Nikos Skalkottas - Mayday Spell, Concerto for Double Bass & Orchestra, 3 Greek Dances

Nikos Skalkottas (1904-1949) was versatile, inventive and prolific. To that effect, this CD works as a nice sampler of the composer's qualities. Two of the works (Mayday spell and the three Greek dances) are tonal, both employ Greek folk music motives, arranged in a neo-classical form and orchestrated in Skalkottas' unique manner. Christodoulou's interpretation is somewhat technical, yet still captures the magic of Skalkottas writing. The Concerto for Double Bass and Orchestra is atonal and will most certainly appeal to hardened/converted fans. Expertly crafted music from an obscure genius deserving wider recognition.

Track listing

Mayday Spell - A Fairy Drama, Symphonic Suite (1944-49)
1. I. Overture 8'08
2. II. Fairy Tale 7'14
3. III. Ballet - Dance of the Faires 3'29
4. IV. Love scene 1'19
5. V. Argyro´s Song 0'59
6. VI. Little Dance Song 0'55
7. VII. Folk-song 4'29
8. VIII. Short folk dance 0'43
9. IX. Prelude 0'58
10. X. The mother´s lament 4'27

Concerto for Double Bass and Orchestra (1942)
11. I. Andante - Allegro 7'32
12. II. Andantino 4'30
13. III. Allegro vivo e molto ritmato 5'21

Three Greek Dances for strings (1936)
14. Nissiotikos 4'57
15. Tsamikos 2'10
16. Mazochtos 1'54

personnel

Þóra Einarsdóttir, soprano
Vassilis Papavassiliou, double bass
Iceland Symphony Orchestra, orchestra
Nikos Christodoulou, conductor

Tete Montoliu - Boston Concert Vol.2 (1980)

Second volume of legendary solo piano recording of the blind Catalan pianist Tete Montoliu recorded on March 17, 1980, at the Alfred Morse Auditorium on the Boston University campus in Boston, Massachusetts. The late Montoliu demonstrates what separates the men from the boys as far as jazz piano is concerned.

Track listing
1. Airegin
2. Lush Life
3. Giant Steps
4. When I Fall In Love
5. A Child Is Born
6. Confirmation
7. Apartment 512
8. Oleo/Come Sunday/Oleo

Personnel: Tete Montoliu, piano

Tete Montoliu - Boston Concert Vol.1 (1980)

First volume of legendary solo piano recording of the blind Catalan pianist Tete Montoliu recorded on March 17, 1980, at the Alfred Morse Auditorium on the Boston University campus in Boston, Massachusetts. The late Montoliu demonstrates what separates the men from the boys as far as jazz piano is concerned. Unmissable.

Track listing
1. Introduction
2. New England Blues
3. I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry
4. Have You Met Miss Jones?
5. Catalan Suite
6. Hot House

Personnel: Tete Montoliu, piano

Gary Burton - Next Generation (2005)

Gary Burton spent a great deal of his professional life juggling his duo careers as a bandleader and jazz educator. So it came as no surprise to see him form a brand new group of talented up and coming players in 2004, the eighth such new unit by his count. Burton's skill on vibes is a given, but his ability to find four impressive young men able to jump right in and perform at a high level also deserves kudos. The leader first heard guitarist Julian Lage on the 2000 Grammy Awards at the tender age of 12; he was just 16 at the time of these sessions and had already appeared with Burton on the earlier CD Generations. Lage, who shows incredible chops without overdoing it, also contributed the easygoing, infectious strut "Walkin' in Music" and "Clarity," a playful duet with Burton. Vadim Neselovskyi not only is a surprising pianist but a thoughtful composer whose works (including the intricate "Prelude for Vibes" and the tense, rapid fire "Get Up and Go") belie his age. Bassist Luques Curtis, in addition to solidly anchoring the rhythm section with the gifted drummer James Williams, penned the funky Latin "Ques Sez." The leader's liner notes don't specifically credit anyone with the wild arrangement of 20th century composer Samuel Barber's Fuga or the jaunty, somewhat angular rendition of the standard "My Romance" (possibly because they were a group effort), but they also merit high praise. This meeting of a jazz master and four prodigies is well worth acquiring. ~ Ken Dryden

Track listing
1.Prelude for Vibes
2.My Romance
3.'Ques Sez
4.Get Up and Go
5.B & G
6.A Dance for Most of You
7.Walkin' In Music
8.Summer Band Camp
9.Fuga
10.Clarity

Personnel: Gary Burton: vibraphone; Julian Lage: guitar; Vadim Neselovski: piano; Luques Curtis: double-bass; James Williams: drums.


Recording information: Fantasy Studios, Studio D, Berkeley, CA (11/08/2004/11/10/2004).

Tete Montoliu Trio - Tête à Tete (1976)

Tete Montoliu's fourth LP for SteepleChase is primarily a fun-filled trio date with bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath, frequent collaborators with the blind pianist. The influence of Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson is evident in his rollicking take of "What's New?", "We'll be Together Again" follows with some tour de force solo features for the great pianist and finally the 20-minute "Catalan Suite", a medley of five traditional folk songs from Montoliu's homeland, giving ample space to the trio to stretch out; it's a shame one can't hear the words that accompany these joyous melodies. This is essential listening for fans of this late genius of contemporary jazz piano. ”


Track Listing
A1 What's New (Haggart - Burke) 11:08
A2 We'll Be Together Again (Fischer-Lane) 09:10
B1 Catalan Suite (T. Montoliu) 20:01

Personnel:
Tete Montoliu (p)
Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen (b)
Albert 'Tootie' Heath (d)

Date: February 16, 1976
Location: Weesp, Netherlands

(marvelous sounding) SteepleChase SCS-1054 24bit-96khz LP rip

Dexter Gordon Quartet (feat. Tete Montoliu) - Bouncin' with Dex (1975)

It is well known that jazz giant Dexter Gordon spent 15 years in Europe, between 1962 and 1977, mostly in Paris and Copenhagen. In the early 1960s Gordon played often in the famed Jazzhus Montmartre with Catalonian pianist Tete Montoliu and local bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen. In addition, superbly talented drummer Billy Higgins happened to be in town and was available for this legendary recording. Throughout this one day session, this international all-star group was totally inspired. While the main attraction here is clearly Gordon whose tenor sax sounds as good as ever, the fiery solos by Montoliu, the lithe and limber drumming by Higgins and the authentic bass played by Pedersen contribute to elevate their collective performance to a higher plane. There is not a single weak moment in this exciting record. Recorded in Copenhagen on September 14, 1975. Originally released in 1976 by SteepleChase Records. This reissue CD -- special limited paper sleeve edition -- released in Japan by Videoarts Music on March 19, 2008. ”


Track Listing
1. Billie's Bounce
2. Easy Living
3. Benji's Bounce
4. Catalonian Nights
5. Four
6. Easy Living [take 1]

Personnel
Dexter Gordon (tenor sax)
Tete Montoliu (piano)
Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen (bass)
Billy Higgins (drums)

Recorded in Copenhagen on September 14, 1975. Originally released in 1976 by SteepleChase Records. This reissue CD -- special limited paper sleeve edition -- released in Japan in 2008.

Kenny Drew - New Faces, New Sounds (1953)

Kenny Drew's debut as a leader in the more than able company of Messrs. Curly Russel on bass and Ard Blakey on drums, where we get to hear what a great pianist Drew was from the very beginning and the influence Bud Powell had on him. Other than his "Gloria" and the basic "Drew's Blues," all of the music is standards including "Be My Love," "Yesterdays" and a surprisingly heated rendition of "It Might As Well Be Spring. Sparkling mono sound from this mint 1999 reissue limited edition lovingly pressed by Toshiba EMI Japan in 1999.

Track listing
A1 Yesterdays
A2 Stella By Starlight
A3 Gloria
A4 Be My Love
B1 Lover, Come Back To Me
B2 Everything Happens To Me
B3 Spring Will Be A Little Late
B4 Drew's Blues

Personnel
Kenny Drew (p) Curly Russell (b) Art Blakey (d)

Recorded at Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, NJ, April 16, 1953

The Gadd Gang

Turn every stone in jazz, soul, pop, rock and whatnot since the 70s and chances are that you'll bump into drum wunderkind Steve Gadd. Steve's talent has graced albums of Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, Steely Dan, Al Jarreau, Joe Cocker, Stuff, Bob James, Chick Corea, Eric Clapton, James Taylor, Jim Croce, Eddie Gomez, The Manhattan Transfer, Michal Urbaniak, Steps Ahead, Al Di Meola, Manhattan Jazz Quintet, Richard Tee, Jon Bon Jovi, Bee Gees to name but a few. As Chick Corea said ""Every drummer wants to play like Gadd because he plays perfect ... He has brought orchestral and compositional thinking to the drum kit while at the same time having a great imagination and a great ability to swing" (Duke's Lullaby from this LP proves that in spades). Gadd has collaborated since the 70s with ace session men Cornell Dupree, Richard Tee and Eddie Gomez with the group Staff. Bari sax legend Ronnie Cuber was added to the roster during the 80s and the Gadd Gang was born. This is feel-good music, these seasoned veterans sound like having a heck of a time playing it scoring high marks in the trouser flapping department, great, groovy stuff.

Tracklisting
1 Watching The River Flow 6:36
Composed By - Bob Dylan

2 Strength 4:28
Composed By - R. McDonald* , S. Gadd* , W. Salter*

3 Way Back Home 6:57
Composed By - Wilton Felder

4 Morning Love 4:20
Arranged By - Richard Tee
Composed By - Eddie Gomez

5 Duke's Lullaby 3:59
Composed By - Steve Gadd

6 Everything You Do 3:47
Composed By - Richard Tee

7 Honky Tonk / I Can't Stop Loving You 6:53
Arranged By [Horns] - David Matthews*
Composed By - B. Doggett* , B. Butler* , C. Scott* , D. Gibson* , E. Grover* , S. Shepard*
Saxophone [Tenor] - George Young (2) , Michael Brecker
Trombone - Barry Rogers , David Taylor
Trumpet - Jon Faddis , Lew Soloff



The gang
Richard Tee keyboards
Cornell Dupree guitar
Eddie Gomez bass
Steve Gadd drums
Ronnie Cuber baritone sax (on #1,3,& 7)

Recorded and mixed at Record Plant Studios, NYC in June and August, 1986 by using SONY 3324 Digital Recorder.

Kenny Drew and Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen - Duo (1973)

Hugely talented pianist Kenny Drew performed and recorded during the 1950s with Lester Young, Coleman Hawkins, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Johnny Griffin, Art Blakey and Charlie Mingus before moving to Europe in 1961. In 1964 he settled down in Copenhagen as the house pianist of the famous jazz club called Jazzhus Montmartre. Hugely talented bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen was still in his twenties when he recorded this classic album with Drew in 1973, but he was already considered to be the best bassist in Europe. He had become the house bassist at Jazzhus Montmartre in 1964, and had been playing with Drew in that context for almost a decade before the two went into the studio.

The eclectic program consists of Danish traditional melodies ("Once A Saturday Night," "In The Stil Of The Woods"), original compositions by the two, Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Wave" in which Drew plays both acoustic and electric piano. Guitarist Ole Molin joins the duo on "Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans." This is a must-own item for fans of Drew and Pedersen. Recorded in Copenhagen on April 2, 1973. Originally released by SteepleChase Records in 1973 on LP and 1988 on CD . This reissue CD -- special limited paper sleeve edition -- released in Japan by Videoarts Music on March 19, 2008. ”


Track Listing
1. In The Still Of The Woods [take 2]
2. Come Summer
3. Lullaby
4. Kristine
5. Serenity
6. Once A Saturday Night
7. Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans
8. Wave
9. Duo Trip
10. Hush-A-Bye
11. In The Still Of The Woods [take 1]

Personnel
Kenny Drew (electric piano,piano)
Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen (bass)
Ole Molin (guitar)

This CD is part of SteeplaChase's Limited Edition Series available only in Japan. This series consists of only 10 choice CDs from the extensive SteepleChase catalog, are meticulously produced and sonically on a par with JVC's XRCDs.

Teddy Wilson - Piano Moods (1950)

In so many ways, the piano trio is really one of the most perfect combinations in jazz. In the right hands, the impression of a much larger group is possible and various combinations of each instrument allow for freshness and variety. Knowing a good thing when they heard one, the magic of the piano trio was not lost on Columbia Records when they decided to launch a series of “Piano Moods” back in 1948. It was really a combination of ideas and technology, however. First of all, these records would be among the earliest examples of the long-playing 33 1/3-rpm format. Secondly, the 20 albums eventually issued would ultimately take in some of the more popular styles in addition to obvious jazz sensibilities. As an added source of inimitability, many of the original records were produced with no pauses between tracks, giving the side of a record album the feel of having someone performing for you right there in your own living room. This 10" LP documents Columbia Records' first attempt at niche marketing with the Piano Moods series. Born out an impromptu marketing plan by a small Columbia Records staff in 1950, the Piano Moods series was hatched from the marketing discovery that there were more pianos than phonographs (that's record players for all you kids who don't remember vinyl LPs) in the homes of postwar America. The 12" LP had been launched a scant two years before and few titles were available. The Piano Moods series linked 20 albums of the same general type, all of them produced and sequenced by George Avakian, who had created the jazz and pop catalog on LP for Columbia beginning in 1948 -- though they were originally released 33 rpm 10" discs to keep the folks with all those 10" 78 rpm discs happy when it came to storage. The sides were cut -- usually -- with no spirals (spaces) between tunes, giving the side a longer feel than its 17 minutes because the music was continuous. Most pianists preset their sequences and prepared introductions of the key of the preceding tune that modulated into the key of the next one. Some would cut the modes later and have Avakian splice them or, in the case of Teddy Wilson, he would play it straight through (as can clearly be heard on this LP), and if he felt he flubbed anything, would re-record a tune and have Avakian work the tape magic. The series was wildly successful as a whole, and most homes had at least a few of these sides and some had many or all. The interesting comment here is that many of these pianists had little or nothing in common with one another. They ranged from the jazzers like Wilson, Art Tatum, Errol Garner, and Ahmad Jamal (whose album was released as a 12" LP) to stride cats like Ralph Sutton and Joe Sullivan -- who plays Fats Waller here -- to swingers like Earl "Fatha" Hines, Joe Bushkin (of Tommy Dorsey fame), and Jess Stacy. There are more than a few unknown jazzers as well, like Buddy Weed, Max Miller, Eddie Heywood, and Bill Clifton. Last but not least is the man who could -- and did -- play everything, concert virtuoso Stan Freeman.



Track listing
A1 Just One Of Those Things
A2 Just Like A Butterfly
A3 Runnin' Wild
A4 I've Got The World On A String
A5 Fine & Dandy
A6 I Don't A Stand A Ghost Of A Chance
A7 Honeysuckle Rose
B1 Between The Devil & The Deep Blue Sea
B2 Bess, You Is My Woman
B3 I Can't Give You Anything But Love Baby
B4 After You've Gone

Personnel
Teddy Wilson, piano with:

Orville Shaw bass
J. C. Heard drums on side A

Carl Fields bass
Al McKibbon drums on side B

N.B. Sides A and B are left intact to preserve the original feeling, attentive listeners will notice that in essence this LP consists of two long tracks.

10" LPRip @ 24bit-96khz | FLAC | 257 MB (3% recov) | 25:06 | Full Artwork
Classic Jazz / Philips Minigroove B07625R / Original 1950s 10" LP pressing made in Holland (mono)