Denon

As a diehard Mahlerite, I have to say I thought I knew the Seventh fairly well, but Inbal manages to make this familiar (to me) work seem utterly new and strange while holding it firmly together (which too often isn't the case in performances of this problem-child of the Mahler family). And he does this without seeming to impose his personality on the music. This is the only Seventh on disc I know of that can match the Bernstein versions (Sony and DG). And it's better-recorded than either of them. Hey Denon–when are you going to reissue all of Inbal's Mahler recordings in a boxed set, as DG did for Bernstein? This is a missed opportunity.

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
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 8 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 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.

George Wallington - Virtuoso
FLAC, EAC, LOG & CUE | Lossless Artwork | Size: 285 MB
Label/Cat#: Denon 35C38-7248 | Country/Year: Japan 1984, 1st Pressing
Genre: Jazz | Hoster: Filesonic/Uploaded/Wupload

After 24 years off the scene, pianist George Wallington surprised many who had forgotten by him by recording this solo CD, the first of three. Although all ten of the selections are Wallington originals, his boppish style was largely unchanged from the 1950s, and some of the tunes are based on the chord changes of more common standards. However, the melodies are fresh, Wallington's improvisations are full of joyful swing, and the overall results (available as a Japanese import through Denon) are quite appealing…

Some of Bach's greatest hits (BWV 565, 543, 582, 542, 653 & 767), very convincingly played by Heinz Balli on the formidable Thomas Schott organ (Anno Domini 1630) of the Klosterkirche in Muri, Aargau, Switzerland. Great sound quality!

The Great Jazz Trio – N.Y. Sophisticate: A Tribute To Duke Ellington
EAC+LOG+CUE | WV: 236 MB | Artwork: 19 MB | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: Denon # 38C38-7097 | Country/Year: Japan 1984
Genre: Jazz | Style: Post Bop, Tribute

"Hank Jones has been known to be a quintessential sideman and occasional leader during his lengthy career as a premier jazz pianist. His most frequent project has been as the ostensible leader of the co-op group known as the Great Jazz Trio, a classic example of how the piano-bass-drums format has remained timeless, enduring, and ever challenging…"

Archie Shepp and Dollar Brand - Duet (1978) {Denon DC-8561 rel 1990}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 221 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 107 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 21 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1978, 1990 Denon / Nippon Columbia Japan | DC-8561
Jazz / Cool / Jazz Blues / Mainstream Jazz

A somewhat surprising pairing at the time, the former firebrand of the tenor sax and the wonderful South African pianist found a pleasant and relaxed meeting point. By 1978, Shepp had largely abandoned the ferocious attack that gained him renown in the '60s, settling on a rich, Ben Webster-ish tone and playing a repertoire consisting of modern standards and bluesy originals. Two such pieces, the lovely Dave Burrell/Marion Brown composition "Fortunato" and Mal Waldron's "Left Alone," are highlights of this session, Shepp's burnished tone as soft as an old shoe.

Billy Harper - Soran-Bushi, B.H. (1977) {Denon ‎Japan C38-7007 rel 1982}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 229 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 89 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 31 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 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".

As a diehard Mahlerite, I have to say I thought I knew the Seventh fairly well, but Inbal manages to make this familiar (to me) work seem utterly new and strange while holding it firmly together (which too often isn't the case in performances of this problem-child of the Mahler family). And he does this without seeming to impose his personality on the music. This is the only Seventh on disc I know of that can match the Bernstein versions (Sony and DG). And it's better-recorded than either of them. Hey Denon–when are you going to reissue all of Inbal's Mahler recordings in a boxed set, as DG did for Bernstein? This is a missed opportunity.