Chris Connor - Sings Lullabys For Lovers

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 20:46
Size: 47.6 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz, Torch songs
Year: 1954/2013
Art: Front

[2:53] 1. Lush Life
[2:52] 2. Out Of This World
[2:33] 3. A Cottage For Sale
[2:30] 4. How Long Has This Been Going On?
[2:31] 5. Goodbye
[2:25] 6. Stella By Starlight
[2:17] 7. Gone With The Wind
[2:41] 8. He's Coming Home

Along with the 10" LP SINGS LULLABYS OF BIRDLAND, the similar format SINGS LULLABYS FOR LOVERS marked Chris Connors debut on Bethlehem Records in 1954. Recorded just a week apart in August of that year, LOVERS features completely different personnel than the Ellis Larkins-accompanised BIRDLAND. Here Connor is joined by bassist Vinnie Burke's quintet, which includes accordion and clarinet, and the session has an altogether more swinging, jauntier feel. Needless to say, Connor is in excellent voice at the start of her solo career as she tackles jazz standards like "Out Of This World," "Lush Life," and "Stella by Starlight." The accordion-clarinet combination adds a novel, reedy texture to the proceedings as well.~Richard Mortifoglio

Band: Joe Cinderella (guitar); Ron Odrich (flute, clarinet); Don Burns (accordion); Art Mardigan (drums).

Sings Lullabys For Lovers

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George St. Kitts - A Lot Of Livin' To Do

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 40:18
Size: 92.3 MB
Styles: Vocal
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[2:34] 1. A Lot Of Livin' To Do
[2:35] 2. Love Me Or Leave Me
[3:22] 3. Birth Of The Blues
[3:10] 4. That Old Black Magic
[2:54] 5. Too Close For Comfort
[4:57] 6. Mr. Bojangles
[3:13] 7. Out Of This World
[3:14] 8. If It's The Last Thing I Do
[2:51] 9. What Kind Of Fool Am I
[2:53] 10. Let There Be Love
[2:43] 11. Can't We Be Friends
[2:38] 12. Bye Bye Blackbird
[3:07] 13. The Lady Is A Tramp

Over the last 30 years, George St. Kitts dazzled audiences in Canada and around the world with his versatile mix of talents as an entertainer, singer, songwriter, actor, musical show producer and choreographer. Originally from the South American country of Guyana, St Kitts began singing and performing professionally soon after immigrating to Canada at age 15. His love of "the music he grew up with", Jazz Standards, Rhythm and Blues, Motown, Reggae, Calypso, Tower of Power and The Top 40 has led to an impressive background performing with the likes of GUIDO BASSO, RENA GAYLE and with a wide variety of bands such as ODYSSEY, The PROOF, REFLECTIONS, and NEW RHYTHM. Kitts started "The George St. Kitts Band" in the 80's. George headlined at well-known Toronto hotspots:The El Macambo, Bluenote, PWDs, & The Bamboo.

In 1989, St. Kitts recorded a single, "Ready 4 U". In 1992, under his own label GQ Records, In 1993 St. Kitts cut his first album called "SLAM" with its signature song 'All I Need."." All I Need" was nominated 'Best R & B Recording' at the Juno Awards. His second album "NEVER STOP" received a second Juno award nomination in 1996. In 2000, St. Kitts reputation as a diverse talent landed him an understudy role as Banzai the Hyena in the award winning hit musical THE LION KING and a three and half year run at Toronto's Princess of Wales Theatre. Kitts turned down the offer of their European tour to focus on his own dreams - to launch a full time business of his own creating show event productions.

During the past six years, George and his company St. Kitts Music Inc. has been entertaining & producing blockbuster entertainment shows such as The Sounds of Motown and The Motown Boyz, as well as customizing specialty productions for galas, corporate events, casinos, charity fundraisers, specialty parties, and weddings. ('Chicago Theme', Rat Pack Theme, Lion King Themes, South African Folk Songs, Hebrew Celebration Songs, Bocelli, Supper Club Crooning and whatever is a 'buzz' in the old and new sounds/songs) Diversity and huge repertoire are important factors to great entertainment. Kitts Music Inc. now has three more bands - MIDNITE STARR, THE SOUND MACHINE and THE SOUNDS OF MOTOWN with a repertoire of hundreds of the greatest in musical favorites. Meanwhile, George St Kitts's singular talents continues to be in demand for by theatrical and music productions, most recently playing Sammy Davis Jr. in the 2005 production THE RAT PACK at the Canon Theatre.

A Lot Of Livin' To Do

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Anita Wardell - The Road

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:26
Size: 122,3 MB
Art: Front + Back

(5:01)  1. Travels / The Road
(6:43)  2. You're My Thrill
(6:15)  3. Without a Song
(6:37)  4. With Every Breath I Take
(5:09)  5. Frevo Em Maceio
(6:15)  6. Surrey with the Fringe on Top
(5:55)  7. Superwoman
(6:03)  8. Mirrors
(5:25)  9. Você e Eu

Anita Wardell, the Australia-raised vocalist who appeared on the UK scene in the 1990s, makes albums that deploy familiar vocal-jazz methods and plenty of well-travelled standard songs, but also demonstrate a real care for her art. This set finds her accompanied by a sophisticated quintet led by her regular pianist Robin Aspland, on a repertoire mixing standards such as You're My Thrill and Without a Song with material by Pat Metheny, Bobby Hutcherson, Hermeto Pascoal and Stevie Wonder. Wardell's own lyrics are confidingly delivered over the country-song sway of Metheny's and Lyle Mays' Travels/The Road, and You're My Thrill stretches and swoops between an eerily distracted hover and straight jazz time. Pascoal's Frevo Em Maceio is a vehicle for Wardell's boppish agility, skipping flutelike over the mercurial melody, and she quietly caresses the meanings out of Stevie Wonder's Superwoman with an expertise that never betrays a hint of artifice. An unobtrusively classy vocal album. ~ John Fordham  http://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/aug/22/anita-wardell-the-road-review

The Road

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Vivian Male - Our Day Will Come

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:55
Size: 105,2 MB
Art: Front

(5:42)  1. For the Love of You
(3:51)  2. Our Day Will Come
(4:09)  3. When I'm Gone
(4:47)  4. Walk On By
(4:17)  5. I'm So Proud
(4:01)  6. We've Got It
(5:23)  7. The Look of Love
(4:37)  8. Could It Be I'm Falling In Love
(5:00)  9. Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
(4:03) 10. Lovin' You

Sometimes the most endearing quality of the music that we love is its sheer timelessness. In this respect one need look no further than the sumptuous new collection from vocalist Vivian Male that features some of the finest soul songs ever written. Replete with tunes that are as familiar as they are delightful ‘Our Day Will Come’ is an understated gem and a must for all lovers of romantic soul.

A native Bostonian, Vivian Male is a jazz and R & B vocalist, entrepreneur and president of Vivian Male Productions. She has produced and performed concerts for educational scholarships at Berklee College of Music where she is a member of the Board of Trustees. Vivian is also a founder member of the Museum of African American History’s Legacy Society and was recently inducted into Boston’s ‘Steppin Out’ Hall of Fame.‘Our Day Will Come’ is Vivian’s first solo CD and, with a selection of such memorable tracks sung by a vocalist at the very top of her game, highlights can only be a matter of personal preference. Nevertheless, from the opening ‘For The Love Of You’ to Male’s closing rendition of Minnie Riperton’s exquisite ‘Lovin’ You’, there is not a weak link to be found. Male steps only briefly outside of ‘soulsville’ for a smooth version of ‘Breaking Up Is Hard To Do’ where her sensuous R & B tones takes the song to places Neil Sedaka never could and similarly her rendition of the Bacharach  David composition ‘Walk On By’ entirely checks all the right boxes. 

A terrific mid tempo vibe and an injection of sax from Bobby Tynes fit Smokey Robinson’s ‘When I’m Gone’ to perfection whilst the album’s only original tune is the tender but melodic ‘We’ve Got It’. Composed for Male by Jacqueline Rossi and Skip Smith it evokes music from that magical era of Philadelphia yet when Male turns to two songs with which the great Isaac Hayes enjoyed success the results are totally stunning. She injects ‘Our Day Will Come’ with a jazzily soulful swagger and her atmospheric take on ‘The Look Of Love’ is truly something to savour.

Male’s easy grooving rendition of the wonderful ‘Could It Be I’m Falling In Love’ finds her in a silky duet with the excellent Ray Greene and when the two of them combine for Curtis Mayfield’s ‘I’m So Proud’ they deliver what arguably is the albums best track. This spectacular cut came originally from the Impressions 1964 recording ‘Never Ending Impressions’ yet here Male and Greene make it sound brand new. http://smoothjazztherapy.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/05/vivian-male-our-day-will-come.html

Our Day Will Come

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Nicki Leighton-Thomas - Forbidden Games

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2001
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:29
Size: 111,0 MB
Art: Front

(4:42)  1. Forbidden Games
(3:50)  2. Scars
(4:26)  3. Living In Overdrive
(2:10)  4. Music Reaches Places
(4:24)  5. Waiter The Check
(3:29)  6. Only Why No More
(4:05)  7. Every Now And Then
(2:44)  8. I'm Not Taking Any Chances
(4:08)  9. Tomorrow Never Came
(3:52) 10. In A New York Minute
(2:08) 11. Love's Eyes
(4:15) 12. Down
(4:11) 13. Nicki's Dilemma

'Forbidden Games' is Nicki's debut album and features many of the musicians she has appeared with on the London jazz scene. The album is a collection of songs written by Fran Landesman and Simon Wallace, who began writing together in 1994 and have been working with Nikki since 1996.  

http://www.candidrecords.com/product_info.php?products_id=114

Forbidden Games

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Eddie Henderson - A Tribute To Lee Morgan

Styles: Jazz
Year: 1994
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:06
Size: 135,3 MB
Art: Front + Back

( 6:30)  1. The Lion & The Wolff
( 4:46)  2. Sidewinder
( 6:55)  3. Ceora
( 5:16)  4. Speedball
( 8:23)  5. You Don't Know What Love Is
( 4:20)  6. Koko's Waltz
( 5:46)  7. Yama
( 5:08)  8. Ca-Lee-So
(11:59)  9. Search For The New Land

Unlike many of the other recent tribute albums, this program of the music of the late trumpeter Lee Morgan casts his compositions in familiar surroundings not all that different from the original recordings. Trumpeter Eddie Henderson, who was influenced by Morgan but found his own voice, is a good choice for the lead role and his muted outing on the one non-Morgan piece, "You Don't Know What Love Is," is a strong feature. Tenorman Joe Lovano, who can sound like Joe Henderson at times and hints at the passion of Coltrane on the date's most advanced piece "Search for the New Land," has a strong personality of his own and matches well with Eddie Henderson. 

The solid rhythm section (pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Peter Washington and drummer Billy Higgins) is a major asset while Grover Washington, Jr., makes a pair of guest appearances on soprano and shows once again that he can play swinging soulful jazz; pity that he never seems to play tenor in this type of setting. The eight Lee Morgan songs heard on this recommended CD are interpreted in the same basic hard bop style that the trumpeter spent most of his career playing, an idiom that serves as the modern jazz mainstream of today. Highlights include "Sidewinder," "Ceora," "Speedball" (which has some heated tradeoffs by the horns) and the infectious "Ca-Lee-So." ~Scott Yanow  

http://www.allmusic.com/album/a-tribute-to-lee-morgan-mw0000173109

A Tribute To Lee Morgan

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Aline De Lima - Maritima

Size: 96,2 MB
Time: 41:27
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2011
Styles: Brazilian Jazz, Samba, Bossa Nova, MPB
Art: Front

01. Maritima (3:17)
02. Upaon Açu (3:41)
03. Flor De Brasilia Feat. Flavia Bittencourt (3:30)
04. Fina Flor (3:54)
05. Empty Paradise (4:26)
06. Lua De Janeiro (4:05)
07. Cri Du Coeur (4:10)
08. Infinito Blue (3:21)
09. Madrugada (3:34)
10. Velho Mundo Novo - Paris (3:41)
11. Um Mar De Mar (3:44)

Maritima is Aline de Lima third release, and the follow up to her wonderful album Acai. On Maritima, this Brasil native, decided to produce and write most of the songs. The album was recorded in Paris, Rio de Janeiro and Maranhao, The result is a collection of exquisite and beautiful compositions that reflects the sound and tradition of her city Sao Luis de Maranhao. But Aline has been living in France for several years now, so her music has a distinct French music influence. In “Cri de Coeur”, a song composed for Edith Piaf, Aline sings in French and also plays the guitar.

Besides her soothing, beautiful voice Aline de Lima is also an outstanding songwriter, “Flor de Brasilia”, “Fina Flor”, and “Infinito Blue” are just a few examples of Aline amazing ability to surround us with the beauty of her lyrics. Aline also wrote “Velho Novo Mundo” a beautiful samba dedicated to Paris. There are other influences on Aline’s music, like the reggae rhythms of “Upaon Acu” and “Fina Flor”, the Caribbean sounds of the marimba on “Empty Paradise” and the African rhythms of Cabo Verde on “Um Mar de Mar”. “Lua de Janeiro” and the haunting title track “Maritima” are closer to the sound of Aline de Lima first two albums.

01. Maritima by Aline de Lima Musiciens: Ugo Castro Alves (guitar), Illya Amar (marimba), Luiz Claudio (percussions), Aline de Lima (vocals), Maëva Leberre (cello)
02. Upaon Açu by Aline de Lima Musiciens: Dada Viana (percussions), Rui Mario (keyboards), Aline de Lima (guitar and vocals)
03. Flor de Brasilia by Flavia Bittencourt (3) and lyrics by Aline de Lima (3) Musiciens: Ugo Castro Alves (10 strings guitar, acoustic guitar), Alvaro Lima (bass), Netinho Albuquerque (pandeiro, xequerê and reco-reco), Dada Viana (agogô, zabumba, shakers, berimbau), Flavia Bittencourt (guest singer), Aline de Lima (vocals)
04. Fina Flor by Aline de Lima Musiciens: Rui Mario (acordeon), Alvaro Lima (bass), Isabelle Pares (flute), Illya Amar (marimba), Dada Viana (percussions), Aline de Lima (acoustic guitar and vocals)
05. Empty Paradise by Aline de Lima Musiciens: Ugo Castro Alves (guitar), Dada Viana (percussions), Alvaro Lima (bass), Illya Amar (marimba), Maëva Leberre (cello), Aline de Lima (vocals)
06. Lua de Janeiro by Mario Lucio (1) and Aline de Lima (3) Musiciens: Isabelle Pares (flute), Ugo Castro Alves (guitar), Damilton Viana (percussion), Illya Amar (vibes), Aline de Lima (vocals)
07. Cri du Coeur by Henri Crolla and lyrics by Jacques Prévert (2) Musiciens: Isabelle Pares (flute), Aline de Lima (guitar and vocals), Alvaro Lima (bass), Rui Mario (acordeon), Illya Amar (vibes)
08. Infinito Blue by Aline de Lima Musiciens: Ugo Castro Alves (guitar), Alvaro Lima (bass), Rui Mario (accordion), Netinho Albuquerque (percussions), Dada Viana (percussions), Aline de Lima (vocals)
09. Madrugada by Marcio Faraco (3) and lyrics by Aline de Lima (3) and Marcio Faraco Musiciens: Robertinho Chinês (mandolin), Aline de Lima (acoustic guitar and vocals)
10. Velho Mundo Novo - Paris by Aline de Lima Musiciens: Netinho Albuquerque (samba percussions), Dada Viana (percussions), Ugo Castro Alves (guitar), Aline de Lima (vocals)
11. Um Mar de Mar by Mario Lucio, traduction in french by Africa Nostra Musiciens: Dada Viana (african percussions), Ugo Castro Alves (10 strings guitar and acoustic guitar), Illya Amar (marimba), Aline de Lima (vocals)

Maritima

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Michelle Zangara - Songs Of Blue

Size: 108,4 MB
Time: 47:04
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Vocal Jazz
Art: Front

01. Under A Blanket Of Blue (4:17)
02. Never Let Me Go (3:24)
03. I'm In Love Again (4:18)
04. Stardust (7:34)
05. On The Street Where You Live (3:14)
06. Born To Be Blue (5:00)
07. The Gentleman Is A Dope (3:14)
08. Meaning Of The Blues (2:56)
09. He's My Guy (4:05)
10. He's Funny That Way (6:00)
11. I'm Hip (2:59)

This "Songs of Blue" Album marks the Second Release by Jazz Vocalist, Michelle Zangara. These songs are the culmination of years of performance and sessioning with New York's greatest musicians. The difficulty of choosing the right musicians and the right songs that would represent her, came from just doing it, over and over at gigs, clubs and parties. During all her hard work and research, one thing overwhelmingly stood out, "I have got to record this, I have got to make a record." Standards are the focus of Michelle's study, and these songs are so special, so rare. they represent the hidden gems in the American Songbook that go unnoticed or are rarely performed. When you have someone like Bruce Barth chomping so beautifully on songs like "He's Funny That Way" or "I'm In Love Again" it makes the recording go so smoothly and takes the session to another level. Ari Roland goes beyond the call of duty in setting a beautiful rhythm and gives Michelle's vocals such gravitas. The Great Charles Goold is holding the tempo so brightly and expertly on "Never Let Me Go" and ever so delicately on "I'm In Love Again." These arrangements were largely due to the Wonderful Jeremy Pelt, who was Producing and also playing on "Under a Blanket of Blue." Ned Goold and Dwayne Clemons provide the final touch of melodic horns which bring drama and finesse to the whole picture as well as THE BLUE. "I am so proud of this release and hope that listeners enjoy these sounds which i offer with all my Heart. I must thank the support from my family especially my Husband and friends who made this possible."

Songs Of Blue

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Dick Hyman & Randy Sandke - Now And Again

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 70:04
Size: 160.4 MB
Styles: Piano jazz, Trumpet jazz
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[6:04] 1. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
[7:48] 2. I Thought About You
[6:20] 3. I Want To Be Happy
[2:49] 4. Weatherbird
[4:33] 5. Out Of Nowhere
[4:04] 6. Thinking About Bix
[5:59] 7. Slow River
[4:35] 8. Joy Spring
[3:35] 9. Wild Man Blues
[4:43] 10. Dancing In The Dark
[4:23] 11. The Wizard
[2:51] 12. Two As One
[3:44] 13. Bronco Busters
[4:30] 14. Lucky To Be Me
[3:59] 15. Makin' Whoopee

The duo of pianist Dick Hyman and trumpeter Randy Sandke, who had played together in a variety of settings during the previous 20 years, is a perfect matchup. Both musicians are virtuosos, very adept at 1920s jazz and open to later styles, with Sandke even delving into the avant-garde at times. On this set they explore standards, classic jazz tunes, and a few swinging originals. Rather than re-create recorded solos on "Weatherbird" and "Wild Man Blues" as they have previously, Hyman and Sandke are more spontaneous this time around, playing in their own colorful styles and constantly challenging each other. Plenty of sparks fly, both of the musicians consistently take chances, and the result is creative music within the idiom of classic jazz. Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow

Recording information: Nola Studios, NYX (06/16/2004/06/17/2004).

Dick Hyman (piano); Randy Sandke (trumpet).

Now And Again

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Chaka Khan - I Believe

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 45:41
Size: 104.6 MB
Styles: Funk, R&B, Jazz vocals
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[2:36] 1. Hey Big Spender
[3:02] 2. Hazel's Hips
[3:34] 3. The Best Is Yet To Come
[3:08] 4. Crazy
[3:47] 5. I'm In The Mood For Love
[3:49] 6. Is That All There Is
[3:45] 7. Stormy Weather
[4:00] 8. 'round Midnight
[4:07] 9. Teach Me Tonight
[4:24] 10. To Sir With Love
[3:04] 11. Diamonds Are Forever
[2:34] 12. Goldfinger
[3:44] 13. I Believe

Chaka Khan is one of the world's most gifted and celebrated musicians, with a rich musical legacy, the 10-time GRAMMY® Award-winner is looking forward to a celebration of a lifetime. A songwriter, actor, author, philanthropist, entrepreneur and activist, Chaka Khan has influenced generations of recording artists. She has the rare ability to sing in seven music genres, including R&B, pop, rock, gospel, country, world music and classical. Affectionately known around the world as Chaka, she is revered by millions of fans as well as her peers for hertimeless, classic and unmatched signature music style and ability. The late, great Miles Davis often said, "She [Chaka] sings like my horn." And the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin says, "[Chaka] is a one-of-a-kind, premier vocalist."

Throughout her legendary career, Chaka has released 22 albums and racked up ten #1 Billboard magazine charted songs, seven RIAA certified gold singles and ten RIAA certified gold and platinum albums. Chaka's recorded music has produced over 2,000 catalogue song placements. "I am honored and blessed to celebrate 40 years in music and entertainment" says Chaka. "I am so humbled by the love, support and gracious spirit of my fans worldwide and the continuous support my peers have shown over the years. Throughout my 40-year career, I have been through the fire a few times over and I'm still here as a living testament to God's love and grace. Next year, I will be celebrating 40 years in the business and 60 years on earth, which equals one hundred percent Chaka."

I Believe

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Peter Lipa - Beatles In Blue(S)

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 73:18
Size: 170.1 MB
Styles: Blues-jazz vocals
Year: 2003
Art: Front

[ 4:40] 1. Day Tripper
[ 3:52] 2. Norwegian Wood
[ 4:48] 3. And I Love Her
[ 3:07] 4. Every Little Thing
[ 3:20] 5. Misery
[ 4:17] 6. Got To Get You Into My Life
[ 5:07] 7. Do You Want To Know A Secret
[ 5:13] 8. I Wanna Be Your Man
[ 4:40] 9. The Fool On The Hill
[ 3:00] 10. I've Just Seen A Face
[ 4:26] 11. All I've Got To Do
[ 4:46] 12. I Saw Her Standing There
[ 3:53] 13. P.S. I Love You
[ 3:33] 14. No Reply
[ 2:54] 15. All My Loving
[11:35] 16. With A Little Help From My Friends/Day Tripper [hidden Alternate Take]

The Slovak blues singer Peter Lipa delivers very personal interpretations of 16 songs by the Beatles on this album. Taking a cue from Joe Cocker's famous cover version of "With a Little Help from My Friends," the man and his team of arrangers and musicians set off to create the most far-out renditions they could imagine. On that count they surely succeeded -- if you don't pay attention, some songs will just fly by without you recognizing them. In some cases, as in "Every Little Thing" and "I Wanna Be Your Man," the only trace left of the original is the lyrics -- everything else is new, from the tempo and rhythm (ranging from blues-rock and jazz-funk to jazz ballads) up to chord changes and melodies. And that's where danger points its head. Lennon and McCartney's talent as melodists is immeasurable. Is Lipa better?. That's why, once the novelty factor wears off after a few listens, we're left with weaker songs. But that doesn't mean Beatles in Blue(s) isn't worth your time. If anything else, Lipa's song selection has the merit to jump over the obvious greatest hits of the group and choose instead more obscure songs, perhaps some the singer feels a deeper connection to. And the man does have a seductive voice, free of any accent, gravelly yet flexible and gracious. Highlights include the horn-punched "Day Tripper," "All My Loving" (given a Stéphane Grappelli feel) and "I've Just Seen a Face." ~ François Couture

Live Recording Recorded in 2002.

Peter Lipa (keyboards); Jana Kirschner (vocals); rado tariska (saxophone); Martin gaspar (bass); Robo Rist (drums).

Beatles In Blue(S)

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Tom Harrell - Total

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 39:43
Size: 90.9 MB
Styles: Trumpet jazz
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[7:14] 1. On The Roof
[8:54] 2. The Water's Edge
[5:24] 3. While There's Time
[4:04] 4. Aurora
[8:18] 5. Outdoor Cafe
[5:46] 6. Invitation

Tom Harrell is one of America's renowned jazz trumpeters and composers of our day. He played with such bands and artists as Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Horace Silver, Sam Jones, Lee Konitz, Phil Woods etc. He was the arrangner for "Time Mirror" on RCA. Much has been said aout Mr. Tom Harrell. He has also recorded with Bill Evans, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton and has played in every major jazz club and jazz festival. What this cd offers is that it was his first solo album and has not been available for several years. For any fan or collector of Tom Harrell recordings, this recording is a find.

Total

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Anke Helfrich Trio (Featuring Roy Hargrove) - Better Times Ahead

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:44
Size: 118,9 MB
Art: Front

(6:26)  1. Movin' In
(6:30)  2. My Ship
(6:36)  3. Der Turm
(7:48)  4. Thanks For Beeing There
(7:03)  5. Better Times Ahead
(4:08)  6. I Mean You
(1:54)  7. Miniatur: An-ma-de
(6:37)  8. Trust & Faith
(4:39)  9. Ask Me Now

Anke Helfrich has been through what presumably must be the usual channels to get where she is right now, meaning that she's studied with some key figures in the music, and the results of that study are here in abundance. As such, the usual terms apply here much as they do with nearly every example of this modern mainstream thing. The music is urbane, harmonically sophisticated, faultlessly articulated, and almost entirely free of the quirks that would make this disc stand out from the crowd. That said, there are exceptions to the rule, not the least of them being the nearly two-minute "Miniatur: An-Ma-De," which finds Helfrich and drummer Dejan Terzic engaged in a free duo in which both musicians prove themselves equal to the very different demands of free playing. The brevity of the piece, however, creates the impression of a track tacked on, despite the fact that it occurs in the middle of the programme; furthermore, that same issue also makes the effort, with its faded ending, sound as if it was treated in such a way so as not to alienate the audience for which the music is otherwise intended. 

There are a couple of Thelonious Monk compositions here, and the fact that Helfrich gets as close to a Monkian spirit as anyone, particularly on her solo reading of "Ask Me Now," is to her credit. Roy Hargrove is featured on four tracks, including Monk's "I Mean You," and with every note he plays, he again shows that his conception is in its way every bit as individual as Blue Mitchell's. Helfrich also gets to show off some of her credentials as an accompanist of no little individuality, and the resulting music raises a smile.
~ Nic Jones  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=22904#.UopgxOJc_vs

Personnel: Anke Helfrich: piano; Martin Gjakanovski: bass; Dejan Terzic: drums; Roy Hargrove: trumpet, flugelhorn (3,4,6).

Better Times Ahead

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Christina Lux - Coming Home At Last

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:57
Size: 105,7 MB
Art: Front

(3:48)  1. Coming Home At Last
(3:54)  2. To The World
(6:49)  3. Arms Wide Open
(4:46)  4. Abuse
(6:16)  5. It Ain't Mine
(4:37)  6. Man Without A Face
(4:21)  7. Healing Waters
(3:45)  8. Love Is My Religion
(4:01)  9. Endless Fall
(3:36) 10. Late At Night

German-born singer-songwriter Christina Lux makes no bones about wanting to get right into the inner souls and emotions of her listeners: Her songs are direct examples of the hazardous riptides of love and human striving with titles like "It Ain't Mine" and "Abuse." She's been compared to Joni Mitchell and Shawn Colvin, and is a smart (perhaps genius) woman forever balancing her own brilliance and artistic drives with the need to love and be loved, and, most of all, to make music about the struggle to fulfill those needs. Her voice carries a slight Germanic ennui-ridden rasp, making her a bit of a kindred spirit to the cabaret singers of her nation's past, the ones who used to straddle chairs and smoke cigarettes in top hats while singing about love. That rasp, however, is harnessed to some light, gently bouncing soul. As its title might indicate, Coming Home at Last is a haven, a song collection as welcoming and comforting as the shoulder of a childhood best friend w! ho has just returned from a long, long trip.

"No excuses / They just blow my fuses / The body says stop / The mind can't follow / Maybe I'm frightened," goes the opening title track over somber melodic piano. The cabaret lilt is soon swallowed up by light soulful grooves and gentle drums and guitars. "Abuse" opens with the sly shuffle of brushes scraping along the snare drum while Lux goes deep into the harrowing tale of sexual abuse passed along for generations. The clear-eyed approach makes for harrowing listening, but makes the transcendent moments well earned, as on the uplifting sing-along "To the World" or "Late at Night" with its smooth fretless electric-bass meanderings and Lux's resigned declarations: "I know it doesn't help much / To start crying / But it doesn't help it all / To act as if this ain't true / I'm no good / At hiding."

This is music for mornings with coffee, sunshine, and the paper, time for sincere declarations and the openhearted yearning that we experience before the jaded poses of adulthood dim the beauty of the world in our eyes. Lux may make music on the easy-listening side of the tracks, but she doesn't throw away a single lyric; she goes for the tear ducts like a pit bull and fans love her for it. No one goes home without losing a little something along the way. But for each thing gained there's something lost, and in Coming Home at Last Christina Lux lets you know it's okay, you're safe, and you've always been. The hurt, as they say, is all hers. ~ Daily OM    

http://www.sequoiarecords.com/x126cd/Coming+Home+at+Last.html

Coming Home At Last

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Tom Rust & The Malcolm Edmonstone Trio - Saints and Singers

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 29:38
Size: 67,9 MB
Art: Front

(2:49)  1. Sunny Side Of The Street
(3:47)  2. I Can't Help It
(3:34)  3. Give Me The Night
(3:41)  4. Under My Skin
(3:05)  5. The Nearness Of You
(4:30)  6. Georgia On My Mind
(2:14)  7. Almost Like Being In Love
(3:26)  8. In The Wee Small Hours
(2:30)  9. Don't Get Around Much Anymore

"Award-winning vocalist Tom Rust presents 'Saints and Singers'. The result of a long-standing collaboration with pianist/arranger Malcolm Edmonstone and his vibrant trio, this release showcases Rust's considerable vocal ability, tackling hip arrangements of Great American Songbook classics with flair and accessible charm."

Tom Rust is eliciting rave reviews on the jazz and soul scene with what has been called his mellifluous tones, mellow, smooth and 'lived-in' voice.

Tom certainly hasn't slacked in his drive to get to the top, Tom is plying his trade, sweating it out in the clubs every week pleasing the crowds with standards, and his own interpretations of modern jazz & soul classic.

Tom says he is often mistaken for someone, or "people think they have met me before", and with his typical dry Mancunian wit he retorts "I used to be a prison warder".

Tom was born in Manchester, starting his musical journey aged 13 in the school band, graduating to the local youth orchestra, even doing his stint on Morecambe Pier !

Tom has always recognised the importance of performing 'live'... "with a live band there is something special, something in the push-and-pull of the band and audience... 'that chemistry' that brings out the best in the music"..."its fantastic that jazz has become 'cool' again thanks to the new wave of jazz and soul music artist's, and that certainly gives me a boost".

Tom Rust is being 'bigged-up' by some of the biggest names in music and the music business, and with credible reviews in everything from the Observer to 'Blues & Soul'
Tom looks set to 'go-all-the-way !' http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/tratmet

Saints and Singers

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Bobby Forrester - Bobby's Blues

Size: 168,8 MB
Time: 73:24
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Hammond B3 Jazz
Art: Front

01. Cotton Tail ( 5:28)
02. I Had The Craziest Dream ( 6:19)
03. All God's Children Got Rhythm ( 5:03)
04. We'll Be Together Again ( 7:16)
05. Bobby's Blues ( 8:18)
06. Minority ( 7:39)
07. This Is Happiness ( 6:37)
08. I'll Never Smile Again ( 5:56)
09. Don't You Know I Care (10:57)
10. Robbin's Nest ( 9:47)

Bobby Forrester was one of the greats of the Hammond Organ in Jazz and Rhythm and Blues. He worked for years with countless legends of Black music, from Lena Horne to Ruth Brown and everyone in between. However his life was tragically cut short at the age of 54, while he was still an extremely active sideman in the New York City Jazz scene. In 1993 Bobby took his working group into the studio in hopes that a label would pick it up, but to date it had never been released. Here, for the first time ever, is Bobby's self-produced solo album entitled "Bobby's Blues". Features Joey "G-Clef" Cavaseno on alto saxophone, William Ash on guitar, and Clarence "Tootsie" Bean on drums.

Bobby's Blues

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Sharon Carroll - Sharon Carroll & Company: Live At Backstage Pass

Size: 143,1 MB
Time: 62:12
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Vocal Jazz
Art:n Front

01. Cheek To Cheek (4:12)
02. At Last (5:00)
03. Besame Mucho (5:47)
04. Turn Me On (4:37)
05. Tell Me This Day Won't End (4:05)
06. It Never Enetered My Mind (5:41)
07. Blue Skies (5:17)
08. How Long Has This Been Going On (4:45)
09. Sway (2:34)
10. Body And Soul (5:10)
11. Dream A Little Dream Of Me (4:15)
12. Fever (5:28)
13. Hallelujah (5:16)

Smooth, rich vocals accompanied by first-rate musicians, Sharon Carroll's 2nd release features toe-tapping swing tunes, moving ballads and audience favorites. Backed by world-renowned, 3 time grammy-award winning bass player, Steve Gilmore, twenty year veteran of the army jazz band, master guitarist Steve Cosper, the soulful sounds of one-man band Luke Pinegar on trumpet, piano & snare drum, bi-lingual and multi-media artist Sean Dietrich on piano with seering featured vocals - this live CD includes 13 of the songs this group performed together over two years of concerts in their beautiful home town on Florida's gulf coast.

Using her years of classical vocal training and musical theatre experience - Sharon Carroll eased her way in to the jazz genre alongside some of the best musicians in the South. A torch singer at heart, some of Sharon's best moments come in ballads such as "It Never Entered My Mind," and "Body and Soul," but she maneuvers swing tunes like "Cheek to Cheek" and "Blue Skies" with the effortlessness of some of the greats. One of the highlights of the CD, "Hallelujah" is an audience favorite; haunting and melodic, this final cut will leave you wanting more.

Sharon Carroll & Company: Live At Backstage Pass

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Ruby Braff & Ellis Larkins - Grand Reunion

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 60:49
Size: 139.2 MB
Styles: Piano jazz, Cornet jazz
Year: 1973/2002
Art: Front

[3:35] 1. Fine And Dandy
[6:35] 2. I Want A Little Girl
[4:44] 3. Skylark
[2:29] 4. The Very Thought Of You
[4:37] 5. If Dreams Come True
[3:41] 6. Liza (All The Clouds'll Roll Away)
[4:37] 7. Easy Living
[5:15] 8. Love Walked In
[4:12] 9. Things Ain't What They Used To Be
[5:05] 10. Ain't Misbehavin'
[3:44] 11. Exactly Like You
[5:34] 12. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
[3:35] 13. I'm Confessin' (That I Love You)
[3:00] 14. Don't Be That Way

Digitally remastered by Jon Bates (Downtown Sound & Mix Masters). In 1955 cornetist Ruby Braff and pianist Ellis Larkins recorded a well-received set of duets. In 1972 they had a reunion. Since Larkins is a superior ballad player and accompanist, the emphasis on this date is on slower numbers although Braff does provide some fiery moments. The ten duets include "Fine and Dandy," "Skylark," "If Dreams Come True," "Liza" and "Love Walked In." Twenty years later Braff and Larkins would get together again with equally successful results. ~ Scott Yanow

Recorded at Warp Studios, New York, New York on October 14, 1972.

Ruby Braff (cornet); Ellis Larkins (piano).

Grand Reunion

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Tammy Weis - Where I Need To Be

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 42:38
Size: 97.6 MB
Styles: Easy Listening, Vocal
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[3:51] 1. I Kept Going
[3:03] 2. Everyone But Me
[3:28] 3. I Pretended
[3:33] 4. Don't Want To Fall In Love Again
[4:24] 5. I'll Spend Forever
[4:12] 6. You Said
[5:06] 7. All Because Of You
[4:10] 8. Not That Kinda Girl
[3:13] 9. Where Did The Time Go
[3:52] 10. Help!
[3:43] 11. Heading Home

A stirring collection of vocal numbers from Tammy Weis that draw on her past experiences. 'Where I Need to Be' is a personal reflection of her life in London, having relocated there from her native Canada. It features a stellar line up of musicians including Tom Cawley on piano, Arnie Somogyi on bass and Sebastiaan de Krom on drums.

Joining Weis is her working quartet drawn from the cream of the UK jazz scene including pianist Tom Cawley who also co-wrote most of the material with Tammy. Special guests include pianist Julian Joseph and pedal steel guitar virtuoso B.J. Cole. Weis' delicate vocal style has an intimacy that draws the listener into the personal stories on Where I Need To Be, expressing a sense of subtle vulnerability and of deserved self-assurance in her ability and material. This touching collection of originals (and one cover - Lennon and McCartney's Help, beautifully rendered as a plea for clemency from the troubles the world can throw at us) is Tammy's most personal musical document to date.

Where I Need To Be

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Willie Bobo - Spanish Grease: Uno Dos Tres 1 2 3

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 67:54
Size: 155.4 MB
Styles: Latin jazz
Year: 1994
Art: Front

[2:48] 1. Spanish Grease
[2:41] 2. Hurt So Bad
[2:22] 3. It's Not Unusual
[2:52] 4. Our Day Will Come
[4:07] 5. Haitian Lady
[2:14] 6. Blues In The Closet
[4:09] 7. Nessa
[3:50] 8. Elation
[2:30] 9. It's Not Unusual
[5:14] 10. Blind Man, Blind Man
[2:38] 11. Boogaloo In Room 802
[2:31] 12. Come A Little Bit Closer
[3:28] 13. Goin' Out Of My Head
[2:06] 14. I Remember Clifford
[3:10] 15. Rescue Me
[3:18] 16. Michelle
[2:47] 17. No Matter What Shape (Your Stomach's In)
[3:03] 18. Fried Neck Bones And Some Homefries
[3:14] 19. Ol' Man River
[2:40] 20. One, Two, Three (1-2-3) (Uno, Dos, Tres)
[2:45] 21. Night Song
[3:16] 22. The Breeze And I

Originally released as 2 separate LPs. UNO, DOS, TRES was recorded in 1965. SPANISH GREASE was recorded in 1966.

"In the 60's, Willie Bobo created a bridge between Popular and Latin music using an ensemble of instruments that included electric bass and guitar and no keyboards. He used Popular songs and transformed them with Latin rhythms to create a truly unique sound. This allowed for an entire industry of songs to be created by many great artists and composers. Using Willie as an inspiration, Santana created many of his signature styles from these early recordings. If you listen to the music used in the first Austin Powers movie, you will hear Willie's style being used to signify the 60's culture. This man was never given credit for his contribution to the American Pop Culture of the 60's and beyond." ~Luis Correa/amazon

Spanish Grease: Uno Dos Tres 1 2 3

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