Annie Gallup - Pearl Street

Styles: Folk
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:39
Size: 125,8 MB
Art: Front

( 3:22)  1. Down The Other Side
( 5:30)  2. Tulsa
( 3:22)  3. Down the Other Side (Reprise)
(10:56)  4. Annie Interviews Annie
( 2:04)  5. The Synopsis
( 4:08)  6. Thicker Than Water
( 3:06)  7. Pearl Street
( 3:59)  8. Skinny Arms
( 4:09)  9. Grace
( 4:42) 10. Jack
( 3:21) 11. Betsi Went to Jersey
( 1:11) 12. Lori's Long Legs
( 4:43) 13. I Think About Richard

Annie Gallup's writing is unabashedly imaginative and richly sensual. She is a teller of short, elaborate tales song-length works of fiction that sparkle with the complexity and polish of poetry; tightly packed lyrical strands that crackle with intelligence and spry wordplay, and pulse with insistent rhythm. Her musical instincts are a match for her pen Annie is a gifted, inventive instrumentalist. Her guitar work is a fresh, welcome interplay of short lead runs and complex picking patterns. (As a teenager in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Annie learned to play listening to records by Doc Watson and blues great Mississippi John Hurt.)

Fusing elements of spoken word and poetry with sharp melodies and a trademark delivery, Annie Gallup has created her own musical sub-genre. Annie Gallup’s sixth album, Pearl Street, is scheduled for release in April, 2005. Originally written as a one-person performance piece, Pearl Street is a song cycle of linked songs that follow the same characters through ten years of their lives. This is an ambitious and rewarding recording, as compelling musically as it is lyrically. With Pearl Street Annie Gallup has once again succeeded in creating something entirely her own, breaking the barrier between music and literature, fusing elements of spoken word with sharp melodies and a trademark delivery.  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/gallup5

Personnel: Annie Gallup (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, resonator guitar); Duke McVinnie (vocals, electric guitar); Billy Masters, Duke McVinney (guitar); David Seitz (keyboards); Mark Dann (acoustic bass); Michael Visceglia (bass guitar); Dennis McDermott (drums).

Pearl Street

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DR Big Band - Jazz Divas Of Scandinavia

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 46:41
Size: 106.9 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[5:21] 1. Be Still My Heart (Silje Nergaard)
[4:27] 2. Voodoo Skills (Rigmor Gustafsson)
[4:57] 3. Send In The Clowns (Cæcilie Norby)
[6:01] 4. Nothing's Better Than Love (Rigmor Gustafsson)
[5:16] 5. Naked In The Dark (Cæcilie Norby)
[5:15] 6. Tell Me Where You're Going (Silje Nergaard)
[5:25] 7. Somewhere Over The Rainbow (Rigmor Gustafsson)
[4:42] 8. Japanese Blue (Silje Nergaard)
[5:14] 9. Circus, Circus (Cæcilie Norby)

For the first time ever the three most significant female jazz vocalist of Scandinavia are gathered on a single album. Jazz Divas of Scandinavia beautifully documents the meeting of the legendary DR Big Band and the three distinct jazz vocal traditions of Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Norby, Nergaard and Gustafsson have each defined female jazz vocal in Scandinavia over the last 10 years and have spearheaded the current surge of talented new female jazz singers. The three women each have an impressive career in their native countries as well as around the world. The collaboration with the DR Big Band is undoubtedly the ultimate experience of Scandinavian jazz vocal.

Jazz Divas Of Scandinavia

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Sonny Stitt & Bennie Green - My Main Man

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 35:01
Size: 80.2 MB
Styles: Hard bop, Saxophone jazz, Trombone jazz
Year: 1964/1972/2005
Art: Front

[4:31] 1. Flame And Frost
[4:49] 2. Let's Play Chess
[4:41] 3. Double Dip
[5:18] 4. Our Day Will Come
[5:57] 5. My Main Man
[5:15] 6. The Night Has A Thousand Eyes
[4:27] 7. Broilin'

My Main Man was a quintet date, teaming Stitt with trombonist Bennie Green. Joining the front line was Bobby Buster on organ, Joe Diorio on guitar and Dorrell Anderson on drums. This album features three hip bossa novas—Our Day Will Come, The Night Has a Thousand Eyes and Flame and Frost. The remaining tracks are blues.

Alto Saxophone – Sonny Stitt; Drums – Dorel Anderson; Guitar – Joe Diorio; Organ – Bobby Buster; Tenor Saxophone – Sonny Stitt; Trombone – Bennie Green.

My Main Man

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Allan Vache - Breezy

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 69:21
Size: 158.8 MB
Styles: Clarinet jazz
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[8:34] 1. Meet Me Tonight In Dreamland
[4:57] 2. Spain
[7:09] 3. My Inspiration
[6:39] 4. My Honey's Lovin' Arms
[4:56] 5. Krazy Kapers
[4:44] 6. Baby Won't You Please Come Home
[6:29] 7. Breezin' Along With The Breeze
[6:05] 8. South Rampart Street Parade
[3:47] 9. What's New
[5:16] 10. Jubilee
[5:32] 11. Poor Butterfly
[5:07] 12. Sleep

Featuring Allan Vache, David Jones, John Allred, Johnny Varro, Bob Haggart and Ed Metz Jr.

When Allan Vaché plays swing on his clarinet, the smooth sounds invite comparisons to a young Benny Goodman, which isn't surprising since the King of Swing was one of Vaché's chief influences. Vaché can be downright blistering as well as warm and inviting and his graceful playing makes even complicated pieces seem easy. Critics also compare him to jazz clarinetist Peanuts Hucko.

Vaché evinced an early aptitude for music, which he pursued while at college during the 1970s. He became a student of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra's David Dworkin. He also studied with traditional jazz clarinetist Kenny Davern. Early on he performed professionally with a number of noted musicians, among them Lionel Hampton, Bobby Hackett, Gene Krupa, Pee Wee Erwin, Clark Terry, Dick Hyman, Dick Wellstood, Max Kaminsky, Bob Wilber, Cliff Leeman, and Wild Bill Davison. He also often played with his brother, flügelhorn and cornet player Warren Vaché Jr. In 1974, he hit Broadway in a production of Doctor Jazz.

By 1975, Vaché was a member of the Jim Cullum Jazz Band, which was based in San Antonio, TX. He appeared on nine of the group's albums, among them the CBS Masterworks recording of Porgy and Bess. Playing portions of that score, Vaché and the group took to the stages of Mexico City's Cervantino Arts Festival, Washington, D.C.'s Kennedy Center, and other stops. Vaché performed a number of times at San Antonio's World Series of Jazz with Cullum's band, a venue that also hosted jazz luminaries such as Goodman. In 1987, he and the group played Carnegie Hall.

Vaché's other appearances included A Prairie Home Companion and Riverwalk, Live From the Landing on radio and television's Austin City Limits. The clarinetist branched out into films in 1998 when two numbers that he played were featured in The Newton Boys. Both songs came from the Shootin' the Agate album released by the Jim Cullum Jazz Band.

Vaché left the band to perform solo during the early '90s. In 1993, he relocated to Orlando, FL, where he appeared at Rosie O'Grady's and Walt Disney World, among other venues. He has recorded for Arbors Records, Audiophile, and Jazzology, both as a solo artist and in conjunction with others. He put out a dozen albums for the German label Nagel-Heyer, half of which saw him in the role of leader with bands that include the Florida All-Stars, Swingtet, and the Big Four. ~bio by Linda Seida

Breezy

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Teddi King - Pocketful Of Rainbows

Bitrate: 320K/s

Time: 74:30

Size: 170.6 MB

Styles: jazz-pop vocals

Year: 2014

Art: Front

[2:29] 1. When Did You Leave Heaven

[2:57] 2. Unforgettable

[2:54] 3. You Go To My Head

[2:49] 4. A Cottage For Sale

[3:39] 5. Love Is Here To Stay

[3:14] 6. After All It's Spring

[2:36] 7. Porgy

[2:40] 8. I Guess I'll Have To Change My Plan

[3:49] 9. This Love Of Mine

[3:10] 10. If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight

[2:48] 11. When It's Sleepy Time Down South

[3:56] 12. To You

[3:24] 13. You Don't Know What Love Is

[2:23] 14. When I Grow Too Old To Dream

[2:33] 15. June In January

[2:30] 16. Love Is A Now And Then Thing

[2:23] 17. Love Walked In

[3:44] 18. Autumn In New York

[2:34] 19. Chicken Today And Feathers Tomorrow

[2:48] 20. The Very Thought Of You

[2:54] 21. The Way You Look Tonight

[3:05] 22. I Can't Get Started

[3:12] 23. Once Too Often

[3:04] 24. That Old Feeling

[2:43] 25. Nothin' For Nothin'

Teddi King (September 18, 1929 - November 18, 1977) was an American jazz and pop vocalist. Born Theodora King in Boston, Massachusetts on September 18, 1929, she won a singing competition hosted by Dinah Shore at Boston's Tributary Theatre, later beginning work in a touring revue involved with "cheering up the military in the lull between the Second World War and the Korean conflict." Improving her vocal and piano technique during this time, she first recorded with Nat Pierce in 1949, later recording with the Beryl Booker trio and with several other small groups from 1954-1955 (recordings which were available on three albums for Storyville). She then toured with George Shearing for two years beginning in the summer of 1952, and for a time was managed by the famed George Wein. King later began performing for a time in Las Vegas. Ultimately signing with RCA, she recorded three albums for the label, beginning with 1956's Bidin' My Time.

Pocketful Of Rainbows

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Melissa Sweeney - Golden Thread

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2004
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:23
Size: 124,9 MB
Art: Front

(6:08)  1. You're My Thrill
(3:24)  2. My Baby Just Cares For Me
(4:55)  3. Golden Thread
(6:07)  4. Sex Kills
(5:38)  5. I Have Dreamed
(4:31)  6. Skylark
(6:57)  7. Pavane
(3:19)  8. Sweet Lorraine
(5:12)  9. Vivo Sonhando
(3:02) 10. Why Don't You Do Right
(5:05) 11. Where I Belong

The lady, Melissa Sweeney, has a voice, warm, rich-toned, mature; and she had a childhood that sounds like heaven a "record fiend" mother who provided her with the sounds of Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Nat King Cole, MJQ, Ella, Anita O'Day; and then a tender-age job at KBIG-FM jazz station in Los Angeles and the access to thousands of promo copies of jazz LPs. A voice, a feeling for the history of jazz, and the savy/good fortune of hooking up with pianist Bill Cunliffe as arranger/producer of her debut disc, Golden Thread. The set opens with "You're My Thrill," lushly-arranged, with a Lady in Satin atmosphere. The arrangements on Golden Thread alternate between classy string treatments including "You're My Thrill," to a jazzier piano/bass/drums trio with great horn solos on several tunes, including the marvelous rendition of Joni Mitchell's "Sex Kills", with the Rob Lockart's saxophone smoldering around Sweeney's telling of Mitchell's dark tale. 

"My Baby Just Cares" has the sparer arrangement, an insouciant bounce, the trombone dancing with Sweeney's vocal in front of the sparkle of Cunliffe's piano work. Hoagy Carmichael's "Skylark" rolls along in a relaxed mode, with drummer Joe La Barbera providing some beautifully subtle brushwork. The set has standards, a Brazilian sound (the Jobim/Gilberto tune "Vivo Sonhando"), French lyrics ("Pavane"), and first-rate pop songs ("Sex Kills and Paul Simon's "Where I Belong"), wrapped in classy arrangements with a gorgeous voice out front.~ Dan Mcclenaghan  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/golden-thread-melissa-sweeney-azica-records-review-by-dan-mcclenaghan.php#.VBdabBawTP8

Personnel: Melissa Sweeney - vocals; Bill Cunliffe - piano and arrangements; George Bohanon - trombone solo; Joe La Barbera - drums; Derek Oles and Tom Warrington - bass; John Chiodini - guitar; Paulino DaCosta - percussion; Ricky Woodard, Rob Lockart, Bob shepard - sax solos; John Yoakum, Brian Scanlon - woodwinds; John Mascon - French horn; Peter Kent - concertmaster;
Amy Schulman -harp

Golden Thread

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Eldar Djangirov - Eldar

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:53
Size: 133,1 MB
Art: Front + Back

(3:21)  1. Sweet Georgia Brown
(5:30)  2. Nature Boy
(7:38)  3. Moanin'
(6:55)  4. Point of View with Michael Brecker
(2:46)  5. Raindrops
(5:01)  6. Lady Wicks
(6:57)  7. Maiden Voyage
(6:22)  8. 'Round Midnight
(4:16)  9. Ask Me Now
(5:39) 10. Watermelon Island
(3:23) 11. Fly Me to the Moon

Eldar more than lives up to the hype. If the opening Tatum-esque "Sweet Georgia Brown" doesn't bowl you over with his demonstration of articulate talent, try his head-spinning version of "Maiden Voyage" that makes the original sound absolutely archaic. Don't think this teen is simply some trained freak show. He is able to demonstrate speed with plenty of emotional depth. His incredibly insightful take on "Nature Boy," as well as his own deeply Debussy-influenced "Raindrops," demonstrate maturity far beyond his age. The pianist shows absolutely no signs of intimidation or deferment with his illustrious sidemen: John Patitucci (bass), Michael Brecker (tenor saxophone), or Todd Strait (drums). Whether using a range on the piano that rivals McCoy Tyner, sparring to a draw with Brecker ("Point of View'), or waxing rapturously rhapsodic on Monk's "Ask Me Now," Eldar is not demonstrating potential that hopefully will reach an artistic zenith; he has hit the ground running and the earth is shaking. ~ George Harris  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/eldar-eldar-djangirov-sony-classical-review-by-george-harris.php#.VB4ZlxawTP8
 

Personnel: Eldar: piano; John Patitucci: bass; Todd Strait: drums; Michael Brecker: tenor saxophone.

Eldar

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Steve Davis - For Real

Styles: Trombone Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:10
Size: 133,3 MB
Art: Front

(5:57)  1. For Real
(4:06)  2. Nicky D
(6:56)  3. Angie's Groove
(6:54)  4. Days Gone By
(4:25)  5. Big East
(7:15)  6. Blues On Blues
(6:16)  7. Tactics
(7:35)  8. I Found You
(8:41)  9. Daylight

Jazz Messengers-alum and sideman trombonist of choice Steve Davis makes his fourth Posi-Tone disc For Real yet another enjoyable collection of no-bullshit, genuine hard bop. Retaining Larry Willis (piano), Nat Reeves (bass) and Billy Williams (drums) from the dandy Gettin’ It Done of 2012, For Real pairs Davis with only one other horn this time, the tenor sax of Abraham Burton. Burton, whose sweet elongated notes lifts “Angie’s Groove,” fits in splendidly with Davis’ ’60s Blue Note soul-jazz vibe, the major reason I get a kick out of Davis’ records. True to that vibe, Davis himself is often remindful of the great Curtis Fuller, and he can burn (as on “Tactics”) and cool down (as on “Days Gone By”) as well as any ‘bone player alive today, in a rare class with Steve Turre and Michael Dease. This time, Davis went with a slate of all-originals, which, save for Willis’ “Blues On Blues” are self-penned. As before, Davis introduced tunes that could have been conceived fifty years ago and rarely conceived as well since then. Davis’ tunes have a flair for rhythm, too, from the “Sidewinder” boogaloo present on “For Real” to the festive Brazilian carnival groove of “Daylight.” Steve Davis has led another sturdy date that packs a lot of soul, plenty of acumen and tight ensemble playing. It’s all you can ask for from a straight-ahead date, and Davis does it with regularity. For real. ~ S. Victor Aaron  http://somethingelsereviews.com/2014/01/05/steve-davis-for-real-2014/

Personnel: Steve Davis (trombone); Abraham Burton (sax); Larry Willis (piano); Nat Reeves (bass); Billy Williams (drums)

For Real

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Donald Harrison - Nouveau Swing

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:08
Size: 149,7 MB
Art: Front

(5:34)  1. Nouveau Swing
(5:00)  2. Christopher Jr
(1:09)  3. South Side People
(6:39)  4. Dance Hall
(0:52)  5. Duck's Groove
(0:49)  6. Amazing Grace
(5:56)  7. Bob Marley
(5:08)  8. Come Back Jack
(6:12)  9. Little Flowers
(5:23) 10. Eighty-One
(6:37) 11. Sincerely Yours
(4:58) 12. Setembro
(3:27) 13. One Of A Kind
(7:17) 14. New Hope

On his Impulse! Records debut, Donald Harrison mixes his usual straight-ahead work with rhythmic elements from tropical climates. Albert Wonsey plays appropriate piano on all tracks, though Harrison employs two different rhythm sections, Christian McBride and Carl Allen for the more conventional tunes and Ruben Rogers and Dion Parson for the others. The others include "Bob Marley," twhich borrows its rhythmic feel from such later Marley songs as "Exodus"; "Little Flowers," which also has a Caribbean lilt; "Septembro," the requisite samba; and "Duck's Groove," the requisite New Orleans second-line number. The concept is slight and inconsistently applied, as if Harrison was looking for something distinctive, but not too challenging. As ever, he is a proficient alto player with a comfortable retro style. But one might have expected more from producer Tommy LiPuma, who is usually able to make things lively even if not impressive, and one certainly hoped for more from Harrison, who is too old to be a young turk yet still shows no signs of mature mastery. ~ William Ruhlmann  http://www.allmusic.com/album/nouveau-swing-mw0000020678

Personnel: Donald Harrison (soprano saxophone, alto saxophone); Anthony Wonsey (piano); Dion Parson, Carl Allen (drums).

Nouveau Swing

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Pippi Ardennia - Black Coffee / Love So Good2

Album: Black Coffee
Size: 101,5 MB
Time: 41:22
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2006
Styles: Jazz/Soul Vocals
Art: Front

01. I've Got A Lotta Livin' To Do (3:01)
02. All The Way (4:23)
03. Black Coffee (3:59)
04. Don't Get Around Much Anymore (4:19)
05. Fire And Rain (5:52)
06. Honeysuckle Rose (3:29)
07. I Can't Give You Anything But Love (3:24)
08. Our Day Will Come (4:35)
09. September In The Rain (3:12)
10. They Call It Stormy Monday (5:02)

The following testimonials are examples that demonstrate how Pippi is more than a singer, song writer & song stylist... “Thank you for the CD! WOW!!! You are an incredibly gifted musician. So, you actually gave me 2 gifts! Ha Ha! I was a little stressed when I started the CD, and by „Black Coffee? I was groovin? as I was cruisin? to get to my lunch date”... Gretchen. Another admirer says, “Her voice has been described as an instrument; another master has emerged, as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn and Dinah Washington.” Pippi is a natural entertainer, sultry at times, always powerful and exciting, but what sweeps you away is the electric and sensual emotion that emanates from her to you, telling a story in song like you’ve never heard before; a natural power in nature.

Pippi Ardennia…a Chicago native, singing since she was 13 years old, has performed at many of Chicago's most respected music and jazz clubs from the Burning Spear, High Chaparral, Capitol Theater, Redhead, Green Dolphin, Chicago Symphony Center, the Taste of Chicago, Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis, MN and on Chicago’s internationally famous Rush Street. She has appeared at Mr. Kelly’s, The Rosebud, The Backroom, and Chicago’s elite private Tavern Club. She has performed for such notables as President Clinton, Mayor Daley, Tony Bennett, Liza Minnelli and more. She’s been featured in commercials, on TV, and on numerous radio interviews.

Liza Minnelli said, “Pippi, you have a great voice, you?re great.” The great jazz trumpeter, Freddy Hubbard said, “People will know Pippi!” Ramsey Lewis said, “You know what you?re doing.”

“Ms. Ardennia's classy style puts her in the Major League of jazz vocalists. Her easy-going style and varied delivery does stand in comparison to the great jazz divas such as Ella Fitzgerald and Lena Horne.”--Ian Tiele, President, Brookfield Jazz Society.

Pippi’s ‘Black Coffee CD is a collection of jazz classics from the Great American Songbook which is hard to beat; “A monument to a magical musical era now long gone by.”---Allen Hall. After listening to Black Coffee, jazz lovers recognize the subtle, blended tones of Jazz eras most powerful Mistresses of Song that seem to channel through Pippi Ardennia’s style.

Black Coffee

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Album: Love So Good2
Size: 119,7 MB
Time: 51:17
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Jazz/Soul Vocals
Art: Front

01. Love So Good (4:00)
02. Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head (5:11)
03. Here's To Life (5:16)
04. Prelude To A Kiss (3:30)
05. Midnight At The Oasis (4:05)
06. Something (5:38)
07. My Favorite Things (4:02)
08. Blue Moon (4:12)
09. Tiny Dancer (5:13)
10. Here Comes The Sun (2:55)
11. Modern Day Blues (4:01)
12. Prelude To A Kiss (Fun) (3:08)

From the first track, you start to wonder, Anita Baker? Roberta Flack? Etta James? A shade of Aretha and a little Billie on the side? One look at this set list and you know you are in for a wildly joyous ride: From Burt Bacharach to Billy Strayhorn, from Rodgers & Hart to the Beatles, from Elton John to Rodgers & Hammerstein, from Shirley Horn to Maria Muldaur, the covers are as diverse as Pippi herself. And she also draws on her own creative resources for the sweetly engaging title track (written with Kenny Campbell) and the down and not quite dirty "Modern Day Blues", co-written with her remarkable PipJazz Experience band (Billy and Ricky Peterson, Peter Schimke, Glenn Swanson and more) and business partner Jack Scheetz. It's hard to single out one gemstone from a bagful of diamonds --a "Here's to Life" with the power of Shirley Horn and a touch of sass that is pure Pippi; a samba spin on "Midnight at the Oasis" that underscores Pippi's unerring sense of time; the stunning duet with bassist Billy Peterson that opens "Blue Moon." And then there's her elegant pairing with guest guitarist Paul Bollenback on "Prelude to a Kiss" that she reprises as a swinging "symphony" with just pianist Mary Louise Knutson on the final track. Pick any tune here -- Pippi exudes a commanding musical presence as readily in the studio as on the live stage, with that storyteller's art that can turn the most benign lyric into a Shakespearian masterpiece. Songs so good, performed so well, Pippi and her band "make you want to sang."

Love So Good2

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Avi Rothbard - Twin Song

Size: 112,1 MB

Time: 48:15

File: MP3 @ 320K/s

Released: 2005

Styles: Jazz: Cool Jazz

Art: Front

01. Preach's Inches (4:41)

02. Minor Impact (4:49)

03. Cheerleader (5:37)

04. Twin Song (4:54)

05. Triad (5:11)

06. Five Corners (8:19)

07. One And Nine (4:50)

08. The Password (4:36)

09. Just A Little Sip (5:15)

Twin Song, guitarist Avi Rothbard's second recording, is a funky, atmospheric exploration. Rothbard's group, which includes organist Jared Gold, drummer Joe Strasser and guest tenor saxophonist Wayne Escoffery (on three tracks), works as a tight unit, inviting the listener in on spirited musical conversations. The opening "Preach's Inches is a soulful, infectious groove that's hard not to dance along to; the subsequent up-tempo "Minor Impact really lets each musician burn. They slow things down with the ballad "Cheerleader. The title track is a swinging 6/8 workout.

Other highlights on the recording include "Five Corners, a moody 5/4 tune, and "The Password, a beautifully executed solo guitar piece. Rothbard's compositions are fully realized and clever, still retaining their emotional center. Strasser and Gold, who make a great rhythm section, are skilled in the art of listening. It is a joy to hear the interplay among the musicians. Overall, Twin Song is an excellent recording. ~by Karen Hogg

Personnel: Avi Rothbard: guitar: Jared Gold: bass; Joe Strasser: drums; Wayne Escoffery: saxophone.

Twin Song  

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Glenn Zottola - Clifford Brown Remembered

Size: 106,6 MB
Time: 45:28
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz: Trumpet Jazz
Art: Front

01. Yesterdays (3:02)
02. Laura (3:32)
03. What's New? (3:25)
04. Blue Moon (3:16)
05. Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man of Mine (3:46)
06. Embraceable You (3:05)
07. Willow Weep For Me (3:28)
08. Memories of You (3:35)
09. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (3:15)
10. Portrait of Jenny (3:27)
11. Where or When (3:26)
12. Stardust (3:28)
13. I Remember Clifford (4:36)

The trumpet is a cruel—yet loving—mistress. It can announce the slightest executional blemish, instantly betraying its player's most sincere efforts, while also allowing its lover to express every possible nuance and emotion. The greatest Masters of the instrument in jazz—Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Chet Baker and others—all could brilliantly deliver expressive emotion. Of those in the trumpet's pantheon, Clifford Brown, by virtue of his genius and enhanced by his mythology, stands out. Any attempt by a trumpeter to emulate Clifford would have all the risk of a tightrope walk across Niagara Falls.

With Clifford Brown Remembered, trumpeter Glenn Zottola takes up the Herculean task of playing tribute to Brownie in the most extraordinary manner. He's taken the classic Clifford Brown with Strings recording (EmArcy, 1955) and, deploying his own formidable talents, recreated the recording in a musical salute. And, he's done it marvelously.

The dozen selections (with an added cover of Dinah Washington's recording of Benny Golson's, threnody, "I Remember Clifford")—were originally drawn primarily from the GAS ("Yesterdays," "Embraceable You,""Stardust") and are performed here in the same sequence as the 1955 recording. Zottola, well-respected as a mainstream and swing performer, interprets the Brown ballad performances with reverence and interpretive artistry. His lush sound is warm and inviting, and nearly as resonant as his idol's. He possesses a fine vocalist's sense of phrasing and lyric savvy. While there may be understandable comparisons to the original, Zottola's ease of playing, technical and articulation skills, and superlative dynamic control make this recording shine.

Incredibly, in this recording, Zottola re-creates the legendary session performing it completely from memory, interpreting Clifford's playing by ear. The original string charts (by Neal Hefti) were transcribed by Mark Stallings and are superbly performed. Given that the original recording was done in 1955, the music's beauty withstands time's test and glows yet again.

Rarely does a performer rise to a level of excellence as that of the artist that he or she salutes. Zottola certainly comes close. Be that so, while Clifford Brown remains to this day, nearly 60 years after his tragic death, an influential voice in jazz trumpet, the adulation that is performed here is indeed apropos. Glenn Zottola portrays himself not only an adoring acolyte, but a superlative and sensitive trumpet artist in his own right. And, just as Brownie did, Zottola certainly speaks. ~by Nicholas F. Mondello

Clifford Brown Remembered

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Sans Elle - Beyond

Size: 100,0 MB
Time: 42:47
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz//Soul/Blues/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

01. Nothing Is Eternal (4:03)
02. If You Were Mine (Latin Version) - Latin Version (3:33)
03. Our Children's Skins (3:57)
04. Giving Love (2:49)
05. Naturally (3:29)
06. Better Life (5:03)
07. In Between (5:10)
08. Chercheurs D'or (4:32)
09. Tout Et Son Contraire (2:51)
10. Are You Just A Dream (3:53)
11. If You Were Mine (R'nbombay Mix) (3:23)

'A voice that reminds the warm shades & subtle sparkles of magnificent fabrics'
Félix Marciano (Jazz Mag, Jazzman)

For Sans Elle – litterally ‘Without Her’ - music is like a good book: pages follow one another but are not alike. Exposed early to Debussy & Gershwin just as much as Sting, James Taylor, Pat Metheny, Georges Benson, Stevie Wonder or Barbra Streisand, Sans Elle grew as a multidisciplinary artist (singing, piano, composition, arrangements), interfering with pop, electro-acoustic, soul or jazz music throughout the years. Her personal style has kept re-inventing itself since then & materializes today with Beyond: her debut album, entirely made of originals, produced & supported by her own label SAY YAY!

Sans Elle started studying classical music theory & classical piano at 5 for several years. Aged 12, she started singing as a self-trainer and composing nearly simultanesouly. At 17, she launches with her first band in Festival d'Angers. But her business studies in Lille take her away from her music for a while. Neverthless, she continued music investing herself into various local projects, notably being the lead voice of the very Motown Maddoc' band. This was the opportunity to give a series of shows in the region and at the prestigious Théâtre Sébastopol in Lille, to explore soul, rhythm 'n' blues and the repertoire of her beloved Stevie Wonder & Aretha Franklin.

Along her educational & professional experiences & trips, she met, formed relationships with & has been influenced by people from across the World. From then on this intercultural dimension has never stopped shaping her life & approach to music.

In late 2007, she self-produced 4 original tracks, of which 'Invisible' which she published on the internet. Her mesmerising voice & sense of melody soon attracted the attention of Havas & the French national railway company (SNCF), who decided a few months later to publish the track on the compilation Le Son du Transilien - 101,500 copies - & sponsor a series of gigs. Besides, she decided to go back to music full time performing on stage & studying jazz at IMEP, where she met many incredible musicians, some of whom right away came aboard her 2 projects: Sans Elle Pop Project & Sans Elle Jazz 'N Soul.

After 50 shows in France and abroad (Festival des Nuits acoustiques de Reims with Virgin Radio, Festival de St Germain en Laye, Casino Mondorf, Le Biplan, Le Pavillon Baltard, L’Entrepôt…), she took a break from live music with a promise made to herself: to come back only producing a jazz, soul & world album & setting up her own label.

That's now done with BEYOND, a debut album born by a brilliant voice & transcontinental grooves where jazz is infused with soul & blues also flirts with pop & classical sounds...

Beyond

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Mari Wilson - Emotional Glamour

Size: 89,4 MB
Time: 38:13
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2008
Styles: Pop
Art: Front

01. Have You Got What It Takes (3:42)
02. The It Girl (3:05)
03. The Loneliest Road (4:09)
04. Killing Time (4:03)
05. Hits And Misses (3:18)
06. Only Human (3:36)
07. Movin' In (3:31)
08. Me And My Baby (3:46)
09. Right For You (3:13)
10. Forever Young (3:13)
11. Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps (2:32)

The huge “Just What I’ve always wanted” and “Cry me a river” launched Mari into the limelight and years of touring. As well as pop Mari has performed on stage in many musicals, including the role of Dusty Springfield. She has also played with Stand Getz, BB King and Ray Charles, and has now become very well known on the jazz/cabaret circuit. The Neasden Queen of Soul, Miss Beehive, 80's Icon, Mari Wilson is still wowing audiences across the UK. She has released three critically acclaimed albums since 2006:- Dolled Up, The Platinum Collection (Mari’s Best Of) and her latest, Emotional Glamour, promoting all three with major UK tours with her band. "An enjoyable evening complete with the right amounts of irony, kitsch, coolness and witty repartee sprinkled over a killer songbook." Craig Astley, rememberthe80's.com "The evening encompassed a varied selection of songs from the albums Dolled Up, The Platinum Collection and her stunning new album, Emotional Glamour, all of which were beautifully arranged and magnificently delivered." Steve Burbidge uktheatre.net The huge “Just What I’ve always wanted” and “Cry me a river” launched Mari into the limelight and years of touring. As well as pop Mari has performed on stage in many musicals, including the role of Dusty Springfield. She has also played with Stand Getz, BB King and Ray Charles, and has now become very well known on the jazz/cabaret circuit.

Emotional Glamour

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Lou Donaldson - Gravy Train

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 54:37
Size: 125.1 MB
Styles: Bop, Saxophone jazz
Year: 1961/2007
Art: Front

[8:15] 1. Gravy Train
[5:33] 2. South Of The Border
[4:59] 3. Polka Dots And Moonbeams
[4:15] 4. Avalon
[9:18] 5. Candy
[6:48] 6. Twist Time
[4:04] 7. Glory Of Love
[7:31] 8. Gravy Train (Alternate Take)
[3:49] 9. Glory Of Love (Alternate Take)

Alongside the forward thinking post bop released on Blue Note in the early 1960s was a strain of funkier, simpler, and more blues-based jazz exemplified by the likes of organist Jimmy Smith and saxophonist Lou Donaldson. Donaldson's 1961 effort, GRAVY TRAIN, re-released in 2007 complete with Rudy Van Gelder remastering, is a strong example of the style. Donaldson takes on standards ("Polka Dots and Moonbeams") as well as originals, but infuses everything with a deep, bluesy flavor. The conga-driven groove of the title cut, and the Latin-tinged "South of the Border" are standouts.

Recorded at the Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey on April 27, 1961.

Lou Donaldson (alto saxophone); Lou Donaldson; Ben Tucker (bass guitar); Herman Foster (piano); Dave Bailey (drums); Alec Dorsey (congas). Audio Remasterer: Rudy Van Gelder. Liner Note Author: Bob Blumenthal. Recording information: The Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ (04/27/1961). Personnel: Lou Donaldson (alto saxophone); Herman Foster (piano); Ben Tucker (bass); Dave Bailey (drums); Alec Dorsey (congas).

Gravy Train

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Chihiro Yamanaka - Reminiscence

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 56:55
Size: 130.3 MB
Styles: Post bop, Piano jazz
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[4:46] 1. Rain, Rain And Rain
[4:23] 2. Soul Searchin
[5:19] 3. (They Long To Be) Close To You
[3:46] 4. Dead Meat
[4:59] 5. Ele E Ela
[8:01] 6. This Masquerade
[2:43] 7. She Did It Again
[4:09] 8. Medley: You've Got A Friend/Central Park West
[3:43] 9. La Samba Des Prophetes
[5:09] 10. Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You
[4:21] 11. Friday Night At The Cadillac Club
[5:31] 12. Sunny

Reminiscence is pianist Chihiro Yamanaka's second major-label U.S. release, following 2011's acclaimed Forever Begins. Yamanaka plays with two different trios on this date; one features her performing unit of bassist Yoshi Waki and drummer John Davis, while the other includes bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Bernard "Pretty" Purdie. Yamanaka plays acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes, and organ in an ambitious program that highlights jazz, pop, Latin, and Brazilian covers, and includes a lone original, the opener "Rain, Rain and Rain." Reminiscence stands in sharp contrast to Forever Begins, which was heavy on fiery bop and post-bop. By comparing their respective track lists, one might be tempted to think that this set is laid-back by comparison. In this case, appearances are deceiving. Check her reading of the Burt Bacharach nugget "(They Long to Be) Close to You," where she not only deconstructs the harmony but rebuilds it with an expansive new architecture and a syncopated Latin rhythmic pulse. While her reading of Horace Silver's funky Latin groover "Soul Searchin'" is relatively straight-ahead, her reliance on minor modes and a further nod to Bacharach in her chord fills extrapolate its essence while keeping the funky blues feel intact. Her version of Leon Russell's "This Masquerade" is not only elegant but wonderfully eloquent, with subtle chord voicings and shimmering shapes. Her solo turns the tune inside out without giving up its graceful, sensual center. Another surprise here is her nearly straight read of Marcos Valle's "Ele e Ela," full of nearly voice-like phrasing and a beautiful breezy spaciousness. Her organ on Bob Berg's "Friday Night at the Cadillac Club" reveals the composer's debt to Silver, and her organ playing is more John Patton than Jack McDuff, but still swings like mad. "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" alternates between nearly classical counterpoint and pointillism and funky Rhodes work, and near its end gets into some mind-bending production tricks. Ultimately, Reminiscence proves to American audiences (outside of New York, where she has been based for some time) what Japanese audiences have known for a long time: that Yamanaka is a fierce talent with robust chops, plenty of soul, and a seemingly endless imagination for the musical possibilities of the piano trio. ~Thom Jurek

Reminiscence

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Freddy Staff-Tony Osborne Jazz Band - Good Old Time Jazz

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 44:43
Size: 102.4 MB
Styles: Easy Listening
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[3:54] 1. Aveleda
[2:14] 2. Campari
[2:40] 3. Clear One
[3:14] 4. Fammi Un Favore
[3:47] 5. Glow Worm
[2:21] 6. Knock Three Times
[2:42] 7. Montparnasse
[2:13] 8. Thoroughly Modern Millie
[2:41] 9. Apple-Jack
[2:03] 10. Big Daddy
[2:08] 11. Caroline
[2:57] 12. Good Old Dixie
[2:44] 13. Sporting Life
[2:25] 14. Sussex Gardens
[3:36] 15. When Will The World Begin
[2:56] 16. When You Smile

Tracks 1-8 Freddy Staff; Tracks 9-16 Tony Osborne Jazz Band.

UK-born Osborne was nominal leader of a traditional jazz outfit whose ‘Saturday Jump’ was the opening and closing theme to the highly influential BBC Light Programme’s Saturday Club pop series on which they appeared regularly in the late 50s. By 1960, Osborne had enlisted additional musicians of such exacting calibre that the Tony Osborne Sound was hired frequently as all-purpose accompanists to visiting Americans such as Connie Francis, whose million-selling ‘Mama’ was recorded in Britain with them. Signed to HMV, the orchestra spent a week in the Top 50 in February 1961 under their own name with the film tune, ‘Man From Madrid’. Twelve years later, they notched up a fractionally less minor UK hit - on the Philips label - with ‘The Shepherd’s Song’, featuring vocalist Joanne Brown. Osborne’s son Gary has composed numerous songs, most notably with Elton John. ~bio from AMG

The Manhattan Swing Band is a tribute to the swing era. Freddy Staff's 55 years experience in the profession has made him a recognised name with fans and musicians alike. He is a leading authority on the interpretation of big band music.

Good Old Time Jazz

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Scott Hamilton - Meets Jesper Thilo

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:16
Size: 131,2 MB
Art: Front

( 6:07)  1. Blue Lou
(10:01)  2. Good Bait
( 8:21)  3. Just Friends
( 9:18)  4. Blue Monk
( 4:40)  5. Bernie's Tune
( 9:57)  6. Body And Soul
( 8:49)  7. Blues Up And Down

The pairing of Scott Hamilton with veteran Danish tenor saxophonist, Jesper Thilo in Stunt Records newest release of the CD “Scott Hamilton meets Jesper Thilo” is as it says in the liner notes “not a tenor battle”. It goes beyond the concept of battle.  It’s a meeting of two friends who happen to be two of the finest tenor saxophonists on the scene backed by a great rhythm section. This CD brings freshness to a familiar medium that we have all come to love. This is a nice follow up to the CD Scott Hamilton Scandinavian Five Live at Nefertiti. Don’t hesitate to pick this one up while it’s still hot off the press!  http://www.jazzmessengers.com/en/8915/scott-hamilton/scott-hamilton-meets-jesper-thilo

Personnel: Jesper Thilo (tenor saxophone); Scott Hamilton (tenor saxophone); Soren Kristiansen (piano); Kristian Leth (drums).

Meets Jesper Thilo

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Dr. John - Ske-Dat-De-Dat: The Spirit of Satch

Styles: New Orleans Blues-Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:31
Size: 134,3 MB
Art: Front

(4:10)  1. What A Wonderful World
(6:13)  2. Mack The Knife
(4:51)  3. Tight Like This
(4:04)  4. I've Got The World On A String
(2:47)  5. Gut Bucket Blues
(4:45)  6. Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child
(3:55)  7. That's My Home
(4:36)  8. Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen
(6:36)  9. Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams
(4:27) 10. Dippermouth Blues
(4:18) 11. Sweet Hunk O'Trash
(5:02) 12. Memories Of You
(2:41) 13. When You're Smiling (The Whole World Smiles With You)

New Orleans piano man Dr. John needs little introduction his work as a groundbreaking genre-bending musician crosses multiple musical borders. Multiple collaborations with various artists throughout a long career have given him a well-deserved reputation that earned him a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame even though he is a New Orleans boogie man at heart. His amazing tribute to the music of fellow Louisiana son Louis Armstrong features musicians from various backgrounds. The disc begins with a zydeco take on the classic "What a Wonderful World," presented miles away from Satchmo's classic ballad. 

The tune features the Blind Boys of Alabama and writer and trumpeter Nicholas Payton, who adds a funky solo the proceedings. Though most of the songs keep things close to the bandleader's hometown of New Orleans, some of them do go to a different direction. Take for example "Motherless Child," which features a neo-soul arrangement with vocals by Anthony Hamilton. The subtle arrangement is the perfect environment for Dr. John's piano improvisations. "Nobody Knows The Troubles I've Seen" is given a Gospel treatment with a complete choir led by the voice of Ledisi, while "Sweet Hunk O' Trash" is played as a lovely reggae-meets blues arrangement. ~ Ernest Barteldes  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/ske-dat-de-dat-the-spirit-of-satch-dr-john-concord-music-group-review-by-ernest-barteldes.php#.VB2bPhawTP8

Personnel: Dr. Johm: piano and vocals; Bonnie Raitt: vocals; Anthony Hamilton: vocals; Ledisi: vocals, Arturo Sandoval: trumpet; Nicholas Payton: trumpet; Dirty Dozen Brass Band: various brass; Terence Blanchard: trumpet; Blind Boys Of Alabama: various instruments; McCrary Sisters: vocals; Shemekia Copeland: vocals; Wendell Brunious: trumpet;James "12" Andrews: trumpet; Mike Ladd: raps; Telmary: raps

Ske-Dat-De-Dat: The Spirit of Satch

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Don Redman & His Orchestra - All The Swing Cats Ball

Styles: Clarinet And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 77:37
Size: 180,0 MB
Art: Front

(3:11)  1. Park Avenue Patter
(2:33)  2. Seedless Grapefruit
(2:39)  3. Last Night In Town
(2:18)  4. To The River
(2:31)  5. Ballad 'N Bounce
(2:26)  6. Dreamy Melody
(2:39)  7. Desert Dance
(2:37)  8. Chevy's Chase
(2:04)  9. Christmas In The Valley
(2:52) 10. Donnybrook
(3:51) 11. Ain't Gonna Get Fooled Again
(2:10) 12. Good Boog Di Goodie
(1:18) 13. Voodoo
(2:50) 14. At The Swing Cats Ball
(2:34) 15. My Dream Of Yesterday
(2:18) 16. Fall Leaves
(2:37) 17. Waiting On The Corner
(2:34) 18. Peetni Petite
(2:21) 19. Free And Easy
(2:55) 20. Coffee Light
(3:06) 21. The Black Cat
(2:24) 22. Echoing
(3:13) 23. Black Velvet
(1:49) 24. I Dream Of Summer
(2:37) 25. Ballade De Ballet
(2:24) 26. My Confectionary Baby
(2:53) 27. My Girl Friday
(2:24) 28. Looney
(2:51) 29. The Blame's On You
(2:25) 30. Penthouse Alley

Don Redman has been one of the most influential people in the development of swing and the proliferation of big band jazz during the 20's and 30's. He actually was the first musician in jazz's history to write complex arrangements for big orchestras. The music in this CD is a compilation of two sessions recorded in New York in 1957. The first one has many songs composed by Don Redman. The formation playing is variable but well balanced and includes great musicians as Joe Wilder, Seldon Powell and Coleman Hawkins who leaves his unique style. For the next session, Redman gathered a true big band. This time he had the collaboration of a few composers, most of them little known, taking care himself of all arrangements and also participating as a musician. We can hear again Coleman Hawkins, Joe Wilder and Seldon Powell joined by Charlie Shavers and Al Cohn. 30 tracks. Fresh Sounds. 2005. ~ Editorial Reviews  

http://www.amazon.com/Swing-Redman-Orchestra-Coleman-Hawkins/dp/B000B7M8UW

All The Swing Cats Ball

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