Dave Moretti Blues Revue - That's Swing!

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:11
Size: 92.0 MB
Styles: Swing, Jump Blues
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[4:09] 1. Good Morning Judge
[4:11] 2. That's Swing!
[3:27] 3. Dancin'
[2:49] 4. Straighten Up & Fly Right
[5:35] 5. Just Like A Dog
[3:42] 6. Bad
[4:31] 7. Gsus
[4:45] 8. Cattle Raiding
[3:26] 9. I Walked Away
[3:32] 10. You Know Why

These Italian bluesmen certainly know, love and play the blues with a devoted intensity. Dave Moretti is a first class harmonica player. His gruff voice is fitting for the blues, but his heavy accent tends to detract from enjoying the songs at times. The first track is relatively easy to understand. After that deciphering the words gets to be a chore. That said, the musicianship throughout is top notch and possessing an authentic vibe along with genuine enthusiasm. Damir Nefat is in command of his jump blues guitar skills. The rhythm section can stop on a dime and give you nine cents change.

“Good Morning Judge” draws you right in with its’ energy. It’s great! It sounds like Louis Prima sings the blues. The title track is the first sign of accent problems and the song is too repetitive. We get it already…”That’s Swing”. We want the funk and we get it on “Bad” with jumpy saxes, harmonica and guitar fighting it out with the tricky rhythm section. These guys can surely play.

Blues perfection rears its’ head on “Gsus” were Dave displays his flexible harmonica chops along with Damir’s slow, well thought out guitar solo. “Cattle Raiding” could of just as well been sung in a Italian. You can pick out the occasional word. As usual the music is just fine. Maurizio Pugno contributes some nice guitar to the splendid jump blues of “I Walked Away”. Things close out with the snappy “You Know Why” which features for my money the best harmonica workout on this recording.

At the conclusion I’m left in a quandary. The music is superb and uplifting. Getting through the thick accent detracts from the listening experience. After all music is a form of communication as well as a means of enjoyment. If the message or story doesn’t get across there is a problem. It’s too bad because everyone involved delivers quality and heartfelt music. ~Greg "Bluesdog" Szalony

That's Swing!

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Gary LeMel - How Fast Forever Goes

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:33
Size: 86.0 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz vocals
Year: 2002
Art: Front

[2:51] 1. (I'm Afraid) The Masquerade Is Over
[4:21] 2. Bluesette
[4:30] 3. Everything Must Change
[3:48] 4. Forget To Remember
[4:15] 5. How Fast Forever Goes
[3:05] 6. Satin Doll
[3:37] 7. Send In The Clowns
[3:47] 8. Softly As I Leave You
[4:07] 9. She Was Too Good To Me Since You Stayed Here
[3:08] 10. I'm All Smiles

Less well known as a performer than as a music industry executive, Gary LeMel began his showbiz career as vice president at Jerry Weintraub's Management III. A stint at First Artists Music followed, and it was there that LeMel was tapped by Warner Bros. to supervise the music for the Barbra Streisand films A Star Is Born and The Main Event; the soundtrack to the former was particularly successful, selling over six million copies in the U.S. alone. After serving as senior VP at Neil Bogart's Boardwalk Company, LeMel moved to Columbia Pictures in 1983; there he supervised a series of smash soundtracks including The Big Chill, Ghostbusters, Against All Odds and St. Elmo's Fire. Three years later he accepted an offer from Warner Bros., in the years to follow moving up the corporate ladder to become the president of the company's music division; again working extensively in film soundtracks, he launched hits including The Bodyguard, Singles and Space Jam. As a jazz vocalist, LeMel also recorded the occasional LP, including 1994's Romancing the Screen and 1999's Bobby Darin tribute Moonlighting. Lost In Your Arms appeared in summer 2001. ~bio by Jason Ankeny

How Fast Forever Goes

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The Deep River Boys - London Harmony (2-Disc Set)

The Deep River Boys left a legacy of fine recordings during their 50 years of performing, setting a standard for professionalism and longevity that is to be envied. They began recording as a gospel act in the late '40s and later switched over and became an R&B act and were more popular in Europe for periods of time before coming home to the States for triumphant return engagements.

Their story begins in 1936, when all of the Boys — Harry Douglas (baritone), Vernon Gardner (first tenor), George Lawson (second tenor), Jimmy Lundy, and Edward Ware (bass) — were still students at Hampton Institute in Virginia in the mid-'30s, singing in the school choir. They began appearing on radio and in 1937, landed a job on the CBS network replacing the Oleanders (whose lead singer, Billy Williams, had left to form the Charioteers). The Deep River Boys signed with Bluebird Records in 1940 and began recording material, including "By the Light of the Silvery Moon" (which featured Fats Waller on piano). When Harry Douglas went into the Army, he was replaced by Leroy Wayman, who in turn was replaced by Rhett Butler. Douglas returned to the group in 1946 and the Deep River Boys began enjoying their biggest success, appearing on Milton Berle's and Kate Smith's shows and touring with Bill "Bojangles" Robinson.

Like many vocal groups in their day, the Deep River Boys had more success with live performance than record sales, and it wasn't until 1948's "Recess in Heaven" that they enjoyed their first hit. Unfortunately, the newer R&B was just then emerging and their gospel sound was being pushed aside by popular vocal groups like the Dominoes, the Orioles, and the Ravens. Unlike the 5 Royales (a gospel group who began recording R&B sides for Apollo), the Deep River Boys were reluctant to change; instead, they followed the path of another great gospel group of the '40s — the Delta Rhythm Boys — and began performing more often in Europe.

They spent the early '50s shuttling back and forth, working in America with the Count Basie Band during 1951 and Erskine Hawkins, but also signed on for a record-breaking ten-week engagement at the London Palladium. They later left RCA for the independent Beacon Records label, which had been reactivated by owner Joe Davis. However, several singles for Beacon failed to generate any new interest and the Boys returned to RCA. In September of 1953, Cam Williams replaced Jim Lundy and the newly configured Deep River Boys returned to England and signed on for a nine-week appearance at the London Palladium. In the springtime of 1954, they once again found themselves back on Davis' Beacon Records for a second time. Throughout the rest of their career, the Deep River Boys continued to have sporadic releases on labels such as the RCA-subsidiary Vik Records, as well as Gallant and Wand.

George Lawson retired in 1950, followed six years later by Ed Ware in 1956 (he died shortly after). Vernon Gardner also left in 1956. Bass vocalist Ronnie Bright replaced Ware (he'd previously been in the Cadillacs). In 1963, Bright had a hit of his own, "Mr. Bass Man" (number 16) with Johnny Cymbal. He later joined Carl Gardner's lineup of the Coasters. Amazingly, a Harry Douglas-led Deep River Boys (with a revolving lineup of new members) continued to make appearances well into the 1980s, 50 years after their founding. In his 80's, Douglas continues to perform occasionally.

Album: London Harmony (Disc 1)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:28
Size: 145.3 MB
Styles: R&B, Vocal harmonies
Year: 2004
Art: Front

[2:23] 1. That Lucky Old Sun
[3:00] 2. Too-Whit, Too Whoo
[3:15] 3. Down In The Glen
[3:08] 4. Oh Tell Me Gypsy
[2:52] 5. Bewitched
[2:44] 6. Ashes Of Roses
[2:09] 7. I Still Love You
[2:39] 8. Sept..Ember Song
[2:41] 9. The Stars Are The Windows Of Heaven
[3:07] 10. Mister & Mississippi
[2:46] 11. May The Good Lord Bless & Keep You
[3:04] 12. Too Young
[3:24] 13. My Yiddisher Momma
[3:43] 14. Eili Eili
[2:22] 15. Deep Water
[2:38] 16. I Won't Cry Anymore
[2:46] 17. (It's No) Sin
[2:56] 18. Glad Rag Doll
[3:06] 19. Don't Trade Your Love For Gold
[3:41] 20. Only Fascination
[2:45] 21. Trying
[2:07] 22. Tennessee News Boy

London Harmony (Disc 1)

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Album: London Harmony (Disc 2)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:24
Size: 124.5 MB
Styles: R&B, Vocal harmonies
Year: 2004
Art: Front

[2:22] 1. A Kiss & A Cuddle Polka
[2:27] 2. Sweet Mama Tree Top Tall
[2:42] 3. My Castle On The Nile
[2:22] 4. Lucky Black Cat
[2:49] 5. Romance Al A Mode
[2:18] 6. Shake Rattle & Roll
[2:49] 7. St Louis Blues
[2:58] 8. Smack Dab In The Middle
[2:33] 9. I Wonder
[2:36] 10. Rock Around The Clock
[3:08] 11. Adam Never Had A Mummy
[2:34] 12. Rock A Beatin' Boogie
[2:20] 13. Just A Little Bit More
[2:45] 14. That's Right
[2:13] 15. Honey Honey
[2:36] 16. Whole Lotta Shaking Goin' On
[2:38] 17. There's A Goldmine In The Sky
[2:04] 18. Not Too Old To Rock And Roll
[2:18] 19. Slow Train To Nowhere
[3:17] 20. I'm Confessin'
[2:26] 21. TItchy Twitchy Feelin'

London Harmony (Disc 2)

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Tori Sparks - La Huerta

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:04
Size: 123.8 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2017
Art: Front

[3:54] 1. Nature Boy
[3:07] 2. Bitter Seeds
[4:54] 3. La Leyenda Del Tiempo
[5:27] 4. Kashmir
[4:00] 5. La Huerta
[5:15] 6. Until Morning
[4:45] 7. Veinte Anos
[3:24] 8. Little Wars
[3:29] 9. On My Mind
[4:05] 10. Vete
[5:55] 11. Malena
[5:43] 12. Wade In The Water

American singer-songwriter Tori Sparks made the move from Nashville, TN (US) to Barcelona. Her fifth album El Mar (Glass Mountain Records, 2014) was a collaboration with flamenco fusion trio Calamento. The album began as a curious experiment after a chance meeting at a benefit concert. Over months of rehearsals in a basement in Barcelona, a strange and beautiful synthesis sprang from the mix of Tori's blues, rock, and folk sensibilities with the Spanish musicians' atypical take on flamenco and jazz fusion. The bilingual project was an unexpected international success, called "indescribable, incredible" (Deruting), "adventurous, pushing the envelope" (Rolling Stone), and "extremely special, a monster of a record [Top 20 Albums of the Year]" (Orpheo). The band went on to triumph on the festival circuit (Voll-Damm International Jazz Festival, (In)Fusion Flamenca, the GREC Festival, others) as well as in tours in Germany, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and beyond. Two years later, Tori Sparks + Calamento have returned to the studio, but with one major difference: The quartet has become a quintet.

“La Huerta” (la ware-tah), means “the garden” in Spanish. This isn’t a garden composed of hothouse flowers and luxury landscaping – it’s the garden you’d find behind your house, full of nourishing plants, wild creatures, and weeds. It’s the patch of land where you plant your expectations, decisions, dreams, hopes, hatreds, losses, wishes, loves, mistakes. This is where the fruit of every seed you have ever planted grows… and grows.

Tori Sparks, Calamento and El Rubio presented the new album La Huerta for the first time in concert at Luz de Gas in Barcelona on February 23rd, and at Sala Clamores in Madrid on March 30th.

La Huerta

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The Chico Hamilton Quintet - The Three Faces Of Chico Hamilton

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 35:42

Size: 81.8 MB

Styles: Bop, West Coast jazz

Year: 1959/2013

Art: Front

[2:13] 1. Miss Movement

[2:47] 2. She's Funny That Way

[4:25] 3. Trinkets

[5:51] 4. More Than You Know

[2:36] 5. The Best Things In Life Are Free

[2:25] 6. Where Or When

[2:11] 7. Happy Little Dance

[4:35] 8. Newport News

[2:57] 9. I Don't Know Why (I Just Do)

[5:38] 10. No Speak English, Man

A fine showcase for Chico Hamilton as a triple-threat artist: drummer extraordinaire ("Miss Movement," "Trinkets," etc.), vocalist ("She's Funny That Way," "The Best Things in Life Are Free," "Where or When"), and, of course, leader. His vocals are reminiscent of Nat King Cole, with subtleties all his own, and his drumming is just as impressive amid its own set of superlatives, many of which are shown off on the Hamilton originals "Happy Little Dance" and "Trinkets." The other members of the group, Wyatt Ruther (bass), Eric Dolphy (flute, reeds), Dennis Budimer (guitar), and Nathan Gershman (cello), get their own moments to shine, on "Newport News," "I Don't Know Why (I Just Do)," etc. Hamilton also brought in a full reed section for several numbers here, in acknowledgement of his own appreciation of the classic 1940s big-band sound. And the contrasts with the quartet and solo numbers make this one of the most diversely textured and wide-ranging of all Chico Hamilton albums. ~Bruce Eder

The Three Faces of Chico  

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Gene Krupa - Drums Drums Drums

Styles: Jazz, Swing
Year: 2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:04
Size: 140,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:00)  1. Drummin' Man
(3:04)  2. Leave Us Leap
(3:10)  3. Drum Boogie
(3:23)  4. Boogie Blues
(2:53)  5. Bolero At The Savoy
(2:55)  6. Lover
(3:17)  7. Massachusetts
(2:55)  8. Symphony In Riffs
(2:58)  9. Opus One
(2:39) 10. After You've Gone
(2:35) 11. Do You Wanna Jump, Children
(2:59) 12. Tuxedo Junction
(3:25) 13. Boog-It
(3:25) 14. Body & Soul
(3:13) 15. That's What You Think
(3:17) 16. Wire Brush Stomp
(2:30) 17. Nagasaki
(3:12) 18. Disk Jockey Jump
(2:43) 19. Rhumboogie
(3:20) 20. How High The Moon

This 20-song collection, evidently made up of radio airchecks that are effectively out of copyright overseas, makes a good companion to Sony's Gene Krupa hits and Anita O'Day/Roy Eldridge collections. It doesn't have "Let Me Off Uptown," but it does include O'Day's extraordinary "Boogie Blues," "Bolero at the Savoy," and "Massachusetts," and performances by scat-singing star Leo Watson. Further, Roy Eldridge is featured on at least half the cuts here in prominent solos, but the producers have also included tracks by the later Krupa line-ups, which included Charlie Ventura and Gerry Mulligan, working in leaner, more modern jazz surroundings. The sound quality is above average for the period, with minimal distortion and a clean, close sound. The drums, of course, are prominent (nowhere more so than on "Wire Brush Stomp"), but the solos by Eldridge and the other featured members of Krupa's various bands also come out loud and richly textured. Of the music itself, there's only one really weak link here, Krupa's much-too-fast treatment of the Richard Rodgers/Lorenz Hart waltz "Lover," and it is more than made up for by the presence of O'Day's singing on "That's What You Think." And it's all budget priced too. ~ Bruce Eder http://www.allmusic.com/album/drums-drums-drums-mw0000533832

Personnel:  Drums – Gene Krupa;  Saxophone – Charlie Ventura (tracks: 14);  Trumpet – Roy Eldridge (tracks: 10);  Vocals – Anita O'Day (tracks: 4, 5, 7, 9, 15), Irene Daye (tracks: 1, 3, 13, 19), Leo Watson (tracks: 11, 17)

Drums Drums Drums

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Patricia Dean - Moments like this

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:53
Size: 114,3 MB
Art: Front

(2:43)  1. I can't believe that you're in love with me
(5:27)  2. Stairway to the stars
(5:31)  3. Come back my love
(5:46)  4. For heaven's sake
(3:21)  5. Give me the simple life
(3:47)  6. Never let me go
(3:33)  7. Garota de Ipanema
(4:04)  8. There's no you
(4:15)  9. Close your eyes
(5:54) 10. Round midnight
(3:02) 11. Moments like this
(2:25) 12. But beautiful

This self-produced project has the distinction of being mastered by 2006 Record of the Year Grammy award winner Arnie Acosta. Recorded and engineered at Eastern Sky studios in Orlando, FL by Dave Brown (featured in Mix Magazine) this album has a warm ambience that makes it a pleasure to listen to.

A collection of choice ballads, bossa novas and swing tunes demonstrating Patricia’s rich vocal quality, paying tribute to her favorite singers: Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughan, Shirley Horn and Julie London. In addition, she also happens to be an accomplished drummer featured on several tracks. Her exquisite treatment of the album's six ballads reveals her innate sense of timing and expression, leaving the listener wanting more of this enchanting songstress. "Come Back My Love" an original melody written by her father the late Don Dean, Sr. features the gorgeous trombone sound of Herb Bruce. Her arrangement of Jobim's classic "Garota de Ipanema" is reharmonized to give this timeless standard a fresh sound with an authentic reading of the original Portuguese lyric. "Close Your Eyes" has an exotic Middle Eastern flavor thanks to guitarist Mark Speights featured on the Choral Sitar with a haunting clarinet interlude by Jim Snyder paying homage to the original Benny Goodman recording. Pianist Charlie Prawdzik is all taste and bassist Jay Mueller provides a solid groove on all but one of the tracks. Patricia Dean is a respected musician and vocalist who began her career at the age of 14 performing with her father and brother in the Tampa Bay area. A native Floridian, Patricia has travelled extensively with her own trio, and has performed with Harry Allen, Kenny Drew, Jr., as well as Jazz legends Nat Adderley, John LaPorta and Ira Sullivan. On a personal note...11/15/10, Our wonderful pianist on this project, Charlie Prawdzik passed away 10/31/10 after a year long battle with Lou Gehrig's disease. His contribution to this project was priceless and he will always be remember for his tasteful and supportive  playing and his dry wit. Thank you, Charlie..  https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/patriciadean

Moments like this

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The Frank Capp Juggernaut - Play It Again Sam

Styles: Jazz, Bop
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:01
Size: 129,2 MB
Art: Front

(3:09)  1. The Heat's On
(6:35)  2. Warm Breeze
(6:07)  3. Ja-Da
(3:48)  4. Sweet Georgia Brown
(2:17)  5. Katy
(3:32)  6. Wind Machine
(3:46)  7. Soft As Velvet
(3:15)  8. Ya Gotta Try
(6:16)  9. Freckle Face
(4:16) 10. Satin 'N' Glass
(6:46) 11. 88 Basie Street
(5:06) 12. Night Flight

On the one hand, the music on this set, which features the Frank Capp Juggernaut performing a dozen Sammy Nestico arrangements, is quite predictable. After all, the Juggernaut's playing has always been based on the style of Count Basie, so its interpretations of Nestico's music (ten of the 12 songs are his) is very much in the Basie tradition. But on the other hand, the enthusiasm of the band, the high musicianship and the many exciting solos make this into a very enjoyable performance that all fans of swinging big bands will want. Among the many top soloists are trumpeters Conte Candoli, Carl Saunders, Bob Summers and Bill Berry, trombonists Andy Martin and Thurman Green, pianist Gerry Wiggins and the tenors of Pete Christlieb and Rickey Woodard. In fact, on "88 Basie Street," all 18 musicians in the orchestra get four-bars apiece. Other highlights include "The Heat's On," "Wind Machine," "Ya Gotta Try" and "Freckle Face."~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/play-it-again-sam-mw0000096900

Personnel: Frank Capp (drums); Barry Zweig, John Pisano (guitar); Jackie Kelso, Steve Wilkerson (alto saxophone); Pete Christlieb, Rickey Woodard (tenor saxophone); Bob Efford (baritone saxophone); Conte Candoli, Bill Berry , Frank Szabo, Bob Summers, Carl Saunders (trumpet); George Bohannon, Dana Hughes, Alan Kaplan, Andy Martin , Thurman Green, Wendell Kelly (trombone); Gerry Wiggins (piano).

Play It Again Sam

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'Papa' John Defrancesco - Walking Uptown

Styles: Jazz, Jazz Funk
Year: 2004
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:10
Size: 133,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:36)  1. One For Jack Mac
(7:58)  2. Sunny
(7:28)  3. People Get Ready
(7:58)  4. 160 Million Dollar Chinese Man
(6:55)  5. Mojo
(8:07)  6. Walking Uptown
(5:06)  7. Delaware Fox
(8:59)  8. What Happened

Papa John DeFrancesco, the father of Joey DeFrancesco, is a talented organist himself. On this informal set with his quartet (which also includes tenor-saxophonist Tim Warfield, his other musical son, guitarist Johnny DeFrancesco, and drummer Glenn Ferracone), Papa John mostly sticks to the blues and bluish material. In addition to a swinging version of "Sunny," the gospel-ish "People Get Ready," the funky "160 Million Dollar Chinese Man" (from the remake of Ocean's 11), and a vamp piece ("What Happened"), there are four blues at various tempos and levels of funk. Joey DeFrancesco makes guest appearances on two tracks (one apiece on trumpet and piano) and bassist Paul Klinefelter is on one number but otherwise the basic quartet is showcased romping and stomping out their brand of soulful blues. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/walking-uptown-mw0000165873

Personnel: Papa John DeFrancesco (Hammond b-3 organ); Johnny DeFrancesco (guitar); Paul Klinefelter (double bass); Tim Warfield (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Joey DeFrancesco (trumpet, piano); Glenn Ferracone (drums, percussion).

Walking Uptown

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