Louise Dearman - Here Comes The Sun

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:06
Size: 106,1 MB
Art: Front

(3:21)  1. Here Comes The Sun
(4:13)  2. Squander
(3:59)  3. Time After Time (feat Steve Balsamo)
(3:50)  4. Gravity
(3:35)  5. Defying Gravity
(3:56)  6. See The Day
(4:25)  7. Little Bird
(3:49)  8. This House
(3:26)  9. Uninvited
(3:38) 10. One Day I'll Fy Away
(4:58) 11. Kissing You
(2:51) 12. (James Saint James Remix)

When I heard Louise Dearman was returning to the studio to record her second studio album I knew the finished product would be good. However I did not realise it would one of the most moving, beautiful albums I have ever listened to. Although the songs are covers Louise really makes each one sound like an original. You can tell how she understands every single lyric in every single song as she sings with a great deal of emotion. After seeing Louise play Glinda in Wicked I thought I knew her voice well but the songs on the album allow Louise to show different areas of her voice which I think is one of the most beautiful voices that has ever been heard on a West End stage. There is a variety of songs on the album which create different atmospheres and takes you on a journey. The first song 'Here Comes The Sun' is so gentle. The first 30 seconds almost hypnotise you, putting you into a trance which makes you stop what you are doing, sit down and open your imagination. The orchestrations are also perfect and joins forces with Louise's voice to create something magical. The second track on the album 'Squander' quickly takes you onto the next step of the journey. The song slowly builds up and shows the unique power of Louise's voice. While so many singers have strong voices and can belt out a song, Louise's tone stands out and connects with something on the inside of your body making you go 'wow' (as I did, while sitting on the tube listening to the song on my iPod - I got a few strange looks).

I think 'Time After Time' is one of the most famous tracks on the album. Louise sings this song with Steve Balsamo and their voices compliment each other perfectly. Before hearing this version I didn't realise how beautiful the lyrics of the song are as this version is so stripped back and raw. The way the last phrase of the song is almost whispered gives me chills every time I listen to it. Both singers put so much emotion into the way they sing. This was the first song on the album which left me felling emotionally moved. The next track, 'Gravity', is one of my favourites from the album, it really gives Louise the chance to show off her vocal ability which is extraordinary! I cannot get over how effortlessly she sings the song and makes it sound like it was written for her. 'See The Day' continues the journey of the album, changing the emotion from vulnerable to powerful. It is a great contrasting song on the album and, yet again, shows a different side to Louise! As the song progresses we get to hear some incredible rifts and power from Louise's voice before the song is suddenly stripped back before its massive climax. 

Then the atmosphere completely changes as 'Little Bird' begins. I never expected Louise to sing a song like this. It has such a catchy beat and leaves you with that upbeat inspired feeling - as if you could do anything. While 'This House' is a ballad it is completely different to any other song on the album. It makes you imagine a dark place. Then 'Uninvited' comes along. This song shows us how delicate Louise's voice is. It shows us a glimmer of hope. 'One Day I'll Fly Away' starts the end of the journey and makes you look into the future, showing you that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. The final song on the album 'Kissing You' is stunning. It shows off the talent of Louise Dearman who has such a delicate yet powerful, unique voice. The song ends, finishing the journey of Louise's second album 'Here Comes The Sun'. It leaves you feeling inspired and touched, as if someone had been in the room singing to you directly. This is honestly the best album from a musical theatre artist I have ever heard.  Alternatly you can buy the Album from Amazon, Dress Circle, HMV and iTunes.

~ Andrew Tomlins http://www.westendframe.com/2012/06/album-review-louise-dearmans-here-comes_11.html

Here Comes The Sun

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Ronnie Cuber - In a New York Minute

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:55
Size: 155,9 MB
Art: Front

(5:42)  1. Dig
(6:08)  2. In a New York Minute
(6:07)  3. Con Pasión
(8:43)  4. Bu's Beat
(8:14)  5. Sophisticated Lady
(9:06)  6. For Bari & Bass
(9:50)  7. 12/8 Thang
(6:40)  8. Emily
(7:22)  9. Caravan

A powerful baritonist in the tradition of Pepper Adams, Ronnie Cuber has been making excellent records for over 20 years. He was in Marshall Brown's Newport Youth Band at the 1959 Newport Jazz Festival and was featured with the groups of Slide Hampton (1962), Maynard Ferguson (1963-1965), and George Benson (1966-1967). After stints with Lionel Hampton (1968), Woody Herman's Orchestra (1969), and as a freelancer, he recorded a series of fine albums (both as a leader and as a sideman) for Xanadu and performed with Lee Konitz's nonet (1977-1979). 

In the mid-'80s, Cuber recorded for Projazz (in both straight-ahead and R&B-ish settings), in the early '90s he headed dates for Fresh Sound and SteepleChase and Cuber performed regularly with the Mingus Big Band. ~ Scott Yanow  https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/ronnie-cuber/id2899865#fullText

Personnel: Ronnie Cuber (baritone saxophone); Kenny Drew, Jr. (piano); Andy McKee (bass); Adam Cruz (drums).

In a New York Minute

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Julia Fordham - Swept

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1991
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:34
Size: 79,7 MB
Art: Front

(5:09)  1. I Thought It Was You
(3:48)  2. Patches Of Happiness
(4:56)  3. Swept
(4:54)  4. Rainbow Heart
(4:13)  5. Betrayed
(4:12)  6. Talk Walk Drive
(3:55)  7. Shame
(4:35)  8. (Love Moves In) Mysterious Ways
(4:49)  9. As She Whispers
(5:58) 10. Scared Me
(3:01) 11. Tied

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. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/julia-fordham-mn0000837311/biography

Swept

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Seamus Blake - The Call

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1994
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 76:02
Size: 174,2 MB
Art: Front

( 7:19)  1. Vanguard Blues I
( 8:44)  2. The Call
( 9:33)  3. Nobody's Song But His Own
(11:15)  4. On Cue
( 5:26)  5. Prelude To A Kiss
( 8:43)  6. Mercy Days
( 9:08)  7. Zydeco
( 5:16)  8. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
(10:33)  9. Vanguard Blues II

Tenor saxophonist Seamus Blake, who was 24 at the time, is in excellent form on this creative post-bop set. He is teamed with the atmospheric and inventive guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel, pianist Kevin Hays, bassist Larry Grenadier, and drummer Bill Stewart on seven originals (including "Nobody's Song but His Own," "Mercy Days," and two versions of "Vanguard Blues"), "Prelude to a Kiss," and "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes." 

At this early stage in his career, Blake already had a pretty original sound on tenor and a good tone on soprano. One of the highpoints of the set is "Zydeco," which, although sounding nothing at all like zydeco music, features some particularly passionate playing from Blake. Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-call-mw0000184636

Personnel: Seamus Blake (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Kurt Rosenwinkel (guitar); Kevin Hays (piano); Bill Stewart (drums).

The Call

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Keiko Matsui - Wildflower

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:35
Size: 114,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:48)  1. Flashback
(4:33)  2. Facing Up
(4:28)  3. Sense Of A Journey
(4:29)  4. Brand New Wind
(4:06)  5. Eldest Of All
(4:23)  6. Reflections
(4:31)  7. White Castle
(3:46)  8. Temple Of Life
(5:07)  9. Seeker
(4:58) 10. Stone Circle
(4:19) 11. Wildflower

The spiritual and charitable-minded Japanese keyboardist, who blends ethereal new age textures with a rich soul-jazz sensibility better than anyone, is in top form on her 14th studio release. Like its recent predecessors on Narada Jazz, the CD features songs that are all about the landscape between subtlety and drama, elegant piano melodies and improvisations, dramatic flute and sax harmonies, and rich ambiences dense with percussion. Tying in perfectly with her current humanitarian work with United Nations World Food Program (WFP) efforts in Africa (most of her recent albums have tied into some charitable or health cause), the collection features subtle worldbeat threads throughout. "Flashback" features a gentle, classical-flavored piano melody over a gently throbbing bassline, before Matsui does some dramatic improvisations over dense, exotic percussion textures. "Facing Up" is quintessential graceful Matsui up until the feisty, machine-generated wall of polyrhythmic drums (which she simply dances over). "Sense of a Journey" is a little more smooth jazz-centered in spots, but later goes on a film score-like orchestral tangent. The intro to "Reflections" is low-key but decidedly African jungle in vibe, while the sweeping "Temple of Life" features hints of sitar, vocal choirs, and chanting beyond the orchestral flair. The closing title track is probably the most restrained piece production-wise, but also one of the most memorable melodically; its royalty proceeds will benefit the WFP, her latest charity. Matsui is always so consistent that it's hard to decide if one album ever tops another, but like most albums in her catalog, Wildflower is irresistible in its execution of incredible dynamics throughout. ~ Jonathan Widran http://www.allmusic.com/album/wildflower-mw0000696377

Personnel: Keiko Matsui (piano); Kazu Matsui (shakuhachi); Masamichi Nanji, Shinobu Ishizaki (soprano saxophone); Akira Jimbo (drums, percussion); Derek Nakamoto, Hajime Hyakkoku, Heigo Yokouchi, Kazunori Miyake (programming).

Wildflower

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