Lenny White, Buster Williams, George Colligan, Steve Wilson: Hancock Island - The Music Of Herbie Hancock (2008)

Shortly after jazz legend Herbie Hancock picked up his Album of the Year Grammy back in February of 2008 for The Joni Letters, a stellar, swinging crew of four began a week-long engagement at the Iridium in midtown Manhattan in which they went about interpreting classic Hancock compositions. The gig was a rousing success and the quartet - veterans Lenny White on drums and Buster Williams on bass along with young lions George Colligan on piano and Steve Wilson on saxophone - would subsequently go into the studio to document their remarkable chemistry and ingenious takes on these familiar Herbie tunes for Chesky Records.

Tracklist:

1 Cantaloupe Island 07:33
2 Fat Albert Rotunda 06:01
3 Butterfly 06:15
4 Fingerpainting 06:07
5 Chameleon 09:44
6 Rockit 05:34
7 Watermelon Man 07:37
8 Maiden Voyage 07:01

Personnel:
Lenny White - drums
Buster Williams - bass
George Colligan - electric piano
Steve Wilson - soprano & alto saxophones
Hancock Island: Music of Herbie Hancock
Hotfile / Uploading @ 320K

Buster Williams: Griot Liberte (2004)

Bassist Buster Williams and his quartet perform six of his originals plus two standards on Griot Liberte. Williams' songs range from the modal "Nomads" and the medium-tempo blues "Related to One" (which includes some complex transitions) to the lyrical ballad "The Triumphant Dance of the Butterfly" and the swinging "Joined at the Hip," which has George Colligan's best solo of the set. Williams takes plenty of solos but is also generous in featuring vibraphonist Stefon Harris and pianist Colligan with drummer Lenny White being stimulating in support. There are times (particularly during "Related to One") when the group sounds a bit like the Modern Jazz Quartet, but other selections find the musicians showing more individuality. They are very much in tune with each other and, although not a touring group, sound as if they play together very regularly. Excellent modern mainstream jazz. ~ Scott Yanow

Tracklist:

1. Nomads
2. Related To One
3. The Triumphant Dance Of The Butterfly
4. The Wind Of An Immortal Soul
5. Every Time We Say Goodbye
6. Joined At The Hip
7. Concierto De Aranjuez
8. After The Ninth Wave

Personnel: Buster Williams (double bass);
George Colligan (piano);
Stefon Harris (vibraphone, marimba);
Lenny White (drums)

Griot Liberte (Hybr)
Hotfile / Fileserve @ 320K

Victor Bailey: Slippin' N' Trippin' (2010)

One of the greatest bass guitar players of all time. As fine an example of funky jazz fusion and virtuoso bass guitar playing as you will ever hear.

Bassist Victor Bailey returns with his strongest and most consistent effort to date,titled Slippin’ N’ Trippin’. Bailey states “on this record I wanted to feature more of my bass guitar than on my other cd’s. I’m also a versatile keyboardist,vocalise a little, and play a little drums too”.

As usual Bailey serves up a variety of great feels,grooves and of course incredible bass playing. Standouts include the opener “Ape School” wth some innovative slapping and tapping over a surprising supple dance/funk feel. We follow that up with the title track “Slippin’ N’ Trippin’,with a shockingly strong vocal performance by Bailey and a great drum track by the legendary Billy Cobham. Next is an incredible rendition of John Coltrane’s Countdown,featuring Ron Carter on acoustic bass. Then he slows things down with his lovely ballad “I Wonder”,and displays exceptional arranging skills on the classic song Alfie, featuring a rare performance on fretless bass. He puts in a fine vocal performance on “Like A Horn” featuring some of the best bebop bass playing ever heard anywhere.Included is an innovative rendition of the Prince classic “Kiss” recorded with all bass guitars. We get a little gospel feel with “If You Say So” and finish off with the classic funk/fusion jam “Lucky Punch” featuring an amazing drum solo by Bailey’s former Weather Report bandmate Omar Hakim.With names like Hakim, Cobham, Lenny White and Ron Carter you can be sure this is music of the highest order.

Tracklist:
1. Ape School [02:11]
2. Slippin' N' Trippin' [07:07]
3. I Wonder [05:11]
4. Countdown [02:26]
5. Alfie [04:22]
6. Like A Horn [05:38]
7. If You Say So [05:22]
8. Slippin' N' Trippin' Part 2 [01:58]
9. Lucky Punch [06:49]
Slippin' N' Trippin'
Hotfile / Depositfiles @ 320K

Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke & Lenny White: Forever (2011)

This is Japan only release. Disc 1 recorded live at Yoshi's in Oakland California, Jazz Alley in Seattle Washington and the Blue Note Tokyo. Disc 2 recorded at Mad Hatter studios except "500 Miles High", recorded at the Monterey Jazz Festival.

Tracklist:
CD 1
01 On Green Dolphin Street
02 Waltz For Debby
03 Bud Powell
04 La Cancion de Sophia
05 Windows
06 Hackensack
07 No Mystery
08 Senor Mouse
CD 2
01 Captain Marvel
02 Senor Mouse
03 Crecent
04 Armando's Rhumba
05 Renaissance
06 High Wire The Aerialist
07 I Loves You Porgy
08 After The Cosmic Rain
09 Space Circus
10 500 Miles High
Personnel: Chick Corea (piano); Stanley Clarke (Bass); Lenny White (Drums).
Special Guests: Jean-Luc Ponty (violin), Chaka Khan (Vocals); Bill Connors (Guitar)
-----------------
Hotfile / Uploading @ 256-320K