The Warren Vaché & John Allred Quintet - Top Shelf

Styles: Bop, Big Band
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:33
Size: 166,4 MB
Art: Front + Back

(5:04)  1. Top Shelf
(6:04)  2. Sweet Pumpkin
(4:43)  3. Aussieology
(7:51)  4. Ba-lue Bolivar Ba-lues
(5:39)  5. Moonlight in Vermont
(4:30)  6. Tiny Capers
(5:26)  7. The Best Thing for You
(6:12)  8. Spontaneous Combustion
(5:12)  9. By Myself
(5:35) 10. My Romance
(5:47) 11. Whisper Not
(5:09) 12. East of the Sun (and West of the Moon)
(5:15) 13. A Parisian Thoroughfare

Warren Vaché and John Allred have played numerous times together, working at jazz parties and club dates, as well as making an earlier CD for Arbors. Accompanied by pianist Tardo Hammer, bassist Nicki Parrott, and drummer Leroy Williams, they explore more than a few forgotten gems that have plenty of potential, starting with the snappy rendition of trumpeter Blue Mitchell's "Top Shelf," a breezy bop vehicle with on-the-money ensembles and tight solos all around. Thelonious Monk's "Ba-lue Bolivar Ba-lues" is one of his less frequently performed works, but the quintet plays it with the wry sense of humor that is a part of many of the jazz legend's pieces.

Cannonball Adderley's sassy, loping blues "Spontaneous Combustion" is full of fire, while Parrott's bop vehicle "Aussieology" crackles with energy as well. There are a number of familiar songs as well. The interplay between the leaders is the highlight of the standard "By Myself." The quintet begins with a free-form introduction to "Parisian Thoroughfare" that is somewhat reminiscent of the hilarious duo recording by Jaki Byard and Roland Kirk, though their interpretation is at a far more relaxed tempo, much like a brisk stroll that still allows time to see the sights. Top Shelf is a welcome alternative to the many jazz CDs of all originals by young unknowns or all familiar repertoire by artists of all ages. ~ Ken Dryden http://www.allmusic.com/album/top-shelf-mw0002014682.

Personnel: Warren Vaché (vocals, cornet); John Allred (trombone); Tardo Hammer (piano); Leroy Williams (drums).

Top Shelf

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Theo Croker - Afro Physicist

Styles: Jazz, Soul, Funk
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:21
Size: 142,0 MB
Art: Front

(2:00)  1. Alapa (For Doc)
(5:37)  2. Realize
(6:14)  3. It's Not You, It's Me (But You Didn't Help)
(3:23)  4. Light Skinned Beauty
(4:43)  5. Wanting Your Love
(5:31)  6. Save Your Love for Me (feat. Dee Dee Bridgewater)
(6:38)  7. Visions (feat. Stefon Harris)
(4:35)  8. The Fundamentals
(4:53)  9. Roy Allan (feat. Roy Hargrove)
(3:23) 10. Moody's Mood for Love (feat. Dee Dee Bridgewater)
(5:30) 11. I Can't Help It (feat. Dee Dee Bridgewater)
(2:50) 12. Bo Masekela

New Album from Trumpet Phenom that blends Soul, Jazz and Funk. Produced by and Featuring the Legendary Dee Dee Bridgewater. Plus Special Guests Stefon Harris and Roy Hargrove. Enter the AfroPhysicist trumpeter/composer Theo Croker. Coming straight out of Leesburg, Florida by way of Shanghai, China, this bold young soul-jazz newcomer, grandson of New Orleans trumpet legend Doc Cheatham, is fortified by tradition with no lack of contemporary electricity to propel him into the future. His trumpet pops over rock guitars and roaring organs, floats on the ballads and bops along on straight ahead swing. Croker deftly bridges generation gaps on Afro Physicist, his first album for OKeh Records, produced by Dee Dee Bridgewater for her DDB Records imprint. On Afro Physicist, Theo's music literally shape-shifts without pause through twelve captivating selections; from the solo opening "Alapa (For Doc)"(dedicated to Cheatham) to the funk-rock furnace blast "Realize" to the dreamy "Wanting Your Love." 

The album includes three vocals sung by Bridgewater including the classic "Moody's Mood For Love," and Michael Jackson's "I Can't Help It," flipped here into a sizzling Afro-Cuban whirlwind. Afro Physicist also features vibraphonist Stefon Harris on a cover of Stevie Wonder's "Visions" and trumpet veteran Roy Hargrove performing on one of Croker's compositions, "Roy Allan." Theo will be touring the U.S. both on his own and with Dee Dee Bridgewater throughout 2014 including an appearance at the Newport Jazz Festival on August 1. ~ Editorial Reviews  http://www.amazon.com/AfroPhysicist-Theo-Croker/dp/B00HQUQQEG

Afro Physicist

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Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra - SRJO Live

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 68:10
Size: 156.0 MB
Styles: Big band
Year: 2002
Art: Front

[ 5:06] 1. Happy Go Lucky Local (Parts 1 & 2)
[ 5:11] 2. Stomp It Off
[ 4:25] 3. The Maids Of Cadiz
[ 4:49] 4. Jumpin' At The Woodside
[ 3:33] 5. Concerto For Cootie
[ 7:41] 6. Better Get Hit In Your Soul
[ 6:00] 7. Isfahan
[ 7:20] 8. Nasty Magnus
[ 4:40] 9. Blue And Sentimental
[ 5:49] 10. Caravan
[13:28] 11. Walk On The Wild Side

The jazz scene in Seattle has a richness and depth that is rare. Not only is there a wealth of fine musicians who have gained recognition throughout the nation and around the globe, but also a lineage of jazz writers and players that began in the 1920s, and reached a golden age in the 1940s when Seattle enjoyed a flowering of jazz culture centered around the clubs and dance halls of Jackson Street. This period produced such greats as Ray Charles, Ernestine Anderson, Dick Wilson, Quincy Jones and Buddy Catlett. Since then, the torch has consistently been passed. Sixty years later, there is still a major jazz scene, supported by many clubs, large, enthusiastic audiences, and populated by both veteran and young players and writers who carry on Seattle's own, unique jazz tradition.

The Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra (SRJO) is an award-winning, 17-piece big band comprised of many of the region's leading jazz soloists and band leaders. The SRJO is the Northwest's only permanent ensemble dedicated to the accurate and historically observant performance of the great works of big band jazz. Drummer Clarence Acox, nationally recognized director of bands at Seattle's Garfield High School, and saxophonist/arranger Michael Brockman, long-time faculty member at the University of Washington School of Music, founded the SRJO in 1995. As early as 1988, however, many of the players had assembled for a now-annual concert of the Sacred Music of Duke Ellington, presented by Seattle's Earshot Jazz Society. A 1992 "Evening of Ellington" program, presented by Brockman at the University of Washington's Meany Theater, brought together players not normally included in the sacred concerts, and featured new transcriptions by Brockman of classic Ellingtonia. ~John Killoch

SRJO Live

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Bobby Durham Trio - We Three Plus Friends

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 73:48
Size: 169.0 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[0:12] 1. Planet Max
[8:48] 2. Planet Max
[8:30] 3. Almost Like Being In Love
[4:26] 4. Secret Love
[6:43] 5. Sack Of Woe
[3:37] 6. Ducky Is In Town
[5:17] 7. Azule Serape
[6:03] 8. Estate
[5:26] 9. Una Lunga Storia D'amore
[5:46] 10. The Very Thought Of You
[6:29] 11. Isn't She Lovely
[5:34] 12. Cherokee
[6:53] 13. Stompin' At The Savoy

Part of the enormous Philadelphia family tree of jazz players, Bobby Durham has amassed a long list of impressive jazz credits while alternating residencies between Italy and his hometown. He is perhaps best known as a member of several of the virtuoso pianist Oscar Peterson's classic trios from the '50s and as one of the great jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald's most sensitive accompanists, although jazz fans that are into the smoking organ trio sound will know Durham from his associations with the likes of turbaned Charles Earland or the innovative organist Shirley Scott. Durham is a personal favorite of jazz producer Norman Granz, who has turned to Durham again and again for help with his projects involving the likes of Fitzgerald and Basie as well as using Durham as the rhythm section drummer for jam session encounters with the likes of pianist Tommy Flanagan, guitarist Joe Pass, and trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison, among many.

Durham got into music young, starting out dancing and singing before beginning drums well before his teen years. He was a professional musician by the time he was 16 with the group the Orioles. From 1956 to 1959 he served in a United States military band, then began working with the band of King James and the Stan Hunter trio upon getting out of the services. In 1960 his career really took off when he moved to New York and began working with a who's who of mainstream jazz greats that includes Lloyd Price, Wild Bill Davis, Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, Slide Hampton, Grant Green, Hary Edison, Tommy Flanagan, and Jimmy Rowles. He met the fine trombonist Al Grey in the Basie band and was later a part of Grey's own combos. In these small groups, Durham was often given ample solo space, and several recordings by these groups represent the best examples of Durham's jazz drumming that are available. Then again, the upsurge in interest in hard-driving organ trio jazz that came along with the acid jazz scene in the late '90s has sparked an interest in groups such as the trio led by organist Earland, featuring Durham and the impressive guitarist Pat Martino. Durham worked with Fitzgerald for a decade, for an equal length of time with Peterson, and with the big band of Duke Ellington for five years. A tasteful and restrained drummer with great control, Durham has also been called in to help perform and record with top pop and soul vocalists such as Frank Sinatra, James Brown, Ray Charles, and Marvin Gaye. He has performed on many television shows including the Tonight show hosted by Johnny Carson and with Fitzgerald on the Ed Sullivan Show. Perhaps Fitzgerald is where Durham picked up his flair for scat singing on his own, a talent which he has put to great use in a variety of settings but particularly when leading his own trios. European concert listeners have remarked on the entertaining number entitled the "Airplane Song," supposedly based on the printed safety instructions handed out to passengers. Durham certainly would have had plenty of time to study up on such material through his frequent touring, but has yet to record the number. Perhaps he might want to consider a full-length opera based on the idea, adding in all the new airline safety regulations added after September 11, 2001. During his long European residencies, much of them based out of Italy, Durham has formed trios with support from Italian and Scanadanivian musicians. These players include Aldo Zunino, Andrea Zonzaterra, and Massimo Farao. ~bio by Eugene Chadbourne

We Three Plus Friends

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Django Reinhardt - Swing 39

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 49:59
Size: 114.4 MB
Styles: Swing, Gypsy guitar
Year: 2000
Art: Front

[3:12] 1. Jeepers Creepers (Instrumental)
[3:12] 2. Jeepers Creepers
[3:17] 3. Swing 39
[2:38] 4. Japanese Sandman
[3:00] 5. I Wonder Where My Baby Is Tonight
[3:06] 6. I Wonder Where My Baby Is Tonight (Alternate Take)
[2:49] 7. Tea For Two (Instrumental)
[2:50] 8. Tea For Two
[3:20] 9. My Melancholy Baby (Instrumental)
[2:39] 10. Time On My Hands
[2:37] 11. Twelfth Year (Instrumental)
[2:39] 12. Twelfth Year
[2:46] 13. My Melancholy Baby
[3:06] 14. Japanese Sandman
[3:12] 15. Tea For Two (Alternate Take 2)
[2:44] 16. I Wonder Where My Baby Is Tonight (Alternate Take 2)
[2:44] 17. Hungaria

Although the war was raging when Django Reinhardt, Stephane Grappelli, and the Quintet of the Hot Club of France recorded these tracks in 1939, their light-hearted swing on standards such as "Jeepers Creepers," "Tea for Two," and "My Melancholy Baby" recalls an earlier, more peaceful time. Reinhardt and Grappelli trade solos as if they are giving each other presents. They sound as if they are in a friendly competition to see not who is the fastest or flashiest, but rather who can play the most elegant, musical lines. This CD contains multiple takes of a number of songs, including "Japanese Sandman," "I Wonder Where My Baby Is Tonight," and the Reinhardt composition "Twelfth Year," but Reinhardt and Grappelli's inventiveness keeps them from sounding repetitive. Their intros and solos are different each time, and you get the feeling they could have recorded the same song a dozen times and come up with 12 different, but equally perfect, versions. The tracks on Swing 39 are among the last recorded in Paris by Django Reinhardt, Stephane Grappelli, and the Quintet of the Hot Club of France. Within a few months the group would be split up by the war, with Grappelli spending the duration in London and Reinhardt trapped in Paris. These tracks are a fitting tribute to not only a great band, but also to an era that was soon to disappear forever. ~Michael Simmons

Swing 39

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Ana Paula Lopes - Meu

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 52:21
Size: 119.9 MB
Styles: Brazilian traditions
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[4:33] 1. Meu
[4:01] 2. Chovendo Na Roseira
[5:06] 3. Sereia. Amor D'água
[3:37] 4. Água De Beber
[4:55] 5. A Mais Bonita
[5:02] 6. A História De Lily Braun
[4:52] 7. Águas De Março
[4:14] 8. O Morro Não Tem Vez
[5:00] 9. Esperança Perdida
[5:11] 10. What's New
[5:45] 11. Lisa

Influenciada pelo jazz, bossa nova e pela música popular brasileira, apresenta novas versões de um repertório clássico e já consagrado.  Produzido por Celso Marques e co-produzido pela própria cantora, o CD de estréia retrata toda a sua formação musical. Canções de Tom Jobim, Vinícius de Moraes, Chico Buarque, Djavan, Edu Lobo, Suba, Johnny Burke, Bob Haggart e Sonny Henry ganharam sofisticados arranjos. Seu timbre suave e muito agradável, aliado a sua técnica vocal, demonstram todo o cuidado e refinado trabalho feitos neste CD.

Meu

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Opus 5 - Pentasonic

Styles: Trumpet And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:33
Size: 150,6 MB
Art: Front + Back

(6:30)  1. The Saboteur
(7:48)  2. Videlles Dreams
(8:14)  3. Sign of Life
(8:16)  4. Ducktones
(8:50)  5. Little Dancer
(5:49)  6. Three Days of Maybe
(9:07)  7. Danny
(7:31)  8. Red Clay
(3:25)  9. Charlie's Wig

The powerful all-star quintet Opus 5 returns with Pentasonic, the follow-up to their muscular 2011 debut Introducing Opus 5. It's a can't-miss lineup with tenor saxophonist Seamus Blake and trumpeter Alex Sipiagin in the front line, David Kikoski doubling on piano and Fender Rhodes, Boris Kozlov on bass, and Donald Edwards on drums. Once again Opus 5 puts original music by the band's members in the forefront, but the choice arrangements of Charlie Parker's seldom-heard Charlie's Wig and Freddie Hubbard's classic Red Clay bring unique and unexpected angles to the session. Moody and ethereal, rhythmically skewed, always furiously burning, this is music that lives up to the name of everyone involved. ~ Editorial Reviews  http://www.amazon.com/Pentasonic-Opus-5/dp/B008I66CSC

Personnel: Seamus Blake (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Alex Sipiagin (trumpet, flugelhorn); Dave Kikoski (piano, Fender Rhodes piano); David Edwards (drums).

Pentasonic

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Brenda Earle Stokes - Right About Now

Styles: Vocal And Piano Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:30
Size: 143,8 MB
Art: Front

(5:46)  1. It's High Time
(4:40)  2. In September
(5:51)  3. Water Into Wine
(4:59)  4. The Letters on the Pages
(3:07)  5. Balao Em Minha Cabeca
(6:29)  6. (Meant) For You
(4:59)  7. Everything I Love
(5:07)  8. Right About Now
(7:16)  9. She Sings
(5:48) 10. The Birthday Song
(4:23) 11. Got the Time
(4:00) 12. Let My Love Open the Door

Is Brenda Earle Stokes primarily a vocalist, a composer, or a pianist? That's an unanswerable question if ever there was one. The marketplace typically forces artists to list their chief credential first, making it easier to categorize and pigeonhole them, but that's a problem for Stokes; she's equally talented in all three areas, as demonstrated throughout Right About Now. This album marks Stokes' return to recording after a five year hiatus. During that time, her life, outlook, and approach to music evolved and settled into a new space. Marriage, the birth of a child, and the passage of time all managed to alter and deepen her perspective, but Stokes' longtime fans need not worry about things being too different. She still has that same attractive sound, with a gentle-yet-weighted voice and playing style, and she still uses the three-pronged approach to song presentation that worked on Songs For A New Day (Allsheneeds, 2009), delivering originals, a classic or two, and contemporary fare; she just does so with greater ease, comfort, and emotional range. The album opens with a bluesy odd-metered original that's firm in conviction ("It's High Time"). That initial sign of strength is then washed away by the wistful "In September," a tale of a romance with a summer-long lifespan. Egberto Gismonti's "Water Into Wine," featuring Stokes-penned lyrics, follows, proving to be the most affecting song on the program. 

A sense of longing, obsession and desire all come through during this mesmerizing and heart-wrenching number. Stokes goes on to visit all sorts of other places across the nine tracks that follow. Her wordless vocals gleefully bound along during the sprightly, Brazilian-based "Baiao Em Minha Cabeca," snazzy swing surfaces in the form of Joe Jackson's "Got The Time," and Stokes looks at the many faces of love on "(Meant) For You," "Everything I Love," and "Let My Love Open The Door." All of those pieces manage to make an impression, but "The Birthday Song," which finds her mulling over life as it exists at the age of thirty-three, is more emotionally potent than the rest. The crew that Stokes works with seems tailor-made for her brand of music. Bassist Matt Aronoff and drummer Jordan Perlson balance firmness and sensitivity in their rhythmic pursuits, guitarist Steve Cardenas is a wonderful colorist, and saxophonist Joel Frahm is a man for all moods. Together, this collection of musicians makes for a great team that helps Stokes document life as she knows it and sees it on Right About Now. ~ Dan Bilawsky  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/right-about-now-brenda-earle-stokes-magenta-label-group-review-by-dan-bilawsky.php#.U7YpD7F8eM0
 

Personnel: Brenda Earle Stokes: piano, vocals, rhodes, triangle; Matt Aronoff: bass; Jordan Perlson: drums; Steve Cardenas: guitar; Joel Frahm: saxophone.

Right About Now

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Heather Ramsey - So Many Stars

Size: 109,7 MB
Time: 47:14
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2008
Styles: Pop/Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Avalon (3:02)
02. Love You Madly (3:47)
03. So Many Stars (3:53)
04. Mas Que Nada (3:45)
05. Signed, Sealed, Delivered (3:38)
06. At Last (4:38)
07. Here's That Rainy Day (4:58)
08. Lover Man (5:06)
09. Never Will I Marry (2:35)
10. Come Rain Or Come Shine (5:06)
11. How Sweet It Is (3:29)
12. That's All (3:12)

"'So Many Stars' is just one of the many that will shine in Heather Ramsey's career." - Chuck Workman, WICR Jazz Show Host

". . . an impressive debut." - Scott Shoger, NUVO Newsweekly

The seeds that would begin Heather (Ault) Ramsey’s musical career were planted very early in life, mostly being sown as she was surrounded by her musical parents, grandparents and extended family at their small church in northern Indiana. Family members spent hours out-harmonizing one another at family reunions, church gatherings and holiday meals, accompanied by grandma’s sweeping piano flourishes and grandpa’s booming baritone. Heather’s knack for harmony, improvisation and vocal styling most certainly grew from these early influences.

Playing piano and flute through high school and early college years brought in a more classical foundation in reading music and understanding theory and musical structure. In her later college years, however, Heather got her first professional performance training from Purdue Musical Organizations, where directors Brian Breed and Ly Tartell (and several others!) taught her to engage audiences, improve her vocal technique and love live performance. She was listening to everything from Lauryn Hill to Celine Dion, Janis Joplin to Eva Cassidy, and Ella Fitzgerald to Sarah McLachlan, beginning to develop a simultaneous love for R&B, pop, blues and jazz.

When Heather first moved to Indianapolis in 2001, she began singing standards with well-known accompanist David Meek at Ruthellen’s (now the Abbey) downtown. She then auditioned for and was selected as the “front girl” for local cover bands Tastes Like Chicken, the Jackson Street Orchestra and Blair & Company.

While she still plays with these bands, Heather is not to be so easily swayed from her passion for jazz, and, in addition to her continued performance with David Meek and Blair Clark, she also works on occasion with big bands such as Cool City Band and the Tom Mullinix Orchestra.

It was at a show with Tom Mullinix where she met acclaimed pianist and arranger Chris Rutkowski. When Chris expressed interest in arranging for a solo project, Heather’s debut album began to take shape. Celebrated bass player Frank Smith joined Heather and Chris for several live performances, where they worked on arrangements and selected the songs now appearing on “So Many Stars.” Chris provided musical direction and arranging, renowned drummer Kenny Phelps joined the group, and sax genius Tom Walsh from Indiana University added his smooth tenor to several arrangements, all of which were recorded by Chip Reardin at Airtime Studios in Bloomington.

About her new release, Heather says, “This project is a compilation of jazz standards with a bit of R&B and pop on the side – a melting pot for the styles and artists that have had a great influence on me. I’m incredibly proud to have Chris, Frank, Kenny and Tom with me on ‘So Many Stars,’ and I can’t thank them enough for lending their extraordinary talents and support to take this album to new levels. The creative energy in the studio was totally electric!”

Heather released “So Many Stars” on November 30 at The Jazz Kitchen to a sold-out audience. Of her musical future, she says, “‘So Many Stars’ is a great snapshot of where I am in my career right now and is a terrific representation of the fine musicians I was fortunate enough to work with. I can’t wait to get started on the next project!”

So Many Stars

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Majid Bekkas - Mogador

Size: 169,3 MB
Time: 73:00
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2006
Styles: World, Folk, African Blues
Art: Front

01. Bossoyo (9:43)
02. Barma Soussandi (5:28)
03. Chabakrou (5:31)
04. Aalach Ya Dounia (4:45)
05. Moussaoui (7:44)
06. Soye (9:29)
07. Mogador (9:24)
08. Soudan Yebki (5:50)
09. Ballade A Niamey (8:27)
10. Nekcha (6:34)

Some moments are magic. Some aspects of humanity are fortunate. Some music sets the heart in time. The music of Majid Bekkas is all that: magic, humane, profound. This record, his second, reflects that. It offers roots and openness, tradition and modernness.

He starts by offering us some beautiful traditional melodies in the broad and powerful style of his master, Ba Houmane, the mââlem* that taught him the essence of gnawa. Majid’s voice joins that of his elder and all the gnawi** masters that have been connecting deepest Africa to the mysticism of the Orient.

Music and lay instruments - such as the guembri*** that is so rudimentary yet reveals such extreme beauty in the hands of Majid - create their own space and time. Another trip arrives. The blues. Jazz chords follow. We are in the universal. Roots lead towards the top, where the tree is biggest and the fruits the ripest.

So it’s only normal that Majid Bekkas should continue, in this record as in his other recordings and concerts, to dialogue with the most talented musicians from the blues and jazz scenes. This is the case again on this record, as his group of gnawi from Rabat are joined by the pianist Charles Loos, the guitarist Paolo Radoni, trumpet player Flavio Boltro and the percussionist Serge Marne. A dialogue all the richer as Majid has, in addition to his traditional background, a solid musical knowledge and is a multi-instrumentalist (guembri, oud****, molo, guitar). Like the previous one “African Gnaoua Blues”, this release consists of 5 traditional and 5 original composition

Mogador

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Celso De Almeida - Celso De Almeida Trio

Size: 69,8 MB
Time: 29:42
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Brazilian Jazz & Rhythms
Art: Front

01. Sambalanço 1 (4:38)
02. Sambalanço 2 (4:10)
03. Sambalanço 3 (2:24)
04. Sambalanço 4 (3:58)
05. Sob O Silencio Da Escuridao (3:09)
06. Sambalanço 5 (3:55)
07. Sapequinha (4:25)
08. Aos Momentos De Paz (3:00)

Created some years ago, this trio, composed of Celso de Almeida on drums, Fàbio Torres playing piano and arrangements by Paulo Paulelli on bass and percussion.

Self taught, Celso de Almeida belongs to a family of musicians, his father and grandfather are drummers. He has been playing with Rosa Passos for 9 years and Fabiana Cozza. During which he had plenty time to increase his performance. He also has already played with Brazilian artists like: Gal Costa, Gilberto Gil and Dominguinhos, has played with Israel Philharmonic’s Orchestra, playing with Jane Duboc and Edu Lobo. Member of the "Banda Savana" a Brazilian’s music orchestra.

Celso De Almeida Trio

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Clover Jean - This Is Me

Size: 74,5 MB
Time: 31:52
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Guardian Angel (3:11)
02. Obsessive Behaviour (2:44)
03. Grandma's Brew (3:01)
04. It's Human Kind (3:22)
05. Clockwise (This Is Me) (3:25)
06. Friends (3:51)
07. Miss Lady Day (2:18)
08. Television Blues (3:48)
09. Unlimited Supply (2:57)
10. Vitality (3:10)

Clover Jean: This is Me! – Debut Album. In collaboration with Axel van Duin: composer, producer and musician; this is a collection of distinctive song lyrics: a mix of Pop Jazz, Soft Soul, Bluesy Gospel and Calypso Reggae. She has a very special warm jazzy and velvety silky sound. Clover Jean’s expressive tone and attractive voice keep you feeling positively optimistic. This is me - debut album is a mix of different music styles; genres that are inspirational, soothing and invigorating. These songs reflect the highs, lows: observations, perceptions and intriguing visions of life.

Clover Jean: Words & vocals
Axel van Duin: Music & bass guitar
Remy Vogel: Guitar
Betrand Robinne: Drums
Thomas van Dijk: Keyboard

This Is Me

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Charlie Apicella & Iron City - Big Boss

Size: 196,9 MB
Time: 84:41
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Funky/Soul Jazz, Groove
Art: Front

01. I Hear A Symphony (7:27)
02. Idris (6:13)
03. In The Grass (5:26)
04. Big Boss (6:32)
05. Spoonful (6:06)
06. Amalfi (6:31)
07. The Selma March (6:48)
08. Sunday Mornin' (7:04)
09. The Business (5:21)
10. 64 Cadillac (6:08)
11. Sparks (5:32)
12. Play It Back (5:02)
13. Shaw Shuffle (4:35)
14. Billie Jean (5:50)

Thank god for groove music. In an era when needless complexity often dominates, it's nice to encounter a throwback record that's built on feel-good rhythms and soulful declarations. That's what Big Boss is all about.

Sparks (Carlo, 2009) set things in motion for this band, as guitarist-leader Charlie Apicella planted his flag in soul jazz territory by delivering direct-and-honest originals and covering the music of organist Dr. Lonnie Smith, guitarist Grant Green, and saxophonist Lou Donaldson; The Business (Carlo, 2011), with another Green number ("Donny Brook") and a tip of the cap to slick saxophonist Stanley Turrentine ("Stanley's Time"), operated in the same orbit; and this album, with a double shot of Green, a Willie Dixon classic, and a nod to The Supremes ("I Hear A Symphony"), is basically cut from the same cloth. That, however, doesn't mean that it's the same. Apicella has furthered his art with each record, extending and expanding his outlook while remaining firmly attached to the roots of the music.

Big Boss is just as honest and direct as the rest of Apicella's work, but it's a bit more polished in nature. The band sounds sharper and more mature than ever, with understated and coordinated horn backgrounds, the pairing of guest violinist Amy Bateman and tenor saxophonist Stephen Riley on Apicella's breezy "Amalfi," and greater attention given to blend and balance in general. But that's not to say the same old soulful spirit isn't there. Apicella takes everyone to church ("Sunday Mornin'"), shuffles along in high spirits ("I Hear A Symphony"), and delivers no-frills blues-funk with vim and vigor ("Idris"). Organist Dan Kostelnik and drummer Alan Korzin gel beautifully with Apicella throughout, conga drummer Mayra Casales makes her mark on "Idris," and the hot vs. cool combination of trumpeter Freddie Hendrix and Riley makes for an interesting pairing. While the horn hang never manifests as a competition, it's Riley's low-key brilliance that tends to win out.

Big Boss is a wonderful reminder of a time long gone. It's a record that speaks of good times, fun grooves, and high spirits.

Personnel: Charlie Apicella: guitar; Dan Kostelnik: organ; Alan Korzin: drums; Freddie Hendrix: trumpet; Stephen Riley: tenor saxophone; Mayra Casales: congas; Amy Bateman: violin (6).

Big Boss

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Herb Ellis - Nothing But The Blues

Bitrate: 320K/s

Time: 57:40

Size: 132.0 MB

Styles: Guitar jazz

Year: 1958/1994

Art: Front

[7:05] 1. Pap's Blues

[5:38] 2. Big Red's Boogie Woogie

[2:59] 3. Tin Roof Blues

[6:01] 4. Soft Winds

[4:44] 5. Royal Garden Blues

[6:01] 6. Patti Cake

[7:12] 7. Blues For Janet

[4:50] 8. Blues For Junior

[3:11] 9. Les Tricheurs

[3:20] 10. Clo's Blues

[4:19] 11. Phil's Tune

[2:15] 12. Mic's Jump

Guitarist Herb Ellis considers this is his favorite personal album and it is easy to see why. With trumpeter Roy Eldridge and tenor saxophonist Stan Getz contributing contrasting but equally rewarding solos and lots of inspired riffing while bassist Ray Brown and drummer Stan Levey join Ellis in the pianoless rhythm section, these performances have plenty of color and drive. Ellis does indeed stick to the blues during the original eight selections yet there is also a surprising amount of variety. This CD reissue has been augmented by four numbers from 1958 originally recorded for a European soundtrack. Getz, Eldridge, and Coleman Hawkins all have their features but Dizzy Gillespie fares best. ~Scott Yanow

Nothing But The Blues

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Lara Solnicki - A Meadow In December

Bitrate: 320K/s

Time: 42:59

Size: 98.4 MB

Styles: Jazz vocals

Year: 2010

Art: Front

[4:57] 1. Gentle Rain

[4:26] 2. Lazy Afternoon

[2:02] 3. Sometimes I'm Happy

[4:59] 4. The Things We Did Last Summer

[3:18] 5. I Wished On The Moon

[4:10] 6. Lover Come Back To Me

[3:00] 7. Don't Go To Strangers

[4:14] 8. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To

[3:27] 9. But Not For Me

[4:34] 10. Midnight Sun

[3:47] 11. Softly As In A Morning Sunrise

"To me, Miss. Solnicki is assuredly one of the finest jazz singers to emerge on the Canadian scene recently...the purity of her voice, her understanding of the most subtle nuances in lyrics and melody, and the freshness, intelligence and wit she invests in every interpretation. A new Canadian voice to discover." ~ Stanley Péan

Toronto-born Lara enjoys a busy performance schedule, appearing regularly at many of Canada’s most prestigious jazz venues with top flight musicians. She participated in the TD Toronto Jazz Festival 2009-2011, and has held four house gigs in fine dining restaurants. She received a BA in 2006 from The Glenn Gould School/ Royal Conservatory of Music, where she was the recipient of numerous scholarships, studying voice and piano in the Performance Diploma and Artist Diploma programs. With respect to jazz, Lara has studied extensively with Frank Falco, Shannon Gunn, Christine Duncan, and Bonnie Brett.

A Meadow In December

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Bossa Nova Messengers - Hard Bossa

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 41:55
Size: 96.0 MB
Styles: Latin jazz
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[4:50] 1. Speak Low
[6:41] 2. Estate
[7:23] 3. Berimbau
[6:41] 4. Retrato Em Branco E Preto
[5:04] 5. Este Seu Olhar
[6:33] 6. Ligia
[4:40] 7. Vivo Sonhando

Il progetto nasce dalla collaborazione tra il tenorsassofonista Beppe Castellani e il chitarrista Ennio Righetti, profondo conoscitore della musica brasiliana.

L'intento è di interpretare con feeling jazzistico famosi brani degli autori più celebrati della Bossa Nova (da A.C.Jobim a C.Buarque, da V.De Moraes ad altri) ed anche di scoprirne composizioni forse meno conosciute ma comunque altrettanto affascinanti.

Il repertorio è arricchito inoltre da pertinenti "standards" e anche da "songs" di varia origine divenute successi internazionali (ad esempio "Estate" del nostro B.Martino). Il tutto in ogni caso inserito nella peculiare estetica della musica brasiliana.

L'impianto stilistico del quartetto si allinea al moderno mainstream, nella scelta sostanzialmente tradizionale delle sonorità, della sezione ritmica e degli arrangiamenti.

Hard Bossa

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Daryl Sherman - A Lady Must Live

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 1998
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:41
Size: 141,7 MB
Scans:

(4:11)  1. One Life To Live
(3:09)  2. I Want To Be Bad
(4:17)  3. Fun To Be Fooled
(6:03)  4. Speak Low
(4:31)  5. Give Me The Simple Life
(6:27)  6. Lover Man
(3:55)  7. When In Rome
(5:48)  8. Something To Live For
(5:01)  9. It's Love I'm After
(4:18) 10. Groovin High
(4:53) 11. I'm In Love Again
(5:21) 12. If I Love Again
(3:41) 13. A Lady Must Live

Daryl Sherman quickly gained and earned a reputation as one of the top swing-based singers around in the 1990s. On this CD she sometimes sounds a bit like her main influence Mildred Bailey (particularly on "It's Love I'm After") but also displays her own warm style. Despite how the collective personnel looks (which includes 11 horn players, three guitars and three pianists), on most songs Sherman is accompanied by a rhythm section and just a horn or two. Clarinetist Ken Peplowski is quite notable during his three appearances and other guests include trombonist Dan Barrett, tenorman Frank Wess and pianist Tommy Flanagan in addition to the singer's usual pianist Mike Abene. The music fits into the mainstream where classic jazz and swing meet bop. Sherman sings a variety of superior standards most of which (with the exception of "Give Me the Simple Life," "Lover Man" and "Something to Live For") are not performed very often. The singer swings, uplifts the melodies and the messages of the lyrics with subtle creativity, and is in prime form throughout . Highlights include "I Want to Be Bad," "Speak Low," "Groovin' High" and the title cut. A delightful set, easily recommended.       ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/lady-must-live-mw0000041482

A Lady Must Live

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Belinda Underwood - Greenspace

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:18
Size: 123,6 MB
Art: Front

(2:49)  1. Bass Blues
(4:17)  2. The Secret Life Of Plants
(3:43)  3. No Moon At All
(4:11)  4. Seeing Red
(4:50)  5. Blue Gardenia
(5:02)  6. Estate
(4:54)  7. Polar Blue
(4:25)  8. Midnight Snatcher
(4:07)  9. Limitless
(4:34) 10. Odd Meter Blues
(5:16) 11. The Oasis
(5:05) 12. Once Upon A Summertime

Following her acclaimed 2005 debut, Underwood Uncurling, vocalist/bassist Belinda Underwood is back with her new release, Greenspace, which features pianist Benny Green (Betty Carter, Art Blakey, Ray Brown), bassist Phil Baker (Diane Schuur, Diana Ross, Pink Martini), percussionist Martin Zarzar (Al Andalus, Pink Martini), and Grammy nominated vocalist Nancy King. In this uniquely inspired work, Underwood summons fresh interpretations of classic songs by John Coltrane, Johnny Mercer, Stevie Wonder and other greats while also showcasing her gifts as a talented song-writer. Her instrumental piece, \"Seeing Red,\" is reminiscent of a Blue Note boogaloo while Underwood\'s \"The Oasis\" incorporates musical elements she discovered while studying in Egypt. Greenspace, a cohesion of seasoned musicians with Belinda\'s lush emotive vocals and poignant compositions, swings hard enough to conjure a jazz-of-old feeling while revealing a sweet sensitivity. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/belindau2

Greenspace

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Bill Heid - Air Mobile

Styles: Vocal And Piano Jazz
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:13
Size: 154,3 MB
Art: Front

(6:42)  1. Blues in the Airport
(6:50)  2. Spring Tones
(5:13)  3. Moorefield Mojo
(7:56)  4. Blue Ice Cubes
(5:48)  5. Winter Tones
(5:38)  6. Boomph!
(6:00)  7. Saying Goodbye
(6:37)  8. You Don't Even Know
(4:34)  9. Air Mobile
(5:32) 10. Same Old Blues
(6:17) 11. Wondering Blues

Bill Heid is well known as a great jazz organist on recordings, but for the majority of his numerous club dates, he plays the acoustic piano. So for his staunchest fans the issue of Air Mobile might be a surprise in that he plays the 88's exclusively. What remains a constant is that he has written all of the material on the date, and keeps the quality of the music very high by employing such first-rate accompanists as bassist Dwayne Dolphin, the great veteran kit drummer Roger Humphries, and hand drummer George Jones. Brother George Heid is the engineer, making the session sound as sweet and clean as possible. Perhaps Bill Heid does not play as nasty and dirty as he might on the B-3 organ, but his immense talent is no less diminished or evident. In fact, you might hear more of his influences, including the block chords and fleet lines à la McCoy Tyner, the rivaled virtuosity of Oscar Peterson, and the subtle harmonic dynamics of Red Garland or Bill Evans. 

For sheer hard bop, the title cut and "Moorefield Mojo" offer clutchless speed in sixth gear and ability to split on a moment's notice, while the loping slightly Latinized "Blues in the Airport" and "Boomph!" reflect the smart, classic Peterson touch. "Spring Tones" and "Blue Ice Cubes" reveal the elegance Heid is able to generate in hushed tones, while these compositions parallel those of Wayne Shorter or Herbie Hancock. Deeper into the Tyner/Hancock harmonic mold is the waltz "Saying Goodbye," while "You Don't Even Know" is a lithe jog reminiscent of another of Heid's fellow Pittsburghians, Ahmad Jamal. Never far from the blues, Heid sings, and quite well, on "Same Old Blues" with the adage "the more things change, the more things stay the same," while "Wondering Blues" reflects the self-doubt of whether she is or isn't. Dolphin is a major player as demonstrated during his solo on "Moorefield Mojo" or the intro to "Same Old Blues," while Humphries is the steady and masterful rhythm pilot he always has been. Those who prefer Heid's organ nuttiness and wild virtuosic excursions on that dual duty instrument should also be pleased with this worthwhile addition to his thankfully growing discography. ~ Michael G.Nastos   http://www.allmusic.com/album/air-mobile-mw0000819093.

Personnel: Bill Heid (vocals, piano); Dwayne Dolphin (bass instrument); Roger Humphries (drums, drum); George Jones (percussion).

Air Mobile

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Antti Sarpila - Jazz Party

Styles: Swing
Year: 1994
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 78:10
Size: 179,4 MB
Art: Front

( 8:39)  1. China Boy
( 6:02)  2. Ballin' The Jack
( 4:55)  3. Till There Was You
( 2:20)  4. Handful Of Keys
( 6:22)  5. When You're Smiling
( 4:19)  6. Savoy Blues
( 4:50)  7. Runnin' Wild
( 3:48)  8. Harmonica Boogie
( 7:34)  9. I Can't Give You Anything But Love
( 6:00) 10. Royal Garden Blues
( 5:56) 11. Sweet Georgia Brown
( 5:20) 12. That's A Plenty
(12:00) 13. I Got Rythm

Antti Sarpila (born 1964) is one of the few internationally known jazz musicians from Finland. Although based in Helsinki, he performs extensively as a solo artist all over the world. Antti Sarpila has been a student of the world famous American clarinet and saxophone player Bob Wilber during the 1980's. Wilber himself was a student of legendary Sidney Bechet in the 1940's. This legacy is the reason for Sarpila's dedication and respect to the tradition of jazz. He wants to combine the influences captured from the early masters (from Louis Armstrong to Charlie Parker) with his own personal style to create what would be best described as "classic jazz".The continuing association between Antti and Bob has reaped many rewards. One of the highlights was in 1988, when Antti was asked to join Bob in doing a "Tribute to Benny Goodman" concert in Carnegie Hall, New York. In 2000 Antti renewed his visit to this legendary concert hall with the Swedish vibraphone player Lars Erstrand.  During his career, Antti has performed on numerous jazz festivals and concerts all over Europe, USA, Asia and as far as in Australia. 

Despite his relatively young age he has had the honour to play with such giants as Doc Cheatham, Wild Bill Davison, Buddy DeFranco, Vic Dickenson, Panama Francis, Bob Haggart, Scott Hamilton, Jake Hanna, John Henrics, Milt Hinton, Peanuts Hucko, Thad Jones, Dave McKenna, Bucky Pizzarelli, Marshal Royal, Zoot Sims, Dick Wellstood, Frank Wess, Trummy Young... and to guest world famous orchestras as Count Basie Orchestra, Metropole Orchestra, Dutch Swing College Band. In Finland Antti Sarpila has his own group - the Antti Sarpila Swing Band, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2007. In the fall it has already become a tradition for Antti Sarpila Swing Band to go on tour bringing "Swinging Christmas" to every corner of Finland. In addition, he performs regularly as a solo artist with small groups, big bands as well as symphony orchestras. Finnish jazz federation has awarded Antti Sarpila with annual "George" award 1997 and Classic Jazz Society with the "Louis Armstrong" award 1996. Antti Sarpila has made numerous recordings under his own name, the latest one being "Gospel & Spirituals" (ASCD-29). Antti Sarpila has done six recordings with Wilber, in New York, Stockholm, London, Bern (with Byron Stripling, John Allred, Mark Shane, Phil Flanigan, Joe Ascione), Hamburg and Florida (with Dick Hyman, Dan Barrett, Peter Appleyard, Ed Metz Jr.). 

In Hamburg he has also recorded six times with top American jazz musicians (incl. Ralph Sutton, Jack Lesberg, Bill Allred, Oliver Jackson, Butch Miles, Harry Allen, Jon-Erik Kellso, Randy Sandke, Ken Peplowski, Allan Vache). In Sweden he's been featured on several recordings (incl. Swedish Swing Society live in New York, Swedish Jazz Salutes USA live at Carnegie Hall). His contribution as a skilled jazz artist has also been featured on about 100 different recordings. Hans Westerberg has written a Antti Sarpila bio-/discography - "The Swinging Beginning" giving information about all recordings as well as all known broadcasts and telecasts between 1980 and 1998. Included in the book is a cd, compiled from the essential recordings during Antti Sarpila's early career.~ Bio http://www.anttisarpila.com/en/biography

Personnel: Oscar Klein, Antti Sarpila, Jesper Thilo, Roy Williams, Henri Chaix, Peter 'Banjo' Meyer, Vic Pitt, Charly Antolini

Jazz Party

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