Amy Black - This Is Home

Size: 128,3 MB
Time: 54:32
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Americana, Country, Folk
Label: Reuben Records
Art: Front

01. Nobody Knows You (4:06)
02. I'm Home (4:20)
03. Old Hurt (3:34)
04. Alabama (3:45)
05. Make Me An Angel (5:11)
06. These Walls Are Falling Down (3:19)
07. Layin' It Down (3:40)
08. Hello (3:44)
09. Stronger (3:27)
10. Speed Of The Sound Of Lonliness (4:13)
11. We Had A Life (4:09)
12. Cat's In The Kitchen (2:53)
13. Still Learning How To Fly (4:29)
14. Gospel Ship (3:37)

Amy Black's voice comes alive here, there is a strength there that is growing with each release, and with this one she has truly stretched and given it full reign. Along with her voice becoming even more expressive on this disc she has eleven equally strong original songs and two covers, plus one hidden track. To give these songs and her voice the backing they should have she has enlisted a plethora of top shelf musicians. To give an idea of the caliber of the musicians she has accompanying her here the names include Will Kimbrough, electric guitars, Oliver Wood, electric guitars, and Lex Price, who doubles on electric and acoustic bass, tenor guitar, and Producer, as well as a number of others.

This disc is a full look at the scope of home and what it means, and especially what it means when you fully realize where your roots gained their strength. This Is Home shows the full range of emotion that is universal to growing up when remembering the good, the difficult, the hopes, and the hardships and setbacks we all went through in one form or another. There is no sugar coating here, it is the whole of the experience. These songs show a huge leap from her first disc, One Time, which was thought to be a strong debut.

This disc gives us a glimpse into the life of the blooming and unfolding singer. She shows signs of pushing the envelop further and stronger. This disc is very good, and it seems to be the beginning of a wonderful recording career. You will be hearing far more from this young woman. ~Review by Bob Gottlieb

This Is Home

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Suzi Stern - Romancing The Dark

Size: 104,4 MB
Time: 44:50
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Jazz Vocals, Folk
Art: Front

01. Firefly (5:06)
02. Romancing The Dark (4:08)
03. Sounds Are Louder In The Dark (4:32)
04. Hymn (2:38)
05. Air (3:43)
06. Tango For Tina (5:00)
07. Sleepwalking Girl (3:51)
08. Deeper Quiet (3:33)
09. Moth (2:10)
10. Haunted Heart (4:50)
11. Snow Explorers (5:13)

Although usually associated with the Austin jazz community, Suzi Stern transcends the limitations of genre with this subtly compelling, quietly evocative collection of original compositions and imaginative arrangements that prove to be her most ambitious project to date. Stern surrounds herself with a cast of local virtuosos, most notably her pianist and musical partner George Oldziey. A tasteful combination of instruments, Oldziey's accordion and James Anderson's violin for instance, layer the sound to evoke a European cabaret vibe on "Air" and "Tango for Tina," with a splash of klezmer on the title track in John Mills' clarinet. Trumpeter Mike Sailors blows quite effective on "Deeper Quiet," an ethereal tune on which Stern's jazz sensibilities serve her well. This is a mature, contemplative album that requires intimate listening, and while Stern's vocals admirably carry the program, its within the limited range permitted by these delicate tunes. ~Review by Jay Trachtenberg

Romancing The Dark

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Paul Millns - Undercover

Size: 124,6 MB
Time: 53:35
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2007
Styles: Vocal Pop/Rock, Blues
Art: Front

01. History Of A Kiss (3:52)
02. Undercover Man (4:07)
03. One Rainy Sunday (4:36)
04. Dust Off That Old Pianoforte (3:49)
05. No Donkey Ride (5:24)
06. So Long Sleepyhead (3:19)
07. Back In Your Mainstream (4:47)
08. Golden Boy (3:11)
09. Shallow Man (3:45)
10. Singles Night (5:02)
11. Stuck In A Bar (4:06)
12. Hang My Heart Out On The Line (3:45)
13. The Waiting Game (3:47)

An album of all new compositions also recorded in Ingo Rau’s Amps Factory Studio in Freiburg Germany. It features Nick Pentelow on saxophones, Ingo on upright bass, Vladi Kempf on drums, Steven Bailey on acoustic guitar, Butch Coulter on harmonica, and Daniela Dieterich on violin.

It’s amazing sometimes what a discrepancy there is between alleged fame and respect received: This Norfolk-born singer-songwriter had not been granted a hit so far. And yet, his career contains some impressive chapters: Countless stars made good use of the creativity and skill of this keyboard virtuoso, like Alex Korner, Eric Burdon, David Crosby, Ralph McTell and John Martyn. The songwriter, who lives in London, is also very active on his own. He has released a total of 14 albums and is no doubt well-remembered by the German public for his appearance in “Rockpalast”. His new release, “Undercover”, demonstrates the uniqueness of his graceful songs, a mixture of animated ballads, swingy piano tunes and timelessly beautiful songs that shuttle between soul, R&B and songwriter pop. “Undercover”, which features the support of excellent musicians, shows Millns in top form.

Undercover

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Tamuz Nissim - The Music Stays In A Dream

Size: 117,4 MB
Time: 50:23
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. The Music Stays In A Dream (4:59)
02. Golden Earrings (7:33)
03. Shir (3:48)
04. Together (4:48)
05. By The Window (5:35)
06. Waltz For Winter (6:12)
07. Broken Promises (4:33)
08. Stretching The Blues (4:03)
09. Days Are Passing Slowly (5:23)
10. Part Of The Game (3:24)

After years of practicing, composing, and performing in Israel and Europe, Israeli singer Tamuz Nissim has now proven with her debut album that Jazz stars are still being born and are shining brighter than ever! With the assistance of acclaimed and talented musicians (Giorgos Nazos on the guitar, Francesca Tandoi on the piano, Vasilis Stefanopoulos on the double bass and George Polyhronakos on the drums) Tamuz has managed to express melodically her deep and rich feelings. Her voice can only be described as sensational. This is an album of true art, one that will accompany you over and over again in musical journeys of timelessness and imagination.

The Music Stays In A Dream

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Arlee Leonard - Wild Honey

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2000
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:47
Size: 153,0 MB
Art: Front

(6:10)  1. Doin' My Thang
(6:11)  2. Rose's Song (Ready for Love)
(6:31)  3. Token's of Appreciation
(6:09)  4. Inside of You
(6:52)  5. Sistas Blues (Blue Is What I Am)
(5:36)  6. Cry Me A River
(5:07)  7. Crescent City Serenade
(4:34)  8. On A Clear Day
(5:18)  9. I'm Beginning To See The Light
(5:09) 10. Dindi
(4:31) 11. The Ride
(4:34) 12. Sugar

“Arlee Leonard has written some impressive originals, and her voice crackles with life. Deep and woody, she's sensual at the same time that she's playful...Arlee has many talents, and is not afraid to use them.” ~ Jazz Improv

The versatile Arlee Leonard began performing at age six in coffee houses in Detroit with her parents, blues/folk icons David & Roselyn. In 1991, her multi-racial family toured Germany, France, Holland and Switzerland, and she’s sung with them, led her own groups, and been a guest vocalist for a variety of occasions and events around the world since. Ms. Leonard, raised in California, Michigan and New Orleans, studied and performed in music, theater and dance at Santa Monica High School and the University of California Santa Cruz, while earning a B.A. in Sociology, with honors.

Ms. Leonard can swing standards, wail blues, caress ballads, harmonize with a classical harpist, scat a samba, belt gospel, and get funky in a groove, bringing a joie de vivre and well-honed expertise to any stage she’s on. With her 4- octave range and strong command of the classic elements of jazz vocalizing, Arlee's multifaceted singing style is complimented by her joyfully engaging stage presence and graceful moves. She is also a gifted lyricist, songwriter, and poet. Alee travels the world singing, receiving praise from critics and audiences alike for her debut CD “Wild Honey” and her dynamic live performances. Ms. Leonard has headlined in Singapore, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, South Africa, Thailand, France, China, The Philippines, Japan, Dubai, Taiwan, Spain, Canada, Guatemala, and across the USA. In 2011, Arlee traveled to Russia three times and Ukraine, performing in jazz clubs, concerts halls, and with a big band. In August she was a semi-finalist in the MetroSTAR competition in New York. She performed at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in May with her parents’ group Mo’Lasses, and continues a standing engagement in Stamford, CT. 2010 also began with a return to Russia, and Arlee’s first appearances in Belarus and Ukraine. She performed for the Great Women In Music Festival Oct. 2010 in NYC, and had a fall tour in California. 2009 performances included the Jazz Province Festival (Russian Tour), Standard Bank Joy of Jazz Festival (Johannesburg, SA), Satchmo Summerfest and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (New Orleans), Women in Jazz Festival 2009 (NYC), and concerts in France with Moussu  Et Le Jovents for a project honoring the writer Claude McKay entitled “ZOU, Shake That Thing!” (Marseille, France). One highlight from 2008 was a headlining performance at The French Quarter Festival (New Orleans). Arlee’s self produced debut CD “Wild Honey” (SolaJazz Records, 2000) includes seven originals and distinctive arrangements of five classics. Ms. Leonard assembled some of New York’s finest for the recording, including Don Braden, Marcus Printup, Eric Lewis, Freddie Bryant, Dwayne Burno, Dwayne Broadnax, and Danny Sadownick. She has recorded for many others, including Fall '07 releases by New Orleans' trumpeter Shamarr Allen with clarinetist Dr. Michael White, and with The Campbell Brothers.

When home in New York and New Orleans, Arlee has graced the stage at renowned jazz venues including Snug Harbor, Bombay Club and Sweet Lorraine's (New Orleans), and Sweet Rhythm, Birdland, Lenox Lounge, Blue Note and BAMCafe (New York). Arlee has sung for the International Association of Jazz Education (IAJE) conference, the JVC Jazz Festival, and several International Women In Jazz (IWJ) concerts. In addition to concert, Ms. Leonard sings and hosts for corporate and private functions, churches, fundraisers, film events, universities and more. Arlee has performed as an actress and dancer, for live radio and television, and is a certified Music Together® teacher. For several years she was the Secretary to the Board of Directors of IWJ, and has been a member of IAJE, the Jazz Foundation of America, the Jazz Vocal Coalition, and Jazz Alliance International. Arlee is an ASCAP writer and publisher. As an artist and as a person, Arlee is always reaching for her higher ground. When she shines, you will smile! http://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/musician.php?id=14258#.Uvqtq4W2yNA

Wild Honey

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Carol Kidd - The Very Best of Carol Kidd (CD1) And (CD2)

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:40 (CD 1)
Size: 151,1 MB (CD 1)
Time: 60:10 (CD 2)
Size: 138,5 MB (CD 2)
Art: Front + Back

CD 1

(3:33)  1. I got plenty of nuthin
(4:48)  2. Geogia on my mind
(2:55)  3. Sing for your supper
(3:52)  4. Then I'll be tired of you
(2:28)  5. I wish I'd met you
(3:28)  6. I'm shadowing you
(2:13)  7. Haven't we met
(5:22)  8. The night we called it a day
(4:37)  9. Autumn in new york/My funny valentine
(2:29) 10. You're cheating yourself
(4:16) 11. Where or when
(3:46) 12. How little we know
(2:15) 13. We'll be together again
(3:57) 14. Don't worry about me
(2:41) 15. Never let me go
(2:18) 16. I'll take romance
(3:40) 17. Lean baby
(4:38) 18. Don't take your love from me
(2:17) 19. Nice work if you can get it

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CD 2

(2:08)  1. New York on Sunday
(4:34)  2. When I dream
(2:26)  3. Sometimes (not often)
(2:20)  4. I'm all smiles
(3:01)  5. Bad, Bad Leroy Brown
(3:28)  6. Ain't necessarily so
(2:20)  7. I could have told you so
(4:02)  8. I'm a fool to want you
(1:49)  9. Starting tomorrow
(3:29) 10. I'll guess I'll have to change my plan
(3:06) 11. I fall in love too easily
(3:01) 12. Round Midnight
(2:35) 13. It isn't so bad
(3:51) 14. Don't go to strangers
(4:21) 15. Where are you
(3:21) 16. The more I see you / I've grown accustomed to your face
(3:33) 17. Trouble is a man
(1:38) 18. Bidin' my time
(2:57) 19. Dat dere
(2:01) 20. Please don't talk about me when I'm gone

This album is a composite of tracks from Carol Kidd’s previous albums Crazy for Gershwin, I’m Glad we Met, Nice Work, Debut, All My Tomorrows and The Night We Called it a Day. The backings vary from solo guitar, solo piano, jazz trio, medium sized jazz combo to orchestra with strings.

Carol Kidd is one of the finest female vocalists I have ever heard, of those who are still living, she may well be the best. She has perfect relative pitch, perfect diction and the ability to tell a story with every song she sings. She also has a natural ability to swing and to sound good in any setting. It is amazing that such a fine singer is so undervalued in the UK, when did you last see her on television or hear her records on BBC radio. This compilation by LINN records from their earlier releases is a delight, from the lists above it is easy to see that this is a first class selection of songs. Her artistry is exemplified by the fact that I enjoyed the songs that were unknown to me as much as the familiar ones at a first hearing. It normally takes a couple of hearings for me to get into a new song, but not when the singer is Carol Kidd. 

This album is pure quality all the way, since I received it, it has been constantly on my CD player. It is most unusual to find an album where every track is superb, it rarely happens to me anyway, but this one is the exception. Not only are all the vocals of equal quality, but the various backings are equally good through out. Having heard Carol live on a few occasions, I can tell you that like Ella & Sarah before her, her performance before a live audience is even better.~ Ron Mather   http://www.musicweb-international.com/jazz/2005/Carol_Kidd_very_best.htm

 

The Very Best of Carol Kidd (CD1)
 

The Very Best Of Carol Kidd (CD2)

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Beegie Adair - Quiet Romance

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:01
Size: 100,4 MB
Art: Front

(3:14)  1. A Time For Love
(3:19)  2. When I Fall In Love
(3:05)  3. I'm Confessin'
(3:32)  4. For All We Know
(4:04)  5. Tenderly
(4:21)  6. Body And Soul
(3:41)  7. It Had To Be You
(3:33)  8. My Foolish Heart
(3:53)  9. That Old Feeling
(3:17) 10. A Kiss To Build A Dream On
(3:11) 11. The More I See You
(3:47) 12. We'll Be Together Again

Born in Cave City, Kentucky, a small farming community of 1,400 residents, Beegie Adair (say B-G) grew up avidly listening to music. At age four she started the "two-finger-hunt-and-peck" system on the piano, but began actual lessons when she was five and continued studying piano through college at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education. During college, she played jazz professionally every weekend. She taught music to children in the Kentucky school system for three years, but spent her summers working in Nashville. The first summer she joined the Hank Garland Quartet, "and my education continued. 

Hank was a jazz guitarist that many other guitarists looked up to," Beegie comments. Arriving in Nashville during the heyday of Country music allowed her the opportunity to accompany such legendary performers as Chet Atkins, Johnny Cash, and Dolly Parton. Because Nashville was a hot bed of musical television tapings and live performances during that time, Adair also worked with such entertainers as Neil Diamond, Mama Cass Elliott, and Peggy Lee in her position as in-house pianist for The Johnny Cash Show for ABC-TV plus other television programs featuring Lucille Ball, Carol Burnette, and Dinah Shore. She currently records exclusively for the Village Square label, (www.villagesquare.com), and performs around the country with her trio as well as a weekly gig in Nashville at F. Scott's lounge. ~ Editorial Reviews   

http://www.amazon.com/Quiet-Romance-Beegie-Adair/dp/B000E117K2

Quiet Romance

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