Love Suggestions - Piano Night

Styles: Smooth Jazz
Size: 119,5 MB
Time: 52:13
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Art: Front

1. Hey Girl (5:11)
2. Treasure (4:18)
3. Come & Get It (5:26)
4. What Makes You Beautiful (4:37)
5. Feel This Moment (4:24)
6. It Goes Like This (5:02)
7. Turn The Night Up (5:27)
8. Clarity (4:34)
9. See You Again (4:37)
10. Mirrors (4:28)
11. My Kind Of Night (4:07)

Konstantin Klashtorni created this series for lovers to spend nice evenings together. Sax Night is the next to come out, probably this year. This collection is more R&B orientated. The first album of this series Piano Night was released in 2013.

Konstantin comments꞉ “I had in mind just a simple instrumental R&B style with nice melodies on it instead of repetitive, closer to rap melodies, R&B artists use to lay down. Smooth Jazz by itself is an instrumental R&B, but with much more elements of Funk, unlike straight SJ. I eliminate that "Funk" element, and instead I incorporate a nice romantic, melodious approach.″

Keeping that in mind the introducing Hey Girl enjoys with a mellifluous and fluid sound pitching the rhythm through a suburban undertone. Treasure comes with a whirring hum preparing the magic of the song marching to your ears.

Come & Get It shares the title with famous songs. This interpretation of the talking phrase remains unobtrusive supple. What Makes You Beautiful shines with a harmonious flute choir and smooth piano play embedded in silky strings. The ideal love present.

Konstantin has a keen sense for melodies flattering your ears like Feel This Moment. Consistent with the principles of harmony the song achieves its impression. It Goes Like This struts anew Konstantin's prowess featuring an array of great sonic synth sounds. Turn The Night Up is the melody for the moment, when you lead your partner down the path to happiness.

The addictive Clarity wallows gleefully in the synth sounds of the 80's. See You Again has the melodious approach of a soulful love ballad. Sometimes I miss this human component even with such a nice horn arrangement. Ancient cultures describe Mirrors as reflection of the shadow soul. Konstantin brings this darkness to the surface. My Kind Of Night struts along on a sax and synth infused vibe.

Piano Night Love Suggestions is a delightful alternative to Konstantin Klashtorni's own series. This album is created with the loving couple in mind.
http://www.smooth-jazz.de/flashback/LoveSuggestions/PianoNight.htm

Piano Night

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Didier Lockwood - Best of Les Années JMS

Styles: Violin
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 74:12
Size: 171,6 MB
Art: Front

(4:45)  1. Juggling in Central Park
(5:29)  2. Polish
(5:07)  3. Tip Tap
(5:25)  4. Cousin William
(2:57)  5. Martinique
(6:49)  6. Round About Midnight
(5:02)  7. Cote Jardin
(5:43)  8. Le Solo
(5:46)  9. Nuages
(3:59) 10. La Ballade Irlandaise
(4:21) 11. Angelito
(2:32) 12. Lune Froide
(6:11) 13. The Kid
(8:28) 14. Pork Chops - Live
(1:32) 15. Zebulon Dance

Didier Lockwood (born February 11, 1956) is a French jazz violinist. He was born in Calais and studied classical violin and composition at the Calais Conservatory. However, his brother Francis made him receptive to forms of music other than the classical and he quit his studies in 1972. Didier was entranced by the improvisation of Jean-Luc Ponty on Frank Zappa's King Kong album and took up the amplified violin. He joined the progressive rock group Magma, touring and notable featured on their 1975 Live/Hhaï album. Lockwood was also influenced by Polish violinist Zbigniew Seifert and Stéphane Grappelli, whom he joined on tour. 

Didier Lockwood in concert (1992)He has also played with Quebecois fusion group Uzeb on their Absolutely Live album. He is famous for exploring new musical environments and for performing various sound imitations on his amplified violin, such as seagulls or trains. On July 23, 1982, in Montreux, Switzerland, he performed in concert with guitarist Allan Holdsworth, drummer Billy Cobham, bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce, and keyboardist David Sancious. Didier Lockwood created a string instruments improvisation school, CMDL (Centre des Musiques Didier Lockwood), in 2001. He is married to singer Caroline Casadesus Throughout 2006 Didier has been touring with Martin Taylor the Jazz guitarist. In these performances it is noticeable to see that he is very involved in improvisation. https://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/didierlockwood

Best of Les Années JMS

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Pentatonix - Pentatonix (Deluxe Version)

Styles: A cappella,Pop, R&B
Year: 2015
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:06
Size: 125,1 MB
Art: Front

(2:35) 1. Na Na Na
(2:53) 2. Can't Sleep Love
(2:57) 3. Sing
(3:42) 4. Misbehavin'
(3:14) 5. Ref
(2:41) 6. First Things First
(3:43) 7. Rose Gold
(3:14) 8. If I Ever Fall In Love
(2:54) 9. Cracked
(3:11) 10. Water
(2:56) 11. Take Me Home
(3:37) 12. New Year's Day
(4:14) 13. Light In The Hallway
(2:51) 14. Where Are Ü Now
(3:03) 15. Cheerleader
(2:40) 16. Lean On
(3:33) 17. Can't Sleep Love (feat. Tink)

Their sharpness and soul made PTX one of the most popular and well-known a cappella groups outside of The Barden Bellas. The vocal quintet takes a creative leap forward here crafting originals with the same energy, detail, and richness that made their cover songs so beloved. “Sing” and “Na Na Na” show that PTX are pop maestros, creating magic with just voice, handclaps, and beatbox. They float effortlessly between styles “Misbehavin’” takes its cues from doo-wop, “Ref” can fit in with any EDM set, and “First Things First” feels like a lost Timbaland track. To close the album, PTX include their takes on pop hits “Where Are Ü Now,” “Cheerleader,” and “Lean On.”~Editors' Note https://music.apple.com/us/album/pentatonix-deluxe-version/1035387084

Pentatonix (Deluxe Version)

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Bria Skonberg - What It Means

Styles: Vocal And Trumpet Jazz
Size: 127,7 MB
Time: 55:24
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2024
Art: Front

1. Comes Love (4:30)
2. Sweet Pea (3:40)
3. Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans (4:13)
4. The Beat Goes On (6:51)
5. In The House (6:23)
6. Cornet Chop Suey (4:44)
7. Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) (5:27)
8. Days Like This (3:23)
9. Petit Fleur (4:35)
10. Elbow Bump (7:05)
11. Lullabye (Goodnight My Angel) / A Child is Born (4:29)

Trumpeter and vocalist Bria Skonberg says the great joy of music has always been in sharing it. “I love to perform. I love to prepare songs in ways that surprise and delight listeners.” WHAT IT MEANS is Skonberg’s heartfelt homage to the music and traditions of New Orleans. Most of the musicians on the album are from New Orleans; Ben Jaffe on sousaphone, singer Gabrielle Cavassa, trombonist Ethan Santos, Guitarist Don Vappie, drummer Herlin Riley, bassist Grayson Brockamp, and saxophonist Rex Gregory.

One of the most famous songs about the Crescent City is, ‘Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans.’ By shortening the title to WHAT IT MEANS Skonberg transforms it into a broader statement, encouraging her audience to consider what truly matters to them personally.

Not everything on WHAT IT MEANS is from the world of jazz. John Lennon’s ‘Beautiful Boy’ took on new meaning when Skonberg had her first child. There are tunes by Billy Joel, Sonny Bono, and Van Morrison.

Skonberg’s wah wah mute is used to great effect on the 1939 jazz standard ‘Comes Love.’ Aurora Nealand’s soprano saxophone echoes Sidney Bechet, but it’s smoother, without Bechet’s gritty vibrato. Ben Jaffe’s sousaphone evokes New Orleans parade music. The mood shifts with Chris Pattishall’s piano solo, transporting the music to Cuba. Skonberg is mute-less and playing beautiful unison lines with the band, and engaging in an animated call and response with drummer Herlin Riley.

Skonberg’s playing is marked by crisp articulation and a powerful attack, perfectly capturing the spirit of Louis Armstrong’s 1926 recording ‘Cornet Chop Suey.’ Don Vappie’s banjo helps preserve the authentic feel of Armstrong’s Hot Five.

‘In the House’ was one of the original compositions Skonberg wrote for the album, and it’s a beaut. It sounds more hard bop than traditional New Orleans jazz, but It really shows off her trumpet chops. I like the way she switches from playing with a mute, and then not. Pattishall’s melodic piano and the bass work from Grayson Brockamp make this one of the album’s highlights.
I have never liked Sonny Bono’s ‘The Beat Goes On.’ Skonberg is a much better singer, but I thought this is a song that should be left to the ashes of history until I heard her band resurrect this sixties turkey and give it life. Rex Gregory’s tenor saxophone has a lot of fun with the melody. Skonberg’s trumpet playing is a delight. It’s obvious she’s having fun on this album. Ethan Santos’s trombone playing adds a lot to this tune.

Skonberg wanted to record some pop songs from her past that she loved, and I respect that. I don’t have as warm a spot in my heart for some of those pop hits from the past. There is a lot to enjoy on Bria Skonberg’s WHAT IT MEANS. It is a wonderful tribute to the music and the history of New Orleans.By Tim Larsen https://jazzviews.net/bria-skonberg-what-it-means/

Personnel: Bria Skonberg – Trumpet & Vocal; Don Vappie – Guitar, Banjo (track 6); Chris Pattishall – Piano; Grayson Brockamp – Acoustic Bass; Herlin Riley – Drums, Percussion; Aurora Nealand – Soprano Saxophone (track 1); Rex Gregory – Tenor Saxophone, Bass Clarinet (tracks 4,8-10); Ethan Santos – Trombone (tracks 4, 8-10); Ben Jaffe – Sousaphone (tracks 1, 10); Gabrielle Cavassa – Vocal (track 8)

What It Means

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