Emi Meyer - Monochrome

Size: 102,4 MB
Time: 35:48
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015/2017
Styles: Jazz/Pop/Soul Vocals
Art: Front

01. Odyssey (4:31)
02. If I Think Of You (3:34)
03. Monochrome (3:41)
04. I'd Rather Go Blind (3:51)
05. Paraiso (4:06)
06. Home (4:12)
07. Master Piece (4:17)
08. Flesh And Bones (3:18)
09. What A Wonderful World (4:14)

With an interesting blend of jazz, soul and pop, Tokyo-based singer/songwriter Emi Meyer has carved out a wide-ranging career in Japan with her songs featured in TV, movies and advertising, and her performances ranging from small jazz clubs to major stages throughout Asia. For her debut U.S. recording, Meyer combines music from a set recorded in Paris with Belgian pianist Eric Legnini's French quartet, and new originals recorded in Seattle and featuring guitarist Dan Balmer & pianist Dawn Clement. From her own compositions to classics like "I'd Rather Go Blind" from Etta James' songbook, Michael Buble's "Home," or "What A Wonderful World," Emi's intimate readings project poignancy and grace, tying them all together in an engaging package.

Monochrome

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Aaron Bing - Aaron Bing

Size: 98,6 MB
Time: 42:02
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Jazz: Smooth Jazz
Art: Front

01. Endless Moment (4:09)
02. Gentle Beauty (4:12)
03. New Beginning (3:48)
04. Where We're Supposed To Be (Feat. Jd Greer) (4:25)
05. Outside The Box (4:04)
06. On The Go (3:57)
07. Open Your Eyes (4:50)
08. Language Of Us (Feat. Taalib York) (4:14)
09. Imagine (4:25)
10. Gift Of Life (3:54)

When Aaron Bing plays, most people sit back and take notice. Bing wants his listeners to hear the best music possible, not categorize his musical style. His music is unlike any on the current Jazz scene. It combines several genres and creates a bran-new sound.

If you listen closely to his debut LP, one might say, you'll find R&B drum tracks as well as classical strings. "My music is multi-faced," he says. "It's a mixture of Jazz, R&B and classical. I wrote from my emotions and feelings. I went with what was true from my heart. I wrote and produced all of the songs on my album. My music represents who I am. When someone listens to my music they hear character... it reflects my personality."

What sets me apart from other Jazz artists is that I am just being myself. I'm not trying to follow a certain style. I have my own individuality, and I'm just being sincere in my craft."

Bing's music deeply intertwines with the emotion of love, joy, happiness and sorrow. However, there is a passionate and romantic feeling through his songs. "Feelings, emotions and what I feel in terms of the ups and downs of relationships or any other experiences I might go thru in life figure into my songs. When a song comes into my head, I pick-up my saxophone and play the melody. After that, I go over to the piano and start structuring a song."

Aaron Bing is an instrumentalist whose music will skyrocket in the industry. He is not afraid to belt out his scales and riffs with precise timing. We are sure that his super talent and abundance of self-confidence will keep him on the scene for a long time to come.

Aaron Bing

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Blossom Dearie - Blossom Dearie Sings (45th Anniversary Edition)

Size: 110,7 MB
Time: 47:09
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

01. I'm Shadowing You (3:39)
02. Saving My Feeling For You (3:45)
03. Sunday Afternoon (3:41)
04. Somebody New (2:53)
05. I Like You, You're Nice (2:39)
06. Baby, You're My Kind (3:30)
07. Home (4:04)
08. Hey John (3:12)
09. You Have Lived In Autumn (2:56)
10. Flame To Fire (3:40)
11. Baby, You're My Kind (Work Lead) (3:25)
12. Home (Alternate Version) (4:04)
13. I Like You, You're Nice (Alternate Version) (1:54)
14. Sunday Afternoon (Alternate Version) (3:42)

Blossom Dearie wrote her first song, "Blossom's Blues," in late 1956, a coy response to similar songs from female singers of the era. The first and last lyrics she would ever write would be, "If you don't like my peaches baby, why do you shake my tree?"

In London, in the mid-60's, Blossom was visiting a friend when Brit-rocker Georgie Fame came on the radio. Her friend's children went wild and began to dance around the living room. Blossom was so taken that she sat down at the piano and began a melody, her friend, Sandra Harris, wrote the words, and Sweet Georgie Fame along with Blossom's earliest demo recordings of her own songs were born. From then on Blossom stayed on the music side and let talented friends supply the lyrics. Sweet Georgie Fame, and the real Georgie Fame stayed in England, but ten tracks, all written by Blossom Dearie, were about to make their way back home to New York.

From 1965-1970 Blossom recorded four albums for Fontana Records in England. After her tenure at Fontana ended she started to shop demo recordings, mostly of her own songs, around to record labels in Europe and the United States. In 1972 she crafted together a master tape that was to serve as a delivered album that a label could pick up and release on the spot. She financed, and friend (and fellow jazz artist) Bob Dorough produced. The studio was not exactly state of the art, the bathroom was across the street, but Michel Legrand stopped in, and Johnny Mercer hung out through most of the recording. The most notable of the tracks are "I'm Shadowing You" written with Mercer(pre-Watergate) as well as "Hey John" which was a thank you to new friend John Lennon for digging being on the same television show together.

It was at an unnamed record label in 1973 that the last denial took place. Either the label was not interested or they were offering a paltry sum for the master tape. According to Blossom, she said, "The hell with this!" Took her master, commiserated with her buddy Johnny Mercer, and decided to start her own label. He aptly named it "Daffodil Records" for her. Blossom was the second female artist to produce and shop her own master and the first successful female artist who headed her own record label.

A year after final recording Daffodil Records released, Blossom Dearie Sings. This was because, Blossom Dearie, Sings, Plays Piano, Writes the Songs, Arranges the Music, and Produces the Record wouldn't fit on the record sleeve. However that would be the template for the rest of the Daffodil catalog. Whitney Balliet of the New Yorker supplied the original liner notes starting by saying, "Everything about Blossom Dearie is just right.(musically)" He finished by remarking, "If things go askew or do not fit into her plans, they don't exist."

Blossom Dearie Sings is not just an album, but the determined effort of one of the world's most unique jazz artists to continue her career. Her way. For her fans. Around the time of this album's release Blossom played Carnegie Hall and transitioned from a nightclub entertainer to a concert performer. Thirteen more albums would follow on Daffodil as would hundreds of thousands of international miles of concert tours. All under the direction of Blossom herself.

Blossom's family and Daffodil Records are proud to offer this album remastered and in stereo with four bonus tracks.

Blossom Dearie Sings

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Jo Stafford - It Had To Be You: Lost Radio Recordings

Size: 137,7 MB
Time: 57:43
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

01. It Had To Be You (2:45)
02. Nevertheless (I'm In Love With You) (2:49)
03. Ain't Misbehavin' (2:34)
04. I'll Get By (2:29)
05. Little Girl Blue (3:27)
06. It's A Lovely Day Today (2:25)
07. You Love Me Just As I Love You (2:20)
08. Rain (2:23)
09. Can't We Talk It Over (1:49)
10. Teardrops From My Eyes (2:36)
11. I Love The Guy (2:50)
12. Orange Colored Sky (2:04)
13. Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes (2:32)
14. It's A Marshmallow World (2:10)
15. When My Sugar Walks Down The Street (1:47)
16. Row, Row, Row (2:13)
17. Where, Oh Where (2:33)
18. In The Still Of The Night (2:06)
19. Use Your Imagination (2:26)
20. The Old Man Of The Mountain (2:06)
21. I've Got The World On A String (1:59)
22. Dixieland Band (2:08)
23. Dream A Little Dream Of Me (2:36)
24. They Can't Take That Away From Me (2:25)

Possessing a tone as clear as a bell, perfect diction and phrasing, and no shortage of personality, Jo Stafford was one of the greatest and best-selling female singers of the pre-rock and roll era and beyond; whether it’s her early sides with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and The Pied Pipers or her classic solo recordings for the Capitol and Columbia labels with arranger/conductor husband Paul Weston, there is no mistaking the sound of that magnificent voice. Now, we at Real Gone Music have a very special treat for fans of this superb, yet to some degree overlooked, vocalist: a treasure trove of 24 radio performances taken from the Carnation Contented Hour, which Jo co-hosted on the Columbia Broadcasting System. These previously unreleased 1950-1951 recordings come to us from the Tony Martin estate courtesy of Michael Feinstein and with the blessing of Jo’s son Tim Weston, and are taken from original master tapes, not transcription discs; remastered by Mike Milchner at SonicVision, these are studio quality sessions and thus a major, major find in the Jo Stafford discography. It is such a treat to hear Jo interpret songs like “Dream a Little Dream of Me,” “Ain’t Misbehavin’” and “I’ve Got the World on a String” that became big hits for other artists; Joe Marchese’s notes put it all in context along with rare photographs from that golden era.

It Had To Be You

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David Ian - Vintage Christmas Trio

Size: 80,2 MB
Time: 34:35
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Jazz, Hollidays
Art: Front

01. Deck The Halls (4:23)
02. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear (3:49)
03. Joy To The World (3:06)
04. White Christmas (3:26)
05. Good King Wenceslas (3:35)
06. I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day (3:28)
07. We Three Kings (3:08)
08. Up On The Housetop (3:26)
09. Silver Bells (3:33)
10. O Come, All Ye Faithful (2:39)

VINTAGE CHRISTMAS TRIO is pianist David Ian's long-awaited full-length follow up to his debut success Vintage Christmas (2011).

VINTAGE CHRISTMAS TRIO features instrumental-only jazz trio interpretations of Christmas favorites using the most minimal elements--highlighting Ian's craft as pianist and arranger. David Ian's delightful performances transport you to an era that birthed the most sentimental songs of this season.

The lyrical bass solos of Jon Estes tastefully splash their way on numerous tracks supported by the clever drumwork of Josh Hunt, who together comprise a perfectly ornamental rhythm section.

The opener, 'Deck the Halls' welcomes in the Christmas spirit with a swinging trio. Ian's signature sound shines throughout the album as he transforms the often stately 'Joy to the World' into a jazz/blues injected festivity and then carries the listener into a dreamier state with the ever-loved classic 'White Christmas.'

'We Three Kings' takes on a new form with a reflective mood; an unexpected arrangement of a Christmas classic, more forgotten in recent years. In 'Silver Bells,' Ian masterfully and fluidly switches back and forth from swing to straight time.

The close of the album is a solemn 'O Come, All Ye Faithful,' stripped down to just piano and percussion. If you listen closely, your ears might catch the chirps of a winter bird complementing this moving musical performance.

Vintage Christmas Trio

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Reg Schwager - Songbook

Size: 120,6 MB
Time: 51:54
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Bygones (Feat. Jeannette Lambert, Allison Au, Steve Wallace & Michel Lambert) (4:08)
02. Kisses Of Summer (Feat. John Alcorn & Don Thompson) (4:11)
03. O Que Tinha Que Dar (Feat. Luanda Jones, Mike Murley, Allison Au, Amanda Tosoff, Maninho Costa & Fabio Ragnelli) (4:52)
04. Whoop-De-Doo (Feat. John Alcorn & Steve Wallace) (4:21)
05. Splintered Dream (Feat. Jeannette Lambert, Don Thompson & Amanda Tosoff) (4:33)
06. Dreamcatcher (Feat. Jeannette Lambert, William Sperandei & Maninho Costa) (3:55)
07. Valsa Eterea (Feat. Luanda Jones, Kiki Misumi, Allison Au & Amanda Tosoff) (4:47)
08. Another Winter (Feat. Jeannette Lambert & Amanda Tosoff) (3:47)
09. Checkin' Out (Feat. John Alcorn, Steve Wallace & Fabio Ragnelli) (4:15)
10. Provence (Feat. Jeannette Lambert, Michel Lambert & Perry White) (3:56)
11. September's Waltz (Feat. John Alcorn & Don Thompson) (3:52)
12. Crow's Call (Feat. Jeannette Lambert, Brodie West & Michel Lambert) (5:13)

The album introduces some wonderful new songs written by Reg with lyrics by the vocalists on the album, Jeannette Lambert, John Alcorn and Luanda Jones.

As a child prodigy, Reg’s great musical passion was learning as many jazz songs as humanly possible, which eventually inspired his own songwriting. He has always had an affinity for vocal jazz helped by his long standing duo with his sister, vocalist Jeannette Lambert. One of their earliest songs, Bygones, opens the album. Other songs, such as Provence and Crow’s Cry, were written in the past year.

He continues to support and encourage vocal jazz expression in much of his work. This collection of some of his best songs is a testament to that. Jeannette Lambert is a respected singer, poet and multi-media artist. There is an appealing directness and deceptive simplicity to her work that belies an unusual depth of meaning and understanding – like a Miles Davis trumpet solo.

John Alcorn’s lyrics, like his singing, are a perfect blend of emotion and craft, as in the poignant ballad Kisses of Summer. His keen wit is also on display in the devilishly clever Whoop-De-Doo.

Valsa etérea and O que tinha que dar feature lyrics in Portuguese by Luanda Jones. Luanda grew up in a richly musical household in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. From diverse influences she has developed a style that radiates vitality, sophistication and charm.

The album also features inspired musical contributions from Allison Au, Amanda Tosoff, Brodie West, Don Thompson, Fabio Ragnelli, Kiki Misumi, Maninho Costa, Michel Lambert, Mike Murley, Perry White, Steve Wallace and William Sperandei.

Songbook

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Hank Mobley - Another Workout

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:05
Size: 84.9 MB
Styles: Bop, Saxophone jazz
Year: 1961/2006
Art: Front

[5:02] 1. Out Of Joe's Bag
[7:39] 2. I Should Care
[7:41] 3. Gettin' And Jettin'
[8:40] 4. Hank's Other Soul
[8:01] 5. Hello, Young Lovers

Bass – Paul Chambers; Drums – "Philly" Joe Jones; Piano – Wynton Kelly; Tenor Saxophone – Hank Mobley. Originally recorded on December 5, 1961 at the Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.

This LP has material from 1961 that for no real reason went unreleased until 1985. One song, "Three Coins in a Fountain," is from the same session that resulted in tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley's famous Workout session with guitarist Grant Green, pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Philly Joe Jones. The other five numbers -- three obscure Mobley originals, plus "I Should Care" and "Hello Young Lovers" -- are from the previously unheard December 5, 1961 session with the same personnel except for Green. Hank Mobley was in a prime period around this time, and all of his Blue Note recordings are well worth picking up. ~Scott Yanow

Another Workout

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Patti Page - Best Of Patti Page

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 33:30
Size: 76.7 MB
Styles: Vocal
Year: 2003
Art: Front

[3:01] 1. Tennessee Waltz
[2:56] 2. Mockin' Bird Hill
[3:08] 3. Mister And Mississippi
[2:45] 4. Detour
[3:13] 5. I Went To Your Wedding
[2:44] 6. Why Don't You Believe Me
[2:26] 7. (How Much Is) That Doggie In The Window
[2:55] 8. Changing Partners
[2:31] 9. Cross Over The Bridge
[2:21] 10. Let Me Go Lover!
[2:50] 11. Allegheny Moon
[2:35] 12. Old Cape Cod

Has there ever been a more angelic voice for light pop and country music than Pattie Page? I doubt it; always pleasant, but with an occasional tone of heartbreak in her voice, Page is electric in ways that more animated performers will never be. "Mister and Mississippi" is one of the songs that makes one yearn for the days of great songwriting--it's recording is quite scratchy but it is nonetheless a keeper. "Tennessee Waltz" is the original mutli-tracked version and it lacks a bit of the poignancy of Page's solo versions (as performed on stage) but it is an interesting version of the tune nonetheless. "Changing Partners" is one of Page's most beautiful contributions to the art of song performance, and it is not the version used of late in Paul Thomas Anderson's film "The Master" (which was not performed by Page), but the recording here is my favorite. Overall, if you want a great collection of early Page songs with decent sound, this is a good one. This has very good quality in its selection of songs. ~Leslie Karen Rigsbey

Best Of Patti Page

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Steve Gadd Band - 70 Strong

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 73:25
Size: 168.1 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz
Year: 2015
Art: Front

[5:52] 1. Foam Home
[6:25] 2. Freedom Jazz Dance
[4:51] 3. Written In Stone
[6:53] 4. The Long Way Home
[6:47] 5. Sly Boots
[7:23] 6. Duke's Anthem
[6:53] 7. Elegant Squares
[6:43] 8. Desu
[5:25] 9. De Volta Ao Samba
[8:38] 10. Oh, Yeah
[7:31] 11. Blues For..

Steve Gadd: drums; Walt Fowler: trumpet, flugelhorn; Larry Goldings: keyboards, accordion; Jimmy Johnson: bass; Michael Landau: guitars.

Since the 70s, Steve Gadd has pretty much seen it and done it all, and recognized as one of the most influential drummers of the modern era, spanning numerous musical genres. His slippery cross-sticking between the hi-hat and snare drum amid new ways and means to generate a funk groove, along with his famous drum solo on the title track of Steely Dan's 1977 landmark album "Aja," are just a few noteworthy accreditations of a distinguished career. For example, he's performed on seminal jazz fusion albums for guitarist Al Di Meola and keyboardist Chick Corea while navigating tricky time signatures with the greatest of ease. Thus 70 Strong is a celebration of his 70th birthday as he performs with an all-star crew on an album that is a bit more up-tempo and briskly in the pocket than the rather discreet and probing, Gattitude (BFM Jazz, 2013).

The band locks into a loping and gradually ascending soulful, jazz funk motif on the title track of keyboardist Jan Hammer's (Mahavishnu Orchestra, Jeff Beck) jazz fusion classic Oh, Yeah? (Nemperor Records, 1976). Guitarist Michael Landau launches the piece with a rhythmic picking vamp, outlining the primary theme as Gadd lays down a rather suave groove leading to trumpeter Walt Fowler and Larry Goldings' (Fender Rhodes) sleek rendition of the principle melody. The soloists trade fours and raise the pitch as the guitarist ups the ante via heavily distorted sustain lines, where the frontline steps into the upper-register and even mimics Hammer's famous, recoiling synth riffs. Here and throughout, it's safe to say that the musicians' shimmering enthusiasm impel the celebratory nature of Gadd's 70th birthday and magnificent career. ~Glenn Astarita

70 Strong

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Sue Moreno, Chris Casello - City By Night

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:09
Size: 89.6 MB
Styles: R&B/Blues/Jazz
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[2:04] 1. How High The Moon
[2:58] 2. Broken Hearted Melody
[3:29] 3. Man Of Many Promises
[2:31] 4. I'm Lookin'out The Window
[2:50] 5. City By Night
[3:15] 6. Polynesian Blues
[2:59] 7. I'm Confessin'(That I Love You)
[2:33] 8. My Love Has Gone
[3:44] 9. He's Evil
[2:56] 10. Mr Sandman
[4:07] 11. Fever
[3:17] 12. Dream A Little Dream
[2:19] 13. I'll Never Be The Same

After two European tours with the band members of Elvis Presley, Dutch singer Sue Moreno and American guitarist Chris Casello decided to join forces and started writing and working in the Fry Pharmacy studio in Nashville. 13 track CD contains five original tracks written by Sue Moreno and Chris Casello. Recorded in Nashville, Tennessee.

In an already successful career, Sue Moreno has appeared on many stages and in festivals all over Europe and the USA. Considering her varied repertoire, her charisma and her immense presence on stage, she is unique in her category. With her innate sense of swing and her overpowering sensuality, she is at ease with all jazz standards, the syncopated rhythms of rock and rhythm ’n’ blues, as well as the most evocative ballads and latino memories. Gifted with a sensuous voice in tune with her physique, this fiery brunette is at ease within all spheres of American music. She rarely misses a reminder to her idols, Marilyn Monroe, Peggy Lee, Julie London, Elvis Presley or Etta James etc…which she distills to her audience throughout her amazing shows.

City By Night

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Randy Weston - With These Hands

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1956
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:57
Size: 87,9 MB
Art: Front

(4:05)  1. The Man I Love
(2:55)  2. Serenade In Blue
(8:47)  3. I Can't Get Started With You
(3:03)  4. This Can't Be Love
(4:38)  5. These Foolish Things
(4:17)  6. Lifetime
(5:15)  7. Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me
(4:53)  8. Little Niles

With These Hands is one of pianist Randy Weston's lesser-known sets. Weston, who already had a fairly distinctive style, mostly sticks to standards (which is quite unusual for him), including "The Man I Love," "This Can't Be Love," and "Do Nothing Til You Hear from Me." A quartet is featured that also includes baritonist Cecil Payne (who would be a longtime associate), bassist Ahmed Abdul-Malik, and drummer Wilbert Hogan. However, the date does include two of Weston's originals and is actually highlighted by the debut of his famous "Little Niles."~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/with-these-hands-mw0000087360

Personnel:  Randy Weston – piano;  Cecil Payne - baritone saxophone;  Ahmed Abdul-Malik – bass;  Wilbert Hogan - drums

With These Hands

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Lisa Ekdahl - Back To Earth

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:35
Size: 125,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:35)  1. Now Or Never
(4:48)  2. Nature Boy
(3:41)  3. Stranger On Earth
(6:12)  4. Laziest Girl In Town
(3:09)  5. It Had To Be You
(1:36)  6. Down With Love
(5:04)  7. What Is This Thing Called Love
(5:29)  8. Tea For Two
(3:20)  9. The Lonely One
(3:20) 10. I Get A Kick Out Of You
(3:24) 11. Just For A Thrill
(4:32) 12. Night And Day
(6:20) 13. Plaintive Rumba

At first, Lisa Ekdahl's squeaky, girlish voice may seem inappropriate for the pop standards she has chosen to make her trade, but given some time, her voice and laid-back style become endearing. True, she occasionally seems mannered and borrows heavily from her inspirations (most notably Billie Holiday), but she shows signs of developing her own style throughout her second American album, Back to Earth. Like its predecessor, When Did You Leave Heaven, Back to Earth was recorded with the Peter Nordahl Trio and has a charming mellow vibe. Nordahl has an elegant turn of phrase and his rhythm section drummer Ronnie Gardiner and bassist Patrik Boman has a light touch that keeps the focus on Ekdahl. It is true that her voice may strike some listeners as odd, but it's girlish, not thin, which means she can nail the emotions of the songs. There may be a few missteps here and there, but she delivers ballads ("What Is This Thing Called Love?," "The Laziest Gal in Town," "Now or Never") as well as swing ("Down with Love," "I Get a Kick Out of You"). Yes, the selections are a little predictable and Ekdahl is a bit of an acquired taste, but ultimately, Back to Earth is quite charming. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine http://www.allmusic.com/album/back-to-earth-mw0000231807

Personnel: Lisa Ekdahl (vocals); Peter Nordahl (piano); Patrik Boman (bass); Ronnie Gardiner (drums).

Back To Earth

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Teddy Wilson - Air Mail Special

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1967
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:10
Size: 113,0 MB
Art: Front

(4:36)  1. Air Mail Special (take 5)
(4:57)  2. Love (take 4)
(2:54)  3. Stella by Starlight/Laura
(3:46)  4. Seven Come Eleven
(3:43)  5. Lil' Darlin' (take 2)
(4:59)  6. Take the 'A' Train (take 2)
(5:31)  7. Avalon
(2:36)  8. The Second Time Around
(6:41)  9. Poor Butterfly
(2:35) 10. Ain't Misbehavin' (take 1)
(2:28) 11. I'm Thru' with Love
(4:24) 12. Air Mail Special (take 4)

After several years of near-silence on records (only one album as a leader during 1960-66), Teddy Wilson recorded on a much more regular basis for the next 15 years. This Black Lion set (partly cut on the same day as the Stomping at the Savoy CD) matches the great swing pianist with a few of London's best (clarinetist Dave Shepherd, vibraphonist Ronnie Gleaves, bassist Peter Chapman and drummer Johnny Richardson) on a variety of superior standards. The music, if a bit predictable, is quite enjoyable. 

~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/air-mail-special-mw0000081309

Personnel:  Piano – Teddy Wilson;  Bass – Peter Chapman;  Clarinet – Dave Shepherd;  Drums – Johnnny Richardson;  Vibraphone – Ronnie Gleaves

Air Mail Special

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Bruce Ditmas - Aeray Dust

Styles: Free Jazz, Fusion
Year: 1977
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 34:41
Size: 80,7 MB
Art: Front

(6:34)  1. Aeray Dust
(7:19)  2. Side Looking Radar Image
(3:57)  3. Terminal Velocity
(7:08)  4. Face To Face To Face
(2:48)  5. Tactics Of Despair
(6:53)  6. Thats The Way It Is

Bruce Ditmas (born December 12, 1946) is an American jazz drummer and percussionist. Ditmas was born in Atlantic City but grew up in Miami; his father was a trumpeter in Miami big bands. He studied with Tony Crisetello and then with Stan Kenton at Indiana University and Michigan State University in the early 1960s. After a stint with Ira Sullivan (1962–64), he accompanied singers including Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, Della Reese, Leslie Uggams, and Sheila Jordan between 1964 and 1970. He moved to New York City in 1966. In the 1970s Ditmas played on Broadway Promises..Promises...then with Joe Newman (1971), Jazz Interactions Orchestra (1971), Gil Evans (1971–77), Enrico Rava (from 1971), Stardrive, Atmospheres, Future Shock (1972), New Wilderness Preservation Band (1972–73), Paul Bley, Lee Konitz, Jaco Pastorius Pat Metheny, Chet Baker (1974–75), and Stan Getz (1975). Later in the 1970s he concentrated on solo performance, including experiments with drum machines. He returned to work with the Evans Orchestra from 1979 to 1985, and lived in Italy in 1986-87, where he played with Dino Saluzzi, Rava, Rita Marcotulli, and Pietro Tonolo. He played with his own trio D3 with Jack DeSalvo and Tony DeCicco from 1988. D3 released Spontaneous Combustion on the Tutu label. In the 1990s he played with Pat Hall and Karl Berger among others. D3 reformed in 2008 and is currently performing as the D3 Standards Trio. In 1990, Ditmas orchestrated the music to an opera by Patricia Burgess, The Dream of Four Directions. He also composed prolifically for film and television; among his credits is the film Deathscape. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Ditmas

Personnel:  Drums, Drum Machine [Moog Drum], Percussion – Bruce Ditmas;  Trumpet – Enrico Rava;  Voice, Percussion – Joan La Barbara

Aeray Dust

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John McLaughlin & The 4th Dimension - Live at Ronnie Scott's

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2017
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:25
Size: 163,9 MB
Art: Front

( 8:06)  1. Meeting of the Spirits
( 7:34)  2. Miles Beyond
( 5:05)  3. Gaza City
(10:41)  4. Here Come the Jiis
( 7:36)  5. New Blues Old Bruise
( 6:47)  6. El Hombre que Sabia
( 5:08)  7. Sanctuary
( 7:45)  8. Vital Transformation
(12:38)  9. Echos from Then

Music has taken him and his guitar to some of the most exotic far reaches of the world, but Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club will always have a special place in John McLaughlin's heart. His mid-1960s time in the famous London venue's house band was a key early step in his musical life, and he idly wonders "where would I be without them?" five decades later. No doubt he would still be a legend today; such boundless curiosity and imagination would have led him to some adventurous path one way or another. Nonetheless, this homecoming show of sorts provides the perfect occasion to celebrate a scorching group at the top of their game. That affection for the club contributes to this live set's special vibe, though of course there are many factors at work. Things are consistently taken to another level when McLaughlin can settle in and gel with one consistent band (as exciting as the studio constructions or occasional brief projects can also be). The Fourth Dimension makes his all-time longest-running ensemble (formed in 2007, with this lineup since 2011) and it's become the most expansive and versatile group the guitarist has ever had. More than any previous outfit, even the top-flight Five Peace Band of 2008-9, this quartet can handle his globe-spanning range with a virtuosity and interplay that are downright uncanny.

This was plenty in evidence on their previous live release The Boston Record (Abstract Logix, 2014), but the three years between leave them even more keenly in tune with each other on Ronnie Scott's. Admirers of the Mahavishnu Orchestra will be delighted with the return of a few chestnuts from that band's first two albums the audacity of the compositions hasn't dulled with age, though their renditions here have the inevitable seasoning of maturity as well. The players may hit McLaughlin's trademark blizzard pace fairly often, but they trade their brisk solos and dash off their complex dialogues without any gaudy grandstanding. Gary Husband's electric keys conduct a sprightly back-and-forth with Etienne M'Bappé's bass through Mahavishnu's "Miles Beyond," while an epic take on "Here Come the Jiis" positively sizzles thanks to Ranjit Barot's frisky drumming and use of konokol (a percussive vocalizing used in traditional Carnatic music). 

The piece takes him and Husband to heights of rhythmic joy in a most fitting dedication to Shakti's master mandolinist U. Srinivas. Honoring departed friends sadly makes a recurring theme here, as "El Hombre Que Sabia" (The Man Who Knew) does the same for McLaughlin's guitar partner Paco De Lucia (Husband's angular keys conveying the subject's uniqueness admirably). Still, it's only right to mark such notes in a set that ranges throughout the guitarist's career, and the band does them justice with performances full of life. Those tribute pieces and the thoughtful-but-not-maudlin "Gaza City" are the newest ones here, taken from 2015's Black Light (Abstract Logix), and all eloquently stand alongside those classics from decades past. The time in between has made a long and winding journey, but the inner flame burns undimmed even fifty years on. ~ Geno Thackara https://www.allaboutjazz.com/live-at-ronnie-scotts-john-mclaughlin-abstract-logix-review-by-geno-thackara.php
 

Personnel: John McLaughlin: guitar; Gary Husband: keyboards, drums; Etienne M'Bappé: bass; Ranjit Barot: drums, konokol.

Live at Ronnie Scott's

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