Ben Powell - New Street

Size: 127,5 MB
Time: 55:03
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2012
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. Judith (7:52)
02. New Street (6:42)
03. Monk 4 Strings (5:45)
04. Gary (Feat. Gary Burton & Julian Lage) (5:59)
05. What Is This Thing Called Love (Feat. Adrien Moignard) (4:19)
06. Sea Shell (3:21)
07. La Vie En Rose (Feat. Linda Calise) (5:06)
08. Swingin' For Stéphane (4:57)
09. La Chanson Des Rues (Feat. Gary Burton & Julian Lage) (5:55)
10. Piccadilly Stomp (Feat. Gary Burton & Julian Lage) (5:01)

"The passing of the torch" is a tad cliche...so is referring to an artist such as Ben Powell as "the future of modern jazz" but both are just about as accurate as one can get. Powell's sophomore effort is a somewhat historical two recordings built into one auspicious presentation that is as solid and exciting an effort as you will find.

Ben Powell is a self produced classical prodigy whose penchant for jazz not to mention a myriad of other influences has directed his artistic sense of self to explore his inner self in such a fashion as to chart his own unique path in the artistic community. There have been several notable violin releases over the past six months and while all are of the highest caliber there is something special tied into Power and New Street. The release itself if divided into two parts with the first as a special tribute for famed Hot Club pioneer Stephane Grappelli which includes Gary Burton and another rising phenom in guitarist Julian Lage and the second the Ben Powell Quartet and where they are today.

The Ben Powell Quartet is an exciting offering of odd meter and sophisticated harmonic development which is best on display with the title track "New Street." Powell opens with an intimate and tender ballad "Judith" with a subtle Bach reference in the final bars but the chemistry with pianist Tadataka Unno, bassist Aaron Darrell and drummer Devin Drobka is a joy to listen to unfold and envelope the listener is a kind of emotional revelry seldom heard in such a setting.

The more historical significance to the release is the tune "Gary" which was written by Stephane Grappelli for Burton but oddly enough has never been recorded for release until now. Powell does an exemplary job and the interplay with Burton and Lage is indeed a special moment. "La Chanson Des Rues" is another stunning performance featuring Burton and Lage on a familiar French melody offten played by Grappelli.

When hearing "violin" one often thinks of Grappelli but perhaps more often than not continues to a more classical frame of reference. It may be Powell's classical virtuosity that pushes this release over the top but "New Street" is indeed a new direction for modern jazz and will chart a special and unique course for others to follow. ~by Brent Black

New Street

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Uta Habbig - Windward

Size: 102,1 MB
Time: 42:24
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Windward (4:48)
02. Overseas (3:24)
03. Hope Is The Thing With Feathers (4:40)
04. How To Fly (3:57)
05. Winter Song (5:48)
06. Baby Blue (4:15)
07. Sleeping In My Car (3:29)
08. Reach Out (3:25)
09. Do You Dance (3:44)
10. Sound Of Goodbye (4:50)

„Uta is an inspiring artist with an unmistakably intuitive gift. Her poetic writing and her turns of phrase are so deft and graceful that one senses the presence of a very old soul. There is searching honesty and indefatigable need to express it.“ This says composer and pianist Kirk Nurock about Uta Habbig who is not only a unique vocalist and composer, but also an extraordinary lyricist.
Exploring the wide musical landscape of jazz, she transforms any song into her very own musical work of art. With her endearing and colorful sound the multi-talented singer has intrigued audiences all over Europe which ultimately brought her to the melting pot of Jazz - New York City. Combining elements of jazz, classical and folk music Uta has surrounded herself with outstanding musicians from her generation to play all over the city that never sleeps.
Born and raised in Cologne, Germany, Uta started playing piano and violin at a the age of five. Brought up listening to and performing mainly the music of Bach, Mozart and Beethoven Uta at first earned her master degree in music education at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater Leipzig, Germany. During her studies she spent 6 months in Sevilla, Spain at the Conservatorio Superior de Musica with an Erasmus scholarship , before she finally persued her wish to study jazz at the Conservatorium Maastricht, Netherlands with german jazz singer Sabine Kühlich. She was awarded a scholarship for one year by the prestigious New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York where she completed her education and met the musicians with whom she formed her Uta Habbig Band. She studied with world famous musicians such as Kirk Nurock, Reggie Workman, Billy Harper, Becca Stevens, Richard Harper, and many more.
Uta received the first price of the Vocal Jazz Award Maastricht (2013) and has been taking part in many different masterclasses with Sheila Jordan, Peter Eldridge, Judy Niemack, Arie Hoenig, Peter Bernstein, Gary Versace, Seamus Blake as well as different Jazz Festivals such as Langnau Jazz Festival.
„Music is really the only thing that has always and will always make sense to me, despite all that craziness life has to offer“, Uta says when one asks her about her passion for music. She has worked as an educator, teaching private lessons for vocalists and choirs as well as leading cultural and educational projects.

Windward

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Scenario - Jazz The Beatles

Size: 142,5 MB
Time: 61:13
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2002
Styles: Jazz: Hammond Organ
Art: Front

01. Help! (4:13)
02. I Am The Walrus (5:51)
03. Blue Jay Way (6:20)
04. Come Together (6:29)
05. Happiness Is A Warm Gun (4:27)
06. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds (6:50)
07. Julia (2:34)
08. Dig A Pony/Don't Let Me Down (5:23)
09. Norwegian Wood (6:13)
10. Helter Skelter (8:49)
11. Her Majesty (3:59)

Very nice interpretation of Beatles songs in a jazzy way. With Alberto Marsico on Hammond B3, Simone Santino plays sopranino and Enzo Zirilli on Drums

Jazz The Beatles

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Denny Earnest - One Rose At A Time

Size: 111,9 MB
Time: 47:25
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

01. Undeniably You (4:01)
02. Here We Are (3:58)
03. One Rose At A Time (4:18)
04. You Know I've Got To Have You (3:19)
05. Hold You (Like I Do In Dreams) (4:18)
06. The Lost Lounge (3:33)
07. I Love How She Cooks (3:24)
08. I Will Always Hold You (3:43)
09. My World Is Grey (4:54)
10. Who's Right Who's Wrong (3:20)
11. Would You Sleep With Me (4:08)
12. Open My Eyes (4:22)

Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Chet Baker, Dr. John, were all inspirations in my songwriting and singing career, this album was done with their shadows overlooking my shoulder at all times. With the help of pianist Pat Felitti, and bassist Bill Watson, we made it swing our way. It harkens back to the time of big bands with horn sections, strings, the "Q" doing the arranging, those were the times I remember, classic LP'S all of them.

My style of writing is based on the Earnest-onian mode, altered, extended, diminished, raised to the highest 5th, finished off with a strong male vocal on top, with lots of room for improvisation by Pianist Pat Felittti NYC, and Bill Watson, Kent Ohio. Reminiscent of Frank’s (60’s) Reprise recording, with a little Ray Charles thrown in to boot.

Lately I've made a living writing for TV/Film, working with many Publishers and Labels getting those coveted TV cuts. I started off my audio visual career in 1996 with a cut on “Friends” with “One In the Tiny Tee”, and I haven't looked back. My shows in 2015-6 include The Originals CWTV, 12 Monkeys, Sci Fi Channel, Amazon Primetime, Wahlburgs, Lockup, to name just a few, tons of cable.

My musical philosophy is, I like to write changes to jam or to sing to, this recent Jazzier sojourn I've had fun but challenging time. “I’ve always wanted to write in this classic style, I’ve never been comfortable just to sing covers, so I wrote a whole bunch of my own, hopefully they'll stick in some way.

One Rose At A Time

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Louis Jordan - At The Swing Cat's Ball

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:27
Size: 122.4 MB
Styles: Jump blues, Swing
Year: 1999/2003
Art: Front

[2:41] 1. Choo Choo Ch'boogie
[2:26] 2. At The Swing Cat's Ball
[2:38] 3. Flat Face
[2:29] 4. Keep A-Knockin'
[2:41] 5. Swingin' In A Coconut Tree
[2:29] 6. Doug The Jitterbug
[2:23] 7. The Chicks I Pick Are Slender, Tender And Tall
[2:49] 8. All For The Love Of Lil
[2:41] 9. Reet Petite And Gone
[2:44] 10. Barnyard Boogie
[3:01] 11. Have You Got The Gumption
[2:24] 12. Chicky-Mo, Craney-Crow
[2:39] 13. You're Much Too Fat (And That's That)
[2:39] 14. Safe, Sane And Single
[2:49] 15. Onion
[2:46] 16. Beans And Corn Bread
[2:31] 17. School Days (When We Were Kids)
[3:06] 18. It's A Great, Great Pleasure
[2:55] 19. Hog Wash
[2:26] 20. (Crazy 'bout) Lollypop

Released as an attempt to cash in on the swing revival that swept through America in the late '90s, MCA's At the Swing Cat's Ball contains 12 songs that spotlight Louis Jordan's hardest-swinging material. Since Jordan towered above most jump blues practitioners in the '40s, it's easy to enjoy the compilation, even if you question the reasons behind its assembly. Since it concentrates on swinging material, it isn't a strict hits compilation (even though there are hits here), but that probably won't bother Generation Y swingers, whom this compilation is clearly targeted at. ~Stephen Thomas Erlewine

At The Swing Cat's Ball

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Mindi Abair - Stars

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 44:28

Size: 101.8 MB

Styles: Saxophone jazz, Smooth jazz

Year: 2008

Art: Front

[4:25] 1. Smile

[4:15] 2. On And On

[4:12] 3. Out Of The Blue

[3:58] 4. Stars

[4:31] 5. F.L.A. Swing

[3:43] 6. I Wonder

[3:40] 7. Gingerbread Man

[4:20] 8. Change

[3:13] 9. Mojo

[4:12] 10. Here For You

[3:53] 11. Gonna Be Alright

On one of 2008's most popular and dynamic urban contemporary jazz releases, the popular saxophonist made certain to live up to the lofty title of her previous outing, Life Less Ordinary. Aiming for those Stars, she expanded on the vocalizing she did on her earlier outings and wrote a batch of infectious songs that showcased her attractive vocals like never before. Five tracks -- nearly half the disc -- are adult contemporary pop songs that fit comfortably on the charts alongside John Mayer, Corinne Bailey Rae, and Sara Bareilles. It may have seemed risky to push the envelope after scoring a number one album, but her instrumental hits always showed that she was a popster at heart. Helping Abair and her guitarist/producer Matthew Hager realize her creative "outside the box" approach is a choice group of stalwarts from the pop world: keyboardist Ricky Peterson, drummer Abe Laboriel, Jr., and Richard Dodd, cello player for the Foo Fighters. With the media so immersed in reflecting the ongoing despair and difficulties of life around the globe in the 2000s, Abair's ultimate goal with her five vocal tracks is to bring light to the darkness, an unapologetic, optimistic sense of hope and idealism. Case in point: the lilting folk-pop tune "Change," written with frequent collaborator Tyrone Stevens, says that change is the one thing we can count on, and also the concept that can bring us all together. On the power pop title track ballad, she looks to the "Stars" as a connective thread between lovers who are far apart in physical distance. The Elton John/Lionel Richie-influenced "On and On" reflects wistfully on the innocence of her small-town youth (in St. Petersburg, FL) and the way music has become an integral spiritual part of so many people's lives. Her heartfelt, keyboard-driven anthem "I Wonder" is her generation's twist on the concept of "Imagine," while "Here for You" is an uplifting, autobiographical old-school soul-blues ballad that chronicles her incredible years-long friendship with Hager. These are smartly balanced by instrumentals that range from light and jangling ("Smile") to edgy, bluesy, and funky ("F.L.A. Swing"). ~Jonathan Widran

Stars

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Jimmy Gourley - The Left Bank Of New York

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:57
Size: 118.9 MB
Styles: Bop, Guitar jazz
Year: 1986/2007
Art: Front

[5:44] 1. Au Tobou
[5:07] 2. Time On My Hands
[4:50] 3. Salute To The Bandbox
[6:07] 4. Speak Low
[5:43] 5. Bamoun Beauty
[4:05] 6. Airegin
[6:03] 7. Toot's Suite
[3:38] 8. You're Not The Kind
[4:21] 9. When We Were One
[6:14] 10. The Peacocks

Jimmy Gourley lived in France for so long (since 1951) that it is often assumed that the American guitarist is French. The 1986 Left Bank of New York set was the first time he had an opportunity to record in the United States. Six of the ten selections feature Gourley in a trio with bassist Marc Johnson and drummer Victor Lewis, including Johnny Griffin's excellent original "When We Were One," Sonny Rollins' "Airegin," and Jimmy Rowles' "The Peacocks." The other four selections add trumpeter Don Sickler and tenor saxophonist Ralph Moore and are actually more exciting, partly due to Sickler's transcriptions and also due to the vintage material (including two Gigi Gryce songs). All in all, this is an excellent recording, one of Grouley's most satisfying. ~Scott Yanow

The Left Bank Of New York

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McCoy Tyner - Portrait

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 98:15
Size: 224.9 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[12:18] 1. Afro Blue
[ 4:48] 2. Three Flowers
[ 5:19] 3. Blue Monk
[ 4:25] 4. Inception
[ 6:17] 5. There Is No Greater Love
[ 6:13] 6. Speak Low
[ 6:18] 7. 'round Midnight
[ 5:36] 8. Satin Doll
[ 3:29] 9. Caravan
[12:05] 10. African Village
[ 6:07] 11. Autumn Leaves
[ 6:00] 12. Lonnie's Lament
[ 6:59] 13. Monk's Blues
[12:16] 14. Naima

Pianist McCoy (Alfred) Tyner is best remembered from the John Coltrane Quartet. In the past decades since he has become one of the major pianists and composers, expanding the vocabulary of color and harmony. His lusty piano is richly percussive and hammering, while full of cascading and romantic sounds. His unique and forceful style has inspired and influenced a whole new generation of musicians.

Tyner was born in Philadelphia on December 11, 1938, the oldest of three children. He was encouraged to study piano by his mother. He finally began studying the piano at age 13 and within two years, music had become the focal point in his life.

Tyner's full use of the piano's keyboard, with a striking exploitation of dynamics, sets him aside from more introverted players like Bill Evans and Keith Jarret. Their "musique de chambre" links them more with the European-oriented piano tradition, whereas Tyner follows the track back to the roots of the Afro-American quintessence of jazz music. Tyner's music has been a major influence over the adoption in jazz of quartal and quintal harmonies, modes and pentatonic scales. He achieved a revived appreciation as a major player in the international jazz scene, a status he continues to maintain.

Portrait

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Dick Hyman - Swing Is Here

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:29
Size: 155,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:14)  1. The Most Beautiful Girl In The World
(3:54)  2. I Hope Gabriel Likes My Music
(3:45)  3. When Lights Are Low
(3:35)  4. The Jeep Is Jumpin'
(3:56)  5. Swing Is Here
(4:23)  6. With Plenty Of Money And You
(3:34)  7. How Am I To Know?
(8:07)  8. Dickie's Dream
(2:58)  9. Who Cares?
(3:06) 10. I'll Get By
(7:51) 11. Taps Miller
(4:04) 12. On The Bumpy Road To Love
(3:58) 13. Jive At Five
(2:29) 14. Fine And Dandy
(7:27) 15. If I Had You

Pianist Dick Hyman pays tribute to small-group swing with a collection of 15 swing-era tunes. Hyman is joined by vibraphonist Peter Appleyard, who sometimes purposely emulates Lionel Hampton, as well as clarinetist Ken Peplowski (nodding toward Benny Goodman), trumpeter Randy Sandke, veteran tenorman Frank Wess (whose solos are actually the most modern of the date), guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, bassist Jay Leonhart and drummer Butch Miles. Nancy Marano contributes a few pleasing vocals. Nothing all that unexpected occurs, and the performances of such numbers as "I Hope Gabriel Likes My Music," "Dickie's Dream" and "Jive at Five" do not dwarf the original recordings. But mainstream fans should enjoy the well-played and often spirited outing. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/swing-is-here-mw0000188993

Personnel: Dick Hyman (piano); Nancy Marano (vocals); Frank Wess (tenor saxophone); Randy Sandke (trumpet); Ken Peplowski (clarinet); Peter Appleyard (vibraphone); Bucky Pizzarelli (acoustic guitar); Jay Leonhart (acoustic bass); Butch Miles (drums).

Swing Is Here

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Lola Haag - Heartbeats

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:14
Size: 118,1 MB
Art: Front

(3:55)  1. I Love Being Here with You
(3:54)  2. Put Your Head on My Shoulder
(2:51)  3. Every Breath You Take
(4:47)  4. These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You)
(3:29)  5. Will You Love Me Tomorrow?
(3:35)  6. But Not for Me
(4:28)  7. Have I Told You Lately?
(3:29)  8. I Just Found out About Love
(2:53)  9. Summer Samba (So Nice)
(4:05) 10. My Funny Valentine
(3:19) 11. Tainted Love
(2:40) 12. If I Had You
(4:22) 13. Lately
(3:20) 14. The Nearness of You

Lightly Swinging Songs by this popular West Coast Jazz Singer. A nice mix of some chestnuts along with some more contemporary material. Great songs by Stevie Wonder, Van Morrison, Sting, matched with songs by The Gershwins, Rodgers & Hart and Peggy Lee. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/lolahaag15

Heartbeats

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Michael Dease - Decisions

Styles: Trombone Jazz
Year: 2015
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:49
Size: 123,9 MB
Art: Front

(4:45)  1. Grove's Groove
(5:03)  2. Jason's Gonna Get Ya
(4:31)  3. Trayvon
(5:47)  4. Gorgeous Gwen
(5:59)  5. Decisions
(6:31)  6. Right Place Wrong Time
(4:58)  7. Everything Must Change
(4:12)  8. Three and One
(5:50)  9. You're My Everything
(6:10) 10. The Big D

When it comes to decision-making, not everything is black and white or right and wrong. On occasion there are multiple paths that can be seen as the correct choice, and trombonist Michael Dease truly understands that. Dease came to a significant fork in life's road when he found himself in a position to decide whether to remain a first-call New York-based player or move to Michigan. He ultimately chose the latter option and it hasn't hurt him one bit, as his career as an educator at Michigan State University has blossomed and he still makes his presence felt on record and in the jazz community at large. But in truth, either choice probably would've worked out just fine for Dease, as some life decisions can potentially offer multiple outcomes that all prove to be positive in the long run.  That experience can be seen as a parallel to making this album. Dease could've gone in multiple directions here, as there was no prescribed track. In the end, he put together a small group, paved a path that's basically straight down the middle, and split the program between originals and covers, showcasing the lyrical qualities in his playing in various settings. Those happen to have been excellent choices, though the same thing probably could've been said had he gone in any number of other directions. Such is jazz, the art of album-making, and life in general.

Dease kicks off this program with three numbers that basically sum up what he's about: his penchant for swinging scenarios comes through on trombonist Steve Davis' Jazz Messengers-worthy "Grove's Groove," his appreciation for earthier sounds is apparent on the funky "Jason's Gonna Get Ya," and his ability to put his heart into the music surfaces during "Trayvon." Everything that follows can somehow be tied back to those three preferences or properties, but it's not just Dease who's working those lines. The other musicians take cues from Dease, amplifying his personality in the process. Drummer Ulysses Owens Jr. and bassist Rodney Whitaker deliver swing foundations in various shapes, forms, and gears; pianist Glenn Zaleski covers a wide range of emotions in his work, delivering bluesy banter, Ellington-esque swaths of color, comforting chordal gestures, and guidepost comping; and saxophonist Tim Green adds another layer of complexity to the mix when he appears, giving his two cents as a soloist, bringing greater energy to the music, and joining forces with Dease to add weight to the heads. There's a good deal of stability and uniformity in the direction(s) that Dease takes, but said consistency never has a negative impact on the way this album is received. While certain rhythmic and stylistic traits are endemic to many of his songs, Dease doesn't compose or arrange from a mold. Each song speaks with a different voice and nary a bad decision can be observed here. ~ Dan Bilawsky  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/decisions-michael-dease-posi-tone-records-review-by-dan-bilawsky.php
 

Personnel: Michael Dease: trombone; Tim Green: saxophone; Glenn Zaleski: piano; Rodney Whitaker: bass; Ulysses Owens Jr.: drums.

Decisions

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Ulysses Owens Jr. - Onward & Upward

Styles: Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:27
Size: 134,8 MB
Art: Front

(1:00)  1. Onward & Upward Intro
(4:33)  2. People Make the World Go Round
(6:49)  3. Just 25 Miles To Anywhere
(6:25)  4. SST
(5:25)  5. Exodus
(4:33)  6. Samba Jam
(8:09)  7. Fee Fi Fo Fum
(6:30)  8. The Gift Of Forgiveness
(5:38)  9. For Nelson
(6:22) 10. Human Nature
(2:57) 11. Drum Postlude

There’s such a sense of ease to Ulysses Owens’ third album as a leader, you know the 31-year-old drummer has strongly benefited from his work as a sideman with such high-profile artists as Christian McBride, Kurt Elling and Mulgrew Miller. A collection of relaxed-in-the-groove numbers including three pop-soul covers, Onward and Upward invests heavily in airy melodies even as Owens asserts himself rhythmically. Produced by Owens, the album provides optimum conditions for a topnotch cast to shine. The soloists include trumpeter Jason Palmer, in sprightly form on Wayne Shorter’s “Fee Fi Fo Fum,” guitarist Gilad Hekselman, bringing an unexpected cutting edge to the Phyllis Hyman tune “Just 25 Miles to Anywhere,” and clarinetist Anat Cohen, bridging styles with bassist Reuben Rogers and Owens on the trio improvisation “Samba Jam.” Cohen also is featured on tenor saxophone, teaming with trombonist Michael Dease to glowing effect on “For Nelson” (a tribute to vibraphonist Steve by Dease and Owens). And then there’s the protean young pianist Christian Sands, Owens’ running partner in the McBride bands, who ranges from freewheeling dazzlement on “SST” to elegantly contained playing on Michael Jackson’s “Human Nature,” a contemporary trio arrangement featuring bassist Matthew Rybicki that has real lyrical weight. The album also features a stealthy jazzification of the Stylistics’ “People Make the World Go Round,” featuring vocalist Charles Turner. Smoothly asse. ~ Lloyd Sachs  http://jazztimes.com/articles/129498-onward-and-upward-ulysses-owens-jr

Personnel: Ulysses Owens Jr.: Drums, Percussion & Vocals;  Anat Cohen: Tenor Saxophone & Clarinet;  Jason Palmer: Trumpet;  Michael Dease: Trombone;  Gilad Hekselman: Guitar;  Christian Sands; Piano;  Reuben Rogers: Bass;  Charles Turner: Vocals (2);  Adam Rongo: Alto Saxophone (9);  Benny Benack: Trumpet (8) & Vocals / Percussion (1);  Matthew Rybicki: Bass (8, 9, 10).

Onward & Upward

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