George Robert - Soul Searching

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Size: 172,4 MB
Time: 75:19
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2005
Art: Front

1. Namely You (11:13)
2. Soul Searching ( 8:32)
3. Nostalgie (11:59)
4. African Village ( 9:43)
5. Blue for Trane (12:42)
6. Peace ( 3:25)
7. I've Never Been in Love Before (12:04)
8. Here's That Rainy Day ( 5:37)

Swiss alto saxophonist George Robert shines in this 2003 concert in Lausanne, Switzerland. The influence of Phil Woods is unmistakable at times, though Robert is hardly a mere clone of the American (who has performed and recorded with Robert, while he also wrote the liner notes for this CD).

Joining Robert is an all-star rhythm section consisting of pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Rufus Reid, and drummer Billy Hart. The set starts off with a sparkling interpretation of the standard "Namely You," showcasing Robert, Barron, and Reid. The full band is featured in a driving setting of "I've Never Been in Love Before," while the heartfelt rendition of "Here's That Rainy Day" is a rhapsodic closing number.

Robert penned several originals, including the exotic "Soul Searching," in which the leader plays soprano sax, which he also utilizes in his dramatic "Blues for Trane." Issued by DIW in Japan, this rewarding CD is an important addition to George Robert's discography.By Ken Dryden https://www.allmusic.com/album/soul-searching-mw0000767509#review

Personnel: George Robert - saxophone; Kenny Barron - piano; Rufus Reid - bass; Billy Hart - drums

Soul Searching

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Steve Grossman - Time to Smile

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1994
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:14
Size: 139,1 MB
Art: Front

(7:25)  1. 415 Central Park West
(7:03)  2. Circus
(8:42)  3. I'm Confessin'
(6:48)  4. Extemporaneous
(7:47)  5. This Time the Dream's On Me
(8:39)  6. Time to Smile
(5:49)  7. Till There Was You
(7:57)  8. E. J.'s Blues

This outing is one of tenor-saxophonist Steve Grossman's finest recordings to date. He has mixed together the almost equal influences of John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins to achieve his own style and sound. The program is quite strong with its superior yet generally underplayed standards joined by two of the leader's originals, Elvin Jones's "E.J.'s Blues" and Freddie Redd's "Time to Smile"; also the lineup of musicians would be difficult to top. Pianist Willie Pickens shows a lot of versatility on the hard bop-oriented music, trumpeter Tom Harrell (who is on around half of the tracks) is as fiery and alert as usual, bassist Cecil McBee has a strong musical personality that comes across even when restricted to accompanying the soloists, and drummer Elvin Jones remains in prime form. The main focus however is mostly on Grossman and he continues to grow as an improviser year-by-year. Highly recommended.By Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/time-to-smile-mw0000181523

Personnel:  Tenor Saxophone – Steve Grossman; Bass – Cecil McBee; Drums – Elvin Jones; Piano – Willy Pickens; Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Tom Harrell

Time to Smile

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Jo Stafford - As Time Goes By

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:56
Size: 100,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:51)  1. I Believe in You
(3:22)  2. As Time Goes By
(3:16)  3. Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars (Corcovado)
(3:01)  4. I'll Be Seeing You
(2:57)  5. September in the Rain
(3:16)  6. Somewhere My Love (Lara's Theme)
(3:23)  7. People
(3:54)  8. (I Don't Stand) A Ghost of a Chance (With You)
(3:40)  9. Stormy Weather
(3:01) 10. Try to Remember
(3:28) 11. What the World Needs Now Is Love
(3:49) 12. Silver Threads Among the Gold
(2:55) 13. The Party's Over

Really wonderful work from Jo Stafford  recorded much later than some of her more popular material with a hip 60s sound that's mighty nice! These tracks were recorded at the end of the 60s for the Readers Digest label a short-lived imprint that only issued a handful of original music, but who managed to make some real gems with Jo. And if you think the mixture of "Readers Digest" and "Jo Stafford" is middle America at its best, then think again because there's a depth to these recordings that far surpasses Jo's commercial material hardly ever heard by most, given that the recordings were only issued to subscribers of the magazine! 

There's still some of the warm, sentimental modes of years before but the overall style is a bit more mature, almost boozy at points thanks in part to orchestrations from Glenn Osser, Paul Weston, and Billy VerPlanck. Some tracks feature background vocals and titles include "I Believe In You", "A Ghost Of A Chance", "Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars", "September In The Rain", "People", and "What The World Needs Now Is Love".  https://www.dustygroove.com/item/735359

As Time Goes By

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