Jake Hanna & His After Hours Gang - The Joint Is Jumpin'

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:27
Size: 145.3 MB
Styles: Swing
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[5:42] 1. Exactly Like You
[6:32] 2. My Ideal
[9:00] 3. P-Town
[6:46] 4. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
[5:56] 5. These Foolish Things
[6:17] 6. Look For The Silver Lining
[7:26] 7. Oh! Look At Me Now
[6:05] 8. June Night
[5:36] 9. Can't We Be Friends
[4:03] 10. The Joint Is Jumpin'

Jake Hanna: Drums, leader; Jack Sheldon: Trumpet; Tommy Newsom: Tenor; John Allred: Trombone; Ross Tompkins: Piano; David Stone: Bass.

Jake Hanna, one of the all-time drummer greats, has assembled a group of the guys with whom he has jammed after hours for many years to make this relaxed swinging date. Jack Sheldon, on trumpet and also providing some of his one-of-a-kind vocals, Tommy Newsom of The Johnny Carson Tonight Show fame on tenor, Ross Tompkins, also from The Tonight Show, on piano, John Allred, trombone, and David Stone, bass.

The Joint Is Jumpin'

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Bobby Darin - Twist With Bobby Darin

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 26:00
Size: 59.5 MB
Styles: Pop-rock
Year: 1961/2004
Art: Front

[2:28] 1. Bullmoose
[2:14] 2. Early In The Morning
[1:37] 3. Mighty Mighty Man
[2:04] 4. You Know How
[2:16] 5. Somebody To Love
[2:15] 6. Multiplication
[2:31] 7. Irresistible You
[2:10] 8. Queen Of The Hop
[2:08] 9. You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby
[1:56] 10. Keep A Walkin'
[2:05] 11. Pity Miss Kitty
[2:10] 12. I Ain't Sharin' Sharon

Twist with Bobby Darin was released in mono and stereo in December of 1961 and peaked at number 48 on the Billboard charts, remaining there for 31 weeks. The dance album is a collection of rock songs, all of which have backbeat suitable for, obviously, twisting. An amazing seven of the twelve songs from Twist with Bobby Darin were included on The Best of Bobby Darin, Vol. 1 and the remaining five are on Rare Rockin' & Unreleased. That so many of the songs from this record are part of Darin's "best" does not mean that this is his best album. In fact, Twist with Bobby Darin was something of a stop-gap album. For Teenagers Only was released in September of 1960 and failed to chart. Five of the songs from that LP ("Keep a Walkin," "You Know How," "Somebody to Love," "I Ain't Sharin Sharon," "Pity Miss Kitty") were included on Twist for some reason, meaning that only seven of the songs were new. The new tunes, however, were among his strongest. The entire first side (and first six songs) are all Bobby Darin compositions. Darin had not released his own songs in a few years and maybe Atco was not sure they would sell records themselves. Side two included the hit "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby" which was written by Johnny Mercer and Harry Warren. ~JT Griffith

Twist With Bobby Darin

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The Laurie Bower Singers - Looking Through The Eyes Of Love

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:37
Size: 113.6 MB
Styles: Easy Listening, Vocal group harmonies
Year: 1996
Art: Front

[3:34] 1. Looking Through The Eyes Of Love
[3:35] 2. Looks Like We Made It
[3:35] 3. September Morn'
[3:20] 4. I Go To Rio
[3:59] 5. Don't Blame Me
[3:42] 6. When I Need You
[3:10] 7. Don't Cry Out Loud
[2:54] 8. Southern Nights
[3:00] 9. You Needed Me
[3:19] 10. Key Largo
[2:59] 11. Why Is Forever Taking So Long
[2:53] 12. Don't Ask Me Why
[3:37] 13. It Goes Like It Goes
[3:30] 14. She's Always A Woman
[2:23] 15. Everything Old Is New Again

Up until this CD the Laurie Bower Singers discography was only available on vinyl (possibly cassettes). This severe injustice has been rectified. If this CD doesn't knock your socks off, you aren't wearing any. ~Amazon

Looking Through The Eyes Of Love

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Nat Adderley - Little Big Horn!

Styles: Cornet And Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1963
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:32
Size: 92,7 MB
Art: Front

(6:46)  1. El Chico
(4:13)  2. Foo Foo
(4:17)  3. Loneliness
(5:23)  4. Little Big Horn
(4:52)  5. Half-Time
(4:22)  6. Broadway Lady
(5:14)  7. Roses For Your Pillow
(4:21)  8. Hustle With Russell

Not that it’s fair, but Nat Adderley will always be considered the Little Brother; he was even billed that way on an album. Tunes like “Work Song” built the funky base of the Adderley band, he used Wes Montgomery at the start of his meteoric rise, and Ellis Marsalis on a New Orleans live album Still Nat remained in the shadow, and he tried to break out in a series of albums for Riverside. This one, from 1963, gives us eight tunes by Nat and two different quintets, each with a star guitarist. The moods are many, and so are the pleasures. Nat’s echoing cornet opens a bullfight, and Jim Hall joins him in the theme of “El Chico”. What stands out is how loud Nat is; he’s asserting himself, and is brassier than normal. Hall’s solois relaxed, with a few hints of the Spanish style. Junior Mance comes in bright and bluesy, showing throughout why he was a superlative accompanist. His sound is light, but he charges the tune as much as Nat did. And when the leader returns, he stands stately as he takes the theme home. Proud and confident; a great opener. 

“Foo Foo” is a funky blues, reminding me of Big Brother’s “Sack O’ Woe”. Here the guitarist is Kenny Burrell; he sounds cleaner than Hall, and his typically liquid notes have a nice bite to them. Mance bends the chords hard as Nat takes a leisurely solo; he has the assurance of “El Chico” with a quieter horn. Typical Adderley and typically good. “Loneliness” is a great mood-setter; its chords seem to be the basis for the Shangri-Las’ “Dressed in Black”. (Don’t laugh “Remember [Walking in the Sand]” has the chords of MJQ’s “Sketch”.) The tune marches at funeral pace while Nat blows soft and sad; something tragic has happened, and he won’t tell us what. Burrell’s solo retains his high tone, but without the happiness I always associate with him. Nat returns, and it seems even slower; this is four minutes long, but it sounds like the blues will never leave.

The clouds are chased on “Little Big Horn”, which sounds more like a show tune than “Broadway Lady”, which appears later. Nat is muted here, and he sounds warmer than anything this side of Miles. Burrell’s solo is his typical jaunty self, and Mance is a sophisticated lounge pianist, with just a hint of blues to let us know where he came from. On “Half-Time”, Nat is (what else?) a marching band, stepping high as the drums do their cadence. Nat sounds deep as he gives us a very happy solo. Hall is back on guitar, and he sounds darker than Burrell, getting in some slides and heavy strums. The fadeout comes quick, as Nat marches off the field. “Broadway Lady” sounds like a fashion show, with high brass and sweet sophistication. (The liner notes call it “more lady than Broadway”.) Mance comes in with confidence, as the lady struts her stuff. 

Nat takes her out for a night to remember, with high whoops and dancing rhythm. Hall is gentle, sweet and shy; a lady all right, but not Broadway. Mickey Roker sets off the fireworks at the end as flashbulbs go off. “Roses for Your Pillow” is an especially lovely ballad, a wakeup gift on a lazy morning. (The title suggests “Violets for Your Furs”, but there is no musical resemblance.) Both Nat and Hall serenade us, with Hall’s best effort of the date. Then everybody wakes up on “Hustle With Russell”, with its sterling piano, and a sailing solo from Nat. Burrell’s return is welcome; his solo has a special tang. It’s probably the weakest tune on the album, but only because the standard is so high  it’s like complaining about a B- on a report card full of A’s. For consistency, this is my favorite Nat album of those I’ve heard so far. His versatility (as composer and musician) is appreciated, and the many moods make for a very sound package. Nat Adderley may be the Little Brother, but here he shines big. ~ AAJ Staff  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/little-big-horn-nat-adderley-fantasy-jazz-review-by-aaj-staff.php

Personnel: Nat Adderley (trumpet, cornet); Jim Hall, Kenny Burrell (guitar); Junior Mance (piano); Mickey Roker (drums).

Little Big Horn!

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Rachel Gould & Chet Baker - All Blues

Styles: Vocal And Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1979
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:40
Size: 86,8 MB
Art: Front

(5:43)  1. All Blues
(5:38)  2. My Funny Valentine
(7:01)  3. Bangles Bangles And Beads
(4:01)  4. Straight No Chaser
(5:10)  5. Round Midnight
(5:04)  6. I've Got You Under My Skin
(5:00)  7. Phil's Bossa

Rachel Gould studied cello and classical singing at Boston University. She began her professional singing career in the early '70's in the United States, toured Europe (Germany, Holland and Poland) and settled there. She lived in Germany and Switzerland and lives since the end of 1991 in Holland. She made appearances on German TV and was the featured soloist for radio productions in Germany, France, Luxembourg, Holland, Poland, Switzerland and the USA. She recorded the LP "All Blues" with Chet Baker in London and her own LP "The Dancer" in Frankfurt. In 1989 she recorded the CD "A Sip Of Your Touch" with Riccardo del Fra on which Art Farmer, David Liebman, Enrico Pieranunzi and Michel Graillier are also featured. In 1991 she recorded the CD "Live In Montreux" with Stephan Kurmann and Strings. Her CD "More Of Me" was released in 1993.

In her career as a singer Rachel has worked and performed with many well known jazz musicians: Chet Baker, Benny Bailey, Lou Blackburn, Billy Brooks, Bobby Burgess, Phillipe Catherine, Hal Graillier, Wolfgang Haffner, Joe Haider, Jake Hanna, Woody Herman, Michel Herr, Bert Joris, Stephan Kurmann, Dennis Luxion, Rita Marcotulli, Sal Nistico, Tom Nicholas, Horace Parlan, Jaques Pelzer, Enrico Pieranunzi, Larry Porter, Ferdinand Povel, Allan Praskin, Mercello Tonnolo, James Woode and many others. She also worked with arrangers and bandleaders such as Woody Herman, Bill Holman, Erwin Lehn, Horst Jankowski, Peter Herbolzheimer, Silvan Koopman, Dieter Reith and Highlight Jazz Orchestra in the Netherlands.She sang engagements and toured with her own bands as featured soloist in Holland, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Poland and Japan. http://www.jazzmasters.nl/rachelgould.htm

The number of new het Baker releases seem to be never-ending. Released for the first time in 1998, this CD matches the charismatic trumpeter/vocalist in London with several Europeans (guitarist Jean-Paul Florens, pianist Henri Florens, bassist Jim Richardson, drummer Tony Mann and, on three selections, singer Rachel Gould) for a reasonably well-recorded and spirited studio session. Baker is OK singing "'Round Midnight" (there is a second instrumental version too) and a couple of scats, while Gould is fine on "All Blues," "Straight No Chaser" and the guitarist's "Phil's Bossa." However, the main reason to acquire this set is for the spots where Baker is backed only by guitarist Florens, and for his instrumental interplay with his sidemen. The interpretations are melodic, lyrical, usually relaxed (even at faster tempos), and well worth a close listen. het Baker was in good form on those two days. Recommended. -- Scott Yanow, All-Music Guide

Personnel:  Rachel Gould – vocals;  Chet Baker – trumpet;  John Paul Florens – guitar;  Henry Florens – piano;  Jim Richardson – bass;  Tony Mann – drums

All Blues

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Ornette Coleman - Skies Of America

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1972
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:24
Size: 100,0 MB
Art: Front

(2:49)  1. Skies Of America
(1:10)  2. Native Americans
(1:33)  3. The Good Life
(3:13)  4. Birthdays And Funerals
(0:51)  5. Dreams
(1:20)  6. Sounds Of Sculpture
(1:10)  7. Holiday For Heroes
(3:08)  8. All Of My Life
(1:17)  9. Dancers
(0:47) 10. The Soul Within Woman
(3:54) 11. The Artist In America
(0:31) 12. The New Anthem
(2:44) 13. Place In Space
(1:19) 14. Foreigner In A Free Land
(1:10) 15. Silver Screen
(1:15) 16. Poetry
(2:48) 17. The Men Who Live In The White House
(4:34) 18. Love Life
(0:32) 19. The Military
(0:39) 20. Jam Session
(4:29) 21. Sunday In America

Here's what is known about Ornette Coleman's first recorded orchestral symphonic work (he had written others previously and had them performed but never put on tape): After hiring conductor David Measham and the London Symphony Orchestra, British musicians' union rules prohibited Coleman from using his own quartet to play on the record. As a result, he had to re-examine the work without the concerto grosso form and, to fit the work on a single LP, he had to cut many of the recurrent themes of the work. It is also known that the recording quality isn't the greatest. So what? The bottom line is this: In the 21st century, Skies of America, which was Ornette's first attempt at employing his newly developed harmolodic theory (whereby using modulation many players could solo at once using different keys), still sounds ahead of its time. Though there are 21 bands marked on the cover, this is a single unbroken work with many of the themes recurring either in that they had long been present in Ornette's musical iconography, or would become so. (Check the theme in "The Good Life," as it evolved from "School Work" from 1962 and became "Dancing in Your Head" in the late '70s.) 

Coleman himself solos beautifully in the middle of the disc, from "The Artist in America" on and off until the work's end with "Sunday in America." This is loaded music: politically, emotionally, and also spiritually. The dissonance doesn't seem so profound now, but it still rubs against the grain of Western harmonic principles in all the right ways. It's difficult to find the sense of what chord is dominant in Coleman's composition, and for that alone it's valuable. But also, it's compelling listening on a level that music such as this is not yet the cultural norm or even close to approaching its standard which means that it is not yet fully possible. Ornette's was an opening volley, thrown down as a gauntlet that has yet to be picked up. This is still dangerous and rewarding music. 

~ Thom Jurek  http://www.allmusic.com/album/skies-of-america-mw0000061385

Personnel: Ornette Coleman (alto saxophone); David Measham (conductor); London Symphony Orchestra.

Skies Of America

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Ellis Marsalis - The Classic Ellis Marsalis

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1991
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:38
Size: 165,2 MB
Art: Front

( 4:45)  1. Monkey Puzzle
( 3:38)  2. Whistle Stop
( 4:34)  3. After
( 5:37)  4. Dee Wee
( 3:32)  5. 12's It
(10:21)  6. Yesterdays
( 5:26)  7. Magnolia Triangle
( 4:18)  8. Swinging At The Haven
( 5:47)  9. Little Joy
(10:28) 10. 'Round About Midnight
(13:09) 11. Night In Tunisia

When one thinks of New Orleans jazz, it is of Dixieland, but in the early '60s there were several talented local modern jazzmen (many of whom eventually went into teaching) who were open to the influence of the more advanced New York jazz. Pianist Ellis Marsalis (the future father of the Marsalis clan but at the time fairly unknown) heads a quartet on this CD that also includes the forgotten but excellent tenor saxophonist Nat Perrilliat (who was most influenced by John Coltrane of a few years earlier), bassist Marshall Smith and drummer James Black. An LP from the AFO (All for One) label (The Monkey Puzzle) has been reissued in full on this CD along with three numbers later released on a sampler and a previously unissued version of "Night in Tunisia." Black and Marsalis contributed seven of the 11 songs; the quartet also performs Perrilliat's "Little Joy" and three jazz standards. The music falls into the advanced hard bop (as opposed to avant-garde) area with plenty of hard-swinging performances. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-classic-ellis-marsalis-mw0000031723

Personnel: Ellis Marsalis (piano); Nathaniel Perrilliat (saxophone); Marshall Smith (bass); James Black (drums).

The Classic Ellis Marsalis

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Dinamico Trio - Hammond's Passage

Size: 123,3 MB
Time: 52:27
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2011
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. Havana Cola (5:12)
02. Jazz In The House (4:03)
03. Bassanello In The House (4:14)
04. Carlito's Blues (3:55)
05. Khartoum (6:22)
06. Lazy Sunday (5:06)
07. Green Avenue (3:50)
08. Take The A Train (3:37)
09. Gee Baby Ain't I Good To You (5:04)
10. Summernight Breeze (4:38)
11. Lella's Lullaby (6:20)

Carlo Santacatterina and Matteo Titotto began their musical journey together in 2006, celebrating the classic jazz combo configuration of the Hammond organ, guitar and drums.
Along with Roberto Buttignol on drums, Dinamico Trio developed its sound and musical connections exploring the music of masters of organ sound, bringing a modern edge to a musical timepiece.

Hammond's Passage

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Ella Gahnt - Third Stage Of Elegance

Size: 103,2 MB
Time: 44:12
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. What You'll Hear From Me (2:53)
02. Let It Be Yesterday (5:46)
03. Butterfly (4:00)
04. To Be (4:10)
05. A Gloomy Day (5:13)
06. Some Other Spring (4:56)
07. When You Walk Away (6:34)
08. What Would It Take (4:32)
09. The Golden Years (6:03)

Ella Gahnt is a Philly-based Jazz vocalist who has been dubbed "Philly's Class Act" by local media and fans. She has performed throughout the Philly, Tri-State area and New York at various popular venues with her ensemble and other groups. Ella tells musical stories in her own unique way while honoring the vocal legacy of Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Carmen McCrae, Betty Carter and Ella Fitzgerald.

"Third Stage of Elegance" is Ella Gahnt's third CD, but unlike her other two - "Immaculate Union" and "By Request," this CD contains all originals written by Ella, Leon Mitchell, and a cut shared with songwriter-pianist Carol Frazier. In "Third Stage of Elegance," Ella Gahnt bends the fabric of Jazz with her voice and style. All of the different vocal influences like those treasured vocalists mentioned above and also Roberta Flack and Nina Simone, are evident and channeled through her singing. The stories she tells with these songs are her own that come from her life, love and spiritual experiences. Everyone from the hard-core Jazz enthusiast to the newly initiated will find something to relate to as Ella takes us on her personal journey - the third stage of her musical life.

Third Stage Of Elegance

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Peter & Will Anderson - Deja Vu

Size: 134,8 MB
Time: 57:56
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. Deja Vu (4:10)
02. Presque Vu (4:47)
03. Belfast Blues (5:39)
04. Devil's Advocate (5:03)
05. A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square (6:29)
06. Deja Entendu (4:34)
07. Rachel (5:12)
08. Jamais Vu (5:14)
09. Lover Man (6:51)
10. Cats In New York City (4:49)
11. Just One Of Those Things (5:03)

On this thoroughly entertaining quintet session, twins Will and Peter Anderson team up with one of the most renowned and beloved siblings in jazz history, drummer Albert “Tootie” Heath, who turns 80 on May 31. No surprise, then, that the young reedmen sound as if they’re fully enjoying the cross-familial connection here, buoyed by Heath’s rhythmic joie de vivre. Of course, given the Andersons’ bop-rooted influences and Heath’s obvious compatibility, who would have expected anything less?

The title and opening cut, one of eight tunes penned by the Andersons for this outing, is emblematic of the album’s virtues. The frontline—Peter on tenor saxophone, Will on alto—introduces a vibrant, spiraling theme that soon gives way to a series of fluid turns from the reedmen and pianist Jeb Patton. All the while Heath is in delightful form, nimbly accenting, prodding and interjecting, before fashioning a crisply syncopated break. “Presque Vu,” the following performance, is more melodically stealthy, but again the saxes add colorful contrasts, and the rhythm section, fortified by bassist David Wong, is lifted by Heath’s always-salutary presence. “Belfast Blues,” its title notwithstanding, is actually a burner that also reveals the band’s cohesiveness and spirit. When Heath sits out on several cuts, drummer Phil Stewart prevents lulls from settling in, though he quietly enhances the mood during an insinuatingly lyrical, alto-limned performance of “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square.” Like “Lover Man” and “Rachel,” a woven ballad composed by Peter for his wife, it’s yet another reminder that when it comes to elegantly embellishing and resolving a romantic theme, the Andersons excel. ~By Mike Joyce

Deja Vu

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Jan Smigmator - Time To Swing

Size: 102,0 MB
Time: 43:45
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Hello Young Lovers (2:01)
02. Time To Swing (3:06)
03. Come Rain Or Come Shine (5:14)
04. Nice 'n' Easy (3:01)
05. Quando, Quando, Quando (4:31)
06. In The Midle Of The Night (3:07)
07. Come Fly With Me (2:55)
08. Crazy Dream (3:23)
09. The Lady Is A Tramp (3:11)
10. A Piece Of Music (3:55)
11. Swing Is Back (4:49)
12. Za Svým Snem Jít (4:26)

Jan Smigmator (1986) is a jazz and swing singer, who has adopted the legacy of easy listening vocalists such was Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Dean Martin, Bobby Darin, Mel Tormé and the living legend Tony Bennett.

His style, phrasing and love for jazz and swing music make him one of the artists of this genre in our country. In 2008 Jan successfully finished his music studies at the Prague conservatory in singing (department of pop music and jazz). During his studies he had performed with jazz musicians and orchestras! In 2005 he became a soloist of the legendary Václav Hybš Orchestra with whom he had performed dozens of concerts around Czech Republic.

Jan’s greatest love is singing with big bands; you could catch him as a vocalist of Big Band Polná, West Big Band, Sváta Cech Czech Summit Big Band, Kolín Big Band, Moravia Big Band and also an often guest of Karel Vlach Orchestra, Czech Radio Big Band, Rudolf Mazac Kentonmania Big Band or small bands like Adam Tvrdý Trio, Metropolitan Jazz Band, Bonus Orchestra or Polydor sextet.

Jan Smigmator also performs with his Swinging trio, great gutarist Milan Kašuba and Josef Vejvoda Trio. Jan’s repertoire is very wide, he sings songs from the golden swing era to jazz standards and evergreens to the contemporary pop music.

Time To Swing

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Herb Silverstein - Younger Next Year

Size: 137,7 MB
Time: 59:04
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. Roaringfork (5:30)
02. Our Little Secret (5:05)
03. Doc Five More (4:46)
04. Love In My Heart (5:25)
05. Helix 49'r (3:29)
06. Waltz For Mike (6:59)
07. Feelings (4:09)
08. Younger Next Year (5:26)
09. You Can't Be Real (1:39)
10. Friends (6:31)
11. Magic Sam (3:45)
12. You Made Me Cry (2:13)
13. Million Dollar Dog (4:01)

"Younger Next Year" features 13 original jazz tunes written by Herbert Silverstein. Once again Herb is joined by superb international jazz artists: swinging saxophonist Jeff Rupert (Maynard Ferguson, Kevin Mahogany), the great drummer Marty Morell (Bill Evans, Kenny Drew, Jr.), the incredible talent of guitarist Larue Nickelson, and the big booming sound from bassist Mike Ross. This album features lovely ballads, energetic tunes and thoughtful passages throughout. At the center, the composer, Herb deftly plays the piano. You'll listen again and again to this terrific combo playing catchy tunes with fantastic performances. Enjoy getting Younger Next Year!

Younger Next Year

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Cynthia Crane & Mike Renzi - Cynthia Loves Sinatra

Size: 104,2 MB
Time: 42:18
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. When No One Cares/Only The Lonely (4:02)
02. All Or Nothing At All (6:19)
03. When Your Lover Has Gone (4:02)
04. Drinking Again (5:31)
05. One For My Baby (4:13)
06. No One Ever Tells You (5:07)
07. The Night We Called It A Day (4:43)
08. Its Easy To Remember (5:33)
09. Hey Look/No Crying (2:44)

From New York to Los Angeles, starting out with Big Bands, the USO and Summer Stock, Cynthia Crane has been singing all her life. Graduating from Emerson College with a degree in Theater and English, she is primarily a Club and Cabaret singer who revels in the Great American Songbook. She has given concerts in Paris clubs (performing in French), Jazz Festivals and the American Embassy (bang on the Place de la Concorde). Her CDs display a wide range of material both new and old, although she admits to a particular affection for classic saloon songs à la Frank Sinatra.

Frank Sinatra is taken for granted as the great ambassador of the after-hour blues, singing of victims of one-way love affairs. Cynthia Crane, with the ever-able Mike Renzi, ventures into that world of melancholy & regret & convinces you that those lyrics, written so long ago by Johnny Mercer, Matt Dennis & Sammy Cahn, are still as fresh & new as this minute. WGN RADIO, CHICAGO

These songs, some of them rarely performed today, probe the depths of the inner soul. It takes a rare artist to interpret these, and Crane is that and more. A winner! --Ron Della Chiesa WGBH, Boston

Cynthia Crane is a cabaret treasure. Saucy, pert and emotionally as sharp as a stiletto, she alternatively can be funny, touching, wistful or serious. You'll have to look long and hard to find a more satisfying performer. --Peter Leavy, CabaretScenes, Publisher

Ms. Crane & Mr. Renzi make an alluring duo whose work here borders on the hypnotic. So pour yourself a tall, cool one, put on the headphones, kick off your shoes, lean back, close your eyes and you'll be ready to be transported like I was. --Gay Chicago Magazine

Cynthia Loves Sinatra

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The Spitfire Band - 'S Wonderful

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:19
Size: 90.0 MB
Styles: Big band, Swing
Year: 1998
Art: Front

[2:44] 1. Strike Up The Band
[2:21] 2. At Last
[3:16] 3. Put On A Happy Face
[4:11] 4. They Can't Take That Away From Me
[2:37] 5. Mrs Robinson
[4:09] 6. Laura
[2:45] 7. But Not For Me
[2:59] 8. 's Wonderful
[4:46] 9. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart
[2:47] 10. The Tender Trap
[2:58] 11. There I've Said It Again
[3:04] 12. Don't Be That Way
[0:36] 13. Reprise: Radio And Fan Salute

Jackie Rae (vocals); Jack Zaza, Bob DeAngelis, Bill Ruttle, Dave Caldwell (saxophone); Arnie Chycoski, Dave Woods, Micky Erbe, John MacLeod, Mike Malone (trumpet); Bob Hamper, Bob Livingston, Dave McMurdo, Laurie Bower (trombone); Gary Gross (piano); John Sumner (drums).

'S Wonderful

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Jazz Five - Belleville Street

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:50
Size: 100.4 MB
Styles: New Orleans jazz
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[6:01] 1. Little Liza Jane
[3:50] 2. Blue Monday
[4:45] 3. Something You Got
[5:33] 4. Hey Pockey Way
[5:53] 5. It's Now Or Never
[3:14] 6. Sugar Daddy
[5:15] 7. Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey
[4:14] 8. Ooh Pooh Pah Dooh
[5:01] 9. It's All Over Now

Jazz Five takes the audience to modern day New Orleans and delivers a unique show with funky second line grooves, blues, shuffle and jazz`n`roll.

Jazz Five was formed in 1996 and since have played over 1000 concerts from British Columbia, to Bornholm and all the way to South Korea in 2013. Whether we are talking festivals, jazz clubs or other arrangements, Jazz Five always projects overwhelming charisma. The band is a non-stop swinging sweat dripping party machine that invites the listener to Mardi Gras in New Orleans and delivers a world class show. With two saxes in the front, an energetic rhythm section, intoxicating blues piano and a singing drummer Jazz Five mixes a live music cocktail that will make your head spin. The audience is pulled out of their seats by the pure seduction of the deep southern funky rhythm set on the scene.

An old dream became reality in January 2014, when Jazz Five travelled to New Orleans to record their 5th album which is called “Belleville Street”. This album is a true mixture of the bohemian sound of Mardi Gras music, street brass band, an intimate jazz club and Sunday gospel in church, united with Jazz Five’s style, in cooperation with Michael Watson (voc/trb), Derwin “Big D” Perkins (g) and John Boutte (voc). The album was released June 2014 and received great reviews from Danish critics.

Belleville Street

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Lola Albright - Lola Wants You

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 29:28

Size: 67.5 MB

Styles: Jazz vocals

Year: 2004/2013

Art: Front

[2:42] 1. A Man, A Man, A Man

[2:04] 2. Candy

[2:17] 3. Put Your Arms Around Me

[2:27] 4. Goodbye My Lover

[2:34] 5. Aren't You Knida Glad We Did

[2:40] 6. I Got A Crush On You

[2:19] 7. Here 'tis

[1:55] 8. All Of You

[2:45] 9. There's A Man In My Life

[2:25] 10. Think Of Me

[2:28] 11. Do What You Gotta Do

[2:47] 12. He's My Guy

Prior to her starmaking turn as a nightclub singer on the television classic Peter Gunn, Lola Albright recorded this slight but alluring session for Roost. From its cheesecake cover photo to Dean Elliott's lush, melodramatic arrangements, Lola Wants You is above all a tribute to the perennial salability of sex, and an engaging one at that. Albright's kittenish vocals are undeniably effective within their narrow range, and songs like "A Man, a Man, a Man" and "There's a Man in My Life" play nicely to her strengths. ~Jason Ankeny

Lola Wants You

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Al Caiola - Spanish Guitar Afternoon

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 25:09
Size: 57.6 MB
Styles: Jazz guitar, Easy Listening
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[2:23] 1. Cielito Lindo
[2:16] 2. La Paloma
[3:21] 3. Clementine
[2:07] 4. Be Mine Tonight (Noche De Ronda)
[1:47] 5. Tico Tico
[1:41] 6. El Relicario
[2:33] 7. Espana Cani
[3:08] 8. Granada
[3:26] 9. Malagueña
[2:22] 10. Ring On Her Finger

Al Caiola is a guitarist who initially made his reputation as a session musician, playing on records made by Percy Faith and Andre Kostelanetz, among others. Caiola was the conductor and arranger for United Artists Records in the late '40s and early '50s. After leaving UA, he signed with RCA, where he released a number of singles in the '50s. In the early '60s, he went back to United Artists, which is where he scored his first hit with the theme to the film The Magnificent Seven. The single peaked at 35 in early 1961 and it was quickly followed by the theme to the television series Bonanza, which climbed to number 19. For the rest of the '60s, Caiola released a number of easy listening instrumental albums. During the decade he also hosted a television show, which was only aired for a short while. Caiola continued to record throughout the '70s and into the '80s. ~bio by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Spanish Guitar Afternoon

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Peter Anderson, Will Anderson - Correspondence

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:35
Size: 155,6 MB
Art: Front

(6:40)  1. Correspondence
(5:34)  2. Bread & Butter
(6:37)  3. You Have to Try It Once
(5:58)  4. Go Ahead!
(6:48)  5. I'll Keep Loving You
(6:33)  6. Meat of the Matter
(9:22)  7. Let's Get Out of Town
(6:22)  8. Contagious Curiosity
(5:23)  9. Shaw Nuff
(7:13) 10. Slipped Again

What’s a quick way for young jazz musicians to appear out of their league? Book some studio time with pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Ben Wolfe and drummer Kenny Washington. But saxophonists (and identical twins) Peter and Will Anderson consistently rise to the challenge on Correspondence, displaying a firm grounding in bop/postbop tradition and demonstrating impressive harmonic and rhythmic assurance. Robust tandem passages and fluid improvisations generate lots of color and contrast, with Peter, on tenor, and Will, on alto, reinvigorating “Shaw ’Nuff” and other jazz and pop classics. Better yet are the original tunes, such as Will’s ever-spiraling romp “Go Ahead!,” which point to an exceedingly bright future. In his liner notes, Phil Schaap recalls that the Andersons received A’s in his Origins of Jazz class at Juilliard; you can apply the same grade to this CD, the Andersons’ first as leaders. ~ Mike Joyce  http://jazztimes.com/articles/107967-correspondence-peter-will-anderson

Personnel: Will Anderson (alto saxophone); Peter Anderson (tenor saxophone); Kenny Barron (piano); Kenny Washington (drums).

Correspondence

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Katrine Madsen & Svante Thuresson - Live In Stockholm

Styles: Vocal Jazz

Year: 2008

File: MP3@320K/s

Time: 66:15

Size: 152,1 MB

Art: Front

(7:10)  1. For Once In My Life

(4:59)  2. Let There Be Love

(5:50)  3. Skylark

(8:03)  4. They Can't Take That Away From Me

(5:35)  5. The Shadow Of Your Smile

(5:10)  6. I Hear A Rhapsody

(6:24)  7. Young And Foolish

(8:06)  8. When Night Birds Sing

(5:32)  9. Bye, Bye Blackbird

(3:53) 10. Every Time We Say Goodbye

(5:28) 11. Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me

Svante Thuresson (born 7 February 1937 in Stockholm, Sweden) is a Swedish jazz music musician and singer. He started his career as a drummer, before joining the band Gals and Pals in 1963. Svante won the national selection and represented Sweden in the Eurovision song contest in 1966 with "Nygammal vals", and came in second place; he performed with Lill Lindfors. In 2002, he released Nya kickar, which rose the classic/jazz charts in Sweden. In 2007, Thuresson and Anne-Lie Rydé performed at Melodifestivalen 2007 as a duo for the opportunity to represent Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest 2007 in Helsinki, Finland. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svante_Thuresson

Katrine Madsen (born 1972 in Aarhus, Denmark) is a Danish jazz singer. She studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Music and has worked in Copenhagen on albums with transplanted American jazz artists Ed Thigpen and Richard Boone. In 2002, she founded the Katrine Madsen Sextet and gave their first concert at the Copenhagen Jazz Festival. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katrine_Madsen

Personnel: Svante Thuresson – vocal;  Katrine Madsen - vocal;  Claes Crona - piano;  Jesper Bodilsen - bass;  Peter Ostlund - drums

Live In Stockholm

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George Cables - Icons & Influences

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:53
Size: 167,3 MB
Art: Front

(4:37)  1. Cedar Walton
(6:52)  2. Farewell Mulgrew
(6:28)  3. Happiness
(7:28)  4. The Duke
(7:08)  5. Come Sunday
(6:39)  6. Little B's Poem
(6:58)  7. Nature Boy
(6:32)  8. Very Early
(5:16)  9. Isotope
(6:35) 10. The Very Thought of You
(5:36) 11. Mo' Pan
(2:38) 12. Blue Heart

When a jazz musician has been around as long as pianist George Cables, and has seen, heard and performed with so many other world-class musicians, such interactions are bound to leave a lasting impression, and on the trio date Icons and Influences Cables warmly salutes a number of those who have helped frame his musical persona and escorted him along a journey of wonder and discovery that has enabled him to become the superbly talented artist he is today.

As most listeners would assume, several of Cables' influences are fellow pianists, and those remembered here include Cedar Walton, Bill Evans, Mulgrew Miller, Dave Brubeck and Duke Ellington. While Nat Cole, acknowledged with "The Very Thought of You," was also a pianist, Cables says he was inspired more by Cole's vocal talents, along with those of Tony Bennett, on Ray Noble's venerable standard. "Nature Boy," he writes, was prompted not by Cole but by tenor saxophonist John Coltrane's instrumental version. Other tenors represented are Benny Golson ("Blue Heart") and Joe Henderson ("Isotope") as well as vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson ("Little B's Poem"). Cables plumbs his own early years with "Happiness," the "first tune [he] wrote" while in his early 20s, and Trinidadian Lord Kitchener's "Mo' Pan," one of the many calypso tunes Cables played or heard while growing up in Brooklyn and Queens, NY. Whatever the source, the salient point is that every one of these tunes shines like a polished gem in Cables' masterful hands. 

Tempos are flawless, interpretations admirable, ad-libs smooth and persuasive, the framework lucid and sunny yet emphatic when need be, as on "Isotope" or "Mo' Pan." As for the comfort zone, it is spacious, thanks to the unwavering resilience of bassist Dezron Douglas and drummer Victor Lewis whose cozy shelter is always close at hand. In every instance, Cables lays bare the unique essence of his role models, and nowhere is this more apparent than on Brubeck's "The Duke," Evans' "Very Early" or his own compositions, "Cedar Walton" and "Mulgrew Miller." Dedications aside, this is a splendid trio session led by one of the jazz world's more proficient and accessible contemporary pianists. Full credit to Cables, Douglas and Lewis for a job well done. ~ Jack Bowers  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/icons-and-influences-george-cables-highnote-records-review-by-jack-bowers.php
 

Personnel: George Cables: piano; Dezron Douglas: bass; Victor Lewis: drums.

Icons & Influences

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