Scott Robinson - Melody From The Sky

Styles: Saxophone Jazz 
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:34
Size: 166,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:46)  1. Davenport Blues
(3:45)  2. Where Is Love?
(2:59)  3. Just Like A Melody Out Of The Sky
(4:49)  4. Isfahan
(6:35)  5. Yardville
(3:35)  6. I'm Making Believe
(8:27)  7. Saxophone Blues
(3:42)  8. This Is No Laughing Matter
(4:26)  9. Sweet Rhythm
(2:36) 10. The Swan
(5:34) 11. Ups And Downs
(3:54) 12. Count Your Blessing Instead Of Sheep
(3:32) 13. For No Reason At All In C
(2:37) 14. Singin The Blues
(4:42) 15. C Here
(4:27) 16. A Melody From The Sky

Known as a multi-talented/stylistic woodwindist, Robinson concentrates on the C-Melody saxophone for this CD, which makes it not only a rarity, but an event unto itself. He also showcases a four-pitch selection: organ based, string quartet flavored, straight-ahead swing, and guitar-oriented jams with either James Chirillo or Marty Grosz on four cuts apiece. Mark Shane and Larry Ham split keyboard duties, with Lee Hudson or Greg Cohen on bass, and occasionally Cohen plays a bass marimba originally owned by Sun Ra. On the lighter side is the solo laden, easily swung "Davenport Blues," the relaxed quartet take of "This Is No Laughing Matter," the quaint "For No Reason at All," and the old-timey, stride-based title track. With the strings the slowed torch song "Where Is Love?" is short and sweet with no solos, the quartet adds spice without being overbearing during "I'm Making Believe," and turns "Count Your Blessings" into a languid, heartfelt ice melter. Also in a classical/romantic vein is the serene 3/4 Saint Saens piano (Ham)/sax ballet "The Swan." The organ numbers provide the greatest contrast and offer Robinson a challenge to make the sounds mesh; in fact, the keyboard sounds more like a C-3. In this area are the classic ballad "Isfahan," the reverential organ- (Shane) based "Sweet Rhythm" with choppy, banjo-like chords from Grosz, the modern "Freedom Jazz Dance"-type Robinson original "C Here" with organ by Ham on top (no foot pedal bass), and a loping legato sax and subtle marimba lurking behind while stretched, long organ tones from Ham inform the ballad take on "Singin' the Blues." In an Earl Bostic tone, Rudy Wiedhoeft's '20s-era "Saxophone Blues" is an 8+ minute-long, blues-drenched, country-styled groove swing, with again Ham and Chirillo's single-line solo a highlight. The best swinger is a John Kirby/Raymond Scott/Keystone Cops-ish Robinson-penned "Ups & Downs," trumped up by Jon Erik-Kellso's trumpet, while a hard bopping sax/guitar (Chirillo) line sets the fuse on Robinson's "Yardville," while Grosz and Cohen's slight marimba inserts a buoy for Robinson's good swing on "Just Like a Melody out of the Sky." If it were just a matter of sound, this would be a novelty item, but Robinson plays the C-melody so well without straining or going overtly smooth. The instrument, though not being produced anymore, deserves a revisit and a close listen on this truly delightful, high-variety recording that is better upon repeated listenings. Highly recommended. ~ Michael G.Nastos https://www.allmusic.com/album/melody-from-the-sky-mw0000064494

Personnel: Scott Robinson - C-melody saxophone; Jon-Erik Kellso - trumpet ; Marty Grosz, James Chirillo- Guitar; Ming Yeh - violin; Larry Ham - piano, organ; Carol Benner - viola

Melody From The Sky

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Ramsey Lewis Trio, Jean DuShon - You Better Believe Me

Styles: Vocal And Piano Jazz
Year: 1965
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:09
Size: 89,4 MB
Art: Front

(2:37)  1. You'd Better Believe Me
(2:51)  2. Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)
(2:37)  3. Night Time
(2:44)  4. Something You Got
(3:31)  5. He Was Too Good To Me
(3:59)  6. Goodbye Lover, Hello Friend
(3:01)  7. Corcovado (Quiet Nights)
(3:20)  8. Ain't Nobody's Business
(3:09)  9. Let It Be Me
(2:57) 10. It Had Better Be Tonight
(4:13) 11. My Coloring Book
(3:05) 12. I'm Beginning To See The Light

Jean Du Shon chases her Argo debut with this collaboration with the Ramsey Lewis Trio. (John Levy managed both at the time.) The pairing was a stroke of genius that went unnoticed to the masses. They groove on Woodrow "Buddy" Johnson's "You'd Better Believe Me" and mix Latin rhythms with cocktail vibes on Antonio Jobim's "Corcovado." "Goodbye Lover, Hello Friend," "It Had Better Be Tonight," and "Night Time" are other well-crafted joints from the out-of-print album's eight tracks. ~ Andrew Hamilton https://www.allmusic.com/album/you-better-believe-me-mw0000852572

Personnel:  Piano – Ramsey Lewis; Vocals – Jean DuShon;  Alto Saxophone, Flute – Ronald Wilson; Bass – Cleveland Eaton, Eldee Young; Cello – Eldee Young; Drums – Red Holt; Guitar – Roland Faulkner 

You Better Believe Me

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Oscar Peterson Trio - Saturday Night At The Blue Note

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1991
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:37
Size: 153,8 MB
Art: Front

(12:12)  1. Kelly's Blues
(10:12)  2. Nighttime
(11:00)  3. Medley: Love Ballade / If You Only Knew
( 6:41)  4. You Look Good To Me
( 6:48)  5. Old Folks
( 7:27)  6. Reunion Blues
(12:14)  7. Song to Elitha

Oscar Peterson reunited with guitarist Herb Ellis and bassist Ray Brown for this well-recorded engagement, which has resulted in four CDs being released by Telarc. The inclusion of drummer Bobby Durham did make the music a bit safer, and rather than revisit their classic complex arrangements, the ensemble jammed on the songs, so one does not hear the startling octaves that were present in the Oscar Peterson Trio's work of the late '50s. However, the repertoire on Saturday Night at the Blue Note (which includes two standards, Milt Jackson's "Reunion Blues," and five of Peterson's originals) is fresh and fairly challenging. Enjoyable music, it's recommended to the pianist's fans. 

~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/saturday-night-at-the-blue-note-mw0000265663

Personnel:  Piano – Oscar Peterson; Bass – Ray Brown; Drums – Bobby Durham; Guitar – Herb Ellis

Saturday Night At The Blue Note

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Marvin Stamm - Stammpede

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 34:12
Size: 79,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:23)  1. Oriental Spice
(4:14)  2. Los Samana
(3:37)  3. Powerplay
(4:23)  4. Coming Attractions
(3:57)  5. Stammpede
(5:23)  6. Masque Afrique
(4:53)  7. By Torchlight
(3:17)  8. Carnevale

An excellent bop-based trumpeter and a busy session player during much of his career, Marvin Stamm has long been a flexible player. He started on trumpet when he was 12 and later studied at North Texas State University. Stamm was with Stan Kenton's Mellophonium Orchestra during 1961-1963 (getting occasional solos) and played with Woody Herman during 1965-1966. He gained some recognition for his playing with the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra (1966-1972), but spent much of his time during the next two decades in the studios. Stamm, who performed with Benny Goodman during 1974-1975 and toured with George Gruntz's Concert Jazz Band in 1987, has since concentrated much more on jazz playing, and his Music Masters releases are good examples of his talents. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/artist/marvin-stamm-mn0000857448/biography

Personnel: Trumpet – Allen Rubin, Marvin Stamm; Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Lou Marini; Baritone Saxophone – Ronnie Cuber; Bass – Marcus Miller; Drums – Ronnie Zito; Guitar – John Tropea; Keyboards – Kenny Ascher; Percussion – Susan Evans; Synthesizer – Chris Palmaro; Tenor Saxophone – Dave Tofani; Trombone – Jim Pugh; Vocals – Kasey Cisyk

Stammpede

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Thad Jones, Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra - Presenting Thad Jones, Mel Lewis & The Jazz Orchestra

Styles: Flugelhorn Jazz, Big Band
Year: 1966
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:06
Size: 104,5 MB
Art: Front

( 5:29)  1. Once Around
( 5:37)  2. Willow Weep For Me
( 5:01)  3. Balanced Scales = Justice
( 5:48)  4. Three In One
( 5:32)  5. Mean What You Say
( 4:37)  6. Don't Ever Leave Me
(12:59)  7. ABC Blues

The debut recording of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra launched a mighty (if part-time) all-star big band. With arrangements by Jones, Bob Brookmeyer, and Tom McIntosh and such soloists as baritonist Pepper Adams, pianist Hank Jones, valve trombonist Brookmeyer, Jerome Richardson on various reeds, altoist Jerry Dodgion, and Joe Farrell and Eddie Daniels on tenors (in addition to flügelhornist Jones), it is not surprising that the orchestra was soon rated near the top. Among the seven selections are four Thad Jones originals (including "Mean What You Say"), "Willow Weep for Me," and Brookmeyer's lengthy "ABC Blues." ~ Scott Yanow  https://www.allmusic.com/album/presenting-thad-jones-mel-lewis-the-jazz-orchestra-mw0000877905

Personnel:  Thad Jones – flugelhorn;  Mel Lewis – drums;  Hank Jones – piano;  Richard Davis – bass;  Pepper Adams, Eddie Daniels, Joe Farrell, Jerry Dodgion,  Jerome Richardson – saxophone;  Jimmy Nottingham,  Bill Berry, Danny Stiles , Richard Williams – trumpet;  Jack Rains, Bob Brookmeyer – trombone, Tom McIntosh, Cliff Heather.

Presenting Thad Jones-Mel Lewis & The Jazz Orchestra

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