Michiko Ogawa Trio - It's All About Love! (With Harry Allen)

Size: 157,4 MB
Time: 67:33
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2006
Styles: Jazz: Piano Jazz
Label: Arbors
Art: Front

01. You (5:50)
02. I Cover The Waterfront (5:46)
03. You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me (5:11)
04. Love Is Just Around The Corner (3:14)
05. All Of Me (3:06)
06. Body And Soul (6:35)
07. What Is This Thing Called Love (3:47)
08. 's Wonderful (3:18)
09. This Can't Be Love (4:27)
10. I Wish Those Days Were Back Again (6:47)
11. If Dreams Come True (3:20)
12. I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me (4:09)
13. This Is All I Ask (5:58)
14. Just One Of Those Things (6:00)

Arbors has become the home of a quality cadre of traditional-minded jazz musicians. While this has made the label ideal for older players like Ruby Braff and Bucky Pizzarelli, Arbors isn't just about nostalgia for traditional jazz. The Michiko Ogawa Trio, for instance, centers on a talented Japanese pianist who's fairly new to the scene. On her first album for the label, It's All About Love, she's joined by bassist Phil Flanigan and drummer Ed Metz Jr. The material is grounded in classic jazz with versions of familiar pieces like "I Cover the Waterfront," "All of Me," and "Body and Soul." The trio is occasionally augmented by tenor Harry Allen and the overall program is bolstered here and there with Ogawa's vocals. Indeed, it's the presence of Ogawa's vocals on a rhythm-friendly "All of Me" and the bass-heavy "What Is This Thing Called Love?" that work best here. Only a couple of cuts exceed the six-minute mark on It's All About Love, meaning that the arrangements are lean and tight. The variation of straight trio pieces with vocals and Allen's tenor also keeps the disc from falling into an overly familiar groove. Fans of modern jazz and the classic songbook will enjoy The Michiko Ogawa Trio. ~Review by Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr.

It's All About Love!

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Andre Previn - This Can't Be Love (Remastered)

Size: 56,7 MB
Time: 24:02
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz: Piano Jazz
Art: Front

01. This Can't Be Love (3:00)
02. Mad About The Boy (3:05)
03. But Not For Me (2:52)
04. Just One Of Those Things (3:14)
05. My Shining Hour (2:48)
06. Should I (2:32)
07. Hallelujah (3:22)
08. I Didn't Know What Time It Was (3:06)

Conductor, composer and pianist André Previn has received a number of awards and honors for his outstanding musical accomplishments, including both the Austrian and German Cross of Merit, and the Glenn Gould Prize. He is the recipient of Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Kennedy Center, the London Symphony Orchestra, Gramophone Classic FM, and this year was honored with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award from The Recording Academy. He has also received several Grammy awards for recordings, including the CD of his violin concerto "Anne-Sophie" and Bernstein’s Serenade featuring Anne-Sophie Mutter together with the Boston and London Symphony orchestras.

A regular guest with the world’s major orchestras, both in concert and on recordings, André Previn frequently works with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic and Vienna Philharmonic. In addition, he has held chief artistic posts with such orchestras as the Houston Symphony, London Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Pittsburgh Symphony and Royal Philharmonic orchestras. In 2009, André Previn was appointed Principal Guest Conductor of the NHK Symphony Orchestra.

As a pianist, André Previn enjoys recording and performing song recitals, chamber music and jazz. He has given recitals with Renée Fleming at Lincoln Center and with Barbara Bonney at the Mozarteum in Salzburg. He regularly gives chamber music concerts with Anne-Sophie Mutter and Lynn Harrell, as well as with members of the Boston Symphony and London Symphony orchestras, and the Vienna Philharmonic.

André Previn has enjoyed a number of successes as a composer. His first opera, A Streetcar Named Desire, was awarded the Grand Prix du Disque. Recent highlights include the premiere of his Double Concerto for Violin and Double Bass for Anne-Sophie Mutter and Roman Patkoló, premiered by the Boston Symphony in 2007. His Harp Concerto commissioned by the Pittsburgh Symphony premiered in 2008; his work "Owls", was premiered by the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 2008; his second opera, "Brief Encounter", commissioned by the Houston Grand Opera premiered in 2009; and his double concerto for violin and viola, written for Anne-Sophie Mutter and Yuri Bashmet, received its premiere in 2009.

For his 80th birthday celebrations in 2009, Carnegie Hall presented four concerts which showcased the diversity of his career. Other highlights this season include concerts with the Leipzig Gewandhaus, London Symphony Orchestra, Dresden Philharmonic, and the Czech Philharmonic at the Prague Spring Festival.

This Can't Be Love

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Julie Capili - Round Midnight

Size: 92,2 MB
Time: 39:31
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Round Midnight (Feat. Judy Roberts) (5:22)
02. Taking A Chance Of Love (Feat. Judy Roberts & Greg Fishman) (2:54)
03. The Very Thought Of You (Feat. Judy Roberts & Greg Fishman) (5:07)
04. Here's That Rainy Day (Feat. Judy Roberts & Greg Fishman) (4:57)
05. Exactly Like You (Feat. Judy Roberts & Greg Fishman) (3:57)
06. Night & Day (Feat. Judy Roberts & Greg Fishman) (3:24)
07. Everything Happens To Me (Feat. Judy Roberts & Greg Fishman) (5:05)
08. They Can't Take That Away From Me (Feat. Judy Roberts & Greg Fishman) (4:04)
09. You Don't Know What Love Is (Feat. Greg Fishman & Judy Roberts) (4:37)

The First Lady of Monterey Jazz Julie Capili sings with lyricism, strength and passion, breathing new life into classic jazz standards from the Great American Songbook. Julie's take is playful, knowing, and soulful, as she travels lovingly from the beginning to the end of a love affair. Her new album "Round Midnight" is a collaboration featuring The First Lady of Chicago Jazz, Judy Roberts on piano and the versatile and sensitive player/teacher Greg Fishman on horns. Their interplay and harmony make these tracks straight and true to the heart and beat of jazz, alive and well for the next generation.

Round Midnight

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Greg Manning - Dance With You

Size: 120,1 MB
Time: 51:18
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz: Smooth Jazz
Art: Front

01. Bahia (4:57)
02. Phoenix Rise! (4:10)
03. Say Yes (4:46)
04. For The Love Of You (4:54)
05. Groove Me (Extended Version) (5:16)
06. Cruisin' Down The Road (4:25)
07. I Can't Make You Love Me (4:54)
08. Elegant Lady (4:13)
09. Dance With You (3:55)
10. Wayman (4:21)
11. Look Up (5:20)

Swiss-American keyboardist Greg Manning made it a point to impress with his 2010 debut release The Calling which featured such high profile names as renowned saxophonist KirkGreg Manning CD Whalum and bluesman Keb’Mo’. He now returns with a nicely crafted and sturdy release called Dance With You. With lots of bounce and soulful grooves, he beckons to the lovers of dance and romance to come his way.

Again arriving with some heavyweight help in the form of saxtress Mindi Abair and rising star saxmen Elan Trotman and Vincent Ingala, among others, Manning sets a deliberate pace and direction here.

The mid-tempo lead track “Bahia” tantalizes with a Brazilian touch and ushers in the funk element in key places, as well. It’s quickly followed by a funky up-tempo dancer called “Phoenix Rise!” featuring saxman Gianni Vancini. These two, along with the frenetic “Groove Me,” the funky, sassy “Cruising Along the Road,” and the shake-your-groove-thang title track point to where the up-tempo vibe of the album plans to take you.

Tossing in the smooth, light, and romance-laden “Say Yes,” a riveting cover of Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” (she is apparently a fave of his as he also covered her “Nick of Time“ on his debut release) and a cool, swaying mid-tempo tribute to our fallen brother Wayman Tisdale with “Wayman” solidifies the appeal of this well-produced CD. Actually, “Wayman” is a reprise of the version he provided on his debut release with more emphasis on a keys lead rather than bass here. Nice touch.

A diverse package of moods clearly defines this album. Manning’s understanding of what shapes a really good smooth jazz project is evident here as he explores the feel-good, the romantic, and the introspective aspects of this music. Kudos for a great job on this his sophomore effort. – Ronald Jackson

Dance With You

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Annie Ross - No One But Me: The Magic Of Annie Ross

Size: 84,6 MB
Time: 36:00
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Fly Me To The Moon (3:02)
02. A Handful Of Songs (2:25)
03. Nature Boy (2:33)
04. Let Me Love You (2:48)
05. Love For Sale (4:19)
06. What's New (4:02)
07. A Lot Of Livin' To Do (1:56)
08. All Of You (2:35)
09. All The Things You Are (2:53)
10. Limehouse Blues (2:44)
11. I'm Gonna' Go Fishin' (3:10)
12. Like Someone In Love (3:27)

Not just the canary female whose dexterous vocals highlighted recordings by the vocal group Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, Annie Ross recorded more than a dozen albums of solid vocal jazz and appeared in many movies. Though she was the last member to join LH&R, she had been pursuing the same pioneering fusions of vocal music with bop delivery for several years before she joined Dave Lambert and Jon Hendricks.

Born Annabelle Lynch in Surrey, England, she moved to Los Angeles at the age of three, with the musical comedienne Ella Logan (either her mother or her aunt, according to differing accounts). By the age of five, she had begun acting and landed roles in the Our Gang series. She later studied acting in New York, then moved back to England where she began singing in nightclubs. Her recording debut came in Paris, with a quartet including James Moody. By 1952, Ross was back in New York and recording with most of the Modern Jazz Quartet for her first album, Singin' and Swingin'. Later that year, she recorded an album with vocalese pioneer King Pleasure. Though she featured on only four tracks of King Pleasure Sings/Annie Ross Sings, her reprise of tenor Wardell Gray's solo on the song "Twisted" became a vocalese landmark.

No One But Me

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Free Tenors - Fellowship

Size: 108,0 MB
Time: 46:05
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz: Neo-Bop
Art: Front

01. Cervene Jablcko (4:35)
02. Passion Dance (6:50)
03. Erzherzog Johann Jodler (5:26)
04. Fellowship (4:38)
05. Magic Transition (5:30)
06. What Am I Here For (5:38)
07. All The Things (5:53)
08. Kaleidoskop (5:04)
09. Hit Hat (2:26)

Personnel:
Harry Sokal – Saxophone (A)
Bernhard Wiesinger – Saxophone (A)
Ondr(ej Štverác(ek – Saxophone (CZ)
Tomáš Baroš – Bass (CZ)
Marián Ševc(ík – Drums (SK)

FreeTENORS takes you on a musical adventure with phenomenal musicians from three countries — Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia. Harry Sokal — the founder of the band — is one of Europe’s greatest saxophonists. With the idea of forming a band of three saxophones, Sokal began collaborating with Ondr(ej Štverác(ek and Bernhard Wiesinger, two young colleagues from the Czech and Austrian jazz scene.
This ensemble embodies musicians who are searching for a fresh, unconventional, unprecedented approach to the standard jazz form. After the opening of the Iron Curtain in 1989, Harry Sokal was one of the first in Austria to seek like-minded musicians in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. With Tomáš Baroš on double-bass and Marián Ševc(ík on drums, he found the best in their craft and musicianship. They create one of the most remarkable jazz rhythm sections, intensifying the freeTENORS’ colourful, thrilling sound and musical cohesiveness.
The virtuosity and musical skill of these world class musicians inspire their audience to reach greater heights of perceptive listening and to explore a deeper love of jazz.

Fellowship

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Neil Andersson - Malibu Manouche

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 47:34
Size: 108.9 MB
Styles: Gypsy jazz
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[3:57] 1. Malibu Manouche
[3:46] 2. Apache
[4:26] 3. Seaside Adventure
[3:24] 4. Surfer Girl
[4:36] 5. Swing 39
[3:25] 6. Telstar
[4:16] 7. Mulholland Bounce
[3:00] 8. Walk. Don't Run
[5:18] 9. Sombrio
[3:20] 10. Pipeline
[5:00] 11. Ozette
[3:00] 12. Maria Elena

Two guitars, bass, and drums - with guitarist Peter Pendras, bassist Chuck Deardorf, and Mark Ivester, drums.

Neil Andersson was born in Tacoma, WA and graduated from Wilson High School in1963. He received his Master of Fine Arts in painting and drawing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, a BFA in painting from the University of Washington, and a BA in Art from the University of Puget Sound.

Neil started playing guitar in high school and in 1964 joined the famous Northwest rock group the Wailers. As a guitarist, he has done session work and played in many groups - recording for United Artists, Janus Records, Etiquette Records, and Modern Hot Records. He is a member of the Northwest Music Hall of Fame. In 1993 he began a collaboration with Dudley Hill that led to the formation of the jazz group Pearl Django; Pearl Django subsequently recorded 10 CDs and maintains its own record label, Modern Hot Records. Neil also released a solo disc, C’est si bon, as well as two collaborations with fellow guitarist Peter Pendras: Malibu Manouche and As the Crow Flies. In 2010 Neil retired from Pearl Django to focus on art and other musical endeavors.

Paralleling his career in music is his work as a visual artist. He primarily paints landscapes in oils, both in the studio and plein air; his paintings have been featured in exhibitions in the Pacific Northwest, British Columbia, Indiana, and Illinois. Neil is represented by Jeffrey Moose Gallery in Seattle, and American Art Company in Tacoma. His artwork can be seen on his web site www.neilandersson.com.

In addition to his activities in music and art, he has taught art at Chief Leschi School, the University of Puget Sound, Pierce College, Tacoma Community College, and Highline Community College. He has served on the Tacoma Arts Commission and worked for MetroParks Tacoma in summer arts programs. In 2008 Neil was featured in KIRO TV’s In Color.

Malibu Manouche

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Letizia Gambi - Introducing Letizia Gambi

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 73:15
Size: 167.7 MB
Styles: Vocal
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[5:49] 1. Secret Tears (Una Furtiva Lagrima)
[4:34] 2. Appocundria
[5:26] 3. And I Think Of You (E Penso A Te)
[5:37] 4. Soli
[5:17] 5. You Are So Special (Tu Si' 'na Cosa Grande)
[4:32] 6. A Time
[4:55] 7. O Sole Mio
[4:20] 8. The Question Of U
[5:51] 9. Passione (With Interview)
[5:21] 10. Bachelorette
[5:29] 11. The Love Of Your Life
[3:58] 12. My Town (Carmela) (With Interview)
[7:06] 13. Munasterio 'e Santachiara In A Sentimental Mood
[4:52] 14. Yo Soy El Sur

"Introducing Letizia Gambi" is the synthesis of two apparently distant worlds blended in perfect harmony, creating an authentic sound that combines African American heritage with Mediterranean melodies. It is a "cultural fusion". Lenny and Letizia arranged some of the most popular songs of the Italian and Neapolitan repertoire, international covers, and they composed original tunes for the project. The refined sensibility of the Italian singer, together with the exceptional experience of the American artist, merged to give birth to a 21st Century Musical Approach, as the two artists like to define it. The album is sung in English, Italian, Neapolitan and Spanish. It’s Mediterranean passion spoken through Jazz.

Lenny presented the project idea to some legendary musicians and they accepted the challenge, which led to extraordinary contributions by Ron Carter, Chick Corea, Wallace Roney, Patrice Rushen, Gil Goldstein and Gato Barbieri. Their performances have significantly contributed to the success of the project.

"Introducing Letizia Gambi" is held together by a common unique style. From "Appocundria", a cover of the famous Italian Pino Daniele, enhanced by the piano performance of Chick Corea, to "The question of U,” their cover of a Prince tune, with a solo by Gato Barbieri. The famous "Tu sì 'na cosa grande" by Domenico Modugno becomes "You are so special" the first ever English version recorded and approved by the great composer's wife; a wonderful ballad featuring the great Wallace Roney. The album was recorded in NY and NJ, the only song recorded in Italy is "Secret Tears" an interpretation of the old Italian aria "Una Furtiva Lagrima" by Gaetano Donizetti from the Opera "L'elisir d'amore." Letizia wrote new English lyrics for this song and recorded it with some of the best musicians on the Italian music scene. Antonio Farao', Dario Rosciglione and Max Ionata.

Introducing Letizia Gambi

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Rossano Sportiello, Eddie Metz, Nicki Parrott - It's A Good Day

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 63:17
Size: 144.9 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[4:42] 1. Theme From 'Grumpy Old Men' End Title
[3:54] 2. Pick Yourself Up
[5:13] 3. Quintessence
[3:39] 4. Lavender Blue
[4:23] 5. This Is No Laughing Matter
[3:39] 6. It's A Good Day
[6:01] 7. Don't Love Me
[5:51] 8. Theme From 2nd Movement Of The Piano Sonata N. 8 Op. 13
[4:57] 9. Too Late Now
[7:24] 10. For You, For Me, Forevermore
[4:04] 11. Last Night When We Were Young
[4:37] 12. Invention
[4:45] 13. Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring

Rossano Sportiello embodies an entire musical tradition with a glowing musical spirit that is far more than simply a collection of influences. This trio, Rossano Sportiello, Eddie Metz and Nicki Parrott, is a friendly supportive group; each voice is equal yet from the first notes a lovely synergy emerges. Sportiello set a wonderfully relaxed, unrushed tone giving this CD a joyous and uplifting sound. A great follow up to the trio´s previous recording "Live at The Jazz Corner" which was warmly received by critics and music lovers alike.

It's A Good Day

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Various - Bebop Deluxe (2-Disc Set)

The mid 1940's saw the emergence of Be-bop (or bop). The numbers of people drafted into armies to fight in World War two resulted in the breaking up of many of the large bands which had featured prominently during the era of Swing. Economic pressures also forced the closure of many of the dance halls which had been so popular in the previous decades. A huge void was left, to be filled by younger musicians such as Dizzie Gillespie, Charlie Parker and Thelonious Monk who took a bold step away from the elaborate arrangements and popular music of the earlier big bands. The scene was left open for individual exploration. The result was a form of jazz that involved more complex melodies and some very fast tempos, which were criticised for being too fast for dancing.

This era is arguably the most significant in jazz history. Characterised by its reliance on chordal, rather than melodic improvisation, Be-bop gave rise to a new jazz elite, which often left previous swing musicians standing. An accomplished Swing musician was in no way guaranteed admittance into this new circle. At the time the movement was unpopular as the emphasis on artistic expression rather than convention, reduced its commercial viability.

Ironically, however, it is today regarded as the foundation of all subsequent styles and the radical musicians of the 1940's and 50's have now become the mainstream.

Album: Bebop Deluxe (Disc 1)
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 55:50
Size: 127.8 MB
Styles: Bebop
Year: 2014

[2:20] 1. Bud Powell - Ornithology
[5:11] 2. Charlie Parker - A Night In Tunisia
[5:42] 3. Art Pepper - Yardbird Suite
[2:42] 4. Fats Navarro - The Chase
[3:04] 5. Thelonious Monk - Epistrophy
[7:45] 6. Max Roach Quintet - Tune-Up
[8:13] 7. Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - Mosaic
[6:27] 8. Charles Mingus - Better Get Hit In Yo' Soul
[6:34] 9. Dexter Gordon - 'round Midnight
[7:48] 10. Sonny Stitt - Salt And Pepper

Bebop Deluxe (Disc 1)

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Album: Bebop Deluxe (Disc 2)
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 61:14
Size: 140.2 MB
Styles: Bebop
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[5:43] 1. Sonny Rollins - Tune Up
[9:21] 2. J.J. Johnson - Neo
[9:52] 3. John Coltrane Quartet - Chasin' The Trane
[5:32] 4. Howard Mcghee - Double Talk
[6:09] 5. Kenny Dorham - K.D.'s Cab Ride
[3:07] 6. Benny Goodman Septet - Stealin' Apples
[5:29] 7. Lee Morgan - Speedbal
[2:40] 8. Cannonball Adderley - The Scene
[3:45] 9. Clifford Brown - Brownie Speaks
[9:33] 10. Kenny Burrell - Swingin'

Bebop Deluxe (Disc 2)

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Jennifer Hanson - Something Cool

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 1998
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:02
Size: 115,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:08)  1. All Night Long
(4:00)  2. Where My Heart Belongs
(6:08)  3. Daydream
(2:36)  4. All the Way
(2:32)  5. Baby Plays Around
(3:54)  6. Never Let Me Go
(4:20)  7. You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To
(3:02)  8. I Fall in Love Too Easily
(3:24)  9. Walk On By
(3:08) 10. Moon River
(4:12) 11. Pretty Blue
(5:43) 12. Something Cool
(2:48) 13. So Long Mr. Lincoln

Country siren Jennifer Hanson was born in 1973 to a pair of working musicians in La Habra, CA, where she cultivated the knowledge and experience that would lead her to an inevitable career in music. Like idols Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt, Hanson discovered Nashville at a young age, testing the waters during the early '90s before establishing a home there in 1995. She met husband/songwriter Mark Nesler in 1997, signed a publishing deal with Acuff Rose the year after, and by 2000 had inked a deal with Capitol. Her blend of pop/rock and glossy new country hit the airwaves in 2002 with the single "Beautiful Goodbye." She released her self-titled debut in February 2003. Although she wouldn't release an album for the next few years her songs were being performed by the likes of the Wreckers ("Leave the Pieces") and former American Idol contestant Bucky Covington ("Different World"). In 2007 she reappeared on the Nashville South label with the single "Joyride." Bio ~ https://itunes.apple.com/ca/artist/jennifer-hanson/id315738#fullText

Something Cool

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John Swana - On Target

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:28
Size: 154,7 MB
Art: Front

(7:18)  1. Through My Eyes
(8:15)  2. Mud Puppy
(8:30)  3. Sweet Sadness
(6:37)  4. On Target
(7:19)  5. View From Above
(6:20)  6. When Love Was You And Me
(7:35)  7. Jitterbug Waltz
(9:14)  8. Suspended Sentence
(6:16)  9. Philly Jazz

For On Target , Swana has assembled an unusal quartet, featuring guitarist Jesse Van Ruller, bassist John Patitucci, and drummer Eric Harland. The references to Art Farmer's early '60s combo with Jim Hall are not to be denied and like Farmer, Swana is not only impressive in his ability to carry much of the solo load but also in the sagacious ways he voices the heads. Seven of the nine tracks come from the trumpeter's pen and each one taps a different stylistic mood. "Sweet Sadness" finds Swana at his lyrical best, while the expansive "Suspended Sentence" simmers quite well at medium tempo. Quite different from all his other Criss Cross sides, On Target further consolidates Swana's individuality. It's a quieter, gentler record with many treats in store. ~ C.Andrew Hovan  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/john-swana-on-target-and-new-york-philly-junction-by-c-andrew-hovan.php#.VGrFuMmHmtg

Personnel: John Swana (trumpet), Jesse Van Ruller (guitar), John Patitucci (bass), Eric Harland (drums)

On Target

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John Tesh - Big Band

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:59
Size: 114,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:21)  1. Beyond The Sea
(3:17)  2. I’ve Got The World On A String
(3:29)  3. Give Me Forever (I Do)
(5:26)  4. Spanish Steps
(4:36)  5. It Had Better Be Tonight
(3:33)  6. Blue Skies
(4:29)  7. The Way You Look Tonight
(4:10)  8. Sway (Mucho Mambo)
(4:22)  9. Goodnight My Angel (Lullaby)
(3:10) 10. Summer Wind
(5:18) 11. L-O-V-E
(3:43) 12. Barcelona

Over the course of a staggering 50 recordings and numerous popular PBS specials spread over a quarter-century, John Tesh has struggled for critical acclaim but never failed to inspire masses of fans with his always-evolving musical muses. Launching with his Emmy-winning, synth-driven sports music, he conquered the emerging smooth jazz genre in the '90s with his saxophone series and later became a force in the CCM/Worship world with best-selling recordings that found inventive musical ways to share his deep faith. His colorful, exciting, and richly arranged and produced first venture into big band (after a Christmas album using the same dynamic) as a singer and large ensemble leader isn't as unusual a step as one might think at first. Long before he was an anchor at Entertainment Tonight and a popular recording artist and musician, he was a self-proclaimed "band geek" who played trumpet in school jazz and marching bands. 

While playing piano in a rock band, he studied with teachers from Juilliard and was even named to the New York State Symphonic Orchestra. Plus there are those fond childhood memories of his parents listening to Sinatra, Count Basie, and others. This background lends a little credibility, but ultimately an ambitious project like this can only thrive with powerful and rousing arrangements and he has two versatile jazz greats, Tim Landers and Tony Guerrero, to help him (for the most part) achieve magic here. Willie Murillo handles the sharp orchestrations and adds drama with his trumpet on the rousing, percussive closer, his original "Spanish Steps." Rather than remind himself of his trumpet background, Tesh wisely defers elsewhere to Guerrero's brilliance on the instrument for solo spots on two of the most freewheeling fun tracks, "It Had Better Be Tonight" and "The Way You Look Tonight." The classic selections include "The Summer Wind," "I've Got the World on a String," "Blue Skies," "In the Mood," "Sway," and "Beyond the Sea." 

He also refashions a few of his renowned originals, including "Barcelona" and "Give Me Forever," which lend themselves gracefully to this format. Tesh is more concerned about shining here as a pianist and his vocals, while not quite Sinatra, Harry Connick, Jr., or Michael Bublé, are likeable enough. This infectious debut album in the big-band arena was accompanied by a PBS event called "John Tesh Big Band Live!" With so much Great American Songbook material to choose from, and his desire to re-imagine his own material, it was a good bet that the ever-evolving musical world of Tesh would include similar ventures in the future. ~ Jonathan Widran  http://www.allmusic.com/album/big-band-mw0002349939

Big Band

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Peter Beets - New Groove

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:40
Size: 143,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:17)  1. You're My Everything
(7:34)  2. But Beautiful
(5:13)  3. Tricotism
(5:16)  4. I'm Old Fashioned
(5:43)  5. Blues For Giltay
(7:15)  6. In Your Own Sweet Way
(4:20)  7. They Say It's Wonderful
(6:13)  8. Nuages
(4:41)  9. Three Little Words
(6:30) 10. Easy Listening Blues
(5:32) 11. Parker 51

What zesty, light-stepping, buoyant sounds these are. There's some serious swinging happening on Dutch pianist Peter Beets' New Groove. Beets employs two different trios, one from New York, the other from his native Netherlands. Both trios utilize piano, guitar and bass, reminiscent of Ahmad Jamal's 1955 recordings with guitarist Ray Crawford and bassist Israel Crosby, available on Ahmad Jamal Trio (Definitive Records, 2006), or more swingingly on the work of Oscar Peterson, bassist Ray Brown and guitarists Barney Kessel and Herb Ellis. New Groove is Beets' fourth Criss Cross Records release, following New York Trio (2001), New York Trio Page 2 (2003) and New York Trio Page 3 (2005), all employing the standard piano, bass and drums format. 

The guitar/piano teaming enriches the harmonic element, and Beets and guitarists Joe Cohn and Martijn Van Iterson switch back and forth with Beets on soloing and comping, giving the music an organically vibrant feel. The set has an especially relaxed, off-the-cuff vibe, sounding loose and spontaneous within the mainstream framework. The set opens with Harry Warren's familiar gem, "You're My Everything," sounding especially crisp and lively, then slips into a gorgeous take on Kern and Mercer's "I'm Old Fashioned" before moving into a zingy Beets original, "Blues for Giltay."

Irving Berlin's "They Say It's Wonderful," has Beets sounding particularly like Oscar Peterson. And speaking of Peterson, the master gets another nod with Beets' take on Nat King Cole's "Easy Listening Blues," which Peterson recorded on his tribute album With Respect to Nat (Polygram Records, 1965). There's no new ground broken on New Groove, but Beets and his trios swing over the old ground with an engaging panache on an especially fine trio outing. ~ Dan McClenaghan  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/new-groove-peter-beets-criss-cross-review-by-dan-mcclenaghan.php#.VGuKzcmHmtg
 

Personnel: Peter Beets: piano; Joe Cohn: guitar (2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11); Reuben Rogers: bass (2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11); Martijn Van Iterson: guitar (1, 5, 6, 9); Rudd Jacobs: bass (1,5,6,9).

New Groove

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