Monday, February 16, 2015

King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys - This Is It!

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:33
Size: 81.4 MB
Styles: Swing, Jump blues
Year: 1980
Art: Front

[4:15] 1. Mr.Blues Is Coming To Town Oh Babe
[3:04] 2. Squeeze Me
[2:22] 3. Lovin' Machine
[2:31] 4. Bongo Boogie
[3:22] 5. Fish Man
[2:48] 6. House Party
[2:33] 7. Jumpin' From 6 To 6
[2:45] 8. This Is It
[2:46] 9. Why Don't You Do Right
[3:17] 10. Train Kept A-Rollin'
[3:14] 11. Bad Bad Whiskey
[2:32] 12. Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee

“The aristocrats of Rhythm & Blues" King Pleasure are one of the most popular jazz & swing bands in the world made famous by Ronnie Scotts clubs, performing classy numbers in Louis Jordan & Eddie Cleanhead style. They have a stunning range of instrumental ability, 7 recorded CDs and have performed internationally giving show-stealing performances with their unique mix of 1940s Kansas City Jazz and Blues, presented with the most exciting stage performance extant.

From humble beginnings as a group of school friends in a coffee shop in Walsall, King Pleasure have made themselves a household name in the UK and around the world with their fantastic jazz and blues rhythms, crazy on-stage antics, musical humour and total professionalism.

Unusually the original band-line up decided, over that infamous coffee, which of them was going to play what instrument. They then went out and bought the instruments and set about learning them! Originally known as Some like it Hot, they won competitions and began gigging in Birmingham, and over the ensuing 20 years have gone through several line-up and name changes, recorded 7 CDs and proved themselves to be the superb marketable band that they are today.

This Is It!

Tom Lellis, Toninho Horta - Tonight

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:06
Size: 126.2 MB
Styles: Latin jazz
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[4:25] 1. Maybe September
[4:13] 2. Dindi
[3:55] 3. An Infinite Love (Infinite Love)
[4:08] 4. My Romance
[4:31] 5. Let's Face The Music And Dance
[3:17] 6. In The Still Of The Night
[2:47] 7. Fly Me To The Moon
[4:45] 8. Tonight
[3:39] 9. Dreamwalking
[5:15] 10. Three For Marie
[2:45] 11. The Nearness Of You
[4:23] 12. Summertime
[3:52] 13. I Love You
[3:05] 14. Over The Rainbow

This is Tom Lellis’ seventh album as leader (rather disappointing output, considering the immensity of his talents as singer and keyboardist, since those seven releases span 27 years). It is also his fourth to include Brazilian guitar virtuoso (and sometime vocalist) Toninho Horta. On previous platters, additional players surrounded Lellis and Horta. Here they are left solely in one another’s company, and the results are sublime. Indeed, if lustrous pearls set against black couture represent the height of understated elegance, then Lellis and Horta are, in combination, the Audrey Hepburn of Latin-fused jazz.

As they wind their leisurely way through 11 standards and three originals, Lellis’ inherent Mark Murphy-ness remains strongly, often startlingly, evident. It is, however, softened—or perhaps “lulled” is a better word—by the gentle seductiveness of Horta’s guitar. The covers are so consistently gorgeous that it is impossible to elevate one above the others, though “Dindi” and “My Romance,” on which Lellis sings the English lyrics as Horta counters in Portuguese, are uniquely stunning. As for the originals, two—the grand “An Infinite Love,” at once cloud-soft and sharply angular as it explores love’s limitless magnitude, and “Dreamwalking” (sort of a modern-day “Girl From Ipanema,” praising a passing, and perceivably unattainable, goddess)—were cowritten by Lellis and Horta. The third, “Three for Marie (3/4 Marie),” is Lellis’ own, and cunningly suggests a mellower, more sensuous “Waltz for Debby.” ~Christopher Loudon

Tonight

Sonny Clark Trio - S/T

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:33
Size: 111.1 MB
Styles: Hard bop, Piano jazz
Year: 1957/1988/2014
Art: Front

[9:50] 1. Be-Bop
[4:20] 2. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
[3:41] 3. Two Bass Hit
[6:00] 4. Tadd's Delight
[6:31] 5. Softly As In A Morning Sunrise
[4:52] 6. I'll Remember April
[4:18] 7. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
[3:59] 8. Two Bass Hit (Alternate Take)
[4:59] 9. Tadd's Delight (Alternate Take)

Sonny Clark (piano) Paul Chambers (bass) Philly Joe Jones (drums). Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, NJ, October 13, 1957

Pianist Sonny Clark sounds very much at home on this trio set with bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Philly Joe Jones. Sticking to bop standards, Clark essentially plays his version of Bud Powell, carving out his own approach to the influential style. The CD reissue adds three alternates to the six selections and includes such gems as "Two Bass Hit," "Be-Bop" and "Tadd's Delight." ~Scott Yanow

Sonny Clark Trio

Joanne Klein & Marc Smason - You're My Thrill

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:28
Size: 131.6 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2000
Art: Front

[ 3:40] 1. Too Close For Comfort
[ 5:57] 2. Agua Je Bebe
[ 4:38] 3. I'm A Stranger Here Myself
[ 4:37] 4. Inch Worm
[ 3:59] 5. Slap That Bass
[ 9:35] 6. You're My Thrill
[ 4:34] 7. If I Had A Ribbon Bow
[ 4:53] 8. The Kind Of Man A Woman Needs
[ 4:56] 9. We Deserve Each Other
[10:35] 10. Shira

A veteran of cabaret, musical theatre, and concert, JOANNE KLEIN combines her diverse talents to present an innovative blend of music, theatre, comedy and lyricism. From jazz to pop, swing to R&B, classics to originals, everything she touches becomes a fresh look at the world. Energetic, versatile and clever with a sophisticaed flair, Ms Klein is very musical, very zany, and above all, totally entertaining.

MARC SMASON, trombonist/vocalist, has performed throughout the world with such masters as Big Joe Turner, Benny Green, Sam Shepard, Julian Priester, Martha Tilton, Jeff Johnson, the Funk Brothers, Andy Statman, Perry Robinson, Sonny Simmons and the Ivar's Clams. His playing encompasses many styles including jazz, latin, klezmer and R&B.

You're My Thrill

Lee Oskar - Before The Rain

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:21
Size: 99.3 MB
Styles: R&B-Funk-Soul
Year: 1978/2011
Art: Front

[8:15] 1. Before The Rain
[5:32] 2. Steppin'
[7:20] 3. San Francisco Bay
[3:43] 4. Feelin' Happy
[4:45] 5. More Than Words Can Say
[6:54] 6. Sing Song
[6:49] 7. Haunted House

Here's why all serious music lovers still need a turntable: there are so many worthwhile LPs from the '60s and '70s that will probably never be reissued on CD. Before Avenue Records came into the picture, it seemed unlikely that Lee Oskar's solo albums of 1976-1980 would ever be reissued on CD -- labels usually reissue titles they think there is a heavy demand for, and Oskar's solo efforts weren't the mega-blockbusters that War's albums were. But Avenue pleasantly surprised listeners in the '90s by making Oskar's solo output available on CD, including 1978's Before the Rain. Did this album outsell War classics like Why Can't We Be Friends? and All Day Music? Hardly. Reissued in 1995, this mostly instrumental album deserved to come back into print simply because it is good. From a commercial standpoint, the problem with Before the Rain is that it's difficult to categorize -- is it funk, pop-jazz, quiet storm, or fusion? Arguably, Before the Rain is all of those things, and Oskar's harmonica playing is expressive whether he is getting mildly funky on "Steppin'" or being mellow and laid-back on "More Than Words Can Say" and the title track. "Steppin'" certainly isn't typical of funk instrumentals; the tune opens with bagpipes -- not exactly an instrument that one ordinarily associates with funk. But then, Oskar is no stranger to multiculturalism; how many harmonica players who were born in Copenhagen, Denmark, went on to play with one of the top soul/funk bands of the '70s? Before the Rain may not have set the world on fire when it was first released in 1978, but it was certainly nice to see the album making its CD debut in 1995. ~Alex Henderson

Before The Rain 

Barb Gordon - For The Record

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:17
Size: 157,6 MB
Art: Front

(2:50)  1. Down With Love
(4:21)  2. Like A Lover (O Cantador)
(3:37)  3. Joy Spring
(6:39)  4. Lullaby of The Leaves
(5:57)  5. When You Wish Upon A Star
(4:16)  6. Get Used To It Baby
(6:22)  7. My Funny Valentine
(4:03)  8. On A Clear Day (You Can See Forever)
(4:10)  9. Erev Shel Shoshanim
(6:05) 10. My One and Only Love
(3:42) 11. I Was Doing All Right
(4:08) 12. Love and Affection
(4:42) 13. No Regrets
(4:40) 14. Over the Rainbow
(2:38) 15. Tight

Five years ago my mother asked me to learn her favourite jazz tune, Lullaby of the Leaves. She had danced to it as a girl at a dance and fell in love with the song. I learned Lullaby of the Leaves within the remaining months of my mother’s life. Her love of the song and the memories she associated with it inspired the theme for the collection of songs on this album; which is about recording "for the record" favourite songs introduced to me by family, friends and colleagues over the years. For me, it reflects the passage of time and the passing of time. As colourful autumn leaves record the fleeting lives of plants throughout past seasons, For the Record is about memories associated with the songs we have recorded, while sharing some of the great music of decades past. Much appreciation and thanks to all involved in this project; and for the support of my family, friends, clients and colleagues. 

To name but a few; Freddie, Sam, Michael Maxwell, Adrean Farrugia, Jeff Wolpert, Bob Morgan, Rich Davis, Joe Guss, Laurie Gray, Sarah Maxwell, Marlane Oliver, Cindy Brooks, Lisa Pappo, Donna Holmes, Michael Kleinman,  Lisa Briones, Josie Roussel, Anne Parr, Wainer et al., Andrew Z., Julie P. and Chris C., Max and Mireille, Rochelle T. (and the turtles),  Terry Cade, Elaine Overholt, Bonnie Brett, Shelly Merel, Beny Maissner, David Young, Leonard Levy, MJ Farber, Izzie Davis, Barry, Alan, Dad, and last but not least, Afi “the Dude” Doodle. To Sybil Doris Levy Gordon: A magnificent woman inside and out. My source, my inspiration and my best friend. Miss you, Mom.  http://www.barbgordonsings.com/for-the-record.html

For The Record

Bruce Mathiske - And Guitar

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2004
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:19
Size: 104,3 MB
Art: Front

(3:43)  1. Eleanor Rigby
(2:40)  2. The Shae Strut
(2:55)  3. Caravan
(3:31)  4. Gumboots
(3:46)  5. Soft Day In Athlone
(3:38)  6. The Arrival
(3:38)  7. Manha De Carnival
(4:30)  8. Barcenheads Bay
(3:17)  9. What A Wonderful World
(3:11) 10. St Thomas
(2:44) 11. The Top
(4:30) 12. Dawn
(3:08) 13. They Can't Take That Away

Bruce Mathiske is a virtuoso solo guitarist from Australia. With a dexterous finger span, he plays lead, rhythm, and bass at the same time. The technique gives a solid impression of more than one guitarist playing, and has made him one of Australia's stars of the instrument. He has picked up a pair of Best Guitarist awards in his homeland, as well as numerous other prizes, including one for Best Soloist and another for Best Overall. The guitarist began music lessons when he was seven years old, while living in the rural area of Swan Hill. At the age of about 15 or 16, he relocated to Bendingo, where he devoted a few years to the specialization of classical guitar. After settling later in Queensland, he became a student of Neville Khan and earned a diploma in sight reading, composition, improvisation, theory, and arranging.  

One of Mathiske's major influences is Chet Atkins. He devised a way to blend his growing interest in jazz with Atkins' solo style. He devoted ten hours daily to the practice of his technique for half a dozen years. His solo work reflects a combination of Atkins' influence, his own jazz interests, and his classical studies. Mathiske's other inspirations include B.B. King, Lenny Breau, Barney Kessell, Robin Ford, and Leo Kottke. He has toured North America, Japan, and Europe. Appearances have included numerous festivals, among them the Cork International Jazz Festival, the Glasgow Jazz Festival, and the London Guitar Festival. In addition, one of his concerts was recorded for broadcast on BBC Radio.  http://www.sputnikmusic.com/bands/Bruce-Mathiske/61528/

Mel Tormé - The Great American Songbook, Live At Michael's Pub

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 1992
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:36
Size: 150,6 MB
Art: Front

(4:08)  1. You Gotta Try
(3:04)  2. Ridin' High / I'm Shootin' High
(4:04)  3. You Make Me Feel So Young
(5:29)  4. Stardust
(3:04)  5. I'm Gonna Go Fishin'
(3:10)  6. Don't Get Around Much Anymore / I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart
(6:10)  7. Sophisticated Lady / I Didn't Know About You
(4:35)  8. Rockin' In Rhythm
(7:14)  9. It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing
(4:11) 10. A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening
(5:38) 11. I'll Remember April / I Concentrate On You
(4:28) 12. Autumn In New York
(4:24) 13. Just One Of Those Things / Green Dolphin Street
(2:44) 14. All God's Chillun' Got Rhythm
(1:05) 15. The Party's Over

Mel Tormé, 67 at the time of this recording, proves to still be very much in his musical prime. His range remains impressive, his creative abilities have grown through the years and his breath control is remarkable; as proof Tormé holds some very long notes at the conclusion of some of the ballads. This live set finds Tormé backed by what he dubbed "the Great American Songbook Orchestra," his usual trio plus a dozen horns. The band gets "Ya Gotta Try" as an instrumental and Tormé sits in on drums on "Rockin' in Rhythm" but otherwise the orchestra sticks to its anonymous role in the background. 

The singer wrote ten of the 15 arrangements and programmed plenty of variety in moods and tempos for his voice including a seven-song Duke Ellington mini-set. His masterful interpretation of "Stardust" is a highpoint. Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-great-american-songbook-live-at-michaels-pub-mw0000109885

Personnel:  Vocals – Mel Tormé;  Alto Saxophone, Clarinet – Adam Brenner;  Alto Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet – Jack Stuckey;  Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet – Dave Schumacher; Bass – John Leitham ;  Drums – Donny Osborne; Leader, Piano – John Colianni;  Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet – Jeff Rupert, Jerry Weldon;  Trombone – Rich Willey, Timothy Newman, Tom Artin;  Trumpet – Frank London, John Walsh, Bob Milikan, Ross Konikoff .

Willis 'Gator' Jackson - After Hours

Styles: Soul, Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2004
File: MP3@256K/s
Time: 79:39
Size: 145,9 MB
Art: Front

( 5:00)  1. Secret Love
( 6:56)  2. When My Dreamboat Comes In
( 5:53)  3. She's My Love
(10:29)  4. After Hours
( 5:36)  5. What Will I Tell My Heart
( 2:40)  6. The Song Of Ossanha
( 6:38)  7. Sunny
( 5:29)  8. Girl Talk
( 2:57)  9. Ode To Billie Joe
( 5:14) 10. Sometimes I'm Happy
( 2:00) 11. Soul Grabber
( 3:35) 12. Rhode Island Red
( 8:25) 13. Alfie
( 2:51) 14. I Dig Rock And Roll Music
( 5:48) 15. These Blues Are Made For Walki

Like Arnett Cobb, Willis "Gator" Jackson was a hard-blowing tenor saxophonist who had no problem making the transition from the honker school of the '40s and early '50s to the soul-jazz and organ combos of the late '50s and '60s. The '60s, in fact, were an extremely productive time for Jackson, who recorded for Prestige throughout that decade and got into the studio often. A 79-minute CD that Fantasy assembled in 2004, After Hours offers two of Jackson's '60s LPs back to back: 1963's Loose and 1967's Soul Grabber (both of which employ Carl Wilson on organ and underscore Jackson's fondness for the Hammond B-3). While Soul Grabber is heard in its entirety, one of the songs from Loose ("Y'all") was omitted due to space limitations. During the '60s, Jackson wasn't afraid to look in a variety of places for material  his repertoire ranged from original compositions to Tin Pan Alley to Burt Bacharach/Hal David, Bobby Vinton and Motown. 

Jackson seemed to realize that worthwhile popular music was worthwhile music regardless of the source, and on After Hours, Gator finds the jazz potential in everything from "Secret Love" and "Sometimes I'm Happy" to Bobbie Gentry's "Ode to Billie Joe," Bobby Hebb's "Sunny" and Peter, Paul & Mary's "I Dig Rock and Roll Music." Jackson's tenor dominates the album, but on Bacharach/David's "Alfie," the saxman plays a custom-made instrument he named the "gator horn" (which he described as "somewhere between an alto sax, a soprano sax and a French horn"). Parts of this CD were obviously designed to reach soul and rock fans, but thankfully, Gator knew how to make some commercial moves without sacrificing his skills as an improviser. While After Hours falls short of essential, this is a solid, pleasing disc that Jackson's hardcore fans will enjoy. ~ Alex Henderson  
http://www.allmusic.com/album/after-hours-mw0000265899

Personnel: Willis "Gator" Jackson (tenor saxophone, horns); Willis "Gator" Jackson; Bill Jones (guitar); Lawrence Wright (drums); Wally Richardson, Lloyd Davis (guitar); Haywood Henry (baritone saxophone); Dud Bascomb, Frank Robinson, Sammy Lowe (trumpet); Joe Hadrick (drums); Lawrence Wright, Bob Bushnell, Bill Jones , Carl Wilson .