David Nadien

Veteran jazz producer Creed Taylor decided to sign Nina Simone to his record label after seeing her perform live in 1977 at Drury Lane, and together they would record "Baltimore," Simone's first album since 1974's It Is Finished. Sessions for the album were very tense, with Simone disagreeing with Taylor's production choices—particularly his interest in a reggae sound, which first caused Simone to ask "What is this corny stuff?" Simone's difficult behavior delayed production, but she would eventually record her vocals for the album in a single hour-long sitting.

An all-star cast assists Maynard Ferguson in this disco-tinged big-band outing. Ferguson's trademark trumpet playing is featured in all its screaming glory, and Mark Colby contributes a couple of high-energy sax solos. "Primal Scream" and "Invitation" sound as though they were lifted right off the mid-'70s disco dancefloor, complete with T.S.O.P.-type strings and pulsing rhythms. "Pagliacci," too, has the disco beat pounding underneath a Jay Chattaway adaptation of an operatic melody, with Bobby Militello featured on an energetic, overblown flute solo. Chick Corea's "The Cheshire Cat Walk" sounds like latter-day Return to Forever, as Corea's synth trades licks with Ferguson's horn over a familiar RTF rhythmic/chordal bassline sequence. The final cut, Eric Gale's "Swamp," stands out because of its reggae beat.

Milt Jackson - The Ballad Artistry of Milt Jackson (1959) {2012 Japan Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series WPCR-27117}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (image)+CUE+LOG -> 194 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 93 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 28 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24bit remaster
© 1959, 2012 Atlantic / Rhino / Warner Japan / WEA | WPCR-27117 | Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series
Jazz / Bop / Hard Bop / Vibes / Strings

Features 24 bit remastering and comes with a mini-description. A sweet set of ballads from vibist Milt Jackson that we dig as much for the silky smooth orchestrations by Quincy Jones as Milt's agile and crisp approach to the vibes. The strings and horns buoy the group nicely, which also features Connie Kay and under recorded guitarist Barry Galbraith on a number of tunes. Ten mellow numbers: "The Cylinder", "Makin Whoopee", "Alone Together", "Tenderly", "Don't Worry Bout Me", "Nuages", "Deep In A Dream", "I'm A Fool To Want You", "The Midnight Will Never Set" and "Tomorrow".

Hank Crawford - Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing (1974) {Masterworks Jazz 88697943742 rel 2011}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 218 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 84 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 10 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1974, 2011 Kudu / CTI / Masterworks Jazz | 88697 94374 2
Jazz / Soul Jazz / Saxophone

Sweet soulful jazz from reedman Hank Crawford – one of his killer Kudu sessions from the 70s – all of which really helped Hank redefine his sound! The setting here is large and full – put together beautifully by Bob James, with that sense of space for the soloist that makes his CTI/Kudu arrangements so crucial – and light years ahead of what other arrangers were doing at the time. The tracks are longish, but never overdone – and the record has all the soulful alto sounds of Crawford's 60s work at Atlantic, but with a definite 70s bent overall. James plays Fender Rhodes, Arp, and clavinet – and other players include Joe Farrell on tenor and flute, Idris Muhammad and Bernard Purdie on drums, and Richard Tee on additional keyboards.

This disc is a welcome addition to the discography of the now almost forgotten woodwind master Joe Farrell. Farrell was a multi-instrumentalist who chose to concentrate on tenor and soprano saxophones and flute. From the late 1960s onwards he was a highly sought after session player who appeared on many of the most significant recordings right until his early demise in 1986. He played with the Elvin Jones Trio, Chick Corea's Return To Forever and the earliest editions of Mingus Dynasty.