Hal Singer - Paris Soul Food

Styles: Saxophone Jazz 
Year: 1969
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 34:12
Size: 78,9 MB
Art: Front

(2:40)  1. Paris Soul Food
(2:22)  2. Brother, I'm With You
(3:36)  3. Malcolm X
(2:52)  4. Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa
(4:51)  5. Saturday Night In Watts, Act One
(2:26)  6. Green Onions
(3:33)  7. Jumpin' Jack Flash
(2:25)  8. Good To Me
(2:10)  9. Son Of A Preacher Man
(3:01) 10. Kansas City
(4:12) 11. Hey Jude

Equally at home blowing scorching R&B or tasty jazz, Hal "Cornbread" Singer has played and recorded both over a career spanning more than half a century. Singer picked up his early experience as a hornman with various Southwestern territory bands, including the outfits of Ernie Fields, Lloyd Hunter, and Nat Towles. He made it to Kansas City in 1939, working with pianist Jay McShann (whose sax section also included Charlie Parker), before venturing to New York, in 1941, and playing with Hot Lips Page, Earl Bostic, Don Byas, and Roy Eldridge (with whom he first recorded in 1944). After the close of the war, Singer signed on with Lucky Millinder's orchestra. Singer had just fulfilled his life's ambition  a chair in Duke Ellington's prestigious reed section in 1948, when a honking R&B instrumental called "Cornbread" that he'd recently waxed for Savoy as a leader began to take off. That presented a wrenching dilemma for the young saxist, but in the end, his decision to go out on his own paid off; "Cornbread" paced the R&B charts for four weeks and gave him his enduring nickname. Another of his Savoy instrumentals, "Beef Stew," also cracked the R&B lists.

Singer recorded rocking R&B workouts for Savoy into 1956 (the cuisine motif resulting in helpings of "Neck Bones," "Rice and Red Beans," and "Hot Bread"), working with sidemen including pianists Wynton Kelly and George Rhodes, guitarist Mickey Baker, bassist Walter Page, and drummer Panama Francis. One of his last dates for the firm produced the torrid "Rock 'n' Roll," which may have featured Singer as vocalist as well as saxist. By the late '50s, Singer had abandoned rock & roll for a life as a jazz saxist. He recorded for Prestige in a more restrained manner in 1959, and stayed in that general groove. Singer relocated to Paris in 1965, winning over European audiences with his hearty blowing and engaging in quite a bit of session work with visiting blues and jazz luminaries. The old R&B fire flared up temporarily in 1990, when he cut Royal Blue for Black Top with boogie piano specialist Al Copley. ~ Bill Sahl https://www.allmusic.com/artist/hal-singer-mn0000949042/biography

Featuring : Hal Singer (saxophone), Manu Dibango (saxophone), Bernard Estardy, Slim Pezin (banjo), Lucien Dobat, Jeannot Karl, Mam (Group Leader)

Paris Soul Food

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Hal Singer - Challenge

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:50
Size: 174,6 MB
Art: Front

(10:16)  1. Challenge
( 9:01)  2. Hamid's Time
(10:57)  3. Hong Kong Nights
( 8:38)  4. I Thought About You
( 7:55)  5. Long March to Freedom
(10:27)  6. Stressology
(10:02)  7. Dreams of Dream
( 8:31)  8. About the Children

This was a very interesting collaboration between saxophonists Hal Singer and David Murray. Aided my Murray's core band of Lafayette Gilchrist on piano, Jaribu Shahid on bass and Hamid Drake on drums, the group develops a nice swing feel that is less of a tenor battle and more of a friendly conversation. The saxophone tones contrast nicely, with Singer's lighter Pres like tone counteracting nicely with the gruff Hawkins like feeling of David Murray. Occasionally I longed to hear them let rip with a Kansas City like tenor sax battle of history, but that's not the point of this disc. Rasul Siddik sits in on trumpet on two tracks, enlivening Murray's "Hong Kong Nights" and "Stressology" with strong brassy accents. Gilcrest is excellent throughout with a bright and strong tone. Drake, as always, is a joy mixing rhythm and pace, getting his own feature on the aptly named "Hamid's Time," composed by Singer. But the focus is really on the two saxophonists throughout, trading solos and ideas and sparking off of each other with ebullient energy and taste. Singer tends to reign in Murray's occasional over-exuberance, and Murray in turn challenges Singer to a high level. Classy photographs of the sessions and liner notes in English and French round out an excellent package.

Personnel: Tenor Saxophone – Hal Singer; Tenor Saxophone, Art Direction – David Murray;  Bass – Jaribu Shahid; Drums – Hamid Drake; Piano – Lafayette Gilchrist; Trumpet – Rasul Siddik

Challenge

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Hal Singer - Blues and News

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1971
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:07
Size: 103,8 MB
Art: Front

(7:37)  1. It's My Thing
(4:38)  2. Lina
(8:38)  3. Malcolm X
(6:17)  4. Pour Stéphanie
(6:07)  5. Du Bois
(6:20)  6. Lina - Unissued
(5:27)  7. Blues For Hal

The other great Hal Singer album from his years on the French scene and a record that we'd say is even better than his legendary Paris Soul Food set! Although Singer is often most associated with an older style of swing-based jazz, he's working here in a loose, free mode that's got plenty of 70s soulful touches often funky at the best moments, but even more importantly openly rhythmic with a progressively soulful style that's really outta site! The group features Art Taylor on drums, plus an assortment of European players led by Siegried Kessler who plays some great piano and flute on the album, and also handled the arrangements. The album features Singer's wonderful tune "Malcolm X" the kind of a track that we'd rank right up there with some of the most righteous soul jazz groovers of the time. Other highlights include the modal "Pour Stephanie", the jagged "Blues For Hal", and the groovy "It's My Thing". CD also includes the bonus track "Lina".

Personnel: Hal Singer - tenor saxophone; Jacques Bolognesi - trombone;  Jean-Claude Andre - guitar; Siegfried Kessler - piano; Patrice Caratini - bass; Art Taylor - drums

Blues and News

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Vic Dickenson & Joe Thomas & Their All-Star Bands - Mainstream

Styles: Trombone And Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1958
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:23
Size: 88,2 MB
Art: Front

( 4:52)  1. Sweethearts On Parade
( 5:58)  2. I Can't Believe You're In Love With Me
( 4:47)  3. Undecided
( 3:39)  4. Crazy Rhythm
( 6:15)  5. The Lamp Is Low
(12:50)  6. Blues For Baby

Mainstream presents swing masters Joe Thomas and Vic Dickenson fronting all-star bands in a time when swing music was elbowing for attention amidst the world of be-bop, cool, and other modern jazz movements. The year was 1958, and English jazz critic Albert J. McCarthy was in New York City writing a book on swing. Surprised to find how difficult a time even the best swing musicians were having in the homeland of jazz, he approached Atlantic Records to sponsor two recording sessions. The first session featured underrated trumpeter Joe Thomas with a band that included Dickie Wells, Buddy Tate, Buster Bailey, and oddly enough, modernist Herbie Nichols on piano. The second session featured the great trombonist Vic Dickenson, Buck Clayton, and Gene Ramey. Both sessions have been re-mastered; the sound quality is excellent. So are the performances. 

Joe Thomas is still grotesquely underrated, and if anyone needs evidence of his mastery this is the recording to bring home that Thomas was among the best of his instrument. Over the years he played and recorded with Fletcher Henderson, Teddy Wilson, and Art Tatum to mention a few. His clear, assured sound and technical skill makes it obvious why McCarthy felt compelled to document this neglected musician. Two-thirds of the disc features Thomas and his band. The other third features Vic Dickenson who has faired better in the annals of jazz history. He is known for his bluesy-toned trombone of exquisite phrasing. Lauded by the famous French jazz critic Andre Hodeir as one of the best of all early jazz musicians, Dickenson doesn’t disappoint on this disc. Although his solo time is limited in the ensemble focus of the arrangements, his solo on "The Lamp Is Low" is particularly memorable. Actually, with either Dickie Wells or Vic Dickenson playing trombone and either Joe Thomas or Buck Clayton playing lead trumpet this is a brass player’s disc if there ever was one. In short, if you’re interested in a satisfying, swing recording featuring a line-up of outstanding soloists, good rhythm sections, and a selection of solid arrangements, then Mainstream is definitely worth checking out. Recommended. ~ Mike Neely https://www.allaboutjazz.com/mainstream-vic-dickenson-koch-international-jazz-review-by-mike-neely.php

Personnel: Joe Thomas, trumpet; Johnny Letman, 2nd trumpet; Dickie Wells, trombone; Buddy Tate, tenor sax; Buster Bailey, clarinet; Herbie Nichols, piano; Everett Barksdale, guitar; Bill Pemberton, bass; and Jimmy Crawford, drums. Vic Dickenson, trombone; Buck Clayton, trumpet; Hal Singer, tenor sax; Herbie Hall, clarinet; Al Williams, piano; Danny Barker, guitar; Gene Ramey, bass; and Marquis Foster, drums.

Mainstream

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Eddie 'Cleanhead' Vinson - Kidney Stew

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:12
Size: 133.2 MB
Styles: Jazz/Blues/R&B
Year: 1987/2007
Art: Front

[3:00] 1. Old Kidney Stew Is Fine
[3:13] 2. Wait A Minute Baby
[3:45] 3. Old Maid Boogie
[3:17] 4. Somebody's Gotta Go
[4:46] 5. Things Ain't What They Used To Be
[3:17] 6. Wee Baby Blues
[4:32] 7. Juice Head Baby
[3:36] 8. Just A Dream (On My Mind)
[3:17] 9. I'm In An Awful Mood
[4:08] 10. Please Send Me Someone To Love
[2:51] 11. Person To Person
[5:40] 12. Alimony Blues
[7:19] 13. Hey Little Doggy
[5:23] 14. Totsy

Alto Saxophone, Vocals – Eddie Vinson; Bass – Roland Lobligeois; Drums – Paul Gunther; Guitar – T. Bone Walker; Piano – Jay Mc Shann; Tenor Saxophone – Hal Singer. Recorded on March 28th 1969 at Pathé Marconi Studio, France.

This set is the only recording that exists of Vinson, pianist Jay McShann, and guitarist T-Bone Walker playing together; the sextet is rounded out by the fine tenor Hal Singer, bassist Roland Lobligeois, and drummer Paul Gunther. Vinson, whether singing "Plese Send Me Somebody to Love," "Just a Dream," and "Juice Head Baby" or taking boppish alto solos, is the main star throughout this album, a date that helped launch Vinson's commercial comeback. ~Scott Yanow

Kidney Stew

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Milt Buckner, Hal Singer - Milt & Hal

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:08
Size: 142.2 MB
Styles: R&B-Jazz
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[7:00] 1. Milt & Hal
[6:14] 2. Time For Dreams
[3:52] 3. Ghost Of A Chance
[7:12] 4. There's A Small Hotel
[4:28] 5. Nancy With The Laughing Face
[8:19] 6. The Blues Is Mine
[7:57] 7. Milt & Hal (Take 3)
[4:33] 8. Pick Yourself Up
[4:26] 9. Little Miss Maudlin
[8:02] 10. There's A Small Hotel (Take 1)

This is really an album led by tenor saxophonist Hal Singer, which accounts for the generous amount of R&B in the music. Not that Milt Buckner was moving it in the other direction because Buckner was comfortable in a number of musical settings including jazz, jump blues, and R&B. The pairing of Singer and Buckner gives this album a nice flavor as evidenced by the sound samples.

Other members of the ensemble are John Letman on trumpet and Tiny Grimes on guitar. Letman was also a session leader because his album, A Funky Day In Paris, was also being recorded during the same sessions and the entire ensemble appears on both. Having the great Tiny Grimes on guitar is pure icing on a rather delicious cake. ~Mike Tarrani

Milt & Hal

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Hal Singer - Rent Party

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 41:52

Size: 95.9 MB

Styles: Jump blues, Jazz-blues

Year: 1984/2009

Art: Front

[2:55] 1. Cornbread

[2:23] 2. Teddy's Dream

[2:41] 3. One For Willie

[2:31] 4. Neck Bones

[2:33] 5. Rent Party

[2:23] 6. Singer Song

[2:21] 7. Rice And Red Beans

[2:22] 8. Swing Shift

[2:45] 9. Hot Rod

[2:19] 10. Rock 'n Roll

[3:08] 11. Indian Love Call

[2:19] 12. The Frog Hop

[2:55] 13. Hometown-Down For Dean

[2:46] 14. Easy Living

[2:22] 15. Hound's Tooth

[3:03] 16. Crossroads

Singer started performing in the 1930s and on into the 1940s in the bands of Ernie Fields, Jay McShann and Oran "Hot Lips" Page, among others, then in the late 1940s cut records backing Brownie McGhee and also with the groups The X-Rays and The Lem Davis Sextet before forming his own Sextet (and briefly an Octet). A recording contract with Savoy resulted in 7 singles, a number of which are presented here (which first came out in 1984 as vinyl LP Savoy Jazz SJL 1147).

During the height of the British Invasion, following a tour of Europe with Earl "Fatha" Hines, Singer chose to make his new home near Paris where, among others, he played with the likes of Charlie Watts - the famed drummer of The Rolling Stones - and his jazz band, as well as the legendary Duke Ellington. In fact, he can be heard in the Duke's acclaimed album Paris Soul Food, recorded in 1969. In 1981, at age 62, he was also part of the 1981 Rocket 88 live album by the British group of the same name, and later recorded two of his own albums for JSP records, owned by John Stedman, "Swing On It" and "Big Blues" - the latter also involving Jimmy Witherspoon. Another album, "Royal Blue," was done at age 70 in 1990 in collaboration with Al Copley for Black Top Records. That same year he had a role in the film Taxi Blues, and in 1999, after he turned 80, he was the subject of the documentary film Keep The Music Going.

This album, in terms of his more prominent singles, is probably the best of what's out there covering this unsung saxophonist, with digitally-remastered sound and original vinyl sleeve notes written by Phil Schaap. The other personnel involved in these original Savoy recordings are: tenor saxophonists Buddy Lucas and Sam Taylor, alto saxophonist Dave McRae, baritone saxophonist Leslie Johnakins, trumpeter Willie Moore, trombonists Milt Larkins and Chips Outcalt, pianists Wynton Kelly, Kelly Owens and George Rhodes, guitarist Mickey Baker (of Mickey & Sylvia fame), bass players George Duvivier, Frank Skeete, Leonard Gaskin and Walter Page, and drummers Sol Hall, Heywood Jackson, Panama Francis and Bobby Donaldson. ~AvidOldiesCollector

Rent Party

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Hal Singer - Hal Singer With Charlie Shavers: Blue Stompin'

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:25
Size: 88.0 MB
Styles: Hard Bop, Soul-jazz
Year: 1959/1994/2009
Art: Front

[ 6:25] 1. Blue Stompin'
[ 6:51] 2. Windy
[ 5:00] 3. With A Song In My Heart
[11:02] 4. Midnight
[ 4:29] 5. Fancy Pants
[ 4:35] 6. The Blast Off

Recorded in Hackensack, NJ; February 20, 1959. Bass – Wendell Marshall; Drums – Osie Johnson; Piano – Ray Bryant; Tenor Saxophone – Hal Singer; Trumpet – Charlie Shavers.

This is a fun set of heated swing with early R&B overtones. The title cut is a real romp, with tenor saxophonist Hal Singer and trumpeter Charlie Shavers not only constructing exciting solos but riffing behind each other. With the exception of the standard "With a Song in My Heart," Singer and Shavers wrote the remainder of the repertoire, and with the assistance of a particularly strong rhythm section (pianist Ray Bryant, bassist Wendell Marshall and drummer Osie Johnson), there are many fine moments on this enjoyable set. Recommended. ~Scott Yanow

Hal Singer With Charlie Shavers: Blue Stompin"

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Hal Singer & Massimo Farao Trio - We're Still Buddies

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 59:25

Size: 136.0 MB

Styles: Contemporary jazz

Year: 2005

Art: Front

[8:55] 1. There Is No Greater Love

[9:22] 2. In A Sentimental Mood

[3:10] 3. Jungle Juice

[5:47] 4. Were Still Buddies

[9:29] 5. Solitude

[4:30] 6. Thinkin Of Paola

[5:05] 7. Almost Like Being In Love

[5:43] 8. For All We Know

[7:21] 9. On The Trail

Equally at home blowing scorching R&B or tasty jazz, Hal "Cornbread" Singer has played and recorded both over a career spanning more than half a century. Singer picked up his early experience as a hornman with various Southwestern territory bands, including the outfits of Ernie Fields, Lloyd Hunter, and Nat Towles. He made it to Kansas City in 1939, working with pianist Jay McShann (whose sax section also included Charlie Parker), before venturing to New York, in 1941, and playing with Hot Lips Page, Earl Bostic, Don Byas, and Roy Eldridge (with whom he first recorded in 1944). After the close of the war, Singer signed on with Lucky Millinder's orchestra.

Singer had just fulfilled his life's ambition -- a chair in Duke Ellington's prestigious reed section -- in 1948, when a honking R&B instrumental called "Cornbread" that he'd recently waxed for Savoy as a leader began to take off. That presented a wrenching dilemma for the young saxist, but in the end, his decision to go out on his own paid off; "Cornbread" paced the R&B charts for four weeks and gave him his enduring nickname. ~bio by Bill Dahl

Massimo Farao plays tuneful melodic piano trio jazz with echoes of Bill Evans, Oscar Peterson & Makoto Ozone. Highly recommended.

We're Still Buddies

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