Friday, May 20, 2016

Dusko Goykovich & Scott Hamilton - Second Time Around

Size: 150,3 MB
Time: 65:00
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. A Baptist Beat (7:08)
02. Recado Bossa Nova (8:46)
03. You're My Everything (5:27)
04. Lotus Blossom (6:54)
05. I Fall In Love Too Easily (5:52)
06. Blues For Gianni B (8:30)
07. Pra Machucar Meu Coracao (6:49)
08. Love For Sale (7:38)
09. Juicy Lucy (7:52)

A follow up from ‘Tight But Loose’ also on Organic Music, the album ‘Second Time Around’ is a quintessential cool jazz album. Velvet music with a blend of tone and style which is elegant, mellow and hot!. This kind of recordings had, have and will have an enduring allure to any jazz fan. Dusko & Scott have produced a truly magical album from beginning to end!

Personnel:
Dusko Goykovich - trumpet (tracks: 1 to 6, 8, 9)
Scott Hamilton - tenor saxophone (tracks: 1 to 4, 6 to 9)
Bernhard Pichl - piano
Rudi Engel - bass
Michael Keul - drums

Second Time Around

Claire Martin & Ray Gelato - We've Got A World That Swings

Size: 107,3 MB
Time: 45:48
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. We've Got A World That Swings (3:15)
02. This Could Be The Start Of Something Big (2:26)
03. Now Baby Or Never (4:03)
04. More Than You Know (5:53)
05. C'est Si Bon! (4:22)
06. A Swingin' Affair (2:03)
07. All I Do Is Dream Of You (3:36)
08. Come Dance With Me (4:13)
09. The Coffee Song (3:25)
10. Ornithology (3:49)
11. You Came A Long Way From St. Louis (3:03)
12. Something's Gotta Give (2:20)
13. Smack Dab In The Middle (3:15)

'We've Got A World That Swings' is a brand new album collaboration between the UK's premier jazz singer, CLAIRE MARTIN and saxophonist/vocalist/bandleader RAY GELATO and over 13 tracks, the pair pay an unashamed homage to the beauty of swing.

Claire and Ray first worked together 20 years ago, but more recently they went on the road together presenting a live show that wowed packed houses with their interpretations of some of the best tunes from The Great American Songbook. The logical end to the tour was to record a complementary album... and the set, 'We've Got A World That Swings', hits the sales racks on May 20th.

On the album the duo are backed by an all-star trio - David Newton (piano), Dave Whitford (bass) and Sebastian de Krom (drums) and between them and Ray and Claire they find freshness and vitality in familiar material - songs like 'Come Dance With Me', 'The Coffee Song', 'Something's Gotta Give' and Charlie Parker's 'Ornithology'. The album's only original is Ray's own 'A Swinging Affair' and it proves why the legendary jazzer is nicknamed 'The Godfather of Swing' (and why Paul McCartney chose him to play at his wedding!)

We've Got A World That Swings  

Kitty LaRoar, Ed Jones & Nick Shankland - Valentine's Eve

Size: 110,5 MB
Time: 47:31
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Last Year's Valentine (4:14)
02. I Only Have Eyes For You (6:10)
03. Love Is All (5:57)
04. I'm In The Mood For Love (5:21)
05. In A Sentimental Mood (6:26)
06. Seventh Heaven (4:32)
07. The Nearness Of You (5:34)
08. My Funny Valentine (5:03)
09. Tender Tonight (4:10)

The album kicks off with Shankland’s self-penned ‘Last Year’s Valentine’ with a cool intro from piano, followed by sax with the vocals entering over a swingy, rolling beat. The arrangement is balanced and creates a dialogue between the voice and tenor sax as the story of the song unfolds. A gorgeous, breathy sax solo echoes the beautiful, sensual vocals and is woven around the intricacies of Shankland’s playful piano. The second number is Warren/Dubin’s ‘I Only Have Eyes For You’. Given this was written in 1934 and has been covered by luminaries such as Art Garfunkel and Peggy Lee, this has a retro feel and is sung with emotion and feeling. Kitty draws back some of the longer notes to add a sense of tongue in cheek quirkiness which off-sets the somewhat over sweet lyrics. A great interpretation with the sax soaring under, over and around the vocals and a lovely sax and piano echoed theme introduced as a middle section making this song so much more than the short, trite song it could be. Given the trio’s treatment it becomes much more than that, even with a little Bacharach/David’s ‘Alfie’ thrown in and a vocalese part added for good measure. Shankland/Tucker’s ‘Love Is All’ is cool, collected but by no means calm. There is a brooding drama about this piece which introduces a different mood and shows off the explorative essence of the trio. The three musicians each have a complex part and the trick is in how they weave around each other. Crafted around the piano chords, it is clever and atmospheric.

Then comes McHugh/Fields’ ‘I’m in the Mood For Love’. Slowed down, sexed up and verging on downright sleazy, this is wonderful and makes a great contrast with the preceding piece. As expected, the trio make the song their own, adding little nuances, an arrangement madder than a box of frogs and produce something which just makes you smile. Shankland’s piano solo is a delight as his fingers trickle their way up and down the keys. You think you know this song – but that was until this lot gotta hold of it. The fifth track is Ellington/Kurtz’s ‘In A Sentimental Mood’. The playing arrangement here is reminiscent of Ellington/Coltrane’s collaborations on this song but of course with a twist which is all the trio’s own. The vocals come in over the piano which introduces the song. Vocally, this is possibly the highlight of the CD as Kitty eases up to the high notes and makes the melody speak to the listener, pouring emotion into the words. Ed Jones’ sax gives the listener a lesson on how to interpret good music and make it great. Lovely.

Shankland’s ‘Seventh Heaven’ is a story of love, expectation and tenderness, sang with emotion and cleverly arranged around the three musicians, giving each a vehicle on which to shine. Carmichael/Washington’s ‘The Nearness of You’ is a gorgeous song and conveyed in beautiful fashion. Kitty, with her expressive, sultry vocals, is well suited to this song and boy, does she deliver. A terrific interpretation of this number. Rodgers/Hart’s ‘My Funny Valentine’ is the penultimate track and introduced by tenor and piano, over which Kitty enters with the familiar song made new by the trio’s interpretation and some magnificent support from the piano. Jones’ sax once again provides an excellent solo and interpretive playing. Harrison’s ‘Tender Tonight’ is the final track and a great way to end the CD with an up-beat, lilting song, perfectly suited to Kitty’s voice and personality with that controlled slurring playfulness she can do so well.

What comes across loud and clear is the careful choice of material, the clever way each musician is used, and the generous arrangements which allow each to soar or support as appropriate. The stories are told, with emphasis, emotion and a development which shows respect for the music itself.

I have heard earlier recordings of Kitty and Nick. I have also seen them live and they are exciting not only because of the quality they deliver but because of the on-going stylistic maturing and gelling happening in their music.

This Cd was recorded at Quiet Money Studios, the South Coast Studio of Four times Grammy Nominated and Classical Brit Award winning Producer and Musician, James McMillan and the production is pretty much on the ball. It captures everything – the breathiness of the vocals and sax at times, the fading of some of the longer notes and the constant driven rhythm of the piano. Yet that is what makes this a great CD because it is as it is, artisan with little tweaking or over production. Kitty’s voice is maturing and she has the timbre of a practiced and careful jazz songstress, yet there is a sense of more to come. Nick’s piano is, as ever, consistent, clever and totally in tune with the different numbers and Ed Jones’ sax positively comes into its own. Ed has been around for some time and is a terrific sax player. Here he soars- and is given the space to do so with the generous inventions of the arrangements. Good call. With this album there is a sense of development in the music and that the musicians are finally finding their true ground, particularly Kitty with her vocals. There is a familiarity in the formatting but this is fine and the standards covered work but the self-penned numbers stand out in term of arrangement, whispering possibilities of only better to come. This trio work together, they create music which is familiar yet quirky and individual so, put your hat on, warm up your ears and settle down for some really cool, interesting listening.

Valentine's Eve

Joan Chamorro - Joan Chamorro Presenta Joan Mar Sauque

Size: 147,6 MB
Time: 63:20
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz, Vocals
Art: Front

01. Con Alma (5:08)
02. Ocells De Cendra (3:22)
03. Sail Away (Feat. Andrea Motis) (8:30)
04. Lotus Blossom (4:01)
05. Tenderly (Feat. Magalí Datzira) (5:51)
06. Motel (4:57)
07. Polka Dots And Moonbeams (5:29)
08. A Felicidade (Feat. Andrea Motis) (4:55)
09. Sometime Ago (Feat. Rita Payes) (2:58)
10. Bossa Nova Ova (4:26)
11. If I Should Lose You (4:40)
12. Boperation (Feat. Sant Andreu Jazz Band) (6:03)
13. Blues Op.1 (2:54)

“Joan Mar Sauqué is a solid trumpeter, able to lead with solvency a big band trumpets section, and he is also a soloist always with fresh ideas, with a great capacity for melodic creation, a blend of tradition and modernity, based on listening to the big ones like Tom Harrell, Kenny Dorham or Freddie Hubbard. And the best of all is that his progression is rising and unstoppable.”

“We can hear his evolution in his contributions as a soloist in the last CDs of the Sant Andreu Jazz Band, among which are its beautiful solo on the theme Moody’s Mood for Love, on Jazzing 5, or his several solos in the new Jazzing 6, which has seen the light this year, 2016.” –Joan Chamorro

Joan Chamorro Presenta Joan Mar Sauque

Gerry Mulligan - Jeru

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1962
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:27
Size: 86,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:56)  1. Capricious
(5:07)  2. Here I'll Stay
(5:42)  3. Inside Impromptu
(5:49)  4. You've Come Home
(4:19)  5. Get Out Of Town
(4:45)  6. Blue Boy
(5:46)  7. Lonely Town

While Gerry Mulligan was famous in the 1950s for leading pianoless quartets, he never had anything against pianists; in fact he often played piano himself. This 1962 quintet session finds Jeru utilizing the strong talents of pianist Tommy Flanagan along with bassist Ben Tucker, drummer Dave Bailey, and the congas of Alec Dorsey to play seven songs (all but "Get Out of Town" are somewhat obscure). Mulligan is in fine form and, even if the music on this LP is not all that essential, it is quite enjoyable.~Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/jeru-mw0000487432

Personnel:  Gerry Mulligan - baritone saxophone;  Tommy Flanagan – piano;  Ben Tucker – bass;  Dave Bailey – drums;  Alec Dorsey - congas

Jeru

Rebecca Kilgore - Jump Presents Rebecca Kilgore

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1998
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 69:59
Size: 169,8 MB
Art: Front

 1. You're Driving Me Crazy - 4:37
 2. The Five O'Clock Whistle - 3:53
 3. 'Tis Autumn - 5:27
 4. Ain'T We Got Fun? - 3:29
 5. A Handful Of Stars - 3:06
 6. Don'Cha Go 'Way Mad - 3:35
 7. Just You, Just Me - 3:22
 8. Very Good Advice - 2:36
 9. I'Ll Build A Stairway To Paradise - 4:17
10. My Future Just Passed - 5:07
11. Rock Me To Sleep - 4:18
12. Till There Was You - 3:50
13. He's My Guy - 3:23
14. It Happened Monterey - 3:57
15. Robins And Roses - 3:53
16. You'Re Mine, You! - 2:49
17. Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall - 4:20
18. I'm Checkin' Out, Goom Bye - 3:49

As an interpreter of classic American popular songs from the 1930s and 1940s, vocalist and guitarist Rebecca Kilgore helped revive the hits of yesterday for modern-era jazz audiences. Born in Waltham, MA, in 1949, she relocated to Portland, OR, at the age of 30, beginning her music career fronting an area swing band dubbed the Wholly Cats and recording a 1982 LP titled Doggin' Around. Following the group's 1984 breakup, she formed her own unit, the Rebecca Kilgore Quintet, which quickly emerged as a mainstay of the Northwest jazz scene, and in 1989, she released the cassette-only I Hear Music. Most of Kilgore's subsequent recordings were in conjunction with other performers: In 1990, she teamed with John Miller for Put on a Happy Face, and in 1993 appeared with Portland's Tall Jazz Trio on their Plays Winter Jazz disc. However, Kilgore's most fruitful collaborations were in conjunction with pianist Dave Frishberg; after teaming for 1993's Looking at You, they reunited a year later for I Saw Stars, followed in 1997 by Not a Care in the World and again in 2001 with The Starlit Hour. At the same time, Kilgore also fronted a '60s-style country band, Beck-a-Roo, and in 1994 contributed vocals to the score of the CBS animated special Tales From the Far Side, inspired by the popular Gary Larson comic strip.~Jason Ankeny http://www.allmusic.com/artist/rebecca-kilgore-mn0000870355/biography

Personnel includes: Rebecca Kilgore (vocals); Dan Barrett, Keith Ingham, Bob Reitmeier.

Jump Presents Rebecca Kilgore

Matt Dennis - Plays And Sings

Styles: Vocal And Piano Jazz
Year: 1958
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 32:03
Size: 74,0 MB
Art: Front

 1. Will You Still Be Mine? - 2:40
 2. Junior And Julie - 2:39
 3. The Night We Called It a Day - 2:26
 4. We Belong Together - 2:33
 5. Angel Eyes - 3:07
 6. Violets For Your Furs - 2:35
 7. Everything Happens to Me - 3:07
 8. Compared to You - 3:01
 9. That Tired Routine Called Love - 2:17
10. It Wasn't the Stars That Thrilled Me - 2:46
11. When You Love a Fella - 2:27
12. Let's Get Away from It All - 2:20

Recorded at the Tally-Ho in Hollywood, Matt Dennis Plays and Sings Matt Dennis is a program of what visitors to his supper-club sets could expect from one of the best lounge singers in an era before the term became a dirty word. Accompanying himself on the piano with bass and drums for backing, Dennis sings 12 of his own tunes, including an avalanche of standards "Will You Still Be Mine," "The Night We Called It a Day," "Angel Eyes," "Violets for Your Furs," "Everything Happens to Me," and "Let's Get Away from It All." Though his voice doesn't quite match his notable composing skills, Dennis uses his narrow range and soft, high-tenor tone to craft a sensitive vocal style. His deft sense of humor also comes in handy during several hilarious offsides to the audience and listener, often in the middle of a line. Virgina Maxey duets with him on "We Belong Together" and "When You Love a Fella."~John Bush http://www.allmusic.com/album/plays-and-sings-matt-dennis-mw0000313635

Plays And Sings

Françoiz Breut - Une Saison Volée

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2005
File: MP3@256K/s
Time: 50:15
Size: 92,7 MB
Art: Front

 1. Intro - 1:04
 2. La Certitude - 4:37
 3. Over All - 4:44
 4. Le Ravin - 2:51
 5. La Vie Devant Soi - 3:08
 6. Tambours - 0:13
 7. Ultimo - 2:41
 8. Km 83 - 5:19
 9. Sur Le Balcon - 1:03
10. Une Ville Allongée Sur Le Dos - 4:27
11. La Boîte De Nuit - 3:39
12. Please Be Angry - 4:05
13. Ciudad Del Mar - 4:22
14. Le Premier Bonheur Du Jour - 3:28
15. Contourne-Moi - 4:26

Following in the fine downbeat Gallic pop tradition laid down by Serg‚ Gainsbourg, Françoise Hardy & France Gall, Warner releases Fran‡oiz Breut's third album, Une Sason Volee (which translates to 'One Stolen Season'). Brought up in Cherbourg, Françoiz's early musical influences were gleaned from her sister's vast vinyl collection & some late nights in bed with John Peel (c'mon, the radio show!) After leaving school, she started singing in a cover band doing versions of The Kinks & X-Ray Spex. During this time she met & fell in love with Dominique A. (now a huge star in France). She accompanied him on stage for 3 years & sang backing vocals on his album 'Twenty-Two Bar'. Then towards the end of 1996 she realised she wanted to do something for herself. Working with Dominique, this sad elegant music slowly begun to evolve. 

There's a subtle feminine edge to her songs; and with the cool brushes of Sacha Toorop evoking a 50's jazz feel & the Hammond organ & slide guitar of Dominique A., a poignant canvas for Fran‡oiz's captivating vocals is formed. Think Nico's 'Chelsea Girl' and Lee Hazelwood's 'Requiem For An Almost Lady.' Warner. 2005.~Editorial Reviews http://www.amazon.com/Une-Saison-Volee-Francoiz-Breut/dp/B0007GB9M0

Une Saison Volée