David Kikoski: Mostly Standards (2008)

Pianist David Kikoski, who's partnered so ably on past Criss Cross albums with horn men like Alex Sipiagin, Seamus Blake, Conrad Herwig and Wycliffe Gordon, is perhaps best known for a series of compelling trio albums he's recorded for the label over the past decade. Now along comes Almost Standards, on which he mixes it up with bassist Eric Revis (Betty Carter, Louis Hayes, Billy Harper and a bunch of Marsalis family members), and much-in-demand drummer Jeff 'Tain' Watts (Branford Marsalis), and an invigorating presence on two earlier Kikoski CDs. The new album's a mix of material serving as takeoff points this time out: harmonically intriguing tunes that are already standards or probably ought to be.

Tracklist:
1 Grey Areas (Kikoski) 9:02
2 Blues on the Corner (Tyner) 8:39
3 Old Folks (Hill, Robinson) 6:46
4 Chance (Kirkland ) 8:53
5 Doxy (Rollins) 7:40
6 TBS (Watts, Watts) 6:28
7 Autumn Leaves (Kosma, Prevert) 12:42
8 Leaves (Kikoski) 7:45
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192K / 92 Mb
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David Kikoski: Consequences (2012)

On his ninth Criss Cross date as a leader (and 22nd label appearance overall), pianist David Kikoski convenes an extraordinary trio with two famed and longstanding allies, bassist Christian McBride and drummer Jeff 'Tain' Watts. It's no stretch to say that a lineup like this is guaranteed to swing - and it does, on a set of finely wrought Kikoski originals, including the two-part title track Consequences. Watts' own uptempo Mr. JJ and slow-grooving Blue Tain round out the set, and Kikoski ends with a poetic solo-piano take of Never Let Me Go.

Tracklist:
01. Blutain [09:58]
02. Russian Roulette [07:41]
03. Drama [08:24]
04. Placidity [04:28]
05. Mr. JJ [09:44]
06. (Still) A Glimmer Of Hope [05:14]
07. Consequences Part I [05:30]
08. Concequences Part II [04:40]
09. Never Let Me Go [06:47]
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320K / 138 Mb
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Eric Le Lann - Al Foster - David Kikoski - Doug Weiss (2009)

Eric Le Lann started his career as a professional trumpeter at the age of 20. He won the Grand Prix at La Defence in 1979, the Django Reinhardt prize in 1983, and the Critics’ Grand Prix for Best Theatre Music in 2001. He has recorded 15 albums under his own name so far, with people like Mike Stern, Martial Solal, Archie Shepp, Eddie Gomez, Mino Cinelu, Al Foster… He has played with Chet Baker, Herbie Hancock, Billy Hart, but also Dexter Gordon in Bertrand Tavernier’s « Autour de Minuit » (« Round Midnight »). He has played with his various bands in about sixty countries and two documentaries are devoted to him.
This new album by Eric Le Lann has been recorded in October 2008 in Systems Two Studio, NYC. He is accompanied in this adventure by 3 major American artists, David Kikoski, Doug Weiss And Al Foster.

This album has been produced like a recorded live performance: the 4 musicians met and discovered each other while playing, exploring the whole of the repertoire (Eric Le Lann’s compositions and a few standards), with a maximum of 2 takes per track to keep the music as improvised and inspired as possible. A genuine lesson of Jazz.

Personnel: Eric Le Lann, trumpet; Al Foster, drums; Douglas Weiss, acoustic bass; David Kikoski, piano & Fender Rhodes

Tracklist:

1. Ayam (Alt) Le Lann, Foster, Kikoski, Weiss  7:17
2. You don't know what love is Le Lann, Foster, Kikoski, Weiss 7:14
3. C'est la nuit Lola Le Lann, Foster, Kikoski, Weiss 6:17
4. Today I fell in love Le Lann, Foster, Kikoski, Weiss 5:19
5. Hervé in Black and Blue Le Lann, Foster, Kikoski, Weiss 5:18
6. Ayam Le Lann, Foster, Kikoski, Weiss 7:37
7. Yesterdays Le Lann, Foster, Kikoski, Weiss 7:17
8. Le Bleu d'Hortense Le Lann, Foster, Kikoski, Weiss 5:30

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FLAC

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Mason Brothers: Two Sides, One Story (2011)

After spending 20 years performing under the leadership of others, British brothers Brad and Elliot Mason step out front, taking charge of an all-star band that redefines the trumpet-trombone front line of drummer Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers of the '50s and '60s. The round and mellow combination of Brad Mason's trumpet with Elliot Mason's trombone sounds almost like the early Crusaders.

With pianist David Kikoski, bassist Scott Colley, drummer Antonio Sanchez, and saxophonist Chris Potter joining the brothers, there is a lot of firepower to lives up to its billing.

The title of "Stage Pints" is an anagram of John Coltrane's "Giant Steps," Elliot Mason's resulting rearrangement beginning with the familiar tune played in reverse over the original bass line, reharmonized and performed alternately in 3/4 and 4/4 time. Both Masons give angular, if frenetic solos, Elliot's blowing out the top of the song. Potter exerts his muscular tone over the piece's well-worn and complex harmony of the piece, bringing the original's importance—and this re-imagining—into proper focus. When this piece hits 4/4, it takes off with a burn.

Tracklist:
1. 24/7 9:30
2. Stage Pints 8:51
3. Two Sides, One Story 7:36
4. The Evil Eye 8:30
5. Gone Home 9:10
6. Outside In 5:58
7. Boots 10:05
8. In the Third Person 8:30
Personnel:
Brad Mason : trumpet, flugelhorn
Elliott Mason : trombone
Antonio Sanchez : drums
Scott Colley : bass
David Kikoski : piano
Chris Potter : saxophone
Joe Locke : vibes
Tim Miller : guitar
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320K
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Roy Haynes Trio w/ John Patitucci and Dave Kikoski at the North Sea Jazz Festival on July 12, 2009 [bootleg]



It's telling that Roy Haynes opts for the piano trio at the moment. It is one of the most venerable manifestations of the jazz tradition, giving the sound so much freedom and openness, any player can steer the music in a new direction at any given time. Not only does this require control of the instrument, more importantly, it requires the skill to listen. Haynes is aware of this and can listen like no one else. The old master has experienced everything. He played with Lester Young, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane and Miles Davis, to name but a few of his list of hallowed collaborators. He is considered one of the founding fathers of modern drumming, together with bebop pioneers Kenny Clarke and Max Roach, and hard bopper Art Blakey. With his trio, Haynes will bring a great variety of standards, which he will mix with bop, Latin, swing and groove. Haynes is accompanied by the Panamanian pianist David Kikoski and John Patitucci on bass.

Tracklist:
01 Roy Haynes 1
02 In Your Own Sweet Way
03 Trinkle Tinkle
04 My One And Only Love
05 2nd Line
06 Jesus on the Mainline (John Patitucci Solo)
07 Roy Haynes 7
08 Roy Haynes 8
Personnel: David Kikoski (piano); John Patitucci (double bass); Roy Haynes (drums)
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192K
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[Re-Post] Randy Brecker: In the Idioms (1987)

This Denon CD has one of trumpeter Randy Brecker's infrequent straightahead dates and is one of his strongest recordings. Teamed up with tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, pianist David Kikoski, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Al Foster, Brecker performs eight of his own compositions. These range from the early-'60s funk of "No Scratch" and the tricky "Hit or Miss" to the ballad "You're in My Heart" and the fairly free "Little Miss P"; the best title is "There's a Mingus a Monk Us!" This Japanese import is worth searching for.

Tracklist:

1. No Scratch 
2. Hit Or Miss 
3. Forever Young 
4. Sang 
5. You're In My Heart 
6. There's A Mingus A Monk Us 
7. Moontide 
8. Little Miss P 

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