Concord Jazz

George Cables - At Maybeck (1994) {Concord Jazz ‎CCD-4630}
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© 1994 Concord Jazz ‎| CCD-4630
Jazz / Post Bop / Mainstream Jazz / Piano

Locked right into the mainstream, the ever-reliable Cables gets his shot at a solo recital in Vol. 35 of Concord's voluminous Maybeck series. From the opening track ("Over the Rainbow") onward, Cables immediately settles into the prevailing Maybeck idiom, sporting a do-everything technique rooted in bop, with frequent Tatum flourishes, Evans-influenced voicings, and standards as the specialty of the house. The core of the recital is a three-song, 18½-minute Gershwin medley ("Bess, You Is My Woman Now," "My Man's Gone Now," "Someone to Watch Over Me") which is perfectly listenable but doesn't shed any new or different light on these very-often-covered songs.

Tal Farlow - A Sign Of The Times (1977) {Concord Jazz ‎CCD-4026 rel 1992}
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© 1977, 1992 Concord Jazz ‎| CCD-4026
Jazz / Bop / Cool / Guitar

Guitarist Tal Farlow's debut for the Concord label was only his second album as a leader since 1959. Farlow, who had given up the hectic lifestyle of a full-time jazz musician to become a sign painter who played guitar on the side, had not lost any of his power or creative swing through the years. Teamed up in a drumless trio with pianist Hank Jones and bassist Ray Brown, Farlow is in typically brilliant form on such numbers as a rapid "Fascinating Rhythm," a slower-than-usual "Stompin' at the Savoy," Dave Brubeck's "In Your Own Sweet Way" and even "Put on a Happy Face." This CD is a fine example of Tal Farlow's talents.

Billy Taylor - Where've You Been (1981) {Concord Jazz CCD-4145 rel 1996}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 249 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 101 Mb
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© 1981, 1996 Concord Jazz | CCD-4145
Jazz / Bop / Hard Bop / Piano

This Concord release is most notable for featuring the obscure but talented violinist Joe Kennedy, who spent the bulk of his career teaching music in the Richmond, VA area. Teamed with pianist Billy Taylor, bassist Victor Gaskin and drummer Keith Copeland, Kennedy is the lead voice on many of the eight straightahead Taylor originals and he plays at the peak of his powers; it is a real pity that he did not record more during his career.

Shelly Manne - Perk Up (1976) {Concord Jazz CCD-4021}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 241 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 105 Mb
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© 1976, 1995 Concord Jazz | CCD-4021
Jazz / Hard Bop / Post Bop / Drums

This CD reissue brings back one of the oldest recordings ever issued by the Concord label, a set that was already nine years old when it debuted. Drummer Shelly Manne heads a strong quintet comprised of trumpeter Conte Candoli, altoist Frank Strozier (who doubles on flute), pianist Mike Wofford and bassist Monty Budwig. Although the musicians are all associated with the West Coast hard bop tradition, there are plenty of moments during this stimulating set when they make it obvious that they had been listening with some interest to some of the avant-garde players, allowing the new innovations to open up their styles a bit. The fresh material (two standards and a pair of originals apiece by Strozier, Wofford and pianist Jimmy Rowles) inspire the soloists and the music is not at all predictable. Worth investigating.

Ben Williams - Coming Of Age (2015) {Concord Jazz CJA-35769-02 rec 2014} (Complete Artwork)
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 396 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 160 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 30 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2015 Concord Jazz | CJA-35769-02
Jazz / Post Bop / Jazz Funk / Straight-Ahead Jazz / Bass

Ben Williams' sophomore full-length album, 2015's Coming of Age, finds the adept bassist/composer delivering another sophisticated mix of post-bop, fusion, and contemporary R&B-infused jazz. The album follows up Williams' equally striking 2011 debut, State of Art, and showcases the winner of the 2009 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition's further development as a bandleader, composer, and improviser. Once again joining Williams is his longtime backing ensemble Sound Effect, featuring tenor and soprano saxophonist Marcus Strickland, guitarist Matthew Stevens, pianist and Fender Rhodes keyboardist Christian Sands, synth and Fender Rhodes keyboardist Masayuki "Big Yuki" Hirano, and drummer John Davis.