Shakatak - Invitations (Expanded)

Size: 150,6 MB
Time: 64:45
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1982/2017
Styles: Jazz: Smooth Jazz, Jazz Funk
Art: Front

01. Invitations (Extended Mix) (6:05)
02. Lose Myself (5:18)
03. Lonely Afternoon (4:34)
04. Steppin' Out (4:44)
05. Stranger (5:23)
06. Usual Situation (5:03)
07. Sol Fuego (4:36)
08. In Shadows (2:02)
09. Invitations (Radio Mix) (3:36)
10. Stranger (Edited Version) (4:39)
11. Lose Myself (Remix) (5:04)
12. Invitations (Disco Mix) (4:16)
13. Lonely Afternoon (Remix) (4:29)
14. Invitations (Radio Remix) (4:49)

British jazz-funk combo Shakatak formed in London in 1980. Originally comprising keyboardists Bill Sharpe and Nigel Wright, guitarist Keith Winter, bassist Steve Underwood, and drummer Roger Odell, the group quickly scored an underground hit with its debut single "Steppin'," cracking the British Top 50 the following year with the singles "Livin' in the UK" and "Brazilian Dawn." Their debut LP, Drivin' Hard, was also well-received, and with the 1982 follow-up Nightbirds, Shakatak (which replaced Underwood with bassist George Anderson) scored their first Top 20 hit in "Easier Said Than Done"; the disc's title track also rocketed into the Top Ten.

Nightbirds also introduced singer Jill Saward, who emerged as Shakatak's lead vocalist with the band's fifth album, 1984's Down on the Street, which notched the hit "Watching You"; 1985's Live preceded the release of the group's next studio effort, Day by Day. A series of largely instrumental albums including Into the Blue, Golden Wings, Da Makani, and Niteflite were then issued exclusively in Japan, where Shakatak enjoyed immense popularity; in the meanwhile, 1988's Manic and Cool was released internationally, highlighted by the singles "Mr. Manic and Sister Cool" and "Something Special." After 1992's Open Your Eyes topped Billboard's Contemporary Jazz chart, the band supported 1993's Street Level with a tour of South Africa, while the following year's Full Circle expanded into hip-hop beats. In 1997, Shakatak -- by then consisting of Sharpe, Odell, Saward, and Anderson -- resurfaced with Let the Piano Play, followed by both Let the Music Play and Magic in 1999, and Under Your Spell in 2002.

Invitations

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Shakatak - Live in Lockdown

Styles: Smooth Jazz, Jazz Funk
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 79:54
Size: 184,1 MB
Art: Front

( 5:15) 1. Dark Is the Night
( 3:27) 2. To Be Loved
( 4:29) 3. Streetwalkin'
( 3:58) 4. All Around the World Tonight
( 3:46) 5. Chi Chi Castenengo
( 5:03) 6. A Million Voices
( 5:24) 7. Day by Day
( 4:33) 8. Takin' off
(10:35) 9. Night Birds
( 4:34) 10. Down on the Street
( 3:43) 11. Beautiful Day
( 3:08) 12. Bitch to the Boys
( 3:46) 13. City Rhythm
( 3:38) 14. Down on the Street
( 3:27) 15. Light on My Life
( 3:44) 16. Lonely Afternoon
( 3:16) 17. On Nights Like Tonight
( 4:00) 18. Steveland

British crossover jazz, funk, and pop outfit Shakatak are a sophisticated ensemble who have enjoyed a long career. With a sound steeped in contemporary jazz and R&B, they found success with both instrumental albums and pop vocal productions. Formed in London in 1980, Shakatak originally featured keyboardists Bill Sharpe and Nigel Wright, guitarist Keith Winter, bassist Steve Underwood, and drummer Roger Odell. The group quickly scored an underground hit with its debut single "Steppin'." The following year, they cracked the British Top 50 with the singles "Livin' in the UK" and "Brazilian Dawn," both of which were included on their debut album, Drivin' Hard. With their 1982 follow-up Nightbirds, Shakatak (which replaced Underwood with bassist George Anderson) scored their first Top 20 hit with "Easier Said Than Done"; the disc's title track rocketed into the Top Ten. The album also introduced singer Jill Saward, who quickly emerged as the group's lead vocalist, showcased on 1984's Down on the Street and its accompanying hit single "Watching You." After a 1985 live album, the band returned to studio work on Day by Day: City Rhythm, which included the title track single featuring Al Jarreau.

A series of largely instrumental albums including Into the Blue, Golden Wings, Da Makani, and Niteflite were then issued exclusively in Japan, where Shakatak enjoyed immense popularity. In the meanwhile, 1988's Manic and Cool was released internationally, highlighted by the singles "Mr. Manic and Sister Cool" and "Something Special." After 1992's Open Your Eyes topped Billboard's Contemporary Jazz chart, the band supported 1993's Street Level with a tour of South Africa, while the following year's Full Circle expanded into hip-hop beats. In 1997, Shakatak by then consisting of Sharpe, Odell, Saward, and Anderson resurfaced with Let the Piano Play, followed by View from the City in 1999. Along with a busy live concert schedule, Shakatak stayed busy over the next decade, delivering a handful of well-received albums including 2002's Under Your Spell, 2003's Blue Savannah, and 2009's Afterglow. In 2010, they celebrated their 30th anniversary and marked the occasion a year later with the release of Across the World. On the Corner appeared in 2014, followed by Times and Places in 2016.~Jason Ankeny https://www.allmusic.com/artist/shakatak-mn0000791326/biography

Live in Lockdown

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Shakatak - Down On The Street

Styles: Jazz Funk
Year: 1993
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:39
Size: 129,4 MB
Art: Front

(3:20)  1. Down On The Street [1984]
(3:49)  2. Easier Said Than Done [1981]
(4:20)  3. Invitations [1982]
(4:21)  4. Out Of This World [1983]
(4:48)  5. Holding On [1984]
(4:36)  6. Light Of My Life [1982]
(3:16)  7. Lady (to Billie Holiday) [1984]
(4:12)  8. Dark Is The Night [1983]
(3:25)  9. Dr. Dr. [1988]
(3:15) 10. Something Special [1987]
(3:46) 11. Mr Manic And Sister Cool [1987]
(3:44) 12. Turn The Music Up [1989]
(4:25) 13. Bitter Sweet [1991]
(4:14) 14. You'll Never Know [1991]

British crossover jazz, funk, and pop outfit Shakatak are a sophisticated ensemble who have enjoyed a long career. With a sound steeped in contemporary jazz and R&B, they found success with both instrumental albums and pop vocal productions. Formed in London in 1980, Shakatak originally featured keyboardists Bill Sharpe and Nigel Wright, guitarist Keith Winter, bassist Steve Underwood, and drummer Roger Odell. The group quickly scored an underground hit with its debut single "Steppin'." The following year, they cracked the British Top 50 with the singles "Livin' in the UK" and "Brazilian Dawn," both of which were included on their debut album, Drivin' Hard. With their 1982 follow-up Nightbirds, Shakatak (which replaced Underwood with bassist George Anderson) scored their first Top 20 hit with "Easier Said Than Done"; the disc's title track rocketed into the Top Ten. The album also introduced singer Jill Saward, who quickly emerged as the group's lead vocalist, showcased on 1984's Down on the Street and its accompanying hit single "Watching You." After a 1985 live album, the band returned to studio work on Day by Day: City Rhythm, which included the title track single featuring Al Jarreau. A series of largely instrumental albums including Into the Blue, Golden Wings, Da Makani, and Niteflite were then issued exclusively in Japan, where Shakatak enjoyed immense popularity. In the meanwhile, 1988's Manic and Cool was released internationally, highlighted by the singles "Mr. Manic and Sister Cool" and "Something Special."  After 1992's Open Your Eyes topped Billboard's Contemporary Jazz chart, the band supported 1993's Street Level with a tour of South Africa, while the following year's Full Circle expanded into hip-hop beats. In 1997, Shakatak  by then consisting of Sharpe, Odell, Saward, and Anderson  resurfaced with Let the Piano Play, followed by View from the City in 1999. After 1992's Open Your Eyes topped Billboard's Contemporary Jazz chart, the band supported 1993's Street Level with a tour of South Africa, while the following year's Full Circle expanded into hip-hop beats. In 1997, Shakatak  by then consisting of Sharpe, Odell, Saward, and Anderson resurfaced with Let the Piano Play, followed by View from the City in 1999. Along with a busy live concert schedule, Shakatak stayed busy over the next decade, delivering a handful of well-received albums including 2002's Under Your Spell, 2003's Blue Savannah, and 2009's Afterglow. In 2010, they celebrated their 30th anniversary and marked the occasion a year later with the release of Across the World. On the Corner appeared in 2014, followed by Times and Places in 2016. ~ Jason Ankeny https://www.allmusic.com/artist/shakatak-mn0000791326/biography

Down On The Street

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Shakatak - On The Corner

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 67:59

Size: 155.6 MB

Styles: Funk, Contemporary jazz

Year: 2014

Art: Front

[3:29] 1. On The Corner

[4:39] 2. To Be In Love

[4:26] 3. The Greatest Gift

[4:15] 4. No Clouds

[4:16] 5. San Paulo Sunshine

[4:42] 6. Million Voices

[5:14] 7. Good Time

[4:39] 8. Jazz And Romance

[4:53] 9. Deeper

[3:51] 10. Ojai Freeway

[4:13] 11. Daydreamer

[3:21] 12. She's Not Here

[3:30] 13. On The Corner (Latin Mix)

[4:59] 14. The Greatest Gift (Latin Mix)

[7:25] 15. Deeper

Shakatak have enjoyed a level of success and career longevity rarely paralleled in contemporary music. They are the Rolling Stones of Jazz-funk and their music just keeps getting better and better. After a number of successful top twenty singles in the UK and over 50 releases in their back catalogue, the band have gone on to secure huge international popularity which continues as they prepare for their upcoming tours of Mexico and Japan.

After the success of their last release ‘Once Upon A Time’, a one-off project that saw the band re-arrange their classic hits into acoustic versions, Shakatak are back with a newly recorded studio album containing 14 new tracks as well as an additional digital download.

Kicking off with the title track ‘On The Corner’ we are in classic Shakatak territory with their unique vocal/piano mix. The groovy ‘To Be In Love’ follows, its sweeping strings and smoky vocals backed up by Bill Sharpe’s jazzy piano. ‘Sao Paolo Sunshine’ brings us straight into summer with its funky Latin vibes, as does the smooth ‘Ojai Freeway’ and the bossa-nova tinged ‘Jazz and Romance’.

No Shakatak album is complete without some low down funk, and after a few mellow ballads we get our share. ‘Good Time’ is driven along by George’s bass with a guest appearance from the saxophonist Derek Nash, the main jazz soloist with the UK’s Jools Holland’s R&B Orchestra. Nash also brings some classic jazz sounds to the final tune, the haunting instrumental ballad ‘She’s Not Here’. All in all ‘On The Corner’ is an album that perfectly demonstrates the incredible range and diversity of this timeless band!

On The Corner

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George Anderson - Body And Soul (Deluxe Edition)

Size: 167,8 MB
Time: 71:43
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Smooth Jazz, R&B, Soul, Funk
Art: Front

01. Intro (0:14)
02. G Funk (5:54)
03. Joys Of Life (3:21)
04. Don't Waste My Time (3:56)
05. Interlude, Pt. 1 (0:16)
06. Miller Time (4:02)
07. Beautiful (5:06)
08. Miracle (4:00)
09. Interlude, Pt. 2 (0:12)
10. Festival De La Vida (4:51)
11. All Or Nothing (3:32)
12. Promised Land (3:16)
13. It's Our World (5:37)
14. Cape Town 2017 (4:42)
15. Can't Hide Love (5:05)
16. G Funk (Funk Party Mix) (3:24)
17. G Funk (Funk Party Extended Mix) (3:58)
18. G Funk (Old School DJ Extended Mix) (6:18)
19. G Funk (Old School DJ Radio Mix) (3:50)

Celebrated British bassist GEORGE ANDERSON leads an unusual dual musical life. He is, of course, best known for his work with smooth jazz icons Shakatak. He's a key member of the band – on the road and in the studio. George was also instrumental in co-writing many of Shakatak's best tunes ....most famously 'Day by Day' featuring Grammy award winner Al Jarreau. George was responsible too for co-writing the song 'Perfect Smile' which was a smooth-jazz radio play hit in the US for Shakatak in the 90's.

George, though, also fronts his own band and under his own name he's released three solo albums... 'Positivity', 'Expressions' and 'George Anderson Band... From Cape Town To London'. On that latter, our man was brave enough to tackle George Duke's 'Brazilian Love Affair' and Luther Vandross' 'Never Too Much' while his own 'Back In the Day' (from 'Expressions' and featuring vocals from Debby Bracknell) won George loadsa friends in the modern soul community.

Mr Anderson is now all set to release a fourth solo set... 'Body and Soul'. The lead single pairs a smooth but tough in places 'Don't Waste' with a grittier 'Gfunk'. The title of that kinda says it all! Both feature a feisty femme vocal (Mary Pearce) and blistering bass lines. Both auger well for the long player!

Body And Soul

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Jill Saward - Just For You (Deluxe Version)

Size: 134,6 MB
Time: 57:45
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

01. Just For You (4:43)
02. Jazz In The Night (4:03)
03. Breathing Space (6:10)
04. Your Love, My Love (4:33)
05. Someday (4:07)
06. When The Trust Has Gone (4:37)
07. What Goes Around (4:31)
08. Show Me The Way (4:14)
09. Where Is The Love (4:43)
10. Out Of The Dark Days (3:51)
11. Indian Summer (4:12)
12. Highly Sensitive (4:46)
13. Polka Dots And Moonbeams (3:09)

Shakatak frontwoman Jill Saward surprised once again with her Jazzy Sound on her New Album “Just For You”.

Just For You (Deluxe Version)

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Shakatak - Snowflakes & Jazzamatazz

Size: 103,6+102,2 MB
Time: 43:47+43:17
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz: Smooth Jazz, Holiday, Easy Listening
Art: Front

CD 1:
01. Happy Christmas From Shakatak (0:05)
02. Happy Christmas To Ya! (3:29)
03. Jingle Bells (3:44)
04. Silent Night (4:14)
05. Sing (Little One) (3:39)
06. The Christmas Song (3:34)
07. When You Wish Upon A Star (3:16)
08. Winter Wonderland (3:04)
09. A Christmas Dream (3:32)
10. Auld Lang Syne (4:34)
11. Away In A Manger (3:06)
12. Blue Christmas (3:56)
13. Christmas Eve (3:28)

CD 2:
01. White Christmas (3:09)
02. Christmas Time Again (4:34)
03. Christmas With You (3:54)
04. Christmas In Rio (4:27)
05. Merry Christmas In Summer (4:47)
06. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (4:06)
07. Good King Wenceslas (3:53)
08. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! (3:10)
09. Lonely On Christmas Day (3:02)
10. O Little Town Of Bethlehem (3:36)
11. Silent Eve (4:17)
12. Happy Christmas From Shakatak (Jill's Christmas Message) (0:14)

Shakatak have enjoyed a level of success and career longevity rarely paralleled in contemporary music – but then Shakatak is a particularly unusual group.

Because of the nature of their music, their fan base is one that is far reaching while always retaining an ‘underground element’. This paradox sees the band, who are known primarily as serious jazz/funk musicians, enjoying both high ‘cult’ status and instant recognition as a household name.

After a number of successful top-twenty singles in the UK, the band went on to score unprecedented international success with the release of the classic ‘Nightbirds” recording and the title track has now become a standard in the popular music repertoire. This success was repeated with the top-ten hit “Down on the Street and the award-winning video established the band’s personnel of Jill Saward(lead vocs), Bill Sharpe(keys),Keith Winter(gtr), George Anderson(bass) and Roger Odell(drums). With the magic Al Jarreau/Shakatak combination,the group went on to record the track ‘Day by Day’ to further international acclaim.

Along with this successful recording career, Shakatak had firmly established themselves as a vibrant live act, combining astute musicianship with a sense of fun that communicated strongly with world-wide audiences. Their performance in Japan’s Budoken Hall won them a Silver Award at the Tokyo International Song Festival-other awards include the “Best Instrumental Album’ for 6 consecutive years-and other live concerts of note have been the East meets the West Border Concert at the time of German re-unificationin 1989 and the open air concert in Cape Town for the Millennium Celebrations 2000 where they played in front of 250,000 people.

The long run of continuous success was brought to a halt when guitarist Keith Winter became seriously ill and was forced to stop playing. It took Keith a long while to redirect his energies but he is now a very successful website designer and remains very much a part of the Shakatak team by designing and maintaining the website. Eventually the band re-organised and the remaining four members now augment their live shows with Jacqui Hicks (b.vocs,sax&flute) or Debby Bracknell (b.vocs&flute) and Alan Wormald (gtr&b.vocs).

Shakatak - Snowflakes & Jazzamatazz CD 1, CD 2

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