Kenny Dorham - Quiet Kenny (20-bit K2) (1959) (eac-log-cover)

Kenny Dorham - Quiet Kenny (1959)

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

Victor | 20-bit K2 limited edition | rar +5% recovery

AMG:
In the liner notes of Quiet Kenny, former Downbeat magazine publisher Jack Maher states that trumpeter Kenny Dorham's music is not necessarily the demure, balladic, rapturous jazz one might associate as romantic or tranquil. Cool and understated might be better watchwords for what the ultra-melodic Dorham achieves on this undeniably well crafted set of standards and originals that is close to containing his best work overall during a far too brief career. Surrounded by an excellent rhythm team of the equally sensitive pianist Tommy Flanagan, emerging bassist Paul Chambers, and the always-beneficial drummer Art Taylor, Dorham and his mates are not prone to missteps or overt exaggerations. One of Dorham's all-time best tunes "Lotus Blossom" kicks off the set with its bop to Latin hummable melody, fluid dynamics, and Dorham's immaculate, unpretentious tone. "Old Folks," a classic ballad, is done mid-tempo, while the true "quiet" factor comes into play on interesting version of "My Ideal" where Dorham gingerly squeezes out the slippery wet notes, and on the sad ballad "Alone Together." The rest of the material is done in easygoing, unforced fashion, especially the originals "Blue Friday" and the simple swinger "Blue Spring Shuffle" which is not really a shuffle. Never known as a boisterous or brash player, but also not a troubadour of romanticism -- until he started singing -- Dorham's music is also far from complacent, and this recording established him as a Top Five performer in jazz on his instrument. It comes recommended to all.

Tracks:
1. Lotus Blossom
2. My Ideal
3. Blue Friday
4. Alone Together
5. Blue Spring Shuffle
6. I Had the Craziest Dream
7. Old Folks
8. Mack the Knife

Personnel:
Kenny Dorham (trumpet)
Tommy Flanagan (piano)
Paul Chambers (bass)
Art Taylor (drums)

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Kenny Dorham - Blue Spring (1959) (eac-log-cover)

Kenny Dorham & Cannonball Adderley - Blue Spring (1959)

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

OJC | rar +5% recovery

AMG:
In lieu of picking up one of the trumpeter's fine Blue Note releases (Una Mas, Whistle Stop), listeners new to the work of Kenny Dorham should definitely consider this somewhat overlooked Riverside date from 1959. The set features plenty of Dorham's varied and sophisticated horn work and four of his top-drawer originals. The theme is spring, and Dorham responds with his soon to be jazz standard "Spring Is Here" and three other fine seasonal tributes: the title track, "Poetic Spring," and "Spring Cannon." This last cut is also a tribute to Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, who guests in fine style here with a bevy of fleet and highly melodic solos. Rounding out the group, baritone saxophonist Cecil Payne, French horn player David Amram, and pianist Cedar Walton add very nicely to the album's breezy yet provocative air. Essential listening for Dorham fans.

Tracks:
1.Blue Spring
2.It Might As Well Be Spring
3.Poetic Spring
4.Spring Is Here
5.Spring Cannon
6.Passion Spring

Personnel:
Kenny Dorham (trumpet); Cannonball Adderley (alto saxophone); Cecil Payne (baritone saxophone); David Amram (French horn); Cedar Walton (piano); Paul Chambers (bass); Jimmy Cobb, Philly Joe Jones (drums).

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Kenny Dorham - West 42nd Street (1961) (eac-log-cover)

Kenny Dorham - West 42nd Street (1961)

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

Black Lion | rar +5% recovery

AMG:
The date included on this CD reissue was originally led by the obscure tenor Rocky Boyd but has come back under trumpeter Kenny Dorham's name with the six songs augmented by four alternate takes. Boyd (whose style mixes together the influences of Hank Mobley and John Coltrane) blends in well with Dorham, the rhythm section (pianist Walter Bishop, Jr., bassist Ron Carter and drummer Pete La Roca) is excellent and the repertoire (group originals plus "Samba De Orpheus" and two slow versions of "Stella by Starlight") generally inspires the players. It's funny how La Roca's original "Why Not" has exactly the same melody and chord structure as Coltrane's "Impressions." This CD is worth picking up by straightahead jazz collectors.

Tracks:
01. Avars ["Take 3"] (Boyd) - 7:35
02. Stella by Starlight ["Take 1"] (Washington/Young) - 4:59
03. Stella by Starlight ["Take 2"] (Washington/Young) - 5:12
04. Why Not? ["Take 1"] (LaRocca) - 7:19
05. Why Not? ["Take 2"] (LaRocca) - 9:15
06. Ease It ["Take 1"] (Chambers) - 10:25
07. Samba de Orfeu ["Take 5"] (Bonfa/Maria) - 4:27
08. Samba de Orfeu ["Take 6"] (Bonfa/Maria) - 4:24
09. West 42nd Street ["Take 7"] (Hardin) - 3:45
10. West 42nd Street ["Take 8"] (Hardin) - 4:45

Personnel:
* Kenny Dorham - Trumpet
* Rocky Boyd - Sax (Tenor)
* Walter Bishop, Jr. - Piano
* Ron Carter - Bass
* Pete LaRoca - Drums

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Kenny Dorham - Trompeta Toccata (1964) (RVG) (eac-flac-cover)

Kenny Dorham - Trompeta Toccata (1964) (RVG)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 245MB

BN/EMI | RVG 2006 |  rar +5% recovery

AMG:
It seems strange and somewhat tragic that this was trumpeter Kenny Dorham's last full album as a leader; he was only 40 at the time and still in his prime. Dorham contributed three of the four selections to the session (Joe Henderson's catchy "Mamacita" also receives its debut), and his very underrated abilities as a writer, trumpeter, and talent scout are very much in evidence. This modern hard bop quintet set with Henderson on tenor, pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Richard Davis, and drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath serves as a strong (if premature) ending to Dorham's impressive career as a solo artist. [The 2006 Blue Note Rudy Van Gelder remastered edition includes improved sound quality.]

Tracks:
01 - Trompeta Toccata
02 - Night watch
03 - Mamacita
04 - The Fox

Personnel:
Joe Henderson - tenor sax
Kenny Dorham - trumpet
Tommy Flanagan - piano
Richard Davis - bass
Albert Heath - drums

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