Sam Cooke - Hits Of The 50s

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 33:27
Size: 76.6 MB
Styles: R&B, Soul vocals
Year: 1960/2011
Art: Front

[2:34] 1. Hey There
[2:35] 2. Mona Lisa
[2:12] 3. Too Young
[3:04] 4. The Great Pretender
[2:52] 5. You, You, You
[3:27] 6. Unchained Melody
[3:13] 7. The Wayward Wind
[2:48] 8. Secret Love
[2:40] 9. The Song From Moulin Rouge
[2:46] 10. I'm Walking Behind You
[2:16] 11. Cry
[2:55] 12. Venus

Sam Cooke's second RCA album is mostly a missed opportunity, in terms of representing much about Sam Cooke as an artist or singer -- having him cover pop hits of the previous decade wasn't a terrible idea on its face, but Cooke was still getting accustomed to working at RCA, and he wasn't inspired by the material or the way it was chosen, and the result is an album aimed at what the label thought the white teenage market was all about (and what the company thought the parents of those kids would be most comfortable with them buying from a black recording artist), that's a lot less interesting than some of the singles, including "Chain Gang" and "Wonderful World," that he was doing around the same time. His versions of hits associated with Nat "King" Cole, Johnnie Ray, and the Platters should have made for a more interesting record. Hits of the Fifties is still an improvement over its immediate predecessor, Cooke's Tour, but it's also one of the records that for many years -- in the absence of his best material being available -- blighted Cooke's reputation as a soul singer. ~Bruce Eder

Hits Of The 50s

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Nina Simone - Nina Simone & Her Friends

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:13
Size: 80.6 MB
Styles: Standards, Jazz vocals
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[3:07] 1. He's Got The Whole World In His Hands
[2:33] 2. A Cottage For Sale
[2:35] 3. Old Devil Moon
[4:05] 4. I Loves You, Porgy
[2:59] 5. Try A Little Tenderness
[2:06] 6. You Made Me Care
[3:57] 7. For All We Know
[2:50] 8. What Is There To Say
[2:16] 9. Too Much In Love To Care
[3:06] 10. African Mailman
[2:31] 11. Goodbye
[3:01] 12. Last Time For Love

The original album was more a way for Bethlehem Records to capitalize on Nina's work during her short stay with the label, as well as some cobbled-together tracks from Chris Connor and Carmen McRae from 1954 sessions. I will not get into the acrimonious relationship that caused Nina to leave the label, nor will I criticize the label for trying to turn a profit. The music on this album speaks for itself and I personally am happy to have what amounts to a compilation of three great vocalists. Nina's piano work is an added bonus. Listen to the sound samples and decide for yourself. I do want to note that the tracks from Connor's and McRae's 1954 sessions have surprisingly good sound quality considering the state of recording technology during that period.

All of Nina's tracks were from the December 1957 session that produced her debut album titled Little Girl Blue. In fact some tracks from that album are repeated on this one. She is backed on the tracks on this album by Jimmy Bond on bass and Al 'Tootie' Heath on drums. Carmen McRae's tracks were all recorded in NYC on October 6, 1954. She is backed by an ensemble comprised of Herbie Mann on flute and tenor sax, Mat Mathews on accordion, Mundell Lowe on guitar, Wendell Marshall on bass and Kenny Clarke on drums. Chris Connor's tracks were recorded during two sets of 1954 sessions. Her tracks on the original 1959 release of this album differ from what is here. Still, the music is representative so the substitutions will mainly affect someone wanting to replace a worn copy of the original album.

Despite the flaws this is still a enjoyable album. It's ironic that Bethlehem cobbled together the original release and the current label, Old Style, managed to mangle even that. ~Mike Tarrani

Nina Simone & Her Friends

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Chrystel Wautier Trio - Peace Of Time

Styles: Latin, Vocal Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:38
Size: 109,9 MB
Art: Front

(4:42)  1. Whisper Not
(5:15)  2. Old Devil Moon
(5:05)  3. Hope
(2:57)  4. Doralice
(5:25)  5. You're Driving Me Crazy
(4:37)  6. But Beautiful
(5:13)  7. Magic Meets Reality
(4:45)  8. East Of The Sun
(4:56)  9. Eu Quero Um Samba
(4:39) 10. Day In Day Out

Influenced by Soul, R'n'B, gospel and of course jazz, Chrystel Wautier is a young Belgian singer, considered one of the most promising artists of his generation. In 2005 she found a real identity and personal tone in his trio and after four years of concerts (Belgium, France, Morocco ...), she recorded in 2010 his second album "Peace of Time" with guests, Ben Sluijs and Cedric Raymond. Translate by google  http://saintjazz.be/public/index.php/programme/chrystel-wautier-trio

Peace Of Time

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Michéle Ramo, Bucky Pizzarelli, Jerry Bruno - Oh' Lady Be Good

Styles: Dixieland/New Orleans/Swing
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:34
Size: 134,9 MB
Art: Front

(5:07)  1. Oh' Lady Be Good
(3:07)  2. Autumn Nocturne
(4:55)  3. Crazy Rhythm
(5:17)  4. Everything I Have Is Yours
(5:47)  5. Have You Met Miss Yones
(5:07)  6. They Can't Take That Away From
(7:48)  7. Nuages
(4:59)  8. Stardust
(6:18)  9. Tears
(5:42) 10. Melodie Au
(4:24) 11. A Time For Love

With a swinging program that recalls the spirit of Stephane Grappelli and Django Reinhardt, this contemporary trio of veteran jazzmen delivers straight from the heart. The cohesive program jumps in a lively fashion as the acoustic group delves into material steeped in tradition and mellowed with age. Up-tempo romps like "Have You Met Miss Jones" and "Oh Lady Be Good" find the trio pulling out all the stops in a celebration of syncopation, swing and sunshine. Slower pieces, like "Autumn Nocturne" and "Nuages," allow the trio’s lyrical melodies to flow gently and settle in comfortably as each artist reaches back for inspiration. This music flows like a meandering country stream through a meadow of colorful wildflowers.

All three gentlemen display a deep respect for melody. Violinist Michele Ramo leads with a superb touch, garnering every ounce of flavor from each piece. His version of "Stardust" brings tears to the eyes. Guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli steps forward with lucid solo spots that belie a sincere love for these classic songs, while Jerry Bruno provides a strong bottom foundation. His lovely bass solo on "Have You Met Miss Jones" dances around the familiar melody with a resonance that evokes heartfelt spirit. Ramo applies a variety of techniques in his portrayal, employing seamless, flowing legato when desired and jumping off with a sprightly pizzicato when the mood calls for it. He interprets the music with the emotional strength of gypsy soul and American swing, combined with the universal appeal of song. The ballad is putty in his hands.

Oh Lady Be Good represents a deep love for the essence that can only be found in beautiful songs. It takes two to tango. One side writes the songs, and the other side interprets them with love. The songs of Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Richard Rodgers, Burton Lane, Johnny Mandel, Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli do a special dance when performed by Michele Ramo, Bucky Pizzarelli and Jerry Bruno. ~ Jim Santella  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/oh-lady-be-good-michele-ramo-moonboat-records-review-by-jim-santella.php

Personnel: Michele Ramo: violin; Bucky Pizzarelli: guitar; Jerry Bruno: bass.

Oh' Lady Be Good

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Gloria Reuben - Perchance To Dream

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 2015
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:25
Size: 108,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:37)  1. Change Partners
(4:51)  2. Poor Girl
(3:43)  3. Close Enough For Love
(4:54)  4. Pure Imagination
(4:14)  5. When I Close My Eyes
(5:39)  6. How Am I To Know
(4:55)  7. Save Your Love For Me
(4:52)  8. You Better Love Me
(4:23)  9. Sharing The Night With The Blues
(4:13) 10. Here's To Life

Every track on “Perchance to Dream” has a unique treatment. The Irving Berlin standard, “Change Partners” starts off the album with a jazz waltz. Latin styles were also included. Jay Ashby’s arrangement of “Close Enough For Love” is a mambo and Marty Ashby’s arrangements of “Pure Imagination” and “How Am I To Know” take on a Samba and Bossa Nova feel respectively. Ballads include a contemporary adaptation of “Save Your Love For Me” and the ever powerful “Here’s To Life” that was arranged for only voice and guitar. 

To spice things up, the album includes a jazz rock version of “Sharing The Night With The Blues” and the swinger, “You Better Love Me.” Two previously unrecorded, original tunes were included on Perchance to Dream: the ballad “When I Close My Eyes” by K. Lawrence Dunham and Carol Robbins and the bluesy “Poor Girl” with lyrics from the poem, Poor Girl by Dr. Maya Angelou and music by Jay Ashby. Reuben says she was, “so grateful to pour my heart into” the two new tunes. http://myiesstore.com/mcgjazz/product/gloria-reuben-perchance-to-dream-cd/

Perchance To Dream

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Royal Crown Revue - Mugzy's Move

Styles: Retro Swing
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:00
Size: 115,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:33)  1. Hey Pachuco!
(3:25)  2. Zip Gun Bop
(3:45)  3. Mugzy's Move
(3:35)  4. I Love the Life I Live
(5:30)  5. The Walkin' Blues
(3:47)  6. Beyond the Sea
(2:45)  7. Park's Place
(2:42)  8. Datin' with No Dough
(4:44)  9. Trouble in Tinsel Town
(3:40) 10. Topsy
(3:53) 11. The Rise and Fall of the Great Mondello
(2:44) 12. Honey Child
(2:49) 13. Hey Pachuco! (Reprise)
(3:01) 14. Barflies at the Beach

With their debut album Mugzy's Move, the Royal Crown Revue bring back the sound of pre-rock jump blues, playing a set of Louis Jordan-inspired originals and ocovers. Although the band is energetic and proficient, their cutesey originals and campy album art give their music an aura of being some sort of kitschy joke. Still, the band is talented enough to make those kinds of questions relatively easy to ignore. Mugzy's Move, despite it's flaws, is an engaging set of nostalgic fun. ~ Thom Owens  http://www.allmusic.com/album/mugzys-move-mw0000187938

Royal Crown Revue: Eddie Nichols (vocals); James Anchor (guitar, background vocals); Mando Dorame (tenor saxophone, background vocals); Bill Ungerman (baritone saxophone, background vocals); Scott Steen (trumpet, bakcground vocals); Veikko Lepisto (bass, background vocals); Daniel Glass (drums, percussion, background vocals).

Mugzy's Move

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Johnny Hodges - The Complete Verve Small Sessions 1956-1961 (6-Disc Set)

Johnny Hodges was Duke Ellington's most important soloist, so when the alto saxophonist returned to his former employer in the fall of 1955 after leading his own band for just over four and a half years, he had Ellington's approval to record under his own name for Verve on a steady basis. This limited-edition box set collects all of Hodges' small-group sessions recorded for Verve between 1956 and 1961 (excepting some selections whose masters were lost), often with a number of sidemen on loan from Ellington. The leader's chops are best exhibited in the ballads and blues features, though his originals merit attention, too. Hodges hardly hogs the spotlight; he obviously takes his share of solos but generously features his guests and associates from the Ellington band. A nonet with Clark Terry, Ray Nance, Quentin Jackson, Jimmy Hamilton, Harry Carney, Billy Strayhorn, Jimmy Woode, and Sam Woodyard is easily the best all-around session within this compilation, with many fine tracks. The humorous "Just Squeeze Me," with Nance's hip vocals complemented by Terry's talkative horn in the background, as well as a surprising extended workout of "Take the 'A' Train," with Terry taking over the famous solo spotlight that Nance first recorded in 1941 (heard on flügelhorn) and followed by Nance on his swinging violin, are among its highlights. Some of the other veterans appearing in this collection include Roy Eldridge, Vic Dickenson, Ben Webster, and Herb Ellis. The atmosphere of each session is friendly and swinging, with the feeling that each take came together quickly, whether or not that was actually the case. While Johnny Hodges' recordings as a leader from this period never rivaled Duke Ellington's in either sales or critical acclaim, they proved to be consistently enjoyable and able to stand the test of time. The set includes 30 previously unissued tracks. ~Ken Dryden

Album: The Complete Verve Small Sessions 1956-1961 (Disc 1)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 76:23
Size: 174.9 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2011

[ 3:07] 1. Hi 'ya
[ 7:13] 2. Snibor
[ 3:27] 3. I'm Gonna Sit Right Down (And Write Myself A Letter)
[11:44] 4. Texas Blues
[ 3:29] 5. A-Oddie-Oobie
[ 7:13] 6. Meet Mr. Rabbit
[ 2:52] 7. Duke's In Bed
[ 3:05] 8. Just Squeeze Me (But Don't Tease Me)
[ 3:19] 9. Ballade For Very Tired And Very Sad Lotus Eaters
[ 3:15] 10. Confab With Rab
[ 3:04] 11. It Had To Be You
[ 6:18] 12. Black And Tan Fantasy
[ 8:02] 13. Take The A Train
[ 2:26] 14. Viscount
[ 3:23] 15. Bouquet Of Roses
[ 4:17] 16. Digits

The Complete Verve Small Sessions 1956-1961 (Disc 1)

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Album: The Complete Verve Small Sessions 1956-1961 (Disc 2)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:12
Size: 172.2 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2011

[3:35] 1. Early Morning Rock
[3:23] 2. Blues-A-Plenty
[3:35] 3. Cool Your Motor
[3:17] 4. Gone With The Wind
[4:02] 5. Honey Hill
[3:31] 6. I Didn't Know About You
[5:00] 7. Satin Doll
[9:34] 8. Reeling And Rocking
[3:38] 9. Don't Take Your Love From Me
[5:58] 10. Saturday Afternoon Blues
[5:51] 11. Just A Memory
[6:47] 12. Let's Fall In Love
[5:35] 13. Big Shoe
[2:31] 14. Ruint
[2:58] 15. Bend One
[5:50] 16. You Need To Rock

The Complete Verve Small Sessions 1956-1961 (Disc 2)

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Album: The Complete Verve Small Sessions 1956-1961 (Disc 3)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 78:19
Size: 179.3 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2011

[5:56] 1. M.H.R
[2:41] 2. Broadway Babe
[2:19] 3. Three And Six
[7:50] 4. Not So Dukish
[3:22] 5. Central Park Swing
[8:21] 6. Preacher Blues
[3:34] 7. Jeep Bounced Back
[2:52] 8. The Last Time I Saw Paris
[3:58] 9. First Klass (C'mon Home)
[2:40] 10. Second Klass
[3:13] 11. Straight Back
[7:51] 12. Steerage
[3:30] 13. Third Klass
[3:03] 14. Meet The Frog
[5:28] 15. Nite Life
[2:56] 16. My Melancholy Baby
[2:43] 17. Lotus Blossom
[5:53] 18. Free For All

The Complete Verve Small Sessions 1956-1961 (Disc 3)

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Album: The Complete Verve Small Sessions 1956-1961 (Disc 4)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:13
Size: 153.9 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2011

[4:10] 1. Br' Rabbit
[3:55] 2. Starting With You (I'm Through)
[6:20] 3. The Hare
[3:47] 4. The Things You Miss
[3:27] 5. I Told You So
[4:29] 6. Wiggle Awhile
[7:08] 7. Get Ready
[7:17] 8. The Peaches Are Better Down The Road
[5:30] 9. Hygiene
[5:04] 10. Ben's Webb
[5:46] 11. Side Door (Don't Kid Yourself)
[4:17] 12. Blues'll Blow Your Fuse
[2:43] 13. I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me
[3:14] 14. Dual Highway

The Complete Verve Small Sessions 1956-1961 (Disc 4)

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Album: The Complete Verve Small Sessions 1956-1961 (Disc 5)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:58
Size: 173.9 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2011

[4:47] 1. Big Ears
[3:43] 2. Shorty Gull
[4:33] 3. Ifida
[4:48] 4. Big Smack
[5:13] 5. I'll Be There
[5:45] 6. Just Another Day
[2:48] 7. Lollalagin Now
[4:21] 8. Medley Am I Blue Something To Remember You By
[3:41] 9. Once In A While
[2:23] 10. Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me
[7:10] 11. Medley More Than You Know Memories Of You
[3:00] 12. The Very Thought Of You
[3:39] 13. When Your Lover Has Gone
[2:53] 14. A Blues Serenade
[4:04] 15. Night And Day
[4:40] 16. Lover, Come Back To Me
[5:22] 17. I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues
[2:59] 18. Two Sleepy People

The Complete Verve Small Sessions 1956-1961 (Disc 5)

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Album: The Complete Verve Small Sessions 1956-1961 (Disc 6)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:25
Size: 113.1 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[2:49] 1. Exactly Like You
[3:57] 2. I'm Beginning To See The Light
[4:06] 3. Val's Lament
[5:26] 4. Tipsy Joe
[3:21] 5. Waiting On The Champagne
[3:21] 6. Sweet Cookie
[4:10] 7. Frog Hop
[3:34] 8. Zag Zig
[5:20] 9. Dag Knows
[5:18] 10. Twice Daily
[3:04] 11. John Smith
[2:17] 12. Romeo
[2:35] 13. Black Sapphire

The Complete Verve Small Sessions 1956-1961 (Disc 6)

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Marc Hemmeler - Walking In L.A.

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:10
Size: 92.0 MB
Styles: Cool jazz, Piano jazz
Year: 1980/2006
Art: Front

[4:13] 1. Yapad De Papa
[6:41] 2. My Romance
[2:19] 3. Gravy Waltz
[5:36] 4. In Your Own Sweet Way
[5:27] 5. Walking In L.A
[6:30] 6. Do You Know What It Means
[4:16] 7. Spring Can Hang You Up
[5:05] 8. I'm An Old Cowhand

Bass – Ray Brown; Drums – Shelly Manne; Piano, Producer – Marc Hemmeler.

Marc Hemmeler is a French jazz pianist, born 1938 in Lyon.. Trio together with Ray Brown and Shelly Maine.

Walking In L.A.

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Gary Smith - Love Is Blue

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:02
Size: 112.3 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[4:45] 1. Am I Blue
[2:23] 2. What'll I Do
[8:04] 3. Love Is Blue
[4:36] 4. Some Other Time
[4:03] 5. Nice And Easy
[5:00] 6. Why Did I Choose You
[5:55] 7. Reaching Out For You
[4:42] 8. In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning
[4:02] 9. Our Love Is Here To Stay
[5:26] 10. Candy

Love Is Blue

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Laurence Hobgood Trio - Crazy World

Size: 155,5 MB
Time: 66:55
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2005
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. Revival ( 5:11)
02. Prayer For The Enemy ( 8:07)
03. When In Rome ( 4:21)
04. March To Epiphany ( 7:02)
05. Trinity ( 6:32)
06. More Than You Know (Feat. Kurt Elling) ( 6:04)
07. The Dreaded Symphony ( 4:20)
08. Crazy World ( 5:58)
09. Endless Stars (Feat. Kurt Elling) ( 4:58)
10. Windowman (14:18)

Laurence Hobgood, Steinway D piano
Rob Amster, bass
Frank Parker, drums
Kurt Elling, vocals

The Laurence Hobgood Trio have perfected their craft through playing with US jazz vocalist Kurt Elling, who appears on two tracks on Crazy World, the trio's debut album.

Laurence is no stranger to The Naim Label, having recorded several highly acclaimed albums for us. His beautifully light touch is a joy to listen to; fingers which dance over the keys proving to be the perfect third element for bass and drums. Laurence's pianism with its shimmering arpeggios, advanced harmonies and pervasively singing tone is vaguely reminiscent of Keith Jarrett or Bill Evans.

Frank Parker's elegant drumming together with Rob Amster's fluid bass playing combine to produce jazz that is relaxed and distinguished, imprinted with an Olympic calm.

The ten tracks on the album are a mixture of Laurence's original compositions and his own arrangements, with one track by Rob Amster.

Six times Grammy nominee Kurt Elling makes a guest appearance to provide delicate vocal inspiration on two tracks recorded exclusively for this album.

Crazy World is another addition to the label's True Stereo catalogue. It was recorded by Ken Christianson direct to two track Nagra tape machine.

This Crazy World

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Leah Kline - This Precious Life

Size: 103,8 MB
Time: 42:07
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz: Cool Jazz, Vocals
Art: Front

01. Climb (4:43)
02. Believe (5:27)
03. Getaway (3:08)
04. Love Unconditional (5:16)
05. New Technology Blues (3:33)
06. Summer Dream (5:32)
07. The Wolf (4:37)
08. Wildish (4:45)
09. Words (5:03)

After 7 years of singing on other people's albums, Léah Kline emerges with her 2nd album of originals. ( First being "Juzz Flirtin")
Here we feel a much quieter version of Kline, confident, lower tones. She draws the listener in and creates a very intimate, listenable album of lyrics, stories and music. The result is a New Cool Jazz feel on a bed of grooves that tastes of soul, blues and jazz from the 70's music scene.

Cord Heineking (bass) has arranged and composed most of the songs on the album. The basic rhythm section is bass, drums, keyboard, rhodes or piano. Percussion, guitar and vocal harmonies are used to color in. The multi-layering in each track lends itself well to high quality headphones listening. Breaking with the jazz tradition of instrumental solos, this album keeps itself tastefully painting a soundscape around the lyrics, using space and quietness to deliver the mood.
"This Precious Life" appears to be an ode to the fragility , beauty and humor of our modern life.

This Precious Life

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John Hines - You & I

Size: 115,4 MB
Time: 49:40
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz: Contemporary Jazz, Vocals
Art: Front

01. Cabo Morning (Feat. Tom Capek) (3:31)
02. Serenade To A Cuckoo (Feat. Michael Pagan) (6:50)
03. My Funny Valentine (Feat. Donna Devine & Tom Capek) (3:49)
04. Decoupage (Feat. Michael Pagan) (5:15)
05. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (Feat. Donna Devine & Tom Capek) (4:51)
06. Better Get Hit In Your Soul (Feat. Brad Goode & Michael Pagan) (5:42)
07. Someone To Watch Over Me (Feat. Donna Devine, Brad Goode & Michael Pagan) (5:45)
08. Somewhere Over The Rainbow (Feat. Donna Devine & Michael Pagan) (4:44)
09. Jus' Sayin' (4:06)
10. You & I (Feat. Donna Devine & Tom Capek) (5:03)

John Hines & Donna DeVine are modern jazz musicians with an unusual combination of melodic jazz trombone and uniquely contemporary jazz vocals. The breadth of their work represents a liberation from the stereotypical jazz norm: while they are comfortably bringing jazz classic standards to a new generation, they are also embracing quality music of more recent years, including arrangements of some of the most contemporary hits.

While rooted in a foundation of jazz trombone and female jazz vocals, they play with internationally known trumpet, piano/organ/synthesizer, bass, and percussion artists to create melodic jazz that spans swing, bebop, blues, latin, gospel, second-line, rock, and pop styles. The result is accessible, eclectic, and immensely entertaining.
The best example of their recent work is available on a landmark CD release, ‘You & I.’ A collection of 10 songs, two of which are never-before-recorded originals, will move and inspire you.

Personnel: Andy LaVerne (piano), Gary Versace (Hammond B3 organ), Anthony Pinciotti (drums)

You & I

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Andy Laverne - I Want To Hold Your Hand

Size: 141,0 MB
Time: 61:11
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz: Hammond Organ
Art: Front

01. Upside ( 8:33)
02. In Lieu Of Flowers ( 8:38)
03. I Want To Hold Your Hand (14:33)
04. Note Worthy ( 9:15)
05. So Long Ago (11:39)
06. Watermelon Man ( 8:30)

Andy LaVerne's unique ensemble of piano/organ/drums wraps up the two-night engagement at New York's prominent jazz lounge at the Kitano Hotel with this last volume of intriguing original compositions by LaVerne and a handful of appealing standard titles.

"In hindsight, it's surprising that the piano and organ format has been so rarely utilized in jazz because it makes so much sense. The B3 is able to provide a bass line and a unique textural counterpoint that can complement as well as step forward...it's Andy's superb originals that supply the fodder for this most rewarding collection." - Andrew Hovan, All About Jazz on 'Intelligent Design' (SCCD31618)

Personnel: Andy LaVerne (piano), Gary Versace (Hammond B3 organ), Anthony Pinciotti (drums)

I Want To Hold Your Hand

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Aysha - Take Me Higher

Size: 100,7 MB
Time: 43:22
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz: Smooth Jazz, Soul Jazz, Vocals
Art: Front

01. Up So High (4:06)
02. Take Me Higher (4:16)
03. Send For Me (5:53)
04. You're The Only One (3:07)
05. Sailing (4:08)
06. Undeniable (3:37)
07. The Right Thing (4:01)
08. All I Want (3:37)
09. Release Me (5:27)
10. Let's Get It On (5:06)

Nominated in 2009 and 2010 for Jazz Artist of the Year and winner of Jazz Album of the Year for the 2010 Los Angeles Music Awards with her EP Stay With Me, Aysha has a solid history as a performer. For the past eight years she has been building a strong solo career. In 2006, Aysha independently released her debut CD “Love Is A Rock” and after much anticipation, released her sophomore CD “Stay With Me. Now Aysha is now ready to release her third CD “Take Me Higher” under the Innervision Records label.

Aysha independently released her first single “Release Me”, off her new CD Take Me Higher. With an all-star line-up of top personnel aboard the production of the single that represents a Who’s Who of the music industry, music legends raved over the single and it received a stellar write up and review rating it a 10 out of 10 and posted on the examiner.com website. The single was co-written by Aysha, and celebrated music producer Monty Seward, best known for his work with celebrity artists, Vanessa Williams and Howard Hewett. Release Me reached #7 in the UK Top 30 Soul Charts. While performing in Dubai for the 2013 Dubai Jazz Festival, Aysha met Grammy nominated Producer and Saxophonist Darren Rahn most known for his several #1 hits he produced for the late Wayman Tisdale and his Grammy nominated song for Dave Koz. Aysha and Darren teamed up to write “Take Me Higher”, the title track to her new cd and just released it as the first radio single through Innervision Records. The single is currently at #16 and moving up the charts!

Along with being a recording artist, last September Aysha started her own radio show “Smooth Saturdays with Aysha” on UrbanSoulRadio.fm featuring some of the top Contemporary Jazz artists and smooth R&B artists with weekly in-studio and live performances by the guest artist. Aysha also formed the super group “The Soul Seduction Tour” featuring guitarist JJ Sansaverino, saxophonist Will Donato, bassist Darryl Williams, drummer Tony Moore and keyboardist/vocalist Monty Seward. The tour was a huge success and played at the prestigious Newport Beach Jazz Festival for 2014 along with other performances along the west coast. Some of Aysha’s past performance dates included singing the opening song for the Amazing Grace Gospel Fest at the Nokia Theatre LA Live for a house of 7000 people, Spaghettini’s in Seal Beach, CA, The Soiled Dove in Denver, CO and the Brown Theatre in the Wortham Center in Houston, TX.

Aysha has shared the stage with some of the industry’s top musicians such as Najee, Blake Aaron, Marion Meadows, Paul Brown, Darren Rahn and Everette Harp to name a few. Aysha also opened up for Greg Adams (Tower of Power) and his East Bay Soul band at 94.7 The WAVE’s Thursday Night VIBE series in Hollywood, CA. In June 2012, Aysha shared the stage with R&B sensation, Monica and Floyd at the Wortham Center’s Brown Theatre in Houston, TX and with Gerald Albright and Norman Brown in San Diego at Humphreys by the Bay for Jazz It Up 2012, a benefit for homeless women and children.

Crossing genres from R&B, Pop, Smooth Jazz and Adult Contemporary, Aysha’s velvety voice is sultry and smooth with a jazzy edge. Having influences ranging from the likes of Sade, Toni Braxton, Phyllis Hyman & Chante Moore, one can only imagine the vibe. Aysha’s musicis destined to be heard, and it will surely soothe your soul.

Take Me Higher

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Sarah Elgeti Quintet - Synchronize

Size: 129,8 MB
Time: 55:53
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz
Label: Gateway Music
Art: Front

01. Sah Ein Knab Ein Röslein Steh'n (4:52)
02. Scarborough Fair (4:09)
03. City Lights (3:27)
04. April Snow (3:42)
05. Da Det Var Sommer (4:27)
06. It's Getting Late (Again) (3:27)
07. Lovesong (6:03)
08. Cinderella 2012 (5:32)
09. Lights Shining Through (3:31)
10. Retrospacious (5:11)
11. Frozen Clarity (5:32)
12. Almost Happy (5:55)

Personnel:
Sarah Elgeti : Sopran-og tenorsaxofon samt tværfløjte
Marianne Markmann-Eriksen : Alt-og barytonsaxofon
Morten Schantz / Søren Bebe : Keys
Kristor Brødsgaard /Joel Illerhag : Bas
Henrik Holst / Andreas Fryland : Trommer

Sarah Elgeti, Danish saxophonist, flutist, composer and bandleader.

Her expressive, impressionistic music conjures up vivid images of beautiful scenery showcasing a variety of music styles from big band swing to bop to Avant-garde and modern funk.

Sarah Elgeti, who has led her own quintet since 2007, plays saxophone, flute, and clarinet. She tries to use the instrument she feels fit to paint her picture, she said. I talked with Sarah, a Holbaek Jazz Award winner, in 2008.

Synchronize

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Kayla Taylor Jazz - Someone To Watch Over Me

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:40
Size: 134,8 MB
Art: Front

(6:32)  1. Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered
(5:17)  2. East of the Sun
(3:58)  3. Day In, Day Out
(6:05)  4. Someone To Watch Over Me
(4:00)  5. S'Wonderful
(6:16)  6. My Funny Valentine
(3:46)  7. (I Want Some) Sugar in My Bowl
(4:05)  8. Sway
(4:29)  9. Walkin' After Midnight
(3:37) 10. Over the Rainbow
(5:29) 11. Do It Again
(5:02) 12. Caravan

Kayla Taylor Jazz . . . . . . . based in Atlanta, Georgia and performing Jazz & Standards from the 30's, 40's & 50's is the focus of KTJ, who primarily works as a quintet. Vocalist, Kayla Taylor is joined on "Someone to Watch Over Me" by long-time music partner & guitarist, Steve Moore; drummer, Mike Zimmerman; upright Bassist Patrick Cowan; tenor saxophonist  EJ Hughes; and tenor & bariotone saxophonist Will Scruggs.

Taylor & Moore made their way through the 90's in rock bands "A Fine Line" (also with Zimmerman) and "OneWithout" and in an acoustic duo affectionately known as "The Adventures of Kayla & Steve". The team formed a jazz & standards combo 5 years ago and developed a very loyal following at a favorite haunt - "Pacific & Vine". A live album ("A Night at Pacific & Vine")was recorded in the middle of dinner rush on Saturday, November 6, 2004 and is also available for purchase on CDBaby.com.

"We recorded this album at Wolff Bros. Post Studio in Atlanta, GA on January 13 & 14. We loved doing the live album prior to this - but it was so nice to be in the studio. Vocals were recorded live in a sound booth while the musicians were playing in the main room. This gave the tracks a really nice live feel, but we still had control over the environment since we were in a closed studio," says Kayla. Produced by Steve Moore & Kayla Taylor and recorded & engineered by Burt Wolff of Wolff Bros. Post, Atlanta, Georgia - the album was released on Taylor & Moore's label - SMartyKaT Records in July of 2007. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kaylataylorjazz2

Someone To Watch Over Me

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Maurita Murphy Marx & Michele Ramo - Te Amo Brazil

Styles: Latin, Clarinet Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:19
Size: 134,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:06)  1. Assanhado
(3:38)  2. Bola Preta
(3:02)  3. Um Bandolim Na Escola
(2:43)  4. Um Chorinho Pra Você
(4:24)  5. Gloria
(5:02)  6. December Flower
(1:45)  7. Gaucho
(3:42)  8. Lua Branca
(2:29)  9. Santa Morena
(2:41) 10. Ginga Do Mané
(4:11) 11. Eponina
(4:06) 12. Escovado
(2:41) 13. Um Chorinho Em Aldeia
(6:15) 14. Carinhoso
(2:52) 15. Cochichando
(1:13) 16. Te Amo
(4:20) 17. Vou Vivendo

One of the leading clarinetists in the world, Maurita Murphy Marx’s performances include invitations from the internationally renowned Cleveland Quartet, the International Clarinet Association, ClarFest, Inc., and the National Symposium of Brazil.  A diverse performer, her Brazilian “choro” music CDs have received high critical acclaim internationally (Eurocass), “with command of the idiom, accomplished clarinet playing, verve, warmth and intensity.” Her “choro” mentors in Brazil include Nailor Proveta, Rafael Dos Santos, and Paulo Sergio Santos.  Hailed as a “master teacher”, she has been the recipient of the Collegiate Teaching Award and the invited speaker for the University of Iowa commencement exercises. In turn, her students have won first prizes exclusively in international clarinet competitions sponsored by the International Clarinet Association and ClarFest. Dr. Marx is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music with the Performer’s Certificate and Michigan State University. She has been on the music faculty at the University of Iowa since 1983.

For the past eighteen years, Dr. Marx has been specializing passionately in Brazilian “choro” music. She has been invited to perform and lecture all over the world on the “choro”, along with International Clarinet Association conferences.  Her research covers topics such as human rights, global studies, regulating emotions, arts in society, tangible heritages, diversity, social history, and politics. She is a frequent guest performer at universities throughout the United States performing Brazilian recitals.  Most recently, she has performed with guitarists Michele Ramo (University of Michigan), Bob Sneider (Eastman School of Music), Juan Tony Guzman (Luther College), Silviu Ciulei (Florida State University), and Welson Tremura (University of Florida), to name a few. It is her desire to educate and promote her passion for Brazilian music to institutions of higher education, the public and the clarinet profession.   Dr. Marx has three Brazilian “choro” CDs titled Over the Fence, Red Hot & Brazilian (with Rafael dos Santos, piano), and Te Amo Brazil (with Michele Ramo, eight-string guitar). http://music.uiowa.edu/people/maurita-murphy-marx

Te Amo Brazil

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Donna Deussen - High Wire

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:36
Size: 102,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:16)  1. One Note Samba
(3:40)  2. High Wire
(3:39)  3. Skylark
(4:22)  4. Blues In The Night
(3:11)  5. Old Devil Moon
(4:35)  6. River
(3:43)  7. Never Will I Marry
(4:08)  8. Sugar
(3:12)  9. Blue Skies
(3:45) 10. Show Me
(4:08) 11. Nature Boy
(2:52) 12. With Every Breath I Take

More telling than her Berklee College of Music magna cum laude degree is singer Donna Deussen's private instruction under Tierney Sutton. Sutton is second only to Cassandra Wilson when considering the seismic styleistic shifts in jazz vocals over the past 20 years. Deussen integrates her instruction intelligently, avoiding imitation. Her lessons learned are made her own. Duessen has released two recordings, about ten years apart. Side-by-side, They offer a staccato look at the singer's evolution. In a highly competitive field, Donna Duessen is deserving of much more attention than she has been given. Her time has come.

Vocalist Donna Deussen reveals the influence of Tierney Sutton through her inventive arrangements of the American Songbook. Creative arranging can give new life and reconsideration to jazz standards. Deussen joins Sutton and Wilson in the forefront of using arrangements to reveal the nuances of these well-crafted songs. On her debut, High Wire, Deussen surveys a mainstream collection of standards. "Skylark" is given a strolling treament that shows the song effective as an up-beat ballad. Deussen blows the carbon out on her wide-open take of "Blues In The Night." Guest saxophonist Eric Marienthal gives a bar-walking R&B solo that gives way to a slow blues vamp before Deussen heats things up again singing torch at 2000 degrees. 

"That Old Devil Moon" is transformed into a Latin excursion propelled by pianist Mark Massey , who solos robustly. Deussen treats Joni Mitchell's "River" respectfully, allowing this modern standard to fully breathe. Deussen's voice is durable and well-balanced. Her phrasing is certain and well considered. Deussen imparts in her songs that part of herself that enriches the lyrics by her delivery. "I Will Never Marry" is upbeat and sung with a matter- of-fact air that stikes a keen juxtaposition against Stanley Turrentine's sexy and smoldering "Sugar." Massey changes to electric piano for this latter tune, giving it a strange '70s -'00s vibe that swingseffortlessly. High Wire is fully formed and realized as a debut. What does Deussen do next... ~ C.Michael Bailey  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/donna-deussen-donna-deussen-by-c-michael-bailey__14455.php

Personnel: Donna Deussen (vocals); Mark Massey (keyboards); Aldo Bentivegna (drums).

High Wire

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Palmyra & Levita, Joao Donato - Here's That Rainy Bossa Day

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:37
Size: 99.9 MB
Styles: Bossa Nova, Brazilian jazz
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[3:27] 1. Tea For Two
[2:46] 2. Fotografia
[2:32] 3. Here's That Rainy Day
[2:44] 4. Vivo Sonhando (Dreamer)
[4:06] 5. September In The Rain
[3:04] 6. Inútil Paisagem (Useless Landscape)
[3:39] 7. Stormy Weather
[2:29] 8. Você (You)
[2:31] 9. What A Diff'rence A Day Made
[2:35] 10. Corcovado (Quiet Nights)
[2:12] 11. O Sapo (The Frog)
[3:31] 12. Bahia
[3:30] 13. A Namorada (Girlfriend)
[4:24] 14. Rapunzel

Light and lovely work from the team of Palmyra & Levita -- made even better by piano from Joao Donato! Palmyra's a sweet-voiced female vocalist with a style that stretches back to include influences from American torch singers of years past, and some of the warmer voices of the 60s bossa era in Brazil. Levita plays acoustic guitar with a light and jazzy touch -- and works here with some spare but wonderfully effective piano from bossa maestro Joao Donato -- to create a cool and gentle backdrop for the sweet lead vocals in the set. ~dustygroove.com

Here's That Rainy Bossa Day

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Virginia Constantine & The Little Big Band - The Bumpy Road To Love

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:37
Size: 125.0 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[5:26] 1. When Sunny Gets Blue
[4:04] 2. All The Things You Are
[3:07] 3. An Occasional Man
[5:00] 4. You Don't Know What Love Is
[3:25] 5. Strange Divine
[4:41] 6. Nature Boy
[3:29] 7. I Won't Dance
[2:36] 8. They Can't Take That Away From Me
[4:49] 9. The Very Thought Of You
[3:46] 10. I Remember You
[2:47] 11. Everytime We Say Goodbye
[2:01] 12. Almost Like Being In Love
[3:46] 13. I'm Beginning To See The Light
[5:34] 14. Sophisticated Lady

Virginia Constantine comes from a line of famous French artists. Back in the 50s and 60s, her dad shared the bill with Louis Armstrong and Josephine Baker at the famous Olympia theatre in Paris; he was a great Jazz pianist and song-writer. Mum sang at the Sands Hotel in New-York where she met many of her heroes: Nat king Cole, Orson Wells, Marilyn Monroe...Which led to her being offered a contract with MGM, which she turned down! So she headed back to France and some years later :-), Virginia was born... While performing the Paris jazz club circuit, she met up with a very talented British pianist/composer, Brendan Walsh and the two of them decided to move to the UK, never leave each other :-) and make music together; that's how the album "The Bumpy Road to Love" came to be...
It's a labour of love and fun, as the people playing on it are all UK top musicians and dedicated their precious time to the project.The drummer and percussionist is no other than Virginia's brother who traveled from Paris to lend his fiery swing to the band... One could say the overall sound is slightly different from the smooth & polished approach that usually comes with standard Jazz recordings.While the smoothness can be found in Virginia's vocals, Jim Mullen's magical guitar licks or Gary Barnacle's warm & powerful saxophone lines,a lot went on in the post- production room, which allowed the "little big band" to experiment with added sounds and effects to try and give each song its own unique character; sometimes a bit wild and crazy, sometimes classical and emotional.... So come and enjoy the ride on this” Bumpy road to Love”……

The Bumpy Road To Love

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