Friday, July 22, 2016

Yves Brouqui - The Music Of Horace Silver

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:54
Size: 139.4 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[6:14] 1. Quicksilver
[5:13] 2. Horacescope
[7:09] 3. Love Walk
[5:16] 4. No Smoking
[7:59] 5. Creepin'in
[5:36] 6. Yeah
[4:43] 7. Sweet Stuff
[6:53] 8. The Saint Vitus Dance
[5:45] 9. Mayreh
[6:02] 10. I Remember Dan

Double Bass – Mathias Allamane; Drums – Joe Strasser; Guitar – Yves Brouqui; Piano – Laurent Courthaliac.

Brouqui and his men attack 7 challenging Silver tunes (plus 3 originals) with drive, intensity and swing. While the players come at the music from a bebop perspective, they capture the funky Silver harmonies (e.g., first few bars of HoraceScope) but Courthaliac doesn't attempt to mimic the unique Silver right hand. Which is OK cause no-one can.

These aren't the usual Silver tunes (no Nica or Song for My Father) and thus attest to the marvelous depth of his catalog. Sweet Stuff and St. Vitus are especially a pleasure to hear in this fresh context. Some cuts are taken at breakneck speed which is both jaw-dropping and demonstrates how intimately these players know and understand what they're up to. Quite bracing and quite terrific! ~George Kaplan

The Music Of Horace Silver

Annie Ross - I Love Paris

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:12
Size: 103.5 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[2:18] 1. I Love Paris
[2:45] 2. 'taint What You Do
[2:26] 3. I've Told Every Little Star
[2:28] 4. Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone
[2:17] 5. Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
[2:40] 6. Gypsy In My Soul
[2:15] 7. The Lady's In Love With You
[2:16] 8. Don't Worry 'bout Me
[3:28] 9. You'll Never Get Away
[2:34] 10. Small World
[4:50] 11. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying
[2:54] 12. All I Need Is A Boy
[4:35] 13. Together
[2:11] 14. Lucky Day
[3:30] 15. I Feel Pretty
[1:37] 16. It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)

Not just the canary female whose dexterous vocals highlighted recordings by the vocal group Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, Annie Ross recorded more than a dozen albums of solid vocal jazz and appeared in many movies. Though she was the last member to join LH&R, she had been pursuing the same pioneering fusions of vocal music with bop delivery for several years before she joined Dave Lambert and Jon Hendricks. Born Annabelle Lynch in Surrey, England, she moved to Los Angeles at the age of three, with the musical comedienne Ella Logan (either her mother or her aunt, according to differing accounts). By the age of five, she had begun acting and landed roles in the Our Gang series. She later studied acting in New York, then moved back to England where she began singing in nightclubs. Her recording debut came in Paris, with a quartet including James Moody. By 1952, Ross was back in New York and recording with most of the Modern Jazz Quartet for her first album, Singin' and Swingin'. Later that year, she recorded an album with vocalese pioneer King Pleasure. Though she featured on only four tracks of King Pleasure Sings/Annie Ross Sings, her reprise of tenor Wardell Gray's solo on the song "Twisted" became a vocalese landmark. During 1953, Annie Ross toured throughout Europe with one of Lionel Hampton's best bands (including Clifford Brown, Art Farmer, Quincy Jones, and Gigi Gryce). She stayed there for several years and recorded albums for HMV and Pye before returning to America in 1957 when a New York nightclub engagement beckoned. While there, she did a vocal session with Dave Lambert and Jon Hendricks, who were working on an album of Basie solos transposed for vocals. Realizing they shared much in common, Ross was invited to join the group, naturally christened Lambert, Hendricks & Ross. An immediate success with their first album, 1957's Sing a Song of Basie, the trio revolutionized vocal music with a set of light-speed scats that treated words as mere tools in the construction of exciting feats of vocal musicianship. Relentless touring and rumors of a falling out with Hendricks finally led to Ross' exit from the band in 1962. (Though LH&R soon became LH&B with the addition of Yolande Bavan, it was quite clear that Ross' role had been an important one, and the group disbanded less than two years later.) Even while involved with the group, Annie Ross had continued her solo career with few interruptions. In late 1957, she recorded Sings a Song with Mulligan for the World Pacific label, with West Coast stars Gerry Mulligan and Chet Baker in support on a set of bright standards that highlighted her interpretive skills as well as a few flights of vocal fancy. Two additional LPs followed for World Pacific, A Gasser! (with Zoot Sims) and a straight rendition of the Broadway hit Gypsy. After LH&R split, she moved back to England and resumed her stage and film career, recording only three more albums during the '60s. A few years back in Los Angeles gained her parts in high-profile movies during the '80s and '90s, including Superman III, Pump Up the Volume, and Robert Altman's Short Cuts. For the latter film, she recorded several numbers for the soundtrack, and re-emerged with a new recording for 1995, Music Is Forever. ~ John Bush

I Love Paris

Roy Orbison - 16 Biggest Hits

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:07
Size: 94.1 MB
Styles: AM Pop, Contemporary pop/rock
Year: 1999
Art: Front

[2:23] 1. Only The Lonely
[2:49] 2. Blue Angel
[2:41] 3. I'm Hurtin'
[2:09] 4. Running Scared
[2:44] 5. Crying
[2:42] 6. Candy Man
[2:30] 7. Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)
[2:22] 8. The Crowd
[2:37] 9. Leah
[2:24] 10. Workin' For The Man
[2:47] 11. In Dreams
[2:20] 12. Falling
[2:23] 13. Mean Woman Blues
[2:29] 14. Blue Bayou
[2:45] 15. It's Over
[2:55] 16. Oh, Pretty Woman

Roy Orbison scored 20 consecutive Top 40 hits between 1960 and 1965, all but the last of them on the Monument Records label. This compilation presents 16 of the first 17 of those hits (missing is the 1963 Christmas song "Pretty Paper"), from the 1960 gold-seller "Only the Lonely" to the 1964 chart-topper "Oh, Pretty Woman," with Orbison's seven other Top Ten hits of the era in between. Technically, a few of Orbison's singles of 1965 and 1966 did a little better in the charts than a few of the ones here, and, of course, he scored a final, posthumous Top Ten hit with "You Got It" on Virgin Records in 1989. But this collection presents the music from the hottest part of his career in chronological order, with standards like "Crying" sharing space with lesser, but still worthy songs like "I'm Hurtin'." Aficionados know Orbison's Sun works, and his later recordings earned him a new audience, but the Monument hit singles of the early '60s are what he is best remembered for, and they're all here. ~William Ruhlmann

16 Biggest Hits

Bobby Broom - Waitin' And Waitin'

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:05
Size: 135.3 MB
Styles: Bop, Guitar jazz
Year: 1997
Art: Front

[7:33] 1. Without A Song
[7:26] 2. Hot House
[6:26] 3. Always
[6:50] 4. The End Of A Love Affair
[8:17] 5. Burt's Blues
[9:14] 6. Speedball
[9:50] 7. Waitin' And Waitin'
[3:26] 8. Mo'

Bobby Broom (G); Ron Blake (Ts); Dennis Carroll (B); George Fludas (D). Recorded December 28, 1996 in New York City, NY, USA by Max Bolleman.

A step up from guitarist Bobby Broom's first Criss Cross CD, this second effort teams him with his regular trio (bassist Dennis Carroll and drummer George Fludas) plus guest tenor saxophonist Ron Blake on half of the songs. The reason this disc gets the edge over Broom's initial Criss Cross set is the high quality of the tunes, which include "Hot House," a cooking version of "Always," "Speedball," and Broom's "Mo'." The guitarist plays quite well, seems inspired by Blake's appearances, and comes up with plenty of creative statements. Recommended. ~Scott Yanow

Waitin' And Waitin'

Shirley Scott - Talkin' Verve

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:35
Size: 141.0 MB
Styles: Soul-jazz, Hard bop
Year: 2001
Art: Front

[3:02] 1. A Shot In The Dark
[3:41] 2. For Dancers Only
[5:41] 3. Southern Comfort
[3:01] 4. Blue Bongo
[3:41] 5. On The Trail
[3:16] 6. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
[5:31] 7. T'ain't What You Do (It's The Way That Cha Do It)
[5:19] 8. Good Lookin' Out
[6:28] 9. Proud Mary
[3:37] 10. Feeling Good
[3:18] 11. Downtown
[3:58] 12. Taj Mahal
[4:32] 13. Heat Wave
[6:23] 14. Make Someone Happy

Although she freely offered Jimmy Smith as her main influence, Philadelphia's Shirley Scott brought her own mixture of sophistication and soul jazz funk to her Hammond B-3 recordings. Less blues-based than Smith, she had a softer tone and tackled a wider range of material, although, like Smith, she was arguably at her best in the trio setting. This set brings together some key tracks from the Impulse and Cadet labels, including the soft and smooth "Taj Mahal," a pair of fine trio outings, "Blue Bongo" and "On the Trail," and she even makes John Fogerty's "Proud Mary" sound like it was written for the B-3. ~Steve Leggett

Talkin' Verve

Bill Evans - Live at Art D'Lugoff's: Top of the Gate Disc 1 And Disc 2

The two-CD Bill Evans Live at Art D'Lugoff's Top of The Gate a never-before-released recording of the Bill Evans Trio made over 50 years ago consists of two sets recorded by then-college student George Klabin in the New York City club, October, 1968. Until now, the music has only been heard on a Columbia University radio show; now, Klabin has taken the tape out of the closet and released it on Resonance Records, the label he heads. Crisp and clear, the sound has weathered the years. The lineup that night consisted of three musicians in their prime: Evans, bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Marty Morell. Evans had, reportedly, kicked his drug habit during this period, and this was thought by many to be his most stable and, certainly, longest-lasting group. This trio was together until 1975. The CD shows Evans in both swinging and contemplative modes and highlights the trio's superb interaction. Gomez had been with Evans since 1966, while Morell came aboard in 1968; Gomez was a master improviser, while Morell was an energetic, straight-ahead drummer, always keeping the trio on track. Along with the leader, both contribute masterful solos here. Each disc features one complete set, including two versions of three songs. There is one original; the rest are jazz standards and familiar show tunes.

Among an array of standouts, "Round Midnight " is given an assertive approach, with heavy chords for punctuation, in the manner of its composer, Thelonious Monk. Evans, though, delivers it in his own unique way, driven by Morell's extroverted drumming. A revved-up version of "Autumn Leaves" features a tasty bass solo and is spiced by the leader's swinging piano. A lilting "Someday My Prince Will Come" starts out coolly as a ballad, before becoming a fiery foray. Surprises abound in Evans' approaches, such as his unconventional treatment of the old Al Jolson favorite, "California Here I Come." To be sure, there are the trademark elegant Evans' takes, particularly on "My Funny Valentine" and "Emily." We can be thankful, indeed, that Klabin had the foresight to pack away these tapes to be opened now. This package includes a 27-page booklet, some vintage photographs and essays by producer Zev Feldman, jazz critic Nat Hentoff and vibraphonist Gary Burton. ~ Larry Taylor https://www.allaboutjazz.com/live-at-art-dlugoffs-top-of-the-gate-bill-evans-resonance-records-review-by-larry-taylor.php

Personnel: Bill Evans: piano; Eddie Gomez: bass; Marty Morell: drums.

Album: Live at Art D'Lugoff's: Top of the Gate Disc 1

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1968
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:48
Size: 120,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:43)  1. Emily
(5:41)  2. Witchcraft
(5:04)  3. Yesterdays
(6:22)  4. Round Midnight
(4:41)  5. My Funny Valentine
(5:40)  6. California Here I Come
(6:52)  7. Gone With the Wind
(5:05)  8. Alfie
(4:37)  9. Turn Out the Stars


Album: Live at Art D'Lugoff's: Top of the Gate Disc 2

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1968
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:29
Size: 100,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:45)  1. Yesterdays
(5:05)  2. Emily (Alternate Version)
(4:03)  3. In a Sentimental Mood
(6:23)  4. Round Midnight (Alternate Version)
(5:27)  5. Autumn Leaves
(5:10)  6. Someday My Prince Will Come
(4:18)  7. Mother of Earl
(5:15)  8. Here's That Rainy Day


Greetje Kauffeld - My Shining Hour

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:00
Size: 143,8 MB
Art: Front

(5:01)  1. Happiness Is A Thing Called Love
(4:33)  2. It's Only A Paper Moon
(4:15)  3. A Sleepin' Bee
(5:01)  4. Harold Arlen Medley
(4:10)  5. My Shining Hour
(6:44)  6. Over The Rainbow
(4:24)  7. That Old Black Magic
(5:14)  8. Ill Wind
(6:13)  9. Out Of This World
(4:32) 10. Last Night When We Were Young
(5:07) 11. Let's Fall In Love
(6:40) 12. One For My Baby

This album brings together a superb team to pay eloquent tribute to a man who made more contributions to the Great American Songbook than any other composer - Harold Arlen. The twelve classic songs on this album are beautifully interpreted by Greetje Kauffeld, who receives excellent support from a quintet led by Paul Kuhn. Says Paul: "Greetje is a wonderful singer who belongs to the elite of the jazz vocalists. He singing is very soulful and her warm voice is perfectly suited to Harold Arlen's ballads." http://www.inandout-records.com/records/greetje-kauffeld/My+Shining+Hour/00000257

Personnel:  Greetje Kauffeld (vocal);  Paul Kuhn (piano & vocal);  Paulo Morello (guitar);  Kim Barth (alto saxophone & flute);  Paul G. Ulrich (bass);  Willy Ketzer (drums) 

My Shining Hour

Acker Bilk - The Magic Clarinet Of

Styles: Clarinet Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:19
Size: 140,9 MB
Art: Front

(2:55)  1. Jean
(3:04)  2. We've Only Just Begun
(3:19)  3. The Rose
(3:14)  4. Eres Tu (Touch The Wind)
(3:03)  5. Morning Has Broken
(4:00)  6. You're The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me
(2:38)  7. I Left My Heart In San Francisco
(4:05)  8. I Can`t Stop Loving You
(4:15)  9. Hey Jude
(3:43) 10. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
(2:43) 11. Ramblin` Rose
(2:48) 12. If I Give My Heart To You
(3:18) 13. Never My Love
(2:51) 14. Stranger On The Shore
(2:37) 15. Let It Be Me
(3:40) 16. My Way

Sixteen popular tunes (including "Hey Jude," "Ramblin' Rose, " "We've Only Just Begun, " "The Rose, " and "I Left My Heart in San Francisco") are given soothing, pleasant arrangements by the famous clarinetist on this disc. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-magic-clarinet-of-acker-bilk-mw0000187856

Personnel: Acker Bilk (clarinet); David Katz (violin).

The Magic Clarinet Of

Houston Person & Ron Carter - Chemistry

Styles: Saxophone Jazz, Straight-Ahead Jazz
Year: 2016
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:30
Size: 113,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:19)  1. Bye Bye Blackbird
(6:08)  2. But Beautiful
(4:10)  3. Young and Foolish
(7:09)  4. Fools Rush In
(4:13)  5. Can't We Be Friends?
(6:16)  6. Blame It on My Youth
(4:42)  7. I Did Not Know What Time It Was
(4:21)  8. I Can't Get Started
(3:30)  9. Blue Monk
(4:38) 10. When I Fall in Love

Saxophonist Houston Person and bassist Ron Carter have a duo partnership that goes back at least as far as their two 1990 recordings, Something in Common and Now's the Time! Since those albums, the legendary artists have released several more duo collaborations, each one a thoughtful and minimalist production showcasing their masterful command of jazz standards, blues, and bop. The duo's 2016 effort, the aptly titled Chemistry, is no exception and once again finds Person and Carter communing over a well-curated set of jazz standards. As on their previous albums, Chemistry is a deceptively simple conceit; just two jazz journeymen playing conversational duets on well-known jazz songs. At face value, that is certainly what you get. The deception enters into the equation with just how masterful and nuanced Person and Carter are in each song. Whether it's the way Carter anchors the duo's yearning reading of "But Beautiful" with his languorous, doomy basslines, or the way Person's languorous rubato introduction joins up with Carter on "Fools Rush In," they never fail to find surprising and deeply emotive ways to interpret each song. 

Similarly, cuts like the poignant "Blame It on My Youth" and the dewy-eyed "I Can't Get Started" are endearing romantic numbers that cradle the listener in the warmth of Person and Carter's warm tones. Elsewhere, they deliver a gleeful version of Thelonious Monk's "Blue Monk," and summon the memory of Carter's former boss, trumpeter Miles Davis, with their jaunty take on "Bye Bye Blackbird." Ultimately, Chemistry is a lovely, heartfelt album of well-loved standards imbued with the duo's decades of experience. ~ Matt Collar http://www.allmusic.com/album/chemistry-mw0002946469

Chemistry