Chu Berry and his Stompy Stevedores - Chu

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1974
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:19
Size: 139,4 MB
Art: Front

(3:00)  1. Now You're Taling My Language
(2:52)  2. Indiana (Back Home Again In Indiana)
(3:00)  3. Too Marvelous For Words
(2:57)  4. Limehouse Blues
(2:23)  5. Chuberry Jam
(2:53)  6. Maelstrom
(2:56)  7. My Secret Love Affair
(2:49)  8. Ebb Tide
(3:22)  9. Warmin Up
(2:33) 10. At The Clambake Carnival
(3:02) 11. Jive (Page 1 Of The Hepster's Dictionary)
(3:20) 12. Topsy Turvey (Hard Times)
(3:00) 13. Come On With The "Come On"
(3:00) 14. (I Don't Stand) A Ghost Of A Chance (With You)
(3:04) 15. Lonesome Nights
(3:04) 16. Take The "A" Train

30s tenor sides from Chu Berry packaged here in a nice LP that mostly features work done with the Stompy Stevedores combo, but also includes sessions Chu cut with the bands of Cab Calloway and Teddy Wilson! The Berry style at this point is warm, but soulful – arcing out with some of the touches that would show up more strongly in tenorists of the 40s, but still also falling into more traditional modes at times. Titles include "Now You're Talking My Language", "At The Clambake Carnival", "Warming Up", "Maelstrom", "Chuberry Jam", "Come On With The Come On", and "Indiana". (Columbia Special Products pressing.) © 1996-2016, Dusty Groove, Inc. https://www.dustygroove.com/item/657683/Chu-Berry:Chu-Chu-Berry-His-Stompy-Stevedores

Chu

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Charlie Hunter - Everybody Has a Plan Until They Get Punched in the Mouth

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2016
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:21
Size: 120,9 MB
Art: Front

(5:01)  1. Everybody Has a Plan Until They Get Punched in the Mouth
(7:32)  2. (Looks Like) Somebody Got Ahead of Schedule On Their Medication
(4:02)  3. Leave Him Lay
(5:31)  4. We Don't Want Nobody Nobody Sent
(3:43)  5. Big Bill's Blues
(4:46)  6. Latin for Travelers
(3:52)  7. No Money, No Honey
(6:49)  8. Who Put You Behind the Wheel?
(6:00)  9. (Wish I Was) Already Paid and On My Way Home
(4:59) 10. The Guys. Get. Shirts

Charlie Hunter's Everybody Has a Plan Until They Get Punched in the Mouth is not only his first recording for a major label in nine years, but his first with a larger-than-trio-sized band since 2003. His personnel include drummer Bobby Previte, trombonist Curtis Fowlkes (who both played on 2015's Let the Bells Ring On and 2003's Right Now Move), and cornetist Kirk Knuffke. The album's title paraphrases a quote by former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson. It's a metaphorical reference to the contrast between an envisioned plan for living and the reality that transpires later.

Hunter saturates his approach in blues and vintage R&B here. To get the vibe right, the band recorded live in a Hudson, New York studio; there are no overdubs everybody walked the tightrope. First single "No Money, No Honey" opens with a guitar hammer on, but the band quickly establishes a funky Meters-esque vamp that gets inverted by knotty jazz syncopation. They all flow back to the groove with Previte holding the center. Hunter's solo signals a call-and-response with the brass, who play in Stax-like tandem and add individual fills in the turnarounds. The title track commences as a slow, steamy jazz-blues with gorgeous melodic flourishes, a fine solo from Fowlkes, and a front line that references Bobby Blue Bland, Quincy Jones, and Oliver Nelson. The slow stroll on Bill Broonzy's "Big Bill's Blues" contains a gorgeous early New Orleans jazz feel in the contrasting harmonic dialogue between Fowlkes and Knuffke (though they play the tags in unison), while Hunter's playing is pure mid-'50s Chicago. "Leave Him Lay" is a choogling 12-bar swagger with Hunter's fills stinging through the horn player's vamps. Previte signals various cadence and time shifts as Knuffke takes a languid solo that provides a nostalgic look at early jazz sans artifice. Second single "Latin for Travelers" (titled after Previte's band of the same name) is a sultry, jazzy blues based on a rhumba. There are subtle colors through the horns' harmonies that evoke brass inventions from Willie Colon, Eddie Palmieri, and Wardell Quezergue. Hunter's own break is sharp, in the pocket, and full of soul. The funky NOLA side returns during the intro to closer "The Guys Get Shirts," but doesn't stay there. Previte guides the group through Chicago blues, '20s jazz, and '50s and '60s R&B. The arrangements lock in, offering many twists and turns, but never leave the groove behind. This album is an excellent return to the majors for Hunter. All killer, no filler. ~ Thom Jurek http://www.allmusic.com/album/everybody-has-a-plan-until-they-get-punched-in-the-mouth-mw0002951658

Personnel: Charlie Hunter (8-string guitar); Kirk Knuffke (cornet); Curtis Fowlkes (trombone); Bobby Previte (drums).

Everybody Has a Plan Until They Get Punched in the Mouth

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Fred Wesley - With A Little Help From My Friends

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:28
Size: 97.2 MB
Styles: R&B/Soul/Funk/Jazz
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[3:47] 1. Spring Like
[4:00] 2. Swedish Funkballs
[5:08] 3. Beautiful
[4:14] 4. Ashes To Ashes
[6:00] 5. Palms Up
[4:54] 6. Homeboy
[5:00] 7. Obamaloo
[4:40] 8. Everywhere Is Out Of Town
[4:40] 9. Peace Fugue

Of all the graduates of the various James Brown bands, my guess is that Fred Wesley has been the most pro-active in pursuing a career beyond Brown. He's worked all over the place and with all kinds of artists; he's collaborated/guested on dozens of varied recordings and cut a slew of his own solo sets. He gigs regularly and seems to have found a semi-permanent home in Europe where he's become an almost ever-present on the flourishing festival scene. Indeed this new LP was recorded in Europe ... Germany to be precise. The title has nothing to do with the Beatles by the way; its provenance is down to the friends and family who encouraged the recording and worked on it with him.

Guest-in-chief is Swedish trombonist Nils Landgren. His main contribution is on the tune that defines the album's overall sound – 'Swedish Funkballs'. It's a pleasing, brassy roller that might remind you of Wayne Henderson-era Crusaders – not quite funky, not quite smooth jazz... but with its own discrete charm and certainly tastier than IKEA's meatballs, at which, I'm sure the tune is cocking a snook. There's more of the same sound on 'Spring Like' and the slinky 'Beautiful'. Variety comes in the shape of two semi-spoken pieces - 'Ashes To Ashes' (inspired by last year's ash cloud debacle) and the tale of life on the road – 'Everywhere Is Out Of Town'. Funkiest cut is 'Homeboy' - hardly surprising since it's an old Maceo tune, while 'Obamaloo' is a musical tribute to you know who. In the notes Fred chooses 'Palm's Up' as his favourite track and I'm inclined to agree. It's a lovely mid-tempo groove with a hint of Latin about it and some fine piano from Peter Madsen. It really works, which is more than can be said for the ambitious closer - 'Peace Fugue'. Here Fred's mellifluous trombone is quiet at odds with the rocky guitar of Reginald Ward. But it's still a Wesley horn and good to hear the great man's son, Victor, on trombone too... he's a lot to live up to!

With A Little Help From My Friends

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Warren Vaché - First Time Out & Encore '93

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:35
Size: 143.3 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[4:09] 1. Black Butterfly
[2:46] 2. Joy Spring
[3:00] 3. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
[4:30] 4. Once In A While
[3:49] 5. Chelsea Bridge
[6:02] 6. Oh Baby
[4:06] 7. I Surrender, Dear
[5:44] 8. Song Of The Wanderer
[4:42] 9. All Of Me
[3:44] 10. Willow Weep For Me
[3:08] 11. Dream Dancing
[4:02] 12. Easy Living
[3:38] 13. Always
[5:23] 14. Autumn Nocturne
[3:46] 15. When It's Sleepy Time Down South

With the exception of a privately issued record, this CD features cornetist Warren Vache's debut as a leader on record. The music is quite impressive for Vache (at 25) is showcased on five numbers backed only by guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, and he displays both a lovely tone and a creative imagination within the boundaries of small group swing (even on Clifford Brown's "Joy Spring"). The other half of the session is more dixieland-oriented for Vache is teamed with soprano-saxophonist Kenny Davern, both Pizzarelli and Wayne Wright on guitars, bassist Michael Moore and drummer Connie Kay. "Oh Baby" and "All Of Me" in particular are quite heated. Well worth searching for. ~Scott Yanow

First Time Out & Encore'93

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Charles Ruggiero - Charles Ruggiero Meets Laura Mace

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:45
Size: 88.7 MB
Styles: Pop, Contemporary jazz
Year: 2016
Art: Front

[3:34] 1. Our Day Will Come
[3:36] 2. Return To Me
[4:02] 3. Heart Of Glass
[7:28] 4. Wicked Game
[3:08] 5. Comin' Home Baby
[5:51] 6. I Only Have Eyes For You
[5:42] 7. I Want You
[5:20] 8. Crying

If something is well made, it lasts. If it lasts long enough, it has the opportunity to remain relevant. When things remain relevant long enough they transform. They become Classic.

The Beverly Hills Hotel is that way. Being there is like being transported to Hollywood when Hollywood was at its finest. The mint green and pink exterior gives way to their iconic 50 foot nameplate, letting you know you're in for a special stay. In 2012 Laura and I began what would be a long standing residency there. It was a wonderful. Palm trees, celebrities, and fancy cocktails were the set, and we were the soundtrack. Classic.

These songs are that way too, so we treated them as such. Laura and I always talked about wanting to capture the spirit of our nights at The Hotel. We finally did. In January, we walked into a recording studio with a few of our friends. We set up our instruments and a few microphones, we picked out a few songs we liked and six hours later we walked out with this record. Classic. We hope you enjoy it. ~Charles Ruggiero 2016

Charles Ruggiero Meets Laura Mace

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Charlie Parker Quartet - Now's the Time

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1957
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:17
Size: 94,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:01)  1. The Song is You
(2:49)  2. Laird Baird
(3:03)  3. Kim
(3:02)  4. Kim (Alternate Take)
(3:08)  5. Cosmic Rays
(3:20)  6. Cosmic Rays (Alternate Take)
(3:08)  7. Chi-Chi
(2:45)  8. Chi-Chi (Alternate Take 1)
(2:41)  9. Chi-Chi (Alternate Take 2)
(3:06) 10. Chi-Chi (Alternate Take 3)
(3:07) 11. I Remember You
(3:05) 12. Now's the Time
(2:57) 13. Confirmation

Now's the Time captures Charlie Parker during one of his peak recording periods. The personnel of Hank Jones, Al Haig, Percy Heath, Teddy Kotick, and Max Roach all contribute immeasurably to this classic session. There are numerous outtakes, which offers a fascinating analysis of Parker's improvisations, as well as classics such as "Song Is You," "Laird Baird," "Kim," and "Now's the Time." What makes this session extra special is the excellent recording quality that too many of his early recordings, brilliant as they are, suffered from. Hearing the clarity of each player contributes to one of bebop's best sessions. This is essential music. ~ Robert Taylor http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-genius-of-charlie-parker-vol-3-nows-the-time-mw0000904953

Personnel:  Charlie Parker - Alto Saxophone;  Hank Jones – Piano; Teddy Kotick – Bass; Max Roach – Drums;  Al Haig – Piano;  Percy Heath - Bass

Now's the Time

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Sue Raney - In Good Company

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 1990
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:41
Size: 129,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:01)  1. After You've Gone
(5:48)  2. Mood Indigo
(5:49)  3. These Foolish Things
(3:18)  4. Love Walked In
(4:15)  5. Poor Butterfly
(3:58)  6. I'm Getting Sentimental over You
(4:08)  7. How Deep Is the Ocean?
(3:23)  8. Indian Summer
(4:51)  9. Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye
(4:53) 10. My Foolish Heart
(5:13) 11. 'Tis Autumn
(4:06) 12. The Man I Love
(3:51) 13. (Back Home Again In) Indiana/Donna Lee

Vocalist Sue Raney performs an assortment of ballads and standards in conventional singer/big band format. The backing orchestra includes several West Coast session and studio pros: trombonist Bill Watrous, drummer Jake Hanna, trumpeter Conte Candoli, and saxophonist Bob Cooper, plus arranging and piano veteran Alan Broadbent. ~ Ron Wynn http://www.allmusic.com/album/in-good-company-mw0000676537

Personnel: Sue Raney (vocals); Alan Broadbent (piano); Conte Candoli (trumpet); Bill Watrous (trombone); Dick Nash (trombone); Bob Cooper.

In Good Company

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Harold Danko - Lost In The Breeze

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2016
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:26
Size: 145,6 MB
Art: Front

(9:34)  1. Fall Splits
(6:05)  2. Homing Instinct
(6:49)  3. Big Squeeze
(7:40)  4. Lost in the Breeze
(5:22)  5. Salt 'N' Sugar
(4:37)  6. Stumble Crush
(6:10)  7. Fish Road
(5:15)  8. Paula
(7:01)  9. If I Did - Would You?
(4:50) 10. Singularity

A really well-balanced trio outing from pianist Harold Danko so much so that almost all the compositions here are attributed to the trio of Danko, bassist Jay Anderson, and drummer Jeff Hirshfield! That sort of compositional credit is key to the workings of the record as the role of the players is very equal, and there are even moments when Anderson's bass seems to take more of the center stage than Danko's piano in a really great way that creates a marvelous interplay between the two instruments. Hirshfield is maybe a bit more understated on drums, but clearly plays a key role throughout and titles include "Fall Splits", "Big Squeeze", "Salt N Sugar", "Stumble Crush", and "Fish Road" plus versions of Duke Jordan's "If I Did Would You" and "Paula". © 1996-2016, Dusty Groove, Inc. https://www.dustygroove.com/item/787028

Personnel:  Harold Danko, piano;  Jay Anderson, bass;  Jeff Hirshfield, drums.

Lost In The Breeze

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Lou Pomanti - Welcome To The Boogaloo Lounge

Size: 108,6 MB
Time: 46:17
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2011
Styles: Jazz: Funk, Soul, Hammond Organ
Art: Front

01. The Boogaloo Lounge (4:38)
02. In Orbit (3:44)
03. Give It Up (3:28)
04. Loving You (Feat. Dione Taylor, Duane Blackburn) (5:04)
05. Cherry And Ebony (2:04)
06. Yonge St. 1962 (3:52)
07. The Big Smoke (4:32)
08. Blues-A-Loo (4:02)
09. In Loving Memory (0:43)
10. After Hours (6:40)
11. Hey Everybody (5:13)
12. After Hours Reprise (2:12)

Lou Pomanti is one of the behind-the-scenes people that make events happen. Since being invited by David Clayton-Thomas to join Blood, Sweat & Tears in 1980, he’s been a Gemini award-winning TV show arranger, film scorer and producer. There’s much more in the bio at his web site. He was out in public for a while, however, as the B3 player for The Dexters, who had a regular gig at the Orbit Room. He’s found time to record a tribute to those days, putting the band back together for Welcome To The Boogaloo Lounge, his pet name for the Room. His ‘day job’ has had an impact here, though: he’s developed a concept album, using similar chord structures throughout. Bernie LaBarge returns on guitar, Peter Cardinali on bass and Larnell Lewis took Mike Sloski’s place on drums. Art Avalos adds percussion and Jake Langley sits in on guitar for three songs. Pomanti adds synths and programming to his B3 and piano for a fully contemporary edge but the full sound is still primarily organ-based. After a couple of instrumentals that set the scene, “The Boogaloo Lounge” and “In Orbit”, LaBarge takes a vocal on “Give It Up”. Pomanti then inserts a lovely ballad, “Loving You”, a duet sung by Dione Taylor & Duane Blackburn. After these, it’s back to the hot, funky organ band nights at the Orbit, updated, of course, with great variety and played wonderfully.

Welcome To The Boogaloo Lounge

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Liza Pulman - Liza Pulman Sings Hollywood

Size: 113,2 MB
Time: 48:01
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

01. As Time Goes By (From Casablanca) (3:05)
02. Alfie (From Alfie) (3:01)
03. It Had To Be You (From When Harry Met Sally) (2:41)
04. Evergreen (From A Star Is Born) (2:53)
05. Nobody Does It Better (From The Spy Who Loved Me) (2:58)
06. The Look Of Love (From Casino Royale) (3:33)
07. River Of No Return (From River Of No Return) (3:12)
08. Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend (From Gentlemen Prefer Blondes) (2:26)
09. When She Loved Me (From Toy Story 2) (2:29)
10. Que Sera Sera - An Affair To Remember (From The Man Who Knew Too Much - An Affair To Remember) (3:40)
11. Moon River (From Breakfast At Tiffany's) (2:25)
12. The Windmills Of Your Mind - What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life (From The Thomas Crown Affair - The Happy Ending) (3:28)
13. To 5 (From 9 To 5) (2:39)
14. Oh Shenandoah (From Shenandoah) (3:11)
15. You've Got A Friend In Me (From Toy Story) (3:14)
16. Love With The Proper Stranger (From Love With The Proper Stranger) (Bonus Track) (3:00)

A journey through the world of movies in a cavalcade of all time classic Hollywood songs.

Liza Pulman (of Fascinating Aida) brings you an evening of some of the greatest songs from the silver screen. Her glorious voice, charming personality and quirky comedic skills make her a unique entertainer. The evening will take you on a musical journey celebrating the golden age of Hollywood and beyond. From As Time Goes By to Moon River, through Hitchcock, the romantic comedy and even the American western, these are the songs of our Saturday afternoons and our Sunday nights.

MC
Ziddu

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Adriano Clemente - The Mingus Suite

Size: 134,3 MB
Time: 58:00
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. Inner Fires (8:03)
02. Memories Of Duke (4:13)
03. Urban Jungle, Pt. 1 (2:06)
04. Circus (4:43)
05. Blues In Rags (8:49)
06. Night City Blues (2:02)
07. While You Are Asleep (4:25)
08. Urban Jungle, Pt. 2 (1:54)
09. Last Blues (5:24)
10. Requiem - Inner Fires Reprise (6:38)
11. Brown Bear's Love Waltz (4:15)
12. For My Father (5:23)

The Mingus Suite is a little bit tribute to jazz legend Charles Mingus, a little bit extrapolation of the life and perspective of composer Adriano Clemente and a whole lot of the creative spirit of both musicians. Rooted in the blues yet full of avant-garde swagger, this large ensemble work featuring the Akashmani Ensemble is true to the music and musician that inspired this project while still sounding very much rooted in the present day. There’s some old-school swing with “Blues in Rags” and there’s some old-school experimentalism with “Inner Fires” and the way it keeps surging forward then suddenly receding into a contented peace. There’s the lovely reveries like “Memories of Duke” and “For My Father” and the way they walk the dividing line between serene and funereal, and counterbalanced by the energetic chatter of the two-part “Urban Jungle” keeping things from ever getting drowsy. And then there’s the song “Circus,” which hints at a whimsical nature, but the gorgeous harmonic development of woodwinds, bowed bass and piano envelops the affair with its serious beauty.

Mingus fans can’t go wrong with this one. And, really, music this good, nobody should be unhappy loading this one up into their library. ~by Dave Summer

Personnel: Adriano Clemente (composer, piano), Francesco Lento (trumpet), Mario Corvini (trombone), Daniele Tittarelli (alto sax), Marco Guidolotti (baritone sax, clarinet, bass clarinet) , Riccardo Fassi (piano), Dario Rosciglione (double bass), Andrea Nunzi (drums) and guests: Roberto Ottaviano (soprano sax) and Raffaele Toninelli (bowed double bass).

MC
Ziddu

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Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox - Swing The Vote!

Size: 132,3 MB
Time: 56:05
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz/Blues Vocals
Art: Front

01. Are You Gonna Be My Girl (Feat. Addie Hamilton) (3:32)
02. Same Old Love (Feat. Brielle Von Hugel) (3:45)
03. Hollaback Girl (Feat. Robyn Adele Anderson) (3:24)
04. Call Me Maybe (Feat. Von Smith) (3:22)
05. Time After Time (Feat. Caroline Baran) (4:09)
06. Sk8er Boi (Feat. Annie Goodchild) (4:00)
07. Sweet Child O' Mine (Feat. Casey Abrams) (4:37)
08. Grenade (Feat. Brielle Von Hugel) (3:17)
09. Pony (Feat. Ariana Savalas) (3:51)
10. Cry Me A River (Feat. Von Smith) (4:45)
11. Bad Romance (Feat. Sara Niemietz & The Sole Sisters) (4:10)
12. Never Gonna Give You Up (Feat. Clark Beckham) (3:50)
13. Stone Cold (Feat. Shoshana Bean) (3:26)
14. Rockstar (Feat. Drue Davis) (5:50)

How did Miley Cyrus' "We Can't Stop" become a '50s-style doo wop number? Since when was Meghan Trainor's "All About That Bass" about an upright bass fiddle? At what point did Macklemore's "Thrift Shop" evolve into a '20s hot jazz tune? And whose idea was it to rework Lorde's "Royals" into a polished ballad sung by a sad clown? It's all part of the topsy-turvy world of Postmodern Jukebox, an ongoing musical project spearheaded by pianist and arranger Scott Bradlee, who takes contemporary pop and rock tunes and fashions new arrangements for them that cast them in an unpredictable variety of musical styles from the past. Born on Long Island, Bradlee relocated to New York City after studying jazz at the University of Hartford. While playing gigs at restaurants and nightclubs in New York City, Bradlee began experimenting with ragtime and jazz arrangements of pop tunes from the '80s, and he recorded several self-released digital albums of his offbeat versions of well-known melodies, as well as performances that interpolated seemingly dissimilar songs of different eras. Bradlee upped the ante on these experiments in 2012 with an album called A Motown Tribute to Nickelback, but as he began imagining a new platform for his experiments, he thought of YouTube, where he had been posting solo performance videos since 2009. In 2013, Bradlee began posting weekly videos in which he and a rotating cast of musicians and vocalists performed a new song each week, recorded live in a single take in Bradlee's living room. In September 2013, Bradlee posted his '50s-style reimagining of Cyrus' "We Can't Stop," and the clip soon went viral, racking up over four million views in less than two months and topping 14 million two years later. Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox channel was soon racking up Internet successes on a regular basis, and Bradlee continued to release both videos and albums based on his playful fun-house covers of popular songs. By 2015, Bradlee had made over 130 Postmodern Jukebox clips available online, and he and his crew were taking the show on the road, touring in North America, Europe, and the United Kingdom. ~by Mark Deming

MC
Ziddu

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Euge Groove - Still Euge

Size: 126,5 MB
Time: 54:37
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz: Smooth Jazz
Art: Front

01. Twelfth Night (5:35)
02. Still Euge (5:14)
03. Coffee And A Kiss (4:30)
04. Another Perfect Moment (5:54)
05. Much Love (4:23)
06. Let's Chill (5:53)
07. And I Thank You (Mom And Dad) (4:14)
08. Push It Forward (4:59)
09. Love, Passion And Joy (6:09)
10. Flower (6:32)
11. And I Thank You (Reprise) (1:10)

An industry veteran who first got his start as a session player for pop artists in the '80s, smooth jazz saxophonist Steve Grove (aka Euge Groove) marks his 16th year as a solo artist with his tenth studio album, 2016's Still Euge. This is Groove's fifth album for Shanachie, following 2014's Got 2 Be Groovin', and once again finds him handling the production duties. The result is a laid-back album with Groove's supple saxophone guiding the listener on a journey that never feels rushed. These are lush, if economic arrangements, built around light percussion rhythms, sinewy basslines, and a liberal mix of piano and keyboard. Cuts like the lead-off "Twelfth Night" and the finger-snapping "Let's Chill" are classic instrumental Euge numbers, while the sensual Groove-penned ballad "Love, Passion and Joy," sounds pleasingly like a relaxed smooth jazz take on Lenny Kravitz's "It Ain't Over 'til it's Over." Elsewhere, Groove showcases the talents of several guest artists, bringing guitarist Chuck Loeb on board for the bluesy title track and letting guitarist Peter White add his sparkling color to the sultry slow jam "Another Perfect Moment." Also welcome is singer Rahsaan Patterson, who lends his urbane vocal talents to the '90s-style R&B of "Much Love." Similarly, vocalist Oleta Adams adds some weighty resonance to the latter half of the album with her languid turn on the romantic "Flower." A warmly produced album that touches upon all of Groove's trademark sounds from soulful balladry to instrumental R&B jams, Still Euge is a more than apt title. ~by Matt Collar

MC
Ziddu

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Lori Barth - Suddenly I Feel June

Size: 99,2 MB
Time: 38:26
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz/Samba
Art: Front

01. Beginning Of The Dawn (4:48)
02. Everything We Lost (3:40)
03. Just Multiply (4:21)
04. Like Alice (2:51)
05. Lovebird (3:50)
06. Pots & Pans (2:55)
07. Sometimes (3:19)
08. Suddenly I Feel June (3:58)
09. Tell Me Why (4:57)
10. Where Does The Time Go (3:42)

Lori Barth is an internationally acclaimed songwriter with many hits to her credits to her name. She is also a recording artist and a record producer. Lori holds the position as Senior Editor for The Score, a quarterly journal for The Society of Composers & Lyricists, for which she earned two ASCAP-Deems Taylor literary awards.

Ms. Barth co-wrote the theme song to the Oscar nominated French film Joyeux Noel entitled “I’m Dreaming Of Home” which was also nominated for a Golden Globe, Palme D’Or, The César du Cinéma and BAFTA awards. The theme has gone on to be performed at many prestigious events including the 2008 Music & Cinema Festival in Auxerre, France with a 100-voice choir. It was also the song chosen for the 90th commemoration of the Canadian Battle of Vimy Ridge and was selected for The British Armed Forces Tribute along with being performed by the acclaimed Cantabile Choir in Ontario, Canada.

Lori Barth’s songs have been heard on HBO and Lifetime movies and television shows such as Brothers & Sisters, Smallville, Entertainment Tonight, Kevin Hill, Guiding Light, Jake in Progress, Gracie’s Choice, and Play’d, The Hip Hop movie starring Toni Braxton, to name a few.

In 2012 Lori wrote the hit song for Marta Sanchez entitled “Mi Cuerpo Pide Mas,” and was co-writer of one of Ms. Sanchez’s biggest hits entitled “Arena Y Sol.” Barth also penned the latest single by “Duets” singer Jason Farol called “Dancing On The Roof.” In 2014 she co-wrote “Gonna Get It Right,” a #20 hit on the Billboard Dance Chart for artist Nikkole Hall, and a list of other currents singles.

Lori’s worldwide platinum-selling hits include songs for Marta Sanchez, Australia’s Girlfriend, a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues with Keb’Mo for his nominated song “Momma, Where’s My Daddy?”, a #1 hit with Holland’s Pop Idol Dewi. Some of her other credits include writing for Sarah Geronimo, Mark Baustista, Clair De La Fuente, which all received Platinum status in their respective territories. She has co-written with A.J. Croce and The Voice’s Will Champlin.

In past years Ms. Barth has taught guitar and coached many stars on performance and songwriting which include: Barbra Streisand, Amy Irving, Beau Bridges, Christina Applegate, Allison Sudol, and David Navarro from The Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Currently signed to BMG, Ms. Barth continues to write on a daily basis and continues as Senior Editor of The Score, along with sitting on the Board of Directors for The Society of Composers & Lyricists.

MC
Ziddu

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Count Basie & Friends - 100th Birthday Bash (2-Disc Set)

Count Basie, piano, with seven orchestras, three smaller groups (complete personnel in booklet) and special guests Tony Bennett, Benny Carter, Nat "King" Cole, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, "Wild Bill" Davis, Billy Eckstine, Harry "Sweets" Edison, Neal Hefti, Illinois Jacquet, Quincy Jones, Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, Irene Reid, Sarah Vaughan, Ben Webster, Joe Williams.

To honor the hundredth anniversary of the birth of the incomparable Count Basie (August 21, 1904), Roulette Records has gone to the vaults and unearthed recordings made by the Basie Orchestra and smaller groups spanning the years 1957-62 when the Count was working for Roulette. All of the material on the two-disc set was previously issued, either on albums or as singles, and there are guest artists on a number of tracks (hence the title Basie & Friends ).

Neal Hefti was Basie's right-hand man at the time, and he's well-represented with four of his classic tunes, "Whirly Bird," "Li'l Darlin'," "Cute" and "Splanky" (but not "The Kid from Red Bank"). The band's regular singer, Joe Williams, is heard from on half a dozen numbers (including one of his signatures, "Ev'ry Day I Have the Blues"), and there are other vocals by Lambert, Hendricks & Ross ("Jumpin'at the Woodside," with Williams on "Goin' to Chicago"), Nat King Cole ("I Want a Little Girl," "The Late Late Show"), Sarah Vaughan ("Until I Met You," dueting with Williams on "Teach Me Tonight" and "If I Were a Bell"), Billy Eckstine ("Lonesome Lover Blues," "Jelly Jelly"), Irene Reid ("Untouchable") and Tony Bennett ("I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face," "Jeepers Creepers"). Trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison is the guest soloist on "One O'Clock Jump," while tenor saxophonists Ben Webster (Basie's "Blue and Sentimental"), Illinois Jacquet ("She's Funny That Way") and Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis ("Farouk," "Save Your Love for Me") are heard in small-group settings. Quincy Jones wrote the seductive blues "For Lena and Lennie," among the highlights on disc one.

Breaking it down, there are fifteen vocal tracks, thirteen instrumental. That may not suit everyone, but at least the singers are first-rate. The overall sound is satisfactory too, although it does vary slightly from track to track, while the playing times (51:01, 47:26) are on the lee side of generous. A fairly adequate mélange for those who may have missed these episodes the first time around. ~Jack Bowers

Album: 100th Birthday Bash (Disc 1)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:54
Size: 116.6 MB
Styles: Big band
Year: 2004
Art: Front

[3:51] 1. Whirly-Bird
[4:12] 2. Goin' To Chicago Blues
[3:14] 3. Cute
[2:50] 4. I Want A Little Girl (Feat. Nat King Cole)
[2:51] 5. Teach Me Tonight
[2:52] 6. The Late, Late Show
[3:10] 7. Lonesome Lover Blues (Feat. Billy Eckstine)
[3:35] 8. Blue And Sentimental
[3:54] 9. Trav'lin' Light
[5:25] 10. Farouk (Feat. Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis)
[3:50] 11. For Lena And Lennie
[3:17] 12. Untouchable
[4:44] 13. Every Day I Have The Blues
[3:03] 14. I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face (Feat. Tony Bennett)

100th Birthday Bash (Disc 1)

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Album: 100th Birthday Bash (Disc 2)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:18
Size: 108.3 MB
Styles: Big band
Year: 2004
Art: Front

[3:21] 1. Jumpin' At The Woodside
[4:50] 2. Li'l Darlin'
[2:44] 3. If I Were A Bell
[3:36] 4. Splanky
[2:57] 5. Ain't No Use
[2:52] 6. Until I Met You (Feat. Sarah Vaughan)
[3:16] 7. (I Got A Woman, Crazy For Me) She's Funny That Way
[2:34] 8. The Late, Late Show (Feat. Nat King Cole)
[2:09] 9. Jeepers Creepers
[3:04] 10. Jelly, Jelly (Feat. Billy Eckstine)
[4:24] 11. Katy-Do
[3:59] 12. Save Your Love For Me (Feat. Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis)
[3:37] 13. April In Paris
[3:47] 14. One O'clock Jump

100th Birthday Bash (Disc 2)

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Shauna Antoniuc Trio - In The Moonlight

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 49:52

Size: 114.2 MB

Styles: Easy Listening, Jazz vocals

Year: 2009

Art: Front

[3:41] 1. Sugar

[3:17] 2. I'm Old Fashioned

[2:37] 3. You Took Advantage Of Me

[2:53] 4. I Could Write A Book

[4:22] 5. My One And Only Love

[3:42] 6. Blue Moon

[3:16] 7. Hold Me, Hold Me, Hold Me

[3:27] 8. When I Take My Sugar To Tea

[3:58] 9. You Stepped Out Of A Dream

[3:02] 10. The Party's Over

[3:26] 11. Moonlight In Vermont

[3:05] 12. Like Someone In Love

[4:18] 13. Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue

[4:41] 14. In The Moonlight

Acoustic Guitar – Joe Capps; Saxophone – Chris Peterman; Vocals – Shauna Antoniuc.

This is the Shauna Antoniuc Trio's 2nd CD - Beautiful jazz vocals - light, elegant and swinging - a fantastic voice - accompanied by acoustic guitar and saxophone. Nice swinging grooves and tasteful solos and interplay from the horns.

In The Moonlight

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Mike Moreno - First In Mind

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:36
Size: 150.2 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[7:47] 1. First In Mind
[8:49] 2. Soul Dance
[5:45] 3. Suite For Keyboard No. 6 In A Minor 3. Corrente
[6:04] 4. By Myself
[8:27] 5. But Beautiful
[7:12] 6. Milagre Dos Peixes [miracle Of The Fishes]
[7:36] 7. A Flor E O Espinho [the Flower And The Thorn]
[8:29] 8. In A Silent Way
[5:24] 9. Mantra

Mike Moreno: guitar; Aaron Parks: piano and Fender Rhodes; Matt Brewer: bass; Kendrick Scott: drums.

First In Mind , Mike Moreno's sophomore effort for the Criss Cross label, finds the 31 year-old guitarist interpreting songs both old and new. He explores selections from his former band mate Joshua Redman and one by upcoming singer/songwriter Josh Mease; Milton Nascimento and Miles Davis receive attention, too. It's an eclectic mix, but one wrangled into a consistent program via his sharp musical aesthetic. Pianist Aaron Parks once again serves as a foil for the guitarist. Over the years, the pair has developed a strong musical affinity: Moreno was featured on Parks' stunning debut, Invisible Cinema (Blue Note, 2008), and Parks appeared on Moreno's own debut, Between the Lines (World Culture, 2007). Together, they pursue a new type of romanticism, a sound punctuated by lush arrangements and plaintive melodies easily comparable to that pioneered by Pat Metheny and Lyle Mays in the early '80s, a style most evident in the moody retelling of "In A Silent Way."

Moreno plays electric guitar on most of these tracks (on a custom-built Marchione that he helped design) except on Redman's "Soul Dance," where he switches to acoustic. His improvised lines often explode into a dense maze of notes, but sometimes they taper at their peak. This ability to skim past vast reservoirs of technique in pursuit of a greater melodic purpose is a distinguishing characteristic in his playing. First in Mind boasts a sterling rhythm section and many high level performances, yet its success owes more to the overall sound, one both melodic and easy to digest—a quality that can, by now, be expected from any Moreno project.~Andrew

First In Mind

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Dave Stryker - Blue Strike

Styles: Guitar Jazz 
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:55
Size: 174,3 MB
Art: Front

(8:12)  1. Joy Spring
(6:57)  2. Billie Jean
(8:04)  3. Different Worlds
(7:50)  4. Daahoud
(5:24)  5. Pursuit
(8:27)  6. Blue Strike
(6:50)  7. Jordu
(6:25)  8. The Crusher
(5:43)  9. Jabali

Guitarist Dave Stryker, who got his start working with Jack McDuff and Stanley Turrentine stretches the boundaries of the organ sound while keeping the groove deep on his new CD “Blue Strike”.  Once again Dave teams with young Hammond organ phenom Jared Gold, as well as legendary drummer Billy Hart, and adds to the front line two rising stars with their own sounds; Freddie Hendrix on trumpet and Stephen Riley on tenor sax.  Dave burns through his new arrangements of Clifford Brown’s “Joy Spring”, “Daahoud” and Duke Pearson’s “Jordu”, and rounds out the serious groove of this CD with four of his own originals, as well as a swinging version of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”. http://www.jazzguitarlife.com/dave-stryker-releases-new-cd-blue-strike/

Personnel:  Dave Stryker – guitar;  Freddie Hendrix – trumpet;  Stephen Riley – tenor sax;  Jared Gold – organ;  Billy Hart – drums

Blue Strike

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Dave Douglas High Risk - Dark Territory

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2016
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:13
Size: 92,3 MB
Art: Front

(6:43)  1. Celine
(7:02)  2. All The Pretty Horsepower
(5:50)  3. Let's Get One Thing Straight
(5:28)  4. Mission Acropolis
(3:56)  5. Ridge Hill
(4:51)  6. Neural
(6:20)  7. Loom Large

Dave Douglas's second release with his electronic group High Risk is true to form of the trumpeter's modus operandi to avoid repeating the same thing twice. While Dark Territory is of similar species to 2015's High Risk; it is a completely different animal. Shades of Miles Davis's azure tone permeate the project but there are also a menagerie of hues, shapes and rhythms reminiscent of trumpeter Rob Mazurek's eclectic works. Even with the return of the High Risk crew: Jonathan Maron (Groove Collective) on electric and acoustic bass, Mark Guiliana (Beat Music, Heernt, David Bowie) on electric and acoustic drums and DJ, producer and beatmaker Shigeto (Ghostly International) on electronics the vibe this time is totally different, proving the group's music diversity.

The debut's sweeping vistas are replaced with the warm breeze of "Celine" where Douglas's flourishing trumpet dances over a catchy vamp. Yet the waters get murky in "All The Pretty Horsepower" with peculiar noises: static, funky beats, sampled voices, and keyboards that morph into copacetic flow at the track's culmination. Tunes such as "Ridge Hill" are totally wild as the group works in a frenzied energy with Douglas's trumpet plugged in as well. From art-noise to spastic dub tempos curious themes run the gamut with each track presenting something unique. While some work better than others the common thread is Douglas's strong lead playing in a sonic ocean of changes. Jazz purists will probably not change their minds about High Risk's new electronic playground but Dark Territory is certainly an interesting excursion. ~ Mark F.Turner https://www.allaboutjazz.com/dark-territory-dave-douglas-greenleaf-music-review-by-mark-f-turner.php

Personnel: Dave Douglas: trumpet; Shigeto: electronics; Jonathan Maron: bass; Mark Guiliana: drums.

Dark Territory

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Naomi Shelton & The Gospel Queens - Cold World

Styles: Vocal, Soul
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:33
Size: 88,9 MB
Art: Front

(2:52)  1. Sinner
(2:47)  2. Movin'
(2:51)  3. Heaven Is Mine
(2:50)  4. Bound For The Promised Land
(3:19)  5. It's A Cold, Cold World
(3:47)  6. I Don't Know
(3:28)  7. Get Up, Child
(4:04)  8. One Day
(2:59)  9. I Earned Mine
(4:06) 10. Humble Me
(2:24) 11. Thank You, Lord
(3:00) 12. Everybody Knows (River Song)

Gospel and rhythm & blues have long been close siblings even if they don't always acknowledge each other in public many early R&B hits were essentially secularized versions of classic sacred numbers, and dozens of soul stars got their start singing with gospel groups so it certainly makes sense that the soul revivalists at Daptone Recordings would open their arms to the talents of Naomi Shelton, who has sung both Saturday night and Sunday morning music over the course of her career that's spanned six decades. Shelton's second album for Daptone, Cold World, mixes elements of traditional gospel with '60s-influenced soul, and while there's less of a churchy feel to this album than 2009's What Have You Done, My Brother?, it certainly fits in with the mindset of acts like Curtis Mayfield and the Staple Singers, who weren't afraid to add some Christian-leaning commentary to their music. 

"Sinner," "Heaven Is Mine," "Humble Me," and the title track all have the slinky feel of vintage soul (Shelton's longtime musical director Cliff Driver and Daptone chief Gabriel Roth, the latter of whom wrote six of the album's 12 numbers, have helped give this music a groove that's authentic yet unforced), while Shelton's voice compassionate and muscular, with just a hint of sass has both the power and the emotional heft to bring these tunes to life, not so much preaching as offering her audience advice about life lessons she learned the hard way. Shelton's style makes a virtue of her maturity while showing off an energy and passion one would expect from a much younger woman; Cold World is an example of what Daptone and the retro-soul crowd are doing right, and it's an authoritative and affecting piece of work. 

~ Mark Deming  http://www.allmusic.com/album/cold-world-mw0002677057

Personnel: Saundra Williams (vocals, tambourine); Alba Ponce De Leon (vocals); Bosco Mann (guitar, tambourine); Max Shrager, Thomas Brenneck (guitar); Cliff Driver (piano); Jimmy Hill (organ); Fred Thomas (bass guitar); Brian Floody, Mikey Post (drums).

Cold World

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