Aldo Romano Quartet - Canzoni

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:24
Size: 126,5 MB
Art: Front

(4:38)  1. T'ho voluto bene
(5:23)  2. Roma nun fa la stupida stasera
(4:48)  3. Munasterio a Santa Chiara
(6:57)  4. Sapore di sale
(5:55)  5. Torna a Surriento
(6:14)  6. O sole mio
(5:21)  7. Anima e core
(5:26)  8. Reginella
(4:54)  9. Come Prima
(4:43) 10. Senza Fine

On this disc, drummer Aldo Romano leads an Italian supergroup to revisit some of the Italian folk repertoire. It is also the companion CD to Non Dimenticar, which is based on the same concept. Some songs such as "O Sole Mio" and "Come Prima" will be overly familiar to the noninitiated, but listeners also get the opportunity to discover some obscurities from the Italian countryside. The music displays a good share of romanticism and the mood is rather subdued. Only toward the end does the band switch to a higher gear, as on the uplifting closer "Senza Fine." The musicians surrounding Romano are no strangers to the success of this enterprise. Trumpeter Paolo Fresu's playing obviously recalls Miles Davis' muted trumpet, but he is not merely mimicking the master and he brings out the intrinsic quality of the tunes. Pianist Franco D'Andrea and bassist Furio Di Castri's taste and elegance are perfectly suited to the project. After listening to this set, many will be surprised to realize that it was conducted under the leadership of a drummer. Although Romano does leave all the solo spaces to his cohorts, his presence is definitely felt, as he provides the necessary direction. An enjoyable set that proves that Italian songs just like show tunes can become jazz standards in their own right. 

~ Alain Drouot https://www.allmusic.com/album/canzoni-mw0000057987

Personnel:  Drums – Aldo Romano; Bass – Furio Di Castri; Piano – Franco D'Andrea; Trumpet – Paolo Fresu

Canzoni

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Jacqui Naylor - Sunshine and Rain

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2015
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:01
Size: 159,2 MB
Art: Front

(3:32)  1. Angel Eyes
(3:26)  2. Moon River
(4:28)  3. Sunshine and Rain
(2:53)  4. I Promise
(4:55)  5. Skylark
(3:18)  6. Back to Black
(5:47)  7. Black Coffee
(3:26)  8. Celebrate Early and Often
(5:07)  9. Losing My Religion
(5:27) 10. Ain't No Sunshine
(3:38) 11. Love for Sale
(3:42) 12. Blue Moon
(3:38) 13. Easy Ride From Here
(4:52) 14. Miss You
(4:25) 15. Once in a Lifetime
(4:20) 16. My Funny Valentine

Jacqui Naylor is not an easy artist to categorize. There are times when she performs straight-ahead vocal jazz, but at other times she favors more of a folk-rock/adult alternative approach. Depending on the mood she is in at a given moment, the northern Californian can bring to mind anyone from Cassandra Wilson or British jazz vocalist Claire Martin to Sarah McLachlan or Shawn Colvin she is as comfortable among jazz improvisers as she is in the singer/songwriter world.

During one of her live performances, Naylor has no problem singing smoky jazz one minute and folk-rock or adult alternative the next and there are times when she blurs the line between the two. Naylor, who is very jazz-friendly but far from a rigid jazz purist, brings a long list of influences to her introspective work influences ranging from Billie Holiday, June Christy, and Nina Simone to Tracy Chapman, Natalie Merchant, Carole King, and Sheryl Crow. That is an unlikely combination of influences, certainly, but it is one that works well for Naylor (who has used all of them to fashion a personal, recognizable style of her own). Naylor has a highly diverse repertoire; on-stage, she is likely to perform a Tin Pan Alley standard right after something by the Rolling Stones or Talking Heads (in addition to performing songs of her own). Naylor is not an overly aggressive or forceful type of singer; she favors subtlety, restraint, and understatement, which are things that Holiday and Christy (one of the goddesses of jazz's cool school) were both masters of. ~ Editorial Reviews https://www.amazon.com/Sunshine-Rain-JACQUI-NAYLOR/dp/B00WL8VTL8

Sunshine and Rain

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Alessandro Pitoni - Le Cose Che Vedi

Styles: Vocal, Easy Listening
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:41
Size: 98,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:02)  1. Salta
(3:02)  2. Le cose che vedi
(4:28)  3. Piovono
(4:13)  4. Prima di andar via
(3:37)  5. Lupo astuto
(4:25)  6. Colpo di coda
(3:47)  7. Monsieur Miracoli
(2:53)  8. Miracoli Madame
(3:32)  9. Quando l'angelo vola
(3:39) 10. Je t'aime, la vie
(4:01) 11. O maremoto
(1:57) 12. Le parole tue

The music kicks her even before being born to a concert by The Rokes. "It's the rain that goes ... and the calm returns". He then meets her at the age of nine in the hands of Paolo Lucci: Choir of white voices of ARCUM. Wonderful years for a kid. Then the voice changes and the music becomes LIFE. Left the studies, part volunteer in the paratroopers.After so much flying, he decides to land on a stage, steals a microphone and with guitarist Daniele Bazzani puts on one of the luckiest bands of those years: BESTAFF (1990). Live live and still live, with a fantastic group of musicians. Pure fun.Pure Rock blues. With them, in 1993 he took part in Sanremo in the youth category with the song "Camminando" and later the first and only album of the group. "As long as we go" (BMG).  In 1997 the solo path saw him write his second album "From the other side of the world" (I Piloti / Ricordi) and with the song "Ora è tempo" he passed the selections of Sanremo Giovani of the same year. With "Tell me where the road to paradise is" participates in the 1998 Sanremo Festival. No paradise but many satisfactions: Tour with friend Alex Baroni, personal tour around the clubs of Italy. In 2001 with Ruggero Brunetti, Saverio Capo and Alessandro Pinnelli was born "Lanegra", a cover band of Italian songs from the 50s. A series of concerts consolidate the band. "La Volata del Ciclista", "Revival" and "Pescatori di telline" tell the story.  

The association brings to light his third work "Le Cose che Vedi" (2008), produced by "FM Records".  The song "Colpo di coda" extracted from the album will end up in the Putumayo world music compilation, touring the world. In 2011 he took part in the 90 + 1 album by Marco Rinalduzzi and later in the tribute to Alex Baroni "Il Senso ... di Alex" (2012) with the song "Have I told you lately that I love you". Fiorella Mannoia, in his new work "SUD" (2012), reinterprets the song "When the angel flies" excerpt from the album "The Things you See". Collaborate with advertising. His is the voice of the characters in the new animation "Acqua Lete" (2010 - 2013).  He lends his voice to two animated films: "Tiffany and the three brigands" (Germany 2007) and "Titeuf" (France 2011).  Participate in the Italian choral versions of the film "The Hobbit - an unexpected journey" (USA 2012). Its the main voice in the theater shows "The diaries of rock" (2006 - 2008) and in the two musical tributes to Fabrizio De Andrè, "Stracci e feather - Il Faber non Faber" and "Creuza de ma". In 2013 he participated in the compilation "Vintage lounge orchestra (chapter two)". Producer: Mario Puccioni Energy with the song "I've been waiting for a girl like you". In March 2015 Alessandro Pitoni & stereo 8 comes out - "Le sere di semper", produced by Nerio Poggi and Francesco Bosco (FM Records). The album of original songs (V. Fontana - F. Bosco - N. Poggi) sees him at the signing in the lyrics of two songs: "Tex Willer" and "The last Saturday of September". 2016 is the year of "Vivo", the author's fourth album (Lyrics and music). Produced by Fm records. In the autumn Ciro De caro's film "Acqua di marzo" will see him as vocal interpreter in the last scenes. Coming soon "Good night". Alessandro Pitoni interprets the piece by M. Puccioni and A. Zammit. He is currently participating in the album - tribute to Lucio Battisti, produced by Nerio Poggi and to be released next fall 2016. Translate By Google http://www.alessandropitoni.it/biografia/

Le Cose Che Vedi

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Lonnie Plaxico - Melange

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 2001
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:54
Size: 140,5 MB
Art: Front

(4:44)  1. Squib Cakes
(4:57)  2. Melange
(5:09)  3. Darkness
(7:22)  4. Short Take
(5:28)  5. Miles II
(5:43)  6. Paella
(5:31)  7. Sunday Morning
(5:34)  8. Beloved
(6:37)  9. T.O.P.
(4:59) 10. Patois
(4:45) 11. Windy City

Lonnie Plaxico’s Blue Note debut is similar in thrust to last year’s Emergence (Savant). The emphasis is on funk, yet the frequent complexity of Plaxico’s writing harks back to his M-Base roots, especially on tunes like "Short Takes," "T.O.P.," "Patois," and the title track. Apparently the disc grew out of two different sessions the first with Tim Ries on sax and Lew Soloff on trumpet, the second with regular band members Marcus Strickland and Jeremy Pelt in their stead. George Colligan handles the main piano and keyboard duties, with Helen Sung contributing a couple of stunning solos along the way. Lionel Cordew and Jeffrey Haynes play drums and percussion, respectively, as they did on the previous record. As was the case with Emergence, Plaxico begins to repeat himself as the record wears on. And the opening cover of "Squib Cakes," by Tower of Power, seems insubstantial next to the original material. That said, the improvisation is often hair-raising, and the ballads, "Darkness" and "Beloved," are effective changes of pace. On the flip side, the speed-funk finale, "Windy City," is a blast. ~ David Adler https://www.allaboutjazz.com/melange-lonnie-plaxico-blue-note-records-review-by-david-adler.php

Personnel: Lonnie Plaxico- Bass, Lew Soloff- Trumpet (tracks 1-5), Jeremy Pelt- trumpet (tracks 6-11). Tim Ries- Saxophone (tracks 1-5), Marcus Strickland- Saxophone (tracks 6-11) George Colligan- piano, keyboards (except #5), Helen Sung- piano, keyboards (#2, 5, 6), Lionel Cordew- drums, Jeffrey Haynes- percussion.

Melange

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Ferit Odman - Autumn in New York

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:12
Size: 104,2 MB
Art: Front

(7:09)  1. Step Lightly
(6:21)  2. Alter Ego
(5:22)  3. Autumn in New York
(7:43)  4. The Soulful Mr. Timmons
(4:52)  5. Hindsight
(6:41)  6. My Ideal
(7:01)  7. Changing of the Guard

Autumn in New York comes via Turkish drummer Ferit Odman who leads this session featuring an all-American band playing straight-ahead tunes but this is a far cry from a "drummer's date." Both members of the frontline trumpeter Terell Stafford and alto saxophonist Vincent Herring were referred to as "young lions" early in their careers, and sound very much at home throughout the set, their ensemble playing a testament that, by this point, they are clear mainstays of the scene. Stafford's tone is warm and personal, and his reading of the title tune is delivered with tender familiarity. The lyrics of the song are included in the liner notes, and the trumpeter's feature evokes a feeling of that special time in that special place. Herring still blows a hot, energetic, post-bop horn. Lyrics are also included for "My Ideal," a feature for the altoist, with Odman admitting he is still looking for that special someone. What he has found, however, is the best partner in a rhythm section that a drummer could hope for. Peter Washington has been holding down the anchor for well over 20 years now, and is certainly one of the most dependable timekeepers in the business, possessing a combination of full, round tone and a bouncy agility that has made him much sought after and highly regarded. When he does get a chance to blow, as he does on "My Ideal," he shows what a musical force he is, and his solo is a high point of the recording. 

Jazz has a long tradition of Americans going abroad, some for longer periods than others. Whether it is to live, work or play festivals, jazz remains largely an American art form, and an export which is still well-received in far-off places. Turkish musicians have been playing jazz for quite some time, with schools and conservatories for jazz studies popping up in the country. The best place to learn, however, will always be the bandstand. Odman has the vocabulary, is well-versed in the idiom and does a nice job of accompanying his band mates throughout. His main contribution as leader on this date, however, is in assembling the band and picking the tunes. He's done that well, and his visitors do their job wonderfully also. More sessions like this and perhaps there will be some "young lions" emerging amongst the young Turks.~ William Carey https://www.allaboutjazz.com/autumn-in-new-york-ferit-odman-equinox-music-and-entertainment-review-by-william-carey.php?width=1920

Personnel: Ferit Odman: drums; Terell Stafford: trumpet; Vincent Herring: alto saxophone; Anthony Wonsey: piano; Peter Washington: bass

Autumn in New York

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