Sweet Baby J'ai - The Art Of Blue

Size: 137,7 MB
Time: 59:11
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1997
Styles: Blues Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. There Was A Time (4:52)
02. Soldiers Of Love (4:13)
03. Carmen's Blues (4:22)
04. Left Alone (5:45)
05. Stop The Word (5:29)
06. Neighbor, Neighbor (4:06)
07. Hop On The Pony (2:55)
08. Willow Weep For Me (4:56)
09. I Don't Want The Neighbors To Know (6:30)
10. Louisiana Stomp (4:33)
11. Don't Touch Me (5:41)
12. The Art Of Blue (5:41)

Elisa Kermody says... Yes, Sweet Baby J ai plays the washboard,and occasionally the spoons. But this ain t no backyard hoedown. With an amazing voice fresh and classic this woman could be a diva. She performs with known jazz talents, including pianist NateMorgan, bassist Nedra Wheeler, drummer Fritz Wise and saxophonist Louis Taylor Jr. She writes many of the songs she performs, a talent she s honed since writing her first blues song at 5. On her new album, The Art of Blue, she also acts as producer, composer and arranger. And she turns the washboard into a jazzboard, adding rhythmic accents and even solos using spoons, sticks and brushes, depending on the mood of the song. Beyond entertaining, Sweet baby J ai also informs, giving lessons in musical geography and history, as she takes you from LA to Kansas City to Texas to Louisiana, and tips her hat to jazz legends like Billie Holiday, Ray Charles and Carmen McRae ( Carmen s Blues ) sounds like a familiar jazz stand while at the same time contemporary). Sweet Baby J ai grooves, and her infectious personality and realness come through as she shares her love of jazz and blues in all its forms: It s all good; it s the art of blue. OC Weekly --The Weekly

"gumbo" probably would have been a more appropriate album title, because all the author: Steve Fullwood What do you do with a sister who possesses a voice of honey, an ear for the blues and jazz, and can play a washboard like nobody's business? You drop everything and run out to purchase her music, of course! (Wait. Finish this review first!) I'm referring to the one and only Sweet Baby J'ai, and the CD is The Art of Blue. Now run out and get it! (Need to know more? Read on.) The Art of Blue is exquisite, and by using such an overused word, I am bound to explain. Exquisite in that traditional blues and jazz seamlessly blend into a sound uniquely J'ai's. On the sublime, "I Don't Want the Neighbors to Know" she carefully drips her voice onto the sparse, silky muscular arrangements, and your ears eagerly lick it up. If that wasn't enough, she has the nerve to follow it up with "Louisiana Stomp," a down home romp through Cajun country that'll leave you longing for a nice bowl of gumbo! In fact, "gumbo" probably would have been a more appropriate album title, because all the songs make for one mesmerizing treat. She honors the legendary Carmen McCrae on "Carmen's Blues," explaining that it was McRae who taught her the value of precise pronunciation. Other notable cuts, many of them J'ai originals, include the charming "There Was a Time," the heartfelt "Soldiers of Love," and the raunchy "Hop on the Pony." End of story, now go, get outta here and buy it! --Music Connection Magazine

Los Angeles Times "....swinging...powerful...and haunting." New Times "...her voice is part cream, part honey and all soul..." Jazz Now "...extraordinary!" --The Times

Featuring some of the finest musicians on the scene today, with a special guest performance by renowned trumpeter, Oscar Brashear, her debut release, The Art Of Blue is a wonderful collection of jazz, blues and spoken word. Composer/producer Sweet Baby J'ai, serves up a multi-hued palette of songs that highlight her warm, velvety tones; sometimes fun and often thought-provoking lyrics. According to Scott Yanow, Editor of the All Music Guide to Jazz, "Every selection on the set is memorable in its own way and several have the potential of becoming future standards." Oscar Brashear - trumpet Nate Morgan - piano Bill Cunliffe - piano Wayne Peet - piano Trey Henry - bass Nedra Wheeler - bass Reggie Hamilton - bass Greg Brown - drums Jerry Brown - drums Mike O'Neill - guitar Louis Taylor, Jr. saxophone Ann King - trumpet

The Art Of Blue

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Lionel Cole & The Family Business - Chicagoland

Size: 112,2 MB
Time: 48:17
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. All Of Me (2:13)
02. Lullaby Of Broadway (3:39)
03. The Late Late Show (2:23)
04. In A Sentimental Mood (3:03)
05. The Blues Don't Care (2:09)
06. Save Some Time For Me (4:11)
07. Steal Away (4:51)
08. My Lady (4:11)
09. Let's Do It (4:46)
10. Smile Again (5:29)
11. The Golden Hour (5:55)
12. Cool Blue Mountain Stream (5:22)

The year is 1994 I run a small Music jingle company with a few of my Frat brothers from Northwestern. I have started to carve my own little corner of the all powerful Cole Business. All my fathers brothers and my father are board members (Eddie, Ike, Nat, & Freddy) my cousin Natalie is the Ceo. After years of sending tunes to Babylon (Los Angeles) I get approached by a publisher...to do some tunes that Nat recorded that were not soooo famous. Since this involved players and arrangements, me and my crew decided to add some original tunes (since that is my niche) and make an album of it. 4 Years later Nat's record company suggests a trip to New Orleans to do my Hot buttered Soul Thing for the first time at the source. What you have in your hands is that project. It features The Itty Bitty Big Band from Chicago (with folks like Greg Rockingham on drums , John Harkins on Piano, Jerry Byrd on Guitar, Tom Hubbard on Bass, and Steve Cole on Sax to name a few) doing Arrangements by ed harris, Charles Harrison, III , and me Lionel Cole. The Dirty South Band features Brand New Heavy's mastermind Brady Blade and recording guru Mark Bingham who help Steal Away a Ruff and ready crew of Cajun Superstars that add the deep fried funk to the Golden Hour. Enjoy:)

Chicagoland

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Kate McGarry & Keith Ganz - Genevieve & Ferdinand: Live

Size: 113,9 MB
Time: 49:25
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Full

01. American Tune (3:24)
02. Ten Little Indians (5:14)
03. Aquelas Coisas Todas / Third Wind / Aqui O (6:12)
04. Can't Help Loving That Man (4:33)
05. Plea For A Good Night's Rest (4:48)
06. Line 'em Up (5:24)
07. Mr. Long Gones (2:35)
08. Let's Face The Music And Dance (5:30)
09. Pretending To Care (5:00)
10. Smile (2:06)
11. Beneath A Crozet Trestle Bridge (4:36)

There is no greater beacon of sincerity, honesty and emotional purity than Kate McGarry. She's proven it time and again, whether singing standards, modern day favorites, originals or obscurities, and she does so once more on Genevieve & Ferdinand.

In some ways this album marks a new beginning for McGarry; it's her first live album, first duo recording, and first release on the Sunnyside imprint. All of that might lead people to believe that McGarry's starting with a blank slate here, but nothing could be further from the truth. She actually capitalizes on her own history and an affinity for intimacy during this beautiful and bewitching album. She weaves her way through eleven songs that reference her previous recordings ("Aquelas Coisas Todas," "Aqui O" and "Let's Face The Music And Dance"), her back story ("Ten Little Indians") and the spirit of the American singer-songwriter breed.

As the album unfolds, McGarry's voice is the obvious focal point. Her heartfelt delivery on Paul Simon's "American Tune" and her own "Ten Little Indians" reinforce her reputation as one who sings from the heart. In that respect, nothing changes as the album continues, but the ear's perspective is altered after those first two songs. The chemistry that exists between McGarry and her most trusted ally— guitarist/husband Keith Ganz—becomes readily apparent during "Aquelas Coisas Todas/Third Wind/Aqui O," and it's hard not to notice it after that point. Ganz brings an understated sophistication to every track on the album and he proves to be a master tailor of moods, making the perfect outfits to drape around McGarry.

Together, McGarry and Ganz—a.k.a Genevieve and Ferdinand—wind their way through an eclectic playlist that's charming as can be. They shine a light on underexposed songwriters like Paul Curreri ("Beneath A Crozet Trestle Bridge") and Devon Sproule ("Plea For A Good Night's Rest"), reimagine the work of James Taylor ("Line 'Em Up"), and deliver a haunting and powerful rendition of an Irving Berlin classic ("Let's Face The Music And Dance"). Two other singular vocal talents— Gian Slater and Theo Bleckmann—join up for a slow and enchanted take on Todd Rundgren's "Pretending To Care," but everything else remains a tale of two artists.

Genevieve & Ferdinand doesn't contain bold proclamations or daring musical acts, but it's filled with some of the most genuine music that anybody is likely to ever hear. That's the gift that McGarry and Ganz give, and it's a gift that keeps giving more with each listen. ~Review by Dan Bilawsky

Personnel: Kate McGarry: vocals; Keith Ganz: guitar; Theo Bleckmann: vocals (9); Gian Slater: vocals (9).

Genevieve & Ferdinand

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Madeline Eastman - A Quiet Thing

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:03
Size: 135,2 MB
Art: Front

(5:33)  1. Alfie
(4:45)  2. Pick Yourself Up
(3:36)  3. Sea Journey
(5:44)  4. Spring Can Really Hang You Up
(4:35)  5. A Face Like Yours
(3:29)  6. I Remember
(2:46)  7. The Bad And Beautiful
(3:53)  8. All Of Us In It
(6:17)  9. I Never Meant To Hurt You
(3:50) 10. You Are All I Need
(5:08) 11. It's A Quiet Thing
(3:54) 12. I Think It's Going To Rain Today
(3:31) 13. With One More Look At You
(1:57) 14. God Only Knows

The beauty of vocalist Madeline Eastman is that she is an undaunted improviser who remains conservative in her improvising. In this context, the word conservative harbors no negative connotations. Eastman has an abiding respect for the melody that is reflected in her thoughtful interpretations of the fourteen ballads making up A Quiet Thing. The piano-voice format also reflects this careful conservative approach to the material.  The repertoire for this recording is what is truly provocative. Reading the subtitle, A Collection of Ballads, brings to mind any number of assemblies of tired standards belonging in writer Scott Yanow's "Songs That Should Be Avoided," from his book The Jazz Singers: The Ultimate Guide (Backbeat, 2008). But Eastman completely sidesteps the issue by choosing ballads off the beaten path. "Alfie," "Pick Yourself Up" and "Spring Can Really Hang You Up" are what pass for well-worn standards, and all are treated impeccably by Eastman and pianist Randy Porter, both of whom deliver tastefully and with grace. Eastman's voice is beautifully well-balanced, confident and in control. Porter's pianism is understated and subtle, even in his solos. Both artists shine on a well-considered cover of Randy Newman's "I Think It's Going to Rain Today." In the duo's voice and hands, Newman's piece takes on a firm pastoral grace. Brian Wilson's "God Only Knows" closes the disc in an abbreviate performance where Eastman shows the song's brilliant melody, slowed down and not over-sung. Sweet are the fruits of this collaboration, rewarding in every way. ~ C.Michael Bailey  

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=43745#.UvLVe7SGeNA

Personnel: Madeline Eastman: vocals; Randy Porter: piano.

A Quiet Thing

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Salena Jones - Let's Fall in Love

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:34
Size: 126,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:23)  1. How Do You Keep The Music Playing?
(3:33)  2. Smile
(3:28)  3. Let's Fall In Love
(5:18)  4. Why Did I Choose You?
(3:04)  5. The Days Of Wine And Roses
(4:42)  6. If You Go Away
(3:02)  7. Eternally
(4:08)  8. The Summer Knows
(3:13)  9. I've Got The World On A String
(3:35) 10. Charade
(4:13) 11. Don't Worry 'Bout Me
(3:27) 12. All Or Nothing At All
(4:04) 13. If I Should See You Again
(3:18) 14. Now That Its Ended

She was born Joan Elizabeth Shaw in Newport News, Virginia, the same home town as Ella Fitzgerald. Jones said, "I loved Sarah Vaughan so much and adored Lena Horne's elegance; I put them together as ‘Salena.’ It looked good. And I kept Joan in ‘Jones.’” And that's how Salena Jones was born."

Jones began singing in church, school and began club work at the age of fifteen. After winning a talent contest in New York's Apollo Theater, singing "September Song". She began making demonstration records for Peggy Lee and Lena Horne, acquired her own contract. Her first disc was 1949's "He Knows How to Hucklebuck", with the Paul Williams Orchestra and she toured and sang throughout the 1950s with Louis Armstrong, Arthur Prysock, Cab Calloway, Duke Ellington and Big Maybelle sharing bills with fellow Newport News natives the The Five Keys as well as LaVern Baker, before touring in Spain (1965) and Britain (1966), where she appeared for an extended season at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club. Since then she has appeared at most leading concert halls and clubs in Europe, Africa, South America and Asia, and appeared regularly on radio and TV, with her own series in the United Kingdom. Since visiting Japan for the first time (1978) she appeared there annually, memorably in the Unesco Save The Children Telethon (1988),  and on a concert tour with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (1992).  In 1964, Down Beat jazz critic Leonard Feather chose Salena Jones as one of the female vocalists of the year, alongside Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald and Nancy Wilson. Salena has also appeared throughout Britain, France, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, Turkey, Austria and Bulgaria. 

She has also made numerous television and radio broadcasts in Britain, and throughout Europe, often supported by the BBC Big Band. Also performed in Australia, Africa, South America, China, Canada, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand and Japan. Since her first visit to Japan in 1978 she has returned at least annually, appearing in concert halls, on television, radio and regularly at the Blue Note Jazz Clubs in Tokyo, Osaka and Fukuoka. In her career to date Salena has recorded over forty albums, covering nearly five hundred songs, and sold over 500,000 albums worldwide and her album entitled "My Love" recorded in Tokyo won her an award in Japan for outstanding sales.  Salena's musical biography includes many distinguished musicians, band leaders and other artists with whom she has performed or recorded. These include such performers as her long-time producer and husband Keith Mansfield, King Curtis, Herman Foster, Arthur Prysock, Tom Jones, The Coasters, Count Basie Orchestra, Adelaide Hall, Art Farmer, Brook Benton, Barney Kessel, Art Themen, Sarah Vaughan, Hank Jones, Maynard Ferguson, Dudley Moore. . . . and many more.

In Rio de Janeiro not long before Antonio Carlos Jobim's death she recorded Salena Sings Jobim With The Jobims (1994) (licensed from Japanese Victor by Vine Gate Music UK), Jobim's hits sung in English, with Paulo Jobim on vocals, flute and guitar, grandson Daniel Cannetti Jobim on piano and the composer himself on two duets, Kenny Burrell on one track: 14 Jobim songs plus Michael Franks's tributes "Antonio's Song (The Rain- bow)" and "Abandoned Garden", and including two duos with Antonio Carlos "Tom" Jobim himself. A beautiful recording and one of her best. In the 1990s Salena made a sequence of six albums all consisting of standards and, incidentally, completed in six weeks, including mixing. Some of these albums, including Dream with Salena, Journey with Salena, Broadway and Hollywood are themed with songs appropriate to the titles. Early 2000 saw Salena starring at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in Idaho, backed by the Hank Jones Quartet including such current luminaries as Russell Malone, Lewis Nash, and also featuring trumpeter Roy Hargrove, singer Dianne Reeves and Freddie Cole. January 2001 saw Salena return to Israel for eight sell-out shows, and she took her trio to Japan in May for two weeks appearing for Cartier, the exclusive jewellers, at their prestigious trade fairs throughout the country. In May 2006, Salena was thrilled to sing again in China opening the Shanghai International Jazz Festival (opened in 2005 by Diana Krall). Salena opened with Lee Ritenour, and Tower of Power. She is now based in the United Kingdom. In Monty Python's The Meaning of Life, Salena is mentioned to have her lyrics written by Schopenhauer. Bio ~ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salena_Jones

Let's Fall in Love

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Dino & Franco Piana Septet - Seven

Styles: Jazz
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 69:10
Size: 158,9 MB
Art: Front

(2:49)  1. Open Dialogues (Suite, I Mov.)
(6:52)  2. Open Dialogues (Suite, II Mov.)
(6:54)  3. Open Dialogues (Suite, III Mov.)
(7:11)  4. Open Dialogues (Suite, IV Mov.)
(4:38)  5. Your Smile
(7:47)  6. Eighty and One
(9:54)  7. Dark Eyes
(8:08)  8. Asimmetrico
(6:41)  9. Sunlight
(8:12) 10. Step By Step

This all-star aggregation features some of the most prominent names on Italy’s modern jazz scene, including trumpeters Enrico Rava and Fabrizio Bosso, drummer Roberto Gatto, superb pianist Enrico Pieranunzi and the father-son team of valve trombonist Dino Piana and his gifted offspring, the trumpeter-composer-arranger Franco Piana. The four-movement Open Dialogues bears the harmonically rich stamp of Gil Evans and includes expressive solos from each of the band members; their collective swing factor is evident on the exhilarating final movement of this impressive 24-minute suite, which includes a bold tenor sax solo from Max Ionata and an adventurous plunger solo from Bosso (who nonchalantly drops in a quote from Monk’s “Nutty” along the way). “Your Smile” is a gorgeous vehicle for Franco’s lyrical flugelhorn playing, and the uptempo burner “Eighty and One” is another swinging showcase with solo-section fireworks. “Asimmetrico” is a tip of the hat to Monk, while the beautiful ballad “Sunlight” has Pieranunzi channeling Bill Evans. Trumpet great Rava appears on one track, the buoyant calypso-flavored closer, “Step by Step.” Classy mainstream jazz at its finest. ~ Bill Milkowski   http://jazztimes.com/articles/54693-seven-dino-franco-piana-septet

Personnel:  Dino Piana – trombone; Franco Piana – flugelhorn; Fabrizio Bosso - trumpet and flugelhorn; Enrico Rava – trumpet ; Max Ionata – sax; Enrico Pieranunzi, Luca Mannutza – piano; Giuseppe Bassi - double bass;  Roberto Gatto - drums

Seven

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Robin Kenyatta - Ghost Stories

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1991
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:16
Size: 106,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:54)  1. Ghost Stories
(2:50)  2. Calypso Girl
(5:02)  3. The Breeze And I
(6:23)  4. My Favorite Things
(4:45)  5. Swinging Regards
(7:03)  6. His Love
(4:50)  7. Blues For Mama Doll
(4:28)  8. Lullaby Of the leaves
(5:58)  9. It's Alright With Me

Born Robert Prince Haynes in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, United States, Kenyatta grew up in New York. He played with Bill Dixon there in the 1960s, playing with his project "The October Revolution in Jazz". Later that decade he played with Jazz Composer's Orchestra, Roswell Rudd, Sonny Stitt, Archie Shepp, and Buddy Miles among others. In the 1970s he played with Alan Silva and Andrew Hill; for a brief time he experimented with instrumental pop music during this decade as well. He moved to Europe during that decade, finding it easier to make a living there as a jazz musician. Later, he played with musicians such as Dizzy Gillespie, B. B. King, Dr. John and George Benson, played the Montreux Jazz Festival, and went with his own groups on a European tour. He also led a jazz school in Lausanne. In 2002, Kenyatta was again back in the United States and active as a director of music in Boston. He died in Lausanne, Switzerland in 2004.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Kenyatta

Ghost Stories

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