The Marty Ehrlich Quartet - Song

Styles: Saxophone, Clarinet Jazz
Year: 2001
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:26
Size: 116,2 MB
Art: Front

( 5:04)  1. Waltz
( 9:55)  2. The Price of the Ticket
( 5:29)  3. Day of the Dark Bright Light
( 8:20)  4. Blue Boye's Blues
( 6:00)  5. I Pity the Poor Immigrant
(10:20)  6. Fauve
( 5:16)  7. The Falling Rains of Life

Reedsman Marty Ehrlich enlists pianist Uri Caine, bassist Michael Formanek, and drummer Billy Drummond for this lyrical, swinging, accessible set. After opening with Robin Holcomb’s melancholy "Waltz" (a feature for Ehrlich’s brilliant bass clarinet), the quartet embarks on a trilogy of Ehrlich-penned pieces. "The Price of the Ticket," inspired by James Baldwin, begins with a beautifully orchestrated rubato section before breaking into a burning swing tempo, laying a foundation for incisive solos by Ehrlich (on alto), Caine, and Drummond. "Day of the Dark Bright Light" opens with duo ruminations from Caine and Formanek and evolves into a slow and straightforward waltz. And "Blue Boye’s Blues," dedicated to the late Julius Hemphill, is a bout of free jazz featuring special guest Ray Anderson on trombone. Chaotic sounds give way to an unaccompanied trombone passage, then an out-of-left-field, Motown-like progression that carries the piece to the end. Ehrlich then leads the band through a gospel-tinged reading of Bob Dylan’s "I Pity the Poor Immigrant." The song, from 1968’s John Wesley Harding, contains the immortal line, "who passionately hates his life, and likewise fears his death." Sustaining the penultimate chord with intensity before landing softly on the final, conclusive note, the group gets to the heart of Dylan’s bitterly told tale. Next is a ten-minute-plus original called "Fauve," the album’s high point, with the leader on soprano. The piece moves through an impressionistic rubato into fast, bright swing and eventually back again to rubato. Caine then introduces an unexpected 6/8 section, an inspired detour that ultimately concludes the piece. Wrapping up the session is "The Falling Rains of Life," with Ehrlich back on bass clarinet where he started, delighting in the contours of Jaki Byard’s achingly beautiful melody. Song is marred only by the fact that the piano and bass aren’t nearly present enough on the recording. Otherwise, it’s a major statement by Marty Ehrlich. ~ David Adler https://www.allaboutjazz.com/song-marty-ehrlich-enja-records-review-by-david-adler.php

Personnel:  Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Bass Clarinet – Marty Ehrlich; Double Bass – Michael Formanek; Drums – Billy Drummond; Piano – Uri Caine

Song

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Morgana King - For You, For Me, For Evermore

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:43
Size: 82,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:07)  1. For You, For Me, Forever More
(3:12)  2. Here I'll Stay
(3:19)  3. There's a Lull in My Life
(2:16)  4. Delovely
(3:09)  5. Down in the Depths
(2:21)  6. The Song Is You
(2:32)  7. In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning
(3:20)  8. Ev'rything I Love
(3:25)  9. If You Could See Me Now
(3:17) 10. I'll String Along With You
(3:02) 11. Everything I've Got
(2:38) 12. You're Not So Easy to Forget

None of the more than 30 albums recorded by singer Morgana King beginning in the mid-'50s were embraced by the size of the audience that bought tickets to see the first two chapters of The Godfather film trilogy, in which King acted in the role of Mama Corleone. But it would be wrong to assume she had more impact as an actress than as a vocalist. Her acting roles, few and far between, were chosen with care, but did not have the resonance of some of her finest recordings. Millions saw her onscreen in the Godfather films, but her performance was certainly overshadowed by performers such as Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino, not to mention the famous turn by Marlon Brando as her husband. Another role of King's was in the 1997 film A Brooklyn State of Mind; she also appeared in several television productions. It is possible that there are actors and actresses who have named Morgana King as a great inspiration. Yet, the results of a simple Internet search under her name only yielded dozens of quotes from vocalists and other musicians about the great influence of her recordings and singing style, not her work before the camera. It might not be a surprise when a young female singer gushed about King's albums, but these fans also included deeper thinkers such as classical bass virtuoso Gary Karr. References to her music also show up regularly in fiction as a kind of mood-setting device, such as: "It was a beautiful day in Malibu. He got up, made a coffee and put on a Morgana King record." Some record collectors might be surprised to realize that a complete set of King sides might eliminate any elbow room for, say, the discography of one of the prolific blues guitarists with this regal surname. Morgana King sides can be divided into several periods. It took her almost eight years to peak at whatever commercial success she was going to have with the 1964 A Taste of Honey album, thus ending the early years. 

She was then absorbed into the Atlantic and Reprise corporation and an exemplary series of releases by singers such as Big Joe Turner, Ruth Brown, Lavern Baker, and Ray Charles. The label's greatest producers stared the oncoming rock & roll in the eye, never forgetting their basic R&B orientation. Within a few years, a subcategory developed, seen through paisley glasses. The material became more philosophical, the increasing intellectual depth not surprisingly accompanied by the audience stampeding in the opposite direction. This might make sense, though; while 1965's The Winter of My Discontent is a masterpiece, 1968's Gemini Changes is laughably pretentious.  By the early '70s she was eager to get into films, the music business pushing away any and all veteran talent. Later in the decade she launched the mature period of her career, though, once again recording as more of a jazz-flavored artist for Muse, a label which in itself indicates a disinterest in pop culture. The label was loyal to her, regularly recording her through the following decade. This material was reissued in the late '90s by the 32 Jazz label, whose honcho, Joel Dorn, also presided over the reissue of her Reprise sides. If a special sort of bittersweet feeling pervaded her later performances, perhaps it had something to do with this return to her jazz singing roots. Her father had been a performer of folk and popular music on voice and guitar, and she had begun singing in nightclubs such as Basin Street in New York City when she was in her mid-twenties. Only a few years earlier, she had been immersed in classical studies at the Metropolitan School of Music. Basin Street may have been in the same city, but it must have seemed like a completely different musical world. The formal training undoubtedly filled in aspects of her musical walk where some of her peers might have had to limp. For this reason alone, some listeners find her efforts the most swinging of the '60s generation of pop singers. It meant much critical acclaim during her career, if not great commercial success. At many stages, King seemed to have been making other plans. For the 1960 Encyclopedia of Jazz by Leonard Feather, she listed this ambition: "To become a dramatic actress."~ Eugene Chadbourne https://www.allmusic.com/artist/morgana-king-mn0000501436/biography

Personnel:   Vocals – Morgana King; Guitar – Al Caiola;  Piano – Hank Jones;  Trombone – Chauncey Welsch

For You, For Me, For Evermore

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Grady Nichols - Take Me With You

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:08
Size: 133,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:45)  1. Bellissimo
(4:37)  2. Runway
(3:47)  3. Every Kinda People - Feat. Leigh Nash
(4:41)  4. Dove, I'll Still Be Loving You
(4:15)  5. Take Me With You - Feat, Jenny Labow
(5:09)  6. Can't Get You Out Of My Head
(5:02)  7. Nashville
(4:11)  8. After The Rain - Feat. Tony Mason
(4:45)  9. Bad Attitude
(4:32) 10. Give Love - Feat. Toni Estes
(4:04) 11. Ascent, Something For The Common Man
(4:01) 12. Slow Motion
(4:13) 13. Take Me With You - House Mix By Andy Caldwell

Grady Nichols cites his upbringing in rural Arkansas as the reason why he got into smooth jazz. He fell in love with the instrumental music that he heard played on the Weather Channel and contacted the broadcaster for its play list. Now, a few years and five solo albums later the rest, as they say, is history. Nichols latest offering is the eclectic ‘Take Me With You’ which looks set to cement his position as one of the best young saxophonists around. It includes notable contributions from Jeff Lorber and is, in every respect, the real contemporary jazz deal. A case in point is the hugely accessible title track that features vocals from Jenny Labow. It has a catchiness about it that is compelling and when, later in the album, it is reprised as a ‘house mix’ the result is equally good. ‘Take Me With You’ strikes a nice blend of original music and well crafted covers. Among the latter is the tender interpretation of the Robert Palmer classic ‘Every Kind Of People’ that is built around a picture perfect vocal from Leigh Nash and is, without doubt, a clear contender for ‘best cover version of the year’. Right up there with it is Nichol’s turned down instrumental take on Kylie Minogue’s hypnotic ‘Cant Get You Out Of My Head’ and when Nichols switches to his own compositions he comes up with ‘Nashville’ which has appropriately ‘country’ undertones, a pleasant melody and good smooth jazz credentials. ‘Bad Attitude’ offers up more edgy mid tempo jazz sax that drives to a thumping crescendo while in complete contrast is the thoughtful ‘Slow Motion’. Here Nichols is perhaps closest to discovering a mellow vibe but he does not stay there as with ‘Ascent (Something For The Common Man)’ he delivers a number that is in the best traditions of ‘feel good’ jazz anthems. It’s the sort of tune that is sure to delight legions of festival goers in the coming year and another winner comes in the form of ‘After The Rain’ which is blessed by soulful and uplifting vocals from Tony Mason. One of three collaborations that Nichols enjoys with Jeff Lorber it is, in this regard, in the company of the zesty ‘Runaway’ for which Lorber makes a significant contribution on keyboards and also ‘Give Love’ where down and dirty vocals from Toni Estes sets the scene for a jazzily funky concoction.‘Bellisimo’ is a wonderful chunk of textbook mid tempo smooth jazz with a nice vibe and a title that describes it to perfection whilst even better, and Smooth Jazz Therapy selection for ‘album’s best track’, is ‘Dove’. This tight and urgent rendition of what was one of the best club classics of 2003 takes contemporary jazz into an area where it might just engender a new generation of listeners. Grady Nichols has already been described by no less than Jeff Lorber as “the awesome new sax-star for a new millennium”. With ‘Take Me With You’ he is one step closer to making that a reality. https://smoothjazztherapy.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/12/grady-nichols-take-me-with-you.html

Grady Nichols (alto sax), David John (guitar), Jo NathanWatkins (drums), Mike Wilson (keyboard), Chuck Tottress (bass).

Take Me With You

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Jimmy Heath Quintet - On The Trail

Styles: Saxophone Jazz 
Year: 1964
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:23
Size: 88,7 MB
Art: Front

(5:07)  1. On The Trail
(4:20)  2. Cloak And Dagger
(4:40)  3. Vanity
(5:21)  4. All The Things You Are
(5:32)  5. Gingerbread Boy
(5:16)  6. I Should Care
(8:02)  7. Project S

Unlike some of his other Riverside recordings, the accent on this Jimmy Heath CD reissue is very much on his tenor playing (rather than his arrangements). Heath is in excellent form with a quintet that also includes pianist Wynton Kelly, guitarist Kenny Burrell, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath. The instantly recognizable hard bop saxophonist performs four standards and three of his own compositions, including the original versions of "Gingerbread Boy" and "Project S." It's a good example of his playing talents. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/on-the-trail-mw0000173712

Personnel: Jimmy Heath - tenor saxophone; Wynton Kelly - piano;  Kenny Burrell - guitar;  Paul Chambers - bass;  Al Heath - drums.

On The Trail

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Mike Lipskin - Spreading Rhythm Around

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:20
Size: 112,6 MB
Art: Front

(3:48)  1. Blues For Dan Quayle
(4:48)  2. Rockin Chair
(3:45)  3. Jeepers Creepers
(4:18)  4. Some Of These Days
(2:47)  5. I Wish I Were Twins
(4:22)  6. Our Love Is Here To Stay
(3:29)  7. African Ripples
(2:57)  8. Sing It Way Down Low
(3:27)  9. Deed I Do
(4:40) 10. How Long Has This Been Going On
(1:42) 11. Goin About
(3:29) 12. Numb Fumblin
(4:44) 13. Spreading Rhythm Around

For more than two decades local jazz fans and those from remote parts of the United States and Europe have come to San Francisco's night spots and concert venues to hear jazz pianist Mike Lipskin perform sparkling musical gems in the Harlem Stride jazz piano style. Only a handful of contemporary jazz pianists can play Harlem Stride, the sound of Fats Waller, James P. Johnson, Duke Ellington, and Art Tatum. Mike has devoted his life to stride, is one of these exceedingly rare pianists and has even created his own stride sound. He also writes new pieces in this vibrant full jazz piano sound some of which can be heard on his recordings for Buskirk Productions and Downtown Records. He’s played Carnegie Hall, Davies Symphony Hall, 92nd Street "Y" and Newport Jazz Festival, and appears in the jazz documentary film, "A Great Day In Harlem," nominated for an academy award. He supplied rare photos for a book on the same subject, edited it and Fats Waller’s biography, written by Waller’s son. Lipskin helped produce and appears in an American Public TV documentary on the legendary stride pianist, Willie The Lion Smith. He was music director for and performed in five "Stride Summit" concerts at San Francisco's Davies Symphony Hall, and Masonic Auditorium, the last one occurred November 7, 2004. He performed with Woody Allen and Dick Hyman in New York City and had a 23 concert European tour in conjunction with his first release on the Swiss label, Downtown Records. Lipskin has five recordings to his credit and working on his next project for Buskirk Records.  In the words of the Los Angeles Times jazz critic, Leonard Feather, "Lipskin displays the virtues of technique, soul, freshness, and the spirit of youth in his flawless interpretations of Stride pieces." The late, great Eubie Blake also confirmed that "Mike Lipskin plays Stride bass with perfect accuracy." The legendary record producer, Jerry Wexler, adds: "He's fantastic 'cause first of all, he's got chops, he doesn't fumble, he's got that stride thing." Fats Waller's guitarist, Al Casey, when hearing Lipskin's latest CD exclaimed, "I think I'm with Fats right now."

Born in New York, Mike first fell in love with Waller records from his father's collection when he was 4 years old and was hooked on the style from then on. By the time he was in high school he was traveling to Harlem, learning from the remaining stride masters such as Willie The Lion Smith, Luckey Roberts, Cliff Jackson, and the amazing Donald Lambert. Mike was an artist and repertoire producer at RCA Records, New York. During his 13 years there he produced historical reissues for the Vintage Series including sevaeral Waller sets, developed engineering skills and improved a widely acclaimed analogue technical process for rehabilitation of ancient recordings. He also produced new albums by artists such as Lighthouse, Gil Evans, Blue Mitchell, Cedar Walton, Lonnie Liston Smith, Roger Troy and Ryo Kawasaki edited, mixed, and mastering product by Chet Atkins, Sam Cooke, Elvis Presley, Jefferson Airplane, Brian Auger, Duke Ellington, Erroll Garner, Dizzy Gillespie, among others. He practices entertainment and real estate law in San Francisco. https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/lipskin

Spreading Rhythm Around

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