Ed Ed Bickert

After a long period of indifferent recordings in the 1960s and early '70s, Rosemary Clooney underwent a renaissance after she began recording regularly for Concord in 1977. Backed by swinging ensembles and encouraged to record songbooks and special projects involving superior songs, Clooney blossomed and her career regained its momentum, continuing into the late '90s. This album finds Rosie singing 11 songs that have Johnny Mercer lyrics, including "Something's Got to Give," "Laura," "I Remember You," "Skylark," and even "Hooray for Hollywood." Joined by such fine soloists as tenor saxophonist Scott Hamilton, cornetist Warren Vaché, trombonist Dan Barrett, guitarist Ed Bickert, and her musical director, pianist John Oddo, Rosemary Clooney is heard in excellent form throughout the colorful program.

The Moe Koffman Quartet - The "Shepherd" Swings Again (1958) {2017 Japan SHM-CD Jazz Masters Collection 1200 Series WPCR-29209}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 159 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 70 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 82 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24bit remaster
© 1958, 2017 Jubilee / Parlophone / Warner Music Japan | WPCR-29209
Jazz / Bop / Flute

Reissue with SHM-CD format and new 24bit remastering. Canadian flutist Moe Koffman was delighted to have a hit on his hands after the success of his "The Swingin' Shepherd Blues," so this Jubilee LP became his immediate follow-up album. Joined by guitarist Ed Bickert, bassist Hugh Currie and drummer Ron Rully, Koffman wrote five new originals for this record, including the light and breezy "Flute Salad" and the hip swinger "Marty's Morgue." He also adds an easygoing take of Sonny Rollins' "Doxy," and a hard bop (with traces of funk in its introduction) arrangement of the standard "Alone Together." Koffman switches to alto sax for his intricate "Bermuda Schwartz" (which features a fine solo by Bickert and a few drum breaks), as well as on Rully's exotic composition "What Can You Do." Long out of print, consider this LP to be extremely rare.

Guitarist Lorne Lofsky's first album for the Jazz Inspiration label, and his first recording as a leader in 11 years, finds him in a much different state of development than on his prior Pablo release. Gone are the blues-influenced phrases, and the direct resemblance to fellow Canadian guitarist Ed Bickert (although Bickert's presence is still evident in the advanced chordal playing of Lofsky's music). What remains is a very aggressive, harmonically and rhythmically sophisticated player whose unique guitar style bears a striking resemblance to Bill Evans. The Evans influence is everywhere on this recording, from the choice of material ("All of You," "My Foolish Heart," "Solar," and "Quiet Now" were all part of Evans' repetoire), to the tracks which feature Lofsky overdubbing multiple guitars, a procedure Evans employed on several records…

Rob McConnell & the Boss Brass add plenty of spice to this Christmas jazz CD, not only with superb, fresh charts but a few surprising selections. The rich brass and reeds carry the deliberate rendition of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," which segues into a perky Latin-flavored chart of "I'll Be Home for Christmas." "Away in a Manger" is not the commonly heard melody but one first written in 1887, though the music will likely be familiar, even if one doesn't associate it with the well-known lyrics. The lush setting of "The Christmas Song," which likely set Mel Tormé and Bob Wells for life with royalty checks due to its many recordings, showcases the leader's valve trombone and pianist David Restivo. "My Favorite Things," originally written for The Sound of Music, has gradually been transformed into double duty as a Christmas carol; this swinging interpretation works very well. Johnny Mandel, the composer of many memorable melodies, deserves greater recognition for his gorgeous piece "A Christmas Love Song"; this arrangement deserved to help put it on the jazz map. Rob McConnell & the Boss Brass consistently delivered first-rate music throughout their existence, this holiday CD no exception.

Guitarist Lorne Lofsky's first album for the Jazz Inspiration label, and his first recording as a leader in 11 years, finds him in a much different state of development than on his prior Pablo release. Gone are the blues-influenced phrases, and the direct resemblance to fellow Canadian guitarist Ed Bickert (although Bickert's presence is still evident in the advanced chordal playing of Lofsky's music). What remains is a very aggressive, harmonically and rhythmically sophisticated player whose unique guitar style bears a striking resemblance to Bill Evans. The Evans influence is everywhere on this recording, from the choice of material ("All of You," "My Foolish Heart," "Solar," and "Quiet Now" were all part of Evans' repetoire), to the tracks which feature Lofsky overdubbing multiple guitars, a procedure Evans employed on several records…