Sonny Stitt Constellation

Along with the previous Tune Up, this set (which has been reissued by Muse) is one of Sonny Stitt's greatest recordings. The bop master is stunning on most of the eight selections, particularly "Constellation," "Webb City," and "It's Magic," switching between alto and tenor and sounding quite creative. The rhythm section (pianist Barry Harris, bassist Sam Jones, and drummer Roy Brooks) is outstanding and, whether it be the ballad "Ghost of a Chance," Tadd Dameron's "Casbah," or "Topsy," this set has more than its share of great moments.

Sonny Stitt - Stitt Plays Bird (1963) {2012 Japan Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series 24bit Remaster WPCR-27024}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 307 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 106 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 17 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24-bit remaster
© 1963, 2012 Atlantic / Warner Music Japan | WPCR-27024
Jazz / Bebop / Bop / Saxophone

Sonny Stitt forged his own approach to playing bebop out of the sound and style of Charlie Parker, so this tribute album was a very logical project. With fine support from guitarist Jim Hall, pianist John Lewis, bassist Richard Davis, and drummer Connie Kay, Stitt performs ten Parker compositions, plus Jay McShann's "Hootie Blues"; these renditions of "Now's the Time" and "Yardbird Suite" were previously unreleased. Stitt, who mastered bebop and could play hot licks in his sleep, is in top form on such numbers as "Constellation," "Confirmation," and "Ko-Ko," making this an essential item for straight-ahead jazz fans (although the prolific altoist would record eight other albums in 1963 alone).

Sonny Stitt - Moonlight In Vermont (1977) {Denon Japan 38C38-7046 rel 1983}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 228 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 91 Mb
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© 1977, 1983 Denon / Nippon Columbia | 38C38-7046
Jazz / Bop / Saxophone

Sonny Stitt, doubling on alto and tenor, is in fine form on this quartet session (a Japanese import CD) with either Barry Harris or Walter Davis on piano, bassist Reggie Workman and drummer Tony Williams. The repertoire (bop standards, blues and ballads) is fairly typical and nothing too unusual occurs, but fans of straightahead jazz in general and Sonny Stitt in particular will be satisfied with this above-average effort, highlighted by "It Might as Well Be Spring" and "Constellation."

Sonny Stitt - Stitt Plays Bird (1963) {Atlantic Japan WPCR-25116 Mini LP 24bit remastered rel 2006}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 316 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 113 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 41 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24bit remastered | Mini LP
© 1963, 2006 Atlantic / Warner Music Japan | WPCR-25116
Jazz / Bebop / Bop / Saxophone

Special Feature / Bonus Track: 2 bonus tracks. After years of staying free of comparisons with Charlie Parker, Sonny Stitt steps confidently into a set of compositions by the late, great one – sounding really wonderful in his own interpretations of these classics! The album's got the same simple and focused still as Stitt's best work on Roost – and although the compositions are all by Bird, the overall sound is still very much Sonny's own – especially given the wonderful sense of space and timing brought to some of the performances! The group's an unusual one, especially for Stitt – and features John Lewis on piano, Jim Hall on guitar, Richard Davis on bass, and Connie Kay on drums – all offering a slightly more modern take on Bird than might be expected – especially through the angular lines on Hall's guitar.

Sonny Stitt was in prime form in the early '70s when he recorded two classics: Tune Up and Constellation. 12! from a year later tends to get overlooked but this album is also one of the saxophonist's most rewarding recordings. Assisted by pianist Barry Harris, bassist Sam Jones and drummer Louis Hayes, Stitt (switching between alto and tenor) is in superb form on five standards and two blues; highlights include "I Got It Bad," "Every Tub" and "Our Delight."

Rein de Graaff - Chasin' The Bird (1981) {2016 Japan Timeless Jazz Master Collection Complete Series CDSOL-6437}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 260 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 103 Mb
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© 1981, 2016 Timeless Records / Solid Records Japan / Ultra-Vibe | CDSOL-6437
Jazz / Post Bop / Piano Trio

Reissue with the latest remastering and the original cover artwork. Comes with a description written in Japanese. Tribute album that focuses more on songs played by Parker, as opposed to focusing primarily on songs composed by Parker. Rein de Graaff - Pianist. Dutch self-taught pianist who's made himself one of Europe's best session players. De Graaff led a trio from 1959 to 1962, then joined The Jazzopters for a year. He then headed his own quartet until 1964, at the same time playing with Erwin Some and Gijs Hendriks. De Graaff formed a new group in 1964 that stayed together until the '80s.