Zoot Sims - For Lady Day

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:33
Size: 111.2 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 1990
Art: Front

[3:40] 1. Easy Living
[4:59] 2. That Ole Devil Called Love
[4:56] 3. Some Other Spring
[4:24] 4. I Cover The Waterfront
[5:49] 5. You Go To My Head
[4:30] 6. I Cried For You
[3:19] 7. Body And Soul
[4:46] 8. Trav'lin' Light
[3:43] 9. You're My Thrill
[3:03] 10. No More
[5:19] 11. My Man

Bass – George Mraz; Drums – Jackie Williams; Piano – Jimmy Rowles; Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims. Recorded april 10th, 11th, 1978, New York.

It is strange that this album was not released until the CD came out in 1990, for tenor saxophonist Zoot Sims and pianist Jimmy Rowles' tribute to Billie Holiday is melodic, tasteful, and largely memorable. Together with bassist George Mraz and drummer Jackie Williams back in 1978, they perform 11 songs associated with Holiday, including quite a few that would have been lost in obscurity if Lady Day had not uplifted them with her recordings. Highlights include "Easy Living," "Some Other Spring," "I Cried for You," "Body and Soul," and "You're My Thrill." A lyrical and heartfelt tribute. ~Scott Yanow

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Melody Gardot - Live In Europe (3-Disc Set)

After a serious car accident when she was 19, Melody Gardot used the experience as a springboard to musical success she might never have achieved otherwise. Gardot had played the piano before the accident, and a doctor suggested that she use music as a kind of recovery therapy. Since she couldn't sit comfortably at the piano, she picked up a guitar and now after several albums she is celebrating the international tour success of her career so far by brings us her first ever album of live recorded music. “Live In Europe” presents live versions of her greatest hits recorded at concerts worldwide between 2012 & 2016. An album personally curated by Melody herself, hits include Baby I’m A Fool, My One and Only Thrill, Les Etoiles & March For Mingus.

Album: Live In Europe (Disc 1)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:51
Size: 95.8 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2018

[ 6:19] 1. Our Love Is Easy
[ 4:19] 2. Baby I'm A Fool
[11:18] 3. The Rain
[ 6:53] 4. Deep Within The Corners Of My Mind
[ 5:30] 5. So Long
[ 7:30] 6. My One And Only Thrill

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Album: Live In Europe (Disc 2)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:49
Size: 100.3 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2018

[ 7:04] 1. Lisboa
[ 5:04] 2. Over The Rainbow
[ 2:09] 3. (Monologue) Special Spot
[ 4:01] 4. Baby I'm A Fool
[ 3:18] 5. Les étoiles
[ 4:05] 6. Goodbye
[ 0:22] 7. (Monologue) Tchao Baby
[11:14] 8. March For Mingus
[ 6:30] 9. Bad News

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Album: Live In Europe (Disc 3)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 19:38
Size: 44.9 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2018
Art: Front

[ 7:17] 1. Who Will Comfort Me
[12:20] 2. Morning Sun

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Live In Europe (Disc 3) zippy

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Kristian Jørgensen Quartet - Love Letters

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:14
Size: 128.7 MB
Styles: Violin jazz
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[6:13] 1. That Old Soccer Boy
[6:38] 2. Laura
[4:37] 3. Love Letters
[4:29] 4. You Can't Get A Man With A Gun
[5:32] 5. Escualo
[7:24] 6. Intervals
[5:36] 7. But Not For Me
[4:50] 8. Recreation Ballad
[5:18] 9. Belle De Boskoop
[5:31] 10. The H Chord Blues

Bass – Thomas Fonnesbæk; Drums – Karsten Bagge; Guitar – Jacob Fischer; Violin – Kristian Jørgensen.

Kristian Jørgensen is a promising young Danish jazz violinist, with this being his fifth CD as a leader. Accompanied by frequent collaborator Jacob Fischer, bassist Thomas Fonnesbæk, and drummer Karsten Bagge, Jørgensen shows a remarkable freshness on his instrument, which is also helped by his choice of offbeat songs like Irving Berlin's lyrical gem "You Can't Get a Man with a Gun" (from the musical Annie Get Your Gun), which features lyrical solos by the leader and Fischer. But Jørgensen transforms tango master Astor Piazzolla's "Escuallo" into more of a fusion setting, giving it a bluesy sound as he swings like mad. He recasts the sole standard, "But Not for Me," by alternating between funk and swing. Jørgensen's originals are just as potent. "That Old Soccer Boy" is full of whimsy, while "Belle de Boskoop" blends Gypsy swing with bossa nova. Recommended. ~Ken Dryden

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Morris McCraven - S/T

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:49
Size: 134.7 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2016
Art: Front

[ 5:51] 1. Chitlins' Con Carne
[ 7:29] 2. The Days Of Wine And Roses
[10:57] 3. Meditation
[ 7:29] 4. On Green Dolphin St
[ 5:31] 5. When Sunny Gets Blue
[ 5:24] 6. Comin' Home Baby
[ 4:42] 7. Things Ain't What They Used To Be
[ 6:34] 8. The Girl From Ipanema
[ 4:48] 9. Honky Tonk

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Morris is a graduate of Langston University with Music Education and Elementary Education degrees. Morris moved to Oklahoma City in 1963. Over the years he has performed with Preacher Smith, Leon the Demon, The Freedom Riders, The Fantastics, The Soul Messengers, Leon Nelson 4 Hits and a Miss, Hart and Soul, and Bottom Line Transaction. He participated in the International Blues Contest in Memphis winning the competition with Smilin Vic and the Soul Monkeys Band and toured the Caribbean playing on the Blues Cruise. In 2001 he was again at the International Blues COntest with Shortt Dogg.

After many years of playing and recording with others as a sideman, 2009 marks his debut recording as a leader. Released on Lunacy Records, the CD is comprised of several standards and soul/jazz classics and is his definitive statement of 50 years of tenor saxophone playing.

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Cæcilie Norby - Queen Of Bad Excuses

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:10
Size: 146.9 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 1999
Art: Front

[ 4:17] 1. Cuban Cigars
[ 5:05] 2. Fly
[ 6:19] 3. Psyko Pippi
[ 5:11] 4. Everyone Beneath The Sun
[ 4:22] 5. You
[ 5:13] 6. Thick Blue Grass
[ 4:09] 7. Newborn Broken
[ 4:35] 8. Milkman
[ 5:33] 9. Remember Rosa
[ 3:20] 10. Himalaya's Bijou
[ 5:25] 11. Meet The Monotone
[10:36] 12. Our Day Will Come

While many pop jazz vocalists such as Holly Cole and Diana Krall are releasing great vocal jazz albums of cover tunes and standards, few are writing songs of the quality that Norby produces. Queen of Bad Excuses is probably the best contemporary pop jazz vocal performance I've heard. Caecillie's previous albums have included a few good originals (especially the excellent Snow on My Little Corner of the Sky) admidst the covers, but this album is fresh, original, and features Norby's exquisite vocals and songwriting from start to finish. From the beautiful Forever Broken to the frantic Psyko Pippi, Norby's voice is smooth and agile, and her piano playing solid and supportive, regardless of the type of music she's doing. Highly, highly recommended. ~Jeffrey J Hanson

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The Fred Hersch Trio - Dancing In The Dark

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:24
Size: 156.6 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 1993/2008
Art: Front

[5:37] 1. So In Love
[7:11] 2. For All We Know
[5:31] 3. I Fall In Love Too Easily
[5:05] 4. If I Should Lose You
[5:34] 5. Dancing In The Dark
[5:05] 6. Out Of Nowhere
[5:42] 7. Secret Love
[5:36] 8. Wild Is The Wind
[6:48] 9. All The Things You Are
[8:26] 10. My Funny Valentine
[7:43] 11. Bye Bye Blackbird

Fred Hersch and his bandmates interpret 11 standards on their fine album, Dancing in the Dark. Hersch is a lyrical player who possesses a light touch and a sophisticated sense of style. His playing is unmistakably influenced by Bill Evans, and his trio work is marked by some of the characteristics that made Evans' best trios so memorable: cohesive, "whole is greater than the sum of its parts," musical communication. Drew Gress (bass) and Tom Rainey (drums) are outstanding throughout and their efforts become even more apparent with repeated listenings. The best tracks on Dancing in the Dark happen to also be the least well known; the brisk "So in Love," the delicate, solo vehicle "If I Should Lose You," the soft, orchestral "Wild Is the Wind," and the bright, swinging title piece. Though he occasionally takes a dissonant, avant-garde approach ("Out of Nowhere"), it is clearly not his most effective style. Hersch is at is best when he "sings" on the piano and his ballad playing is consistently first rate. This is a quality album, branded by excellent trio playing and tasteful interpretations of the standard repertoire. ~Brian Bartolini

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Jan Garbarek Group - Twelve Moons

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1993
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:38
Size: 173,8 MB
Art: Front

( 7:37)  1. Twelve Moons
( 6:33)  2. Psalm
(10:20)  3. Brother Wind March
( 8:39)  4. There Were Swallows...
( 5:51)  5. The Tall Tear Trees
( 6:24)  6. Arietta
(11:58)  7. Gautes-Margjit
( 4:56)  8. Darvánan
( 7:32)  9. Huhai
( 5:43) 10. Witchi-Tai-To

Recorded in 1992, this album emphasizes production value and slick performances. Largely a feature for Jan Garbarek's soprano sax (he only plays tenor on three tracks), each song is dreamy and quite mystical. Compositionally, TWELVE MOONS is a curious blend of light jazz and Norwegian folk melodies. This is especially apparent on "Psalm" and "Darvanan," both of which feature female vocalists, while "Huhai" borrows from a traditional folk tune. 

Fans of Garbarek's penetrating, English horn-like soprano sax sound are treated to some inspired playing throughout, and drummer Manu Katche, best known for his work with Peter Gabriel and Sting, shines on every track. Additionally, there is nice interplay between Garbarek and the band on "Witchi-Tai-To," a remake of a tune first recorded by the saxophonist on a '74 album of the same name. https://www.allmusic.com/album/twelve-moons-mw0000107592   

Personnel: Jan Garbarek (soprano & tenor saxophones, synthesizer); Agnes Buen Garnas, Mari Boine (vocals); Rainer Bruninghaus (piano, synthesizer); Eberhard Weber (bass); Manu Katche (drums); Marilyn Mazur (percussion).

Twelve Moons

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Grant Green - Talkin' About

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1964
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:55
Size: 94,6 MB
Art: Front

(11:41)  1. Talkin' About J.C.
( 7:26)  2. People
( 7:42)  3. Luny Tune
( 7:36)  4. You Don't Know What Love Is
( 6:29)  5. I'm An Old Cowhand

On the heels of Matador and Solid, two of his most advanced albums, Grant Green decided to continue the more modal direction he'd begun pursuing with the help of members of Coltrane's quartet. Accordingly, he hooked up with organist Larry Young, who was just beginning to come into his own as the first Hammond B-3 player to incorporate Coltrane's modal innovations into his own style. Talkin' About is the first of three albums the Green/Young team recorded together with Coltrane drummer Elvin Jones, and it's exceptional, one of the most underrated items in Green's discography. With just a basic organ trio lineup, the album works a fascinating middle ground between the soul-jazz of Green's early days and the modal flavor of his most recent work. Though Young's style wasn't quite fully formed yet, he's no longer the in-the-pocket Jimmy Smith disciple of his earliest sessions; his playing here is far more adventurous than the typical soul-jazz date, both harmonically and rhythmically. Jones and Young often play off one another to create an intricate, percolating pulse that's miles ahead of the standard soul-jazz groove. The trio's interplay is best showcased on Young's Coltrane tribute, "Talkin' About J.C.," a monster jam that's worth every one of its nearly 12 minutes, and the cheerful "I'm an Old Cowhand," popularized as a jazz tune by Sonny Rollins. Meanwhile, Young and Green positively shimmer together on the ballad numbers, "People" and "You Don't Know What Love Is." It all makes for a terrific album that ranks in Green's uppermost echelon. ~ Steve Huey https://www.allmusic.com/album/talkin-about%21-mw0000259010

Personnel: Grant Green (guitar); Larry Young (organ); Elvin Jones (drums).        

Talkin' About

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John McLaughlin With Shakti - Natural Elements

Styles: Fusion
Year: 1977
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:34
Size: 93,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:47)  1. Mind Ecology
(5:58)  2. Face To Face
(1:58)  3. Come On Baby Dance With Me
(7:03)  4. The Daffodil And The Eagle
(4:28)  5. Happiness Is Being Together
(3:52)  6. Bridge Of Sighs
(7:02)  7. Get Down And Sruti
(3:22)  8. Peace Of Mind

The third and final Shakti recording from the '70s. The songs here are shorter than those on Shakti and Handful of Beauty, but no less impressive. The novelty of combining Eastern and Western musical styles had worn off and McLaughlin sounds comfortable. This allows for memorable compositions and interchanges, rather than the blistering virtuosity that characterized the first two releases. From the intense ("Daffodil and the Eagle") to the joyful ("Happiness Is Being Together"), Natural Elements stands as a milestone in McLaughlin's illustrious career. ~ Robert Taylor https://www.allmusic.com/album/natural-elements-mw0000031689

Personnel:  John McLaughlin – guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals;  Zakir Hussain – bongos, dholak, percussion, tabla, timbales, triangle, vocals;  Lakshminarayana Shankar – viola, violin, vocals;  Vikku Vinayakram – ghatam, kanjeera, percussion, vocals

Natural Elements

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Marion Meadows - Soul City

Styles: Jazz, Smooth Jazz
Year: 2018
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:15
Size: 108,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:50)  1. Soul City
(3:56)  2. Dreamin
(4:42)  3. You
(3:34)  4. Merry Go Round
(5:28)  5. Time After Time
(3:56)  6. Consequences
(5:28)  7. Be With You
(4:49)  8. Samba De Playa
(4:06)  9. No Wind, No Rain
(6:21) 10. Only

Smooth Jazz Superstar Marion Meadows is without question one of the most popular and unique talents on the jazz scene today. Marion has sold close to one million albums in his brilliant career. His constant string of radio hits and relentless touring have garnered legions of fans, and his appearances with such varied artists as The Temptations, Michael Bolton and Will Downing are a testament to his broad audience appeal. Soul City, Marion's most intimate and heartfelt album to date, is a star-studded event that takes the listener on a sensuous journey through a soundscape of brilliant original compositions and masterful improvisations. The album is co-produced by Marion's long time hit-making collaborators, Chris "Big Dog" Davis (Will Downing, Gerald Albright, Maysa), Rahni Song (Najee, Melba Moore, Freddie Jackson) and Dave Love. Soul Traveler, Marion's previous Shanachie release, debuted at #1 on the Smooth Jazz charts, and garnered 3 top 10 Smooth Jazz Radio singles. Highlights include the funky "Soul City" featuring Norman Brown, the deeply sensuous ballad "Be With You" with vocals by the amazing Will Downing, "Merry Go Round" featuring Smooth Jazz icon Peter White and much more! ~ Editorial Reviews https://www.amazon.com/Soul-City-Marion-Meadows/dp/B077K49GS2

Soul City

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