Showing posts with label Paul Chambers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paul Chambers. Show all posts

Thursday, November 28, 2024

Cannonball Adderley - Quintet In Chicago

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1959
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 34:03
Size: 78,2 MB
Art: Front

(4:40)  1. Limehouse Blues
(6:14)  2. Stars Fell on Alabama
(5:46)  3. Wabash
(4:33)  4. Grand  Central
(5:34)  5. You' re A Weaver Of Dreams
(7:13)  6. The Sleeper

This exciting session consists of the 1959 edition of The Miles Davis Sextet minus its leader, though it was later reissued as Cannonball & Coltrane, as there was evidence that both men had considerable input into the date. A brisk "Limehouse Blues" features great exchanges between the saxophonists, while Adderley's soulful "Wabash" is more easygoing. This newly remastered CD is a distinct improvement over the earlier retitled reissue. ~ Ken Dryden  http://www.allmusic.com/album/cannonball-adderley-quintet-in-chicago-mw0000088595

Cannonball Adderley Quintet: Cannonball Adderley (alto saxophone); John Coltrane (tenor saxophone); Wynton Kelly (piano); Paul Chambers (bass); Jimmy Cobb (drums).

Quintet In Chicago

Friday, March 8, 2024

Miles Davis - Blue in Green

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2023
Time: 62:14
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 143,0 MB
Art: Front

( 5:37) 1. Blue In Green
( 9:25) 2. So What
( 9:49) 3. Freddie Freeloader
( 2:49) 4. Générique
( 5:44) 5. Milestones
( 4:43) 6. Stella By Light
( 3:01) 7. 'Round Midnight
(11:35) 8. All Blues
( 9:26) 9. Flamenco Sketches

“Blue in Green” is arguably the most beautiful piece of music on Kind of Blue. The ensemble playing reaches new levels of subtlety and transcendence, and the work benefits greatly from the introduction of pianist Bill Evans, one of Miles Davis’ greatest collaborators. Indeed, his piano part is magnificent, and his solo is a masterpiece of his unrivalled lyricism.

The tempo of the tune is audaciously slow, and it’s easy for the listener to think that it will fall apart at any moment. It doesn’t, however, due to the genius of the ensemble. “Blue in Green” is also a greatly important piece; it shows that the values of “cool jazz” can have huge artistic value it’s not just laid-back music for the sake of it, it’s music of extraordinary depth of feeling. By Thomas Ward Miles Blue in Green by Miles Davis - Track Info | AllMusic

Personnel: Miles Davis – trumpet; John Coltrane – tenor saxophone; Bill Evans – piano; Paul Chambers – double bass; Jimmy Cobb – drums

Blue in Green

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Kenny Burrell - Jazzmen Detroit

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1956
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 33:52
Size: 77,9 MB
Art: Front

(5:57)  1. Afternoon in Paris
(4:46)  2. You Turned the Tables on Me
(5:28)  3. Apothegm
(5:21)  4. Your Host
(5:37) 5. Cottontail
(6:40)  6. Tom's Thumb

This Savoy CD lists Kenny Burrell as session leader, but it is clearly a group effort that could easily have been attributed to Pepper Adams or pianist Tommy Flanagan. Burrell has the edge, though, in writing credits with the contribution of two tunes: the quietly assured "Your Host" and the bluesy, hard bop line "Tom's Thumb." Adams offers his leisurely, sophisticated "Apothegm" to the date. Flanagan, for his part, is pure elegance, subtlety, and swing. With the exception of drummer Kenny Clarke, all the players hail from the motor city.

Coming up through the same hometown music scene may help account for the fine group interplay. It's also apparent the musicians had the luxury of working through these six tunes before sitting down to record. The result does full justice to the fine writing and arranging and allows for thoughtfully developed improvisations. Ensemble entries are crisp and assured, as are the entrances by all soloists. Burrell favors a dry, clean attack here, while Adams reins in his more full-throated tendencies. Clarke, Flanagan, and bassist Paul Chambers support with consummate taste. The overall mood may be a bit too polite, but this remains a classy, near classic performance. There's no padding, although, at 33 minutes, the running time is brief. The sound recording is excellent.By Jim Todd  http://www.allmusic.com/album/jazzmen-detroit-mw0000097797

Personnel: Kenny Burrell (guitar); Pepper Adams (baritone saxophone); Tommy Flanagan (piano); Paul Chambers (bass); Kenny Clarke (drums).

Jazzmen Detroit

Saturday, May 13, 2023

Miles Davis - Workin' with the Miles Davis Quintet

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1956
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:07
Size: 97,8 MB
Art: Front

(5:24) 1. It Never Entered My Mind
(7:13) 2. Four
(5:43) 3. In Your Own Sweet Way
(1:59) 4. The Theme (take 1)
(8:33) 5. Trane's Blues
(7:24) 6. Ahmad's Blues
(4:46) 7. Half Nelson
(1:02) 8. The Theme (take 2)

Trumpeter Miles Davis led several sessions for Prestige Records between November 1955 and October 1956 with his legendary "first" quintet, featuring tenor saxophonist John Coltrane, pianist Red Garland, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Philly Joe Jones. The sessions represent an incomparable musical legacy. Impeccably engineered by Rudy Van Gelder, the music was released on five albums that provide a unique glimpse at how five brilliant instrumentalists coalesced into one of the most extraordinary ensembles in modern jazz.

Workin' presents an easy going program that balances ballads with the blues and includes quintet performances of originals by Davis ("Four," "Half Nelson"), Coltrane ("Trane's Blues"), and Dave Brubeck ("In Your Own Sweet Way"); an interpretation of the standard "It Never Entered My Mind" without saxophone; and a piano-trio version of Ahmad Jamal's "Ahmad's Blues." Coltrane's melancholy solo on Brubeck's tune and Garland's spry excursion on Coltrane's are two of this classic's many highlights. By Mitchell Feldman https://www.amazon.com/Workin-Miles-Davis-Quintet/dp/B000000YGI

Workin' with the Miles Davis Quintet

Thursday, February 9, 2023

Joe Henderson - Four!

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1968
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:45
Size: 165,9 MB
Art: Front

(13:37)  1. Autumn Leaves
(12:18)  2. Four
(14:57)  3. On The Trail
(11:46)  4. Star Dust / Old Folks
(16:04)  5. On Green Dolphin Street
( 3:00)  6. The Theme

This live session from 1968 features the great tenor Joe Henderson (who was then just a few days short of turning 31) playing for the first and possibly only time with the Wynton Kelly Trio. Henderson, pianist Kelly, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Jimmy Cobb really stretch out on six standards (including a two-song medley), all of which clock in between 11:47 and 16:05 (except for a three-minute "Theme"). Henderson really pushes the rhythm section (which, although they had not played with the tenor previously, had been together for a decade) and he is certainly inspired by their presence. This is a frequently exciting performance by some of the modern bop greats of the era. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/four-mw0000120886

Personnel:  Joe Henderson – tenor saxophone;  Wynton Kelly – piano;  Paul Chambers – bass;  Jimmy Cobb – drums

Four

Saturday, February 4, 2023

Miles Davis - The Miles Davis Quintet: At Peacock Alley Disc 1, Disc 2

Album: The Miles Davis Quintet: At Peacock Alley Disc 1
Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1956
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 31:11
Size: 71,9 MB
Art: Front

(0:41) 1. Intro
(5:53) 2. Ah-leu-cha
(5:19) 3. A Foggy Day
(6:35) 4. All of You
(5:13) 5. Woody 'n' You
(7:27) 6. Walkin'

Album: The Miles Davis Quintet: At Peacock Alley Disc 2
Time: 42:48
Size: 98,6 MB

( 5:16) 1. Two Bass Hit
( 7:39) 2. Well You Needn't
( 4:23) 3. Billy Boy
(11:03) 4. All of You
( 6:07) 5. Airegin
( 7:01) 6. Newk #2/Theme
( 1:16) 7. Sign Off-Theme

Miles Davis at Peacock Alley is an unauthorized bootleg album by jazz musician Miles Davis. It was recorded in a two-part broadcast on KXLW-AM on July 14 and July 21, 1956, from Peacock Alley in the Gaslight Square entertainment district of St. Louis. The sessions were hosted by Spider Burks, a local DJ who championed jazz, and was also one of St. Louis’ first black Disc Jockeys.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miles_Davis_Quintet_at_Peacock_Alley

Personnel: Miles Davis — trumpet; John Coltrane — tenor saxophone; Red Garland — piano; Paul Chambers — bass; Philly Joe Jones — drums

The Miles Davis Quintet: At Peacock Alley Disc 1, Disc 2

Miles Davis - Miles Davis And The Modern Jazz Giants

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1956
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:12
Size: 98,5 MB
Art: Front

( 7:59)  1. The Man I Love (Take 2)
(10:46)  2. Swing Spring
( 5:24)  3. 'Round Midnight
( 9:32)  4. Bemsha Swing
( 8:29)  5. The Man I Love (Take 1)

Including sessions recorded the same day as those on Bags Groove, this album includes more classic performances from the date that matched together trumpeter Miles Davis, vibraphonist Milt Jackson, pianist Thelonious Monk, bassist Percy Heath, and drummer Kenny Clarke. Davis and Monk actually did not get along all that well, and the trumpeter did not want Monk playing behind his solos. Still, a great deal of brilliant music occurred on the day of their encounter, including "The Man I Love," "Bemsha Swing," and "Swing Spring." ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/miles-davis-and-the-modern-jazz-giants-mw0000199989

Personnel:  Miles Davis – trumpet;  John Coltrane – tenor saxophone;  Milt Jackson – vibraphone;  Thelonious Monk – piano;  Red Garland – piano;  Percy Heath – bass;  Paul Chambers – bass;  Kenny Clarke – drums;  Philly Joe Jones – drums


Miles Davis And The Modern Jazz Giants

Thursday, December 8, 2022

Kenny Dorham - The Best Of Kenny Dorham - The Blue Note Years

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1964
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:46
Size: 135,3 MB
Art: Front

( 4:26)  1. Minors Holiday
( 4:16)  2. Lotus Flower
( 6:00)  3. Mexico City
( 5:38)  4. Philly Twist
( 7:57)  5. Blue Bossa
( 7:11)  6. Short Story
(15:16)  7. Una Mas (One More Time)
( 7:58)  8. The Fox

Often lost in the shadows of A-team players like Dizzy Gillespie and Clifford Brown, trumpeter Kenny Dorham quietly made a name for himself throughout both the bebop and hard bop years from the mid-'40s to the mid-'60s. His tart tone and mercurial phrasing ideally framed here, The Best of Kenny Dorham offers newcomers a perfect way to get familiar with one of modern jazz's top composers and players. Starting with 1955's classic Afro-Cuban LP, the eight cuts include such essential Dorham originals as "Minor's Holiday," "Blue Bossa," and "Una Mas." And helping out along the way are tenor saxophonists Joe Henderson and Hank Mobley, guitarist Kenny Burrell, pianist Horace Silver, and drummer Philly Joe Jones. A fine snapshot of Dorham in his eclectic prime. ~ Stephen Cook https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-best-of-kenny-dorham-blue-note-years-mw0000082543

Personnel: Trumpet – Kenny Dorham; Kenny Burrell - Guitar; Paul Chambers - Bass; Richard Davis - Bass; Kenny Drew - Piano; Cecil Payne - Saxophone; Philly Joe Jones - Drums.

The Best Of Kenny Dorham - The Blue Note Years

Sunday, June 12, 2022

Houston Person - Trust In Me

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2001
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 78:08
Size: 179,4 MB
Art: Front

(7:58) 1. Chocomotive
(3:54) 2. You're Gonna Hear From Me
(7:38) 3. Close Quarters
(8:36) 4. Since I Fell For You
(7:59) 5. More (Theme From Mondo Cane)
(3:27) 6. Airegin [Bonus Track]
(5:27) 7. One Mint Julep
(4:57) 8. Trust In Me
(5:11) 9. Hey There
(4:24) 10. My Little Suede Shoes
(6:10) 11. That Old Black Magic
(6:31) 12. Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child
(5:49) 13. The Second Time Around

Houston Person is generally considered a soul-jazz specialist whose tenor playing can be counted on to elevate a standard organ combo or groove-based session into something memorable. This set, however, demonstrates Person's reach well beyond funk and blues grooves. The CD, combining the 1967 dates Chocomotive and Trust in Me, reveals a multi-faceted player who has grasped the lessons of tenor greats from Coleman Hawkins to Gene Ammons to Sonny Rollins. This explains why when Person sits down with a Johnny Hammond, Eddie Harris, or Charles Earland he has a whole lot more in his bag than blues licks and an assertive tone. Pianist Cedar Walton is a major presence on both sets, providing a powerful, personal approach that falls somewhere between Horace Silver's sublime earthiness and Thelonious Monk's knotty logic.

Veteran hard boppers Bob Cranshaw and Paul Chambers share the bass spot. The drummers are lesser-knowns Lenny McBrowne and Frankie Jones. Drummer's drummer Alan Dawson is on the Chocomotive tracks in a rare but effective turn at the vibes. Space limitations mean that "Girl Talk" and "Up, Up and Away" from the original Chocomotive are not on the compilation. On the other hand, the bonus track, a brief outing on Sonny Rollins' "Airegin," serves as a prime example of Person's abilities in a probing, straight-ahead setting. A couple of tracks veer towards a blowsy lounge style, but even on "More" (a song that has not stood the test of time) Person with effective work from Walton, Dawson, and Cranshaw steers the performance to a swinging place that transcends the tune's inherent cheesiness.~Jim Todd https://www.allmusic.com/album/trust-in-me-mw0000012925

Personnel: Houston Person- tenor saxophone; Cedar Walton- piano; Alan Dawson- vibes; Bob Cranshaw- bass; Frankie Jones- drums; Paul Chambers- bass; Lenny McBrowne- drums; Ralph Dorsey- conga.

Trust In Me

Saturday, July 31, 2021

Bill Evans - Everybody Still Digs Bill Evans Disc 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Album: Everybody Still Digs Bill Evans Disc 1
Styles: Piano Jazz
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 76:16
Size: 175,0 MB
Art: Front

(4:02) 1. Five
(4:13) 2. Woody'N You (Take 2)
(5:53) 3. Young And Foolish
(5:59) 4. Autumn Leaves
(3:35) 5. How Deep Is The Ocean
(5:54) 6. Sweet And Lovely
(5:24) 7. Blue In Green
(4:58) 8. How My Heart Sings
(5:47) 9. Re: Person I Knew
(4:57) 10. My Foolish Heart (Live At The Village Vanguard / 1961)
(6:57) 11. Waltz For Debby (Live At The Village Vanguard / 1961)
(6:10) 12. Gloria's Step (Live At The Village Vanguard / 1961)
(6:25) 13. My Man's Gone Now (Live At The Village Vanguard / 1961)
(5:54) 14. Swedish Pastry (Live At Shelly's Manne-Hole / 1963)

Album: Everybody Still Digs Bill Evans Disc 2
Time: 73:33
Size: 168,7 MB

(4:50) 1. Israel
(6:05) 2. The Peacocks
(5:54) 3. I Believe In You (feat.Shelly Manne)
(4:26) 4. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
(3:30) 5. I Will Say Goodbye
(5:51) 6. Turn Out The Stars (Live At The Village Vanguard, 1967)
(3:37) 7. Walkin' Up (Live At The Montreux Jazz Festival, 1968)
(5:44) 8. Very Early (Live At Camp Fortune / 1974)
(3:48) 9. Minha (All Mine) (Live At The Wisconsin Union Theater / 1976)
(9:17) 10. My Romance (Live At L'Espace Cardin, Paris / 1979)
(7:33) 11. Days Of Wine And Roses (Live At The Village Vanguard / 1980)
(5:31) 12. The Touch Of Your Lips (Live At The Keystone Korner / 1980)
(7:20) 13. Someday My Prince Will Come (Live At The Keystone Korner / 1980)

Everybody Still Digs Bill Evans Disc 1, Disc 2

Album: Everybody Still Digs Bill Evans Disc 3
Time: 67:34
Size: 155,0 MB

( 6:43) 1. Peace Piece
(10:40) 2. Danny Boy
( 7:12) 3. Make Someone Happy
( 5:07) 4. A Time For Love
( 1:37) 5. Waltz For Debby
( 2:20) 6. The Bad And The Beautiful
( 5:39) 7. N.Y.C.'s No Lark
( 4:56) 8. Emily
( 4:30) 9. Remembering The Rain
( 7:04) 10. I Loves You Porgy (Live At L'Espace Cardin / 1979)
( 4:52) 11. Letter To Evan (Live At L'Espace Cardin / 1979)
( 6:48) 12. Nardis (Live At The Keystone Korner / 1980)

Album: Everybody Still Digs Bill Evans Disc 4
Time: 77:13
Size: 177,1 MB

(5:23) 1. My Funny Valentine
(5:37) 2. A Face Without A Name
(3:57) 3. The Touch Of Your Lips (Vocal Version)
(3:48) 4. I Love You
(6:37) 5. Up With The Lark (Live At L'Espace Cardin / 1979)
(6:29) 6. Funkallero (Live In Antwerp / 1974)
(5:57) 7. Who Cares?
(6:21) 8. Body And Soul
(7:04) 9. You And The Night And The Music
(6:03) 10. Time Remembered
(6:07) 11. Night And Day
(7:34) 12. A Child Is Born
(6:09) 13. Peri's Scope

Album: Everybody Still Digs Bill Evans Disc 5
Time: 60:36
Size: 139,0 MB

( 6:54) 1. Sareen Jurer (Live At Oil Can Harry's / 1975)
( 7:04) 2. Sugar Plum (Live At Oil Can Harry's / 1975)
( 7:43) 3. The Two Lonely People (Live At Oil Can Harry's / 1975)
( 5:10) 4. T.T.T. (Twelve Tone Tune) (Live At Oil Can Harry's / 1975)
( 5:19) 5. Quiet Now (Live At Oil Can Harry's / 1975)
( 6:20) 6. Up With The Lark (Live At Oil Can Harry's / 1975)
( 5:53) 7. How Deep Is The Ocean (Live At Oil Can Harry's / 1975)
( 5:26) 8. Blue Serge (Live At Oil Can Harry's / 1975)
(10:44) 9. Nardis (Live At Oil Can Harry's / 1975)

Only occasionally do classy looking limited-edition box sets prove to be a triumph of style and substance. Too often they are undermined by cheapskate packaging, over elaborate design, poorly written and researched booklets, inadequate session details or, most egregiously, bizarre (in a bad way) track selections. So it is a more than pleasant surprise when something comes along which succeeds, and succeeds magnificently, on all those fronts. Such an item is Concord Records' Craft imprint's Everybody Still Digs Bill Evans: A Career Retrospective (1956—1980).

The 5-CD set comes in a seriously heavyweight, hard bound, velour wrapped, 12" x 10" portfolio style book with a foil-stamped cover. Inside are the discs and a stitched-in 48-page book. There are some great photographs, but the main event is an essay by the Chicago-based writer and Bill Evans connoisseur Neil Tesser. That is followed by complete session details. The whole shebang was produced Nick Phillips (check the YouTube clip below). The music itself has been newly remastered by Paul Blakemore, and immaculately so: the audio quality is off-the-scale superb.

The first four discs total playing time just under five hours cherry pick some of the greatest work Evans released on Riverside, Milestone, Verve, Warner Bros., Fantasy, Elektra/Musician, The Jazz Alliance, United Artists and Nova Discs. Discs One and Two (Trialogues Vol. 1 and Vol. 2) cover his trio recordings from 1956 to 1980. Disc Three (Monologues) surveys his solo recordings from 1958 to 1980. Disc Four (Dialogues & Confluences) takes in some of his co-headlining and sideperson work from 1962 to 1979. It is here that the only significant omission occurs: there is nothing from Miles Davis' Kind Of Blue (Columbia, 1959). Licensing difficulties, presumably.

Disc Five is the icing on the cake. It contains a recently discovered, previously unreleased, live recording of an hour-long performance Evans gave at the long since defunct Oil Can Harry's, Vancouver in June 1975, with bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Eliot Zigmund. The recording appears to have been broadcast once on local radio and then put away in the station's tape archive. The performance contains no previously unrecorded material but most of it was in 1975 quite recently arrived in the set list. Evans had first recorded the opener, Earl Zindars' "Sareen Jurer," in 1974; his own "Sugar Plum," "The Two Lonely People" and "T.T.T." in 1971; and Jerome Kern's "Up With The Lark" in 1972. The other four tunes were familiar Evans fare: Denny Zeitlin's "Quiet Now," Irving Berlin's "How Deep Is The Ocean," Mercer Ellington's "Blue Serge" and, at almost eleven minutes the longest track, Miles Davis' "Nardis," the closer. The group is in terrific form and the sound quality is excellent (take a bow audio restorers Jamie Howarth, John Chester and the aforementioned Paul Blakemore). The performance is also being released on two 180-gram vinyl LPs as On A Friday Evening.Listening to the complete box set, one is reminded that Evans reached his peak of perfection, in a trio format anyway, between 1959 and 1961 with bassist Scott LaFaro and drummer Paul Motian. But that peak was so lofty that even Evans' lower slopes are heavenly and this well compiled collection contains no lower slopes, only peaks and upper slopes.~ Chris May https://www.allaboutjazz.com/everybody-still-digs-bill-evans-a-career-retrospective-1956-1980-bill-evans-craft-recordings

Personnel: Bill Evans: piano; Teddy Kotick: bass; Paul Chambers: bass, acoustic; Sam Jones: bass; Scott LaFaro: bass; Chuck Israels: bass, acoustic; Eddie Gomez: bass; Gary Peacock: bass, acoustic; Marc Johnson: bass; Paul Motian: drums; Philly Joe Jones: drums; Larry Bunker: drums; Shelly Manne: drums; Jack DeJohnette: drums; Marty Morell: drums; Joe La Barbera: drums.

Additional Instrumentation: Jim Hall: guitar; Eliot Zigmund: drums; Tony Bennett: vocal; Marian McPartland; piano; Stan Getz: tenor saxophone; Cannonball Adderley: alto saxophone; Percy Heath: bass; Connie Kay: drums; Freddie Hubbard: trumpet; Zoot Sims: tenor saxophone; Ron Carter: bass; Lee Konitz: alto saxophone; Warne Marsh: tenor saxophone; Harold Land: tenor saxophone; Kenny Burrell: guitar; Ray Brown: bass; Tom Harrell: trumpet; Larry Schneider: tenor saxophone.

Everybody Still Digs Bill Evans Disc 3,4,5

Sunday, April 25, 2021

Kenny Burrell - The Artist Selects

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:14
Size: 173,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:59) 1. This Time The Dream's On Me - Remastered 2000
(6:05) 2. Delilah - Remastered 2000
(3:49) 3. But Not For Me - Remastered
(4:42) 4. Phinupi - Remastered
(4:46) 5. Love, Your Spell Is Everywhere
(7:59) 6. Scotch Blues - Remastered
(4:43) 7. Weaver Of Dreams - Remastered 2000
(9:35) 8. Swingin' - Remastered 1987
(5:25) 9. Chitlins Con Carne
(2:43) 10. Soul Lament - Remastered 1999/Rudy Van Gelder Edition
(4:01) 11. Midnight Blue - Remastered
(5:30) 12. These Foolish Things - 20 Bit Mastering; 1998 Digital Remaster
(6:02) 13. Hackensack - Remastered
(4:49) 14. Freedom

Taking a cue from ECM’s: rarum series, Blue Note has initiated their own The Artist Selects series, allowing living legends to hand-pick their own “best-of” compilations and even sequence them. The inaugural portion of the series, launched Oct. 4, features albums from guitarist Kenny Burrell (pictured), also saxophonist Lou Donaldson, trumpeter Freddie Hubbard and composer/arranger Gerald Wilson. The musicians cull their Blue Note releases, while Wilson selects from his Pacific Jazz recordings. Emphasizing the “artist selects” title, the liner notes contain first-person testimony from the artist of how the recordings came to be and how the process developed. By Katherine Silkaitis https://jazztimes.com/archives/blue-note-begins-artist-selects-series

Personnel: Guitar – Kenny Burrell (tracks: 1-14); Bass - Ben Tucker (tracks: 5,8,14), Major Holley (tracks: 9,11), Oscar Pettiford (tracks: 4), Paul Chambers (tracks: 1,2,7), Sam Jones (tracks: 6); Congas – Candido Camero (tracks: 1,2), Ray Barretto (tracks: 5,8,11,14); Drums – "Philly" Joe Jones (tracks: 12,13), Art Blakey (tracks: 6,8), Bill English (tracks: 5,9,11,14), Kenny Clarke (tracks: 1,2,7), Shadow Wilson (tracks: 4); Organ – Jimmy Smith (tracks: 13); Piano – Bobby Timmons (tracks: 8), Duke Jordan (tracks: 5), Herbie Hancock (tracks: 5,14), Tommy Flanagan (tracks: 1,2,4,7); Tenor Saxophone – Frank Foster (tracks: 4), Junior Cook (tracks: 5), Stanley Turrentine (tracks: 9,14), Tina Brooks (tracks: 5,8); Trumpet – Louis Smith (tracks: 6)

The Artist Selects

Monday, December 7, 2020

Richard "Groove" Holmes - Blue Groove

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 1994
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:33
Size: 167,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:42) 1. Get up and Get It
(5:11) 2. Lee-Ann
(9:23) 3. Body and Soul
(5:26) 4. Broadway
(8:04) 5. Groove's Blues Groove
(6:28) 6. Pennies from Heaven
(4:41) 7. Autumn Leaves
(6:45) 8. There Is No Greater Love
(5:30) 9. Denise
(7:57) 10. Things Ain't What They Used to Be
(7:21) 11. Up Jumped Spring

This CD, which reissues two former LPs by Richard "Groove" Holmes (Get Up & Get It and Soul Mist), showcases the organist in a quintet featuring the tenor of Teddy Edwards and guitarist Pat Martino, with his trio, and (on two standards) with trumpeter Blue Mitchell and tenor saxophonist Harold Vick. Overall, this 73-minute set has many fine solos, spirited ensembles, and two well-rounded programs. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/blue-groove-mw0000111626

Personnel: Bass – Paul Chambers (3) (tracks: 1 to 6); Drums – Billy Higgins (tracks: 1 to 6), Freddie Waits (tracks: 9, 11), George Randall (tracks: 7 to 8, 10); Guitar – Gene Edwards (tracks: 7 to 11), Pat Martino (tracks: 1 to 6); Organ – Richard "Groove" Holmes; Tenor Saxophone – Harold Vick (tracks: 8, 10), Teddy Edwards (tracks: 1 to 6); Trumpet – Blue Mitchell (tracks: 8, 10)

Blue Groove

Thursday, July 18, 2019

Jimmy Heath Quintet - On The Trail

Styles: Saxophone Jazz 
Year: 1964
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:23
Size: 88,7 MB
Art: Front

(5:07)  1. On The Trail
(4:20)  2. Cloak And Dagger
(4:40)  3. Vanity
(5:21)  4. All The Things You Are
(5:32)  5. Gingerbread Boy
(5:16)  6. I Should Care
(8:02)  7. Project S

Unlike some of his other Riverside recordings, the accent on this Jimmy Heath CD reissue is very much on his tenor playing (rather than his arrangements). Heath is in excellent form with a quintet that also includes pianist Wynton Kelly, guitarist Kenny Burrell, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath. The instantly recognizable hard bop saxophonist performs four standards and three of his own compositions, including the original versions of "Gingerbread Boy" and "Project S." It's a good example of his playing talents. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/on-the-trail-mw0000173712

Personnel: Jimmy Heath - tenor saxophone; Wynton Kelly - piano;  Kenny Burrell - guitar;  Paul Chambers - bass;  Al Heath - drums.

On The Trail

Friday, July 5, 2019

Pepper Adams, Donald Byrd - Motor City Scene

Styles: Saxophone And Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1961/2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:46
Size: 98,4 MB
Art: Front

(10:12)  1. Stardust
(10:42)  2. Philson
( 8:03)  3. Trio
( 8:34)  4. Libeccio
( 5:12)  5. Bitty Ditty

A reissue of a session originally released in 1961, Motor City Scene is an excellent example of the wealth of talent in the Detroit area during the 40s, 50s, and 60s. Co-led by trumpeter Donald Byrd and baritone saxophonist Pepper Adams, the cast includes a veritable who’s who of jazzmen on their respective instruments: pianist Tommy Flanagan, guitarist Kenny Burrell, bassist Paul Chambers, and the drums of Louis Hayes. The opening cut, Hoagy Carmichael’s ballad “Star Dust,” is music to get lost in. With Adams and Burrell laying out, we’re treated to Byrd’s majestic tone, reverence for the song’s melody, and exquisite sense of drama. Not to be outdone, Flanagan makes a lovely statement of his own before Byrd enters for a second solo and takes the tune out. Adams shines on his own composition “Philson,” when he begins lazily and then develops lines with his customary bite and precision. Chambers’ rock solid walking bass and Hayes’ crackling snare drum accents ignite an up-tempo version of Errol Garner’s “Trio,” in which Burrell takes three striking choruses of single note lines. The highlight of the session is another Adams’ tune, “Libeccio.” The alternating Latin and straight jazz sections seem to bring out the best in all of the soloists who are clearly inspired by Hayes’ fills. The session ends with “Bitty Ditty,” a memorable composition by another Detroit area jazzman, Thad Jones, which features some of Flanagan’s best playing on the date. The five cuts and (by today’s standards) short playing time of Motor City Scene left me wanting more.~ David A.Orthmann https://www.allaboutjazz.com/motor-city-scene-donald-byrd-rhino-records-review-by-david-a-orthmann.php?width=1920

Personnel: Trumpet – Donald Byrd; Saxophone – Pepper Adams; Drums – "Hey" Lewis;  Bass – Paul Chambers ; Guitar – Kenny Burrell; Piano – Tommy Flanagan

Motor City Scene

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Roy Haynes - We Three

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:18
Size: 90,6 MB
Art: Front

( 4:21)  1. Reflection
( 6:23)  2. Sugar Ray
( 8:51)  3. Solitaire
(11:18)  4. After Hours
( 4:21)  5. Sneakin' Around
( 4:01)  6. Our Delight


We Three, recorded in a single session on November 14, 1958, was the first American studio date as a bandleader for the diminutive and legendary jazz drummer Roy Haynes, although with pianist Phineas Newborn on board (along with bassist Paul Chambers), it really is a set dominated by Newborn, whose busy, two-handed technique here works in tandem balance with Haynes' cool refinement. Newborn was all about amazing and dazzling piano runs that on some dates created simply too much flash and clutter to allow pieces to flow and breathe properly, but Haynes has always been about grace and flow throughout his career (if a drummer's style can said to be elegant, Haynes fits the bill), and here he rubs off on Newborn, who exercises just enough restraint to keep him in the proper orbit, resulting in a fine album. Highlights include the easy, pure swing of the opener, a version of Ray Bryant's "Reflection," a wonderful and bluesy rendition of Avery Parrish's "After Hours" (which finds Newborn in perfect balance between explosive ornamentation and smooth functionality), and a jaunty, fun spin through Newborn's own "Sugar Ray," a tribute to boxer Sugar Ray Robinson. This trio had a brief recording career together, but as this solid set shows, they made the best of it. ~ Steve Leggett https://www.allmusic.com/album/we-three-mw0000372505

Personnel: Roy Haynes - drums; Phineas Newborn Jr. - piano; Paul Chambers - bass

We Three

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Cannonball Adderley Quartet - Cannonball Takes Charge

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1959
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:53
Size: 122,1 MB
Art: Front

(5:32)  1. If This Isn't Love
(5:34)  2. I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry
(4:16)  3. Serenata
(3:39)  4. I've Told Ev'ry Little Star
(7:03)  5. Barefoot Sunday Blues
(5:10)  6. Poor Butterfly
(6:55)  7. I Remember You
(7:48)  8. Barefoot Sunday Blues - Alternate Take
(6:52)  9. I Remember You - Alternate Take

The recording of Cannonball Takes Charge was sandwiched in between two events that would help earn Cannonball Adderley a permanent place in jazz lore. Just the day before the album’s first session, he participated in the completion of Miles Davis’s seminal Kind of Blue. Five months after Cannonball Takes Charge was finished, he had Riverside producer Orrin Keepnews record his newly formed quintet at the Jazz Workshop in San Francisco which helped launch his career as one of the leading proponents of “soul jazz.” But what about the album made in between these two momentous occasions? Cannonball Takes Charge ’s concept was a common one: the altoist is the lone horn in a quartet performing a program made up primarily of standards. The results are anything but routine though, and show that 1959 was a very good year for Cannonball Adderley.  The opening tune, “If This Isn’t Love,” kicks off the proceedings on an ebullient note with Adderley playing an infectious solo that can brighten even the gloomiest day. Things reach a more melancholic note only on “I Guess I’ll Hang My Tears Out To Dry” which features a fine ballad performance by the alto saxophonist. “Barefoot Sunday Blues,” the lone original composition, points to the gospel and soul-inflected jazz that would become Adderley’s calling card. The final selection, “I Remember You,” produces his finest performance on the album. Adderley is able to coax a five-chorus improvisation out of the standard’s changes that is always interesting and full of romantic lyricism. On the piano bench is Wynton Kelly who plays with the utmost of taste throughout. He makes his best impression when he dips in to a more earthy vibe on his last solo chorus of “Barefoot Sunday Blues” and in his work on “Poor Butterfly.” Joining Adderley and Kelly are Paul Chambers and Jimmy Cobb on four tracks, and Percy and Albert Heath on the rest. As an added bonus, this 2002 CD reissue adds alternate takes of “Barefoot Sunday Blues” and “I Remember You” that are well worth listening to. Adderley would rarely revisit the territory he covered in Cannonball Takes Charge in the years to come. His subsequent work on Riverside increasingly began to follow a formula: albums recorded live with the altoist’s working band. In 1961 though, Adderley would record another quartet album, Know What I Mean? , in which he managed to surpass the lofty heights achieved on Cannonball Takes Charge. ~ Robert Gilbert https://www.allaboutjazz.com/cannonball-takes-charge-julian-cannonball-adderley-capitol-records-review-by-robert-gilbert.php

Personnel: Cannonball Adderley - alto saxophone; Wynton Kelly - piano; Paul Chambers, Percy Heath - bass; Jimmy Cobb, Albert Heath - drums

Cannonball Takes Charge

Monday, April 15, 2019

Donald Byrd & Booker Little - The Third World

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 33:11
Size: 76,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:49)  1. Chasing the Bird
(3:47)  2. Prophecy
(6:11)  3. Ping Pong Beer
(2:23)  4. Construction
(4:42)  5. Quiet Temple
(2:51)  6. November Afternoon
(4:20)  7. Call to Arms
(5:03)  8. Wee Tina

There is more and less than meets the eye with this hard bop collection from 1960: less Booker Little and more performers than are listed on the CD. A little research corroborates what the ear suspects: the eight tracks come from three sessions, only one of which has trumpeters Little and Donald Byrd together (three tracks). The other sessions feature, respectively, Little and trombonist Curtis Fuller (two tracks) and Byrd and baritone saxophonist Pepper Adams (three tracks). Adams is one of a half-dozen performers not credited on the CD. To further confuse matters, both the session with Little and Byrd and the one with Little and Fuller have uncredited additional trumpeters Marcus Belgrave and Don Ellis, respectively. Suffice to say, sorting out who plays the trumpet solos is not easy. It seems, though, that Little solos only on one, possibly two, numbers. Originally, these tracks came out on a Warwick LP called Soul of Jazz Percussion. This explains the additional percussion parts some integrated more effectively than others on each of the tracks. Overall, the Byrd/Adams tracks are the most consistent. "November Afternoon" from the Little/Fuller set and "Chasing the Bird" and "Wee Tina" from the Little/Byrd set are also okay. Even so, factor in a couple of poorly handled fadeout endings along with some mixing and editing gaffes and there is not enough here to rate a recommendation, except, perhaps, to the ardent Booker Little completist. ~ Jim Todd https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-third-world-mw0000603542

Personnel: Donald Byrd, Booker Little - trumpet; Bill Evans, Mal Waldron - piano; Pepper Adams - baritone saxophone; Marcus Belgrave, Don Ellis - trumpet; Curtis Fuller - trombone; Paul Chambers, Adison Farmer - bass; Armando Peraza - congas; Willie Rodriguez, Earl Zindars - perc. Philly Joe Jones Ed Shaughnessy - drums.

Third World

Wednesday, April 3, 2019

Lee Morgan - Lee-Way

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1960/2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:25
Size: 90,7 MB
Art: Front

( 9:25)  1. These Are Soulful Days
( 9:41)  2. The Lion And The Wolf
(12:09)  3. Midtown Blues
( 8:10)  4. Nakatini Suite

This date was one of trumpeter Lee Morgan's more obscure Blue Note sessions, but fortunately, it has been reissued on CD. Matched with altoist Jackie McLean, pianist Bobby Timmons, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Art Blakey, Morgan interprets two of Cal Massey's compositions, McLean's "Midtown Blues" and his own blues "The Lion and the Wolf." The music is essentially hard bop with a strong dose of soul; the very distinctive styles of the principals are the main reasons to acquire this enjoyable music. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/lee-way-mw0000125017

Personnel:  Lee Morgan - trumpet; Jackie McLean - alto saxophone; Bobby Timmons - piano; Paul Chambers - bass; Art Blakey - drums

Lee-Way

Sunday, March 24, 2019

Elmo Hope - Plays His Original Compositions

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1961
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:08
Size: 125,7 MB
Art: Front

(3:35)  1. Hot Sauce
(5:01)  2. When The Groove Is Low
(4:28)  3. De-Dah
(3:46)  4. Abdullah
(3:39)  5. Freffie
(6:45)  6. Stars Over Marrakesh
(4:58)  7. Chips
(4:05)  8. Happy Hour
(4:21)  9. Moe's Bluff
(4:31) 10. Moe Is On
(4:39) 11. Maybe So
(4:15) 12. Crazy

The highly original works of composer/pianist Elmo Hope included in this collection are certainly a landmark in his career and a source of unalloyed joy to his many admirers. Paul Chambers and Philly Joe Jones, two of the most exciting jazz musicians, are the remaining two-thirds of this extraordinary trio. Within the dazzling framework of Hopes vivid compositions, they form an aggregation with a strikingly individual style. https://www.freshsoundrecords.com/elmo-hope-albums/4386-plays-his-own-compositions.html

Personnel: Elmo Hope (p), Paul Chambers, Edward Warren (b), Philly Joe Jones, Granville Hogan (d)

Plays His Original Compositions

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Donald Byrd - Timeless

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:32
Size: 97,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:31)  1. Long Green
(7:49)  2. Star Eyes
(7:39)  3. Someone to Watch over Me
(7:36)  4. Honeylike
(7:43)  5. Orpheus
(7:11)  6. Winterset

Timeless Donald Byrd combines most of the trumpeter's 1955 Savoy session Byrd's Word and two tracks from alto saxophonist John Jenkins' 1957 Savoy release Jazz Eyes. 

Both albums are solid examples of mid-'50s mainstream jazz and represent both artists well. Given that these albums go in and out of print, the Timeless compilations are welcome additions to the artists' catalogs, though diehards will still want to seek out the original albums. ~ Matt Collar https://www.allmusic.com/album/timeless-donald-byrd-mw0000661040

Personnel:  Trumpet – Donald Byrd; Alto Saxophone – John Jenkins;  Bass – Doug Watkins, Paul Chambers; Drums – Art Taylor, Kenny Clarke; Piano – Hank Jones, Tommy Flanagan; Tenor Saxophone – Frank Foster; Trombone – Curtis Fuller

Timeless