Kenny Burrell - Midnight In Detroit

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 48:23
Size: 110.8 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[ 4:46] 1. Close Your Eyes
[ 6:17] 2. All Of You
[ 6:45] 3. Boo-Lu
[ 8:16] 4. Don't Cry Baby
[ 5:43] 5. Autumn In New York
[ 6:09] 6. Flickers
[10:24] 7. Body And Soul

Kenny Burrell (1931) began his musical career in Detroit while a student at Wayne State University. He was a well-established player on the Detroit jazz scene when he made his professional recording debut with Dizzy Gillespie on Tin Tin Daeo and Birk’s Works in 1951. After his graduation from Wayne State in 1955, he made his way to New York. There he found a high demand for his guitar as both a session player and as a leader. During 1956 he played on recordings by Frank Foster, Frank Wess, Thad Jones, Tommy Flanagan and others. 1956 culminated for Kenny Burrell when he recorded Introducing Kenny Burrell and All Night Long and All Day Long with Donald Byrd. A succession of high profile recordings followed with leaders like John Coltrane, Paul Chambers and Kenny Clarke.

Today, Kenny Burrell continues to influence the jazz guitar community and further the value of jazz guitar. He performs and records on a regular basis and he continues to teach. He holds a BA in Music from Wayne State University, an honorary doctorate from William Paterson College and he is Professor of Guitar, Jazz Program Director at UCLA. He is co-founder and president emeritus of the Jazz Heritage Foundation, a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, and a member of the American Guild of Authors and Composers.

In addition, Kenny Burrell remains one of the most popular and respected jazz guitarists ever.

Midnight In Detroit

---

Gabor Szabo - His Great Hits

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 81:02
Size: 185.5 MB
Styles: Post bop, Crossover jazz
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[ 5:05] 1. Sophisticated Wheels
[ 4:43] 2. Simpatico
[ 5:27] 3. My Foolish Heart
[ 3:02] 4. Twelve-Thirty (Girls Are Coming To The Canyon)
[ 3:10] 5. Krishna
[ 4:24] 6. Mountain Heir
[ 7:01] 7. Gypsy '66 (Lady Gábor)
[ 3:14] 8. Evil Eye
[ 3:21] 9. If I Fell
[ 2:15] 10. Spring Song
[11:01] 11. Lady Gábor
[ 5:21] 12. People
[ 2:07] 13. Search For Nirvana
[ 2:29] 14. White Rabbit
[ 4:38] 15. El Toro
[ 2:54] 16. Yearning
[ 6:37] 17. Space
[ 4:04] 18. Spellbinder

To date, this is easily the best Gabor Szabo sampler ever issued because it thoroughly sums up exactly five years of extraordinary creative curiosity on two LPs. Once Szabo had left the Chico Hamilton band -- though not leaving him entirely behind -- he got caught up in the whole 1960s idea of restless, eclectic experimentation. Yet Szabo fit in brilliantly; his unique tone and attacks gave everything he touched a signature sound, and his yen for hypnotic incantatory improvisations rooted in Hungarian folk music was made to order for the wave of Indian influences that swept the Western music scene then. There is Indian-tinged music here -- Szabo's overdubbed sitar playing may have been technically crude, but it added appealingly off-kilter microtones to his blues jams -- as well as small-combo jazz, big band stuff, Latin grooves, and show and rock tunes. The innovative Gary McFarland often turns up with intriguing big band charts or vibraphone work, presaging their later collaborations on McFarland's Skye label. Szabo the composer is amply represented by superb tunes like the lovely "Spring Song" and the Latin-accented "Evil Eye." The mysterious "Lady Gabor" turns up twice -- once with McFarland and the second time in a lengthy flashback to the Hamilton band of 1962. There were failures, like the hokey TV commercial-like version of John Phillips' "Twelve-Thirty," but it is more noteworthy that so many of these experiments worked. Given the shockingly bare state of Szabo's catalog, GRP ought to lift this entire collection of tracks for a CD reissue. ~Richard S. Ginnell

His Great Hits

---

Ann Malcolm - Shadows Who Dance

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 66:27
Size: 152.1 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[3:18] 1. Isfahan
[7:47] 2. Out Of This World
[7:21] 3. Secret
[4:23] 4. I'm Into You (Dig)
[7:09] 5. Last Tango In Paris
[3:39] 6. Theme From Concierto De Aranjuez
[6:20] 7. Sea Journey
[5:15] 8. April In Paris
[5:11] 9. Bruno's Dance
[7:33] 10. A Timeless Place (The Peacocks)
[4:14] 11. I Am The Walrus
[4:11] 12. Holnap, Ki Tudja, Holnap

The American singer Ann Malcolm’s musical journey began in her home state of Iowa where she was born and raised in the small town of Belle Plaine. She began piano at the age of four, listening nearly daily to her grandmother who had been a pianist for silent movies. After adding the saxophone at age ten, Ann says, "I knew very young that I wanted to be a musician. In Iowa Ann had many opportunities to build up a strong musical foundation. During the high school years Ann played organ every Sunday in the Congregational Church next to an intensive schedule of music contests and master classes on the saxophone. Ann received the Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Iowa and it was in Iowa City she had her first engagements as a jazz singer. Ann received the Master of Music degree (saxophone performance) at New England Conservatory of Music in Boston with the highly respected professor, Joe Allard. At the same time, she continued singing with New York guitarist, Paul Meyers ( guitarist with vocalist Andy Bey, Annie Ross, Janis Siegel among many others). Her studies in Boston included vocal workshops with Sheila Jordan and lessons in New York with Helen Merrill. At New England Conservatory she also was involved in the Third Stream Department, created by Gunther Schuller, including classes with pianist Ran Blake. She was often sought out by fellow musicians who appreciated her excellent time, intonation and sense of musical line. Ann proved to be an exciting and expressive vocalist at the Charles Mingus Memorial Concert.

The CD, “Shadows Who Dance”, recorded by Daniel Dettwiler ( “Idee und Klang”, Basel ) at Radio DRS, Zürich was released in November 2007 on Mons Records, Germany. The rhythm section is Colin Vallon,piano; Bänz Oester,bass; and Dejan Terzic,drums and includes creative sound design by Hannes Kumke. Ann’s abilities as a lyricist are again evident on lyrics to Sascha Schönhaus’s “Bruno’s Dance” and “I’m Into You” ( “Dig”) by Miles Davis. This quartet toured in Switzerland 2006-2009.

Shadows Who Dance

---

The Modernaires - The Modernaires Swing

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 41:01
Size: 93.9 MB
Styles: Harmony vocal group
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[2:33] 1. Hi Diddlee I Di
[2:17] 2. Goody Goody
[2:11] 3. I'm Late
[2:40] 4. Wake The Place
[2:06] 5. He Who Has Love
[2:18] 6. That's You That's Me That's Love
[2:18] 7. The Dipsy Doodle
[2:43] 8. Put Some Money In The Juke Box
[2:24] 9. Rock A Bye Boogie
[2:23] 10. The Milkman's Matinee
[3:20] 11. April In Paris
[2:51] 12. Alice In Wonderland
[2:30] 13. Alright Okay You Win
[2:45] 14. Ain't She Sweet
[2:35] 15. Ask For Joe
[2:59] 16. East Of The Sun

Playing an important part of the big band swing era of the '40s, The Modernaires remained together after the era ended. Accompanied by a variety of studio big bands and wisely eschewing the pop music of that decade, they stick with the style and the music which made them one of the most popular vocal groups during the heyday of swing, getting their start with Charlie Barnet followed by a long tenure with Glenn Miller. This album features the basic quintet of Hal Dickinson, Fran Scott, Johnny Drake, Alan Copeland, who was replaced later by Dick Cathcart, and the very good Paula Kelly, augmented from time to time from friends from the past.

The selections making up the play list and the arrangements don't stray far from the upbeat swinging formula that was used so successfully in the past, a formula which continues to attract to this day.

The Modernaires Swing

---

Roseanna Vitro - Catchin' Some Rays: The Music of Ray Charles

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:01
Size: 140,5 MB
Art: Front + Back

(5:27)  1. Unchain My Heart
(5:22)  2. Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin'
(4:40)  3. One Mint Julip
(6:28)  4. Night time Is The Right Time / But, On the Other Hand
(6:17)  5. Them That's Got
(4:41)  6. I Don't Need No Doctor
(5:16)  7. Tell Me You'll Wait For Me
(4:09)  8. Sticks and Stones
(5:25)  9. The Danger Zone
(3:05) 10. Roll With My Baby
(3:44) 11. Lonely Avenue
(6:22) 12. You Don't Know Me / Ruby

Roseanna Vitro is a very talented and versatile singer, as she proves throughout this highly enjoyable set. Vitro performs 14 songs (including a pair of two-song medleys) associated with Ray Charles. Although jazz has long been only a small part of Charles' music, the tunes are transformed into swinging and soulful jazz by Vitro. The instrumentation changes throughout the date, but often features pianist Ken Werner (who duets with the singer on a medley of "You Don't Know Me" and "Ruby"), trumpeter Eddie Henderson, and tenorman David "Fathead" Newman, among others; some of the songs utilize a larger than usual band. Highlights include "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin'," a swinging "One Mint Julep," "I Don't Need No Doctor" and "Lonely Avenue." Thankfully, Roseanna Vitro avoids many of Brother Ray's best-known hits (including "Georgia On My Mind") in favor of songs better suited to her style and to this setting. A continually interesting set. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/catchin-some-rays-the-music-of-ray-charles-mw0000027836

Catchin' Some Rays: The Music of Ray Charles

---

Scott Lafaro - Pieces Of Jade

Styles: Straight-ahead/Mainstream
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 73:29
Size: 168,5 MB
Art: Front

( 6:15)  1. I Hear A Rhapsody
( 6:09)  2. Sacre Bléu (Take 1)
( 6:34)  3. Green Dolphin Street
( 6:15)  4. Sacre Bléu (Take 2)
( 5:35)  5. Woody'n You
(22:41)  6. My Foolish Heart (Rehearsal Tape:  Bill Evans & Scott LaFaro - 1960)
(13:35)  7. Interview with Bill Evans by George Klabin 1966
( 6:22)  8. Memories for Scotty

Bassist Scott LaFaro was killed in an auto accident in 1961 at only 25, cutting off a career in which he was destined for greatness. Before his death he had already made a name for himself in pianist Bill Evans' groundbreaking trio, which also included drummer Paul Motian. This group was immortalized by its 1961 recording at Village Vanguard, Sunday at The Village Vanguard and Waltz for Debbie, both released by Riverside the same year. These live dates set the standard for piano trios; the playing melding seamlessly, with each player given ample opportunity to stand out on his own. Here, Pieces of Jade features material previous lyun available.

Five selections were recorded in New York City in 1961, showcasing LaFaro with pianist Don Friedmanand drummer Pete LaRoca. As a bonus, the CD offers a 22-minute recording from an extended 1960 practice session with LaFaro and Evans, as they put together their famous version of "My Foolish Heart." Included, as well, is a 13-minute 1966 interview with Evans reflecting on LaFaro, his life and talent. The play list consists of a mix of standards, along with two takes of an original by Friedman. The program finishes with Friedman's moving solo piece, "Memories for Scotty," recorded in 1985. The greatness of LaFaro is reestablished here as he once more excels in the trio format. In this context, it's possible to further appreciate LaFaro's improvisational skill and full bass sound, as he rhythmically marches through Friedman's "Sacre Bleu" and frames his buoyant solo on "Green Dolphin Street." The pleasant surprise of this record is Friedman. 

Always an under-appreciated musician, he still plays today. In this early effort his sparkling genius is apparent throughout. Certainly influenced by Evans, Friedman also shows a pleasant penchant for Red Garland's block chords as in "Sacre Bleu." His lightning pace is on display particularly as he trades fours with LaRoca in Dizzy Gillespie's "Woody'n You." The rehearsal session tape with Evans is certainly interesting, but marred by garbled sound. More enlightening is the Evans interview with George Klabin, with Evans analyzing what made LaFaro's playing so unique. One thing Evans says is that he had to advise LaFaro to control himself, to hold back. He was trying to say too much as he improvised. This is indeed ironic. In his short life, he had so much to say, it's very fortunate to have another recording to add to his legacy. ~ Larry Taylor  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/pieces-of-jade-scott-lafaro-resonance-records-review-by-larry-taylor.php#.VEBQpBawTP8
 

Personnel: Don Friedman: piano; Scott LaFaro: bass; Pete LaRoca: drums.

Pieces Of Jade

---

Havana Swing - Django's Discovery

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 89:05
Size: 203.9 MB
Styles: Gypsy jazz, Swing
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[3:57] 1. Lulu Swing
[3:26] 2. Hotel Du Palais
[3:39] 3. Les Feuilles Mortes
[3:41] 4. What Is This Thing Called Love
[4:23] 5. Bossa Dorado
[3:45] 6. I'll Be Your Baby Tonight
[3:28] 7. Belleville
[3:00] 8. Crazy
[3:21] 9. Minor Swing
[3:08] 10. Montagne Ste Genevieve
[3:41] 11. Dinette
[3:52] 12. Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen
[3:54] 13. Swing 48
[3:34] 14. Coquette
[3:18] 15. J'attendrai
[3:30] 16. Topsy
[3:11] 17. Nuages
[3:29] 18. Little Girl
[3:27] 19. I'll See You In My Dreams
[2:47] 20. Gypseattle
[3:12] 21. Harlem Nocturne
[4:14] 22. After You've Gone
[4:19] 23. Route 66
[3:23] 24. China Boy
[3:14] 25. It Don't Mean A Thing (If You Ain't Got That Swing)

HS are inspired by the Hot Club de France, Django Reinhardt’s fabulous quintet of the post war jazz scene in the French capital, and Havana have gone to great lengths to emulate the sound and feel of this timeless music.

Havana Swing Band comprises five musicians from Scotland who share the passion for playing swing music and jazz structured tunes from Django Reinhardt to Latin - coupled with a large number of their own swing compositions

Havana Swing are: Walt Smith (clarinet) Ashley Malcolm (lead guitar) Calum McKenzie (double bass, vocals) Dave Rattray (lead guitar)

Django's Discovery

---

Jill Barber - Fool's Gold

Bitrate: 320K/s

Time: 31:26

Size: 72.0 MB

Styles: Easy Listening, Country/jazz vocals

Year: 2014

Art: Front

[3:04] 1. Broken For Good

[4:01] 2. The Least That She Deserves

[3:13] 3. Let's Call It Love

[3:40] 4. The Careless One

[2:49] 5. If Only In My Mind

[3:41] 6. To The Last

[3:10] 7. Lucky In Love

[2:33] 8. Darlin' It Was You

[2:39] 9. Only You

[2:32] 10. If You're Going To Break My Heart

Jill's distinct, evocative voice soars over songs inspired by doo-wop rhythms and country ballads, evoking feelings of a bygone era: “I can’t help but feel nostalgic for other eras of music. When I listen to Etta James, or Ray Charles or Carole King, I feel almost intoxicated. It stirs something in me. When I write my own music, my greatest hope is that it ends up becoming the perfect soundtrack to some great romance, or at the very least a great cocktail party.”

Jill's songs have always set a romantic mood, and on Fool's Gold, the romance is still very much alive, but she also introduces a new sexy Motown-inspired sound on the lead single “Broken for Good.” “What I love about Motown is that it knows exactly how to deliver a message: with a strong backbeat, punctuated by horns, a driving bass line and an immediate pop appeal. It will ultimately get inside your soul but first it'll just make you want to move your body.”

Fool's Gold

---

Howard McGhee - Maggie's Back In Town

Bitrate: 320K/s

Time: 42:36

Size: 97.5 MB

Styles: Bop, Trumpet jazz

Year: 1961/2011

Art: Front

[ 7:49] 1. Demon Chase

[ 4:22] 2. Willow Weep For Me

[ 3:14] 3. Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise

[ 5:13] 4. Sunset Eyes

[10:39] 5. Maggie's Back In Town

[ 3:12] 6. Summertime

[ 8:03] 7. Brownie Speaks

Trumpeter Howard McGhee, after spending much of the 1950s only partly active in music (due to drug problems), made a full-fledged comeback in the early '60s only to find his bop-oriented music out of fashion. This Contemporary set (reissued on CD in the OJC series) was McGhee's finest recording of the period, a quartet outing with brilliant pianist Phineas Newborn, bassist Leroy Vinnegar, and drummer Shelly Manne. Although tenor saxophonist Teddy Edwards is not on the date, two of his compositions (his famous "Sunset Eyes" and a tribute to the trumpeter, "Maggie's Back in Town") are fully explored by the quartet. Other titles include three standards plus McGhee's original blues "Demon Chase." This CD is a perfect starting point for listeners not familiar with the underrated (and often overlooked) Howard McGhee. ~Scott Yanow

Maggie's Back In Town

---

Jeff Berlin - Aneurythms

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 65:28
Size: 149.9 MB
Styles: Fusion, Progressive rock
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[6:20] 1. Porky & Beans
[6:34] 2. Copland
[7:52] 3. Saab Story
[5:38] 4. Ars Longa Vita Brevis
[7:07] 5. Miss Management
[7:12] 6. Justibofidus
[6:10] 7. A Mark You Remade
[7:00] 8. Lapp Dance
[6:47] 9. Don't Be Happy! Worry!
[4:43] 10. Auntie Social

He's only released a handful of albums under his own name over the past thirty years, but bassist Jeff Berlin remains a singularly distinctive electric bassist. That he's chosen to spend as much time as an educator at the self-started Players School of Music in Florida as he has performing and recording just means that he's as big a believer in nurturing others as he is in self-promotion. Still, with chops to burn, an instantly recognizable tone and encyclopedic musical knowledge, it's a mystery why he's not better known outside fusion and progressive rock circles.

Aneurythms could be considered a fusion record, but that would be selling it short. Not that there's anything wrong with fusion, but Berlin demonstrates a much broader reach. The record has no shortage of virtuoso playing from Berlin, but it's a more democratic effort than Lumpy Jazz (M.A.J., 2004), where the bassist was almost always front and center. Here pianist Richard Drexler (back from Lumpy Jazz), keyboardist Otmaro Ruiz and guitarist Gannin Arnold get plenty of space, while producer Brian Bromberg occasionally anchors the proceedings on acoustic bass, leaving Berlin free to play a more dominant role.

The music ranges from the up-tempo funk of "Porky & Beans" which, with its lengthy and idiosyncratic head, could easily have fit into the Bruford repertoire of the mid-to-late 1970s, to the more lyrical and Midwestern vibe of "Copland." "Ars Longa Vita Brevis" is a piece of modernized classical counterpoint, while "Miss Management" mines Latin territory and demonstrates Berlin's comfort at navigating more jazz-centric changes. Berlin's dense but appealing tone works throughout, whether it's up front or holding down the groove with drummer Vinnie Colaiuta. "Justibofidus" is a fiery fusion burner that features Arnold—a guitarist whose general association with smooth jazz artists belies an unexpected energy and facility. His solos reference Scott Henderson but he's no mere clone. Given that anyone familiar with Berlin will not be surprised by the bassist's fine work here, Arnold is the real surprise of Aneurythms—a guitarist from whom more, we can hope, will be heard. "A Mark You Remade" references the famous Weather Report tune "A Remark You Made" and bassist Jaco Pastorius' innate melodism, but it's tribute, not imitation. "Don't Be Happy! Worry!" manages to swing and be funky at the same time, and is another showcase for Berlin's remarkable ability to wind his way through more complicated constructs.

Lumpy Jazz was an album that you had to love bass to enjoy. While there's no shortage of bottom end dominance on Aneurythms, its greater equity means it will appeal to a broader audience—and not just fusion fans. Berlin is a player/writer who comfortably straddles the line between more raucously energetic and gentler, more elegant music that, with a wider frame of reference, proves you can please all of the people all of the time. ~John Kelman

Jeff Berlin: electric bass; Richard Drexler: piano; Otmaro Ruiz: synthesizers, piano solo; Gannin Arnold: guitars; Brian Bromberg: acoustic bass; Vinnie Colaiuta: drums.

Aneurythms

---

Lisa Maxwell - Return to Jazz Standards

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:37
Size: 86,3 MB
Art: Front

(1:55)  1. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
(4:50)  2. Meditation
(3:10)  3. Lazy Afternoon
(3:06)  4. I Hadn't Anyone Till You
(2:50)  5. Love Dance
(3:48)  6. Call Me
(3:26)  7. The Shadow of Your Smile
(5:18)  8. Isn't it a Pity
(3:29)  9. What are You Doing New Years Eve?
(2:19) 10. My Romance
(3:22) 11. Moonlight Savings Time

Expect to hear a perpetually youthful, crystal clean sound combined with a relaxed sexy style in this beautiful array of American standards. You will not tire listening to any of these songs delivered with simple, bare naked honesty. More...http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/lisamaxwell11

Return to Jazz Standards

---

Judy Niemack With Cedar Walton Trio - Blue Pop

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 1988
File: MP3@256K/s
Time: 64:04
Size: 118,0 MB
Art: Front

(5:26)  1. Bolivia
(5:38)  2. Gentle Rain
(4:31)  3. Gee Baby
(3:48)  4. Softly As In A Morning Sunrise
(2:59)  5. Dizzy Atmosphere
(4:26)  6. Parker's Mood
(3:50)  7. Wheelers And Dealers
(5:06)  8. Born To Be Blue
(2:52)  9. Love For Sale
(5:51) 10. Moanin'
(4:43) 11. Lover Man
(6:08) 12. Angel Eyes
(3:02) 13. The More I See You
(5:37) 14. You Are My Thrill

One does not usually encounter such songs as Cedar Walton's "Bolivia," "Dizzy Atmosphere" and "Moanin'" on vocal albums, but Judy Niemack has always been a very instrumental-oriented jazz singer. Whether scatting, stretching out words, or singing unexpected notes, Niemack (who should be much better-known) is consistently brilliant on this CD from the French Freelance label. She is assisted by Walton, bassist Ray Drummond, drummer Joey Baron and (on three of the 14 numbers) trombonist Curtis Fuller throughout the consistently swinging and often adventurous set. Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/blue-bop-mw0000367856

Blue Pop

---

Davina & The Vagabonds - Live @ The Times

Styles: New Orleans Jazz
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 80:17
Size: 184,5 MB
Art: Front

(0:43)  1. Intro
(3:25)  2. Knock Me a Kiss
(2:44)  3. Pushpin
(2:29)  4. Muddy Water
(4:51)  5. Death
(3:01)  6. This Little Light of Mine
(2:48)  7. Daydream
(3:11)  8. Big Fish
(4:08)  9. Monday Date
(2:39) 10. The Clock
(3:28) 11. Watching the River Flow
(4:50) 12. St Michael vs the Devil
(4:46) 13. Love
(2:11) 14. Hate
(2:34) 15. No Buts, No Maybes
(5:19) 16. Dream A Little Dream Of Me
(3:13) 17. Put A Lid On It
(3:04) 18. I'm Gonna Be A Wheel Someday
(4:12) 19. Honey Pie
(7:14) 20. St. James Infirmary
(3:00) 21. Back To Memphis
(3:22) 22. Under Lock And Key
(0:26) 23. Mpls In February
(2:29) 24. Finally Home

Davina and The Vagabonds are known in The Twin Cities, Minnesota as being the busiest band in town because of their hard-working professionalism, high energy stage performance, and original sound.

DATV average over 300 performance dates a year, trying to share their music with the world.

Awards : "Road To Memphis MN" 2009, King of Beale Street 2009, and International Songwriting Competition Finalist 2010.

Shared the stage with : Pinetop Perkins, Aaron Neville, Gary Moore, 10 Years After, The Mannish Boys, Robert Cray, Los Lonely Boys, Scottie "Bones" Miller, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith,Ana Popovic, Booker T and The MGs, Bobby Rush, Irma Thomas, James Hunter, Bobbie Blue Bland, Willie Big Eyes Smith, and many others. Davina and The Vagabonds are proud to have just signed with Award Winning Talent Agency, Piedmont Talent.  More...http://www.davinaandthevagabonds.com/meetdatv.html

"Hardest -working Blues woman in Minnesota, but......two things remain consistent at all her shows, though: her throaty but cushiony voice, which has a sort of hard-mattress comfort to it that's part Bonnie Raitt, Etta James and a little Amy Winehouse, and her band's rollicking New Orleans flavor, driven home by dueling horn players and a bayou-thick standup bass”
-Chris Rimenschneider, Star Tribune 2010

"At first listen to Davina and the Vagabonds, you imagine the tones escaping from a 300-pound blues musician. It seems unlikely that much power is coming from the slight frame of one Ms. Davina. It sounds like an unnatural force, pulled from some secret spot in the belly no other singer has yet discovered. It's a low bellow, most closely aligned with Amy Winehouse's walloping alto. But Davina takes "retro" back further than Winehouse and her Phil Spector reminiscing. She beckons an age when bad girls wore red lipstick and pin curls. Her music may be adorned with exceptional groaning trumpets, rat-a-tatting drum rolls, and staccato piano lines, but nothing deserves the complementing position to her voice. She’s in a league of her own." ~ Erin Roof, City Pages 2009

"Davina and The Vagabonds are based out of the Twin Cities and play hot jazz-blues-cabaret-soul-lounge-rock that warms the soul an just plain makes ya wanna dance." ~ John Hammer,Blue Monday

"When I listen to her sing all I can say is “Fun, fun, fun” ~ Diana Skope, Skope Entertainment 2010

"..this girl is something special and her band is top notch..she just simply sits down at the piano and totally takes over the room." ~ Fizz Kizer,The Honkytonk Cafe 2011

Live @ The Times

---

Ron Levy's Wild Kingdom - After Midnight Grooves

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2004
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:58
Size: 126,2 MB
Art: Front

( 8:37)  1. After Midnight Groove
( 7:40)  2. Groovin' Wichu
( 7:55)  3. Just The Way It Went
( 5:55)  4. Like Back In The Day
( 6:12)  5. Slinky
( 8:09)  6. Keepin' Up The Love
(10:28)  7. Back At The Levshack

As the name promises, After Midnight Grooves brings the listener to the slinky, mysterious side of night those wee hours turning to dawn, when people shuffle their way home to an empty apartment. Groovin’ Wichu picks up tempo as Levy shows out on the B-3 with a funky groove, accompanied by an upbeat percussion and Melvin Sparks getting some good licks on guitar. Karl Denson’s smooth sax takes Just The Way It Went, into a sexy realm as he squeezes those peak notes to the max. Ron Levy provides an extra dimension on strings and vibes. Another taste of funky soul beat. Sparks does some fancy fretting, providing a spirited run across the strings. 

Jeff Lockhart takes over on guitar during Like Back In The Day and Keepin’ Up the Love, while Levy plays all the right notes on his B-3, extending himself to the inth. Hot piano rolls backed with vibes and a smooth drum beat, interspersed with a rockin’ organ, make Slinky a cool, funky tune. Getting’ down, having a real good time is what Slinky is all about. Back At The Levshackleads with Adrome ‘Acidman’ Machine blowing a soft, clean trumpet until Levy steps in with a smooth keyboard, doing a few riffs before he gets down on piano. From there, Levshack keeps it on the down-low, fine tuned and oh, so groovy with an extended play, keeping the mood flowing. http://www.jazzreview.com/cd-reviews/soul-/-funk-jazz-cd-reviews/after-midnight-grooves-by-ron-levy-s-wild-kingdom.html

Personnel: Ron Levy - composer, producer, organ, piano, electric pianos, vibes, strings, basses, clavinet, arranging & programming;  Melvin Sparks - guitar on Groovin, After Midnight, & Just The Way;  Karl Denson - alto, tenor sax & flute;  Jeff Lockhart - guitar on Like Back In The Day & Keepin’ Up The Love;  Russ Lawton - percussion, drums, tambourine;  Yahuba Garcia - congas, timbales Adrome ‘Acidman’;  MacHine - drums, percussion & trumpet;  Arkady Beletsky – cello;  Special guest - ‘Sax’ Gordon Beadle - baritone sax on After Midnight.

After Midnight Grooves

---

Joe Carter - Both Sides Of The Equator

Bitrate: 320K/s

Time: 54:08

Size: 123.9 MB

Styles: Brazilian jazz, Jazz guitar

Year: 2012

Art: Front

[4:46] 1. Nos E O Mar (Feat. David Finck & Ze Mauricio)

[4:42] 2. I've Never Been In Love Before (Feat. David Finck)

[4:01] 3. Mojave

[5:27] 4. Viktor With A K (Feat. David Finck & Ze Mauricio)

[4:14] 5. Blame It On My Youth (Feat. David Finck)

[3:44] 6. Ponta De Areia (Feat. Ze Mauricio & David Finck)

[2:54] 7. Valse De Euridice (Feat. Ze Mauricio)

[4:16] 8. Batida Diferente (Feat. Ze Mauricio & David Finck)

[2:38] 9. Young And Foolish

[5:12] 10. Tema Do Boneco De Palha (Feat. Ze Mauricio & David Finck)

[3:47] 11. Waltz For Debby

[5:58] 12. Nada Como Ter Amor (Feat. Ze Mauricio & David Finck)

[2:22] 13. Variations On A Theme By Bill Evans

Both Sides of the Equator is not Joe Carter's first incursion into Brazilian music. Joe fell in love with Brazilian music after performing in Brazil several times as well as teaching there. His subtle, warm and stylish guitar playing is very well suited for a variety of Brazilian genres he performs, including Samba, Bossa Nova and even Baião. A graduate of New York University, Joe also studied with guitarists Sal Salvador, John Scofield and Allan Hanlon as well as saxophonist Lee Konitz and pianist Don Friedman. This well-rounded musical education formed the basis of his tailor-made style in Brazilian music. Joe is well respected as a Brazilian performer on both sides of the Equator. He has recorded with harmonica player Mauricio Einhorn, bassist Nilson Matta (of Trio da Paz and Brazilian Trio), saxophonist Lee Konitz, flugelhornist Art Farmer and dozen of other jazz musicians. As with his three previous Brazilian albums  Um Abraço no Rio (1996), The Samba Rio Trio (1997) and Two for Two (2001), all on Empathy Records Joe never overdoes his performances and arrangements. He prefers the effective intimacy of duo, trio and quartet formations for Brazilian music. Here in Both Sides of the Equator Joe is joined by bassist David Finck and percussionist Zé Maurício in a balanced collection of music by Brazilian and North American composers. He also adds to this fine mixture two of his own compositions. Several things in Both Sides of the Equator make the album thoroughly enjoyable. With Joe's masterful approach to these melodies, the album flows smoothly from track to track and maintains the listener absorbed in this fine material. One remarkable characteristic of a good musician who knows well the music being performed is the ability to transcend geographical borders seamlessly. Joe accomplishes that very well when he goes from Menescal to Loesser in the first two tracks of the album as well as in the rest of the album.

Joe Carter - acoustic nylon string guitar; David Finck – acoustic bass; Ze Mauricio – percussion.

Both Sides Of The Equator

---

Chaka Khan - One Classic Night: Greatest Hits Live!

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 70:43
Size: 161.9 MB
Styles: R&B, Funk, Rock
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[ 3:43] 1. I Feel For You
[ 5:19] 2. Ain’t Nobody
[ 4:48] 3. Everlasting Love
[ 4:17] 4. Hollywood
[ 4:27] 5. Pack My Bags
[ 4:22] 6. My Funny Valentine
[ 8:45] 7. Through The Fire
[ 3:17] 8. Once You Get Started
[ 2:14] 9. Stay
[ 4:54] 10. You Got The Love
[ 2:39] 11. Tell Me Something Good
[16:50] 12. Sweet Thing
[ 5:03] 13. I’m Every Woman

Chaka Khan (born Yvette Marie Stevens; 23 March 1953 - Chicago, Illinois, USA), frequently known as the “Queen of Funk”, is a 10-time Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter who gained fame in the 1970s as the frontwoman and focal point of the funk band Rufus.

In 1964 at the age of 11 she formed her first group, the Crystalettes. While still in high school, she joined the Afro-Arts Theater, a group which toured with Motown great Mary Wells; a few years later, she adopted the African name Chaka Khan while working on the Black Panthers’ breakfast program. After quitting high school in 1969, Khan joined the group Lyfe, soon exiting to join another dance band, the Babysitters; neither was on the fast track to success, but her fortunes changed when she teamed with ex-American Breed member Kevin Murphy and Andre Fisher to form Rufus.

Debuting in 1973 with a self-titled effort on the ABC label, Rufus was among the preeminent funk groups of the decade; distinguished by Khan’s dynamic vocals, the group earned half a dozen gold or platinum albums.

While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career. Her signature hits, both with Rufus and solo, include “Tell Me Something Good”, “Sweet Thing”, “Ain’t Nobody”, “I’m Every Woman”, “I Feel for You” and “Through the Fire”.

One Classic Night: Greatest Hits Live!

---

Frank Rosolino - Turn Me Loose!

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 31:31
Size: 72.2 MB
Styles: Bop, Trombone jazz
Year: 1961/2005
Art: Front

[2:14] 1. Too Marvelous For Words
[2:54] 2. Come Rain Or Come Shine
[2:18] 3. Whatcha Gonna Do On Monday
[2:35] 4. Sometimes I'm Happy
[2:20] 5. Sweet Georgia Brown
[2:50] 6. Pennies From Heaven
[3:10] 7. I Cover The Waterfront
[2:38] 8. You're A Sweetheart
[2:17] 9. Please Don't Bug Me
[2:30] 10. It Had To Be You
[2:43] 11. That Old Black Magic
[2:56] 12. How Many Hearts Have You Broken

This 1961 release was intended to explore the humorous side of trombonist Frank Rosolino, relying as much on his vocals as his proven skill as an instrumentalist. Sticking mostly to standards and accompanied by a solid rhythm section consisting of pianist Victor Feldman, bassist Charles C. Berghofer, and drummer Irving Cottler, the leader's skills on trombone are never in doubt, but his prowess as an effective jazz vocalist is another matter. Although liner note writer Herb Heinman simply refers to his singing as "offbeat," his nasal sound and the considerable reverb added to every track grow quickly tiresome, although the cover photo is hilarious. Perhaps latecomers to Rosolino's music will have an even greater time thinking of him in a humorous vein; before shooting himself to death in 1978, he shot both of his young sons, killing one and blinding the other. ~Ken Dryden

Turn Me Loose!

---

Melani L. Skybell - Life Is The Song

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:01
Size: 108,1 MB
Art: Front

(2:53)  1. You Better Love Me While You May
(4:25)  2. (Love's Got Me)In A Lazy Mood
(3:48)  3. Can't Get Out Of This Mood
(2:52)  4. Sweet Happy Life
(2:33)  5. What Do You See In Her?
(4:12)  6. You Don't Know What Love Is
(3:48)  7. Let Me Love You
(2:14)  8. Wonder Why
(3:39)  9. I'll Be Easy To Find
(3:53) 10. Come By Sunday
(3:33) 11. The Lies Of Handsome Men
(3:38) 12. Everything But You
(2:23) 13. Oh Love, Hast Thou Forsaken Me?
(3:03) 14. You Came A Long Way From St.louis/Goody Goody

While breakthroughability may not be a word, according to Webster, Melani L. Skybell's musical talent certainly should compel the editors of today's New World Dictionary to consider adding it to the book. Her repertoire includes traditional jazz numbers, sultry ballads, swing standards, bossa novas, and pop classics. With a new, unique sound of her own, Ms. Skybell's style stands apart from other entertainers and their treatment of those familiar favorites. Ms. Skybell has been playing piano and singing since she was four years old. Her formal education includes classical piano and vocal performance at Boston University. In 1984, her on-stage experience blossomed when she joined an alternative pop/rock group, Innocent Bystander, frequently backing up headliners. Innocent Bystander was a regular act in Austin's Sixth Street clubs. In order to refine her jazz style, Ms. Skybell entered the highly reputable University of North Texas Jazz Studies Program. It took very little time for her to build a reputation of her own. 

Demand for Ms. Skybell's vocal work grew rapidly among many of the area's jazz orchestras, including a performance at Caravan of Dreams with the University of Texas Jazz Orchestra and several appearances with the Eastfield College Jazz Orchestra. This work enabled Ms. Skybell to assemble a group of the area's most gifted musicians, with whom she now entertains at Dallas' hottest clubs, hotels and restaurants, including, The Four Seasons Resort and Hotel, The Mansion, and Texas Stadium. She is also in demand outside of Dallas, having recently performed at special events in Atlanta and Jamaica. As a soloist, her unique interpretation of classic jazz uplifts her audiences with rich vocal nuances and charm. Whether she is swinging hard on her up tempos, or warming your heart with her intimate ballads, Melani L. Skybell is an exciting talent. Her musical training is extensive, as is her performance experience and multi-genre skill. Combined with her potential as a composer, Melani L. Skybell is a rising star. She possesses breakthrough qualities with crossover appeal to all generations of music lovers.  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/skybell3

Life Is The Song

---

Redtenbachers Funkestra - The Cooker

Styles: Jazz Funk
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 76:39
Size: 176,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:07)  1. Crankmaster General (feat. Eric Krasno)
(0:27)  2. Triple X (Drum Intro)
(4:47)  3. Triple X (feat. the Hornheads)
(5:47)  4. One Afternoon in Tunisia
(0:52)  5. Happy Birthday (To Funk You)
(6:41)  6. Unsquare Blues (feat. Christoph Wundrak)
(5:07)  7. One Afternoon in Tunisia (Sax Edit)
(1:17)  8. Happy Birthday (To Funky You) (Horn Edit)
(7:09)  9. The Cooker (feat. Lenny Pickett)
(5:00) 10. Funky Barbarella
(5:09) 11. The Oracle
(4:31) 12. Tricknologists (feat. Jim Hunt)
(7:12) 13. Bo & Rhino (feat. Lenny Pickett)
(4:54) 14. Dragonfly (feat. Michael B. Nelson)
(5:51) 15. The Whip
(6:41) 16. Unsquare Blues

‘The Cooker’ is Redtenbacher’s Funkestra’s fifth all-instrumental outing. This 11 piece, London-based ensemble is led by Austrian bassist Stefan Redtenbacher who draws his inspiration from Jazz, Funk and Soul. He has forged his own brand of Funk without conforming to any trends ranging from P-Funk, to JB’s to Funk Fusion all with a mighty big horn section and recorded with a retro tinge…a far cry from the oom-pah-pah that he grew up with in his native country of Austria. He still loves Strudel but definitely favours the Funk. The band was formed in 2005 with one of Britain’s most exciting tenor sax players, Jim Hunt and expanded to a six piece a few years later by adding Sid Gauld, Incognito’s trumpet player, to the regular line up. For the past 7 years they have performed on a regular basis at the long established 606 Jazz Club in London as well as numerous venues in the South-East of England in addition to British and European Festivals. 

Their records feature the core sextet enhanced by the best of British Jazz Funk musicians as well as superstar legends like Lenny Pickett (Tower of Power) and Fred Wesley (James Brown, Parliament) to name just two. Their live shows are highly entertaining, at times intense, peppered with instrumental deftness but always with a sense of fun and humour, customarily guaranteeing ‘a good night out.’ ‘The Cooker’ captures the live spirit of the core ensemble with carefully tuned arrangements and enhanced by two muscular horn sections while remaining firmly rooted in foot tapping groove music. Their special guests are Lenny Pickett (Tower of Power), Eric Krazno (Soulive) and Michael B. Nelson’s Hornheads (Prince). http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/redtenbachersfunkestra

The Cooker

---

Paul Brown - Truth B Told

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:46
Size: 112,2 MB
Art: Front

(4:19)  1. Sunrise On Sunset
(6:12)  2. Purple Shoes (feat. Larry Carlton)
(3:49)  3. Better Late Than Never
(4:38)  4. Truth B Told (feat. Darren Rahn)
(4:04)  5. Take It From Me
(4:02)  6. Love N Trust (feat. Wendy Moten)
(4:17)  7. Casablanca (feat. Najee)
(4:42)  8. Home Sweet Home (feat. Richard Elliot)
(4:44)  9. Stay Sly (feat. Euge Groove)
(3:34) 10. Till the Mornin' Comes
(4:21) 11. Avalon Nights (feat. Dave Koz)

Most people that roll with me in my musical mafia know that I just don't care for "smooth jazz." Mind numbing predictability and over produced easy listening are simply not how I roll. Paul Brown has gone a little deeper with Truth B Told and the results should pay huge dividends for this highly respected performer. The one negative to the release would be his vocal duet with Wendy Moten, "Love n Trust." Nothing against Moten, Brown is the problem as his vocal chops just aren't there. Outside of the vocal blip, Brown moves past the more traditional pretentious ear candy associated with this genre on life support and hits some more blues infused regions of his six string soul that raise the level of the tunes and dynamics of what may well be his finest commercial success yet. Cameos are made by Larry Carlton on the gem of the release, "Purple Shoes." Other notable performances are from Dave Koz and Richard Elliot.
~ Brent Black  http://www.criticaljazz.com/2014/07/paul-brown-truth-b-told-woodward-2014.html

Truth B Told

---