Friday, October 16, 2015

Zoot Sims - American Swinging In Paris

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 33:47
Size: 77.3 MB
Styles: Bop, Saxophone jazz
Year: 2003
Art: Front

[5:00] 1. Captain Jetter
[7:20] 2. Nuzzolese Blues
[4:16] 3. Ev'rything I Love
[5:33] 4. On The Alamo
[3:19] 5. Evening In Paris
[3:22] 6. My Old Flame
[4:53] 7. Little Jon Special

Bass – Benoit Quersin; Drums – Charles Saudrais; Piano – Henri Renaud; Tenor Saxophone – Zoot Sims; Trumpet – Jon Eardley (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 7). Recorded in Paris, 15th & 16th March 1956.

Throughout his career, Zoot Sims was famous for epitomizing the swinging musician, never playing an inappropriate phrase. He always sounded inspired, and although his style did not change much after the early 1950s, Zoot's enthusiasm and creativity never wavered.

Zoot's family was involved in vaudeville, and he played drums and clarinet as a youth. His older brother, Ray Sims, developed into a fine trombonist who sounded like Bill Harris. At age 13, Sims switched permanently to the tenor, and his initial inspiration was Lester Young, although he soon developed his own cool-toned sound. Sims was a professional by the age of 15, landing his first important job with Bobby Sherwood's Orchestra, and he joined Benny Goodman's big band for the first time in 1943; he would be one of BG's favorite tenormen for the next 30 years. He recorded with Joe Bushkin in 1944, and even at that early stage, his style was largely set.

After a period in the Army, Sims was with Goodman from 1946-1947. He gained his initial fame as one of Woody Herman's "Four Brothers" during his time with the Second Herd (1947-1949). Zoot had brief stints with Buddy Rich's short-lived big band, Artie Shaw, Goodman (1950), Chubby Jackson, and Elliot Lawrence. He toured and recorded with Stan Kenton (1953) and Gerry Mulligan (1954-1956). Sims was also a star soloist with Mulligan's Concert Jazz Band of the early '60s and visited the Soviet Union with Benny Goodman in 1962. A freelancer throughout most of his career, Sims often led his own combos or co-led bands with his friend Al Cohn; the two tenors had very similar sounds and styles. Zoot started doubling on soprano quite effectively in the '70s. Through the years, he appeared in countless situations, and always seemed to come out ahead. Fortunately, Zoot Sims recorded frequently, leading sessions for Prestige, Metronome, Vogue, Dawn, Storyville, Argo, ABC-Paramount, Riverside, United Artists, Pacific Jazz, Bethlehem, Colpix, Impulse, Groove Merchant, Famous Door, Choice, Sonet, and a wonderful series for Pablo. ~bio by Scott Yanow

American Swinging In Paris

Scott Robinson - Thinking Big

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:05
Size: 142.1 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[7:50] 1. My Heart
[5:17] 2. Mood Indigo
[4:27] 3. Mandy, Make Up Your Mind
[5:03] 4. All Too Soon
[3:48] 5. Ko Ko
[3:17] 6. Chances Are
[5:48] 7. Sleepy Time Gal
[3:35] 8. Oh, Sister! Ain't That Hot!
[4:46] 9. It's Magic
[3:26] 10. Dreams Come True
[5:45] 11. Stompin' At The Savoy
[3:59] 12. On A Turquoise Cloud
[3:20] 13. Basso Profundo
[1:38] 14. Moonlight And Roses

Scott Robinson always thinks big. He has appeared in all types of jazz settings including the Dixieland scene, playing hard bop and in very adventurous big bands, and playing virtually every type of reed (and sometimes brass) instrument. The music on this CD is mostly comprised of vintage tunes from the '20s to the '40s. Robinson, who is joined by up to six other musicians (including trumpeter David Robinson, trombonist Dan Barrett, and guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli), sticks to reeds here: clarinet, bass clarinet, C-melody sax, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass sax, contrabass sax, contrabass sarrusophone, and the very haunting Theremin. From the first cut, Lil Hardin's "My Heart" (recorded by Louis Armstrong's Hot Five) on which Robinson plays tenor a bit like Stan Getz, it is obvious that this is going to be an unusual but very musical date. Robinson uses the bizarre sounding Theremin on "Mood Indigo" and in place of Kay Davis' wordless voice on Duke Ellington's "On a Turquiose Cloud." He only plays the contrabass sarrusophone on "Mandy, Make Up Your Mind" (which in 1924 had the only other recorded sarrusophone solo) and his playing falls short of Sidney Bechet's maiden effort. No matter, his bass sax work (showcased on "Sleepy Time Gal," "It's Magic," and "Stompin' at the Savoy") is fluent but sounds like a toy compared to the mighty (and very rare) contrabass sax, which certainly makes its presence felt on Ellington's "Ko Ko" and "Basso Profundo"; the instrument is over six feet tall! This good-humored and swinging CD will certainly stick in one's memory. ~Scott Yanow

Thinking Big

Dinah Washington - Sings The Standards

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:23
Size: 119.9 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2003
Art: Front

[2:08] 1. I Left My Heart In San Francisco
[2:04] 2. Baby Won't You Please Come Home
[2:17] 3. Call Me Irresponsible
[3:11] 4. For All We Know
[3:30] 5. The Man That Got Away
[2:26] 6. Fly Me To The Moon
[2:52] 7. Coquette
[2:15] 8. Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me
[4:05] 9. There Must Be A Way
[2:38] 10. Let Me Be The First To Know
[2:31] 11. Destination Moon
[2:44] 12. You're Nobody 'til Somebody Loves You
[2:30] 13. Red Sails In The Sunset
[2:59] 14. Lover Man
[2:53] 15. I'll Be Around
[3:07] 16. Say It Isn't So
[2:04] 17. What Kind Of Fool Am I
[3:27] 18. These Foolish Things
[2:31] 19. Don't Say Nothing At All

Creating yet another series to justify reissuing material from its vaults, this Verve Jazz Masters entry raids albums Dinah Washington recorded for the Mercury label from 1952 through 1958. This is the second Dinah Washington compilation in this series. Although advertised as an album of standards, Washington avoids making these tunes come across as the romantic warhorses most of them are. Rather, her gospel-inspired voice conveys the song's message with a blues, funky tinge that always distinguished her from the rest of the crowd since she began her career at the age of 15. On these tracks, Washington is joined by the crème de la crème of jazz musicians who were part of the Mercury stable during these years. While some of the arrangements were not all that creative, Washington's inimitable style and the playing of her fellow musicians make up for any shortcomings. "I'll Remember April" is an 11-plus minute jam session spotlighting solos by Clifford Brown, Harold Land, Herb Geller, and Junior Mance (or Richie Powell). Washington swings hard on "They Didn't Believe Me" in front of a big band led by Quincy Jones and then goes sentimental on "You Go to My Head" before seguing into a second chorus behind a Latin beat. On the latter track Washington and the unknown group backing her is energized by the urging of a live audience. There's more Latin on "I've Got You Under My Skin" built around the trumpet trio of Clifford Brown, Clark Terry, and Maynard Ferguson. (The liner notes listing of personnel for this track are incorrect). While the album has several excellent instrumental solos, none is better than Rick Henderson's extended alto sax work on "Blue Skies." There's a relaxed traditional jazz atmosphere underlying "All of Me" with Washington chatting away in the background during solos by vibist Terry Gibbs and trombonist Urbie Green. Whatever style or beat, each tune is delivered by Washington's instantly recognizable penetrating but tender voice, buttressed by her consistently precise enunciation. This more than an hour long album is a worthy tribute to the one of a kind vocal skills of Dinah Washington. ~Dave Nathan

Sings The Standards

Wynton Kelly - Don't You Feel

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 76:43
Size: 175.6 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2015
Art: Front

[5:31] 1. Don't Explain
[3:12] 2. Crazy He Calls Me
[5:45] 3. Chloe
[2:34] 4. Love, I've Found You
[5:07] 5. Park Avenue Petite
[6:28] 6. Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise
[4:06] 7. Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child
[7:09] 8. Weird Lullaby
[4:02] 9. Too Marvelous For Words
[5:46] 10. Polka Dots And Moonbeams
[6:22] 11. Sounds For Sid
[3:25] 12. Moonlight In Vermont
[5:14] 13. Old Folks
[8:29] 14. Goodbye
[3:25] 15. Born To Be Blue

A superb accompanist loved by Miles Davis and Cannonball Adderley, Wynton Kelly was also a distinctive soloist who decades later would be a strong influence on Benny Green. He grew up in Brooklyn and early on played in R&B bands led by Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, Hal Singer, and Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis. Kelly, who recorded 14 titles for Blue Note in a trio (1951), worked with Dinah Washington, Dizzy Gillespie, and Lester Young during 1951-1952. After serving in the military, he made a strong impression with Washington (1955-1957), Charles Mingus (1956-1957), and the Dizzy Gillespie big band (1957), but he would be most famous for his stint with Miles Davis (1959-1963), recording such albums with Miles as Kind of Blue, At the Blackhawk, and Someday My Prince Will Come. When he left Davis, Kelly took the rest of the rhythm section (bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Jimmy Cobb) with him to form his trio. The group actually sounded at its best backing Wes Montgomery. Before his early death, Kelly recorded as a leader for Blue Note, Riverside, Vee-Jay, Verve, and Milestone. ~bio by Scott Yanow

Don't You Feel

David Hazeltine - Good Hearted People

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2001
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:39
Size: 127,8 MB
Art: Front

(7:22)  1. Blueslike
(6:06)  2. Caliente Blues
(6:41)  3. Imagination
(6:58)  4. Demasiado Dulce
(7:12)  5. Good-Hearted People
(8:12)  6. Quiet Now
(6:37)  7. Cozytine
(6:28)  8. Barbados

Another solid Criss Cross date from David Hazeltine, this one featuring an unusual front line: Jim Snidero on alto sax and Steve Davis on trombone. (Straight-ahead groups more routinely feature trumpet and sax, with trombone as a possible third horn.) Bassist Nat Reeves and drummer Tony Reedus drive the rhythm; guitarist Jesse Van Ruller replaces the horns on a seductive rendition of Denny Zeitlin's "Quiet Now" and joins the full band for a closing romp on Charlie Parker's "Barbados." Steve Davis gets two writing spots with the deliciously relaxed "Cozytine" and the sun-bright, hard-swinging title track. Hazeltine's two creations are the grooving, mid-tempo "Blueslike" and the moody bossa "Demasiado Dulce." (Snidero plays flute on the latter.) ~ David R.Adler  http://www.allmusic.com/album/good-hearted-people-mw0000014383 

Personnel: David Hazeltine (piano); Jesse Van Ruller (guitar); Jim Snidero (flute, alto saxophone); Steve Davis (trombone); Tony Reedus (drums).

Good Hearted People

Betty Carter - I Can't Help It

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 1960
File: MP3@224K/s
Time: 62:32
Size: 101,2 MB
Art: Front

(2:46)  1. I Can't Help It
(2:08)  2. By The Bend Of The River
(2:49)  3. Babe's Blues
(2:31)  4. You're Getting To Be A Habit W
(3:59)  5. But Beautiful
(2:15)  6. All I Got
(1:45)  7. You're Driving Me Crazy
(2:22)  8. Foul Play
(2:03)  9. On The Isle Of May
(4:31) 10. Make It Last
(1:31) 11. The BlueBird of Happiness
(3:37) 12. Something Wonderful
(2:19) 13. For You
(2:03) 14. What A Little Moonlight Can Do
(2:23) 15. Remember
(2:43) 16. At Sundown
(2:04) 17. Mean To Me
(2:23) 18. I Don't Want To Set The World
(1:55) 19. On The Alamo
(1:56) 20. Jazz (Ain't Nothin' But Soul)
(3:09) 21. There's No You
(3:22) 22. Stormy Weather
(2:48) 23. My Reverie
(3:01) 24. Don't Weep For The Lady


This single-CD reissues the second batch of Betty Carter recordings, her Peacock and ABC-Paramount dates which followed her Epic/Columbia titles by two years. Formerly available as a two-LP set (What a Little Moonlight Can Do), the 24 selections find the already-distinctive vocalist carving out her own sound from the bebop tradition; her more innovative work was in the future. Quite a few of the renditions are memorable including "I Can't Help It" (which is somewhat autobiographical), "You're Driving Me Crazy," "What a Little Moonlight Can Do," "Jazz (Ain't Nothin' but Soul)" and "Don't Weep for the Lady." While the second half of the CD has Carter accompnied by an orchestra arranged by Richard Wess, the first 12 numbers feature such top players as trumpeters Ray Copeland and Kenny Dorham, either Jerome Richardson or Benny Golson on tenor and pianist Wynton Kelly. Highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/i-cant-help-it-mw0000081210

I Can't Help It

Joe Williams - A Man Ain't Supposed To Cry

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1998
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:22
Size: 81,3 MB
Art: Front

(2:48)  1. What's New?
(3:15)  2. It's The Talk Of The Town
(3:04)  3. I'll Never Smile Again
(2:56)  4. I'm Through With Love
(2:52)  5. Where Are You?
(2:52)  6. I've Only Myself To Blame
(2:55)  7. Say It Isn't So
(2:41)  8. What Will I Tell My Heart?
(2:48)  9. You've Got Me Crying Again
(2:35) 10. Can't We Talk It Over?
(2:57) 11. I Laugh To Keep From Cryin'
(3:35) 12. A Man Ain't Supposed To Cry

When Joe Williams passed away in March of 1999 while walking home in Las Vegas, he of course was acknowledged as one of the greatest vocalists in jazz. Legions of jazz musicians enjoyed performing with him and admired the way he crafted a song, not to mention the way he knew how to add character to a big band with the sound of his voice. Nancy Wilson's respect overflowed when she interviewed him on Nancy Wilson's Jazz Profiles. A concert at the Hollywood Bowl after Williams' death attracted musicians from New York, as well as from the West Coast, so that they could honor his legacy. No male jazz singers seem to be on the horizon to even hint at recalling Williams' way of affecting an audience. But when Roulette recorded A Man Ain't Supposed To Cry , Williams' reputation was sealed for big band and blues singing, primarily because of his hit, "Every Day I Have The Blues." What A Man Ain't Supposed To Cry revealed, and what is now taken for granted, was that Williams was a supreme balladeer as well.

With lush string arrangements by Jimmy Mundy, known for his Earl Hines and Benny Goodman arrangements, Williams delivers songs like "Say It Isn't So" with an ease that proves his versatility and remarkable sense of connecting with his audience even an audience that was imagined in the recording studio during that October in 1957. Not that the arrangement detracts from Williams' talent, but he could be just as effective with a trio or in solo. His consistency throughout the CD positions him in the tradition of male romantic singers, like Sinatra, as his articulation and sense of phrasing conveys the meaning of each tune in an unmistakable clear baritone voice. For instance, he delivers a slight pause with the "gee" of "What's New" to communicate a sense of wistfulness. Or he lengthens the tones at the end of a phrase to extend its final thought. Williams' conversational style throughout this long-out-of-circulation, breakthrough CD gives evidence of his concentration upon the meaning of the tunes and how they affect the listener.

Reportedly, Nat Cole said that A Man Ain't Supposed To Cry was the best record he ever heard. With over 40 years of recorded singing accumulating since Williams' album was produced, that claim may be harder to make now because of all of the singers who have come and gone since then. But A Man Ain't Supposed To Cry certainly is one of the most important records by one of the greatest male jazz singers. It's essential to the collection of any Joe Williams enthusiast. ~ AAJ Staff  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/a-man-aint-supposed-to-cry-joe-williams-label-m-review-by-aaj-staff.php

Personnel: Joe Williams (vocals); Jimmy Jones (piano).Jimmy Mundy Orchestra

A Man Ain't Supposed To Cry

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Debra Hope Miller - Cat Walk Boogie And Blues

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 33:04
Size: 75.7 MB
Styles: Boogie Woogie, Blues piano
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[2:58] 1. The Dirty Dozens
[3:47] 2. Sweet Lotus Blossom
[1:32] 3. Cat Walk Boogie
[3:24] 4. Amazing Grace-Down By The Riverside Boogie
[3:34] 5. Georgia
[2:35] 6. Otis In The Dark
[3:02] 7. St. Louis Blues
[3:14] 8. After Hours
[3:50] 9. Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans
[2:11] 10. Ain't Nobody's Business
[2:54] 11. How Long Blues

Pianist/Composer/Singer-Songwriter/Arranger/Author. Boogie-woogie, Blues to Classical! 6th Place Nominee for Best Blues/Jazz Artist, 2014 Chicago Independent Music Awards. In 2004, Debra Hope Miller...aka Little Debra, got hooked on the blues and boogie-woogie old time piano playing. She emersed herself in the style. Prior to that time, she played mainly classical piano and a little jazz. With her first CD, Cat Walk Boogie and Blues, Debra plays tribute to old classic blues and boogie-woogie piano from the past. The CD title comes from her original piano piece, Cat Walk Boogie.

As a composer and singer/songwriter, Debra writes in many styles. Her composition Sea of Clouds, combines her piano playing with her singing in a classical/pop type composition. Her composition, Spanish Interlude in G, is a classical composition she composed for piano and had separately orchestrated for piano and ensemble can be heard here as well. Her Piano Concerto in Eb Major is a one movement concerto she wrote and was orchestrated by her nephew, Tyler Katz who is a composer too. And Conversations from Within is another classical piano piece of Debra's combining classical here with a kind of new age feel with Debra on piano. And then back to her blues/pop/jazz side can be heard with her songs What is Freedom to Me, The Meaning of Life (is Within Every One of Us), I Thought Friends Were Forever, I Got the Blues, Parking Meter Blues, River of Tears and other songs she has written.

Cat Walk Boogie And Blues

Randy Sandke and the Buck Clayton Legacy - All The Cats Join In

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 78:36
Size: 179.9 MB
Styles: Trumpet jazz
Year: 1994/2007
Art: Front

[6:46] 1. All The Cats Join In
[4:54] 2. Come Again
[6:07] 3. Buckin' The Blues
[7:14] 4. Lester Leaps In
[3:22] 5. Fiesta In Blue
[5:17] 6. Toot Sweet
[7:47] 7. Christopher Columbus
[4:34] 8. Blue And Sentimental
[6:22] 9. Professor Jazz
[7:02] 10. Jumpin' At The Woodside
[6:15] 11. Robbins Nest
[4:53] 12. Top Brass
[7:59] 13. Lean Baby

Randy Sandke - trumpet; Harry Allen - tenor sax; Danny Moss - tenor sax; Antti Sarpila - clarinet, saxes; Jerry Tilitz - trombone; Brian Dee - piano; Len Skeat - bass; Oliver Jackson - drums. Recorded on November 17 and 18, 1993 at Birdland Studio, Hamburg.

Since his emergence in the mid-'80s, Randy Sandke has been one of the top swing-oriented trumpeters in jazz. His older brother Jordan (himself a fine trumpeter) introduced Randy to the many styles of jazz. In 1968 he formed a rock band with Michael Brecker that featured a horn section and they played at the Notre Dame Jazz Festival. However, Sandke had to turn down the opportunity to join Janis Joplin's band due to a hernia in his throat. Although an operation corrected the problem, Sandke's loss of confidence resulted in him deciding to take up the guitar and he worked in New York as a guitarist for the next decade. Finally, he was persuaded to take up the trumpet again and Sandke spent five years with Vince Giordano's Nighthawks, worked regularly with Bob Wilber, and he was a part of Benny Goodman's last band during 1985-1986. Since that time Sandke has worked and recorded with Buck Clayton, Michael Brecker, the Newport All-Stars, Jon Hendricks, Ralph Sutton, Kenny Davern, Benny Carter, Dizzy Gillespie, the World's Greatest Jazz Band, Mel Tormé, and Joe Williams among many others, touring Europe over 20 times. In addition, he has recorded several impressive albums as a leader for Jazzology and Concord. ~bio by Scott Yanow

All The Cats Join In

Cass Elliot - Dream A Little Dream: The Cass Elliot Collection

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:36
Size: 113.6 MB
Styles: Vocal
Year: 1997
Art: Front

[1:16] 1. Introduction Cass Dialogue
[3:17] 2. Don't Call Me Mama Anymore
[3:06] 3. Wild Women
[3:11] 4. California Earthquake
[2:59] 5. It's Getting Better
[3:00] 6. Lady Love
[2:36] 7. Move In A Little Closer, Baby
[2:23] 8. Make Your Own Kind Of Music
[2:54] 9. Who's To Blame
[2:33] 10. I Can Dream, Can't I
[2:08] 11. New World Coming
[2:46] 12. One Way Ticket
[2:52] 13. The Good Times Are Coming
[4:05] 14. Disney Girls
[3:32] 15. My Love
[0:07] 16. Dialogue, Intro
[3:31] 17. I'm Coming To The Best Part Of My Life
[3:13] 18. Dream A Little Dream Of Me

After she left The Mamas and The Papas, Cass Elliot became one of few solo artists to come out of the 60s and the 70s and STILL be well remembered today by people of all ages. Although her life was tragically cut short, she did not leave us before she entertained us with a mature vocal command of her songs that only a great singer could produce. Her vocal style always allowed the nuances of the lyrics to come through and this CD shows that clearly.

In essence, this is a fine compilation album. There are songs recorded live from her TV special/record album entitled "Don't Call Me Mama Anymore;" and there are two infectiously beautiful "bubblegum music" numbers entitled "Move In A Little Closer, Baby" and "It's Getting Better." Watch out, though, because Cass could sing folksy/bluesy songs including "Wild Women" (recorded here when she was with a group called The Big Three) and the rock style song called "California Earthquake." A most versatile singer, indeed! ~Matthew G. Sherman

Dream A Little Dream: The Cass Elliot Collection

Ramsey Lewis - Wrappin' It Up

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 77:23
Size: 177.2 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2015
Art: Front

[4:01] 1. Please Send Me Someone To Love
[3:26] 2. My Funny Valentine
[5:19] 3. Delilah
[4:39] 4. Mahade Carnaval
[4:01] 5. The Wind
[4:17] 6. Dance Of The Reluctant Drag
[2:26] 7. C.C. Rider
[4:46] 8. Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair
[2:54] 9. Early In The Morning
[3:38] 10. On The Street Where You Live
[3:14] 11. Walls Of Jericho
[4:41] 12. Tres
[4:31] 13. It Ain't Necessarily So
[4:04] 14. Love For Sale
[8:00] 15. The Way You Look Tonight
[2:40] 16. Trouble Is A Man
[4:48] 17. Happiness
[1:59] 18. I Love Paris
[3:50] 19. Consider The Source

Wrappin' It Up

Conrad Herwig - Land Of Shadow

Styles:  Trombone Jazz
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:11
Size: 131,2 MB
Art: Front

(10:03)  1. Lullaby Of The Leaves
( 7:35)  2. The Dream Master
(11:02)  3. Land of Shadow
( 4:36)  4. Forbidden Pool
( 7:38)  5. Shadows Of The Past
( 8:19)  6. Gypsy Without a Song
( 7:56)  7. Homeward Bound

Conrad Herwig is a musician on a mission to bring trombone into the front rank of jazz horns. And over his two-decade long career he's succeeded admirably in demonstrating the horn's flexibility. Still, his playing sometimes seems weighted down by that sense of mission. At his best, as he is consistently on Land of Shadow, he lets it rip, with the trombone's natural voice, complete with its slight slurs and slides, coloring the relentless torrent of notes. Though, as on most of his sessions, this date is devoted to his own originals, Herwig opens with a high-powered take on the standard "Lullaby of Leaves," which sets the tone and introduces his sidemen. Pianist David Kikoski is especially impressive here, stretching the tune's harmonic structure to its limits. His more lyrical side is shown on the date's only other cover, Duke Ellington's "Gypsy Without a Song." Trumpeter Tim Hagans complements the leader's ethos, evoking such progressive boppers as Booker Little and Ted Curson. The trumpeter, Hagans, charges through the harmonic mazes with the urgency of a fullback trying to gain a few more yards. 

Saxophonist Ben Schachter is a new voice. An educator from Philadelphia he plays with a tone like a fine carving knife buffed and burnished and sharpened to a fine edge. Drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts slashes across the beat, dealing out rhythmic wisecracks at every turn. Bassist James Genus, like his rhythm section mates a regular participant in Herwig-led sessions, plays the straight man, helping guide the ensemble with an insistent throb on the bottom. This helps the listener as well to negotiate Herwig's intriguing originals. The pieces range from the complex structures such as "The Dream Master" to the open jam on the minor-key blues, "Land of Shadow." Another shining entry into Herwig's impressive body of work. ~ David Dupont  http://www.allmusic.com/album/land-of-shadow-mw0000018422

Personnel: Conrad Herwig (trombone); Ben Schachter (tenor saxophone); Tim Hagans (trumpet); David Kikoski (piano); James Genus (bass); Jeff "Tain" Watts (drums).

Land Of Shadow

Count Basie - Ultimate Big Band Collection

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 32:00
Size: 73,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:02)  1. One O'Clock Jump
(3:05)  2. Lady Be Good
(3:23)  3. Goin' to Chicago Blues
(3:04)  4. Rock-A-Bye Basie
(3:03)  5. And the Angels Sing
(3:12)  6. Lester Leaps In
(2:52)  7. Somebody Stole My Gal
(3:06)  8. Royal Garden Blues
(2:49)  9. Blue Skies
(4:19) 10. Jumpin' At the Woodside

The Count Basie volume in Sony's Masterworks Jazz series is a solid, decent-sounding, budget-priced introduction to some of this fine band's best-known numbers during a peak period in their long tenure. Along with "One O' Clock Jump," "Lester Jumps In," and "Rock-A-Bye Basie," are perennials like "Jumpin' at the Woodside," "Lady Be Good," and "Blue Skies." For those who've not heard much Basie, this will provide a solid starting point because everything in it is a stone-cold classic; it makes for one hell of a swinging jump compilation of big-band jazz Kansas City style. ~ Thom Jurek  http://www.allmusic.com/album/ultimate-big-band-collection-count-basie-mw0002100015

Ultimate Big Band Collection

Shaynee Rainbolt - Charmed Life: Shaynee Rainbolt Sings Russell Garcia

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:40
Size: 130,5 MB
Art: Front

(2:13)  1. When I First Saw You
(4:06)  2. Flyin Free
(4:13)  3. I Remember
(3:34)  4. Soft Warm Lips
(3:14)  5. Come Home Again
(4:12)  6. Sounds in the Night
(2:08)  7. What to Do
(3:25)  8. After Winter
(3:19)  9. Go Slow
(4:11) 10. When I Go I Go All the Way
(2:31) 11. Haunted by Desire
(3:36) 12. Livin' in Harmony
(5:13) 13. Warm and Wonderful
(3:51) 14. Five A.M.
(3:23) 15. The Time Traveler
(3:24) 16. Charmed Life

One of the tracks included on this great vocal tribute to the music of Russell Garcia (and Gina Garcia, his wife of more than a half-century, who wrote the majority of the lyrics) is entitled “Warm and Wonderful.” As we learn from Don Heckman’s impressively edifying liner notes, the song’s beautiful, central chord was inspired by a street address. But it also provides an ideal description of Shaynee Rainbolt’s voice, sweet as jasmine and honeysuckle, bold as brass and yet as seductive as a candlelit boudoir.

As Heckman tells the story, after two widely praised platters of standards, Rainbolt wanted to take a new tack for her third release. Serendipitously, a friend introduced her to Julie London’s sultry recording of Garcia’s “Go Slow.” Determined to seek out more of the legendary composer-arranger’s work, Rainbolt traced the 92-year-old Garcia to New Zealand (where he now lives), then to Sherman Oaks (where he spends most summers). They met, Rainbolt began digging through a trunk full of Garcia songs, then convinced Garcia to not only arrange and conduct the ensuing album, but to also add his Four Trombone Band to the mix and himself play vibes.

The resultant 16 tracks embrace the immense breadth of Garcia’s talents, extending from the noirish propulsion of “Sounds in the Night” and enigmatic mistiness of “Five A.M.” to the sweeping, heartbroken grandeur of “Come Home Again” and swingin’ ebullience of “Flyin’ Free” (written as a birthday present for Count Basie). But ears alone aren’t enough to fully appreciate Charmed Life. You’ll need your eyes, too, to follow along with Heckman’s notes, for the stories behind the songs are as enticing as the tunes themselves. ~ Christopher Loudon  http://jazztimes.com/articles/21202-charmed-life-shaynee-rainbolt-sings-russell-garcia-shaynee-rainbolt

Charmed Life: Shaynee Rainbolt Sings Russell Garcia

Jackie Gleason - Music, Martinis And Memories

Styles: Jazz
Year: 2001
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:59
Size: 112,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:14)  1. Once In a While
(3:24)  2. I Can't Get Started
(3:25)  3. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)
(2:30)  4. My Ideal
(3:02)  5. Yesterdays
(3:15)  6. I Love You (Je T'Aime!)
(3:15)  7. Unforgettable
(2:10)  8. How High the Moon
(3:02)  9. I'll Be Seeing You
(3:28) 10. Shangri-La
(3:11) 11. I Remember You
(2:51) 12. It Could Happen To You
(2:58) 13. Somebody Loves Me
(3:08) 14. Time On My Hands
(3:37) 15. The Nearness of You
(2:21) 16. The Song Is Ended

The arrangements on Music, Martinis, and Memories are really very simple: massed violins play the melody while Bobby Hackett's trumpet flits around the edges, or sometimes Hackett takes the lead over a bed of swelling strings. The music sets a romantic mood, but compared to the arrangements of Percy Faith or Les Baxter, Gleason is plain vanilla. Many of the orchestral pop leaders made a point of boiling down their music to its essentials without fancy flourishes, and their success proves the mainstream appeal of such an approach. 

But if you're looking for depth, you won't find much of it here. Music, Martinis, and Memories is fine dinner music, and Hackett's technique is superb, but the album fails to hold the listener's attention when brought to the foreground. ~ Greg Adams  http://www.allmusic.com/album/music-martinis-and-memories-mw0000193416

Music, Martinis And Memories

Claudio Roditi, Klaus Ignatzek & Jean-Louis Rassinfosse - Beyond Question

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:31
Size: 141,3 MB
Art: Front

(4:59)  1. Pleasant Journey
(7:06)  2. Early Hour
(5:10)  3. Hot Temper
(6:44)  4. Sound of the Sea
(4:37)  5. Change of Air
(5:59)  6. Piccolo Blues
(4:47)  7. Stay Within Sight
(5:42)  8. Hanksome
(5:55)  9. Hidden Secret
(3:55) 10. Other Side of the Coin
(6:32) 11. Love Dance

The Brazilian trumpeter Claudio Roditi, the German pianist Klaus Ignatzek and the Belgian bassist Jean-Louis Rassinfosse are one of today's leading chamber jazz ensembles. They have been playing together for more than 20 years now, they perform mostly their own compositions rooted in jazz and Brazilian music as well as specially arranged versions of standards. Countless concerts throughout Europe stand as impressive documents of their long term collaboration in the trio format. On their latest release Claudio Roditi, Klaus Ignatzek and Jean-Louis Rassinfosse demonstrate one more time that they belong to the top of the jazz scene. Melodic jazz doesn't get much better than this. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Question-Ignatzek-Jean-Louis-Rassinfosse-Claudio/dp/B001J1HBOM

Beyond Question

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Various - Tell Me Something: The Songs Of Mose Allison

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:00
Size: 82.4 MB
Styles: Adult contemporary, Jazz/pop vocals
Year: 1996
Art: Front

[3:13] 1. Van Morrison - One Of These Days
[3:17] 2. Van Morrison - You Can Count On Me (To Do My Part)
[3:42] 3. Ben Sidran - If You Live
[3:24] 4. Georgie Fame - Was
[2:05] 5. Ben Sidran - Look Here
[3:21] 6. Georgie Fame - City Home
[2:11] 7. Ben Sidran, Georgie Fame - No Trouble Livin'
[2:57] 8. Ben Sidran - Benediction
[2:19] 9. Georgie Fame - Back On The Corner
[2:36] 10. Van Morrison - Tell Me Something
[1:59] 11. Van Morrison - I Don't Want Much
[2:39] 12. Van Morrison - News Nightclub
[2:12] 13. Van Morrison - Perfect Moment

Great idea on paper -- invite rock's Van Morrison, his then-organ/vocal-sidekick Georgie Fame, singer/pianist/producer Ben Sidran, and Mose Allison himself to compile a celebration of one of the most delightfully idiosyncratic songwriters of our time. And these are serious Allison buffs indeed, for they chose tunes from the back catalog that Mose rarely performed live in the '90s, with hardly a well-known Allison standard in the batch (the exception being "I Don't Want Much"). The hang-up is that Allison's own performances over the decades are so unique and right for their material that they pose a creative problem for anyone who wants to give these songs a different slant. Accordingly, with one exception, these guys fall back upon imitating the master, bowing low and not really saying anything new. Sidran is an outright Allison vocal clone -- he's got all of the slides, accents, and hip attitudes down pat -- though his piano doesn't sound anything like Allison's. Fame is not quite as literal, and he seems a bit stodgier by comparison. Meanwhile, Van the Man just does his own thing, paying little mind to the Mose manner, bending these tunes to his will, and pulling it off in style. Mose's participation consists of a couple of loose, chummy duets with Morrison on "I Don't Want Much" and "Perfect Moment." The band is a small combo that you can imagine playing in an English pub, with saxophonist Pee Wee Ellis and trumpeter Guy Barker giving the sound an R&B flavor. It's a good record actually, but it makes you aware of why there hadn't been many Mose tributes before. How can one compete when the creator is still alive and swinging? ~Richard S. Ginnell

Tell Me Something: The Songs Of Mose Allison

Pearl Django - Time Flies...

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:24
Size: 99.4 MB
Styles: Gypsy jazz, Hot Club Swing
Year: 2015
Art: Front

[3:17] 1. Django Bop-Bistrot D'Eustache
[4:45] 2. Grisology
[3:11] 3. Djangolatry
[4:25] 4. Napoli '61
[3:01] 5. Something Borrowed
[3:49] 6. Waltz For 12
[4:59] 7. Springing
[4:48] 8. A Supernator In Italia
[3:09] 9. Momento
[1:48] 10. Manha De Carnaval (Prelude)
[6:08] 11. Manha De Carnaval

Time Flies . . . is the twelfth release by Pearl Django in a little over 20 years of performing. For the period of the past four CDs the group has moved away for Django style covers and has exploited the composing skills of the band members. On this CD you will find nine PD originals and a beautiful cover version of Black Orpheus by Luiz Bonfa. While there is still strong evidence o for the influence of Django Reinhardt, with titles, Django Bop, Djangolatry and Something Borrowed, there are a few compositions which, push the boundaries of what may be considered Gypsy jazz or Hot Club Swing. The compositions are quite good, quite good indeed.

Time Flies...

Calvin Newborn - Upcity

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 70:21
Size: 161.1 MB
Styles: Blues/jazz guitar
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[ 7:12] 1. Upcity!
[ 8:59] 2. Them New Blues
[ 6:19] 3. Song For Basie
[10:57] 4. Vision
[ 5:42] 5. Rhythm Makes The Heart Grow Stronger
[ 7:28] 6. Seventh Heaven
[ 7:08] 7. A Piece Of The Pie
[ 7:11] 8. Newborn Blues
[ 4:48] 9. Ubiquity
[ 4:32] 10. Going Home

Although he is the brother of the late hard bop pianist Phineas Newborn, Jr., guitarist Calvin Newborn has never been a major name in the jazz world. One of the problems is the fact that he has only recorded sporadically; in a perfect world, Newborn would have a much larger catalog. Nonetheless, the guitarist has his admirers, especially in Memphis jazz and blues circles -- and those admirers will easily appreciate what he does on Up City. Recorded in Memphis in 1996 and New York City in 1998, this hard bop/soul-jazz effort was originally released on his own label, Omnifarious Music, before being reissued by the Memphis-based Yellow Dog Records in 2005. Anyone who is familiar with Newborn's history knows that he isn't just the guitar-playing version of his brother; both are part of hard bop, but while Phineas could be a very cerebral pianist (Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell were primary influences), Calvin definitely favors the soul-jazz side of things. From the lively arrangements to Newborn's gritty, hard-swinging guitar solos, Up City is a prime example of how funky and blues-minded hard bop can be. The earthiness of the blues is evident throughout this enjoyable album, which unites the guitarist with skillful improvisers like Bill Mobley (trumpet, flugelhorn), Bill Easley (tenor sax, flute), and Tony Reedus (drums). Nothing groundbreaking occurs on Up City, but Newborn's accessible performances are consistently solid and make one wish that he hadn't recorded so infrequently over the years. ~Alex Henderson

Upcity 

Nicki Parrott - Black Coffee

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:47
Size: 141.4 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[3:48] 1. Dark Eyes
[5:32] 2. Black Coffee
[3:16] 3. Why Don't You Do Right
[4:09] 4. Alright, Okay, You Win
[3:02] 5. Don't Smoke In Bed
[4:11] 6. Fever
[4:23] 7. Go Slow
[4:37] 8. Hallelujah, I Love Him So
[3:02] 9. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
[3:58] 10. Just One More Chance
[3:21] 11. No Moon At All
[4:16] 12. Our Day Will Come
[4:49] 13. So In Love
[4:23] 14. Where Or When
[4:54] 15. When I Fall In Love

Nicki is joined by Harry Allen (tenor sax), John Di Martino (piano), Lisa Parrott (baritone and soprano saxophone, b. clarinet), Paul Myers (guitar) and Dion Parson (drums).

Another great album from the unheralded but incredibly fantastic Ms. Parrott. Great bassist too, and wonderful sultry vocals. Small minus is that much of the material is VERY familiar: but that doesn't take away from the performance. And I think admirers of Rebecca Kilgore will also dig Parrott. Good support too from the wonderful Harry Allen on tenor, her sister Lisa on on baritone, soprano & clarinet, and everyone else. Great mainstream jazz for anyone wondering if any singers can still do this stuff well today. ~E. C Goodstein

Black Coffee