Sing Something Simple

Bud Shank & Bob Cooper - Mosaic Select 10 (1954-58) [3CD] {2004 Mosaic Records 24-bit Remaster by Ron McMaster}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 960 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 484 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 30 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24-bit remaster by Ron McMaster
© 2004 Pacific Jazz / Mosaic Records / EMI Records | MS-010
Jazz / Cool / West Coast Jazz / Flute / Saxophone

This excellent 3-CD set collects two 10" albums by Shank and 4 12" albums co-led by Shank and Cooper, all for the Pacific Jazz/World Pacific labels between 1954-58. The West Coast cool school was at its height at this time, and both Bud Shank and Bob Cooper were in the thick of it. The first disc gets off to a rousing start with the marvelously swinging VALVE IN HEAD from 1954, with Bud playing fluid alto sax. He's joined by three valve trombone players (Bob Enevoldsen, Stu Williamson, and the ringer Maynard Ferguson) on this tune and for the first half of the disc, an interesting concept. The second half finds him with Coop at Cal Tech in 1959. Count Basie's THE KING gets a rousing airing, and there's a nicely done ballad medley.

Bud Shank & Bob Cooper - Mosaic Select 10 (2004) [3CD Box Set] {Mosaic}
EAC Rip | FLAC (tracks+.cue+log) - 961 MB | Scans JPG - 30 MB | MP3 CBR 320 kbps (LAME 3.98) - 485 MB
Genre: jazz, cool | RAR 5% Rec. | Label: Mosaic / Blue Note | CAT # MS-010 | 2004

This excellent 3-CD set collects two 10" albums by Shank and 4 12" albums co-led by Shank and Cooper, all for the Pacific Jazz/World Pacific labels between 1954-58. The West Coast cool school was at its height at this time, and both Bud Shank and Bob Cooper were in the thick of it. The first disc gets off to a rousing start with the marvelously swinging VALVE IN HEAD from 1954, with Bud playing fluid alto sax. He's joined by three valve trombone players (Bob Enevoldsen, Stu Williamson, and the ringer Maynard Ferguson) on this tune and for the first half of the disc, an interesting concept. The second half finds him with Coop at Cal Tech in 1959. Count Basie's THE KING gets a rousing airing, and there's a nicely done ballad medley.

Having steered the mothership and worked as a triggerman for the Godfather of Soul, storied sax man Maceo Parker now brings his own tight rhythm and soul sound to vinyl (er, plastic) in undeniable proof that he's still "got it." Combining his smoking horn with the backing of fellow legends such as trombonist Fred Wesley and new bloods such as son Corey (whose intermittent raps colorfully enhance the album's youthful vibrance), Maceo works through the familiar funk and soul lines of his Parliament and JB days and adds new twists to such classics as Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" and "Inner City Blues," Stevie Wonder's "Tell Me Something Good," and Sly Stone's "Sing a Simple Song," while offering a number of his own well-orchestrated and well-seasoned compositions. "Youth of the World" features Maceo on a lead vocal reminiscent of Kool Moe Dee or Kurtis Blow, while "Do You Love Me" rises like Tower of Power before the sultry Chicago lines of closer "Going in Circles".

The Shirelles - Tonight's The Night / Sing To Trumpets And Strings (1960-61) {Ace Records CDCHD 1196 rel 2008}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 333 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 147 Mb | Artwork | 5% repair rar
© 1960-61, 2008 King Records / Ace Records | CDCHD 1196
R&B / Early Pop / Soul / Doo Wop / Brill Building Pop

2008 release, the first in a series that will restore to catalogue the original Scepter and Pricewise vinyl albums by The Shirelles, in the same running order as issued plus bonus non-album flipsides. This one pairs their first two albums, which include the Top 40 hits: classics such as 'Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow', 'Mama Said' and 'Dedicated to the One I Love' amongst others. The Shirelles were the door openers for the girl group sound of the early '60s. Their strongest sides stand alongside the best of anything that splendid genre has to offer. Exquisitely remastered - and in stereo where stereo tapes still exist - this CD and future releases in the series will provide the definitive Shirelles collection for anyone who wants something more than the umpteenth rehash of their Greatest Hits.