Dizzy Gillespie - Afro (1954)

Everything about this incredible Dizzy Gillespie LP screams "masterpiece". From the classic Manteca Suite (1-4), written by Cuban genius Chico O’Farrill, to the dionysian Caravan, to the incredible list of band members, a virtual who's who of Afro-Cuban jazz luminaries, right down to the stupendous cover art by David Stone Martin. If you enjoy your jazz latin-tinged, this is the one to go for.

Track List:

1. Manteca Theme
2. Contraste
3. Jungla
4. Rhumba Finale
5. A Night in Tunisisa
6. Con Alma
7. Caravan

Personnel

# Quincy Jones Trumpet | (1-4)
# Jimmy Nottingham Trumpet | (1-4)
# Ernie Royal Trumpet | (1-4)
# Leon Comegys Trombone | (1-4)
# J. J. Johnson Trombone | (1-4)
# George Matthews Trombone | (1-4)
# George Dorsey Alto Saxophone | (1-4)
# Hilton Jefferson Alto Saxophone | (1-4)
# Hank Mobley Tenor Saxophone | (1-4)
# Lucky Thompson Tenor Saxophone | (1-4)
# Danny Bank Baritone Saxophone | (1-4)
# Ray Concepcion Piano | (1-4)
# Wade Legge Piano | (1-4)
# Lou Hackney Bass | (1-4)
# Robert Rodriguez Bass |
# Jose Manguel |
# Candido Camero Congas |
# Mongo Santamaria Congas | (1-4)
# Ubaldo Nieto Timbales |
# Charlie Persip Drums | (1-4)
# Rafael Miranda Percussion | (5-7)
# Alejandro Hernandez Piano | (5-7)
# Gilberto Valdez Flute | (5, 7)
# Chico O'Farrill Arranger, Conductor | (1-4)

Original recordings produced by Norman Granz

Tracks 1-4 recorded May 21, 1954 at Fine Sound, New York City; tracks 5-7 recorded June 3, 1954 at Fine Sound, New York City.

Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis with the Shirley Scott Trio (1958)

A misnomer, this is not the Eddie Davis Trio featuring Shirley Scott Complete Recordings as the CD title wants us to believe. It's actually the other way around i.e. the Shirley Scott Trio, consisting of Scott on organ (who was 24 when these recordings were made), George Duvivier on bass and Arthur Edgehill on drums, serving as a solid foundation for Jaws to blow his magic. And of course this is by no means a 'complete recordings' reissue. To be precise, this CD includes 2 LPs, Roulette R 52019, SR 52019 and Roost RLP 2227 in their entirety. This is very common in jazz releases, as in so many sessions there is no 'leader' per se, and for marketing purposes record labels issued the same session under a different leader. Add to this the reissue craze of the last 25 years or so and you are stumped! These are an archivist's rantings you might say and you would be right, the music is always what counts and the music presented here is priceless. For inquiring minds a complete Shirley Scott discography can be found here.



Track list:

1. Close Your Eyes 2:31
2. Canadian Sunset 4:15
3. Just One More Chance 2:58
4. Night And Day 3:26
5. Snowfall 2:18
6. Afternoon In A Doghouse 3:21
7. A Gal In Calico 3:39
8.(Where Are You) Now That I Need You 2:36
9. This Time The Dream's On Me 3:01
10. There Is No Greater Love 2:51
11. What Is There To Say 2:28
12. Fine And Dandy 3:11
13. Day By Day 4:04
14. Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me 3:50
15. I Remember You 4:12
16. Land Of Dreams 4:14
17. Scotty 3:46
18. On The Street Where You Live 3:34
19. Dee Dee's Dance 3:00
20. Don't Get Around Much Anymore 2:45
21. Everything I Have Is Yours 3:47
22. Don't Worry 'Bout Me 4:07
23. Autumn In New York 3:15
24. Penthouse Serenade 2:46

Eddie Davis (ts)
Shirley Scott (org)
George Duvivier (b)
Arthur Edgehill (d)

recorded in NY March 1958 (tracks 1-12) & May 1958 (tracks 13-24)

PS Johnny-come-latelies can watch the Jaws performing his magic on video here. Happy 2011 all.

Bill Evans - The Complete 1961 Village Vanguard Recordings

On June 25th, 1961, Bill Evans and his trio made jazz history over the course of five sets at the Village Vanguard. Selections from those performances were released on two full-length LPs, Waltz for Debby and Sunday at the Village Vanguard, both of which went on to become landmark jazz albums from the era. This three-disc set provides a valuable service by presenting all five sets in their complete and original sequence, with crisp remastered sound, a previously unissued take (Scott LaFaro's "Gloria's Step"), and snippets of on-stage patter.

Much has been made of the chemistry between Evans, bassist LaFaro, and drummer Paul Motian, and little of it has been overblown. The three make intuitive, shape-shifting music that breaks new ground with its subtle, sophisticated rhythmic interplay and achingly lyrical beauty. Evans's playing, informed by a Chopin-esque delicacy as much as by post-bop dynamism, is a case study of the jazz ideal achieved. The music, the improved sound, and the chance to have the complete date under one cover make this set a must. ”

This is the remastered set that features 20 bit k2 super coding. It is the complete days worth of recording of this legendary session, warts and all. One of the warts is a 3 second power outage during the first part of disc one-- it's not a defect in the ripping or the the cd itself, just part of the recording.


tracklist

DISC 1:
1. Spoken Introduction
2. Gloria's Step - (take 1, interrupted)
3. Alice in Wonderland - (take 1)
4. My Foolish Heart
5. All of You - (take 1)
6. Announcement and Intermission
7. My Romance - (take 1)
8. Some Other Time
9. Solar

DISC 2:
1. Gloria's Step - (take 2)
2. My Man's Gone Now
3. All of You - (take 2)
4. Detour Ahead - (take 1)
5. Discussing Repertoire
6. Waltz For Debby - (take 1)
7. Alice in Wonderland - (take 2)
8. Porgy (I Loves You, Porgy)
9. My Romance - (take 2)
10. Milestones

DISC 3:
1. Detour Ahead - (take 2)
2. Gloria's Step - (take 3)
3. Waltz For Debby - (take 2)
4. All of You - (take 3)
5. Jade Visions - (take 1)
6. Jade Visions - (take 2)
7. ... A Few Final Bars

Bill Evans, p
Scott LaFaro, b
Paul Motian, d

Recorded June 25th, 1961 at the Village Vanguard, New York