Shank (2010)

A sublime little set all the way through - an early 60s date from the west coast scene - and one that was almost as important to that side of the country as the Verve bossa records were to New York! Bud Shank's in the lead on alto sax - no flute at all this time around - blowing sharp and soulfully, in a way that's even more deft than most of his other albums! But the equal star here is the young Clare Fischer - who plays piano in the group, and also contributed a host of original tunes to the set - fresh numbers that are way different than the usual "bossa-ized" standards, or American remakes of Brazilian classics. Ralph Pena is a key member of the group on bass - and Larry Bunker plays some vibes as well. Titles include "Joao", "Pensativa", "Samba Guapo", "Samba Da Borboleta", and "Que Mais?".

Chet Baker & Bud Shank - Theme Music From "The James Dean Story" (1956) {Pacific Jazz 07777 7 95251 2 6 rel 2000}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 244 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 99 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 11 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1956, 2000 Pacific Jazz / Capitol | 07777 7 95251 2 6
Jazz / Cool / West Coast Jazz / Soundtracks

West coast cool purveyors Chet Baker (trumpet) and Bud Shank team up to provide the incidental soundtrack to The James Dean Story (1958). Granted, the biopic was presumably made to cash in on the actor's untimely demise, but movie buffs also recognize it as one of director Robert Altman's earliest features. The score was written by Leith Stevens, who had previously worked on Private Hell 36 (1954), The Wild One (1954), and the Oscar-winning sci-fi classic Destination Moon (1950). Those credentials may have gotten Stevens the gig, but his contributions remain somewhat of a double-edged sword.

Various Artists - From Modern Jazz To New Thing (1957-1959) - La Grande Histoire Du Jazz Vol. 4 (2010) {Box 25CD - 100 of 100}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 11.5 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 5.02 Gb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 745 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1957-59б 2010 Le Chant du Monde | 574 1975.99
Jazz / Hard Bop / Modal Music / Third Stream

An epic 100 CD chronological documentation of the history of jazz music from 1898 to 1959, housed in four boxed sets. Each box contains 25 slipcase CDs, a booklet (up to 186 pages) and an index. The booklets contain extensive notes (Eng/Fr) with recording dates and line-ups. 31 hours of music in each box, totalling 1677 tracks Each track has been restored and mastered from original sources.

Shorty Rogers - You Shorty, Me Tarzan! (1959) {MGM–Giant Steps GSCR032 rel 2010}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 284 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 129 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 40 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1956-59, 2010 MGM / Giant Steps Records / Cherry Red Records | GSCR 032
Jazz / Cool / West Coast Jazz / Stage & Screen / Trumpet

Assembled is the rare percussive soundtrack to Tarzan the Ape Man that featured the likes of Bud Shank, Bob Cooper, Frank Rosolino and other famed West Coasters. Said Shorty: "At first, I was slightly apprehensive when MGM approached me to write and record the soundtrack for a Tarzan movie, but I needn't have concerned myself. They just said, make it exciting with plenty of drumming, and left me alone to get on with it. So I approached it as if I was really making a new Giants album, which is what it really was. I don't want to sound discourteous, but the album we made was much better that the actual movie". Also included is an equally rare 'live' appearance by the Big Band version of the Giants from an appearance on the TV show the Stars of Jazz.

On this rewarding set, the L.A. Four (altoist Bud Shank, acoustic guitarist Laurindo Almeida, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer Jeff Hamilton) perform a Bach melody, "Carinhoso" (originally recorded by Shank and Almeida back in 1954), "Just Friends," a "Love" medley ("Love for Sale" and "Love Walked In"), and Chick Corea's "Spain." Shank sticks exclusively to alto for the date, leaving his flute in its case, and the result is a more high-powered program than usual.