Steve LaSpina – When I’m Alone (SCCD 31376)

SCCD 31376 When I'm Alone / Steve LaSpina Quintet

Steve LaSpina is, besides being a dextrous and soulful bassist, an intensely personal and inventive composer. His exceptional talent as a writer is evident again here on this his third leader album (earlier releases: New Horizon SCCD 31313 and Eclipse SCCD 31343).

The band here is LaSpina’s regular group which demonstrates clear dedication to the leader’s works. Addition of guitarist Vic Juris gave the group an extra dimension and colour.

1. Soaring (Steve LaSpina)
2. Young hearts (Steve LaSpina)
3. Last time out (Steve LaSpina)
4. When I'm alone (Steve LaSpina)
5. Exploration (Steve LaSpina)
6. My romance (Richard Rodgers)
7. Mirage (Steve LaSpina)
8. Anesthesia (Steve LaSpina)
9. Only trust your heart (Benny Carter)

UPC/EAN: 716043137626

Andy LaVerne – Tadd’s Delight (SCCD 31375)

SCCD 31375 Tadd's Delight / Andy LaVerne

Andy LaVerne Plays Tadd Dameron

Following the success of his exceptional presentation of Bud Powell materials in “In The Mood For A Classic” (SCCD 31342), Andy LaVerne this time portrays the bop era’s brightest composer Tadd Dameron (1917 – 1965) whose music became the essential part of jazz repertoire today.

“…. (Andy’s) affection for Tadd’s songbook is obvious in the enthusiasm, lyricism and wit that he deploys with keenest insight…” (Mark Gardner, from the linernotes.)

1. If you could see me now (Tadd Dameron)
2. Tadd's delight (Tadd Dameron)
3. Hot house (Tadd Dameron)
4. Tadley Ewing (Andy LaVerne)
5. The squirrel (Tadd Dameron)
6. On a misty night (Tadd Dameron)
7. Good bait (Tadd Dameron)
8. The scene is clean (Tadd Dameron)
9. Soultrane (Tadd Dameron)
10. The chase (Tadd Dameron)
11. Ladybird (Tadd Dameron)
12. Our delight (Tadd Dameron)

UPC/EAN: 716043137527

Rich Perry – What Is This? (SCCD 31374)

SCCD 31374 What Is This? / Rich Perry Quartet

Tenor saxophonist Rich Perry has proven his formidable talent both as a leader and sideman on a series of SteepleChase releases: Inner Account (SCCD 31329), To Start Again (SCCD 31331), Next Age (SCCD 31350), Speechless (SCCD 31363) and most recently the intriguing trio album Beautiful Love (SCCD 31360).

Here’s his third leader CD which Mark Gardner describes in his linernotes, “… I’m tempted to say this is his best album to date. It’s the best until the next one!…”

1. Squishy (Rich Perry)
2. You don't know what love is (DePaul/Raye)
3. One for Sam (Fred Hersh)
4. What Is This Thing (Thad Jones/Mel Lewis)
5. I'll take romance (Richard Rodgers)
6. The interloper (Thad Jones)
7. For heaven's sake (Meyer/Brown/Edwards)
8. Epistrophy (Thelonious Monk)

UPC/EAN: 716043137428

Dexter Gordon, Benny Bailey – Revelation (SCCD 31373)

SCCD 31373 Revelation / Dexter Gordon Quintet

The sequel to SCCD 31290 “Round Midnight” from the Swedish live recordings of 1974. Dexter at the peak of his powers shares the front line with his favorite trumpeter Benny Bailey.

“… all Dexter’s recordings from this time are particularly creative, especially with a soloist of Bailey’s calibre at his elbow to drive Gordon” (Mark Gardner, from the linernotes)

1. At Ronnie's (Benny Bailey)
2. Polkadots and moonbeams (Jimmy Van Heusen)
3. I can't get started (Vernon Duke)
4. Days of wine and roses (Henry Mancini)
5. The shadow of your smile (Mandel/Webster)
6. Revelation (Bill Barron)

UPC/EAN: 716043137329

Ronnie Cuber – In A New York Minute (SCCD 31372)

SCCD 31372 In A New York Minute / Ronnie Cuber Quartet

Baritone saxophonist Ronnie Cuber started to play professionally in the early ‘60s. He performed and recorded with Slide Hampton, Maynard Ferguson, George Benson, Lionel Hampton, Woody Herman to mention a few.

Cuber made his first appearance on SteepleChase in the Lee Konitz Nonet recording (SCCD 31018). In 1992 he recorded his first leader album for SteepleChase (Air Play, SCCD 31309) which received critical and public acclaim.

Here on his second album, Cuber plays some great bop titles and the result is “..another most impressive, highly musical and thoroughly absorbing album..” (Mark Gardner, from the linernotes)

1. Dig (Miles Davis)
2. In a New York minute (Ronnie Cuber)
3. Con pasión (Ronnie Cuber)
4. Bu's beat (Ronnie Cuber)
5. Sophisticated lady (Duke Ellington)
6. For bari & bass (Ronnie Cuber)
7. 12/8 thang (Ronnie Cuber)
8. Emily (Johnny Mandel)
9. Caravan (Duke Ellington/Juan Tizol)

UPC/EAN: 716043137220

Dave Stryker – Nomad (SCCD 31371)

SCCD 31371 Nomad / Dave Stryker with the Bill Warfield Big Band

A very special new album by Dave Stryker, who conceived the idea of recording with a big band when this New York-based Warfield Big Band began playing his tunes.

“ With this project we were trying to break some new ground by putting the guitar in front of a big band. It was a thrill to hear my compositions expanded to this format. I owe a big thanks to Bill Warfield and all the great musicians who contributed ….” (Dave Stryker)

“…. Showcasing the guitar within the context of a jumping big band has never been better achieved …” (Mark Gardner, from the linernotes)

1. Blues for brother Jack (Dave Stryker)
2. Nomad (Dave Stryker)
3. Matthew's waltz (Dave Stryker)
4. Victor strikes (Dave Stryker)
5. Listen to your heart (Dave Stryker/Steve Slagle)
6. 24 for Elvin (Dave Stryker)
7. Dangerous (Dave Stryker)
8. First strike (Dave Stryker)

UPC/EAN: 716043137121

Jimmy Heath – You Or Me (SCCD 31370)

SCCD 31370 You Or Me / Jimmy Heath Quartet

The middle member of the tremendously talented Heath Brothers , veteran tenorman Jimmy Heath who is turning 70 next year is still one of the most active and busiest musicians around, leading his own group and big band, composing, arranging and teaching.

Jimmy Heath on his second appearance on SteepleChase (earlier release SCCD 31292 “You’ve Changed”) offers us again “ an individual, rounded, mature and, above all, human tone that is expressive and pleases the ear ….” (Mark Gardner, from the linernotes).

1. The quota (Jimmy Heath)
2. Rio dawn (Jimmy Heath)
3. Ballad from upper neighbors suite (Jimmy Heath)
4. Is that so? (Duke Pearson)
5. Fungii mama (Blue Mitchell)
6. You or me (Jimmy Heath)
7. All too soon (Duke Ellington)
8. Hot house (Tadd Dameron)

UPC/EAN: 716043137022

George Cables – Person To Person (SCCD 31369)

SCCD 31369 Person To Person / George Cables

The sixth pianist on SteepleChase’s Fazioli solo piano series is George Cables who is no stranger to the label having led 4 successful albums (SCCD 31287, 31305, 31334 & 31357).

“George Cables, a man of immense experience and maturity in music making, is on the cusp of his creative peak. This CD summarises his abilities and wisdom in the confines of oneness in a way that will pleasure and enlighten his numerous admirers around the world.” (Mark Gardner, from the liner notes)

1. My funny Valentine (Richard Rodgers)
2. I told you so (George Cables)
3. Sweet Rita suite (George Cables)
4. Blue nights (George Cables)
5. A foggy day in London town (George Gershwin)
6. I remember Clifford (Benny Golson)
7. On Green Dolphin Street (Bronislav Kaper)
8. Love song (George Cables)
9. In a sentimental mood (Duke Ellington)
10. In walked Bud (Thelonious Monk)
11. Polkadots and moonbeams (Jimmy Van Heusen)
12. Body and soul (Johnny Green)

UPC/EAN: 716043136926

Don Friedman – Almost Everything (SCCD 31368)

SCCD 31368 Almost Everything / Don Friedman Trio

Pianist Don Friedman (b. 1935 in San Francisco) is classically trained and has worked with the top players from a wide range of stylistic areas: Dexter Gordon, Shorty Rogers, Buddy DeFranco, Chet Baker, Ornette Coleman, Jimmy Giuffre, Clark Terry to mention a few.

This Friedman’s first leader album on SteepleChase showcases his versatile ability from the lyrical Evans’ tune Emily to his own free flowing Before The Rain .

1. On Green Dolphin Street (Bronislav Kaper)
2. Flamands (Don Friedman)
3. Waltz for Marilyn (Don Friedman)
4. Before the rain (Don Friedman)
5. Emily (Johnny Mandel)
6. Twigs and branches (Matt Wilson)
7. El niño (Ron McClure)
8. Darn that dream (Jimmy Van Heusen)
9. Almost everything (Don Friedman)

UPC/EAN: 716043136827

Steve Slagle – Reincarnation (SCCD 31367)

SCCD 31367 Reincarnation / Steve Slagle Quartet

Steve Slagle (b. 1951 in Los Angeles) has been one of the leading figures in the jazz scene in New York since 1976. He has played lead alto in Machito’s Afro-Cuban orchestra, Steve Kuhn Quartet, Lionel Hampton Orchestra, Carla Bley Band to name a few earning a reputation as one of the most versatile saxophone players. He now leads his own group and also co-leads a band with guitarist Dave Stryker.

“ The name of Steve Slagle on a CD cover signifies that the listener will be rewarded by passionate, involved, swinging music in which they alto saxophonist’s intensity and complete integrity will be manifest… “

(from the linernotes by Mark Gardner)

1. Reincarnation of a lovebird (Charles Mingus)
2. Yesternite (Steve Slagle)
3. Soultrane (Tadd Dameron)
4. Sweet pepper (Steve Slagle)
5. Afro cubano (Steve Slagle)
6. Bess you is my woman now (George Gershwin)
7. Spirit of Miles (Steve Slagle)
8. Isfahan (Billy Strayhorn)
9. News blues (Steve Slagle)

UPC/EAN: 716043136728