Diane Hubka - You Inspire Me

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:46
Size: 141,3 MB
Art: Front

(3:58)  1. Love
(7:12)  2. Moment To Moment
(3:18)  3. Sunday In New York
(3:41)  4. Romance
(5:04)  5. Wave
(4:33)  6. Blue Moon
(6:21)  7. Winter Moon
(4:20)  8. Suddenly
(6:00)  9. Nuages
(3:41) 10. Nothing Like You
(6:00) 11. Inside A Silent Tear
(2:57) 12. You Inspire Me
(3:35) 13. Old New Waltz

Diane Hubka's adventurous spirit continues on her third CD as the singer works with seven different guitarists in a variety of settings, with the occasional addition of bass and drums. She once again leans toward less-familiar songs or those that haven't been recorded quite so often. The sweet-voiced singer is consistently stimulated by the first-rate musicians on every track. The phenomenal Latin guitarist Romero Lubambo provides the pulse beneath Hubka's confident delivery in "Love," with bassist Nilson Matta and drummer Dudua da Fonseca (also known collectively as Trio Da Paz). Bucky Pizzarelli and Frank Vignola mesh beautifully on a swinging "Blue Moon," Django Reinhardt's "Nuages" (with a playful, brand new lyric by Dr. Frank Forte), and the effervescent "Sunday in New York," where Hubka's singing could lift the darkest cloud. 

John Hart, an asset on Hubka's first two releases, is joined by bassist John Hebert and drummer Jeff Hirschfield for the vocalist's haunting interpretation of "Winter Moon" and a freewheeling take of "Nothing Like You." Paul Bollenback is on hand (along with Hebert and Hirschfield) for the snappy "You Inspire Me" and an overlooked gem by Henry Mancini, "Moment to Moment." Jack Wilkins brought along an original, the touching ballad "Romance." But with all of the captivating music within this outstanding CD, it is Hubka's treatment of "The Old New Waltz" (a gorgeous ballad by Michael Moore with bittersweet lyrics by Frank Reilly), with impeccable accompaniment by the matchless Gene Bertoncini, that stands atop this baker's dozen of memorable performances. Jazz singers rarely reach the heights of this outstanding CD. 

~ Ken Dryden  http://www.allmusic.com/album/you-inspire-me-mw0000324883

Personnel: Diane Hubka (vocals); Frank Vignola, Gene Bertoncini, Frank Wilkins, John Hart , Paul Bollenback, Romero Lubambo, Bucky Pizzarelli (guitar); Duduka Da Fonseca, Jeff Hirschfield (drums).

You Inspire Me

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Jeremy Pelt - The Talented Mr. Pelt

Styles: Post-Bop, Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:32
Size: 120,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:27)  1. Pandora's Box
(6:34)  2. All My Thoughts Are With You
(7:19)  3. Paradise Lost
(5:36)  4. When the Time Is Right
(9:06)  5. Pulse
(5:57)  6. In Love Again
(5:36)  7. Only
(7:54)  8. David and Goliath

Jeremy Pelt's 2011 effort, The Talented Mr. Pelt, features the same working ensemble the trumpeter has used since 2007, which includes tenor saxophonist J.D. Allen, pianist Danny Grissett, bassist Dwayne Burno, and drummer Gerald Cleaver. In many ways, the album is a similarly inclined mix of adventurous, on-the-edge, post-bop and modal jazz that featured on Pelt's stellar 2010 album, Men of Honor. A forward-thinking improviser with an ear for late-'60s Miles Davis and '70s Woody Shaw, Pelt pushes the brass envelope as much as possible and can engage a listener quite well on record. 

In that sense, you never get a canned or predictable moment on The Talented Mr. Pelt. Tracks like the funky, off-kilter waltz "Paradise Lost" and the forceful, rough-around-the-edges "Pulse" are terrific modern jazz numbers that bring to mind both the dreamy compositions of saxophonist Wayne Shorter and the early, firebrand work of trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. Similarly, the gorgeous later-album ballad "Only" and the driving, eyes-toward-the-horizon closer "David and Goliath," while coming at group interplay from different emotional directions, find Pelt and his ensemble working as a cohesive unit of like-minded individuals who truly seem to dig playing with each other. Of all of Pelt's prodigious talents showcased on The Talented Mr. Pelt, clearly the ability to pick musically sympathetic and daring sidemen makes the album a joy to hear. ~ Matt Collar  http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-talented-mr-pelt-mw0002086204

Personnel: Jeremy Pelt (trumpet, flugelhorn); J.D.Allen (tenor saxophone); Danny Grissett (piano); Gerald Cleaver (drums).

The Talented Mr. Pelt

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Grupo Latin Vibe - Mambo City

Styles: Latin Jazz
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:33
Size: 129,9 MB
Art: Front

(6:19)  1. Maria Cervantes
(4:30)  2. Bombele
(5:12)  3. Lo Que Me Pasa
(6:55)  4. El Cuarto De Tula
(3:41)  5. Mambo City
(5:34)  6. Besame Mucho
(6:09)  7. Buscando Una Novia
(4:51)  8. Ciudate Compay
(4:39)  9. Lagrimas Negras
(8:38) 10. Descarga Latin Vibe

Grupo Latin Vibe is a salsa/latin jazz band that brings a high powered energy show to the band stand. They have been featured in nightclubs such as Windows of the World, jimmy's Bronx Cafe, Copacabana,S.O.Bs,Gonzalez y Gonzalez, SalsaNY.Com-92nd Street "Y", Brooklyn's 200-5th Avenue, Westgate Lounge, West Nyack, NY., Eden Roc Hotel, South Beach, Fla., NY Hilton Hotel, Chelsea Piers events and various ocassions from private functions to high profiled engagements. Audience of all types are always lifted from their from the irresistable groove of Grupo Latin Vibe. Currently Grupo Latin Vibe has been performing every Friday for 7 years at the Parkside Lounge,317 East Houston Street, Lower East Side, NYC. Grupo Latin Vibe is working on their 2nd production, scheduled to be released april 2005. The sound of this upcoming CD is certain to be a "HOT" one!  Orginally known as TNT Mix, Anibal Tito Rivera and Tom Mattioli embarked on a musical journey when they met in the mid 90's at Boy's Harbor Conservatory of Music. Together they formed a 10 Piece salsa jazz band which was later reduced to 7 members and renamed "Grupo Latin Vibe". http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/grupolatinvibe

Founders: Anibal Tito Rivera, congero, lead vocals, arranger, composer; Tom Mattioli, vibraphonist, arranger, jazz virtuoso, chorus; William Paul Rodriguez - Pianist, vocalist, Carlos Velazquez - Bass; Giancarlo Anderson – Bongo; Victor Rendon – Timbales;  Awilda M. Santiago - Vocals, hand percussion

Mambo City

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Jackie McLean - Strange blues

Styles: Hard Bop, Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1957
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:19
Size: 85,5 MB
Art: Front

( 7:34)  1. Strange Blues
(11:17)  2. Millie's Pad
( 6:39)  3. What's New
( 6:51)  4. Disciples Love Affair
( 4:56)  5. Not So Strange Blues

The last of the Jackie McLean Prestige sessions, this CD reissue has material from two different sets, but fortunately, the music is on a higher level than one might expect of "leftovers." "Strange Blues" is from a marathon quartet set that McLean had with pianist Mal Waldron, bassist Arthur Phipps and drummer Art Taylor as is a rendition of "What's New" that is an alternate version to the one included on Makin' the Changes. In addition, "Disciples Love Affair" and "Millie's Pad" match McLean with the tuba of Ray Draper (who contributed both songs), trumpeter Webster Young, pianist John Meyers, bassist Bill Salter and drummer Larry Ritchie, while the incomplete "Not So Strange Blues" is all McLean on an explosive blues with the rhythm section. A generally strong set chiefly recommended to Jackie McLean completists.
~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/strange-blues-mw0000653529

Personnel: Jackie McLean (alto saxophone); Webster Young (trumpet); Ray Draper (tuba); Gil Coggins, John Meyers, Mal Waldron (piano); Louis Hayes, Art Taylor, Larry Ritchie (drums).

Strange blues

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McCoy Tyner - The Impulse Story

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:37
Size: 143.4 MB
Styles: Post Bop, Piano jazz
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[ 3:37] 1. Greensleeves
[ 6:12] 2. Speak Low
[ 6:34] 3. Effendi
[ 4:17] 4. Reaching Fourth
[ 5:26] 5. Groove Waltz
[ 5:00] 6. Star Eyes
[ 7:44] 7. Newport Romp
[ 5:18] 8. Blues Back
[ 3:44] 9. Oriental Flower
[10:09] 10. Three Flowers
[ 4:30] 11. Searchin'

McCoy Tyner proved early on he was one of the most versatile pianists in jazz. His star, of course, rose with his boss John Coltrane's, yet Tyner held a separate identity in the music. His volume on the Impulse Story series is a fine picture of his creativity, discipline, and wide-ranging ability to play inside and outside the tradition. There are 11 cuts collected here. The set opens with Tyner's arrangement of "Greensleeves" used on Coltrane's Ballads album. There are two -- "Speak Low" and "Effendi" -- from his own label debut, Inception (with drummer Elvin Jones and bassist Art Davis); and another pair of cuts -- "Groove Waltz" and "Star Eyes" -- off Nights of Ballads and Blues. The rest of the material is taken from an assortment of records from his own titles -- Live at Newport, Today and Tomorrow, and McCoy Tyner Plays Ellington -- and those of others on the label such as "Blues Back" from Art Blakey's A Jazz Message, and "Oriental Flower" from the Jones-Jimmy Garrison outing Illumination! This is a cogent portrait of the artist from his tenure at Impulse, and showcases everything from the modal technique used with Coltrane to his unique voicings on standards, and his compositional skills as well. This is an excellent introduction. ~Thom Jurek

The Impulse Story

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Various - New Flamenco

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:14
Size: 117.3 MB
Styles: Nuevo Flamenco, New Age
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[5:34] 1. Luna Blanca - El Dorado
[2:42] 2. Fuegoitaliano - Rumba Del Sol
[4:56] 3. Bino Dola - Venta De Vargas
[4:57] 4. Luna Blanca - Rio Mamoré
[4:23] 5. Fuegoitaliano - Quando Tramonta Il Sol ..
[4:27] 6. Bino Dola - Tiempo Irreal
[4:36] 7. Luna Blanca - Guapa (Deluxe Version)
[3:12] 8. Fuegoitaliano - Cumbia
[4:21] 9. Bino Dola - Oreo
[3:43] 10. Luna Blanca - Sunset
[3:56] 11. Fuegoitaliano - Siempre Volando
[4:21] 12. Bino Dola - Libre Como El Viento

Bino Dola (Germany), Fuegoitaliano (Italy) and Luna Blanca - Richard Hecks and his Nouveau Flamenco Band (Germany) created the "European New Flamenco Foundation". The first music release of the foundation presents these fine artists with her music based mainly on Spanish guitars and latin percussions, but every artist created his own style, mixing in a different way instruments and sounds.

New flamenco (or nuevo flamenco) is synonymous with contemporary flamenco and is a modern derivative of traditional flamenco. It combines flamenco guitar virtuosity with musical fusion. Jazz, rumba, bossa nova, Gypsy, Latin, Middle Eastern, rock, Cuban swing, tango and salsa have all been fused into flamenco by different artists to produce its sound.

Traditional flamenco had been displaced in Spain in the 1950s and 1960s by rock-and-roll. Artists such as Camarón de la Isla worked with the music during that period, infusing it with new sound. However it was during the 1980s that revival really took off, by artists such as Paco de Lucia, Pata Negra, Ketama, and later more mainstream stylists, such as The Gipsy Kings. The artists fused it with other forms, including jazz and salsa. Although fused with other music, it was still based on the classic flamenco the artists had grown up with, a new form of the old. Among the artists wrongly associated with this style is Ottmar Liebert. Another example is the duo Strunz & Farah, who, in an interview in Guitar Player, strenuously denied their music to be a form of flamenco, whilst acknowledging an influence.

New Flamenco

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Jessica Schultz - Quiet Nights

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:58
Size: 109.8 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2000
Art: Front

[3:05] 1. A Foggy Day
[5:34] 2. All My Tomorrows
[4:24] 3. Bye Bye Blackbird
[5:38] 4. Lover Man
[4:27] 5. Tea In The Sahara
[4:29] 6. Corcovado
[4:51] 7. I Thought About You
[4:46] 8. Emily
[5:13] 9. In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning
[5:27] 10. All Blues

The music of vocalist Jessica Schultz combines the swing of yesterday’s big bands with the creative freedom of today’s artists. “I want to use the lyrical tools of singers to reach an advanced audience‚” Jessica says‚ and she has done just that.

Her first CD, "Quiet Nights," is an expressive combination of jazz standards and interesting arrangements to keep audiences on their ears. A graduate of Western Michigan University, Jessica has studied with such artists as Sunny Wilkinson, Fred Hersch, Mark Murphy, Kevyn Lettau, Madeline Eastman, and Kurt Elling.

Jessica’s dedication to her art is well known. Downbeat magazine named her "Outstanding Jazz Soloist" for 2000 in the college category. Jessica has performed throughout the United States. She has been a featured vocalist with the Downbeat award-winning ensemble Gold Company. Locally, she can often be seen performing with her husband, pianist and composer of note Marcus Reynolds.

Quiet Nights

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Woody Allen & His New Orleans Jazz Band - Wild Man Blues

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:31
Size: 138.6 MB
Styles: New Orleans jazz-blues
Year: 1998
Art: Front

[3:42] 1. Lonesome Blues
[2:49] 2. Dippermouth Blues
[3:35] 3. After You've Gone
[4:03] 4. Martha (Aka Mazie)
[3:17] 5. Lead Me Savior
[4:43] 6. Swing A Lullaby
[2:45] 7. Last Night On The Back Porch
[3:32] 8. Shake That Thing
[2:29] 9. Yaaka Hula Hickey Dula
[4:33] 10. In The Evening
[4:47] 11. Come On And Stomp, Stomp, Stomp
[3:34] 12. Wild Man Blues
[4:12] 13. Tie Me To Your Apron Strings Again
[6:56] 14. Pappy's B-Flat Blues
[5:29] 15. Hear Me Talkin' To Ya

Woody Allen's New Orleans jazz is a combination of mournful blues and lively syncopation played with raw spontaneity. His clarinet tone is downright edgy in the treble clef, although his low-register work is more soulful. He affects a decorative style with a vibrato frequently wide enough to drive a Mack truck through.

Five of the 15 tracks are from the books of past greats. Louis Armstrong's "Hear Me Talkin' to Ya" is a languid lament, Lillian Hardin Armstrong's "Lonesome Blues" is delivered in an upbeat stop-tempo, and King Oliver's "Dippermouth Blues" is rendered slow and easy. There's musical breadth and depth to charts like Fats Waller's "Come On and Stomp, Stomp, Stomp," the prayer-like "Lead Me Savior," and the title track. Eddie Davis ("The Manhattan Minstrel") is the musical director, vocalist, and banjo player with the seven-piece band and pull-out trio.

Part of a tandem production, this CD features re-recorded selections from the video documentary of the same name. The session was played without rehearsal in a Manhattan church, the documentary's music supplemented by additional tracks. ~Patricia Myers

Wild Man Blues

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Duke Robillard - Duke`s Box, The Blues And More (3-CD Set)

As usual, Dixiefrog has designed a great-looking 8-page digipak containing three CDs. Duke's looking back at almost twenty years with StonyPlain/Dixiefrog. Philippe Langlois has compiled a nice selection of blues related music: blues, jump/swing, and rock/blues. Two unreleased tracks, plus two bonus cuts with Sonny & Her Joy Boys.

Album: Duke`s Box, The Blues And More Cd 1
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 77:42
Size: 177.9 MB
Styles: Contemporary blues
Year: 2009

[2:59] 1. I Still Love You Baby
[3:55] 2. Buy Me A Dog
[4:49] 3. Everything Is Broken
[5:24] 4. Never Let You Go
[3:57] 5. How Long Has It Been
[3:05] 6. Midnite Cannonball
[7:48] 7. West Side Shuffle
[4:28] 8. Gambler Blues
[6:41] 9. Pony Blues
[3:20] 10. World Of Blues
[7:07] 11. Goodtime Charlie
[8:36] 12. Blues Nightmare
[8:09] 13. Two Bones And A Pick
[7:17] 14. The Return Of Duke`s Mood

Duke`s Box, The Blues And More Cd 1

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Album: Duke`s Box, The Blues And More Cd 2
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:43
Size: 157.3 MB
Styles: Contemporary blues
Year: 2009

[4:10] 1. Lonesome Woman Blues
[4:50] 2. Glamour Girl
[3:18] 3. Gee I Wish
[6:42] 4. The Lonesome Road
[9:00] 5. I`m Still In Love With You
[7:20] 6. Train To Texas
[6:33] 7. When Your Lover Has Gone
[2:46] 8. Hardway
[6:47] 9. Red Dog
[5:56] 10. I Got It Bad (And That Ain`t Good)
[3:18] 11. I Miss My Baby In My Arms
[3:11] 12. Jimmie`s Texas Blues
[4:46] 13. Undecided

Duke`s Box, The Blues And More Cd 2

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Album: Duke`s Box, The Blues And More Cd 3
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 79:18
Size: 181.6 MB
Styles: Contemporary blues
Year: 2009

[ 2:53] 1. Real Live Wire
[ 3:51] 2. Slim Jenkins Joint
[ 4:04] 3. Jumpin`rockin`rhytm
[ 5:18] 4. Low Side Of The Road
[ 3:06] 5. Just Before Daw/Dawn
[ 4:33] 6. Fishnet
[16:12] 7. Blues A Rama
[ 8:47] 8. Love Sick
[ 4:54] 9. Do The Memphis Grind
[ 6:34] 10. Too Much Stuff
[ 8:23] 11. Stratisfied
[ 5:16] 12. Addiction
[ 5:23] 13. Rehab

Duke`s Box, The Blues And More Cd 3

s c a n s

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The New Stan Getz Quartet - Getz Au Go-Go

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:08
Size: 89.6 MB
Styles: Bossa Nova, Saxophone jazz
Year: 1964/2007
Art: Front

[2:51] 1. Corcovado
[4:29] 2. It Might As Well Be Spring
[2:32] 3. Eu E Voco
[8:12] 4. Summertime
[1:04] 5. 6-Nix-Pix-Plix
[4:40] 6. Only Trust Your Heart
[3:46] 7. The Singing Song
[1:58] 8. The Telephone Song
[3:19] 9. One Note Samba
[6:11] 10. Here's That Rainy Day

Although the name Stan Getz (tenor sax) was initially synonymous with the West Coast cool scene during the mid-to-late 1950s, he likewise became a key component in the Bossa Nova craze of the early 1960s. Along with Astrud Gilberto (vocals), Getz scored a genre-defining hit with the "Girl From Ipanema," extracted from the equally lauded Getz/Gilberto (1963). While that platter primarily consists of duets between Getz and João Gilberto (guitar/vocals), it was truly serendipity that teamed Getz with João's wife Astrud, who claims to have never sung a note outside of her own home prior to the session that launched her career. Getz Au Go Go Featuring Astrud Gilberto (1964) was the second-to-last album that he would issue during his self-proclaimed "Bossa Nova Era" -- the final being Getz/Gilberto #2 [Live] (1964) concert title from Carnegie Hall. In many ways, that is a logical successor to this one, as both include the "New Stan Getz Quartet." The band features a young Gary Burton (vibraphone), Kenny Burrell (guitar), Gene Cherico (bass), and Joe Hunt (drums). As is typical with jazz, there are a few personnel substitutions, with Helcio Milito (drums) and Chuck Israels (bass), respectively, filling in on nearly half the effort. As the name of the disc intimates, this recording hails from the venerable Greenwich Village venue, the Café Au Go Go, in mid-August of 1964 -- two months after "Girl From Ipanema" became a Top Five pop single. However, the focus of Getz Au Go Go steers away from the Brazilian flavored fare, bringing Astrud Gilberto into the realm of a decidedly more North American style. That said, there are a few Antonio Carlos Jobim compositions -- "Corcovado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars)" and "One Note Samba" -- both of which would be considered as jazz standards in years to follow -- as well as the lesser-circulated "Eu E Voce." Getz and crew gather behind Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein's "It Might as Well Be Spring," and the scintillating instrumental "Summertime," from Porgy & Bess. Other equally engaging cuts include affective vocal readings of "Only Trust Your Heart," and the diminutive, yet catchy "Telephone Song." There is also some great interaction between Getz and Burton on "Here's to That Rainy Day." Getz Au Go Go is highly recommended for all dimensions of jazz enthusiasts. ~Lindsay Planer

Getz Au Go-Go

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Eyal Vilner - Introducing The Eyal Vilner Big Band

Styles: Saxophone Jazz, Big Band
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:08
Size: 124,3 MB
Art: Front

(4:06)  1. Woody'N You
(4:52)  2. Epilogue
(4:19)  3. Your Eyes
(7:43)  4. Tonk
(6:43)  5. Isn't This a Lovely Day
(5:36)  6. Un Poco Loco
(6:20)  7. The Nearness of You
(4:29)  8. New One
(4:14)  9. Night Flight
(5:43) 10. Remember

Tel Aviv, Israel-born saxophonist, composer and bandleader Eyal Vilner moved to New York City in 2007 to continue his studies at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. After touring Israel in the summer of 2008, he decided to establish a New York version of his all-star Israeli big band. Enlisting fourteen of the city's finest musicians, the ensemble boasts such players as veteran saxophonist Dan Block, trumpeter and director of the Julliard Jazz Orchestra Brandon Lee, Grammy Award-winning trombonist and director of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra John Mosca, and young jazz vocal sensation Yaala Ballin. Having performed at various venues throughout the Big Apple, Introducing The Eyal Vilner Big Band is the group's self-titled debut CD, containing a selection of originals as well as new arrangements of standards by Dizzy Gillespie, Irving Berlin, Bud Powell and others. A brisk new arrangement of Gillespie's jazz classic "Woody'N You" opens the date in swinging fashion, featuring solos from Mosca and Vilner. 

The first Vilner original of the set is the brief "Your Eyes," a mid-tempo piece introducing pianist Yonatan Riklis and capturing the leader on both alto sax and clarinet. Blending the sounds of New York jazz with the New Orleans style, "Tonk" is a Ray Bryant tune spiced up with an arrangement penned at the request of pianist Junior Mance. Mance performed the piece with Vilner's band at the New School, where he also teaches. Israeli songbird Yaala Ballin lends her lush vocals to three songs. Berlin's "Isn't This a Lovely Day" is a slow, cushy love ballad that also features light solos from trumpeter Lee and trombonist Mosca. She returns with a warm performance on Hoagy Carmichael's classic "The Nearness of You," and is a delight on the other Berlin standard, "Remember." Powell's familiar "Un Poco Loco" is one of the rousing orchestrations featuring the unusually-configured sections of five reeds and four brass, which work quite well here. The burly baritone sax voice of Jonah Parzen-Johnson introduces "New One," another swinging big band chart enjoying furious solos from tenorist Ned Goold and trumpeter Lee. Not to be confused with Sammy Nestico's composition of the same name, Vilner's "Night Flight" flies a distinctly different approach low and slow, under the radar, guided by the leader's gorgeous alto phrases and tender piano chords. 

This truly artistic effort ends with a beautiful, partly improvised piece appropriately entitled "Epilogue." Mosca, Goold and Vilner offer marvelous solo performances on the final selection. Eyal Vilner's skills as a musician are unquestionable, but his talents as a composer, arranger and bandleader are what's truly on display on Introducing The Eyal Vilner Big Band, a remarkable debut recording from a group poised to take their place among the major big bands of the East. Vilner offers clever charts, excellent musicianship and an exciting new sound in the finest tradition of contemporary big band music. ~ Edward Blanco  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/introducing-the-eyal-vilner-big-band-eyal-vilner-gut-string-records-review-by-edward-blanco.php
 

Personnel: Eyal Vilner: alto saxophone, clarinet; Andrew Gould: alto saxophone, clarinet; Pablo Castano: alto saxophone, flute; Ned Goold: tenor saxophone; Dan Block: tenor saxophone, clarinet; Jonah Parzen-Johnson: baritone saxophone, bass clarinet; Cameron Johnson: trumpet; Brandon Lee: trumpet, flugelhorn; John Mosca: trombone; Kevin Cerovich: trombone; Yonatan Rosen: drums; Yonatan Riklis: piano; Montana Agte-Studier: flute (4); Yaala Ballin: vocals (4, 6, 9).

Introducing The Eyal Vilner Big Band

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Julia Fordham - The Language Of Love

Size: 134,1 MB
Time: 57:39
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

01. Call Me (3:50)
02. Who's That Girl (5:46)
03. Happy Ever After (4:55)
04. I'm Not In Love (6:18)
05. Alone Again (Naturally) (4:59)
06. Fragile (4:18)
07. Like You Used To Do (4:44)
08. Eleanor Rigby (4:33)
09. The Morning After (The Night With You) (5:07)
10. At Seventeen (4:47)
11. Sir Duke (4:19)
12. Moon River (4:00)

Call Me:
“I have always been a huge fan of Blondie and thought Debbie Harry was electrifying. We tried to infuse that same energy and drive into our swing version of their classic song.”

Who’s That Girl:
“It was so inspiring to rediscover the incredible talent and amazing voice of Annie Lennox when considering the perfect Eurythmics track to cover. We felt a bossa nova rendition of this great song would make an intriguing choice.”

Happy Ever After:
“So much has changed in the world since the first recording of this song and we wanted to reflect this with a World Music vibe infused into the groove. Originally it was simply a love song about ‘being happy ever after.’ Seeing a piece on TV about apartheid in South Africa and Nelson Mandela, the lyric took on a different dimension for me. In the new middle section, we reflect upon the current humanitarian crises and suffering affecting people in northern Africa and Syria.”

I’m Not In Love:
“When I was a teenager, my parents reluctantly agreed to let me go to a disco. Just as well they did, because when the ‘slow song’ came on, it was this timeless gem from 10cc. I was mesmerized by the production, arrangement and sheer beauty of the melody and clever lyric, and was influenced by every component of it for years to come.”

Alone Again (Naturally):
“While researching each song we ultimately selected for the album, I was so surprised to read that Gilbert O’Sullivan had made the whole thing up. His vocals and delivery were so convincing on the original, I felt sure he had been personally stood up at the altar, his father had died and his mother cried. I tried to apply the same effortless conviction to my delivery of his moving and compelling tale.”

Fragile:
“An outstanding song from one of my favorite artists. Sting is such an exceptional all-rounder. His voice, songs and standard of musicianship are inspirational. Dominic Miller, the guitarist on my Porcelain album, has worked with Sting for 20 years. We were honored to have Latin Jazz guitarist extraordinaire Ramon Stagnaro play the signature theme when we recorded this live in the studio.”

Like You Used To Do:
“I had this brand new song that had a jazz feel and we felt it went well with our other selections. Along with the sensational singer songwriter Judith Owen, the fabulous Sista Jean McClain, who was featured on “Hope, Prayer & Time” (a song on my 4th album Falling Forward), added sizzling background vocals to this track and 3 others.

Eleanor Rigby:
“Every Beatles song is a perfect classic. We considered many options, but the combination of such moving words and melody made this our final pick.”

The Morning After (The Night With You):
“We really did have the dream team for this album, including a killer rhythm section, Herman Matthews on drums and David Piltch on upright bass. They had just returned the day before from a world tour with Hugh Laurie and were on fire. We also had the brilliant guitarist Ramon Stagnaro, who has played with Andrea Bocelli, and Latin Jazz groove-master, Ray Yslas, who has played with Santana, on percussion. It was a real thrill to have the guys add their magic to my new song.”

At Seventeen:
“Janis Ian. Wow. She is one of the leading ladies of the singer-songwriter genre. I remember being moved to tears when I first heard this song and I’ve been a huge fan ever since. This is yet another illustration of her winning and spot-on combination of exquisite melody and lyrics.”

Sir Duke:
“Incredibly, our phenomenal trumpet player, Harry Kim, was in the original live band that toured the Songs In The Key of Life album with Stevie Wonder. In the studio, he shared an incredible story about his audition. While in a room alongside eight other trumpet players, Stevie played the iconic theme of ‘Sir Duke’ and challenged the hopefuls. The first musician to play it back perfectly would get the job. Harry was that man. Now, all these years later, he has performed it again on our version. We felt this coincidence was a real blessing on our project.”

Moon River:
“When I was a kid getting ready for school, this is the tune my dad would sing on a loop while shaving in the shower. I am so happy he is still alive to hear my version and that he loved it. We also wanted to capture something for the album that was reminiscent of our live set and this track features our stellar guitarist, Colin Ryan, weaving a subtle dance around Grant’s beautiful piano.”

The Language Of Love

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Vital Organ - Exact Change

Size: 114,3 MB
Time: 49:14
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2010
Styles: Jazz: Hammond Organ
Art: Front

01. Funk E-350 (4:41)
02. Girl From Ipanema (5:28)
03. Stew's Blues (6:14)
04. Exact Change (At 62 Mph) (7:31)
05. Wait For Spring (7:15)
06. Tippy's Theme (4:27)
07. Who Ya With (7:06)
08. Blue In Green (6:29)

The debut release from the twin cities' premier jazz organ trio, featuring guitarist Zacc Harris, drummer Pete Hennig, and master organist Jason Craft. The album is a collection of eight tunes, six original compositions by Harris spanning hard bop to funky soul jazz, and two standards arranged by Craft, including a samba version of Jobim's Girl From Ipanema at a blistering speed and an R&B version of Miles Davis' Blue In Green in 7/4 time. Also featured on the album is a stellar vocal performance by singer Katie Gearty on Harris' original ballad Wait For Spring.

Exact Change

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John Stowell & Michael Zilber Quartet - Live Beauty

Size: 142,7 MB
Time: 61:49
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz: Guitar Jazz, Post Bop
Art: Front

01. In The Park (11:54)
02. Shot Through With Beauty (11:34)
03. Quantum Theory ( 7:12)
04. Stowell What ( 7:58)
05. Cookie Monster Blue ( 9:02)
06. My Funny Valentine ( 6:21)
07. Wabash III ( 7:46)

Recorded live at Berkeley's California Jazz Conservatory in 2012 at the end of a two-week tour, "Live Beauty" captures the lithe and dynamic Bay-Area quartet that John Stowell and Michael Zilber have co-led for the past 7 years. It well represents the effortless empathy and telepathy these four musicians have developed during that time. "...there's no mistaking Stowell's remarkable prowess and sensitivity on electric and acoustic guitars--or the fun he's having in this highly interactive setting." JazzTimes.

Personnel:
Michael Zilber - Saxes
John Stowell - Guitars
John Shifflett - Bass
Jason Lewis - Drums

Live Beauty

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Lydia Garrow - Little Bird

Size: 100,8 MB
Time: 39:46
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz/Pop/Folk Vocals
Art: Front

01. Little White Lies (3:04)
02. Jardin D'hiver (3:58)
03. Moon River (5:05)
04. Desafinado (4:27)
05. Dream Dancing (3:11)
06. This Masquerade (3:46)
07. In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning (3:48)
08. Little Bird (3:24)
09. Cry Me A River (5:45)
10. Gypsies Call (3:12)

Lydia Garrow has been singing since she was a young child. Winning a music scholarship aged 11, she was classically trained from the age of 14 by Arwel Morgan and then Dr. Eric Von Ibler, head of Lieder at The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.
It was an instant love affair with the voice of Stacey Kent from the age of 17 that developed an interest in singing jazz. Since then Lydia has gone on to perform at many events. Lydia's voice has a versatility that leads itself to both the translucent beauty of the Italian arias as well as the silky sounds of Jazz. Furthermore her Irish heritage can be seen through her natural afinity with celtic folk songs.

Little Bird

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Todd Schroeder - Songs My Father Taught Me

Size: 132,2 MB
Time: 56:35
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2012
Styles: Piano Jazz, Easy Listening
Art: Front

01. Misty (4:24)
02. Scotch And Soda (4:49)
03. Stardust (5:46)
04. Autumn Leaves (5:12)
05. They Can't Take That Away From Me (3:00)
06. The Nearness Of You (5:24)
07. Lush Life (3:47)
08. Skylark (4:47)
09. Tenderly (4:54)
10. In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning (3:11)
11. Danny Boy (3:20)
12. One For My Baby (One More For The Road) (7:55)

Todd Schroeder started playing piano at the age of four. Growing up in a musical family, he was introduced to everything from Claude Debussy to Neil Diamond, from Ray Charles to Elton John, but what he remembers most is discovering, at the age of eight, the rock and roll piano playing of Jerry Lee Lewis.
For Schroeder, this variety of musical influences has produced a variety of musical accomplishments as a composer, producer, arranger, musical director and performer. Playing piano, though, remains Schroeder’s first love. He has performed at Carnegie Hall and the White House, with the Boston Pops and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and has appeared on numerous television shows including The Oprah Winfrey Show.
As an accomplished composer, his original music has been featured in film and television. His production of “Roter Mond: The Braveheart Musical” is set to open in Duisburg, Germany in 2012. He co-composed music and lyrics with Kevin Fisher for the hit musical “Unbeatable: A Bold New Musical”. He has also recorded four of his own CD’s including the critically-acclaimed “Songs My Father Taught Me”.
Along with writing and producing, Schroeder has conducted and arranged for such artists as Angela Lansbury, Nell Carter, Jason Alexander, Rita Coolidge, David Burnham and Sam Harris. He also serves as the vocal director for Disney’s “Aladdin, A Musical Spectacular” and for “Wicked” at Universal Studios Japan. And finally, he is the proud founder of the “Todd Schroeder Young Artist Grant”, an annual scholarship presented to graduating high school students wanting to pursue careers in the arts.

Songs My Father Taught Me

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Claudia Morris - Secret Love (2015)

Size: 92,5 MB
Time: 39:15
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

01. Sentimental Journey (3:52)
02. Orange Colored Sky (1:49)
03. The Very Thought Of You (4:01)
04. Shanghai (2:20)
05. Day By Day (3:41)
06. It's Magic (2:27)
07. Love Me Or Leave Me (2:36)
08. Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps (2:20)
09. You Go To My Head (3:06)
10. The Lady's In Love With You (2:41)
11. Shaking The Blues Away (1:58)
12. I'll Never Stop Loving You (2:06)
13. I've Got The Sun In The Mornin' (2:08)
14. Secret Love (4:04)

Acclaimed London jazz vocalist and West End actress Claudia Morris has been thrilling audiences around the UK with her inimitable style showcasing a range of genres. Claudia trained both as a classical actress at Webber Douglas Academy and as a singer with voice coach Ian Adams. Claudia has recently signed to Right Recordings and is delighted to announce the release of her album ‘Secret Love’ in February, including some of Doris Day’s favourite songs with some outstanding new arrangements.

Secret Love

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Gerry Mulligan Paul Desmond Quartet - S/T

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:30
Size: 156.8 MB
Styles: West Coast jazz, Saxophone jazz
Year: 1957/1993
Art: Front

[9:01] 1. Blues In Time
[9:39] 2. Body And Soul
[3:25] 3. Stand Still
[3:06] 4. Line For Lyons
[6:57] 5. Wintersong
[7:43] 6. Battle Hymn Of The Republican
[5:47] 7. Fall Out
[7:57] 8. Tea For Two
[8:08] 9. Wintersong
[6:43] 10. Lover

This is the first recorded collaboration of baritone saxophone great Gerry Mulligan and the witty alto saxophonist Paul Desmond. Despite hardly any preparation for these recording sessions, the two men complement one another's playing beautifully, as both of them were highly melodic improvisers. Desmond brought three originals to the sessions: the driving "Blues in Time," the soft ballad "Wintersong" (which is based on the chord changes to "These Foolish Things"), and "Battle Hymn of the Republican" (which is actually a complex reworking of "Tea for Two"). Mulligan's contributions include his earlier hit "Line for Lyons," "Stand Still" (based on "My Heart Stood Still"), and the Latin-tinged "Fall Out" (taken from "Let's Fall in Love"). Mulligan was clearly annoyed when told that three unissued tracks ("Tea for Two," "Lover," and an alternate take of "Wintersong") had been added to the CD reissue, but was clearly amused at the accidental and unlisted first take of "Lover," which falls apart after a minute-and-a-half and is followed by some discussion. Bassist Joe Benjamin and drummer Dave Bailey provide excellent rhythmic support throughout this highly recommended CD. ~Ken Dryden

Gerry Mulligan Paul Desmond Quartet

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Benny Carter - 3, 4, 5: The Verve Small Group Sessions

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:31
Size: 172.9 MB
Styles: Mainstream jazz, Saxophone jazz
Year: 1991
Art: Front

[3:47] 1. Little Girl Blue
[4:13] 2. June In January
[3:36] 3. Jeepers Creepers
[5:35] 4. Rosetta
[4:07] 5. The Birth Of The Blues
[4:00] 6. When Your Lover Has Gone
[4:56] 7. The Moon Is Low
[2:56] 8. This Love Of Mine
[2:43] 9. Moonglow
[3:51] 10. My One And Only Love
[3:35] 11. Our Love Is Here To Stay
[3:23] 12. This Can't Be Love
[3:37] 13. Tenderly
[3:20] 14. Unforgettable
[4:32] 15. Ruby
[3:55] 16. Moon Song
[4:03] 17. Don't You Think
[5:12] 18. Will You Still Be Mine
[3:59] 19. We'll Be Together Again

Has there ever been a more consistent performer in jazz history over a longer period of time than Benny Carter? The classic altoist, who had fully formed his sound by the early '30s (he first recorded in 1927), has not altered his style much in the past 65 (and counting) years. The music on this Verve reissue CD features Carter in three settings: in a trio with pianist Teddy Wilson and drummer Jo Jones (those performances were only previously out in Japan), heading a quartet with pianist Don Abney, bassist George Duvivier and drummer Louis Bellson and showcased on three previously unissued tracks with the Oscar Peterson trio plus drummer Bobby White. Carter knew most of these standards extremely well and he glides effortlessly over the chord changes, infusing the music with swing and subtle creativity. ~Scott Yanow

3, 4, 5: The Verve Small Group Sessions

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Janet Seidel Trio & Friends - Far Away Places

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 58:40

Size: 134.3 MB

Styles: Easy Listening, Vocal

Year: 2013

Art: Front

[3:58] 1. La Paloma

[3:07] 2. Love Your Magic Spell Is Everywhere

[5:33] 3. Suzukake No Michi

[3:16] 4. Recado Bossa Nova The Gift

[4:27] 5. Sand In My Shoes

[3:54] 6. Historia De Un Amor

[3:09] 7. Too Darn Hot

[5:22] 8. Autumn In New York

[4:16] 9. Take The A Train

[4:09] 10. La Javanaise

[3:13] 11. Kiss Of Fire

[4:25] 12. Midnight Sun

[1:33] 13. Maui Holiday

[4:59] 14. Far Away Places

[3:12] 15. Golden Slumbers

Far Away Places is the latest in Janet Seidel’s long discography, spanning over eighteen releases so far. The album pulls together a wide collection of songs form all across the world, including Cuba (La Paloma), Japan (Suzukake no Michi), and America (Take The A Train). Every track on this album is realised in a similar stripped down, soulful iteration. Seidel is surrounded by a host of talented musicians here. Aside from the trio regulars Chuck Morgan and David Seidel, Fabian Hevla and Hamish Stuart both contribute some solid percussion work across half the tracks. ~Sam Gilles

Far Away Places

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