David Benoit - Here's To You, Charlie Brown: 50 Great Years!

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2000
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:54
Size: 96,6 MB
Art: Front

(3:06)  1. Linus and Lucy
(4:18)  2. Charlie Brown Theme
(4:38)  3. Pebble Beach
(4:30)  4. Linus Tells Charlie
(4:34)  5. Frieda
(5:17)  6. Christmas Time Is Here
(3:08)  7. Getting Ready
(4:05)  8. Blue Charlie Brown
(4:28)  9. Red Baron
(3:47) 10. Happiness

An album of Peanuts-related music performed by David Benoit is a no-brainer, not only because of the retirement and death of Charles Schultz, who drew the comic strip, but also because Benoit has in recent years taken over writing the music for the ongoing series of shows, which were scored originally by Vince Guaraldi. Benoit emphasizes his predecessor by devoting seven of the album's ten tracks to Guaraldi compositions. Unfortunately, he begins with one of those exercises in necrophilia that is usually the province of the less-talented progeny of great singers, overdubbing a few of his own unnecessary noodlings on the original recording of "Linus and Lucy." Fortunately, things improve after that, as the trio of Benoit, bassist Christian McBride, and drummer Peter Erskine is joined by a series of high-profile guest musicians: guitarist Marc Antoine on "Pebble Beach" and "Red Baron"; trumpeter Chris Botti on Benoit's "Linus Tells Charlie"; saxophonist Michael Brecker on "Freda"; and guitarist Russell Malone on "Blue Charlie Brown." Despite the spring release date, the inclusion of the near-standard "Christmas Time Is Here" is inevitable, and here it's sung by Take 6. In an inspired move, the album closes with Al Jarreau's winsome take on "Happiness," a song from the stage musical You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. All in all, this is a pleasant, if minor, addition to Benoit's catalog. ~ William Ruhlmann http://www.allmusic.com/album/heres-to-you-charlie-brown-50-great-years%21-mw0000061082

Personnel: David Benoit (piano); Al Jarreau, Take 6 (vocals); Michael Brecker (tenor saxophone); Chris Botti (trumpet); Vince Guaraldi (piano); Marc Antoine, Russell Malone (guitar); Christian McBride (bass); Peter Erskine (drums).

Here's To You, Charlie Brown: 50 Great Years!

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David Benoit & Marc Antoine - So Nice

Styles: Piano And Guitar Jazz
Year: 2017
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:44
Size: 93,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:23)  1. French Café
(4:50)  2. Penthouse In Copacabana
(3:27)  3. Só Danço Samba
(5:04)  4. Caminando
(3:28)  5. A Cafe Au Lait Bentley
(4:26)  6. All Said And Done
(3:22)  7. Rio Deluxe
(3:39)  8. Puma Trail
(3:35)  9. So Nice
(4:25) 10. Algarve

One of the more popular performers in the idiom somewhat inaccurately called "contemporary jazz," David Benoit has mostly performed light melodic background music, what critic Alex Henderson has dubbed "new age with a beat." Benoit has done a few fine jazz projects (including a tribute to Bill Evans and a collaboration with Emily Remler) but most of his output for GRP has clearly been aimed at the charts. He studied composition and piano at El Camino College and, in 1975, played on the soundtrack of the film Nashville. After recording with Alphonse Mouzon and accompanying singer Gloria Lynne, he was signed to the AVI label when he was 24, recording sets that paved the way for his later output. In 1986, Benoit signed as a solo artist with GRP, a relationship that would last until 2003. 

Albums like 1989's Waiting for Spring and 1999's Professional Dreamer showcase his smooth, lyrical style, while projects like his 2000 tribute to Vince Guaraldi's Peanuts scores, Here's to You, Charlie Brown!: 50 Great Years!, demonstrate where his own tastes lie. A decade after their first joint venture, Benoit and Russ Freeman collaborated on Benoit/Freeman Project 2, released by the Concord-associated label Peak in 2004. For 2005's Orchestral Works he was joined by the Czech National Symphony Orchestra and members of the Asia America Symphony Orchestra. He released two studio albums including Full Circle in 2006 and Standards, which appeared later that same year. In 2008, Benoit paid tribute to some of his musical idols with the album Heroes. The album saw him covering songs by Elton John, the Beatles, Dave Brubeck, and others. Two years later, Benoit delivered the Clark Germain-produced electronica-inflected album Earthglow, and in 2012, he returned with Conversation, which featured the classical trio-meets-jazz-trio title track taken from his "Music for Two Trios" suite.  In 2014, Benoit contributed to former Ambrosia guitarist David Pack's Napa Crossroads set with Alan Parsons, Ray Manzarek, Larry Carlton, Mindi Abair, and others.  Benoit shifted focus on his next outing. Deciding to record an all-originals vocal album, he collaborated with lyricists Lorraine Feather, Mark Winkler, and Spencer Day. Released in the June of 2015, 2 in Love featured Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Jane Monheit. She was also featured heavily on Believe, a Christmas recording that appeared just four months later. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/artist/david-benoit-mn0000635760/biography

Marc Antoine was born in Paris, France on 28 May 1963. His parents bought him his first guitar when he was 11 years old and he developed a passion for the instrument after watching a friend play. By the age of 13, his father was impressed by his growing skill and sent Antoine to Conservatoire de Paris where he would receive classical lessons. While learning his craft, he drew inspiration from his mentors Andrés Segovia and John Williams. Antoine came to a crossroads at the age of 17 at which he had to choose between his hobby of guitar and his profession of competitive swimming. As he'd won several awards through his guitar performances, he chose to remain a guitarist and expand his influences to include local favorites in jazz, rock, Afro, and pop. Marc also played in local bands in Brittany, France during this time. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_Antoine_(musician)

So Nice

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Paul Brown, Marc Antoine - Foreign Exchange

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:41
Size: 93,5 MB
Art: Front

(4:34)  1. Feel The Love
(4:00)  2. Wine Night
(3:49)  3. Flight Of The Conchords
(4:03)  4. Foreign Exchange
(3:35)  5. Brother Earl
(4:22)  6. On The Down Low
(4:04)  7. French Connection
(4:11)  8. What About Bob
(3:45)  9. Sweetness
(4:13) 10. Bridges Of Paris

When two jazz guitarists of different styles, George Benson and Earl Klugh, came together, it was hailed as a success. The formula also worked for Lee Ritenour and Larry Carlton. Now, Paul Brown and Marc Antoine attempt to capture that flair with Foreign Exchange. California native Brown is, perhaps, one of the most established influences in smooth jazz. A producer who has contributed a lot of the cookie-cutter programming for such artists as Boney James, Carlton, and Kirk Whalum, he is also an accomplished guitarist, playing electric guitar on this date. French-born Antoine, who performs on nylon-string guitar here, has performed for such diverse acts as Celine Dion, Sting, Rod Stewart, Queen Latifah, and Benson. He has also composed and performed for several movie soundtracks, including Get Shorty (1995), Demolition Man (1993), and The Fan (1996).  "Flight of the Conchords" has a mild samba flavor. With Brown doubling on percussion and Antoine on drums, this song is part peaceful flight and part relaxing with a drink. Roberto Vally complements on bass and Phillip Saisse has keyboard duty. Antoine leads to start things off, with an uncredited flute enhancing the flavor. After a brief solo by Saisse and another by Antoine, Brown comes forth before trading lines with Antoine to set up the song's ending.

The title song is moderately paced, with Brown and Antoine, who also adds bass duty, harmonizing on the melody. With Saisse again on keys, the leaders are supplemented by the three-piece horn section of Jerry Hey, Bill Reichenbach, and Dan Higgins. The drums and percussion are a bit underwhelming, but the leads and soft horns more than make up for that. Trumpet, trombone, and sax are in perfect sync, while the guitars complement each other well.  "Brother Earl" is a tribute to Klugh. Percussionist Lenny Castro joins Vally, Saisse, and the horn section on this all-too-short piece. 

Brown leads and Antoine answers on the melody. On the second pass, Brown adds a little spice while the horns lay down a not-so-subtle underscore. Vally's bass adds a little funk to this otherwise chill-out song, with Brown establishing a Carlton-esque groove during his middle solo. Throughout most of Foreign Exchange, Brown and Antoine are accompanied by a variable lineup of bassists and keyboardists in addition to the horn section and it works out. While safely within the confines of the smooth jazz format, the songs aren't weighed down by catchy phrasing or handicapped by bland programming. ~ Woodrow Wilkins https://www.allaboutjazz.com/foreign-exchange-paul-brown-peak-records-review-by-woodrow-wilkins.php
 

Personnel: Jeff Caruthers: drums (1, 7), keys (1, 7), acoustic guitars (1); Dan Lutz: bass (1, 2, 7); Paul Brown: electric guitar, percussion (1-4, 6, 8, 10), drums (5, 6, 8, 9); Marc Antoine: nylon-string guitar, percussion (1), drums (2-4); Phillipe Saisse: keys (2-6, 8, 10); Roberto Vally: bass (3, 5, 6, 9, 10); Jerry Hey: trumpet (4, 5, 7, 9); Bill Reichenbach: trombone (4, 5, 7, 9); Dan Higgins: sax (4, 5, 7, 9); Lenny Castro: percussion (5, 7, 9); Tommy Kay: rhythm guitar (8, 9); Greg Karukas: keys (9); Sergio Gonzales: drums (10); Jessy J: flute (10).

Foreign Exchange

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Marc Antoine - Cruisin'

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 40:58
Size: 93.8 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz, Smooth jazz
Year: 2001
Art: Front

[3:41] 1. Mas Que Nada
[4:40] 2. On The Strip
[4:15] 3. Cruisin'
[4:23] 4. Sierra Bella
[4:54] 5. Just Chillin'
[4:23] 6. Java Montmarte
[5:52] 7. Indian Summer
[4:24] 8. Caribbean Morning
[4:23] 9. Fuego

Anyone who's ever seen this French guitarist perform live knows that he has yet to record an album that showcases how truly captivating a guitarist he is. Cruisin' comes close and is without question Antoine's most cohesive and thoroughly entertaining disc. It helps that the guitarist has greatly diminished his use of drum machines and instead works with a live sound, which goes a long way in generating more warmth from his strings than was evident in his previous releases. As the title suggests, Crusin' is a record inspired by summer traveling. It is filled with uplifting melodies and energetic grooves just right for driving. The nine-song CD is something of a travelogue too, with stops in Spain, France, and the islands, respectively, on the tunes "Sierra Bella," "Java Montmarte," and "Caribbean Morning." The disc opens with a smooth-jazz reworking of the Brazilian standard "Mas Que Nada" that features exquisite wordless vocal work from Patti Austin. Drummer Peter Erskine, keyboardist Ricky Peterson, and Antoine's fellow Frenchman, keyboardist Philippe Saisse, also contribute stellar performances. And the work of percussionist Luis Conte also helps make this album a smooth-jazz winner. --Mark Ruffin

Cruisin'

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