Joshua Redman - Trios Live

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:03
Size: 133,2 MB
Art: Front

(12:02)  1. Mack the Knife
( 6:38)  2. Never Let Me Go
( 6:43)  3. Soul Dance
(12:25)  4. Act Natural
( 7:37)  5. Mantra #5
( 5:58)  6. Trinkle, Tinkle
( 6:36)  7. The Ocean

Upholding the legacy of his namesake, saxophonist Joshua Redman son of the great Dewey Redman has continued to develop as a leader in jazz since the 1990's. He's created a name as a consummate artist through rigorous work that's involved a previous directorship of SFJAZZ, constant tours and over a dozen recordings. At times criticized for not emulating his father's passion, recordings such as his 2013 jazz-with-strings project Walking Shadows (Nonesuch) resulted in a beautiful studio release that was at times unengaging. But make no mistake because Redman's definitely got the fire and burns hot as coals in Trios Live which captures the essence of his unbridled abilities as musician and performer. It was recorded at two venues with different trios Redman and drummer Gregory Hutchinson with bassist Matt Penman at New York City's Jazz Standard and bassist Reuben Rogers at Washington, DC's Blues Alley. Dedicated to the fans that've come out to hear Redman play over the years, these live performances in 2009 and 2013 possess a spirit that surpass many of his studio dates with its spontaneous urgency. Four originals and three covers including a persuasive interpretation of Led Zeppelin's "The Ocean." 

Redman is in his element. The standard "Mack the Knife" bops, skips and twists as saxophone opens with a gorgeous solo full of breath and nuance. He engages the audience with talented showmanship who respond appreciatively to feverish runs, soft lines, playful banter and the music's improvised dialog. Yet this is not just about Redman as the other trio members more than hold their own with flawless timing, flexibility, and moments such as Hutchinson's gentle brush of cymbals in "Never Let Me Go" and synchronous fireworks with Redman in the 12 minute burner "Act Natural" as Reuben Rogers holds the line. While Thelonious Monk's "Trinkle, Tinkle" is done justice it's the trio's cover by an iconic English rock band that steals the show when Led Zeppelin's "The Ocean" is transformed from power rock to hard groove. Redman improvises the guitar riff with punctuated spurts and runs fueled by Hutchinson's beats and Matt Penman's funky bass line. The musicians jam freely and the crowd at the Jazz Standard react with wild applause dispelling the myth that you can't party to jazz music.             

~ Mark F.Turner  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/trios-live-joshua-redman-nonesuch-records-review-by-mark-f-turner.php#.U_ddLmMfLP8
 

Personnel: Joshua Redman: tenor saxophone (1, 2, 4, 6, 7), soprano saxophone (3, 5); Matt Penman: bass (1, 5–7); Reuben Rogers: bass (2–4); Gregory Hutchinson: drums.

Trios Live

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Jack Jezzro - Western Swing

Styles: Country, Swing

Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:09
Size: 95,0 MB
Art: Front

(2:51)  1. San Antonio Rose
(2:15)  2. Across The Alley From The Alamo
(3:14)  3. Blues For Dixie
(3:14)  4. Red Wing
(2:46)  5. Westphalia Waltz
(2:42)  6. Oklahoma Hills
(3:40)  7. South Of The Border
(3:35)  8. Deep In The Heart Of Texas
(3:32)  9. Back In The Saddle Again
(2:32) 10. Roly Poly
(3:00) 11. La Golandrina
(2:25) 12. Under The Double Eagle
(5:15) 13. Faded Love/ Maiden's Prayer

Inspired by the timeless music of Bob Wills, this recording highlights the Western Swing genre with musical perfection. Some describe Western Swing as being somewhere between Country-Western and Big Band Swing. Diversity best describes the artistry of guitarist, bassist, and producer Jack Jezzro. His recordings and productions have sold well into the millions, and he surely ranks high in formal education, knowledge of his instrument, and sheer musicality. But even more than that, Jezzro has a style and taste that are all his own qualities that are a breath of fresh air to the music of today and qualities that breathe new life into the music of yesterday. 

The Early Years Jazz is a natural expression for this West Virginia native, who seems to have been born musical. Jack Jezzro grew up in the small town of Rivesville, starting on piano and accordion when he was very young. "I would go to the piano and start banging out tunes when I was four or five," he recalls. His remarkable skill at simultaneously fingering melody and chord changes came naturally to him as a young listener. "I had a stack of Chet Atkins records, and that’s how I learned to play," Jezzro reports. "As a kid, I’d want to play all the parts. I’d listen to a tune by James Taylor, The Doobie Brothers, Simon & Garfunkel, or whomever. 

I’d play the bass part, the piano, the vocal and I’d want to do it all right there on the guitar."  Education For his bass-playing skills, Jezzro earned a scholarship to West Virginia University in nearby Morgantown. "I still kept playing guitar, but they didn't have a guitar program," he says. "I wanted to go to school there because it was close by, so I picked the bass and really got into it." The year was 1976. "That fall, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra came to Morgantown, and I got to meet the principal bass player, Sam Hollingsworth. We immediately hit it off." Hollingsworth took Jezzro under his wings, preparing him for a professional career. More.....http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jezzrojack

Personnel: Jack Jezzro (guitar); Gregg Galbraith (guitar); Paul Franklin , Buddy Emmons (steel guitar); Buddy Spicher (fiddle); Kristin Wilkinson, Pamela Sixfin, David Davidson (strings); Beegie Adair, Hargus "Pig" Robbins (piano); Larry Paxton (bass instrument); Bob Mater (drums).

Western Swing

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João Donato - So Danco Samba

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 46:20
Size: 106.1 MB
Styles: Latin jazz
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[2:34] 1. So Danco Samba
[3:40] 2. Corcovado
[3:15] 3. Samba De Uma Nota So
[4:05] 4. Caminhos Cruzados
[2:39] 5. Garota De Ipanema
[3:02] 6. Vivo Sonhando
[4:02] 7. Meditacao
[2:53] 8. Fotografia
[3:50] 9. Amor Em Paz
[3:13] 10. Ela E Carioca
[3:54] 11. Outra Vez
[3:03] 12. Brigas Nunca Mais
[3:14] 13. Triste
[2:49] 14. Wave

João Donato de Oliveira Neto is a Brazilian jazz and bossa nova pianist from Brazil, probably best known for his numerous albums as bandleader in the idiom. He first worked with Altamiro Carrilho, and went on to perform with other masters of the idiom such as Tom Jobim, Astrud Gilberto, as well as a host of others.

João Donato de Oliveira Neto was born in Rio Branco, the capital of the state of Acre, Brazil, on August 17, 1934. His father, also called João Donato, was a pilot and in his leisure hours liked to play the mandolin at home. His mother sang and the eldest sister, Eneyda, turned out to be a pianist. The youngest, Lysias, was more inclined to letters and became the main partner in his brother’s compositions.

So Danco Samba

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Eilen Jewell - 2 albums: Sea Of Tears / Queen Of The Minor Key

Eilen Jewell is the queen of the minor key. Sad songs are her wealth and finery. The Idaho native’s unique originals feature a blend of influences from early blues, rockabilly and surf-noir, to 1960s era rock and roll. The Los Angeles Daily News wrote, “Sometimes as darkly damaged as Lucinda Williams, at others as defiant and teasing as prime Peggy Lee and always authentically Americana in the Gillian Welch tradition…. She’s mighty good.” The Word in the UK described Jewell as “A voice of real distinction [that] manages to transcend some powerful influences and pierce the fog long enough for her own point of view to emerge.”

She and her band tour relentlessly, regularly selling out venues around the world. Jewell’s tour dates span from North America to Western Europe, New Zealand and Australia. She has shared the stage with Lucinda Williams, Mavis Staples, George Jones, Emmylou Harris, Blind Boys of Alabama, Chris Smither, and Junior Brown. Eilen’s music has been heard on NPR, XM-Sirius, and the BBC. She has also received airplay in Canada, Australia, Spain, Holland, and Germany. TV shows Sons of Anarchy and True Blood have featured Eilen’s music as well as commercials such as T-Mobile’s Fast Songs national TV campaign. Hollywood stars (Tom Hanks in Entertainment Weekly) to heads of state (British Prime Minister David Cameron in Britain’s Telegraph) have praised Eilen’s music in the press.

Jewell is currently recording her fifth, full-length, solo album with her long-time road band of Jerry G. Miller (named instrumentalist of the year the past two years in a row), husband and drummer Jason Beek, and slapping upright bass player Johnny Sciascia.

Album: Sea Of Tears

Bitrate: 320K/s

Time: 38:12

Size: 87.5 MB

Styles: Blues, Pop, Jazz, Roots

Year: 2009

Art: Front

[2:46] 1. Rain Roll In

[3:07] 2. Sweet Rose

[3:00] 3. Shakin' All Over

[2:42] 4. Sea Of Tears

[3:39] 5. Fading Memory

[3:05] 6. Nowhere In No Time

[3:59] 7. I'm Gonna Dress In Black

[3:53] 8. One Of Those Days

[2:57] 9. Final Hour

[2:28] 10. The Darkest Day

[2:53] 11. Everywhere I Go

[3:36] 12. Codeine Arms

Sea Of Tears 

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Album: Queen Of The Minor Key

Bitrate: 320K/s

Time: 37:47

Size: 86.5 MB

Styles: Blues, Pop, Jazz, Roots

Year: 2011

Art: Front

[1:35] 1. Radio City

[3:50] 2. I Remember You

[2:02] 3. Queen Of The Minor Key

[2:13] 4. That's Where I'm Going

[4:30] 5. Santa Fe

[2:29] 6. Warning Signs

[2:07] 7. Reckless

[3:59] 8. Over Again (Feat. Zoe Muth)

[1:43] 9. Bang Bang Bang

[2:26] 10. Hooked

[3:42] 11. Only One

[2:51] 12. Long Road

[2:55] 13. Home To Me (Feat. Big Sandy)

[1:18] 14. Kalimotxo

Queen Of The Minor Key  

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Mark Levine Trio - One Notch Up

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 66:28
Size: 152.2 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 1999
Art: Front

[6:52] 1. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
[7:49] 2. Up Jumped Spring
[4:50] 3. If There Is Someone Lovelier Than You
[7:41] 4. Ask Me Now
[6:35] 5. Pensativa
[6:21] 6. Low Key Lightly
[5:58] 7. Linda Chicana
[6:59] 8. One Notch Up
[7:53] 9. You Know I Care
[5:25] 10. After You

Veteran pianist Mark Levine has recorded infrequently, so this trio session is well worth the long wait. His varied program includes a rollicking "Up Jumped Spring," a jaunty version of Duke Ellington's infrequently played "Low Key Lightly," and a luscious "Ask Me Now." The tense title track, written by Mulgrew Miller, will keep listeners transfixed. Levine is also an accomplished composer, with his laid-back Latin-flavored "Linda Chicana" and constantly shifting "After You." ~Ken Dryden

One Notch Up

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Jacqui Naylor - Jacqui Naylor

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:06
Size: 118,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:36)  1. Lazybones
(4:54)  2. Nocturne
(3:11)  3. What A Little Moonlight Can Do
(3:01)  4. I Love You So
(6:07)  5. Tell Me More & More & Then Some
(4:05)  6. May I Come In?
(2:49)  7. The Way You Look Tonight
(5:47)  8. I Cover The Waterfront
(4:30)  9. Something Cool
(3:26) 10. Embraceable You
(3:01) 11. Can't Help Singing
(3:44) 12. In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning
(2:54) 13. Two Sleepy People

Another new bright entry in the vocal galaxy that covers the San Francisco Bay Area is Jacqui Naylor as she so ably demonstrates on her first album. Naylor immediately brings to mind the great Billie Holiday, whom she unabashedly admires. You can hear that poignancy of a wounded doe on such cuts as "I Cover the Waterfront" and "I Love You So." Her voice assumes light timbre on medium to up-tempo tunes such as "Two Sleepy People." This singer also has an unerring sense of rhythm, pitch and feel for the meaning of what she sings. She sways along on lilting, bouncing number as "Can't Help Singing" and "The Way You Look Tonight" and becomes innocently absorbing on "Something Cool." But what proves Naylor's singing so delightful and engaging is her understanding that the best way to put over a song is to sing it simply and straightforwardly. No swoops, hollers, grunts and other extraneous Babel on this CD. 

While this is Naylor's show, she gets outstanding help from her musicians who seem very tuned in to the mannerisms of the singer's style. Bob Johnson's smoky tenor helps set the stage for several of the tunes and adds an appropriate coda on others such as on a very pretty, world-weary "Nocturne." Other times his sax weaves in and around Naylor's voice, recalling the way Holiday and Lester Young meshed. Equally important contributions are made by steady pianist Andrew Ostwald, John Wiitala on bass and Tony Kaye's guitar. This is a fine first effort or second or third for that matter from this talented singer who showers special magic over a play list of familiar entries in the Great American Songbook as well on some less familiar material. Recommended. ~ Dave Nathan  http://www.allmusic.com/album/jacqui-naylor-mw0000597763

Jacqui Naylor

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Hans Theessink - Call Me

Styles: Blues Folk
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:48
Size: 116,7 MB
Art: Front

(3:31)  1. Late Last Night
(3:41)  2. Call Me
(2:55)  3. Mabellene
(3:28)  4. Lonely Days & Lonely Nights
(5:29)  5. Soul Of Song
(4:34)  6. Ain't Go No Home
(3:21)  7. Rock The Boat
(4:07)  8. New Orleans
(4:52)  9. The Planet
(3:40) 10. Bluesdoctor
(5:01) 11. Cuckoo
(5:08) 12. Sail On

For Call Me I invited Canadian producer Colin Linden as a co-producer. I had been playing a lot at festivals in N.America and wanted to invite some of the musicians and singers that I'd met on my travels. Most of the backing vocals were sung by the fantastic Bobby King & Terry Evans (wellknown from their work with Ry Cooder). With Maceo Parker, Pee Wee Ellis and Fred Wesley we had one of the funkiest horn sections in the universe. In addition we had Garth Hudson, Richard Bell and Rick Danko of "The Band", and South African sax-and pennywhistle wizzard Morris Goldberg on board. We worked at studios in Munich, Woodstock and Los Angeles, hauling the big old tapes around. The work on CALL ME was a beautiful experience and a few of my most requested songs are included on the album: My own "Call Me", "Rock The boat" and Chuck Berry's "Mabellene".  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/hanstheessink

Call Me

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Christy Baron - Take The Journey

Bitrate: 320K/s

Time: 50:31

Size: 115.7 MB

Styles: Easy Listening, Jazz vocals

Year: 2002

Art: Front

[2:56] 1. Happy Together

[4:20] 2. Gentle Journey

[3:47] 3. Not While I'm Around

[3:46] 4. I'm All Smiles

[5:45] 5. A House Is Not A Home

[2:23] 6. Bitter With The Sweet

[3:52] 7. That Old Devil Moon

[3:52] 8. The Lies Of Handsome Men

[5:07] 9. You Are There Why Did I Choose You

[4:20] 10. The Way He Captured Me

[3:52] 11. Overjoyed

[3:22] 12. Stand Behind Me

[3:08] 13. First Day In August

A truly talented vocalist, Christy Baron brings us her third release entitled Take This Journey, again revealing an intriguing repertoire of modern classics delivered through her evocative voice. But it's not only the sound of her voice that captivates the audience … her ability to maintain the delicate balance between the musical and poetic ideas of both the composer and lyricist creates the kind of mood that prepares the listener for a simply wonderful journey. Take This Journey is a story, a reflection of life that captures the wonderful reality of the genuine interactions we share with the people around us. Christy's rendition of the Turtles' classic "Happy Together" sets the tone of the record with her sultry yet optimistic recording that is nothing less than convincing. The album features songs from Carole King including "Stand Behind Me" and "First Day in August," and an incisive version of "Bitter With The Sweet." Christy's clear vocalizations are apparent when she explains the sad fact that "A House Is Not a Home" and sets the limits in Sondheim's Sweeney Todd classic "Not While I'm Around." The darker side of life is apparent through Sinatra's classic "Old Devil Moon" and Cleo Lane's "The Lies of Handsome Men." But don't lose hope just yet … a captivating rendition of Stevie Wonder's "Overjoyed" showcases Baron's optimism in mankind. Christy Baron communicates the pleasure and the pain of our existence in Take This Journey, appealing to the intellectual listener with her sweet, knowing recognition of life's wonder.

Take The Journey

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Tommy Flanagan - Something Wonderful

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 35:09
Size: 80.5 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[4:04] 1. Hello Young Lovers
[4:00] 2. Getting To Know You
[5:22] 3. We Kiss In A Shadow
[6:05] 4. Shall We Dance
[2:36] 5. Something Wonderful
[4:41] 6. I Have Dreamed
[4:07] 7. I Whistle A Happy Tune
[4:11] 8. My Lord And Master

Known for his flawless and tasteful playing, Tommy Flanagan received long overdue recognition for his talents in the 1980s. He played clarinet when he was six and switched to piano five years later. Flanagan was an important part of the fertile Detroit jazz scene (other than 1951-1953 when he was in the Army) until he moved to New York in 1956. He was used for many recordings after his arrival during that era; cut sessions as a leader for New Jazz, Prestige, Savoy, and Moodsville; and worked regularly with Oscar Pettiford, J.J. Johnson (1956-1958), Harry "Sweets" Edison (1959-1960), and Coleman Hawkins (1961).

Flanagan was Ella Fitzgerald's regular accompanist during 1963-1965 and 1968-1978, which resulted in him being underrated as a soloist. However, starting in 1975, he began leading a series of superior record sessions and since leaving Fitzgerald, Flanagan has been in demand as the head of his own trio, consistently admired for his swinging and creative bop-based style. Among the many labels he has recorded for since 1975 are Pablo, Enja, Denon, Galaxy, Progressive, Uptown, Timeless, and several European and Japanese companies. For Blue Note, he cut Sunset and Mockingbird in 1998, followed a year later by Samba for Felix. Despite a heart condition, Flanagan continued performing until the end of his life, performing two-week stints at the Village Vanguard twice a year, recording and touring. He died on November 16, 2001, in Manhattan from an arterial aneurysm. ~bio by Scott Yanow

Something Wonderful

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Elliott Chavers - Rockhouse

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 44:04
Size: 100.9 MB
Styles: Soul-jazz
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[3:55] 1. Rockhouse
[3:08] 2. Funky Butt
[4:05] 3. Hard Times
[4:51] 4. That's Allright
[4:54] 5. Jazz My Blues
[4:02] 6. I Dont Want Much
[5:10] 7. Sundy Soul
[4:19] 8. One In A Million
[4:04] 9. Rock Me Baby
[5:31] 10. Soul Serenade

ELLIOTT CHAVERS a Saxophonist, Jazz and Blues Vocalist has enjoyed a career spanning 4 decades with credits reading like the Rhythm 'N Blues Hall of Fame. Chavers sultry sax has propelled hits to the national charts three times with "Butter Beans", Fool Fool Fool, "Rock My Soul.

Elliott, arrived in Los Angeles in 1950 from Waco Texas to explore the Jazz scene. Finding "Jazz " a job and making a living was a complicated matter, as Elliott says in Texas all music is the same, in other words you played all styles from Jazz to Country to Western.

In order to survive he was called upon to join the Rhythm and Blues gigs, which he recorded over 100 records under his name. He was the Band Leader at the Infamous 5-4 Ballroom in Los Angeles during the entire 1960's/ He has performed with: Just to name a few: Sam Cooke, Clyde McPhatter, Lloyd Price, Jimmy McGriff, Roy Milton, Percy Mayfield, Jimmy Reed and many others.

Rockhouse

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Franco Cerri - Bossa With Strings

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 51:36
Size: 118.1 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[6:00] 1. Samba De Uma Nota So
[4:10] 2. Estate
[5:19] 3. As Long As There's Music
[4:14] 4. Corcovado
[5:54] 5. Isínesi
[4:31] 6. Chega De Saudade
[5:50] 7. Bluesette
[3:54] 8. Desafinado
[2:37] 9. Voce E Eu
[3:56] 10. Garota De Ipanema
[5:08] 11. Lipae

Che splendida carriera quella di Franco Cerri! Dal suo esordio nel 1945 nellʼorchestra di Gorni Kramer, alle collaborazioni col Gotha del jazz mondiale (Django Reinhardt, Wes Montgomery, Stephan Grappelli, Chet Baker, Gerry Mulligan, Billie Holiday, Barney Kessel, Lee Konitz, Dizzy Gillespie…) il chitarrista milanese ha attraversato il jazz italiano con la sua faccia da bravo ragazzo, divertito e quasi stupito di sé stesso, con naturalezza e talento.

Questa sua nuova registrazione mostra tutta lʼoriginalità e la vitalità di un musicista curioso e mai banale. Eppure il progetto era rischioso, trattandosi di una rilettura di classici della bossa-nova (soprattutto composizioni di Jobim): da “Samba de uma nota so” a “Estate”, da “Corcovado” a “Chega de saudade”. Cerri affronta questo repertorio con una formazione inusuale che affianca al suo collaudato combo (Alberto Gurrisi allʼHammond, Salvatore Maiore al contrabbasso ed Enzo Carpentieri alla batteria) il quartetto dʼarchi italo/nippo/albanese “Time Piece”.

Il cd non corre certamente il rischio del “già sentito” o del “lounge-muzak”: gli arrangiamenti sono coraggiosi e sofisticati, scritti dallo stesso Cerri insieme a Oscar Del Barba, giovane arrangiatore di ottime frequentazioni accademiche.

Il jazz italiano può essere orgoglioso del contributo che Franco Cerri ha dato e continua a dare alla sua nascita e alla sua diffusione; speriamo che i tanti giovani che si affacciano sulla scena imparino la lezione del Maestro: rispettare il pubblico, divertirsi sempre, e amare la musica sopra ogni cosa.

Bossa With Strings

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Gretchen Parlato - The Lost And Found

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:31
Size: 143,7 MB
Art: Front

(3:46)  1. Holding Back The Years
(5:30)  2. Winter Wind
(5:24)  3. How We Love
(6:02)  4. Juju
(3:04)  5. Still
(6:14)  6. Better Than
(1:54)  7. Alô, Alô
(4:59)  8. Circling
(4:57)  9. Henya
(1:45) 10. In A Dream Remix
(3:17) 11. All That I Can Say
(3:23) 12. Me And You
(4:11) 13. Blue In Green
(4:39) 14. The Lost And Found
(3:19) 15. Without A Sound

Gretchen Parlato is emerging as the most important jazz singer since Cassandra Wilson. Her vocal approach is so unique and her repertoire so eclectic that she stands to create a jazz vocal genre unto herself. After placing first in the 2004 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Vocals Competition, Parlato released her eponymous debut, self-produced, in 2005. Warmly received, she followed her freshman effort up in 2009 with In a Dream (Obliqsound), her critical gravity growing. And those are just Parlato's recordings as leader. She has been a featured vocalist on many records, including David Binney's Greylen Epicenter (Mythology, 2010) and Esperanza Spalding's Chamber Music Society (Concord Music Group, 2010). Much anticipated, The Lost and Found appears, revealing Parlato's sonic evolution toward an end very different from Wilson's. Where Wilson has intently explored the earthy, organic nature of the music she sings, Parlato has entered the laboratory to distill her music to its bare essence: a whisper, a scent, an echo, a suggestion. Her light, no-pressure approach better reveals the harmonic metaphysics of the songs she sings, whether originals or standards.  

The Lost and Found draws much from her two previous releases. Parlato's Wayne Shorter fixation that prompted her to include the saxophonist's "Juju/Footprints" medley on her first recording, and "ESP" on In A Dream, reprises "Juju" alone on The Lost and Found. The fondness that Parlato has for impressionistic music manifests itself in her version of Miles Davis/Bill Evans "Blue in Green," and a cover of Simply Red's "Holding Back The Years," rendered as diaphanous mist, Parlato's light voice perfect for the role. The singer's reprise of "Juju," possesses a crystalline translucence, made acute by Dayna Stephens' wandering saxophone and pianist Taylor Eigsti's run-rampant sonic investigations. Her soft voice provides stark contrast to its support, making for an edgy affair all the way around. Lauren Hill's "All That I Can Say," a successful vehicle for Mary J. Blige, proves equally successful for Parlato, who imparts a lighter contemporary vibe to the song. Parlato is a young and vibrant artist, from whom we are only beginning to hear, and whose future is bright, indeed. ~ C.Michael Bailey  

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-lost-and-found-gretchen-parlato-obliqsound-review-by-c-michael-bailey.php#.U-_ji2OumE4

Personnel: Gretchen Parlato: vocals; Taylor Eigsti: piano; Derrick Hodge, Alan Hampton: bass; Kendrick Scott: drums; Dayna Stephens: tenor saxophone.

The Lost And Found

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Hank Mobley - Roll Call

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:09
Size: 119,7 MB
Art: Front

(10:29)  1. Roll Call
( 6:04)  2. My Groove Your Move
( 5:24)  3. Take Your Pick
( 8:51)  4. A Baptist Beat
( 6:45)  5. The More I See You
( 4:53)  6. The Breakdown
( 9:40)  7. A Baptist Beat

From the first moment when Art Blakey comes crashing in to establish a kinetic Latin groove on the eponymous opening song, Hank Mobley's Roll Call explodes with energy. The first horn heard here is actually Freddie Hubbard's trumpet, foreshadowing the prominent role that he would have in the sound of this album. The quintet all work together flawlessly here, but Hubbard particularly shines as he plays off of Mobley's fluid riffs and carries more than a few lines himself, sounding particularly athletic and effortless on the closing track, "The Breakdown." Mobley's performance throughout the recording is stylish without being restrained, and the strength of his songwriting shines on five of the album's six songs. A warm, laid-back, sweet version of "The More I See You" is also included, with a muted Hubbard sounding very much like Miles Davis. It is a nice complement to this collection of originals, which has often been overshadowed by Mobley's other late-'50s and early-'60s work but is definitely deserving of some attention of its own. ~ Stacia Proefrock  

http://www.allmusic.com/album/roll-call-mw0000651115

Personnel: Hank Mobley (tenor saxophone); Freddie Hubbard (trumpet); Wynton Kelly (piano); Paul Chambers (bass); Art Blakey (drums).

Roll Call

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Mark Murphy - I'll Close My Eyes

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1994
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:13
Size: 85,7 MB
Art: Front

(5:39)  1. I'll Close My Eyes
(3:21)  2. If
(4:07)  3. Happin'
(5:07)  4. Miss You Mr. Mercer
(3:10)  5. Small World
(3:43)  6. There Is No Reason Why
(4:07)  7. Time On My Hands
(5:09)  8. Ugly Woman
(2:46)  9. Not Like This

Every album by Mark Murphy is a gem and I'll Close My Eyes is no exception. Starting with the title track, Murphy displays his uncanny sensitivity to the relationship between words and music by delivering a very emotional reading of the song's verse, a text that is overlooked by most performers. Added to the performance's appeal is a tasty obbligato by Brazilian trumpeter Claudio Roditi.  The song "If" is all too often a staple of karaoke bars and Holiday Inn lounge singers, but in Murphy's hands it becomes a heartfelt dissertation on the conditional nature of love. And when it comes to sheer swinging, nobody can top Murphy. 

This is especially evident in the seldom performed "Happyin'" where Murphy scats up a storm and is matched by an exquisite guitar solo by John Basile. The Murphy/Roditi collaboration is also heard to great effect in the Latin swinger "Small World" (not to be confused with "It's a Small World") and in the ballad "There Is No Reason Why." The Kid Creole-ish "Ugly Woman" shows the humorous side of Murphy's artistry as he relates the tale of the ultimate male horror story rejection by a homely member of the opposite sex. The album ends with "Not Like This," a slow ballad about the end of a relationship, that quickly builds to an emotional crescendo before tapering off into the sonic ether.

While the song's text may be correct in its assessment of romantic love, it would be so nice if every album could end "just like this." I'll Close My Eyes is a classic and should be a part of every serious jazz lover's CD collection. ~ William Grim  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/ill-close-my-eyes-mark-murphy-muse-records-review-by-william-grim.php#.U_PCrGMfLP8

Personnel: Mark Murphy, vocals, Sammy Figueroa, percussion; Peter Grant, drums; John Basile, guitar; Cliff Carter, keyboards; David Finck, bass; Pat Rebillot, Piano; Claudio Roditi, trumpet

I'll Close My Eyes

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Walter Wanderley - Moondreams

Bitrate: 320K/s

Time: 31:08

Size: 71.3 MB

Styles: Easy Listening, Latin jazz

Year: 1969/2006

Art: Front

[4:29] 1. Asa Branca

[2:38] 2. L'amore Dice Ciao

[2:43] 3. Penha

[3:07] 4. One Of The Nicer Things

[2:43] 5. Proton, Electron, Neutron

[3:39] 6. 5 30 Plane

[3:04] 7. Soulful Strut

[2:28] 8. Moondreams

[3:30] 9. Jackie

[2:42] 10. Mirror Of Love

Wanderley's second album during Creed Taylor's A&M residency opens with a bang, a fantastic rendition of the old Northern Brazilian standard "Asa Branca" that evokes the exhilaration of a street carnival. Midway through, the tempo kicks up, the band settles into a two-chord vamp, and the performance lifts into orbit; even the normally mild-mannered Wanderley dances wildly on organ and electric harpsichord.

Nothing else here, even the provocatively titled "Proton, Electron, Neutron," approaches "Asa Branca"'s energy. Yet on the whole, this is a somewhat better album than its predecessor on A&M; the sound is more open and less confined. The selection remains predominantly Brazilian, with an occasional American ringer like "Soulful Strut" and another Jimmy Webb tune, "5:30 Plane." The female voices (one of whom is Flora Purim) return on a few tracks; so do Hubert Laws and Romeo Penque on flutes. Eumir Deodato is in charge of the mauve-colored charts for flutes, trumpets and violas, and Airto Moreira makes an early impression pumping up the percussion section. ~Richard S. Ginell

Bass – George Duvivier, Jose Marino, Richard Davis; Drums – Joao Palma; Flugelhorn – Bernie Glow, Marvin Stamm; Flute – Danny Bank, Hubert Laws, Jerome Richardson, Joe Soldo, Romeo Penque; Organ, Harpsichord [Electric] – Walter Wanderley; Percussion – Airto Moreira, Lulu Ferreira; Trumpet – Bernie Glow; Viola – Archie Levin, David Mankovitz, Emanuel Vardi, Harold Coletta, Harry Zaratzian, Richard Dickler, Theodore Israel, Warren Tekula; Vocals – Flora Purim, Linda November, Stella Stevens, Susan Manchester .

Moondreams     

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Jim Snidero Quintet - Vertigo

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 61:39
Size: 141.1 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 1995
Art: Front

[6:46] 1. Pocket Change
[6:41] 2. Vertigo
[7:14] 3. Bossa
[8:20] 4. A.S.A.P
[8:55] 5. Polka Dots And Moonbeams
[8:31] 6. Ah-Leu-Cha
[8:15] 7. Skylark
[6:54] 8. Midtown

Jim Snidero is considered to be one of the top alto saxophonists and authors in jazz today. A resident of New York City for over 20 years, he has made numerous recordings as a leader, and has performed and/or recorded with many important jazz artists. Snidero is on the faculty at the New School University, is an active jazz clinician for the Selmer Company, and author of the best selling 3 series of books entitled Jazz Conception, Easy and Intermediate Jazz Conception, published by Advance Music.

Jim Snidero’s recordings have received critical acclaim by leading jazz critics. Several have received 4 stars in Downbeat Magazine, in which critics hailed Snidero as “a master musician” and “alto sax virtuoso”.

Jim Snidero (As); Walt Weiskopf (Ts); David Hazeltine (P); Peter Washington (B); Tony Reedus (D).

Vertigo

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Jane Bunnett & Maqueque - S/T

Bitrate: 320K/s

Time: 49:44

Size: 113.8 MB

Styles: Cuban jazz

Year: 2014

Art: Front

[3:45] 1. Papineau

[6:11] 2. Maqueque

[4:41] 3. Tormenta

[3:53] 4. Guajira

[4:22] 5. Ain's No Sunshine When She's Gone

[4:20] 6. New Angel

[5:34] 7. Mamey Colorado

[6:43] 8. Canto A Babba

[5:19] 9. De La Habana A Canada

[4:51] 10. Song For Haiti

Canadian saxophonist Jane Bunnett has introduced a lot of great Cuban musicians to North American audiences over the past couple of decades, including Dafnis Prieto, Yosvanny Terry, Pedrito Martínez, and David Virelles. Now she has assembled an exciting new sextet featuring the finest young women musicians in Cuba. Maqueque consists of Jane and virtuoso drummer Yissy García, dynamic percussionist Dayme, Yusa on tres guitar and fretless bass, pianist Danae, and Magdelys on batás and congas. All are great vocalists as well as instrumentalists, and all are in their early twenties, except Yusa who’s a little older. Their blend of traditional Cuban music with folkloric rhythms and jazz has a broad appeal.

Jane Bunnett & Maqueque

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Waterford Gypsy Jazz Ensemble - Debut Swing

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 27:49
Size: 63.7 MB
Styles: Gypsy jazz
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[4:19] 1. Debut Swing
[2:53] 2. Rondo Alla Turca
[3:17] 3. Montagne St. Genevieve
[5:01] 4. All Of Me
[5:16] 5. Dark Eyes (Les Yeux Noir)
[3:39] 6. Tico Tico
[3:22] 7. Swing Gitane

Waterford Gypsy Jazz Ensemble are a vibrant new music group who have exploded onto the music scene. Formed in 2010, they combine acoustic guitars, violin and double bass to create an infectious groove. Their up-tempo and dynamic sound is based on various musical styles encapsulated by the 1930's-1950's “gypsy-sound”, inspired by Django Reinhardt’s “Jazz Manouche” style with a modern twist. They have played a number of festivals and high profile gigs in the South East are and recently launched their new album "Debut Swing" in front of a full house at the Theatre Royal in Waterford. The night was electric and they brought the house down. The group who are based in Waterford, Ireland features Owen Corrigan and Brendan Maher on lead guitar, Rowan Sherlock on violin, Jonathan Kelly and Karen Hegarty on rhythm guitar and Kieran Fitzgerald on double bass.

Waterford Gypsy Jazz Ensemble are currently planning a tour and are definitely a group not to be missed...

Debut Swing

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Gail Pettis - Here In The Moment

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:10
Size: 107,3 MB
Art: Front

(3:24)  1. In The Still Of The Night
(3:56)  2. The Very Thought Of You
(5:47)  3. Who Can I Turn To?
(2:47)  4. I Thought About You
(4:59)  5. Night And Day
(3:06)  6. Day In Day Out
(4:46)  7. Nature Boy
(3:21)  8. I Could Have Danced All Night
(4:27)  9. At Last
(5:28) 10. How Did He Look?
(4:04) 11. Snap Your Fingers

Gail Pettis only started performing professionally as a jazz vocalist a few years before she made her first CD, as she had a full-time career as an orthodontist. Yet because Pettis had been singing since childhood in addition to playing French horn as a youth, she was no newcomer to performing. Gifted with an expressive alto voice, her embellishments to the familiar songs she performs show the skill of someone who is likely a natural, as she never overplays her hand. With a superb trio that alternates between two different pianists, two bassists, and drummer Mark Ivester as the one constant, Pettis catches one's attention right away with her adroit interpretation of "In the Still of the Night." 

The unusual 5/4 arrangement of Anthony Newley's "Who Can I Turn To?" (a favorite of the late pianist Bill Evans) provides a rich backdrop for her expressive vocal. "Nature Boy" is almost a cliché in the hands of a typical singer, but Pettis makes the most of the hip Afro-Cuban arrangement without sounding too serious. ~ Ken Dryden  http://www.allmusic.com/album/here-in-the-moment-mw0001954582.

Personnel: Gail Pettis (vocals); Mark Ivester (drums, percussion).

Here In The Moment

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Van Morrison - Saint Dominic's Preview

Styles: Pop/Rock, R&B
Year: 1972
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:42
Size: 96,0 MB
Art: Front

( 3:01)  1. Jackie Wilson Said (I'm In Heaven When You Smile)
( 4:40)  2. Gypsy
( 3:04)  3. I Will Be There
(11:09)  4. Listen To The Lion
( 6:28)  5. Saint Dominic's Preview
( 3:07)  6. Redwood Tree
(10:11)  7. Almost Independence Day

While less thematically and sonically cohesive than Van Morrison's prior albums, Saint Dominic's Preview nonetheless hangs together on the strength of its songs, an intriguingly diverse collection which draws together the disparate threads of the singer's recent work into one sterling package. The opener, "Jackie Wilson Said (I'm in Heaven When You Smile)," is pure R&B jubilation, while the title cut, although essentially a rewrite of "Tupelo Honey," is stunning gospel-pop; both "Listen to the Lion" and "Almost Independence Day," meanwhile, mark a return to the epic mystical explorations of Morrison's earlier work and offer a pair of his most primal performances. ~ Jason Ankeny  http://www.allmusic.com/album/saint-dominics-preview-mw0000651366

Personnel: Van Morrison (vocals, guitar, 12-string guitar, saxophone, keyboards, background vocals); ; Janet Planet (vocals, background vocals); Doug Messenger (guitar, 6-string guitar, 12-string guitar); Ron Elliott (guitar); ; Mark Naftalin (piano, organ, Moog synthesizer); Mark T. Jordan, Mark Jordan (piano); Leroy Vinnegar, Bill Church (bass instrument); Ronnie Montrose (vocals, guitar, background vocals); Mark Springer, Ellen Schroer (vocals, background vocals); John McFee (steel guitar); Jack Schroer (saxophone, piano); Rolf Houston (saxophone, background vocals); Jules Broussard (saxophone); Pat O'Hara (trombone, horns); Tom Salisbury (piano, organ, keyboards); Bernie Krause (synthesizer, Moog synthesizer); Gary Mallaber (vibraphone, drums, percussion); Connie Kay, Lee Charlton, Rick Shlosser (drums).

Saint Dominic's Preview

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