Doug Raney – Raney ’96 (SCCD 31397)

SCCD 31397 Raney 96 / Doug Raney Quartet

Recorded a few weeks before his 40 th birthday, Doug Raney’s latest album features the new star drummer Herlin Riley.

“… In a set that never lacks for interest throughout its duration, Doug Raney once again proves beyond question that he is among the most articulate and swinging guitarists in contemporary jazz . Life many not being at 40, but musically , in Raney’s case, it certainly gets better and better! ” (Mark Gardner)

1. Giant steps (John Coltrane)
2. Besame mucho/The dolphin (Velazquez/Eca)
3. I fall in love too easily (Jule Styne)
4. Querido (Pat Martino)
5. Fried pies (Wes Montgomery)
6. Moose the mooche (Charlie Parker)
7. Re: Person I knew (Bill Evans)
8. I loves you Porgy (George Gershwin)
9. Afro blue (John Coltrane)

UPC/EAN: 716043139729

Steve LaSpina – Story Time (SCCD 31396)

SCCD 31396 Story Time / Steve LaSpina Quartet

Here’s another captivating CD by Steve LaSpina, a highly talented and imaginative composer and resourceful leader as well as the outstanding bass instrumentalist.

On his composition, Mark Gardner writes, “ His writing is neither fussy nor over-emphatic. It allows everyone to ‘breathe’ while enhancing the listener’s enjoyment… ”

1. In the sky (Steve LaSpina)
2. Story time (Steve LaSpina)
3. That day (Steve LaSpina)
4. Fanfare (Steve LaSpina)
5. Skylark (Hoagy Carmichael)
6. Scott's bop (Steve LaSpina)
7. It's no party without you (Steve LaSpina)
8. Il volo di florindo (Lello Pareti)

UPC/EAN: 716043139620

Keith Copeland – The Irish Connection (SCCD 31395)

SCCD 31395 The Irish Connection / Keith Copeland Trio

Drummer Keith Copeland has been on the fore front of New York scene for a long time playing with Hank Jones, the Heath Brothers, George Russell, Stan Getz, Johnny Griffin, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye to mention a few. Since 1994 Keith has been resident of Germany and teaching at music schools.

This CD is his first leader album on the label.

1. Celeste (Ralph Towner)
2. Jard sur six (Tommy Halferty)
3. Syeeda's song flute (John Coltrane)
4. Once I loved (Antonio Carlos Jobim)
5. All of you (Cole Porter)
6. The night has a thousand eyes (Bernier-Brainin)
7. The line of most resistance (Ronan Guilfoyle)
8. The funky chicken (Pee Wee Ellis)
9. Falling in love with love (Richard Rodgers)
10. Blue bolivar blues (Thelonious Monk)

UPC/EAN: 716043139521

Ronnie Cuber – N. Y. C.ats (SCCD 31394)

SCCD 31394 N. Y. C.ats / Ronnie Cuber Quintet

“… Today <Ronnie Cuber> is among the few leading exponents of bop baritone and for many he remains the most exciting and listenable of the lot with his huge sound, adroit agility and harmonic awareness…His music is jaunty, robust and passionate…We do not look to Ronnie Cuber for genteel, gentle or polite back ground music. To him we turn for gut-wrenching, virile sounds that express a relish for living and a defiant optimism which take the ears by storm …” (Mark Gardner)

1. Mirage (Ronnie Cuber)
2. Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me (Duke Ellington)
3. Mimosa (George Benson)
4. Humacao (Ronnie Cuber)
5. I've Got You Under My Skin (Cole Porter)
6. Ponta Grossa (Ronnie Cuber)
7. Better Git It In Your Soul (Charles Mingus)

UPC/EAN: 716043139422

Karen Francis – Where Is Love? (SCCD 31393)

SCCD 31393 Where Is Love? / Karen Francis Quartet

Jazz vocal’s exciting young talent Karen Francis has launched her recording career on Stanley Cowell’s recent album “Mandara Blossoms” (SCCD 31386).

Here’s her sparkling debut as a leader.

“… Savour her warmth, courage and individuality in these thoughtful and wholly engaging performances that provide more than a glimpse of an artist whose commitment to and love of what she is interpreting is never in doubt for one second .” (Mark Gardner)

1. I guess I'll hang my tears out to dry (Jule Styne)
2. The end of a love affair (Redding)
3. Sweet pumpkin (Bright/Ronell)
4. Willow weep for me (Ann Ronell)
5. Let's go where the grass is greener (Smith/Maxwell)
6. Where is love? (Louis Barts)
7. He never mentioned love (Curtis Lewis)
8. Triste (Antonio Carlos Jobim)
9. Polkadots and moonbeams (Jimmy Van Heusen)
10. May I come in? (Fisher/Segal)
11. On a clear day (Lane/Lerner)

UPC/EAN: 716043139323

Harold Danko – The Feeling Of Jazz (SCCD 31392)

SCCD 31392 The Feeling Of Jazz / Harold Danko Quartet

Here's an intriguing re-make of one of the most surprising jazz releases of the 1960s: "Duke Ellington And John Coltrane" (Impulse).

Harold Danko and his group was invited to give concerts in the theme of "Beyond Category: The Musical Genius of Duke Ellington" for the American Library Association and the Smithsonian Institution last year. The result is this superbly realised and genuine jazz research (Mark Gardner).

1. In a sentimental mood (Duke Ellington)
2. Take the Coltrane (Duke Ellington)
3. Big Nick (John Coltrane)
4. Stevie (Duke Ellington)
5. My little brown book (Billy Strayhorn)
6. Angelica (Duke Ellington)
7. The feeling of jazz (Duke Ellington)

UPC/EAN: 716043139224

Ron McClure – Concrete Canyon (SCCD 31391)

SCCD 31391 Concrete Canyon / Ron McClure Quartet

Bassist and composer McClure put his dream quartet on his latest recording for SteepleChase.

“.. .Being in the studio with Tim Hagans, Marc Copland and Billy Hart playing this music was glorious…The excitement of spontaneous, collective improvisation with players of this level is a high with no equal. This is our art. I don’t care what they invent, nothing could ever replace this wonderful process known as jazz …” (Ron McClure)

1. All that's left (Marc Copland)
2. Lock (Ron McClure)
3. Deception (Ron McClure)
4. Sing your song (Ron McClure)
5. Nighty nite (Ron McClure)
6. Sem Herbie (Ron McClure)
7. Over and over again (Ron McClure)
8. Ears (Ron McClure)
9. Concrete canyon (Ron McClure)

UPC/EAN: 716043139125

Larry Schneider – Freedom Jazz Dance (SCCD 31390)

SCCD 31390 Freedom Jazz Dance / Larry Schneider Trio

Larry Schneider’s latest outing for SteepleChase is a pianoless trio format which provides the tenorman with more freedom and space.

“ Larry Schneider is one of the select minority who consistently rises to the challenge implicit in this type of trio. He thrives in the looseness of the context and the choices it affords him .” (Mark Gardner)

1. What is this thing called love? (Cole Porter)
2. Days of wine and roses (Henry Mancini)
3. The inch worm (Frank Loesser)
4. Peggy's blue skylight (Charles Mingus)
5. Freedom jazz dance (Eddie Harris)
6. Angel eyes (Matt Dennis)
7. Mercury and Venus (Larry Schneider)
8. The Surrey with the fringe on top (Richard Rodgers)
9. You don't know what love is (DePaul/Raye)
10. All the things you are (Jerome Kern)

UPC/EAN: 716043139026

Tony Purrone – Set ‘Em Up (SCCD 31389)

SCCD 31389 Set 'em Up / Tony Purrone Trio

Though Tony Purrone is no stranger to SteepleChase recording sessions (most recently on Jimmy Heath’s “You Or Me” SCH 31370), this is Tony’s first leader album on the label.

“ Tony Purrone is truly a rare artist. To find such a rich historical perspective, unbridled creativity, exceptional spontaneity and outstanding technical skills in a single individual is rare in any field …” (Don Oakes)

1. Blues aloof (Tony Purrone)
2. How deep is the ocean (Irving Berlin)
3. Wolfbane (Lenny White)
4. Scott David (Eddie Gomez)
5. Ah-Leu-Cha (Charlie Parker)
6. Remembering the dream (Tony Purrone)
7. Heads up, feet down (Jimmy Heath)
8. Toy tune (Wayne Shorter)
9. Pequonnock Valley walk (Tony Purrone)
10. Sorcerer (Wayne Shorter)

UPC/EAN: 716043138920

Andy LaVerne – Serenade To Silver (SCCD 31388)

SCCD 31388 Serenade To Silver / Andy LaVerne Quintet

This is the third release of Andy LaVerne’s ongoing series of tributes to jazz’s great pianists/composers. (Earlier releases: In The Mood For A Classic – dedicated to Bud Powell SCCD 31342 and to Tadd Dameron – Tadd’s Delight SCCD 31375 )

The music of Horace Silver, the major influence of the 1950s’ hard bop is put into contemporary perspective by Andy and his super bop quintet.

1. Nica's dream (Horace Silver)
2. Strollin' (Horace Silver)
3. Song for my father (Horace Silver)
4. Summer in Central Park (Horace Silver)
5. Nutville/Cape Verdean (Horace Silver)
6. Silver's serenade (Horace Silver)
7. Gregory is here (Horace Silver)
8. Peace (Horace Silver)
9. Serenade to Silver (Andy LaVerne)
10. Barbara (Horace Silver)

UPC/EAN: 716043138821