Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Neil Diamond - The Classic Christmas Album

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 42:09
Size: 96.5 MB
Styles: Holiday
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[3:55] 1. White Christmas
[2:37] 2. Joy To The World
[4:14] 3. O Come All Ye Faithful
[3:34] 4. The First Noel
[2:42] 5. Winter Wonderland
[3:38] 6. You Make It Feel Like Christmas
[3:30] 7. The Christmas Song
[3:27] 8. O Holy Night
[3:04] 9. Silver Bells
[2:40] 10. Sleigh Ride
[4:43] 11. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
[4:01] 12. Silent Night

Part of Legacy's budget-priced Classic Christmas series, the Neil Diamond installment offers up 12 previously issued holiday hits, including yuletide classics like "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "The first Noel," "Winter Wonderland," "O Come All Ye Faithful," and "Silent Night." ~ James Christopher Monger

Recording information: Abbey Road Studios, London; Angel Recording Studios Ltd., London, England; ArchAngel Recording, Los Angeles, CA; Conway Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Ocean Way Recording, Los Angeles, CA; Studio 55, Los Angeles, CA; The Complex, Los Angeles, CA; The Hit Factory, New York.

The Classic Christmas Album 

Willis Jackson with Pat Martino - S/T

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 50:21
Size: 115.3 MB
Styles: Cool jazz, Saxophone jazz, Guitar jazz
Year: 1998/2009
Art: Front

[8:10] 1. Bolita
[6:16] 2. Single Action
[8:07] 3. Blue Velvet
[6:18] 4. Miss Ann
[5:58] 5. Gator Whale
[5:35] 6. My One And Only Love
[4:52] 7. The Breeze And I
[5:01] 8. The Goose Is Loose

When Willis Jackson and Pat Martino got together in the 1960s and the 1970s, the improvisers usually had a very strong rapport. Released in 1998, this collection gathers some of their work for Muse in the 1970s and draws on three albums: Headed and Gutted (1974), Bar Wars (1977), and Single Action (1978). Painting a well-rounded picture of Jackson's work with Martino, With Pat Martino ranges from exhilarating, high-speed bop burners like "The Goose Is Loose" and "Single Action" to the slow blues of "Bolita" and "Miss Ann," to soulful ballad statements such as "My One and Only Love" and Bobby Vinton's "Blue Velvet" (which hasn't received a lot of attention from the jazz world but works impressively well as a jazz ballad). Jackson had calmed down since his honker sessions of the late 1940s and early '50s, but he still had a very big, fat tone and a lot of energy -- no one's going to mistake With Pat Martino for cool jazz. The material on this CD isn't very ambitious, but it's certainly heartfelt and rewarding. ~ Alex Henderson

Recorded between May 16, 1974 and April 26, 1978. Includes liner notes by Joel Dorn. Recorded in March 1964.

Willis Jackson (tenor saxophone); Pat Martino (guitar); Mickey Tucker (acoustic & electric piano, organ); Charlie Earland, Carl Wilson (organ); Bob Cranshaw, Jimmy Lewis (bass); Freddie Waits, Idris Muhammad, Yusef Ali (drums); Ralph Dorsey, Sonny Morgan (percussion); Richard Landrum, Buddy Caldwell (congas).

Willis Jackson With Pat Martino

Larry Carlton - Deep Into It

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 54:49
Size: 125.5 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2001
Art: Front

[ 4:16] 1. Put It Where You Want It
[ 4:17] 2. Deep Into It
[ 3:59] 3. Don't Break My Heart
[ 3:59] 4. I Still Believe
[ 4:15] 5. Morning Magic
[ 4:44] 6. It's A Groove Thang
[ 3:46] 7. Closer To Home
[ 4:24] 8. I Can't Tell You Why
[ 5:05] 9. Like Butta'
[ 5:23] 10. Roll With It
[10:36] 11. Put It Where You Want It

DEEP INTO IT was nominated for the 2003 Grammy Awards for Best Contemporary Jazz Album. Some of jazz' finest musicians join guitarist Larry Carlton on Deep Into It, his second CD as a leader for the Warner Bros. Jazz label. Carlton wrote six new songs for this offering, and covers such songs as "Put It Where You Want It," written by Joe Sample, and the Stevie Winwood hit "Roll With It." Accompanying musicians are Chris Potter on saxophone and Billy Kilson on drums, both known primarily for their work with the Dave Holland Quintet; Harvey Mason, who holds down the rhythm logic on "I Still Believe"; and smooth jazz phenom Kirk Whalum, who turns in a great solo on the title track, on tenor saxophone. The two tenor saxophonists are highly capable in different approaches, and Carlton makes good use of both Potter and Whalum throughout the program. R&B hitmaker Shai lends his soulful vocals to "I Can't Tell You Why," and truly gives the Eagles' mega-hit a fresh interpretation with his one-of-a-kind artistry. Carlton's updated interpretations are a nice mixture of smooth, pop, and jazz guitar stylings, making for very creative listening on the beautiful "Closer to Home." His mellow tones and picking techniques are but two of the most fetching aspects of this work, as well as his new phrasings and smooth sound. These characteristics -- tone, phrasings, the shape of his underlying musical ideas, and the ability to connect emotionally with the listener -- are a few of the differences between Deep Into It and Carlton's previous effort, Fingerprints, and are all solid reasons for adding this CD to your smooth jazz collection. ~ Paula Edelstein

Larry Carlton (guitar); Shai (vocals, keyboards, drum programming); Wendy Moten (vocals); Larry Williams (flute, saxophone, keyboards); Chris Potter, Dan Higgins, Kirk Whalum (saxophone); Jerry Hey (trumpet); Andy Martin, William Frank "Bill" Reichenbach Jr. (trombone); Rick Jackson (piano, Wurlitzer organ, keyboards); Ricky Peterson (Fender Rhodes piano, organ, keyboards); Deron Johnson (organ); Carl Burnett (keyboards, programming, drum programming); Rex Rideout (keyboards, drum programming); Harvey Mason, Sr., Billy Kilson (drums); Lenny Castro, Paulinho Da Costa (percussion); Carl Carwell, Sue Ann Carwell (background vocals).

Recording information: Capitol Studios, Hollywood, CA; Funky Joint; Schnee Studios; The Sound Kitchen, Nashville, TN.

Deep Into It

Carolyn Lee Jones - Bon Appetit!

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 50:49
Size: 116.3 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[4:18] 1. Bon Appetit
[3:25] 2. Peel Me A Grape
[4:18] 3. Devil May Care
[5:13] 4. Come Fly With Me
[3:32] 5. Typical Man
[4:33] 6. Tainted Love
[1:17] 7. Just In Time
[4:01] 8. Get Out Of Town
[3:31] 9. Tulip Or Turnip
[3:39] 10. Gypsy Lady
[2:41] 11. Blue Skies
[4:22] 12. The Winds Of Heaven
[2:44] 13. Happy Together
[3:08] 14. Sunshine Morning

Dear Listeners, I am so happy that you are joining me for my "first course" a collection of special songs each with a different flavor, tied together in the jazz tradition. What an exciting project this was! For this CD, I wanted the experience of recording together in one room live with no sound booths, and having my original trio of band mates from New York City playing for me! Thanks to a friend and fellow musician, I was introduced to the multi talented, musical brothers, Ira and Mitch Yuspeh. M + I Recording in NYC is a blast from the past but with today's technology. From the very first notes played and sung, we knew that a magical experience was going to take place. The vibe, decor and "live room" in this wonderful studio have not changed since they opened it in 1978. Many musicians have passed through their doors and recorded there. I am pleased to now be among them. The wonderful Bob Dorough, who joined me on this CD, is also added to the list! I am very fortunate to have had Ira and my fantastic group of musicians; Wells Hanley, Saadi Zain and Jacob Melchior, combined with Bob Dorough's generous spirit and kindness, guiding me in this wonderful first recording project.
So, enjoy !
BON APPETIT! Love, Carolyn.

Bon Appetit!

Gipsy Kings - Tierra Gitana

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 48:56
Size: 112.0 MB
Styles: Flamenco, Gipsy rhythms
Year: 1996
Art: Front

[3:43] 1. A Ti A Ti
[4:56] 2. Siempre Acaba Tu Vida
[3:30] 3. Estrellas
[4:28] 4. Mi Corazon
[4:13] 5. Mujer
[3:27] 6. Tierra Gitana
[3:05] 7. Pajarito
[3:16] 8. Los Peces En El Rio
[3:59] 9. Igual Se Entonces
[3:41] 10. Cataluna
[3:10] 11. A Tu Vera
[3:29] 12. Campesino
[3:54] 13. La Rumba De Nicolas

TIERRA GITANA was nominated for a 1997 Grammy Award for Best World Music Album. Anyone familiar with the Gipsy Kings' unique sound will find no surprises on Tierra Gitana, their eighth album of original material. All the trademarks are here: the flamenco guitar, the staccato handclaps, the soaring vocals, all set to Latin rhythms. This album has a very relaxed feel; it is pleasant but not very engaging. There is nothing on this disc as immediately accessible as some of the group's earlier successes, like "Bamboleo" or "Baila Me," and for that reason this one isn't recommended for newcomers. Start with The Best Of, then, if you want to buy this, you'll know exactly what you're getting. ~ Steve McMullen

Recorded at Studio Miraval, Miraval, France and Right Track Studios, New York, New York.

Nicolas Reyes (vocals); Francois Canut Reyes, Patchai Reyes (guitar, vocals); Tonino Baliardo, Paul Reyes, Paco Baliardo, Diego Baliardo (guitar); Georges Reyes (acoustic guitar); Laurent De Gasperis (electric guitar, mandolin); Lelia Sakai, Vinh Pham (violin); Frederic Gondot (viola); Yves Bouillier (cello); Nasredine Dalil (flute); Richard Galliano (accordion); Anibal Kerpel (keyboards, bass); Dominique Droin, Francois Kallos (keyboards); Gerard Prevost (acoustic bass, bass); Negrito Trasante-Crocco (drums, cajon, timbales, percussion); Manu Katche (drums); Rodolfo Pacheco Jimenez (congas, bongos, darbouka, percussion).

Tierra Gitana

Linda Ciofalo - Take The High Road

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:17
Size: 87,7 MB
Art: Front

(2:21)  1. You Do Something To Me
(3:49)  2. Throw It Away
(5:02)  3. Friday Night
(2:43)  4. My One and Only Love
(3:13)  5. I've Got The World On A String
(3:17)  6. Show Me
(4:10)  7. Time After Time
(6:59)  8. I Can't Make You Love Me
(2:50)  9. Lost Ticket Blues
(3:49) 10. Someone To Watch Over Me

Now comes another entry on the expanding female vocalist register with New York's Linda Ciofalo's first album featuring a program of standards and contemporary pop sprinkled with two of her originals. Ciofalo exhibits a high degree of vocal versatility and flexibility with a variety of singing styles. On Cyndi Lauper's contemporary adult pop tune "Time After Time" she assumes that disillusioned, bored-with-the-world stance that seems to shape the delivery of today's pop singers. Her own "Lost Ticket Blues" is a swinging blues number with Wayne Schuster's saxophone wailing behind her. Like country western? Well, it's here with some rhythm & blues thrown in on "Friday Night," the other Ciofalo original. Her voice takes on the twang of a country western singer while Schuster's sax meanders down the R&B road making for an appealing confluence of genre. Up-tempo is represented especially by "You Do Something to Me" and, with a Latin beat thrown in, Abbey Lincoln's "Throw It Away." The latter spotlights the piano of Mike Capoblanco and the guitar of Steve Salerno.

And on it goes. Ciofalo's voice turns tender for ballads, soulful for the blues, and sassy for almost everything. Despite all the shifting, she maintains good phrasing, has reasonable range, and avoids intonation problems. The musicians brought into the studio to work with her provide admirable support for the singer and there are some interesting arrangements. At the same time, there's nothing earth shattering or ground breaking about this album. There are many albums on the market these days competing with this one. A burden Take the High Road must carry is that it offers a scant 38 minutes of music. ~Dave Nathan   
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=6236#.UpRy_eJc_vs

Personnel:  Linda Ciofalo - Vocals; Mike Capoblanco - Piano; Steve Salerno - Guitar/Bass; Bill McCrossen - Bass Guitar; Ken Rizzo - Bass Guitar; Ken Hasler - Drums/Percussion; Robin Lobe - Percussion; Frank Bellucci - Drums; Wayne Schuster - Saxophone

Trish Hatley - The Essential

Styles: Jazz Vocals
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 70:21
Size: 161,1 MB
Art: Front

(3:20)  1. When Your Lover Is Gone
(4:34)  2. So Many Stars
(4:36)  3. Shiny Stockings
(5:23)  4. Where Do You Start
(5:32)  5. Tangerine
(5:05)  6. You've Changed
(3:48)  7. Rio De Janiero Blues
(4:56)  8. I Get Along Without You Very W
(3:24)  9. Attitude Of Gratitude
(4:57) 10. I've Got You Under My Skin / Night And Day
(3:32) 11. Fascinatin' Rhythm
(4:44) 12. You And The Night And The Music
(3:31) 13. Gettin' Better
(5:05) 14. I'm Not Alone
(3:00) 15. I'm Living In Peace And Ease
(4:47) 16. That's All

Vocalist Trish Hatley is known for her easy sense of swing, beautiful tone and innate sensitivity to the music, she effectively balances technical mastery with genuine accessibility, making her extremely popular among jazz fans everywhere she performs. Hatley is also one of the hardest working musicians around; she performs and records with her own band, the Trish Hatley Quintet, as well as the vocal jazz trio Trish, Hans & Phil. She has appeared in Pops concerts withSymphonies and has also been a frequent guest vocalist with Swinging Big Bands. Trish has recorded Six CD's to date and has also produced four shows: "A Fifth of Jazz," "Women in Song", "Isn't It Romantic" and "The Great American Songbook." Trish performs regularly at festivals, nightspots and concerts. This latest CD is a compilation from 5 of her CD's...Leaving her Christmas music CD out! This gives a fun feel for a decade of recording, growth and creativity!

"Ms. Hatley is well gifted with a beautiful voice, to my way of thinking, her diction and enunciation are excellent and she is truly of high professional caliber. Hatley's keen harmonic sense is highly apparent. I admire her ability to play around with melodies and in this connection her intonation is right on target. Her rendition of my "Shinny Stockings" is quite enjoyable in all these respects. I must say Bravo Baby!"-Frank B. Foster, saxophonist/arranger/conductor, Count Basie Orchestra

"She does have a clarion voice made to nail standards"-David Finkle, New York City Critic backstage NYC

"This is a lady who can swing like mad, but also has the ability to caress a ballad with the best of them!" -Joseph Lang, Jersey Jazz Magazine

I enjoyed her singing, the band's swinging, and the impeccable production! Please pass along my best wishes to Ms. Hatley!-Ken Borgers, JazzKnob.

"On I Remember, released last year, Hatley takes on 12 American Songbook and jazz standards. Hatley brings a knowing understanding to each one, elegantly updating songs like Young and Foolish, Shiny Stockings and Mountain Greenery. There's a warm maturity in Hatley's voice, and her vibrato and phrasing throughout are top-notch."-Marc Myers jazzwax

"Trish really knew how to communicate with an audience and had our folks in the palms of her hands for two hours!"-David Joyner, Director of Jazz Studies, Pacific Lutheran University.

"Wow! Trish hatley is great! She has done some great recording. I'm Impressed!-Ross Barbour, Original Four Freshman

"The Thursday night FanJam (Four Freshmen Convention) was memorable for my first in-person listen to Trish Hatley. I knew from her CD that she was a terrific vocalist, but seeing her perform is to see a talent to be reckoned with! In addition to being a great singer, Trish has personality to spare. Of course, it also doesn't hurt that she's gorgeous as well." -Phil Stout, Music Consultant, Music Choice, JazzRadio Berlin

"When I think of Trish, the first word that comes to mind is dazzling. Her ability to captivate the audience while inspiring the musicians has made Trish one of our most requested soloists." - Dr. Paul Cobb, Conductor, Everett Symphony.
(http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=8917147&style=music&fulldesc=T).

Wynton Marsalis - Wynton Marsalis

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1982
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:05
Size: 94,1 MB
Art: Front

(8:13)  1. Father Time
(2:33)  2. I'll Be There When The Time Is Right
(3:51)  3. RJ
(5:42)  4. Hesitation
(7:23)  5. Sister Cheryl
(4:39)  6. Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)
(8:41)  7. Twilight

Trumpeter Wynton Marsalis's debut on Columbia, recorded when he was only 19, made it clear from the start that he was going to be a major force in jazz. At the time Marsalis (who was originally a bit influenced by Freddie Hubbard) was starting to closely emulate Miles Davis of the mid-'60s and his slightly older brother Branford took Wayne Shorter as his role model. The inclusion of Davis's rhythm section from that era (pianist Herbie Hancock, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Tony Williams) on four of the seven selections reinforced the image. The three other numbers feature such up-and-coming talents as pianist Kenny Kirkland, Charles Fambrough or Clarence Seay on bass and drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts, helping to launch the rise of the Young Lions. But although not overly original, there is a great deal of outstanding playing on this set, including a definitive version of Tony Williams's "Sister Cheryl" and the long tradeoff between Wynton and Branford on "Hesitation." 
~ http://www.allmusic.com/album/wynton-marsalis-mw0000192184.

Von Freeman - Doin' It Right Now

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1972
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:53
Size: 110,0 MB
Art: Front

(4:36)  1. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
(4:45)  2. White Sand
(7:47)  3. Lost in a Fog
(7:11)  4. Portrait of John Young
(4:49)  5. Doin' It Right Now
(4:35)  6. Catnap
(5:57)  7. Sweet and Lovely
(8:09)  8. Brother George

This Koch CD reissues an Atlantic LP, tenor saxophonist Von Freeman's debut on record. Freeman, who was almost 50 at the time, was obscure because he lived in Chicago rather than New York and because he had an unusual tone that took a bit to time to get used to. However, he was well-known in Chicago, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk went out of his way to record Freeman, producing this album. Joined by pianist John Young, bassist Sam Jones, and drummer Jimmy Cobb, Freeman performs five originals, a haunting version of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," "Lost in a Fog," and "Sweet and Lovely." Von Freeman has since had higher visibility in jazz without compromising his sound or his ability to swing in his own fashion. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/doin-it-right-now-mw0000051824

Doin' It Right Now