his death he had been playing in and around New York, appearing for a while with the Charlie Mingus group and proving himself to be an altoist of exceptional promise. On these, his final recording sessions, he was clearly on the verge of finding himself musically.

Tracklisting:

01. Beauty and the Blues (Golson) 6:24
02. Autumn Leaves (Prevert-Kosma -Arr. B.Golson) 3:11
03. Melba’s Tune (Liston) 2:37
04. Stablemates (Golson) 4:28
05. All the Things You Are (Kern-Hammerstein) 7:44
06. I Get a Kick Out of You (Porter) 4:34
07. My Ideal (Chase-Whiting) 2:41
08. I’ve Got the World on a String
(Arlen-Koehler) 6:28
09. Sweet Lorraine (Burwell-Parish) 4:57
10. Soon (G. & I. Gershwin) 5:56
11. Lover Man (Davis-Sherman-Ramirez) 2:38
12. Specific Gravity (Henry) 6:34
13. Like Someone In Love (Burke-Van Heusen) 5:13
14. Like Someone In Love (Burke-Van Heusen) 4:36 (*) Alternate Take

Total time: 68:00 min. aprox.

Original sources:

Tracks #1-3,5,14 from the Riverside album
"Ernie Henry - Last Chorus" (RLP 12-266).

Tracks #6-13 from the Riverside album
"Seven Standards and A Blues" (RLP 12-248).

Personnel:

Ernie Henry Octet (#1-4)
Lee Morgan (tp), Melba Liston (tb), Ernie Henry (as), Benny Golson (ts), Cecil Payne (bs), Wynton Kelly (p), Paul Chambers (b), Philly Joe Jones (d).

Ernie Henry Quintet (#5)
Lee Morgan (tp), Ernie Henry (as), Wynton Kelly (p), Paul Chambers (b), Philly Joe Jones (d).

Ernie Henry Quartet (#6-14)
Ernie Henry (as), Wynton Kelly (p), Wilbur Ware (b), Philly Joe Jones (d).

Rrcorded at Reeves Sound Studios, New York City, on September 23 (#1-5) & 30 (#6-14), 1957.

Original recordings produced by Orrin Keepnews.

This CD release produced by Jordi Pujol.

24-Bit Digitally Remastered

---------------------------------------------------------

Additional notes:

The original Riverside LP “Ernie Henry: Last Chorus,” was produced shortly after Ernie Henry’s dead. This album was specially rewarding because it featured an unreleased octet session Henry had recorded as a leader, and which has been fully compiled for the first time on this CD—including the tune, “Stablemates”, from the same session but never issued on LP. The rest of the LP was filled with miscellaneous material coming from other albums, which with the exception of an alternate take of “Like Someone In Love,” are not part of this CD. The detailed explanation of each tune not included here, is in the original liner notes included in the booklet.

Track #4: Original Jazz Classics added this version as a bonus track on their CD release (OJCCD1792-2) of the classic Riverside 12" LP "Philly Joe Jones - Drums around the World" (RLP 12-302), thinking it was an alternate take of the same tune, included on te original album. The truth is it was an unreleased track from the Ernie Henry September 23, 1957 session.

ERNIE HENRY

2011-09-15T20:47:00.002+02:00

Presenting Ernie Henry With Kenny Dorham (2 Lps On 1 Cd)
Ernie Henry
Featuring: Kenny Dorham (tp), Ernie Henry (as), Kenny Drew (p), Wilbur Ware, Eddie Mathias (b), Art Taylor, Granville T. Hogan (d)

REFERENCE: FSRCD 652

By 1956 the trumpet of Kenny Dorham was recognized as one of the most exciting and swinging; he had become one of the key voices in modern jazz. He had gone through the years from his first prominence in the Hampton, Eckstine, and Gillespie bands, to the Charlie Parker and Art Blakey groups always respected and admired, but never winning any polls and never going out after individual fame as a leader.

In this recordings he introduced his friend Ernie Henry, a gifted alto player and jazz writer, with a firm command of his instrument, a fresh sound, and more than his share of legitimately new ideas.

He had been a part of the bop scene of the late 1940s, and had appeared on records with Tadd Dameron, Fats Navarro, and Howard McGhee. His moment had arrived: he was fully ready to be heard and enjoyed by as many as would give themselves that privilege.

That Kenny and Ernie were close transpires in the sound they achieve together. It involves the kind of rapport that not even the best musicians can hope to establish quickly and easily: the fact is that Kenny and Ernie had known each other for a long time and had worked out extensively in the Henry basement, although this was their first opportunity to demonstrate in a recording studio their cohesive playing and thinking.

Tracklisting:

01. Gone with the Wind (Wrubel-Magidson) 3:20
02. Orient (Henry) 5:05
03. Free Flight (Henry) 5:44
04. Checkmate (Henry) 5:50
05. Cleo’s Chant (Henry) 8:19
06. I Should Care (Stordahl-Weston-Cahn) 5:03
07. Active Ingredients (Henry) 4:58
08. Lotus Blossom (Dorham) 5:19
09. Soon (G. & I. Gershwin) 2:53
10. The End of a Love Affair (Redding) 4:21
11. I’ll Be Seeing You (Fain-Kahal) 4:20
12. Noose Bloos (Dorham) 6:32
13. S’posin’ (Denniker-Razaf) 6:10
14. Is It True What They Say About Dixie?
(Caesar-Lerner-Marks) 4:37
15. Jazz-Classic (Dorham) 3:09

Total time: 76:00 min. aprox.

Original sources:

Tracks #1-7 from the 12" Riverside LP
"Presenting Ernie Henry" (RLP 12-222).
Later reissued as Jazzland JP-982

Tracks #8-15 from the Kenny Dorham 12" Riverside
album "2 Horns/2 Rhythm" (RLP 12-255).

Personnel on #1-7:

Ernie Henry Quintet
Kenny Dorham (tp), Ernie Henry (as), Kenny Drew (p), Wilbur Ware (b), and Art Taylor (d).

Recorded in New York City, on August 23 (#1-4) & 30 (#5-7), 1956.

Personnel on #8-15:

Kenny Dorham Quartet
Kenny Dorham (tp, piano only on #9), Ernie Henry (as), Eddie Mathias (b), Wilbur Ware (b on #14-15), and Granville T. Hogan (d).

Recorded at Reeves Sound Studios, New York City, on November 13 (#8-13), and December 2 (#14 & 15), 1957.

Original recordings produced by Orrin Keepnews.

This CD release produced by Jordi Pujol.

24-Bit Digitally Remastered