Russell Gunn - Mood Swings

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:52
Size: 116,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:50)  1. The Injuns
(6:30)  2. Park Avenue Petite
(7:36)  3. African Queen
(3:41)  4. S. Crib
(6:32)  5. Night And Day
(6:47)  6. Mood Swings
(6:57)  7. I'll Close My Eyes
(4:47)  8. Blues To Lee
(4:08)  9. Twice Around

At first, it might seem like a calculated stylistic detour hot young hip-hop-influenced trumpeter teams up with a Hammond organ player (Radam Schwartz) who's equally fresh but strictly from the old school. But 2003's Mood Swings is not Wynton Marsalis-style dilettante posing of the "I remember Jimmy Smith" variety; there is nothing retro or nostalgic about this album, although it's firmly rooted in '60s-style organ combo jazz and mostly draws from the hard bop songbook. The opening track, a frenetic 20-notes-a-second take on Donald Byrd's "The Injuns," is as forward-looking as anything Gunn has done. Although ballads like Benny Golson's weightless, lovely "Park Avenue Petite" allow Gunn to explore Miles Davis' gentle tonal palette, it's more aggressive performances like "S. Crib" and the downright funky "Twice Around" that really show off Gunn's abilities. ~ Stewart Mason https://www.allmusic.com/album/mood-swings-mw0000318983

Personnel: Russell Gunn (trumpet); Radam Schwartz (Hammond B-3 organ); Eric Johnson (guitar); Cecil Brooks III (drums)

Mood Swings

---

Eric Johnson & Mike Stern - Eclectic

Styles: Guitar, Jazz, Rock
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:02
Size: 167,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:23)  1. Roll With It
(3:08)  2. Hullabaloo
(6:06)  3. Wherever You Go - With Intro
(4:50)  4. Red House
(6:24)  5. Remember
(4:27)  6. Benny Man’s Blues
(7:34)  7. Wishing Well
(7:06)  8. Big Foot - With Intro
(5:26)  9. Tidal
(6:38) 10. You Never Know
(6:48) 11. Dry Ice
(8:05) 12. Sometimes

Two bona fide guitar heroes in their respective fields; Eric Johnson in the rock realm and Mike Stern in the jazz world join forces to produce the explosive Eclectic, a scintillating musical showcase that brings together their disparate influences in one potent package. Fans of both artists and guitar aficionados will want to hear this unique collaboration. Backed by Anton Fig (James Brown, Miles Davis, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder) on drums and Chris Maresh on bass the group impresses throughout the albums 12 tracks with writing contributions from both guitarists and even a cover of Jimi Hendrix Red House where Mike makes his vocal debut trading lines with Eric on this event record.  ~ Editorial Reviews  http://www.amazon.com/Eclectic-Eric-Johnson/dp/B00MKKZVXO

Eclectic

---

Akiko Tsuruga - St.Louis Blues

Styles: Hammond Organ
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:06
Size: 147,0 MB
Art: Front

(6:27)  1. Funky Mama
(6:34)  2. Time is Money
(5:51)  3. I'm Walking
(4:58)  4. What Now My Love
(5:44)  5. Tell Me About It
(6:21)  6. Cry Me A River
(5:40)  7. St.Louis Blues
(5:41)  8. Strike Up The Band
(5:32)  9. Thrill is Back
(5:17) 10. Can You Do That?
(5:56) 11. The Battle Hymn of the Republic

Standing Shoulder-to-Shoulder with the Best American Players. After releasing two previous albums under the M & I label, Tsuruga's third release is her first with the MOJO label. A hard worker, she has grown and improved with each of her recordings, and this album places her as a jazz organist together with the elite American players. As her career has flourished in the States, it seems that she has perhaps gained a new confidence in her abilities. Her playing is deep, soulful, and reminiscent of the African-American legends of the jazz organ; while her record of performances in New York is remarkable, including engagements at many jazz clubs. 

She is now planning a U.S. tour with Lou Donaldson and Grady Tate, who have both been taken with her playing. As a general rule, tenor sax and guitar fit nicely with jazz organ, and this is how this recording is set up. Here, she is joined by the soulful tenor of Houston Person, guitarist Eric Johnson and drummer Bernard Purdie. These are the best musicians she has recorded with yet. Tsuruga's lively organ is not outdone by Person's veteran tenor sax, in fact she often sounds as if she is taking the lead in the group. Displaying her affinity for players like Jack McDuff, she plays a singing, earthy organ that sounds like it's coming straight out of Harlem. Funky Mama, St. Louis Blues, Strike up!and The Thrill is! are especially tasty. Track #3 and #10 are wonderful originals.

~ Yozo Iwanami   

http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7763622&style=music&fulldesc=T

Personnel:  Vince Ector – Drums; Eric Johnson – Guitar; Houston Person – Tenor Sax; Bernard Purdie – Drums; Akiko Tsurunga – Hammond B3

St.Louis Blues

Akiko Tsuruga - NYC Serenade

Styles: Jazz
Label: Self Released
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:20
Size: 145,0 MB
Art: Front

(6:53)  1. Sister Sadie
(5:10)  2. Arthur's Theme (Best that you can do)
(6:00)  3. When You Wish Upon A Star
(6:38)  4. The Way You Look Tonight
(6:39)  5. Driftin'
(4:38)  6. Portrait of Jennie
(5:46)  7. Easy Walker
(5:52)  8. 24 Mill Street
(6:00)  9. Ricado Bossa Nova (The Gift)
(5:02) 10. Bluesette
(4:39) 11. Gator's Time

Through the expression of her personal song, one is deeply impressed by how sincere she is about her music.~Nobunari Takai

New York-based jazz organist Akiko Tsuruga's new quartet recording features the great Jimmy Cobb together with her familiar guitarist Eric Johnson and rising star Wayne Escoffery on tenor saxophone. Tsuruga selected all of her favorite tunes from her repertoire, and the recording starts off with a Horace Silver number, while tracks number seven and eleven are both original compositions. Tsuruga and Johnson are both presently members of Lou Donaldson Quartet, and Tsuruga writes regularly in her blog of all the fun she has playing together with the group. She is making the most of the great opportunities she has playing with these living legends, and you couldn't ask for any greater experience as an organist. As Japanese jazz fans, it is a delight to see her doing so well. By now, her talent and ability are self-evident.

This recording is a reflection of Tsuruga's success. Known for his playing with the Miles Davis quintet, the Wynton Kelly trio, and many others, legendary drummer Jimmy Cobb's marvelous ride cymbal beat is a priceless treasure. Johnson's guitar and Escoffery's tenor are impressive throughout, and Tsuruga's organ playing feels incredibly natural. Her playing is not a forced rehashing of older styles, nor is it a copy of other well-known players. Through the expression of her personal song, one is deeply impressed by how sincere she is about her music. Her music is clear and tasteful, as well as elegant. Hearing her play from her favorite repertoire, one can feel the hot, swinging excitement that she generates.

~(http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=8201810&style=music&fulldesc=T).

NYC Serenade

---