Charmaine Clamor - Jazzi Pino

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:36
Size: 155,5 MB
Art: Front

(7:06)  1. Dahil Sa'yo
(3:26)  2. O, Ilaw
(3:41)  3. Minamahal Kita
(4:28)  4. Lahat Ng Araw
(3:18)  5. Pamulinawen
(3:21)  6. Usahay
(4:59)  7. Sa Ugoy Ng Duyan
(5:06)  8. Pakiusap
(5:03)  9. Minamahal, Sinasamba w/Mon David
(5:13) 10. Matul Nila
(3:37) 11. Dungawin Mo Hirang
(4:55) 12. Ay, Kalisud
(4:32) 13. Panahon Na / Hindi Kita Malimot
(2:26) 14. Harana Sa Dilim
(6:20) 15. My Funny Brown Pinay (My Funny Valentine)

Charmaine Clamor is a Filipina jazz singer based in Hollywood, California best known for melding traditional Filipino folk songs and instruments with American jazz and blues in a newly developed musical genre called "Jazzipino" Born in Subic-Zambales, Philippines, Charmaine Clamor began her singing career at age 3, entertaining passengers in the back of buses traveling to Manila. As she grew, she began providing piano accompaniment while her mother sang kundiman (Filipino torch songs) and English language classics. She didn't move to the United States until she was 16, and grew up speaking Tagalog, singing karaoke, and eating lumpia. Still maintains family connections in Luzon Province, where she visit every year. Has a master's degree in physical therapy and worked full-time as a physical therapist in hospitals and clinics. Volunteers for environmental organizations that promote 'green' living and is a pesco-vegetarian. Originator of Jazzipino, a genre of music utilizing American jazz, blues, soul, Filipino folk music, and other musical forms. She has simultaneously made the top 5 on both JazzWeek’s World (#2) and Traditional Jazz (#4) charts and is the first Filipino-American artist to place two consecutive recordings in the World Music top 10. Has been profiled on NPR's "Weekend Edition" and BBC's "The World." Records in North America under Michael Konik's independent recording company FreeHam Records, which includes the Tony-Award winning Blues great, Linda Hopkins. Charmaine performs at America's leading jazz clubs, performing arts centers, and concert halls. She frequently top bills Filipino cultural celebrations, such as the San Francisco Filipino-American Jazz Festival and the Filipino Library's annual gala in Los Angeles. On September, 2007, at her New York City show, she launched her second album, "Flippin' Out", at the Iridium Jazz Club, with "My Funny Brown Pinay" (to the tune of "My Funny Valentine"). On April 15, 2008, at her Brooklyn debut performance, she treated the mixed crowd to this same theme song/anthem ("Look at my skin – it's brown… Look at my nose – it's flat"). May, 2008, Charmaine Clamor and 8 international jazz artists and bands appeared at the 3rd Annual 2008 Miri International Jazz Festival, at ParkCity Everly Hotel, in Sarawak, Malaysia. In November, 2008, Charmaine released My Harana: A Filipino Serenade the follow-up to "Flippin’ Out," touring America and the Philippines in support of the record. 

In September, 2009, "Jazzipino" was launched with a full fledged promotional tour in the Philippines under the Viva Records label. Charmaine is a founding member of JazzPhil-USA, a non-profit organization that promotes jazz artists of Filipino descent in the United States and has been credited with introducing Filipino culture to mainstream audiences. Charmaine was selected by The Filipino Women's Network as one of the 100 Most Influential Filipino Women in the United States  In May, 2008, Charmaine was noted as a rising jazz star in the United States by LA Weekly’s jazz critic Brick Wahl. Her two-night gig at Hollywood’s Catalina Bar & Grill was Wahl's jazz event Pick of the Week: “She made a big splash with Flippin’ Out its hip mix of beautifully arranged standards and jazzed-up Tagalog love songs took the ‘Filipina Singing Sensation’ into the upper reaches of the jazz and world charts. And no wonder: Her husky, sassy tone, languid moves and unpretentious Pinoy attitude that’s just a tad rebellious have the kind of natural appeal you can’t buy at any music school.” Jazz Times Magazine described her as "a dynamic new compass point in world music." All About Jazz wrote that she is "quite simply one of the finest singers to come around in a long time." Jazz critic Don Heckman of the Los Angeles Times stated that “Her debut album, 'Searching for the Soul', announced the arrival of an impressive new vocal artist.” He subsequently wrote that Charmaine is "One of the important and original new jazz singers of the decade." In January, 2009, he selected Charmaine's debut at Yoshi's Jazz Club as the Pick of the Week in San Francisco. Charmaine has headlined the top jazz clubs in New York, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Atlanta, and Miami. Often, she is the first Pinay to perform at the venue  such as at Yoshi's, in SF. In July, 2009, in San Diego, California, she won the 6th Annual Asian Heritage Award in the Performing Arts which recognizes Asian and Pacific Islander leaders in various fields, including Medicine, Education, Government, and the Performing Arts. In October, 2009, Charmaine won the 12th Annual FILIPINAS Magazine Achievement Award in Entertainment. She was also honored with a special FAMAS Award (Filipino Oscar) for her cultural trailblazing. Charmaine has had two consecutive albums in the JazzWeek World Music Top-10. https://www.last.fm/music/Charmaine+Clamor/+wiki

Jazzi Pino

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Ronald Tomas Nonet - Travels

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:23
Size: 90.2 MB
Styles: World Fusion
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[3:11] 1. Chili Con Pasyon
[3:38] 2. Pandango Palawan
[3:11] 3. Very Early
[4:12] 4. Joselynang Baliwag
[3:54] 5. Dum Da Dee Dum
[4:09] 6. Duyog Sunrise
[4:32] 7. Ground Zero
[3:57] 8. Ramut
[5:01] 9. Natutulog Ka Na Ba Sinta
[3:36] 10. Sinulugang Taktak

A brave kaleidoscope of musical fare from all over the world textured with indigenous Philippine rhythms and melodies over jazz as foundational bedrock. This in essence is the core of what the music of Ronald Tomas Nonet and their full length album “Travels” is all about.

Progressive and at the same time traditional in approach complemented by strong performances is what the group unapologetically radiates in every track. The new “Travels” album is in the “Sounds Like” category of Miles Davis’ Nonet of Birth of the Cool featuring the arrangements of Gil Evans, Joe Lovano Nonet’s 52nd Street Themes, Kalayo, Bob Aves and traditional Philippine Pasyon, Harana, Kundiman, Kulintang and Kalinga music.
Unique in vision and unprecedented in musical treatment, this record is tightly arranged and produced by Ronald Tomas, engineered by Shinji Tanaka and Johnoy Danao and mastered by Darryll Swann (record producer, songwriter, educator and musician who has worked with prominent artists including Macy Gray, Black Eyed Peas, Mos Def among others and has also done substantial work for Atlantic Records, Sony Records, and Universal Records.)

This trailblazing effort has both energy and driving power coupled with class, sensitivity and style thus making the group and the album project one broad spectrum of musical soundscape all rolled in one neat package.

Travels mc
Travels zippy

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Bong Peñera - Samba Ritmo: The Best Of Bong Peñera

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 73:19
Size: 167.9 MB
Styles: Samba, Latin jazz
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[4:46] 1. Beat Contemplation
[7:04] 2. Samba For Luisa
[3:21] 3. Two Themed Samba
[2:56] 4. Batucada Sa Calesa
[4:11] 5. Amanda's Theme
[4:08] 6. Gonna Make Your Day Tonight
[4:31] 7. Tell Me
[3:30] 8. Valse Nova
[5:40] 9. Sa Nova Pa Roon
[7:39] 10. Ode
[5:08] 11. Sinta
[7:22] 12. Rhapsody
[3:47] 13. Melancholy Dreams
[4:32] 14. Love Notes
[4:35] 15. Watery Eyes

Ultra-rare!! Straight out of the Philippines and coming across like a funky Bong Penera meets a LeRoy Hutson production, with smooth, grinding soulful funk and large slabs of flute layered with Brazilian rhythms & Fender Rhodes, Mini-Moog, Arp String Ensemble, Clavinet. Killer stuff!

Samba Ritmo: The Best Of Bong Peñera mc
Samba Ritmo: The Best Of Bong Peñera zippy

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Lani Misalucha - Lani Misalucha

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:35
Size: 139,0 MB
Art: Front

(4:21)  1. Very Special Love
(4:59)  2. I Live For Your Love
(5:04)  3. These Dreams
(4:24)  4. Love Me Again
(4:44)  5. Come In From The Rain
(4:40)  6. Someone In The Dark
(4:04)  7. Never Knew Love Like This Before
(3:11)  8. A Certain Sadness
(3:48)  9. All In Love Is Fair
(5:56) 10. Hold Me
(4:52) 11. Always and Forever
(4:05) 12. Never My Love
(3:13) 13. I Just Wanna Stop
(3:07) 14. Christmas Won't Be The Same Without You

It didn't take long for Filipino singer Lani Misalucha to shed the title of Multiplex Queen and trade it in for the appellation "Asia's Nightingale". During the early years, the vocalist with the exotic looks put in time doing covers of songs made famous by such divas as Celine Dion, Toni Braxton, Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston, and Mariah Carey. By the mid-'90s, critics of popular music in Misalucha's native country were calling her a diva in her own right. She took home an award as Best Singer from the Asia Song Festival in 1998. The following year saw her star shine brighter yet when she took home top honors in the Aliw Awards category of Best Lounge Act. The Awit Awards also took notice. For the single "Can't Stop Loving You," the awards competition gave Misalucha her second consecutive prize for Best Performance by a Female Recording Artist. Also in 1999, she received a Best Stage Actress nomination from the Awit Awards for her starring role as Sita in the theater production Rama and Sita, a three-hour musical. In addition to winning over the critics, Misalucha also won the hearts of a wide and steadily growing fan base, including Manila's President Joseph Estrada, who invited the vocalist to perform during his daughter's wedding and reception.

Music was always a part of Misalucha's life. Mother Esperanza Dimalanta and father Benjamin Bayot sang opera, she as a coloratura soprano and he a tenor. During Misalucha's childhood, her parents emphasized singing practice, as well as an interest in sports. Her sister, May, also grew up to enter the music business. Three more siblings, Karlyn, Novi, and Osi, were also encouraged musically, but none followed in their singing sisters' footsteps. From the age of 15, Misalucha pursued an interest in school drama productions. She triumphed with the top prize from a 1986 singing contest for gospel music, and went on to work in stage productions with the Andres Bonifacio Concert Chorus for the Cultural Center of the Philippines. She continued to win competitions, including one sponsored by the Manila Institute of Religion. Later, at Manila's Philippine Christian University, Misalucha joined the glee club. Holidays, too, gave her the opportunity to pursue her love of singing, such as when she spent Christmas holidays singing at tree-lighting ceremonies held by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, also known as the Mormons. Misalucha still belongs to the church, along with spouse Noli Misalucha and daughters Lian and Louven.

The vocalist's first professional gig came in 1993, when she sang backup in the band Law of Gravity, which was led by Bodjie Dasig. With encouragement from the bandleader and his wife, Odette Quesada, Misalucha started work on her first album, the Alpha Records release More Than I Should. The 1996 debut picked up half a dozen Katha Award nominations and a pair of Awit Award nominations. In 1998, after she performed at the Asian Song Festival, she put out her second CD, which was her first for Viva Records. ~ Linda Seida https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/reminisce/id850038135

Lani Misalucha

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Lani Misalucha - Reminisce

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:41
Size: 126,3 MB
Art: Front

(3:09)  1. Here There And Everywhere
(3:54)  2. We Could Have It All
(3:58)  3. Skyline Pigeon
(3:51)  4. Bridges
(3:27)  5. I Loved You All The Way
(3:35)  6. Love Of My Life
(3:40)  7. Dust In The Wind
(3:20)  8. Tin Man
(4:49)  9. Healing
(3:59) 10. Get Here
(3:44) 11. Where Is The Love / Feel Like Making Love Medley
(3:55) 12. Someone That I Used To Love
(3:24) 13. Whispering Waves
(4:50) 14. Lisa Pa Lamang

It didn't take long for Filipino singer Lani Misalucha to shed the title of Multiplex Queen and trade it in for the appellation "Asia's Nightingale". During the early years, the vocalist with the exotic looks put in time doing covers of songs made famous by such divas as Celine Dion, Toni Braxton, Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston, and Mariah Carey. By the mid-'90s, critics of popular music in Misalucha's native country were calling her a diva in her own right. She took home an award as Best Singer from the Asia Song Festival in 1998. The following year saw her star shine brighter yet when she took home top honors in the Aliw Awards category of Best Lounge Act. The Awit Awards also took notice. For the single "Can't Stop Loving You," the awards competition gave Misalucha her second consecutive prize for Best Performance by a Female Recording Artist. Also in 1999, she received a Best Stage Actress nomination from the Awit Awards for her starring role as Sita in the theater production Rama and Sita, a three-hour musical. In addition to winning over the critics, Misalucha also won the hearts of a wide and steadily growing fan base, including Manila's President Joseph Estrada, who invited the vocalist to perform during his daughter's wedding and reception.

Music was always a part of Misalucha's life. Mother Esperanza Dimalanta and father Benjamin Bayot sang opera, she as a coloratura soprano and he a tenor. During Misalucha's childhood, her parents emphasized singing practice, as well as an interest in sports. Her sister, May, also grew up to enter the music business. Three more siblings, Karlyn, Novi, and Osi, were also encouraged musically, but none followed in their singing sisters' footsteps. From the age of 15, Misalucha pursued an interest in school drama productions. She triumphed with the top prize from a 1986 singing contest for gospel music, and went on to work in stage productions with the Andres Bonifacio Concert Chorus for the Cultural Center of the Philippines. She continued to win competitions, including one sponsored by the Manila Institute of Religion. Later, at Manila's Philippine Christian University, Misalucha joined the glee club. Holidays, too, gave her the opportunity to pursue her love of singing, such as when she spent Christmas holidays singing at tree-lighting ceremonies held by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, also known as the Mormons. Misalucha still belongs to the church, along with spouse Noli Misalucha and daughters Lian and Louven.

The vocalist's first professional gig came in 1993, when she sang backup in the band Law of Gravity, which was led by Bodjie Dasig. With encouragement from the bandleader and his wife, Odette Quesada, Misalucha started work on her first album, the Alpha Records release More Than I Should. The 1996 debut picked up half a dozen Katha Award nominations and a pair of Awit Award nominations. In 1998, after she performed at the Asian Song Festival, she put out her second CD, which was her first for Viva Records. ~ Linda Seida https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/reminisce/id850038135

Reminisce

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Lea Salonga - Blurred Lines

Size: 135,3 MB
Time: 58:05
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Jazz Vocals, Broadway
Art: Front

01. Manhattan (3:37)
02. My Foolish Heart (3:46)
03. Give It Up For The Band (0:44)
04. Blackbird - A Quiet Thing (5:02)
05. The Story Of My Life (4:22)
06. A Song For You - I Can't Make You Love Me (6:09)
07. Fast Car (2:48)
08. I Won't Mind (4:53)
09. Nice Work If You Can Get It (2:42)
10. Possibilities And Prospects (0:23)
11. All Of Me (5:44)
12. Blurred Lines (4:19)
13. Gratitude (1:15)
14. Greatest Hits Medley (7:07)
15. How Do You Keep The Music Playing - How Deep Is The Ocean (5:08)

Known across the world for her powerful voice and perfect pitch, Lea Salonga is a singer and actress who is best known for her Tony Award winning role in Miss Saigon. In addition to the Tony, she has won the Olivier, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Theatre World Awards, in the field of musical theatre. She was also the first Asian to play Eponine in the musical Les Misérables on Broadway and returned to the beloved show as Fantine in the 2006 revival.

Currently, Lea is a judge on the Philippines hit version of “The Voice.” Mitoy Yonting, a member of Team Lea, was named the first season winner. She is currently filming the third season of The Voice Kids.

Blurred Lines

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Victor Wood - 18 Greatest Hits

Size: 127,6 MB
Time: 54:02
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2009
Styles: Pop Rock
Art: Front

01. Mr. Lonely (2:45)
02. Eternally (2:30)
03. Carmelita (2:31)
04. Malupit Na Pag-Ibig (2:19)
05. Cheryl Moana Marie (2:54)
06. Sweet Caroline (3:13)
07. Release Me (3:13)
08. I'm Sorry My Love (2:57)
09. Ibig Kong Magtapat (2:48)
10. I Went To Your Wedding (3:36)
11. Knock On Wood (2:43)
12. Sincerely (4:00)
13. In Despair (3:13)
14. A Tear Fel (2:29)
15. Iniibig Ko'y Nakatali Na (4:43)
16. Once More Chance (2:55)
17. Twilight Time (2:31)
18. The Great Pretender (2:33)

The album is dominated by remakes of American songs. The songs are mostly slow, and the music is mellow and soothing. In addition, Victor Wood's delivery throughout the album is also warm and soothing. He possesses a fine voice, and has much depth and fluidity. The original versions of these songs are excellent, of course, but Victor Wood stamps his own personality here, and makes the songs enjoyable and worthwhile.

Victor Wood was born on February 1, 1946 in Buhi, Camarines Sur, Philippines to Sgt. Kocky Wood and Rosario "Tiyang Saring" Nobleza. His mother was well known in Buhi and neighboring towns for selling herbal medications and perfumes. He studied and finished secondary school at Jose Abad Santos High. His voice earned him various titles, including Jukebox King and Plaka King. In the 1970s, his career bloomed. He loved the adulation and admiration of his fans and the media.

He and his family migrated to the US in the 70’s, where he co-owned four gasoline stations and was into real estate and landscaping. In addition, he managed the $i.5-million Palm Plaza Restaurant.

He ran for the Senate of the Philippines during the 2007 Philippine general election, under the KBL banner, but lost. ~Wikipedia

18 Greatest Hits

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Eddie Peregrina - 18 Greatest Hits

Size: 118,6 MB
Time: 50:08
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2009
Styles: Pop, Oldies
Art: Front

01. What Am I Living For (2:32)
02. Memories Of Our Dreams (3:05)
03. Mardy (2:33)
04. Two Lovely Flowers (2:37)
05. Bukas Ng Lumipas (3:20)
06. Since You've Been Gone (3:09)
07. Don't Ever Go (3:11)
08. Here's My Happiness (2:42)
09. The Wonder Of You (3:08)
10. If I Never Knew You Cared (2:45)
11. Don't Say Goodbye (2:41)
12. Please Love Me Now (3:00)
13. Forevermore (2:11)
14. Your Love (2:37)
15. The Voice Of Love (2:28)
16. I Do Love You (3:09)
17. Together Again (2:16)
18. Ala-Ala Ay Ikaw (2:37)

Eduardo Villavicencio Peregrina (November 11, 1945 – April 30, 1977), better known as Eddie Peregrina, was a singer and leading matinee idol of the 1970s. Dubbed as "the Original Jukebox King," he was most famous for hit songs such as What Am I Living For, Together Again, Two Lovely Flowers and Mardy, among others. He died at the age of 31 after a freak car accident in EDSA.

18 Greatest Hits

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Kuh Ledesma - Unforgettable

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:25
Size: 117.7 MB
Styles: Easy Listening
Year: 1985/2014
Art: Front

[2:51] 1. Fascinating Rhythm
[3:54] 2. It Had To Be You
[3:15] 3. Too Marvelous For Words
[2:59] 4. Singing In The Rain
[4:11] 5. All The Way
[2:15] 6. The Lady Is A Tramp
[3:40] 7. All The Things You Are
[3:34] 8. The Nearness Of You
[2:48] 9. Embraceable You
[3:52] 10. Unforgettable
[3:21] 11. As Time Goes By
[3:29] 12. If I Give My Heart To You
[4:08] 13. An Affair To Remember
[3:43] 14. You'll Never Know
[3:18] 15. When I Fall In Love

In 1985, Philippine female singer Kuh Ledesma released Unforgettable, an album containing time-honored popular songs by such esteemed American songwriters as George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Richard Rodgers, and Hoagy Carmichael. Throughout the album, Kuh Ledesma imbues a delicate strength, delving into the lyrics and giving the songs a sensuous glow. Kuh Ledesma has much talent, and is easily one of the Philippines' best singers. One song performed here is the oft-recorded "My Funny Valentine," composed by Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart. Kuh Ledesma applies an introspective, delicate touch to this beautiful ballad, and the piano adds a warm incandescence. Also performed is the lovely "Embraceable You," composed by George Gershwin, arguably America's greatest composer and his brother, the lyricist Ira Gershwin. Once again, Kuh Ledesma injects a quiet elegance, reminiscent of Ella Fitzgerald's performance of "Embraceable You" on the seminal 1959 recording Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Songbook. Another famous song here is the silky "Unforgettable," a big hit for Nat "King" Cole in the early '50s. Kuh Ledesma is self-assured here, confidently navigating the song's tender nuances. All songs on Unforgettable emote a quiet elegance. The music on Unforgettable is beautiful, and there is a wonderful, graceful ambience throughout the album. Unforgettable achieves international standards, although this style of song does not attract a mass audience. Still, more people should listen to albums such as Kuh Ledesma's Unforgettable. ~David Gonzales

Unforgettable

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Lea Salonga - Inspired

Styles: Vocal, Stage & Screen
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:01
Size: 128,9 MB
Art: Front

(5:55)  1. Who Are You
(4:45)  2. To Hear You Say You Love Me
(3:52)  3. Two Words
(3:59)  4. Sing
(4:40)  5. Waiting For Love
(5:02)  6. My Foolish Heart
(4:01)  7. Do You Hear It
(4:06)  8. Brian's Song
(4:22)  9. When The Winter's Gone
(5:15) 10. When October Goes
(5:11) 11. Land Of The Loving
(4:47) 12. Promise Me

Inspired is a collection of Lea Salonga's personal favorites, including "To Hear You Say You Love Me" (Jim Brickman), "Do You Hear It" (Lani Macaraeg), "Who Are You" (Bill Cantos), and her official wedding song, "Two Words" (Louie Ocampo). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inspired

Inspired

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The Asian Jazz All Stars Power Quartet - Live At The Living Room

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 71:45
Size: 164.3 MB
Styles: Fusion
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[13:54] 1. Carrot Cake
[19:22] 2. African Skies
[ 8:48] 3. This Guy's In Love
[11:49] 4. Wrappin' It Up
[17:50] 5. Tiramisu (For Hino)

The name says it all; four of Asia's leading jazz musicians—Singaporean pianist/organist Jeremy Monteiro, Philippine saxophonist Tots Tolentino, Hong Kong guitarist Eugene Pao and Thai drummer, Hong Chanutr Techatana-nan—combine to produce a powerful, electro-acoustic jazz fusion which draws inspiration from the Larry Goldings/Peter Bernstein/Bill Stewart trio. Recorded at the Living Room, Bangkok during a month-long jazz festival in June 2011 to celebrate the venue's tenth anniversary, this recording captures the quartet in exuberant mood.

After thirty years at the piano, Monteiro returned to his early love, the Hammond organ, in recording Groovin' at Groove Junction (Jazznote Records, 2009)—nominated for an Independent Music Award—and his organ sound leaves a large imprint on the session. Peter Bernstein's grooving, Blue Note-flavored "Carrot Cake" opens proceedings with strong solos from tenor player Tolentino and Monteiro. Gigging with his organ trio Organamix these last couple of years has sharpened Monteiro's organ chops, and his playing is confident and imaginative. Pao in turn stretches his digits, showing the kind of tasteful attack that has seen him work with pianists Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock, guitarist Joe Pass , saxophonist Jackie McLean, and drummers Jack DeJohnette and Bill Bruford.

A nineteen-minute interpretation of "African Skies" pays homage to its creator, saxophonist Michael Brecker. Pao, Tolentino and Monteiro all performed and/or recorded with Brecker, and the quartet really cooks on this free-spirited workout. Tolentino wisely follows his own path on a rousing tenor exploration, rather than trying to emulate the foremost post-Coltrane tenorist that Brecker was. Monteiro ratchets up the intensity a notch with a searching, extended solo before the quartet shifts down a gear, setting Pao loose with the task of bringing things back to the boil, which he does with a fluid, bluesy solo with plenty of bite. Chanutr Techatana-nan's effervescent, driving rhythms are a key to the dynamism of this track, and the quartet's energy throughout the recording.

Burt Bacharach/Hal David's "This Guy's in Love" provides a beautiful oasis of slowly swinging calm, with Tolentino and Pao's lyricism to the fore. Another fine Monteiro solo opens Larry Goldings "Wrappin' it Up," before Tolentino picks up the reins with a snaking solo which gains gradually in potency. This mid-tempo number showcases more measured, though no less impressive playing from the quartet and Pao in turn shines with a mazy run.

Tolentino's swinging "Tiramisu"—dedicated to Japanese trumpeter Terumasa Hino—clocks in at almost eighteen minutes and is perhaps the most ambitious and satisfying tune of the CD. The quartet burns on this hard-grooving number for the first eight minutes. Monteiro then unfolds a vaguely spacey solo over a drone before launching into adventurous improvised waters. Pao's liveliest playing of the session sets the seal on a powerful performance.

Jazz-fusion—for want of a better term—is alive and kicking in Asia, as this excellent recording demonstrates. So far, only Asian audiences have been fortunate to see this incendiary quartet on tour. Hopefully, it will go into the studio with some original material soon and launch itself beyond Asia. ~Ian Patterson

Jeremy Monteiro: organ; Eugene Pao: guitar; Tots Tolentino: tenor saxophone; Hong Chanutr Techatana-nan: drums.

Live At The Living Room

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Kuh Ledesma - Memories

Size: 121,8 MB
Time: 52:13
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Pop
Art: Front

01. I Think I'm In Love (3:22)
02. One More Try (3:56)
03. So It's You (3:30)
04. Special Memory (3:15)
05. Huwag Kang Mangako (3:23)
06. How Did You Know (4:18)
07. Hello (4:19)
08. I Think I'm In Love (Instrumental) (3:22)
09. One More Try (Instrumental) (3:57)
10. So It's You (Instrumental) (3:29)
11. Special Memory (Instrumental) (3:18)
12. Huwag Kang Mangako (Instrumental) (3:19)
13. How Did You Know (Instrumental) (4:18)
14. Hello (Instrumental) (4:20)

Like Whitney Houston and Barbra Streisand, Kuh Ledesma started out as a singer and made a successful transition into films. She has been going strong in the Philippines for almost two decades and has a string of hit records to show for it, more than a dozen of which hit platinum and gold status. She also hosted the Akuhstic Café talk show in her homeland and appeared in a number of films, including her mid-'80s role as Tiger Lili in The Year of Living Dangerously with Signourney Weaver and Mel Gibson. The movie helped broaden her fan base and before the decade was over, she sang at London's Royal Albert Hall and also picked up a Salem Music Award. Her debut in the U.S. market, Precious, was released by Gold Koast Records in 1997 and was aimed at lovers of R&B and jazz. The album includes numbers penned by Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald.

Unlike many singers, Ledesma never had youthful dreams of becoming a star vocalist. She set out to become a nurse, but when schoolmates invited her to become a member of their band, her musical abilities began to attract notice. Soon she was singing a number of solos, and before the year was out she joined another group. Half a year later, she established Music & Magic, her own band. It didn't take long for Ledesma and her companions to snag a record deal. Her popularity took off in a big way, and soon the band was being billed as Kuh Ledesma & the Music & Magic Show. During this period, the vocalist also stepped away from the confines of the band to perform separately, often as a guest artist.

When Ledesma finally struck out on her own, a concert dubbed Ako an Pilipino (I am Filipino) struck a real chord with fans. The event marked the first concert that was entirely Filipino and spawned a successful double album of Filipino-penned songs. Ledesma followed up with another concert titled Inspired Madness. She acted as producer for these concept events and those that followed, which were televised in her native land as specials. A deal followed that made her the Lux Soap spokesperson in Thailand, Indonesia, and her homeland. She went on to perform in the U.S. The singer relocated to Los Angeles in 1990. She has recorded and performed with a number of artists, among them Jack Jackson and Noel Pointer. ~Biography by Linda Seida

Memories

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Johnny Alegre - Affinity

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 63:06
Size: 144.4 MB
Styles: Bop, Guitar jazz
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[6:55] 1. East Indies
[8:20] 2. Groove
[6:41] 3. Guardian Angel
[7:41] 4. Jazzhound
[9:14] 5. Perfect Imperfect
[6:10] 6. Remember Now
[9:56] 7. Vertigo
[8:06] 8. Wind and Water/Stones of Intramuros

The Johnny Alegre AFFINITY is a jazz group originating from the Philippines. It is led by self-taught Philippine guitarist-composer Johnny Alegre, together with bassist Colby de la Calzada, drummer Koko Bermejo, pianist Elhmir Saison and saxophonist Tots Tolentino. The ensemble first gathered in May 2002 at Manila’s Pink Noise Studios for Alegre’s composition, “Stones of Intramuros”, for inclusion in the jazz anthology CD, Adobo Jazz Vol. 1, and thereafter carried on as a working unit. The band’s first public appearance in October of the same year for the Adobo Jazz album launch at the Monk’s Dream Jazz Bar heralded the AFFINITY’s reputation –as described by aficionados in the ensuing reviews— as “Manila’s Jazz Superband”, with a power trio at its core. For the remainder of the year, the group emerged in various guises and personnel variations, manned by a who’s who of luminaries from the Philippine jazz scene.

In 2003, the original quintet that recorded “Stones of Intramuros” returned to the studio to record new compositions by Alegre; followed by a succession of other dates leading to the release of the eponymous album, Johnny Alegre AFFINITY, by the UK-based jazz specialty label, Candid Records. The band was prominently featured at the annual Fête de la Musique and the Korg Music Festival. In November, the Johnny Alegre AFFINITY inaugurated their new compositions and arrangements before an enthusiastic jazz audience at the University of the Philippines Theatre, which was subsequently broadcast, live, on prime time over national television. This national debut performance was also issued as a DVD by the sponsoring Upsilon Sigma Phi fraternity, and had since been included in a historical documentary of Philippine Jazz, issued by the Jazz Society of the Philippines. In 2004, AFFINITY once again became the focal point of two major jazz concert events, the Makati Jazz Festival celebrating its Foundation Day; and the 2nd Manila Jazz Festival.

Affinity

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Mishka Adams - Willow Weep For Me

Styles: Jazz Vocals
Label: Candid
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:56
Size: 109,2 MB
Art: Front

(6:11)  1. Willow Weep For Me
(5:14)  2. Body And Soul
(5:06)  3. Les Feuilles Mortes (Autumn Leaves)
(2:56)  4. On Green Dolphin Street
(4:54)  5. Love Came On Stealthy Fingers
(5:23)  6. God Bless The Child
(4:04)  7. Change Partners
(4:03)  8. The Peacocks (A Timeless Place)
(4:29)  9. I've Never Been In Love Before
(4:32) 10. Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Refreshingly unpretentious and just plain talented, Filipino-English songwriter Mishka Adams makes light work of creating listenable, jazz influenced originals and tasteful standards. ~Time Out, London

'Mint for the mind - balmy and calming...' said the Manila Times on reviewing Mishka's first album. Indeed! This captivating young Anglo-Filipina blessed with that kind of delicate husky voice so pleasing to the ear. As she sings, she blends this roundness and pureness with her impeccable clarity of enunciation and innate ability to interpret songs to wonderful effect. These qualities are abundant in this album which has Miss Adams singing with top musicians both from both continents. Mishka puts her 'gentle subversion' to terrific use in this collection of standards all delivered with a style and panache for which she is becoming more and more renowned.~Editorial Reviews http://www.amazon.com/Willow-Weep-For-Mishka-Adams/dp/B0037FFAWI .

Willow Weep For Me

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