Modern Jazz Quartet - Odds Against Tomorrow (1959) (eac-log-cover)

Modern Jazz Quartet - Odds Against Tomorrow (1959)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 185MB

Blue Note

Allmusic:
The Modern Jazz Quartet never actually recorded for Blue Note but their United Artists date was reissued on this Blue Note CD. The MJQ (vibraphonist Milt Jackson, pianist John Lewis, bassist Percy Heath and drummer Connie Kay) perform six of Lewis's compositions which were used in the film Odds Against Tomorrow. Best known is "Skating in Central Park" but all of the selections have their memorable moments and it is good to hear this classic unit playing such fresh material.

Tracks
-1. "Skating in Central Park" - Lewis - 6:07
-2. "No Happiness for Slater" - Lewis - 5:18
-3. "A Social Call" - Lewis - 4:45
-4. "Cue, No. 9" - Lewis - 5:00
-5. "A Cold Wind Is Blowing" - Lewis - 7:29
-6. "Odds Against Tomorrow" - Lewis - 3:33

Personnel
Milt Jackson - vibraphone
Percy Heath - bass
Connie Kay - drums
John Lewis - piano

sample & buy: Odds Against Tomorrow

Modern Jazz Quartet - No Sun in Venice (1957) (eac-log-cover)

Modern Jazz Quartet - No Sun in Venice (1957)

jazz, soundtrack | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 210MB

Atlantic

Allmusic:
This recording has six John Lewis compositions that were used in the French film No Sun in Venice. The music is quite complex and disciplined, making this set of lesser interest to fans who prefer to hear Milt Jackson playing bebop-oriented blues. However the versatile group was perfect for this type of music and these thought-provoking performances reward repeated listenings.

Tracks
-1. "The Golden Striker" - Lewis - 3:41
-2. "One Never Knows" - Lewis - 9:12
-3. "The Rose Truc" - Lewis - 4:57
-4. "Cortege" - Lewis - 7:29
-5. "Venice" - Lewis - 4:28
-6. "Three Windows" - Lewis - 6:45

Personnel
* Bass – Percy Heath
* Drums – Connie Kay
* Piano – John Lewis
* Vibraphone – Milt Jackson

sample & buy: No Sun in Venice

John Lewis - Evolution (HDCD) (1999) (eac-log-cover)

John Lewis - Evolution (1999)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 210MB

Atlantic | HDCD

Allmusic:
John Lewis, a founding member of the Modern Jazz Quartet (and architect, with Gunther Schuller, of the "Third Stream" movement that attempted a fusion of classical music and jazz), has always been known for the delicacy and refinement of his playing and for the quality of his compositions. This solo album will only add to his reputation in both regards. That he's able to make "Sweet Georgia Brown" sound like a recital piece is testament to his sophistication (and perhaps his sense of humor); that his own "Two Degrees East, Three Degrees West" manages to evoke New Orleans and Ravel simultaneously speaks to the depth of his musicianship. "Django," perhaps Lewis' most famous composition, is given a stop-action tango treatment here, and his "At the Horse Show" is as graceful as a colt. However, Lewis' voice is far too well-miked, which means he mutters and grunts in the left channel throughout the proceedings. Recommended nevertheless.

Tracks
-01. "Sweet Georgia Brown" - 2:54
-02. "September Song" - 5:25
-03. "Afternoon In Paris" - 5:10
-04. "Two Degrees East, Three Degrees West" - 4:17
-05. "I'll Remember April" - 3:09
-06. "Django" - 7:30
-07. "Willow Weep For Me" - 3:22
-08. "Cherokee" - 4:04
-09. "For Ellington" - 5:35
-10. "Don't Blame Me" - 3:50
-11. "At The Horse Show" - 2:49

John Lewis: solo piano.

sample & buy: Evolution

John Lewis - Orchestra U.S.A: The Debut Recording (1963)

John Lewis - Orchestra U.S.A: The Debut Recording (1963)
The complete stereo & mono versions

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 510MB

Lonehill Jazz | 2004

Allmusic:
John Lewis formed Orchestra U.S.A. as a vehicle to potentially explore any composed or improvised music, blending elements of jazz and classical music by recruiting some first-rate players from both worlds. The result is one of the more successful third stream recordings. There are two string quartets, plus woodwinds, brass, and a rhythm section present. Collaborating with Gunther Schuller, who conducted the group and did some of the orchestrations, Lewis expanded his work "Three Little Feelings" from its original chart for brass, featuring outstanding solos by alto saxophonist Phil Woods and guitarist Jim Hall. Lewis includes two pieces he had written for William Inge's play Natural Affection; Dolphy's fireworks on "Donnie's Theme" contrast with the easygoing "Natural Affection," which features the leader's piano and has a sudden dramatic finale. Gary McFarland contributed both "Milesign" and "Grand Encounter"; the former composition is a driving bop chart with a typically angular alto sax solo by Dolphy, while the latter piece is quirky and has a playful solo by Lewis. Schuller's rather stiff arrangement of "The Star Spangled Banner" serves as a odd but brief coda to close the record. Although there were additional records by Orchestra U.S.A., none of them match the heights of this initial effort. [Originally issued as a Colpix LP and long unavailable, this highly recommended album finally appeared as a Lone Hill Jazz CD in 2004, adding the mono takes for each selection as bonus tracks.]

Tracks
-01. "Three Little Feelings, Pt. 1" -(3:37)
-02. "Three Little Feelings, Pt. 2" -(3:32)
-03, "Three Little Feelings, Pt. 3" -(3:47)
-04. "Milesign Gary McFarland" - (5:14)
-05. "Milano" -(3:34)
-06. "Natural Affection" -(5:33)
-07. "Donnie's Theme" -(5:16)
-08. "Grand Encounter" -(5:36)
-09. "The Star Spangled Banner" -(1:27)
-10. "Three Little Feelings, Pt. 1" [Mono Version][*] -(3:39)
-11. "Three Little Feelings, Pt. 2" [Mono Version][*] -(3:33)
-12. "Three Little Feelings, Pt. 3" [Mono Version][*] -(3:48)
-13. "Milesign" [Mono Version][*] -(5:17)
-14. "Milano" [Mono Version][*] -(3:38)
-15. "Natural Affection" [Mono Version][*] -(5:35)
-16. "Donnie's Theme" [Mono Version][*] -(5:17)
-17. "Grand Encounter" [Mono Version][*] -(5:37)
-18. "The Star Spangled Banner" [Mono Version][*] - (1:23)

Featuring
Eric Dolphy
Phil Woods
Richard Davis
Connie Kay
Jim Hall

sample & buy: Orchestra U.S.A.