Pat Martino - Stone Blue (1998) (eac-log-cover)

Pat Martino - Stone Blue (1998)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 400MB

Blue Note

AMG:
The guitar master is at it again on this collection of original tunes. Mixing up bop and funk with heavy doses of pop, he offers up a very listenable album with lots of character. Standout tracks include the fat beat of "Mac Tough" and the evocative "With All The People."
All-About-Jazz:
Guitarist Pat Martino exhibits his long-standing appreciation for the urban lifestyle of New York City and Philadelphia on his latest album Stone Blue. That cocky feeling of self-assurance one develops from living and working in the city gives rise to strutted rhythms, deliberate tempos, and melodies that range from sixteenth-note-laden confetti clusters to dreamy skyborne shouts. Sharing the front line with tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, Martino presents nine of his compositions with the support of keyboardist Delmar Brown, bassist James Genus and drummer Kenwood Dennard. You can find complete biographical information about guitarist Pat Martino at http://www.patmartino.com/ .
Genus' six-string electric bass and Dennard's cymbal ride drive the album; all but one piece are presented up-tempo with an emphasis on deliberate rhythms and front line conversation. Alexander's tenor saxophone voice is earthy and confident, while Martino's guitar enthuses with its desire to speak out. Together, they gel as one voice. The ballad "Never Say Goodbye" is a tearful dedication to guitarist Michael Hedges, who passed away last November in a tragic automobile accident at the age of 43. Over twenty years ago, while Martino was recovering from brain surgery, Hedges visited him in the hospital and played for him at his bedside.
Other dedications on the album include nods to Wes Montgomery and Jack McDuff. "13 To Go" and "Mac Tough" include organ romps from Brown. "Joyous Lake" is a happy tune that was originally recorded in 1977 just before Martino's ten-year hiatus. Adhering to the album's urban theme, the arrangement juxtaposes a Brazilian carnival backdrop with lyrical offerings from guitarist, saxophonist, and keyboardist. An overt enthusiasm and hearty front line drive Martino's latest album through timeless city streets. Recommended.

Tracks:
-01. Uptown Down 4:25
-02. Stone Blue 6:46
-03. With All the People 9:15
-04. 13 to Go 7:27
-05. Boundaries 8:09
-06. Never Say Goodbye 3:40
-07. Mac Tough 6:13
-08. Joyous Lake 13:26
-09. Two Weighs Out 0:33

Personnel:
* Kenwood Dennard - Percussion, Drums
* Eric Alexander - Saxophone, Sax (Tenor)
* Delmar Brown - Keyboards, Vocals
* Michael Cuscuna - Producer, Liner Notes
* James Genus - Bass, Bass (Electric)
* Pat Martino - Guitar

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Chico Hamilton Quintet & Eric Dolphy - The Original Ellington Suite (1958) (eac-log-cover)

Chico Hamilton Quintet & Eric Dolphy - The Original Ellington Suite (1958)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 130MB

Pacific Jazz | rel: 2000

AMG:
This release will have fans of Eric Dolphy salivating as it includes some long-lost work that jazz scholars didn't know existed at all. When the premiere reissue producer Michael Cuscuna researched all known Pacific Jazz tapes attributed to Chico Hamilton, all he came across were three edited numbers from this session, two of which had appeared on a compilation and another only on a DJ sampler. But this release is due to the luck of a Canadian resident who was digging through a used record bin in his hometown of Brighton, England, where he found a copy of The Ellington Suite with the personnel listed from a later session and a near mint blank test pressing of what turned out to be the long lost Chico Hamilton original version with Dolphy. While producer Richard Bock may have thought Dolphy's playing was at times too radical, history proves him wrong. His mellow alto sax is a key ingredient of "In a Sentimental Mood," while his unique phrasing is central to the swinging "Just A-Sittin'and A-Rockin'." Dolphy's flute is not as aggressive as it would be in the next few years, but his playing on "Everything but You" provides a preview of what was to come later in his career. Dolphy's clarinet weaves underneath Nate Gershman's arco cello solo in the lovely "Day Dream." Of course, the work of guitarist John Pisano, bassist Hal Gaylor, and the leader should not be ignored, as their musicianship is of the highest order, too. Chico Hamilton's pianoless chamber jazz recordings for Pacific Jazz between 1955 and 1959 are important landmarks, but the discovery of this long-lost date adds to his many achievements. Highly recommended.

Tracks:
-01 - In a Mellow Tone (Ellington) - 4:18
-02 - In a Sentimental Mood (Ellington, Kurtz, Mills) - 5:40
-03 - I'm Just a Lucky So and So (David, Ellington) - 5:09
-04 - Just A-Sittin' and A-Rockin' (Ellington, Gaines, Strayhorn) - 5:25
-05 - Everything But You (Ellington, George, James) - 5:16
-06 - Day Dream (Ellington, Latouche, Strayhorn) - 3:42
-07 - I'm Beginning to See the Light (Ellington, George, Hodges, James) - 5:07
-08 - Azure (Ellington) - 3:13
-09 - It Don't Mean a Thing (Ellington, Mills) - 4:19

Personnel:
Eric Dolphy - Clarinet, Flute, Sax
Nate Gershman - Cello
John Pisano - Guitar
Hal Gaylor - Bass
Chico Hamilton - Drums
thx to Musicgate

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Yo La Tengo - I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One (1997) (eac-log-cover)

Yo La Tengo - I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One (1997)

indie, alternative, rock | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 430MB

Matador OLE 222-2 

AMG:
Functioning as a virtual catalog of mid-'90s indie rock trends, I Can Hear the Heart Beating as One is an astonishing tour de force from Yo La Tengo, establishing their deep talents as songwriters and musicians. Although the album may run a little long for some tastes, there are very few throwaways on the record — even the shoegazer cover of the Beach Boys' "Little Honda" is a revelatory gem. But what truly impresses is the way the songs, ranging from hypnotically droning instrumentals to tightly written and catchy pop songs, hold together to form what is arguably Yo La Tengo's finest and most coherent album to date.

Tracks:
-01. "Return to Hot Chicken" – 1:38
-02. "Moby Octopad" – 5:48
-03. "Sugarcube" – 3:21
-04. "Damage" – 4:39
-05. "Deeper into Movies" – 5:23
-06. "Shadows" – 2:27
-07. "Stockholm Syndrome" – 2:51
-08. "Autumn Sweater" – 5:18
-09. "Little Honda" – 3:07
-10. "Green Arrow" – 5:43
-11. "One PM Again" – 2:25
-12. "The Lie and How We Told It" – 3:19
-13. "Center of Gravity" – 2:42
-14. "Spec Bebop" – 10:40
-15. "We're an American Band" – 6:25
-16. "My Little Corner of the World" – 2:24

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Earl Hines - Earl Hines in Paris (1970) (eac-log-cover)

Earl Hines - Earl Hines in Paris (1970)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 250MB

Gitanes | Jazz in Paris vol 75

AMG:
Earl Hines is in great form during this 1970 studio session with bassist Larry Richardson and drummer Richie Goldberg. Four of the six tracks on In Paris are standards which the pianist played many times during his long career, including a lively "Them There Eyes," a rather wild "There Is No Greater Love," and a striding solo interpretation of "You're Driving Me Crazy" that showcases Hines' formidable technique. Don Redman's moody "If It's True" had long since become an obscurity by the time of this recording, but Hines' subtle performance is a masterpiece. His one original is the brisk, foot-tapping boogie-woogie "Snugly but Ugly." With the evident demise of Musidisc, this CD will be tough to find but well worth the search. [This version of the album includes bonus material.]

Tracks:
01. No Greater Love 4:34
02. Foggy Day 8:23
03. If It's True 5:55
04. Them There Eyes 6:33
05. Snugly But Ugly 4:31
06. You're Driving Me Crazy 6:19
07. Almost Like Being In Love 2:32

Personnel:
Double Bass - Larry Richardson
Drums - Richie Goldberg
Piano - Earl Hines
Vocals - Earl Hines

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Alexis Boulgourtzis - Oriental West (1990) (eac-log-cover)

Alexis Boulgourtzis - Oriental West (1990)

world | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 260MB

Erodios

A Greek Gypsie percussionist, whose main work is as a session musician in several albums of other Greek artists.This is his first personal album.
Amazon:
A great cd that show the beauty of drums especially darabuka. The rhythm change from song to song, and is't like the instruments playing with the silence.
I recommend it for dancers and to anyone who want to feel the rhythm in his heart.

Tracks:
01 - Oriental West
02 - Improvision A'
03 - Rom & Balamo
04 - Improvision In Western Rhythms
05 - Macedonian Dance
06 - Whitout Rehearsal
07 - Improvision B'
thx to alekow

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George Russell - New York, New York (1959) (eac-log-cover)

George Russell - New York, New York (1959)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 280MB

Decca | MCAD-31371

AMG:
George Russell was one of the most forward-thinking composers and arrangers on the jazz scene during the 1950s, but his work was generally more appreciated by musicians than the jazz-buying public. New York, New York represents one of many high points in his career. He assembled an all-star orchestra, including pianist Bill Evans (a frequent participant on Russell's recordings), Art Farmer, Bob Brookmeyer, John Coltrane, and Milt Hinton, among others. In Rodgers & Hart's "Manhattan," Russell has the soloists playing over the orchestra's vamp, while he also creates an imaginative "East Side Medley" combining the standards "Autumn in New York" and "How About You." His original material is just as striking as his arrangements, while vocalist Jon Hendricks serves as narrator between orchestra segments. While this release has been reissued several times, it rarely remains in print for long, so don't miss the opportunity to acquire this elusive CD.

Tracks:
All compositions by George Russell except as indicated
-01- "Manhattan" (Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers) - 10:34
-02- "Big City Blues" - 11:40
-03- Manhattan: "Rico" - 10:12
-04- East Side Medley: "Autumn in New York"/"How About You?" (Vernon Duke, Ira Gershwin)/(Ralph Freed, Burton Lane) - 8:01
-05- "A Helluva Town" - 5:01
Recorded on September 12, 1958-March 25, 1959 in NYC

Personnel:
George Russell - arranger, conductor
Art Farmer - trumpet
Doc Severinson - trumpet
Ernie Royal - trumpet
Bob Brookmeyer - trombone
Frank Rehak - trombone
Hal McKusick - alto saxophone
John Coltrane - tenor saxophone
Sol Schlinger - baritone saxophone
Bill Evans - piano
Barry Galbraith - guitar
Milt Hinton - bass
Charlie Persip - drums
Jon Hendricks - vocals, narration

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Donald Byrd - Free Form (1961) (RVG) (eac-log-cover)

Donald Byrd - Free Form (1961) (RVG)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 340MB

BN | RVG 2003 24-bit remaster

AMG:
Donald Byrd's 1961 recording Free Form is both a smorgasbord of modern jazz styles and a breakthrough album showing the Detroit born trumpeter's versatility and interest in diversity. At age 30, turning down offers to teach and a full decade before turning to commercial funk fusion with his Blackbyrds, Byrd, alongside a wonderful collection of jazz professionals, proves his mettle as an individualist while also stylistically straddling the blurred lines of jazz. Where his brass tone is very lean and toned, he does not resort to outlandish outbursts into the ionosphere, but shows a refined yet daring approach removed from his predecessors or peers -- Clifford Brown and Lee Morgan in particular. With tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter, a very young pianist Herbie Hancock, drummer Billy Higgins, and bassist Butch Warren, Byrd tackles different flavors of jazz with a voracious appetite, and delivers a very fresh perspective from them all. From Column A -- soul junction -- "Pentecostal Feelin'" comes straight from the Horace Silver bag, an original funk with Shorter, Hancock, and Higgins head noddin' to the band. Column B's "Nai Nai" is all straight-ahead hard bop, lighter but not wimpy as Byrd and Shorter play well together. The more modal "French Spice" is still in the hard-to-post-bop mold, but has a two-note base until the horns burst out with a rich melody. The title track spectacularly represents the so-called "new thing," a tone row-based, searching, or clarion-type spontaneous improvisation where the band is purposefully set apart from the inventive drumming of Higgins in a firmly non-established meter. Romance is also on the menu via the no frills ballad "Night Flower" as Byrd serenely leads the band into a curtain-closing venture into tenderness, with Hancock's underlying chords something to truly behold upon close listening. This may be close to Donald Byrd's best early work, a strong statement that is by no means homogeneous, but expresses many of the avenues in jazz he was exploring while finding his own unique voice on the trumpet.

Tracks:
-01 Pentacostal Feeling 6:41
-02 Night Flower 6:46
-03 Nai Nai 6:35
-04 French Spice 8:00
-05 free form 11:09
-06 Three Wishes 5:12 - bonus track.

Personnel:
Wayne Shorter, tenor sax,
Donald Byrd, trumpet,
Herbie Hancock, piano,
Butch Warren, bass,
Billy Higgins, drums.

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Charlie Byrd - Byrd By The Sea (1974) (eac-log-cover)

Charlie Byrd - Byrd By The Sea (1974)

jazz, latin | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 370MB

Fantasy | rel:2000

AMG:
Mild, smooth trio date with Byrd playing light jazz, occasional Afro-Latin, and even a mock classical number, backed by bassist Joe Byrd and drummer Bertell Knox. This sometimes comes close to, but never becomes, mood music. The 2000 reissue approximately doubles the length of the original release with seven previously unissued tracks (none alternate versions) cut at the same live sessions. The extra material is stylistically consistent with the rest of the disc, encompassing pop ("The Way We Were"), classic jazz ("It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)"), Vivaldi's "Concerto in G," and Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Meditation."

Tracks:
01- Wave - (Antonio Carlos Jobim)(5:09)
02- I'm Coming Virginia - (Will Marion Cook, Donald Heywood)(5:20)
03- Killing Me Softly With His Song - (harles Fox, Norman Gimbel)(5:05)
04- Fantasy in B Minor - (Charlie Byrd) (5:52)
05- Salty Dog - (Papa Charlie Jackson, Reverend Charlie Jackson)(5:45)
06- Chiquilin de Bachin - (Astor Piazzolla, Horacio Ferrer)(4:26)
07- Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) - (John Lennon, Paul McCartney)(6:13)
08- Ela Me Deixou - (Benito DiPaula)(5:04)
09- Cherry [*] - (Don Redman)(5:02)
10- The Way We Were [*] - (Marvin Hamlisch, Alan Bergman)(3:12)
11- Concerto in G [*] - (Antonio Vivaldi)(4:43)
12- Love Is in the Air [*] -(Gustavo, Santos, Dos Santos-Gustavo)(3:40)
13- Meditation (Meditaçao) [*] -(Norman Gimbel, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Newton Mendonça)(3:59)
14- This Can't Be Love [*] -(Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart) (3:14)
15- It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) - (Irving Mills, Duke Ellington)(3:49)

Recorded: March 1-3, 1974, Hermosa Beach, CA.

Personnel:
Charlie Byrd- guitar
Joe Byrd- acoustic & electric bass
Bertell Knox- drums

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Ray Barretto - Portraits In Jazz And Clave (1999) (eac-log-cover)

Ray Barretto  & New World Spirit - Portraits In Jazz And Clave (1999)

jazz, latin | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 360MB

BMG | rel:2000

AMG:
In this program of mainly Afro-Cubanized jazz standards, conga man Barretto assembled an all-star group of friends to complement his regular working New World Spirit band. The icons include longtime friend Kenny Burrell, whose guitar playing is a key component in the makeup of every selection. Bassist Eddie Gomez, tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano and trombonist Steve Turre join such up-and-coming younger musicians as trumpeter John Bailey, saxophonist Adam Kolker and pianist John DiMartino. Second percussionist Bobby Sanabria is alongside, as is the oustanding trap drummer and longtime Barretto bandmate Vince Cherico. The recording is bookended by Duke Ellington's music. It's front-loaded with "The Mooche," ignited by a simmering bass and left-hand piano ostinato plucked from Horace Silver's "Senor Blues." Conch-shell moans from Turre and punchy congas intro this classic, with Burrell's second melody lead and horns on the first and third. "Cotton Tail" is a good swinger with Latin underpinnings and loads of Burrell (refer to Burrell and Barretto on Burrell's classic Blue Note date Midnight Blue). At the end of the CD is the lesser-known "Oclupaca," taken as a steamy cha-cha. Also included is Billy Strayhorn's Johnny Come Lately," which has clave/mambo rhythms buoying echoed trumpet and tenor lines talking back and forth. The interplay of this counterpoint is stunning, again kicked off by the fuse of Burrell's guitar. There's the fluttery horn intro and dueling tenors on John Coltrane's "Like Sonny," the slight tango-ish "Lamento Borincano" and its heavy dose of Latin Burrell, and the laid-back horns setting up demure-to-forceful piano by DiMartino on Wayne Shorter's "Go." Then there's Thelonious Monk's brisk and brusque "I Mean You," cooked by the unison horns to golden brown perfection with claves, montuno piano and a patented deft bass solo from the brilliant Gomez. A most Afro-Cuban "Cancion del Fuego Fatuo" is quite subtle, Burrell again the focal point with much to say beneath and above the surface. Of the many fine recordings Barretto has produced in the past 30 years as a leader, this ranks right up in the top three, due to the undeniable musicianship of his select guests, the innate ability of his own band, and the meticulous selection of jazz pieces whipped into tangy salsa. It's a winning, highly recommended combination.

Tracks:
01- The Mooche 6:56
02- Cotton Tail 5:31
03- Johnny Come Lately 5:27
04- Cancion del Fuego Fatuo 7:16
05- I Mean You 6:40
06- Go 7:57
07- Like Sonny 4:34
08- Lamento Borincano 7:16
09- Oclupaca 6:06

Personnel:
* Bobby Sanabria* Percussion
* Steve Turre* Trombone, Shells
* Vince Cherico* Drums
* John Di Martino* Piano
* Adam Koker* Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor)
* John Bailey* Trumpet
* Kenny Burrell* Guitar
* Adam Kolker* Saxophone
* Ray Barretto* Conga, Producer, Editing, Mastering, Mixing
* Eddie Gomez* Bass
* Joe Lovano* Saxophone, Sax (Tenor)

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Brian Jonestown Massacre - Give It Back! (1997) (eac-log-cover)

Brian Jonestown Massacre - Give It Back! (1997)

rock, indie | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 360MB

Bomp! | BCD-4068

AMG:
With a name like this, it's pretty clear these guys have '60s on the brain, but as revivalist-type bands go, they're definitely above average. They could use more editing, though; this is their sixth album in about two years, and while no one complains about short value with a running time of 55 minutes, about half of this is run-of-the-mill pseudo-'60s garage/psych with too many indulgent guitar breaks. They get a lot more interesting when they slow things down to a wasted quasi-junkie folk-rock mode, similar in spirit to Nikki Sudden or early-'70s Stones. The spooky "The Devil," which sounds like a Satanic cousin to a Stones track like "Heart of Stone," is a standout in this regard; "Malela" (a close facsimile of the Chocolate Watch Band) and "Salaam" show them to be one of the few '90s bands capable of intelligent use of sitars in a rock context; and "(You Better Love Me) Before I Am Gone," for a change of pace, is a goofy (and not very good) homage to Lee Hazlewood and Nancy Sinatra's duet style. Inspired song title: "Their Satanic Majesties' Second Request."

Tracks:
01. "Super-Sonic" – 5:15
02. "This Is Why You Love Me" – 1:55
03. "Satellite" – 3:39
04. "Malela" – 3:09
05. "Salaam" – 1:44
06. "Whoever You Are" – 4:41
07. "Sue" – 8:30
08. "(You Better Love Me) Before I Am Gone" – 3:35
09. "Not If You Were the Last Dandy on Earth" – 2:46
10. "#1 Hit Jam" – 4:55
11. "Servo" – 3:23
12. "The Devil May Care (Mom & Dad Don't)" – 6:04
13. "Their Satanic Majesties' Second Request (Enrique's Dream)" – 5:35

Personnel:
* Anton Newcombe - Vocals, guitar, bass, drums, keyboards
* Matt Hollywood - Bass, vocals, guitar
* Peter Hayes - Guitar
* Joel Gion - Percussion
* Miranda Richards - Vocals, guitar
* Jussi Tegelman - Drums
* Adam Hamilton - Drums
* Raugust - Flute

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Antonio Carlos Jobim 1993 - Antonio Carlos Jobim and Friends (1993) (eac-log-cover)

Antonio Carlos Jobim 1993 - Antonio Carlos Jobim and Friends (1993)
Live at the Free Jazz Festival in Sao Paulo

jazz, latin | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 460MB

Verve | rel: 1996

AMG:
Jobim made his last Brazilian concert appearance -- and the penultimate one of his life -- at this warm, star-studded affair in which American jazz musicians jetted down to the Free Jazz Festival in São Paulo to pay effusive homage. The miracle is how easily the jazzers were able to capture the yearning essence of Jobim's idiom without really compromising their own distinct styles. Thus, Joe Henderson welds his trademark unpredictable flurries into the cool tenor sax bossa nova tradition, Shirley Horn does "Once I Loved" in her own inimitable manner that matches the mood of the song perfectly, Jon Hendricks' scatting fits the samba like a glove. The pianists go somewhat outside the idiom -- Herbie Hancock's modern complexity, Gonzalo Rubalcaba's technical fireworks laced with Afro-Cuban salsa -- but they stay within their orbits around the Jobim sun. The composer himself only appears on the last four tracks -- he sounds weary and ill -- yet he radiates his gentle warmth and spirit throughout the evening.

Tracks:
01- Prelude: Inútil Paisagem/Triste/Esperanca Perdida [medley] (Jobim) - 8:27
02- Ela e Carioca (DeMoraes, Jobim) - 6:21
03- The Boy from Ipanema (DeMoraes, Gimbel, Jobim) - 2:40
04- Once I Loved (O Amor en Paz) (DeMoraes, Gilbert, Jobim) - 5:28
05- O Grande Amor (DeMoraes, Jobim) - 9:26
06- Chega de Saudade (No More Blues) (Cavanaugh, DeMoraes ...) - 5:21
07- Agua de Beber (DeMoraes, Jobim) - 6:02
08- A Felicidade (DeMoraes, Jobim) - 4:55
09- Se Todos Fossem Iguais a Você (DeMoraes, Jobim) - 5:04
10- Luiza (Jobim) - 3:27
11- Wave (Jobim, Jobim) - 4:23
12- Caminhos Cruzados (Mendonca) - 4:28
13- Finale: The Girl from Ipanema (DeMoraes, Jobim) - 7:54

Personnel:
Antonio Carlos Jobim, Shirley Horn (vocals, piano); Gal Costa, Jon Hendricks (vocals); Joe Henderson (tenor saxophone); Herbie Hancock (piano, keyboards); Gonzalo Rubalcaba (piano); Oscar Castro-Neves, Paulo Jobim (guitar); Ron Carter (bass); Harvey Mason (drums); Alex Acuna (percussion).
thx to Musicgate

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John Coltrane - Interstellar Space (1967) (2000rem) (eac-log-cover)

John Coltrane - Interstellar Space (1967)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 415MB

Impulse! | 2000 remaster

AMG:
Not released for the first time until 1974 but now available in expanded form as a CD, this set of duets by tenor saxophonist John Coltrane and drummer Rashied Ali are full of fire, emotion and constant abstract invention. The original four pieces ("Mars," "Venus," "Jupiter" and "Saturn") are joined by "Leo" and "Jupiter Variation." Coltrane alternates quiet moments with sections of great intensity, showing off his phenominal technique and ability to improvise without the need for chordal instruments. Rousing if somewhat inaccessible music.

Tracks:
1. "Mars" – 10:41
2. "Venus" – 8:28
3. "Jupiter" – 5:22
4. "Saturn" – 11:33
2000 Compact Disc bonus tracks
5. "Leo" – 10:53
6. "Jupiter variation" – 6:44
The 2000 CD reissue also includes a brief rehearsal fragment as well as two false starts of "Jupiter Variation" and studio chatter between Coltrane and Ali. These outtakes are hidden in the pre-gap before "Mars".

Personnel:
* John Coltrane – tenor saxophone, bells
* Rashied Ali – drums

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Dizzy Gillespie - Gillespiana & Carnegie Hall Concert (1960&61) (eac-log-cover)

Dizzy Gillespie - Gillespiana & Carnegie Hall Concert (1960&61)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 515MB

Verve | rel: 1993

AMG:
This CD combines two complete and related LPs. When Lalo Schifrin joined the Dizzy Gillespie Quintet in 1960, he was encouraged by Gillespie to write an extended work for him. "Gillespiana" was the result, an impressive five-movement suite that showcased the trumpeter's talents with a large orchestra. The latter half of this CD was recorded at Carnegie Hall the same day that "Gillespiana" was debuted live, but those five pieces are more conventional, highlighted by remakes of "Manteca" and "A Night in Tunisia" (the latter as the more involved "Tunisian Fantasy"). Only an overly silly version of "Ool-Ya-Koo" with Joe Carroll detracts from this otherwise superb release.

Tracks:
01. Prelude (5:56)
02. Blues (11:20)
03. Panamerica (4:42)
04. Africana (7:35)
05. Toccata (12:05)
--
06. Manteca (6:27)
07. This is the Way (3:53)
08. Ool Ya Koo (5:41)
09. Kush (4:14)
10. Tunisian Fantasy (13:14)

Original Releases:
* Dizzy Gillespie - Gillespiana (Verve MGV 8394), 1960
* Dizzy Gillespie - Carnegie Hall Concert (Verve MGV 8394), 1961

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Kurt Weill (Edo De Waart) - Symphonies nos. 1&2 (1973) (Limited edition) (eac-log-cover)

Kurt Weill - Symphonies  nos. 1&2 (1973)
Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Edo De Waart

contemporary, classical | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 240MB

Philips | Limited Edition

Symphony No. 1 (1921)
1. 'in one movement - in einem Satz' (25:41)

Symphony No. 2 (1933-34)
2. I. Sostenuto - Allegro molto (9:22)
3. II. Largo (12:03)
4. III. Allegro vivace (6:29)


These symphonies were performed by the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig and conducted by Edo de Waart. They were recorded in December 1973 at the Paul Gerhard Kirche, Leipzig, Germany, and originally released on LP in 1974.

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J.J. Johnson - Proof Positive (1964) (eac-log-cover)

J.J. Johnson - Proof Positive (1964)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 260MB

GRP | rar +5% recovery

AMG:
This CD reissue finds trombonist J.J. Johnson in prime form. In fact, his melancholy minor-toned explorations often recall Miles Davis, whose group he had played with the year before). Backed on six of the seven tracks by pianist Harold Mabern, who at the time was heavily influenced by McCoy Tyner, bassist Arthur Harper and drummer Frank Gant, Johnson gets to really stretch out on "Neo," "Minor Blues" and "Blues Waltz"; "Gloria" was previously available only on an Impulse sampler. Manny Albam's "Lullaby of Jazzland," on which Johnson is joined by guitarist Toots Thielemans, pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Richard Davis and drummer Elvin Jones, rounds out the excellent set.

Tracks:
01 - Neo (Miles Davis) - (10:19)
02 - Gloria [bonus track] (Bronislaw Kaper)- (3:04)
03 - Stella by Starlight (Ned Washington, Victor Young) -(4:02)
04 - Minor Blues (J.J. Johnson) -(8:04)
05 - My Funny Valentine (Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart) - (3:02)
06 - Blues Waltz (Max Roach) - (8:05)
07 - Lullaby of Jazzland (Manny Albam, Rick Ward) - (5:08)

Personnel:
J.J. Johnson - trombone (1-7)
Harold Mabern - piano (1-6)
Arthur Harper - bass (1-6)
Frank Gant - drums (1-6)
Toots Thielemans - guitar (7)
McCoy Tyner - piano (7)
Richard Davis - bass (7)
Elvin Jones - drums (7)

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Miles Davis - What I Say, v1-2 (live) (1971) (eac-log-cover)

Miles Davis - What I Say, v1-2 (1971)

jazz | 2cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 750MB

JMY | rel: 1994

v1
1. Directions - 15:31
2. Honky Tonk - 13:18
3. What I Say - 16:20
4. Sanctuary - 3:21
5. It's About That Time - 17:38

recorded at the Wiener Konzerthaus, Wienna November 5, 1971

Miles Davis: Trumpet
Gary Bartz: Alto sax, Soprano sax
Keith Jarrett: Electric piano, organ
Mike Henderson: Electric bass
Leon Chancler: drums
Don Alias: Congas
James "Mtume" Foreman: Percussion

v2
1. Yesternow, part3 - 14:14
2. Funky Tonk - 19:30
3. The "Sanctuary" Theme - 1:18
4. Directions - 9:28
5. Honky Tonk - 12:45
6. What I Say - 9:20

Songs 1-3 recorded at the Wiener Konzerthaus, Vienna, November 5, 1971
Songs 4-6 recorded at the Fillmore West, SF October 17, 1970

Gary Bartz: Alto sax, Soprano sax
Keith Jarrett: Electric piano, organ
Mike Henderson: Electric bass
Leon Chancler: drums (1-3)
Don Alias: congas (1-3)
James Mtume Foreman (1-3)
Jack DeJohnette: drums (4-6)
Jim Riley "Jumma Santos": congas (4-6)
Airto Moreira: percussion (4-6).

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Johnny Jenkins - Ton-Ton Macoute! (1970) (HDCD) (eac-log-cover)

Johnny Jenkins - Ton-Ton Macoute! (1970)

blues, rock | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 320MB

Capricorn | HDCD 1997

AMG:
What a fine bowl of Southern gumbo this Johnny Jenkins disc is. Aided and abetted by the likes of Duane Allman (this started as an Allman solo disc, but when he formed the Allman Brothers Band, Jenkins put his vocals over the tracks best suited), Dickey Betts, and those great guys from Muscle Shoals, Jenkins cooks on such cuts as "Down Along the Covell" from the pen of Bob Dylan, and Muddy Waters' "Rollin' Stone." But it is Dr. John's "I Walk On Guilded Splinters" which shines here and is the one which folks will recognize as the basis for Beck's hit "Loser." On the slippery "Blind Bats & Swamp Rats" you can almost feel the heat and humidity rolling out of the bayou. This reissue also includes the mighty fine bonus cuts "I Don't Want No Woman" and "My Love Will Never Die." Great Southern funk n' roll for the discerning listener. It even includes educational linear notes which tell the tale behind each cut.

Tracks:
01. "I Walk on Gilded Splinters" (Dr. John) - 5:49
02. "Leaving Trunk" (Sleepy John Estes) - 4:19
03. "Blind Bats & Swamp Rats" (Jackie Avery) - 4:44
04. "Rollin' Stone" (Muddy Waters) - 5:21
05. "Sick and Tired" (Dave Bartholomew/Chris Kenner) - 4:41
06. "Down Along the Cove" (Bob Dylan) - 3:25
07. "Bad News" (J.D. Loudermilk) - 4:08
08. "Dimples" (John Lee Hooker/James Bracken) - 2:55
09. "Voodoo in You" (Jackie Avery) - 5:00
10. "I Don't Want No Woman" (Don Robey) - 2:12
11. "My Love Will Never Die" (Otis Rush) - 5:33

Personnel:
* Johnny Jenkins - vocals, guitar (4), harmonica (2, 6, 7, 8), foot stomping (4), lead guitar (10, 11)
* Duane Allman - electric guitar (9 [left channel]), slide guitar (4, 6), dobro (1), rhythm guitar (10, 11)
* Berry Oakley - bass (4, 6, 7)
* Jaimoe - timbales (1, 3, 9)
* Butch Trucks - drums (1, 9)
* Paul Hornsby - Wurlitzer piano (1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 11), piano (10), Hammond B-3 organ (11), rhythm guitar (6)
* Eddie Hinton - cowbell (9)
* Tippy Armstrong - cabasa (9)
* Pete Carr - acoustic guitar (6), electric guitar (1, 9 [right channel]), guitar (2, 3, 5, 7, 8)
* Robert Popwell - bass (1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11), timbales (5), shaker & woodblocks (2)
* Johnny Wyker - shaker & woodblocks (2)
* Jimmy Nalls - guitar (7)
* Ella Brown - vocals (3)
* Southern Comfort - vocals (1, 9)
* Johnny Sandlin - drums (2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11)

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Ella Fitzgerald - Ella In Hamburg (1965) (eac-log-cover)

Ella Fitzgerald - Ella In Hamburg (1965)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 360MB

Verve | 2007 remaster

AMG:
Ella Fitzgerald and the Tommy Flanagan Trio (the pianist is joined by bassist Keter Betts and drummer Gus Johnson) are in top form during this engaging 1965 concert in Hamburg, Germany; after being out of print for decades it finally was reissued on CD in Japan. She's at her best singing classic material such as the uptempo "That Old Black Magic" and a strutting take of "And the Angels Sing" (not a song one typically associates with Ella). She also is very effective on ballads such as "Body and Soul," "Here's That Rainy Day," and "Angel Eyes." Even though liner note writer implies that the Beatles' "A Hard Day's Night" is a great jazz vehicle, it is actually a resounding dud, as was often the case when the singer ventured into covering rock hits of the 1960s and 1970s. But an occasional misfire should not dissuade anyone from acquiring this CD, as Ella Fitzgerald is in great voice throughout the performance, and Tommy Flanagan's accompaniment is matchless.

Tracks:
01. "Walk Right In" (Gus Cannon, Hosea Woods) – 3:43
02. "That Old Black Magic" (Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer) – 4:20
03. "Body and Soul" (Frank Eyton, Johnny Green, Edward Heyman, Robert Sour) – 4:46
04. "Here's That Rainy Day" (Sonny Burke, Jimmy Van Heusen) – 3:41
05. "And the Angels Sing" (Ziggy Elman, Mercer) – 4:00
06. "A Hard Day's Night" (John Lennon, Paul McCartney) – 3:21
07. Ellington Medley: "Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me"/"Mood Indigo"/"It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" (Barney Bigard, Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Bob Russell) – 6:38
08. "The Boy from Ipanema" (Antonio Carlos Jobim, Norman Gimbel, Vinícius de Moraes) – 3:04
09. "Don't Rain on My Parade" (Bob Merrill, Jule Styne) – 3:19
10. "Angel Eyes" (Earl Brent, Matt Dennis) – 3:39
11. "Smooth Sailing" (Arnett Cobb) – 4:07
12. "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" (Traditional) – 3:51

Personnel:
* Ella Fitzgerald - Vocals
* Tommy Flanagan Trio:
* Tommy Flanagan - Piano
* Keter Betts - Bass
* Gus Johnson - Drums
Recorded March 26, 1965, in Hamburg, Germany

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Hank Mobley - No Room For Squares (RVG) (1963) (eac-log-cover)

Hank Mobley - No Room For Squares (RVG) (1963)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 350MB

BN | RVG 24-bit remaster 2000

AMG:
Why any critic would think that Hank Mobley was at the end of his creative spark in 1963 -- a commonly if stupidly held view among the eggheads who do this for a living -- is ridiculous, as this fine session proves. By 1963, Mobley had undergone a transformation of tone. Replacing the scintillating airiness of his late-'50s sides was a harder, more strident, almost honking one, due in part to the influence of John Coltrane and in part to Mobley's deeper concentration on the expressing blues feeling in his trademark hard bop tunes. The CD version of this album sets the record straight, dropping some tunes form a session months earlier and replacing them with alternate takes of the title cut and "Carolyn" for historical integrity, as well as adding "Syrup and Biscuits" and "Comin' Back." Mobley assembled a crack band for this blues-drenched hard-rollicking set made up of material written by either him or trumpeter Lee Morgan. Other members of the ensemble were pianist Andrew Hill, drummer Philly Joe Jones, and bassist John Ore. The title track, which opens the set, is a stand-in metaphor for the rest: Mobley's strong and knotty off-minor front-line trading fours with Hill that moves into brief but aggressive soloing for he and Morgan and brings the melody back, altered with the changes from Hill. On Morgan's "Me 'n' You," an aggressive but short bluesed-out vamp backed by a mutated samba beat, comes right out of the Art Blakey book of the blues and is articulated wonderfully by Mobley's solo, which alternates between short, clipped phrases along the line of the changes and longer trill and ostinatos where the end of a musical line is dictated by his breath rather than a chord change. Morgan is in the pocket of the blue shades, coloring the ends of his lines with trills and short staccato bursts, warping them in Hill's open, chromatic voicings. All eight cuts here move with similar fluidity and offer a very gritty and realist approach to the roots of hard bop. Highly recommended.

Tracks:
1. "Three Way Split" – 7:49
2. "Carolyn" (Morgan) – 5:30
3. "Up a Step" – 8:31
4. "No Room for Squares" – 6:57
5. "Me 'N You" (Morgan) – 7:17
6. "Old World Imports" – 6:08
7. "Carolyn" [alternate take] (Morgan) – 5:35 Bonus track on CD
8. "No Room for Squares" [alternate take] (Mobley) – 6:45 Bonus track on CD
All compositions by Hank Mobley except as indicated
* Recorded at Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, March 7 & October 2, 1963
Personnel:
* Hank Mobley – tenor saxophone (all tracks)
* Lee Morgan – trumpet (tracks 1,2,4,5,8,9)
* Donald Byrd – trumpet (tracks 3,6)
* Andrew Hill – piano (tracks 1,2,4,5,8,9)
* Herbie Hancock – piano (tracks 3,6)
* John Ore – bass (tracks 1,2,4,5,8,9)
* Butch Warren – bass (tracks 3,6)
* Philly Joe Jones – drums (all tracks)

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Drew Gress - 7 Black Butterflies (2005) (eac-log-cover)

Drew Gress - 7 Black Butterflies (2005)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 350MB

Premonition | rar +5% recovery

Amazon:
New York bassist Drew Gress proves on 7 Black Butterflies that he is an exciting force to be reckoned with in today's avant garde jazz scene. Not only are his talents as a musician showcased here, but the fact that all tracks on 7 Black Butterflies are composed and arranged by Gress himself is testament to his writing strengths and ability as a successful band leader. Gress's quintet is comprised of some of the most talented avant garde musicians around who clearly enjoy playing off one another. The quintet includes trumpeter Ralph Alessi, fellow New Yorker Tim Berne on alto sax, Tom Rainey on drums and Craig Taborn on piano. Once those first notes are unleashed you'll know you stumbled onto something special. From the gradual 'buzz', 'pluck' and 'screeching' introduction of the opener "Rhinoceros," to the hard bop drive of "Bright Idea," to the bass centered "Bas Relief," to the free flowing highlight "Low Slung/ High Strung," 7 Black Butterflies is a worthwhile flight into the void, a sonic journey not to be missed.

Tracks:
1. Rhinoceros 8:26
2. Bright Idea 8:53
3. New Leaf 5:49
4. Zaftig 8:39
5. Bas Relief 0:59
6. Blue On One Side 6:19
7. Wing & Prayer 6:14
8. Low Slung/high Strung 9:00
9. Like It Never Was 4:29

Personnel:
Drew Gress: bass
Ralph Alessi: trumpet
Tim Berne: alto sax
Tom Rainey: drums
Craig Taborn: piano

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RCA Living Stereo: Ravel (Munch) - Daphnis Et Chloe (1955) (eac-log-cover)

RCA Living Stereo: Ravel - Daphnis Et Chloe (1955)
Charles Munch, BSO

classical | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 290MB

RCA | SACD | rel.: 2004 | rar +5% recovery

ClassicsToday:
I may be alone in preferring Charles Munch's later recording of Daphnis, from the 1960s, to this classic 1955 version. The remake (last available on Japanese RCA) has even better playing, as well as more modern sound--not that this disc is all that much inferior. In fact, it's still a terrific feat of audio engineering, and Munch's interpretation is just as powerful and committed (and perhaps a bit swifter in the Bacchanal) as it would be later. Given the unavailability of his second effort, you certainly can purchase this with total confidence, and the two-channel SACD brings a touch more vividness to what already was a very fine remastering job. Let's face it: Munch was well nigh unbeatable in this music, and there's no point in quibbling over tiny details. If you don't have this, then by all means don't hesitate. If you do own it, I don't think this latest remastering offers enough obvious differences to warrant trading in the previous release.

Composer: Maurice Ravel
Conductor: Charles Munch
Orchestra/Ensemble: Boston Symphony Orchestra, New England Conservatory Chorus, New England Conservatory Alumni Chorus
Rec: 1955
Venue: Symphony Hall, Boston, Massachusetts
54 Minutes 29 Secs.

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Red Garland & Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis - Moodsville v1 (1959) (eac-log-cover)

Red Garland & Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis - Moodsville v1 (1959)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 190MB

OJC | rar +5% recovery

AMG:
In the late 1950s, Prestige started a new subsidiary (Moodsville) that was designed to provide mood music for courting couples. The emphasis on this CD reissue, the very first Moodsville release is on ballads, matching pianist Red Garland, bassist Sam Jones and drummer Art Taylor with guest tenor Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis on three of the eight tunes. Due to the overly relaxed nature of much of this music and the lack of variety, this is not one of the more essential Red Garland sets, but it is still generally enjoyable. Highlights include "We'll Be Together Again," "When Your Lover Has Gone" and "Blue Room."

Tracks:
1-We'll Be Together Again 5:37
2-Stella By Starlight 4:25
3-I Heard You Cried Last Night 4:48
4-Softly Baby 5:54
5-When Your Lover Has Gone 5:54
6-Wonder Why 4:25
7-Blue Room 5:44
8-The Red Blues 3:05

Personnel:
Bass - Sam Jones
Drums - Arthur Taylor*
Piano - Red Garland
Saxophone [Tenor] - Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis

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Pere Ubu - Cloudland (1989) (2007remaster) (eac-log-cover)

Pere Ubu - Cloudland (1989)

avantgarde, rock | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 505MB

Mercury | rem, expanded 2007 | rar +5% recovery

AMG:
In a press handout that accompanied the original release of Pere Ubu's Cloudland, David Thomas quipped "We'd never been asked to write a pop record before. I guess it never occurred to anyone." Given the sonic Dadaism of much of Pere Ubu's work, what's most startling is not that it took so long for someone to suggest they make a pop record but that they were able to comply so successfully. Stephen Hague, who had previously worked with the Pet Shop Boys, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark and New Order, produced these sessions, and Cloudland boasts a glossy surface that was unprecedented for Pere Ubu's work; the drums sounded crisp and tight, the songs included traditional melodies and melodic keyboard lines, Allen Ravenstine's noisy punctuations were pushed to the back of the mix, and the harmonies sounded as if they were performed by actual professionals. However, beneath the hipster friendly production, Cloudland remained a Pere Ubu record -- David Thomas' yelping vocal style was as unrestrained as ever, and while the tunes here lack the sharp angles of Pere Ubu's first era, the lateral sway of the melodies is still cheerfully off kilter. Lyrically, Cloudland finds Ubu moving cautiously from their passionate defense of the Midwest's industrial wastelands to a look at the broad plains that lurked elsewhere, as if they were looking for sunnier climes like many other denizens of the Rust Belt and finding many strange, troubling and wonderful things in their new surroundings. Ultimately, Cloudland showed that however much you dressed up Pere Ubu's music, their heart and soul would show through, and that is a very good thing. [In 2007, Mercury Records reissued Cloudland in a new remastered edition created with the input of the band. The new disc includes two non-LP B-sides, "Wine Dark Sparks" and "Bang the Drum," as well as a live BBC recording of "Bus Called Happiness" and alternate mixes of "Breath" and "Love Love Love." David Stubbs' liner notes describe the circumstances behind the making of the album as well as Thomas' lyrical themes on this material.]

Tracks:
01-Breath (3:59)
02-Race The Sun (3:25)
03-Cry (2:34)
04-Why Go It Alone? (2:49)
05-Waiting For Mary (3:29)
06-Ice Cream Truck (2:49)
07-Bus Called Happiness (3:13)
08-Monday Night (2:12)
09-Love Love Love (3:28)
10-Lost Nation Road (2:17)
11-Fire (3:44)
12-Nevada! (3:21)
13-The Wire (3:19)
14-Flat (2:23)
15-The Waltz (3:28)
16-Pushin (2:27)
extras:
17-Breath (alt mix) (3:45)
18-Wine Dark Sparks (3:12)
19-Bang The Drum (3:54)
20-Bus Called Happiness (live) (3:22)
21-Love Love Love (Cajun House Mix) (6:19)

Pere Ubu (v.5.0):
David Thomas - vocals
Jim Jones - guitar, backing vocals
Allen Ravenstine - EML synthesizers, backing vocals
Tony Maimone - bass, backing vocals
Chris Cutler - drums
Scott Krauss - drums
Stephen Hague played keyboards.

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Bud Powell - Birdland 1953: The Complete Trio Recordings 2cd (eac-log-cover)

Bud Powell - Birdland 1953: The Complete Trio Recordings

jazz | 2cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 530MB

Fresh Sound | rar +5% recovery

AMG:
The premiere bebop pianist Bud Powell, who was plagued by mental illness on and off after suffering through a police beating in 1945, had spent much of 1952 in an institution. Released in February 1953, he was in generally excellent form throughout the year, appearing at Massey Hall in a famous concert with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, and recording an album apiece for Blue Note and Roost. The music on Birdland 1953 is comprised of trio performances with Powell being joined by either Oscar Pettiford, Franklin Skeete, Charles Mingus, George Duvivier or Curly Russell on bass and Roy Haynes, Sonny Payne, Art Taylor or Max Roach on drums. The 42 selections on this two-CD set are taken from radio broadcasts that emanated from Birdland in NY between February and September 1953. Much of the music had previously been released but on bootleg LPs from such labels as Alto, Base, Session Disc and Queen Disc. The sound has been cleaned up and is now decent for the period if not state-of-the-art. More importantly, Powell sounds on his game, ripping into "Tea for Two," "I Want to Be Happy," "Ornithology" and such originals as "Budo," "Dance of the Infidels," "Un Poco Loco" and "Parisian Thoroughfare." He is intense on the ballads, blazing on the up-tempo numbers and sounds quite original throughout. Bebop fans will have to get this two-fer for it is one of the last times on record that Bud Powell can be heard in his playing prime.

Tracks:
CD-1
01. Tea for Two
02. It Could Happen To You
03. Lover Come Back To Me
04. Lullaby of Birdland
05. I Want To Be Happy
06. Embraceable You
07. I've Got You Under My Skin
08. Ornithology
09. Lullaby of Birdland
10. How High The Moon
11. Budo
12. Hallelujah
13. I've Got You Under My Skin
14. Embraceable You
15. I Want To Be Happy
16. I've Got You Under My Skin
17. Sure Thing
18. Embraceable You
19. Woody 'n You
20. Salt Peanuts
21. Lullaby of Birdland
CD-2
01. I’ve Got You Under My Skin
02. Autumn in New York
03. I Want To Be Happy
04. Budo
05. My Hear Stood Still
06. Dance of the Infidels
07. Dance of the Infidels
08. My Heart Stood Still
09. Un poco loco
10. Parisian Throughfare
11. Dance of the Infidels
12. Glass Enclosure
13. Parisian Throughfare
14. Dance of the Infidels
15. Un poco loco
16. Oblivion
17. Parisian Throughfare
18. Dance of the Infidels
19. Embraceable You
20. Un poco loco
21. Oblivion

Personnel:
Bud Powell (p) with Charles Mingus, Oscar Pettiford, Franklin Skeets, George Duvivier, Curley Russell (b) and Roy Haynes, Sonny Payne, Art Taylor, Max Roach (d)

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Shelly Manne - At The Black Hawk, v1-5 (1959) (eac-log-cover)

Shelly Manne & His Men - At The Black Hawk, v1-5 (1959)

jazz | 5cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 1750MB

OJC | rar +5% recovery

AMG:
Shelly Manne's Quintet was recorded extensively at San Francisco's Black Hawk club for three nights in 1959. Although not the most significant group that the drummer led, this edition (with trumpeter Joe Gordon, tenor saxophonist Richie Kamuca, pianist Victor Feldman, and bassist Monty Budwig) was certainly capable of playing high-quality bebop. Originally their output was released on four LPs; the reissue expanded the music to five CDs. ...
...The extended performances are easily recommended to straight-ahead jazz fans.

Tracks:
cd1
1- Summertime (11:56)
2- Our Delight (11:57)
3- Poinciana (13:00)
4- Poinciana (alt) (8:33)
5- Blue Daniel (8:06)
6- Theme: A Gem From Tiffany (00:17)
cd2
1- Step Lightly (12:38)
2- What's New? (13:23)
3- Vamp's Blues (19:49)
4- Step Lightly (alt) (14:13)
5- Theme: A Gem From Tiffany (00:15)
cd3
1- I Am In Love (12:11)
2- Whisper Not (09:44)
3- Black Hawk Blues (18:12)
4- Whisper Not (alt) (12:24)
cd4
1- Cabu (10:48)
2- Just Squeeze Me (12:51)
3- Nightingale (12:03)
4- Theme: A Gem From Tiffany (09:40)
5- Cabu (alt) (11:45)
cd5
1- How Deep Are The Roots (11:02)
2- This Is Always (10:00)
3- Wonder Why (8:49)
4- Eclipse Of Spain (10:30)
5- Pullin' Strings (4:34)
6- Theme: A Gem From Tiffany (5:39)

Personnel:
Joe Gordon - trumpet
Richie Kamuca - tenor sax
Victor Feldman - piano
Monty Budwig - bass
Shelly Manne - drums

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Meredith Monk - Volcano Songs (1995) (eac-log-cover)

Meredith Monk - Volcano Songs (1995)

avantgarde, contemporary | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 290MB

ECM | rel 1997 | rar +5% recovery

Amazon:
While perhaps still widely unknown Meredith Monk is a modern master.
This album is another incredible addition to her work. The set of four opening duets will take your breath away. The first of these "Walking Song" was featured in the Coen brothers film The Big Lebowski...As strong as that cut is each of these four composition gets successively stronger. On "Lost Wind" The singers hit ringing overtones that are otherworldly. "Cry #1" is overwhelmingly emotional... The New York Requiem for people lost to AIDS is another standout ...also deeply moving. There are also two sets of vocal solos by Monk herself interspersed with a solo piano piece, and a vocal quartet piece "Three Heavens And Hells" set to the words of a young childs poem. Lyrics are rare for Monk who usually avoids them... she claims in the notes that this is a first. There are other songs with recognizable phrases such as the repeated mantra "I Went To The Store" in TURTLE DREAMS and the woman's conversation with death in THE TALE (from Dolmen Music). However in those cases, words evolved out of the pre-established melody. Here the words came first.
Those who recall 1980's landmark vocal milestone DOLMEN MUSIC will want to give VOLCANO SONGS and the latest release... (the equally beautiful) MERCY a listen.

Tracks:
Volcano Songs: Duets (1993)
01 Walking Song 3:03
02 Lost Wind 3:16
03 Hips Dance 1:59
04 Cry # 1 2:43
---
05 New York Requiem (1993) 11:00
---
Volcano Songs: Solos (1994)
06 Offering 2:39
07 Boat Man 2:13
08 Skip Song 1:41
09 Old Lava 2:44
10 Cry # 2 2:45
---
11 St Petersburg Waltz (1993) 7:51
12 Three Heavens And Hells (1992) 21:15
---
From Light Songs (1988)
13 Click Song # 1 1:59
14 Click Song # 2 3:45

Personnel:
Piano - Harry Huff (tracks: 5) , Nurit Tilles (tracks: 11)
Voice - Allison Easter (tracks: 12) , Dina Emerson (tracks: 12) , Katie Geissinger (tracks: 1 to 4, 12) , Meredith Monk

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Brian Jonestown Massacre - Strung Out In Heaven (1998) (eac-log-cover)

Brian Jonestown Massacre - Strung Out In Heaven (1998)

rock, indie | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 340MB

TVT Records | rar +5% recovery

AMG:
It's with typical perversity that the Brian Jonestown Massacre makes the leap from the indie ghetto into the majors with their least immediate, most restrained record to date; given time to sink in, however, Strung Out in Heaven proves as engaging as their past efforts, with a focus and cohesiveness often lacking from their more visceral work. Settling into a blissfully psychedelic drift, the album opts not for the Stones-inspired raunch of before but for Byrds-like guitars, muffled drums and pulsating Hammond organ lines, all topped off by Anton Newcombe's half-stoned, half-shamanic vocals; thanks to standout tracks like "Going to Hell," "Wasting Away" and "Maybe Tomorrow," the cumulative impact makes for the BJM's most mature outing yet, evoking a kind of narcotic euphoria perfectly in keeping with the album's title.

Tracks:
01. "Going to Hell" (lyrics/vocals Newcombe) 2:59
02. "Let's Pretend It's Summer" (lyrics/vocals Newcombe) 3:37
03. "Wasting Away" (lyrics/vocals Newcombe) 3:14
04. "Jennifer" (lyrics Hollywood/vocals Hollywood/Newcombe) 3:32
05. "Got My Eye on You" (lyrics Hollywood/vocals Hollywood/Gion) 3:11
06. "Nothing to Lose" (lyrics/vocals Newcombe) 2:52
07. "Love" (lyrics/vocals Newcombe) 3:54
08. "Maybe Tomorrow" (lyrics/vocals Hollywood) 4:13
09. "Spun" (lyrics/vocals Hollywood) 4:15
10. "I've Been Waiting" (lyrics/vocals Newcombe) 4:25
11. "Dawn (Alternate)" (lyrics/vocals Newcombe) (re-recording) 2:13
12. "Lantern" (lyrics/vocals Newcombe) 3:27
13. "Wisdom (Alternate)" (lyrics/Newcombe/vocals Newcombe/Richards) (re-recording) 5:29

Personnel:
* Anton Newcombe - Vocals, guitar, bass, drums
* Matt Hollywood - Bass, vocals
* Jeffrey Davies - Guitar, organ
* Dean Taylor - Guitar
* Joel Gion - Percussion

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Art Blakey & JM 1961 - Impulse! (20-bit SBM) (eac-log-cover)

Art Blakey & JM 1961 - Impulse! (20-bit SBM)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 280MB

Impulse! | rar +5% recovery

Amazon:
The Jazz Messengers only recording for Impulse Records is a sextet affair featuring Lee Morgan,Wayne Shorter and Curtis Fuller. Standard tunes are played at various tempos with Lee displaying his prowess on mute as well as open horn. The highlight of the date for me though is the Curtis Fuller original - A La Mode- a real smoker. This front line appears again 3 years later on Art Blakey's final Blue Note session INDESTRUCTIBLE recorded in 1964. In 1962 & 63 it was Freddie Hubbard on trumpet in the classic sextet recording numerous sessions for Blue Note and Riverside records. The Riverside sessions CARAVAN and UGETSU may be a bit easier on the head for some.

Tracks:
1. "À la Mode" (Fuller) — 6:40
2. "Invitation" (Kaper, Webster) — 7:25
3. "Circus" (Alter, Russell) — 5:12
4. "You Don't Know What Love Is" (DePaul, Raye) — 6:55
5. "I Hear a Rhapsody" (Baker, Fragos, Gasparre) — 6:30
6. "Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You" (Razaf, Redman) — 5:00

Personnel:
* Art Blakey — drums
* Wayne Shorter — tenor saxophone
* Lee Morgan — trumpet
* Curtis Fuller — trombone
* Bobby Timmons — piano
* Jymie Merritt — bass

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McCoy Tyner Trio With Symphony - What the World Needs Now: The Music of Burt Bacharach (1997)

McCoy Tyner Trio With Symphony - What the World Needs Now: The Music of Burt Bacharach (1997)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 310MB

Impulse | rar +5% recovery

AMG:
McCoy Tyner, one of the most vital of all jazz pianists, performs nine songs written by the superior pop composer Burt Bacharach. Since the tunes selected include "Close to You," "A House Is Not a Home," "Alfie" and "The Look of Love," this project had potential. Unfortunately, the Tyner trio (with bassist Christian McBride and drummer Lewis Nash) is accompanied by a huge string section and an orchestra given mostly surprisingly sappy and overly lush arrangements by John Clayton (who is capable of much better). The pianist treats each melody as if it were precious, and the overall results are rather schlocky. Compare this lightweight version of "A House Is Not a Home" to Jackie McLean's intense exploration or Tyner's "Alfie" to Sonny Rollins' for examples of how the pianist's project is an unimaginative misfire. A major disappointment.

Tracks:
1. "(They Long to Be) Close to You" - 7:51
2. "What the World Needs Now Is Love" - 6:09
3. "You'll Never Get to Heaven (If You Break My Heart)" - 5:04
4. "The Windows of the World" - 5:30
5. "One Less Bell to Answer" - 5:39
6. "A House is Not a Home" - 5:36
7. "(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me" - 4:43
8. "Alfie" - 4:26
9. "The Look of Love - 7:10

Personnel:
* McCoy Tyner: piano
* Christian McBride: bass
* Lewis Nash: drums
* John Clayton: arranger, conductor

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Bill Evans - A Simple Matter Of Conviction (1966) (mini lp ltd) (eac-log-cover)

Bill Evans - A Simple Matter Of Conviction (1966) (mini lp)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 210MB

Verve | limited edition mini lp | rar +5% recovery

AMG:
What separated this from the average good Bill Evans date was the inclusion of Shelly Manne on drums, who inventively pushed and took unexpected chances. This was, I believe, Eddie Gomez' (bass) debut release with Evans (piano) and it was quite impressive. There were numerous takes at this session and judging from Chuck Briefer's liners it might be interesting to hear them released.

Tracks:
1. "A Simple Matter Of Conviction" (Bill Evans) – 3:20
2. "My Melancholy Baby" (Ernie Burnett, George Norton, W. E. Watson) – 5:16
3. "Only Child" (Evans) – 4:05
4. "Laura" (Johnny Mercer, David Raskin) – 4:20
5. "Stella by Starlight" (Ned Washington, Victor Young) – 4:11
6. "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You" (George Bassman, Ned Washington) – 4:14
7. "Star Eyes" (Gene de Paul, Don Raye) – 4:58
8. "Unless It's You (Orbit)" (Evans) – 3:44
9. "These Things Called Changes" (Evans) – 3:33

Personnel:
* Bill Evans - piano
* Eddie Gomez - bass
* Shelly Manne - drums

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Marianne Faithfull - A Child's Adventure (1983) (eac-log-cover)

Marianne Faithfull - A Child's Adventure (1983)

rock | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 220MB

Island | rar +5% recovery

AMG:
Faithfull pegged her comeback to a brutal survivalist persona, but by this fourth album of her second career, she had mellowed at least to the extent of constructing flowing song structures with her collaborators, Barry Reynolds and Wally Badarou, that eased the bitterness still found in many of her lyrics. A Child's Adventure is thus more listenable, but less compelling, than her other albums of the period.

Tracks:
1. "Times Square" (Barry Reynolds) – 4:22
2. "The Blue Millionaire" (Wally Badarou, Marianne Faithfull, Reynolds) – 5:35
3. "Falling from Grace" (Ben Brierley, Faithfull) – 3:56
4. "Morning Come" (Badarou, Faithfull) – 5:16
5. "Ashes in My Hand" (Faithfull, Reynolds) – 4:51
6. "Running for Our Lives" (Badarou, Faithfull, Reynolds) – 4:48
7. "Ireland" (Faithfull, Reynolds) – 4:37
8. "She's Got a Problem" (Caroline Blackwood, Faithfull) – 3:55

Personnel:
* Marianne Faithfull – vocals
* Barry Reynolds – vocals, guitar
* Ben Brierley – vocals, guitar
* Wally Badarou – vocals, keyboards
* Mikey Chung – guitar
* Fernando Saunders – bass
* Terry Stannard – drums
* Rafael de Jesus – percussion

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Wes Montgomery - The Alternative WM (1963) (eac-log-cover)

Wes Montgomery - The Alternative WM (1963)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 420MB

Milestone | rec: 1960-63 | rar +5% recovery

AMG:
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.

Tracks:
01 - Born To Be Blue
02 - Come Rain Or Come Shine (Take 1)
03 - Fried Pies (Take 1)
04 - Besame Mucho (Take 2)
05 - The Way You Look Tonight (Take 2)
06 - Stairway To The Stars (Take 2)
07 - Jingles (Take 8)
08 - Bock To Bock (Take 1)
09 - Movin' Along (Take 1)
10 - Body And Soul (Take 2)
11 - Tune Up (Take 9)
12 - Tune Up (With Strings - Take 2)

Personnel:
Kenny Burrell, Paul Chambers, James Clay, Jimmy Cobb, Victor Feldman, Johnny Griffin, Louis Hayes, Milt Jackson, Sam Jones, Philly Joe Jones, Wynton Kelly, Monk Montgomery, Buddy Montgomery

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