Lionel Hampton & Stan Getz - Hamp & Getz

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 51:35
Size: 118.1 MB
Styles: West Coast jazz, Saxophone jazz, Marimba jazz
Year: 1955/1987
Art: Front

[9:15] 1. Cherokee
[8:07] 2. Ballad Medley
[6:46] 3. Louise
[8:23] 4. Jumpin' At The Woodside
[6:12] 5. Gladys
[7:43] 6. Gladys (2)
[5:05] 7. Headache

The cool tenor of Stan Getz and the extroverted vibraphonist Lionel Hampton might have seemed like an unlikely matchup but once again producer Norman Granz showed his talents at combining complementary talents. Hampton and Getz really battle hard on "Cherokee" and "Jumpin' at the Woodside" and, other than a ballad medley, the other selections on this CD (which include two previously unreleased performances) are also heated. Classic music from two of the best. ~Scott Yanow

Hamp & Getz

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Lili Araujo - Arribacao

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 48:28
Size: 111.0 MB
Styles: Latin jazz vocals
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[5:01] 1. Tapete Azul
[4:19] 2. Lendas Do Mar
[4:42] 3. Coisas Demais Por Fazer
[5:03] 4. Todas Aquelas Coisas
[3:53] 5. Roma
[3:32] 6. Luz Da Lua
[5:46] 7. Consciência
[4:39] 8. Arribação
[3:53] 9. Novamente
[3:43] 10. Tem Palmeira
[3:53] 11. Na Gafieira

After consolidating her career in Europe, the young Rio de Janeiro born and bred singer and songwriter Lili Araujo came back to Brazil in 2008 and launched her debut album, “Arribação”. Composed by eleven unique tracks, her work is a mix of choro and samba – rythms that were part of her childhood in the outskirts of Rio. To that were added the jazz conception, elements and instruments. At only 26, Lili came on the scene, blending references as she created her own musical identity.

The artist, graduated in canto popular at Escola de Música Villa Lobos, in Rio, emmigrated to Viena, Austria, in 2006 and it was in Europe that her career took off with important appeareances and presentations in jazz clubs, festivals and european theatres such as Tunnel Live Jazz (Viena), Theater am Spittelberg (Viena), Reigen (Viena), Birdland (Viena), Porg & Bess (Viena) and Blue Note (Paris). In 2008 the singer wanted more and launched her debut album “Arribação” with austrian record label Oficina Records. She came back to Brazil in the middle of that year, where she performed launching shows from this album at Modern Sound, Sala Baden Powell, Cinematéque, Sala FUNARTE São Paulo and Estrela da Lapa. She also had wonderful appraisals from the specialized press. In the middle of 2009, sponsored by the austrian company SKE/AKM, she went on a little tour of Europe with the concert, passing through Viena, Schwaz (Tyrol), London, Lausanne, Lisbon and Stockholm.

More than 40 musicians took part on the making of this first CD, including well known instrumentalists such as harmonica player Gabriel Grossi, multi-instrumentalist Dirceu Leite and drummer Marcio Bahia. It also featured young talented instrumentalists such as Guto Wirtti (bass), Joana Queiroz (clarinet), Gabriel Gestzi (piano), Rodrigo Villa (bass), Rafael Barata (drums), Marcelo Caldi (accordion), Vitor Gonçalves (piano), Bernardo Ramos (electric and acoustic guitar) amongst others.

Arribacao

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The Hi-Lo's - And All That Jazz

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 38:13
Size: 87.5 MB
Styles: Vocal harmony
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[3:08] 1. Fascinatin' Rhythm
[3:16] 2. Small Fry
[2:36] 3. Something's Coming
[3:13] 4. Love Locked Out
[2:55] 5. Lady In Red
[3:12] 6. Agrogically So
[2:45] 7. Some Minor Changes
[4:31] 8. Then I'll Be Tired Of You
[4:05] 9. Mayforth
[2:14] 10. Moon-Faced, Starry-Eyed
[3:36] 11. Summer Sketch
[2:36] 12. Of Thee I Sing

The late 1940s and early 1950s were liberating years for harmonic vocal groups. The rise of the suburbs and collapse of the big bands pushed singing groups to go out on their own. Some groups like the Ravens, the Orioles, the Platters and others influenced by the Mills Brothers and Ink Spots took a gospel-based r&b approach and wound up swaying a generation of doo-wop and soul artists. Other groups like the Four Freshmen and the Encores modeled themselves after the Modernaires, Six Hits and a Miss, and the Mel-Tones. They straddled jazz and pop, eventually influencing the Beach Boys, the Four Seasons and other rock groups. Among the hippest of the latter set were the Hi-Lo's. ~Matt Myers

This CD contains the most swinging album ever made by the Hi-Lo’s: “And All That Jazz” (1958), in its entirety. This acclaimed jazz close-harmony vocal quartet featured Grammy award-winning arranger/composer Gene Puerling.

Featuring: Gene Puerling, Clark Burroughs, Bob Morse, Bob Strasen (vcl) with The Marty Paich Dek-Tette, feat. Jack Sheldon (tp), Bob Enevoldsen (v-tb), Vince DeRosa (fhr), Herb Geller (as), Bill Perkins (ts), Bud Shank (bs), Clare Fischer (p), Joe Mondragon (b)

And All That Jazz

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Stan Kenton - Summer Of '51

Styles: Jazz, Vocal, Big Band
Year: 1951
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:33
Size: 115,8 MB
Art: Front

(0:44)  1. Artistry In Rhythm
(2:23)  2. Machito
(3:17)  3. Stardust
(2:45)  4. Gone With The Wind
(4:10)  5. Eager Beaver
(2:43)  6. Autumn Leaves
(4:32)  7. Minor Riff
(2:11)  8. Collaboration
(4:34)  9. Painted Rhythm
(3:40) 10. Viva Prado
(3:24) 11. Love For Sale
(5:34) 12. Intermission Riff
(3:31) 13. Blues In Riff
(2:54) 14. Easy Go
(2:23) 15. Lover
(0:39) 16. Artistry In Rhythm

When one thinks of Stan Kenton's 1951 music, it is of his huge Innovations Orchestra which sported a full string section and played very advanced works. However later in the year Kenton cut back to a conventional 19-piece band, a unit that was only together six months and made few studio recordings. This collector's CD features the all-star orchestra broadcasting from the Hollywood Palladium and it is particularly interesting to hear the unit interpreting some of Kenton's earlier hits. With such distinctive soloists as Maynard Ferguson, Shorty Rogers, Milt Bernhart, Art Pepper and Bob Cooper (plus a couple of vocals by Jay Johnson), the highlights include fresh versions of "Machito," "Eager Beaver," "Collaboration," "Painted Rhythm" and "Intermission Riff."

~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/summer-of-51-mw0000192651

Personnel:  Alto Saxophone – Art Pepper, Bud Shank; Baritone Saxophone – Bob Gioga; Bass – Don Bagley;  Drums – Shelley Manne; Guitar – Ralph Blaze;  Piano – Stan Kenton;  Tenor Saxophone – Bart Calderall, Bob Cooper; Trombone – Bart Varsalona, Bob Fitzpatrick, Dick Kenney, Harry Betts, Milt Bernhart; Trumpet – Chico Alvarez, John Howell, Maynard Ferguson, Ray Wetzel, Shorty Rogers; Vocals – Jay Johnson

Summer Of '51

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Kiki Ebsen - Scarecrow Sessions

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:53
Size: 98,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:43)  1. You Don't Know What Love Is
(5:40)  2. If I Only Had A Brain
(2:59)  3. Missing You
(4:11)  4. Moon River
(3:00)  5. Comes Love
(3:09)  6. Tea For Two
(2:01)  7. Codfish Ball
(4:13)  8. Laura
(2:43)  9. Easy To Love
(0:48) 10. Prelude
(4:54) 11. St Louis Blues
(4:27) 12. Over The Rainbow

Let me start off but stating the obvious: Vast talent does not equate to popularity. Fortunately in singer, songwriter and keyboardist Kiki Ebsen’s case, her vast talent has led to a string on elegant albums and respect of her musical contemporaries. The Southern California-based Ebsen is a classically trained vocalist from the California Institute of Arts, but she honed her talents as MIDI tech and keyboardist for the band Chicago. Ebsen, the daughter of the late actor Buddy Ebsen, has also toured extensively with Al Jarreau, Peter Cetera and Christopher Cross, among others.Red marked Ebsen’s 1994 debut as a solo artist. She’s demonstrated her keyboard prowess and jazz/adult-comtempoary vocal chops on four additional projects from 2000’s Love Loud to The Beauty Inside in 2011. While Ebsen is an accomplished songwriter, she explored a mixture of covers in 2005’s Cool Songs Vol. 1. Her upcoming release Scarecrow Sessions allows Ebsen to turn her talented arranging chops on a collection of jazz standards. 

This time, Ebsen pulls inspiration from her later father and presents the songs as a father’s day gift in his honor. She’s also assembled an all-star band to assist, with John Patitucci on bass, Chuck Loeb on guitar and producer David Mann on sax. The results are touching and heartfelt. “Missing You” displays the grace and elegance required of a touching tribute from daughter to father. Ebsen’s unaccompanied piano is simply memorizing, yet doesn’t overshadow her lovely vocal stylings. “If I Only Had a Brain” is a sweetly comical nod to Buddy Ebsen’s almost-famous role in the movie, The Wizard of Oz. (Her father was replaced as the Tin Man, when he developed a severe allergy to the makeup.) Ebsen also takes on the heady task of updating “Moon River,” and her efforts pay off. She adds a sophisticated sheen to the classic, while paying homage to Buddy Ebsen’s role is the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s. “Comes Love” finds Ebsen mixing blues and jazz effectively. 

Her version of the song evokes Marvin Gaye and Joni Mitchell. Ebsen and band then leap into “St. Louis Blues” boasting a full swing mood. The song, the first one Buddy Ebsen taught her on piano, allows Ebsen a chance to stretch both vocally and on piano. It soounds like the boys in the band took great joy in trying to keep up with her. Kiki Ebsen’s finale, “Somewhere Over The Rainbow,” is a perfect close for an album dedicated to the man who was originally cast to play the Scarecrow, only to be recast briefly as the Tin Man. Scarecrow Sessions emerges as an excellent tribute to Buddy Ebsen on Father’s Day, and a treat to listeners any day of the week.  http://somethingelsereviews.com/2014/06/14/kiki-ebsen-scarecrow-sessions-2014/

Scarecrow Sessions

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The Buddy Rich Big Band - Big Swing Face

Styles: Jazz, Big Band
Year: 1967
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 69:47
Size: 162,7 MB
Art: Front

(3:43)  1. Norwegian Wood
(5:34)  2. Big Swing Face
(2:44)  3. Monitor Theme
(3:16)  4. Wack Wack
(4:51)  5. Love For Sale
(2:52)  6. Mexicali Nose
(4:16)  7. Willowcrest
(5:40)  8. The Beat Goes On
(5:06)  9. Bugle Call Rag
(2:38) 10. Standing Up In A Hammock
(2:58) 11. Chicago
(2:33) 12. Lament For Lester
(3:44) 13. Machine
(4:44) 14. Silver Threads Among The Blues
(4:40) 15. New Blues
(3:28) 16. Old Timey
(4:07) 17. Loose
(2:43) 18. Apples (aka 'Gino')

Big Swing Face not only reissues the second recording by Buddy Rich & His Big Band but doubles the program with nine previously unissued performances from the same engagement at the Chez Club in Hollywood. Rich's orchestra was in its early prime, displaying a very impressive ensemble sound, charts by Bill Holman, Shorty Rogers, Bob Florence, Bill Potts and others, and such soloists as altoist Ernie Watts (a newcomer), trumpeter Bobby Shew, Jay Corre on tenor and the remarkable drummer/leader. Even with the presence of "Norwegian Wood" and "The Beat Goes On" (the latter features Rich's teenage daughter Cathe on a vocal), this is very much a swinging set. Rich has some outstanding solos and lots of drum breaks but does not hog the spotlight; he was justifiably proud of his band. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/big-swing-face-mw0000648562

Buddy Rich Big Band: Buddy Rich (drums); Quinn Davis (alto sax); Ernie Watts (alto sax, flute); Jay Corre, Robert Keller (tenor sax, flute); Marty Flax (baritone sax), Bobby Shew, Yoshito Murakami, Charles Findley, John Scottile (trumpet); Jim Trimble, Ron Meyers (trombone); Bill Wimberly (bass trombone); Ray Starling (piano); Richard Resnicoff (guitar); James Gannon (bass). Reissue producers: Bob Belden, Dean Pratt. Personnel: Buddy Rich (drums); Richie Resnicoff (guitar); Ernie Watts (flute, alto saxophone); Robert Keller , Jay Corre, Bob Keller (flute, tenor saxophone); Quinn Davis (alto saxophone); Marty Flax (baritone saxophone); Chuck Findley, John Scottile, Yoshito Murakami, Bobby Shew (trumpet); James Trimble (trombone); Bill Wimberly (bass trombone); Ray Starling (piano); Cathy Rich (vocals).

Big Swing Face

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Carl Fontana & Jiggs Whigham - Nice 'n Easy

Styles: Trombone Jazz
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:36
Size: 158,6 MB
Art: Front + Back

( 6:45)  1. The Touch of Your Lips
( 8:50)  2. Sweet Lorraine
( 7:22)  3. Take the Coltrane
( 8:07)  4. Here's That Rainy Day
(10:13)  5. If I Only Had a Brain
( 9:15)  6. Nice 'n Easy
( 5:45)  7. It Could Happen to You
( 6:39)  8. Incident
( 5:36)  9. Cape Clip So

Recorded in 1997, Nice 'n' Easy finds Carl Fontana joining forces with another veteran trombonist: Jiggs Whigham. Together, Fontana and Whigham form a two-trombone front line, and they have a solid rhythm section that consists of pianist Stefan Karlsson, bassist Tom Warrington, and drummer Ed Soph. These days, two-trombone attacks are a rarity, and anyone who has a high opinion of the sessions that trombonists J.J. Johnson and Kai Winding co-led in the '60s knows how regrettable that is. So, when two skilled trombone veterans like Fontana and Whigham get together, it is a happy event. Fontana is the older of the two; born in 1929, he was 14 when Whigham was born in 1943. Both of them bring a lot of experience to the table, and they enjoy a strong rapport when they turn their attention to original pieces, as well as Duke Ellington's "Take the Coltrane" and some overdone standards (including "Sweet Lorraine" and "It Could Happen to You"). Those who have listened to Fontana and Whigham extensively should have no problem telling them apart; both are recognizable. 

But even so, it is a good thing that the liner notes tell you which trombonist is soloing first on a particular song  that way, novices will know for sure. On Nice 'n' Easy, the trombonists do not sound like they are trying to compete with one another. There are no duel-to-the-death battles; in fact, most of the performances tend to be relaxed and easygoing (which is why Nice 'n' Easy is an appropriate and accurate title). Fontana and Whigham always share a friendly, good-natured dialogue on this rewarding disc. ~ Alex Henderson  http://www.allmusic.com/album/nice-n-easy-mw0000245872

Personnel: Carl Fontana (trombone); Jiggs Whigham (trombone); Stefan Karlsson (piano); Ed Soph (drums).

Nice 'n Easy

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