Frank Carter

Altoist Frank Morgan leads an all-star group on this excellent hard bop set. With tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, pianist Mulgrew Miller, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Al Foster also in the sextet, it is not surprising that Morgan sounds a bit inspired. The musicians all play up to their usual level, performing "Caravan" (which was added to the CD version) and Sonny Rollins' "Sonnymoon for Two," plus a song apiece by Thelonious Monk ("Reflections"), Miller, Hutcherson, Henderson and Carter. Recommended.

"Listen to the Dawn" is a rare example of Frank Morgan recording an entire album without a pianist. The veteran alto saxophonist, who was only two weeks away from his 60th birthday when this post-bop/be bop CD was recorded, evidently wanted to try something a bit different – and it was a move that paid off creatively. Whether he's forming an intimate duo with guitarist Kenny Burrell or forming a quartet with Burrell, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Grady Tate, Morgan fares quite well without a pianist.

Benny Carter - Jazz Giant
SACD ISO (Stereo): 780 MB | 24B/88,2kHz Stereo FLAC: 685 MB | Artwork | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: Contemporary, Fantasy # CSA-7555-6 | Country/Year: US 2004, 1958
Genre: Jazz | Style: Classic Jazz

"…There is a serious dearth of high quality, well-recorded, hi-rez jazz. Well, this disc can help fill an important gap in a hi-rez collection." ~sa-cd.net

Frank Morgan - Reflections (1988) {Contemporary CCD-14052-2 rel 1989}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 323 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 129 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 41 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1989 Contemporary Records / Fantasy | CCD-14052-2
Jazz / Bop / Hard Bop / Saxophone

Altoist Frank Morgan leads an all-star group on this excellent hard bop set. With tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, pianist Mulgrew Miller, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Al Foster also in the sextet, it is not surprising that Morgan sounds a bit inspired. The musicians all play up to their usual level, performing "Caravan" (which was added to the CD version) and Sonny Rollins' "Sonnymoon for Two," plus a song apiece by Thelonious Monk ("Reflections"), Miller, Hutcherson, Henderson and Carter. Recommended.

Bassist Carter heads a sterling mid-sized band with three trumpeters and saxophonists and two trombones. He handles the job of being both the primary and secondary rhythm support, while guests Joe Henderson, Jon Faddis, and Frank Wess, among others, provide some standout solos. The ensemble interaction clicks as well.

Benny Carter - 4 Albums From The MusicMasters Catalogue - Set 1 (1987-89) {4CD Set Nimbus Records rel 2011}
XLD rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 1.39 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 592 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 86 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1987-89, 2011 MusicMasters / Wyastone Estate / Nimbus Records | NI 2737/40
Jazz / Bop / Jazz Blues / Post Bop / Mainstream Jazz / Swing / Saxophone

This boxed set of four CDs recorded between 1987 and 1989 illustrates Benny Carter's versatility performing with four different groups. He was already aged 80 when he recorded the first of these albums, yet there is no sign of ageing. Indeed, Benny stayed alive and active until he was 95. From the very first track, the listener is struck by Carter's pure, mellow sound, putting him in contention with Johnny Hodges and Willie Smith as one of the three altoists in jazz with the sweetest tone. This CD also exhibits Benny as a composer, since he wrote all eleven tunes. Dizzy Gillespie makes guest appearances on three tracks, playing with restraint and harmonizing well with Carter.