Brahm Xrcd

Spirit Traveler was a 1993 project that brought together several session players who had been in high demand in the 1960s and/or 1970s: drummer James Gadson and guitarists Phil Upchurch, Wah Wah Watson, David T. Walker, and Eric Gale. All of them had played on numerous R&B and/or pop sessions, and some of them had jazz credentials as well - especially Gale, who led the '70s soul-jazz/crossover band Stuff, and Upchurch. Sadly, Spirit Traveler would be among Gale's last activities - he died the following year at the age of 55. Far from remarkable but fairly decent, this CD contains mostly soul-jazz versions of '60s Motown classics, including major hits associated with Smokey Robinson & the Miracles ("The Track of My Tears," "You've Really Got a Hold on Me"), Stevie Wonder ("Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours") and Diana Ross & the Supremes ("You Keep Me Hangin' On")…

Mulligan Meets Monk documents the 1957 meeting of two sharp musical minds. Though the pairing may seem unlikely, baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan - whose cool, West Coast style blends dexterity with laid-back grace - and Thelonious Monk - whose radical, angular piano playing and thoroughly modern compositions are blueprints for the possibilities of bop - sound remarkable together. In fact, it is the contrast between the players' styles that lends this set its balance and appeal. The program, which includes four compositions by Monk and one by Mulligan, is unassailable. Mulligan acquits himself admirably on the Monk classics "'Round Midnight," "Rhythm-a-ning," and "Straight, No Chaser," unfurling his smooth tone over their zigzagging melodies and ambitious scalar architecture…

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.

Thelonious Monk & Gerry Mulligan - Mulligan meets Monk
EAC+LOG+CUE | WV: 298 MB | Full Artwork | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: JVC # JVCXR-0032 | Country/Year: Japan 1997, 1957
Genre: Jazz | Style: West Coast, Post Bop

In the late 1950s/early '60s, baritonist Gerry Mulligan participated in several recorded "meetings" with jazz musicians whom he admired. For this set (reissued on CD in the OJC series), Mulligan teams up with pianist Thelonious Monk (who shares co-leadership), bassist Wilbur Ware, and drummer Shadow Wilson on a surprisingly successful date…

Many straight-ahead bop musicians would never consider recording traditional folk songs from the British Isles, but that's exactly what Johnny Griffin does on The Kerry Dancers and Other Swinging Folk - and this Orrin Keepnews-produced album just happens to be one of his best releases of the 1960s. Joined by pianist Barry Harris, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Ben Riley, the big-toned Chicago tenor man turns his attention to four traditional folk melodies: "The Londonderry Air" (also known as "Danny Boy"), "Green Grow the Rushes" (a Scottish favorite), "The Kerry Dancers" (an Irish piece), and "Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair" - all of which work perfectly well in an acoustic jazz setting. Not everything on this album (which was recorded in late 1961 and early 1962) is a folk song from the British Isles; the other half of the album ranges from Griffin's moody "Oh, Now I See" to the John Coltrane-influenced "25 1/2 Daze"…