D.Chambers/ J.Berlin/ D.Fiuczynski/ T.Lavitz - Boston T Party

Styles:  Jazz Fusion, Funk  
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:57
Size: 135,0 MB
Art: Front

(6:23)  1. D'funk'd
(5:37)  2. (Great) Ball Of Issues
(6:39)  3. Around About Way
(5:54)  4. I Hate The Blues...(But Here's One Anyway)
(6:44)  5. All Thought Out
(8:24)  6. Emotional Squalor
(1:44)  7. Deff 184
(3:08)  8. Last Trane
(7:44)  9. Constant Comment
(6:36) 10. Foxy Morons

If quirky titles and wacky cover art were award categories, the foursome of Dennis Chambers, Jeff Berlin, Dave Fiuczynski and T Lavitz would score major honors with their new release, Boston T Party. However, those are just attention getters. The real prize is the music quirky, wild, and most of all, fun. Some of the more interesting titles are "(Great) Ball of Issues, a humorous spin on Jerry Lee Lewis' "Great Balls of Fire, and a pair that put a creative twist on common phrases: "Around About Way and "Foxy Morons. Each player is an accomplished artist in his own right. Here, they come together for a fusion jam session. Drummer Dennis Chambers is known for his work with Santana, Steely Dan, P-Funk and other artists in the jazz, funk and fusion genres. Bassist Jeff Berlin has numerous recordings in his own name, but has also worked with Al DiMeola, Allan Holdsworth, John McLaughlin and Billy Cobham. Guitarist Dave "Fuze Fiuczynski has worked with the Screaming Headless Torsos and other progressive artists. T Lavitz, on keyboards, has worked with the Dixie Dregs, Jazz Is Dead and Widespread Panic.

Boston T Party, produced by Lavitz, provides an hour's worth of ten original songs. The quartet delivers a musical smorgasbord. There's a bit of rock, accented by jazz, fusion, funk and other assorted sounds sometimes all within a single track. The opening track, "D'funk'd, opens like a cross between early Herbie Hancock and a time warp from a science fiction film, then cranks up into a multifaceted jam. Lavitz's keyboard solo at the two-minute mark is reminiscent of some of the classic hard rock songs of the 1970s. From there, the song strikes a delicate balance between jazz fusion and the soundtrack from one of those quirky sci-fi flicks that predate "Star Wars. Chambers delivers some strong licks without getting in the way of his bandmates' solos. He skillfully shifts from snare to toms, keeping within the structure but at the same time playing with freedom to explore. The same can be said of all the musicians throughout the album. The group is perhaps most mellow if it can be said they're ever mellow on this album with the slower-paced "I Hate the Blues ... (But Here's One Anyway). 

Lavitz is solid on the B-3 organ. Chambers and Berlin set the pace in standard 3/4 time while Fuze takes us on a freewheeling jaunt. The rest of the album follows the same form which is to say, unrestrained. Even when the other musicians are playing somewhat structured rhythms in the background, Fuze just takes off with hyperdrive engines on maximum. Imagine, if you can, an electric guitar on steroids. And if the music isn't enough, there's the cover art, which depicts a giant teacup on the streets of old Boston. Floating in it are instruments, a capital "T and a drowning man. A black cat appears to be jumping from the cup, but it isn't wet. Quirky? You bet. ~ Woodrow  Wilkins https://www.allaboutjazz.com/boston-t-party-dennis-chambers-tone-center-review-by-woodrow-wilkins.php
 

Personnel: T Lavitz: keyboards; David Fiuczynski: electric guitar; Jeff Berlin: electric bass; Dennis Chambers: drums.

Boston T Party

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Jimmy McGriff - McGriff Avenue

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:00
Size: 135.1 MB
Styles: B-3 Organ jazz, Soul-jazz
Year: 2002
Art: Front

[ 7:46] 1. All About My Girl
[ 7:32] 2. McGriff Avenue
[10:46] 3. Soul Street
[ 8:10] 4. The Answer Is The Blues
[ 6:43] 5. The Great Unknown
[ 8:33] 6. Dissertation On The Blues
[ 6:28] 7. The Worm
[ 2:59] 8. America, The Beautiful

Don Williams - Drums; Ronnie Cuber - Baritone Sax; Bill Easley - Tenor Sax; Rodney Jones - Guitar; Jimmy McGriff - Organ; Gordon Beadle - Tenor Sax; Melvin "Sparks" Hassan - Guitar; Bernard "Pretty" Purdie - Drums; Wilbur Bascomb, Jr. - Bass.

Jimmy McGriff was originally slated to record this album on September 11, 2001 at Rudy van Gelder's studio in New Jersey, but the tragic events of that day led to an obvious need for rescheduling. As a result, the session was split in two, with somewhat different lineups at each. However, fans of the organist's trademark down-and-dirty B-3 blues and funk can rest assured: despite the complications, the results are pure McGriff.

McGriff assembled a top notch lineup of soul jazz veterans for these sessions, among them saxophonists Ronnie Cuber and Bill Easley, guitarists Rodney Jones and Melvin "Sparks" Hassan, electric bassist Wilbur Bascomb, and the funkiest of funk drummers, Bernard Purdie. Together, they rumble through a set of new and vintage McGriff material, including new arrangements of his hits "All About My Girl" and "The Worm." The title tune recalls the old school funk that was McGriff's bread and butter in the '60s, while a nearly 11-minute workout on Jimmy Forrest's "Soul Street" gives everyone room to strut their blues chops. The finale is a deep-gospel take on "America The Beautiful," done a la Ray Charles, an obvious, though moving nod to 9-11.

While no new ground is broken here, McGriff and company evoke the down home mood of the classic soul jazz years. It ain't quite as greasy as the old days, but it still tastes good. ~Joel Roberts

McGriff Avenue

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Grant Stewart - Tenor And Soul

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:48
Size: 127.8 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz, Mainstream jazz
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[6:15] 1. Hush A Bye
[6:32] 2. Willow Weep For Me
[6:49] 3. Old Devil Moon
[6:14] 4. Alacant
[8:02] 5. On Green Dolphin Street
[7:00] 6. Tijuana Gift Shop
[7:58] 7. Quiet Sip
[6:55] 8. Dr. Bob's Nightmare

Grant Stewart sounds like a throwback to earlier eras on this 2005 session. His full-bodied tenor sax has a bit of Coleman Hawkins and Dexter Gordon at times, though he is very much finding his own voice. The bluesy "Willow Weep for Me" is as much a feature for guitarist Joe Cohn (son of the late master tenorist Al Cohn), while the breezy setting of "Old Devil Moon" features the leader's explosive solo. The Latin setting of "On Green Dolphin Street" seems almost obligatory for jazz musicians, though Stewart's lush tenor makes it worthwhile listening. The brisk take of Charles Mingus' rarely performed "Tijuana Gift Shop" is a welcome change from standard jazz repertoire. Two originals add trumpeter Ryan Kisor: the intricate "Alacant" and the hip, slinky "Dr. Bob's Nightmare." ~Ken Dryden

Tenor And Soul

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Rosa Passos, Ron Carter - Entre Amigos

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:54
Size: 118.8 MB
Styles: Bossa Nova, Brazilian jazz
Year: 2003
Art: Front

[3:39] 1. Bahia Com H
[5:54] 2. Insensatez
[4:47] 3. Desafinado
[3:58] 4. Sorriu Para Mim
[4:09] 5. A Primeira Vez
[3:20] 6. Garota De Ipanema
[4:30] 7. Por Causa De Voce
[6:30] 8. Caminhos Cruzados
[4:31] 9. Feitio De Oracao
[5:51] 10. Eu Sei Que Vou Te Amar
[4:41] 11. O Grande Amor

Rosa Passos made her recording debut as a leader in 1979, but this 2003 Chesky CD may be her first to be released outside of South America. The Brazilian singer is paired with veteran bassist Ron Carter, who provides a solid melodic foundation for her throughout the date; the delightful Brazilian guitarist Lula Galvao; percussionist Paulo Braga, and, on a few tracks, veteran session musician Billy Drewes on tenor sax or clarinet. While the focus is clearly on the soft, effective vocals of Passos, who is extremely effective in her interpretations of bossa nova classics such as "Insensatez," "Desafinado," "Caminhos Cruzados," and "O Grande Amor," Carter's solos are also subtly swinging. Not satisfied with sticking exclusively to a well known repertoire, Passos is a superb interpreter of less familiar songs like Jobim's "Por Causa de Voce" (a duet with Carter, whose playing is phenomenal on this track) and the lively "Feitio de Oracao." The warm, very intimate sound throughout this studio date makes this a particularly memorable bossa nova release. ~Ken Dryden

Entre Amigos

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Eric Ineke - Let There Be Life, Love And Laughter

Time: 67:44
Size: 155.0 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz
Year: 2017
Art: Front

[ 5:19] 1. Body And Soul
[11:00] 2. Stablemates
[ 5:31] 3. Wee
[ 8:24] 4. Bye Bye Blackbird
[11:03] 5. Let There Be Life, Love And Laughter
[ 7:16] 6. Prayer To The People
[ 7:52] 7. Lady Bird
[11:15] 8. Walkin'

Rein de Graaff (tracks 1, 3, 6), Rob Abergeek (tracks 2, 8), Rob van Bavel (track 4), Rob Madna (track 7): piano; Koos Serierse (track 1, 3, 6), Hank Haverhoek (track 2), Marius Beets (track 4, 5), Ruud Jacobs (track 7), Rob Langereis (track 8): bass ; Eric Inke, drums (all tracks).

Eric Ineke is a long time drummer, residing in the Netherlands, who is one of a coterie of sidemen favored by American expatriate jazz musicians for their European gigs. This fine compilation of his work with nine of the great tenor saxophonists gives the listener a golden opportunity to listen to some of their best workouts and compare their styles and approaches. The recording dates cover almost a half century from 1968 (Lucky Thompson) to 2014 (Dave Liebman and John Ruocco). The genres are bebop, hard bop, and everything in between, with only the slightest hints of John Coltrane and the avant-garde that had already made their impact in the 1960s. This conservative platform makes the music supremely pleasurable listening, but perhaps at the sacrifice of experimentation and novelty. The sound on all tracks is transparent and has the comfortable feel of analog and vinyl recordings which many aficianados prefer to the strictly digital format..

This album serves as a tribute to the exceptional European rhythm sections who did yeoman's work supporting the American expats who found greater acceptance on the Continent than in their home country. But the three-ring prize goes to these legendary saxophonists who have always brought great satisfaction to the ears of anyone who listens to them. In jazz. so much of the music is an expression of the player's individuality, and this album affords ample comparative demonstration of that fact. ~Victor Schermer

Let There Be Life, Love And Laughter

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Jerry Gonzalez, The Fort Apache Band - Rumba Para Monk

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:46
Size: 164.3 MB
Styles: Latin jazz, Trumpet jazz
Year: 1989/1995
Art: Front

[11:13] 1. Monk's Mood
[ 6:42] 2. Bye-Ya
[ 5:36] 3. Nutty
[ 9:45] 4. Little Rootie Tootie
[10:03] 5. Misterioso
[ 7:26] 6. Ugly Beauty
[ 9:30] 7. Reflections
[11:28] 8. Jackie-Ing

Jerry Gonzalez - trumpet, flugelhorn, percussions; Steve Berrios - drums, percussions; Andy Gonzalez - bass, Carter Jefferson - tenor sax, Larry Willis - piano.

"Inspired not only by Monk's originality and power, but by the spirit of dance and celebration that inhabited his music, Gonzalez has done considerably more than graft Latin elements onto Monk tunes. He has analyzed the natures of the compositions and infused then with the Latin rhythms he finds inherent in them." ~Doug Ramsey

Rumba Para Monk

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Sonny Rollins - The Bridge

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:29
Size: 92.7 MB
Styles: Bop,
Year: 1962/2000
Art: Front

[7:26] 1. Without A Song
[5:08] 2. Where Are You
[7:43] 3. John S.
[5:57] 4. The Bridge
[7:25] 5. God Bless The Child
[6:48] 6. You Do Something To Me

Sonny Rollins - Saxophone; Bass – Bob Cranshaw; Drums – Ben Riley, H. T. Saunders; Guitar – Jim Hall. Recorded in RCA Victor's Studio B, New York City.

Tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins' first recording after ending a surprising three-year retirement found the great saxophonist sounding very similar to how he had played in 1959, although he would soon start investigating freer forms. In a pianoless quartet with guitarist Jim Hall, bassist Bob Cranshaw, and drummer Ben Riley, Rollins explores four standards (including "Without a Song" and "God Bless the Child") plus two fiery originals, highlighted by the title cut. The interplay between Rollins and Hall is consistently impressive, making this set a near-classic and a very successful comeback. ~Scott Yanow

The Bridge

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Ithamara Koorax - Love Dance - The Ballad Album

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:41
Size: 124,9 MB
Art: Front

(5:15)  1. Ligia
(2:17)  2. I loved you
(7:21)  3. Love Dance
(4:15)  4. La Puerta
(9:54)  5. Man Alone
(5:36)  6. Amparo
(4:20)  7. Someday
(4:58)  8. Flame
(2:12)  9. April in Paris
(7:30) 10. Blauauge

Ithamara Koorax has released several albums in Brazil and Japan, but Love Dance is only the second US album for this star from Rio, the follow-up to her debut Serenade in Blue. With her unmistakable voice, Koorax sings English, Portuguese, and Spanish love songs composed by such masters as Antonio Carlos Jobim, Luiz Bonfá, Marcos Valle and Ivan Lins, plus songs by Claus Ogerman and Jurgen Friedrich (in German). Her voice manifests this diversity to its advantage: Koorax does not sound like a Brazilian singer or an American singer or a jazz singer or a pop or Latin singer. She sounds like she can sing just about anything. Subtitle this set “The Dedication Album”: the soothing and seductive opening version of Jobim’s “Ligia” is dedicated to Stanley Turrentine; “Man Alone” to Jimmy Scott; “Blauauge,” a duet with composer Friedrich on piano, to Art Farmer; and the title track to Mark Murphy (whose 1988 Milestone session, September Ballads, inspired this Dance ). With "Love Dance," performed with Azymuth, Koorax transforms one of Brazilian composer Ivan Lins’ finest moments into one of her own finest moments, too. 

She sails with this smooth fusion band, letting the last few notes of a phrase throatily fade in a husky whisper (like Stan Getz on sax), sharpening and rounding notes’ edges, then exploding like brilliant sunlight to close. Love Dance also features John McLaughlin’s first date supporting a vocalist (“Man Alone”) and album notes by Ira Gitler, neither honor a small one. ~ Chris M.Slawecki https://www.allaboutjazz.com/love-dance-the-ballad-album-ithamara-koorax-fantasy-jazz-review-by-chris-m-slawecki.php

Personnel: Personnel: Ithamara Koorax (vocals); Nelson Angelo (acoustic guitar, piano); Luiz Bonfá (acoustic guitar); John McLaughlin (electric guitar); Jose Carlos Ramos (flute); Juarez Araújo (clarinet); Mario Castro-Neves (piano, keyboards); Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Jurgen Friedrich (piano); Marcos Valle (keyboards); Manuel Gusmao, Sergio Barroso (acoustic bass); Jorjao Carvalho, Alex Malheiros (electric bass); Jorge Pescara (fretless bass); Cesar Machado, Ivan Conti, Joao Palma (drums); Sidinho Moreira, Dom Um Romao, Arnaldo DeSouteiro (percussion).

Love Dance - The Ballad Album

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Yo-Yo Ma - Soul Of The Tango: The Music Of Astor Piazzolla

Styles: Tango, Classical Crossover 
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:39
Size: 146,2 MB
Art: Front

( 3:10)  1. Piazzolla: Libertango Tango Suite
( 3:45)  2. Piazzolla: Tango Suite: Andante
( 6:07)  3. Piazzolla: Tango Suite: Allegro
( 6:03)  4. Piazzolla: Sur: Regreso Al Amor
(11:38)  5. Piazzolla: Le Grand Tango
( 3:47)  6. Piazzolla: Fugata
( 6:21)  7. Piazzolla: Tango Remembrances
( 5:08)  8. Piazzolla: Mumuki
( 3:10)  9. Piazzolla: Tres Minutos Con La Realidad
( 6:40) 10. Piazzolla: Milonga Del Ángel
( 7:46) 11. Piazzolla: Café 1930

Inspired by a general love of the tango, and more specifically the tango of Astor Piazzolla, on the part of Yo-Yo Ma, the Soul of the Tango album is a masterful work of the nuevo tango, played by Ma's cello and many of Piazzolla's former associates. Piazzolla's old guitarists Sergio and Odair Assad even showed up to work on a pair of tracks arranged by Sergio: the Tango Suite (consisting of Andante and Allegro). The sheer beauty of one of Piazzolla's tangos is generally enough to warrant the purchase of an album involving them. An album such as this one, where all of the songs (save one: Tango Remembrances, where Ma plays along with outtakes from Piazzolla's recording of The Rough Dancer and the Cyclical Night album) are compositions by Piazzolla is even better. Add to this the masterful playing of Ma, and the surprising facility in which the cello fits into the tango, and you've got what could become a classic album, if only it weren't on the classical label from Sony. The album begins with Libertango, a composition from Piazzolla's first album that became the theme song for the movie The Tango Lesson. Following is the pair of tracks in the Tango Suite from Sergio Assad. Then comes Sur: Regreso al Amor, a softer work, though with some definite virtuosity displayed. Le Grand Tango is an eleven minute tour de force in the tango, and Fugata is a tango written under the guidelines of a classical fugue. The next work is the aforementioned Tango Remembrances, which is a particularly nice work, probably due to the appearance of Piazzolla's own playing. Mumuki is a more complicated composition, and Tres Minutos con la Realidad is a choppier, peppier work. Milonga del Angel is a seemingly sentimental work that shows off Piazzolla's ability to express the emotions of a song perfectly and purely. To finish the album, Ma presents Café 1930, a rather slow paced work, but again, as in Milonga del Angel, expresses emotion very fully in its nostalgia. Overall, the album is a stunning work of art, and even those that may not have heard of Piazzolla could easily be lured to his music via this single album. ~ Adam Greenberg https://www.allmusic.com/album/soul-of-the-tango-the-music-of-astor-piazzolla-mw0000713665

Personnel: Cello – Yo-Yo Ma; Bandoneon – Nestor Marconi; Bass – Edwin Barker, Hector Console;  Guitar – Horacio Malvicino, Sergio & Odair Assao;  Piano – Frank Corliss, Gerardo Gandini, Kathryn Stott, Leonardo Marconi;
Violin – Antonio Agri

Soul Of The Tango: The Music Of Astor Piazzolla

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Pat LaBarbera, Kirk MacDonald Quartet - Silent Voices

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2017
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:52
Size: 158,3 MB
Art: Front

(3:02)  1. Days of Old
(6:44)  2. Walk the Talk
(9:23)  3. We Three
(4:52)  4. Messin' with Messiaen
(7:40)  5. Silent Voices
(4:18)  6. Message to Andre
(5:36)  7. Manhattan Getaway
(6:10)  8. Sideways
(7:33)  9. Baby Blue
(5:12) 10. 22nd Street Waltz
(5:14) 11. The Hang
(3:02) 12. Days of Old (take 2)

The oxymoronic title of Silent Voices belies and simultaneously validates interesting things about this recording. Far from silent in its artistic message, it is an intelligent, evocative, and brilliantly communicative effort. Its "voices" dominate, ring loud, and are intensely passionate. Most stentorian, they emanate from deep within the respective creative wellsprings of these four superior performers. Pat LaBarbera Kirk MacDonald Quartet and Kirk MacDonald, both esteemed woodwind men (and colleague professors at Toronto's Humber College), show that their respective jazz chops are in outstanding order throughout and they also offer original compositions of depth and tantalizing complexities. The ensemble and solo work here is nothing short of, well, name your superlative. The interplay between the two front men is umbilical and non-competitive. Their work with bassist Overs and drummer Nussbaum there's no pianist is superb. The lack of a piano adds to the interaction the Toronto Tenors have with Overs and Nussbaum. This is a textbook lesson on jazz intra-group rapport and creative communication.

The album intrigues from Cut One. "Days of Old" is a slow-moving elegiac effort which grows deeply melancholic. "Walk the Talk" is struttin' sax stuff. Hard. Masculine. Driving. "We Three" is a freer, slow-drawing tone painting. "Messing with Messiaen" is another pounding cooker with lots of exotic, pentatonic "plumbing." The title tune, "Silent Voices" is a stone heart-wrencher a slow, beautiful black and white scene depicting a sad aria of longing souls. "Get Happy" is a quirky-jerky jaunt. "Manhattan Getaway" is a fierce burner with the two sly foxes chasing young rabbits. "Sideways" is an M. C. Escher-like walk through melody and chord  think post-Modern Monk. "Baby Blue" is a straight-ahead "Melancholy Baby" contrafact. "22nd Street Waltz" is an endless lilting wind-blown moebius-like ribbon of "He says He says." "The Hang" it's an "I've Got Rhythm" variant  burns as if Fred and Wilma Flintstone were throwing acid around. A "Days of Old" second take returns to neatly bookend the session. Actually, a very nice production touch. Silent Voices is an impactful, stimulating effort from a quartet of musicians whose passion for the art, their instruments, and their colleagues is palpable. The work has so much "weight" that these voices will resonate both initially and on many repetitive listenings. And, it screams so very, very loudly. ~ Nicholas F.Mondello https://www.allaboutjazz.com/silent-voices-pat-labarbera-kirk-macdonald-quartet-jazz-compass-review-by-nicholas-f-mondello.php
 

Personnel: Pat LaBarbera: tenor and soprano saxophones; Kirk MacDonald: tenor and soprano saxophones; Kieran Overs: bass; Adam Nussbaum: drums.

Silent Voices

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Illinois Jacquet - Flying Home: The Best Of The Verve Years

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 79:04
Size: 181.0 MB
Styles: Bop, Saxophone jazz
Year: 1994
Art: Front

[3:01] 1. Speedliner
[2:32] 2. Pastel
[2:44] 3. Groovin'
[2:51] 4. Cotton Tail
[2:57] 5. Boot 'em Up
[3:03] 6. Bluesitis
[3:06] 7. Lean Baby
[2:41] 8. Port Of Rico
[2:53] 9. Where Are You
[3:19] 10. Heads
[3:29] 11. It's The Talk Of The Town
[8:24] 12. The Kid And The Brute
[4:13] 13. Sophia
[6:49] 14. Honeysuckle Rose
[3:41] 15. Star Dust
[6:13] 16. Las Vegas Blues
[5:03] 17. Achtung
[5:56] 18. Have You Met Miss Jones
[2:51] 19. No Sweat
[3:09] 20. Flying Home

Illinois Jacquet's reputation as a premier improvising swing-to-bop tenor saxophonist is firmly cemented via these 20 selections, actually the best of the Clef label recordings in the '50s produced by Norman Granz. This is a well-chosen collection, with groups ranging from small ensembles and spirited organ combos (check out the very hip "Port of Rico") to a select few big bands. Many tracks such as "Speedliner," "Heads," "The Kid and the Brute," and "Achtung" were perfect jam vehicles, and are great inclusions here, but Jacquet was not only known in that format. His extraordinary ballad work, rivaled only by Lester Young and Ben Webster, is well represented on a smattering of standards as well as "Pastel," "Bluesitis," and "Where Are You?" On top of that, you get all-time hits "Honeysuckle Rose" and "Cotton Tail," and his signature solo during "Flying Home." The urgent, forward-thinking, or tender sound of Illinois Jacquet is well documented on this fine compilation, which is easily recommended for both Jacquet mavens and newcomers to this mighty musician. ~Michael G. Nastos

Flying Home: The Best Of The Verve Years

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Chris Connor - A Portrait Of Chris

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 34:37
Size: 79.3 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 1961/2006
Art: Front

[2:47] 1. Follow Me
[2:42] 2. Alone Together
[2:51] 3. All Too Soon
[2:44] 4. Love
[3:22] 5. Where Flamingos Fly
[3:00] 6. Here's That Rainy Day
[2:24] 7. Day In, Day Out
[2:45] 8. If I Should Lose You
[2:20] 9. I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues
[2:48] 10. Harlequin
[4:20] 11. I'm Glad There Is You
[2:31] 12. Sweet William

Contemporary singers like Diana Krall have the sleek cocktail-diva act down pat: one part slinky dress; one part slow, sexy songs; and one part deep, smoky voice. Krall, though, learned from a number of women, like Chris Connor, who wrote the book on torch singing back in the '50s. Recorded in 1961, A Portrait of Chris finds the singer accompanied by a lively band and strings as she interprets a dozen standards. Conner's calling card is her lovely, deep voice. It reaches down and delivers ballads like "Here's That Rainy Day" and "All Too Soon" in rich, full colors. Like Julie London, Conner's cool and calm approach always gives the impression that it's three a.m. and only a handful of people remain in the bar. She infuses "Sweet William" and "If I Should Lose You" with sad longing, leaving one to imagine her the loneliest person on the planet. She turns up the heat on "Day in, Day Out" and "I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues," and delivers a spunky version of "Harlequin." James Ritz' liner notes serve as a good introduction to Connor and also place her in historical prospective. With the release of A Portrait of Chris, jazz fans can supplement their collections with the lovely singing of an original from the golden age of jazz divas. ~Ronnie D Lankford Jr.

A Portrait Of Chris   

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Joey DeFrancesco - Falling In Love Again

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:37
Size: 134.2 MB
Styles: Soul jazz, B-3 Organ jazz
Year: 2003
Art: Front

[7:55] 1. All Or Nothing At All
[5:07] 2. But Not For Me
[4:01] 3. Falling In Love Again
[7:05] 4. Love For Sale
[6:02] 5. Dearly Beloved
[3:15] 6. Can't We Begin Again
[6:11] 7. My Romance
[4:03] 8. Street Of Dreams
[4:31] 9. Secret Love
[4:50] 10. Pennies From Heaven
[5:32] 11. Everytime We Say Goodbye

Is this still young but nearly legendary hipster, who almost singlehandedly rekindled jazz's interest in the Hammond B-3 organ, going to the dogs? The folks at Concord Records hope so, sending out a doggie biscuit with their press materials as DeFrancesco gives one of his favorite East Coast jazz singers, Joe Doggs, a prominent spotlight. Doggs' soulful vocals (praised in the liner notes by Quincy Jones and very reminiscent of the passionate Jimmy Scott experience) and fresh, expansive arrangements are at the cool, swinging heart of the collection's 11 cherished standards. Between vocal passages, the organ great also continues his long tradition of working with top trad jazz names like Pat Martino, tenorman Red Holloway, drummer Jeff Hamilton (complementing DeFrancesco's core trio member Byron Landham), and Kevin Eubanks. "All or Nothing at All" rolls along at eight minutes, with DeFrancesco's B-3 simmering coolly under Doggs' sweet seductive vocals before swinging harder during the playful instrumental break punctuated by Martino's crisp guitar solo. The same basic principles embrace the easy, strutting take on the Gershwins' "But Not for Me," with DeFrancesco's lively soloing giving way to a fiery tenor spotlight by Holloway. Other standards given the royal treatment are "Love for Sale," "Dearly Beloved," and "My Romance." Next time when you hear the term "Dogg style," you may think beyond Snoop Dogg and the more vulgar connotations. ~Jonathan Widran

Falling In Love Again

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Machito Orchestra - Afro-Cuban Jazz Suite

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 17:13
Size: 39.4 MB
Styles: Latin jazz
Year: 1951/2005
Art: Front

[2:54] 1. Cancion
[3:14] 2. Mambo
[2:39] 3. Mambo2
[2:11] 4. 6/8
[3:40] 5. Jazz
[2:33] 6. Rhumba Abierta

The Afro-Cuban Jazz Suite is largely remembered as a Norman Granz commission. The reason for this is that the legendary Charlie Parker participated in the first Suite, completed and recorded in December, 1950. Moreover, even many of the musical arts cognoscenti will recall this first Suite as music performed by Machito. Most listeners forget that it was Chico O’Farrill who wrote, arranged and conducted the piece first for Machito and his Afro-Cuban Orchestra. ~Raul de Gama

Afro-Cuban Jazz Suite

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Patrick Cornelius - Infinite Blue

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:46
Size: 107.1 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[5:04] 1. Regent Street
[5:51] 2. Infinite Blue
[0:53] 3. Into To Waiting
[7:09] 4. Waiting
[4:14] 5. Puzzler
[5:47] 6. Unfinished Business
[6:14] 7. In The Quiet Moments
[4:42] 8. My Green Tara
[6:49] 9. Projection

Patrick Cornelius: alto saxophone; Frank Kimbrough: piano; Michael Janisch: bass; Jeff Ballard: drums; Nick Vayenas: trombone (1, 4-6, 9);Michael Rodriguez: trumpet (2, 4, 5); John Chin: piano (9).

Veteran New York saxophonist and composer Patrick Cornelius delivers his fourth album as leader with Infinite Blue, a gem of a recording that sparkles with an A-list of players interpreting eight new originals and one cover tune in one audacious session of music. Not really an unusual feat for this three-time winner of the ASCAP Young Composer Award (2005-2007), the music on this album features a variety of hard bop elements as well as intricate tender ballads providing a fair share of moments to experience often.

The saxophonist wastes no time in defining this album as primarily his through measured solo performances beginning on the opening "Regent Street" and guiding the music with the help of Chick Corea/Brad Mehldau drummer Jeff Ballard whose pounding drums and crashing cymbal accents paint the music. Trumpeter Michael Rodriguez and renowned pianist Frank Kimbrough, just two of New York's finest musicians performing in the Cornelius sextet, take pronounced roles on the title track marking this piece infinitely solid. The reflective balladic "Waiting" is introduced by the only non-New York-based musician of the group, London-based bassist Michael Janisch who turns it over to pianist Kimbrough whose light chords turns the number into a beautiful haunting piece of music. In stark contrast, "Puzzler" unleashes a hard up beat rhythm that brings an expanded horn section with both the leader and Rodriguez sharing the space with trombonist Nick Vayenas for a quick rumble. One of the standout tunes on the recording, "Unfinished Business," has Vayenas playing middle to upper register trombone to Cornelius's crafty alto voice.

The Soft spot of the album goes to the gorgeous slow ballad "In The Quiet Moments," where the saxophonist performs a slow burn to Kimbrough's accompanying light keys and Ballard's warm brush stokes for a highlight of the album. Unlike many recordings, Cornelius caps this fantastic effort with the surging hard bop "My Green Tara" showcasing some of his best chops of the session and closes the recording with pianist John Chin's "Projection" featuring Chin in his only appearance on a sweet melody that captures one last dynamic solo from the saxophonist and the very essence of Infinite Blue, an album that has all the elements of great music: elegant compositions, world-class players and a gifted point man leading the way. ~Edward Blanco

Infinite Blue

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Dennis Chambers - Outbreak

Styles: Jazz Fusion, Funk 
Year: 2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:21
Size: 132,1 MB
Art: Front

( 5:21)  1. Roll Call
( 7:03)  2. Otay
( 5:19)  3. Groovus Interruptus
( 6:08)  4. Paris On Mine
( 6:09)  5. In Time
( 4:32)  6. Plan B
(10:59)  7. Outbreak
( 5:46)  8. Baltimore, DC
( 6:00)  9. Talkin Loud And Sayin Nothin

Drummer Dennis Chambers is a first-call session ace who is comfortable within a variety of settings and/or genres. He has also evolved into one of the most admired drummers on the globe due to his high-powered polyrhythmic funk beats and supercharged sense of swing. In short, he's a dynamo! With his second solo release, he enlists his former boss, guitarist John Scofield, amid jazz superstars such as brothers Michael (sax) and Randy (trumpet) Brecker among others. Here, Chambers drives it all home via his now infamous attack, consisting of complexly woven tom fills and snappy, funk-drenched rhythms. Much of the credit should be directed towards arranger/producer/keyboardist Jim Beard, who once again demonstrates his prowess for achieving the desired effects. On the piece titled "Otay," fusion bassist extraordinaire Gary Willis leads the way via his impossibly fast lines in concert with Scofield's sinewy plucking and Chambers' sweeping funk pulses. 

Some of these works are marked by the Brecker Brothers' chirpy unison choruses and the ensemble's morphing of gospel, fusion, and jazz-based grooves. Through it all, Chambers' presence is undeniably felt, while this outing also benefits from strong material and the soloists' zestful endeavors. ~ Glenn Astarita https://www.allmusic.com/album/outbreak-mw0000594272
 

Personnel: (Collective): Dennis Chambers, drums; Michael Brecker, tenor sax; Bob Malach, tenor and bass saxophones; Aaron Heick, alto sax; Randy Brecker, Jim Hynes, trumpet; Michael Davis, trombone; Jon Herington, John Scofield, Nick Moroch, guitars; Dean Brown, guitars, bass; Jim Beard, clavinet, Hammond B3, Rhodes, synth, Wurlitzer piano; Will Lee, Gary Willis, Matt Garrison, Rodney "Skeet" Curtis, bass; Arto Tuncboyaciyan, percussion; Danny Sadownick, congas.     

Outbreak

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Lisa Ono - Look To The Rainbow

Styles: Vocal Jazz

Year: 2009

File: MP3@320K/s

Time: 49:52

Size: 114,4 MB

Art: Front

(3:04)  1. I'm Beginning To See The Light

(2:50)  2. Honeysuckle Rose

(4:05)  3. Moonglow

(3:52)  4. My Funny Valentine

(4:00)  5. Goody Goody

(3:26)  6. Don’t Know Why

(5:03)  7. Stormy Weather/Here s That Rainy Day

(3:23)  8. It’s Only A Paper Moon

(2:56)  9. Moonlight Serenade

(3:37) 10. You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To

(3:48) 11. The Shadow Of Your Smile

(3:43) 12. On A Clear Day

(5:59) 13. Look To The Rainbow

Lisa Ono is one of the best Japanese interpreters of contemporary bossa nova. A singer, violonista (acoustic guitar player), and songwriter, she has had her albums released internationally. To date, she has recorded 12 albums (Catupiry, 1989; Nanã, 1990; Menina, 1991; Serenata Carioca, 1992; Namorada, 1993; Esperança, 1994; Minha Saudade, 1995; Rio Bossa, 1996; Essência, 1997; Bossa Carioca, 1998; Dream, 1999; and Pretty World, 2000) with special appearances by top artists like Tom Jobim, Sivuca, Paulo Moura, Danilo Caymmi, and Toots Thielemans. Having lived in Brazil until she was ten, she took advantage of her father's connections he was a nightclub owner in the city of São Paulo and was Baden Powell's manager. Moving back to Japan, he opened the Saci Pererê nightclub, where Lisa Ono began to perform the Brazilian repertory, especially samba and bossa nova. She also founded the label Nanã, which promotes Brazilian music in Japan. ~ Alvaro Neder https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/look-to-the-rainbow-jazz-standards-from-l-a/id305719944

Look To The Rainbow

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Art Pepper - Presents “West Coast Sessions!”: Volume 1 (Disc 1 And Disc 2)

Album: Presents “West Coast Sessions!” Volume 1: Sonny Stitt Disc 1

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2017
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:43
Size: 156,3 MB
Art: Front

(6:40)  1. Scrapple From The Apple
(6:30)  2. Wee
(8:40)  3. Bernie's Tune
(8:44)  4. How High The Moon
(5:56)  5. Walkin'
(6:07)  6. Groovin' High
(7:23)  7. Bernie's Tune (Take 1)
(6:42)  8. Bernie's Tune (Take 2)
(4:45)  9. Wee (Take 1)
(6:11) 10. Groovin' High (Alternate Take)

In 1977, saxophonist Art Pepper was approached by Japanese label Atlas about possibly doing some recording. Pepper, then under contract to the Fantasy/Galaxy label, was obliged to find a work-around and decided to appear as a sideman on the recordings, bringing on various "headliners" to release the albums under. For the fourth and fifth Atlas albums, Pepper brought in saxophonist Sonny Stitt, with whom he had performed but never recorded. Omnivore's 2017 reissue of those sessions, Art Pepper Presents West Coast Sessions, Vol. 1: Sonny Stitt, brings this period of Pepper's career into sharp focus with liner notes from producer and Pepper's then wife and manager Laurie Pepper. Here, we get both albums, originally released in 1980 as Groovin' High: Sonny Stitt & His West Coast Friends and Atlas Blues: Blow! & Ballade!. We also get a handful of previously unissued alternate takes. The first sessions (Groovin' High) feature Stitt and Pepper backed by pianist Lou Levy, bassist Chuck DeMonico, and drummer Carl Burnette. Together, they fly through a set of brightly delivered, well-worn bop standards including a piercingly assured take on "Walkin," with their dual altos slicing through the opening melody. However, while there is some fine playing by all involved, the Groovin' High cuts sound somewhat routine in comparison to what is to come. The real discovery here are the Atlas Blues dates that found Pepper conscripting legendary West Coast pianist Russ Freeman along with bassist John Heard and drummer Burnette. A longtime associate, Freeman had recorded several times before with Pepper in the '50s, appearing on such albums as Surf Ride, Mucho Calor, and Modern Art. By the '70s, Pepper's open-minded ear for post-John Coltrane harmonics, not to mention years of hard living, meant that he wasn't particularly inclined to try and re-create his tender '50s style. His playing on these dates is typical of his latter-period, with vigorous in-the-moment solos that seem to flow directly out of his psyche, like a cubist bop haiku one minute and a mangled blues aside the next. However, with Freeman at his side, Pepper sounds warmly engaged and their chemistry evokes wild hope of those early West Coast years. Ultimately, on both sets, it's the juxtaposition between Stitt's seamless bop flow and Pepper's thoughtful, bluesy reticence that remains magical. ~ Matt Collar https://www.allmusic.com/album/art-pepper-presents-west-coast-sessions-vol-1-sonny-stitt-mw0003009536  

Personnel: Tenor Saxophone – Art Pepper, Sonny Stitt; Drums – Carl Burnett; Piano – Lou Levy, Russ Freeman

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Album: Presents “West Coast Sessions!” Volume 1 Sonny Stitt Disc 2

Time: 42:31
Size: 98,1 MB

( 9:35)  1. Atlas Blues
(11:27)  2. Lester Leaps In
( 4:59)  3. Autumn In New York
( 5:35)  4. My Funny Valentine
( 4:55)  5. Lover Man
( 5:57)  6. Imagination

Presents “West Coast Sessions!” Volume 1 Sonny Stitt Disc 2

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Monty Alexander, Ray Brown & Herb Ellis - Triple Treat II

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1987
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:35
Size: 122,9 MB
Art: Front

(5:17)  1. Lined With A Groove
(8:09)  2. Straighten Up And Fly Right
(6:51)  3. It Might As Well Be Spring
(3:40)  4. Seven Come Eleven
(6:10)  5. Fred
(5:59)  6. Smile
(6:28)  7. I'll Remember April
(5:12)  8. PolkaDots And Moonbeams
(5:43)  9. Lester Leaps In

Five years after the original Triple Treat, pianist Monty Alexander has a reunion with guitarist Herb Ellis and bassist Ray Brown in a program that is in the tradition of both Oscar Peterson and Nat King Cole. A special bonus is violinist John Frigo who sits in on four of the eight songs. Highpoints include Ray Brown's "Lined with a Groove," "Straighten up and Fly Right," "Seven Come Eleven" and "Lester Leaps In." ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/triple-treat-vol-2-mw0000199080

Personnel: Monty Alexander (piano), Ray Brown (bass), Herb Ellis (guitar), John Frigo (violin)               

Triple Treat II

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Tommy Flanagan - Thelonica

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1982
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:29
Size: 111,3 MB
Art: Front

(4:26)  1. North Of The Sunset
(5:31)  2. Light Blue
(5:08)  3. Off Minor
(7:03)  4. Pannonica
(4:14)  5. Ask Me Now
(4:14)  6. Thelonious
(7:35)  7. Reflections
(5:06)  8. Ugly Beauty
(5:11)  9. Thelonica

Recorded just ten months after Thelonious Monk's death, pianist Tommy Flanagan's tribute features eight of Monk's compositions plus Flanagan's own "Thelonica." Assisted by bassist George Mraz and drummer Art Taylor, Flanagan does not sound at all like Monk but he recaptures his spirit and hints strongly now and then at his style on this fine (and often introspective) outing. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/thelonica-mw0000188156

Personnel: Tommy Flanagan (piano); George Mraz (bass instrument); Art Taylor (drums).                 

Thelonica

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