Disconforme Announces Classic Jazz Releases

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Disconforme, a label based in Barcelona, will be releasing several Jazz titles this June with the help of MVD Entertainment Group, a distributor/label based in the Philadelphia suburbs. According to Disconforme, their goal is to release definitive editions from musical legends produced by venerated artists that are most appreciated by fans and collectors. Their website states: "As an alternative to the overproduction that characterizes mind-numbing proliferation of compilations and special collector's remastered editions, and taking the opportunity to bring indispensable collector's recordings at an excellent price, Disconforme Records offers a selected, colourful program of high-quality, anthological re-issues which have been compiled according to strict criteria, making sure that the listener will get: Complete sessions and bonus tracks, 24 BIT digital-remastering, meticulous audio restoration, and original cover art and comprehensive booklets."

The lineup for June is as follows:

BILLIE HOLIDAY - THE LIFE AND ARTISTRY OF LADY DAY (Available on DVD - June 16)
The troubled existence of a legendary artist viewed through her best songs, images and films. Arguably the best female vocalist in jazz history, a legendary performer of international reputation, Billie Holiday was known for the emotional intensity she put into the lyrics of her songs. Lady Day (as she was known by fans and musicians alike) lived the words she sang. Including biography, discography, lyrics, own compositions and bibliography. Digitally mastered. Interactive menus.

NAT KING COLE TRIO - THE COMPLETE AFTER MIDNIGHT SESSIONS(Available on CD - June 2)
"After Midnight" is a splendid, primarily instrumental album, which was to be one of his last hits as a pianist (as opposed to a singer and entertainer). This is the classic Nat King Cole Trio plus some of his illustrious friends on drums and horns recorded in 1955-56. This edition contains the complete master takes in their original session order, allowing the listener to enjoy the music just as it was recorded and fully appreciate the collaboration between Cole's magic and the horns. As a bonus, there is a previous session featuring Cole in a quartet format and backed by the same rhythm section. Featuring the solo instruments of Willie Smith, Harry Edison, Stuff Smith & Juan Tizol. Full personnel: Nat King Cole (p, vcl), John Collins (g), Charlie Harris (b) & Lee Young (d). Plus Guests: Harry Edison (tp on #1-5), Willie Smith (as on #6-9), Juan Tizol (v-tb on #10-13), Stuff Smith (vn on #14-17).

CLIFFORD BROWN/SONNY ROLLINS/MAX ROACH QUINTET - COMPLETE STUDIO RECORDINGS(Available on CD - June 2)
2 albums on 1 CD: Includes the complete albums CLIFFORD BROWN AND MAX ROACH AT BASIN STREET and SONNY ROLLINS PLUS FOUR. Collaborations: SONNY ROLLINS, MAX ROACH, RICHIE POWELL, GEORGE MORROW. This fantastic formation was destined to end in tragedy, for Clifford Brown and pianist Richie Powell died in June 1956 in a car accident. In the short time between Rollins' arrival and Brown's death, the group had the chance to enter the recording studios on three occasions. The results of those sessions - the quintet's only official legacy - originally appeared on the above mentioned albums. All the originally issued master takes from those sessions are compiled on this CD. Clifford Brown (tp), Sonny Rollins (ts), Richie Powell (p), George Morrow (b), Max Roach (d)

RED GARLAND - THE 1956 TRIO (Available on CD - June 2)
This CD reunites all the trio studio recordings made by Red Garland in 1956, featuring Paul Chambers and Art Taylor. It comprises the complete A Garland of Red LP, plus the integral December 14 session (originally divided into two different albums, Groovy and Red Garland's piano), plus a single trio tune ("Ahmad's Blues") recorded during Miles Davis' final marathon sessions for Prestige. In the aforementioned track, Philly Joe Jones plays drums instead of Art Taylor.

ART TATUM/BEN WEBSTER - THE ALBUM (Available on CD - June 2)
Considered a true landmark in recorded jazz history, this CD presents the original Art Tatum - Ben Webster Quartet album in its entirety. It was to be Tatum's last studio session ever, for he died soon after the recording. As a bonus to this outstanding session, we tried to reconstruct the same song order of the Tatum-Webster LP but as a Tatum solo piano album, allowing the listener to compare the pianist's different approach to playing as a soloist and as an accompanist. Includes 16-page booklet. Includes the complete album "Art Tatum / Ben Webster Quartet" (tracks #1-7: Art Tatum (p), Ben Webster (ts), Red Callender (b) & Bill Douglass (d). Recorded in Los Angeles, CA, September 11, 1956 for the Verve label)

SONNY ROLLINS - SAXOPHONE COLOSSUS(Available on CD - June 2)
When Sonny Rollins entered the studio to record "Saxophone Colossus, " on June 1956, he had already been a regular member of the celebrated Max Roach - Clifford Brown Quintet. This also explains the presence of Roach. In addition to this classic LP, we added a second quartet album "Work Time, " also featuring Max Roach and recorded in the last days of 1955. As Ira Gitler writes in the original liner notes "The dictionary says colossal is gigantic; huge; vast. When applied to Sonny Rollins's talent, it also signifies depth." SONNY ROLLINS, tenor sax on all tracks, plus track 1-5: Tommy Flanagan (p), Doug Watkins (b), Max Roach (d) and track 6-10: Ray Bryant (p), George Morrow (b), Max Roach (d).

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