Artist: Howard Roberts
     Album: Whatever's Fair & All Time Great Instrumental Hits (2LP in 1CD)
     Label: Euphoria
     Year: 1966
     Release: 2001
     Formate MP3@320 kbps
     Size: 125 mb
     Time: 56:42


     As one of the key architects of the '60's West Coast Sound, Howard Roberts' influence is incalculable. These classic, compelling performances showcase Roberts' bluesy brillance and sophistication, as well as the jazzy, streetwise, and sometimes savage prowess of his combo, hand-picked from Hollywood's top session players. Reissue-2 LP's on 1 CD. 22 tracks. Standard jewel case. 2001 release.
   CDUniverse.com

     In 2001, Euphoria released Whatever's Fair!/All Time Great Instrumental Hits, which combined two albums by guitarist Howard Roberts on one compact disc: Whatever's Fair! and All Time Great Instrumental Hits, both originally issued on Capitol in 1966.

     Artist: Paul Bollenback
     Album: Invocation
     Year: 2007, October
     Label: Elefant Dreams
     Genre: Jazz Mainstream
     TotalTime: 56:25
     Tracks: 9
     Format: mp3 320
     Size: 132MB

In a brief blurb on the CD jacket, guitarist Paul Bollenback says that the music on Invocation is a tribute to the many great musicians who have passed away prematurely. Unfortunately there are no liner notes that tell us which musicians Bollenback had in mind, though his playing of songs by James Williams and John Coltrane give at least two clues. However it's doubtful that his version of "How Deep Is the Ocean" is meant as a tribute to Irving Berlin, who lived to be 100 years old. The performances include straightforward, straight-ahead trio renditions of "How Deep Is the Ocean," "Everything Must Change," and "Emily," wordless vocalizing by Chris McNulty during some of the ensembles (most notably on "Alter Ego"), and warm playing by Randy Brecker on "After the Rain" and a few other numbers. The opening "Dancing Leaf" and "Invocation, Pt. 1" are quite complex, but much of the rest of the set is melodic, swinging and even reverent in tretches. Invocation is a consistently intriguing and worthwhile set. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

     Artist: Jim Hall & Friends
     Album: Live at Town Hall, Vols. 1-2 [2xCD]
     Label: Musicmasters
     Year: 1990
     Format: mp3, 192 kbps
     Size: 166mb
     Total Time: 110:45

     Artist: Jack Wilkins Trio
     Album: Call Him Reckless
     Label: Music Masters
     Year: 1989
     Format: mp3, 192 kbps
     Size: 87mb
     Time: 61:08
     AMG rating



     Considering his talents, guitarist Jack Wilkins has not recorded many sessions as a leader. On this CD he plays an interesting variety of straightahead and post bop material (including three of his originals) in a pianoless trio with bassist Steve LaSpina and drummer Mike Clark. Wilkins' playing, based in bop but at times more adventurous, is fairly distinctive and highlights of the date include "If I Were a Bell," Joe Henderson's "Isotope," Oliver Nelson's obscure "Butch and Butch" and Bill Evans' "B Minor Waltz." ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

     (thanks to PlantDoctor53)

     Artist: Kenny Burrell
     Album: Vol. 2 (LP)
     Label: Blue Note
     Year: 1956
     Format: mp3 192 kbps
     Size: 58mb
     Time: 40:34

     Artist: Kenny Burrell
     Album: Freedom (LP)
     Label: Blue Note
     Year: 1963
     Format: mp3, 192 kbps
     Size: 43mb
     Time: 36:36

     Artist: John Jenkins & Kenny Burrell
     Album: John Jenkins with Kenny Burrell
     Label: Blue Note
     Year: 1957
     Format: mp3, 192 kbps
     Size: 74mb
     Time: 50:51


     The second (and best) of John Jenkins' two sessions as a leader features the altoist in a quintet with guitarist Kenny Burrell, pianist Sonny Clark, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Dannie Richmond. Sounding at times like Charlie Parker (with touches of Phil Woods and Jackie McLean), Jenkins easily keeps up with his better-known sidemen and plays the boppish music with plenty of creativity, emotion, and excitement. After listening to the high-quality set, one wonders why Jenkins did not make it.      ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

     Artist: Kenny Burrell
     Album: Night Song (LP)
     Label: Blue Note
     Year: 1968
     Format: mp3, 192 kbps
     Size: 60mb
     Time: 39:42



     A great title for this one -- as the album's got a cool, laidback groove that's very much in a "night song" mode! Arrangements are by Don Sebesky -- in that warm and fluid mode he was bringing to some of his best CTI sides at the time -- and they push Kenny a bit more than usual, as he stretches out over the larger arrangements with some really great solo work that dips, turns, and rolls with incredibly warm hues of sound. Kenny plays solo on 2 tracks, and with a smaller quartet on a few more -- and titles include "Night Song", "Love You Madly", "The Shadow Of Your Smile", "Brother Where Are You?", "Nighthawk", and "Teach Me Tonight".      ~ www.dustygroove.com

     Artist: Wes Montgomery
     Album: Beginnings (2xLP)
     Label: Blue Note
     Year: 1957
     Format: mp3, 192 kbps
     Size: 116mb
     Time: 71:58
     AMG Rating:


     At the time that guitarist Wes Montgomery recorded "Finger Pickin'" on Dec. 30, 1957, he was an unknown guitarist from Indianapolis who a decade earlier had toured a bit with Lionel Hampton. By the final session on this two-LP set, he was on the verge of stardom. The innovative guitarist (who extended the style of Charlie Christian about as far as it could go) is in consistently superior form on these former rarities. Montgomery is heard with his brothers (vibraphonist/pianist Buddy and electric bassist Monk) in a variety of settings. Such sidemen as a 17-year old Freddie Hubbard (the trumpeter's recording debut), tenor-saxophonist Harold Land and altoist Pony Poindexter are also heard from on this straightahead set which has a generous supply of Wes Montgomery's originals (along with a few jammed standards). There is plenty of classic music here but this two-fer will be difficult to find. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

     Artist: Wes Montgomery
     Album: Pretty Blue
     Label: Milestone
     Year: 1963
     Format: mp3, 192 kbps
     Size: 112mb
     Time: 78:50

      Wes Montgomery accomplished something few jazz artists could, as he used the disparate elements of the orchestral string ensemble and small organ combo within a similar balladic approach. While one could contend these concepts may not be as effective as a more conventional configuration, Montgomery made them work to a certain extent. What he could not do was infuse an energy that transcends the ballad approach, making this style of jazz priceless. There's a certain lugubrious restraint that permeates this single CD, originally a two-fer on vinyl, that showcases the guitarist's first recordings with strings, and selections plucked from his most ramped down organ combo featuring Melvin Rhyne. The 12 selections with a 12-piece string ensemble (conducted and arranged by Jimmy Jones) plus woodwinds and his rhythm section cover standards, a lone original, a Miles Davis and a Duke Ellington composition reissued from the 1963 Riverside LP Fusion! There's no forward motion or groove whatsoever, it's all ballads and an emphasis on diffidence, with the strings submerging Montgomery's guitar for the most part. The wintry sparkle of the title cut and intro of "Prelude to a Kiss" brightens the otherwise sleepy mood and does indeed complement Montgomery. Two takes of "God Bless the Child" are weakly interpreted, while the strings clash with the easy swing of the otherwise bop icon "Tune Up." An occasional oboe or clarinet turns jazz ballads chamber-like, but literally smothers the music, and only on "My Romance" and "Somewhere" does honest emotionalism emerge. For the sessions with master organist Rhyne, it's all ballads and no soul-jazz as one might expect, save a sprightly bossa nova take on "Canadian Sunset" and a relaxed swing for Benny Golson's "Whisper Not." There's a slight spooky feeling on "'Round Midnight," where otherwise Montgomery matches the serenity Rhyne evokes on these nine standards taken from three different trio recordings for Riverside in 1959 and 1963. Where Montgomery's more distinctly commercial work would follow these sessions, what this album represents is an easy listening prelude that would shape the guitarist's path, for better or worse depending on your perspective. ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide

     Artist: Wes Montgomery
     Album: The Alternative Wes Montgomery
     Label: Milestone
     Recording Date: Oct 12, 1960-Nov 27, 1963
     Release: 1989
     Format: mp3, 192 kbps
     Size: 111mb
     Time: 78:00
     AMG Rating:



     This CD has 12 "alternate" versions of songs recorded in a variety of settings by guitarist Wes Montgomery during his period with Riverside. Montgomery's sidemen include tenor-saxophonist Johnny Griffin, organist Mel Rhyne, vibraphonist Milt Jackson, the flute of James Clay, pianists Wynton Kelly, Buddy Montgomery and Victor Feldman and (on "Tune Up") a string section. The two-LP set that this succeeded actually had two additional selections; all of the material is also available in more definitive form on Wes Montgomery's 12-CD boxed set. In any case, the mistakes and flaws (such as they are) are minor on these performances and this CD gives one a good introduction into Montgomery's early recordings. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

     Artist: Joe Pass
     Album: The Stones Jazz (LP)
     Label: World Pacific
     Year: 1966
     Quality: mp3, 192kb/s
     Size: 49MB
     Time: 33:41



     An album of songs by the Rolling Stones hardly sounds like promising material for any jazz release, even in the hands of a master guitarist like Joe Pass. Featuring ten of their hits with arrangements by Bob Florence and an unidentified cast of musicians, other than tenor saxophonist Bill Perkins, this LP was clearly one for a paycheck when most jazz players were scratching for work. Unlike the works of Lennon and McCartney of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones' music doesn't lend itself to jazz. Pass doesn't solo with the gusto one came to expect from his many great sessions from the 1970s to the end of his life for Pablo and elsewhere. Even the closing blues "Stones Jazz," credited to Florence and Pass, sounds severely dated and not worth a second hearing to today's jazz listener. A very unlikely candidate for reissue on CD, this record will be sought by Joe Pass fanatics only.
~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide

     Artist: Barney Kessel
     Album: Guitarra (LP)
     Label: RCA
     Year: 1970
     Format, bitrate: mp3, 192 kbps
     Size: 53mb
     Time: 36:46



When confirming that this album is OOP I first thought I had identified it as an obscure recording called "Reflections In Rome" since, like "Guitarra" it was recorded in Rome in 1969 with what appears to be the same supporting cast of European artists. However, "Guitarra" has an entirely different collection of songs than what I found for the "Reflections..." album. Yet I could find no internet information on any album called "Guitarra". So, whether this is somehow one in the same as the other recording from Rome, or whether it is, as it seems, a second recording done the same year by the same musicians in the same location, it seems that either one is OOP and not easily found in the blogosphere. (thanks to ARKIVER)

     Artist: Jack Wilkins
     Album: Merge (2 CDs)
     Label: Chiaroscuro Records
     Year: Feb 1977,Oct 31, 1977
     Format, bitrate: mp3,192 kbps
     Size: 114mb
     Time: 76:58
     AMG Rating:
     

     This CD reissues nine of the ten selections that were formerly out on two LPs: The Jack Wilkins Quartet and You Can't Live Without It. The only cut left off is a guitar/piano duet by leader Jack Wilkins and Jack DeJohnette. The earlier date features Wilkins, flugelhornist Randy Brecker, bassist Eddie Gomez, and Jack DeJohnette (on drums for all but one tune). Although they play three group originals, the most memorable performances are their versions of "Falling in Love With Love" and Chick Corea's "500 Miles High." The later session -- which has Wilkins, Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker on tenor, pianist Phil Markowitz, bassist Jon Burr, and drummer Al Foster -- is more of a jam session. The sextet romps through lengthy versions of Tommy Flanagan's "Freight Train," "Invitation," "What Is This Thing Called Love," and the ballad "What's New," and there are many exciting solos. This very enjoyable CD is most highly recommended to listeners who think that the Brecker Brothers can only play funk. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

     Artist: Jack Wilkins
     Album: Captain Blued
     Label: Greenstreet GS-2004
     Year: 1984
     Format, bitrate: mp3, 192 kbps
     Size: 55mb
      Time: 36:53

     ... "Captain Blued" is a curious recording in that I can find very little evidence that it was ever made! It's produced by Creed Taylor on the Greenstreet Record label and it includes the accompaniment of one of the best alto sax guys you could want, the great veteran Phil Woods, along with other familiar names like Harvie Swartz on bass. Yet there is little mention of this recording anywhere. Doesn't appear to be available these days, so I felt it my duty to let folks hear what they might be missing. Some of these songs, like "Captain Blued" and "Mexico", were also recorded (different versions I believe) on other albums so you should be able to find some of that out there to buy on CD. This particular LP is definitely another winner for Wilkins. The tunes are all enjoyable and nicely arranged. Add to that he wonderful voicings from Mr. Woods and great contributions from all the other supporting cast and I will predict that you will be glad you gave this a listen. Although this is all generally straight ahead jazz, you will find diversity in the moods and stylings here. Many exciting moments to enjoy. It should make you want to hear more of this master guitarist and he does have a site that offers listens and downloads from many of his other albums, including a bunch of live gig cuts.

     Artist: Jack Wilkins
     Album: Alien Army
     Label: ENJA
     Year: 1990
     Format, bitrate: mp3, 192 kbps
     Size: 79mb
     Time: 53:54
     AMG rating



     

     Artist: Jack Wilkins
     Album: Reunion
     Label: Chiaroscuro
     Year: 2001
     Format, bitrate: mp3, 192 kbps
     Size: 96mb
     Time: 65:28
     AMG rating




     Back in 1977, guitarist Jack Wilkins led a very rewarding recording date, Merge, that featured trumpeter Randy Brecker and tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker playing straight-ahead jazz. For this reunion date, Wilkins, bassist Eddie Gomez, and drummer Jack DeJohnette are joined throughout (except for the guitarist's feature on "But Beautiful") by Randy Brecker, although brother Michael is unfortunately only on two selections. Wilkins and Randy Brecker have many fine solos, and the repertoire consists of five group originals, Horace Silver's "Break City," and three standards. Although not reaching the heights of Merge (it is a pity that Michael Brecker was not along for the whole project), this is mostly a high-quality quartet outing of fine post-bop jazz. Worth exploring.~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

     Artist: Joe Pass
     Album: One For My Baby
     Label: Pablo
     Year: 1988
     Formrate: mp3@192 kbps
     Size: 71 mb
     Time: 50:25
     AMG rating



     Virtuoso guitarist Joe Pass didn't need sidemen on any recording, but when he used them, he chose wisely. Tenor saxophonist Plas Johnson, keyboardist Gerald Wiggins and drummer Tootle Heath had not recorded with Pass previously, but along with bassist Andy Simpkins, they achieve a perfect first-take sound on each track. The title cut features Pass with Johnson's bluesy sax and a soft organ and brushed background. Two Pass originals are lengthy blues vehicles with plenty of solo space for all. "I Remember You" is an unlikely choice that developed from Wiggins' jamming in the studio; the ballad is a relaxing detour from the blues that dominate the CD. Joe Pass was without peer on guitar the last 20 years of his life; his playing here won't disappoint. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide

     Artist: Jack Wilkins
     Album: Windows (LP)
     Label: Mainstream MRL 396
     Year: 1973
     Formrate: mp3@192 kbps
     Size: 48mb
     Time: 33:38



     A superior, slightly underrated improviser, Jack Wilkins has proven on his infrequent recordings as a leader that he ranks near the top. Wilkins, who studied with John Mehegan early on, learned vibes, piano, and classical guitar, but has stuck to jazz guitar throughout his career. He gained a strong reputation during his long association with Buddy Rich. Since then, he has recorded as a sideman with Jack DeJohnette, Eddie Gomez, Phil Woods, Harvie Swartz, and the Brecker Brothers, among others. But it is his own recordings for Mainstream, Music Masters, CTI, and especially his pair of essential Chiaroscuro albums in 1977 (the single CD Merge reissued all of the music except one song) that allow one to hear what a talented player Jack Wilkins has always been. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

     Artist: Howard Roberts
     Album: The Movin' Man
     Label: Verve VSP-29
     Year: 1957, 1959, Release: 1966
     Format, bitrate: mp3@192 kbit/s (Vinyl, LP Album)
     Size: 51 mb
     Time: 35:22




     1966 - VSP Verve reissue of recordings from 1957 and 1959 all recorded in Los Angeles. This is the more desireable MONO version, not the electronically enhansed stereo version, recorded is in EX condition. A a GREAT instrumental cool guitar jazz LP.