Grant Stewart - Estate

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:55
Size: 141.7 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[8:55] 1. Systems
[6:52] 2. Soul Station
[6:12] 3. Rain Check
[6:28] 4. Estate
[5:26] 5. Carving The Rock
[7:01] 6. 3 For Carson
[5:48] 7. Jacqueline
[8:09] 8. Cool Struttin'
[7:01] 9. Felicidade

Grant Stewart's 2005 session for the Japanese Video Arts label features several musicians of his generation, including the highly regarded guitarist Joe Cohn and seasoned bassist Joel Forbes, drummer Phil Stewart, and the twenty-ish rising pianist Ehud Asherie. The tenor saxophonist's program mixes hard bop, Brazilian pop hits from the '60s, and originals in an enticing program. His performances of overlooked hard bop gems include Sonny Clark's "Cool Struttin'," Hank Mobley's breezy "Soul Station," and the Elmo Hope/Sonny Rollins collaboration "Carving the Rock," all interpreted with strong solos throughout. Stewart recalls the big-toned boppers of the '50s with his brisk setting of Billy Strayhorn's "Raincheck." His breezy take of "Felicidade" and the rhapsodic treatment of the bittersweet "Estate" also merit praise. Fellow tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander is an added guest for two of the leader's originals. ~Ken Dryden

Estate

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Eddie Cano - Eddie Cano At PJ's

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:21
Size: 80.9 MB
Styles: Latin jazz
Year: 1964/1998
Art: Front

[2:09] 1. PJ's
[4:57] 2. Laura
[1:47] 3. Panchita
[2:14] 4. First One
[3:40] 5. A Taste Of Honey
[3:14] 6. Hello, Young Lovers
[2:27] 7. Cotton Candy
[2:58] 8. Cal's Pals
[2:37] 9. Oye Corazon
[2:44] 10. Watusi Walk
[2:45] 11. Maha
[3:44] 12. The Trolley Song

Pianist Eddie Cano spent most of his career connecting the dots between jazz and Latin styles. He found an appreciative audience for a series of albums under his own name released in the '50s and '60s by labels such as Atco, Reprise, and RCA, his following similar to that of vibraphonist Cal Tjader and bandleader Les Baxter. Cano also drew on dance crazes such as the cha cha and the Watusi to promote his efforts. His family was rich musically, Cano's father a bass guitarist, his grandfather a member of the Mexico City Symphony. Cano studied bass with his grandfather and private teachers, also studied piano and trombone, spent two years in the Army beginning in 1945, and then began hitting stages in a group led by Miguelito Valdés.

He soon made a connection with Herb Jeffries, a singer whose forte was balladry and with whom Cano would collaborate off and on over the next decade. The pianist had his own bands going as early as 1948, but continued working with Jeffries, Bobby Ramos, and Tony Martinez. As a composer, Cano came up with a large repertoire, including the tasty "Algo Sabroso," the friendly "Cal's Pals," the wiggly "Watusi Walk," and the thrilling "Ecstasy" -- not to mention "Honey Do," which could be a cross-genre answer song to Carl Perkins' popular "Honey Don't." While many of his peers concentrated on the peerless thrust of Latin rhythms, Cano hardly ignored this component but seemed equally intent on emphasizing the kind of complex, provocative harmonic and melodic structures associated with modern jazz. ~bio by Eugene Chadbourne

Eddie Cano At PJ's

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Karin Krog - Jazz Moments

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:47
Size: 109.4 MB
Styles: Post bop, Vocal jazz
Year: 1966/2006
Art: Front

[5:20] 1. I've Got Your Number
[6:08] 2. Old Folks
[5:08] 3. All Of You
[6:05] 4. Baby Want't You Please Come Home
[3:00] 5. Dearly Beloved 1
[5:19] 6. Glad To Be Unhappy
[4:50] 7. I Can't Get Started
[3:28] 8. Just In Time
[4:43] 9. Body And Soul
[3:41] 10. Dearly Beloved 2

Bass – Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen (tracks: Niels Henning Ørsted Pedersen); Drums – Jon Christensen; Piano – Kenny Drew; Tenor Saxophone – Jan Garbarek; Vocals – Karin Krog. Recorded in Copenhagen, Denmark, 1966.

Incredible early work from vocalist Karin Krog – a mid 60s session, but one that already shows that she was thinking farther than most other singers of the time! The timings on the tunes are quite unusual – a bit like those used by Sheila Jordan in the 60s, but often even more personally pointed – in a way that makes even familiar tunes come across as if they're spontaneous expressions by Krog. Karin's working here with beautiful small combo backing from a quartet that includes Jan Garbarek on tenor, Kenny Drew on piano, Niels Henning Orsted Pedersen on bass, and Jon Christensen on drums – but the album's also arranged in a wonderful way that often has the vocals hanging out there alone, beautifully unsupported. Titles include "Body & Soul", "All Of You", "Dearly Beloved", "I Got Your Number", "Old Folks", "I Can't Get Started", and "Glad To Be Unhappy". CD also fetaures a bonus alternate of "Dearly Beloved".

Jazz Moments

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Earl Bostic - The EP Collection

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 70:31
Size: 161.5 MB
Styles: Jump blues, Saxophone jazz
Year: 1999
Art: Front

[2:39] 1. Flamingo
[3:10] 2. Sleep
[2:19] 3. Harlem Nocturne
[2:51] 4. The Moon Is Low
[3:05] 5. Linger Awhile
[2:26] 6. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
[2:55] 7. Always
[2:57] 8. Steam Whistle Jump
[2:58] 9. Serenade
[2:54] 10. Smoke Rings
[2:36] 11. Wrap It Up
[2:52] 12. Velvet Sunset
[2:37] 13. East Of The Sun
[2:54] 14. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
[2:25] 15. Ain't Misbehavin'
[2:47] 16. Off Shore
[2:38] 17. Moonglow
[2:16] 18. For You
[2:35] 19. The Very Thought Of You
[2:56] 20. Avalon
[2:31] 21. C Jam Blues
[2:43] 22. Sweet Lorraine
[2:37] 23. Cracked Ice
[2:30] 24. Mambostic
[2:34] 25. Mambolino
[2:36] 26. Stairway To The Stars

British label See for Miles continues its high-quality EP Collection series with a fine look at smooth jump blues star Earl Bostic's prime material. Focusing on the alto saxophonist's circa-1950 work, the 26-track mix includes several complete EP sets with plenty of hits ("Flamingo," "Cherokee") and "B-side" nuggets ("Wrap It Up," "Cracked Ice"). These primarily were released by R&B indie King and feature such contemporary and future jazz stars as Blue Mitchell, Benny Golson, Teddy Edwards, and Jimmy Cobb. Whether sweet ballad or honking swinger, Bostic is all tempered power and polished blowing on this essential release. ~Stephen Cook

The EP Collection

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Blossom Dearie - S/T

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:52
Size: 107.3 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz, Standards
Year: 1959/1989
Art: Front

[2:10] 1. 'deed I Do
[2:44] 2. Lover Man
[2:26] 3. Ev'rything I've Got
[2:09] 4. Comment Allez-Vous
[3:25] 5. More Than You Know
[2:58] 6. Thou Swell
[3:08] 7. It Might As Well Be Spring
[2:21] 8. Tout Doucement
[2:13] 9. You For Me
[3:19] 10. Now At Last
[2:04] 11. I Hear Music
[3:19] 12. Wait Till You See Her
[2:43] 13. I Won't Dance
[3:04] 14. A Fine Spring Morning
[3:22] 15. They Say It's Spring
[2:10] 16. Johnny One Note
[3:09] 17. Blossom's Blues

Other than a pair of sessions for the French Barclay label during 1955-1956, this set (which has been reissued on CD) has pianist-vocalist Blossom Dearie's first recordings as a leader. Teamed up with bassist Ray Brown and drummer Jo Jones, Dearie is heard in her early prime. Although her voice has always been an acquired taste, its sincerity and sense of swing wins one over after a few songs and Dearie's piano playing is first class. In addition to the 14 original selections (mostly swing-era standards plus a couple of French songs), there are three previously unreleased numbers including "Blossom's Blues," which dates from 1959. This CD is the perfect introduction for listeners to the unique sound of Blossom Dearie. ~Scott Yanow

Blossom Dearie

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Dave Pike - Bossa Nova Carnival

Styles: Vibraphone Jazz
Year: 1962
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:49
Size: 86,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:41)  1. Samba Lero
(5:36)  2. Sono
(5:14)  3. Serenidade
(4:27)  4. Carnival Samba
(5:18)  5. Philumba
(4:02)  6. Melvalita
(3:56)  7. Ginha
(4:30)  8. Sausalito

One of Dave Pike's finest accomplishments came in September 1962, when the vibist/marimba player recorded the Brazilian-oriented Bossa Nova Carnival for Prestige's New Jazz label. Thanks to the innovations of Stan Getz and João Gilberto, bossa nova was huge at the time and many musicians were jumping on the bossa bandwagon in the hope of making a quick buck. But for Pike, Bossa Nova Carnival wasn't an exercise in knee-jerk, insincere bandwagon jumping. Pike wanted to make a meaningful, individualistic contribution to Brazilian jazz. 

So instead of doing exactly what Getz, Gilberto, and Charlie Byrd were doing and performing a lot of Jobim songs, he enlisted Brazilian composer João Donato. Everything on this excellent vinyl LP was written by Donato, who provides sensuous, caressing melodies that Pike and his sidemen (who include Kenny Burrell on guitar and Clark Terry on flügelhorn) bring a lot of warmth and sensitivity to. The music swings, but it does so in a subtle, mellow, consistently melodic fashion. Undeniably one of Pike's most essential albums, Bossa Nova Carnival had been out of print for many years when, in 2000, Fantasy reissued it on Carnavals, a CD that also contains his Limbo Carnival session of December 1962. ~ Alex Henderson  http://www.allmusic.com/album/bossa-nova-carnival-mw0000903310

Personnel:   Dave Pike - vibraphone, marimba;  Clark Terry - flugelhorn (tracks 2, 4, 5 & 7);  Kenny Burrell – guitar;  Chris White – bass;  Rudy Collins – drums;  Jose Paulo - cabasa, bandero

Bossa Nova Carnival

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Al Casey - Buck Jumpin'

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1960
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:10
Size: 110,4 MB
Art: Front

(6:14)  1. Buck Jumpin'
(6:40)  2. Casey'S Blues
(5:49)  3. Don't Blame Me
(5:19)  4. Body And Soul
(5:45)  5. Rosetta
(4:43)  6. Ain't Misbehavin'
(5:32)  7. Honeysuckle Rose
(3:04)  8. Got Soul
(5:01)  9. I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter

Al Casey, who will always be best known as Fats Waller's guitarist, makes one of his few appearances as a bandleader on the CD reissue of his Swingville album. Casey, in a quintet with Rudy Powell (who doubles on alto and clarinet) and pianist Herman Foster, sticks to blues and standards, with several of the latter taken from Waller's songbook. The music consistently swings and it is a rare pleasure to hear Casey getting the opportunity to stretch out on acoustic guitar. Two previously unreleased numbers ("Gut Soul" and "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter") augment the original program. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/buck-jumpin-mw0000677607

Personnel: Al Casey (guitar), Rudy Powell (alto saxophone, clarinet), Herman Foster (piano), Jimmy Lewis (bass) and Belton Evans (drums).

Buck Jumpin'

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Art Tatum & Buddy DeFranco - The Art Tatum-Buddy DeFranco Quartet

Styles: Piano And Clarinet Jazz
Year: 1956
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:52
Size: 165,2 MB
Art: Front

(5:49)  1. Deep Night
(4:40)  2. This Can't Be Love
(7:12)  3. Memories Of You
(5:15)  4. Once In A While
(3:26)  5. A Foggy Day
(3:36)  6. Makin' Whoopee
(7:03)  7. You're Mine You
(6:40)  8. Lover Man
(5:52)  9. Deep Night [alt. take] (bonus track)
(4:31) 10. This Can't Be Love [alt. take] (bonus track)
(5:07) 11. Once In A While [alt. take] (bonus track)
(2:40) 12. This Can't Be Love (bonus track)
(5:03) 13. Memories Of You (bonus track)
(4:51) 14. You're Mine You (bonus track)

This release contains the complete original quartet session showcasing the brilliant Art Tatum with clarinet player Buddy DeFranco, plus Red Callender on bass, and Bill Douglass on drums. It was the only collaborative recording date by Tatum and DeFranco. The master takes were originally issued as The Art Tatum-Buddy DeFranco Quartet on Verve MGV-8213. For this edition, it was added all three existing alternate takes, as well as unaccompanied piano versions by Tatum of three of the album's tunes. This music constitutes one of the various pairings of Tatum with other jazz greats produced by Norman Granz in the last years of the pianist's life. Tatum was seriously ill at that time and neglected by record companies due to stylistic changes in the music industry. 

He would die on November 5, 1956 at the age of 47.  http://www.jazzmessengers.com/en/69207/art-tatum/art-tatum-buddy-defranco-quartet-6-bonus

Personnel:  Art Tatum (piano);  Buddy DeFranco (clarinet);  Red Callender (bass);  Bill Douglass (drums)

The Art Tatum-Buddy DeFranco Quartet

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Stacey Kent - Tenderly

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2015
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:48
Size: 98,6 MB
Art: Front

(3:38)  1. Only Trust Your Heart
(2:10)  2. Tangerine
(4:32)  3. The Very Thought Of You
(3:40)  4. Embraceable You
(4:00)  5. There Will Never Be Another You
(3:44)  6. Tenderly
(2:54)  7. No Moon At All
(3:26)  8. If I m Lucky
(4:22)  9. Agarradinhos
(3:26) 10. In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning
(3:57) 11. That s All
(2:53) 12. If I Had You

Tenderly marks, for Stacey Kent, a return to the Great American Songbook for which she first became known. The performances on Tenderly are clearly on another level to those of her earlier standards albums. There is a natural ease and confidence in the minimalist approach that she has honed over the years. Not a single extraneous note or gesture disturbs her daringly exposed performances. The pure and quiet intensity of these interpretations reveals both the song and the artist with astonishing vividness. Along with the title song, the album features such classics as Tangerine, That s All and Gershwin s Embraceable You.

American singer, Stacey Kent, is an artist who is so hard to categorize, she almost deserves a category to herself. A sublime interpreter of the Great American Songbook, Chanson and Bossa Nova, whose repertoire extends well beyond her jazz roots, fluent in French and Portuguese, she doesn t so much transcend genre as much as render the idea redundant. Each element of her personal sound is so perfectly integrated that one never feels as if she is crossing any boundaries of genre. Her 2007 album, Breakfast on the Morning Tram, achieved platinum status and was nominated for a Grammy Award. She s won countless other awards including Jazz Vocalist of the Year at the 2001 BBC Jazz Awards and French Chevalier Dans L Ordre Des Arts et Des Lettres in 2010. http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=10096664&style=music&fulldesc=T

Personnel: Stacey Kent (vocals); Roberto Menescal (guitar); Jim Tomlinson (alto flute, tenor saxophone); Jeremy Brown (double bass).

Tenderly

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