Terence Blanchard - Choices

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 73:39
Size: 170,5 MB
Art: Front

( 6:45)  1. Byus
( 0:54)  2. Beethoven
( 3:46)  3. D’s Choice
( 6:01)  4. Journey
( 7:11)  5. Hacia del Aire
( 0:40)  6. Jazz Man in the World of Ideas
( 4:20)  7. Him or Me
( 6:08)  8. Choices
( 6:30)  9. HUGS (Historically Underrepresented Groups)
(12:17) 10. Winding Roads
( 4:26) 11. When Will You Call
( 0:55) 12. A New Note
( 5:16) 13. A New World (Created Inside the Walls of Imagination)
( 6:04) 14. Touched By An Angel
( 2:19) 15. Robin’s Choice

Trumpeter/band leader/ film scorer Terence Blanchard is the epitome of an artist who's made good choices. One of the distinct voices in the post-Miles Davis and Wynton Marsalis era, he has moved from being a young-lion with seminal players such as Donald Harrison in Black Pearl (Columbia, 1988), to delivering progressive projects such as Flow (Blue Note, 2005) and winning multiple Grammy awards for albums including 2007's A Tale Of God's Will (A Requiem For Katrina) (Blue Note).  Recorded at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, Choices is, surprisingly, his first completed CD made in his hometown of New Orleans. The warmth, ambiance and acoustics of the venue pours through each track, channeled through modern compositions and inspired performances by a dynamic sextet which includes Fabian Almazan (piano), Derrick Hodge (bass), Kendrick Scott (drums), Lionel Loueke (guitar) and saxophonist Walter Smith III. Blanchard is a meticulous but selfless leader, allowing the younger artists to shine, exchange ideas and contribute to the open process. Imprinted with Blanchard's cinematic and swinging style the music is rooted but contemporary; advocating new ideas that include excerpts of a conversation between Blanchard and philosopher, author, and activist, Dr. Cornel West. The combination of eloquent intellectualism and stirring composition forms a thematic imprint. West's insightful words sprinkled throughout the music are like poetry uplifting, enlightening and provocative; expertly placed within the music as he articulates upon the ideas, questions and choices concerning music, humanity, and spirituality a jazz dialog for the mind and ear. The tracks showcase these young artists as distinguished players and scintillating writers, including Smith's sophisticated movements in "Byus," and Scott's Brazilian-tinged "Journey," with seductive vocals provided by singer Bilal Sayeed Oliver (aka Bilal), who in turn gives a riveting performance on his soulful Lament, "When Will You Call." Almazan's "Hugs" shows his adroit pianism with beauty and drama as it pushes the musicians to new heights. In contrast, Hodge's "A New World" takes it to the streets with a funky swagger, as Blanchard and Loueke shred some notes.  Still, Blanchard's consummate imprint and warm tone permeate the recording, and his mirrored tracks "D's Choice" and "Robin's Choice" are masterful full of emotion, spirit and humanity. Mixing jazz and philosophy within a vibrant setting, the aptly titled Choices, continues to bear the good fruits of his thoughtful decisions. ~ Mark F.Turner https://www.allaboutjazz.com/choices-terence-blanchard-concord-music-group-review-by-mark-f-turner.php

Personnel: Terence Blanchard: trumpet; Fabian Almazan: piano; Derrick Hodge: bass; Kendrick Scott: drums; Lionel Loueke: guitar; Walter Smith III: saxophone; Dr. Cornel West: spoken word (1-3, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15); Bilal: vocals (3, 4, 10, 11, 14).

Choices

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André Previn - The Subterraneans

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:36
Size: 91,0 MB
Art: Front

(1:57)  1. Why Are We Afraid?
(3:07)  2. Guido's Blackhawk
(4:01)  3. Two By Two
(4:14)  4. Bread And Wine
(2:44)  5. Coffee Time
(3:27)  6. A Rose And The End
(2:28)  7. Should I
(1:32)  8. Look Ma, No Clothes
(5:37)  9. Things Are Looking Down
(4:20) 10. Analyst
(1:57) 11. Like Blue
(3:06) 12. Raising Caen

MGM director Ronald McDougall didn't do much right in adapting Jack Kerouac's novel The Subterraneans for the big screen first, the lead character of Mardou Fox (played by Leslie Caron) was transformed from black to white, and future A-Team star George Peppard was miscast as Kerouac's alter ego, Leo Percepied. And don't even mention Robert Thom's clumsy, lightweight screenplay. But at least composer André Previn had the good sense to recruit cool jazz giants including Gerry Mulligan, Russ Freeman, and Dave Bailey to perform his Subterraneans score: jazz not only fueled Kerouac's work, but his prose sought to evoke the rhythms and energy of bebop. Indeed, this music comes far closer to accurately capturing Kerouac's writing than any of the film's dialogue. Previn also deserves credit for articulating the sadness of the original novel, deftly combining horns and strings to create a score that is dark and emotive. ~ Jason Ankeny https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-subterraneans-original-soundtrack-mw0000906573

Personnel: André Previn – piano, arranger, conductor; Gerry Mulligan – baritone saxophone (tracks 1, 3, 4, 6 and 8–10);  Carmen McRae – vocals (track 5); Art Farmer (tracks 4 & 9), Jack Sheldon (1, 3, 6, 8 & 10 and 12) – trumpet; Bob Enevoldsen – valve trombone (tracks 1, 3, 4, 6 and 9); Art Pepper – alto saxophone (tracks 1, 3, 4, 6 & 8–10 and 12); Bill Perkins – tenor saxophone (tracks 1, 3, 4, 6 and 9); Russ Freeman – piano (tracks 4, 9 and 12); Buddy Clark (tracks 4 & 9), Red Mitchell (tracks 1-3, 5–8, and 10–12) – bass; Dave Bailey (tracks 4 & 9), Shelly Manne (tracks 1–3, 5–8, and 10–12) – drums

The Subterraneans

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Warne Marsh & Kenny Drew - I Got A Good One For You

Styles: Saxophone And Piano Jazz
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:01
Size: 142,3 MB
Art: Front

(4:53)  1. I Got A Good One For You
(7:46)  2. Sophisticated Lady
(4:31)  3. On Green Dolphin Street
(5:41)  4. Sippin' At Bells
(4:31)  5. Ev'rytime We Say Goodbye
(4:50)  6. Little Willie Leaps
(5:16)  7. Easy To Love
(4:05)  8. Body And Soul
(4:54)  9. Ornithology
(9:45) 10. Star Eyes
(4:44) 11. Softly As In A Morning Sunrise

Warne Marsh told writer Nat Hentoff "the big thing I got from Lennie Tristano was the feeling that if music was worth that much to him, it could mean that much to me to play only what I wanted to play”. The Storyville catalogue is rich in the recorded work of Warne Marsh but the highligt certainly is "Body And Soul", a tune with strong jazz tenor links. Here Marsh fashions a masterly improvisation over the harmonies, creating melodic statements of great richness for two choruses. Music such as this is the very essence of jazz; four men united in the creation of spontaneously creative music after what must have been only a short time available for rehearsal. The result speaks for itself. https://www.storyvillerecords.com/products/i-got-a-good-one-for-you-stcd8277

Personnel: Warne Marsh (tenorsax), Kenny Drew (piano), Bo Stief (bass) and aage Tanggaard (drums)

I Got A Good One For You

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Simon Spillett - Sienna Red

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 74:42
Size: 172,1 MB
Art: Front

(8:30)  1. Mini Minor
(9:02)  2. Lifeline
(6:52)  3. Souriya
(6:57)  4. Peace Pipe
(8:15)  5. Rumpus
(7:50)  6. Ricardo
(8:28)  7. Pint of Bitter
(8:43)  8. The Right to Love
(6:19)  9. Sienna Red
(3:42) 10. Oleo

After winning the 2007 Rising Star category in the BBC Jazz Awards, tenor saxophonist Simon Spillett now has this very disc up for public voting in the 2008 Best Album section. Fundamentally, it's a representation of what he does onstage, though the fact that this recording can't possibly scale the heights of an in-person experience is some testament to Spillett's blowing power. His ascension over the last few years has been swift, to the point where he's now a serious challenger to reedsman Alan Barnes for the British hard bop sceptre. Woodville is the latter's record label, so here's an endorsement from a fitting source. Of course, there's Peter King and Don Weller to consider too, but there's something about Spillett's approach that aligns him with Barnes. Spillett is already a veteran of all the prestigious London clubs, and is now throwing himself completely into the establishment of his own quartet's comet-like reputation, boasting the line-up of John Critchinson (piano), Andrew Cleyndert (bass) and Spike Wells (drums). It's impossible to avoid mention of the great Tubby Hayes as Spillett's guiding light in terms of style and attack, but this doesn't mean that he's forsaking the development of a personal vocabulary. This follow-up to 2007's debut album is as swift as Simon's soloing articulation. He absolutely doesn't dally. On the opening Mini Minor, barely is the theme shot out than the tenorman's skating off on a winding solo, the combo coping well with their own solos, the end result being an introductory portfolio of their wares. It's as if Spillett is attempting to cram life itself into each eight minute outburst. That's about the average tune-length, as extended time is needed to accommodate Simon's spillage. When the songs aren't hurtling at high velocity, they adopt a brash swaying motion, and a ballad spot tends to turn up after every third chaser, just to prove that Spillett is also a sensitive breather. Peace Pipe sounds anything but peaceful. In fact, it's rather more agitated than Rumpus, which has its own staccato flourishes. Spillett saves Oleo until last, and it's a rollercoaster that brooks no argument. https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/3rqv/

Personnel: Saxophone [Tenor], Producer – Simon Spillett; Double Bass – Andrew Cleyndert; Drums – Spike Wells; Piano – John Critchinson

Sienna Red

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Patrice Jégou - If It Ain't Love

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2019
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:51
Size: 154,7 MB
Art: Front

(3:19)  1. Lover Come Back to Me (A Cappella)
(2:40)  2. Jersey Bounce
(4:46)  3. Baubles, Bangles, And Beads
(5:08)  4. Yes We Can, Can
(5:34)  5. I'm So Glad I'm Standing Here Today
(4:05)  6. Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams
(3:14)  7. If It Ain't Love
(4:42)  8. Estate (Summer)
(3:24)  9. Lover Come Back to Me
(3:40) 10. Waltz for Debby
(4:42) 11. Losing You
(3:04) 12. Just Squeeze Me
(3:53) 13. Where Do You Start?
(5:00) 14. Remembrances (In Memory of Stan Getz)
(4:25) 15. Please Send Me Someone to Love
(5:08) 16. It Might Be You

Listening to Canadian vocal artist Patrice Jégou's second album, If It Ain't Love, one would never think that she once was a world-class professional figure skater. One would also immediately discern that she and her similarly world-class musical partners have delivered a perfect-10 performance. Surrounded on the opener by Take 6's Mark Kibble and Alvin Chea, Jégou and the "sextet" burn a capella through a terrific send up of "Lover Come Back to Me." Backed by the swinging Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and a fine Count Basie-like arrangement by John Clayton, Jégou covers the old Benny Goodman horse, "Jersey Bounce" with flair. Things soften with a gorgeously lush rendition of "Baubles, Bangles and Beads" with Maestro Jorge Calandrelli's strings caressing Jégeou's vocal silk. The tone grows funk-gospel gumbo on Allen Toussaint's "Yes We Can, Can" (with Tata Vega joining Jégou) and followed by the highly inspirational "I'm So Glad I'm Standing Here Today." Jégou and her friends soar celestial on both cuts. Across the session, Ms. Jégou demonstrates that she has very strong vocal chops, graceful lyric sensitivity, ace pitch and a killer groove feel. She works extremely well with all the various ensembles large, small and a capella.

That's the sign of a very talented artist. She's got the chops and the breadth to belt out Big Band swinging behind the Clayton-Hamilton unit ("If It Ain't Love," "Just Squeeze Me," "Please Send Me Someone to Love") or to go romantically seductive ("Estate" and "Remembrances"). She's a capella bella on "Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams"" and swings tail on a second send-up of of "Lover Come Back to Me" (both of these with the entire, Grammy-heavy Take 6 crew). Her performance of Bill Evans' classic, "Waltz for Debby" is dynamically dynamic and her take on Randy Newman's country-esque "Losing You" is sentimental, not saccharine. "Where Do You Start" is a Jégou-Calandrelli vocal gem that's as wonderful as Barbra Streisand's celebrated version (which was also done by Maestro Calandrelli). Stephen Bishop's "It Might Be You" from Tootsie (Warner Bros., 1983) is Jégou being pop pure that wraps a fine ribbon around the fifteen prior goodies. Kudos are due to the all-star cast of performers and arrangers, including Jorge Calandrelli, John Clayton, Mark Kibble, Mike Lang and David Paich. The production values all around are impeccable, as one would expect from Jégou and her entire star-quality family. It certainly is to our benefit that Patrice Jégou gave up skates for song. She is a very gifted and versatile talent and it's all here to relish. To paraphrase an old Tennessee Ernie Ford '50s pop tune: "You hear sixteen tunes and what do you get?" in the case of If It Ain't Love, possibly a small golden Gramophone. ~ Nicholas F.Mondello https://www.allaboutjazz.com/if-it-aint-love-patrice-jegou-prairie-star-review-by-nicholas-f-mondello.php

Personnel: Patrice Jegou: vocals; Mark Kibble: vocals (1, 8, 9), percussion (9); Alvin Chea: vocals (1); Take 6: vocals (6) ; The Clayton-Hamilton Orchestra (2, 7, 12, 15); Gilbert Castellanos: trumpet (2); Mike Lang: piano (3, 5, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16) Rhodes (4,14), Ramon Stagnaro: guitar (3, 13,), acoustic guitar (14); Kevin Axt: bass (3, 5, 8, 13); Ray Brinker: drums (3, 13); Luis Conte (3, 13): Percussion (3); David Lang: Wurlitzer (4); David Paich: Hammond B-3, piano (4); Dean Parks: guitar (4); Abraham Laboirel, Sr.: bass (4, 14); Steve Ferrone: drums (4, 14); Lenny Castro: percussion (4, 14); Tom Scott: tenor saxophone (3); Choir (4, 5): Bill Cantos (4), Kurt Lykes, Jamie McCrary, Jason Morales, Melodye Perry, Alfie Silas. Tiffany Smith, Tata Vega; Larry Koonse: acoustic guitar (5, 8), guitar (14); Michael Thompson: electric guitar (5, 8); John "J.R." Robinson: drums (5, 8); Yaron Gershovsky: piano (9), Boris Kozlov: bass (9); Cliff Almond: drums (9); Steve Patrick, Mike Barry: trumpets (9); Doug Moffet: tenor and baritone saxophone (9); Sam Levine: alto saxophone (9); Roy Agee: trombone (9); Greg Phillinganes: keyboards(16).

If It Ain't Love

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