Jonah Jones - Confessin'

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:50
Size: 107,7 MB
Art: Front

( 5:39) 1. Love Is Just Around The Corner
( 4:46) 2. Confessin'
( 7:09) 3. Saint Louis Blues
(16:49) 4. Ellington Medley Don't Get Around Much Anymore I Let A Song Go Out Of
( 4:05) 5. The Sheik Of Araby
( 3:37) 6. Birth Of The Blues
( 4:43) 7. Confessin' (Take 2)

Born in Louisville, Kentucky in 1909, trumpet player Jonah Jones turned professional at the age of 17. After working in many bands, he formed his own quartet, the Jonah Jones Quartet, in 1955. He made a string of successful albums with Capitol in the late fifties. After that he rarely recorded again, but continued playing until his death in 2000.

Confessin'

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Giacomo Gates - You

Styles: Vocal
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:22
Size: 126,7 MB
Art: Front

(2:33) 1. Exactly Like You
(2:30) 2. I Can't Give You Anything But Love
(1:46) 3. With Plenty of Money and You
(2:21) 4. I Didn't Know About You
(3:15) 5. The Nearness of You
(1:52) 6. It Had to Be You
(1:52) 7. I Thought About You
(2:37) 8. I Want to Talk About You
(2:12) 9. I Mean You
(3:11) 10. P.S. I Love You
(2:16) 11. Are You Havin' Fun Yet?
(3:25) 12. I Remember You
(4:40) 13. You're Blasé
(2:31) 14. Everything But You
(2:29) 15. You've Changed
(4:34) 16. Since I Fell for You
(3:40) 17. I've Got News for You
(2:28) 18. You Never Miss the Water 'Till the Well Runs Dry

It is an interesting linguistic and grammatical fact that the word "I," capitalized and without its lower case pal's head-dot, appears only in the English language. It is also the most frequently seen word residing in popular song titles. With You the high priest of hip, Giacomo Gates, turns the tables on that not-so-lonely letter and salutes I's near-runner up, "You" with a "book" of 18 genuinely swinging "Yous."

As a jazz singer, Gates has historically been in a sumptuous love affair with words. On over a dozen albums he's demonstrated that he's a "vocalese" vizier and scat-singing jongleur. On this album arguably his best effort to date he and a very involved rhythm section run through "You" tunes in an experience that brings to mind a time when lyrics had a more poetic aspect and pungency; when a vocalist fronting a rhythm trio was a most common format, and when track lengths were produced within strict time limits.

Gates launches the session with an up-tempo take on "Exactly Like You" with surprise contrafacts and scat. His rhythmic play with melody parlayed with his shrewdly toying with a lyric's presentation is at the forefront on "How Could I Know About You" and "It Had to Be You." His takes on "I Want to Talk About You," "P.S. I Love You" demo the vocalist's dynamic range and ability to wring emotional juice from a ballad's lyric. Thelonious Monk's jazz classic "I Mean You" offers a feisty piano solo by Tim Ray following Gates' pointing the finger. A verbal prologue prefaces a very soulful take on the Lenny Welch 60's hit, "Since I Fell for You."

While there are well-known GAS workhorses here, additional gems emanate from You that haven't been heard in ages, i.e., "Are You Havin' Any Fun?" and Ray Charles' "I've Got News for You," (both with scatted solos) and the Mills Brothers hit, "You Never Miss the Water 'Till the Well Runs Dry." All are performed with superior style, subtle humor, and soul. Those unique selections also point to brilliant production savvy.

The dynamic rhythm section is completely tied into Gates' energies and buys in whole hoagie. They're obviously having a ball. Pianist Tim Ray is outstanding, ghosting Gates and slyly answering and feeding the leader with great taste and flair. Bassist John Lockwood is rock- solidly swinging throughout. Drummer James Lattini is hands-down the perfect trio presence. When Gates, as he frequently does, toys with the time or throws in melody-altered triplets, the entire section embraces and joins the parade.

Rest assured this effort is no novelty. There's everything here that ultimately results in a most enjoyable experience. Simply put: You is an ideal way to cure your cabin fever, COVID Blues, or whatever ails you.~ Nicholas F. Mondello https://www.allaboutjazz.com/you-giacomo-gates-savant-records

Personnel: Giacomo Gates: voice / vocals; Tim Ray: piano; John Lockwood: bass; James Lattini: drums.

You

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Manhattan Jazz Quintet - 25-Tribute to Art Blakey

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:06
Size: 123,9 MB
Art: Front

(5:51) 1. Les Liaisons Dangereuses
(9:15) 2. Moanin'
(6:00) 3. Mosaic
(7:09) 4. Blues for Buhaina
(6:17) 5. Quick Silver
(5:33) 6. Split Kick
(7:30) 7. Come Rain or Come Shine
(6:28) 8. Blues March

Manhattan Jazz Quintet, an all-star band led by pianist and arranger David Matthews and a brainchild of Japanese producer Shigeyuki Kawashima, celebrates its 25th anniversary with this strong tribute album to Art Blakey. This is also the super-group's second release from the Birds Records label, following the extremely successful V.S.O.P. which not only became Swing Journal Gold Disc but also won the prestigious magazine's 2008 Jazz Disc Silver Award. In addition to Matthews, the current edition of band features trumpeter Lew Soloff, tenor saxophonist Andy Snitzer, bassist Charnett Moffett and drummer Victor Lewis. They perform the quintessential tunes associated with Art Blakey and his Jazz Messengers, including "Moanin'", "Mosaic" and "Blues March," all arranged by Matthews with a few modern twists. According to the MJQ's tradition, Matthews also wrote an original tune "Blues For Buhaina," a funky blues dedicated to the legendary drummer. The all-star band sounds terrific here. The rhythm section provides kinetic grooves and pushes the entire group. The horn players' performances are inspired and intensely hot! The sound quality of the recording is also quite good. Recommended for fans of hard bop jazz! Produced by Shigeyuki Kawashima. Recorded at Sear Sound Studio, New York, February 27 & 28, 2009.~Swing Journal Gold Disc http://www.eastwindimport.com/product info.asp?ProductId=1186

Personnel: David Matthews (piano); Lew Soloff (trumpet); Andy Snitzer (tenor sax); Charnett Moffett (bass); Victor Lewis (drums)

25-Tribute to Art Blakey

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Lauren Bush - Dream Away

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2021
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:49
Size: 128,3 MB
Art: Front

(5:04) 1. You stepped out of a dream
(6:08) 2. Dream away
(6:11) 3. If this isn't love
(5:35) 4. The shadow of your smile
(5:06) 5. Keep it to yourself
(5:28) 6. Blackfriars
(4:42) 7. You're everything
(6:12) 8. In a mellow tone
(5:34) 9. Spring can really hang you up the most
(5:44) 10. Hopelessly devoted to you

There's no "i" in "team," or so the motivational speakers of the world will have us believe, but as far as music is concerned every effective team needs an ear or two. The team responsible for Dream Away from vocalist and lead artist Lauren Bush to the instrumentalists and producers is well-served by ears and uses them to excellent effect. Throughout this album of standards and contemporary songs it's clear that everyone listens to the words, the music and each other crafting a collection that is very much an ensemble work, albeit with Bush's vocals to the fore.

This is the second album from Canadian-born and London-based Bush, following, at something of a distance, 2016's self-released All My Treasures. It maintains the high standard set by that debut. Bush is joined once again by pianist Liam Dunachie, drummer David Ingamells and trumpeter Miguel Gorodi, with Conor Chaplin replacing Andrew Robb on bass.

The producers pianist Dunachie and Ian Shaw, a fine singer and performer in his own right and engineer John Prestage have together ensured that the album benefits from superb sound, ensuring crystal clear vocals and instrumentation. Bush is an excellent interpretive singer, whether she's giving an edge to the lyrics of "You Stepped Out of a Dream," bringing a laid-back and mellow approach to "In a Mellow Tone," adding a dewy-eyed torch-song quality to the Olivia Newton-John hit "Hopelessly Devoted to You," or engaging in some lively scatting. Throughout the album, the instrumentalists offer sympathetic backing as well as contributing engaging solos.

Dream Away is a consistently fine album, but one or two tracks deserve special mention for the quality of the performances. "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most," a voice and piano duet between Bush and Dunachie, is a delightful take on this well-known number. "If This Isn't Love" warms up the coldest day, Bush's cheerily upbeat vocal driven by Chaplin and Ingamells' bouncy bass and drums (which also underpin Dunachie's equally upbeat solo).

"Keep it to Yourself" music by Geoff Gascoyne, lyrics by Bob Dorough is a gently swinging song, with a burst of scat from Bush, a Dunachie piano solo and some considered trumpet phrases from Gorodi. On "Blackfriars," a new song written by Bush and saxophonist Fliss Gorst about events on a bridge over the river Thames, Bush and Gorst channel the ghosts of musical stars of the 1930s, invoking romantic scenes in a Hollywood version of London that would suit Fred and Ginger just fine.~Bruce Lindsayhttps://www.allaboutjazz.com/dream-away-lauren-bush-self-produced

Personnel: Lauren Bush: voice / vocals; Liam Dunachie: piano; Conor Chaplin: bass, acoustic; David Ingamells: drums; Miguel Gorodi: trumpet; Fliss Gorst: saxophone, tenor.

Dream Away

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Chris Byars - The Music Of Duke Jordan

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:46
Size: 154,7 MB
Art: Front

(6:07) 1. Jordanish
(7:15) 2. Undecided Lady
(6:54) 3. There's A Star For You
(5:22) 4. If I Did - Would You
(5:24) 5. The Bullet (Shinkansen)
(3:05) 6. Gabrielle's Wish
(4:07) 7. Lesson In Love
(6:32) 8. Paula
(9:07) 9. Glad I Met Pat
(6:41) 10. Sultry Eve
(6:07) 11. Table Chess

Award-winning saxophonist, composer, bandleader and educator Chris Byars, explores the music of another bebop great, this time pianist Duke Jordan.

Apart from his focus on composing his own music, Chris Bryars has been highly interested in studying the vast repertoire of jazz composers of the 20th century. His endeavour has so far culminated in 'Blue Lights - The Music of Gigi Gryce' (SCCD31662), 'Lucky Strikes Again - The Chris Bryars Octet Plays the Music of Lucky Thompson' (SCCD31713) and his exploration of the music of Freddie Redd on 'Music Forever' (SCCD 31743). Now to add to this impressive list Chris Byars compiled eleven gems from the book of Duke Jordan (1922 - 2006), who was one of the early and most original bebop pianists. Israeli-born singer Yaala Ballin wrote lyrics and sang two of the Jordan melodies ("Sultry Eve" and "Lesson in Love").

Personnel: Chris Byars (alto saxophone), Stefano Doglioni (bass clarinet), John Mosca (trombone), Pasquale Grasso (guitar), Ari Roland (bass), Stefan Schatz (drums), Yaala Ballin (vocal - 4 & 7) and others

The Music Of Duke Jordan

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McCoy Tyner & Freddie Hubbard Quartet - Live at Fabrik Hamburg 1986

Styles: Piano And Trumpet Jazz
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 127:08
Size: 291,9 MB
Art: Front

(11:15) 1. Inner Glimpse
( 0:42) 2. Announcemet
(14:36) 3. Latino Suite
(14:53) 4. Body and Soul
(25:47) 5. Nero-Terra
(17:44) 6. Island Birdie
(14:43) 7. Round Midnight
(17:10) 8. Blues For Basie
(10:13) 9. What Is The Thing Called Love

Warning! Highly Flammable Material! This superb album, recorded in Hamburg in 1986 and never previously released, ought to come with a caution, so incendiary is it.

Strictly speaking, Live At Fabrik presents pianist McCoy Tyner's trio with bassist Avery Sharpe and drummer Louis Hayes and guest artist Freddie Hubbard on trumpet and flugelhorn. In actuality, Hubbard's power-packed presence transforms the unit into a co-led quartet, as the cover art acknowledges. The 2 x CD album is, in effect, the chronicle of a summit meeting between two giants of post-bop jazz one of them, Hubbard, on the rebound from a fall from grace occasioned by his embrace of fusion in the 1970s, the other, Tyner, a bandleader who had never let his standards drop.

Hubbard exploded on to the scene at the start of the 1960s with a series of Blue Note albums under his own name and that of tenor saxophonist Tina Brooks and lest we forget, Tyner was the pianist on Hubbard's 1960 own-name debut, Open Sesame. Sideman dates followed for the likes of tenor saxophonist John Coltrane, pianist Herbie Hancock, drummer Art Blakey and reed player Eric Dolphy. The 1970s, by contrast, were for the most part a wasteland, as Hubbard hitched his wagon to fusion and the pursuit of big bucks.

Tyner, on the other hand, after spending the first half of the 1960s as a member of Coltrane's classic quartet, kept the faith, metaphorically and literally (he had changed his name to Suleiman Saud in 1955), unencumbered, unlike Hubbard, by the need to maintain an expensive lifestyle which included a heavy late-1970s cocaine habit. But by the mid-1980s, Hubbard was back on the same page as Tyner and keen to prove it. The opening track on Live At Fabrik is a fiery performance of Tyner's propulsive "Inner Glimpse," on which Hubbard matches Tyner's intensity lightning flash by lightning flash, and the temperature rarely drops for the next two hours.

In a 2001 interview with All About Jazz's Craig Jolley, Hubbard said that, back in the 1960s, "Lee Morgan was the only young cat that scared me when he played. He had so much fire and natural feeling. I had more technique, but he had that feeling." Many listeners, including hardcore Morgan fans, would dispute the "natural feeling" part of that judgement, both as regards high-octane material such as "Inner Glimpse" and ballads such as John Green's "Body And Soul" and Thelonious Monk's "Round Midnight," both of which are given emotionally charged readings by Hubbard (and Tyner).

Disc one concludes with a twenty-six minute performance of Hubbard's "Neo-Terra," previously heard on his ghastly Bob James-produced 1976 Columbia album, Windjammer. This time out it makes for exhilarating rather than infuriating listening (although to nitpick, Hubbard's pyrotechnics do at times touch on flash rather than substance).

And so the party continues. Side two highlights include Tyner's high spirited "Island Birdie" and raucous "Blues For Basie." The sound is perhaps a little boomy at times, but that may have been unavoidable in the cavernous converted-factory space of Fabrik which appropriately, the liner notes tell us, at one period manufactured explosives. Tyner and his trio are high impact throughout Live At Fabrik, but perhaps the biggest cause for celebration is Hubbard, back with a bang.
~Chris May https://www.allaboutjazz.com/live-at-fabrik-mccoy-tyner-freddie-hubbard-quartet-jazzline-classics

Personnel: Freddie Hubbard: trumpet; McCoy Tyner: piano; Avery Sharpe: bass; Louis Hayes: drums.

Live at Fabrik Hamburg 1986

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