2012 Ophthalmic Coding Series Specialty Topics

Sofia Gubaidulina - The Canticle Of The Sun (2012) {ECM New Series 2256}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC+CUE+LOG -> 262 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 165 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 53 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2012 ECM Records | ECM New Series 2256 / 476 4662
Classical / Contemporary Classical

Sofia Gubaidulina is one of the originals of our era. A new release comes to us from ECM this week, confirming and extending that idea. Canticle of the Sun (ECM New Series) presents the title work as performed by the Riga Chamber Choir, Maris Sirmais conducting, with Nicolas Altstaedt as cello soloist plus two percussion and celesta. The disk also features the world premiere recording of "The Lyre of Orpheus" with Gidon Kremer as violin soloist, Marta Sudraba, cello soloist and the Kremerata Baltica.

Bobby Hutcherson - Linger Lane (1975) {2012 Japanese BNLA Series 24-bit Remaster TOCJ-50527}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 216 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 75 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 187 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24bit remaster
© 1975, 2012 Blue Note / EMI Music Japan | TOCJ-50527
Jazz / Post Bop / Vibes

A beautiful later Blue Note album from vibist Bobby Hutcherson – a set recorded after his famous association with Harold Land, but with a groove that's wonderfully soulful in a whole different way! Bobby plays marimbas instead of vibes this time around, and he's working with his own arrangements for a slightly larger group – one that has some sweet fusion overtones, and these wonderful mellow funk inflections – so that even the mellow cuts have this warmly glowing, ultra-soulful sound that's mighty nice – a bit like some of the work from Gene Harris around the same time.

John Zorn - Mount Analogue (2012) {Tzadik Archival Series}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 181 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 92 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 23 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2012 Tzadik | TZ 7394 | Tzadik Archival Series
Jazz / Avant-Garde / International / World Music / Modern Composition

Drawing inspiration from the life and work of the towering spiritual figure Georges Ivanovitch Gurdjieff, Mount Analogue is one of Zorn’s greatest creations. Taking the form of a mystical journey, the music jumps from one world to another weaving a rich tapestry that blends world music, jazz, contemporary classical and more.

Grant Green - Nigeria (1962) {2012 Japanese BNLT Series Remaster TOCJ-50284}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 333 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 123 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 56 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1962, 2012 Blue Note / EMI Music Japan | TOCJ-50284
Jazz / Hard Bop / Soul Jazz / Guitar

Nigeria is an album by American jazz guitarist Grant Green featuring performances recorded in 1962 but not released on the Blue Note label until 1980. Damn great work from guitarist Grant Green – one of his killer sessions with pianist Sonny Clark – recorded in the early 60s, but unissued until nearly 20 years later! The groove here is a bit different than some of Green's early dates with organ – a bit more soulful hardbop at times, with some great work on rhythm from Sam Jones on bass and Art Blakey on drums – two great players who complete the group beautifully. The setting is calm and spare, but very fluid, and all players play with a brilliant edge – Blakey is excellent, and hearing him on this one makes you want more of his work as a sideman (which was to diminish greatly after this recording).

Larry Young - Mother Ship (1969) {2012 Japanese BNLT Series Remaster TOCJ-50286}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 250 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 100 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 19 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1969, 2012 Blue Note / EMI Music Japan | TOCJ-50286
Jazz / Post Bop / Jazz Funk / Organ

Organist Larry Young's final Blue Note album, Mother Ship, was not released until 1980. Teamed up with tenor saxophonist Herbert Morgan, the great trumpeter Lee Morgan, and drummer Eddie Gladden, Young performs five of his originals, which range from the funky "Street Scene" and the samba "Love Drops" to a spacy "Trip Merchant" and the complex "Visions." This highly original set does not deserve to be so obscure.

Lee Morgan - Infinity (1965) {2012 Japanese BNLT Series Remaster, TOCJ-50300}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 261 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 100 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 53 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1965, 2012 Blue Note / EMI Music Japan | TOCJ-50300
Jazz / Hard Bop / Trumpet

Lee Morgan on the hippest side of his 60s talents – working here in a style that's really stretching out, and in the same territory as similar unreleased gems from the time – like Tom Cat or Sonic Boom! The group here is very inventive – Jackie McLean on alto, Larry Willis on piano, Reggie Workman on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums – players who really represent the left side of Blue Note, but not as out as the "new thing" crowd – with a really creative approach to both the rhythms and the solos, commanded by Morgan's rich imagination at this point in his career. All tunes are great, and titles include "Zip Code", "Infinity", "Miss Nettie B", "Growing Pains", and McLean's fantastic "Portrait of a Doll".

Jimmy Smith - Cool Blues (1958) {2012 Japanese BNLT Series Remaster, TOCJ-50291}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 438 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 173 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 55 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1958, 2012 Blue Note / EMI Music Japan | TOCJ-50291
Jazz / Hard Bop / Soul Jazz / Organ

Proof that at his start, Jimmy Smith had a greatness that knew no bounds – as the album's one of a few that Blue Note recorded in the late 50s, but never issued until many years later – even though they had already released so many amazing records from this period! The set has Jimmy really cooking away – playing live at Small's Paradise, in a group that has Lou Donaldson's alto on just about every track, and tenor from Tina Brooks on most of the others too. Tunes are tighter and shorter than on the more jam session albums, which makes for a nice change – and titles include "Groovin At Smalls", "Dark Eyes", "Cool Blues", and "A Night In Tunisia" – which begins with an announcement from Babs Gonzales! 8 tracks in all – 4 more than on the 1980 album – with better sound than before as well!

Moacir Santos - Carnival Of The Spirits (1975) {2012 Japanese BNLA Series 24-bit Remaster TOCJ-50513}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (image)+CUE+LOG -> 193 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 76 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 26 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24bit/192kHz remaster
© 1975, 2012 Blue Note / EMI Music Japan | TOCJ-50513
Jazz / Latin Jazz / World Fusion / Saxophone

Reissue with the latest 24bit/192kHz remastering. Features original cover artwork. Comes with a descripton in Japanese. A sublime 70s session from Moacir Santos – a set that mixes the complex grooves he forged in 60s Brazil with the warmly jazzy sound of American fusion – all in a result that's totally unique! The album's quite different than any other electric Brazilian sets recorded in the US at the time – a complex album that's filled with soul and imagination – and not just an electrification of earlier styles from Brazil. Santos' vision here is wonderful – and he works with his own arrangements, and key help from producer Dale Oehler – who knows how to bring in all the right electric elements without losing the edge of Moacir's music.

Moacir Santos - Maestro (1972) {2012 Japanese BNLA Series 24-bit Remaster TOCJ-50522}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (image)+CUE+LOG -> 190 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 84 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 28 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24bit/192kHz remaster
© 1972, 2012 Blue Note / EMI Music Japan | TOCJ-50522
Jazz / Latin Jazz / World Fusion / Saxophone

Reissue with the latest 24bit/192kHz remastering. Features original cover artwork. Comes with a descripton in Japanese. Amazing 70s work from Moacir Santos – the first album the Brazilian arranger recorded for Blue Note, and a set that sparkles with warmth and soul from the very first note! The approach is a brilliant updating of the famous sound that Santos crafted in Brazil the decade before – recast here with some warmer elements that includes great organ from Clare Fischer, electric piano from Bill Henderson, trombone from Frank Rosolino, and flute and tenor from Don Menza!

Moacir Santos - Saudade (1974) {2012 Japanese BNLA Series 24-bit Remaster TOCJ-50510}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (image)+CUE+LOG -> 227 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 86 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 28 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24bit/192kHz remaster
© 1974, 2012 Blue Note / EMI Music Japan | TOCJ-50510
Jazz / Latin Jazz / World Fusion / Saxophone

Reissue with the latest 24bit/192kHz remastering. Features original cover artwork. Comes with a descripton in Japanese. One of the rare Blue Note gems from Brazilian arranger/composer Moacir Santos – an album of incredible warmth and charm, with a sound that's hardly been duplicated again! Santos is usually best known for his early bossa arrangements in the 60s, but here he's working in the US – hitting a sweet LA groove that mixes his earlier Brazilian styles with breezy touches from 70s jazz – done in a great mix of acoustic and electric instrumentation that sparkles tremendously throughout!