Robin Gregory - Something To Live For

Size: 97,3 MB
Time: 41:37
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Sentimental Journey (3:31)
02. Take The 'A' Train (3:08)
03. Stormy Weather (6:04)
04. Why Don't You Do Right (3:31)
05. Something To Live For (6:59)
06. Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby (2:52)
07. Strange (3:14)
08. I'd Do Anything (3:39)
09. It's Magic (4:50)
10. You Turned The Tables On Me (3:45)

When I sing, I want to tell a story. Although rhythmic concepts, melodic techniques, and chord changes are important, when people listen to a singer, they want to be moved. They want to be touched. They want to journey to those places within themselves that are not easy to reach, on an ordinary day. My goal is to reach those places, and to bond with the listener in a mutual acknowledgement of the commonality of human feeling. Jazzmusic, which finds its ultimate roots in the blues, is a music which grabs the emotion, stirs the intellect, causes intense reflection, makes your foot tap, and more often than not, just makes you feel really happy. My fervent wish is that when you hear my music, you remember yourself.

"If you think about it, many of the most memorable jazz recordings through the years have had a high degree of sensuality. That goes for instrumentals, as well as vocals. Of course, it was true of Lady Day, and Sarah Vaughan, but it's equally true of Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, and Bill Evans. Robin Gregory continues in that luscious tradition. Her velvet voice and lovely phrasing speaks to your ears and gently caresses your heart." - Bud Spangler, music producer

"Robin Gregory uses dusky contralto tones, subtle phrasing, and crystalline enunciation to draw the listener into the romance of her thoughtfully chosen material, from "Funny (Not Much)" and "Mood Indigo" to "Poor Butterfly", and the title track. Her musical portraits are elegantly framed by pianist-arranger, Bliss Rodriguez; bassist, Michael Jones; and drummer, Jimmy Robinson" - Lee Hildebrand, East Bay Express

Something To Live For

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Moreno & Marina Quartet - Jazz Tsigane

Size: 114,6 MB
Time: 50:02
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2005
Styles: Jazz: Gipsy Jazz, Vocals
Art: Front

01. Gari Gari (3:57)
02. Minor Swing (5:40)
03. Ne Pars Pas (3:38)
04. Valse A Chwetzingen (2:20)
05. Japanese Sandman (2:36)
06. Just A Gigolo (3:21)
07. Les Fenetres De Moscou (4:56)
08. Nuages (3:34)
09. Valse A Tchan Tchou (2:05)
10. Luludia (3:38)
11. Moreno Swing (3:57)
12. Mare Djinge (2:29)
13. Swing Valse (2:46)
14. The Tiger Rag (1:38)
15. Tziganskaia (3:21)

Moreno est né en Moselle, l'Alsace a vu émerger des guitaristes comme Dorado et Tchavolo parmi les chefs de file d'un courant reconnaissable au son typique de leur pompe si énergique qu'elle oblige le soliste à produire un son plus fort pour dépasser la puissance des guitares des accompagnateurs.

La jeunesse de Moreno se passe en voyages entre l'Alsace et les Saintes Maries de la mer. A Forbach, dans les campements, il écoute Dorado jouer et à Strasbourg, c'est Tchavolo qui sera son repère. Ils jouaient Django bien sûr….
La famille se sédentarise, mais le besoin du voyage et l'amour de la musique restent ancrés; les fêtes de guitaristes le soir dans les campements sont les meilleures occasions pour le jeune Moreno d'apprendre, de s'imprégner de la technique de ses aînés.
Les frères de Moreno, Angelo, Barro et Tonino, lui apprennent la guitare mais leur dureté à son égard le rebute et heureusement ce sont les encouragements de Dorado, Gogo et Tchavolo lors d'une fête tzigane en Allemagne qui le feront se révéler dans le rôle de soliste.

Plus tard, il descend du coté de Toulon jouer dans les bars et les restaurants où il y fait une rencontre décisive: Tchan tchou, guitariste gitan déjà bien connu dans la région. Pendant quatre ans, à Toulon, Tchan tchou sera son maître, enseignant l'essentiel au jeune "chien fou" qu'était Moreno. (voir article FRENCH GUITAR MAGAZINE)
Il rencontrera aussi une autre figure: Etienne Bousquet - dit Patote - avec qui il jouera quelques fois et qui aura avec tchan tchou une influence décisive sur son jeu.

Aux saintes Maries de la mer, il rencontre Manitas de plata qui lui conseillera d'aller à Paris faire écouter ses talents. C'est ce qu'il fera dans un premier temps, juste pour voir et prendre la température de la capitale. Il y rencontrera tout les chefs de file du Jazz manouche à Paris en passant par "Le clairon des chasseurs" avec Maurice Ferret et Joseph Pouville puis "la chope des puces" avec Mondine et Ninine et bien d'autres clubs de Paris.
Puis, il repart en voyage, toujours entre l'alsace et les Saintes Maries où il rencontrera Boï et Negrita avec lesquels il partagera l'art de la rumba gitane.

Il se fixe de nouveau à Paris au début des années 90 et sort son premier disque "YOCHKA" tout en faisant d'une brasserie des halles tous les jeudis et vendredis soir son quartier général jusqu'à mi 2004.

La rencontre ultime sera celle de la chanteuse tzigane Marina qui deviendra son épouse, ils monteront ensemble une nouvelle formation qui donnera un nouveau style de mélange de jazz manouche et chansons tziganes.
Après plusieurs album solo faits purement dans la tradition jazz manouche, un nouvel album en 2005 permet d'écouter Marina chanter quelques chansons tzigane parmi les standards de Moreno.

Jazz Tsigane

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Gene Ammons - Boss Tenor

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 35:30

Size: 81.3 MB

Styles: Hard bop, Saxophone jazz

Year: 1960/2006

Art: Front

[8:26] 1. Hittin' The Jug

[3:43] 2. Close Your Eyes

[4:12] 3. My Romance

[5:22] 4. Canadian Sunset

[4:54] 5. Blue Ammons

[5:21] 6. Confirmation

[3:29] 7. Savoy

The great tenor saxophonist Gene Ammons was of the generation of swing-era players that easily adapted to bop. But though he was a modernist, Ammons maintained that breathy, old-school romantic approach to the tenor. Boss Tenor, a quintet session from 1960, is one of Ammons' very best albums. Ray Barretto's congas subtly add a bit of Latin spice, but otherwise this is a collection of standards rendered with a gorgeous late-night bluesy feel. Accompaniment by Tommy Flanagan, one of the best mainstream pianists ever, certainly doesn't hurt, either. A gem. ~Mark Keresman

Boss Tenor

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Nancy Wilson - Precious And Rare (2-Disc Set)

Nancy Wilson´s early studio recordings in their entirety include three original albums (Like in Love, Something Wonderful & The Swingin's Mutual) as well as some rare titles, including her very first single from 1956 with saxophonist Rusty Bryant. Both CDs have been remastered with the greatest care. The 36 page booklet includes rare contemporary documents, a text in French and English and a detailed discography. Precious & Rare: a new series from Le Chant du Monde presenting the complete early works by a selection of the very finest jazz vocalists. Artistic Director - Gilles Pétard (Chronological Classics).

Album: Precious And Rare (Disc 1)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 43:41

Size: 100.0 MB

Styles: Jazz vocals

Year: 2011

[1:40] 1. On The Street Where You Live

[2:33] 2. Night Mist

[2:26] 3. You Leave Me Breathless

[2:10] 4. The More I See You

[2:17] 5. I Want To Be Loved

[1:43] 6. Almost Like Being In Love

[1:58] 7. People Will Say We're In Love

[2:21] 8. Passion Flower

[1:45] 9. Sometimes I'm Happy

[2:49] 10. In Other Words

[2:05] 11. If It's The Last Thing I Do

[2:20] 12. On Green Dolphin Street

[2:55] 13. The Nearness Of You

[2:14] 14. Born To Be Blue

[2:58] 15. All Night Long

[2:42] 16. The Things We Did Last Summer

[2:20] 17. Let's Love Again

[2:02] 18. Gentleman Friend

[2:13] 19. Ghost Of Yesterday

Precious And Rare (Disc 1)

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Album: Precious And Rare (Disc 2)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 37:17

Size: 85.4 MB

Styles: Jazz vocals

Year: 2011

Art: Front

[2:49] 1. Teach Me Tonight

[2:17] 2. This Time The Dream's On Me

[2:37] 3. I'm Gonna Laugh You Out Of My Life

[1:57] 4. I Wish You Love

[3:23] 5. Guess Who I Saw Today

[1:46] 6. If Dreams Come True

[2:25] 7. What A Little Moonlight Can Do

[2:41] 8. The Great City

[2:26] 9. He's My Guy

[1:56] 10. Something Happens To Me

[2:24] 11. Call It Stormy Monday

[2:46] 12. Something Wonderful Happens

[2:22] 13. The Seventh Son

[2:32] 14. My Foolish Heart

[2:49] 15. Don't Tell Me

Precious And Rare (Disc 2)

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Cal Tjader - Plugs In

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:00
Size: 80.2 MB
Styles: Post bop, Vibraphone jazz
Year: 1969/2007
Art: Front

[4:08] 1. Alonzo
[3:59] 2. Lady Madonna
[5:03] 3. Nica's Dream
[4:15] 4. Spooky
[5:09] 5. St. Croix
[2:59] 6. Tra-La-La Song
[3:05] 7. Morning Mist
[6:19] 8. Get Out Of My Way

The mostly obscure material (other than "Nica's Dream") and the time period may make one think that is an overtly commercial release from vibraphonist Cal Tjader. Although he utilizes the electric piano of Al Zulaica and electric bassist Jim McCabe (in addition to Armando Peraza and John Rae on percussion), Cal Tjader's music on the Live at the Lighthouse sessions found on Plugs In is actually not all that different from his usual infectious brand of Latin jazz. The ensembles swing, there are plenty of heated rhythms, and the melodies are embraced with enthusiasm. The brief playing time (33 minutes) is a minus, and few surprises occur, but the music is enjoyable. ~Scott Yanow

Plugs In

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The Cowsills - The Best Of The Cowsills

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:08
Size: 94.2 MB
Styles: AM Pop
Year: 1980
Art: Front

[2:59] 1. The Rain, The Park & Other Things
[2:48] 2. The Path Of Love
[2:47] 3. Meet Me At The Wishing Well
[2:58] 4. In Need Of A Friend
[2:25] 5. Mister Flynn
[3:06] 6. Captain Sad And His Ship Of Fools
[2:13] 7. We Can Fly
[2:41] 8. Indian Lake
[2:45] 9. Gray, Sunny Day
[3:18] 10. A Time For Remembrance
[3:11] 11. Gotta Get Away From It All
[3:26] 12. Newspaper Blanket
[2:56] 13. Poor Baby
[3:28] 14. Hair

Beneath the wholesome family image, the Cowsills were a real band. They wrote most of their own songs, played their own instruments, and sang with assured and beautiful voices. They wrote songs about social issues, tackled religious themes, and dipped a toe (pinky toe) into psychedelia, and when they were given a song by an outside writer they made it a smash hit. Their lush vocal harmonies owed much to groups like the Association and the Beach Boys, and they were sweet -- sweet without being innocuous, light without being lightweight. This CD has their three big hits -- "Indian Lake," the truly fantastic "The Rain, the Park and Other Things," and "Hair" (which should be the worst song ever but the Cowsills pull it off because they have such great voices) -- and a bunch of sunshine pop gems. "Poor Baby" sounds like a lost Beach Boys single and "We Can Fly" is a great song that should have been a big hit. The only complaint one might have is that some of the production seems a little unimaginative. It would have been very interesting to get the Cowsills and their songs into a studio with a producer like Gary Usher, Curt Boettcher, or even Brian Wilson to see what kind of magic might have occurred. Still, the Cowsills were so much more than just a kiddie band or the model for the Partridge Family. This CD proves it. ~Tim Sendra

The Best Of The Cowsills

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Jeff Richman - Big Wheel

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:21
Size: 115,5 MB
Art: Front

(6:14)  1. Hell If I Know
(4:25)  2. Big Deal
(4:52)  3. That Girl
(6:21)  4. The Last Notch
(4:47)  5. Happy Medium
(5:03)  6. Keep It Light
(4:50)  7. 12 Steps to the Bar
(3:40)  8. Long Distance Love
(4:37)  9. The Inside Scoop
(5:28) 10. One Stone

Jeff's 17th Album contains 8 new original compositions along with two covers: Stevie Wonder's That Girl and Little Feat's Long Distance Love. Veteran all star cast of musicians: Steve Gadd on drums, Jimmy Haslip on bass, Jeff Lorber and George Whitty on keyboards. Produced by Jimmy Haslip. Jeff Richman's extensive professional background includes performing on guitar, composing, arranging and recording music in many genres, and teaching in academic and private settings. He has produced 16 solo albums and toured worldwide with notable musicians over a 35-year career. Jeff is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston. As a student, he studied privately with Pat Metheny, Mick Goodrick and William Levitt and was influenced by talented classmates Mike Stern, Bill Frissel, Al DiMeola and Vinnie Colaiuta to name a few. After graduating, he lived and performed in New York City where he was further influenced by attending live performances of renowned legends Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Charlie Mingus, Ornette Coleman, Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Charlie Haden, Joe Zawinul, Wayne Shorter, Jaco Pastorius, Bill Evans, Dizzy Gillespie, Keith Jarret, Gil Evans, Chet Baker, McCoy Tyner, Joe Pass, Cannonball Adderley and Jim Hall. These early influences inspired Jeff and helped him to develop his own voice while striving to make his original compositions meaningful, purposeful, and with an honesty that comes from his heart.

While in New York City Jeff performed with renowned Puerto Rican Conga player, Ray Barretto and composed four songs and performed guitar solos on Barretto's album "Can You Feel It" in 1978. He later toured in the US with Flora Purim and Airto and played in live venues with several well-known artists such as Tom Harrel, Chico Hamilton, Deodato, Blood Sweat and Tears, Willie Bobo and Gerry Mulligan. In 1979 Jeff moved to Los Angeles and toured with Ronnie Laws and Doc Severnson’s band. The LA scene provided further opportunity to play with and record alongside talented artists such as Ernie Watts, Harvey Mason, T Lavitz, John Klemmer, Alfonse Mouzon, Henry Mancini, Mark Isham, Robbie Krieger and M’shell Ndugucello. Jeff wrote and produced hundreds of “library music” cuts in numerous genres which are played regularly on TV shows throughout the world. Jeff has performed on a multitude of television and film projects, the most recent of which was under the direction of award-winning composer Jeff Beal for the film "Appaloosa" with actor Ed Harris. 

As Producer, Arranger and performing artist under the Tone Center record label, Jeff recorded and released 6 CD projects paying tribute to Santana, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Steely Dan, Miles Davis, Jeff Beck, and John Coltrane. Each CD showcases Jeff and other world class guitarists including Mike Stern, Robben Ford, John Scofield. http://www.abstractlogix.com/xcart/product.php?productid=25834

Personnel: Jeff Richman (guitar); Jeff Lorber (keyboards); Steve Gadd (drums).

Big Wheel

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Jacintha - Here's to Ben: A Vocal Tribute to Ben Webster

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:30
Size: 116,0 MB
Art: Front

(5:19)  1. Georgia On My Mind
(3:17)  2. Love Is Here To Stay
(5:23)  3. Tenderly
(9:40)  4. Over the Rainbow
(5:26)  5. How Long Has This Been Going On?
(6:38)  6. Stardust
(4:13)  7. In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning
(3:10)  8. Pennies From Heaven
(7:22)  9. Danny Boy

When you link your musical objective to a jazz icon like Ben Webster, certain expectations are created and, as here, rarely are these expectations met. Certainly, Jacintha sings songs Webster played, and she sings them very nicely. But there's none of the raspy timbre in her voice that made Webster's saxophone immediately recognizable. Jacintha confuses raspy with singing softly. She and the producers would have been better served by presenting these songs as hers, not Webster's. The focus then would be where it belongs (i.e., what she does with these classics). With excellent pitch, good diction, and sensitive interpretations of the lyrics, she makes these songs her own. One highlight is her a cappella treatment of "Danny Boy." Throughout the session, Jacintha receives solid support from veteran Teddy Edwards' blues-drenched saxophone (he's a lot closer to Webster than Jacintha is). He and Jacintha work well together, as on "How Long Has This Been Going On?" The venerable drummer Larance Marable and bass player Darek Oles combine to lay a solid, sensitive foundation for the proceedings. Oles' bass is especially prominent on "Over the Rainbow." 

Former Miles Davis pianist Kei Akagi is a capable accompanist. This album is a solid enough effort solely on the strength of Jacintha's natural talent. The obeisance to Webster was not only unnecessary, but distracting. ~ Dave Nathan  http://www.allmusic.com/album/heres-to-ben-a-vocal-tribute-to-ben-webster-mw0000040270

Personnel: Jacintha (vocals); Teddy Edwards (tenor saxophone); Kei Akagi (piano); Darek Oles (bass); Larance Marable (drums).

Here's to Ben: A Vocal Tribute to Ben Webster

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Paul Weston - Easy Jazz

Styles: Jazz
Year: 1992
File: MP3@256K/s
Time: 48:37
Size: 89,4 MB
Art: Front

(3:21)  1. Body and Soul
(3:48)  2. Georgia on My Mind
(2:21)  3. Lullaby in Rhythm
(3:21)  4. My Funny Valentine
(3:35)  5. You Are Too Beautiful
(3:00)  6. Louisiana
(3:07)  7. I'm Confessin'
(2:24)  8. Foggy Day
(3:41)  9. When It's Sleepy Time Down South
(3:33) 10. Skylark
(2:57) 11. Sweet Lorraine
(3:36) 12. Hundred Years from Today
(3:10) 13. Autumn in New York
(3:46) 14. Talk of the Town
(2:50) 15. Nice Work If You Can Get It

During his stay at Capitol Records in the 1940s Paul Weston worked with many of the era's top musicians. After he left for Columbia in 1950 he began to write arrangements that would give some of his favorite performers a chance to display their improvisational skills. The resulting albums were Mood For Twelve and Solo Mood. Easy Jazz is a compilation of the best of those two recordings. Weston's lush, instrumental style works perfectly as a background for each of the featured soloists. He creates subtle layers of jazz while the likes of Babe Russin, Ted Nash, George Van Eps, Barney Kessel and Paul Smith take center stage. He then fills in the spaces in-between with some excellent rhythmic arrangements. Some of the best tracks are ''Louisiana,'' to which Van Eps gives a light and airy feeling with his great guitar work, ''Lullaby In Rhythm,'' led by Smith's bouncy piano, and ''Body And Soul,'' to which Babe Russin lends a dreamy feel with his excellent tenor sax stylings. A great album to explore Paul Weston's sound. Easy Jazz bridges his mood music work with his jazz and pop abilities, demonstrating the wide range of his musical genius. http://www.parabrisas.com/m_weston1.php

Featured soloists: Babe Russin, tenor sax; Joe Howard, trombone; Paul Smith, piano; Barney Kessel, guitar; Ted Nash, tenor sax; George Van Eps, guitar; Ziggy Elman, trumpet; Matty Matlock, clarinet; Clyde Hurley, trumpet; Eddie Miller, tenor sax

Easy Jazz

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Pinky Winters - Let's Be Buddies

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2015
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:27
Size: 100,3 MB
Art: Front

(3:14)  1. Along With Me
(3:50)  2. Everything I Love
(4:02)  3. Someone To Light Up My Life
(3:50)  4. Trolley Song
(2:01)  5. You Are There
(3:18)  6. One Morning In May
(2:01)  7. Nobody Else But Me
(2:27)  8. Let's Be Buddies
(2:59)  9. Never Will I Marry
(4:51) 10. Embraceable You
(4:20) 11. I've Got Rhythm / He Ain't Got Rhythm
(3:35) 12. I've Got Beginner's Luck
(2:51) 13. My Shining Hour

Pinky Winters is a favorite of listeners who cherish superior songs sung with fealty to the intentions of the composers and lyricists who created them. Much of her best work was done with pianist Lou Levy after the two weathered an uncomfortable first encounter and eventually became professional and personal partners. They recorded Let s Be Buddies when their musical understanding was at full flower. With Monty Budwig, one of the greatest bassists of his generation, Levy and Ms. Winters performed 14 songs by the cream of contemporary songwriters including Cole Porter, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Johnny Mandel, Hoagy Carmichael and the Gershwin brothers. Among the singers who cherished Levy as an accompanist were Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Peggy Lee. In this collection, he and Pinky Winters rival all of them in intimacy, musicality and depth of interpretation. ~ Doug Ramsey – Editorial Reviews http://www.amazon.com/Pinky-Winters-Lets-Be-Buddies/dp/B00WQUTLN4

Featuring: Pinky Winters (vcl), with Lou Levy (p), Monty Budwig (b)

Let's Be Buddies

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Joe Jackson - Jumpin' Jive

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1981
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:01
Size: 96,6 MB
Art: Front

(2:42)  1. Jumpin' with Symphony Sid
(2:45)  2. Jack, You're Dead!
(4:56)  3. Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby?
(3:17)  4. We the Cats (Shall Hep Ya)
(4:27)  5. San Francisco Fan
(2:30)  6. Five Guys Named Moe
(2:41)  7. The Jumpin' Jive
(2:31)  8. You Run Your Mouth, I'll Run My Business
(3:47)  9. What's the Use of Getting Sober ? (When You're Gonna Get Drunk Again)
(2:55) 10. You're My Meat
(5:18) 11. Tuxedo Junction
(4:06) 12. How Long Must I Wait For You?

Jumpin' Jive proved to be one of Joe Jackson's most adventurous projects as he tries his hand at covering a bunch of Louis Jordan and Cab Calloway tunes, ranging from the extravagance of big band to bop to vibrant swing music. The album broke the Top 50 in the U.S. and made it to number 14 in England, with the title track peaking at number 43 over there as well. Jackson sounds extremely fresh and vivacious throughout all of the tracks, with Calloway's "We the Cats" and "Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby" demonstrating how easily his persona adapts to this particular style of music. 

Jackson doesn't just sing the music here, he actually role-plays to some extent to make the songs sound that much more genuine and timeless, giving tunes like "Tuxedo Junction," "What's the Use of Getting Sober," and the hip-cat composure of "Jumpin' Jive" some modern flash and color. The horn work is dazzling as well, especially Dave Bitelli's alto sax and Pete Thomas' clarinet contributions. Not only was Jumpin' Jive a novel idea, but it reveals Jackson's musical dexterity and desire to further his interests into other avenues aside from pop and mainstream ballads. Although he touched on reggae with 1980's Beat Crazy, Jumpin' Jive fully uncovers his musical astuteness and remains one of his best albums. ~ Mike DeGagne  http://www.allmusic.com/album/jumpin-jive-mw0000194272

Personnel: Joe Jackson (vocals, harmonica, keyboards, vibraphone); David Bitelli (clarinet, tenor saxophone, wind); Pete Thomas (saxophone, alto saxophone); Raul Oliveria (trumpet); Nick Weldon (piano, background vocals); Larry Tolfree (drums, background vocals); Graham Maby (background vocals).

Jumpin' Jive

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James Brown - Jazz

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:12
Size: 128.6 MB
Styles: R&B/Funk/Jazz
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[4:06] 1. That's My Desire
[5:39] 2. After You're Through [extended Version]
[4:14] 3. Tengo Tango
[5:10] 4. Home At Last [alternate Mix]
[6:30] 5. All About My Girl
[4:00] 6. There
[3:39] 7. All The Way
[6:04] 8. Why (Am I Treated So Bad)
[2:42] 9. What Do You Like
[3:26] 10. Cottage For Sale [alternate Mix]
[5:56] 11. Go On Now [alternate Mix]
[4:39] 12. For Once In My Life

One of the many compilations issued in the wake of James Brown's passing in 2007 is this rather strange and necessary one produced by Alan Leeds and Harry Weinger. There's no irony in the title, and it's only a little misleading. Brown loved all kinds of music throughout his lifetime and made no secret of it. This set compiles 12 cuts, all of which Brown originally produced, that accent the jazzier -- and sometimes near all-out jazz (though everything on this baby has more than a little soul grit mixed in) -- side of the Godfather. The coolest thing about this set is that it contains numerous unreleased alternate mixes, extended versions, single edits, and literally unreleased versions and tunes that span from standards and soul-jazz cuts to '70s-era pop tunes. Ranging from 1964's reading of the Adderley Brothers' "Tengo Tango" (never before issued in any form) to a 1970s alternate mix of "For Once in My Life," this is perhaps among the most ambitious of Brown recordings to be released in quite some time. Released gems here include Brown on a killer B-3 take of Jimmy McGriff's "All About My Girl" in 1966 and his version of Joe Zawinul's "Why (Am I Treated So Bad)" from 1967. In between, there are hip mixes of standards like "Cottage for Sale" and "That's My Desire." The sequencing here is not stale either, since it's not chronological. In fact, since it bookends in the year 1970, with the 1960s material sandwiched between, it's rather wonderful aesthetically. Recommended. ~Thom Jurek

Jazz

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Cristina Braga - Samba, Jazz And Love

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:17
Size: 110.5 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[4:55] 1. Love Parfait
[4:14] 2. O Barquinho
[3:52] 3. Samba E Amor
[4:37] 4. Desafinado
[4:13] 5. Rio Paraiso
[7:17] 6. Triste De Quem
[3:12] 7. Só Danço Samba
[3:41] 8. Preciso Me Encontrar
[5:21] 9. Canta Mas
[4:22] 10. Chovendo Na Roseira
[2:28] 11. Desde De Que O Samba é Samba

Cristina Braga is something of a unique pleasure - she sings, she plays the harp, she does both with an ensemble of friends on this very soothing and gentle CD of music from her native Brazil. Braga is principal harpist with the Rio de Janeiro Symphony and has worked as a soloist with many symphony orchestras. She is also professor of harp at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and a member of the directors' board of the World Harp Congress. She is considered one of the most important harpists in South America - showing the world a harp with Brazilian soul, spreading out the possibilities of her instrument and introducing listeners worldwide to the sound of the Latin American jazz harp. And now she proves that she is as comfortable in popular music as she is in the classics.

In addition to her own improvisational use of the harp as her accompanist, she here adds a supportive group of musicians to enhance her appeal. The ensemble, then, is Cristina Braga voice and harp, 
Ricardo Medeiros, doublebass
, Jessé Sadoc, trumpet and flugelhorn, 
Joca Moraes, alfaia drums and tambourin, and 
Arthur Dutra, vibraphone. ~Grady Harp

Samba, Jazz And Love

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Warne Marsh Quartet - The Unissued Copenhagen Studio Session

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:16
Size: 147.1 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 1997
Art: Front

[7:21] 1. Blues In G Flat
[3:28] 2. After You've Gone
[6:05] 3. The Song Is You
[5:45] 4. Lennie Bird
[5:59] 5. It's You Or No One
[6:36] 6. God Bless The Child
[5:44] 7. The Way You Look Tonight
[6:19] 8. Without A Song
[6:18] 9. You Don't Know What Love Is
[5:39] 10. Be My Love
[4:59] 11. Lennie Bird

Warne Marsh tenor sax, Dave Cliff guitar, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen bass, Alan Levitt drums. Recorded December 28, 1975.

Towards the end of 1975 the Danish Jazz Exchange, made up of 100 dedicated jazz enthusiasts, decided to set up a fund to bring over their favourite musician and by an overwhelming majority vote Warne was elected to this position. It was decided to record Warne in the studio; now, for the first time, the results of the Rosenberg Studio dates are released. This compact disc comprises the quartet titles with Warne leading British guitarist Dave Cliff, Danish bass player Niels-Henning 0rsted Pedersen and American drummer Alan Levitt, all of whom had worked with Marsh during the month of December. The day after the quartet date Marsh, NHØP and Levitt returned to the same studio. You will find the results of the trio session on Storyville STCD 8278.

The Unissued Copenhagen Studio Session                 

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Karen Sharp - Wait And See

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:46
Size: 134,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:17)  1. Helola
(5:29)  2. Wait And See
(6:46)  3. Bright Moments
(6:09)  4. Stop
(5:03)  5. The Shortest Day
(5:18)  6. Pure Imagination
(5:30)  7. Struttin' With Some Barbecue
(6:09)  8. Princess Olive
(4:51)  9. After All
(5:36) 10. Tufty
(3:32) 11. Blue Rol

Karen Sharp’s latest quintet album “Wait and See” was recorded in November 2006 for “33 Records” and features a collection of original compositions by Karen, mixed with renditions of some of her favourite jazz tunes from the last century.It features Karen on tenor and baritone saxes, Adrian Fry on trombone, Richard Busiakiewicz on piano, John Day on bass and John Perry on drums.

“One of the most rewarding consequences of wearing two hats - labelled bandleader and broadcaster respectively - is the unique opportunity it offers to witness talent unfolding. Karen Sharp’s new album confirms what I have already observed, that over the past three or four years, she has steadily I might almost say stealthily developed into a major artist on the scene.” ‘ Wait and See’ is a delight from start to finish.”

~ Humphrey Lyttelton http://www.jazzcds.co.uk/artist_id_127/cd_id_1466

Personnel:  Karen Sharp - tenor / baritone saxophone;  Adrian Fry – trombone;  Richard Busiakiewicz – piano;  John Day – bass;  John Perry - drums

Wait And See

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Jeb Patton - A Lovesome Thing

Styles: Piano Jazz

Year: 2006

File: MP3@320K/s

Time: 52:38

Size: 120,9 MB

Art: Front

(6:09)  1. Love Walked In

(3:37)  2. Worlds Apart

(6:06)  3. Flower Is A Lovesome Thing

(3:15)  4. Begin The Beguine

(4:41)  5. Relaxin' At Camarillo

(6:51)  6. Hanna's Mood

(7:11)  7. TF

(3:55)  8. Wise Ones

(5:04)  9. Fantasy In F-Sharp Minor

(5:44) 10. Yemenja

Described as both a “young phenom…on piano” and an “absolute great,” Jeb Patton has earned a well-regarded reputation in the international jazz community. The multi-talented Patton is known as a “player of great expression” and “not one to tread the predictable,” as well as a “simpatico accompanist” for The Heath Brothers, an “innovative” arranger, and one who “cuts…[an] impressive swath on his composition, ‘Hanna’s Mood,'” a tribute to his late teacher, Sir Roland Hanna. Jeb Patton graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degree with a major in music from Duke University, where he studied piano with Tibor Szasz, Douglas Buys, and Jane Hawkins. As a member of the Duke Jazz Ensemble under Paul Jeffrey, he performed with and/or arranged for more than 60 professional jazz artists, including 48 musicians from New York and more than 12 international jazz musicians from Italy, Monaco, and Portugal.

Studying under Sir Roland Hanna and Jimmy Heath, Jeb earned his Master of Arts degree, summa cum laude, in 1997 from the Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College, City University of New York, where he also received the Louis Armstrong Award for composition from the ASCAP Foundation. Since graduating, Jeb has toured throughout the United States and abroad with the Heath Brothers and with Jimmy Heath’s Generations Quintet, performing in theaters, festivals, concert halls, colleges, and clubs. Since moving to New York in 1996, Jeb has also played with Etta Jones, the Faddis/Hampton/Heath Sextet, Winard Harper’s group, and Antonio Hart’s Quintet, Paul West, Rufus Reid, Peter Washington, Lewis Nash, Steve Nelson, Ralph Peterson, John Ore, Jimmy Cobb, Lonnie Plaxico, Carl Allen, Kyoshi Kitigawa, Jackie Mclean, Frank Wess, James Moody, Terell Stafford, Sean Jones, Diego Urcola, Jeremy Pelt, Gerald Cannon, Willie Jones III, Steve Davis, Keter Betts, Eddie Locke, Marlene Verplank, among others. Major national and international festival appearances with the Heath Brothers include Savannah Music Festival (2005), New Orleans Jazz and Heritage (2005), Tri C Festival (2005), Newport (Rhode Island, 2004), Mt. Hood (Oregon, 2004), Charlie Parker Festival (NYC 2004, 2002), Atlanta (Georgia, 2004), Baden-Baden Festival (Germany, 2003), 8th Salzburg Jazz Autumn Festival (Austria, 2003), 45th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival (California, 2002), 3rd Annual Healdsburg Jazz Festival (California, 2001), North Sea Jazz Festival (Holland, 2000), Äarhus Jazz Festival (Denmark, 2000), the Pori Festival (Finland, 1999), Graz “Jazz-Sommer” (Switzerland, 1999), and Wiggin Jazz Festival (England, 1999),

Recent New York City metro area appearances with the Heath Brothers include “Birds of a Feather: A Charlie Parker Tribute,” at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, May 21, 2004, (also featuring the Roy Haynes Quintet), and the January 24, 2004, NEA Jazz Masters Award Concert. Other notable New York City performances include the Opening Nights of Jazz at Lincoln Center, Jimmy Heath’s 75th Birthday Celebration, October 19 and 20, 2001; and Jazz at Lincoln Center, Duo Series with Percy Heath in the Stanley Kaplan Penthouse, February 1 through 3, 2001. Performances in 2003 included a concert at the Chamber Music Hall in Berlin that was broadcast on Berlin Jazz Radio and a concert series in Rome. In September 2000, Jeb traveled to Greece with the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band under the direction of Jon Faddis and at the invitation of the Consulate General of the USA to perform Ellington’s “Black, Brown and Beige Suite.” He has also appeared on three S.S. Norway Jazz Cruises as part of the Jimmy Heath Big Band, with Jimmy’s small band, and with the Heath Brothers.

Career highlights also include performing with Antonio Hart at the Kennedy Center in October 2003 at the National Visionary Leadership Project Gala and Awards Dinner. As protégés of Jimmy Heath, the duo performed a medley of all Jimmy Heath compositions in honor of Heath being named a Visionary in the Performing Arts. Inspired by the late Sir Roland Hanna, Patton is also very involved with classical music. Recent classical performances include a solo recital at Queensborough Community College featuring the Chopin Ballades and two performances with the New York Philomusica. These concerts featured Ellington’s concerto, A New World A-Comin’ arranged for chamber ensemble, Haydn Piano Trio in Eb major, and a premiere of a chamber piece by Michael Berkeley. In addition, Patton performed Ellington’s concerto with the Queens College Orchestra in honor of Sir Roland Hanna, and has performed extensively with Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson’s New Black Music Repertory Ensemble. Patton is currently studying classical piano with Lawrence Schubert. Presently, when Jeb is not on the road with the Heath Brothers, he teaches musicianship and piano at Queensborough Communtiy College. Duties also include substituting for professors at Queensborough and Queens Colleges, giving lectures on jazz history, music appreciation, and coaching ensembles. ~ Bio  http://www.jebpatton.com/bio/

A Lovesome Thing

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Jan Verwey - The Miles Davis Project

Styles: Jazz, Bebop
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:39
Size: 134,8 MB
Art: Front

( 6:18)  1. Milestones
( 3:23)  2. Tune Up
( 5:43)  3. Blue in Green
( 6:11)  4. So What
( 6:47)  5. Nardis
( 7:07)  6. Fran-dance
(10:14)  7. Flamenco Sketches
( 6:17)  8. Four (Or Three)
( 6:34)  9. Freddy Freeloader

Born in February 24, 1936. Chromatic harmonica and jazz; as one of the few who dared to play the harmonica for their livelihood, Jan is probably the only one who succeeded in creating his own style on this characteristic instrument. He is, for instance, the only one who plays octaves on the harmonica. Also in his solo’s. Jan Verwey is very much a bebopper and entirely self-taught. Thanks to his unique self-developed instrumental technique, he boldly brings about his desired harmony and melody to his solo’s. How exceptional his quality is, shows the fact that during his first visit to the USA (early autumn 1990), he was immediately rushed into the recording studio by top-producer Bill Goodwin (drummer for Phil Woods) to record the Cd The Dutch Connection wich led to a performance at the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands.

In 1991 he was back in the USA, being the only European invited to play at, among others, the festival Celebration Of The Arts in Watergap, as a soloist. He also gave a duo concert with pianist Hod O’brien (known for his albums with Chet Baker) at the well known Jazz-club The Dearhead Inn. In 2007 he was playing at festivals in Medicine Hat and Calgary (Canada). He also played at different venues in Europe. Recently he played in Copenhagen, Frankfurt and (at Birdland ) Hamburg. Different projects and accomplishments in The Netherlands: Nomination for the Pall Mall Export Award. Guest soloist with the Metropole Orchestra. Guest in television- and radio-shows. Composer for TV-series, documentaries and commercials. http://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/janverwey

The Miles Davis Project

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Sonny Clark - Dial "S" For Sonny

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:49
Size: 104.9 MB
Styles: Bop, Piano jazz
Year: 1957/1997/2015
Art: Front

[7:22] 1. Dial S For Sonny
[5:12] 2. Bootin' It
[6:56] 3. It Could Happen To You
[8:35] 4. Sonny's Mood
[6:41] 5. Shoutin' On A Riff
[5:48] 6. Love Walked In
[5:13] 7. Bootin' It

Dial "S" for Sonny, Sonny Clark's first session for Blue Note Records and his first session as a leader, is a terrific set of laidback bop, highlighted by Clark's liquid, swinging solos. Clark leads a first-rate group -- Art Farmer (trumpet), Curtis Fuller (trombone), Hank Mobley (tenor sax), Wilbur Ware (bass), Louis Hayes (drums) -- through four originals and two standards, balancing the selections between swinging bop and reflective ballads. There are traces of Bud Powell in Clark's style, but he's beginning to come into his own, developing a style that's alternately edgy and charmingly relaxed. Mobley, Farmer and Fuller have their moments, but Clark steals the show in this set of fine, straight-ahead bop. ~Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Dial "S" For Sonny

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Susanne Alt - How To Kiss

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:13
Size: 126.4 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[4:44] 1. How To Kiss
[3:31] 2. B. Jammin'
[5:44] 3. Scotheny
[5:34] 4. Cold Sweat
[2:54] 5. Snokie
[4:39] 6. What's Going On
[4:43] 7. Willow Weep For Me
[5:36] 8. Brothers And Sisters
[5:22] 9. African Dream
[4:12] 10. No Rules
[4:55] 11. Frida's Birds
[3:12] 12. Just A Little Lovin'

Susanne Alt is a saxophone player and composer, living in Amsterdam. So far, she has released 5 cd’s. Since 2006 Susanne has been using Youtube almost like a concert diary, uploading 200 videos of her live concerts on YouTube. Up to now the clips have been viewed more than 500 000 times and counting.. By using social media and Youtube, Susanne created a dedicated worldwide fan community, still growing each day.

Susanne has been getting even more media attention since her third album 'On Track' (2009), it featured trombone legend Fred Wesley, famous from his work with James Brown and George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic. 'On Track' has been nominated for the Edison Publieksprijs. Her latest release is 'How to kiss' (2012), and has been released in BeNeLux, USA, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France. Also 'How to kiss' has been nominated for the Edison Publieksprijs.

How To Kiss

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Grover Washington Jr. - Jazz Moods: Cool

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2004
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:08
Size: 124,3 MB
Art: Front

(4:22)  1. Strawberry Moon
(4:49)  2. Love Like This
(4:15)  3. Soulful Strut
(5:07)  4. Caught A Touch Of Your Love
(5:38)  5. Sacred Kind Of Love
(4:58)  6. Take Five (Take Another Five)
(5:02)  7. Time Out Of Mind
(5:10)  8. I Can Count The Times
(5:00)  9. Play That Groove For Me
(4:36) 10. The Look Of Love
(5:06) 11. Next Exit

The late saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr. had three distinct periods during his musical career. The first was as a sideman with Charles Earland in his great cooking soul-jazz band of the mid-'60s; the second  his best musically was his association with producer and label boss and producer Creed Taylor at Motown and then at Kudu where he recorded his greatest records, including Soul Box, Feels So Good, Mister Magic, Reed Seed, and A Secret Place; and the last of these was his most commercially viable period recording for Elektra and finally Columbia. This compilation concerns itself with his Columbia tenure and sticks close to the bone of Washington's "cool" period which is nonsense because he never played anything remotely resembling "cool" jazz, either historically or musicologically, despite recording Dave Brubeck's "Take Five," which appears here. 

These tunes were plucked from the Sony vault for inclusion on this budget compilation and serve no purpose other than to highlight that the man could play "mellow" like no body's business. As musically lightweight as this material is, there is something clearly of the man's gifts on offer: his facility for melodic improvisation even during the smooth jazz era. While melody was king during the '80s and '90s in this subgenre of jazz, Washington did it better and more intuitively than anyone else and never took a dive, even if the arranged sounds around him were not up to his abilities. ~ Thom Jurek  http://www.allmusic.com/album/jazz-moods-cool-mw0000474940

Jazz Moods: Cool

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