Riverside

Thelonious Monk with John Coltrane - The Complete 1957 Riverside Recordings (2006) [2CD]
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC+CUE+LOG -> 652 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 239 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 34 Mb
© 2006 Concord / Riverside | 88807230279 | 24-bit Remastering
Jazz / Hard Bop / Cool

This fine two-disc set brings together all the recordings Thelonious Monk made for the small, influential Riverside label in 1957. The piano eccentric cut excellent versions of some of his best compositions during that year, including "Off Minor," "Epistrophy," "Well, You Needn't," and the lovely "Ruby My Dear." The exhilarating saxophone work of John Coltrane makes these dates instant classics. Like most "complete sessions," the set features plenty of false starts and alternate takes that might seem extraneous to the casual fan, but Monk fanatics will be overjoyed at being provided with a glimpse into the brilliant artist's studio process.

Since their debut, Riverside has always carried the 'Porcupine Tree's little brother act' label. Yet, with that main comparison now on hiatus during extensive Steven Wilson solo work and touring underway, this may be the opportunity for the formerly mentioned four-piece group to step forward and make a significant impact in the international progressive rock community…

Wes Montgomery With Strings - Fusion! (1963) {Riverside Japan VDJ-1671, Early Press, rel 1989}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 233 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 100 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 108 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1963, 1989 Riverside / Victor Japan | VDJ-1671 | Early Press
Jazz / Hard Bop / Guitar

Although most Wes Montgomery fans associate his playing with strings with his later A&M and Verve recordings, the influential guitarist actually fronted a string section for the first time on this Riverside date from 1963, which had the ironic name of Fusion. As with his later albums, Montgomery's guitar solos here are brief and melodic but the jazz content is fairly high even if the emphasis is (with the exception of "Tune Up") on ballads.

Bill Evans - The Complete Riverside Recordings (1987) {12CD Set Riverside-Fantasy 12RCD 018-2 rec 1956-1963}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 4.14 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 1.87Gb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 57 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1956-63, 1987 Riverside Records / Fantasy | 12RCD 018-2
Jazz / Post Bop / Modal Music / Piano

This magnificent 12-CD set contains all of Bill Evans' Riverside recordings as a leader, an extremely important period in the influential pianist's development. The first session predates Evans' period with the Miles Davis Sextet and other significant sessions include his sets with bassist Scott LaFaro and drummer Paul Motian (highlighted by the marathon Village Vanguard session of June 25, 1961), Evans' return nearly a year after LaFaro's death in a car accident with a new trio (consisting of Motian and bassist Chuck Israels), a sideman set with altoist Cannonball Adderley, the Interplay sessions with either trumpeter Freddie Hubbard or tenor saxophonist Zoot Sims, an extensive and rather somber solo set, and a 1963 appearance at Shelly's Manne Hole with bassist Israels and drummer Larry Bunker.