Dave Holland - Prism

Styles: Jazz, Post-Bop

Year: 2013

File: MP3@320K/s

Time: 70:06

Size: 160,5 MB

Art: Front

( 6:59)  1. The Watcher

( 8:36)  2. The Empty Chair

( 8:46)  3. Spirals

( 4:50)  4. Choir

( 7:28)  5. The Color Of Iris

( 7:53)  6. A New Day

( 9:22)  7. The True Meaning Of Determination

(10:27)  8. Evolution

( 5:42)  9. Breathe

Bassist Dave Holland first became a leader-on-record with Conference Of The Birds (ECM, 1973), a now-classic outré quartet session. That initial leader date portrayed Holland as a restless seeker, willing and eager to explore the inner workings of group dynamics and the outer reaches of convention, and he's done little to alter that perception of himself in the intervening years. Holland has, with band after band and album after album, continually broadened his outlook, creating a vast and enviable body of work along the way. Now, he celebrates four decades of leadership by introducing another potent foursome to the world. On Prism, Holland reunites with three musical spark plugs from his past: guitarist Kevin Eubanks, who appeared on the bassist's Extensions (ECM, 1989), drummer Eric Harland, who worked side-by-side with Holland in The Monterey Quartet and then joined him for Pass It On (Dare2 Records, 2008), and pianist/Fender Rhodes man Craig Taborn, who's shared the stage with the bassist on a number of occasions over the past few years. As individuals, these gentlemen rank high on many a critic and fan's list of players; together, they form the most exciting and awe-inspiring quartet to debut on record this year.

The music this band delivers on Prism is like a vortex, sucking in everything within earshot. Interlocking patterns, excoriating lines, killer grooves and blazing solos are par for the course. Democracy prevails in all aspects, as each band member contributes music, muscle and more along the way. "The True Meaning Of Determination" is the perfect example of this one-for-all and all-for-one philosophy. Holland draws focus with his bass introduction, melodic delivery is a joint venture between two band mates, Eubanks' guitar singes everything in sight, Taborn takes the spotlight and has a blast chopping up the time with Harland, and everybody comes together to drive it home. It's nine-plus minutes of pure, heart-pounding bliss, and it doesn't even stand above the other tracks; nearly every performance here has a similar endorphin-producing effect. The band does operate in other areas, from the bluesy and soulful ("The Empty Chair (For Clare)") to the contemplative and free floating ("Breathe"), but they retain a group identity no matter where the music takes them. They sound best when they burn, but they still sound like the same unit when they simmer or stay put. Prism isn't simply a great album by a great band; it's as good as jazz records come. Four months may separate this album's release and the close of 2013, but this one may have already sealed it up for "Album Of The Year" honors. ~ Dan Bilawsky 
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=45257#.Uj2j2hAkI5d

Personnel: Dave Holland: bass; Craig Taborn: piano, Fender Rhodes; Kevin Eubanks: guitar; Eric Harland: drums.

Prism

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Sidsel Storm - Nothing in Between

Styles: Vocal
Label: VME
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:32
Size: 104,3 MB
Art: Front

(4:46)  1. Nothing in Between
(4:55)  2. A Little Bit Too Late
(6:01)  3. Flown Away
(3:49)  4. I'm Beginning to See the Light
(3:17)  5. This Moment
(6:21)  6. Copenhagen
(3:57)  7. 'S Wonderful
(3:51)  8. Early Kiss
(4:38)  9. Left Behind
(3:53) 10. Caravan

The award-winning Danish jazz singer Sidsel Storm has just completed its third disk 'Nothing In Between' published on 20 august. In this context resumes singer also the concerts that have made her an extremely popular live name in Denmark and the rest of the world. Sidsel Storm is known for its contemporary and airy vocal jazz that combines the best of jazz and pop. The music and lyrics for the new album was written by the singer himself in close collaboration with songwriter and producer Peter Ottoand together they have created an emotional lyrical universe that keeps the style firmly in the catchy and soulful expression. 'Nothing In Between' is as the title suggestsan honest and vulnerable disk to mark life's fragility and momentary moments of happiness that lets the listener get right under the skin of Sidsel Storm. In the long-awaited release has Sidsel Storm an ambitious team of recognized musical talent from the Nordic jazz scene with him. The teamwhich among other counts Magnus Hjorth on pianoSnorre Kirk on drums Jesper Thorn on bass and Tobias Wiklund on trumpet and flugelhornplayed live together in this constellation both at home and abroad for several yearswhich largely comes to shine through on the disk. 
Translated using Google Translator (http://www.imusic.dk/cd/5706725101262/sidsel-storm-2012-nothing-in-between-cd)

Nothing in Between

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Eddie Fisher Quintet - The Third Cup

Styles: Soul Jazz
Year: 1969
File: MP3@256K/s
Time: 40:06
Size: 73,4 MB
Art: Front

( 3:10)  1. Scorched Earth
( 6:11)  2. A Dude Called Zeke
( 6:44)  3. Shut Up
( 5:59)  4. The Third Cup
( 3:22)  5. Two By Two
( 3:36)  6. Shoo-Be-Doo-Be-Doo-Be-Do-Da-Day
(11:02)  7. The Shadow Of Your Smile

An open letter to the Universal conglomerate: Please, please reissue The Third Cup. A beautifully heartfelt tribute to late bandleader Leo Gooden, this brilliant LP captures Eddie Fisher in a far different light than the blistering funk efforts on which his reputation largely rests, documenting an intimate soul-jazz session that anticipates the shimmering textures and supple rhythms that dominated jazz in the decade to come. Backed by a superlative combo featuring organist Robert Selby, bassist Paul Jackson, and rhythm guitarist Phil Westmoreland, Fisher unfurls a series of hypnotic, silken guitar grooves that employ space and atmosphere to remarkable effect. This is the tightest, most controlled playing of his career.~ Jason Ankeny  http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-third-cup-mw0000853115

The Third Cup

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Danny Caron - Jazz + Blues

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 59:54
Size: 137.1 MB
Styles: Jazz guitar
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[3:43] 1. Limehouse Blues
[5:33] 2. Deep River
[4:22] 3. I Don't Want To Know
[4:47] 4. Spiritual
[4:51] 5. Blues Alley [for R.L.J.]
[4:59] 6. Girl Talk
[6:41] 7. Freddie Freeloader
[4:42] 8. Water From An Ancient Well
[4:53] 9. Nuages
[5:04] 10. It Ain't Necessarily So
[5:11] 11. I'm Just A Lucky So And So
[5:03] 12. Gonna Set Down And Rest Awhile

Danny Caron has just released his 3rd solo CD "Jazz and Blues". Danny's beautiful guitar tones and stylings ring clearly throughout this collection of jazz and blues tunes, from the soulful organ trio jazz and gospel inflected tracks, like 'Limehouse Blues' and 'Deep River' (featuring Wayne De La Cruz on Hammond B3 and Kent Bryson on the drums), to more adventurous piano quartet numbers such as the beautiful Spiritual by John Coltrane-(featuring the superb piano work of John R Burr, and great rhythm section with Deszon Claiborne (drums) and John Wiitala (bass)). Also-there is a very special vocal appearance from good friend Maria Muldaur, singing John Martyn's great song "I Don't Wanna Know" which probably sums up a lot of the world's collective consciousness at this very moment-"I Don't Wanna Know About Evil, I only Want To Know About Love!" -Amen. Kudos to Ruth Davies (bass) and Bobby Cochran (drums), presently Elvin Bishops crack rhythm section, for making that one funky good!Beautiful performances from John Hanes (drums), Ruth Davies and John R Burr make Dollar Brand's (aka Abdullah Ibrahim) "Water From An Ancient Well", and the old spiritual "Set Down and Rest Awhile" into great numbers. This is a great CD and all of Danny's fans will love it, as well as music lovers everywhere.

Originally out of Silver Spring, Maryland, Danny moved to Austin, Texas and cut his teeth on the Crawfish circuit playing with singer-pianist Marcia Ball. He then worked with Zydeco king Clifton Chenier and his Red Hot Louisiana Band with whom he recorded the Grammy Award winning Album "I'm Here" in 1980. Relocating to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1981 he continued to freelance and eventually teamed up with the legendary singer and pianist Charles Brown. Danny served as guitarist and musical director for Charles Brown from 1987 until Brown's death in 1999. He has played on numerous CD's and sessions with Charles Brown, Clifton Chenier, Bonnie Raitt, John Lee Hooker, Van Morrison, Steve Miller, Ruth Brown, Etta Jones, John Clayton, Teddy Edwards, Gerald Wilson, Donald Fagen, Dr. John, Little Milton Campbell, John Hammond Jr. and many others.

*Danny is the featured guitarist on the Van Morrison produced John Lee Hooker album, "Don't Look Back" which won two Grammy Awards - one for Best Traditional Blues Recording, and the other for Best Collaboration, Van Morrison and John Lee Hooker. He keeps up a busy schedule touring and performing most recently with Tom Rigney and Flambeau and also with Steve Miller, Plas Johnson, Barbara Morrison, Henry Butler, Jon Cleary, Maria Muldaur and others. He is presently teaching courses at The Jazzschool in Berkeley California.

Jazz + Blues

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Joana Rios - Live At The Hot Club: Sings Ella Fitzgerald

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 56:17
Size: 128.9 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[4:25] 1. Fascinating Rhythm
[3:30] 2. That Old Black Magic
[5:40] 3. Angel Eyes
[5:42] 4. Just Squeeze Me
[2:48] 5. That Old Feeling
[3:54] 6. I Won't Dance
[2:46] 7. Dream A Little Dream Of Me
[3:28] 8. Ill Wind
[3:59] 9. Where Or When
[3:19] 10. Under A Blanket Of Blue
[7:08] 11. Lush Life
[4:42] 12. Don't Be That Way
[4:51] 13. Just You Just Me

Joana Rios is an outstanding Portuguese singer and songwriter, with three albums previously released. Joana Rios presented her latest album entitled “3 Desejos” (three wishes), at the Winter Garden of São Luiz Municipal Theatre, in Lisbon having perfomed extensively throughout Portugal namely in Sines, Guimarães (CC Vila-Flôr), Bragança (TMB), Torre de Moncorvo, Redondo, Gouveia and so many other fantastic locations.

Joana Rios was in 2010 the voice of an advertising campaign of the island of Azores which was featured in television and radio. Joana Rios was also in 2010 the voice of an anthem towards the non-discrimination of immigrants (Acidi) featuring many popular artists.

By late 2008, she produced and arranged David Ferreira’s debut album “This Can’t Be Love”, which has received high praise from the public and critique. In January 2008, she commenced the “Universos Paralelos” tour which received tremendous reviews having sung in important venues, namely in Portugal. Joana Rios also performed outside Portugal namely in the USA and in several TV shows and interviews, in RTP, SIC and TVI channels. João Gobern, in Máxima magazine, a music critic in Portugal, considered Joana Rios, one of the finest voices in Portugal.

“Universos Paralelos” – her second record - was released in September 2007, and is best described as a crossover between Jazz and Pop, being comprised of ten songs, two of which are covers from Brazilian legend Milton Nascimento (“Cais”) and from Joyce (“4 Elementos”). Prior to “Universos Paralelos” Joana Rios did a tribute album to the late Ella Fitzgerald. The album had a huge success peaking number one at major retail stores which led to extensive touring with many memorable performances such as in Luanda, Angola.

Joana Rios’ career began when she was 17 years-old, singing jazz standards and bossa-nova. Having received a Berklee scholarship - which she did not pursuit - she eventually became a jazz vocal teacher at a prestigious music school until the year 2007/2008 when Joana Rios decided to devote herself totally to her music career. Joana Rios was born in Lisbon, in the 7th of May, 1976.

Joana Rios - voice, acoustic piano and Fender Rhodes; Filipe Raposo - Fender Rhodes, Acoustic Piano; António Quintino - Doublebass; Alexandre Frazão - Drums

.

Live At The Hot Club: Sings Ella Fitzgerald

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Johnny Capers Jr - The Good Life

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 33:52
Size: 77.6 MB
Styles: Cool jazz, Trumpet jazz, Vocal jazz
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[4:01] 1. Stormy Monday
[4:00] 2. Quiet Nights
[2:22] 3. Sunny
[3:29] 4. Walk On Bye
[4:21] 5. Stella By Starlight
[1:43] 6. Bye Bye Black Bird
[2:24] 7. Pennies From Heaven
[3:07] 8. Misty
[2:58] 9. A Foggy Game
[5:21] 10. The Good Life

The Bronx native's musical career as a trumpeter began at age 14 performing with the Capers Quartet, recording several records with Roulette & V.J. Records. as time moved on so did Johnny's career he found himself branching out as a Trumpeter, Vocalist & Band leader, which led him to some very prestigious jobs.

Johnny's band performed for the Inauguration of President Nixon, Working the stage with many acts: i.e., Red Fox, Duke Ellington, Guy Lombardo, Sarah Vaughn, and appeared with many top acts, Traveling the United States, Europe & the Caribbean, Performing at Venues such as Village Vanguard, The Blue Note, Palladium N.Y.C., Lighthouse & Apollo Theatre, Stardust, Rivera, Caesar's Palace, Dunes, Sands, & Atlantic City's Trump Castle, TV appearances include Merv Griffin, Maury Povich, Della Reese & William B. Williams show of Radio fame.

Johnny Caper's Jr. is constantly developing , further refining his approach to encompass a clear view on 21st Century jazz. Johnny comments: Being influenced by some of the Greatest trumpeters of all time Dizzy Gillespe, Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis , Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard,Maynard Ferguson, Chet Baker & Arturo Sandoval and I do give big props to our trumpet players of today such as Wynton Marsalis, Nicholas Payton, Scott Christan and the list goes on . I call it the the keep a open mind approach This allows me to keep current with today's ever changing music industry without losing the teachings of the greats!!

The Good Life: a Slick, approach to some of the more well known jazz standards. which Showcase's Johnny Capers Jr. as a fine trumpeter, a Swinging, Soulful vocalist of today's Jazz world..

The Good Life

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Leata Galloway - Tenderly

Styles: Jazz Vocals
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:44
Size: 100,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:55)  1. Moondance/Fever
(5:01)  2. All Blues
(3:14)  3. Mood's Mood For Love
(4:25)  4. Desafinado
(3:49)  5. I Want To Be Loved
(2:09)  6. When A Woman Loves A Man
(4:03)  7. Tenderly
(4:31)  8. Ahmad's Blues
(3:57)  9. Stella By Starlight
(4:42) 10. I'm Gonna Laugh You Right Out of My Life
(3:53) 11. Yeah Yeah

Leata Galloway is the kind of powerfully persuasive singer that tastemakers in music proudly proclaim “a natural.” The Brooklyn-born beauty has wrapped the full spectrum of her vocal chops around every style of music under the sun and around the globe - in top flight musical theatre productions, scintillating headliner concert engagements and mood-drenched movie scores. However, she has always been, first and foremost, a Jazz Singer. An engagement at the Gardenia Cabaret in West Hollywood so moved renowned Jazz critic Leonard Feather that he waxed poetic in a Sunday Los Angeles Times review, “With well over three octaves at her command, Galloway is given to unpredictable switches of range, mood and idiom. Her act offers a chance to observe, in unrestricted splendor, every facet of this dynamic artist. She is…beyond category.” Across her illustrious career, Ms. Galloway appeared in the Duke Ellington-inspired musical “Sophisticated Ladies,” followed by her own Japanese import jazz CD Sophisticated Lady (recorded with the trio of pianist Mark Gray, drummer Billy Hart and bassist Tom Barney). That earned her a nomination in Japan’s Swing Journal for Best Female Vocalist. Sitting in for the great Betty Carter, Leata sang three songs on the album Live from The Hamburg Jazz Gala with Germany’s The Peter Herbolzheimer All-Stars, an international 18-piece aggregation that featured saxophonist Don Menza, trumpeter Chuck Findley, bassist Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen and drummer Grady Tate. From a year-long tour in the late `70s singing behind the legendary pop traditionalist Peggy Lee to embarking upon a 17 country European Tour in the `90s with Austrian contemporary keyboard wizard Joe Zawinul’s pan-cultural ensemble The Zawinul Syndicate, Leata’s journey proves her vocal gifts clearly have no bounds. Those gifts are the focus of Leata Galloway’s fourth and latest CD, Tenderly, an 11-song one-from-the-heart in which she interprets some of her all-time favorite songs with instrumentation that spans from solely piano accompaniment to a rhythm quartet with three horns. Co-producing the affair herself along with esteemed bassist Larry Ball, Leata revisits timeless chestnuts such as “Moody’s Mood For Love” (a tour de force for which she sings in its fabled alto AND tenor registers, riffing on the already improvised melody  a must hear), Antonio Carlos Jobim’s samba classic “Desafinado,” a rendition of Miles Davis’ “All Blues,” and a cool breeze thru the ever-hip “Ahmad’s Blues.”  “What I love most are songs that tell a story and that have melodies that linger in your memory,” Leata states. 

This is beautifully apparent in her takes on picturesque standards such as “Stella by Starlight,” an especially breathtaking “I Want to Be Loved,” the more modern gem “Moondance” and, naturally, the title track “Tenderly.” Leata also gets down to the swing of things on the finger-snappin’ blues “Yeah-Yeah” and the horn-spiked “When a Woman Loves a Man” which she learned as the understudy for the Billie Holiday role in the one-woman play “Lady Day at the Emerson Bar and Grill.” Leata reprised her portrayal of Holiday in the 5-hour CBS mini-series “Sinatra.” Accompanying Leata on Tenderly are pianist Frank Zatolli, guitarist Phil Upchurch, drummer Kenny Elliott, saxophonist Ron Brown, trumpeter Nolan Shaheed and trombonist Dwayne Benjamin. “I’d been away from music for awhile,” Leata laments, “but it’s what makes my heart beat. So I took my time and brought some of my favorite songs and musician friends together to do an album. I believe it’s some of my best work.”

Bio ...http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/leatagalloway12

Tenderly

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Lee Gibson - Here's To Love

Styles: Vocal, Jazz
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:51
Size: 127,9 MB
Art: Front

(4:42)  1. No Moon At All
(3:33)  2. Easy To Love
(5:01)  3. The Nearness Of You
(4:57)  4. Every Little Thing
(6:00)  5. Love Dance
(4:49)  6. Joy Spring
(7:25)  7. The Shadow Of Your Smile
(4:30)  8. Not Like This
(5:33)  9. Come Back To Me
(4:35) 10. Here's To Life
(4:42) 11. Just Friends

B. 5 March 1950, Watford, Hertfordshire, England. Gibson began her show business career as a singer and dancer, performing in many of the top nightspots in London’s West End. These included the Talk Of The Town, where she headlined and was heard by a BBC radio producer who booked her for her first jazz broadcast. During succeeding years she made over 1, 000 broadcasts for the BBC and toured with several big bands, including those led by Syd Lawrence and Don Lusher and the BBC Radio Big Band. Her parallel career as a session singer extended into films and television and she also appeared at seven Royal Command Variety Shows. She was a member of the folk rock group Chorale, recording a self-titled album for Arista Records in 1980, and the single, ‘Riu Riu’, which charted in several European countries.  Meanwhile, Gibson extended her reputation as a solo singer throughout Europe, performing at concerts and on radio and television with leading orchestras. In Finland she sang with the UMO Jazz Orchestra, in Denmark with the Danish Radio Big Band, directed by Thad Jones, in the Netherlands with the Skymasters and the Metropole Orchestra, recording 1998’s Night Songs with the latter, and in Germany with the WDR Orchestra and the Francy Boland Band, conducted by Lalo Schifrin. She also sang the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at a Royal Gala concert in London. Her jazz festival performances have included Munich, Sydney, Montreux, Birmingham, Cork and Grimsby, appearing at the latter with Michael Brecker. Gibson sings with elegant charm, her interpretations of lyrics being eloquent and understanding. Adjusting to the needs of the material and the nature of the performance, she can deliver the popular repertoire with warmth and enormous confidence while her jazz work is suffused with an intense yet subtle sense of swing. Bio...http://www.allmusic.com/artist/lee-gibson-mn0000740852/biography

Here's To Love

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Carla Bley, Andy Sheppard & Steve Swallow - Trios

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:17
Size: 129,0 MB
Art: Front

( 7:55)  1. Utviklingssang
( 7:22)  2. Vashkar
(14:59)  3. Les Trois Lagons (D'apres Henri Matisse): Plate XVIi - Plate XVIII - Plate XIX
(11:34)  4. Wildlife
(14:24)  5. The Girl Who Cried Champagne: Pt. 1, 2, 3

In a career more defined by memorable compositions than instrumental acumen, it's easy to forget that Carla Bley may not be the most virtuosic pianist on the planet, but she's a far more than capable one, as evidenced on duo recordings like Are We There Yet? (Watt, 1999), with life partner/bassist Steve Swallow, and Songs With Legs (WATT, 1995), a trio date with longtime collaborator, saxophonist Andy Sheppard also heard in Bley's larger ensemble of Appearing Nightly (Watt/ECM, 2008) and quartet session, The Lost Chords (Watt/ECM, 2004). On Swallow's recent Into the Woodwork (XtraWATT/ECM, 2013), Bley proved a clever, quirky and comedic organist; with Trios an album that, perhaps for the first time ever, features absolutely no new compositions Bley reunites the Songs With Legs trio, refocusing attention on her thoughtful, precise piano work. That's not to suggest there isn't still a clever compositional mind at work in these fresh, intimate arrangements of music ranging from Bley's elegiac "Utviklingssang," her most-recorded ballad that first appeared on Social Studies (Watt, 1981), to lesser-known but still previously recorded suites including "The Girl Who Cried Champagne," from the aptly titled Sextet (Watt, 1987) and "Wildlife," heard for the first time on the larger ensemble session Night-Glo (Watt, 1986). Only the dark-hued "Vashkar" one of Bley's most well-known tunes, having appeared on Tony Williams' fusion classic Lifetime (Polydor, 1969) and, most recently, on John McLaughlin and Carlos Santana's Invitation to Illumination: Live at Montreux 2011 (Eagle Vision, 2013) is played on record by Bley for the first time. 

Driven by Swallow's superb time all the more essential to a group's without a drummer Bley's reading of "Vashkar" opens with the pair exploring its mid-eastern modality for a full ninety second before Sheppard comes in, on soprano, to double its memorable yet quirky melody with Bley's right hand. Sheppard's star has been on the ascendancy for years, but most recently on the superb Trio Libre (ECM, 2012), his second recording as a leader for the label. Here, he demonstrates the same kind of care-ridden patience, his solo reflecting a trio whose ears are wide open, meticulously responding to each others' every move. Even as they adhere to the song's form, there's the sense that were this to be immediately followed by another take, it would be an entirely different experience. 

Swallow introduces "Utviklingssang" alone, its haunting melody soon joined by Bley, whose thoughtful introduction of a contrapuntal theme and spartan supporting chords yield to sparer accompaniment still when Sheppard finally enters. While time is something to which the trio adheres carefully when required Swallow's inimitable swing fundamental to the first section of "Les Trois Lagons (d'après Henri Matisse)" Trios' ultimate beauty is in the interpretive nuances that allow time to be ever-so-slightly pliant subtly stretched and compressed to imbue these five pieces with their own personalities. The balance of the program consists of longer, multipart compositions, but remains underscored by the same attention to detail. 

Without muss or fuss, Bley, Swallow and Sheppard have, with Trios, created that most perfect of chamber records, filled with shrewd surprises and a delicate dramaturgy that reveals itself further with each and every listen. ~ John Kelman   http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/profile.php?id=398

Personnel: Carla Bley: piano; Andy Sheppard: tenor and soprano saxophones; Steve Swallow: bass.

Trios

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The Jeff Lorber Fusion - Hacienda

Styles: Jazz, Fusion
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:52
Size: 127,9 MB
Art: Front

(4:27)  1. Corinaldo
(4:57)  2. Solar Wind
(5:40)  3. King Kong
(5:18)  4. The Steppe
(5:28)  5. Hacienda
(4:51)  6. Fab Gear
(5:44)  7. Raptor
(5:06)  8. Everlast
(4:44)  9. Playa Del Falco
(4:55) 10. Escapade
(4:37) 11. Dragonfly

Hacienda is the third volume in the Jeff Lorber Fusion's revisioning of the music they began with in the late '70s and early '80s, with a 21st century twist. Co-produced by Lorber and bassist Jimmy Haslip, the trio is rounded out by drummer Vinnie Colaiuta. There are a slew of studio regulars here to boot, including guitarists Paul Jackson, Jr. and Michael Thompson, horn players Eric Marienthal and David Mann, and percussionist Lenny Castro. "Solar Wind," featuring guest Larry Koonse on guitar, is a fine example of Lorber's current obsession with intricate composition. While its pulse is kept by Haslip and expanded by Colaiuta, the complex lyric sets up terrific solos by Mann, Lorber, and Koonse. There is a real surprise here in the cover of Frank Zappa's "King Kong," with guest Jean-Luc Ponty on violin. The band attacks it with discipline and class. There's a rockist backdrop, and Haslip's bassline not only threads the changes but foreshadows them. There are fine keyboard and violin solos and killer wah-wah guitar from Thompson as this band weds itself to the composer's shifty time changes and spidery melodies. Ed Mann's marimba fills out the sound and adds lyric counterpoint. This tune is followed by the majestic, midtempo "The Steppe," a shimmering, layered groover with crystalline piano from Lorber, soulful alto from Marienthal, and a virtual orchestra of guitars from Thompson. The title track is a driving dance number (it's named for the Manchester dance club), with some surprising rhythmic changes inside the groove. Haslip's bass is bubbling and funky while Colaiuta lays out some outstanding breaks on the repetitive theme. Lorber throws in some killer vamps on a variety of keys and Marienthal's alto solo accents the changes even as it glides over the top. A small misstep occurs in sequencing two midtempo ballads "Everlast" and "Playa del Falco" next to one another, but the heavier grooves come back on "Escapade," with nice horns from both Marienthal and Mann; Lorber's soloing is in the pocket yet wildly creative, and his piano arpeggios showcase his own roots-jazz-funk in the soul-jazz tradition, evoking Horace Silver, Sonny Clark, Herbie Hancock, and Ramsey Lewis. Hacienda features some of Lorber's best compositions in recent memory.

This set is more varied than the hard party aspect of Galaxy: the fusion aspect is more pronounced, while the overall mood and flow is more diverse, nuanced, and beautifully textured.~Thom Jurek  http://www.allmusic.com/album/hacienda-mw0002553292.

Hacienda

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Peggy Lee - Pass Me By

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 24:29
Size: 56.1 MB
Styles: Vocal, Easy Listening
Year: 1965/2011
Art: Front

[2:20] 1. Sneakin' Up On You
[2:22] 2. Pass Me By
[2:26] 3. I Wanna Be Around
[2:03] 4. Bewitched
[2:30] 5. My Love, Forgive Me (Amore, Scusami)
[1:43] 6. You Always Hurt The One You Love
[2:04] 7. A Hard Day's Night
[2:03] 8. L-O-V-E
[2:19] 9. Dear Heart
[2:20] 10. Quiet Nights (Corcovado)
[2:15] 11. That's What It Takes

Capitol aimed songs from Pass Me By at several different markets, and the effect is a scattershot LP with several nuggets but no real cohesion. First up is the delightfully tossed-off popcorn tune "Sneakin' Up on You," but it's followed by the title track, a queasy strike-up-the-band march which surprisingly reached the charts. "Dear Heart" leans toward the countrypolitan sound (it would've fit much better as a vehicle for Charlie Rich), and the Beatles cover "A Hard Day's Night" wasn't a good match at all; Lee strains to hit the lower notes, and sounds tentative singing the lyrics. While her vocals are on the weak side from a technical standpoint, Lee's interpretive powers are mostly intact, and her flair on "Sneakin' Up on You" makes it a natural for one of those swinging novelties often heard on '60s compilations. ~John Bush

Bass – Bob Whitlock; Drums – John Guerin; Guitar – Bill Pitman, Bob Bain, Dennis Budimir, John Pisano; Percussion [Latin] – Francisco Aguabella; Piano – Lou Levy; Vocals – Peggy Lee

Pass Me By

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Paul Toshner - Hotel Corus

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 53:22
Size: 122.2 MB
Styles: Easy Listening, Adult contemporary
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[3:14] 1. Home
[3:14] 2. Gran Torino
[2:29] 3. A Case Of You
[2:44] 4. Evaporated
[3:08] 5. Wonderful Tonight
[2:36] 6. The Lady Is A Tramp
[3:09] 7. I Dreamed A Dream
[3:38] 8. Strawberry Fields
[3:41] 9. Hide Your Love Away
[4:09] 10. The Space Between
[3:25] 11. Rocket Man
[2:50] 12. The Berlofsky Boogie
[3:51] 13. Candle In The Wind
[3:24] 14. You're Nobody Til Somebody Loves You
[4:07] 15. Hotel California
[3:37] 16. Funny

Paul provides an interactive musical show covering over 8 decades of music, woven together with humour, dexterity, artistry, and an improvised twist. Something for everyone, from timeless classics, to the purest toe-tapping boogie-woogie & honky-tonk. Paul combines technical ability and technology to take requests from his guests, oftentimes that he has never before heard. Upon receiving the request he uses key-changing and lyric technology in tandem with a DJ system to identify and learn a track, which he then performs. Paul also uses a loop pedal, which allows him to layer a performance as if four hands were on the piano.

Hotel Corus

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Dana Sedgwick - S/T

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 47:31
Size: 108.8 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[2:50] 1. Some Cats Know
[4:24] 2. I'll Be Seeing You
[2:36] 3. Hit Me With A Hot Note
[3:20] 4. Forget About The Boy
[4:20] 5. Somebody's Eyes
[2:51] 6. Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries
[3:32] 7. Someone To Watch Over Me
[3:38] 8. Take Me
[3:34] 9. Ladies Who Lunch
[4:01] 10. Gus The Theatre Cat
[2:47] 11. There's A Fine, Fine Line
[3:25] 12. By My Side
[6:09] 13. If Ever I Would Leave You

Dana Sedgwick is a 18-year-old recording artist from Seattle. In the studio, she has recorded a variety of projects for Disk Eyes Productions in both Seattle and Nashville . Dana attends the Clive Davis School of Recorded Music at NYU, where she is excelling in Music Production. Also, an alumni member of ICE, the Island Choral Experience, a theatrical choir for high school students. Last spring, she performed with the national touring company of Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle as a member of their children chorus.

Recently, Disk Eyes Productions has completed Dana's first solo effort, Broadway: Jazz Interpretations and Show Tunes. Dana has a focus and passion for music. She sets high standards and works hard to extend her capabilities beyond her comfort zone. Dana takes direction well and has a great attitude in a close working environment. Her ability to read music and translate with near perfect pitch and breath control is a skill highly desired in the recording industry.

In summary, Dana is a delightful, engaging, talented young artist and professional with a bright future and a clear understanding of her direction. She will be an exceptional candidate and superb asset to the Clive Davis School of Recorded Music. Keep an eye out for this extraordinary new talent.

Dana Sedgwick

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The Hot Club Quintet - Hot Club Of Paris

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 36:57
Size: 84.6 MB
Styles: Swing, Gypsy jazz
Year: 2002
Art: Front

[2:56] 1. Honeysuckle Rose
[2:57] 2. Swing '42
[2:19] 3. How High The Moon
[2:31] 4. MCQ Strut
[3:11] 5. Villa Georgette
[3:03] 6. Viper's Dream
[2:43] 7. The French Connection
[2:12] 8. Swing '84
[2:26] 9. Minor Swing
[3:15] 10. This Can't Be Love
[3:44] 11. Body And Soul
[2:48] 12. Losing No Time
[2:45] 13. It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)

Gypsy jazz (also known as gypsy swing or hot club jazz) is a style of jazz music often said to have been started by guitarist Jean "Django" Reinhardt in the 1930s. Because its origins are largely in France it is often called by the French name, "jazz manouche", or alternatively, "manouche jazz", even in English language sources. Django was foremost among a group of Gypsy guitarists working in and around Paris in the 1930s through the 1950s, a group which also included the brothers Baro, Sarane, and Matelo Ferret and Reinhardt's brother Joseph "Nin-Nin" Reinhardt.

Many of the musicians in this style worked in Paris in various popular Musette ensembles. The Musette style waltz remains an important component in the Gypsy jazz repertoire. Reinhardt was noted for combining a dark, chromatic Gypsy flavor with the swing articulation of the period. This combination is critical to this style of jazz. In addition to this his approach continues to form the basis for contemporary Gypsy jazz guitar. Reinhardt's most famous group, the Quintette du Hot Club de France, also brought fame to jazz violinist Stéphane Grappelli.

Hot Club Of Paris

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Eeppi Ursin - Yellow Page Girl

Styles: Jazz Vocals
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:53
Size: 98,2 MB
Art: Front

(4:10)  1. Yellow Page Girl
(4:15)  2. Have You Ever
(3:45)  3. Take a Look
(5:10)  4. Say Goodbye
(6:02)  5. Right Now
(2:52)  6. Purple Mind
(4:05)  7. Got to Run
(4:28)  8. Chasing a Vision
(5:40)  9. Past and Gone
(2:20) 10. Tuuli

Eeppi Ursin is a Helsinki-based freelance musician. She has created a versatile career working as a singer, composer, arranger and pianist. She has released two albums with her own name: Violet (2005) and Yellow page girl (2009). She is also known for various projects with theatre and music and working with bands like AiA, Maija Kaunismaa&Yhtye, Warp!, Castafioren Korut, AinoA, Soi and for her collaboration with New York based pianist Mika Pohjola. In 2011-2013 she was singing in vocal ensemble Club For Five. Eeppi has performed at festivals all around the world and recorded numerous albums with different groups. At the moment her singer-songwriter type of music combines elements from jazz, pop and rock. Eeppi has also worked as a composer and an arranger in several theater productions and has been teaching solo and vocal ensemble singing. Bio..

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Eeppi-Ursin/142678342434839?sk=info

Yellow Page Girl

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One For All - Too Soon To Tell

Styles: Jazz
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:00
Size: 139,3 MB
Art: Front

(8:19)  1. Too Soon To Tell
(6:56)  2. Alfie
(5:54)  3. Stranger Than Fiction
(7:03)  4. Dedicated To You
(8:46)  5. Blues For All
(8:03)  6. Betcha By Golly Wow
(8:29)  7. Visionary
(6:29)  8. Captain's Song

Having reviewed last month Optimism, the second Sharp Nine release by One for All, the New York–based co–op sextet patterned after Art Blakey’s celebrated Jazz Messengers, we must beg your indulgence as we backtrack a year to appraise its debut session, recorded in February ’97 by the eminent Rudy Van Gelder (whose apparently escalating faith in greater reverb is somewhat misplaced). Personnel is unchanged, as is the group’s impassioned point of view. In spite of the rather self effacing title, it’s hardly too soon to tell you, the reader and potential listener, that these are six of the most accomplished and emphatic young neo boppers in the Big Apple or anywhere else. If the Messengers were still around, this is probably quite close to what they’d sound like. While it may be hard to imagine anyone completely filling Blakey’s enormous shoes, Farnsworth has more than a few Bu like drum rolls up his sleeve and kicks the group along in splendid fashion.

Washington, pianist Tommy Flanagan’s bassist of choice, and Hazeltine complete a purposeful and close knit rhythm section that never lets the music drag or falter. The front liners, meanwhile, blend well together (several of the voicings are truly enchanting), and each one is an intrepid soloist as well  Rotondi the fiery triple tonguing aggressor, Davis the Fuller style acrobat, Alexander the muscular clean up batter in the volcanic image of his main man, George Coleman. Like many of Blakey’s sidemen, these guys double as composer/arrangers, and fare well in that department too. Rotondi contributed the buoyant Messengers like opener, “Too Soon to Tell” and the flag waving “Stranger Than Fiction.” Alexander wrote the minor key “Blues for All,” Davis the modal waltz “Visionary” and Hazeltine the up tempo closer, “Captain’s Song.” Hazeltine set “Alfie” to a brisk Latin beat and scored “Betcha By Golly Wow,” while Alexander arranged his earnest ballad feature, Sammy Cahn’s “Dedicated to You.” A superb collaborative effort that is easily recommended to partisans of the mainstream, as is the group's second release.~Jack Bowers 

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=2968#.UjTFUT8kI5c

Personnel: Eric Alexander, tenor saxophone; Jim Rotondi, trumpet, flugelhorn; Steve Davis, trombone; David Hazeltine, piano; Peter Washington, bass; Joe Farnsworth, drums.

Too Soon To Tell

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Celia Baron - Sax Appeal

Styles: Jazz
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:43
Size: 135,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:41)  1. I
(3:36)  2. Dark Gold
(3:35)  3. I Put A Spell On You
(3:48)  4. For The Love Of Him
(3:59)  5. Na, Na, Na
(3:56)  6. Big Sky
(4:19)  7. You Know That I Love You
(3:37)  8. Move Around
(3:53)  9. Panipat
(3:50) 10. Tango Me
(3:37) 11. F - Street
(3:54) 12. I Try
(3:30) 13. You
(4:28) 14. Funky Girl
(4:55) 15. Hey, Hey Now

.. As the daughter of two professional muscians, my heart was always going to be in music. Working in a music shop and selling instruments is not as much fun as playing them so I decided on a study of music at the “Conservatoire de la musique” in Luxemburg. I studied jazz saxophone for 4 years and during that time I had some early musical successes. With my band at the time V.I.S., we won the prize for young composers at the Berlin Film Festival three times. Upon completion of my music degree I began teaching at the music house of A. Knopp in Saarbrücken in between touring Europe wich several bands. More recently solo projects, composing and concert appearances have been the focus, playing alongside such musical stars as Maceo Parker, George Clinton, Fred Wesley , Martha High and Tom Principato. Although my musical range stretches from orchestral, gospel and musicals through to rock, jazz and blues my favorite style would have to be funk. Exposure to such a varied range of styles has led me to develope my own style, best described as “ Funky Chilljazzhiphoppop” . My first Album “Saxcess” was released in October 2008.. http://www.jango.com/music/Celia+Baron?l=0

Sax Appeal

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Jon Lucien - Lucien Romantico

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 33:34
Size: 76,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:11)  1. Tender Love of Mine
(3:42)  2. I Like It
(4:02)  3. Sempre Maria
(3:51)  4. How 'Bout Tonight
(5:09)  5. Tell Me You Love Me
(3:44)  6. Takes More Than Words
(6:01)  7. Together As One
(3:51)  8. Too Damn Hot

Jon Lucien made his first recording as a leader in 1970. This album is a reissue of one that was initially released in 1982 on the Precision label, but not widely distributed. In addition to singing, Lucien also plays a variety of instruments while he sings, I assume to keep his hands busy. Many of the tunes have a definite Caribbean beat to them including "Tender Love of Mine" and "How`Bout Tonight". Not surprising given that he was born in St. Thomas and has been elected to the Caribbean Hall of Fame. One of the special elements of the CD is the grand instrumental backing. There is a rhythm section, piano, Rhodes piano, drums, lots of backup vocals, and other assorted Latin percussion, all augmented live in the studio by large symphony orchestras including the Chicago and London symphonies as well as the New York orchestra which is conducted by renowned jazz trombone player and arranger Billy Byers. Matters, therefore, get a bit busy from time to time. But miraculously, everything stays under control and it all manages to fit together very well. But with all this activity, Lucien's voice doesn't stand out all that well as it is subsumed into comings and goings of larger groups. One exception is a "I Like It" which Lucien delivers with a cocky hat tilted forward manner. Another is "Too Damn Hot" which has a high-spirited beat that will keep your toe tapping and your shoulders moving. If you like the rhythm of the Islands, Romantico is a must have.~ Dave Nathan  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=9070#.Ujt5VRAkI5c.

Jon Lucien - Vocal/Fender Bass/Phodes Piano/Yamaha Grand Piano/Percussion/Mini Moog/Congas; Carlos Bega, James Gadson, Earl Palmer - Drums; Gloria Agostini - Harp; Angel Allende - Timbales; Steve Thornton - Percussion; Bill Byers, Michel Colombier, Richard Evans - Conductor; Josh Sklair, Oscar Castro Nevers - Guitar; Franchine Smith, JoAnn Brown - El, Cynthia White, Keithen Carter, Cinnamon - Backup Vocals; Larry Ball - Bass; Fred Jenkins, Clarence Charles, Dennis Budimir- Guitar; Gip Nobles - Rhodes Piano; Michael Melvoin/Aloisio Aguitar - Piano; Nana Vasconcelos - Talking Drums

Lucien Romantico

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Dave Brubeck & Paul Desmond - So Real

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 77:13
Size: 176.8 MB
Styles: Cool jazz, Saxophone/piano jazz
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[ 3:19] 1. I'm In A Dancing Mood
[10:05] 2. Two Part Contention
[ 2:07] 3. Camptown Races
[ 4:57] 4. Jeepers Creepers
[ 6:21] 5. Gone With The Wind
[ 5:17] 6. Take Five
[ 8:10] 7. Lonesome Road
[ 4:23] 8. Eleven Four
[ 2:27] 9. Short'nin' Bread
[ 4:30] 10. Basin Street Blues
[ 5:36] 11. Take The A Train
[ 7:58] 12. Blue Rondo Ala Turk
[ 6:36] 13. Georgia On My Mind
[ 5:21] 14. Brother, Can You Spare A Dime

Desmond and Brubeck began their partnership at a club called the Bandbox in Palo Alto, California in the late 1940s. Brubeck would intentionally goad Desmond beyond his musical comfort zone, by forcing him to play more uptempo songs. Brubeck knew that pushing Desmond to play at faster tempos would encourage him to overcome his natural reserve and play with more conviction and expression.

While Desmond and Brubeck's engagement at the Bandbox was a commercial success, they fell out over personal and financial concerns. Desmond moved to New York in 1950 to perform with pianist Jack Fina on alto saxophone and clarinet. At the same time, Brubeck formed a new trio that began to receive critical acclaim. Desmond soon found out about the trio's success and returned to San Francisco to see if he had a chance of joining his old friend's group.

The story of how Desmond got back on Brubeck's good side is amusing. Brubeck held a grudge against Desmond over the difficulties they had from when they last performed together. Brubeck, now married with three children, told his wife Iola that Desmond was not allowed in their home. One day, Desmond showed up at the door and Iola took him into the back yard, where Brubeck was folding diapers. Desmond pleaded with him, but Brubeck would consider hiring him back until the saxophonist offered to babysit his three children. This turned out to the offer Brubeck could not refuse.

So Real

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Carol Welsman - S/T

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 50:33
Size: 115.7 MB
Styles: Easy Listening, Vocal jazz
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[4:28] 1. Brazasia
[3:53] 2. Hold Me
[3:53] 3. Dans Cette Chambre
[3:59] 4. What A Fool Believes
[2:48] 5. Eu Vim De Bahia
[3:51] 6. Cafe
[4:56] 7. Live To Tell
[4:01] 8. Nosotros
[4:59] 9. Too Close For Comfort
[2:25] 10. With Me
[3:28] 11. Dans Mon Ile
[3:53] 12. Beautiful
[3:53] 13. Ora

If this self-titled CD had more of a straight-ahead jazz outlook, it would be easy to describe Carol Welsman as a member of the Cool School; the Canadian singer favors the type of relaxed, subtle phrasing that June Christy, Helen Merrill and Chris Connor were known for in the '50s. But for the most part, this 2007 release (which was produced by Jimmy Haslip of Yellowjackets fame) is not straight-ahead jazz but rather, is best described as jazz-tinged pop/NAC singing along the lines of Basia, Marilyn Scott and Sade. The 50-minute CD does have its improvisatory moments; the Brazilian-flavored "Café" (a Welsman original) demonstrates that Welsman can scat and improvise effectively when she puts her mind to it. But pop dominates the album, and that isn't a problem because Welsman's pop -- although certainly light -- is not lightweight. For all her subtlety and understatement, Welsman gets her emotional points across whether she is putting her spin on the Doobie Brothers' "What a Fool Believes," Madonna's "Live to Tell" or the Latin standard "Nosotros." Welsman has no problem performing in Spanish on "Nosotros"; in fact, she performs in a total of five languages on this disc -- not only English and Spanish, but also in Portuguese on "Eu Vim de Ahia," in Italian on "Ora" and in French on "Dans Cette Chambre." The latter is an example of a familiar melody with new lyrics; "Dans Cette Chambre" is Welsman's French-language interpretation of Gordon Lightfoot's "Beautiful." A Lightfoot melody and French lyrics might seem an unlikely combination, but it works for Welsman. This disc falls short of exceptional, although it's a pleasing, likable effort that is worth hearing if one has spent a lot of time listening to NAC favorites like Basia and Scott. ~ Alex Henderson

Carol Welsman (keyboards); Pierre Côté (acoustic guitar); Vern Dorge (soprano saxophone); Jimmy Haslip (bass guitar); Jimmy Branly (drums); John Acosta (background vocals). Additional personnel: Eric Marienthal (alto saxophone).

Carol Welsman

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