Marlene Verplanck - Speaking Of Love

Size: 168,3 MB
Time: 71:31
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2002
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. But Not For Me (4:09)
02. Blues In My Heart (4:35)
03. It Was Written In The Stars (4:13)
04. What Comes After The Rainbow (2:31)
05. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart (2:37)
06. Listen To The Silence (5:37)
07. Jamaica Rumba (3:01)
08. Romance Medley: I'll Take Romance/Isn't It Romantic (5:37)
09. The Moment Of Truth (3:00)
10. A Christmas Love Song (2:56)
11. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve (3:36)
12. Little Jazz Bird (2:32)
13. Daydream (2:34)
14. Nearer To Your Love (2:09)
15. Unless It's You (3:33)
16. My Love Went To London (3:43)
17. Make Some Magic (2:42)
18. The Singer (2:39)
19. Speaking Of Love (4:32)
20. My Bluebird (5:07)

Every March, Marlene Ver Planck travels to London, where she works with the Roy Babbington. This time around, one of the additional benefits of the London sojourn is a CD which not only includes the Babbington combo, but a big band conducted by Billy Ver Planck. Ver Planck is one of the most accomplished cabaret singers now or ever. The songs she selects are based on the story they tell, not on their familiarity to the public. This, her umpteenth album, is no exception. After hearing tunes such as "Listen to the Silence" and "My Love Went to London," one asks why they are not in the play books of more performers. Then the realization hits that they sound so good because of the special treatment they get from a doyenne of song like Ver Planck. The music is split between the small group and the big band. One of the zingers with the latter involved is a Brazilian bouncer, "Jamaica Rumba," where Ver Planck shows that a cabaret singer can scat wildly, too. On the more familiar melody side is a mellow version of "But Not for Me," where the singer takes the opening measures with just Babbington's bass in support. Here, as with most of her other releases, credit must go to Billy Ver Planck's arrangements which provide the perfect musical pad for his wife's voice and interpretive preferences. "My Bluebird," written by Tommy Flanagan, is the sweet/sad icing on the cake for this fine album. Recorded in New York in September of 2001 by Ver Planck and Flanagan, it was the last time he was in the studio before passing away in November. This sad note notwithstanding, the latest Ver Planck album is one more smashing success. ~by Dave Nathan

Speaking Of Love

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The Mark Ladley Trio - Strictly Business

Size: 125,4 MB
Time: 53:46
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1992/2013
Styles: Jazz: Hard Bop, Hammond Organ
Art: Front

01. Strictly Business (4:28)
02. Gravy Waltz (6:36)
03. On A Misty Night (4:48)
04. Lover Come Back To Me (7:41)
05. Our Love Is Here To Stay (6:16)
06. Workin' Smart (3:19)
07. We'll Be Together Again (6:01)
08. Night Coming Tenderly (5:06)
09. Whisper Not (5:45)
10. Infant Eyes (3:42)

Drummer Mark Ladley leads a set of swinging straight-ahead jazz performed by some fine musicians from the Midwest on this CD. The first five selections feature Ladley in a trio with organist Mel Rhyne (best known for his early association with Wes Montgomery) and tenor saxophonist John Greiner; "Gravy Waltz" and Tadd Dameron's "On a Misty Night" are highlights. The remaining performances have Ladley and bassist Charlie Hoats joined by either John Altenburgh (for one song), Mary Louise Knutson, or Laura Caviani (the latter two on a pair of numbers apiece) on piano. Each of the four different trios works together quite well, with Ladley mostly sticking to swinging the ensembles. Fans of hard bop will enjoy this excellent outing. ~by Scott Yanow

Strictly Business

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Mark Vincent - My Dream - Mio Visione

Size: 143,2 MB
Time: 61:42
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2009
Styles: Classical/Pop/Swing Vocals
Art: Front & Back

01. Nessun Dorma (3:09)
02. Time To Say Goodbye (4:02)
03. Hallelujah (3:18)
04. My Way (4:01)
05. You Raise Me Up (3:59)
06. Ave Maria (4:34)
07. This Is The Moment (3:12)
08. The Prayer (4:11)
09. No Matter What (Duet With Jal Joshua) (4:33)
10. Unchained Melody (3:51)
11. Memory (4:09)
12. The Impossible Dream (5:00)
13. Mama (3:18)
14. Lying In The Silence (4:12)
15. Grown Up Christmas List (4:42)
16. Advance Australia Fair (1:24)

Mark Vincent is the 15 year old winner of Channel 7's 2009 Australia's Got Talent competition. At only 15 years old, Mark has started his journey in establishing himself as Australia's newest, and youngest, Opera virtuoso. This album shows a musical diversity and maturity, covering many genres from Opera, to Sinatra classics.

My Dream - Mio Visione

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Paul Meyers - I Let A Song Go...

Size: 121,2 MB
Time: 51:56
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz: Guitar Jazz
Art: Front

01. Solitude (5:50)
02. Falling In Love With Love (4:51)
03. If I Should Loose You (5:25)
04. A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing (5:20)
05. I Let A Song Go.. (3:38)
06. Living To Love You (4:02)
07. September Song (5:51)
08. That Old Feeling (4:23)
09. A Time For Love (4:43)
10. Love Walked In (3:19)
11. Seven Steps To Heaven (4:29)

On his new CD Paul Meyers continues to explore the possibilities of improvisation solo nylon string guitar. Paul is a Potsdam native who lives near New York City. He teaches at two colleges in New Jersey, and travels all over the world playing in a number of musical settings. His new CD is called “I Let A Song Go” and unlike last year’s release, “Welcome Home”, this CD is almost entirely standards.

I Let A Song Go...

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Simona Molinari - Casa Mia

Size: 98,9 MB
Time: 33:37
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

01. A Tisket A Tasket (2:09)
02. Bewitched (5:59)
03. Puttin' On The Ritz (2:38)
04. Mr. Paganini (4:38)
05. Quizas Quizas Quizas (3:05)
06. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (3:32)
07. Never Do A Tango With An Eskimo (2:04)
08. Dream A Little Dream Of Me (3:01)
09. It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year (2:36)
10. Every Time We Say Goodbye (3:51)

Born in Naples in 1983, Italian singer Simona Molinari started singing as a child, showing an early fondness for jazz and eventually graduating from the Conservatory of L'Aquila. After some piano bar and live theater performances in 2008, she won the Sanremo Lab competition, which led her to take part in the Sanremo Festival in 2009. Her first solo album, Egocentrica, dropped in 2009, followed by 2010's Croce e Delizia, which featured duets with Ornella Vanoni. For 2011's Tua, she began a collaboration with American singer Peter Cincotti, who also worked on her fourth album, Dr. Jekyll Mr. Hyde.

Casa Mia

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Seamus Blake - Superconductor

Size: 146,8 MB
Time: 63:33
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. Ohm (7:29)
02. Sofa Song (6:30)
03. Forecast (9:02)
04. Last Continent (7:01)
05. Send In The Clones (8:44)
06. Kepler-186F (5:43)
07. Gracia (7:32)
08. Entheogen (5:33)
09. I Do (5:55)

Personnel:
Rachel Fastenow - flute
Douglas Yates - clarinet
Rob Mosher - english horn/clarinet
John Ellis - bass clarinet
Marshall Gilkes - trombone
Tom Chiu - violin
Stephanie Griffin - viola
Felix Fan - cello
Gonzalo Rubalcaba - piano
Matt Clohesy - bass
Nate Smith - drums

New York based tenor saxophonist/composer SEAMUS BLAKE is recognized as one of the finest exponents of contemporary jazz. His music is known for its sophistication, bold improvisations and “sheer swagger". John Scofield, who hired Seamus for his “Quiet Band,” called him “extraordinary, a total saxophonist.” Seamus Blake’s recent releases, Live at Smalls (Smalls Live 2010), Bellwether (Criss Cross Jazz 2009) and Live in Italy (Jazz Eyes 2009), have garnered considerable critical praise for his masterful playing, his fine compositional skills and for his facility as a leader. Live in Italy was awarded 4.5 stars in Downbeat. Described as “a knockout”, “one of the elite albums of the year” and “as exhilarating as a shot of espresso”, it is on many Top of the Year lists.

Seamus Blake was born December 1970 in England and raised in Vancouver, Canada. At age 21, while still a student at Boston's prestigious Berklee College, he was asked to record with legendary drummer Victor Lewis. After graduation, he moved to New York, where he rapidly established himself on the New York jazz scene. In February 2002, Seamus took first place in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition in Washington D. C. As the winner, he performed with Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock.

As a leader, Seamus has released six albums on Criss Cross Records, including his 1993 debut The Call. These include the 1995 premiere of the “Bloomdaddies,” a “funky, alternative grunge” jazz band that employed electronic effects. He has also recorded as a leader for the Fresh Sound label ( Stranger Things have Happened), and as a co-leader on Mosh for Lovers (Bloomdaddies, co-leader Chris Cheek), and Fear of Roaming (Sangha Quartet, co-leader pianist Kevin Hays). His band members on these recordings have included David Kikoski, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Larry Grenadier, Bill Stewart, fellow Thelonius Monk winner Lage Lund, Chris Cheek and Jorge Rossy (Brad Mehldau Trio).

Seamus works with a wide variety of artists. A long-standing member of the Grammy nominated Mingus bands, he is featured on six of their albums. He continues to play and record with Bill Stewart, Kevin Hays, David Kikoski and Alex Sipiagin, and is a member of the Victor Lewis Quintet. He is also a member of BANN, led by drummer Adam Nussbaum. Their first recording was released in 2011 on the Jazz Eyes label. Seamus is frequently featured as a guest artist. In 2010 he was guest of honor at the International Saxophone Symposium in Washington hosted by the US Navy Band. Seamus was a member of John Scofield’s Quiet Band and toured and recorded with Dave Douglas. Some of the many other artists he has worked with include Eric Reed, Antonio Sanchez, Scott Kinsey, Tal Wilkenfeld, Jane Monheit, Kenny Barron, Sam Yahel, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Wayne Krantz, Ingrid Jensen, Maria Schneider, Mark Turner, Brad Mehldau, Al Foster, Brian Blade, Jeremy Pelt, Jack Dejohnette. ?Seamus continues to work with his fine quintet (David Kikoski, Lage Lund, Bill Stewart, Matt Clohesey) and on his ongoing explorations of electronic applications in jazz, especially with the EWI (electronic wind instrument). For the last two summers he toured in Italy with his electric project which included Scott Kinsey (keyboards), Tim Lefebvre (bass) and Jordy Rossy (drums).

Superconductor

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Kenny Drew - Elegy

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1985
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:42
Size: 121,0 MB
Art: Front

(9:18)  1. Django
(5:00)  2. Willow Weep for Me
(6:12)  3. Oh, Peter, Go Ring Dem Bells
(5:11)  4. The Last Romantic
(4:57)  5. Elegy
(3:02)  6. Tune Down
(4:50)  7. Sometimes I Fell Like a Motherless Child
(7:36)  8. Days of Wine and Roses
(6:31)  9. Finale

A talented bop-based pianist (whose son has been one of the brightest pianists of the 1990s), Kenny Drew was somewhat underrated due to his decision to permanently move to Copenhagen in 1964. He made his recording debut in 1949 with Howard McGhee and in the 1950s was featured on sessions with a who's who of jazz, including Charlie Parker, Coleman Hawkins, Lester Young, Milt Jackson, Buddy DeFranco's quartet, Dinah Washington, and Buddy Rich (1958). Drew led sessions for Blue Note, Norgran, Pacific Jazz, Riverside, and the obscure Judson label during 1953-1960; most of the sessions are available on CD. He moved to Paris in 1961 and relocated to Copenhagen in 1964 where he was co-owner of the Matrix label. He formed a duo with Niels-Henning Orsted Pederson and worked regularly at the Montmartre. Drew recorded many dates for SteepleChase in the 1970s and remained active up until his death. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/artist/kenny-drew-mn0000081841/biography

Personnel:  Kenny Drew (Piano);  Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen (Bass);  Ed Thigpen (Drums).

Elegy

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Ben Webster With Georges Arvanitas Trio - Autumn Leaves

Styles: Saxophone And Piano Jazz
Year: 1972
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:33
Size: 136,5 MB
Art: Front

(4:34)  1. Johnny Come Lately
(5:33)  2. Prelude to a Kiss
(4:43)  3. Autumn Leaves
(4:15)  4. Autumn Leaves (take #2)
(5:10)  5. Hal Blues
(7:18)  6. Makin' Whopee
(8:49)  7. Makin' Whopee (take #2)
(6:08)  8. I Want a Little Girl
(4:40)  9. You Better Go Now
(4:42) 10. You Better Go Now (take #2)
(3:35) 11. Ash's Cap

A great late recording from Ben Webster working here in Paris with some wonderful help from the trio of pianist George Arvanitas! George's rhythm duo is wonderful the bold bass of Jacky Samson and hip drums of Charles Saudrais both players who bring a really fresh feel to the record, and help Webster find a hip setting in these later years of his life a sprightly groove that's great for his aging, raspy tone on tenor sax. 

Arvanitas' piano is nicely restrained, leaving Ben to be the key solo star of the album and titles include "Hal Blues", "Johnny Come Lately", "I Want A Little Girl", "Ash's Cap", "Autumn Leaves", and "Prelude To A Kiss". CD features 3 bonus alternate takes too.  https://www.dustygroove.com/item/485235

Personnel:  Ben Webster - Tenor Saxophone;  Georges Arvanitas – Piano;  Jacky Samson – Bass;  Charles Saudrais - Drums

Autumn Leaves

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Harry Allen - For George, Cole and Duke

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2015
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 70:36
Size: 162,3 MB
Art: Front

(4:35)  1. Always True To You In My Own Fashion
(5:09)  2. In  a Mellow Tone
(4:42)  3. Happy Reunion
(7:15)  4. Silk Stocking
(4:27)  5. Purple Gazelle (Angelica)
(6:34)  6. How Long Has This Been Going On?
(6:10)  7. I Love You Samantha
(5:19)  8. Shall We Dance?
(5:00)  9. By Strauss
(6:03) 10. Love For Sale
(5:54) 11. They All Laughed
(6:09) 12. Who Cares?
(3:13) 13. Mood Indigo

There is no greater paragon of tenor saxophonist taste than Harry Allen. While the fickle winds of prevailing styles continue to blow this or that way, Allen stands tall like the mighty oak, unswayed by fad fashions and firmly rooted to the music of the Great American Songbook. On this appealing date, Allen visits the music of George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Duke Ellington. It's not a novel concept, and Allen has gone here countless times, both with single song nods to these men and, on at least two occasions, album-length tributes Cole Porter Songs (BMG, 2001) and Plays Ellington Songs (RCA Victor/RCA, 2000). But does that really matter? Allen continues to find inspiration in the work of these masters men whose respective compositional wells never run dry and his interpretations of their music are things of beauty. You could even go so far as to call them gifts to the ears.

For George, Cole, and Duke finds Allen working with a classy crew of like-minded traditionalists. Pianist Ehud Asherie delivers twinkling and sparkling solos, light and comforting comping, and beautiful beds of sound; Nicki Parrott provides balmy vocals ("In A Mellow Tone," "How Long Has This Been Going On?," and "Mood Indigo"), pleasing solos, and sturdy walking bass lines that act as the heartbeat of this music; and Chuck Redd proves to be a master of feel and economy whether providing a cheery swing pulse from behind the kit or gliding over his band mates with his vibes ("Who Cares?). The majority of the album is a quartet affair, pairing those three with Allen's attractive tenor, but percussionist "Little Johnny" Rivero drops in for the occasional guest shot, adding Latin seasonings to lively numbers ("Love For Sale") and slow roaming episodes of Ellingtonia ("Mood Indigo"). Harry Allen isn't likely to win any originality contests with this one, but that doesn't seem to bother him, nor should it. He's got his sublime saxophone, a group of top-notch musicians, and the music of the masters to work with. In this case, and throughout his career, that's proven to be a formula for success. ~ Dan Bilawsky  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/for-george-cole-and-duke-harry-allen-blue-heron-records-review-by-dan-bilawsky.php
 

Personnel: Harry Allen: tenor saxophone; Ehud Asherie: piano; Nicki Parrott: acoustic bass, vocals; Chuck Redd: drums, vibraphone; "Little Johnny" Rivero: shakere, conga, bongo (5, 10, 13).

For George, Cole and Duke

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