Jane Stuart - Beginning To See The Light

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 42:33
Size: 97.4 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[2:32] 1. I'm Beginning To See The Light
[5:12] 2. Out Of This World
[2:02] 3. Four
[3:56] 4. For All We Know
[2:38] 5. Getting To Know You
[4:31] 6. Visions
[3:03] 7. Moanin'
[4:32] 8. Through A Long And Sleepless Night
[0:24] 9. Studio Talk
[2:49] 10. I Thought About You
[4:16] 11. It Might As Well Be Spring
[2:45] 12. Angel Eyes
[3:48] 13. Centerpiece

Jane Stuart has been awarded the Blue Chip Award for "Best Jazz Vocalist" IAJE/Jazz Journal. Jane sings with effortless style,natural warmth and phrasing that is subtle and right on target. She's the real deal. "Beginning To See The Light", produced and arranged by Jane Stuart and Rave Tesar, is a wonderfully mixed selection of jazz standards by Jon Hendricks, Duke Ellington, Bobbie Timmons, Stevie Wonder, Mack Gordon, Rodgers & Hammerstein II and Harold Arlen. Choice of material and pacing of this CD put it in a class above the rest. Jane Stuart is a wonderful find and this CD long overdue. The rhythm section is tight driven by Rick De Kovessey's fine drum work. The excellent musicianship is sensitive and very tasty. It's obvious that they have a strong musical history together. Horn section with Frank Elmo, Vinnie Cutro, Conrad Zulauf and Dan Nigro, is solid on the one tune, "Moanin'". Soloists are all unique and wonderful with a special one on the exhuberent samba "It Might As Well Be Spring", by Lenny Argese. Jane works with her trio, mostly in the NY/NJ area. She also sings with "Reflections", a 19-piece jazz swing band.

Beginning To See The Light

---

Cornell Dupree - Unstuffed

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 46:56
Size: 107.4 MB
Styles: Soul-jazz, Guitar jazz
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[10:11] 1. Shadow Dancing
[ 7:58] 2. The Closer I Get To You
[ 6:16] 3. On And On
[ 7:39] 4. Hey Girl
[ 5:11] 5. Peg
[ 4:28] 6. Two Doors Down
[ 5:10] 7. Unstuffed

A veteran of over 2,500 recording sessions, guitarist Cornell Dupree worked most prolifically in R&B and blues, but he was equally at home in jazz, particularly funky fusion and soul-jazz. Dupree was born in Fort Worth, TX, in 1942, and by the age of 20 was playing in King Curtis' R&B group. He became a session musician soon after, playing on Brook Benton's "Rainy Night in Georgia," as well as records by stars like Lou Rawls, Paul Simon, Barbra Streisand, Harry Belafonte, Lena Horne, Roberta Flack, Joe Cocker, Michael Bolton, Mariah Carey, and countless others. Dupree was also a member of Aretha Franklin's touring band from 1967-1976, and during that time also became a presence on many jazz-funk recordings, the sort that would find favor with rare groove and acid jazz fans in the years to come. Dupree's first jazz session as a leader was 1974's Teasin', which was followed by Saturday Night Fever in 1977, and Shadow Dancing in 1978. During the same period, Dupree was a member of the studio-musician fusion supergroup Stuff, which signed with Warner Bros. in 1975 and recorded four albums. They also reunited periodically in the '80s and spawned a mid-'80s spin-off group called the Gadd Gang, which Dupree also belonged to. Some of Dupree's most rewarding jazz albums came in the late '80s and early '90s; 1988's Coast to Coast was nominated for a Grammy, and funky sessions like 1991's Can't Get Through, 1992's live Uncle Funky, and 1993's Child's Play received positive reviews. 1994's Bop 'n' Blues was his most straight-ahead jazz album, also ranking as one of his best.

Unstuffed

---

Brian Andres & The Afro-Cuban Jazz Cartel - San Francisco

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 50:09
Size: 114.8 MB
Styles: Latin jazz
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[4:52] 1. Sand Castles
[4:00] 2. Nothing Buttrouble
[5:30] 3. San Francisco Tiene Su Propio Son
[5:06] 4. Black Market
[4:47] 5. Higashi Nakano
[5:52] 6. Soul Provider
[1:44] 7. De San Francisco A Tijuana
[5:56] 8. Bugs On A Windshield
[4:47] 9. Una Gota
[1:12] 10. Off The Cuff
[4:26] 11. Como Mi Ritmo No Hay Dos
[1:50] 12. Bongo Reyoyo

The San Francisco Bay Area, a common landing ground for many travelers in flight looking for a place to grow new roots. For most, the draw is the overall culture of acceptance, diversity and progressive thought, or the cutting edge technology of Silicon Valley. Neither of those things brought me here well over a decade ago. For me, it was the echoes of a Cal Tjader mambo or the rumba jazz of the groundbreaking Machete Ensemble. Latin jazz recordings from San Francisco kept piling up on my cd player and I began feeling the urge to head West. I needed to immerse myself in the scene in the Bay Area, to see those sounds being created live, to meet the men and women making them, to become part of it. I formed the Afro-Cuban Jazz Cartel to be a collaboration between some of the most talented players, composers and arrangers residing in the Bay Area. Together we strive to make our collective mark in the field of Latin jazz. The musicians in the Cartel were born in Europe, Latin America or numerous locations within the United States. Some were born in The Bay Area. Regardless of our land of origin, all of us reside here now, drawn to the rich heritage and continuing dynasty of Latin Jazz in San Francisco and feel the intense desire to contribute to it. Whether composing, arranging, or playing, a deep understanding of Caribbean rhythms and musical forms and the ability to create, improvise, and groove are all prerequisites for being a member of the ACJC. High caliber musicianship is embodied by everyone on this recording. I'm very proud to present to you this audio snap shot of Latin Jazz at this moment in time in the SF Bay Area. ~Brian Andres

Recording information: Timalan Music, San Francisco, CA.

Brian Andres (drums); Braulio Barrera (vocals); Tony Peebles (saxophone); Steffen Kuehn (trumpet); Henry Hung (flugelhorn); Jaime Dubberly (trombone); Christian Tumalan (piano); Carlos Caro (bongos).

San Francisco

---

Nicole Henry - Embraceable

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:46
Size: 127,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:33)  1. Just A Little Lovin'
(4:18)  2. Like Someone In Love
(4:00)  3. Anything For You
(4:50)  4. Since I Fell For You
(4:12)  5. Trouble In Mind
(4:55)  6. Hush Now
(4:51)  7. Waiting In Vain
(3:49)  8. Embraceable You
(4:32)  9. A Day In The Life Of A Fool
(5:39) 10. Even While You're Gone
(6:27) 11. A Little Time Alone
(4:35) 12. Save Me From Myself

With the release of her fifth album, Embraceable, vocalist Nicole Henry pleasingly brings together a range of styles smooth and mainstream jazz, along with pop and gospel.

A roster of musicians from diverse jazz backgrounds are featured on various tracks, with standouts including saxophonist Kirk Whalum, harmonicist Gregoire Maret and pianists John Stoddart and Britain's Oli Rockberger, who all contribute mightily. Among the albums's 12 selections, there are four new numbers including three Stoddart gems, and eight standards on which Henry puts her stamp.

Henry kicks off with a dreamy version of Mann/Weil's "Just A Little Lovin," with Maret's languorous harmonica creating the mood. The ambiance continues with Stoddart's soulful ballad, "Anything For You," which builds to a throbbing finish.

Whalum's lush tenor warms up a rocking version of Buddy Johnson's "Since I Fell for You." With Richard Jones' "Trouble In Mind," Henry gives tribute to Aretha Franklin, as Rockberger's solid blues piano brings home its soulful message. On Bob Marley's "Waiting in Vain," the singer subjugates its classic reggae beat, but Maret's harmonica more than compensates as it weaves in and out behind her plaintive voice.

Hitting her peak with Gershwin's "Embraceable you," Henry offers a romantic toast to this staple from The Great American Songbook. She brings it back to the church with her fervid preaching on Stoddart's "A Little Time Alone," as Whalum's wailing sax urges her on from the choir.

The album ends simply, with Christina Aguilera's "Save Me From Myself," Henry's unadorned voice caressing the lyrics, accompanied majestically by Stoddart. Henry's stated mission with this record is to take large steps in new directions, and she accomplishes this with a sweet, accessible voice that serves up lyrical ballads, as well as dishing out large helpings of soulful blues and gospel. ~ Larry Taylor  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=40258#.UmAZphAuf-I

Personnel: Nicole Henry: vocals; John Stoddart: piano, keyboard, Fender Rhodes (1, 3, 4, 7, 10-12 ; Gerald Clayton: piano (2, 9); Oli Rockberger: piano (5, 6); Gil Goldstein: piano (8); Jef Lee Johnson: electric guitar (1, 4, 7, 11); Julian Lage: electric guitar (2, 9); Larry Campbell: acoustic guitar, electric guitar, National Reso-phonic guitar (3, 5, 8, 10); Gregoire Maret: harmonica (1, 7); Kirk Whalum: tenor saxophone (4, 11): Andy Snitzer: alto saxophone (4, 11); Aaron Heick, tenor saxophone, bass flute (4, 7, 8, 11); Lou Marini: flute (7, 8); Tony Katleck: trumpet (4, 11); Michael Davis: trombone (4, 11); Larry Grenadier: acoustic bass; Richard Locker: cello (7, 10, 11); Entchko Todorov: violin (3, 6, 10, 11); Eric Harland: drums; Bashiri Johnson: percussion; (1, 4, 6, 9, 11).

Embraceable

---

Ed Reed - The Song Is You

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:10
Size: 156,1 MB
Art: Front

(5:19)  1. The Song Is You
(5:53)  2. It Shouldn't Happen To A Dream
(8:54)  3. Where Or When
(2:25)  4. I´m Through  With Love
(5:20)  5. All Too Soon
(5:20)  6. I Get Along Without You Very Well
(5:25)  7. I Didn´t Know About You
(4:51)  8. Don´t You Know I Care
(4:01)  9. Lucky To Be Me
(5:54) 10. Don´t Like Goodbyes
(5:25) 11. It Never Entered My Mind
(4:38) 12. Here´s To Life
(4:39) 13. Black Is

Ed Reed is a storyteller, one who pours both his heart and nearly 80 years of life experiences which include vocal studies with Charles Mingus, time in the army and a drug addiction that landed Reed in prison on four separate occasions into a phrase. On his recent first recording, Love Stories (2007), he debuted a lush tone that belied his age.

Here, the inclusion of violinist Russell George's superb jazz phrasing as a part of Peck Allmond's sextet, coupled with Reed's own expressiveness, takes this session from good to great. Reed and company serve as tour guides using tempo and timbre to present exceedingly fresh takes on a selection of songs that leans almost exclusively on the Great American Songbook. The wonderfully contrasting sounds of voice, violin, Jamie Fox' guitar and Allmond's tenor sax imbue new depth to these beautiful ballads. There is heavy representation from Duke Ellington; "It Shouldn't Happen to a Dream," "All Too Soon" and "I Didn't Know About You" all receive exquisite treatment. His "Don't You Know I Care" also benefits from a Latin lilt courtesy of Allmond's flute and drummer Willard Dyson's rhythm. These odes to love and love lost are Reed's forté and a beautiful guitar/vocal duet makes touchingly strong statements on "I'm Through with Love" and "Here's To Life."

While the ballads stand out, in the context of this larger and more varied group of musicians Reed also stretches out a bit with fine results. He swings on the title cut and on a version of "Lucky To Be Me" whose underpinnings are driven by pianist Gary Fisher. A rendering of the Rodgers-Hart chestnut "Where or When" has bassist Doug Weiss, Fox and George drawing on Reinhardt/Grappelli phrasing while Reed extends boundaries by improvising a new section. Those who, upon hearing Reed's first release, said "They don't make albums like this anymore" will again be pleasantly surprised. ~ Elliott Simon  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=29712#.Ul69TRDFrkc

Personnel: Ed Reed: vocals; Peck Allmond: trumpet, tenor sax, flute, clarinet, cornet; Willard Dyson: drums; Gary Fisher: piano; Jamie Fox: guitar; Russell George: violin; Doug Weiss: bass.

The Song Is You

---

Frank Vignola & Vinny Raniolo - Melody Magic

Styles: Straight-ahead/Mainstream
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:11
Size: 94,3 MB
Art: Front

(3:34)  1. Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67 (arr. F. Vignola)
(3:29)  2. Carmen (arr. F. Vignola): Carmen, Act I: Habanera: L'amour est un oiseau rebelle (arr. F. Vignola)
(4:52)  3. Scheherazade, Op. 35 (arr. F. Vignola)
(3:55)  4. Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Op. 46 (arr. F. Vignola): Peer Gynt Suite No. 1, Op. 46: I. Morning Mood (arr. F. Vignola)
(4:24)  5. If I Fell - Here, There and Everywhere (arr. T. Emmanuel)
(4:58)  6. Dust in the Wind (arr. F. Vignola)
(2:17)  7. Violin Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004 (arr. F. Vignola): Violin Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004: I. Allemande (arr. F. Vignola)
(3:37)  8. Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64, MWV O14 (arr. F. Vignola): Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64, MWV O14: I. Allegro molto appassionato (arr. F. Vignola)
(4:28)  9. Swan Lake Suite, Op. 20a (arr. F. Vignola): Swan Lake Suite, Op. 20a: I. Scene (arr. F. Vignola)
(5:33) 10. Eye of the Tiger (arr. F. Vignola)

In the same adventurous spirit as Polkastra's "I Do" The Wedding Album (Ancalagon, 2013), a spirit that transcends genre, style, and even musical phyla, guitarists Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo, using the vehicle of the Hot Club gypsy swing jazz to transform a recital ranging from Beethoven and Bizet to The Beatles and Sting. Vignola provides the lion's share of arrangements, save for the Beatles' medley of "If I Fell" and "Here, There and Everywhere," which was arranged by guitarist Tommy Emmanuel. Instrumentation is de rigueur acoustic and spare, employing bass, accordion, and/or violin in turn.

The music is mostly classical, with a true Hot Club reading of Beethoven's "5th Symphony" opening the disc. The pair plays the allegro con brio straight until the interior, whereSpanish and Gypsy influences bleed in, as well as late-romantic sonorities insinuating their way into the performance, making it easy to imagine this music being played in a small café of Paris' Left Bank in the present day. Bizet's "Carmen Habanera" is dispatched with all its hot-blooded passion, again with a parlor feel about it. Pianist Uri Caine's Wagner e Venezia (Winter & Winter, 1997) and The Sidewalks of New York: Tin Pan Alley (Winter & Winter, 2000) possess this same quality of employing the instruments on hand to perform classical music in a parlor-like environment. The method provides the performer(s) an acute challenge to produce compelling music with instruments not necessarily associated with that music. Like Caine, Vignola rises to this challenge, transforming The Police's "Walking on The Moon" into a neo-reggae acoustic duet. Melody Magic is "hinge music" music that incorporates elements not normally associated with it. Recordings like this can go horribly wrong, as evidenced by cut-out bins full of such fare. Vignola and Raniolo, however, dispatch their ranging material with intelligence and care, producing a very satisfying set.~ C.Michael Bailey  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=43823#.Ulx2vhDFrkc

Personnel: Frank Vignola: guitar; Vinny Raniolo: guitar; Mark Egan: bass (1, 2, 4, 8, 9); Julien Labro: accordion (3, 6, 10, 11); Zack Brock: violin (3, 6, 10, 11); Cassie Holden: double bass (3, 10, 11); Mat Wigdon: double bass (6).

Melody Magic

---