The Duke Pearson Big Band - Baltimore 1969

Styles: Piano Jazz, Big Band
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 79:23
Size: 182,4 MB
Art: Front

(12:41)  1. Hi-Fly
( 8:18)  2. New Girl
( 7:10)  3. Eldorado
( 9:17)  4. In the Still of the Night
( 9:57)  5. Tones for Joan's Bones
(13:08)  6. Straight up and Down
( 7:17)  7. Ready When You Are C.B.
(11:35)  8. Night Song (Theme from Golden Boy)

The Duke Pearson Big Band of the late 1960s featured great soloists Donald Byrd, Burt Collins, Lew Tabackin, Frank Foster and Pepper Adams. Drummer Mickey Roker propelled the 16 piece band with fire. All this is on display at the April 1969 Baltimore concert issued for the first time on this CD. 

Where the studio recordings featured relatively short pieces, this concert presents the band stretching out in full force. Even 44 years later, this is big band jazz at its finest and a clear demonstration of Duke Pearson's great talents as a leader, pianist, composer and arranger.~ Editorial Reviews https://www.amazon.com/Baltimore-1969-Duke-Pearson-Band/dp/B00EKJRYNS

Personnel: Duke Pearson (piano); Jerry Dodgion, Al Gibbons (flute, alto saxophone); Frank Foster , Lew Tabackin (tenor saxophone); Pepper Adams (baritone saxophone); Jim Bossy, Donald Byrd, Joe Shepley, Burt Collins (trumpet, flugelhorn); Eddie Bert, Julian Priester, Joe Forst (trombone); Kenny Rupp (bass trombone); Bob Cranshaw (acoustic bass, electric bass); Mickey Roker (drums).

Baltimore 1969

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Joe Henderson - The Complete Blue Note Studio Sessions (5-Disc Set)

Styles: Jazz
Year: 2021
Time: 79:01
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 180,9 MB
Art: Front

(15:18) 1. Una Mas (One More Time)
( 8:58) 2. Straight Ahead
( 7:20) 3. Sao Paulo
( 5:08) 4. If Ever I Would Leave You
( 8:01) 5. Blue Bossa
( 9:09) 6. La Mesha
( 4:14) 7. Homestretch
( 6:02) 8. Recorda Me
( 7:23) 9. Jinrikisha
( 7:24) 10. Out of the Night

If an artist stamps his jazz passport with any one of these labels Blue Note, Verve, Milestone it's pretty much a guarantee that you've arrived in style. Tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson has traveled with all three and more. The 2021 reissue from the prestigious Mosaic Records focuses on Henderson's 1960s tenure with Blue Note offers a new opportunity to experience an abundance of rich and creative jazz from the decade.

Big band and bop were duking it out in the late 1940s, bebop gained a foothold in the 1950s and the 1960s saw some amazingly creative artists emerge as they conjured up even more jazz hybrids (straight jazz, Avant-Garde, fusion and more). Henderson began to come of age during the very late 1950s, the tail end of one of the most dynamic and creative decades for jazz. He then moved confidently into the 1960s and beyond. He began to gain momentum in the 1960s (sitting in with saxophone master Dexter Gordon early on), learned from listening to other sax giants including Charlie Parker and Sonny Rollins and soon teamed up with numerous A-list artists including trumpeter Kenny Dorham, a Blue Note co-artist. The spotlight shifted a bit during the seventies and eighties for Henderson but he was amazingly prolific in the 1990s. Verve championed him during that decade with a high profile 'come back' campaign and sessions such as Lush Life (1982) contained everything from the supple and smoky "Isfahan" and "Blood Count" to the soaring and spontaneous "Johnny Come Lately." Touring took him to various venues and in a talk backstage after a mid-1990s concert, Mr. Henderson was dapper and smartly dressed, low key, quiet and reserved. He was a joy to talk to. But his constant companion, a lit cigarette, was absent, probably due to venue restriction (chain smoking eventually took him down in 2001.)

Mosaic collected nearly fifty cuts on five CDs and captured a world of spontaneous creativity. In addition, a modest yet informative booklet is included. A book's worth of praise could follow, so let's look at a few tracks from each compact disc: Everything gets underway with the title cut from trumpeter Kenny Dorham's Una Mas (1963) album in which Henderson joins as a featured sideman. At over fifteen minutes, the opening track is a celebration of the then contemporary sounds of Bossa Nova, with hints of other styles including the blues. He may be the second billed musician on the disc, but Henderson's sax is supple, lush and creatively enticing as a close bond was being forged between the two men. Everyone swings, and they are upbeat on "Straight Ahead," one of the other standout tracks from the Dorham-lead sessions. (full review => https://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-complete-joe-henderson-blue-note-studio-sessions-joe-henderson-mosaic-records)

Personnel: Joe Henderson: Saxophone; Kenny Dorham: Trranumpet; Herbie Hancock: Piano; Tony Williams: Drums; McCoy Tyner: Piano; Bob Cranshaw: Bass; Duke Pearson: Piano; Richard Davis: Bass, Acoustic; s: Drums; Tommy Flanagan: Piano; Ron Carter: Elvin Jones: Bass; Cedar Walton: Piano; Lee Morgan: Trumpet; Curtis Fuller: Trombone; Grant Green: Guitar; Bobby Hutcherson: Vibraphone; J.J. Johnson: Trombone; Al Harewood: Drums; Woody Shaw: Trumpet; Andrew Hill: Piano.

The Complete Blue Note Studio Sessions CD1

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Styles: Jazz
Year: 2021
Time: 76:41
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 175,6 MB
Art: Front

( 8:17) 1. La Mesha (alternate take)
( 7:38) 2. Homestretch (alternate take)
( 8:33) 3. Teeter Totter
(10:05) 4. Pedro's Time
( 5:38) 5. Our Thing
( 6:20) 6. Back Road
( 8:06) 7. Escapade
( 7:11) 8. Teeter Totter (alternate take)
( 5:31) 9. Our Thing (alternate take)
( 9:18) 10. In 'N Out (alternate take)

The Complete Blue Note Studio Sessions CD2

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Styles: Jazz
Year: 2021
Time: 76:45
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 175,7 MB
Art: Front

(10:25) 1. In 'N Out
( 9:09) 2. Punjab
( 6:17) 3. Serenity
( 7:11) 4. Short Story
( 6:25) 5. Brown's Town
(12:24) 6. Trompeta Toccata
( 5:46) 7. Night Watch
(11:05) 8. Mamacita
( 8:00) 9. The Fox

The Complete Blue Note Studio Sessions CD3

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Styles: Jazz
Year: 2021
Time: 78:40
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 180,1 MB
Art: Front

(11:58) 1. Inner Urge
( 9:16) 2. Isotope
( 7:14) 3. El Barrio
( 7:21) 4. You Know I Care
( 7:24) 5. Night and Day
( 8:14) 6. Hobo Joe
( 8:30) 7. Step Lightly
( 6:07) 8. The Kicker
( 5:46) 9. Mo' Joe
( 6:45) 10. If

The Complete Blue Note Studio Sessions CD4

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Styles: Jazz
Year: 2021
Time: 59:11
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 135,5 MB
Art: Front

(7:08) 1. A Shade of Jade
(8:03) 2. Mode for Joe
(6:53) 3. Black
(6:43) 4. Caribbean Fire Dance
(7:23) 5. Granted
(6:41) 6. Free Wheelin'
(9:28) 7. Mode for Joe (alternate take)
(6:49) 8. Black (alternate take)

The Complete Blue Note Studio Sessions CD5

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Duke Pearson - Introducing Duke Pearson's Big Band

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:17
Size: 172.3 MB
Styles: Bop, Big band, Piano jazz
Year: 1968/2000
Art: Front

[3:04] 1. Ground Hog
[6:01] 2. New Girl
[5:28] 3. Bedouin
[7:00] 4. Straight Up And Down
[2:56] 5. Ready When You Are C.B
[5:34] 6. New Time Shuffle
[2:32] 7. Mississippi Dip
[5:27] 8. A Taste Of Honey
[4:08] 9. Time After Time
[5:50] 10. Disapproachment
[5:30] 11. Tone's For Joan's Bones
[6:38] 12. Minor League
[4:24] 13. Here's That Rainy Day
[4:38] 14. Make It Good
[6:00] 15. Days Of Wine And Roses

Alto Saxophone, Flute, Bass Clarinet – Al Gibbons; Alto Saxophone, Flute, Piccolo Flute – Jerry Dodgion; Baritone Saxophone, Clarinet – Pepper Adams; Bass – Bob Cranshaw; Bass Trombone – Kenny Rupp; Drums – Mickey Roker; Piano – Duke Pearson; Tenor Saxophone – Frank Foster, Lew Tabackin; Trombone – Benny Powell, Garnett Brown, Julian Priester; Trumpet – Burt Collins, Joe Shepley, Marvin Stamm, Randy Brecker. Recorded At – Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.

Duke Pearson had always displayed a flair for arranging, even on small combo albums, so it shouldn't have come as a surprise that he would attempt his own big band record. What is a surprise is how successful Introducing Duke Pearson's Big Band actually is. Pearson leads 13 other musicians through a selection of nine songs, including four originals, two contemporary jazz tunes by Chick Corea and Joe Sample, and three standards. His originals are continually unpredictable and memorable, and his arrangements, especially of the standards, are provocative and intriguing. While it might not appeal to fans of Pearson's wonderful small-group hard bop sessions, it is unquestionably an experiment that works, and one that confirms his remarkable skills and talents. ~Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Introducing Duke Pearson's Big Band

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Donald Byrd - At The Half Note Café Vol 1 And Vol 2

Album: At The Half Note Café Vol 1

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1960/1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:34
Size: 146,9 MB
Art: Front

( 1:20)  1. Introduction By Ruth Mason Lion
(10:34)  2. My Girl Shirl
( 9:57)  3. Soulful Kiddy
( 8:46)  4. Child's Play
(11:18)  5. Chant
( 6:49)  6. A Portrait Of Jennie
(14:47)  7. Cecile

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Album: At The Half Note Café Vol 2

Time: 58:12

Size: 134,4 MB

(12:52)  1. Jeannine

( 6:11)  2. Pure D. Funk

( 9:55)  3. Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea

(10:53)  4. Theme From Mr. Lucky

(12:01)  5. Kimyas

( 6:18)  6. When Sunny Gets Blue

This 2004 remastered Rudy Van Gelder edition of Donald Byrd's At the Half Note Cafe (the original double-disc version was only issued for the first time in 2000) appears to add one extra track  "Theme (Pure D. Funk)," which clocks in at 1:51 and is also on the second volume in its full form, and a slightly shorter version of "Cecille." Here it clocks it at 12:52; on the 2000 issue it was 14:46. The sequence has also been altered slightly. The real deal is that, while this is the live date showcasing the Byrd quintet with Pepper Adams (and with Duke Pearson, Lex Humphries, and Laymon Jackson in the rhythm section), there is little here to make this worth purchasing yet again if you have the previous set. The sound is only marginally better and is likely only to be noticed by audiophiles. However, if you don't have the originals, this is one of the most essential hard bop purchases in the canon. 

The performances of Pearson of his own four tunes, five by Byrd, and the standards showcase his improvisational acumen at its height. His soloing on studio records pales in comparison. This was a hot quintet, one that not only swung hard, but possessed a deep lyricism and an astonishing sense of timing, and one need only this set by them to feel the full measure of their worth. Forget the Riverside date that caught them live early on; this is the one. ~ Thom Zurek https://www.allmusic.com/album/donald-byrd-at-the-half-note-cafe-vols-1-2-mw0000594775

Personnel: Trumpet – Donald Byrd;  Baritone Saxophone – Pepper Adams; Bass – Laymon Jackson; Drums – Lex Humphries; Piano – Duke Pearson

At The Half Note Café Vol 1 And Vol 2

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Donald Byrd - Groovin' For Nat

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1962
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:53
Size: 154,1 MB
Art: Front

(6:17)  1. Hush! (take 2)
(5:38)  2. Child's Play (take 3)
(2:42)  3. Angel Eyes (take 4)
(5:55)  4. Smoothie (take 4)
(7:11)  5. Sudel (take 2)
(6:33)  6. Friday's Child (take 1)
(7:16)  7. Out Of This World
(3:45)  8. Groovin' for Nat
(7:35)  9. Hush! (take 1)
(6:46) 10. Child's Play (take 2)
(6:09) 11. Sudel (take 4)

On this somewhat obscure Black Lion release (which has been reissued on CD), Donald Byrd teams up with fellow trumpeter Johnny Coles, pianist Duke Pearson, bassist Bob Cranshaw and drummer Walter Perkins for a set of music dominated by hard bop originals; "Angel Eyes" and "Out Of This World" are the only standards. Augmented by three previously unreleased alternate takes, this straightahead session finds Cole's brittle tone sounding more distinctive than Byrd's (who is in more of a Lee Morgan vein) but everyone plays well. Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/groovin-for-nat-mw0000310933

Personnel: Trumpet – Donald Byrd, Johnny Coles; Bass – Bob Cranshaw; Drums – Walter Perkins; Piano – Duke Pearson

Groovin' For Nat

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Duke Pearson - I Don't Care Who Knows It

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:00
Size: 138,7 MB
Art: Front

(3:11)  1. I Don't Care Who Knows It
(7:40)  2. Bloos
(6:38)  3. A Beautiful Friendship
(5:53)  4. Horn In
(6:38)  5. Canto Ossanha
(6:33)  6. Xibaba - Remastered
(6:58)  7. I Don't Know
(5:22)  8. O Amor En Paz (Once I Loved)
(1:59)  9. Upa Neguinho
(5:47) 10. Captain Bicardi
(3:17) 11. Theme From Rosemary's Baby

The sessions that comprise I Don't Care Who Knows It date from 1969 and 1970 (with one stray track from a 1968 session with Bobby Hutcherson), when Duke Pearson was experimenting with Latin jazz, soul-jazz, and funk; they are also the second-to-last dates the pianist ever recorded for Blue Note. Working with a fairly large group that included bassist Ron Carter, drummer Mickey Roker, saxophonists Jerry Dodgion, Frank Foster, Lew Tabackin, trumpeter Burt Collins, trombonist Kenny Rupp, and occasionally vocalist Andy Bey, Pearson plays the electric piano throughout the majority of the album. As expected, the music swings with an understated funk, with the band alternating between standard hard-bop and mellow, soulful grooves. On the whole, I Don't Care Who Knows It is fairly uneven the sessions don't set well together, but work well as individual sets. Nevertheless, there is enough good material here to make it worthwhile for soul-jazz, Latin-jazz and, especially, Pearson aficionados. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine https://www.allmusic.com/album/i-dont-care-who-knows-it-mw0000181100

Personnel:  Duke Pearson - piano, electric piano, arranger; Burt Collins - trumpet (tracks 1-6 & 8); Kenny Rupp - trombone (tracks 1-5); Jerry Dodgion - flute, alto flute, alto saxophone (tracks 1-8, 10 & 11); Al Gibbons - flute (tracks 6 & 8); Lew Tabackin - tenor saxophone, flute (tracks 1-5, 7 & 10); Frank Foster - tenor saxophone, alto clarinet (tracks 1-5); Bobby Hutcherson - vibes (tracks 6-8, 10 & 11); Sam Brown (track 11), Ralph Towner (tracks 7 & 10) - acoustic guitar; Dorio Ferreira - guitar, percussion (track 9); Al Gafa (tracks 6-8 & 10), Wally Richardson (tracks 7 & 10) - guitar; Bob Cranshaw - bass (tracks 6-8, 10 & 11); Ron Carter - bass (tracks 1-5); Bebeto Jose Souza - bass (track 9); Mickey Roker - drums (tracks 1-8, 10 & 11), percussion (track 9); Airto Moreira - percussion, vocals (track 5-8, & 10), drums (track 9); Stella Mars - vocals (track 8); Andy Bey - vocals (track 1); Flora Purim - vocals (track 9)

I Don't Care Who Knows It

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The Duke Pearson Nonet - Honeybuns

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 31:01
Size: 71.0 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 1965/2012
Art: Front

[7:04] 1. Honeybuns
[5:14] 2. New Girl
[4:18] 3. You Know I Care
[4:17] 4. Is That So
[4:09] 5. Our Love
[5:57] 6. Heavy Legs

Alto Saxophone – James Spaulding; Baritone Saxophone, Clarinet – Pepper Adams; Bass – Bob Cranshaw; Drums – Mickey Roker; Flute – Les Spann; Piano – Duke Pearson; Trombone – Garnett Brown; Trumpet – Johnny Coles.

This 1998 Koch CD reissues a Duke Pearson LP from 1966, containing music from the previous year. Other than "Our Love" (a familiar classical theme adapted to American pop music by Larry Clinton), all six selections are originals by the pianist. Utilizing a nonet that includes trumpeter Johnny Coles (who does his best to be soulful on "Honeybuns"), trombonist Garnett Brown, flutist Les Spann, altoist James Spaulding, tenor saxophonist George Coleman, baritonist Pepper Adams, bassist Bob Cranshaw, and drummer Mickey Roker, Pearson performs music in a style that would have fit in quite well on Blue Note. Most memorable among his originals is "Is That So." This is not an essential date, but it is nice to have this rarity back in print again. ~Scott Yaow

Honeybuns mc
Honeybuns zippy

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Thad Jones, Pepper Adams Quintet - Mean What You Say

Styles: Flugelhorn And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1966
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:14
Size: 98,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:36)  1. Mean What You Say
(7:42)  2. H And T Blues
(4:55)  3. Wives And Lovers
(3:23)  4. Bossa Nova Ova
(4:38)  5. No Refill
(6:30)  6. Little Waltz
(5:20)  7. Chant
(4:07)  8. Yes Sir, That's My Baby

A classic set recorded for Milestone and reissued under the OJC imprint, this date is co-led by Thad Jones (heard throughout on flügelhorn) and baritonist Pepper Adams; pianist Duke Pearson, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Mel Lewis complete the band. The high-quality hard bop unit performs four of Jones' originals, a song apiece by Carter and Pearson, and Burt Bacharach's "Wives and Lovers" and "Yes Sir, That's My Baby." Jones and Adams always made for a potent team, but the rise of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra meant that this particular quintet only lasted a short time. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/mean-what-you-say-mw0000309726

Personnel:  Thad Jones- flugelhorn;  Pepper Adams - baritone saxophone;  Duke Pearson – piano;  Ron Carter – bass;  Mel Lewis - drums

Mean What You Say

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Duke Pearson - Sweet Honey Bee

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1966
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:30
Size: 90,7 MB
Art: Front

(5:00)  1. Sweet Honey Bee
(5:43)  2. Sudel
(4:45)  3. After The Rain
(6:01)  4. Gaslight
(5:58)  5. Big Bertha
(6:00)  6. Empathy
(6:01)  7. Ready Rudy?

Pianist/composer Duke Pearson leads an all-star group on this run-through of seven of his compositions. The musicians trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, altoist James Spaulding, Joe Henderson on tenor, bassist Ron Carter, drummer Mickey Roker, and the pianist/leader are actually more impressive than many of the compositions, although the swinging minor-toned "Big Bertha" deserved to become a standard. The frameworks are quite intelligent, everyone doesn't solo on each selection, and the improvisations are concise and clearly related to each tune's melody and mood. Although not quite essential, this set has some rewarding music. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/sweet-honey-bee-mw0000620441

Personnel: Duke Pearson (piano); James Spaulding (alto saxophone, flute); Joe Henderson (tenor saxophone); Freddie Hubbard (trumpet); Ron Carter (bass); Mickey Roker (drums).

Sweet Honey Bee

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Duke Pearson - How Insensitive

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1969
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 34:29
Size: 79,2 MB
Art: Front

(4:40)  1. Stella By Starlight
(2:44)  2. Clara
(3:25)  3. Give Me Your Love
(3:54)  4. Cristo Redentor
(2:55)  5. Little Song
(2:15)  6. How Insensitive
(3:31)  7. Sandalia Dela
(4:37)  8. My Love Waits
(3:30)  9. Tears
(2:51) 10. Lamento

Like most Blue Note artists, Duke Pearson moved toward commercial-oriented soul-jazz in the late '60s. At least, How Insensitive was supposed to be commercial. Pearson simplified his original compositions, chose standards like "Stella By Starlight," and covered contemporary pop songs like Jobim's "Lamento." He also assembled a large band with rock instrumentation like electric guitars, bass, electric pianos, and drum kits. Most importantly, he hired the New York Group Singers' Big Band a group of singers that are arranged like a horn section (males are the trombones, females are alto saxes, etc.) to sing on each song. The vocalists may be technically gifted in particular, Andy Bey has a rich voice but their presence on these arrangements is quite bizarre, especially since they take center stage. 

Each song on How Insensitive boasts extravagant, layered arrangements that flirt with schmaltz, but the voicings and attack are so unusual, the result is a weird variation on easy listening. There is little opportunity for Pearson to showcase his tasteful playing through improvisation, yet the arrangements are so off-kilter, the music never quite works as background music. In other words, it's a very interesting failure and one of the strangest by-products of Blue Note's late-'60s commercialization. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine http://www.allmusic.com/album/how-insensitive-mw0000463221

Personnel:  Duke Pearson - piano, electric piano, arranger;  Al Gafa - guitar (tracks 1-6 & 8);  Dorio Ferreira - guitar, percussion (tracks 7, 9 & 10);  Bob Cranshaw - bass (tracks 1-6 & 8);  Bebeto Jose Souza - bass (tracks 7, 9 & 10);  Mickey Roker – drums;  Airto Moreira – percussion;  Andy Bey - lead vocals (track 2), vocals (1, 3-6 & 8);  Flora Purim - lead vocals (tracks 7, 9 & 10);  The New York Group Singers' Big Band - vocals (tracks 1-6 & 8);  Jack Manno - conductor

How Insensitive

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Duke Pearson - Bag's Groove

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:18
Size: 103.7 MB
Styles: Hard bop, Piano jazz
Year: 1961/1987
Art: Front

[4:42] 1. I'm An Old Cowhand (From The Rio Grande, Take 5)
[5:24] 2. Say You're Mine (Take 4)
[4:47] 3. Le Carrousel (Take 3)
[5:45] 4. Exodus (Take 1)
[4:59] 5. Bags Groove (Take 1)
[5:28] 6. Jeannine
[4:29] 7. I'm An Old Cowhand (Take 3)
[5:27] 8. Say You're Mine (Take 3)
[4:14] 9. Le Carrousel (Alternate Take)

Pianist Duke Pearson sounds a lot like Bud Powell in spots during this trio outing with bassist Thomas Howard and drummer Lex Humphries (particularly on "I'm an Old Cowhand") but shows more individuality in his writing. His most famous song "Jeannine" is heard in one of its earliest versions and Pearson's other two originals "Say You're Mine" and "Le Carrousel" are both somewhat memorable. For the CD reissue of Duke Pearson's third trio session in two years, the original six-song program is augmented by three previously unreleased alternate takes. Recomended for straightahead jazz collectors. ~Scott Yanow

Bag's Groove

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Duke Pearson - The Right Touch

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:31
Size: 97.3 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[6:51] 1. Chili Peppers
[6:35] 2. Make It Good
[5:52] 3. My Love Waits (O Meu Amor Espera)
[6:33] 4. Los Malos Hombres
[5:21] 5. Scrap Iron
[6:14] 6. Rotary
[5:02] 7. Los Malso Hombres

Duke Pearson rises to the challenge of writing for an all-star octet (with trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, trombonist Garnett Brown, altoist James Spaulding, Jerry Dodgion on alto and flute, Stanley Turrentine on tenor, bassist Gene Taylor, drummer Grady Tate, and the leader/pianist), contributing colorful frameworks and consistently challenging compositions. The set is full of diverse melodies (the CD reissue has a previously unissued take of "Los Malos Hombres") played by a variety of distinctive soloists; many of these songs deserve to be revived. This is one of the finest recordings of Duke Pearson's career. ~Scott Yanow

The Right Touch

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Various - Blue Bossa

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:40
Size: 157.2 MB
Styles: Latin Jazz
Year: 1992
Art: Front

[4:18] 1. Horace Parlan - Congalegre
[3:53] 2. Charlie Rouse - Back To The Tropics
[7:20] 3. Big John Patton - Latona
[3:28] 4. Duke Pearson - Sandalia Dela
[3:09] 5. Ike Quebec - Loie
[3:31] 6. Cannonball Adderley - Sambop
[5:02] 7. Kenny Dorham - Afrodisia
[5:47] 8. Grant Green - Mambo Inn
[4:56] 9. Horace Silver - The Cape Verdean Blues
[6:17] 10. Andrew Hill - Mira
[8:09] 11. Hank Mobley - Recado Bossa Nova
[5:30] 12. Lou Donaldson - South Of The Border
[7:14] 13. Donald Byrd - Ghana

This compilation should be titled Blue Latin because it's more of a sampler of various Latin jazz styles than just a bossa nova-jazz mix. In an age of overzealous marketing and grab-bag reissues, though, the oversight is understandable. Thankfully, the misguided approach doesn't dim the quality of this very enjoyable Blue Note release. The six actual bossa nova tracks in the collection -- out of 14 -- range from effervescent, hard bop treatments by Hank Mobley ("Recado Bossa Nova") and Cannonball Adderly ("Sambop") to languid ballad renditions by Ike Quebec ("Loie") and Eliane Elias ("Waters of March/Agua de Beber"). The most authentic and best of the bunch is Duke Pearson's "Sandalia Dela," which spotlights Brazilian stars Airto Moreira and Flora Purim. Another standout is John Patton's B-3 organ bossa "Latona," which features inspired solos by guitarist Grant Green and vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson. Throughout this collection, in fact, excellent solos and support abound by the likes of Lee Morgan, Joe Henderson, Willie Bobo, Dom Um Romao, Nana Vasconcelos, Horace Silver, and J.J. Johnson, among others. The remaining numbers on Blue Bossa showcase everything from mambos to calypso. The highlights here include Horace Parlan's piano trio number "Congalegre," Kenny Dorham's superbly arranged, large ensemble original "Afrodesia," and Donald Byrd's cool cooker "Ghana." If you fancy more authentic Brazilian jazz, bossa nova, or otherwise, then check out Blue Note's excellent Blue Brazil series, which features Brazilian musicians exclusively. If you are a jazz fan with a yen for Stan Getz and the whole stateside bossa nova craze of the '60s, then Blue Bossa is a great buy. ~Stephen Cook

Blue Bossa

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Duke Pearson Trio - Profile & Tender Feelin's

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 76:13
Size: 174.5 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[5:24] 1. Like Someone In Love
[4:22] 2. Black Coffee
[4:48] 3. Taboo
[4:46] 4. I'm Glad There Is You
[5:05] 5. Gate City Blues
[5:50] 6. Two Mile Run
[5:38] 7. Witchcraft
[4:16] 8. Bluebird Of Happiness
[5:21] 9. I'm A Fool To Want You
[4:31] 10. I Love You
[5:05] 11. When Sonny Gets Blue
[5:24] 12. The Golden Striker
[6:43] 13. On Green Dolphin Street
[8:53] 14. 3 A.M.

Duke Pearson (p), Gene Taylor (b), Lex Humphries (d). Recorded at Rudy Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Tracks #1-7 on October 29, and #8-14 on December 6, 1959. Stereo 24-Bit Digitally Remastered.

Columbus Calvin Pearson Jr. (Atlanta, Georgia, August 17, 1932–August 4, 1980), better known as Duke Pearson, set great store by lyricism and flowing, effortless swing every time he played. “I try to get to the heart of each tune,” he said. “I try to get to the meaning of someone else’s tune.” He was equally adept when scoring his own compositions or setting the work of others.

This brilliant pianist was not afraid of unabashed romanticism, a quality very much in evidence throughout his improvisations on these trio performances and expressed through his gentle, warm, almost sensuous touch. Alongside him, bassist Gene Taylor’s work is unfailingly impeccable, and Lex Humphries provides ample confirmation of his reputation as a sensitive, thoroughly reliable drummer.

The interaction within the group is at all times of the highest level in a virtually flawless demonstration of the art of reflective, many-faceted jazz piano trio playing.

Profile & Tender Feelin's

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Bobby Hutcherson - The Kicker

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:43
Size: 123.0 MB
Styles: Post bop, Vibraphone jazz
Year: 1999
Art: Front

[10:31] 1. If Ever I Would Leave You
[ 6:49] 2. Mirrors
[ 7:52] 3. For Duke P. (Aka XYZ)
[ 6:04] 4. The Kicker
[14:16] 5. Step Lightly
[ 8:09] 6. Bedouin

Bobby Hutcherson recorded frequently for Blue Note in the 1960s, though this session remained unissued until 1999. The first half features the vibraphonist in a cooking hard bop session with Joe Henderson and Duke Pearson, starting with an energetic take on the normally slow ballad "If Ever I Would Leave You" and a sizzling Hutcherson original, "For Duke P." Guitarist Grant Green is added for the second half, beginning with the first recording of Henderson's "The Kicker," which became well known from it's later rendition on Horace Silver's highly successful release Song for My Father. Because this is part of Blue Note's limited-edition Jazz Connoisseur series, don't delay in picking it up. ~Ken Dryden

The Kicker

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Stanley Turrentine - The Return Of The Prodigal Son

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:51
Size: 134.7 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[6:36] 1. Return Of The Prodigal Son
[7:06] 2. Pres Delight
[6:09] 3. Bonita
[5:54] 4. New Time Shuffle
[5:16] 5. Better Luck Next Time
[4:36] 6. Ain't No Mountain High Enough
[5:40] 7. Dr. Feelgood
[6:02] 8. The Look Of Love
[5:29] 9. You Want Me To Stop Loving You
[5:58] 10. Dr. Feelgood

Recording Date: June 23 - 28, 1967. Baritone Saxophone – Mario Rivera; Bass – Bob Cranshaw; Congas, Bongos, Tambourine – Richard Landrum; Drums – Ray Lucas; Flute, Alto Saxophone – James Spaulding; Flute, Bass Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Al Gibbons; Flute, Tenor Saxophone – Joe Farrel; Organ – Duke Pearson; Piano – McCoy Tyner; Tenor Saxophone – Stanley Turrentine; Trombone – Garnett Brown, Julian Priester; Trumpet – Blue Mitchell; Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Joe Shepley, Marvin Stamm.

Stanley Turrentine is generally pegged as a soul-jazz man but also has proven quite adept in several other styles of modern jazz, as heard on this diverse compilation of tunes from three initially unreleased Blue Note dates with a larger ensemble. While hitting up a handful of the pop tunes of the day, Turrentine shows he is interested in and capable of tackling more modern compositions, with the vibrant and exciting assistance of pianist McCoy Tyner, also not a slouch when soul-jazz is placed in front of him. That Turrentine plays a most enjoyable fluid, tuneful, and tonic tenor saxophone has never been questioned, but what he adds in value as a leader on these tracks further cements his estimable reputation. The distinctive flutes of Joe Farrell and Al Gibbons take flight into the atmosphere on Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Bonita," where the pensive tenor of Turrrentine gives little indication that this piece will end in a warm Brazilian simmer. Tyner is in "full steam ahead" mode for "Pres Delight" (previously mistitled "Flying Jumbo"), an outstanding hard bopper that should be a classic, and deserves to be rediscovered. Joe Sample's "New Time Shuffle" was a hit for the Jazz Crusaders, and gets a full counterpoint horn treatment within a shuffle beat, while the groovy title track is completely identifiable with the big-band super-hip late-'60s soul-jazz movement à la Oliver Nelson and Quincy Jones. The second half of the program with a completely different band -- save Tyner and bassist Bob Cranshaw -- dips into the Motown pop-soul bag. Aretha Franklin's no-frills low-down "Dr. Feelgood" is done twice, the master take with Duke Pearson (who arranged all of these selections) on organ, the second time around with Tyner's piano taking more of a lead role. The funky "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and bossa-pop "The Look of Love" are done straight, while "You Want Me to Stop Loving You" returns to pure soul-jazz with Tyner's deft piano chords, the horns talking back to him, and the organ omitted -- all smart, conscious decisions. Turrentine's commercial breakthrough, "Sugar," would come three years after these recordings, so this represents a prelude to the success that would deservedly come his way. ~Michael G. Nastos

The Return Of The Prodigal Son

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Duke Pearson - On Green Dolphin Street

Size: 196,9 MB
Time: 84:48
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz: Piano Jazz
Art: Front

01. Say You're Mine (5:24)
02. Exodus (5:45)
03. Angel Eyes (2:39)
04. Le Carrousel (4:47)
05. I'm An Old Cow Hand (4:42)
06. Le Carrousel (Alternate Take) (4:14)
07. Say You're Mine (5:27)
08. I'm An Old Cow Hand (Alternate Take) (4:29)
09. Say You're Mine (Alternate Take) (5:27)
10. Jeannine (5:28)
11. Bags Groove (4:59)
12. When Sunny Gets Blue (5:05)
13. I'm A Fool To Want You (5:21)
14. I Love You (4:30)
15. The Golden Striker (5:25)
16. On Green Dolphin Street (6:43)
17. Bluebird Of Happiness (4:16)

Duke Pearson was an accomplished, lyrical, and logical — if rather cautious — pianist who played a big part in shaping the Blue Note label's hard bop direction in the 1960s as a producer. He will probably be best remembered for writing several attractive, catchy pieces, the most memorable being the moody "Cristo Redentor" for Donald Byrd, "Sweet Honey Bee" for himself and Lee Morgan, and "Jeannine," which has become a much-covered jazz standard. Pearson was introduced to brass instruments and the piano as a youth, and his abilities on the latter inspired his uncle, an Ellington admirer, to give him his nickname. Dental problems forced Pearson to abandon the brass family, so he worked as a pianist in Atlanta and elsewhere in Georgia and Florida before moving to New York in 1959. There, he joined Donald Byrd's band and the Art Farmer-Benny Golson Sextet, and served as Nancy Wilson's accompanist. In 1963, he arranged four numbers for jazz septet and eight-voice choir on Byrd's innovative A New Perspective album; one of the tunes was "Cristo Redentor," which became a jazz hit. From 1963 to 1970, Pearson was in charge of several recording sessions for Blue Note, while also recording most of his albums as a leader. He also led a big band from 1967 to 1970 and again in 1972, hiring players like Pepper Adams, Chick Corea, Lew Tabackin, Randy Brecker, and Garnett Brown. Pearson continued to accompany vocalists in the 1970s, such as Carmen McRae, but he spent a good deal of the latter half of the decade fighting the ravages of multiple sclerosis. ~Richard S. Ginell

On Green Dolphin Street

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