Faith Amour - Bright Eyes

Size: 116,8 MB
Time: 50:47
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Vocal Jazz
Art: Front

01. Accentuate The Positive (2:05)
02. Habanera (4:43)
03. Mr. Ego (3:37)
04. Take It (3:31)
05. Ou Es-Tu (4:17)
06. A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square (4:45)
07. Nao Importa (4:26)
08. Buru Buru (5:09)
09. Sweet Georgia Brown (5:18)
10. Bright Eyes (5:46)
11. Un Canadien Errant (7:06)

Nominated for 4 New Mexico Music Awards, and Winner of award for Best Vocal Performance, Santa Fe, New Mexico – based Canadian vocalist Faith Amour is often called "the voice of an angel". Here’s a dynamic musician that blends her love of straight-ahead jazz with the vibrant rhythms of her South-American/Caribbean heritage and uplifting heartsongs from around the world. Drawing inspiration from her early classical training, she is highly in demand as a jazz singer, choral composer and conductor, having worked alongside industry innovators across North America. This is the debut album of a public school music teacher turned jazz chanteuse - featuring John Rangel on piano, Mark Clark on drums and Justin Bransford on bass.

Bright Eyes

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Gerry Beaudoin Trio (Feat Harry Allen) - The Return

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 56:17
Size: 128.9 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[4:16] 1. The Return
[7:33] 2. Jackie's Serenade
[5:01] 3. So Long Ebony
[7:02] 4. God Bless The Child
[5:44] 5. Wave
[5:02] 6. I Often Thought You'd Never Leave Me
[5:30] 7. Hamilton Honeymoon
[4:45] 8. Mother's Day Waltz
[5:06] 9. RSG
[6:14] 10. Joanne Hears The Blues

An exquisite collection of songs and performances in the tradition of the hey day of classic jazz recordings from labels such as Bluenote and Impulse. Jackie's Serenade and I Often Thought You'd Never Leave Me will become "new standards."

Boston jazz artist Gerry Beaudoin has distinguished himself in many ways the past several decades. He has been a mainstay in jazz clubs of Boston and New York City. Beaudoin is also well respected as a teacher, which is one of the most admirable parts of his career. He is making sure that a new generation of jazz guitarists understands the roots of where we are today. Explaining and demonstrating the form and complexity of playing through advanced chord changes is a true gift, and one that needs to be shared freely.

The Return comes after a slight break from performance over the past few years due to unforeseen health complications. The liner notes to this CD discuss how much Beaudoin missed performing for a while, and also a new found appreciation of getting back to it recently.

The group on this recording includes Jesse Williams (bass), Les Harris Jr. (drums) and Harry Allen (tenor saxophone). This is the rhythm section that Beaudoin returned to action with, and Allen adds a wonderful touch as an additional voice. Most of the tunes on The Return are originals penned during his six month convalescence. The title track is a medium Latin tune with a catchy melody and chord structure. Allen and Beaudoin double the melody and complement each other perfectly. “Jackie’s Serenade” gives Allen the perfect vehicle for his breathy expressive tone. It is also nice to hear excellent brush work by Harris and a sustained, rich bass line by Williams.

The Return

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Bill Henderson - Live At The Vic: Beautiful Memory

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 51:07
Size: 117.0 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[3:00] 1. All The Things You Are
[4:06] 2. Never Make Your Move
[5:48] 3. You Are My Sunshine
[4:01] 4. Royal Garden Blues
[7:04] 5. Sleepin Bee
[2:26] 6. The Moon Was Yellow
[4:13] 7. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
[3:48] 8. The Song Is You
[8:17] 9. Old Black Magic
[4:09] 10. Never Kiss And Run
[4:10] 11. Living Without You
[0:00] 12. Tulip Or Turnip

How can a guy who has been heralded as the definitive hard-bop vocalist, whose wide-ranging résumé includes stellar work alongside the likes of Art Blakey, Horace Silver, Count Basie, Oscar Peterson and Charlie Haden (that’s Henderson alternating tracks with Shirley Horn on Haden’s The Art of the Song from 1999), who fully deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as such contemporaries as Ernie Andrews, Oscar Brown Jr. and Johnny Hartman, remain so incredibly underappreciated?

So far off the radar is Bill Henderson that even ardent jazz-vocal fans are often surprised to discover he’s still around. Well, around and active he is—remarkably, at age 82, sounding every bit as robust as he did throughout his vibrant stint from 1958-61 as the sole jazz artist on the Vee-Jay label, and on his bestselling eponymous ’63 Verve album with Peterson’s trio—as demonstrated throughout this live date, captured at the Vic in Santa Monica in March 2007.

Fans of Henderson’s early-career sessions will recognize that the aptly titled Beautiful Memory represents a stroll down memory lane. Yet while the songs may be largely the same (augmented by such eclectic additions as B.B. King’s “Never Make Your Move” and Elton John’s “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word”), the arrangements are fresh and innovative and Henderson’s reinterpretations are estimably inventive. There may be frost in his beard, but there remains a blazing fire in his belly and an irresistibly energetic hipsterism that rivals fellow octogenarian Jon Hendricks. ~Christoher Loudon/Jazz Times

Live At The Vic: Beautiful Memory

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Gabriele Tranchina - A Song Of Love's Color

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:31
Size: 124,8 MB
Art: Front

(5:06)  1. Chante Comme Si Tu Devais Mourir Demain
(4:57)  2. A Song Of Love's Color
(3:57)  3. Samba De Uma Nota Só
(5:56)  4. Today
(5:23)  5. Sing A Song Of Children
(4:23)  6. Inútil Paisagem
(5:00)  7. Asato Maa (Sat Chit Ananda)
(5:04)  8. Duérmete Niño Bonito
(4:28)  9. Voz
(3:54) 10. Solamente Pasión
(6:17) 11. Siehst Du Mich

Gabriele Tranchina proves herself to be a versatile vocalist on her second CD. Accompanied by a first-rate band including her husband, Joe Vincent Tranchina, on piano, bassist Santi Debriano, and drummer Bobby Sanabria, the expressive alto sings in six different languages, while moving fluidly through many styles. The opener, "Chante Comme Si Tu Devais Mourir Demain," is a driving samba with French lyrics. She tackles Antonio Carlos Jobim's "One Note Samba" with equal skill in a breezy setting, along with an emotional interpretation of the late composer's "Inútil Paisagem." The pianist contributed several originals, including the haunting ballad "Siehst du Mich," featuring his spouse singing a German poem set to music; "Voz," a delightful scat vehicle for her in an Afro-Cuban setting; and the warm "Sing a Song of Children." Few vocalists have the capability to cover so much territory in the space of a single CD, so Gabriele Tranchina is clearly a talent deserving of wider recognition.  ~ Ken Dryden   http://www.allmusic.com/album/a-song-of-loves-color-mw0001967132   

A Song Of Love's Color

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Mary Stallings - Manhattan Moods

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:40
Size: 148,0 MB
Art: Front + Back

(4:19)  1. This Can't Be Love
(5:20)  2. Sweet and Lovely
(6:11)  3. I Have a Feeling
(5:39)  4. How High the Moon
(4:41)  5. Lullaby of the Leaves
(5:06)  6. I Wish I Knew
(4:51)  7. The Surrey With the Fringe on Top
(6:37)  8. You Go to My Head
(6:06)  9. He Was Too Good to Me
(6:02) 10. Willow Weep for Me
(5:21) 11. I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance with You
(4:23) 12. I Love You Madly

A product of the San Francisco Bay Area jazz scene, Mary Stallings recorded in New York for the first time when she entered a Manhattan studio for her third Concord release, Manhattan Moods. Contrary to what some provincial, myopic jazz critics implied, Stallings didn't have to record in the Big Apple to prove her legitimacy -- she would have been a great singer even if she'd never set foot outside of northern California. But Stallings' visit to New York was a good thing, for her talented East Coast support includes pianist Monty Alexander and producer Allen Farnham (who is a fine pianist himself, though he doesn't play on this CD). Farnham was known for his work with Mel Tormé and Susannah McCorkle, and when it came to working with singers in the 1990s, you couldn't ask for a more insightful producer. Farnham's input was obviously a major asset for Stallings, who really pours her heart into such chestnuts as "You Go to My Head," "I Wish I Knew," and "Lullaby of the Leaves." Perhaps the album's most surprising track is "How High the Moon," which was done at maximum speed by countless beboppers, but becomes a haunting ballad in Stallings' hands. With Stallings having put her singing career on the back burner for so many years, it was great to see her building an impressive catalog at Concord. ~  Alex Henderson  http://www.allmusic.com/album/manhattan-moods-mw0000020308

Manhattan Moods

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J.J.Johnson - Tangence

Styles: Jazz
Year: 1994
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:08
Size: 134,3 MB
Art: Front + Back

(2:53)  1. People Time
(5:58)  2. The Meaning Of The Blues
(2:27)  3. For Dancers Only
(5:53)  4. Dinner For One, Please, James
(6:31)  5. Two's Company
(5:28)  6. Lament
(4:23)  7. Opus De Focus
(4:31)  8. The Very Thought Of You
(4:50)  9. Amazing Grace
(4:43) 10. Malagueña
(5:21) 11. The End Of A Love Affair
(4:04) 12. Malaga Moon

Trombonist J.J. Johnson is joined by a string orchestra arranged by Robert Farnon for most of the performances on this CD. Farnon's sweeping scores can sometimes come closer to movie music and muzak than jazz but the high quality of the songs and a few surprising departures make this CD recommended. Wynton Marsalis has three guest appearances (including a spirited unaccompanied duet with Johnson on the old Jimmy Lunceford hit "For Dancers Only"), Johnson takes his blues "Opus De Focus" as a duet with bassist Chris Laurence and the trombonist is in particularly fine form on such numbers as "The Meaning of the Blues," "Dinner for One, Please, James," "The Very Thought of You" and his own "Lament."~Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/tangence-mw0000126212

Personnel includes: J.J. Johnson (trombone); Robert Farnon (arranger); Wynton Marsalis (trumpet); Chris Laurence (bass). Producers: John Snyder, Jean-Philippe Allard. Personnel: J.J. Johnson (trombone); Louis Stewart (guitar); Hugh Webb (harp); Colin Sheen (violin, trombone); Derek Collier, David Randall, Joan Edwards, Geoffrey Grey, Maurice Brett, Rachel Cohen, Homi Kanga, Gillian Cohen, Levine Andrade (violin); Johnny Graham, George Turnland, Michael Ponder (viola); Norman Jones, Caroline Dale, Anthony Pleeth (cello); Dennis Walton, Peter Hughes, Ray Swinfield, Tommy Whittle, Roy Willox (woodwinds); Nigel Carter, Derek Healey, Kenny Baker , Wynton Marsalis, Simon Gardner (trumpet); John Pignegny, Nick Busch, Richard Watkins (French horn); Bill Geldard, Gordon Campbell, Don Lusher (trombone); Laurie Holloway (piano, keyboards); Terry Jenkins (drums); Eric Allen (percussion).                

Tangence

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Kevin Coelho - Turn It Up

Size: 145,7 MB
Time: 63:28
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Jazz Soul, Jazz Fusion, Hammond B3 Organ
Label: Chicken Coup
Art: Front

01. Root Down (5:08)
02. Soft And Wet (5:45)
03. Come Together (6:36)
04. The World Is A Ghetto (7:37)
05. Zig Zag (6:17)
06. When Johnny Comes Marching Home (7:26)
07. Shadows (4:52)
08. Georgia On My Mind (7:48)
09. The World Is A Ghetto (Radio Edit) (5:39)
10. When Johnny Comes Marching Home (Radio Edit) (6:16)

Kevin Coelho welcomes you to the land of rhythm and groove with Turn It Up!

If you watch Idol, X-Factor or The Voice then you have heard this a million times, know who you are as an artist! Kevin Coelho is eighteen years old and is more aware of his artistic direction than most players twice his age. There have been several new artists under 21 that have made a splash of late but I will go out on a limb and say, Kevin Coelho will be mentioned in the same breath with artists like Joey DeFrancesco and Mike LeDonne by the time he turns forty.

While under the watchful eye of another organ great in Tony Monaco, the sound of Turn It Up seems to embrace a contemporary retro riff on the legendary Charles Earland. The tunes may raise an eyebrow but as I have learned the hard way, don't judge to quickly! From the Beatles, "Come Together" to "Soft and Wet" from Prince we have Coelho doing a focus riff on himself and digging deep for a soulful and soul filled groove that has not been heard since Joey DeFrancesco burst onto the scene and roughly the same age. The original jam "Zig Zag" is pure flavor and possibly one of the finest tunes here. Reinforcing this groove-a-licious release we have guitarist Derek DiCenzo and drummer Reggie Jackson and they are indeed the glue that makes this a true collaborative effort. A harmonious assault on the soul, a beat you hear with your feet.

What makes Turn It Up work so amazingly well is this is far more than the predictable retro riff on old school B3 trios from the early 60's, this is new school funk laid down by a rising star in modern jazz. The first album, Funkengruven was really good but this is great. Coelho is a skillful improviser with a precise lyrical direction and is the harmonic gift that keeps on giving. Perfect? Darn close. Going hypercritical and splitting hairs is not how I roll. Age is nothing but a number...here it is 5. ~Brent Black

Turn It Up

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Ginger Blu Collective - Live (Discs 1&2)

Many local and International audiences have experienced the unique jazz style and awesome sound of Perth Jazz Singer Marnie Kent. Her mix of jazz originalsand standards with a funky edge and her love of latin grooves make for an eclectic cross section of styles. With her roots firmly in Jazz, it is easy to recognize her love of pop, blues, r'n'b and latin rhythms. Her sound is warm and rich, her style exciting and dynamic. Her experience, confidence and dynamic stage presence make her an enticing performer. An experienced bandleader, Marnie has been groomed by the best. Working alongside Perth's world class musicians has moulded her unique style and seen her grow into one of Perth's finest Jazz Vocalists.

Known for her collaborations with Grant Windsor and Freddie Grigson she has become well known for her knack of putting together the best line-ups in town. Her latest combo "Ginger Blu Collective" is a truly awesome band. Featuring Musicians Chris Foster, Ben Vanderwal, Chris Tarr, Pete Jeavons, Simon Jeans, Carl Mackey, Jeremy Trezona and Warren Harvey After the release of the first album, 'Live' former Musical Director Grant Windsor relocated to London.... Local and International Jazz Piano legend Don Gomes is now the featured pianist in the band. Don brings a new and fresh sound to the Ginger Blu Collective with his inimitable Jazz Piano style.

Marnie was educated at Perth Modern School studying classical and jazz saxophone for 5 years and went on to study jazz voice at the WA Conservatorium of Music. During her study at The Conservatorium she participated in workshops with international jazz singers Sheila Jordan and Carmen Lundy and studied with local jazz musicians Helen Matthews, Freddie Grigson and Ray Walker. Marnie then relocated to Melbourne to start her first band. For the past 12 years Marnie has played in Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast and to international audiences in Singapore, China and Japan. She has performed at the Kiama Jazz festival (NSW), Wangaratta International Jazz Festival (VIC), Sanctuary Cove Festival of Jazz (QLD), River Festival (QLD) and Fremantle International Jazz Festival (WA). Marnie Kent is developing an impressive fan base and ever increasing profile. Her recent Live recording at the Leederville Hotel and former residency at the 'Belgian Beer Cafe' have provided great exposure for this upcoming artist.

Album: Live (Disc 1)
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 57:54
Size: 132.6 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2005

[5:34] 1. Bette Davis Eyes
[9:41] 2. Storm - Wami
[6:32] 3. Love Is Here To Stay
[7:15] 4. Comes Love
[6:12] 5. Skylark
[5:01] 6. Who Will The Next Fool Be
[8:36] 7. Old Devil Moon
[8:59] 8. Nardis

Live (Disc 1)

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Album: Live (Disc 2)
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 23:23
Size: 53.6 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[6:59] 1. Let's Move
[4:58] 2. Romance In The Dark
[5:05] 3. Fortune Smiles
[6:20] 4. Caged Bird Sings

Live (Disc 2)

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Jack McDuff - Crash! (Featuring Kenny Burrell)

Bitrate: 320K/s

Time: 76:21

Size: 174.8 MB

Styles: Organ jazz

Year: 1994

Art: Front

[ 6:33] 1. Something Slick

[ 7:34] 2. How High The Moon

[ 4:58] 3. Shaky

[ 7:27] 4. Love Walked In

[ 6:21] 5. Smut

[ 5:22] 6. It's a Wonderful World

[10:49] 7. Our Miss Brooks

[ 3:22] 8. Grease Monkey

[ 4:28] 9. The Breeze and I 2

[ 6:39] 10. Call It Stormy Monday

[ 8:01] 11. Nica's Dream

[ 4:41] 12. We'll Be Together Again

Organist Jack McDuff has long had a powerful style and the two former LPs that are combined on this single CD offer some strong examples of his accessible playing. In both cases McDuff is joined by guitarist Kenny Burrell (in fact one of the two sets was originally under Burrell's name), drummer Joe Dukes and occasionally Ray Barretto on congas. In addition Harold Vick is on tenor for most selections and Eric Dixon guests on tenor and flute during three songs. Highlights include a driving "How High the Moon," "Love Walked In" and a pair of original blues: "Smut" and "Our Miss Brooks." McDuff and Burrell work together quite well. This 76-minute CD is easily recommended to fans of the jazz organ. ~ Scott Yanow

Jack McDuff (organ); Harold Vick, Kenny Burrell (guitar); Eric Dixon (flute, tenor saxophone); Joe Dukes (drums); Ray Barretto (congas).

Recording information: Englewood Cliffs, NJ (01/08/1963/02/26/1963).

Crash!

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Leon Redbone - Double Time

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 34:43
Size: 79.5 MB
Styles: Jazz-Folk-Rock vocals
Year: 1976/1990
Art: Front

[3:07] 1. Diddy Wah Diddy
[2:12] 2. Nobody's Sweetheart
[3:12] 3. Shine On Harvest Moon
[4:16] 4. Crazy Blues
[1:44] 5. Mississippi Delta Blues
[3:41] 6. Mr. Jelly Roll Baker
[3:08] 7. My Melancholy Baby
[2:33] 8. The Sheik Of Araby
[3:10] 9. Mississippi River Blues
[4:17] 10. Winin' Boy Blues
[3:17] 11. If We Never Meet Again This Side Of Heaven

One of Leon Redbone's best early outings, 1977's DOUBLE TIME finds the mustachioed, fedora-wearing enigma further refining the old-timey aesthetic of his debut. Joel Dorn's crystal-clear production aside, this album could have been created almost 50 years earlier, with Redbone's deep, scratchy voice and lively acoustic guitar-playing readymade for a Louisiana juke joint. The set opens with the sauntering "Diddy Wa Diddie," a horn-laden Dixieland number that would remain a staple in Redbone's repertoire for decades to come. The eccentric singer also offers up two Jimmie Rodgers tunes--the celebratory "Mississippi Delta Blues" and its skid row cousin, "Mississippi River Blues." Other highlights of DOUBLE TIME include Redbone's own amiable "Crazy Blues," which fits seamlessly alongside the vintage material, and "Sheik of Araby," performed with wacky, nonsensical verve in classic "hot jazz" style. Since, oddly enough, there are no Redbone compilations available, this charming album serves as one of the finest introductions to his anachronistic sound.

Double Time

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Eden Atwood - Like Someone In Love

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:37
Size: 125,1 MB
Art: Front

(5:04)  1. Someone To Watch Over Me
(5:37)  2. My One And Only Love
(3:33)  3. Like Someone In Love
(6:05)  4. All My Tomorrows
(5:15)  5. Make Someone Happy
(3:27)  6. My Romance
(5:43)  7. I Wish You Love
(4:20)  8. So Nice (Summer Samba)
(3:02)  9. Alfie
(2:55) 10. I'll Be Seeing You
(4:12) 11. Easy Street
(5:18) 12. Here's To Life

Eden Atwood has a voice that is many things - seductive, plaintive, sensitive, gifted with perfect intonation and phrasing, and entertaining. Her vocal style shows the influence of many jazz singers including Jimmy Scott, Shirley Horn, Sarah Vaughn and Billie Holiday.

From 1993 to 1997, Eden released a series of well-received albums from Concord. Then, from 2002 and 2004, she recorded two beloved albums for the audiophile label Groove Note (their XRCD editions are available here at Eastwind Import). In 2007 she had a tumor removed from her vocal cords but came back strong with a slightly huskier voice. Now, with a series of new recordings for the Japanese SSJ Records, she has ascended once again onto the third phase of her career.

Like Someone In Love is a great follow-up to her 2009 release, Turn Me Loose. Recorded in three sessions in 2009 and 2010, this is a collection of standards. In addition to David Morgenroth, Chris Colangelo and Joe LaBarbera who recorded with her on the previous album, she has Kendall Kay on drums and Azar Lawrence on tenor sax on several tracks. 

Another incredible vocal album. Recommended!   http://www.eastwindimport.com/product-info.asp?ProductID=1666

Personnel: Eden Atwood (vocal); David Morgenroth (piano); Chris Colangelo (bass); Joe La Barbera (drums); Kendall Kay (drums); Azar Lawrence (tenor sax)

Recorded March and June 2009 and June 2010 at Umbrella Media, Chattsworth, California.

Like Someone In Love

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Renee Rosnes - Ancestors

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:47
Size: 139,6 MB
Art: Front

(6:15)  1. Upa, Neguinho
(6:31)  2. Sounds Around the House
(8:28)  3. Intuition
(8:54)  4. Ache of the Absences
(9:40)  5. Ancestors
(7:33)  6. Life Wish
(5:51)  7. Gift
(7:31)  8. Chasing Spirits

Renee Rosnes, who left her native Canada to settle in New York and play with Joe Henderson, Jon Faddis and her own groups, is an excellent pianist inspired by early Herbie Hancock and McCoy Tyner. She heads a top New York sextet on this CD that includes the potentially great trumpeter Nicholas Payton (here showing a strong Freddie Hubbard influence), bassist Peter Washington, drummer Al Foster and percussionist Don Alias. However the musician who makes the biggest impression on the date is Chris Potter, mostly on tenor but also contributing some effective soprano, bass clarinet and alto flute. Potter, who by the mid-'90s already had his own sound on each of his instruments, gained his earliest recognition playing with Red Rodney's quintet in the 1980s but has since developed into a major postbop stylist with an explorative and colorful style. It is for his playing on these selections (five of which are challenging Rosnes originals) that Ancestors is chiefly recommended.  ~Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/ancestors-mw0000185664      

Ancestors

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Jeff Barone - Open Up

Styles: Jazz
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:30
Size: 156,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:51)  1. Duban's Groove
(6:35)  2. New Samba
(5:56)  3. If You Go Away
(6:39)  4. Open Up
(7:01)  5. Jenna's Song
(4:08)  6. Falling In Love With Love
(6:09)  7. Here's That Rainy Day
(3:54)  8. I Hear Music
(3:43)  9. My Funny Valentine
(6:02) 10. Toys
(6:08) 11. Quiet Now
(7:17) 12. Falling In Love With Love (Alternate Take)

With ample chops and a firm grasp on tradition, New York-based jazz guitarist Jeff Barone proves a capable leader, bringing fresh ideas to the straight-ahead realm. Open Up showcases the Syracuse native's relaxed approach on a hard-swinging set of standards and originals.

Barone displays strong compositional skills on the up-tempo modal opener "Duban's Groove," the Brazilian flavored "New Samba," the funky title track and the lovely ballad "Jenna's Song," one of two duets with guest guitarist Jack Wilkins. The guitarist has a penchant for writing catchy melodic phrases and solo-friendly harmonic progressions.

A stand-out moment on the disc is Barone's solo guitar interpretation of the Rodgers and Hart staple "My Funny Valentine." The free-flowing arrangement is reminiscent of how the late Joe Pass would exhaust the instrument's possibilities while maintaining a swinging directive. The second duet with Wilkins, Danny Zeitlin's "Quiet Now," is a wonderful representation of communicative skills between two like-minded associates.

Trumpeter Joe Magnarelli and alto saxophonist Mike Dubaniewicz contribute inventive, flowing lines throughout. Dubaniewicz bebop prowess on "I Hear Music" and Magnarelli's fiery display on Herbie Hancock's "Toys" are disc highlights. Organist Ron Oswanski (Maynard Ferguson, Blood, Sweat & Tears) holds down the groove with strong bass lines and greasy voicings. Drummer Rudy Petschauer keeps the pace flowing with rock-solid time. All in all, Open Up is a strong release with inspired performances, worthy of repeated listening. ~ John Barron   

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=31234#.Um_cRBAueZd

Personnel: Jeff Barone: guitar; Joe Magnarelli: trumpet; Ron Oswanski: B-3 organ; Mike Dubaniewicz: alto saxophone; Rudy Petschauer; Jack Wilkins: guitar (5, 11).

Open Up

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Spike Robinson & Louis Stewart with Janusz Carmello - Three For The Road

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 58:46
Size: 134.5 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz, Cool
Year: 1989/2008
Art: Front

[6:39] 1. They Didn't Believe Me
[6:04] 2. Dearly Beloved
[5:18] 3. If You Were Mine
[4:23] 4. Yes Sir, That's My Baby
[6:48] 5. Only A Rose
[7:49] 6. My Buddy
[7:25] 7. The Song Is You
[9:13] 8. For Heaven's Sake
[5:02] 9. They Say That Falling In Love Is Wonderful

Spike Robinson: Even in the jazz genre, which is full of musicians who show legendary devotion to their art, the story of tenor saxophonist Spike Robinson stands out. His full-time career as a musician essentially began when he was 51 years old. Pursuing his career in his adopted country of England, Robinson gained recognition as an elegant, lyrical exponent of the styles of the 1950s golden age of jazz saxophone. In the words of a writer for the All About Jazz website, "Spike Robinson was the last of a breed—an unassuming, unpretentious, gentle and amicable traveling tenor troubadour who had his share of demons but basically no other aim than to play his horn and give pleasure through a melodic gift that could never be taught."

Louis Stewart: b. 5 January 1944, Waterford, Eire. After playing guitar in a succession of Dublin-based showbands, Stewart began playing jazz in the early 60s. By the end of the decade he had achieved a substantial reputation by working with such leading jazzmen as Tubby Hayes and Benny Goodman. Throughout the 70s he continued to enhance his standing in both the UK and the USA, playing and recording with Ronnie Scott, Don Burrows, George Shearing, Peter Ind and others. He also toured Europe, attracting considerable attention everywhere he played. In the 80s and 90s his reputation grew apace, despite his preference for spending a substantial part of his time in his homeland, and he made well-received albums with Martin Taylor, Brian Dunning, and Spike Robinson. He has composed a number of pieces based on the work of James Joyce, several of which appeared on the albums Milesian Source and Joycenotes. A brilliant sound allied to a crystal-clear tone has helped to make Stewart one of the outstanding guitarists in jazz. A virtuoso technique allows him to realize fully his endless inventiveness. In 1998, Stewart received an Honory Doctorate by Trinity College, Dublin.

Recorded at BBC Kensington House, London, England on July 15, 1989.

Spike Robinson (tenor saxophone); Louis Stewart (guitar); Janusz Carmello (pocket trumpet); Dave Newton (piano); Pete Morgan (acoustic bass); Mark Taylor (drums).

Three For The Road

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Elizabeth Shepherd - Rewind

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 50:34
Size: 115.8 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[4:44] 1. Love For Sale
[3:51] 2. Poinciana
[3:13] 3. Pourquoi Tu Vis
[4:21] 4. Lonely House
[3:48] 5. Les Amoureux Des Bancs Publics
[5:27] 6. Feeling Good
[6:28] 7. Midnight Sun
[2:46] 8. Sack Of Woe
[5:16] 9. Buzzard Song
[4:42] 10. When You Are Near
[3:02] 11. Born To Be Blue
[2:50] 12. Prelude To A Kiss

Vocalist/pianist Elizabeth Shepherd arrived on the international scene in 2006 when her debut album Start To Move was voted one of the top jazz albums of the year by the listeners of the influential Gilles Peterson Show on BBC Radio Worldwide. Since then, the Toronto-based soul-jazz innovator has released two widely acclaimed records and toured extensively in North America, Europe and Japan. She has sold out legendary clubs from Tokyo to Detroit, played festivals like Montreal and North Sea Jazz Festivals, shared the stage with Victor Wooten, Branford Marsalis and Christian McBride, and opened for Jamie Cullum at The Hollywood Bowl.

Elizabeth is the only jazz vocalist to ever have been long listed for the Polaris Prize – Canada’s most prestigious music prize. The two-time JUNO nominee (Canada’s Grammy equivalent) has received widespread praise for her original compositions, but on her fourth album Rewind Elizabeth showcases her skills as an arranger and interpreter, breathing new life – and soul – into songs both familiar and forgotten.

Rewind

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Various - Jazz Latino

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 70:37
Size: 161.7 MB
Styles: Latin jazz
Year: 2001
Art: Front

[4:38] 1. Paquito D'rivera - The Peanut Vendor
[6:03] 2. Mongo Santamaria - Cuco Y Olga
[8:00] 3. Tom Harrell - Expresso Bongo
[5:02] 4. Monty Alexander - Consider
[5:35] 5. Lenny Andrade - Manha De Carnival
[6:41] 6. Phil Woods - Nada Sera Como Antes
[5:15] 7. The Coryells - Allegro
[5:54] 8. Orquestra Nova - Arabesque
[3:34] 9. Paquito D'rivera - Chucho
[2:30] 10. Tango Bar - Como Dos Estranos
[5:59] 11. Chuck Mangione - I Do Everything For Love
[4:22] 12. Astor Piazzolla - La Camorra
[6:56] 13. The Conga Kings - Un Poco Loco

Paquito D'Rivera, M.Santamaria, Tom Harrel, C.Mangione, A.Piazzo. Culled from the Chesky Latin jazz archives, Jazz Latino: A Collection of Latin Inspirations takes 13 songs from 12 different artists (saxophonist Paquito d'Rivera has two tracks, "The Peanut Vendor" and "Chucho"), including Mongo Santamaria, Astor Piazzolla (who, unsurprisingly, plays a tango), and Lenny Andrade. Because the compilation is only coming from one relatively small label's catalog, the selection here isn't fantastic, but to be fair, it's not claiming to be a "best-of" collection, just an "inspired" one, and so in that respect, it works. ~ Marisa Brown

Jazz Latino

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Sarah Jarosz - Build Me Up From Bones

Styles: Folk
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:12
Size: 101,2 MB
Art: Front

(3:20)  1. Over The Edge
(3:32)  2. Fuel The Fire
(3:49)  3. Mile On The Moon
(3:36)  4. Build Me Up From Bones
(3:31)  5. Dark Road
(4:53)  6. Simple Twist Of Fate
(3:27)  7. 1,000 Things
(3:34)  8. Gone Too Soon
(4:56)  9. Anything Else
(5:36) 10. The Book Of Right-On
(3:52) 11. Rearrange The Art

The third full-length by 22-year-old Sarah Jarosz reflects not only her growth as a songwriter but her willingness to push the boundaries of country, folk, and Americana to discover connections not necessarily considered before. Build Me Up from Bones reflects years of study in contemporary voice improvisation at the New England Conservatory of Music. She wrote nine of the 11 songs here, and chose two covers: Bob Dylan's "Simple Twist of Fate" and Joanna Newsom's "The Book of Right-On." Her various backing musicians include Viktor Krauss, Chris Thile, Darrell Scott, and Aiofe O'Donovan, to name a few. Jarosz plays guitar, banjo, and mandolins. "Over the Edge," fueled by Dan Dugmore's lap steel, Jedd Hughes' acoustic guitar, and her own octave mandolin, walks a roots rock line, while the title track is a slipstream modern folk number that finds her voice accompanied by mandolin, two string players, and O'Donovan's harmony vocal. "Dark Road" drifts between electric Americana, newgrass, and contemporary folk, kissed by Jerry Douglas' dobro and Scott's electric guitar. 

What all of these songs have in common is a new openness in Jarosz's singing. She takes chances with her phrasing, allowing one line to bleed just enough to inform the next; she moves her smoky alto around its range, holding dynamics in check in favor of subtle tension. Her songs are looser, more expressionistic lyrically and instrumentally; sound and texture are more important than genre. Her reading of Dylan's tune is understated, yet reveals empathy for its narrative in its marrow; her vocal is accompanied only by Nathaniel Smith's plucked cello, revealing the intimate connection. The haunted love song "Gone Too Soon" is one of the most bracing tracks here; Jarosz's banjo is complemented by a full band that features Douglas' and Scott complementing her on Weissenborn and acoustic guitars, respectively, with Kate Rusby's chilling harmony vocal offering support. The slippery, jazz-like take on Newsom's song finds Jarosz employing a breezy blues delivery in the lyric, while her syncopated mandolin playing engages in rhythmic interplay with cello and violin. O'Donovan rejoins her on closer "Re-Arrange the Art," an expansive yet impressionistic song about lost love that walks the line between emotional stress, loneliness, and open acceptance. 

Jarosz's banjo is the only clearly discernible instrument as pedal steel, strings, and a Wurlizter swirl around the singers. Build Me Up from Bones separates itself from its promising predecessors because it is a songwriter's record. Jarosz lets her considerable instrumental prowess submit itself to serving the needs of her songs instead of merely adorning them with a precocious imagination. She can do this because she possesses not only self confidence in her material, but in her discernment, which is rare for a musician so young. ~Thom Jurek   

http://www.allmusic.com/album/build-me-up-from-bones-mw0002570516             

Build Me Up From Bones

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Leonie Smith - Sweet Jazz

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2004
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:44
Size: 101,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:40)  1. Angel Eyes
(4:30)  2. Nature Boy
(3:04)  3. Dream a Little Dream of Me
(3:30)  4. Nice Work If You Can Get It
(3:20)  5. Blue Moon
(3:04)  6. Autumn Leaves
(3:11)  7. Our Love Is Here to Stay
(4:33)  8. Easy Living
(3:37)  9. Ain't Misbehavin'/You Took Advantage of Me
(2:31) 10. Love Me or Leave Me
(2:31) 11. I'm Gonna Lock My Heart and Throw Away the Key
(5:12) 12. Since I Fell for You

Inspired by the world of Jazz, Leonie performs with an elegance and style reminiscent of the old-style torch singers.
Leonie sets a sultry mood. Sometimes soulful and emotive, sometimes light and humorous. Always a magnetic presence.

Her versatility allows for changes in ambience and tempo from swinging dance music, to quieter music for cocktails or dinner. Her songs encompass the longing ballads of Billie Holiday, popular songs of Cole Porter and George Gershwin, and the Jazz standards of Thelonius Monk, Duke Ellington, Rogers and Hart, and many other great Jazz composers.

Leonie Smith is an Australian jazz Vocalist, with a smooth sophisticated style, who has been working as a singer for over 10 years in Jazz Clubs, Restaurants, Function Centers and for Corporate Events.
Leonie's early experience was gained through live performances at Kate Dunbar's open mike sessions and with the Freddy Willson Jazz workshops and it was not long before she was singing regularly at the Rocks Markets on Sydney Harbour, with her band The Cats Whiskers, and at other venues around town. These gigs developed into nights at premier jazz venues The Basement and Soup Plus in Sydney, as well as five star hotels and resorts. With the support of some of the venues, which gave her residencies (permanent bookings), she was able to perform with some of the finest musicians this country has to offer, including Bobby Gebbert, Peter Zog, John Morrison, Matt Baker, Michael Bartolomi.

For a change of pace, In 1994 Leonie joined the very popular Andrew Sisters Sisters - a tribute group to the famous wartime entertainers. The group won a Mo award in her first year with them and were nominated again in the second year. Leonie performed the role of Patty: "She was the blonde, cheeky one who got to flirt with the audience, usually perched on some man's lap. I had a ball! The wigs and the costumes meant we could get away with things we would never normally attempt and no one recognised us afterwards. I loved it.''

Performing with the tribute group meant that Leonie also had to master very tight harmonies and dance choreography and the Andrew Sisters Sisters shows appeared at clubs, function centres for corporate events, the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Entertainment Centre, and many other venues. "It was great to be able to really ham it up and it was wonderful to work with some other women for a change''. In 2003 Leonie recorded her Debut Album entitled "Sweet Jazz" with John Morrison and Kerrie Biddel co-producing. Musicians on the Album include George Golla Guitar, Matt Baker Piano, Stan Valacos Bass, Julian Gough on Sax and John Morrison on Drums. In 2005 Leonie Joined Sydney Jazz Station FM 99.3 Northside Rythm and Jazz in Chatswood as co-presenter of Jazz at 5 on Fri Afternoons.

As a Jazz vocalist, Leonie Smith either performs as part of a duo, with a Pianist or a Guitarist, or with a band of up to 5 musicians, including Piano, Guitar, Saxophone, Bass, and Drums. She can provide any combination, in accord with your venue or events requirements. The musicians Leonie employs play regularly with her, and are highly regarded professionals within the Sydney Jazz scene. http://www.jazz.org.au/index.php?option=com_mtree&task=viewlink&link_id=207&Itemid=84

Sweet Jazz

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Rebecca Kilgore & Harry Allen - Live at Feinstein's At Loews Regency

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:43
Size: 169,3 MB
Art: Front

(3:45)  1. Your Mother's Son-In-Law
(1:47)  2. Kilgore Introduction
(5:18)  3. You Can't Lose a Broken Heart
(6:13)  4. Them There Eyes
(6:06)  5. That Ole Devil Called Love
(6:10)  6. Foolin' Myself
(0:31)  7. Introducing Harry Allen Quartet
(7:38)  8. Tickle Toe
(0:26)  9. Harry Allen Introducing "I Want to Be Happy"
(7:43) 10. I Want to Be Happy
(5:42) 11. Getting Some Fun Out of Life
(5:44) 12. The Blues Are Brewin'
(4:35) 13. You're a Lucky Guy
(4:52) 14. I Wished on the Moon
(0:22) 15. Thank You
(5:43) 16. I'm Checking Out, Go-om Bye

Rebecca Kilgore's career has steadily climbed since she gained national exposure from her mid-'90s Arbors CD I Saw Stars, becoming a favorite of jazz parties and clubs around the U.S. For this engagement she joined forces with tenor saxophonist Harry Allen's quartet for a salute to Billie Holiday and Lester Young, recorded during two nights of their booking at Feinstein's at Loew's Regency in August 2010, with pianist Rosanno Sportiello, bassist Joel Forbes (who is a member of her regular quartet), and drummer Chuck Riggs. Fortunately, this is not the kind of tribute where the artists are interested in merely duplicating the recordings of jazz greats that they are honoring; instead, they put their own stamp on the songs that Lady Day and Prez recorded, while keeping their swinging, intimate feeling. 

After a quick run through "Your Mother's Son-in-Law" (an unremarkable piece that launched young Billie Holiday's career as she debuted on disc with Benny Goodman), she gets into the meat of the singer's discography with an effervescent setting of "Them There Eyes" and a lightly swinging "Foolin' Myself," in which Kilgore scats in unison with Allen's robust tenor. There are two instrumental features for Allen, a hard-blowing "Tickle Toe" and a gritty, brisk interpretation of "I Want to Be Happy." The Duke Ellington-Billy Strayhorn vehicle "I'm Checkin' Out Go-om Bye" has nothing to do with Holiday or Young, but proves to be a potent closing number, with a strong chorus by Allen and two choruses of masterful stride piano by Sportiello. Too few of Rebecca Kilgore's live performances have appeared on CD, and this rewarding disc will give jazz fans a better idea of her strengths in a club setting. ~ Ken Dryden  

http://www.allmusic.com/album/live-at-feinsteins-at-loews-regency-mw0002112861            

Personnel: Harry Allen (tenor saxophone); Rebecca Kilgore (vocals); Rossano Sportiello (piano); Chuck Riggs (drums).

Live at Feinstein's At Loews Regency

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Ron Carter - Jazz & Bossa

Styles: Jazz
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:19
Size: 106,4 MB
Art: Front + Back

(8:48)  1. Salt Song (Cançao Do Sal)
(5:58)  2. Whisper Not
(5:51)  3. Por-De-Sol
(6:23)  4. De Samba
(3:58)  5. No More Blues (Chega de Saudade)
(3:19)  6. Obrigado
(4:04)  7. Ah, Rio
(5:44)  8. Wave
(2:10)  9. Saudade

Ron Carter is among the most original, prolific, and  influential bassists in jazz. With more than 2,000 albums to his credit, he has recorded with many of music's greats: Tommy Flanagan, Gil Evans, Lena Horne, Bill Evans, B.B. King, the Kronos Quartet, Dexter Gordon, Wes Montgomery, and Bobby Timmons. In the early 1960s he performed throughout the United States in concert halls and nightclubs with Jaki Byard and Eric Dolphy. He later toured Europe with Cannonball Adderley. From 1963 to 1968, he was a member of the classic and acclaimed Miles Davis Quintet. He was named Outstanding Bassist of the Decade by the Detroit News, Jazz Bassist of the Year by Downbeat magazine, and Most Valuable Player by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

In 1993 Ron Carter earned a Grammy award for Best Jazz Instrumental Group, the Miles Davis Tribute Band and another Grammy in 1998 for Call 'Sheet Blues', an instrumental composition from the film 'Round Midnight. In addition to scoring and arranging music for many films, including some projects for Public Broadcasting System, Carter has composed music for A Gathering of Old Men, starring Lou Gosset Jr., The Passion of Beatrice directed by Bertrand Tavernier, and Blind Faith starring Courtney B. Vance. Carter shares his expertise in the series of books he authored, among which are Building Jazz Bass Lines and The Music of Ron Carter; the latter contains 130 of his published and recorded compositions.

Carter earned a bachelor of music degree from the Eastman School in Rochester and a master's degree in double bass from the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. He has also received two honorary doctorates, from the New England Conservatory of Music and the Manhattan School of Music, and was the 2002 recipient of the prestigious Hutchinson Award from the Eastman School at the University of Rochester. Most recently he was honored by the French Minister of Culture with France's premier cultural award--the medallion and title of Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters, given to those who have distinguished themselves in the domain of artistic or literary creation and for their contribution to the spread of arts and letters in France and the world.

Carter has lectured, conducted, and performed at clinics and master classes, instructing jazz ensembles and teaching the business of music at numerous universities. He was Artistic Director of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Studies while it was located in Boston and, after 18 years on the faculty of the Music Department of The City College of New York, he is now Distinguished Professor Emeritus although, as a performer, he remains as active as ever.
“Jazz and Bossa” album by the jazz bass legend Ron Carter, released in 2008 on the Blue Note label, is a musical exploration of the wonderful sounds of Jazz and Bossa Nova. Nine tracks including 'Saudade', 'Salt Song (Cancao Do Sal)' and 'Whisper Not'. 

Recording information: Avatar Studios, New York, NY.

Personnel: Javon Jackson (tenor saxophone); Stephen Scott (piano); Portinho (drums); Roland Morales Matos (percussion).

Jazz & Bossa

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