Silky Denims: 02/23/15

Monday, February 23, 2015

Jackie McLean - Strange Blues/Presenting Jackie McLean

Size: 179,3 MB
Time: 77:20
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1957/1955/2011
Styles: Jazz: Saxophone Jazz, Hard bop
Art: Front

Strange Blues:
01. Strange Blues ( 7:31)
02. Millie's Pad (11:15)
03. What's New ( 6:35)
04. Disciples Love Affair ( 6:48)
05. Not So Strange Blues ( 4:49)

Presenting Jackie McLean:
06. It's You Or No One ( 6:50)
07. Blue Doll ( 7:00)
08. Little Melonae ( 6:27)
09. The Way You Look Tonight ( 6:30)
10. Mood Malody ( 6:53)
11. Lover Man ( 6:37)

Strange Blues:
The last of the Jackie McLean Prestige sessions, this CD reissue has material from two different sets, but fortunately, the music is on a higher level than one might expect of "leftovers." "Strange Blues" is from a marathon quartet set that McLean had with pianist Mal Waldron, bassist Arthur Phipps and drummer Art Taylor as is a rendition of "What's New" that is an alternate version to the one included on Makin' the Changes. In addition, "Disciples Love Affair" and "Millie's Pad" match McLean with the tuba of Ray Draper (who contributed both songs), trumpeter Webster Young, pianist John Meyers, bassist Bill Salter and drummer Larry Ritchie, while the incomplete "Not So Strange Blues" is all McLean on an explosive blues with the rhythm section. A generally strong set chiefly recommended to Jackie McLean completists. ~Review by Scott Yanow

Presenting Jackie McLean:
Originally issued in 1955, this is Jackie McLean's debut date as a leader. The band includes Donald Byrd on trumpet (himself a young lion at the time), pianist Mal Waldron, Doug Watkins on bass, and drummer Ronnie Tucker. A standard late bebop and early hard bop date (but then again, hard bop was still fresh and new at the time, and McLean was at the forefront of it), the album is most notable for its two McLean originals: "Little Melonae" and the beautiful blues "Blue Doll." Mal Waldron's "Mood Malady" closes the set with a wonderful showcase of his own use of extended harmonic reaches inside a conventional hard bop tune. ~Review by Thom Jurek

Strange Blues/Presenting Jackie McLean

The Golden Gate Quartet - Live: 70 Years Around The World

Size: 168,8 MB
Time: 72:41
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2005
Styles: Blues, Gospel, Soul
Art: Front

01. I Soon Will Be Done (2:49)
02. Swing Low (3:52)
03. Run On (3:12)
04. Child Of God (4:56)
05. Down By The Riverside (2:19)
06. Only Believe (4:27)
07. Cheer The Weary Traveler (2:55)
08. Gospel Train (2:34)
09. Hammering (3:34)
10. Hush Hush (4:57)
11. Higher Ground (3:24)
12. Sit Down Servant (3:54)
13. Joshua Fit The Battle (2:43)
14. My Pay (8:22)
15. Go Down Moses (3:48)
16. Religion (3:51)
17. Don't Pray (4:56)
18. Banana Boat Song (6:02)

Pioneer Virginia gospel/pop quartet of the '30s and '40s. Calling their innovative approach to sacred hymns "jubilee" singing, the Golden Gate Quartet, propelled by Willie Johnson and William Langford, enjoyed massive acceptance far outside the church. Their smooth Mills Brothers-influenced harmonies made the Gates naturals for pop crossover success, and they began recording for Victor in 1937. National radio broadcasts and an appearance on John Hammond's 1938 "Spirituals to Swing" concert at Carnegie Hall made them coast-to-coast favorites. By 1941 the Gates were recording for Columbia minus Langford, and movie appearances were frequent: Star Spangled Rhythm, Hollywood Canteen, and Hit Parade of 1943, to name a few. Some experiments with R&B material didn't pan out during the late '40s, and Johnson defected to the Jubilaires in 1948. The group emigrated to France in 1959; led by veteran bass singer Orlando Wilson, the Golden Gate Quartet's vocal blend is as powerful as ever. ~by Bill Dahl

Live: 70 Years Around The World

June Bisantz - It's Always You: June Bisantz Sings Chet Baker Vol. 2

Size: 98,9 MB
Time: 40:19
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. I Get Along Without You Very Well (2:39)
02. It's Always You (4:07)
03. Forgetful (2:25)
04. Everything Depends On You (3:17)
05. My Ideal (4:20)
06. Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye (4:29)
07. So Che Ti Perdero (4:00)
08. You're Mine You (2:59)
09. I Don't Stand A Ghost Of A Chance (4:36)
10. Born To Be Blue (4:11)
11. The Night We Called It A Day (2:13)
12. Spring Is Here (0:58)

Singer and visual artist June Bisantz has co-written and produced several collections of vocal jazz including "Let's Fall in Love", a CD based on the work of legendary jazz musician Chet Baker. Her new release “It’s Always You”, a second Baker-inspired CD, features both familiar and obscure Chet Baker songs that span the course of his fascinating career. Bisantz sets a 1960’s jazz club mood with these tunes about love and longing, delivered in a voice that is “Cool and still full of emotion - just like Chet Baker” Hans-Bernd Kittlaus Jazz Podium Magazine, Germany.

Bisantz has performed and recorded with distinguished jazz musicians including Steve Swallow, Bob Moses, Paul Brown, Will Lee, Lou Soloff, Jerry Neiwood and Mike Stern. Reviews and articles about her work include People Magazine, USA Today, Downbeat Magazine, Jazziz Magazine, New York Newsday, the Boston Herald, Boston Globe, Hartford Courant, Connecticut Magazine and the New York Native.

She currently records and performs with Russian-born jazz/classical pianist and arranger Alex Nakhimovsky; guitarist and composer Norman Johnson; and master trumpeter Gabor Viragh.

It's Always You

Mart'nalia - Mart'nalia Em Samba! Ao Vivo

Size: 179,4 MB
Time: 76:26
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Brazilian Rhythms, Samba
Art: Front

01. Peço A Deus ( 2:27)
02. Mas Quem Disse Que Eu Te Esqueço/Acreditar/Sorriso Negro ( 5:02)
03. Coraçao Em Desalinho ( 3:05)
04. Casa Um Da Vila ( 2:04)
05. Volta Por Cima/Saudosa Maloca ( 1:51)
06. Maracangalha ( 1:23)
07. Chiclete Com Banana (Feat. Emicida) ( 3:07)
08. Quero Ver Quarta-Feira (Feat. Emicida) ( 4:35)
09. Quem Te Viu, Quem Te Ve ( 3:14)
10. Pra Que Chorar ( 2:36)
11. Feitiço Da Vila ( 2:41)
12. Saigon ( 2:48)
13. Um Dia Desses (Feat. Dandara Ventapane) ( 3:04)
14. Carol Ou Clarisse ( 3:15)
15. Aviao ( 3:25)
16. Samba A Dois ( 3:17)
17. Beija, Me Beija ( 3:14)
18. Casa De Bamba/Segure Tudo (Feat. Martinho Da Vila) ( 5:16)
19. Nhem Nhem Nhem/Madalena Do Jucu (Feat. Martinho Da Vila) (10:12)
20. Chega ( 3:23)
21. Sinto Lhe Dizer ( 3:44)
22. Tem Juizo, Mas Nao Usa (Feat. Pedro Luis) ( 2:31)

Daughter of sambista Martinho da Vila and singer Analia Mendonca (her name is a blend of parents' names), the singer was born in Vila Isabel, North Zone of Rio de Janeiro. Since childhood she was surrounded by music.

She began her professional career at age 16, doing backing vocals for her father beside her sister, Analimar. In the mid 1990s, she began making presentations on the circuit of bars, nightclubs and theaters in Rio de Janeiro, which culminated in the release of her album My Man, facing the samba. Since 1994, she joined the group Batacotô, who launched the Semba Ancestors. The artist was also the band's percussionist Ivan Lins.

Mart'nália had the privilege of becoming sponsored big names of Brazilian popular music thanks to her father. Caetano Veloso was the artistic director of her foot hard on my Samba, as well as composing the title track, and Maria Bethânia produced Menino do Rio From these two albums, Mart'nália began to attract greater media attention and have an agenda shows more established throughout the country, paving the way for international tours through Europe and Africa.

Mart'nalia Em Samba!

VA - Jazz Organ

Size: 244,1 MB
Time: 104:51
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. Shirley Scott - Ain't Misbehavin' (3:30)
02. Jimmy Smith - The Sermon (7:39)
03. Jack McDuff - Loose Foot (5:04)
04. Bill Doggett - Mudcat (2:32)
05. Larry Young - Back Up (Remastered) (8:36)
06. Dr. Lonnie Smith - Seesaw (Remastered) (5:50)
07. Jimmy McGriff - Sho' Nuff (3:53)
08. Jimmy Smith - Fungii Mama (Remastered) (4:50)
09. Lou Donaldson - Caravan (5:20)
10. Jack McDuff - Butter (For Yo' Popcorn) (4:04)
11. Bill Doggett - Oo-Da (3:48)
12. Larry Young - Paris Eyes (Remastered) (6:37)
13. Jimmy McGriff - Swingin' The Blues (Remastered) (3:44)
14. Shirley Scott - Blue Bongo (3:01)
15. Pat Metheny - Dr. Slate (7:37)
16. Jimmy Smith - Motorin' Along (Remastered) (5:07)
17. Jack McDuff - Down Home Style (5:02)
18. Jimmy McGriff - M.G. Blues (4:55)
19. Grant Green - Luny Tune (7:39)
20. Shirley Scott - Ciao, Ciao (5:51)

Pepi Lemer, co-founder of the legendary jazz/fusion group ‘Turning Point’ is now launching her new cd and band ‘Back2front’. Pepi’s inspiration to find a repertoire of songs that could embrace her passion for latin rhythms, improvisation and intricate jazz patterns which could enable her to use her vocalese style of singing was the great American jazz guitarist Pat Metheny, and when he gave her permission to write lyrics to some of his compositions, her band was formed using his and other world composers songs.

She has created a driving, exciting percussive mix of jazz/latin fusion music using her remarkable vocal range and unique vocalese style.

She is using some of Britain’s finest jazz musicians for her new band and cd, these are: Peter Lemer (piano), Chris Lawrence (bass), Paul Robinson (drums), Gary Hammond (percussion), Richard Edwards (trombone), Derek Nash (sax), Pepi Lemer (vocals).

Jazz Organ

Pepi Lemer - Back2Front

Size: 132,4 MB
Time: 56:42
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz Vocals, Latin Jazz
Art: Front

01. Returning (Third Wind Minuano) (5:00)
02. Brazilian Dorian Dream (4:39)
03. Come With Me (Minuano) (5:53)
04. Just Kidding (5:53)
05. Golden Seal (6:18)
06. The Flame (Hadouk) (4:31)
07. Mambo Influenciado (5:01)
08. Lumbriga (1:27)
09. The Gathering Sky (7:12)
10. Childhood (In Her Family) (2:31)
11. One Night (Para Ti) (3:40)
12. Without You (You) (4:33)

Back2Front

Lou Donaldson - The Natural Sound

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:49
Size: 111.7 MB
Styles: Soul jazz, Hard bop, Saxophone jazz
Year: 1962/2003
Art: Front

[ 9:04] 1. Funky Mama
[ 5:10] 2. Love Walked In
[ 5:35] 3. Spaceman Twist
[10:11] 4. Sow Belly Blues
[ 5:32] 5. That's All
[ 5:23] 6. Nice 'n Greasy
[ 7:50] 7. People Will Say We're In Love

The Natural Soul finds Lou Donaldson delving deeply into soul-jazz, recording a set of funky, greasy instrumentals with only a few references to hard bop. Donaldson occasionally sounds a little awkward with the relaxed groove of The Natural Soul, as does trumpeter Tommy Turrentine, but the trio of guitarist Grant Green, organist John Patton, and drummer Ben Dixon keep things cooking. Green and Patton's solos often burn and are always invigorating, and Lou frequently matches their heights. The original compositions -- which form the bulk of the album -- aren't much more than blues and soul vamps, but they provide an excellent foundation for the combo to work hot grooves. And, in the end, that's what The Natural Soul is about -- groove. It maintains the high standards Donaldson established with his first soul-jazz foray, Here 'Tis, and remains one of his best records in that genre. ~Stephen Thomas Erlewine

The Natural Sound

Shannon Whitworth & Barrett Smith - Bring It On Home

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:40
Size: 102.3 MB
Styles: Vocal, Alternative folk, Jazz
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[3:33] 1. Bring It On Home To Me
[3:20] 2. Moonglow
[3:34] 3. You Can Close Your Eyes
[4:07] 4. Duncan
[2:58] 5. I Get Ideas (When We Are Dancing)
[3:24] 6. Louise
[2:51] 7. Sway
[3:45] 8. Bird On The Wire
[4:26] 9. Corcovado (Quiet Nights)
[3:44] 10. Green Grass
[4:56] 11. I'll Be Your Lover, Too
[3:58] 12. You Are My Sunshine

Like musical genre, the release of music has become progressively atomized in the past 25 years. Long gone is the ritual ministry of going to a record store to buy an album. Albums, those often painstakingly conceived collections of songs, are gasping their Chain-Stokes last breath at the hands of a generation used to downloading the newest single mp3 recorded in someone's basement using an iPad, the result posted on YouTube. No liner notes, no story, only an effete bunch of too-hip- for-their-own-good writers blogging that this is the new "thing" using the internet as the new word-of-mouth (read that propaganda machine) to decrease the signal-to-noise ratio to just noise.

But, there remains signs of life in the LP, the "album-length" media of the moment. Jazz and classical music may be the only thing between the album and oblivion. That and a good idea. Singers Shannon Whitworth and Barrett Smith, beneath the guise of the Shannon Whitworth Band, did some opening dates for the Tedeschi Trucks Band, revealing a beautifully tranquil and entertaining set of originals and covers readily appealing to those of a certain age (the late Baby Boom). The two touted a new recording they had just made, one devoted to their favorite songs. Now, that is a concept for an album and its title is Bring It On Home.

The single best description of the music Whitworth and Smith make is warm honey infused with opium: both pure and wholesome, while being a bit, how should we say, bohemian. At first blush, this music resembles that of Canada's Cowboy Junkies of the late 1980s, but without the dead seriousness. Relaxed and confident, Whitworth and Smith work their way across an almost 100-year landscape of music that is the crowning achievement of the song writer's craft. They so so with quiet percussion and carefully chosen accompaniment that makes this perfect listening music: appealing to both nostalgia and the appreciation of fine music making.

This disc opens with a spirited reading of Sam Cooke's "Bring It On Home To Me." Whitworth and Barrett have a certain empathy that works on several different levels. They harmonize well together, behind Barrett's "Mr. Postman" Fender Telecaster guitar playing, never too many notes only those necessary, well presented. Okay, that song was circa 1962. The pair jumps back 30 years to the Depression era popular song written by Irving Mills and Eddie DeLange. The song is perfection, until the pair jump ahead 40 years and perform James Taylor's "You Can Close Your Eyes" like it was their own with cellist Melissa Hyman providing that perfect American continuo undercurrent.

From James Taylor to Paul Simon and that composer's introspective "Duncan" from Paul Simon (Columbia Records, 1972). Barrett sings lead and Whitworth provides harmony vocals and a banjo, buoyed by Hyman's cello and Nicky Sander's violin, deriving from this American song all of its Americana. The recording's emotional center is found in the 1927 tango written by Argentinian Julio Cesar Sanders, "I Get Ideas (When We Are Dancing)." Whitworth pours the honey (yes, that same honey) on slow while strumming her ukulele and purring her way through the sexiest lyrics allowable in the Jazz Age.

The disc's apex is the humid and sensual "Corcovado (Quiet Nights)." Whitworth and Barrett divide the vocal duties, with Barrett singing Portuguese and tenor saxophonist Jacob Rodriguez reminding us why Stan Getz was so important. Bring It On Home is that hidden diamond that may be the best recording to cross this desk all year. ~C. Michael Bailey

Shannon Whitworth: vocals, guitar, ukelele; Barrett Smith: vocals, guitar; Mike Ashworth: bass, organ; Jeff Site: drums; Michael Libramento: guitars, piano; Justin Ray: trumpet; Melissa Hyman: cello; Nicky Sanders: violin; Jacob Rodriguez: tenor saxophone; Nate Leath: violin.

Bring It On Home

Miles Davis - Take Off: The Complete Blue Note Albums (2-Disc Set)

The 2014 double-disc anthology Take Off: The Complete Blue Note Albums compiles tracks jazz trumpeter Miles Davis recorded for Blue Note Records during the '50s. These are recordings made after Davis left Prestige, but not including the 1949-1950 sessions later released as the classic 1957 album Birth of the Cool. Here, instead, we get recordings that were initially released as 10" LPs titled Young Man with a Horn, Miles Davis, Vol. 2, and Miles Davis, Vol. 3. Also included are all of the alternate takes that accompanied the original releases. Backing Davis on these sessions is a veritable who's who of future jazz hall of famers, including drummer Art Blakey, pianist Horace Silver, saxophonist Jackie McLean, and others.

These recordings were made during a comparatively fallow period in Davis' career, just as he was emerging from his initial bout with heroin addiction. Here, cuts like the sanguine "Yesterdays" and the poignant "It Never Entered My Mind" reveal a darker, if no less melodic, version of the trumpeter who had previously paid his dues, chasing the shadow of Dizzy Gillespie in Charlie Parker's quintet. In fact, Davis tackles several Gillespie-associated compositions here, including "Woody 'N You" and "Ray's Idea," delivering them in his own understated, if no less bravura, style. This is the beginning of Davis the minimalist, eschewing flowery asides for straightforward, unadorned melodic line readings and improvisations played in a vibrato-free eighth-note style. In that sense, these cuts prefigure the more aggressive hard bop and harmonically challenging post-bop of the '60s; styles that Davis later helped to innovate with his "first great quintet." Ultimately, the tracks on Take Off: The Complete Blue Note Albums point the way toward Davis' landmark Columbia albums that transformed him from one of the best jazz trumpeters on the N.Y.C. scene into an international superstar. ~Matt Collar

Album: Take Off: The Complete Blue Note Albums (Disc 1)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:12
Size: 98.9 MB
Styles: Hard bop, Trumpet jazz
Year: 2014

[4:10] 1. Dear Old Stockholm
[3:01] 2. Chance It
[3:42] 3. Yesterdays
[3:11] 4. Donna
[3:22] 5. Would'n You
[4:38] 6. How Deep Is The Ocean
[3:15] 7. Kelo
[3:20] 8. Enigma
[3:41] 9. Ray's Idea
[3:48] 10. Tempus Fugit
[3:31] 11. C.T.A
[3:27] 12. I Waited For You

Take Off: The Complete Blue Note Albums (Disc 1)

Album: Take Off: The Completeblue Note Albums (Disc 2)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:26
Size: 122.3 MB
Styles: Hard bop, Trumpet jazz
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[3:37] 1. Take Off
[4:01] 2. Lazy Susan
[4:29] 3. The Leap
[5:21] 4. Well You Needn't
[4:41] 5. Weirdo
[4:01] 6. It Never Entered My Mind
[2:52] 7. Chance It (Alternate Take)
[3:08] 8. Donna (Alternate Take)
[3:21] 9. Woody'n You (Alternate Take)
[3:26] 10. Kelo (Alternate Take)
[3:24] 11. Enigma (Alternate Take)
[3:48] 12. Ray's Idea (Alternate Take)
[3:55] 13. Tempus Fugit (Alternate Take)
[3:15] 14. C.T.A. (Alternate Take)

Take Off: The Completeblue Note Albums (Disc 2)

Roberto Menescal - Eu E Cris (with Cris Delanno)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:21
Size: 94.7 MB
Styles: Latin jazz
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[2:08] 1. 's Wonderful
[3:42] 2. Retrato Em Branco E Preto
[4:05] 3. Eu E A Musica-Tá Oquei
[4:08] 4. Outra Vez
[3:58] 5. Roxanne
[3:17] 6. Sabe Você
[3:51] 7. Estate
[4:35] 8. Abraço Vazio
[4:11] 9. Body And Soul
[2:09] 10. Saudade Fez Um Samba
[5:11] 11. Corazon Partio

“EU E CRIS” estreou em novembro de 2003, no Rio de Janeiro, com o patrocínio da Unimed-Rio com enorme sucesso de público e mídia. Desde então, Menescal e Cris vêm encantando a platéia de todo o Brasil e o mundo.

O repertório de Eu e Cris inclui bossa-nova, rock, blues, pop e jazz, destacando “Eu e a Música (TÁOQUEI)” que Roberto Menescal e Aldir Blanc compuseram há dez anos, especialmente para Cris Delanno no primeiro show solo da cantora. Canções de Tom Jobim, Carlinhos Lyra, Chico Buarque, Isolda, Vinícius de Moraes se misturam às de Sting, George Gershwin, Alejandro Sanz, Bruno Martino.

Eu E Cris

Jess Abrams - Cat Stevens Reconstructed

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:14
Size: 83.0 MB
Styles: Contemporary folk-jazz
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[4:17] 1. Father And Son
[5:39] 2. Wild World
[3:26] 3. Sitting
[5:41] 4. How Can I Tell You
[4:50] 5. Where Do The Children Play
[4:49] 6. Popstar
[4:37] 7. If I Laugh
[2:52] 8. The Wind

Wild World, Father and Son, How Can I Tell You, The Wind and more… The works of Cat Stevens reinterpreted by New York vocalist Jess Abrams. 'Abrams finds her own meaning in each lyric and makes it her own' (Jazz UK). 'Invites you in and makes you feel so good you won't want to leave… A stone delight' (Jazzwise Magazine). Jess, accompanied by piano and bass, will surprise and enchant you with unique interpretations of the songs of one of the most beloved songwriters of the 1970s. Join us, it's a wild world…

Cat Stevens Reconstructed

Clark Terry - Live at the Village Gate

Styles: Bop, Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1991
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:33
Size: 139,0 MB
Art: Front

( 6:00) 1. Top & Bottom
( 6:16) 2. Keep, Keep, Keep On Keepin' On
( 9:00) 3. Silly Samba
( 8:41) 4. Pint of Bitters
( 6:41) 5. Sheba
( 3:31) 6. Brushes & Brass
( 9:16) 7. Simple Waltz
(11:04) 8. Hey Mr. Mumbles

Flugelhornist Clark Terry, three weeks shy of his 70th birthday at the time of this live performance, sounds very much at the peak of his powers throughout Live at the Village Gate. Teamed up with old friend Jimmy Heath, who doubles on tenor and soprano, pianist Don Friedman, bassist Marcus McLauren and drummer Kenny Washington (altoist Paquito D'Rivera guests on "Silly Samba"), Terry performs eight little-known originals. The tunes are all fairly basic, but they inspire these talented musicians to some of their best playing. The hard-swinging music, which includes a trumpet-drums duet on "Brushes & Brass" and some singing from the audience on "Hey Mr. Mumbles," is quite enjoyable, and among the most accessible type of jazz. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/live-at-the-village-gate-mw0000269023

Personnel: Clark Terry (trumpet, flugelhorn); Jimmy Heath (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Paquito d'Rivera (alto saxophone); Don Friedman (piano); Kenny Washington (drums).

R.I.P
December 14, 1920/February 21, 2015

Live at the Village Gate

Jacqui Naylor - You Don't Know Jacq

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:13
Size: 142,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:26) 1. How Deep Is Your Love
(3:29) 2. This Is the Spot
(4:40) 3. Something Cool
(3:03) 4. Shelter
(2:44) 5. Rise Up
(3:00) 6. My Funny Valentine
(5:15) 7. Ain't No Sunshine
(2:49) 8. City By the Bay
(3:20) 9. Summertime
(3:23) 10. Celebrate Early and Often
(5:01) 11. Losing My Religion
(5:36) 12. Black Coffee
(3:34) 13. Dreamin' Big With You
(3:21) 14. Thank You Baby
(5:37) 15. Tell Me More and More and Then Some
(3:47) 16. Miss You

You Don't Know Jacq is all about Jacqui Naylor, exemplifying her vocal range, warm voice, interpretive qualities and style "Acoustic Smashing," which, in essence, means jazz standards done along rock/pop rhythm lines, or vice versa. The disc features new arrangements of the most requested songs from her previous six albums, as well as new material including the first single, "Celebrate Early and Often," now being used for many a wedding across the United States. You Don't Know Jacq is a fulfilling experience, showcasing Naylor's vocal ability and her talent for telling a story. No matter what musical context she puts herself in jazz, pop or rock she will turn it into a captivating narrative. She does so over a selection of songs from various musical styles. Naylor's specialty is tying the knot between clashing worlds of music, and she makes it work so wonderfully, giving new meaning to the tunes she interprets. Opening with the Bee Gees' "How Deep Is Your Love," Naylor makes it work with her unique and unusual phrasing.

Never falling into the apparent traps of interpreting one of pop's most well-known and often-covered songs, she alters the feel, turning it into a true jazz song. She then takes a Doors-like approach to the Gershwin classic "Summertime," with Hammond organ a vital part of the accompaniment and a number of musical riffs familiar to Doors fans. Again, she makes it work; not as a tender/mellow piece but as a powerful and hot song running on overdrive. R.E.M.'s beautifully lyrical "Losing My religion" is delivered with unique phrasing and a slow Latin rhythm, the violins making it even more romantic and Naylor's R&B phrasing adding to the dramatic tension. "Black Coffee" features a new fusion bass line until the bridge, where Naylor brings the tune back to mainstream jazz.

Sometimes a ballad with just piano accompaniment is enough, and here Naylor's voice is so rich, her phrasing is so enticing, that the song becomes both refreshing and relaxing. The most surprising arrangement is "My Funny Valentine," with a rubato gypsy violin intro fading into a smashing AC/DC rhythm section, reminiscent of a chase/thriller movie. "Ain't No Sunshine" is another standout, filled with positive energy. Naylor turns what most interpret as a torch song into a perfect and powerful song of hope. ~ Guy Zinger http://www.allaboutjazz.com/you-dont-know-jacq-jacqui-naylor-ruby-star-records-review-by-guy-zinger.php

Personnel: Jacqui Naylor: vocals; Art Khu: acoustic guitar, electric guitar, piano, organ, background vocals; Michael Romanowski: acoustic guitar, recorder; Yoon Ki Chai: violin; Jon Evans: bass; Josh Jones: drums, percussion.

You Don't Know Jacq

Hampton Hawes - For Real !

Styles: Hard Bop, Piano Jazz
Year: 1958
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:43
Size: 104,9 MB
Art: Front

( 6:14) 1. Hip
( 9:20) 2. Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams
( 6:44) 3. Crazeology
( 8:04) 4. Numbers Game
(11:20) 5. For Real
( 3:58) 6. I Love You

Although For Real! was at least Hampton Hawes' 11th record as a leader, it was his first (and one of his relatively few) that included a horn player. The pianist matches quite well with the hard bop tenor of Harold Land (heard in his early prime), and the quartet outing, which also includes drummer Frank Butler, has an extra bonus in the playing of the brilliant bassist Scott LaFaro. Performing three bop standards (including "Crazeology") and three originals (two of which were co-written by Land), pianist Hawes sounds inspired by the other players and is in top form throughout the generally memorable outing.

~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/for-real!-mw0000201517

Personnel: Hampton Hawes (piano, keyboards); Harold Land (tenor saxophone); Frank Butler (drums); Scott LaFaro (bass).

For Real !