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Drummer Peter Erskine's debut as a leader (originally made for Contemporary and reissued on CD in the OJC series) finds him using top players (most of whom had played with Steps Ahead) in various combinations.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

JOHN ABERCROMBIE, EDDIE GOMEZ WITH GENE JACKSON - Structures (2006) WV (image+.cue), lossless

This inspired trio session was recorded with the musicians sharing a single microphone, making for a particularly intimate listening experience. Guitarist John Abercrombie has never sounded better, displaying the subtle lyricism that is only one facet of his musical personality, while bassist Eddie Gómez is his usual fluid self and drummer Gene Jackson adds a soft touch, frequently sticking to brushes. Gómez opens the tasty "The Touch of Your Lips" with a warm arco solo, switching back to pizzicato as the trio gains steam. Their hushed interpretation of "Moon and Sand" is stunning, as is the understated bossa nova setting of Cole Porter's "Everything I Love." Their arrangement of Bill Evans' ballad "Turn Out the Stars" (which Gómez undoubtedly played hundreds of times during his 11-plus-year tenure with the pianist) is more straight-ahead and less dramatic than its composer's conception, though no less enticing. Originals by Abercrombie and Gómez also prove to be excellent vehicles for the trio's musical explorations. Highly recommended. by Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    Jazz Folk 9:29
Written-By – John Abercrombie
2    The Touch Of Your Lips 4:35
Written-By – Ray Noble
3    Moon And Sand 5:26
Written-By – Alec Wilder, Mortimer S. Palitz, William C. Engvick
4    Walter Pigeon 5:17
Written-By – Eddie Gomez
5    Everything I Love 6:39
Written-By – Cole Porter
6    Embraceable You 6:05
Written-By – George & Ira Gershwin
7    3 For Three 6:13
Written-By – John Abercrombie
8    Turn Out The Stars 5:28
Written-By – Bill Evans
9    Missing You 4:45
Written-By – Eddie Gomez
10    How Deep Is The Ocean 5:47
Written-By – Irving Berlin
Credits :
Bass – Eddie Gomez
Drums – Gene Jackson
Executive-Producer – Norman Chesky
Guitar – John Abercrombie

SYLVIA SYMS - ... Then Along Came Bill : A Tribute to Bill Evans (1989) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Sylvia Syms sang everything from cabaret to pop and jazz during her long career, and this tribute to the pianist Bill Evans, recorded nearly a decade after his death and just a few years prior to her passing at the age of 79, is a fine effort. Accompanied by Evans' longtime bassist Eddie Gomez, Evans' final drummer Joe LaBarbera, pianist Mike Renzi, and several guests who recorded with the late pianist on occasion, Syms brings out the essence of each of the 14 songs, though only one is an Evans' composition. Syms, who often described herself as a saloon singer and counted Frank Sinatra among her admirers, has a slightly smoky voice with a touch of vibrato due to being in her late seventies, but she knows how to make the most of her pipes. Renzi wisely doesn't attempt to mimic Evans' style at the keyboard, while the guests include flugelhornist Art Farmer, harmonica player Toots Thielemans, guitarist Kenny Burrell, and drummer Grady Tate (who spells LaBarbera on four tracks). Among the highlights are the soft bossa nova treatment of "The Touch of Your Lips," the playful rendition of "A Sleepin' Bee," and the touching finale of "Waltz for Debby." by Ken Dryden  

Tracklist:

1 Like Someone in Love 3:23

Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen

2 My Romance 4:34

Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers

3 A Sleepin' Bee 5:01

Harold Arlen / Truman Capote

4 I Believe in You 5:13

Frank Loesser

5 Polka Dots and Moonbeams 5:40

Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen

6 Hi-Lili, Hi-Lo 5:18

Helen Deutsch / Bronislaw Kaper

7 How About You? 3:34

Ralph Freed / James Van Heusen / Burton Lane

8 The Touch of Your Lips 3:56

Ray Noble

9 My Foolish Heart 5:08

Ned Washington / Victor Young

10 But Beautiful 4:48

Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen

11 Nobody Else But Me 5:16

Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern

12 After You, Who? 3:25

Cole Porter

13 Lucky to Be Me 3:15

Leonard Bernstein / Betty Comden / Adolph Green

14 Waltz for Debby 2:04

Bill Evans / Gene Lees

Credits:

Kenny Burrell - Guitar (Acoustic), Guitar (Electric)

Art Farmer - Flugelhorn

Eddie Gomez - Bass (Acoustic)

Mike Renzi - Arranger, Conductor, Fender Rhodes, Piano

Sylvia Syms - Vocals

Grady Tate - Drums

Toots Thielemans - Harmonica