Jazz Milestones Series - Chico Hamilton

Topsy

Jazz Milestone Series
Chico Hamilton
Pacific Jazz ST-20108
A Product Of Liberty Records
1966

From Billboard - October 29, 1966: Chico Hamilton's cool and detached approach to jazz may not be everyone's cup of tea, but for the aficionado, drummer Hamilton ranks with the best. Both Buddy Collette and Paul Horn on tenor and alto sax respectively, make their substantial contributions.

Detached? I'm not sure what the Billboard reviewer is referring to. I experienced a subtle richness and depth when listening to this period jazz/pop/mood blend, a set that features good variation to the arrangements which helps keep your ear glued to the music. Good stuff!

Alto Saxophone – Eric Dolphy (tracks: A3, B2), Paul Horn (tracks: A2, A5, A6, B4)
Bass – Carson Smith (tracks: A1, A2, A4, A5, B1, B3 to B5), Hal Gaylor (tracks: A3, B2)
Cello – Fred Katz (tracks: A1, A2, A4, A5, B1,B3 to B5), Nate Gershman (tracks: A3, B2)
Drums – Chico Hamilton
Flute – Buddy Collette (tracks: B5), Paul Horn (tracks: B1)
Guitar – Jim Hall (tracks: A1, B3 to B5), John Pisano (tracks: A2 to A5, B1, B2)
Producer – Richard Bock
Tenor Saxophone – Buddy Collette (tracks: A1, B3, B4)

Topsy
Siete-Cuatro
In A Sentimental Mood
Soft Winds
Caravan
I Know
Satin Doll
I'm Beginning To See The Light
Taking A Chance On Love
Take The "A" Train
Sleep

Tops Introductory Special

Peanut Vendor - Havana Holiday - Tito Rivera and His Cuban Orchestra

Introductory Special!
Tops L1666

Hello Ma Baby - Beatrice Kay Sings Gay 90s
Danube Waves - Waltz Favorites - The 110 Strings Orchestra
Little Brown Jug - Glen Miller - Jerry Gray and His Orchestra
Malaguena - Lew Raymond and His Orchestra
Oklahoma - Oklahoma and Carousel - Lew Raymond and His Orchestra
Side By Side - Roaring 20's - Paul Martin and His Old Timers
You Always Hurt The One You Love - The Ink Spots
Washington Post March - Marches (John Philip Sausa) - The International Marching Band
Around The World In 80 Days - Lew Raymond and His Orchestra
Ta-Ra-Ra-Boom-Der-E - Let's All Sing - The Fireside Gang
Scheherazade - The International Philharmonic Orchestra
Bill Bailey - Honky Tonk Piano - "Ace" O'Donnell
Eat, Drink and Be Merry - Strauss Waltzes - The Royal Viennese Symphonic
Fascination - Organ In Hi-Fi - Dick Aurandt
Clarinet Polka - Polk Party - George Poole and His Polka Dots.

Maria Jesus Vasquez - La Soberana De La Canción

Pequena For

Maria Jesus Vasquez
La Soberana De La Canción
Discolando
OLP-8417
1977

Bomos
Amarraditos
Tus Quince Primaveras
La Flor De La Canela
Quiero Que Estes Conmingo
Oropel
Palmeras
Pequena Flor
Esa Mujercita
Yo Vendo Unos Ojos Negros
En Vano
Un Dia Mas

Los Bribones

El Que Pierde Una Mujer

Los Bribones
Carino
RCA Records
Distributed by Caytronics Records Corp.
DBL1-5038
1970

Confidencias De Amor
Traction
Mi Vicio
Rapto
Enojo
Arrepentida
Error
Celoso
El Que Pierde Una Mujer
Pescadora

Fernando Leiva Canta y Conquista el Mundo

Tu Sombra

Fernando Levia
Canta
y Conquista el Mundo
Colonia Records of Puerto Rico
CLP-2016

Cover Photo by Kuri Diaz.

El Penado 14
La Comparsa
Tu Palida Voz
Moon River (Rio Triste)
Al Morocho Immortal
Nostalgia
Libertad
Tu Sombra
Virgen de Monserrat
Por Que Me La Nombran
Borracho
Que Te Pasa Vida Mia

Shades Of Things To Come - Jack Millman

Shades Of Things To Come
Jack Millman Sextet
Jazz Unlimited Series
Featuring: Jack Millman, Flugelhorn; Buddy Collette, Flute, Alto and Tenor Sax; Jimmy Giuffre, Baritone Sax and Clarinet; Bob Harrington, Piano; Harry Babasin, Bass; Larry Capp, Drums
Recorded in Hollywood during September of 1955
Liberty LJH 6007

Currently obscure, but still found online issued as a CD, so I will not post a sample.

Taking the somewhat harsh Billboard comments into account, I say that if you haven't collected examples of the period "heavy competition" and made a similar assessment, you will never know that this set isn't a fine piece of mid-50s jazz.

From the back cover: Jack Maurice Millman was born in Detroit, November 21st, 1930. He began playing the trumpet at the age of sixteen when his grandmother presented him with the instrument. Shortly thereafter, Jack's family moved to South Gate, California where he began studying in earnest. Jack's musical background stems from his father who was an eminent concert pianist.

One of Jack's earliest published compositions "Fantasy X" has a most unusual aspect... it was originally written for his high school commencement exercises! his many compositions include a symphony which was conceived and performed while attending Los Angeles City College. Jack has been a member of many fine jazz groups, most notably, the swinging Stan Kenton aggregation. Jimmy Stamp, who coached many of today's trumpet stars (Shorty Rogers, Conrad Gozzo, Ralph Mendez... to name a few), is credited by Millman for a good measure of his success. Stamp's method of teaching his students the fine art of relaxation results in the greatest progress with the least effort. Jack's favorite trumpet men are Miles Davis and the late Fats Navarro.

From Billboard - May 26, 1956: Along with trumpeter Millman, we have Jimmy Giuffre on bari and clarinet, Buddy Collette on tenor and flute, Larry Bunker on drums, etc. It's competent, but run-of-the Rodgermill West Coast jazz. Incidentally, like Shorty Rodgers, Millman plays a flugelhorn, which has a little deeper tone than a trumpet. Flashy cover and title may help sales, but this faces heavy competition from more distinctive entries in the same vein.

Thinking Of Russ
Along About F
Butterfingers
Polka Dots And Moonbeams
There Will Never Be Another You
The Great Lie
Da Bloosiest Blues
Mother's Whistler
Gone With The Wind
Skylark
It Could Happen To You
That Old Feeling

Cosa Linda - Sylvia de Grasse

Cosa Linda
Sylvia de Grasse
Marvela MVLP 38
Puerto Rico Record

Available from online vendors so I will not post a sample.

Apparently also issued on a 10 inch 78.

FaceBook page dedicated to de Grasse.

Peppy set featuring the rich vocals of de Grasse that occasionally remind of Yma Sumac tonal vocal stylings. The traditional quality of the sound is made more "pop" and exciting for the period and for modern sensibilities by the addition of some terrific spacey organ work.

Cosa Linda
Hojita del Guaruma
Nada Va a Suceder
Chencha Quiere a Sebastian
Mi Lindo Ranchito
El Candao
Soy Morenita
Tu Amor me Esta Matando
Cada Loco con su Tema
Acuarelas de Tamborinos
Acuarelas de Tunas
Ya Voy Hacia Ti

Ten Saxophones And Two Basses - Pete Rugolo

Ten Saxophones And Two Basses
Pete Rugolo And His Orchestra
Wing/Mercury
SRW 16391
1969

Available from online vendors so I will not be posting a sample. Presented here to share the cover art and copy.

Mercury's 1969 reissue of PPS 6023 (1961 "f:35 Perfect Presence Sound Recording" series marketed in a book-fold jacket).

Big band swing set arranged, for the most part, in a rich lower range jazz-tinged brass sound which supports the deeper sound of the "two basses". Sweet 1961 market entry. 2 Funky Basses is the standout tune.

From the back cover: Rugolo made an ever great name for himself (after working with Stan Kenton) as a composer of motion picture music and television scores (the exciting jazz backgrounds for the Richard Diamond series is just one notable example). But somewhere in between the Kenton years and the movie-television writing years, Rugolo had an orchestra of his own and produced many memorable recordings, always with unique orchestral effects, for Rugolo's arrangements are always stunning in their use of the richly various sounds of an orchestra's instruments. – Jere Real

Alto Saxophone – Bud Shank, Gus Bivona, Skeets HerfurtBanjo – Howard Roberts
Bass – Joe Mondragon, Red Mitchell
Bass Saxophone – Bill Hood, Chuck Gentry
Drums – Shelly Manne
Engineer – Bones" Howe
Guitar – Howard Roberts
Piano – Jimmy Rowles
Recorded By – Jerry Ferree
Saxophone [C Melody] – Russ Cheever
Soprano Saxophone – Bill Hood
Tenor Saxophone – Bill Perkins, Bob Cooper, Gene Cipriano, Plas Johnson, Vido Musso

Skyline
Sophisticated Lady
How High Is The Moon
Saxophobia
Reed Rapture
Sometimes I'm Happy
Contrasts
Medley Four Brothers
Early Autumn
Guy Meets Freddy Meets Billy
2 Funky Basses