Art Blakey - Kyoto (1964)

Art Blakey - Kyoto (1964)

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

OJC

Allmusic:
Reissued on Fantasy's OJC series, this album finds Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers paying tribute to Japan (where they had toured to great acclaim) on two selections, featuring Art Blakey's cousin as a vocalist on "Wellington's Blues" (a real rarity in The Jazz Messengers' discography) and debuting Curtis Fuller's "The High Priest." With trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, tenorman Wayne Shorter and trombonist Fuller in fine form, this is one of literally dozens of recommended Jazz Messengers recordings.

Tracks
-1. "The High Priest" - Fuller - 5:55
-2. "Never Never Land" - Comden, Green, Styne - 5:50
-3. "Wellington's Blues" - Blakey - 5:03
-4. "Nihon Bashi" - Watanabe - 8:30
-5. "Kyoto" - Hubbard - 7:03

Personnel
* Bass – Reggie Workman
* Drums – Art Blakey
* Piano – Cedar Walton
* Tenor Saxophone – Wayne Shorter
* Trombone – Curtis Fuller
* Trumpet – Freddie Hubbard
* Vocals – Wellington Blakey (tracks: 3)

sample & buy: Kyoto

Curtis Fuller - The Opener (1957) (RVG)

Curtis Fuller - The Opener (1957)
jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 170MB

Blue Note/EMI | RVG 24-bit remaster 2008

Allmusic:
The Opener is trombonist Curtis Fuller's first album for Blue Note and it is a thoroughly impressive affair. Working with a quintet featuring tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley, pianist Bobby Timmons, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Art Taylor, Fuller runs through a set of three standards -- "A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening," "Here's to My Lady," "Soon" -- two originals and an Oscar Pettiford-penned calypso. The six songs give Fuller a chance to display his warm, fluid style in all of its variations. "A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening" illustrates that he can be seductive and lyrical on ballads, while the brassy "Hugore" and hard-swinging "Lizzy's Bounce" shows that he can play hard without getting sloppy. His backing musicians are equally impressive; in particular, Mobley's robust playing steals the show. In all, The Opener, along with his three earlier sessions for Prestige and New Jazz, establishes Fuller as one of the most distinctive and original hard bop trombonists of the late '50s.

Tracks
-1. "A Lovely Way to Spend an Evening" (Harold Adamson, Jimmy McHugh) - 6:52
-2. "Hugore" (Fuller) - 6:43
-3. "Oscalypso" (Oscar Pettiford) - 5:40
-4. "Here's to My Lady" (Rube Bloom, Johnny Mercer) - 6:43
-5. "Lizzy's Bounce" (Fuller)- 5:25
-6. "Soon" (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) - 5:33
Recorded at Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, New Jersey on June 16, 1957.

Personnel
* Curtis Fuller - trombone
* Hank Mobley - tenor saxophone (tracks 2, 3, 5 & 6)
* Bobby Timmons - piano
* Paul Chambers - bass
* Art Taylor - drums

sample & buy: The Opener

Curtis Fuller - with Red Garland (1957) (eac-log-cover)

Curtis Fuller - with Red Garland (1957)

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

OJC limited edition

AMG:
This CD reissue features trombonist Curtis Fuller in a quintet with altoist Sonny Red, pianist Red Garland, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Louis Hayes performing a pair of originals, two blues and a couple of ballad features. Red is outstanding on "Moonlight Becomes You" (one of his finest recordings) while Fuller does a fine job on "Stormy Weather." Even with the new material, this set has a feel of a jam session; the blend between the trombone and the alto is particularly appealing. Despite the overly critical liner notes (written in 1962), this is an excellent hard-bop oriented date.

Tracks:
-1 - Stormy Weather >7:00
-2 - Cashmere >7:17
-3 - Slenderella >6:45
-4 - Moonlight Becomes You >7:43
-5 - Seeing Red >7:35
-6 - Roc and Troll >7:42

Personnel:
* Paul Chambers * Bass
* Kirk Felton * Remastering
* Curtis Fuller * Trombone
* Red Garland * Piano
* Louis Hayes * Drums
* Sonny Red * Sax (Alto)

sample & buy: Curtis Fuller With Red Garland

Curtis Fuller - Imagination (1959)

 Curtis Fuller - Imagination (1959)

jazz |  1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 230MB

Savoy

Review (AMG)
Prior to the official formation of the Jazztet with trumpeter Art Farmer, trombonist Curtis Fuller and tenorman Benny Golson made several albums together, usually with other trumpeters.
This somewhat rare date has trumpeter Thad Jones, bassist Jimmy Garrison, drummer Dave Bailey, and, most significantly, pianist McCoy Tyner in his recording debut completing the sextet. Fuller arranged all five of the songs, four of which were his originals. Although the material (other than the lone standard "Imagination") is unfamiliar, the chord changes inspire the players to create some fine solos. Easily recommended to hard bop fans lucky enough to find this album.

Tracks:
1. Kachin'
2. Bang Bang
3. Imagination
4. Blues de Funk
5. Lido Road

sample & buy: Imagination