Dardanelle - Down Home

Size: 132,4 MB
Time: 56:02
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1991
Styles: Jazz Vocals, Cabaret
Art: Front

01. Dinner On The Ground (3:43)
02. Moonlight Mississippi (A Whistle Stop Town) (4:35)
03. Stars Fell On Alabama (3:46)
04. Just A Little Bit South Of North Carolina (3:13)
05. Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans (4:01)
06. Sweet Kentucky Ham (4:32)
07. Georgia On My Mind (4:19)
08. Birmingham (2:22)
09. Memphis In June (3:02)
10. Winchester In Apple Blossom Time (3:44)
11. Atlanta, G.A (2:48)
12. Blue Grass (2:59)
13. Down To Steamboat, Tennessee (3:06)
14. New Orleans (3:06)
15. Little Gray House (3:46)
16. I'm Coming Virginia (2:51)

Billed as a carnival of song to celebrate Dardanelle's Mississippi roots, Down Home is a reissue of a 1985 album with five tracks added. Born Dardanelle Mullen, this chanteuse had been hawking her singing wares for more than 40 years when this album was made. And this session reveals she hasn't missed a beat during all this time. Backed by the very good Audiophile house pianist, Loonis McGlohon, she strolls through a program of 16 tunes, all of which relate to something or someone Southern. In the effort to recognize as many parts of the South as possible, some fairly marginal tunes made the cut. Notwithstanding, there is enough good material present to make this an entertaining album. "Geogia on My Mind," "New Orleans," and "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?" are among the more familiar tunes Dardanelle delivers in her patented relaxed style. The up-tempo tunes, like "Down to Steamboat, Tennessee," are delivered with breezy ease. Along the way, she recognizes another singer with an elegant manner similar to hers, Blossom Dearie, by singing Dearie's poignant "Winchester in Apple Blossom Time." In addition to McGlohon, Dardanelle is backed by the steady Bill Stowe on drums with Ron Brendle and Terry Peoples sharing bass duties and they consistently stay on the same page when it comes to keeping time. Dardanelle also joins in playing a mean set of vibes. While no threat to Terry Gibbs, Milt Jackson, or Lionel Hampton, she acquits herself very well and her playing adds significantly to the attractiveness of this album. Singing in almost a casual tone, Dardanelle has added an impressive album to the Cabaret discography to be enjoyed by lovers of that singing style. ~by Dave Nathan

Down Home

---

Carol Saboya - Carolina

Size: 105,3 MB
Time: 45:12
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Brazilian Jazz, Samba
Art: Front

01. Passarim (5:38)
02. 1 X 0 (3:54)
03. Senhoras Do Amazonas (4:32)
04. Hello, Goodbye (3:51)
05. Aviao (4:01)
06. Fragile (4:44)
07. A Felicidade (4:06)
08. Olha, Maria (5:38)
09. Faltando Um Pedaco (4:52)
10. Zanzibar (3:51)

Classic samba from enchanting Brazilian vocalist Carol Saboya and a first-rate band. It's a family affair, with her father, pianist/composer Antonio Adolfo in charge of piano and arrangements. He is working with his regular band, so the arrangements fit like a glove. The core repertoire is unimpeachable, with three songs by the legendary Antonio Carlos Jobim (including "Passarim" and "A Felicidade"), two by the later master Djavan, and one each by Pixinguinha, Joao Bosco and Edu Lobo. Saboya is equally skilled at delivering lyrics and singing vocalise, which is especially evident in the fleet lines in the closing track, Edu Lobo's "Zanaibar" (which also features a strong solo from guitarist Leonardo Amuedo).

Of the two pop covers, Sting's "Fragile" is a clear fit with the program. The original had a samba feel, and Saboya and her musicians only had to interpret it their own way, which they do, making the song sound as if it had been written by a Brazilian (translating the lyrics into Portuguese might have completed the illusion, but they're sung in the original English). It features an especially effective flute solo from Marcelo Martins. The Beatles tune "Hello Goodbye" is a bit more problematic. Re-imagined as a bossa—which requires some metrical and harmonic changes—it never quite feels settled. Points for originality, and the problem may be more over-familiarity with the original than the changes made to it in this arrangement.

Simply a delightful album, easily recommended to Brazilian music fans. This was my first encounter with Saboya, and I will certainly be on the lookout for more of her work.

Personnel: Carol Saboya: vocal; Antonio Adolfo: piano; Marcelo Martins: flute, alto flute and soprano sax; Leo Amuedo: guitars; Jorge Helder: double bass; Rafael Barata: drums; Andre Siqueira and Rafael Barata: percussion; Claudio Spiewak: acoustic guitar (9).

Carolina

---

Julio Botti - Sax To Tango (Feat. Pablo Ziegler)

Size: 147,1 MB
Time: 63:02
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz: Latin Jazz, Tango
Art: Front

01. Primavera Portena (5:11)
02. Invierno Porteno (6:12)
03. Nieblas Del Riachuelo (3:59)
04. Anos De Soledad (3:43)
05. Fuga Y Misterio (5:03)
06. Oblivion (4:01)
07. Rojotango (4:46)
08. Flor De Lino (3:49)
09. Otono Porteno (5:13)
10. Verano Porteno (6:25)
11. Milonga En El Viento (5:09)
12. La Rayuela (4:30)
13. Libertango (4:55)

SAX TO TANGO is very ambitious in the scope of its arrangements and orchestration. It features The University of Southern Denmark Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Argentine conductor Saul Zaks in a selection of nine iconic Astor Piazzolla nuevo tangos, one Tango standard, and three compositions by Pablo Ziegler.

The following are producer-composer-pianist Pablo Ziegler's thoughts on the Sax To Tango project: ‘It is a great pleasure for me to present this new project for saxophone and orchestra. Saxophone was never a traditional tango instrument, but Julio Botti found a way to express Nuevo Tango through the saxophone just like a tango singer. That is why I consider Julio an extremely unique and talented artist.

The ensemble is Julio Botti - soprano, tenor sax, Pablo Ziegler - piano, arranger, music director, producer, Franco Pinna – drums, percussion, The University of Southern Denmark Symphony Orchestra – Saul Zaks, conductor.

A bit of genius in the playing of Julio Botta and a tidal wave of sound form the Denmark orchestra makes this an incomparable experience. ~Grady Harp

Sax To Tango

---

Jeremy Monteiro & Jazz Brasileiro - Brazilian Dreams

Size: 177,3 MB
Time: 76:33
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Brazilian Jazz, Bossa Nova
Art: Front

01. Desafinado (8:41)
02. Meditation (Feat. Juliana Da Silva) (6:50)
03. Samba Apaxionado (Feat. Juliana Da Silva) (5:09)
04. Quiet Nights & Quiet Stars (Feat. Melissa Tham) (5:50)
05. Triste (4:49)
06. The Girl From Ipanema (Feat. Juliana Da Silva) (5:09)
07. Chega De Saudade (Feat. Juliana Da Silva) (4:01)
08. The Dolphin (6:57)
09. Soliloquio (Feat. Juliana Da Silva) (5:57)
10. Black Orpheus (5:38)
11. Wave (Vou Te Contar) (Feat. Juliana Da Silva) (5:20)
12. Brigas Nunca Mais (5:00)
13. Brazilian Dreams (Feat. Melissa Tham) (7:06)

Singaporean jazz stalwart Jeremy Monteiro celebrates his 40th year in music this year! His latest album is 'Brazilian Dreams'.

Joining in on the vocals are Juliana Da Silva, international jazz artiste hailing from São Paulo, Brazil, who will be singing in Portuguese, as well as Singapore's very own jazz songbird Melissa Tham. The singers will be accompanied by Jazz Brasileiro - a 7-piece band ensemble.

Brazilian Dreams

---

Nora Germain - Go For It

Size: 157,2 MB
Time: 67:06
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

01. Believe (I Love You) (0:35)
02. Life (Gonna Be Alright) (5:25)
03. Crazy Rhythm (4:26)
04. Angel's Camp (6:10)
05. A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square (6:32)
06. The Way You Look Tonight (6:51)
07. Just For A Thrill (3:42)
08. Love (I Can Feel It) (3:08)
09. I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free (3:32)
10. Ho Hee Ho (0:51)
11. If I Had You (7:25)
12. Jive At Five (Feat. Martin Taylor) (3:59)
13. Secret Love (Bonus Track) (2:46)
14. Secret Love! (5:12)
15. Piano Impromptu (Feat. Nora Germain) (1:43)
16. 'S Wonderful (4:40)

24 year-old American jazz violinist Nora Francesca Germain has been playing the violin for over 20 years and performing professionally for the last decade. She studied at Idyllwild Arts Academy, The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, and University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music. She currently lives in Los Angeles and performs regularly with her own groups both in the United States and Europe and has also performed with many of the world's greatest musical talents including John Altman, Alison Burns, Jacob Collier, Jon Batiste and Stay Human, Evan Christopher, Marshall Hawkins, Casey Abrams, Sam Smith, Tommy Emmanuel CGP, John Etheridge, Martin Taylor MBE and Zane Carney. In addition to playing on frequent recording sessions for film and television and for musical artists in just about any genre, she has released three of her own albums and is quickly becoming one of today's most loved young talents in jazz. Named a "Rising Star of Jazz Violin" by Downbeat Magazine in 2015, her new album and inspirational book Go For It will both be released in 2016.

Go For It

---

The Solomon Douglas Swingtet - Swingmatism

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:16
Size: 142.6 MB
Styles: Swing, Big band
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[2:34] 1. For Dancers Only
[2:49] 2. Johnny Come Lately
[2:57] 3. Big Apple Contest
[5:05] 4. Black And Tan Fantasy
[5:43] 5. Shiny Stockings
[3:55] 6. Indiana
[2:53] 7. Good Bait
[2:33] 8. Swingmatism
[4:17] 9. Cherokee
[5:14] 10. Moonglow
[4:16] 11. Cherry Point
[4:18] 12. Alfie's Theme
[4:52] 13. Stolen Moments
[3:31] 14. There Will Never Be Another You
[7:12] 15. Funky Blues

Solomon Douglas is a jazz pianist and bandleader, whose various bands have played at countless events in North America, Asia, and Australia in the past nine years. Solomon toured with the world-famous Glenn Miller Orchestra as their pianist in 2006, and is now working as a full-time musician, bandleader, and dance instructor.

The Solomon Douglas Swingtet is a ten-piece dance band whose repertoire is rooted in that of the Basie band (Shiny Stockings, Cherry Point, One O’Clock Jump, Jive at Five, Splanky, Shorty George) and that of the Ellington band (Mood Indigo, Johnny Come Lately, Take The “A” Train, Cottontail, “C” Jam Blues), with other big-band standards and classic jazz tunes thrown in as well.

Swingmatism

---

Anita O'Day - An Evening With Anita O'Day

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:02
Size: 87.1 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 1955/2016
Art: Front

[2:38] 1. Just One Of Those Things
[2:30] 2. Gypsy In My Soul
[4:10] 3. The Man I Love
[3:34] 4. Frankie And Johnny
[3:23] 5. Anita's Blues
[3:43] 6. I Cover The Waterfront
[2:42] 7. You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me
[3:09] 8. From This Moment On
[3:12] 9. Medley There Will Never Be Another You Just Friends
[2:53] 10. You Don't Know What Love Is
[3:40] 11. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
[2:23] 12. Let's Fall In Love

A combination of three sessions with three different small backing groups available currently on a Japanese CD -- this is an early revealing example of Anita O'Day's growth as a jazz artist since her days as a big band thrush. Her virtuosity at fast tempos is right on the dot, and she is fearlessly willing to take wide-open liberties with the melodies. The tune of "The Man I Love," and for instance, is completely taken apart and personalized; you wouldn't even recognize it were it not for the words. O'Day also shows us her vulnerable side in a remarkable on-the-edge performance of "You Don't Know What Love Is," and she gives listeners a rare taste of her songwriting in "Anita's Blues." Barney Kessel and Tal Farlow sit in on guitar on four tracks apiece; the other four are with piano trio. Low-key, modestly produced, this is best heard as directed -- in the evening. ~Richard S. Ginnell

An Evening With Anita O'Day

---

Blue Plate Special - A Night Out With...

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:27
Size: 106.3 MB
Styles: Retro Swing
Year: 1998
Art: Front

[4:04] 1. Night Out
[5:02] 2. Evening
[3:50] 3. Double Talkin' Fool
[3:08] 4. The Hornet
[6:31] 5. A Message For Paul Drake
[4:01] 6. Opus One
[5:39] 7. Tango Of Sorrow
[4:59] 8. Work That Skirt
[3:22] 9. Skin Tight & Tapered
[5:47] 10. A Night In Havana

Blue Plate Special is among the latest of the swing revival latecomers to grab a Louis Jordan fake book, some high-waisted trousers and gimlet glasses, and join what may be a soon-passing craze. Featured on Swing This Baby (released by -- surprise! -- Slimstyle/Beyond), a collection comprised predominately of like-minded "new" swing bands and a few authentic acts, Blue Plate Special on an entire album is no stronger than they were in their compilation sample. Trying their hand at obvious lounge sub-genres such as spy, torch, and Latin, the septet's attempts are weak and misconstrued. Though most chapters of this musical Decalog are originals, none of them are really such. The stories of booze and bombshells are often repetitive and obvious, and the arrangements are likewise, with only the occasional catchy riff or punchy line. As for the admitted covers, there is not much new here. Anthony Marcesi's vocals are either weak or bellowy, as are most of the horn solos. From the likes of BPS, it would appear at this point that the field of Johnny-swing-latelys is growing far too fast for even the Gap-crazed market and needs to be weeded-out. If this is the "special," I'll have the soup! ~Matthew Robinson

A Night Out With...

---

Jeff Hamilton - Hands On

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:39
Size: 113.7 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[6:35] 1. Juicy Lucy
[6:30] 2. Whisper Not
[8:00] 3. Somewhere
[6:32] 4. Move
[8:34] 5. 3,000 Miles Ago
[3:52] 6. Daahoud
[4:33] 7. To You
[5:00] 8. Split Season Blues

Jeff Hamilton is the epitome of a great jazz musician. Every group he plays with are enhanced by his never ending virtuosity and talent. It is safe to say..... don't miss anything this guy puts out.... it's all great jazz and very listenable. ~D. Fowler

Hands On

---

Joel Frahm and Brad Mehldau - Don't Explain

Styles: Saxophone And Piano Jazz
Year: 2004
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:28
Size: 115,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:22)  1. Don't Explain
(3:52)  2. Get Happy
(3:58)  3. Oleo
(4:39)  4. Round Midnight #3
(5:43)  5. Mother Nature's Son
(5:03)  6. East Of The Sun
(5:32)  7. Turnaround
(5:34)  8. Away From Home
(5:06)  9. Smile
(7:35) 10. Round Midnight

Saxophonist Joel Frahm's third outing on Palmetto is a showcase for duets with pianist Brad Mehldau. Frahm impressed with his 1999 debut Sorry No Decaf as a neo bopper and I missed his 2000 venture on The Navigator. The studio can get pretty lonely with only two artists performing and we're happy to report that this is a relaxed and stimulating session for these two old friends from West Hartford, Connecticut. Frahm has chosen standards and jazz standards with a minimal number of original compositions so that the listener can easily gauge his performance with the many artists who have recorded tunes like "Don't Explain", "Smile" and "Get Happy". I don't hear any of the swagger of his tenor sax debut recording but that isn't what is called for here. His musical persona on the ballads is akin to Lee Konitz, although on tenor sax, both introspective and inherently swinging. Likewise Frahm's use of soprano sax on the Lennon-McCartney "Mother Nature's Son", "East of the Sun" and "Smile" displays probing lines rather than bold declarative sentences. Brad Mehldau, one of the hottest piano figures of the past decade, acts here as a good foil and provides the piano feeds that are needed. Although he isn't given much solo space, Mehldau is playing a melodic backbone for Frahm's statements. Mehldau also occasionally uses a stride-like left hand on some up-tempo work. Since this is Frahm's date, we do not get the usual Mehldau liner notes which explain the Existential meaning of liner notes. Instead the two musicians individually reflect back to their high school years and what it meant to them. So this is a good multi-purpose album to start the New Year off with for wining, dining or romancing.~Michael P.Gladstone https://www.allaboutjazz.com/dont-explain-palmetto-records-review-by-michael-p-gladstone.php
 

Personnel: Joel Frahm,tenor and soprano sax;  Brad Mehldau, piano

Don't Explain

---

Dennis Chambers - Big City

Styles: Jazz Funk
Year: 1991
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 22:48
Size: 53,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:38)  1. Straight Red
(4:50)  2. Nuji
(8:40)  3. No Return
(4:38)  4. Lydian Cowboy

Dennis is an American drummer who has made a name for himself in the world of music despite the fact that he had no formal education in music. He learnt by playing in clubs from early age. Born in 1960 in Baltimore, Dennis Chambers started playing drums at the age of 4. His ardent interest in drums at that age propelled him to keep playing whenever he got a chance. This child prodigy started performing in clubs at the age of 6. Within a short time, he had been invited to perform in most night clubs in Baltimore area. After graduating from high school in 1978, Chambers joined Parliament and Funkadelic, a band he played with until 1985. Parliament and Funkadelic is a funk music group headed by vocalist George Clinton. It’s a collective of two bands consisting of the same members but records for different labels. 

After leaving the group in 1985, he did a number of session work projects in New York. He also landed a job as the house drummer for Sugar Hill Records Company. After working for a while, he joined another band, Special EFX the same year. After working with Special EFX for two years, Chambers joined the David Sanborn Band and later on worked with John Scofield Band. The band disbanded in 1989. After that, Chambers joined the Mike Stern and Bob Berg Band. Chambers has however played for many other bands since then, including those of Randy Breckers and Michael Breckers, Mike Urbaniak, Bill Evans, CTI All Stars, George Duke, Stanley Clark, Steve Kahn's Eyewitness and John McLaughlin. Dennis Chambers has also recorded his own record called "Getting Even" on Pioneer Records, and an instructional video on DCI.

Chambers is currently playing with Niacin, a group founded in 1996. Other Members of the group includes Billy Sheehan and John Novello. Though Chambers, as it is with other members, continues to work solo on other side projects, they always come together to perform as a unit. They have so far made remarkable success and gained a large following even though they play non-commercial instrumental fusion. With Chambers, the group has produced the following albums. Niacin 1996, Live 1997, High Bias 1998, Live! Blood, Sweat & Beers 2000, Deep 2000, Time Crunch 2001, and Organik 2005. Chambers is also touring with Carlos Santana. If you have a chance, I definetely recommend checking out some of Dennis Chambers drumming. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.http://www.freedrumlessons.com/drummers/dennis-chambers.php

Personnel: Dennis Chambers: Drums;  Carl Filipiak: Guitar;  Jimmy Charlsen: Bass;  David Fairhall: Sax

Big City

---

Wolfgang Puschnig - Alpine Aspects

Styles: Flute, Saxofone Jazz, Big Band
Year: 1991
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:21
Size: 145,7 MB
Art: Front

(9:14)  1. Root March
(8:41)  2. Little Stars, Dancing and Jumping
(8:39)  3. We Reach for the Sky
(7:36)  4. First Meeting
(9:43)  5. Strange March
(8:53)  6. March of the Lost Illusion
(8:19)  7. Like a Song, Like a Dance
(2:15)  8. Looney Tune

Early nineties took the Carinthian saxophonist Wolfgang Puschnig with much seriousness, heart and wit of the old and often sad songs at his home, and transformed it into the sound of the present. The final analysis, "Alpine Aspects" meant a piece of music, which to this day the most important, because the most original, Austrian jazz productions counts at all. "Alpine Aspects" was and is like a moderate, erratic block in Austria musical landscape, a brilliant milestone of European jazz as a whole. 

The project has remained without successor. It screamed then to resurrect the "Alpine Aspects" program with his plump, rousing vitality of relish out-living making music again. As an Austrian brass band to fat radio of electric bassists Jamaaladeen Tacuma fits, just sound marching clocks to oblique jazz rhythms and Harmolodik of Ornette Coleman for functional harmony of local folk songs, of which evidence can be found in the Vienna Sargfabrik on 23 November.http://www.musicaustria.at/wolfgang-puschnig-alpine-aspects/

Personnel: Alto Saxophone, Piccolo Flute – Wolfgang Puschnig;  Clarinet – Ingrid Schaupp;  Clarinet [Eb] – Robert Pussecker;  Clarinet, Alto Saxophone – Johann Leonhartsberger;  Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Raimund Aichinger;  Drums – Thomas Alkier, Wolfgang Schneider;  Electric Bass – Jamaaladeen Tacuma;  Flugelhorn – Franz Rappersberger, Hans Schaupp; Flute – Oskar Eder;  Horn [Tenor] – Hermann Berger;  Leader, Conductor – Robert Pussecker;  Trombone – Günter Innerlohinger, Leopold Libal;  Trumpet – Josef Burcharts, Bumi Fian, Rudolf Pilz;  Tuba – Herbert Klaus, Jon Sass;  Vocals – Linda Sharrock (tracks: 3, 6)

Alpine Aspects

---