Kenny Burrell & John Coltrane – Kenny Burrell & John Coltrane
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1963, Jazz
During his final months with Miles Davis’ group, John Coltrane participated in a number of recording sessions for Prestige independently of Davis. This album is but one such recording. In 1958, when this recording was made, Coltrane may have been at his creative peak. During this period, his work began to transcend “bebop” and “cool,” anticipating even more modern developments in jazz-changes that would affect a whole generation of musicians. On Kenny Burrell & John Coltrane, we hear the two jazz masters creating time-honored renditions of tunes such as “Why Was I Born,” a duet that highlights the musicians’ ability to not only savor each note, but to take a rather plaintive composition and develop it organically. Burrell, Coltrane, and company swing “Freight Trane” with great authority, thanks to the drumming acumen of Jimmy Cobb. On this tune, Coltrane uses a variety of sudden flourishes and lyrical lines, while Burrell comps chords in simpatico. Most importantly, this album represents the one-time chemistry of Burrell and Coltrane.
(cduniverse)
Personnel: Kenny Burrell (guitar); John Coltrane (tenor saxophone); Tommy Flanagan (piano); Paul Chambers (upright bass); Jimmy Cobb (drums).
Tracklist
01. Freight Trane
02. I Never Knew
03. Lyresto
04. Why Was I Born
05. Big Paul
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Max Roach – Deeds, Not Words
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1958, Jazz
Master jazz drummer Max Roach pretty much put the “be” in bebop, playing with practically every major figure in jazz, from Bird to Dizzy to Miles to Mingus and more. It’s a tribute to his own musical vision that his numerous solo recordings are just as worthy as his famous sessions. Roach’s first solo date for Riverside, 1958′s DEEDS, NOT WORDS, nevertheless finds the drumming doyen in grand company. Listening to the fleet-fingered musical dialogue between Roach and saxophonist George Coleman on “It’s You or No One,” or the way trumpet demon Booker Little blows the roof off of “Jodie’s Cha-Cha,” it’s immediately clear that a major part of Roach’s genius lies in surrounding himself with jazz giants who can bend notes, beats, and phrases to their desires in just as seamless a manner as the man on the skins. (cduniverse)
Personnel: Max Roach (drums); Max Roach; Oscar Pettiford, Art Davis (upright bass); George Coleman (saxophone, tenor saxophone); Booker Little (trumpet); Ray Draper (tuba).
Tracklist
01. You Stepped Out Of A Dream
02. Filide
03. It’s You Or No One
04. Jodie’s Cha-Cha
05. Deeds, Not Words
06. Larry-Larue
07. Conversation
08. There Will Never Be Another You
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Roy Hargrove presents The RH Factor – Hard Groove
Posted by dOk | Filed under 2003, Jazz
Most jazz-meets-hip-hop collaborations suffer from stiff beats plastered over abstract, high-minded solos. Not so with this collection from the ’70s-bred, Texan-born trumpet wunderkind. Sure, he knows the musical language and lineages of Clifford Brown and Miles Davis. But he’s also down with contemporaries like D’Angelo, Q-Tip, and homegirl Erykah Badu, who appear on this star-studded CD. Hargrove is backed by an in-the-pocket assemblage of jazz-honed phenoms featuring keyboardist Marc Cary, alto saxophonist Steve Coleman, bassist Meshell Ndegeocello, and flautist Karl Denson. They all put their grooves where their guts are, and the music evokes tinges of Donald Byrd’s back-in-the-day waxworks. D’Angelo’s down-home delivery lights up Funkadelic’s psychedelic slow drag, “I’ll Stay,” while ebullient Common kicks up the verbal virtuosity on “Common Free Style.” The Q-Tip/Erykah Badu cut “Poetry” could be a summer anthem. Throughout this tasty and tasteful project Roy Hargroove’s cool and clarion trumpet tones provide the right sonic seasoning for this dancing and delectable disc. –Eugene Holley, Jr.
Tracklist
01. Hardgroove
02. Common Free Style feat. Common
03 .I’ll Stay feat. D’Angelo
04. Interlude
05. Pastor T
06. Poetry feat. Q-Tip & Erykah Badu
07. The Joint
08. Forget Regret feat. Stephanie Mckay
09. Out Of Town
10. Liquid Streets
11. Kwah/Home feat. Anthony Hamilton
12. How I Know feat. Shelby Johnson
13. Juicy feat. Renee Neufville
14. The Stroke
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Indigo Jam Unit – Rose
Posted by dOk | Filed under 2011, Jazz
Formed in Osaka, Japan, in 2005 indigo jam unit consists of Yoshichika Tarue (piano), Katsuhiko Sasai (double bass) Isao Wasano (percussion & drums), and Takehiro Shimizu (drums). Indigo jam unit’s full length releases as of April 2011 includes six full length CD albums, starting with “DEMONSTRATION” in 2006, all selling more than 10,000 copies each in Japan. Other releases include the 2009 “Vintage Black” collaboration with label mates Flexlife, and from the same year, “re:common from indigo jam unit”, the band’s remixes of some of hip hop star Common’s songs behind his original voice tracks and cover album, “ROSE”, featuring vocalist Alicia Saldenha released on Sep 2, 2011.
indigo jam unit’s unique sound truly rests on the combination of the four members. Tarue’s melodic classical-latin-jazz piano up front intertwined with Sasai’s solid and groove driven basslines, all standing on the explosive and versatile rhythm section formed by Shimizu and Wasano. Being devoted live musicians, indigo jam unit records all their work in single takes. No overdubs, no click tracks, minimum post processing. (allaboutjazz.com)
For more info and buy check: www.basisrecords.com
Tracklist
01. Funkier Than a Mosquito’s Tweeter (feat. Alicia Saldenha)
02. Power And Glory (feat. Alicia Saldenha)
03. Never Did I Stop Loving You (feat. Alicia Saldenha)
04. The One Who Needs You (feat. Alicia Saldenha)
05. Fuel For The Fire (feat. Alicia Saldenha)
06. Magic Wand Of Love (feat. Alicia Saldenha)
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Nancy Wilson – Something Wonderful
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1960, Jazz
Nancy Wilson was only 23 years old when this superb album was recorded, yet her soulful, distinctive alto voice sounds as seasoned and sensitive to nuance as a singer twice her age. Overshadowed by the simultaneous release of The Swingin’s Mutual (one of Wilson’s most popular jazz recordings), and overlooked in her subsequent move to the pop and R&B markets, Something Wonderful is a quintessential slice of Wilson’s early–and arguably most significant–work. There is a laid-back, subtle swing to the orchestral work here (courtesy of celebrated big-band arranger Billy May), and Wilson’s readings of the tunes are never overpowered by bombastic playing. Even better is the inclusion of several small-ensemble cuts–like the gently grooving “I Wish You Love,” and the heartbreaking story-song “Guess Who I Saw Today”–which feature Ben Webster on tenor and Jack Marshall on guitar. Through all of this, of course, Wilson’s charming, seemingly off-handed delivery and blues-steeped timbre make each tune float and shimmy with grace. (cduniverse)
Tracklist
01. Teach Me Tonight
02. This Time The Dream’s On Me
03. I’m Gonna Laugh You Right Out My Life
04. I Wish You Love
05. Guess Who I Saw Today
06. If Dreams Come True
07. What A Little Moonlight Can Do
08. The Great City
09. He’s My Guy
10. Something Happens To Me
11. (They Call It) Stormy Monday
12. Something Wonderful Happens
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Dexter Gordon – Dexter Calling
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1961, Jazz
This superb 1961 date matches Dexter Gordon’s booming tenor sax with a dynamite rhythm section of Kenny Drew on piano, Paul Chambers on bass, and Philly Joe Jones on drums. Like all his early ’60s Blue Note recordings, this is Gordon at his absolute best. It’s a nice mix of originals and standards, including an up-tempo take on Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile.” There are no surprises here, just straight-ahead bluesy bebop by some of the masters of the genre. (cduniverse)
Personnel: Dexter Gordon (tenor saxophone); Kenny Drew (piano); Paul Chambers (bass instrument); Philly Joe Jones (drums).
Tracklist
01. Soul Sister
02. Modal Mood
03. I Want More
04. End of a Love Affair
05. Clear the Dex
06. Ernie’s Tune
07. Smile
08. Landslide
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Jackie McLean – Swing, Swang, Swingin’
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1959, Jazz
Jackie McLean, an American jazz alto saxophonist, composer, bandleader and educator, who recorded with such Jazz greats as Miles Davis, Charles Mingus and Sonny Rollins is joined on this album Swing, Swang, Swingin’ with Art Taylor on drums, Walter Bishop Jr. on piano, and Jimmy Garrison on bass and delivers a great session of tunes. Recorded in 1959, this was Jackie’s 2nd album with Blue Note. Includes a swinging version of Cole Porter’s I Love You and a refreshing & lively take on Irving Berlin’s Let’s Face the Music and Dance.
Personnel: Jackie McLean (alto saxophone); Walter Bishop Jr. (piano); Jimmy Garrison (bass); Art Taylor (drums).
Tracklist
01. What’s New
02. Let’s Face The Music And Dance
03. Stablemates
04. I Remember You
05. I Love You
06. I’ll Take Romance
07. 116th And Lenox
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Dinah Washington – Dinah!
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1956, Jazz
One of many fine EmArcy titles Dinah Washington recorded in the ’50s, Dinah! includes a very enjoyable mix of medium-tempo and after-hours vocal numbers. On a handful of cuts, Washington gets into the kind of smoldering and declamatory blues mode she excelled at, especially on “All of Me” and “There’ll Be Some Changes Made.” Showing her versatility, Washington also shines on relatively tame pop numbers, like the album’s waltz-tempo version of “Look to the Rainbow” and an easy strolling “Accent on Youth.” Even here, her vocal power comes through, albeit with the blues phrasing mostly kept under wraps. On “A Cottage for Sale,” Washington seems to harness all her vocal talents, creating a dazzling mix of jazz phrases, dramatic tonal shifts, and bluesy exclamations, all enveloped in a weary and melancholic tone befitting a breakup song. Besides this gem, other standout selections include “More Than You Know” and “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.” Hal Mooney provides solid, if not terribly provocative big-band and strings arrangements, with fine solos and obbligato passages coming from former Benny Goodman tenorman George Auld and West Coast jazz luminaries like trombonist Frankie Rosolino and alto saxophonist Herb Geller. Washington’s rhythm section at the time, pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Keeter Betts, and drummer Jimmy Cobb, provide stellar rhythmic accompaniment throughout. A top Dinah Washington date, and a fine place to start for newcomers to the singer’s catalog. (allmusic)
Personnel: Etta James (vocals); George Morrow (bass); Keter Betts (bass); Jimmy Cobb (drums); Max Roach (drums); Barry Galbratih (guitar); Junior Mance (piano); Richie Powell (piano); Wynton Kelly (piano); Herb Geller (saxophone alto); Cecil Payne (saxophone baritone); Harold Land (saxophone tenor); Jimmy Cleveland (trombone); Clark Terry (trumpet); Clifford Brown (trumpet); Maynard Ferguson (trumpet).
Tracklist
01. Look to the Rainbow
02. Ill Wind
03. A Cottage for Sale
04. All of Me
05. More Than You Know
06. There’ll Be Some Changes Made
07. Goodbye
08. Willow Weep For Me
09. Make Me a Present of You
10. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
11. I Could Have Told You
12. Accent on Youth
13. What Is This Thing Called Love
14. The Show Must Go On
15. Birth of the Blues
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Austin Peralta – Endless Planets
Posted by dOk | Filed under 2011, Jazz
Offspring of a world-renowned skateboarder, a multi-skilled child pianist prodigy, Austin Peralta has already released a handful of records, he is only 20 years of age… a wild talent is upon us. Flying Lotus’ Brainfeeder saw the potential and lets him indulge in a strain of cosmic free-jazz in the mould of Sun Ra, Albert Ayler, Ornette Coleman. A sound updated with a little help from crew such as The Cinematic Orchestra, Strangeloop amongst others to dizzying effect. (bleep.com)
For more info and buy check: www.brainfeedersite.com
Tracklist
01. Introduction: The Lotus Flower
02. Capricornus
03. The Underwater Mountain Odyssey
04. Ode To Love
05. Interlude
06. Algiers
07. Epilogue: Renaissance Bubbles
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Etta Jones – Don’t Go To Strangers
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1967, Jazz
Don’t Go to Strangers was Etta Jones’ first album for the independent jazz label Prestige when it was released in 1960 (having been recorded in a single session on June 21 of that year), and although Jones had been releasing records since 1944, including a dozen sides for RCA in 1946 and an album for King Records in 1957, she was treated as an overnight sensation when the title tune from the album went gold, hitting the Top 40 on the pop charts and reaching number five on the R&B charts. An elegant ballad on an album that had several of them, including the masterful “If I Had You” and a marvelous reading of “All the Way,” a song usually identified with Frank Sinatra, “Don’t Go to Strangers” featured Jones’ airy, bluesy phrasing and uncanny sense of spacing, and was very much a jazz performance, making its success on the pop charts all the more amazing. Listen to Jones’ restructuring of the melody to the opening track, the old chestnut “Yes Sir, That’s My Baby,” to hear a gifted jazz singer sliding and shifting the tone center of a song like a veteran horn player, all the while leaving the melody still recognizable, but refreshing it until it stands revealed anew. Apparently there were no additional tracks cut at the session, since bonus material has never surfaced on any of the album’s subsequent reissues, although that’s hardly a problem, because as is, Don’t Go to Strangers is a perfect gem of a recording. ~ Steve Leggett
Personnel: Etta Jones (vocals); Etta Jones; George Duvivier (upright bass); Skeeter Best (guitar); Frank Wess (flute, tenor saxophone); Richard Wyands (piano); Roy Haynes (drums).
Tracklist
01. Yes Sir, That’s My Baby
02. Don’t Go to Strangers
03. I Love Paris
04. Fine and Mellow
05. Where or When
06. If I Had You
07. On the Street Where You Live
08. Something to Remember You By
09. Bye Bye Blackbird
10. All the Way
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Roy Ayers – Virgo Vibes
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1967, Jazz
Long before becoming an acid jazz icon and figurehead to a new generation of hip-hop and house artists, Roy Ayers was a promising young jazz vibraphonist. His second solo album and Atlantic debut, is a vital root note for all future keepers of the funk. Includes 2 previously unreleased tracks ‘Mine Boyd’ & ‘Number Seven’.
Personnel: Roy Ayers (vibraphone); Joe Henderson (tenor saxophone); Charles Tolliver (trumpet); Ronald Clark (piano); Carr (drums).
Tracklist
01. The Ringer
02. Ayerloom
03. In The Limelight
04. Virgo Vibes
05. Glow Flower
06. Mine Royd
07. Number Seven
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The Terence Blanchard Group – Choices
Posted by dOk | Filed under 2009, Jazz
Famed trumpeter Terence Blanchard, one of today’s most influential jazz musicians, presents his Concord Jazz debut, Choices; an extraordinary piece of work that addresses the choices we all make in life – both as a society and on a personal level. The album features longstanding Blanchard band members Fabian Almazan on piano, Derrick Hodge on saxophone, Kendrick Scott on drums, Lionel Loueke on guitar and Walter Smith III on saxophone – all of whom significantly contributed to the album’s compositions. Featured guest artists include Dr. Cornel West [famed writer, speaker, educator and activist] and Bilal [singer, musician, composer]. Choices was recorded live at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art in New Orleans from March 5-8, 2009.
Tracklist
01. Byus
02. Beethoven
03. D’S Choice
04. Journey
05. Hacia del Aire
06. Jazz Man in the World of Ideas
07. Him or Me
08. Choices
09. Hugs (Historically Underrepresented Groups)
10. Winding Roads
12. When Will You Call
12. A New Note
13. A New World (Created Inside the Walls of Imagination)
14. Touched By An Angel
15. Robin’s Choice
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Abbey Lincoln – Straight Ahead
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1961, Jazz
Straight Ahead was recorded in 1961 and was Abbey Lincoln’s fifth album in as many years. Though she was only 31 when this set was recorded, Lincoln already possessed great confidence and a powerfully emotive voice. She’s surrounded by a superlative cast of players, including Max Roach, Eric Dolphy, Coleman Hawkins, Booker Little, Mal Waldron, and Julian Priester. As Lincoln shifts from playfulness to melancholy, and anger to romance, the band is right with her. The rhythmic support is supple and the soloing is full of emotional resonance and invention, free of needless filigree. One highlight takes place in “When Malindy Sings” (a song based on a poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar), as Dolphy’s flute flies in after the conclusion of Little’s trumpet solo. Though Abbey Lincoln’s entire catalog is particularly strong, this album deserves special attention. (cduniverse)
Personnel: Abbey Lincoln (vocals); Coleman Hawkins, Walter Benton (tenor saxophone); Booker Little (trumpet); Julian Priester (trombone); Eric Dolphy (reeds); Mal Waldron (piano); Art Davis (bass); Max Roach (drums); Roger Sanders, Robert Whitley (congas).
Tracklist
01. Straight Ahead
02. When Malindy Sings
03. In the Red
04. Blue Monk
05. Left Alone
06. African Lady
07. Retribution
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Massimo Biolcati – Persona
Posted by dOk | Filed under 2008, Jazz
For several years, bassist Massimo Biolcati has provided strong support for a variety of acclaimed jazz artists, including Terence Blanchard, Lizz Wright, Ravi Coltrane, Paquito D’Rivera, and Lionel Loueke. Now, with the release of Persona on ObliqSound, Biolcati takes a giant stride into the spotlight as a leader. The album is titled in homage to the classic Ingmar Bergman film, and thematically structured in two sections to reflect the film’s concept of duality. Persona is a dual portrait of Biolcati’ s strengths as performer and composer.
Personnel: Massimo Biolcati (bass); Jeff Ballard (drums); Lionel Loueke (guitar, vocals); Peter Rende (piano, vocals); Lizz Wright (vocals, track 6); Gretchen Parlato (vocals, track 8).
Tracklist
01. The Beginning
02. Deconstruction
03. Wise Way
04. Transference
05. TT (in memoriam Take Toriyama)
06. Winterhoude
07. Hopeless Dream To Be
08. Clouds
09. Under July
10. Scandinavia
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George Braith – Extension
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1965, Jazz
Pushing to the side the double sax that became his trademark, George Braith turned in his strongest record with Extension. Largely freed from the restraints of the dueling horns, Braith is able to explore the outer reaches of his music. He still remains grounded in soul-jazz — any guitar-organ combo is bound to have soul-jazz roots — but he pushes the music toward adventurous hard bop, often with rewarding results. His compositions are fully realized, with interesting melodic statements and plenty of opportunities for him and mainstays Grant Green on guitar and Billy Gardner on organ to stretch out. And when Braith does reach back for the double-sax technique, such as on the title track, it works because its otherwordly tone is better suited to this searching, adventurous music, than on the more basic fare that dominated Two Souls in One. The double horns do make Cole Porter’s “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye” sound a little awkward, but even that song is redeemed by excellent solos. Nevertheless, it’s the originals, and the way the quartet of Braith, Green, Gardner, and drummer Clarence Johnston executes them, that make Extension the definitive Braith album. (allmusic)
Personnel: George Braith (saxophone); Billy Gardner (organ); Grant Green (guitar); Clarence Johnston (drums).
Tracklist
01. Nut City
02. Ethlyn’s Love
03. Out Here
04. Extension
05. Sweetville
06. Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye
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Tribe – Rebirth
Posted by dOk | Filed under 2009, Jazz
Detroit deep jazz legends Wendell Harrison, Phil Ranelin, Marcus Belgrave and Doug Hammond collaborate with Detroit hero Carl Craig to explore more deep afro-jazz territory! Pioneering techno Dj, Carl Craig has been weaving a jazz thread through the fabric of his music for many years, including his work with the Innerzone Orchestra in the mid 1990′s as well as his critically accliamed ‘Detoit Experiment’ which brought together jazz, funk, Motown, Hip Hop and electronic musicians. Carl Craig has reunited the original Tribe members on ‘Rebirth’ aswell as inviting new artists along the way; keyboardist Amp Fiddler, drummers Karriem Riggins and Gayelynn McKinney (Harold’s daughter!), bassists Ralphe Armstrong and many more. The results are amazing with Carl Craig adding his futuristic space-like synths to Phil Ranelin’s trombone-led classic ‘Vibes From The Tribe’, ‘Rebirth’ retains its original funk infused spritual jazz magic first created in the 1970′s whilst incorporating a fresh new sound! (soundsoftheuniverse.com)
Personnel: Joan Belgrave (vocals); John Arnold (guitar); Keith Kaminski (saxophone); Mark Byerly (trumpet); John Rutherford (trombone); The Motor City Horns (horns); Kelvin Sholar (Fender Rhodes piano); Amp Fiddler, Pamela Wise (keyboards); Gayelynn Mckinney, Karriem Riggins (drums); Humberto “Andres” Hernandez (congas).
Tracklist
01. Livin’ In A New Day
02. Glue Finger
03. Denekas Chant
04. Vibes From The Tribe
05. Son Of Tribe
06. Jazz On The Run
07. Ride
08. Lesli
09. 13th And Senate
10. Where Am I
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Cannonball Adderley with Bill Evans – Know What I Mean?
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1961, Jazz
Alto saxist Cannonball Adderly and pianist Bill Evans, bandmates on Miles Davis’s epochal Kind of Blue, were band leaders by the time they teamed up in 1961 for this moody, yet lyrical, date. Though remastered with state-of-the-art digital technology, Riverside has kept the original artwork and liner notes, maintaining the flavor of this classic jazz LP. Adderly’s robust, bluesy tone and buoyant phrasing make for an interesting contrast to Evans’s rainy-day introspection. Coupled with the light touch of drummer Connie Kay and the gentle probing of bassist Percy Heath, the music projects a sophisticated and relaxed mood. On the sensitive ballads, such as “Goodbye” and “Elsa,” Adderly reveals his after-hours side, reveling in the fullness of his rich sound. –Wally Shoup
Tracklist
01. Waltz for Debby
02. Goodbye
03. Who Cares? (Take 5)
04. Who Cares? (Take 4)
05. Venice
06. Toy
07. Elsa
08. Nancy (With the Laughing Face)
09. Know What I Mean? (Re-Take 7)
10. Know What I Mean? (Take 12)
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The Gil Evans Orchestra – Out of the Cool
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1961, Jazz
A much admired and loved man, of all the many brilliant orchestration projects this was his finest in his own right. He teases us with the opening of ‘La Nevada’ until the gorgeous repeated four-bar riff finally bursts on our ears with orgasmic delight. There are wonderful brass solos from John Coles, Tony Studd and Budd Johnson and a bass showcase for Ron Carter. As the opening track peters out after 15 minutes the listener enjoys the smug realization that there are a further four outstanding pieces to come.
Gil Evans Orchestra: Gil Evans (arranger, conductor, piano); Budd Johnson (soprano & tenor saxophones); Eddie Caine, Ray Beckenstein (alto saxophone, flute, piccolo); Johnny Coles, Phil Sunkel (trumpet); Keg Johnson, Jimmy Knepper (trombone); Tony Studd (bass trombone); Bill Barber (tuba); Bob Tricarico (flute, piccolo, bassoon); Ray Crawford (guitar); Ron Carter (bass); Charlie Persip, Elvin Jones (drums, percussion).
Tracklist
01. La Nevada
02. Where Flamingos Fly
03. Bilbao Song
04. Stratusphink
05. Sunken Treasure
06. Sister Sadie
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Gregory Porter – Be Good
Posted by dOk | Filed under 2012, Jazz
Gregory Porter’s sophomore effort confirms the talent that was so apparent on his debut. He’s developed greater technique and subtlety in his impressive singing. The ’70s soul is still quite apparent in his voice, with shades of Donny Hathaway and Bill Withers, but he’s also the vocal heir to Nat King Cole. He’s becoming a major talent, not just as a singer but also as a composer, with a unique, elliptical style, both for melodies and lyrics, which is quite evident when held up against the covers here. Porter is also acutely aware of dynamics, able to move smoothly from the softness of “Imitation of Life” to the almost atonality of the raucous “Bling Bling,” which also features some excellent scat singing. His own material isn’t immediately memorable, but insinuates itself into the brain after a few hearings, sophisticated and often beautiful. He keeps his soul/blues credentials alive with a version of “Work Song” that allows him to go full-throated against some honking sax. To finish, there’s an a cappella version of “God Bless the Child,” a song forever associated with Billie Holiday. It’s a daring move, and one that works as it showcases the tenderness in his voice, with an almost liquid quality in the singing, the emotions hinted at rather than laid out. It’s a superb climax to a disc that should certainly help Porter’s star rise even further. ~ Chris Nickson
For more info and buy check: www.gregoryporter.com
thanks to my dear friend Simona, if it wasn’t for her I never would have listened to this great album.
Tracklist
01. Painted On Canvas
02. Be Good (Lion’s Song)
03. On My Way To Harlem
04. Real Good Hands
05. The Way You Want To Live
06. When Did You Learn
07. Imitation Of Life
08. Mother’s Song
09. Our Love
10. Bling Bling
11. Work Song
12. God Bless The Child
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Stan Getz – Sweet Rain
Posted by dOk | Filed under 1967, Jazz
One of Stan Getz’s all-time greatest albums, Sweet Rain was his first major artistic coup after he closed the book on his bossa nova period, featuring an adventurous young group that pushed him to new heights in his solo statements. Pianist Chick Corea, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Grady Tate were all schooled in ’60s concepts of rhythm-section freedom, and their continually stimulating interplay helps open things up for Getz to embark on some long, soulful explorations (four of the five tracks are over seven minutes). The neat trick of Sweet Rain is that the advanced rhythm section work remains balanced with Getz’s customary loveliness and lyricism. Indeed, Getz plays with a searching, aching passion throughout the date, which undoubtedly helped Mike Gibbs’ title track become a standard after Getz’s tender treatment here. The quartet’s level of musicianship remains high on every selection, and the marvelously consistent atmosphere the album evokes places it among Getz’s very best. A surefire classic. (allmusic)
Personnel: Stan Getz (tenor saxophone); Albert Daily (piano); Chick Corea (electric piano); Stanley Clarke, George Mraz (bass); Tony Williams, Billy Hart (drums).
Tracklist
01. Litha
02. O Grande Amour
03. Sweet Rain
04. Con Alma
05. Windows
