Marlene VerPlanck - Sings Alec Wilder

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2013
Time: 59:27
File: Flac
Size: 61,7 MB
Art: Front

(3:19) 1. Where Is the One?
(4:07) 2. Crazy in the Heart
(3:09) 3. Love Among the Young
(4:03) 4. I'm Alone Again
(2:52) 5. Please Stay with Me
(2:41) 6. The Lady Sings the Blues
(2:03) 7. I Like It Here
(2:05) 8. Lovers and Losers
(1:56) 9. Remember, My Child
(3:19) 10. Give Me Time
(1:48) 11. That's My Guy
(4:44) 12. (So You've Had A) Change of Heart
(3:41) 13. I Wish I Had the Blues Again
(1:50) 14. No One Ever Told Me
(2:32) 15. I'll Be Around
(3:38) 16. Blackberry Winter
(4:28) 17. The Wrong Blues
(2:42) 18. I Like It Here (And This Is Where I'll Stay)
(2:19) 19. Be a Child
(2:10) 20. Where Is the One?

Alec Wilder wrote some of the most sophisticated and obscure songs. Best-known is "I'll Be Around" but most of his other compositions have been somewhat forgotten except by top cabaret singers. On this set, Marlene Ver Planck performs 20 of Wilder's best works (including the verses). 13 of the tunes were originally cut in 1986 but, for the CD reissue, seven more were recorded in 1991.

Backed by pianist Loonis McGlohon, either Rick Petrone or Doug Burns on bass and Mel Lewis or Bill Stowe on drums (with Billy Ver Planck contributing the arrangements), Marlene Ver Planck sounds in prime form and gives each lyric the proper amount of sincere feeling and sensitivity. A highlight is "The Lady Sings The Blues" which Wilder wrote for Billie Holiday but which had never been previously recorded.By Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/sings-alec-wilder-mw0000616432#review

Personnel: Marlene VerPlanck: Vocals; Loonis McGlohon: Piano; Rick Petrone: Bass; Doug Burns: Bass; Mel Lewis: Drums; Bill Stowe: Drums

Marlene VerPlanck Sings Alec Wilder

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Melanie Scholtz - Seven

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2024
Time: 31:15
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 72,9 MB
Art: Front

(0:39) 1. As Is / This Is Me (interlude)
(3:03) 2. New Skin
(3:15) 3. Remedy
(3:58) 4. Music is the Man of My Dreams
(1:02) 5. Thread (interlude)
(4:51) 6. With Me
(3:00) 7. Same Black Magic
(0:56) 8. Open Heart (interlude)
(4:59) 9. Love Again
(1:11) 10. Very Soon (electronic interlude)
(3:04) 11. Benjamin
(1:12) 12. Very Soon (acoustic)

Seven years is both an eternity and the blink of an eye. Enough of a stretch for individual circumstances to turn on countless dimes, it's also just a brief moment in the sea of existence and the greater, grander scheme. Seven is life itself...yet it's also one of its component cycles. South African-born vocalist Melanie Scholtz is well aware of these contradictions and truths, and, more importantly, the spiritual charge, gifts toward personal growth, well-placed challenges and overall wonder embedded within the number. And she uses that knowledge to outstanding effect.

Seven Scholtz's first release for Ropeadope's AfricArise imprint draws inspiration, stories and strength from the years spent building a new life in New York. Working closely with pianist/producer/co-writer Bokani Dyer, this world-wise artist crafts a compelling program that touches on her experiences, optimism, personal anchors and true sense of self. Opening on a vocal vignette that flat-out states an embrace of identity without filter, Scholtz quickly goes on to address rebirth and renewal on the easy flowing "New Skin." The slick, upbeat soul of love song "Remedy" and slow-grooving "Music is the Man of My Dreams" follow, benefitting from sharp lyrics and polished delivery while highlighting Scholtz's magnetic vocals. Additionally, they draw welcome attention to a tight core unit featuring Dyer, bassist Benjamin Jephta and drummer Marlon Witbooi, and introduce important guests in the mix, like saxophonist Paul Carlon, trumpeter Mark Collins and guitarist Al Du Toit.

"Thread," where Scholtz expands the art of the interlude, uses an African-accented, neo-doo-wop slant to thank the line that pulls her home; and "With Me," similarly appreciative, travels the path of the sophisticated power-pop ballad. "Same Black Magic" sings to an unspoken sisterhood and latches onto the ears with irresistible melodic/lyrical hooks. Miniature "Open Heart" quickly bares itself through name and requests the same before it departs and draws attention to the mellow, contemporary-leaning "Love Again." And two different takes on dream-catching nugget "Very Soon" one electro-enhanced, the other acoustic bookend talks of money matters and materialism on hundred-dollar happening "Benjamin." Seven years in The City That Never Sleeps have clearly been transformative for Melanie Scholtz, and this music, detailing or drawing on that metamorphosis, carries its own life-altering impact. By Dan Bilawsky
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/seven-melanie-scholtz-africarise-ropeadope

Personnel: Melanie Scholtz - main and backing vocals; Bokani Dyer - keys; Benjamin Jephta - bass; Marlon Witbooi - drums

Special guests: Paul Carlon - saxophones; Mark Collins - trumpet; Al Du Toit - Guitar

Seven

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Ollie Usiskin - Trio Zone

Styles: Jazz
Year: 2023
Time: 45:11
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 104,3 MB
Art: Front

(6:28) 1. Steady Eddie
(3:08) 2. Stand Alone
(4:29) 3. Slow Dance
(7:48) 4. Return Of The Jazz Police
(5:14) 5. Messin'
(5:08) 6. Crossing The Ocean
(6:09) 7. Corner Pocket
(6:44) 8. Blue Shift

Leader Ollie Usiskin is originally from London, UK. He studied at Berklee College of Music in Boston & The Drummers Collective in New York. He recently has been on recordings with Mike Stern, Bob Franceschini, John Etheridge (Softmachine), Bassist Antoine Fafard & Paul Wertico. His past credits include Actor Sir Christopher Lee, Supertramp Saxman John Helliwell, ELO Cellist Hugh McDowell, Singer Ian Shaw.

He has toured with Jack Bruce Son Malcolm Bruce & 80's Band The Woodentops in Europe & the UK. Other Artists he's worked with include Producer Trevor Horn, Singer LuLu & members of Alice Cooper, Uriah Heep, Sting, Judas Priest & YES. His Duo Album release With Cellist Max Oliver was given 3.5 stars in Jazz Journal & was assisted by Executive Producer Jimmy Haslip. Ollie and The Trio have been influenced by John Scofield, Bill Frisell, Jaco Pastorius, Jack DeJohnette and Tony Williams. From this, they have created original Modern Jazz and have performed around the London Jazz Circuit.Carl Orr is an Australian jazz guitarist and composer.

He has been based in London since the 1990s, recording and performing with Billy Cobham, George Duke, Bennie Maupin, Eric Bibb, Ernie Watts, Nigel Kennedy, Eric Krasno, T. M. Stevens, Randy Brecker, Gary Husband, Ettienne M'Bappe, Marcus Miller, Mike Stern, Larry Coryell, Ric Fierabracci and Don Grusin. He also performed with Sting on the UK tour of "THE LAST SHIP".Rob teaches bass at BIMM Institute London. For over 25 years, Rob has recorded and performed with Mike Stern, John Etheridge, Jim Mullen, Keith Emerson, Ian Carr's Nucleus, Dick Heckstall-Smith, Mojo Buford, Ruby Turner, and Dana Gillespie. He has been a member of John Etheridge tribute to Frank Zappa " Zappatistas". By Editorial Evaluations
https://www.amazon.com/Trio-Zone-Ollie-Usiskin/dp/B0C32ZZ59F

Personnel: Ollie Usiskin - Drums; Carl Orr - Guitar; Rob Statham - Bass

Trio Zone

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Alex Mendham and His Orchestra - On With the Show

Styles: Big Band
Year: 2017
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:48
Size: 99,0 MB
Art: Front

(2:50) 1. Shall We Dance
(2:25) 2. Let Yourself Go
(3:44) 3. Cheek to Cheek
(2:44) 4. Night and Day
(2:30) 5. Caravan
(2:58) 6. I'm No Angel
(2:32) 7. Jeepers Creepers
(3:20) 8. What Is This Thing Called Love?
(2:54) 9. Anything Goes
(2:54) 10. Nobody Cares If I'm Blue
(3:06) 11. Broken Record
(2:23) 12. Hot Lips
(2:39) 13. The Way You Look Tonight
(3:09) 14. Blue Moments
(2:33) 15. Prelude in C# Minor

Mesmerised from a young age by the music of a forgotten time, Essex-born musician, singer, and lyricist Alex Mendham made a name for himself, having burst onto the scene by forming his own orchestra at the tender age of just 20 (and refusing to slow down ever since!). Alex Mendham spent his youth studying the saxophone and meeting the last surviving dance band musicians from the golden era, living links to the past, including the virtuoso Al Gallodoro, a star of 1920s Paul Whiteman fame. He also spent several years as protégé to Bob Wilber, himself a student of Sidney Bechet. After the initial performances with his Orchestra, Alex soon realised what was needed was an authentic vocalist and frontman. He exchanged the saxophone for a conductor's baton and the rest as they say is history.

Alex Mendham and His Orchestra was founded by the debonair, white-tie-and-tails wearing bandleader, to sweep audiences away with the high style and musical glory of the 20’s and 30’s. He and his Orchestra have turned the music of a golden age into a worldwide concert touring show. Initially, Alex Mendham pitched his wild idea to the owners of London's Savoy Hotel, and the Orchestra embarked a long-standing residency in the hotel's hallowed ballroom. Request performances soon followed at many iconic venues around the capital, including the world-famous Ritz Hotel. This vital early period allowed the Orchestra to hone it’s signature style and sound, playing together each night. Soon, the allure of taking their music to the world-stage became too great for Alex and His Orchestra to resist. Beginning with the now legendary sell out show at the Kursaal Concert Hall in Belgium, Alex Mendham has taken his orchestra to new heights internationally performing everywhere from the lush art-deco Cicada Club of Downtown L.A to open-air concerts in the gothic palaces of Russia, via grand scale events upon the romantic canals of Venice. Outside of their live performances, the Orchestra is a mainstay of BBC Radio, and has lent it's talents to productions for film and television. https://www.alexmendham.com/biography

On With the Show

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