DINAH WASHINGTON - Dinah Jams (1954-1990) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Recorded at the start of Dinah Washington's climb to fame, 1954's Dinah Jams was taped live in front of a studio audience in Los Angeles. While Washington is in top form throughout, effortlessly working her powerful, blues-based voice on both ballads and swingers, the cast of star soloists almost steals the show. In addition to drummer Max Roach, trumpeter Clifford Brown, and other members of Brown and Roach's band at the time -- tenor saxophonist Harold Land, pianist Richie Powell, and bassist George Morrow -- trumpeters Maynard Ferguson and Clark Terry, alto saxophonist Herb Geller, and pianist Junior Mance also contribute to the session. Along with extended jams like "Lover Come Back to Me," "You Go to My Head," and "I'll Remember April" -- all including a round of solos -- there are shorter ballad numbers such as "There Is No Greater Love" and "No More," the last of which features excellent muted, obbligato work by Brown. Other solo highlights include Land's fine tenor solo on "Darn That Dream" and Geller's alto statement on the disc's standout Washington vocal, "Crazy." And even though she's in the midst of these stellar soloists, Washington expertly works her supple voice throughout to remain the star attraction, even matching the insane, high-note solo blasts trumpeter Ferguson expectedly delivers. A fine disc. Newcomers, though, should start with more accessible and more vocal-centered Washington titles like The Swingin' Miss D or The Fats Waller Songbook, both of which feature top arrangements by Quincy Jones. Stephen Cook  
Tracklist :
1     Lover, Come Back to Me 9:54
Oscar Hammerstein II / Sigmund Romberg    
2     Alone Together 2:25
Howard Dietz / Arthur Schwartz    
3     Summertime 2:26
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin / DuBose Heyward    
4     Come Rain or Come Shine 2:28
Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer    
5     No More 3:22
Tutti Camarata / Bob Russell    
6     I've Got You Under My Skin 5:26
Cole Porter    
7     There Is No Greater Love 2:15
Isham Jones / Marty Symes    
8     You Go to My Head 11:12
J. Fred Coots / Haven Gillespie    
9     Darn That Dream 5:14
Eddie DeLange / James Van Heusen    
10     Crazy He Calls Me 4:47
Bob Russell / Carl Sigman    
11     I'll Remember April 11:46
Gene DePaul / Patricia Johnston / Don Raye
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Herb Geller
Bass – George Morrow, Keeter Betts
Drums – Max Roach
Piano – Junior Mance, Richie Powell
Tenor Saxophone – Harold Land
Trumpet – Clark Terry, Clifford Brown, Maynard Ferguson
Vocals – Dinah Washington