Bob James & Kirk Whalum - Joined At The Hip

Styles: Keyboards And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:08
Size: 144,9 MB
Art: Front

(10:04)  1. Soweto
( 6:01)  2. Kickin' Back
( 5:19)  3. Out Of The Cold
( 8:15)  4. Deja Blue
( 5:47)  5. Midnight At The Oasis
( 7:17)  6. Tell Me Something Nice
( 6:35)  7. Tour De Fourths
( 5:15)  8. The Ghetto
( 8:31)  9. The Prayer

Bob James learned the value of give and take between musicians, along with the fine art of collaboration, from his early experiences on the road with mentor Sarah Vaughan. Later, when he became an artist in his own right, he did more than simply take those lessons to heart -- he built a great part of his storied career on landmark duet recordings with David Sanborn, Earl Klugh, and Fourplay. Remembering what it was like to be young, gifted, and hungry to learn, James not only became an icon to a new generation of contemporary jazz performers, but also personal mentor to one of the genre's most respected young players, saxman Kirk Whalum. After many appearances on each other's solo efforts since the mid-80's, Whalum and James are now on equal terms, Joined at the Hip for a project more spontaneous and soulful than most of their recent output. Keeping that adventurous spontaneity going are the duo's inventive support band of guitarist Jeff Golub, bassist Chris Walker, and drummer Billy Kilson all inspired choices neither had previously worked with. 

The fresh approaches of these new collaborators helps make Joined at the Hip unique from any previous James/Whalum recording. Golub is particularly sharp, easing from rock distortion to funky blues while soloing with all the fiery intensity of his own two solo discs on the no-holds-barred "Out of the Cold." He also adds edgy emotion to the dark tones of "Tell Me Something Nice." Tilson captures the spirit of the project with his crucial input on the playful "Kicking Back." As James explains it, Tilson sat at his kit and started pounding out a rhythm, which James then noodled over to create the initial framework of the playful "Kicking Back."~ Jonathan Widran https://www.allmusic.com/album/joined-at-the-hip-mw0000073167

Personnel: Kirk Whalum (saxophone); Bob James (keyboards, synthesizer); Kevin Whalum (vocals, chant); Hilary James (vocals); Chris Walker (chant); Hiram Bullock, Jeff Golub (guitar); Billy Kilson (drums)                

Joined At The Hip

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Paul Desmond - Skylark

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1973
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:51
Size: 124,4 MB
Art: Front

(6:10)  1. Take Ten
(9:42)  2. Romance De Amor
(4:51)  3. Was A Sunny Day
(6:44)  4. Music For A While
(5:20)  5. Skylark
(3:59)  6. Indian Summer
(5:55)  7. Music For A While (alt tk)
(5:38)  8. Skylark (alt tk)
(5:27)  9. Indian Summer (alt tk)

Moving over to the CTI label with Creed Taylor, Paul Desmond injects a bit of the 1970s into his sound, obtaining agreeable if not totally simpatico results. Here, the cool altoist is teamed with the progressive-slanted drumming of Jack DeJohnette (who might have been too busy a drummer for his taste), and Bob James' electric and acoustic pianos, with Ron Carter as the bass anchor, Gene Bertoncini on rhythm guitar, and, most interestingly, another individualist, Gabor Szabo, on solo electric guitar. For the first and only time, even taking into account the most inspired moments of Jim Hall, Desmond is not the most interesting soloist on his own record, for it is Szabo who most consistently draws you in with his mesmerizing incantations over vamps from the rhythm section. 

For those who missed it the first time, Desmond remakes "Take Ten" without the Middle Eastern elements "Romance de Amor" is eventually dominated by Szabo, and the inclusion of "Was a Sunny Day" proves that Desmond's involvement with the music of Paul Simon in 1970 was not a passing infatuation. Don Sebesky is credited with the "arrangements" but his orchestrating hand is not felt except for a single solo cello (George Ricci) in an adaptation of Purcell ("Music for a While"). It's a cautious change of pace for Desmond, although the fiercer context into which he was placed doesn't really fire his imagination. ~ Richard S.Ginell http://www.allmusic.com/album/skylark-mw0000651923

Personnel: Paul Desmond (alto saxophone); Gabor Szabo, Gene Bertoncini (guitar); George Ricci (cello); Hilary James , Bob James (piano, electric piano); Jack DeJohnette (drums); Ralph MacDonald (percussion).

Skylark

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Kevin Mahogany - My Romance

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 1998
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:12
Size: 110,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:24)  1. Teach Me Tonight
(4:44)  2. Everything I have is Yours
(4:21)  3. My Romance
(3:55)  4. I Know You Know
(4:11)  5. Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight
(4:11)  6. Stariway to the Stars
(4:43)  7. May I Come in?
(4:46)  8. Wild Honey
(4:55)  9. I Apologize
(4:03) 10. How Did She Look?
(3:55) 11. Lush Life

Saxophonists Kirk Whalum and Michael Brecker lend a helping hand on singer Kevin Mahogany’s ballad album. It’s a romantic session with piano trio and expressive melodies. Mahogany experiences a few pitch problems on the title track; the arrangement leaves his voice out front and naked. Bass and drums sit out that one, and the result is one of vulnerability for the singer; not an uncommon event when the topic of romance comes along. Elsewhere, his husky baritone voice blends well with the piano trio and saxophones. "Lush Life," the other exception, finds vocalist and pianist in a serious moment, keeping the romantic fires burning in a pared-down setting.

Mahogany is at his best belting out the blues message, as he does with Michael Brecker’s help on Lyle Lovett’s "I Know You Know." The saxophonist returns for "May I Come In?" with a confident air that adds a swagger to the steps of the ballad. Mahogany relates the lyrics’ apologetic message, leaving no doubts about the meaning. James Taylor’s expressive ballad "Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" serves to demonstrate Mahogany’s main strength: telling stories from the heart in a convincing manner. Keeping up with the romantic mood of the album, Kilson accompanies "Everything I Have is Yours" with hands on the drums. The piano trio and vocalist have assembled this romance album with care, and the result is a volume of stories that serve as the optimal candlelight dinner aura.~ Jim Santella http://www.allaboutjazz.com/my-romance-kevin-mahogany-warner-bros-review-by-jim-santella.php

Personnel: Kevin Mahogany (vocals); Yergenia Strenger, Laura Seaton (violin); Sue Pray, Nick Cords (viola); Eugene J. Moye, Sarah Seiver (cello); Kirk Whalum, Michael Brecker (tenor saxophone); Hilary James (piano); Billy Kilson (drums).

My Romance

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Hilary James - Storm Warning

Styles:  Folk

Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:04
Size: 110,9 MB
Art: Front

(4:04)  1. Storm Warning Feat. Bob James
(4:45)  2. Can't Smile Without You
(4:26)  3. Nobody Wins
(4:13)  4. Speak My Heart
(3:59)  5. Hands on the Wheel
(5:16)  6. Lay Down with You
(4:24)  7. Behind the Mask
(4:36)  8. Come to Me
(4:01)  9. Falling into You
(3:58) 10. Serenade
(4:16) 11. Fill the Picture

One of the most stirring female voices in contemporary British folk music belongs to Hilary James. A former member of western swing band, Slim Panatella And The Mellow Virginians and children's music duo, Musical Mystery Tour, James has been embraced by the upper echelon of England's folk musicians. Her third solo album, Bluesy, released in 1999, featured instrumental support from drummer Dave Mattacks (Fairport Convention, Richard Thompson Band and Jethro Tull), guitarist/vocalist Ian Campbell (The Ian Campbell Folk Group) and her long-time collaborator Simon Mayor on fiddle, mandolin and guitar. According to Rock'N'Reel, "As a singer of folksongs, Hilary James has no peers". While the majority of her repertoire is comprised of traditional Irish and Scottish fiddle tunes and ballads, James is equally impressive singing musical theater and pop tunes by Irving Berlin and George Gershwin and classical pieces by Vivaldi and Handel. 

James first attracted attention during the four years that she studied Fine Art at Reading University. In addition to running the university folk club, she performed at the Edinburgh Festival with the school's drama society. Training to be a teacher, following her graduation, James became concerned with the lack of quality children's music in England. Together with Mayor, she formed Musical Magical Tour to perform for youngsters in theaters, arts centers and schools. The duo released the first of five albums, Gobble! Gobble! Gobble! Gobble! Gobble!, in 1985. They remained together through 1991. James' debut album for adults, Burning Sun, released in 1983, became a top ten hit on BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2. While Folk Roots called the album, "beautifully arranged, peformed and recorded", Dirty Linen praised James for her "warm and sweet dulcet tones". James' second adult album, Love, Lust & Loss, focused on traditional ballads from England, Ireland and Scotland with James accompanied by pianist Beryl Marriott. ~ Bio   https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/hilary-james/id40756993#fullText

storm warning

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