Clifford Jordan - Mosaic

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1961
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 78:40
Size: 180,6 MB
Art: Front

(6:06)  1. Sunrise In Mexico
(5:20)  2. Extempore
(4:49)  3. Down Through The Years
(4:05)  4. Quittin' Time
(4:46)  5. One Flight Down
(3:56)  6. Windmill
(5:00)  7. Don't You Know I Care?
(4:59)  8. Mosaic
(3:54)  9. Cumberland Court
(4:52) 10. A Story Tale
(5:39) 11. You're Driving Me Crazy
(3:28) 12. Defiance
(6:03) 13. Prints
(5:03) 14. Hip Pockets
(5:16) 15. They Say It's Wonderful
(5:16) 16. If I Didn't Care

Two excellent early Clifford Jordan albums, Starting Time and A Story Tale, are reissued in full on this single CD. Jordan, whose sound was just beginning to become quite distinctive in 1961, is heard with a quintet also including trumpeter Kenny Dorham, pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Wilbur Ware, and drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath, and on a set with altoist Sonny Red, Tommy Flanagan or Ronnie Mathews on piano, bassist Art Davis, and drummer Elvin Jones. 

With the exception of four selections, all 16 tunes are group originals. Best-known are Walton's "Mosaic" and "One Flight Down," but all of the music is high-quality hard bop. Dorham and Red are both in excellent form, constantly challenging Jordan. Fine if formerly obscure music. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/mosaic-mw0000010913

Personnel: Clifford Jordan (tenor saxophone); Sonny Red (alto saxophone); Kenny Dorham (trumpet); Ronnie Mathews, Tommy Flanagan, Cedar Walton (piano); Wilbur Ware (acoustic bass); Elvin Jones, Albert "Tootie" Heath (drums).

Mosaic

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Curtis Fuller - Jazz...It's Magic

Styles: Trombone Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:15
Size: 92,7 MB
Art: Front

( 4:53) 1. Two Ton
(13:43) 2. Medley ; a) It's Magic b) My One And Only c) They Didn't Believe Me
( 5:44) 3. Soul Station
( 7:18) 4. Club Car
( 8:35) 5. Upper Berth

Trombonist Curtis Fuller's recordings for Savoy in the 1950s, like those of labelmates Hank Mobley, Milt Jackson, Wilbur Harden, Donald Byrd, and others, were prototypes in the development of hard bop. The next stage would come with the subsequent work of many of the same artists for Blue Note, where improved recording technique, greater attention to writing and arranging, and a more generous policy with respect to preparation and rehearsal time helped bring in the classic hard bop era of the late '50s and early '60s. On Fuller's Jazz...It's Magic!, the hard bop prototype is still under refinement, but it's easy to enjoy the music in its essential elements: elegant, bluesy melodies; earthy, yet sophisticated, solo work; and fresh treatments of standards. For this 1957 date, Fuller is joined by the appealingly urbane Tommy Flanagan (piano), the versatile Louis Hayes (drums), and George Tucker (bass), whose loping but solid style resembles Paul Chambers'. Joining the trombonist in the frontline is the relatively obscure alto player Sonny Red, who has a clean, expressive, melodic approach to the Charlie Parker legacy that provides many of this CD's best moments. Three Fuller originals, Frank Foster's "Upper Berth," and a medley of ballad standards make up the program. If there are any misgivings about the album, it would be the long medley (over 13 minutes), which drags on the overall pace. That said, Red's and Flanagan's solo spots on the medley are superb, but the listener's attention can be expected to wander by the time the trombonist finally steps up for his three choruses.~ Jim Todd https://www.allmusic.com/album/jazzits-magic%21-mw0000232650

Personnel: Curtis Fuller – trombone; Sonny Red – alto saxophone; Tommy Flanagan – piano; George Tucker – bass; Louis Hayes – drums

Jazz...It's Magic

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Donald Byrd - Blackjack

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1967
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:37
Size: 93,6 MB
Art: Front

(6:16)  1. Blackjack
(5:20)  2. West Of The Pecos
(5:55)  3. Loki
(8:02)  4. Eldorado
(5:27)  5. Beale Street
(5:00)  6. Pentatonic
(4:34)  7. All Members

One of three Donald Byrd albums from 1967 (the end of his hard bop period), this recording features the trumpeter/leader with altoist Sonny Red, tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley, pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Walter Booker, and drummer Billy Higgins. The six tunes (five of which are originals by Byrd or Red) are all quite obscure and to one extent or another quite explorative. One can sense that Byrd wanted to break through the boundaries and rules of hard bop but had not yet decided on his future directions. The music does swing and highlights include "West of the Pecos" and "Beale Street"; Byrd and Red in particular are in excellent form throughout the date. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/blackjack-mw0000032341

Personnel: Trumpet – Donald Byrd;  Alto Saxophone – Sonny Red; Bass – Walter Booker; Drums – Billy Higgins; Piano – Cedar Walton; Tenor Saxophone – Hank Mobley

Blackjack

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Bill Hardman Quintet - Saying Something

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:20
Size: 113,5 MB
Art: Front

( 7:12)  1. Capers
( 5:57)  2. Angel Eyes
( 9:53)  3. Jo B
(10:46)  4. Buckeye Blues
( 6:12)  5. Assunta
( 5:21)  6. It Ain't Happened Yet
( 3:57)  7. With Malice Towards None (Bonus Track)

Trumpeter Bill Hardman's debut album as a leader was his only chance to lead a record date until 1978. Teamed up with altoist Sonny Red, pianist Ronnie Matthews, either Doug Watkins or Bob Cunningham on bass, and drummer Jimmy Cobb, Hardman performs originals and obscurities, with "Angel Eyes" being the only standard. 

The music overall is solid hard bop, very much of the period but still fairly fresh. This music was last available on a 1986 reissue Savoy LP. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/saying-something-mw0000895310 

By the time trumpeter Bill Hardman made his leader debut for Savoy with this album, his grasp of the contemporary bop idiom had established him as a prolific and reliable sideman. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1933, he gigged with Tadd Dameron while a teenager, and recorded rhythm and blues with Tiny Bradshaw between 1952 and 1954. He played with Charles Mingus in 1956, along with alto sax Jackie McLean, and their friendship led to a McLean album introducing Bill, Jackie s Pal , recorded that summer. Shortly thereafter both joined Art Blakey s Jazz Messengers, where Bill began to gain recognition as a soloist during the following two years Saying Something CD music. In this 1961 debut album his only chance to lead a record date until 1978 he teamed up with altoist Sonny Red, pianist Ronnie Mathews, either Doug Watkins or Bob Cunningham on bass, and drummer Jimmy Cobb Saying Something album for sale. The music overall, mostly originals with Angel Eyes the only standard, is solid hard bop, very much of the period but full of the energy, fire and invention required Saying Something songs. Urgent and edgy, with a raw, tart, and slightly pinched tone, Hardman s playing was well-suited to the soulful style Saying Something buy CD music. He believed in the jazz ideal of Saying Something while there is still time, and remained active until his death in Paris in 1990. His message speaks for itself. Saying Something album for sale by Bill Hardman Quintet / Bill Hardman was released Oct 02, 2012 on the Fresh Sound label.

Personnel:  Bill Hardman (trumpet), Sonny Red (alto sax, except on #7), Ronnie Mathews (piano), Bob Cunningham (bass), Jimmy Cobb (drums).

Saying Something

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Sonny Red - Breezing/A Story Tale/The Mode/Images (2-Disc Set)

Sonny Red (as), Blue Mitchell (tp), Yusef Lateef, Clifford Jordan (ts), Barry Harris, Tommy Flanagan, Ronnie Matthews, Cedar Walton (p), Grant Green (g), Bob Cranshaw, Art Davis, George Tucker (b), Albert 'Tootie' Heath, Elvin Jones, Jimmy Cobb (d).

Inspired by Charlie Parker and then Jackie McLean, the widely experienced, Detroit-born altoist Sonny Red, nee Sylvester Kyner (1932-1980) was an archetypal Motor City bopper, who, like many of his confreres there, also absorbed the blues-drenched lines of pianist Bud Powell. Forthright, direct, unpretentious, a skilled soloist with a strong feeling for the blues, he played and recorded with some of the finest jazzmen around.

The presence here of such luminous talents as, most notably, pianist Barry Harris, along with fellow pianist Tommy Flanagan, trumpeter Blue Mitchell, saxophonists Clifford Jordan and Yusef Lateef, and guitarist Grant Green left no doubt about his stature among them. Despite this and the fact that he also worked with such marquee names as Art Blakey, Kenny Dorham, Donald Byrd, Curtis Fuller and Paul Quinichette, he never quite made the breakthrough his skills suggested he would and his recordings have been difficult to find.This collection of quartet, quintet and sextet settings brings together four albums he made for the Jazzland label during one of the most productive spells of his career and shows why he was held in such esteem by his contemporaries.

Album: Breezing/A Story Tale/The Mode/Images (Disc 1)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 78:53
Size: 180.6 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2012

[5:02] 1. Brother B
[4:03] 2. All I Do Is Dream Of You
[5:33] 3. The New Blues
[4:36] 4. Ditty
[6:27] 5. 'teef
[6:06] 6. Breezin'
[4:43] 7. A Handful Of Stars
[2:52] 8. If There Is Someone Lovelier Than You
[3:52] 9. Cumberland Court
[4:50] 10. A Story Tale
[5:39] 11. You're Driving Me Crazy
[3:27] 12. Defiance
[6:02] 13. Prints
[5:02] 14. Hip Pockets
[5:16] 15. They Say It's Wonderful
[5:16] 16. If I Didn't Care

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Album: Breezing/A Story Tale/The Mode/Images (Disc 2)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 77:05
Size: 176.5 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[4:21] 1. I Like The Likes Of You
[4:36] 2. Bye, Bye Blues
[6:34] 3. Never, Never Land
[4:19] 4. Ko-Kee
[6:34] 5. Images
[4:51] 6. Blues For Donna
[5:22] 7. Dodge City
[6:16] 8. Moon River
[5:38] 9. Super-20
[8:53] 10. The Mode
[8:33] 11. Blue Sonny
[5:15] 12. The Rythm Thing
[5:46] 13. Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered


Breezing-A Story TaleThe ModeImages(Disc 1)(Disc 2)

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Donald Byrd - 'Mustang!'

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1966
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:00
Size: 91,8 MB
Art: Front

(8:31)  1. Mustang
(5:27)  2. Fly Little Bird Fly
(5:54)  3. I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good
(6:43)  4. Dixie Lee
(7:43)  5. On the Trail
(5:39)  6. I'm So Excited by You

Trumpeter Donald Byrd made many worthwhile records during the sixties. Mustang, the first of four terrific Blue Note sessions Byrd made with ill-fated alto sax man Sonny Red between 1966 and 1967, is one of the great ones. Much of the success of this recording is due in no small part to Red's top-drawer participation. Pianist McCoy Tyner and under-valued tenor great Hank Mobley are exceptional throughout as well. All excel on the "Sidewinder" groove of the title cut, the "Watermelon Man" funk of the excellent "Dixie Lee," the familiar Blue Note bop of Byrd's "Fly Little Bird Fly" and "I'm So Excited By You" and the well-done covers of Grofe's "On The Trail" and Ellington's "I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good." The CD also includes two similar bonus tracks ("Gingerbread Boy" and "I'm So Excited By You") recorded by Byrd in 1964 with Jimmy Heath (in place of Red and Mobley) on tenor. Mustang is excellent jazz and a most highly recommended purchase. Next, let's hope Blue Note plans to release Byrd's excellent Blackjack, another superb Byrd-Red collaboration from 1967 featuring Cedar Walton and Billy Higgins.~Douglas Payne http://www.allaboutjazz.com/mustang-donald-byrd-blue-note-records-review-by-douglas-payne.php?width=1920 

Players: Donald Byrd (trumpet) with Sonny Red (alto sax); Hank Mobley (tenor sax); McCoy Tyner (piano); Walter Booker (bass); Freddie Waits (drums); Jimmy Heath (tenor sax), Joe Chambers (drums).

Mustang!

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Sonny Red - Out Of The Blue

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:10
Size: 165.2 MB
Styles: Hard bop, Saxophone jazz
Year: 1960/1996/2005
Art: Front

[5:48] 1. Bluesville
[6:12] 2. Stay As Sweet As You Are
[5:19] 3. I've Been In Love Before
[4:04] 4. Nadia
[6:29] 5. Blues In The Pocket
[2:55] 6. Alone Too Long
[5:12] 7. The Lope
[6:17] 8. Stairway To The Stars
[5:35] 9. Crystal
[6:46] 10. Lost April
[6:28] 11. You're Sensational
[5:33] 12. Blues For Kokee
[5:25] 13. You're Driving Me Crazy

Alto Saxophone – Sonny Red; Bass – Paul Chambers, Sam Jones; Drums – Jimmy Cobb, Roy Brooks; Piano – Wynton Kelly. Recording Date: December 5, 1959 - January 23, 1960.

Sonny Red, a fine altoist inspired by Charlie Parker and Jackie McLean, never really made it in jazz, and some of his recordings are rather uninspired. However, that does not hold true for his Blue Note album, which has been reissued on this 1996 CD along with five previously unissued selections. Red, who is joined by pianist Wynton Kelly, either Sam Jones or Paul Chambers on bass, and either Roy Brooks or Jimmy Cobb on drums, never sounded better on records. He performs mostly little-known standards (along with six of his originals) and displays a fair amount of originality and a great deal of potential that was never really fulfilled. Recommended. ~Scott Yanow

Out Of The Blue

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Sonny Red - Red, Blue & Green

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1961
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 77:06
Size: 176,9 MB
Art: Front

(6:16)  1. Moon River
(4:24)  2. I Like the Likes of You
(5:38)  3. Super-20
(4:36)  4. Bye, Bye Blues
(8:55)  5. The Mode
(6:34)  6. Never, Never Land
(4:18)  7. Ko-Kee
(6:34)  8. Images
(4:50)  9. Blues for Donna
(5:22) 10. Dodge City
(8:33) 11. Blue Sonny
(5:14) 12. The Rhythm Thing
(5:46) 13. Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered

Sylvester “Sonny Red” Kyner, Jr. was part of the fruitful exodus of Detroit jazzmen to New York in the late 1950s. Though his style was steeped in the deft architectures of Bebop his sound and approach also incorporated a healthy fascination with earlier traditions. This disc dusts off two of his sessions for the Jazzland label and delivers a substantial program of mainly originals from a player who should have recorded more often. A strong team of sidemen fronted by guitarist Grant Green (on leave from Blue Note) is on board to assist. Throughout the disc Green’s guitar is unusually dry in terms of amplification making his single note lines seem all the more carefully chosen. “The Mode,” an up tempo swinger contrary to the connotation of its title, is positively charged by crystal clean solos from Red, Green, Harris and Tucker. 

“Never, Never Land” opens with a bright piano fantasia by Walton followed by Red’s reflective horn above a pillowy rhythm. “Ko-Kee” works off a swaggering set of blues-inflected changes and an authoritative core statement by Walton. The hard bop flag waves more prominently on the next several tunes, which trade up Green for the crisp trumpet stylings of Blue Mitchell. The brassman’s vivacious tone is especially effective on the rollicking “Blues For Donna” and his agile phrases work as a fine foil for bringing out Red’s more extroverted side. Green reconvenes with Humphries in tow for the final three tracks and the drummer even takes a few blistering choruses on the aptly titled “The Rhythm Thing.” Tucker’s tiptoe bass preface to “Blue Sonny” serves as another highlight of the final stretch and sets the stage smoothly for one of Red’s most creative solos of the entire disc. One thing that really moves these sessions beyond the scope of the usual hard bop chaff of their vintage is the way Red’s various rhythm sections react to and support his own fluid inventions. 

Tucker was a vastly underrated session bassist who possessed the requisite chops for a leadership role, but always seems to favor lending his prodigious talent to the causes of others. Harris and Walton weren’t as uniformly altruistic, each carving out satisfying solo careers of their own. As for the drummers, Cobb served at the rhythmic core of one of Miles Davis’ most famous aggregations- the Kind of Blue ensemble, and Humphries eked out paychecks working behind the likes of Donald Byrd, Dizzy Gillespie and John Coltrane. Albert “Tootie” Heath is also listed in the original liners, but is absent on the tray card roster so it’s unclear whether or not his sticks actually in service on any of the dates. Red’s discography as a leader is fairly slight to begin with and since his Blue Note material ( Out of the Blue ) once again out of circulation this generous Fantasy two-fer becomes something of an essential purchase for listeners hungry to hear the unsung hard bop hero’s work. ~ Derek Taylor http://www.allaboutjazz.com/red-blue-and-green-sonny-red-fantasy-jazz-review-by-derek-taylor.php
 

Personnel: Sonny Red- alto saxophone (all tracks); Grant Green- guitar (1, 3, 5, 8-13); Barry Harris- piano (1, 3, 5, 8-13); George Tucker- bass (all tracks); Jimmy Cobb- drums (1-7, 11-13); Cedar Walton- piano (2, 4, 6-7); Lex Humpries- drums (8-10).

Red, Blue & Green

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