Sunday, February 26, 2017

Bud Powell - The Very Best

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:18
Size: 92.3 MB
Styles: Bop, Piano jazz
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[3:00] 1. Bouncin' With Bud
[2:49] 2. Dance Of The Infidels
[4:42] 3. Un Poco Loco
[3:19] 4. Parisian Thoroughfare
[4:12] 5. A Night In Tunisia
[2:21] 6. Glass Enclosure
[3:01] 7. Collard Greens And Black-Eyed Peas
[2:50] 8. Autumn In New York
[5:40] 9. John's Abbey
[4:20] 10. Cleopatra's Dream
[3:59] 11. The Scene Changes

As part of Blue Note's Very Best series, pianist Bud Powell is spotlighted on 11 tracks recorded between 1949 and 1958. This set is aimed at the casual listener and includes the Powell-penned classics "Bouncing with Bud," "Dance of the Infidels," "Un Poco Loco," "Parisian Thoroughfare," and "Glass Enclosure." Backed by fellow Blue Note alumni Fats Navarro, Sonny Rollins, Max Roach, Arthur Taylor, Paul Chambers, Roy Haynes, and Philly Joe Jones, among others, makes this an excellent sampler for the novice at a mid-line price.

The Very Best

Carmen McRae - The Sound Of Silence

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:25
Size: 88.0 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 1968/2005
Art: Front

[2:59] 1. The Sound Of Silence
[3:25] 2. I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good
[3:58] 3. MacArthur Park
[2:33] 4. Watch What Happens
[4:03] 5. Stardust
[2:14] 6. Don't Go Away
[4:02] 7. Gloomy Sunday
[3:40] 8. I Sold My Heart To The Junkman
[2:17] 9. Poor Butterfly
[2:31] 10. My Heart Reminds Me
[4:26] 11. The Folks Who Live On The Hill
[2:12] 12. Can You Tell

Carmen McRae (v), Shorty Rogers (dir, a), Jimmy Jones (con, a), Gene Cipriano, James Horn, John Lowe (sax), Marion Childers, Jack Sheldon, Jimmy Zito (t), Lew McCreary, Dick Nash (tb), Vince DeRosa (frh), Michael Deasy, Al Hendrickson, Tommy Tedesco, Francois Vaz (g), Max Bennett, Joe Comfort, Bob West (b), Norman Simmons (p, elp), John Collins, James Gordon, Paul Humphrey (d), Larry Bunker, Emil Radocchia (per), Herman Clebanoff, Sam Freed, David Frisina, Anatol Kaminsky, Nat Kaproff, Bernard Kundell (vn), Robert Helfer (unk), Lou Raderman (cm).

The Sound Of Silence, arranged & conducted by Shorty Rogers & Jimmy Jones. There is no stopping Mcrae & her golden voice, moving in a more jazzy sophisticated realm here & reminiscent of the likes of Marlena Shaw & Nancy Wilson.

The Sound Of Silence

Tony Monaco - Intimately Live At The 501

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 74:06
Size: 169.6 MB
Styles: Jazz-Funk
Year: 2001
Art: Front

[ 6:16] 1. The Cat
[ 9:31] 2. Takin' My Time
[10:02] 3. Mellow Mood
[ 7:16] 4. Take The Coltrane
[ 7:54] 5. I Can't Give You Anything But Love
[ 6:23] 6. Paper Moon
[11:01] 7. I'll Close My Eyes
[ 5:12] 8. Sweet Georgia Brown
[10:27] 9. Footprints

Tony Monaco has moved the Hammond B3 organ beyond its common niche as a vehicle for hit R&B, blues, and soul. Like Larry Young, Monaco has expanded the instrument beyond the chitlin', black beans, and funk so often associated with this musical mechanism and transformed it into a major improvisational force. The organ in his hands has as much of a modern sound to it as others on the scene, with the possible exception of Joey DeFrancesco, as evidenced by such modern jazz classics as "Take the Coltrane" and "Footprints" on the play list. Listen to the complex chordal displays on "Mellow Mood," which offers a highly listenable combination of traditional and new organ styles. By no means does Monaco abandon established uses, as he swings like mad on "Sweet Georgia Brown." But here he discards the melody line rather quickly and races down the improvisational trail with such improbable speed that if this were not a live session, one would swear there was a bit of dubbing going on. The coda to this tune is so strong it will likely make the hair on the back of your neck tingle. Monaco also has a technique which allows him to utilize a variety of riff patterns that are sufficiently diverse to assure that not everything on the album sounds the same. In other words, Monaco's CDs will appeal to those beyond B3 devotees. He is helped considerably by the understated guitar of Robert Kraut throughout, but especially on such cuts as "It's Only a Paper Moon" and a haunting "I'll Close My Eyes," which is molded by an elongated harmonic structure. Intimately Live at the 501 is another good effort from this organ trio and is recommended. ~Dave Nathan

Intimately Live At The 501

Loggins & Messina - The Best: Sittin' In Again

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 77:05
Size: 176.5 MB
Styles: Soft rock
Year: 1971/2005
Art: Front

[3:25] 1. Watching The River Run
[3:40] 2. Travelin' Blues
[2:47] 3. Your Mama Don't Dance
[6:56] 4. Be Free
[3:06] 5. Till The Ends Meet
[2:58] 6. Nobody But You
[4:20] 7. House At Pooh Corner
[3:11] 8. A Love Song
[4:14] 9. Danny's Song
[3:48] 10. Long Tail Cat
[1:09] 11. Just Before The News
[2:47] 12. Listen To A Country Song
[4:02] 13. Good Friend
[8:15] 14. Same Old Wine
[3:47] 15. Changes
[7:40] 16. Angry Eyes
[6:07] 17. Sailin' The Wind
[4:45] 18. Vahevala

Hard to believe, but it's been nearly 30 years since Loggins & Messina have had their five albums compiled into a greatest-hits collection. The first, Best of Friends, appeared in 1976, just after the partnership went its separate ways, and this second set, The Best: Sittin' in Again, appeared in the summer of 2005 to coincide with a reunion tour. On the back cover of the CD, Messina is quoted as saying that "this album is about more than hits," with Loggins elaborating that he wants "this new retrospective to accurately depict who Loggins & Messina was." To that end, Sittin' in Again does indeed overlook some hits, including "My Music" and "Thinking of You" -- two Top 20 hits that appeared on Best of Friends -- plus the 1975 "Growin'," one of their last charting hits; similarly, the winding full-length LP version of "Angry Eyes" is here instead of the single edit. While the absent hits are indeed missed, the majority of the duo's biggest songs are indeed here -- "Your Mama Don't Dance," "House at Pooh Corner," "Danny's Song," "Vahevala" -- and there's a strong emphasis on their first two records (six of the nine songs on their 1972 debut, Sittin' In, are here, six of the 11 cuts from its eponymous 1972 follow-up), which are their best LPs (it's no coincidence that there's nothing here from their poorly regarded final album, 1976's Native Sons). Although some listeners will certainly miss those aforementioned two big hit singles, Sittin' in Again nevertheless is a strong summary of Loggins & Messina's strengths, capturing them at their best as a tuneful soft rock duo. It emphasizes Messina's skills as a record producer and Loggins' folky, introspective songwriting, while revealing such usually overlooked traits in their music such as some country overtones and a tendency toward subtly eclectic, laid-back jams, which is why this is arguably the definitive portrait of the duo, even if it skimps on some actual charting hits. ~Stephen Thomas Erlewine

The Best: Sittin' In Again

Ingrid James, John Reeves - Circumflex

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:21
Size: 156.5 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals, Standards
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[6:18] 1. Slow Hot Wind
[5:00] 2. Yesterdays
[1:55] 3. Intro
[7:05] 4. God Only Knows
[3:57] 5. Strange Brew
[8:36] 6. First Song (For Ruth)
[6:25] 7. Beautiful Love
[4:48] 8. Just One Of Those Things
[4:41] 9. Line For Lyons
[3:48] 10. And I Love Her
[4:40] 11. Gentle Rain
[4:50] 12. Devil May Care
[6:13] 13. Yesterdays (Version Two)

Award-winning jazz singer Ingrid James and UK pianist John Reeves have recorded a duo album of contemporary and classic standards as well as material from the Beatles to the Beach Boys. The approach to much of the recording was inspired by 'live' performances where so often trying something for the first time delivers a unique arrangement and special qualities. They work as an organic unit, weaving melodies, textures and rhythms to express a personal interpretation of these songs and the endless possibilities they present. Circumflex is a stunning vocal and piano duo album full of live energy, warmth and deep emotion.

Circumflex

Elmo Hope - Elmo Hope Trio

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:51
Size: 98.1 MB
Styles: Bop, Piano jazz
Year: 1959/2010
Art: Front

[5:39] 1. B's A Plenty
[6:11] 2. Barfly
[3:50] 3. Eejah
[5:57] 4. Boa
[6:08] 5. Something For Kenny
[7:23] 6. Like Someone In Love
[4:45] 7. Minor Bertha
[2:54] 8. Tranquility

The boppish and fairly original Elmo Hope performs seven of his obscure originals, many of which are well worth reviving, plus "Like Someone In Love" in a trio with bassist Jimmy Bond and drummer Frank Butler. Bop and straight-ahead jazz fans wanting to hear a talented pianist play fresh tunes should explore Elmo Hope's valuable music. ~Scott Yanow

Elmo Hope Trio

Ruby Braff, Red Norvo - Swing That Music

Styles: Cornet And Vibraphone Jazz
Year: 1969
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 69:42
Size: 164,3 MB
Art: Front

(3:16)  1. Cornet Chop Suey
(4:08)  2. (Was I To Blame For) Falling In Love With You
(6:17)  3. I Got A Feelin' I'm Fallin'
(4:47)  4. It's Wonderful
(4:10)  5. When It's Sleepy Time Down South
(5:24)  6. Thankful
(2:57)  7. Swing That Music
(5:23)  8. Someday, You'll Be Sorry
(4:22)  9. Spider's Webb
(3:37) 10. Confessin'
(4:40) 11. Rose Room
(3:46) 12. The Girl From Ipanema
(5:22) 13. Lulaby Of The Leaves
(5:00) 14. Sunday
(6:27) 15. Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams

This two-record set combines separate sets by Ruby Braff and Red Norvo from the same 1969 Paris studio session, though both musicians use the identical rhythm section of pianist George Wein, bassist Larry Ridley, drummer Don Lamond, and guitarist Barney Kessel, who has many nice solos in both sessions. Braff, playing cornet, pays tribute to Louis Armstrong throughout his performance, ranging from a brisk "Cornet Chop Suey" and Satchmo's perennial theme song "When It's Sleepy Time Down South" to pretty ballads like "(Was I to Blame For) Falling in Love With You?" and the swinging "I've Got a Feelin' I'm Fallin'," which features some nice exchanges between Braff and Kessel. Norvo's soft mallet technique contrasts with most of the players who have followed him on the vibraphone. "Spider's Webb" has fallen into obscurity but Norvo swings it mightily. He throws a curve to anyone expecting nothing but swing with the bossa nova megahit "The Girl From Ipanema." Norvo ends his session with an inspired treatment of "Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams." Strangely, the producers evidently didn't think of adding each leader to the other's set for one number, though they are pictured together in the studio on the front cover of this long unavailable release. Although Swing That Music is not an essential acquisition for swing fans, those who locate it will not be disappointed. ~ Ken Dryden http://www.allmusic.com/album/swing-that-music-mw0000916891

Personnel:  Ruby Braff-cornet (# 1-8);  Red Norvo-vibroharp (# 9-15)replace Ruby Braff;  George Wein-piano;  Barney Kessel-guitar;  Larry Ridley-bass;  Don Lamond-drums

Swing That Music

Shauna Antoniuc Anderson - Simple

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:54
Size: 103,1 MB
Art: Front

(2:11)  1. Give Me the Simple Life
(3:14)  2. When I Need You
(3:00)  3. Simple
(2:50)  4. Swinging Through the Hard Times
(4:59)  5. Happy Family
(2:37)  6. Darn It, Baby That's Love
(4:46)  7. Harvest Moon
(4:55)  8. Count Your Blessings
(3:52)  9. Fallen
(4:15) 10. Try Your Wings
(3:26) 11. Old Porch Swing
(3:32) 12. Cerasse Tea
(1:12) 13. La La Lu (Lullaby from Lady and the Tramp)

Shauna grew up in Plymouth, Massachusetts, surrounded by music and singing relatives. She got her musical start at a young age in the basement of her Grandpa Murphy's house where she spent hours pounding away on a dusty, out-of-tune, upright piano. When piano playing didn't click with her, she moved on to the acoustic guitar. Frustrated, she quickly gave it up when her brother Ryan excelled at a much quicker pace. Fortunately, singing came much easier.  Shauna started singing "professionally" at Sacred Heart High School in Kingston, MA. She was very active in drama and chorus, led by the "Singing Sisters," Sisters Rosalie and Rosemund. Her first big solo in chorus was *Chiquita Banana.* When she came to U. of Vermont, she longed to start a band and play at the clubs downtown. While in the library (pretending to study) she saw a sign on a bulletin board that said, "WANTED: Singer for new Acid Jazz band." She tore down the sign, called the number the next day and by the end of the week had joined the band Belizbeha. That was March of 1994. For the next 6-7 years Belizbeha toured extensively around the country and produced 2 CDs of all original material. Belizbeha shared the stage with the likes of Kool & the Gang, Gil Scott Heron, The Last Poets, De La Soul, The Roots, A Tribe Called Quest, Busta Rhymes, and many others. After the release of their second album, "Void Where Inhibited" the band dissolved, although they still play shows every now and again. Everyone in Belizbeha went on to pursue music in his or her own individual way.

When not on the road with Belizbeha, Shauna worked part-time at the Sai-Gon Cafe in Burlington, and it was there that she hooked up with Joe Capps and Chris Peterman. She had known Joe from Belizbeha; they had recorded some songs out at Joe's studio. Shauna knew Chris through Belizbeha as well; he played saxophone on their first album and played many gigs with them. When Joe and Chris were playing at the restaurant, Shauna would sometimes get up and sing a song or two with them. Since it was so fun they decided to pursue playing some "real" gigs together. Thus, in 1997, the Shauna Antoniuc Trio was born, and they went on to play numerous gigs at jazz bars, restaurants, weddings, corporate functions, and colleges throughout Vermont and New Hampshire. They released one CD called "The Dream's On Me" in 2002 and recorded another in 2003. The second CD, after sitting on a shelf for 5 years, was released in 2008. It's called "In the Moonlight." Their third CD together, "Simple" is being released in 2011 under a new name, Shauna Anderson. Rick Norcross was a regular customer at the Sai-Gon Cafe as well, and when the singer left his western swing outfit, Rick and the Ramblers, he asked Shauna to audition for the job. She was hired for the summer 1999 tour and worked with them for 5 more summers, playing every weekend throughout Vermont. Chris Peterman also joined Rick's crew in 2001, playing with him for another year. Shauna still sits in on gigs in Vermont for both the jazz trio and the Ramblers.

2003 was a busy year for Shauna. In February, she and husband Brandy Anderson were married at the breathtaking Marie Reine-du-Monde Cathedral in Montreal. Mother's day was truly special that year as they found out they were pregnant. In July, they left Vermont behind and moved to Sacramento, CA to be near Brandy's family. The fall brought new jobs, and on December 29th little Jula Elizabeth arrived just in time for the tax break. They crammed marriage and moving, career changes and diaper changes all into one fantastic year. When Shauna arrived in CA she knew she wanted to continue singing. She joined the musician's union and asked who she should contact for jazz. Bill Rase was the leader of one of the oldest big bands in the area, so she stopped by his recording studio and gave him a CD. Soon she was playing gigs with Bill all over the Sacramento area. At one of Bill's gigs, Shauna met Brad Hammett, an outstanding trombone player. He asked her is she would like to join a band they were putting together. Brad has an awesome studio in Auburn, so Shauna went out there to meet Mickey Bennett, a swinging bass player, and Charlie Robinson, a fantastic jazz guitarist. They recorded a bunch of standards and started playing out at weddings, restaurants, and functions.

Shauna also joined a couple of cover bands; in 2004 she hooked up with Frenchy and The Feather River Outlaws. They covered mostly country and rock tunes and played heavily in the Marysville area. Shauna still keeps in touch with the Outlaws and plays with them sometimes. In the summer of 2006, Shauna joined another cover band, Stealin' Time. They play occasional gigs as well. Shauna took a hiatus from singing as she and Brandy had two more little girls, one right after the other; in May of 2006 Mary-Margaret Christine arrived, and right on her coat tails was Evamarie Dorothy, born a year and 2 days later. Baby #4  another girl arrived on January 1st, 2009. Cecilia Juanita is named after the patron saint of musicians, St. Cecilia! Recently, Shauna returned to Vermont to record an album of some of her favorite pop and jazz songs with Joe and Chris and other musicians she used to work with. This album, Simple, is made up of songs that remind her of the simple blessings in our lives. In times that are rough - indeed, in ALL times - it is good to remember what really matters. Shauna hopes to make the world just a little more beautiful with these songs!  https://www.cdbaby.com/cd/shaunaanderson/from/greatindiemusic

Simple

Vic Dickenson & Joe Thomas & Their All-Star Bands - Mainstream

Styles: Trombone And Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1958
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:23
Size: 88,2 MB
Art: Front

( 4:52)  1. Sweethearts On Parade
( 5:58)  2. I Can't Believe You're In Love With Me
( 4:47)  3. Undecided
( 3:39)  4. Crazy Rhythm
( 6:15)  5. The Lamp Is Low
(12:50)  6. Blues For Baby

Mainstream presents swing masters Joe Thomas and Vic Dickenson fronting all-star bands in a time when swing music was elbowing for attention amidst the world of be-bop, cool, and other modern jazz movements. The year was 1958, and English jazz critic Albert J. McCarthy was in New York City writing a book on swing. Surprised to find how difficult a time even the best swing musicians were having in the homeland of jazz, he approached Atlantic Records to sponsor two recording sessions. The first session featured underrated trumpeter Joe Thomas with a band that included Dickie Wells, Buddy Tate, Buster Bailey, and oddly enough, modernist Herbie Nichols on piano. The second session featured the great trombonist Vic Dickenson, Buck Clayton, and Gene Ramey. Both sessions have been re-mastered; the sound quality is excellent. So are the performances. 

Joe Thomas is still grotesquely underrated, and if anyone needs evidence of his mastery this is the recording to bring home that Thomas was among the best of his instrument. Over the years he played and recorded with Fletcher Henderson, Teddy Wilson, and Art Tatum to mention a few. His clear, assured sound and technical skill makes it obvious why McCarthy felt compelled to document this neglected musician. Two-thirds of the disc features Thomas and his band. The other third features Vic Dickenson who has faired better in the annals of jazz history. He is known for his bluesy-toned trombone of exquisite phrasing. Lauded by the famous French jazz critic Andre Hodeir as one of the best of all early jazz musicians, Dickenson doesn’t disappoint on this disc. Although his solo time is limited in the ensemble focus of the arrangements, his solo on "The Lamp Is Low" is particularly memorable. Actually, with either Dickie Wells or Vic Dickenson playing trombone and either Joe Thomas or Buck Clayton playing lead trumpet this is a brass player’s disc if there ever was one. In short, if you’re interested in a satisfying, swing recording featuring a line-up of outstanding soloists, good rhythm sections, and a selection of solid arrangements, then Mainstream is definitely worth checking out. Recommended. ~ Mike Neely https://www.allaboutjazz.com/mainstream-vic-dickenson-koch-international-jazz-review-by-mike-neely.php

Personnel: Joe Thomas, trumpet; Johnny Letman, 2nd trumpet; Dickie Wells, trombone; Buddy Tate, tenor sax; Buster Bailey, clarinet; Herbie Nichols, piano; Everett Barksdale, guitar; Bill Pemberton, bass; and Jimmy Crawford, drums. Vic Dickenson, trombone; Buck Clayton, trumpet; Hal Singer, tenor sax; Herbie Hall, clarinet; Al Williams, piano; Danny Barker, guitar; Gene Ramey, bass; and Marquis Foster, drums.

Mainstream

Gene Harris And The Three Sounds - Elegant Soul

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1968
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:12
Size: 90,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:15)  1. Elegant Soul
(6:20)  2. Do It Right Now
(9:18)  3. Sittin' Duck
(2:48)  4. (Sock It To Me) Harper Valley P.T.A.
(2:48)  5. Sugar Hill
(4:30)  6. African Sweets
(3:29)  7. Black Gold
(3:26)  8. Book Of Slim
(3:13)  9. Walls Of Respect

After the release of Coldwater Flat five months earlier, Three Sounds pianist Gene Harris and bassist Andy Simpkins found themselves faced with yet another personnel change: Donald Bailey, who'd been with group for only two albums, left the group (after replacing founding drummer Bill Dowdy) and was replaced by Carl Burnett. The jazz-pop direction that Harris and Simpkins pursued on the fine Coldwater Flat set where the trio fronted the Oliver Nelson band and a string section was followed up here with composer and saxophonist Monk Higgins as arranger, conductor, and co-producer (with Dee Ervin). Elegant Soul, one of two albums Higgins did with the trio, is indeed fittingly titled. The pop tunes on the set include a reading of Tom T. Hall's hit "Harper Valley P.T.A.," featuring additional players like drummer Paul Humphrey (who appears on the entire album for added muscle), Alan Estes on vibes, guitarist Al Vesvoco, and nine string players, adding a perverse, lush, deeply soulful sheen with shuffling breaks laid down by Burnett, Humphrey, and a chorus of uncredited female backing vocalists.

The centerpiece of this beautiful and underappreciated at the time album is Higgins' nine-plus-minute "Sittin' Duck," with Harris at his hooky gospelized best, playing the hell out of the changes and filling the measures with his requisite taste and feel. The two drummers shuffle in unison, and Estes' vibes articulate the melody with Harris adding a warmer dimension. The strings are rich, but are employed mostly in the codas and tags, adding to the dramatic weight of the tune, which is otherwise a long, dance-worthy strut. Elsewhere, the strings are varied in their texture on the gorgeous "Sugar Hill"; they outdo those in the hits of the day like Paul Mauriat's "Love Is Blue," or even Roger Williams' "Born Free." Ervin's "African Sweets" is one of the set's highlights, too. It lifts six notes from the Rolling Stones' "Paint It Black" on top of a happening bass vamp and some slamming snare to introduce the cut. This is down-and-dirty soul-jazz dressed for Saturday night at the club; Harris beats the hell out of the piano's middle register in pure groove ecstasy. The added flamenco-style guitar and rough-and-rowdy flute solo add to an already heady brew. All of this is just the tip of the iceberg in a sense. 

Elegant Soul was and could even be currently dismissed with a casual listen as lightweight pop with a compelling rhythmic sense. But that would be selling it way short. This album warrants close listening to discern all that's happening in its production and arrangements. Whether it's on the dancefloor, for sampling, for feel-good or deep listening, or for finger-popping, it satisfies on all levels. [Previously only available as an import, Elegant Soul was reissued in 2008 as part of Blue Note Records' venerable Rare Groove series.] ~ Thom Jurek http://www.allmusic.com/album/elegant-soul-mw0000791386

Elegant Soul

Saturday, February 25, 2017

Ben Webster, Joe Zawinul - Soulmates

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:19
Size: 96.9 MB
Styles: Mainstream jazz, Saxophone jazz
Year: 1963/1984
Art: Front

[6:26] 1. Too Late Now
[6:34] 2. Soulmates
[5:11] 3. Come Sunday
[3:15] 4. The Governor
[5:31] 5. Frog Legs
[6:10] 6. Trav'lin' Light
[3:46] 7. Like Someone In Love
[5:22] 8. Evol Deklaw Ni

Bass – Richard Davis;, Sam Jones; Cornet – Thad Jones; Drums – Philly Joe Jones; Piano – Joe Zawinull; Tenor Saxophone – Ben Webster. Re-issue of Riverside RLP-9476. Recorded at Plaza Sound Studios, New York City; 1963.

What initially seems like an unlikely pairing for this session delivers on its unique pedigree with performances that do full justice to tenor legend Ben Webster and to the then up and coming pianist Joe Zawinul. Recorded in 1963 while the pianist was a member of the Cannonball Adderley Sextet, the session came about as a result of Webster's and Zawinul's sharing a New York apartment for several months. It's actually billed as Zawinul's first session as leader and Webster's last in the U.S. before his move to Europe. The tunes generally keep to mid-tempos, a pace that affords Webster the opportunity to wield the gentler side of his legendary sound. His rich, nuanced tone and magnificent phrasing are superbly in evidence. Listeners only familiar with Zawinul's soul-jazz side with Adderley and later his pioneering synthesizer work with Weather Report may be surprised at his eloquent playing here in a classic style right out of Tommy Flanagan or Red Garland. The presence of Thad Jones -- a legend in his own right -- on cornet for four tacks is a bonus. With a rhythm section rounded out by the slightly lesser legends of drummer Philly Joe Jones and bassist Sam Jones, alternating with Richard Davis, there isn't one false step on this set. It may tend to the mellower side of things, but that simply means there's more opportunity to luxuriate in Webster's peerless sound. ~Jim Todd

Soulmates

Jimmy Maddox - Johnny Mercer Blvd.

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 27:54
Size: 63.9 MB
Styles: Easy Listening
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[2:16] 1. Accentuate The Positive
[3:40] 2. That Old Black Magic
[2:57] 3. Skylark
[2:54] 4. On The Atchison, Topeka & The Santa Fe
[2:07] 5. Summer Wind
[2:15] 6. Glow Worm
[2:00] 7. You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby
[3:45] 8. Come Rain Or Come Shine
[2:06] 9. Goody Goody
[3:48] 10. One For My Baby

Johnny Mercer Blvd.

Juice Newton - Greatest Hits

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:55
Size: 155.5 MB
Styles: Country pop
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[3:52] 1. A Little Love
[4:06] 2. Angel Of The Morning
[3:57] 3. Break It To Me Gently
[3:34] 4. Cheap Love
[2:33] 5. Crazy Little Thing Called Love
[4:00] 6. Heart Of The Night
[3:32] 7. Hurt
[3:11] 8. Love's Been A Little Heard
[2:41] 9. Night Time Without You
[3:03] 10. Old Flame
[3:16] 11. Queen Of Hearts
[3:38] 12. Ride Em Cowboy
[2:36] 13. Stuck In The Middle
[2:52] 14. Sunshine
[4:04] 15. Sweetest Thing
[3:35] 16. Tell Her No
[3:11] 17. Tell Me True
[3:29] 18. What Can I Do With My Heart
[2:26] 19. When Love Comes Around The Bend
[4:10] 20. You Make Me Want To Make You Mine

Juice Newton began her recording career in 1975 and made five albums over the next four years without achieving any major success. Her "breakthrough" came in 1981 with Juice, an album that reach number 22 on the Billboard 200 chart and number 16 on the Canadian Top 50 album chart. Juice was certified by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) as gold on August 13, 1981 and platinum on January 5, 1982. The album also gave Newton three hit singles, beginning with "Angel of the Morning". The song, written by Chip Taylor, had been a number one hit for Merrilee Rush in 1968. Newton's version peaked at number four on the pop charts and number 22 on the country charts.

Her second single from the album, "Queen of Hearts", reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 14 on the country charts. It used the same arrangement that Dave Edmunds used on his version of the song on his 1979 album Repeat When Necessary. "Angel of the Morning" and "Queen of Hearts" were certified Gold by the RIAA, respectively, on July 1 and September 2, 1981. The final single from Juice was "The Sweetest Thing (I've Ever Known)", a song written by Newton's long-time collaborator, Otha Young. It was her biggest hit to date, peaking at number one on the country chart and number seven the pop chart. Newton had recorded the song earlier on her debut album Juice Newton & Silver Spur.

Greatest Hits

Richie Beirach Trio - Summer Night

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:23
Size: 136.0 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[4:58] 1. Summer Night
[7:39] 2. All Of You
[5:40] 3. Solar
[5:35] 4. Memories Of You
[6:23] 5. All Blues
[6:02] 6. Siciliano
[6:48] 7. I Remember You
[5:30] 8. Impressions Intimas No. 1
[5:19] 9. Milestones
[5:25] 10. So What

Double Bass – George Mraz; Drums – Billy Hart; Piano – Richie Beirach. Recorded at The Studio in New York on September 4&5, 2007.

The golden trio of Richie Beirach, George Mraz and Billy Hart returns to Venus Records with another superb album. This is an eagerly awaited CD because their previous output, Manhattan Reverie, was not only selected as Swing Journal Gold Disc but also won the magazine's 2006 Jazz Disc "Silver" Award. The trio goes back more than 30 years, and, as Beirach lives and teaches in Germany now, they seem to especially enjoy these 'reunion' recording sessions. Their exuberance is felt throughout the program which is dominated by four Miles Davis compositions and augmented by four standards and two classical tunes. This is another strong album by Beirach, and should not be missed by his fans. Recommended!

Summer Night

Andrée Pagès - Original Jazz, Blues & One Lonesome Cowboy

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:01
Size: 116.8 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[4:35] 1. Let's Go
[3:29] 2. Yes To Love
[5:29] 3. The Cave
[5:04] 4. One Day Someday
[4:03] 5. Love Me Like You Used To
[6:07] 6. The Night You Led Me To Your Room
[5:04] 7. The Shakespeare Years
[4:52] 8. La Chanson Des Vieux Amants
[4:18] 9. Not Wisely
[5:18] 10. If You Think The Hurtin's Over
[2:38] 11. Tender Joe

Andrée Pagès is a singer with a deeply felt and rhythmically adventurous approach to jazz standards and the blues. The infectious melodies and sharply observed songs on her new CD of originals have the feel of instant classics. On her debut CD, "Andrée Pagès Swings Both Ways," Pagès used two groups of to explore different approaches to jazz standards. On this new CD of jazz and blues originals, she uses four combinations of some of the New York area’s finest jazzers to exciting effect.

New-York-based drummer Tony Moreno is one of the most sought-after musicians of his profession. He tours the world and has worked with Mal Waldron, Bill Frisell, Sonny Fortune, Sal Nistico, Palle Danielsson, Paul McCandless, Elvin Jones, Dave Liebman, Paul Bley, Phillip Catherine, Sam Rivers, Billy Drewes, Jaki Byard, Harvie Swartz, Ratzo Harris, Joey Calderazzo, John Purcell, The Lounge Lizards, Ravi Coltrane, and many more.

Dan Rothstein has performed throughout the eastern United States from Nashville to New England. His 35 years of guitar performance have included many of the significant performing venues in New York City ranging from the Electric Circus in the late 1960s through Max’s Kansas City, the Bitter End, La Mama, the Lone Star Café and the Beacon Theater in the 1970s, Gerde’s Folk City, Trax, The Bottom Line and The Cotton Club in the 1980s, and The American Institute of Guitar in the 1990s, as a leader, solo performer and supporting a variety of popular artists.

The performances of Jay Elfenbein have been described by the New York Times as "virtuosic...played magnificently" and "with virtuosity and flair." As a bassist and gambist he has played with Paul McCartney, Lou Rawls, Dave Brubeck, Roscoe Mitchell, Joseph Jarman, Chris Potter, and Anthony Braxton. He has recorded for Sony Classics, CBS, PGM, and Virgin Classics, among others, and can be heard playing vihuela and vielle on Paul Simon's Warner Brothers release, You're the One. Mr. Elfenbein is also founder and director of the Ivory Consort, an early music ensemble that specializes in medieval music, and GambaDream, the only jazz/contemporary ensemble in the U.S. that features the viola da gamba.

Arthur Kampela, winner of the 1995 International Guitar Composition Competition (Caracas, Venezuela) and winner of the 1998 Lamarque-Pons Guitar Composition Competition (Montevideo, Uruguay), is internationally recognized as both a composer and virtuoso guitar player. Kampela has broken new ground in his native country as a sort of “Brazilian Frank Zappa,” fusing popular and vernacular styles with contemporary textural techniques. His works have been performed in leading forums for contemporary music in South-America, Europe, Asia and the USA.

Ethan Mann studied guitar with Rodney Jones and Jack Wilkins at Manhattan School of Music. After graduating in 1995, Mann quickly established his reputation as both a sideman, and a band leader on the New York scene. He’s played at Birdland, The 55 Bar, Iridium, Zinc bar, among others. Out of town gigs include the Montreal Jazz Festival, The Hot Club Of Portugal, and, Muniak, in Crakow. Mann recently completed a tour of Japan with singer Mari Watanabe that was enthusiastically received in jazz clubs and concerts in Tokyo, Kobe, Ashiya, and Kyoto.

Original Jazz, Blues & One Lonesome Cowboy

Herbie Mann & Orchestra - Love & The Weather

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:29
Size: 92.7 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz
Year: 1956/2014
Art: Front

[3:47] 1. Love And The Weather
[2:54] 2. But Beautiful
[3:28] 3. Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most
[3:19] 4. I'm Glad There Is You
[3:10] 5. A Sinner Kissed An Angel
[3:32] 6. High On A Windy Hill
[3:42] 7. Ill Wind
[3:16] 8. For Heaven's Sake
[4:17] 9. Autumn Nocturne
[2:40] 10. Moon Love
[3:21] 11. The Morning Side Of The Mountain
[2:57] 12. Like Someone In Love

Herbie Mann - flute; Joe Puma - guitar; Milt Hinton, Whitey Mitchell - bass; Don Lamond, Herb Wasserman - drums.

Herbie Mann played a wide variety of music throughout his career. He became quite popular in the 1960s, but in the '70s became so immersed in pop and various types of world music that he seemed lost to jazz. However, Mann never lost his ability to improvise creatively as his later recordings attest.

Herbie Mann began on clarinet when he was nine but was soon also playing flute and tenor. After serving in the Army, he was with Mat Mathews' Quintet (1953-1954) and then started working and recording as a leader. During 1954-1958 Mann stuck mostly to playing bop, sometimes collaborating with such players as Phil Woods, Buddy Collette, Sam Most, Bobby Jaspar, and Charlie Rouse. He doubled on cool-toned tenor and was one of the few jazz musicians in the '50s who recorded on bass clarinet; he also recorded a full album in 1957 (for Savoy) of unaccompanied flute.

After spending time playing and writing music for television, Mann formed his Afro-Jazz Sextet, in 1959, a group using several percussionists, vibes (either Johnny Rae, Hagood Hardy, or Dave Pike) and the leader's flute. He toured Africa (1960) and Brazil (1961), had a hit with "Comin' Home Baby," and recorded with Bill Evans. The most popular jazz flutist during the era, Mann explored bossa nova (even recording in Brazil in 1962), incorporated music from many cultures (plus current pop tunes) into his repertoire, and had among his sidemen such top young musicians as Willie Bobo, Chick Corea (1965), Attila Zoller, and Roy Ayers; at the 1972 Newport Festival his sextet included David Newman and Sonny Sharrock. By then Mann had been a producer at Embroyo (a subsidiary of Atlantic) for three years and was frequently stretching his music outside of jazz. As the '70s advanced, Mann became much more involved in rock, pop, reggae, and even disco. After leaving Atlantic at the end of the '70s, Mann had his own label for awhile and gradually came back to jazz. He recorded for Chesky, made a record with Dave Valentin, and in the '90s founded the Kokopelli label on which before breaking away in 1996, he was free to pursue his wide range of musical interests. Through the years, he recorded as a leader for Bethlehem, Prestige, Epic, Riverside, Savoy, Mode, New Jazz, Chesky, Kokopelli, and most significantly Atlantic. He passed away on July 1, 2003, following an extended battle with prostate cancer. His last record was 2004's posthumously released Beyond Brooklyn for Telarc. ~bio by Scott Yanow

Love & The Weather

Art Farmer & Benny Golson - Meet the Jazztet

Styles: Trumpet And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1960
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:26
Size: 95,3 MB
Art: Front

(3:32)  1. Serenata
(4:29)  2. It Ain't Necessarily So
(3:32)  3. Avalon
(3:13)  4. I Remember Clifford
(5:18)  5. Blues March
(3:56)  6. It's All Right with Me
(3:44)  7. Park Avenue Petite
(4:04)  8. Mox Nix
(3:36)  9. Easy Living
(4:57) 10. Killer Joe

One of the top hard bop contingents of the '50s and '60s, the Art Farmer and Benny Golson co-led group known as the Jazztet featured some of the best original charts and soloing of the entire era. While the group was only in existence between 1959-1962, its excellent reputation could rest on this stunning disc alone. Cut in 1960, the ten-track date features four of Golson's classic originals ("I Remember Clifford," "Blues March," "Park Avenue Petite," and "Killer Joe") and one very fetching Farmer-penned cut ("Mox Nix"). The rest of the standards-heavy mix is given the golden touch by the sextet. And what a combo this is besides Farmer's svelte trumpet lines and Golson's frenetically vaporous tenor solos, one gets a chance to hear a young but already very accomplished McCoy Tyner, the tart and mercurial trombonist Curtis Fuller, and the streamlined rhythm tandem of Addison Farmer and Lex Humphries. An essential hard bop title. ~ Stephen Cook http://www.allmusic.com/album/meet-the-jazztet-mw0000689979

Personnel:  Art Farmer (trumpet); Benny Golson (tenor saxophone); Curtis Fuller (trombone); McCoy Tyner (piano); Addison Farmer (bass); Lex Humphries (drums).

Meet the Jazztet

Nicole Herzog & Stewy Von Wattenwyl Group - Intimacy

Styles: Vocal And Piano Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:19
Size: 120,9 MB
Art: Front

(4:19)  1. What A Difference A Day Made
(3:37)  2. Is You Is Or IS You Ain't My Baby
(3:44)  3. Pra Dizer Adeus
(3:05)  4. If I Were A Bell
(3:05)  5. I'm Through With Love
(3:27)  6. Amor De Conuco
(5:11)  7. Prelude To A Kiss
(4:29)  8. You Do Something To Me
(5:32)  9. Make Sure You're Sure
(4:48) 10. Romance In The Dark
(5:25) 11. Nature Boy
(5:33) 12. Miss Celie's Blues

A new big voice together with the finest pianist in Swiss jazz, Nicole Herzog - Stewy von Wattenwyl Group. Stewy von Wattenwyl has been accompanying Brambus for almost two decades and presented a long series of excellent CDs for the label and again and again new recordings. This is of particular intensity and sensitivity! In 2007, Nicole Herzog and Stewy von Wattenwyl were more by chance on stage for the first time  Zurich Jazzclubs, and the concert was so much fun that the same evening the talk was about a joint CD project. Five years and many joint concerts later coincided with coincidence, so that a canceled studio session offered the possibility to record spontaneously. And the result is enthusiastic: refreshing vocal jazz in various ad hoc formations from duo to quintet, earthy ballads, bossa, blues and boiling swing - magic moments captured in breathtaking sound quality. https://www.amazon.de/Intimacy-Nicole-Herzog/dp/B00BCR34NU

Intimacy

Gene Harris - Astral Signal

Styles: Piano Jazz, Jazz Funk
Year: 1974
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:41
Size: 94,1 MB
Art: Front

(1:40)  1. Prelude
(3:20)  2. Summer (The First Time)
(0:34)  3. Rebato Summer
(2:03)  4. I Remember Summer
(3:43)  5. Don't Call Me Nigger, Whitey
(3:10)  6. Losalamitoslatinfunklovesong
(4:20)  7. My Roots
(3:04)  8. Green River
(5:53)  9. Beginnings
(1:59) 10. Feeling You, Feeling Me Too!
(6:00) 11. Higga-Boom
(4:49) 12. Love Talkin'

A masterpiece from Gene Harris – an album that's probably been his biggest influence on the sound of soul in the 21st Century, and for good reason too! The set moves way beyond both Harris' acoustic piano roots in the Three Sounds, and his other electric sides of the 70s – into sublime spacey territory that's wrapped up in soul as much a pinnacle of his musical vision as early 70s records were for Herbie Hancock or George Duke! The vibe here is a bit between the looser styles of Duke's MPS recordings, and the tighter grooves of the Mizell generation and arrangements are by Harris, Harvey Mason, and Jerry Peters, the latter of whom really adds some great elements to the record. Harvey's drums make for a great funky undercurrent – and the album features the funky break track "Higga-Boom", the great groover "Losalamitoslatinfunklovesong", and the cuts "Rebato Summer", "Don't Call Me N*gger, Whitey", "Love Talkin", "I Remember Summer", "Green River", and "My Roots". (Cover has cut corner.) © 1996-2017, Dusty Groove, Inc. https://www.dustygroove.com/item/6258

Astral Signal

Steve LaSpina Quintet - When Children Smile

Styles: Jazz, Post-Bop 
Year: 1997
File: MP3@224K/s
Time: 65:31
Size: 105,3 MB
Art: Front

( 7:44)  1. When Children Smile
( 8:03)  2. Solar
(10:11)  3. There Is no Moon At All
( 8:47)  4. Under a Spell
( 9:28)  5. Ramblin'
( 5:01)  6. Cosenza
( 8:44)  7. Your Heart Alone
( 7:31)  8. Tailspin

This is an impressively thoughtful offering from a bassist often found in the company of thoughtful musicians. As a bassist, LaSpina evokes a wonderful sound, bent to the task by a solid time concept and intonation. That his understanding of the instrument is comprehensive comes through loud and clear on his solo on the CD’s final tune, “Tailspin,” which includes some very musical excerpts from the book of unorthodox techniques. His supporting cast is led by guitarist Vic Juris, who always seems to find an original route through any piece, with Dave Ballou on trumpet, Billy Drewes on tenor and soprano sax, and Jeff Hirshfield on drums rounding out the band. LaSpina’s half dozen compositions carry us through a range of musical and emotional scenes, and the interpretations of Miles’ “Solar” and Ornette’s “Ramblin'” are fresh in both conception and execution. ~ Bill Bennett https://jazztimes.com/reviews/albums/steve-laspina-when-children-smile/

Personnel: Steve LaSpina – Bass;  Dave Ballou – Trumpet;  Billy Drewes – Saxophone;  Jeff Hirshfield – Drums; Vic Juris – Guitar.

When Children Smile