Cab Calloway - Are You Hep To The Jive?

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:07
Size: 146.8 MB
Styles: Big band, Swing
Year: 1994
Art: Front

[2:46] 1. Boo-Wah Boo-Wah
[3:01] 2. Are You All Reet
[2:53] 3. Hey Now, Hey Now
[2:44] 4. Everybody Eats When They Come To My House
[2:47] 5. Are You Hep To The Jive
[3:02] 6. The Calloway Boogie
[3:01] 7. Hep Cat's Love Song
[2:30] 8. Papa's In Bed With His Britches On
[2:40] 9. What's Buzzin' Cousin
[2:44] 10. Twee-Twee-Tweet
[2:53] 11. Come On With The Come On
[3:20] 12. Chant Of The Jungle
[2:46] 13. I Want To Rock
[3:01] 14. Oh Grandpa
[3:13] 15. The Jungle King (You Ain't Done A Doggone Thing)
[2:41] 16. Don't Falter At The Alter
[3:08] 17. Who's Yehoodi
[2:51] 18. A Chicken Ain't Nothin' But A Bird
[2:46] 19. Tarzan Of Harlem
[3:14] 20. Minnie The Moocher's Wedding Day
[2:54] 21. Boog It
[3:00] 22. Foo A Little Bally-Hoo

Cab Calloway was a gloriously outsized manifestation of all that was frantic in the first full flowering of prohibition-era jazz. Dressed with all the flash of a brand new Cadillac, leading a crack band who could swing and sway with both abandon and precision, and spinning demi-monde tales of wild good times complete with illegal party favors, Calloway was a joyous personification of America's id at a time when such celebrations were hardly the stuff of common currency. Calloway's most popular music was recorded during the early to mid-'30s, but when more polished swing sounds supplanted his earlier style, Cab wasn't afraid to move with the times and led a top-notch big band capable of playing more contemporary music while still delivering the free-wheeling punch Calloway's personality demanded. Are You Hep to the Jive? is a great compilation from Columbia's Legacy series that brings together 22 sides Calloway waxed for Vocalion, Okeh, and Columbia between 1939 and 1947, and shows beyond a doubt Cab's muse was still in fine fettle at this point in his career. Calloway's band was filled with first-class talent, and the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Chu Berry, Milt Hinton, and Jonah Jones can be heard on the selections included here, but as great as the band is (and they swing with potent, joyous force throughout this disc), it's Calloway's 100-proof charisma, his unabridged lexicon of jive speak and his top-shelf scatting skills that bring this collection to life, and the fine madness of "Are You All Reet?," "A Chicken Ain't Nothin' But a Bird," "Tarzan of Harlem," and "Who's Yehoodi?" is as satisfying as a cold drink on a warm day. If this isn't quite the definitive Cab Calloway disc, Are You Hep to the Jive? is an excellent overview of his work in the '40s, and it's solid fun from first note to last. ~Mark Deming

Are You Hep To The Jive?

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The Marc Toussaint Combo - Old Devil Moon

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:38
Size: 125.1 MB
Styles: Vocal
Year: 2003
Art: Front

[2:33] 1. Old Devil Moon
[2:26] 2. Dancing In The Dark
[5:08] 3. At Last
[2:26] 4. The Shadow Of Your Smile
[2:57] 5. The Lady Is A Tramp
[4:59] 6. Misty
[2:49] 7. Beyond The Sea
[0:54] 8. All The Things You Are
[2:55] 9. How High The Moon
[2:07] 10. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
[5:55] 11. Stardust
[5:29] 12. Round Midnight
[6:24] 13. I Get A Kick Outta You-Night And Day
[4:34] 14. Prelude To A Kiss
[2:53] 15. Call Me

Native of Dallas, Texas, MARC TOUSSAINT purchased his first jazz records at age ten (Mel Torme, Art Tatum & Cannonball Adderly). Some thirty years later, Marc leads the premier vocal jazz combo in North Texas. THE MARC TOUSSAINT COMBO is made up of seasoned jazz musicians from all over the United States and has garnered a well earned reputation for sophistication, excellence and dependability. MARC TOUSSAINT performs regularly at The Mansion on Turtle Creek and can be seen in the finest venues including The Chaparral Club, Reatta, The Adolphus Hotel, The Tower Club, The Dallas Country Club, The Columbian, Ridglea Country Club, and many others.

MARC TOUSSAINT has performed with and for several legendary artists including Stevie Wonder, Bobbi Humphrey and Mike Love, most recently opening for Chris Botti at his appearance in Dallas. THE MARC TOUSSAINT COMBO recently released it's fourth project, ONE FOR MY BABY. This project along with MORE, OLD DEVIL MOON, and SWINGIN SINGIN CHRISTMAS each engineered by multi-Grammy award winner Phil York are collections of some of the greatest swing, jazz and dance favorites. OLD DEVIL MOON was included in the 2003 Grammy competition and ONE FOR MY BABY was a contender in 2005. The single I COVER THE WATERFRONT was included in the competition for Best Vocal (Traditional). A fifth project is due in the Fall of 2006. MARC TOUSSAINT along with his wife Melissa and their children and dogs, live in the Dallas area.

Old Devil Moon

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Liz Menezes - Relaxing Bossa

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:11
Size: 89.7 MB
Styles: Latin jazz, Bossa Nova
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[2:45] 1. California Dreamin'
[3:18] 2. The Look Of Love
[2:59] 3. Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head
[2:31] 4. If
[2:49] 5. God Only Knows
[2:40] 6. There Is Nothing More To Say
[3:30] 7. Caroline Goodbye
[2:09] 8. Don't Take Your Time
[3:18] 9. Hello It's Me
[2:23] 10. Kites Are Fun
[1:59] 11. This Will Be Our Year
[3:07] 12. Up Up And Away
[2:51] 13. Walk On By
[2:46] 14. Wichi Tai To

Liz Menezes is a singer songwriter that began her musical career at the age of ten by getting involved in her church as part of the choir ensemble, while she was learning how to play classical piano. Her training as a writer began at an early age, when she began writing poetry which later would take life with melodies eventually becoming songs. Her desire to be involved in music led her to audition and along the way she did performances as a singer and also worked as a backup vocalist for different artists.

Liz has been influenced greatly by the Brazilian culture. During her two year stay in Rio de Janeiro, she had the opportunity to record American standard songs in Bossa Nova. She worked with the record label Albatroz Music as an independent artist. Included in these projects, which were released in Europe and Japan are such names as Bossa Nova great Roberto Menescal, and partner of Albatroz Music, Raymundo Bittencourt.

Relaxing Bossa

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Leah Natale - Swing Easy

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 29:45
Size: 69,9 MB
Art: Front

(2:55)  1. Time After Time
(3:11)  2. If I Had You
(4:14)  3. Say It
(3:07)  4. Moonglow
(3:04)  5. I'm Confessin'
(2:58)  6. Under A Blanket Of Blue
(4:13)  7. I Didn't Know About You
(2:09)  8. Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
(3:51)  9. Do Nothing Til You Hear Rom Me

“Swing Easy”  The title of this latest musical compilation comes from two of my passions: Classic vocal jazz and the beautifully complex game of golf. In golf, “Swing Easy” refers to combining balance and a smooth tempo to produce an effortless swing. The same is true with classic vocal jazz. When the right balance of vocals and instruments is combined with smooth tempos, the perfect scenario is created to give both performer and listener that effortless, swinging feel. While listening to this album, I hope you find yourself lost in the passionate world of jazz with selections that are perfect for the 19th hole. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/leahnatale2

Swing Easy

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Dave Pell Octet - Jazz For Dancing And listening Disc 1 And Disc 2

The Dave Pell Octet was one of the most successful West Coast modern jazz combos in the 50s, playing a stimulating and swinging repertoire ideal for the group s aims. Dave Pell favoured variations on the melody rather than the harmonic emphasis heard in the work of his contemporaries. The deftly crafted arrangements, by Marty Paich, Shorty Rogers, Johnny Mandel, Wes Hensel, Bill Holman, Jack Montrose, André Previn, and Jimmy Giuffre, established the group s sound and personality, and offered shrewdly placed spots for its stellar soloists. They were a hit everywhere, with concerts and teenage dances notable showcases for the unit. With three of its key personnel, Pell, Don Fagerquist and Ray Sims, honed by years as star soloists of Les Brown s band, the Octet s cohesion was remarkable. These originally Atlantic and Capitol sessions also featured the wonderfully swinging sound of Bob Gordon s baritone sax. Elected New Star of the Year in the 1955 Down Beat critics poll, he was killed in an automobile accident two months after these recordings were made. His work here remains a brilliant display of his great talent. ~ Editorial Reviews  http://www.amazon.com/Jazz-For-Dancing-Listening-Romantic/dp/B000PFU97Y

Styles: Saxophone Jazz

Year: 2012

File: MP3@320K/s

Time: 50:53

Size: 117,3 MB

Art: Front

(2:53)  1. How Are Things In Glocca Morra?

(4:04)  2. Memphis in June

(2:53)  3. Deep in the Heart of Texas

(4:24)  4. New Orleans

(2:55)  5. White Cliffs of Dover

(3:53)  6. Sunday In Savannah

(2:45)  7. Isle Of Capri

(2:53)  8. Shuffle Off to Buffalo

(3:37)  9. Paris in the Spring

(3:19) 10. On A Slow Boat To China

(3:23) 11. London in July

(2:32) 12. Flying Down to Rio

(2:49) 13. I Had the Craziest Dream

(3:24) 14. Jazz Wagner

(2:24) 15. Mike's Peak

(2:36) 16. Poopsie

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Dave Pell Octet - Jazz For Dancing And listening  Disc 2

Year: 2012

Time: 53:07

Size: 122,3 MB

(2:52)  1. Star Eyes

(2:43)  2. Klump Jump

(2:40)  3. My Heart Belongs to Daddy

(2:05)  4. On The Good Ship Lollipop

(3:28)  5. Can't We Be Friends

(3:33)  6. I've Got a Feeling I'm Falling

(3:30)  7. Love Is the Sweetest Thing

(2:13)  8. I've Got A Crush On You

(3:29)  9. If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight

(3:05) 10. Let's Do It

(3:09) 11. Just One More Chance

(4:19) 12. Who Walks In When I Walk Out

(3:11) 13. You can't pull the wool over my eyes

(4:54) 14. Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered

(4:31) 15. Solitude

(3:19) 16. I've Found A New Baby

Jazz For Dancing And listening Disc 1, Disc 2

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Jane Ira Bloom - Sixteen Sunsets

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 77:35
Size: 178,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:01)  1. For All We Know
(7:46)  2. What She Wanted
(7:13)  3. Gershwin's Skyline/ I Loves You Porgy
(6:27)  4. Darn That Dream
(5:17)  5. Good Morning Heartache
(6:22)  6. Out of This World
(4:34)  7. Ice Dancing (For Torvill & Dean)
(7:34)  8. Left Alone
(4:26)  9. The Way You Look Tonight
(5:41) 10. But Not for Me
(4:29) 11. Primary Colors
(2:42) 12. My Ship
(4:29) 13. Too Many Reasons
(5:27) 14. Bird Experiencing Light

Sidney Bechet pioneered the use of the soprano saxophone in jazz in the early 20s. John Coltrane brought that "straight horn" out of a relative dormancy of use in 1959 with his anthem-like take on Rodgers and Hammerstein's "My Favorite Things" on his Atlantic Records album of the same name. Steve Lacy took the soprano "out there," and Dave Liebman continues to stretch its boundaries. The name Jane Ira Bloom can be added to that list of icons. For thirty years Bloom has used the soprano saxophone to give voice to fertile and uncompromising artistic spirit. She's broken ground on the introduction of live electronics into her music and has created a singular sound on a variety of multi-faceted projects including a commissioned work by the NASA Art Program. And (talk about "out there") the International Astronomical Union named an asteroid for her: 6083janeirabloom. Bloom's work in a quartet setting shines the brightest, on 2003's Chasing Paint (Arabesque Records), a nod to painter Jackson Pollock, 2008's Mental Weather (Outline), or the CD at hand, Sixteen Sunsets, an examination of the ballad form.

For such a forward-looking artist, this is something of a surprise. Bloom explores the standards here, along with four of her own standard form songs, with an extraordinary aplomb and patience. Her tone on the soprano is the purest, richest of sounds as if her horn were made of gold; and her quartet, featuring Matt Wilson on drums, bassist Cameron Brown and pianist Dominic Fallacaro, play with a delicacy and restraint that gives the sound a feeling of depth and a subdued grandeur. Bloom says she knows the words to all these songs: "I Loves You Porgy," "The Way You Look Tonight," "For All We Know," "Good Morning Heartache." These are tunes that dip down deep into longing, heartache, loneliness, tender love. Bloom's soprano saxophone is her voice. It's a voice that tells these song's stories with an exquisite grace and understanding of the vicissitudes of the human condition. 

Bloom's backing trio rolls mostly in the mode of subtle accompaniment, but when she lays back the trio steps out with a jewel- like elegance, as pianist Fallacaro, with the supplest of touches, wrings every teardrop out of the melody of "Good Morning Heartache," or injects a hopeful counterpoint to the angst of the temptations on "I Loves You Porgy." Sixteen Sunsets is, arguably, Jane Ira Bloom's most compelling recording. It's certainly her loveliest no argument there. And the sound quality is out of this world. An asteroid is nice, but it seems a rather small celestial body for an artist that can create something as perfect as this disc. Perhaps a star, a bright one, can be found. ~ Dan McClenaghan  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/sixteen-sunsets-jane-ira-bloom-outline-review-by-dan-mcclenaghan.php

Personnel: Jane Ira Bloom: soprano saxophone; Dominic Fallacaro: piano; Cameron Brown: bass; Matt Wilson: drums.

Sixteen Sunsets

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Loston Harris - Why Try To Change Me Now

Styles: Vocal And Piano Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:59
Size: 110,4 MB
Art: Front

(9:12)  1. Young At Heart
(6:13)  2. Angel Eyes
(3:52)  3. From This Moment On
(3:52)  4. Day In-day Out
(4:01)  5. I Fall In Love Too Easily
(3:57)  6. Why Try to Change Me Now
(4:34)  7. Jordu
(6:14)  8. Too Close for Comfort
(3:57)  9. That Old Black Magic
(2:02) 10. Empty Tables

Loston Harris' recorded debut as a leader, Comes Love (N2K) in 1998, cast him in the role of a traditionalist who played expert modern swing piano (with touches of Oscar Peterson, Ahmad Jamal and Red Garland) and took a few cheerful vocals (including on "Close Your Eyes" and "Comes Love"). A subtle improviser, Harris (heard with a trio/quartet) was reshaping the past and sounding quite creative within the older style. He actually had started seriously playing piano fairly late. Harris had some piano lessons when he was five but soon dropped the instrument. Instead he played drums from the time he was ten until he hit his early twenties, primarily rock and r&b. He received a scholarship to Virginia Commonwealth University and was initially a percussion major. 

However Ellis Marsalis (who was a visiting professor at VCU) heard Harris jamming on the piano and he suggested that he switch instruments since Harris a natural feel for the piano. Soon Harris was practicing eight-to-ten hours a day and, when Marsalis returned to New Orleans, he transferred to Howard University. He had opportunities to study with Geri Allen and Billy Taylor and was soon working locally. After graduating, Harris landed a local gig three nights a week in Reston, Virginia that continued throughout the 1990's. In addition, he toured with Wynton Marsalis in 1995, played second piano for Marcus Roberts on his "Portraits In Blue" tour in 1996 and had opportunities to play with Kenny Garrett, Roy Hargrove and Joshua Redman. Loston Harris began singing in the mid-1990's after being inspired by Nat King Cole records and he clearly has strong potential for the future. Bio  ~ https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/loston-harris/id56727018#fullText

Why Try To Change Me Now

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Hal Singer - Rent Party

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 41:52

Size: 95.9 MB

Styles: Jump blues, Jazz-blues

Year: 1984/2009

Art: Front

[2:55] 1. Cornbread

[2:23] 2. Teddy's Dream

[2:41] 3. One For Willie

[2:31] 4. Neck Bones

[2:33] 5. Rent Party

[2:23] 6. Singer Song

[2:21] 7. Rice And Red Beans

[2:22] 8. Swing Shift

[2:45] 9. Hot Rod

[2:19] 10. Rock 'n Roll

[3:08] 11. Indian Love Call

[2:19] 12. The Frog Hop

[2:55] 13. Hometown-Down For Dean

[2:46] 14. Easy Living

[2:22] 15. Hound's Tooth

[3:03] 16. Crossroads

Singer started performing in the 1930s and on into the 1940s in the bands of Ernie Fields, Jay McShann and Oran "Hot Lips" Page, among others, then in the late 1940s cut records backing Brownie McGhee and also with the groups The X-Rays and The Lem Davis Sextet before forming his own Sextet (and briefly an Octet). A recording contract with Savoy resulted in 7 singles, a number of which are presented here (which first came out in 1984 as vinyl LP Savoy Jazz SJL 1147).

During the height of the British Invasion, following a tour of Europe with Earl "Fatha" Hines, Singer chose to make his new home near Paris where, among others, he played with the likes of Charlie Watts - the famed drummer of The Rolling Stones - and his jazz band, as well as the legendary Duke Ellington. In fact, he can be heard in the Duke's acclaimed album Paris Soul Food, recorded in 1969. In 1981, at age 62, he was also part of the 1981 Rocket 88 live album by the British group of the same name, and later recorded two of his own albums for JSP records, owned by John Stedman, "Swing On It" and "Big Blues" - the latter also involving Jimmy Witherspoon. Another album, "Royal Blue," was done at age 70 in 1990 in collaboration with Al Copley for Black Top Records. That same year he had a role in the film Taxi Blues, and in 1999, after he turned 80, he was the subject of the documentary film Keep The Music Going.

This album, in terms of his more prominent singles, is probably the best of what's out there covering this unsung saxophonist, with digitally-remastered sound and original vinyl sleeve notes written by Phil Schaap. The other personnel involved in these original Savoy recordings are: tenor saxophonists Buddy Lucas and Sam Taylor, alto saxophonist Dave McRae, baritone saxophonist Leslie Johnakins, trumpeter Willie Moore, trombonists Milt Larkins and Chips Outcalt, pianists Wynton Kelly, Kelly Owens and George Rhodes, guitarist Mickey Baker (of Mickey & Sylvia fame), bass players George Duvivier, Frank Skeete, Leonard Gaskin and Walter Page, and drummers Sol Hall, Heywood Jackson, Panama Francis and Bobby Donaldson. ~AvidOldiesCollector

Rent Party

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Laura Karst - Little Did I Dream

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:30
Size: 113.3 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[3:04] 1. Nobody Else But Me
[3:54] 2. When Springtime Turne To Fall
[3:36] 3. Que Reste-T-Il De Nos Amours
[4:46] 4. There's No You
[4:16] 5. Autumn Serenade
[3:59] 6. Desafinado
[5:34] 7. Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out Of Dry
[4:39] 8. Little Did I Dream
[6:03] 9. Everybody's Song But Me Own
[3:57] 10. Devil May Care
[5:36] 11. Turn Out The Stars

Laura Karst: vocals; Adam Shulman: piano; Doug Pohorski: acoustic bass; Joey Niehuis: drums; Jim Schneider: tenor saxophone.

Laura Karst debut solo release Little Did I Dream is a delightfully produced and well thought out gem that is as entertaining a release as you can find. With jazz having more sub genres on the family tree and the female vocalist branches clearly split into the wondrous and exciting as Christmas morning and as forgettable as my sister's Thanksgiving dinner. Little Did I Dream easily moves onto the wondrous and exciting branch with an eclectic yet incredibly likable song selection and a first call band backing her talents.

An entertaining release, well paced and flawlessly arranged this is how you sing jazz!

Little Did I Dream

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Charlie Byrd - Rhythm Of Life

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 78:07
Size: 178.8 MB
Styles: Bossa Nova, Guitar jazz
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[4:38] 1. Satin Doll
[3:15] 2. My Heart Stood Still
[5:26] 3. The House Of The Rising Sun
[3:41] 4. Speak Low
[4:11] 5. What's New
[1:44] 6. Nice Work If You Can Get It
[2:59] 7. Nuages
[3:25] 8. Don't Explain
[1:53] 9. Taking A Chance On Love
[2:49] 10. Moonlight In Vermont
[5:42] 11. Four O'clock Funk
[3:45] 12. Little Girl Blue
[1:27] 13. Interlude
[2:41] 14. Makin' Whoopee
[9:39] 15. Taboo
[3:21] 16. Django
[4:35] 17. Buck's Hill
[3:37] 18. My Funny Valentine
[5:23] 19. To Ginny
[3:47] 20. Ring Them Harmonics

In 1962 Charlie Byrd and his trio traveled to South America under the sponsorship of the State Department. When he returned to the US he made the landmark recording with Stan Getz Jazz Samba. Unlike the Laurindo Almeida and Bud Shank recordings of Brazilian music, this record caught on with the listening public and made Charlie Byrd a household name.

Rhythm Of Life

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Nils Lofgren - The Loner: Nils Sings Neil

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:42
Size: 129.8 MB
Styles: Heartland rock, Roots
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[3:48] 1. Birds
[3:18] 2. Long May You Run
[3:18] 3. Flying On The Ground
[3:11] 4. I Am A Child
[3:39] 5. Only Love Can Break Your Heart
[5:32] 6. Harvest Moon
[3:56] 7. Like A Hurricane
[4:19] 8. The Loner
[6:05] 9. Don't Be Denied
[3:15] 10. World On A String
[4:20] 11. Mr. Soul
[3:18] 12. Winterlong
[3:47] 13. On The Way Home
[2:12] 14. Wonderin'
[2:37] 15. Don't Cry No Tears

Nils Lofgren is a guitar hero who does great work in the employ of others and is wildly inconsistent as a solo artist and vocalist. Lofgren is at his best when he can strut his stuff on electric guitar, so why would anyone want to listen to an album of him performing Neil Young tunes on acoustic guitar and piano? The Loner: Nils Sings Neil sounds like a truly misguided idea for an album, but against the odds it turns out to be a sweet and heartfelt surprise, a moving interpretive album and one of Lofgren's best solo efforts to date. Lofgren can't bring the same kind of fire to his acoustic guitar work that he does on electric, and his voice is a wavering tenor that doesn't carry a lot of weight, but Lofgren has the advantage of recording and touring with Young in the past, and it's clear that these songs speak to something in his heart -- he knows this music, and when he sings he hits a clear and unaffected emotional bull's-eye. At first, it's hard not to wish that Lofgren had overdubbed a bit of accompaniment on these tracks, but let the album sink in and the spare, minimal recording and arrangements work in favor of the songs; the nakedness of these performances brings the emotional core of the material front and center, and Lofgren sings "Only Love Can Break Your Heart," "Don't Be Denied," and "Don't Cry No Tears" with sincere clarity, allowing each word to carry its full message. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Neil Young is one of rock's finest songwriters and Lofgren has chosen 15 superb selections from his catalog, but there's more to cutting a good cover than simply picking a good song. The Loner: Nils Sings Neil demonstrates that Lofgren knows what makes these songs so powerful, and he doesn't cover up the essentials with these spare but soulfully direct interpretations; the result is a small and simple triumph. ~Mark Deming

The Loner: Nils Sings Neil

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Randy Weston - Solo, Duo & Trio In A Modern Mood (2-Disc Set)

Sources: CD 1, tracks #11-8 from the Riverside album “Cole Porter in a Modern Mood” (RLP 2508 10-inch); Tracks #9-14 from the Riverside album “The Randy Weston Trio” (RLP 2515 10-inch). CD 2, tracks #1-4 from the Riverside album “Randy Weston Trio and Solo” (RLP 12-227) which also includes the tracks of the 10" RLP 2515. Which also includes the tracks of the 10" RLP 25; Tracks #5-14 from the Riverside album “Get Happy” (RLP 12-203). 24-Bit Digitally Remastered..

Influenced by Thelonious Monk and the laconic, almost conversational style of John Lewis, Randy Weston’s work on these mid-1950s solo, duo and trio sessions nevertheless marked him out as a pianist different from anyone else.

Grounded in bop, his playing has a compositional quality and sophistication that belie its deceptive simplicity. And he could stamp his personality on well-known material, subtly refracting its colours through the prism of a singular imagination; there are striking performances here of such as “Lover” and a remarkable “If You Could See Me Now”, while Cole Porter is treated with rare astringency, even on the playful “I Get A Kick Out Of You”. And the delicate probing of line, harmony, time and mood of “We’ll Be Together Again”—rounded off with a whimsically upbeat little flourish—is filled with the sense of an elusively original mind at work.

His influence in jazz, like his profile, should have been greater, but he was to move on to his ethnic musical roots in Africa, and further enrich his music.

Album: Solo, Duo & Trio In A Modern Mood (Disc 1)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:21
Size: 129.0 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[4:31] 1. Get Out Of Town
[3:11] 2. I Get A Kick Out Of You
[3:00] 3. I Love You
[4:43] 4. In The Still Of The Night
[4:31] 5. Just One Of Those Things
[3:38] 6. Night And Day
[2:53] 7. What Is This Thing Called Love
[3:10] 8. I've Got You Under My Skin
[3:45] 9. Sweet Sue
[3:44] 10. Pam's Waltz
[6:56] 11. Solemn Meditation
[5:06] 12. Again
[3:29] 13. Zulu
[3:36] 14. If You Could See Me Now

Solo, Duo & Trio In A Modern Mood (Disc 1)

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Album: Solo, Duo & Trio In A Modern Mood (Disc 2)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:57
Size: 123.5 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[3:58] 1. Little Girl Blue
[4:11] 2. We'll Be Together Again
[4:27] 3. Softness
[4:05] 4. Lover
[3:45] 5. Get Happy
[2:54] 6. Fire Down There
[4:11] 7. Where Are You
[3:09] 8. Dark Eyes
[3:36] 9. Summertime
[4:00] 10. Bass Knows
[5:19] 11. Bass Knows
[2:53] 12. C-Jam Blues
[4:22] 13. A Ballad
[3:00] 14. Twelfth Street Rag

Solo, Duo & Trio In A Modern Mood (Disc 2)

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Lela & Joe Kaplowitz - With Every Breath

Styles: Vocal And Piano Jazz
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:20
Size: 165,2 MB
Art: Front

(6:36)  1. Blues In Red Hook
(8:18)  2. Keep On Going
(7:31)  3. With Every Breath
(6:35)  4. I Love Myself
(6:06)  5. Home
(8:21)  6. Please Say
(7:27)  7. I Celebrate The Life
(6:02)  8. Sisters
(6:32)  9. Sand Story
(7:48) 10. Bolero

Croatian singer Lela Kaplowitz sings con brio and gleeful abandon. Eastern Europe has always been a hotbed terrain for big band music, with creativity exploding after the end of the Cold War. Kaplowitz and her husband/pianist/arranger Joe Kaplowitz emerge fully formed and swinging on With Every Breath. The pair employ the wares of the Croatian Radio-Television Jazz Orchestra (think an Eastern WDR) and spin out ten finely crafted big band pieces. Joe Kaplowitz proves more than capable as arranger for a large ensemble. "Blues in Red Hook" bristles with swinging invention and a complex and sprawling solo by the pianist. "Keep on Going," the disc's first vocal raps a Latin vibe blistering voice and trumpet. Singer Kaplowitz's voice is resonant and robust, whether at full gale or sotto voce. These are the two aspects of the recording that stand out: the arrangements and singing. The arrangements are tight and the composing laces intricate with complex heads and solos woven together in an almost tactile manner. 

Kaplowitz's singing is simply superb. She draws forth all of the blues and church from "Sisters," a languid stroll that allows for torch singing of the flame-throwing variety. Kaplowitz scats a bluestreak with trumpets and guitar in a New Orleans orgy of broken counterpoint. "Sand Story" begins in a hail of free jazz, before a vocal refrain defines a direction that flows into a Caribbean groove tempered with a steady rimshot. Breezy, but intense, the piece possesses a provocative symmetry reflecting that of the entire recording. ~ C.Michael Bailey  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/lela-and-joe-kaplowitz-with-every-breath-lela-kaplowitz-self-produced-review-by-c-michael-bailey.php
 

Personnel: Lela Kaplowitz: vocals; Joe Kaplowitz: piano, arranger; Croatian Radio- Television Jazz Orchestra, Saša Nestorovic: director.

With Every Breath

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Quincy Davis - Songs In The Key of Q

Styles: Jazz, Big Band
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:21
Size: 129,3 MB
Art: Front

(10:48)  1. Everybody's Peace
( 8:31)  2. Walnut Creek
( 4:25)  3. Soar
( 3:12)  4. Ponder This
( 8:16)  5. Cold Rain
( 5:03)  6. See You Tomorrow
( 3:52)  7. Epiphany
( 5:52)  8. Matter Factual
( 5:16)  9. Erica's Song
( 1:01) 10. Ponder This (Reprise)

This is a wonderful debut album by Quincy Davis, who has long been highly regarded as one of the great jazz drummers of his generation. In this album, listeners can finally enjoy a compelling glimpse into the mind and soul of Davis as a composer. Davis' music can be described as very "melodic, sophisticated, introspective, soulful and catchy". His playing can be described as simply "refreshing". While the roots of jazz are deeply embedded throughout the album, you will hear no cliches what-so-ever. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/quincydavis

He is joined by a stellar band: Dayna Stephens (tenor sax), Warren Wolf (vibraphone), Xavier Davis (piano), Vicente Archer (bass) and Richie Goods (electric bass, 1 track).

Songs In The Key of Q

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Eddie Jefferson - The Main Man

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 32:54
Size: 75,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:58)  1. Jeannine
(3:21)  2. Night Train
(3:19)  3. Moody's Mood For Love

(3:05)  4. Body & Soul

(3:28)  5. Confirmation

(3:54)  6. Benny's From Heaven

(4:11)  7. Summertime

(3:22)  8. Freedom Jazz Dance

(4:12)  9. Exactly Like You

Eddie Jefferson's final recording before his tragic death is a tour de force session that showcases a love for big-band type horn sections, his indefatigable ability to scat and write original vocalese lyrics, and his enthusiasm for life. At a time when his overdue star was rising, Jefferson compiled a list of his most well-known numbers, a few standards, and modified songs with his newly penned words, then modified them into different stories of life and the pitfalls of romance. Leon Thomas and Inner City head honcho Irv Kratka produced the session, while Slide Hampton did most of the excellent arrangements and plays trombone. The horn section also features sidekick alto saxophonist Richie Cole, tenor saxophonist Junior Cook, baritone saxophonist Hamiet Bluiett, and unsung trumpeter Charles Sullivan, with the brilliant pianist Harold Mabern, bassist George Duvivier, and drummer Billy Hart in the rhythm section. 

Done in 1977, these tracks have all become classics and distinct identifiers as to what made Jefferson the main cog in progressive vocal jazz circles for all time. If you are a student of jazz vocals, then the classic ballad "Moody's Moody for Love" subtitled "There I Go" should be high on any list for analysis, while a controlled take of "Exactly Like You" is exemplary for the way Jefferson could play it straight, scat like no one else, and encourage bandmembers like Sullivan and Mabern to play solos just on the edge of the mainstream. "Jeannine" and "Bennie's from Heaven" are Jefferson's ultimate storyboard adaptations, the former an extra tasty soul-jazz groove about a flighty lover gone from sight, the latter a quizzical tale of a soldier returned from duty to find a pregnant wife, stating "Benny must be from heaven, 'cause he darn sure ain't from me." At heart a bebopper, Jefferson wails on "Confirmation," perfectly exclaiming it's the music that saved the nation and allowed it to be free, while "Summertime" steams with the ripeness of that season, as he extrapolates wonderfully on the main lyric, with adept knowledge in a brilliant display on his keen powers of observation. 

"Night Train" is another soul-jazz exercise in wishful thinking on bringing his baby back, and is as closely identified as any song Jefferson ever interpreted, while "Freedom Jazz Dance" has a fairly straight lyric relating to his days as a tap dancer that has been interpreted by many others after his passing, and is another tune prime for close study. Jefferson was exploring "the out cats" at this time, and was seeking a means to make his music more progressive, and there are hints at this stylistic evolution on this recording. After being out of print for many decades, The Main Man is finally available, and stands as a shining testament to perhaps the last truly great and innovative jazz singer in the modern era. ~ Michael G.Nastos  http://www.allmusic.com/album/main-man-mw0000900528

The Main Man     

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Lenny Welch - Songs You Love To Hear

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 32:51
Size: 92,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:00)  1. Since I Fell for You
(2:53)  2. You Don't Know Me
(3:51)  3. Ebb Tide
(3:25)  4. Little Man You've Had A Busy Day
(2:57)  5. You Send Me
(3:14)  6. Unforgettable
(2:44)  7. Only You
(3:37)  8. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
(2:30)  9. Climb Every Mountain
(4:34) 10. My Way

Singer Lenny Welch was born Leon Welch on May 15, 1938 in Asbury Park, NJ. He started singing as a youngster, assembling groups and participating in talent shows. In his late teens, Welch and his group auditioned for Decca Records in New York. The executives loved "Lenny," which they called Leon, because name flowed better. Decca recorded Welch solo on a couple of promising 45s but the sales were dismal. Two years passed before his next break. Coley Wallace, a prize fighter, introduced Welch to Archie Bleyer, the owner of Cadence Records. The association clicked and "You Don't Know Me" was his first release, it made some noise, but it was the second Cadence single, "Since I Fell for You," a a number five pop hit in 1963, that brought the mass sells and accolades; he also scored with "Ebb Tide," and was on his way to becoming another Johnny Mathis when two devastating circumstances occurred. For starters, and reasons unknown, Archie Bleyer folded Cadence in September of 1964, the label he had started in December 1952. (Cadence had built the careers of many artists including Andy Williams, the Everly Brothers, and Johnny Tillotson; Andy Williams purchased the companies' masters from Bleyer and reissued them on his Barnaby label, but signed with Columbia Records to release his new recordings, while Bleyer retired to Wisconsin.) Lenny's last Cadence release, "If You See My Love" in 1964, charted at number 92. He also contributed vocals to Eddie Harris' 1964 LP Cool Sax, Warm Heart. But after a couple of hits and one LP release, Since I Fell for You in 1963, Welch was shopping for a new deal.

The second setback came from Uncle Sam. Lenny stayed involved in music while serving his country. He did record hops and weekend dates to promote his new releases on Kapp Records, but nothing significant happened until his duty ended. He landed with Kapp shortly after Cadence closed and charted with "Darling Take Me Back," "Two Different Worlds" (1965), "Please Help Me, I'm Falling" (1966), and "The Right to Cry" in 1967. Unexpectedly, Welch then took another hiatus; this time to get his mind together, and to practice and research his musical skills and sell his image. 

While compared to Johnny Mathis and other ballad singers, Welch wasn't playing the cushy Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe gigs, his albums didn't sell like Mathis' or Andy Williams'. The leave of absence was a big mistake; he came back, and began gigging at some major clubs, but it never really happened for him like he envisioned. Attempted comebacks in the '70s didn't pan out, including a marvelous single on the Cur label entitled "To Be Loved/Glory of Love" b/w "My Heart Won't Let Me." Dwindling interest caused the handsome, velvet-voiced singer with the super personality to become a "whatever happened to . . ." topic. 

You can hear his work on Anthology (1958-1966), on Taragon Records, and the Collectables reissue of Since I Fell for You. He recorded three albums on Kapp: Two Different Worlds (1965), Rags to Riches (1966), and Lenny, in 1967. Bio ~ Andrew Hamilton  http://www.allmusic.com/artist/lenny-welch-mn0000201022/biography

Songs You Love To Hear

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Pete Neighbour - It's Alright With Me

Size: 122,3 MB
Time: 52:48
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2009
Styles: Jazz: Retro Swing
Art: Front

01. It's Alright With Me (4:55)
02. I've Got The World On A String (5:49)
03. More Than You Know (7:20)
04. Lover Come Back To Me (5:15)
05. How Long Has This Been Going On (6:35)
06. Don't Be That Way & Stompin' At The Savoy (5:10)
07. Memories Of You (5:14)
08. Flying Home (5:58)
09. Goodbye (6:29)

The album is mainly material associated with the great Benny Goodman, although is most definitely not another “tribute" album! It was recorded with a wonderful rhythm section of Bert Ligon, (piano) Reggie Sullivan (bass) and Jim Hall (drums)

Pete Neighbours musical career began in primary school in London with violin lessons. After a very short while all parties--parents, teacher and pupil - agreed these were a musical disaster! Picking up the clarinet at around the age of twelve he found this to be far more to his liking and began to work his way steadily through the Associated Board grades reaching Grade 8 at the age of 16.

His love of jazz was nurtured from an early age and the complexities of improvisation became a challenge to be conquered... a challenge which excites him as much today as it did in those formative years.

He was lucky enough to meet fellow London clarinet virtuoso Julian Marc Stringle during his mid teens and they became firm friends and popular on the London jazz circuit with two clarinet interpretations of jazz classics. They still work together today when their respective hectic schedules allow.

Pete's love and mastery of jazz has enabled him to perform in a diverse stylistic range; from small group 1920's style music, through the swing era and into settings akin to the more modern clarinet masters such as Buddy de Franco and Eddie Daniels. Indeed, he takes great delight in playing in different musical settings as often as possible. In recent months he has made guest appearances with the British jazz legend Kenny Ball.

It's Alright With Me

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Paulette McWilliams & The Beets Brothers - Live Recording In Amsterdam

Size: 117,0 MB
Time: 50:09
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz Vocals,, Bossa Nova
Art: Front

01. Almost Like Being In Love (5:40)
02. Shadow Of Your Smile (5:09)
03. I Remember Clifford (6:03)
04. A Taste Of Honey (4:53)
05. Quiet Nights (Corcovado) (4:35)
06. Devil May Care (4:19)
07. Lush Life (5:32)
08. Easy To Love (4:42)
09. Caravan (3:18)
10. Green Dolphin Street (5:52)

Anyone with a pulse has heard the voice of Paulette McWilliams. Those inclined to inspect liner notes have certainly seen her name. Over the last four decades, she’s emerged as the consummate vocalist, equally at home in rock, R&B, jazz, house, Broadway, and jingles, with hundreds of local and national commercials to her credit.

However, McWilliams’ story may not be as widely known as her voice. Her professional singing career traces back to Chicago where she held the lead spot in Rufus before enlisting her friend Chaka Khan. Quincy Jones then introduced McWilliams and the Brothers Johnson on his Mellow Madness (1975) album. McWilliams soon became a mainstay in both the New York and Los Angeles studio scenes, and dueted with icons like Johnny Mathis and Marvin Gaye. All throughout, she won the admiration of musicians and fellow vocalists. “Her intonation is impeccable and her melodic interpretation is not only creative and interesting, but warmly inviting”, says Terri Lynne Carrington. “The vocal jazz tradition has been authentically passed down to Paulette from her stellar predecessors.” Indeed, McWilliams can turn a jazz phrase with the best of them. She once traded verses on Benard Ighner’s “Everything Must Change” with no less a legend than Sarah Vaughan.

Given her illustrious albeit largely unsung career, McWilliams readily identified with many of the stories in 20 Feet from Stardom (2013). In fact, she’s a common thread between many of the singers documented in Morgan Neville’s Oscar-winning film. For more than 20 years, she recorded and toured with Luther Vandross, sharing background vocals with Lisa Fischer and Cindy Mizelle. Both McWilliams and Darlene Love sang on the Vandross-produced Jump to It (1982) by Aretha Franklin. When Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” rocketed to number one in 1979, it was McWilliams shadowing Jackson’s voice on the hook, while she and Patti Austin sang (uncredited) on “Rock With You”. Like Charlo Crossley, McWilliams also had a memorable stint as one of Bette Midler’s Harlettes and appeared in both the Broadway production and touring company of Divine Madness. Mirroring many of the interview subjects in 20 Feet, McWilliams has also struggled to achieve success a solo artist. Thirty years passed before McWilliams recorded a follow-up to her solo debut Never Been Here Before (1977). Released in Japan, the independent Flow (2007) was followed by her album-length collaboration with Tom Scott, Telling Stories (2012).

Live Recording In Amsterdam

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Jason Lee Bruns & Kevin Bechelder - Cherry Avenue

Size: 101,2 MB
Time: 40:25
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz/Soul/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

01. My Romance (3:15)
02. Autumn Leaves (feat. Daniel Szabo & Ron Blake) (4:05)
03. I Fall in Love Too Easily (feat. Daniel Szabo) (4:28)
04. Waters of March (feat. Angelo Metz) (4:00)
05. Dear Prudence (feat. Kim Richmond) (3:41)
06. Send in the Clowns (feat. Angelo Metz) (4:04)
07. Like Someone in Love (feat. Angelo Metz & Kim Richmond) (3:53)
08. It Didn't Work Out That Way (feat. Kim Richmond) (5:43)
09. Ain't No Sunshine (feat. Jacques Voyemant) (3:27)
10. Cherry Avenue (feat. Brandon Fields) (3:45)

When Jason Lee Bruns asked me to write the liner notes for his new CD, Cherry Avenue, recorded with singer Kevin Bachelder, my first reaction was, “Ah, a jazz odd couple.” I knew Jason Lee as a drummer/percussionist with an irresistible groove, and Kevin as a vocal artist with a gift for telling a captivating musical story. And my question was whether this potential jazz world Oscar and Felix duo could find a way to blend their strong individual characteristics into a productive partnership.

Well, there's no cliffhanger on the answer. It won't take more than one or two tracks from this compelling program of songs to illustrate how effectively Kevin and Jason combined their creative visions. How did they do it? The right way. As Jason and Kevin made clear to me, they did so by finding the common ground between their territories.

Start with the way in which Jason's colorful grooves energize each song. Consider, for example: the Cuban son rhythms of “Autumn Leaves”; the samba of “Waters of March”; the Afro Brazilian afoxé of John Lennon's “Dear Prudence”; the bossa nova of “Like Someone in Love." Making the most of those settings, Kevin's vocals are vividly alive, his warm mid-range and soaring head tones brilliantly illuminating the songs' inner stories.

Another vital aspect of Cherry Avenue traces to the arrangements. Jason and Kevin are trained musician/arrangers, recalling the rare orchestration skills of such predecessors as drummer Louie Bellson and singer Mel Torme. Writing for the modest instrumentation of three horns, guitar, piano, bass and drums, Jason and Kevin devised a colorful array of timbres and textures. On many tunes they employ an effective small band version of big band sound, often calling up similarities to the hard-hitting qualities of Blood, Sweat & Tears.

Both Jason and Kevin are too musically sophisticated, however, to be locked into any single stylistic setting. And, on the opening tune, “My Romance,” Kevin's arrangement immediately establishes the varied setting characterizing the entire album. Starting with a jaunty vocal, primarily backed by Jason's brisk drumming, the song builds to a muscular horn-driven climax. The B,S&T-like prominence of the horns returns in other tunes – “Dear Prudence,” “Send In The Clowns,” “Like Someone In Love” and “It Didn't Work Out That Way” among them.

Additional highlights trace to the arrangement ideas of Jason and Kevin, which often enhance the settings by featuring soloists with the vocals. Listen to the subtle piano of Daniel Szabo on “I Fall In Love Too Easily,” the juxtaposition of Kevin's scatting and Ron Blake's trumpet on “Autumn Leaves,” Brazilian Angelo Metz's atmospheric guitar on “Waters of March,” Kim Richmond's clarinet on “Like Someone In Love,” Jacques Voyemant's trombone on “Ain't No Sunshine,” Brandon Fields’ tenor saxophone on “Cherry Avenue.”

There's more, much more, to praise in the songs that Jason Lee Bruns and Kevin Bachelder have found or written, arranged and performed for Cherry Avenue. But the music speaks for itself. And it remains for listeners to simply sit back and enjoy the numerous pleasures of this memorable album. ~Don Heckman

Cherry Avenue

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Scott Henderson - Vibe Station

Size: 156,9 MB
Time: 67:41
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz: Jazz Rock
Art: Front

01. Church Of Xotic Dance (7:18)
02. Sphinx (8:59)
03. Vibe Station (7:05)
04. Manic Carpet (7:22)
05. Calhoun (8:38)
06. The Covered Head (6:55)
07. Festival Of Ghosts (8:40)
08. Dew Wut (6:59)
09. Chelsea Bridge (5:41)

Scott Henderson is best known as the guitarist for the legendary fusion group Tribal Tech, and also for his sideman work with Chick Corea, Jean-Luc Ponty, and Weather Report’s Joe Zawinul. He also plays in the group HBC with bassist Jeff Berlin and drummer Dennis Chambers.

In 1991, Scott was named by Guitar World as the #1 Jazz Guitarist, and in January 1992, he was named #1 Jazz Guitarist in Guitar Player's Annual Reader's Poll. His first solo blues album "Dog Party" won best blues album of 1994 in Guitar Player Magazine.

Vibe Station is his most ambitious work to date, and features Travis Carlton on bass and Alan Hertz on drums. The music can only be described as a mixture of edgy blues rock, funk, and modern melodic jazz, amid a huge soundscape of guitar tones and textures.

Vibe Station

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