Warren Greig Trio - S/T

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:10
Size: 112.6 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2004
Art: Front

[4:01] 1. Sonnymoon For Two
[5:58] 2. Manha De Carnaval
[4:38] 3. Minority
[5:38] 4. It Could Happen To You
[5:11] 5. Melissa
[6:11] 6. Two-Part Strut
[6:41] 7. Invitation
[4:35] 8. Cianciana
[6:13] 9. Jersey Bounce

From the first tune, “Sonnymoon for Two” to the last, “Jersey Bounce”, Greig’s warm and woody tone (played on a gorgeous vintage ES-175) swings with fervor and delight as he exhibits a strong melodic playing style that is exceedingly musical, developed, and right on the money. From burn (“Minority”, “Melissa”), to bluesy (“Sonnymoon for Two”, “Jersey Bounce”), to bossa (“Manha De Carnival”), Greig is a dynamic guitarist who sounds right at home with the tunes he has chosen for this date. His playing style is fluid and smooth as he navigates through the changes with a confidence and ease that speaks of musical maturity and skill which is what I enjoyed most about Greig’s playing. His lines are clearly developed with a logical direction that speaks volumes about dedication to one’s craft. This is player who has obviously listened to the best and has learned his lessons well. Plus he can write cool tunes (“Melissa”, “Two-Part Strutt” and “Cianciana”). It’s no wonder he was a popular sideman for so long.

And speaking of sidemen, where would the “Trio” be without the remaining members of Greig’s group: Paul Wiggins on organ and Harry Ellis on drums. Both players take their roles as musical supporters very seriously as they lay down the harmonic and rhythmic foundations for Greig’s melodic musings. And in true organ trio fashion, organ and guitar share the solo spotlight as each player lends his own particular personality to the changes with Wiggins’ displaying an amusing penchant for quoting other tunes in his solos (check out Greig’s original composition “Melissa” for a taste.) Through all this, Ellis keeps the time steady and the tunes energized, while getting to shine during a few “trading fours” sections, making this CD a definite enjoyable listen.

If you are a student or fan of jazz guitar and appreciate those who are trying to keep the jazz flame burning bright, then pick up a copy of Warren Greig’s “Warren Greig Trio”. It makes a wonderful addition to any music lover’s collection. ~Lyle Robinson

Warren Greig Trio

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Bob Barnard - New York Notes

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:26
Size: 140.7 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz
Year: 1996
Art: Front

[3:56] 1. Song Of India
[5:39] 2. Washboard Blues
[4:35] 3. Smackaroony
[4:54] 4. Nightfall
[3:50] 5. The Sunshine Of Love
[4:05] 6. Don't Know If I'm Coming Or Going
[3:35] 7. You
[4:29] 8. Rainbow Hill
[3:53] 9. No One Else But You
[3:12] 10. Who's It
[3:53] 11. Sleepy Head
[2:17] 12. My Home Is In A Southern Town
[2:53] 13. Borsalino
[2:57] 14. Bank Street Bounce
[3:38] 15. All That I Can Ask Of You Is Love
[3:33] 16. You Made Me Love You

Bob Barnard - cornet, Cal Collins - gtr, Keith Ingham - pno, Earl May-bss, Jackie Williams - drms.

A well-chosen program of jazz standards, Bob Barnard's Satchmo-tinged solos, and Cal Collins superior guitar-work make this a set worth having. ~Brownian Motion

New York Notes

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Marcus Printup - Bird of Paradise: The Music of Charlie Parker

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:15
Size: 147,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:16)  1. Stupendous
(4:10)  2. Now's the Time
(5:51)  3. Lover Man Take 2
(4:08)  4. Bird of Paradise
(5:43)  5. Donna Lee
(7:04)  6. Parker's Mood
(6:45)  7. The Hymn
(6:02)  8. Quasimodo
(5:52)  9. Lover Man Take 1
(6:00) 10. Confirmation
(7:18) 11. Bird Feathers

A generation ago, tribute albums to Charlie Parker often featured extended passages of Bird’s solos transcribed for one or more horns, or bands mirroring the traditional Parker bebop small groups of alto sax, trumpet, piano, bass and drums. And musicians on them paid close homage to Parker by playing in a decidedly neo-bop style. You won’t find much, if any, of that here. Trumpeter Marcus Printup presents a repertoire of tunes written and/or performed by Parker, many of them familiar Bird lines. But Printup’s band (Kengo Nakamura, bass; Shinnosuke Takahashi, drums) eliminates piano; the only additional chording instrument is Riza Hequibal’s harp on five of the 11 tracks, but it comps on only three. Saxophonist Ted Nash is on nine tracks, but he’s mainly on tenor, playing alto on only two. And instead of the razzle-dazzle breathless excitement of charging through the changes of classic bop, Printup and Nash solo with more tonal and timbral variety, sacrificing sheer velocity for expressive sounds and fewer notes. It’s a creatively fertile way to revisit Bird’s music. 

That music is still memorable and welcome today, as Printup reminds us with the delightfully sly “Quasimodo,” Bird’s tongue-in-cheek title for his invention on the chords of “Embraceable You,” and that tricky, swirling blues line “Bird Feathers.” Printup gives a twist to two of Parker’s most familiar tunes, adding a harp and bass intro to “Now’s the Time” (source of “The Hucklebuck”) and heraldic harp intro and coda to “Parker’s Mood,” an iconic Bird line the trumpeter plays himself, also soloing personally, letting Nash’s tenor reference Bird’s famed solo. “Stupendous” (on “’S Wonderful” changes) opens the CD with a less-familiar line that Printup and Nash tear into, sharing and overlapping ideas in a sequence of fours and tandem exchanges. Their speedy workout on “Confirmation” is another highlight, featuring Nash’s most Bird-like alto outing. Printup’s two takes on “Lover Man,” one open, one muted, with just the rhythm section and comping harp, are emotionally resonant ballad interludes. ~ George Kanzler  http://jazztimes.com/articles/18263-bird-of-paradise-the-music-of-charlie-parker-marcus-printup

Personnel: Marcus Printup: trumpet, Ted Nash: alto sax, tenor sax; Kengo Nakamura: bass; Shinnosuke Takahashi: drums; Riza Herbqibal: harp.

Bird of Paradise: The Music of Charlie Parker

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Sylvia Vrethammar - Rio De Janeiro Blue

Styles: Vocal, Brazilian Jazz
Year: 1985
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:56
Size: 92,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:12)  1. Começar De Novo
(3:55)  2. Rio De Janeiro Blue
(2:59)  3. Que Bonito É
(3:47)  4. Someone Home
(2:49)  5. Estalo De Maracatu
(4:24)  6. Nobody Does It Better
(3:51)  7. O Cheiro Da Carolina
(4:32)  8. Make The River Flow
(3:07)  9. Antes Que Seja Tarde
(3:52) 10. I Belong
(3:24) 11. Carioca

In the year of 1983 during the production of a TV-concert at the legendary "Berns" in Stockholm Sylvia works for the first time with Georgie Fame ("Bonnie & Clyde") and during the summer of this year also records the album "In Goodmansland" together with him. In the meantime here later-to-become-evergreen "Ricardo" gets its first release in Germany. Sylvia is also much sought after as an MC and hosts the German TV show "Kiel International" in 1986. 1989 her German album "Frau im besten Mannesalter" gets released and unfortunately becomes the last production with her by the highly successful producer Heinz Gietz ("Pigalle", "Musik liegt in der Luft") who dies later the same year. Meanwhile back in Sweden, Sylvia is voted as one of the countries ten most beautiful women. In 1990 Sylvia makes Germany her second residential adress. The German CD "Ladylike" is released and a few years later the critically highly acclaimed CD "Something my heart might say". On this album she is only accompanied by her longtime guitar player Rune Gustafsson and she presents a couple of songs from her broad repertoire in this intimate, classic atmosphere of only voice and guitar.

In the mid-nineties Sylvia begins a working relationship with young Swedish jazz piano player Jan Lundgren and his trio. An unforgettable instance working with this trio turns out to be a show at the world-famous "Tropigala-Club" of the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami, USA. A Danish journalist,Krister Branding, once  wrote: " Sylvia Vrethammar walked on stage with a charisma and routine that only a big star can offer you! Sylvia Vrethammar is plainly a world class artist- And that´s the way it is!" In 2002 she returns to perform again at the "Eurovision Song Contest" for the first time in 28 years. Both new albums "Samstag Nacht" in Germany and "Faller för dej" in Sweden, although with totally different tracks, are being produced at almost the same time and Sylvia's German as well as Swedish lyrics are being teamed up with a phenomenal bandwidth of different musical styles. The co-operation with Jan Lundgren and his musicians is developing in the meantime so intensively and successfully that Sylvia decides to make a CD with the boys where she also for the first time will show her talents as a record producer. The recording sessions take place in the summer of 2005 in the living room of Sylvia's country house in Germany and the result is being released on CD in the spring of 2006 under the title of "Champagne".

"40 Years on Stage" is the name of Sylvia‘s big anniversary concert at the Cirkus in Stockholm in 2009. Together with a cast of long time friends and contributors such as Georgie Fame, Hector Bingert and Jan Lundgren among others, Sylvia performs a 2 and a half hour concert, backed by the phenomenal Roger Berg Big Band. The show is recorded in High Definition picture and 5.1 sound for later use on television and DVD. 2010 brings a totally new experience for Sylvia by recording a duet together with young Swedish pop-star Kristian Anttila. Their song "Magdalena (Livet före döden)" gets immediately a huge radio response which makes them decide to shoot a video, directed by Daniel Jigenstedt. In the summer of 2012 Sylvia participates in Sweden‘s most popular TV-series „Så mycket bättre“. After the broadcast of the 9 episodes in Winter 2012 the program gets 2 ,Kristall‘-prices for being Sweden‘s best entertainment program. The adjoining CD to the show sells double-platinum. 2013 sees Sylvia participate for the 5th time in the Eurovision Song Contest. This time with a song written by Thomas G:son and called ,Trivialitet‘. The rest of the year she is busy recording her new album „Musik“ complete with Big-Band and Strings and 12 songs written by her late father-in-law Heinz Gietz with lyrics by Sylvia herself. The album is released on January 2nd, 2014 and has an adjoining TV-documentary about the Making-Of the album, which was aired by Swedish channel TV4 on December 29th, 2013. http://www.sylvia-vrethammar.de/Official_Sylvia_Vrethammar_Homepage/Biography.html

Rio De Janeiro Blue

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Don Friedman - My romance

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:20
Size: 145,5 MB
Art: Front

(7:29)  1. How deep is the ocean
(5:40)  2. These foolish things
(7:13)  3. My foolish heart
(6:33)  4. I can't get started
(6:33)  5. In your own sweet way
(4:55)  6. My romance
(6:29)  7. My funny Valentine
(6:26)  8. Angel eyes
(6:03)  9. Sophisticated Lady
(5:56) 10. Darn that dream

An excellent if underrated pianist, Don Friedman started off playing on the West Coast in 1956 with Dexter Gordon, Shorty Rogers, Buddy Collette, Buddy DeFranco (1956-1957), Chet Baker, and even the then-unknown altoist Ornette Coleman. After moving to New York in 1958, Friedman played in many settings, including with his own trio, Pepper Adams, Booker Little (recording with him in 1961), the Jimmy Giuffre Three (1964), a quartet with Attila Zoller, Chuck Wayne's trio (1966-1967), and, by the end of the decade, Clark Terry's big band. He continued working in New York as both a jazz educator and a pianist with wide musical interests, and was featured on Concord's Maybeck Recital Hall series (1993). 

Friedman also recorded for Riverside, Prestige, Progressive, Owl, Empathy, and several Japanese labels, and continued doing sessions in New York throughout the '90s and 2000s. Friedman died on June 30, 2016. He was 81 years old. ~ Scott Yanow https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/don-friedman/id2754221#fullText

My romance

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Sunna Gunnlaugs - Distilled

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:30
Size: 128,1 MB
Art: Front

(6:09)  1. Momento
(5:54)  2. Distilled
(3:13)  3. Switcheroo
(3:40)  4. Smiling Face
(6:36)  5. Gallop
(1:15)  6. Spin 6
(4:30)  7. The New Now
(7:14)  8. 24H Trip
(6:27)  9. Things You Should Know
(3:19) 10. From Time to Time
(5:22) 11. Opposite Side
(1:45) 12. Spin 7

It is tempting to connect a musical aesthetic with a particular place. In fact, the whole idea of national music relies on the concept of an intrinsic national spirit, which creates an original musical expression. The only problem with a concept like national music is that it tends to pigeonhole musicians and create prejudice rather than adventurousness.  Then it is great to have an artist like Icelandic pianist Sunna Gunnlaugs, who is good at turning things around. It wouldn't be far off the mark to see her as a kind of musical trickster, who refuses to be placed within a certain sound or tradition. She is aware of her Icelandic roots and has used the country's musical legacy on Songs from Iceland (Sunny Sky, 2009), but the tranquil folk melodies of Iceland is balanced by an elegant modernistic exploration of time signatures and an infectious swing. This musical blend of old and new also comes to the fore on Distilled, which finds Gunnlaugs in the congenial company of drummer Scott McLemore and bassist Thorgrimur Jonsson.  

Whether they swing elegantly on "Momento," dive deep into balladic nostalgia on the title track or explore delicate textures on the brief haiku-like "spin 7," there's a sense of an organic meeting between tradition and modernism or what might be called an accessible experimentalism. Like the rest of the trio, Gunnlaugs seems to have the whole history of jazz at her fingertips and Distilled is the sweeping sound of a rich musical life that has been distilled into art, and like the best musical offerings, the album transgresses conventional boundaries, including those of geography. ~ Jakob Baekgaard https://www.allaboutjazz.com/distilled-sunna-gunnlaugs-sunny-sky-review-by-jakob-baekgaard.php
 

Personnel: Sunna Gunnlaugs: piano; Þorgrímur Jónsson: bass; Scott Mclemore: drums.

Distilled

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The Black Market Trust - The Black Market Trust

Size: 77,8 MB
Time: 33:27
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2012
Styles: Gipsy Jazz
Art: Front

01. Super-Standard (3:15)
02. Referential Integrity (3:08)
03. The Descent (3:00)
04. The First Waltz (2:08)
05. Roll Credits (3:16)
06. Jason Jason (3:34)
07. Penny (2:27)
08. Waiting On Rob (3:19)
09. The J.B. Stomp (2:58)
10. Raise A Glass (3:25)
11. Good Morning (2:51)

The Black Market trust is an American Gypsy-Jazz group consisting of lead guitarist Jeff Radaich, rhythm guitarist Chris Irwin, and bassist Brian Netzley. Their sound is characterized by a hybrid of both new school pop and old world jazz. Combining a Brill-Building-sensibility to songwriting with flashy guitar playing and an incredible swinging rhythm section, the BMT makes jazz for people who hate jazz.

The Black Market Trust

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Lori Williams - Behind The Smiles

Size: 118,4 MB
Time: 50:28
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

01. Deja Vu (Feat. Benjie Porecki, Mark Prince, Zack Pride, Victoria Purcelel Coan & Rayshun Lamarr) (4:40)
02. It's Love (Feat. Benjie Porecki) (4:30)
03. Save Your Love For Me (Feat. Zack Pride) (5:24)
04. You Make Me Feel Alright (Feat. Raymond Reeder) (3:25)
05. The Island (Feat. Benjie Porecki, Mark Prince, Tracey Cutler & Zack Pride) (5:48)
06. Through Your Eyes (4:26)
07. Behind The Smiles (4:29)
08. Mixed Signals (4:42)
09. It's Safe To Dream (4:24)
10. Overjoyed (4:47)
11. Song Of Praise - It Is Well (3:48)

In the ever-crowded field of jazz vocalists, it is always such a pleasure to encounter an artist who stands out in the crowd, Willard Jenkins, DC Jazz Festival Artistic Director. Lori Williams is the real deal. She believes in her motto Words are powerful. Speak wisely and has found her voice in the music she passionately shares. Lori's third CD Behind the Smiles is a romantic collection, embodying a seamless mix of Jazz, Inspiration and Soul music. Her choices of lyrical themes are those that touch the human soul, Phil Perry. Lori's creative process has been characterized as a 'Love Supreme', offering a relatable musical experience for everyone who hears her. She is a singer's singer with over 30 years on the professional scene. She also surrounds herself with the crème de la crème of musicians on every CD project. The listener is taken on a captivating musical journey. With songs from Stevie Wonder, Melvyn K. Prince, Nancy Wilson and others, her songs are inviting and directly respond to the album's title. Behind the Smiles is a wonderful compilation of 11 original and cover songs. Lori opens with the Isaac Hayes' classic Déjà Vu, popularized by Dionne Warwick. She ends with Song of Praise/It Is Well, a beautiful marriage of songs. One of her proudest moments is shared on Mixed Signals when her daughter, Lauren Highsmith sings background vocals with Lori and scats at the end. You'll want to hear the progressive sounds and creative prowess. Lori offers sultry deliveries on The Island (Ivan Lins) and Through Your Eyes/Iris (Wayne Shorter, Music/Lori Williams, Lyrics), which were videotaped during the recording. Lori...can seamlessly move from Jazz to R&B where the listener can feel at home with her in either genre, Terri Lyne Carrington, Grammy Award Winning Jazz Drummer/Producer/Composer. If you'd like to hear sensual tones encompassing beautiful colors and sublime phrasing...listen to Lori Williams, Maysa, Grammy Nominated International Singer.

Behind The Smiles

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Pennal Johnson - Conversations: Live In Chicago

Size: 154,9 MB
Time: 66:37
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz, Funk, Rock
Art: Front

01. I Am Somebody (0:56)
02. Are We' Movement I (2:51)
03. The Covering (6:41)
04. Cissy Strut (5:40)
05. On The Way There (5:56)
06. Amazing Grace (0:42)
07. Are We' Movement II (2:28)
08. Respect - We Love You Rev Jesse Jackson (4:11)
09. Nasty Funk (6:53)
10. Mothership Connection - Star Child (5:04)
11. Come Together (3:26)
12. Come Together - Reprise (2:39)
13. Are We Movement III (2:51)
14. Lead Me Guide Me (3:56)
15. Gonna Fly Now (4:03)
16. Are We' (8:13)

This album showcases a phenomenal bassist (PJ) who has clearly mastered a fusion of jazz, funk, adult contemporary and rock 'n' roll! The album Conversations - Live in Chicago portrays excellent forward-thinking tracks, with extremely competent and intuitive playing. PJ is by far an innovator using the electric bass! This album is a MUST! PJ (Pennal Johnson) is a Bassist, writer & entrepreneur from Chicago's West Side. PJ was selected to be the bass player for The Chicago All-City Jazz Band from 1984 to 1987. During this time PJ received numerous awards which include The Outstanding Soloist Award at the Midwest Jazz Festival and Outstanding Musician of the Year from All City Jazz Band of Chicago. PJ has had the opportunity to perform with the talents of Andre and Sandra Crouch, Kurt Carr and Abraham Laboriel, to name a few. Currently, PJ is touring the USA and abroad with his own band PJ & Soul. This album defines the talent of bassist (PJ) who has clearly mastered a fusion of jazz, funk, adult contemporary and rock 'n' roll! The album Conversations - Live in Chicago portrays excellent forward-thinking tracks, with extremely competent and intuitive playing. PJ is by far an innovator using the electric bass! This album is a MUST!

Conversations

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Harry Allen's All Star New York Saxophone Band - The Candy Men

Size: 154,2 MB
Time: 66:29
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. Four Brothers (4:00)
02. The One For You (7:52)
03. How Are Things In Glocca Morra' (3:04)
04. After You've Gone (9:04)
05. I Wished On The Moon (8:11)
06. Blues In The Morning (8:57)
07. I Can See Forever (4:51)
08. The Red Door (4:33)
09. The Cany Man (4:42)
10. So There (3:48)
11. Nobody's Heart (4:12)
12. The Party's Over (3:09)

The legendary Four Brothers reed section of Woody Herman's famous "Second Herd" big band of 1947, (Herbie Steward, Zoot Sims, Stan Getz and Serge Chaloff) is reimagined and reinvigorated by jazz icons Harry Allen, Eric Alexander, Grant Stewart and Gary Smulyan on the exciting, swinging and audacious recording of The Candy Men by Harry Allen's All Star New York Saxophone Band. Offering a sensational set of twelve bop-infused tunes containing some hard-driving, mid-tempo swing pieces to breathy and bossa-styled ballads, one sampling of this disc is just not enough. The material and the musicianship is so outstanding, that the late, great bandleader Woody Herman himself, would be proud of the way this group of jazz icons, has so elegantly represented the original Brothers section.

Three tenors and one baritone saxophone produce a powerful sound especially when joining forces to harmonize melodies as so often demonstrated here. The foursome is accompanied by Rossano Sportiello on piano, Joel Forbes on bass and Kevin Kanner on the drums—all forming one vibrant septet that shine on every note. The music opens up in swinging fashion on Jimmy Giuffre's "Four Brothers" tribute piece using Al Cohn's arrangement of the classic which bring out each sax man's distinctive voice. The tenor men take on a slinky, mid-tempo swinger on Allen's "The One for You" featuring a burning solo from Smulyan followed by a little tenor madness from Allen and the others.

While there's a lot of swing on this album, Allen and crew do present a softer side with such warm ballads as the brief "How are Things in Glocca Morra?," Dorothy Parker's "I Wished On the Moon," the Rodgers and Hart classic "Nobody's Heart" and the delicate bossa-tinged "I Can See Forever," one of the show pieces of the recording. But, of course, the group gets back to the meat of the set on the Gerry Mulligan / Zoot Sims composition "Red Door" where the group lets it all hang out on one torrid power play after another featuring the tenors and Smulyan sounding off in dynamic style.

Offering the inspiration for the title of the album, the Leslie Bricusse / Anthony Newley pop standard "The Candy Man," best remembered as a 1972 hit by Sammy Davis Jr., takes on an Allen arrangement that highlights the leader on the main solo. Rounding out the music, is a lively, up tempo swinger "So There," an Allen original penned for a previous recording perfect for a saxophone summit, followed by the appropriately titled, "The Party's Over" as the finale piece.

Leader Harry Allen and the rest of the high-powered reed section featured on The Candy Men, capture well the magic of the original Four Brothers section and set themselves apart by providing a few tricks of their own that make their sound, distinctive and mesmerizing. ~by Edward Blanco

Personnel: Harry Allen: tenor saxophone; Eric Alexander: tenor saxophone; Grant Stewart: tenor saxophone; Gary Smulyan: baritone saxophone; Rossano Sportiello: piano; Joel Forbes: bass; Kevin Kanner: drums.

The Candy Men

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Tina May & The Steve Plews Trio - Telling Jokes

Size: 98,6 MB
Time: 42:32
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Telling Jokes (4:29)
02. Spring Is Here (2:46)
03. I'll Swing For You (4:33)
04. Am I Blue (2:46)
05. Endgame (6:55)
06. Summertime (5:32)
07. Love And Pain (2:51)
08. Two Left Feet (4:45)
09. Autumn Leaves (4:07)
10. Like The Melting Snow (3:43)

This superb album sees Tina May ("That great rarity, a singer who enhances a song" The Observer) perform the songs and arrangements of pianist and composer Steve Plews.

'Telling Jokes' is a musical story of a doomed love affair illustrated by the seasons. Here original songs are punctuated by standards to paint a musical portrait of a year in the life of a sweet and sour relationship. "Spring is Here", "Summertime" and "Autumn Leaves" each depict the various seasons and a Steve Plews original, "Like the melting Snow", concludes this romantic odyssey.

Tina displays her versatility and sensitivity to melody and harmony, with a performance of great depth. The music could be described as "genreless" jazz, as a "theme - instrumental solo - theme" approach is rarely employed. Instead the focus is on Tina's voice as an instrument, her navigation of some new approaches to well-established standards and her interpretations of Steve Plews' songs. The trio is completed by Gavin Barrass on double bass and Johnny Hunter on drums. There are guest appearances from Steve Waterman (trumpet), Alan Barnes (reeds) and The New World Ensemble (strings).

Tina May was born in Gloucestershire, where she was influenced greatly by her parents jazz record collection, containing such illustrious composers and artistes as Duke Ellington and Fats Waller. She has recorded many CD's of her own as a leader including a recent, widely acclaimed, album with renowned pianist Enrico Pieranunzi.

Telling Jokes

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Norah Jones - Day Breaks

Size: 114,2 MB
Time: 48:55
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

01. Burn (4:39)
02. Tragedy (4:14)
03. Flipside (3:41)
04. It's A Wonderful Time For Love (3:54)
05. And Then There Was You (3:05)
06. Don't Be Denied (5:36)
07. Day Breaks (3:57)
08. Peace (5:15)
09. Once I Had A Laugh (3:12)
10. Sleeping Wild (3:07)
11. Carry On (2:48)
12. Fleurette Africaine (African Flower) (5:22)

Day Breaks is Norah's sixth solo album and a kindred spirit to her breakout debut Come Away With Me. It finds her returning to the piano and her roots.The album features Blue Note luminaries including saxophonist Wayne Shorter, organist Dr. Lonnie Smith, and drummer Brian Blade on a 12-song set that presents 9 new originals alongside covers of songs by Horace Silver, Duke Ellington and Neil Young.

Day Breaks

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Patrolman Lem Winchester - New Faces At Newport/A Tribute To Clifford Brown

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:56
Size: 118.9 MB
Styles: Vibraphone jazz
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[0:51] 1. Presentation
[4:38] 2. Now's The Time
[5:49] 3. Polka Dots And Moonbeams
[4:56] 4. Take The A Train
[3:26] 5. Joy Spring
[4:31] 6. Where It Is
[6:15] 7. Sandu
[5:31] 8. Once In A While
[3:27] 9. Jordu
[3:41] 10. It Could Happen To You
[3:37] 11. Easy To Love
[5:09] 12. A Message From Boysie

Lem Winchester (vib), Ray Santisi, Ramsey Lewis (p), John Neves, Eldee Young (b), Jimmy Zitano, Issac Redd Holt (d). Tracks #1-4 originally released on Side B of the album "New Faces at Newport" (Metrojazz E 1005); Recorded in Newport Jazz Festival, Newport, R.I., on July 6, 1958. Tracks #5-12, from the Lem Winchester-Ramsey Lewis Trio LP "Perform a Tribute to Clifford Brown" (Argo LP(S) 642); Recorded in Chicago, on October 8, 1958.

Active for some years as a semi-professional jazz vibist, Lem Winchester, a police officer in Wilmington, Del., was largely unknown when jazz critic Leonard Feather first heard him in 1958 and brought him to the Newport Jazz festival that year. There, his stellar performance astounded audiences, musicians and critics alike. Issued as part of the album New Faces at Newport, it opened up for him the prospect of a career in jazz. Backed by Ramsey Lewiss well integrated trio, he made his first record as leader a few months later, working beautifully with Lewis on the tribute album to the late trumpeter, Clifford Brown, a boyhood friend of the vibist, included here.

As a cop, however, Winchester was violating police regulations by working as a weekend musician in his home town and in Philadelphia jazz spots. So, having recorded few highly praised albums, after eleven years of trying to decide between pounding a beat and keeping one, he turned in his badge and gun in the summer of 1960 and joined the jazz fraternity full time. Unfortunatelyand ironicallya few months later he shot himself in a tragic bit of pistol horseplay in an Indianapolis club.

New Faces At Newport/A Tribute To Clifford Brown

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Various Artists - Capitol Records From The Vaults: Roots Of Rock 'n' Roll

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:09
Size: 153.7 MB
Styles: Easy Listening, Pop
Year: 2000
Art: Front

[2:26] 1. Nat King Cole Trio - Straighten Up And Fly Right
[2:58] 2. Martha Tilton - (Ah Yes) There's Good Blues Tonight
[2:51] 3. Freddie Slack - The House Of Blue Lights
[2:55] 4. Alvino Rey - Guitar Boogie
[2:42] 5. Geechie Smith & His Orchestra - Let The Good Times Roll
[2:37] 6. T-Bone Walker - Bobby Sox Blues
[2:53] 7. The Pied Pipers - Open The Door, Richard
[2:49] 8. Jo Stafford - A Sunday Kind Of Love
[2:50] 9. Jesse Price - Blue Book Boogie
[2:51] 10. Tex Williams - Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)
[2:59] 11. Nellie Lutcher - He's A Real Gone Guy
[2:27] 12. Ella Mae Morse - Down The Road A Piece
[2:42] 13. Crown Prince Waterford - Coal Black Baby
[2:13] 14. Cliffie Stone - He's A Real Gone Oakie
[3:01] 15. Marvin Johnson - Hey Lawdy Mama
[3:26] 16. Benny Goodman - The Huckle-Buck
[2:55] 17. Big Sis Andrews And Her Huckle-Busters - The Huckle-Buck
[2:12] 18. The Selah Singers - I'll Be Satisfied
[2:52] 19. The Selah Singers - He's My Rock, Sword And Shield
[2:56] 20. Lee Young - Seeing Double
[1:53] 21. Dean Martin - I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine
[2:34] 22. Tennessee Ernie Ford - Shot-Gun Boogie
[2:34] 23. Jimmie Dolan - Hot Rod Race
[2:04] 24. Les Paul - How High The Moon
[2:18] 25. Merrill Moore - The House Of Blue Lights

Much of the earliest mass-market rock 'n' roll sounded like a mix of country and rhythm and blues. Consequently, most rock journalists/historians assume that rock must have evolved from both of these forms. In fact, Billy Vera, in the liner notes to this CD, asserts that rock 'n' roll "had many sources," and we are offered 25 selections, consisting primarily of hillbilly-boogie sides and the tamest possible rhythm and blues, that allegedly prove as much. They don't even come close. With the exception of one or two tracks, nothing here sounds much like rock 'n' roll or the roots of same. None of the country tracks (all pre-Elvis) sound anything like rockabilly, and none of the r&b sides rock in the manner of Johnny Otis, Paul Williams, Hal Singer, or any number of other black artists of the period covered. Have the compilers deliberately misrepresented the black popular music of this period in an attempt to play it down, historically? Probably. Why, is anybody's guess. At any rate, the listener's willingness to accept this CD as a credible rock-roots document will depend on how easily he or she can accept people like Dean Martin, Tex Williams ("Smoke! Smoke! Smoke!"), ex-Tommy-Dorsey vocalist Jo Stafford, and Mary Ford as rock pioneers. The music itself is great, and the sound restoration is superb. But the folks behind this curiosity seem to have overestimated their audience's credulity. ~ Lee Hartsfeld

Capitol Records From The Vaults: Roots Of Rock 'n' Roll

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Indigo Swing - S/T

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:05
Size: 114.7 MB
Styles: Retro Swing
Year: 1998
Art: Front

[2:19] 1. Pink Cadillac
[4:26] 2. Reet, Petite & Gone
[4:14] 3. Please Tell 'em
[3:32] 4. I Can't Stop It
[4:04] 5. My Baby Just Cares For Me
[3:29] 6. I Love Paris
[3:08] 7. Swing Lover
[4:01] 8. Flip, Flop & Fly
[2:57] 9. My Baby Comes 'round At 8
[2:40] 10. Red Door Blues
[3:47] 11. Baby Baby
[3:49] 12. Choo Choo Ch'boogie
[4:33] 13. She Dreams Of Me
[2:59] 14. Rollin' With Roland

The retro-swing unit Indigo Swing were formed in San Francisco around the sextet of vocalist Johnny Boyd, guitarist Josh Workman, bassist Vance Ehlers, drummer "Big Jim" Overton, pianist William Beatty and saxophone player Baron Shul. After kick-starting northern California's new school of swing, the group began touring around America and signed to Time Bomb Recordings in 1997. The group's debut All Aboard was released in July 1998. They followed with Red Light in 1999. ~bio by John Bush

Indigo Swing

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Grant Green - Retrospective 1961-66 (4-Disc Set)

Simply put, this is a very decent four-disc collection of the work of guitarist Grant Green. It features tracks from his many albums as a leader and some as a sideman with others, such as Lee Morgan, John Patton, Baby Face Willette, and Sonny Clark. His early-'60s sides are here along with most of his defining cuts from the '60s, from hard bop to soul-jazz to ballads to gospel -- everything most fans would ever want is here, including his late blues sides recorded in the bars of Detroit in 1970. While Green's own albums can never be replaced, this is a solid portrait of one of the most influential jazz guitarists in history. ~Thom Jurek

Album: Retrospective 1961-66 (Disc 1)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 73:01

Size: 167.2 MB

Styles: Guitar jazz

Year: 2002

[6:34] 1. A Foggy Day

[7:04] 2. Blues For Willareen

[7:13] 3. Baby's Minor Lope

[6:31] 4. Swingin' At Sugar Ray's

[4:10] 5. Old Folks

[6:07] 6. Ain't No Use

[9:05] 7. Funky Mama, Pt. 1

[5:38] 8. The Silver Meter

[7:28] 9. Our Miss Brooks

[6:20] 10. Boop Bop Bing Bash

[6:45] 11. Let 'em Roll

Retrospective 1961-66 (Disc 1)

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Album: Retrospective 1961-66 (Disc 2)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 77:12

Size: 176.7 MB

Styles: Guitar jazz

Year: 2002

[ 8:14] 1. The Yodel

[ 7:39] 2. Soul Woman

[11:40] 3. Talkin' About J.C

[ 7:35] 4. You Don't Know What Love Is

[ 9:35] 5. Plaza De Toros

[ 9:36] 6. Tyrone

[ 7:59] 7. Somewhere In The Night

[ 7:41] 8. Lazy Afternoon

[ 7:10] 9. Speak Low

Retrospective 1961-66 (Disc 2)

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Album: Retrospective 1961-66 (Disc 3)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 75:36

Size: 173.1 MB

Styles: Guitar jazz

Year: 2002

[ 7:01] 1. 'round Midnight

[ 9:46] 2. So What

[ 5:49] 3. What Is This Thing Called Love

[10:18] 4. It Ain't Necessarily So

[ 6:21] 5. My Little Suede Shoes

[ 7:09] 6. Besame Mucho

[ 3:24] 7. I Can't Stop Loving You

[ 8:00] 8. Joshua Fit The Battle Of Jericho

[ 7:25] 9. Go Down Moses

[10:19] 10. My Favorite Things

Retrospective 1961-66 (Disc 3)

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Album: Retrospective 1961-66 (Disc 4)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 71:31

Size: 163.7 MB

Styles: Guitar jazz

Year: 2002

Art: Front

[10:45] 1. Uh Huh

[11:36] 2. The Other Part Of Town

[ 6:03] 3. The Lamp Is Low

[ 6:44] 4. Blues For Charlie

[ 8:00] 5. Back In Your Own Backyard

[ 6:06] 6. A Tune For Richard

[ 8:42] 7. Django

[ 6:29] 8. Morgan The Pirate

[ 7:03] 9. Minor League

Retrospective 1961-66 (Disc 4)

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Jan Allan, Eric Nordstrom - Software

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:20
Size: 135.8 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2000
Art: Front

[4:29] 1. Software
[5:19] 2. Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me
[3:42] 3. Edshult
[2:25] 4. Twogether
[4:37] 5. Hang In
[4:09] 6. Four Together
[3:15] 7. Three For You
[5:09] 8. Blues For Al
[2:26] 9. Two More
[4:41] 10. Jo-Jo's Time
[2:31] 11. One More
[4:53] 12. A Little Tune
[4:38] 13. Mean To Me
[4:47] 14. Erudition
[2:14] 15. Line For Lions

Jan Allan - trumpet; Erik Norström - tenor sax; Rune Gustafsson - guitar; Yasuhito Mori - bass.

Although most of the songs on this CD are listed as originals by tenor saxophonist Erik Norstrom, the great majority utilize chord changes from swinging originals. This very intimate quartet is a bit reminiscent of the Gerry Mulligan/Chet Baker Quartet and other cool jazz units of the 1950s. Trumpeter Jan Allan's soft tone and quick musical reflexes blend very well with Norstrom's mellow tenor, guitarist Rune Gustafsson is quite effective both as a soloist and an accompanist, and bassist Yasuhito Mori is fine in support. West Coast-style cool jazz may have been out of fashion in the United States since the early '60s, but it is apparently still doing well in Sweden. Highly recommended to fans of the idiom. ~Scott Yanow

Software

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Royal Crown Revue - Caught In The Act

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:41
Size: 125.2 MB
Styles: Retro Swing, Big band
Year: 1997
Art: Front

[0:46] 1. Intro
[3:01] 2. Barflies At The Beach
[4:51] 3. Boogie After Midnight
[2:44] 4. Something's Gotta Give
[3:49] 5. Honey Child
[3:18] 6. Park's Place
[3:48] 7. The Mooch
[8:29] 8. Hey Pachuco!
[3:11] 9. Who Dat
[2:38] 10. Mousetrap
[2:28] 11. Datin' With No Dough
[8:31] 12. Hot Rod
[6:59] 13. Poppity Pop Goes The Motorcycle

The Royal Crown Revue is one hot little band. Here the sextet roars through a set of originals and jump swing standards in a live performance. The band is all swagger and attitude. But while the vocals can tend toward a sing-song sameness of spoken-word rapping, the horns and rhythm section constantly rev things up. On tracks like "Park's Place" and "The Mooch," the band really cuts loose, especially the horns. Other highlights include "Barflies at the Beach" and the band's signature tune, "Hey Pachuco!" which the group performed in the film The Mask. Not as solid as the band's major-label debut, but enjoyable. ~Ross Boissoneau

Caught In The Act

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Rex Stewart - Rex Meets Horn

Styles: Cornet Jazz
Year: 1955
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:07
Size: 94,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:20)  1. Boy Meets Horn
(3:04)  2. Mood Indigo
(3:12)  3. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart
(2:47)  4. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
(3:26)  5. Solitude
(2:52)  6. Take The "A" Train
(3:42)  7. Sweethearts On Parade
(3:03)  8. My Blue Heaven
(4:42)  9. Perdido
(3:37) 10. Honeysuckle Rose
(3:09) 11. Organ Grinder's Swing
(4:07) 12. Caravan

Rex Stewart achieved his greatest glory in a subsidiary role, playing cornet 11 years in the Duke Ellington Orchestra. His famous "talking" style and half-valve effects were exploited brilliantly by countless Ellington pieces containing perfect passages tailored to showcase Stewart's sound. He played in a forceful, gripping manner that reflected the influences of Louis Armstrong, Bubber Miley, and Bix Beiderbecke, whose solos he once reproduced on record. Stewart played on Potomac riverboats before moving to Philadelphia. He went to New York in 1921. Stewart worked with Elmer Snowden in 1925, then joined Fletcher Henderson a year later. But he felt his talents were not at the necessary level, and departed Henderson's band, joining his brother Horace's band at Wilberforce College. Stewart returned in 1928. He remained five years and contributed many memorable solos. There was also a brief period in McKinney's Cotton Pickers in 1931, a stint heading his own band, and another short stay with Luis Russell before Stewart joined the Ellington Orchestra in 1934.

He was a star throughout his tenure, co-writing classics "Boy Meets Horn" and "Morning Glory." He also supervised many outside recording sessions using Ellingtonians. After leaving, Stewart led various combos and performed throughout Europe and Australia on an extensive Jazz at the Philharmonic tour from 1947-1951. He lectured at the Paris Conservatory in 1948. Stewart settled in New Jersey to run a farm in the early '50s. He was semi-retired, but found new success in the media. He worked in local radio and television, while leading a band part-time in Boston. Stewart led the Fletcher Henderson reunion band in 1957 and 1958, and recorded with them. He played at Eddie Condon's club in 1958 and 1959, then moved to the West Coast. Stewart again worked as a disc jockey and became a critic. While he published many excellent pieces, a collection containing many of his best reviews, Jazz Masters of the Thirties, came out posthumously. There's also a Stewart autobiography available. ~ Ron Wynn http://www.allmusic.com/artist/rex-stewart-mn0000888838/biography

Personnel:  Alto Saxophone – Hilton Jefferson (tracks: 1 to 6);  Baritone Saxophone – Danny Bank (tracks: 1 to 6);  Cello – Claude Hopkins (tracks: 11);  Clarinet – Danny Bank (tracks: 1 to 6);  Cornet – Rex Stewart;  Double Bass – Arvell Shaw (tracks: 7 to 12), Milt Hinton (tracks: 1 to 6);  Drums – Cozy Cole (tracks: 7 to 12), Osie Johnson (tracks: 1 to 6);  Guitar – Billy Bauer (tracks: 7 to 12);  Piano – Claude Hopkins (tracks: 7 to 12), Hank Jones (tracks: 1 to 6);  Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins (tracks: 7 to 12);  Trombone – Lawrence Brown (tracks: 1 to 6), Tyree Glenn (tracks: 7 to 12)

Rex Meets Horn

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Cynthia Holiday - I Like What I See (Recorded Live at Birdland in New York City)

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:00
Size: 108,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:21)  1. I Love Being Here With You / Getting to Know You (Medley) [Live]
(5:47)  2. Beneath the Surface (Live)
(5:47)  3. I Wish I'd Met You (Live)
(3:49)  4. Shulie a Bop (Live)
(5:01)  5. I Like What I See (Live)
(5:17)  6. I Didn't Know What Time It Was (Live)
(6:12)  7. All Because of You (Live)
(6:55)  8. I Believe I Can Fly (Live)
(4:48)  9. That's All (Live)

You will hear the soul of Ernestine Anderson, the warm timbre of Nancy Wilson and the story telling of Marlena Shaw but make no mistake, what you hear is pure Cynthia Holiday, jazz song stylist. International drummer Winard Harper is a guest artist. The “I Like What I See” Show at Birdland Jazz Club and her tune is a familiar scenario. “Girls night out looking for Mr. Right. I see the finest man I ever saw then thinking to myself, I don’t know him but . . . . ” You’ll love her story with Lyric by Cynthia Holiday Music, ASCAP. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/cynthiaholiday

I Like What I See (Recorded Live at Birdland in New York City)

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