Jaki Byard & The Apollo Stompers - Phantasies II

Size: 97,3 MB
Time: 42:19
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1991
Styles: Jazz: Piano Jazz, Big Band
Art: Front

01. Manhattan (1:57)
02. New York Is A Lonely Town (4:31)
03. 2-5-1 (5:39)
04. BJC Blues (Dedicated To B.B. King) (4:05)
05. Up Jumps One (Dedicated To Count Basie) (7:20)
06. Pt. 1 Mellow Septet Concerto Grosso (5:12)
07. Pt. 2 There Are Many Worlds Concerto Grosso (4:38)
08. June Night (2:29)
09. Send In The Clowns (2:39)
10. Bright Moments (3:46)

The second CD featuring Jaki Byard's Apollo Stompers (a young big band) is actually superior to the first one. Although most of the soloists (other than guitarist Peter Leitch and trumpeter Graham Haynes) remain obscure, the material is more stimulating than on the debut set. In addition to a few standards, Byard penned tributes to B.B. King and Count Basie along with a two part "Concerto Grosso." His very versatile piano has its share of short solos, hinting at many earlier jazz styles. ~by Scott Yanow

Phantasies II

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The Andrew Allen Trio - Live! From The Cantina: A Star Wars Jazz Tribute

Size: 101,3 MB
Time: 42:39
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz: Soul Jazz, Hammond Organ
Label: Andrew Allen Trio
Art: Front

01. Star Wars Main Theme (From Star Wars) (6:09)
02. Parade Of The Ewoks (From Return Of The Jedi) (5:39)
03. Cantina Band (From Star Wars) (2:48)
04. The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme) (From The Empire Strikes Back) (5:19)
05. Princess Leia's Theme (From Star Wars) (3:08)
06. Tie Fighter Attack (From Star Wars) (1:27)
07. Han Solo And The Princess (From The Empire Strikes Back) (5:46)
08. Tales Of A Jedi Knight (Luke's Theme) (From Star Wars) (5:02)
09. Yoda's Theme (From The Empire Strikes Back) (3:34)
10. Duel Of The Fates (From The Phantom Menace) (3:42)

With a new chapter already demolishing Fandango records, there is bound to be a plethora of Star Wars merchandise that will monopolize store shelves. However, some of the most interesting stuff are the unofficial products on the fringe, such as Live! From the Cantina: A Star Wars Jazz Tribute, a charming and sharply rendered homage to John Williams' indelible soundtracks. This is no ordinary tweaking; the Andrew Allen Trio take the original compositions and swing for the moon, often hitting a grand slam.

Allen's ambitions are immediately evident on "Luke's Theme," stripping the introspective, melancholy tones of Williams' version for something familiar yet dramatically different. Brad Esau's soothing saxophone recaptures the easily recognizable melody but Allen shoots for a '60s vibe with his organ, reaching the twilight zone of psychedelic lounge music. As Allen is lost in an otherworldly groove, Esau and drummer Truman House are let off the chain. Esau's sax is smoking while House's drums stutter with wild abandon.

The target audience for this album will be, of course, Star Wars buffs; however, the tight chemistry between the musicians will reel in serious fans of the genre. The fiery saxophone and crashing drums of "Tie Fighter Attack" will pummel even the most exuberant of serious jazz groups. There is much to love here, one of the most original and inventive releases of the year. Highly recommended. ~by Stacey Zering

Live! From The Cantina

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Erik Leuthauser - In The Land Of Oo-Bla-Dee

Size: 177,0 MB
Time: 77:00
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Confirmation (3:38)
02. All Of Me (2:23)
03. In Walked Bud (4:19)
04. Misterioso (3:52)
05. Our Place (Frank's Place) (5:08)
06. Days Of Wine And Roses (4:06)
07. Sweet Sue, Sweet You (2:57)
08. There's A Small Hotel (4:30)
09. It Could Happen To You (4:33)
10. Moose The Mooche (5:01)
11. St. Thomas (3:31)
12. Im Land Von Oo-Bla-Dee (3:14)
13. Ornithology (3:36)
14. I Was Telling Him But Now I Cry Alone (Betty Carter Medley) (6:35)
15. September In The Rain (4:20)
16. Careless (5:10)
17. Wave (5:50)
18. Yardbird Suite (4:09)

Erik Leuthäuser ist ein überaus begabter und origineller junger Musiker, der den Begriff des Jazzsängers im eigentlichen Sinne wieder neu und frisch belebt. Er widmet sich mit einer Ernsthaftigkeit und gleichzeitig mit grosser Leichtigkeit den virtuosesten Jazzkompositionen und verneigt sich mit seiner Debut-CD vor den grossen Meistern des Jazz, die ihm ganz eindeutig schon lange enge Wegbegleiter sind. Von Ihnen erzählt er uns – in seiner Muttersprache deutsch. Das ist mutig und wirkt in wenigen Momenten manchmal auch etwas kantig, doch mich hat die Direktheit und Frische darin sehr berührt! Es ist Bebop, der auch junge Leute erreichen soll, die bislang keine Berührung damit hatten – Erik erzählt in seinen Texten von seinem Lebensalltag als Schüler und Student, von seiner Motivation, diese Musik zu machen und natürlich erzählt er von der Musik und den Grossen des Jazz und macht sie dadurch für uns wieder ganz quicklebendig … Von diesem jungen Mann werden wir sicher in den kommenden Jahren noch mehr hören! ~Esther Kaiser

In The Land Of Oo-Bla-Dee

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Jakob Norgren Jazz Orchestra - Pathfinding

Size: 103,0 MB
Time: 42:50
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. Pathfinding (9:08)
02. Some Kind Of Dancing (6:23)
03. Serendipity (6:26)
04. Parade (7:51)
05. Secret Walks Part 1 (6:33)
06. Secret Walks Part 2 (6:26)

The last word has yet to be spoken on the role of the baritone saxophone in jazz big band writing. Duke Ellington used Harry Carney to great, often magnificent effect. Then, in 1960, Gerry Mulligan took things further with his Concert Jazz Band.

At that moment the Beatles and the beat boom that followed sounded the death knell for jazz as popular music. Big bands were no longer economically viable and the few that survived showed little interest in this always neglected member of the sax family.

It might have been "end of the story" had not a few enthusiasts battled on. They include the Swede Jakob Norgren who has managed to persuade his country's Arts Council to back this, first album of his jazz big band (other efforts have been mainly soul-oriented).

Norgren concentrates on writing and arranging, leaving the lion's share of soloing to tenor saxophonist Jonas Kullhammar. When he does play, it is in a markedly more probing, post-John Coltrane-style than that of Mulligan, or fellow Swede Lars Gullin, who established an international reputation on the instrument in the 1950s and early 60s.

An inquiring and original mind is at work here. When he's not playing jazz, Norgren works as a research assistant in cognitive neuroscience at Stockholm's Karolinska Institutet, which each year awards the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. He also teaches psychology and social studies.

He describes Kullhammar, his collaborator on this project as "one of the most important Swedish jazz artists of the new millennium."

"Pathfinding," the title track, sets the tone for the album, Kullhammar emerging out of a brass-led ensemble to test the range of his tenor. "Some Kind of Dancing," which follows, is more relaxed, with a slightly Eastern feel, opening with bass and drums and featuring lyrical flugelhorn by Jonne Bentlöv.

"Serendipity" features straight-ahead jazz writing and playing, but with the theme stated by the leader on contra alto clarinet.

"Parade" has what Norgren describes as "a New Orleans groove." It features a "conversation" between Kullhammar and Mats Äleklint on trombone. "Secret Walks" is in two parts, the second more interesting than the first, bringing the album to a slightly sudden but still coherent conclusion.

If as a big band composer Norgren occasionally bites off a mite more than he can comfortably chew, that is surely better than simply churning out tired old charts trading on nostalgia for glory days long gone. ~by Chris Mosey

Personnel: Jakob Norgren, Jonas Kullhammar, Peter Friedman, Lina Lövstrand, Kai Sundquist, Christian Herluf Pedersen: reeds; Fredrik Oscarsson, Jonne Bentlöv, David Ljunggren, Oscar Lindblom: trumpets; Mats Äleklint, Michael Rörby, Johan Åström, Klas Eriksson: trombones; Mathias Lundquist: piano; Lars Ekman: bass; Isak Andersson: drums.

Pathfinding

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Kitty Kallen - The Kitty Kallen Collection 1939-62

Size: 159,6+169,0 MB
Time: 69:20+73:23
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz/Pop/Rock Vocals
Art: Front

CD 1:
01. A Table In A Corner (3:12)
02. So Many Times (2:58)
03. Love For Sale (3:00)
04. The Moon And The Willow Tree (3:08)
05. Wham (3:06)
06. Moonlight Becomes You (2:54)
07. They're Either Too Young Or Too Old (3:03)
08. Star Eyes (3:04)
09. Besame Mucho (2:59)
10. When They Ask About You (2:56)
11. I'm Beginning To See The Light (1:59)
12. I Don't Care Who Knows It (3:01)
13. Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry (3:26)
14. Yah-Ta-Ta, Yah-Ta-Ta (2:25)
15. 11 60 Pm (2:41)
16. I'll Buy That Dream (3:18)
17. It's Been A Long, Long Time (3:22)
18. The Wonder Of You (3:13)
19. Waitin' For The Train To Come In (3:04)
20. My Heart Belongs To Daddy (3:02)
21. Kiss Me Sweet (1:28)
22. Juke Box Annie (2:52)
23. Our Lady Of Fatima (2:44)
24. The Aba Daba Honeymoon (2:12)

CD 2:
01. To Be Loved By You (2:55)
02. Are You Looking For A Sweetheart (2:51)
03. Little Things Mean A Lot (2:57)
04. In The Chapel In The Moonlight (2:49)
05. Take Everything But You (2:44)
06. I Want You All To Myself (Just You) (3:01)
07. Don't Let The Kiddy Geddin (2:11)
08. I'd Never Forgive Myself (2:37)
09. Honestly (2:21)
10. Forgive Me (2:54)
11. Just Between Friends (2:39)
12. Sweet Kentucky Rose (2:44)
13. How Lonely Can I Get (2:44)
14. Go On With The Wedding (2:52)
15. Will I Always Be Your Sweetheart (2:47)
16. How About Me (2:58)
17. Lasting Love (2:49)
18. Crying Roses (2:17)
19. Love Is A Sacred Thing (2:34)
20. If I Give My Heart To You (2:44)
21. That Old Feeling (2:26)
22. Need Me (3:14)
23. Got A Date With An Angel (2:00)
24. Hey Good Lookin' (2:01)
25. Summertime Lies (2:49)
26. It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels (2:52)
27. My Coloring Book (3:18)

American songstress KittyKallen had a remarkable career, starting in the swing era of the late '30s and extending beyond the rock 'n' roll explosion of the '50s into the early '60s, racking up a lengthy run of hits spanning two decades. She began her career as a singer with some of the most popular orchestras of the swing and big band years - Jack Teagarden, Jimmy Dorsey, Harry James and briefly with Artie Shaw - and with the Dorsey and James outfits enjoyed a dozen hits during the early '40s, including three No. 1s. As a solo artist she readily found a niche in the mainstream pop world of the late '40s and early '50s, scoring many more hits, with the career highlight being a No. 1 on both sides of the Atlantic with Little Things mean A Lot in 1954. She was able to maintain her popularity and profile on radio and TV through the '50s despite the rapid changes in popular taste, updating her style to ensure she had hits into the 1960s. This great-value 51-track collection covers the breadth of her career from her recording debut with Jack Teagarden in 1939, through to her last Top 20 hit in 1962, naturally including all her 31 Billboard and Cashbox chart entries, and provides an admirable showcase for her distinctive talent.

The Kitty Kallen Collection 1939-62 Disc 1,Disc 2 

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Howard Alden, Bucky Pizzarelli - In A Mellow Tone

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:02
Size: 149,4 MB
Art: Front

(7:30)  1. In a Mellow Tone
(7:03)  2. Do Nothing 'Till You Hear from Me
(4:57)  3. Tangerine
(5:20)  4. Snow Fall
(5:08)  5. Cherokee
(3:01)  6. In the Dark
(4:07)  7. The Very Thought of You
(3:51)  8. Three Little Words
(6:06)  9. What's New?
(4:55) 10. Moon Glow
(6:14) 11. Jitterbug Waltz
(1:20) 12. I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles
(5:24) 13. Blues for Emmett

Good taste never goes out of style and knows no demographic, as this delicate album by two masters of the seven-string demonstrates. The 45-year old Alden and the 77-year old Pizzarelli may be a generation apart, but they are certainly cut from the same cloth. A great example of how their comping and strumming styles mesh so effortlessly is heard on "Tangerine," where they trade back and forth like one guitarist overdubbed on two tracks. "Cherokee" starts with a tom-tom-inspired beat and turns into a mutual admiration society meeting with the two swapping solos back and forth with abandon. They take "Three Little Words" at an appropriately brisk tempo, but never do you get the impression that the old master and the young buck are trying to outdo each other. Rather, the feeling is of two people comfortable with each other and a shared interpretation of the material.

Alden is showcased by himself on two tunes, Bix Beiderbecke's "In the Dark," and ever-so-briefly on an old warhorse, "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles." Alden imbues the Bix tune with a light and airy feel and rids "Bubbles" of any sense of cliché with a treatment that is beautifully introspective. The two manage to breathe new life into "Jitterbug Waltz," as if that was even necessary, taking turns dancing their way around the melody in single notes and chord phrasing. Their solos culminate in a fine bit of counterpoint before returning to the tune's basic structure. This album is a testament to both Pizzarelli's enduring genius on the guitar and Alden's innate ability to absorb the styles of those who came before and come up with something of his own making. 

~ Mitchell Seidel  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/in-a-mellow-tone-howard-alden-concord-music-group-review-by-mitchell-seidel.php

Personnel: Howard Alden and Bucky Pizzarelli: guitar.

In A Mellow Tone

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Bobby Broom - The Way I Play: Live In Chicago

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:50
Size: 155,6 MB
Art: Front

( 5:49)  1. Strike Up the Band
( 6:32)  2. Donna Lee
( 9:21)  3. Fly Me to the Moon
(12:23)  4. Airegin
( 6:36)  5. Body and Soul
( 7:54)  6. Unit 7
( 7:17)  7. The Surrey With the Fringe on Top
(11:55)  8. Inception

Guitarist Bobby Broom could have easily taken a different musical direction when he released the popular contemporary/funk jazz album, Clean Sweep (GRP) in 1981. But with his early influences, guitarists Wes Montgomery, early George Benson and mentor/saxophonist Sonny Rollins, he has developed his own unique style on recordings such as Song and Dance (Origin, 2007). This voice is heard in a live setting on The Way I Play , an uncut, as it went down performance, as Broom states ..."it really is a record of how I approach my instrument." Joined by longtime members, bassist Dennis Carroll and drummer Kobie Watkins, the recording is a taste of the weekly gig the trio has held for the past few years at Pete Miller's Steakhouse in Evanston. It also mirrors Broom's other live trio recording, Deep Blue Organ Trio: Goin' To Town Live At The Green Mill (Delmark, 2006). Broom's approach is a lesson in soulfulness, lyricism, and an innate sense of timing and swing, that goes beyond academics. Carroll and Watkins do more than keep things tight rhythmically; they are integral parts of the vibrant trio connection, through interaction and individual performances.

This is an entire album of "OPM" (Other People's Music) standards from the Gershwin Brothers, Rogers and Hammerstein, et al. But it's the way that the trio approaches and interprets these classics that keeps them fresh: the retelling of Charlie Parker's "Donna Lee," each player delivering passionate solos and quick trades; or the lovely "Fly Me to the Moon," where Broom sets up the melody with a nice intro, leading into a purposed mid-tempo groove. The execution of a good ballad can be difficult, but Broom's tone and phrasing, as well as artistic touch, are simply exquisite on the trio's redo of "Body and Soul." The "cool" factor is strong on the swinging "Unit 7" with Watkins' colorful trap-work getting the spotlight on some heavy trading with Broom. Things end nicely with McCoy Tyner's "Inception." Broom plays some Django-like chords at the onset, with Carroll's bombastic bass walking and solo and another wonderful drum spot from Watkins. One audiophile criticism that comes with the territory of this unedited performance is found in the sound quality, which includes some minor crowd noise and the tinny treble from Watkins' cymbals. But in no way does it detract from this wonderful document of live jazz by one today's most authentic jazz guitarists. ~ Mark F.Turner  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-way-i-play-bobby-broom-origin-records-review-by-mark-f-turner.php

Personnel: Bobby Broom: guitar; Dennis Carroll: bass; Kobie Watkins: drums.

The Way I Play: Live In Chicago

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Aki Takase - Aki Takase Plays "Fats" Waller

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:36
Size: 115,9 MB
Art: Front

(2:49)  1. Lookin' Good, But Feelin Bad
(6:46)  2. Vipers Drag
(4:51)  3. Ain't Misbehavin
(4:46)  4. Handful Of Keys
(4:43)  5. Any Tune, But Fats Tune
(2:07)  6. Your Feet's Too Big Word And Music
(2:04)  7. Intermezzo 1.
(3:33)  8. Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans
(1:03)  9. Intermezzo 2.
(2:10) 10. Hold Tight
(3:00) 11. Kuroneko Yamato
(0:53) 12. Intermezzo 3.
(2:15) 13. I Have Got A Feeling I'm Falling
(4:05) 14. Tintenfisch In Wien
(4:25) 15. Kauf Dir Einen Bunten Luftballon

What the world does not need is yet another slavish tribute to the great Fats Waller, one in which his original arrangements are re-created and his personal style respectfully reproduced. Aki Takase, being the slightly slantwise genius that she is, conceived of something very different for this project: a tribute album that would incorporate some of Waller's compositions alongside pieces by other New Orleans composers and original pieces by Takase herself some of which would allude slyly to the great man's sound, and others which would bring a completely different flavor to the mix. Her helpers include bass clarinetist Rudi Mahall, trombonist Nils Wogram, and the even more slantwise genius Eugene Chadbourne, who contributes vocals, banjo, and guitar. Familiar tunes like "Viper Rag" and "Handful of Keys" are given slightly twisted but delightful arrangements, and other period pieces like "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans" rub shoulders with Takase's own numbered intermezzi, which are often contemplative and harmonically spiky. The vocals tend to be a bit goofy, and some of the arrangements start out with long sections of skronky, atonal group improvisation. But the whole album hangs together surprisingly well and serves its purpose admirably: it celebrates the spirit of Waller's music without aping it thoughtlessly. ~ Rick Anderson  http://www.allmusic.com/album/plays-fats-waller-mw0000810088

Personnel: Aki Takase (piano, toy piano); Eugene Chadbourne (vocals, guitar, banjo); Rudi Mahall (bass clarinet); Thomas Heberer (trumpet); Nils Wogram (trombone); Paul Lovens (drums).

Aki Takase Plays "Fats" Waller

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