Sonny Clark - Leapin' And Lopin'

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:12
Size: 126.4 MB
Styles: Hard bop, Piano jazz
Year: 1961/2008
Art: Front

[6:19] 1. Somethin' Special
[6:43] 2. Deep In A Dream
[7:47] 3. Melody For C
[5:39] 4. Eric Walks
[7:37] 5. Voodoo
[7:13] 6. Midnight Mambo
[5:39] 7. Zellmar's Delight
[8:11] 8. Melody For C

Sonny Clark's fifth Blue Note recording as a leader is generally regarded as his best, especially considering he composed four of the seven tracks, and they all bear his stamp of originality. What is also evident is that he is shaping the sounds of his quintet rather than dominating the proceedings as he did on other previous dates. Tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse and trumpeter Tommy Turrentine play very little harmony on the date, but their in-tune unison lines are singularly distinctive, while bassist Butch Warren and a young drummer Billy Higgins keep the rhythmic coals burning with a steady glowing red heat. Among the classic tunes is the definitive hard bop opener "Somethin' Special" which lives up to its title in a most bright and happy manner, with Clark merrily comping chords. "Melody for C" is similarly cheerful, measured, and vivid in melodic coloration, the CD containing a slightly longer alternate take. "Zellmar's Delight," not included on the original LP, finally has the tenor and trumpet playing harmony during a tricky, progressive melody, not at all conventional, which is perhaps why it was initially omitted. The showstopper is "Voodoo," the ultimate yin/yang, dark, late night, sly and slinky jazz tune contrasted by Clark's tinkling piano riffs. Warren wrote the exciting hard bopper "Eric Walks" reminiscent of a Dizzy Gillespie tune, while Turrentine's "Midnight Mambo" mixes metaphors of Afro-Cuban music with unusual off-minor phrases and the stoic playing of Rouse. Tenor saxophonist Ike Quebec plays a cameo sans the other horns on the soulful ballad "Deep in a Dream," exhibiting a vocal quality on his instrument, making one wonder if any other sessions with this group were done on the side. Top to bottom Leapin' and Lopin' is a definitive recording for Clark, and really for all time in the mainstream jazz idiom. ~Michael G. Nastos

Leapin' and Lopin' 

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Jeanette Lindström - Sinatra-Weill

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:19
Size: 131.2 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 1999/2002
Art: Front

[8:16] 1. Speak Low
[8:01] 2. My Ship
[5:07] 3. The Tender Trap
[5:37] 4. Blame It On My Youth
[7:13] 5. Fly Me To The Moon
[6:10] 6. Lonely House
[4:52] 7. All My Tomorrows
[6:00] 8. The Lady Is A Tramp
[5:58] 9. Lost In The Stars

Swedish vocalist Jeanette Lindström once prompted legendary music producer Quincy Jones to voice the portentous words: “An old soul in a young singer”, and: “She really understands what jazz is all about!” In 1995, Lindström made her major breakthrough. After being awarded the “Jazz in Sweden” prize, she recorded her debut album, Another Country, on the Caprice record label that year. This was followed in 1997 by I Saw You. In 1998 she recorded and toured with Norrbotten Big Band, led by trumpeter Tim Hagans in collaboration with pianist Kenny Werner, resulting in a CD featuring music by Kurt Weill as well as repertoire associated with Frank Sinatra, which was released in 1999. For several years, Lindström worked with pianist Steve Dobrogosz as a duo. In 2000, they released Feathers (Prophone Records). She has also toured and recorded with bass player Anders Jormin (Once, Dragon Records, 1997).

Sinatra-Weill

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Jim Hall - Something Extraordinary

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 75:14

Size: 172.3 MB

Styles: Guitar jazz

Year: 2015

Art: Front

[6:09] 1. Time After Time

[4:29] 2. Alianca

[3:53] 3. The Lonely Time

[2:40] 4. California, Here I Come

[6:13] 5. The Girl From East 9th Street

[4:14] 6. Crazy She Calls Me

[4:51] 7. Mack The Knife

[3:46] 8. That's The Way It Is

[7:24] 9. Two Degrees East, Three Degrees West

[3:05] 10. The Green Country (New England Mood)

[5:06] 11. Samba Cepeda

[2:40] 12. Time Enough

[5:33] 13. The Swamp People

[4:53] 14. O Gato

[2:02] 15. Greensleeves

[4:38] 16. Show Me The Way To Go Home

[3:32] 17. The Train And The River

IN THE INTRO TO JIM HALL’S MAY 1983 cover story, Jim Ferguson and Arnie Berle wrote, “While most jazz guitarists are bebop-influenced and therefore somewhat alike stylistically, Jim Hall has managed to develop an approach rivaling that of Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian, and Wes Montgomery in individuality. Inspired by tenor sax men Lester Young, Coleman Hawkins, and Ben Webster, Hall’s horn-like solos are either passionately lyrical or abstract and angular, but never predictable. Yet he’s equally know for the notes he doesn’t play—his work is unusually sparse. And Hall’s playing always reflects the gentle warmth and thoughtfulness of his own personality.”

Hall had an extraordinary career that saw him work his melodic magic with the greatest jazz musicians on the planet, including Sonny Rollins, Bill Evans, Ella Fitzgerald, Ornette Coleman, Ron Carter, Chet Baker, Steve Gadd, and many, many others. Along the way he made a profound impact on scores of jazz guitarists such as Pat Metheny, John Scofield, John McLaughlin, Bill Frisell, and just about anyone whoever played a lilting melody.

Jim Hall passed away December 10, 2013, less than a week after his 83rd birthday and the world and the world of music are poorer because of it.

Something Extraordinary  

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Cyrille Aimée & Diego Figueiredo - Just the Two of Us

Styles: Vocal And Guitar Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:03
Size: 110,6 MB
Art: Front

(4:09)  1. Sunny Days
(4:54)  2. Tea for Two
(3:32)  3. Samois a Moi
(5:11)  4. Willow Weep for Me
(5:01)  5. Just the Two of Us
(3:42)  6. Invitation
(3:16)  7. Midnight Sun
(5:21)  8. Morena Boca de Ouro
(2:18)  9. Je Suis Seule Ce Soir
(4:03) 10. Dos Gardenias
(2:42) 11. Paper Moon
(3:49) 12. Samba em Preludio

Cyrille Aimée (pronounced Surreal M – A ) has proven herself to be an unstoppable, undeniable talent in the modern age of jazz and pop music. Internationally renowned and praised for her unparalleled abilities, Cyrille’s vocal stylings are synonymous with musical genius. Her culturally rich background has supplied her with the driving force of Dominican rhythm and the incredible swing of the French Gypsies. Taking these natural abilities with her across the world, she has done nothing short of receiving rave reviews and a loyal following in each country she graces with her voice.

Cyrille Aimée was a finalist in the prestigious Thelonious Monk Vocal Competition of 2010, performing in front of a jury of Al Jarreau, Kurt Elling, Dianne Reeves, Dee Dee Bridgewater. In 2007, Cyrille won both the first and public prize in the Montreux Jazz Festival Competition. Cyrille Aimée (pronounced Surreal M – A) has proven herself to be an unstoppable, undeniable talent in the modern age of jazz and pop music. Internationally renowned and praised for her unparalleled abilities, Cyrille’s vocal stylings are synonymous with musical genius. Her culturally rich background has supplied her with the driving force of Dominican rhythm and the incredible swing of the French Gypsies. Taking these natural abilities with her across the world, she has done nothing short of receiving rave reviews and a loyal following in each country she graces with her voice. Cyrille’s discography and musical history is an impressive list for any musician, jazz or otherwise. At the young age of 26, she has already released four CDs internationally, including “Cyrille Aimée & The Surreal Band” and “Smile” with Brazilian guitarist Diego Figueiredo. The Japanese label Venus Records has just released Cyrille and Diego’s latest duo album “Just the Two of us” this past November, 2010. Cyrille Aimée has been featured on compilations, feature film soundtracks across the globe and on the albums of Denis Chang and David Reinhardt. She fronted France’s latest worldwide sensation ‘Caravan Palace’ on their European tour and performed in front of crowds that number over 10,000 people.Her latest record “Cyrille Aimée & friends Live at Smalls” features Roy Hargrove and Joel Frahm and is released under the label SmallsLIVE.

Diego Figueiredo was born in Franca, Brazil, in 1980, and at the age of 4, he used to strike poses carrying his small guitar. At six, he got a mandolin, which was kept in a very special place in his house. Diego played many instruments before choosing the electric guitar when he was twelve, playing in theaters and local pubs, revealing the great art of improvising and harmonizing. At 15, he conquered theaters and nightclubs in many different Brazilian states, playing solo or with renowned musicians.He has studied classical guitar, Brazilian Popular Music and jazz in conservatories in Franca, Ribeirão Preto and Tatuí.

In 1999, he won first place in a contest in South America ,  he was awarded a scholarship to study at Berklee College of Music. He has played and shared the stage with , Hermeto Paschoal, Geraldo Azevedo, Sebastião Tapajós, Demônios da Garoa, Vanusa, Renato Borghetti, Osvaldo Montenegro, Jair Rodrigues, Elomar, Toquinho, Tunai, Paulinho da Viola, Nando Cordel,  Moraes Moreira, Fafá de Belém, Amelinha, Los Hermanos, Zeca Baleiro, Miyazawa and others. http://pdxjazz.com/cyrille-aimee

Just the Two of Us

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European Jazz Piano Trio - Artfully

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2001
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:41
Size: 167,1 MB
Art: Front

(9:02)  1. Everything I love
(5:04)  2. Leibermans
(7:56)  3. The Peacocks
(8:27)  4. Artfully
(6:44)  5. A Ballad and Five Brothers
(3:01)  6. Sophie
(6:46)  7. Vivi's Waltz
(6:29)  8. Tricotism
(6:04)  9. Love Rolls On
(6:42) 10. I've Got My Feet to Keep Me Warm
(6:21) 11. The Peacocks

In 1999 Bill Charlap formed The European Jazz Piano Trio, with renowned Irish drummer Stephen Keogh and the fast rising British bass player Mark Hodgson. The trio immediately formed an exciting and creative alternative to Bill's New York based trio featuring Peter and Kenny Washington and have gone on to make several successful European tours and enjoy a constantly growing European audience.  In 2000 The European Jazz Piano Trio recorded their first CD, 'Gift' (Ashbrown Productions), with George Sherring's guitarist Louis Stewart.  http://www.jazzcds.co.uk/artist_id_59/biography_id_59

Artfully features Bill Charlap piano, Mark Hodgson bass, Stephen Keogh drums

Artfully

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Stefano Battaglia Trio - Songways

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 78:08
Size: 179,1 MB
Art: Front

(12:11)  1. Euphonia Elegy
( 5:09)  2. Ismaro
( 7:22)  3. Vondervotteimittis
(13:50)  4. Armonia
( 6:09)  5. Mildendo Wide Song
( 6:51)  6. Monte Analogo
( 3:40)  7. Abdias
( 8:42)  8. Songways
( 5:17)  9. Perla
( 8:52) 10. Babel Hymn

Since his relationship with ECM began in 2003, Stefano Battaglia has been consistent in his use of different constellations for each recording, from 2006's double-disc Raccolto, where the Italian pianist worked with two different trios, and 2007's Re: Pasolini, another two-CD set where one employed a more broadly defined sextet and the other a string-centric quintet, to the vulnerable duo of 2010's Pastorale, with percussionist and electronic manipulator Michele Rabbia a largely constant companion throughout these three recordings. Battaglia's reliance on unusual contexts also contributed to the broader landscape of his emergent ECM discography. So it was something of a surprise when he reenlisted drummer Roberto Dani and double bassist Salvatore Maiore, who'd both performed on Re: Pasolini's sextet disc (and, in the case of Maiore, one of Raccolto's two trios). Clearly Battaglia felt compelled to further explore a specific chemistry with these two players, but in a more intimate setting. Rather than adhering to conventions often suggested by this standard configuration, however, The River of Anyder (2011) turned out to be career-defining album of unsettling and unpredictable beauty.

It's also clear that Battaglia enjoyed the experience because, for the first time since commencing his work with ECM, the pianist has delivered a second recording with the identical lineup. With Songways, Battaglia continues to explore a similar direction as Anyder, equally defined by gossamer lyricism and delicate interaction, whether in the context of stricter form or more open-ended rubato freedom. But here, the diaphanous interplay is more profound, even as Battaglia's writing for the trio has become increasingly specific, allowing each member greater freedom to more fully realize their roles in what is an equilateral triangle of finesse, melodism and subtle power. The album opens with "Euphonia Eulogy," one of two tracks that break the 12-minute mark, but there the similarities between them end. "Euphonia" is a tone poem that nevertheless possesses its own forward motion through an underlying turbulence that unfolds slowly but relentlessly, as Battaglia asserts a rolling motion with his left hand, even as he layers spare melodies with his right. Maiore adds unpredictable yet somehow inevitable harmonic movement, while the delicate pitches of Dani's cymbal splashes and soft tom rolls transcending texture to create gentle melodic counterpoint. "Armonia," on the other hand, relies more fully on space and darker textures, with Maiore only entering halfway to more firmly define form and pulse, even as Battaglia turns to building a long-form melody that feels somehow connected to antiquity even as it clearly occupies a contemporary harmonic space.

It's an approach that Battaglia's trio refers to often: concepts steeped in historical and cultural premises while never feeling time-stamped. Instead, the same out of time rather than of a time quality that so defined River of Anyder is even more omnipresent on Songways' 10-song, 78-minute program. Songways capitalizes on the strength of a trio that's been honing its craft in multiple contexts for eight years, finding beauty in every nook and cranny even as it eschews the obvious, and continues to hone its profoundly lyrical language with music that paints vivid pictures and evokes cinematic landscapes, encouraging the imagination to run where it will. ~ John Kelman  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/songways-stefano-battaglia-ecm-records-review-by-john-kelman.php

Personnel: Stefano Battaglia: piano; Salvatore Maiore: double bass; Roberto Dani: drums.

Songways

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Steve - Farmers Market

Styles: Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:26
Size: 136,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:19)  1. Night in Tunisia
(3:36)  2. Cloudburst
(5:19)  3. Stockholm Sweetnin'
(4:33)  4. Joyspring
(5:14)  5. I Can't See a Spring
(4:46)  6. Blue Daniel
(6:35)  7. Four
(5:08)  8. Social Call
(5:04)  9. The Boss
(6:36) 10. Farmer's Market
(7:09) 11. Lady B Good

Finally this album is now released for all international listeners!Originally released 2011 in Sweden the album was a great success for Stockholm based group Steve. Steve consists of singer Karina Kampe, Flugelhorn and cornet player Anders Ellman, Pianist Petter Carlson, Bassist Ulf Hammarstrand and drummer Mats Jadin. The music originates from the golden jazz era of Be Bop but also incorporates new compositions by the bands members. Songs include Cloudburst, Farmer's Market and Night in Tunisia. Karina Kampe has written new lyrics to formerly instrumental Blue Daniel as well as providing the heart wrenchingly beautiful "I Can't See a Spring" dealing with the loss of a loved one. Steve performs all over Europe and now hope to expand over the Atlantic as well. Very well received performances include the Bb Club in Berlin as well as Stockholm- as well as Tallinn jazz festival.  More...http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/steve92

 

Farmers Market

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