Saturday, July 29, 2017

Stan Getz & Chet Baker - The Stockholm Concerts Disc 1, Disc 2 And Disc 3

Album: The Stockholm Concerts Disc 1

Styles: Saxophone Jazz 
Year: 1998
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:20
Size: 128,3 MB
Art: Front

( 1:43)  1. Announcement
(10:50)  2. Stablemates
( 7:42)  3. We'll Be Together Again
(10:52)  4. On the Up and Up
( 5:53)  5. How Long Has This Been Going On
( 7:08)  6. O Grande Amor
(11:09)  7. Just Friends


Album: The Stockholm Concerts Disc 2

Time: 58:25
Size: 135,4 MB

( 9:00)  1. My Funny Valentine
( 8:40)  2. Sipping at Bell's
( 5:40)  3. Stella by Starlight
( 7:46)  4. Airegin
( 8:33)  5. The Baggage Room Blues
( 7:33)  6. We'll Be Together Again
(11:10)  7. I'll Remember April


Album: The Stockholm Concerts Disc 3

Time: 58:58
Size: 137,1 MB

(1:25)  1. Annoucement
(8:38)  2. Just Friends
(8:22)  3. My Funny Valentine
(9:02)  4. Sippin' at Bell's
(5:04)  5. Blood Count
(9:55)  6. Milestones
(8:47)  7. Airegin
(5:28)  8. Dear Old Stockholm
(2:12)  9. Line for Lyons

According to this set's annotator, Mike Hennessey, and Stan Getz's biographer, Donald Maggin, the circumstances surrounding the making of these 1983 recordings was unpleasant in the extreme. For various reasons, Getz was unhappy to be concertizing with Baker and forced him out before the 35-date tour was halfway finished. Before Baker left, however, the men played a pair of concerts in Stockholm, which were fortunately recorded for posterity. Fortunately not because Getz and Baker shared any special rapport that led to a classic performance, but because the resulting album gives listeners another example of how wonderful a player Chet Baker was, even after years of drug addiction and general dissolution. Getz is his typical self lyrical, facile almost to the point of glibness, but musical nevertheless. Baker, on the other hand, is as he ever was one of the most spontaneously creative, emotionally compelling voices in jazz. The band is good if unspectacular; drummer Victor Lewis was a particularly nice choice in that he could drive a band like this without overwhelming the rather brittle lead voices. And Getz is excellent; if you're a Getz fan, he's in fine form here, so you won't be disappointed. Baker, on the other hand, is superb; it's his inimitable musicality that ultimately makes this rather pricey three-disc set a bargain. ~ Chris Kelsey

Personnel: Stan Getz (tenor saxophone); Chet Baker (vocals, trumpet); Jim McNeely (piano); George Mraz (bass); Victor Lewis (drums).


Stanley Turrentine - Joyride

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1965
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:00
Size: 98,8 MB
Art: Front

(6:18)  1. River's Invitation
(4:25)  2. I Wonder Where Our Love Has Gone
(6:29)  3. Little Sheri
(5:59)  4. Mattie T.
(6:18)  5. Bayou
(3:57)  6. A Taste Of Honey
(4:38)  7. Gravy Train
(4:53)  8. A Kettle Of Fish

Stanley Turrentine is the featured artist in this big band session with an all-star orchestra arranged and conducted by Oliver Nelson. While Nelson's charts are funky and easygoing (without providing any solo space for the likes of Phil Woods, Clark Terry, and Jay Jay Johnson), they serve the purpose to inspire the tenor saxophonist. Turrentine is quite soulful on Percy Mayfield's "River's Invitation," and his huge tone carries the day in a waltzing chart of the 1960s hit "A Taste of Honey." The artist also contributed some originals to the date, including the easygoing "Little Sheri," which features the unison flutes of Danny Bank and Jerry Dodgion, and "Mattie T," a gospel-like song that almost seems like a march. ~ Ken Dryden http://www.allmusic.com/album/joyride-mw0000649759

Personnel:  Tenor Saxophone – Stanley Turrentine;  Alto Saxophone, Clarinet – Phil Woods;  Alto Saxophone, Flute, Flute [Alto Flute], Clarinet, Piccolo Flute – Jerry Dodgion;  Baritone Saxophone, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Flute, Flute [Alto Flute] – Danny Bank;  Bass – Bob Cranshaw;  Drums – Grady Tate;  Guitar – Kenny Burrell;  Piano – Herbie Hancock;  Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet – Robert Ashton;  Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet – Albert J. Johnson;  Trombone – Henry Coker, Jay Jay Johnson, Jimmy Cleveland;  Trumpet – Clark Terry, Ernie Royal, Snooky Young

Joyride

Robin Kenyatta - Terra Nova

Styles: Flute And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1973
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:52
Size: 82,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:03)  1. Temptation Took Control of Me (And I Fell)
(9:01)  2. Need Your Love So Bad
(4:56)  3. Terra Nova
(3:46)  4. You Are the Sunshine of My Life
(3:51)  5. Freedom Jazz Dance
(3:22)  6. Mother Earth (Provides for Me)
(3:15)  7. Touch
(3:35)  8. Island Shakedown

Backing off a bit from the outright funky fusion of 1972's Gypsy Man, Terra Nova nonetheless finds saxophonist Robin Kenyatta still indulging his newfound love of electricity and rhythmically altered jazz-funk tempered by his newfound love of Caribbean music. This Michael Cuscuna-produced date showcases Kenyatta's alto in three different settings though half of them feature him in an octet with a pair of electric guitarists and two pianists, an organist, bassist, drummer, and no less than Ralph MacDonald on percussion. The feel on most of these cuts is informed by bubbling funky reggae and calypso. Eric Kaz's "Temptation Took Control (And I Fell)" and " Mother Earth (Provides for Me)," Stevie Wonder's "You Are the Sunshine of My Life," Eddie Harris' "Freedom Jazz Dance" and the originals "Island Shakedown" and the title track (that add saxophonist Carlos Garnett, trumpeter Enrico Rava, and trombonist Jonas Gwangwa), are all drenched in these rhythms. The remaining two numbers include a tough, Ray Charles  inflected soul-jazz version of Little Willie John's "Need Your Love So Bad," and the straight up proto-smooth jazz tune "Touch." These latter two numbers make the recording feel a bit schizy, but nonetheless extremely enjoyable though in 1973 it must have felt like it was coming from left-field and has dated well This is a prime example of the wide range of musical interests Kenyatta attempted to integrate during the '70s. Wounded Bird finally made this set available on CD in 2008. ~ Thom Jurek http://www.allmusic.com/album/terra-nova-mw0000793923

Personnel: Robin Kenyatta (flute, saxophone, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone); Betty Jack Davis (vocals); Hux Brown (guitar); Carlos Garnett (tenor saxophone); Enrico Rava (trumpet); Jonas Gwangwa (trombone); Neville Hinds, Pat Rebillot (piano, electric piano); Gladstone Anderson (piano); Sonny Burke , Winston Wright (organ); Ron Carter (bass instrument, electric bass); Jackie Jackson , Boris Gardiner (electric bass); Ray Lucas, Winston Grennan (drums); Ralph MacDonald (congas, percussion).

Terra Nova

Friday, July 28, 2017

George Shearing - The Way We Are

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1974
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:45
Size: 92,3 MB
Art: Front

(2:36)  1. The Way We Were
(5:50)  2. Do You Know The Way To San Jose?
(2:51)  3. Killing Me Softly
(4:34)  4. The World Is A Ghetto
(5:16)  5. Superstar
(4:03)  6. Eleanor Rigby
(2:29)  7. Brian's Song
(3:28)  8. Aquarius
(4:02)  9. You Are The Sunshine Of My Life
(4:31) 10. Alone Again (Naturally)

The formula for the George Shearing Quintet was wearing very thin by the time of this 1974 release, although he adds two Latin percussionists to the group for variety. The lack of notable sidemen means that Shearing does almost all of the solos, excepting the guest percussionists, but the major weakness of this record is the inane material. While Stevie Wonder's "The Sunshine of My Life" has been successfully absorbed into the jazz repertoire, forgettable turkeys like "Do You Know the Way to San Jose," "Killing Me Softly," a Muzak-like rendition of "Superstar" (the sleep-inducing hit for Karen Carpenter written by Leon Russell), the insipid "The World Is a Ghetto," and especially the nauseating Gilbert O'Sullivan ballad "Alone Again (Naturally)" prove that even a first-rate musician can do little to make these tunes interesting to jazz listeners. 

One almost assumes that Leonard Feather's liner notes are tongue in cheek and that he had to force himself to say something positive about this dubious project. Long out of print since BASF's departure from the record-making business in the mid-'70s (possibly encouraged by flops like this), it's safe to say that fans of the earlier successes (and the later revival) of the George Shearing Quintet can safely bypass this extremely disappointing LP. ~ Ken Dryden http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-way-we-are-mw0000874525

Personnel:  Piano – George Shearing;  Bass – Andy Simpkins;  Bongos, Congas – Chino Valdes;  Drums – Rusty Jones;  Guitar – Sigi Schwab;  Timbales – Carmelo Garcia;  Vibraphone – Heribert Thusek

The Way We Are

Emilie-Claire Barlow - The Very Thought Of You

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:06
Size: 139,4 MB
Art: Front

(6:38)  1. The Very Thought Of You
(3:45)  2. Almost Like Being In Love
(3:35)  3. O Pato (The Duck)
(4:46)  4. Les Yeux Ouverts (Dream A Little Dream Of Me)
(4:25)  5. Pennies From Heaven
(5:22)  6. What A Little Moonlight Can Do
(5:00)  7. Surrey With The Fringe On Top
(5:59)  8. My Time Of Day / I've Never Been In Love Before
(3:51)  9. C'est Si Bon
(2:54) 10. De Conversa Em Conversa
(5:25) 11. The Boy Next Door
(5:28) 12. So Many Stars
(2:53) 13. You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me

Named after the 1934 Ray Noble-penned standard made famous by Bing Crosby, The Very Thought of You is the sixth studio album from Canadian jazz vocalist Emilie-Claire Barlow. Released in 2007, it features silky-smooth renditions of Nat King Cole's "Almost Like Being in Love," Billie Holiday 's "What a Little Moonlight Can Do," and Mama Cass' "Dream a Little Dream of Me" alongside interpretations of hits from various musicals including Guys and Dolls, Oklahoma!, and Pennies from Heaven. ~ Jon O’Brien http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-very-thought-of-you-mw0000821545

Personnel: Emilie-Claire Barlow - vocal, shaker, triangle;  Reg Schwager (guitar); Drew Jurecka, Kathryn Sugden, Rebecca VanDerPost, Lenny Solomon (violin); Claudio Vena (viola); Wendy Solomon, Alex Grant (cello); Bill McBirnie (flute); Kelly Jefferson, Mike Murley (tenor saxophone); Kevin Turcotte (flugelhorn); Nancy Celeste Walker (piano); Alan Hetherington (pandeiro, rainsticks, surdo, wood block, caxixi, percussion, bells).

The Very Thought Of You

Stanley Turrentine - More Than a Mood

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1992
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:11
Size: 127,0 MB
Art: Front

(5:26)  1. Thomasville
(8:57)  2. They Can't Take That Away From Me
(7:28)  3. In a Sentimental Mood
(5:57)  4. Easy Walker
(5:45)  5. Triste
(5:19)  6. Pieces of Dreams
(9:19)  7. Spirit Up Above
(6:58)  8. More Than a Mood

For this quartet date with pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Billy Higgins (trumpeter Freddie Hubbard sits in on two numbers), Turrentine is in top form on a variety of standards plus Tommy Turrentine's "Thomasville" and Rahsaan Roland Kirk's "Spirits up Above." A fine session. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/more-than-a-mood-mw0000029373

Personnel:  Saxophone – Stanley Turrentine;  Bass – Ron Carter;  Drums – Billy Higgins;  Flugelhorn – Freddie Hubbard (tracks: 7);  Piano – Cedar Walton;  Trumpet – Freddie Hubbard (tracks: 1)

More Than a Mood

Red Norvo Quintet - ...Naturally!

Styles: Vibraphone Jazz
Year: 1957
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 32:15
Size: 75,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:44)  1. I'll Remember April
(4:11)  2. Spider's Web
(3:45)  3. Tenderly
(3:57)  4. Lullaby Of Birdland
(3:19)  5. Stella By Starlight
(3:59)  6. Scorpion's Nest
(3:55)  7. Funny Valentine
(4:20)  8. Love For Sale

This reissue of a 1957 Rave Records release features Red Norvo's Quintet with Bob Drasnin on flute and alto; Jimmy Wyble on guitar, Buddy Clark on bass and Bill Douglass on drums. This quintet has a hard-swinging low-key style that epitomizes the 'cool' jazz of Hollywood in the 1950's. Great solos by Red on vibes, Bob Drasnin on alto and flute and Jimmy Wyble remind us of how alive this music could be in the hands of these consummate professionals. ~ Editorial Reviews https://www.amazon.com/Naturally-Red-Norvo/dp/B0009G3B9M

Personnel: Red Norvo (vibraphone); Robert Drasnin (alto, flute); Jim Wuble (guitar); Bill Douglass (drums)

...Naturally!

Poncho Sanchez - Papa Gato

Styles: Latin Jazz
Year: 1986
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:57
Size: 91,6 MB
Art: Front

(5:06)  1. Quindembo
(4:50)  2. Papa Gato
(4:43)  3. Serenidad
(4:16)  4. Jumpin' With Symphony Sid
(4:40)  5. Baila Baila
(4:59)  6. Pan Dulce
(5:30)  7. Tania
(4:23)  8. Senor Blues
(5:50)  9. Manteca

Percussionist Poncho Sanchez has long led one of the top Latin jazz groups, succeeding his former boss, the late Cal Tjader. On this enjoyable release, Sanchez features plenty of solos from Justo Almario (on alto, tenor, and flute), trumpeter Sal Cracchiolo, and trombonist Art Velasco, and the three percussionists have many opportunities to romp. The jazz content is pretty high with such songs as "Jumpin' With Symphony Sid," "Senor Blues," and "Manteca" alternating with group originals. A fine introduction to the accessible Latin jazz of Poncho Sanchez. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/papa-gato-mw0000196943

Personnel: Poncho Sanchez (congas, bata); Justo Almario (flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Sal Cracchiolo (trumpet, flugelhorn); Arturo Velasco (trombone); Charlie Otwell (piano); David Romero (bongos); Ramon Banda (timbales).

Papa Gato

Thursday, July 27, 2017

Louis Armstrong - The Standard Oil Sessions

Size: 124,2 MB
Time: 53:09
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Jazz, Vocals
Art: Front

01. Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans (5:40)
02. Muskrat Ramble (5:42)
03. Basin Street Blues (4:21)
04. Struttin' With Some Barbeque (5:05)
05. Boogie Woogie On St. Louis Blues (4:52)
06. Way Down Yonder In New Orleans (4:33)
07. Lazy River (4:37)
08. Panama (4:10)
09. Back O'Town Blues (6:22)
10. Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans (First Rehearsal Take) (4:08)
11. Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans (Second Rehearsal Take) (3:33)

Personnel:
Louis Armstrong: Trumpet & Vocals
Jack Teagarden: Trombone & Vocals
Earl “Fatha” Hines: Piano
Lyle Johnson: Clarinet
Clancy Hayes: Guitar
Bass & Drums: Unknown

This 50+ minute recording was recorded in San Francisco, California on January 20, 1950 by the Standard Oil Company for their radio show, “Musical Map of America.” The recording was episode 19, “Musical Story of New Orleans,” and featured Armstrong, Jack Teagarden and Earl Hines. For reasons not known, the broadcast was never made and Louis was personally given the acetate discs of the sessions.

The Standard Oil Sessions

Janet Seidel - The Art Of Lounge, Vol. 2

Size: 130,8 MB
Time: 55:47
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2001/2017
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Poinciana (4:07)
02. Lonesome Road (3:10)
03. Agua De Beber (4:02)
04. Oh How My Heart Beats For You (2:05)
05. They Say It's Wonderful (3:51)
06. You're A Lucky Guy (3:07)
07. It Had Better Be Tonight (3:05)
08. Perhaps (2:35)
09. Slow Boat To China (3:10)
10. Spanish Harlem (4:29)
11. Skylark (4:01)
12. Always Something There To Remind Me (3:37)
13. Button Up Your Overcoat (3:24)
14. You Belong To Me (4:04)
15. Can't We Talk It Over (3:08)
16. Sentimental Journey (3:46)

Australia's Janet Seidel continues to work magic on popular songs of the past, many of which have become standards. Like her first volume honoring the art of sophisticated swing and ballads, Seidel chooses to work in small-group settings, sometimes with sax or cornet added, other times with strings. When the sax is in control it adds a jazzy tingling. On "Poinciana," tenor saxman Paul Williams sneaks in jazz figures behind Seidel and the strings, creating interesting counterpoint. Another highlight track is "Lonesome Road," where the singer, Maree Steinway's piano, and Chuck Morgan's guitar framed by the rhythm of David Seidel and John Morrison beget a version of this tune that is bouncy but also as relaxed as one could expect to encounter. Seidel's unapologetic admiration of Doris Day is evident with "Sentimental Journey." But there is no big band cum Les Brown here. Rather, it's another laid-back small group rendering, this time with bass, guitar, and drums. Seidel is the vocal counterpart of alto sax player Paul Desmond, who was renowned for his comfortable playing style and respect for the melody line. The closest to vocal gymnastics is on "Slow Boat to China," where the ambidextrous Baker switches to cornet. Seidel has cut eight albums paying tribute to great popular music for the La Brava label. Each is a testimony to her vocal artistry and this does no less. Highly recommended. ~by Dave Nathan

Personnel: Janet Seidel - Vocals/Conductor; Col Nolan, Maree Steinway, Kevin Hunt - Piano; Chuck Morgan - Guitar; Paul Williams - Tenor Sax/ Clarinet; Tom Baker - Tenor Sax/Cornet/Vocals; Ben Jones - Alto & Tenor Sax/Vocal; David Seidel - Bass; Billy Ross - Drums; Ian Bloxsom - Percussion; John Morrison - Drums/Percussion; Mirka Rozmus, Rebecca Daniel, Michelle Kelly, Anne-Louise Comerford; Rachel Valentine - Strings

The Art Of Lounge, Vol.2      

SWR Big Band & Sammy Nestico - A Cool Breeze

Size: 149,7 MB
Time: 64:15
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Jazz: Big Band
Art: Front & Back

01. Cell Talk (3:59)
02. Along Came Betty (5:00)
03. A Cool Breeze (5:29)
04. I'll Follow My Secret Heart (4:46)
05. Shirley (4:09)
06. Close Enough For Love (4:31)
07. Moonlight On The Ganges (3:49)
08. Frankie & Johnny (5:20)
09. Poor Butterfly (5:19)
10. 'Round Midnight (3:37)
11. Tippin' In (3:59)
12. Toni (5:25)
13. Softly From My Window (3:37)
14. The Jazz Music Box (5:09)

Seventeen musicians-one sound. And a very convincing sound, at that. The SWR Big Band has so far been nominated four times for a Grammy - the most important music award in the world. Also it received in 2015 a Jazz Award in Cold ffom German music industry. Enjoyed a great honor in 2011, when it was the first German band ever suggested for the "Premio da Musica Brasileira", Brazil's most important music award. In the face of so much fame, it seems almost modest to say that the SWR Big Band is one of the best big bands in the world.

Sammy Nestico is a composer-arranger whose accomplishments and credits have earned him legendary status in the music business.

Today’s word that best describes him is “iconic.”

He has done it all: a host of big band arrangements including those for the Count Basie Band, The Airmen of Note and Germany’s SWR Orchestra, movie and television scores, and a variety of commercials.

Along the way, he has won a bunch of Grammy Awards and, judging by the smile that appears to never leave his face, he has had a great deal of fun doing what he loves to do.

He’s a perfect example of the adage: “Do what you love and the rest will follow.”

On June 9, 2017, SWR Music released A Cool Breeze: Sammy Nestico and the SWR Big Band which documents more of the ongoing love affair between this brilliant, Stuttgart-based big band and one of the most accomplished composer-arrangers in the history of big band Jazz.

Everything about this recording is simply splendid from the SWR’s technical execution of the arrangements, to the joyful and magical way Sammy’s charts play out on the listener’s ear to the audio quality which imbues the music with a rich texture and a warm sound. Listening to the music on this recording makes you realize why Big Band Jazz is a category apart and that when it’s done right, no other aspect of Jazz matches its majestic sonority.

A Cool Breeze

Marica Hiraga - Vintage

Size: 119,1 MB
Time: 51:19
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. April In Paris (4:25)
02. So In Love (4:25)
03. Everything Happens To Me (4:30)
04. Angel Eyes (4:05)
05. As Time Goes By (4:36)
06. September In The Rain (4:21)
07. Golden Earrings (4:34)
08. I Loves You Porgy (5:21)
09. On The Sunny Side Of The Street (2:58)
10. When You Wish Upon A Star (3:35)
11. Cheek To Cheek (5:13)
12. Good Morning Heartache (3:11)

Marica Hiraga is Japan’s leading jazz vocalist with a rich talent both in expression and technique. Her professional career began in 1981 after she was awarded the Asia Music Award in Hong Kong. She has acquired her understanding and feeling of jazz by performing and traveling between Tokyo and New York.

Her first Jazz standard album, My Shining Hour, was released in 2001, and won the Best Singing Techniques award at the 19th Japan Jazz Vocal Award hosted by Jazz World magazine in 2003. Her 2nd album, Faith, released in 2006, was recorded with Eric Alexander and Harold Mabern Trio. Faith was selected as “ Swing Journal Gold Disc” and became her breakthrough album.

She then worked with the legendary jazz combo, the Manhattan Jazz Quintet, lead by David Matthews, on 3rd album, Close to Bacharach, which was highly praised as the new Bacharach standards. The album was again selected as “ Swing Journal Gold Disc” and she received the Best Vocal award at the 41st Jazz Disc Award, hosted by Swing Journal, one of the most prestigious awards for jazz music in Japan.

In May 2008, she released a collection of mature love songs as 4th album, More Romance, and in November, she released 5th album, BATUCADA-Jazz‘ n’ Bossa, on which she worked with many prominent musicians including the genius Gil Goldstein, the leading AOR musician Michael Franks, Marcos Valle, Phil Woods, Kenny Garrett and Randy Brecker, as a celebration album for bossa nova’s 50th anniversary. BATUCADA was again selected as“ Swing Journal Gold Disc” and won her the Best Vocal award at the 42nd Jazz Disc Award.

In 2009, she released 6th album, Sing Once More-Dear Carpenters, a tribute album to Carpenters, for which she received the grand prize at the 25th Japan Jazz Vocal Award and the Best Vocal award at the 43rd Jazz Disc Award, making her the first musician to receive this award for 3 consecutive years.

In 2011, She released 7th album, Mona Lisa-Tribute to Nat King Cole, a tribute album to the legendary singer, Nat King Cole.
Marica Hiraga’s latest album, Sings With The Duke Ellington Orchestra, released in April 2012, The full big band album which becomes the first in self is challenged, and costarring with a historical big band is achieved.

She has been performing at numerous concert halls and jazz festivals, and her artistic talents extend to a wide range of activities, such as being a radio personality and contributing as a music magazine columnist.

Vintage

Matthew Whitaker - Outta The Box

Size: 132,9 MB
Time: 57:24
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Jazz: Piano/Hammond Jazz
Art: Front

01. Matt's Blues ( 2:48)
02. Neighborhood Park ( 6:34)
03. Flow ( 4:54)
04. Mas Que Nada ( 4:10)
05. I Thought About You ( 4:48)
06. Song For Allie ( 7:54)
07. Take A Break ( 4:58)
08. Back Track (10:04)
09. Pistachio ( 4:07)
10. Until Next Time ( 7:03)

Born in 2001 in Hackensack, NJ, Matthew Whitaker grew up surrounded by music. His love for playing music first began at the young age of 3, after his grandfather gave him a small Yamaha keyboard.

At 9, Matthew began teaching himself how to play the Hammond B3 organ. Four years later, he became the youngest artist to be endorsed by Hammond—in its 80+ year history. He was also named a Yamaha Artist at 15, becoming the youngest musician to join the stellar group of jazz pianists.

Matthew has had years of music instruction, currently studying classical piano and drums at The Filomen M. D’Agostino Greenberg Music School of the Lighthouse Guild in NYC. It is the only community music school for the blind and visually impaired in the US. He also attends the Manhattan School of Music’s Precollege Jazz Program.

He previously studied at The Harlem School of the Arts and was a member of both the Jazz House Big Band and the Organ Messengers at Jazz House Kids in Montclair, NJ.

Matthew has received the “Outstanding Soloist Award” from Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Charles Mingus High School Competition and Festival and the Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival. He was also recognized by the Harlem International Film Festival, which named him “Most Remarkable Young Person on Screen.”

He’s already toured both here in the US and abroad, performing before The Youth Assembly at the United Nations headquarters in NYC, and on other world renowned stages, including: Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the Apollo Theater, Carnegie Hall, and Jazz at Lincoln Center in NYC; SFJAZZ Center in San Francisco; the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC; The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts & Ali Cultural Arts in Florida, and at international venues in France, Italy, Morocco, and Japan.

In 2010, Matthew was a winning participant in the “Child Stars of Tomorrow” competition, as part of Amateur Night at the Apollo. A year later, at just 10 years old, he was invited to perform at Stevie Wonder’s induction into the Apollo Theater’s Hall of Fame. He returned to the Apollo for FOX TV’s revival of SHOWTIME AT THE APOLLO in 2016, where he won the audience over with his rendition of Stevie Wonder’s classic “I Wish.” Matthew has been on National and International television which included an appearance on the syndicated TV talk show ELLEN!

Outta The Box

Meg - Quicker Than The Eye

Size: 116,6 MB
Time: 50:02
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Thriller (4:58)
02. Don't Get Around Much Anymore (4:27)
03. Eleanor Rigby (4:42)
04. Emily (4:51)
05. It's All Right With Me (4:36)
06. I've Got You Under My Skin (4:42)
07. Destiny (4:56)
08. Only Trust Your Heart (4:00)
09. Sophisticated Hula (3:22)
10. Let's Face The Music And Dance (3:44)
11. Blame It On My Youth (5:39)

Born in Odate City, Akita Prefecture, Jazz Singer raised in Yokohama.

In 2006 debuted with the album "Grace" from the prestigious Verve label of jazz.

And the 4th album "Little Waltz" of world-class bassist Ron Carter Produce becomes a big topic.

In recent years, she performed vigorous activities in a jazz singer but also in a field of pops, Tetsuya Komuro composer / Reiko Yukawa songwriter "Re-love ~ Love you again ~" (2010) appointed as the theme song of the movie "Destiny town" In addition, "Sayonara Kabukicho" (15) Theme Song, Anime "Hero Bank (TV Tokyo)" ED Theme, Drama "JK is Snow Life" (MBS · TBS Series Broadcast) ED Theme, New TV Series for the First Time in 30 Years "Lupine the 3rd" overseas edition OP theme, etc. We are in charge of various tie-up songs.

In December 2016 we released the best album collecting original songs of the past to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the debut. And this year, which will be the 10th anniversary YEAR this year, Osao Kotaro Composition / Yukawa Reiko song "Something like Jacaranda's Flow" started from April, the insertion song of MBS / TBS drama "Final Fantasy XIV Hikari no Dada"

C / w "rain of time" is appointed as the theme song of July released movie "Her life is not a mistake".

In addition, on July, JAZZ album 'Quicker Than the Eye' of luxury big band led by Moriya Junko was released and a nationwide tour was held. (google translation)

Quicker Than The Eye

Lisa Casalino - Introducing Lisa Casalino

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:11
Size: 119,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:11)  1. 'S Wonderful
(4:47)  2. The Good Stuff
(4:21)  3. Break A Leg
(4:32)  4. Easy Street
(5:27)  5. Dream Dancing
(4:43)  6. I Get Along Without You Very Well
(3:24)  7. This And That
(4:31)  8. Manhattan
(5:40)  9. Smile
(3:57) 10. Broken Hearted Melody
(3:27) 11. Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
(4:06) 12. On The Atchison, Topeka And The Santa Fe

Lisa Casalino is a local jazz singer in Tampa that has been entertaining the community with her singing talents for nearly two decades, and in Central Florida since 1998. Casalino originates from Long Island, New York and has been a very welcomed and appreciated artist for many years in Tampa, FL. Singing in many local Tampa restaurants and events, while touring all over Florida, Lisa Casalino is now one of the most wanted singers in the Tampa Bay area. Combined with her incredible musical talents, her beauty and amazing persona have made her unstoppable. Truly a woman who is an incredible example for making dreams come true, we can only wait in anticipation to see where else her career will lead her. Until then, we enjoy the singing talents of Lisa Casalino at our favorite restaurants and popular events if they are lucky enough to book her in time! https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/lisacasalino

Introducing Lisa Casalino

Al Hirt - The Best of Dixieland

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1956
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:50
Size: 107,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:10)  1. The Original Dixieland One-Step
(4:37)  2. Tin Roof Blues
(2:50)  3. Royal Garden Blues
(3:28)  4. Panama
(2:54)  5. Blue and Broken-Hearted
(5:18)  6. Wolverine Blues
(3:09)  7. Washington and Lee Swing
(4:24)  8. I'm Going Home
(3:36)  9. Jazz Me Blues
(3:07) 10. Night and Day
(5:33) 11. South Rampart Street Parade
(3:38) 12. Sugar

This is one of the finest recordings ever of trumpeter Al Hirt and clarinetist Pete Fountain. A classic Dixieland set, it finds Hirt and Fountain in their early prime quite inspired by each other's ideas. With the assistance of a fine rhythm section and the underrated trombonist Bob Havens, Hirt and Fountain romp through such numbers as "The Original Dixieland One-Step," "Royal Garden Blues," "Jazz Me Blues," and "South Rampart Street Parade." A special bonus is that Fountain takes very rare tenor solos on two songs, being showcased (and sounding like Eddie Miller) on "Washington and Lee Swing." Essential music for Dixieland fans. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/pete-fountain-presents-the-best-of-dixieland-al-hirt-mw0000113503

Personnel: Al Hirt (trumpet); Pete Fountain (tenor saxophone, clarinet); Bob Havens (trombone); Roy Zimmerman (piano); Bob Coquille (bass); Paul Edwards (drums).

The Best of Dixieland

Walter Bishop, Jr. - Coral Keys

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1971
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:41
Size: 98,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:44)  1. Coral Keys
(5:22)  2. Waltz For Zweetie
(6:30)  3. Track Down
(5:31)  4. Soul Turn Around
(5:15)  5. Our November
(4:44)  6. Three Loves
(9:33)  7. Freedom Suite

The keys are coral, and the sound is sublime one of the greatest albums ever from pianist Walter Bishop Jr, and proof that he can really stretch out, given the right setting! The piano here is all acoustic, but there's an almost-electric vibe to the date  long, open tracks that sway and swell with some great spiritual energy  made even more wonderful by work from reedman Harold Vick, who plays tenor, flute, and soprano sax on the record and makes it one of his best recordings ever! The reedwork alone is worth the price of admission but the rhythms are also great too  a mix of soulful, modal, and some slight funky bits handled by Reggie Johnson on bass, and either Idris Muhammad or Alan Benger on drums. Woody Shaw plays trumpet on some cuts, too and titles include "Coral Keys", "Soul Turn Around", "Freedom Suite", "Track Down", "Waltz For Zweetie", and "Three Loves". (Remastered with updated artwork and new liner notes.) © 1996-2017, Dusty Groove, Inc. https://www.dustygroove.com/item/629505

Personnel: Walter Bishop, Jr. Coral Keys songs (piano); Harold Vick (flute); Woody Shaw (trumpet); Idris Muhammad, Alan Shwaetz Benger (drums).

Coral Keys

Stanton Moore - Flyin' The Koop

Styles: Jazz, Bop
Year: 2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:17
Size: 120,6 MB
Art: Front

(6:05)  1. Tang the Hump
(4:32)  2. Fallin' off the Floor
(5:55)  3. Let's Go
(4:00)  4. Launcho Diablo
(4:08)  5. Prairie Sunset
(3:22)  6. Things Fall Apart
(4:06)  7. Amy's Lament
(6:04)  8. Magnolia Triangle
(5:14)  9. Hunch
(1:47) 10. Bottoms Up
(3:46) 11. For the Record
(3:12) 12. Organized Chaos

Galactic drummer Stanton Moore returns for his sophomore solo effort on a major label with a host of super-choppers at his side, including Chris Wood from Medeski, Martin & Wood, the Greyboy Allstars' Karl Denson, saxophonist Skerik, guitarist Brian Seeger, and New Orleans Mardi Gras Indians and all around vocalists extraordinaire the Wild Magnolias. As on his debut, All Kooked Out, Moore's primary motivating factor is the almighty groove and how to present it in challenging, innovative settings. And he does it here. There's the jazzed-out funky romp of "Tang the Hump," with a subtle New Orleans second-line rhythm backing up the syncopation. And then there's the drum skank on "Fallin' off the Floor," where Chris Wood and Moore play deep, blue funk as the horns play the line. But Moore is also capable of being a jazzer, and he displays this to the hilt on the beautifully driven, R&B-inflected "Prairie Sunset," whose lyrical invention is as gorgeously intricate as any saxophonist's. Also is the deep funk jazz on the intense, jam-oriented "Launcho Diablo," with dueling flute and saxophones in between the rhythmic accents. The drive here is almost Afro-funk, but its architecture is strictly jazz, with the knotty key changes and improvised middle, with a screaming guitar solo Seeger. Moore is a solid bandleader and composer who stresses the groove as the backbone of every track; everything must move along a perimeter of backbone slipping greasy punch, no matter where it comes from originally or gets to. In many ways, as satisfying as Galactic can be live, Moore manages to be the same way on record. He's got the party fully in hand and knows how to make its dynamics work, carrying the listener up to the threshold, slipping them into a little loose-groove meditation, and carrying them out on the steaming rhythmic rail. This is every bit as good as his debut and is as good as any New Orleans record you're likely to find in the 21st century. 
~ Thom Jurek http://www.allmusic.com/album/flyin-the-koop-mw0000214727

Personnel: Stanton Moore (drums, shaker, tambourine, loops); Brian Seeger (guitar); Karl Denson (flute); Skerik (tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Chris Wood (upright bass, electric bass, bass programming); Chris Lovejoy (shaker, caxixi).

Flyin' The Koop

Wednesday, July 26, 2017

Kenny Dorham - Jerome Kern Showboat

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1960
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 32:27
Size: 74,5 MB
Art: Front

(6:02)  1. Why Do I Love You?
(5:41)  2. Nobody Else But Me
(6:37)  3. Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man
(5:49)  4. Make Believe
(4:15)  5. Ol' Man River
(4:01)  6. Bill

This CD reissue of a Kenny Dorham session that was originally on the Time label features the talented trumpeter and an all-star quintet (with Jimmy Heath on tenor, pianist Kenny Drew, bassist Jimmy Garrison and drummer Art Taylor) playing six famous themes from the Jerome Kern play Show Boat. All of the melodies ("Why Do I Love You?," "Nobody Else but Me," "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man," "Make Believe," "Ol' Man River" and "Bill") are heard in likable and swinging versions. This is one of Dorham's better sessions from the era and is easily recommended to his fans and collectors of hard bop. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/show-boat-mw0000197461

Personnel:  Kenny Dorham – trumpet;  Jimmy Heath - tenor saxophone;  Kenny Drew – piano;  Jimmy Garrison – bass;  Art Taylor - drums

Jerome Kern Showboat

Emilie-Claire Barlow - So Many Stars

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:55
Size: 152,9 MB
Art: Front

(6:13)  1. Gentle Rain
(5:29)  2. Like A Lover
(4:12)  3. Bem Bom
(7:18)  4. La Belle Vame Sans Regret
(4:46)  5. So Danço Samba
(8:45)  6. Jobim Medley
(5:31)  7. De Flor Em Flor
(5:14)  8. Retrato Em Branco E Preto
(4:01)  9. Jardin d' Hiver
(2:54) 10. De Conversa Em Conversa
(2:59) 11. Little Boat (O Barquinho)
(5:29) 12. So Many Stars

Toronto's Emilie-Claire Barlow is a Juno Award-winning singer with a warm, lithe vocal style and a knack for tackling urbane jazz standards. Born in Toronto in 1976, Barlow grew up in a musical family. Her father is jazz drummer Brian Barlow, who has also recorded as Brian Leonard and is best known for his work with the Boss Brass (a Canadian big band led by trombonist Rob McConnell). Not surprisingly, the drummer instilled an appreciation of jazz in his daughter and encouraged her to sing and to study several instruments, including piano, violin, cello, and clarinet. By the time she was seven, Emilie-Claire Barlow was singing for television and radio commercials. She went on to become quite active on Toronto's jazz scene, and in 1997 she and her father formed the Barlow Group an acoustic-oriented octet whose soloists have included trombonist Russ Little and saxman John Johnson. She co-produced her first album, Emilie-Claire Barlow Sings, with her father in 1998 before recording Tribute (also co-produced with Brian Barlow) in 2000. Both albums were released independently in Canada on the Rhythm Tracks label, and both garnered Juno Award nominations for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year. A third Rhythm Tracks album, Happy Feet, appeared in 2003. Barlow then founded her own Empress Music Group and delivered a handful of well-received albums, including 2005's Like a Lover, 2006's holiday-themed Winter Wonderland, and 2007's The Very Thought of You, for which she earned her third Juno Award nomination. 

The following year, she won Female Vocalist of the Year at Canada's National Jazz Awards. Two more Juno Award-nominated albums followed with 2009's Haven't We Met and 2010's The Beat Goes On. In 2011, Barlow delivered Seule Ce Soir, her ninth studio recording and first sung entirely in French. Much lauded, the album earned the singer her first Juno Award win for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year, as well as an ADISQ Award for Album of the Year Jazz Interpretation. A concert album, Live in Tokyo, followed in 2014. In 2015 she returned with Clear Day, which featured backing from the Dutch Metropole Orkest. The album showcased jazz reworkings of modern pop, rock, and folk standards, including songs by David Bowie, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, and others. It won the Juno Award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year. ~ Alex Henderson http://www.allmusic.com/artist/emilie-claire-barlow-mn0001839872/biography

So Many Stars