Adia Ledbetter - Take 2: Rendezvous With Yesterdays

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:10
Size: 98,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:27)  1. Closer/ You and the Night and the Music
(4:33)  2. Darn that Dream
(4:38)  3. Beautiful Love
(5:42)  4. Can't Help Lovin Dat' Man of Mine
(2:52)  5. I Can't Give You Anything but Love
(4:24)  6. Lady Bird
(5:29)  7. I'm Gonna Laugh You Right Out of My Life
(5:05)  8. Rendezvous with Yesterdays
(4:05)  9. These Foolish Things
(2:52) 10. Only One

...Take 2: Rendezvous With Yesterday, the sophomore effort by Adia Ledbetter, returns to the spotlight one of the most gifted young vocalists in jazz today. Following up on the alluring promise of her well-received debut disc, First Take, Ledbetter demonstrates her continuing development not only as a superb singer, but as a talented lyricist/arranger/composer as well. A native of Durham, North Carolina, Adia began her love affair with music, like many jazz greats, singing in her church choir and developed her God given talents in school, receiving her BA from North Carolina Central University and finally earning a Masters Degree in the Queens College Jazz Studies program founded by NEA Jazz Master Jimmy Heath (then headed by Heath’s successor trumpeter Michael Mossman), studying improvisation with saxophonist Antonio Hart. Further tutelage with young veterans Lenora Zenzali Helm and J.D. Walters has invested her sound with a new found maturity that is sure to garner her the attention she now so richly deserves.

Following recognition as an outstanding performer by Downbeat magazine in 2006, Ledbetter was chosen to participate in the Kennedy Center Jazz Ahead International Jazz Residency and Performance Program. She has since gone on to spread her sound in concert and club appearances in New York City, Washington, DC. and various venues in her home state of North Carolina. The album First Take featured the singer with Generations, a straight ahead quartet that included veteran artists, bassist Freeman Ledbetter and the late pianist Yusuf Salim (an important mentor to Ledbetter and many other young Durhamites). On Take Two the vocalist fronts a new group with pianist Ed Paolantonio, drummer Orlandus Perry and Freeman Ledbetter back on bass. In addition there are two intimate duet performances with guitarist Justin C. Martin.

Take 2: Rendezvous With Yesterday opens with a medley of Ledbetter’s own composition “Closer” and the Great American Songbook classic “You And The Night And The Music” -- an ingenious bringing together of the old and the new that is at the very heart of Adia’s musical personality. Opening with “Closer,” a seductive tome that begins as an enticing voice-bass duet with the composer singing over a Latin tinged habanera rhythm before becoming a soulfully intoned straight ahead swinger that segues seamlessly into the Arthur Schwartz/Howard Dietz standard with the shared message of two people brought together by the sounds of music. The rhythm section cooking, Ledbetter sings with accomplished authority, sharing the spotlight with pianist Paolantonio, who solos convincingly.........More  http://www.katesmithpromotions.com/artists/AdiaLedbetter.html

Take 2: Rendezvous With Yesterdays

---

Natalie Dessay & Michel Legrand - Entre Elle et Lui

Styles: Chanson

Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:31
Size: 150,0 MB
Art: Front + Back

(3:23)  1. Chanson de Delphine
(3:06)  2. Le Cinema
(2:18)  3. Chanson de Delphine a Lancien
(4:31)  4. Papa Can You Hear Me?
(2:39)  5. Recette pour un Cake d'Amour
(4:09)  6. La Valse des Lilas
(3:06)  7. Les Moulins de Mon Coeur
(1:57)  8. L'Ame Soeur a l'Hamecon
(7:51)  9. What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?
(3:25) 10. Chanson des Jumelles
(3:24) 11. Le Rouge et le Noir
(2:02) 12. Conseil de la Fee Lilas
(6:14) 13. Duo de Guy et Genevieve
(3:04) 14. La Chanson de Louba
(2:02) 15. La Chanson
(2:55) 16. Paris Violon
(5:04) 17. The Summer Knows
(4:13) 18. Mon Dernier Concert

After her triumphs in the world’s great opera houses, Natalie Dessay crosses over. A tribute to the legendary Michel Legrand who has scored some of the most famous musical soundtracks. This autumn, starting in fine fashion with two concerts at Paris’ legendary ‘music hall’ the Olympia, she undertakes a tour of France with the celebrated composer and jazz pianist Michel Legrand.

Legrand trained at the Paris Conservatoire with no less a teacher than Nadia Boulanger and is known around the world for his haunting music for Jacques Demy’s 1964 film Les Parapluies de Cherbourg (The Umbrellas of Cherbourg), and for his work in Hollywood, which has brought him three Oscars: for his scores for the 1983 Barbra Streisand film Yentl and the 1971 film The Summer of’42, and for his song, ‘The Windmills Of Your Mind’, from the 1968 Steve McQueen movie The Thomas Crown Affair.

Dessay first became aware of Legrand at the age of six or so, when she saw another film directed by Jacques Demy, the fairy tale Peau d’âne. “At the time, I would never have imagined singing with him. Now we are good friends and I am lucky enough to work with him on a regular basis ... I think Michel Legrand is a genius, just as Mozart was a genius. He is also a melodic virtuoso. You hear two notes and you know it’s one of his songs.” Dessay describes popular song as “an art that can demand great refinement. A song like Georges Brassens ‘Saturne’ has as much value, for me, as an opera by Bellini. In opera, you open up and let go. In a popular song, like when your singing German lieder or French art-song, you have to concentrate your voice – to learn to say a lot with less power, especially if you are using a microphone.”

The album that Dessay and Legrand have recorded together is Entre elle et lui (Between Her and Him). With a focus on voice, piano, bass and drums, it includes Legrand’s Oscar-winners, a duet from Les Parapluies de Cherbourg – which brings Dessay together with her husband, the bass-baritone Laurent Naouri, the Lilac Fairy’s song from Peau d’âne (as sung in the film by the enchanting Delphine Seyrig), and the sisters’ sassy duet from Les Demoiselles de Rochefort, performed in Jacques Demy’s film by Catherine Deneuve and her real-life sister Françoise Dorléac, but appropriated here (in this) album by Dessay and fellow soprano Patricia Petitbon. A further special guest on the album is the distinguished harpist Catherine Michel, who is also Michel Legrand’s wife.  http://www.mdt.co.uk/dessay-natalie-michel-legrand-entre-elle-et-lui-erato.html

Entre Elle et Lui

---

The Dutch Swing College Band - Jubilee Concert

Styles: Dixieland Jazz
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:34
Size: 158,8 MB
Art: Front

(1:28)  1. Way Down Yonder In New Orleans
(3:47)  2. Tears
(5:59)  3. Basin Street Blues
(4:37)  4. Wolverine Blues
(4:39)  5. Nuages
(3:09)  6. Them There Eyes (Featuring Mrs. Einstein)
(3:52)  7. Smile (Featuring Mrs. Einstein)
(2:48)  8. How High The Moon (Featuring Mrs. Einstein)
(4:50)  9. Little One
(4:53) 10. China Boy
(3:35) 11. Le Jazz Hot (Featuring Laura Fygi)
(3:04) 12. C'est Si Bon (Featuring Laura Fygi)
(3:15) 13. s Wonderful (Featuring Laura Fygi)
(5:33) 14. Creole Love Call
(6:34) 15. Weary Blues
(5:23) 16. Saint James Infirmary (Featuring Freek de Jonge)

The Dutch Swing College Band "DSCB" is a traditional dixieland band founded on May 5, 1945 by bandleader and clarinettist/saxophonist Peter Schilperoort.
Highly successful in their native home of The Netherlands, the band quickly found an international following. It has featured such musicians as Huub Janssen (drums), Henk Bosch van Drakestein (double bass), Kees van Dorser (trumpet), Dim Kesber (saxes), Jan Morks (clarinet), Wout Steenhuis (guitar), Arie Ligthart (banjo/guitar), Jaap van Kempen (banjo/guitar), Oscar Klein (trumpet), Dick Kaart (trombone), Ray Kaart (trumpet), Bert de Kort (cornet), Bert Boeren (trombone), Rod Mason, Rob Agerbeek (piano) - among many others.

The band continues to tour extensively, mainly in Europe & Scandinavia, and record directed by Bob Kaper, himself a member since 1967, following the former leader, Peter Schilperoort's death on November 17, 1990. Schilperoort had led the band for more than 45 years, albeit with a five year sabbatical from September 13, 1955, when he left to pursue an engineering career before returning to lead the band again officially on January 1, 1960.  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Swing_College_Band

Jubilee Concert

---

Georgie Fame - The Blues And Me

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 54:47
Size: 125.4 MB
Styles: Contemporary blues, Blues-jazz vocals
Year: 1992
Art: Front

[4:17] 1. The Blues And Me
[3:31] 2. I Want To Know
[3:25] 3. Maybe It's Because Of Love
[4:29] 4. How Long Has This Been Going On
[4:12] 5. Jumpin' With Symphony Sid
[3:52] 6. Roll With My Baby
[3:49] 7. The Woodshed
[4:26] 8. Bluesology
[5:50] 9. Everybody Cryin' Mercy
[4:21] 10. Blues For Ann-Marie
[4:48] 11. I Almost Lost My Mind
[3:46] 12. Passed Me By
[3:56] 13. I Ain't Got Nothin' But The Blues

For Georgie's sophmore release on Go Jazz, we focussed on the blues, enlisting modern blues masters like Dr. John and Stanley Turrentine to add some color, and relying on the same good-time production values (get engineer James Farber to set up the mics and turn the dials, have the baddest rhythm section in town lay the grooves down and order a nice lunch) that worked the first time around. ~Ben Sidran

Recorded at The Power Station, Skyline Studios, New York, New York; Abbey Road Studios, London, England.

Georgie Fame (vocals, piano, organ); Dr. John (vocals, piano); Hugh McCracken (guitar); Phil Woods, Pete King (alto saxophone); Bob Malach, Stanley Turrentine (tenor saxophone); Ronnie Cuber (baritone saxophone); Alan Rubin (trumpet); Keith O'Quinn (trombone); Paul Shaffer, Ben Sidran (piano); Mike Manieri (vibraphone); Will Lee (bass); Grady Tate (drums).

The Blues And Me

---

Herbie Mann - Flautista! Herbie Mann Plays Afro-Cuban Jazz

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 50:40
Size: 116.0 MB
Styles: Flute jazz
Year: 1959/1998
Art: Front

[ 5:32] 1. Todos Locos
[ 7:43] 2. Cuban Patato Chip
[ 7:18] 3. Come On, Mule
[ 8:36] 4. The Amazon River
[10:03] 5. Caravan
[ 6:15] 6. Delilah
[ 5:10] 7. Basin Street Este

This 1998 reissue contains two bonus tracks not on the original release. All tracks have been digitally remastered using 22-bit technology. An adventurous, chance-taking musician, Herbie Mann has experimented with many musical styles throughout his long career. On this 1959 live date from the now-defunct jazz club Basin Street East in Manhattan, the New York-born flutist performs with a Latin percussion section, a bass player, and a vibraphonist. While the ensemble sounds spare, they play heartfelt renditions of "Caravan" and "Delilah," as well as original Mann compositions "Todos Locos" and "Cuban Patato Chip," the latter being one of his most requested Latin-tinged tunes. Mann switches to bass clarinet on the lazy blues "Come On, Mule" but, other than this, he plays either an E flat or C flute throughout. On each track, his solos combine jazz with Afro-Cuban flavors; the riveting "Basin Street Este," a dedication to the club itself, may be the best example of this subtle fusion of Latin music and bebop.

Herbie Mann (flute, wooden flute, bass clarinet); Johnny Rae (vibraphone, marimba); Santos Miranda (drums, percussion); Carlos "Patato" Valdes (congas, percussion); Jose Mangual (bongos); Knobby Totah (finger cymbals).

Recording information: Basin Street East, New York, NY (06/1959).

Flautista! Herbie Mann Plays Afro-Cuban Jazz

---

Trish Hatley - I Remember

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 55:02
Size: 126.0 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[3:19] 1. When Your Lover Is Gone
[5:26] 2. Young And Foolish
[3:33] 3. Fascinating Rhythm
[5:20] 4. Don't Explain
[4:39] 5. Shiny Stockings
[5:02] 6. Body And Soul
[5:34] 7. Tangerine
[4:47] 8. Stardust
[2:45] 9. Mountain Greenery
[5:31] 10. Cry Me A River
[4:04] 11. These Foolish Things
[4:58] 12. Sophisticated Lady

This Great CD Project was inspired and sponsored by one of my favortie people, Frank Wili. My dapper dude Frank is charming, creative and vibrant and who, at 87, is taking college writing classes which keeps him younger than most. He has been enjoying jazz since the beginning of time and this CD is composed of many of the standard classics that he loves. Thank you Frank, I want to grow up to be just like you!I had such fun in arranging "When My lover is gone" and it is one of the favorites! "Don't Explain" was arranged by my favorite bassist (next to Ray Brown) Larry Holloway. It has such a new sound, this is another song that I think will be one of the big album hits! Frank made me whistle Shiny Stockings for him! How I love to whistle but I would never have put it on this CD without his demanding it! Again, another well loved track much due to the whistle.

I love all the wonderful musicians that join me in this project. Most importantly, I want to thank all of my groupies that help us keep the music going! Without you, we're nothing! With this cd, "I Remember," jazz lives on and I will continue singing all those beautiful songs with great joy. The one true thing in life I know is "I've got to swing!" ~Trish Hatley

I Remember

---

Nashville Jazz Orchestra - It Ain't Necessarily So

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 53:49
Size: 123.2 MB
Styles: Big band
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[ 7:40] 1. Cuban Overture
[ 6:58] 2. But Not For Me
[ 5:40] 3. My Man's Gone Now
[10:35] 4. Prelude #2
[ 6:50] 5. It Ain't Necessarily So
[ 6:29] 6. Someone To Watch Over Me
[ 4:14] 7. Summertime
[ 5:20] 8. How Long Has This Been Going On

With so many tribute bands and albums cluttering the rock scene these days, it’s a breath of fresh air to be able to write about a jazz tribute album, and a killin’ one at that. The Nashville Jazz Orchestra’s new recording It Ain’t Necessarily So features fresh takes on Gershwin classics, all of them arranged by local musicians. Three of the tracks feature terrific vocal work by Christina Watson, including a particularly slinky rendition of “How Long Has This Been Going On.” Instrumental highlights include Jamey Simmons’ arrangement of “But Not for Me,” featuring some delicious moments of counterpoint and dissonance that resolve in unexpected ways; Bernie Walker’s take on “Summertime,” which shakes the dust off the typically languid chestnut by upping the tempo considerably and throwing in some big-band brashness; Ryan Middagh’s dramatic interpretation of the expansive “Cuban Overture”; and NJO leader Jim Williamson’s interpretation of the title track, the perfect score for the latest film noir revival. But don’t take my word for it — jazz trumpet legend Randy Brecker gave the album a big thumbs-up, calling it “absolutely world class,” which in the world of jazz is about as legit as it gets. ~Jack Silverman

It Ain't Necessarily So

---

Dena Derose - Travelin' Light - Live in Antwerp, Belgium

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:10
Size: 144,6 MB
Art: Front

(4:27)  1. Nice 'n Easy
(4:23)  2. 'S Wonderful
(4:11)  3. Two Different Worlds
(5:29)  4. East of the Sun (And West of the Moon)
(7:03)  5. Portrait in Black and White
(2:53)  6. Why Did I Chose You?
(3:17)  7. How Little We Know
(3:57)  8. Travelin' Light
(6:24)  9. Blue in Green
(4:26) 10. I'm Old Fashioned
(3:21) 11. I Never Told You
(6:59) 12. Twilight World
(6:15) 13. We Will Meet Again

DeRose made an auspicious entry into the jazz market with her 1998 debut, Introducing Dena DeRose (Sharp Nine). Since that time, the pianist/vocalist has split her recordings between Sharp Nine and MAXJAZZ, where she has recorded several critically acknowledged discs including her two-volume trio live set recorded at New York City's Jazz Standard Volume 1 (2007) and Volume 2 (2008).

True to the title, DeRose travels light to Antwerp to record a baker's dozen of standards, just her and her piano. DeRose performs with complete confidence in her acutely fine talent for arrangement. DeRose propels "Nice N' Easy" with a firm, walking left hand while caressing the piano through "Two Different Worlds." Her wordless vocals on "East of the Sun (and West of the Moon)" and "I'm Old Fashioned" and near whispered delivery of the title piece juxtapose well with her relaxed, conversational singing on "S'Wonderful" and "Why Did I Choose You?"

DeRose steps out of the box for an overtly impressionistic reading of Miles Davis's "Blue in Green" (lyrics by Meredith d'Ambrosio). Her piano introduction is lengthy, fully establishing a dream sequence before she sings the brief lyrics. It is a satisfying nap on a rainy day.  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=43750#.Um2D8BAueZc

Personnel: Dena DeRose: piano, vocals.

Travelin' Light - Live in Antwerp, Belgium

---

Eric Reed - Here

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:02
Size: 132,9 MB
Art: Front + Back

( 7:42)  1. Stablemates
( 2:03)  2. Kokomo
( 4:44)  3. I C H.N. (For Herbie Nichols)
( 1:28)  4. Hymn
( 4:31)  5. Why?
( 5:19)  6. 26-2
( 4:22)  7. Wish (For My Father)
( 5:01)  8. It's Easy To Remember
( 5:27)  9. I Got Nothin'
( 4:23) 10. Is That??
(12:58) 11. Ornate

Pianist Eric Reed is one of the most articulate and intelligent ambassadors of jazz performing today. His 21st Century recordings Happiness, From My Heart, Mercy and Grace, E-Bop, and Merry Magic show Reed fully formed and creatively fluid. Add to these thoughts bassist Rodney Whitaker and drummer Willie Jones III, and the jazz listenership receives the grace of perfectly conceived and delivered jazz piano trio music.

Tasteful, thoughtful and cognizant, Eric Reed is a complete musical package with a graceful style and an encyclopedic mind (which never dominates the pianist's performance). On Here, Reed joins Whitaker and Jones to produce one of the finest trio performances of the year. These three musical personalities collide and assimilate into a swing earthquake.

While Eric Reed is ever the leader, in no way does he smother his superb rhythm section. Quite to the contrary, Jones emerges as drummer of great power, springing from the mold of Philly Joe Jones and Tony Williams. His contributions are best heard on "Kokomo and Coltrane's "26-2, where the drumming abounds with challenging cross-rhythms and deft cymbal work. Whitaker's bass work in highlighted in several solos, but none more appealing than the opening of the Reed original "Wish (For My Father).

As for the leader, Eric Reed is grace personified. His style betrays a light, informed touch, particularly on ballads. Lacking the iconoclastic approach of Marcus Robert, Reed forges new ground in his playing while remaining between the lines of good taste, successfully emphasizing harmony and melody. 

His ballads, like "Wish or "Easy to Remember, show an easy-swinging, plush and exact approach. I can only hope to hear more of this music ~ C.Michael Bailey  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=21561#.Um5n8hAueZc

Personnel: Eric Reed: piano; Rodney Whitaker: double bass; Willie Jones III: drums.

Here

---

Chick Corea & Hiromi Uehara - Duet (CD1) And (CD2)

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 114:27
Size: 262,0 MB
Art: Front

( 9:15)  1. Very Early
( 7:38)  2. How Insensitive
( 9:02)  3. Deja Vu
( 6:47)  4. Fool On The Hill
( 7:51)  5. Humpty Dumpty
( 8:45)  6. Bolivar Blues
( 7:46)  7. Windows
(14:59)  8. Old Castle
( 8:51)  9. Summertime
( 8:13) 10. Place To Be
(13:02) 11. Do Mo (Children's Song #12)
(12:11) 12. Concierto De Aranjuez (Spain)

At least one of the participants here, pianist Chick Corea, is an old hand at great duets. He has performed and recorded with Herbie Hancock, Ralph Towner, and Gary Burton. Here, his partner is the Japanese pianist Hiromi, and the sparks quietly fly and flare throughout. Corea has long been one of jazz’s most lyrical pianists, and his influence is obvious on the younger Hiromi. Her style, however, is a bit punchier, and more rhythmic--this makes for fine contrast between the two. On this double-disc live opus, the pair offset each other beautifully, engaging in give-and-take on originals (by each) and choice covers (the Beatles’ “Fool On The Hill”).  http://www.allmusic.com/album/duet-mw0000805866

Duet (CD1) And (CD2)

---

Al Goodah - Let's Do It (In The Name Of Love) EP

Size: 69,7 MB
Time: 30:08
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2012
Styles: Vocal Jazz
Label: Maxanter Records
Art: Front

01. Heavenly (Diamonds Of Heaven) (3:00)
02. I Love You (4:45)
03. Keep Up The Fun (4:26)
04. Let's Do It (3:58)
05. Love Me Or Leave Me (4:22)
06. In Vain (4:17)
07. This Is How I Feel (5:17)

The new Album "Let's Do It" of jazz & world music vocalist Al Goodah, is definitely worth to buy. The album is a combination of original songs and jazz standards, produced and released under the supervision of Maxanter Records. The collaboration between the artist and Al Goodah and Maxanter records began in October 2011 and was soon translated into a musical endeavor, the making of a jazz album for a wider audience. For this, Marius Beets (double bass) and Rolf Delfos (saxophone) approached for making the arrangements. The result is impressive, beautiful arrangements were carried out very professionally and attractively by Marcel Serierse - drums, Martijn van Itersen - guitar, Cees Trappenburg - Trumpet, Peter Broekhuizen - tenor & baritone saxophone, Alexander Beets - saxophone solos, not to mention Marius Beets - contra bass and Rolf Delfos - alto & soprano saxophone. This combination of musicians and the warm voice of the very experienced singer Al Goodah, resulted in a high quality jazz album from Holland. The original songs were written and composed by Al Goodah itself. The release of the album took place on Sunday, May 13th at Rabobank Amersfoort Jazz Festival 2012. In the period from September / October this year Al Goodah officially start the promotional tour for the album "Let's Do It".

Let's Do It

---

Lizzie Thomas - More Than You Know / Easy To Love

Album: More Than You Know
Size: 90,5 MB
Time: 39:17
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2010
Styles: Vocal Jazz
Label: Lizzie Thomas
Art: Front

01. All Or Nothing At All (4:56)
02. You Better Go Now (3:45)
03. Cry Me A River (6:05)
04. You Call It Madness (4:45)
05. What A Little Moonlight Can Do (3:43)
06. More Than You Know (4:21)
07. Sugar (3:21)
08. I'm A Fool To Want You (3:50)
09. Baby Baby All The Time (4:26)

Known for authentic phrasing and playful interpretation, Lizzie Thomas elegantly delivers the new American songbook standards on her debut release More Than You Know. Currently living in New York, she mesmerizes her audience with a repertoire and wardrobe, both deeply rooted in the 1920-1940’s.
Her delivery of a lyric is felt from the heart and her sweet sophistication will charm you into wanting more.

Lizzie shares,”Ella makes me smile, Billie keeps me honest and Nat keeps me grounded.”

More Than You Know

---

Album: Easy To Love
Size: 123,1 MB
Time: 53:06
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Vocal Jazz
Label: Lizzie Thomas
Art: Front

01. You Do Something To Me (4:30)
02. Close Your Eyes (5:38)
03. One Note Samba (4:27)
04. I've Got You Under My Skin (5:51)
05. I Only Have Eyes For You (4:38)
06. Easy To Love (6:48)
07. Just The Way You Look Tonight (4:28)
08. You Stepped Out Of A Dream (4:56)
09. Shadow Of Your Smile (7:19)
10. Our Love Is Here To Stay (4:27)

Lizzie's second album "Easy To Love" interlaces the sweet charm of a southern belle with the deep complexity of the New York experience. A masterful ensemble that includes Xavier Davis on piano, Ron Affif on guitar, and many other notables such as Frank Lacy on trombone. "Lizzie is one of those songstresses that you "get" immediately. She has that vocal nuance, unique stylistic approach and quite frankly a fantastic voice." Thomas flows on such classics as "One Note Samba" "I've Got You Under My Skin" and "Our Love is Here To Stay."

It always seems that there has to be a story for us to recognize the talented, and here we have both. The story of Miss Thomas hailing from the Nashville music scene mixed with the depth of a New York Jazz experience. And what do you get from this downtown mixology? Musicians that are playing at the top of their game and Lizzie bringing them to a level that even amazes them.

About Lizzie Thomas:
Lizzie Thomas started studying classical piano at the age of 8, clarinet at 10, and at age 13 discovered her voice. She continued to perform in musicals and shows, which led her to study jazz vocals at Belmont University, in Nashville TN, with Sandra Dudley.

After she was graduated with a BA in vocal jazz performance, she experimented with indie alternative bands as a keyboardist and songwriter. But her passion remained in jazz. She moved to New York, the jazz capital of the world.

Her delivery of a lyric is felt from the heart and her sweet sophistication will charm you into wanting more.

"I can't imagine my music without Ella, Billie, Nat, and of course, Frank.

Easy To Love

---

Allan Vache & Friends - Ballads, Burners & Blues

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 73:17
Size: 167.8 MB
Styles: Clarinet jazz
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[5:36] 1. The Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me
[7:40] 2. It Could Happen To You
[5:31] 3. Some Of These Days
[6:44] 4. I'm Glad There Is You
[6:45] 5. The Yellow Dog Blues
[5:49] 6. Lazy Mood
[8:04] 7. Besame Mucho
[5:18] 8. It's All Right With Me
[5:49] 9. Prof's Blues
[4:08] 10. A Minor Majority
[6:22] 11. Danny Boy
[5:25] 12. Our Day Will Come

Allan Vaché has made his name as a clarinetist in the traditional New Orleans style, and if you look at the instrumentation here you'll probably expect more of the same: he leads a traditional front line consisting of clarinet, cornet (Ed Polcer), and trombone (the great Dan Barrett), and the program opens with a joyfully straight-ahead rendition of that Dixieland chestnut "The Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives to Me." But then things get a bit twisted: a piano-and-clarinet duet setting on "I'm Glad There Is You," a shuffling R&B arrangement of W.C. Handy's "Yellow Dog Blues," a stately rendition of "Besame Mucho," and even a sprightly swing version of the 1960s pop hit "Our Day Will Come." Vaché's playing is sweet and limpid throughout; his solos are never needlessly complicated, but they're also never simplistic. The sumptuous recording quality is also worth noting. Fans of traditional jazz aren't necessarily known for adventurousness, but they should make it a point to check this one out -- this wonderful album shows that it really is possible to respect tradition and break the rules at the same time. ~ Rick Anderson

Live Recording Recorded at Lone Pine Studios, Clearwater, Florida on April 28-29, 2003.

Allan Vache (vocals, clarinet); Ed Polcer (vocals, trumpet); Dan Barrett (trombone); Vannessa Vache (clarinet); Mark Shane (piano); Phil Flanigan (bass); Ed Metz, Jr. (drums).

Ballads, Burners & Blues

---

Cathy Hayes & The Barney Kessel Orchestra - It's All Right With Me

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 41:04
Size: 94.0 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals, Swing, Big band
Year: 1959/2010
Art: Front

[3:13] 1. And The Angels Sing
[4:32] 2. Blue Moods
[4:01] 3. You Smell So Good
[3:30] 4. Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe
[3:30] 5. Wonder Why
[1:51] 6. Tangerine
[2:17] 7. If I Were A Bell
[2:57] 8. Last Night When We Were Young
[4:20] 9. Down In The Depths
[4:13] 10. You Don't Know What Love Is
[4:29] 11. My Old Flame
[2:05] 12. You And The Night And The Music

Cathy Hayes is another one of those lesser-known artists whose work finds its way to the Fresh Sound reissue catalog. A native of Milwaukee, Hayes had been performing as a professional for seven years before getting the chance to cut this, her only album, recorded at three separate sessions in Hollywood in 1959 and issued on the HiFi label. Straight out of the cool school, Hayes' sound falls somewhere between Jeri Southern and June Christy. She matches excellent diction and phrasing with a strong rapport for lyrics, and is equally comfortable with upbeat and slow ballads. Her pleasant voice, backed by stellar West Coast musicians led by Barney Kessel, makes this album eminently listenable. Kessel and the other big guns are not asked to solo much. Rather, they are content with providing an agreeable instrumental framework and backdrop for Hayes' unstrained voice, delivering relaxed arrangements of singable tunes. In short, this album is pretty much Hayes' show. "If I Were a Bell" and "And the Angels Sing" (done with a big band) are terrific examples of Hayes' ability to swing. But it's on the rarely heard Nikolaus Brodszky/Sammy Cahn composition "Wonder Why" where Hayes really shows off her solid swinging skills. The ballads "Last Night When We Were Young" and "You Don't Know What Love Is" are given a tantalizing treatment by Hayes. "Down in the Depths" is done with a Latin beat, with Conte Candoli's trumpet and Kessel's guitar making strong showings. Kessel and Hayes team up for a soulful rendition of "You Don't Know What Love Is," which is one of the highlights of the session, while Larry Bunker's vibes and Kessel's guitar support Hayes' very relaxed reading of "My Old Flame." During her brief recording career, Hayes broke no records as a jazz singer. Nonetheless, given the delivery and interpretation of the material on this album, it's regrettable that she disappeared from jazz so early in her promising career. ~Dave Nathan

It's All Right With Me

---

Christian Bleiming & Leah Kline - Boogie In My Heart

Styles: Pop/Rock
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:01
Size: 121,4 MB
Art: Front + Back

(2:30)  1. Boogie For Meade
(4:04)  2. C. C. Rider
(3:31)  3. Blue Bungalow Bounce
(2:43)  4. The Swinging Shepherd Blues
(2:31)  5. C.B.'s Bounce
(3:30)  6. I'm A Woman
(2:08)  7. You Came A Long Way From St. Louis
(3:01)  8. Zorro Special
(3:09)  9. You Ain't Had The Blues
(5:36) 10. Since I Fell For You
(2:33) 11. New Year's Boogie
(3:19) 12. Keep It To Ya'self
(2:37) 13. Beer Bottle Blues
(2:40) 14. Oh, Lady Be Good
(2:54) 15. I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water
(6:08) 16. God Bless The Child

The new CD is here, now my production number 7 For the first time we present a native of Los Angeles singer Léah Kline in a phonogram - some of you have certainly already experienced live, accompanied by Christian Bleiming boogie trio. A review of my new CD. Christian Bleiming - Boogie In My Heart (Acoustic Music / Rough Trade) Alone for the fact that pianist Christian Bleiming content with boogie woogieconcerned, is worth a special mention. But Boogie Woogie is in this country an almost forgotten branch of the Rockn'n'Roll, jazz in the broadest sense. then when the music like that on the 16 tracks of Bleimings now seventh CD yet so entertaining and comes across as warm here's the thing already long on the credit side. 

Weightless, a title for the next swing, also supported by Léah Kline on vocals. Amandus reason (guitar), Erkan Özdemir (bass) and Peter Samland and Henk Punter (both drums) agree just falling with a. , the self-proclaimed "King of Westphalia Boogie" from Münster recorded the album earlier this year in Osnabrück locals Luther house. Another reason the atmospherically dense, very fluid and lightweight . Bleimings to like acting Groove "Boogie In My Heart" is as entertaining and amusing as its title - Boogie Woogie uncomplicated and direct Art is what I call entertainment. A comprehensive booklet with photos and detailed liner notes by Gerd Wieben there on top of that. "Boogie In My Heart" is one of a dying genre of music. ~Translate by google  

http://www.bleiming.homepage.t-online.de/aktuelles.html

Boogie In My Heart

---

Laura Caviani - Going There

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:02
Size: 107,7 MB
Art: Front

(6:14)  1. Going There
(4:27)  2. In The Interim
(3:08)  3. This Is My Song
(4:32)  4. Tobacco Blues
(4:53)  5. Paper Cranes
(4:45)  6. Watching The Game
(4:15)  7. Between The Lines
(6:06)  8. The Guilded Cage
(3:49)  9. In His Hands
(4:48) 10. Cascadia

Laura Caviani is one of the Twin Cities most in-demand pianists, and with good reason. Her musical acumen and versatility make her an easy choice whether the setting is small group, big band, full orchestra or solo. Going There (Caviani Music 2005) is the new CD from Caviani, and it finds her in the setting where her talent shines brightest. Backed by Bob Bowman on bass and Todd Strait on drums, Caviani leads this jazz trio through nine original compositions and one rare cover, displaying a soulful and sympathetic style that is distinctly her own. Whether it is the contemplative title track, the hard swinging shuffle of "Watching the Game," the shimmering and meditative "Paper Cranes," or the bluesy boogie woogie of the CD's sole vocal track "Between the Lines," this trio presents a program that explores a wide range of musical personalities.

Going There is Laura Caviani's fifth release as a leader over her 15+ year career. The Minneapolis Star Tribune hailed her debut recording Dreamlife as "in a word, outstanding." Her second release, As One, was touted as "stunningly fresh" by JazzTimes magazine. Caviani's holiday album, Angels We Haven't Heard, was considered that "season's finest new jazz CD of holiday music" by the St. Paul Pioneer Press. In Your Own Sweet Way (2001) was described in the Minneapolis Star Tribune as a CD "poised right where the salon meets the saloon, with as much spunk as serenity." As a "sideman," Caviani's long list of credits includes tours and recordings with Grammy nominated vocalist Karrin Allyson. Caviani appeared on three Allyson releases on Concord Records during the 1990s, which began the relationship with Bob Bowman and Todd Strait

Caviani joined Allyson on the 2004 and 2005 Concord Jazz Festival tours, where she also accompanied Oleta Adams, Diane Schuur and hot new talent Sara Gazarek. Other jazz luminaries with whom Caviani has performed include Toots Thielemans, Stan Getz, Bob Mintzer and Dave Liebman. In the Twin Cities, Caviani has appeared on many recordings, including: Where's When?, featuring Pete Whitman's X-tet, which received a 4 star review from Downbeat magazine, and Lucia Newell's Steeped in Strayhorn. ~ Editorial Reviews  

http://www.amazon.com/Going-There-Laura-Caviani/dp/B000E3LF52             

"...(they bring) a simmering, shimmering glow to each track, the interactions... falling somewhere between telepathy and mutual admiration." ~ Andrea Canter Contributing Editor, www.jazzpolice.com

"...very personal and soulful... I love this CD and know you will too." ~ Karrin Allyson Concord Recording Artist,liner notes to Going There

"Together and they are very much so they give us piano trio jazz of the highest order." ~ Bob Protzman contributor to Down Beat and host of “Everything Jazz

(This) album did not disappoint! She is very, very good, as a instrumentalist, composer and singer. ~ Peter Kuller Jazz Presenter 101.5fm www.radio.adelaide.edu.au

Going There

---

John Barrowman - Swings Cole Porter

Styles: Stage & Screen
Year: 2004
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:45
Size: 97,9 MB
Art: Front

(1:57)  1. Just One Of Those Things
(2:59)  2. What Is This Thing Called Love?
(3:31)  3. In The Still Of The Night
(2:04)  4. I Happen To Like New York
(3:16)  5. Anything Goes
(3:35)  6. After You, Who?
(2:19)  7. Ca, C'est l'Amour
(3:00)  8. Don't Fence Me In
(2:38)  9. Miss Otis Regrets
(4:19) 10. Do I Love You?
(3:21) 11. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
(4:16) 12. Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye
(2:04) 13. It's All Right With Me
(3:20) 14. Easy To Love (from the 2003 Recording "Anything Goes")

John Barrowman delivers a solid collection of Cole Porter standards on the heels of his on-screen role opposite Kevin Kline in the Porter biopic De-Lovely. Barrowman, who has appeared on Broadway and in London, played Jack, the actor who had to be coached through the "impossible" song, "Night and Day." That song is absent here (it was on the movie soundtrack), but there are 14 other songs, including the gorgeous "In the Still of the Night," the piano-accompanied "Miss Otis Regrets," and the swinging "Ca, C'est l'Amour." John Barrowman Swings Cole Porter is nothing ground-breaking, just a well-sung set of great tunes backed by tasteful arrangements throughout.

~ David Horiuchi - Editorial Reviews  

http://www.amazon.com/Swings-Cole-Porter-John-Barrowman/dp/B0002YLDN2

Swings Cole Porter

---

Kresten Osgood - Hammond Rens (2-disc set)

Kresten Osgood? A no-name for you? Don't worry, even most Danes haven't heard about this fantastic local drummer. Even maestro drummer Ed Thigpen, who lives in Copenhagen, has called him a "genius drummer". It's known in the jazz community that Osgood adores the "No. 1 jazz furniture", the Hammond B-3 organ, to use his own words, so why not make a double CD with an organ trio on your own label. And Osgood even goes for gold medal - and calls Dr. Lonnie Smith for organ duty on this great live CD - "Hammond Rens" (English - Hammond Refine), recorded at The Copenhagen Jazz House in 2002. This CD capture some of the most free wheelin' jazz organ trio's I've heard in many years and there seems to be no end to the musical styles that the Doctor can cover with great imagination, technique and power play. The trio is completed with the tenor saxophonist Mikael Blake which is a real surprise given his roots from the more free jazz oriented community and not to forget Anders Provis on some tracks with playing "the fine art of Ghost percussion" (!?!). What can you expect from this CD? According to Smith's opening statement on track 1, you can expect music from the HEART. Funk, blues, free, ballads, boogaloo, swing; you get it all through great combo interpretation on tunes by Lucky Thompson, Curtis Mayfield, Roland Kirk, Slide Hampton and Osgood himself (showing promising compositional skills). This is not background music - turn up the volume and when the laser beam hits "Collins", and you're warned about what to expect for the next 11 tunes being like in the middle of the audience close to Smiths heavy organ bass lines, imaginative block chord comping and soulful melody lines support by Osgoods inventive drumming. Highlights after highlights are served by these gentlemen on this quality live recording, only the cd cover would have deserved better overall design. Altogether 160 minutes of soul, sweat and (no) tears worth every cent. Highly recommended!!

Kresten Osgood (drums); Michael Blake (saxophone); Lonnie Liston Smith (Hammond b-3 organ).

Album: Hammond Rens (Disc 1)
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 76:57
Size: 176.1 MB
Styles: Organ jazz, Soul-jazz
Year: 2004
Art: Front

[11:37] 1. Collins
[12:14] 2. The World Awakes
[ 7:39] 3. The Makings Of You
[23:52] 4. Three For Dizzy
[20:33] 5. London Pride
[ 0:59] 6. Rahsaan Take A Break From The Choir Of Angels To Jam A Little

Hammond Rens (Discs 1&2 combined) Yara's link
Hammond Rens (Disc 1)

---

Album: Hammond Rens (Disc 2)
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 78:46
Size: 180.3 MB
Styles: Organ jazz, Soul-jazz
Year: 2004
Art: Front

[13:57] 1. I'm Black
[16:18] 2. Chop Suey
[10:14] 3. The Beat-Up Blues
[16:52] 4. Baby Let Me Take You (In My Arms)
[21:22] 5. Like Lonnie

Hammond Rens (Discs 1&2 combined) Yara's link
Hammond Rens (Disc 2)

---

Jay Leonhart - Life Out On The Road

Bitrate: 320K/s

Time: 49:59

Size: 114.4 MB

Styles: Post bop

Year: 1990/2007

Art: Front

[4:09] 1. The Lion

[4:52] 2. God Fearing Boy

[4:47] 3. On The Road

[4:15] 4. Society Music

[3:48] 5. Me And Lenny

[3:23] 6. Rain

[4:03] 7. Bellson, Louis

[3:18] 8. Dodgers

[4:48] 9. Misunderstood

[4:13] 10. Iguanas And Lizards

[4:09] 11. Sympathizin' Fool

[4:08] 12. Change My Occupation

Jay Leonhart found himself sitting next to Leonard Bernstein in first class on TWA as they both flew to Los Angeles. After the shock and awe wore off (Jay's, not Lenny's) the two engaged in a wonderful cross country conversation that covered every possible topic. A few months later Jay wrote "Me and Lenny" which has since become known by jazz fans worldwide. Tony Bennett has even told Jay that "Me and Lenny" is Jay's "San Francisco" and that he should perform it everywhere he goes.

When Jay appeared on David Letterman, Paul Schaeffer wanted to know more of the juicy Lenny details, hoping for an Inquirer scoop. But Jay simply referred him to the song. Such a classy guy.

Jay Leonhart has played the bass violin since he was thirteen years old and played for most of the music icons of the 20th century, and is now working on those of the 21st century. He has been recognized in countless jazz polls and has received numerous recording industry awards. He has performed with a large number of famous pop groups, and jazz singers, from Judy Garland to Mel Torme. Steely Dan to Sting, Maureen McGovern to Michael Feinstein, James Taylor to Carly Simon. And many inbetween.

Life Out On The Road

---

Davina & The Vagabonds - Black Cloud

Size: 100,4 MB
Time: 43:51
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2011
Styles: New Orleans Jazz/Blues Jazz, Ragtime
Label: Roustabout Records
Art: Front

01. Vagabond Stomp (Intro) (1:39)
02. Black Cloud (2:22)
03. Disappears (2:56)
04. Start Running (2:43)
05. Sugar Moon (4:02)
06. Pushpin (3:40)
07. Lipstick And Chrome (3:41)
08. River (4:56)
09. Pocket (3:20)
10. Let's Bring It Back (4:23)
11. Bee Sting (2:21)
12. Crosseyed (3:25)
13. Carry Him With You (3:20)
14. Vagabond Stomp (Outro) (0:56)

Davina & the Vagabonds play a blend of horn-driven retro blues and jazz – the kind of music that was blasting out of New Orleans in the 20’s & 30’s. Yet, the band has a couple of things that set them apart from their fellow revivalists. For one, they’ve got an utterly amazing vocalist in leader Davina Sowers, who’s able to rasp like Billie Holiday, soar like Dinah Washington, bellow like Sarah Vaughan and get goofy like Ethel Merman, yet manage to still sound completely unique. She’s one of those rare singers that make you smile when you hear her.

But, the truly singular element that this band possesses that should eventually rocket them to notoriety is the songs. Most roots artists, especially those who take a very traditional approach like this (piano, bass, drums, trombone, & trumpet), tend to stick to classic songs by other people. Yet, every track on Black Cloud was composed by Sowers. Because the horns are likely the first thing you notice, it may take awhile for her lyrics to set in, yet she’s capable of tremendous imagery. Take for instance the ukulele-led “Bee Sting,” with the lines “I’m sick of makin’ / the same old bread / the kind you eat / and you’re still not fed.” Many of the tracks, like “Black Cloud” and “Pushpin,” have the sis-boom-bah of classic Vaudeville, while others, like “Disappears” and “Pocket” are surprisingly melodic and poppy. In fact, if you stripped away the arrangements of those two songs, you might end up with something akin to say Ben Folds.

The Vagabonds band are a tight bunch, with the brash horns and upright bass (which is particularly good on the aforementioned “Bee Sting”). The production isn’t flashy, but that’s exactly what it needs. There is no attempt to turn this into something other than what it is – roots music played with reckless abandon. The album also works because it’s full of so many emotions, from the ass-kickin’ attitude of “Start Runnin’” to the pleading of “Lipstick and Chrome,” to the teary “River.” Another highlight is “Carry Him With You,” a gospel-inspired piece that makes an excellent closer. While their style of music certainly can’t be called mainstream, Davina & the Vagabonds, with their great songs and performances, have the makings of something bigger. – Tony Peters

Black Cloud

---