Thursday, July 4, 2019

Ramsey Lewis Trio - What's New

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:09
Size: 90,2 MB
Art: Front

(4:47)  1. What's New
(3:09)  2. Carmen
(4:06)  3. Old Devil Moon
(4:38)  4. Delilah
(3:27)  5. I'll Remember April
(3:58)  6. Bei Mir Bist Du Schon
(6:34)  7. Folk Ballad
(3:12)  8. C.C. Rider
(5:15)  9. But Not for Me

Lewis earned his first gold record, as well as a Grammy award for Best Jazz Performance, for their swinging version of Dobie Gray’s hit “The In Crowd.” He returned to the pop charts in 1966 with versions of “Hang On Sloopy” and “Wade In The Water.” Throughout the years, Lewis’ trio has undergone membership changes, all the while staying true to Lewis’ high musical standards. After Young and Holt left Lewis’ trio to form their own group, the pianist hired a new rhythm section with Cleveland Eaton on bass and Maurice White on drums. When White left the band to form Earth, Wind & Fire, Morris Jennings signed on as the trio’s new percussionist. White returned to produce Lewis’ 1974 smash album entitled Sun Goddess, in which Lewis first experimented with electronic keyboards and featured Earth, Wind & Fire on the album. In 1983, Lewis returned to the studio with Young and Holt for the album Reunion. Throughout his illustrious career, Lewis who is a NEA Jazz Master, has also joined forces with countless other artists to create new and innovative music. In 1984, he collaborated with Nancy Wilson on The Two of Us, in 1988he recorded with London’s Philharmonic Orchestra for the album A Classic Encounter, and in 1989 Lewis and Dr. Billy Taylor cut a set of piano duets in We Meet Again. In 1995, Lewis launched the side project Urban Knights, in which he collaborated with a handful of successful crossover jazz stars, including Grover Washington, Jr., Earl Klugh, and Dave Koz. In 1997, Lewis added disc jockey to his resume, hosting a popular show on Chicago’s WNUA-FM that ran until 2009. 

A new show was syndicated in 2006 under the name Legends of Jazz with Ramsey Lewis and was broadcast on jazz radio stations across the country. In 2006,a well-received 13-episode Legends of Jazz television series hosted by Lewis was broadcast by PBS on public TV nationwide and featured live performances by a variety of jazz artists including Larry Gray, Lonnie Smith, Joey Defrancesco, Dave Brubeck, Chick Corea, Kurt Elling, Benny Golson, Pat Metheny and Tony Bennett. Lately, Ramsey has been touring with Philip Bailey (Earth, Wind & Fire), John Pizzarelli and Ann Hampton Callaway. After having played for years in an acoustic trio, Lewis returned to his electric roots. The three time Grammy winner released a new CD Taking Another Look Deluxe Edition, featuring a new electric quintet with Henry Johnson on guitar, Michael Logan on keys, Joshua Ramos on bass and Charles Heath on drums. On the CD, Lewis rekindles his 1974 career-defining album Sun Goddess through a collection of re-recorded tracks from the original disc perfectly balanced with five new tunes. “Jungle Strut” had all the attitude of its 1974 original and Lewis made magic on the Fender Rhodes in “Tambura.” 

And rather than re-recording the title track “Sun Goddess”, Lewis beautifully re-edited the original studio recording featuring Earth, Wind and Fire. Lewis and his Electric Band breathed new life into classic covers, such as the high octane rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Living For The City” for which Ramsey shot a great video and the tender interpretation of the timeless “Betcha By Golly Wow.” The CD also featured three bonus tracks. The legendary Dr. John served up some Cajun style funk with his rendition of “Jungle Strut”. Then up and comers and jazz fusion funksters Kung Fu turned in a mesmerizing version of “Tambura.” Finally, TAUK delivered an amazing take on “Sharing Her Journey” that clearly established them as a band to watch. "I've recorded maybe 70-80 albums, and this album is definitely among the top five" said Lewis. Showing no signs of slowing down, Ramsey is currently working on a new record which he will begin recording in August with his long time band known as the Urban Knights.  An all-star jazz, R&B and funk band which features Grammy nominated guitarist Henry Johnson, drummer Charles Heath, bassist Joshua Ramos and keyboardist Tim Gant. https://www.ramseylewis.com/biography

What's New

Anna Wilson - Just for You

Styles: Vocal 
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:58
Size: 104,6 MB
Art: Front

(3:44)  1. Take Good Care of My Heart
(2:48)  2. Near You
(2:32)  3. Dark Moon
(2:40)  4. Blue Forever
(4:19)  5. Keeper of Your Flame
(2:40)  6. My Happiness
(2:32)  7. It's a Lovely World
(2:42)  8. Our Love Is Gone
(3:36)  9. Storms Never Last
(3:33) 10. I See Him Everywhere
(3:04) 11. I'll Get Over You
(3:17) 12. Upside of Down
(2:17) 13. Sunshine of My World
(3:02) 14. If He Just Helps Me Get Over You
(2:05) 15. Down in Dallas

Every so often, a new talent emerges with undeniable passion and universal appeal. Born in 1986 into a musical West Auckland family, Anna grew up surrounded by country music. She often cites her grandfather as a formative influence on her own musical development. From an early age, Anna began entering (and winning ) local talent contests’ and as a teenager became a member of the West Auckland Country Music Club where, influenced by the likes of Shania Twain and Leann Rimes, Anna soon established herself with her own unique singing style. As a student at Lynfield College, Anna studied drama as well as singing. After leaving school, several acting opportunities started coming Anna’s way, including a leading role in the movie Kids World and smaller roles on local television dramas such as Shortland Street. With striking good looks and star-quality presence Anna proved herself equally at ease, whether in front of the camera or entertaining a live audience. On her debut album “Just For You”, Anna Wilson retraces her roots to country music she grew up with, as well as embracing some new songs written especially for her. Anna is a featured guest artist at the ‘Night Of The Proms’ series of concerts with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra in June, and also at the Country Entertainers Awards ceremony at the Founders Theatre in Hamilton during August. https://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/just-for-you-cd/1542797

Just for You

Eric Person - Reflections

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 77:29
Size: 178,5 MB
Art: Front

(7:19)  1. Perfection
(6:39)  2. Mr.More Or Less
(6:11)  3. Friends Again
(4:50)  4. When Morning Comes
(9:15)  5. Implications
(4:38)  6. Extra Pressure
(4:09)  7. Reach!
(6:13)  8. Ancient Sun
(8:29)  9. K.T.
(8:00) 10. The Ringleader
(7:47) 11. Etc.
(3:54) 12. Next Love

Although it is not obvious from the outside of this CD, Reflections mostly contains previously released selections drawn from three of altoist Eric Person's Soul Note albums and two from the Distinction label. Person picked the numbers himself and feels that these performances are among the finest of his career. Based on their creativity, intensity, and brilliant playing, Person is correct. He is heard on both alto and soprano, mostly with several different piano-bass-drums rhythm sections. Flutist Jim Finn is on two selections, guitarist Cary DeNigris is on four, and the pianist is usually John Esposito. The post-bop playing is full of fire, high musicianship, and inventive ideas. Uplifting Reflections from being merely a "best of" set is the inclusion of three selections ("K.T.," "The Ringleader," and "Etc.") from a previously unreleased live performance in 1998. The live performances (pity that they are not extensive enough to fill up an entire CD by themselves) feature Person with trumpeter Dave Douglas in a particularly exciting quintet, rounding out a very impressive package. This CD is easily recommended to listeners not already owning Eric Person's Soul Note and Distinction recordings. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/reflections-mw0001896342

Personnel: Eric Person — saxophones; John Esposito — piano; Dave Holland — bass; Dave Douglas — trumpet; Kenny Davis — bass;  Peter O’Brien — drums

Reflections

Yoko Miwa Trio - Live at Scullers Jazz Club

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 76:55
Size: 176,7 MB
Art: Front

(11:07)  1. This Could Be the Start of Something
(12:03)  2. Wheel of Life
(11:23)  3. Mr. B.G.
( 5:06)  4. Seasons of Wither
( 8:00)  5. Who Loves the Sun
( 9:36)  6. Silent Promise
(10:25)  7. Mox Nix
( 9:13)  8. A Festa

Is live always better? Does the no second takes, out-on-a-limb aspect of playing in front of a live audience, and feeding off its energy result in the best recordings? It seems to work that way for Boston-based pianist Yoko Miwa on Live At Scullers Jazz Club, a mix of tunes from The Great American Songbook and the world of rock, shuffled in with her own outstanding compositions. An original pressing of a hundred copies of the show done as a memento for the audience members this particular night garnered such a positive response that Miwa decided to have the music remixed and mastered for a general release. Miwa displays an impressive stylistic range. Opening with a rousing take of Steve Allen's "This Could Be the Start of Something," the pianist and her trio mix a bouncy elegance with a full-bore forward momentum. Miwa treats the melody with reverence, riding a inexorable rhythmic wave supplied by bassist Greg Loughman and drummer Scott Goulding. Virtuosic but unrelentingly accessible, the pianist stretches out, taking eleven minutes to explore this Great American Songbook gem with glorious grace.  Miwa, in the manner of fellow pianist Brad Mehldau, is no jazz snob. She doesn't limit herself to the standards. She covers Steven Tyler's (of Aerosmith) dark toned "Seasons of Wither," giving the tune sparkle, and turns in a pensively beautiful rendition of Lou Reed's Velvet Underground song, "Who Loves the Sun?," featuring the trio at its most interactive. Miwa adds three of her own top-notch compositions to the mix. "The Wheel of Life" rises and falls to mirror the vicissitudes, struggles, joys and sorrows of human existence. "Mr. B. G." is a nod to pianist Benny Green and, through Green, his mentor Oscar Peterson, with an ebullient groove and Miwa's exquisitely succinct touch. Trumpeter Art Farmer's "Mox Nix" shows off Miwa's ability to get deep into the blues and play with a muscular left hand percussion married to a lightning fast right hand, before ending with vocalist Milton Nascimento's "A Festa." It's a saucy closer, with the trio immersing itself in a gorgeous Brazilian groove to wrap up a stunningly spontaneous live set, Miwa's best recording to date. ~ Dan McClenaghan https://www.allaboutjazz.com/live-at-scullers-jazz-club-yoko-miwa-self-produced-review-by-dan-mcclenaghan.php

Personnel: Yoko Miwa: piano; Greg Loughman: bass; Scott goulding: drums.

Live at Scullers Jazz Club