Natalie Cole - Holly And Ivy

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 46:44
Size: 107.0 MB
Styles: Holiday
Year: 1994
Art: Front

[3:34] 1. Jingle Bells
[3:07] 2. Caroling, Caroling
[4:22] 3. The First Noel
[4:20] 4. No More Blue Christmas'
[6:07] 5. Christmas Medley Jingle Bell Rock Winter..
[3:22] 6. Merry Christmas, Baby
[2:48] 7. Joy To The World
[3:03] 8. The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot
[3:24] 9. A Song For Christmas
[4:59] 10. Silent Night
[3:37] 11. The Christmas Song
[3:57] 12. The Holly And The Ivy

As she did with Unforgettable, Natalie Cole again follows her in father's footsteps with a Christmas recording. Although this does not have the same 'classic' quality of her dad's The Christmas Album, it is a fine outing. Performing with either a big band or small group, Ms. Cole performs a combination holiday classics along with some lesser known tunes such as "The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot" and "No More Blue Christmas." ~ Robert Taylor

Recorded at Oceanway Studios and Record Plant, Hollywood, California; O'Henry Studios, Burbank, California; Bill Schnee Studio, North Hollywood, California.

Natalie Cole (vocals, piano); John Chiodini, Paul Jackson, Jr., Phil Upchurch (guitar); Terry Trotter (piano, celesta); Charles Floyd, Alan Broadbent, Cedar Walton (piano); Patrice Rushen (celesta, Fender Rhodes piano); Michael Baird , Jeff Hamilton , Harold Jones (drums); Larry Bunker, Brent Fischer (percussion). Background vocals: Hilary Bonine, Josh Breslow, Rachel Brook, Blake Ewing, Jessica Frank, Megan Joyce, Gary Klarer, Janine Kamwene-Colquhoun, Alma Lira, Majorie Mejia, Arielle Ramos, Niki Rosenfield, Zan Tansey, Alberto Vasquez, Jason Yun, Julie Delgado, Tony Warren, Sandy Simmons, Catte Adams, Dorian Holley, Jacke Ward-Smith, Sally Stevens, Terry Stilnell-Haraton, Mary Mylan, Angie Jaree, Donna Davidson, Don Shelton, Gary Jones, David Joyce, Gene Morford, Bob Joyce, Kevin Dorsey, Katrina Perkins.

Holly And Ivy

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Claire Martin & Kenny Barron - Too Much In Love To Care

Bitrate: 320K/s

Time: 56:59

Size: 130.5 MB

Styles: Vocal jazz

Year: 2012

Art: Front

[3:03] 1. Too Much In Love To Care

[4:50] 2. Embraceable You

[5:24] 3. Weaver Of Dreams

[5:07] 4. Crazy He Calls Me

[3:46] 5. You Turned The Tables On Me

[5:37] 6. How Long Has This Been Going On

[3:57] 7. Lazy Afternoon

[2:40] 8. Time After Time

[5:53] 9. A Time For Love

[3:24] 10. I Only Have Eyes For You

[5:14] 11. I'm Glad There Is You

[3:22] 12. Wonder Why

[4:35] 13. Too Late Now

What immediately strikes both veterans and newcomers to Ms Martin's ever-expanding oeuvre (and here I'll bet she didn't even know that she had an ‘oeuvre') is that she has more of the sound of what a jazz singer should sound like than virtually anybody else of her approximate generation. She has a unique vocal timbre that screams ‘ jazz' at the top of its lungs even though Ms Martin herself barely even raises her voice. She's often cited Ella Fitzgerald as her first influence, but I continually hear some personally forged hybrid of the young Anita O'Day and the even younger Carmen McRae in her voice. The sound of her voice itself can only be described as pure jazz. The tracks that will most likely first catch your attention here are those pure duos between Ms Martin and Mr Barron, where, if this isn't too redundant, the other instruments are not present. Ms Martin has extensively worked in a voice-piano duo format before, usually with the awesome British pianist Sir Richard Rodney Bennett. (Ms Martin clearly exhibits a penchant for keyboard royalty, between a knight of the British Empire and an American baron.) See if it doesn't strike you that although they are piano masters of comparable, incredibly high levels of skill, their approaches to the voice-piano duet format are very different. When Sir Richard plays for Ms Martin, you are always conscious of how bass and drums are absent, he makes you think about the silences, and those silences even more than any additional notes or any instruments ever could. Conversely, when Sir Barron plays behind Ms Martin, you completely forget that the bass and drums aren't there, it isn't until you listen extra closely that you realise that the Washingtons are outside copping a smoke somewhere. ~Will Friedwald

Too Much in Love To Care  

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Isla Eckinger - Hot Mallets

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 35:42
Size: 81.7 MB
Styles: Vibraphone jazz
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[4:37] 1. Detroit Blues (For Chuck And Bill)
[3:03] 2. Get Happy
[4:21] 3. Old Folks
[5:30] 4. Stardust
[4:30] 5. Quotation
[3:51] 6. Such Sweet Thunder
[3:49] 7. Stuffy
[5:57] 8. Jitterburg Waltz

Eckinger spielte bereits als Kind Cello und wechselte als Jugendlicher auf die Posaune. Nach dem Studium der Posaune auf dem Konservatorium in Basel brachte er sich selbst das Kontrabass-Spielen bei. Als Berufsmusiker spielte er erstmals bei Oscar und Miriam Klein. In den 1960ern begleitete er außerdem auf der Durchreise befindliche Stars wie Ben Webster, Don Byas oder Johnny Griffin.

Nach seinem Umzug nach München arbeitete er mit Mal Waldron, Joe Haider und Philly Joe Jones. Von 1970 bis 1976 war er als Lehrer an der Swiss Jazz School tätig und spielte einerseits mit Haider, Peter Giger und Heinz Bigler in der Gruppe Four for Jazz, andererseits in verschiedenen Projekten mit Slide Hampton, George Gruntz, Horace Parlan, Benny Bailey und Dexter Gordon. Mit Mal Waldron, Steve Lacy und Manfred Schoof tourte er 1975 in Japan und mit Chet Baker 1976 in Italien. Am Ende der 1970er gehörte er zum Wolfgang Engstfeld-Quartett. Anschließend arbeitete er mit Klaus Weiss, Fritz Pauer und auch mit Dizzy Gillespie.

Mitte der 1980er zog Eckinger, der als zuverlässiger Begleiter geschätzt wird, nach Los Angeles und arbeitete u. a. mit Chuck Manning (L.A. Calling, 1991). Aktuell spielt er mit Roman Schwaller und Jimmy Cobb, aber auch mit Charly Antolini, mit Andy Scherrer und mit Paul Haag.

Hot Mallets

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Deborah J. Carter - Blue Notes & Red Shoes

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:50
Size: 135,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:22)  1. Moanin'
(4:07)  2. Dizzy And Parker - Groovin' High
(4:00)  3. That Note Costs A Dollar
(8:02)  4. Round Midnight Prelude / 'Round Midnight
(4:00)  5. Meet Me, Midnight
(4:52)  6. Too Darn Blue
(3:24)  7. It Isn't So Good, It Couldn't Be Better
(4:48)  8. The In-And-Outs
(4:57)  9. Big Blue / Senor Blues
(5:00) 10. I'm Walking
(7:37) 11. One For My Baby / This One's On Me
(3:37) 12. Can't Stop It - Say It

One of the most significant American-born jazz singers based in Europe (having lived 15 years in Spain and nearly that many in the Netherlands), Deborah Carter is a delight to hear. Not only does she have a very appealing voice and a thorough understanding of jazz, but her enthusiasm is infectious. A regular at jazz festivals, an important educator, and a frequent guest with big bands, she is most often heard with her regular trio which is featured (along with guests) throughout Blue Notes and Red Shoes.

"With my trio, I always feel like I can fall back on a soft quilt, one that will always catch me," says Deborah. "The music that we do I call 'Metropolitan Jazz.' It is music from a 21st century city where one can go to a Latin club on a Saturday night, cross the street to an r&b/jazz club, and then go a block over and experience some other kind of music."

Blue Notes and Red Shoes is a bluish set filled with bebop, ballads, original vocalese, jazz standards, and the debut of a few superior songs. Ms. Carter is teamed with pianist Coen Molenaar and drummer Enrique Firpi (both of whom have been in her group for ten years), her husband bassist Mark Zandveld (who has been in her trio for 15 years) and such guests as guitarists Leonardo Ameudo (who often works in Brazil with Ivan Lins) and Jan Akkerman, tenor-saxophonist Simon Rigter, and trumpeter Loet van der Lee.

The set begins with Bobby Timmons' "Moanin'," which has both straightahead and funky sections and includes some fine scatting by the singer. "My first experience with jazz was dancing to it as a little girl," remembers Deborah. "'Moanin'' is the type of music that I heard when my mother would get together with her friends." The bop classic "Groovin' High" benefits from her vocalese lyrics (paying tribute to Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker), concise solos, and catchy Latin rhythms.

Deborah was inspired to purchase a couple of CDs by singer-organist Charlie Wood after seeing him perform, resulting in her discovering his swinging strut "That Note Costs A Dollar." There have been a countless number of versions of Thelonious Monk's "'Round Midnight" through the years, but Deborah Carter's is different because she wrote a new verse, used a fresh arrangement, and added her own phrasing to the lyrics. "Most of the songs in my repertoire are at least slightly autobiographical. This is my most honest version of ''Round Midnight' for I have lived this story several times over."

A jubilant "Meet Me, Midnight" precedes the debut of the soulful "Too Darn Blue." Deborah discovered the latter song while perusing My Space, immediately writing to the composer Dave Gill. Perhaps My Space will become the Tin Pan Alley of the 21st century, a new way to discover tomorrow's standards.

Fran Landesman's "It Isn't So Good, It Couldn't Get Better" has not been recorded much since Irene Kral's version over 30 years ago but it fits today's economic crisis. "The In-And Outs," written by Deborah along with her husband and her pianist, discusses a philosophical way of dealing with life. The performers sound quite at ease not only essaying the tricky chord changes but improvising in 5/4 time. Deborah starts Horace Silver's "Senor Blues" with her own vocalese introduction called "Big Blue" which perfectly sets up the tune. "I'm Walking," long a part of her repertoire, really grooves at the slightly slower-than-usual tempo. Johnny Mercer's "One For My Baby" and Roy Meriwether's "This One's On Me" work together logically as a medley since they deal with similar circumstances. Closing off the colorful and memorable program is Mike Kennedy's "Can't Stop It," another song that Deborah discovered while surfing the Internet. The rhythmic piece, originally called "Sing It," has her lyrics and hot scatting to Kennedy's music.

Deborah Carter has accomplished a great deal during her career thus far, and she is very much in her prime these days. Blue Notes and Red Shoes serves as a perfect introduction to her joyful artistry. 

~ Scott Yanow, Author of ten jazz books including Trumpet Kings, Bebop, Jazz On Film and Jazz On Record 1917-76  

http://www.deborahjcarter.com/reviews.htm

Blue Notes & Red Shoes

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Deborah Cox - Deborah Cox

Styles: R&B
Year: 1995
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:35
Size: 132,2 MB
Art: Front

(4:29)  1. Sentimental
(4:23)  2. Who Do U Love
(5:17)  3. I'm Your Natural Woman
(4:51)  4. The Sound of My Tears
(4:47)  5. Call Me
(4:15)  6. My Radio
(4:10)  7. Never Gonna Break My Heart Again
(4:56)  8. It Could've Been You
(5:28)  9. My First Night with You
(5:50) 10. Just Be Good to Me
(4:46) 11. Who Do U Love (Morales Mix)
(4:18) 12. Where Do We Go from Here

Like Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey, Deborah Cox straddles the line between soul and pop, appealing to adult contemporary and R&B fans in equal measures. She is a confident and stylish singer, but her self-titled debut is helped by considerably by the powerhouse producers work behind the scenes. Featuring tracks produced by Babyface, Dallas Austin, and Daryl Simmons among others, the record is filled with immaculately crafted dance-pop and ballads. Not all of the songs are up to the production standards, however. Like many singers in her genre, Deborah Cox is only as good as her material, and the songs on their debut are uneven. She shines on the hit "Sentimental" and several other cuts, including "Never Gonna Break My Heart Again" and the poppy "Who Do U Love," but nearly half of the record consists of undistinguished material. Nevertheless, the best songs on the album suggests that Cox has the potential to develop into a star. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine  http://www.allmusic.com/album/deborah-cox-mw0000174947

Deborah Cox

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Miranda Lambert - Revolution

Styles: Country
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:06
Size: 117,6 MB
Art: Front + Back

(4:48)  1. White Liar
(3:09)  2. Only Prettier
(4:01)  3. Dead Flowers
(2:24)  4. Me & Your Cigarettes
(2:17)  5. Maintain The Pain
(2:48)  6. Airstream Song
(3:50)  7. Makin' Plans
(3:55)  8. Time To Get A Gun
(3:23)  9. Somewhere Trouble Don't Go
(3:56) 10. The House That Built Me
(2:50) 11. Love Song
(2:58) 12. Heart Like Mine
(3:28) 13. Sin For A Sin
(3:27) 14. That's The Way The World Goes 'Round
(3:46) 15. Virginia Bluebell

While Miranda Lambert's first two albums spun tales of kerosene fires, bar fights, and firearmed vengeance, REVOLUTION finds the Texan taking some degree of comfort in her relationship with Blake Shelton, whose influence helps govern the album's mellow moments. Lambert has never played by anyone's rules, be they dictated by Nashville or society in general, but she has carved out her own set of principles over the course of a four-year career. Accordingly, REVOLUTION offers a strong, cohesive take on what has quickly become the "Lambert sound:" a blend of lilting ballads and loud, fire-breathing anthems, many of which owe as much to rock & roll as country. She's more comfortable with the slower songs this time around, and "Dead Flowers" is perhaps her strongest vocal performance to date. Even so, the harder numbers continue to pack the strongest punch. Audio Mixer: Mike Wrucke.

Liner Note Author: Judy Forde-Blair. Rolling Stone (p.74) - 4 stars out of 5  "With her third record, Miranda Lambert remains country's most refreshing act....'Airstream Song' is a string-band dropout fantasy..."

Spin (p.80) - "[With] guitar noise and booming drums out of garage and grunge, alternating with patches of soft-focus atmosphere..."

Entertainment Weekly (p.59) - "REVOLUTION is a portrait of an artist in full possession of her powers, and the best mainstream-country album so far this year."

Entertainment Weekly (p.102) - Included in Entertainment Weekly's 'The Best Albums of 2009'  "Mature lyrics, well-considered covers, and rich neo-traditional arrangements that result in songs rather than singles..."

Billboard (p.36) - "Among the highlights on the new set are Lambert's rocking twist on John Prine's `That's the Way the World Goes `Round' and the retro-sounding `Me and Your Cigarettes.'"
Paste (magazine) (p.50) - "This time, we get 'Dead Flowers' and 'Me And Your Cigarettes,' both of which drop Lambert's guard." 

http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7989582&style=music&fulldesc=T

Revolution

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Arnett Cobb Quintets - More Party Time

Styles: Jazz
Year: 1960
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:44
Size: 84,1 MB
Art: Front

(8:57)  1. Lover, Come Back to Me
(3:41)  2. Blue Lou
(5:52)  3. Swanee River
(5:22)  4. Down by the Riverside
(7:36)  5. Blue Me
(5:13)  6. Sometimes I'm Happy

During 1959-1960, the tough-toned but sentimental tenor saxophonist Arnett Cobb recorded six albums for Prestige; his next recording as a leader would not be until 1971. On this particular CD reissue, Cobb performs quintet selections with pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Sam Jones, drummer Art Taylor, and Danny Barrajanos on conga; on "Down by the Riverside" (from February 17) pianist Bobby Timmons and Buck Clarke on congas join Jones, Taylor, and Cobb. The saxman's treatments of "Blue Me" and five veteran songs ("Lover Come Back to Me," "Blue Lou," "Swanee River," "Down by the Riverside," and "Sometimes I'm Happy") are melodic, soulful, and swinging. An excellent if brief (at 36 minutes) effort. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/more-party-time-mw0000040244

More Party Time

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Sherri Roberts - Lovely Days (With Bliss Rodriguez)

Size: 142,6 MB
Time: 61:19
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. It's A Lovely Day Today - Isn't It A Lovely Day (5:50)
02. What'll I Do (4:35)
03. Nice And Easy (4:33)
04. Soon It's Gonna Rain (6:30)
05. Heart And Soul (3:53)
06. We Kiss In A Shadow - I Have Dreamed (5:55)
07. Our Love Rolls On (5:23)
08. I'm All Smiles (4:51)
09. Come Dance With Me (5:27)
10. Like A Lover (5:36)
11. Moon River (4:37)
12. Hit The Road To Dreamland (4:05)

Every recording by San Francisco vocalist Sherri Roberts features an intuitive mind-meld with a master instrumentalist and a smartly curated array of neglected songs. Lovely Days, her fourth recording as a leader, highlights both aspects of her artistry. Showcasing brilliant Bay Area pianist Bliss Rodriguez, it's an intimate celebration of the American Songbook's infrequently turned backpages.

Lovely Days

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Randy Lyght - A Return To Romance

Size: 79,3 MB
Time: 33:43
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. The Best Is Yet To Come (2:32)
02. It Had To Be You (2:32)
03. I've Got You Under My Skin (3:45)
04. Witchcraft (2:50)
05. Nature Boy (4:16)
06. All In Fun (3:44)
07. Steppin' Out With My Baby (2:23)
08. The Best Man (2:43)
09. La Vie En Rose (3:24)
10. What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life (5:29)

Randy brings new life to a selection of best-loved romantic jazz music by Gershwin, Hammerstein, Porter, Kern and more. These legendary composers are no longer around but the music they wrote lives on. They would be pleased to know that some of their best known songs are being performed with care and style by the impressive rich and warm voice of Randy Lyght.

A native of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Randy Lyght has been a fixture in the Canadian music industry for decades.

During his career, Randy lead his own bands such as Mixed Breed and Black Lightning alongside other great bands featuring Rick Lazar and Paul Shaffer, and completed a multi-country tour with The World Renowned Platters in the mid-1970s. His talent and innate musicality was enriched under the direction of legendary performers such as Jackie Richardson, Tony Gaines, and Jason Mack.

Throughout the 1980's, Randy performed in numerous prestigious live venues under the representation of Paul Mascioli, owner of Prestige Entertainment Agency in Victoria, British Columbia. He also recorded a single cover of "Feel Like Making Love," produced by Hermann Fruhm at Mushroom Studios, and received radio airplay across the country.

Randy has also worked with producer Brian Griffiths at Little Mountain Sound, recording radio jingles for clients such as The Louisville Times, as well as a commissioned tribute song for the University of British Columbia.

Now based in Kitchener, Ontario, Randy continues to pursue his passion for music. Having recorded and released two albums throughout 2011 and 2012 ("Just In Time and "Happy Holiday", under the musical direction of award winning producer J. Richard Hutt).

A Return To Romance

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Vince Guaraldi Trio - A Charlie Brown Christmas

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 44:08
Size: 101.1 MB
Styles: Holiday
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[5:05] 1. O Tannenbaum
[2:21] 2. What Child Is This
[3:08] 3. My Little Drum
[3:02] 4. Linus And Lucy
[6:02] 5. Christmas Time Is Here (Inst)
[2:42] 6. Christmas Time Is Here
[2:22] 7. Skating
[1:51] 8. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
[3:24] 9. Christmas Is Coming
[1:02] 10. Für Elise
[3:14] 11. The Christmas Song
[5:25] 12. Greensleeves
[2:25] 13. Great Pumpkin Waltz
[1:58] 14. Thanksgiving Theme

Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz called on pianist extraordinaire Vince Guaraldi and his trio to compose and perform music that would reflect the humor, charm, and innocence of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the entire Peanuts gang for their 1965 Christmas TV special. It was a perfect match: Guaraldi strings together elegant, enticing arrangements that reflect the spirit and mood of Schulz's work and introduce contemporary jazz to youngsters with grace, charm, and creativity. "What Child Is This" touches on cool jazz's richly textured percussive nuances, while "The Christmas Song" reflects Christmas' relaxing, mellow moments. The renowned "Linus and Lucy" gives the Peanuts characters a fresh, energetic feel with its tantalizing meter changes, brilliant percussion, and dashing, humorous piano lines. "Christmastime Is Here," perhaps the album's most endearing and eloquent moment, is six minutes of soft, lullaby-like melodic and percussive flavors. This collection of soul-soothing melodies would not be complete without the romantic gem "Skating," which blends musical references to falling snowflakes with the dashing feel of swing. Finally, the uplifting, emotionally stirring swing tune "Christmas Is Coming" really brings the listener into the joyous light of the Christmas spirit. Fred Marshall's alluring walking basslines and drummer Jerry Granelli's hauntingly beautiful brush work give most of the album a warm foundation, while Monty Budwig and Colin Bailey shine through with eminent dexterity on bass and drums on "Greensleeves." As for Guaraldi, his penetrating improvisational phrases paint pictures of the first winter snowfall, myriad glistening trees, and powdery white landscapes. With its blend of contemporary jazz and lyrical mannerisms, A Charlie Brown Christmas is a joyous and festive meditation for the holiday season. ~Shawn M. Haney

A Charlie Brown Christmas

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Deborah Winters - Live In Session

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 62:30
Size: 143.1 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2004
Art: Front

[5:10] 1. Just Say Goodbye
[4:26] 2. Matters Of The Heart
[4:22] 3. Out Of The Blue
[5:08] 4. Always Comes Back To You
[5:36] 5. In A Sentimental Mood
[4:19] 6. Forever Loving You
[4:41] 7. Unfair
[5:08] 8. Who Am I
[6:17] 9. You Send Me
[2:49] 10. Lullabye Of Love
[4:54] 11. Venice
[9:36] 12. Fields Of Gold

Vocalist/guitarist Deborah Winters is a vibrant performer who combines the elegance and sophistication of her extensive Jazz background with total command of a wide variety of popular music styles. With an emotionally captivating vocal quality and exquisite songwriting skills, her music is both spellbinding and uplifting.

The new release of deborah winters "live in session" is her debut recording featuring original material. While it has been a labor of love to bring this recording to fruition, Deborah's audience will be rewarded with elegantly sculpted arrangements and heartfelt lyrics that express a full range of emotions and spaces… from heart-stopping romantic songs to pieces that bring the funk head-on. The vitality, versatility and dynamic range of her voice shine through in a way that is uniquely her own.

Supporting Deborah in this project is a team of world-class musicians, producers and engineers who contribute significantly to the impact of this momentous recording. Producing a live recording is an extraordinary challenge, but Deborah and her collaborators have successfully captured the unique intimacy and energy of a stellar performance.

Live In Session

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Robert Mosci - Boardwalk And Brownstone

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 53:18
Size: 122.0 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz, Easy Listening
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[2:58] 1. Are You There (With Another Guy)
[4:47] 2. Kathleen
[3:53] 3. Unchain My Heart
[3:56] 4. New York City
[6:07] 5. The Circle Game
[3:14] 6. Smoke Smoke Smoke (That Cigarette)
[3:21] 7. For No One
[4:46] 8. A Day In The Life Of A Fool
[3:42] 9. Make My Way (Back To You)
[3:57] 10. The Girl From New York City
[3:39] 11. The Twelfth Of Never
[4:24] 12. I Wish You Love
[4:26] 13. Dear Prudence

New York City based singer/pianist Robert Mosci's 5th release on Zographia Records is called Boardwalk & Brownstone. It includes 11 songs, 3 new Mosci originals and 8 classic pop tunes. The CD features the smooth singing pianist at his vocal best, blending elements of pop, r&b, folk-rock, and jazz. Special guest AAA charting Ingrid Michaelson, and superb backing by an all-star group of NYC musicians (including Erik Lawrence - Levon Helm Band), round out the package.

The Mosci originals are complemented by a tasty array of tunes, including material by Bachrach & David, Ray Charles, Lennon & McCartney and Joni Mitchell. The performances are embellished throughout with fine solos by the varied accompanists.

Boardwalk And Brownstone

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Dana Lauren - It's You Or No One

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:32
Size: 104,6 MB
Art: Front

(5:51)  1. That Old Black Magic
(4:49)  2. Isn't This a Lovely Day
(4:09)  3. There's a Small Hotel
(2:45)  4. Give Me The Simple Life
(5:11)  5. Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful
(4:46)  6. On The Sunny Side Of The Street
(4:44)  7. It's You Or No One
(4:31)  8. In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning
(4:36)  9. I Had The Craziest Dream
(4:05) 10. Mr. Paganni

At the age of 21, vocalist Dana Lauren has a command of her instrument that many professional singers twice her age would envy. Lauren has a voice that's one part Roberta Gambarini and one part Diana Krall, with a dash of soul thrown in to spice things up, and she puts it good use on this ten song program. Her debut album Stairway To The Stars (Dana Lauren, 2008) produced by and featuring trumpeter Arturo Sandoval covered oft-performed standards like "How High The Moon," "Devil May Care" and "Corcovado" but the follow-up digs a little deeper into the catalogs of Irving Berlin, Richard Rodgers and the like. A few heavily covered favorites, like "That Old Black Magic" and "On The Sunny Side Of The Street," make an appearance but they're given facelifts that keep them from coming across as stale.

Pianist Manuel Valera arranged several tunes and, along with guitarist Will Graefe, provides wonderful harmonic support for Lauren's vocal endeavors. Tenor saxophonist Joel Frahm is in a sense Lauren's singing partner and his cheery, jubilant saxophone dances around her voice and/or solos on the majority of these songs. Valera's arrangement of "That Old Black Magic" moves from a half-time Latin feel to a double time swing feel. Frahm's solo is framed, for the most part, over the Latin feel and Valera moves well over the swing pulse. Lauren scats over the outro as drummer Jake Goldblas solos over Valera's vamping piano riff. Graefe gently delineates his arpeggiated guitar chords underneath Lauren's voice as "Isn't This A Lovely Day" gets underway. Her delivery of the lyrics sounds genuine as can be and she demonstrates rhythmic assurance and attaches just the right amount of ornamental attributes to her delivery. Sunny optimism carries over into "There's A Small Hotel" and Valera's chiming piano riff works perfectly here.

The centerpiece of the album is Lauren's arrangement for "On The Sunny Side Of The Street." This lighthearted pas de deux for bass and voice is sheer magic, with Lauren's voice moving over guest bassist Christian McBride. McBride has some bounce to his step and the pair begin as separate entities but wind up in a more comfortably interactive state by the end of the performance. A little more reverb seems to be present on the title track, as Valera provides some romantic supper-club piano behind Lauren's voice at the outset. When upbeat swing becomes the order of the day, the whole band is there to make all the hits and provide superb accompaniment. Bassist Luques Curtis steps out for a solo on "I Had The Craziest Dream," performed with a comfortable mid-tempo swing feel, and Lauren delivers another A+ performance here. The vocal maneuvers on It's You Or No One make it easy to see why Sandoval and McBride were so taken with the enchanting talents of Dana Lauren. ~ Dan Bilawsky  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=36498#.Uq8KqbRc_vs

Personnel: Dana Lauren: vocals; Joel Frahm: tenor saxophone; Manuel Valera: piano; Will Graefe: guitar; Luques Curtis: bass (1-5, 7-10); Jake Goldblas: drums; Christian McBride (6).

It's You Or No One

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Gene Ess (feat. Nicki Parrott) - A Thousand Summers

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:11
Size: 164,4 MB
Art: Front

(7:21)  1. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
(6:18)  2. One Day I'll Fly Away
(8:21)  3. So in Love
(8:29)  4. The Old Country
(7:58)  5. Charade
(7:30)  6. East of the Sun
(7:29)  7. Looking Back (Reflections)
(7:40)  8. All or Nothing at All
(7:01)  9. Goodbye
(2:58) 10. I Will Wait for You

The album “A Thousand Summers” from guitarist Gene Ess is a collection of timeless beautiful songs from the jazz canon. Having concentrated on original compositions and instrumental music in his last 3 albums, this new album gives a peak into Gene’s roots of coming up with the jazz standards.

The music is arranged carefully in such a way as not to destroy the essence of the songs but still allow the musicianship of the ensemble to cut through. In another words, the musical integrity was not compromised in order to present popular jazz material. In order to accomplish this musical goal, bassist Thomson Kneeland was recruited to arrange half of the material to add another musical perspective to the presentation. If you listen carefully, it is uncanny how Gene and Thomson’s sense of music is very much on the same page and yet each brings a different shade of color to the music.

Much of the songs on this album are about love and the accompanying yearning, joy, and pain it can give to all of us. Music being a universal language is perfect to express the human feelings of love which is certainly understood by all humankind of every creed, race, and religion. Matter of fact, love transcends any artificial border that we may put amongst ourselves and is one of the true gifts of being human and makes life on earth perhaps even bearable. To love is to be human and the music on this album is full of musicians who truly love playing this music for the listening audience.

Nicki Parrott is the featured vocalist on this album. Nicki is a renowned vocalist and bassist and have worked in the late Les Paul’s trio here in NYC. The trio now continues as the “Tribute to Les Paul Trio” and plays ever Monday at the famed Iridium Jazz Club. Nicki brings her superior sense of melody and has a great ear for this music. Her singing is succinct, vulnerable, and understated yet undeniably beautiful and true. She’s the perfect messenger for the melody and lyrics for these arrangements of the songs and for Gene Ess.

The band led by Gene Ess includes Gene Jackson on drums, James Weidman on piano, and Thomson Kneeland on the bass. Gene Ess and Gene Jackson have worked together since 1995 and share a great camaraderie musically. Gene Jackson seems to know exactly where Gene Ess wants to go on the solos in an effortless manner. James Weidman contributes musical comping throughout and acts as the harmonic glue for the music. Thomson Kneeland keeps the music swinging throughout with his virtuosic bass playing and his solos are very deep. With a team of musicians of this high level and empathy, Gene Ess plays some of his most musical solos to date. All of his solos are very lyrical and adds positively to the music and gets into the organic aspect of the music.

Cindy McLeod of Jazz Review says "Gene Ess has firmly cemented his place as a major jazz artist of the new millennium. His post-bop work is delivered with adventurous spirit and intense ethos, offering a powerful, unique voice to the idiom. A guitarist of virtuosic proportions, Ess plays fluid chromatic lines that float and weave through the harmony. His performance is simply stated, yet reveals stunning technical fluency, the signature of all true greats. There's a delicious sense of tension/release with his performance riding over the rhythm section, Ess is a master of the art of creating dynamic interplay. Supple, sanguine, and superb are the three words that kept popping into my head as I listened, this recording knocked my socks off and will be in my CD player on a regular basis for many years to come." http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/geneess4

A Thousand Summers

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Magnolia Jazzband - A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening

Styles: New Orleans Jazz, Big Band
Year: 2001
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:55
Size: 127,3 MB
Art: Front

(5:39)  1. When My Dreamboat Comes Home
(4:31)  2. Canal Street Blues
(4:10)  3. A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening
(4:26)  4. Float Me Down The River
(5:05)  5. Roses Of Picardy
(4:58)  6. Yellow Dog Blues
(4:19)  7. I'm Through With Love
(3:25)  8. C'est Magnifique
(3:19)  9. Without You For An Inspiration
(4:56) 10. I Love You
(4:11) 11. Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered
(5:51) 12. Move The Body Over

The Magnolia Jazz Band has been one of the top New Orleans-style groups in Norway since its birth in 1972. The reason for the combo's success is obvious when listening to this CD, for the septet excels at a variety of tempos, grooves, and idioms within the New Orleans style. The opening "When My Dreamboat Comes Home" sounds like a New Orleans marching band, while some of the other songs swing more conventionally. Among the high points are "Roses of Picardy," "C'est Magnifique," "I Love You," and "Move the Body Over." The excellent musicianship, strong solos, and particularly the joyous group spirit make this a trad band well worth hearing. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/a-lovely-way-to-spend-an-evening-mw0000222851

This highly respected Norwegian jazz band presents a new studio session, playing their authentic New Orleans-style jazz. Here they play songs by Cole Porter ("I Love You"), W.C. Handy ("Yellow Dog Blues"), Rogers & Hart ("Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered Features New Orleans style jazz by this Norwegian artist.

Personnel: Arild Holm (banjo); Georg Reiss (clarinet, saxophone); Anders Bjornstad (trumpet); Gunnar Gotaas (trombone); Hakon Gjesvik (piano); Torstein Ellingsen (drums).

Recording information: Quilles Recording Studio (05/28/2001-05/30/2001).

A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening

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Jenny MacDonald - Bye, Bye, Mr. Bluesman

Size: 136,0 MB
Time: 58:34
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2011
Styles: Blues Vocals, Jazzy Blues, Folk-Blues, Retro
Art: Front

01. Bye, Bye, Mr. Bluesman (4:09)
02. Dancing With Me (4:33)
03. A Hundred Reasons (3:36)
04. Dreaming Of Something Beautiful (4:06)
05. Speechless (4:00)
06. Wishin' (3:51)
07. (Send Me) My Love (2:59)
08. City Life (4:25)
09. Song For Alicia (4:43)
10. Harder To Breathe (3:17)
11. Peace & Quiet (3:53)
12. So Carelessly (3:23)
13. Beautiful Things (3:28)
14. Antique Shop (4:28)
15. Long Lost Love (3:36)

Jenny MacDonald from Nova Scotia, is making her mark as a charismatic, audacious and prolific songwriter and performer-skilled beyond her years. To date she has performed alongside high-profile musicians such as Gordie Sampson, Steve MacDougall, The Hupman Brothers, Ian Sherwood and Carleton Stone. She released her new album entitled, Bye, Bye, Mr. Bluesman in 2011 to rave reviews and all songs were written by Jenny.

Jenny was nominated for 2 Nova Scotia music awards, including 2011 Blues Album of the Year and 2011 Digital artist of the year for her sophomore release entitled, Bye, Bye, Mr. Bluesman. The CD is a mixture of blues and 20's-inspired swing as well as rock and roots, all grouped into one album.

Musicians who provided the music on Jenny's CD were: Greg Melchin, Brendan Melchin, Ryan Hupman, Caleb Miles, Scott Hupman, Rob Crowell, Ian Sherwood, Ariana Nasr and Matt Myer.

MacDonald delivers a whole-hearted performance wherever she performs and drives her way through the blues, stomping her way through dirty rock songs and swings through the jazz tunes or resting peacefully in a touching love song.

A great listening CD says Atlantic Seabreeze, and gives this album high ratings on its rating list.

Bye, Bye, Mr. Bluesman

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Ella Fitzgerald - Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 51:32
Size: 118.0 MB
Styles: Holiday
Year: 1960/2002
Art: Front

[2:22] 1. Jingle Bells
[2:17] 2. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
[2:55] 3. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
[3:31] 4. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve
[2:55] 5. Sleigh Ride
[2:59] 6. The Christmas Song
[3:14] 7. Good Morning Blues
[2:42] 8. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
[2:15] 9. Winter Wonderland
[2:51] 10. Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
[2:11] 11. Frosty The Snowman
[3:00] 12. White Christmas
[2:45] 13. The Secret Of Christmas
[3:34] 14. Medley We Three Kings Of Orient Are O Little Town Of Bethlehem
[2:17] 15. Christmas Island
[3:40] 16. The Christmas Song
[3:44] 17. White Christmas
[2:11] 18. Frosty The Snowman

It'd be hard to imagine a happier wish than the one this jazz vocal legend offers her listeners on this urbane-yet-homey collection of holiday favorites. The First Lady of Song recorded these tunes in 1960, at the peak of her interpretive powers. As such, she puts her singular stamp on everything from a sultry vamp like "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve" to the sweet and cozy "The Christmas Song." Even potentially shopworn standards like "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" sound fresher when they're coming from Ella Fitzgerald. ~David Sprague

Ella Wishes You A Swinging Christmas

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John McLaughlin - Belo Horizonte

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 37:03
Size: 84.8 MB
Styles: Fusion, Guitar jazz
Year: 1981/2013
Art: Front

[4:23] 1. Belo Horizonte
[5:54] 2. La Baleine
[1:09] 3. Very Early (Homage to Bill Evans)
[6:23] 4. One Melody
[5:58] 5. Stardust On Your Sleeve
[3:23] 6. Waltz For Katia
[5:41] 7. Zimfir
[4:09] 8. Manitas D'Oro

Recorded in 1981, this is a diverse and somewhat obscure John McLaughlin outing recorded in France, mostly with French musicians. Classical pianist Katia Labèque makes appearances on acoustic piano and synthesizer; there is a thoughtful version of "Very Early" recorded in tribute to Bill Evans, and a collaboration with flamenco guitarist Paco de Lucía, "Manitas d'Oro." In general, McLaughlin is in fine shape on this worthwhile set, both on acoustic and electric guitars, occasionally showing some fire. ~Scott Yanow

Belo Horizonte

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Mike Arroyo Jazz Organ Trio - Full Circle

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 40:33
Size: 92.9 MB
Styles: Organ jazz, Gospel
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[3:39] 1. His Eyes Is On The Sparrow
[7:01] 2. Doxology
[4:39] 3. Full Circle
[3:56] 4. I Belong To Jesus
[4:28] 5. The Old Rugged Cross
[2:59] 6. Holy, Holy, Holy
[4:22] 7. I Surrender All
[4:17] 8. What A Friend We Have In Jesus
[5:09] 9. In The Garden

Jazz Guitarist, composer and arranger Mike Arroyo is from Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. He was 8 years old when his parents bought him his first guitar. At 15, he started music lessons at the Lino Padro Rivera high school in his home town of Vega Baja. Mike would carry a guitar along with his shcool books. Mike's twin brother was also in school with him, and like his brother he carried a five-doubled-string instrument called "Cuatro". Mike and his twin brother's deep love for music was evidently inspired by his parents Elvy and Rev.Antonio Arroyo who passed away as Mike states, "Straight To Heaven". They not only sowed into their sons lives this deep love for music, but to strongly love the true Creator of music, God.

Mike has studied at both the Conservatory of Music,and at the Interamerican University of P.R. In addition, he has studied guitar with guitarist-teachers Georgina Olmo, Dr.Jorge Pastrana, Tony Marrero, Fernando Mattina, Jody Fisher and Charlie Banacos. Mike Arroyo is considered a pioneer in the sacred music scene in Puerto Rico. In 2001, Mike recorded his first musical production "Straight To Heaven", using the jazz genre as a venue to praise, and exalt God. He is credited of being the first Christian-jazz guitarist to organize a "Christian Jazz Night Concert" with the participation of Puerto Rican pianist Luis Marin and trumpet player Jochi Rodriguez. He uses the the jazz genre to praise the Lord and deliver Peace, Love and Joy to those who listen to him at churches, clubs, hotels and other venues.

Full Circle

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Hank Mobley - Soul Station

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 37:07
Size: 85.0 MB
Styles: Hard bop, Saxophone jazz
Year: 1960/2013
Art: Front

[5:37] 1. Remember
[6:21] 2. This I Dig Of You
[6:05] 3. Dig Dis
[4:52] 4. Split Feelin's
[9:03] 5. Soul Station
[5:06] 6. If I Should Lose You

Often overlooked, perhaps because he wasn't a great innovator in jazz but merely a stellar performer, tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley was at the peak of his powers on Soul Station. Recorded with a superstar quartet including Art Blakey on drums, Paul Chambers on bass, and Wynton Kelly on piano, it was the first album since Mobley's 1955 debut to feature him as a leader without any other accompanying horns.

The clean, uncomplicated sound that resulted from that grouping helps make it the best among his albums and a peak moment during a particularly strong period in his career. Mobley has no problem running the show here, and he does it without being flashy or burying the strong work of his sidemen. The solidness of his technique means that he can handle material that is occasionally rhythmically intricate, while still maintaining the kind of easy roundness and warmth displayed by the best players of the swing era. Two carefully chosen standards, "Remember" and "If I Should Lose You," help to reinforce that impression by casting an eye back to the classic jazz era. They bookend four Mobley originals that, in contrast, reflect the best of small-group composition with their lightness and tight dynamics. Overall, this is a stellar set from one of the more underrated musicians of the bop era. ~Stacia Proefrock

Soul Station

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