The Rodney Richardson Trio - This Is The Rodney Richardson Trio

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 57:47
Size: 132.3 MB
Styles: Organ jazz
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[0:25] 1. In
[4:28] 2. This Modern Life
[6:17] 3. Mtr
[5:27] 4. Phantom Other
[6:03] 5. Golden Brown
[8:10] 6. Alone Together
[9:41] 7. Clifton
[7:17] 8. Leah
[4:06] 9. Hubbub
[5:25] 10. When We Are A Part
[0:25] 11. And Out

The Rodney Richardson Trio is one of the few organ trios in Washington DC. Utilizing that distinct organ trio sound, Rodney has chosen a repertoire for the band that paints a broad musical picture. Alongside a few of Rodney’s original compositions, the band features music ranging from jazz standards to adaptations of modern jazz and rock songs. With Will Rast on organ and Larry Ferguson on drums, two of DC’s top players, the guitar-led trio has a truly unique sound. You can find the Rodney Richardson Trio performing in and around the Washington DC area on a regular basis.

"They sometimes call them “organ-grinder groups” — the soul-inflected jazz trios centered around a Hammond B-3 organ, in the tradition of players like Jimmy Smith and Jack McDuff. D.C.’s contribution is the Rodney Richardson Trio. Richardson is actually the guitarist; Will Rast is the organist (and Larry Ferguson is the drummer). But it’s Richardson’s subtle, delicate touch that pushes the trio into its idiosyncratic sound. Rast pulsates and explores, doesn’t jam, and Ferguson punctuates and makes surprisingly careful fills. It keeps audiences guessing, but also intrigued." ~Michael J. West

This Is The Rodney Richardson Trio

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Trio Esperança - Doce França

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 42:28
Size: 97.2 MB
Styles: Latin vocals
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[2:37] 1. Les Copains D'abord
[3:38] 2. Quelques Mots D'amour
[2:59] 3. Ce N'est Rien
[3:26] 4. La Chanson Des Vieux Amants (Canção Dos Velhos Amantes)
[3:17] 5. Lily (Lily A Somali)
[2:52] 6. Et Maintenant
[2:53] 7. Chaque Jour De Plus
[4:16] 8. La Bohême (Uma Bela Historia)
[3:01] 9. Sob O Ceu De Paris
[2:25] 10. Que Reste-T-Il De Nos Amours (Bem Mais Que Tudo)
[3:16] 11. Bancs Publics (Os Amantes Dos Bancos Publicos)
[2:33] 12. La Vie En Rose
[2:52] 13. Message Personnel
[2:16] 14. Tendresse

L’histoire remonte à loin. Quand les petites Corrêa, encore si petites, faisaient d’une caisse une scène et d’un manche à balai un micro au fond du jardin familial, dans le quartier de la Gavea à Rio, imitant leurs trois frères aînés, dont le groupe « les Golden Boys » battaient des records d’audience auprès du public de la « Jovem Guarda », version Brésil des yeyés. A tant, et si bien, les singer, Eva et Regina finirent par souffler une idée à Roberto, l’aîné de la famille: pourquoi ne formeraient-elles pas un groupe elles aussi. Il y avait encore un petit frère disponible, Mario. Ainsi naquit le Trio Esperança, dans les années 60. La caisse et le balai restant à la disposition du bébé de la tribu, Mariza…. en attendant des jours meilleurs ; elle savait à peine parler mais chantait déjà comme un pinson. Le premier album du Trio « Menino do amendoim » passe inaperçu; le second, « Filme Triste », véritable compilation en portugais des tubes internationaux de l’époque (Like a Bridge over a Trouble water, Down Town, Gorgy Girl…) fait un triomphe. Le Trio Esperança emboîte le pas aux « Golden Boys ». Du coup, papa Corrêa décide qu’il est temps de s’occuper de sa smala et échange son bureau à la banque pour celui de manager. Entre scènes, festivals, plateaux télé, studios et école – « Nous y allions entre deux concerts… » – les trois gamins accumulent tubes et succès.

Doce França

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Billy Eckstine - Prisoner Of Love

Bitrate: 320K/s

Time: 43:27

Size: 99.5 MB

Styles: Vocal

Year: 2006

Art: Front

[2:48] 1. One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)

[2:51] 2. Sophisticated Lady

[2:58] 3. She's Got The Blues For Sale

[3:15] 4. Jelly, Jelly

[2:45] 5. Lonesome Lover Blues

[2:54] 6. Tell Me Pretty Baby

[2:50] 7. Without A Song

[2:50] 8. Cool Breeze

[2:49] 9. Serenade In Blue

[3:01] 10. Oop Bop Sh'bam

[2:51] 11. Ev'ry Day (I Fall In Love)

[2:50] 12. Solitude

[2:50] 13. It Ain't Like That No More

[2:52] 14. Prisoner Of Love

[2:55] 15. Second Balcony Jump

This 15-track set puts together some amazing performances by Billy Eckstine's band from the early '40s when he was leading one of the more intense, smoking bands on the scene. Some of his players during these years included Fats Navarro, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Dexter Gordon, and Kenny Dorham, just to name a few. The Eckstine band was sophisticated, jumping, and they swung like mad no matter the tune. Here, of course, the emphasis is on Eckstine's vocals, his smooth as silk baritone that could sing a ballad like Duke Ellington's "Sophisticated Lady," or a deep swinging blues by Doc Pomus ("She Got the Blues for Sale"). There's scat, solid jazz balladry, and jumping, tough-hitting blues here. Highly recommended. ~Thom Jurek

Prisoner Of Love

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Charles Tolliver Big Band - With Love

Bitrate: 320K/s

Time: 58:50

Size: 134.7 MB

Styles: Big band

Year: 2007

Art: Front

[ 6:17] 1. Rejoicin'

[ 9:23] 2. With Love

[ 9:06] 3. 'round Midnight

[10:54] 4. Mournin' Variations

[ 6:27] 5. Right Now

[ 8:35] 6. Suspicion

[ 8:04] 7. Hit The Spot

With Love, Charles Tolliver's first official Blue Note session as a leader, brings the under-sung trumpeter's career full circle. His recording debut on Jackie McLean's '64 Blue Note classic It's Time, led to fruitful partnerships with many of the era's finest bandleaders, culminating in his formation of the Strata-East label with pianist Stanley Cowell in '71. Tolliver was one of the few artists to lead a progressive big band in the '70s, a fertile decade which is only now getting a critical re-evaluation.

His recent sideman appearance on Time Lines (Blue Note, 2006), pianist Andrew Hill's momentous return to the venerated label, and a recently reissued collection of his '70s Strata-East recordings on Mosaic, helped set the stage for Tolliver's reappearance. Leading a big band once again, he tackles a mix of charts both old and new with infectious enthusiasm. ~Troy Collins

Charles Tolliver: trumpet; David Guy: lead trumpet; Chris Albert, Keyon Harrold, David Weiss, James Zollar: trumpets; Joe Fiedler, Clark Gayton, Stafford Hunter, Jason Jackson: trombones; Aaron Johnson: bass trombone, tuba; Todd Bashore: alto sax, clarinet; Jimmy Cozier: alto sax; Craig Handy: alto & soprano saxes, clarinet, flute; Billy Harper: tenor sax; Bill Saxton: tenor sax, clarinet; Howard Johnson: baritone sax, bass clarinet; Stanley Cowell, Robert Glasper: piano; Cecil McBee: acoustic bass; Victor Lewis: drums; Ched Tolliver: guitar (6).

With Love 

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Kathy Kosins - The Space Between

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:58
Size: 115,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:58)  1. Drowning In A Sea Of Love
(4:08)  2. Song For My Father
(4:02)  3. Don't Be On The Outside
(5:41)  4. Spring Is Where You Are
(3:35)  5. You'd Better Love While You May
(5:45)  6. You Fascinate Me So
(3:06)  7. Social Call
(6:20)  8. I Keep Going Back To Joe's
(3:09)  9. You Were Only Passing By
(6:02) 10. Go Slow
(3:07) 11. Night Bird

So I am heading out to my mailbox in anticipation of what sonic treasures the good people at the U.S. Postal Service left in my box. With The Space Between from Kathy Kosins, Christmas came early. The female jazz vocal pack is a tightly clustered group of individuals that more often than not come across as pre-packaged entities straight from the corporate boardroom of whatever media conglomerate they may be signed to that particular week. Kathy Kosins transcends the world of singer to that of vocal artist by not only having a keen ear for giving life to some rarities that may otherwise go unnoticed but her vocals demand your immediate attention. Tone, timing, pitch, phrasing is all there and all spot on.  The musical cast of co-conspirators here are A list and each a legitimate leader in their own right. Perhaps the hottest pianist going in Tamir Hendelman, Bob Hurst on bass, Eric Harland on drums and Larry Koonse on guitar all bring forth a musical synergy with Kosins as the lyrical focal point of this dynamic recording. Two bonus tracks are included with the first, "Go Slow" recorded live at the Jazz Standard and an homage to her critically acclaimed release aptly titled To The Ladies Of Cool. 

The second track is a perfect vehicle to highlight her deceptively subtle R & B influences with an ambient nu jazz riff on the 1961 Al Cohn tune "Night Bird." The Space Between is cutting edge when held up to some of her contemporaries for critical review. Never taking the easy road of banging out a dozen standards simply because she can, Kosins weaves her magic as a vocal artist and moves straight to the top of the vocal jazz food chain. To be clear, Kathy Kosins is not one of the better female vocalists you may hear but vocalists period. Sometimes working as a critic one feels more like an artistic prospector sifting through hundreds of releases to find that one precious stone that has made his own labor of love well worth the effort. There are far too many vocal releases from artists that would be better served saving their money when in fact their future would clearly have them never leaving the club circuit or happy hour at the local Marriott, Kathy Kosins is not one these artists.  http://www.criticaljazz.com/2013/08/kathy-kosins-takes-giant-step-forward.html

The Space Between

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The Manhattan Swing Band - The Manhattan Swing Band Plays Gershwin

Styles: Jazz, Big Band
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:35
Size: 142,0 MB
Art: Front

(2:58)  1. Fascintating Rhythm
(2:54)  2. S' Wonderful
(3:44)  3. Love Walked In
(3:31)  4. A Foggy Day
(3:53)  5. Our Love Is Here To Stay
(2:21)  6. But Not For Me
(3:42)  7. Summertime
(3:57)  8. Rhapsody In Blues
(3:42)  9. I've Got Rhythm
(3:14) 10. Ain't Necessarily So
(2:32) 11. Please Do It Again
(3:46) 12. Do, Do, Do
(3:19) 13. Oh, Lady Be Good!
(2:26) 14. Clap Yo' Hands
(3:08) 15. The Blues (From 'An American In Paris')
(2:58) 16. Swanee
(2:48) 17. Someone To Watch Over Me
(2:48) 18. Strike Up The Band
(3:44) 19. The Man I Love

Freddy Staff with seventeen years experience as lead trumpet, soloist and leader of the Syd Lawrence Orchestra as well as work in other British big bands, his work in recording, radio and TV has formed the backbone of many successful albums, broadcasts and TV spectaculars for many years. One well-known speciality is his re-creation of famous trumpet solos recorded by Harry James; a talent seized upon by Joe Loss when he decided to issue albums to commemorate the work of the famous American big bands. He has toured world-wide with the biggest names in concert, theatre and cabaret (Tom Jones, Englebert Humperdink, Jack Jones, Tony Bennett, Vic Damone, Sammy Davis Jnr, Barbra Streisand and Judy Garland). He has also been writing for top orchestras for many years and now fronts his own big band, The Manhattan Swing Band.~ Bio  http://jazzservices.org.uk/index.php/component/directory/?task=Musician&id=4457

The Manhattan Swing Band Plays Gershwin

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The Drummonds - Once Upon A Time

Styles: Jazz
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:46
Size: 153,3 MB
Art: Front

(7:41)  1. You Must Believe In Spring
(6:49)  2. Estate
(6:38)  3. Summer Night
(5:58)  4. Blackberry Winter
(5:04)  5. Autumn Nocturne
(5:44)  6. Once Upon A Summertime
(7:23)  7. It Might As Well Be Spring
(6:49)  8. The Winter Of My Discontent
(7:11)  9. Spring Is Here
(7:26) 10. Lullaby Of The Leaves

Willis Robert "Billy" Drummond, Jr. (b. Newport News, Virginia, June 19, 1959) is an American jazz drummer. Drummond learned jazz from an early age from his father, who was a drummer and a jazz enthusiast and whose record collection included many recordings of Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Max Roach, Buddy Rich and Elvin Jones, among others. He played in bands from age eight and studied at Shenandoah College And Conservatory Of Music. He moved to New York at the behest of Al Foster in 1986 and shortly thereafter joined the Blue Note band, Out of the Blue (OTB) with whom he recorded their last CD. He subsequently joined the Horace Silver sextet, with whom he toured extensively, before joining Sonny Rollins, with whom he toured for three years. He is a long-time member of Carla Bley's Lost Chords Quartet, Sheila Jordan's Quartet and the Steve Kuhn Trio. He has played and recorded with Nat Adderley, Ralph Moore (1989 and subsequently), Buster Williams (1990–93), Charles Tolliver (1991), Lew Tabackin and Toshiko Akiyoshi, Hank Jones (1991), James Moody (early 1990s), Sonny Rollins (1994–95), Andy LaVerne (1994), Lee Konitz (1995), Dave Stryker (1996), George Colligan (1997), Ted Rosenthal, Bruce Barth, Andrew Hill (from 1997–2000), Larry Willis (2006 to the present), Toots Thielmans, Freddie Hubbard (mid-1990s), Chris Potter, Eddie Gomez, and Sheila Jordan (1990s to present). Influences include Tony Williams, Max Roach, Philly Joe Jones, Al Foster, Jack DeJohnette, and Billy Hart, among others. He also leads a New York-based band called Freedom of Ideas. In addition to touring he is currently Professor of Jazz Drums at the Juilliard School of Music and NYU in New York. ~Bio http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Drummond

Personnel: Ray Drummond (bass instrument); Renee Rosnes (piano); Billy Drummond (drums).

Once Upon A Time

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Benny Carter - Swingin' The '20s

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 45:15
Size: 103.6 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz, Jump blues
Year: 1958/1988/2013
Art: Front

[2:49] 1. Thou Swell
[3:17] 2. My Blue Heaven
[2:32] 3. Just Imagine
[2:39] 4. If I Could Be With You (One Hour Tonight)
[4:59] 5. Sweet Lorraine
[2:22] 6. Who's Sorry Now
[2:23] 7. Whio's Sorry Now (Alternate Take)
[3:20] 8. Laugh! Clown! Laugh!
[2:50] 9. Laugh! Clown! Laugh! (Alternate Take)
[3:13] 10. All Alone
[3:09] 11. All Alone (Alternate Take)
[3:07] 12. Mary Lou
[2:43] 13. In A Little Spanish Town
[2:36] 14. Someone To Watch Over Me
[3:08] 15. A Monday Date

Combining altoist Benny Carter with pianist Earl Hines in a quartet is an idea with plenty of potential, but the results of this 1958 session are relaxed rather than explosive. Carter and Hines explore a dozen tunes (standards as well as forgotten songs like "All Alone" and "Mary Lou") with respect and light swing, but one wishes that there were a bit more competitiveness to replace some of the mutual respect. [Originally released in 1958, Swingin' the Twenties was digitally remastered on CD in 1988 and includes bonus tracks.] ~Scott Yanow

Swingin' The '20s

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Nicholas Payton - Bitches

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 72:35
Size: 166.2 MB
Styles: R&B-jazz, Adult contemporary jazz
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[3:56] 1. By My Side (Ildeth's Blues)
[6:36] 2. Freesia
[4:55] 3. Shades Of Hue
[4:54] 4. Truth Or Dare
[5:22] 5. Togetherness Foreverness
[3:30] 6. Indigo
[4:20] 7. You Are The Spark
[3:55] 8. The Second Show (Adam's Plea)
[5:08] 9. Flip The Script
[5:07] 10. Love And Faith
[4:08] 11. Don't I Love You Good
[4:25] 12. Istole Your Iphone
[5:35] 13. You Take Me Places I've Never Been Before
[6:04] 14. Give Light, Live Life, Love
[4:33] 15. Bitches

Left turns don’t get much sharper than this one. Bitches features guest vocal appearances from Esperanza Spalding, N’dambi, Saunders Sermons, Cassandra Wilson, and Chinah Blac. Nicholas Payton does the rest -- not just the trumpet, but all of the instrumentation, all of the songwriting, and most of the vocals. Those who have followed Payton’s career as a jazz musician with no interest in left-field R&B of the previous several years -- including but not limited to Sa-Ra, the Foreign Exchange, Dâm-Funk, and Bugz in the Attic -- will be thrown. Like those artists, Payton was born in the ‘70s and is inspired by R&B acts that thrived during that decade and the following one. In the liner notes, Payton cites Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Michael Jackson, and he might have an affinity for those who started as jazz instrumentalists prior to crossing into R&B during the ‘70s -- Ronnie Foster, George Benson, Patrice Rushen, and Herbie Hancock, to name four of many. Bitches traces the cycle of a romantic relationship, from beginning to end, that dovetails with Payton’s broken marriage. Major points in the story line include the lively “Freesia” (a blissful duet with Spalding, who shines), the funky but furrowed “Truth or Dare” (the woman strays), the floating yet pensive “Indigo” (the man strays), “The Second Show” (the man is ready for a fresh start), the deceptively liquid “Don’t I Love You Good” (the man is somewhat embittered about the woman’s new love interest), and the gospel-tinted “Give Light, Live Life, Love” (where the man shakes off negativity and looks to the future). Throughout, Payton's voice carries an affable, conversational quality. He won’t be compared to his heroes listed above, but he certainly holds his own with his fellow vocalists here, and the lyrics and melodies are mostly top level (merely passable or goofy when not). The slower material, instrumentally reminiscent of Lonnie Liston Smith & the Cosmic Echoes (circa “Love Beams”) and Roy Ayers Ubiquity (circa “Gotta Find a Lover”), is tasteful and solid, but the songs with chunky synthesizers and heavy drum programming, sometimes charmingly sloppy, are the real kick. ~Andy Kellman

Bitches

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Lorez Alexandria - Alexandria The Great

Bitrate: 320K/s

Time: 35:53

Size: 82.1 MB

Styles: Vocal jazz

Year: 1964/2004

Art: Front

[3:59] 1. Show Me

[2:17] 2. I've Never Been In Love Before

[2:43] 3. Satin Doll

[4:27] 4. My One And Only Love

[3:56] 5. Over The Rainbow

[3:58] 6. Get Me To The Church On Time

[2:43] 7. The Best Is Yet To Come

[4:03] 8. I've Grown Accustomed To His Face

[2:20] 9. Give Me The Simple Life

[5:23] 10. I'm Through With Love

Lorez Alexandria has not received her due as a jazz singer, probably due in part to her long layoff from recording (11 years) for nationally distributed labels following these 1964 studio sessions for Impulse! But the vocalist is in top form throughout each of these three sessions, each with a different group of musicians. Her soulful singing also hints at her gospel background in places, though her clear enunciation, ability to swing, and touch of charm make her a delight to hear. Most of the arrangements are fairly concise, so the longer tracks shine just a bit brighter. Her swinging take of "Get Me to the Church On Time" is playful, while her soulfulness comes across in the snappy take of "I'm Through With Love," the latter featuring guitarist Ray Crawford. This is an excellent introduction to a fine vocalist worthy of much wider recognition. ~Ken Dryden

Alexandria The Great   

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Hot Club Of Philadelphia - Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 43:51
Size: 102.4 MB
Styles: Swing, Gypsy jazz
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[3:33] 1. Songe D'Automne
[3:45] 2. Exactly Like You
[3:41] 3. La Gitane
[5:23] 4. Someone To Watch Over Me
[4:15] 5. Tchavolo Swing
[5:00] 6. It's The Bluest Kind Of Blues - Nuages
[6:48] 7. Nature Boy
[2:57] 8. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
[2:17] 9. Chez Jacquet
[3:39] 10. Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams
[2:29] 11. While We're Young

The Hot Club of Philadelphia,taking their cue from the European-style Jazz pioneered by Django Reinhardt, and melding it with their own style. Their creative takes on classic tunes, easy-going swinging sound and solid arrangements makes for quite a listenable album. The Hot Club of Philadelphia was founded in 2001 by guitarist Barry Wahrhaftig and violinist Mark Campiglia. Joining them are acoustic bassist Jim Stager and rhythm guitarist Barry Wahrhaftig, as well as plenty of special guests, including the legendary Howard Alden on seven string guitar. This Gypsy Jazz outfit is dedicated to "playing and preserving the music of Django Reinhardt while adding their own style in the process." One is immediately struck by the easy, but deep swing that comes out of Bob Butryn's clarinet (he' also a swing dancer!) on the medium-tempo first track, "Song d'Automme." One can't help but be taken by the way these players make so much outof so little. Two Rhythm guitars and a bass keep thetime and groove with some simple but well craftedchanges in a minor key, as the improvisers outlinethem with the most essential notes, while making beautiful and singable melodies for the listener to relate to at all times. Throughout the CD, new players come and go, such as Accordion player John Matulis for the track "La Gitane," giving it a unique texture. This song is in a triple meter, as the bassist plays on one and the guitars on two and three, giving it a waltz vibe. I can easily visualize a dance floor in France with numerous couples brimming with life. Barry Wahrhaftig shows that he is no Django clone on this track. His right hand has a completely different approach.

Undoubtedly one of the big highlights of this disc is "Someone to Watch Over Me," sung by Denise King. She infuses plenty of personal experience in her rendering, as the song builds gradually. It begins as a duet, with the beautiful solo guitar work of Howard Alden, before the bass joins, and then the lead guitar of Wahrhaftig." Nuages" is another nice interpretation, featuring vocalist Phyllis Chapell. Wahrhaftig takes a particularly memorable guitar solo on this track, departing from the classic gypsy vocabulary with some very unique lines, and plenty of emotion. The listener wil be happy to hear Bob Butryn return for a gorgeous clarinet solo. "Nature Boy" will also be a pleasant surprise to the listener with its Latin vibe, complete with flute, conga, and Flamenco guitar from Carlos Rubio. Wahrhaftig trades solos with Rubio and it a treat to hear two different styles playing together on the same song. Denise King joins the group for the head out.

And then another surprise - Electric guita rand horns! For the penultimate tune, "Wrap YourTroubles in Dreams," the band renders it with a classic swing with arranged parts for trombone, trumpet and clarinet, and a swinging drum groove with the hi-hat on two and four behind Denise King's vocals. We go from the Hot Club to Preservation Hall, and it is a nice departure before returning for the closer, "While We're Young." The Hot Club of Philadelphia may be dedicated to playing the music of Django Reinhardt, but as advertised, they add their own voices and mentalities into the mix, and often infuse Latin and more traditional swing styles into the mix. All of the members have impeccable chops and unwavering musicality. If you're in the Philadelphia area, be sure to seek them out.

Joe Ellis, guitar; Bob Butryn, clarinet;Jim Stager, bass; Barry Wahrhaftig, guitar; JoeArnold, violin; John Matulis, accordion, Howard Alden, guitar; Denise King, vocals; Alex Siniavski, guitar; Mark Campiglia, violin; Phyllis Chapell, vocals; Rich Yescalis, guitar; Carlos Rubio, flamenco guitar; Bob Butryn, flute; George Manney, conga; Stan Slotter, trumpet; Dave Cianci, trombone By Herbie Y. Gamura.

Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams

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Karla Harris - Twice As Nice

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:35
Size: 111,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:22)  1. I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me
(3:10)  2. Lover Come Back To Me
(2:47)  3. You Are There
(4:00)  4. Wives And Lovers
(4:09)  5. The Look Of Love
(3:07)  6. On The Sunny Side Of The Street
(2:57)  7. I'm Gonna Laugh You Right Out Of My Life
(2:58)  8. Lover
(3:38)  9. Come Rain Or Come Shine
(3:35) 10. I Wish I Were In Love Again
(3:48) 11. Where Do You Start
(2:24) 12. Happy Talk
(3:49) 13. One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)
(4:46) 14. The Best Is Yest To Come

Twice As Nice, the new CD from Karla Harris and Tom Kennedy, is really two great stories !

~It's a tribute to some of the most memorable melodies and lyrics ever written songs from seven legendary composers of the great jazz and pop standards, with two classic tunes from each.

~It's also about the collaboration of two artists who share a deep appreciation for this music and a love for performing it.

Those artists, internationally acclaimed jazz bassist Tom Kennedy and popular vocalist Karla Harris, met in 2004. Tom was off the road and back in his native St. Louis, playing a gig in the city's celebrated Forest Park one evening when he met Karla, also on the engagement. Well-regarded locally, Karla had recently re-entered the jazz scene after several years away. Hearing her sing standards such as Good Morning Heartache and Moonglow that night, Tom recalls being impressed by a "refreshing lyricism and deep spirit emanating from the vocal mic." Karla, for her part, knew of Tom's reputation as "one of the best bass players on the planet," amazing on both the acoustic and electric bass. A first-call musician, Tom has worked with jazz greats such as James Moody, Freddie Hubbard, David Sanborn, Stan Kenton, Patti Austin, Maureen McGovern and Rosemary Clooney. 

s an integral part of the Dave Weckl Band, with whom he writes, records and tours, his fans are worldwide. LA Weekly writes that Tom's work is "nothing short of inspiring" and Downbeat Magazine calls him a "true virtuoso."  When Tom suggested Karla take part in a CD project he'd been planning, it was the right opportunity at the right time. Their musical rapport and shared vision for performing this music is evident in each track. Twice As Nice glides between jazz and sophisticated pop standards in a rich collection that includes works from composers such as Richard Rodgers, Cy Coleman, Burt Bacharach and Johnny Mandel. Tom performs with the best feel in the business on his 250-year-old acoustic bass, supplying both the emotive touches and acrobatic, horn-like solos for which he's known. Karla, with a clear, soul-tinged delivery that expresses the lyrics with strength, quiet vulnerability or refined fun, is a natural match with the music. Jazz radio host Ross Gentile describes her approach as "sassy and sensitive ... a singer for all seasons who makes every song memorable." Stylish arrangements, created by Tom, brush this varied collection with a fresh touch, making the standards anything but. Oscar Hammerstein's "Lover Come Back to Me," treats you to a prime performance of Tom's artistry, showcasing his artistic nuance, speed and wit in an amazing acoustic solo. 

The Grammy-winning "Wives and Lovers" from Bacharach is cool and swinging with soulful sax by Jason Swagler, while Rogers and Hart's "Lover" gets a rhythmic twist and scintillating sax solos from Gary Meek (of the Dave Weckl Band). "The Look of Love" turns haunting with Tom on electric bass and Karla's longing vocals, and Ray Kennedy (well-known pianist for jazz guitarist/vocalist John Pizarelli) makes you feel like you're there with his bluesy take on Harold Arlen's "One For My Baby." Johnny Mandel's wistful "You Are There" and "Where Do You Start" set a poignant mood; bass and vocal duets "On the Sunny Side of the Street" by Jimmy McHugh and another Rodgers composition, "Happy Talk," add a light touch ! and much more.

Young pianist Kara Baldus adds dynamic touches throughout while drummer Miles Vandiver provides a consistently supportive spirit and swing. With Twice As Nice, Tom and Karla celebrate a golden era of songwriting with all who appreciate the qualities that make this music unforgettable. Fans of acoustic bass, vocal jazz and the Great American songbook will love Twice As Nice.

Twice As Nice

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Johnny Hartman - For Trane

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 1995
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:21
Size: 124,9 MB
Art: Front

(4:11)  1. My Favorite Things
(4:59)  2. Violets For Your Furs
(3:27)  3. Nature Boy
(7:07)  4. Summertime
(3:25)  5. Why Did I Choose You
(6:54)  6. The Nearness Of You
(4:09)  7. I'm Glad There Is You
(3:18)  8. On Green Dolphin Street
(7:30)  9. My Funny Valentine
(4:01) 10. Sometimes I'm Happy
(5:15) 11. S' posin'

This CD combines together parts of two sessions recorded in Tokyo by the warm ballad singer Johnny Hartman. Although titled For Trane, the vocal recital only has three songs associated with John Coltrane ("My Favorite Things," "Violets for Your Furs," and "Nature Boy") and the majority of the selections are actually taken from an unrelated session in which Hartman was matched with trumpeter Terumasa Hino. The music alternates between ballads ("Violets for Your Furs" and "The Nearness of You" are high points) and swingers and, although Hartman does not really improvise, his voice (still in its prime at the time) is appealing. Considering his slim discography, Johnny Hartman's fans will definitely want this one. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/for-trane-mw0000645815

Personnel: Johnny Hartman (vocals); Terumasa Hino (trumpet); Masahiko Kikuchi, Mikio Masuda (piano); Yoshio Suzuki, Yoshio Ikeda (bass); Hiroshi Murakami, Motohiko Hino (drums).

For Trane

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Pablo Bobrowicky - Where We Are

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:33
Size: 152,6 MB
Art: Front

( 4:40)  1. Angelica
( 2:36)  2. One For Charlie
( 3:50)  3. Evidence
( 3:18)  4. Au Privave
( 3:46)  5. Body And Soul
( 3:31)  6. Simple Blues
( 6:05)  7. Come Sunday
( 4:59)  8. Invitation
(10:50)  9. Lonnie's Lament
( 6:03) 10. One For Wes
( 5:51) 11. Rio De La Plata
( 4:42) 12. Prelude To A Kiss
( 2:13) 13. Wee
( 4:03) 14. I Fall In Love Too Easily

Writing about jazz is made more difficult when you are presented with a nearly perfect recording. What can you say about Miles Davis’ Kind Of Blue or John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme ? Because the recording is itself complete, words fail. I go to a tried and true method (with close friends only, please), buy the record, if you hate it, I’ll give you your money back. Although my words have, the refund policy has never faltered. I’m tempted to offer refunds for dissatisfied listeners of Pablo Bobrowicky’s jazz standards recording. The 30-something Argentinean guitarist recording for an Italian label doesn’t give us Latin versions of Monk, Duke, and Dizzy as much as he delivers a long distance perspective on the second half of the 20th century. The trio of guitar/bass/drums covers ten standards, all attributed to the jazz giants: Coltrane, Ellington, Miles, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, and Gillespie, plus four originals. Bobrowicky begins with Charlie Christian, Wes Montgomery, and Jim Hall for inspiration. Crafting music in their styles. 

He draws his swing from Christian, deep grooves from Montgomery, and like Hall is more comfortable on ballads and slow tunes. When he plays a blues, I hear Tal Farlow’s spirit. He is breathing American jazz, pumping it through his large Argentinean heart, and returning it not in translation but in panorama. Where is jazz coming from this century? Bobrowicky states a solid case for offshore inspiration, far away from New York’s incestuous scene. The distance afforded to European and South American jazz artists allows for perspective, serious woodshedding, and unfettered development of ideas. If words failed here, it’s only because this is such a great effort. ~ Mark Corroto http://www.allaboutjazz.com/where-we-are-pablo-bobrowicky-red-records-review-by-mark-corroto.php#.U9UsZCgVHfM

Personnel: Pablo Bobrowicky (Guitar)

Where We Are

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Nat Pierce - Fun

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 77:36
Size: 178,2 MB
Art: Front

( 7:07)  1. Stomp It Off
( 3:01)  2. Seventh Avenue Express
( 4:31)  3. Constance
(10:38)  4. Stompin' At The Savoy
( 2:10)  5. Look Who's In Love
( 2:56)  6. Love Letters
( 3:59)  7. Pepper Green
( 5:47)  8. Blues Yet?
( 1:58)  9. Lazy
( 2:24) 10. Love Look Away
( 5:39) 11. Whaddaya Know?
( 6:09) 12. Moody Chant
( 2:52) 13. You Are Beautiful
( 5:39) 14. Why Not?
( 4:12) 15. After Glow
( 1:58) 16. My Girl Is Just Enough Woman For Me
( 6:28) 17. Middle Man

Nat Pierce (July 16, 1925 – June 10, 1992) was an American jazz pianist and arranger born in Somerville, Massachusetts, perhaps best known for being pianist and arranger for the Woody Herman band from 1951–1955. Pieces by Pierce were predominantly created for use in big bands. Following schooling at the New England Conservatory and working as an amateur musician in the Boston area, Pierce then led his own band which featured Charlie Mariano from 1949-1951. After working with Woody Herman from 1951–1966 as chief arranger and assistant road manager, Nat took residence in New York City and freelanced with musicians such as Pee Wee Russell, Lester Young, Emmett Berry and Ruby Braff, to name a few. From 1957-1959 Pierce led a band off and on which featured Buck Clayton, Gus Johnson and Paul Quinichette. He recorded with a number of other well-known musicians as well, including Quincy Jones, Coleman Hawkins and Pee Wee Russell. Pierce was noted for his ability to play piano in the Basie style and appeared on many releases by Basie sidemen. Pierce also arranged the music for The Sound of Jazz, a 1954 CBS television special hosted by John Crosby. Pierce died of complications from an abdominal infection in Los Angeles, California. ~ Bio http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nat_Pierce

Fun

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NYC Jazz Quartett - The Great American Jazz Songbook Vol. 1

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 71:56
Size: 164.7 MB
Styles: Contemporary vocal jazz
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[3:14] 1. Moonlight In Vermont
[5:54] 2. Cheek To Cheek
[3:30] 3. Fly Me To The Moon
[3:22] 4. You Took Advantege Of Me
[4:17] 5. Blue Moon
[3:50] 6. Honeysuckle Rose
[5:06] 7. Lover Man
[4:05] 8. Mambo Craze
[3:08] 9. One Note Samba
[4:20] 10. How Insensitive
[4:04] 11. That Old Devil Called Love
[2:59] 12. Santa Baby
[3:18] 13. Diamond's Are A Girl's Best Friend
[3:38] 14. Paris Match
[6:24] 15. What A Difference A Day Makes
[3:23] 16. Why Don't You Do Right
[3:40] 17. My Baby Just Cares For Me
[3:36] 18. As Time Goes By

Jazz/lounge music combo led by vocalist Nashi Young Cho.

The Great American Songbook is a universal term that applies to the songs of Broadway musical theater, Hollywood musicals, and Tin Pan Alley. The era encompasses the period from the 1920s through the 1950s—prior to the dominant emergence of rock and roll. Besides the lasting impact and popularity of this music as originally composed, it also evolved to become the central repertoire of jazz musicians. The standards, as these songs became know as, are just as popular today as they were decades ago.

The Great American Jazz Songbook Vol. 1

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Baden Powell - Love Me With Guitar

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 37:40
Size: 86.2 MB
Styles: Bossa Nova, Samba
Year: 1973/2012
Art: Front

[3:51] 1. Deve Ser Amor
[2:56] 2. Choro Para Metronome
[3:05] 3. Adagio
[2:57] 4. Garota De Ipanema
[3:01] 5. Berimbau
[3:29] 6. Samba En Preludio
[2:25] 7. Chanson D'hiver
[3:26] 8. Samba Triste
[2:30] 9. Berceuse A Jussara
[2:47] 10. Prelude
[3:00] 11. Euridice
[4:06] 12. Bachiana

Baden Powell was considered one of the world's best contemporary acoustic guitar players and one of the most expressive composers of 20th century Brazilian popular music.

Baden Powell was born in the town of Varre-e-Sai (State of Rio de Janeiro) on August 6, 1937, first child of Adelina Gonçalves de Aquino and Lilo de Aquino and was named after the founder of the Boy Scouts, Robert Thompson Baden Powell, of whom Mr. de Aquino was an admirer. The family moved to Rio when the child was four months old and Baden then became a carioca from the São Cristóvão borough. The boy grew up listening to music: his father, a shoe maker by trade and a violinist by calling, held regular get-togethers at home, at which Pixinguinha and Donga, two of Brazil's popular music icons, were always present.

Baden Powell died on 2000. As an acoustic guitar virtuoso, he never forgot his Brazilian musical roots. Baden bridged the gap between classical and modern music.

Love Me With Guitar

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Marilyn Moore - Moody

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1957
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:21
Size: 95,0 MB
Scans:

(2:59)  1. I'm Just a Lucky So and So
(2:53)  2. Ill Wind
(2:43)  3. If Love Is Trouble
(3:24)  4. Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby
(3:36)  5. Born To Blow The Blues
(2:58)  6. Lover, Come Back to Me
(2:53)  7. You're Driving Me Crazy
(3:06)  8. Trav'lin' All Alone
(2:16)  9. I Cried for You (Now It's Your Turn to Cry Over Me)
(3:31) 10. Leavin' Town
(2:51) 11. Trouble Is a Man
(2:08) 12. I Got Rhythm

Singer Marilyn Moore was wed to reedist Al Cohn at the time she recorded her lone LP, the aptly titled Bethlehem session Moody Marilyn Moore, but the scarcity of her studio output and the connubial origins of the session shouldn't be considered a condemnation of her talents. Working with a small but beguiling backing unit including Cohn on tenor and bass clarinet, Milt Hinton on bass, Barry Galbraith on guitar, Joe Wilder on trumpet, Don Abney on piano and Osie Johnson on drums, Moore proves herself a first-rate stylist in the Billie Holiday mode, with a lived-in, seen-it-all authority that lends the music a welcome edge. The arrangements perfectly capture a smoky, late-night atmosphere, but it's Moore's vocals that truly underscore the solitude and heartbreak so essential to the record's potency. ~ Jason Ankeny http://www.allmusic.com/album/moody-marilyn-moore-mw0000521911             

Moody

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Jacintha - Jacintha is her name

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:27
Size: 122,9 MB
Art: Front

(5:32)  1. Willow weep for me
(5:21)  2. The thrill is gone
(6:07)  3. Something cool
(4:06)  4. Don't smoke in bed
(4:03)  5. Light my fire
(4:14)  6. I'm in the mood for love
(5:42)  7. God bless the child
(6:14)  8. Round midnight
(4:05)  9. I'll never smile again
(3:17) 10. Gone with the wind
(4:40) 11. Cry me a river

Dedicated to the great '50s torch song singer and jazz vocalist Julie London, Jacintha Is Her Name was inspired by and includes performances of several of Julie's most well known songs including Cry me A River, I'm In The Mood For Love, Gone With The Wind and others. Arrangements are by 2002 Grammy nominee Bill Cunliffe on piano with BMG recording artist Harry Allen on tenor and Ron Eschete on guitar. ~Editorial Reviews http://www.amazon.com/Jacintha-Name-Dedicated-Julie-London/dp/B000096FTU
 

Personnel: Jacintha (vocals); Harry Allen (tenor saxophone); Holly Hoffman (flute); Bill Cunliffe (piano); Ron Eschete (guitar); Larry Bunker (vibraphone, congas); Derek Oleskiewicz (bass); Larance Marable (drums)

Jacintha is her name

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Nova Banda - Família Jobim

Styles: Bossa Nova
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:46
Size: 93,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:34)  1. Águas De Março
(4:52)  2. O Boto
(6:52)  3. Matita Perê
(2:51)  4. Correnteza
(3:21)  5. Passarim
(4:07)  6. Pato Preto
(3:15)  7. Sabiá
(4:26)  8. Borzeguim
(3:59)  9. Estrada do Sol
(3:27) 10. Chovendo na Roseira

Nova Banda was a group formed in 1984 by Tom Jobim to accompany him during live performances and recordings. In 1985, the group performed live for the first time at Carnegie Hall in New York. That same year, Nova Banda played at the Montreux Festival (Switzerland), at the Lincoln Center (New York, NY), and at Constitution Hall (Washington D.C.). In the next year, they performed at the Greek Theater (Los Angeles, CA), and the Hibiya Yagai Ongakudo (Tokyo, Japan), with Gal Costa. In 1987, they recorded Jobim's Passarim and participated in the album's launching shows in several cities such as Rio de Janeiro (Canecão and Teatro Municipal), São Paulo (Palace), Brussels, Belgium (Palais de Beaux-Arts, 1987), and Paris, France (Théatre Grand Rex, 1988). 

In 1990, Nova Banda played at the Ginásio do Ibirapuera (São Paulo) for a huge audience during the commemorative concert in homage to Jobim's and the city of São Paulo's anniversaries, with guest artists Milton Nascimento and Chico Buarque. Also in that year, they played at the San Remo Festival in Italy. In 1991, Banda Nova played in the anniversary of the city of Rio de Janeiro for 70,000 people at Ipanema (Arpoador beach). In the same year, they participated in the concert promoted by the Rain Forest Foundation together with Sting, Elton John, Caetano Veloso, and Gilberto Gil at Carnegie Hall. In 1993, they played for 50,000 people at Ibirapuera park in São Paulo. Nova Banda also participated in the following albums by Jobim: O Tempo e o Vento (soundtrack of the eponymous TV Globo series), Família Jobim, Antonio Brasileiro, and Tom Jobim: Inédito. 

~ Bio https://itunes.apple.com/br/artist/nova-banda/id90385955#fullText

Família Jobim

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Jimmy Smith - Hobo Flats

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1963
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 31:12
Size: 72,5 MB
Art: Front

(4:43)  1. Hobo Flats - NY Version
(4:53)  2. Blueberry
(3:29)  3. Walk Right In
(4:21)  4. Trouble In Mind
(6:13)  5. The Preacher
(3:03)  6. Medication
(4:27)  7. I Can't Stop Loving You

Playing piano-style single-note lines on his Hammond B-3 organ, Jimmy Smith revolutionized the use of the instrument in a jazz combo setting in the mid-'50s and early '60s with his recordings for Blue Note Records. After he moved to Verve Records, though, he began working in more big-band settings, experimenting a bit, although he was always the same Jimmy Smith whose rapid runs on the B-3 careened, stuttered, glided, and flashed all over the place at a frequently breathless pace. This set, recorded in 1963 in New York City, finds him working with arranger and conductor Oliver Nelson in a combined orchestral and big-band setting and what strikes first, aside from the movie soundtrack feel of Nelson's arrangements, is how varied the source material is, ranging from a huge make-over of Gus Cannon's old jug band tune "Walk Right In" to the Latin lilt of Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Meditation," the funky hard bop of Horace Silver's "The Preacher," and the relatively restrained country prettiness of Don Gibson's "I Can't Stop Loving You."

Smith bubbles and bounces through all of it at the B-3 while Nelson proceeds to fill every available corner with huge, sweeping orchestral washes and crescendos. The clear highlight, though, is the lead and title track, "Hobo Flats," which moves at a languid but wonderfully funky pace and establishes a groove as wide as the Mississippi River. Smith arguably was at his best in small combos, and at times he gets overwhelmed here by the big cinematic arrangements, but there's plenty to like with this set, even if it's a bit on the atypical side for Smith. It works well more than it doesn't. ~  Steve Leggett  http://www.allmusic.com/album/hobo-flats-mw0000803156

Hobo Flats

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Juana Rodriguez - Speak Low

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:27
Size: 120,3 MB
Art: Front

(2:35)  1. I've Got You Under My Skin
(4:29)  2. Angel Eyes
(2:37)  3. What A Difference A Day Made
(4:14)  4. Le Sourire De Mon Amour
(2:36)  5. Summertime
(4:26)  6. Cry Me A River
(2:48)  7. Speak Low
(2:35)  8. All Of Me
(5:15)  9. Round Midnight
(3:21) 10. Desafinado
(4:58) 11. Lover Man
(2:52) 12. Love Or Leave Me
(3:52) 13. Taking A Chance On Love
(2:40) 14. Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me
(3:03) 15. Besame Mucho

A musical life had itinerancies jazz singer Juana Rodriguez, started very young in the circuit of Chilean folk music in the early '90s, before becoming a soloist in cosmopolitan places such as Barcelona (2000), where he recorded his first album of standards, Speak Low (2006) and New York (2006), where he continued his work of composition, arrangement and performance in vocal jazz. Juana Rodriguez worked on two lines. In classical singing techniques (with Patricia Herrera and Inés Delano ) and the skill of modern singing (with Arlette Jequier ). From singer Fulanofinally got weapons to get started in the jazz fields and before age 20 in Chile and participated in jam sessions in the jazz club, as well as collaborating with the group pop-soul Bluish or assembly Creole fusion.

The Marraqueta. In 2000 he emigrated to Barcelona, ??linked with musicians from all continents and formed his own Jazztet, considering the prominence Catalan soloists and baritone saxophone as a solo instrument. In her album Speak low Songbook visited parts swing, authors such as Cole Porter, George Gershwin and Richard Rodgers. Six years later travel to New York for further study of the scat (vocal improvisation) and become the third of the Chilean jazz singer in New York: Claudia Acuña , Alexandra Inzunza and Juana Rodriguez ~ MusicaPopular.cl  Translate by google http://www.musicapopular.cl/3.0/index2.php?op=Artista&id=1749

Speak Low

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Herb Ellis - Texas Swings

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1992
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:51
Size: 119,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:35)  1. Billie's Bounce
(4:09)  2. I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me
(5:25)  3. The Old Rugged Cross
(5:18)  4. Country Boy
(5:29)  5. Undecided
(6:47)  6. It Had To Be You
(4:40)  7. Rosetta
(6:15)  8. Blues In G
(5:41)  9. Sweet Georgia Brown
(4:28) 10. America The Beautiful

Texas-born guitarist Herb Ellis teams up with a variety of country musicians on this Justice CD for a set of Western swing-oriented jazz. Essentially an instrumental country date with Ellis as one of the lead voices, the enjoyable set also has Willie Nelson's guitar added on some of the tracks along with steel guitar, two violinists and a standard rhythm section. The twangy sound of the steel guitar may not appeal to everyone but the fairly basic music (mostly swing standards) is played with plenty of spirit. This recording gives Ellis a fresh setting after years in trios and quartets. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/texas-swings-mw0000623644

Personnel: Herb Ellis (guitar); Bobby Bruce, Johnny Gimble (violin); Floyd Domino (piano); Willie Nelson (guitar); Herb Remington (steel guitar); Tommy Alsup (bass); Tommy Perkins (drums).

Texas Swings

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Mark Ramsden - Sing Of Spring

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:26
Size: 173,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:20)  1. Get Carter
(3:14)  2. Lovely Freya
(6:29)  3. Japanese Please
(4:16)  4. Take 5
(4:13)  5. We'll Be Together Again
(5:01)  6. Spring Sing
(6:28)  7. War Baby 2012
(4:40)  8. Tattoos Are Stories Scars Are Reportage
(3:42)  9. The Bride In Sparkly White
(5:07) 10. The Man With The Child In His Eyes
(5:19) 11. Besame Mucho
(5:47) 12. Mr Ramsden Please Don't Dance
(6:07) 13. Zen Mistress Rose
(4:38) 14. My Ketamine Arrest
(5:59) 15. Whenever There Is Me And You

Mark Ramsden (b. Liverpool, 13 July 1956) is a British writer, composer, producer and musician. He studied at Leeds Music College becoming a virtuoso saxophonist and flautist. Since finishing his education he has been active in rock and particularly jazz music, both as a performer and composer.  Much of the 1980s and 1990s saw him playing with artists such as Jimmy Witherspoon, Roy Harper and Bert Jansch as well as partnering jazz musicians such as Steve Lodder, Dominic Ashworth and Jim Mullen. He has also toured with Dudu Pukwana, Loose Tubes, the National Youth Jazz Orchestra and the Grand Union Orchestra, living in Germany and Hong Kong as well as the UK. After meeting Tom Robinson at the Edinburgh Festival in 1982 he joined the TRB, touring extensively with the band, he appeared on the albums Hope and Glory (1984), Still Loving You (1986) and Love Over Rage (1994). He part composed Tom Robinson's top ten hit "War Baby" (1983), writing and playing the distinctive tenor and soprano saxophone parts. In 1995 he composed and recorded the pipe organ and saxophone album Above The Clouds with Steve Lodder (re-released Naxos 1999) in a North London Church. 

His other critically acclaimed work includes Chilled with Jim Mullen and Andy Hamill and Tribute to Paul Desmond with Dave Cliff. Throughout his career as a musician, Ramsden has also been a writer and journalist, working mostly in music commentary and within the fetish scene. He has regularly published fiction and articles for titles such as Skin Two, Latex Extra, Desire and The Erotic Review. He was editor of Fetish Times in the mid-1990s and until 2009 was a regular columnist and astrologer for Forum Magazine. His latest book is the teenager's story War School.[4] He has also recently completed a collaboration with his wife, illustrator Ruth Ramsden, on the Dark Tantra Tarot deck. Mark Ramsden lives and works on the South Coast of England. Bio ~ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Ramsden

Sing Of Spring

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Cinzia Roncelli And Francesco Cafiso - My Shining Hour

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:59
Size: 137,6 MB
Art: Front

(3:53)  1. My Shining Hour
(4:48)  2. Time After Time
(6:15)  3. Fair Weather
(4:06)  4. I'm Old Fashioned
(6:42)  5. Chan's Song
(5:51)  6. So In Love
(6:14)  7. Moon River
(4:50)  8. All or Nothing At All
(3:59)  9. This Can Be Love
(5:39) 10. Skylark
(7:37) 11. Every Time We Say Goodbye

An anthology of classic without borders and age and a large number of excellent musicians Sicilians by birth or artistic election - a "guest" of the speech torrential Francesco Cafiso - ply the recording debut of Cynthia Roncelli , vocalist and teacher seated in Lombardy. Undici tracks that run through much of the history of jazz navigating between notes by Kenny Dorham, with the mellow ballad Fair Weather (so dear to the great Sheila Jordan ), those of Hancock with Chan's Song (drawn from the soundtrack of the famous film by Tavernier , 'Round Midnight), here in the nuanced lyricism; and still slipping nell'intellettualizzato arrangement of So In Love Cole Porter and, almost obligatory, in the melodic cells, with a consistent matrix " blue ", of Moon River by Harry Mancini. On the same middle register, the other executions, without giving or subtract res nova . And this also seem to suffer the elastic vocal talents of goo Roncelli. Translate by Google
http://www.jazzitalia.net/recensioni/myshininghour.asp#.U9M6qvldUrV

My Shining Hour

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George Van Eps & Howard Alden - Keepin' Time

Styles:  Guitar Jazz
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:53
Size: 133,0 MB
Art: Front

(4:29)  1. Blue Skies
(6:31)  2. Satin Doll
(6:47)  3. It Had To Be You
(5:04)  4. Body And Soul
(5:24)  5. How High The Moon
(2:17)  6. Honeysuckle Rose
(5:30)  7. I Cover The Waterfront
(2:27)  8. The Chant
(5:28)  9. Willow Weep For Me
(4:05) 10. Kay's Fantasy
(5:26) 11. More Than You Know
(4:21) 12. I Got Rhythm

Guitarists George Van Eps (a veteran of the 1930's) and Howard Alden (36 at the time of this recording) had made three prior CD's before cutting a fine quartet date with bassist Michael Moore and drummer Jake Hanna. The two guitarists can easily be told apart for Van Eps (the inventor of the seven-string guitar) plays some of the most beautiful chords in the world while Alden often contributes single-note solos. Highlights of the disc include Alden's two renditions of Van Eps songs ("The Chant" and "Kay's Fantasy"), Van Eps' two features and such swing standards as "Blue Skies," "How High The Moon," "I Cover The Waterfront" and a duet rendition of "More Than You Know." All of the music is quite relaxed (with nothing over a slow-medium pace) but has plenty of inner fire. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/keepin-time-mw0000188555

Personnel: George Van Eps, Howard Alden (7-string guitar); Michael Moore (bass); Jake Hanna (drums).

Keepin' Time

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Cyrus Chestnut - Midnight Melodies

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 77:24
Size: 182,7 MB
Art: Front + Back

( 4:54)  1. Two Heartbeats
( 4:09)  2. Pocket Full Of Blues
( 5:10)  3. To Be Determined
( 6:57)  4. Bag's Groove
( 7:15)  5. Hey, It's Me You're Talkin' To
( 7:21)  6. Chelsea Bridge
( 8:32)  7. U.M.M.G.Upper Manhattan Medical Group
( 8:34)  8. I Wanted To Say
( 6:38)  9. Giant Steps
(14:28) 10. Naima's Love Song
( 3:20) 11. The Theme

This nearly perfect piano trio set by Cyrus Chestnut, captured at Smoke Jazz & Supper Club in New York, is his first live recording date. It retains all of the feeling and power of his thrilling live performances but also benefits from Smoke's Steinway B that Cyrus claims is the best piano in the city. “It's just my ticket. We connect. It's warm and it's sharp at the same time with a lot of earth in it. I like clubs like the Jazz Standard or Smoke, where you can sit down at the piano and get down-home, because that's the kind of audience they attract.”http://www.jazzmessengers.com/en/66408/cyrus-chestnut/midnight-melodies

Personnel: Cyrus Chestnut, piano; Curtis Lundy, bass; Victor Lewis, drums

Midnight Melodies

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Carl Fontana - The Great Fontana

Styles: Trombone Jazz
Year: 1985
File: MP3@256K/s
Time: 58:42
Size: 108,3 MB
Art: Front

(4:27)  1. Shoutin' On A Riff
(6:23)  2. It Might As Well Be Spring
(5:47)  3. Soon
(6:17)  4. I Thought About You
(5:09)  5. Showcase
(7:14)  6. Polka Dots And Moonbeams
(4:18)  7. Always
(6:02)  8. Expubident
(7:26)  9. What's New?
(5:35) 10. America The Beautiful

Considering his ability and strong reputation, it is very surprising that this was trombonist Carl Fontana's first recording date as a leader. Fifty-seven at the time, Fontana's fluent horn matches well with tenor saxophonist Al Cohn, pianist Richard Wyands, bassist Ray Drummond, and drummer Akira Tana. The CD reissue of the Uptown release expands the original six-song program to ten. An excellent effort from an underrated but talented bop-based trombonist. ~ Scott Yanow  

http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-great-fontana-mw0000204790              

Personnel: Al Cohn - tenor sax, Richard Wyands - piano, Ray Drummond - bass & Akira Tana - drums.         

The Great Fontana

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Joe Gilman Trio - Treasure Chest

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 60:21
Size: 138.1 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 1992
Art: Front

[4:18] 1. Treasure Chest
[6:41] 2. The Enchantress
[9:06] 3. It's All Right With Me
[6:14] 4. New Aftershave
[7:02] 5. A Second Wish
[5:06] 6. Chains
[5:35] 7. Non Compos Mentis
[5:11] 8. Nefertiti
[3:42] 9. Juris Prudence
[7:20] 10. It's Alright With Me

Dr. Joe Gilman is Artist in Residence at the Brubeck Institute, a full-time professor of music at American River College in Sacramento, and an adjunct professor of jazz studies at CSU Sacramento. Joe was the music director of Capital Jazz Project from 1997 to 2011. He has received bachelor's degrees in classical piano and jazz studies at Indiana University, a master's degree in jazz and the contemporary media from the Eastman School of Music, and a doctoral degree in education from the University of Sarasota.

Joe has been the primary pianist with jazz vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson since September 2006, and has also performed professionally with Eddie Harris, Woody Shaw, Marlena Shaw, Richie Cole, Joe Locke, George Duke, Chris Botti, Eric Alexander, Anthony Wilson, Nicholas Payton, Russell Malone, Charles McPherson, Wycliffe Gordon, David "Fathead" Newman, and Slide Hampton, and has recorded with Joe Henderson, Bobby Hutcherson, Frank Morgan, Jeff Watts, Robert Hurst, Tootie Heath, and Larry Grenadier.

Dr. Gilman has twice been an International Jazz Ambassador through the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and USIA, traveling to West Africa in 1999 and East and Southern Africa in 2000. He won the 1998 Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission Emerging Artist Award and the 2000 Sacramento News and Review SAMMIES Critical Achievement award for contribution to the arts community. Joe was the 2001 American River College Student Association Instructor of the Year and was named the first Brubeck Scholar at the 2005 Brubeck Festival. In 2004, Joe won the Great American Jazz Piano Competition in Jacksonville, Florida. Dr. Gilman's work with students at the Brubeck Institute has produced several CDs - Brubeck Revisited Vols. 1 and 2 (Sunnyside), Wonder Revisited Vols. 1 and 2, Americanvas, and Relativity (Capri) - all recorded with Brubeck Institute fellows. His work with the students at the Brubeck Institute and American River College has resulted in eighteen DownBeat magazine student awards.

JOE GILMAN, piano; BOB HURST, bass; JOE HENDERSON, tenor saxophone on 3, 5, 7,10; TOM PERON, trumpet on 7; JEFF 'TAIN' WATTS, drums

Treasure Chest

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Chris Connor - Now

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 32:03
Size: 73.4 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz, Easy Listening
Year: 1967/2013
Art: Front

[3:03] 1. Goin' Out Of My Head
[2:33] 2. Never On Sunday
[2:46] 3. Autumn
[2:58] 4. Stranger In The Night
[2:15] 5. The Boy From Madrid
[2:41] 6. Love Life
[2:04] 7. You're Gonna Hear From Me
[2:39] 8. The Shining Sea
[3:09] 9. Carnival
[2:14] 10. I'm Telling You Now
[2:46] 11. Nowhere Man
[2:49] 12. Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf

This 12 track slightly bossa nova pop Japanese import was released in 1967 under Paramount. The album captures Chris interpreting pop tunes in such a unique way making the song entirely new. Such is the case for the strong tempo changing opening number "Goin Out Of My Mind". You think you have heard it before, but nothing like this, which is why it is among one of my favorites, as well as the subtle, cool captivating "Carnival". "The Boys From Madrid" has a nice laid back "mariachi" sound, followed by the bossa nova infused "Love Life". Chris' rendition of "Never On a Sunday" is light, heady and fun, while "Autum" sets the mood for a cool, crisp, autumn day and is the song that concludes side one of the original album.

Chris gives "You're Gonna Hear From me" meaning, purpose and most of all passion. The song has a nice Broadway show tune feel and makes you wonder what could have happened had Chris had a chance to record a show tune album with her signature. "The Shining Sea" from the movie The Russians are Coming is another example of her ability to record for different genres. Chris puts her own magic touch on the 1963 hit pop song "I'm Telling You Now" originally by Freddy and the Dreamers, as she does with the Beatles 1965 hit "Nowhere Man". Her Latin flavored "Strangers In the Night" is nothing like Sinatra's but works. The album closes with the melodic and whimsical "Who's Afraid" from the motion picture Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

This cd finds Chris at her finest vocally and she sounds like a well-tuned instrument. The liner notes are very sparse and written in Japanese,although there is an English translation. "Now" is definitely a must have for any Chris Connor fan and of course those who just like good, nice easy listening music; perfect music for a quiet intimate evening at home. ~Garby Gable/amazon

Now   

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Walter Lang Trio - Softly As In A Morning Sunrise

Bitrate: 320K/s

Time: 53:18

Size: 122.0 MB

Styles: Piano jazz

Year: 2005

Art: Front

[3:52] 1. Monsieur Hulot

[5:18] 2. D'afrique

[4:37] 3. Autumn Leaves

[3:45] 4. October Breeze

[4:41] 5. Alone Together

[5:40] 6. Softly As In A Morning Sunrise

[8:27] 7. Spring Is Here

[4:31] 8. Casino Estoril

[4:23] 9. Call On Bill

[4:03] 10. Pensao Central

[3:55] 11. Monsieur Hulot (Bonus Track)

You'll oftern hear it said of a jazz record that it pays to give the music your full attention. That's usually good advice; much of the jazz offered up doesn't fall into the "hit you over the head" category. Subtleties and nuance often prevail, which is especially true of piano trio sets. But I've found another tack to take on the initial encounter: I put a disc on as background music and go about my life. The winning sounds refuse to fade into the background; they insist on your attention. They reach out and grab you and say, "Listen to me."

The Walter Lang Trio's Softly As In A Morning Sunrise passes that test. It takes you by the shoulders and spins you around so that you face the speakers and gives you a little shake, the way the best contemporary piano trios—led by the Jarretts and the Mehldaus—do.

The set opens with a quirky, sharp-edged melody, piano alone, joined soon by bass/drums, on the Lang-penned piece "Monsieur Hulot." It's apparent right away that the group cohesion is first-rate, a push/pull, give and take conversation where the players are listening, responding, and complementing each others' remarks.

Seven of the eleven tunes are Lang originals, songs that sound as though they could be classics, especially the aforementioned opener, as well as "Casino Estoril," which churns along of a buoyant momentum; the spicy "Pensao Central"; and the beautifully pensive "Call on Bill." The set is well-paced, with the trio swinging back and forth between extroversion and introversion, working with a fine choice of standard fare that they put their own stamp on with reverence: "Autumn Leaves," "Alone Together," "Spring is Here," and the title tune.

A fine disc that should earn the Munich-based trio some attention on this side of the Atlantic. ~Dan McClenaghan

Walter Lang: piano; Nicolas Thys: bass; Rick Hollander: drums.

Softly As In A Morning Sunrise

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Eileen Mager - Jazzin Around'

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2004
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 76:29
Size: 175,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:42)  1. Sweet Georgia Brown
(3:39)  2. Who Needs Spring?
(1:42)  3. Take Five
(5:47)  4. Autumn In New York
(2:26)  5. Them There Eyes
(3:11)  6. Night In Tunisia
(5:52)  7. Body And Soul
(2:50)  8. Nice Work If You Can Get It
(6:01)  9. Stardust
(3:01) 10. Harlem Hights
(3:03) 11. Best Thing For You
(4:06) 12. You Go To My Head
(3:50) 13. Staighten Up And Fly Right
(5:26) 14. 'Round Midnight
(3:02) 15. Peel Me A Grape
(6:28) 16. Spring Cane Really Hang You Up The Most
(3:23) 17. It's All Right With Me
(4:25) 18. My Funny Valentine
(4:26) 19. How High The Moon

Most of the songs in this new Turn On Records release, "Jazzin' Around," will be familiar to most listeners. "Stardust" and "My Funny Valentine" for example, have probably been heard and loved bhy well over half the planet. Others, like the seductive but funny "Peel Me A Grape" and the playful "The Best Thing For You" are treasures we rarely hear. Two of the songs, "Take Five" and "A Night in Tunisia," are almost always done in the instrumental versions. Most people don't even realize there actually are lyrics for them. "Who Needs Spring" although used in a movie, is largely unknown in the U.S. It was written bhy Ruth Allen and Alan Berry. Alan is a fine British musician with his own jazz band. His sister Ruth is a personal friend of mine whom I met when she was playing a piano bar gig in London, singing lots of great songs - some standards and some her own - and singing them all beautifully. She writes lyrics, and for many songs, the music as well, and they're all very good. "Who Needs Spring" is a special favorite of mine. 

 "Harlem Nights" is a brand new song, written by a new personal friend, Bud Mayer, with words by Steve Princiotta. I met Bud at a party about a week before we recorded this CD, and we got into a mini jam session. At one point, he played the song, showed me the words, and I thought, I've got to include it. So there was a mad scramble, and we got it in. I hope you have as much pleasure out of these great songs as we did in performing them. ~ Eileen Mager  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/emager6
 

Personnel: Eileen Mager (vocals);  Brad Bauder (flute, clarinet, tenor saxophone); Estelle Brown, Ellen Brown (piano); Bob Graham (double bass); Jimmy Golini (drums); Glenn Brown (trumpet, piano).

Jazzin Around'

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Steve Kuhn - Temptation

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:57
Size: 121,2 MB
Art: Front

(7:13)  1. Temptation
(6:07)  2. Dark Eyes
(6:25)  3. You Better Go Now
(7:47)  4. The Summer Knows
(6:46)  5. Love Is Here To Stay
(3:47)  6. Django
(9:18)  7. A Likely Story
(5:30)  8. I Can't Get Started

Steve Kuhn mixes standards and forgotten gems in these 2001 studio sessions with bassist Buster Williams and drummer Billy Drummond. Beginning with a tantalizing take of "Temptation" that has a slight Latin undercurrent, Kuhn finds new directions in these timeless pieces. "Dark Eyes" is another gem that has long fallen out of favor, though Kuhn's intricate workout demonstrates that there is plenty of life left in this decades-old warhorse. His treatment of Michel Legrand's "The Summer Knows" (written as theme music for the early-'70s film Summer of '42) is a bit jagged rather than the usual setting as a straight, slow, bittersweet ballad. John Lewis' "Django" has long been a favorite of jazz musicians, and the trio's elegant setting opens with an imaginative improvisation, slowly working into its well-known theme. Kuhn's sole original, "A Likely Story," is a driving post-bop vehicle that never runs out of steam. It's hard to go wrong by purchasing any Steve Kuhn CD, and this is among his best dates.~ Ken Dryden  http://www.allmusic.com/album/temptation-mw0000530382

Personnel: Double Bass – Buster Williams; Drums – Billy Drummond; Piano – Steve Kuhn

Temptation

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