Live The Wynton Kelly Trio

Maximum Swing: The Unissued 1965 Half Note Recordings is the first official release of the complete previously unissued recordings from jazz guitar giant Wes Montgomery with the Wynton Kelly Trio at the famed Half Note jazz club in New York City in 1965 with drummer Jimmy Cobb and bassists Paul Chambers, Ron Carter, Herman Wright and Larry Ridley. Including over 2 hours from the original radio broadcasts with host Alan Grant, the deluxe 2-CD set is mastered by Matthew Lutthans. 2023 marks Wes Montgomery’s Centennial (born March 6, 1923), and this is Resonance’s 7th release of Wes Montgomery recordings in cooperation with the estate. Now Wes Montgomery fans can hear the rest of the music from the Half Note that was only broadcast on the radio nearly 60 years ago.

Smokin' at the Half Note is essential listening for anyone who wants to hear why Montgomery's dynamic live shows were considered the pinnacle of his brilliant and incredibly influential guitar playing. Pat Metheny calls this "the absolute greatest jazz guitar album ever made," and with performances of this caliber ("Unit 7" boasts one of the greatest guitar solos ever recorded) his statement is easily validated. Montgomery never played with more drive and confidence, and he's supported every step of the way by a genuinely smokin' Wynton Kelly Trio.

Taken from the same live session that resulted in Verve's Four, this set (which was released for the first time in 1996) matches the great tenor Joe Henderson with the former Miles Davis rhythm section of pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Jimmy Cobb. Although Henderson had not played with the other musicians before, they blend together quite well and obviously inspired each other. In addition to a variety of standards, the quartet also performs a couple of then-recent songs ("Days of Wine and Roses" and "On a Clear Day [You Can See Forever]"), the ancient "Limehouse Blues," and Miles Davis' "Pfrancing."

What you see is what you get, an excellent little compilation of the various faces of soul-jazz as presented by the Verve label with their amazing array of artists from Hugh Masekela to Willie Bobo and Herbie Mann on the one hand, and Dizzy Gillespie, Jon Hendricks (in an outstanding reading of Herbie Hancock's "Watermelon Man") the Heath Brothers, and Teddy Edwards on the other. The track list is wonderfully varied, too: there's a smoking version of Hancock's "Cantaloupe Island" by Masekela, a pair by Jimmy Smith, and a big band – a new entry by the acid jazz group the James Taylor Quartet, but they get it deep; and Wynton Kelly goes deep into soul and blues with "Escapade." Anyway you cut it, it comes out great.

This live set is notable for teaming guitarist Wes Montgomery and the Wynton Kelly Trio (comprised of pianist Kelly, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Jimmy Cobb) with the fiery tenor of Johnny Griffin. Six selections (highlighted by "Blue 'n' Boogie" and Montgomery's "S.O.S.") are augmented by "Born to Be Blue" and a pair of alternate takes.

This live set is notable for teaming guitarist Wes Montgomery and the Wynton Kelly Trio (comprised of pianist Kelly, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Jimmy Cobb) with the fiery tenor of Johnny Griffin. As with the OJC release, six selections (highlighted by "Blue 'n' Boogie" and Montgomery's "S.O.S.") are augmented by "Born to Be Blue" and a pair of alternate takes.

Six of New York City's heaviest hitters convene at the legendary Rudy Van Gelder studios and presents music built to tickle your mind, hit you in the heart & get your feet tappin with nine tracks written by pianist Mike LeDonne and tenor sax player Eric Alexander.

Kunihiko Sugano Trio +1 - Love Is a Many Splendored Thing (1974) {2013 Japan Three Blind Mice Mini LP Blu-spec CD THCD-256}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 256 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 95 Mb | Artwork | 5% repair rar
© 1974, 2013 Three Blind Mice / Sony Music Direct (Japan) / Think! Records | THCD-256 | LP TBM-26
Jazz / Contemporary Jazz / Post Bop / Piano

Three Blind Mice Blu-spec CD reissue series! Limited paper sleeve edition! Kunihiko Sugano is a unique jazz pianist who is known for his huge talent, a pianistic approach reminiscent of Erroll Garner, and a sensitive nature that made it difficult for him to play in front of a large audience. Considering the latter issue, the live performances contained in this CD, recorded at a big hall in Tokyo for a jazz festival produced by the Three Blind Mice label, was a huge success. It is mesmerizing to hear Sugano's probing and exploratory introductions, relentless swing once he gets going, and palpable joy of making music on the spot. The trio, augmented with conga player Yoichi Ogawa, does a great job as well.