King Curtis - Plays Great Memphis Hits

Styles: Jazz Funk
Year: 1967
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 31:10
Size: 71,9 MB
Art: Front

(2:58)  1. Knock On Wood
(2:27)  2. Good to Me
(2:39)  3. Hold On! I'm Coming
(3:17)  4. When Something Is Wrong With My Baby
(2:20)  5. Green Onions
(2:43)  6. You Don't Miss Your Water
(2:38)  7. Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa-Fa (Sad Song)
(2:36)  8. In the Midnight Hour
(2:36)  9. The Dog (aka Walking the Dog)
(2:24) 10. I've Been Loving You Too Long
(2:30) 11. Last Night
(1:56) 12. Jump Back

King Curtis was the last of the great R&B tenor sax giants. He came to prominence in the mid-'50s as a session musician in New York, recording, at one time or another, for most East Coast R&B labels. A long association with Atlantic/Atco began in 1958, especially on recordings by the Coasters. He recorded singles for many small labels in the '50s -- his own Atco sessions (1958-1959), then Prestige/New Jazz and Prestige/TruSound for jazz and R&B albums (1960-1961). Curtis also had a number one R&B single with "Soul Twist" on Enjoy Records (1962). He was signed by Capitol (1963-1964), where he cut mostly singles, including "Soul Serenade." Returning to Atlantic in 1965, he remained there for the rest of his life. He had solid R&B single success with "Memphis Soul Stew" and "Ode to Billie Joe" (1967). Beginning in 1967, Curtis started to take a more active studio role at Atlantic, leading and contracting sessions for other artists, producing with Jerry Wexler, and later on his own. He also became the leader of Aretha Franklin's backing unit, the Kingpins. He compiled several albums of singles during this period. All aspects of his career were in full swing at the time he was murdered in 1971. ~ Bob Porter  https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/king-curtis/id823440#fullText

Plays Great Memphis Hits

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Lee Lessack - Chanteur

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:11
Size: 101,5 MB
Art: Front

(4:20)  1. The Summer Knows/Between Yesterday and Tomorrow
(3:17)  2. I Will Wait for You (From the Umbrellas of Cherbourg)
(3:28)  3. Importance of the Rose (L'important C'est La Rose)
(2:38)  4. She
(2:21)  5. The Sound of Your Name
(4:16)  6. Windmills of Your Mind/Autumn Leaves
(4:33)  7. Yesterday When I Was Young
(3:56)  8. Pieces Of Dreams
(3:30)  9. What Now My Love
(3:31) 10. Hymne a L'Amour
(4:00) 11. Song of Bernadette
(4:15) 12. If We Only Have Love

Recognizing the influence of the French chanson on the cabaret scene, Philadelphia performer Lee Lessack's first release since 2005's duets collection In Good Company pays homage to the Gallic songbook with 12 covers of some of its best-loved pieces. Apart from the flamenco guitar on The Thomas Crown Affair's Oscar-winning theme "The Windmills of Your Mind" (one of four tracks featured penned by Michel Legrand), long-term collaborator John Boswell's timeless piano arrangements are the only accompaniment, allowing Lessack's rich baritone vocals to take center stage on renditions of English-language tracks penned by French songwriters (Legrand's "The Summer Knows [Theme from Summer of '42]" and "Pieces of Dreams"), English-language translations of French-recorded numbers (Gilbert Bécaud's "What Now My Love" and "The Importance of the Rose"), and songs associated with French artists (Charles Aznavour's "She," "Yesterday When I Was Young"). 

Considering his pronunciation of Edith Piaf's "Hymne à l'Amour" appears perfectly acceptable, it's a shame he didn't have the courage to tackle more than one French-sung composition, while the likes of Jennifer Warnes' "Song for Bernadette," the Leonard Cohen-penned ode to the 19th century French saint who claimed she saw the Virgin Mary, and "If We Only Have Love," from the late-'60s off-Broadway musical Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, seem rather tenuous and arbitrary selections. Chanteur is a tastefully arranged tribute to the French greats of yesteryear, but it's probably more captivating as a live cabaret show than a rather perfunctory studio album. ~ Jon O’Brien  http://www.allmusic.com/album/chanteur-mw0002181069

Personnel: Lee Lessack (vocal); David Boswell (guitar); John Boswell (piano).

Chanteur

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Jim Snidero Quartet - While You Are Here

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:36
Size: 125,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:45)  1. While Your Here
(6:44)  2. Intimacy
(6:44)  3. A Few to Many
(4:18)  4. Fly Little Bird Fly
(7:57)  5. State Of Affairs
(9:25)  6. I Concentrate On You
(6:49)  7. I Can't Get Started
(6:50)  8. Front Line

A fine post-bop improviser and alto saxman, Jim Snidero is a bit underrated but is well-appreciated by his fellow musicians. He attended the University of North Texas and moved to New York in 1981. Snidero toured and recorded with Jack McDuff, he's been a member of the Toshiko Akiyoshi Jazz Orchestra since the mid-'80s, has worked with the backup bands of Frank Sinatra and Eddie Palmieri, and has spent time playing with the Frank Wess Sextet, the Mel Lewis Orchestra, and the Mingus Big Band. As a leader, Jim Snidero has recorded for the Japanese East World label (1984), Ken, Square Discs, Red, and Criss Cross. He has also recorded as a sideman with Brian Lynch, Conrad Herwig, and Tom Varner, and been active in jazz education both as a teacher and as an author of instructional books. ~ Scott Yanow  https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/jim-snidero/id218375938#fullText

Personnel: Jim Snidero (alto saxophone); Benny Green (piano); Tony Reedus (drums).

While You Are Here

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Jessye Norman - I Was Born in Love with You: Jessye Norman Sings Michel Legrand

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2000
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:28
Size: 145,9 MB
Art: Front

(4:42)  1. Summer Knows
(4:00)  2. Dans Ses Yeux
(4:39)  3. Je Vivrai Sans Toi
(6:40)  4. What are you doing the rest of your life?
(3:24)  5. I was born in love with you
(3:03)  6. Dis - moi
(3:47)  7. Les Enfants Qui Pleurent
(3:34)  8. Moon And I
(2:28)  9. Celui - là
(4:44) 10. Windmills of your Mind
(4:52) 11. You must believe in Spring
(3:53) 12. La Valse Des Lilas
(3:43) 13. Afterthoughts
(3:43) 14. Les Parapluies De Cherbourg
(6:09) 15. Between Yesterday and Tomorrow

Five-time Grammy and three-time Academy Award winner Michel Legrand is one of the greatest songwriters active today. His "Windmills of Your Mind" and "You Must Believe In Spring," among others, are classics of the popular song repertoire. Soprano Jessye Norman is one of the most beloved singers in all of music. She has dazzled audiences throughout the world with her mastery of the operatic and song literature. This recording offers a rare opportunity for two superstar performers from different musical worlds to collaborate in a program. Norman's dark, rich soprano is ideal in fifteen Legrand classics sung in both French and English. Her shading and flawless breath control makes each song a mini-masterpiece. Legrand's delicate piano playing provides lyrical, blues-inflected accompaniment and he is supported by a veteran rhythm section of Ron Carter on bass and Grady Tate on drums. http://www.allmusic.com/album/i-was-born-in-love-with-you-jessye-norman-sings-michel-legrand-mw0000609994

Personnel:  Bass – Ron Carter; Drums – Grady Tate;  Piano – Michel Legrand;  Vocals – Jessye Norman

I Was Born in Love with You: Jessye Norman Sings Michel Legrand

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Jesse Van Ruller - European Quintet

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:19
Size: 140,6 MB
Art: Front

(5:04)  1. Debits 'n Credits
(4:37)  2. Bewitched
(6:18)  3. The Ruler
(6:14)  4. De Poesch
(4:44)  5. I'll Be Seeing You
(8:03)  6. Two Walk
(4:18)  7. Green's Greenery
(8:00)  8. Vienna Night Express
(6:28)  9. You're My Everything
(7:29) 10. This Could Be the Start of Something Big

Jesse van Ruller won the Thelonious Monk Competition in Washington in 1995. The jury, consisting of Pat Metheny, John Scofield, Jim Hall, Pat Martino and Mark Whitfield, was of the opinion that van Ruller is one of the most promising talents of his time. He graduated summa cum laude from the Hilversum Conservatory in 1995, where he studied with Wim Overgaauw. Since then he has performed with numerous renowned musicians and ensembles amongst which are George Duke, Joe Lovano, Pat Metheny, Peter Erskine, Mike Stern, Tom Harrell, Philip Catherine, Toots Thielemans, the Roy Hargrove Quintet, Christian McBride, Seamus Blake, Metropole Orchestra, Asko Ensemble, WDR Big Band, Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and the Berliner Philharmoniker.

His first CD, European Quintet, was released in 1996. The second, Herbs, fruits, balms & spices followed in 1998. For this album van Jesse extended his line-up with musicians from different musical backgrounds such as Latin and Tango. The third album CATCH! was recorded by the Jesse van Ruller Quartet and also features phenomenal trumpeter Roy Hargrove. The album was nominated for the Edison Music Award 2000 in the category Best Dutch Artist of the Year. Van Ruller was also nominated for the Edison Jazz Award and the Bird Award 2001 and 2002. His fourth album, “Here and There”, was released on Criss Cross Records and features van Ruller in quartet with David Hazeltine, Nat Reeves and Joe Farnsworth, and in trio with Frans van Geest and Willie Jones III. Jesse's following Cd Trio (Emarcy/Universal Music) features Frans van der Hoeven on bass and Martijn Vink on drums. 

The trio line-up gives Jesse the freedom and space to display his impressive talents as a jazzguitarist and composer, exploring standards and new compositions. Besides leading his own trio Jesse plays a significant role in the Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw and he works as a sideman in groups of vocalists Francien van Tuinen and Fleurine, pianist Michiel Borstlap and in duo with fellow-guitarist Maarten van der Grinten. Jesse recently introduced a new collaboration with Michiel Borstlap (keys), Jeroen Vierdag (bassguitar) and Martijn Vink (drums, electronic rhythms) under the name REDUX. Electronic beats and loops are used as a basis for improvisation. A fresh new sound coming straight from Amsterdam! Jesse's current album Circles was recorded in New York for Criss Cross Records. The album consists of mainly new compositions and features Seamus Blake (sax), Sam Yahel (Hammond B3) and Bill Stewart (drums). Circles is available around the globe. http://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/jessevanruller

European Quintet

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