PETER ERSKINE - Peter Erskine (1982-1991) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Drummer Peter Erskine's debut as a leader (originally made for Contemporary and reissued on CD in the OJC series) finds him using top players (most of whom had played with Steps Ahead) in various combinations. Erskine performs a few of his own originals (including an 11-minute "All's Well That Ends" and a short drum solo) plus "My Ship," Wayne Shorter's "E.S.P.," and Bob Mintzer's "Change of Mind." With such musicians as trumpeter Randy Brecker, tenors Michael Brecker and Mintzer, pianist Kenny Kirkland, and vibraphonist Mike Mainieri getting some solo space, this post-bop music (from an often-overlooked set) is of consistent high quality. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Leroy Street 7:55
Peter Erskine
2 In Statu Nascendi 1:30
Peter Erskine
3 E.S.P. 2:58
Wayne Shorter
4 Change of Mind 7:29
Bob Mintzer
5 All's Well That Ends 11:08
Peter Erskine
6 My Ship 5:44
Ira Gershwin / Kurt Weill
7 Coyote Blues 4:42
Peter Erskine
Credits :
Bass – Eddie Gomez
Congas, Shaker, Drum [Bata Drum] – Don Alias
Drums, Percussion, Keyboards [Obx] – Peter Erskine
Electric Piano, Keyboards [Obx] – Don Grolnick
Piano – Kenny Kirkland
Tenor Saxophone – Michael Brecker
Tenor Saxophone, Bass Clarinet – Bob Mintzer
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Randy Brecker
Vibraphone [Vibes] – Mike Mainieri

PETER ERSKINE - Transition (1987) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

The music on Peter Erskine's second recording as a leader (all but two songs are by either the drummer-leader or Vince Mendoza) is disappointingly forgettable, including Erskine's five-part, 22-minute "Suite: Music from Shakespeare's 'King Richard II'." With such fine players as Joe Lovano and Bob Mintzer on tenors, guitarist John Abercrombie, keyboardists Kenny Werner and Don Grolnick, bassist Marc Johnson and Peter Gordon on french horn, the solos are generally quite good, but the lack of any memorable melodies and the dated-sounding synthesizers largely sink the effort. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Osaka Castle 6'47
Composed By – Ken Werner
2    The Rabbit In The Moon 1'19
Composed By – Peter Erskine
3    Corazon 5'04
Composed By – Peter Erskine
Synthesizer – Don Grolnick
Suite: Music From Shakespeare's King Richard II    
4    Introduction 1'31
Composed By – Peter Erskine
5    Music Plays 7'16
Composed By – Peter Erskine
6    Sonnet 2'32
Composed By – Peter Erskine
Synthesizer – Don Grolnick
7    Transition 8'02
Composed By – Peter Erskine
8    End Hymn 2'39
Composed By – Peter Erskine
9    Lions And Tigers And Bears 2'58
Composed By – Vince Mendoza
10    The Hand Speaks Hold 8'04
Composed By – Vince Mendoza
Synthesizer – Don Grolnick
11    Smart Shoppers 5'03
Composed By – Vince Mendoza
Synthesizer – Don Grolnick
12    My Foolish Heart 5'14
Composed By – Ned Washington, Victor Young
13    Orson Welles (Intro) 0'52
Composed By – Vince Mendoza
14    Orson Welles 5'53
Composed By – Vince Mendoza
Credits :
Acoustic Bass – Marc Johnson
Drums, Electronic Drums, Gong, Synthesizer, Computer, Producer – Peter Erskine
French Horn – Peter Gordon
Guitar, Guitar Synthesizer – John Abercrombie
Piano, Synthesizer – Kenny Werner
Tenor Saxophone – Bob Mintzer
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Joe Lovano