Monday, April 13, 2015

Sarah Vaughan - Sophisticated Lady: The Duke Ellington Songbook Collection

Size: 142,6+117,4 MB
Time: 61:25+50:35
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

CD 1:
01. Sophisticated Lady (Alternate Version) (3:46)
02. In A Sentimental Mood (Alternate Version) (3:51)
03. Lush Life (Alternate Version) (4:31)
04. Solitude (Alternate Version) (3:52)
05. Day Dream (Alternate Version) (3:30)
06. Tonight I Shall Sleep (With A Smile On My Face) (Alternate Version) (4:18)
07. Sophisticated Lady (4:00)
08. Solitude (4:21)
09. Day Dream (4:58)
10. All Too Soon (3:44)
11. What Am I Here For (3:31)
12. I'm Just A Lucky So And So (4:26)
13. Chelsea Bridge (3:25)
14. Mood Indigo (5:01)
15. I Didn't Know About You (4:05)

CD 2:
01. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart (3:30)
02. Black Butterfly (2:58)
03. In A Mellow Tone (3:16)
04. It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) (2:25)
05. In A Sentimental Mood (4:20)
06. Lush Life (4:26)
07. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) (4:27)
08. Tonight I Shall Sleep (With A Smile On My Face) (3:53)
09. Rocks In My Bed (5:19)
10. Prelude To A Kiss (5:57)
11. Everything But You (5:26)
12. I Ain't Got Nothin' But The Blues (4:33)

LOS ANGELES, Calif. Concord Music Group will release the two-CD Sarah Vaughan set Sophisticated Lady: The Duke Ellington Songbook Collection on August 20, 2013. Featuring six previously unreleased tracks and new liner notes, the compilation celebrates the 40th anniversary of Pablo Records, the jazz label founded by Norman Granz in 1973.

The story of Pablo Records is a story of one veteran producers return to the music he loved best. Norman Granz, founder of Jazz at the Philharmonic, so missed the recording aspect of the music business which he d abandoned in 1962 when he sold his Clef, Norgran, and Verve labels to MGM that a little more than a decade later he decided to take the plunge and start up yet another label. Based in Beverly Hills, California, at the time, Granz secured a distribution deal and launched Pablo Records in 1973, quickly building a world-class catalog of albums by legendary artists Ella Fitzgerald, Joe Pass, and Oscar Peterson all of whom Granz managed as well as Count Basie, John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Art Tatum, Sarah Vaughan, and many others. After releasing more than 350 albums in a span of less than 15 years, Granz sold Pablo to Fantasy in 1987, which in turn merged with Concord Records in 2004 to form Concord Music Group.

Recorded between August 1979 and January 1980, Sophisticated Lady: The Duke Ellington Collection is a two-disc set that features six previously unreleased recordings along with classic tracks originally from Vaughans 1980 albums of Duke s music, Duke Ellington Song Book Oneand Duke Ellington Song Book Two.

What makes this reissue especially significant, says Tad Hershorn, archivist at the Rutgers University Institute of Jazz Studies and author of the collection s liner notes, is a rare confluence of what I have come to think of as late breaking history and late-breaking news: this collection is both. In this case, it is the inclusion of six previously unreleased recordings of arrangements by the peerless Benny Carter which opens this collection of the Vaughan-Ellington recordings, presented chronologically by recording date.

The six Carter-arranged tracks Sophisticated Lady, In a Sentimental Mood, Lush Life, "Solitude, Day Dream, and Tonight I Shall Sleep (With a Smile on My Face) include what Hershorn calls a lush orchestral backdrop of big band and string arrangements, along with shining solo work by Zoot Sims on tenor saxophone. These are not alternate takes. They are recordings of entirely different arrangements of the songs than those that were released on the original Ellington Songbook albums, says compilation producer Nick Phillips. Its fascinating now to not only hear, for the first time, each of these six newly discovered arrangements and recordings and appreciate them on their own merits, but also to be able to compare and contrast the very different arranging approaches to the same songs.

Regardless of the song arrangements, one fact about Sarah Vaughan remains perfectly clear while listening to Sophisticated Lady: She s one of the greatest jazz vocalists of all time, says Phillips. Her singing throughout this collection certainly underscores that.

The Duke Ellington Songbook Collection CD 1, CD 2                 

Ehud Asherie - Shuffle Along

Size: 101,6 MB
Time: 40:25
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Piano Jazz
Art: Front

01. Gypsy Blues (4:49)
02. I'm Just Wild About Harry (4:33)
03. Everything Reminds Me Of You (5:26)
04. I'm Cravin' For That Kind Of Love (4:59)
05. Bandana Days (3:44)
06. I'm Just Wild About Harry - Waltz Version (4:39)
07. If You've Never Been Vamped (3:15)
08. Goodnight Angeline (4:08)
09. Love Will Find A Way (4:48)

Ehud Asherie is an American Jazz Musician (Piano, Organ).

Ehud Asherie lived his childhood in Italy before he emigrated when he was nine years old with his family to the United States.

In 1997 and 1998 he studied jazz at the New School University, he also took private lessons with Frank Hewitt.

Since then, as a pianist, he has had a number of albums on the label Posi-Tone before, including with trumpeter Ryan Kisor as a guest musician.

In 2010 he played a solo album with compositions by, among others , James P. Johnson ( Harlem Strut), Duke Ellington ( Drop Me Off in Harlem ) and Thelonious Monk ( 52nd Street Theme )

In 2011, he took with Harry Allen on. As an organist he leads with guitarist Bina Coquet the Bossa Nova Ensemble Bina & Ehud , with the production Samba De Gringo.

Asherie also appears regularly in the New York jazz club Smalls.

Shuffle Along

Anna Lundqvist Quintet - Ten

Size: 169,9 MB
Time: 73:31
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Are You Insane (4:34)
02. Restless Feet (7:56)
03. The Beauty And The Filth (6:20)
04. Not Meant To Be (6:20)
05. The Only Thing I Own (7:54)
06. Tango (7:17)
07. The Goodbye Song (5:14)
08. A Call From The Inside (5:18)
09. Getting Over You (3:58)
10. City (5:11)
11. Miss Spelled (6:39)
12. How To Walk Away (6:45)

Anna Lundqvist Quintet: Anna Lundqvist (vocal), Fabian Kallerdahl (piano), Mattias Grönroos (bass), Jon-Erik Björänge (drums) & Björn Almgren (saxophone)

Ten years ago singer and composer Anna Lundqvist decided to go on her own musical journey. After finishing her education and spending some years out in the freelance world, she wanted to work exclusively with her own music and concept. She started ALQ together with her childhood friend, pianist Daniel Fredar, and drummer Jon-Erik Björänge whom she'd known since her time in music school. Bass player Mattias Grönroos had played with them in other constellations and he was found to be a perfect match. Together with this group of solid and skillfull musicians she started developing her sound and material. In 2008, after the recording of their first album, BORDERLINE FIESTA (2009), pianist Fabian Kallerdahl replaced Daniel. At the same time saxophone player Björn Almgren joined in and ALQ went from a quartet to quintet. Since then they have released two more albums, CITY (2010) and BEFORE YOU I WAS ALMOST FINE (2012) (dB Productions). So now it's 2015! TEN is ALQ's forth album and is a collection of live recordings celebrating ten years together. It's a "best of ALQ" album with twelve of their most popular songs. Recorded during 2014 at several jazz clubs around Sweden, put together in a mix of energy, joy and awsomeness!

Ten

Hamilton All Star Jazz Band - Ain't It Wonderful

Size: 136,9 MB
Time: 58:58
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz: Big Band, Vocals
Art: Front

01. Ain't It Wonderful (3:53)
02. Don't Dilemma (Feat. Rick Wilkins) (5:08)
03. Jalapeno Dreams (6:58)
04. Shiny Stockings (Feat. Rick Wilkins) (5:17)
05. Them There Eyes (2:33)
06. Seven Steps To Heaven (Feat. Rick Wilkins) (6:33)
07. Now Or Never (3:12)
08. Hermitage (9:08)
09. If Dreams Come True (Feat. Rick Wilkins) (6:25)
10. Embraceable You (Feat. Diana Panton) (5:35)
11. Squeeze Me (Feat. Diana Panton) (4:11)

The "All Stars" is a big band comprised of musicians approximately aged 16 to 25. All of which are high school, college, university students and graduates. The band consists of 5 saxophones, 5 trumpets, 4 trombones, 1 bass trombone, drums, acoustic upright bass, guitar, piano, and solo vocalist.

Ain't It Wonderful

Sinne Eeg & Thomas Fonnesbaek - Eeg / Fonnesbaek

Size: 98,1 MB
Time: 41:10
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Willow Weep For Me (5:14)
02. Taking It Slow (4:41)
03. Evil Man Blues (3:15)
04. You Don't Know What Love Is (4:59)
05. Summertime (4:24)
06. Body And Soul (5:04)
07. Beautiful Love (3:22)
08. Come Rain Or Shine (6:30)
09. Fellini's Walts (3:37)

With the very first notes on this remarkable album, the question arises why the duo combination of vocal and bass is such a rare treat. Only a few albums exclusively present this musical constellation that allows so much space for creativity and spontaneity. Some may be acquainted with Sheila Jordan’s work with bassists Steve Swallow, Harvie Swartz and Cameron Brown – or Jordan’s duo with Norwegian bassist Arild Andersen on the fine 1978 album SHEILA. When approached with technical and musical virtuosity, it is a constellation that works. Sinne Eeg and Thomas Fonnesbæk command their own natural and distinguished place on the short list of vocal/bass duos. The album marks a charming musical engagement between two virtuosic and original artists, bringing the best out in each other in fresh and congenial interpretations of classic evergreens.
One of Scandinavia’s most talented and popular vocalists, accompanied by an experienced and virtuosic bassist. They gave us a small taste of their duo work on Sinne Eeg’s latest album FACE THE MUSIC, and on EEG FONNESBÆK, they unfold their artistry throughout a full CD. Eeg constantly pushes herself toward new horizons. She never rests in rehearsed working routines. The restrictions of the duo format present a challenge that is rewarded with an exceptional musical freedom. It takes guts to perform a whole concert or record a whole CD only accompanied by a bass, but Sinne Eeg is attracted to the rich resonance of the bass and its rhythmic and harmonic drive. She embraces the sound of the bass much like the bassist caresses the strings. Sinne Eeg sings without the time-keeping of a drummer or the chords of a pianist while still retaining all her artistry and interpretive powers. Sinne and Thomas listen intensely and inspire each other and take chances. And isn’t that what jazz is all about – spontaneity, communication and interpretation?

Sinne Eeg is a cherished jazz vocalist with a list of fine recordings to her name. In 2007 she released WAITING FOR DAWN, and since then audiences and critics alike have agreed in their enthusiastic reception of her recordings and performances. She tours successfully internationally, and has received numerous awards including the DR P2 Jazz Prize (2009), and three Danish Music Awards for WATING FOR DAWN (2007), DON’T BE SO BLUE (2010) and FACE THE MUSIC (2014). In 2014 she was awarded the prestigious Ben Webster Prize and in 2015, 60 French critics paid their tribute with one of Europe’s most distinguished awards, Academie du Jazz, for FACE THE MUSIC. The world has truly discovered this great Danish vocal talent. Danish bassists have a special star on the international jazz firmament.
One of the most remarkable among the many new names is Thomas Fonnesbæk. He plays with virtuosic technique, melodic intuition, and an exquisite sound that is reminiscent of the deceased Danish jazz giant Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen. Fonnesbæk appears on more than 100 albums, and he has worked closely with jazz pianist Thomas Clausen, whose group he joined in 2006. He has been a member of Swedish pianist Lars Jansson’s Trio since 2009, and he is a popular accompanist for visiting international musicians. In 2014 he released SOUND OF MY COLORS - his debut as bandleader.

Eeg / Fonnesbaek

Jason Miles & Ingrid Jensen - Kind Of New

Size: 144,5 MB
Time: 62:00
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. Interlude (0:08)
02. The Faction Of Cool (6:25)
03. Super City (5:31)
04. Shirley (4:57)
05. Film Noir Interlude (0:49)
06. Ferrari (8:26)
07. Seeing Through The Rain (5:28)
08. Close To The Action (4:04)
09. Kat's Eye (3:00)
10. Street Vibe (8:00)
11. Twilight Interlude (0:45)
12. Sanctuary (5:11)
13. Jean Pierre (9:09)

Inspired by Miles Davis’ “Cellar Door” sessions, “Kind of New”, the new album by trumpet great Ingrid Jensen and Grammy winning producer/keyboardist Jason Miles, offers a journey into the Future of Jazz by creating a new vibe that mixes electric/acoustic grooves with virtuistic performances and infectious melodies. On the album Ingrid and Jason are joined by Jay Rodriguez, James Genus, Jeff Coffin, Adam Dorn, Amanda Ruzza, Steve Wolf, Jon Wikan, Nir Felder, Cyro Baptista, Mike Clark and Jerry Brooks.

Kind Of New

Jay McShann - Swingmatism

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:16
Size: 140.3 MB
Styles: Piano jazz-blues
Year: 1982/1999
Art: Front

[4:19] 1. Swingmatism
[5:37] 2. Am I Blue
[6:26] 3. The Shadow Of Your Smile
[4:49] 4. Lullaby Of Birdland
[8:05] 5. Just A Sittin' And A Rockin'
[7:13] 6. All Too Soon
[6:22] 7. The Jeep Is Jumpin'
[4:53] 8. Evenin'
[6:46] 9. The Mooche
[6:41] 10. A Night In Tunisia

Recording Date: October 20 - 21, 1982. Jay McShann (piano); Archie Alleyne (drums); Don Thompson (bass).

The great veteran pianist Jay McShann (also known as Hootie) enjoyed a long career and it is unfair to primarily think of him as merely the leader of an orchestra that featured a young Charlie Parker. He was mostly self-taught as a pianist, worked with Don Byas as early as 1931 and played throughout the Midwest before settling in Kansas City in 1936. McShann formed his own sextet the following year and by 1939 had his own big band. In 1940 at a radio station in Wichita, KS, McShann and an octet out of his orchestra recorded eight songs that were not released commercially until the 1970s; those rank among the earliest of all Charlie Parker records (he is brilliant on "Honeysuckle Rose" and "Lady Be Good") and also feature the strong rhythm section team McShann had with bassist Gene Ramey and drummer Gus Johnson. The full orchestra recorded for Decca on two occasions during 1941-1942 but they were typecast as a blues band and did not get to record many of their more challenging charts (although very rare broadcasts have since surfaced and been released on CD by Vintage Jazz Classics). In addition to Bird (who had a few short solos), the main stars were trumpeter Bernard Anderson, the rhythm section, and singer Walter Brown. McShann and his band arrived in New York in February 1942 and made a strong impression, but World War II made it difficult for any new orchestras to catch on. There was a final session in December 1943 without Parker, but McShann was soon drafted and the band broke up. After being discharged later in 1944, McShann briefly re-formed his group but soon moved to Los Angeles, where he led combos for the next few years; his main attraction was the young singer Jimmy Witherspoon.

McShann was in obscurity for the next two decades, making few records and mostly playing in Kansas City. In 1969 he was rediscovered and McShann (who had first sung on records in 1966) was soon a popular pianist/vocalist. Sometimes featuring violinist Claude Williams, he toured constantly, recorded frequently, and appeared at many jazz festivals, being active into the mid-'90s. Jay McShann, who recorded through the years for Onyx (the 1940 radio transcriptions), Decca, Capitol, Aladdin, Mercury, Black Lion, EmArcy, Vee Jay, Black & Blue, Master Jazz, Sackville, Sonet, Storyville, Atlantic, Swingtime, and Music Masters among others, was a vital pianist and an effective blues vocalist who keept a classic style alive. A live album, Hootie Blues, recorded in 2001 in Toronto and released in 2006 by Stony Plain, showed that McShann could still bring it at the age of 85. He died at the age of 90 on December 7, 2006.

Swingmatism

Joscho Stephan - Django Nuevo

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:43
Size: 111.6 MB
Styles: Gypsy swing
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[3:06] 1. Stomp
[3:03] 2. So Rare
[1:59] 3. Rondo Alla Turca
[5:02] 4. If I Had You
[3:43] 5. San Vincenco
[2:29] 6. Django Nuevo
[3:25] 7. Four Brothers
[7:04] 8. You Are So Beautiful (Medley With Smoke Gets In Your Eyes)
[3:33] 9. Sway
[3:11] 10. Body And Soul
[4:06] 11. You Made Me Love You
[3:05] 12. Michelle
[3:15] 13. Song For Oscar
[1:36] 14. Revelations

Joscho Stephan, more than any other artist, has influenced modern gypsy swing with his playing: Thanks to his authentic tone, his harmonic refinement and sense of rhythm, but above all, his breathtaking solo technique, Stephan has earned himself an outstanding reputation on the international guitar scene with his playing. This master guitarist from Mönchengladbach is now honoring Django Reinhardt on the occasion of the 100th birthday of the father figure of gypsy swing. With his homage, “Django Nuevo”, Joscho Stephan towers over the abundance of current adaptations. He does not, once again, render such ubiquitously known classics as „Nuages“ or „Minor Swing”, but rather pays tribute to the master with five own compositions. By the same token, he reveals himself as a visionary by using 9 compositions by other artists to connect gypsy swing with Latin, classical and pop. The album presents, among others, Santana‘s „Revelations“, Mozart‘s “Turkish March”, and “Michelle” by the Fab Four in brand new and imaginative gypsy swing versions, with Stephan‘s father Günter on rhythm guitar, Max Schaaf on bass and Sebastian Reimann on violin. As for Joscho, a virtuoso of the Maccaferri guitar, he reveals himself to be an original interpreter and a fantastic soloist, whose explosive dynamics, filigree nuances and surprising phrasings confirm his reputation as an original innovator of the genre. With “Django Nuevo”, Joscho Stephan has managed to create a wonderful homage that the legendary master of gypsy swing would surely have been proud of.
 

Joe Cohn - Emeryville Sessions Vols 1 & 2

Album: Emeryville Sessions Vol 1: Marathon Man
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 74:36
Size: 170.8 MB
Styles: Hard bop, Guitar jazz
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[4:38] 1. Speedball
[6:54] 2. Autumn Nocturne
[7:30] 3. I Concentrate On You
[5:46] 4. God Bless The Child
[5:30] 5. Cohn On The Cob
[4:44] 6. Mama Flosie
[5:06] 7. Trick Bag
[5:05] 8. Bittersweet
[6:24] 9. The Very Thought Of You
[6:17] 10. Estate
[4:04] 11. U.M.M.G.
[6:29] 12. If Ever I Would Leave You
[6:03] 13. Turn Around

Drums – Akira Tana; Guitar – Joe Cohn; Organ [Hammond B-3] – Joe Bagg; Tenor Saxophone – Dayna Stephens.

Guitarist Joe Cohn, son of the late great, Al Cohn in trio and quartet setting playing standards. Joe Bagg on Hammond B3, Akira Tana on drums and Dayna Stephens on tenor on a few tracks. A blowing session displaying Joe's incredible improvisatory skill

Emeryville Sessions Vol 1: Marathon Man

Album: Emeryville Sessions Vol 2: S'posin'
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:52
Size: 134.8 MB
Styles: Hard bop, Guitar jazz
Year: 2015
Art: Front

[3:34] 1. S'posin'
[5:23] 2. The Gentle Rain
[7:09] 3. All Too Soon
[4:37] 4. Autumn In New York
[6:15] 5. Emily
[5:56] 6. How Am I To Know
[7:24] 7. I Hadn't Anyone Til You
[8:20] 8. People Will Say We're In Love
[4:27] 9. Skylark
[5:42] 10. When Lights Are Low

Drumless Trio music of classic standards featuring the great sax sounds of Noel Jewkes, the inventive guitarist, Joe Cohn and the very supportive bassist, John Wiitala.

I don’t know if you’ve noticed it but in the last five years there has been an increase in the number of trios in jazz. Of course the piano-bass-drum configuration has been with us for a long while and new ones are continually cropping up, but I’m talking about the trios that leave out piano, or bass or drums. That is the make up of the Emeryville three: Joe Cohn, guitar; Noel Jewkes, tenor sax; and John Wiitala, bass. All that matters is, “Does it work?”

With everyone taking serious care of their solo roles and ensembles, creating moving backgrounds for one another, trading “fours”, etc. and in general on the same page with passion and poise, these attributes are more than adequately provided in these offerings. A key factor in their inspiration is the roster of composers and the list of songs chosen to play. Producer Akira Tana, a noted, longtime professional drummer, explained that the sessions were free-wheeling and the choices for the material were made on the spot. Joe, Noel and John called the tunes, roughly made a sketch of a format, and played. “I liken these sessions to a marathon because so much was recorded,” said Akira. “ There were no rehearsals and the sessions were really in the tradition of recordings from another era. No overdubs or fixes—all live performances captured here.”

Joe Cohn employs many creative techniques to express his style. Notice his articulation on “All Too Soon”; the counterpoint that he and Noel bring to a section of “How Am I to Know,” a hauntingly beautiful song from way back, written by one Jack King with words (unheard) by Dorothy Parker. the rapier wit of the storied Algonquin Round Table. “People Will Say We’re In Love” contains Joe’s long, connective lines. It is no longer necessary to refer that Joe is the son of the great saxophonist Al Cohn but the apple falls close to the tree. ~Ira Gitler

Emeryvillesessions Vol 2: S'posin'

Eddie Palmieri - Sugar Daddy

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 76:54
Size: 176.1 MB
Styles: Salsa
Year: 1964/2009
Art: Front

[2:41] 1. Ritmo Caliente
[2:46] 2. Mi Mambo Conga
[2:32] 3. Bailare Tu Son
[9:27] 4. Azucar
[4:16] 5. Tirandote Flores
[5:41] 6. Que Suene La Orquesta
[2:28] 7. Tema Del Apollo
[2:47] 8. No Critiques
[5:02] 9. Melao Para El Sapo
[6:31] 10. Cafe
[2:52] 11. Te Quiero, Te Quiero
[3:59] 12. Muneca
[2:42] 13. Conmigo
[3:56] 14. Lo Que Traigo Es Sabroso
[3:46] 15. Estamos Chao
[5:41] 16. Bomboncito De Pozo
[2:54] 17. Manha De Carnaval
[2:46] 18. En Cadenas
[4:01] 19. Campesino (El Pregon De La Montana)

An excellent recording by Eddie Palmieri & company. In reality, Palmieri has been amazingly consistent with his musical quality. Pick from any of his recordings and you'll find (with very few exceptions), his work to be always top notch. In this album, recorded in 1964, Palmieri & Conjunto La Perfecta cooks it up just right. The arrangements are clear and focused and suprisingly, do not sound dated at all. The brass section is tight and though there are no extended solos (that would come in later releases) they more than make up for it in harmonic interplay. The percussion section rivals the best of any group past or present. What you get here is conjunto workmanship at it's best. A beautiful album, well put together and crisply recorded. A young Ismael Quintana is heard on vocals doing what he has always done best, Sonear with sabor y dulzura. One of the best albums released by one of Palmieri's best bands. You can't go wrong with Palmieri and this one is no exception. ~Canuco

Sugar Daddy

Brian Bromberg - Downright Upright

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 69:45
Size: 159.7 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[7:31] 1. Cantaloupe Island
[6:56] 2. Mercy Mercy Mercy
[6:19] 3. Cold Duck Time
[6:39] 4. Sunday Mornin'
[6:31] 5. The Hacha Cha Cha
[8:49] 6. Chameleon
[4:41] 7. Serengeti Walk
[7:42] 8. Leisure Suit
[6:06] 9. Slow Burn
[8:27] 10. Shag Carpet

Retro-inspired grooves can mean a lot of things—it depends on how far back one wants to go. On Downright Upright, bassist Brian Bromberg takes a retro tour of the era when Freddie Hubbard and Herbie Hancock were reaching a peak. Joe Zawinul and Eddie Harris were changing the scope of jazz. Weather Report was in, and jazz was changing rapidly. The umbrella was opening up to include innovative ideas and comfortable melodies that lingered in the mind for a lifetime.

Working with a crew that normally reserves its studio and stage time for smooth jazz or a similar, pop-inspired, contemporary form, Bromberg brings his big bass and piccolo bass aboard for a veritable party. He and his sidemen inject plenty of life into the scene on Downright Upright, honoring the jazz legends who have paved the way. These are no mere sidemen with Bromberg, either. Each brings a veteran's feel for contemporary jazz to the session, giving the bassist a rich palette from which to select. George Duke's piano solo on "Chameleon, for example, provides one of the session's high points. The others join Bromberg in creating several more plateaus on a session that comes recommended for its broad appeal and for its unmistakable groove.

The bassist solos frequently on both his acoustic bass and his electric piccolo bass with an expressive nature that finds him tearin' up the strings passionately. The sound of the smaller instrument resembles that of a bass guitar as Bromberg applies it to "Chameleon, "Leisure Suit, "Slow Burn and "Cold Duck Time. His five original compositions maintain the momentum found in the album's first three tracks, while his covers of older familiar tunes prove satisfying. Bromberg's "Sunday Mornin' and "Shag Carpet capture a pure gospel mood that rocks the roof beams, while Dave Grusin's "Serengeti Walk, a smooth jazz outing that features guitarist Lee Ritenour, simmers in the afternoon sun. As evidenced by Downright Upright, retro grooves from a lyrical bassist like Brian Bromberg can seem as natural as sunshine on Hollywood Boulevard at noon. The mood that he creates, however, could steal the hearts of millions. ~Jim Santella

Brian Bromberg: upright bass, piccolo bass; Rick Braun: trumpet, flugelhorn; Boney James, Gary Meek, Kirk Whalum: tenor saxophone; Lee Ritenour, Gannin Arnold: guitar; George Duke: piano; Jeff Lorber: piano, organ; Vinnie Colaiuta: drums.

Downright Upright

Les McCann - For Carl Perkins

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:23
Size: 163.4 MB
Styles: Hard bop, Soul jazz, Piano jazz
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[5:36] 1. For Carl Perkins
[3:35] 2. Jubilation
[4:23] 3. A Little ¾ For God & Co
[3:16] 4. This Can't Be Love
[6:22] 5. But Not For Me
[7:13] 6. C-Jam Blues
[7:35] 7. I'll Remember April
[6:00] 8. Night In Tunisia
[7:45] 9. A Foggy Day
[7:32] 10. Tellin' 'em About It
[3:19] 11. The Shout
[6:01] 12. How High The Moon
[2:40] 13. Cute

Recorded June 1960. The Carl Perkins referred to here is the bop-oriented pianist from Indianapolis and not the Carl Perkins of "Blue Suede Shoes" fame.

Born in Lexington, KY, in 1935, pianist Leslie Coleman McCann settled in Los Angeles in 1956. He emerged from obscurity after cutting “The Truth”, his first trio record, in February 1960, in which the walking bass of Leroy Vinnegar and direct swing of drummer Ron Jefferson were the perfect esthetic compliment to McCann’s music.

During the next few years he was the focus of widespread controversy as an exponent of a brand of piano jazz variously called Gospel, funk, soul, blues, back-to-the-roots, etc. While McCann acknowledged that almost all his relatives had sung in the church choir in Lexington, he said his music was a product of his early environment and no gimmick. “The way we play just fitted together as soon as Leroy and Ron and I first got together. We just started playing together, and it all made sense.”

For Carl Perkins

Laura Wolfe - He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:52
Size: 103,2 MB
Art: Front

(2:53)  1. Love Me Or Leave Me
(3:26)  2. It's So Nice To Have A Man Around The House
(3:03)  3. Exactly Like You
(4:49)  4. Where Can I Go Without You?
(2:34)  5. Can't We Be Friends?
(3:25)  6. My One And Only Love
(6:20)  7. I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good
(3:36)  8. My Baby Just Cares For Me
(3:13)  9. Mean To Me
(3:41) 10. East Of The Sun (West Of The Moon)
(3:58) 11. How About Me?
(3:49) 12. No Regrets

"Laura Wolfe makes my ears happy. Great style. Great interpretation." ~ Lou Powers, WBCB 1490 AM Philadelphia

"Laura Wolfe’s lovely voice glides effortlessly through precise arrangements of tunes from the “Great American Songbook.” She’s faithful to the words and music of the lyricists and composers, but her distinctive style stands out as she caresses your ears. Watch out world, here she comes. This lady can sing!" ~ John Bohannon, WRHU 88.7 FM New York

"...Laura Wolfe could be a real contender. Her first album is a winner. Taking on a dozen old standards, she sings them with zip on the up-tempo numbers and wistfulness on the ballads ...has a very good handle on the melodies and sense of the lyrics ...her phrasing is quite fresh in the very often recorded and performed classics ...another strength is avoiding melodrama, for even though she sings with real passion it's thoughtful consideration of situations that comes across, rather than wallowing in puddles of emotion. Laura wins points for often including the neglected verses to these great old songs. ...(she) is someone I'd like to hear more from soon. She sounds invested in the material, projects intelligence, and has a very attractive sound." ~ Rob Lester, Talkin' Broadway

"When I first heard Laura Wolfe's new album, "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not," I knew that my listeners would love it too. Here is a rare collection of fresh and beautiful love songs that are passionately recorded with fine instrumentation. This album is just what is needed to acquaint all generations with these great tunes from the American Songbook. However, these are just old songs. Even people who have heard them before will think that they are new again, when they hear Laura's unique interpretations of these timeless lyrics. She truly is a song stylist and not just a performer.
Laura successfully places herself in the role of the writers of these classic love songs and then gently communicates their message of adoration or heartbreak to the listener. She really knows how to sell a song. In fact, I was sold just after hearing just a few bars of her pleasing and talented voice. ~ John Russell Ghrist, host of Midwest Ballroom, WDCB 90.9 FM Chicago

"Laura's CD, 'He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not', is a treasure for music lovers who like the great standards. Every phase of Laura's talent shines through each tune. She is imaginative and creative and delivers a distinctive style that is all her own. Listen and enjoy as the excitement builds from the very first cut to the last and I am sure you will agree with me that Laura Wolfe is one of the brightest stars of today." ~ Jim Stone, host of Big Band Swing, WLNZ 89.7FM Lansing

"Laura Wolfe's new CD takes you back to the days when JAZZ was soothing and a part of real life and romance...This is an artist that I truly enjoy, and I am pleased that we'll have more on the way... The best way to describe the effort is, "TRULY DELICIOUS"... Enjoy." ~John Moultrie, WTBQ AM 1110 and 99.1 New York WVOS 95.9 New York .  More.. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/lwolfemusic

Harold Mabern - Mr. Lucky: A Tribute to Sammy Davis Jr.

Styles: Straight-ahead/Mainstream, Piano Jazz
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:20
Size: 124,8 MB
Art: Front

(5:26)  1. The People Tree
(5:43)  2. As Long As She Needs Me
(5:50)  3. Soft Shoe Trainin' with Sammy
(5:05)  4. Hey There
(7:54)  5. I've Gotta Be Me
(5:21)  6. Mr. Lucky
(4:31)  7. What Kind of Fool Am I?
(7:45)  8. Night Song
(6:42)  9. Something's Gotta Give

Harold Mabern brings his happy, blues-oriented piano to bear on this upbeat homage to the great entertainer Sammy Davis Jr.. Of the nine songs on the album, only two Mabern's buoyant original, "Soft Shoe Trainin' with Sammy," and Henry Mancini's title tune weren't closely associated with Davis. On the other hand, Mr. Lucky seems a rather peculiar name for an album devoted to Davis, as he was undeniably as talented as any entertainer of the past century but, at least in his private life, somewhat far removed from what could be called "lucky." In November 1954, Davis survived a horrendous auto accident but lost his left eye. He spent much of his life battling racism, which wasn't helped by an affair with actress Kim Novak and marriage to the Swedish-born actress May Britt. Surely alcohol, tobacco and drugs contributed heavily to his death from throat cancer at age sixty-four. Davis' body was later exhumed to remove the $70,000 in jewelry buried with him, which was used to help pay off his bankruptcy. Lucky, indeed.

Be that as it may, Mabern and his hard-working colleagues tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, bassist John Webber and drummer Joe Farnsworth give Davis his due, playing with warmth, vigor and dexterity throughout. Mabern goes it alone on "Hey There," and Alexander sits out on "What Kind of Fool Am I?" Otherwise, it's quartet all the way, and as this is a foursome that has worked and recorded together on a number of occasions, there are no unseemly blips on the radar screen. Alexander, albeit in his early forties and no longer a "young lion," is always a pleasure to hear, lending an aura of perception and integrity to every phrase, while Webber and Farnsworth keep flawless time and give the front-liners all the support they need.

Mabern, far from being overshadowed by his supporting cast, has more than a few melodic and harmonic tricks up his sleeve, showing time and again that, at age seventy- six, he is far from ready to yield any advantage to the younger generation. The fingers are as agile as ever, the musical storehouse apparently unaltered by the passage of time. Even though he entrusts ample solo space to Alexander, Mabern never wavers when it is his turn to shine, swinging freely and happily through every number while endorsing the premise that, perhaps, Sammy Davis Jr. was lucky after all to have admirers like Mabern and crew singing his praises more than two decades after his passing. ~ Jack Bowers  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/mr-lucky-harold-mabern-highnote-records-review-by-jack-bowers.php

Personnel: Harold Mabern: piano; Eric Alexander: tenor saxophone (1-3, 5, 6, 8, 9); John Webber: bass (1-3, 5-9); Joe Farnsworth: drums (1-3, 5-9).

Thalia - Habítame Siempre

Styles: Latin Pop, Mexican Traditions
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:22
Size: 108,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:59)  1. Habítame Siempre
(4:55)  2. Con los Años Que Me Quedan
(3:49)  3. Manías
(3:37)  4. Te Perdiste Mi Amor
(4:05)  5. No Soy el Aire
(3:38)  6. Bésame Mucho
(3:11)  7. Regalito de Dios
(3:38)  8. Tómame o Déjame
(3:30)  9. Muñequita Linda (Te Quiero, Dijiste)
(4:35) 10. Bésame
(4:41) 11. Dime Si Ahora
(3:38) 12. Ojalá

Four years after her last studio offering, Mexican pop diva Thalía returns with the ambitious Habítame Siempre. Dedicated to her late mother, the album features a wide array of styles, and more than a few surprises. While the title track single is a ballad in the grand Mexican pop tradition, it is quickly followed by a cover of Gloria Estefan's classic "Con los Años Que Me Quedan," with a similar arrangement but using four different voices to color it differently. The set includes a series of duets as well, including "Te Perdiste Mi Amor" with Prince Royce and "Muñequita Linda" with Robbie Williams, with a musical cabaret style that harks back to the 1940s.

Her reading of the ubiquitous "Bésame Mucho" with Michael Bublé, in both Spanish and English, weds classic pop to tango and nueva canción in a stunning arrangement. [The Mexican and Target versions have three exclusive bonus tracks.] ~ Thom Jurek  http://www.allmusic.com/album/hab%C3%ADtame-siempre-mw0002438392

Personnel: Charlie Bisharat (violin).

Paul Kuhn & SDR Big Band - Swingtime: The Original Arrangements 2

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1994
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:58
Size: 162,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:30)  1. South Rampart Street Parade
(3:24)  2. Tuxedo Junction
(3:06)  3. Back Bay Shuffle
(2:52)  4. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
(2:56)  5. 720 In The Book
(4:23)  6. I Can't Get Started (Vocal)
(3:13)  7. Boogie Woogie
(3:50)  8. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
(3:19)  9. Casa Loma Stomp
(3:21) 10. Concerto For Cootie
(3:27) 11. A String Of Pearls
(3:55) 12. Sing, Sing, Sing
(3:27) 13. And The Angels Sing (Vocal)
(4:44) 14. Moten Swing
(3:12) 15. Jumpin' At The Woodside
(1:39) 16. Ciribiribin
(3:13) 17. Jersey Bounce
(2:59) 18. Harlem Nocturne
(3:27) 19. Yes, Indeed! (Vocal)
(4:54) 20. Air Mail Special

Paul Kuhn (12 March 1928 – 23 September 2013) was a German jazz musician, band leader, singer and pianist. He was the band leader of the SFB Big Band, the orchestra of the Sender Freies Berlin, the TV-Station of West Berlin, part of ARD. He was the conductor of the German entry in the 1972 Eurovision Song Contest. Kuhn was born a the son of a croupier in Wiesbaden. In 1936, at the age of 8, he had a public gig at the 'Funkausstellung' in Berlin, playing the accordion. Some years later, he discovered jazz music (which was frowned upon during the nazi time (1933-1945)). In 1944, he was in Paris and had some gigs to entertain soldiers of the Wehrmacht, who still occupied Paris.After V-Day (8 May 1945), the USA formed an occupation zone in parts of Germany, amongst them the region around Frankfurt. Kuhn was hired by AFN (American Forces Network), he was live on radio almost every day, alone or with his band. 

He adopted the style and sound of Glenn Miller (1904-1944). In the 1950s, he arranged and composed entertainment music. Around 1955, he increasingly launched pop songs, sung and played by himself. During the sixties, more and more west German households bought a TV; music shows, big bands and singers were very successful. In 1968, Kuhn was named head of the entertainment orchestra of Sender Freies Berlin. In 1980, this band was dissolved and Kuhn moved to Cologne and founded his own orchestra. Starting in 2000, he toured with Max Greger, Hugo Strasser and the Big Band of SWR (Südwestdeutscher Rundfunk). At the end of 2011, Kuhn travelled to San Francisco to record a CD (The L.A. Session, with John Clayton and Jeff Hamilton). The album was released in 2013. His most known hits were Der Mann am Klavier (1954), Es gibt kein Bier auf Hawaii (1963) and Die Farbe der Liebe (1958 in the charts). ~ Bio  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Kuhn_%28band_leader%29