Mathews

Ronnie Mathews - Selena's Dance (1988) {2015 Japan Timeless Jazz Master Collection Complete Series CDSOL-6315}
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© 1988, 2015 Timeless Records / Solid Records Japan / Ultra-Vibe | CDSOL-6315
Jazz / Hard Bop / Bop / Piano

Reissue with the latest remastering. Features original cover artwork. Comes with a descripton in Japanese. Ronnie Mathews is a pianist we always love, no matter what the context – but here he's in this extra-great trio with bassist Stafford James, who almost seems to take center stage at times! James' deep, round tone is a perfect match for Mathews' approach to piano – and while Ronnie takes off on lyrical flights at times, Stafford has this grounding that balances things out beautifully – given some extra inspiration by the drums of Tony Reedus, who is the third key member of the trio. The title track alone – "Selena's Dance" – is worth the price of admission, and is this nine minute modal workout that shows everyone at top form. Some other numbers are mellower, but no less captivating – and tunes include "Stella By Starlight", "Blue Bossa", "Fee Fi Fo Fum", and "Body & Soul".

Ronnie Mathews - Trip To The Orient (1975) {2015 DSD Japan East Wind Masters Collection 1000 UCCJ-9148}
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© 1975, 2015 East Wind Music / Universal Japan | UCCJ-9148
Jazz / Hard Bop / Soul Jazz / Piano

One of the greatest sessions ever recorded by Ronnie Mathews – an excellent soul jazz pianist who's working here in a mode that's similar to that of Kenny Barron, Cedar Walton, or other 70s lyrical giants! Mathews' touch on the keys is incredible – at one moment extremely sensitive and pensive, at another racing forward with a searing searching spirituality that's driven on by the bass of Yoshio Suzuki and the drums of Louis Hayes – a great rhythm duo who really help give the record a very special, unique feel. The album features the original compositions "Ichiban", "K's Waltz", and "Jean-Marie" – plus a great version of "Manha Do Carnaval", which features Mathews on Fender Rhodes!

Tony Williams was a sideman for Little Richard and Ray Charles, where he finely honed his guitar chops. This album is his solo debut on Alligator Records. It features great songs, soulful vocals and some really smooth jazz-inflected blues guitar. A very strong album from start to finish. Stand out tracks are "White Powder", "Ann Marie" and "Let Me Know When You're Coming".

Carmen McRae - With Mat Mathews and Tony Scott Quartets (1954) {Bethlehem R2 75990 rel 2000}
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© 1954, 2000 Bethlehem / Avenue Jazz | R2 75990
Jazz / Vocal Jazz / Bop / Standards

This is Carmen McRae's first recording as a leader. She's heard on four songs apiece with the Mat Mathews Quintet (a group including Herbie Mann on flute and tenor, and guitarist Mundell Lowe) and clarinetist Tony Scott's Quartet. On the emotional "Misery," Scott switches to piano and is the only accompanist to the singer. Five alternate takes augment this set, which emphasizes ballads.