Hank Jones Essence

John Coltrane - 8 Atlantic Album Collection (1959-62) [8CD] {2006 Japan Mini LP 24-bit Remaster}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC+CUE+LOG -> 3.19 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 1.12 Gb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 118 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24-bit remaster
© 2006 Atlantic / Warner Music Japan | WPCR-25101~08
Jazz / Hard Bop / Post Bop / Avant-Garde Jazz / Saxophone

History will undoubtedly enshrine this disc as a watershed the likes of which may never truly be appreciated. Giant Steps bore the double-edged sword of furthering the cause of the music as well as delivering it to an increasingly mainstream audience. Although this was John Coltrane's debut for Atlantic, he was concurrently performing and recording with Miles Davis. Within the space of less than three weeks, Coltrane would complete his work with Davis and company on another genre-defining disc, Kind of Blue, before commencing his efforts on this one. Coltrane (tenor sax) is flanked by essentially two different trios.

In January 1956, veteran tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins recorded a dozen songs, eight with a string orchestra and four accompanied by a big band, all arranged by Billy Byers. Hawkins is the main soloist throughout the CD reissue, and he was still very much in his prime 33 years after he first joined Fletcher Henderson's orchestra; in fact…

Coleman Hawkins - The Hawk In Hi-Fi (1956) {Bluebird First Editions rel 2001}
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© 1956, 2001 RCA Victor / Bluebird | 09026-63842-2
Jazz / Bop / Saxophone

In January 1956, veteran tenor saxophonist Coleman Hawkins recorded a dozen songs, eight with a string orchestra and four accompanied by a big band, all arranged by Billy Byers. Hawkins is the main soloist throughout, and he was still very much in his prime 33 years after he first joined Fletcher Henderson's orchestra; in fact, the upcoming year of 1957 would be one of his finest. However, Byers' arrangements are more functional than inspired, and some of these selections are more easy listening than they are swinging. Still, there are some strong moments (particularly on "The Bean Stalks Again" and "His Very Own Blues") and, although not classic, this is a pleasing release.

Stan Getz - The Complete Savoy Recordings (2002) {Savoy Jazz ‎SVY17121 rec 1946-1949}
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© 1946-49, 2002 Savoy Jazz / SLG | ‎SVY 17121
Jazz / Cool / Bop / Saxophone

Ask a Stan Getz fan to describe his Lester Young-influenced tenor sax playing, and the sort of words that one typically hears include sublime, caressing, gentle, lyrical, and even ethereal. Words like tough, hard, and aggressive usually don't come to mind – that is, unless someone is describing his earliest recordings. In 1945 and 1946, Getz did in fact display a harder tone at times. But by the end of the '40s, he was the epitome of subtle, understated cool jazz. Spanning 1945-1949, The Complete Savoy Recordings takes a look at the saxman's early work and shows how much he evolved during the '40s.

Cyrus Chestnut covers a wide range of hymns, carols and spirituals on this outstanding solo piano CD. A very dramatic "Holy, Holy, Holy" would inspire any congregation, while the rich voicings in "We Three Kings" are subtle yet moving. "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child" is the most compelling track, with a thought-provoking arrangement that makes great use of space.

Tenor saxophonist Coleman "The Hawk" Hawkins (1904- 1969) was one of the most important instrumental soloists in jazz. The "father of the saxophone" conquered this previously unpopular instrument for jazz and influenced generations after him. He also possessed a strong personality, enormous presence and a pronounced musical adventurousness, so that he always remained stylistically on the cutting edge until the sixties…