Thursday, February 18, 2016

Art Farmer & Jim Hall Quartet - Complete Live Recordings

Styles: Jazz, Mainstream Jazz
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:57
Size: 159,2 MB
Art: Front

(12:25)  1. Stompin' At The Savoy
( 5:56)  2. Swing Spring
( 4:28)  3. What's New
( 9:44)  4. I Want To Be Happy
( 5:07)  5. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
( 7:49)  6. Sometime Ago
( 6:10)  7. Bilbao Song
( 4:55)  8. Darn That Dream
(11:21)  9. Valse Hot
( 0:58) 10. Theme

The Art Farmer-Jim Hall Quartet recorded only a handful of times in the early 1960s, making this reissue of two separate live performances all the more valuable. By the time Farmer recruited Hall for his new group, he had made the switch from trumpet to the richer sound of the flugelhorn, while the guitarist's style of playing complemented the leader perfectly. The first date originally was issued by Atlantic, though both the album and the subsequent CD reissue have long been unavailable; the rhythm section consists of Steve Swallow (who had not yet made the switch to electric bass) and drummer Walter Perkins. Except for Miles Davis' "Swing Spring," all of the songs are from the swing era. The extended workout of "Stompin' at the Savoy" is illustrative of the group's abilities, while Hall is featured in a lush setting of "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You." 

The last five tracks first appeared on the Moon bootleg CD Meets Mulligan & Hall, though it too has been out of print for some time, with Pete La Roca (aka Pete Sims) taking over on drums. The sound of these performances is a bit muddy, as if taken from a second or third generation of a broadcast taping, though the music is excellent throughout the set. This Gambit reissue repeats the earlier CD's sloppy composer credits, which attribute the lilting take of "Sometime Ago" to Chick Corea instead of Sergio Mihanovich, though the addition of detailed liner notes is welcome. The heartfelt arrangement of "'Darn That Dream" and burning take of Sonny Rollins' unusual jazz waltz "Valse Hot" are also highlights. ~ Ken Dryden  http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-complete-live-recordings-mw0001664687

Personnel: Art Farmer (flugelhorn); Jim Hall (guitar); Pete La Roca, Walter Perkins (drums).

Complete Live Recordings

Charnett Moffett - The Art of Improvisation

Styles: Jazz, Post-Bop
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:01
Size: 135,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:25)  1. We Pray
(5:07)  2. Moses
(5:10)  3. The Story
(5:05)  4. Dreams
(5:45)  5. Elements of Life
(4:44)  6. Call For Peace
(4:57)  7. The Awakening
(5:34)  8. Swing Rock
(4:28)  9. Enlightenment Part I
(7:26) 10. Enlightenment Part II
(3:50) 11. The Art of Improvisation
(3:23) 12. Star Spangled Banner

A fascinating recording, The Art of Improvisation is as mysterious as it is a showcase for the formidable bass playing skills of its leader Charnett Moffett; his playing on electric and acoustic basses has a grounded, vocal quality he always seems to be singing through his instruments. Even when he is playing a fusillade of notes (and Moffett does have fleet fingers), the feel of various folk musics (Asian, Middle Eastern, African, even Celtic) are invoked, as heard through both parts of "Enlightenment." "Part I" starts with a floating, meditative mood, building in speed and emotional intensity over a pedal tone. "Part II" becomes a duet of bass and drums, using the melodic materials of "Part I" in an approach similar to that of a sitar/tabla duet. 

Moffett's bass again sings a duet with Tibetan vocalist Yunchen Lhamo on "Call for Peace," a striking track of such sincerity it begs for more. "Dream," another fascinating composition, features a poet's recitation over a sonic landscape that sounds as if it could have been recorded in the '60s or '70s a cross between the Last Poets and music found at the Creative Music Studio. The title track, of course reminds listeners of Ornette Coleman's 1961 album, The Art of the Improvisers; Charnett, after all, is a contraction of Charles as in drummer Charles Moffett, his father and Ornette, Charles Moffett's boss circa 1965. And the bassist's version of the "Star Spangled Banner" convincingly revives the spirit of Hendrix's Woodstock version of the national anthem. 

Moffett doesn't take the usual route of making a recording that's a concise collection of tunes. He stretches out on his basses more than any other bassist/bandleader dares to. And though Moffett can remind one of Jaco Pastorius, James Jamerson, Milt Hinton, Charlie Haden, Stanley Clarke or an Edgar Meyer none would have made an album with this kind of directness. ~ Francis Lo Kee  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-art-of-improvisation-charnett-moffett-motema-music-review-by-francis-lo-kee.php

Personnel: Charnett Moffett: basses; Will Calhoun: drums Yungchen Lhamo: vocal; Scott Brown: piano; Pat Jones: guitar. Steve Barnes: guitar. Eric McPherson: drums. Charnette Max Moffett: drums. Robert Joseph Avalon: trumpet.

The Art of Improvisation

Bernd Reiter Quartet feat. Roman Schwaller - Live at the Jazzland Vienna

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 69:31
Size: 159,3 MB
Art: Front

( 7:35)  1. Strike up the band
( 8:24)  2. Theme for Ernie
(10:44)  3. Ruby, my dear
( 7:48)  4. Bitter Suite
(12:21)  5. Cheesecake
(13:10)  6. Body and Soul
( 9:24)  7. Dear John

Any information of this album will be very welcome!

Personnel: Bernd Reiter – dr;  Roman Schwaller – ts;  Sascha Mutic – p; Robert Jukic - b

Live at the Jazzland Vienna

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Arnett Cobb - Smooth Sailing

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1959
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:52
Size: 84,6 MB
Art: Front

(4:26)  1. Charmaine
(4:47)  2. Cobb's Mob
(4:47)  3. Ghost of a Chance, (I Don't Stand A)
(3:48)  4. Let's Split
(8:21)  5. Blues Around Dusk
(5:04)  6. Smooth Sailing
(5:37)  7. Blues in My Heart

This CD reissue brings back a typically swinging date by tenor saxophonist Arnett Cobb. The colorful trombonist Buster Cooper (who was not featured in enough small group sessions through the years) seems to inspire Cobb; the rhythm section (organist Austin Mitchell, bassist George Duvivier and drummer Osie Johnson) proves a strong asset for this music. Four standards (three from the swing era plus Cobb's "Smooth Sailing") alternate with a blues and a couple of up-tempo riff numbers. Arnett Cobb's solos are typically emotional and generally exciting during the fine set. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/smooth-sailing-mw0000263462

Personnel: Arnett Cobb (tenor saxophone); Buster Cooper (trombone); Austin Mitchell (organ); George Duvivier (bass); Osie Johnson (drums).

Smooth Sailing

Annie Ross - Skylark

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 1956
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 33:18
Size: 77,1 MB
Art: Front

(2:42)  1. Gypsy In My Soul
(2:20)  2. I Love Paris
(3:23)  3. I Didn't Know About You
(2:15)  4. The Lady's In Love With You
(2:46)  5. 'tain't What You Do
(4:52)  6. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying
(2:28)  7. Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
(2:22)  8. Don't Worry 'bout Me
(2:27)  9. I've Told Every Little Star
(2:10) 10. Manhattan
(2:31) 11. Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone
(2:57) 12. Skylark

This little-known set (reissued on CD) from 1956 features singer Annie Ross four years after she originally recorded "Twisted" but a year before the formation of Lambert, Hendricks & Ross. Based in London at the time, Ross avoids scatting and vocalese in favor of conventional swinging and jazz-oriented interpretations of standards. Backed tastefully by pianist Tony Crombie, clarinetist Bob Burns, guitarist Roy Plummer and bassist Lennie Rush, Annie Ross shows that she could have been a successful solo artist if she had not met up with Dave Lambert and Jon Hendricks; at times she almost sounds like Susannah McCorkle. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/skylark-mw0000079344

Personnel: Annie Ross (vocals); Bob Burns, Jr., Robert Burns (clarinet); Tony Crombie (piano).

Skylark

Jay Migliori - Count The Nights And Times

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1975
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:03
Size: 83,8 MB
Art: Front

(6:55)  1. Puttin'
(7:03)  2. Cheryl E.
(5:45)  3. Count The Nights And Times
(4:29)  4. Desert Flower
(3:46)  5. Fluvius
(8:02)  6. Nirvana

One of the original members of Supersax, Jay Migliori has long been a top bop-oriented saxophonist based in Los Angeles. He actually started out working frequently in the Boston area in the mid-'50s. Migliori was with Woody Herman's Orchestra from 1957-58 before setting in L.A. 

Since the early 1960s he has worked frequently in the studios, gigging at night in clubs. He was with Supersax from 1972-84 and has often led his own combos. Migliori led bop-oriented albums for Transition (1955), PRB Int. (1975) and Discovery (1980-81). ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/artist/jay-migliori-mn0000810762

Featuring: Jay Migliori (saxophone), Franck De La Rosa (bass), James Gannon (bass), Joe Lettieri (piano), Pete Magadini, Nick Martinis (drums), Wolfgang Melz (bass), Maurice Mille
 
Thank You my Friend!

Count The Nights And Times

The Softies - Winter Pageant

Styles: Vocal, Pop/Rock
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:18
Size: 83,5 MB
Art: Front

(2:36)  1. Pack Your Things and Go
(3:10)  2. So Sad
(2:56)  3. Over
(2:08)  4. No One at All
(3:20)  5. Tracks and Tunnels
(2:59)  6. Excellent
(2:27)  7. My Foolish Way
(2:52)  8. The Best Days
(2:16)  9. Fortune
(2:03) 10. Splintered Hands
(1:52) 11. About You
(2:34) 12. Anywhere But Here
(2:58) 13. Winter Pageant
(1:59) 14. Make Up Your Mind

Amidst the popular shouting and mystical-philosophical dramatics of their female contemporaries, the Softies make music that is barely audible, delicately lovelorn, and mostly unknown. Like It's Love, the Softies' debut LP, Winter Pageant is a collection of songs that begin after the romance has ended. Their sound is intimate and fragile guitars like baby birds and voices as brightly immaterial as sunlight shimmering on water. The rare songs that celebrate a love that has not yet died "The Best Days" and "Excellent" have the same wistful air as the rest. They eulogize a perfect moment, preserve it as a tragic souvenir, before the inevitable end. Despite the melancholy tone, there is something hopeful in the Softies' resignation, a faith in perfect moments that is as strong as the knowledge of love's frailty. There is no recrimination in these songs and no bitterness. From their own intimate distress, Jen Sbragia and Rose Melberg have chosen to produce neither manifestoes nor rallying cries, but sad lullabies for the amorously disenfranchised. In their unassuming way, the Softies remind us that the personal need not always be political, that sometimes personal is enough. ~ Jessica Jernigan  http://www.allmusic.com/album/winter-pageant-mw0000095040

The Softies include: Rose Melberg, Jen Sbragia.

Winter Pageant

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Jerry H Band - Live 1

Size: 171,9 MB
Time: 74:15
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2008
Styles: Jazz/Blues Vocals
Art: Front

01. Softly As In A Morning Sunrise (5:40)
02. Bye Bye Blackbird (7:17)
03. Route 66 (8:41)
04. Nature Boy (7:28)
05. When You're Smiling (7:32)
06. Angel Eyes (8:37)
07. Caravan (8:07)
08. Both Sides Now (5:59)
09. You Don't Know What Love Is (7:55)
10. Your Mind Is On Vacation (6:54)

Recording artist Jerry Haglund has been an essential figure on the live music scene for the last 20 years, thrilling audiences with his firebrand guitar/vocal style everywhere from London, Las Vegas and Melbourne to Kathmandu, Cuba and Chicago, U.S and european tours.

Educated in jazz, he is also since his teens steeped in blues, rock and funk music and distills a little from all these into his brand new project a collection of insightful originals penned over the last year.

As Jerry explains "after touring as a sideman for two decades it feels like the right time to express myself fully as a singer, guitarist and most importantly a songwriter." By using handpicked and well trusted musicians Jerry has captured a rootsy traditional sound influenced by Tom Waits, The Band, Neil Young, Bob Dylan. ~Mark Brown (Robbie Williams Band)

Live 1

Ken Peplowski - Enrapture

Size: 123,3 MB
Time: 53:03
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz: Straight-ahead/Mainstream
Art: Front

01. The Flaming Sword (6:35)
02. An Affair To Remember (5:15)
03. Oh, My Love (2:25)
04. Cheer Up Charlie (5:15)
05. I'll Follow My Secret Heart (4:02)
06. Enrapture (4:43)
07. Twelve (5:38)
08. Vertigo Scene D'amour (6:51)
09. When October Goes (4:40)
10. Willow Tree (7:35)

How on earth do you successfully bind the music of Duke Ellington, John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Fats Waller, Herbie Nichols, Bernard Herrmann, Peter Erskine, and Noël Coward into one coherent statement? The answer is simple: You don't, unless you're Ken Peplowski. Over the course of ten tracks from the aforementioned composers and other well-known tunesmiths, Peplowski manages to simultaneously express his love of myriad sounds and styles, a fondness for days gone by, and an ability to move ever onward. This much-heralded reed man wears his eclecticism like a badge of honor on Enrapture, an album that speaks to his ability to dig into the past while also addressing his outlook on the present.

In his liner essay for this project, Peplowski remarks on the true-to-self nature of this quartet recording, noting that "this is us, in as close to a live setting as one could ask for in a recording environment." In keeping with that statement, the majority of the performances captured here are first takes. The decision to work that way proves to be a smart play, as the band is able to capitalize on the energy, spontaneity, and attentiveness that can only exist on the first pass of a song. Peplowski also shows himself to be practiced in the art of sequencing songs, shrewdly playing to diverse tastes and the constant need for mood change-ups.

In lesser hands, the idea of knocking out a slew of songs in short order and moving all over the map could be disastrous, but it's a winning formula for this foursome—Peplowski's working quartet, with pianist Ehud Asherie, bassist Martin Wind, and drummer Matt Wilson. This band sounds like a million bucks all the way through, from the reveille-like kick-off at the top of "The Flaming Sword"—an adrenaline-fueled slice of tropically-infused Ellingtonian exotica—to the easy-does-it, bluesy send-off of "Willow Tree." And rest assured, there's plenty to enjoy and admire in between those bookends. Peplowski's inviting tenor pleasantly glides along on "An Affair To Remember," Wind's bass and Peplowski's clarinet engage in a slow and revealing pas de deux on "Oh, My Love," Erskine's "Twelve" gives the band a chance to pull at the threads of convention and take a looser and more interactive approach to group (inter)play, and the slowly unfolding beauty and drama of "Vertigo Scene D'Amour/Madeleine (Love Music From "Vertigo")" highlights the emotional experiences of the protagonist in Hitchcock's classic film. All the in-studio discussions, extra takes, and edits in the world couldn't produce a better outcome than what these four did in the heat of the moment(s) to create Enrapture.

Personnel: Ken Peplowski: Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone; Ehud Asherie: Piano; Martin Wind: Bass; Matt Wilson: Drums.

Enrapture

Nancy Harms - Ellington At Night

Size: 119,1 MB
Time: 51:20
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Lush Life (3:39)
02. Rocks In My Bed (4:13)
03. Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me (2:56)
04. Lost In Meditation (5:41)
05. Troubled Waters (3:24)
06. Prelude To A Kiss (5:31)
07. Long, Strong And Consecutive (4:56)
08. Strange Feeling (4:27)
09. Reflections (3:15)
10. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) (4:37)
11. I'm Beginning To See The Light (3:25)
12. I Like The Sunrise (5:08)

“…What makes ‘Ellington at Night’ so remarkable is the way that Nancy Harms and chief collaborator Jeremy Siskind have found a whole new way to sing Ellington, one that's perfectly in keeping with the Ellington tradition, yet, at the same time, fresh and original. …..her vocal timbre might be characterized as "cool" – though there's an undeniable warmth to her singing as well. Her sound is understated, yet it doesn't hold anything back. She doesn't give us anything more than we need – no note is unnecessarily higher or longer than it should be – and yet her spirit and energy are giving, even generous beyond the cool of duty. She swings like crazy, but she never makes the rhythm more important than the narrative……there's no doubt as to exactly what she means.……Ellington's most familiar songs...sound anything but overdone when Nancy sings them…… I can only imagine that on whatever turquoise cloud (Ellington) might be reclining on, he couldn't help but love her madly.” ~WILL FRIEDWALD (music critic for the Wall Street Journal and celebrated author) had this to say about "Ellington At Night":

Ellington At Night

Mads Tolling Quartet - Celebrating Svend Asmussen

Size: 149,4 MB
Time: 64:32
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. After You're Gone (3:00)
02. Libertango (6:57)
03. Take Off Blues (5:50)
04. Someone To Watch Over Me (6:12)
05. Latino (6:15)
06. June Night (6:46)
07. Honeysuckle Rose (6:11)
08. I Got Rhythm (5:52)
09. Hambo Om Bakfoten (4:55)
10. Nadja (8:02)
11. Scandinavian Shuffle (4:27)

Jazz violinist Svend Asmussen will celebrate his 100th birthday on 28 February and a tribute will be paid him at this concert featuring Mads Tolling and his Danish quartet – as well as the solo vocalist Sinne Eg.

The 99-year-old Asmussen has stopped making public appearances, but who is Mads Tolling?

For over 40 years, Mads Tolling has lived in USA and was educated at Berklee College of Music in Boston. His many years abroad have so far led to two Grammy Awards and several years’ collaboration with Turtle Island Quartet and the bass player Stanley Clarke. In San Francisco he leads his own group, the Mads Tolling Quartet, and their CD “The Playmaker” received fine reviews in, among others, Downbeat Magazine and Washington Post.

“Since at the age of 15 I had this burning desire to play jazz on a violin, I contacted Svend Asmussen; he was fortunately in the telephone directory. He told me that he did not teach, but that I should simply listen to Stuff Smith. Which I did, and Svend and I have kept in contact ever since. A few years ago, he gave me a large part of his collection of sheet music – included a lot of handwritten stuff – a fine gesture, I felt. He also wanted to pass on something of what he has stood for to the younger generation. Since that gesture, I have felt like paying a tribute to him and his wonderful music, Mads Tolling says.

When Mads at the age of 14 listened for the first time to Svend Asmussen at a concert in Hørsholm, the young guitarist Jacob Fisher was a part of Asmussen’s quartet. Now, almost twenty years later, Mads and Jacob have come together again and tour northern Europe in honour of their mentor.

The programme is a mix of Svend Asmussen’s collaboration with Ulrik Neumann and his recent quartet, and it naturally includes some of Svend’s signature tunes, such as ‘June Night’ and ‘Scandinavian Shuffle’. Also featured are a couple of Tolling’s and Fischer’s own compositions.

Mads Tolling Quartet:
Mads Tolling, violin
Jakob Fischer, guitar
Kasper Tagel, bass
Snorre Kirk, drums

Celebrating Svend Asmussen

Sandy Jacobs - This Place In Our Dreams

Size: 124,4 MB
Time: 53:36
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

01. I've Just Seen A Face (6:03)
02. One Night (6:25)
03. Body And Soul (5:53)
04. Away (4:28)
05. Rhythm Of Life (5:16)
06. The Nearness Of You (5:28)
07. Ain't That Peculiar (7:48)
08. Never Ending (5:47)
09. You Go To My Head (6:25)

Unconstrained by notions of what a singer’s album is supposed to be, the whole group runs free creating a truly authentic jazz experience. This CD embodies the tone of jazz with imaginative arrangements of well-known tunes plus new originals that stand side by side with the other standards.

The stellar rhythm section comprised of Bob Rodriguez on piano, Steve LaSpina on bass and Matt Kane on drums creates a conversation much like a live performance with vocalist Sandy Jacobs.

This Place In Our Dreams

Chris Botti - The Best Tunes For Languid Evenings

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 78:35
Size: 183,0 MB
Art: Front

(3:59)  1. A Thousand Kisses Deep
(4:22)  2. When I Fall In Love
(5:10)  3. Lisa
(4:14)  4. Back Into My Heart
(5:08)  5. She Comes From Somewhere
(4:21)  6. The Look
(5:31)  7. La Belle Dame Sans Regrets
(4:06)  8. Estate
(5:00)  9. Irresistible Bliss
(4:33) 10. If I Could
(4:57) 11. Cinema Paradiso
(5:02) 12. The Look Of Love
(4:38) 13. To Love Again
(5:08) 14. Ever Since We Met
(5:03) 15. All Would Envy
(3:00) 16. Hallelujah
(4:16) 17. When I See You

Though best known as a contemporary jazz performer, trumpeter Chris Botti made his initial splash on the pop music scene. A native of Oregon, he started playing at the age of ten, and began performing professionally while still in high school. After studying in the prestigious Indiana University music program under noted jazz educator David Baker, Botti relocated to New York, where he served with saxophonist George Coleman and trumpet great Woody Shaw. In 1990, Botti was asked to join Paul Simon's band, where he remained for the next five years. Finally, in 1995, he recorded his solo debut, First Wish, a record combining the sounds of contemporary pop-jazz with the textures of art rock. After scoring the 1996 film Caught, Botti resurfaced in 1997 with his second LP, Midnight Without You, which was followed by Slowing Down the World in 1999. Two years later, he was a featured soloist on Sting's Brand New Day world tour, and that time allowed Botti to rediscover old musical passions and create new ones. Recorded in Los Angeles, 2001's Night Sessions captured such jazzy pop. That muse was explored further in 2003 with A Thousand Kisses Deep, and to a lesser extent on the more traditional orchestral jazz of 2004's When I Fall in Love. That record was his first Top 40 entry, and it was followed by the number 18 hit To Love Again: The Duets in 2005. Another Top 40 placement, Italia, followed in 2007, with the live album Chris Botti in Boston following in 2009. In 2012, Botti returned with the studio album Impressions. Focusing on his love of melody, Impressions features Botti collaborating with such artists as jazz pianist Herbie Hancock, guitarist Mark Knopfler, country singer Vince Gill, composer/pianist/producer David Foster, and more. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/chris-botti-mn0000105329/biography

The Best Tunes For Languid Evenings

Solveig Slettahjell - Good Rain

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:13
Size: 106,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:27)  1. Where Do You Run To
(5:21)  2. Another Day
(5:28)  3. Don't Look Back
(2:18)  4. Colour Lullabye
(4:18)  5. Flawless
(4:25)  6. We Were Indians
(1:59)  7. Do Lord
(6:34)  8. My Oh My
(4:07)  9. Good Rain
(4:19) 10. Moon
(1:53) 11. PS I Love You

This fourth release by Norwegian vocalist Solveig Slettahjell and the Slow Motion Quintet offers another magical experience. On Good Rain, these creative and busy musicians expand the musical language that they began to explore on their previous release, Pixiedust (Curling Legs, 2005). In addition to Slettahjell, the group includes trumpeter Sjur Miljeteig, formerly of the jazz-pop-electronica outfit Jaga Jazzist and one of the leaders of the art-rock group Friko; keyboardist Morten Qvenild, who leads In The Country and Susanna and the Magical Orchestra; bassist Mats Eilertsen; and drummer Per Oddvar Johansen. The quintet flirts with pop and art-rock and even trip-hop, aiming to position the jazz vocalist as an artist again within a popular form, but avoiding banalities and without giving up its intelligent elitist aroma. Slettahjell is faithful to her "slow motion" concept, conscious of every detail and nuance of each phrase, and her natural, leisurely alto shines throughout the eleven songs. The sonic palette of the ensemble is much more varied, enveloping Slettahjell's warm vocals with sounds that recall productions by such art-rock sonic explorers as David Sylvian or Talk Talk. The sensitive playing of all players adds vibrant layers that caress and reinforce the massages of the poetic songs. 

All the songs revolve around the theme of belief, often an abstract and secular one in Slettahjell, empowering herself after a failed relationship, or in nature and they offer some consolation, quite often sounding melancholic. The goal? "To be lonely in a good way," as she sings in Qvenild's "Another Day." Slettahjell's innocent and modest narration of life happiness, despair, fate and hope succeeds in creating a peaceful intimacy capable of touching and melting even the greatest cynic. Slettahjell seeks some calmness and reconciliation in "Where Do You Run To," faith in her lone self in "Another Day." She trusts fate in "Don't Look Back," draws hope from dreams in "Colour Lullabye," and strongly convinces about the joys of lovemaking on "We Were Indians." Her beautiful a cappella version of V.O. Fossett's gospel song "Do Lord" serves as an introduction to the dark, anguished, modern gospelish "My Oh My," penned by Miljeteig. On the Peder Kjellsby-penned "Good Rain" she refers to "the rain washing the stains of / Another broken day." As on Pixiedust, Slettahjell beautifully interperts another poem by Emily Dickinson, "The Moon." The playful, minimalist version of Johnny Mercer's "P.S. I Love You," the last song on this release, offers some hopeful closure. Beautiful. 
~ Eyal Hareuveni   http://www.allaboutjazz.com/good-rain-solveig-slettahjell-curling-legs-review-by-eyal-hareuveni.php

Personnel: Solveig Slettahjell: vocals;  Sjur Miljeteig: trumpet;  Morten Qvenild: piano, keyboards;  Mats Eilertsen: bass;  Per Oddvar Johansen: drums.

Good Rain

The Johnny Nocturne Band - Wild & Cool

Styles: Jazz, Swing, Big Band
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:50
Size: 104,6 MB
Art: Front

(3:03)  1. Lemon Twist
(3:12)  2. New Kind Of Mambo
(4:31)  3. Tu Ma Qui Te (Hey! Joli Blon)
(4:37)  4. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
(4:20)  5. Hey, Mister Jessie
(4:23)  6. A Pound Of Blues
(4:19)  7. At My Front Door
(3:26)  8. By The River Ste. Marie
(4:23)  9. Cha-bootie
(4:38) 10. After The Lights Go Down Low
(3:53) 11. Little Slam

With a solid four-horn frontline that reads and solo in the fine old-time tradition of the territory bands of yore, the Johnny Nocturne Band come to the plate with their third album full of jazz heavily laced with blues. Leader and saxophonist John Firmin keeps his troops swinging throughout this 11-song set, working like a fine, precise machine regardless of the musical setting. Swing, bop, and blues with strong attachments to melody are the signposts here, and the playing on Bobby Troup's "Lemon Twist," "Tu ma qui te (Hey! Joli Blon)," "After the Lights Go Down Low" and "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" are among the numerous highlights. ~ Cub Koda  http://www.allmusic.com/album/wild-and-cool-mw0000035541

Personnel:  John Firmin (tenor saxophone, clarinet);  Brenda Boykin (vocals);  Anthony Paule (guitar);  Rob Sudduth (baritone saxophone);  Bill Ortiz (trumpet);  Marty Wehner (trombone);  Henry Salvia (piano);  Alex Baum (bass);  Kent Bryson (drums).

Wild & Cool

Lonnie Liston Smith & The Cosmic Echoes - Cosmic Funk

Styles:  Post-Bop, Jazz Fusion
Year: 1974
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:10
Size: 85,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:39)  1. Cosmic Funk
(6:11)  2. Footprints
(6:58)  3. Beautiful Woman
(8:16)  4. Sais (Egypt)
(5:03)  5. Peaceful Ones
(4:01)  6. Naima

As Dean Rudland points out in Ace's 2014 reissue of Lonnie Liston Smith's 1974 set Cosmic Funk, Smith himself views this LP as a transitional effort, capturing him between his pioneering work with Miles Davis' electric group and the exploratory Expansions. This suggests it perhaps isn't a cohesive album and, true enough, it's a record where the good ideas are sometimes suggested rather than developed. Much of the record showcases the smooth vocal stylings of Smith's brother Donald, who leads on a vocal version of John Coltrane's "Naima," lends a bit of a supper club vibe to "Beautiful Woman," croons through "Peaceful Ones," and dives into the thick, overlapping grooves of the title track. That opening song is one of the few tracks that emphasizes funk, otherwise the cosmic reigns, as the group usually getting spacy all the while never quite leaving the earth. Although the group is quite lively on a relatively straight-ahead reading of Wayne Shorter's "Footprints," the album is distinguished by the spaces that lie between funk and bop, the periods where Smith and company start to float, then pull themselves back. ~ Thomas Erlewine  http://www.allmusic.com/album/cosmic-funk-mw0000172115

Personnel: Lonnie Liston Smith (piano, electric piano, percussion); Donald Smith (vocals, piano, flute); George Barron (soprano saxophone, flute, percussion); Al Anderson (electric bass); Art Gore (drums); Lawrence Killian (congas, percussion); Doug Hammond, Andrew Cyrille, Ron Bridgewater (percussion).

Cosmic Funk

Monday, February 15, 2016

Mike Fageros Organ Trio - On The Loose

Size: 141,5 MB
Time: 61:42
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Jazz: Hammond Organ
Art: Front

01. Close Your Eyes ( 7:06)
02. Just for Then ( 6:33)
03. Invitation ( 6:48)
04. One Step Ahead ( 7:02)
05. Angel Eyes ( 6:45)
06. Minority (10:04)
07. Love for Sale ( 5:57)
08. Just for Then (Alternate Version) (11:25)

The CD "On the Loose" is guitarists Mike Fageros aka (The Unknown Guitarist) 6th CD to date. His selection of fellow sidemen Pat Bianchi/Hammond and Carmen Intorre Jr/Drums takes the music to a new level. The tracks are all live with no overdubs in an open setting in the studio so as to increase the listeners perception that he or she might just be in a jazz club with their eyes closed catching a set. What you are about to hear is pure unabashed jazz in the guitar/organ/drums trio setting with incredible musical interaction between the players. The arrangements were done by Mike with help from his friend and fellow guitarist, Clint Strong on Close Your Eyes and Love for sale.

Whether you are looking for straight ahead bop, funk, standards, 6/8 or a ballad, "On the Loose" covers it all and we believe in recording "the old school way" with you the listener in mind. No isolation booths, everything in real time, just an honest blowing session with some truly incredible and soulful moments!

The story behind the session is an interesting one. Guitarist Mike Fageros had always loved the way Pat Bianchi and Carmen Intorre Jr swung so hard when they toured with legendary guitarist Pat Martino. With this in mind, Mike's first choice for sidemen was obvious. When the decision was made to record, Carmen's home town of Buffalo was selected using the facilities of Audio Magic and Mike drove in from Detroit to make it happen.

Special appreciation is given to Pat Martino for the use of "Just for Then" as well as guitarist Clint Strong for helping with the arrangenents on Close Your Eyes and Love For Sale.

Thanks to Marc.
On The Loose

Simone Waddell - My Romance

Size: 122,1 MB
Time: 53:12
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To (3:21)
02. God Bless The Child (5:18)
03. You've Changed (5:08)
04. Seven Days (5:54)
05. You Don't Know What Love Is (6:07)
06. Summertime (5:36)
07. Meditation (4:30)
08. Lover Man (4:53)
09. Love Love Love (5:04)
10. My Romance (3:06)
11. Summertime (Ballad) (4:10)

Simone Waddell is delighted to be bringing some of Sydney’s finest musicians to Foundry 616 to launch her latest album, “My Romance”.

Simone’s voice and music have been described as “world class”, “drenched with soul and feeling” and “utterly amazing”.

Her recent collaboration with the great jazz guitarist Jim Kelly, has produced an album full of stunning jazz tunes with equally exquisite arrangements. “My Romance” is a timeless and quality body of work that has been a total joy for Simone to create. Highlight tunes include “Summertime”, “You’ve Changed” and “Seven Days”.

The late Kerrie Biddell, the matchless Australian singer, was a huge inspiration for the entire album. Kerrie had a beautiful and powerful musical influence on Simone from their first meeting in 1990 which continued and flourished for twenty five years.

After returning to Sydney from successful singing engagements in America, Asia and Europe, Simone was quickly sought after by some of Australia’s most accomplished musicians as a solo performer and/or backing vocalist for both live and studio work.

Her recent schedule includes touring with powerhouse singer and Grammy Award nominee Taylor Dayne, and touring with Max Pellicano from the incredibly popular show Elvis to The Max.

Simone performed to an extremely appreciative crowd as a featured artist at the Manly Jazz Festival last year and has planned a wonderful night for the Foundry of stunning ballads, swinging standards, unique arrangement and even some special guests.

With her warmth, musicality and depth of feeling, Simone takes you on an unforgettable journey through each song.

My Romance

Joey Calderazzo - Haiku

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2004
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:12
Size: 156,5 MB
Art: Front

( 4:32)  1. Bri's Dance
(10:38)  2. Haiku
( 7:16)  3. The Legend of Dan
(10:02)  4. Chopin
( 5:56)  5. Just One of Those Things
( 8:43)  6. Dienda
( 7:29)  7. A Thousand Autumns
( 4:15)  8. Dancin' for Singles
( 6:50)  9. My One and Only Love
( 2:25) 10. Bri's Dance - Revisited

Until the recording of his new album Haiku, Joey Calderazzo was, he has admitted, frightened by the total exposure of solo piano performance. Indeed, such solo work is daunting to most pianists, particularly in jazz, where the rhythm provided by bass and drums is so integral to the music's movement and swing. Calderazzo, however, exhibits no sign of nerves, and acquits himself nicely on Haiku 's well-balanced and well-recorded program of originals, standards, and one tune each by his sometime boss Branford Marsalis and by his predecessor in the Marsalis band, Kenny Kirkland. In his earlier recordings, it was often said of Calderazzo that, although he was an exciting and imaginative player with excellent technique, he had not yet found his own voice.

Though his playing has deepened with time, this criticism still carries some weight. There is an undeniable familiarity to his work, whether it is the flashes of Chick Corea and Dave Brubeck in the blazing, rollicking "Bri's Dance," Oscar Peterson in the lopsidedly dapper "Just One of Those Things," or Thelonious Monk in the clever stride piece "Dancin' For Singles."Of course, at this late stage in jazz's development, it's probably unfair to expect pure originality from anyone, and there is no denying that with Haiku, Calderazzo has put together a very strong and consistent set with some lovely moments. A particular highlight is his beautiful treatment of "My One and Only Love," which manages to find new things to express in this well-worn standard. Calderazzo's five originals are all well constructed and memorable as well.

Haiku also manages to avoid the curse of solo piano music, a monochromatic sameness that is wearing over the length of an album, by expertly varying tempo and mood to create a seamless flow. This is the ideal album for thoughtful, relaxed listening, and it will surely tickle the fancy of solo jazz piano fans.  ~ Joshua Weiner   http://www.allaboutjazz.com/haiku-joey-calderazzo-marsalis-music-review-by-joshua-weiner.php

Personnel: Joey Calderazzo, solo piano

Haiku

Meta Roos - Enjoy the Rhythm

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 1994
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:34
Size: 102,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:46)  1. Enjoy The Rhythm
(3:03)  2. Almost Like Being In Love
(3:23)  3. Someone To Watch Over Me
(2:30)  4. This Could Be The Start Of Something Big
(4:17)  5. At Last
(4:32)  6. Bewitched
(3:47)  7. Rhythm Of The Rain
(3:35)  8. Love For Sale
(3:31)  9. My Baby Just Care For Me
(4:51) 10. This Masquerade
(2:54) 11. The Nearness Of You/ Misty
(3:20) 12. Route 66

Wiveca Margaret "Meta" Roos, born 23 February 1954 in Boda in Dalarna , is a Swedish jazz singer and variety performer. Meta Roos was born and raised in Boda Kyrkby in Boda parish, Dalarna , but lives since 2002 in Bålsta in Uppsala County . She debuted at the age of sixteen when she began singing with various dance bands in Dalarna, the greatest success she achieved with Nippe Sylwéns Band. Since 1984 , she has earned a living as an artist full time. During the 1980s she sang in a dance orchestra Rosary that became popular throughout Europe . Roos played a New Year show in Borlange and came a few years later to Peter Flack in Örebro , where she starred in four revues. Meta Roos has performed as a singer in several films, his debut was in 1994. She sang the theme song A world full of life in the Walt Disney film was the Lion King and made ??Vesslas mother's voice in The Animals of Farthing Wood . She has sung with several famous big bands in Sweden and toured with his own show My life as a singer. Meta Roos is also well known from the popular radio show Tele Chip Arna. Since 2005 she plays the lead role as Noise Britta in Skinnarspelet given in Malung in midsummer. https://translate.google.com.br/translate?hl=en&sl=sv&u=https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meta_Roos&prev=search

Enjoy the Rhythm