Henry Mancini - Midnight, Moonlight & Magic: The Very Best Of Henry Mancini

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:23
Size: 136.0 MB
Styles: Easy Listening
Year: 2004
Art: Front

[2:36] 1. The Pink Panther Theme
[2:40] 2. Moon River
[2:42] 3. Baby Elephant Walk
[1:55] 4. The Sweetheart Tree
[2:35] 5. In The Arms Of Love
[2:04] 6. Peter Gunn
[2:06] 7. Days Of Wine And Roses
[2:34] 8. Charade
[2:57] 9. The Inspector Clouseau Theme
[2:46] 10. Darling Lili
[2:40] 11. Two For The Road
[3:04] 12. Candlelight On Crystal
[2:41] 13. Dear Heart
[2:12] 14. Mr. Lucky
[2:01] 15. Theme From Cade's County
[3:42] 16. Whistling Away The Dark
[2:22] 17. Pie-In-The-Face Polka
[3:55] 18. Dreamsville
[1:57] 19. It Had Better Be Tonight
[2:22] 20. Nothing To Lose
[2:51] 21. Frish Frosh
[1:56] 22. Mystery Movie Theme
[2:31] 23. Love Theme From Romeo And Juliet

Henry Mancini ranks right up at the top of a list of composers who wrote for movies and TV. He crafted memorable melodies and framed them with witty and inventive arrangements that in most cases still sound fresh today. Midnight, Moonlight & Magic: The Very Best of Henry Mancini is a 23-song look at the master's work in films and on TV. It spans the years 1958 and 1972 and includes his most popular themes such as the sassy "Pink Panther Theme," the rocking "Peter Gunn," the sweet "Moon River," and the swinging "Baby Elephant Walk." The compilers also found room for some lesser known but still worthy material like the wonderfully bluesy and dreamy "Dreamsville," the rollicking "Pie-in-the-Face Polka" from The Great Race, "Frish Frosh" from High Time, and 1972's "Mystery Movie Theme." Throughout Mancini deftly balances his romantic streak with an ear for the unusual that kept even his sappiest tunes from being too smooth. For example the frenzied piano line on the otherwise treacly "The Sweetheart Tree," the inventive way he combines instruments in "The Inspector Clouseau Theme," or the spooky keyboard sounds on "Theme From 'Cade's County'" are the touches of an inspired craftsman. Other times the melody is just so strong, like on the deathless "Charade," that it doesn't matter how many smooth vocals and swooning strings get piled on top. It still escapes being corny. The collection is very strong, one of the best single-disc Mancini compilations on the market. The only thing holding it back, and giving lie to the title's claim to be the "very best" of his work, is the omission of anything from perhaps his finest soundtrack, 1962's Experiment in Terror. The theme song at least should have been here. Apart from that flaw, this is an entertaining disc that shows just how wonderful Mancini's film compositions truly are. ~Tim Sendra

Midnight, Moonlight & Magic: The Very Best Of Henry Mancini

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Libby York - Here With You

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 47:11

Size: 108.0 MB

Styles: Vocal jazz

Year: 2008

Art: Front

[5:51] 1. I Love Being Here With You

[4:26] 2. The Day The World Stopped Turning

[2:47] 3. For All We Know

[2:45] 4. Walkin' My Baby Back Home

[5:19] 5. You Go To My Head

[2:48] 6. A Beautiful Friendship

[5:01] 7. But Beautiful

[4:23] 8. Azure Te (Paris Blues)

[4:16] 9. Look For The Silver Lining

[5:15] 10. The Things We Did Last Summer

[4:15] 11. Flamingo

Chicago-born Libby York's third album, Here With You, is an expression of her jazz vocal techniques, with more than a little of Chris Connor and June Christy in her delivery. York goes right out on a limb by challenging Peggy Lee's "I Love Being Here With You" as an opener, a tune also associated with Chris Connor. It is York's second choice, however, the rarely heard Kaye/Springer song "The Day The World Stopped Turning," that surprises. This song appeared on Johnny Hartman's last Impulse! album, 1965's The Voice That Is, and was the most disposable tune on the album. York's small combo bossa nova version of "The Day The World Stopped Turning" easily trumps Bob Hammer's cornball arrangement for Johnny Hartman in 1965. It's still not a great song, but it does sound so much better.

York puts it all together with the assist of guitarist Howard Alden's arrangements. Guitarist Russell Malone also appears for some delicious duets on Coots/Lewis' "For All We Know," Cahn/Styne's "A Beautiful Friendship" and Douchette/Wolfe's "Azure Te (Paris Blues)," a song with which you just can't go wrong. York provides a rarely heard vocal version of Anderson/Grouyal's "Flamingo," and has some further fine support from cornetist (and vocal partner) Warren Vache.

What are the conclusions that can be reached regarding Libby York's musical career? After graduating from American University in Washington, D.C., she opened a club in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware and then lived in Key West, Florida. It wasn't until 1981 that she settled in New York to study with singers Abbey Lincoln and Judy Niemack. Her only two previous albums have been with Chicago based Southport in 1998 and for BluJazz, also a Windy City label, in 2004. Here With You not only her declares her availability, but her full-fledged jazz vocal credentials. ~Michael P. Gladstone

Libby York: vocals; Russell Malone: guitar (3, 6, 8); Howard Alden: guitar; Warren Vache: cornet and vocals (4); Jon Burr: bass; Vanderlei Pereira: drums: percussion (2, 5, 9-11).

Here With You

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Dan Barrett - Melody In Swing

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:15
Size: 131.1 MB
Styles: Trombone jazz, New Orleans jazz
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[4:41] 1. Melody In Swing
[3:04] 2. I'm Nobody's Baby
[3:53] 3. Carelessly
[4:34] 4. What Is This Thing Called Love
[4:39] 5. My Mother's Eyes
[3:15] 6. Teezol
[4:36] 7. There Is No Greater Love
[5:25] 8. Take My Heart
[4:17] 9. Finesse
[5:06] 10. Besame Mucho
[4:25] 11. You've Got Me Crying Again
[4:41] 12. Mighty Like The Blues
[4:33] 13. Gravy Waltz

Dan Barrett emerged as one of the top young trombonists during the mid-'80s; his ninth date as a leader for Arbors Records finds him leading a quintet through a marvelous collection of swing songs, many of which have been overlooked for a long time or never received widespread attention in the first place. "Melody in Swing" features Barrett's effortless swing and great tone in an easygoing arrangement. He adds a mute for his languid bittersweet solo during the gently swinging "Carelessly," backed by pianist Ray Sherman's rapid runs. "What Is This Thing Called Love?" has a mysterious introduction that adds a touch of campiness, while Barrett's muted horn almost sounds like an old-time crooner on the relaxed arrangement of "There Is No Greater Love," a piece almost always heard at a breakneck tempo by many jazz groups. The capable rhythm section includes guitarist Eddie Erickson, bassist Dave Stone, and drummer Jeff Hamilton ("Canadian" Jeff to Dan & company, to avoid confusion with the Jeff Hamilton who has worked with Ray Brown and also the Clayton Brothers). The delicious "Gravy Waltz," an early-'60s collaboration between the late pianist/singer/comedian Steve Allen and bassist Ray Brown, showcases Erickson on banjo and some fine arco bass by Stone, as well as the leader, in a fun-filled finale to this highly recommended CD. ~Ken Dryden

Melody In Swing 

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Various - Bossa Nova Exciting Jazz Samba Rhythms Vol 1

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 67:05

Size: 153.6 MB

Styles: Latin rhythms

Year: 2001

Art: Front

[2:34] 1. Roberto Menescal - Influencia Do Jazz

[7:33] 2. Odell Brown - Mas Que Nada

[2:58] 3. Os Cincos-Pados - Berimbau

[4:17] 4. Jongo Trio - Waters Of March

[2:44] 5. Quarteto Em Cy Com Tamba Trio - Water To Drink

[2:47] 6. Pedrinho Mattar Trio - Samba Pro Pedrinho

[3:15] 7. Charlie Byrd - Bamba Samba

[2:19] 8. Breno Sauer Quinteto - A Felicidad

[3:11] 9. Nelson Riddle Orchestra - Lamento

[2:46] 10. Zimbo Trio - To Live Happily

[2:26] 11. Os Catedràticos - Os Grilos (Crickets Sing For Anamaria)

[3:57] 12. Lalo Schifrin Orchestra - Samba De Una Nota

[3:05] 13. Geraldo Trio - Chora Tua Tristeza

[2:44] 14. Bossa Jazz Trio - Canto De Ossanha

[2:59] 15. Os Cobras - Cheiro De Saudade

[2:26] 16. Continentals - String Of Pearls

[2:33] 17. Joao Meirelles - Batucada

[2:06] 18. Chris Montez - The Face I Love

[4:29] 19. Martin Denny - Exotique Bossa Nova

[5:45] 20. Quartette Tres Bien - Boss Tres Bien

Bossa Nova Exciting Jazz Samba Rhythms

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Count Basie & Joe Williams - Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings

Styles: Vocal And Piano Jazz, Big Band

Year: 1955

File: MP3@320K/s

Time: 42:57

Size: 98,5 MB

Art: Front

(5:29)  1. Every Day I Have The Blues

(5:28)  2. The Comeback

(3:05)  3. All Right, Ok, You Win

(3:39)  4. In The Evening (When The Sun Goes Down)

(3:12)  5. Roll 'Em Pete

(3:05)  6. Teach Me Tonight

(2:58)  7. My Baby Upsets Me

(3:33)  8. Please Send Me Someone To Love

(3:48)  9. Ev'ry Day (I Fall In Love)

(3:07) 10. As I Love You

(2:37) 11. Stop! Don't!

(2:53) 12. Too Close For Comfort

Joe Williams' debut as the featured vocalist in Count Basie's band was one of those landmark moments that even savvy observers don't fully appreciate when it occurs, then realize years later how momentous an event they witnessed. Williams brought a different presence to the great Basie orchestra than the one Jimmy Rushing provided; he couldn't shout like Rushing, but he was more effective on romantic and sentimental material, while he was almost as spectacular on surging blues, up-tempo wailers, and stomping standards. Basie's band maintained an incredible groove behind Williams, who moved from authoritative statements on "Every Day I Have the Blues" and "Please Send Me Someone to Love" to brisk workouts on "Roll 'Em Pete" and his definitive hit, "All Right, OK, You Win." ~ Ron Wynn http://www.allmusic.com/album/count-basie-swings-joe-williams-sings-mw0000691298

Personnel: Count Basie (piano); Joe Williams (vocals); Marshall Royal (alto saxophone, clarinet); Bill Graham (alto saxophone); Frank Wess (tenor saxophone, flute); Frank Foster (tenor saxophone); Charlie Fowlkes (baritone saxophone); Wendell Culley, Reunald Jones, Thad Jones, Joe Newman (trumpet); Henry Coker, Bill Hughes, Benny Powell (trombone); Freddie Green (guitar); Eddie Jones (bass); Sonny Payne (drums).

Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings

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Dave Pike - It's Time For Dave Pike

Styles: Vibraphone Jazz

Year: 1961

File: MP3@320K/s

Time: 38:19

Size: 88,1 MB

Art: Front

(5:05)  1. Cheryl

(5:38)  2. On Green Dolphin Street

(5:41)  3. It's Time

(4:11)  4. Hot House

(5:16)  5. Forward

(3:20)  6. Solar

(3:57)  7. Little Girl Blue

(5:09)  8. Tendin' To Business

Dave Pike was never an innovator, but his best albums are definitely solid. A perfect example is 1961's It's Time for Dave Pike, which was recorded when the vibist was only 22. By 1961 standards, this album isn't experimental or forward-thinking certainly not compared to some of the adventurous, challenging sounds that were coming from modal and avant-garde improvisers in the early '60s. But it's easy to enjoy if you appreciate swinging, inspired bop along the lines of Milt Jackson, who is one of Pike's primary influences. In fact, this album favors the same vibes/piano/bass/drums format that Jackson embraced during his years with the Modern Jazz Quartet Pike is joined by pianist Barry Harris, bassist Reggie Workman, and drummer Billy Higgins. But It's Time for Dave Pike doesn't sound like an MJQ date and doesn't contain any third stream experiments; it has more in common with Jackson's work outside the MJQ. Hard bop is the name of the game on this album, which includes a few Pike originals as well as inspired versions of jazz standards like Miles Davis' "Solar," Charlie Parker's "Cheryl," and Tadd Dameron's "Hot House." The only time Pike doesn't lead a quartet on this album is when he tackles Rodgers & Hart's "Little Girl Blue" and performs an unaccompanied vibes solo. Produced by Orrin Keepnews for Riverside, It's Time for Dave Pike was out of print for many years. But that changed in 2001, when Fantasy finally reissued this pleasing album on CD on its Original Jazz Classics imprint. ~ Alex Henderson  http://www.allmusic.com/album/its-time-for-dave-pike-mw0000017025

Personnel: Dave Pike (vibraphone); Barry Harris (piano); Reggie Workman (acoustic bass); Billy Higgins (drums).

It's Time For Dave Pike

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Houston Person - Lost & Found

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1977
File: MP3@224K/s
Time: 73:26
Size: 118,3 MB
Art: Front

(7:10)  1. Late Night Lullaby
(6:08)  2. No Denial Blues
(6:29)  3. The Glory of Love
(5:36)  4. Never Let Me Go
(5:16)  5. Trust in Me
(4:10)  6. When I'm Not With You
(4:36)  7. Sweet Slumber
(7:47)  8. Preachin' and Teachin'
(7:36)  9. Dameron
(6:58) 10. Wildflower
(6:07) 11. Ain't Misbehavin'
(5:25) 12. My Romance

This single CD from 1997 has all of the music recorded by tenor saxophonist Houston Person for his 1977 album Wildflower, plus a completely unissued session from 1993. The latter teams the soulful Person with the classic pianist/vocalist Charles Brown in a quintet also including guitarist Danny Caron, bassist Red Callender and drummer Gaylord Birch. It is a particular pleasure hearing Brown fare so well in a jazz setting. The earlier date has five fairly long jams, with Person joined by trumpeter Bill Hardman, guitarist Jimmy Ponder, the underrated organist Sonny Phillips, drummer Idris Muhammad and percussionist Larry Killian. In addition to a couple of familiar standards ("Ain't Misbehavin'" and "My Romance"), the title cut, and a Phillips original, the band debuts a previously unknown Tadd Dameron ballad titled "Dameron." All in all, this is a well-rounded CD easily recommended to fans of soul-jazz, hard bop and Charles Brown. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/lost-found-mw0000025251

Personnel: Houston Person (tenor saxophone); Bill Hardman (trumpet); Charles Brown (piano, vocals); Sonny Phillips (organ); Jimmy Ponder, Danny Caron (guitar); Red Callender (bass); Idris Muhammad, Gaylord Birch (drums); Larry Killian (congas, percussion).

Lost & Found

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Sarah Kernochan - Beat Around The Bush

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:34
Size: 95,7 MB
Art: Front

(3:33)  1. Da-Dum
(2:44)  2. Home Away from Home
(4:03)  3. Ballad of Weird Romeo
(3:14)  4. Can I Get On Top This Time
(4:30)  5. Out Island
(2:25)  6. Mobile Home
(3:50)  7. Why Did I Ever Marry
(2:43)  8. It's Alright, It Won't Bite
(7:09)  9. Room Service
(4:12) 10. Mister Sloane
(3:08) 11. Sleeparound Town

In the 70's, Sarah Kernochan was called "the female Randy Newman," "Carly Simon with balls," and "willowy and weird." Her second album's title, "Beat Around the Bush," alerted listeners that this would be a journey into sexual territory. Unsurprisingly, radio stations refused to play songs like "It's Alright, It won't Bite," consigning the album to quick oblivion, even though it also contained softer material. (Now Kernochan's work seems prescient.) 

Her piano-based musical stylings continue the jazz-pop-classical meld she introduced with her first album "House of Pain." This re-issue contains two bonus tracks, "Sleeparound Town" and "Mister Sloane.  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/sarahkernochan2

Beat Around The Bush

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