Bill Harris - The Blues-Soul Of Bill Harris: Complete Mercury Recordings 1956-1959

Size: 145,6+159,2 MB
Time: 61:12+67:20
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Jazz: Guitar Jazz, Bop, Swing
Art: Front

CD 1:
01. Stompin' At The Savoy (2:19)
02. Moonglow (2:33)
03. Cherokee (1:33)
04. Out Of Nowhere (3:00)
05. Ethyl (2:44)
06. Possessed (2:46)
07. Perdido (2:39)
08. I Can't Get Started (1:50)
09. Dreaming (2:35)
10. K. C. Shuffle (2:18)
11. Ivanhoe (2:09)
12. Lover (2:22)
13. Spring (1:42)
14. Baker's Dozen (1:46)
15. Golden Sunset (2:37)
16. Honeysuckle Rose (2:57)
17. Midnight Blue (3:04)
18. Yesterdays (1:55)
19. The Harris Touch (3:28)
20. All The Things You Are (2:55)
21. 'S Wonderful (2:19)
22. Sometimes I'm Happy (2:36)
23. Rock Bottom Blues (4:22)
24. The Man I Love (2:32)

CD 2:
01. Lullaby Of Birdland (2:39)
02. Blue Angel (2:04)
03. The Song Is You (2:42)
04. Daahoud (2:00)
05. Ethyl (2:05)
06. Wind Song (2:03)
07. Ol' Man River (3:35)
08. Once In A While (2:51)
09. Poinciana (Song Of The Tree) (2:05)
10. Concerto For Jazz Guitar (Your Majesty) (3:13)
11. Jordu (1:45)
12. Lover (6:55)
13. All The Things You Are (1:50)
14. Poinciana (Song Of The Tree) (Alt Take) (2:37)
15. Well You Needn't (3:25)
16. Intaglio Monk Parts 1 & 2 (6:13)
17. Stompin' At The Savoy (2:26)
18. Possessed (1:27)
19. Cherokee (4:42)
20. The Song Is You (3:37)
21. Where Is Big Joe Williams Blues (3:20)
22. Ethyl (3:35)

Sources:
CD 1 - Tracks #1-12, from the album
“Bill Harris” (Mercury/EmArcy MG 36097)
CD 1 - Tracks #13-24, from the album
“The Harris Touch” (Mercury/EmArcy MG 36113)

CD 2 - Tracks #1-11, from the album
“Great Guitar Sounds” (Mercury/Wing MGW 12220)
CD 2 - Tracks #12-22, from the album
“Caught in the Act” (Jazz Guitar JGLP 100)

Personnel
BILL HARRIS: Bill Harris, guitar solos
Recorded in New York City, 1956

THE HARRIS TOUCH: Bill Harris, classical and electric guitar; Hank Jones, piano and celeste; unidentified bassist, drummer, and bongo player
Recorded in New York City, May 2 (#15,16,18,21,23,24) & 21 (#13,14,17,19,20), 1957

GREAT GUITAR SOUNDS: Bill Harris, guitar solos
Recorded in New York City, 1959

CAUGHT IN THE ACT: Bill Harris, guitar solos
Recorded at Cafritz Auditorium, Washington D.C., December, 1962

4 LPs on 2 CDs + Two Bonus Tracks. Digitally Remastered.

When Bill Harris recorded his first album as a leader in 1956, he had already been the electric guitar accompanist for The Clovers one of the most outstanding r&b vocal groups since 1949. Fellow guitarist Mickey Baker recommended him to Mercury/EmArcy s a&r head, Bob Shad, and it is to Shad s credit that he gave Harris so much scope on his debut. The full colored natural sound of Harris s unamplified Spanish guitar is a rare and interesting pleasure. In the words of Nat Hentoff, the blues-soul of Harris courses richly through everything he plays.
On his second album for the label, The Harris Touch, Bill was backed by a conventional rhythm section and a bongo player. The session featured the excellent piano work of Hank Jones, with three of the tunes vehicles to showcase of Harris s electric guitar. On the Mercury/Wing album, Harris again performs solo, displaying his remarkable feeling for the unamplified guitar in both jazz and semi-classical contexts. The fourth album on this set is also a solo recital, recorded during a Bill Harris concert in Washington in 1962. Harris plays with engaging easiness in a live program which mainly includes material from the other three albums, demonstrating his abilities as an improviser of lovely, rhythmically resilient variations.
Down Beat magazine defined his style as a combination of beauty, lyricism, charm and solid strength. This collection of performances is both a masterpiece of guitar versatility and a master class in improvisation.

The Blues-Soul Of Bill Harris CD 1
The Blues-Soul Of Bill Harris CD 2

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Cheryl Barnes - Live At Port Hueneme Beach Festival

Size: 142,2 MB
Time: 61:03
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Dindi (Live) (6:50)
02. Like Jazz (Live) (4:33)
03. That Afternoon In Harlem (Live) (4:55)
04. Come With Me (Live) (4:31)
05. Baby's Got Some Aweful Kind Of Blues (Live) (5:09)
06. And The Melody Still Lingers On (Live) (6:44)
07. What's Fair In Love (Live) (5:05)
08. U-Turn (Live) (8:00)
09. Listen To This (Live) (5:18)
10. What's On Your Mind (Live) (9:52)

Cheryl Dyrithe Barnes is a classically trained jazz singer in possession of remarkable depth, range and technique. beloved around the world as a captivating live performer, Cheryl shied away from making records for nearly a decade. Now in 2014, Ms. Barnes returns with her fourth and finest album to date, a studio recording entitled listen to this for which every one of the twelve selections is a personally inspired gem. Produced by Rahn Coleman and also featuring the impassioned piano playing of her husband Phil Cabasso, listen to this was patiently rendered over a 5-year period, prepared with tender loving care utilizing Los Angeles’ finest, including soloists saxophonists Rickey Woodard and Pete Christlieb, pianists John Hammond and Joel Scott, and trumpeter Nolan Shaheed.

Listen To this moves from two tunes penned by Mark Winkler (the sassy “Like Jazz” and the evocative nostalgia of “That Afternoon In Harlem” to inventive adaptations of “When I Am Laid In Earth” (from Henry Purcell’s opera “Dido and Aeneas”) and Joni Mitchell’s epic “Come In From The Cold.” There’s even a Christmas song. “I love how varied the album is…because i’m varied,” Cheryl beams. “The complexity of jazz – of improvisation, expression and harmony – is clearly there. Rahn, Phil and our engineer Aaron Testerman spent hours – I’m talking marathon sessions – working,” Cheryl shares. “Phil would come home with his eyes like xs! We didn’t have a deadline so we never rushed. A beautiful evolution blossomed through the process.”

From the hippest of contemporary faire like “Come with me” and “What’s On Your Mind” to choice standards such as “I wish you love” (dedicated to the memory of Gloria Lynne) and “Why Did I Choose You” (inspired by Barbara Streisand’s rendition), Ms. Barnes brings a singular warmth and empathy to every line she sings, engaging listeners from a purr to a power belt. The title track “Listen To This” (composed and arranged by Cabasso), “What’s Fair In Love” (created and directed by coleman) and “Baby’s Got Some Awful Kind Of Blues” (crafted by John Hammond) are renderings of original pieces that are sure to go down as Cheryl Barnes classics. “This project solidifies within myself my view of myself as a true artist,” Cheryl poetically states.

Live At Port Hueneme Beach Festival

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We Three - East Coasting

Size: 139,2 MB
Time: 60:10
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1997
Styles: Jazz: Guitar Jazz, Hammond Organ
Art: Front

01. Isn't She Lovely (6:38)
02. My Girl Is Just Enough Woman For Me (4:37)
03. The Triangle (4:30)
04. Here, There And Everywhere (7:04)
05. Basic Instinct (6:31)
06. Soulmates (4:47)
07. East Coasting (8:10)
08. You Say You Care (6:01)
09. Estate (6:03)
10. Fingersnappin', Foottappin' (5:44)

Organ Trio with New Jersy based organ player Dan Kostelnik. On drums is Duck Scott (son of organ legend Shirley Scott) and on guitar is Michael Arlt from Germany.

East Coasting

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Eva Fernandez - That Darkness

Size: 99,2 MB
Time: 38:42
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. My Favorite Things (6:55)
02. Love Is A Losing Game (3:22)
03. Dream A Little Dream (7:27)
04. Never Will I Marry (2:53)
05. That Darkness (4:28)
06. Diz Que Eu Fui Por Aí (3:51)
07. El Día Que Me Quieras (4:17)
08. Nadir (5:26)

That Darkness is the first solo album by Eva Fernández. Released by Taller de Músics. That Darkness is both the title of the album and of one of the songs included in it, an original composition by Eva Fernández. The album features the special participation of Pablo Fernández and up-and-coming flamenco cantaor Pere Martínez.

Eva Fernández is a promising young Catalan jazz musician who already stands out as a talented saxophonist and singer. Despite her youth, and as member of the Sant Andreu Jazz Band directed by the polyinstrumentalist Joan Chamorro, Eva has performed with great figures such as Perico Sambeat, Dick Oatts, Ken Peplowski, Ignasi Terraza, Bobby Gordon, Jesse Davis, Terell Stafford, Wycliffe Gordon, Josep M. Farràs, Scott Robinson, Josep Traver, Matthew Simon, Llibert Fortuny, Carles Benavent and Jordi Bonell. She has also performed with Andrea Motis & Joan Chamorro Group. She has participated in the Jazz festivals of Barcelona, Terrassa, Porta Ferrada, Menorca, Roses, Vic and Xàbia (Valencia), among others.

In this occasion, Eva Fernández presents her quintet, a project that gathers together well-known musicians from Spain, such as the jazzman David Pastor, José Luis Guart, Toni Pagès and Miquel Angel Cordero. Under the name of Eva Fernández Group, the group offers a varied jazz repertoire. Contemporary and classic, audacious, elegant, fresh. Talent and complicity, youth and experience, a straight-to-the-emotions show, re-elaborating classic standards, paving the road for the standards that will be. Contemporary and classic, audacious, elegant, fresh. That and more can be said about Eva Fernández’s Group’s approach to jazz. Talent and complicity, youth and experience, a straight-to-the-emotions show, re-elaborating classic standards, paving the road for the standards that will be.

That Darkness

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Good Lovelies - Good Lovelies

Size: 99,3 MB
Time: 34:59
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2010
Styles: Country, Folk, Pop
Label: Good Lovelies
Art: Front

01. I Want (3:04)
02. Sleepwalkin' (2:13)
03. Down Down Down (3:04)
04. Cheek To Cheek (3:02)
05. So Charming (3:05)
06. Lie Down (2:50)
07. Baby, I Got My Way (2:10)
08. Laundry (I'm Happy) (3:54)
09. February Song (4:05)
10. Lumberjack (3:30)
11. Into The Spotlight (3:58)

The Good Lovelies - Sharp, sassy, funny and building a following across Canada

The Good Lovelies are not your run-of-the-mill "all girl" band. At a time when too many of us are affected by gloom, doom and advancing recession these three women are the perfect antidote.

Armed with a pile of instruments, a repertoire of sassy and sophisticated songs and an effervescent sense of humour they never fail to charm even the toughest audiences.

The aptly named Good Lovelies are Caroline Brooks, Kerri Ough and Sue Passmore, all of them best friends and refugees from solo careers. Described as "flirty-bluegrass" and "the mischievous Andrews Sisters" the Toronto-based trio rely on unerring three-part vocal harmonies, clever songs and, onstage, convulsively funny repartee.

The trio started as a group only two years ago. Since then, they have quit their jobs (or successfully begged for leaves of absence), played countless clubs and coffee houses and half a dozen folk festivals, completed a 40-date tour from Montreal to Vancouver Island and back (by car and without quarrelling) and released a five-track EP with the playful single, and CBC Radio favourite 'Taboo.'

Not to mention singing backup on Jill Barber’s latest CD, earning CBC airplay, opening for the likes of the Arrogant Worms and Lynn Miles, holding down a weekly spot at the uber-hip Cameron House and selling out a solo show at Toronto’s Hugh’s Room.

The Good Lovelies’ first full-length self-titled CD is being released in January; it contains 11 finely-crafted original songs with catchy lyrics and memorable melodies. The album borrows styles from bygone eras, all the while keeping the music current and relevant.

Produced by Les Cooper (Madison Violet, Craig Cardiff, Jill Barber) and Adam King, the CD features guest musicians Christine Bougie, Darcy Yates, Drew Jurecka, Justin Rutledge, Joel Stouffer, Spencer Evans and Marc Rogers.

Apart from the new album, Caroline, Kerri and Sue are planning two major tours, have already been booked (for the second year in a row) at Mariposa, and will play the In the Dead of Winter Festival in Halifax.

Spreading sharp, light-hearted music from coast to coast is the plan for 2009. And after that? Well, there’s a huge country south of Canada that could use some laughter and another dose of hopeful goodwill from their neighbours, and the Lovelies are just the women to provide it.

Good Lovelies

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Eddie 'Cleanhead' Vinson - Blues, Boogie & Bebop: Meat's Too High

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:21
Size: 172.5 MB
Styles: Bop, Saxophone jazz, West Coast blues
Year: 1998/2007
Art: Front

[2:39] 1. Old Maid Boogie
[3:59] 2. Somebody's Gotta Go
[7:35] 3. Travellin'
[3:15] 4. Home Boy
[4:13] 5. Meat's Too High
[4:11] 6. If You Were My Buddy
[3:03] 7. Investigation Blues
[4:05] 8. That's All
[6:58] 9. Race Track Blues
[6:35] 10. Somebody Else Has Taken My Place
[8:36] 11. Cleanhead's Thing
[5:01] 12. Roxanne
[4:45] 13. Fun In London
[4:34] 14. High Class Baby
[5:45] 15. Straight Away

A powerful vocalist and a wickedly expressive alto saxophonist, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson is celebrated with this JSP reissue compilation containing 15 choice cuts recorded in London, England, in May 1980 and March 1982. The earlier of the two dates yielded an album with the title Fun in London; unfortunately, an eight-minute jam called "The Theme" was excluded from this reissue. Vinson never ever fit into anybody's pigeon holes; a formidable improvising instrumentalist who excelled both as a balladeer ("Roxanne," "That's All") and as a straight-ahead hard bopper ("Travelin'," "Somebody Else Has Taken My Place," "Cleanhead's Thing," "Fun in London," "Straight Away"), Vinson's worldly command of the sax and his hormonally charged astringency as a blues shouter constitute two of the great dependable forces in all of blues and jazz. The words he puts across on "Meat's Too High" touch upon inflation, taxes, groceries, and human sexuality. ~arwulf arwulf

Blues, Boogie & Bebop: Meat's Too High

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George Golla, Leonie Smith - Never The Less

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 32:09
Size: 73.6 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[2:26] 1. Blue Skies
[3:47] 2. East Of The Sun And West Of The Moon
[2:49] 3. I Can't Get Started With You
[4:57] 4. Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye
[2:47] 5. All The Things You Are
[4:17] 6. The Gentle Rain
[2:46] 7. Love Walked In
[4:10] 8. More Than You Know
[4:04] 9. On The Street Where You Live

George Golla and myself met up for the first time during the recording of my first Album “Sweet Jazz” in 2003. George was called in at the last moment to complete the album after a few tracks previously recorded were ditched. We recorded five songs in about 45 minutes, and out of all the songs on “Sweet Jazz” the four tunes eventually added to the Album proved the most popular for radio play and download.

George and I decided we would love to record together again for purely selfish reasons... because we like to play music together, and to have something to keep of our time together. For my own part, George is now a great friend and mentor, and we enjoy each others company, also outside music, and for me it’s the best fun I ever have musically and socially. Those that know George personally, know that he is a wonderful raconteur, and joke teller, as well as being a wonderful guitarist. Our collaborations are always fun in fact he has me laughing on the floor often! (not a good look in a sparkly gown I assure you).

We recorded our new Album now entitled “Never the Less” (named after a punch-line of one of George’s fine anecdotes) one May 2006 night in John Morrison’s home Studio, on 2 tracks Live, with only two 2nd takes, in about 2 hours, including chatting, laughing with John and various anecdotes being recounted. In recording, I wanted an honest portrayal of our live performances, and it was a huge leap of faith on my part, as I tend to want to fiddle with the vocals and am never really happy with them. But I figured that if I can’t live with them, I shouldn’t be singing live! Of course I think George with his experience as an accompanists of many vocalists in the past and his collaboration with Don Burrows is the most supportive accompanist you could have, and he really made it very easy for me as he always does. I’m sure he is telepathic !!

Never The Less

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Ricky Nelson - Greatest Love Songs

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:19
Size: 117.5 MB
Styles: Pop
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[2:15] 1. Never Be Anyone Else But You
[2:31] 2. Poor Little Fool
[2:17] 3. Sweeter Than You
[1:51] 4. Again
[2:14] 5. Lonesome Town
[2:27] 6. Don't Leave Me This Way
[2:36] 7. I'm Not Afraid
[2:16] 8. Hello Mary Lou
[1:57] 9. So Long
[2:33] 10. Young Emotions
[2:43] 11. I Wanna Be Loved
[2:17] 12. Unchained Melody
[2:45] 13. It's Up To You
[2:15] 14. Trying To Get To You
[2:26] 15. A Teenage Idol
[2:16] 16. Old Enough To Love
[1:56] 17. It's All In The Game
[2:24] 18. Young World
[1:54] 19. True Love Ways
[3:11] 20. Dream Lover
[2:04] 21. Gloomy Sunday
[2:01] 22. That's All

The title Greatest Love Songs is of course a misnomer, a marketing gimmick to justify the release of yet another repackaging of music from the past. “Just in time for Valentine’s Day”, the promotional copy proclaims. Certainly most of these songs deal with love in some way, whether it’s infatuation (“Hello Mary Lou”), the dream of perfect, everlasting love (“Sweeter Than You”), or heartbreak (“Lonesome Town”). Seeking love, finding love, losing love…in other words, the same basic themes covered by a cross-section of pop-music hits from any era. What this album’s theming mostly means is we get a decent overview of Nelson’s teen-idol period, but without any sense of historical or biographical context. The songs themselves, especially classics like “Poor Little Fool” and “Lonesome Town”, are spectacular, showcasing the way he turned a rather ordinary, everyman singing voice into something expressive. He turned lack into something special, giving more resonance to the emotions of the songs, and to the universal human story of love and loss that’s within them. That the album carries that aura is a tribute to Nelson himself, not to the people who somewhat haphazardly put this together. ~Dave Heaton

Greatest Love Songs

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Paul Motian - Standards Plus One

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:58
Size: 125.8 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz
Year: 2015
Art: Front

[4:21] 1. They Didn't Believe Me
[6:50] 2. How Deep Is The Ocean
[5:35] 3. You And The Night And The Music
[7:58] 4. You Took The Words Right Out Of My Heart
[9:17] 5. Someone To Watch Over Me
[6:17] 6. Just One Of Those Things
[5:51] 7. It Might As Well Be Spring
[8:46] 8. It's Should've Happened A Long Time Ago

Paul Motian drums; Joe Lovano tenor saxophone; Bill Frisell electric guitar; Charlie Haden acoustic bass; Lee Konitz soprano and alto saxophone; track 2 and 6.

In the 80s Paul Motian asked Stefan Winter and Hiroshi Itsuno (from Polydor K.K.), whether they would be interested in producing with him new interpretations of well–known and less known pieces from musicals. This was the beginning of the Paul Motian On Broadway recordings, a series of albums, which is considered an important milestone of unique interpretations of famous jazz standards. Stefan Winter, who recorded with Paul Motian over 25 albums, selected for Standards plus One seven works, which have been of special significance for Motion in his life.

Standards Plus One

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Mark Isham - Blue Sun

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1995
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:40
Size: 143,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:10)  1. Barcelona
(5:58)  2. That Beautiful Sadness
(6:54)  3. Trapeze
(3:51)  4. Lazy Afternoon
(8:56)  5. Blue Sun
(8:03)  6. In More Than Love
(6:59)  7. And Miles to Go Before He Sleeps
(7:46)  8. In a Sentimental Mood
(6:59)  9. Tour de Chance

A fine album by this trumpeter better known for film scores and Windham Hill new age electronics than for jazz. However, on this outing, Mark Isham struts his jazz stuff. Although the instrumentation includes electric bass, occasional electric piano, and a sprinkling of atmospheric electronics, the feel here is of an acoustic recording of the cool jazz school. Isham's quintet includes Steve Tavaglione on tenor saxophone and David Goldblatt on piano, both of whom inform this music with elegance and grace. Isham himself has never sounded better on record, recalling the Miles Davis of the '50s at times, and the rhythm section of drummer Kurt Wortman and bassist Doug Lunn keeps the music moving at a relaxed pace. Isham's work in his Windham Hill days was, while interesting, easily identifiable and properly classified in the new age bin. Here, he has moved in a new, classy direction, proving he can write and perform well-crafted music of substance. ~ Jim Newsom  http://www.allmusic.com/album/blue-sun-mw0000174716

Personnel: Mark Isham (trumpet, cornet, flugelhorn, programming); Lisbeth Scott (vocals); David Torn, Peter Maunu (guitar); Steve Tavaglione (tenor saxophone); David Goldblatt (piano, electric piano); Doug Lunn (electric bass); Kurt Wortman (drums).

Blue Sun

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Raquel Bitton - Boleros

Styles: Vocal, Latin Jazz
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:20
Size: 95,3 MB
Art: Front

(3:28)  1. Dos Gardenias
(3:44)  2. Solamente Una Vez
(2:45)  3. Toda Una Vida
(2:31)  4. Dos Almas
(4:25)  5. Besame Mucho
(3:04)  6. Guitare D'Amour
(4:21)  7. Adoro
(2:42)  8. J'Attendrai
(3:02)  9. Nadie
(5:00) 10. Aranjuez Mon Amour
(2:58) 11. Cenizas
(3:15) 12. Un Tour Je Te Dirai

Raquel Bitton and the bolero share similar heritages, mixing French and Spanish influences to create a fiery romanticism of soaring intensity. And Bitton, who suggests a spicier Edith Piaf (and, indeed, has earned substantial success investigating the Piaf songbook), seems an ideal choice for exploring, in French and Spanish, the work of the greatest Cuban, Mexican and Spanish bolero composers of the 20th century.

Of these dozen classics, only one, Consuelo Velàzquez’s scorching “Besame Mucho,” will likely be familiar. But there is a spectrum of quixotic delights to be discovered here, ranging from the light shimmer of “Guitare d’amour” and swinging, horn-fueled bounce of “J’attendrai” to the august passion of “Aranjuez, mon amour” and soul-deep fervor of “Adoro.” Consider it a first-class ticket to alluringly piquant musical vistas. ~ Christopher Loudon  http://jazztimes.com/articles/24635-boleros-raquel-bitton

Personnel: Ramón Stagnaro, Ramon Stagnero (guitar); Clif Foster, Clifton Foster, Evan Price, Jeremy Constant, Cary Koh (violin); Tom Elliott, Tom Elliot, Patrick Kroboth (viola); Terry Adams , Terry Adams , Paul Hale (cello); Melecio Magdaluyo (flute, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Alex Murzyn, Mary Fettig (alto saxophone); Rev. Ron Stallings (tenor saxophone); Louis Fasman, Mike Olmos (trumpet); Marty Wehner (trombone); Larry Dunlap, Rebeca Mauleón (piano); Mario Suraci (bass guitar); Paul van Wageningen (drums); Jesús Diaz (congas); Orestes Vilató (bongos, timbales).

Boleros

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Lou Levy Trio - My Old Flame

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1978
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:45
Size: 93,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:40)  1. I've Never Been In Love Before
(4:56)  2. The Trolley Song
(6:04)  3. If You Could See Me Now
(4:31)  4. My Old Flame
(5:17)  5. Old Devil Moon
(6:03)  6. Gentle Rain
(5:24)  7. Gal In Calico
(3:45)  8. Love Walked In

"The Material recorded by the trio for this album was put together at the session. The trio has worked together for two years as the rhythm section for Supersax. Without that "togetherness," the degree of freshness brought to this material, I believe, might not have been achieved. For instance, the form of 'Trolley Song,' with its verse, interludes, and vamps between sections tends to keep the player on his toes. 'Gal in Calico' was done, cowboyish for kicks. 

Fred Atwood and John Dentz, not only great musicians, but very close friends, are with me whenever possible. Luckily, this day that situation existed once again." ~ Lou Levy  http://www.freshsoundrecords.com/my_old_flame-cd-6151.html

Personnel:  Lou Levy (piano), Fred Atwood (bass), and John Dentz (drums).

My Old Flame

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Hendrik Meurkens - Samba To Go!

Styles: Brazilian Jazz, Harmonica Jazz
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:56
Size: 124,0 MB
Art: Front

(5:19)  1. Spaceburger
(6:36)  2. Odessa in April
(4:30)  3. Samba To Go!
(5:45)  4. Só Tinha De Ser Com Você
(2:59)  5. Choro No.14
(6:06)  6. Mountain Drive
(5:28)  7. Joe's Donut
(5:13)  8. Bossa Sketch
(4:24)  9. A Choro For You
(6:34) 10. My Foolish Heart

A timely follow up to the his critically acclaimed Sambatropolis (Zoho, 2008) released early last year, chromatic harmonica player and vibraphonist Hendrik Meurkens, presents us with another brilliant embrace of the Brazilian music that this Dutch-born New York raised musician, has so enthusiastically adopted as his own. Samba to Go! is a natural continuation of Meurkens' love for the choro and samba rhythms that he explored on the previous album. While still borrowing some music from such legends as Antonio Carlos Jobim and Victor Young for this album, Meurkens offers seven originals, some new and others previously recorded which, are nevertheless provided new arrangements here. Bringing back the same personnel from Sambatropolis, which features drummer and percussionist Adriano Santos and bassist Gustavo Amarante who have anchored the rhythm side for years, Meurkens enlists the help of reed man Rodrigo Ursaia while Luiz Simas plays the piano on "A Choro for You," and Ze Mauricio handles the congas on three pieces. The major change on this album is the addition of Russian-born pianist Misha Tsiganov who also performs on the Fender Rhodes 88 elevating an already stellar rhythm section to another level.

Meurkens opens the music revisiting the tune "Spaceburger," from his first album Samba Importado (Bellaphon, 1989), recorded two decades ago in Brazil, this time using the vibes to express this delightful melody. "Odessa In April" is one of his newer pieces and possesses that unique Brazilian flavor that's now expected from an artist who weaves the rhythms through the sound of his familiar harmonica. The title piece is a quick-paced samba that moves with up-tempo intensity and features the harmonica player in high gear. Presenting an exquisite rendition of the Antonio Carlos Jobim standard, "So Tinha De Ser Com Voce," Meurkens once again draws on the vibes for this gorgeous ballad. Getting down to expressing the choro style of Brazilian music that Meurkens enjoys so much, "Choro No. 14" dedicated to musician and friend Ronaldo Folegatti and "A Choro for You" are two frisky, whirlwind numbers he delivers on harmonica in stylish fashion with Tsiganov laying down fine piano lines on the latter. 

The exceptional "Mountain Drive," a retreat from Amazon River (Megaforce, 2005) and the shoulder-moving, boppish read of "Joe's Donut," containing a slice of the Afro-Cuban flavor in the mix, are clear highlights. Wrapping up another winning release, Meurkens employs his harmonica in a soft and tender way, performing a heart-warming interpretation of Victor Young's immortal love ballad, "My Foolish Heart," to complete a most compelling album of Brazilian styled music. Hednrik Meurkens continues his love affair with the music of Brazil on Samba To Go!, his evolution of the samba and choro styles and his flawless command of the harmonica and vibes making this another masterpiece of an album. ~ Edward Blanco  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/samba-to-go-hendrik-meurkens-zoho-music-review-by-edward-blanco.php
 

Personnel: Hendrik Meurkens: harmonica, vibes; Rodrigo Ursaia: tenor saxaphone, soprano saxophone,flutes; Mish Tsiganov: piano, Fender Rhodes; Gustavo Armante: bass; Adriano Santos: drums,pandeiro, percussions; Luiz Simas: piano(9); Ze Mauricio: congas, pandeiro, percussions (3, 7, 9).

Samba To Go!

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