Nick of The Woods

Altoists Phil Woods and Gene Quill always made for a mutually inspiring team. Both of the similar-sounding musicians were competitive, influenced by (but not imitative of) Charlie Parker, and really knew bebop. This LP features the two altoists in top form on six of Woods' obscure originals, plus "Airegin" and "Solar." The rhythm section (pianist George Syran, bassist Teddy Kotick, and drummer Nick Stabulas) is tasteful and quietly supportive.

Altoist Phil Woods' second recording as a leader is a rather brief 33-minute set. Accompanied by a quiet but swinging rhythm section (pianist John Williams, bassist Teddy Kotick, and drummer Nick Stabulas), Woods swings hard on four standards (including "Slow Boat to China" and "Be My Love"), plus a pair of his originals: "Strollin' with Pam" and "Woodlore." The altoist displays plenty of energy and a strong command of the bebop vocabulary, sounding quite enthusiastic.

The Phil Woods Quartet - Woodlore +4 (1955) {2013 Japan Prestige 7000 Chronicle SHM-CD HR Cutting Series}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 209 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 131 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 244 Mb | 5% repair rar | DSD / HR Cutting Remaster
© 2013 Prestige / Concord / Universal Japan | UCCO-5218 | Mono | PRLP 7018
Jazz / Bop / Hard Bop / Saxophone

Reissue features the latest digital remastering and the high-fidelity SHM-CD format (compatible with standard CD player) and the latest DSD / HR Cutting remastering. Comes with a description. Features the original LP designs. Early work by one of the greatest voices on the alto sax in the 1950s – a player who worked with the deftness of other altoists of his generation, but a depth of soul usually reserved for the tenor! The setting is simple and perfect – as Phil Woods blows at the helm of a quartet that features John Williams on piano, Teddy Kotick on bass, and Nick Stabulas on drums – players who know how to get things moving, but allow plenty of room for the leader to fill space with his solos! Even at this early date, Woods' command of his instrument is amazing – and the record is easily one of the greatest introductions to his work you'll ever find. Titles include "Strollin With Pam", "Be My Love", "Slow Boat To China", "Woodlore", and "Falling In Love All Over Again".

Phil Woods With Red Garland - Sugan (1957) {2014 Japan Prestige Masters Collection 1000 Series UCCO-90288}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 233 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 102 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 215 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1957, 2014 Prestige New Jazz / Concord / Universal Music Japan | UCCO-90288
Jazz / Bop / Bebop / Hard Bop / Saxophone

This highly successful blowing session works because of overlapping links among players and material. Bassist Teddy Kotick and drummer Nick Stabulas were frequent partners, in the groups of leader Phil Woods and others. Kotick and pianist Red Garland also had working experience with Charlie Parker, whose compositions are heard here as well as those of Woods, who then and now was one of Jazz’s leading Parkerites.

Phil Woods was only 22 at the time of this program (reissued on CD), but he was already an explosive and very talented bop-oriented altoist. This obscure set, one of his earliest recordings, has seven group originals, plus the lone standard "Mad About the Boy," and is full of excitement. Woods, trumpeter Jon Eardley, pianist George Syran, bassist Teddy Kotick and drummer Nick Stabulas all display both youthful energy and a strong knowledge of Charlie Parker's innovations, making this an essential, if little-known acquisition for bop collectors.

The Phil Woods Quartet With Gene Quill - Phil Talks With Quill (1957) {2014 Japan Jazz Collection 1000 Columbia-RCA Series}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 350 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 113 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 256 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1957, 2014 Epic / Sony Music Japan | SICP 4214
Jazz / Cool / Bop / Hard Bop / Saxophone

Reissue with the latest DSD remastering. Comes with liner notes. Rare as hens' teeth – and an incredible meeting of two vastly underrated alto talents! Phil Woods got plenty of opportunities to record as a leader in the 50s, but altoist Gene Quill was often buried in bigger groups – a fact that makes this album one of the few chances to really hear him shine! Woods and Quill work together beautifully throughout – playing boppishly, but also in a more relaxed groove – one that's a bit like Phil's excellent Warm Woods session for Epic from the same stretch, but perhaps a bit more upbeat overall.