Artist: Al Cohn, Joe Newman, Freddie Green
     Album: Mosaic Select 27 (3-Disc Set)
     Label: Mosaic Records
     Year: 1955; releas: 2007
     Format,Rate: MP3 192 / Flac (full scans)
     Size: CD1:105000 KB CD2:80259 KB CD3:76758 KB / 316 Mb, 212 Mb, 225 Mb
     AMG Rating:


     This Mosaic compilation draws from material that comprised five separate RCA Victor LPs of the 1950: Al Cohn's The Natural Seven and The Jazz Workshop: Four Brass, One Tenor, Freddie Green's Mr. Rhythm, plus two Joe Newman records, All I Wanna Do Is Swing and I'm Still Swinging. Cohn, Green, and Newman are the common element to all of the recording sessions, leading bands ranging from septets to nonets.The Natural Seven was inspired by the Kansas City Seven drawn from the Count Basie band of the 1930s, and while the arrangements by Cohn and Manny Albam swing lightly in the style of Basie's septet, the focus is more on originals written for the session rather than simply recreating earlier recordings. Joining them are pianist Nat Pierce, trombonist Frank Rehak, bassist Milt Hinton, and drummer Osie Johnson, highlighted by the upbeat unison horn line in Cohn's "Pick a Dilly" and Albam's swinging "Jump the Blues Away." Johnson even adds a vocal on his fun-filled "Osie's Blues." Cohn's other session as a leader includes Thad Jones with either Joe Wilder, Bernie Glow, or Phil Sunkel on third trumpet, with Dick Katz doubling on valve trombone and trumpet, pianist Dick Katz, and bassist Buddy Jones subbing for the previous personnel. Once more, Cohn and Albam split up the arrangements, with the tenor saxophonist benefiting from the quartet of brass players accompanying him. "Rosetta" and the leader's "Cohn Not Cohen" are among the highlights. Freddie Green was known for his superb timekeeping in the Basie band, a tenure which lasted a half-century until his passing in 1987, just a few years after the leader. Mr. Rhythm marked the first issued under his own name, plus eight of the dozen songs are Green's compositions, with Green sticking to playing rhythm throughout the date. Cohn, Albam, and Ernie Wilkins provide the swinging arrangements of the mostly blues-oriented material, while Cohn doubles on both clarinet and bass clarinet in addition to playing tenor sax. Two dates led by Newman in 1955 also fit in nicely, with either Frank Rehak or Urbie Green on trombone, Wilkins or Gene Quill on alto sax, and Pierce or Dick Katz on piano. Newman, who tended to be overshadowed by many of the other swing and bop trumpeters active at the time, shines on both open and muted horn, while featuring his musicians prominently throughout both dates. Green's "Corner Pocket" and a buoyant treatment of the standard "Exactly Like You" especially stand out. Most of this music was reissued on CD during the '80s and '90s, though none of it remained in print for long. This Mosaic limited-edition set is an affordable way to collect this rare material, available exclusively at www.mosaicrecords.com.

     Artist: Sonny Stitt
     Album: The Matadores meet the bull
     Label: Roulette
     Year: 1966
     Format: flac
     Size: 190 MB


     An amazing record of Sonny Stitt with an incredible line-up. A blend of be-bop and Latin Soul jazz. A must!!

     Artist: Sonny Stitt
     Album: I remember Bird
     Label: Catalyst CAT-7616
     Year: 1977
     Format: Flac
     Size: 230 MB
     AMG rating


     



The title refers to the Leonard Feather composition rather than a complete set of Charlie Parker songs. Sonny Stitt, who spent his entire career playing in a style built on Bird's, is in good form during this quintet date which features him on both alto and tenor. With trombonist Frank Rosolino, pianist Dolo Coker, bassist Allen Jackson and drummer Clarence Johnston, Stitt stretches out on the title tune, his own blues "Streamlined Stanley," three standards, Rosolino's "Waltz for Diane" and the traditional hymn "Yes Jesus Loves Me." This good bop date is long out of print. ~ Scott Yanow, AMG

    Artist: Ben Webster
    Album: Live at Jazzhaus, Vol. 1
    Label: Jazz Colours
    Year: 1965
    Release: 1998
    Format, Bitrate: MP3, 320 kbps
    Size: 123 MB

    Artist: Ben Webster
    Album: Live at Jazzhaus, Vol. 1
    Label: Jazz Colours
    Year: 1965
    Release: 1998
    Format, Bitrate: MP3, 320 kbps
    Size: 136 MB

    It was coming late in his career when Ben Webster decided to record a set of gigs down at the Jazzhus in Copenhagen, Webster was following in tradition when playing at this venue, following in the footsteps of players such as Cannonball Addelery, Bill Evans and Stan Getz.
    Although this album was recorded in 1965, it was only released as part of Webster's Discography in 1998, there are also an additional 2 recordings which Webster made after the first one in 1965. As always with Webster and his playing you get such a lyrical sense in his playing, the weeping notes and soft sub-dominant sounds, which he creates in this album, are classic Webster, here though there is a difference.
    Accompanying Webster on that gig was Kenny Drew (piano) Nils-Henning Orsted-Pedersen (bass) and Alex Riel (drums), combining this suburb rythmn section with Webster unique style of playing really did mix it up. For example Drews be-bob style of playing always offered you something exciting in which you really didn't... no make that couldn't know what was coming next. . . .

   Artist: Lee Konitz
   Album: Motion 3LP/2CD (Verve Elite Edition)
   Label: Verve
   Year: 1961
   Format, bitrate: MP3@320
   Size: 460 MB

   Altoist Lee Konitz recorded the original five songs of Motion on Aug. 29, 1961 in a trio with bassist Sonny Dallas and drummer Elvin Jones. When the set was reissued on a 1990 CD, it had been expanded to eight songs; although it is not obvious from the outside of this 1998 set, there are three CDs in this package. The Elvin Jones date has been augmented by a previously unreleased version of "These Foolish Things" from the same day, along with a breakdown on "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To." The two extra CDs are taken from a couple of earlier sessions with Nick Stabulas on drums joining Konitz and Dallas; none of that music (29 selections) had ever been released before. Although not the altoist's greatest set (as claimed in the liner notes), Lee Konitz was in excellent form during this period, playing creative solos over common chord changes and coming up with plenty of rewarding subtle ideas. Elvin Jones shows how quietly he can play, yet always swings with constant creativity too. Worth exploring, although more general listeners will probably be satisfied with the 1990 single-disc reissue.
    ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

    Artist: Kenny Burrell
    Album: Groovin High
    Label: Muse Records
    Year: 1981
    Format/bitrate: MP3/320 (LP-rip)
    Size: 96 MB


    Guitarist Kenny Burrell recorded six albums for Muse between 1978 and 1983; five trio settings and one duo with bassist Rufus Reid.
    These tracks were recorded after the guitarist left the session-work grind and find him concentrating on pure musicality of small-group jazz.Great Music from
my rare Muse LP.
    ~ www.dougpayne.com

     Artist: Buck Hill
     Album:The Buck Stops Here
     Label: Muse Records MR5416
     Year: 1990
     Format, bitrate: MP3@320
     Size:118 MB
     AMG Rating:




     The Washington D.C. tenor legend with the big buttery sound gives the warhorse "Harlem Nocturne" one of its most inspired reading. Elsewhere on his third Muse outing he shares the solo spotlight with the rarely recorded Johnny Coles, who seldom plays a superfluous note on his warm-voiced flugelhorn. This is a nicely balanced set of pretty ballads and jaunty originals like Cole's infectious "Wip Wop."
    ~ Les Line, AMG

     Artists: Attila Zoller/Kenny Burrell/Jim Hall
     Album: Guitar Genious in Japan
     Label: Overseas/Teichiku
     Year: 1970
     Format, bitrate:MP3, 320 kbps
     Size: 65 MB


     Kenny Burrell trio plays three tracks, Attila Zoller plays three, another three by Jim Hall, and the last track is a jam session of three talented guitarists (like they would perform at the ”Guitar Festival” concert). Improvisation phrases and guitar tones of these three players sounds so distinctive each other, which make this album very interesting. Surprisingly, this album was released in 1970 (or 1971) by Overseas label of Teichiku Records Japan, then no LP/CD reissue was made as far as I know. I believe that many fans would gladly welcome if this scarce album was reissued...
Burrell strokes full of tensional phrases, while Zoller spreads solid and progressive improvisations and Hall presents his warm, soft and beautiful guitar - actually it's a very nice album.

     Artist: Cecil Payne
     Album: Brooklyne Brothers
     Label: Muse Records
     Year: 1973
     Format/Rate: MP3/320 kb/s
     Size: 84 MB
     AMG Rating:

   Artist: Sonny Stitt
   Album: In Style
   Label: Muse 5228
   Year: 1982
   Format/rate: MP3/320, (LP-Rip)
   Size: 86 MB

   Sonny Stitt was one of the ‘giants’ of the saxophone, who could play any tune in any key and often did so, sometimes at 100 MPH! Like Zoot Sims and many of his contemporaries, he was happy to wander about the USA and Europe playing with whichever rhythm section was in residence at the ‘gig’ in question.
   Here he works with excellent musicians and the sound is great. One of his best recordings!

   Artist: Red Rodney
   Album: The 3 Rґs
   Label: Muse MR-5290
   Year: 1979
   Format: Wav lossless (Lp-Rip)
   Size: 260 MB



   Three of the Muse label's top artists of the time teamed up for this album: trumpeter Red Rodney, altoist Richie Cole and tenor saxophonist Ricky Ford. Actually, Ford is only on three of the six selections, but the talented Turk Mauro (doubling on tenor and baritone) fills in well, and the rhythm section (keyboardist Roland Hanna, bassist George Duvivier and drummer Grady Tate) was fully capable of playing anything. The music is mostly post-bop, with recent originals by Cole, Jack Walrath and Rodney alternating with Kenny Dorham's "Dead End," Art Farmer's "Blueport" and the standard "For Heaven's Sake." Excellent straight-ahead performances, with all of the musicians in fine form.
   ~ Scott Yanow , AMG

   Artist: Sonny Stitt
   Album: Blues for Duke
   Label: Muse
   Year: 1975
   Format/Rate: MP3/320
   Size: 84 MB

   LP-Rip of this wonderful Hommage to Duke Ellington. Very rare MUSE-LP!

   Sonny Stitt (on tenor exclusively except for an alto feature on "I Got It Bad") pays tribute to the recently departed Duke Ellington with renditions of five songs associated with Ellington, plus Stitt's title cut. The rhythm section (pianist Barry Harris, bassist Sam Jones and drummer Billy Higgins) is excellent, and although the results are somewhat predictable (with "C Jam Blues" and "Perdido" being the high points), the music on this LP can be enjoyed by bop fans.
   Scott Yanow, AMG

     Artist: Sonny Stitt
     Album: Moonlight in Vermont
     Label:Denon
     Year: 1977
     Genre:Jazz
     Format/Rate: MP3/320
     Size: 86 MB


     A 1977 studio recording apparently released originally in Japan, this session has been showing up with various packagings and often at bargain prices. The world's "most perfect" saxophonist is in fine form and in stellar company, most notably Tony Williams' drums (with Barry Harris' piano and Reggie Workman's bass). If, like me, you have a slight preference for Stitt on alto, you'll appreciate Sonny's decision to limit his playing on tenor to two tunes (both blues in Bb).

   Artist:Oliver Nelson/Lem Winchester
   Album: Nocturne
   Label:OJC
   Year: 1960
   Format/Rate: MP3/320
   Size: 90 MB
   Total time: 39:16





   This relaxed set (originally on the Prestige subsidiary Moodsville) puts the emphasis on ballads and slower material. Nelson (switching between alto and tenor) is joined by vibraphonist Lem Winchester, pianist Richard Wyands, bassist George Duvivier and drummer Roy Haynes for four standards and three of his originals (including the swinging "Bob's Blues"). Everyone plays well but the intentional lack of mood variation keeps this release from being all that essential.
   ~ Scott Yanow, AMG

   Artists: Bud Shank/Bob Cooper
   Album: European Tour ґ57
   Label:Lonehill Jazz
   Year: 1957, release:2006
   Format/Bitrate:MP3/320
   Size:150 MB
   Total time: 71:29

   The music on this CD and the three others that have been released by Lone Hill Jazz that document Bud Shank and Bob Cooper's European tours of 1957 and 1958 are almost completely previously unissued. The recording quality is mostly excellent and this CD has two very interesting sessions. The first five selections, which include a four-song ballad medley, have altoist Shank and tenor saxophonist Cooper playing in a sextet that also includes trombonist Albert Mangelsdorff (whose avant-garde days were more than five years away) and the Joe Zawinul trio. Mangelsdorff and Zawinul both display their comfort playing bebop while Shank and Cooper are the main stars. The other five numbers showcase Shank in a group headed by tenor saxophonist Hans Koller; guitarist Attila Zoller co-stars. One wonders why this valuable music went unissued for nearly half-a-century for it features all of the musicians in top form.
   ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

   Contains Cooper & Shank's complete broadcast from Baden-Baden, Germany, March 25, 1957 - the only existing recorded collaboration between Shank, Cooper and legendary Austrian pianist Joe Zawinul, as well as the reed duo's very first recording with German trombone giant Albert Mangelsdorff. Bonus tracks: Bud Shank's complete session from Dьsseldorf, Germany, May 1957. This NWDR broadcast from Cafй Krьger has never been previously issued on any format!.

     Artist:Sonny Stitt
     Album: Tune-Up!
     Label: Muse Records
     Year: 1972
     Genre: Jazz
     Format/Rate: MP3/320
     Size: 88MB
     Rating:




     Sonny Stitt recorded over 100 albums as a leader and several dozen in a quartet setting in his productive career, but this one ranks at the top. The bebop tenor and alto stylist is very inspired by the top-notch rhythm section (pianist Barry Harris, bassist Sam Jones, and drummer Alan Dawson) and has rarely sounded more heated than on "Tune Up," "Idaho," "Just Friends," and "Groovin' High." However, it is his nine-minute jam on "I Got Rhythm" (which finds Stitt taking blazing solos on both tenor and alto) that is the high point of this essential set. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

     Artist: Sonny Stitt
     Album: Constellation
     Label: Cobblestone (Muse)
     Year: 1972, release: 1992
     Format/Rate:MP3/320
     Size:90 MB






   Along with the previous Tune Up, this set (which has been reissued by Muse) is one of Sonny Stitt's greatest recordings. The bop master is stunning on most of the eight selections, particularly "Constellation," "Webb City," and "It's Magic," switching between alto and tenor and sounding quite creative. The rhythm section (pianist Barry Harris, bassist Sam Jones, and drummer Roy Brooks) is outstanding and, whether it be the ballad "Ghost of a Chance," Tadd Dameron's "Casbah," or "Topsy," this set has more than its share of great moments. ~ Scott Yanow, AMG

   Artist: Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis
   Album: Love Calls
   Label:RCA
   Year:1967
   Format/Rate: MP3/320
   Size: 81 MB

   Artist: Clark Terry
   Album:Serenade to a Bus Seat
   Label:Fantasy
   Year:1957
   Format/Rate: MP3/320
   Size:96 MB
   AMG rating


   This CD reissue matches together trumpeter Clark Terry (before he switched to flugelhorn) with tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin, pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Philly Joe Jones. Most notable about the music is that Terry wrote five of the eight selections (including the colorful title cut which pays tribute to life on the road with Duke Ellington); the other numbers are "Donna Lee," a pretty version of "Stardust" and a slightly Latinized "That Old Black Magic." Terry and Griffin were a potent team, making one regret that they did not record together much through the years. This set contains excellent straightahead jazz performed with plenty of spirit.
   ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide