Various Artists - Blue Note Plays Stevie Wonder (2004)

Part of the Blue Note Plays series of compilations.

When I saw this disc in the used rack at Half-Price Books, I picked it up immediately without checking the artists or track titles. If I had checked, I would have known that I already owned 3 of the 11 tracks on my Najee Plays Songs From The Key Of Life CD. Aw, who am I foolin'? I woulda bought this anyway. Having Blue Note artists cover songs from Stevie Freakin' Wonder? Can't miss, right? Well...

It's a great idea, poorly executed. All the covers here are fairly straight-ahead, rarely deviating from the originals. Granted, Wonder's songwriting is first-rate and the Blue Note musicianship is top shelf. The tracks here aren't terrible, it's just that a little more creativity and originality wouldn't have hurt. This album is harmless, but it should have been a lot more fun.

Tracks:

Song	Artist	Year
I Wish	Najee	1995
Living For The City	Noel Pointer	1977
Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing	Stanley Turrentine	1986
Signed, Sealed, Delivered	Pieces Of A Dream	1997
Summer Soft	Najee	1995
Boogie On Reggae Woman	Stanley Turrentine	1986
It's A Shame	Paul Jackson, Jr.	2002
Black Man	Najee	1995
Superwoman	Noel Pointer	1977
You And I	Stanley Turrentine	1986
Too High	Pat Martino	1996

The best track is Stanley Turrentine's take on Boogie On Reggae Woman which features stellar harmonica work by Wonder himself. (Note to self: you always enjoy Turrentine's contributions to Blue Note compilations, why don't you go buy some of his albums, silly?) There's a couple of other tracks here worth your attention, including Signed, Sealed, Delivered by Pieces Of A Dream (just ignore the extraneous background vocals), Pat Martino's cover of Too High, and the smooth jazz of It's A Shame by Paul Jackson, Jr.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:
Blue Note Plays The Beatles (2004)

Various Artists - Blue Bacharach: A Cooler Shaker (1999)

From the liner notes:

There is a certain sort of elegance that has become a cliché, involving as it does, a bleached white beach next to which sits a luxury condominium. Its floors are polished pine and though there is a lot of furniture the sheer expanse of the room makes the decor seem minimal. Reclining on a white sofa is an astoundingly beautiful woman dressed in a flowing sarong style dress made from some diaphanous material. She's holding a large whisky tumbler, the drink inside is, of course, on the rocks. A hi-fi nestles on a shelf at the far side of the room, it's big and self important with buttons, knobs and dials much larger than is absolutely necessary. The music is lushly orchestrated and soothing, it has to be the work of Burt Bacharach.

This album is an extremely tasty collection of jazz covers of classic Bacharach tunes. It doesn't get much better than this; easily my favorite Bacharach album - I actually prefer these covers to the versions we are all familiar with. Timeless music good for almost any occasion; entertaining and sophisticated. Great liner notes (includes 6 cocktail recipes if ya need 'em).

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart:; Did not chart

Tracks:

1. This Guy's In Love With You - Stanley Turrentine
   From the 1968 album, The Look Of Love
2. Wives & Lovers - Nancy Wilson
   From the 1967 album, Today, Tomorrow & Forever
3. I Say A Little Prayer - Reuben Wilson
   From the 1969 album, Love Bug
4. The Look Of Love - The Three Sounds
   From the 1968 album, Coldwater Flat
5. What The World Needs Now Is Love - Stanley Turrentine
   From the 1967 album, Easy Walker
6. They Don't Give Medals (To Yesterday's Heroes) - Lou Rawls
   From the 1967 album, Soul Serenade
7. I'll Never Fall In Love Again - Grant Green
   From the 1970 album, Green Is Beautiful
8. Do You Know The Way To San Jose - Richard 'Groove' Holmes
   From the 1970 album, Working On A Groovy Thing
9. Walk On By - Stanley Turrentine
   From the 1966 album, Rough 'N' Tumble
10. Promises, Promises - The Jazz Crusaders
    From the 1969 album, Powerhouse
11. Knowing When To Leave - Ernie Watts Quintet
    From the 1969 album, Planet Soul
12. Always Something There To Remind Me - Stanley Turrentine
    From the 1968 album, Always Something There To Remind Me
13. Wives & Lovers - Grant Green
    From the 1965 album, Matador
14. Alfie - Nancy Wilson
    From the 1967 album, Just For Now

Should be listened to from top to bottom, but if you wanted to shuffle the tracks, that's okay, too. The Stanley Turrentine tracks are my favorites, but even with jazz greats like these, the true star of the disc is the songwriting.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD:  After the release of Painted From Memory (right around the time of the resurgence in lounge culture), I went on a serious Bacharach binge which included the purchase of this album. Early on, I made the mistake of loaning it to a friend. He had just gone through a bad break-up so each night he would put this CD on, drink a bottle of Wild Turkey, and cry himself to sleep (or simply pass out). He eventually got over it and I got my CD back. No more loaning.

Previously revisited for the blog:
Blue Brazil: Blue Note in a Latin Groove (1999)
Capitol Rare: Funky Notes From The West Coast (1999)
Capitol Rare: Funky Notes From The West Coast, Vol. 2 (1999)
Blue Bossa, Vol. 2: Cool Cuts from the Tropics (1999)

The Best of Stanley Turrentine (1990)

Saxophonist Stanley Turrentine (1934-2000) recorded for Creed Taylor's CTI label from 1970 - 1973. This "best of" disc covers tunes recorded with that period. Includes his signature tune, Sugar, and two previously unreleased tracks. Just check out the murderers' row of musicians on these recordings (below).

It's no coincidence that Columbia would list Benson and Burrell on the promo sticker because their solos are the ones that stop me in my tracks on each cut. Other standouts for me include Milt Jackson and the incomparable Richard Tee.

That badass Alen MacWeeney cover photo originally appeared on the cover of a 1974 CTI anthology titled The Baddest Stanley Turrentine.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks: with 76 minutes of music, you certainly get your money's worth on this compilation (especially when you can find a used copy for a couple of bucks)

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None. Turrentine appears on many compilation CDs in my collection, but, despite having many of his releases on vinyl, this is the first Turrentine CD I've ever owned.

Stanley Turrentine - Rough 'N' Tumble (1966)

Turrentine and a star-studded band groove through some soul/pop/jazz tunes (mostly covers) with top-notch arrangements; however, I ultimately agree with what is written in The Penguin Guide to Jazz: "Very enjoyable, if scarcely any kind of classic." But sometimes "enjoyable" is just what I'm after.

Original liner notes by Ira Gitler.

Turrentine - tenor saxophone
Blue Mitchell - trumpet
James Spaulding - alto saxophone
Pepper Adams - baritone saxophone
Grant Green - guitar
McCoy Tyner - piano
Bob Cranshaw - bass
Mickey Roker - drums
Duke Pearson - arrangements

Reviews/ratings:

• Record World: "beautiful sound on six groovy, commercially appealing tracks"
• CashBox: "A powerhouse package"
• DownBeat (★★): "not recommended for serious listening"
• The Penguin Guide to Jazz (5th ed., 2000): ★★★
• The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #149
• Billboard R&B: #20
• Billboard Jazz: #12
• Record World Jazz: #1

Tracks:

1. And Satisfy - originally recorded by Nancy Wilson in 1964. Wilson's single release in 1964 "bubbled under" Billboard's Hot 100 at #106.
2. What Could I Do Without You - written and recorded by Ray Charles in 1956. His single peaked at #5 on Billboard's R&B chart.
3. Feeling Good - written by for the 1964 musical The Roar of the Greasepaint – The Smell of the Crowd. While the musical wasn't a big hit, this song has become a standard.
4. Shake - written by Sam Cooke and recorded by him at the last recording session before his death. Posthumously, the song reached #7 on the Hot 100 and #2 on the R&B chart.
5. Walk On By - most famously recorded by Dionne Warwick (#6 pop, #1 R&B, #7 AC). I was previously familiar with this cut from its inclusion on the stellar Blue Note compilation, Blue Bacharach.
6. Baptismal - the premiere recording of this piece, written in the 1950s by trumpeter John Hines.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:
T Time (1995)
Ballads (1993)
The Best of Stanley Turrentine (1990)

Stanley Turrentine - Ballads (1993)

The title is self-explanatory: here we're treated to a compilation of slow standards performed by the prolific saxophonist, Stanley Turrentine, on the Blue Note label. The lack of any liner notes indicates to me that this compilation was produced for the budget market. Highly enjoyable, nonetheless, especially for a quiet night at home with that special someone (slow dancing optional but recommended).

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks (9 tracks, 65 minutes):

1. Willow Weep For Me, from the 1961 album, Blue Hour (with The Three Sounds).
2. Since I Fell For You, from the 1961 album, Blue Hour.
3. Then I'll Be Tired Of You, from the 1987 album, Comin' Your Way (recorded 1961).
4. Someone To Watch Over Me, from the 1961 album, Comin' Your Way.
5. They All Say I'm The Biggest Fool, from the 1968 album, Easy Walker.
6. More Than You Know, from the 1985 album, ZT's Blues (recorded 1961).
7. God Bless The Child, from the 1963 album, Never Let Me Go.
8. Watch What Happens, from the 1980 album, Ain't No Way (recorded 1969).
9. A Child Is Born, from the 1985 album, Straight Ahead.

My personal top picks are Since I Fell For You (with a lovely piano solo from Gene Harris), Someone To Watch Over Me, the bluesy They All Say I'm The Biggest Fool, and More Than You Know (with a lovely guitar solo from Grant Green).

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:
T Time (1995)
The Best of Stanley Turrentine (1990)

Kenny Burrell - Midnight Blue (1963)

First off, that is a fantastic album cover. Masterfully designed - like most Blue Note covers of the '60s - by Reid Miles.

This might be called "bluesy jazz" or it might be called "jazzy blues" or it might be both. Regardless, Midnight Blue is a great, relaxing album whether it is midnight or midday. True to the genre but very accessible. Possibly a great starting point for your personal Blue Note discovery adventure?

Original liner notes by Leonard Feather.

Burrell - guitar
Stanley Turrentine - tenor saxophone
Major Holley, Jr. - bass
Bill English - drums
Ray Barretto - conga

I've found this album to be a great pairing with Grant Green's Idle Moments album, also recorded for Blue Note in 1963.

Reviews/ratings:

• CashBox: "A standout showing"
• Billboard: "This is a vibrant set"
• The Rolling Stone Jazz & Blues Album Guide (1999): ★★★
• The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★★★
• The Penguin Guide to Jazz (5th ed., 2000): ★★★½

NPR included the album in its "Basic Jazz Library" where it is described as "the perfect 'late night, neon light flashing outside of the window, cigarette smoke swirling up into nothing' record." In 1987, this album was selected by Blue Note (Europe) as one of the 25 Best Albums on the label.

Update: In 2024, uDiscover Music ranked this album at #16 on its list of The 50 Greatest Blue Note Albums.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks: It's easy to see why they chose to release Chitlins Con Carne as the single since it's a slinky blues number on which both Burrell and Turrentine shine. Mule is a slow-burning blues followed by a brief, melodic interlude titled Soul Lament. The title track has a gentle swing to it and that's as hard as the groove gets on this record. Wavy Gravy is lilting waltz with an odd fade-out. A tasty cover of the 1929 standard Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You, might feature Burrell's best work on the whole dang album. The album ends with Saturday Night Blues, which is as advertised by the title - sounds like any jazz club on a Saturday where the band leader just calls out a key ("blues in F") and off they go. Turrentine certainly makes the most of his opportunities.

This 1999 Rudy Van Gelder Edition concludes with two bonus tracks which were recorded on the same day as the others - Tuesday, January 8, 1963. The first, Kenny's Sound, has a quick tempo and isn't blues-based, so it might seem out of place on the album proper. Great cut, though. The other, K Twist, would have fit nicely so I can't figure why it was excluded.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None. 

Blog post #1750

Stanley Turrentine - T Time (1995)

I recently rescued this CD from the $1 clearance bin. It's an enjoyable effort from the veteran saxophonist in which he mostly re-records some tunes from earlier releases, including a take on his signature tune, Sugar, re-titled A Little Sweetness. My only complaint concerns the choice of using synth pads instead of bringing in a real string section, but that's a minor quibble.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks:

1. Don't Mess With Mr. T (original Turrentine version on the 1973 album, Don't Mess With Mr. T)
2. A Little Sweetness (1970 album, Sugar)
3. I Haven't Got Anything Better To Do (1971 album, Salt Song)
4. Impressions (1970 album, Sugar)
5. Terrible T. (1989 album, La Place)
6. The Island (cover of an Ivan Lins tune)
7. Touching (1989 album, La Place)
8. Side Steppin' (original composed by guitarist Dave Stryker)

The previous owner of this disc had indicated their favorite tracks by writing on the disc itself in red pen: "1, 2, 7, 8" and while I prefer track 5 to track 8, I'm pretty much in agreement with that opinion (except the writing on the disc. Don't do that, folks.). However, there's nothing to skip here - while the album concept/theme of re-recordings gets a bit redundant, the performances here are first-rate and everything swings.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:
The Best of Stanley Turrentine (1990)

Jimmy Smith - Back At The Chicken Shack (1963)

You know its good when someone gives you the honorific "The Incredible" on the album cover. With the help of the invention of the drawbar B-3 organ and people like Smith, the organ moved from the church to club. Smith was prolific, releasing over 100 albums (he recorded around forty sessions just for Blue Note, 1956-63) and also found occasional success on the single charts - the title track from this release peaked at #63 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963.

And what a supporting cast: Stanley Turrentine, Kenny Burrell, and Donald Bailey. Turrentine is featured throughout and, from what I've read, this is the album that really put him on the map. Plus, Burrell's tone is unparalleled.

Original liner notes by Ira Gitler.

Featured in an early edition of the book, 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die: "arguably Smith's greatest album, relentlessly grooving, harmonically sophisticated, and earthy as the Delta mud."

Other reviews/ratings:

• Billboard: "another powerhouse album from Smith"
• CashBox: "unleashes his potent organ talents full-blast"
• DownBeat: ★★★
• The Rolling Stone Jazz & Blues Album Guide (1999): ★★★
• The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★★ 

In 1987, this album was selected by Blue Note (Europe) as one of the 25 Best Albums on the label.

Update: In 2024, uDiscover Music ranked this album at #27 on its list of The 50 Greatest Blue Note Albums.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: #14

Tracks: 4 tracks, lots of R&B (heavy on the B) with similar swingin' grooves throughout. But if you like that sorta thing, then it's all good. This 2007 Rudy Van Gelder Edition contains one bonus track, On The Sunny Side Of The Street, and while it isn't blues, it's a great take on a standard.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:
The Best of Jimmy Smith: The Blue Note Years (1988)
Houseparty (1958)
The Sermon! (1958)

Ike Quebec - Easy Living (1987)

These tracks were recorded at Ven Gelder Studio on Saturday, January 20, 1962, but not released until the latter half of 1987. While revitalizing the label in the mid-'80s, Bruce Lundvall and Michael Cuscuna started rereleasing classic Blue Note albums while also clearing the vaults of previously unreleased recordings by Blue Note artists. That last part is where this album comes in and the late release explains the uncharacteristic album cover they chose instead of a Reid Miles-inspired classic Blue Note design.* This 1985 article in CashBox magazine suggests that Alfred Lion didn't release some '60s albums because the material was "just not up to Blue Note standards." I will note that the article is vague about which recording Lion was referring to. I also couldn't find any printed example where this release was publicized or promoted. The only printed reference of the album I could find was a simple ★★★ rating in The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999).

The sextet present at the session is of an unusual instrumentation, most notably the presence of two tenor sax players. Regardless of instrumentation or quality, I simply couldn't pass up an album from Quebec because I love his tone.

Quebec - tenor saxophone
Stanley Turrentine - tenor saxophone
Bennie Green - trombone
Sonny Clark - piano
Milt Hinton - bass
Art Blakey - drums

CD liner notes by Michael Cuscuna.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks:

Tracks are the usual mix of standards and originals from Quebec and band members Green and Turrentine. The album gets off to a weak start, picks up in the middle, and ends in spectacular fashion with the three best cuts, all standards: I've Got A Crush On You, Nancy (With The Laughing Face), and Easy Living.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:
Blue & Sentimental (1963)
Heavy Soul (1962)

*When the album was reissued on vinyl in 2013, it was given a more appropriate album cover:

Blog post #2200

Various Artists ‎– Blue Beat: Blue Note Plays The Music Of Lennon And McCartney (1991)

A week ago, I wrote on this blog I would keep hunting titles in the The Blue Series. So after posting, I headed to eBay (Hi, my name is Mark and I'm an eBay addict) where this compilation of Beatles covers caught my eye, I ordered it, USPS did its thing, and here we are. I know what you're thinking: "Mark, haven't you already covered this album 8 years ago under the title Blue Note Plays The Beatles?" First, let me commend you on your outstanding memory, secondly, while the two albums contain a few common tracks, they are clearly different releases.

This compilation was released in the UK under the name "Love Me Blue" which is a clear winner of a title.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks:

• Can't Buy Me Love - Stanley Turrentine (recorded 1964, released later on the 1980 album Mr. Natural)
  This song actually works as a swing cover. Lee Morgan and McCoy Tyner steal the show. ✔
• Eleanor Rigby - Stanley Jordan (released on the 1985 album Magic Touch)
  While Jordan's technical prowess can't be disputed, this noodling cover loses all the intensity of the original and, thus, misses the entire point of the tune. ✘
• I Want to Hold Your Hand - Grant Green (released on the 1966 album of the same name)
  The only thing that keeps this from being a cheesy lounge arrangement is the outstanding musicianship. Green's tone is amazing and Larry Young's work on the drawbar organ is a delight. ✔
• Yesterday - Lee Morgan (released on the 1967 album Delightfulee)
  The unusual instrumentation and bossa beat don't really suit this song. The ending is criminal. ✘
• From Me to You - Bobby McFerrin (released on the 1986 album Spontaneous Inventions)
  Just McFerrin singing a capella in concert. That's my preferred McFerrin sound. Don't understand the fade out on a concert recording, though. ✔
• Hey Jude - Stanley Turrentine (released on the 1968 album Always Something There)
  Arranger Thad Jones simply to added a little funk groove plus French horns and strings to this and said combination shouldn't work, but it somehow does. The only downside is that they never get to the "naaaaah-nah-nah-nahnahnah-nah" coda. ✔
• In My Life - Gil Goldstein (released on the 1989 album City Of Dreams)
  Simply gorgeous. Worth the price of the disc. ✔
• Get Back - The Three Sounds (recorded 1970, previously unissued)
  I initially didn't care for this one, but by a minute into the thing, I was grooving along. ✔
• Lonnie Smith - Eleanor Rigby (released on the 1969 album Turning Point)
  see notes on the Stanley Jordan cover above. This one doesn't trill me. ✘
• Hey Jude - The Jazz Crusaders (released on the 1969 album Powerhouse)
  Joe Sample tries his best to save this one, but doesn't quite make it. Shame. ✘

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:
Blue Bacharach: A Cooler Shaker (1999)
Blue Brazil: Blue Note in a Latin Groove (1999)
Capitol Rare: Funky Notes From The West Coast (1999)
Capitol Rare: Funky Notes From The West Coast, Vol. 2 (1999)
Capitol Rare: Funky Notes From The West Coast, Vol. 3 (1999)
Blue Bossa: Cool Cuts from the Tropics (1991)
Blue Bossa, Vol. 2: Cool Cuts from the Tropics (1999)
Blue Break Beats (1992)

Various Artists - Blue Bossa, Vol. 2: Cool Cuts from the Tropics (1999)

Part of The Blue Series, issued by Blue Note Records.

This is a great collection of bossa nova music, one that deserves a start-to-finish listen every so often. Particularly appropriate for hot summer nights poolside. The cuts here are sometimes more more Afro-Cuban or samba than laid back bossa, but I'm not complaining because it turns out to be a very cohesive, well-sequenced compilation from the Blue Note vaults. Music here was first released in the years 1954 - 1976. It is difficult to find much information about Blue Note's The Blue Series online and the liner notes on this CD don't provide much help. You can't even find mention of the series at Blue Note's own website. It has become an increasingly hard-to-find series. It's currently available on iTunes, though. I need to stumble across a copy of volume 1. I rarely say this, but they just don't make 'em like this anymore.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart.

Tracks:

Song	Artist	Year
La Fiesta	Stanley Turrentine	1967
Old Devil Moon	J.J. Johnson	1954
Girl From Ipanema	Lou Rawls	1966
Book's Bossa	Donald Byrd	1967
You're Everything	Carmen McRae	1976
Swinging the Samba	Horace Silver	1958
Upa Neguinho	Duke Pearson	1969
Samba De Orfeu	Charlie Rouse	1963
Heading South	Horace Parlan	1960
Eclipso	Lee Morgan	1965
La Malanga	Bobby Hutcherson	1975
Love For Sale	Dexter Gordon	1962
Mama Inez	Grant Green	1962
Lloro Tu Despedida	Ike Quebec	1962
Blue Bossa	Joe Henderson	1963

Most are exceptional. Stronger cuts are Stanley Turrentine's La Fiesta, Samba De Orfeu by Charlie Rouse, and Eclipso by Lee Morgan. Low Rawls turns in an unexpected treat with his take on Girl From Ipanema. The weaker track is Carmen McRae's You're Everything (which is an out-of-place big band track). However, this CD is best enjoyed without worrying about who is playing on which track. Just let it play, man.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:
Capitol Rare: Funky Notes From The West Coast (1999)

Various Artists - The Best Blue Note Album in the World...Ever! (1999)

In the words of allmusic:

The Best Blue Note Album in the World Ever may boast a silly title, but it's hard to argue with what's on this double-disc sampler. Not all of the label's greatest artists are here, but everything is representative...and that the latter-day stuff, no matter how good it is, isn't quite as magical as the classic era, but there's no denying that The Best Blue Note Album in the World Ever provides a lot of bang for the buck.

I always tell people who are interested in acquiring a taste for jazz to listen to Kind Of Blue every week for a six months. My next move should be to let them listen to this primer. Even with a Richard Elliot cover of a Stevie B hit, it's a helluva lot better than a pop album masquerading as jazz compilation, i,e. Now That's What I Call Jazz.

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks, personnel included because these are names worth knowing (for the most part):

CD One:

1. Song For My Father - Horace Silver. From the 1965 album, Song For My Father.
   
   • Horace Silver – piano
   • Carmell Jones – trumpet
   • Joe Henderson – tenor saxophone
   • Teddy Smith – bass
   • Roger Humphries – drums
   
   
2. Blue Train - John Coltrane. From the 1958 album Blue Train.
   
   • John Coltrane – tenor saxophone
   • Lee Morgan – trumpet
   • Curtis Fuller – trombone
   • Kenny Drew – piano
   • Paul Chambers – bass
   • Philly Joe Jones – drums
   
   
3. Moanin' - Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers. From the 1958 album Moanin'.
   
   • Art Blakey – drums
   • Lee Morgan – trumpet
   • Benny Golson – tenor saxophone
   • Bobby Timmons – piano
   • Jymie Merritt – bass
   
   
4. Blues Walk - Lou Donaldson. From the 1958 album Blues Walk.
   
   • Lou Donaldson - alto saxophone
   • Herman Foster - piano
   • Peck Morrison - bass
   • Dave Bailey - drums
   • Ray Barretto - congas
   
   
5. Autumn Leaves - Cannonball Adderley. From the 1958 album Somethin' Else.
   
   • Julian "Cannonball" Adderley – alto saxophone
   • Miles Davis – trumpet
   • Hank Jones – piano
   • Sam Jones – bass
   • Art Blakey – drums
   
   
6. Midnight Blue - Kenny Burrell. From the 1963 album Midnight Blue.
   
   • Kenny Burrell – guitar
   • Major Holley – bass
   • Bill English – drums
   • Ray Barretto – conga
   
   
7. The Sidewinder - Lee Morgan. From the 1964 album The Sidewinder.
   
   • Lee Morgan – trumpet
   • Joe Henderson – tenor saxophone
   • Barry Harris – piano
   • Bob Cranshaw – bass
   • Billy Higgins – drums
   
   
8. Watermelon Man - Herbie Hancock. From the 1962 album Takin' Off.
   
   • Herbie Hancock - piano
   • Freddie Hubbard - trumpet
   • Dexter Gordon - tenor Saxophone
   • Butch Warren - bass
   • Billy Higgins - drums
   
   
9. Amen - Donald Byrd. From the 1960 album Fuego.
   
   • Donald Byrd - trumpet
   • Jackie McLean - alto saxophone
   • Duke Pearson - piano
   • Doug Watkins - bass
   • Lex Humphries - drums
   
   
10. Born to Be Blue - Grant Green. From the album 1962 Born To Be Blue.
    
    • Grant Green – guitar
    • Ike Quebec – tenor saxophone
    • Sonny Clark – piano
    • Sam Jones – bass
    • Louis Hayes – drums
    
    

CD Two:

1. Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia) - Us3. From the 1993 album, Hand On The Torch.
   
   • Rashaan Kelly - vocals
   • Gerard Presencer - trumpet
   • Dennis Rollins - trombone
   • Mike Smith - tenor saxophone
   • Ed Jones - soprano and tenor saxophones
   • Tony Remy - guitar
   • Matt Cooper - piano
   
   
2. The Turnaround - Big John Patton. From the 1965 album Let 'Em Roll.
   
   • Big John Patton - organ
   • Bobby Hutcherson - vibes
   • Grant Green - guitar
   • Otis Finch - drums
   
   
3. Greasy Granny - Charlie Huntrer Trio. From the 1995 album Bing, Bing, Bing!
   
   • Charlie Hunter – eight-string guitar
   • Dave Ellis – tenor saxophone
   • Jay Lane – drums
   
   
4. Back At The Chicken Shack - Jimmy Smith. From the 1963 album Back At The Chicken Shack.
   
   • Jimmy Smith – organ
   • Stanley Turrentine – tenor saxophone
   • Kenny Burrell – guitar
   • Donald Bailey – drums
   
   
5. Soy Califa - Dexter Gordon. From the 1962 album A Swingin' Affair.
   
   • Dexter Gordon – tenor saxophone
   • Sonny Clark – piano
   • Butch Warren – bass
   • Billy Higgins – drums
   
   
6. Garota de Ipanema - Elaine Elias. From the 1998 album Elaine Elias Sings Jobim.
   
   • Eliane Elias – voice and piano
   • Michael Brecker – tenor sax
   • Amanda Elias Brecker – background vocal
   • Oscar Castro-Neves – guitar
   • Marc Johnson – bass
   • Paulo Braga – drums
   • Café – percussion
   
   
7. Thinkin' About Your Body - Bobby McFerrin. From the 1986 album Spontaneous Inventions.
   
   • Bobby McFerrin - vocals
   
   
8. Tupelo Honey - Cassandra Wilson. From the 1993 album Blue Light 'til Dawn.
   
   • Cassandra Wilson – vocals
   • Brandon Ross – acoustic guitars
   • Charlie Burnham – violin & mandocello
   • Lonnie Plaxico – bass
   • Lance Carter – snares
   • Kevin Johnson – percussion
   
   
9. At Last - Lou Rawls. From the 1989 album At Last.
   
   • Lou Rawls – vocals
   • Dianne Reeves – vocals
   • Stanley Turrentine – tenor saxophone
   • Richard Tee – pianos
   • Cornell Dupree – guitar
   • Tinker Barfield - bass
   • Chris Parker - drums
   
   
10. Because I Love You - Richard Elliot. From the album Soul Embrace.
    
    • Richard Elliot - tenor saxophone
    • Ron Reinhardt - keyboards
    
    

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: The Us3 track, Cantaloop, always makes me think of the birth of my oldest son.

I also remember being blown away the first time I ever heard a Jimmy Smith track.

The first time I heard Song For My Father, I thought, "Hey! They totally ripped off Steely Dan!" Of course, it was the other way around. Live and learn.

Ike Quebec - It Might As Well Be Spring (1964)

Note: the CD I listened to was the 2006 Rudy Van Gelder Edition.

This album was recorded on December 19, 1961, but the LP wasn't released until 1964. In the meantime, Quebec tragically died of lung cancer in January 1963 at age 45. Delayed album releases happened fairly often with Blue Note in the '60s as musicians recorded many brilliant sessions while Alfred Lion calmly stacked tape boxes like a jazz leprechaun sitting on a pot of gold. Some records appeared years or even decades later. In any case, this is quality stuff and well worth a listen, regardless of year.

I always use the word "meaty" to describe Quebec's tone, but I'm getting out my thesaurus and opting for "luxuriant" in today's post. The program is relaxed, romantic, and perfect for late night listening. Pairs quite well with Quebec albums Blue & Sentimental and/or Heavy Soul. Organist Freddie Roach is the perfect band member, knowing exactly when to shine and when to support. I gotta tell ya, I was completely unfamiliar with Quebec until I fell down the RVG Editions rabbit hole around 2020. And boy-oh-boy am I happy to have finally heard his stuff. I simply love his tone. Had he lived, he would have no doubt given other soul-jazz saxophone players such as Stanley Turrentine and Lou Donaldson a run for their money throughout the decade.

Quebec - tenor saxophone
Freddie Roach - organ
Milt Hinton - bass
Al Harewood - drums

Original liner notes by Nat Hentoff.

Reviews/ratings:

• CashBox: "The jazzophiles will want this one."
• DownBeat (★★★★): "the playing is as relaxed and spontaneous, yet cohesive, as if these were four steady companions."
• The Penguin Guide to Jazz (5th ed., 2000): ★★★½
• The Rolling Stone Jazz & Blues Album Guide (1999): ★★★
• The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★

Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Did not chart

Tracks: The album is brief (35:37), but like Quebec's playing, it is all very economical - no wasted space here. Of the four standards and two Quebec originals, the highlight is the beautiful title track, a wonderful Rodgers & Hammerstein ballad originally from the 1945 film, State Fair.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:
Easy Living (1987)
Blue & Sentimental (1963)
Heavy Soul (1962)

Fuse One - The Complete Recordings (1989)

"These tunes are heard here for the first time on compact disc, in brand-new direct-to-digital remixes prepared specifically for this release by Creed Taylor."

Creed Taylor put together this collective for his CTI label, so it's basically an ad hoc supergroup recording session. As Taylor writes on the back CD insert:

Fuse One is conceived as a forum in which major contemporary musicians perform according to their own musical disciplines and interact without the constraints that accompany leader responsibilities. Each player brings in new compositions and ideas.

And while the pedigree is impeccable (production from Taylor and engineering from Rudy Van Gelder), the product is usually less than the sum of parts. In any case, this 1989 compilation on the Musicmasters label purports to be "The Complete Recordings," but there was a third album that Taylor and Van Gelder had nothing to do with, so we'll just conveniently ignore it exists for the purposes of this post.

I get a chuckle from the fact that, while he appears on only one of the eleven tracks, George Benson receives top billing on the CD cover. Because you know I'd design it the exact same way.

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FUSE ONE (1980)
7 tracks, 36 minutes

Enjoyable, but fairly generic, smooth jazz. In other words, 15 year old me in 1981 would have loved it. The material is 'over-arranged' in sharp contrast to Taylor's suggesting that the artists play without constraints. The lack of originality could be the reason why the album was largely ignored by critics other than a cursory Billboard review.

Joe Farrell - saxophones & flute (tracks 1, 3, 4, 5, 6)
John McLauglin - guitar (tracks 1, 3, 4, 5, 6)
Larry Coryell - guitar (tracks 2, 5, 7)
Ronnie Foster - keyboards (1, 3, 5)
Jorge Dalto - keyboards (track 2)
Victor Feldman - keyboards (tracks 3, 4)
Don Grusin - keyboards (track 6)
Jeremy Wall - keyboards (tracks 1-6, arrangements tracks 1-7)
Hugh McCracken - harmonica (track 7)
Stanley Clarke - bass (tracks 1, 3, 4, 6, 7)
Will Lee - bass (tracks 2, 5)
Lenny White - drums (tracks 2, 7)
Leon "Ndugu" Chancler - drums (tracks 1, 3, 4, 5)
Tony Williams - drums (track 6)
Paulinho DaCosta - percussion (tracks 1, 3, 4, 5, 6)
Roger Squitero - percussion (track 2, 7)

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: Did not chart
• Billboard Jazz: #9
• CashBox Jazz: #14
• Record World Jazz: #14

Tracks: Two compositions each from Clarke and McLaughlin, one each from Foster and Wall, plus a Latin arrangement of a tune by 19th century Czech composer Bedřich Smetana. The better tunes are Grand Prix (written by Foster), Sunshine (Clarke), and Double Steal (Wall).

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SILK (1982)
4 tracks, 34 minutes

This second album utilized arrangements by Leon "Ndugu" Chancler and the resultant R&B sound found more commercial success, yet was again ignored by the critics (except, of course, Billboard again). I enjoy this album more than the previous one.

Stanley Turrentine - tenor saxophone (tracks 8, 11)
Tom Browne - trumpet (tracks 8, 9, 11)
Wynton Marsalis - trumpet (tracks 9, 10)
Dave Valentine - flute (tracks 9, 10)
Eric Gale - guitar (tracks 8-11)
George Benson - guitar (track 11)
Stanley Clarke - bass (tracks 8-11), musical direction (tracks 8-11)
Marcus Miller - bass (tracks 9)
Ronnie Foster - keyboards (tracks 8-11)
Todd Cochran - keyboards (track 8)
Leon "Ndugu" Chancler - drums (tracks 8-11), arrangements (tracks 8-11)
Sammy Figueroa - percussion (tracks 8-11)
Manolo Badrena - percussion (tracks 9, 10)

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200: #139
• Billboard Jazz: #14
• Billboard R&B: #44
• CashBox: #175
• CashBox Jazz: #16
• Radio & Records Jazz Radio National Airplay: #15

Tracks: Only four tracks here, all a bit longer than what was found on the previous album (7-9 minutes each). I'd rank them 1) Silk, 2) Sunwalk, 3) Hot Fire, and 4) In Celebration Of The Human Spirit.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None, but I really wished someone would have turned me to some Tom Browne albums when I was a teen.

Grover Washington, Jr. - Mister Magic (1975)

The smooth jazz pioneer teams up with some top-notch artists on this release, including keyboardist/composer Bob James, percussionist/composer Ralph MacDonald, guitarist Eric Gale, trumpeter Jon Faddis, and legendary producer Creed Taylor. The whole thing has the unmistakable sound of Washington's music, so I like it. This album has become one of Washington's best-loved among his fans, most likely on the strength of the title track. However, all four tunes included here make great late night/early morning listening (when I'm able to stay up that late).

Reviews/ratings:

• CashBox: "more than a passing acquaintance with Stanley Turrentine, Gene Ammons, Willis Jackson, and, surprisingly, John Coltrane."
• Billboard: "the mood is definitely righteous jazz"
• Record World: "The magic's in the music and the music's in Mister Washington!"
• Stereo Review: "good, if not terribly exciting"
• The Rolling Stone Jazz & Blues Album Guide (1999): ★★★½
• The Virgin Encyclopedia of Jazz (1999): ★★★
• The Penguin Guide to Jazz (5th ed., 2000): ★★★★

Album chart peaks:

• US Billboard 200 : #10
• Billboard Jazz: #1
• Billboard R&B: #1
• CashBox: #15

Tracks: As occasionally happens, my least favorite track is the longest: the 12+ minute album opener, Earth Tones. That's followed by a beautifully lush arrangement of Billy Strayhorn's 1941 standard, Passion Flower. The highlight of the album is the laid back funk of the title track, which was edited and released as a single (#54 pop, #16 R&B). The album closes with the slow-burn groove of Black Frost. In my mind, tracks 1 and 4 should have been swapped, but that's just me finding something to complain about.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None

Previously revisited for the blog:
Prime Cuts: The Columbia Years 1987-1999 (1999)
All My Tomorrows (1994)
Time Out of Mind (1989)
Anthology of Grover Washington, Jr. (1985)
Skylarkin' (1980)

Rare Silk - American Eyes (1985)

When I was a lad, I picked up Rare Silk's 1983 album, New Weave. It was rather Manhattan Transfer-ish, which I dug at the time. The difference being that MT was a vocal quartet with 2 male and 2 female voices while RS was a vocal quartet with 1 male and 3 female voices, so the sound was different in that way. They still relied on jazz transcriptions, vocaleses, and close harmonies. However, I never heard of them again and figured that they were one and done. Turns out they were just one and done as far as major labels go. I first heard of this album while putting together this list, then found the CD fairly inexpensively a few weeks back (as of this writing, people are asking $54-$310 for this CD on Amazon; I found a copy at Goodwill for less than $20.) This follow-up was issued on a small but well-respected California jazz label, Palo Alto, which for some reason released CDs on a different imprint, TBA Records (bad decisions all around on that one). But enough of all that, what about the music here?

In music that features vocal harmonies, the material and arrangements must be strong and it's hit or miss on this one. Of the 8 tracks, I can recommend about half. On a couple of tracks, the group tries their best imitation of Al Jarreau scat which is best left to Jarreau. Stick to the harmonies.

Billboard, April 6, 1985, p. 66

"Eclectic but accessible" is a nicer way of saying "hit or miss" - I'm gonna need to steal that phrase. Overall, I'm going to use my usual cop-out phrase: it's good, not great. I'd rather hear New Weave again.

I could easily tear into the lack of liner notes and lack of credits therein, but since these CDs were a newfangled thing back in 1985, I'm giving the label a pass 31 years later (even though it's an easy target with a label name like TBA). Thanks to Discogs - hope your info is accurate because this is all I got:

Album chart Peaks

• US Billboard 200: Did not chart
• Billboard Jazz: #4
• CashBox Jazz: #14
• Radio & Records Jazz Radio National Airplay: #2

Tracks: The band shines on 'Round Midnight and Stanley Turrentine's Storm. I also like the cover of Steps Ahead's Oops!. I want to dislike the laid back island groove of Hello, but the marimba and steel drums draw me in. The song was written by bassist Kim Stone and features Dave Samuels and Manolo Badrena, all of whom have played with Spyro Gyra so maybe that's why I'm digging it. Skippable tracks include Watch What Happens, an ill-advised Hendrix cover (Up From The Skies), and the eclectic final track.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: see above

Various Artists - Blue TV (2001)

EU import

Subtitled "Blue Note Takes A Commercial Break," this is simply a weak compilation of tunes thrown together because the tracks were - at some point - used in a television ad in the US or UK. This CD might be my least favorite of the Blue Series. Despite the occasional good tune, Blue TV is too inconsistent to work for me as an album. Here's an explanation from the liner notes, written by British DJ/record label exec Dean Rudland:

I started to research which tracks went with which TV ads, but that quickly seemed to be a lot of work so my efforts waned. Then I discovered one the McFerrin tracks was used for a Cadbury ad in the UK with the lyrics altered from "Thinkin' about your body, thinkin' about your face" to "Thinkin' about your chocolate, thinkin' about your taste" and that quickly drained any desire to seek out other ads. You're on your own.

Tracks:

1. Unforgettable - Peggy Lee
   From the 1964 album, In Love Again!
2. Don't Worry, Be Happy - Bobby McFerrin
   From the 1988 album, Simple Pleasures
3. Let There Be Love - June Christy
   From the 1957 album, Fair And Warmer!
4. Thinkin' About Your Body - Bobby McFerrin
   From the 1986 album, Spontaneous Inventions
5. They All Laughed - Chet Baker ✔
   Recorded 1957, released in 1995 on the album Embraceable You
6. Theme From Bullitt - Wilton Felder
   From the 1969 album, Bullitt
7. Fly Me To The Moon - Julie London ✔
   From the 1973 album, The End Of The World
8. Summertime - Joe Williams
   From the 1961 album, Have A Good Time With Joe Williams
9. Wild Is The Wind - Nina Simone
   From the 1959 album, Nina Simone At Town Hall
10. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay - Peggy Lee ✔
    From the 1969 album, A Natural Woman
11. I Can See Clearly Now - Holly Cole Trio
    From the 1993 album, Don't Smoke In Bed
12. On The Street Where You Live - Holly Cole Trio
    From the 1992 album, Blame It On My Youth
13. Let's Face The Music And Dance - Jackie McLean ✔
    From the 1960 album, Sine, Swang, Swingin'
14. Lazy Bones - Jeri Southern
    From the 1958 album, Southern Breeze
15. Comin' Home Baby - Buddy Rich Big Band
    From the 1969 album, Buddy & Soul
16. Feeling Good - Stanley Turrentine ✔
    From the 1966 album, Rough 'N' Tumble
17. Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia) - Us3 ✔
    From the 1993 album, Hand On The Torch

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None, but this is a reminder that earlier this year I put together an unofficial, possibly incomplete list of titles in the Blue Series. Available here: The Blue Series (1991-2002).

Previously revisited for the blog:

US releases
Blue Funk (2001)	UK releases
Blue '70s (2000)	Blue 'N' Soul (2001)
Latino Blue (2000)	Blue Series Sampler (2001)
Blue Brazil (1999)	Capitol Rare Vol 3 (1999)
Jump Blue (1999)	Blue 45s (1998)
Blue Boogie (1999)	Blue York Blue York (1996)
Blue Valentines (1999)	So Blue So Funky Vol 2 (1994)
Capitol Rare (1999)	California Cool (1993)
Capitol Rare Vol 2 (1999)	So Blue So Funky (1991)
Blue Bossa Vol 2 (1999)
Blue Bacharach (1999)
Midnight Blue (1999)
Blue Movies (1999)
Blue 'N' Groovy Vol 2 (1999)
Blue Break Beats Vol 3 (1996)
Blue Break Beats (1992)
Blue Beat (1991)
Blue Bossa (1991)

Various Artists - Blue Note Plays The Beatles (2004)

This Blue Note compilation came out in 2004, but the songs were released between 1964 - 1996. Part of the Blue Note Plays series of compilations.

Tracks:

• Can't Buy Me Love - Stanley Turrentine (1964)
  This song actually works as a swing cover. Lee Morgan and McCoy Tyner steal the show.
• Yesterday - Lee Morgan (1966)
  The unusual instrumentation and bossa beat don't really suit this song. The ending is criminal.
• Norwegian Wood - Buddy Rich (1967)
  What a fantastic arrangement in classic jazz waltz style. Rich's drumming keeps the whole big band moving forward. High energy. Live recording.
• Hello Goodbye - Bud Shank w/Chet Baker (1967)
  This is bad. Really bad. Chet was in bad shape then, plus the arrangement is substandard.
• A Day in the Life - Grant Green (1970)
  You wouldn't think this song would lend itself to a jazz cover, but somehow they pull it off mainly because of the organ playing of Emmanuel Riggins. At 9 minutes, it goes on a bit too long; everybody gets a solo.
• Eleanor Rigby - Stanley Jordan (1984)
  Typical Jordan fare. If you like his stuff, you'll like this. Doodle, doodle, doodle...
• Blackbird - Tony Williams (1991)
  This is one of the better cuts on the CD. I like the pairing of soprano sax and muted trumpet.
• I've Just Seen a Face - Holly Cole (1996)
  Ny favorite song on the CD. This song seems to work well at any tempo.
• And I Love Her - Kevin Hays (1996)
  I like Hays' modal take on the changes during his solo, but overall I'm indifferent to this piano trio track.
• Come Together - Dianne Reeves & Cassandra Wilson with Bob Belden (1996)
  More of a pseudo-funk attempt which sounds more like something out of California in the early '80s than NYC in the mid '90s. Good idea, poor execution.
• Drive My Car - Bobby McFerrin (1988)
  I like this cover. McFerrin overdubs his voice and creates a nice a capella take while not losing any forward momentum.

Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None