Lee Konitz & Bert Van Den Brink - Dialogues

Styles: Saxophone And Piano Jazz
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 69:13
Size: 158,9 MB
Art: Front

(6:19)  1. East of the Sun
(5:47)  2. Yesterdays
(5:54)  3. Kojo no Tsuki
(7:18)  4. Spring Fever
(6:27)  5. Thingin'
(6:25)  6. If You Could See Me Now
(5:59)  7. Dialogue
(4:37)  8. I Love You
(6:16)  9. Moonlight in Vermont
(7:40) 10. Lover Man
(6:26) 11. Cherokee

Dialogues may be one of saxophonist Lee Konitz's best albums in a discography both prolific and still expanding. The sounds of Bert van den Brink (piano), Hein Van de Geyn (bass) and Hans van Oosterhout (drums) blend perfectly with the leader's alto sax. So attractive is the sound that one hopes this session is not a one-off affair. Starting with a joyous, swinging version of "East of the Sun, Konitz'a improvisation blurs the line between melodic statement and soloing. "Yesterdays, a favorite of jazz improvisers, is also deeply touching it's clear that Konitz's hero is Lester Young. His statement is an alternate, swinging, singing melody and certainly not a collection of licks designed to impress. Monk recorded "Kojo No Tsuki as "Japanese Folk Song, to be eventually released on Straight, No Chaser (Columbia, 1966). The Konitz/van den Brink version is no less beautiful but, of course, receives a very different reading. One is reminded of Keith Jarrett's beautiful Belonging (ECM. 1974): music that's intelligent but not afraid to be simple and direct. Furthermore on "Thingin', Van de Geyn's short bass solo invokes Charlie Haden's playing alongside Jarrett with a certain similarity of directness and lyricism in his playing. Far from being a monochromatic approach to a jazz quartet presentation, each piece is unique and fresh, moving from solo to duo to full quartet conversations that renew faith in the art of jazz communication. Dialogues, the CD title, says it all. ~ Francis Lo Kee https://www.allaboutjazz.com/dialogues-lee-konitz-challenge-records-review-by-francis-lo-kee.php

Personnel:  Lee Konitz: alto saxophone;  Bert van der Brink: piano;  Hein Van de Geyn: bass;  Hans van Oosterhout: drums.

Dialogues

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Patricia Kaas - Dans Ma Chair

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:26
Size: 137,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:20)  1. Quand j'ai peur de tout
(4:34)  2. Dans ma chair
(3:23)  3. Chanson simple
(3:50)  4. J'ai tout quitte pour toi
(4:06)  5. Je me souviens de rien
(4:15)  6. Les lignes de nos mains
(3:11)  7. Je sais
(4:18)  8. Je voudrais la connaitre
(4:31)  9. Fais-moi l'amitie
(3:38) 10. L'amour devant la mer
(5:05) 11. Je compte jusqu'a toi
(4:05) 12. Sans toi
(4:59) 13. Don't let me be lonely tonight
(4:03) 14. When the night rolls in

After the success of the previous studio album, Je te dis vous, Kaas decided to released a new album in 1997, which was entitled Dans ma chair. The album marked the second collaboration with the French songwriter and singer Jean-Jacques Goldman who had already written her 1993 hit single "Il me dit que je suis belle". To date, Kaas continues to be associated with Goldman for the composing of her songs, and this collaboration remains one of the most important of the singer's career. The album was recorded in New York, but also in Paris, and produced by the singer and Phil Ramone, who had previously worked with artists such as Ray Charles, Billy Joel and Paul Simon.  The album was also composed by several famous contributors : for example, the American songwriter and singer Lyle Lovett, with the song "Chanson simple" (Eng: "Simple song"), and James Taylor with "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" (the song, the last track, is performed as a duet). French artists participated in the writing of the album, such as Didier Barbelivien, who had also worked with Kaas for her previous studio album, and Zazie. Philippe Bergman, who co-wrote three songs of this album, was Kaas' boyfriend at the time.  In France, two singles were released from this album : "Quand j'ai peur de tout" (Eng: "When I'm afraid of everything") in February 1997, which reached #11 and achieved Silver status, and "Je voudrais la connaître" (Eng: "I Want to Know Her") in July 1997, which peaked at #20. The first single, "Quand j'ai peur de tout", was written by Diane Warren and was successfully covered in English-language in 2003 by the pop band Sugababes, but the song was re-entitled "Too Lost in You".

In France, the album remained on the chart for 57 weeks. It started at #2 on March 22, 1997, and reached again this position two weeks later, but its sales were less than Andrea Bocelli's extremely successful album Romanza, which topped the chart then. Kaas' album remained for only nine weeks in the top ten, but dropped slowly on the chart. It was certified Platinum by the SNEP and the tenth best-selling album of 1997 in the country. The album was a smash success in Belgium (Wallonia) : it went to #2 on April 5, 1997, then climbed to #1 and stayed there for four not consecutive weeks. It totaled 27 weeks in the top ten and remained on the chart for 61 weeks. It fell off it after the chart edition of July 11, 1998.  In Switzerland, the album reached number 5 in its first and second weeks, and remained on the chart for 20 weeks, from March 30 to August 31, 1997, including five weeks in the top ten. It hit Gold certification in 1997.  In Finland, Dans ma chair was charted from the early 1997 and peaked at #8 in its third week, after a debut at #12. It featured for 17 weeks in the top 40.  In other countries, the album was less successful even if it met slightly good sales, peaking at #16 in Germany, #27 in Belgium (Flanders) (it remained on the chart for eight weeks, from April 12 to June 14, 1997), #45 in Austria where it was charted for three weeks and #77 in the Netherlands where it appeared for five weeks. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dans_ma_chair

Dans Ma Chair

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Scott Whitfield - Speaking Of Love

Styles: Vocal And Trombone Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:09
Size: 157,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:08)  1. A Beautiful Friendship
(4:20)  2. Sugar
(4:25)  3. Come To Me
(5:49)  4. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
(6:32)  5. I'm A Romantic Sap
(5:44)  6. Adagio In Pearl
(4:18)  7. Two People
(5:09)  8. It's You!
(8:07)  9. Only At Lonely Times
(4:17) 10. I Love You
(4:48) 11. What Went Wrong
(5:16) 12. I Can't Give You Anything But Love
(1:56) 13. When I Fell In Love
(4:14) 14. All Of You

Coated with sugar and filled with swing, Speaking of Love offers a blast from the past as Scott Whitfield scat sings with the enthusiasm of Mel Tormé, introduces a vocal quartet that recalls the Four Freshmen, teams with guest artists Cheryl Bentyne, Bucky Pizzarelli, Marvin Stamm, Memo Acevedo and Scott Robinson, and adds lovely trombone melodies to enhance the romance. Through original songs and memorable standards, Whitfield brings an upbeat message of good cheer to the forum. His trombone dashes and darts gracefully through casual melodies and invites camaraderie from his sidemen. On "Adagio in Pearl, for example, he introduces the reflective piece with a mellifluous trombone soliloquy and follows later with a velvet interlude that supports the vocal duet between himself and Bentyne quite well. Trumpeter Stamm and saxophonist Robinson add considerably to the session's swinging spirit, while Whitfield's rhythm section provides a strong foundation. The big surprise of the album is the Manhattan Project, which provides stellar examples of lyrical delight. The group is right on target, and each member plays an instrument too. Whitfield is at his best on trombone. While he scat sings quite well, his vocal lyric interpretations are not warm, convincing or thrilling. There's a great contrast between his vocals and those of his guests. He seems to enjoy singing, but he never gets deep enough into his subject matter to make a difference. Whitfield's singing takes a significant turn on "I Can't Give You Anything But Love, where his manner comes close to an impersonation of Dean Martin. It's better than the rest of the program, but his "main squeeze rests with the love that he gets from his trombone. The instrument never fails to give Whitfield a clear picture of what he wants to express. ~ Jim Santella https://www.allaboutjazz.com/speaking-of-love-scott-whitfield-summit-records-review-by-jim-santella.php

Personnel: Scott Whitfield: vocals, trombone, arranger; Ted Kooshian: piano; Mary Ann McSweeney: bass; Willard Dyson, Terry Clarke: drums; The Manhattan Vocal Project: Pete McGuinness, Scott Whitfield, Kevin Osborne: vocals, trombone; Joe Elefante: vocal, alto saxophone; Special Guests: Bucky Pizzarelli: guitar; Cheryl Bentyne: vocals; Marvin Stamm: trumpet, flugelhorn; Memo Acevedo: percussion; Scott Robinson: tenor saxophone, bass saxophone, bass flute.

Speaking Of Love

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Ray Brown - Jazz Cello

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 1960
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:29
Size: 110,1 MB
Art: Front

(3:17)  1. Tangerine
(4:14)  2. Almost Like Being In Love
(4:38)  3. That Old Feeling
(5:12)  4. Ain't Misbehavin'
(2:40)  5. Alice Blue Gown
(3:06)  6. Rosalie
(4:00)  7. But Beautiful
(3:17)  8. Poor Butterfly
(4:53)  9. Memories Of You
(2:07) 10. Rock A Bye Your Baby

On the last day of August and the first day of September 1960, bassist Ray Brown recorded his third album for the Verve label, focusing most of his attention upon the cello while Joe Mondragon handled the bass. The 11-piece band on this date was conducted by arranger Russ Garcia and included reed players Paul Horn and Bob Cooper as well as pianist Jimmy Rowles. The results were typical of late-'50s West Coast mainstream jazz: familiar ballads and friendly, uplifting standards, tidily performed. Some of the tunes reach back to the 1920s, with "Rock-A-Bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody" serving as a surprisingly hip link with vaudeville as Brown's pizzicato maneuverings are punctuated with punchy blasts from reeds and brass. If one takes the time to place this recording within an historical context, an impressive evolution reveals itself. The first bassist to cross over to cello on records in modern times is believed to have been Oscar Pettiford, while Fred Katz popularized the warm-toned instrument through his work with drummer Chico Hamilton. 

The progression of jazz cellists since then is impressive, from Ray Brown, Sam Jones, Percy Heath and Ron Carter to Abdul Wadud, David Holland, David Darling, David Eyges and Diedre Murray. By the first decade of the 21st century, an unprecedented number of improvising cellists had appeared, making Ray Brown's 1960 Jazz Cello album seem like a sunny little episode in the foundation of a fascinating modern tradition spanning several generations. ~ arwulf arwulf https://www.allmusic.com/album/jazz-cello-mw0000022965https://www.allmusic.com/album/jazz-cello-mw0000022965

Personnel: Ray Brown (cello, bass); Russ Garcia (arranger, conductor); Don Fagerquist (trumpet); Jack Cave (French horn); Harry Betts (trombone); Bob Cooper, Med Flory, Bill Hood, Paul Horn (reeds); Jimmy Rowles (piano); Joe Mondragon (bass); Dick Shanahan (drums).

Jazz Cello

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Franco Ambrosetti - A Jazz Portrait of Franco Ambrosetti

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1965
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 74:01
Size: 170,1 MB
Art: Front

(7:15)  1. Enriquete
(3:06)  2. Blue in Green
(5:01)  3. My Shining Hour
(5:34)  4. My Old Flame
(8:36)  5. Bye Bye Blackbird
(6:48)  6. Like Someone in Love
(5:08)  7. Minority
(2:03)  8. Blue in Green (take 2)
(2:28)  9. Blue in Green (take 3)
(3:50) 10. My Shining Hour (take 2)
(3:46) 11. My Shining Hour (take 3)
(0:50) 12. My Old Flame (take 2)
(7:38) 13. Bye Bye Blackbird (take 2)
(0:19) 14. Like Someone in Love (take 2)
(7:01) 15. Like Someone in Love (take 3)
(4:31) 16. Minority (take 2)

Franco Ambrosetti has had dual careers as a very successful businessman, and as a fine trumpeter and flügelhornist inspired by Freddie Hubbard and Miles Davis. His father Flavio Ambrosetti was an excellent saxophonist. Franco had piano lessons for eight years but is self-taught on trumpet, which he did not take up until he was 17. In 1972, he was one of the founders of the George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band, and through the years he has recorded quite a few worthy hard bop-ish albums for Enja in addition to leading his own groups. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/artist/franco-ambrosetti-mn0000195215/biography

Personnel:  Franco Ambrosetti (trumpet), Giorgio Azzolini (bass); Franco D’Andrea (piano); Franco Mondini (Batteria)

A Jazz Portrait of Franco Ambrosetti

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