Hugues Aufray - Aufray Chante Dylan

Styles: Pop
Year: 1965
File: MP3@192K/s
Time: 82:18
Size: 114,4 MB
Scans: Front

(3:40)  1. Au coeur de mon pays
(4:32)  2. Ballade de Hollis Brown
(4:48)  3. Cauchemar psychomoteur
(3:36)  4. Ce n'était pas moi
(3:29)  5. Ce que je veux surtout
(6:38)  6. Comme ces pierres qui roulent
(4:24)  7. Dans le souffle du vent
(5:29)  8. Dieu est à notre côté
(4:35)  9. Knock knock ouvre toi porte d'or
(4:36) 10. l'Homme dota d'un nom chaque animal
(4:09) 11. La fille du nord
(4:17) 12. La mort de Hattiee Caroll
(3:17) 13. Le jour ou le bateau viendra
(4:11) 14. Les temps changent
(3:53) 15. N'y penses plus tout est bien
(4:53) 16. Nous serons libres
(3:00) 17. Si tu dois partir
(4:32) 18. Tambourine man
(4:11) 19. Tout le monde s'est plante

Hugues Aufray merits an interesting footnote in Bob Dylan history for translating Dylan's compositions into French in the mid-'60s. His 1965 LP, Aufray Chante Dylan, could be one of the first times an all-Dylan cover album was done by a non-English-singing performer. Though an overall respectable interpretation (entirely in French) of 11 early Dylan songs, it's stylistically uneven, almost as if it's taken from several different eras (or at least gaining its inspiration from several different phases of Dylan's development). Some tracks, like "Dieu Est a Nos Cotes" ("With God on Our Side"), are plaintive acoustic guitar strum-and-voice-only arrangements much like those heard on Dylan's early records. 

Others add somewhat hokey, dated background voices ("Le Jour Ou le Bateau Viendra," aka "When the Ship Comes In") and strings ("La Fille du Nord," aka "Girl from the North Country") in an uneasy pop-folk fusion that sounds like attempts to put the songs in more commercial dressing. Still others sound like they're trying to hop the mid-'60s folk-rock bandwagon ("Ce Que Je Veux Surtout," aka "All I Really Want to Do") or imitate the tense blues-rock-oriented sound of Dylan's own 1965 folk-rock records ("Cauchemar Psychomoteur," aka "Motorpsycho Nightmare"). Aufray sings the material with earnest, slightly gritty dignity, though without particularly distinctive personal imagination. By no means among the better batches of Dylan covers of the period, it's nonetheless by no means among the worst, and historically interesting at the least. ~ Richie Unterberger    http://www.allmusic.com/album/aufray-chante-dylan-mw0001157445

Aufray chante Dylan

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Jim Alfredson's Dirty Fingers - A Tribute To Big John Patton

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 62:06
Size: 142.2 MB
Styles: Organ jazz
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[8:32] 1. Good Juice
[6:12] 2. Daddy James
[6:52] 3. Dirty Fingers
[7:49] 4. Gentle John
[7:23] 5. Let 'em Roll
[7:38] 6. Early A.M.
[5:49] 7. String Bean
[4:34] 8. My Valentine
[7:13] 9. Along Came John

Big John Patton (July 12, 1935 in Kansas City, Missouri – March 19, 2002 in Montclair, New Jersey) was a staple of the Blue Note label's roster during the heyday of soul jazz in the 1960s. As well as a respected and in-demand sideman, Patton also made a name for himself as a band leader and composer, defining the sound of acid jazz for decades to come.

Patton is the link between the bluesy hardbop of Jimmy Smith and the modal free-jazz explorations of Larry Young. His style is funky and raw, emotional and honest, and thrillingly visceral.

Jim Alfredson's playing and writing for organissimo is heavily influenced by Patton. This project is his way of honoring the man and his music. Featuring an all-star lineup, including the inimitable Randy Gelispie on drums (Professor of Jazz at Michigan State University, who has performed and/or recorded with Jack McDuff, Wes Montgomery, Larry Young, Gene Ludwig, Bill Heid, Nancy Wilson, Tommy Flanagan, Barry Harris, and many more), the band romps through seven classic Patton songs as well as a contemporary ballad and an original by Alfredson.

A Tribute To Big John Patton

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Arvell Shaw & The Swing Legacy Allstars - S/T

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 51:51
Size: 118.7 MB
Styles: Big band, Swing
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[6:20] 1. Moten Swing
[4:02] 2. If It Weren't For You
[3:17] 3. Taft's Blues
[2:50] 4. What Have You Done With The Keys To Your Heart
[4:34] 5. Arvell's Tune
[2:47] 6. Every Day Blues
[2:53] 7. Lush Life
[4:45] 8. Blue Lou
[5:35] 9. Concerto Du Blues
[4:33] 10. Did I Remember
[2:57] 11. Budd's Idea
[2:32] 12. The Man With A Horn
[4:38] 13. Skin Tight And Cymbal Wise

Shaw is best known for his association with Louis Armstrong, whose last big band he joined in 1945; here he plays upright bass & sings on this swinging session recorded in New York in 1956, featuring Budd Johnson, Taft Jordan, Vic Dickenson, George Berg, Andre Persiany and Gus Johnson.

Bio by Scott Yanow: Featured with the Louis Armstrong All-Stars during several periods, Arvell Shaw was arguably Armstrong's finest bassist and the only musician in his band that was influenced to an extent by bebop. Shaw played tuba in high school before switching to bass. He played with Fate Marable on riverboats in 1942, was in the Navy during 1942-45 and then was in Louis Armstrong's final big band (1945-47). Along with drummer Sid Catlett, Shaw was retained after the orchestra broke up and became an original member of the Louis Armstrong AllStars, easily the youngest member at age 24. Although he spent 1950-52 off the road, completing his musical studies, Shaw rejoined Armstrong during 1952-56, traveling the world and appearing on many recordings with Satch until he left in 1956. Shaw worked with Russ Case at CBS, was with the Teddy Wilson Trio, played at the Brussels World Fair with Benny Goodman in 1958, stayed in Europe for a few years and rejoined Goodman for his Latin American tour of 1962. Shaw spent a third period back with Louis Armstrong (1962-64) and rejoined him briefly a few times later in the decade. Otherwise, Arvell Shaw (who has never led his own record date) has been a freelancer in the New York area ever since, playing with a variety of all-star mainstream groups and in the 1980's touring with a show titled "The Wonderful World Of Louis Armstrong."

Arvell Shaw & The Swing Legacy Allstars

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Hilde Hefte - Short Stories

Size: 98,7 MB
Time: 42:47
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Vocal Jazz, Crossover Jazz
Art: Front

01. Mercy Street (4:50)
02. O Tysta Ensamhet - Visan Fran Utanmyra (4:01)
03. My Bells (2:41)
04. O Pato (1:55)
05. But Beautiful (2:50)
06. My Romance (5:11)
07. In Germany Before the War (3:23)
08. Danny's All-Star Joint (2:36)
09. White Night (3:38)
10. You Leave Me Breathless (4:50)
11. Jag Vet En Dejlig Rosa (2:25)
12. Flotervise (4:20)

«The jazz-singer who manage to get the whole jazz-country to stop and listen.»

These words came from one of the most respected jazz journalists in Norway when he wrote his review about Hilde Hefte's new album 'Short Stories' (released 2013) and he is referring to her first solo-recording 'Round Chet's Midnight'. And he continued - and said about her latest album: «Hilde Hefte's most important decision. The jazz singer Hilde Hefte said she had to do something new, and she has done so with bravour.»

«She's making waves on the Norwegian scene.»
These words are taken from the leading jazz magazine Down Beat when Hilde released her album 'Round Chet's Midnight.

Hilde studied music at the highly respected Barratt-Dues Music Institute with piano as her main instrument. She has also been playing guitar, alto saxophone and Bb clarinet, and she has studied acting at Nordic Institute for Scene and Studio. For one periode she was teacher at Vest-Agder Music Conservatorium. She's been giving parts in different plays; for example the leading part as Edith Piaf to mention one. She has written lyrics, composed music for her own productions as well as for other musicians and singers and she's composed and arranged music for theatre productions. She's also been invited as a guest singer on various CD productions.

She's released 6 solo albums to fantastic reviews. For her work Hilde Hefte has received various grants and prizes.

2003 she established the sheet music company Norsk Jazzforlag and the year after the record company Ponca Jazz Records.

Short Stories

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Pearl Django - Swing 48

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 50:31
Size: 115.7 MB
Styles: Gypsy jazz
Year: 2003
Art: Front

[3:51] 1. Swing 48
[2:33] 2. La Mer
[4:31] 3. I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me
[2:59] 4. Dragonfly
[3:00] 5. Swing 24
[4:16] 6. Holiday For Guitars
[3:39] 7. Sweet Sue, Just You
[3:51] 8. Melodie Au Crepuscule
[3:17] 9. Samois Swing
[5:00] 10. Palo Verde
[2:28] 11. Freeway
[2:55] 12. Cb's Waltz
[3:47] 13. Sweet Chorus
[4:17] 14. Double Scratch

This is the seventh release by one of America's premiere "Hot Club" influenced groups, Pearl Django. "Swing 48," the title cut on this CD, is a Django Reinhardt minor blues, and it's used here as a vehicle to showcase the hard swing and improvisation of the five members of Pearl Django. The thirteen other compositions are a mix of band member originals, Django tunes and standards. So much of Pearl Django's music shows their appreciation for music that is upbeat, that swings, and that generally displays their love for "Hot Club" style jazz. Features guitarists Neil Andersson and Dudley Hill, as well as violinist Michael Gray.

Recorded at David Lange Studios, Edgewood, Washington.

Michael Gray (violin); Neil Andersson, Dudley Hill, Greg Ruby (guitar); Rick Leppanen (double bass). Additional personnel: David Lange (accordion); Mark Ivester (drums).

Swing 48

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Keissy Costa - Lemanja

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 44:30
Size: 101.9 MB
Styles: Brazilian jazz vocals (some Japanese too)
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[3:28] 1. Agua De Beber
[4:16] 2. Chovendo Na Roseira
[3:48] 3. Ainda Bem
[3:05] 4. Garota De Ipanema
[3:51] 5. Wave
[4:01] 6. Nos E Mar
[3:31] 7. Aguas De Marco
[3:08] 8. Corcovado
[3:49] 9. Lemanja
[3:59] 10. As No Kakera
[3:36] 11. Minami No Kini
[3:51] 12. Nada Sousou

Daughter of Betty Max sings and enchants Japan.

Born in Belém do Pará, Brazil, on May 13, 1986 (abolition of slavery, as she does highlight), Keissy Costa came with her parents to Japan in 1993 at the age of 7. Her father, Te Max, was a famous singer in Belém do Pará, and her mother, Betty Max, was known as the Japanese girl from “Calypso”. She was influenced by the family since childhood and started singing professionally since age 9 in restaurants, churches and concert halls. She loved listening to her father play and the meetings with Brazilian friends, and she ended up learning to play guitar and tambourine so she could join them. She also eventually developed the ability to compose, as a natural step.

The music helped her to keep up the language and the Brazilian influence in her life, since she was brought up in the Japanese archipelago, where she attended the Japanese normal school. Determined to live through her music, and through the assistance from a Japanese music agency, the opportunity to return to Brazil happened in 2006, where she attended the Universidade Livre de Música-Tom Jobim, in São Paulo, to develop her musical base. She returned to Japan in 2012, and has maintained a full schedule of performances throughout the country.

Her work has been increasingly developed inspired primarily in names like Tom Jobim, Chico Buarque, Elis Regina, Monica Salmaso, Joyce, Filó Machado, Marisa Monte, Renato Braz, Sergio Santos, Mario Gio, among others. As part of her future plans she is seeking support to record heir first CD, and her biggest dream is to travel the world spreading the Brazilian music, because as she says, her restless soul belongs to the world!

She sends a message to young people who live and study in Japan: "I try to think that life is always a beginning. I think that it is important to open a new door as soon as possible than never. I feel that we carry on the chest the difference, the “saudade” (the longing for) and desire to have a better day. And if the pain decided to follow you, just believe that everything is for the greater good. ~ thank you yara for the review and translation.

Lemanja

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Leah Kline - Playground

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:36
Size: 145,6 MB
Art: Front

(5:05)  1. Doodlin'
(4:23)  2. Love for Sale
(6:11)  3. Wives And Lovers
(2:13)  4. Give Me The Simple Life
(3:27)  5. Girls Of Summer
(4:50)  6. In The Dark
(4:57)  7. Alone Together
(4:00)  8. Prelude To A Kiss
(3:31)  9. Hernando's Hideaway
(2:45) 10. Oh! Look At Me Now!
(3:43) 11. Call Of The Muse
(2:50) 12. I've Got Rhythm
(2:15) 13. Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend
(3:41) 14. Peel Me A Grape
(5:20) 15. Tenderly/ Midnight Sun
(4:17) 16. Pure Imagination

Leah Kline's debut CD certainly is a Playground of fresh and creative new ideas that just simply add up to a lot of fun for the listener. Someone would have to be hard pressed to not like this recording by the Amsterdam-based Kline and her supporting group of Los Angeles-based jazz musicians. What they have assembled is a collection of new and unique arrangements that provide a fresh take on jazz standards such as "Doodlin,'" "Prelude to a Kiss," "Peel Me a Grape" and pop songs like "Wives and Lovers," "Hernando's Hideaway," "Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend," and "Tenderly." Kline also adds one original to the mix with her lyrics on "Call of the Muse," set to music composed by Joost van de Knaap.

One of the fun elements of this recording is Kline's voice. Her presentation possesses a certain bluesy swagger with a Mae West "Why don't you come up and see me some time" attitude. These qualities are most evident on the opening track, an arrangement of Horace Silver's "Doodlin'" with vocalese by Jon Hendricks. Kline negotiates large mouthfuls of lyrics with insouciant aplomb and hipness. The "come hither" part of Kline's musical personality shines most brightly in the arrangement of Cole Porter's "Love For Sale." Pianist John Rangel's Latin-styled arrangement and the somewhat melodramatic introduction show off what must be an exciting stage presence for Kline when she performs live.

Her performance on the Johnny Hodges/Duke Ellington classic "Prelude to a Kiss" turns this romantic ballad on a tangent from Hodges' familiar excruciating ecstasy to more of a lover's sweet and gentle caress, presented lovingly and simply with only Rangel's piano accompanying. Another unique approach is Kline's rendition of "I've Got Rhythm," accompanied only by the rhythm of drummer Lorca Hart. There are also some passages where Kline demonstrates her ability to scat sing when trading fours with drummer Hart.

With all of the jazz singers out and about today, Leah Kline is certainly one worthy of notice. Her debut CD is certainly a playground of great creativity, musicianship, and fun. I look forward to her next recording project. ~ Craig W.Hurst   

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=14685#.Um1SYRAueZc

Personnel: Leah Kline (vocals), John Rangel (piano), Mike Valerio (bass), Lorca Hart (drums), Derf Reklaw (percussion, Dan Weinstein (trombone and violin), Larry Williams (trumpet)

Playground

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Viktoria Tolstoy - A Moment of Now

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:39
Size: 128,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:13)  1. A Moment of Now
(3:36)  2. Hand in My Pocket
(5:29)  3. Shadow and Light
(4:34)  4. Send One Your Love
(4:44)  5. I Can Let Go Now
(4:58)  6. Deep River
(5:05)  7. Red Rain
(4:26)  8. Against All Odds
(4:43)  9. Satisfied
(5:37) 10. I Concentrate On You
(4:24) 11. Scent of Snow
(3:44) 12. Northern Star

Though there are many beautiful singing voices in jazz today, Viktoria Tolstoy is one of a kind. A great melodramatist of jazz who is also bipolar, she makes happiness sound fragile and threatened, and bitterness sweet and enchanting. She has framed and perfected this art on a conceptual level since becoming an ACT artist in 2003, whether concentrating on material from Esbjörn Svensson – whose e.s.t. began to some extent as her accompanying trio – or, most recently, on Herbie Hancock, classical originals, Swedish standards or repertoire from Russia, the home of her ancestors.
Her latest album "A Moment Of Now" is her most frank recording yet – for one simple reason: "Jacob [Karlzon] and I are the concept this time," says Viktoria. Indeed it is an intimate album by the duo that focuses on their musical partnership. Karlzon has been Tolstoy's trusted companion on her band projects for almost 15 years now, his playing thrives on nuances, transitions, ambiguities – be they inspired by classics such as Grieg or hard rockers the likes of KoRn. It is a partnership that shows no signs of abating, despite Karlzon’s own highly successful trio that bears his name. "We each generally know in advance what the other is thinking and is going to do, without either of us having to say anything. It's almost a bit spooky," says Tolstoy of the intuitive understanding between the two.

Their style depends on melodies like a fish depends on water, and 14 of the best are brought together on "A Moment Of Now". As Tolstoy explains, they are "songs we've heard a lot in recent years, and that imposed themselves on us, but also some that were entirely new to us and were really a challenge”. This has resulted in a selection that sounds entirely coherent and as if created especially for these two musicians, even though its component parts come from the most diverse, stylistic, and often surprising backgrounds. From the classical "Apres Un Reve" by the Frenchman Gabriel Faurè, to Stevie Wonder's soul-pop "Send One Your Love" – on which Tolstoy invited Jocke Bergström, a new face in these climes, to share in a vocal duet that simply takes your breath away – to the jazzy "Shadow And Light" by Joe Zawinul. Thanks to Tolstoy's father, who suggested Phil Collins' "Against All Odds", the entire history of Genesis is represented, so to speak, with "Taking It All Too Hard" and Peter Gabriel's "Red Rain" also rebooted on the album.

Beyond global hits like these or Alanis Morissette's biggest success "Hand In My Pocket", the album also includes new discoveries like "Satisfied" from the almost-forgotten funk virtuoso Lewis Taylor and "Deep River" from Norwegian jazz saxophonist Benedik Hofseth. Among the pieces, three were originally instrumentals; namely "Apres Un Reve" (based on Faurè's "Apres Un Reve"), the Pat Metheny revamp "A Moment Of Now", and Karlzon's own composition "Scent Of Snow”. For these, Anna Alerstedt, the fantastic songwriter who Tolstoy discovered in 2008 for "My Russian Soul", once again pens profound and memorable lyrics.

The ease with which Viktoria Tolstoy and Jacob Karlzon can change the fundamental character of songs that otherwise seem to be set in stone is quite spectacular. The best example of this is their interpretation of Mark King's "Lessons In Love", transformed from a loud up-tempo song by the funk band Level 42 into a melancholy ballad. There’s also Cole Porter's classic "I Concentrate On You", which rings out as a Nordic anthem, and which in the middle section is even reminiscent of Esbjörn Svensson's "Love Is Real". But above all, what the songs all have in common is an overwhelming quietude and power. The weighty and complex sounds light and easy  just note the jumps and key changes on "Satisfied", where the subtle nuances and vocals change and shape the music.

There is a calmness and strength in the music that comes from experience and draws from the tried and trusted. For example, Nils Landgren returns as the producer, while the album was recorded with the familial team at Nilento Studios in Goteborg. "I felt safe and well looked after at every moment,” Tolstoy recalls, “Never change a winning team!". This is how a fascinating and completely unique moment in her and Karlzon's oeuvre was born and it is one that will remain.  http://www.actmusic.com/en/Artists/Viktoria-Tolstoy/A-Moment-Of-Now/A-Moment-Of-Now-CD/Produktinformation/%28release_id%29/20842

A Moment of Now

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Scott Hamilton - Remembering Billie

Styles:  Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:27
Size: 134,9 MB
Art: Front

(7:05)  1. When You're Smiling
(4:57)  2. Foolin Myself
(5:17)  3. Good Morning Heartache
(4:55)  4. Them There Eyes
(5:51)  5. Laughing At Life
(5:28)  6. You're My Thrill
(6:36)  7. This Year's Kisses
(6:34)  8. God Bless The Child
(6:32)  9. I'll Never Be The Same
(5:07) 10. If Dreams Come True

SCOTT HAMILTON..."Remembering Billie" JUST IN!...Stunning Reviews are coming in daily..check out what the critics are saying here.

“Scott Hamilton ..He swings, he’s always in the pocket and he doesn’t need/have to prove anything. If you want to listen to some sweet jazz that’s played for the sheer joy of it, you and this set are going to get along just fine. Killer stuff that gives mainstream jazz a good name no matter how much dirt hipsters try to kick at it.” By Chris Spector Midwest Record

“Remembering Billie, is something of a magnum opus, from an artist who is at a place in his illustrious career where a magnum opus is just what is needed to top so many previous glorious albums. This one — a tribute to the early, more freely swinging recordings of the inimitable Billie Holiday, is played with equally matchless style by saxophonist Scott Hamilton. The album, produced by Duke Robillard, displays the versatility and impeccable taste that Hamilton has been sharing for decades.” By Greg Victor Parcbench.com

“Give a listen to Remembering Billie and you will hear one of the best of the players in this tradition, the aforementioned Mr. Hamilton… Producer Duke Robillard contributes his guitar mastery… Hamilton can caress a ballad and swing his forever off with the best of them…Put it all together and the result is pure listening pleasure” by Joseph Lang New Jersey Jazz

“It's his first effort for Duke Robillard's Blue Duchess Records…it's a splendid effort that captures the 58-year-old Hamilton in prime, relaxed form, reminding those who need to be reminded that few tenor players swing with his consummate ease, or cut to the emotional heart of a song as consistently” by Lloyd Sachs WDCB Chicago

“Scott Hamilton is swinging on this dedication to the music sung by Billie Holiday. His warm tone on sax is mesmerizing.” By D. Oscar Groomes O’s Place Jazz Magazine

“With Hamilton blowing it hot, cool and sweet, the listener is in for a rare musical Holiday that expertly recalls Lady Day’s way with a song.?” Eric Feber, THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT......  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/scotthamilton3

Remembering Billie

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