DIZZY GILLESPIE - At Newport (1957-1992) RM / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

 
This CD features Dizzy Gillespie's second great big band at the peak of its powers. On the rapid "Dizzy's Blues" and a truly blazing "Cool Breeze," the orchestra really roars; the latter performance features extraordinary solos by Gillespie, trombonist Al Grey, and tenor saxophonist Billy Mitchell. In addition to fine renditions of "Manteca" and Benny Golson's then-recent composition "I Remember Clifford," the humorous "Doodlin'" is given a definitive treatment, there is a fresh version of "A Night in Tunisia," and pianist Mary Lou Williams sits in for a lengthy medley of selections from her "Zodiac Suite." This brilliant CD captures one of the high points of Dizzy Gillespie's remarkable career and is highly recommended.  by Scott Yanow

Tracklist 

1 Dizzy's Blues 11:51
Dizzy Gillespie / A.K. Salim

2 School Days 5:47
Will D. Cobb / Gus Edwards

Vocals – Dizzy Gillespie

3 Doodlin' 7:52
Horace Silver

4 Manteca Theme 7:11

Gil Fuller / Dizzy Gillespie / Chano Pozo
5 I Remember Clifford 4:47
Benny Golson

6 Cool Breeze 10:30
Tadd Dameron / Billy Eckstine / Dizzy Gillespie

7 Selections From Zodiac Suite (Virgo/Libra/Aries) 10:28

Mary Lou Williams
8 Carioca 3:42
Edward Eliscu / Gus Kahn / Vincent Youmans

9 A Night In Tunisia 10:00
Dizzy Gillespie / Frank Paparelli

Credits

Alto Saxophone – Ernie Henry, Jimmy Powell

Baritone Saxophone – Pee Wee Moore

Bass – Paul West

Drums – Charlie Persip

Piano – Mary Lou Williams (tracks: 7, 8), Wynton Kelly (tracks: 1 to 6, 9)

Tenor Saxophone – Benny Golson, Billy Mitchell

Trombone – Al Grey, Chuck Connors, Melba Liston

BENNY GOLSON SEXTET - The Modern Touch (1958-1992) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Benny Golson's second album as a leader (reissued on CD in the OJC series) is a solid hard bop date featuring the tenorman in a quintet with trumpeter Kenny Dorham, pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Max Roach. The all-star group performs three Golson originals (none of which really caught on), a pair of Gigi Gryce tunes (best known is "Hymn to the Orient") and the standard "Namely You." Excellent playing on an above-average set that defines the modern mainstream of 1957 jazz. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist
1 Out Of The Past 6:22
Written-By – Benny Golson
2 Reunion 7:14
Written-By – Gigi Gryce
3 Venetian Breeze 5:38
Written-By – Golson
4 Hymn To The Orient 4:07
Written-By – Gryce aka Basheer Qusim
5 Namely You 4:43
Written-By – DePaul, Mercer
6 Blues On Down 11:34
Written-By – Golson
Credits
Bass – Paul Chambers
Drums – Max Roach
Piano – Wynton Kelly
Tenor Saxophone – Benny Golson
Trombone – J.J. Johnson
Trumpet – Kenny Dorham

TERI THORNTON - Devil May Care (1961-1999) RM / APE (image+.cue), lossless

This is the first (of three) long out of print recordings by Teri Thornton, finally available to the general public. It would not be a stretch to say she is perhaps the most talented, distinctive, clean, out-of-sight singer listeners have never heard....until now. Thornton's powerful, almost chilling voice compares favorably to the pristine tones and vibrato of Sarah Vaughan, the blues sassiness of Dinah Washington, and some of the more soulful refrains of Abbey Lincoln. Simply put, you have to hear her once to believe her. Whether on doleful ballads or raucous swingers, Thornton is totally confident and in control -- of her emotions and yours. From the best version of the Bob Dorough-written title track you are likely to hear, to the regretful ballad "My Old Flame" or the ultimate heart-melter "Left Alone," to an interesting arrangement on a pleading "What's Your Story, Morning Glory?," Thornton charges through the bar lines. Check her forcefulness on "Dancing in the Dark" and "I Feel a Song Coming On." Sometimes she purposefully staggers behind measures to grand effect. Every track is a showstopper, thanks to her uniquely soulful, drama-laden approach. Potent, unobtrusive horn charts feature legends like trumpeter Clark Terry, trombonist Britt Woodman, and saxophonists Earle Warren and Seldon Powell. The rhythm section of guitarist Freddie Green (half the tracks, Sam Herman on the others), pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Sam Jones, and drummer Jimmy Cobb can do no wrong. Arranger par excellence Norman Simmons provided the perfect charts. This is an important document of a truly great jazz singer, and is essential in the collection of every serious aficionado. The only one regret is that it can't be given several handfuls of. by Michael G. Nastos  
Tracklist:
1 Lullaby of the Leaves 2:48
Bernice Petkere / Joe Young 
2 Devil May Care 2:47
Bob Dorough 
3 Detour Ahead 3:10
Lou Carter / Herb Ellis / John Freigo / Johnny Frigo 
4 The Song Is You 2:33
Oscar Hammerstein II / Jerome Kern 
5 My Old Flame 3:29
Sam Coslow / Arthur Johnston 
6 What's Your Story, Morning Glory? 3:47
Jack Lawrence / Paul Francis Webster / Mary Lou Williams 
7 Dancing in the Dark 2:31
Howard Dietz / Arthur Schwartz 
8 Left Alone 3:27
Billie Holiday / Mal Waldron 
9 Blue Champagne 3:11
Jim Eaton / Frank Ryerson / Grady Watts 
10 I Feel a Song Coming On 2:42
Dorothy Fields / Jimmy McHugh / George Oppenheimer 
11 What's New? 4:11
Johnny Burke / Bob Haggart 
12 Blue Skies 2:33
Irving Berlin 
Credits
Alto Saxophone – Earl Warren
Arranged By, Conductor – Norman Simmons
Bass – Sam Jones
Drums – Jimmy Cobb
Guitar – Freddie Green, Sam Herman
Piano – Wynton Kelly
Producer – Orrin Keepnews
Tenor Saxophone – Seldon Powell
Trombone – Britt Woodman
Trumpet – Clark Terry
Vocals – Teri Thornton

JOHNNY GRIFFIN - The Little Giant (1959-1995) RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 
 A bit of an offbeat session for tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin, The Little Giant features three originals by then-obscure pianist Norman Simmons, a reworking of the pop tune "Playmates," Babs Gonzalez's "Lonely One," and the tenorist's "63rd Street Theme." Simmons' arrangements for the three horns (which include trumpeter Blue Mitchell and trombonist Julian Priester) are colorful; the rhythm section (pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Sam Jones, and drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath) is state of the art for the period, and Griffin (who is featured in a trio with Jones and Heath on "Lonely One") is in fine form. An interesting set of obscure straight-ahead jazz. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 Olive Refractions 4:15
Written-By – Norman Simmons
2 The Message 7:20
Written-By – Norman Simmons
3 Lonely One 4:13
Written-By – Babs Gonsalez
4 63rd Street Theme 7:34
Written-By – Johnny Griffin
5 Playmates 4:18
Written-By – Saxie Dowell
6 Venus And The Moon 6:29
Written-By – Norman Simmons
Credits
Bass – Sam Jones
Drums – Albert Heath
Piano – Wynton Kelly (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 6)
Producer, Liner Notes – Orrin Keepnews
Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Griffin
Trombone – Julian Priester (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 6)
Trumpet – Blue Mitchell (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 6)

LOREZ ALEXANDRIA - More of the Great Lorez Alexandria (1964-2001) RM / Impulse! More Best 50 – 13 / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist
1 But Beautiful  4:18
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
2 Little Boat (O Barquinho)  2:17
Ronaldo Bôscoli / Roberto Menescal
3 Dancing on the Ceiling  1:32
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
4 It Might as Well Be Spring  6:58
Oscar Hammerstein II / Richard Rodgers
5 Once (It S'Aim Aient)  2:20
Norman Gimbel / Guy Magenta
6 The Wildest Gal in Town  2:54
Sammy Fain / Jack Yellen
7 Angel Eyes  4:53
Earl Brent / Matt Dennis
8 This Could Be the Start of Something Big  2:20
Steve Allen
9 No More  3:09
Tutti Camarata / Bob Russell
10 That Far Away Look  2:25
Credits
Alto Saxophone – Paul Horn
Double Bass – Al McKibbon
Drums – Jimmy Cobb (tracks: 8)
Guitar – Ray Crawford (tracks: 8)
Piano – Wynton Kelly