de Sims

Zoot Sims - Quietly There (Plays Johnny Mandel)
EAC+LOG+CUE | WV: 240 MB | Full Artwork | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: JVC # JVCXR-0040-2 | Country/Year: Japan 1993, 1984
Genre: Jazz | Style: Jazz, Cool, Bop, Saxophone Jazz

Norman Granz's idea to match Zoot Sims' lyrical, swinging tenor sax with Johnny Mandel's equally arresting compositions was a masterful one. Sims' tart, alternately lush and furious solos were wonderfully spotlighted on such tunes as "Cinnamon and Cloves," "Emily" and "Zoot." The six-tune session, recently issued on CD, also contains effective piano solos from Mike Wofford. The date's tour-de-force was its final selection, the wonderful "Low Life," which Sims probed, illuminated and ultimately redefined via his solo.

Zoot Sims - New Beat Bossa Nova, Vol 2 (1962) {2017 Japan SHM-CD Jazz Masters Collection 1200 Series WPCR-29227}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 238 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 76 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 80 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24bit remaster
© 1962, 2017 Colpix Records / Parlophone / Warner Music Japan | WPCR-29227 / LP Colpix CP437
Jazz / Latin Jazz / Bossa Nova / Cool / Bop / Saxophone

Reissue with SHM-CD format and the latest 24bit remastering. Comes with a mini-description. An overlooked chapter in American bossa jazz of the 60s – recordings that weren't nearly as well-circulated as the Stan Getz bossa nova albums on Verve, but which have an equally special sort of sparkle! The arrangements here are by Manny Albam and Al Cohn – who both bring an earlier sense of large jazz charts into play with the tighter rhythms of the bossa – at a level that makes things explode nicely with a sense of color, while still keeping the groove light overall!

Norman Granz's idea to match Zoot Sims' lyrical, swinging tenor sax with Johnny Mandel's equally arresting compositions was a masterful one. Sims' tart, alternately lush and furious solos were wonderfully spotlighted on such tunes as "Cinnamon and Cloves," "Emily" and "Zoot." ~ Allmusic

The slightly unusual date Two Jims and a Zoot features tenor saxophonist Zoot Sims interacting with two guitarists (Jimmy Raney and Jim Hall) while given subtle support by bassist Steve Swallow and drummer Osie Johnson. Although the eight selections (none of which caught on as standards) had all been written recently and sometimes display the influence of bossa nova, the quiet performances could pass for 1954 rather than 1964. The cool-toned improvisations and boppish playing have a timeless quality about them although for the time period aspects of this music already sounded a bit old-fashioned.

Although Sarah Vaughan gets top billing on this set, she takes vocals on just two of the ten songs. Four different groupings of Pablo's All-Star musicians are heard from during a tribute to Duke Ellington, and there are many strong moments. Guitarist Joe Pass, vibraphonist Milt Jackson, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Mickey Roker make for a potent quartet on three songs; flugelhornist Clark Terry heads a quintet; Zoot Sims is featured on his lyrical soprano during memorable versions of "Rockin' in Rhythm" and the beautiful "Tonight I Shall Sleep"; and Sassy (backed by just pianist Mike Wofford and guitarist Joe Pass) comes up with fresh interpretations of "I Ain't Got Nothin' But the Blues" and "Everything But You." This is a well-rounded and enjoyable set with plenty of variety.