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)

BRAD MEHLDAU TRIO - Day is Done (2005) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Brad Mehldau did an exceptional job of keeping his stellar trio together for seven years, as proven by his fine Art of the Trio dates and 2004's Anything Goes. But Jorge Rossy, the group's drummer, began spending more and more time away from music and at his home in Spain. Mehldau, who is almost prolific in his recording process, recruited drummer Jeff Ballard to replace Rossy on Day Is Done. Ballard has worked off and on with bassist Larry Grenadier in the trio Fly with saxman Mark Turner, so he's not a total stranger to the process. Yet Ballard is a different kind of drummer, more diverse and certainly more kinetic in his approach, as evidenced by this disc. This is Mehldau's most energetic and rigorous recording to date. These ten cuts are comprised mainly of covers, though aside from "Alfie," there isn't anything here approaching a standard. There are tunes here by the Beatles ("She's Leaving Home" and a glorious solo version of "Martha My Dear" with a Scarlatti-esque study in counterpoint to usher it in), Paul Simon (a jaunty read of "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover"), Nick Drake (the title cut), and even Radiohead (in the crackling energy of "Knives Out"). There are two fine originals as well: the shimmering "Artis," with its striated right-hand work, and the Latin-tinged "Turtle Town," a somewhat breezy ballad that is nonetheless knotty and off-kilter enough in its melody and in Mehldau's solo to become complex and challenging. Day Is Done is another exceptional chapter in the Mehldau catalog, one that showcases a willingness to stretch itself to the breaking point and open up the band to a wider array of approaches. by Thom Jurek  
Tracklist:
1 Knives Out 8:29
Colin Greenwood
2 Alfie 3:46
Burt Bacharach
3 Martha My Dear  4:38
John Lennon / Paul McCartney
4 Day Is Done 9:26
Nick Drake 
5 Artis 6:21
6 Turtle Town 6:18
7 She's Leaving Home 9:07
John Lennon / Paul McCartney
8 Granada 7:30
Chris Cheek
9 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover 8:32
Paul Simon
10 No Moon at All 5:49
Redd Evans
Credits:
Bass – Larry Grenadier
Drums – Jeff Ballard
Producer, Piano – Brad Mehldau

BRAD MEHLDAU - Brad Mehldau Trio : Live (2008) 2xCD / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Three years passed between the release of the Brad Mehldau's Day Is Done and this live outing. What's so significant about this is simply that the former record marked the debut of drummer Jeff Ballard, who had replaced longtime kitman Jorge Rossy. Ballard is a more physical, busier, and more energetic drummer, allowing for Mehldau and bassist Larry Grenadier to up the ante in terms of dynamic and rhythmic options. Day Is Done offered a number of wonderfully contrasting moments where Mehldau, a big pop music fan from all eras, wove a tapestry from Burt Bacharach and John Lennon to Nick Drake and Colin Greenwood, from Paul Simon to Chris Cheek, as well as inserting a few of his own compositions. House on Hill was released the following year, but the material preceded the arrival of Ballard and was recorded as part of the sessions for 2004's Anything Goes. This trio has also recorded with Pat Metheny on two dates in 2006 and 2007. This is the first live date to feature the group on its own, and it is a very healthy helping.

Comprised of two discs recorded at the Village Vanguard during a six-night stint in October of 2006, it showcases the many varied strengths of this already deeply intuitive group. Disc one staggers covers of popular tunes as disparate as Noel Gallagher's (of Oasis) "Wonderwall," Chico Buarque's classic "O Que Será," Chris Cornell's (of Soundgarden) "Black Hole Sun," and Ray Noble's gorgeous ballad "The Very Thought of You" with two of his own compositions. Disc two comes more directly out of the Mehldau songbook, wit three of his own tunes, a Jimmy Heath number, and a standard, and closes with a stunning reading of John Coltrane's "Countdown." The way the trio treats "Wonderwall," beginning with Grenadier and Ballard's funky soul-jazz bass and drum interaction before Mehldau enters the melody, cutting it with large helpings of the blues and soul, is killer. Sure, it has his trademark elegance, but it's the rearrangement of the number with its taut rhythmic groove while keeping the melody all but danceable that's the treat. The beautiful breakbeat and tom tom work by Ballard is uncluttered but it's extremely knotty and busy. The groove is at the center and he brings it home while Grenadier accents it constantly.

Contrast this with the next tune, the pianist's "Ruby's Rub," that swings right out of the gate, and yet the way Mehldau changes his sense of dynamics and time with sudden starts and stops, leaving that space for Ballard and Grenadier to adorn however sparsely, is what makes this such a modern work. The Buarque song is given an extrapolated treatment here as it switches from samba to bossa to funk and even modalism while never losing its lyric sensibility, and -- what may be the best thing here -- note the hand over hand soloing Mehldau does in the middle of the tune and have your breath taken away. "Black Hole Sun" is completely re-harmonized and its melody is ever present but it is an entirely different tune in the hands of the trio. Finally, disc one closes with the Noble ballad, offering a hint as to just how subtle this rhythm section can be. It offers this lithe, almost ethereal bottom that is nonetheless circular and firm, allowing those big spaces between Mehldau's solo lines the room to float right through and enter the listener as gracefully and emotionally honest as any singer.

Disc two kicks off with the bandleader's "Buddha Realm." It contains all of the deep rhythmic interplay that this trio does best. As the pianist articulates one of his knottier melodies with long lines that twist and turn inside themselves, Ballard double- and triple-times the band while rolling the ride cymbal enough for a solid pulse to come shimmering through. Grenadier follows both men, offering the middle ground between the flights of two brilliant soloists. It's exciting, innovative, and offers proof that piano jazz, or at least the true rubber-meets-the-road-jazz piano trio still has lots of tricks up its sleeve in the present day. This is genuinely new jazz, not just a showcase over a rhythm section. More evidence is on the Heath number "C.T.A.," where the hard bop charge roars from the starting line and becomes a multi-valent harmonic bank of ideas and extensive methodical and wire-walking creative articulations as Grenadier's tough solo indicates. The nearly 15-minute reading of Coltrane's "Count Down" makes great use of the energy of the original, but the knotty counterpoint solo Mehldau uses to open it is a throw off; a momentary feint. His opening volley of intensely pointed ranginess is worthy of Oscar Peterson. The solo is wildly inventive because the entire harmonic structure of the tune is in there, pushed to the brink by the deep register, right-hand chord voicings he employs that walk the line between stride and post-bop. When the rhythm section enters, the mood changes. It's still very quick and athletic, but it is brighter as well; colorful as well as dynamic and fast.

Live is deeply satisfying on all levels including the price point. Mehldau and Nonesuch have made the purchase of the double-disc set very attractive. Those new or curious about the trio will be astonished by what's here, pure and simple. For seasoned jazz fans and those of the pianist in particular, this is nothing short of total delight. by Thom Jurek

Tracklist 1 :

1 Introduction 0:14

2 Wonderwall 8:44  

Noel Gallagher

3 Ruby's Rub 13:07

Brad Mehldau

4 O Que Será 10:37

Chico Buarque

5 B-Flat Waltz 9:10

Brad Mehldau

6 Black Hole Sun 23:30

Chris Cornell

7 The Very Thought of You 13:03

Ray Noble

Tracklist 2 :

1 Buddha Realm 11:59

Brad Mehldau

2 Fit Cat 10:40

Brad Mehldau

3 Secret Beach 11:35

Brad Mehldau

4 C.T.A. 16:16

Jimmy Heath

5 More Than You Know 12:08

Edward Eliscu / Vincent Youmans

6 Countdown 14:56

John Coltrane

Credits:

Bass – Larry Grenadier

Drums – Jeff Ballard

Piano, Producer – Brad Mehldau

 

BRAD MEHLDAU - Highway Rider (2010) 2CD / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The Highway Rider is pianist and composer Brad Mehldau's second collaboration with enigmatic pop producer Jon Brion. The first was 2002's ambitious but tentative Largo. As a collaboration, The Highway Rider is much more confident by contrast. Mehldau’s most ambitious work to date, its 15 compositions are spread over two discs and 100 minutes. His trio --bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Jeff Ballard -- is augmented by saxophonist Joshua Redman, drummer Matt Chamberlain, and a chamber orchestra conducted by Dan Coleman. The album is a narrative jazz suite, orchestrated and arranged by Mehldau, though it has much in common with classical and pop music, as well. 

The group settings range from solo to quintet, with and without strings, all of it recorded live in studio. Redman's addition is welcome. “Don’t Be Sad” features his consoling tenor, Mehldau (on pump organ and piano), Grenadier, and both drummers with orchestra. It begins as a piano solo, languidly establishing a pace that begins to swing with gospel overtones. Later, Redman's lower-register blowing, strings, and winds carry it out joyfully. Brion adds drum‘n’bass overtones to the trio on the title track. The electronics are a narrative device designating motion; they accompany the gradually assertive knottiness in the post-bop lyric. Mehldau begins “The Falcon Will Fly Again” with a complex solo that touches on Latin grooves, even as Chamberlain and Ballard create an organic loop effect with hand percussion. Redman's soprano creates a contrapuntal melody extending the harmonic dialogue. Disc two’s lengthy “We’ll Cross the River Together” has quintet and orchestra engaging in a beautiful study of texture, color, and expansive harmonics with wildly divergent dynamics. It showcases Mehldau’s trademark pianistic elegance in counterpoint. Redman's deep blues tenor nearly weeps on “Sky Turning Grey (For Elliot Smith).” “Capriccio’'s Latin rhythms contrast ideally: Mehldau’s classical, gently dissonant motifs create an exploratory harmonic palette as Redman’s magnetic soprano playing joins Mehldau's in the last third, anchoring the complex melody. The closer, “Always Returning,” builds to a climax that incorporates themes from the cycle. Redman and Mehldau soar with the orchestra before they all close it in a whispering tone poem. By combining sophisticated -- yet accessible -- forms with jazz improvisation, The Highway Rider exceeds all expectations, giving jazz-classical crossover a good name for a change. It is Mehldau’s most ambitious, creatively unfettered, and deeply emotional work to date, and will stand as a high watermark in his catalog. by Thom Jurek

Tracklist 1 :

1  John Boy 3:15
Brad Mehldau 
2  Don't Be Sad 8:40
Brad Mehldau 

3  At the Tollbooth 1:07 

Brad Mehldau 

4  Highway Rider 7:45 

Brad Mehldau 

5  The Falcon Will Fly Again 8:21 

Brad Mehldau 

6  Now You Must Climb Alone 4:05 

Brad Mehldau 

7  Walking the Peak 8:00 

Brad Mehldau 

Tracklist 2 :

1  We'll Cross the River Together 12:28
Brad Mehldau 

2  Capriccio 5:20 

Brad Mehldau 

3  Sky Turning Grey [For Elliot Smith] 6:24 

Brad Mehldau 

4  Into the City 7:36 

Brad Mehldau 

5  Old West 8:28 

Brad Mehldau 

6  Come with Me 6:19 

Brad Mehldau 

7  Always Departing 6:20 

Brad Mehldau 

8  Always Returning 9:52 

Brad Mehldau 
Credits:
Bassoon [Orchestra] – Andrew Radford (tracks: 1-2, 1-6 to 2-1, 2-7, 2-8) 
Cello [Orchestra, Principal] – Timothy Landauer (tracks: 1-2, 1-6 to 2-1, 2-7, 2-8) 
Cello [Orchestra] – Armen Ksajikian (tracks: 1-2, 1-6 to 2-1, 2-7, 2-8), Cecilia Tsan (tracks: 1-2, 1-6, 1-7), Martha Lippi (tracks: 2-1, 2-7, 2-8), Rudolph Stein (tracks: 2-1, 2-7, 2-8), Stefanie Fife (tracks: 1-2, 1-6 to 2-1, 2-7, 2-8), Trevor Handy (tracks: 1-2, 1-6, 1-7) 
Composed By, Arranged By, Orchestrated By – Brad Mehldau
Conductor [Orchestra] – Dan Coleman (tracks: 1-1, 1-2, 1-6 to 2-1, 2-7, 2-8) 
Contrabassoon [Orchestra] – Allen Savedoff (tracks: 1-6 to 2-1, 2-7, 2-8) 
Contractor [Orchestra] – Suzie Katayama
Double Bass [Bass, Orchestra, Principal] – Michael Valerio (tracks: 1-6, 1-7), Sue Ranney (tracks: 2-1, 2-7, 2-8) 
Double Bass [Bass, Orchestra] – David Stone (tracks: 1-6, 1-7), Ed Meares (tracks: 1-6, 1-7), Oscar Hidalgo (tracks: 2-1, 2-7, 2-8), Timothy Eckert (tracks: 2-1, 2-7, 2-8) 
Double Bass [Bass] – Larry Grenadier (tracks: 1-2, 1-4, 1-7, 2-1, 2-3, 2-4, 2-6, 2-8) 
Drums – Jeff Ballard (tracks: 1-7, 2-1, 2-4, 2-6, 2-8), Matt Chamberlain (tracks: 1-2, 1-4, 1-7, 2-3, 2-8) 
Horn [Orchestra, Principal] – Brian O'Connor (tracks: 1-2, 1-6, 1-7), Steven Becknell (tracks: 1-1, 2-1, 2-7, 2-8) 
Horn [Orchestra] – Dan Kelley (tracks: 1-1, 2-1, 2-7, 2-8), John Reynolds (tracks: 1-6, 1-7), Mark Adams (tracks: 1-1, 1-6, 1-7), Phillip Yao (tracks: 1-1, 2-1, 2-7, 2-8) 
Leader [Orchestra] – Dan Coleman
Percussion – Jeff Ballard (tracks: 1-1, 1-5, 2-1, 2-2), Matt Chamberlain (tracks: 1-5, 2-1, 2-2) 
Piano – Brad Mehldau (tracks: 1-1 to 1-5, 1-7 to 2-6, 2-8) 
Soprano Saxophone – Joshua Redman (tracks: 1-1, 1-5, 2-2, 2-5, 2-6, 2-8) 
Tenor Saxophone – Joshua Redman (tracks: 1-2, 1-7, 2-1, 2-3) 
Viola [Orchestra, Principal] – Bob Becker (tracks: 2-1, 2-7, 2-8), Roland Kato (tracks: 1-2, 1-6, 1-7) 
Viola [Orchestra] – Andrew Duckles (tracks: 1-2, 1-6, 1-7), Andrew Picken (tracks: 2-1, 2-7, 2-8), Carole Kleister-Castillo (tracks: 2-1, 2-7, 2-8), Denyse Buffum (tracks: 1-2, 1-6, 1-7), Qiang (John) Wang (tracks: 2-1, 2-7, 2-8), Matt Funes (tracks: 1-2, 1-6 to 2-1, 2-7, 2-8), Victoria Miskolczy (tracks: 1-2, 1-6, 1-7) 
Violin [Orchestra] – Alyssa Park (tracks: 1-2, 1-6, 1-7), Robert Peterson (tracks: 2-1, 2-7, 2-8), Caroline Campbell (tracks: 1-2, 1-6 to 2-1, 2-7, 2-8), Dorian Cheah (tracks: 1-2, 1-6 to 2-1, 2-7, 2-8), Gerardo Hilera (tracks: 2-1, 2-7, 2-8), Jacqueline Brand (tracks: 1-2, 1-6, 1-7), Josefina Vergara (tracks: 1-2, 1-6, 1-7), Julian Hallmark (tracks: 1-2, 1-6 to 2-1, 2-7, 2-8), Michele Richards (tracks: 2-1, 2-7, 2-8), Natalie Leggett (tracks: 1-2, 1-6, 1-7), Philip Vaiman (tracks: 2-1, 2-7, 2-8), Sara Parkins (tracks: 1-2, 1-6 to 2-1, 2-7, 2-8), Tereza Stanislav (tracks: 1-2, 1-6, 1-7), Vladimir Polimatidi (tracks: 2-1, 2-7, 2-8) 
Violin [Orchestra], Concertmaster – Charlie Bisharat (tracks: 1-2, 1-6 to 2-1, 2-7, 2-8)