ANDY SUMMERS - The Golden Wire (1989) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

An atmospheric collection of compositions that would be the perfect backdrop for vistas of sunsets in exotic lands, Summers went a little more mainstream with this release than he had with Mysterious Barricades and his two projects with Robert Fripp. The textures here have more in common with his work as guitarist for the Police, though his playing is better highlighted in this solo context. Titles such as "The Island of Silk" and "Rain Forest in Manhattan" give a clue as to the almost dreamlike feel Summers is going for. He is largely successful, his uniquely fluid guitar tone combining with instruments such as wooden flute, percussion, oboe, and xianjiang tambourine, while "Piya Tose" features Indian vocalist Najma Akhtar. It's an at once soothing and adventurous album and is highly recommended. by Rob Caldwell
Tracklist:
1     A Piece of Time 6:40
Andy Summers
Oboe – Paul McCandless
2     The Golden Wire 5:55
Andy Summers
3     Earthly Pleasures 6:32
Andy Summers
Drum Programming – Kurt Wortman
4     Imagine You 2:45
Andy Summers
5     Vigango 6:14
Andy Summers
Banjo – Andy Summers
6     Blues for Snake 5:02
Andy Summers
Drum Programming – David Hentschel
7     The Island of Silk 5:09
David Hentschel / Andy Summers
8     Journey Through Blue Regions 2:21
Andy Summers
Tambourine [Xianjiang], Percussion – Kurt Wortman
9     Piya Tose 4:37
Andy Summers
Vocals – Najma Akhtar
10     Rain Forest in Manhattan 5:58
Andy Summers
Flute [Two Wooden Flutes Together] – Paul McCandless
11     A Thousand Stones 4:20
Andy Summers
Credits:
Bass – Doug Lunn (faixas: 1, 5, 8, 10), Jimmy Haslip (faixas: 2, 6, 9)
Drums, Percussion – Kurt Wortman (faixas: 1, 5)
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Andy Summers (faixas: 2, 3, 7)
Guitar – Andy Summers (faixas: 1, 4 to 6, 8 to 11)
Keyboards – David Hentschel (faixas: 7, 9, 10)
Keyboards, Drum Programming – David Hentschel (faixas: 1 to 3, 5)
Percussion – Kurt Wortman (faixas: 2, 7, 9, 10)
Saxophone [Soprano] – Paul McCandless (faixas: 2, 5, 6)
Synthesizer [Synclavier] – Stephen Croes (faixas: 2, 6, 9, 10)
Written-By – A. Summers (faixas: 1 to 6, 8, 10, 11)

NGUYÊN LÊ QUARTET - Walking on the Tiger's Tail (2005) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Guitarist Nguyên Le explores a wide span of modern styles throughout Walking on the Tiger's Tail. Some of the up-tempo pieces are essentially fusion while other selections look towards the folk-jazz of Oregon (helped out by the many horns of Paul McCandless), world music and post-bop jazz. The bassless quartet finds each of the musicians assuming the role of the bass at one time or another, and so effectively that one rarely notices its absence. Le's passionate guitar solos, the mixture of stylists and styles, and the inventive originals (which include some impressionistic ballads) make the music completely unclassifiable as anything but stimulating 21st century creative jazz.  by Scott Yanow
Tracklist
1 Wingless Flight 4:38
Nguyên Lê
2 Yielding Water 6:02
Nguyên Lê
3 Totsu! 7:55
Nguyên Lê
4 Snow on a Flower 5:34
Nguyên Lê
5 Jorai 5:05
Nguyên Lê
6 Butterfly Dream 5:52
Nguyên Lê
7 Walking on the Tiger's Tail 8:21
Nguyên Lê
8 Bee 5:25
Nguyên Lê
9 Evening Glory 4:59
Nguyên Lê
10 Zamora 6:39
Nguyên Lê
11 Eventail 5:07
Nguyên Lê
Credits
Drums, Percussion – Jamey Haddad
Producer – Nguyên Lê
Electric Guitar, Guitar [Electroacoustic], Electronics, Composed By, Liner Notes – Nguyên Lê
Oboe, Soprano Saxophone, Sopranino Saxophone, Oboe, English Horn, Bass Clarinet – Paul McCandless
Piano – Art Lande

 

PAUL McCANDLESS - Navigator (1981) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

1981's Navigator is the second solo album by woodwind player Paul McCandless, and like the first, it's not much of a departure from his better-known work with the fusion stalwarts Oregon. In front of a four-piece band featuring percussionist/vibraphonist David Samuels and guitarist Ross Traut (both of whom share composition chores), McCandless plays oboe, bass clarinet, English horn, and soprano saxophone lines that are too melodic to truly count as new age music, but aren't showboatingly complex enough to fit in with the chops-before-inspiration fusion crowd. The resulting music is unfailingly pleasant, but only occasionally, as on the haunting "Non-Navigator," with its spooky wordless ululations by vocalist Jay Clayton, does it feel truly inspired. Too often, as on Traut's "The Great Lawn," the proceedings are fine if tasty playing and a mellow mood are all one requires, but listeners wanting a deeper connection might find the album wanting. by Stewart Mason
Tracklist:
1 Julian 7:00
Paul McCandless
2 Now and Then 5:44
3 Helix 4:34
4 Non-Navigator 2:21
5 The Great Lawn 5:30
6 Willow 8:37
Paul McCandless
7 Circle Waltz 5:20
8 Synapse-The Well 3:03
9 Downstream 7:30
Credits:
Acoustic Bass – Steve Rodby
Electric Guitar, Sitar – Ross Traut
Performer [Handclaps] – Linda Namias
Soprano Saxophone, Oboe, English Horn, Bass Clarinet – Paul McCandless
Vibraphone, Marimba, Percussion, Voice – David Samuels
Vocals – Jay Clayton

EBERHARD WEBER - Later That Evening (1982) APE (image+.cue), lossless

This is one of bassist Eberhard Weber's more stimulating ECM releases, due in part to his colorful sidemen: guitarist Bill Frisell, pianist Lyle Mays (in a rare vacation from Pat Metheny), Paul McCandless (switching between soprano, oboe, English horn and bass clarinet) and drummer Michael DiPasqua. The quintet plays four of Weber's originals (including the 16½-minute "Death in the Car Wash") and, although the music is sometimes introspective and full of space, Frisell largely keeps the proceedings unpredictable and adds some fire and otherworldly sounds. by Scott Yanow