Guy Lafitte - Sax and Fantasy

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 33:55
Size: 79,0 MB
Art: Front

(2:46)  1. Blueberry Hill
(4:05)  2. My Funny Valentine
(2:50)  3. But Not for Me
(2:41)  4. A Poem
(3:04)  5. How Deep Is the Ocean
(3:41)  6. Imagination
(3:03)  7. Dans Un Vieux Livre
(3:08)  8. Rough Riding
(3:00)  9. As Long as There's Music
(2:49) 10. A Mountain Sunset
(2:43) 11. Polka Dots and Moonbeams

A fine swing tenorman whose main inspiration was always Coleman Hawkins, Guy Lafitte appeared in many mainstream settings through the years. LaFitte started out paying clarinet including with swing-oriented gypsy bands. After switching to tenor in 1947 and moving to Paris, he worked with Big Bill Broonzy (1950), Mezz Mezzrow (1951), Bill Coleman (off and on starting in 1952), Dicky Wells and Buck Clayton. Through the years, Lafitte has frequently led his own mainstream combos and was also often utilized by veteran American players who were visiting France including Lionel Hampton (1956), Duke Ellington (for the 1961 film Paris Blues), Milt Buckner, Wallace Davenport, Arnett Cobb and Wild Bill Davis. As a leader, Guy Lafitte led many sessions during the 1954-93 period (particularly 1954-64) including for CFD, Duc-Thomson, Pathe, French Columbia, VSM, French RCA, Vega, Black & Blue and CTPL. ~ Scott Yanow  https://www.allmusic.com/artist/guy-lafitte-mn0000652078

Sax and Fantasy

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Steve Lacy Four - Morning Joy

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 76:11
Size: 174,9 MB
Art: Front

( 9:21)  1. Epistrophy
( 7:42)  2. Prospectus
(16:10)  3. Wickets
(10:24)  4. Morning Joy
( 7:38)  5. Work
(11:41)  6. In Walked Bud
(13:11)  7. As Usual

This limited edition reissue adds one extra track to the original release, a poignant version of Thelonious Monk's "Work." Otherwise, it is the same glorious set of pieces (with remastered sound) performed live in the mid-'80s by one of Steve Lacy's sterling working groups. The quartet is hot, and the two-horn front line is in perfect synchronization. As Lee Jeske enthusiastically notes in his liners, the session "burns," with the extroverted Steve Potts easily distinguishable from his more exacting, precision-oriented alter ego. The choice of tunes is fairly typical for Lacy a few Monk compositions mixed with Lacy originals. Lacy is well-known for his interpretations of Monk, and it is not hard to hear why. He plays each piece deliberately, broadening its scope and infusing it with new meaning. There are near-perfect versions of several tunes, including the rousing Lacy original, "Prospectus." This recording may be a good antidote for those who think of Lacy's music as too reserved or intellectual: It swings with visceral energy. The selection of notes seems virtually perfect, too, and Oliver Johnson and Jean-Jacques Avenal, while overshadowed by the horns, are wonderful in support. Morning Joy may not break any new ground, but it should provide considerable listening pleasure, both for those already familiar with the miraculous world of Steve Lacy and for those who are entering it for the first time. ~ Steve Loewy https://www.allmusic.com/album/morning-joy-live-at-sunset-paris-mw0000571819

Personnel: Steve Lacy – soprano saxophone; Steve Potts – alto saxophone, soprano saxophone; Jean-Jacques Avenel – bass; Oliver Johnson - drums

Morning Joy

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Greg Murphy Trio - Bright Idea

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2019
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:14
Size: 174,8 MB
Art: Front

(7:24)  1. Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise (From "The New Moon")
(3:47)  2. Happy (From "Despicable Me 2")
(7:20)  3. Bright Idea
(6:27)  4. Earthlings
(2:42)  5. 24K Magic
(4:58)  6. Street Cats
(5:08)  7. Finer Things
(7:08)  8. For My Mom
(4:39)  9. Straight No Blues
(8:37) 10. Moving Violation
(6:09) 11. Well, of All Things
(6:36) 12. Untitled Original 11383
(4:13) 13. Juneteenth Notes

The truly bright idea on keyboardist Greg Murphy’s Bright Idea was to bring in drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts. It isn’t just that Watts is a legendarily powerful player who, after making his name with the Marsalis brothers, went on to energize albums by Michael Brecker, Danilo Pérez, David Kikoski, and others; he also fits well with Eric Wheeler, Murphy’s regular bass player. Listen to the two work together on the album-opening “Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise” and the chemistry is obvious. The modal variation Murphy devised for the tune’s minor-key groove gets turbocharged by Watt’s churning, Blakey-style polyrhythms. What could have come off as just a pleasant, hard-bop take on an old chestnut is not only sparked into life but made to sizzle. The best bits of Bright Idea follow suit, with Murphy’s workmanlike solos given a jolt of energy that lifts everything a notch higher. There’s a lovely swagger to their take on Bruno Mars’ “24K Magic,” while their reading of the recently discovered John Coltrane tune “Untitled Original 11383” is strong and convincing. Even the Pharrell Williams earworm “Happy” takes on heft thanks to the grounding Watts and Wheeler provide. ~ J.D. Considine https://jazztimes.com/reviews/albums/greg-murphy-trio-bright-idea/

Personnel:  Piano, Keyboards – Greg Murphy; Bass – Eric Wheeler; Drums – Jeff "Tain" Watts

Bright Idea

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