Wpcr 18017

Ronnie Ross & Allan Ganley - The Jazz Makers (1959) {2013 Japan Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series 24bit WPCR-27286}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 236 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 84 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 98 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24bit remaster
© 1959, 2013 Warner Japan / Atlantic / Rhino | WPCR-27286 | Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series
Jazz / Bebop / Bop / Saxophone / Drums

Features 24 bit digital remastering. Comes with a description. The Jazz Makers: Art Ellefson (tenor saxophone), Ronnie Ross (alto and baritone saxophones), Stan Jones (piano), Stan Wasser (bass), Allan Ganley (drums) recorded in New York, September 23, 1959. What ever happened to The Jazz Makers? In 1959, the British jazz quintet The Jazz Makers came second in the British Melody Maker journal reader’s poll small jazz combo section, beating even the Tubby Hayes and Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Couriers. They first established a US presence in 1958, appearing at the Newport Jazz Festival, and subsequently touring on the same bill as Thelonious Monk, where they caught the ear of Atlantic boss Nesuhi Ertegan. He brought them into a New York studio to record this album, The Swinging Sounds of The Jazz Makers, Atlantic 1333. Ronnie Ross went on to receive a Downbeat magazine New Star award.

Sonny Stitt - Sonny Stitt & The Top Brass (1962) {2012 Japan Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series WPCR-27059}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 238 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 83 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 20 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24-bit remaster
© 1962, 2012 Atlantic / Warner Japan / Rhino | WPCR-27059
Jazz / Bop / Alto Saxophone

This LP features altoist Sonny Stitt accompanied by a nonet playing arrangements by either Tadd Dameron or Jimmy Mundy. The charts give this Stitt album more variety than usual, and the superior material (which includes "On a Misty Night," "Poinciana" and Stitt's "Hey Pam") challenges the saxophonist to play at his best; trumpeter Blue Mitchell also has a couple of spots.

The Red Mitchell & Harold Land Quintet - Hear Ye!!!! Hear Ye!!!! (1961) {2012 Japan Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series WPCR-27070}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 264 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 94 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 15 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24bit remaster
© 1961, 2012 Warner Japan / Atlantic / Rhino | WPCR-27070 | Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series
Jazz / Hard Bop / Saxophone / Bass

Features 24 bit digital remastering. Comes with a description. In the early '60s, bassist Red Mitchell and tenor saxophonist Harold Land co-led a quintet in Los Angeles. The group did not catch on but they did record one Atlantic set that has been reissued on CD. In addition to the co-leaders, the quintet included trumpeter Carmell Jones, pianist Frank Strazzeri, and drummer Leon Pettis, and, although their original program of six songs was comprised entirely of group originals, the music falls easily into the hard bop area with plenty of fine solos and swinging ensembles. This is a fine effort from a group that deserved greater recognition at the time.

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - Backgammon (1976) {2016 Japan SHM-CD Jazz Masters Collection 1200 Series WPCR-29102}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 362 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 114 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 183 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24bit remaster
© 1976, 2016 Roulette / Parlophone / Warner Music Japan | WPCR-29102
Jazz / Hard Bop

Reissue with SHM-CD format and new 24bit remastering. Comes with a mini-description. Killer work from this overlooked Art Blakey stretch of the mid 70s – a time when the drummer was getting back to basics, and re-igniting his music with help from some key younger players! This set sparkles with sharp tenor from the great David Schnitter – already a powerhouse out of the box, and driven onto new heights by Blakey! Also present is pianist Albert Dailey, whose conception helps bring in some fresh sounds to the Jazz Messengers universe – alongside flute player Ladji Camara, who also vocalizes on one cut. Yoshio Suzuki handles bass, and old line trumpeter Bill Hardman comes in to round out the group – on titles that include "Uranus", "Third World Blues", "Namfulay", and "Backgammon".

Earl Coleman featuring Billy Taylor - Love Songs (1967) {2013 Japan Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series WPCR-27394}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 206 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 82 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 24 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24-bit remaster
© 1967, 2013 Atlantic / Rhino / WEA / Warner Japan | WPCR-27394 | Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series
Jazz / Vocal Jazz / Soul Jazz / Piano

Features 24 bit remastering and comes with a mini-description. A great return to form for vocalist Earl Coleman – a singer who'd recorded earlier in the bop years, but who makes a rare 60s appearance here on a soulful set for Atlantic Records! Coleman's got a rich voice that's somewhere between Johnny Hartman and Billy Eckstine – with a great range that really goes deep when it wants, yet still has a fluid sensibility that's definitely jazz more than anything else. Billy Taylor's on the record on piano, and leads the combo on most numbers – but the set also features some nice arrangements from Frank Foster and Tom McIntosh, both of whom really keep things interesting. Titles include "Charade", "When Did You Leave Heaven", "I Wish I Knew", "Day In the Life Of a Fool", and "I Won't Tell A Soul".

Johnny Smith Trio - Easy Listening (1958) {2016 Japan SHM-CD Jazz Masters Collection 1200 Series WPCR-29084}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 179 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 74 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 56 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24bit remaster
© 1958, 2016 Roost / Parlophone / Warner Music Japan | WPCR-29084
Jazz / Cool / Guitar

SHM-CD reissue. Comes with a mini-description. Features new remastering if it comes from Parlophone. The gentle genius of guitarist Johnny Smith – perfectly captured in this late nite trio session from the 50s! There's a lot more jazz here than you might guess from the "easy listening" title – and Johnny's working with drummer Charlie Mastropaolo and bassist George Roumanis, in a style that's very much in keeping with his other best Roost work at the time. Smith has this way on the strings that's like few other players of his time – a style of playing the guitar that's so gentle, so spacious, the notes come off the instrument almost by themselves – with a lightly ringing quality that's the best part of the unique Johnny Smith tone.

Wally´s second album is considerable better than their debut. Their odd mix of symphonic rock and country music is much more even here and although it is hardly great, it showed they were developing their very own sound and maturing…

Hank Crawford - True Blue (1964) {2013 Japan Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series WPCR-27469}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 229 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 85 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 10 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24-bit remaster
© 1963-64, 2013 Atlantic / Warner Japan / WEA / Rhino | WPCR-27469
Jazz / Hard Bop / Soul Jazz / Saxophone

Features 24 bit remastering and comes with a mini-description. A cool cooker from altoist Hank Crawford – cut in a tightly-grooving ensemble mode that really reflects his roots with Ray Charles! The tunes are mostly short, but have a great sense of personality – a vibrant approach that comes not just from Hank's lead solos, but also from the group backing by players who include James Clay and Wilbur Brown on tenor, Charlie Patterson on trumpet, and Sonny Forriest on guitar. Hank plays a bit of piano at times, and both John Hunt and Phil Guilbeau get in some trumpet solos too.

Johnny Smith - The New Johnny Smith Quartet (1956) {2016 Japan SHM-CD Jazz Masters Collection 1200 Series WPCR-29025}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 154 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 90 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 47 Mb | 5% repair rar | Mono | 24bit remaster
© 1956, 2016 Roost / Parlophone / Warner Music Japan | WPCR-29025
Jazz / Cool / Guitar / Vibes

SHM-CD reissue. Comes with a mini-description. Features new remastering if it comes from Parlophone. A Johnny Smith album with a real difference, and that difference is vibes – handled her by a young John Rae, whose tones make a perfect accompaniment to Smith's chromatic style of guitar! The balance of vibes and guitar is beautiful – handled with all that sense of space that both Johns could bring to their 50s work – with just a bit of extra help from George Roumanis on bass and John Lee on drums – players who can come in strong when needed, but often lay back and let the chromes take over!

Johnny Smith - The Johnny Smith Quartet (1955) {2016 Japan SHM-CD Jazz Masters Collection 1200 Series WPCR-29117}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 143 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 84 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 61 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24bit remaster
© 1955, 2016 Roost / Parlophone / Warner Music Japan | WPCR-29117
Jazz / Cool / Guitar

SHM-CD reissue. Comes with a mini-description. Features new remastering if it comes from Parlophone. Sublime guitar work from the great Johnny Smith – a musician who was years ahead of his time, and influenced a generation with his clean, clear tone on the instrument! Smith's in a perfect setting here – a Roost label quartet date that includes Bob Pancost on piano, George Roumanis on bass, and Mousie Alexander on drums – a very understated group that really lets Johnny's wonderful tones and colors stand strongly out front! Titles include "0500 Blues", "Old Girl", "Tired Blood", "Un Poco Loco", and "More Bass". Great CD version – one of the few proper issues of this material!