Jeff Lorber - Flipside

Styles: Jazz Fusion
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:03
Size: 104,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:28)  1. Ooh La La
(4:43)  2. Everybody Knows That
(5:08)  3. By My Side
(4:04)  4. Flipside
(4:11)  5. Santa Monica Triangle
(5:00)  6. Sun Ra
(5:12)  7. Angel In Paris
(4:26)  8. Bombay Cafe
(3:09)  9. Tune 88
(4:36) 10. Enchanted Way

The legendary keyboardist started making his unique brand of old-school soul meets modern funk back when old-school was still in session, and the title of his third Narada Jazz disc is a throwback to that era, when the 45 RPM was king. Rather than overwhelm this time with hardcore commercial funk grooves and calculated radio hooks, Jeff Lorber is more into cool vibes and soulful atmospheres. Melodies have always been his gift, so those just come naturally, as on the laid-back, chillout opening track, which features a lush, loose acoustic piano lead. There are less horns than usual, but Ron King (trumpet) and Gary Meek (sax) are given free reign to create snazzy textures on "Everybody Knows That" and the nifty, acoustic soul-jazz flavored title track. "Angel in Paris" is all swinging '60s jazz-funk, complete with a shimmering Rhodes lead as only Lorber can play. Working with co-producer Steve Dubin and keyboardist Nelson Jackson, Lorber lets the tunes develop beginning with off the cuff improvisations and inspired acoustic runs, then creating easy grooving, '70s-minded rhythm beds to ground them. As the album title promises, there are a few oft-hidden sides to Lorber that are on prominent display here such as his softer heart on the classical flavored, candlelit "By My Side" and a moody blast from the past, a re-recording of "Tune 88" (originally on 1979's Water Sign) that reminds people that the style that evolved into smooth jazz was once pretty darn adventurous. There's a little darker imagery than fans of the lighter side of Lorber are used to, but isn't that what the B-sides in the old days were for? ~ Jonathan Widran http://www.allmusic.com/album/flipside-mw0000141344

Personnel:  Jeff Lorber  producer, piano, Rhodes, Wurlitzer, keyboards, guitar;  Alex Al  bass guitar;  Bill Reichenbach trombone;  Dan Higgins  tenor saxophone;  David Mann  saxophone, horn;  Eric Wall  guitar;  Gary Meek  tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone;  John Roberts  drums;  Nelson Jackson  keyboards;  Robbie Nevil  keyboards;  Ron King  trumpet;  Victor Lawrence  cello

Flipside

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Tierney Sutton - I'm With the Band

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:17
Size: 141,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:58)  1. Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise
(4:49)  2. Let's Face the Music and Dance
(2:48)  3. 'S Wonderful
(4:17)  4. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea
(3:07)  5. Two for the Road
(2:37)  6. East of the Sun (And West of the Moon)
(2:56)  7. People Will Say We're In Love
(4:42)  8. If I Loved You
(2:28)  9. Surrey With the Fringe On Top
(3:16) 10. Cheek to Cheek
(4:54) 11. Blue Skies
(3:31) 12. I Get a Kick Out of You
(4:49) 13. The Lady Is a Tramp
(3:19) 14. What a Little Moonlight Will Do
(4:12) 15. On My Way to You
(4:27) 16. Devil May Care

Jazz siren Tierney Sutton has produced her masterpiece. Following five well-received recordings, Sutton has done two things that ensure the superb quality of her new recording: one, she and her band perform live; and two, she fully integrates herself into the band, where all members exist as equals. Tierney Sutton has made a dent in the jazz market by releasing smartly conceived concept recordings, usually focusing on a single artist. Introducing Tierney Sutton (Challenge, 1998) was an initial affair that honored Frank Sinatra. Unsung Heroes (Telarc, 2000) offered a program consisting of jazz standards most commonly considered instrumentals (thus its ironic title). Blue in Green (Telarc, 2001) paid homage to Bill Evans, while Something Cool (Telarc, 2002) showed Sutton stretching her repertoire to include Patsy Cline and Nat King Cole. Dancing in the Dark (Telarc, 2004) was Sutton's overt tribute to the Chairman of the Board.  I'm With the Band takes everything Tierney Sutton has been doing on these discs, throws it in the air, and allows the results to fall where they may live. 

A vocal gymnast, Sutton carries the lyrically elastic torch of Betty Carter. Her control and technique make her voice (through vocalese) an instrument in her band, not in the cliched singing sort of way, but in the real scat sense. This becomes apparent right out of the chute with her lengthy introduction and scat solo on the wonderfully upbeat and off-kilter "Softly in The Morning Sunrise." On "S'Wonderful," Sutton performs in a trio with bassist Kevin Axt and drummer Ray Brinker (also on "Shat A Little Moonlight can Do"), all of whom free-form their way through the Gershwin brothers' classic. "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" is serpentine and creamy. "Two for the Road" is lazily balladic. When not displaying her considerable vocal abilities, Sutton celebrates the talents of her longtime bandmates, effectively elevating them to equals on this recording. Christian Jacob plays splendid piano throughout, harmonically anchoring the group. Bassist Kevin Axt and drummer Ray Brinker comprise a crack rhythm section which maintains a hard swing throughout. While the program may be heavy on the Sinatra, it's great to hear this repertoire performed in such a fresh and inventive way. ~ C.Michael Bailey https://www.allaboutjazz.com/im-with-the-band-tierney-sutton-telarc-records-review-by-c-michael-bailey.php
 

Personnel: Tierney Sutton: vocals; Christian Jacob: piano; Trey Henry, Kevin Axt: bass instrument; Ray Brinker: drums.

I'm With the Band

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Bob Mintzer Big Band - The First Decade

Styles: Flute, Clarinet and Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1995
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:25
Size: 157,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:52)  1. Spectrum
(5:47)  2. One Man Band
(5:24)  3. My Foolish Heart
(6:11)  4. Yeah Yeah Yeah
(7:30)  5. Lazy Day
(6:42)  6. Elvin's Mambo
(6:07)  7. Hip Hop
(4:51)  8. Beyond The Limit
(6:14)  9. T.V. Blues
(6:21) 10. Mr. Fone Bone
(5:35) 11. Pots & Pans
(1:45) 12. After Thought

A versatile soloist influenced by Michael Brecker on tenor, Bob Mintzer gained experience playing with Deodato, Tito Puente (1974), Buddy Rich, Hubert Laws, and the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra (1977). In addition to leading his own bands starting in 1978, Mintzer worked with Jaco Pastorius, Mike Mainieri, Louie Bellson, Bob Moses, and the American Saxophone Quartet. He has guested with several philharmonic orchestras and led a fine big band in New York since the mid-'80s. Mintzer, a member of the Yellowjackets since 1991 (where his bass clarinet in particular adds a great deal of color to the group), recorded regularly for DMP for a decade before moving to TVT for 1998's Quality Time. Homage to Count Basie followed in fall 2000. Live at MCG, which featured vocalist Kurt Elling, and Old School New Lessons, both of which were benefit albums for the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, appeared in 2004 and 2006, respectively. In 2007, Mintzer released the small group session In the Moment. He returned to a big-band setting for 2008's Swing Out and 2012's For the Moment. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/artist/bob-mintzer-mn0000765221/biography

Personnel: Bob Mintzer (flute, bass clarinet, saxophone, tenor saxophone); Michael Franks (vocals); Pete Yellin, Roger Rosenberg, Bob Malach (flute, saxophone); Michael Brecker, Lawrence Feldman (flute, alto saxophone); Marvin Stamm, Randy Brecker, Tim Hagans, Laurie Frink, Bob Millikan, Michael Philip Mossman, Joe Mosello, Ron Tooley (trumpet, flugelhorn); Dave Bargeron, Chris Seiter, Jim Pugh , Michael Davis , Keith O'Quinn, Bob Smith (trombone); Don Grolnick, Phil Markowitz (piano); Peter Erskine, John Riley (drums); Frank Malabé (congas).

The First Decade

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Bill Barron - Motivation

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1972
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:24
Size: 90,3 MB
Art: Front

(10:26)  1. Motivation
( 3:29)  2. Land of Sunshine
( 6:20)  3. Blues for R.A.
( 9:53)  4. Cosmos
( 5:13)  5. Hold Back Tomorrow
( 4:02)  6. Mental Vibrations

Bill Barron was an advanced and adventurous tenor saxophonist (doubling on soprano) who never compromised his music or received much recognition. He spent his formative years and beyond in Philadelphia, not moving to New York until 1958. Barron first came to the jazz world's attention through his participation on a Cecil Taylor date in 1959. After recording with Philly Joe Jones, Barron co-led a fine post-bop quartet with Ted Curson. However, Barron spent much of the remainder of his career as an educator, directing a jazz workshop at the Children's Museum in Brooklyn, teaching at City College of New York, and becoming the chairman of the music department at Wesleyan University. His "day job" made it possible for him to consistently record non-commercial music for Savoy (in 1972 he made that label's last jazz record), Dauntless, and Muse. Every one of Bill Barron's recordings as a leader uses brother Kenny Barron (16 years his junior) on piano. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/artist/bill-barron-mn0000059950/biography

Personnel: Tenor Saxophone – Bill Barron;   Bass – Chris White;  Drums – Al Hicks;  Piano – Kenny Barron

Motivation

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