Monday, December 1, 2014

Lalo Schifrin - Chega De Saudade

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 75:30
Size: 172.8 MB
Styles: Latin jazz
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[ 3:18] 1. Desafinado
[ 3:28] 2. The Snake's Dance
[ 3:13] 3. Cubano Be
[ 2:44] 4. An Evening In Sao Paulo
[ 6:14] 5. Kush
[ 4:32] 6. Rhythm-A-Ning
[ 4:02] 7. Sphayros
[ 4:37] 8. Mount Olive
[ 3:13] 9. Poema Do Adeus
[ 4:11] 10. Borneo
[ 2:34] 11. Chora Tua Tristeza
[ 3:16] 12. The Fakir
[ 6:14] 13. Kush
[ 5:12] 14. Chega De Saudade
[10:05] 15. Samba Para Dos
[ 3:02] 16. What Kind Of Fool Am I
[ 1:59] 17. My Funny Valentine
[ 3:29] 18. Time After Time

Best known for his "Mission: Impossible" theme song, Lalo Schifrin is an Argentinean-born composer, arranger, pianist, and conductor, whose jazz and classical training earned him tremendous success as a soundtrack composer. Born Boris Claudio Schifrin in Buenos Aires on June 21, 1932, his father was a symphonic violinist, and he began playing piano at age six. He enrolled in the Paris Conservatoire in 1952, hitting the jazz scene by night. After returning to Buenos Aires, Schifrin formed a 16-piece jazz orchestra, which helped him meet Dizzy Gillespie in 1956. Schifrin offered to write Gillespie an extended suite, completing the five-movement Gillespiana in 1958; the same year, he became an arranger for Xavier Cugat. In 1960, he moved to New York City and joined Gillespie's quintet, which recorded "Gillespiana" to much general acclaim. Schifrin became Gillespie's musical director until 1962, contributing another suite in "The New Continent"; he subsequently departed to concentrate on his writing. He also recorded as a leader, most often in Latin jazz and bossa nova settings, and accepted his first film-scoring assignment in 1963 (for Rhino!). Schifrin moved to Hollywood late that year, scoring major successes with his indelible themes to Mission: Impossible and Mannix. Over the next decade, Schifrin would score films like The Cincinnati Kid, Bullitt, Cool Hand Luke, Dirty Harry, and Enter the Dragon. As a jazzer, he wrote the well-received "Jazz Mass" suite in 1965, and delved into stylish jazz-funk with 1975's CTI album Black Widow. Schifrin continued his film work all the way through the '90s; during that decade, he recorded a series of orchestral jazz albums called Jazz Meets the Symphony, and became the principal arranger for the Three Tenors, which complemented his now-dominant interest in composing classical music. ~bio by Steve Huey

Chega De Saudade

Lucy Woodward - Hooked!

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:01
Size: 116,0 MB
Art: Front

(3:55)  1. He Got Away
(4:06)  2. Sans souci
(4:08)  3. Purple Heart
(4:16)  4. I Wan'na Be Like You (Monkey Song)
(3:34)  5. Another Woman
(3:59)  6. Babies
(4:37)  7. Slow Recovery
(4:01)  8. Ragdoll
(3:46)  9. This Empty Room
(3:49) 10. Too Much to Live For
(3:30) 11. Leave It to You
(2:33) 12. Stardust
(3:41) 13. Fashion

Lucy Woodward's 2010 album Hooked!, a jazz-inflected collection of classic pop and torch song ballads, makes the most of Woodward's soulful voice. Having long moved past the mainstream pop/rock of her 2003 debut, While You Can, Hooked picks up where her 2008 sophomore effort, ...Is Hot and Bothered, left off, with Woodward delivering a kind of pop/rock-meets-jazz sound that falls somewhere between the retro R&B and singer/songwriter pop of such similarly inclined artists as Duffy and Jamie Cullum. In that sense, songs such as the cheeky "Another Woman" and the yearning "Slow Recovery" will certainly draw some favorable comparisons to such icons as Dusty Springfield. Certainly, these songs are produced with an ear to re-creating the big ensemble pop of the '50s and '60s, and fans of that old-school Brill Building sound should find Hooked! to be an appealing catch. ~ Matt Collar  http://www.allmusic.com/album/hooked!-mw0001968700

Hooked!

Jonathan Fritzen - Love Birds

Styles: Piano Jazz, Smooth Jazz
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:07
Size: 119,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:30)  1. Temple Of Dreams
(4:13)  2. One Night With You
(4:07)  3. Like A Star
(4:34)  4. Back 2 The Club
(6:00)  5. Love Birds
(4:53)  6. Midnight Secrets
(5:01)  7. Distant Mountains
(5:21)  8. Deep Down
(3:45)  9. Always Be My Lover
(4:39) 10. Far Away
(4:59) 11. Take Me Home

If Oli Silk is the British version of Brian Culbertson, Jonathan Fritzén is the Swedish edition of Brian Culbertson, the 36-year-old American pianist known for his melodic and much-imitated style. That style puts memorable pop music, much of it love songs, at the top of the to-do list, with liberal proffering of warm and fuzzy piano runs. It’s a highly likable style, and one that seems easy but is actually difficult to pull off. Like Silk, Fritzén succeeds. The pianist, who has a master’s degree in jazz studies from the Royal Academy of Music in Stockholm, is an auteur in the studio, as he plays guitar, bass and programs multiple instruments and sounds. 

His smooth-jazz is mellow for a twentysomething performer, but he’s also a romantic at heart. His music has a groove that takes it far out of the standard easy-listening category, which Culbertson also designs to perfection. Acoustic keyboards are accented by electric keyboard shout-outs and a profusion of computerized blips. “Temple of Dreams” and “Back 2 to the Club” would sell as hits on any smooth-jazz radio station in the States, while tracks like “Deep Down” and “Far Away” are snuggle-worthy or just a fine complement to an equally fine companion. ~ Brian Soergel  http://jazztimes.com/articles/24464-love-birds-jonathan-fritz-n

Sunday, November 30, 2014

DR Big Band (Feat. Sinne Eeg & Bobo Moreno) - Merry Christmas Baby

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 54:29
Size: 124.7 MB
Styles: Holiday
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[3:23] 1. Merry Christmas, Baby
[5:01] 2. Sleigh Ride
[3:45] 3. White Christmas
[4:15] 4. Let It Snow
[3:02] 5. Winter Wonderland
[4:03] 6. Baby It's Cold Outside
[4:12] 7. Rocking Around The Christmas Tree
[4:20] 8. Last Christmas
[6:09] 9. The Christmas Song
[4:01] 10. Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
[2:58] 11. Jingle Bell Rock
[6:00] 12. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
[3:12] 13. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

What a better way to have the sound of Christmas, than to listen to the great American Christmas song book? On 'Merry Christmas, Baby', the famous DR Big Band with jazz stars Sinne Eeg and Bobo Moreno swings through big band renditions of songs such as Rudolph The Rednosed Reindeer, White Christmas, Let it Snow and many more. An album that you will love to listen to every Christmas for many years to come.

Merry Christmas Baby

Frank Vignola & Vinny Raniolo - Beloved Earth Songs

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 45:57
Size: 105.2 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[3:20] 1. Apache
[3:30] 2. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
[4:32] 3. Concerto De Aranguez
[2:57] 4. Carolina In The Morning
[2:55] 5. Killing Me Softly
[3:09] 6. Malaguena
[3:27] 7. Under Paris Skies
[3:07] 8. Brazil
[3:57] 9. Willow Weep For Me
[2:19] 10. April Showers
[3:01] 11. La Strada Nel Bosco
[3:06] 12. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
[3:32] 13. Anitra's Dance
[2:59] 14. Mozart's Symphony No. 40

Another deliciously eclectic set from these two jazz guitar monsters: "Apache" to Grieg, Mozart to "Killing Me Softly," time-tested standards and fresh surprises, all on two acoustic guitars!

Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo have played over 1,000 duo guitar concerts all over the planet and have played along side the world's finest musicians. Their playing together as a duo is infectiously fun, melodic and will keep your foot tapping for as long as their guitars make sound.

Beloved Earth Songs

Stolle & Svare Jazz Quintet - S/T

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 61:47
Size: 141.5 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[2:13] 1. Session at Riverside
[6:11] 2. Creole Love Call
[5:33] 3. A Porter's Lovesong
[5:02] 4. Apex Blues
[5:20] 5. How Long Has This Been Going On
[3:37] 6. Limehouse Blues
[5:35] 7. Just a Gigolo
[5:08] 8. Doggin' Around
[6:53] 9. Nancy with the Laughin' Face
[4:02] 10. St. James Infirmary
[6:49] 11. I Cover the Waterfront
[5:20] 12. Topsy

Jørgen Svare, Ken Peplowski, Lennart Ginman, Leif Johansson, Ole Stolle, Søren Kristiansen. Recorded 1995-05-14

Stolle & Svare Jazz Quintet

Musica Paradiso - Songs & Stories From The Silver Screen

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:35
Size: 93,7 MB
Art: Front

(3:14)  1. Folies Bergeres
(4:33)  2. I'm Through With Love
(3:43)  3. I Get a Kick Out of You
(3:28)  4. Tú Mi Delirio
(4:37)  5. Smile
(4:04)  6. The Man That Got Away
(3:08)  7. Vatapa
(3:41)  8. Que Reste't'Il de Nos Amours
(2:54)  9. Watch What Happens
(3:41) 10. Volver
(3:26) 11. Piensa en Mí

Musica Paradiso – ‘Songs and Stories of the 'Silver Screen'
A night celebrating some of the most seductive, alluring and captivating music of  the 20th century; the music and the movie stars that carried us away to a place where dreams came true right before our eyes!In a pastiche of songs, themes and scenes that moved us all, we remember the great stars like Marilyn Monroe and the songs from movies like “Some Like it Hot”, Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and the huge hit “Moon River”, and other classic songs like “I Will Wait for You” from the film "Les Parapluies de Cherbourg"”. We take you to Cuban High Society of the 50’s and to Mexico and then to the Europe of Fellini, Michel Legrand and Almodovar. Through these magical themes and songs we re-live moments and feelings, and recapture the essence of a place or a past era. http://www.globalmusicfoundation.org/concerts/musica-paradiso-songs-and-stories-of-the-silver-screen-starring-tina-m/

Performers: Tina May, Vocals; Guillermo Rozenthuler, Vocals; Fred Thomas, Bass & Percussion; John Turville, Piano & Percussion; Stephen Keogh, Drums & Percussion

Edu Lobo & Tom Jobim - Tom & Edu

Styles: Brazilian Jazz, Bossa Nova
Year: 1981
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:02
Size: 84,4 MB
Art: Front

(2:10)  1. Ai Quem Me Dera
(4:38)  2. Pra Dizer Adeus
(3:21)  3. Chovendo Na Roseira
(3:26)  4. Moto Contínuo
(3:07)  5. Angela
(2:58)  6. Luiza
(4:05)  7. Canção Do Amanhecer
(4:13)  8. Vento Bravo
(4:16)  9. É Preciso Dizer Adeus
(3:42) 10. Canto Triste

A driving force behind the rise of the MPB (Musica Popular Brasileira) sound, singer/composer Edu Lobo was born in Rio de Janeiro in 1943; at 18 he formed his first trio with Dori Caymmi and the great Marcos Valle, and in 1962 forged a long-term writing partnership with renowned lyricist Vinicius de Moraes. Drawing influence from bossa nova masters including Antonio Carlos Jobim, João Gilberto, and Baden Powell, Lobo released his debut LP, A Musica de Edú Lobo por Edú Lobo in 1963; that same year he also authored the music for Oduvaldo Vianna Filho's play Os Azerados Mais Os Benvidos, the first of many stage collaborations. The album Cinco Na Bossa, recorded with Nara Leão and the Tamba Trio, followed in 1965, the same year Lobo took top honors at the First Annual Brazilian Popular Musical Festival with his composition "Arrastão," a major hit for singer Elis Regina. (In 1967, he repeated the feat with "Ponteio.")

Albums including 1968's Edú followed before Lobo met Sergio Mendes in 1969, resulting in a contract with A&M Records for From the Hot Afternoon, which featured saxophonist Paul Desmond; by now a resident of Los Angeles, he toured with Mendes and Brasil 66 before resurfacing in 1971 with Sergio Mendes Presents Lobo, followed later that same year by Cantiga de Longe. Upon returning to Brazil, Lobo focused his energies on composing for films before returning to the studio for 1973's Missa Breve; he then spent the mid-'70s writing music for Globo, the world's fourth-largest television network, including work on the hit series Caso Especial. 1976 saw the release of the LP Limite Das Aguas, with the widely acclaimed Camaleão appearing two years later; in 1979, Lobo's score to the feature Barra Pesada earned "Best Soundtrack" honors at the Gramado Film Festival.

Lobo inaugurated the '80s with a flurry of activity, following the LP Tempo Presente with the 1981 soundtrack Jogos de Danca (a work composed for the Ballet Guaira) as well as Tom e Edu, a collaboration with Antonio Carlos Jobim. In the wake of two more ballet scores, O Grande Circo Mistico and Gabriela, Lobo worked on a series of stage musicals Vargas, O Corsario do Rei, and Danca da Meia-Lua  before finally returning to the studio in 1990 for the LP Serie Personalidade. Corrupião followed in 1993, and two years later he returned with Meia Noite. The score to the 1997 film Guerra de Canudos preceded Lobo's next project, a planned adaptation of Jo Soares' book A Samba for Sherlock. Bio ~ https://itunes.apple.com/br/artist/edu-lobo/id10485

Antônio "Tom" Carlos Brasileiro de Almeida Jobim (January 25, 1927 – December 8, 1994), also known as Tom Jobim, was a Brazilian songwriter, composer, arranger, singer, and pianist/guitarist. He was a primary force behind the creation of the bossa nova style, and his songs have been performed by many singers and instrumentalists within Brazil and internationally.

Widely known as the composer of "Garota de Ipanema" (The Girl from Ipanema), one of the most recorded songs of all time, Jobim has left a large number of songs that are now included in jazz and pop standard repertoires. The song Garota de Ipanema was recorded 240 times in another version for several artists. More Bio ~ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ant%C3%B4nio_Carlos_Jobim

Tom & Edu

Benny Carter - Easy Money

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 92:39
Size: 213,2 MB
Art: Front

(2:54)  1. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
(3:26)  2. Angel Eyes
(4:56)  3. The Moon Is Low
(5:55)  4. Blues in My Heart
(2:21)  5. Who's Sorry Now
(4:09)  6. Body and Soul
(3:47)  7. Little Girl Blue
(5:56)  8. A Walkin' Thing
(3:36)  9. Jeepers Creepers
(4:59) 10. Sweet Lorraine
(3:08) 11. A Monday Date
(5:18) 12. My Blue Star
(7:39) 13. Laura
(3:49) 14. Honeysuckle Rose
(6:44) 15. That Old Black Magic
(4:13) 16. June in January
(4:42) 17. When Lights Are Low
(2:50) 18. I Get a Kick Out of You
(3:18) 19. I've Got the World On a String
(4:52) 20. Cherry
(3:56) 21. The Midnight Sun Will Never Set

Benny Carter was and continues to be a jazz legend. Active from the twenties until his death, he was a true pioneer as a saxophonist, trumpet player and composer/arranger. Perhaps because Carter spent many years as a composer for film and television in Los Angeles and out of the jazz scene, he is not as well known as others who were present and influential during jazz's formative years, such as Duke Ellington, Earl Hines and Count Basie. It was Carter who advised a young Robert Farnon how to create a full score, and Benny also mentored trombonist J.J. Johnson. Carter's considerable catalog is now being properly published by Jazz Lines Publications. Because Carter is not as well known as Ellington or Basie, it is possible that many band directors are passing up the opportunity to play and expose young people to this wonderful and classic music. While the many scores that we publish by Gil Evans, Mary Lou Williams and others may be too difficult, there are several titles by Benny that your band can play. Even though it was written for professionals, much of his music is playable by middle-school bands. The melodies are infectious and the chord changes interesting to study and jam on. This is the perfect teaching material that is also solid musically and has delighted audiences for years. ~ Jeff Sultanof   http://www.ejazzlines.com/Carter-Benny-c494.html

Easy Money

Eddy Palermo - Bossa Jam Session

Styles: Brazilian Jazz, Bossa Nova
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:13
Size: 122,7 MB
Art: Front

(3:52)  1. O Barquinho
(4:22)  2. Eu Sei Que Vou Te Amar
(3:51)  3. Wave
(3:44)  4. A Rã
(3:19)  5. Bye Bye Brasil
(3:42)  6. Batida Diferente
(3:12)  7. Só Danço Samba
(4:30)  8. Agarradinhos
(4:14)  9. P'ruzé
(4:24) 10. Samba da Creuza
(4:33) 11. Preciso Aprender a Ser Só
(4:52) 12. Vagamente
(4:31) 13. Samba de Verão

Nato a Roma il 10 giugno 1956, ha cominciato a suonare la chitarra all’età di dieci anni come autodidatta ed é considerato uno dei più importanti riferimenti per la chitarra jazz in italia. Nel 1979 entra a far parte del ” Centro Jazz St. Louis” come insegnante di chitarra jazz e da quel momento inizia la sua attività di professionista nei club della capitale accanto ad alcuni dei jazzisti più in vista. Nel 1980 partecipa alla rassegna internazionale “Ischia ‘80” con un concerto per chitarra sola. Nel 1981 incide il suo primo LP dal titolo “The Way ISee”. Mentre si intensifica la sua attività a livello nazionale, inizia in questo periodo anche una collaborazione concertistica con musicisti d’oltre oceano come Chet Baker e Billy Smith. Nel 1982 partercipa ad “Umbria Jazz” con il suo trio ed il “Festival Internazionale di Jazz” di Istambul con Romano Mussolini. Nello stesso anno incide il suo secondo disco dal titolo “Ganimede”. Nel 1983 entra a far parte del gruppo di Nunzio Rotondo, con il quale partecipa ad alcune trasmissioni televisive. 

Sempre nel 1983 si verificano due collaborazioni molto importanti con Jim Hall e con il sassofonista David Samborn. Nel 1984 partecipa a “Umbria Jazz” con la propria formazione alla quale si aggiunge come ospite il percussionista Ray Mantilla. Le sue esperienze si allargano stilisticamente al campo della musica brasiliana, mentre si accentua la sua predisposizione alla composizione. Nel 1985 è di nuovo ad “Umbria Jazz” con Nunzio Rotondo ed incide il suo trezo LP dal titolo “Jazz Fusion Mood”. Nello stesso anno partecipa al Festival Jazz di Messina. Nel 1987, le collaborazioni con il tenorista George Garzone ed il trombettista Jimmy Owens. Ma l’incontro più significativo è quello che avrà nel 1988 con Joe Pass che lo chiama a suonare come ospite nel corso di alcuni concerti in un club romano. Traendo ispirazione da questo grande virtuoso della chitarra jazz, il talento di Eddy Palermo si orienta sempre più verso il “solo guitar”. Insegna per alcuni anni all’Università della Musica di Roma. Nel 1990 inizia una collaborazione con Augusto Martelli, con il quale partecipa ad alcune trasmissioni televisive e ad alcuni concerti. Nel 1992 incide un CD intitolato “The song is you”. Nel 1995 partecipa a “Jazz Image”, la nota rassegna Jazz a Romana, con il gruppo di George Coleman. Anche nel 1996 partecipa a “Jazz Image” suonando con il chitarrista Bucky Pizzarelli. 

Nella stagione 96-97 collabora per la RAI ad una serie di trasmissioni condotte da Antonio Lubrano. Nel 1997 incide per la Panasstudio “Eddy Palermo Trio”. Dal 98 la sua attività si allarga in brasile dove oltre ad una serie di concerti per chitarra solo ha occasione di collaborare con musicisti affermati come Nico Assum‚âo Sizâo Machado, Jesè Roberto Bertrami (Azimut) Mauricio Einhor (Batita Diferente, Estamos Ai) ed altri. Il suo nome figura alla pagina 1096 della grande Enciclopedia del Jazz, Ed. Curcio, 1982. Nel 2002 partecipa ad un piccolo tour negli USA che lo porta a suonare al “Festival del Jazz in Huston”. Sempre nello stesso anno prtecipa a “Jazz Image in Roma…nel 2004 incontra Toninho Horta con il quale oltre a registare il CD “BRINCANDO”e` al suo fianco in un concerto al teatro SESIMINAS di Belo Horizonte in Brasile. Dal 2004 insieme a Stefano Di Battista nel gruppo di Niki Nicolai. All’inizio del 2005 esce il Cd “Il portiere di riserva” di Rosybyndy, nel quale Eddy è artefice di tutte le chitarre. Marzo 2005 esce “meu brasil brasileiro” il nuovo CD di Eddy Palermo. http://www.last.fm/music/Eddy+Palermo/+wiki

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Harry Roy & His Band - S/T

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 37:41
Size: 86.3 MB
Styles: Big band
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[2:54] 1. Bugle Call Rag
[3:13] 2. Casa Loma Stomp
[3:25] 3. The Roy Rag
[2:55] 4. Alexander's Ragtime Band
[3:03] 5. Canadian Capers
[3:01] 6. She Had To Go And Lose It At The Astor
[2:52] 7. Tiger Rag
[3:22] 8. Somebody Stole My Gal
[3:31] 9. Twelfth Street Rag
[3:21] 10. Nobody's Sweetheart
[2:50] 11. Porcupine Rag
[3:08] 12. Temptation Rag

Alf Horton, Arthur Calkin, Basil Kirchin, Bert Wilton, Dave Kaye, Dick Boothroyd, Harry Goss, Harry Roy, Ivor Moreton, Jack Collins, Joe Arbiter, Maurice Sterndale, Norman White, Tommy Porter, Tommy Venn.

Harry Roy is best remembered for having led a popular swing band in England and throughout portions of the British Empire during the 1930s. Roy was born Harry Lipman in London, England, on January 12, 1900, and as a teenager he worked in his father's carton manufactory, studying various musical instruments during his free time. In 1919, when the Original Dixieland Jazz Band wowed the crowds in London, young Harry was dazzled by Larry Shields and took up the clarinet. In 1921, he formed a band with his brother, pianist Syd Lipman. They called their group the Darmswells, but when the O.D.J.B. ended their run at the Hammersmith Palais de Danse the Roy Brothers Original Lyrical Five took their place. This was a variation on yet another of their various titles, the Original Crichton Lyrical Orchestra. The now Anglicized "Roys" waxed a test pressing for Columbia in 1922 and made their first issued recordings for Vocalion in 1927 as the Crichton Lyricals. Over the next few years their music became available to the public on the Guardsman, Coliseum, Aco, Scala, Crown, Beltona, Imperial, and Crystalate record labels. The Lyricals played all of the best halls and clubs in London, visited Paris, then toured Australia, Tasmania, and South Africa in 1928. They cut two sides for the Broadcast label in 1929 and visited Berlin in 1930, providing live entertainment and making a few more phonograph records. Harry was a born showman, comedian, and vocalist who specialized in songs like "I Wonder How I Look When I'm Asleep?"

Harry became the leader of a new enlarged version of the band in 1931, with Syd assuming managerial duties. The Harry Roy Orchestra spent half a year serenading patrons before and betwixt motion picture screenings at RKO's Leicester Square Theatre, opened at the London Pavillion in 1932, and broadcast over BBC radio from the Café Anglais in 1933. Their theme song was now established as the "Bugle Call Rag." Roy's band distinguished itself at the Mayfair Hotel in 1934 and remained there until 1936. In 1935, Harry married "Princess Pearl" Eliza Vyner Brooke, daughter of Charles Vyner Brooke, the last white Rajah of the state of Sarawak in Northwestern Borneo. The Harry Roy Orchestra even appeared in motion pictures: "Everything in Heaven" was released in 1935, starring vocalists Princess Pearl and Mabel Mercer, and "Rhythm Racketeers" followed in 1936.

Harry Roy's Orchestra enjoyed a successful tour of South America in 1938 and toured consistently throughout England and the Middle East during the Second World War, after which Roy attempted to perform in the United States of America but was unable to obtain a work permit. His band resumed playing the Café Anglais in 1949. Soon afterward he dissolved his band and opened a restaurant. His last-known public appearance was with a quartet in 1969. Roy fell ill and passed away in London on February 2, 1971. ~bio by arwulf arwulf

Harry Roy & His Band

Marcos Valle & Stacey Kent - Ao Vivo: Comemorando Os 50 Anos De Marcos Valle

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 68:00
Size: 155.7 MB
Styles: Bossa Nova, Brazilian jazz
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[4:40] 1. The White Puma (Puma Branco)
[5:55] 2. Look Who's Mine (Dia De Vitória)
[4:22] 3. The Face I Love (Seu Encanto)
[3:33] 4. The Answer (A Resposta)
[4:33] 5. Drift Away
[5:14] 6. Summer Samba (Samba De Verão)
[3:23] 7. Gente
[4:21] 8. Passa Por Mim
[4:12] 9. Batucada Surgiu
[4:52] 10. La Petite Valse
[6:27] 11. If You Went Away (Preciso Aprender A Ser Só)
[3:59] 12. Pigmalião 70
[4:37] 13. The Crickets (Os Grilos)
[2:47] 14. She Told Me, She Told Me (Sonho De Lugar)
[4:58] 15. My Nightingale

A really wonderful collaboration – completely unexpected, and a fresh chapter in the career of both artists too! The set was done in celebration of Marcos Valle's 50 years in music – and features Marcos himself on acoustic piano and a bit of vocals, Stacey Kent on lead vocals, and some guest tenor sax from Jim Tomlinson! The setting is lean, mostly small group backing, but full of feeling – thanks partly to Stacey's expressive vocal performance, but also to Valle's still-great sense of timing and tone – which makes the arrangements very different than Kent's usual bag. Stacey really takes the vocal lead on most of the record – and the bossa setting is a great one for her style – and arrangements are by Valle and Jesse Sadoc, who leads the combo on trumpet.

Ao Vivo: Comemorando Os 50 Anos De Marcos Valle  

Art Hodes - I Remember Bessie

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 59:35
Size: 136.4 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[4:17] 1. Baby Won't You Please Come Home
[3:38] 2. Alexander's Ragtime Band
[3:37] 3. You've Got To Give Me Some
[3:28] 4. Yonder Comes The Blues
[3:37] 5. Cake Walkin' Babies From Home
[4:31] 6. Back Water Blues
[3:29] 7. Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out
[3:31] 8. At A Georgia Camp Meeting
[4:08] 9. You've Been A Good Ole Wagon
[4:10] 10. Slow And Easy Man
[3:39] 11. Yellow Dog Blues
[3:34] 12. A Good Man Is Hard To Find
[3:44] 13. St. Louis Blues
[0:19] 14. Mayor Calling
[3:33] 15. After You've Gone
[2:22] 16. Cake Walkin' Babies From Home (Alt)
[3:51] 17. Gee, Baby, Ain't I Good To You

The end of World War II remains the most profound demarcation in jazz history. Jazz changed so radically and abruptly after 1945 that fans of the music split into two bickering camps. Pre-war jazz fans argued that their music had structure, charm and romanticism that post-war jazz lacked. Post-war jazz fans countered that their music was about individualism, advocacy and daring—viewing pre-war jazz as archaic, formulaic and dull.

Pianist Art Hodes [pronounced HOE-deeze] was considered a pre-war pianist and often expressed bewilderment and exasperation with modern forms like bebop. But in retrospect, his approach in the decades following the war seemed to be routinely updated, particularly in his voicings. Yet Hodes' name is all but forgotten today, disregarded by decades of post-war jazz fans deaf to the music of the '20s and '30s. Hodes deserves better.

In September 1976, Hodes recorded at a Santa Monica, Calif., bungalow of a friend. There was a Yamaha grand there along with superb engineering by Cecil Spiller. The theme Hodes chose for the session was songs made famous by singer Bessie Smith. One by one, Hodes applies his deliberate, textured style to songs like You've Got to Give Me Some, Yonder Come the Blues and Cake Walkin' Babies From Home.

Now Art Hodes: I Remember Bessie (Delmark) is out for the first time on CD with previously unreleased tracks. This is a thrilling album for many reasons. First, the sound is fantastic—Hodes is practically in your room. Second, Hodes is a positively glorious soloist—rekindling the joy and excitement of pre-war jazz. But even more important, Hodes performs as if singing through his hands, growing soft and loud in different places and tossing in a mini solo here and there with the most unusual fingering.

What I find particularly miraculous is how he offers something completely different in each bar. It's almost impossible to conceive how one person could be playing. In Hodes' hands, you hear the blues, Bessie's bossy voice and the early architecture of R&B piano, with its snap and stride. Hodes would probably insist that what you're hearing is just pre-war jazz—over easy. ~Marc Myers

I Remember Bessie

Tom Graf - Smokin'

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 34:51
Size: 79.8 MB
Styles: Crossover jazz
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[4:45] 1. Smokin'
[3:35] 2. Samba 60
[4:20] 3. Gela
[5:05] 4. Changes
[4:23] 5. Set Your Soul Free
[4:17] 6. On The Way
[3:56] 7. I'm In Love
[4:26] 8. Voyage

Tom Graf's melodies and underlying harmonic structure are a focus of this CD. The talented musicians making the music come alive are familiar faces on recordings across the spectrum of jazz, latin, and rhythm and blues. David K. Mathews (currently with Santana) arranged the compositions with help from, and overall production by, Ray Obiedo. This is the way smooth jazz used to sound when played by the likes of Freddy Hubbard, Milt Jackson, and Wes Montgomery. Just sit down and get ready to take a journey through latin, samba, straight-ahead, tango, and blues moods.

Ray Obiedo, David K. Mathews, Amikaeyla, Mike Olmos, Marc Russo, Michael Spiro, Harvey Wainaple, Norbert Stachel. Released 07 November 2014

Smokin'

Melora Hardin - All The Way To Mars

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:59
Size: 145,0 MB
Art: Front

(2:45)  1. Raise The Roof
(4:28)  2. You (Once Tomorrow Now Yesterday)
(4:06)  3. All Messed Up
(2:09)  4. Everybody Says Don't
(4:44)  5. Close To You
(3:15)  6. A Boy And His Cat
(3:06)  7. I Never Meant To Hurt You
(3:09)  8. Fading Away
(2:03)  9. He's So Married
(4:29) 10. Makin' Love
(2:56) 11. Ride Your Rocket
(4:15) 12. Girl Talk
(3:58) 13. Teenager
(3:21) 14. Everything Must Change
(3:59) 15. I Dreamed A Dream
(6:55) 16. Roxie
(3:13) 17. Come Home With Me For Christmas

"Hardin displays a distinct dexterity with comedic material too rarely represented on recordings of singer/actors and cabaret artists of her ilk." ~ Pat Cerasaro, BroadwayWorld.com, January 2010

"Hardin has proved with this album that she is equally at home on the screen, the stage and the recording studio." ~ Pat Cerasaro, BroadwayWorld.com, January 2010

"Melora Hardin's new album  All The Way To Mars traverses the galaxy in a madcap manner most immediately reminiscent of a `60s cocktail hour album and for that frivolous and fun factor alone it deserves high praise..." ~ Pat Cerasaro, BroadwayWorld.com, January 2010

In February of 2010, Melora Hardin will add another jewel to her crown of achievements: Recording Artist. Having been a successful Hollywood actress since a very young age, music has always been a passion that she simply did not have the time to pursue. She landed Director Richard Jay-Alexander (who has worked with stars like Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Ricky Martin, Bernadette Peters, and Johnny Mathis) to build an act with her. It debuted in Los Angeles with stellar reviews, deeming it "a hit". She then continued acting, filming box office hits "17 Again" and "Hannah Montana: The Movie", all the while continuing to star in "The Office". 

Additionally, Hardin just made her directorial debut with the feature film entitled, "You," currently available on DVD and online at Amazon.Then along came an opportunity on Broadway and a stunning debut as `Roxie Hart' in the smash long-running hit, Chicago. Writing and performing songs since the age of 8, she has sung in many productions including the Disney feature "The Rocketeer" where she was honored to work with the legendary arranger Billy May. She also played the chanteuse ghost in the Disney TV movie "Tower of Terror" and a crazy cabaret singer in the short-lived series "Man & Machine" where she was produced by Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo fame. Hardin has previously self-released two albums of her original songs called "The Meloradrama" and "Purr" both of which have a large cult following.

While in production working in New Orleans this year on a new film called, "Knucklehead," due out April of 2010, in which she stars, she simultaneously recorded a live album titled, "All the Way to Mars" making this Hardin's first nationally distributed album. December 1st of this year Melora will also release a beautiful, original Christmas single titled, "Come Home with Me for Christmas" which people can download exclusively on iTun! es. With all that she's been doing it's a wonder how she still found the time to go in and record a full studio album. "All The Way To Mars" features songs from Broadway, standards, Pop, and a few that she wrote herself. People who have heard advances of the upcoming album are amazed by the versatility and range that Hardin exhibits. The album will be released on the LML Music Label February 9, 2010 and will be available in stores nationwide and online at Amazon & iTunes. Hardin currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband actor/writer, Gildart Jackson, and their two young daughters. ~ Editorial Reviews http://www.amazon.com/All-The-Way-To-Mars/dp/B002WHT168

Francesco Cafiso Quartet - Seven Steps To Heaven

Styles: Jazz, Neo-Bop
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:32
Size: 132,6 MB
Art: Front

(6:49)  1. Seven Steps To Heaven
(7:16)  2. Green Chimneys
(7:07)  3. Yesterdays
(9:44)  4. On The Trail
(8:08)  5. My Funny Valentine
(6:51)  6. Milestones
(5:33)  7. Crazeology
(6:00)  8. Skylark

Francesco Cafiso surprised the jazz world with his blazing chops in his early teens during a stunning duo concert with veteran pianist Franco D'Andrea. Several years afterward, he is working on developing a distinctive style of his own, which is a challenge for any young musician. These 2006 sessions mix well-known jazz compositions of the 1940s and 1950s with timeless standards, with the alto saxophonist backed by a solid rhythm section consisting of pianist Andrea Pozza, bassist Aldo Zunino, and drummer Nicola Angelucci. He shows off a bit in a wild treatment of Thelonious Monk's "Green Chimneys" that starts in a funky manner, shifts to an aggressive hard bop mood, and also has an unaccompanied solo section. Cafiso's spry take of "Yesterdays" proves convincing, while the exotic rhythm setting of "My Funny Valentine" takes this chestnut into somewhat new territory. There are times where Cafiso reveals his youth by forcing in odd quotes that prove to be more of a distraction than help to his improvisations. But this CD indicates that Francesco Cafiso is serious about a career in jazz and not merely a young flash in the pan who will flame out after a brief foray into the limelight. ~ Ken Dryden  http://www.allmusic.com/album/seven-steps-to-heaven-mw0000772797

Personnel: Andrea Pozza (piano); Nicola Angelucci (drums).

Maxine Sullivan With Scott Hamilton - Swingin' Sweet

Styles: Vocal And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1988
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:04
Size: 115,4 MB
Art: Front

(7:01)  1. Sweet Georgia Brown
(2:11)  2. As Long As I live
(3:15)  3. I Got A Right To Sing the Blues
(4:03)  4. Something To Remember You By
(2:58)  5. Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams (And Dream Your Troubles Away)
(3:43)  6. Georgia On My Mind
(3:12)  7. You Were Ment For Me
(3:48)  8. A Hundred Years From Today
(3:14)  9. Just One Of Those Things
(3:22) 10. I'm Crazy 'Bout My Baby
(3:19) 11. I Hadn't Anyone Till You
(3:59) 12. Cheatin' On Me
(2:26) 13. You're Driving Me Crazy
(3:25) 14. Loch Lomond

Maxine Sullivan's final concert (although she would record part of her Jule Styne tribute studio album for Atlantic a few months later) is an excellent retrospective of her career. Joined by tenor saxophonist Scott Hamilton's quintet (with pianist John Bunch and guitarist Chris Flory), Sullivan performs for the final time some of her favorite numbers, including nostalgic and near-classic renditions of "As Long as I Live," "I Got a Right to Sing the Blues," "A Hundred Years From Today" and "You're Driving Me Crazy." Ironically, the final song that Maxine Sullivan sang was also the same tune that she had used to start her recording career back in 1937, "Loch Lomond." Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/swingin-sweet-mw0000197117

Personnel: Maxine Sullivan (vocals), Scott Hamilton (tenor sax), John Bunch (piano), Chris Flory (guitar), Phil Flanigan (bass), Chuck Riggs (drums).

Swingin' Sweet

Andre Charlier & Benoit Sourisse - Heritage

Styles: Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:12
Size: 134,4 MB
Art: Front

(1:16)  1. Shabada Roots
(6:02)  2. At the Juke Joint
(3:36)  3. Worksong
(5:17)  4. L'Improbable Afrobeat
(4:01)  5. Ragtime Ragoût
(7:01)  6. Le Langage des Sages
(1:19)  7. Last Griot
(5:32)  8. Trio
(4:58)  9. Edge of Dream
(6:30) 10. Gravé Dans La Cire
(1:15) 11. Trompe-Oreilles
(4:27) 12. Sleepwalkers
(6:52) 13. Heritage

André Charlier - Born in Verviers (Belgium) on June 13th, 1962. André began the battery in 1978. He has study in Musician Institute of Los Angeles in 1985-1986. In 1988-1989, he began a series of tours with the singer Maurane (Belgian singer). At the end of this year of 1989 he was Prize-winner of the competition of the Defense. In 1991, he sees itself awarded the Price of the best soloist to the international competition of French-speaking jazz. André Charlier turns since 1993 on the stages of the whole world beside Didier Lockwood (quintet, quartet and trio), accompanies the harmonica player Jean-Jacques Milteau within various training courses (quartet, quintet, seven), drummer of the group of rhythm' blues Captain Mercier, Pierre-Jean Gaucher (Zappa project), Marc-Michel Le Bévillon seven, Romane Quartet. He notably played beside John Scofield, Michel Petrucciani, Scott Henderson, Michel Portal, Toots Thielemans, Mike Stern on the occasion of exceptional concerts. For some years, he develops his own music within the duet " CHARLIER-SOURISSE ". With which he recorded four CD with in guest Jerry Bergonzi (saxophone), Kenny Garrett (saxophone), Kurt Rosenwinkel (guitar) and Alex Sipiagin (Trumpet). André Charlier is co-director and responsible for the department battery (drum kit) in the CMDL (center of the music Didier Lockwood). Sponsored by batteries TAMA and cymbals PAISTE.

Benoît Sourisse - Born in 1964, this French pianist / organist has already revealed his improviser's talents as soloist, but also beside inescapable personality of the jazz. In 1994, Didier Lockwood suggests him participating in his various projects: in the piano, quintet and quartet (" Round About Silence ", on 1998) as well as in the organ Hammond (D. Lockwood Trio and " New Quartet " on 2003). Didier also confides him the musical direction of his albums: "Storyboard" recorded in 1996 in New York (Steve Gadd, James Genius, J.Di Francesco) - " Newspaper of a User of the Space 2 " (in 1999, Opera of D. Lockwood and Charlotte Nessi on a notebook of G.Perec). Sanctimonious realize orchestrations. "Tribute to Stéphane Grappelli" (in 2000 with Bireli Lagrène and N.H.O.P). These numerous tours give him the occasion to share the stage with Michel Petrucciani, Martial Solal, John Scofield, Michel Portal, Mike Stern, Toots Thielemans... And this mostly with his "alter ego"; André Charlier (to the battery) with whom he works for more than fifteen years. They dedicate both a big energy to their duet " Charlier / Sourisse ". Their album " Gemini " (where Sanctimonious mix the tones of the organ Hammond to those of the piano) taken out in April, 2001 presents, besides talented guests of the new French generation such as Stéphane Guillaume (soprano sax) and Olivier Ker Ourio (harmonica), one of the most appreciated of the saxophonists current tenors, Jerry Bergonzi. Big passionate person of Blues, co-founder in 1989 of the group " CAPTAIN haberdasher "; with which he gave more than 900 concerts, Sanctimonious also work today on Jean - Jacques Milteau's highly-rated within his various training courses (of the duet in seven). Fascinated by pedagogy, Benoît Sourisse teaches the improvisation to the Superior National Music academy of Lyon since 1988, as well as through of numerous "Masterclass" in all France. ~ Bio  http://charliersourisse.free.fr/biographies_en.html

With their third opus "Heritage", Andre Charlier and Benoit Sourisse invite us to travel through the paths of their musical roots, nursed by the organic and original elements of jazz: African rhythms (poetry of sounds and percussions) and European harmony light blend by the virgin soil of Louisiana. The album presents an encounter with American guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel (accompanist with Brad Mehldau, Mark Turner etc) whose unusual lyricism and phrasing pull him up to the rank of the biggest musicians today. Two high standing French musicians are also present: Stephane Guillaume (saxophone, clarinet) and Pierre Perchaud (guitar, banjo).  http://charliersourisse.free.fr/discographie_en.html

Friday, November 28, 2014

Jakki Ford - A Jakki Ford Christmas: Her Favorite Things

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 49:30
Size: 114.6 MB
Styles: Holiday
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[3:38] 1. My Favorite Things
[3:04] 2. Christmas Blues
[3:46] 3. The Christmas Song
[4:26] 4. Grown Up Christmas List
[3:04] 5. Santa Baby
[5:36] 6. Little Drummer Boy / Do You Hear (Medley)
[3:53] 7. What Child Is This
[5:40] 8. We Three Kings / God Rest Ye (Medley)
[6:38] 9. Breath Of Heaven
[6:01] 10. White Christmas Medley
[3:40] 11. My Favorite Things (Instrumental)

Jakki Ford is an accomplished and versatile performing artist. She enjoys a growing reputation, nationally and internationally, as an outstanding vocalist with a 4-octave vocal range. As a professional actress and talented dancer, she is widely recognized for her artistic sensitivity, gracefulness and extraordinary magnetism on stage, television and film.

Jakki holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, majoring in Speech and Theater, and has completed many post-graduate courses in Vocal, Music and Drama at the University of Nevada, Reno, learning from acclaimed Master Artists. She has sung with the University Choral and Symphonic Choirs, toured the United States singing back-up for a major recording artist and joined the Nevada Opera Company as First Soprano in Verdi's Italian opera, Macbeth. Jakki will perform in the season's upcoming French production, Samson and Delilah.

Jakki commands a dynamic versatility of vocal styles that inspire, dazzle and delight audiences. She offers an exciting freshness to her interpretations of the many musical styles she presents, including popular music, Bosa Nova, Jazz, Motown, Gospel, Rock & Roll and Broadway, among others. Audiences become entranced with her exquisitely unique and totally delightful renditions of these often sung lyrics, which she seems to weave into her own personal tapestry of sound that reaches into the soul of each listener. And then, when the audience catches its breath, the applause begins and the encores are given. Then as she leaves, she turns and smiles her lovely smile, and the audience roars again.

Her favorites - the audiences, too - include compositions by Cole Porter, Gershwin, Loesser and Mercer, which she sings in coffee shops and cabarets. She has been the back-up singer for Rosemary Clooney at Carnegie Hall in New York, and has been featured in multi-million dollar spectaculars at the MGM GRAND in Las Vegas, in addition to singing Rock & Roll with Chubby Checker at the Nugget.

A Jakki Ford Christmas: Her Favorite Things

Ray Anderson - Old Bottles New Wine

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 39:08
Size: 89.6 MB
Styles: Post bop, Trombone jazz
Year: 1985/2010
Art: Front

[4:48] 1. Love Me Or Leave Me
[5:15] 2. Bohemia After Dark
[6:29] 3. La Rosita
[3:35] 4. Ow!
[6:25] 5. In A Mellotone
[5:41] 6. Laird Baird
[6:51] 7. Wine

Trombonist Ray Anderson, best-known for his avant-garde recordings, surprised many with these explorations of standards. His high-note outbursts are often hilarious, yet on this program he really digs into the material. "Love Me or Love Me," "La Rosita" and "In a Mellotone" are among the highpoints and Anderson takes an interesting vocal on "Wine." The all-star rhythm section (pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Cecil McBee and drummer Dannie Richmond) is also a strong asset to this memorable date. ~Scott Yanow

Old Bottles New Wine