Walter Davis Jr. - Davis Cup - Analogue Productions CBNJ 84018 SA (2011)
SACD rip via PS3 to iso (1.55GB) | 24bit/88.2kHz flac |Only 2ch (756MB) DR12 (+6dB gain) | Jazz


Originally Blue Note BST 84018 (1960).
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Although a Blue Note regular at the time on sessions by Donald Byrd, Art Blakey & others, Walter Davis made only 1 album for the label. With Byrd, Jackie McLean, Sam Jones & Art Taylor, he explores 6 of his finest compositions. Davis possessed the ability to write music that was funky & catchy, but still progressive, which explains why he was 1 of Art Blakey's favorite pianists & composers. "Minor Mind," "Make It" & "Millie's Delight" are among the album's highlights.

Walter Davis' "Davis Cup" was 1st available on CD in the mid 90s as part of the Blue Note Connoisseur Series, but it is now out of print domestically. Now the only way to get this classic Blue Note disc is as a pricey Japanese import. This session is from August 1959 & features Jackie McLean on alto sax, Donald Byrd on trumpet, Sam Jones on bass, Art Taylor on drums, & Davis on piano. This same group (less McLean) cut Donald Byrd's "Byrd In Hand" 3 months earlier, but they are definitely more inspired on this date. The standout tracks are the soulful "'Snake It," "Loodle-Lot," & the rhythmic "Rhumba Nhumba." 

AllMusic:
Walter Davis, Jr.'s debut record as a leader for Blue Note is a terrific hard bop session, a driving collection of 6 original tunes that emphasize the strengths not only of the pianist himself, but also his supporting band. Apart from the lovely ballad "Sweetness," Davis Cup moves along at a brisk pace, with the rhythm section urging the soloists to new heights. Byrd has rarely sounded better, & on this date McLean provides ample evidence that he was moving beyond the conventions of hard bop & developing his own unique style. Davis, of course, does more than acquit himself -- he contributes an engaging, energetic performance that keeps the music grounded. His compositions are just as captivating, whether it's the swinging "Rhumba Nhumba" or the darkly invigorating "Minor Mind." It all adds up to a wonderful straight-ahead hard bop date, 1 that's so good it's a wonder that Davis didn't receive another chance to lead a session until 1979.

      Tracks:

01-'Smake It
02-Loodle-Lot
03-Sweetness
04-Rhumba Nhumba
05-Minor Mind
06-Millie's Delight

      Time: 00:38:09

      Musicians:

Walter Davis Jr., piano
Donald Byrd, trumpet
Sam Jones, bass
Jackie McLean, alto saxophone
Art Taylor, drums


http://www.filefactory.com/folder/68fd41ed7518d2bd
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Checksum for iso:
b4df44529215aaf25894c9d796f856a1 *Walter Davis Jr. - Davis Cup.iso

Checksums for flac tracks 2ch:
c524a2304bab16bbedfa43af059217ec *01 - Walter Davis Jr. - 'Smake It.flac
79fb59d7f841da346390c42e8badb0d7 *02 - Walter Davis Jr. - Loodle-Lot.flac
7dc1f221fc1c56e5b0228bfc961528c7 *03 - Walter Davis Jr. - Sweetness.flac
35927835c97144de82b98687b97a96e1 *04 - Walter Davis Jr. - Rhumba Nhumba.flac
69eec908b62d6825d48a8bf026f78c38 *05 - Walter Davis Jr. - Minor Mind.flac
ce742e44cc12361214e7c5ac3220674e *06 - Walter Davis Jr. - Millie's Delight.flac