Lou Donaldson - Birdseed

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1992
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:19
Size: 114,0 MB
Art: Front

(4:36)  1. Cherry
(6:56)  2. Walkin' Again
(6:31)  3. Pennies From Heaven
(8:15)  4. Red Top
(5:48)  5. Blue Bossa
(5:02)  6. Black Door Blues
(5:23)  7. Dorothy
(6:44)  8. Birdseed

Like fellow alto saxophonists Phil Woods, Jackie McLean, Frank Morgan, Ernie Henry, and Sonny Criss, Lou Donaldson started out with a very Charlie Parker-like tone but went on to develop a recognizable sound of his own. Bird's influence never disappeared from Donaldson's playing, although he successfully combined that influence with many ideas of his own. The title Birdseed might lead some to wonder if this 1992 date is a tribute to Parker -- it isn't, and the CD doesn't contain any Parker songs at all. However, that title is Donaldson's way of acknowledging Parker's tremendous contributions. (Producer Orrin Keepnews put it best when he said that there are basically two types of jazz: before and after Charlie Parker). Though the uptempo title song has a very Bird-like melody, it is Donaldson's own ideas that make this album as appealing as it is. From the Johnny Hodges-minded ballad "Dorothy" (written by singer Rudy Nichols) to earthy blues statements on Gene Ammons' "Red Top" and Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson's "Back Door Blues," Birdseed finds Donaldson in fine form at 65. 

The CD's most surprising track is "Pennies From Heaven," which has usually been heard at a fast or medium speed in recent decades but is returned to a ballad tempo by Donaldson (who is joined by organist David Braham, drummer Fukushi Tainaka, percussionist Ralph Dorsey, and the Grant Green-influenced guitarist Peter Bernstein). Produced by Bob Porter, Birdseed falls short of essential but is inspired and swinging. 

~ Alex Henderson https://www.allmusic.com/album/birdseed-mw0000093840

Personnel: Lou Donaldson (alto saxophone); David Braham (organ); Peter Bernstein (guitar); Fukushi Tainaka (drums); Ralph Dorsey (congas).

Birdseed

---

Claire Martin - The Waiting Game

Styles: Vocal Jazz 
Year: 1992
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:28
Size: 117,3 MB
Art: Front

(3:30)  1. You Hit the Spot
(4:45)  2. Be Cool
(5:11)  3. This Funny World
(3:04)  4. Better Than Anything
(3:42)  5. If You Could See Me Now
(4:33)  6. Some Cats Know
(3:09)  7. The Waiting Game
(4:44)  8. It's Always Four a.m.
(4:12)  9. The People That You Never Get To Love
(3:14) 10. Tight
(6:51) 11. Everything Happens To Me
(3:27) 12. The Key To Your Ferrari

One thing Claire Martin won't be accused of is having a conventional or unadventurous repertoire. On the superb The Waiting Game, she delivers an engaging version of Betty Carter's "Tight" and insightfully turns everything from Thomas Dolby's "The Key to Your Ferrari" to Joni Mitchell's "Be Cool" into acoustic jazz. "You Hit the Spot" and "Better than Anything" aren't standards, but the soulfulness Martin brings to these neglected classics indicates that they deserve to be. The unique and distinctive improvisor doesn't avoid standards altogether her heartfelt interpretation of "Everything Happens to Me" being a fine example  but thankfully, she's not one to overemphasize them. Consistently, Martin's singing is as strikingly personal as it is expressive. ~ Alex Henderson https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-waiting-game-mw0000184952

Personnel:  Vocal – Claire Martin;  Bass – Arnie Somogyi;  Drums – Clark Tracey;  Guitar – Jim Mullen;  Piano – Jonathan Gee

The Waiting Game

---

James Spaulding - Escapade

Styles: Saxophone And Flute Jazz
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:15
Size: 133,8 MB
Art: Front

(5:55)  1. Escapade
(6:42)  2. Cheesecake
(5:16)  3. Warm Valley
(5:10)  4. Madeline
(4:50)  5. Just One of Those Things
(6:36)  6. Grant's Tune
(6:47)  7. High Modes
(5:08)  8. The Break Through
(5:27)  9. It Could Happen to You
(6:21) 10. La Mesha

Well-swung standards and compositions of Kenny Dorham, Dexter Gordon, Grant Green and Hank Mobley are tapped for revision. Don Sickler (trumpet/flugelhorn) joins Spaulding for eight of the ten tracks, with the immaculate trio of pianist John Hicks, bassist Ray Drummond and drummer Kenny Washington as support. Spaulding's tart-sweet alto sax has never sounded better, while his pristine flute playing is easily in the top ten of late-'90s jazz performers. The CD is bookended by Dorham's music, the opening title track a flute/flugelhorn traipse through classic Blue Notesville in a light Afro-Cuban beat, the closer "La Mesha" a flute/flugel ballad. Mobley's music comes back to back, as jungle toms and light bluesy swing signify the easy mood of "High Modes," with flute and muted trumpet in unison, while the classic post-bop vehicle "The Breakthrough" has alto and trumpet strutting their stuff and puffing their chests. Gordon's similarly classic bopper "Cheesecake" has Sickler's flugelhorn playing a countermelody vis a vis Spaulding's standard alto line, and they do the same for the hip, churning melody of Grant Green's "Grant's Tune," except that Spaulding changes up on the tenor-led original by using his flute. The three numbers without Sickler are the scorching bop of "Just One of Those Things," the easy bossa beat of Duke Ellington's "Warm Valley," and the ballad treatment, on flute, of the final Mobley piece "Madeline." Spaulding shows a consistency within mainstream parameters, a real sense of teamwork with these worthy session mates, and a willingness to take chances. 

~ Michael G.Nastos https://www.allmusic.com/album/escapade-mw0000603776

Personnel:  James Spaulding (alto saxophone, flute, bass flute);  Don Sickler (trumpet, flugelhorn);  John Hicks (piano);  Ray Drummond (bass);  Kenny Washington (drums)

Escapade

---

Jacky Terrasson - Smile

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:14
Size: 108,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:08)  1. Parisian Thoroughfare
(2:39)  2. Mo Better Blues
(6:54)  3. Smile
(4:05)  4. Sous le ciel de Paris
(3:04)  5. Isn't She Lovely?
(6:05)  6. The Dolphin
(5:45)  7. Nardis
(3:32)  8. Autumn Leaves
(3:15)  9. My Funny Valentine
(6:43) 10. 59

The stream of imaginative energy flows strong and true on Jacky Terrasson’s new recording, simply entitled Smile. The dazzling jazz pianist performs with panache and exuberance, adding his unique touch to a diverse mixture of contemporary and classic standards. The music remains true to Terrasson’s form, as it is somewhat of a return to the trio format of his early acclaimed recordings. His previous release A Paris paid homage to his childhood experiences in France and with more than a half dozen recordings on Blue Note; he continues to develop and grow into a unique pianist. Smile could easily be a case in point for music that expands on the conventional piano trio format. The trio features bassist Sean Smith and drummer Eric Harland on the bulk of the recording, with electric bassist Remi Vignolo on three tracks. The overall mood and tone is playful, unconventional, and free spirited. The recording begins with a trio work-out of “Parisian Thoroughfare,” with Terrasson weaving in and out of the melody with rapid and complex soloing. The next selection is a short but sweet rendition of Bill Lee’s “Mo Better Blues” from filmmaker Spike Lee’s movie of the same name, which is poignant and soulful. Terrasson includes subtle techniques on the title track, “Smile,” such as electric keyboards to enhance the music, but it’s his sheer inventiveness and musicianship that stamps his own signature throughout the recording. The success of this recording also lies in the choice of exceptional sidemen. Eric Harland, who is quickly making a name for himself as a dynamic drummer, once again proves his merit by delivering superb skills that match the complexity and range of the selections. His playing on Stevie Wonder‘s “Isn’t She Lovely”, transforms the ballad into a groove infused performance. Sean Smith‘s acoustic bass is full bodied and robust; as his soloing skill takes the spotlight on the “The Dolphin.” Remi Vignolo’s electric bass work sounds appropriate when used, and contributes potency and depth to the moving composition “Sous Le Ciel De Paris.” Many of these selections represent extensions from Terrasson’s recent live performances. Fortunately this spirit has spilled into the feel of the recording, with its strong sense of fun, spontaneity, and freshness. Willing listeners may find much to smile about here. Recommended. ~ Mark F.Turner https://www.allaboutjazz.com/smile-jacky-terrasson-blue-note-records-review-by-mark-f-turner.php

Personnel: Jacky Terrasson - piano;  Sean Smith - acoustic bass;  Eric Harland - drums;  Remi Vignolo - electric bass

Smile

---

Gerald Wilson - Big Band Modern

Styles: Jazz, Big Band
Year: 1954
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:06
Size: 153,8 MB
Art: Front

( 6:03)  1. Algerian Fantasy
( 2:49)  2. Bull Fighter
( 5:49)  3. Lotus Land
( 2:41)  4. Theme
( 4:19)  5. Mambo Mexicano
( 3:23)  6. Black Rose
( 3:12)  7. Romance
( 2:54)  8. Since We Said Goodbye
( 5:46)  9. Hollywood Freeway
( 4:08) 10. Sea Breeze
( 2:58) 11. Nice Work If You Can Get It
( 4:03) 12. Indiana
( 1:53) 13. It Had to Be You
( 4:29) 14. Out of Nowhere
(12:33) 15. Hollywood Freeway

First time on CD for this ultra-rare album by the Gerald Wilson Orchestra, the only studio session recorded by Wilson under his own name between 1947 and 1961 and features seven bonus tracks. Includes never before heard solos by tenor stars Wardell Gray, Zoot Sims and Stan Getz and one of a kind arrangements by Wilson! 

The bonus tracks are from a 1950 concert recorded in San Francisco which is, without a doubt, an essential addition to Wilson's recorded legacy, and an extremely important discographic discovery. In fact, this concert has never been previously released on any format. It was originally recorded in Stereo, which was a completely new technology in 1950. ~ Editorial Reviews https://www.amazon.com/Big-Band-Modern-Gerald-Wilson/dp/B000FTW2M0

Personnel:  Arranged By, Conductor – Gerald Wilson;  Alto Saxophone – Jerry Dodgion, Sonny Criss, Willie Smith; Baritone Saxophone – Bill Green; Bass – Addison Farmer , Red Callender;  Drums – Gus Gustafson, Lee Young;  Piano – Cedric Haywood, Gerald Wiggins; Tenor Saxophone – Frank Haynes , Paul Gonsalves , Teddy Edwards;  Tenor Saxophone [Guest] – Stan Getz , Wardell Gray, Zoot Sims;  Trombone – Atlee Chapman, Britt Woodman, Henry Coker, Isaac Bell , John Ewing , Melba Liston , Robert Wagner, Trummy Young;  Trumpet – Allen Smith, Clark Terry, Ernie Royal, Gerald Wilson, John Anderson , Louis Grey , Walter Williams

Big Band Modern

---