Russell Malone Quartet - Wholly Cats (1999) [Japan 2017] SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

If you are a fan of phenomenal guitarist Russell Malone, you must have been craving for his recording output. After getting his "break" from recording and touring with Diana Krall, Malone is now leading his own group and just began to issue a steady stream of albums from MaxJazz. But, in 1995, before he joined Krall's band, he had recorded this wonderful gem of an album for the Japanese label Venus Records. Supported by a trio of good musicians, he displays all his talents and soulful playing in this well-recorded release. You'll also love it if you are a fan of straight-ahead, bop- and blues-oriented jazz guitar.

Russell Malone recording this studio date for Venus in 1995, though it was several years before the Japanese label got around to issuing it. Joined by an excellent rhythm section consisting of Larry Willis, Rodney Whitaker, and Yoron Israel, Malone is not afraid to go into lengthy exploration of an old favorite like "I Concentrate on You." Malone delves into jazz compositions of several generations, including a furious take of Benny Goodman's "Wholly Cats," an easygoing interpretation of Mulgrew Miller's wistful ballad "Carousel," and a virtuoso performance of Thelonious Monk's challenging "Four in One." His one original is the strident "Chitlin Blues," a duo track with a delicious exchange between the guitarist and Whitaker's humorous arco bass. Among his unaccompanied selections are a spacious yet subtle rendition of the spiritual "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" and an intricate treatment of "Yesterdays." Recommended.

Tracklist:

01. Wholly Cats
02. I Concentrate On You
03. Carousel
04. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
05. Off The Top
06. Four In One
07. After All
08. Chitlin Blues
09. Yesterdays

Produced, Mixed & Mastered by Tetsuo Hara. Engineered by Mike Krowiak.
Recorded on July 18 & 19, 1995 at Clinton Studio "A" in New York.
Venus Hyper Magnum Sound Direct Mix. VENUS Japan # VHGD-264.

Personnel
Russell Malone - electric guitar
Larry Willis - piano
Rodney Whittaker - bass
Yoron Israel - drums


Thanks to jazzyman!
Uncompressed SACD ISO size > 2,55 GB

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