DANILO PÉREZ - Panamonk (1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This is one of the more interesting Thelonious Monk tribute albums of the 1990s. Pianist Danilo Perez does not really sound much like Monk except in a couple places on purpose, but he has clearly learned from Monk's music, particularly in his use of space and quirky dissonances. The trio performances range from respectful ballads and Latinized treatments of Monk tunes to originals that somehow fit logically into the mood of the set. Perez takes "'Round Midnight" and the two brief versions of "Monk's Mood" (which open and close the CD) unaccompanied, interacts closely with bassist Avishai Cohen on the other pieces, welcomes the haunting wordless vocal of Olga Roman to "September in Rio," and utilizes either Terri Lyne Carrington or Jeff Watts on the nine trio pieces. The music overall is adventurous, rhythmic, and quite joyful. A memorable outing by the talented Danilo Perez. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Monk's Mood 1    0:42
Thelonious Monk
2    PanaMonk    4:21
Danilo Perez
3    Bright Mississippi    5:39
Thelonious Monk
4    Think Of One    4:17
Thelonious Monk
5    Mercedes' Mood    4:50
Danilo Perez
6    Hot Bean Strut    5:12
Danilo Perez
7    Reflections    5:54
Thelonious Monk
8    September In Rio 3:54
Danilo Perez
Vocals – Olga Roman
9    Everything Happens To Me 6:26
Written-By – Matt Dennis, Tom Adair
10    'Round Midnight    5:25
Thelonious Monk
11    Evidence And Four In One    4:44
Thelonious Monk
12    Monk's Mood 2    0:43
Thelonious Monk
Credits :
Bass – Avishai Cohen
Drums – Jeff Watts (pistas: 2, 4, 6, 7), Terri Lyne Carrington (pistas: 3, 5, 8, 9, 11)
Piano – Danilo Perez
Producer – Tommy LiPuma

DANILO PÉREZ - Central Avenue (1998) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Danilo Perez has invited us to step onto Central Avenue to re-examine his musical heritage. His fourth album, named for the main boulevard in his native Panama City, Panama, serves up a mix of blues, folk singing and nostalgia. Perez's fresh, liberating piano reinterprets such jazz standards as Billy Strayhorn's "Lush Life" and John Coltrane's "Impressions" by using new combinations of rhythms, tempos and instruments that ultimately spotlight his technique. Perez continues to explore the themes introduced in his previous release, Panamonk. His piano playing is now more dynamic and reflects his true virtuosity. The Rhythm in Blue Suite, which includes "Playground," "Sideways" and "Love in 5," consists of blues ballads written by Perez that are further complemented by the casual and graceful artistry of bassist John Patitucci and the impressive drumming of Jeff "Tain" Watts. Perez later showcases the vocals of Panamanian folk singer Raul Vital on "Panama Blues" in an improvisational mix of Latin-American folk and Afro-Cuban rhythms. This piece captures the essence and synthesis of Perez's creation. The result: Central Avenue is an exciting blend of musical styles that rediscover Perez's musical visions and innate rhythms...including his Latin blues. by Paula Edelstein
Tracklist :
1    Blues For The Saints    6:08
Danilo Perez
2    Impromptu (Conversations)    5:38
Danilo Perez
3    Lush Life    5:47
Billy Strayhorn
4    Playground    2:46
Danilo Perez
5    Sideways    5:31
Danilo Perez
6    Love In 5    5:26
Danilo Perez
7    Impressions    5:53
John Coltrane
8    Cosa Linda    5:11
Danilo Perez
9    Panama Blues    4:05
Public Domain
Credits :
Bass – John Benitez (pistas: 7, 8), John Patitucci (pistas: 1 to 6, 9)
Congas, Guiro, Claves, Shekere – Pernell Saturnino (pistas: 2, 7)
Cuatro – Aquiles Baez (pistas: 9)
Drums – Jeff "Tain" Watts (pistas: 2, 4 to 7, 9), Jeff Ballard (pistas: 1, 3, 8)
Percussion [Okonkolo, Iya, Itotele] – Miguel Anga Diaz (pistas: 9)
Piano – Danilo Perez
Producer – Tommy Lipuma
Tabla – Ray Spiegel (pistas: 2)
Vocals – Luciana Souza (pistas: 2, 7), Raul Vital (pistas: 9)

MICHAEL BRECKER - Two Blocks from the Edge (1997) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Although Michael Brecker made his initial reputation as a greatly in-demand studio player able to play quite credibly in commercial settings, his recordings for Impulse! have all been strictly straight-ahead. Displaying his roots in John Coltrane and Ernie Watts, Brecker has developed his own approach to sheets-of-sound playing while not being shy about playing quite lyrically. From the opening medium-tempo blues "Madame Toulouse" and the catchy "Bye George" (which could almost have been written by Horace Silver) to the funky and slyly humorous closer, "Delta City Blues," this is a particularly strong outing. With pianist Joey Calderazzo (often emulating McCoy Tyner to at least a small degree) and an alert and intuitive rhythm section (bassist James Genus, drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts, and percussionist Don Alias), Brecker often creates fiery solos that linger to their optimum length before the mood changes. Recommended. by Scott Yanow

Tracklist:
1 Madame Toulouse 5:19
Composed By – Michael Brecker
2 Two Blocks From The Edge 8:32
Composed By – Michael Brecker
3 Bye George 6:59
Composed By – Joey Calderazzo
4 El Nino 7:41
Composed By – Joey Calderazzo
5 Cat's Cradle 6:43
Composed By – Joey Calderazzo
6 The Impaler 7:13
Composed By – Jeff Watts
7 How Long 'Til The Sun 7:39
Composed By – Michael Brecker
8 Delta City Blues 5:37
Composed By – Michael Brecker
Credits:
Bass – James Genus
Drums – Jeff "Tain" Watts
Percussion – Don Alias
Piano, Producer – Joey Calderazzo
Saxophone [Tenor], Producer – Michael Brecker

BRANFORD MARSALIS QUARTET - Eternal (2004) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Eternal finds saxophonist Branford Marsalis in a contemplative mood performing a mix of original and standard ballads with his usual quartet of pianist Joey Calderazzo, bassist Eric Revis, and drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts. The title track, written for his wife Nicole, is a hushed and cerebral affair, but never feels anything but warm. Similarly, the lead-off track, "The Ruby and the Pearl," contains the faint blush of Ellington-ian exoticism and "Gloomy Sunday" brings to mind the rumbling and atmospheric late-'60s work of longtime Marsalis touchstone John Coltrane. The album, his second solo outing for his Marsalis Music label, is dedicated in memory to a list of people one can only assume were as influential musically on Marsalis as emotionally. Among them are bassist Malachi Favors, drummer Elvin Jones, saxophonist Steve Lacy, and the one and only Ray Charles. Their spirits are palpable here as Marsalis and his band have clearly documented a handful of quietly beautiful and deeply moving performances. by Matt Collar
Tracklist:
1    The Ruby And The Pearl 8:53
Written-By – Livingston & Evans
2    Reika's Loss 7:51
Written-By – Jeff "Tain" Watts
3    Gloomy Sunday 12:43
Lyrics By – Sam Lewis
Written-By – Laszlo Javor, Rezső Seress
4    The Lonely Swan 9:04
Written-By – Joey Calderazzo
5    Dinner For One Please, James 8:00
Written-By – Michael Carr
6    Muldoon 4:13
Written-By – Eric Revis
7    Eternal 17:41
Written-By – Branford Marsalis
8    Body And Soul (Bonus Track) 5:09
Credits:
Bass – Eric Revis
Drums – Jeff "Tain" Watts
Piano – Joey Calderazzo
Recorded By, Mixed By – Rob "Wacko" Hunter
Saxophone, Producer – Branford Marsalis