Laura Taylor - Mountain Greenery

Size: 125,9 MB
Time: 53:48
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1997
Styles: Jazz Vocals, Big Band
Art: Front

01. Mountain Greenery (3:38)
02. Straighten Up And Fly Right (2:22)
03. These Foolish Things Remind Me Of You (4:50)
04. Lost In A Dream Of You (7:03)
05. Porgy And Bess Medley (9:58)
06. Spellbound (3:31)
07. Hello Love (6:08)
08. Cottontail - I've Got Rhythm (4:53)
09. Lovelight (5:19)
10. One Note Samba (3:45)
11. Scrapple From The Apple - Honeysuckle Rose (2:16)

Critical acclaim and national radio airplay have been given to Laura’s five jazz CDs: Have Mercer on Me, features pianist and Ben Vereen conductor David Loeb, bassists Bob Sachs and Derek Jones, pianist Bob Rozario, drummer Michael Mecham, guitar great Joe Lano and percussionist Lenny Lopez. My Funny Valentine…a tribute to Chet Baker, features jazz legends Eddie Gomez, Steve Kuhn and Louis Nash. Mountain Greenery features jazz greats Jack Sheldon, Pete and Conte Condoli Red Holloway and guitarist Joe Lano; Cry Me a River, a tribute to the late Julie London, features Joe Lano and Tom Warrington, and Songs of the Winter Season, also featuring Joe Lano and Tom Warrington.

Mountain Greenery

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Evelyn Laurie - A Little Bit Of Me

Size: 95,7 MB
Time: 41:02
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2018
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

01. Close Your Eyes (4:20)
02. Who Knows Where The Time Goes (5:19)
03. I Fall In Love Too Easily (3:52)
04. I Love The Way Your Breaking My Heart (3:12)
05. Lullaby Of Birdland (3:13)
06. I Love Your Smile (3:27)
07. In The Dark (4:51)
08. Wichita Lineman (4:38)
09. I'm A Fool To Want You (4:36)
10. Fly Away (3:30)

It could be argued that today we share too much of ourselves, that we find ways to harm our souls by shedding our skins in the wrong place, we find solace in being able to be comforted by strangers, that we seek validation from those who do not care for our welfare or for the stories we want to impart.

There is nothing wrong with seeking out people in which we can trust, we are all connected by the thought of wanting to be part of something bigger than ourselves, and yet we sacrifice the allure of unfolding mystery by opening our own personal Pandora’s Box to all and sundry in one fell swoop, not content with patience and declaring that we say, here is A Little Bit of Me.

There is beauty to be found, to be explored with great delicacy, in opening up the soul a fraction at a time, of understanding that the delivery is as important as the message, and it is one espoused with great charm by Evelyn Laurie in her debut album. whilst the artist may say, “it has taken her a while”, the album should be seen as example of how music can guide you to a place where you are comfortable in your own time, of being honest, sincere, of repairing your skin instead of flagellating it to the point where all anyone can see is scars.

Joining Ms. Laurie on the album are the talented musicians Euan Stevenson, Mario Caribe, Tom Gordon, Frank Bolam and Konrad Wiszniewski; it is a team approach that makes the album special and gives Evelyn Laurie’s distinctive voice an even greater lift, one that is enhanced by the trust so richly deserved by the band in her delivery and message.

A sense of a delicate blooming, of a coloration of time and preciseness comes forth in songs such as Sandy Denny’s Who Knows Where The Time Goes, I Love The Way You’re Breaking My Heart, I Love Your Smile, the femininity that surrounds the cover of Jimmy Webb’s Wichita Lineman and Joel S. Herron, Frank Sinatra and Jack Wolf’s I’m A Fool To Want You. It is a dynamic that at first hints, and then indicates with absolute clarity, all that you need to know about allowing your whole life to be put on show. It is in the careful unpeeling of the orange that we learn to savour the fruit inside, it is unveiling the person in by saying here is A Little Bit of Me, that kindness and appreciation soon follows. ~Ian D. Hall

A Little Bit Of Me

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Megan Lee - Meet Me

Size: 72,2 MB
Time: 30:36
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2018
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

01. Medicine Man (4:14)
02. All These Men (2:40)
03. Why Don't You Do Right (2:28)
04. Meet Me (3:55)
05. You Took Your Time (3:45)
06. Up All Night (4:11)
07. Since You've Been Gone (2:42)
08. Brown Eyes Blue (2:47)
09. At Last (3:50)

Megan Lee is an acclaimed and much loved singer, known throughout Cheshire and the North West as a skilled, versatile interpreter of songs by artists ranging from Peggy Lee and Etta James to Adele.
Now she is set to release her debut album and forge a new exciting path in her evolving career.

For the making of this she has collaborated with noted producer/multi-instrumentalist Nigel Stonier (who has worked with Clare Teal, Thea Gilmore, and The Waterboys among many others) and Duncan Thompson (of Sandi Thom collaboration fame) to create an exciting body of original material which embraces all the Jazz stylings Megan is known and loved for, while throwing in some contemporary pop shapes for good measure.

The 9 track album ranges from moody to sultry to punch-the-air uplifting.

Megan's ever engaging, airy, light soprano imbues all the songs with her unique stamp, soaring, swooping and taking you on a journey of many emotions.
"Meet Me" is set to establish Megan Lee as not just a singer, but also a songwriter, to be reckoned with.
As well as Stonier's contributions, the album features legendary drummer Paul Burgess (who plays with 10cc, Elkie Brooks, and Joan Armatrading)

Meet Me

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Sam Levine & Jack Jezzro - Christmas In The Fifties

Size: 115,1 MB
Time: 49:08
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2000
Styles: Jazz Pop, Xmas
Art: Front

01. Jingle Bell Rock (3:30)
02. Winter Wonderland (3:55)
03. Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree (3:32)
04. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (4:32)
05. Santa, Bring My Baby Back (To Me) (3:35)
06. Here Comes Santa Claus (3:04)
07. The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) (2:48)
08. Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer (3:48)
09. White Christmas (4:23)
10. Holly Jolly Christmas (3:16)
11. Blue Christmas (4:08)
12. Santa Baby (4:22)
13. Please Come Home For Christmas (4:09)

This fourth installment features the classic Christmas songs of the 50's as well as Christmas favorites transformed into 50's sounding gems. No other era in pop music history produced more Christmas songs that became chart successes than the 1950's.

Jack Jezzro has nearly 100 albums to his credit, a Grammy nomination, and four Dove award nominations. His projects have collectively sold over 5 million copies. As an internationally accomplished guitarist, his music has been featured on Entertainment Tonight, The Olympics, The Nashville Network, and jazz radio stations around the world. Jack currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee. Sam Levine is known for his tender and heartfelt renditions of contemporary hits. Sam has been featured in live performances with such superstars as Whitney Houston and Al Jarreau, has recorded with Michael McDonald, The Neville Brothers, and Amy Grant, and has contributed musically to such motion picture soundtracks as Honeymoon in Vegas and Sweet Dreams. He currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife, Lee, and their children, Sybil and Reed.

Christmas In The Fifties

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Dana Marcine - To The Horizon

Size: 168,0 MB
Time: 72:25
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2018
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. So Fabulous (3:29)
02. Driving To The Horizon (4:56)
03. Small Peace (3:33)
04. Someone Else (5:12)
05. Los Cabos (5:21)
06. Sparkling Threads (4:18)
07. Sweet Livin' (4:45)
08. Phone At Home (6:06)
09. Satellites (6:55)
10. A Dream Of You (5:07)
11. Say.. (5:31)
12. Cry (6:12)
13. While Waiting Here (5:10)
14. All Because Of You (5:44)

Dana Marcine is a singer and songwriter of jazz music. She is also the bandleader of Jazz It Up and the Dana Marcine Quartet.

From her beginnings in Brooklyn, NY, music has always been central to Dana’s life. Born to a musical family, Dana was constantly surrounded by the sounds of opera, classical, and popular songs, eventually earning an MS in music. She has always loved singing for family, friends and audiences in the US and Europe.

In addition to performing well known standards from the Great American Songbook, Dana composes, music and lyrics, her own acclaimed originals. A previous recording of standard and originals, So Unexpected, received outstanding reviews, recognition and airplay.

A vocalist of great versatility, Dana has performed in madrigal and a cappella ensembles, enjoyed many roles with regional and off-Broadway theater companies, graced the opera stage, and sung the national anthem on ESPN. A chance meeting and friendship with jazz great Paul Bley introduced her to the genre of jazz music. Since then, being creative in jazz is where her focus is.

Throughout this journey, Dana has had the pleasure of collaborating with respected names in jazz, and has also performed at many wonderful venues. Recently, since making Austin, TX her home, she has become an active member of the Austin jazz scene, working with many outstanding musicians including Jeff Hellmer, Mitch Watkins, and John Fremgen, among many others. In “The Live Music Capital of the World”, she has performed at a long list of great venues, including The Brass House, The Elephant Room, the Four Seasons, Austin Bergstrom Airport, and other fine clubs. Her quartet has provided music at several fundraising events for St. David’s Hospital, Zach Theater, and Austin Opera.

A recent career highlight for Dana was an incredible opportunity to experience the music and culture of Portugal. Dana was chosen by the Center for Music Connections to represent American jazz music in comparison and contrast to Portuguese fado music. A series of concerts throughout Lisbon featured the collaboration between acclaimed fado artists, Fernanda Paulo and Mucio Sa, and American jazz artists, Dana Marcine and Renato Diz. The tour concluded with a music event in Washington, DC at the Portuguese Ambassador’s residence. It was attended by a multitude of ambassadors to the US from many other countries.

To The Horizon

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Kenny Garrett - Black Hope

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1992
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:54
Size: 154,3 MB
Art: Front

( 6:08)  1. Tacit Dance
( 4:09)  2. Spanish Go-round
(10:04)  3. Computer G
( 7:39)  4. Van Goghs Left Ear
( 3:53)  5. Black Hope
( 7:01)  6. Jackie And The Bean Stalk
( 4:46)  7. Run Run Shaw
( 5:24)  8. 2 Step
( 4:53)  9. Bone Bob
( 4:42) 10. Books And Toys
( 5:34) 11. Bye Bye Blackbird
( 1:35) 12. Last Sax

Alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett hasn't been as heavily publicized as his fellow young lions, but he can play with as much authority, conviction, and sheer energy as anyone. Only some uneven material keeps his '92 album from being exceptional, and even on the weak songs, Garrett's playing forces you to pay attention. ~ Ron Wynn https://www.allmusic.com/album/black-hope-mw0000082568

Personnel:  Kenny Garrett: alto saxophone, soprano saxophone;  Joe Henderson: tenor saxophone;  Kenny Kirkland: piano, synthesizer;  Donald Brown: synthesizer;  Charnett Moffett: bass;  Brian Blade, Ricky Wellman: drums;  Don Alias: percussion

Black Hope

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Viktoria Tolstoy - Meet Me at the Movies

Styles: Vocal 
Year: 2017
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:44
Size: 112,0 MB
Art: Front

(5:44)  1. Calling You
(5:31)  2. As Time Goes By
(3:56)  3. En Man (Marlowe's Theme)
(4:29)  4. Out Here on My Own
(3:56)  5. Why Should I Care
(3:14)  6. The Book of Love
(4:33)  7. Love Song for a Vampire
(3:48)  8. Kiss from a Rose
(4:49)  9. Angel
(5:30) 10. New World
(3:10) 11. Smile

The box office is not really in sight when Viktoria Tolstoy starts to sing. But everything is different on this CD. But this time, the Swede has selected film scores of well-known strips and dipped heavily into the jazz pot. The result is newly dressed and yetunadulterated classics. Sometimes it takes 20-30 bars, until one becomes aware: "Of course, that's it ..." Because often outweighs listening first, Exact-listening, sound pearl capturing. Tolstoy abducts, seduces and strokes gently, smiles mischievously and makes you listen with every tone where you otherwise stick to the picture on the big screen. Sure, it's the old songs and yet they sound so different from the movies - pearly, smoky, groovy. Modern and new. Together with Mattias Svensson (bass), Rasmus Kihlberg (drums) and Krister Jonsson (guitar), Tolstoy brings back a hundred-fold reproduced sound. A thousand-fold musical throats and ancient classics become crystal clear and subtly nuanced jazz. "As time goes by", "Dancer in the Dark", "Kiss from a rose" - Tolstoy presents it soft and smooth in one place, rough and handy on another. Glanzlichter puts in several songs Nils Landgren with his red trombone, who is also the producer of the CD. He cleans even the smallest song passages musically bright, makes it flash brightly and gives the film titles radiant sound accessories. In addition, Tolstoy has brought the Finnish pianist Iiro Rantala as a guest. He succeeds on the piano a leap in time: With a light finger, he drives out the kitsch from the well-known wise men, transforms the dusty into modern-jazzy. Melancholic gets intensity, soft feeling ends in sounds with verve and modernity. And Tolstoy shows together with their musicians: full orchestra and Hollywood bombast are not necessary for the classics. The small, almost sparse cast brings to light Tolstoy's clear voice and lively, jazzy interpretation, setting the musicians in particular passages great scene and convinces with a fine sound universe. Very nicely done! I think the cinemas in this country should once again arrange film music evenings. Viktoria Tolstoy and her musicians would be the right choice for a matinee. Until a cinema owner dares, the CD offers a 48-minute cinema experience of a special kind. ~ Sabine Meinert https://www.aboutjazz.de/2017/01/viktoria-tolstoy-meet-me-at-the-movies.html

Personnel:  Viktoria Tolstoy / vocals;  Krister Jonsson / guitars;  Mattias Svensson / electric & acoustic bass;  Rasmus Kihlberg / drums;  Iiro Rantala / piano;  Nils Landgren / trombone & vocals

Meet Me at the Movies

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Don Byas - Ballads For Swingers

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1966
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:17
Size: 98,6 MB
Art: Front

(8:51)  1. Yesterdays
(7:01)  2. All The Things You Are
(8:21)  3. Lady Bird
(8:21)  4. Lover Man
(9:42)  5. I'll Remeber April

One of the greatest of all tenor players, Don Byas' decision to move permanently to Europe in 1946 resulted in him being vastly underrated in jazz history books. His knowledge of chords rivalled Coleman Hawkins, and, due to their similarity in tones, Byas can be considered an extension of the elder tenor. He played with many top swing bands, including those of Lionel Hampton (1935), Buck Clayton (1936), Don Redman, Lucky Millinder, Andy Kirk (1939-1940), and most importantly Count Basie (1941-1943). An advanced swing stylist, Byas' playing looked toward bop. He jammed at Minton's Playhouse in the early '40s, appeared on 52nd Street with Dizzy Gillespie, and performed a pair of stunning duets with bassist Slam Stewart at a 1944 Town Hall concert. After recording extensively during 1945-1946 (often as a leader), Byas went to Europe with Don Redman's band, and (with the exception of a 1970 appearance at the Newport Jazz Festival) never came back to the U.S. He lived in France, the Netherlands, and Denmark; often appeared at festivals; and worked steadily. Whenever American players were touring, they would ask for Byas, who had opportunities to perform with Duke Ellington, Bud Powell, Kenny Clarke, Dizzy Gillespie, Jazz at the Philharmonic (including a recorded tenor battle with Hawkins and Stan Getz), Art Blakey, and (on a 1968 recording) Ben Webster. Byas also recorded often in the 1950s, but was largely forgotten in the U.S. by the time of his death. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/artist/don-byas-mn0000172350/biography

Personnel:  Don Byas (tenor saxophone); Bengt Axen (Piano);  Niels-Henning Frsted Pedersen (bass) ;  Axel Riel (drums)

Ballads For Swingers

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Trilok Gurtu - Broken Rhythms

Styles: Folk, World, Fusion
Year: 2004
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:28
Size: 120,5 MB
Art: Front

(4:44)  1. Broken Rhythms
(5:03)  2. Kabir
(5:40)  3. Nine Horses
(4:09)  4. Beyond
(5:44)  5. Sohum
(6:14)  6. Vignola
(5:28)  7. Dubash Lane
(7:23)  8. The Way To Banganga

The musical traditions of the eastern and western worlds are bridged through the improvisations of Bombay, India-born percussionist/vocalist Trilok Gurtu. Gurtu's mastery of post-bop jazz has not gone unnoticed. Downbeat magazine named him "best percussionist" in three critic and popularity polls and proclaimed, "musically, the world is his stage". Jazz magazine, Straight No Chaser took a similar view, writing, "this music has a transcendental quality and removes any obstacles that lie between western and eastern improvised music." Gurtu's eclectic approach has enabled him to collaborate with some of the world's greatest musicians. A member of trumpeter Don Cherry's band from 1976 to 1978, Gurtu has worked with such influential musicians as jazz guitarists Philip Catherine, John McLaughlin, Ralph Towner, Pat Metheny and Larry Coryell, rock guitarist David Gilmore, saxophonists Jan Garbarek and Bill Evans, percussionist Nana Vasconcelos, jazz keyboardist Josef Zawinul and classical pianists Katia and Marielle Labeque. Gurtu was a member of acoustic jazz fusion group, Oregon, from 1984 to 1988. A native of Bombay, India, Gurtu hails from a musical family. His grandfather was a well known sitar player and his mother, Shobha Gurtu, was an influential singer of Indian classical music. Studying to play the tablas from the age of six, Gurtu attracted international attention in the mid-1970s when he performed with Charlie Mariano and John Tchicai. In 1977, he accompanied vocalist Asha Bhosle during her New York concerts. After touring and recording with Don Cherry for two years, Gurtu emigrated to Hambug, Germany in 1978. Shortly afterwards, he toured with Belgian guitarist Philip Catherine and recorded an album, End Of August, with Catherine and Mariano. In the summer of 1993, Gurtu toured Europe in a duo with Josef Zawinul and recorded an album, Crazy Saints, with Zawinul and Pat Metheny. Gurtu continues to teach drum clinics and perform at classical events with modern dancer Carolyn Carlson. In the summer of 1998, he toured with Andy Summers and Larry Coryell. The year 2000 saw the release of African Fantasy. Beat of Love followed the next spring. ~ Craig Harris https://itunes.apple.com/fr/album/broken-rhythms/212797408?l=en

Broken Rhythms

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Karin Hammar Fab 4 - Circles

Styles: Trombone Jazz
Year: 2018
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:55
Size: 121,4 MB
Art: Front

(6:13)  1. Circles
(5:08)  2. Mammakech
(6:14)  3. Bossa for Ella
(8:15)  4. Choose Your Own Issues/ Hildegunn
(5:40)  5. Praia de Buzios
(5:55)  6. New O
(6:12)  7. Four Women
(5:14)  8. Habbit Rabbit
(4:01)  9. Uphill

Two years after the release of her latest album the widely critically acclaimed Imprints Karin Hammar now releases her new album Circles. Like last time, Hammar works with her group Karin Hammar Fab 4 to help her shape 8 new compositions and an interpretation of Nina Simones Four Women into her own musical landscape. The new compositions draw inspiration from such diverse encounters and places: Brazil, Morrocco, her daughter Ella, fellow musician Hildegunn Öiseth, to name a few. The title track was written in a small compartment backstage at Malmö Arena in Sweden prior to a show with Swedish pop star Orup. The Karin Hammar Fab 4 line up includes some of Swedens finest jazz players: Niklas Fernqvist on bass, Fredrik Rundqvist on drums and new member, guitarist, Andreas Hourdakis who brings a new form, shape, and level to the groups sound. 

Karin Hammar is widely seen as one of Swedens foremost trombone players, with four studio albums as a solo artist and numerous collaborations under her belt since debuting in the nineties. Shes been given numerous awards in Sweden, including a prize from the Alice Babs foundation. ~ Editorial Reviews https://www.amazon.com/Karin-Hammar-fab-4-Circles/dp/B07FDTF4F2

Personnel:  Karin Hammar - Trombone,  Anreas Hourdakis - Guitar,  Niklas Fernqvist - Bass,  Fredrik Rundqvist - Drums.

Circles

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