Donal Byrd Doug Watkins

For 35 years Art Blakey led his Jazz Messengers, an ensemble that ranked among the most rewarding in Jazz...

Dizzy Reece - Mosaic Select 11 (1958-60) [3CD BoxSet] {2004 Mosaic 24-bit Remaster}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 1.43 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 475 Mb
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© 2004 Mosaic / Blue Note / EMI | MS-011
Jazz / Hard Bop / Trumpet

The 11th volume in Mosaic's Select series is one of its finest. Devoted to the Blue Note recordings of Jamaican-born trumpeter Dizzy Reece, it offers a particular portrait of one of hard bop's most capable practitioners. There are five sessions compiled here, issued on four albums – the legendary debut Blues in Trinity (1958), Star Bright (1959), Soundin' Off (1960), and Comin' On! (1960). These sides were the introductions American audiences had to the hot licks trumpeter who offered a wealth of influences and styles in his solos and compositions.

Dizzy Reece - Mosaic Select 11 (2004) {3CD Box Set, Mosaic MS-011 rec 1958-1960}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 1.43 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 477 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 41 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1958-60, 2004 Blue Note / Mosaic Records / EMI Music | MS-011
Jazz / Hard Bop / Trumpet

The 11th volume in Mosaic's Select series is one of its finest. Devoted to the Blue Note recordings of Jamaican-born trumpeter Dizzy Reece, it offers a particular portrait of one of hard bop's most capable practitioners. There are five sessions compiled here, issued on four albums – the legendary debut Blues in Trinity (1958), Star Bright (1959), Soundin' Off (1960), and Comin' On! (1960). These sides were the introductions American audiences had to the hot licks trumpeter who offered a wealth of influences and styles in his solos and compositions.

Pepper Adams - 10 to 4 at the 5-Spot (1958) {Riverside OJCCD-031-2 rel 1993}
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© 1958, 1993 Riverside Records / Fantasy | OJCCD-031-2
Jazz / Hard Bop / Saxophone

In 1958, Pepper Adams and Donald Byrd were pivotal members of a sextet led by Chicago tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin. They also formed their own quintet with fellow Detroiters Doug Watkins and Elvin Jones, and the then-rising star Bobby Timmons as the fifth wheel. This album, one of the first club dates recorded for the Riverside label, may have presented logistic problems with the acoustics, mic placements, and reel to reel tape technology, but there were no such issues with the extraordinary music contained on this effort. A tight, in tune and exciting ensemble, Adams and Byrd laid it all out for this single 39-minute set of modern jazz at the Five Spot Café in New York City. The symmetry between the witty and raw baritone sax of Adams and Byrd's stirring and sometimes strained trumpet is the stuff of legends, and the hallmark of the bop to hard bop era.

Kenny Burrell & Jimmy Raney - 2 Guitars (1957) {Prestige-OJC 0025218621625 rel 1992}
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© 1957, 1992 Prestige / OJC / Fantasy | 0025218621625
Jazz / Hard Bop / Guitars

For this 1957 studio session, the two distinctive but complementary guitarists Kenny Burrell and Jimmy Raney are teamed up in a septet with trumpeter Donald Byrd, altoist Jackie McLean, pianist Mal Waldron, bassist Doug Watkins, and drummer Art Taylor. The full group gets to stretch out on one original each by Watkins and McLean ("Little Melonae") and three from Waldron, while the two standards ("Close Your Eyes" and "Out of Nowhere") are individual features for Burrell and Raney. This is a well-rounded set that may not contain any real surprises, but will be enjoyed by collectors of hard bop.

Hank Mobley - Mobley's Message (1956) {2012 Analogue Productions Mono Remaster}
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© 2012 Prestige / Analogue Productions | CPRJ 7061 SA
Jazz / Hard Bop / Saxophone

Saxophonist Hank Mobley's 1956 date for Prestige, Mobley's Message, is an often overlooked gem of the era. Joining Mobley here is an all-star cast of musicians including trumpeter Donald Byrd, alto saxophonist Jackie McLean, pianist Barry Harris, bassist Doug Watkins, and drummer Art Taylor. Essentially a high-energy blowing session, the album features some stellar bop-oriented improvisation and is well worth seeking out.