Art Pepper - So In Love (1979) (SACD limited edition)

Art Pepper - So In Love (1979)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 410MB

Analogue Productions | SACD 24k gold limited edition

Allmusic:
This deluxe release from the classy (but long defunct) Artists House label, as with all of Art Pepper's recordings of his comeback years, is easily recommended. Actually all of the music on So in Love has been reissued in greatly expanded form in Pepper's massive 16-CD Galaxy box set. The original LP has lengthy versions of "So in Love," "Stardust," "Straight No Chaser" and two Pepper originals ("Diane" and "Blues for Blanche"). Assisted by two equally talented rhythm sections (pianists Hank Jones and George Cables, bassists Ron Carter and Charlie Haden, and drummers Al Foster and Billy Higgins), Pepper is in excellent form throughout the album, giving these songs heart-wrenching interpretations.

Tracks
-1. "Straight, No Chaser" - Monk - 6:24
-2. "Blues for Blanche" - Pepper - 6:47
-3. "So in Love" - Porter - 11:35
-4. "Diane" - Mingus, Pepper, Pollack, Rapee - 12:16
-5. "Stardust" - Carmichael, Parish - 10:35

Personnel
*Art Pepper (alto saxophone)
*George Cables, Hank Jones (piano)
*Ron Carter , Charlie Haden (double bass)
*Al Foster, Billy Higgins (drums)

sample & buy: So in Love (Hybr)

Art Pepper - Art Pepper Quartet (1954) (eac-log-cover)

Art Pepper - Art Pepper Quartet (1954)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 150MB

OJC

Allmusic:
Originally released on the defunct Tampa label and then on CD by the small V.S.O.P. label, this album features the great altoist Art Pepper with pianist Russ Freeman, bassist Ben Tucker and drummer Gary Frommer. Despite the inclusion of five alternate takes, there is still only around 41 minutes of music but the quality is high; even with his erratic lifestyle, Pepper never made a bad record. Highlights include Art's original "Diane," "Besame Mucho" and "Pepper Pot." Fine music, but not essential when one considers how many gems Art Pepper recorded during his rather hectic life.

Tracks:
-01. "Art's Opus" -Pepper - 5:48
-02. "I Surrender, Dear" -Barris, Clifford - 5:31
-03. "Diane" -Pepper - 3:35
-04. "Pepper Pot" -Pepper - 5:03
-05. "Besame Mucho" -Skylar, Velazquez - 4:00
-06. "Blues at Twilight" -Jones, Pepper - 3:58
-07. "Val's Pal" -Pepper - 2:03
-08. "Pepper Pot" -Pepper - 2:27
-09. "Blues at Twilight" -Jones, Pepper - 4:02
-10. "Val's Pal [Take 1]" -Pepper - 2:26
-11. "Val's Pal [Take 4]" -Pepper - 2:22
-12. "Val's Pal [Take 5]" -Pepper - 2:14

Personnel:
*Art Pepper (alto saxophone)
*Russ Freeman (piano)
*Ben Tucker (bass)
*Gary Frommer (drums)

sample & buy: Art Pepper Quartet

Art Pepper - The Discovery Sessions (1952&53) (eac-log-cover)

Art Pepper - The Discovery Sessions (1952&53)

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

Savoy

Allmusic:
Most of Art Pepper's first three studio dates as a leader are represented in this compilation, though a few previously issued alternate takes are omitted. The first date finds the alto saxophonist in fine form, leading a quartet consisting of pianist Hampton Hawes, bassist Joe Mondragon, and drummer Larry Bunker. Pepper primarily sticks to originals, though he offers a warm rendition of the standard "These Foolish Things" as well. Pepper sounds a little more adventurous on the second date, accompanied by pianist Russ Freeman, bassist Bob Whitlock, and drummer Bobby White. Two takes of "Chili Pepper" (a Latin-flavored reworking of the venerable "Tea for Two"), two versions of the rapid-fire "Suzy the Poodle" (based upon "[Back Home Again In] Indiana"), a lush arrangement of the ballad "Everything Happens to Me," and a swinging performance of Lester Young's "Tickle Toe" (which incorporates cornetist Bix Beiderbecke's tag from the recording of Paul Whiteman's "When") make up this session. Tenor saxophonist Jack Montrose obviously stimulates Pepper on the third date; the rhythm section is made up of pianist Claude Williamson, bassist Monty Budwig, and either Paul Vallerina or Larry Bunker on drums. The two versions of "Nutmeg" (yet another variation of "I Got Rhythm") find the two reedmen playing off one another with finesse, along with brief solos by Williamson and Budwig. The saxmen also shine in a somewhat brisk take of the standard "Deep Purple" and the two takes of Bob Haggart's lovely "What's New?" The title to the frenetic "Straight Life" is a bit ironic, given Pepper's battle with narcotics abuse, but it is one of the most provocative selections of this compilation. Completists may grouse about the missing (and viable) alternate takes, but the sound restoration on this Savoy reissue is head and shoulders above earlier editions of this valuable music.

Tracks:
-01. Brown Gold 2:22
-02. These Foolish Things 2:38
-03. Surf Ride 2:50
-04. Holiday Flight 3:08
-05. Chili Pepper (Alternate) 3:03
-06. Chili Pepper (Original Issue) 2:56
-07. Suzy The Poodle (Original Issue) 3:10
-08. Suzy The Poodle (Alternate) 3:15
-09. Everything Happens To Me 3:04
-10. Tickle Toe 2:50
-11. Nutmeg (Original Issue) 3:11
-12. Nutmeg (Alternate) 2:59
-13. Deep Purple 3:55
-14. Cinnamon 3:07
-15. What's New (Alternate) 3:32
-16. What's New (Original Issue) 3:25
-17. Thyme Time (Original Issue) 3:26
-18. Thyme Time (Alternate) 3:26
-19. Straight Life 2:50
-20. Art's Oregano 3:07
-21. The Way You Look Tonight (Alternate) 5:30
-22. The Way You Look Tonight (Original Issue) 3:44

Personnel:
01-04: Hampton Hawes (p), Joe Mondragon (b), Larry Bunker (d)
05-10: Russ Freeman (p), Bob Whitlock (b), Bobby White (d)
11-22: Jack Montrose (tenor sax), Claude Williamson (p), Monte Budwig (b), Paul Ballerina (d-1), Larry Bunker (d-2)

sample & buy: Discovery Sessions

Art Pepper - The Intimate Art Pepper (1979) (SACD) (eac-log-cover)

Art Pepper - The Intimate Art Pepper (1979)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 380MB

Analogue Productions | Revival Series | SACD

Analogue Productions:
In 1979 Art Pepper was recorded at two sessions that up until now have yielded two fine albums, So In Love and The New York Album. There was more first-rate material recorded in those two sessions than would fit on two LPs so difficult choices had to be made as to what material not to include on the albums released at the time. Those choices were not necessarily made on the basis of the quality of the performances but with respect to such considerations as length and congruence of repertoire within an album.
These rare recordings which feature primarily material recorded in connection with the So In Love session but which also include a beautiful rendition of Jerome Kern's Yesterdays (with Hank Jones, Ron Carter and Al Foster) showcase Art in solo and trio treatments of jazz standards.
There are also quartet performances with George Cables Charlie Haden and Billy Higgins of material from Pepper's repertoire. The original recordings were painstakingly mixed by Rik Pekkonen and John Koenig. Analogue Productions is pleased to be able to release this material for the first time in album form, and much of it for the first time in any form.

Tracks:
-1. In A Mellow Tone >9:58
-2. Yesterdays >7:01
-3. You Go To My Head >6:02
-4. Tin Tin Deo >11:19
-5. Body And Soul >4:34
-6. Landscape >7:18
-7. Anthropology >6:32*
-8. Desafinado >7:55*

Personnel:
*Art Pepper (alto saxophone, clarinet);
*Hank Jones, *George Cables (piano);
*Ron Carter, *Charlie Haden (bass);
*Al Foster, *Billy Higgins (drums).

sample & buy: Intimate Art Pepper (SACD)

Art Pepper - Art Pepper + Eleven: Modern Jazz Classics (XRCD2) (eac-flac-cover)

Art Pepper - Art Pepper+Eleven: Modern Jazz Classics (1959) (XRCD2)

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

JVC | RAR +5% recovery

AMG:
This is a true classic. Altoist Art Pepper is joined by an 11-piece band playing Marty Paich arrangements of a dozen jazz standards from the bop and cool jazz era. Trumpeter Jack Sheldon has a few solos, but the focus is very much on the altoist who is in peak form for this period. The CD reissue adds two additional versions of "Walkin'" and one of "Donna Lee" to the original program. Throughout, Pepper sounds quite inspired by Paich's charts which feature the band as an active part of the music rather than just in the background. Highlights of this highly enjoyable set include "Move," "Four Brothers," "Shaw Nuff," "Anthropology," and "Donna Lee," but there is not a single throwaway track to be heard. Essential music for all serious jazz collections. [The Japanese release takes the three bonus tracks (alternate versions of "Walkin'" and "Donne Lee") and moves them to the end of the disc]

Tracks:
01. "Move" (Denzil Best) –3:26
02. "Groovin' High" (Dizzy Gillespie) –3:24
03. "Opus de Funk" (Horace Silver) –3:11
04. "'Round Midnight" (Hanighen, Thelonious Monk, Williams) –3:33
05. "Four Brothers" (Jimmy Giuffre) –2:58
06. "Shaw 'Nuff" (Brown, Fuller, Gillespie) –2:58
07. "Bernie's Tune" (Leiber, Miller, Stoller) –2:44
08. "Walkin' Shoes" (Gerry Mulligan) –3:30
09. "Anthropology" (Gillespie, Charlie Parker) –3:18
10. "Airegin" (Sonny Rollins) –2:59
11. "Walkin'" [Original Take] (Carpenter) –5:16
12. "Donna Lee" [Original Take] (Charlie Parker) –3:21
13. "Walkin'" [Alternate Take] (Carpenter) –4:57
14. "Walkin'" [Alternate Take] (Carpenter) –5:01
15. "Donna Lee" [Alternate Take] (Charlie Parker) –3:25

Personnel:
* Art Pepper — alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, clarinet
* Pete Candoli — trumpet
* Al Porcino — trumpet
* Jack Sheldon — trumpet
* Dick Nash — trombone
* Bob Enevoldsen — valve trombone, tenor saxophone
* Vince DeRosa — French horn
* Herb Geller — alto saxophone
* Bud Shank — alto saxophone
* Charlie Kennedy — alto saxophone
* Bill Perkins — tenor saxophone
* Richie Kamuca — tenor saxophone
* Med Flory — baritone saxophone
* Russ Freeman — piano
* Joe Mondragon — bass
* Mel Lewis — drums
* Marty Paich — arranger, conductor

sample & buy

rc

---> Art Pepper + Eleven: Modern Jazz Classics (MFSL) version here <---

Art Pepper - Art Pepper + Eleven: Modern Jazz Classics (MFSL) (eac-flac-cover)

Art Pepper - Art Pepper+Eleven: Modern Jazz Classics (1959) (MFSL)

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

MFSL | rar +5% recovery

AMG:
This is a true classic. Altoist Art Pepper is joined by an 11-piece band playing Marty Paich arrangements of a dozen jazz standards from the bop and cool jazz era. Trumpeter Jack Sheldon has a few solos, but the focus is very much on the altoist who is in peak form for this period. The CD reissue adds two additional versions of "Walkin'" and one of "Donna Lee" to the original program. Throughout, Pepper sounds quite inspired by Paich's charts which feature the band as an active part of the music rather than just in the background. Highlights of this highly enjoyable set include "Move," "Four Brothers," "Shaw Nuff," "Anthropology," and "Donna Lee," but there is not a single throwaway track to be heard. Essential music for all serious jazz collections.

Tracks:
01. "Move" (Denzil Best) –3:26
02. "Groovin' High" (Dizzy Gillespie) –3:22
03. "Opus de Funk" (Horace Silver) –3:13
04. "'Round Midnight" (Hanighen, Thelonious Monk, Williams) –3:32
05. "Four Brothers" (Jimmy Giuffre) –2:57
06. "Shaw 'Nuff" (Brown, Fuller, Gillespie) –2:58
07. "Bernie's Tune" (Leiber, Miller, Stoller) –2:41
08. "Walkin' Shoes" (Gerry Mulligan) –3:31
09. "Anthropology" (Gillespie, Charlie Parker) –3:22
10. "Airegin" (Sonny Rollins) –3:04
11. "Walkin'" (Carpenter) –4:15
12. "Donna Lee"(Charlie Parker) –3:23

Personnel:
* Art Pepper — alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, clarinet
* Pete Candoli — trumpet
* Al Porcino — trumpet
* Jack Sheldon — trumpet
* Dick Nash — trombone
* Bob Enevoldsen — valve trombone, tenor saxophone
* Vince DeRosa — French horn
* Herb Geller — alto saxophone
* Bud Shank — alto saxophone
* Charlie Kennedy — alto saxophone
* Bill Perkins — tenor saxophone
* Richie Kamuca — tenor saxophone
* Med Flory — baritone saxophone
* Russ Freeman — piano
* Joe Mondragon — bass
* Mel Lewis — drums
* Marty Paich — arranger, conductor

sample & buy

read the comments

--->  Art Pepper + Eleven: Modern Jazz Classics (XRCD2) version here <---

Art Pepper - Meets The Rhythm Section (1957) (20-bit SBM) (eac-flac-cover)

Art Pepper - Meets The Rhythm Section (1957) (20-bit SBM)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 285MB

OJC | 20-bit SBM | rar +5% recovery

AMG:
By the time of this, Art Pepper's tenth recording as a leader, he was making his individual voice on the alto saxophone leave the cozy confines of his heroes Charlie Parker and Lee Konitz. Joining the Miles Davis rhythm section of pianist Red Garland, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Philly Joe Jones made the transformation all that more illuminating. It's a classic east meets west, cool plus hot but never lukewarm combination that provides many bright moments for the quartet during this exceptional date from that great year in music, 1957. A bit of a flip, loosened but precise interpretation of the melody on "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" gets the ball rolling, followed by a "Bags Groove" parallel with "Red Pepper Blues," and a delicate, atypical treatment of "Imagination." A compositional collaboration of Pepper and Chambers on the quick "Waltz Me Blues" and hard-edged, running-as-fast-as-he-can take of "Straight Life" really sets the gears whirring. Philly Joe Jones is a great bop drummer, no doubt, one of the all-time greats with Kenny Clarke and Max Roach. His crisp Latin-to-swing pace for "Tin Tin Deo" deserves notice, masterful in its creation and seamlessness. Pepper makes a typical "Star Eyes" brighter, and he goes into a lower octave tone, more like a tenor, for "Birks Works" and the bonus track "The Man I Love." It's clear he has heard his share of Stan Getz in this era. Though Art Pepper played with many a potent trio, this one inspires him to the maximum, and certainly makes for one of his most substantive recordings after his initial incarcerations, and before his second major slip into the deep abyss of drug addiction.

Tracks:
1. "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" (Cole Porter) –5:30
2. "Red Pepper Blues" (Red Garland) –3:39
3. "Imagination" (Johnny Burke–Jimmy Van Heusen) –5:56
4. "Waltz Me Blues" (Paul Chambers–Art Pepper) –2:58
5. "Straight Life" (Art Pepper) –4:02
6. "Jazz Me Blues" (Delaney) –4:50
7. "Tin Tin Deo" (Fuller–Pozo) –7:42
8. "Star Eyes" (DePaul–Raye) –5:12
9. "Birks Works" (Dizzy Gillespie) –4:15

Personnel:
* Art Pepper — alto saxophone
* Red Garland — piano
* Paul Chambers — bass
* Philly Joe Jones — drums

sample & buy

rc

Art Pepper - Mosaic Select 15 3cd (1956-57) (limited edition) (eac-flac-cover)

Art Pepper 1956-57 - Mosaic Select 15

jazz | 3cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 1390MB

Mosaic | Limited Edition: 5000 sets | rar +5% recovery

AMG:
The three CDs in Art Pepper's Mosaic Select volume -- limited to 5000 sets -- contain the three albums he did for Pacific Jazz -- The Return of Art Pepper (titled as such as after a stay in a Texas Federal Prison), Modern Art, and The Art of Pepper -- complete with alternate takes not available on the original CD issues, and two sessions headed by Joe Morello and Bill Perkins, totaling 45 cuts in all. This is not substandard playing, but fully realized, mature Art Pepper at his creative peak. These sets compiled by Michael Cuscuna also contain the CD release essays by the late writer Pete Welding

Tracks:
Disc 1: Pepper Returns; Broadway; You Go to My Head; Angel Wings; Funny Blues; Five More; Minority; Patricia; Mambo de la Pinta; Walkin' Out Blues; Straight Life; Yardbird Suite; Pepper Steak; You're Driving Me Crazy; Tenor Blooz.
Disc 2: Blues In; Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered; Stompin' at the Savoy; What is this Thing Called Love; Blues Out; Diane's Dilemma; When You're Smiling; Cool Bunny; Summertime; Diane's Dilemma; What is this Thing Called Love; A Foggy Day; Diane-a-Flow; Zenobia; Angel Eyes.
Disc 3: Holiday Flight; Too Close for Comfort; Long Ago and Far Away; Begin the Beguine; I Can't Believe that You're in Love with Me; Summertime; Fascinatin' Rhythm; Body and Soul; Without a Song; The Breeze and I; Surf Ride; Webb City; Begin the Beguine; Fascinatin' Rhythm; Webb City.

Personnel:
Art Pepper- alto saxphone, tenor saxophone; Jimmy Rowles, Russ Freeman, Gerald Wiggins, Carl Perkins, Leroy Vinnegar, Ben Tucker- bass; Mel Lewis, Chuck Flores, Shelly Manne, Joe Morello- drums; Bill Perkins- tenor saxophone; Jack Sheldon- trumpet; Red Norvo- vibraphone.

sample & buy

rc

Art Pepper - The Way It Was! (MFSL) (1972) (eac-flac-cover)

 

Art Pepper - The Way It Was! (MFSL) (1972)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 335MB

MFSL Ultradisc SACD | rar +5% recovery 

AMG
Despite his very erratic lifestyle, altoist Art Pepper never made a bad record. This collection is better than most. The first four titles team together Pepper with tenor saxophonist Warne Marsh, pianist Ronnie Ball, bassist Ben Tucker, and drummer Gary Frommer for generally intriguing explorations of four standards. One can feel the influence of Lennie Tristano (with Pepper in Lee Konitz's place), although Pepper had his own sound and a more hard-swinging style. The success of the Pepper-Marsh front line makes one wish that they had recorded together again. The other three selections are leftovers from a trio of classic Pepper albums, and all are quite worthwhile. Pepper is heard backed by three separate rhythm sections, which include pianists Red Garland, Dolo Coker, or Wynton Kelly; either Paul Chambers or Jimmy Bond on bass; and Philly Joe Jones, Frank Butler, or Jimmy Cobb on drums. Overall, this album sticks to bop standards and finds Art Pepper in top form.

Recorded between 1956 & 1960. Originally released on Contemporary (7630)

Tracks:
1. I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me
2. All The Things You Are
3. What's New
4. Tickle Toe
5. The Man I Love
6. Autumn Leaves
7. The Way You Look Tonight
8. I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me (alternate take)
9. All The Things You Are (alternate take)

Personnel:
Art Pepper (alto saxophone);
Warne Marsh (tenor saxophone);
Dolo Coker, Red Garland, Ronnie Ball, Wynton Kelly (piano);
Ben Tucker, Paul Chambers, Jimmy Mond (bass);
Frank Butler, Gary Frommer, Jimmy Cobb , Philly Joe Jones (drums)

sample & buy

rc

Art Pepper - Smack Up (Japanese 20bitK2) (1960) (eac-flac-cover)

Art Pepper - Smack Up (Japanese 20bitK2) (1960)
jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 335MB
Contemporary | rar +5% recovery 

Art Pepper Quintet Smack Up (2001 Japanese limited edition 20bit 'K2 Super Coding' Digitally Remastered CD issue of the 1960 6-track album also featuring Jack Sheldon, Pete Jolly, Jimmy Bond & Frank Butler & including Japanese insert, superb card picture sleeve replicating the original album artwork & complete with obi-strip VICJ-60762).

Track list: 

01 - Smack Up
02 - Las Cuevas de Mario
03 - A Bit of Basie
04 - How Can You Loose
05 - Maybe Next Year
06 - Tears Inside
07 - Solid Citizens (take 33)
08 - Solid Citizens (take 37)

sample & buy

rc