Leslie Beukelman - Here I Am

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:43
Size: 100,1 MB
Art: Front

(5:21)  1. Pure Imagination
(4:42)  2. I'm Old Fashioned
(4:14)  3. Love Is Blue
(4:33)  4. Very Early
(6:07)  5. Smile
(4:08)  6. 14
(6:07)  7. Fall
(4:23)  8. Remembering The Rain
(4:04)  9. Here I Am

"This woman has such a natural way about her singing. Her pitch, her range, her sound, her interpretation is extraordinary.” ~Maria Schneider
(Grammy Award-Winning Artist)

“Exquisite vocalist Leslie Beukelman… has mastered genres as vast as soul, melodic jazz, scat, rock and atonal experimentation.”  ~Lucia Mauro (Chicago Tribune)

Leslie Beukelman's debut solo album, "Here I Am", features her arrangements and compositions, played in a quintet and duo setting. Crossing the lines between pop and jazz, this record is only the beginning of Leslie's musical exploration.

Here I Am

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John Ellis - It's You I Like

Styles: Post-Bop
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:57
Size: 135,0 MB
Art: Front

(7:08)  1. What Do You Do?
(9:22)  2. Memory Lane
(5:28)  3. It's You I Like
(8:05)  4. Everything Means Nothing To Me
(7:57)  5. Let's Think Of Something To Do
(2:27)  6. Because We're Kids
(4:51)  7. You Are Special
(3:36)  8. Waltz # 1
(6:59)  9. It's Such A Good Feeling
(2:59) 10. Won't You Be My Neighbor

Melody and groove are the watchwords on John Ellis' masterful Criss Cross debut, which mixes optimistic songs composed by the iconic children's television host, Fred (a.k.a. 'Mister') Rogers, himself a fine jazz pianist, and dark ones by the late singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. Joined by New York A-listers Mike Moreno (guitar), Aaron Goldberg (piano), Matt Penman (bass, and Rodney Green (drums), Ellis - playing mostly tenor saxophone and a bit of bass clarinet - addresses the repertoire with a surefooted time feel, gorgeous tone,and abiding melodicism. ~ Editorial Reviews   http://www.amazon.com/Its-You-Like-John-Ellis/dp/B007GNMIK4

It's You I Like

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Sue Maskaleris - Bring Nothing But Your Heart

Size: 110,8 MB
Time: 47:57
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Brazilian Jazz, Samba, Bossa Nova
Label: Jazilian Records
Art: Front

01. Bring Nothing But Your Heart (Feat. 'Doc' Halliday) (3:56)
02. The Big Tiri (Feat. Horacio 'El Negro' Hernandez) (3:38)
03. Lush Life (Feat. William Galison) (5:07)
04. Two Ducklings (Dois Patinhos) (2:57)
05. So Sacred The Sand (4:46)
06. O.C.D. (Feat. Horacio 'El Negro' Hernandez) (4:28)
07. Ready To Love Again (4:03)
08. A Blast Of Joy (6:06)
09. Kisses From Ivan (Feat. Mark Egan) (4:04)
10. Baiao Da Aclimaçao (2:56)
11. The Meaning (Peace & Love) (4:19)
12. Two Ducklings (Reprise) (Feat. Steve Sacks) (1:31)

Dripping with Afro-Cuban crescendos and trussed in sexy samba baia(os, Bring Nothing But Your Heart from vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Sue Maskaleris is a rush of endorphin-induced romps. Produced by Sue and Stephen Maskaleris, Bring Nothing But Your Heart is a cornucopia of party tunes groomed with Latin accents.

The recording bursts open with the Latin grooves of the title track traversing into the funky tinted rhythms of "The Big Tiri" as Maskaleris joins in the party atmosphere with a combination of lyrical and scat verses. Smooth and balmy, Maskaleris' treatment of Billy Strayhorn's "Lush Life" displays her vocal chops as a moving singer while the harmonious harmonica solo creates a dreamy escape.

The album maintains its dreamy versing with the wispy ethers of "Two Ducklings" keeled by a soft samba rhythm, while "So Sacred the Sand" is seamed in a bossa nova stitching. Both tracks showcase the lithesome tone of Maskaleris' register, which add shimmer and warmth to the melodies. The blissful vibe emanating from the melodic cuts of "O.C.D." feature the lyrical flutters of Oriente Lopez's flute and the nimble movements of Horacio Hernandez on drums.

The fast paced "Ready to Love Again" has a Brazilian based rhythm which switches gears into the cruising samba beats of "A Blast of Joy" fomenting small eruptions in the horns and producing a gently froth brushing over the wavy percussions and ruminating harmonica. It's a tune made for sipping cocktails while engaged in an enjoyable conversation.

The balladry sway of "Kisses from Ivan" have a classic pop iridescence shingled in lightly sprinkled strings which are tossed into the festive sprints racking "Baião da Aclimacão" shrouded in frilly chimes and jaunty beats. Keeping up the upbeat atmosphere are the boppish grooves of "The Meaning (Peace and Love)" and the flighty sensations moving across "Two Ducklings" which Maskaleris reprises at the end of the album.

Maskaleris' affinity for Brazilian music is thoroughly explored on Bring Nothing But Your Heart. Her talent ranges from singer and songwriter to being a multi-instrumentalist demonstrating her diversity and willingness to dabble in every aspect of her music. She puts her heart, her soul, and her love of beautiful sounding music into her recording making for a positively charged album.

Sue Maskaleris - vocals, piano, keyboards, violins, guitar, bass, percussion, lyrics, arrangements, compositions, and production

Bring Nothing But Your Heart

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Mark Growden & The New Orleans Heavies - In Velvet

Size: 102,8 MB
Time: 44:37
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: New Orleans Jazz/Soul
Art: Front

01. Drivin' Into The Sunrise (3:16)
02. The Love Of It All (5:25)
03. Jumpin' Judy (3:08)
04. Something Within Me (5:00)
05. Old Lady From Brewster (3:00)
06. Paris, Texas (6:00)
07. Sunday Afternoon (3:54)
08. You Really Got A Hold On Me (5:12)
09. Old Dutch Davis (3:41)
10. That's All Right (3:41)
11. Here's To You (2:14)

Mark Growden is a singer, multi-instrumentalist, composer, record producer and visual artist. From a small mountain community in NE California, Growden has toured the the US extensively and has released several critically acclaimed albums, including Saint Judas, which was ranked in the 2010 Village Voice Critics Poll. His new CD "In Velvet" reflects his year long residency in New Orleans. His all star band, the New Orleans Heavies live up to the name pumping up Growden's original soulful music with a funky horn section lead by legendary trumpeter Wendell Brunious.

Personnel:
LaTosha Brown on voice
Wendell Brunious on trumpet
Loren Pickford on alto sax
Eric Traub on tenor sax
Larry Sieberth on piano
Myles Boisen on guitar
Peter Harris on upright bass
Charlie Kohlmeyer on drums
Mark Growden on voice and bari sax

In Velvet

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David Murray & Dave Burrell - Windward Passages

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 68:31
Size: 156.9 MB
Styles: Saxophone/piano jazz
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[ 8:23] 1. Sorrow Song
[ 7:56] 2. It Hurts So Much To See
[11:29] 3. Naima
[ 5:21] 4. Cela Me Va
[ 6:02] 5. The Crave
[ 9:16] 6. Zanzibar Blue
[ 6:06] 7. Conversation With Our Mothers
[13:55] 8. Naima 2

Gifted reedman David Murray is a provocative improviser whose warmth, passion and facile technique coaxes the most from his instruments. On this 1993 date, he plays tenor sax (bass clarinet on one track) with pianist Dave Burrell, a long-time cohort with similar penchant for creating exciting leaps of virtuosity. Familiarity breeds better music, and contributes to make this intimate duo recording a compelling listen. Both players have separately shown abilities to wax lyrical, subtly mine the blues, and stretch beyond the outer edges of melody. Together, they're unmatchable. Murray's conversational style, expertly comped by Burrell, ranges from caressing to blistery and powerful. Burrell's improvisations, sometimes influenced by a Pullen-like percussive approach, add variety to the melodiousness of this outing comprising three standards and five originals. Some tracks are reminiscent of roiling duo explorations of the late Pullen and Adams, and it's enthralling to hear that tradition continue. While Burrell excels, it's Murray's instantly-recognizable, thrusting, and bristly style that prevails on this A-plus album. ~Nancy Ann Lee

Windward Passages

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Marian McPartland & Steely Dan - Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz Radio Broadcast

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 51:09
Size: 117.1 MB
Styles: Jazz, Rock
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[1:39] 1. Conversation 1
[2:42] 2. Limbo Jazz
[5:07] 3. Conversation 2
[3:50] 4. Josie
[3:07] 5. Conversation 3
[3:07] 6. Mood Indigo
[0:13] 7. Conversation 4
[3:21] 8. Star Eyes
[3:38] 9. Conversation 5
[3:26] 10. Hesitation Blues
[5:17] 11. Conversation 6
[3:47] 12. Things Ain't What They Used To Be
[1:41] 13. Conversation 7
[4:44] 14. Chain Lightning
[1:51] 15. Conversation 8
[3:30] 16. Black Friday

It isn't hard to imagine how some jazz purists will react upon seeing the name Steely Dan on one of Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz releases; they're likely to ask, "What, in God's name, is a pop/rock group doing in McPartland's presence?" But even though Steely Dan isn't a jazz act per se, they have always had jazz influences -- and it would be a mistake to think of this CD as strictly a pop/rock disc. Actually, the original material of Steely Dan leaders Donald Fagen (vocals, acoustic piano) and Walter Becker (electric guitar) takes somewhat of a back seat to instrumental straight-ahead jazz when they join forces with pianist McPartland, bassist Jay Leonhart and drummer Keith Carlock. Some longtime Steely Dan enthusiasts might be disappointed to know that only three Fagen/Becker songs are performed: "Josie," "Black Friday" and "Chain Lightning" -- you won't hear "Peg," "Do It Again," "Rikki, Don't Lost That Number," "Deacon Blues," "Hey Nineteen" or "Reeling in the Years." Nonetheless, there are many enjoyable moments, and McPartland has no problem finding common ground with Fagen and Becker -- common ground that includes a healthy appreciation of Duke Ellington's repertoire. Between three songs associated with the Duke ("Mood Indigo," Mercer Ellington's "Things Ain't What They Used to Be" and the lesser known "Limbo Jazz"), W.C. Handy's "Hesitation Blues" and the standard "Star Eyes," Steely Dan's encounter with McPartland is dominated by straight-ahead jazz -- not the jazz-influenced, soul-minded pop/rock that made Steely Dan famous during their '70s heyday. This intriguing CD may not have as many Steely Dan classics as some of their die-hard fans would like, but their appearance on Piano Jazz is full of pleasant surprises and reminds us just how much jazz means to '70s pop/rock icons. ~ Alex Henderson

Marian McPartland (piano); Donald Fagen (vocals, piano); Walter Becker (guitar); Jay Leonhart (bass guitar); Keith Carlock (drums).

Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz Radio Broadcast

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Steve Lawrence - Here's Steve Lawrence

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 27:20
Size: 62.6 MB
Styles: Vocal
Year: 2008/2013
Art: Front

[3:09] 1. Come Rain Or Come Shine
[3:07] 2. Like Someone In Love
[3:08] 3. My Romance
[2:30] 4. Fraulein
[1:34] 5. Sunny Side Up
[2:29] 6. This Heart Of Mine
[3:36] 7. Makin' Whoopee
[2:26] 8. Then I'll Be Tired Of You
[2:57] 9. If I Had You
[2:20] 10. Put 'em In A Box, Tie 'em With A Ribbon

As a solo artist and in a duo with his wife Eydie Gorme, Steve Lawrence enjoyed a successful singing career that stretched well past half a century. He placed hits in the best-seller charts for over 25 years and used that as the basis for becoming a nightclub and concert headliner. Starting out in the post-swing, pre-rock & roll era of the early '50s, he maintained his support for traditional pop, which found him bucking popular musical trends for much of his career. But in his maturity he could claim to be the handpicked successor to Frank Sinatra as the music's standard-bearer. Along the way, he also found time to write songs, act in films, star in Broadway musicals, and produce Emmy-winning television specials as well as hosting a few TV series.

Here's Steve Lawrence

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