The New York All-Stars - Burnin' in London

Styles: Jazz, Big Band
Year: 2018
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:46
Size: 144,5 MB
Art: Front

( 7:08)  1. Almost Like Being in Love
(10:04)  2. I Could Have Danced All Night
(11:58)  3. Nightlife in Tokyo
( 9:44)  4. It's Magic
(12:18)  5. The Night Has a Thousand Eyes
(11:32)  6. Summertime

Who would have thought that in this day and age a contemporary hard-bop / post-bop live CD could sound so good? Recorded live at London's Pizza Express Jazz Club on 20th and 21st November 2017 this little gem qualifies as a winner for the sheer visceral excitement conjured-up by its four participants. Senior partner in the band is veteran pianist Harold Mabern, registering a sprightly 81 years at the time of recording, whose playing here is absolutely incandescent. His former pupil, tenorist Eric Alexander cooks-up smoking, full-bodied saxophone throughout. Bassist Darryl Hall (not to be confused with Daryl Hall the rock musician) and Austrian born Bernd Reiter on drums complete the line-up and provide truly excellent accompaniment. The set kicks-off with a rousing, memorable version of Frederick Loewe's "Almost Like Being In Love" and is immediately followed by Loewe's hit from My Fair Lady "I Could Have Danced All Night," taken at a satisfyingly frenetic pace. However, things take an even more exhilarating turn with Mabern's original composition "Nightlife In Tokyo," the minor chord structure providing a perfect backdrop for Alexander's biting tenor. The sixties pop tune "The Night Has A Thousand Eyes" is given a fresh re-working and remains in the listener's memory far longer than would have been thought imaginable. Another highlight is an energised and cliché-eschewing version of George Gershwin's "Summertime" in which Alexander manages to insert some quotes from "A Love Supreme." This fast-paced interpretation may well be one of the most original versions of that standard ever recorded, with the All-Stars channelling the sound of the classic Coltrane quartet, at times . The New York All-Stars confound all expectations and clearly demonstrate that this kind of jazz, which is very much alive, can really burn through any barriers. Hence the wholly accurate title. ~ Roger Farbey https://www.allaboutjazz.com/burnin-in-london-new-york-all-stars-featuring-eric-alexander-and-harold-mabern-ubuntu-music-review-by-roger-farbey.php

Personnel: Eric Alexander: tenor saxophone; Harold Mabern: piano; Darryl Hall: bass; Bernd Reiter: drums.

Burnin'in London

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The New York Allstars - Stompin' At The Savoy: The New York Allstars Play Lionel Hampton Vol 2

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:11
Size: 130.9 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz
Year: 2001
Art: Front

[9:04] 1. Seven Come Eleven
[5:48] 2. Stompin' At The Savoy
[5:48] 3. Hamp's Boogie Woogie
[5:28] 4. Stardust
[7:42] 5. How High The Moon
[6:47] 6. Pennies From Heaven
[9:48] 7. Air Mail Special
[6:43] 8. Avalon

The New York Allstars, under the leadership of trumpeter Randy Sandke, follow up an earlier tribute to Lionel Hampton with a second volume recorded during the same 1998 concert. Half of this swinging octet is made of Americans (guitarist James Chirillo, trombonist Roy Williams, and drummer Eddie Metz) while the rest are from Europe. No attempt is made to copy Hampton's famous recordings or drastically rearrange them -- it is simply good, loose, and inspired playing throughout, with no one musician hogging the spotlight. Sandke has long since earned his stripes as a soloist and bandleader, though he seems appreciated more in Europe. Clarinetist and tenor saxophonist Antti Sarpila and vibraphonist Lars Erstrand, on the other hand, deserve to be better known in the U.S., though their opportunities to perform in the land that gave birth to jazz are few. Pianist Thilo Wagner and bassist Dave Green help anchor the rhythm section. In addition to an easygoing "Stompin' at the Savoy" and a brisk "How High the Moon," alternate versions of "Air Mail Special" and "Avalon" (both of which are present on the first volume) are added, indicating that the two CDs are likely composites of two separate concerts from the same evening. This is another example of Nagel Heyer's efforts to keep swing alive without turning the music into a series of stuffy museum exhibits. ~Ken Dryden

Stompin' At The Savoy: The New York Allstars Play Lionel Hampton Vol 2

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The New York Allstars - Hey Ba-Ba-Re-Bop!!: The New York Allstars Play Lionel Hampton

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:28
Size: 145.3 MB
Styles: Swing, Vibraphone jazz
Year: 1999
Art: Front

[ 9:27] 1. Air Mail Special
[ 6:47] 2. Moonglow
[ 6:01] 3. Ring Dem Bells
[ 3:49] 4. Indian Summer
[ 5:23] 5. Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop
[ 3:15] 6. A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square
[ 7:07] 7. Avalon
[ 7:35] 8. Rose Room
[ 3:59] 9. Body And Soul
[10:01] 10. Flying Home

Bass – Dave Green; Clarinet – Antti Sarpila; Drums – Ed Metz Jr.; Leader – Randy Sandke; Piano – Thilo Wagner; Rhythm Guitar – James Chirillo; Tenor Saxophone – Antti Sarpila; Trombone – Roy Williams; Trumpet – Randy Sandke; Vibraphone – Lars Erstrand.

Trumpeter Randy Sandke heads a strong group of American and European swing/mainstream players on a set of ten songs associated with vibraphonist/bandleader Lionel Hampton. Sandke, trombonist Roy Williams, and Antti Sarpila (on clarinet and saxophones) make for a solid front line, while vibraphonist Lars Erstrand sometimes comes close to duplicating the sound of Hampton. The octet romps through such songs as "Air Mail Special," "Hey Ba-Ba-Re-Bop," "Avalon," and of course an extended "Flying Home," along with some other swing standards and ballads. The music is as fun and infectious as one would expect, with Sandke in particular in fine form. ~Scott Yanow

Hey Ba-Ba-Re-Bop: The New York Allstars Play Lionel Hampton

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The New York Allstars - Count Basie Remembered Vol.1 And Vol.2

Styles: Big Band
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:34
Size: 139,2 MB
Art: Front + Back

(5:06)  1. Swingin' Back
(3:42)  2. Down For Double
(4:26)  3. Softly With Feeling
(5:32)  4. Shoe Shine Boy
(6:53)  5. Shining Stockings
(6:11)  6. I Want A Little Girl
(5:07)  7. Lester Leaps In
(8:09)  8. How Long Blues
(7:34)  9. 9:20 Special
(7:50) 10. One O'Clock Jump

Count Basie's small group dates of the 1940s are saluted on this delightful set from a strong octet comprised of leader/trumpeter Randy Sandke, trombonist Dan Barrett, Brian Oglivie (on clarinet, alto and tenor), Basie alumnus Billy Mitchell on tenor, pianist Mark Shane, guitarist James Chirillo, bassist Bob Haggart and drummer Joe Ascione. It is particularly rewarding to hear the veteran Mitchell in this setting. The arrangements (by Sandke and Harry Tibbs) fit the music well, and the live concert is enthusiastically received. Among the ten tunes swung are "Down for Double," "Shoe Shine Boy," "Lester Leaps In" and, of course, "One O'Clock Jump." ~ Scott Yanow   http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-count-basie-remembered-vol-1-mw0000059918

Personnel: Mark Shane (vocals, piano); James Chirillo (guitar); Brian Ogilvie (clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Billy Mitchell (tenor saxophone); Randy Sandke (trumpet); Dan Barrett (trombone); Joe Ascione (drums).

Count Basie Remembered Vol.1

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Styles: Big Band
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:42
Size: 116,5 MB
Art: Front + Back

(5:56)  1. Swingin' The Blues
(3:35)  2. Moten Swing
(5:05)  3. Blue And Sentimental
(2:45)  4. April In Paris
(5:16)  5. Li'l Darlin'
(3:50)  6. Big Noise From Winnetka
(8:32)  7. Broadway
(6:17)  8. Baby Won't You Please Come Home
(9:22)  9. The King

Randy Sandke's second volume of a concert salute to Count Basie is equal to the earlier CD. Sandke has long been underrated as a soloist, but he more than proves himself. These performances, utilizing both new charts by bandmembers as well as tried and true scores, have the feeling of Basie-type head arrangements, flowing easily yet swinging hard. Yet none of the music comes across as a museum-piece re-creation; rather, the selections featured here are updated treatments of favorites. Joining him are trombonist Dan Barrett, multi-reed player Brian Ogilvie, tenor saxophonist (and Basie alum) Billy Mitchell, pianist Mark Shane, guitarist James Chirillo, drummer Joe Ascione, and the legendary bassist and composer Bob Haggart. 

Mitchell arranged the lush chart of "Blue and Sentimental" and Sandke shines in "April in Paris," while omitting the traditional (if trite) quote of "Pop Goes the Weasel." The one non-Basie-related track is Haggart's fun-filled duet with Ascione of "Big Noise from Winnetka," which dates from his days as a member of Bob Crosby's Bobcats. All in all, this is a very enjoyable tribute.  ~ Ken Dryden   http://www.allmusic.com/album/count-basie-remembered-vol-2-mw0000606594

Personnel: Randy Sandke (trumpet); James Chirillo (guitar); Billy Mitchell , Brian Ogilvie (tenor saxophone); Dan Barrett (trombone); Mark Shane (piano); Joe Ascione (drums).

Count Basie Remembered Vol. 2

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The New York Allstars - Broadway

Styles: Big Band
Year: 1998
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:53
Size: 133,2 MB
Art: Front

(6:02)  1. Broadway
(5:44)  2. Moten Swing
(3:37)  3. 'Round Midnight
(3:36)  4. Rosetta
(6:07)  5. In A Mellow Tone
(3:59)  6. When It's Sleepy Time Down South
(3:44)  7. After You've Gone
(4:47)  8. Bye Bye Blackbird
(5:34)  9. On The Sunny Side Of The Street
(3:53) 10. It's All Right With Me
(5:23) 11. Basin Street Blues
(5:21) 12. Mack The Knife

As trumpeter Randy Sandke remembers in the liner notes, the music on this CD was recorded after a seven-hour drive in Germany with most of the musicians already suffering a bit from jet lag. The studio was hot and the repertoire was comprised of old warhorses. And yet, despite all of that, the music turned out to be quite magical. The all-star group (Sandke; trombonist Dan Barrett; Scott Robinson on tenor, bass sax, and cornet; pianist Mark Shane; guitarist/singer Marty Grosz; bassist Linc Milliman, and drummer Dave Ratajczak) managed to be quite inspired and the little arranged sections (probably by Barrett) were major assets. Highlights include "Broadway," "Rosetta," "After You've Gone," and "Mack the Knife." Recomended for small-group swing fans. ~ Scott Yanow   http://www.allmusic.com/album/broadway-mw0000050444

Personnel: Marty Grosz (vocals, guitar); Scott Robinson (tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, cornet); Randy Sandke (trumpet); Dan Barrett (trombone); Mark Shane (piano); Dave Ratajczak (drums).

Broadway

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The New York Allstars - We Love You, Louis

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 77:15
Size: 176.8 MB
Styles: Big band
Year: 1995/2011
Art: Front

[0:36] 1. When It's Sleepy Down South
[2:22] 2. Mabel's Dream
[3:03] 3. Sugar Foot Stomp
[4:49] 4. Big Butter And Egg Man
[3:11] 5. Cornet Chop Suey
[4:54] 6. Wild Man Blues
[3:18] 7. Potato Head Blues
[3:35] 8. Muskrat Ramble
[4:52] 9. Savoy Blues
[8:07] 10. Struttin' With Some Barbecue
[4:32] 11. Basin Street Blues
[2:53] 12. Weather Bird
[7:33] 13. Ballad Medley
[3:48] 14. Swing That Music
[6:08] 15. If I Could Be With You (One Hour Tonight)
[6:09] 16. Mack The Knife/The Faithful Hussar
[4:31] 17. Ole Miss Mabel's Dream
[2:46] 18. When It's Sleepy Down South

This excellent tribute to the music of Louis Armstrong has arrangements for an octet by Randy Sandke and consistently strong trumpet solos from Sandke and Byron Stripling. With strong assistance from clarinetist Kenny Davern, trombonist Joel Helleny and a four-piece rhythm section headed by pianist Mark Shane, Sandke and Stripling mostly (but not exclusively) explore Satch's music of the 1920s. A special highlight is "Struttin' with Some Barbecue" which not only reproduces the great trumpeter's famous 1927 solo, but also finds Stripling playing Satch's usual solo from the 1950s. Other highlights include "Sugar Foot Stomp," "Cornet Chop Suey," "Potato Head Blues," "Weatherbird" and "Swing That Music." Easily recommended to Louis Armstrong fans. ~ Scott Yanow

Recorded live at The Congress Centre, Hamburg, Germany on November 18, 1995.

Byron Stripling (vocals, trumpet); Randy Sandke (trumpet); Joel Helleny (trombone); David Ostwald (tuba); Kenny Davern (clarinet); Mark Shane (piano); Greg Cohen (bass); Joe Ascione (drums).

We Love You, Louis

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