Kronos Quartet - Music by Sculthorpe, Sallinen, Glass, Nancarrow, Hendrix (1986)

 

  Kronos Quartet  - Music by Sculthorpe, Sallinen, Glass, Nancarrow, Hendrix (1986)

contemporary | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-covers | 210MB

Nonesuch 7559-79111-2

Allmusic:
To say this barrier-breaking string quartet plays modern music is an understatement. All of the five composers showcased on this audacious recording were born in the 20th century. Minimalist Philip Glass is among the best known of the five, whose works cannot possibly be mistaken with anything from the baroque or classical periods. This particular foursome illustrates the grace, beauty, and even power of a string quartet, but goes well beyond. In the words of first violinist and leader David Harrington, "I've always wanted the string quartet to be vital, and energetic, and alive, and cool, and not afraid to kick ass and be absolutely beautiful and ugly if it has to be." The album-ending cover of the Jimi Hendrix classic "Purple Haze" must be heard to be believed.

Tracks
-01. "String Quartet No. 8, Mvt. I Con dolore" - Peter Sculthorpe 2:04
-02. "String Quartet No. 8, Mvt. II Risoluto" - Sculthorpe 3:49
-03. "String Quartet No. 8, Mvt. III Con dolore" - Sculthorpe 3:02
-04. "String Quartet No. 8, Mvt. IV Con precisione" - Sculthorpe 1:49
-05. "String Quartet No. 8, Mvt. V Con dolore" - Sculthorpe 2:07
-06. "String Quartet No. 3: Some Aspects of Peltoniemi Hintrik's Funeral March" - Sallinen 14:05
-07. "Company, Mvt. I" - Philip Glass 2:22
-08. "Company, Mvt. II" - Glass 1:36
-09. "Company, Mvt. III" - Glass 1:46
-10. "Company, Mvt. IV" - Glass 2:14
-11. "String Quartet, Mvt. I Allegro molto" - Conlon Nancarrow 2:18
-12. "String Quartet, Mvt. II Andante moderato" - Nancarrow 3:31
-13. "String Quartet, Mvt. III Prestissimo" - Nancarrow 5:17
-14. "Purple Haze" - Jimi Hendrix, arr. Steve Riffkin 2:52

 sample & buy: Kronos Quartet 

Kenny Burrell & Jimmy Raney - 2 Guitars (1957)

  Kenny Burrell & Jimmy Raney - 2 Guitars (1957)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-covers | 165MB

OJC OJCCD 216-2

Allmusic:
For this 1957 studio session (which has been reissued on CD through the Original Jazz Classics imprint), the two distinctive but complementary guitarists Kenny Burrell and Jimmy Raney are teamed together in a septet with trumpeter Donald Byrd, altoist Jackie McLean, pianist Mal Waldron, bassist Doug Watkins, and drummer Art Taylor. The full group gets to stretch out on one original each by Watkins and McLean ("Little Melonae") and three from Waldron, while the two standards ("Close Your Eyes" and "Out of Nowhere") are individual features for Burrell and Raney. This is a well-rounded set that may not contain any real surprises, but will be enjoyed by collectors of hard bop.

Tracks
1. "Blue Duke" - 8:50
2. "Dead Heat" - 4:07
3. "Pivot" - 5:13
4. "Close Your Eyes" (Bernice Petkere) - 4:50
5. "Little Melonae" (Jackie McLean) - 9:29
6. "This Way" (Doug Watkins) - 12:25
7. "Out of Nowhere" (Johnny Green, Edward Heyman) - 4:31

Personnel
* Kenny Burrell (tracks 1-6), Jimmy Raney (tracks 1-3 & 5-7) - guitar
* Donald Byrd - trumpet (tracks 1-3, 5 & 6)
* Jackie McLean - alto saxophone (tracks 1-3, 5 & 6)
* Mal Waldron - piano
* Doug Watkins - bass
* Art Taylor - drums

 sample & buy: Two Guitars 

Charles Mingus, John LaPorta - Jazzical Moods (1954)

  Charles Mingus, John LaPorta - Jazzical Moods (1954)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-covers | 235MB

OJC limited edition OJCCD-1857-2

Allmusic:

Originally recorded for Period Records in 1954, this fairly obscure early Charles Mingus session is a collaboration with composer John LaPorta, who is heard on clarinet and alto saxophone. It's a fascinating effort that shows Mingus' awareness of both modern European classical composition and cool jazz.
The set includes a mix of Mingus and LaPorta originals, plus freshly arranged standards like "What Is This Thing Called Love" and "Stormy Weather." Also on hand are the great trumpeter Thad Jones and saxophonist/producer Teo Macero. The album features Mingus' debut on piano.

Tracks
1. "What Is This Thing Called Love?" - 8:08
2. "Stormy Weather" - 3:18
3. "Minor Intrusion" - 10:13
4. "Abstractions" - 4:12
5. "Thrice Upon A Theme" - 6:40
6. "Four Hands" - 8:50
7. "The Spur Of The Moment/Echonitus" - 8:36

Personnel
* Bass, Piano – Charles Mingus
* Cello – Jackson Wiley
* Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – John LaPorta
* Drums – Clem DeRosa*

 sample & buy: Jazzical Moods 

Petra Haden And Bill Frisell - Petra Haden And Bill Frisell (2004)

  Petra Haden And Bill Frisell  - Petra Haden And Bill Frisell (2004)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-covers | 265MB

Rykodisc/Hannibal HNCD1472

Allmusic:
It's safe to say that most albums don't include renditions of tunes by Foo Fighters, George Gershwin, and Stevie Wonder, along with traditional Tuvan folk songs, together on the same track list. Unless, of course, you're referring to the 2005 disc by the duo of Bill Frisell and Petra Haden. One of the foremost guitarists in contemporary jazz, Frisell is renowned for his signature guitarscapes, heard through a galaxy of effects and loops. Haden is an eclectic vocalist/violinist formerly of the indie-pop group That Dog (and, incidentally, the daughter of jazz bass great Charlie Haden), whose singing is guileless, experimental, and endearing all at once.
Together, Haden and Frisell create an unexpected magic, with Frisell's shimmering chords and electronically embellished atmospheres providing the perfect pillow for Haden's sleepy, breathy voice (which she layers in harmonies to excellent effect). The songs--also including Coldplay's "Yellow," Henry Mancini's "Moon River," Tom Waits's "I Don't Want to Grow Up," and the Disney classic "When You Wish Upon a Star"--are incongruous only in theory. The lush, lullaby-like quality of the duo's sound gives the album a remarkably cohesive feel, highlighting the strength of the material and the chemistry of this unusual pair.

Tracks
01. "Satelliteˇ- Elliott Smith - 2:37
02. "Floatyˇ- Dave Grohl - 6:55
03. "Bai-La Taigamˇ- Traditional - 5:22
04. "Moon Riverˇ- Henry Mancini / Johnny Mercer - 2:22
05. "Yellowˇ- Guy Berryman / Jon Buckland / Will Champion / Chris Martin - 4:39
06. "I Don't Want to Grow Upˇ- Kathleen Brennan / Tom Waits - 3:37
07. "The Quiet Roomˇ- Petra Haden - 4:21
08. "When You Wish Upon a Starˇ- Leigh Harline / Ned Washington - 2:34
09. "I Believeˇ- Stevie Wonder - 6:17
10. "John Hardy Was a Desperate Little Manˇ- Traditional - 2:40
11. "I've Got a Crush on Youˇ- George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin - 3:46
12. "Throughoutˇ- Bill Frisell - 4:02

 sample & buy: Petra Haden & Bill Frisell 

Oscar Peterson - Live! (1986)

Oscar Peterson - Live! (1986)

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

Pablo CD 2310-940  | rel: 1990

Allmusic:
Pianist Oscar Peterson's stint at the Westwood Playhouse in Los Angeles in Nov. 1986 resulted in two CDs' worth of material. Peterson's quartet (with guitarist Joe Pass, bassist David Young and drummer Martin Drew) performs an interesting medley of "Perdido" and "Caravan," plays sensitively on "If You Only Knew," explores the pianist's "City Lights" and performs a three-part "The Bach Suite," which is climaxed by "Bach's Blues." Enjoyable music, it's recommended to Peterson's many fans.

Tracks
1. The Bach Suite: "Allegro" – 9:51
2. The Bach Suite: "Andante" – 3:24
3. The Bach Suite: "Bach's Blues" – 9:11
4. "City Lights" – 7:08
5. Medley: "Perdido" (Juan Tizol, Hans J. Lengsfelder, Ervin Drake) – 6:26
6. Medley: "Caravan" (Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Tizol) – 6:39
7. "If You Only Knew" – 7:56

Personnel
* Oscar Peterson – piano
* Joe Pass – guitar
* David Young – double bass
* Martin Drew – drums

 sample & buy: Oscar Peterson Live 

Bud Powell - The Complete Blue Note and Roost Recordings (1947-63)

Bud Powell - The Complete Blue Note and Roost Recordings (1947-63)

jazz | 4cd | eac-flac-cue-log-covers | 1570MB

BN CDP 7243 8 30083 2 2 | rel: 1994

Allmusic:
Although pianist Bud Powell recorded some great albums elsewhere (most notably his first couple of sessions for Verve), on the whole his Blue Note records were his most significant and definitive. This four-CD set has all of the music from his five Blue Note albums, his two sessions for the Roost label, and all known alternate takes. Powell literally changed the way that the piano is played in jazz, and this magnificent set has more than its share of classics. In addition to the many trio performances, trombonist Curtis Fuller sits in on three numbers, there are a few solo cuts, and one date features Powell at the head of a quintet with trumpeter Fats Navarro and the young tenor Sonny Rollins. Although there are a few faltering moments in the later dates, this essential release (unlike the similar Verve reissue) is quite consistent.

Tracks
cd1:
1. "I'll Remember April" (Gene de Paul, Patricia Johnston, Don Raye) – 2:54
2. "(Back Home Again in) Indiana" (James Hanley, Ballard MacDonald) – 2:45
3. "Somebody Loves Me" (George Gershwin, Ballard MacDonald, B. G. De Sylva) – 2:56
4. "I Should Care" (Axel Stordahl, Paul Weston, Sammy Cahn) – 3:02
5. "Bud's Bubble" – 2:36
6. "Off Minor" (Thelonious Monk) – 2:24
7. "Nice Work If You Can Get It" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) – 2:20
8. "Everything Happens To Me" (Matt Dennis, Tom Adair) – 2:41
9. "Bouncing with Bud" (alternate take #1) (Gil Fuller, Powell) – 3:03
10. "Bouncing with Bud" (alternate take #2) (Fuller, Powell) – 3:12
11. "Bouncing with Bud" (Fuller, Powell) – 3:01
12. "Wail" (alternate take) – 2:38
13. "Wail" – 3:02
14. "Dance of the Infidels" (alternate take) – 2:52
15. "Dance of the Infidels" – 2:50
16. "52nd Street Theme" (Monk) – 2:45
17. "You Go to My Head" (J. Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie) – 3:11
18. "Ornithology" (Benny Harris, Charlie Parker) – 2:20
19. "Ornithology" (alternate take) (Harris, Parker) – 3:07
20. "Un Poco Loco" (alternate take #1) – 3:46
21. "Un Poco Loco" (alternate take #2) – 4:28
22. "Un Poco Loco" – 4:42
23. "Over the Rainbow" (Harold Arlen, E.Y. "Yip" Harburg) – 2:55
cd2:
1. "A Night in Tunisia" (Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Paparelli) – 4:16
2. "A Night in Tunisia" (alternate take) (Gillespie, Paparelli) – 3:52
3. "It Could Happen to You" (alternate take) (James Van Heusen, Johnny Burke) – 2:22
4. "It Could Happen to You" (Van Heusen, Burke) – 3:16
5. "Parisian Thoroughfare" – 3:25
6. "Autumn in New York" (Vernon Duke) – 2:51
7. "Reets and I" (Benny Harris) – 3:18
8. "Reets and I" (alternate take) (Harris) – 2:30
9. "Sure Thing" (Jerome Kern, Ira Gershwin) – 2:39
10. "Collard Greens and Black-Eyed Peas" (alternate take) (Oscar Pettiford) – 2:11
11. "Collard Greens and Black-Eyed Peas" (Pettiford) – 3:01
12. "Polka Dots and Moonbeams" (Van Heusen, Burke) – 4:00
13. "I Want to Be Happy" (Vincent Youmans, Irving Caesar) – 2:50
14. "Audrey" – 2:54
15. "Glass Enclosure" – 2:21
16. "Embraceable You" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) – 2:51
17. "Burt Covers Bud" – 3:07
18. "My Heart Stood Still" (Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart) – 3:20
19. "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" (Cole Porter) – 2:41
20. "Bags' Groove" (Milt Jackson) – 2:14
21. "My Devotion" (Roc Hillman, Johnny Napton) – 3:05
22. "Stella by Starlight" (Victor Young) – 2:10
23. "Woody 'N' You" (Dizzy Gillespie) – 3:00
cd3:
1. "Blue Pearl" – 3:46
2. "Blue Pearl" (alternate take) – 4:03
3. "Keepin' In The Groove" – 2:53
4. "Some Soul" – 6:56
5. "Frantic Fancies" – 4:50
6. "Bud On Bach" – 2:30
7. "Idaho" (Jesse Stone) – 5:14
8. "Don't Blame Me" (Jimmy McHugh, Dorothy Fields) – 7:31
9. "Moose the Mooche" (Parker) – 5:45
10. "John's Abbey" – 5:36
11. "Sub City" (alternate take) – 2:36
12. "Sub City" – 4:32
13. "John's Abbey" (alternate take) – 2:25
14. "Buster Rides Again" – 5:30
cd4:
1. "Dry Soul" – 6:41
2. "Marmalade" – 4:28
3. "Monopoly" – 4:47
4. "Time Waits" – 5:06
5. "The Scene Changes" – 3:59
6. "Down With It" – 3:58
7. "Comin' Up" (alternate take) – 5:26
8. "Comin' Up" – 7:54
9. "Duid Deed" – 5:06
10. "Cleopatra's Dream" – 4:22
11. "Gettin' There" – 5:01
12. "Crossin' The Channel" – 3:28
13. "Danceland" – 3:41
14. "Borderick" – 1:58
15. "Like Someone in Love" (Van Heusen, Burke) – 6:18

personnel
* piano: Bud Powell
* bass: Curly Russell, Tommy Potter, George Duvivier, Paul Chambers, Sam Jones, Pierre Michelot
* drums: Max Roach, Roy Haynes, Art Taylor, Philly Joe Jones, Kenny Clarke
* trumpet: Fats Navarro
* sax: Sonny Rollins
* trombone: Curtis Fuller

 sample & buy: Bud Powell: The Complete Blue Note and Roost Rec. 

Christian Wallumrod - A Year from Easter (2004)

Christian Wallumrod - A Year from Easter (2004)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-covers | 295MB

ECM 1901

Allmusic:
What must be heard by contemporary jazz generalists as a typical ECM type European music creation, pianist Christian Wallumrod has conjured up a nomadic series of themes that touch on various strains of ethnic music. Echoes of classical and chamber musics, and Manfred Eicher's brand of tonally reserved, emotionally balanced, and coolly rendered sounds provide a rich but predictable musical palette. The title A Year from Easter might suggest many themes of hope, looking forward, sudden dismay, prayers for peace and justice, and post-distress emergence. While all that and more is present in the music, there's also a sense of forgiving, mutual trust, love, and that balance so needed in a life of ups and downs. Wallumrod must inevitably be compared to ECM stablemates Keith Jarrett, Mike Nock, and Bobo Stenson, but also to fellow Europeans Lennart Aberg, Thomas Clausen, and American icon Paul Bley. His band with violinist Nils Økland and trumpeter Arve Henriksen further draw comparisons to Jenny Scheinman and Kenny Wheeler respectively. Their sonic union with Wallumrod's piano or harmonium is a marriage of sheer beauty, wisdom and mutual agreement, and the CD unfolds like an epic novel. The dainty chamber like "Arch Song" starts the voyage, followed by the French/Middle Eastern requiem "Eliasong," with Wallumrod on harmonium. "Stompin' at Gagarin" pushes up the fun quotient, albeit deliberate and stealth, while the sad "Wedding Postponed" and the invocation "Psalm" turn the music somber and reverent. Sporadic piano and stroked-over toned cymbals on the percussive "Unisono" leads to the long toned sonic text piece "Lichtblick," the faux "Horseshoe Waltz," with its breathing and clattering sounds not in 3/4 time, and the somber afterthought visage of the title track, again identified by the harmonium. There's a delicate two-note actual waltz "Japanese Choral," Økland's pensive violin featured for "Sketch," a repeat of "Eliasong," Økland's violin assimilating a flute during "Neunacht," and the closer "Two Years from Easter" with Økland and Henriksen in a more resolved and hopeful mood. This CD, obviously, needs to be heard in its entirety, as there are really no stand-alone pieces. It's a wondrous journey though the human condition, to be shared and not recommended to loners or disenfranchised separatists of the intelligent music world, still coming easily recommended.

Tracks
01. "Arch song" (5:25)
02. "Eliasong" (3:31)
03. "Stompin' at Gagarin" (4:23)
04. "Wedding postponed" (4:11)
05. "Psalm" (3:17)
06. "Unisono" (2:24)
07. "Lichtblick" (4:22)
08. "Horseshoe waltz" (4:27)
09. "A year from Easter" (3:45)
10. "Japanese choral" (5:18)
11. "Sketch" (2:51)
12. "Eliasong II" (3:31)
13. "Neunacht" (3:18)
14. "Two years from Easter" (3:05)

Personnel
* Drums – Per Oddvar Johansen
* Piano, Harmonium, Toy Piano – Christian Wallumrod
* Trumpet – Arve Henriksen
* Violin – Nils Okland

 sample & buy: Year From Easter 

Sonny Criss - I'll Catch The Sun (1969)

Sonny Criss - I'll Catch The Sun (1969)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-covers | 200MB

OJC

Allmusic:
Altoist Sonny Criss made some of his finest recordings for Prestige during the mid- to late '60s; I'll Catch the Sun was the seventh and final. Since this CD reissue is only 35 minutes long, it is overly brief, but the straight-ahead music (featuring Criss with pianist Hampton Hawes, bassist Monty Budwig, and drummer Shelly Manne) is often excellent as the altoist performs two blues, two standards (including a passionate "Cry Me a River"), and two forgotten pop tunes from the era.

Tracks
1. "Don't Rain on My Parade" (Bob Merrill, Jule Styne) - 4:24
2. "Blue Sunset" (Sonny Criss) - 8:10
3. "I Thought About You" (Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Mercer) - 4:43
4. "California Screamin'" (Sonny Criss) - 6:03
5. "Cry Me a River" (Arthur Hamilton) - 5:41
6. "I'll Catch the Sun" (Rod McKuen) - 5:34

Personnel
* Sonny Criss - alto saxophone
* Hampton Hawes - piano
* Monty Budwig - bass
* Shelly Manne - drums

 sample & buy: I'll Catch the Sun