Victor

Bendix's concerto is quite simply one of the great piano concertos of the 19th century yet it is hardly known, probably for two reasons: Bendix does not have a particularly distinctive style and this work, most unusually for its period, is not a display concerto and so would not appeal to all pianists. However, the concerto's ideas are first-rate and the whole piece is superbly constructed and very tautly argued. Although Bendix's symphonies are clearly influenced by the Russian school, this concerto is more Germanic in style so, if you like Brahms, give it a try. It will take a few hearings to find your way around but the rewards will be enormous.

Gillespie was teamed up with Branford Marsalis for this decent effort. His own trumpet playing had faded quite a bit by this time (he was already age 67), but he sounds enthusiastic on five of his compositions (including "Birk's Works"), "Tin Tin Deo," and Mike Longo's "Every Mornin'," trading ideas with such young turks as Marsalis, pianist Kenny Kirkland and bassist Lonnie Plaxico.

We are indebted to Romophone and Ward Marston who produced the fine transfers heard here. We must remember that when these were made Sembrich was towards the end of her performing career - she already had been on the opera stage for more than two decades. The acoustic recording process was not overly kind to the soprano voice, but listening to these performances one can surely appreciate the soprano's artistry, technical mastery, and enthusiasm for the music.

Lionel Hampton - The Complete Lionel Hampton Victor Sessions 1937-1941 (2007) {5CD Set Mosaic MD5-238}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 1.06 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 768 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 219 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1937-41, 2007 Mosaic Records / BMG | MD5-238
Jazz / Swing / Vibes

Garnished with a fistful of alternate takes, the 2007 release of Mosaic's 107-track Complete Lionel Hampton Victor Sessions 1937-1941 is a welcome and long overdue CD realization of The Complete Lionel Hampton 1937-1941, a six-LP box set released during the 1970s by the Bluebird label. Only Teddy Wilson came close to achieving what Hamp did in the late 1930s and early '40s, by bringing together the greatest soloists on the scene for a staggeringly productive and inspired series of recordings that essentially defined the state of jazz during the years immediately preceding the Second World War.

Bassist Victor Wooten began his musical career early. At age three, his brother Regi taught him to play bass, and at age five he made his stage debut with his four older brothers in the Wootens, playing songs by R&B mainstays like James Brown, Sly & the Family Stone, War, and Curtis Mayfield.