Kevin Hays – Crossroad (SCCD 31324)

SCCD 31324 Crossroad / Kevin Hays Quintet

For his third CD here, Kevin Hays leads a quintet with outstanding New York musicians.

“ Kevin Hays shows on this set that he is not an overbearing leader but he exhibits a happy knack of drawing out the best from those in his company….No wonder he is rapidly making such a mark on the New York scene .” (Mark Gardner)

1. P.S. the blues (Bryant)
2. Gaslight (Duke Pearson)
3. Garden view (Scott Wendholt)
4. Woody's call (Bryant)
5. Quartet (Kevin Hays/Pat Zimmerli)
6. Crossroad (Scott Wendholt)
7. Nature boy (A. Eden/Ahbez)
8. Softly as in a morning sunrise (Oscar Rombers/Hammerstein)

UPC/EAN: 716043132423

Steve Slagle – The Steve Slagle Quartet (SCCD 31323)

SCCD 31323 The Steve Slagle Quartet / Steve Slagle Quartet

“… Slagle is an exceptionally clever and erudite improviser…Slagle’s new CD richly repays careful listening .” (Cadence)

“… He’s a developed soloist, with smooth phrasing and an affinity for speed…..fine record .” (Down Beat)

1. Leadbelly sez (Steve Slagle)
2. Mondo (Steve Slagle)
3. Dream life (Steve Slagle)
4. Sphere itself (Steve Slagle)
5. Four in one (Thelonious Monk)
6. Remembrance (Jim Pepper)
7. Up time (Steve Slagle)
8. Lonely woman (Ornette Coleman)
9. Out of bounds (Dave Stryker)

UPC/EAN: 716043132324

Eddie Harris – For You, For Me For Evermore (SCCD 31322)

SCCD 31322 For You, For Me, For Evermore / Eddie Harris

As the composer of the famous “Freedom Jazz Dance” and with the million seller success of his recording of “Exodus” , Eddie Harris (b. Oct. 20, 1934 in Chicago) is probably the most prominent Chicago tenor.

This Copenhagen recording, however, will be the most significant accomplishment of Harris’ jazz career. The duet with himself project was a result of an accident (the piano player did not show up!). Resourceful, versatile and ever creative Eddie Harris took the two instruments in his hand and conjured up this astonishing one-man show.

“.. .Imagine, one can swing so intensely to an implied rhythm !” (Politiken)

1. I remember you (Johnny Mercer)
2. The end of the day (Eddie Harris)
3. For you, for me, for evermore (George Gershwin)
4. If I should lose you (Robin/Rainger)
5. You stole my heart (Eddie Harris)
6. Night and day (Cole Porter)
7. Everything happens to me (Adair/Dennis)
8. Salute to Bags (Eddie Harris)
9. All alone (Eddie Harris)
10. Fly little bird, fly (Donald Byrd)

UPC/EAN: 716043132225

Billy Harper – Live On Tour In The Far East, Vol. 2 (SCCD 31321)

SCCD 31321 LIVE on tour in the far east Vol. 2 / Billy Harper Quintet

“… captures Billy Harper on tour, at the top of his game, accompanied by what is clearly a working group …” (Cadence)

“.. .In this concert in Taiwan in April 1991, Harper is at his best in the past few decades …” (F.M., Compact)

1. Priestess (Billy Harper)
2. Trying to make heaven my home (Billy Harper)
3. My funny Valentine (Richard Rodgers)
4. Destiny is yours (Billy Harper)

UPC/EAN: 716043132126

Von Freeman – Lester Leaps In (SCCD 31320)

SCCD 31320 Lester Leaps In / Von Freeman Quartet

Not only is Von Freeman a father-figure along side of Gene Ammons in the robust and expressive Chicago-tenor style but he has been a big influence on players like Johnny Griffin, Clifford Jordan.

“… Von is still going strong… with strong dramatic nerve..” (Aarhus Stiftstidende)

1. Scrapple from the apple (Charlie Parker)
2. All about Ronnie (Joe Green)
3. I love you (Cole Porter)
4. A nightingale sang in Berkeley Square (Manning Sherwin)
5. The whippenpoof song (Minnigerode/Galloway/Vallee/Pomeroy)
6. Lester leaps in (Lester Young)

UPC/EAN: 716043132027

Larry Willis – Unforgettable (SCCD 31318)

SCCD 31318 Unforgettable / Larry Willis

“ The nineties are becoming the decade of the rediscovery of Nat ‘King’ Cole.…Larry Willis offers his interpretations of nine songs associated with Cole. Willis’ piano stylings are very melodically lush…Larry Willis is a thoughtful, daring stylist …” (Len Bukowski, Cadence)

1. Somewhere along the way (S. Gallop/K. Adams)
2. Autumn leaves (Joseph Kosma)
3. Never let me go (Jay Livingston/Ray Evans)
4. Blue gardenia (L. Lee/B. Rusell)
5. Smile (Charlie Chaplin)
6. Nature boy (A. Eden/Ahbez)
7. Answer me (G. Winkler)
8. Unforgettable (I. Gordon)
9. For all we know (S/Coots Lewis)

UPC/EAN: 716043131822

Larry Schneider – Blind Date (SCCD 31317)

SCCD 31317 Blind Date / Larry Schneider Quartet

Schneider and LaVerne have worked together for a long time in various settings. Their duo recording of Bill Evans related tunes (SCCD 31307 Bill Evans…Person We Knew) received critical acclaim and commercial success.

“ The abilities of Larry Schneider, Andy Laverne and company can be in no doubt, but the manner in which they meld makes those set, like its duo predecessor, such a treat ….” (Mark Gardner, from the linernotes)

1. Blind date (Andy LaVerne)
2. Stardust (Hoagy Carmichael)
3. Autumn leaves (Joseph Kosma)
4. Body and soul (Johnny Green)
5. How my heart sings (Earl Zindars)
6. Eye care (Andy LaVerne)
7. Peggy's blue skylight (Charles Mingus)

UPC/EAN: 716043131723

Paul Bley – Caravan Suite (SCCD 31316)

SCCD 31316 Caravan Suite / Paul Bley

“… On his new SteepleChase CD, Paul explores ‘Caravan’ for almost 31 minutes, …each section stands alone as a satisfying whole…This one has been replayed again and again since it arrived…There are liner notes by Chris Sheridan and production is excellent. Highly recommended .” (Richard B. Kamins, Cadence)

1. Caravan Suite I (Paul Bley)
2. Caravan Suite II (Paul Bley)
3. Caravan Suite III (Paul Bley)
4. Caravan Suite IV (Paul Bley)
5. I got it bad and that ain't good (Duke Ellington)
6. In my solitude (Duke Ellington)
7. I'm beginning to see the light (Duke Ellington)

UPC/EAN: 716043131624

Dave Stryker – Blue Degrees (SCCD 31315)

SCCD 31315 Blue Degrees / Dave Stryker Quartet

Having worked in the Brother Jack McDuff’s band in the 80s, it was an obvious choice for Dave Stryker to record this his second album for SteepleChase with organ (played by the excellent young organist Larry Goldings). Following the highly acclaimed debut album (Strike Zone SCCD 31277) on SteepleChase, Blue Degrees is firmly confirming the formidable talent of Stryker.

“… This is organ combo music for the 90s, very strong and very resilient. Recommended .” (Cadence)

1. Blue degrees (Dave Stryker)
2. Scorpian dance (Dave Stryker)
3. Alfie (Burt Bacharach)
4. Out of bounds (Dave Stryker)
5. Spirit in the wind (Dave Stryker)
6. Talkin' about J.C. (Larry Young)
7. Stella by starlight (Victor Young)
8. Blues for Brother Jack (Dave Stryker)

UPC/EAN: 716043131525