Tommy Flanagan Comu

This CD reissues a session that teams together three "super" players: pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Red Mitchell and drummer Elvin Jones. On two of Flanagan's better originals ("Minor Perhaps" and "Rachel's Rondo") and four jazz standards (including "Django" and "Things Ain't What They Used to Be"), the musicians communicate quite well (Flanagan and Jones had played together back in the mid-'50s in Detroit) and often think as one. Fine straight-ahead music.

Ella Fitzgerald, 42 years after her recording debut, showed on this late concert recording that she still had the magic. Backed by pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Keter Betts, and drummer Bobby Durham, she sounds pretty strong at times, mostly singing veteran ballads but also getting hot on "Billie's Bounce."

Although Tommy Flanagan tended to refer to two-piano dates as a gimmick, that's hardly the case during this superb 1983 concert in Germany with Hank Jones. The two pianists have the kind of feel for one another's playing that avoids the crash of egos and instead inspires the give and take necessary for each performance to reach its full potential. Immediately, the two veterans captivate their audience with a stunning aggressive improvisation upon Charlie Parker's "Relaxin' at Camarillo," then immediately quiet them with a soft, lyrical interpretation of the gorgeous ballad "In a Sentimental Mood." They're clearly having a lot of fun during their upbeat waltz through the popular ballad "Someday My Prince Will Come." The rest of the concert is every bit as fulfilling, with an inspired treatment of "Rockin' in Rhythm" getting the nod as the highlight of a memorable evening.

Tommy Flanagan - Jazz Poet (1989) {2015 Japan Timeless Jazz Master Collection Complete Series CDSOL-6314}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 294 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 133 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 206 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1989, 2015 Timeless Records / Solid Records Japan / Ultra-Vibe | CDSOL-6314
Jazz / Bop / Piano

Reissue with the latest remastering. Features original cover artwork. Comes with a descripton in Japanese. A great title for this one – given the extremely poetic sound of Tommy Flanagan on the piano! For years, Tommy's had a great talent for being as bopper, yet as sensitive as a mellower, more lyrical player too – a brilliant combination that shows up instantly in the first few notes of this set – a late 80s recording that's filled with warmth and subtle imagination. The trio features George Mraz on bass and Kenny Washington on drums – the latter of whom really gets things swinging in some great gentle ways – and titles include "Raincheck", "Lament", "Caravan", "Voce Abuso", "Mean Streets", and "That Tired Routine Called Love".

Rodney Jones & Tommy Flanagan - My Funny Valentine (1981) {2015 Japan Timeless Jazz Master Collection Complete Series}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 220 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 93 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 259 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1981, 2015 Timeless Records / Solid Records Japan / Ultra-Vibe | CDSOL-6340
Jazz / Post Bop / Contemporary Jazz / Guitar / Piano Trio

Reissue with the latest remastering. Features original cover artwork. Comes with a descripton in Japanese. That's kind of a creepy cover on the front – and it hardly does justice to an album with so much lyrical beauty as this – a great meeting between piano giant Tommy Flanagan and younger guitarist Rodney Jones! The record's got a feel that's a bit like a Flanagan trio session with added guitar – not to imply that Jones is just some extra element thrown into the mix, but just that Tommy's inherent sense of soulful swing really drives the proceedings right from the start – giving the whole thing maybe more focus than some of Jones' other records from the time, at a level that really opens him up as an old school-styled jazz guitarist!