Billy Harper – Live On Tour In The Far East, Vol. 3 (SCCD 31366)

SteepleChase

SCCD 31366 LIVE on tour in the far east Vol. 3 / Billy Harper Quintet

Another exciting on-location recording from Billy Harper Quintet’s extensive Far Eastern tour of the Spring 1991.

“… The music they made in Malaysia was original, forthright, imaginative and uncompromising. The audience appreciated those qualities as you will, too .” (from the linernotes by Mark Gardner)

1. Soran Bushi B.H. (Billy Harper)
2. Call of the wild and peaceful heart (Billy Harper)
3. Cry of hunger (Billy Harper)

UPC/EAN: 716043136629

Mickey Tucker – Getting There (SCCD 31365)

SCCD 31365 Getting' There / Mickey Tucker

Mickey Tucker is no stranger to SteepleChase label. His Blues In Five Dimensions (SCCD 31258) and Hang In There (SCCD 31302) were not only the successful albums but also marked his return to leading his own sessions.

This time Tucker flew in to Copenhagen from Australia where he resides these days to make his first solo recording ever in the SteepleChase studio for its Fazioli solo recital series.

“… a beautifully rounded portrait of a most sensitive solo performer whose willingness to ‘face the music’ head -on is quite simply masterly…” (from the linernotes by Mark Gardner)

1. Paraphenalia (Wayne Shorter)
2. Lush life (Billy Strayhorn)
3. Blues for Khalid (Mickey Tucker)
4. Tres cicli, 1. Movement (Bochos Gelalian)
5. Tres cicli, 2. Movement (Bochos Gelalian)
6. Tres cicli, 3. Movement (Bochos Gelalian)
7. Coltrane suite: Dear Lord (John Coltrane)
8. Coltrane suite: After the rain (John Coltrane)
9. Coltrane suite: Resolution (John Coltrane)
10. My one and only love (Mellin/Woods)
11. Gettin' there (Mickey Tucker)
12. Jitterbug waltz (Fats Waller)

UPC/EAN: 716043136520

Joe Locke – Very Early (SCCD 31364)

SCCD 31364 Very Early / Joe Locke Trio

Joe Locke is undoubtedly one of the top contemporary vibraphonists. Here in an intimate trio setting he explores the instrument’s melodious aspect to the fullest.

“ This recording session was a rewarding and challenging experience for me. Playing in this format opened my eyes to new possibilities, and made me confront things about myself as a musician .” (Joe Locke)

1. You don't know what love is (DePaul/Raye)
2. I loves you Porgy (George Gershwin)
3. Nature boy (A. Eden/Ahbez)
4. You won't forget me (Goell/Spielman)
5. My funny Valentine (Richard Rodgers)
6. Very early (Bill Evans)
7. Leaving (Richie Beirach)
8. Effendi (McCoy Tyner)

UPC/EAN: 716043136421

Paul Bley – Speechless (SCCD 31363)

SCCD 31363 Speechless / Paul Bley Quartet

Paul Bley’s latest recording is a rare setting of quartet with the tenorman Perry whose insightful interplay with the leader makes this album something very special.

“ Once again, Paul Bley confounds us with his multi-facetted talent, ever restless and searching. What this episodic earful tells us is that he has found a strong voice in Rich Perry that harmonises with his own …”

(Mark Gardner)

1. Dropped stitch (Paul Bley)
2. Crystal ball (Paul Bley)
3. In walked Bud (Thelonious Monk)
4. Speechless (Paul Bley)
5. Love (Paul Bley)
6. Past tense (Paul Bley)
7. Beau Didley (Paul Bley)
8. Love is (Paul Bley)
9. Shorthand (Paul Bley)

UPC/EAN: 716043136322

Dave Stryker – Stardust (SCCD 31362)

SCCD 31362 Stardust / Dave Stryker Trio

This recording by guitarist Dave Stryker is a unusual trio with organ. But for Stryker who has played in the Jack McDuff group for a number of years, to have a groovy organist in the band is not so unusual but natural and stimulating, especially so when the organist is the 29 year old wizard of the instrument Joey DeFrancesco.

As Dave says in the liner note, this CD serves to remind us of “ what is great about jazz music ”.

“ The surging sense of swing of all three men is everywhere apparent in a set which reinforces the values of momentum and melody. This music speaks directly to its audience and is both physically and mentally satisfying .” (Mark Gardner)

1. Things ain't what they used to be (Duke Ellington)
2. You go to my head (Coots/Gillespie)
3. I'll take romance (B. Oakland)
4. Stardust (Hoagy Carmichael)
5. Eastern standard time (Dave Stryker)
6. Blues on 45th (Dave Stryker)
7. You and the night and the music (Schwartz/Dietz)
8. Nancy with the laughing face (Jimmy Van Heusen)
9. Cotton tail (Duke Ellington)

UPC/EAN: 716043136223

Louis Smith, Jodie Christian – The Very Thought Of You (SCCD 31361)

SCCD 31361 The Very Thought Of You / Louis Smith & Jodie Christian

During the “Silvering” (SCCD 31336) session, trumpeter Louis Smith cut one track just with pianist Jodie Christian playing a quiet ballad. This track was not included in the release but the idea of making a duo album stayed with him. Thus, this reflective and melodious recording materialized.

“ This is music to refresh the mind, body and spirit at the close of a fraught day. It’s pure ear balm, in fact. Beautiful jazz, too, of course .”

(Mark Gardner)

1. My ideal (Whiting/Chase)
2. Don't take your love away from me (Nemo)
3. Mihoko's tune (Louis Smith)
4. I will wait for you (Michel Legrand)
5. But not for me (George Gershwin)
6. A cottage for sale (Robbins/Conley)
7. The very thought of you (Ray Noble)
8. A child is born (Thad Jones)
9. I should care (Jimmy Van Heusen)

UPC/EAN: 716043136124

Rich Perry – Beautiful Love (SCCD 31360)

SCCD 31360 Beautiful Love / Rich Perry Trio

Following his successful first recording on SteepleChase SCCD 31331 “To Start Again ”, tenor man Rich Perry selected eight tunes from the classic Broadway/Hollywood repertoire which he approaches from a fresh and creative angle.

“… Rich Perry’s music comes at you straight, undiluted, honest, passionate and persuasive. It’s filled with Beautiful Love – and we all need that in our lives …” (Mark Gardner)

1. In love in vain (Jerone Kern)
2. Prisoner of love (Columbo/Robin/Gaskill)
3. All the things you are (Jerome Kern)
4. I fall in love too easily (Jule Styne)
5. But not for me (George Gershwin)
6. Beautiful love (Victor Young)
7. I can't get started (Vernon Duke)
8. Will you still be mine (Matt Dennis)

UPC/EAN: 716043136025

Stanley Cowell – Live (SCCD 31359)

SCCD 31359 Live / Stanley Cowell Trio

Pianist and composer Stanley Cowell (b. May 5, 1941 in Toledo, OH) has been a central figure in the jazz scene since the late 60s.

The Stanley Cowell Trio here is his working group for several years. April, 1993, found the trio in Copenhagen, where Stanley has been a regular guest in the past three decades.

“… Stanley teaches us a great deal about himself and his love and respect for, and dedication to the music every time he puts his fingers on the keyboard. That Jazz House audience knew it. And we share it with them .” (Mark Gardner)

1. Anthropology (CharlieParker/Dizzy Gillespie)
2. Bright passion (Stanley Cowell)
3. Brilliant circles (Stanley Cowell)
4. Stella by starlight (Victor Young)
5. Prayer for peace (Stanley Cowell)
6. It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing (Duke Ellington)
7. Autumn leaves (Joseph Kosma)
8. In walked Bud (Thelonious Monk)

UPC/EAN: 716043135929

Rick Margitza – Work It (SCCD 31358)

SCCD 31358 Work It / Rick Margitza Quartet

Rick Margitza (b. 1963) is already an accomplished tenor and soprano saxophonist, having recorded three leader albums for Blue Note. Margitza’s contribution as a sideman on two of Andy LaVerne’s “Frozen Music” SCCD 31244 and “ Severe Clear” SCCD 31273 and Dave Stryker’s “Blue Degrees” SCCD 31315 impressed Nils Winther so much that the recording of a leader album was a matter of time.

“… He puts together an impressive array of musical assets here, working them faithfully in keeping with the title, to ensure satisfaction between the ears. His leadership and organization are impressive …” (Mark Gardner)

1. Steppin' out (Steve Masakowski)
2. Work it (Rick Margitza)
3. My foolish heart (Victor Young)
4. Your lady (John Coltrane)
5. It could happen to you (Jimmy Van Heusen)
6. Last season/Widows walk (Maria Schneider)
7. A sour mystery of bird (Jaki Byard)

UPC/EAN: 716043135820

George Cables – Quiet Fire (SCCD 31357)

SCCD 31357 Quiet Fire / George Cables Trio

Pianist George Cables (b. November 14, 1944 in Brooklyn, NY) turned professional jazz musician at the age of 18 after having studied classical music in New York. He is one of the most sought after pianist having played with Art Blakey, Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Art Pepper, Dexter Gordon to mention a few. But Cables is at his best in a trio setting such as this recording, his fourth trio album for SteepleChase.

“… Seemingly, George doesn’t know how to make a bad date, given his excellent feeling for so many moods and the sheer love and beauty he invests in each performance… .” (Mark Gardner)

1. Uncle Bubba (Gary Bartz)
2. Quiet fire (George Cables)
3. My ship (Kurt Weil)
4. Fried bananas (Dexter Gordon)
5. Waltz for Monday (James Leary)
6. You stepped out of a dream (Brown/Kahn)
7. Naima's love song (John Hicks)
8. The decrepit fox (Freddie Hubbard)

UPC/EAN: 716043135721