Ken Slavin - The Song Is You / I'll Take Romance

Album: The Song Is You
Size: 109,2 MB
Time: 46:46
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2001
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

01. Route 66 (2:35)
02. Embraceable You (3:43)
03. It's All Right With Me (2:38)
04. Corcovado (Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars) (4:51)
05. Since I Fell For You (5:38)
06. Orange Colored Sky (2:12)
07. I Wish You Love (5:24)
08. I Thought About You (3:13)
09. It's A Good Day (2:18)
10. You Go To My Head (4:54)
11. If You Go Away This Time (5:04)
12. The Song Is You (4:12)

THE SONG IS YOU is a collection of classic jazz and pop standards updated with the fresh, original interpretations of popular San Antonio jazz crooner Ken Slavin and the sparkling arrangements of young jazz pianist/musical director Andrew Langham.

“San Antonio based vocalist Ken Slavin is one of the most popular singers in that Texas town, and the hardest working. (He) has paid his dues in the home of the Alamo, having played everywhere from local meet markets to the ritziest lounges in the city…’The Song is You’ is a sincere effort…Slavin has an expressive timbre…and a knack for choosing good songs…” -- JAZZREVIEW.COM

“Slavin is a jazz crooner, a saloon singer, an interpeter of pop songs from an era when pop didn't mean pierced navels and a different costume for every song...(H)e brings to bear passion and commitment and makes the songs come alive. Ken Slavin has only been singing for about a decade, but (he) has done his homework while working hard to improve his art and his craft.”--JIM BEAL, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

“We must surely tip our hats to Ken Slavin ..... this album is really fabulous.” -- JIMMY SMITH, THIS WEEK IN TEXAS

The Song Is You

---

Album: I'll Take Romance
Size: 131,1 MB
Time: 56:27
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2007
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Thoughts Of Your Smile (4:38)
02. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To (1:50)
03. Tea For Two (2:57)
04. I'll Take Romance (Snappy Version) (3:15)
05. Alone (4:35)
06. Just You, Just Me (3:08)
07. But Beautiful (4:34)
08. Come Rain Or Come Shine (3:55)
09. I Can't Reach Your Heart (3:51)
10. Day By Day (3:12)
11. I Could Have Danced All Night (3:43)
12. Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me (3:54)
13. Mangos (2:51)
14. That's My Desire (3:17)
15. Summer Samba (So Nice) (3:43)
16. I'll Take Romance (Sexy Version) (2:57)

Ken Slavin is a popular and seasoned jazz crooner, equally at home in intimate jazz clubs, piano bars, concert halls and country clubs. He is one of the most respected entertainers in Texas with a vast repertoire of classic jazz, pop and Spanish-language standards. He has a gift for touching the hearts and souls of listeners of all ages with a smooth, intimate and emotive baritone voice - and total belief in the lyrics and feeling of each song he sings.

"I'll Take Romance" is his latest release, featuring world-class jazz musicians, symphonic arrangements and other polished touches. It is the kind of album you will want to listen to with a special someone -- and share with friends and family.

It has received excellent notices around the country and is on radio play lists in Texas, New York, Italy, France, Poland and the Philippines.

Voted “Best Vocalist” and "Best Musician" multiple times by by readers of The San Antonio Current, Slavin started late in the music business, not stepping on the stage to pursue his lifelong dream until shortly before his 29th birthday.

He gigs regularly in San Antonio and Austin (the Lone Star State's music capital) and occasionally in other areas of the country. He has headlined San Antonio's famous "Jazz'SAlive" festival three times and has opened for such famous performers as David Sanborn, Eddie Palmieri, The Four Freshmen and The Platters. He also has performed at private parties for Helen Reddy and Vikki Carr.

Now gearing up for his 20th anniversary as a performer, Slavin is more determined than ever to make his mark beyond San Antonio on the jazz and cabaret circuits in the United States and abroad. He is actively seeking gigs in New York, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, on cruise ships and overseas resorts, and at noted American and European jazz festivals.

"When it comes to crooning in the classic jazz/pop style, Ken Slavin has no peers." -- JIM BEAL, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS.

I'll Take Romance

---

Betty Yuzu - Old-Time Cafe

Size: 70,8 MB
Time: 29:55
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Bei Mir Bistu Shein (2:51)
02. More (2:39)
03. Exactly Like You (2:31)
04. Time Heals Everything (3:17)
05. Baubles, Bangles And Beads (2:42)
06. It's A Sin To Tell A Lie (2:42)
07. Mean To Me (2:41)
08. Once In A While (3:39)
09. New York State Of Mind (4:45)
10. Blue Prelude (2:05)

Betty Yuzu sings old standard jazz songs she loves.

Old-Time Cafe

---

Sylvia Bennett - Songs From The Heart

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:35
Size: 99,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:03)  1. Embraceable You
(2:46)  2. They Can't Take That Away From Me
(4:53)  3. My Funny Valentine
(3:29)  4. Since I Fell For You
(4:06)  5. Someone To Watch Over Me
(2:48)  6. Ain't Misbehavin'
(3:32)  7. Here's That Rainy Day
(3:55)  8. I Still Love You
(4:27)  9. When Sunny Gets Blue
(2:48) 10. You Make Me Feel So Young
(4:21) 11. How Long Has This Been Going On
(3:21) 12. As Time Goes By

The best comment that one could make regarding Sylvia Bennett's Songs From The Heart is that the singer's presentation of a dozen pretty well-worn tunes from The Great American Songbook is pretty good. Her bright and well-enunciated versions of such time-respected fare as Rodgers and Hart's "My Funny Valentine," Gershwin's "Someone to Watch Over Me" and Razaf/Waller's "Ain't Misbehavin'" are almost enough to reawaken interest in these veteran love songs. Only on "I Still Love You," a ballad contributed by producer Hal S. Batt, does the album produce a fresh and unknown song. A secondary motif, the presence of what is billed as "The Three Tenors" tenor saxophonists Boots Randolph, Kirk Whalum and Ed Calle feels like a gimmick. None of these musicians are particularly well-regarded as having any connection with playing in support of jazz vocalists and their participation here seems somewhat superfluous. 

Of the three, Randolph is the most traditional, with an obvious ability to 'play pretty for the people.' Long hailed as a honking saxophonist whose popularity during earlier decades surged with his Top 10 hit "Yakety Sax," Randolph recorded, in an unusual pairing, an album with altoist Richie Cole. Here, however, Randolph's style is closest to that of Coleman Hawkins' restrained and melodic sense and is best heard on Gershwin's "Embraceable You," Burke/Van Heusen's "Here's That Rainy Day" and the album closer from Herman Hupfield, "As Time Goes By." Randolph passed away in July, 2007 and never got to hear the finished album. Kirk Whalum, one of the mainstays of smooth jazz, hails from Memphis and has a soulful presence on his many recordings. While he has experience with studio and film work, his métier has been solo albums in the Contemporary Jazz sub-genre or backing other artists in that field. There is certainly nothing inappropriate in his provision of tenor sax solos and fills on such tunes as Gershwin's "They Can't Take That Away From Me" and an up-tempo bounce on Gordon/Myrow's "You Make Me Feel So Young," but his delivery is less personable than that of Randolph. The third tenor sax belongs to Ed Calle, long an exponent of the Miami music scene. 

He has vast experience working with a number of celebrities and first found popularity with the earlier recordings of Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine. Calle is given five featured tracks on the album and, although pleasant enough, lacks the jazz feel of Randolph on this date. Songs From The Heart is a well-intentioned album, but one that relies too heavily on safety nets. ~ Michael P.Gladstone  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=29978#.UuKP5LRpQ2w

Personnel: Sylvia Bennett: vocals; Brian Murphy: piano; Chuck Bergeron: bass; Frank Derrick: drums; Hal S.Batt: guitar; Sammy Figueroa: percussion; Boots Randolph: tenor sax (1, 4, 7, 12); Kirk Whalum: tenor sax (2, 4, 5, 10); Ed Calle: tenor sax (3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11).

Songs From The Heart

---

Lisa Stansfield - Seven (Special Edition)

Styles: Vocal Pop
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:14
Size: 132,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:14)  1. Can't Dance
(3:08)  2. Why
(4:07)  3. So Be It
(3:51)  4. Stupid Heart
(3:40)  5. The Crown
(3:57)  6. Picket Fence
(3:53)  7. The Rain
(4:22)  8. Conversation
(4:07)  9. Carry On
(3:42) 10. Love Can
(4:22) 11. You Can't Deny It (24/7) [Bonus Track]
(4:03) 12. Set Your Loving Free (Live in Manchester)
(4:56) 13. Time to Make You Mine (Live in Manchester)
(4:46) 14. Someday (Live in Manchester)

Lisa Stanfield’s career has spanned over 3 decades, boasting sales of nearly 20 million records and a string of international top 10 hits including: Around The World, Change, All Woman and Someday. The aptly named album Seven is Lisa’s 7th studio release and promises to galvanise her fan base old and new. The Grammy nominated, multi BRIT, Ivor Novello and Silver Clef Award winner has returned to the studio to record along with long-time songwriting partner Ian Devaney, whose credits include The Bodyguard and Indecent Proposal soundtracks. Seven which has been produced and written in the UK by Lisa Stansfield and husband Ian Devaney features tracks such as: Can’t Dance, The Rain, Stupid Heart, Conversation, The Crown, Strong, So Be It and Picket Fence Recorded in both Los Angeles and Manchester, Stansfield has collaborated with John "JR" Robinson, known as the most recorded drummer in history and Grammy award winning orchestrator Jerry Hey, both integral to the creation of Michael Jackson’s “Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad” and have worked with Lisa for over two decades. Following her critically acclaimed return to live performance in 2013– The Times said “Lisa still has the most distinctive and sensuous voice in soul pop” Seven marks Lisa’s return to the international stage and confirms her status as one of the UK’s premier recording artists. The Deluxe Edition contains extra bonus audio tracks.   http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seven-Lisa-Stansfield/dp/B00ENMZW04

Seven (Special Edition)

---

Biréli Lagrène and Sylvain Luc - Summertime

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:53
Size: 135,5 MB
Art: Front

(6:02)  1. Summertime
(4:09)  2. So What
(3:52)  3. On The Fourth Of July
(6:19)  4. Spain
(3:51)  5. My One And Only Love
(6:39)  6. Wave
(5:00)  7. All The Things You are
(2:41)  8. Got A Match
(7:14)  9. Can t Take My Eyes Off You
(6:27) 10. On Green Dolphin Street
(0:46) 11. Interlude
(4:46) 12. Someday My Prince Will Come

Guitar duets should all be precious as this one from Bireli Lagrene and Sylvain Luc, as they mutually share musical thoughts, feelings, and honest emotions via a stack of familiar jazz standards. As equally talented players whose virtuosity is not staggeringly overwhelming, these two present a good deal of symmetry and balance, neither dominating the other. Unless you are personally familiar with the stylistic differences of the gypsy driven Lagrene or more contemporary Luc, it's likely their pure sound rather than technique sets them apart. Luc plays Godin guitar, while Lagrene prefers a Barault model, both relatively unamplified or processed, lending to the organic feel of these standards everybody knows. A resonant and languid version of "Summertime" is quite differently rendered in ringing. solemn, patient tones, with no worries or rushed-through cadences, but a bit of speedy soloing. The quick counterpoint and unison playing during "So What" lend toward mixed messages, but within a straight bop framework. 

Chick Corea's "Spain" and "Got a Match" give the two a chance to show off a bit, not so much on the former icon of contemporary repertoire as much as the latter track, which lets them charge ahead full steam in flurries of sixteenth and thirty-second notes. Steady tunes such as "Wave," "My One & Only Love," and "Someday My Prince Will Come" are more liquid and flowing, while the popping, crackling chords setting up "On Green Dolphin Street" and the percussive improv "Interlude" proved stellar examples of Lagrene and Luc's brilliance. Two pop tunes are included a gypsy bop take of James Taylor's "On the Fourth of July," and the old Four Seasons hit "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" in a tango mode. Overall, this is a solid recording that should please fans of these two great musicians, not a stunning or risk-free effort, but somewhere satisfyingly in the middle. 

~ Michael G.Nastos   http://www.allmusic.com/album/summertime-mw0000815899

Summertime

---