Wednesday, September 28, 2016

The Don Friedman Trio - Nite Lites

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:04
Size: 142.1 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2015
Art: Front

[8:01] 1. 5-5-14
[7:36] 2. All Or Nothing At All
[8:19] 3. Nite Lites
[7:37] 4. Un-Ravel-Ed
[4:35] 5. Daahud
[7:31] 6. Chopinesque
[7:19] 7. Spring Can Really Hamg You Up The Most
[6:14] 8. Turn Out The Stars
[4:46] 9. Requiem

Don Friedman (piano), Harvie S (bass), Klemens Marktl (drums). Recorded, mixed & mastered by Tom Tedesco at Tedesco Studios, Paramus, NJ, on April 10, 2015

Don Friedman's journey toward this collection began when he was four years old and clambered onto his parents piano bench for a bit of experimental improvisation. Soon, his first formal piano lesson put him on the road toward a lifelong commitment to the classics.

Classics? you may ask, isn't he a jazz pianist? He is, indeed, one admired by virtually all of his keyboard contemporaries. The late Lou Levy, a dean of modern jazz pianists, was notably reserved in assigning praise. But Levy told critic Herb Wong, I love to listen to a pianist who practices. Players like Chick Corea and Bill Evans are examples, and Don Friedman is another who has equal strength in his fingers and you can hear it. Mix that with good taste, knowledge, experience and individual soundand you have a helluva player, and I think Don is a great player. Lets agree on what constitutes a classic. Any dictionary definition boils down to something like, Of the first or highest class, quality or rank. By that standard, not only Mr. Friedmans tributes to Ravel and Chopin but every piece that he chose for this collection is a classic. ~Doug Ramsey

Nite Lites

Marvin Gaye - A Tribute To The Great Nat King Cole

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:52
Size: 82.1 MB
Styles: R&B, Vocal
Year: 1965/2015
Art: Front

[2:48] 1. Nature Boy
[2:49] 2. Ramblin Rose
[3:46] 3. Too Young
[2:52] 4. Pretend
[2:22] 5. Straighten Up And Fly Right
[3:04] 6. Mona Lisa
[3:40] 7. Unforgettable
[2:16] 8. To The Ends Of The Earth
[2:46] 9. Sweet Lorraine
[2:24] 10. It's Only A Paper Moon
[2:56] 11. Send For Me
[4:04] 12. Calypso Blues

A wonderful album that got buried when it was initially released. Nat "King" Cole was a primary influence on Marvin Gaye for Gaye's entire career, and he got a chance on this album to display his affection for sentimental, romantic fare and his skill in singing it. ~Ron Wynn

A Tribute To The Great Nat King Cole

Lady In Jazz - S/T

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 34:06
Size: 78.1 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[2:06] 1. It Don't Mean A Thing
[2:29] 2. Ain't No Sunshine
[2:25] 3. L.O.V.E.
[2:51] 4. Taking A Chance On Love
[3:02] 5. Take The 'a' Train
[3:57] 6. What A Wonderful World
[4:16] 7. Old Devil Moon
[2:35] 8. Gee Baby Ain't I Good To You
[2:13] 9. Que Reste T'il De Nos Amours
[2:06] 10. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
[2:18] 11. Lullaby Of Birdland
[3:42] 12. I've Got You Under My Skin

Lady In Jazz

Studio Rio - Studio Rio Presents The Brazil Connection

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:30
Size: 97.3 MB
Styles: Brazilian jazz
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[3:56] 1. Lovely Day
[3:18] 2. Walk On By
[4:07] 3. Sexual Healing
[3:44] 4. You've Changed
[3:48] 5. Family Affair
[3:04] 6. It's Your Thing
[3:08] 7. I've Got You Under My Skin
[4:51] 8. I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free
[3:10] 9. I Can See Clearly Now
[2:52] 10. Take Five
[2:59] 11. Music To Watch Girls By
[3:27] 12. Summertime

Welcome to Studio Rio Presents: The Brazil Connection, a lively and seamless blend of samba and bossa nova grooves with some of the most iconic American vocal performances from Billie Holiday, Marvin Gaye, The Isley Brothers, Aretha Franklin, and others.

The Brazil Connection is the brainchild of music producers Frank and Christian Berman, who had previously explored such distinct cultures for Rhythms Del Mundo, an album gathering acclaimed artists like Sting and Coldplay with the legendary Buena Vista Social Club. For The Brazil Connection, the Berman Brothers used original multi-track masters and an all-new, state-of-the-art separation technology to extract the classic vocal performances. Once in hand, they melded the newly isolated vocals with brand-new, authentically arranged backing tracks from an all-star cast of Brazilian musical pioneers from the bossa nova and samba genres, including Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner Roberto Menescal and Brazilian musical legend, Marcos Valle. The result is 12 tracks that capture the spirit of Brazilian music and style while embodying the slogan of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil: "All in one rhythm." The Brazil Connection is a vibrant, inspired reinvention of timeless performances that at once feels entirely new and instantly familiar. It is guaranteed to get you on your feet and leave you smiling.

Studio Rio Presents The Brazil Connection

Warren Vaché - What Is There To Say?

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:21
Size: 163.4 MB
Styles: Mainstream jazz
Year: 2000
Art: Front

[4:34] 1. St. Sundown
[3:47] 2. My Shining Hour
[4:38] 3. Deep In A Dream
[7:05] 4. Too Phat Blues
[6:36] 5. I Love You, Samantha
[6:36] 6. Bossango
[4:40] 7. Pow Wow
[5:47] 8. I'll Never See Maggie Alone
[6:12] 9. I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face
[6:01] 10. See Jim, See Jane, See Joe, C-Jam Blues
[3:18] 11. Come Love
[3:51] 12. What Is There To Say
[5:01] 13. It's A Blue World
[3:10] 14. Falling In Love Is Wonderful

In a small group context, Vache's bright and literate trumpet or cornet work gets a little more of the spotlight. This pianoless quartet also showcases the criminally underrated guitarist Joe Puma, the fine-toned bassist Murray Wall, and the veteran drummer Eddie Locke. They collectively epitomize the continuing swing tradition.

Vache also fancies himself an entertaining singer in the Jack Sheldon tradition. He goes into sly enunciations with Puma's lustrous chords during "Comes Love," tells a tale of being swamped by in-laws for "I'll Never See Maggie Alone," and obviously not diabetic, relates defiance for diets, glorifying gorging in the swinging "Too Phat Blues." Watch your triglycerides Warren! Puma wrote three of the pieces: the sweet, implied bossa/tango "Bossango" sans drums; the "Cherokee"-based, well-swung "Pow Wow"; and the 12-bar original "See Jim/Jane/Joe/C-Jam Blues," which features the guitarist's gliding chords along with Vache's muted horn and traded fours with Locke's brushed drums and cymbals. The steely-toned Puma makes definitive statements throughout this disc, especially on the forward moving, no-nonsense swinger "At Sundown." It's Vache who takes the bull by the horns for great swing vehicles as "My Shining Hour" and "It's a Blue World," the leader quoting "Seven Come Eleven" and "West End Blues" on the former, dealing a straight flush on the latter. Locke is most inspired and impressive on brushes for "Samantha"; he could write a book, and maybe he should as did Ed Thigpen. There's also the half-speed ballad "Deep in a Dream," the slow ballads "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" and the tenderized guitar-bass duo title cut, and the bass-based swinger "Falling in Love Is Wonderful." This is a tasty morsel of swing from experts who do it right. Recommended. ~Michael G. Nastos

What Is There To Say?

Paul Brown, Marc Antoine - Foreign Exchange

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:41
Size: 93,5 MB
Art: Front

(4:34)  1. Feel The Love
(4:00)  2. Wine Night
(3:49)  3. Flight Of The Conchords
(4:03)  4. Foreign Exchange
(3:35)  5. Brother Earl
(4:22)  6. On The Down Low
(4:04)  7. French Connection
(4:11)  8. What About Bob
(3:45)  9. Sweetness
(4:13) 10. Bridges Of Paris

When two jazz guitarists of different styles, George Benson and Earl Klugh, came together, it was hailed as a success. The formula also worked for Lee Ritenour and Larry Carlton. Now, Paul Brown and Marc Antoine attempt to capture that flair with Foreign Exchange. California native Brown is, perhaps, one of the most established influences in smooth jazz. A producer who has contributed a lot of the cookie-cutter programming for such artists as Boney James, Carlton, and Kirk Whalum, he is also an accomplished guitarist, playing electric guitar on this date. French-born Antoine, who performs on nylon-string guitar here, has performed for such diverse acts as Celine Dion, Sting, Rod Stewart, Queen Latifah, and Benson. He has also composed and performed for several movie soundtracks, including Get Shorty (1995), Demolition Man (1993), and The Fan (1996).  "Flight of the Conchords" has a mild samba flavor. With Brown doubling on percussion and Antoine on drums, this song is part peaceful flight and part relaxing with a drink. Roberto Vally complements on bass and Phillip Saisse has keyboard duty. Antoine leads to start things off, with an uncredited flute enhancing the flavor. After a brief solo by Saisse and another by Antoine, Brown comes forth before trading lines with Antoine to set up the song's ending.

The title song is moderately paced, with Brown and Antoine, who also adds bass duty, harmonizing on the melody. With Saisse again on keys, the leaders are supplemented by the three-piece horn section of Jerry Hey, Bill Reichenbach, and Dan Higgins. The drums and percussion are a bit underwhelming, but the leads and soft horns more than make up for that. Trumpet, trombone, and sax are in perfect sync, while the guitars complement each other well.  "Brother Earl" is a tribute to Klugh. Percussionist Lenny Castro joins Vally, Saisse, and the horn section on this all-too-short piece. 

Brown leads and Antoine answers on the melody. On the second pass, Brown adds a little spice while the horns lay down a not-so-subtle underscore. Vally's bass adds a little funk to this otherwise chill-out song, with Brown establishing a Carlton-esque groove during his middle solo. Throughout most of Foreign Exchange, Brown and Antoine are accompanied by a variable lineup of bassists and keyboardists in addition to the horn section and it works out. While safely within the confines of the smooth jazz format, the songs aren't weighed down by catchy phrasing or handicapped by bland programming. ~ Woodrow Wilkins https://www.allaboutjazz.com/foreign-exchange-paul-brown-peak-records-review-by-woodrow-wilkins.php
 
Personnel: Jeff Caruthers: drums (1, 7), keys (1, 7), acoustic guitars (1); Dan Lutz: bass (1, 2, 7); Paul Brown: electric guitar, percussion (1-4, 6, 8, 10), drums (5, 6, 8, 9); Marc Antoine: nylon-string guitar, percussion (1), drums (2-4); Phillipe Saisse: keys (2-6, 8, 10); Roberto Vally: bass (3, 5, 6, 9, 10); Jerry Hey: trumpet (4, 5, 7, 9); Bill Reichenbach: trombone (4, 5, 7, 9); Dan Higgins: sax (4, 5, 7, 9); Lenny Castro: percussion (5, 7, 9); Tommy Kay: rhythm guitar (8, 9); Greg Karukas: keys (9); Sergio Gonzales: drums (10); Jessy J: flute (10).

Foreign Exchange

Brenda Boykin - Chocolate & Chili

Styles: Vocal, Soul, Swing
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:31
Size: 197,9 MB
Art: Front

(4:26)  1. Be My Lover
(5:05)  2. Ride Rich Rhythm
(3:32)  3. Chocolate And Chili
(5:31)  4. Wonderful
(5:21)  5. Love Is In Town
(4:55)  6. Hard Swing Travellin' Man
(4:43)  7. Talk With Your Hands
(3:23)  8. State Side Blues
(4:34)  9. Across The Stars
(4:37) 10. He Doesn't Know
(4:02) 11. Moaning
(4:46) 12. Listen To The Beat
(5:05) 13. Freedom Song
(3:55) 14. Rockabye Me
(3:27) 15. Be My Lover (Acoustic Bossa Remix)

It never ceases to amaze me how many US artistes of pedigree decide to set up home in Europe as part of their musical journey. Hailing from Oakland, California and now residing in Wuppertal, Germany the winner of the 2005 Montreaux Jazz Festival's Best vocalist award, releases her stunning new album on the innovative Chin Chin label. If you have yet to catch some of her previous work with the Nu Jazz/ lounge project that is Club Des Belugas then you are in for a real treat.

Her rich voice full of musical mastery mixes soul with jazz, bossa nova and swing that is a pleasure to behold and a class above the normal offerings. Make no mistake this is an album that sets itself apart both in its creativity and musicianship. From the opening track 'Be my Lover' Ms Boykin lets you know the calibre of what is to come with the Donald Byrd influenced delightfully moodily sung laid back two-stepper. Then comes the first of many rhythmic explosions courtesy of spoken sassiness and impeccable scatting from Ms BB with the able support of Bebo Best and the Bahama Soul Club. If you remember the massive club hit 'Hip Hip, Chin Chin' then that will give you an idea of what is on offer here. Basically, a good time for dancers and a happy feeling for everyone! Check 'Ride Rich Rhythm' , 'Love is in town' and 'Listen to the Beat' for the feel good factor.  Frankly, this album is full of gems that make if difficult to pick out any that deserve a special mention as being favourites above the others, though the beat led 'Hard Swing Travellin' Man' comes close. Overall, the album displays the talents of a complete vocalist who has mastered many styles and is at the cutting edge of 21st century soul. A real delight and one of my favourites of the year to date. ~ James Lewis http://www.smooth-jazz.de/James/Chocolateandchili.htm

Chocolate & Chili

Sadao Watanabe - Front Seat

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1990
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:52
Size: 105,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:56)  1. Sailing
(5:01)  2. One More Time
(4:46)  3. Only In My Mind
(4:13)  4. Miles Apart
(5:08)  5. Any Other Fool
(5:21)  6. On The Way
(4:24)  7. Anga La Jua [Place in the Sun]
(3:24)  8. Wild Flowers
(2:58)  9. Front Seat
(4:37) 10. Takin' Time

Sadao Watanabe has long had a split musical personality. He alternates excellent bebop dates with pop albums. Watanabe learned clarinet and alto in high school, and in the 1950s he moved to Tokyo, joining Toshiko Akiyoshi's bop-oriented group in 1953. When the pianist moved to the U.S. in 1956, Watanabe took over the band. He attended Berklee during 1962-1965 and had the opportunity to work with Gary McFarland, Chico Hamilton, and Gabor Szabo. However, throughout his career Watanabe has remained mostly based in Japan, where he is a major influence on younger players. He has recorded steadily through the years, most notably with Chick Corea in New York (1970) and with the Galaxy All-Stars (1978). Watanabe's bop records are inspired by Charlie Parker, and his pop dates by Brazilian-flavored music. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/artist/sadao-watanabe-mn0000282544/biography

Personnel:  Alto Saxophone – Sadao Watanabe;  Backing Vocals – George Duke;  Backing Vocals – George Duke;  Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr.

Front Seat