Ruby Braff - The Canadian Sessions (2-Disc Set)

Ruby Braff has often recorded in small groups, which suit him well because all he really needs is a minimal backing for his beautiful musical statements. The duets between Ruby Braff and Gene DiNovi on this double CD were recorded in Toronto in 1984, and the quartet was recorded there in 1979.

Pianist Gene DiNovi cites his main influences as Teddy Wilson, Mel Powell, Ellis Larkins and Duke Ellington - all pianists with elegant taste. Ellis Larkins recorded some celebrated duets with Ruby Braff in 1955 and 1972, which proved that Braff needs a delicate pianist who is not going to drown him out. Gene DiNovi is another such pianist. Like Larkins, he is experienced in accompanying singers: a task which demands subtlety and which prepares a pianist for accompanying the singing cornet of Ruby Braff.

Most of the second CD puts Braff in a quartet which includes substantial players Don Thompson and Terry Clarke. Yet they don't drown out Braff either, and Ed Bickert supplies ideally gentle accompaniment and inventive solos. But it is good for Ruby to be challenged occasionally, and Terry Clarke's dynamic drumming adds sparkle to such tracks as I've Got A Feeling I'm Falling. Terry even swaps fours with Ruby on The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise. Gene DiNovi sings on a few tracks but his mediocre vocals add little to the album. Yet who cares when you have the mellow Ruby Braff with sympathetic accompanists for more than 140 minutes? ~Tony Augarde

Gene DiNovi (p, voc); Ruby Braff (co); Ed Bickert (g); Don Thompson (b); Terry Clarke (dr). Recording Date: June 14, 1979 & January, 1984.

Album: The Canadian Sessions (Disc 1)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 69:54
Size: 160.0 MB
Styles: Trumpet jazz
Year: 1999

[9:15] 1. Medley: My Funny Valentine My Heart Stood Still Be Careful It's My Hea
[4:12] 2. Have A Heart
[3:33] 3. Says My Heart
[2:11] 4. Nobody's Heart
[4:32] 5. Break My Heart
[3:46] 6. My Foolish Heart
[3:08] 7. Sweethearts On Parade
[3:38] 8. Blues In My Heart
[3:10] 9. This Heart Of Mine
[3:23] 10. Beware My Heart
[5:36] 11. Medley: Love Walked In/Embraceable You/The Man I Love
[2:38] 12. Love Is Sweeping The Country
[4:07] 13. Of Thee I Sing
[3:29] 14. For You, For Me, For Evermore
[4:08] 15. I've Got A Crush On You
[5:50] 16. Oh, Lady Be Good
[3:08] 17. Maybe

The Canadian Sessions (Disc 1)

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Album: The Canadian Sessions (Disc 2)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:08
Size: 162.9 MB
Styles: Trumpet jazz
Year: 1999
Art: Front

[3:27] 1. True Love
[5:01] 2. I've Got A Feeling I'm Falling
[4:33] 3. This Year's Kisses
[4:24] 4. The World Is Waiting For Sunrise
[5:38] 5. The Very Thought Of You
[7:02] 6. After Awhile
[5:16] 7. What Is There To Say
[5:11] 8. My Funny Valentine
[8:08] 9. Medley The Song Is Ended When I Fall In Love
[4:20] 10. I Must Have That Man
[4:38] 11. If Dreams Come True
[4:08] 12. Medley: Trumpeter/Blow Your Golden Horn/Do It Again
[3:25] 13. Isn't It A Pity
[5:49] 14. He Loves And She Loves

The Canadian Sessions (Disc 2)

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Julian Jackson Quartet - I Can't Get Started

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:41
Size: 134.3 MB
Styles: Harmonica jazz
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[3:15] 1. Alfie
[6:50] 2. Etude No. 1
[9:38] 3. I Can't Get Started
[1:57] 4. When I Fall In Love
[5:04] 5. Airegin
[7:42] 6. I Hear A Rhapsody
[5:56] 7. Three Views Of A Secret
[6:41] 8. Autumn Leaves
[8:07] 9. You Must Believe In Spring
[3:27] 10. Laurie

Julian Jackson (harmonica); Tim Lapthorn (piano); Tom Herbert (bass); Patrick Levett (drums).

You only have to listen to the first few seconds of this album to realize that Julian Jackson is a true master of the harmonica and that he has a tone to rival that of his heroes, Larry Aldler and Toots Thielemans, the superabundance of his ideas and his natural jazz feeling recalling the great Toots in particular.

Jackson has put together a nicely balanced programme for his debut solo jazz album. His harmonica sings beautifuly on the ballads "Alfie", "I Can't Get Started" and "When I Fall in Love", the latter an impressive a cappella version of Victor Young's classic tune, and effervesces on the swingers "I Hear a Rhapsody" and "Autumn Leaves". Sonny Rollins' "Airegin" is an exhilarating work-out for the quartet and features a telling solo from the talented Tim Lapthorn on piano. Jackson takes us on a wonderful musical journey on Jaco Pastorius' searching jazz waltz "Three Views of a Secret" with Lapthorn at his bluesy best, Patrick Levett displaying some impressive jazz-rock chops on drums. Jackson's lilting theme "Etude No 1" recalls the work of bossa nova genius Antonio Carlos Jobim, Michel LeGrand's haunting "You Must Believe in Spring" similarly infused with hypnotically swaying latin rhythms after its poignant rubato beginning. The album ends with Bill Evans' exquisite melody "Laurie", the last few bars evanescing into the ether with a series of harmonically ambiguous suspended chords, leaving the listener in a state of supreme calm.

Finally, taking time off from his bass guitar duties with award-winning groups Acoustic Ladyland and Polar Bear, Tom Herbert is rock-solid on acoustic bass, providing the necessary foundation for Jackson and co. to take flight. ~Geoff Eales

I Can't Get Started

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Jo Jones - Count On Me

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 78:25
Size: 179.5 MB
Styles: Mainstream jazz, Swing
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[4:42] 1. Georgia Mae
[6:39] 2. Embraceable You
[7:06] 3. Stomp It Off
[5:48] 4. Satin Doll
[5:50] 5. Shoe Shine Boy
[3:57] 6. Cubano Chant
[4:39] 7. Nice Work If You Can Get It
[6:29] 8. Lover Man
[6:38] 9. Ol' Man River
[4:43] 10. Ballin' The Jack
[5:14] 11. Squeeze Me
[4:49] 12. Splittin'
[7:45] 13. Lincoln Heights
[4:01] 14. Caravan

The sound of Jo Jones' drums defined the sound of swing: he brought the beat up from the bass drum into the drummer's hands, which took rhythm into the modern era. He expanded the drum kit's palette of accents, and forged a path for every drummer who has followed in his soft steps. His "ting-ta-ting" taps are ubiquitous, yet few listeners realize this is the sound Jo built.

Jones's elegant, propulsive groove laid the foundation for William "Count" Basie's breakout big band hits, such as "Tickle Toe," and "One O'Clock Jump." . Also not to be missed are the drummer's memorable small-group sessions with Benny Goodman, Billie Holiday and Lester Young, such as "I Can't Get Started" and "A Sailboat in the Moonlight."

Count On Me

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Sunny Sumter - Sunny

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 59:10

Size: 135.5 MB

Styles: Jazz vocals

Year: 2010

Art: Front

[3:49] 1. Nick Of Time

[5:53] 2. Detour Ahead

[5:32] 3. I Fall In Love Too Easily

[8:23] 4. Jim

[3:56] 5. The Best Is Yet To Come

[5:33] 6. Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen

[7:21] 7. Overjoyed

[6:09] 8. Daydream

[7:47] 9. Save Your Love For Me

[4:43] 10. Lonely Woman

After hearing Sarah Vaughan on the radio at the age of 9, Washington, D.C. native Sunny Sumter knew that the life of a jazz singer was her future. After attending Washington's renowned Duke Ellington High School, she went on to Howard University to earn a music degree. Private studies from pianist/composer Geri Allen and drummer/vocalist Grady Tate were the icing on Sumter's educational cake. While at Howard, she worked at local clubs and in 1992, took a short tour of Europe. Sumter shared the stage at the Dominican Republic Jazz Festival with David Sanchez, Jason Marsalis, Mimi Fox and Pamela Williams. 1998 was a break through year. She opened for Shirley Horn and Dee Dee Bridgewater at D.C.'s Lincoln Theater, toured Russia (Moscow and St. Petersburg), performed at Camelot Jazz Club in Tel Aviv and at the LaVilla Jazz Club in Paris. Returning to the US, Sumter was at Sanford University with modern trombonist Wycliffe Gordon. Sumter was also a guest on a BET Jazz Central show hosted by Ramsey Lewis. Sumter's debut recording was Getting to Know You and her latest Sunny, on the Mapleshade label, features an eclectic program of ballads performed and/or composed by Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, and Stevie Wonder. With influences as disparate as Sarah Vaughan, Phyllis Hyman, and Kate Bush along with a warm, deep and soulful voice, Sumter has all the musical tools to become a legitimate jazz diva. ~bio by Dave Nathan

Sunny     

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David Bowie - The Best Of 1980-1987

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 76:42
Size: 175.6 MB
Styles: Album rock, Dance rock
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[4:04] 1. Let's Dance
[3:35] 2. Ashes To Ashes
[4:02] 3. Under Pressure
[3:25] 4. Fashion
[3:57] 5. Modern Love
[4:14] 6. China Girl
[3:32] 7. Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)
[3:13] 8. Up The Hill Backwards
[3:51] 9. Alabama Song
[2:25] 10. Drowned Girl
[4:10] 11. Cat People (Putting Out Fire)
[3:51] 12. This Is Not America
[7:06] 13. Loving The Alien
[5:35] 14. Absolute Beginners
[3:35] 15. When The Wind Blows
[3:09] 16. Blue Jean
[4:09] 17. Day-In Day-Out
[4:16] 18. Time Will Crawl
[4:24] 19. Underground

The '80s were a curious time for David Bowie. Never had he sold more records, had bigger hits, his influence was everywhere, and yet, the music he made often fell a little flat, especially after his commercial high-water mark of 1983's Let's Dance. The 2007 compilation Best of David Bowie 1980/1987 deals with that drop-off in quality in an admirable fashion, perhaps the only appropriate fashion: it ignores it. There are two tracks from 1984's Tonight, and two from its 1987 sequel Never Let Me Down, while there are four apiece from Let's Dance and Scary Monsters -- a skewed ratio that is nevertheless an accurate barometer of the worth of the albums. It also makes for a better listen as a compilation, since the hit singles from these records are surrounded by non-LP cuts and soundtrack contributions like "This Is Not America" and "Absolute Beginners," a move that's not only helpful as a clearinghouse of relative oddities, but also helps make this Best of David Bowie 1980/1987 a truly representative collection of the best music of some patchy years, which is a more worthwhile endeavor than having this be truly representative of the decade as a whole. For some Bowie fans, this may be all they need from that decade (although they'd be well-advised not to ignore the truly masterful Scary Monsters, and use that as a supplement to this excellent disc). ~Stephen Thomas Erlewine

The Best Of 1980-1987

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Phil Woods & Franco D'Andrea - Our Monk

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:58
Size: 151.0 MB
Styles: Bop,Saxophone jazz
Year: 1994/2011
Art: Front

[7:12] 1. Ask Me Now
[7:18] 2. Well You Needn't
[8:50] 3. 'round Midnight
[5:51] 4. Straight No Chaser
[6:38] 5. Pannonica
[6:28] 6. I Mean You
[7:08] 7. Misterioso
[5:59] 8. In Walked Bud
[4:52] 9. Epistrophy
[5:36] 10. Blue Monk

This lively duo date with pianist Franco D'Andrea is a very enjoyable all-Monk affair. Phil Woods was a part of several larger groups led by Thelonious Monk, and his effortless swing makes it clear why he was chosen. Another choice track is "I Mean You," highlighted by Woods' singing tone. D'Andrea isn't nearly as well known, but he justifies his presence with a clever tapestry of chords around Woods on "Well, You Needn't." Recommended. ~Ken Dryden

Our Monk

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Andy Leggett - 2 albums: Shades Of Bechet / Shades Of Bechet #2

Since 1996 Andy Leggett has worked in Germany as the clarinet/sax player in the Rod Mason Hot Five. The two "Shades of Bechet" CDs however are Andy's own tribute to one of the great New Orleans instrumentalists. Sidney Bechet wrote (or in a few cases claimed to have written) at least 120 tunes.

The first CD contains 16 tracks, 12 of which are Bechet's own. In addition, "The Coffee Grinder" which he claimed as his, was in fact based on the "Rubber Plant Rag" by Geo. L. Cobb, published in 1909 when Bechet was 12. There are also 3 tracks written and arranged by Andy Leggett, featuring Bechet-style clarinet and soprano sax. One of these, "Pussy Willow Blues" highlights the distinctive rolling piano of Dave Collett, composer of Acker Bilk's "Summer Set". The remaining tracks, recorded in Dormagen Germany in 2000/2001, were arranged over a three-year period. They display the improvisational and reading talents of outstanding German and English musicians, brought together as a studio band especially for the CD.

The second CD containsa further 17 tracks, 15 of which are Bechet compositions. In addition, the 12 bar "Blues In Thirds" is credited to Earl Hines but owes much to Bechet's three immortal chorusses. There is one more Leggett original – "Montserrat". Like the former CD, "Shades of Bechet #2" was recorded in the COMA Media Studio, Dormagen/Germany, and features an 8 piece Anglo-German band.

Album: Shades Of Bechet
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:53
Size: 134.8 MB
Styles: Traditional jazz combo
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[2:47] 1. The Fish Seller
[5:42] 2. As-Tu Le Cafard
[3:37] 3. Dans Les Rues D'antibes
[3:31] 4. I Keep Calling Your Name
[4:33] 5. Buddy Bolden Stomp
[4:50] 6. Refrain For Jane
[3:19] 7. The Coffee Grinder
[2:28] 8. I Had It But It's All Gone Now
[3:05] 9. Petite Fleur
[3:32] 10. Viper Mad
[3:49] 11. Pussy Willow Blues
[2:21] 12. The Onions
[3:01] 13. Southern Sunset
[4:23] 14. Old Stack O'lee Blues
[3:45] 15. Ce Mossieu Qui Parle
[4:02] 16. Gentle Treatment

Andy Leggett's tribute to the memory of the first great jazz soloist on the soprano saxophone. Bechet's compositions are arranged for an international 8-piece line-up.

Shades Of Bechet

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Album: Shades Of Bechet #2
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:12
Size: 121.8 MB
Styles: Traditional jazz combo
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[3:19] 1. Polka Dot Rag
[2:24] 2. Waste No Tears
[3:07] 3. Ghost Of The Blues
[4:26] 4. Si Tu Vois Ma Mere
[2:43] 5. Blackstick
[2:50] 6. Passport To Paradise
[3:11] 7. I Want You Tonight
[3:02] 8. Okey Doke
[4:11] 9. Bechet's Fantasy
[2:43] 10. Montserrat
[2:58] 11. Georgia Cabin
[3:18] 12. Blues Dans Le Blues
[3:59] 13. Halle Hallelujah
[2:49] 14. Blues In Thirds
[2:51] 15. Lastic
[2:37] 16. Egyptian Fantasy
[2:35] 17. DSC Blues

Recorded in Dormagen, Germany early in 2005. The following international line-up took part: Andy Leggett, soprano sax and clarinet; Matthias Seuffert, tenor sax and second clarinet; John Emms, trumpet; Christoph Wackerbarth, trombone; Fraser Gartshore, piano; Benny Daniels, string bass; Sean Moyses, guitar & banjo; Joerg Mueller, drums.

Andy Leggett's second tribute album to the first great jazz soloist on the soprano saxophone. Mostly Bechet's own timeless compositions, again arranged for an international 8-piece band.

Shades Of Bechet #2

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Lee Konitz, Steve Swallow, Paul Motian - Three Guys

Styles: Post-Bop, Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:56
Size: 115,1 MB
Art: Front

(5:02)  1. It's You
(5:31)  2. Come Rain or Come Shine
(7:47)  3. Thingin'
(4:08)  4. Luiza
(3:14)  5. From Time to Time
(5:39)  6. Ladies' Waders
(6:44)  7. Johnny Broken Wing
(6:11)  8. Eiderdown
(5:36)  9. A Minor Blues in F

Lee Konitz continues to record at peak form, as clearly evidenced by this trio with Steve Swallow on electric bass and Paul Motian on drums. All of the nine pieces are originals by members of the trio, the exceptions being a compelling version of "Come Rain or Come Shine" and a gorgeous take of Jobim's "Luiza." As to be expected, these three veterans mesh well together. While there are few extraordinary moments, there is plenty of well-played, emotionally satisfying jazz, the way Konitz has been doing it for a lifetime. You might confuse his pinched alto for a soprano at times, but there is no questioning his immaculate phrasing. Konitz has always shined best with a repertoire of standards, and the choice of tunes here is slightly less interesting. Motian is a good choice on the sticks, while Swallow remains an acquired taste. ~ Steve Loewy  http://www.allmusic.com/album/three-guys-mw0000246402
 

Personnel: Lee Konitz (alto saxophone); Steve Swallow (electric bass); Paul Motian (drums).

Three Guys

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Earl Hines - At Sundown

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:20
Size: 131,5 MB
Art: Front

(9:39)  1. At Sundown
(8:25)  2. There Will Never Be Another You
(7:07)  3. You're Driving Me Crazy
(7:15)  4. Love Me or Leave Me
(8:50)  5. Makin' Whoopee
(6:32)  6. Just in Time
(9:29)  7. My Buddy

During the final decade of his career, Earl Hines was very busy touring and recording. The pianist is in terrific form on At Sundown, accompanied by veteran drummer Panama Francis and talented young bassist Jimmy Leary. Hines starts things off with a stunning solo rendition of his composition "At Sundown," which shows off the pianist's still impressive technique. Leary's dancing bass and Francis' brushwork complement the master's interpretation of "There Will Never Be Another You." 

The remainder of the set draws from songs Hines had been playing for decades, including a very playful up-tempo "Love Me or Leave Me" and an entertaining take of "Makin' Whoopee" with an elaborate, wonderfully disguised introduction. Originally recorded during a 1974 studio session in France for Black & Blue, this 1995 CD reissue expands upon the original LP by adding an upbeat version of "Just in Time." This highly recommended CD is an excellent example of Hines' productive final years. ~ Ken Dryden  http://www.allmusic.com/album/at-sundown-mw0000086223

Personnel: Earl Hines (piano); Panama Francis (drums); Jimmy Leary (bass)

At Sundown

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Don Patterson & Booker Ervin - Legends Of Acid Jazz

Styles: Hard Bop, Soul Jazz
Year: 1964
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:16
Size: 145,0 MB
Art: Front

(10:11)  1. S'bout Time
( 5:14)  2. Up In Betty's Room
( 3:52)  3. Oleo
(10:58)  4. When Johnny Comes Marching Hom
(10:01)  5. The Good Life
(16:33)  6. Hip Cake Walk
( 6:25)  7. Love Me With All Your Heart

Among all the practitioners of soul-jazz during the genre heyday of the late 1960s into the 1970s, Hammond B-3 organ groovemeister Don Patterson and modern Texas tenor Booker Ervin (also a veteran of jazz ensembles led by Randy Weston and Charles Mingus) are among those usually overlooked. Yet the pair teamed up to release several albums during that time that were, if not standards of the genre precisely, full of vitality and fervor Ervin's playing, especially, often sounded so emotional and combustible that it seemed like he was suffering a nervous breakdown through his horn, perhaps a residue of his time with Mingus. 

Legends of Acid Jazz: Don Patterson / Booker Ervin surfs the cream of three mid-'60s recording sessions: in a trio setting with drummer Billy James, all five selections from The Exciting New Organ of Don Patterson, including one of Miles Davis' early signature tunes, "Oleo" (actually a Sonny Rollins composition); the title track from Hip Cake Walk, a 17-minute monument to the soulful power of organ that endured as Patterson's most-beloved hip-swiveler (featuring Leonard Houston on alto sax); and "Love Me With All Your Heart" from Patterson's People. Legends of Acid Jazz: Don Patterson / Booker Ervin suffers only slightly from a program that leans heavily toward the mainstream "Love Me With..." goes more than six minutes, and "When Johnny Comes Marching Home" nearly eleven. ~ Chris Slawecki  http://www.allmusic.com/album/legends-of-acid-jazz-mw0000615832

Personnel:  Organ – Don Patterson;  Tenor Saxophone – Booker Ervin;  Alto Saxophone – Leonard Houston (tracks: 6);  Drums – Billy James

Legends Of Acid Jazz

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