Mile Davis Xrcd

The final volume in this very worthy series is a comparatively relaxed affair, a quartet set with tenor saxophonist Ben Webster. Webster lets Tatum fill the background with an infinite number of notes while emphasizing his warm tenor in the forefront on a variety of melodic ballads and standards. The combination works very well.

A masterpiece of Japan’s longtime Top Combo "Big 4" since 1953. Hidehiko "Sleepy" Matsurmoto: tenor sax and flute, Hideo Ichikawa: piano and electric piano, Takashi Mizuhashi: bass, and George Kawaguchi: drums.

Masaru Imada and George Mraz - Alone Together (1977) {XRCD Three Blind Mice TBM XR-5003}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 208 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 100 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 208 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1977, 1997 Three Blind Mice / JVC Victor | TBM XR-5003 | 20bit K2
Jazz / Post Bop / Contemporary Jazz / Piano / Bass

The wonderful communication between these instruments produces an intimate and expressive masterpiece. Also included in this cut, Stella by Starlight! The XRCD is from the very rare JVC // TBM Recordings series of out of print, audiophile CDs. Extended Resolution - 20-bit Digital Technology, K2 Super Coding.

The most unusual aspect to this Ernie Watts recording is that the great tenor is joined by a two-bass quartet. Eddie Gomez on acoustic and Steve Swallow on electric blend together quite well, are featured in a delightful version of Oscar Pettiford's "Tricotism" and (with pianist Geri Allen and drummer Jack DeJohnette) keep the accompaniment consistently stimulating. Ernie Watts is in top form throughout this fine modern mainstream date, playing with both passion and lyricism on a variety of standards and originals (which, in addition to four songs from the leader, include one apiece from DeJohnette and Swallow). There is just enough variety to keep the proceedings from ever getting predictable, making this one of Watts' finest sessions.

The timeless Way out West established Sonny Rollins as jazz's top tenor saxophonist (at least until John Coltrane surpassed him the following year). Joined by bassist Ray Brown and drummer Shelly Manne, Rollins is heard at one of his peaks on such pieces as "I'm an Old Cowhand (From the Rio Grande)," his own "Way out West," "There Is No Greater Love," and "Come, Gone" (a fast stomp based on "After You've Gone"). The William Claxton photo of Rollins wearing Western gear (and holding his tenor) in the desert is also a classic. This re-release appends three bonus tracks, all of them alternate takes.

In 1984, a 45-year-old Tina Turner made one of the most amazing comebacks in the history of American popular music. A few years earlier, it was hard to imagine the veteran soul/rock belter reinventing herself and returning to the top of the pop charts, but she did exactly that with the outstanding Private Dancer. And Turner did so without sacrificing her musical integrity. To be sure, this pop/rock/R&B pearl is decidedly slicker than such raw, earthy, hard-edged Ike & Tina classics as "Proud Mary," "Sexy Ida," and "I Wanna Take You Higher."