Monday, May 7, 2018

Vic Lewis, West Coast All Stars - Shake Down The Stars: The Music Of Jimmy Van Heusen

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 77:20
Size: 177.0 MB
Styles: Bop, West Coast jazz
Year: 1992
Art: Front

[ 5:53] 1. Swinging On A Star
[ 6:28] 2. But Beautiful
[ 5:34] 3. Suddenly It's Spring
[ 7:26] 4. I'll Only Miss Her
[ 7:45] 5. Here's That Rainy Day
[10:06] 6. Polka Dots And Moonbeams
[11:04] 7. I Thought About You
[ 7:51] 8. So Would I
[ 8:50] 9. Shake Down The Stars
[ 6:19] 10. Collar

Bass – Joel DiBartolo; Clarinet, Flute, Soprano Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Bill Perkins; Drums – Paul Kreibich; Piano – Mike Lang; Tenor Saxophone – Bob Cooper; Trombone – Andy Martin. Recorded at Good Times Vibes Studio, Woodland Hills, CA on April 5th, 1992.

Vic Lewis gathered together a remarkable all-star group of top Los Angeles-based musicians for this date and had the great Bill Holman contribute some very complex but swinging arrangements. With strong solos from the likes of trumpeters Conte Candoli and Jack Sheldon, valve trombonist Rob McConnell, altoist Bud Shank, Bob Cooper on tenor, Bill Perkins on various reeds, either Mike Lang or Alan Broadbent on piano, bassist John Clayton and drummer Jeff Hamilton along with guest spots for pianist Dudley Moore, trombonist Andy Martin and altoists Lennie Niehaus and Lanny Morgan, it is not surprising that the music is often quite magical. But even with the major individual voices, it is Holman's writing that consistently takes honors for his charts are full of surprises and unusual twists and turns. Performed in 1989 (except for Ruth Price's more recently re-recorded vocal on "When I Fall in Love"), this set is highly recommended and a particularly strong example of the brilliance of Bill Holman's writing. ~Scott Yanow

Shake Down The Stars mc
Shake Down The Stars zippy

Ensemble Vivant, Catherine Wilson - Homage To Astor Piazzolla

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:32
Size: 172.9 MB
Styles: Classical jazz, Tango
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[ 4:56] 1. Fuga Y Misterio
[10:58] 2. Adios Nonino
[ 4:28] 3. Tango Del Diablo
[ 6:25] 4. Romance Del Diablo
[ 2:07] 5. Vayamos Al Diablo
[ 5:06] 6. Oblivion
[ 3:38] 7. Lebertango
[ 6:06] 8. Ave Maria
[ 3:36] 9. Undertango
[ 5:14] 10. Introduccion Al Angel
[ 6:11] 11. Milonga Del Angel
[ 3:19] 12. La Muerte Del Angel
[ 6:52] 13. Resurreccion Del Angel
[ 6:30] 14. Milonga For Three

Catherine Wilson, piano and artistic director; Erica Beston, violin; Amy Laing, cello; Sharon Prater, cello; Dave Young, bass; Dave Campion, percussion; Philip Seguin, percussion.

This beautiful recording of music by Argentine tango master Astor Piazzolla was released on the Opening Day Entertainment Group Label in 2011. Ensemble Vivant has received critical acclaim internationally in both the classical and jazz worlds for their passionate, lyrically intense and sensuous interpretations of Piazzolla’s music. The group worked closely with Piazzolla expert Julien Labro, who also wrote all but one of the arrangements for this iconic recording.

Homage To Astor Piazzolla

Eduardo Blanco - Childhood Memories

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:35
Size: 111.2 MB
Styles: Trumpet jazz
Year: 2018
Art: Front

[6:47] 1. Larambebere's Message
[6:35] 2. The Lamp Is Low
[5:56] 3. Antigua
[6:34] 4. For Eternity
[7:02] 5. Childhood Memories
[6:02] 6. Blues For You
[9:36] 7. King Solomon & Princess Isabella

Childhood memories is the first Cd recorded by the Eduardo Blanco International Quartet. Childhood Memories pictures the musical life of Eduardo Blanco in seven tunes consisting of five original compositions by Eduardo and two standards.

Every musician has his dreams. A lot of those dreams are about having all harmonic and instrumental skills or playing with famous musicians that often are our great heroes. When a musician gets matured, a good sound is the thing we dream of and that will get more important through the years. With bringing the International Quartet together Eduardo Blanco makes some of his dreams come through! Says Eduardo: “For me, a good jazz band plays with intensity but without the use of excessive volume, has a proper use of dynamics, shows respect for the rich jazz tradition and performs with a high sense of groove. This quartet has that all and adds a fresh approach on top of that. For me, this is a dream band”.

Childhood Memories mc
Childhood Memories zippy

Mike LeDonne - Then & Now

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:20
Size: 151.8 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 1999
Art: Front

[6:19] 1. Then And Now
[6:49] 2. The Sorcerer
[9:19] 3. Trane Song
[7:16] 4. Schism
[7:00] 5. Round Midnight
[4:41] 6. Seeds
[9:43] 7. Continuum
[8:35] 8. Insight
[6:34] 9. Little Millies Hat

Pianist Mike LeDonne expands to a quintet and features mostly original material on his second Double-Time release. The players represent the cream of New York's neo-bop rat pack: tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, trumpeter Jim Rotondi, bassist Peter Washington, and drummer Joe Farnsworth. LeDonne's compositions generally draw upon sounds from decades past. "Trane Song," for instance, is loosely based on Coltrane's "Crescent"; "Insight" is strongly reminiscent of "Seven Steps to Heaven"; "Seeds" and the title track feature the kind of charging, hard bop frontline that Freddie Hubbard used to favor on his '60s Blue Note albums. Interestingly, LeDonne's most original move is his mid-tempo 6/4 arrangement of Herbie Hancock's "Sorceror," a tune usually played in a blistering four. More straightforward but equally virtuosic is LeDonne's trio rendition of "'Round Midnight." ~David R. Adler

Then & Now mc
Then & Now zippy

Legends & Lions - Swingin'

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:29
Size: 131.6 MB
Styles: Mainstream jazz
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[6:14] 1. Mighty Burner
[5:53] 2. Blues For Hamp
[5:48] 3. I Am Old Fashioned
[4:28] 4. Comment Allez-Vous
[3:40] 5. Seven Steps To Heaven
[6:06] 6. Nancy Jo
[5:39] 7. Blues For Matt B
[7:55] 8. Old Man Jazz
[6:21] 9. Centerpiece
[5:19] 10. The Masquerade Is Over

Legends & Lions: Swingin' is one of a pair of specially priced compilations simultaneously released by Mack Avenue at a special price to showcase their artists. Unlike typical collections, this CD combines previously issued tracks and music from future projects along with one unissued track that evidently will not appear elsewhere. The selections range from the tasty uptempo blues "Mighty Burner," which showcases trumpeter Rashawn Ross extensively before tenor saxophonist and leader Ron Blake makes his entrance; to vocalist Ilona Knopfler's sensual "Comment Allez-Vous" backed by a fine big band; to a bluesy down-home gospel-flavored treatment of "Centerpiece" that features Kenny Burrell, James Moody, Teddy Edwards, Cedar Walton, and Oscar Brashear. The unissued track, a brisk take of "I'm Old Fashioned" featuring alto saxophonist Bud Shank with pianist Mike Wofford, bassist Bob Magnusson, and drummer Joe La Barbera, may have been set aside due to a few reed squeaks in the opening minute. This excellent sampler showcases a label that is not focused exclusively either on veteran artists or rising stars, but one that simply seeks to record valuable jazz. ~Ken Dryden

Swingin' mc
Swingin' zippy

Mose Allison - The Collection (2-Disc Set)

This two disc set collects several of Mose Allison’s key tracks from the 1950s, with the first disc, which includes the pianist’s classic versions of “Parchman Farm” and “Young Man’s Blues,” functioning as a sort of “greatest hits” while the second disc features his debut LP Back Country Suite from 1957, which was issued by Prestige Records, along with his first record for Columbia Records, 1959’s The Transfiguration of Hiram Brown. It makes for a great introduction to a one-of-a-kind artist. ~Steve Leggett

Album: The Collection (Disc 1)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:18
Size: 117.4 MB
Styles: Jazz-blues, Bop, Piano & vocal jazz
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[2:36] 1. The Seventh Son
[1:40] 2. Eyesight To The Blind
[3:09] 3. Do Nothin’ ‘till You Hear From Me
[3:30] 4. Lost Mind
[2:47] 5. I’ve Got A Right To Cry
[3:13] 6. Baby, Let Me Hold Your Hand
[3:16] 7. Parchman Farm
[2:28] 8. If You Live
[2:46] 9. Don’t Get Around Much Anymore
[2:59] 10. One Room Country Shack
[2:30] 11. I Hadn’t Anyone ‘till You
[1:23] 12. Young Man’s Blues
[2:25] 13. That’s Alright
[2:32] 14. Baby Please Don’t Go
[1:53] 15. ‘deed I Do
[2:21] 16. I Love The Life I Life, I Live The Life I Love
[3:29] 17. Fool’s Paradise
[2:12] 18. You’re A Sweetheart
[2:10] 19. Mad With You
[1:50] 20. I Ain’t Got Nobody

The Collection (Disc 1) mc
The Collection (Disc 1) zippy

Album: The Collection (Disc 2)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:59
Size: 174.0 MB
Styles: Jazz-blues, Bop, Piano & vocal jazz
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[2:08] 1. New Ground
[1:50] 2. Train
[1:47] 3. Warm Night
[1:28] 4. Blues
[1:24] 5. Saturday
[2:15] 6. Scamper
[1:38] 7. January
[2:03] 8. Promised Land
[1:23] 9. Spring Song
[1:38] 10. Highway 49
[3:00] 11. Blueberry Hill
[3:46] 12. You Won’t Let Me Go
[3:53] 13. I Thought About You
[3:45] 14. In Salah
[4:08] 15. Somebody Else Is Taking My Place
[3:24] 16. Yardbird Suite
[4:37] 17. Creek Bank
[3:16] 18. Dirt Road
[2:28] 19. City Home
[1:38] 20. Cuttin' Out
[3:21] 21. Gotham Day
[4:26] 22. Gotham Night
[1:07] 23. Echo
[4:07] 24. The River
[0:46] 25. Finale
[3:46] 26. Crepuscular Air
[3:18] 27. A Pretty Girl Is Like A Melody
[3:24] 28. Am I Blue

The Collection (Disc 2) mc
The Collection (Disc 2) zippy

Maceo Parker - Dial Maceo

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2000
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:48
Size: 126,7 MB
Art: Front

(0:23)  1. Dial MACEO
(5:10)  2. Rabbits In The Pea Patch
(3:23)  3. My Baby Loves You
(4:02)  4. I've Got Work To Do
(5:38)  5. The Greatest Romance Ever Sold
(4:59)  6. Black Widow
(2:55)  7. Coin Toss
(4:30)  8. Simply Tooley
(4:40)  9. Latin Like
(5:30) 10. The Closer I Get To You
(4:05) 11. My Love
(9:28) 12. Home Boy

Undoubtedly one of the best known sax players in the history of funk, predominantly through his work with James Brown ("Play, Maceo!"), Maceo Parker has had a spotty recorded solo career. His eighth album as a band leader finds the horn honker expanding his palette by aiming his instrument at smooth jazz and rap, while inviting fans Ani DiFranco, James Taylor (?!), and Prince to add superstar spice to his soul stew. Although it's refreshing that these folks wanted to lend a hand, none of their contributions help define the album, and, in Prince's case, even waters it down. Certainly Parker doesn't need any assistance as smoking versions of the Isley Brothers' "Work to Do," the album's opening stuttering funk salvo of the self-composed "Rabbits in the Pea Patch," and "Coin Toss" (DiFranco's track) makes clear. The talented Parker, who is only slightly less adept at the flute and piano, rips into scorching solos equally as energetic as anything he did with Brown or George Clinton. Unfortunately, a shift to easy-listening fusion with treackly covers of Robert Flack's "The Closer I Get to You" and especially Paul McCartney's icky "My Love" move him into slick, supper club territory as the disc closes. His horn still sparkles, but without the deep R&B party sounds to work with, the latter part of the album sinks into formula. On the other end of the spectrum is "Black Widow," featuring Parker's son Corey rapping over a slow, sparse backing as dad plays flute in an attempt to push his musical envelope, which never quite gels. Nor does an almost unrecognizable James Taylor singing vocal harmony on "My Baby Loves You," a joyously upbeat track. By trying to touch too many bases, Maceo Parker only dilutes his most stunning attribute the tough, groove machine fury of his sax. That makes this another good, but not great, release from a legendary artist whose flame remains white hot, but whose albums never quite catch fire.~ Hal Horowitz https://www.allmusic.com/album/dial-maceo-mw0000058958

Personnel: Maceo Parker (vocals, alto saxophone, flute, piano); Prince (vocals, various instruments); Ani DiFranco (vocals, guitar); James Taylor, Corey Parker, "Sweet" Charles Sherrell (vocals); Vincent Henry (tenor saxophone); Ron Tooley (trumpet, flugelhorn); Bennie Cowan (trumpet); Greg Boyer (trombone); Sheryl Crow (harmonica, background vocals); Will Boulware (Hammond organ, synthesizer); Bruno Speight (guitar); Rodney "Skeet" Curtis (bass); Jamal Thomas, Michael Bland (drums); Kevin Hupp (percussion); Diann Sorrell, Audrey Martells, Corey Parker, Charles Sherell (background vocals).

Dial Maceo

Deborah Cox - The Morning After

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:22
Size: 125,2 MB
Art: Front

(5:01)  1. Up & Down (In & Out)
(4:06)  2. 2 Good 2 Be True
(3:48)  3. Play Your Part
(3:31)  4. Like I Did
(5:08)  5. Hurt So Much
(3:42)  6. Just A Dance
(4:24)  7. The Morning After
(3:38)  8. Givin' It Up
(4:26)  9. Up & Down (feat, Jadakiss)
(3:57) 10. Oh My Gosh
(4:26) 11. Starting With You
(4:03) 12. Mr. Lonely (Hex, Mac Mix)
(4:06) 13. Absolutely Not (Chanel Mix)

On her third album THE MORNING AFTER, Deborah Cox continues the upward spiral of a career that once again lands mentor Clive Davis another notch in an already impressive history of talent. Cox's devotion to Davis went so far as to have her leave Arista Records and follow him over to J Records, his latest endeavor. As for the Toronto native, her skills continue to impress and earned her the chance to once again work with a number of renowned producers including Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Jermaine Dupri and Rodney Jerkins.  Blessed with a voice that makes her sound like a fusion of Gladys Knight and Whitney Houston, Cox's impressive range is a big reason why she's been touted as one of pop music's brighter lights. When she isn't busy working the club side of the coin with tracks like "Mr. Lonely (Hex/Mac Mix)" and "Absolutely Not (Chanel Mix)," the petite diva is easing into slow jams like "Play Your Part" and the title cut along with the groove-laden "2 Good 2 Be True." Hip-hop fans will reel in the Kurupt duet "Just A Dance" and the Allstar Remix of "Up & Down" featuring Jadakiss. https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-morning-after-mw0000224881

The Morning After

Rodney Jones - Dreams And Stories

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:24
Size: 127,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:44)  1. Star Eyes
(4:36)  2. Leana's Song
(3:42)  3. Happy Blue
(4:52)  4. The Song Is You
(5:38)  5. Blue Days, Blue Dreams
(3:12)  6. Five For The Duck
(4:08)  7. While We Dream
(5:46)  8. Summertime
(5:57)  9. Serena
(5:34) 10. No Time For The Blues
(3:10) 11. Blues When You Need Them
(3:58) 12. Road Song

This excellent set, which features guitarist Rodney Jones on his melodic originals, blues, ballads, and a few standards, sounds as if it were recorded in 2005 except for one fact. Pianist Kenny Kirkland, who passed away prematurely in 1998, is in the quartet. Surprisingly no date is included in the liner notes, so the 1985 date given for the previously unreleased set is just an educated guess, since it is mentioned that bassist Marc Johnson was new in town at the time of the recording. It is a joy to hear some "new" Kirkland solos but the contributions of Jones, Johnson, and drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts (who is very subtle throughout) should not be overlooked either. Jones' songs are excellent, with "Blue Days, Blue Dreams" and "While We Dream" in particular being rewarding ballads that should be covered by others. Recommended.~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/dreams-and-stories-mw0000349061

Personnel: Rodney Jones (guitar); Marc Johnson (bass instrument); Kenny Kirkland (piano); Jeff "Tain" Watts (drums).

Dreams And Stories

Kevin Eubanks - Turning Point

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1995
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:51
Size: 116,8 MB
Art: Front

(5:21)  1. Turning Point (Part I)
(4:44)  2. Aftermath (Part II)
(4:49)  3. Initiation (Part III)
(7:04)  4. New World Order
(5:07)  5. Colors of One
(5:46)  6. Spiral Ways
(6:42)  7. Freedom Child
(6:29)  8. On My Way to Paradise
(4:46)  9. Lingering Destiny

Turning Point is a highly appropriate title for this album. After recording his share of commercial fluff for GRP, Kevin Eubanks switched to Blue Note with this heartfelt CD and strived for excellence instead of going out of his way to avoid it. Creativity, personal improvising, and spontaneity are main ingredients of the album, which unites the talented electric and acoustic guitarist with bass explorer Dave Holland and drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith, among others. Like so much intellectual jazz, Point requires several listenings in order to be fully appreciated.~ Alex Henderson https://www.allmusic.com/album/turning-point-mw0000612760

Personnel: Kevin Eubanks (guitar); Marlon Jordan (trumpet); Kent Jordan (flute); Dave Holland, Charnett Moffett (bass); Marvin "Smitty" Smith, Mark Mondesir (drums).

Turning Point

Joe Pass & Tommy Gumina - Love Walked in

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1992
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:34
Size: 140,1 MB
Art: Front

(5:52)  1. What Kind of Fool Am I
(4:37)  2. Love Walked in
(5:17)  3. Stella by Starlight
(4:52)  4. I Will Wait for You
(4:58)  5. Samba De Orfeu
(5:59)  6. Memories of You
(4:17)  7. Be My Love
(2:21)  8. How High the Moon
(3:47)  9. Manha De Carnaval
(5:07) 10. Ellen's Tune
(1:43) 11. Joe's Blues
(3:21) 12. Here's that Rainy Day
(4:17) 13. Tangerine

Joe Pass did the near-impossible. He was able to play up-tempo versions of bop tunes such as "Cherokee" and "How High the Moon" unaccompanied on the guitar. Unlike Stanley Jordan, Pass used conventional (but superb) technique, and his Virtuoso series on Pablo still sounds remarkable decades later.  Joe Pass had a false start in his career. He played in a few swing bands (including Tony Pastor's) before graduating from high school, and was with Charlie Barnet for a time in 1947. But after serving in the military, Pass became a drug addict, serving time in prison and essentially wasting a decade. He emerged in 1962 with a record cut at Synanon, made a bit of a stir with his For Djangoset, recorded several other albums for Pacific Jazz and World Pacific, and performed with Gerald Wilson, Les McCann, George Shearing, and Benny Goodman(1973). However, in general Pass maintained a low profile in Los Angeles until he was signed by Norman Granzto his Pablo label. 1973's Virtuoso made him a star and he recorded very prolifically for Pablo, unaccompanied, with small groups, on duo albums with Ella Fitzgerald, and with such masters as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Oscar Peterson, Milt Jackson, and Dizzy Gillespie. Pass remained very active up until his death from cancer. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/artist/joe-pass-mn0000209773/biography

Thomas Joseph "Tommy" Gumina (May 20, 1931 in Milwaukee October 28, 2013) was an American jazz accordionist and musical instrument builder. Gumina began playing accordion at age eleven, and took lessons on the instrument in Chicago throughout the second half of the 1940s. He began working with Harry James on television in 1952 as an accompanist for popular tunes, and in 1955 Gumina began working on his own, both solo and with an ensemble. He recorded with Buddy DeFranco and Willie Smith in the 1960s, and began experimenting with modifying an electric accordion, whose amplified sound resembled that of an electronic organ.[2] He was occasionally active as a performer in the 1970s (e.g., with Art Pepper in 1974), but increasingly concentrated on his amplifier manufacturing business, Polytone Musical Instruments, which was based in North Hollywood, California. He and Joe Pass co-founded Polytone Records in 1987. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Gumina

Personnel:  Joe Pass (g) Tommy Gumina (phys) Frank De Vito (dr)

Love Walked in