Bobby Timmons - Working Out

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1994
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 77:58
Size: 178,9 MB
Art: Front

(9:05)  1. Lela
(7:57)  2. Trick Hips
(2:40)  3. People
(9:11)  4. Bags' Groove
(8:36)  5. This Is All I Ask
(5:45)  6. Cut Me Loose Charlie
(7:08)  7. Tom Thumb
(7:21)  8. Einbahnstrasse (One Way Street)
(6:31)  9. Damned If I Know
(7:07) 10. Tenaj
(6:33) 11. Little Waltz

This CD reissues the contents of two of pianist Bobby Timmons most advanced recordings of the 1960s. For an example of how the popular pianist had continued to evolve after his early funk hits, listen to his often-bitonal solo on "Bags' Groove" from 1964. That session features Timmons in a quartet with vibraphonist Johnny Lytle, bassist Keter Betts and drummer William "Peppy" Hinnant and is filled with subtle surprises. The second recording is even more interesting for Timmons is teamed with tenor-saxophonist Wayne Shorter, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Jimmy Cobb in 1966. The immediately recognizable Shorter in particular plays very well (this version of his "Tom Thumb" is its earliest recording) and the very modern playing of Carter pushes Timmons to really stretch himself. Both of these generally overlooked sessions (even Shorter's best fans may not know about his collaboration with Timmons) were formerly rare and are quite adventurous, making this a highly recommended acquisition that falls somewhere between hard bop and the early avant-garde. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/workin-out-compilation-mw0000124323

Personnel: Bobby Timmons (piano); Johnny Lytle (vibraphone); Keter Betts (bass); William "Peppy" Hinnant (drums).

Working Out

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Count Basie And His Orchestra - Rock-a-Bye Basie [Live in '38 & '39]

Styles: Jazz, Big Band, Swing
Year: 1991
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 76:40
Size: 177,1 MB
Art: Front

(0:59)  1. One O'Clock Jump (Opening Theme)
(3:00)  2. King Porter Stomp
(3:59)  3. Nagasaki
(4:06)  4. Indiana
(3:01)  5. Doggin' Around
(0:32)  6. One O'Clock Jump (Closing Theme)
(3:54)  7. Haven't Changed A Thing
(2:27)  8. Out The Window
(4:20)  9. Wo-Ta-Ta
(3:27) 10. Love Of My Life
(3:26) 11. John's Idea
(2:59) 12. Yeah Man!
(2:35) 13. Indiana
(3:10) 14. Jump For Me
(4:22) 15. Moten Swing
(3:35) 16. Rock-A-Bye Basie
(4:11) 17. Swingin' The Blues
(2:57) 18. Time Out
(2:09) 19. Roseland Shuffle
(3:01) 20. Don't Worry 'Bout Me
(3:30) 21. Clap Hands! Here Comes Charlie
(2:25) 22. Lousiana
(2:44) 23. Darktown Strutters Ball
(5:39) 24. One O'Clock Jump

These broadcasts (all but one selection from 1938-39) capture Count Basie's orchestra live from the Famous Door. This CD contains 24 performances, a few of which are incomplete or poorly recorded. However, the enthusiastic solos of Lester Young, fellow tenors Herschel Evans and Buddy Tate, trumpeters Buck Clayton and Harry "Sweets" Edison and Basie himself are fresh and creative, and the ensembles are consistently swinging. These are the best pre-World War II live recordings of the Count Basie Orchestra and well worth acquiring. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/rock-a-bye-basie-live-in-38-39-mw0000677896

Rock-a-Bye Basie [Live in '38 & '39]

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The Fred Hersch Trio - Sunday Night At The Vanguard

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2016
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:00
Size: 163,0 MB
Art: Front

( 7:29)  1. A Cockeyed Optimist
( 8:37)  2. Serpentine
( 5:14)  3. The Optimum Thing
( 5:11)  4. Calligram
( 6:13)  5. Blackwing Palomino
( 7:05)  6. For No One
( 7:20)  7. Everybody's Song But My Own
(10:14)  8. The Peacocks
( 7:06)  9. We See
( 3:26) 10. Solo Encore: Valentine

Reach up to the CD shelf and pull a handful of Fred Hersch CDS down. You'll find that the pianist has a good thing going with the Village Vanguard. Alive At The Vanguard (Palmetto Records, 2012) a stellar two CD set, and terrific solo set, Alone At the Vanguard (Palmetto Records, 2011), are Hersch's most recent recordings from the legendary venue; and now he and his trio offer up Sunday Night At the Vanguard. Hersch says this is his best trio album. Almost every artist says that about their latest that this one's the best. But he might be right. The vote here would have gone to a studio recording, Whirl (Palmetto Records, 2010), a marvelous in-the-zone effort with this same trio John Hebert on bass, Eric McPherson playing drums until Sunday Night At The Vanguard rolled around. The trio opens with Richard Rodgers' "A Cockeyed Optimist," which is not exactly a familiar tune, in spite of its authorship. But as an opener it works to perfection, with a silvery, raindrop intro that finds a quirky groove that paints an upbeat atmosphere, with a bright melody that sounds like a second cousin to "It Might As Well Be Spring."

"Serpentine," a Hersch original, is a wandering slither of a tune, unpredictable and spooky, lovely in its fluid, abstract way; "The Optimum Thing" sparkles; and "Blackwing Palomino," maybe the only jazz tune ever written for a pencil, has the feel of a new jazz standard. Hersch's output has been consistently excellent, but sometimes as on this special Sunday Night the stars align. The trio, from the opening notes of "The Cockeyed Optimist," is locked into and to a telepathic interplay zone playful and eloquent, elegant and assured. The Lennon and McCartney gem, "For No One," has the forlorn desperation of the song's lyrical content. The Beatles' version a masterpiece in its own right didn't take things to this dark of a place. Kenny Wheeler's "Everybody's Song But My Own" rolls in a restless, jittery mode. "The Peacocks," from the pen of Jimmy Rowles, is pensive, lonely. Hersch explores an almost unmatchable majesty of the tune, with a bit of dissonance, before he jumps into Thelonious Monk, with "We See," an irrepressible jewel, followed as an encore to the show the Fred Hersch-penned "Valentine," one of the more inward tunes in Hersch's songbook, counterpointing a mostly gregarious, effervescent set by one of the jazz world's top piano trios at the top of their game. ~ Dan McClenaghan https://www.allaboutjazz.com/sunday-night-at-the-vanguard-fred-hersch-palmetto-records-review-by-dan-mcclenaghan.php
 

Personnel: Fred Hersch: piano; John Hebert: bass; Eric McPherson: drums.

Sunday Night At The Vanguard

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Chris Cheek - Saturday Songs

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2016
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:57
Size: 151,6 MB
Art: Front

(5:13)  1. String Finger
(5:31)  2. Ginger Something
(4:52)  3. Eye Factory
(6:16)  4. Bucky's Blues
(6:50)  5. Either Way
(6:58)  6. Slow Ships
(3:59)  7. Saturday Songs
(4:58)  8. Alhambros
(5:37)  9. Forever Green
(4:40) 10. Strawberry Jam
(5:35) 11. While You Sleep
(5:22) 12. Windmill Hill

Sometimes, combining seriousness of intent and high musicianship with pure fun is just the thing one needs, and is exemplified by Saturday Songs from tenor saxophonist Chris Cheek. Cheek does not make a lot records as a leader (see Blues Cruise from 2006), but is on literally scores of albums as a sideman (see Paul Motian's Garden of Eden from 2006 and Chris Lightcap's Epicenter from 2015), or his own discography, which is not completely up to date. In any event, Saturday Songs shares quite a bit of the vibe of Lightcap's latest release. Here, as there we have a sterling band playing the leader's compositions and arrangements (with one exception, Tom Jobim's "Forever Green"), but with perhaps less of an inspirational connection among the tunes than Lightcap. The band is made up of guitarist Steve Cardenas (who played with Cheek on Garden of Eden, David Soler on pedal steel, Jorge Rossy on drums, vibes and marimba (perhaps best know from Brad Mehldau's trio) and Jaume Llombard on bass. Although this is Cheek's records, he allocates plenty of space for the others, and in fact, Soler almost steals the record.

While the tunes as a set do not overtly exhude "Americana," the ubiquitous presence of Soler's pedal steel does locate the record's overall feel within that genre (with the exception of "Saturday Song," which sounds decidedly exotic). On the other hand, "Alhambros" which references the Alhambra's architecture, does not sound either Indian or Islamic. The tracks are very easy to listen to, since the the details of construction and arrangement are so well woven into the texture, but are not "easy listening"; any number of them ought to get quite a bit of airplay. Each track has its own "personality" and the album contains a wide range of moods. Stand out tracks include "Bucky's Blues" which eventually becomes a coolly grooving jazzy blues, the nonchalant drive of "Ginger Something," the very pretty "While You Slept" with its long, unfolding melody, "Strawberry Jam"'s attractive higher energy and open improvisations and the slow and easy Jobim tune, "Forever Green." Picking these tunes out in no way is meant to diminish the others, since Saturday Songs will no doubt get played many times by anyone and everyone. ~ Budd Kopman https://www.allaboutjazz.com/saturday-songs-chris-cheek-sunnyside-records-review-by-budd-kopman.php

Personnel: Chris Cheek: tenor saxophone; Steve Cardenas: guitar; David Soler: pedal steel; Jaume Llombard: bass; Jorge Rossy: drums, vibes, marimba.

Saturday Songs

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The Jonah Jones Quartet - Swingin' Round The World/Jumpin' With A Shuffle

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 51:49

Size: 118.6 MB

Styles: Swing, Trumpet jazz

Year: 2014

Art: Front

[1:57] 1. Arrivederci Roma

[1:54] 2. Swingin' 'round The World

[2:28] 3. South Of The Border

[1:59] 4. A Foggy Day

[2:11] 5. April In Paris

[1:53] 6. Brazil

[2:00] 7. Madrid

[1:57] 8. Chicago

[2:23] 9. Manhattan

[2:09] 10. Song Of The Islands

[2:04] 11. Isle Of Capri

[1:47] 12. Shamghai

[2:12] 13. Dream

[2:07] 14. You're Driving Me Crazy

[2:06] 15. Lazy River

[2:19] 16. More Than You Know

[2:10] 17. Nine Twenty Special

[2:13] 18. Entratter's Blues

[2:14] 19. Misty

[1:53] 20. The Great Lie

[2:31] 21. On The Sunny Side Of The Street

[2:24] 22. One For My Baby

[2:10] 23. The Lonesome Road

[2:36] 24. My Monday Date

Jonah Jones, trumpet & vocal on #3,9,15 & 21; Teddy Brannon, piano; John Brown, bass; George 'Pops' Foster, drums. Recorded in New York City, 1958 (#1,4-7 & 9-10), 1959 (#2,3,8,11 & 12); and Las Vegas 1960 (#13-24).

"I'm going to find this album very difficult to remove from my CD player! From the moment Jonah's big buttery sound filled the room I was hooked."

Warm toned and with a lively vibrato Jonah's swinging playing would suit fans of Harry 'Sweets' Edison and Buck Clayton to a tee. Seemingly simple big swinging phrases and fiery dextrous soloing, both open and in a range of very enviable mutes, show just what a star of the trumpet Jonah Jones really is.

This CD features two albums, Swingin 'Round the World and Jumpin with a Shuffle, a total of 24 delicious well-known standard tracks recorded in 1958 and 1960. Although both CDs feature just a trio with Jonah on trumpet and occasional husky-toned vocal, the accompanying trio are toe-tappingly light, swinging and tasteful, with the feel veering more towards jump jive... dare I say 'rock and roll' on tracks 13-24. Each track is no more than two and a half minutes long but this provides ample time for Jonah's infectiously joyful trumpet playing to become something you want to listen to time and again. I'd like the other six CD's now please!" ~Georgina Jackson

Swingin' Round The World/Jumpin' With A Shuffle

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Ruby Braff - As Time Goes By

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 73:15
Size: 167.7 MB
Styles: New Orleans jazz
Year: 1991/1997
Art: Front

[6:45] 1. Shoe Shine Boy
[7:13] 2. Lonely Moments
[4:51] 3. This Is All I Ask
[7:12] 4. Love Me Or Leave Me
[6:47] 5. Liza (All The Clouds'll Roll Away)
[6:02] 6. As Long As I Live
[3:21] 7. Jeepers Creepers
[5:36] 8. My Shining Hour
[7:04] 9. Sugar
[4:25] 10. As Time Goes By
[4:46] 11. You're Sensational I Love You, Samantha True Love
[4:06] 12. Basin Street Blues
[5:03] 13. Linger Awhile

Ruby Braff has long been among the most consistent of jazz performers; every note he hits is purposeful. Although playing in an older idiom, the veteran cornetist's enthusiasm and passion makes such songs as "Liza," "Jeepers Creepers" and "Basin Street Blues" sound quite alive and fresh on this live CD from London. Braff is joined by guitarist Howard Alden and bassist Frank Tate. Highlights of the top-notch mainstream performance include "Shoe Shine Boy," Mary Lou Williams' haunting "Lonely Moments," "Linger Awhile," and a three-song medley from the film High Society. ~Scott Yanow

As Time Goes By

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Helen O'Connell - I've Got The World On A String

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 31:30
Size: 72.2 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[2:19] 1. Ain't Misbehavin' (I'm Savin' My Love for You)
[1:52] 2. Manhattan
[2:46] 3. I Cried for You
[2:33] 4. Saturday Night (Is the Loneliest Night of the Week)
[1:33] 5. Ten Cents a Dance
[2:12] 6. I Hadn't Anyone Till' You
[1:50] 7. It's a Lonesome Old Town
[2:32] 8. He's Funny That Way
[2:06] 9. You Turned the Tables on Me
[2:42] 10. They Can't Take That Away from Me
[2:13] 11. Boulevard of Broken Dreams
[2:15] 12. I've Got the World on a String
[2:19] 13. Just One More Chance
[2:14] 14. Blue and Broken Hearted

Helen O'Connell, who had a fairly long career, will always be best remembered for her squeals on "Green Eyes" and her work with Jimmy Dorsey. She originally left her native Toledo with Jimmy Richards' nine-piece group, gigging and touring for a year and a half. O'Connell appeared on a regular radio show in St. Louis until she agreed to tour with Larry Funk's band (which was billed as "Band of a Thousand Melodies"). After the outfit started working in New York, she was discovered and quickly signed up by Jimmy Dorsey in 1938. O'Connell soon had a hit rendition of "All of Me," which was followed by popular recordings of "Embraceable You," "Brazil," "Jim." and "When the Sun Comes Out" (which she introduced). However, it was in December 1940, when she started sharing recordings with ballad singer Bob Eberly, that O'Connell for a time became a household name. Eberly generally took a slow chorus, Jimmy Dorsey would have a brief instrumental interlude, and then O'Connell would finish up the record with a swinging chorus. This combination worked very well on hit versions of "Amapola," "Yours," "Green Eyes" and "Tangerine." After appearing in the 1943 movie I Dood It with Dorsey (singing "Star Eyes"), O'Connell retired to get married; she would eventually have four daughters. In 1950 she began a successful solo career, making occasional records, appearing regularly on television (she spent a period as co-host of The Today Show), toured as part of Four Girls Four (which also included Kay Starr, Rosemary Clooney and Rose Marie) and made guest appearances with the Jimmy Dorsey ghost band, singing in an unchanged style. Although her voice was limited, she made her deficiencies into assets and carved out her own place in musical history. Helen O'Connell was active up until shortly before her death from cancer. ~ Scott Yanow

I've Got The World On A String

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Various - Blue Funk

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 74:03

Size: 169.5 MB

Styles: Soul-Funk-Jazz

Year: 1992/2001

Art: Front

[2:12] 1. Blue Mitchell - Who Dun It

[7:39] 2. Lou Donaldson - Say It Loud (I'm Black And I'm Proud)

[6:54] 3. Big John Patton - Cissy Strut

[5:44] 4. Grant Green - Ease Back

[6:00] 5. Delegation - Oh Honey

[4:00] 6. Candido - Tic Tac Toe

[4:09] 7. Richard Groove Holmes - Grooving With Mr. G

[5:31] 8. Grant Green - Cantaloupe Woman

[5:51] 9. Grant Green - I Don't Want Nobody To Give Me Nothing

[4:28] 10. Ronnie Foster - Don't Knock My Love

[9:02] 11. Lou Donaldson - If There's Hell Below (We're All Going To Go)

[8:02] 12. Reuben Wilson - Bambu

[4:27] 13. Bobby Hutcherson - Family Affair

This is a very attractively priced sampler by Blue Note, issued in the early '90s on CD highlighting their deep and funky soul-jazz titles for the beat heads and emergent hip-hop nation that was sampling in earnest at the time. (Little did the label know that collectors and DJs wanted wax, not shiny little plastic.) In any case, this attractively priced sampler of BN acts from the '60s and '70s is all killer, no filler; it's heavy on funk and soul. Sure it's got the big B sharp players from the era, like Groove Holmes ("Down Home Funk"), Jack McDuff (the amazing "Hunk O Funk"), Big John Patton (with a killer cover of the Meters' "Cissy Strut"), Reuben Wilson ("Bambu") and Ronnie Foster ("Don't Know My Love"), but there's way more. Lou Donaldson and Grant Green make up the royalty for this period (the producers still hadn't realized just how happening Donald Byrd was to the emerging hip-hop generation so he's not here) and they are well represented by a few cuts each -- Donaldson's read on James Brown's "Say It Loud (I'm Black and I'm Proud)," is a monster; and Green's take on "Cantaloupe Woman" is simply bad ass. But there is some added class to this mix with Candido's smoking drum funk in "Tic Tac Toe," and Blue Mitchell's set-opening "Who Dun It." But the big surprise comes at the very end when Bobby Hutcherson clocks it all out with his uber funky soulful read of Sly Stone's "Family Affair," setting the vibe just right as a cap. A couple of these Blue Note soul-jazz comps would fuel any bash, and would provide an awesome Friday night jump to Sunday afternoon cruise control and leave the listener without a care in the world. ~Thom Jurek

Blue Funk

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Jim Tomlinson - Brazilian Sketches

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:56
Size: 116.6 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2001
Art: Front

[5:01] 1. Dreamer
[4:10] 2. Caminhos Cruzados
[4:39] 3. Ligia
[4:32] 4. So Nice
[5:11] 5. Só Danço Samba
[4:27] 6. Once I Loved
[6:30] 7. I Concentrate On You
[3:35] 8. Portrait In Black And White
[3:38] 9. She's A Carioca
[4:21] 10. The Gentle Rain
[4:45] 11. No More Blues (Chega De Saudade)

Perhaps best known for his work as the compelling counter-voice to singer and wife Stacey Kent, saxophonist Jim Tomlinson is recognized as a distinctive saxophone voice in his own right. His new CD demonstrates a huge step forward in technique and interpretation, highlighted by the obvious empathy between the band members - Colin Oxley, John Pearce, Simon Thorpe and Chris Wells. But why Brazil? Jim says: 'I chose these tunes because I love them and I had gotten into the habit of only playing tunes that I love...though Joao and Astrud Gilberto were the definitive performers of the idiom, Antonio Carlos Jobim is the greatest composer of Bossa Novas and his tunes are unavoidable and utterly desirable when compiling such an album. Features Stacey Kent on vocals.

Brazilian Sketches

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Jessica Molaskey - A Kiss to Build a Dream On

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:13
Size: 142,2 MB
Art: Front

(3:46)  1. Happy Habit
(4:20)  2. Baby Medley
(3:28)  3. Hello Sunshine Hello
(4:12)  4. A Kiss to Build a Dream On
(3:17)  5. Louis
(4:09)  6. Tea for Two
(3:41)  7. Take Me to You
(4:13)  8. Breezin' Along With the Breeze
(3:48)  9. Isn't He Something
(3:46) 10. Hiding in Plain Sight
(3:07) 11. Four Leaf Clover
(5:51) 12. You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You
(5:53) 13. Ain't Misbehavin'
(4:49) 14. Bye Bye Blues
(2:48) 15. Heart's Desire

When Broadway actress Jessica Molaskey met jazz guitarist/vocalist John Pizzarelli, an engaging partnership (both musical and marital) was formed. Molaskey enjoyed the musical family she married into, including father and guitarist Bucky and brother-in-law/bassist Martin, all of whom join her on her first CD for a purely jazz label. Rounding out the band is the talented young violinist Aaron Weinstein, a swinging, sensitive player in the Stéphane Grappelli tradition whose maturity on his instrument belies his youth. One of Molaskey's greatest strengths is her effortless ability to convey the emotion of each song without overdoing it, while her vocals are always right on the money. She also chose quite a few pieces that have long fallen into obscurity, including the upbeat "Happy Habit," the brightly swinging "Hello Sunshine Hello" (which interpolates "You Are My Sunshine" and utilizes multi-tracked vocals), and "Breezin' Along with the Breeze." John joins her for an intimate vocal duet of "Tea for Two" that includes the oft-omitted verse, along with their warm original "Hiding in Plain Sight," the latter adding guest Larry Fuller on piano. She also chose a pair of Stephen Sondheim songs, offering a playful rendition of "Everybody Loves Louis" (from Sunday in the Park with George and the sentimental ballad "Isn't He Something" (from Bounce. Jessica Molaskey will warm an audience of any size with this superb release. ~ Ken Dryden http://www.allmusic.com/album/a-kiss-to-build-a-dream-on-mw0000797982

Personnel:  Jessica Molaskey-vocals;  John Pizzarelli-guitar, vocal duets (6, 10);  Bucky Pizzarelli-guitar;  Martin Pizzarelli-bass;  Aaron Weinstein-violin;  Larry Fuller-piano (10)

A Kiss to Build a Dream On

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Caribbean Jazz Project - Here And Now: Live In Concert (Disc 1) And (Disc 2)

Mallet man Dave Samuels' career has ranged from the experimental, ECM-ish vibe of his '70s Double Image group to an artistically questionable association with the commercially viable smooth jazz group Spyro Gyra. And while those who knew just how much Samuels was capable of were more than a little surprised to see him maintain a long-term relationship with such a lightweight group, he managed to remain credible, always being critically singled out, even as Spyro Gyra itself was often dismissed. But, while Samuels' years with Spyro Gyra might have confused his fans, as did a string of equally lightweight solo albums for MCA and GRP, he did succeed in attaining greater visibility than he would have, had he continued with his bolder work of the '70s and '80s. And so, when he formed the Caribbean Jazz Project in '01 with the debut release Paraiso, Samuels appeared to have, in embracing Afro-Cuban music, found the perfect middle ground: accessible enough to appeal to larger audiences, but adventurous enough, in its own way, to help re-establish some credibility with the cognoscenti. Fans of more oblique idioms may still find the Caribbean Jazz Project too lightweight, but the fact is that amongst the captivating rhythms and engaging melodies, there's more than meets the eye.

And while the three previous studio efforts have had charms to recommend, the new double live set, Here and Now - Live in Concert, may be the best of the bunch. Back from '02's The Gathering and '03's Birds of a Feather are pianist Dario Eskenazi and percussionist Roberto Quintero, who, along with Samuels, are beginning to forge a group identity that the more guest-laden studio releases lacked. Rounding out the sextet are percussionist Mark Walker, known for his work with the genre-busting Oregon, but proving to be a highly capable Latin drummer as well; bassist Oscar Stagnaro, who combines unerring groove with fleet-fingered virtuosity; and the outstanding Argentinean ex-pat trumpeter Diego Urcola. And while the playing is universally top notch, it's Urcola who stands out, no surprise to anyone who has heard his remarkable '03 release, Soundances, which blended newfound urban roots in New York City with his folkloric background. It is, in fact, the way that Samuels manages to blend his Afro-Cuban concerns with other styles that makes Caribbean Project so distinctive. While Samuels' own compositions range from the aptly titled 5/4 tribute "Five for Elvin to the more overt cha-cha of "Arthur's Dance, it's his clever arrangements of Oliver Nelson's "Stolen Moments, Coltrane's "Naima, and Monk's "Bemsha Swing that really show the height of his invention, making them fit seamlessly within the overall groove-centricity. And with the excitement of live performance making every track sparkle, Here and Now perfectly combines adventure with accessibility. It's hard not to like. It looks as though Samuels has finally found the perfect middle ground between reaching a wider audience and maintaining greater artistic integrity. ~ John Kelman https://www.allaboutjazz.com/here-and-now-live-in-concert-dave-samuels-concord-picante-review-by-john-kelman.php

Personnel: Dave Samuels (vibes, marimba), Diego Urcola (trumpet, flugelhorn), Dari Eskenazi (piano), Oscar Stagnaro (bass), Mark Walker (drums), Roberto Quintero (congas, percussion).

Album: Here And Now: Live In Concert (Disc 1)

Styles: Latin Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:51
Size: 145,9 MB
Art: Front

( 6:55)  1. Rendevouz
( 9:45)  2. Stolen Moments
(10:16)  3. Turnabout
( 8:03)  4. Arthur's Dance
( 8:29)  5. The Gathering
( 9:13)  6. Picture Frame
(10:07)  7. Bemsha Swing

Here And Now: Live In Concert (Disc 1)
Album: Here And Now: Live In Concert (Disc 2)

Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 69:47
Size: 161,7 MB

(11:18)  1. One Step Ahead
( 7:35)  2. Mariella's Dream
(10:49)  3. On The Road
( 6:26)  4. Five For Elvin
( 9:51)  5. Naima
( 9:52)  6. Night In Tunisia
(13:53)  7. Caravan (bonus track)

Here And Now: Live In Concert (Disc 2)

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Bobby Hutcherson - Cirrus

Styles: Vibraphone Jazz
Year: 1974
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:50
Size: 91,8 MB
Art: Front

(7:41)  1. Rosewood
(9:00)  2. Even Later
(7:26)  3. Wrong Or Right
(8:25)  4. Zuri Dance
(7:16)  5. Cirrus

While it doesn't quite match the heights of their early collaborations, Cirrus finds Bobby Hutcherson resuming his partnership with tenor saxophonist Harold Land, and the results are quite good. The pair work with pianist Bill Henderson, trumpeter Woody Shaw, bassist Ray Drummond, drummer Larry Hancock, saxophonist/flautist Emmanuel Boyd and percussionist Kenneth Nash on this set of originals. The music is a little smoother than their earlier collaborations, but there are enough captivating, provocative moments to make the reunion a success. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine http://www.allmusic.com/album/cirrus-mw0000868341

Personnel:  Bobby Hutcherson - vibes, marimba;  Woody Shaw – trumpet;  Emanuel Boyd, Harold Land - tenor saxophone, flute;  William Henderson - piano, electric piano;  Ray Drummond – bass;  Larry Hancock – drums;  Kenneth Nash – percussion.

Cirrus

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Sonny Fortune - Awakening

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1975
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:00
Size: 100,9 MB
Art: Front

(11:12)  1. Triple Threat
(10:21)  2. Nommo
( 5:43)  3. Sunshower
( 3:15)  4. For Duke and Cannon
(13:27)  5. Awakening

Sonny Fortune's second LP as a leader is an adequate set of mostly straight-ahead jazz, which sets it apart from many of his fusion-venturing peers of the '70s. With a slate of expert, professional sidemen (Billy Hart, John Hicks, Reggie Workman, Charles Sullivan, etc), Awakening never amazes, but it also never disappoints. Fortune, as usual, offers several spirited solos, while his cohorts incessantly swing. Straight-ahead jazz fans will appreciate this yeoman set. ~ Vicent Thomas http://www.allmusic.com/album/awakening-mw0001880928

Personnel:  Sonny Fortune - alto saxophone, flute, cowbell, chimes, claves, shaker, percussion;  Charles Sullivan - trumpet, flugelhorn (tracks 1 & 5);  Kenny Barron - piano, electric piano (tracks 1-3 & 5);  John Hicks - piano (track 4);  Wayne Dockery (track 1 & 3-5), Reggie Workman (track 2) – bass;  Billy Hart (tracks 1-3 & 5), Chip Lyle (track 4) – drums;  Angel Allende - congas, percussion (tracks 2 & 5)

Awakening

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Bebel Gilberto - S/T

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:42
Size: 109.2 MB
Styles: Bossa Nova
Year: 2004
Art: Front

[3:49] 1. Baby
[4:48] 2. Simplesmente
[4:44] 3. Aganjú
[4:43] 4. All Around
[4:54] 5. River Song
[4:05] 6. Every Day You've Been Away
[4:26] 7. Cada Beijo
[2:58] 8. O Caminho
[4:20] 9. Winter
[2:58] 10. Céu Distante
[3:01] 11. Jabuticaba
[2:52] 12. Next To You

With the release of her debut Tanto Tempo in 2000, the Brazilian singer Bebel Gilberto and the late DJ Suba redefined the bossa nova sound. Her sophomore effort, produced by Marius de Vries, the soundmeister behind Madonna, Annie Lennox and Bjork, was recorded in Rio, Bahia, London and New York. Gilberto's cool contralto sings sweetly over synths, strings, percussion acoustic piano and horns. Daniel Jobim and Pedro Baby contributed compositions. Caetano Veloso's "Baby" features lyrics by Os Mutantes, and Carlinhos Brown's candomblé-cadenced, "Aganju" swings with a nod to Africa. Bebel's hushed vocals reveal the influences of her father, the legendary Joao Gilberto, and of her mother Miucha on the electro-bossa beats of "Winter." Ditto the ocean-breezed "O Caminho," with jazzy orchestrations and pianisms provided by Joao Donato. This disc aims for the ear rather than the hips, but don't be surprised if future remixes could flip that sonic script. ~Eugene Holley, Jr.

Bebel Gilberto

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Chick Webb & His Orchestra - Spinnin' The Webb

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:35
Size: 129.6 MB
Styles: Swing, Big band
Year: 1994
Art: Front

[2:36] 1. Dog Bottom
[3:12] 2. Jungle Mama
[3:06] 3. Heebie Jeebies
[3:06] 4. Blues In My Heart
[2:44] 5. Lona
[3:01] 6. Blue Minor
[2:32] 7. Don't Be That Way
[2:50] 8. What A Shuffle
[2:59] 9. Blue Lou
[2:18] 10. Go Harlem
[2:26] 11. Clap Hands! Here Comes Charlie
[2:54] 12. That Naughty Waltz
[2:30] 13. I Got Rhythm
[3:06] 14. Squeeze Me
[3:14] 15. Harlem Congo
[2:29] 16. Midnight In A Madhouse
[3:00] 17. Spinnin' The Webb
[2:37] 18. Liza (All The Clouds'll Roll Away)
[2:50] 19. Who Ya Hunchin'
[2:54] 20. That Naughty Waltz

Though Chuck Webb is most frequently cited as the bandleader who gave Ella Fitzgerald her start, he was a spectacularly creative drummer as well. He led one of the most energetic bands of the swing era before his death at age 30, in 1939, from spinal tuberculosis. This compilation of Webb's Decca recordings covers his career from its beginnings in 1929 and emphasizes his band's instrumental prowess. Arrangements by the altoists Benny Carter and Edgar Sampson gave the band a style that was advanced for the day, while Webb's brilliant sense of swing cemented the ensemble's popularity with dancers and made him the model for drummers such as Jo Jones and Gene Krupa. The tightly rehearsed band explodes with precision on the leader's feature, "Clap Hands! Here Comes Charlie," and the charging "Harlem Congo." ~Stuart Broomer

Spinnin'The Webb

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Rein De Graaff - Ornithology

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:13
Size: 156.2 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[ 7:10] 1. Mr. P.C
[ 5:55] 2. Parker's Mood
[ 5:53] 3. Ornithology
[11:44] 4. Parisian Thoroughfare
[10:35] 5. That's All
[ 9:58] 6. Night In Tunesia
[ 6:59] 7. Autumn In New York
[ 9:56] 8. Billy's Bounce

Pianist. Dutch self-taught pianist who's made himself one of Europe's best session players. De Graaff led a trio from 1959 to 1962, then joined The Jazzopters for a year. He then headed his own quartet until 1964, at the same time playing with Erwin Some and Gijs Hendriks. De Graaff formed a new group in 1964 that stayed together until the '80s. He also played with a number of visiting American musicians, among them Hank Mobley, Lee Morgan, Johnny Griffin, Art Taylor, Clifford Jordan, Cecil Payne, Dexter Gordon, Clark Terry, Sonny Stitt, Philly Joe Jones and Arnett Cobb. He made several appearances in New York, and was awarded the Dutch National Jazz Prize in 1980. ~bio by Ron Wynn

Ornithology

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The Byrds - Greatest Hits

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:05
Size: 89.5 MB
Styles: Folk rock, AM pop
Year: 1967/1999
Art: Front

[2:29] 1. Mr. Tambourine Man
[2:30] 2. I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better
[3:29] 3. The Bells Of Rhymney
[3:49] 4. Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is A Season)
[2:03] 5. All I Really Want To Do
[3:51] 6. Chimes Of Freedom
[3:33] 7. Eight Miles High
[2:08] 8. Mr. Spaceman
[2:32] 9. 5d (Fifth Dimension)
[2:04] 10. So You Want To Be A Rock & Roll Star
[3:07] 11. My Back Pages
[1:56] 12. It Won't Be Wrong
[2:48] 13. Set You Free This Time
[2:39] 14. Have You Seen Her Face

Though they'd been together for just three years, the Byrds already had enough hits and classics to put out this collection in 1967-a #6 album in its own right! The 11 original songs- Turn, Turn, Turn; Mr. Tambourine Man; Eight Miles High , and the rest-are joined by three bonus tracks: It Won't Be Wrong; Set You Free This Time , and Have You Seen Her Face . A landmark in American music, expanded and upgraded!

The 12-string electric guitar may never recover. As long as there are baby boomers roaming the earth, its airy jangle will signify psychedelic innocence and optimism refracted through the peculiar light of mid-'60s Los Angeles. With Roger McGuinn leading, the Byrds kicked off American rock history with a merger of Bob Dylan's words and the Beatles' melodic energy. The results are here: "Mr. Tambourine Man," "The Bells of Rhymney," and "Eight Miles High" still jump off the airwaves. The midpoint between Dylan and the Beatles is a one-of-a-kind place, where optimism and innocence still sound smart. ~Steve Tignor

Greatest Hits

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Linda Pettersson Bratt - Remembering

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:33
Size: 113.5 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[4:11] 1. Return To Paradise
[3:55] 2. You Don´t Have To Be The Sun
[3:36] 3. Cornelia
[4:42] 4. Testify
[2:44] 5. See Me Beautiful
[3:51] 6. Now
[4:06] 7. You´re Nearer
[2:46] 8. My Philosophy
[5:55] 9. Here´s To Life
[4:27] 10. I Surrender
[4:46] 11. Que Sera Sera
[4:29] 12. What I Need

Linda Pettersson-voc; Krister Jonsson-git; Lars Ericsson-bass; Björn Höglund-perc.

Linda was born on the island of Alnö just off the east coast of Sweden and near the town of Sundsvall. She comes from a musical family and since 1994 she has worked as a freelance singer. She performs often in duo format, with her own group and is popular as guest soloist in other diverse musical constellations. Linda has made a considerable name for herself in a relatively short time. She is an unusually versatile singer with jazz as her favourite form of expression. She possesses a wide vocal range and a sensitive gift for giving lyrics rich and meaningful interpretations that communicate easily and directly with her listeners. Even though it is in jazz and its near-related genres that Linda has found her musical heartland, she has also had a large degree of success in other musical styles. As one of Sweden’s field artists in Bosnia and Kosova she received a great response and acclaim from the soldiers for her vocal talents in rock and pop concerts there.

In December 2000 Linda performed on her own one-hour TV programme from Nalen in Stockholm, together with the Mathias Algotsson Quartet. Together with Mikael Råberg, Kenny Wheeler with Bohuslän Big Band, and Morton Kargaard Group, Linda has sung specially written parts without words as in the role of an instrument. Linda has made international tours and performed in Japan, France, Scotland, South Africa and Denmark. In 2006 she made a record-long “Pulslag” tour of Sweden together with “Up From The Skies” (Ulf Adåker, Anders Persson, Christian Spering and Magnus Gran).

Linda can be heard on many recordings including her first CD in her own name “Who Are You?” (released 2004) and on “Some Really Nice Songs We Really Like” together with guitarist Krister Jonsson (released 2007). She is also guest soloist on other CDs with, among others, Ewan Svensson, Mikael Råberg and Peter Gullin Trio. Her second album in her own name is "Remembering". Released in april 2010.

Remembering

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Tierney Allen - With All That I Am

Size: 106,8 MB
Time: 45:30
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2003
Styles: Jazz/Pop/Blues Vocals
Art: Front

01. Take Me To Heart Intro (0:17)
02. Take Me To Heart (3:52)
03. Two For One Blues (4:16)
04. When You're In Love (2:37)
05. Love Me Or Leave Me (5:14)
06. With All That I Am (3:56)
07. Cry Me A River (4:30)
08. Human Nature (3:50)
09. Strange Intro (0:21)
10. People Are Strange (2:15)
11. In Your Eyes (5:29)
12. Same Old Lang Syne (4:51)
13. With All That I Am (Instrumental) (3:56)

Born in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., Tierney Allen loved singing to old Streisand, Bee Gees and Donna Summer albums. As a child, her family affectionately called her "Mega Mouth" because she always sang around the house. Tierney was just 10 years old when she made her first demo at an amusement park recording studio. It was just for fun but sounded exceptional for a fourth grader. From that point, she began the journey of following her dream.

To gain experience and lend a helping hand, Tierney volunteered her talents performing for various charitable organizations. At 16, she had the opportunity to compete on Ed McMahon's Star Search. She won four times and got to the semi-finals, but most importantly, began her professional journey into the music industry. "Performing and competing on television in front of millions of people was definitely a learning experience and one that helped build my confidence as a performer," says Tierney.

Tierney continued to sing throughout high school, singing the national anthem several times for the Washington Capitals NHL team. She joined a popular pop/rock band while attending college at the University of Maryland in College Park and graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Cum Laude with a Bachelor's in Journalism and Spanish. "Going to school was very important to me," she says. "You have to plan just in case the dream takes longer than expected."

After graduating college, she began singing with a ten-piece band and traveling across the US, Puerto Rico, Mexico, the Bahamas and Germany to perform for celebrities and major corporations. After a few years of working with this ensemble, she decided it was time to launch her solo career. Tierney moved to Orlando where she and her manager/long-time friend, Scott Messina, began the lengthy process of recording and promoting her debut CD, With All That I Am.

Confronting many of the hurdles and roadblocks that artists often face has only strengthened Tierney's resolve to make it in an industry where failure outweighs success. "Years of hard work and paying dues have made Tierney a strong woman," says Messina.

Since beginning her solo career, Tierney's songs have been played on well-known radio stations up and down the East Coast, and she has performed at famous venues such as The Bluebird Café in Nashville, TN, City Jazz in Universal Studios and The Jazz Company in Walt Disney World. She has been a featured artist in one of Orlando's top entertainment magazines, and has hosted and performed for the well-known Hawaiian Tropic Beauty Pageant. She has sung the national anthem for the NFL and the Daytona International Speedway before nationally televised sporting events and has donated her time and talent to organizations like the March of Dimes and the American Cancer Society.

With All That I Am was released in October 2003 and the album's title song, co written by Tierney, has been making waves across the nation as a perfect wedding song. Listeners have also been calling Smooth Jazz and More 103.1 WLOQ in Orlando, Florida to request "When You're in Love."

From her re-recording of Peter Gabriel's, "In Your Eyes," Dan Fogelburg's, "Same Old Lang Syne," and the Doors', "People Are Strange," to her beautifully composed originals, her sensual CD has been referred to as an "audio aphrodisiac."

With All That I Am

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John Stowell & Michael Zilber Quartet - Basement Blues

Size: 126,4 MB
Time: 53:54
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. Basement Blues (5:17)
02. Nobody Else But Me (5:46)
03. Stowell In Heart (5:08)
04. Stay Right There (5:05)
05. Violin Memory (4:42)
06. Later That Night (5:52)
07. I Wish (4:33)
08. Have Yourself A Vince Guaraldi Xmas (4:39)
09. Stowell Mates (8:27)
10. Very Early (4:21)

Basement Blues is the third Origin Records CD offering from the John Stowell/Michael Zilber Quartet, following Shot Through With Beauty (2009) and Live Beauty, (2013). Guitarist Stowell's approach is distinctive—silvery chords and pinprick single notes that reverberate from the rafters. Saxophonist Zilber is a flawless, soulful technician on soprano and tenor saxophones. Bassist John Shifflett and drummer Jason Lewis are perfection in the supportive rhythm rolls. It all comes together in a cohesive set that is probing and cerebral and laid-back approachable.

The set features two classics: Jerome Kern's "Nobody Else but Me" and the closer, pianist Bill Evans' "Very Early." All other tunes are originals from the pens of Stowell or Zilber, with one group-written composition, "Later that Night," that—with such a groove—doesn't sound like a free improvisation, though it may well be.

The disc's title tune, written by Zilber, opens the set on a reflective note. Zilber is exquisite on soprano horn, and he adds some almost subliminal piano to the rhythm, a subtle and beautiful sparkle behind Stowell's piquant solo. Jerome Kern's "Nobody Else But Me" is given a playful turn, and "Stowell In Heart," from Zilber's pen, is introspective, wandering, lovely, a somewhat amorphous type of tune that could be mistaken for a Wayne Shorter composition. Stowell's "Violin Memory" features Zilber putting out a robust and gritty sound on tenor sax to contrast with Stowell's effortless grace.

With three disc's now to their credit, the John Stowell/Michael Zilber Quartet has crafted a group sound as individualistic, and as modernistic and compelling, as any out there. ~Dan McClenaghan

Personnel: Michael Zilber: saxophones, piano; John Stowell: guitars; John Shifflett: bass; Jason Lewis: drums.

Basement Blues

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