Stu Williamson - Stu Williamson

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:08
Size: 89,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:24)  1. Pee Jay
(4:21)  2. Just Friends
(3:45)  3. Darn That Dream
(6:05)  4. Hungry Child
(4:26)  5. Big Red
(5:01)  6. Red Cross
(3:15)  7. Talk Of The Town
(3:53)  8. Oom's Tune
(4:54)  9. Rose Bud

The younger brother of pianist Claude Williamson, Stu Williamson was a fixture on West Coast jazz dates of the 1950s. He moved to Los Angeles in 1949 and spent periods playing with Stan Kenton (1951), Woody Herman (1952-1953), and Kenton again (1954-1955), in addition to shorter stints with Billy May and Charlie Barnet. The mellow-toned Williamson, best-known for his association with Shelly Manne (off and on during 1954-1958), was on a countless number of sessions up until 1968 when he dropped out of the music scene. A drug addict, Stu Williamson spent most of his last two decades struggling outside of music. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/artist/stu-williamson-mn0000526195/biography

Personnel:  Alto Saxophone – Charlie Mariano;  Baritone Saxophone – Jimmy Giuffre;  Bass – Leroy Vinnegar;  Drums – Mel Lewis;  Piano – Claude Williamson;  Tenor Saxophone – Bill Holman;  Trumpet – Stu Williamson

Stu Williamson

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Straalem Mccallum - A Little Faith

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:08
Size: 112,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:53)  1. Smile
(3:58)  2. Angel
(3:59)  3. Sometimes a Prayer Will Do
(2:55)  4. Panis Angelicus
(3:40)  5. How Great Thou Art
(4:35)  6. Wiyathul
(3:35)  7. Hallelujah
(3:39)  8. Father
(3:11)  9. You Are the Sunshine of My Life
(3:37) 10. Tears in Heaven
(4:29) 11. I Believe I Can Fly
(2:52) 12. Let It Be Me
(3:37) 13. Over the Rainbow

Straalen is a unique emerging Australian talent. At 12 years old he is the youngest act to ever sign to Sony Music Entertainment Australia. Singing since he was 3 years old, at 9 he commenced vocal training with the legendary Venetta Fields. He has performed at numerous charity and corporate events including signing the National Anthem at Suncorp Stadium in June prior to the State of Origin. Album was produced by Garth Porter (Sherbet, Lee Kernaghan etc). ~ Editorial Reviews  http://www.amazon.com/Little-Faith-STRAALEN-MCCALLUM/dp/B004BGJWNU

A Little Faith

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Henry Mancini - Midnight, Moonlight & Magic: The Very Best Of Henry Mancini

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:23
Size: 136.0 MB
Styles: Easy Listening
Year: 2004
Art: Front

[2:36] 1. The Pink Panther Theme
[2:40] 2. Moon River
[2:42] 3. Baby Elephant Walk
[1:55] 4. The Sweetheart Tree
[2:35] 5. In The Arms Of Love
[2:04] 6. Peter Gunn
[2:06] 7. Days Of Wine And Roses
[2:34] 8. Charade
[2:57] 9. The Inspector Clouseau Theme
[2:46] 10. Darling Lili
[2:40] 11. Two For The Road
[3:04] 12. Candlelight On Crystal
[2:41] 13. Dear Heart
[2:12] 14. Mr. Lucky
[2:01] 15. Theme From Cade's County
[3:42] 16. Whistling Away The Dark
[2:22] 17. Pie-In-The-Face Polka
[3:55] 18. Dreamsville
[1:57] 19. It Had Better Be Tonight
[2:22] 20. Nothing To Lose
[2:51] 21. Frish Frosh
[1:56] 22. Mystery Movie Theme
[2:31] 23. Love Theme From Romeo And Juliet

Henry Mancini ranks right up at the top of a list of composers who wrote for movies and TV. He crafted memorable melodies and framed them with witty and inventive arrangements that in most cases still sound fresh today. Midnight, Moonlight & Magic: The Very Best of Henry Mancini is a 23-song look at the master's work in films and on TV. It spans the years 1958 and 1972 and includes his most popular themes such as the sassy "Pink Panther Theme," the rocking "Peter Gunn," the sweet "Moon River," and the swinging "Baby Elephant Walk." The compilers also found room for some lesser known but still worthy material like the wonderfully bluesy and dreamy "Dreamsville," the rollicking "Pie-in-the-Face Polka" from The Great Race, "Frish Frosh" from High Time, and 1972's "Mystery Movie Theme." Throughout Mancini deftly balances his romantic streak with an ear for the unusual that kept even his sappiest tunes from being too smooth. For example the frenzied piano line on the otherwise treacly "The Sweetheart Tree," the inventive way he combines instruments in "The Inspector Clouseau Theme," or the spooky keyboard sounds on "Theme From 'Cade's County'" are the touches of an inspired craftsman. Other times the melody is just so strong, like on the deathless "Charade," that it doesn't matter how many smooth vocals and swooning strings get piled on top. It still escapes being corny. The collection is very strong, one of the best single-disc Mancini compilations on the market. The only thing holding it back, and giving lie to the title's claim to be the "very best" of his work, is the omission of anything from perhaps his finest soundtrack, 1962's Experiment in Terror. The theme song at least should have been here. Apart from that flaw, this is an entertaining disc that shows just how wonderful Mancini's film compositions truly are. ~Tim Sendra

Midnight, Moonlight & Magic: The Very Best Of Henry Mancini

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Libby York - Here With You

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 47:11

Size: 108.0 MB

Styles: Vocal jazz

Year: 2008

Art: Front

[5:51] 1. I Love Being Here With You

[4:26] 2. The Day The World Stopped Turning

[2:47] 3. For All We Know

[2:45] 4. Walkin' My Baby Back Home

[5:19] 5. You Go To My Head

[2:48] 6. A Beautiful Friendship

[5:01] 7. But Beautiful

[4:23] 8. Azure Te (Paris Blues)

[4:16] 9. Look For The Silver Lining

[5:15] 10. The Things We Did Last Summer

[4:15] 11. Flamingo

Chicago-born Libby York's third album, Here With You, is an expression of her jazz vocal techniques, with more than a little of Chris Connor and June Christy in her delivery. York goes right out on a limb by challenging Peggy Lee's "I Love Being Here With You" as an opener, a tune also associated with Chris Connor. It is York's second choice, however, the rarely heard Kaye/Springer song "The Day The World Stopped Turning," that surprises. This song appeared on Johnny Hartman's last Impulse! album, 1965's The Voice That Is, and was the most disposable tune on the album. York's small combo bossa nova version of "The Day The World Stopped Turning" easily trumps Bob Hammer's cornball arrangement for Johnny Hartman in 1965. It's still not a great song, but it does sound so much better.

York puts it all together with the assist of guitarist Howard Alden's arrangements. Guitarist Russell Malone also appears for some delicious duets on Coots/Lewis' "For All We Know," Cahn/Styne's "A Beautiful Friendship" and Douchette/Wolfe's "Azure Te (Paris Blues)," a song with which you just can't go wrong. York provides a rarely heard vocal version of Anderson/Grouyal's "Flamingo," and has some further fine support from cornetist (and vocal partner) Warren Vache.

What are the conclusions that can be reached regarding Libby York's musical career? After graduating from American University in Washington, D.C., she opened a club in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware and then lived in Key West, Florida. It wasn't until 1981 that she settled in New York to study with singers Abbey Lincoln and Judy Niemack. Her only two previous albums have been with Chicago based Southport in 1998 and for BluJazz, also a Windy City label, in 2004. Here With You not only her declares her availability, but her full-fledged jazz vocal credentials. ~Michael P. Gladstone

Libby York: vocals; Russell Malone: guitar (3, 6, 8); Howard Alden: guitar; Warren Vache: cornet and vocals (4); Jon Burr: bass; Vanderlei Pereira: drums: percussion (2, 5, 9-11).

Here With You

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Dan Barrett - Melody In Swing

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:15
Size: 131.1 MB
Styles: Trombone jazz, New Orleans jazz
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[4:41] 1. Melody In Swing
[3:04] 2. I'm Nobody's Baby
[3:53] 3. Carelessly
[4:34] 4. What Is This Thing Called Love
[4:39] 5. My Mother's Eyes
[3:15] 6. Teezol
[4:36] 7. There Is No Greater Love
[5:25] 8. Take My Heart
[4:17] 9. Finesse
[5:06] 10. Besame Mucho
[4:25] 11. You've Got Me Crying Again
[4:41] 12. Mighty Like The Blues
[4:33] 13. Gravy Waltz

Dan Barrett emerged as one of the top young trombonists during the mid-'80s; his ninth date as a leader for Arbors Records finds him leading a quintet through a marvelous collection of swing songs, many of which have been overlooked for a long time or never received widespread attention in the first place. "Melody in Swing" features Barrett's effortless swing and great tone in an easygoing arrangement. He adds a mute for his languid bittersweet solo during the gently swinging "Carelessly," backed by pianist Ray Sherman's rapid runs. "What Is This Thing Called Love?" has a mysterious introduction that adds a touch of campiness, while Barrett's muted horn almost sounds like an old-time crooner on the relaxed arrangement of "There Is No Greater Love," a piece almost always heard at a breakneck tempo by many jazz groups. The capable rhythm section includes guitarist Eddie Erickson, bassist Dave Stone, and drummer Jeff Hamilton ("Canadian" Jeff to Dan & company, to avoid confusion with the Jeff Hamilton who has worked with Ray Brown and also the Clayton Brothers). The delicious "Gravy Waltz," an early-'60s collaboration between the late pianist/singer/comedian Steve Allen and bassist Ray Brown, showcases Erickson on banjo and some fine arco bass by Stone, as well as the leader, in a fun-filled finale to this highly recommended CD. ~Ken Dryden

Melody In Swing 

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Various - Bossa Nova Exciting Jazz Samba Rhythms Vol 1

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 67:05

Size: 153.6 MB

Styles: Latin rhythms

Year: 2001

Art: Front

[2:34] 1. Roberto Menescal - Influencia Do Jazz

[7:33] 2. Odell Brown - Mas Que Nada

[2:58] 3. Os Cincos-Pados - Berimbau

[4:17] 4. Jongo Trio - Waters Of March

[2:44] 5. Quarteto Em Cy Com Tamba Trio - Water To Drink

[2:47] 6. Pedrinho Mattar Trio - Samba Pro Pedrinho

[3:15] 7. Charlie Byrd - Bamba Samba

[2:19] 8. Breno Sauer Quinteto - A Felicidad

[3:11] 9. Nelson Riddle Orchestra - Lamento

[2:46] 10. Zimbo Trio - To Live Happily

[2:26] 11. Os Catedràticos - Os Grilos (Crickets Sing For Anamaria)

[3:57] 12. Lalo Schifrin Orchestra - Samba De Una Nota

[3:05] 13. Geraldo Trio - Chora Tua Tristeza

[2:44] 14. Bossa Jazz Trio - Canto De Ossanha

[2:59] 15. Os Cobras - Cheiro De Saudade

[2:26] 16. Continentals - String Of Pearls

[2:33] 17. Joao Meirelles - Batucada

[2:06] 18. Chris Montez - The Face I Love

[4:29] 19. Martin Denny - Exotique Bossa Nova

[5:45] 20. Quartette Tres Bien - Boss Tres Bien

Bossa Nova Exciting Jazz Samba Rhythms

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Count Basie & Joe Williams - Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings

Styles: Vocal And Piano Jazz, Big Band

Year: 1955

File: MP3@320K/s

Time: 42:57

Size: 98,5 MB

Art: Front

(5:29)  1. Every Day I Have The Blues

(5:28)  2. The Comeback

(3:05)  3. All Right, Ok, You Win

(3:39)  4. In The Evening (When The Sun Goes Down)

(3:12)  5. Roll 'Em Pete

(3:05)  6. Teach Me Tonight

(2:58)  7. My Baby Upsets Me

(3:33)  8. Please Send Me Someone To Love

(3:48)  9. Ev'ry Day (I Fall In Love)

(3:07) 10. As I Love You

(2:37) 11. Stop! Don't!

(2:53) 12. Too Close For Comfort

Joe Williams' debut as the featured vocalist in Count Basie's band was one of those landmark moments that even savvy observers don't fully appreciate when it occurs, then realize years later how momentous an event they witnessed. Williams brought a different presence to the great Basie orchestra than the one Jimmy Rushing provided; he couldn't shout like Rushing, but he was more effective on romantic and sentimental material, while he was almost as spectacular on surging blues, up-tempo wailers, and stomping standards. Basie's band maintained an incredible groove behind Williams, who moved from authoritative statements on "Every Day I Have the Blues" and "Please Send Me Someone to Love" to brisk workouts on "Roll 'Em Pete" and his definitive hit, "All Right, OK, You Win." ~ Ron Wynn http://www.allmusic.com/album/count-basie-swings-joe-williams-sings-mw0000691298

Personnel: Count Basie (piano); Joe Williams (vocals); Marshall Royal (alto saxophone, clarinet); Bill Graham (alto saxophone); Frank Wess (tenor saxophone, flute); Frank Foster (tenor saxophone); Charlie Fowlkes (baritone saxophone); Wendell Culley, Reunald Jones, Thad Jones, Joe Newman (trumpet); Henry Coker, Bill Hughes, Benny Powell (trombone); Freddie Green (guitar); Eddie Jones (bass); Sonny Payne (drums).

Count Basie Swings, Joe Williams Sings

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Dave Pike - It's Time For Dave Pike

Styles: Vibraphone Jazz

Year: 1961

File: MP3@320K/s

Time: 38:19

Size: 88,1 MB

Art: Front

(5:05)  1. Cheryl

(5:38)  2. On Green Dolphin Street

(5:41)  3. It's Time

(4:11)  4. Hot House

(5:16)  5. Forward

(3:20)  6. Solar

(3:57)  7. Little Girl Blue

(5:09)  8. Tendin' To Business

Dave Pike was never an innovator, but his best albums are definitely solid. A perfect example is 1961's It's Time for Dave Pike, which was recorded when the vibist was only 22. By 1961 standards, this album isn't experimental or forward-thinking certainly not compared to some of the adventurous, challenging sounds that were coming from modal and avant-garde improvisers in the early '60s. But it's easy to enjoy if you appreciate swinging, inspired bop along the lines of Milt Jackson, who is one of Pike's primary influences. In fact, this album favors the same vibes/piano/bass/drums format that Jackson embraced during his years with the Modern Jazz Quartet Pike is joined by pianist Barry Harris, bassist Reggie Workman, and drummer Billy Higgins. But It's Time for Dave Pike doesn't sound like an MJQ date and doesn't contain any third stream experiments; it has more in common with Jackson's work outside the MJQ. Hard bop is the name of the game on this album, which includes a few Pike originals as well as inspired versions of jazz standards like Miles Davis' "Solar," Charlie Parker's "Cheryl," and Tadd Dameron's "Hot House." The only time Pike doesn't lead a quartet on this album is when he tackles Rodgers & Hart's "Little Girl Blue" and performs an unaccompanied vibes solo. Produced by Orrin Keepnews for Riverside, It's Time for Dave Pike was out of print for many years. But that changed in 2001, when Fantasy finally reissued this pleasing album on CD on its Original Jazz Classics imprint. ~ Alex Henderson  http://www.allmusic.com/album/its-time-for-dave-pike-mw0000017025

Personnel: Dave Pike (vibraphone); Barry Harris (piano); Reggie Workman (acoustic bass); Billy Higgins (drums).

It's Time For Dave Pike

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Houston Person - Lost & Found

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1977
File: MP3@224K/s
Time: 73:26
Size: 118,3 MB
Art: Front

(7:10)  1. Late Night Lullaby
(6:08)  2. No Denial Blues
(6:29)  3. The Glory of Love
(5:36)  4. Never Let Me Go
(5:16)  5. Trust in Me
(4:10)  6. When I'm Not With You
(4:36)  7. Sweet Slumber
(7:47)  8. Preachin' and Teachin'
(7:36)  9. Dameron
(6:58) 10. Wildflower
(6:07) 11. Ain't Misbehavin'
(5:25) 12. My Romance

This single CD from 1997 has all of the music recorded by tenor saxophonist Houston Person for his 1977 album Wildflower, plus a completely unissued session from 1993. The latter teams the soulful Person with the classic pianist/vocalist Charles Brown in a quintet also including guitarist Danny Caron, bassist Red Callender and drummer Gaylord Birch. It is a particular pleasure hearing Brown fare so well in a jazz setting. The earlier date has five fairly long jams, with Person joined by trumpeter Bill Hardman, guitarist Jimmy Ponder, the underrated organist Sonny Phillips, drummer Idris Muhammad and percussionist Larry Killian. In addition to a couple of familiar standards ("Ain't Misbehavin'" and "My Romance"), the title cut, and a Phillips original, the band debuts a previously unknown Tadd Dameron ballad titled "Dameron." All in all, this is a well-rounded CD easily recommended to fans of soul-jazz, hard bop and Charles Brown. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/lost-found-mw0000025251

Personnel: Houston Person (tenor saxophone); Bill Hardman (trumpet); Charles Brown (piano, vocals); Sonny Phillips (organ); Jimmy Ponder, Danny Caron (guitar); Red Callender (bass); Idris Muhammad, Gaylord Birch (drums); Larry Killian (congas, percussion).

Lost & Found

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Sarah Kernochan - Beat Around The Bush

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:34
Size: 95,7 MB
Art: Front

(3:33)  1. Da-Dum
(2:44)  2. Home Away from Home
(4:03)  3. Ballad of Weird Romeo
(3:14)  4. Can I Get On Top This Time
(4:30)  5. Out Island
(2:25)  6. Mobile Home
(3:50)  7. Why Did I Ever Marry
(2:43)  8. It's Alright, It Won't Bite
(7:09)  9. Room Service
(4:12) 10. Mister Sloane
(3:08) 11. Sleeparound Town

In the 70's, Sarah Kernochan was called "the female Randy Newman," "Carly Simon with balls," and "willowy and weird." Her second album's title, "Beat Around the Bush," alerted listeners that this would be a journey into sexual territory. Unsurprisingly, radio stations refused to play songs like "It's Alright, It won't Bite," consigning the album to quick oblivion, even though it also contained softer material. (Now Kernochan's work seems prescient.) 

Her piano-based musical stylings continue the jazz-pop-classical meld she introduced with her first album "House of Pain." This re-issue contains two bonus tracks, "Sleeparound Town" and "Mister Sloane.  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/sarahkernochan2

Beat Around The Bush

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Allan Vache & Harry Allen - Allan Allen

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:52
Size: 157.7 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz, Swing
Year: 2001
Art: Front

[6:19] 1. Lover, Come Back To Me
[5:28] 2. Jive At Five
[5:18] 3. Lake Ponchartrain Blues
[4:27] 4. Allan And Allen
[4:39] 5. Where Are You
[4:05] 6. What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry
[3:28] 7. Straighten Up And Fly Right
[4:56] 8. You Go To My Head
[5:51] 9. Tickle Toe
[6:34] 10. Corcovado (Quiet Nights)
[6:11] 11. Ben's Blues
[6:42] 12. Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me
[4:47] 13. Stealin' Apples

This studio session featuring clarinetist Allan Vache and tenor saxophonist Harry Allen together was a long overdue idea, since they had worked together frequently at jazz festivals and parties; they're joined by a first-class rhythm section of pianist Eddie Higgins, bassist Phil Flanigan, and drummer Eddie Metz. Most of the material consists of familiar standards from the swing era, including the easygoing "Jive at Five," a snappy "Tickle Toe," and a laid-back "Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me." Flanigan contributed the lively swinger "Allan and Allen," while Higgins wrote the pretty ballad "Lake Ponchartrain Blues." There are also separate features for the two reedmen: Vache's lush, lyrical interpretation of "You Go to My Head" is matched by Allen's gorgeous take of the infrequently heard ballad "Where Are You." Vache also adds a campy (though not exactly memorable) vocal on "Straighten up and Fly Right." This is one of many memorable recordings that has helped to elevate Nagel Heyer into one of the top labels covering mainstream jazz at the beginning of the 21st century. ~Ken Dryden

Allan Allen

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The Ray Charles Singers - Young Lovers In Far Away Places

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 29:16
Size: 67.0 MB
Styles: Easy Listening
Year: 1964/2011
Art: Front

[3:29] 1. Fsr Away Places
[2:51] 2. It Happened In Monterrey
[6:42] 3. Sunday In Genoa
[2:47] 4. A Foggy Day
[3:12] 5. April In Paris
[3:12] 6. Moon Over Miami
[4:13] 7. Shipboard Romance
[2:46] 8. On A Slow Boat To China

Reaching number three on the pop charts in 1964 with one of the most successful easy listening singles of the '60s, "Love Me with All Your Heart (Cuando Caliente el Sol)," the Ray Charles Singers made numerous genteel albums of choral mood music throughout the '50s and '60s. Although they were led by a man named Ray Charles, this group had no connection whatsoever to Ray Charles the famous soul singer, and certainly no connection whatsoever to soul music. The coincidence of two such different artists sharing the same name led the Ray Charles of the Ray Charles Singers, in fact, to bill himself as "The Other Ray Charles" when he was given a TV credit.

This Ray Charles was born Charles Raymond Offenberg on September 13, 1918 in Chicago. Working in radio, Broadway, and in local bands, he got his major break when he landed a job as an arranger for Perry Como's radio backing group in the late '40s, remaining in that position when Como got a TV program. By the mid-'50s, the group called the Ray Charles Singers replaced the Fontaine Sisters as Como's TV backing ensemble. The Ray Charles Singers recorded on their own for Essex, MGM, and Decca before hitting their commercial stride on Enoch Light's Command label in the '60s, with arrangements emphasizing lush instrumentation and soft, breathy singing.

Young Lovers In Far Away Places

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Various - Pure Fire! A Gilles Peterson Impulse Collection

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:29
Size: 147.6 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[ 6:11] 1. Michael White - The Blessing Song
[ 5:07] 2. Ray Brown - Enchanted Lady
[ 7:00] 3. Max Roach - Lonesome Lover
[ 6:46] 4. Art Blakey - À La Mode
[ 5:13] 5. Archie Shepp - I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
[ 9:00] 6. John Coltrane - Wise One
[10:09] 7. McCoy Tyner - Three Flowers
[ 5:19] 8. Dave McKay - See You Later
[ 6:15] 9. Oliver Nelson - Patterns
[ 3:25] 10. Yusef Lateef - First Gymnopedie

Despite including two jaw-droppingly featherweight and disposable tracks—Michael White's "The Blessing Song" and Dave Mackay & Vicky Hamilton's "See You Later"—Pure Fire! is a welcome and timely compilation. Not only because of the other nine tracks, most of which are outstanding, but also because of the two offending pieces of la-la land muzak. The album presents, intentionally or otherwise, the most rounded, warts and all, single-disc precis of the Impulse! archive yet.

The work of Coltrane, Pharoah Sanders, Albert Ayler and Archie Shepp is certainly the most important strand of the Impulse! legacy. But people tend to forget that the label covered a much broader field than just firebrand tenor saxophonists, even its mid-1960s/early-1970s heyday. Cool, West Coast, third stream, hard bop, mainstream, big band, astal jazz, blues, modal/free and vocals—and one-of-a-kind Cecil Taylor—were all recorded by the label.

London DJ Gilles Peterson covers several of these strands. Peterson has been a welcome and sunny presence on the British jazz/world/dance scene since the mid-1980s, when he accelerated the zeitgeist with his influential Talkin' Loud And Saying Something events. Here he applies his quirky, non-conformist aesthetic, most memorably, to hard bop (Art Blakey's high torque "Alamode," from The Jazz Messengers, 1961), mainstream (Milt Jackson & Ray Brown's gorgeous "Enchanted Lady," from Memphis Jackson, 1969), thinly veiled agitprop (Max Roach's "Lonesome Lover," from It's Time, 1962), third stream (Yusef Lateef's Erik Satie tribute "First Gymnopedie," from Psychiceotus, 1965), the blues (Archie Shepp's down-home reading of "I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good," from For Losers, 1969), and the classic Coltrane quartet (the achingly beautiful "Wise One," from Crescent, 1964).

A few tracks benefit from the presence of musicianly, emotionally articulate vocalists—China-Lin Sharpe on Shepp's "I Got It Bad" and Abbey Lincoln on Roach's "Lonesome Lover"—but not Mackay & Hamilton's "See You Later" (from Dave Mackay & Vicky Hamilton, 1969) or White's "The Blessing Song" (from Pneuma, 1972). What the anodyne MOR warblers Mackay & Hamilton were ever doing on Impulse! remains a mystery. White's noodling violin on "The Blessing Song," together with the all-over-the-place, cooing vocal choir, is also best forgotten.But it's good to be reminded that Impulse! didn't always get it right. Most of the time, though, the label surely did, and the generally lesser known, upbeat and lyrical tracks featured here will be trips forever. ~Chris May

Milt Jackson & Ray Brown; Yusef Lateef; Max Roach; Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers; Michael White; McCoy Tyner; Archie Shepp; Oliver Nelson; Dave Mackay & Vicky Hamilton; John Coltrane; Pharoah Sanders.

Pure Fire! A Gilles Peterson Impulse Collection

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Dakota Staton - Dynamic!

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:33
Size: 95.2 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[2:29] 1. Let Me Off Uptown
[2:49] 2. Night Mist
[2:27] 3. Anything Goes
[2:49] 4. When Sunny Gets Blue
[2:08] 5. They All Laughed
[2:46] 6. I Wonder
[2:16] 7. Say It Isn't So, Joe
[2:21] 8. Too Close For Comfort
[3:27] 9. Little Girl Blue
[2:13] 10. It Could Happen To You
[2:42] 11. Some Other Spring
[2:33] 12. Cherokee
[3:07] 13. Invitation
[2:23] 14. The Party's Over
[2:39] 15. The Nearness Of You
[2:16] 16. I'll Remember April

Singer Dakota Staton's follow-up album to The Late Late Show (her big hit) is even better and still stands as one of the highpoints of her career. Backed on some selections by trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison and either a rhythm section or an orchestra, Staton (who turned 26 around this time) is heard throughout in peak form. She really tears into "Let Me off Uptown," puts plenty of feeling into "When Sunny Gets Blue" and swings hard on "Cherokee." Other highlights include "They All Laughed," "Say It Ain't So, Joe," "Too Close for Comfort" and "It Could Happen to You." ~Scott Yanow

Dynamic!

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Johnny Williams & His Orchestra - Rhythm In Motion / So Nice (with Johnny Desmond)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:56
Size: 157.8 MB
Styles: Big band
Year: 2015
Art: Front

[2:45] 1. Fascinatin' Rhythm
[2:42] 2. The Varsity Drag
[3:08] 3. The Surrey With The Fringe On Top
[2:48] 4. Let's Do It
[2:10] 5. Put On A Happy Face
[3:40] 6. Whatever Lola Wants (Lola Gets)
[2:12] 7. Johnny One Note
[3:23] 8. An Occasional Man
[3:13] 9. My Heart Belongs To Daddy
[2:52] 10. Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries
[2:22] 11. Sunny Disposish
[2:54] 12. Buckle Down Winsocki
[2:17] 13. All Of You
[2:12] 14. The Last Time I Saw Paris
[2:49] 15. I Can't Get Started
[2:40] 16. I Got Plenty O' Nuttin'
[2:37] 17. It's The Talk Of The Town
[2:16] 18. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
[2:18] 19. It Ain't Necessarily So
[2:36] 20. Tenderly
[2:04] 21. This Can't Be Love
[1:55] 22. Old Devil Moon
[2:19] 23. My Happy Time
[2:12] 24. There's A Small Hotel
[2:21] 25. Tuesday's Theme
[2:08] 26. The Black Knight
[1:52] 27. Augie's Great Piano

Rhythm In Motion - Johnny Williams & his Orchestra: Pete Candoli ( tpt ) Ray Triscari ( tpt ) Joe Triscari ( tpt ) Frank Beach ( tpt 0) Vince De Rosa ( fr. Horn ) Dick Perissi ( fr. Horn ) John Cave ( fr. Horn ) Dick Nash ( tmb ) Lloyd Ulyate ( tmb ) Dick Noel ( tmb ) Sam Rice ( tuba ) Harry Klee ( alto / flute ) Ted Nash ( alto / flute ) Justin Gordon ( tnr / flute ) Gene Cipriano ( tnr / flute ) Chuck Gentry ( bar ) Jimmy Rowles ( pno ) Bob Bain ( gtr ) Dorothy Remsen ( harp ) Joe Môn dragon ( bass) Jerry Williams ( drs ) Larry Bunker ( perc. ) Frank Flynn ( perc.) John F. Williams ( perc.) Recorded Hollywood, 28th April 1961.

So Nice with Johnny Desmond: Johnny Desmond ( vocals ) Frank Beach ( tpt ) Don Fagerquist ( tpt ) John Audino ( tpt ) Joe Howard ( tmb ) Ray Sims ( tmb ) Bob Envoldsen ( val. Tmb ) George Roberts ( bass tmb ) Ronnie Lang ( alto / clt ) Herman Gunkler ( alto / clt ) Bill Holman ( tnr ) Gene Cipriano ( tnr 0 Martin Berman ( bar ) Tom Tedesco ( gtr ) Johnny Williams ( pno ) Larry Bunker ( vibes ) Buddy Clark ( bass ) Frank Capp. Recorded Hollywood, 24th February 1958.

Do not make the mistake of thinking this is Johnny Williams the pianist who successfully recorded with Stan Getz and many other major names, this is the johnny Williams who under the name John Williams who had such a success scoring and conducting so many brilliant film scores over a long period.

The album “Rhythm In Motion” which takes up the first twelve tracks of this release was recorded in his career and consists of twelve fairly well known standards recorded over three sessions with an orchestra filled with musicians who were frequent visitors to the studio for this type of recording but do not expect any solos of note from this array of talent. This recording is very much in the same style as recordings by Nelson Riddle and Billy During the same period. Although there is much to admire in the skill and professionalism of the scores and musicianship they are in no way aimed at the jazz fraternity. There are a number of tracks which are interesting including “The Varsity Drag” and “My Heart Belongs To Daddy”, the latter has a fine piano solo by Jimmy Rowles.

The second album “So Nice” features the singer Johnny Desmond who is probably best known for his period with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. He has a rich baritone voice with good phrasing and delivery and it is a mystery why he didn’t have a more successful solo career although he does not have a distinctive style of say Frank Sinatra or Mel Torme. He is at his best on medium tempo numbers and out and out swingers, numbers like “I Can’t Get Started” and “It’s The Talk Of The Town” are a lesson in how to approach a song. Johnny Desmond even made time to compose a song of his own, “My Happy Time” which comes over well on this recording.

Credit must be given to both Johnny Williams and Bill Holman’s for their outstanding arrangements which contribute to the success of this album. The three bonus tracks on the album are composed by Johnny Williams and are at aimed a completely different audience and really have no place on this release.

Rhythm In Motion / So Nice

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Lyambiko - Shades Of Delight

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 79:11
Size: 181,6 MB
Art: Front

( 8:03)  1. Moondance
( 5:25)  2. Tenderly
( 4:43)  3. I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm
( 7:42)  4. Lush Life
( 3:28)  5. Your Mind Is on Vacation (And Your Mouth Is Working Overtime )
( 4:27)  6. Black Coffee
( 6:05)  7. Morning
(12:47)  8. Dindi
( 4:51)  9. Malaika
(15:40) 10. Savannah Suite: Drum and Bass and Bananas/Ilangamo/Afro
( 5:56) 11. Isn't This a Lovely Day

Lyambiko has a diverse repertoire, perhaps due to the singer being part German and part African. For her second recording, she utilizes the same trio as on the first: pianist Marque Lowenthal, bassist Robin Draganic, and drummer Torsten Zwingenberger. The group is tight, versatile, and quite alert, with the music ranging from a few standards (including a touching version of "Dindi," "Tenderly," a swinging "Isn't It a Lovely Day," and the humorous Mose Allison song "Your Mind Is on Vacation and Your Mouth Is Working Overtime") to some wordless vocals that reflect Lyambiko's African heritage. 

On part of the 15-and-a-half-minute "Savannah Suite," Lyambiko plays claves before eventually singing in a haunting fashion. She overdubs her voice on three songs, but the effect accentuates the music rather than seeming excessive. She has a lovely instrument and is definitely an up-and-comer in the jazz world. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/shades-of-delight-mw0000693329

Personnel: Lyambiko (vocals, claves); Marque Lowenthal (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, synthesizer, shaker); Robin Draganic (acoustic bass); Torsten Zwingenberger (drums, percussion).

Shades Of Delight

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Richard Groove Holmes, Gene Ammons - Groovin' With Jug

Styles: Jazz, Hard Bop
Year: 1989
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:09
Size: 124,5 MB
Art: Front

(8:40)  1. Happy Blues (Good Vibrations)
(7:10)  2. Willow Weep For Me
(3:22)  3. Juggin' Around
(7:23)  4. Hittin' the Jug
(9:06)  5. Exactly Like You
(4:17)  6. Groovin' With Jug
(7:53)  7. Morris the Minor
(6:14)  8. Hey You, What's That?

Ironically, Gene "Jug" Ammons tended to be critical of organists; he was quoted as saying that "organ players don't know any changes." However, as critical the Chicago tenor saxman might have been of organists most of them, anyway he did some of his best work in their presence. When you united Ammons with Jack McDuff, Johnny "Hammond" Smith and other B-3 masters in the '60s, the sparks would fly. They certainly fly on this excellent album, which finds Ammons and Richard "Groove" Holmes co-leading a soul-jazz/hard bop organ combo that also includes guitarist Gene Edwards and drummer Leroy Henderson. The quartet is heard in two settings on August 15, 1961 three of the eight selections were produced by Richard Bock in a Los Angeles studio in the afternoon, while the other five were recorded several hours later an L.A. club called the Black Orchid. 

Ammons and Holmes prove to be a strong combination in both settings, although their playing is somewhat looser at the Orchid, where the delights include some slow blues (Ammons' "Hittin' the Jug"), a smoky ballad ("Willow Weep for Me") and a lightning-fast barnburner (Ammons' "Juggin' Around"). However critical Ammons might have been of most organists, it's obvious that he and Holmes share a lot of common ground on Groovin' With Jug. ~ Alex Henderson  http://www.allmusic.com/album/groovin-with-jug-mw0000206027

Personnel: Richard Groove Holmes (organ); Gene Ammons (tenor saxophone); Gene Edwards (guitar); Leroy Henderson (drums).

Groovin' With Jug

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Roy Brown - Jazz Is The Music I Play

Styles: Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 32:11
Size: 73,9 MB
Art: Front

(5:21)  1. Stella By Starlight
(5:53)  2. Tenderly
(5:14)  3. Stolen Moments
(7:09)  4. Lush Life
(4:06)  5. Summer in Central Park
(4:25)  6. Blue Train

Roy Brown born in Sacramento ,California was exposed to jazz at the age of 5 by his parents who were big jazz fans . He played a number of instruments including viola, clarinet, alto and Tenor saxophones before settling with the piano , which was his true calling.He studied music throughout Junior High and High School and after some private instruction began playing piano and organ for several churches before branching off into Jazz. Before relocating to the San Francisco bay area he formed his own group which he lead for 7 years. This ensemble included a singer and allowed Brown to feature his original compositions. He released and independently produced a CD entitled "COURAGE" in 1994 on his own label Roday Records followed by another release in 2005 entitled "Jazz Is The Music I Play". 

He has worked and studied with several well known bay area musicians including Mark Levine, Babatunde Lea, Dr. Dee Spencer, Vocalist Frankye Kelly and Jimmy Robinson ,Eric Swinderman and Kamal Saitu.He recently performed internationally with bay area singer Frankye Kelly at ths Jazz Las Casas festival in San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico July 2005 and The International festival de Jazz. Villahermosa , Mexico, November 2005.  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/royb1

Jazz Is The Music I Play

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Red Callender - Speak Low

Styles: Mainstream Jazz
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:31
Size: 100,0 MB
Art: Front

(7:27)  1. Speak Low
(4:14)  2. Nice Day
(3:28)  3. In A Sentimental Mood
(5:15)  4. Foggy Day
(3:57)  5. Cris
(2:45)  6. Darn That Dream
(4:00)  7. Gone With The Wind
(3:02)  8. Autumn In New York
(3:10)  9. Lowest
(2:45) 10. I'll Be Around
(3:23) 11. Dedicated to the Blues

In the mid-Fifties Red Callender began working on a series of combos with experimental instrumentations. One line of continuity was his use of tuba, which because of its unexplored potential, was very close to him. His execution is clean, with good tonal definition and technique. He thought the most important thing of all was to be true to yourself, and he felt that everybody had a different message and what everyone had to say was important; communication was the thing. He did all the arrangements and filled them with generous doses of good musical humor. The soloists are heavily featured and the leader plays some of the most engaging and relaxed tuba jazz that has ever appeared on record. http://www.freshsoundrecords.com/speak_low-cd-4849.html

Featuring: Gerald Wilson (tp), Red Callender (tuba), Buddy Collette (fl, cl), Vince DeRosa, Irving Rosenthal (frh), Bob Bain, Billy Bean (g), Gerald Wiggins (p), Red Mitchell (b), Bill Douglass (d)

Speak Low

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Oscar Peterson - Perfect Peterson: Best of the Pablo & Telarc Recordings (Disc 2)

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:24
Size: 173,1 MB
Art: Front

( 8:49)  1. Honeysuckle Rose
(12:09)  2. Kelly's Blues
( 8:55)  3. Wheatland
( 4:50)  4. In A Mellow Tone
( 5:45)  5. Tin Tin Deo
( 8:48)  6. Nighttime
( 6:25)  7. Reunion Blues
( 8:27)  8. Satin Doll
( 7:27)  9. Ja-Da
( 3:47) 10. Morning In Newfoundland

Perfect Peterson: Best of the Pablo & Telarc Recordings (Disc 2)

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