Denon

To most listeners, Jeff Berlin is utterly unknown as a musician and composer; to progressive rock enthusiasts, however, Berlin is a god, ranked alongside Jaco Pastorious and Victor Wooten as one of the most exciting virtuoso bassists ever. Crossroads compiles his first two albums, Pump It! and Champion, into a single-disc "greatest hits" of sorts, although neither album had much impact beyond jazz-rock circles.

On this CD Bob Berg is in good form and this is how we would like to remember him. Both the writing and the playing are very good. Berg's saxophone playing is robust and sensitive throughout the entire CD and there are strong contributions from both Jim Beard on piano, keyboards, and organ and Jon Herrington on guitars and mandolin. Overall, Berg has created a "Virtual Reality" of interesting impressions played in a variety of styles. The first track "Can't Help Loving that Man" falls right in line with Berg's earlier CDs where the listener is introduced to phenomenal playing and writing that is enhanced by unusual instrumentations. It took me a while to figure it out, but the percussionist Arto Tuncboyaciyan is singing in rhythm while at the same time blowing through a flute, highly original for a Latin interpretation of this tune.

Archie Shepp - Tray Of Silver (1979) {Denon Japan DC-8548 rel 1989}
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© 1979, 1989 Denon / Nippon Columbia Japan | DC-8548
Jazz / Hard Bop / Post Bop / Mainstream Jazz / Saxophone

Late seventies were the time when world is turned over for all generation of yesterday adventurous jazz stars who became famous in late 60s and continued to enjoy success in early 70s. Musical fashion has been changed dramatically and one morning many of them woke up jobless,sometime even homeless and as rule - useless.Not so many of them survived these and upcoming years successfully, fortunately Archie Shepp did.

Dogatana is a 1981 album by Japanese jazz guitarist Kazumi Watanabe. As usual for Watanabe, it features many acclaimed musicians. The album, compared to other Watanabe works, has a very acoustic sound and is characterized by peculiar guitar "duets".

Jim Hall Trio featuring Tom Harrell - These Rooms (1988) {Denon CY-30002}
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© 1988 Denon / Nippon Columbia | CY-30002
Jazz / Cool / Post Bop / Guitar / Flugelhorn

This 1988 studio date is one of the overlooked treasures in the considerable discography of Jim Hall, possibly due to the label's low-key promotion and less than eye-catching cover art. It is easy to understand why artists like Art Farmer and Paul Desmond omitted a pianist after hearing a release such as this one, because it would only clutter Hall's soft yet complete accompaniment. Joined by Tom Harrell (heard mostly on flügelhorn), bassist Steve LaSpina, and drummer Joey Baron, this CD is a delight from start to finish. The interaction of the musicians in the opener, a lively, waltzing "With a Song in My Heart," makes it sound like they have been a working unit for years.

Sonny Stitt - Moonlight In Vermont (1977) {Denon Japan 38C38-7046 rel 1983}
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© 1977, 1983 Denon / Nippon Columbia | 38C38-7046
Jazz / Bop / Saxophone

Sonny Stitt, doubling on alto and tenor, is in fine form on this quartet session (a Japanese import CD) with either Barry Harris or Walter Davis on piano, bassist Reggie Workman and drummer Tony Williams. The repertoire (bop standards, blues and ballads) is fairly typical and nothing too unusual occurs, but fans of straightahead jazz in general and Sonny Stitt in particular will be satisfied with this above-average effort, highlighted by "It Might as Well Be Spring" and "Constellation."

Antonio Vivaldi - I Solisti Italiani - 6 Violin Concerti Op.12
EAC+LOG+CUE | FLAC: 435 MB | Artwork | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: Denon "Crest 1000" # COCO-70897 | Country/Year: Japan 2007, 1994
Genre: Classical | Style: Baroque, Chamber Music

…I Solisti Italiani continues, both spiritually and sonically, where the original Virtuosi di Roma left off, with creamy, expert, middle-of-the-road performances of Baroque and Classical period music, and occasional 20th-century pieces as well. The ensemble is small - only 12 players, without conductor - but the sound is full and caloric, the playing dapper and disciplined.

Billy Harper - Soran-Bushi, B.H. (1977) {Denon ‎Japan C38-7007 rel 1982}
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© 1977, 1982 Denon ‎/ Nippon Columbia Japan | C38-7007
Jazz / Post Bop / Saxophone

One of the best-ever Billy Harper records from the 70s – and one of the rare sessions of his that only ever came out in Japan! Billy is in incredible form throughout – and plays with a stunning sense of imagination and creativity on the 3 long tracks that make up this LP – stepping out with brilliant post-Coltrane energy that fires up his tenor, and takes him to the skies on these wonderfully long, creative solos. He's playing here with Harold Mabern on piano, Everett Hollins on trumpet, Billy Hart on drums, and Greg Maker on bass – and the session's got that warm spiritual sound that characterizes his best work – but also has a lot of hard-blowing solos with the haunting searching quality that keeps us coming back to Billy's work again and again over the years. Titles include "Loverhood", "Trying to Get Ready", and his classic, the title cut, "Soran-Bushi BH".

Walter Davis, Jr. - Illumination (1977) {Denon–Nippon Columbia ‎DC-8553 rel 1989}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 346 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 169 Mb
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© 1977, 1989 Denon / Nippon Columbia ‎| DC-8553
Jazz / Hard Bop / Piano

Since Walter Davis, Jr. had relatively few opportunities to lead recording dates of his own, one would hope that conditions would be ideal for the occasional recording session. Sadly, he's stuck with a badly out of tune instrument on this occasion, making it almost excruciating to listen to his performance of his best-known work, the normally exciting hard bop vehicle "Scorpio Rising." Davis utilizes several different rhythm sections, including the likes of Buster Williams, Art Blakey, and Tony Williams.