Barney Wilen Quintet - Passione

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:18
Size: 138,9 MB
Art: Front

( 6:36)  1. Jitterbag Waltz
(10:01)  2. My Ship
( 4:53)  3. Line For Lyons
( 5:06)  4. Estate
( 7:07)  5. Venetian Rumba
( 5:26)  6. Passione
( 2:37)  7. Begonia
( 7:23)  8. Besame Mucho
( 4:10)  9. Bella Chao
( 6:30) 10. I Cover The Waterfront
( 0:24) 11. Al Herraz

Barney Wilen's mother was French, his father a successful American dentist-turned-inventor. He grew up mostly on the French Riviera; the family left during World War II but returned upon its conclusion. According to Wilen himself, he was convinced to become a musician by his mother's friend, the poet Blaise Cendrars. As a teenager he started a youth jazz club in Nice, where he played often. He moved to Paris in the mid-'50s and worked with such American musicians as Bud Powell, Benny Golson, Miles Davis, and J.J. Johnson at the Club St. Germain. His emerging reputation received a boost in 1957 when he played with Davis on the soundtrack to the Louis Malle film Lift to the Scaffold. Two years later, he performed with Art Blakey and Thelonious Monk on the soundtrack to Roger Vadim's Les Liaisons Dangereuses (1960). Wilen began working in a rock-influenced style during the '60s, recording an album entitled Dear Prof. Leary in 1968. In the early '70s, Wilen led a failed expedition of filmmakers, musicians, and journalists to travel to Africa to document pygmy music. Later Wilen played in a punk rock band called Moko and founded a French Jazzmobile-type organization that took music to people living in outlying areas. He also worked in theater. By the mid-'90s, he was working once again in a bebop vein in a band with the pianist Laurent de Wilde. Much of Wilen's later work was documented on the Japanese Venus label. ~ Chris Kelsey  Bio - http://www.allmusic.com/artist/barney-wilen-mn0000117853/biography

Personnel:  Barney Wilen tenor & alto, soprano saxophones; Enrico Rava trumpet;  Alain Jean-Marie piano;  Gilles Natural bass;  Philippe Soirat drums

Passione

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Tape Five - Tonight Josephine!

Styles: Swing
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:59
Size: 113,0 MB
Art: Front + Back

(0:22)  1. Introduction Back In Time
(3:54)  2. A Cool Cat In Town (feat. Brenda Boykin)
(4:17)  3. Bad Boy Good Man (feat. Henrik Wager)
(3:42)  4. Pantaloons (feat. Yuliet Topaz)
(3:48)  5. Dixie Biscuit (feat. Henrik Wager)
(3:42)  6. Madame Coquette (feat. Yuliet Topaz)
(4:04)  7. Far Far Away Charles Tone (Charles-Tone mix feat. Brenda Boykin)
(0:32)  8. Intermezzo Speakeasy
(3:43)  9. The Flappers Delight (feat. Yuliet Topaz)
(4:19) 10. Birds Like It (feat. Iain Mackenzie)
(4:01) 11. Pousse L'Amour (feat. Yuliet Topaz)
(3:40) 12. The Smurf (Tape Five Remix instr.)
(4:09) 13. The Sky Is Not The Limit (feat. Iain Mackenzie)
(4:38) 14. Alcazar (instr.)

Tape Five is a multinational music project from Germany, founded in 2003 by songwriter/producer Martin Strathausen producing music in various styles like Swing, Electro Swing, Nujazz, Latin, Lounge, Dub, Trip Hop, Chill-out and Electro. While their first two albums contained Lounge, Nujazz, Swing and Latin, Tape Five took the influences of the electro-swing movement with their 3rd album,Tonight Josephine“ (2010). Tape Five co-operates with several record companies worldwide.

And the film goes on! Driving Electro-Swing action with 'Oscar feeling' conversations of clarinet and trumpet inspired by Louis Armstrong, Gene Krupa, Josephine Baker and Benny Goodman. The 3rd album from TAPE FIVE 'Tonight Josephine!' is another Retro-Homage to various facets from the 20th Century bar-music. Stop Press! The first half of the album is deeply inspired by the Golden Twenties. High calibre and style, like a black-and-white classic film, but coloured and varied like today's block-busters. Four different vocalists - Brenda Boykin, Iain Mackenzie, Henrik Wagner and Yuliet Topaz interpret new songs in the old styles. ~ Editorial Reviews  http://www.amazon.com/Tonight-Josephine-Tape-Five/dp/B0032W7CQI

Tonight Josephine!

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Dee Bell - Sagacious Grace

Size: 113,6 MB
Time: 49:14
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2011
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Watch What Happens (5:16)
02. You Can't Go Home Again (5:37)
03. Dear Bix (3:38)
04. You're My Thrill (5:38)
05. Isfahan (6:00)
06. I Remember You (3:41)
07. Comes Love (5:17)
08. The Peacocks (5:03)
09. If Dreams Come True (3:47)
10. I'll Never Be The Same (5:13)

Praised by critics both abroad and in the United States for her “gorgeous phrasing” and “clear and easy delivery (Stereo Review)” of the lyrics of a song, West Coast diva Dee Bell again delivers her warmth, clarity, and impeccable intonation on Sagacious Grace, her first release for the Laser label. “She knows just how to bring the best out in a song. She does her own thing; lazy, hazy, smoky singing (Jazz Journal, England).” Dee’s Concord Jazz recordings with Stan Getz, Eddie Duran and Tom Harrell made the jazz world “sit up and listen (Jesse Hamlin, SF Jazz Critic)” garnering top twenty rotations on the jazz charts.

With this latest release dedicated to the late pianist, Al Plank, there are three songs with Dee’s original lyrics and two that she has arranged. The swinging, elegant pianist influenced the balance of the riveting musical adaptations on this CD. Al was a major part of the San Francisco jazz scene for over 40 years, following an earlier musical career with the Mastersounds (the Montgomery brothers: Wes, Monk, and Buddy), as well as time on stage with Woody Herman, Chet Baker and Anita O’Day.

Houston Person on saxophone, John Stowell on guitar, and Michael Spiro on percussion round out a stellar roster of the Bay Area’s top musicians on this long-awaited CD. Interpreted with heartfelt nuances, this beautiful and diverse collection of songs will provide hours of entertainment for your delight.

Sagacious Grace

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Bob Dorough - Eulalia

Size: 108,0 MB
Time: 46:27
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Bebop, Vocal Jazz
Art: Front

01. Eulalia (Feat. Aralee) (3:40)
02. Love (Webster's Dictionary) (Feat. Aralee) (7:14)
03. Whatever Happened To Love Songs (Feat. Aralee) (5:16)
04. But For Now (Feat. Aralee) (4:50)
05. To Be Or Not To Be (Feat. Aralee) (8:00)
06. I've Got Just About Everything (Feat. Aralee (7:32)
07. A Few Days Of Glory (Feat. Aralee) (5:47)
08. Consummation (Feat. Aralee) (0:36)
09. Eulalia Reprise (Feat. Aralee) (3:27)

Pianist Bob Dorough is to the jazz repertoire what Loretta Lynn is to country music. Trained in jazz piano, Dorough is best known for his role as the music director of a national project in 1971, assigned to set the multiplication table to music which grew into the popular Saturday morning cartoon series Schoolhouse Rock. Some forty years later, Dorough maintains an infectious sprint in the cadence of his keys and a heartland-tempered twang in his vocal register. He puts all of himself into his music from the raw, craggy continence of his vocals to the polished, buoyant rustling of his keys.

A fusion of scripted chord movements and improvised phrasing, Dorough's latest release Eulalia from Merry Lane Records emphasizes the elasticity of the instruments and the keen reciprocation of the musicians on board to play off of one another. Dorough and his daughter Aralee demonstrate such active and reactive prowess between the piano and flute in the title track. The curvature of Aralee's flute gives the track shape and an organic texture while the keys incubate the piece in a sheath of bliss. The rippling waves of Thomas Hultén's trombone through "But For Now" pervade a Cab Calloway vibe supplemented by the sprinkling flare of the keys. The swinging romper "I've Got Just About Everything" is wreathe in the tweeting vibrations of the horns resonating a nostalgic glow that's reminiscent of Hoagy Carmichael, and counter-balanced by the spiritual ruminations of "A Few Days of Glory" featuring the soaring vocals of Tammie Bradley and the bluesy hues of the saxophone.

Pulsating with modern virility and wielding the crisp interplay of vintage bebop, Eulalia partners free-style with formulaic chord patterns harking back to the approach taken by the architects of '50s jazz. Liken to the way country music comes naturally to Loretta Lynn, spindling jazz idioms comes naturally to Dorough. The rawness of Dorough's vocals combined with polished instrumentation make for a personalized recording. ~by Susan Frances

Musicians:
Bob Dorough - piano, vocals, and arrangements; Steve Gilmore - acoustic bass; Herman Matthews - drums; Phil Woods - alto sax; Aralee Dorough - flute; Dennis Dotson - trumpet; Thomas Hultén - trombone and tuba; Warren Sneed - tenor and soprano sax; Keith Vivens - electric bass (Tracks 3 & 7); Ray Wilson - guitar; Mike Mizma - vibes and pandeiro (Track 2); Gary Mitchell, Jr. - choirmaster, vocals & Hammond B3 (Track 7); Tammie Bradley - vocals (Track 7)

Eulalia

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Susanna Bartilla - Susanna Bartilla Chante Johnny Mercer - Live Au Sunside

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:26
Size: 131,2 MB
Art: Front

(4:52)  1. I'm Old Fashioned
(4:18)  2. Travelin' Light
(4:14)  3. Fools Rush In
(6:33)  4. Blues In The Night
(5:17)  5. My Shining Hour
(4:07)  6. PS I Love You/I Thought About You
(5:32)  7. One For My Baby
(5:35)  8. Goody Goody
(3:44)  9. Come Rain Or Come Shine
(4:32) 10. Skylark
(2:57) 11. The Summer Wind
(4:39) 12. Let's Take The Long Way Home

A Johnny Mercer lyric always comes across as something authentically by him, a part of his real person, as lived and experienced by him and us ! He always strikes the right balance between nostalgia and optimism, between tenderness and passion; genuine emotions that we all can relate to and that accompany us through life. And beyond that, a wonderful singer himself, he is a singer's lyricist. His ambition was to write “a song that everybody loves and all the artists can’t wait to sing and record it”. That never failed. Every vowel is in its perfect spot, the intricate, often interior rhymes fall into place naturally and the lyric hugs the music in a way that makes every tune a shere joy to sing. I prepared my centennial tribute for several years, choosing out of the hundreds of songs the two dozen I find I truely cannot do without. They range from some of his very early lyrics ("Goody Goody") to some of his last ones ("The Summer Wind"), from the very famous ("Autumn Leaves", "One for My Baby") to maybe lesser known pieces like "Let's Take the Long Way Home" or "My Shining Hour". Out of all this wealth, personal highlights of my tribute CD are "Blues in the Night", "Fools Rush In" and my alltime favourite "Skylark". 

Before I started recording, I felt I just had to go to Mercer's hometown to walk in his steps, see the places that inspired him and talk to his friends and family. In my imagination, Savannah already existed as a dreamland, where a blossom covered lane leads toward a meadowland on the banks of the Moon River ... But its reality, its loveliness and the warmth and friendliness of the people by far surpassed my imagination and spurred my inspiration. All the immediately evocative countryside images that Mercer conveys in his lyrics are romantic in the original sense of the word. As a Berlin native, I consider them on a par with the poetry written by the great German romantics, where landscapes and emotions reflect and influence each other. "Autumn Leaves" is to my mind on the same level of greatness as Rilke's famous "Herbstlied" ("Autumn Song"), and the love, lust and longing tumbling in a spin in "That Old Black Magic" are as compelling as in Goethe's masterpiece "Gretchen am Spinnrad" ("Margaret at the Spinning Wheel"). To Mercer, writing songs was “an exciting, stimulating experience like an adventure in love”, and that’s exactly how I feel singing those songs. It is always a great thrill for me to make the audience aware that one great poet wrote such a varied range of timeless words and I'm very happy to have contributed a little bit to the celebration of his centennial.  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/susannabartilla2

Susanna Bartilla Chante Johnny Mercer - Live Au Sunside

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Carmen Cuesta - Mi Bossa Nova

Styles: Bossa Nova
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:13
Size: 99,4 MB
Art: Front

(3:02)  1. Triste
(4:16)  2. Fotografia
(5:06)  3. Retrato Em Branco E Prieto
(3:52)  4. O Barquinho
(3:26)  5. Pois
(4:43)  6. Jobim
(3:04)  7. Modinha
(3:21)  8. Tormenta
(4:00)  9. Manha De Carnival
(3:49) 10. Chega De Saudade
(4:29) 11. Meditacao

The Spanish singer Carmen Cuesta has long had a love for the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim and other bossa nova composers, though her earlier CDs have focused more on originals co-written with her husband, guitarist Chuck Loeb. But bossa nova reigns supreme on this 2011 release, with Loeb contributing well-produced backgrounds for Cuesta's fresh, pleasing alto voice. Initially she worked on translating the Portuguese lyrics into Spanish, only to be stymied by legal issues after she was well underway with her work. In any case, Cuesta is able to convey the elegance of these timeless melodies. Her vocals capture the longing of the lyric to "Retrato em Branco e Preto" in a heartfelt performance. Cuesta is equally sensual in her interpretation of "Meditaçao." Her flawless rendition of Luis Bonfá's "Manha de Carnaval" could easily be used in a film soundtrack. Cuesta and Loeb's daughters Christina and Lizzy are added on flutes for their mother's "Jobim," her warm tribute to her inspiration for this CD. Throughout the date, Chuck Loeb's orchestrations and acoustic guitar solos add to the beauty of Carmen Cuesta's performances. It's easy to understand why they enjoy making music together as documented in Mi Bossa Nova. ~ Ken Dryden  http://www.allmusic.com/album/mi-bossa-nova-mw0002112002

Mi Bossa Nova

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Ralph Sutton & Johnny Varro - A Pair Of Kings

Styles: Straight-ahead/Mainstream
Year: 2001
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:50
Size: 166,8 MB
Art: Front

( 4:23)  1. Swing That Music
( 4:19)  2. All By Myself
( 5:56)  3. What Am I Here For
( 4:43)  4. St. Louis Blues
( 5:24)  5. Crazy Rhythm
( 6:18)  6. Tea For Two
( 5:07)  7. I Can't Give You Anything But Love
( 4:58)  8. It's You Or No One
( 4:33)  9. Oh, Lady, Be Good!
( 5:45) 10. Farewell Blues
( 6:15) 11. (Back Home Again In) Indiana
(15:03) 12. Fats Waller Medley: Say Yes / Ain't Misbehaven / Keeping Out Of Mischief Now / Stealin' Apples

Well, Arbors Records has done it again: well recorded jazz from its glory years, played today by the people who played it then. This 2001 album documents two of the most reliable of these players, with all the sophistication, excitement, and spontaneity of a live performance.

The late Ralph Sutton was born in Hamburg, Missouri in 1922 and played the piano virtually his entire life. He joined the Jack Teagarden Orchestra at age 19, a several-year gig that was interrupted when the U.S. Army called. He played with Bob Crosby in New York in 1966 and with the World’s Greatest Jazz Band until 1974. In 1979, he and Jay McShann did a cross-country tour that resulted in the album The Last of the Whorehouse Piano Players, memorable if for no other reason than its title. Influenced by James P. Johnson and Fats Waller, Sutton nonetheless clearly developed a sound of his own, with a powerful left hand and an excellent sense of rhythm and harmonics.

Johnny Varro was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1930 and played at the Central Plaza in New York City from 1946. At jam sessions on the Lower East Side, the young Varro met players of the era such as Willie “The Lion” Smith, “Big Sid” Catlett, Joe Thomas, “Hot Lips” Page, Joe Sullivan, Pete Brown, and others. After a stint in the Service, he toured with Bobby Hackett and often appeared at Nick’s and Eddie Condon’s, where he succeeded Sutton as intermission pianist. He ultimately became Condon’s band pianist, playing with and learning from a host of legends. In 1953 he moved to Miami Beach to work on the Jackie Gleason Show, subsequently touring the country and spending 14 years in Los Angeles. Now a resident of Tampa Bay, he records with his own Swing 7 and is featured as sideman on many Arbors CDs, as are bassist Phil Flanigan and drummer Ed Metz, Jr.  

This album was recorded in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; you’ll want to know that Sutton is on the left channel, and Varro is on the right, with good separation. Varro trios on Ellington’s “What Am I Here For?” and “It’s You or No One,” while Sutton returns the favor on “Tea for Two” and “Farewell Blues,” the latter as a solo. All tunes are standards, and if you can suppress the temptation to whistle or hum along, you have more self-control than myself. These two masters save the best till last; the “Fats Waller Medley” is more than 15 minutes of utter enjoyment. Sutton solos on “Say Yes,” the “other waltz,” while Varro solos on “Jitterbug”; both share choruses with each other and the rhythm section on the other selections. Both pianists segue smoothly and empathetically from tune to tune, and Flanigan and Metz trade tasty fours on the ninth chorus of “Stealin’ Apples.” This is the kind of CD that, as it begins to repeat, you think to yourself, “Well, I’ll be darned. How could 73 minutes of music have played that quickly and enjoyably?” ~ J.Robert Bragonier  

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=12486#.Uu6zKrS1QwA

Personnel: Ralph Sutton and Johnny Varro (piano), Phil Flanigan (bass), and Ed Metz, Jr. (drums)

A Pair Of Kings

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Mauri Sanchis - What Did You Expect?

Styles: Hammond Organ
Year: 2011
File: MP3@256K/s
Time: 49:34
Size: 104,6 MB
Art: Front

(5:18)  1. Nightmare
(4:22)  2. The Ninja
(6:28)  3. Lowdown
(4:36)  4. As For Me
(5:20)  5. Whisky Bob
(6:09)  6. Take Six
(5:29)  7. Groove Soup
(7:31)  8. In A Blue Mood
(4:16)  9. Guess What!

Absolutely new and risky approach to organ trio by Hammond Endorser Mauri Sanchis leading a set of innovative, transgressor and sometimes even aggresive tracks accompanied by Yamaha endorser Blas Fernandez on Drums and Gibson endorser Razl on guitar. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/maurisanchis

What Did You Expect?

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Zizi Possi - Para Ingles Ver... E Ouvir

Size: 101,0 MB
Time: 43:43
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2005
Styles: Pop Rock Vocals
Art: Front

01. Fly Me To The Moon (3:52)
02. Moon River (2:58)
03. The Very Thought Of You (3:10)
04. Dream A Little Dream (2:36)
05. Do You Wanna Dance (2:36)
06. I Don't Wanna Talk About It (3:03)
07. Redemption Song (3:24)
08. Ruby (3:37)
09. You Don't Know Me (3:59)
10. Love For Sale (2:54)
11. Come Together (3:02)
12. Unchain My Heart. (2:38)
13. Love Of My Life/Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End (5:48)

Zizi Possi opened different paths during her career. She had her first hit with an MPB tune ("Pedaço de Mim" by Chico Buarque) and then with a series of pop ballads during the '80s; but finally in the '90s, she found her way with a repertory of classics of Brazilian music in highly polished acoustic renditions. There are variations apply, as in Per Amore, which is completely devoted to Italian romantic songs (sung in the original idiom).

Singing alone since she was a child, Possi started to take piano classes at five. At 20, she abandoned the strong composition program at the State University of Bahia and started working as an actress in a musical when she discovered herself as a singer. In 1978, she left for Rio, where she was invited by Roberto Menescal to record (at the time he was Polygram's A&R) her first album (Flor do Mal). Possi' first hit was the title track of the second album, Pedaço de Mim (Chico Buarque), from Buarque's musical A Ópera do Malandro, in which she participated that same year. In the '80s, Possi expanded her pop repertory at the expenses of MPB, having success with "Asa Morena" (Zé Caradípia, 1982). Other hits of that decade were "Perigo" (Nico Resende/Paulinho Lima, 1986), "A Paz" (Gilberto Gil/João Donato, 1987); "É A Vida Que Diz" (Marina), and "O Amor Vem Pra Cada Um" (a version for "Love Comes to Everyone" by George Harrison). The LP Estrebucha Baby (1989) represented a different, almost experimental phase, being the first time that "Meu Erro" (Herbert Vianna) was recorded not as rock or pop (as it was written), but as a densely interpreted song, which worked as an endorsement for a genre that was being incorporated into MPB under mixed feelings.

In 1990, the show Sobre Todas As Coisas (piano/voice/percussion) represented the finding of an internal coherence after taking different paths. Rewarded by the success enjoyed during the tour, she accepted Marcos Suzano's suggestion of incorporating Lui Coimbra's cello, recording the album Sobre Todas As Coisas (1991). The esthetics of an acoustic sound and the classics of Brazilian music were paid even further tribute on Valsa Brasileira (1993) and on her subsequent albums. Valsa Brasileira had two hits, "Bom Dia" (Swami Jr./ Paulo Freire) and "Lamento" (Pixinguinha). ~Biography by Alvaro Neder

Para Ingles Ver... E Ouvir

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Carl Jackson - An Evening With Carl Jackson

Size: 124,4 MB
Time: 53:04
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz Funk, Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Grover's Prelude (0:49)
02. I'm Burning 4U (3:02)
03. Pass The Plate (2:16)
04. Old Friends (2:52)
05. Tenderly (2:29)
06. Kiss-Me (3:24)
07. Big City (2:20)
08. Loop 80 (3:04)
09. Comin 2U (3:26)
10. 101.1 (4:06)
11. You Are My Starship (3:32)
12. Dreams (3:32)
13. Last Night (3:49)
14. 92nd Street (3:32)
15. An Evening With Carl Jackson (3:43)
16. Tide Water Area (3:13)
17. Life Is But A Whisper (3:47)

Any info will be welcome.

An Evening With Carl Jackson

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Veronica Klaus & The Tammy L. Hall Quartet - Lee A La V: A Peggy Lee Songbook

Size: 121,8 MB
Time: 52:23
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. I Love Being Here With You (3:30)
02. Close Your Eyes (5:07)
03. Moments Like This (4:01)
04. Wait'll It Happen To You (2:45)
05. I'm Gonna Go Fishin' (2:21)
06. He Needs Me (4:58)
07. I Lost My Sugar In Salt Lake City (4:36)
08. In The Days Of Our Love (4:53)
09. Some Cats Know (4:48)
10. Nobody's Heart Belongs To Me (3:38)
11. Rain Sometimes (4:24)
12. Why Don't You Do Right (5:45)
13. Don't Smoke In Bed (1:28)

The warmest thanks, gratitude and admiration, of course, go to Miss Peggy Lee. Her recording and writing career spanned much of the 20th Century and is a rich and varied catalog. These songs were either written, co-written or recorded by Peggy Lee in the years from 1942 to 1993 and are some of my favorites. We hope you enjoy!

Liner Notes from "Lee a la V - Veronica Klaus with the Tammy L. Hall Quartet - A Peggy Lee Songbook" by Robert Strom, author of "Miss Peggy Lee, A Career Chronology"

Here is Veronica Klaus singing songs that require a talented actress, seductive chanteuse and the abilities of a jazz singer. All of these skills are required because she is performing songs long associated with one of her favorite artists, Miss Peggy Lee. Happily for us, Veronica, like Peggy Lee, has all of these gifts and the talent to make familiar songs fresh, tasteful and intelligent.

She doesn’t set out to imitate Lee.. For how could she? Lee was so distinctly Lee; the approach, the deep-rooted sense of rhythm and the immediately recognizable voice. Veronica needn't copy these because she has her own distinct sense of self that shines through Peggy's music.

The savvy selection of material from Lee's vast catalog speaks volumes. Her choices supplying us with everything we need to evoke Peggy Lee’s images; the heartfelt He Needs Me, the slinky Some Cats Know, the blue-tinged regret of I Lost My Sugar In Salt Lake City, the glowing embers from In The Days Of Our Love and the ashes left behind by Don’t Smoke In Bed.

These selections, along with Close Your Eyes, Moments Like This, Wait Until It Happens to You, and the under-appreciated gem Nobody’s Heart Belongs to Me are fine for a start, but homage is also paid to Peggy Lee, the songwriter, by including I Love Being Here With You, I’m Gonna Go Fishin’ and the aforementioned In The Days Of Our Love.

On every song, in every mood and at every tempo, Veronica is beautifully supported by the Tammy L. Hall Quartet. Led by pianist Tammy L. Hall, the group works in a fashion similar to the quintet that accompanied Peggy for the last twenty years of her career. The word that best describes both of these groups is; cohesive. Four musicians blending in the same groove, so perfectly, that they sound like one unit. Each has moments to shine, and all do so with style.

Critic Rex Reed once wrote of Peggy Lee, “…[she’s] one of the greatest magicians a good song could ever wish for.” Good songs are wishing again, and just in time, because now they have Veronica Klaus to sing them. A new blond magician is weaving her spells. Spells ala V! ~Advance Review for "Lee a la V" by Steve Murray

Lee A La V

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Brenda Morie - Meant To Be

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2004
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:20
Size: 129,0 MB
Art: Front

(3:07)  1. I Could Write A Book
(4:38)  2. Moondance
(2:51)  3. Chitlins Con Carne
(3:52)  4. A Ghost OF A Chance
(3:18)  5. Twisted
(4:29)  6. Liberated Brother
(4:13)  7. Stolen Moments
(5:55)  8. Puzzle Of Hearts
(3:13)  9. Lullaby Of Birdland
(5:52) 10. Everytime He Whispers
(2:38) 11. Walk Between The Raindrops
(5:31) 12. Peace Chant
(6:37) 13. Black Orpheus Medley-A Day in

Brenda Morie - Savannah, Georgia, based flutist, vocalist, and musician has released her first solo CD, "Meant To Be".  For years Brenda's musicianship has graced recording and television performances in the US and Canada of noted artists such as, Ian Tyson, Tommy Banks, Chet McCracken, Ben Tucker and many more. Morie, a native of Canada, moved to Los Angeles, California, after being awarded a National Canadian Arts Council Grant spending the following years performing, recording, touring, and has even lent her voice to motion pictures. Brenda co-wrote and performed on several jazz CD's with Chet McCracken, platinum and two-time gold record winning and Grammy- nominated recording artist and former drummer in the Doobie Brothers and Joe Walsh. Two of these co-written recordings, "Through Brenda's Eyes" and "After The Rain", received national attention and the Mac Gavin Chart Hit list. Although many of Chet's recordings have been chart topping, "After The Rain" to date been one of McCracken's highest placements on the Jazz Charts. Morie and McCracken plan to begin a new collaboration project in the near future.  In 2000, Brenda completed a tour with Nancy Sinatra, playing acoustic, electric guitar, harmonica and flute which included sharing the stage with Rickie Martin and Blondie at Dodger Stadium in front of an audience of more than 50, 000 people. 

In Canada, Brenda was well known from numerous television appearances and specials particularly the internationally syndicated "The Tommy Banks Show" as well as the national 'Sun Country Show' hosted by Ian Tyson. She performed frequently with guitarist, Amos Garrett, known for his unique and infamous style on Maria Muldar's "Midnight At The Oasis". "Meant to Be", Brenda's solo CD, features the supporting performances of friends, old and new, from her days in Los Angeles coupled with the some of NC's best. Among these are Los Angeles's drummer and recording artist, Chet McCracken and lead guitarist, Chris Pinnick, formerly of "Chicago" as well as Herb Alpert and John Klemmer. North Carolina's well-known and respected "The Ken Rhodes Trio" consisting of keyboardist Ken Rhodes, bassist Matt Kendrick, and drummer John Wilson bring their smooth warmth to the project as well as Rhodes' compositional skill with "Peace Chant". Jazz trumpeter, Joe Robinson is featured on "Stolen Moments" and "Ghost of a Chance". His bittersweet performance on "Ghost of a Chance" brings a rich flavor to Brenda's own interpretation, making it one of the highlights on the CD. Brazilian guitarist, Paulo Barata, contributes to Brenda's version of, Djavan's, 'Puzzle of Hearts' along with Chris Pinnick's lead guitar and McCracken's drumming. Also contributing are conga, percussionist Roberto Orihuela, and film composer David McHugh (Mystic Pizza & Moscow On The Hudson). Brenda's "lead guitar-like" flute performance on "Liberated Brother" and Chitins Con Carne, shows the influence of her work with Garrett and Nancy Sinatra. 

The CD was recorded and produced by currently, Savannah College of Art and Design " Sound Design" professor, John Sisti whoose recent credits include Sound Supervisor on "Mad About You' which won two Emmy's for Best Sound, and "Bram Stocker's Dracula" which won an Oscar for Best Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing. Before his film work, Sisti, was a recording engineer at several studios such as A&M Records and Record Plant with artist Joni Mitchell, George Harrison, Captain & Tennille ("Love Can Keep Us Together"), and Billy Preston (Nothing from Nothing) etc. John taught sound and production at Berkley School of Music in the mid 80's, and now as well as teaching at in the Film School has a small studio here, Granite Sound. At Granite Sound John has mixed the David McHugh's score for the Lifetime Series " Strong Medicine" and the soundtrack for the Gary Hawkin's Award winning documentary " The Rough South of Larry Brown", award winning Best Western, Truce, The Cavern and many more. Morie's distinctive flavor is established by the coupling of her smoky vocals along with the rich flute quality, a combination of the unique "wood head joint" and her diverse musical interpretation. This all blends to make exciting and entertaining jazz expressions articulated by the fortuitous combination of talents Brenda Morie embodies. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/morie

Meant To Be

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Carmen Lundy - Come Home

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:35
Size: 152,4 MB
Art: Front

(6:41)  1. Lost In San Rafael
(3:44)  2. Nature Boy
(5:11)  3. Come Home
(4:56)  4. My Wedding Vow
(2:40)  5. Happy New Year
(3:32)  6. Seductive Reasoning
(7:46)  7. Heart Of Gold
(4:00)  8. Gossip
(7:12)  9. Walking Code Blue
(6:45) 10. Lil' Lu
(7:57) 11. Afrasia
(4:05) 12. Something Happened Today

Carmen Lundy's follow-up recording to her extraordinary Jazz and the New Songbook: Live at the Madrid is a studio effort emphasizing her compositions co-written by various others. As her credentials as one of the premier present-day jazz vocalists grow, she retains a solidly grounded and supple voice coupled with her direct and vibrant presence on the 2000s scene. Her flexible, vivacious, and clear voice is evident to anyone who pays close attention. What Lundy does that sets her apart is tackle the challenge of creating an ambitious book of songs that go beyond convention while still retaining a contemporary feel without being overproduced. Accompanists are chosen for their taste level and ability to lift Lundy's spirits  pianist Anthony Wonsey and guitarist Lage Lund loom large on this list. This sense of collaboration, from the songwriting to the instrumental arrangements, lifts the music to a lofty artistic level. 

These are not just songs of love, for or not for me me me, while the variety of sounds and styles tell you Lundy is truly thinking about how to change things up. In the more modern traditionalist jazz sense, "Gossip" is a hot, quick, quirky be-bopper, but that's about it. Modalities are explored in the free float to 6/8 to expansive scat and lyric of "Lost in San Rafael," the John Coltrane like easy and carefree "Walking Code Blue," and the low key, pensive 5/4 chart of the standard "Nature Boy." In a more now-than-then style, the clock timed rhythm of the title cut, or the funky and electric inserts of "Lil' Lu," which approach but never cross the line into a commercialized pop arena. Lundy also embraces Brazilian and Portuguese lyric elements, essential Afro-Cuban to Asian rhythms, a children's song, a New Year's wish, and a wedding vow tune. "Something Happened Today," in duet with pianist Geri Allen, is the most personal statement on the disc, a spirit song of realization and transformation. Lundy's star continues to rise, and this CD is further evidence of that steady ascension. ~ Michael G.Nastos  http://www.allmusic.com/album/come-home-mw0001626448

Come Home

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Bebo Best & The Super Lounge Orchestra - D'Jazzonga

Styles: Jazz, Big Band
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:30
Size: 150,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:40)  1. Anytime Swingers
(4:40)  2. Oh Jeje
(4:56)  3. D'Jazzonga
(3:40)  4. Come As You Are
(5:12)  5. Amarcord Jazz
(4:41)  6. Baise Moi
(4:56)  7. Il Sorpasso
(4:52)  8. Falar Do Tempo
(5:04)  9. Soul Bossa Nova
(5:28) 10. Je T'aime BB
(4:56) 11. A 100 Lounge Lizard
(3:26) 12. West & Soda
(2:39) 13. Anytime Swingers
(5:14) 14. This Is Jazz (Tantratribe Mix)

After the huge success of their first album Sitar and Bossa recently featured in the Buddha Bar Vol. 10 compilation, Venice, Italy-native Bebo Best & the Super Lounge Orchestra&squo;s new album D'Jazzonga has Bossa grooves, & jazzy vocals and that 60s-70s lounge and soundtrack flavor, excellent Classy musicians blending Brazilian music, Italian-styled grooves and jazz dance, modern jazz, electro bossa, cinematic sounds and plenty of jazzy vocal melodies and solo instrumentals. Bebo Best & the Super Lounge Orchestra s new album is a very enticing music release with rhythmic tracks you will have to dance to! The album is played by Brazilian, French and Italian musicians with a vibrant collection of tracks that bristles with intensity from song to song! ~ Editorial Reviews   

http://www.amazon.com/DJazzonga-Bebo-Super-Lounge-Orchestra/dp/B0083Q2SBW 

D'jazzonga

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Aretha Franklin - Aretha's Jazz

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1984
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 34:48
Size: 88,0 MB
Art: Front

(3:09)  1. Ramblin'
(4:25)  2. Today I Sing The Blues
(3:04)  3. Pitiful
(3:25)  4. Crazy He Calls Me
(3:44)  5. Bring It On Home To Me
(6:17)  6. Somewhere
(2:59)  7. Moody's Mood
(7:42)  8. Just Right Tonight

A good anthology that covers various album cuts, B-sides, and assorted material in a jazz vein that Aretha cut for Columbia. It's great to hear her underrated piano playing given some more space, and Columbia should really reissue her Dinah Washington tribute album, from which they pulled a couple of these songs. Aretha wasn't a jazz vocalist from the standpoint of approach or inspiration, but she really can sing anything and showed it on these cuts, even if they weren't, for the most part, hits. ~ Ron Wynn   http://www.allmusic.com/album/arethas-jazz-mw0000203101

Aretha's Jazz

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Ken Slavin - The Song Is You / I'll Take Romance

Album: The Song Is You
Size: 109,2 MB
Time: 46:46
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2001
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

01. Route 66 (2:35)
02. Embraceable You (3:43)
03. It's All Right With Me (2:38)
04. Corcovado (Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars) (4:51)
05. Since I Fell For You (5:38)
06. Orange Colored Sky (2:12)
07. I Wish You Love (5:24)
08. I Thought About You (3:13)
09. It's A Good Day (2:18)
10. You Go To My Head (4:54)
11. If You Go Away This Time (5:04)
12. The Song Is You (4:12)

THE SONG IS YOU is a collection of classic jazz and pop standards updated with the fresh, original interpretations of popular San Antonio jazz crooner Ken Slavin and the sparkling arrangements of young jazz pianist/musical director Andrew Langham.

“San Antonio based vocalist Ken Slavin is one of the most popular singers in that Texas town, and the hardest working. (He) has paid his dues in the home of the Alamo, having played everywhere from local meet markets to the ritziest lounges in the city…’The Song is You’ is a sincere effort…Slavin has an expressive timbre…and a knack for choosing good songs…” -- JAZZREVIEW.COM

“Slavin is a jazz crooner, a saloon singer, an interpeter of pop songs from an era when pop didn't mean pierced navels and a different costume for every song...(H)e brings to bear passion and commitment and makes the songs come alive. Ken Slavin has only been singing for about a decade, but (he) has done his homework while working hard to improve his art and his craft.”--JIM BEAL, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

“We must surely tip our hats to Ken Slavin ..... this album is really fabulous.” -- JIMMY SMITH, THIS WEEK IN TEXAS

The Song Is You

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Album: I'll Take Romance
Size: 131,1 MB
Time: 56:27
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2007
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Thoughts Of Your Smile (4:38)
02. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To (1:50)
03. Tea For Two (2:57)
04. I'll Take Romance (Snappy Version) (3:15)
05. Alone (4:35)
06. Just You, Just Me (3:08)
07. But Beautiful (4:34)
08. Come Rain Or Come Shine (3:55)
09. I Can't Reach Your Heart (3:51)
10. Day By Day (3:12)
11. I Could Have Danced All Night (3:43)
12. Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me (3:54)
13. Mangos (2:51)
14. That's My Desire (3:17)
15. Summer Samba (So Nice) (3:43)
16. I'll Take Romance (Sexy Version) (2:57)

Ken Slavin is a popular and seasoned jazz crooner, equally at home in intimate jazz clubs, piano bars, concert halls and country clubs. He is one of the most respected entertainers in Texas with a vast repertoire of classic jazz, pop and Spanish-language standards. He has a gift for touching the hearts and souls of listeners of all ages with a smooth, intimate and emotive baritone voice - and total belief in the lyrics and feeling of each song he sings.

"I'll Take Romance" is his latest release, featuring world-class jazz musicians, symphonic arrangements and other polished touches. It is the kind of album you will want to listen to with a special someone -- and share with friends and family.

It has received excellent notices around the country and is on radio play lists in Texas, New York, Italy, France, Poland and the Philippines.

Voted “Best Vocalist” and "Best Musician" multiple times by by readers of The San Antonio Current, Slavin started late in the music business, not stepping on the stage to pursue his lifelong dream until shortly before his 29th birthday.

He gigs regularly in San Antonio and Austin (the Lone Star State's music capital) and occasionally in other areas of the country. He has headlined San Antonio's famous "Jazz'SAlive" festival three times and has opened for such famous performers as David Sanborn, Eddie Palmieri, The Four Freshmen and The Platters. He also has performed at private parties for Helen Reddy and Vikki Carr.

Now gearing up for his 20th anniversary as a performer, Slavin is more determined than ever to make his mark beyond San Antonio on the jazz and cabaret circuits in the United States and abroad. He is actively seeking gigs in New York, Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, on cruise ships and overseas resorts, and at noted American and European jazz festivals.

"When it comes to crooning in the classic jazz/pop style, Ken Slavin has no peers." -- JIM BEAL, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS.

I'll Take Romance

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Betty Yuzu - Old-Time Cafe

Size: 70,8 MB
Time: 29:55
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Bei Mir Bistu Shein (2:51)
02. More (2:39)
03. Exactly Like You (2:31)
04. Time Heals Everything (3:17)
05. Baubles, Bangles And Beads (2:42)
06. It's A Sin To Tell A Lie (2:42)
07. Mean To Me (2:41)
08. Once In A While (3:39)
09. New York State Of Mind (4:45)
10. Blue Prelude (2:05)

Betty Yuzu sings old standard jazz songs she loves.

Old-Time Cafe

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Sylvia Bennett - Songs From The Heart

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:35
Size: 99,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:03)  1. Embraceable You
(2:46)  2. They Can't Take That Away From Me
(4:53)  3. My Funny Valentine
(3:29)  4. Since I Fell For You
(4:06)  5. Someone To Watch Over Me
(2:48)  6. Ain't Misbehavin'
(3:32)  7. Here's That Rainy Day
(3:55)  8. I Still Love You
(4:27)  9. When Sunny Gets Blue
(2:48) 10. You Make Me Feel So Young
(4:21) 11. How Long Has This Been Going On
(3:21) 12. As Time Goes By

The best comment that one could make regarding Sylvia Bennett's Songs From The Heart is that the singer's presentation of a dozen pretty well-worn tunes from The Great American Songbook is pretty good. Her bright and well-enunciated versions of such time-respected fare as Rodgers and Hart's "My Funny Valentine," Gershwin's "Someone to Watch Over Me" and Razaf/Waller's "Ain't Misbehavin'" are almost enough to reawaken interest in these veteran love songs. Only on "I Still Love You," a ballad contributed by producer Hal S. Batt, does the album produce a fresh and unknown song. A secondary motif, the presence of what is billed as "The Three Tenors" tenor saxophonists Boots Randolph, Kirk Whalum and Ed Calle feels like a gimmick. None of these musicians are particularly well-regarded as having any connection with playing in support of jazz vocalists and their participation here seems somewhat superfluous. 

Of the three, Randolph is the most traditional, with an obvious ability to 'play pretty for the people.' Long hailed as a honking saxophonist whose popularity during earlier decades surged with his Top 10 hit "Yakety Sax," Randolph recorded, in an unusual pairing, an album with altoist Richie Cole. Here, however, Randolph's style is closest to that of Coleman Hawkins' restrained and melodic sense and is best heard on Gershwin's "Embraceable You," Burke/Van Heusen's "Here's That Rainy Day" and the album closer from Herman Hupfield, "As Time Goes By." Randolph passed away in July, 2007 and never got to hear the finished album. Kirk Whalum, one of the mainstays of smooth jazz, hails from Memphis and has a soulful presence on his many recordings. While he has experience with studio and film work, his métier has been solo albums in the Contemporary Jazz sub-genre or backing other artists in that field. There is certainly nothing inappropriate in his provision of tenor sax solos and fills on such tunes as Gershwin's "They Can't Take That Away From Me" and an up-tempo bounce on Gordon/Myrow's "You Make Me Feel So Young," but his delivery is less personable than that of Randolph. The third tenor sax belongs to Ed Calle, long an exponent of the Miami music scene. 

He has vast experience working with a number of celebrities and first found popularity with the earlier recordings of Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine. Calle is given five featured tracks on the album and, although pleasant enough, lacks the jazz feel of Randolph on this date. Songs From The Heart is a well-intentioned album, but one that relies too heavily on safety nets. ~ Michael P.Gladstone  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=29978#.UuKP5LRpQ2w

Personnel: Sylvia Bennett: vocals; Brian Murphy: piano; Chuck Bergeron: bass; Frank Derrick: drums; Hal S.Batt: guitar; Sammy Figueroa: percussion; Boots Randolph: tenor sax (1, 4, 7, 12); Kirk Whalum: tenor sax (2, 4, 5, 10); Ed Calle: tenor sax (3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11).

Songs From The Heart

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Lisa Stansfield - Seven (Special Edition)

Styles: Vocal Pop
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:14
Size: 132,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:14)  1. Can't Dance
(3:08)  2. Why
(4:07)  3. So Be It
(3:51)  4. Stupid Heart
(3:40)  5. The Crown
(3:57)  6. Picket Fence
(3:53)  7. The Rain
(4:22)  8. Conversation
(4:07)  9. Carry On
(3:42) 10. Love Can
(4:22) 11. You Can't Deny It (24/7) [Bonus Track]
(4:03) 12. Set Your Loving Free (Live in Manchester)
(4:56) 13. Time to Make You Mine (Live in Manchester)
(4:46) 14. Someday (Live in Manchester)

Lisa Stanfield’s career has spanned over 3 decades, boasting sales of nearly 20 million records and a string of international top 10 hits including: Around The World, Change, All Woman and Someday. The aptly named album Seven is Lisa’s 7th studio release and promises to galvanise her fan base old and new. The Grammy nominated, multi BRIT, Ivor Novello and Silver Clef Award winner has returned to the studio to record along with long-time songwriting partner Ian Devaney, whose credits include The Bodyguard and Indecent Proposal soundtracks. Seven which has been produced and written in the UK by Lisa Stansfield and husband Ian Devaney features tracks such as: Can’t Dance, The Rain, Stupid Heart, Conversation, The Crown, Strong, So Be It and Picket Fence Recorded in both Los Angeles and Manchester, Stansfield has collaborated with John "JR" Robinson, known as the most recorded drummer in history and Grammy award winning orchestrator Jerry Hey, both integral to the creation of Michael Jackson’s “Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad” and have worked with Lisa for over two decades. Following her critically acclaimed return to live performance in 2013– The Times said “Lisa still has the most distinctive and sensuous voice in soul pop” Seven marks Lisa’s return to the international stage and confirms her status as one of the UK’s premier recording artists. The Deluxe Edition contains extra bonus audio tracks.   http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seven-Lisa-Stansfield/dp/B00ENMZW04

Seven (Special Edition)

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Biréli Lagrène and Sylvain Luc - Summertime

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:53
Size: 135,5 MB
Art: Front

(6:02)  1. Summertime
(4:09)  2. So What
(3:52)  3. On The Fourth Of July
(6:19)  4. Spain
(3:51)  5. My One And Only Love
(6:39)  6. Wave
(5:00)  7. All The Things You are
(2:41)  8. Got A Match
(7:14)  9. Can t Take My Eyes Off You
(6:27) 10. On Green Dolphin Street
(0:46) 11. Interlude
(4:46) 12. Someday My Prince Will Come

Guitar duets should all be precious as this one from Bireli Lagrene and Sylvain Luc, as they mutually share musical thoughts, feelings, and honest emotions via a stack of familiar jazz standards. As equally talented players whose virtuosity is not staggeringly overwhelming, these two present a good deal of symmetry and balance, neither dominating the other. Unless you are personally familiar with the stylistic differences of the gypsy driven Lagrene or more contemporary Luc, it's likely their pure sound rather than technique sets them apart. Luc plays Godin guitar, while Lagrene prefers a Barault model, both relatively unamplified or processed, lending to the organic feel of these standards everybody knows. A resonant and languid version of "Summertime" is quite differently rendered in ringing. solemn, patient tones, with no worries or rushed-through cadences, but a bit of speedy soloing. The quick counterpoint and unison playing during "So What" lend toward mixed messages, but within a straight bop framework. 

Chick Corea's "Spain" and "Got a Match" give the two a chance to show off a bit, not so much on the former icon of contemporary repertoire as much as the latter track, which lets them charge ahead full steam in flurries of sixteenth and thirty-second notes. Steady tunes such as "Wave," "My One & Only Love," and "Someday My Prince Will Come" are more liquid and flowing, while the popping, crackling chords setting up "On Green Dolphin Street" and the percussive improv "Interlude" proved stellar examples of Lagrene and Luc's brilliance. Two pop tunes are included a gypsy bop take of James Taylor's "On the Fourth of July," and the old Four Seasons hit "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" in a tango mode. Overall, this is a solid recording that should please fans of these two great musicians, not a stunning or risk-free effort, but somewhere satisfyingly in the middle. 

~ Michael G.Nastos   http://www.allmusic.com/album/summertime-mw0000815899

Summertime

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