Friday, January 11, 2019

Marcus Printup - Peace in the Abstract

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:29
Size: 148,5 MB
Art: Front

(7:17)  1. Your Time Has Come
(7:03)  2. Soul Vamp
(7:13)  3. I Will Sing of You
(5:59)  4. Deddy's Blues
(6:07)  5. Hot House
(8:20)  6. Amazing Grace
(8:36)  7. Peace in the Abstract
(8:32)  8. Everytime We Say Goodbye
(5:19)  9. Soul Mama

A talented trumpeter with a lot of potential, Marcus Printup was discovered by Marcus Roberts at the University of North Florida in 1991. Printup started on trumpet in the fifth grade, played funk as a teenager, and in college was part of a ten-piece band called Soul Reason for the Blues. Since that time, he has toured and recorded with Roberts, played with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, recorded with Carl Allen, performed with Betty Carter, and cut a number of excellent albums as a leader for Blue Note. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/artist/marcus-printup-mn0000673081/biography

Personnel:   Marcus Printup - trumpet; Gregory Tardy - tenor saxophone; Marc Cary - piano;  Kengo Nakamura - bass; Shinnosuke Takahashi - drums

Peace in the Abstract

Stanley Turrentine - The Sugar Man

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2015
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 78:10
Size: 180,0 MB
Art: Front

(5:02)  1. Tiny Capers
(4:50)  2. Return Engagement
(7:12)  3. Look Out
(6:13)  4. Minor Chant
(7:51)  5. Little Sheri
(6:18)  6. Tin Tin Deo
(6:58)  7. Yesterdays
(6:19)  8. Blue Riff
(4:58)  9. Journey into Melody
(9:56) 10. Willow Weep for Me
(5:23) 11. Baby, Ain't I Good to You
(7:04) 12. I Want a Little Girl

A legend of the tenor saxophone, Stanley Turrentine was renowned for his distinctively thick, rippling tone, an earthy grounding in the blues, and his ability to work a groove with soul and imagination. Turrentine recorded in a wide variety of settings, but was best-known for his Blue Note soul-jazz jams of the '60s, and also underwent a popular fusion makeover in the early '70s. Born in Pittsburgh on April 5, 1934, Turrentine began his career playing with various blues and R&B bands, with a strong influence from Illinois Jacquet. He played in Lowell Fulson's band with Ray Charles from 1950-1951, and in 1953, he replaced John Coltrane in Earl Bostic's early R&B/jazz band.

After a mid-'50s stint in the military, Turrentine joined Max Roach's band and subsequently met organist Shirley Scott, whom he married in 1960 and would record with frequently. Upon moving to Philadelphia, Turrentine struck up a chemistry with another organist, Jimmy Smith, appearing on Smith's 1960 classics Back at the Chicken Shack and Midnight Special, among others. Also in 1960, Turrentine began recording as a leader for Blue Note, concentrating chiefly on small-group soul-jazz on classics like That's Where It's At, but also working with the Three Sounds (on 1961's Blue Hour) and experimenting with larger ensemble settings in the mid-'60s. As the '70s dawned, Turrentine and Scott divorced and Turrentine became a popular linchpin of Creed Taylor's new, fusion-oriented CTI label; he recorded five albums, highlighted by Sugar, Salt Song, and Don't Mess With Mister T. While those commercially accessible efforts were artistically rewarding as well, critical opinion wasn't as kind to his late-'70s work for Fantasy; still, Turrentine continued to record prolifically, and returned to his trademark soul-jazz in the '80s and '90s. Turrentine passed away on September 12, 2000, following a massive stroke. ~ Steve Huey https://www.allmusic.com/artist/stanley-turrentine-mn0000012644/biography

The Sugar Man

Jerry Bergonzi - Convergence

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:50
Size: 124,1 MB
Art: Front

(8:11)  1. Lend Me a Dream
(5:12)  2. I've Got a Crush on You
(5:25)  3. Squid Ink
(4:38)  4. Stoffy
(3:17)  5. Silent Flying
(4:51)  6. Osiris
(5:28)  7. Mr. Higgins
(5:17)  8. Ddodd
(7:52)  9. Convergence
(3:35) 10. Seventh Ray

Saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi has become one of the most reliable recording artists in jazz. In between his day job as a Berklee College of Music professor, and performing, he turns out a great album or two every year. Featuring mostly tenor horn, Convergence follows dutifully in that pattern. The album splits between a classic piano-based quartet and the more risky piano-less trio with equally good results. Bergonzi, who also overdubs soprano sax for a few tracks, has no problem carrying the trio, revealing no weaknesses in an unforgiving, nowhere-to-hide lineup. The lone cover on the album, George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin's, "I've Got A Crush On You," starts with a straight-through reading of the melody, before becoming a platform for the kind of first-rate improvisation expected from Bergonzi, his horn warm and forceful, as he expands over the rhythm section, reaching out but never breaking too far away. It's a beautiful rendering of a classic. "Stoffy," another trio track, opens with a film-noir-ish bass vamp that supports a more unconventional melody and improvisational statement. The result is equally fine, hanging together as a fully realized statement. Bergonzi's writing, throughout the album, is organized, logical and tight, making Convergence as notable for its composition as for its improvisation.  The rest of the album plays out on this pattern, with a just a couple of exceptions. This is Bergonzi's date, and he does not cede the leadership duties often. Pianist Bruce Barth joins the proceedings for three tracks, adding some lovely background comps and taking a really solid solo on "Convergence." The rhythm section bassist David Santoro and drummer Andrea Michelutti supports the entire disc without flaw. As a musician, Bergonzi is as competent on soprano as he is his main instrument. Overdubbing the straight horn on "Osiris," the saxophonist uses it to emphasize the melody, and to add some harmony that would be impossible in a trio, for a musically compelling result. His workout on soprano is as skilled as anything else on the album, and the overdubbing is seamless. Bergonzi manages to harmonize and interact with himself in a manner that were it a recording of two horn players might recall the psychically intertwined interplays of the Gerry Mulligan/Chet Baker quartets, dipping and diving over each other, completely in sync. There is no fault with the music here it's excellent across the board but it would be interesting to hear what this might have sounded like with two musicians actually interacting with each other, rather than one player playing along with something previously recorded.  Convergence showcases Bergonzi's considerable talents as a writer and improviser, and is worthy of his already impressive recording legacy. This effort enhances his position as one of the most important artists in jazz today, and is truly one of the first great jazz albums of 2011. ~ Greg Simmons https://www.allaboutjazz.com/convergence-jerry-bergonzi-savant-records-review-by-greg-simmons.php

Personnel: Jerry Bergonzi: tenor and soprano saxophones; Bruce Barth; piano (1,3 9); David Santoro: bass; Andrea Michelutti: drums.

Convergence

Josh Evans - Portrait

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:11
Size: 167,4 MB
Art: Front

( 5:21)  1. Albany Ave.
( 7:30)  2. Ray Mac Left Town
( 5:11)  3. Tehran
( 5:05)  4. Chronic Mistakes
( 6:16)  5. Spring is Here
( 7:03)  6. Beatnik
( 6:56)  7. The Lamp is Low
( 8:53)  8. Ballad
(12:04)  9. The Moment of Truth
( 7:46) 10. Good Mornin'

The artist Picasso once said “the way I paint is my way of keeping a diary.” Much like Picasso, Josh Evans’ “Portrait” is a musical diary suggesting a close relationship between art and life. “Portrait” takes us through a remarkable musical journey with uncompromising integrity, creating a masterpiece. Evans shares with the listener his important and influential relationships with Rashied Ali, Jackie McLean, and Raymond “Dr. Rackle” Williams, whose musical talent is evident throughout the CD. “Portrait” marks the debut recording of Josh Evans as a musical leader and encompasses something very special that upon listening evokes a realization that the world of jazz resides in this musician; with deep roots in the knowledge of the music and his own self-awareness. Listeners are engulfed in rhythms, melodies, & textures of music that is special for an artist to achieve. This CD contains intensity of performance and the intimacy of a late night jazz scene. This long anticipated recording reveals a new and fresh approach to music that as Josh himself would describe, “had nothing to do with anything you could put on paper; it was about creating music.” Josh Evans “Portrait” is a recording everyone will want in their music collection. https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/joshevans

Personnel:  Josh Evans -Trumpet;  Ray McMorrin - Tenor Saxophone;  Lawrence Clark - Tenor Saxophone;  Alan Jay Palmer - Piano;  Theo Hill - Piano;  Dezron Douglas - Bass;  Ralph Peterson - Drums

Portrait

Janet Mudge, Andy Reiss - Tenderly: The Nashville Sessions

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2018
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:56
Size: 97,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:37)  1. Skylark
(3:09)  2. Call Me
(3:34)  3. If I Were a Bell
(3:19)  4. Tenderly
(4:13)  5. It Might as Well Be Spring
(4:05)  6. Don't Go to Strangers
(4:13)  7. A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
(3:06)  8. What'll I Do
(3:02)  9. Falling in Love
(4:31) 10. Wave
(4:03) 11. Smile

Though new to the jazz scene - I've been singing my entire life. My mother would say that even as a 2 year-old, I could carry a tune. This cherished sentiment has stayed deep in my heart and has provided continual encouragement to pursue my musical dreams. Throughout my years of singing, people had asked if I'd made any recordings. I can now respond emphatically  "yes!"! So why Nashville? Why not, I said! Though residing in Seattle I decided to celebrate a "significant" birthday by gifting myself with this amazing recording experience in the most musical place on earth. And what an experience... Music City delivered memories, music and friendships to last a lifetime. I was blessed beyond all measure to have recorded at this palace of a studio - Audio 51, owned by Crystal Gayle and Bill Gatzimos. I am eternally grateful to these lovely people - and to their son, Christos Gatzimos who engineered the magic. I was made to feel at home and practically family by their graciousness and hospitality. None of this would've happened if not for my amazing producer, Andy Reiss. I couldn't been more pleased to be under his skillful and creative direction; the band that he put together was unbelievable the dream band of Chris Walters on piano, Roger Spencer on bass, and Chris Brown on drums. What a joy! My heart is filled with gratitude. I do hope you will enjoy hearing my take on these fabulous melodies... thank you! https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/janetmudge

Tenderly: The Nashville Sessions