Kenny Blue

Una Mas, on the front cover titled Una Mas (One More Time), is a jazz album by trumpeter Kenny Dorham and his quintet, released in 1963 on Blue Note as BLP 4127 and BST 84127. The album would be the next-to-last studio session led by the legendary trumpeter, since after 1964, he'd begin to fade and disappear from the jazz scenes. Una Mas features three compositions by Dorham himself and the jazz ballad "If Ever I Would Leave You", originally composed by Loewe/Lerner for the musical Camelot.

Always one of the most tasteful of musicians, guitarist Kenny Burrell is in fine form on this set from 1996. He is joined by a rhythm section led by pianist Sir Roland Hanna, trumpeter Jimmy Owens (who is in excellent form), either Steve Turre or Benny Powell on trombone and the underrated tenor-saxophonist and flutist Jerome Richardson. Burrell sings a heartfelt "Dear Ella" (his voice is just average) and there is a vocal apiece by Jeannie Bryson (a sensuous "I've Got A Crush On You") and Vanessa Rubin ("All Blues"). Other highlights of this relaxed bop set include Scott Joplin's "The Entertainer," Richardson's "Groove Merchant" and a medley of "Embraceable You" and Charlie Parker's "Quasimodo." (allmusic.com)

Tyrone Washington - Natural Essence (1967) {Blue Note Japan TOCJ-8717 rel 2010}
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© 1967, 2010 Blue Note / EMI Music Japan | TOCJ-8717 | Blue Note Best & More 1100 Series
Jazz / Hard Bop / Neo Bop / Saxophone

A rare and unusual chapter in mid 60s Blue Note – the debut of tenorist Tyrone Washington, an up-and-coming talent from the hip New Jersey scene of the time! Washington's name may not have lasted long in the jazz annals, but at this important point in his career, he's working with a young Woody Shaw – also part of the Jersey scene – and together, the pair really make the album cook – stretching out with a soulful, spiritual sound that really points the way towards the indie scene of the 70s! Shaw's voice is a big part of the record, but Tyrone's still definitely in command – blowing his tenor with these quick flurries of notes that are somewhere in the Coltrane school, yet arguably moving already past him too – kind of a post-Coltrane vibe in the year before the great one passed away.

This somewhat obscure Kenny Dorham LP features the excellent hard bop trumpeter in a quintet with baritonist Charles Davis, pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Butch Warren, and drummer Buddy Enlow. The straight-ahead music includes features for Davis ("When Sunny Gets Blue") and Warren, but Dorham consistently takes honors, particularly on his "Stage West," "I'm an Old Cowhand," "Stella by Starlight," and "Lazy Afternoon."

Lou Donaldson - Complete 1952 Blue Note Sessions (2002) {The Jazz Factory–Disconforme JFCD22851}
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© 1952, 2002 Blue Note / The Jazz Factory / Disconforme | JFCD22851
Jazz / Bop / Soul Jazz / Saxophone

This stunning edition features Lou Donaldson backed up by jazz legends as the Modern Jazz Quartet; Thelonius Monk, Max Roach & Kenny Dorham; Horace Silver, Gene Ramey & Art Taylor; Art Blakey, Blue Mitchell & Percy Heath on these highly inspired studio sessions. High Resolution - 24Bit Edition.

Jimmy Smith - Go For Whatcha Know (1986) {Blue Note CDP7462972 rel 1996}
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© 1986, 1996 Blue Note / Manhattan | CDP 7 46297 2
Jazz / Soul Jazz / Hard Bop / Organ Hammond B-3

23 years after leaving the label, organist Jimmy Smith returned to the Blue Note label. In addition to signing up two of his old associates who had been with him on many classic Blue Note albums of the past (guitarist Kenny Burrell and tenor saxophonist Stanley Turrentine), Smith uses such fine players as guest pianist Monty Alexander (on two songs), bassist Buster Williams, and drummer Grady Tate (who takes a warm ballad vocal on "She's Out of My Life"). "Fungii Mama" and "Go for Whatcha Know" are the highlights of this enjoyable LP.