Peter Horvath - Absolute Reality

Size: 128,4 MB
Time: 55:40
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz: Piano Jazz, Smooth Jazz
Art: Front

01. Absolute Reality (5:11)
02. Carla (6:55)
03. Escape From Oakland (6:04)
04. Nassau Nights (5:15)
05. Waltz For Ella (4:59)
06. Fake Out (5:03)
07. Miss You (5:12)
08. Sardegna (5:16)
09. Foreign Matter (6:02)
10. Braden's Song (5:39)

Hungarian-born pianist and keyboardist Peter Horvath performs with the who­is­who of jazz such as Victor Bailey, Lenny White, Arturo Sandoval, Randy Brecker, Marcus Miller, and many more. While he is a in demand recording musician on numerous albums his solo career has only seen two albums yet. His debut album Foreign Matter (1995) and his sophomore album Absolute Reality.

Peter has assembled for the recordings of his new album a great amount of luminaries Victor Bailey, Marc Van Wageningen and Larry Kimpel (bass), Ricky Lawson and Lenny White (drums), Dean Brown and Ray Orbiedo (guitar), Norbert Stachel (sax), Randy Brecker (trumpet) among many others.

Peter Horvath has composed all tracks, some in collaboration with Norbert Stachel. The album shows up with Absolute Reality. A funky horn arrangement in the style of Tower of Power or East Bay Soul is the launching platform for Peters' rocket like journey over the keys of his grand piano.

Carla comes smoothly like silk with Horvath's intimate Rhodes piano and Bob Mintzer on tenor saxophone. Escape From Oakland is without any doubt a tour de par force. All musicians perform with great speed without neglecting melody, arrangement and improvising.

On Nassau Nights Peter reveals his affinity for smooth jazz and the influence of Fourplay on his work. Elegant performance on Rhodes piano, a harmonic horn arrangement and Kenny Washington on vocals are clear pluses. Waltz For Ella fosters in the contemporary jazz realm, while Latin rhythm elements and Marc Van Wageningen on bass give this fast paced piece some pepper. The tune is dedicated to his daughter Ella Nicole Horvath.

When Victor Bailey on bass, Ricky Lawson on drums, Ray Obiedo on guitar meet Peter Horvath on Rhodes then Fake Out gets a big dose of funk. Norbert Stachel on various brass and flute delivers a fine garnish. Miss You walks the line between jazz and melody, a musical journey with a deep expression of sadness and missing, dedicated to his mom, Matrai Zsuzsa, a great Hungarian singer.

Sardegna is an ode to the Italian island. Elegant Rhodes improvisation and a brass arrangement in the style of EWF are the highlight of this tune.

Foreign Matter dives into the bebop roots and when Peter begins to improvise, it can get a fast and wild ride. Final tune is a solo piano piece entitled Braden's Song and dedicated to his son Braden Michael Horvath.

With Absolute Reality Peter Horvath has put his whole personality and passion into this work. An eclectic album of the deserving wider recognition category.

Absolute Reality

---

Nicolas Bearde - Invitation

Size: 105,9 MB
Time: 45:59
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Come Back To Me (3:50)
02. Dindi (5:58)
03. My One And Only Love (3:43)
04. Nature Boy (6:19)
05. Invitation (5:47)
06. Lush Life (4:12)
07. I Want To Talk About You (4:52)
08. Maiden Voyage (6:38)
09. Save Your Love For Me (4:36)

Bay-area vocalist Nicolas Bearde belongs to an exclusive club: male jazz singers. I suspect, being scientifically minded, that submissions from male jazz singers make up approximately 10% of the music I receive for review. While in may be impolitic to discuss, it remains a fact. Not only are there few male jazz singers, there a fewer good male jazz singers...and that number continues to dwindle. Gratefully, Bearde has emerged follow the release of four previous recordings on his own Right Groove Records, as a unique voice bearing unique influences. Within Bearde's "buttery baritone" are equal parts Lou Rawls and Johnny Hartman with a trace of Nat King Cole. Bearde's deft management of these influences result in his seamless tone and delivery coupled with an acute harmonic sense.

Invitation is produced by the familiar name of Nat Adderley, Jr. who doubles as pianist on the lion's share of pieces. Bearde's support here, by three separate bands, all employ a jazz piano rhythm section supplemented with a woodwind. This lends a welcome consistency to a disc that could have otherwise suffered from a sonic disjointedness. Bearde is a exceptional balladeer as evidenced on "Come Back to Me," a decidedly non-Bossa "Dindi," and a ravishing "Lush Life." Alto saxophonist Vincent Herring joins Bearde on three cuts, most notable, a bright "Nature Boy," that summons Nat King Cole's restless spirit. Bearde offers an interesting alternative to singers like Kurt Elling and Gregory Porter in that he is more of a traditionalist who has the chops to do more demanding things but wisely chooses to redouble his creative investment in singing his songs better than more technically provocative. ~By C. Michael Bailey

Personnel: Nicolas Bearde: vocals; Nat Adderley Jr.: piano (1-6, 9); Vincent Herring: alto saxophone (1, 4, 5); Kenny Davis: bass(2-4, 9); Rocky Bryant: drums; (2-4, 9); Belden Bullock: bass (1, 5); Vincent Ector: drums (1, 5); John R. Burr: piano (7); Anton Schwartz: tenor saxophone (7); John Witala: bass (7); Akira Tana: drums (7); Peter Horvath: piano (8); Gary Brown: bass (8); Leon Joyce Jr.: drums (8); Peter Michael Excovedo: percussion (8).

Invitation

---

Billy Cobham - Glass Menagerie (Live)

Size: 176,7 MB
Time: 76:19
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz/Rock
Art: Front

01. AC DC (Live) ( 9:28)
02. Flight Time (Live) (10:44)
03. Vanessa (Live) ( 7:41)
04. Crosswinds (Live) (10:35)
05. All Hallows Eve (Live) (11:14)
06. Total Eclipse (Live) ( 9:37)
07. Wrapped In A Cloud (Live) ( 7:04)
08. Brooze (Live) ( 9:52)

Personnel:
Billy Cobham, drums
Mike Stern, guitar
Michal Urbaniak, lyricon & violin
Gil Goldstein, piano
Tim Landers, bass

Billy Cobham performs live in Riazzino, Switzerland in 1981.

Celebrated as one of jazz fusion's best percussionist, Billy Cobham rose to prominence during the late 1960s with Miles Davis as a drummer known for his power and precision.

Born in Panama he grew up in New York where he gradated from High School of Music and Art in 1962.

After three years of Military service ending in 1968, he played for a year with Horace Silver and also worked at the time with Stanley Turrentine, George Benson, and Shirley Scott.

Billy Cobham toured extensively during the early '70s after appearing on John McLaughlin's album "My Goal's Beyond" and in 1971 Cobham and McLaughlin formed the "Mahavishnu Orchestra."

He went on to record a number of solo albums to great acclaim including "Crosswinds" and "Total Eclipse" both in 1974 and moved to Switzerland later in the decade.

In 1980 Cobham was a member of the "Jack Bruce & Friends" band before forming "Billy Cobham's Glass Menagerie" the following year.

Glass Menagerie

---

Laura Ellis - Broken, Lovely

Size: 106,5 MB
Time: 45:24
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

01. He Needs Me (3:28)
02. Bring Me To Life (4:33)
03. If You Want Me (4:11)
04. Fire And Ice (2:58)
05. Guilty (4:26)
06. Is It A Crime (4:11)
07. Almost Lover (3:49)
08. Not This Time (3:07)
09. What's New (3:21)
10. The Great Pretender (3:49)
11. The Heart Won't Lie (3:30)
12. Bathwater (3:56)

Laura sings of loves lost, found and impossible. The album features a wide range of styles and eras... From traditional jazz standards like, "What's New?" to unique stylings of modern songs like "Fire and Ice" (Pat Benatar), "Bring Me To Life" (Evanescence) and "Bathwater" (No Doubt). It is her most personal and creative project to date. With beautiful arranging by John Rodby and lush instrumental performances by some of the best musicians in the business, these songs are bound to be a make their way to your favorites playlist.

Laura Ellis was born and raised in the great jazz town of Kansas City and now calls Los Angeles her home. Her broadcast credits include History Channel’s Route 66 and Modern Marvels documentaries, Make Me Laugh, the HBO Carnivale series, a commercial appearance with Della Reese, and ABC’s Modern Family.

Protégé of Alan Paul from the Grammy-award winning vocal ensemble, The Manhattan Transfer, Laura Ellis has performed for concert, festival, and cabaret audiences across the country. Her specialty is America’s favorite music, from decades past to the present. In a four-year, critically acclaimed, run of The Vintage Voice, she sang the songs of America’s Greatest Generation. On tour with The Wonderelles, she and her co-stars channeled the music and moods of the famous “girl groups.” She currently tours the nation as the star of several retro-music productions. Femme Fatale: Music, Movies, and Mayhem brings film noir, its seedy characters, and memorable music to life and to the stage. Cinema Sweethearts offers songs of the American “girl next door” starlets. Full-cast production, Kit and the Kats – Remember when? celebrates the days of teen idols and first romance, petticoats and pompadours, with music, dance, and cool retro film clips from the late 50’s and early 60’s. Cinema Christmas offers a musical throw-back to the holiday cheer of past decades.

In concert and cabaret venues, Laura Ellis'velvety voice transports the listener back to the time when one note could change the whole mood of a song. Accompanied by master pianist, John Rodby, and ensemble, Ms. Ellis brings nuanced song-styling to the sultry and sassy songs of the past, as well as a new jazz sound to melodies of more recent vintage. She has performed her blend of jazz and nostalgia at the renowned Jazz Alley in Seattle and other concert and jazz venues on the West Coast; upcoming cabaret performances include Feinstein's in San Francisco, the Moonlight Amphitheatre in Vista, CA, and other venues.

An ardent fan of classic noir movies of the 40's and 50's and their music, Ms. Ellis has been delighted to perform for the famed Noir City Film Festival at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco. Her noir vocals are featured, as she sings the character of Kat, on the video game Contrast, released in 2013 by Compulsion Games and down-loaded nearly 2 million times.

Laura Ellis has recorded two CD’s. Contemporary vocal jazz album, Here Lies Love, was produced by Alan Paul. Her 2011 release, Femme Fatale, features the classic songs from the dangerous dames of film noir. Her 2015 release, Broken Lovely, with musical direction by John Rodby, features Laura Ellis at her creative best, singing songs of the heart – broken, mending, and free.

Broken, Lovely

---

Barbara Dickson - Nothing's Gonna Change My World

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:19
Size: 99.2 MB
Styles: Pop-jazz vocals
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[2:26] 1. If I Needed Somone
[2:50] 2. I Will
[4:50] 3. Rain
[2:57] 4. Here, There And Everywhere
[3:28] 5. Every Little Thing
[3:04] 6. Eleanor Rigby
[3:35] 7. Things We Said Today
[3:46] 8. I'll Be Back
[3:03] 9. P.S. I Love You
[3:48] 10. The Fool On The Hill
[6:10] 11. Across The Universe
[3:18] 12. Goodnight

A widely respected and richly experienced entertainer, Barbara Dickson marks 40 years as a professional musician with the release of Nothing's Gonna Change My World. Produced by Chris Hughes, widely known for his work with Tears For Fears, Paul McCartney, Robert Plant and countless others, the album includes both well-known and less-celebrated material from the Beatles catalogue, as well as a guest appearance by Midge Ure on "I'll Be Back".

Nothing's Gonna Change My World

---

Echoes Of Swing - Harlem Joys

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:57
Size: 139.6 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz
Year: 2000
Art: Front

[4:20] 1. Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
[3:04] 2. Mamacita
[4:16] 3. Anita
[3:17] 4. Dawn On The Desert
[3:16] 5. Yacht Club Swing
[3:24] 6. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
[3:11] 7. I Would Do Anything For You
[3:08] 8. I'm Yours
[3:33] 9. Harlem Joys
[2:57] 10. Moring Air
[4:42] 11. Persian Rug
[3:18] 12. This Year's Kisses
[4:51] 13. Central Avenue Blues
[4:23] 14. Time On My Hands
[2:42] 15. Jazz Battle
[3:10] 16. Let's Fall In Love
[3:17] 17. Scram!

Recorded on June 27 - 29 and on September 28, 2000. Chris Hopkins - Alto; Bernd Lhotzky - Piano; Oliver Mewes - Drums; Colin Dawson - Trumpet.

Ohne jede museale Nostalgie schöpfen die vier Musiker beherzt aus dem riesigen Fundus des swingenden Jazz von Bix bis Bop, von Getz bis Gershwin, dabei immer auf der Suche nach dem Verborgenen, dem Exquisiten. Das 'Great American Songbook' und die meisterlichen Aufnahmen vorväterlicher Helden bilden klumpenfreien Humus für die Kreativität der Combo, die sich in verblüffenden Arrangements, virtuosen Solobeiträgen und ausdrucksstarken Eigenkompositionen niederschlägt.

Harlem Joys

---

Al Caiola - Solid Gold Guitar (Expanded Edition)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:38
Size: 120.5 MB
Styles: Pop/Rock guitar, Easy Listening
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[2:49] 1. Guns Of Navarone
[2:45] 2. Moon River
[2:23] 3. Guitar Boogie
[2:11] 4. The Magnificent Seven
[2:50] 5. I'll Walk The Line
[2:28] 6. The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise
[2:26] 7. Jezabelle
[2:46] 8. Mexico
[2:43] 9. Big Guitar
[2:27] 10. Two Guitars
[2:30] 11. Foot Stompin'
[2:47] 12. Vaya Con Dios
[3:12] 13. Besame Mucho
[2:30] 14. Sweet Georgia Brown
[3:19] 15. Siboney
[2:19] 16. La Paloma
[1:55] 17. Steel Guitar Rag
[3:00] 18. Apache
[2:23] 19. Jeepers Creepers
[2:44] 20. Arrividerci Roma

Al Caiola is a guitarist who initially made his reputation as a session musician, playing on records made by Percy Faith and Andre Kostelanetz, among others. Caiola was the conductor and arranger for United Artists Records in the late '40s and early '50s. After leaving UA, he signed with RCA, where he released a number of singles in the '50s. In the early '60s, he went back to United Artists, which is where he scored his first hit with the theme to the film The Magnificent Seven. The single peaked at 35 in early 1961 and it was quickly followed by the theme to the television series Bonanza, which climbed to number 19. For the rest of the '60s, Caiola released a number of easy listening instrumental albums. During the decade he also hosted a television show, which was only aired for a short while. Caiola continued to record throughout the '70s and into the '80s. ~bio by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Solid Gold Guitar (Expanded Edition)

---

Jim Rotondi, David Hazeltine - Champagne Taste

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:02
Size: 162.6 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[8:24] 1. Afreaka
[6:26] 2. Pound Cake
[5:36] 3. P.S
[7:06] 4. Mamacita
[7:17] 5. Reasons
[6:22] 6. Champagne Taste
[7:38] 7. Love For Sale
[1:30] 8. Ootw
[9:51] 9. Out Of This World
[6:20] 10. Howayou
[4:26] 11. Voodoo

Jim Rotondi - trumpet, synthesizer; David Hazeltine - fender rhodes, hammond b3; Greg Skaff - guitar; Barak Mori - bass; Joe Strasser - drums.

Full House is an exciting new musical collaboration between trumpeter Jim Rotondi and pianist David Hazeltine which draws on a wide variety of influences, ranging from their straight-ahead jazz roots through the electronic innovations of the 1970's and '80's.

Both artists realized from the outset that as with any new musical venture, musical integrity is of primary importance, and the simply choose to explore the possibilities and challenges that newer styles and compositional approaches present. This is why in any given performance it isn't uncommon to hear new arrangements from the songbooks of Stevie Wonder or Earth, Wind & Fire, but given a treatment conductive to improvisation. Of course there is also a strong focus on original composition in addition to the works of great jazz composers such as Cedar Walton, Joe Henderson and Wayne Shorter.

Champagne Taste

---

Johnny Nocturne Band With Kim Nalley - Million Dollar Secret

Styles: Jazz, Vocal, Big Band
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:47
Size: 105,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:36)  1. Million Dollar Secret
(3:54)  2. Comes Love
(3:18)  3. Fine Brown Frame
(3:47)  4. If I Could Be With You
(3:21)  5. Visegrip
(3:36)  6. I'm Stickin' With You Baby
(4:04)  7. Imagine My Frustration
(4:07)  8. Jump Tonight
(3:23)  9. Johnny Nocturne
(3:31) 10. Black Velvet / Don't Cha Go Away Mad
(2:39) 11. I'm Checkin' Out Go'om Bye
(4:25) 12. Harlem Nocturne

Saxophonist John Firmin's Johnny Nocturne Band has long been riding the top of the heap in the retro-swing sweepstakes, doing it better and longer than anybody. However, the band got a major kick in the pants with the addition of vocalist supremo Kim Nalley. A grade-A throwback to Ivey Washington, Dinah Washington, and Helen Humes, Nalley seductively purrs these tunes to life, giving a great band a great vocalist to front them. There's lots of retro swing out there, but this is the stuff that not only sounds right, but actually cooks the way this music is supposed to. Great, simply great. ~ Cub Koda  http://www.allmusic.com/album/million-dollar-secret-mw0000252585

Johnny Nocturne Band: Kim Nalley (vocals); John Firmin (leader, clarinet, saxophone); Anthony Paule (guitar); Rob Sudduth (baritone saxophone); Bill Ortiz, Pete Sembler (trumpet); Marty Wehner (trombone); Henry Salvia (piano); Tommy Kesecker (vibraphone, percussion); Alex Baum (bass); Kent Bryson (drums)

Million Dollar Secret

---

Houston Person - The Real Thing Disc 1 And Disc 2

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1973
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:16
Size: 92,7 MB
Art: Front

Disc 1
( 8:58)  1. You Are The Sunshine Of My Life
( 6:20)  2. Since I Fell For You
( 4:10)  3. Until Is Time For You To Go
(13:56)  4. Pain
( 6:51)  5. Angel Eyes

Disc 2
Time: 40:47
Size: 94,0 MB

(8:32)  1. Easy Walker
(7:32)  2. Kittitian Carnival
(4:16)  3. Could It Be I'm Falling In Love
(4:05)  4. Where Is The Love
(4:28)  5. Ain't Nobody's Business
(5:05)  6. Don't Go To Strangers
(6:47)  7. Crazy Legs

Very funky 2LP live set that stands as one of Houston Person's last great albums. Recorded for the obscure Eastbound arm of the Westbound funk label, and featuring an all-star cast that includes Grant Green, Jack McDuff, Marcus Belgrave, Sonny Phillips, Spanky Wilson, and Idris Muhammad. Very heavy grooves, and some nice deep funk in the classic Prestige mode. Includes covers of "Pain" by the Ohio Players and "Crazy Legs" by Donald Austin, plus the tracks "Kittitian Carnival", "Where Is The Love", and "Easy Walker". A few mellow tracks, but the funky stuff more than makes up for it.  https://www.dustygroove.com/item/14436

Personnel:  Houston Person, Wild Bill Moore - Tenor Saxophone;  Eli Fountain - Alto Saxophone;  Marcus Belgrave, Donald Townes - Trumpet; Jimmy Watson, Sonny Phillips - Organ;  Buddy Caldwell - Congas;  Robert Lowe, Grant Green - Guitar;  James Jamieson - Bass;  Hank Brown, Idris Muhammad - Drums;  Spanky Wilson, Etta Jones - Vocals.

The Real Thing

---

Mulgrew Miller & Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen - The Duets: A Selection of Duke Ellington

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:59
Size: 119,2 MB
Art: Front

(3:54)  1. C Jam Blues
(4:47)  2. Sophisticated Lady
(3:19)  3. Pitter Patter Panther
(5:30)  4. I Got It Bad
(4:19)  5. What Am I Here For
(4:47)  6. Mood Indigo
(3:20)  7. Blues in the PM's
(4:52)  8. Come Sunday
(5:08)  9. Just Squeeze Me
(4:55) 10. Solitude
(3:51) 11. Caravan
(3:11) 12. O.D. Blues

A full 10 years after its recording, The Duets, produced as a promotional CD for Bang & Olufsen, had still not been released commercially. The music salutes Duke Ellington, with 10 of 12 tunes composed by him. "Caravan" is a dazzling performance as Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen supports pianist Mulgrew Miller with an unbelievable virtuosic ostinato bass figure during the A-parts of the theme. The tempo is fast, making it all the more incredible that every note stands distinct in the sound picture. Throughout, NHOP plays with infectious drive and swing, both as accompanist and as soloist, which inspires Miller to great heights as well. A classic performance. ~ Frank Bachmann Møller  http://www.jazz.com/music/2009/2/12/mulgrew-miller-caravan

Personnel:  Mulgrew Miller (piano);  Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen (bass).

The Duets: A Selection of Duke Ellington

---

Scott Colley - Subliminal...

Styles: Jazz, Post-Bop
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:32
Size: 134,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:53)  1. Don't Ever Call Me Again
(8:17)  2. Subliminal
(4:38)  3. The End And The Beginning
(7:37)  4. Turangalila
(7:34)  5. Out Of The Void
(5:39)  6. Segment
(6:11)  7. Is What It Is
(6:15)  8. Impossible Vacation
(6:25)  9. Verbatim

Scott Colley's writing reaches new heights on this very fine record. Joined by Chris Potter on tenor sax and bass clarinet, Bill Carrothers on piano, and Bill Stewart on drums, the bassist delivers some of his most memorable compositions to date. "The End and the Beginning," an uncommonly serene ballad, stands out among the others. But "Out of the Void" is also excellent, as are the hip title track and the veiled Cole Porter salute "Is What It Is." (Carrothers lays out on these latter two.) Potter and Stewart also contribute one composition each, and the quartet runs down Charlie Parker's classic blowing vehicle "Segment," with the drums soloing first -- not something you hear every day. A superb, well-rounded, cohesive effort. ~ David R.Adler  http://www.allmusic.com/album/subliminal-mw0000044517

Personnel: Scott Colley (bass); Chris Potter (tenor saxophone, bass clarinet); Bill Carrothers (piano); Bill Stewart (drums).

Subliminal...

---