John Patitucci - Mistura Fina

Styles: Jazz Fusion, Post Bop 
Year: 1995
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:00
Size: 141,0 MB
Art: Front

(5:34)  1. Mistura Fina
(3:59)  2. Bate Balaio (Rockson Do Pandeiro)
(4:33)  3. Puccini
(5:43)  4. Samba Novo
(4:05)  5. The Four Loves
(6:47)  6. Assim Nao Da
(5:54)  7. Joys And Sorrows
(4:03)  8. Agua Mae Agua (Water Mother Water)
(5:42)  9. Soul Song
(3:05) 10. Varadero
(4:19) 11. Long Story
(5:07) 12. Barra Da Tijuca (Tijuca Bay)
(2:01) 13. Samba School

John Patitucci, a brilliant bassist best known for his fusion playing with Chick Corea's Elektric Band, leans strongly in the direction of Brazilian pop music on this CD. Most of the selections have vocals, and although Patitucci takes a lot of excellent acoustic bass solos (and there are occasional solo spots for keyboardist John Beasley and saxophonist Steve Tavaglione), this CD is more in the world music than fusion vein. 

The vocalists include Joao Bosco, Dori Caymmi, Kleber Jorge, Ivan Lins, Cathy Brandolino and Kevyn Lettau. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/mistura-fina-mw0000123551

Personnel:  Electric Bass [J.P. Yamaha Six String Bass], Vocals – John Patitucci; Drums, Percussion [Additional] – Michael Shapiro; Percussion – Alex Acuña; Piano, Synthesizer – John Beasley; Tenor Saxophone – Steve Tavaglione; Vocals – Bill Cantos, Cathy Brandolino, Kevyn Lettau, Kleber Jorge, Lou Pardini, Scott Mayo

Mistura Fina

---

Eric Marienthal - Walk Tall: Tribute to Cannonball Adderley

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1998
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:19
Size: 127,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:24)  1. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
(4:23)  2. Work Song
(4:39)  3. Walk Tall
(3:31)  4. Skylark
(4:34)  5. Imagine That
(5:30)  6. The Way You Look Tonight
(4:37)  7. Here In My Heart
(4:23)  8. Sunstone
(3:30)  9. If You Need Me To
(5:28) 10. Country Preacher
(5:01) 11. Unit 7
(4:13) 12. Groove Runner

Contemporary sax whiz and Chick Corea Elektric Band veteran Eric Marienthal has been appearing with impressive frequency on other people's sessions, while occasionally releasing his own CDs. Until now, his more memorable performances have been those he's rendered in service to others. He makes good progress in remedying that situation with his latest,Walk Tall, a tribute to Cannonball Adderley. This program has one foot firmly planted on traditional soil (mostly during the tunes from Adderley's repertoire and a few standards) and the other foot on contemporary turf. Despite the fact that varying amounts of keyboard, bass, and drum programming are added even to the Adderley tunes, it's a pleasing mixture of old and new. The disk opens with a live recording of Cannonball introducing Joe Zawinul's "Mercy Mercy Mercy," with the instrumental track then fading out and the new recording fading in, in a not-too-awkward manner. Marienthal expressively caresses the lead lines while the programming churns in the background. "Work Song" and "Walk Tall" follow, then there's a beautiful ballad rendition of "Skylark." Other highlights include a medium-tempo spirited romp celebrating "The Way You Look Tonight" and the foot-tapping, bass-walking easy swing of "Unit 7." All in all, this is a pretty tasty deal. It's similar in aspirations to theTwist of JobimCD which inaugurated the i.e. music label, that is, placing an artist's work from a previous era in a more modern setting. Some of the contempo luminaries who contribute arrangements, performances, and production to the affair include Harvey Mason, Lee Ritenour, Rob Mullins, Russell Ferrante, Jeff Lorber, and John Beasley. ~ Dave Hughes https://www.allaboutjazz.com/walk-tall-eric-marienthal-ie-music-review-by-dave-hughes.php

Personnel:  Eric Marienthal - alto or soprano saxophone;  Lee Ritenour, Alan Hinds, Michael Thompson, Jeff Lorber - guitar Lee Ritenour, Rob Mullins, Harvey Mason Jr., Jeff Lorber - drum, bass, and keyboard programming;  John Beasley, Russell Ferrante, Ronnie Foster - piano, keyboards Melvin Davis, Reggie Hamilton, Chuck Domanico, Stanley Clarke, Vail Johnson - bass;  Harvey Mason - drums;  Chris Botti, Chuck Findley - trumpet;  Ralph Morrison III - violin;  Luis Conte - percussion;  Kevyn Lettau, Philip Ingram, Heather Mason, Michael Mishaw, Stevie Russell - vocals

Walk Tall: Tribute to Cannonball Adderley

---

Kevyn Lettau - Bye-Bye Blackbird

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:39
Size: 102,5 MB
Art: Front

(4:12)  1. I've Got You Under My Skin
(3:41)  2. Bye-Bye Blackbird
(5:44)  3. I Fall in Love Too Easily
(2:50)  4. Love You Madly
(4:03)  5. It Amazes Me
(3:36)  6. I Concentrate on You
(2:47)  7. It's Delovely
(4:18)  8. Being Green
(3:23)  9. Let's Fall in Love
(6:04) 10. Gone With The Wind
(3:55) 11. Sophisticated Lady

With strings and the gentle acoustic guitar of Dori Caymmi, singer Kevyn Lettau interprets favorite songs for a standards album that's been a long time coming. She first recorded with Caymmi in 1988, before her eight-year stint with Sergio Mendes took her on a whirlwind adventure that colored her life's work with a Brazilian tinge. Possessing a smooth soprano voice that lends itself to romantic interpretation, Lettau gives her audience an armful of class. Songs by Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, Cy Coleman, and Harold Arlen bring her timeless message to a wide audience. Special circumstances, such as "Bye Bye Blackbird" and "Being Green," give the album a heart-melting quality.The singer is at her best with a suave bossa nova or a sentimental ballad. Caymmi's musical arrangements ensure that she's given appropriate surroundings to color each of these pleasant melodies. Rhythm and harmony add a bit of depth, but it's the melody that comes at you full force as Lettau sends her message out clearly. Wordless melodies alternate with sensual lyrics to fit each concern. At times she turns the music inwardly and projects her voice less forcefully, resulting in an uneven session. Rubato passages, such as the intro to "Let's Fall in Love," leave the listener in a vacuum, wondering where all the stars have gone. Each piece picks up, however, as Lettau steers her vocal message comfortably with passion and with genuine interest. Like the smooth sensations that she delivered with Sergio Mendes, each of these lovely standards slips gently into our lives.~Jim Santella https://www.allaboutjazz.com/bye-bye-blackbird-kevyn-lettau-review-by-jim-santella.php
 

Personnel:  Kevyn Lettau: vocal;  Dori Caymmi: acoustic guitar;  Russell Ferrante: piano, electric piano;  Jerry Watts, Jr.: electric bass;  Mike Shapiro: drums;  Paulinho da Costa: percussion;  Larry Goldings: melodica on "Being Green;" Gina Kronstadt: concertmaster, violin;  Peter Kent, Armen Garabedian, Berj Garabedian, Kathleen Robertson, Vladimir Polimatidi, Norm Hughs, Shari Zippert, Pam Gates, Adriana Zoppo, Cameron Patrick, Kristen Fife: violin;  Bob Becker, Miriam Meyer, Novi Novog,  Lynn Grants: viola;  Larry Corbett, Stafanie Fife, Maurice Grants, Rudolph Stein: cello.

Bye-Bye Blackbird

---

Lee Ritenour - World Of Brazil

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:33
Size: 138,0 MB
Scans:

(5:06)  1. Water To Drink (Agua De Beber)
(6:16)  2. Latin Lovers (Incompatibilidada De Ginios)
(5:27)  3. Linda (Voce é Linda)
(4:57)  4. Dindi
(8:47)  5. Stone Flower
(4:59)  6. San Isidro
(4:42)  7. Harlequin (Arlequim Desconhecido)
(4:51)  8. Bahia Funk
(5:21)  9. Asa
(4:20) 10. Windmill
(4:42) 11. E (Yeah!)

Guitarist Lee Ritenour has long been associated with Brazilian styles (especially after playing with Sergio Mendes's Brasil '77 in the '70s), and 2005's  World Of Brazil continues that association to excellent effect. Ritenour's smooth, soulful style lends itself perfectly to bossa nova and samba grooves on this mix of originals and covers (including, not surprisingly, several tunes by the genre's greatest composer, Antonio Carlos Jobim).

But one of the things that makes World Of Brazil such a treat is the host of guest stars, which includes keyboardists Herbie Hancock and Dave Grusin, bassist John Pattitucci, singer El Debarge, and percussionist Carlinhos Brown. No less a luminary than Tropicalia pioneer Caetano Veloso appears on his own "Linda," and his sultry tenor sounds as alluring as ever. With its mix of smooth jazz and Brazilian flavors, the overall vibe of this disc is relaxed, sophisticated, and cool. http://www.allmusic.com/album/world-of-brazil-mw0000408791

Personnel: Lee Ritenour (guitar, keyboards, synthesizer); Lee Ritenour (bass instrument); Djavan (vocals, guitar); El DeBarge, Gonzaguinha, Kevyn Lettau (vocals); Oscar Castro-Neves, Paul Jackson, Jr. (guitar); Dan Higgins (flute); Larry E. Williams (tenor saxophone, keyboards, synthesizer); Jerry Hey (trumpet, horns); Russell Ferrante (keyboards, synthesizer); David Witham, Greg Phillinganes (keyboards); Barnaby Finch (midi piano); John Patitucci, Anthony Jackson (bass instrument); Gary Novak, Omar Hakim, Carlos Vega (drums); Alex Acuña (percussion); Marietta Waters, Kate Markowitz (background vocals); Joao Bosco (vocals, guitar); Ivan Lins, Caetano Veloso (vocals); Art Porter (soprano saxophone); Ernie Watts (tenor saxophone); Dave Grusin (piano, keyboards); Herbie Hancock (piano); Carlinhos Brown (djembe); Paulinho Da Costa, Cassio Duarte (percussion); Gracinha Leporace (background vocals).

World Of Brazil

---

Kevyn Lettau - Little Things

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:00
Size: 91,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:51)  1. Heroes Of The Day
(4:16)  2. You Turn Me On, Like A Radio
(4:07)  3. Little Things
(3:56)  4. Far Away
(4:23)  5. Your Own Sweet May
(4:37)  6. The Language Of Flowers
(4:16)  7. Thin Skin
(5:48)  8. What My Eyes Have Seen
(3:42)  9. Fathers

My 2nd recording for Universal Music, “Little Things” was one of the many blessings in my life. This CD was only released in Germany and Asia. It is truly a band recording and in many ways, “Little Things”, has been the most important recording of mine. I was at a turning point in my life wondering what I should do with my singing. I was under no pressure to please anyone this time which is why I wanted to re-record “The Language of Flowers” without the dance beat! Some have said that this record is “dark”. But like I have said before, each recording is a snapshot of my life and I hear hope! At the time, we were lucky to have Mike Miller playing guitar in the band. He is one of the most underrated players out there. 

Mike plays with a sense of humor that seemed to infect the whole band! I was excited to finally get to record two songs I had written a while before and not felt it was the right time yet to record them. The first one is “Heroes of the Day”, which is so fun to sing and I feel carries a great message! The other song is “Fathers”, which I wrote with Uncle Russ for Michael’s father a week or so before Father’s Day. I will never forget the feeling in the Studio right after we laid it down. We all went into the control booth to listen and there was not one dry eye among us! Everyone knew how important this song was to me. “Fathers” gave me the chance to thank all of the wonderful Daddy’s out there! http://kevynlettau.com/?page_id=259

Little Things

---

Kevyn Lettau - Brazil Jazz

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 46:46
Size: 108.6 MB
Styles: Pop-jazz vocals
Year: 1991/2001
Art: Front

[5:17] 1. Words And Music
[5:16] 2. Secret Code
[4:15] 3. The Whistle Man
[5:55] 4. New Meaning
[5:47] 5. Fruta Madura
[4:04] 6. You Said
[5:41] 7. Miracle Of Love
[3:55] 8. Honeysuckle Rose
[5:13] 9. He's Gone To Travel
[1:18] 10. Tribute

Before signing with JVC in 1992, Kevyn Lettau recorded two albums for Nova: first came her self-titled debut album, followed by Brasiljazz in 1991. On this collection of jazzy Brazilian pop, the singer is joined by guitarist Peter Sprague and percussionist Michael Spiro. A hit at NAC radio, Brasiljazz demonstrated that Lettau was a competent, pleasant singer who could be charming. But it was also the work of someone whose performances could have been more exciting and less conservative. Had George Duke produced a Brazilian-oriented project for Lettau, chances are she would have really soared instead of delivering an album that is simply pleasant. Lettau gets into a straight-ahead jazz groove on an enjoyable version of Fats Waller's "Honeysuckle Rose" and even delivers some Sarah Vaughan-influenced scat singing, but make no mistake: this is a pop album first and foremost. ~ Alex Henderson

Recorded at Slam Shack, North Hollywood, California.

Kevyn Lettau (vocals); Peter Sprague (guitar); Michael Shapiro (percussion, background vocals).

Brazil Jazz

---

Kevyn Lettau - Walking In Your Footsteps: Songs Of The Police

Size: 112,7 MB
Time: 48:26
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2000
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Message In A Bottle (5:48)
02. Wrapped Around Your Finger (4:32)
03. Every Breath You Take (5:47)
04. Murder By Numbers (4:36)
05. Every Little Thing He Does Is Magic (4:18)
06. Walking In Your Footsteps (3:23)
07. King Of Pain (4:14)
08. When The World Is Running Down (0:44)
09. Synchronicity (3:25)
10. Don't Stand So Close To Me (4:34)
11. De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da (2:51)
12. I Burn For You (4:08)

Kevyn is on a journey. Her life and career have always been about movement and a refusal to accept boundaries, confinement or stereotypes.

At the age of fourteen Kevyn left her native Germany for the United States, where she finished high school while supporting herself cleaning houses and studying dance on the side. By seventeen the singing bug had gripped her and she was ready to make the fulltime commitment to becoming a singer. She started working with Peter Sprague singing Jazz, R & B and Brazilian music on the streets of Del Mar, California.

Kevyn sang with local San Diego groups until she was discovered by the famous Brazilian legend, Sergio Mendes. She toured and recorded with Sergio for eight years, as she developed her own very personal vocal style.

Kevyn's first two solo releases were on Nova records entitled Kevyn Lettau and Braziljazz respectively. She immediately garnered critical acclaim and a loyal following both in the U.S. and abroad, particularly in Japan and the Philippines, where she achieved near superstar status. She was a spokes model for a San Miguel soft drink, with multiple television commercials and print ads running there for years.

In 1992, Kevyn signed with JVC Music, where she continued her journey of musical and personal exploration. She recorded four albums for JVC including Simple Life in 1992, Another Season in 1994, Universal Language in 1995 and The Language of Flowers in 1998. 1999 brought the release of her greatest hits collection entitled Miracle Voice: The Best of Kevyn Lettau.

In 2000, Universal Music released Kevyn's Police CD, which was Kevyn's exploration of the music from the pop/rock genre-bending group, The Police. She followed in 2001, with another Universal Music release entitled Little Things.

"I feel like music has to grow and change as I do the same. I hate to have to categorize my music as one style or another. It seems impossible to put it into one small box with a neat bow wrapped around it! My hope is just to make good music one song at a time!"

Walking In Your Footsteps

---

Harry Allen - Dreamer

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 63:20
Size: 145.0 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[4:32] 1. Change Partners
[6:25] 2. A Night In Tunisia
[5:32] 3. Out Of This World
[3:12] 4. The Shining Sea
[4:11] 5. O Morro (Nao Tem Vez)
[6:18] 6. Vivo Sonhando (Dreamer)
[4:58] 7. Dindi
[3:55] 8. Bye Bye Blackbird
[6:11] 9. The Shadow Of Your Smile
[6:24] 10. Silent Motion
[4:30] 11. Estate
[3:35] 12. Triste
[3:31] 13. O Que Tinha De Ser

A collection of Brazilian and American standards mostly arranged by Brazilian guitarist/arranger Dori Caymmi featuring an all-L.A. rhythm section and cello quartet on four tracks and clarinet quartet on one.

Harry Allen - tenor saxophone; Dori Caymmi - accoustic guitar, vocal; Bill Cantos - piano, synthesizer; Jerry Watts - electric bass; Michael Shapiro - drums, percussion; Kevyn Lettau - vocal; Gary Meek - clarinet, bass clarinet; Steve Richards - cello; Susie Katayama - cello; Daniel Smith - cello; Larry Korbett - cello

Dreamer

---