Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Neil Diamond - Up On The Roof: Songs From The Brill Building

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:31
Size: 127.1 MB
Styles: Adult Contemporary
Year: 1993
Art: Front

[4:29] 1. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'
[3:28] 2. Up On The Roof
[3:03] 3. Love Potion Number Nine
[3:28] 4. Will You Love Me Tomorrow
[3:44] 5. Don't Be Cruel
[2:53] 6. Do Wah Diddy Diddy
[4:03] 7. I (Who Have Nothing)
[3:02] 8. Do You Know The Way To San Jose
[3:36] 9. Don't Make Me Over
[3:55] 10. Mountain High
[2:51] 11. A Groovy Kind Of Love
[3:41] 12. Spanish Harlem
[2:52] 13. Sweets For My Sweet
[3:39] 14. Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen
[4:15] 15. Ten Lonely Guys
[2:26] 16. Save The Last Dance For Me

Up on the Roof: Songs from the Brill Building is Neil Diamond's equivalent of, say, one of Barbra Streisand's Broadway albums. It's Broadway that Diamond is returning to as well; specifically, the corner of 49th Street, where he and many others turned out songs for music publishers. Some of these songs were written there; most were only in the spirit of that modern Tin Pan Alley. Handling the work of his then-rivals, such as "Spanish Harlem," "A Groovy Kind of Love," and "River Deep, Mountain High," Diamond adopts his usual hammy style. Peter Asher patented a neo-'60s production style in crafting oldies for Linda Ronstadt in the '70s, and he does the same thing here. Actually, this record sounds exactly like you would expect: just call to mind a familiar song like "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" and imagine what it would sound like if Neil Diamond sang it. Fans can decide for themselves whether it's valid and, perhaps more problematic, necessary. ~William Ruhlmann

Up On The Roof: Songs From The Brill Building

Carol Welsman - Swing Ladies, Swing! A Tribute To The Singers Of The Swing Era

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:21
Size: 119.8 MB
Styles: Swing, Jazz vocals
Year: 1999
Art: Front

[3:33] 1. Honeysuckle Rose
[4:46] 2. What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life
[3:25] 3. Fever
[5:53] 4. Never Let Me Go
[4:08] 5. More Than You Know
[4:08] 6. Cheek To Cheek
[5:06] 7. Black Coffee
[3:50] 8. Taking A Chance On Love
[4:59] 9. Over The Rainbow
[3:27] 10. If I Were A Bell
[5:16] 11. God Bless The Child
[3:43] 12. Do It Again

This is a beautiful timeless mix of American Song Book Classics with Symphony Orchestra. It is very rich musically.

My lifelong dream was to sing with a symphony orchestra. I am lucky that my grandfather, Frank Welsman, is the founder and first conductor of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. I thought it would be wonderful to dedicate this album to him and also pay tribute to the sinegr who influenced me to sing jazz. They are showcased on this CD. Enjoy! ~Carol Welsman

Swing Ladies, Swing!

Joe Williams & George Shearing - The Heart And Soul Of Joe Williams & George Shearing

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 30:35
Size: 70.0 MB
Styles: Standards, Vocal jazz
Year: 1971/2001/2011
Art: Front

[3:06] 1. Heart And Soul
[2:20] 2. Nobody's Heart
[2:18] 3. Body And Soul
[2:29] 4. Humpty Dumpty Heart
[2:06] 5. My Heart Stood Still
[2:49] 6. My Heart And I
[3:16] 7. Blues In My Heart
[2:15] 8. Sleep My Heart
[2:45] 9. My Foolish Heart
[1:59] 10. My Heart Tells Me
[2:00] 11. Young At Heart
[3:07] 12. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart

By the time this record first appeared in 1971 on George Shearing's short-lived Sheba label, jazz was in the doldrums due to the preponderance of rock on radio and in record stores. Shearing formed his own label in an attempt to control his own destiny, and singer Joe Williams was one of the first people he asked to appear on with him. The two veterans are joined by bassist Andy Simpkins and drummer Stix Hooper for a collection of ballads (both familiar and obscure) that feature either "heart" and/or "soul" in their titles. They work very well together due to their love of great melodies and their ability to build upon them. The surprise opener is "Heart and Soul," a fairly simple Hoagy Carmichael-Frank Loesser ditty that is often the first piece would-be pianists learn on their own; Shearing's easygoing yet swinging arrangement removes its typically monotonous character. Even though Rodgers & Hart's lovely "My Heart Stood Still" is barely over two minutes, the enchanting duo rendition by Williams and Shearing not only restores the often omitted verse but proves that less can be more. The out of tempo interpretation of "Young at Heart" and rather playful take of "I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart" are very refreshing. The lesser-known tunes are hardly lesser quality. Jimmy van Heusen and Johnny Burke penned the gorgeous yet unjustly forgotten "Humpty Dumpty Heart," while Alec Wilder's "Sleep My Heart" is another long lost treasure. Out of print since the label's demise in 1973, this 2001 reissue will be readily welcomed by fans of Joe Williams and George Shearing. ~Ken Dryden

The Heart And Soul Of Joe Williams & George Shearing

Jools Holland - Sirens Of Song

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:29
Size: 108.7 MB
Styles: Big band, Vocal jazz
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[2:52] 1. Jumpin' In The Morning
[4:19] 2. Letting Me Down (With Joss Stone)
[3:05] 3. Love Me Or Leave Me (With Evie Sands)
[3:50] 4. A Vow (with Louise Marshall)
[2:45] 5. Monkey Man (With Amy Winehouse)
[3:26] 6. Should I Stay Or Should I Go
[3:32] 7. Sweet Bitter Love (With Mabel Ray)
[3:40] 8. See-Line Woman (With Laura Mvula)
[2:37] 9. Lost Mind (With Rumer)
[2:42] 10. Top To Bottom Boogie (With Imelda May)
[3:05] 11. Night And Day (With KT Tunstall)
[4:21] 12. I Wish
[3:54] 13. I Still Went Wrong
[3:17] 14. Ain't Misbehavin'

Jools Holland is back with an elite gathering of world-class female artists, with big band support from his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. Sirens Of Song highlights Jools' talent for amazing collaborations and features duets with some of the most iconic female voices in contemporary and classic music. Jools Holland said: "It's a privilege and honour to celebrate and bring together, for the first time ever, some of the greatest female vocalists and writers of our time on this new record.

"I'm so grateful to have had the support of these incredibly gifted women in music who bring that magical female perspective to every track... Collaborating and working with this diverse and dazzling array of talent, who hail from all sorts of genres spanning from today and back to the jazz age, has been an inspiration and something rather special... Enjoy."

Sirens Of Song is a true showcase in musicianship and combines an array of wonderful performers with Jools' talent and big band support from his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. The 14-track album features a
selection of originals and reworked classics.

Sirens Of Song

Jack McDuff - Jack-Pot

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:17
Size: 133.4 MB
Styles: B3 Organ jazz
Year: 1997/2010
Art: Front

[7:38] 1. Deli Blues For Blakey
[6:50] 2. Broadway
[7:53] 3. Jack-Pot
[5:53] 4. When I Fall In Love
[4:34] 5. Basie Instinct
[7:51] 6. Spec-Tator
[3:40] 7. Teach Me Tonight
[9:29] 8. Martasamba
[4:25] 9. Basie Instinct (Take 2)

Organist Jack McDuff still has the stuff! Born in 1926 in Champaign, IL, McDuff began his career in Chicago more than a decade before he first recorded an album that helped to shape the heyday of the Hammond B-3 in jazz during the 1960s.

McDuff leads a swinging trio on this nine-tune album recorded in Milan (1991) with drummer (and, on two tracks, singer) Bobby Durham, and Massimo Farao, a pianist (and album producer) who shows affinity for expressing bluesy voicings and whose simple yet pleasing original, "Martasamba," is performed by the trio.

On four tunes, the trio is expanded, albeit somewhat unimaginatively, by Piero Odorici (tenor sax) and Bruno Marini (baritone sax). (No clues in liner notes or press materials as to who they are.)

The core group (without Durham's vocals) performs best, with McDuff, Durham and Farao exhibiting cohesive swingability, especially on McDuff's original, "Spectator," a nearly eight-minute selection that builds into a foot-tapping foray. For discerning listeners, it's peak moments like this that truly hit the jackpot. ~Nancy Ann Lee

Jack-Pot

Nancy LaMott - Beautiful Baby

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1991
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:13
Size: 105,6 MB
Art: Front

(3:02)  1. Skylark
(3:40)  2. The Surrey With the Fringe on Top
(3:57)  3. Child in Me Again
(4:08)  4. I Have Dreamed
(3:00)  5. Why Don't We Run Away
(6:20)  6. It Might as Well Be Spring
(4:11)  7. Blue Skies
(5:05)  8. With Every Breath I Take
(4:34)  9. You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby
(3:08) 10. Help Is on the Way
(4:01) 11. In Passing Years

This album, Nancy LaMott's first, was originally released in 1991 and then reissued in 1996, shortly after her tragic death from uterine cancer. Even at this, the outset of her recording career, she shows all the moves needed to be a top-of-the-list cabaret singer. Not content to simply recite the story of the lyrics, each track is a separate dramatic event filled with just the right emotional intensity to fit the character of the song she is singing. For "It Might as Well Be Spring" there's a feeling of yearning, while "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby" starts off cute and ends up on the barroom floor. On the latter she engages in some slow-motion give and take with the trumpet of long-time session player Glenn Drewes. "Blues Skies" is a production with LaMott treating it like a hymn at the start, then with each successive chorus the tempo picks up speed, with the rest of the rhythm section joining in with Christopher Marlowe as LaMott's coda is a note somewhere in the upper stratosphere. On this tune, she shows how effective a vibrato can be if applied judiciously to emphasize a line or a word. There are times when a lieder recital atmosphere is created by the pure, crystalline, expressive LaMott vocalizing combined with the classical like piano of Christopher Marlowe. Standards are not LaMott's only forte. She handles award-winning Annie Dinerman's wistful, hopeful, and stop the world "Child in Me Again" with aplomb. Mike Migliore's flighty flute helps make this track one of the finest on an album of good tracks. Beautiful Baby is cabaret at its best, and is recommended. ~ Dave Nathan  http://www.allmusic.com/album/beautiful-baby-mw0000623622

Personnel: Nancy LaMott (vocals); Ken Sebesky (guitar); Deborah Assael-Migliore (cello); Mike Migliore (flute, alto saxophone); Glenn Drewes (trumpet); Kenny Werner, Rick Jensen, Christopher Marlowe (piano); David Friedman (synthesizer); Jim Miller, John Riley (drums).

Biréli Lagrene - Gipsy Project

Styles: Guitar And Gypsy Jazz
Year: 2001
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:11
Size: 103,1 MB
Art: Front

(2:43)  1. Blues Clair
(2:06)  2. Coquette
(3:38)  3. Si Tu Savais
(2:36)  4. Belleville
(2:59)  5. Daphne (Version Longue)
(5:10)  6. Je Suis Seul Ce Soir
(2:12)  7. Swing 42
(2:29)  8. Embraceable You
(3:40)  9. Vous Et Moi
(2:56) 10. Festival 48
(2:45) 11. Viper's Dream
(1:59) 12. What Is This Thing Called Love
(3:34) 13. La Mer
(1:51) 14. Limehouse Blues
(2:27) 15. Daphne (Version Courte)

Gypsy guitarists like Biréli Lagrène grow up learning Django Reinhardt's solos the way Americans cut their teeth on "Louie, Louie" or "Stairway to Heaven." Perhaps that's why Gypsy Project, Lagrène's first recording of acoustic, Hot Club-style jazz since his debut as a teenage guitar prodigy in the early 1980s, feels like a homecoming. Lagrène's band may replicate the three guitars, bass, and violin lineup of the original Hot Club quintet, but this is no mere exercise in nostalgia. Lagrène and violinist Florin Niculescu imbue standards like "Embraceable You" and "Lime House Blues" with a blend of jazzy sophistication and bittersweet romanticism that is undeniably Gypsy in character. 

It's as if they are wrapping the hard lessons learned in centuries of difficult wandering within bonbons like Charles Trenet's "La Mer." The music on Gypsy Project has a certain charm, but when Lagrène accents the melody with an unexpected string bend or rhythmic flourish, he reveals surprisingly complex emotions lying just beneath the surface. ~ Michael Simmons - Editorial Reviews  http://www.amazon.com/Gypsy-Project-Bireli-Lagrene/dp/B00005RFJB

Gipsy Project

Three Wise Men - Jukebox

Styles: Saxophone And Piano Jazz
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:54
Size: 149,4 MB
Art: Front

(3:47)  1. Tiger Rag
(3:31)  2. Just A Gigolo
(5:00)  3. The Sheik Of Araby
(5:19)  4. Petite Fleur
(5:14)  5. Sweet Georgia Brown
(3:34)  6. Take Five
(6:25)  7. Adagio From Sonate Pathétique
(3:59)  8. Stranger On The Shore
(4:53)  9. Ice Cream
(5:10) 10. Moonlight Serenade
(3:33) 11. Jukebox
(5:49) 12. St. Louis Blues
(4:14) 13. As Time Goes By
(4:20) 14. When The Saints Go Marchin'In

No modest band name, but critics and audiences agree: Musical perfection meets telepathic understanding! Frank Roberscheuten (B, saxophone) is one of the most profiled European jazz saxophonist. His style is partly based on the jazz giants Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young. His playing reflects a range of influences from New Orleans to bebop. As a soloist he has worked with the "Dutch Swing College Band," the "Barrelhouse Jazz Band" and "Les Haricots Rouges". With his band, the "Swing Cats", he was on all international jazz festivals. 

Rossano Sportiello (I, piano), Milan exceptional pianist and heart of the trio, devoted himself after his diploma for concert at the Milan Conservatory jazz styles of the great Stridepianisten Willie "The Lion" Smith and Fats Waller. "Rossano makes me smile When he plays. He is the best stride pianist in the world! "Said jazz legend Barry Harris. Rossano, winner of the Ascona Jazz Awards 2009, played with Gerry Mulligan and Slide Hampton. Martin Breinschmid (A, drums) has for a classical education at the Vienna Music University found his calling in traditional jazz. His role models include the legendary Gene Krupa and Papa Jo Jones. He leads his own quartet since 1994, the "Radio Kings", and has worked among others with Bob Wilbur, Peanuts Hucko and Dave Brubeck. Translate by google  http://www.frankfurt-tipp.de/veranstaltungen/s/veranstaltung/jukebox-three-wise-men.html

Personnel:  Frank Roberscheuten (sx);  Rossano Sportiello (p);  Martin Breinschmid (dr)

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Yvonne Roome - Roome For All (With Trio Balula Cid)

Size: 145,0 MB
Time: 62:21
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2010
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Manha De Carnaval (Trio Balula Cid) (4:19)
02. Berimbau (Trio Balula Cid) (4:18)
03. I've Got A Crush On You (3:17)
04. Where Or When (4:05)
05. Don't Get Around Much Anymore (3:40)
06. Bewitched (4:51)
07. Mean To Me (4:37)
08. Am I Blue (5:33)
09. All Of Me (5:50)
10. Den Kan Segla Forutan Vind (4:53)
11. What Is This Thing Called Love (4:24)
12. Insensatez (4:51)
13. Les Feuilles Mortes (7:37)

Whether the subject is escaping a revolution in Portugal, her serendipitous meeting with singer Helen Merrill, or her early experience as a New York nightclub performer in her mother’s borrowed gowns (let’s say a FEW items got pinched, including her cab fare home,) enchanting songstress Yvonne Roome is a treasure trove of unique experiences which she recounts with lusty amusement. A vivacious New York character who blends a contemporary lifestyle with the manners and sophistication of a gentler time, the Swedish born entertainer radiates worldliness and taste. As an artist, she values discovering musicians, producers and writers who will bring a fresh, timeless quality to her recordings and performances.

Yvonne Hammond was the poised child of a Stockholm couturier. When her mother divorced and remarried an American she sang regularly on her mother’s fashion program on WEVD radio in New York at the age of 9. At 14 she began formal voice training with Sano Marco, a popular teacher whose Carnegie Hall Studio was adorned with dozens of photos by Bruno Of Hollywood. Waiting for her lessons, Yvonne was mesmerized by photos of Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe, and other stars. One day out walked Dorothy Lamour!

She ‘debuted’ into New York society at 18 and attended Finch College where she majored in Radio and TV. She married for the first time right out of college for what Yvonne describes as a typical reason in those days. “We were in love, of course and you know what that means! I was a good girl, so we married.” Yvonne slyly describes her husband as an ‘entrepreneur’ who wanted to have a family and live in New Jersey For anyone who knows Yvonne, it was a hilarious, implausible prospect, and the marriage was not to last. After their divorce, Yvonne sensibly financed a trip back to Stockholm by selling her wedding gifts! Thus began a wanderlust which saw her through two more husbands (a Portuguese she met on a blind date in Lisbon and a Swede 25 years her senior), a five year romance with the world renowned band leader (Lester Lanin) and a revolution, before settled down with her beloved No. 4, the late Dr. Norman Roome.

Marriage No. 2 was an interesting affair, with Yvonne living mostly in New York and her husband living mostly in his native Portugal. In Manhattan she worked for Conde Nast and enthusiastically pursued singing engagements. Her early show biz stories span from “mom and apple pie” (USO shows) to once opening for pioneer transsexual Christine Jorgensen in a Village nightclub. She met Lester Lanin, a showman who was known for his elegance as much as his talent on the bandstand. Statuesque 5’10” Yvonne and Lester were smitten the night they met, although they seemed an unlikely pair given their age difference, and Lester’s modest stature. During their romance Yvonne performed on many occasions with Lester’s orchestra and Lester introduced her to pianist Jimmy Lyons who coached and accompanied her. Lester didn’t seem interested in marriage (never mind the fact that Yvonne was still married to husband No. 2). Eventually Yvonne returned to Europe where she worked for Radio Free Europe in Stockholm. Her job was to translate news and information into English and send the material to Munich for broadcast behind the Iron Curtain. Among many interesting assignments Yvonne interviews film director Ingmar Bergman. Still missing Lester, she married again. Yvonne and the bandleader never re-ignited their romance, however their friendship endured. Lester became pals with soon to be husband No. 4 and Lester along with Henny Youngman and Gary Stevens helped engineer Yvonne’s invitation for membership to the New York Friars Club making her one of the first women members.
After settling in with Norman, Yvonne was very active in charity work, particularly with the Creative Arts Rehabilitation Center whose president was Celeste Holm. One afternoon, hosting an afternoon meeting in her upper East Side apartment complete with tea, little sandwiches and sherry, Yvonne was impressed with Celeste arriving in a cowboy outfit on her way to Texas to perform her signature song from Oklahoma. She only stayed a few minutes and this turned out to be Yvonne’s ‘ah hah’ moment. She made up her mind to pursue a career as a performer. She began studying and landed roles in several Todd Solondz films, industrials, commercials, voiceovers and print work. Within a few years Yvonne’s singing engagements in many New York spots such as Danny’s Skylight Roome, Panache, Mr. Sam’s, Shutter’s, Eighty Eights, Tavern on the Green were building a following. In the late nineties Henny Youngman featured Yvonne in his show at Lincoln Center.
Yvonne has another strong champion in jazz singer and friend Helen Merrill whom she met on a flight to Stockholm. Yvonne, Norman , Helen and her husband – the brilliant arranger Torrie Zito – became good friends and Helen urged Yvonne to make a recording, offering to produce it. She enlisted husband Torrie to do the arrangements. That mutual effort SOMETHING COOL established Yvonne as a first rate recording artist. It featured Toots Thielemans, a good friend and neighbor in Montauk. Something Cool was widely and favorably reviewed and Yvonne fell in love with the process of recording. Over the next decade Yvonne recorded Quiet Nights, Jazzmine, La Vie En Roome, New In New York (original songs by composer Brian Gari) The Best of Yvonne Roome, Roome for Love, and the newly released Roome For Romance. Her recording of “You’re Too Dangerous Cherie” from La Vie EnRoome earned her a spot on the Grammy ballot in 1997. Toots Thielemans has been featured on five Yvonne Roome CDs in all which are distinguished by a natural relaxed style, a beautiful, versatile voice and high production values.

Yvonne is busy promoting the release of Roome for Romance which is on Original Cast Records. She is looking forward to seeing you at her live appearances though she doesn’t care for all the dressing up she has to do. It won’t take much to make Yvonne look good. In fact, she’s simply gorgeous, she sings great and she has eyes, cheekbones and a knowing smile that won’t quit.

Roome For All

Steve Hooks & John Paiva - Live In Furth

Size: 262,7 MB
Time: 113:20
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz, Easy Listening
Art: Front

01. Call Me (7:48)
02. Georgia On My Mind (6:29)
03. Love Is Here To Stay (6:55)
04. Night And Day (7:29)
05. Take The 'A' Train (6:01)
06. Somewhere Over The Rainbow (7:36)
07. St. Thomas (4:30)
08. You Are The Sunshine Of My Life (6:22)
09. Hold It (4:21)
10. Sonny Moon For Two (5:04)
11. Have You Met Miss Jones (6:47)
12. Meditation (6:27)
13. You Don't Know Me (7:46)
14. Back To The Chicken Shack (5:58)
15. Scrapple From The Apple (6:06)
16. Take Five (5:45)
17. Moondance (6:26)
18. Satisfaction (5:23)

Steve Hooks: Saxophones (Tenor, Alto, Soprano), Double Sax, Flute, Songwriter/Composer

Born: March 25, 1946 in Ottumwa, Iowa (USA)
Schooling: Music scholarship to Memphis State University
1965:
Began playing professionally in Memphis, Tennessee
Hung out with some of the Memphis Horns during the 60's Memphis "Scene"
1966:
Made first recording for HI Records, Memphis, Tennessee(Al Greene's label).
1966-1968:
U.S. Army Band, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri
1969 - 1974:
St. Louis, Dallas, Los Angeles, Nashville, etc. - playing soul, rock, country and jazz with various artists.
1975 - 1995:
Los Angeles, California - working as a sideman for many artists and band leader of a popular jazz band, "The Steve Hooks Band". Recorded for many TV and film projects and was a staff songwiter for Warner Brothers Music & Hitzgalore in the early 80's.
1995 - now:
Munich, Germany - working with many artists and studio work for records and film. Toured with the Weather Girls for over 3 years & Charly Antolini for 4 years... Released a maxi-single CD on Club U-Nite Records, formed a new jazz band "Too Cold", CD released on KDC Records in Munich. Currently touring throughout Europe with "Too Cold", Max Greger Jr., and many all-star bands while working on new CD to come out sometime in Spring of 2007. Released 3 CDs for download on many internet portals with Ability Records in 2007.

John Paiva, guitar; b. Bristol, Rhode Island, 25 January 1943. In 1946, his family moved to Glen Cove, Long Island. His father John Mederios (Jack) Paiva (b. Saint Michaels in the Azores, 1910, died in Bristol, RI, June 1968) played country mandolin in "The Harmony Rangers", featuring Nick Dileo. They played gigs and had a weekly Sunday performance on a local radio station. His mother was Roseann G. Paiva (born 1920 in Glen Cove Long Island, NY, died November 2000 in De Funiak Springs, Florida)

John started playing trombone at age 10 and switched to guitar at age 14. John learned while on the job. After leaving the Navy in 1964 he started gigging in the Boston area where he had the good fortune to work with many of the hit artists of the day. He also worked as guitarist with rock singers Jimmy Clanton, Bobby Rydel and Freddy Cannon. He also performed with Chuck Berry, The Drifters, The Four Tops, Bo Diddley, The Ronettes, and other blues and rock groups. He was bandleader for Herb Reed And The Original Platters. In 1970 he became guitarist/bandleader/singer with vocal group "The Happenings," where he enjoyed two #1 hits: "I Got Rhythm" and "Mame. In 1973 he became a member of "Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons." As a Season, he received two gold singles, one platinum and two gold albums. They toured Canada/ Europe/ Australia and New Zealand.

Live In Furth

Candice Hoyes - On A Turquoise Cloud

Size: 156,6 MB
Time: 67:33
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz Vocals, Jazz Classical Fusion
Art: Front

01. On A Turquoise Cloud (4:13)
02. Heaven (3:32)
03. Come Sunday (5:10)
04. Baby (3:50)
05. Transblucency (3:26)
06. Brown Penny (5:58)
07. Far Away Star (8:23)
08. Creole Love Call (5:57)
09. Single Petal Of A Rose (Feat. Joe Temperley) (6:19)
10. Violet Blue (4:36)
11. Blues I Love To Sing (3:42)
12. Almighty God (Feat. Wycliffe Gordon) (5:03)
13. Thank You For Everything (7:17)

American vocalist Candice Hoyes makes her album debut with On a Turquoise Cloud, collaborating with an octet of jazz luminaries. This rare song collection has gone virtually unrecorded since Duke Ellington’s performances over 70 years ago. The manuscripts sat for decades in obscurity on the shelves of the Smithsonian until Hoyes began her research. She was captivated on sight, knowing only a jazz interpreter with classical training could perform these soaring melodies.

On a Turquoise Cloud brings a stunning chapter of the Ellington songbook to light. “These songs are more lyrical and wider in vocal range than the Ellington standards we already love,” Hoyes remarks. “I’d say they signify a blueprint for today’s musical theater, soul, and contemporary vocal music. And they are made especially to be sung by a woman.”

Produced by two-time GRAMMY® winner, Ulysses Owens Jr., On a Turquoise Cloud features numerous dynamic collaborations. The album includes a vocal rendition of “Single Petal of a Rose” that features the venerable Joe Temperley, a member of the Ellington band before joining the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and Hoyes, who sings her original lyrics.

Candice Hoyes, vocalist | Alphonso Horne, trumpet | Lynn Gruewald, alto saxophone, alto flute, and clarinet | Dan Bloch, tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute | Coleman Hughes, trombone |Lauren Sevian, bass clarinet and baritone saxophone | Adam Birnbaum, piano | Yasushi Nakamura, bass | Ulysses Owens Jr., drums | Music Director: Ulysses Owens Jr.

On A Turquoise Cloud

Uppsala University Jazz Orchestra - Bongo Universe: 10th Anniversary Celebration

Size: 152,8 MB
Time: 65:41
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz: Big Band
Art: Front

01. Bongo Universe (6:07)
02. Taking A Chance On Love (3:15)
03. Autumn Leaves (4:23)
04. Lady Be Good (3:36)
05. Summertime (5:10)
06. Blue Martin (5:07)
07. Danny's Dream (4:07)
08. My Funny Valentine (5:27)
09. Boogie For Charlie (6:20)
10. Underbart Ar Kort (3:41)
11. Molekyl (5:53)
12. The Man I Love (3:13)
13. Joy Spring (4:29)
14. Happy Children Will Dance (4:46)

The University Town of Uppsala in Sweden boasts its own University-connected jazz orchestra, enabling students to fully immerse themselves into the riches of improvisational big band jazz. Under the guidance of supreme jazz maestro Ulf Johansson Werre, the band has since its inception in 2004 evolved into a hard-swinging ensemble. today touring internationally as well as giving regular performances nationally. For their 10th Anniversary the group presents a cross-section of their 10-year-old repertoire, a mix of well-arranged vocal jazz standards and Ulf Johansson Werre's enticing original music. This is a feast for fans of jazz and big band.

Vocals:
Erika Larsson
Hannah Nilsson
Rickard Arnberg
Simona Holmström Escanilla
Morgan Babbs
Anna Moberg

Trumpets:
Alexander Larsson
Arne Andersson
Arne Lingestrand
Erik Tengholm
Jonas Mindemark

Saxophones:
Amanda Fehler Vallgårda
Anders Öman
David Miranda
Eric Fjärstedt
Joakim Wiljelöf
Malin Ståhlberg

Trombones:
Herman Ferner
Johannes Ferner
Krister Lindé
Oscar Sterte
Per-Olof Flodin
Ylva Bäcklund

Rhythm:
Jacob Eriksson, bass
Mattias Karlsson, piano
Mikael Björnström, piano
Petri Laukka, drums
Robin Englund, guitar
Sylvain Glemin, bass

Bongo Universe

Carol Sloane - Out Of The Blue / Live At 30th Street

Album: Out Of The Blue (Remastered)
Size: 72,8 MB
Time: 31:01
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1962/2015
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Prelude To A Kiss (4:18)
02. Aren't You Glad (2:00)
03. Little Girl Blue (3:52)
04. Who Cares (2:31)
05. My Ship (2:57)
06. Will You Still Be Mine (2:13)
07. The More I See You (2:33)
08. Deep Purple (3:10)
09. Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries (1:55)
10. My Silent Love (3:29)
11. Night And Day (1:58)

Carol Sloane, who made a strong impression with her performance at the 1961 Newport Jazz Festival, shortly after recorded her first album (originally on Columbia) which has been reissued on this Koch CD along with a previously unreleased "April in My Heart" and Sloane's 45 version of "I Want You to Be the First to Know." At the time, her voice sounded a little like Ella Fitzgerald's in spots, but Sloane's own personality frequently pops through. She mostly sticks to ballads, along with an occasional swinger, on this set, and the only partly identified band is mostly confined to a quiet supporting role by arrangers Bill Finegan and Bob Brookmeyer. After recording a second album for Columbia, Sloane would slip into obscurity until her rediscovery (at first by the Japanese) in the late '70s but, as this reissue shows, Carol Sloane was a highly appealing singer from the start. ~Review by Scott Yanow

Out Of The Blue

Album: Live At 30th Street (Remastered)
Size: 77,8 MB
Time: 32:59
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1962/2015
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Chicago (2:28)
02. Love Walked In (2:37)
03. Spring Is Here (3:45)
04. Taking A Chance On Love (2:01)
05. My Melancholy Baby (2:29)
06. On The Street Where You Live (2:40)
07. Basin Street Blues (3:09)
08. In A Sentimental Mood (3:42)
09. Don't Get Around Much Anymore (2:16)
10. Never Never Land (2:51)
11. Stars Fell On Alabama (2:01)
12. It Never Entered My Mind (2:54)

Personnel:
Bass – George Duvivier
Drums – Sol Gubin
Guitar – Bucky Pizzarelli
Piano – Bill Rubenstein
Producer – Mike Berniker
Vocals – Carol Sloane

Singer Carol Sloane started singing professionally when she was 14 and at 18 she toured Germany in a musical comedy. She was with the Les and Larry Elgart orchestra during 1958-1960 and, after appearing at a jazz festival in 1960, she was heard by Jon Hendricks who later sent for her to sub for Annie Ross with Lambert, Hendricks and Ross. Sloane made a big impression at the 1961 Newport Jazz Festival and soon cut two records for Columbia. Unfortunately, her career never got going and, except for a live set from 1964 released on Honey Dew, Sloane would not record again until 1977, working as a secretary in North Carolina and singing just now and then locally.

However, in the mid-'70s she became more active again, caught on in Japan (where she began to record frequently), and her career finally got on more solid footing. Sloane's releases for Audiophile, Choice, Progressive, Contemporary, and later Concord feature a mature bop-based singer with a sound of her own. ~by Scott Yanow

Live At 30th Street

The Swing Ninjas - Do Ya Hallelujah?

Size: 99,5 MB
Time: 35:54
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz: New Orleans Swing, Jive
Art: Front

01. Salad Days (2:50)
02. The Devil In Despair (2:56)
03. Nancy (3:52)
04. Sausage Tree (3:35)
05. My Belle (3:17)
06. The Day I Go (3:20)
07. Mummy's Finger (3:08)
08. Hunger (3:05)
09. Louis Armstrong's Telephone (3:32)
10. Animal Soul (3:01)
11. This Time I'm Right (3:14)

SWING NINJAS evolved from a paired-down 3 piece busking band (the highest paid canapé trio on the South Coast!), via 2 self-released (and swiftly super-ceded) cover version CDs (selling literally thousands of on the streets), to their current fully-formed incarnation as a New Orleans style big-band just signed to hip dance-based imprint FRESHLY SQUEEZED.

This album is their first of original material and features a 7-piece line-up of superb jazz talent plus assorted guests and backing singers. From such inauspicious beginnings,DO YA HALLELUJAH? comes as a revelation. A mongrel cross between Squirrel Nut Zippers, True Detective, Pokey LaFarge and Graham Green.It’s a blackly humorous and distinctly wry British gumbo of songs about life, lust & penitence. We love its quirky world-view.

The superb song writing and musicianship speak for themselves, but like a Louisianafuneral procession marching past the daytime juke-joint, DO YA HALLELUJAH? is an open door to a subterranean jazz cellar; a clarion call to the alley in Brighton’s labyrinthine Lanes. A place that lives in the imagination of the world. It’s early Dr John, loose living, late night bars, ‘resting’ thespians, a slipper-clad octogenarian land-lady, dusty parlour palms, clock menders and card sharps. This is the SWING NINJAS.

Do Ya Hallelujah?

Stephan Abel - The Windmills Of Your Mind

Size: 102,6 MB
Time: 42:15
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

CD 1:
01. Chelsea Bridge (7:42)
02. Estate (9:26)
03. It Might As Well Be Spring (8:41)
04. Olhos De Gato (9:07)
05. Never Let Me Go (7:16)

CD 2:
01. The Peacocks (6:45)
02. The Windmills Of Your Mind (8:16)
03. Everything Happens To Me (4:41)
04. Soul Eyes (8:05)
05. Spring Is Here (9:06)
06. The Party Is Over (7:21)

Notes by Stephan Abel:
Ballads are always the highlight in every show for me, regardless if I am one of the musicians or one of the magnetized people in the audience. In these slow, fragile pieces where every note, every shade and each quiet moment has a meaning, an artist can tell and share a real story. It is in the ballad, where the musician communicates intuitively with his audience.
I always thought of recording an album of ballads, but believed that you need a certain amount of maturity and should not do it under the age of 50. Now the time has come. Never before there was somebody looking forward to his 50th birthday with such an excitement. To cut a long story short: It is a special thing with being mature. During the Easter holidays in April 2014 we met in Buggy Braune and Inga Rumpf’s rehearsal studios in Hamburg situated one floor above a garage, to record some of our favourite songs.
We deliberately decided against the aseptic atmosphere of a professional recording studio knowing that we would only be successful in an intimate, intensive mood rather than having a 100% separation of sound signals behind a glass wall. „We“, that means Buggy Braune, Olaf Casimir, Heinz Lichius and the wonderful Ken Norris, our special guest. Except for my long time companion Olaf these were all musicians who I knew and appreciated, but rarely had a chance to work with.
The key event with this rhythm section was a gig at the Jazzclub Hannover when we were playing an exclusive set of Miles Davis tunes. The sound of this band and their relaxed, but still highly focussed conception kept spinning in my head. I prepared myself in a very special way during the weeks before the recording, concentrating almost solely on my own sound and all its facets as well as the compositions and their interpretation. In this period there was not one technical exercise, quirky bebop phrasing or loud sound escaping my rehearsal room.
I had a clear vision installed in my head how the album should sound like. It only took a few attempts in our „studio“ and we knew: This is it! It seemed like the musicians all pulled together and knew exactly how to play this music without any need to talk about it. And, when the evening set in, we had the first „magic moment“ in which everything seemed to feel totally natural and flowing. This is when „Olhos de Gato“ and „The Peacocks“ were put to tape. For me „jazz“ and „the night“ are just one thing and I would love to publicly dispute the guy who first started a „jazz brunch“. I am so happy and really glad that we could keep up the focus and intimacy over the following two recording days!
The album opens with „Chelsea Bridge“, a composition by Billy Strayhorn which I already recorded a couple of years ago with bass player Jimmy Woode. He died shortly before the release, still tragically despite his high age. I cherish the photo of him playing his last note and smiling into the camera: „Was it any good?“ That was a big shock for me at the time and I would love to remind us of this great and warm-hearted musician with my version. Then there is the first song with Ken Norris, who picked three wonderful tunes. „Estate“ was one of my choices as well, serving as homage to the great Shirley Horn, whose version I virtually listen to every day and will continue to do so in the future! I love this kind of extremely slow bossa nova, and Heinz Lichius lays down an expert rhythm to it. „Never Let Me Go“ is a ballad I haven’t touched for years but always loved. I am very happy that Ken Norris put it back into my memory. Buggy Braune adds one of his ingenious piano intros to this tune and sets
the mood straight away. „Everything Happens To Me“ is the only occasionally uptempo track on the album, we had a lot of fun recording it. Dear Ken, I will never listen to this tune like I did before, and you know why…
Carla Bley’s composition „Olhos de Gato“ has been with me my whole lifetime. This tune already was a highlight in the set of my very first band. Olaf Casimir played bass (at the tender age of 17) even then. He now adds a wonderful solo, which hopefully lifts his spirits as his instrument was stolen a few weeks after the sessions during a concert tour. „Spring Is Here“ is a composition I first learned to love being on stage with Dr. Lonnie Smith. He had a tremendous time while I struggled through this work, quite unprepared for its complex chords. Now, at last, I wanted to play it properly!
I am really happy that this collection has been titled after a song I did not intend to include in the first place and which I did not play instrumentally before. „The Windmills Of Your Mind“ was added to our set spontaneously, because we really wanted to have a „chanson“ in our repertoire. After the first few bars from Buggy and Olaf it was obvious that this was going to be a fascinating take, and another one of those „magic moments.” The album closes with a not too serious ballad. For „The Party Is Over“ I thought of one of those numerous Frank Sinatra copyists who, with a loosely knot tie, a good dose of self-pity and a glass of whiskey in one hand singing about their own aging…!
The album ended up exactly how I wanted it to be. We had four wonderful days in Hamburg, which I will definitely never forget. I want to thank all the musicians and our sound engineer Ingo Schmidt that they all participated in the project with such inspiration and intensity. A very special thanks goes out to Ken Norris with his distinctive, soulful voice refining the album in a very special way.
I am very fortunate that the photographer Ire`ne Zandel was present in the studio during the whole production and captured the mood of the sessions in her impressively sensitive photos. Many thanks, Ire`ne. I would publish a whole book with your pictures, if I only could.
A similarly big thanks goes out to Andreas Barkhoff, who put a lot of love and patience in a video shot over the four days, which I am looking so much forward to. Plus – last but not least – a massive thank you to Ralf Zitzmann from Agogo Records, without whom this album never would have happened!

Notes for “The Windmills Of Your Mind” by Mike Hennessey
This double album by the well-integrated Stephan Abel Quintet is a stimulating example of the true art of jazz improvisation. It is not just a question of playing phrases that fit the chord sequence. You can create lines which are true to the chord sequence, but which have no connection with the mood of the original.
The true art of jazz improvisation is a matter of playing improvised lines which are compatible with the spirit and mood of the original melody.
With an impressive combination of standards written by Billy Strayhorn, Rodgers & Hart, Michel Legrand, Jule Styne and Bruno Martino and inspired originals by Carla Bley, Mal Waldron and Jimmy Rowles – Stephan impressively demonstrates his mastery of the true art.

The Windmills Of Your Mind CD 1
The Windmills Of Your Mind CD 2

Rachael MacFarlane - Hayley Sings

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:13
Size: 128.7 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[4:09] 1. Makin' Whoopee
[2:57] 2. Feelin' Groovy (The 59th Street Bridge Song)
[3:33] 3. Sooner Or Later
[4:51] 4. Someone To Watch Over Me
[4:18] 5. One Fine Day
[5:07] 6. Out Of This World
[3:21] 7. Loneliness
[3:56] 8. Never Never Land
[3:44] 9. Do You Want To Dance
[2:10] 10. I'm Glad There Is You
[3:40] 11. Up On The Roof
[3:40] 12. Since You've Asked
[3:45] 13. Time In A Bottle
[3:38] 14. All My Loving
[3:17] 15. Secret Agent Man

Rachael MacFarlane is best known as the voice of teenaged rebel Hayley Smith on the animated primetime hit American Dad, created by Seth MacFarlane. She and Seth grew-up in a music-filled household with parents who appreciated everything from Sinatra to Steely Dan. However, Rachael had shelved her long-ago dreams of singing professionally: “I’d resigned myself to thinking it wasn’t in the cards for me; that I’d have a nice career in animation and singing would be something I did just for fun.”

Then fate, in the form of an unexpected encounter, stepped in. Seth MacFarlane, a lifelong fan of the Great American Songbook, had begun work on his own debut album in early 2011. Rachael attended many of the recording sessions inside Capitol’s fabled Studio A for what would become his Grammy-nominated Music Is Better Than Words. During one of those recording sessions, MacFarlane was introduced to [legendary producer] Allen Sviridoff. During their conversation, MacFarlane mentioned her love of music and her all-time favorite singer, Rosemary Clooney. Ironically, Sviridoff managed Rosemary for decades. MacFarlane sent Sviridoff her demo and one year later, she found herself back in Studio A, this time behind the microphone.

Hayley Sings

Al Di Meola - The Best Of Al Di Meola: The Manhattan Years

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:08
Size: 126.2 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz, Fusion
Year: 1992/2011
Art: Front

[5:18] 1. July
[7:53] 2. Traces Of A Tear
[5:20] 3. Maraba
[8:45] 4. Song To The Pharoah Kings
[7:00] 5. Etude
[4:56] 6. Rhapsody Of Fire
[3:17] 7. Coral
[6:21] 8. Beijing Demons
[6:14] 9. Ballad

This is the best of Al di Meola's years with the Manhattan label, which only included three releases: Cielo e Terra, Soaring Through a Dream, and Tirami Su. The selections here are an adequate representation of his output during this three-session stint, so this is fine for the casual fan. Those with more interest are encouraged to check out all three of the aforementioned releases, as they are all excellent. ~Robert Taylor

The Manhattan Years 

Roy Brown - Good Rockin' Tonight: Live In San Francisco

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:23
Size: 83.6 MB
Styles: Jump blues. R&B
Year: 2005
Art: Full

[ 3:54] 1. Hard Luck Blues
[ 2:01] 2. Let The Four Winds Blow
[ 5:09] 3. Love For Sale
[ 5:44] 4. Boogie Woogie Blues
[ 3:47] 5. Good Rocking Tonight
[12:33] 6. Losing Hand/Tin Pan Alley
[ 3:13] 7. Boogie At Midnight/Love Don't Love Nobody

Roy Brown (vocals); Pee Wee Crayton (vocals, guitar); Ron Thompson (guitar); Mark Naftalin (piano).

Rare live performance from one of the greatest of all Blues singers of the late 1940's and early 50's. Roy Brown had returned to performing and recording in the early 80's when this recording was made thanks to reissues of his hits by a record label in Sweden. He was a huge influence over emerging soul artists especially James Brown who recorded several of his songs. Blues guitarist Pee Wee Crayton guests.

thank you kempen.
Good Rockin' Tonight: Live In San Francisco

Ivan Lins, Chucho Valdes E Irakere - Ao Vivo Em Cuba

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:58
Size: 137.3 MB
Styles: Latin jazz
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[9:48] 1. Lua Soberana
[4:11] 2. Somos Todos Iguais Nesta Noite
[5:59] 3. Comecar De Novo
[3:16] 4. Dinorah, Dinorah
[8:33] 5. La Explosion
[4:03] 6. Lembra De Mim
[2:52] 7. Iluminados
[7:10] 8. Garota De Ipanema
[4:18] 9. Vitoriosa
[9:44] 10. Al, Al, Al, Al, Al

The combination of Chucho Valdés’ Afro-Cuban fusion jazz with Ivan Lins’ elaborate songwriting has produced a truly world-class recording. For Ivan Lins music lovers, Ao Vivo em Cuba is more than a collection of greatest hits. The new arrangements and totally new Caribbean flavor in Lins’ songs are unforgettable and just sound well together.

Ivan Lins is not new to the world market. Since Quincy Jones’s Grammy winner arrangement of “Velas” hit the air waves in 1981, Ivan Lins’s music is being recorded by artists such as George Benson, Manhattan Transfer, Mark Murphy, Diane Schuur, Sting, Nancy Wilson and a fantastic array of renowned names. Also, the encounter of Brazil and Cuba is not new. This Brazilian-Cuban romance has survived governments and geographical distances. Pablo Milanés, for example, has sung some of his songs with Chico Buarque and Simone. This new flame with Ivan Lins is the result of the work of Julio Ballester Guzmán and Vítor Martins (Ivan Lins’s most regular songwriting partner).

As indicated in the liner notes, Ao Vivo em Cuba was recorded in La Casa de la Música (Havana, Cuba) before a live audience exclusively comprised of Cuban artists and musicians. Irakere’s Latin percussion and, especially, Chucho Valdés’s piano accompaniment carry most of the songs in this release. To give the audience a breathing moment, Ivan Lins sings a few songs only with piano accompaniment. It is during this segment of the show that we hear a medley of “Garota de Ipanema” and “Aos Nossos Filhos.” Though a rather unusual medley, the ending result is quite pleasing. However, from the opening track of “Lua Soberana/Confins,” the listener has no alternative but agree with Franklin Valverde’s statement that this CD is a “cocktail to be enjoyed slowly.” “Somos Todos Iguais Nesta Noite,” “Dinorah” or the closing track “Ai, Ai, Ai, Ai, Ai” will be anything and everything that encompass Cuban and Brazilian flavors. ~Egídio Leitão

Ao Vivo Em Cuba

Ben Paterson - Blues For Oscar

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:24
Size: 113.1 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[4:41] 1. My Shining Hour
[3:16] 2. You Don't Know What Love Is
[3:55] 3. Isn't She Lovely
[3:18] 4. Dolphin Dance
[4:02] 5. On The Move
[4:53] 6. I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good
[3:45] 7. Near Miss
[3:35] 8. Blues For Oscar
[5:54] 9. Emily
[3:33] 10. Nitty Gritty
[3:05] 11. Kojo No Tsuki
[5:20] 12. It Could Happen To You

A tribute to the work of Oscar Peterson and Ray Brown, this disc features 8 tracks of duo playing with bassist Jake Vinsel, along with several solo piano tracks.

Originally from Philadelphia, Ben spent his younger years studying both classical and jazz music before moving to the great city of Chicago. There he spent years performing and working with the best musicians in town, absorbing the unique blend of Jazz and Blues that can only be found in the Windy City. Now re-located to New York, Ben is poised to bring his unique talents and style to a wider audience, combining hard-swinging grooves and melodic improvisation with an impeccable touch.

Starting in 2005, Ben was honored to work as pianist for NEA jazz master Von Freeman, performing with him regularly until Von’s passing in August 2012. Other notable collaborations include work with Bobby Broom, Johnny O’Neal, Red Holloway, Eldee young, Jerry Weldon, Peter Bernstein, Guy King, Ed Cherry, Brianna Thomas, Gregory Generet, Dave Specter, Henry Johnson, Marianne Solivan, Kimberly Gordon, Martina DaSilva, Vanessa Perea, and many others.

Blues For Oscar