Tina May, Nikki Iles, Tony Coe - More Than You Know

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 55:37
Size: 127.3 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[5:53] 1. The Touch Of Your Lips
[5:32] 2. Very Early
[6:47] 3. More Than You Know
[5:18] 4. Ocean
[5:37] 5. Sometime Ago
[4:30] 6. Cruel September
[5:20] 7. November Girl
[4:50] 8. What Kind Of Fool Am I
[5:59] 9. My Man's Gone Now
[5:47] 10. So Long Big Time

Voice, piano and tenor saxophone or clarinet; with an odd setup like that, you just don't know what to expect. In the case of these three, however, the chances are that it will turn out to be an interesting, quirky and, above all, enjoyable hour's music. And it is. In the first place, they have performed together so much that they must enjoy each other's company. That enjoyment includes a shared sense of what is possible with this tiny format and complete trust in one another's musical instincts. Tina May has a fine, expressive voice, with immaculate pitch, clear diction and no annoying mannerisms. Nikki Iles plays the piano with a crystalline touch and a technique that enables her to cover for the missing double bass when necessary. Coe is one of today's best clarinettists, in any idiom, with an inquisitive, slightly irascible saxophone style that is quite inimitable. The result is like overhearing an intelligent, often witty three-way conversation. ~Dave Gelly

More Than You Know

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Eddie Palmieri - S/T

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 36:35
Size: 83.8 MB
Styles: Latin jazz
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[ 7:13] 1. El Dia Que Me Quieras
[10:31] 2. Ritmo Alegre
[ 6:51] 3. Páginas de Mujer
[ 6:05] 4. No Me Hagas Sufrir
[ 5:53] 5. Ven Ven

Eddie Palmieri, known for his charismatic power and bold pioneering drive, has a musical career that spans over 50 years as a bandleader of both Salsa and Latin Jazz orchestras. Born in Spanish Harlem in 1936, Eddie began piano studies at an early age, as did his celebrated older brother, the late Salsa legend and pianist, Charlie Palmieri. For Latin New Yorkers of Eddie’s generation, music was a vehicle out of El Barrio. At age 11, he auditioned at Weil Recital Hall, next door to Carnegie Hall, a venue as far from the Bronx as he could imagine. Possessed by a desire to play the drums, Palmieri joined his Uncle’s orchestra at age 13, where he played timbales. Says Palmieri, “By 15, it was good-bye timbales and back to the piano until this day. I’m a frustrated percussionist, so I take it out on the piano.”

Eddie Palmieri’s musical style is paradoxical in nature: married to preserving the core fundamentals of latin orchestral tradition, he is possessed by a bold innovative drive and seeks all opportunities to challenge these very traditions. Eddie’s unique vision and distinctive arrangements have paved the way for ground-breaking compositions, ensuring a unique musical legacy. Eddie has one of the most actively touring Salsa and Latin Jazz orchestras to date, tours of which have taken him to Europe, Asia, Latin America, Australia, North Africa and throughout the Caribbean. A true powerhouse of brilliance, he has shown that time is infinite with respect to his repertoire, as he continues to captivate live audiences throughout the world.

Eddie Palmieri

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Tchavolo Schmitt - Miri Familia

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 50:59
Size: 116.7 MB
Styles: Gypsy jazz
Year: 2000
Art: Front

[3:06] 1. Rêves D'automne
[4:27] 2. The Sheik Of Araby
[4:26] 3. Oh, Lady Be Good
[5:26] 4. Sonny Boy
[3:35] 5. Jean-Paul Blues
[2:26] 6. Valse Pour Nous
[4:02] 7. After You've Gone
[5:54] 8. Miri Familia
[4:04] 9. Jersey Bounce
[4:47] 10. Djieské
[4:33] 11. Seul Ce Soir
[4:09] 12. Just One Of Those Things

Ever since the early years of the Quintet of the Hot Club of France and its leader, the trailblazing Gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt, Gypsy (or manouche) jazz combos have been characterized by a number of idiosyncratic factors: no drums, multiple guitars (all acoustic), and arrangements that combine a powerfully swinging rhythm with the dark modalities of traditional Gypsy melodies along with jazz standards. The Alsatian guitarist Tchavolo Schmitt takes some of those characteristics to something of an extreme on this album, which features a sextet comprised of five guitars and a bass. Since the other guitarists all play rhythm, this leads to a curiously flat musical texture and a rather one-dimensional sound (the slightly ramshackle production quality doesn't help much in that regard). But it also means that Schmitt has an absolutely rock-solid rhythmic foundation with which to work, and it serves him very well on material like the original blues composition "Jean-Paul Blues" and a particularly energetic and tuneful rendition of "After You've Gone." "Jersey Bounce" starts off with a promisingly jaunty strut, but bogs down a bit toward the end. The title track is a lovely ballad, also composed by Schmitt, and it is perhaps the finest demonstration of his musical maturity, a quality that permits him to take as much pleasure in long, nicely shaped melodic lines as in the virtuosic stunt-guitar pyrotechnics for which the genre is best known. Fans of Gypsy jazz will love this album, but newcomers may want to start with something a bit more varied in texture. ~ Rick Anderson

Tchavolo Schmitt (guitar); Gogo Berbedes, Mandino Reinhardt, Sony Reinhardt, Hono Winterstein (guitar); Gautier Laurent (bass instrument).

Miri Familia

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Victoria Rummler - Am I Am

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:13
Size: 87,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:16)  1. Guys With Ties
(3:48)  2. Home Is Inside
(3:22)  3. Teach Me Tonight
(3:28)  4. Friends Old And New
(2:48)  5. Frere Jacques
(4:18)  6. Am I Am
(3:19)  7. Island Of Nowhere
(1:47)  8. Blue Boots
(3:57)  9. Italy Blues
(4:10) 10. Over The Rainbow
(3:55) 11. Love Day

A clear, sensual voice that runs the gamut of notes and emotions. Steeped in nuance and free of technical limitations, Victoria Rummler's music is refreshingly fun and joyous. Born near Detroit, USA, Vicki has been a Euro-convert for almost twenty years. Her musical experience began with a fascination for the piano at age six which led to many years of lessons, competitions, accompaniment and a profound appreciation that is still very much alive today. She began singing in children’s groups and a church choir that toured Mexico and Central America. Studying clarinet, dance, and theater in the USA, she took off for Germany after completing her Bachelor of Arts degree in music at Williams College in 1988. 

She worked with a performance art group in Munich and went on to Paris in 1993, where she discovered her passion for vocal jazz, honing her craft with Michele Hendricks, Laurence Saltiel and Roger Letson. In 2004, she was invited to record with cutting-edge electro a cappella group “Les Grandes Gueules” on their second album for SONY-BMG, “Vocal Extreme.” Since deciding to concentrate on her solo career, Vicki’s musical personality has evolved by leaps and bounds. Her first solo album, "Twinkle," was released in 2004 to rave reviews on both sides of the Atlantic. Her sophomore album, currently in preparation, takes her music one step further, with more personal lyrics and arrangements that reflect all her musical influences throughout the years, from blues to African and bossa nova. Vicki's live performances are ebullient and virtuosic, and her rapport with the audience is playful yet genuine. 

Perhaps as a result of this strong connection with her listeners, Victoria Rummler's master classes and "creative singing" workshops are also highly in demand.  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/victoriarummler1

Am I Am

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Diane Hubka - West Coast Strings

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:30
Size: 130,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:10)  1. West Coast Blues (feat. Anthony Wilson & Bobby Pierce)
(4:54)  2. Moondance (feat. Mimi Fox)
(3:18)  3. Brigas Nunca Mais (feat. Peter Sprague)
(4:53)  4. Peace (feat. Larry Koonse)
(3:48)  5. Warming to Spring (feat. David Eastlee & Barry Zweig)
(4:08)  6. It Ain't Necessarily So (feat. Anthony Wilson & Bobby Pierce)
(5:35)  7. Amanacer (feat. John Pisano & Peter Sprague)
(4:04)  8. Never Let Me Go (feat. Larry Koonse)
(4:27)  9. Moon Ray (feat. David Eastlee & Barry Zweig)
(4:22) 10. They Say It's Spring (feat. Ron Eschete & John Pisano)
(3:24) 11. Slow Hot Wind (feat. Ron Eschete)
(5:36) 12. A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing (feat. Mimi Fox)
(4:45) 13. Someone Else Is Steppin' In (feat. Anthony Wilson & Bobby Pierce)

This Blue Ridge Mountain-bred artist grew up in Western Maryland in a musical family and learned violin, trombone and guitar from an early age. After college Diane Hubka moved to Washington, DC where she frequented local jazz clubs Blues Alley, One Step Down and Mr. Y's Soul Kitchen, absorbing the sounds of local legends Charlie Byrd and Shirley Horn, hearing national acts, as well as honing her own skills in those rooms. In 1986 she moved to New York City and was awarded a one-year jazz fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts for private study with vocalist Anne Marie Moss. She also studied piano, voice and guitar privately with premier NY jazz artists Barry Harris, Harold Danko, Connie Crothers, Sheila Jordan, Jay Clayton, Howard Alden and John Hart. A dynamic member of New York City's jazz scene for two decades, the award-winning vocalist relocated to Los Angeles in 2004. Diane's newest CD, West Coast Strings (SSJ Records) features the singer with a far ranging program of music with eight West Coast master guitarists, plus soul-jazz veteran, Bobby Pierce guesting on Hammond B-3. 

Hubka also plays guitar on three tracks. "Brigas Nunca Mais" finds Hubka singing this Jobim song in its native language with clear diction and a soft tone that allow the intricate guitar work of Peter Sprague to shine, while Hubka keeps the rhythm guitar work flowing underneath. Hubka's bass lines and chords are clear and flowing under Sprague's active solo; this particular song has no bassist, so the subltiles of Hubka and Sprague are in full view. Sprague's nylon-strung guitar lines are energetic and pushing the beat, but never rushing. He builds each line and develops clear motifs and allows the phrases to breath as he climbs the neck to a logical climax. Hubka's gentle swaying phrasing of the final statement of the melody is very much in tune with the heritage of this Jobim selection. "Amanhacer" is penned by guitarist John Pisano and his wife Jeanne, his 'Guitar Night,' at various California venues has been going on for sixteen years now and features a different, outstanding guitarist each week with John's trio. Pisano's inclusion and contribution to West Coast Strings is fitting and in line with the overall energy and comrodiray of the entire project. The melody and lyrics are very enjoyable and fits right in with the surrounding standards. Hubka conveys the emotion behind the heartwarming lyrics and ensemble provides an easy bossa feel for her to sing on. Peter Sprague and John Pisano's guitar work are both featured in this selection. Sprague takes the first chorus with his usual confidence of developing a line, both in shape and time. Pisano's soft steel stings follows with a relaxed development of ideas, combined with his soft singing of each well placed note. Hubka takes the melody out leaving the listener feeling joyous and positive. 

"It Ain't Necessarily So" is the serious toe tapper of the set with the thumpin' organ feel from Bobby Pierce and fine guitar work from Anthony Wilson. Everyone on this tune is pulling the blues out of this Gershwin classic and it is Hubka's vocal control and delivery on this selection, which is the highlight of the set. Wilson's warm guitar tone and control is strong and propels the selection with bop ornamented blues licks and bends. Pierce keeps his solo brief, but concise and swingin,' Kendall Kay's drums and Pierce's quarter note feel is in the pocket and makes good use of that triplet feel! ~ Geannine Reid   http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=46262#.UtLIMbRc_vs

Personnel: Diane Hubka: vocals, guitar (3, 8, 11); Anthony Wilson: guitar (1, 6, 13); Mimi Fox: guitar (2, 12); Peter Sprague: guitar (3, 7); Larry Koonse: guitar ( 4, 8); Barry Zweig guitar (5, 9); David Eastlee: guitar ( 5, 9); John Pisano: guitar ( 7, 10); Ron Eschete: guitar (10, 11) Bobby Pierce: Hammond B-3 (1, 6, 13); Jeff D’Angelo: bass ( 4, 5, 9, 13); John Leftwich: bass (7); Kendall Kay: drums (1,4, 5, 6, 9, 13); Enzo Tedesco: drums ( 3, 7).

West Coast Strings

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Paul Moran - Smokin B3

Styles: Hammond Organ
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:36
Size: 136,9 MB
Art: Front

(5:44)  1. Got To Get You In My Life
(6:01)  2. Mission Impossible
(4:51)  3. History
(6:45)  4. A Night In Tunesia
(5:44)  5. Hamond Strut
(5:06)  6. Rock Steady
(5:21)  7. It Was Only Yesterday
(5:21)  8. I Shot The Sheriff
(5:03)  9. Grind It
(3:30) 10. The Cat
(6:06) 11. For Funk's Sake

"This is a good player on a good organ reflecting a 'feel happy' sound. In this age of over amplified everything it's great to find the real deal! It's enjoyment all the way." ~ Jimmy McGriff
Paul Moran is currently Musical Director for Van Morrison, playing Hammond B3 organ, Acoustic Grand Piano, Keyboards, Trumpet and Flugel Horn.  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/paulmoran

Smokin B3

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Joe Cohn - Two Funky People

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:02
Size: 135,6 MB
Art: Front

(4:51)  1. Solar
(7:12)  2. But Not for Me
(4:24)  3. Quite Sip
(4:23)  4. Two Funky People
(5:19)  5. Mr. George
(4:51)  6. Serenata
(6:55)  7. Ask Me Now
(4:52)  8. High on You
(6:09)  9. Days of Wine and Roses
(4:18) 10. Motion
(5:43) 11. You and Me

Guitarist Joe Cohn is the prodigiously talented son of famed tenor saxophonist Al Cohn. Some may find it odd that on his debut recording fellow guitarist Doug Raney appears alongside him on many of the tracks. The two-guitar format is somewhat reminiscent of Joe Pass's recordings with rhythm guitarist John Pisano, although here Raney is quite prominent throughout as a solo voice. Telling the two guitarists apart will in fact require a good deal of concentration on the part of most listeners. In general, Cohn is the faster and more rhythmically adventurous of the two; his tone is brighter and more dry than Raney's. One would have hoped for more of a Joe Cohn showcase rather than a date on which another guitarist, a second "funky person," practically shares top billing. That said, both Cohn and Raney are fantastic straight-ahead players and they make beautiful music together, aided by Dennis Irwin on bass and Barry Ries on drums. 

Four of the tracks are seldom-played gems by Al Cohn, including the title track. Another, "Motion," is by Doug Raney's famous father, Jimmy Raney. (Perhaps it is the famous dads connection that brought these two together.) Other tracks include the classics "But Not for Me," "Solar," "Days of Wine and Roses," "Ask Me Now," and "Serenata." Thad Jones's mid-tempo burner "Quite Sip" is Cohn's one trio feature, and a great one. ~ David R.Adler   

http://www.allmusic.com/album/two-funky-people-mw0000252103

Two Funky People

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