Ornette Coleman - The Best Of Ornette Coleman

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:45
Size: 93.3 MB
Styles: Avant Garde jazz
Year: 1970/2005
Art: Front

[ 5:57] 1. Una Muy Bonita
[ 4:51] 2. Embraceable You
[ 5:15] 3. Blues Connotation
[ 4:57] 4. Lonely Woman
[ 6:33] 5. Ramblin'
[13:09] 6. C. & D

Released as part of the Atlantic Jazz Anthology series in the early '70s, this hodgepodge of Ornette Coleman Quartet tracks were recorded for the label between 1959 and 1961. This short disc, originally released on LP, is now unnecessary, as Coleman's career has been well-documented and given the respect it deserves in the digital age. As a side note, it's interesting that out of four tracks, the compilers would include "Embraceable You," from the pen of George and Ira Gershwin, instead of an entire program of Coleman's compositions. ~Al Campbell

The Best Of Ornette Coleman

---

Sarah King & The Smoke Rings - S/T

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 34:36
Size: 79.2 MB
Styles: Swing, Jazz vocals
Year: 2016
Art: Front

[4:08] 1. It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)
[3:07] 2. Tea For Two
[3:01] 3. Jersey Bounce
[2:19] 4. I Won't Dance
[3:38] 5. Smoke Rings
[5:30] 6. Caravan
[3:52] 7. Some Other Spring
[3:32] 8. Our Love Is Here To Stay
[2:46] 9. I Don't Know Why
[2:38] 10. Lazy River

The Smoke Rings evoke the elegance and charm of the Swing Era. Anchored by the unique vocals of Sarah King, the group specializes in songs from The Great American Song Book. The rhythm section is comprised of Alex Levin (piano), Scott Ritchie (bass), and Ben Cliness (drums). Since its inception in 2010, The Smoke Rings have played to huge crowds at festivals in El Paso and Pennsylvania, and in more intimate settings at weddings and private parties across the country. For the past three years the band has been performing weekly at the iconic Top of The Standard -- aka "The Boom Boom Room" -- on the top floor of New York's storied and luxurious Standard Hotel. Furthermore, you might recognize Sarah from her role as Catherine Gray in the popular Off-Broadway production Sleep No More.

Sarah King & The Smoke Rings

---

Eric Le Lann, Martial Solal - Portrait In Black And White

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:33
Size: 138.6 MB
Styles: Post bop
Year: 2000
Art: Front

[7:14] 1. The Man I Love
[6:41] 2. Portrait In Black And White
[8:48] 3. Round About Midnight
[7:36] 4. Well You Needn't
[7:35] 5. Body And Soul
[4:20] 6. Le Bleu D'hortense
[5:25] 7. Que Reste T-Il De Nos Amours
[7:38] 8. Invitation
[5:10] 9. What Is This Thing Called Love

Éric Le Lann(born 1957 in Brittany) is a French jazz trumpeter. He moved to Paris in 1977 where he had his professional debut and gained notice in 1980. He has worked with Aldo Romano, Henri Salvador, and others. He also did music for films including those of Bertrand Tavernier. In 2005 he and guitarist Jean-Marie Ecay did an album in tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim. ~Wikipedia

One of the finest European jazz pianists of all time, Martial Solal (a unique stylist) has never received as much recognition in the U.S. as he deserves. Born in Algiers to French parents, Solal has been based in Paris since the late '40s. Although a modernist, he was flexible enough to record an album with Sidney Bechet in 1957 and make other records with Django Reinhardt, Don Byas, and Lucky Thompson. Solal has been primarily heard with his own trios through the years although he has recorded several notable albums with Lee Konitz. ~bio by Scott Yanow

Portrait In Black And White

---

Various - We're Swingin'

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:48
Size: 102.6 MB
Styles: Retro Swing
Year: 1999
Art: Front

[4:44] 1. Bellevue Cadillac - Prozac
[4:37] 2. Steve Lucky & The Rhumba Bums - Jumptown
[3:08] 3. Mitch Woods & His Rocket 88's - Straight Eight
[3:44] 4. The Swingtips - Checkbook Daddy-O
[3:42] 5. Bill Elliott - Mildred, Won't You Behave
[2:34] 6. Speak Easy Spies - Hey Kat
[5:32] 7. Lee Press-On & The Nails - Big Pants Dance
[4:01] 8. The Acme Swing Co. - Warm It Up
[3:58] 9. Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers - What's The Matter With You
[2:08] 10. Louis Prima - Lip
[3:49] 11. New York Jimmy & The Jive Five - She Won't Dance
[2:47] 12. New Morty Show - Knockin' At Your Door

As they say within, 'Jump, joy and swing your blues away'. ~Stephem Cramer

We're Swingin'

---

Bobby Solo - Greatest Hits (Re-Recordings)

Size: 100,8 MB
Time: 42:40
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2006
Styles: Pop Rock
Label: Azzurra Music
Art: Front

01. Una Lacrima Sul Viso (Re-Recording) (3:20)
02. Non Ce Piu Nienta Da Fare (Re-Recording) (2:48)
03. Christina (Re-Recording) (2:28)
04. Siesta (Re-Recording) (2:58)
05. Zingara (Re-Recording) (2:18)
06. Se Piangi, Se Ridi (Re-Recording) (2:47)
07. Non Posso Perderti (Re-Recording) (3:28)
08. Domenica D'agosto (Re-Recording) (1:52)
09. La Casa Del Signore (Crying In The Chapel - Re-Recording) (2:39)
10. Gelosia (Re-Recording) (3:26)
11. San Francisco (Re-Recording) (3:13)
12. Una Granita Di Limone (If You Can Put It In A Bottle - Re-Recording) (2:35)
13. Quello Sbagliato (Re-Recording) (2:54)
14. Credi A Me (Re-Recording) (2:23)
15. Canta Ragazzina (Re-Recording) (3:25)

Italian 1960s teen idol Bobby Solo made his debut while recording his first two singles in 1963, "Ora Che Sei Gia Una Donna" and "Blue é Blue." The artist's breakthrough came in 1964 after participating in San Remo's Festival, where he sang "Una Lacrima Sul Viso," which became an important episode in the Italian pop music history. A year later, Bobby Solo came in first place at the same event with "Se Piangi, Se Ridi" and one more time in 1969 after singing Gianni Morandi's "Zingara," later recorded by Connie Francis. The singer/songwriter's self-titled debut album was followed by Il Secondo LP and La Vie En Rose. In 1978, the disco version of "Una Lacrima Sul Viso" put his name back on local and European charts. ~by Drago Bonacich

Greatest Hits

---

Grover Washington Jr. - The Essential Grover Washington Jr.: The Columbia Years

Size: 174,2+172,6 MB
Time: 75:02+74:26
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Jazz Soul, Crossover Jazz
Art: Front

CD 1:
01. Loran's Dance (Idris Muhammad) (10:32)
02. Strawberry Moon ( 4:21)
03. The Look Of Love ( 4:36)
04. Summer Nights ( 6:27)
05. Sacred Kind Of Love ( 5:37)
06. Time Out Of Mind ( 5:01)
07. Take Five (Take Another Five) ( 4:58)
08. Love Like This ( 4:49)
09. Next Exit ( 5:06)
10. Soulful Strut ( 4:14)
11. Poppin' ( 3:52)
12. The Christmas Song ( 4:28)
13. It's Too Late (Johnny 'Hammond' Smith) (10:55)

CD 2:
01. Work Song (Live) (Joey DeFrancesco) (9:21)
02. Every Day A Little Death (From A Little Night Music) (4:15)
03. Stolen Moments (7:20)
04. All My Tomorrow (6:14)
05. Lullaby For Shana Bly (6:08)
06. Ifrane (Randy Weston) (5:15)
07. Please Send Me Someone To Love (3:59)
08. My Man's Gone Now From 'Porgy & Bess' (5:33)
09. Flamingo - Instrumental (4:58)
10. Blues For D.P (8:25)
11. E Preciso Perdoar (One Must Forgive) (Instrumental) (8:53)
12. O Mio Babbino Caro From Gianni Schicchi (Instrumental) (3:58)

One of the most popular saxophonists of all time, Grover Washington, Jr. was long the pacesetter in his field. His roots were in R&B and soul-jazz organ combos, but he also fared very well on the infrequent occasions when he played straight-ahead jazz. A highly influential player, Washington pushed himself with the spontaneity and risk-taking of a masterful jazz musician.

Grover Washington, Jr.'s, father also played saxophone and was his first influence. The younger son started playing music when he was ten, and within two years was working in clubs. He picked up experience touring with the Four Clefs from 1959-1963 and freelancing during the next two years, before spending a couple years in the Army. He moved to Philadelphia in 1967, becoming closely identified with the city from then on, and worked with several organists, including Charles Earland and Johnny Hammond Smith, recording as a sideman for the Prestige label. His biggest break occurred in 1971, when Hank Crawford could not make it to a recording date for Creed Tasylor's Kudu label; Washington was picked as his replacement, and the result was Inner City Blues, a big seller. From then on he became a major name, particularly after recording 1975's Mister Magic and Feels So Good, and later 1980's Winelight; the latter included the Bill Withers hit "Just the Two of Us."

Although some of his recordings since then found him coasting a bit, Washington usually stretched himself in concert. He developed his own personal voices on soprano, tenor, alto, and even his infrequently-used baritone. Grover Washington Jr. recorded as a leader for Kudu, Motown, Elektra, and Columbia and made notable guest appearances on dozens of records ranging from pop to straightforward jazz. He died of a sudden heart attack on December 17, 1999 while taping an appearance on CBS television's The Saturday Early Show; Washington was 56. The posthumous Aria was issued early the following year. ~by Scott Yanow

The Essential Grover Washington Jr. CD 1
The Essential Grover Washington Jr. CD 2

---

Phyllis Blanford - Edgewalker

Size: 127,2 MB
Time: 54:51
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Blue Woman (6:30)
02. Throw It Away (4:50)
03. Save Your Love For Me (6:51)
04. Night And Day (4:32)
05. Good Morning Kiss (5:15)
06. Come Rain Or Come Shine (6:02)
07. When Sunny Gets Blue (5:18)
08. Speak Low (4:47)
09. How I Feel (4:37)
10. You Don't Know What Love Is (6:05)

EdgeWalker is the vehicle to propel me back onto the path that I was born to travel. EdgeWalker is my "constructive" free fall into dreams deferred. It's my first CD but with your love and support it won't be my last. EdgeWalker was arranged by Don Braden and produced and arranged by Kate Baker and Don Braden. The journey to bring you EdgeWalker has been long and arduous filled with laughter, buckets of tears, never ending self doubt, a few temper tantrums and a world of love!
The song How I Feel was arranged and performed by Lou Rainone. It's dedicated to those still sick and suffering from addiction, the homeless, the disenfranchised an anyone else whose ever felt lost. EdgeWalker is my gift of love to you, it's my story told through standards and some spoken word. Sending you love, peace, and light! ~Phyllis Blanford

Edgewalker

---

The Black Market Trust - II

Size: 101,8 MB
Time: 33:06
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals, Gipsy Jazz
Art: Front

01. Fly Me To The Moon (2:27)
02. Route 66 (3:10)
03. You Make Me Feel So Young (2:58)
04. Memories Are Made Of This (2:39)
05. Exactly Like You (3:02)
06. This Boy (2:41)
07. What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry (2:36)
08. L-O-V-E (2:22)
09. Dream A Little Dream Of Me (3:07)
10. My Baby Just Cares For Me (2:40)
11. Cheek To Cheek (2:55)
12. Lover, Come Back To Me (2:25)

II, the latest album from The Black Market Trust is full of new sounds, new energy, and new surprises. Since their groundbreaking debut album, The Black Market Trust has added 2 members and a new dimension to their sound: vocals.

Merging their love of everything from The Mills Brothers to The Beach Boys, Sinatra to Lennon/McCartney, The Black Market Trust sings original 4-part vocal arrangements to 12 of their favorite Great American Songbook standards.

With II, The Black Market Trust has created an organic new sound that is daring, fresh and exciting yet somehow still familiar and inviting. Combining old world romance with new world form, The Black Market Trust brings you a simple, elegant and well-defined classic sound.

II

---

Walter Sopicki - B3X3

Size: 129,4 MB
Time: 55:51
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz Guitar, Hammond Organ
Art: Front

01. Iceland There Will Never Be Another You ( 5:56)
02. Once I Loved ( 6:41)
03. Sunny ( 9:29)
04. Blues For Alice ( 3:48)
05. The Boys From Syracuse Falling In Love With Love ( 5:26)
06. What Say, Wally ( 5:20)
07. Swingin' The Dream Darn That Dream ( 5:05)
08. Jippy's Dance ( 3:55)
09. Midnight Cowboys (10:07)

Walt Sopicki started playing guitar at the age of nine and studied with jazz guitarist Frank Gerard in the Buffalo, NY area. He started playing professionally at the age of 19. After listening to a Pat Martino recording of Coltrane's "Impressions", Walt began studying jazz.

Walt performs regularly in the Western New York area with various groups including David Kane's Them Jazzbeards, DKQ, Petit-Bal, and the Walt Sopicki Trio. He has recorded with Joey DeFrancesco, Bobby Jones, Doug Riley, Vito Rezza, and Jack Prybylski.

B3X3

---

Nancy Erickson - While Strolling Through The Park

Size: 101,8 MB
Time: 38:48
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. New Year's Eve (3:35)
02. While Strolling Through The Park (2:55)
03. If Music Be The Food Of Love (3:42)
04. Perdido (3:44)
05. Prelude To A Kiss (5:31)
06. Summer Day (3:57)
07. I Just Dropped By To Say Hello (Feat. Clipper Anderson) (3:42)
08. That Old Black Magic (3:49)
09. The Whippoorwill Song (4:14)
10. La Vie En Rose (3:34)

Nancy Erickson has established herself as a vocally creative force to be reckoned with! Following her performances in Kobe, Japan, Nancy Erickson hit her stride. Her 2011 debut CD, “Prelude” received positive reviews and she has become a staple in the Pacific Northwest Jazz scene. Her sophomore release, “While Strolling Through the Park” delivers mature vocals, three original songs, and some unexpected arrangements of jazz standards. With influences like Nancy Wilson, Frank Sinatra, Dianne Reeves, and Peggy Lee, Nancy’s rich, mellow alto voice has been compared to Karen Carpenter and Diana Krall.

In 2012, Nancy won the Seattle Kobe Female Jazz Vocalist Competition. This resulted in well-received performances in Kobe, Japan, including Asahi Hall which was also broad-cast live online to over 5,000 viewers.

Nancy began her career in the late 80’s singing in a NW jazz band called After Hours. Nancy recorded and co-produced a Christmas CD entitled "Urban Christmas" in 1993 under the group name, 'Xebec'. Taking a break to raise children, she returned to public performing singing backup with the Northwest R&B band Freddy Pink. Nancy also did some backup work with the band Nearly Dan (a Steely Dan tribute band) and Bernadette Bascom.

In 2009 Nancy returned to her jazz roots; "I’d been singing other styles in various bands, but when I came back to jazz singing I remembered where my heart lies musically." Nancy Erickson’s passion for jazz music is apparent in her pin-drop ballads and the rapport she has with her band(s). Nancy's recent venues have included North City Bistro, Tula’s Jazz Club in Seattle, Eye of the Needle Winery in Woodinville, & Thumbnail Theater in Snohomish. Nancy is currently the Adjunct Professor/Director of Vocal Jazz at Northwest University in Kirkland, WA where she is also finishing her Masters in Teaching Degree.

While Strolling Through The Park

---

Meral Guneyman & Dick Hyman - Playful Virtuosity

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:47
Size: 137,3 MB
Art: Front

(5:10)  1. Seven Virtuoso Etudes & Improvisations-Embraceable You
(4:55)  2. Fascinating Rhythm
(5:46)  3. Oh , Lady Be Good
(6:02)  4. The Man I Love
(7:02)  5. Liza(All The Clouds´ll Roll Away)
(5:28)  6. Somebody Loves Me
(5:54)  7. I Got Rhythm
(2:02)  8. Indiana Variations -Back Home Again In Indiana
(0:59)  9. Ready Or Not
(1:23) 10. Escape From The Woojies
(1:13) 11. Big Finish
(6:03) 12. Django
(2:16) 13. Three Raps For Two Pianos - Moderato
(2:10) 14. Andante
(3:17) 15. Alegro

Pianist Meral Guneyman appeared to be slightly nervous when she took the stage recently at the 92nd Street Y's concert "Piano Players: New York Mix." But after a glowing introduction from the show's artistic director Dick Hyman, she launched into a powerful solo version of "The Clothed Woman," one of several Ellington classics she played that evening with strong emotion and arresting dexterity. Later Hyman sat at another piano and they reprised his challenging arrangement of "Solitude," skillfully filling in each other's spaces and ending with a touching flourish. Guneyman's discovery of some Gershwin tunes arranged by Earl Wild was a driving force behind Playful Virtuosity, a fine collection of duo piano between her and Hyman. With Guneyman's impressive symphonic resume and the classical elements present in Wild's arrangements, it's easy to see why she would embrace them so heartily. Guneyman's undulating arpeggios and cascading symphonic touches enhance such songs as "Embraceable You" and "The Man I Love," the latter of which recalls Rhapsody in Blue. Guneyman's range, however, is not confined to the recital hall. On her tour de force rendition of "I Got Rhythm," she boogie-woogies like the house player at a juke joint. At the Y concert she weaved the Wild and Hyman arrangements of "Rhythm" together brilliantly and played like a maenad, stamping her foot to keep time and giving the ivories a melodic forearm.

Guneyman sets the bar high but Hyman reaches it with his excellent improvisations off his own arrangements. His light-hearted take on "Oh Lady, Be Good" growls with deep block chords and his infectious playing on "Liza (All the Clouds'll Roll Away)" is a harmonic stroll in the park. Hyman's touch is nimble throughout, with varying moods and textures, but his sound is just as joyful. In the wake of the Gershwin block, though, their tandem playing on Hyman's compositions seems almost anticlimactic. His "Indiana Variations," a laconic trio of tunes, are well executed but seem like a series of compulsory four-handed exercise. The second triad, "Three Raps for Two Pianos," a condemnation of rap via an exploration of its rhythmic possibilities, is an interesting idea the "Allegro" section has an irresistible energy but it doesn't quite soar. Guneyman and Hyman play with stunning techniques that never subvert substance and styles that are complementary without clashing. It's this individual and collaborative piano mastery that makes Playful Virtuosity, despite being somewhat top heavy, an excellent disc.
~ Terrel Kent Holmes  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/playful-virtuosity-ellen-winters-rykodisc-review-by-terrell-kent-holmes.php

Personnel: Meral Guneyman: piano; Dick Hyman: piano.

Playful Virtuosity

---

Svante Thuresson & Katrine Madsen - Box Of Pearls

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:51
Size: 115,2 MB
Art: Front

(4:35)  1. Let's Fall In Love
(3:30)  2. We'll Be Together Again
(4:07)  3. All The Things You Are
(3:55)  4. How Long Has This Been Going On?
(5:12)  5. Estate
(4:45)  6. Send In The Clowns
(3:54)  7. Kom Saet Dig Her
(4:07)  8. I Remember Bill
(3:16)  9. My Shining Hour
(4:21) 10. What A Difference A Day Made
(4:13) 11. I Fall In Love Too Easily
(3:50) 12. Surrey With The Fringe On Top

Vocal duos are not common in jazz, however there are several great examples: Ella Fiztgerald and Louis Armstrong, Sarah Vaughan and Joe Williams, Carmen McRay and Samy Davis - and of course Ray Charles and Betty Carter, with whom Danish Katrine Madsen and Swedish Svante Thuresson have been compared.  Two kindred spirits, although a generation apart, Katrine and Svante are on the same musical wavelength. They have done quite a lot of touring together - especially in Sweden, where the critics called them “two world-class artists”, and enthusiastic public demand has made their performances a recurring event. Katrine Madsen is one of Denmark’s top female vocalists. Svante Thuresson is perhaps the very best jazz singer in Sweden. He started out on drums, performing with many of Sweden’s top bands. Later he joined the vocal group Gals & Pals. He has been a cherished entertainer for years.

So, here for your complete enjoyment, are two jazz vocalist involved in musical interplay.... fascinating, charming and full sweetness - this is a real ‘feel good’ recording. This Danish/Swedish duo has a good time on stage and they had a good time in the studio. The mood is catchy, so you may as well join the party now. http://www.sundance.dk/docs/pressrel/64-39.pdf

Personnel:  Katrine Madsen and Svante Thuresson, vocals; Claes Crona, piano; Jesper Bodilsen, bass; Peter Östlund, drums.

Box Of Pearls

---

Ellis Marsalis, Branford Marsalis - Loved Ones

Styles: Piano And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:22
Size: 175,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:27)  1. Delilah (Delilah's Theme)
(6:12)  2. Maria
(4:57)  3. Lulu's Back In Town
(4:43)  4. Miss Otis Regrets (She's Unable To Have Lunch Today)
(6:01)  5. Angelica
(7:02)  6. Stella By Starlight
(4:16)  7. Louise
(8:04)  8. Bess You Is My Woman Now (from 'Porgy and Bess')
(2:37)  9. Liza
(2:12) 10. Nancy (With The Laughing Face)
(6:20) 11. Laura
(6:24) 12. Alice In Wonderland
(4:23) 13. Sweet Lorraine
(6:39) 14. Dear Dolores

On Loved Ones, a set of music on which each of the 14 selections include a woman's name in its title, Ellis Marsalis takes five piano solos and has nine duets with his son Branford Marsalis. With the exception of a brief cooking rendition of "Liza," all of the performances are taken at a relaxed and sometimes quite slow tempo. Ellis Marsalis mostly lets the melodies breathe, infusing them with his own personality (the reworking of "Stella by Starlight" is quite intriguing) and often giving the songs somber interpretations. One wishes that there was more variations in tempos and moods. Branford Marsalis' appearances on soprano and tenor are always an asset, sometimes livening up the selections although mostly playing a subsidiary role to his father. The overall results are pleasing and thoughtful if not quite essential. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/loved-ones-mw0000646914

Personnel: Ellis Marsalis (piano); Branford Marsalis (saxophone).

Loved Ones

---

Bill Fredericks - Love With You

Styles: Vocal, Soul
Year: 1977
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:43
Size: 84,2 MB
Art: Front

(3:51)  1. Baby As You Turn Away
(2:57)  2. Run To Me
(3:03)  3. Love So Right
(3:10)  4. I Started A Joke
(3:56)  5. The Way It Was
(3:00)  6. Lovers
(3:16)  7. Love With You
(3:47)  8. Love Me
(2:42)  9. Fanny
(3:01) 10. To Love Somebody
(3:55) 11. Lovers

Bill Fredericks was one of the many featured vocalists with the Drifters. While he never reached the heights of success of the group's founder member Clyde McPhatter or a later lead vocalist Ben E. King, who both went on to solo careers, Fredericks's presence enabled the Drifters to survive the late Sixties and find a new audience in Britain in the early Seventies. Most famously, Fredericks's rich, smooth baritone propelled the soulful, yearning "Like Sister and Brother" into the British Top Ten in 1972. Born in Harlem in 1941, Fredericks was one of six children. His father worked as head chef in a New York restaurant; the family was relatively well off and the young Bill grew up in a middle class part of the black neighbourhood. He recalled: Growing up in New York City was an education in itself. In the area where I lived there were two groups to every block; all making music, all having fun and all hoping that one day they might break out of the rut and make it to the top of the tree. Only a few went on to better things: the Flamingos, Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, the Moonglows and the Coasters. 

It was a hard struggle to gain any sort of recognition outside of the black community because music and styles were very much segregated into black and white. One of the groups I was with - the Packards - actually got to make a record called "Ding Dong" on the Playback label. It was a fairly substantial hit in the New York negro community but no further afield. Following the 1956 release of that single, Fredericks left school and landed a job as a shipping clerk for a clothes company. But he had caught the show-biz bug and, after two years in the army, spent most of his spare time as an entertainer in cabaret and at cocktail parties. "We sang all types of material but we did tend to specialise in Drifters songs. The band had three singers and somewhat imitated their style," Fredericks said later. "Then I heard through the grapevine that the Drifters were looking for a singer. So I went along for the audition and was offered the job on the spot with the proviso that I could start straight away. Well, no one turns down a chance like that!" By 1967, when Fredericks joined the Drifters, the group had sold over 15 million records as "There Goes My Baby", "Dance With Me", "Save the Last Dance For Me" and "Under the Boardwalk" crossed over from the rhythm 'n' blues to the pop market. Masterminded by the formidable impresario George Treadwell, who owned the rights to the group's name and wasn't averse to sacking the entire line-up if they requested a pay rise, the Drifters had been through a procession of vocalists including Clyde McPhatter, Gerhart Thrasher, Bill Pinkney, Bobby Hendricks, Ben E. King and Rudy Lewis.

At first, Fredericks's tenure coincided with something of a fallow period for the ensemble which also comprised Johnny Moore on lead, the tenor Rick Sheppard and the bass vocalist Charles Thomas. Until the mid-Sixties, the Drifters had been a priority act for Atlantic Records who afforded them the best songwriters and producers (including Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller, Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman, Gerry Goffin and Carole King). However, the label's founder Ahmet Ertegun now spent more time on solo artists and rock acts. Subsequently, the Drifters were shunted between various arrangers and in the space of four years issued only five singles ("Ain't It the Truth", "Still Burning In My Heart", "Your Best Friend", "Black Silk" and "Be My Lady"). Fredericks sang lead on a couple of those and decided to stick around, even though the group had been through yet another reshuffle, the baritone Butch Leake and bass vocalist Don Thomas coming in alongside Fredericks and Moore. When George Treadwell died in 1971, his widow Faye took over the Drifters' affairs. The following year, reissues of "At the Club" and "Come On Over To My Place" made the British Top Ten and the Drifters relocated to London. Their fortunes enjoyed a further revival when they signed to Bell Records in 1973 and released "Like Sister and Brother". Fredericks was the featured vocalist on that classic single but was restricted to a harmony role on the easy listening soul of "Kissin' in the Back Row of the Movies", "Down on the Beach Tonight" and "Love Games" which charted in the next two years.

In 1975, after a conflict between Fredericks and the Drifters' management, he went solo but remained in London. "Britain seemed the ideal place for me," he explained. "I love the country and I was determined to build a new career by playing the cabaret clubs up and down the country. I've not regretted the move one little bit." In the late Seventies, he signed to Polydor Records and issued three singles, "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?", "Lovers" and a stunning cover version of the Bee Gees' "To Love Somebody", and also contributed to the soundtracks of the films Black Joy (1977) and The Stud (1978). Fredericks still performed with his former colleagues on the odd occasion and released a fine solo version of the Lou Rawls tune "You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine" on the Unigram label. But mostly he worked the supper-clubs of Scandinavia and Germany, and also appeared at the Dorchester, the Ritz, Blazers, Baileys, Jimmy's and the Cafe Royal in London.

As well as performing Drifters' hits, he did impersonations, of John Wayne, Sammy Davis Jnr and even Jackie Mason.In the last few years, Bill Fredericks found a lucrative niche doing voice-overs. His warm, velvety tones were heard on television and film commercials (for Marmite, Radox and various Walt Disney projects) and radio stations. In the course of a 45-year span, the Drifters have had many incarnations and a version of the group is still performing up and down Britain. http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/obituaries-bill-fredericks-1094868.html

Bill Fredericks, singer: born New York 23 August 1941; died London 28 April 1999.

Love With You

---