Nicole Yarling - Joe Williams Presents Nicole Yarling: Live At Manchester Craftsmen's Guild

Size: 150,6 MB
Time: 64:51
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1999
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. The Best Things In Life Are Free (3:57)
02. The Way You Love Me (4:17)
03. Dig (5:28)
04. We'll All Be Free (5:16)
05. My One And Only Love (3:58)
06. That Old Black Magic (3:23)
07. I Know Why A Caged Bird Sings (4:20)
08. Freedom Jazz Dance (4:11)
09. Conception (4:14)
10. Love For Sale (5:02)
11. Blame It On My Youth (5:16)
12. Who She Do (Joe Williams) (5:06)
13. Imagination (Joe Williams) (4:43)
14. After You're Gone (Joe Williams) (5:32)

When Joe Williams puts his imprimatur on an unknown singer and uses his considerable influence to give her career a boost, it's worth paying close attention. The unknown singer (and violinist) in question is named Nicole Yarling and Williams not only sponsored her debut album, he lent his majestic voice to the project in what's billed as his final recording before his death last March 29.

As for Yarling, it's clear from the first notes of Joe Williams Presents... why the old master took her under his wing. Along with the requisite technical skills, a sweet, smooth voice and plenty of vocal range, she has that ineffable quality that makes good performers great ones: charisma. The sheer sense of joy she imparts in her singing - something Joe Williams always projected - is irresistible. And though she's making her debut as a jazz recording artist, she's no beginner. With years of training and singing in night clubs, as well as some high-profile pop gigs (she sang with Jimmy Buffett's band for several years), Yarling knows how to deliver a song with confidence and style.

While she seems most at home in a loose, soul-funk vein - check her no-holds-barred take on Eddie Harris' "Freedom Jazz Dance" - Yarling can also get straight to the heart of classic ballads like "My One and Only Love." She even contributes two fine, poetic original compositions to the proceedings, and provides some nice fills and solos on the violin.

But the album's real magic happens when Williams joins Yarling for a staggering duet of "Blame It On My Youth." To Yarling's credit, she holds her own with Williams, whose humor, wisdom and impeccable timing draw out all the subtle meanings of the lyrics. If that's not enough, Williams sticks around for three more bonus cuts, closing, poignantly, with a slow, gorgeous reading of "After You've Gone." A perfect coda for a wonderful album and a great, great artist. ~Joel Roberts

Personnel:
Nicole Yarling - vocals, violin; Joe Williams - vocals; David Siegel - piano; Jeff Grubbs- bass; John Yarling- drums; Henry Johnson - guitar.

Joe Williams Presents Nicole Yarling

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John Basile - No Apologies

Size: 127,5 MB
Time: 54:51
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2010
Styles: Jazz: Guitar Jazz
Art: Front

01. S' Bout Time (5:11)
02. Stop Look Listen (To Your Heart) (4:27)
03. Everything I Love (3:23)
04. Where Are You (7:08)
05. Sideshow (5:13)
06. Perugia (5:26)
07. Unit Seven (3:20)
08. Cinema Paradiso (4:30)
09. For All Time (6:01)
10. Dream Dancing (4:51)
11. Summer Night (5:17)

When asked about his most important influences, the first two names he mentions are not other guitar players; Frank Sinatra heads the list and then Bill Evans. Perhaps this explains why John Basile is one of a select group of jazz instrumentalists who doesn’t sound like everyone else. He particularly likes to play in the duo and trio formats to exploit the intimacy those settings present for both player and listener.

Musically, his guitar style utilizes a finger-style technique that approaches the guitar like a piano. For John, the challenge of comping harmonic chord fragments and playing melodies simultaneously provides a backdrop for a more open style of playing and improvising.

His labels, Underhill Jazz and now StringTime Jazz, have produced five innovative and critically distinguished releases: "Amplitudes" - solo guitar improvisations; "No Apologies" - featuring Pat Bianchi on organ and Carmen Intorre on drums for a soulful organ trio with a modern approach to unique standards; "Time Will Reveal" - featuring Joe Locke on vibes and Bassist David Finck showcasing a modern jazz guitar approach to pop tunes; "Animations" – with John Ambercrombie in duo with Basile exploring the essence of string improvisations of standards and originals; and "It Was A Very Good Year" – an eclectic exploration of jazz, folk, and pop tunes featuring two trios.

Guitar icon Jim Hall says “John Basile’s playing has the essence of great jazz guitar: beautiful tone, marvelous swing, terrific technique, and excellent phrasing. You can’t ask for more!” Legendary guitarist, John Abercrombie hails “John’s new CD has one of the most appropriate titles! Great Playing, Great Tunes, Great Sound…"No Apologies" needed!”

John Basile is also a formidable, sought after educator and clinician, offering a variety of educational outreach programs to colleges and universities here and around the world. He also works in the field of radiology and manages a large Medical Group in the NY area and is an official with USA Boxing, officiating as a judge and referee in Golden Glove competitions throughout the NY area.
Personnel:
Nicole Yarling - vocals, violin; Joe Williams - vocals; David Siegel - piano; Jeff Grubbs- bass; John Yarling- drums; Henry Johnson - guitar.

No Apologies

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Champagne Charlie & The Bubbly Boys - Decodance

Size: 72,8 MB
Time: 30:43
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz, Retro Swing, Ragtime
Art: Front

01. Gangway (2:40)
02. Mississippi Mud (2:06)
03. You're Driving Me Crazy (3:05)
04. Everything Stops For Tea (2:38)
05. Running Wild (2:40)
06. My Canary Has Circles Under His Eyes (2:56)
07. What'll I Do (4:18)
08. You're The Cream In My Coffee (2:07)
09. I Wish I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate (2:33)
10. Puttin' On The Ritz (2:46)
11. So Long For Now (2:49)

Decodance is a musical celebration of the wild dance music of the inter-war period. Some of the very best songwriters of the age are gathered here, including Irving berlin, Ray Henderson, Walter Donaldson and Harry Warren. These songs were made famous by Fred Astaire, Josephine Baker, Jessie Mathews to name a few.

Champagne Charlie and his Bubbly Boys present an album of wit, whimsy and gay abandon! Roll back the rug and show off your Black Bottom! The dance crazes and sentiments of this fascinating era are lovingly brought to life here.

Champagne Charlie formed his band in 2007 at the famous Burgh Island Hotel Summer Ball to celebrate his passion for this music. Taking inspiration from some of the great British Dance band leaders such as Harry Roy and Jack Hylton, Charlie and the boys are delighted to have recorded their debut album and hope you like it as much as we have enjoyed making it.

The ideal accompaniment for your very own 1920s party. Enjoy!

Decodance

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Rochelle Lightfoot - Rochelle Lightfoot Jazzy Classics

Size: 116,4 MB
Time: 49:51
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz Vocals, Big Band
Art: Front

01. Almost Like Being In Love (2:08)
02. This Can't Be Love (2:11)
03. Don't Get Around Much (2:33)
04. Our Love Is Here To Stay (3:28)
05. Orange Colored Sky (2:24)
06. The Very Thought Of You (4:32)
07. Straighten Up And Fly Right (2:38)
08. It's Too Darn Hot (3:46)
09. The Nearness Of You (2:58)
10. Night And Day (2:29)
11. I've Got Rhythm (3:05)
12. Someone To Watch Over Me (4:23)
13. L-O-V-E (2:29)
14. Route 66 (2:57)
15. I Wish You Love (4:08)
16. Smile (3:35)

Singing with a big band orchestra is incomparable. The "Jazzy Classics" album is the artists personal vocal renditions of 16 popular pure jazz songs written, composed and sung by great legends such as: George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Charles Chaplin, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Judy Garland, Sarah Vaughn, Nancy Wilson, Nat King Cole, and Louis Armstrong just to name a few. Each individual song was hand picked for its lyrical significance which touches on the artist's life journey over the past 8 years. Expect to hear rich ballads, upbeat swings, tremendous horns, soothing strings, soulful stories, playful scats and sultry vocals. This album is for the big band jazz enthusiast! This album is dedicated to the artist's musical mentor, who is to the legendary Melton Mustafa Sr., a great musician, songwriter, composer, professor, and leader of the Melton Mustafa Orchestra, in Miami Florida.

Rochelle Lightfoot Jazzy Classics

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Rufus Reid - Quiet Pride: The Elizabeth Catlett Project

Size: 135,3 MB
Time: 58:45
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz: Post Bop
Art: Front

01. Prelude To Recognition ( 1:48)
02. Recognition ( 7:42)
03. Mother And Child (12:56)
04. Tapestry In The Sky (15:49)
05. Singing Head ( 8:29)
06. Glory (11:57)

On Rufus Reid’s ambitious new project, the 70-year-old jazz legend channeled inspiration from famed artist Elizabeth Catlett’s work and composed a six-part movement using a 20-piece orchestra to accompany his upright. Reid’s profound vision comes to life beginning with the ominously bowed opening of “Prelude to Recognition,” which flows into “Recognition,” a powerfully contrasting jazz tune with cleverly phrased walking lines over syncopated drumbeats. As the album concludes with the big band sound of “Glory,” Reid takes a victory lap while displaying the rich, ruminative lines that have solidified him as a jazz staple. ~Jon D'Auria

Quiet Pride:The Elizabeth Catlett Project  

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Géraldine Laurent - Time Out Trio

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:13
Size: 108,6 MB
Art: Front

(4:03)  1. Autumn Nocturne
(4:09)  2. Lester Left Town
(5:52)  3. I Fall In Love Too Easily
(2:38)  4. Rejoicing
(5:18)  5. Skylark
(7:13)  6. Fable Of Faubus
(4:23)  7. A Quiet
(6:23)  8. Repeat
(5:00)  9. Tijuana Gift Shop
(2:10) 10. Love Letters

Formidable, as her compatriots would say. Time Out Trio, the debut album from young French saxophonist Geraldine Laurent, introduces a bare knuckle force of nature, well-versed in the jazz tradition but not afraid to put her own abandoned spin on it. Rough-edged, risk-taking, high octane, totally in the moment, the music bursts out of the speakers like a hurricane. Laurent's alto playing is rooted in Charlie Parker, his wild, sometimes squawking, clattering attack played with a slightly softer read and with a narrower embouchure, but still well tough. Other voices echo round the edges: alto saxophonists Ornette Coleman, Cannonball Adderley and Joe Harriott. And occasionally, on the infrequent ballad, the divine Paul Desmond. But most of the time, Laurent, who's on-mic for practically the entire 47 minutes of the album, just wails. Recorded in a Paris studio in December 2006, Time Out Trio has an in-your-face, warts-and-all, lo-fi live sound, brilliantly suited to Laurent's gutsy style. There are nine standards and one original, and it's surely no coincidence that two of the tunes are by bassist and bandleader Charles Mingus, whose turbulent spirit resonates here. The longest track, a seven-plus minute head-charge through Mingus' ferocious "Fables Of Faubus," is outstanding. 

Laurent romps through the tune and an extended solo paying full homage to reed player Eric Dolphy's signature, incandescent reading on Charles Mingus Presents Charles Mingus (Candid, 1960), avoiding the tortured outer extremes of Dolphy's vocalizations, yet communicating plenty of her own rebel passion. Mingus, you sense, would have loved it. Other standouts though there isn't one dud on the set include dynamic readings of Wayne Shorter's "Lester Left Town" and Hoagy Carmichael's "Skylark," and Laurent's own "A Quiet," which is a soft, wistful ballad before the gas gets turned up. Laurent is perfectly matched by her colleagues, bassist Yoni Zelnik and drummer Laurent Bataille. Both stand toe-to-toe alongside her throughout, and Mingus analogies continue to suggest themselves. Zelnik plays with the same muscle and abandon, Bataille with the confrontational zeal of the great man's favorite drummer, Danny Richmond. Most of the time, they work the engine room Zelnik with a mixture of ostinatos and free flourishes, Bataille in call-and -response and each thrills on his couple of brief solos. This is an extraordinary debut album, and Geraldine Laurent is a gale force blast of good news.~ Chris May http://www.allaboutjazz.com/time-out-trio-geraldine-laurent-dreyfus-records-review-by-chris-may.php#.VBH_qRZZjkc

Personnel: Geraldine Laurent: alto saxophone; Yoni Zelnik: bass; Laurent Bataille: drums.

Time Out Trio

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Katy Setterfield - Katy

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:46
Size: 102,7 MB
Art: Front

(3:05)  1. At Last
(3:34)  2. Never Tear Us Apart
(4:35)  3. I Don't Want To Hear It Anymore
(4:13)  4. Spooky
(3:22)  5. Breakfast In Bed
(4:42)  6. Song For You
(3:12)  7. The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore)
(4:18)  8. What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted
(5:29)  9. Stay With Me Baby
(4:20) 10. Lilac Wine
(3:51) 11. Afraid To Let Go

Where do you start to write a biography? A life is like an onion; look at one layer and there are others underneath. At the most superficial level, Katy Setterfield is easy to describe. When she won the BBC show ‘The One and Only’, went on to Las Vegas and ultimately to a leading role in ‘Respect La Diva’ in the West End, it was, as they say, a case of sudden overnight success after 20 plus years of hard work. The next layer down would see Katy learning her trade in clubs and shows and theatres around the country and, at times, around the world. She has always been able to turn her hand to providing music, not just her powerful singing voice she can play keyboards with equal skill, for a variety of purposes and settings. She worked in Cyprus, Japan and around the UK with her own music and, whenever possible, with her loyal musician friends and colleagues who were more than happy to turn out and be the band behind Katy’s Komet. Her ability to sing many different styles and with a musician’s ear for accents and inflections allowed her to develop into a key performer with notable travelling music shows. Most particularly her success within the ‘Legends’ show lead on to her eight years as the leading female vocalist with ‘That’ll be The Day’ where legions of people saw and heard her sing as Dusty, Petula, Whitney, Shirley, Tina, Annie and many, many others. Not surprisingly, what these shows did not give her was the chance to be, and showcase, herself. So, then, who is she? The confident Katy who runs her own show for two hours from the front of the stage is not the one who started her musical journey. 

At the core of her career onion is the little girl who knew one thing and one thing only (well, that is if you discount horses) which was that she was going to be a musician. She loved school, but she loved getting out of it more. Her learning was more directed to proficiency with music. Music of all kinds were ‘her thing’; from Motown to Mozart. She powered her way through all the pianoforte grades until the point where the only additional qualifications were for teachers. Teachers were not actually high on Katy’s list of role models. Many little girls have performed solo karaoke with a hair brush in front of a mirror with dreams of a singing career long before anyone had heard of Simon Cowell. Few, however, have had Katy’s iron resolve to carry aspiration through to reality. Katy was born and raised on the Bucks/Herts border and supported, then and now by her family and friends. Unlike other singers, she has no need to shout ‘Mum, the girl done good!’ Katy’s parents and family know that already. Katy started 2010 with her dog, her horse and a husband. She lost them all within the year and still misses two of them. Dusty provides more than a past. Her body of work allows Katy to develop, at last, a voice of her own. Fans from her past will expect to see her perform Dusty’s trademark arm gestures, or strut her stuff as Cher, or wear the Annie Lennox hat, but as her latest CD shows, she can step out of the shadow of ‘tribute’ performances and sing the songs she wants to sing. For Katy it is, as it always has been, the song not the singer! Bio ~ http://www.katysetterfield.com/biography/biography.html

Katy

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Julian Lage Group - Gladwell

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:38
Size: 116,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:33)  1. 233 Butler
(9:06)  2. Iowa Taken
(1:08)  3. Listen Daddy
(4:53)  4. Telegram
(6:49)  5. Margaret
(2:12)  6. Point The Way
(6:27)  7. However
(2:10)  8. Freight Train
(2:09)  9. Cathedral
(4:28) 10. Listening Walk
(2:21) 11. Cocoon
(3:16) 12. Autumn Leaves

The term "concept album" is usually used in connection with rock, but jazz has had its concept albums as well (Charles Mingus' The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady and Miles Davis' Sketches of Spain, for example, are among jazz's most celebrated concept albums). Gladwell is a concept album from jazz guitarist/composer Julian Lage; in the liner notes, Lage explains that he envisioned this 2010 recording as an aural depiction of "an imaginary and forgotten town known as Gladwell." Lage doesn't use any lyrics to depict his fictional town: Gladwell is strictly instrumental. And Lage, who is heard on both acoustic and electric guitar, is appealingly melodic on his own compositions (which dominate Gladwell), as well as a performance of the standard "Autumn Leaves." As a guitarist, Lage favors an airy sound along the lines of Pat Metheny and Jim Hall, and as a composer, his influences range from Metheny to Oregon to Weather Report. 

Lage is not a jazz purist; this is jazz mixed with elements of rock, folk, and European classical music. Gladwell is fusion (there is no shame attached to that word), but it isn't the aggressive and heavily amplified fusion one might associate with Scott Henderson & Tribal Tech, Niacin, or Al di Meola. Actually, the playing on this album is largely, though not exclusively, acoustic. Lage plays a lot of acoustic guitar on Gladwell, and his bassist, Jorge Roeder, is heard on upright bass exclusively (rounding out the quintet lineup are tenor saxophonist Dan Blake, cellist Aristides Rivas, and drummer/percussionist Tupac Mantilla). And while Lage clearly has chops, he doesn't beat listeners over the head with them, or his technique. Lage is very much a storyteller, and that storyteller perspective yields excellent results on Gladwell. ~ Alex Henderson http://www.allmusic.com/album/gladwell-mw0002116512
 

Personnel: Julian Lage (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Aristides Rivas (cello); Dan Blake (melodica, tenor saxophone); Jorge Roeder (acoustic bass); Tupac Mantilla (drums, percussion).

Gladwell

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Denny Zeitlin - Live At Maybeck Recital Hall

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1992
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:04
Size: 144,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:37)  1. Blues On The Side
(4:08)  2. Girl Next Door
(8:50)  3. My Man's Gone Now
(2:53)  4. Lazy Bird
(8:33)  5. 'Round Midnight
(6:09)  6. Love For Sale
(4:57)  7. And Then I Wondered If You Knew
(4:58)  8. Country Fair
(4:54)  9. Sophisticated Lady
(4:38) 10. The End Of A Love Affair
(3:08) 11. Just Passing By
(6:12) 12. What Is This Thing Called Love

Although Denny Zeitlin, MD is probably a fine psychiatrist, it is the jazz world's loss that he is not a full-time musician. This live solo performance is one of his greatest triumphs, starting with his infectious opener, "Blues on the Side," which is far too complex to be compared to typical blues. He tackles John Coltrane's "Lazy Bird" at a furious tempo worthy of its composer. Zeitlin's refreshingly deliberate approach to "'Round Midnight" best captures its dark undertones. The pianist's lyrical side is also evident. "Sophisticated Lady" captures the essence of Duke Ellington's landmark work, while "Just Passing By" is a subtle original that conjures images of a brisk stroll at the beginning of autumn. Zeitlin then shifts into high gear for an intense medley of "What Is This Thing Called Love" and "Fifth House" to close with a flourish. ~ Ken Dryden  http://www.allmusic.com/album/live-at-maybeck-recital-hall-vol-27-mw0000104664

Live At Maybeck Recital Hall

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