Kenny Burrell - Ellington Is Forever Vol. 2

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:07
Size: 172.0 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 1977/1994
Art: Front

[1:50] 1. Azure
[7:34] 2. Take The A Train
[5:28] 3. In A Sentimental Mood
[4:14] 4. I'm Beginning To See The Light
[3:32] 5. Satin Doll
[5:37] 6. I'm Just A Lucky So And So
[5:48] 7. In A Mellow Tone
[3:17] 8. Solitude
[4:55] 9. Jeep Is Jumpin'
[6:55] 10. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart
[2:56] 11. Prelude To A Kiss
[0:26] 12. Satin Doll-Segue
[3:08] 13. Come Sunday
[8:01] 14. Just Squeeze Me
[7:43] 15. I Ain't Got Nothin' But The Blues
[3:36] 16. Orson

The modus operandi of Ellington Is Forever, Vol. 2 is essentially the same as the first; Kenny Burrell gathered a great bunch of musicians together in a studio for a relaxed yet masterful tour through some of Ellington's best-known material. The sole exception to the Ellingtonia is the Strayhorn-penned "Take the 'A' Train," a song that will forever be associated with the Duke. Jimmy Jones provided a stunning solo reading of this composition on the first volume, but it gets a full band treatment on Vol. 2, and features a fantastic solo from Burrell, a bluesy romp through the changes. In fact, the leader seems to be a bit more present on this album compared to Ellington Is Forever, Vol. 1. This is not to say, however, that the excellent contributions of the many musicians on this record go without benefit of the spotlight. One only has to listen to Roland Hanna's solo piano introduction to "In a Sentimental Mood" or Philly Joe Jones' masterful brushwork on "I'm Beginning to See the Light" to realize the immense quality of the musicianship on display on this record. As on the first album, Ernie Andrews appears here on two tracks. His contributions, so essential to the overall quality of the first volume, are somewhat mixed here. His rendition of "I'm Just a Lucky So and So" is controlled and soulful, but his interpretation of "Satin Doll" seems a bit forced. However, this may seem this case only because the listener cannot help but compare it to the near-perfection of his performances on Vol. 1. Of historical note is the fact that this is the last recording to feature trombonist Quentin "Butter" Jackson, who passed away after the sessions were recorded but before the album could be released. Although he plays his horn with the confidence and expertise of a man who had been involved with some of the greatest bandleaders of all time (including Ellington), the most exquisite moment on this record is his singing on "Prelude to a Kiss." His soft, tremulous voice is frail and heart wrenching, and the fact of its inclusion alone is worth the price of admission. Burrell's initial plan was to release a volume in tribute to Ellington once a year, but this record and the one that preceded it were the only two albums in this proposed series that were ever made. One can only imagine what could have been if Burrell had continued. Alternately, and more positively, one can be glad that the only records that were released were as beautiful and as close to perfection as these two. ~Daniel Gioffre

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The Vocal Jazz Collective - Redefinition

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:03
Size: 164.9 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[5:19] 1. My Man's Gone Now (Feat. Camille Avery)
[5:25] 2. You Don't Know What Love Is (Feat. Leanne Robinson)
[7:28] 3. Moon River (Feat. Georgia Sedlack)
[5:39] 4. Time After Time (Feat. Cari Stevens)
[4:35] 5. Nothing Compares (Feat. Fara Sumbureru)
[7:47] 6. Much Farther To Go (Feat. Karmen Wolf)
[5:03] 7. My Funny Valentine (Feat. Georgia Sedlack)
[6:13] 8. Too Late Now (Feat. Leanne Robinson)
[5:44] 9. City Called Heaven (Feat. Harris Long)
[4:45] 10. Dienda (Feat. Cari Stevens)
[5:22] 11. Both Sides Now (Feat. Karmen Wolf)
[8:39] 12. Sparks (Feat. Mary Thompson)

Camille Avery: vocals (1, 12) ; LeAnne Robinson: vocals (2, 8, 12); Georgia Sedlack: vocals (3, 7, 12),; Cari Steven: vocals (4, 10, 12); Fara Sumbureru: vocals (5, 12); Karmen Wolf: vocals (6, 11, 12); Harris Long: vocals (9, 12); Mary Thompson: vocals (soloist on 12); Michael Wood: vocal (12); Sekeyi Sumbureru: vocal (12); Andrew Koba: vocal (12); Justin Nielsen: piano; Jeff Johnson: bass; John Bishop: drums; John McLean: guitar; Thomas Marriott: trumpet, flugelhorn; Brent Jensen: saxophone.

Jeff Baker, one of the best male jazz vocalists around today, is also the vocal director at ArtsWest School for Performing Arts in Eagle, Idaho. Working with high school age performers must be a gas, because Baker has produced a very engaging vocal jazz outing, featuring his students backed by an Origin Records all-star band, with pianist Justin Nielsen sitting in the piano/arranger's chair.

Redefinition takes a batch of familiar jazz tunes by the likes of George Gershwin, Henry Mancini, and Rodgers and Hart, and mixes in some popular songs from Prince, Joni Mitchell and Coldplay, with one traditional spiritual thrown in for good measure, and redefines them; bending their shapes a bit and giving them fresh spins. Under the guidance of polished professionals Baker and Nielsen, and backed by a roster of versatile top level musicians, the set holds up so well that the ages of the singers becomes simply a matter of interest. There is not a half-baked or tentative performance on the set; these young people sing with an uncluttered purity of feeling and remarkable confidence.

The Gershwins' "My Man's Gone Now" opens the set. Nielsen's piano sparkles, while Brent Jensen blows a sinewy soprano sax accompaniment to Camille Avery's heartfelt vocal, as the singer tells her story with feeling and a genuine sense of loss, giving way to John McLean's searing guitar. The songs are old familiar tales, leaning on the love or love lost theme. LeAnne Robinson gets deep into a beautiful, weary blues feeling on "You Don't Know What Love Is," while Georgia Sedlack soars in a buoyant take of Mancini's "Moon River." Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" (a Miles Davis favorite) is slowed down to a dirge, with a spare arrangement complimenting Cari Stevens' very direct and seemingly world-weary singing. The band brings in a funk feel on Prince's "Nothing Compares," with Fara Sumbureru bouncing into a light groove. "Much Farther to Go," a Rosie Thomas tune, features a Karmen Wolf's pure-toned, horn-like delivery. Harris Long—the lone male solo vocalist on the disc—possesses a rich baritone similar to Kurt Elling, and gives a fitting reverence to the traditional "City Called Heaven." Coldplay's "Sparks" closes the disc on a modern-leaning note. Mary Thompson's vocal exudes a melancholy, drifting-into-the-twilight mood. As the tune winds down she is joined by the choir—the other soloists plus Michael Wood, Sekayi Sumbureru and Andrew Koba—for a classy, collaborative ending to Redefinition, a fine set of jazz vocal tunes that introduce a bunch of amazing young talent. ~Dan McClenaghan

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Thilo Wolf Big Band - Big Band Shout

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:16
Size: 135.7 MB
Styles: Big band
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[5:26] 1. Loosen Your Grip
[3:22] 2. Easy To Love
[5:19] 3. Nice Toys
[3:05] 4. Tickle Toe
[2:08] 5. The Man With A Horn
[3:45] 6. All Of Me
[2:30] 7. Tenderly
[3:22] 8. It Had To Be You
[3:43] 9. Mr. Anthony´s Boogie
[4:55] 10. Can You Hear These Dirty Horns
[3:26] 11. He´s Got The Whole World
[4:45] 12. Ain´t Misbehavin`
[3:29] 13. Let The Good Times Roll
[5:58] 14. Amazing Grace
[3:58] 15. One O´clock Jump

Thilo Wolf's Big Band Shout, we are informed in the booklet, was "recorded live . . . on the occasion of taping the television production SWING IT, the only plausible response to which is "wow! One simply can't imagine a television program of this caliber on any outlet—network, cable or public—here in the States. This is for the most part the sort of uncompromising big-band jazz that hasn't graced TV screens in these parts for too many years (read: decades). And judging from the response, the German audience is clearly elated, even before Wolf welcomes his special guests: trumpeter Ray Anthony and blues/gospel singer Joan Faulkner and her backup group, the Expressions.

After four instrumentals including Cole Porter's "Easy To Love and Lester Young's "Tickletoe, Anthony, an octogenarian who has been making beautiful music for more than seventy years (and still has decent chops), enters with his signature theme, "Man With A Horn. He's front and center again on "All Of Me, "Tenderly, "It Had To Be You, "Mr. Anthony's Boogie and the strapping finale, Count Basie's venerable "One O'Clock Jump. Faulkner's showpieces include "He's Got The Whole World, "Ain't Misbehavin', "Let The Good Times Roll and "Amazing Grace. The power-laden band is beyond reproach, as are soloists Wolf, Axel Kühn, Lennart Axelsson, Norbert Nagel, Otto Staniloi, Werner Tauber and Thomas Zoller. It's a shame one has to be in Germany to see and hear music as admirable as this on television, but at least the CD is here to offer some solace. ~Jack Bowers

Big Band Shout

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Zimbo Trio - The Best Of Zimbo Trio

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 102:42
Size: 235.1 MB
Styles: Brazilian jazz
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[6:06] 1. A Felicidade
[4:23] 2. Samba Dourado
[2:40] 3. Cravo E Canela
[3:45] 4. Garota De Ipanema
[5:27] 5. Wave
[5:15] 6. Coisa Feita
[2:38] 7. Radames E Pele
[3:33] 8. Nada Será Como Antes
[3:14] 9. Água De Beber
[2:02] 10. Piano Na Mangueira
[5:58] 11. Pot-Pourri Teia De Renda Coração De Estudante
[2:06] 12. Samba De Maria Luiza
[1:58] 13. Brigas Nunca Mais
[5:13] 14. Saudades Dos Aviões Da Painar (Conversando No Bar)
[2:56] 15. Corcovado
[3:28] 16. Meditação
[4:04] 17. Desafinando
[6:01] 18. Arrastão
[3:45] 19. O Morro Não Tem Vez
[5:52] 20. Ao Piazzolla
[2:50] 21. Vera Cruz
[3:26] 22. Só Danço Samba
[6:01] 23. Notas Que Falam
[3:33] 24. Asa (Zoo Blues)
[6:17] 25. Aquarela Do Brasil

The Zimbo Trio is a Brazilian instrumental trio, founded in March 1964, São Paulo, by Luiz Chaves Oliveira da Paz "Luiz Chaves" (bass), Rubens Alberto Barsotti "Rubens"(drums) and Amilton Godoy (piano). The first presentation took place at “Boate Oásis” on March 17, featuring the singer Norma Bengell. One of the songs played was "Consolação" by Baden Powell and Vinicius de Moraes.

Currently, the Zimbo Trio is formed by Amilton Godoy (piano), Mario Andreotti (bass) and Percio Sapia (drums) who shares the stage with his master Rubens Barsotti, who is recovering from surgery. In a new phase, the trio has a repertoire of Amilton's compositions. Over 45-year career and 51 albums recorded, the Zimbo Trio has gained worldwide recognition, toured the world, and have spread Brazilian instrumental music.

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Jean Oh - Invisible Worth

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:43
Size: 132.1 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[3:20] 1. Jelly Candy
[7:40] 2. Autumn Rhythm
[9:22] 3. Blues For Calvin
[1:06] 4. Piece For Dennis Erwin
[8:57] 5. The Music
[6:48] 6. Free Space
[6:45] 7. Humpty Dumpty
[3:04] 8. Right On It
[2:56] 9. Invisible Worth
[4:54] 10. It Never Entered My Mind
[2:46] 11. How You Do That

Guitarist Jean Oh was born in Seoul, Korea and began playing music at the age of 13. He began studying music formally at Seoul Jazz Academy, a school that was renowned for the best faculty in Korea. He soon began playing gigs. After several years of playing with many different bands around town, He realized that he needs different experience. This led him to Paris, a cultural heart of Europe. He studied jazz with Misja Fitzerald Michel, Sylvain Beof, Bernard Maury, Joe Malcolm, Emil Spanyl and Frederic Favarel. And he performed in various clubs such as 'Studio des Illettes', 'Caveau des Oubliettes' and 'La Fontaine'.

After graduating music conservatory, he quickly moved to New York City to attend New York University where he obtain master’s degree. During his two years at NYU, he studied with Ralph Alessi, George Garzone, John Scofield, and Gil Goldstein. He also attended School of Improvisation Music. At SIM, he studied with Steve Coleman, Mark Helias, Uri Caine, David Binney, and Bily Hart. He played many different gigs, working his way into the New York Jazz scene.

Since the beginning of his professional career, he has played on several commercially released recordings and toured throughout the United States, Canada, Japan, South America, Philippine, Russia. He has had many opportunities to share the stage with George Garzone, John Lockwood, Jeff Hirshfield, Billy Drummond, Ralph Alessi, Ron McClure, Mike Richmond. And he played at various places such as '169Bar', 'Swing 46', 'Milagro Theater', 'The Grind', 'Charlie's Den'. Recently, Jean has released his first album, “Invisible Worth”, featuring George Garzone, John Lockwood, and Jeff Hirshfield. And he is pushing himself to have his voice defined in music, both as a sideman and as a band leader.

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Various - Jazz Loves Disney

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:28
Size: 108.7 MB
Styles: Stage & Screen
Year: 2016
Art: Front

[2:55] 1. Jamie Cullum - Ev'rybody Wants To Be A Cat
[3:40] 2. Melody Gardot - He's A Tramp
[3:11] 3. Stacey Kent - Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo
[3:47] 4. Gregory Porter - When You Wish Upon A Star
[4:59] 5. China Moses - Why Don't You Do Right
[3:51] 6. Raphael Gualazzi - I Wan'na Be Like You (The Monkey Song)
[4:14] 7. The Rob Mounsey Orchestra - A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes
[4:03] 8. Hugh Coltman - You've Got A Friend In Me
[3:23] 9. Anne Sila - Let It Go
[3:26] 10. Melody Gardot - The Bare Necessities
[3:28] 11. Laika - Once Upon A Dream
[3:16] 12. Nikki Yanofsky - Un Jour Mon Prince Viendra
[3:08] 13. The Hot Sardines - I Wanna Be Like You

The notion that jazz singers love Disney tunes is hardly new, the relationship stretching from Johnny Mercer’s 1947 rendition of Song of the South’s Oscar-winning “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” to Steve Tyrell’s Disney Standards, from 2006. Never, though, has so ambitious or smartly executed a Disney-themed collection of vocal jazz been assembled as this.

Recorded in 2014 and 2015 across sessions spanning London, Paris, New York and L.A., Jazz Loves Disney is overcrowded with A-listers, all in top form: Gregory Porter’s haunting “When You Wish Upon a Star”; Jamie Cullum’s frisky “Everybody Wants to Be a Cat”; Melody Gardot coyly channeling Peggy Lee on “He’s a Tramp” and teaming with Italian crooner Raphael Gualazzi for a sprightly spin through “The Bare Necessities”; and, in French, Stacey Kent reimagining Cinderella’s “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo” as a cozy bossa nova. Reinterpretation en français is a recurring theme, with an impressively mature Nikki Yanofsky serving up a sultry “Un jour mon prince viendra” (“Someday My Prince Will Come”) and Miz Elizabeth’s Hot Sardines revitalizing The Jungle Book’s “I Wanna Be Like You” as what might best be described as Left-Bank Dixieland.

Less-familiar names add equally fine performances, among them a Connick-esque “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” by Hugh Coltman and a delicate handling of Frozen’s “Let It Go” by Anne Sila, a victor on the French version of The Voice. If there’s a sour note it’s the sole instrumental track, an overly lush “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes” from the Rob Mounsey Orchestra that feels entirely out of place. ~Christopher Loudon

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