Barry Harris Trio - The Last Time I Saw Paris

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:26
Size: 122.3 MB
Styles: Bop, Avant garde jazz
Year: 2001/2015
Art: Front

[4:40] 1. Bag's Groove
[5:54] 2. The Last Time I Saw Paris
[5:30] 3. Dancing In The Dark
[3:57] 4. I Want To Be Happy
[7:02] 5. Once In A While
[5:47] 6. Tea For Two
[8:16] 7. 'round Midnight
[5:46] 8. Oblivion
[6:30] 9. Remember

Bass – George Mraz; Drums – Leroy Williams; Piano – Barry Harris. Recorded on June 2, 2000 in New York.

One of the major hard bop pianists of the last half of the 20th century, Barry Harris has long had the ability to sound very close to Bud Powell, yet he can also do convincing impressions of Thelonious Monk, and has his own style within the bop idiom. He was an important part of the Detroit jazz scene of the 1950s, and has been a jazz educator since that era. Harris recorded his first set as a leader in 1958, and moved to New York in 1960, where he spent a short period with Cannonball Adderley's Quintet. He also recorded with Dexter Gordon, Illinois Jacquet, Yusef Lateef, and Hank Mobley, and was with Coleman Hawkins off and on throughout the decade (including Hawk's declining years). In the '70s, Harris was on two of Sonny Stitt's finest records (Tune Up and Constellation), and made many recordings in a variety of settings for Xanadu. Harris has mostly worked with his trio since the mid-'70s, and has recorded as a leader for Argo (1958), Riverside, Prestige, MPS, Xanadu, and Red.

The Last Time I Saw Paris mc
The Last Time I Saw Paris zippy

---

David Kikoski - Inner Trust

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:02
Size: 155.7 MB
Styles: Bop, Piano jazz
Year: 1998
Art: Front

[7:08] 1. Some Other Blues
[7:42] 2. Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise
[5:36] 3. Mirical
[6:59] 4. Inner Trust
[8:14] 5. You Don't What Love Is
[8:47] 6. Two Lonely People
[3:18] 7. Once Upon A Summertime
[4:16] 8. We See
[8:14] 9. Old Folks
[7:44] 10. Winnie's Garden

David Kikoski (P); Ed Howard (B); Leon Parker (D). Recorded December 19, 1997 in New York City, NY, USA by Max Bolleman.

One of David Kikoski's strongest offerings, Inner Trust is a departure in that it focuses primarily on non-original material. Three of the ten tracks are by the pianist, but the rest are standards and jazz classics. Joined by Leon Parker on drums and fellow Roy Haynes sideman Ed Howard on bass, Kikoski reaches consistently grand heights of harmonic invention on burning numbers like "Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise" and John Coltrane's "Some Other Blues." "Winnie's Garden," a Kikoski-penned workout over the chord changes to "Sweet Georgia Brown," practically overflows with energy. And Thelonius Monk's "We See" swings with almost comic cleverness. On the softer side are "You Don't Know What Love Is," "Old Folks," and the unaccompanied "Once Upon a Summertime." "Two Lonely People," a little-known song composed by master pianist Bill Evans and once sung by Tony Bennett, is also noteworthy. Of the two remaining originals, "Mirical" is mannered, but the title track is one of Kikoski's finest achievements -- a simple, stately melody that serves as a launching pad for bold and impassioned improvisation. (A version for quintet can be heard on Roy Haynes's Praise.) ~David R. Adler

Inner Trust mc
Inner Trust zippy

---

Chad & Jeremy - Before And After

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 27:39
Size: 63.3 MB
Styles: AM pop, Sunshine pop
Year: 1965/2016
Art: Front

[2:37] 1. Before And After
[2:42] 2. Why Should I Care
[2:14] 3. For Lovin' Me
[2:34] 4. I'm In Love Again
[2:55] 5. Little Does She Know
[3:20] 6. Tell Me Baby
[2:54] 7. What Do You Want With Me
[1:59] 8. Say It Isn't True
[2:08] 9. Fare Thee Well (I Must Be Gone)
[2:12] 10. Evil-Hearted Me
[1:59] 11. Can't Get Used To Losing You

Chad & Jeremy's first Columbia album was similar to their previous material (recorded for Ember in the U.K. and licensed by World Artists in the U.S.) in its light British Invasion pop/rock style with folky overtones. There wasn't anything here quite on the level of their previous big hits, "Yesterday's Gone" and "A Summer Song," though the orchestrated ballad "Before and After" would be their final Top 20 single. As a whole the album's a bit of a variety show, the pair proving modestly enjoyable to mediocre at a range of approaches on both originals and outside material. There's the nearly straight folk of "Fare Thee Well (I Must Be Gone)" and Gordon Lightfoot's "For Lovin' Me," more orchestrated pop/rock ballads ("I'm in Love Again," "Tell Me Baby," and a slightly inferior remake of "What Do You Want With Me," which they had already done for Ember), bouncy British Invasion pop ("Little Does She Know," "Say It Isn't True"), the Andy Williams hit "Can't Get Used to Losing You," and even a strained attempt at a British Invasion R&B rave-up ("Evil-Hearted You"). "Why Should I Care" is about the best of the original tunes, though at one point it blatantly rips off a riff from the Zombies' "She's Not There." The 2002 CD reissue on Sundazed doubles the length with an assortment of rare singles, outtakes, and alternate versions. None of these are astounding, but some of the more interesting extras include their B-side-only cover of Dino Valenti's "Pennies," which makes its CD debut; the previously unissued version of the obscure Zombies song "Sometimes"; the Italian-sung "Adesso Si" and "Nessuno Piu Di Me," a Europe-only single in 1966; and both sides of the rare 1966 Chad and Jill Stuart single (Jill Stuart was Chad Stuart's wife), which paired covers of Peter, Paul & Mary's "The Cruel War" and Bob Lind's "I Can't Talk to You." ~Richie Unterberger

Before And After mc
Before And After zippy

---

Alice Fredenham - Under The Covers

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 34:29
Size: 79.0 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2017
Art: Front

[3:50] 1. Wishing On A Star
[4:12] 2. Bluebird
[2:49] 3. Coconut Grove
[3:07] 4. Doctor My Eyes
[5:16] 5. Feelin' Alright
[2:30] 6. My Funny Valentine
[3:32] 7. Feel Like Makin' Love
[3:26] 8. Wild Wood
[3:13] 9. Sunshine Of Your Love
[2:29] 10. Hushabye Mountain

Alice Fredenham first hit the public eye in 2013 as a contestant on Britain's Got Talent where she absolutely wowed both the audience and the panel in her first performance singing 'My Funny Valentine'. Simon Cowell's quote was she had a voice like "liquid gold". Although Alice, to most people's surprise, didn't progress beyond the semi-finals, she built up a loyal, avid fanbase with her sultry powerful vocals and cool classic look and to date her BGT initial appearance has had over 40,000,000 hits on YouTube. Alice is a particular favorite with the American market. In 2015 Alice secured funding via Kickstarter, to a significant level, to record an album. Under the Covers was recorded at Real World and is a covers album with Alice's personal take on a mix of classic tracks, both contemporary and standards and recorded with professional musicians. The album features special guest on sax and flute Theo Travis

Under The Covers mc
Under The Covers zippy

---

Derek Nash - Joyriding

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:54
Size: 155.4 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[7:39] 1. Joyriding
[5:41] 2. Waltz For My Father
[5:23] 3. All The Things You Are
[6:28] 4. Cinema Paradiso (Love Theme)
[4:32] 5. The Time Of Your Life
[5:05] 6. Be My Valentine
[5:16] 7. Majolica
[8:06] 8. Love At First Sound
[7:10] 9. Voodoo Rex
[8:43] 10. Haunting Me
[3:47] 11. Be My Valentine (Vocal Version)

Derek Nash: saxophones, percussion; Dave Newton: piano; Geoff Gascoyne: bass; Sebastiaan de Krom: drums; Martin Shaw: trumpet; Winston Rollins: trombone (9); Beverley Vaughan: vocals, percussion (11).

One of the strengths of the current British jazz scene comes from its core of mainstream, straight-ahead musicians, who focus their creative abilities on drawing fresh nuances from established musical styles; saxophonist Derek Nash is one of them. Joyriding features what he refers to as his "regular quartet," although that phrase does scant justice to the quality of the musicianship. Nash is a member of Jools Holland's Rhythm And Blues Orchestra, a regular presence on BBC TV where Holland has his own music show, Later. Pianist Dave Newton is a winner of nine British Jazz Awards, while bassist Geoff Gascoyne and drummer Sebastiaan de Krom are long-term members of Jamie Cullum's band.

Nash displays engagingly eclectic taste. He co-wrote three tunes with his father, Pat, a respected arranger. "Waltz For My Father" is a particular standout, for its lilting, optimistic melody and for Nash's lyrical playing. The other compositions encompass the hard-bop-meets-blues of "Joyriding"—a tune that conjures images of groovy '60s TV shows like Rowan And Martin's Laugh-In—and the cool swing of Phil Phillips' "Be My Valentine," later reprised in a vocal version featuring singer Beverly Vaughan. "Love At First Sound" is a gentle, slightly melancholy, ballad, with Nash's rich, warm, saxophone lent understated support by Newton, Gascoyne and de Krom. "Voodoo Rex," which Nash dedicates to his alto saxophone, is a terrific ensemble number. The core quartet is joined by Winston Rollins' funky trombone, creating a really full-blooded sound. Nash's take on songbook standards is similarly fresh. Jerome Kern's "All The Things You Are" has the feel of a Dave Brubeck arrangement, Nash taking the lead as the rhythm section drives him on, before Newton and Gascoyne deliver strong, emphatic solos of their own. Ennio Morricone's "Cinema Paradiso (Love Theme)," with its slinky Latin sensuality, is gorgeously romantic; bass and drums are, once again, central to the creation its mood, and there's some lovely interplay between Nash and Newton.

Joyriding is an album full of good vibes and upbeat grooves, tempered by the occasional reflective and romantic interlude. The playing is superb, the sound quality is exceptional (thanks to Nash's production at Clowns Pocket Studio) and the tunes are very definitely a joy. ~Bruce Lindsay

Joyriding mc
Joyriding zippy

---

Steve Kuhn Trio - Plays Standards

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:01
Size: 162.6 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[7:16] 1. Alone Together
[5:31] 2. Golden Earrings
[5:59] 3. I Wish I Knew
[4:07] 4. Left Alone
[6:25] 5. Blue Bossa
[6:34] 6. Nature Boy
[6:32] 7. Softly As In A Morning Sunrise
[5:20] 8. You Leave Me Breathless
[6:23] 9. Oceans In The Sky
[5:28] 10. I See Your Face Before Me
[6:50] 11. Love Letters
[4:35] 12. Beautiful Love

Bass – Buster Williams; Drums – Al Foster; Piano – Steve Kuhn. Recorded at The Studio in New York on August 30/31, 2006.

Veteran jazz pianist Steve Kuhn has proved to be a popular artist in Japan, recording a series of CDs for the Japanese label Venus. On these 2006 sessions, Kuhn is joined by bassist Buster Williams and drummer Al Foster, two artists who also have extensive résumés. While the CD is titled Plays Standards, Kuhn doesn't stick exclusively to well-known works. In addition to Victor Young's widely recognized "Beautiful Love" (a favorite of pianist Bill Evans), the pianist offers a seductive take of the composer's "Golden Earrings" and a lighthearted, breezy setting of "Love Letters" as well. Kuhn's intense workout of "Alone Together" includes an amusing detour into Thelonious Monk's "Locomotive," while his revamping of "Softly, as in a Morning Sunrise" disguises the tune rather well. Kuhn also revisits his original "Oceans in the Sky," a brilliant piece evocative of a coming storm. Highly recommended. ~Ken Dryden

Plays Standards mc
Plays Standards zippy

---

Buddy Tate - Swinging Like Tate

Styles: Saxophone And Clarinet Jazz
Year: 1958
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:48
Size: 94,0 MB
Art: Front

(6:03)  1. Bottle
(8:36)  2. Walk That Walk
(5:59)  3. Miss Sadie Brown
(7:40)  4. Moon Eyes
(7:02)  5. Rockin' Steve
(5:25)  6. Rompin' With Buck

For this CD reissue, which brings back material originally recorded by Stanley Dance for the Felsted label, veteran swing tenor Buddy Tate is heard at the head of two different groups for three obscure songs apiece. The first half has Tate leading his Celebrity Club Orchestra, a four-horn octet that lacked any big names but worked regularly throughout the era. For the second half, Tate is teamed with some of the Count Basie alumni including trumpeter Buck Clayton, trombonist Dicky Wells, altoist Earle Warren and drummer Jo Jones. The music overall is fine mainstream jazz of the 1950's that is easily recommended to straightahead jazz fans although little unexpected or all that memorable occurs. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/swinging-like-tate-mw0000200603 

Personnel: Buddy Tate (tenor sax, clarinet); Pat Jenkins (trumpet); Eli Robinson (trombone); Ben Richardson (alto sax, clarinet); Skip Hall (piano); Everett Barksdale (guitar); Joe Benjamin (bass); Herbie Lovelle (drums); Buck Clayton (trumpet); Dicky Wells (trombone); Earle Warren (alto sax, baritone sax); Lord Westbrook (guitar); Aaron Bell (bass); Jo Jones (drums).

Swinging Like Tate

---

Ruby Braff - Our Love Is Here To Stay

Styles: Cornet Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:52
Size: 151,2 MB
Art: Front

(8:03)  1. Linger Awhile
(6:00)  2. All My Life
(3:54)  3. Day In Day Out
(7:21)  4. I'm Coming Virginia
(8:42)  5. I Know That You Know
(8:25)  6. Deed I Do
(6:15)  7. Clear Water
(9:36)  8. Medley: What Is There To Say? /  Our Love Is Here To Stay
(6:33)  9. The Darktown Strutter's Ball

Ruby Braff's career spanned from the 1940s until months before his death in early 2003. This 2011 release comes from two previously unissued sessions in the spring of 1998, not that they were substandard in any way, but just set aside as other projects were completed. The veteran cornetist was a master of subtlety and a consistently inspired improviser, while he sought to surround himself with a similar caliber of players. Guitarist Howard Alden (a frequent collaborator), alto saxophonist Chuck Wilson, rhythm guitarist Jon Wheatley, bassist Marshall Wood, and drummer Jim Gwin make up the main group. The performances feel like they came together with little more than a brief discussion, though there were some on-the-spot charts created by Braff with Alden's help. The delightful interplay is a constant factor throughout the sessions. The satisfying "Linger Awhile" showcases Braff's rich cornet, yet there is plenty of space to feature Wilson and Alden as well. "I'm Comin' Virginia" fell out of fashion by the time bop started dominating jazz, though in Braff's mind, good melodies never grew stale, as he proves in this loping, lyrical performance. "I Know That You Know" swings like mad with the addition of Scott Robinson on tenor sax (he joins Wilson in playing harmony to accompany Braff's opening solo), while Robinson's warm solo combines the influences of all of the great swing tenor saxophonists. The last four tracks add Robinson and trumpeter Jon-Erik Kellso (another gifted player somewhat in Braff's mold), providing a perfect foil for the leader in a snappy take of "'Deed I Do" and Braff's melancholy blues "Clear Water" (based on the changes to "Love Me or Love Me"). Wilson switches to clarinet for the deliberate, foot-tapping exploration of the old chestnut "The Darktown Strutters' Ball," in which the group avoids stating the melody outright and works its way around its chord progression in a superb Dixieland setting. Fans of Ruby Braff can only hope that more unissued treasures by the late great cornetist are revealed on future Arbors CDs to follow this top-drawer collection. ~ Ken Dryden https://www.allmusic.com/album/our-love-is-here-to-stay-mw0002099731

Personnel: Ruby Braff (cornet); Howard Alden, Jon Wheatley (guitar); Chuck Wilson (alto saxophone); Jim Gwin (drums).

Our Love Is Here To Stay

---

Dave Valentin - Jungle Garden

Styles: Flute Jazz
Year: 1985
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:56
Size: 98,7 MB
Art: Front

(2:05)  1. Awakening
(6:21)  2. Oasis
(4:57)  3. Bones (A Lion Who Lived and Died in the Kalahari)
(5:00)  4. Love Light in Flight
(4:41)  5. Jungle Garden
(3:51)  6. Very Nice Indeed
(5:42)  7. I Loves You Porgy
(4:55)  8. Eighty-One
(5:19)  9. Tabasco

?Dave Valentin, who recorded over 15 albums for GRP, combined together the influence of pop, R&B, and Brazilian music with Latin jazz to create a slick and accessible form of crossover jazz. At age nine, Valentin enjoyed playing bongos and congas. He gigged at Latin clubs in New York from age 12 and it was not until he was 18 that he seriously started studying flute. Valentin's teacher, Hubert Laws, suggested that he not double on saxophone because of his attractive sound on the flute. In 1977, he made his recording debut with Ricardo Marrero's group, and he was also on a Noel Pointer album. Discovered by Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen, Valentin was the first artist signed to GRP and he was a popular attraction for years to follow. After the mid-2000s, Valentin was signed to Highnote Records, releasing World on a String in 2005, Come Fly with Me in 2006, and Pure Imagination in 2011. Valentin suffered a debilitating stroke in 2012 and a second stroke three years later; he died in 2017 at the age of 64. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/artist/dave-valentin-mn0000625994/biography

Personnel:  Flute, Percussion, Synthesizer, Producer – Dave Valentin;  Bass – Lincoln Goines;  Congas, Percussion – Frank Malabé;  Drums – Robert Ameen;  Piano, Electric Piano, Synthesizer – Bill O'Connell

Jungle Garden

---