Brahm Xrcd

The most unusual aspect to this Ernie Watts recording is that the great tenor is joined by a two-bass quartet. Eddie Gomez on acoustic and Steve Swallow on electric blend together quite well, are featured in a delightful version of Oscar Pettiford's "Tricotism" and (with pianist Geri Allen and drummer Jack DeJohnette) keep the accompaniment consistently stimulating. Ernie Watts is in top form throughout this fine modern mainstream date, playing with both passion and lyricism on a variety of standards and originals (which, in addition to four songs from the leader, include one apiece from DeJohnette and Swallow). ~ AllMusic

A masterpiece of Japan’s longtime Top Combo "Big 4" since 1953. Hidehiko "Sleepy" Matsurmoto: tenor sax and flute, Hideo Ichikawa: piano and electric piano, Takashi Mizuhashi: bass, and George Kawaguchi: drums.

Masaru Imada and George Mraz - Alone Together (1977) {XRCD Three Blind Mice TBM XR-5003}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 208 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 100 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 208 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1977, 1997 Three Blind Mice / JVC Victor | TBM XR-5003 | 20bit K2
Jazz / Post Bop / Contemporary Jazz / Piano / Bass

The wonderful communication between these instruments produces an intimate and expressive masterpiece. Also included in this cut, Stella by Starlight! The XRCD is from the very rare JVC // TBM Recordings series of out of print, audiophile CDs. Extended Resolution - 20-bit Digital Technology, K2 Super Coding.

This release features some of the best jazz masters in the industry, apart from Dave Grusin such as Ron Carter, bass, Lee Ritenour, guitar, Harvey mason, drums and Larry Bunker, percussion. Songs include A Child Is Born, Keep Your Eye On The Sparrow, Sun Songs and several others. This is the XRCD version of Dave Grusins masterpiece on Sheffield Labs Direct to Disc series.

Again working with his longtime rhythm section of George Tucker (bass) and Al Harewood (drums), Horace Parlan manages to On the Spur of the Moment make distinctive by emphasizing the rhythmic side of his hard bop. Tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine and trumpeter Tommy Turrentine help give the quintet a bluesy edge, which the band exploits to an appealing effect throughout these six, mostly original, compositions. There are a few ballads, and even when things are at their hottest, Parlan's understated playing is a cue for the group to keep it tasteful, but that relaxed atmosphere is part of the reason why On the Spur of the Moment is another winning effort from the underrated pianist.

The most unusual aspect to this Ernie Watts recording is that the great tenor is joined by a two-bass quartet. Eddie Gomez on acoustic and Steve Swallow on electric blend together quite well, are featured in a delightful version of Oscar Pettiford's "Tricotism" and (with pianist Geri Allen and drummer Jack DeJohnette) keep the accompaniment consistently stimulating. Ernie Watts is in top form throughout this fine modern mainstream date, playing with both passion and lyricism on a variety of standards and originals (which, in addition to four songs from the leader, include one apiece from DeJohnette and Swallow). There is just enough variety to keep the proceedings from ever getting predictable, making this one of Watts' finest sessions.

On each of his first three recordings for Riverside, Thelonious Monk included a solo piano presentation, and for many listeners, these were the highlights of each recital. And so it was decided that Monk's fourth Riverside recording, Thelonious Himself, would be composed entirely of solo interpretations; well, almost. Like a great actor finding heretofore obscure layers of meaning in a familiar soliloquy, Monk takes familiar themes such as "April in Paris," "I Should Care," and "Almost Alone" and distills them down to a single essence. Where most pianists would simply expand upon the tune (or employ the chord changes as a showcase for their own variations), Monk keeps everything focused on thematic materials. For his final selection, "Monk's Mood," the pianist insisted on adding bassist Wilbur Ware and an up-and-coming tenor saxophonist named John Coltrane…

After the success of Song for My Father and its hit title cut, Horace Silver was moved to pay further tribute to his dad, not to mention connect with some of his roots. Silver's father was born in the island nation of Cape Verde (near West Africa) before emigrating to the United States, and that's the inspiration behind The Cape Verdean Blues. ~ AllMusic

Trumpeter Donald Byrd and baritone saxophonist Pepper Adams worked together on several recordings between 1958 and 1961, and The Cat Walk (released on LP in 1962) is among the best. A quintet setting, with pianist Duke Pearson (another longtime Byrd collaborator), bassist Laymon Jackson, and a lively Philly Joe Jones on drums joining the front line of Byrd and Adams, the sessions for The Cat Walk benefited from the writing and arrangement skills of Pearson, who contributes three compositions here, the impressive opener "Say You're Mine," "Duke's Mixture," and "Hello Bright Sunflower," ~ AllMusic