Sunday, June 22, 2025

Caterina Valente & Chet Baker - I'll Remember April + Bonus Track

Styles: Lounge, Vocal
Year: 2014
Time: 77:47
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 179,9 MB
Art: Front

(2:53) 1. I'll Remember April
(3:19) 2. I Get a Kick out of You
(2:14) 3. Baker '56
(3:10) 4. Good Morning Blues
(3:29) 5. Marilyn
(3:10) 6. Don't Worry 'Bout Me
(3:08) 7. Isn't It Romantic?
(2:31) 8. All of Me
(3:07) 9. Lullaby in Rhythm
(2:48) 10. Them There Eyes
(2:39) 11. I Should Care
(3:14) 12. Stairway to the Stars
(2:26) 13. Secret Love
(3:39) 14. Autumn in New York
(3:12) 15. Every Time We Say Goodbye
(3:21) 16. It Never Entered My Mind
(3:44) 17. C'est Si Bon
(4:05) 18. Everything Happens to Me
(2:47) 19. Stormy Weather
(3:55) 20. Polka Dots and Moonbeams
(2:22) 21. Pennies from Heaven
(2:30) 22. They Can't Take That Away from Me
(3:06) 23. Bockhanal
(2:26) 24. You Better Go Now
(4:16) 25. Arrivederci

I'll Remember April

Combined here is the remarkable voice and singing style of Caterina Valente and the lyrical and intimate trumpet of Chet Baker, in a collection of swinging and romantic performances recorded in Germany during the 50s.

Caterina Valente was a singer who belonged among musicians, and she was enough of a musician herself to understand the nuances of harmonic changes that played a large role in jazz. She played guitar, worked with jazz combos, and liked to indulge occasionally in a spot of vocalese, three aspects of her talent that made her the most popular girl singer in Europe.

Chet Baker was the new American trumpet sensation when he visited Germany for the first time in September 1955 with his quartet. A month later, Valente joined his quartet for a concert in Stuttgart, and their musical feeling generated quite a stir among German jazz fans. They even were offered to make a film together, which unfortunately never happened. The only documented meeting of both artists was resumed on a recording session in March 1956, when they joined-in for two lovely and rewarding duet songsIll Remember April and Every Time We Say Goodbyethat came out on a single on the German Brunswick label, both included in this set.

The other exciting performances here display Caterina Valente in her widest, most colorful range. Her performances, and most of those featuring Chet Baker, are further distinguished by the masterful accompaniment of Kurt Edelhagen and his orchestra and, in the case of Chet Baker, also by the studio orchestra of Rolf-Hans Müller.

The music, both emotionally and melodically interesting, is well served by all concerned.

Tracks #1 & 15: Caterina Valente, vocals & guitar & Chet Baker, trumpet. Recorded in Baden-Baden, March 26, 1956

Tracks #2,4,6,8,10,12,13,17,19,21,22: Caterina Valente, vocals, with Kurt Edelhagens Orchestra. Recorded in Köln and Baden-Baden, 1954-1958

Tracks #3,9,16,18: Chet Baker, trumpet, with Kurt Edelhagens Orchestra. Recorded in Baden-Baden, 1956

Tracks #5,7,11,14,20: Chet Baker with orchestra conducted by Rolf-Hans Müller. Recorded in Baden-Baden, 1959

Track #23: Chet Baker Quartet, with Kurt Edelhagens Orchestra. Recorded at Jazztime Mainz, Kurfürstliches Schloss, September 20, 1955

Track #24: Caterina Valente, vocals, accompanied by Francis Coppieters, piano. Recorded in Köln, May, 1958

Track #25: Chet Baker with orchestra conducted by Piero Umiliani (From the Italian movie Urlatori alla sbarra1960)

Bud Shank & Rein de Graaf - Alone Together

Styles: West Coast Jazz, Jazz Instrument, Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2000
Time: 68:42
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 157,7 MB
Art: Front

(10:20) 1. Alone Together
(13:23) 2. I Can't Get Started
(12:21) 3. On the Trail
(11:39) 4. My Funny Valentine
(10:24) 5. What's New
(10:31) 6. Stella By Starlight

Alone Together

The six tracks on this record give a quiet, masterful demonstration of how to sing without a rhythm section. Almost of the tunes are ballads,originally. But Rein and Bud decided to change the tempos. This music was recorded before a small, select audience in a living room-like studio with no room for more musicians. When Rein told Bud that the bassist and the drummer had a day off, he was a bit sceptical at first. A duo would that work? But weeks later, while listening to the tapes, he reacted enthusiastically. This is a great stuff, man!-Jeroen de Walk (from the liner-notes)

Personnel:
Bud Shank (as), Rein de Graaf (p)
Recorded at Pinehill Studio, Leersum, Holand, December 12, 2000. 

Ornette Coleman - The Shape of Jazz to Come

The Shape of Jazz to Come CD 1
Styles: Free Jazz
Year: 2021
Time: 73:40
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 170,1 MB
Art: Front

(5:03) 1. Lonely Woman
(4:25) 2. Eventually
(9:05) 3. Peace
(6:53) 4. Focus on Sanity
(6:49) 5. Congeniality
(6:08) 6. Chronology
(5:59) 7. Monk and the Nun
(3:52) 8. Just for You
(6:40) 9. Ramblin'
(6:24) 10. Free
(7:00) 11. The Face of the Bass
(5:16) 12. Forerunner

The Shape of Jazz to Come CD 1

The Shape of Jazz to Come CD 2
Styles: Free Jazz
Year: 2021
Time: 75:16
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 174,1 MB
Art: Front

(5:33) 1. Bird Food
(6:03) 2. Una Muy Bonita
(4:43) 3. Change of the Century
(5:32) 4. Music Always
(4:54) 5. Crossroads
(4:18) 6. Invisible
(4:50) 7. The Blessing
(7:25) 8. Jayne
(5:44) 9. Chippie
(2:53) 10. The Disguise
(4:25) 11. Angel Voice
(4:17) 12. Alpha
(5:05) 13. When Will the Blues Leave?
(4:21) 14. The Sphinx
(5:05) 15. Tears Inside


Presented here are three seminal albums by the great Ornette Coleman (1930-2015): The Shape of Jazz to Come, featuring the debut of the splendid piano-less quartet with Don Cherry, Charlie Haden and Billy Higgins; Change of the Century, with the same personnel, and Something Else!!!!, which marked the debut recording by the Ornette Coleman Quintet, also showcasing Cherry and Higgins.

THE SHAPE OF JAZZ TO COME ****(CROWN AWARD) PENGUIN GUIDE TO JAZZ: Brash as the titles are, the music is surprisingly introspective and thoughtful. Most of the essential Coleman pieces are to be found here, though interestingly only one of them--'Lonely Woman'--has ever come close to repertory status. (Richard Cook & Brian Morton) *****ALL MUSIC: THE SHAPE OF JAZZ TO COME Any understanding of jazz's avant-garde should begin here. (Steve Huey) *****ALL MUSIC: CHANGE OF THE CENTURY An absolutely essential purchase and some of the most brilliant work of Coleman's career. (Steve Huey) ****ALL MUSIC: SOMETHING ELSE!!!!This record swings from the rafters of the human heart with the most unusually gifted, emotional, and lyrical line since Bill Evans first hit the scene. (Thom Jurek)
https://www.amazon.com/Shape-Change-Century-Something-DeluxeDigipak/dp/B07TKNGH71

Personnel:
Ornette Coleman, alto sax
Don Cherry, cornet
Billy Higgins, drums
On all tracks, plus:
CD 1 [1-8]: THE SHAPE OF JAZZ TO COME.
Charlie Haden, bass.
Hollywood, California, May 22, 1959..
Percy Heath (b), Shelly Manne (d). Los Angeles, March 9 & 10, 1959.
CD 1 [9-12] & CD 2[1-5]: CHANGE OF THE CENTURY.
Charlie Haden, bass.
Hollywood, California, October 8, 1959..
CD 2 [6-14]: SOMETHIGN ELSE!!!.
Walter Norris, piano; Don Payne, bass..
Contemporary Studio, Los Angeles, February-March, 1958..
(*) BONUS TRACK: Ornette Coleman (as), Don Cherry (pocket-tp),.
Percy Heath (b), Shelly Manne (d). Los Angeles, March 9 & 10, 1959.
https://www.jazzmessengers.com/en/81611/ornette-coleman/the-shape-of-jazz-to-come

Dave Lambert/Jon Hendricks/Annie Ross - Sing A Song Of & Along With Basie

Styles: Swing,Vocal
Year: 2012
Time: 75:43
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 176,1 MB
Art: Front

(5:21) 1. Everyday I Have the Blues
(2:29) 2. It's Sand Man
(2:44) 3. Two For the Blues
(3:04) 4. One O'clock Jump
(2:32) 5. Little Pony
(2:14) 6. Down for Double
(3:18) 7. Fiesta in Blue
(3:01) 8. Down for the Count
(3:01) 9. Blues Backstage
(2:55) 10. Avenue C
(3:22) 11. Jumpin' at the Woodside
(4:14) 12. Going to Chicago Blues
(2:41) 13. Tickle Toe
(3:17) 14. Let Me See
(3:27) 15. Every Tub
(3:10) 16. Shorty George
(3:48) 17. Rusty Dusty Blues
(3:26) 18. The King
(3:06) 19. Swingin' the Blues
(4:38) 20. Lil' Darlin'
(4:12) 21. Doodlin' (Bonus Track)
(5:33) 22. Every Day I Have the Blues (Bonus Track)

Sing A Song Of & Along With Basie

It is fair to say that Lambert, Hendricks and Ross set standards in style and musical ability. The trio's contribution to jazz vocal cannot be underestimated and their vocal gymnastics dramatically changed the sound of other vocal groups. They were voted best vocal group in downbeats readers poll 5 years in a row.

Two complete albums on one! The first features a rhythm section based on Count Basie's "New Testament" band with the vocalese practitioners Dave Lambert, Jon Hendricks and Annie Ross executing the tricky lead and section work. Annie Ross is astonishing as she hits impossibly high trumpet parts with aplomb. Then on the second you have the thrilling, ultra swinging sound of the full Count Basie Orchestra plus appearances from Joe Williams. In fact there's enough words and music here to make it seem like some sort of crazy jazz opera.

Also including bonus live tracks "Doodlin" and "Everyday I Have The Blues" recorded with Count Basie.

Russ Freeman Trio & Quartet

Styles: Bop, Cool Jazz
Year: 2011
Time: 79:47
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 183,9 MB
Art: Front

(2:22) 1. Lullaby in Rhythm
(4:13) 2. East of the Sun
(3:25) 3. Steeplechase
(2:59) 4. Laugh Cry
(2:45) 5. At Last
(2:43) 6. You Stepped Out of a Dream
(2:38) 7. Yesterday's Gardenias
(2:50) 8. Bock's Tops
(3:08) 9. Don't Worry 'Bout Me
(2:54) 10. Backfield Motion
(3:02) 11. The Eye Opener
(2:42) 12. Bojangles of Harlem
(4:41) 13. It's a New World
(7:24) 14. Blues in the Night
(3:00) 15. The Party's Over
(3:42) 16. Joey, Joey, Joey
(5:07) 17. Woody's Dot
(3:38) 18. Namely You
(3:56) 19. Love in a Home
(3:47) 20. Progress Is the Root of All Evil
(4:00) 21. Independent
(4:41) 22. Invitation to the Blues

Trio & Quartet

While other West Coast jazz pianists during the Fifties and early Sixties cut their shareand some perhaps more than thatof albums for a variety of recording firms, Russ Freemans output of records under his own name was nowhere near enough to reflect his enormous talent.

Thanks to his involvement in the groups of such standard bearers as Howard McGhee, Dexter Gordon, Art Pepper and Wardell Gray, he developed rapidly and when Chet Baker made his first quartet recordings in December 1952, he chose Freeman as pianist, composer and musical director. Freemans reputation also earned him a place with the Lighthouse All-Stars, Shorty Rogers Giants and, for ten years from 1955, with Shelly Manne and his Men.

This CD is dedicated to the memory of Russ Freeman (1926-2002), an extraordinary but too often underrated jazz pianist who deserves a place among the greatest.

Tracks #1-3, not issued on LP
Tracks #4-11, from Pacific Jazz LP-8 (10")
Track #12, from World Pacific JWC-501 (12")
Track #13, from World Pacific JWC-505 (12")
Track #14, from World Pacific JWC-502 (12")
Tracks #15-21, from World Pacific PJM-404 (12")
Track #22, from World Pacific JWC-511 and Stereo 1031 (12")

Personnel on #1-3: Russ Freeman (piano), Bob Whitlock (bass), Bobby White (drums). Recorded in Hollywood, at Gold Star Studios, December 15, 1952

Personnel on #4-11: Russ Freeman (piano), Joe Mondragon (bass), Shelly Manne (drums). Recorded in Hollywood, at Radio Recorders, December 27 (#4-6) & 28 (#7-11), 1953

Personnel on #12-14: Bud Shank (alto sax & flute), Russ Freeman (piano), Carson Smith (bass), Shelly Manne (drums). Recorded in Hollywood, at Music Box Theater, February 19, 1956

Personnel on #15-21: Russ Freeman (piano), Monty Budwig (assb), Shelly Manne (drums). Stu Williamson (trumpet, added on #18-21). Recorded in Hollywood, at Radio Recorders, August 12, 1957

Personnel on #22: Russ Freeman (piano), Billy Bean (guitar), Monty Budwig (bass), Mel Lewis (drums).  Recorded in Hollywood, at Sound Enterprises, March 26, 1959