Sunday, March 23, 2014

Delbert Bump Jazz Organ Trio - Organ~ization

Size: 151,4 MB
Time: 65:06
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2005
Styles: Jazz: Hammond Organ
Art: Front

01. In The Zone (3:38)
02. Sunny Sun (4:53)
03. Sea Of Trains (6:19)
04. Quiet Intrusion (9:18)
05. Bud Powell (5:02)
06. Funkajun (5:42)
07. Autumn Leaves (9:15)
08. Organ~ization (4:14)
09. 'Round Midnight (6:17)
10. Tally Ho (3:42)
11. Kinda Cool (6:40)

Personnel:
Babatunde - drums
Delbert Bump Jazz Organ Trio - organ
Steve Homan - guitar

Although somewhat obscure, Delbert Bump is a fine organist in the tradition of Jimmy Smith. Organ-Ization music is bluesy and swinging style is soulful and perfectly suited to this set of mostly basic originals. Organ-Ization songs Guitarist Steve Homan offers a contrasting solo voice and some solid rhythm playing while drummer Babtunde keeps the proceedings swinging with solid forward momentum. The music is a bit derivative and perhaps predictable, but it is enjoyable overall and easily recommended to fans of Jimmy Smith and the grooving jazz organists of the 1960s.

Organ~ization

Michael J McEvoy - The Long Way Home

Size: 96,2 MB
Time: 41:30
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz: Contemporary Jazz
Art: Front

01. The Long Way Home (Feat. Gerard Presencer) (5:03)
02. Dreams Dispersed (Feat. Jason Rebello & Ben Castle) (4:53)
03. Silverlink Express (Feat. Nigel Hitchcock) (4:53)
04. The Lamp On The Hill (Feat. Nigel Hitchcock) (3:47)
05. A Lighter Shade Of Blue (5:00)
06. Shadows Of The Truth (Feat. Gerard Presencer) (5:45)
07. Stillness And Being (Feat. Gerard Presencer) (3:49)
08. When I Get My Wings (3:32)
09. Dreams Dispersed - Reunited (Feat. Rafiki Rhymes) (4:45)

Michael is an award-winning composer, orchestrator and multi-instrumentalist. His credits include performing, writing and producing music for film and TV, as well as working with some of the biggest names in pop music.

Drawing on a lifetime s experience of working as sideman to some of the great names of soul jazz and as a composer for film and TV, Michael J McEvoy has finally found his way home to his love of jazz. These two strands to his career have meant he has been able to call upon the services of a stellar cast of UK jazz musicians to play a series of original pieces that spread their wings beyond the normal forms and references found on many jazz releases. The sketches at the root of these compositions have grown in mood and tone, becoming immensely satisfying on the ear whilst retaining a solid groove. It may have been a long way home, but McEvoy has arrived.

Review:
This has got instant appeal. And it s over far too soon. With a melodic 1970s vibe to start with on the title track opener and Gerard Presencer s bluesy horn commentary over a strong rhythm section of pianist McEvoy joined by Empirical bassist Tom Farmer and the Golden trio s James Maddren this is the former musical director of Steve Winwood s time to shine. --Stephen Graham, Marlbank

It s certainly one to put you in the right mood before a big night on the town. --Selwyn Harris, Jazzwise

4 Stars This is an exciting and varied album, the best of British modern jazz, with thanks to the crowd-funding which helped to pay for it. --Ron Burnnett, The York Press

The Long Way Home

Cecile Charbonnel Trio - Comment Allez-vous?

Size: 115,4 MB
Time: 48:58
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2010
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Label: Noa Music
Art: Front

01. Comment Allez-Vous (2:17)
02. It's Such A Little Thing To Weep (3:06)
03. La Belle Vie (4:51)
04. What Now My Love (Et Maintenant) (3:37)
05. Hello (3:50)
06. By The Rivers Of Babylone (3:12)
07. Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me (3:14)
08. Show Must Go On (3:30)
09. La Mer (2:57)
10. Don't Wait Too Long (2:46)
11. I Love Being Here With You (2:16)
12. Ou Es-Tu Passe Mon Saint-Germain Des Pres (3:49)
13. I Saved The World Today (3:26)
14. Deja Vu (2:43)
15. The Dawn (3:18)

Personnel:
Chant : Cécile Charbonnel
Contrebasse : Jean-Michel Charbonnel
Guitare : Jean-Baptiste Gaudray

Comment Allez-vous?

Barb Jungr - Hard Rain: The Songs Of Bob Dylan & Leonard Cohen

Size: 152,1 MB
Time: 65:57
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

01. Blowin' In The Wind (4:25)
02. Everybody Knows (3:53)
03. Who By Fire (3:52)
04. Hard Rain (4:30)
05. First We Take Manhattan (6:14)
06. Masters Of War (7:08)
07. Its Alright Ma (6:18)
08. 1000 Kisses Deep (6:52)
09. Gotta Serve Somebody (7:13)
10. Land Of Plenty (6:12)
11. Chimes Of Freedom (9:13)

The UK’s finest interpreter of song, Barb Jungr returns to the songs of Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen with the release of Hard Rain. Oft referred to as “the politicised chansonnier” and cited as one of the world’s best performers of Dylan’s material, Barb turns to six of his most politically hard-hitting songs along with five of Leonard Cohen’s most impassioned songs of conscience. Barb’s selection for Hard Rain reflects her despair with the political times that we live in and she has deliberately chosen songs that resonate as strongly today as they did when they were originally written: “Blowin’ In The Wind” is now 51 years old and its sentiments are as relevant today as they ever were. The album comes complete with insightful liner notes by writer Liz Thomson, who as Elizabeth Thomson prepared “the director’s cut” of No Direction Home: The Life and Music of Bob Dylan (2014). She was also the co-editor of The Dylan Companion. As a young journalist, her first ever interview was with Leonard Cohen. All of the arrangements on the album are by Barb and her long-standing collaborator and accompanist, the pianist Simon Wallace, who also produced the album. In addition to Simon (piano, Hammond organ and synthesizers), Barb is also joined by Neville Malcom on bass (with Steve Watts providing bass on tracks 1,3,8 and 10); Gary Hammond (percussion); Clive Bell (Shakahachi) and Richard Olatunde Baker on talking drum and additional percussion. Together with Barb, they inject new life and energy into each song.

Hard Rain: The Songs Of Bob Dylan & Leonard Cohen

Sarah Moule - It's A Nice Thought

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:58
Size: 135,6 MB
Art: Front

(5:35)  1. It's Cool To Be Cool
(4:54)  2. It's a Nice Thought
(4:03)  3. Jazz Alients
(4:14)  4. Feet Do Your Stuff
(3:56)  5. When Your Computer Crashes
(3:52)  6. This Tune In My Head
(4:14)  7. What Fools These Mortals Are
(4:01)  8. One Thing Leads To Another
(1:48)  9. Love Go Round
(4:03) 10. Real Life
(4:48) 11. A Suicide In Schenectady
(3:49) 12. Some Boys
(2:14) 13. The Heart Of Love
(4:19) 14. The Usual Suspects

In the past few years singer Sarah Moule has established a rapidly growing reputation as one of Britain's most exciting new jazz vocal talents. Her latest cd, 'A Lazy Kind Of Love' (Red Ram Records RAM001) released on 23rd June 2008, marks a new direction in her choice of material, including songs from unusual sources such as Julie Burchill, Clive James/Pete Atkin and Madonna's brother-in-law, composer and producer, Joe Henry, as well as her ongoing musical relationship with Landesman and Wallace. Developing from her previous work, 'A Lazy Kind Of Love' shows a new-found depth and character in her vocal approach and spotlights Sarah's interpretations, complementing them with exceptional playing from her regular trio, Simon Wallace, Mark Hodgson and Paul Robinson, and guests Alec Dankworth, Mike Outram, Alan Barnes, Paul Clarvis and Pete Atkin. Sarah's previous recordings include her highly acclaimed debut CD It's A Nice Thought (Linn records AKD192, Sept 2002) - a collection of new songs by lyricist Fran Landesman and composer Simon Wallace (”one of the finest songwriting partnerships alive” The Observer). The songs are literate, often witty and ruthlessly honest about human foibles, strengths and frailties, and they lend themselves to Moule's emotionally direct vocal style. 

Her 2nd album, Something's Gotta Give (Linn Records AKD239, Nov 2004) married further new material by Landesman/Wallace with classic songs by one of the greatest of the American Songbook lyricists, Johnny Mercer. Born into a large catholic family on the south coast of England, after university Sarah soon traded the refined atmosphere of Bloomsbury publishers Jonathan Cape for extensive travels in numerous steamy tropical locations. On returning to London in the early 1990s she met jazz singer Claire Martin who introduced her to pianist and composer Simon Wallace who had himself recently returned to London after several years writing for the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra and touring with the equally steamy Lindsay Kemp Company. “As soon as Simon played me the songs he'd been writing with Fran I knew I wanted to sing them. They really touched me, musically and lyrically, as they seemed to be about how we live today and the emotional conflicts we all have to deal with. I immediately started singing them on the gigs I was doing in Soho and haven't stopped since. I've always felt that it's important to include new repertoire in what I'm doing and mix up a wide range of musical influences, as well as taking inspiration from the past, because I want the music I'm doing to be forward looking.” At the same time Sarah began to explore the music of Thelonious Monk and Duke Ellington along with the late-night lifestyle of the London jazz musician while continuing her vocal studies with English National Opera soloist Kenneth Woollam. 

She soon established a solid reputation for herself on the London jazz scene singing regularly at the 606 Club, The Vortex, Pizza Express Jazz Club, The Pizza On The Park and guesting at Ronnie Scott's Club. She has performed with many stalwarts of British jazz including: Ian Shaw, Claire Martin, Iain Ballamy, Tim Whitehead, Tim Garland, Steve Waterman and John Critishinson with whom she toured the Mediterranean with 'A Tribute To Ronnie Scott', performing opposite the legendary bebop duo Jackie & Roy. She was featured vocalist with The John Wilson Orchestra throughout the 1990s, performing extensively with them, including doing a concert for HM the Queen at the Royal College Of Music and recording their eponymous debut cd, 'This Is The John Wilson Orchestra'. Her television credits include The Paul O'Grady Show, Lenny Henry in Pieces and The Ben Elton Show. She is also currently featured vocalist with bandleader John C. Williams' Rockin' In Rhythm septet, specialising in the songs of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, and performed with them at St David's Hall, Cardiff in July 2002 for the Welsh Proms. That year she and the group also premiered a suite of newly commissioned pieces by John Mayer, Barbara Thompson, Nikki Iles, Simon Wallace and Dick Walters at Leasowes Bank Arts Festival in Shropshire. Sarah performs in jazz clubs, theatres and festivals throughout the UK.  
http://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/musician.php?id=17392#.UyT6TYU7aQM

Personnel: Sarah Moule (vocals); Ian Shaw (vocals); Jim Mullen (guitar); Iain Ballamy, Tim Whitehead (tenor saxophone); Steve Waterman (trumpet); Fayyaz Virji (trombone); Mick Hutton (double bass); Roy Dodds, Paul Robinson (drums); Gary Hammond , Dawson Miller (percussion).

Alex Pangman & Her Alley Cats - Live In Montreal

Styles: Swing, Big Band
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:11
Size: 126,3 MB
Art: Front

(3:53)  1. Yours All Yours
(4:07)  2. Sing You Sinners
(4:09)  3. Serenade In The Night
(5:23)  4. Through The Courtesy Of Love
(5:47)  5. They Say
(5:45)  6. Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To
(6:20)  7. Dinah
(4:48)  8. One Night In Monte Carlo
(3:18)  9. Mama's Gone Goodbye
(4:33) 10. Let Yourself Go
(7:04) 11. After You've Gone

"Canada's Sweetheart of Swing" sings the traditional hot jazz of the 1920s, 30s and 40s making the music of the past captivatingly present, "possessed by the coltish spirit of a young Mildred Bailey or Ella Fitzgerald".

The Montreal Gazette writes, “In Alex Pangman's musical world, hot tunes flow like bathtub gin in a back-alley speakeasy. She roars through a repertoire of vintage swing and blues, possessed by the coltish spirit of a young Mildred Bailey or Ella Fitzgerald. There are champagne bubbles in Pangman's voice as she growls, sighs and wears her heart on her sleeve. There's a lot of nudging and winking with today's neo-trad jazz stylists. Not Pangman. She plays it straight and she plays for keeps."

Known as “Canada’s Sweetheart of Swing”, here is a lively set by Alex Pangman and her band of lions, The Alleycats. Recorded live by Canada's National Broadcaster the CBC and in front of an enthusiastic Montreal audience, this disc features live versions of songs from her previous studio recordings, plus a CD-ROM extra featuring her two music videos of Melancholy Lullaby and One Night in Monte Carlo. A must have album! (http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/alexpangman).

Henry Mancini - Ultimate Mancini

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2004
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:06
Size: 136,1 MB
Art: Front

(5:18)  1. The Pink Panther Theme
(2:59)  2. Charade
(3:56)  3. Two for the Road
(3:09)  4. Moon River
(3:26)  5. Moment to Moment
(4:15)  6. Days of Wine and Roses
(2:07)  7. Peter Gunn Theme
(3:19)  8. Dreamsville
(2:42)  9. Dear Heart
(2:40) 10. The Thorn Birds Theme
(3:03) 11. Anywhere the Heart Goes
(2:47) 12. Mr. Lucky
(4:41) 13. Whistling Away the Dark
(1:57) 14. Life in a Looking Glass
(2:23) 15. Crazy World
(2:53) 16. It's Easy to Say
(3:08) 17. Music on the Way
(4:15) 18. Soldier in the Rain

Henry Mancini was easily one of the greatest composers for film soundtracks, so putting together a collection of 17 songs nominated for various awards (Grammy, Golden Globe, or Academy Awards) was easy. But finding the proper mix of musicians was important. His daughter, Monica Mancini, is a talented singer in her own right, so she was an obvious choice. And it was only natural to invite tenor saxophonist Plas Johnson to reprise his most famous solo in "The Pink Panther Theme," which he recorded with Mancini for the original soundtrack. For the most part, Mancini's arrangements are utilized, but there are some twists. Stevie Wonder is featured on harmonica with the vocal group Take 6 in the pretty ballad "Moon River," while organist Joey DeFrancesco shines in the breezy "Mr. Lucky." But it is Monica Mancini who makes the biggest impression (along with her father's music, of course). Her sensual rendition of "Moment to Moment," and her lightly swinging duet with singer Kenny Rankin of "Dreamsville," both of which are complemented by Tom Scott's superb alto sax, make it apparent that she inherited her father's musical genes. Among the several arrangements contributed by Patrick Williams, his gorgeous chart for Monica of "Dear Heart" features the singer backed mostly by George Doering's sensitive acoustic guitar. As Donald Fagen of Steely Dan puts it in his brief note to the CD: "All bow before the High Priest of Hollywood Cool!" In other words, fans of Henry Mancini should snap up this rewarding CD right away. ~ Ken Dryden   http://www.allmusic.com/album/ultimate-mancini-mw0000696830.

Personnel: Henry Mancini (vocals); Take 6 (vocals); George Doering (guitar); Stevie Wonder (harmonica); Tom Scott (alto saxophone); Plas Johnson (tenor saxophone); Warren Luening, Charles Davis (trumpet); Andy Martin, Charles Loper (trombone); Michael Lang (piano); Joey DeFrancesco (Hammond b-3 organ); Gary Burton (vibraphone); Gregg Field (drums); Kenny Rankin.