Fats Navarro - Nostalgia

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 33:14
Size: 76.1 MB
Styles: Trumpet jazz
Year: 1958/2001
Art: Front

[2:41] 1. Nostalgia
[2:36] 2. Barry's Bop
[2:34] 3. Be-Bop Romp
[2:47] 4. Fats Blows
[2:57] 5. Dextivity
[2:46] 6. Dextrose
[2:49] 7. Dexter's Mood
[3:01] 8. Index
[2:42] 9. Stealin' Trash
[2:38] 10. Hollerin' And Screamin'
[2:50] 11. Fracture
[2:47] 12. Callin' Dr. Jazz

Taken from three different, late-'40s sessions, Nostalgia features Navarro in the fine company of bebop stars like Dexter Gordon, Tadd Dameron, and Art Blakey. While looser sounding than the legendary sides the trumpeter cut for Blue Note, the tracks here still include the usual bevy of sharp Navarro solos, plus stellar contributions by all involved. The first session with tenor saxophonist Charlie Rouse (one of the earliest recordings of the future Monk sideman), Dameron, and Blakey, finds Navarro mixing poised and fluid solo work with more intense high-note statements, demonstrating his masterful blend of both Miles Davis' cool approach and Dizzy Gillespie's incendiary technique. The highlights continue with four more cuts from a Dexter Gordon-led session from 1947, which adheres to the brief head statement and round of solos mode used on the earlier cuts. Dameron returns on piano, nicely comping behind Gordon's already distinct solo work and more of Navarro's pearl-like horn lines (these numbers have also been released on various Gordon titles on Savoy). The disc ends with a date led by honking tenor man Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, which, while less intriguing than the other sessions, stills swings mightily with a mix of bebop and R&B flavored tunes. Nostalgia is worthy of any jazz collection and certainly is an essential title from the bebop era. ~ Stephen Cook

Fats Navarro (trumpet), Charlie Rouse, Dexter Gordon, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis (tenor saxophones), Tadd Dameron, Al Haig (piano), Huey Long (guitar), Nelson Boyd, Gene Ramey (bass), Art Blakey, Art Mardigan, Denzil Best (drums).

Nostalgia

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Shannon Forsell - The Nearness Of You

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 46:57
Size: 107.5 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[2:51] 1. Sing Me A Swing Song (And Let Me Dance)
[4:01] 2. Old Man Moon
[3:43] 3. The Nearness Of You
[3:17] 4. Heart And Soul
[4:19] 5. Skylark
[4:59] 6. Baltimore Oriole
[5:15] 7. Georgia On My Mind
[3:41] 8. Lazy River
[5:00] 9. Winter Moon
[4:47] 10. Can't Get Indiana Off My Mind
[4:59] 11. Stardust

On her debut CD, Shannon Forsell’s vocals capture the essence of the songs of one of America’s finest composers and quintessential Hoosier, Hoagy Carmichael. With the perfect blend of sophistication and authenticity, Forsell keenly interprets Hoagy’s most well known songs (The Nearness of You, Skylark, Stardust, Georgia On My Mind) along with a few less-recorded musical gems.

Forsell’s lush vocals and superb lyric interpretation, backed by critically acclaimed jazz musicians, make this top-notch recording a sure bet for jazz and cabaret lovers alike. The Nearness of You is a pleasure, a cool trip through wonderful chapter in the great American songbook.

Tributee: Hoagy Carmichael. Personnel: Shannon Forsell (vocals); PJ Yinger (ukulele, trumpet); Rob Dixon (saxophone); P.J. Yinger (trumpet); Zach Lapidus (piano); Greg Artry (drums).

The Nearness Of You

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The Four Lads - Breezin' Along

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 30:57
Size: 72.2 MB
Styles: Harmony vocal group, Easy Listening
Year: 1958/2010
Art: Front

[2:13] 1. Breezin' Along With The Breeze
[2:40] 2. That Old Feeling
[2:11] 3. Swingin' Down The Lane
[2:12] 4. Someone Like You
[2:17] 5. You Were Meant For Me
[2:19] 6. Hit The Road To Dreamland
[2:25] 7. Long Ago (And Far Away)
[2:57] 8. That's My Desire
[2:56] 9. Someone To Watch Over Me
[3:17] 10. You May Not Be An Angel
[2:38] 11. Come To Me
[2:47] 12. A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening

Breezin' Along was an LP album by The Four Lads released by Columbia Records as catalog number CL 1223 (monaural) and CS 8035 (stereo) in 1958, containing mostly popular standard songs. The Four Lads were backed by Ray Ellis' orchestra.

Baritone Vocals – Frank Busseri; Bass Vocals – Connie Codarini; Tenor Vocals [2nd] – Jimmy Arnold ; Tenor Vocals [Lead] – Bernie Toorish.

Breezin' Along

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Molly Ringwald - Except Sometimes

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:21
Size: 99,3 MB
Art: Front

(4:49)  1. Sooner Or Later
(4:44)  2. I Get Along Without You Very Well (Except Sometimes)
(4:12)  3. I Believe In You
(3:56)  4. I'll Take Romance
(4:42)  5. The Very Thought Of You
(2:41)  6. Exactly Like You
(4:51)  7. Where Is Love?
(2:02)  8. Pick Yourself Up
(6:30)  9. Ballad Of The Sad Young Men
(4:51) 10. Don't You (Forget About Me)

Well, of course Molly Ringwald was going to sing "Don't You (Forget About Me)" on her 2013 singing debut Except Sometimes -- it provides the hook to draw the curious into the fold, to bring in listeners who may otherwise have never paid attention to another album of an actor singing standards. And, in most regards, Except Sometimes is indeed another album of actors singing standards, distinguished by a more-adventurous-than-usual selection of songs (Ringwald has good taste and an aversion to shopworn warhorses) and a nicely intimate vibe, suggesting a comfortable, brightly lit nightclub where smoking was prohibited long, long ago. Apart from "Don't You (Forget About Me)," there are no radical rearrangements here, so what carries the day is that sweet, softly swinging feel, as Ringwald is a game but limited singer, hampered slightly by her thin, airless voice. Certainly, she seems to be enjoying herself but she also seems overly concerned with hitting her marks; her phrasing is precise and mannered, contradicting the otherwise relaxed vibes of the record. If Ringwald wasn't well-known, odds are Except Sometimes would never have shown up on a major label, but that's no reason to hate it: it's too cheerful and slight to inspire hate. It's merely a pleasant curiosity, one that seems like you've heard it before. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine  

http://www.allmusic.com/album/except%A6-sometimes-mw0002482713

Except Sometimes

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Oli Silk - All We Need

Styles: Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:02
Size: 120,0 MB
Art: Front + Back

(3:31)  1. All We Need
(5:36)  2. Tokyo
(5:21)  3. Don't Know About Love
(5:41)  4. L.A to London: The Return Journey
(5:48)  5. Latin Haze
(4:39)  6. Ahead of The Weather
(3:29)  7. Get Out Claws
(5:12)  8. Bring Back Those Days
(6:29)  9. Just an Allusion
(6:12) 10. Lay Back and Think of England

On his third solo album, All We Need, British keyboardist Oli Silk continues to fulfill the demands of the smooth jazz genre without displaying much innovative capacity. Drummer Oscar Seaton and bassists Mark Jaimes and Dwayne Smith set up percolating rhythm tracks, over which Silk solos easily on acoustic piano and/or electric keyboards, although "pleasant noodling" would be an equally accurate description. There is the de rigueur vocal track for radio, "Didn't Know About Love," and the expected Latin variation, "Latin Haze," on which Jaimes plays acoustic guitar; someone speaks in Spanish; and Joe Beckett provides some Latin percussion. Jaimes gets to use his electric guitar on "L.A. to London: The Return Journey" and the unfortunately titled "Lay Back and Think of England," while horn players Cindy Bradley and Gary Honor get look-ins on "Tokyo" and "Ahead of the Weather." The most characteristic track may be "Bring Back Those Days," which alludes to the smooth jazz affection for ‘70s R&B, as singers Rebeca Vega Felipe and Shannon Pearson repeat a chorus beginning, "Feels like an old-school jam." Throughout, Silk tinkles along agreeably, creating a near-generic example of the smooth jazz field. ~ William Ruhlmann  

http://www.allmusic.com/album/all-we-need-mw0002022706

All We Need

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Grover Washington Jr. - Time Out Of Mind

Styles: Jazz
Year: 1989
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:01
Size: 129,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:40)  1. Jamaica
(3:53)  2. Gramercy Park
(5:38)  3. Sacred Kind Of Love
(5:18)  4. Brand New Age
(5:28)  5. Fly Away
(4:25)  6. Don't Take Your Love From Me
(5:02)  7. Time Out Of Mind
(4:26)  8. Split Second
(6:02)  9. Nice-N-Easy
(5:06) 10. Unspoken Love
(5:58) 11. Protect The Dream

One of the most electrified of Grover Washington, Jr.'s albums, this Columbia set features the popular saxophonist (who plays soprano, alto and tenor) joined by oversized rhythm sections and plenty of keyboards on a variety of funky and danceable material. The pacesetter among R&B-ish saxmen is actually in fine form. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/time-out-of-mind-mw0000653825

Personnel: Grover Washington, Jr. (soprano, alto, tenor & baritone saxophones); Phyllis Hyman (vocals); Ronnie Foster, Bill Jolly (various instruments); Philip Woo, Donald Robinson, Sid Simmons (keyboards); Randy Bowland, Richard Lee Steacker (guitar); Gerald Veasley (bass, programming);

Time Out Of Mind

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Clare Teal - 2 albums: Paradisi Carousel / Don't Talk

Album: Paradisi Carousel
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 42:08
Size: 96.5 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz vocals
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[3:50] 1. Baby, I'm Coming Home
[3:13] 2. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying
[3:29] 3. Paradisi Carousel
[3:45] 4. Missing You
[3:48] 5. Reach Out (I'll Be There)
[4:11] 6. Light Flight
[3:20] 7. Breakout
[4:20] 8. Stay With Me
[4:34] 9. What Love Knows
[3:33] 10. Magic Day
[3:59] 11. Alone With You

2007 release of Teal's seventh album & her second for Sony Music. "Paradisi Carousel" is a rich, often sublime set of succulent tunes sung by a voice lined with velvet. Teal's voice can best be compared to being a Karen Carpenter for the 21st century, a British Diana Krall. Her loyal fans always knew she had the best voice in the UK, now the world will know too. "I spent an entire year working on this, which, for me, is very unusual," she says. "In the typical jazz tradition, I normally take no more than 6 weeks, so it would have been awful if I didn't have something to show for all those additional months & all that extra effort, don't you think?... Music is a melting pot," Clare says. "And that's what I'm all about, ultimately, a melting pot with 70 years of music at my fingertips". "Paradisi" is Latin for grapefruit and Teal has quite a thing for grapefruit. "It's a much misunderstood fruit," she reasons, "and I thought it was high time somebody stuck up for it!"

Paradisi Carousel

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Album: Dont Talk
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 49:15
Size: 112.8 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz vocals
Year: 2004
Art: Front

[3:16] 1. Messin' With Fire
[2:56] 2. When In Rome (I Do As The Romans Do)
[3:49] 3. Stoned Soul Picnic
[3:43] 4. Everything Is You
[3:19] 5. What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life
[3:53] 6. You Bring The Best Out In Me
[3:02] 7. The Music Goes Round And Round
[3:46] 8. Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)
[3:56] 9. Mood Indigo
[3:58] 10. Falling For You
[4:17] 11. In A Mellow Tone
[5:51] 12. So In Love
[3:24] 13. I Just Want To Make Love To You

Fourth album and major-label debut from British vocalist in love with old-school big band swing and jazz. Although she is being touted as Sony's answer to Jamie Cullum, her sound is much more rooted in tradition. Here she performs a selection of jazzed-up versions of pop and soul classics alongside trad standards and four originals which show why she has been hailed as one the UK's most exciting jazz talents.

Dont Talk

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Dan Block - Duality

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 51:24
Size: 117.7 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[5:06] 1. Long Ago And Far Away
[3:30] 2. I'm Bringing A Red Red Rose
[3:02] 3. Chorino For Dennis
[6:08] 4. If You Could See Me Now
[4:17] 5. Out Of Touch
[3:08] 6. Pitter Panther Patter
[4:58] 7. Lyric Waltz [from Dance Of The Dolls]
[7:25] 8. In The Dark
[4:09] 9. My Own Morning
[4:45] 10. The Jazz Samba
[4:52] 11. I'll Build A Stairway To Paradise

It must be one of the most pure ways to improvise: the duet. Call and respond are the basic elements of jazz music, born a century ago ..... Dan Block had the audacity to make such an album, entitled Duality - almost a dozen duo-specials, featuring Dan Block in duet with pianist Ted Rosenthall, guitar player Paul Meyers, awards winning vocalist Catherine Russell, baritone saxophone player Scott Robinson, vibist Mark Sherman and a handfull of others.

Recording information: Cathedral Sound (02/16/2011-05/??/2011); Zebulon Sound Factory (02/16/2011-05/??/2011); Cathedral Sound (05/17/2011/05/21/2011); Zebulon Sound Factory (05/17/2011/05/21/2011).

Duality

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John Abercrombie, Badi Assad & Larry Coryell - Three Guitars

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 57:40
Size: 132.0 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2003
Art: Front

[5:59] 1. Seu Jorge E Dona Ica
[1:34] 2. New Lute (Prelude)
[3:14] 3. New Lute (Interlude)
[4:17] 4. Soundtrack
[4:56] 5. After The Rain
[5:28] 6. Descending Grace
[4:03] 7. Metamorphosis
[4:24] 8. No Flight Tonight
[5:09] 9. Ralph's Piano Waltz
[5:25] 10. Suspended Circles
[2:33] 11. Exercise In Fourths
[3:30] 12. Autumn Breeze
[7:04] 13. Timeless

It's rare for three guitarists of this caliber to be assembled for a recording date. John Abercrombie claimed that he hadn't touched his acoustic guitar for three years prior to receiving an invitation to make this recording, though he was obviously ready when the tape rolled. Larry Coryell has made a number of acoustic recordings prior to this disc. Badi Assad's three previous CDs for Chesky have all merited high praise. Assad contributed five compositions to the session, though the stunning opener, "Seu Jorge e Dona Ica," is hard to beat. She initially accompanies her fellow guitarists on a percussive instrument called a kalimba, which sounds like it originates from Africa. This six-minute work has several distinctive sections, including a bit of her mouth percussion. Her "After the Rain" showcases the intricate interplay between the three guitarists. The moody, march-like "Metamorphosis" also proves compelling, while her switch to copper flute with an interspersing vocal transforms the piece into borderline avant-garde. Assad's body percussion introduces Abercrombie's challenging "Descending Grace," a piece full of surprising twists. His "Ralph's Piano Waltz" is every bit as difficult, but the players seem to tackle it effortlessly. Coryell also brought several of his pieces to the sessions. "New Lute Prelude" was inspired by the late Brazilian guitarist Laurindo Almeida, it serves as a brief introduction to the much more laid-back "New Lute Interlude." He also composed two duets to play with Assad. The wild "No Flight Tonight" features her vocals and incredible mouth and body percussion as the sole accompaniment for Coryell. They also walk a musical tightrope together in his "Exercise in Fourths" without any slips. Highly recommended. ~ Ken Dryden

Recorded at St. Peter's Church, Chelsea, New York on December 19-20, 2002.

John Abercrombie (acoustic guitar); Badi Assad (vocals, copper flute, kalimba, nylon guitar); Larry Coryell (acoustic guitar).

Three Guitars

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Barbara Ann Van - Her Way

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:28
Size: 145,3 MB
Art: Front

(4:01)  1. I'm Always Drunk In San Francisco
(4:11)  2. My Way
(4:50)  3. You Don't Know Me
(3:19)  4. Hard Hearted Hannah
(4:37)  5. Chains Of Love
(2:54)  6. Nice And Easy
(5:19)  7. This Bitter Earth
(3:26)  8. How High The Moon
(3:04)  9. The Song Is You
(5:22) 10. The Best Is Yet To Come/Imagination
(4:37) 11. Too Close For Comfort
(4:24) 12. Sometimes I'm Happy
(4:02) 13. Makin' Whoopee
(4:36) 14. From This Moment On
(4:41) 15. Good Morning Blues

This album represents months of tears, laughter, Joy, flaring tempers and creativity, we would all do it again in a New York Second. The music is a compilation of Jazz Blues and Ballads some of them done with unique and different arrangements. Mike Orta, piano, keyboards and arrangements delivered a solid tight backup for me. The musicians nicknamed “ Barbara’s Boys “ for this project all have successful careers on their own with various groups here in South Florida. I was fortunate enough to be able to pull them away to go into the studio with me to record music that was near and dear to my heart as well as theirs. Indulge me with a few words about these guys. Mike is Associate Professor and Director of Jazz Performance at Florida International University as well as the FIU Latin Jazz ensemble.He is much in demand here for local gigs and concerts as well.Mike also travels on the road with major names in the industry like Arturo Sandoval. Turk Mauro, saxaphone is a world renown artist who lived in France for 7 years, hails from New York and has several albums of his own on the charts.

Don Miller, acoustic bass is a featured columnist for Bassics Magazine and studied under the late Jaco Pastorious as well as others.He is the bassist of choice for George Benson, Ramsey Lewis and many others. Nicky Orta electric bass, yes he is Mike's brother, has toured the country with numerous big names in the music industry and currently works with Sammy Figueroa Latin Explosion Band,a Grammy Nominee in concert and on his albums. Danny Burger on drums what can I say about my beat man? Hails from New York also. Has worked with many of the greats too numerous to mention, but has made a name for himself in South Florida for over 15 years now also in demand for gigs here. Danny keeps me in time at all times and has the greatest smile you’ve ever seen on a drummer.Every female vocalist down here calls Danny her drummer but he truly is my "beat man" and has been for some time now.He is the drummer of choice on many South Florida Artists recent CD releases. Don Cail on flute from New England has been in several of my bands in the past and Is currently teaching piano and saxophone at a local magnet school in Fort Lauderdale.  

About Barbara……She began singing at the age of 6 on a local childrens radio program, grew up hearing Big Band music and the Great American SongBook all her life. Dabbled in singing rock and country music, but knew she always wanted to sing the great standards of the 1940’s and 50’s. She primarily listens to Frank Sinatra and Rosemary Clooney,Carmen McCrae and Diana Krall.This is her second album and the one that means the most to her, She hopes you enjoy what you hear . For all you Sinatra fans out there, Barbara feels he was the best of the best and honors his memory with her rendition of a few of his classics.Keep the music in your hearts always.  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/barbaraannvan

Her Way

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Oscar Peterson - Girl Talk

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1968
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:00
Size: 91,6 MB
Art: Front + Back

( 4:25)  1. On A Clear Day You Can See Forever
(17:12)  2. I'm In The Mood For Love
( 5:37)  3. Girl Talk
( 6:28)  4. I Concentrate On You / Moon River
( 6:18)  5. Robbin's Nest

One of a number of memorable albums recorded by Oscar Peterson for MPS during the mid-'60s, Girl Talk was compiled from several live studio sessions taped between 1964 and 1966, with bassist Sam Jones and either Bobby Durham or Louis Hayes on drums. Peterson's romping right hand helps this normally bland show tune. The pianist's imaginative unaccompanied introduction to "I'm in the Mood for Love" adds a new dimension to this old chestnut, with the rhythm section making a belated entrance; it is rather unusual to hear the trio play on just one song for 17 minutes. The title track, an overlooked gem jointly written by Bobby Troup and Neal Hefti, finds the leader in a bluesy mood. The relaxed but jaunty treatment of "Robbin's Nest" follows a powerful medley of "I Concentrate on You" and "Moon River" to wrap up this highly recommended session. ~Ken Dryden  http://www.allmusic.com/album/girl-talk-exclusively-for-my-friends-vol-2-mw0000331457

Girl Talk

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Steve Cole - Pulse

Styles: Smooth Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:16
Size: 99,1 MB
Art: Front

(3:54)  1. Pulse
(4:32)  2. Do Your Thing
(4:17)  3. With You All the Way
(4:08)  4. Slinky
(4:54)  5. Going in Circles
(4:25)  6. Looking Up
(3:55)  7. Maximum Cool
(4:38)  8. Minty Fresh
(3:58)  9. Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City
(4:30) 10. Believe

In the 15 years since the release of his debut record, saxophonist Steve Cole has traveled full-circle creatively and arrived back home on Pulse, the 10-song set mixing R&B, contemporary jazz, gospel, blues and pop that he produced with fellow saxman David Mann. The new collection surveying Cole’s musical passions showcases the artist’s affinity for infectious melodies, a wall of horns and soulful grooves. It also displays a musician comfortable in his own artistic skin. “Pulse is about finding an audience and really honoring them. I have a voice and an instrument, but my job is to entertain. It's simple in a way: if you focus on those people right in front of you and what excites them, you win every time. My work is about moving people. 

If you can figure out how to do that, the rest falls into place,” explains Cole, who has consistently delivered chart-topping hits and won fans via entertaining live performances. 2011’s elegant Moonlight placed the classically trained tenor saxophonist in an orchestral setting. “The last album was transformative and it is certainly one of the highlights of my career. It was a massive undertaking and I am incredibly proud of the record and the live show where I presented the album backed by a full orchestra and incredible musicians like Steve Rodby [Pat Metheny Group]. As an artist, sometimes I take left turns and it helps me find out who I am creatively. We, as people and as artists, tend to circle back to where we really live and I found my way home 15 years later on Pulse.” As a player, Cole describes his sound with one emphatic word: “BIG! My sound is warm and I strive to communicate effectively through my horn. I’ve heard it said that my sound is like a big warm blanket. I kind of like that description,” he chuckles. His inspired sax play throughout Pulse is poured with passion and precision, enriched with genuine soul power. There is feverish urgency and muscle along with harnessed control, grace and gentility. The Chicago native exploded onto the scene in 1998 with the album Stay Awhile that was produced by fellow Chicagoan Brian Culbertson. The disc scored two #1 hits and earned Cole the Oasis Smooth Jazz Award for best new artist shortly before his sophomore set, Between Us, was released in 2000. 

His catchy singles made him an instant radio favorite and he cranked them out with regularity on subsequent albums NY LA (2003), Spin (2005) and True (2006). In between leading his own band on the road, Cole utilized high-profile sideman gigs with Culbertson, Boz Scaggs, Peter White, Jeff Lorber and Rick Braun as a platform to build a national fan base. Today, he tours as a headline performer, and for the past 10 years as a member of Sax Pack, a stellar sax trio completed by Marcus Anderson and Jeff Kashiwa. As a young musician, Cole’s first pivotal gig came at the side of Richard Patterson, who was the bass player in Miles Davis’ band. “Playing with Richard Patterson, who had just come from playing with Miles Davis, taught me to push myself to reach far beyond what I thought possible.” Touring in Scaggs’ band also proved to be a valuable learning opportunity. “Performing with Boz Scaggs was an incredible experience. I learned so much about listening to the band and how dramatic dynamics can be. It was a bit intimidating to be honest, but it was a thrill to perform with such an amazing artist.” Cole and Mann co-wrote the tunes for Pulse. “I enjoy the [songwriting] process although I am constantly amazed and baffled by it. It’s always a great surprise writing music.” He’s been collaborating with Mann since Between Us. “It’s very natural working with David and we make a great team. He is great at writing and arranging horn section parts and there’s a lot of that on Pulse. We both respect each other so much. David creates lovely textures, colors and countermelodies. He weaves these beautiful fabrics throughout the track and has a unique ability to get inside the song,” says Cole of Mann, who plays horn section saxes, keyboards, flute, synth bass and programming on Pulse.  http://www.mackavenue.com/artists/detail/steve_cole/

Pulse

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Mora's Modern Rhythmists - My Favorite Band!

Styles: Swing/Big Bands
Label: Mr. Ace Records
Released: 1996
File: mp3 @320K/s
Size: 115,1 MB
Time: 50:16
Art: front

1. Hollywood (Introduction) - 1:19
2. My Favorite Band! - 2:58
3. Bandanna Babies - 2:26
4. Hot Mustard - 4:15
5. Speedy Boy - 2:14
6. Stockholm Stomp - 2:50
7. Soliloquy - A Musical Thought - 3:39
8. Rhapsody In Rhythm - 3:20
9. Egyptian Ella - 2:39
10. Mule Face Blues - 2:55
11. Black Coffee - 2:26
12. I'm Good For Nothing But Love - 3:27
13. Got The Jitters - 2:54
14. On Revival Day - 2:31
15. Night Wind - 3:37
16. Harlem Madness - 3:22
17. Steamboat Bill - 2:20
18. Hollywood (Conclusion) - 0:56

Personnel:
John Reynolds - guitar, banjo
Geoff Nudell - flute, clarinet, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone
Art Gibson - tuba
Corey Gemme - cornet
Jim Ziegler - trumpet, cornet
Larry Wright - drums, percussion
Mark Visher - clarinet, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone
Terry Glenny - violin
Dean Mora - vocals, piano
Jerry Kuhn - trombone
Phil Krawzak - clarinet, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone

Notes: The debut recording by Mora's Modern Rhythmists features the 11-piece group (six horns, four rhythm, and violin) performing a variety of superior obscurities, mostly from the early '30s. This set of pre-swing includes such interesting numbers as "My Favorite Band," "Hot Mustard," "Speedy Boy," "Rhapsody in Rhythm," "Mule Face Blues," "Got the Jitters," and "Harlem Madness." Pianist-leader Dean Mora adapted the stock arrangements to his band's instrumentation, and his sidemen create fine solos in the style of the period. This is an unusual period to be exploring, yet Mora and his players fully understand what pre-swing big bands sound like. An enjoyable outing by an ensemble that stands apart from the retro-swing movement. ~ Scott Yanow

My Favorite Band!

Duke Jordan - In Copenhagen

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 64:40
Size: 148.1 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[3:35] 1. No Problem
[3:34] 2. They Can't Take That Away From
[3:21] 3. Lush Life
[3:54] 4. Everything Happens To Me
[3:18] 5. All The Things You Are
[2:41] 6. The Way You Look Tonight
[3:44] 7. Jor-Du
[6:29] 8. Tea For Two/Star Dust
[4:18] 9. Yesterdays
[3:24] 10. Flight To Jordan
[4:25] 11. Misty
[2:09] 12. It's Only A Paper Moon
[3:35] 13. Don't Blame Me
[2:44] 14. Parisian Hop
[2:52] 15. Two Loves
[3:37] 16. Night Walk
[3:44] 17. How Deep Is The Ocean
[3:08] 18. Three Little Words

Duke Jordan faded somewhat unrecognized from the American jazz scene after moving to Europe for good, though by the time of this 1993 solo piano session, his career had rebounded with numerous opportunities to record for Scandinavian and Japanese record labels. Six of the 18 tracks are Jordan originals, including his well-known jazz standards "Jor-Du" and "Flight to Jordan," though they sound a good bit different without the presence of a rhythm section. His interpretation of "Yesterdays" conveys its bittersweet essence and sense of longing in dramatic fashion, while his abbreviated setting of "It's Only a Paper Moon" incorporates a bit of unexpected stride. It's surprising for a bop pianist to omit Dizzy Gillespie's famous introduction added to the standard "All the Things You Are," but Jordan relies on the strength of the original theme by diving headlong into it. He also finds new facets within gems by fellow jazz artists, including "Misty" and "Lush Life." While no new tracks have been added to the earlier version of this CD, previously issued as One for the Library, this is very much a valuable chapter in Duke Jordan's vast discography. ~ Ken Dryden

In Copenhagen

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Joao Donato & Paula Morelenbaum - Agua

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 43:14
Size: 99.0 MB
Styles: Brazilian jazz
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[3:21] 1. Flor De Macaruja
[3:24] 2. Cafe Com Pao
[4:14] 3. A Ra
[3:46] 4. Muito A Vontado
[3:16] 5. Lugar Comum
[3:21] 6. Ahie
[3:35] 7. Mentiras
[3:41] 8. Entre Amigos
[2:36] 9. E Muito Mais
[3:07] 10. Everyday
[4:10] 11. A Paz
[4:37] 12. Tudo Tem

We've always loved the music of Paula Morelenbaum, but this time around she's really got something special going on – thanks to keyboards and vocals from the legendary Joao Donato! Most of the tunes in the set are Donato numbers – themselves already a treat, but given a little something extra when handled by the master – as Donato's playing both electric and acoustic piano on the set! But maybe even more special are Joao's wonderful vocals – heartfelt and nicely wizened with age – making for a warm contrast to the more youthful modes of Paula. The arrangements are in that perfect Donato mode – light and lively, but never too wispy.

Agua

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John Gray & Herb Ellis - The Guitar Of John Gray

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 31:36
Size: 72.4 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[2:51] 1. One Note Samba
[2:10] 2. Caravan
[2:40] 3. Moonlight In Vermont
[1:57] 4. You Stepped Out Of A Dream
[3:10] 5. Comme Ci, Comme Ca
[2:42] 6. They Can't Take That Away From Me
[2:24] 7. Witchcraft
[3:06] 8. Where Am I To Go?
[2:35] 9. Cherokee
[2:41] 10. When Your Lover Has Gone
[2:30] 11. Memphis In June
[2:46] 12. Love Is Just Around The Corner

A really great little album – one of the few sessions recorded during Capitol's "Dimensions In Jazz" years, and one that features a twin-guitar lineup that's very cool! Guitarist John Gray's in the lead, handling all solos, and he's backed by a trio that features Herb Ellis on rhythm guitar, plus bass and drums. Gray's got a raspy, almost rock-like tone that's a strong contrast to Ellis' smoother lines – which makes for a sparkling groove that's almost a bit like what you'd hear if Santo & Johnny cut some jazz! Titles include "Caravan", "Comme Ci, Comme Ca", "One Note Samba", "Memphis In June", and "Witchcraft".

John Gray, guitar; Herb Ellis, Guitar; Don Bagley, Bass; Bob Neel, drums.

The Guitar Of John Gray

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Selma Chekili - Jazz Standards

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 41:11
Size: 94.3 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[3:13] 1. Strollin'
[4:57] 2. My Funny Valentine
[3:13] 3. It's Alright With Me
[4:42] 4. Sophisticated Lady
[3:25] 5. Someday My Prince Will Come
[3:21] 6. For All We Know
[3:35] 7. Speak Low
[3:45] 8. I Wish I Knew
[3:13] 9. Bye Bye Blackbird
[4:41] 10. How Insensitive
[3:01] 11. You Took Advantage Of Me

Recorded in Tunis at Ulysson Studios, featuring Fawzi Chekili on guitar & piano, Nizar Mhadhebi on bass, Mehdi Chekili on drums, Yacine Boulares on tenor sax and Selma Chekili on vocals.

Jazz Standards

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Oscar Castro-Neves - Live at Blue Note Tokyo

Styles: Bossa Nova, Brazilian Traditions

Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:11
Size: 131,0 MB
Art : Front

(5:09)  1. Ela É Carioca
(4:25)  2. Ponteio
(4:00)  3. My Sweet Sweetiepie
(4:09)  4. Domingo Azul Do Mar / Fotografia
(3:04)  5. Waters of March
(2:23)  6. Rio
(4:58)  7. Caninana
(3:14)  8. Rio Dawning
(5:47)  9. Tatiando
(4:58) 10. Misturada / Tombo
(3:22) 11. Chora Tua Tristeza
(4:07) 12. Canto De Ossanha
(2:58) 13. Deixa (Bonus Track)
(4:31) 14. Manhã De Carnaval

Live at Blue Note Tokyo is a celebration of Brazilian jazz played in one of the foremost jazz clubs in the world a gathering of old friends and the discovery of new friends, all coming together for legendary guitarist Oscar Castro-Neves. A founding father of the bossa nova musical movement, Castro-Neves became a leading figure in the genre, recording historic albums with Antonio Carlos Jobim, Dori Caymmi and Stan Getz, and touring with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Barbra Streisand, Ella Fitzgerald and countless others. On this outing, the guitarist/singer brings together percussionist Airto Moreira and vocalist Leila Pinheiro, both old friends, for an exciting collaboration with new musical partners to record a gem of Brazilian music.

The music is a compilation of performances recorded over a seven-night 2009 stretch at the Blue Note Tokyo jazz club, and features an all-star cast of Brazilian musicians playing three of Castro-Neves' own compositions, as well as songs from Jobim, Moreira, Baden Powell and others. The album was meant to capture only a snapshot of the incredible bossa music produced over the last fifty years. Needless to say, though the fourteen-piece repertoire is diverse, exciting and engaging, it in no way sufficiently documents the history of this great genre with such worldwide appeal. Nevertheless, from the strings of Castro-Neves' guitar, the lips of Pinheiro, and passionate performances from the band, Brazil comes alive with beautiful bossa melodies.

While vocals are certainly the mainstay of this disc, Castro-Neves' original, "My Sweet Sweetiepie," is a gorgeous instrumental collaboration between the leader and pianist Paulo Calasans. The guitarist opens the album with a vocal performance on the lively bossa rhythms of "Ela É Carioca," while on "Ponteio," he is joined by Pinheiro, who provides the lead vocals. There are other notable vocal performances here, including the two Jobim pieces, "Domingo Azul Do Mar/Fotographia," and "Waters of March." The brief but beautiful "Rio" and the classic Powell song, "Canto De Ossanha," are also wonderful vocal spots.

It's been said that jazz seems to be far more popular around the world than it is in the United States, with Japan listed as one country that has fully embraced the music. Audience response to this live recording confirms that the Brazilian sub-genre is just as popular. Led by guitarist Oscar Castro-Neves, one of the most important exponents of the bossa nova, Live at The Blue Note Tokyo showcases an all-star cast of players in a world-renowned setting, delivering the music of Brazil with passion and class. ~ Edward Blanco  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=41948#.Ukdekz9vA1I

Personnel: Oscar Castro-Neves: acoustic guitar, synthesizer guitar, vocals; Airto Moreira: drums, caxixis (3), pandeiro (7, 13), vocals (7, 13); Leila Pinheiro: vocals; Marco Bosco: percussion, voice and bird effects (9); Paulo Calasans: acoustic piano, keyboards; Marcelo Mariano: electric bass.

Oscar Castro-Neves 1940-2013  R.I.P.

Live at Blue Note Tokyo

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Jill Schoelen - Kelly's Smile

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:48
Size: 109,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:50)  1. Route 66
(3:50)  2. Kelly's Smile
(3:18)  3. Just the Way I Am
(4:58)  4. Cry Me a River
(3:17)  5. For All We Know
(5:24)  6. Meaning of the Blues
(4:41)  7. You're Looking at Me
(3:59)  8. Their Hearts Were Full of Spring
(3:50)  9. Girl Talk
(4:00) 10. Daddy
(3:15) 11. February Brings the Rain
(3:22) 12. If

While mostly recognized for her acting talents, Jill Schoelen (best known for her performances in Phantom of the Opera (1989), That Was Then,This Is Now (1986), Cutting Class (1989), and the original version of the 1987 horror film, The Stepfather) is exploring her other talents and has put out a stellar debut CD, Kelly’s Smile. Singing is not such a far stretch for Schoelen, as music has always been a passion of hers. Her voice is strong, yet not overstated. Schoelen’s style reminds one of Norah Jones, but whereas Jones can lull you off, Schoelen’s upbeat delivery keeps the pace of Kelly’s Smile vigorous. The CD is a profile of Sholean’s close friendship with Kelly Troup, the daughter of composer/actor Bobby Troup and actress Julie London. It was through their friendship with the Troup family that Schoelen learned her love for jazz. And when Kelly Troup passed away in 2002, it was the inspiration for this CD. Nine of the CD’s twelve tracks were penned by Bobby Troup, starting off with his most famous composition, "Route 66." (covered by everyone from The Rolling Stones, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Bob Dylan, to to a drastically distorted version by Johnny Rotten who shouted it for a Mountain Dew commercial in 1996). Schoelen’s take is breathy and atmospheric with an allure that Nina Simone would have been proud of. "Girls Talk" is another charmer, as is her cover of Bread’s "If." Schoelen went to the top in arranging her accompaniment as Larry Koonse guitar is smooth and tasteful and is the perfect complement to Schoelen’s vocals, as is the outstanding bass of the legendary Dave Carpenter (who sadly passed away last year). Kelly’s Smile is truly one of the best debut CDs to come out in some time. ~John Reed  http://blogcritics.org/music-review-jill-schoelen-kellys-smile/

Kelly's Smile

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John Legend - Love in the Future (Deluxe Edition)

Styles: Soul
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:32
Size: 155,7 MB
Art: Front + Back

(0:40)  1. Love in the Future (Intro)
(3:25)  2. The Beginning...
(3:06)  3. Open Your Eyes
(4:00)  4. Made To Love
(4:52)  5. Who Do We Think We Are (feat. Rick Ross)
(4:29)  6. All of Me
(2:38)  7. Hold On Longer
(3:09)  8. Save the Night
(3:33)  9. Tomorrow
(0:50) 10. What If I Told You? (Interlude)
(2:38) 11. Dreams
(3:06) 12. Wanna Be Loved
(1:24) 13. Angel (Interlude) [feat. Stacy Barthe]
(4:12) 14. You & I (Nobody In the World)
(3:17) 15. Asylum
(3:45) 16. Caught Up
(4:46) 17. So Gone
(4:02) 18. We Loved It (feat. Seal)
(4:18) 19. Aim High
(5:12) 20. For the First Time

This is John Legend's first solo studio album since 2008's Evolver. Between the two releases, he recorded the Grammy-winning Wake Up! with the Roots, scored a gold single with "Tonight (Best You Ever Had)" (from the Think Like a Man soundtrack), was featured on a couple albums' worth of songs by other artists, and somehow managed to be deeply involved in philanthropy. He also got engaged. Although he proposed to model Chrissy Teigen five years after meeting her, much of Love in the Future seems drawn from a romance that was quicker to bloom. "The Beginning…" sets a tone of urgency with a scene from the day after their first night spent together. Legend sings with certitude, "Pick some names, boy or girl/Then we'll change, change the world." That sense of blissful urgency -- of seizing the moment, getting lost, and knowing that the future is set -- is belied in the pacing. Even the album's standard 16-track edition meanders at a crawling pace. It's broken up by the occasional soaring arrangement or some hypnotically clanking/pinging percussion, as heard on highlight "Made to Love," which resembles a latter-day Moby collaboration with distant handclapping, spooky background vocals, and a sample from Lil Louis' noisy house classic "Video Clash." This is a heavy, laboriously made set of songs. The list of producers alone includes Hit-Boy, Bink, 88 Keys, the Runners, Doc McKinney, Q-Tip, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad. Kanye West, and Dave Tozer pile on as co-producers and co-executive producers. Perhaps they ensured that the whole album would have its dramatic, slightly eerie tone; even the covers of Bobby Caldwell's "Open Your Eyes" and Anita Baker's "Angel" are a little uneasy. That level of sonic indulgence seems like it should be incompatible with an artist who is, essentially, a piano man, but Love in the Future is among Legend's best work, made for couples who are into one another for the long term while feeling a little daring and crazy. [A Deluxe Edition added four bonus tracks.] ~ Andy Kellman  

http://www.allmusic.com/album/release/love-in-the-future-deluxe-edition-mr0003996905

Love in the Future (Deluxe Edition)

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