Vanessa Rubin - Soul Eyes

Styles: Jazz, Vocal

Year: 1992

File: MP3@320K/s

Time: 53:11

Size: 122,1 MB

Art: Front

(5:18)  1. I've Got The World On A String

(3:16)  2. When We Were One

(5:51)  3. Soul Eyes

(8:13)  4. Tenderly

(4:00)  5. Giant Steps

(4:47)  6. Autumn

(6:35)  7. Willow Weep For Me

(6:01)  8. Voyager II

(5:24)  9. Wait For Love

(3:42) 10. Dearly Beloved

Vanessa Rubin at the time of her Novus debut had been a high-school English teacher for seven years. This CD was a good start for her singing career although the results are a little mixed. Rubin displays an attractive voice (sounding great when holding long notes) but at this point in time ballads were not her strong point (on "When We Were One" she recalls Barbra Streisand). In addition, producer Onaje Allan Gumbs cannot resist gumming up the works in a few places with phony strings from his keyboards; he funks up what may be the initial vocal version of Mal Waldron's classic "Soul Eyes" along with a slower-than-usual "Giant Steps." On the plus side, Rubin's workout on a flagwaving "I've Got the World on a String" is enjoyable, the backup crew (which includes pianist Kirk Lightsey, trumpeter Eddie Allen and saxophonist Roger Byam) get occasional solos and the singer does a fine tribute to Sarah Vaughan on "Tenderly." This was a worthwhile debut but Vanessa Rubin's best work would be in the future. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/soul-eyes-mw0000273378

Personnel: Vanessa Rubin (Vocals); Eddie Allen Trumpet, Flugelhorn;  Roger Byam Sax (Alto), Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor);  Kirk Lightsey Piano;  Cecil McBee Bass;  Lewis Nash Drums

Soul Eyes  

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The Ahmad Jamal Trio - Chamber Music Of The New Jazz

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1961
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:39
Size: 82,0 MB
Art: Front

(4:39) 1. New Rhumba
(4:23) 2. A Foggy Day
(3:15) 3. All Of You
(3:00) 4. It Ain't Necessarily So
(3:25) 5. I Don't Wanna Be Kissed (By Anyone But You)
(4:50) 6. I Get A Kick Of You
(4:52) 7. Jeff
(3:10) 8. Darn That Dream
(4:01) 9. Spring Is Here

This album is unusual in two ways. Because pianist Ahmad Jamal would soon become famous for his piano/bass/drums trios, it is often forgotten that, up until 1956, his group consisted of bassist Israel Crosby and guitarist Ray Crawford. Crawford's percussive hitting of his guitar would soon be utilized by Herb Ellis in Oscar Peterson's Trio. And, although it is know that Miles Davis listened closely to Jamal and often "borrowed" his repertoire, few probably realize that Gil Evans based some of his famous arrangements on Jamal's interpretations.

A comparison of "New Rumba" and "Medley" (which is really "I Don't Want To Be Kissed") on this album with Evans' version for Miles Ahead in 1957 sounds nearly identical despite the very different personnel. It is a pity that Jamal would soon change his group's instrumentation since his communication with Crawford and Crosby (heard here on such tunes as "A Foggy Day," "All of You," "I Get a Kick out of You" and "Spring Is Here") was often magical, but he would soon gain great popularity with the upcoming guitarless trio (which was just as telepathic).~Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/chamber-music-of-the-new-jazz-mw0000656533

Personnel: Piano – Ahmad Jamal; Double Bass – Israel Crosby; Guitar – Ray Crawford

Chamber Music Of The New Jazz

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Marilyn Scott - The Landscape

Styles: Vocal
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:09
Size: 83,3 MB
Art: Front

(5:09) 1. Thrown out into Space, Butterfly
(4:23) 2. The Landscape
(4:03) 3. Summer Night
(7:01) 4. Irreplaceable
(4:51) 5. Tomorrow
(4:30) 6. Unzip
(6:09) 7. The Sun

A native of southern California, vocalist Marilyn Scott counts among her earliest influences, artists Aretha Franklin, Donny Hathaway, Etta James, Jean Carn and Andy Bey. She began performing in local clubs and fronted soul-jazz bands around the San Francisco Bay area. Among the many friends she made were the guys of Tower of Power, who gave her the opportunity to do backing session vocals with the Oakland-based band. Those recording sessions steered her to making her way back to Los Angeles as a studio session singer, where she performed with musicians and groups including Spyro Gyra, Yellowjackets, Hiroshima, John Mayall, Etta James, Bobby Caldwell and Bobby Womack.

Scott’s first recording in 1977, as a solo artist, was a single version of Brian Wilson’s “God Only Knows”, which led to her first album, Dreams of Tomorrow, on Atco/Atlantic. Her discography continued with, 1983 Without Warning, Polygram, 1991 and 1992 Sin-Drome recordings, Smile and Sky Dancing. 1996 and 1998 Warner Bros. releases of Take Me with You and Avenues of Love. The Japanese Venus Records recording, Every Time We Say Goodbye, in 2008.

Marilyn moved to Prana Entertainment and released from 2001 to 2017, Walking With Strangers, Nightcap, Handpicked, Innocent of Nothing, Get Christmas Started and Standard Blue in 2017. Her 2022 release on Blue Canoe Records marks her most recent release, The Landscape. She has combined her interest in neo-soul, jazz and Brazilian music. She has collaborated with Dori Caymmi, George Duke, Russell Ferrante, Bob James, Jimmy Haslip, Brenda Russell, Bob Mintzer, Perri Sisters, Terri Lyne Carrington, Patrice Rushen and Scott Kinsey.

Marilyn is best known for her Grammy-nominated work as a contemporary jazz vocalist and singer songwriter. As the years have progressed, she has dived deeper into jazz writing and interpretations. Collaborations with many acclaimed artists and musicians have opened and widened her range in a music that’s rich in texture and complexity. https://marilynscott.com/bio-lyrics/#1651100400816-3811bf3e-4475

The Landscape

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