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Title: Art Pepper – Surf Ride (1956) [Japanese SHM-SACD 2012]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Surf Ride, a 1956 Savoy LP by saxophonist Art Pepper, compiles brilliant 1952-54 mono recordings, featuring quartet sessions with pianists Russ Freeman or Hampton Hawes and a notable session with tenor saxophonist Jack Montrose, totaling 12 tracks in about 37 minutes. Despite its somewhat random selection, Pepper’s superior form shines through in highlights like “Tickle Toe,” “The Way You Look Tonight,” and his early originals “Susie the Poodle,” “Straight Life,” and “Surf Ride,” showcasing his vibrant, masterful alto saxophone artistry.

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Title: Art Pepper – Meets The Rhythm Section (1957) [Analogue Productions 2002]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Art Pepper’s tenth album as a leader, recorded in 1957, marks his emergence as a distinctive alto saxophonist, moving beyond the influence of Charlie Parker and Lee Konitz, with the Miles Davis rhythm section—Red Garland (piano), Paul Chambers (bass), and Philly Joe Jones (drums)—amplifying his transformation in a vibrant east-meets-west, cool-yet-hot session. The quartet delivers bright moments with a loose yet precise “You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To,” a “Bags Groove”-inspired “Red Pepper Blues,” and a delicate “Imagination,” while Pepper’s collaborations with Chambers on the lively “Waltz Me Blues” and fast-paced “Straight Life” showcase his virtuosity. Philly Joe Jones’ masterful Latin-to-swing rhythm on “Tin Tin Deo” and Pepper’s brighter “Star Eyes” and tenor-like tone on “Birks Works” and “The Man I Love” reflect Stan Getz’s influence. This inspired recording, one of Pepper’s most significant post-incarceration works before his later struggles with addiction, captures a peak of synergy and artistry.

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Title: Art Pepper – Gettin’ Together (1960) [Japanese Limited SHM-SACD 2012]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

As a sort of follow-up to Art Pepper’s matchup with Miles Davis’ trio in the 1957 classic Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section, Pepper utilizes Davis’ sidemen on this 1960 near-classic. In addition to pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Jimmy Cobb, trumpeter Conte Candoli makes the group a quintet on four of the eight numbers. This time around, rather than emphasizing standards, Pepper performs just three (“Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise,” Thelonious Monk’s “Rhythm-A-Ning,” and “The Way You Look Tonight”) and includes three originals of his own: “Diane,” “Bijou the Poodle,” and “Gettin’ Together.” The music is all very straight-ahead and bop-oriented, but as usual, Pepper brings something very personal and unique to his playing; he sounds like no one else.

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Title: Art Pepper – The Way It Was! (1972) [MFSL 2008]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Despite his very erratic lifestyle, altoist Art Pepper never made a bad record. This collection is better than most. The first four titles team together Pepper with tenor saxophonist Warne Marsh, pianist Ronnie Ball, bassist Ben Tucker, and drummer Gary Frommer for generally intriguing explorations of four standards. One can feel the influence of Lennie Tristano (with Pepper in Lee Konitz’s place), although Pepper had his own sound and a more hard-swinging style. The success of the Pepper-Marsh front line makes one wish that they had recorded together again. The other three selections are leftovers from a trio of classic Pepper albums, and all are quite worthwhile. Pepper is heard backed by three separate rhythm sections, which include pianists Red Garland, Dolo Coker, or Wynton Kelly; either Paul Chambers or Jimmy Bond on bass; and Philly Joe Jones, Frank Butler, or Jimmy Cobb on drums. Overall, this album sticks to bop standards and finds Art Pepper in top form.

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