Alex Sipiagin - Destinations Unknown

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 74:46
Size: 171,5 MB
Art: Front

( 8:35)  1. Next Stop - Tsukiji
(11:42)  2. Videlles
(11:52)  3. Tempest in A Tea Cup
(11:14)  4. Fermata Scandola
(11:30)  5. Calming
(12:50)  6. Fast Forward
( 7:00)  7. Meu Canario Vizinho Azul

Life on the road can often wear musicians down, but it can also inspire them to great heights. Trumpeter Alex Sipiagin's travels took him to Taiwan, Spain, Italy, France, Japan and Holland in the months preceding the recording session for this album in January, 2011 and each one of those locales helped to stir his creative impulses. This gripping session of heart-pounding jazz, which possesses the edge and attitude delivered by New York modernists, is the end result of a compositional process that began in each one of those distant places, and Sipiagin's sojourns in foreign lands helped to produce what may very well be his most bracing music yet. The three-horn frontline from the trumpeters' Equilibrium (Criss Cross, 2009), featuring alto saxophonist David Binney and tenor saxophonist Chris Potter, is reunited here, and sparks fly frequently. When all three men collide, they craft snaking lines that weave and bob in vibrant fashion ("Videlles"), but it only takes two to tango, as demonstrated by Potter and Binney on Sipiagin's "Fast Forward." Both saxophonists take pleasure in giving one another a near-simultaneous tongue-lashing as their flights of fancy reach fever pitch. 

While Sipiagin's shared history with both saxophonists certainly contributes to the frenetic-but-focused sound of the frontline, it's his relationship with the rhythm section that helps to shape the music from the ground up. Bassist Boris Kozlov and Sipiagin have shared more than record dates, with both men having attended the Gnessin Conservatory in Moscow together and rooming together after they came to the United States in the '90s, and Kozlov is completely locked into his longtime friend's musical mindset. His bass riffs help to establish direction in odd-metered surroundings ("Videlles" and "Fermata Scandola") and his hook-up with drummer Eric Harland is palpable. Harland who has worked with Sipiagin in bassist Dave Holland's sextet continues to be the sorcerer of kaleidoscopic groove-tweaking, as he constantly toys with the beat using expansive rhythmic ideals and his stellar technique to serve each song. Craig Taborn's Fender Rhodes often shimmers in a relaxed fashion, in deference to the more heated statements from the horn players, but he cooks albeit with a slightly lower flame when it counts ("Fermata Scandola"). When he switches to piano, as on the mystical and propulsive "Fast Forward," his playing takes on a paranoid intensity that fires up the rest of the band. While the lengthy works on this album prove to be complex labyrinths of time, space and sound, they never lose direction. Sipiagin's trumpet serves as the compass that always points in the right direction, as his band travels to Destinations Unknown. ~ Dan Bilawsky https://www.allaboutjazz.com/destinations-unknown-alex-sipiagin-criss-cross-review-by-dan-bilawsky.php

Personnel: Alex Sipiagin: trumpet; Chris Potter: tenor saxophone; David Binney: alto saxophone; Craig Taborn: piano, fender rhodes; Boris Kozlov: bass; Eric Harland: drums.

Destinations Unknown

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Bernadette Seacrest and Her Yes Men - No More Music By The Suckers

Styles: Vocal, Cabaret
Year: 2004
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:43
Size: 91,7 MB
Art: Front

(2:50)  1. My Man
(3:38)  2. Tango New
(4:33)  3. Cold Bed
(1:50)  4. Lullaby Low Bass
(2:07)  5. Dream A Little Dream
(4:06)  6. Her Tears Break My Heart
(4:18)  7. So Cruel
(3:25)  8. Aint Misbehavin
(5:51)  9. Body And Soul
(4:05) 10. Salvation
(2:54) 11. Strange Fruit

"At first one might think the greatest benefit of the lounge-y torch song revival is the idea of a smoky-voiced chanteuse sporting tattoos  mmm...classic beauty+punk sensibility=yummy. But Albuquerque's Bernadette Seacrest could be dressed in business casual for all we care. After all, she posses one of those rare voices that summons up romantic demons, lost loves and well-made cocktails. Her new CD, "No More Music By the Suckers", is a tapestry of slick noir ballads and sweet melodies. And you know what? Maybe the tatts are pretty cool too." ~ The Santa Fe Reporter

"Seacrest, whose last gig was with the Albuquerque rockabilly outfit The Long Goners, has evolved into a tattooed chanteuse specializing in jazzy, torchy and extremely tunes with a band featuring a double bass, sax and trombone. While Seacrest's voice is the main draw here, don't forget The Yes Men, who create the dangerous atmosphere. Grimes' bass is a major component on most cuts. And sometimes the horn section sounds like they're engaging in a gang rumble." ~The Santa Fe New Mexican

"Her sultry, silky voice spreads across the room like a lush, warm blanket of velvet and ably pays homage to the composers and performers who made those songs so unforgettable in the first place." ~Albuquerque Journal

"You can practically smell the cigarrette smoke and taste the bootleg booze of a speakeasy club when you listen to the music of this retro swinging group. Lead singer Bernadette Seacrest has a sultry voice perfectly backed by a group of able jazz musicians." ~ music.download.com https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/bsahym

Personnel:  Bernadette Seacrest - Vocals;  Michael Grimes - Double Bass, Guitar, Organ, Melodica;  Aaron Cummings - Saxophones, Clarinet;Noah Thomas – Trumpet;  Jason Aspeslet - Drums, Percussion

No More Music By The Suckers

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Adrian Raso - C´est La Vie

Styles: Guitar Jazz, Gypsy Swing
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:38
Size: 104,6 MB
Art: Front

(2:40)  1. Hot Club Swing
(2:36)  2. Biltmore Blues
(2:52)  3. Tango De La Noche
(2:51)  4. Antonio's Strut
(6:58)  5. Swing Sagarese
(2:34)  6. Until Tomorrow
(3:39)  7. Bireli's Waltz
(3:10)  8. My Darling
(2:34)  9. C'est La Vie
(2:26) 10. Limehouse Blues
(2:29) 11. C'est La Vie (Drum Mix)
(2:39) 12. Biltmore Blues (Drum Mix)
(2:31) 13. Swing Sagarese (Drum Mix)
(2:51) 14. Antonio's Strut (Drum Mix)
(2:42) 15. Hot Club Swing (Drum Mix)

Adrian Raso is a respected guitarist/composer from Guelph, Ontario, Canada.  Adrian has recorded 2 instrumental EPs, Supersonic Music Man (1999) and the self-titled Adrian Raso (2001) and in 2004, he recorded his first full-length electric album, Electric Medusa.  In 2005, Adrian released an all-acoustic album, Black Mamba, which was recorded, mixed, and mastered at Metalworks Studios in Toronto, Ontario.  This CD featured Adrian’s stunning versatility and musicianship over a variety of styles, ranging from Gypsy to Latin flavours. This album is a fine example of the balance between commercially accepted music that is also readily embraced by the technically-minded musician. In 2006, Adrian released his second full-length all-acoustic album called Tales of a Travelling Bohemian.  This fiery, passionate guitar-driven CD accentuates his ease of moving from Middle-Eastern to Mediterranean to Gypsy styles of music.  The 14 tracks on this disc will no doubt take you to far and distant lands. Reviews regarding Adrian’s body of work consider him a guitar virtuoso, an exceptional songwriter, and his jaw-dropping live shows never fail to impress.  Favourable reviews and critical acclaim has led to Adrian being commissioned to write original music for independent film and theatre productions, and artist endorsements from the Godin Guitars Company, Gitane Guitars, and Biltmore Hats.  Adrian has also been featured in many magazines, on CBC, and most recently composed a song for the latest Canadian YMCA campaign. Adrian and his band are currently on a 200-date tour, booked solidly into 2007, playing at various Indigo-Chapters Bookstores all across Ontario, as well as festivals and private corporate functions. Proceeds from Adrian’s discs go to the London Children’s Hospital, in memory of his daughter, Ava Amelie. https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/adrianraso4

C´est La Vie

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Brandon Willis - First Time

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:14
Size: 90,2 MB
Art: Front

(3:56)  1. Cruisin'
(4:40)  2. As Long As It Takes
(3:03)  3. Missin' You
(6:19)  4. All the Things (Your Man Won't Do)
(4:40)  5. Stay With Me
(4:00)  6. Tenderly
(4:34)  7. First Time
(3:40)  8. Always On My Mind
(4:17)  9. Duplicity

Brandon Willis is a 25 year old saxophonist from Newcastle, Washington that brings a soulful sound and charismatic persona to the northwest jazz scene. Under the tutelage of nationally acclaimed saxophonist Darren Motamedy, Brandon has played for years in the Seattle area. Six months before he was born, his parents attended a jazz concert by local smooth jazz artist Darren Motamedy. Sixteen years later in 2008, Brandon was performing alongside Motamedy at local jazz clubs as he pursues a career in music.A recent graduate of the University of Washington with a B.A. in Political Science, his eagerly anticipated debut album titled “First Time” is now available. Developed with the likes of pianist/arranger Eugene Bien, Kenny G’s touring guitarist John Raymond, and keyboardist Donyea Goodman, Brandon aims to re-vitalize contemporary jazz with his abundant instrumental talent. In November of 2012, Brandon was presented with the opportunity to open for Grammy nominated saxophonist Gerald Albright & Grammy winning guitarist Norman Brown at Seattle University; a performance that he calls one of his most inspired to date. Click on the Video tab to watch an excerpt from the concert. Following the successful debut of Brandon Willis’s album “First Time”, he spent the next few years playing shows around the U.S preparing for his second album. In a genre saturated with sax players Brandon took the next step by finding a producer | songwriter capable of making him stand out from the crowd. He found GRAMMY® nominee, producer and label owner Nate Harasim. They quickly began working on the “Brandon Willis | Harasim” sound, prevalent on the new single “IMPACT” and make an “IMPACT” it does. With Harasim’s production and Willis’s sax playing, a #1 hit isn't far off. Brandon signed with M1 Records in late 2016 after showing President Nate Harasim and Vice President Sandy McGraw a promising outlook on the “New” contemporary jazz sound.They are currently preparing for Brandon’s March 2017 album release with live performances being booked , and a national radio tour being scheduled. An old school boots on the ground approach to the music, performance and artistry is set to make a big “IMPACT” in a genre that needs fresh, energetic, young talent. Brandon frequently performs at venues in the Seattle area, and also performs at private events. To inquire about booking Brandon for your event, please contact him via the "Contact" tab. http://www.brandonwillismusic.com/

First Time

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Danny Gatton's Redneck Jazz Explosion - Recorded Live December 31, 1978

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1978
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:18
Size: 131,0 MB
Art: Front

(6:30)  1. Opus De Funk
(9:23)  2. Song of India
(2:22)  3. Raisin' The Dickens
(9:49)  4. Killer Joe
(5:57)  5. Rock Candy
(6:14)  6. Land Of Make Believe - Tequila
(7:31)  7. Little Darlin'
(4:18)  8. Comin' Home, Baby
(2:10)  9. Famous Blue Raincoat - Nutcracker (sound check)

Few recordings can match the immediacy, the exhilaration, and the untamed virtuosity heard on this disc. Danny Gatton was a relatively unknown guitar master comfortable with myriad styles when he first hooked up with steel guitar force Buddy Emmons in 1977. Emmons, like Gatton a musical omnivore, had for two decades been one of Nashville's premier musicians, and when the two joined forces for the first time, the synergy was amazing and the compatibility was magical. After a few occasional gigs throughout 1978, the pair finally toured as the Redneck Jazz Explosion, a group that melded the jazz sensibility with country, blues, bluegrass, rock, and more, thereby moving beyond any simple categorization. 

This remarkable set comes from a New Year's Eve 1978 show in Gatton's native D.C., and it finds two incredibly talented men playing in an uninhibited but focused fashion. In terms of sheer technical prowess, Gatton and Emmons had few peers on their respective instruments, but what sets this collaboration apart is how speed and agility balances so nicely with feeling and creativity. The short-lived Explosion stands as one of the great instrumental ensembles, a lightning-in-a-bottle partnership that thankfully is documented on this essential recording. ~ Marc Greilsamer https://www.amazon.com/Redneck-Jazz-Explosion-Recorded-December/dp/B000001XR0

Personnel:  Guitar – Danny Gatton;  Bass – Steve Wolf;  Drums – Scott Taylor;  Pedal Steel Guitar – Buddy Emmons

Recorded Live December 31, 1978

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