Hadda Brooks - I've Got News For You (2-Disc Set)

This two-CD set spans Brooks' career from 1945 to 1998 and does a fine job of gathering bits and pieces from the veteran singer/pianist's catalog. Divided into two sections --"Hadda Sings" and "Hadda Swings" -- which unsuccessfully tries to separate essentially similar patterns in Brooks' style and manner, this amounts to a representative, if incomplete, compilation of progressing, artistic achievement. The '90s recordings featured here aren't bad, but it's the late-'40s material -- particularly Brooks' sublime take on "That's My Desire" -- that gives I've Got News for You something to shout about. ~Michael Gallucci

Album: I've Got News For You (Disc 1)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:34
Size: 104.3 MB
Styles: Jazz-blues vocals, Piano blues
Year: 1999

[2:42] 1. That's My Desire
[2:44] 2. I Feel So Good
[3:09] 3. Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere
[4:05] 4. Dream
[3:13] 5. You Won't Let Me Go
[2:47] 6. Time Was When
[3:35] 7. You Go Your Way And I'll Go Crazy
[2:53] 8. Sometimes I'm Happy (Featuring Carla Bozulich)
[3:24] 9. Need A Little Sugar In My Bowl
[3:12] 10. Who Did You Fool After All
[4:24] 11. Stairway To The Stars (Featuring Charles Brown)
[3:49] 12. How Do You Speak To An Angel
[2:34] 13. Them There Eyes
[2:56] 14. Miss Brown To You

I've Got News For You (Disc 1) mc
I've Got News For You (Disc 1) zippy

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Album: I've Got News For You (Disc 2)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:11
Size: 103.5 MB
Styles: Jazz-blues vocals, Piano blues
Year: 1999
Art: Front

[2:48] 1. Swingin' The Boogie
[2:54] 2. Chop Chop Boogie
[2:41] 3. Hip Shakin' Boogie
[3:00] 4. Humoresque Boogie
[2:34] 5. Rock And Roll Boogie
[2:26] 6. Variety Boogie
[2:39] 7. Bluesin' The Boogie
[2:24] 8. Teenage Boogie
[2:41] 9. Boogie Celeste
[2:20] 10. Stompin' The Boogie
[2:40] 11. Honky Tonk Boogie
[6:23] 12. Mama's Blues
[4:20] 13. Misty
[5:14] 14. Rhapsody In Blue

I've Got News For You (Disc 2) mc
I've Got News For You (Disc 2) zippy

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Clark Terry, Depaul University Big Band, Bob Lark - Express

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:43
Size: 157.3 MB
Styles: Big band
Year: 1996/2015
Art: Front

[4:21] 1. Just Squeeze Me
[4:08] 2. Juniflip
[4:08] 3. Rockin' In Rhythm
[6:15] 4. Just A-Sitting And A-Rockin'
[6:47] 5. Star Crossed Lovers
[4:46] 6. Easy Does It
[5:33] 7. C.T.'s Express
[4:53] 8. Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me
[4:35] 9. I Want A Little Girl
[4:38] 10. Launching Pad
[3:28] 11. Harlem Airshaft
[5:19] 12. Nodido
[3:23] 13. Cotton Tail
[6:22] 14. Something To Live For

Alto Saxophone, Flute – Dave Hutten, Doug Angelaccio; Baritone Saxophone, Clarinet – Jeff Erickson (2); Bass – Sharay Reed; Bass Trombone – Thomas Michaud; Drums – James Ward (7) (tracks: 5, 7, 8, 13, 14), Tom Hipskind (tracks: 1 to 4, 6, 9 to 12); Guitar – Steve Jacobson (3); Piano – Michael Stryker; Tenor Saxophone – Robert Gardiner (2); Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet – Rob Denty; Tenor Saxophone, Guest – Mark Colby (tracks: 12); Trombone – Steve Bradley (6), Tom Hanton; Trombone [Lead] – Troy Anderson (2); Trumpet [Lead], Flugelhorn [Lead] – Jason Aspinwall; Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Amir El Saffar*, Eric Nelson (10), Gil Wukitsch, Vance Thompson. Recorded December 5-6, 1995 at The Concert Hall, DePaul University, Chicago IL.

Possessor of the happiest sound in jazz, flügelhornist Clark Terry always played music that was exuberant, swinging, and fun. A brilliant (and very distinctive) soloist, Terry gained fame for his "Mumbles" vocals (which started as a satire of the less intelligible ancient blues singers) and was also an enthusiastic educator. He gained early experience playing trumpet in the viable St. Louis jazz scene of the early '40s (where he was an inspiration for Miles Davis) and, after performing in a Navy band during World War II, he gained a strong reputation playing with the big band of Charlie Barnet (1947-1948), the orchestra and small groups of Count Basie (1948-1951), and particularly with Duke Ellington (1951-1959). Terry, a versatile swing/bop soloist who started specializing on flügelhorn in the mid-'50s, had many features with Ellington (including "Perdido"), and started leading his own record dates during that era. He visited Europe with Harold Arlen's unsuccessful Free & Easy show of 1959-1960 as part of Quincy Jones' Orchestra, and then joined the staff of NBC where he was a regular member of the Tonight Show Orchestra. He recorded regularly in the '60s, including a classic set with the Oscar Peterson Trio and several dates with the quintet he co-led with valve trombonist Bob Brookmeyer. Throughout the '70s, '80s, and '90s, Terry remained a major force, recording and performing in a wide variety of settings, including as the head of his short-lived big band in the mid-'70s, with all-star groups for Pablo, and as a guest artist who provided happiness in every note he played. Terry died on February 21, 2015, at age 94, after an extended battle with diabetes. ~ Scott Yanow

Express mc
Express zippy

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Ray Charles - Forever

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:00
Size: 112.2 MB
Styles: R&B, Soul
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[4:14] 1. A Song For You
[3:39] 2. I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town
[3:07] 3. Ring Of Fire
[3:40] 4. Come Rain Or Come Shine
[4:11] 5. They Can't Take That Away From Me
[4:06] 6. Till There Was You
[4:06] 7. Isn't It Wonderful
[5:02] 8. None Of Us Are Free
[4:25] 9. Imagine
[4:53] 10. If I Could
[3:58] 11. So Help Me God
[3:34] 12. America The Beautiful

Concord Music Group releases the Ray Charles Forever album, which includes re-mixed and re-mastered versions of some of Ray's classic hits and the previously unreleased "They Can't Take That Away From Me." In conjunction, the U.S. Postal Service proudly honors inspiring musician Ray Charles with a stamp, one of several that inaugurates the Music Icons Forever® series.

Forever mc
Forever zippy

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Ken Navarro - The Test Of Time

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:57
Size: 128.1 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[5:08] 1. Imagine
[3:51] 2. Little Martha
[6:06] 3. Just Like A Woman Sad Eyed Lady Of The Lowlands
[4:34] 4. Message In A Bottle
[8:12] 5. Eight Days A Week/Ticket To Ride Day Tripper
[5:02] 6. The Days Of Wine And Roses
[4:23] 7. Wichita Lineman
[2:37] 8. Letter From Home
[2:40] 9. Caroline No
[6:41] 10. Europa
[3:24] 11. Bach Bwv 998
[3:13] 12. When You Wish Upon A Star

Solo guitar like you never imagined it. Genuine, flawless performances with melodies, bass lines, harmonies and percussion... all masterfully played simultaneously on just one guitar. Every song is an original Ken Navarro masterpiece.

The Test Of Time mc

Sharon Marie Cline - Interplay: Live At Simon's Wine Bar

Styles: Vocal  Jazz
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:49
Size: 123,6 MB
Art: Front

(0:34)  1. Introduction (Introduction By Martin Pett)
(4:03)  2. Honeysuckle Rose
(4:33)  3. Let's Face The Music And Dance
(7:55)  4. A Foggy Day
(4:21)  5. Fly Me To The Moon
(7:17)  6. The Nearness Of You
(6:52)  7. Star Eyes (Instrumental)
(7:44)  8. The Look Of Love
(6:08)  9. Night And Day
(4:17) 10. Ain't Misbehavin' - I Can't Give You Anything But Love

Internationally acclaimed vocalist Sharon Marie is quickly becoming a favorite in LA’s jazz club scene and performs with the finest jazz musicians and in the most exclusive rooms on the west coast and across the country. She’s performed on the same stage as such jazz greats as Nancy Wilson, Tony Bennett and Chris Botti. Hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, Sharon Marie is an extraordinary vocalist who brings a unique & distinguished sense of jazz history to her song stylings. Her approach to standards, show tunes and classic jazz is charming and refreshing… she often employs rhythmic and tempo variations that breathe enjoyable new life into familiar standards. Her brilliant interpretations and her smooth mellifluous sound leave a lasting impression on her listeners that is truly unforgettable! Backed by exceptional musicians, Sharon fondly dubs her group “The Bad Boyz of Jazz”. They are known for their innovative rhythmic sense, lush arrangements and musical prowess. Her core group of “Boyz” includes : Rich Eames (piano), and Luther Hughes (bass), Adrian Rosen (bass) and Jon Stuart (drums), and Victor Orlando on Percussion. However, there are many extraordinary musicians that offer their great talent on this album: Ryan Cross (cello and bass), Reinhold Schwarzwald (alto saxophone), Lee Thornberg (trumpet), John Belzaguy (bass), Adam Cohen (bass), Bram Glik (tenor saxophone), Rob Hardt (flute), and Jacques Lesure (guitar).The Divine Ms. Cline is exciting, sexy, fun and mesmerizing. Her style is reminiscent of a time gone by, yet is distinctively contemporary. Sit back and enjoy the romantic swingin’ melodies of Sharon Marie Cline and The Bad Boyz of Jazz. http://sharonmariecline.com/about-sharon/

Interplay:  Live At Simon's Wine Bar

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Andy LaVerne Trio - Time Well Spent

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1994
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:15
Size: 135,7 MB
Art: Front

(5:30)  1. Common Knowledge
(3:25)  2. There Is No Greater Love
(5:19)  3. Cantaloupe Island
(5:27)  4. On A Misty Night
(4:24)  5. Time Well Spent
(5:28)  6. I Should Care
(7:04)  7. Lover Man
(3:29)  8. A Single Petal Of A Rose
(4:12)  9. Fall
(4:17) 10. Blue Interlude
(6:37) 11. Stellar
(4:00) 12. Rhythm And Blues

Andy LaVerne is a fabulous pianist with an exquisite touch. The trio includes George Mraz on bass and Al Foster on drums. They all perform well on Time Well Spent. However, except for Herbie Hancock's "Cantaloupe Island" and the title track, most of the tracks on Time Well Spent are not memorable. ~ Tim Griggs  https://www.allmusic.com/album/time-well-spent-mw0000646719

Personnel:  Andy LaVerne (piano); George Mraz (bass); Al Foster (drums).

Time Well Spent

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David Newman - Under a Woodstock Moon

Styles: Flute and Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:39
Size: 137,3 MB
Art: Front

(4:39)  1. Nature Boy
(5:18)  2. Amandla
(4:29)  3. Up Jumped Spring
(5:14)  4. Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most
(4:40)  5. Autumn in New York
(2:58)  6. Sky Blues
(4:59)  7. Another Kentucky Sunset
(4:58)  8. Summertime
(5:38)  9. Sunrise
(6:16) 10. A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
(4:52) 11. Skylark
(5:32) 12. Under a Woodstock Moon

Veteran David Newman is heard in fine form on his excellent CD, switching between tenor, alto and flute. He is joined by a supportive rhythm section (which includes vibraphonist Brian Carrott and pianist David Leonhardt) and occasionally four strings for a cheerful set of ballads and originals. The project is listed as "a personal tribute to the rhythms of Mother Nature," and all of the song titles (other than the original calypso "Amandla") have something to do with either the seasons or the sky, but fortunately, the date is far from being a reverent set of new age music. In fact, despite the mostly relaxed tempos, it is one of David Newman's stronger straight-ahead efforts and is easily recommended, particularly for Newman's appealing tenor playing. Highlights include "Up Jumped Spring," "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most," "A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square," and the title cut. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/under-a-woodstock-moon-mw0000597801

Personnel: David "Fathead" Newman (flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Matthew Raimondi (strings); David Leonhardt (piano); Bryan Carrott (vibraphone); Winard Harper (drums).

Under a Woodstock Moon

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Dr. Lonnie Smith - All In My Mind

Styles: Jazz, Hard Bop
Year: 2018
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:37
Size: 133,3 MB
Art: Front

(8:18)  1. JuJu
(6:55)  2. Devika
(9:27)  3. 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover
(7:44)  4. On A Misty Night
(9:51)  5. Alhambra
(8:20)  6. All In My Mind
(5:58)  7. Up Jumped Spring

Recorded during his 75th birthday celebration at the Jazz Standard in New York City, All in My Mind follows B-3 boss Dr. Lonnie Smith's acclaimed 2016 release, Evolution, which marked his return to Blue Note Records. Again unobtrusively produced by label boss Don Was, the seven-track set places the great organist in the company of his working trio with guitarist Jonathan Kreisberg and drummer Jonathan Blake. In addition, drummer Joe Dyson and vocalist Alicia Olatuja appear on a track each. The program, like Smith's best Blue Note work from the days of yore (1968-1970), is wildly diverse. It opens with a cooking read of Wayne Shorter's classic modal composition "Juju." Smith's Hammond B-3 goes deep beneath the surface structure of the tune to reveal the subtle colors and tones inherent in the original melody, Kreisberg highlights them with slippery grace and shifting arpeggios, and Blake drives the strident yet mysterious groove with tasty breaks and fills. Smith's labyrinthine solo builds on the changes to balance groove and keyboard pyrotechnics. Another highlight is the nine-and-a-half-minute version of Paul Simon's "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover." Commencing as a slow burn with Kreisberg stating the melody and guest Dyson relying heavily on funky, syncopated breaks, Smith's entry offers subdued tonal shades in the changes until the refrain, when the trio shifts gears toward improvisation, carrying the tune into previously unknown regions. Smith's trio displays its elegant chops and close camaraderie on a sultry, lyrical read of Tadd Dameron's classic "On a Misty Night." They listen closely, while implicitly knowing how to utilize harmonic and dynamic understatement for maximum expression. Smith includes a pair of his own compositions here as well. First is the long, moody, and exploratory "Alhambra," with his keyboard strings and muted trumpet sounds, eventually evolving into a free-for-all jam with everyone digging deep. He also revisits "All in My Mind," from 1977's Funk Reaction. The latter is a more retiring (but no less satisfying) version, with Olatuja's gorgeous voice as its focal point. The set closes with a soul-jazz cum post-bop read of Freddie Hubbard's sprightly "Up Jumped Spring" that finds the great organ master allowing his playful side to come to the fore, gliding through the changes to set the pace for his sidemen. While this set doesn't possess the raw fireworks of his recordings on Palmetto such as Boogaloo to Beck, Too Damn Hot, and Spiral, it more than compensates in taste and outstanding musicianship, making for a thoroughly enjoyable listen from end to end. ~ Thom Jurek https://www.allmusic.com/album/all-in-my-mind-mw0003131644

Personnel: Dr. Lonnie Smith (vocals, organ, keyboards); Jonathan Kreisberg (guitar); Johnathan Blake (drums).

All In My Mind

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