Vanessa Rubin - I'm Glad There Is You : A Tribute to Carmen McRae

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1994
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:28
Size: 131,9 MB
Art: Front

(4:00) 1. Yardbird Suite
(6:59) 2. I'm Glad There Is You
(5:36) 3. Midnight Sun
(5:32) 4. Inside A Silent Tear
(5:59) 5. No Strings Attached
(6:29) 6. Alfie
(6:43) 7. Speak Low
(6:05) 8. Easy Living
(3:50) 9. A Child Is Born
(6:12) 10. Send In The Clowns

This Vanessa Rubin release is a tribute to Carmen McRae. Although she cites McRae as a major influence, Rubin actually does not sound much like her and leans as much toward middle-of-the-road music as jazz. Also, not all of these songs are really identified with McRae (most notably "Send in the Clowns" which was largely owned by Sarah Vaughan). The ballad-dominated set does have a reasonable amount of variety, Rubin gets off some fine scatting on "Yardbird Suite" and she introduces an excellent original in "No Strings Attached."

A variety of guests (including Grover Washington, Jr., Frank Foster, Antonio Hart, Cecil Bridgewater, Kenny Burrell and Monty Alexander) only appear on one or two songs apiece and do not make that much of an impression. However Vanessa Rubin's attractive voice is strong enough to carry the music and this release is a step forward for her. By Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/im-glad-there-is-you-a-tribute-to-carmen-mcrae-mw0000113171?1664031000028

I'm Glad There Is You: A Tribute to Carmen McRae

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Martin Speake, Nikki Iles, Duncan Hopkins, Anthony Michelli - Secret

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 2000
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 78:30
Size: 180,1 MB
Art: Front

(5:14) 1. Secret Place
(3:42) 2. Veils
(6:47) 3. The Heron
(6:20) 4. Oncology
(5:09) 5. J.T.'s Symmetrical Scale
(8:15) 6. The Thrill Is Gone
(5:31) 7. Westerly
(5:09) 8. Coventry
(1:53) 9. So To Speake
(5:27) 10. Fly's Dilemma
(5:14) 11. Nikki
(8:05) 12. Secret Wood
(6:53) 13. Willow (For Mick Hutton)
(4:43) 14. Luiza

Secret is a cooperative quartet comprised of British altoist Martin Speake and pianist Nikki Iles, together with Canadian bassist Duncan Hopkins and drummer Anthony Michelli. Their eponymous debut as a unit, recorded in the fall of 2000 in London, is a 79-minute opportunity to hear a new combo. All but two of the compositions are written by Iles (5), Speake (5) and Hopkins (2).

The most immediate reason for celebration is the work of Martin Speake. He has more than a passing resemblance to Jackie McLean and carries the torch of post bop into the new millennium without a glance backwards. His styling is that of a bopper with the fluency of a Charles McPherson in the mid-1960s updated to today's scene. Speake was responsible for the formation of the group and they seem to mesh very well together. In fact, the others record and tour as a working unit as the Nikki Iles Trio.

The album begins in a ballad or mid-tempo fashion, almost leisurely, on the first four tracks. On "J.T.'s Symmetrical Scale" Speake picks it up and interplay with Iles leads into an acerbic solo. Michelli uses brushes throughout on the tune. Speake also plays aggressively on "Fly's Dilemma," followed by a surging piano solo by Iles. B.B. King may have advised all that "The Thrill is Gone," but on Secret's updating of the Brown & Henderson standard, an attractive ballad delivery becomes a funky showcase.

In all, most of the original tunes are fine vehicles for ensemble and solo performance, and the album concludes with Jobim's "Luiza." Since this album, the different group members have recorded on several other Basho albums. Speake has a pending ECM release with Bobo Stenson and Paul Motian and expects to be signed to the label. His duo album My Ideal with Ethan Iverson, pianist for the Bad Plus, was released by Basho in spring of 2004.By Michael P. Gladstone https://www.allaboutjazz.com/secret-martin-speake-basho-records-review-by-michael-p-gladstone

Personnel: Martin Speake, alto sax; Nikkii Iles,piano; Duncan Hopkins,bass; Anthony Michelli,drums.

Secret

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Michel Petrucciani / Ron McClure - Cold Blues

Styles: Piano Jazz, Post Bop 
Year: 1985
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:07
Size: 99,9 MB
Art: Front

(8:39)  1. Beautiful But Why?
(5:45)  2. Autumn Leaves
(6:20)  3. Something Like This
(6:58)  4. There Will Never Be Another You
(8:47)  5. I Just Say Hello!
(6:35)  6. Cold Blues

?Michel Petrucciani's last European recording before hooking up with Blue Note, this set of duets matches the tiny but powerful pianist with bassist Ron McClure. They perform post-bop explorations of four originals (including an ad-lib "Cold Blues"), "Autumn Leaves" and "There Will Never Be Another You." The interplay between the two musicians is impressive, but although McClure plays a prominent role, Petrucciani is clearly the dominant force. Worth searching for.
By Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/cold-blues-mw0000651592

Personnel: Michel Petrucciani (piano); Ron McClure (bass guitar).

Cold Blues

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NILS - Cool Shades

Styles: Guitar Jazz
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:17
Size: 118,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:00) 1. Nine 2 Five
(3:44) 2. Tangie
(3:53) 3. Step Into the Beat
(3:48) 4. Hey Joe
(3:50) 5. Windsurfer
(4:02) 6. Sweet Soul
(3:46) 7. Night in the Algarve
(4:26) 8. Cool Shades
(4:10) 9. Walkin' the Dog
(4:23) 10. Our Last Goodbye
(4:12) 11. Waiting on Hold
(4:04) 12. My Friends
(2:53) 13. The Fade

LA based jazz guitarist Nils has always recorded excellent music on his numerous albums, which I had the privilege to comment with great pleasure. With Cool Shades, he is delivering again this year.

With the exception of one cover Nils has written all tracks, foremost in Munich, where Nils spent his time in 2021 to accompany his father through the last stage of his life. Again many friends of Nils were involved in the making of the album, as the credits show.

The album opens with Nine 2 Five. With routinized elegance Nils' guitar draws us under its spell. Countless years in the service of the audience are reflected in the stylistic confidence.

It means carrying owls to Athens to mention that Nils can rely on a perfectly rehearsed team. Tangie is one of the many examples on which to base this fact. The aptly titled Step Into The Beat is meant in earnest and provides the infectious momentum we so desperately need.

Hey Joe is Nils' reference to the great guitarist Jimi Hendrix, who was so talented and left us so early. With Windsurfer, Nils takes on the sport that is so popular, especially in Nils' new adopted homeland. On Sweet Soul, Nils sets gentle tones.

Every year Christian Bößner from Smooth Jazz Europe invites us to a grandiose festival week in the Algarve. Night In the Algarve evokes the unique atmosphere under Portugal's palm trees. Cool Shades gives itself undercooled and yet remains so close.

Walkin' The Dog is a term that describes the favorite pastime of so many Americans. Nils takes it the funky way. Nils has processed the farewell to his beloved father in the soulful song Our Last Goodbye. If you can't get enough of this mood, Nils delivers with Waiting on Hold a second helping.

My Friends is recognizably influenced by Ed Sheeran's Shape Of You. The album's finale is short and heartfelt with The Fade. The farewell could well have been longer.

With his new album Cool Shades, Nils has once again impressively demonstrated his ability to reach our hearts with just a few guitar riffs.http://www.smooth-jazz.de/firstview/Nils/CoolShades.htm

Personnel: Nils - guitars, synths and programming; Gorden Campbell - drums; Darryl Williams - bass; Oliver C. Brown – percussion; Clydene Jackson - Rhodes; Tracy Carter - piano; Johnny Britt - Trumpets, Flugelhorn; Mike Parlett - saxes

Cool Shades

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