J. J. Johnson

The great trombonist J.J. Johnson sticks exclusively to ballads on this ten-song set. Accompanied by pianist Rob Schneiderman, guitarist Ted Dunbar, bassist Rufus Reid and drummer Akira Tana, Johnson's tone sounds at its warmest throughout the CD, which is dedicated to his late wife. Highlights include "Alone Together," "I Thought About You," "How Deep Is the Ocean" and "There Will Never Be Another You," but all of the numbers are rewarding. Due to the lack of variety in tempos and moods, this set is not quite definitive, but collectors will find much to enjoy.

This release contains the complete LP "Plays Mack the Knife" (1961), appearing here on CD for the first time ever. It presents Johnson fronting a quartet that includes Andre Previn on piano, Red Mitchell on bass and Frank Capp on drums -quartet recordings are not especially common in Johnson’s discography- playing songs by the celebrated Kurt Weill.
As a bonus, another complete LP by Johnson, "Trombone and Voices" (1960), which also appears here on CD for the first time.

J. J. Johnson - Blue Trombone (1957) {2014 Japan Jazz Collection 1000 Columbia-RCA Series SICP 3986}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 272 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 101 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 250 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1957, 2014 Columbia / Sony Music Japan | SICP 3986 | DSD Remaster | Mono
Jazz / Hard Bop / Trombone

Reissue with the latest DSD remastering. Comes with liner notes. A great small group session from trombonist JJ Johnson – a record that sets him up with a crack rhythm section, then really lets him open up on his solos! The approach is a great change from some of the more tightly arranged Johnson albums for Columbia – and is a great reminder of the sharp, soulful hardbop style that first made folks take note of JJ during his early work for Blue Note and Prestige Records! The set cooks nicely – thanks to piano from Tommy Flanagan, bass from Paul Chambers, and drums from Max Roach – and titles include "Kev", "100 Proof", and "What's New". Including the two part "Blue Trombone," and shows listeners why he is still considered one of the greatest jazz trombonists of all time.

J.J. Johnson, Kai Winding, Bennie Green & Willie Dennis - Four Trombones: The Debut Recordings (1953) {Prestige PRCD-24097-2}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC+CUE+LOG -> 459 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 182 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 34 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1953, 1991 Prestige Records | PRCD-24097-2
Jazz / Bop / Trombone

J.J. Johnson, along with Bennie Green, was a founding father of bop trombone; Willie Dennis's promising career was cut short by an early death; "Jay and Kai" had successfully collaborated on several projects in the Fifties. But the unique and legendary meeting of these trombone giants, which first appeared on the Debut label and is reissued here, was unprecedented in jazz. Almost as remarkable is the rhythm section on this CD, with John Lewis making a rare appearance outside the Modern Jazz Quartet.

The J. J. Johnson Quintet - Dial J. J. 5 (1957) {2015 Japan Jazz Collection 1000 Columbia-RCA Series SICJ 22}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 269 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 109 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 274 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1957, 2015 Columbia / Sony Music Japan | SICJ 22
Jazz / Bop / Hard Bop / Trombone

Reissue with the latest remastering. Comes with liner notes. One of JJ's best from the late 50s – a tightly crackling hardbop set, recorded very much in the manner of his classic JJ Inc album! The sound here is a bit more compact overall – with some shorter tracks that really allow Johnson to display his keen sense of economy on his horn, while working in a burning mode that recalls some of his best bop sides from the early years – particularly his work on Blue Note.

The J. J. Johnson Sextet - Really Livin' (1959) {2015 Japan Jazz Collection 1000 Columbia-RCA Series SICJ 78}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 294 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 102 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 262 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1959, 2015 Columbia / Sony Music Japan | SICJ 78
Jazz / Bop / Hard Bop / Trombone

Reissue with the latest 2015 remastering. Comes with liner notes. One of the hippest, hardest albums that trombonist JJ Johnson ever cut for Columbia – a session we'd rank right up there with his amazing JJ Inc record, and like that one a really cooking hardbop record that maybe even rivals the best on Blue Note and Prestige at the time! As with that gem, the strength here is really the group – not just tremendous trombone from JJ, but great work from Nat Adderley on trumpet, Bobby Jaspar on tenor and flute, Cedar Walton on piano, Spanky DeBrest on bass, and Albert Heath on drums – all working with a soaring, soulful energy that's a lot more hardbop heavy than you might expect from JJ Johnson on some of his other projects for the label.

Although released in the usually consistent Columbia Jazz Masterpieces series, this recording is a mere sampler of trombonist J.J. Johnson's 1957-60 recordings. The nine selections are drawn from four albums and, although there are some fine moments (most notably on "Misterioso," "Blue Trombone" and "What Is This Thing Called Love").

The J. J. Johnson Quintet - J Is For Jazz (1956) {2015 Japan Jazz Collection 1000 Columbia-RCA Series SICJ 79}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 198 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 101 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 235 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1956, 2015 Columbia / Sony Music Japan | SICJ 79
Jazz / Bop / Hard Bop / Trombone

Reissue with the latest 2015 remastering. Comes with liner notes. Nicely sharp sounds from the great JJ Johnson – a set that has the trombonist really honing his edge on a host of tight, short tracks – with a vibe that almost recalls his initial bop recordings on Blue Note and Prestige! The style here is a bit more sophisticated – definitely with an ear towards the modern directions that JJ was exploring in the 50s – but the sound is also nicely spontaneous, with more focus on improvisation between group members than larger arrangements – quite nice, given that the group features excellent tenor from Bobby Jaspar on tenor – and either Tommy Flanagan or Hank Jones on piano, Percy Heath or Wilbur Little on bass, and Elvin Jones on drums. Tracks are short, and titles include "Overdrive", "Cube Steak", "Chasin The Bird", and "Solar".