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John Rae - Opus De Jazz, Vol 2 (1960) {Savoy Japan SV-0179 rel 1992}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 242 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 104 Mb
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© 1960, 1992 Savoy / Nippon Columbia Japan | SV-0179
Jazz / Bop / Vibes

In 1960, Savoy continued its Opus series with this tasty entry. Vibist John Rae's quintet delivers bright, sometimes cool, sometimes bluesy performances. It's a decidedly more modern approach than the swing-influenced Opus de Jazz led by Milt Jackson in 1955. Call it cocktail jazz with attitude, without compromise. That attitude comes through in the four John Rae originals, blues forms with bop harmonies and intriguing voicings. It's also there in the absorbing solo work, and in the high level of communication within the group. Rae tends to play a lot of notes, but his skittering lines work when set against the steady pulse of drummer Jake Hanna's cymbals and the relentless, walking bass of John Neves.

Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers - Midnight Session (1957) {Savoy Japan SV-0145 rel 1991}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 208 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 90 Mb
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© 1957, 1991 Savoy / Nippon Columbia Japan | SV-0145
Jazz / Hard Bop / Drums

In the fall of 1956, Blakey introduced a new edition of the Jazz Messengers with Jackie McLean (alto), Bill Hardman (trumpet), Sam Dockery (piano) and Spanky DeBrest(bass). Over the next 25 years Blakey's bands would go through many personnel changes (sometimes it seems as if everyone in jazz has worked with Art) but the hard bop sound of this prototypical unit became the model for all of Art's aggregations.

Fats Navarro - Memorial (1947) {Savoy Jazz Japan SV-0181 rel 1992}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 168 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 109 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 19 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1946-47, 1992 Savoy Jazz / Nippon Columbia Japan | SV-0181
Jazz / Bop / Bebop / Trumpet

Along with other bebop sides Navarro did for Capitol and Blue Note, these Savoy cuts are part of the trumpeter's essential recordings. And being mindful of his early demise in 1950, it's amazing to realize that the Memorial album is one of several incredible sessions Navarro was able to produce in just over a two-year period during the late '40s. Teaming up with frequent musical partner Tadd Dameron, Navarro reels off fluid solos on both the outstanding Dameron original "The Tadd Walk" and a second impressive swinger "Be Bop Carroll."

Sonny Redd and Art Pepper - Two Altos (1992) {Savoy Jazz Japan SV-0161 rec 1952-1957}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 133 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 78 Mb
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© 1952-57, 1992 Savoy Jazz / Nippon Columbia Japan | SV-0161
Jazz / Bop / Cool / West Coast Jazz / Saxophone

Two Altos is an album by American saxophonists Art Pepper and Sonny Red. The four standards which appear on the album were recorded in Los Angeles with West Coast-jazz musicians between 1952 and 1954, whilst the two originals were recorded at Van Gelder Studio, in 1957. Regent would assemble the material and release it in 1959. The album is a jazz rarity and was reissued on CD only once in Japan, in 1992.

Fats Navarro - In The Beginning… Bebop (1992) {Savoy Records Japan SV-0169 rec 1946-1948}
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© 1946-48, 1992 Savoy Records / Nippon Columbia Japan | SV-0169
Jazz / Bop / Bebop

Trumpeter Fats Navarro is, in fact, only one of three leaders on the sessions compiled on this release. The CD's 12 tracks are actually divided into four from a 1947 Kai Winding date, four from a 1948 Brew Moore outing, and Navarro's tracks from 1946. The three dates share the unpretentious attitude of Savoy sessions from this period – the era predating the intelligentsia's co-opting of bop.

Frank Wess - Opus In Swing (1956) {Savoy Japan SV-0144 rel 1992}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 127 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 76 Mb
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© 1956, 1992 Savoy Jazz / Nippon Columbia | SV-0144
Jazz / Bop / Cool / Flute

Enjoyable recording on which Frank Wess sticks to flute, accompanied primarily by cohorts from the Count Basie band. Wess' playing is superb, while the guitar solos of then-newcomer Kenny Burrell shine brightly above the solid accompaniment of the swinging rhythm section. This is timeless music.

Al Cohn - Al Cohn's Tones (1953) {Savoy Jazz SV-0187 rel 1992}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 133 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 77 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 16 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1950, 1953, 1992 Savoy Jazz / Nippon Columbia Japan | SV-0187
Jazz / Cool / Bop / West Coast Jazz / Saxophone

Backed by some of the top bop players of the day, Al Cohn stretches out here for a program heavy with up-tempo swingers. Cut in two sessions during 1950 and 1953, Cohn's Tones finds the usually more mellow tenor great feeding off the driving drum work of both Tiny Kahn and Max Roach. Besides the ballad evergreen "How Long Has This Been Going On" and a bluesy "Ah-Moore," the eight-track set is all Cohn originals done in a Lester Young-on-the-West Coast style. Also featuring the talents of pianist Horace Silver, this early Cohn release is at once hot and cool, vigorous and lithe.