David Fathead Newman Diamond Head

David "Fathead" Newman - The Weapon (1972) {2013 Japan Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series WPCR-27416}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 173 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 76 Mb
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© 1972, 2013 Atlantic / Rhino / WEA / Warner Japan | WPCR-27416 | Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series
Jazz / Jazz Funk / Soul Jazz / Saxophone

Features 24 bit remastering and comes with a mini-description. One of the sweetest, funkiest 70s sets from reedman David Fathead Newman – an album that has the saxophonist blowing over some great arrangements from William Eaton – who brings in a full sound that almost gives the album a soundtrack sort of vibe! Newman's tenor, alto, and flute get plenty of solo space throughout – and the richer arrangements by Eaton really bring in a strong set of feeling to the record – a depth that David wouldn't have been able to achieve on his own, and which really seems to influence the level of his solos. Other players are great too – and include Richard Tee on organ, Cornell Dupree on guitar, and Bernard Purdie on drums – and the set includes a number of tracks by Allen Toussaint, including "Yes We Can Can", "Happy Times", and "Freedom For The Stallion". Other titles include "Missy", "You Can't Always Get What You Want", and "Seems Like I Gotta Do Wrong".

What an apt name The Blessing is for David Newman's final recording before his death ended a long career last January (2009). He played for more than a decade with Ray Charles and alongside Herbie Mann, Aretha Franklin and Roy Ayers, among many others. For this last studio session he was in fine form. A Milt Jackson gem, "SKJ," is the set's opener, Steve Nelson's vibes providing glowing cascades before Newman swings in with a solo as brief in its measured warmth as it is satisfying. Here too and throughout the set Peter Bernstein's guitar is vigorous in a style that is direct as it mixes blues and bebop.

As a teenager, David Newman played professionally around Dallas and Fort Worth with Charlie Parker's mentor, Buster Smith, and also with Ornette Coleman in a band led by tenor saxophonist Red Connors. In the early '50s, Newman worked locally with such R&B musicians as Lowell Fulson and T-Bone Walker. In 1952, Newman formed his longest-lasting and most important musical association with Ray Charles, who had played piano in Fulson's group. Newman stayed with Charles' band from 1954-1964, while concurrently recording as a leader and a sideman with, among others, his hometown associate, tenor saxophonist James Clay.

David "Fathead" Newman - Bigger & Better (1968) {2012 Japan Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series 24bit Remaster WPCR-27128}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 210 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 76 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 198 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24-bit remaster
© 1968, 2012 Atlantic / Warner Japan / WEA / Rhino | WPCR-27128 | Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series
Jazz / Hard Bop / Soul Jazz / Jazz Blues / Saxophone

Features 24 bit remastering and comes with a mini-description. The sessions that resulted in Bigger & Better feature Newman with a string section and studio musicians for forgettable versions of two Beatles songs, a pair of Sam Cooke R&B pieces and a couple of lesser items. David "Fathead" Newman probaly is not the best saxophone player you will ever listen to. But he is a lyrical player and he has such a signature sound that you just got to love him. Like Hank Mobley, David "Fat Head" Newman kinda gets lost in the shuffle when you compare him to Sonny, Trane, Dexter, or even Stanley Turrentine!

Dave Newman - Fathead Comes On (1961) {2012 Japan Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series 24bit Remaster WPCR-27176}
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© 1961, 2012 Atlantic / Warner Japan / WEA / Rhino | WPCR-27176 | Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series
Jazz / Hard Bop / Soul Jazz / Jazz Blues / Saxophone

Features 24 bit remastering and comes with a mini-description. Early work from David Fathead Newman – so early, the cover has him listed as "Dave" on the front! The album steps nicely off Newman's early work with Ray Charles – and does plenty to establish him as a leader on his own – putting Newman's bold, soulful tenor right upfront in the mix – and backing him with small combo players who include Marcus Belgrave on trumpet, Norris Austin on piano, and Hank Crawford on a bit of piano! There's a deep undercurrent that's mighty nice – almost a rootsier quality than on other Newman albums – and titles include "Cellar Groove", "Hello There", "Alto Sauce", and "Scufflin'".

David "Fathead" Newman - House Of David (1967) {2013 Japan Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series WPCR-27471}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 246 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 93 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 136 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24-bit remaster
© 1967, 2013 Atlantic / Rhino / WEA / Warner Japan | WPCR-27471 | Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series
Jazz / Soul Jazz / Saxophone

Features 24 bit remastering and comes with a mini-description. The House of David was David "Fathead" Newman's comeback album of sorts, marking his first release after the end of his association with Ray Charles and a few years spent with his family in his hometown of Dallas. Organist Kossie Gardner, guitarist Ted Dunbar, and drummer Milt Turner support Newman's gritty "Texas tenor" sound, which captures the straightforwardness of R&B pop and the improvisational elements of jazz.

Dave 'Fathead' Newman - Straight Ahead (1960) {2012 Japan Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series 24bit WPCR-27067}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 247 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 89 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 175 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24-bit remaster
© 1960, 2012 Atlantic / Rhino / Warner Japan / WEA | WPCR-27067 | Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series
Jazz / Hard Bop / Soul Jazz / Saxophone

Features 24 bit remastering and comes with a mini-description. The title of this 1961 release best sums up this quartet album. There is nothing particularly innovative about this recording, but the level of expertise and musical maturity displayed here is truly astonishing. This is simply straight-ahead hard bop performed by some of the finest musicians in 1960s jazz, including saxophonist David "Fathead" Newman and pianist Wynton Kelly.