BENNY GOLSON QUARTET - Free (1962-1998) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This 1998 CD reissues tenor-saxophonist Benny Golson's excellent Free album of 1962 plus seven of the ten selections from his Take A Number From 1 To 10 project of 1960. Although one wishes that both sets could have been reissued in full (the CD is just 62 minutes long), it is a joy to have Free available again. Golson's last album as a leader in which he plays in his Don Byas/Lucky Thompson style (he would soon become a fulltime arranger and, by the time he led his next playing date in 1977, Golson's sound was quite a bit different) finds him in top form. Joined by pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Art Taylor, Golson performs two originals, Will Davis' catchy "Sock Cha" and three standards with "Mad About The Boy" and "Just In Time" (during which he sounds a bit like Sonny Rollins) being among the highlights. The other session found the tenorman playing unaccompanied on a brief "You're My Thrill" and adding an instrument to each song, up to a tentet on the original album, and a septet here. The duet rendition of "My Heart Belongs To Daddy" is excellent and trombonist Curtis Fuller makes a strong impression on the speedy "Swing It." Despite the three missing tracks, this CD is recommended. by Scott Yanow  
Tracklist:
1 Sock Cha 7:10
Will Davis
2 Mad About the Boy 7:15
Noël Coward
3 Just by Myself 5:45
Benny Golson
4 Shades of Stein 4:30
Benny Golson

5 My Romance 7:30

Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
6 Just in Time 5:55
Betty Comden / Adolph Green / Jule Styne
7 You're My Thrill 1:34
Burton Lane / Ned Washington
8 My Heart Belongs to Daddy 4:08
Cole Porter
9 The Best Thing for You Is Me 2:46
Clifford Brown / Buddy DeSylva / Ray Henderson
10 Impromptune 3:00
Benny Golson
11 Little Karin 3:33
Benny Golson
12 Swing It 4:24
Benny Golson
13 I Fall in Love Too Easily 4:46
Sammy Cahn / Jule Styne
Credits:
Baritone Saxophone – Sahib Shihab
Bass – Ron Carter (tracks: 1 to 6), Tommy Williams (tracks: 8 to 13)
Drums – Albert "Tootie" Heath (tracks: 9 to 13), Art Taylor (tracks: 1 to 6)
Piano – Cedar Walton (tracks: 10 to 13), Tommy Flanagan (tracks: 1 to 6)
Tenor Saxophone – Benny Golson
Trombone – Curtis Fuller (tracks: 12 to 13)
Trumpet – Freddie Hubbard (tracks: 11 to 13)

LEE MORGAN - The Rajah (1966-2014) RM / SHM-CD / BLUE NOTE MASTERWORKS / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This long-lost Lee Morgan session was not released for the first time until it was discovered in the Blue Note vaults by Michael Cuscuna in 1984; it has still not been reissued on CD. Originals by Cal Massey, Duke Pearson ("Is That So") and Walter Davis, in addition to a couple of surprising pop tunes ("What Not My Love" and "Once in My Lifetime") and Morgan's title cut, are well-played by the quintet (which includes the trumpeter/leader, Hank Mobley on tenor, pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Billy Higgins). Much of the music is reminiscent of The Jazz Messengers and that may have been the reason that it was lost in the shuffle for Morgan was soon investigating modal-oriented tunes. Despite its neglect, this is a fine session that Lee Morgan and hard bop fans will want. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 A Pilgrim's Funny Farm 13:36
Cal Massey
2 The Rajah 9:11
Lee Morgan
3 Is That So? 5:18
Duke Pearson
4 Davisamba 6:46
Walter Davis, Jr.
5 What Now, My Love? 5:22
Gilbert Bécaud
6 Once in My Lifetime 5:47
Leslie Bricusse / Anthony Newley
Credits:
Bass – Paul Chambers
Drums – Gene Taylor
Piano – Cedar Walton
Recorded By – Rudy Van Gelder
Tenor Saxophone – Hank Mobley
Trumpet – Lee Morgan