Spike Robinson - Spike Robinson Plays Harry Warren

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 79:02
Size: 180.9 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz, Mainstream jazz
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[5:46] 1. This Heart Of Mine
[7:44] 2. At Last
[8:41] 3. The Boulevard Of Broken Dreams
[5:27] 4. There Will Never Be Another You
[7:12] 5. I Had The Craziest Dream
[4:01] 6. Shadow Waltz
[6:20] 7. Serenade In Blue
[4:55] 8. This Is Always
[5:20] 9. The More I See You
[3:25] 10. Chattanooga Choo Choo
[4:32] 11. Cheerful Little Earful
[6:11] 12. I Only Have Eyes For You
[4:22] 13. Lulu's Back In Town
[4:59] 14. I Wish I Knew

This CD reissues tenor saxophonist Spike Robinson's 1981 Discovery LP of the same name and adds six additional selections recorded in 1993. The Discovery date was recorded when Robinson was already 51 and found him returning to jazz after a 30-year absence from full-time activity. The cool-toned tenor (heard with pianist Victor Feldman, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer John Guerin) proved to be very much in his prime, a new type of Young Lion who brought back the Four Brothers' sound.

The 1993 selections with pianist Pete Jolly, bassist John Leitham, and drummer Paul Kreibich are on the same high level. Since the underrated Harry Warren was one of the top songwriters of the 1930s and '40s, Robinson had plenty to choose from on this tribute set. His high-quality repertoire includes "This Heart of Mine," "There Will Never Be Another You," "Serenade in Blue," "Lulu's Back in Town," and even "Chattanooga Choo Choo." A highly recommended and swinging program.By Scott Yanow

Spike Robinson Plays Harry Warren

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Spike Robinson - A Real Corker

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:20
Size: 135.8 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 1995
Art: Front

[ 7:15] 1. This Love Of Mine
[ 5:11] 2. That Old Devil Called Love
[ 5:34] 3. It Seems To Me I've Heard That Song Before
[ 6:19] 4. I Remember You
[ 6:39] 5. Under A Blanket Of Blue
[ 6:15] 6. Fools Rush In
[ 6:32] 7. I Don't Want To Walk Without You
[10:31] 8. The Nearness Of You
[ 5:00] 9. I'm Just Breezin' Along With The Breeze

Tenor saxophonist Spike Robinson has been quite consistent throughout his career. Influenced by Stan Getz and Zoot Sims, Robinson is virtually the last of the "Four Brothers" tenor stylists. For his typically joyful and swinging session, the veteran tenor is accompanied by guitarist Louis Stewart (who contributes a complementary second solo voice), bassist Red Mitchell and drummer Martin Drew. Although all nine songs are standards, most are not played all that often, and the treatments are fresh and enthusiastic. Highlights include "This Love of Mine," "I Remember You," a lengthy version of "Nearness of You," and "Breezin' Along With the Breeze." Well worth searching for.By Scott Yanow

A Real Corker

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Spike Robinson - Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:26
Size: 142.9 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 1986
Art: Front

[5:12] 1. Love Walked In
[7:20] 2. Talk Of Thw Town
[5:32] 3. Some Time Ago
[5:27] 4. For You, For Me, For Evermore
[8:56] 5. Lover Come Back To Me
[8:03] 6. Ghost Of A Chance
[7:51] 7. Shadow Of Your Smile
[4:58] 8. April Showers
[9:03] 9. Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most

Spike Robinson's sessions are usually pleasant, casually swinging, and musically proficient, and this quartet outing isn't any different. Robinson explores ballads, mid-tempo standards, and originals with a steady, big tone and full sound. He doesn't try anything too intricate, sticking close to the melody and then adding some embellishments and slight alterations. The backing group featuring Ted Beament, Peter Ind, and Bill Eyden follow the same formula. ~Ron Wynn

Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most

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Scott Hamilton, Ken Peplowski & Spike Robinson - Groovin' High

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1992
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:13
Size: 150,2 MB
Art: Front

(4:52)  1. Blues Up And Down
(5:06)  2. You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me
(7:31)  3. That Ole Devil Called Love
(5:08)  4. Shine
(7:30)  5. The Goof And I
(7:00)  6. What's New
(7:14)  7. I'll See You In My Dreams
(8:27)  8. Groovin' High
(5:42)  9. Body And Soul
(6:37) 10. The Jeep Is Jumpin'

Fans of jam sessions and tenor battles will definitely want this CD. Tenors Scott Hamilton, Ken Peplowski and Spike Robinson (constantly pushed by the brilliant rhythm section of pianist Gerry Wiggins, guitarist Howard Alden, bassist Dave Stone and drummer Jake Hanna) take turns raising the temperature on such viable devices as "Blues Up and Down," "Shine," "I'll See You In My Dreams" and "The Jeep Is Jumpin'." Robinson (easily the oldest of the trio of tenors) gets a slight edge and generates the most heat, but the saxophonists actually complement each other quite well. A consistently exciting set.
By Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/groovin-high-mw0000077010

Personnel: Scott Hamilton (tenor saxophone); Ken Peplowski (tenor saxophone); Spike Robinson (tenor saxophone); Howard Alden (guitar); Gerald Wiggins, Gerry Wiggins (piano); Jake Hanna (drums).

Groovin' High

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Scott Hamilton - Ballad Essentials

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2000
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:35
Size: 152,9 MB
Art: Front

(4:57)  1. Skylark
(3:40)  2. Everything Happens to Me
(5:26)  3. My Foolish Heart
(3:47)  4. That's All
(4:59)  5. In a Sentimental Mood
(4:44)  6. I Should Care
(5:39)  7. Body and Soul
(5:57)  8. 'Round Midnight
(5:33)  9. My Romance
(4:01) 10. Stardust
(4:26) 11. I'll Be Around
(5:24) 12. Tonight I Shall Sleep (With a Smile on My Face)

The musical line leading up to tenor saxophonist Scott Hamilton is not confusing. He wears his influences on his sleeve. You hear Lester Young's phrasing, Ben Webster's languid tone, and more than a dash of Zoot Sims's overall presentation. And while 1989's Scott Hamilton Plays Ballads is a gorgeous showing off of these influences, Ballad Essentials is a magnificent overview of his smoldering command of the genre. There's a pair of tracks from Plays Ballads ("In a Sentimental Mood" played as limber, late-night swing and "Round Midnight" given a robust, big-hearted embrace) and a pair from With Strings. The other eight pieces come from all over Hamilton's catalog, and describing any particular tune would tax the vocabulary "aching" and "tender" have only so many synonyms. Hamilton's sense of swing is easy to love, as is his brawny tone even when it slips into whispering mode. Ballad Essentials is meant as a themed collection, and it not only succeeds as such, it also serves as a primer for Hamilton's whole output. Editorial Reviews ~ Andrew Bartlett  http://www.amazon.com/Ballad-Essentials-Scott-Hamilton/dp/B00004NRVM

Personnel: Scott Hamilton (tenor saxophone); Chris Flory, Howard Alden, Cal Collins (guitar); Ken Peplowski, Spike Robinson (tenor saxophone); Dave McKenna, Gerry Wiggins, John Bunch, Alan Broadbent, Nat Pierce, Norman Simmons, Brian Lemon (piano); Connie Kay, Jake Hanna, Jeff Hamilton , Allan Ganley, Roy McCurdy, Chuck Riggs (drums).

Ballad Essentials

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Spike Robinson, Derek Nash - Young Lions Old Tigers

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:18
Size: 142.6 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[4:33] 1. Rustic Hop
[8:54] 2. I Was Lost In Her Love
[5:16] 3. Water Jug
[7:09] 4. Ballad Medley: Smoke Gets In Your Eyes/I'm Through With Love/Gets Blue
[4:13] 5. P. Town
[6:55] 6. A Witty One
[4:20] 7. I've Still Got My Health
[5:40] 8. Dirty Butt Blues
[4:58] 9. Chasin' The Bird
[6:39] 10. In A Sentimental Mood
[3:35] 11. Young Lions-Old Tigers

Derek Nash join forces with US star, the late Spike Robinson, in a classic all swinging two sax front line band. Like Zoot and Al or Ronnie and Tubby, they are the perfect foil for each other, blending the beauty of Getz with the passion of Cannonball. "Add the hippest young rhythm section in town and, as the Young Lion roars, the Old Tiger still burns bright" ~Campbell Burnap. THE LINE UP Spike Robinson Tenor /Alto Sax Derek Nash Baritone/Alto/Tenor/Soprano Sax & Percussion Pete Cater Drums Nick Weldon Piano Rob Rickenberg Double Bass. "...handsome tone, amazingly agile technique, and flowing, uncliched phrasing." ~David Frankllin, Cadence Magazine

Young Lions Old Tigers mc
Young Lions Old Tigers zippy

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Spike Robinson - Spike & Strings

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:51
Size: 121.0 MB
Styles: West Coast jazz
Year: 1995
Art: Front

[4:25] 1. My Foolish Heart
[4:04] 2. I'll Close My Eyes
[5:13] 3. What's New
[4:25] 4. In The Middle Of A Kiss
[4:33] 5. When I Fall In Love
[4:20] 6. I'm Glad There's You
[5:16] 7. Wherever There's Love
[4:52] 8. People Will Try Again
[6:18] 9. Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry
[5:25] 10. There Goes My Heart
[3:55] 11. The Right To Love

Saxophone - Spike Robinson; Bass – Stefan Lievestro; Drums – Hans Van Oosterhout; Piano – Jack van Poll.

Spike Robinson was a jazz saxophonist with an exceptional lyrical and melodic style. Robinson’s playing was characterised by a mellow tone, unaggressive approach and a deep affinity with the classic American song.

Spike & Strings mc
Spike & Strings zippy

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Spike Robinson - Reminiscin'

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:19
Size: 128.9 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz, Mainstream jazz
Year: 1992/2010
Art: Front

[7:02] 1. Dancing In The Dark
[6:07] 2. Without You
[6:22] 3. Dream Dancing
[6:12] 4. Yours Is My Heart Alone
[8:05] 5. Where Or When
[7:48] 6. My Silent Love
[7:29] 7. The Girl Next Door
[7:11] 8. Blues For Sooz

Tenor saxophonist Spike Robinson sounds quite comfortable performing his "Blues for Sooz" and seven standards with a pianoless rhythm section. Guitarist Mundell Lowe, bassist Monty Budwig and drummer Jake Hanna were all veterans who, like Spike, knew how to swing hard even at a quiet volume and a relaxed tempo. Robinson's warm tone sounds quite appealing on such numbers as "Dancing in the Dark," "Yours Is My Heart Alone" and "My Silent Love." Recommended. ~Scott Yanow

Reminiscin'

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Spike Robinson - London Reprise

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1984
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:56
Size: 101,3 MB
Art: Front

(3:33)  1. A Foggy Day In London Town
(3:32)  2. When Day Is Done
(8:14)  3. Embraceable You
(5:37)  4. There Is No Greater Love
(6:56)  5. Somewhere Over The Rainbow
(5:31)  6. As Time Goes By
(4:44)  7. Laura
(5:45)  8. Opus D 'Funk

Spike Robinson's return to the jazz scene in the early '80s late in his 34-year period as an engineer (during which he only worked part-time as a musician) was a welcome event. His cool tone (very much in the "Four Brothers" tradition of Stan Getz and Zoot Sims) was fully formed, and he could swing as hard as any of the younger players. For this Capri set, Robinson is teamed in London with guitarist Martin Taylor, bassist Dave Green and drummer Spike Wells for mostly concise renditions of eight veteran standards; only Horace Silver's "Opus De Funk" was written after the swing era. Pleasing music that has not yet been reissued on CD.~Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/london-reprise-mw0000785250

Personnel: Spike Robinson (tenor saxophone); Martin Taylor (guitar); Dave Green (bass instrument).

London Reprise

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Spike Robinson & Eddie Thompson Trio - At Chesters (Volume 1) And (Volume 2)

Tenor saxophonist Spike Robinson made his first trip to England after 33 years in 1984, just three years after he started to become well-known due to his first LP. Two live CDs were cut for the Hep label, and they feature Spike sounding pretty close tonewise to Stan Getz. Assisted by the excellent but underrated pianist Eddie Thompson, bassist Len Skeat and drummer Jim Hall, Robinson features his "Four Brothers" sound on some ballads and swinging versions of "S'Wonderful," "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You," "Ow" and "Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone." Every Spike Robinson release is worth getting by straight-ahead jazz collectors, including this set, which was reissued on CD in 1991.~Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/at-chesters-vol-1-mw0000665368

The second of two CDs featuring the cool-toned tenor saxophonist Spike Robinson during a gig in England is the equal of the first volume. Robinson is teamed with pianist Eddie Thompson, bassist Len Skeat, and drummer Jim Hall on eight veteran standards including "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To," "East of the Sun," and "The Way You Look Tonight." One of the last tenormen to have the "Four Brothers" sound, Robinson sometimes sounds a bit like Stan Getz but generally has his own sound within that tradition. Solid swinging and straight-ahead music.~Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/at-chesters-vol-2-mw0000616861

Personnel:  Spike Robinson (tenor saxophone);  Eddie Thompson (piano);  Jim Hall (drums);  Len Skeat (bass).

Spike Robinson & Eddie Thompson Trio - At Chesters (Volume 1)

Styles: Saxophone And Piano Jazz
Year: 1984
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:48
Size: 130,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:11)  1. 'S Wonderful
(5:44)  2. Flamingo
(6:32)  3. Emily
(6:35)  4. I'm Gettin' Sentimental Over You
(7:52)  5. I Should Care
(8:28)  6. Everything Happens To Me
(7:52)  7. Ow
(8:32)  8. Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm

At Chesters (Volume 1)

Spike Robinson & Eddie Thompson Trio - At Chesters (Volume 2)
Time: 54:51
Size: 126,1 MB
Art: Front

(7:16)  1. You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To
(8:50)  2. Emily - Take 2
(7:16)  3. East Of The Sun
(8:05)  4. But Beautiful
(6:43)  5. The Way You Look Tonight
(7:23)  6. Skylark
(6:44)  7. I'm Beginning To See The Light
(2:32)  8. That's All

At Chesters (Volume 2)

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Ellyn Rucker & Spike Robinson - Nice Work!

Styles: Vocal, Piano and Saxophone Jazz

Year: 1995

File: MP3@320K/s

Time: 58:47

Size: 135,0 MB

Art: Front

(3:27)  1. El Cajon

(8:16)  2. Ev'rything I Love

(7:39)  3. Lover Man

(5:15)  4. Nobody Else But Me

(6:14)  5. I Won't Believe My Eyes

(7:13)  6. Easy To Love

(4:43)  7. You Took Advantage Of Me

(5:20)  8. Gravy Waltz

(3:51)  9. As Long As I Live

(5:06) 10. I Fall In Love Too Easily

(1:37) 11. Nice Work If You Can Get It

Although she shares the billing on this session with tenor saxophonist Spike Robinson, this is very much an Ellyn Rucker album. A bop-based pianist so talented that she really does not have to sing, and a highly appealing jazz vocalist who would be quite notable if she did not play an instrument, Ellyn Rucker has long deserved to be famous in the jazz world. Based in Denver, Rucker combines her two skills at a level that has not been heard since Nat King Cole; when she accompanies her vocals, the piano playing is so stimulating that one would swear that there were two people involved. Spike Robinson, one of the last practitioners of the Four Brothers cool-toned Lester Young sound, is in excellent form and has swinging solos on most of the 11 standards. But it is for the playing and singing of Ellyn Rucker (heard at her best on such songs as "El Cajon," "Nobody Else but Me," "You Took Advantage of Me," and "As Long as I Live") that this CD (released in 1995 and also featuring the late bassist Monty Budwig and drummer Ralph Penland) is most highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/nice-work!-mw0000434983

Personnel: Spike Robinson (tenor saxophone); Ellyn Rucker (vocals, piano); Ralph Penland (drums).

Nice Work!

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Spike Robinson With Elaine Delmar - In Town

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 56:27
Size: 129.3 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz, Jazz vocals
Year: 1986/2004
Art: Front

[5:55] 1. Too Close For Comfort
[8:00] 2. You've Changed
[4:00] 3. Just One Of Those Things
[3:51] 4. In A Sentimental Mood
[3:01] 5. 's Wonderful
[5:29] 6. Get Out Of Town
[9:00] 7. Little Girl Blue
[5:27] 8. Everything I Love
[5:02] 9. Young And Foolish
[6:37] 10. Will You Still Be Mine

Spike Robinson, though U.S. born, has made the British Isles his home and does most of his recording there. In Town is one of several records he has made for the Scottish company, Hep. Computer engineer +cum+ tenor sax man, Robinson displays agility and virtuosity with his alto-like tenor sax, as he runs through this album of well-known standards with facility and ease. He's joined on four of the cuts by vocalist Elaine Delmar. She and pianist Brian Lemon together weave a very enjoyable version of Duke Ellington's "In a Sentimental Mood." Robinson has inherited the style and mannerisms of the great romantic tenors, like Zoot Sims and Stan Getz. You also hear the later day Ben Webster breathy whispering on "You've Changed." But Robinson has assimilated these influences into a style which is uniquely his. Listen to him explore all the nuances and emotions of the melancholy ballad "Little Girl Blue" and swing intelligently on "Everything I Love." "Little Girl Blue" also is a forum for a lengthy solo by Brain Lemon's understated piano. In Town is an album of well-known melodies as interpreted by a contemporary master of the tenor sax. ~Dave Nathan

In Town

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Spike Robinson & Louis Stewart with Janusz Carmello - Three For The Road

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 58:46
Size: 134.5 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz, Cool
Year: 1989/2008
Art: Front

[6:39] 1. They Didn't Believe Me
[6:04] 2. Dearly Beloved
[5:18] 3. If You Were Mine
[4:23] 4. Yes Sir, That's My Baby
[6:48] 5. Only A Rose
[7:49] 6. My Buddy
[7:25] 7. The Song Is You
[9:13] 8. For Heaven's Sake
[5:02] 9. They Say That Falling In Love Is Wonderful

Spike Robinson: Even in the jazz genre, which is full of musicians who show legendary devotion to their art, the story of tenor saxophonist Spike Robinson stands out. His full-time career as a musician essentially began when he was 51 years old. Pursuing his career in his adopted country of England, Robinson gained recognition as an elegant, lyrical exponent of the styles of the 1950s golden age of jazz saxophone. In the words of a writer for the All About Jazz website, "Spike Robinson was the last of a breed—an unassuming, unpretentious, gentle and amicable traveling tenor troubadour who had his share of demons but basically no other aim than to play his horn and give pleasure through a melodic gift that could never be taught."

Louis Stewart: b. 5 January 1944, Waterford, Eire. After playing guitar in a succession of Dublin-based showbands, Stewart began playing jazz in the early 60s. By the end of the decade he had achieved a substantial reputation by working with such leading jazzmen as Tubby Hayes and Benny Goodman. Throughout the 70s he continued to enhance his standing in both the UK and the USA, playing and recording with Ronnie Scott, Don Burrows, George Shearing, Peter Ind and others. He also toured Europe, attracting considerable attention everywhere he played. In the 80s and 90s his reputation grew apace, despite his preference for spending a substantial part of his time in his homeland, and he made well-received albums with Martin Taylor, Brian Dunning, and Spike Robinson. He has composed a number of pieces based on the work of James Joyce, several of which appeared on the albums Milesian Source and Joycenotes. A brilliant sound allied to a crystal-clear tone has helped to make Stewart one of the outstanding guitarists in jazz. A virtuoso technique allows him to realize fully his endless inventiveness. In 1998, Stewart received an Honory Doctorate by Trinity College, Dublin.

Recorded at BBC Kensington House, London, England on July 15, 1989.

Spike Robinson (tenor saxophone); Louis Stewart (guitar); Janusz Carmello (pocket trumpet); Dave Newton (piano); Pete Morgan (acoustic bass); Mark Taylor (drums).

Three For The Road

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