Claude Hopkins - Swing Time

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:42
Size: 166.4 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 1963/1999
Art: Front

[5:41] 1. I Cried For You
[6:12] 2. Somebody Loves Me
[6:14] 3. Stormy Weather
[4:46] 4. Love Me Or Leave Me
[4:59] 5. Mitzi
[4:23] 6. Crying My Heart Out For You
[5:49] 7. On The Sunny Side Of The Street
[4:58] 8. Offbeat Blues
[4:22] 9. I Surrender, Dear
[3:46] 10. I Apologize
[6:32] 11. Late Evening
[5:13] 12. The Way You Look Tonight
[3:58] 13. (I Would Do) Anything For You
[5:43] 14. Safari Stomp

Claude Hopkins is best-known for being a powerful stride pianist who led a big band in the 1930s; he is also known for his solo records of 1969-72. Barely on records at all from 1941-59, Hopkins cut three albums for Swingville from 1960-63; the second and third are reissued in full on this 1999 CD. The most surprising aspect to these combo dates is that Hopkins hardly strides at all and comes across as a Teddy Wilson-inspired swing pianist. Much of the time he is in the background, with the success of the sessions really due to the fine playing of the horns. Trombonist Vic Dickenson and tenor saxophonist Budd Johnson play at the high level one would expect on the Swing Time set, with the main revelation being the obscure trumpeter Bobby Johnson, a veteran of Erskine Hawkins' Orchestra, who holds his own with the stars. Hopkins' "Crying My Heart Out for You" from this date is well worth reviving again. The music from the other Swingville album, Let's Jam, gives tenor saxophonist Buddy Tate an opportunity to play his underrated clarinet on "Late Evening" and has several opportunities for the largely forgotten swing trumpeter Joe Thomas to show how lyrical a soloist he was. This CD is recommended even if Hopkins' role is much more minor than expected. ~Scott Yanow

Swing Time

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Yvonne Elliman - The Best Of Yvonne Elliman

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:49
Size: 100.3 MB
Styles: Soft rock
Year: 2004
Art: Front

[3:32] 1. I Don't Know How To Love Him
[3:36] 2. Best Of My Love
[3:47] 3. Somewhere In The Night
[3:21] 4. Love Me
[3:08] 5. Hello Stranger
[3:04] 6. I Can't Get You Outa My Mind
[2:56] 7. If I Can't Have You
[4:20] 8. (Baby) Don't Let It Mess Your Mind
[3:17] 9. Down The Backstairs Of My Life
[3:11] 10. Moment By Moment
[3:52] 11. Love Pains
[5:41] 12. Everything Must Change

The Best of Yvonne Elliman is the first comprehensive collection ever assembled on the '70s pop/disco diva. Elliman first came to attention as Mary Magdalene in the London production of Jesus Christ Superstar (from which "I Don't Know How to Love Him" and "Everything's Alright" are included), but she shot to fame as part of the Eric Clapton Band, which eventually led to her placement on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. Saturday Night Fever launched her biggest hit, "If I Can't Have You," which branded her as a one-hit wonder. The Best of Yvonne Elliman doesn't really disprove that -- there's a lot of filler here, even if it culls 16 highlights from her entire career -- but it does demonstrate that she possessed a pleasant, professional voice and did make several enjoyable pop/disco records, which happened to be her singles. Which, of course, makes The Best of Yvonne Elliman not only a terrific introduction, but also all you need to know. ~Stephen Thomas Erlewine

The Best Of Yvonne Elliman

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Various - Latin Nights (2-Disc Set)

Album: Latin Nights (Disc 1)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:54
Size: 155.4 MB
Styles: Latin jazz
Year: 2008

[6:59] 1. Juan Pablo Torres - When Day Breaks
[5:23] 2. Julio Barreto Cuban Quartet - Coming Home Baby
[4:40] 3. Cheo Feliciano - Anacona
[4:11] 4. Armando Peraza - Souled Out
[2:36] 5. Celia Cruz - Burundanga
[5:05] 6. Humberto Ramírez - Paradise
[3:33] 7. Armando Peraza - Wild Thing
[7:32] 8. Juan Pablo Torres - Moonlight Serenade 2
[6:12] 9. Michael Philip Mossman - Iron And Blood
[9:17] 10. Ray Barretto - Club Mix 50 Aniversario
[4:52] 11. Armando Peraza - Viva Peraza
[7:29] 12. Ray Barretto - Fuerza Gigante

Latin Nights (Disc 1)

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Album: Latin Nights (Disc 2)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:18
Size: 119.7 MB
Styles: Latin jazz
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[7:57] 1. Juan Manuel Ceruto - A Puerto Padre
[4:43] 2. Josep Soto - Tornasol
[2:59] 3. Gary McFarland - Flamingo
[2:23] 4. El Rey Del Mundo - Originale
[4:26] 5. Voces Del Milenio - Juguete
[3:05] 6. Cal Tjader - Morning Mist
[3:13] 7. Armando Peraza - Al Bajar El Sol
[5:09] 8. Humberto Ramírez - Con El Corazon
[4:57] 9. Cal Tjader - Nica's Dream
[6:31] 10. Humberto Ramírez - Tus Ojos
[3:14] 11. Gabor Szabo - The Look Of Love
[3:35] 12. Gary McFarland - O Morro

Latin Nights (Disc 2)

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Teddy Wilson - Three Little Words

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:34
Size: 118.1 MB
Styles: Mainstream jazz, Piano jazz
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[3:30] 1. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
[3:45] 2. Flying Home
[4:14] 3. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
[3:38] 4. Sweet Lorraine
[3:22] 5. Sugar
[3:51] 6. Undecided
[4:11] 7. St. Louis Blues
[2:36] 8. Three Little Words
[4:04] 9. I've Got The World On A String
[3:02] 10. Don't Be That Way
[4:21] 11. You Go To My Head
[2:35] 12. My Heart Stood Still
[4:29] 13. Where Or When
[3:49] 14. Basin Street Blues

There is an unusual setting for this Teddy Wilson trio date: an open-air studio in Nice, France. As a result, the ambience is a bit different outdoors, while birds can be heard occasionally in the background. This is hardly a distraction for Wilson and two fellow veterans, bassist Milt Hinton and drummer Oliver Jackson, who make their way through 14 standards that they had likely played hundreds of times during their long careers. Highlights include a lush treatment of "You Go to My Head," a cheerful midtempo romp through "Flying Home" (with a superb solo by Hinton), and a blistering take of "Undecided." While Teddy Wilson didn't modify his style much during his career, this outdoor recording is one of his most interesting studio efforts. ~Ken Dryden

Three Little Words

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Jeff Lorber Fusion - Now Is The Time

Styles: Jazz Fusion, Jazz Funk
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:42
Size: 109,7 MB
Art: Front

(5:23)  1. Rain Dance/Wanna Fly
(4:22)  2. Dr. Moy
(4:13)  3. Pixel
(4:00)  4. Sugar Free
(3:57)  5. Mysterious Traveller
(4:55)  6. Curtains/Before We Go
(4:17)  7. Black Ice
(3:07)  8. Las Rosas
(4:49)  9. Chinese Medicinal Herbs
(4:24) 10. Water Sign
(4:11) 11. Sumatra

Only a handful of pioneering musicians can adapt the perception of fusion jazz into a contemporary mindset and make it palatable. With the release of Now Is The Time . Keyboardist Jeff Lorber demonstrates why he has maintained his stature and reputation, while producing music which is easy on the ears and accessible to a broad audience.  Now Is The Time represents a reinvention of Lorber's original musical trajectory, culled from his early catalog but given a fresh approach and identity. For his new version of the Jeff Lorber Fusion group, the keyboardist recruits bassist Jimmy Haslip and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, joined by guitarists Paul Jackson Jr. and Michael Thompson on alternating tracks. Vocalist Irene B penned the lyrics to the four selections on which she is featured, and contributes a soulful element to the production, notably the opening "Rain Dance/Wanna Fly," (with Randy Brecker on flugelhorn) and the sultry "Sugar Free."

While acknowledged for his layered textural sound, Lorber also provides lucid piano accompaniment in just the right places. The band lays a supporting foundation for special guest Eric Marienthal a saxophonist perfectly suited for interacting with Lorber's weaving keyboards on Wayne Shorter's title track to the Weather Report classic, Mysterious Traveller (Columbia, 1974), revived here with a funky treatment that works well. Marienthal also teams up with the Blood Sweat and Tears horn section on full-bodied arrangements of "Pixel" and "Sumatra." Now Is The Time offers a variation of tempos for nice conceptual listening, the songs flowing seamlessly from one to the next. This seems to be the intention of Lorber as producer, and stays true to the tradition he established early in his career. The recording could easily fall into the popular or smooth jazz category, and there is nothing wrong with that. Lorber states that he wants to "bring fusion back, with a twist," and with Now Is The Time, the keyboardist has clearly accomplished his objective. ~ James Nadal https://www.allaboutjazz.com/now-is-the-time-jeff-lorber-heads-up-international-review-by-james-nadal.php

Personnel: Jeff Lorber: keyboards; Irene B: vocals (1, 4, 6, 10); Paul Jackson Jr.: guitar (1, 3, 4, 7, 10); Randy Brecker: flugelhorn (1); Jimmy Haslip: bass (1, 3-11); Vinnie Colaiuta: drums (1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10); Jimmy Branly: percussion (1, 5, 7, 9) drums (6, 11); Eric Marienthal: saxophones (2, 3, 5-11); Michael Thompson: guitar (5, 6, 8, 11); Tony Maiden: guitar (2); Alex Al: bass (2); Li'l John Roberts: drums (2); Lenny Castro: percussion (2); Larry Koonse: guitar (9); Tom Timko: flute (1, 3, 9, 11); Steve Jankowski: flugelhorn (9), trumpet (1, 3, 11); Dave Weckl: drums (9); Jens Wendelboe: trombone (1, 3, 11); Teddy Mulet: lead trumpet ( 1, 3, 11).

Now Is The Time

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Julia Fordham - Porcelain

Styles: Vocal, Pop
Year: 1989
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:16
Size: 109,3 MB
Art: Front

(4:36)  1. Lock & Key
(5:38)  2. Porcelain
(4:39)  3. Girlfriend
(3:53)  4. For You Only for You
(6:18)  5. Genius
(4:50)  6. Manhattan Skyline
(4:15)  7. Did I Happen to Mention?
(3:50)  8. Towerblock
(4:41)  9. Island
(4:30) 10. Your Lovely Face

A jazz- and pop-influenced singer/songwriter, Britain's Julia Fordham is an eclectic artist with a loyal cult following. A native of Portsmouth, England, Fordham performed folk music in local clubs, sang with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, and worked as member of Mari Wilson's backing troupe the Wilsations before embarking on her solo career. In 1988, Fordham released her eponymously titled debut, Julia Fordham, which showed off her low, smoky jazz bar, dulcet voice and contained four singles: "The Comfort of Strangers," "Woman of the 80's," her first hit "Happy Ever After," and "Where Does the Time Go." The following year, Porcelain consolidated her presence as a leading album artist. Produced by Hugh Padgham, Grant Mitchell, and Fordham herself, standout tracks include "Lock and Key"; tonally warm, her vocal delivery was likened to Joni Mitchell's, with whom she'd be further linked in years to come). Porcelain guested Manu Katche and Pino Palladino among its high-caliber lineup. More bittersweet tales of hopelessness in the art of relationships were outlined in 1991's Swept, which included the excellent "I Thought It Was You" as well as "(Love Moves In) Mysterious Ways. " Also featured in the film The Butcher's Wife, "(Love Moves In) Mysterious Ways" climbed to number 19, making it her biggest U.K. hit to date. Relocating to the States, Fordham released her fourth studio album, the Larry Klein-produced Falling Forward in 1994. In 1997, she returned with East West, which featured production from Canadian guitarist Michael Brook. A solid greatest-hits compilation was released in 1999 and her last contractual effort for Virgin, the aptly titled Collection, included updated versions of "Happy Ever After" and "Where Does the Time Go" as well as "Killing Me Slowly" from East West. A new deal with Division One/Atlantic prevailed in time for the 2002 release of her sixth studio album, the Klein-produced Concrete Love. Fordham then moved to the Vanguard label for 2004's That's Life and the live CD/DVD combo, That's Live, in 2005. Inspired by the birth of her daughter, Fordham next released the EP Baby Love in 2007. The jazz-influenced China Blue, featuring a duet with Michael McDonald, followed in 2008. Two years later, she teamed with actor and pianist Paul Reiser for the album Unusual Suspects. In 2014, Fordham released the covers album The Language of Love, which featured jazz and bossa nova reworkings of songs by Blondie, the Eurythmics, 10cc, and others. ~ Kelvin Hayes https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/julia-fordham/id527087#fullText

Porcelain

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Monty Alexander Trio - Impressions in Blue

Styles: Piano Jazz, Straight-ahead/Mainstream 
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:38
Size: 145,6 MB
Art: Front

( 5:43)  1. Blue Rhapsody
(10:20)  2. En Aranjuez con tu amor
( 4:41)  3. Come Sunday / David Danced
( 5:24)  4. Creole Love Call
( 4:07)  5. Accompong
( 4:30)  6. Pointe-à-Pitre
( 6:31)  7. Eleuthra
( 3:59)  8. Jumpin' at Capitol
( 6:44)  9. It's only a Paper Moon
( 4:55) 10. Body and Soul
( 5:38) 11. I'm an old cowhand

Monty Alexander's latest trio release instructs the listener on how wide a spectrum of hues fall within the category called blue. More precisely, Alexander reveals that there are definitely a few shades that the majority of jazz albums an almost nauseating number of which incorporate the word ‘blue’ in their album and song titles have ignored. You won’t find mournful midnight tones, or steel, navy, and indigo, nor the intense neon flare, or even the subtle, infinitely lamenting shades that have often made up jazz’s traditional palette. That’s just not Alexander’s style, and wouldn’t capture the spirited, almost sprightly rhythmic methods he, bassist Hassan Shakur, and drummer Mark Taylor employ. Featured instead are the more infrequently explored baby blues, aquas, sky blues, and ceruleans that seem, at least in this album, to better reflect Alexander and company’s entertaining, optimistic, and smile-inducing approach.

Jamaican born and steeped in the almost swing-like grooves of reggae, Alexander delivers music with an appealing lilt. This is often the binding element which holds together the incredible variety of fragments, quotes, and references he pulls from a huge range of sources. Many of the works on Impressions in Blue are dedicated looks at previous jazz compositions. He begins with a clever, punching dissection of Gershwin’s “Blue Rhapsody ”; moves on to two Ellington works; then three pieces dedicated to Nat King Cole, all of which are infused with numerous stylistic nods to the influential master. As if to punctuate both the historical concept of the album, not to mention the sly humor threaded throughout, Alexander closes with the incredibly funny “I’m an Old Cowhand.” As he indicates in the liner notes, this is a double homage to the song’s first proselytizer, Bing Crosby, as well as the Ray Brown, Shelly Manne, Sonny Rollins version. Also featured on the album are three Alexander originals, and the wonderfully executed “En Aranjuev con tu Amor.” Those who are not fans of musical collage, historical re-visitation, or musical wit and double entendre may not appreciate Alexander’s work on this album. At least not fully, because even so, there is certainly no way to deny the superb artisanship, clever inventiveness, rhythmic strength, and cohesion of this group of musicians. ~ Franz A.Matzner https://www.allaboutjazz.com/impressions-in-blue-monty-alexander-telarc-records-review-by-franz-a-matzner.php
 

Personnel: Monty Alexander: Piano, Hassan Shakur: Bass, Mark Taylor: Drums.

Impressions in Blue

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Leeann Ledgerwood - Paradox

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2000

File: MP3@320K/s

Time: 64:42

Size: 149,6 MB

Art: Front

(7:52)  1. The Night Has A Thousand Eyes

(8:40)  2. My Funny Valentine

(9:21)  3. Wise One

(8:24)  4. India

(8:41)  5. Spring Is Here

(6:29)  6. Blues On Ther Corner

(8:20)  7. Some Other Time

(6:53)  8. Paradox

On her fourth SteepleChase release, pianist LeeAnn Ledgerwood is heard with a highly esteemed rhythm section: Ron McClure on bass and Billy Hart on drums. The spirit of John Coltrane looms large on this trio outing  Ledgerwood plays stirring renditions of "Wise One" and "India," and opens with "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes," sticking closely to the arrangement heard on Coltrane's Sound. McCoy Tyner's "Blues on the Corner" again drives home the Coltrane theme (watch out for Billy Hart on this cut). By including "My Funny Valentine," "Spring Is Here," and "Some Other Time," Ledgerwood is also paying homage to Bill Evans, her earliest influence. While this set includes no originals, it does showcase Ledgerwood's highly advanced and emotionally charged playing, which encompasses diverse streams of modern jazz history. The title track, by fellow pianist and kindred spirit Richie Beirach, closes the album in swinging fashion. ~ David R. Adler http://www.allmusic.com/album/paradox-mw0001014385

Personnel: LeeAnn Ledgerwood (piano); Billy Hart (drums); Ron McClure (bass).

Paradox

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Kandace Springs - Soul Eyes

Styles: Vocal, Soul
Year: 2016
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:50
Size: 98,7 MB
Art: Front

(3:50)  1. Talk To Me
(3:22)  2. Soul Eyes
(3:44)  3. Place To Hide
(3:39)  4. Thought It Would Be Easier
(4:43)  5. Novocaine Heart
(3:07)  6. Neither Old Nor Young
(5:01)  7. Too Good To Last
(3:46)  8. Fall Guy
(4:25)  9. The World Is A Ghetto
(4:02) 10. Leavin'
(3:06) 11. Rain Falling

Kandace Springs' career started rolling when her father, session vocalist Scat Springs, handed a demo to Evan Rogers and Carl Sturken. Industry veterans of 30-plus years, from Shannon to Rihanna, the duo signed her to their production company, which led to an audition for Blue Note president Don Was. The Nashville native sang "I Can't Make You Love Me," popularized by Bonnie Raitt, whose recording just happened to be co-produced with Was. Blue Note deal secured, she uploaded a cover of Sam Smith's "Stay with Me" that prompted Prince to have her play at Paisley Park during the 30th anniversary celebration of Purple Rain. Springs made her recorded debut a couple months later. Co-written with the likes of Rogers, Sturken, and Pop & Oak, the self-titled EP of hip-hop soul primed her for placement in a class with similarly classic-meets-contemporary artists like Jazmine Sullivan and Elle Varner. 

It left Springs feeling that her sound should instead reflect her early jazz influences with stripped-down live instrumentation a view shared by continued supporter Prince. Soul Eyes achieves that objective. Produced by Larry Klein with a constant rhythm section of Vinnie Colaiuta and Dan Lutz with additional instrumentation from the likes of Dean Parks, Pete Kuzma, and Terence Blanchard it's all shaped to place Springs front and center. The approach is emphasized by the title song, a sensitive update of Mal Waldron's 60-year-old standard that showcases Springs' measured piano playing as much as it does her lithe, lightly fiery voice. Apart from that and a loose but succinct version of War's "The World Is a Ghetto" the second-oldest composition the reinterpreted songs are relatively modern, highlighted by Shelby Lynne's "Thought It Would Be Easier." Springs co-wrote three cuts, the best and most energetic of which is easily "Novocaine Heart." Due to its neatly serpentine groove and inquisitive, positive outlook, lovers of late-'70s/early-'80s crossover jazz could easily be forgiven for thinking it was first waxed by Judy Roberts or Googie & Tom Coppola. The album closes with the lone song Springs wrote by herself, a striking piano ballad. As natural as the album feels, Springs seems eager to impress her elders and stay true to her inspirations, rather than build from them like she's bottling some of her energy and individuality. Less straight-ahead, more distinctive releases are hopefully in her future. ~ Andy Kellman http://www.allmusic.com/album/soul-eyes-mw0002942687

Soul Eyes

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