Showing posts with label Robben Ford. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Robben Ford. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

Bill Evans & Robben Ford - Common Ground

Styles: Jazz Fusion
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:05
Size: 129,2 MB
Art: Front

(4:20) 1. Ever Ready Sunday
(5:42) 2. Crabshaw Don't Care
(6:26) 3. Sentimental Mode
(8:11) 4. Hearts of Havana
(4:15) 5. Common Ground
(6:11) 6. Passaic
(7:27) 7. Stanley
(6:42) 8. Dennis the Menace
(6:46) 9. The Little Boxer

MPS is proud to announce the release of the newest project by Robben Ford and Bill Evans, called Common Ground on September 30th, 2022. The multiple times Grammy nominees Ford and Evans have shared the stage in Europe, North America and even Japan and already released a collaborative album called The Sun Room together in 2019 (earMUSIC). With the jazz rock album Common Ground they continue their creative relationship as Evans explains.

“Every now and then, like-minded musicians are able to get together in the studio or on the same stage and create interesting music together. It’s the blending of each other’s influences and styles, and the will to create something new and fresh that can turn this ‘creative meeting’ into something special. I believe myself and Robben share that same ideology. We both love all kinds of music whether it’s classic blues, soul, rock and roll, you name it. This openness to combine different kinds of music and create something musical and special is what brought me and Robben together in the first place. Robben composed some of the most inspiring music I’ve played in a long time. Our writing styles blend seamlessly.”

The first single and title track that was digitally released today features the vocals of popular German singer Max Mutzke, who finds the kindest words for this collaboration. “When I was a little boy, I went to Bill Evans concerts with my father. I listened to his music over and over. Bill has always been a musical inspiration for me. Now he is my friend and that is an incredible joy for me. What a great person. At his request, I am singing a song on his and Robben’s album. It's a dream come true.”

Recorded in Nashville, the jazz rock album features a first-class rhythm section with bassist Darryl Jones (recording and touring with the Rolling Stones since 1993 and former sideman of Miles Davis and Sting) and drummer Keith Carlock (currently a touring member of Steely Dan). It was produced by Bill Evans and Clifford Carter, who also took over the piano and organ on the title track.

Robben Ford about the recording: “It’s always a great and sought-after pleasure to work with some of the best musicians in contemporary music, and making this record was for me one of those occasions. We have, each of us, worked with one another in different configurations in the past, so, there is a comfort level in that. But more importantly, everyone involved is a dedicated musician who’s first thought is to make the best music possible in any situation. Such a joy for me, personally, to play with these gents! Bill and I have worked quite a lot together over the past several years. But, the opportunity given to us by Edel to finally document the music has happily resulted in two recordings that we are very proud of the first being “Sun Room" released on earMUSIC and now Common Ground on MPS.

I feel the music presented here is “fresh" in both composition and performance with all of the musicians being versatile, true improvisers and having a strong sense of groove, as well. These are the qualities that make you want to play! I’m so happy to have been a part of what lead to this record.”

About Robben Ford: Robben Ford is an American rock, blues and jazz guitarist. Ex-member of fusion pioneers Yellowjackets, he is admired for his solo works but also known for his collaborations with giants of music like Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, George Harrison and many others. He comes from a generation of Californian musicians who contributed to eliminate boundaries between different genres, often writing and performing timeless music that will stand the test of time.

About Bill Evans: Bill Evans is an American saxophonist, pianist and producer who has recorded 26 solo albums to date. He has played, toured and recorded with artists such as Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and John McLaughlin to name a few before spending the last 30 years touring with his own groups worldwide and receiving wide recognition as a true renaissance man.
By MPShttps://www.allaboutjazz.com/news/robben-ford-and-bill-evans-new-album-common-ground-out-on-september-30th-on-mps/

Personnel: Saxophone, Keyboards [Keys] – Bill Evans; Guitar, Mellotron [Mellowtron] – Robben Ford; Bass – Darryl Jones; Drums – Keith Carlock

Common Ground

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

Jerry Granelli - Dance Hall (Feat. Robben Ford, Bill Frisell, And J. Anthony Granelli)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:10
Size: 101.1 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2017
Art: Front

[5:42] 1. Meet Me In The Morning
[6:06] 2. The Great Pretender
[8:41] 3. Boogie Stop Shuffle
[4:29] 4. Ain't That A Shame
[4:42] 5. Driva Man
[5:34] 6. This Bitter Earth
[5:19] 7. Never Gonna Break My Faith
[3:34] 8. Caldonia

Featuring guitar greats Robben Ford and Bill Frisell, the material on "Dance Hall" reflects Jerry Granelli’s deep gratitude to the artists who originally wrote and recorded these great songs, and at this point in his life the sheer joy of playing the drums. “The key was not doing covers, but finding songs that were personal to my journey. We kept it as open and spontaneous as possible; it’s about the joy of finding the freedom in the form.”

Dance Hall (Feat. Robben Ford, Bill Frisell, And J. Anthony Granelli) mc
Dance Hall (Feat. Robben Ford, Bill Frisell, And J. Anthony Granelli) zippy

Friday, April 20, 2018

Jerry Granelli - A Song I Thought I Heard Buddy Sing

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:47
Size: 132.3 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz
Year: 1992/2015
Art: Front

[7:39] 1. Wanderlust
[0:38] 2. Smoky Row
[5:02] 3. The Oyster Dance
[6:20] 4. Billie's Bounce
[9:26] 5. Coming Through Slaughter
[6:01] 6. In That Number
[5:06] 7. Prelude To Silence Shell Beach-Lincoln Park
[7:23] 8. I Put A Spell On You
[6:02] 9. Blues Connotation
[4:06] 10. Blues Connotation (Reprise)

Alto Saxophone – Kenny Garrett; Bass – Anthony Cox; Drums – Jerry Granelli; Electric Bass – J. Granelli; Guitar – Robben Ford; Guitar, Banjo – Bill Frisell; Soprano Saxophone – Denny Goodhew; Trombone – Julian Priester. Recorded at London Bridge Studio, Seattle, January – February, 1992.

Drummer Jerry Granelli offers a wide-ranging amalgam of styles and sounds on this 1993 date. The life of legendary (but unrecorded) jazz trumpeter Buddy Bolden is aurally covered through a ten-track, four-part set that sequences songs according to movements; Bolden's world, journey, memories, and an epilogue are the settings, with an interesting lineup that includes torrid alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett, Bill Frisell playing banjo as well as guitar, trombonist Julian Priester, guitarist Robben Ford, and bassist Anthony Cox. It is not strictly traditional New Orleans jazz nor merely reflective or commemorative fare, but an aggressive musical commentary on the Bolden legend. ~Ron Wynn

A Song I Thought I Heard Buddy Sing mc
A Song I Thought I Heard Buddy Sing zippy

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Vinnie Colaiuta, Robben Ford, Jimmy Haslip - Jing Chi

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:10
Size: 153.8 MB
Styles: Fusion
Year: 2002
Art: Front

[8:04] 1. The Hong Kong Incident
[5:23] 2. Stan Key
[9:47] 3. Tengoku
[4:58] 4. Crazy House
[6:14] 5. Going Nowhere
[6:14] 6. Go Figure
[8:44] 7. Man In The Ring
[5:28] 8. In My Dream
[7:51] 9. Train Song
[4:22] 10. Aurora

Colaiuta: drums, programming; Robben Ford, guitars, vocals (5); Haslip: bass, keyboards, vocals (8); Brian Auger: organ (7); Dan Morris: tabla (5); Steve Tavaglione: EWI wind synthesizer, programming, keyboards.

Another Tone Center supergroup strikes gold. Ex-Zappa drummer Colaiuta joins Yellowjackets bassist Haslip and blues-jazz guitar god Ford for a pretty damned satisfactory fusion foray. The big ears and fleet fingers required to pull off music like this are present in spades, and Ford's pedigree revives the blues feeling that's been so often absent in jazz-rock outings.

This is actually a fairly relaxed set compared to some of the barn-burners Tone Center has released of late. The impression is that of three friends who decided to sit down and jam on a hot August night, aware of their chops but more interested in a tempered musical conversation. For the most part the strategy works well, keeping Jing Chi from falling into the usual trap of "sound and fury signifying nothing" that tends to plague fusion albums. Like many jazz combos, this bunch seems most at home with the blues, evidenced by Ford's rapturous wailing on tracks like "Crazy House."

There are some nice diversions here, particularly Ford's crystalline acoustic playing on a tense "Train Song" and his head-smashing metallicity on the opening of Colaiuta's "Aurora." Haslip takes a heavily synthesized vocal on the ethereal "In My Dream," a big change of pace. Colaiuta reminds us that he's a master of all kinds of grooves, his polyrhythms setting up obstacle courses for the strings to playfully navigate. Jazz-rock pioneer Brian Auger adds some hot organ to the cool drive of "Man in the Ring," and his interaction with Haslip at solo time is priceless. Steve Tavaglione's EWI synth and programming are present here and there for atmospheric support, buoyant but unobtrusive. This disc is yet another triumph for Tone Center and the great fusion revival. ~Todd S. Jenkins

Jing Chi mc
Jing Chi zippy

Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Edgar Pagán - What A Feeling!

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 69:04
Size: 158.1 MB
Styles: World beat
Year: 2016
Art: Front

[4:36] 1. What A Feeling!
[3:51] 2. Tito
[4:27] 3. Won't Let It Go
[4:23] 4. Sazon
[5:04] 5. Show The World
[3:16] 6. Serenade Of The Cuckoo
[5:38] 7. Respect
[1:56] 8. Colors Of The Rainforest
[5:25] 9. Dance Of The Rainforest
[3:29] 10. Not So Sudden
[5:02] 11. Groovin'
[5:55] 12. Bésame Mucho
[3:25] 13. Sunny
[1:32] 14. Corazon
[4:51] 15. Before Its Too Late
[6:07] 16. Please Let Me

After many years of leading the Latin flavored band 'Grupo Pagán', Edgar has ventured out on a solo project. With the help of his encouraging musical friends and legendary producer/bassist Jimmy Haslip he presents some powerful originals and a unique take on a few covers. Some will move you physically and others emotionally. Guest appearances by Robben Ford, Jimmy Haslip, Jeff Lorber, Luis Conte, Mark Doyle, Joe Driscoll, Bob Halligan Jr., Beledo, Melissa Gardiner, and Jeff Richman make for a special and unique musical journey. Thanks so much for the support! Peace and Love!

What A Feeling!

Friday, June 10, 2016

Various - At Last: The Blues Ballads

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:25
Size: 156.6 MB
Styles: Blues/Jazz vocals
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[3:40] 1. Mighty Mo Rodgers - Have You Seen The American Dream
[2:57] 2. Marlena Shaw - Anyone Can Move A Mountain
[4:15] 3. Nina Simone - Don't Explain
[2:58] 4. Etta James - At Last
[7:40] 5. James Brown - (I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons
[4:43] 6. Susan Tedeschi - Lord Protect My Child
[4:36] 7. Labelle - Miss Otis Regrets
[6:01] 8. Larry Carlton - Cold Day In Hell
[3:04] 9. Peggy Lee - Black Coffee
[3:04] 10. Queen Latifah - I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl
[7:32] 11. Robben Ford - Life Song
[6:03] 12. Diane Schuur - Someone To Love
[4:52] 13. Lizz Wright - I Idolize You
[4:14] 14. Nina Hagen - What It Is
[2:36] 15. Dinah Washington - A Bad Case Of The Blues

The term blues ballad is used to refer to a specific form of popular music which fused Anglo-American and Afro-American styles from the late 19th century onwards. Early versions combined elements of the European influenced "native American ballad" with the forms of African American music. From the 20th century on it was also used to refer to a slow tempo, often sentimental song in a blues style.

At Last: The Blues Ballads

Monday, April 6, 2015

Robben Ford - Into The Sun

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:12
Size: 96.6 MB
Styles: Jazz-blues guitar
Year: 2015
Art: Front

[3:09] 1. Rose Of Sharon
[3:27] 2. Day Of The Planets
[3:46] 3. Howlin' At The Moon
[3:10] 4. Rainbow Cover
[4:04] 5. Justified (With Keb Mo & Robert Randolph)
[4:50] 6. Breath Of Me
[3:20] 7. High Heels And Throwing Things
[3:33] 8. Cause Of War
[5:09] 9. So Long 4 U (With Sonny Landreth)
[3:55] 10. Same Train
[3:44] 11. Stone Cold Heaven

Guitar virtuoso Robben Ford’s new album Into The Sun (Mascot Label Group) shines a bright light on his artful, contemporary songwriting and the stunning playing that’s made him a favorite foil of Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, George Harrison and other legends. The five-time Grammy nominee describes the 11-song set as “one of the top recordings I’ve ever done” — a staggering observation considering his extensive discography, which embraces more than 35 albums under his own name and with his various bands. There’s also Ford’s session and sideman work, which includes hundreds of concert appearances and albums by Bonnie Raitt, Barbara Streisand, Charlie Musselwhite, KISS, Ruthie Foster, Jimmy Witherspoon and Rickie Lee Jones.

Into The Sun, which follows last year’s critically acclaimed A Day In Nashville and 2013’s Bringing It Back Home, explores the breadth of Ford’s sophisticated, visionary writing and playing, creating a new chapter in his brilliant musical history. The album features a coterie of guests: Allman Brothers guitarist and Gov’t Mule frontman Warren Haynes on “High Heels And Throwing Things,” slide guitar guru Sonny Landreth on “So Long 4 U,” Americana and blues icon Keb’ Mo’ and pedal steel wizard Robert Randolph on “Justified,” vocal sensation ZZ Ward on “Breath Of Me,” and gritty Southern rock newcomer Tyler Bryant on “Stone Cold Heaven.” Niko Bolas, whose credits include Neil Young, John Mayer and Keith Richards, engineered.

“The album is really upbeat,” Ford relates. “It has a positive vibe to it — a good time feel. There are a lot of different rhythms and colors and the way the instruments are used is really different on this. It makes me very happy to have something so diverse.”

Into The Sun

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Joni Mitchell - Miles Of Aisles

Styles: Folk, Pop/Rock
Year: 1974
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 78:03
Size: 179,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:18)  1. You Turn Me On I'm A Radio
(3:12)  2. Big Yellow Taxi
(4:04)  3. Rainy Night House
(4:27)  4. Woodstock
(5:00)  5. Cactus Tree
(5:38)  6. Cold Blue Steel And Sweet Fire
(3:39)  7. Woman Of Heart And Mind
(4:42)  8. A Case Of You
(4:23)  9. Blue
(5:41) 10. Circle Game
(2:49) 11. Peoples' Parties
(3:31) 12. All I Want
(4:38) 13. Real Good For Free
(4:57) 14. Both Sides Now
(3:35) 15. Carey
(4:19) 16. The Last Time I Saw Richard
(3:38) 17. Jericho
(5:24) 18. Love Or Money

Like most live albums, this two-record set was a profit-taking release on which the artist re-presented many of her old songs for a new acceptance now that she had a larger pop audience. Backed by the pop-jazz ensemble the L.A. Express Mitchell reprised the best from her first five albums, pointedly ignoring Court and Spark, and including two new cuts, "Love or Money" and "Jericho." ~ William Ruhlmann  http://www.allmusic.com/album/miles-of-aisles-mw0000190928

Personnel: Joni Mitchell (vocals, guitar, dulcimer, piano); Robben Ford (electric guitar); Tom Scott (reeds, wind); Larry Nash (piano); Max Bennett (bass instrument); John Guerin (drums, percussion).

Miles Of Aisles

Friday, November 14, 2014

Robben Ford - City Life

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 55:51
Size: 127.8 MB
Styles: Blues-jazz guitar
Year: 2006/2013
Art: Front

[9:28] 1. City Life
[8:30] 2. One Day At A Time
[6:22] 3. I Could See Forever
[7:39] 4. Wanderlust
[6:19] 5. Billie's Bounce
[7:22] 6. I Put A Spell On You
[6:01] 7. Blues Connotation
[4:06] 8. Blues Connotation (Reprise)

"City Life" is a collaboration between guitarist Robben Ford and drummer Jerry Granelli, an all instrumental jazz and fusion project which was partially recorded in 1988 and partially recorded in 1992. "City Life" also features stellar artists contributing to the music, including guitarist Bill Frisell, synthesist Ralph Towner, trombone player Julian Priester, bassist Charlie Haden, alto saxophonist Kenny Garrett and more. Sharp-eyed fans will remember these tracks released under the album title of "Blues Connotation" back in the mid-1990's, and now these tracks are finally available again. Shortly after the recording of these tracks, Ford returned to his devotion to the blues, so this fusiony improv style wasn't to be heard again in a long time.

City Life

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Tom Scott & The L.A. Express - Tom Cat

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 41:46
Size: 95.6 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz, Funk
Year: 1975/2001
Art: Front

[5:07] 1. Rock Island Rocket
[3:39] 2. Tom Cat
[4:15] 3. Day Way
[3:04] 4. Keep On Doin' It
[4:13] 5. Love Poem
[4:43] 6. Good Evening Mr. & Mrs. America & All The Ships
[4:03] 7. Backfence Cattin'
[8:29] 8. Mondo
[4:09] 9. Refried

Despite the absence of Joe Sample and Larry Carlton, Tom Scott's L.A. Express remains very Crusaders-influenced on Tom Cat -- a highly accessible jazz-funk-R&B date that, as commercial as it is, leaves room for inspired blowing courtesy of both the leader and sidemen like electric guitarist Robben Ford and keyboardist Larry Nash. Sweaty, hard-hitting jazz-funk is the rule on such down-home grooves as "Good Evening Mr. & Mrs. America & All the Ships" and "Day Way," which allow the players to let loose, blow, and say what needs to be said. "Love Poem" is a pleasant, likable piece of delicate mood music (but not "Muzak"!) that features wordless vocals by pop-folk singer Joni Mitchell and has a slightly Flora Purim-ish appeal. Unfortunately, a CD as good as Tom Cat serves as a reminder of how dreadfully unimaginative most of Scott's GRP albums are. ~ Alex Henderson

Tom Scott (saxophone, woodwinds, moog synthesizer, lyricon, percussion); Joni Mitchell (vocals); Larry Nash (electric piano, organ, ARP synthesizer); Robben Ford (acoustic & electric guitars); Max Bennett (bass); John Guerin (drums, percussion).

Tom Cat

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Larry Carlton & Robben Ford - Unplugged

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 57:46
Size: 132.3 MB
Styles: Blues/jazz guitar
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[7:33] 1. Nm Blues 08
[8:55] 2. Thet Road
[7:10] 3. Monty
[7:05] 4. Cold Gold
[4:58] 5. Hand In Hand With The Blues
[6:33] 6. Amen Ac
[6:24] 7. I Put A Spell On You
[9:05] 8. Rio Samba

Larry Carlton and special guest Robben Ford sharing the same stage, unplugged. This DVD is a guitar lovers dream. This unique pairing of great guitar legends delivers and unforgettable evening of dueling guitar solos and an uncompromising evening of The Blues the way it was meant to be.

Recording information: New Morning Jazz Club, Paris, France.

Larry Carlton (guitar); Robben Ford (vocals, guitar); Claude Salmieri (drums).

Unplugged