Geraldo Beckett - The Messenger

Styles: Flute Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:45
Size: 130,3 MB
Art: Front

(1:14)  1. The Messenger
(5:20)  2. Anticlimax
(5:16)  3. Little Brown House
(7:30)  4. Idle Moments
(5:57)  5. Lupe's Ride
(4:54)  6. Bittersweet
(5:23)  7. Sunset Place
(5:07)  8. Mr Softee
(5:15)  9. Tempus Fugit
(4:42) 10. Sularin's Dogma
(5:08) 11. Searching The Unknown
(0:52) 12. The Messenger (Reprise)

Flautist Gerald, born in Beaumont, Texas, started playing alto saxophone at the age of 11. As a freshman at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas he switched to playing the flute. During his years as an undergraduate at UNT he played with various local bands. Mindful of how unpredictable making a living as a musician could be, he studied business and received his BBA in Administrative Management. It wasn't until moving to San Francisco in 1985 that he began immersing himself in the jazz scene. He started listening to various flutists, from Eric Dolphy, Frank Wess, Herbie Mann, Hubert Laws, to Dave Valentin, Paul Horn, and others. He spent 8 years studying flute at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music under Yada Weber, giving recitals of works by Mozart, Telemann, Gluck, and Ernest Bloch. 

He also studied with classical flutist Esther Landau. He enjoys featuring the flute on songs that have not been over played and takes every opportunity to showcase the many facets of the instrument and it's uniqueness to the jazz genre. He has conducted Jazz Flute Mastersclasses in San Francisco, Marseille, and Paris. Gerald has played in several venues in San Francisco either as a leader or as a sideman, such as, Rassales Jazz Club, Sheba's Lounge, Anna's Jazz Island, San Francisco State University, The Fillmore Jazz Festival, The Showroom, The Elbo Room, OZ lounge, 57th Street Gallery, and Yoshi's Lounge. In New York at Temple M and The Bass Line.  In France Eaubonne Jazz festival (Eaubonne), Gebelin Musique Store (Marseille), Caminito (Paris), and Swan Bar (Paris). ~ Bio   http://www.geraldbeckett.com/bio.html

Personnel: Gerald Beckett (flute, alto flute, bass flute, piccolo); Gary Zellerbach (guitar, acoustic guitar); Ruben Salcido (alto saxophone); Steve Heckman (tenor saxophone); Steve McQuarry (piano); Greg Germann (drums); Bill Keaney (percussion).

The Messenger

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Jazz Soul Seven - Impressions of Curtis Mayfield

Styles: Soul Jazz
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 73:57
Size: 171,1 MB
Art: Front

(6:22)  1. Freddie's Dead
(5:40)  2. It's All Right
(7:52)  3. Move On Up
(4:32)  4. We're A Winner
(8:25)  5. Superfly
(6:13)  6. Beautiful Brother Of Mine
(6:47)  7. Check Out Your Mind
(7:01)  8. I'm So Proud
(6:47)  9. Keep On Pushing
(4:29) 10. People Get Ready
(5:15) 11. Gypsy Woman
(4:29) 12. Amen

Paying homage to one of the most influential and important artists in the past century, the Jazz Soul Seven collective tips its hat to Curtis Mayfield on Impressions of Curtis Mayfield, an instrumental re-imagining of twelve of the R&B, funk and soul singer's most popular compositions. A voice of African-American pride, Mayfield was a socially-conscious artist who led The Impressions, delivering political musical statement during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Author of many funk and soul compositions during that decade and the one that followeed, Mayfield may be best associated with the soundtrack to the groundbreaking Superfly (1972), its main theme reprised here behind energizing performances from drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, trumpeter Wallace Roney and guitarist Phil Upchurch.

The group borrows two more songs from the hit Superfly (Rhino, 1972) album, opening the tribute with a hard-charging version of "Freddie's Dead," featuring versatile saxophonist Ernie Watts blowing strong and funky. With a terrific bass line introduction from Bob Hurst, "Check Out Your Mind" is the other Superfly track, highlighting pianist extraordinaire Russell Ferrante and the prowess of recently deceased percussionist master Henry Gibson Jr. Reprising his role on the original recording, Henry's mid-song conga break on "Move On Up" is one of the features of this version, along with solos from Roney, Upchurch and Watts. The classic "It's All Right" is always a joy to hear, but this jazzed-up rendition is particularly sweet, offering Wes Montgomery ike riffs from Upchurch setting the rhythm, while the group's horns set the chart a blaze on the rambunctious "People Get Ready," a piece often reprises by R&B and gospel artists. From his sophomore solo album Roots (Rhino, 1971), recorded when he was 29 years old, "Beautiful Brother of Mine" is one of those social pieces penned by Mayfield specifically for the African-American community. In the same keeping, "I'm So Proud" is a gently reflective number, led by Watts and Roney with inspirational performances. The group's soulful flair comes out splendidly on "Keep On Pushing," but is truly expressive on the defining "Gypsy Woman," the song that put Mayfield on the map when he performed it with The Impressions more than fifty years ago.

The Jazz Soul Seven does it real justice on this album as it turns out to be one of the best moments of this disc. Speaking of soul, the album ends with The Impressions' 1964 chart topper "Amen," propelled by Roney's muted horn expressions capping off one soulful tribute to a giant of the R&B and soul genres. Mayfield was a songwriter whose music carried a social message above all else. It is indeed appropriate that the all-stars who comprise the Jazz Soul Seven express his message of freedom and justice so eloquently on Impressions of Curtis Mayfield, using the once revolutionary and liberating musical medium of jazz to document this well-deserved tribute. ~ Edward Blanco   http://www.allaboutjazz.com/impressions-of-curtis-mayfield-jazz-soul-seven-bfm-review-by-edward-blanco.php#.U4dfJSioqdk

Personnel: Terri Lyne Carrington: drums; Russ Ferrante: piano; Master Henry Gibson: percussion; Bob Hurst: bass; Wallace Roney: trumpet; Phil Upchurch: guitar; Ernie Watts: saxophone.

Impressions of Curtis Mayfield

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Cyrus Chestnut - Soul Food

Bitrate: 320K/s

Time: 54:13

Size: 124.1 MB

Styles: Bop, Piano jazz

Year: 2001

Art: Front

[8:37] 1. Soul Food

[6:01] 2. Brother With The Mint Green Vine

[6:12] 3. Cerebral Thoughts

[3:46] 4. Fantasia

[3:57] 5. Swing Low Sweet Chariot

[5:34] 6. Brother Hawky Hawk

[4:24] 7. Minor Funk

[2:35] 8. Coming Through The Rye

[6:24] 9. In The Underground

[5:14] 10. Welllllll!

[1:24] 11. Goodnight

Cyrus Chestnut’s latest Atlantic release Soul Food provides a veritable smorgasbord of musical delicacies. Combining original and classic material, Chestnut and his band mates deliver a complete and balanced diet of delectable bites of sound performed at an epicurean level of artistry that would satisfy any jazz gourmet.

Joining Chestnut on Soul Food are bassist Christian McBride, Lewis Nash on drums, trombonist Wycliffe Gordon, Marcus Printup on trumpet, saxophonists James Carter and Gary Bartz and Stefon Harris on marimba and vibes.

Soul Food   

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Rochelle House - Songs From A Bookmark

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 48:24
Size: 110.8 MB
Styles: Folk, Vocal
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[2:19] 1. Carry Me Home
[3:38] 2. Queen Of The World
[4:01] 3. Father Of My Children
[3:31] 4. I Don't Expect To Hear From You
[3:02] 5. It's 8 30
[3:53] 6. Fee Fi Fo Fum
[3:47] 7. I Call You Up
[3:21] 8. So You Want To Touch Your Lips To Mine
[3:04] 9. Apprentices
[5:00] 10. David
[4:08] 11. It's Not Easy
[4:34] 12. Progress
[4:00] 13. Midwife's Song

I was looking through a pile of papers. I found a bookmark with a list of song titles and chord symbols written on it’s back. I remembered these songs that I wrote while sitting out in the garden when my 4 children were little, mostly during nap times. They are strange and kind of pretty songs.

During that period I didn't have a piano and I only knew how to play the chords on the guitar that my father had shown me when I was little. I was devoted to Joni Mitchell and under the spell of Springsteen's "Nebraska" while living surrounded the 80s music scene in Los Angeles. I was living completely in denial of the music theory and jazz music that I had loved so much before my children came along.

My recordings are not merely captured moments of sound; they are Art pieces. Using the very high quality recording and mastering studios, engineers, and musicians, and artists we are recording, manufacturing and releasing the ‘Songs from a Bookmark‘ c.d.

Songs From A Bookmark

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The Bud Powell Trio - Strictly Powell

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 40:22
Size: 94.1 MB
Styles: Piano jazz, Bebop
Year: 1956/2004
Art: Front

[3:41] 1. There'll Never Be Another You
[3:46] 2. Coscrane
[3:21] 3. Over The Rainbow
[5:42] 4. Blues For Bessie
[3:09] 5. Time Was
[4:40] 6. Topsy Turvy
[2:54] 7. Lush Life
[3:50] 8. Elegy
[3:19] 9. They Didn't Believe Me
[2:34] 10. I Cover The Waterfront
[3:21] 11. Jump City

Recorded in New York on October 5, 1956.

Bud Powell's two dates for RCA in 1956-1957 are better than expected. Although troubled, Powell actually plays better on Strictly Powell than on his Verve dates of the period. Backed by bassist George Duvivier and drummer Art Taylor, the pianist is heard in fine form during a program of mostly mid-tempo and slower performances, particularly on "There'll Never Be Another You," "Time Was," "They Didn't Believe Me" and five of his originals. Bud Powell collectors already owning his classic Blue Note dates should give this music a listen. [There are no extra cuts on the LP-length CD reissued in 2004.] ~ Scott Yanow

The Bud Powell Trio: Bud Powell (piano), George Duvivier (bass), Art Taylor (drums).

Strictly Powell

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Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band - Act Your Age

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 67:10
Size: 153.8 MB
Styles: Swing, Big band
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[4:52] 1. Hit The Ground Running
[5:25] 2. Watermelon Man
[4:27] 3. September
[3:16] 4. Yesterdays
[4:57] 5. Senor Mouse
[5:01] 6. Punta Del Soul
[5:45] 7. Act Your Age
[7:32] 8. Chance Encounters
[8:02] 9. Backrow Politics
[5:10] 10. East Coast Envy
[6:08] 11. El Macho Muchacho
[6:30] 12. Gumbo Street

Act Your Age, the fourth album by Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band (not counting its soundtrack for the film Bah, Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas), is of a piece with the group’s first three releases, another relentlessly eclectic collection that is, at least for most of the first half of its running time, less interested in developing the modern possibilities of the big band than in merging the big-band sound to other styles. Goodwin has always brought in seemingly unlikely guest stars to create pop and rock hybrids, whether it was Johnny Mathis singing “Let the Good Times Roll” (on 2003’s XXL) or David Sanborn leading the group on “Play That Funky Music” (on 2006’s The Phat Pack). He has been rewarded with unusually strong sales for jazz, in the range of 14-20,000 copies per release.

And he’s up to the same sort of thing here, for example bringing in Patti Austin to sing Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September,” with Lee Ritenour adding rockish electric guitar solos. Other guests include Chick Corea (revisiting “Señor Mouse”) and electric bassist Nathan East (thumb-popping his way through “Act Your Age”). Ritenour returns along with Dave Grusin on piano for “Punta Del Soul,” which a casual listener, happening into the room, could easily mistake for Steely Dan. All of that may give traditionalists pause, but they are likely to reserve special ire for the version of “Yesterdays” that employs “Art Tatum” on piano. Not only has Tatum been gone these 50-plus years, of course, but the piano track is actually a Diskclavier recreation, not a recording of Tatum himself.

Yet these unorthodox approaches to big-band music should give some indication of Goodwin’s aggressive desire to reinvent the form, and for about half of the album, that’s what he and his group do, sans guests and gimmicks. The writing is full of interesting juxtapositions of the sections and surprising rhythmic turns, and the playing is consistently sharp and engaging. Since this is a 75-minute disc (including the reggae-tempo download-only bonus track “Floating Home”), even without the tricks there is a full-length album’s worth of excellent modern big-band music here. ~William Ruhlmann

Act Your Age

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Louise Gibbs - More Questions Than Answers

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:27
Size: 120,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:14)  1. Out Of This World
(6:53)  2. How Deep Is The Ocean?
(4:10)  3. What Am I Here For?
(3:09)  4. What Lies Within?
(4:30)  5. Who Do you Think You Are?
(3:52)  6. Where Or When?
(4:31)  7. All Or Nothing At All
(4:06)  8. Any Questions
(3:47)  9. So What
(3:51) 10. Rhythm-A-Ning
(8:20) 11. Crystal Question

“But the most impressive thing of all was that Louise Gibbs, Jonathan Gee, Winston Clifford and bassist Steve Rose were to be found just over an hour after the Jazz Factor had finished, launching the evening’s programme in style with a polished and seriously musical set which showed no sign of flagging energy or invention.” ~ Ron Simpson – ‘The Jazz Rag’  http://louisegibbs.co.uk/recordings/more-questions-than-answers/

Personnel:  Louise Gibbs (vocals); Jonathan Gee (piano); Jeremy Brown (bass); Winston Clifford (drums); and Renato D’Aiello (tenor saxophone)

More Questions Than Answers

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Sally Night - Phases Of Love

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:20
Size: 156,0 MB
Art: Front

(3:13)  1. Somebody Loves Me
(5:14)  2. Darn That Dream
(3:40)  3. I Wish I Knew
(4:53)  4. Teach Me Tonight
(5:12)  5. The Nearness Of You
(5:58)  6. I Could Write A Book
(3:05)  7. Close Your Eyes
(5:29)  8. S'Wonderful
(4:55)  9. Early Autumn
(5:44) 10. But Not For Me
(5:46) 11. Get Out Of Town
(5:07) 12. Solitude
(5:00) 13. What's New
(3:58) 14. That's All

”Sally Night is a great new Singer, Songwriter & Performer with a beautiful full voice”~ Billboard Live Club, Tokyo, Japan

Since her recent arrival in New York & USA Sally Night has recorded 2 new albums for Venus Records, made an opening performance at the 1st Miami- Nice Jazz Festival in Miami, Florida, made several appearances at Birdland Jazz Club NYC, performed in Tokyo at the Billboard Live Club for AXN TV and has been invited to sing as a guest singer with Jazz legends Cedar Walton, Buster Williams, Bucky Pizzarelli & performed and recorded with a polithera of other Internationally acclaimed musicians.

“Sally Night is a Sassy swing vocalist with excellent technique and a powerful voice” ~ TIME OUT, London

“An effervescent live performer with echoes of Ella and Sarah, innately gifted vocalist Sally Night swings like a true diva”~ JAZZ CLUB SOHO, Pizza Express, London

“Ms. Night is that rare new singer who backs up the chutzpah, talent and confidence needed to succeed in the jazz scene in New York & America. It didn’t take me long to start programming Ms. Night’s music on Real Jazz, Sirius XM and I think the jazz scene is better for it. Believe me there aren’t enough good singers around” ~ MARK RUFFIN, Real Jazz, SIRIUS XM, North America & Canada

“Sally is one of the new 'Greats' ! She has an amazing voice & talent both as a singer and a composer”.~  FRANK OMAR, of FRANKLY SPEAKING, arts & cultural Chanel 34 MNN.

“British singer Sally Night adroitly sang her own compositions and standards, backed by the Florida International University jazz big band to open the Miami Nice Jazz Fest” ~ JOHN RADANOVICH, DOWNBEAT Magazine

“US-based UK vocalist & songwriter SALLY NIGHT is an accomplished singer with a sultry, lissom contralto voice & sensuous delivery, who can also swing & put a fresh spin on old classics. “ ~ CHARLES WARING for RECORD COLLECTOR & JAZZ COLLECTOR Magazine

“I love Sally's albums, they are terrific and Sally's new song 'Yes I Do' is Brilliant” ~ BRUCE LUNDVALL, BLUE NOTE RECORDS /EMI

“Sally has a Beautiful voice...Keep Singing Sally!”~  SHEILA JORDAN , Singer & NEA JAZZ MASTER 2012

“Sally sounds wonderful...I put her album directly into my itunes, I love listening to it” ~ MICHAEL FEINSTEIN, Singer/Pianist multi-platinum-selling, Grammy-nominated artist

Sally Night's first love is music. She grew up singing in church, her various schools, playing various instruments & listening to Jazz, Classical music, Opera and other styles of music at home. Her Farther & Mother loved jazz and performed locally. Although she studied and was trained to sing Opera and has a great love of that music, she found it too restrictive. After a long musical break and extensive traveling, Sally started to sing and perform Jazz in France. Then she started to tour Europe and work with the great Philadelphia born drummer Bobby Durham (who accompanied Ella Fitzgerald & Oscar Peterson) who taught her how to swing and encouraged her to start composing. After recording a couple of albums and receiving great reviews in Europe for her live shows & recordings and several visits to New York, Bruce Lundvall, EMI-Blue Note Records persuaded Sally to move to New York in 2012!  http://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/sallynight#.U4E4xSioqdk

Personnel:  vocalist Sally Night, pianist Massimo Farao, Carmelo Leotta on double bass and Roberto Bobo Facchinetti on drums

Phases Of Love

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Roy Eldridge - Little Jazz

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1989
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:19
Size: 143,2 MB
Art: Front

(3:03)  1. (Lookie, Lookie, Lookie) Here
(2:40)  2. When I Grow Too Old To Dream
(3:04)  3. Christopher Columbus
(2:59)  4. Big Chief De Sota (Grand Terra
(3:09)  5. Blue Lou
(2:59)  6. Stealin' Apples
(2:57)  7. Mary Had A Little Lamb
(3:11)  8. Too Good To Be True
(3:17)  9. Warmin' Up
(3:22) 10. Blues In C Sharp Minor
(3:09) 11. Wabash Stomp #1
(3:11) 12. Wabash Stomp #2
(2:57) 13. Florida Stomp
(2:37) 14. Heckler's Hop
(2:34) 15. Where The Lazy River Goes By
(3:02) 16. That Thing
(3:01) 17. After You've Gone
(3:13) 18. Wham! (Be-Bop-Boom-Bam)
(2:48) 19. Falling In Love Again
(2:57) 20. I'm Nobody's Baby

This CD contains the best recordings from the early years of the fiery trumpeter Roy Eldridge. Eldridge, one of the great swing trumpeters and a powerful player into the 1970s, is heard with Teddy Hill's orchestra, backing singer Putney Dandridge, on four titles with Fletcher Henderson (including the hit "Christopher Columbus"), starring on a four-song session with Teddy Wilson, joining Billie Holiday on "Falling in Love Again," soloing on two numbers with Mildred Bailey (his "I'm Nobody's Baby" solo is years ahead of its time), and, best of all, leading a small group through six songs (plus an alternate) from his own explosive sessions of January 1937. This brilliant music is essential for all serious jazz collections. ~ Scott Yanow   http://www.allmusic.com/album/little-jazz-cbs-mw0000201768.

Little Jazz

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Madeline Eastman - Point Of Departure

Size: 104,3 MB
Time: 44:42
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1990
Styles: Jazz Vocals, Standards
Art: Front

01. Kisses (5:20)
02. Wild Is The Wind (4:27)
03. You Are My Sunshine (3:48)
04. Little Boat (4:11)
05. Inner Urge (4:40)
06. Nobody Else But Me (4:07)
07. No More (2:48)
08. Little B's Poem (3:10)
09. The Island (5:17)
10. I Only Have Eyes For You (4:08)
11. Calling You (2:41)

Jazz vocalist Madeline Eastman's debut is quite impressive. With strong assistance from trumpeter Tom Harrell, pianist Mike Wofford (Paul Potyen fills in on one song), bassist Rufus Reid and drummer Vince Lateano, Eastman performs a wide ranging set. Highlights include such unlikely singing material as "Wild Is the Wind," and a minor-toned "You Are My Sunshine" (inspired by Mose Allison's version), Joe Henderson's "Inner Urge," and Bobby Hutcherson's "Little B's Poem" along with "Little Boat," "Nobody Else But Me" and "I Only Have Eyes for You." Lots of chances are taken on this enjoyable CD and Madeline Eastman shows that she has a flexible enough voice to handle all of the creative challenges. Highly recommended. ~Review by Scott Yanow

Point Of Departure

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Rossano Sportiello, Harry Allen, Joel Forbes - I Walk With The Music: The Hoagy Carmichael Songbook

Size: 163,9 MB
Time: 70:33
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Mainstream Jazz
Art: Front

01. Moon Country (6:37)
02. In The Cool, Cool, Cool Of The Evening (5:17)
03. I Get Along Without You Very Well (3:21)
04. New Orleans (7:17)
05. The Nearness Of You (5:49)
06. I Walk With Music (5:22)
07. Two Sleepy People (3:55)
08. Rockin' Chair (6:36)
09. One Morning In May (5:53)
10. Georgia On My Mind (6:37)
11. April In My Heart (6:32)
12. Jubilee (4:24)
13. Skylark (2:47)

What does Hoagy Carmichael’s music sound like in your mind? I think of leaves rustling and water flowing over small stones; I think of a musical playfulness allied with deep feelings, sadness and joy. His music has been given life on a million pianos and by tens of millions of singers and instrumentalists — but it is sublimely expressed on a new CD by the trio of Harry Allen, tenor saxophone; Rossano Sportiello, piano; Joel Forbes, string bass.

I WALK WITH MUSIC: THE HOAGY CARMICHAEL SONGBOOK is both familiar and fresh, both embracing and sweetly surprising. Harry, Rossano, and Joel are masters of small-group playing: each of them is a superb soloist, able to entrance us all by himself. But they excel at swing synergy, so that this trio is much more than the three soloists assembled in a room. Their deep empathy for Hoagy’s melodies comes through: they do not use the chord changes as a reason to convert the composer’s deep melodic lines into a series of ninths and thirteenths. Indeed, this CD is a master class in singing through instruments.

I Walk With The Music

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Ike Moriz - At Last

Size: 118,6 MB
Time: 50:51
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Blues/Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. The Devil Is Real In Your Mind (3:11)
02. To Cape Town (2:38)
03. Smooth And Nice (4:31)
04. At Last (3:49)
05. Forevermore (2:56)
06. Senorita Blues (3:16)
07. This Could Be Love (3:21)
08. It Ain't Necessarily So (4:12)
09. Think I'm A Millionaire (3:49)
10. Until Their Lights Are Out (Alien Blues) (2:58)
11. Hound Dog (2:46)
12. Disillusion Blues (4:26)
13. Georgia On My Mind (3:30)
14. These Eyes Are Not Yours (2:55)
15. You Are My Sunshine (2:26)

Ike Moriz takes the Blues to South Africa & brings it back to the world with a fresh new face! Since releasing his latest album in 2012, South Africa's international singing sensation Ike Moriz has written exciting new material in the blues rock genre for his 14th studio album to date - the title: 'AT LAST'. Moriz has taken the blues 'To Cape Town' - his home of choice (and the title of one of his new songs) at the southernmost tip of Africa where he rounded up some of the best musical talent the country has to offer to create his version of classic blues. Inspired by his recent marriage, the birth of his daughter and his tour through Southern Europe & Northern Africa, he has crafted an array of songs reflecting these experiences of the past 2 years.

The album opens with a song that already sounds like it could be a classic blues standard: 'The Devil Is Real In Your Mind'. Minimalist, clear & strong lyrics with a highly dynamic arrangement to get Ike's message across. The song is followed by the aforementioned 'To Cape Town', an upbeat blues folk/rock song about arriving in Ike's hometown - one of the most beautiful cities in the world. If you are looking for Ike's typical tongue-in-cheek stories, then look out for 'Think I'm A Millionaire', 'Disillusion Blues' and 'Until Their Lights Are Out (Alien Blues)'.

Besides his original songs we can also find a couple of covers in fresh new arrangements like Horace Silver's classic jazzy 'Señor Blues' with slightly altered lyrics to fit ike's message, as well as Gershwin's Porgy & Bess rebel 'It Ain't Necessarily So'. Moriz also breathes new life into the 1952 Elvis hit 'Hound Dog' and Hoagy Carmichael's standard 'Georgia On My Mind' with the incredibly gifted navy big band leader Willie van Zyl on saxophone and clarinet. The CD ends on a high note with a song that most parents have sung to their children: 'You Are My Sunshine' by Oliver Hood.

The general theme of the album can be summarised with the words 'At Last'. Have a listen to find out why!

At Last

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Larry Goldings, Peter Bernstein, Bill Stewart - Ramshackle Serenade

Size: 146,0 MB
Time: 62:22
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Contemporary Jazz
Art: Front

01. Roach (5:46)
02. Luiza (8:37)
03. Simple As That (7:02)
04. Ramshackle Serenade (4:30)
05. Mr. Meagles (8:18)
06. Sweet And Lovely (7:43)
07. Blue Sway (8:18)
08. Useless Metaphor (6:12)
09. Peace (5:51)

Personnel:
Larry Goldings: hammond organ
Peter Bernstein: guitar
Bill Stewart: drums

This trio is an unusual camaraderie of world-class players. From the moment you first hear the trio you can sense the deep respect the musicians have for one another. Three musicians who never make a big deal about what they are up to, thereby generating an infectious strength through their extraordinarily subtle control of all the musical parts. Their intensely sensual music grooves and glistens. With the trio's extensive use of the music's dynamic possibilities, the passion and joy of this amazingly versatile instrumental lineup is there for all to hear. Sophisticated music - just let yourself go, and enjoy.

Ramshackle Serenade

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Sammy Nestico & The SWR Big Band - Basie Cally Sammy

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 74:09
Size: 169.7 MB
Styles: Big band
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[2:16] 1. Dimensions in Blue
[3:23] 2. Sweet Georgia Brown
[6:30] 3. 88 Basie Street
[4:15] 4. Fancy Pants
[4:58] 5. Time Stream
[4:19] 6. No More
[5:00] 7. Li'l Ol' Blue Note
[6:47] 8. High Five
[4:57] 9. Ja-da
[2:24] 10. The Heat's On
[3:33] 11. Samantha
[5:22] 12. Ain't Nobody Gettin' Younger
[3:51] 13. Satin Doll
[5:33] 14. It's a Wonderful World
[6:47] 15. How Sweet It Is
[4:06] 16. Wind Machine

Some people are born to rule, others to serve. Sammy Nestico, it seems, was born to swing. From his early years as chief arranger for the US Air Force Airmen of Note and later for the irrepressible Count Basie Orchestra, Nestico prized swinging above all else, and that's no less true on Basie-cally Sammy, his warmhearted homage to the Count with Germany's superlative SWR Big Band, which marks their second collaboration in as many years. The album swings buoyantly from start to finish, thanks to Nestico's intrepid charts and the SWR's casual mastery of them.

There are a number of old favorites here—classic charts like "Sweet Georgia Brown, "88 Basie Street, "Fancy Pants, "Ja-Da, "The Heat's On, "Satin Doll, "It's a Wonderful World, "How Sweet It Is and "Wind Machine (the last a "bonus track recorded in concert)—and several charming newcomers as well, most notably "Time Stream, "No More, "Li'l Ol' Blue Note, "High Five and "Ain't Nobody Gettin' Younger (even though, at age 81, Nestico doesn't appear to be gettin' any older either). The band gives each one an exhilarating ride, swinging like Basie while sounding like SWR.

The ensemble comes out smokin' on Nestico's "Dimensions in Blue, which I believe was written for the Airmen of Note (if memory serves, it may still be their theme song), and unleashes more of its awesome firepower on the voluptuous "Georgia Brown. After introducing "Georgia," pianist Klaus Wagenleiter, one of a bevy of impressive soloists, is featured on the ambling "88 Basie Street, alto Klaus Graf on "Samantha, tenor Axel Kühn on "No More and "The Heat's On. Trumpeter Don Rader, who has either relocated from Australia or was imported especially for this date, is the flugel soloist on "Satin Doll and is heard again, on trumpet, with Wagenleiter, bassist Decebal Badila, alto Steffen Weber and Kühn (flute) on "How Sweet. Others who step up to the plate and swing for the fences are trombonists Marc Godfroid, Ian Cumming and Ernst Hutter; trumpeters Karl Farrent and Claus Reichstaller; tenor Andi Maile; baritone Pierre Paquette; guitarist Klaus-Peter Schöpfer, and drummer Holger Nell. Schöpfer fills rhythm guitarist Freddie Green's shoes nicely, while Nell has no problem sitting in for Sonny Payne, Butch Miles and Basie's other renowned timekeepers.

This is a dynamic blowing session, one you don't have to love Basie to appreciate. And when Sammy says he hasn't "had this much fun in years, it's a clear indication of his happiness with SWR's respect for his music, not to mention the ensemble's remarkable ability to transcribe it. This is "basie-cally big band jazz with an unequivocal kick, precisely the kind that the irrepressible Kid from Red Bank gave free rein to and ardently endorsed.

Sammy Nestico: music director; Felice Civitreale, Claus Reichstaller, Karl Farrent, Rudolf Reindl, Don Rader: trumpet; Klaus Graf: alto sax, clarinet, flute; Steffen Weber: alto sax, flute, alto flute; Axel Kohn, Andreas Maile: tenor sax, flute, alto flute; Pierre Paquette: baritone sax; Marc Godfroid, Ernst Hutter, Ian Cumming, Georg Maus: trombone; Klaus- Peter Schopfer: guitar; Klaus Wagenleiter: piano; Decebal Badila: bass; Holger Nell: drums.

Basie Cally Sammy

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Tammy McCann - Classic

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 49:55
Size: 114.3 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[2:51] 1. Happy Talk
[4:22] 2. Candy
[3:37] 3. Boy From Ipanema
[6:03] 4. Nearness of You
[4:17] 5. Autumn Leaves
[4:08] 6. Ese Domani
[3:35] 7. Black is the Color
[4:05] 8. Cherokee
[6:01] 9. Lush Life
[5:18] 10. When I Fall in Love
[5:33] 11. The Masquerade is Over

When asked to describe Tammy McCann’s voice, Chicago saxophonist Von Freeman declared, “Everyone who hears her loves her. She’s a natural talent”. A bold proclamation from a renowned musician, but McCann fulfills, even surpasses, claims of her vocal prowess. Following her performance at a recent Mahalia Jackson tribute, McCann obliged new found admirers with autographs and copies of her latest CD, aptly entitled “Classic”. Packed with moving renditions of jazz masterpieces, “Classic” effectively reaffirms the admirable sentiment of Von Freeman and others. According to Chicago pianist Ramsey Lewis, listeners are not left aching for traditional versions of the selections on “Classic.” Instead, Mr. Lewis depicts McCann as a “performer who knows how to get the most out of” a chart, by breathing “new life into [the] evergreens” of the vocal jazz tradition. The album commences with a Latin tinged version of the Rogers and Hammerstein favorite “Happy Talk”, allowing Tammy to demonstrate clarity and precision at a challenging tempo. While the tempo may relax on subsequent ballads like Nina Simone’s “Black is the Color” or Billy Strayhorn’s “Lush Life”, the emotional intensity remains.

Classic

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Teddy Wilson - Live At The King Of France Tavern, September 1978

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 77:21
Size: 177.1 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[4:25] 1. Don't Be That Way
[3:57] 2. Sweet Georgia Brown
[3:52] 3. Birth Of The Blues
[3:21] 4. Memories Of You/Poor Butterfly
[2:44] 5. I Got Rhythm
[3:31] 6. Sophisticated Lady/Don't Get Around Much Anymore
[5:19] 7. In A Sentimental Mood/Perdido
[6:29] 8. Lush Life/Take The 'a' Train
[4:43] 9. Whispering
[3:05] 10. Shiny Stockings
[5:56] 11. One O' Clock Jump
[1:25] 12. Moonglow
[2:33] 13. Moonglow
[3:43] 14. Avalon
[4:37] 15. Basin Street Blues
[3:44] 16. It Don't Mean A Thing
[4:30] 17. The Man I Love/Our Love Is Here To Stay
[3:46] 18. Who Cares
[5:31] 19. St. Louis Blues

This album contains an exciting new find, a previously unreleased and unknown live performance by the immortal Teddy Wilson. It was recorded in September 1978 in the historic King of France Tavern in Annapolis, Maryland in a trio with bassist Bill Nelson and drummer Bill Reichenbach. It features Wilson at the peak of his powers.

Live At The King Of France Tavern

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Joel Paterson - Handful Of Strings

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 38:07
Size: 87.3 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[1:57] 1. speedin' north
[2:16] 2. Twin Guitar Shuffle
[2:32] 3. Pensacola Rhythm
[2:50] 4. After You've Gone
[2:53] 5. Swingin' Easy
[2:28] 6. Northern Gentlemen
[2:48] 7. Callin' The Cat
[2:42] 8. La Paloma
[3:07] 9. Flyin' Low
[2:59] 10. Seven String Ride
[3:12] 11. Blue Steel Serenade
[2:48] 12. Mabie's Rock
[2:49] 13. Fender Freeze
[2:41] 14. King Freddie's Blues

There once was a time when the “multiple guitar” style of recording flourished, pioneered by Les Paul and carried on by such luminaries as Buddy Merrill and Jorgen Ingmann. With the invention of multi-track recording, the adventuresome guitarist could create lush, swirling guitar orchestras, all overdubbed through a labor-intensive studio process.

Somewhere along the way, the multiple guitar recording went out of vogue. Joel Paterson seeks to change all that with this phenomenal release, reviving the lost art of multiple guitar recording with “Handful of Strings,” the best album of its kind since Buddy Merrill left the Lawrence Welk Show.

Paterson is a monster player from Chicago who seems to soak up all the great American music styles like a sponge, and you’ll hear them all here, from jazz to blues to country and rock—and even funk.

“Handful of Strings” is essential listening for any guitar geek and a must for anybody who digs guitars and guitar music. All hail Joel Paterson, Chicago’s guitar geek extraordinaire!

Handful Of Strings

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George Shearing, Dakota Staton - In The Night

Styles: Vocal And Piano Jazz
Year: 1958
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 33:00
Size: 77,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:14)  1. From Rags To Richards
(2:57)  2. I'm Left With The Blues In My Heart
(2:20)  3. Pawn Ticket
(2:02)  4. In The Night
(2:42)  5. Easy
(2:28)  6. I Hear Music
(3:47)  7. Senor Blues
(2:44)  8. Confessin' The Blues
(2:18)  9. Later
(3:06) 10. The Thrill Is Gone
(2:33) 11. The Late, Late Show
(2:42) 12. I'd Love To Make Love To You

With its progressive-leaning jazz and modernist blues vocals, In the Night was the prototype for the piano-vocals collaboration record that George Shearing would remake with Peggy Lee, Nat King Cole, and Nancy Wilson while at Capitol (and many others afterwards). In July 1957, just after Dakota Staton's immense success with "The Late, Late Show," Capitol recorded two of its biggest jazz stars together for what would turn out to be one of the finest teamings in either's career. Staton appears on every other song, lending her blend of post-bop vocal prowess and late-night melodrama to a set of well-chosen songs including "In the Night" and "I Hear Music." (Ironically, the version of "The Late, Late Show" heard here is an instrumental.) 

Shearing and Staton are joined by the pianist's group at the time, including Emil Richards on vibes, the splendid Toots Thielemans on guitar, and a few features for Latin percussionist Armando Peraza. The group's finest features are the opener, "From Rags to Richards," a fine Shearing original with excellent solos from Richards and Shearing, and Ray Bryant's "Pawn Ticket," with fine work from Thielemans and Richards. ~ John Bush   http://www.allmusic.com/album/in-the-night-mw0000030492.

Personnel: George Shearing (piano); Dakota Staton (vocals); Emil Richards (vibraphone); Toots Thielemans (guitar); Al McKibbon (bass); Perry Brice (drums).

In The Night

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Baby Face Willette - Stop and Listen

Styles: Soul Jazz
Year: 1961
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:29
Size: 99,8 MB
Art: Front

(8:14)  1. Willow Weep for Me
(7:43)  2. Chances Are Few
(5:13)  3. Jumpin' Jupiter
(4:40)  4. Stop and Listen
(7:19)  5. At Last
(5:25)  6. Soul Walk
(4:51)  7. Work Song

Probably the greatest set in Baby Face Willette's all-too-slim discography, Stop and Listen matches the organist with the hugely sympathetic team of guitarist Grant Green and drummer Ben Dixon (the same trio lineup who recorded Green's debut LP, Grant's First Stand). With no saxophonist this second time around, it's just Willette and Green in the solo spotlight, and they play marvelously off of one another. As a soloist, Willette has a nimble, airy touch, and though he owes no debt to the modal style of Larry Young, he has a greater melodic imagination than many of his instrument's straight blues players. What's more, his playing is far less in-the-pocket than his inspiration, Jimmy Smith's; Willette can really make a groove percolate, whether he's soloing or adding keen rhythmic interest with his left hand (witness the throbbing slow blues of "Chances Are Few" or the marching beat of "Soul Walk"). 

Green is in prime form as well, in particular contributing some unbearably lovely solos to the standard "At Last." Nearly every selection is memorable, with other highlights coming from Willette's manic original "Jumpin' Jupiter," a breezy treatment of "Willow Weep for Me," and Nat Adderley's jauntily swinging "Worksong." There's nary a bit of sleepy meandering on this set of grooves; each musician is plugged in and ready to wail. With Blue Note's extraordinary stable of talent, it's a shame that Willette never led another session for the label, which makes Stop and Listen that much more essential for soul-jazz fans. ~ Steve Huey   http://www.allmusic.com/album/stop-and-listen-mw0000118136.

Personnel: Baby Face Willette (organ); Grant Green (guitar); Ben Dixon (drums).

Stop and Listen

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The Bonzo Dog Band - Pour l'Amour des Chiens

Styles: Pop/Rock
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 70:29
Size: 161,9 MB
Art: Front

(1:01)  1. Pour L'Amour Des Chiens
(2:41)  2. Let's All Go To Mary's House
(3:16)  3. Hawkeye The Gnu
(2:20)  4. Making Faces At The Man In The Moon
(0:20)  5. Fiasco
(3:11)  6. Purple Sprouting Broccoli
(4:19)  7. Old Tige
(1:58)  8. Wire People
(0:46)  9. Salmon Proust
(3:26) 10. Democracy
(4:41) 11. I Predict A Riot
(4:29) 12. Scarlet Ribbons
(0:28) 13. Paws
(0:06) 14. And We're Back
(3:24) 15. Stadium Love
(2:41) 16. Mornington Crescent
(0:26) 17. L'Essence d'Hooligan
(3:08) 18. Early Morning Train
(4:36) 19. My Friends Outside
(2:30) 20. For The Benefit Of Mankind
(2:43) 21. Beautiful People
(3:55) 22. Ego Warriors
(0:14) 23. Cockadoodle Tato
(3:53) 24. Tiptoe Through The Tulips
(3:36) 25. Sweet Memories
(0:18) 26. Sudoku Forecast
(4:58) 27. Now You're Asleep
(0:51) 28. Jean Baudrillard

Just when you thought every Sixties band had reformed, the old anarchists pop up to reprise their distinctive mix of jazz and silliness - with Stephen Fry replacing the late Vivian Stanshall. The end product is predictable - think BBC2's Grumpy Old Men set to music and only half amusing. There are some gems, however: a nutcase version of 'I Predict a Riot' - 'Once I Get My Homework Done'; a cover of the Jim Reeves homage to a ghost dog, 'Old Tige'; and the mournful 'Early Morning Train', sung over dimwits shouting down mobile phones. ~ Robin McKie    http://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/nov/11/popandrock.shopping4

Pour l'Amour des Chiens

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