Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Gladys Knight - At Last

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:39
Size: 129.7 MB
Styles: Soul, Urban
Year: 2001
Art: Front

[3:27] 1. Do You Really Want To Know (What Makes Me Fall In Love)
[3:56] 2. If I Were Your Woman Ii
[5:03] 3. I Said You Lied
[5:14] 4. Grandma's Hands
[4:31] 5. Love Hurts
[4:17] 6. I Wanna Be Loved
[4:26] 7. Greatest Love Of All
[3:47] 8. Better Love Next Time
[3:38] 9. Please Help Me I'm Falling (In Love With You)
[5:00] 10. Something Blue
[3:40] 11. Just Take Me
[4:44] 12. Rose Bouquet
[4:51] 13. That's Why They Call It Love

At Last, Gladys Knight's first studio album since 1995, offers a much-welcomed return by the gifted vocalist who easily adapts to contemporary music without compromising her signature sweet tones. The 13 tracks featured on At Last are a blend of mid-tempo R&B fare and ballads. Because Knight seamlessly incorporates a 2001 music sensibility to this recording, At Last can comfortably sit alongside works by Destiny's Child, Toni Braxton, Faith Evans, and other younger musical counterparts. Single releases from this album will be right at home on R&B and urban radio stations. Being out of the studio for six years has had no effect on Knight, as she is in top form. Her voice is rich, soulful, and silky as she grooves on such tracks as "If I Were Your Woman II" and "Greatest Love of All." "Grandma's Hands" takes a more soulful, gospel-like turn, with words reminiscent of Southern ragtime blues. References to fried bacon, Sunday morning, and church imagine a Southern lifestyle deeply rooted in family and religion. "Love Hurts" sees Knight's voice full of emotion as she offers a nurturing and sage perspective on matters of the heart. Actor Jamie Foxx takes a turn on the mic with Knight on "I Wanna Be Loved." It's the album's one mildly uncomfortable moment because Foxx lacks the power and presence to hold his own alongside Knight. His voice just disappears on this duet. At Last marks a refreshing return by Gladys Knight, who doesn't miss a beat. ~Liana Jonas

At Last mc
At Last zippy

Stella Starlight Trio - The Best So Far...

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:31
Size: 81.3 MB
Styles: Pop, Lounge
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[3:37] 1. Don't You Want Me
[3:13] 2. Tainted Love
[2:44] 3. Can't Buy Me Love
[3:12] 4. Don't You (Forget About Me)
[2:43] 5. Another Brick In The Wall (Part 2)
[4:42] 6. Time
[4:44] 7. New Year's Day
[3:22] 8. My Sweet Lord
[3:37] 9. Black Hole Sun
[3:33] 10. Tainted Love

Stella by Starlight is an American electropop band, formed in 2006 in Durham, North Carolina. As of 2012, the band is composed of Nathan Fowler (songwriting, production, synths, and vocals) Stella by Starlight has collaborated with Mike Posner and Eric Holljes (guitar, songwriting, and additional vocals). The band won mtvU's 2007 Woodie Award for Best Music on Campus.[1] Fowler is a 2008 graduate of Duke University. Past performers include Katie Peterson, Chris Prolowski, Steve Wilson, Sonny Byrd, Greg Laird, and Shuhei Yamamoto.

Stella by Starlight is currently based out of Los Angeles, California, and has played with OK Go, Mutemath, Paper Route, 3OH!3, Innerpartysystem, Jason Mraz, Common, Ke$ha and The Anix.

The Best So Far... mc
The Best So Far... zippy

Mel Carter - The Other Standards

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:54
Size: 93.7 MB
Styles: Jazz/Pop vocals
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[2:47] 1. Goody Goody
[3:23] 2. I'm Just Your Fool
[2:54] 3. Everything I Have Is Yours
[2:50] 4. A Tear Fell
[4:13] 5. Cry Me A River
[3:23] 6. Honeysuckle Rose Everybody Loves My Baby
[3:07] 7. I Wonder Where My Love Has Gone
[2:35] 8. Crying In The Chapel
[3:59] 9. I Only Know
[3:17] 10. My Lips Can't Find The Lyrics
[5:32] 11. Haunted Heart I Never Had A Chance
[2:49] 12. Sometimes I'm Happy

Anyone who enjoyed those great singers in the amazing musical sixties, Mel Carter stands out as one of the greatest from this tremendous musical era filled with uniquely talented singers, thrilling memorable hits like "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me", "The Richest Man Alive" and many others stood out with engrossing beautifully shaded & richly soaring vocals from the great singer whose success would have continued had radio continued building on talent instead of flavor of the day, but such is life and current sad state of Music Industy show the result. "The Other Standards" is a brilliant set of great songs arranged to perfection showing Mel Carter has retained that sublime magical voice, holding his own as a singer with a timeless quality, putting him high on the list of great singers over the past fifty years and counting. Big-band treatment of opener "Goody, Goody" is off the chart great, throughout Mel is magnificent doing a mix of blues, ballads and standards in peak passionate form making this collection a must-have for every "great singer" collection! Surprise of the collection is wondrous self-penned jam "My Lips Can't Find The Lyrics" taking listener on an extraordinary rhythmic ride with a great singer...Bravo Mel, this one should become a New Standard! ~Bradly briggs

The Other Standards mc
The Other Standards zippy

Willie Mitchell - The Best Of Willie Mitchell

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:51
Size: 105.0 MB
Styles: Memphis soul
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[2:18] 1. Soul Serenade
[2:12] 2. Papa's Got A Brand New Bag
[2:17] 3. Mercy Mercy Mercy
[2:22] 4. Bum Daddy
[2:25] 5. Barefootin'
[2:09] 6. Have You Ever Had The Blues
[2:23] 7. Grazing In The Grass
[2:18] 8. Strawberry Soul
[2:50] 9. Misty
[2:08] 10. Buster Browne
[2:10] 11. 20-75
[2:15] 12. Sunrise Serenade
[2:20] 13. Searching For My Love
[2:27] 14. The Horse
[2:09] 15. Woodchopper's Ball
[1:56] 16. Slippin' & Slidin
[2:27] 17. Bad Eye
[2:24] 18. Everything Is Gonna Be Alright
[2:07] 19. That Driving Beat
[2:04] 20. The Crawl

Before Willie Mitchell became the architect of Al Green's classic '70s sound, he was a Memphis trumpeter and bandleader purveying instrumental dance-party soul that sounded like what Booker T. and the MGs might have been doing had they possessed a horn section. This CD collects 20 tracks that posit Mitchell as a more than worthy peer of those Stax Records titans and a direct link to the even leaner funk of the Meters. If those outfits make your rump shake, you'll have trouble resisting the likes of "20-75," "Bum Daddy." Not that there's any reason you should. --Rickey Wright

The Best Of Willie Mitchell mc
The Best Of Willie Mitchell zippy

Slim Gaillard - Sabros! Here's Smorgasbord!

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 1991
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 76:50
Size: 177,6 MB
Art: Front

(4:53)1.Opera in Vout (Groove Juice Symphony)Part 1-2
(3:09) 2. Opera in Vout (Groove Juice Symphony)Part 3
(3:48) 3. Opera in Vout (Groove Juice Symphony)Part 4
(2:40) 4. Momma's in the Kitchen But We've Get 'Pop' on Ice
(2:21)  5. Down by the Station
(2:31)  6. Communications
(2:19)  7. Serenade to a Poodle
(2:55)  8. Laughin' in Rhythm
(2:08)  9. Soony-Rroony
(2:28) 10. Oh, Lady Be Good
(2:29) 11. Sabroso
(3:33) 12. Babalu
(2:33) 13. Yo Yo Yo
(2:54) 14. For You
(2:32) 15. Vip Roc Heresy
(2:44) 16. The Hip Cowboy
(2:29) 17. Chicken Rhythm
(2:20) 18. St. Louis Blues
(2:34) 19. I Know What to Do
(2:28) 20. Taxpayers Blues
(2:30) 21. Eatin' with Boogie
(2:35) 22. I Only Have Eyes for You
(2:29) 23. As You Are
(2:39) 24. I Can't Give You Anything But Love
(3:06) 25. Potato Chips
(2:38) 26. I'm in the Mood for Love
(2:22) 27. Mishugana Mambo
(2:31) 28. Gomen-Nasai (Forgive Me)

One of the most eccentric vocalists ever to hit the jazz scene, Slim Gaillard became a legendary cult figure thanks to his own privately invented jive dialect "vout," a variation on hipster slang composed of imaginary nonsense words ("oreenie" and "oroonie" being two other examples). Gaillard's comic performances, laid-back cool, and supremely silly songs made him a popular entertainer from the late '30s to the early '50s, especially on the West Coast, and several of his compositions became genuine hits, including "Flat Foot Floogie" and "Cement Mixer." Versatility was not Gaillard's stock-in-trade, but he was highly effective at what he did, and his musical ability as a singer, Charlie Christian-style guitarist, and boogie-woogie pianist was perhaps a bit overlooked in comparison to the novelty value of his music. Slim was born Bulee Gaillard, most likely on January 4, 1916 in Detroit, MI; some sources list his birth date as January 1, and Gaillard sometimes claimed to have been born in Santa Clara, Cuba, instead of Detroit. His father worked as a steward on a cruise liner, and sometimes brought young Slim along, once accidentally leaving him behind on the island of Crete. 

Gaillard was mostly raised in Detroit, though, where he tried his hand at professional boxing, worked as a mortician, and ran bootleg rum for the Purple Gang during the '30s. He also developed an act in which he played guitar and tap danced simultaneously, and eventually moved to New York to work the vaudeville circuit. In 1936, he teamed up with bassist Slam Stewart as Slim & Slam, and two years later they scored a substantial hit with "Flat Foot Floogie," which was quickly covered by the likes of Benny Goodman and Fats Waller in the wake of the original recording's success. Gaillard and Stewart kept cutting songs in a similar vein, including "Tutti Frutti" and "Laughin' in Rhythm," and eventually took their act to Hollywood, where they appeared in the 1941 film Hellzapoppin. Their partnership continued on through 1942, when World War II interrupted; both served in the military, Gaillard in the Air Force.  Upon exiting the service in 1944, Gaillard settled in Los Angeles and took up residency at Billy Berg's Hollywood Boulevard club, a hot spot for stars of the era. Now in tandem with bassist Bam Brown, Gaillard became a top draw and a hip name to drop; his 1945 hit "Cement Mixer" returned him to national prominence, and he recorded frequently that year, often with a quartet featuring Brown, pianist Dodo Marmarosa, and drummer Zutty Singleton. He also cut a session with bop greats Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie in late 1945, the most notable result of which was "Slim's Jam." The latter half of the '40s saw Gaillard's popularity at its peak; he appeared in several films and recorded for Verve up through 1951. He had further hits with 1948's "Down by the Station," which became a popular children's nursery rhyme, and 1951's "Yep Roc Heresay," a recitation of the menu from a Middle Eastern restaurant that one radio station banned for its "suggestiveness." 

He performed in New York frequently from 1951-1953, and also participated in Norman Granz's Jazz at the Philharmonic in 1953; a few years later, he was name-checked in Jack Kerouac's On the Road. By the mid-'50s, Gaillard's popularity was on the wane. He spent much of the latter part of the decade on the road with Stan Kenton, and recorded for Dot in 1958. He took a hiatus from music in the '60s; he managed a motel in San Diego for a time, and bought an orchard near Tacoma, WA. He also played clubs and spent time in Los Angeles, where he drifted into acting toward the end of the decade, appearing on TV shows like Marcus Welby, M.D., Charlie's Angels, Mission Impossible, Medical Center, and Along Came Bronson. He reunited with Slam Stewart at the 1970 Monterey Jazz Festival, and in 1979 he appeared in the miniseries Roots: The Next Generation. In 1982, Dizzy Gillespie talked Gaillard into returning to music. He traveled to the U.K. and made his first recordings since 1958 for Hep, which issued them as the album Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere; he also hit the festival circuit and toured Europe extensively, making London his new home base in 1983. He appeared in the cult film Absolute Beginners in 1986, and was the subject of a multipart BBC special called The World of Slim Gaillard in 1989. Gaillard passed away on February 26, 1991, after a bout with cancer. ~ Steve Huey https://www.allmusic.com/artist/slim-gaillard-mn0000750203/biography

Sabros! Here's Smorgasbord!

Helen Abbey - Second Time Around

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:56
Size: 103,4 MB
Art: Front

(2:43)  1. The Lady Is A Tramp
(5:41)  2. I've Got You Under My Skin
(2:50)  3. The Second Time Around
(4:29)  4. Just The Two Us
(3:43)  5. Free Spirit
(4:05)  6. Come Fly With Me
(3:21)  7. Ain't Misbehavin'
(3:39)  8. Always Something There To Remind Me
(5:14)  9. That Old Devil Called Love
(2:42) 10. Twisted
(6:24) 11. Bewitched

Helen Abbey debut album Simply Me was well received and took her to the finals of the Sony Search For A New Jazz Star competition. Helen Abbey graduated from the Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama with a Diploma in Performing Arts. She started her singing career with The Swing Sisters, an acapella group performing on the alternative cabaret scene, and The Seafood Mamas, a close harmony group with a regular slot at The Ritz Hotel. Motherhood beckoned and her musical career went on hold while she took time out to raise her three children. She cites jazz vocal masterclasses with Claire Martin, Sheila Jordan and Ian Shaw as being the catalysts for finding her voice again. And her recent success at Pizza on the Park, Knightsbridge confirms that she is now firmly back on the scene. After winning an award from the Arts Council England she teamed up with a group of fine British jazz musicians and brought in her songwriting partner Luigi Ferrara (who is also Italy's top jazz harmonica player). The result is her long awaited debut album. It delivers the best in a wide range of jazz styles mainstream standards, swing, ballads, and a sprinkling of original songs. The album is a true reflection of Helen's inimitable smooth style and is called, appropriately, “Simply Me”. United Kingdom  https://news.allaboutjazz.com/helen-abbey-long-awaited-follow-up-album-second-time-around.php

Second Time Around

LeeAnn Ledgerwood - Simple Truth

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@256K/s
Time: 73:05
Size: 134,3 MB
Art: Front

( 6:20)  1. Ryan's Gifts
( 4:56)  2. Pinnochio
( 7:02)  3. Chelsea Bridge
( 5:11)  4. Ballade For Bill Evans
( 4:03)  5. Mumma's Beautiful Heart
( 6:10)  6. Simple Truth
( 8:34)  7. Nardis
( 5:00)  8. Betrayal Of Daylight
( 6:57)  9. All Blues
(10:04) 10. Invitation
( 8:44) 11. Dolphin Dance

Catalyzed by her recovery from breast cancer, LeeAnn Ledgerwood revitalizes the piano-trio format on Simple Truth, her first SteepleChase disc since 2003’s Walkin’ Up. It interweaves originals such as the respectful homage “Ballade for Bill Evans” and the calm, commanding title cut with inspired takes on such modernist classics as Miles Davis’ “Nardis,” Wayne Shorter’s puckish, driving “Pinocchio” (use spell check, SteepleChase; you mangled this title) and Bronislau Kaper’s “Invitation,” served up sultry, leisurely and Latin. (Bassist Ron McClure lays down a lovely, darkling solo on that last number.) The tracks shift between the structured-a recasting of Davis’ “All Blues” is strikingly purposeful and architectural-and the more organic, like the stormy, lambent original “Betrayal of Daylight.” Ledgerwood’s approach is romantic and warm; leavening and animating it are the stately McClure and impressionistic drummer Nasheet Waits, a master of brush stroke and cymbal splash. Ledgerwood is not interested in impressing with technique and daring; hers is an artistry of nuance and emotional layering. Fittingly, the detail in these cleanly produced tracks, as she illustrates in building “Nardis” geometrically, solo, before bass and drums kick in, is the surprise and reward. The trio’s empathy is startling but expected: Ledgerwood has played with McClure since the early ’80s, and Waits (son of the late drummer Freddie Waits) fits in as if born to the group. Ledgerwood doesn’t set out to blaze trails. Her intent is to craft thoughtful, personal originals that build on and dovetail with a rich archival repertoire. To the pianist’s credit, she succeeds. Simple Truth is an appropriate and understated title for this modest, inviting album. ~ Carlo Wolff https://jazztimes.com/reviews/albums/leeann-ledgerwood-simple-truth/

Personnel:  LeeAnn Ledgerwood - piano;  Ron McClure - bass;  Nasheet Waits

Simple Truth

Si Zentner - Rhythm Plus Blues

Styles: Trombone Jazz, Big Band
Year: 1963
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 32:38
Size: 80,0 MB
Art: Front

(2:52)  1. Doggin' Around
(3:06)  2. Walkin'
(2:26)  3. What Am I Living For
(2:15)  4. Caldonia
(1:48)  5. Dad-Dad-Dup-Bup-Bup
(3:13)  6. Going To The River
(3:44)  7. Sweetie
(2:08)  8. Puddle Jumpin'
(2:44)  9. Trouble In Mind
(2:31) 10. Honeydripper
(2:56) 11. Blue Prelude
(2:49) 12. Simon Sez

While big bands seemed to be fading fast during the late '50s and early '60s, bandleader Si Zentner was one of the few to front a successful big band enjoying both critical and commercial acclaim. Born Simon H. Zentner on June 13, 1917 in New York City, the future bandleader picked up a violin at the age of four before switching over to trombone, and earned a music college scholarship. Originally studying to be a classical musician, Zentner became interested in more commercial styles of music after lending his skills to a recording session with composer/bandleader Andre Kostelanetz. Throughout the '40s, Zentner learned the tricks of the trade by playing in bands led by such notables as Les Brown, Harry James, and Jimmy Dorsey. Zentner then relocated to Los Angeles, where he worked regularly as a studio musician and from 1949 through 1955, was on the MGM staff (working on such hit movies as Singing in the Rain and A Star Is Born). But Zentner's desire to front his own big band peaked at this time. Signing a recording contract with Liberty Records in 1959, Zentner assembled a large swing outfit, and toured steadily (he once claimed that his band played 178 consecutive one-night stands). While several popular releases came out around this time (1959's Thinking Man's Band, 1960s Suddenly It's Swing, 1963's Waltz in Jazz Time), Zentner's band won a staggering 13 straight Downbeat polls for 'Best Big Band,' as Zentner himself was recognized as 'Best Trombonist' in Playboy's Jazz Reader's Poll. Zentner's band scored their biggest hit in 1961, with a Bob Florence-arranged twist version of Hoagy Carmichael's "Up a Lazy River," which managed to cross over into the Top 40 of the pop charts. Eventually however, the public's interest in big bands had dwindled to the point that even Zentner's fine band found it increasingly hard to attract a substantial audience on tour. Zentner landed back on his feet in 1965, when he moved to Las Vegas and opened the Tropicana Hotel's lounge, the Blue Room, accompanying Mel Tormé. Three years later, Zentner was named musical director for one of Las Vegas' longest-running floor shows, Folies Bergere. But once more, Zentner couldn't turn his back completely on taking a big band on the road, as he assembled another touring group. The '90s saw such new releases as Road Band, Country Blues, and Blue Eyes Plays Ol' Blue Eyes, but later in the decade, Zentner was diagnosed with leukemia. Admirably, Zentner kept performing up until six months prior to his passing, on January 31, 2000 in Las Vegas. ~ Greg Prato https://www.allmusic.com/artist/si-zentner-mn0000754514/biography

Rhythm Plus Blues

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Cannonball Adderley - Julian 'Cannonball' Adderley

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:02
Size: 93.9 MB
Styles: Bop, Saxophone jazz
Year: 1955/2003
Art: Front

[4:14] 1. Cannonball
[4:55] 2. Willows
[3:40] 3. Everglade
[3:04] 4. Cynthia's In Love
[4:15] 5. Hurricane Connie
[4:12] 6. The Song Is You
[3:31] 7. Purple Shades
[5:45] 8. Rose Room
[3:45] 9. Fallen Feathers
[3:35] 10. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To

Julian "Cannonball" Adderley (nicknamed for his estimable appetite, related to high school friends who called him a cannibal) made his debut in the jazz world with this album, with enormous help from Quincy Jones, who assembled the band, lent arrangements, and composed many of the selections. It's clear from the outset that Adderley's main influences were Benny Carter and Charlie Parker, and he was able to synthesize both icons into a sound that was so seamless, and tasteful like butter. This little big band of all-stars included brother Nat Adderley on cornet, and a band with slight personnel changes over three separate recording sessions in the late summer of 1955. Adderley could hardly go wrong working with heavyweights like J.J. Johnson, Cecil Payne, Jerome Richardson, Jimmy Cleveland, Paul Chambers, pianist John Williams, and either Max Roach or Kenny Clarke playing the drum kit. To play original compositions penned by another on a first effort is a bold step, but it works well and expresses great trust between the soloist and ostensible producer. Of the pieces contributed by Jones, "Hurricane Connie" is the simplest but most impressive track with all five horns playing together in hard bop accord, "Fallen Feathers" reflects the Count Basie/Kansas City approach to modern jazz, while "Willow" is the lightest song in a modal calypso, showing the most arranged construct. Jones and Adderley collaborated writing "Cannonball," but it's mostly a solo for the alto saxophonist over the well-swung nonet, and "Everglade" is an effortless, glossy, ting-ting Latin chart as Adderley expresses his voice in a slightly vocal vibrato. Of the standards, there's a cover of the swing standard "Rose Room" where Adderley's alto meshes more with the other horn players, "The Song Is You" has the leader stepping forward asserting his song style voicings, and "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To" has a unique chamber-style arrangement. Nothing on the album screams as a standout, but there's an even-keeled consonance that is very enjoyable, and lingers to the point where you want to listen again and again. That enduring quality makes this recording special, and set the bar high for what Adderley would produce through a long and fruitful career as a jazz master. This album is the seed for that field of flowers. ~Michael G. Nastos

Julian'Cannonball'Adderley  

John Sheridan & His Dream Band - Something Tells Me

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 70:30
Size: 161.4 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 1997
Art: Front

[3:15] 1. Something Tells Me
[6:31] 2. Japanese Sandman
[3:05] 3. I've Got A Heartful Of Music
[3:30] 4. Can't Teach An Old Heart New Tricks
[3:02] 5. I Only Have Eyes For You
[3:43] 6. About A Quarter To Nine
[4:30] 7. I'll String Along With You
[4:24] 8. September In The Rain
[3:20] 9. Too Marvelous For Words
[4:15] 10. Have You Got Any Castles, Baby
[4:31] 11. Ride Tenderfoot, Ride
[2:45] 12. I'd Love To Take Orders From You
[3:32] 13. Silhouetted In The Moonlight
[8:21] 14. Till We Meet Again
[4:07] 15. Bob White
[3:05] 16. You Oughta Be In Pictures
[4:27] 17. Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone

A member of Jim Cullum's band since 1979 and the main arranger for the Riverwalk, Live From the Landing radio series, pianist John Sheridan has spent most of his career exploring pre-bop styles. A big fan of the swing era, when Sheridan was given the opportunity to lead this date for Arbors, he quickly put together a list of favorite songs that included both a few standards and many obscurities. It turned out that all but three of the numbers were either composed by Harry Warren or Richard Whiting. The three remaining songs are from the 1930s, were written by other composers, and were programmed at the end of the CD. In addition to the inspired repertoire ("Ride, Tenderfoot, Ride" is not exactly overrecorded these days), Sheridan gathered a versatile and talented cast of sidemen, contributing inventive arrangements. Some of the ensembles are jammed, but many are written out in the style of the swing era, with "I'd Love to Take Orders From You" making the unit sound like the John Kirby Sextet. With Randy Reinhart and Dan Barrett both capable of playing either trumpet or trombone, and saxophonists Brian Oglivie and Rob Hockett both doubling on clarinets in spots, there is no shortage of variety in instrumental colors; in addition, bassist Bob Haggart has two opportunities to whistle. A delightful set, with the highlights including "I've Got a Heartful of Music," "About a Quarter to Nine," "September in the Rain" and "Till We Meet Again." Recommended.. ~Scott Yanow

Something Tells Me mc
Something Tells Me zippy

Jo Stafford - Jo + Jazz

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:58
Size: 96.1 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 1961/2007
Art: Front

[2:59] 1. Just Squeeze Me
[2:57] 2. For You
[4:39] 3. Midnight Sun
[3:24] 4. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
[3:35] 5. The Folks Who Live On The Hill
[3:33] 6. I Didn't Know About You
[3:07] 7. What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry
[2:49] 8. Dream Of You
[3:51] 9. Imagination
[2:51] 10. S'posin'
[4:30] 11. Day Dream
[3:37] 12. I've Got The World On A String

The closest Stafford ever came to being a jazz singer. This early '60s release had instrumental touches and a jazz tone, and Stafford sang with more energy and less gimmickry. ~Ron Wynn

Jo + Jazz mc
Jo + Jazz zippy

Bob Dylan - Fallen Angels

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:16
Size: 85.3 MB
Styles: Standards, Pop/Rock
Year: 2016
Art: Front

[2:54] 1. Young At Heart
[2:50] 2. Maybe You'll Be There
[3:31] 3. Polka Dots And Moonbeams
[3:59] 4. All The Way
[2:53] 5. Skylark
[3:24] 6. Nevertheless
[3:01] 7. All Or Nothing At All
[2:13] 8. On A Little Street In Singapore
[3:58] 9. It Had To Be You
[2:50] 10. Melancholy Mood
[3:02] 11. That Old Black Magic
[2:36] 12. Come Rain Or Come Shine

You can go all the way back to the beginning of “What the fuck is Bob Dylan doing now?” and find jazz. “Peggy Day” from Nashville Skyline—his first detour into melodic crooning—is snappy Western swing; following that was Self Portrait’s notorious take on Rodgers and Hart’s “Blue Moon,” and New Morning’s hepcat pastiche, “If Dogs Run Free.” Dylan’s earliest Frank Sinatra tribute dates back five decades and only found its first official release in 2014: the addled Basement Tapes-era riff on the Johnny Mercer classic “One for My Baby (One More for the Road).”

None of this, however, made the advent of his Standards Period last year any less of a surprise. Some of the initial shock was the result of the growing stigma around the aging-rocker-does-the-American-songbook format, not the fact that Dylan would offer his own version. As he himself acknowledged in his labyrinthine Musicares acceptance speech last year, this sort of record has become a convention—a profitable one. At this point, any new release in this vein scans as something more sordid than a stocking-stuffer: an empty money grab.

Dylan’s particular, oddball point in bringing up the trend was to illustrate the absurd degree to which he was still viewed as a man apart. Why did people pore over Shadows in the Night any more than Rod Stewart’s latest compilation? “In their reviews no one says anything,” Dylan demurred. “In my reviews, they’ve got to look under every stone and report about it.” ~Winston Cook-Wilson

Fallen Angels mc
Fallen Angels zippy

The Cooltrane Quartet - In A Jazzy Mood

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:50
Size: 91.2 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz, Lounge
Year: 2016
Art: Front

[4:29] 1. Purple Rain
[3:43] 2. Firework
[4:19] 3. A Sky Full Of Stars
[3:23] 4. Moves Like Jagger
[3:29] 5. Lights
[4:23] 6. I Will Wait
[3:03] 7. Live Forever
[3:52] 8. Hold Me Now
[4:50] 9. Brown Eyed Girl
[4:15] 10. Summer Of '69

In A Jazzy Mood mc
In A Jazzy Mood zippy

Barbara Blair - September In The Rain

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:19
Size: 87.7 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[3:50] 1. Everything Happens To Me
[3:18] 2. September In The Rain
[4:39] 3. It Never Entered My Mind
[3:18] 4. There Will Never Be Another You
[2:48] 5. My Romance
[2:53] 6. How About You
[5:46] 7. You Go To My Head
[2:33] 8. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
[2:41] 9. Nice Work If You Can Get It
[3:20] 10. East Of The Sun (West Of The Moon)
[3:07] 11. It Could Happen To You

“A voice like warm cocoa on a winter’s night.” Canadian jazz vocalist Barbara Blair’s long-awaited new release September in the Rain is sung with wisdom, insight and honesty. In this collection of mainstream jazz standards which includes poignant and mesmerizing renditions of It Never Entered My Mind, You Go to My Head and Everything Happens to Me, Barbara’s smoky voice inhabits the melodies with radiance and warmth that is as natural as it is unique. Her horn-like phrasings and swinging improvisations are smooth and tasteful in My Romance, I Didn’t Know What Time It Was, Nice Work if You Can Get It, East of the Sun (West of the Moon), and It Could Happen to You. She scats seamlessly in the gentle bossa There Will Never Be Another You and trades vocal lines with guitarist Brian Nova in an amusing How About You?

Contributing sensitive, thoughtful support for Barbara’s commanding interpretations, her teammates are all first call studio wizards with lifetimes in the international jazz world. Acclaimed Seattle based guitarist Brian Nova was a protégé of both Joe Pass and Herb Ellis. Bassist Buddy Catlett’s credits read like a jazz history lesson including long stints with Count Basie and Louis Armstrong. Buddy’s numerous recordings include Sinatra’s Fly Me to the Moon and Armstrong’s classic What A Wonderful World. Drummer Greg Williamson, veteran of Woody Herman’s Young Thundering Herd, records and tours with Ernestine Anderson. Guitarist and bassist Joey Smith, former arranger with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, has played in Barbara’s JazzAffair ensemble for 15 years.

Vocalist, educator, and jazz messenger Barbara Blair counts herself among the fortunate few who spend their life following their passion. With a deep, rich voice, Barbara’s interpretive approach comes from the giants and innovators of mainstream jazz including Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and Carmen McRae. Following a career in the classical music scene, Barbara returned to her first love, jazz, studying with luminaries Kurt Elling, Ellis Marsalis, Sheila Jordan, Paul Horn, Nancy King and Jay Clayton. Nearly two decades of performing and touring add polish and depth to her performances.

September In The Rain mc
September In The Rain zippy

Buddy Tate - When I'm Blue

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:32
Size: 152.3 MB
Styles: Soul jazz, Saxophone jazz
Year: 1967
Art: Front

[10:59] 1. When I'm Blue
[ 8:57] 2. Mack The Knife
[10:55] 3. Them There Eyes
[ 5:06] 4. You've Changed
[10:05] 5. Stompin' At The Savoy
[ 3:02] 6. Too Heavy Blues
[ 6:52] 7. Day By Day
[10:34] 8. Margie

Buddy is always inventive and fresh, tastefully combining the best of swing, bop, and elements of Texas tenor styles. This album stands out because these guys are extra tight with Milt Buckner on organ and Wallace Bishop on drums. When I'm Blue, a beautifully done ballad, and standards like Mack the Knife and Stompin' At The Savor are favorites.

When I'm Blue mc
When I'm Blue zippy

Monday, December 25, 2017

Dave Valentin - World On A String

Styles: Flute Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:06
Size: 126,2 MB
Art: Front

(6:57)  1. Meet You At The Coda
(7:18)  2. Passion Fruit
(5:11)  3. I'e Got The World On A String
(4:48)  4. I Remember You
(5:54)  5. Bronx Serenade
(4:12)  6. I'll See You In A Second
(4:57)  7. Samba Timba
(3:57)  8. For The King Mr. Puente
(5:37)  9. Drop A Dime
(4:10) 10. Zig Zag

The most unusual aspect of this release from flutist Dave Valentin is that he performs the two swing standards "I've Got the World on a String" and "I Remember You." The style of music Valentin plays is unchanged from his other CDs, being lightly funky, utilizing Latin rhythms, and having his flute on top much of the time. Baritonist Ronnie Cuber guests on "Passion Fruit," but otherwise Valentin is just joined by a large rhythm section with his usual pianist Bill O'Connell. He plays as fluently as usual and, although there are no other surprises, the music is pleasing, danceable, and reasonably creative. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/world-on-a-string-mw0000346515

Personnel: Dave Valentin (flute); Dave Valentin; Ronnie Cuber (baritone saxophone); Lincoln Goines, Rubén Rodríguez (bass instrument); Robby Ameen (drums); Milton Cardona, Nicky Marrero (percussion); Bill O'Connell (piano); Richie Flores (percussion).

World On A String

Morgana King - Cuore di mama

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1972
File: MP3@256K/s
Time: 39:58
Size: 73,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:03)  1. Cuore Di Mama
(4:35)  2. When The World Was Young / Young And Foolish
(4:58)  3. Corcovado
(6:19)  4. Try To Remember
(3:38)  5. Meditation
(3:39)  6. Lazy Afternoon
(3:22)  7. Who Can I Turn To
(4:05)  8. I'll Follow You
(3:23)  9. Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child
(2:53) 10. I Love Paris

None of the more than 30 albums recorded by singer Morgana King since the mid-'50s have been embraced by the size of the audience that bought tickets to see the first two chapters of The Godfather film trilogy, in which King acted in the role of Mama Corleone. But it would be wrong to assume she has had more impact as an actress than as a vocalist. Her acting roles, few and far between, are chosen with care, but do not have the resonance of some of her finest recordings. Millions saw her onscreen in The Godfather films, but her performance was certainly overshadowed by performers such as Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino, not to mention the famous turn by Marlon Brando as her husband. Another role of King's was in the 1997 film A Brooklyn State of Mind; she has also appeared in several television productions.  It is possible that there are actors and actresses who have named Morgana King as a great inspiration. Yet, the results of a simple Internet search under her name only yielded dozens of quotes from vocalists and other musicians about the great influence of her recordings and singing style, not her work before the camera. It might not be a surprise when a young female singer gushes about King's albums, but these fans also include deeper thinkers such as classical bass virtuoso Gary Karr. References to her music also show up regularly in fiction as a kind of mood-setting device, such as: "It was a beautiful day in Malibu. He got up, made a coffee and put on a Morgana King record." Some record collectors might be surprised to realize that a complete set of King sides might eliminate any elbow room for, say, the discography of one of the prolific blues guitarists with this regal surname. Morgana King sides can be divided into several periods. It took her almost eight years to peak at whatever commercial success she was going to have with the 1964 A Taste of Honey album, thus ending the early years. She then was absorbed into the Atlantic and Reprise corporation and an exemplary series of releases by singers such as Big Joe Turner, Ruth Brown, Lavern Baker, and Ray Charles. The label's greatest producers stared the oncoming rock & roll in the eye, never forgetting their basic R&B orientation. 

Within a few years, a sub-category developed, seen through paisley glasses. The material became more philosophical, the increasing intellectual depth not surprisingly accompanied by the audience stampeding in the opposite direction. This might make sense, though; while 1965's The Winter of My Discontent is a masterpiece, 1968's Gemini Changes is laughably pretentious. By the early '70s she was anxious to get into films, the music business pushing away any and all veteran talent. Later in the decade she launched the mature period of her career, though, once again recording as more of a jazz-flavored artist for Muse, a label which in itself indicates a disinterest in pop culture. The label was loyal to her, regularly recording her through the following decade. This material was reissued in the late '90s by the 32 Jazz label, whose honcho, Joel Dorn, also presided over the reissue of her Reprise sides. If a special sort of bittersweet feeling pervades her later performances, perhaps it has something to do with this return to her jazz singing roots. Her father had been a performer of folk and popular music on voice and guitar, and she had begun singing in nightclubs such as Basin Street in New York City when she was in her mid-twenties. Only a few years earlier, she had been immersed in classical studies at the Metropolitan School of Music. Basin Street may have been in the same city, but it must have seemed like a completely different musical world. The formal training undoubtedly filled in aspects of her musical walk where some of her peers might have had to limp. For this reason alone, some listeners find her efforts the most swinging of the '60s generation of pop singers. It meant much critical acclaim during her career, if not great commercial success. At many stages, King seems to have been making other plans. For the 1960 Encyclopedia of Jazz by Leonard Feather, she lists this ambition: "To become a dramatic actress." ~ Eugene Chadbourne https://www.allmusic.com/artist/morgana-king-mn0000501436/biography              

Cuore di mama

Jeff Steinberg Orchestra - Dancing Under The Stars: Waltz

Styles:  Piano Jazz
Year: 2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:11
Size: 109,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:12)  1. Baubles, Bangels And Beads
(3:22)  2. Belle Of The Ball
(4:00)  3. What'll I Do
(3:40)  4. Charade
(3:05)  5. Moulin Rouge
(4:38)  6. Nocturne
(3:38)  7. Some Day My Prince Will Come
(4:07)  8. Sunrise Sunset
(4:00)  9. Try To Remember
(4:47) 10. Blue Danube
(3:12) 11. Moon River
(4:24) 12. Liebestraum

After more than thirty-five years as a composer arranger/orchestrator, pianist, producer and music educator, Jeff Steinberg's work continues to span the professional spectrum which includes spectacular Jazz, Big Band, and Orchestral recordings as well as original scores for advertising, television, and film. Upon graduating from the Berklee School in 1969, he joined The Glenn Miller Orchestra under the direction of Buddy DeFranco and toured the United States, Canada, Great Britain and Japan. Since then, he has worked with such luminaries as Maynard Ferguson, Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Perry Como, and Michel Legrand, and produced and arranged music for the advertising campaigns of General Motors, McDonald’s, ALCOA, The Monsanto Company, TimeLife and others. He has arranged, conducted, and performed with and for The London Symphony, Scottish National Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, the orchestras of Nashville, Detroit and Tampa, as well as Randy Newman, Anne Murray, Art Garfunkel, Roberta Flack, Michael Feinstein, Olivia Newton-John, and Paul Anka. His recent album of original material, Friends & Heroes, is a dedication to some of the jazz world's most influential musicians. His compositions are musical sketches of these icons – Horace Silver, Thad Jones, Michel Legrand, Henry Mancini among them  and feature some of the best players on the music scene today, most notably clarinet legend Buddy DeFranco, saxophonist Jeff Coffin (currently with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones), and bassist Jim Ferguson. Recorded live in the studio, the fresh attitude and creative solos make this popular collection a must for every traditional jazz lover. His recent work with Village Square Music and Green Hill Productions has paired his arranging and orchestration prowess with jazz greats Beegie Adair, Lori Mechem, Jack Jezzro, and Denis Solee. As a featured pianist with his own ensemble on the Village Square label, his Jazz & Cocktails and Jazz Blends albums assemble a veritable who’s-who of Music City’s best players to present a collection of jazz standards which, like a smooth martini, are suitable for social gatherings and solitary enjoyment alike. Steinberg currently serves as a frequent POPS Conductor for The Nashville Symphony and other orchestras with whom his productions of “Jazz At The Symphony” featuring the talents of Jeff Coffin, Denis Solee, Mark Douthit (The Other Three Tenors), Beegie Adair, Lori Mechem, Rod McGaha, Jay Patten, George Tidwell, Annie Sellick, Sandra Dudley and others have drawn critical acclaim and sell-out crowds. As producer/arranger of the newly-released Brazilian Christmas album spotlighting pianist Lori Mechem and her sextet with orchestra, Jeff Steinberg continues to create high quality, listenable jazz for music lovers of all tastes and generations. http://jeffsteinberg.com/bio.html

Dancing Under The Stars  Waltz

Nicolas Folmer - Horny Tonky

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2015
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:34
Size: 121,1 MB
Art: Front

(6:37)  1. Horny Tonky
(3:57)  2. Jungle Rock
(3:52)  3. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
(3:50)  4. Walk on the Bar
(4:50)  5. Spiral
(4:31)  6. James
(4:03)  7. Read Between The Lines
(3:42)  8. Burning Heels
(9:35)  9. Psychedelic
(3:42) 10. Horny Tonky (Radio Edit)
(3:51) 11. Psychedelic (Radio Edit)

The trumpet player Nicolas Folmer categorically refuses to be locked in a certain type of jazz. After the Paris Jazz Big Band, No Jazz, Michel Legrand, Bob Mintzer, and his last two albums with Daniel Humair with Michel Portal and Dave Liebman as guests, we find him again where we did not expect him. Horny Tonky. Thus, this new album sees today explore a niche more funk than ever with titles that would not have denied the Head Hunters Herbie Hancock. Most of the songs on the album have a very rocky energy, the themes are still removed, and some rumbling guitar parts might even appeal to fans of 90s funkcore bands like Fishbone or Living Color. https://www.amazon.fr/Horny-Tonky-Nicolas-Folmer/dp/B00P6RBJPW

Personnel:  Nicolas Folmer - Trumpet; Thomas Coeuriot - Guitar;  Laurent Coulondre - Keyboards;  Laurent Vernerey - Bass;  Damien Schmitt - Drums

Horny Tonky

VA - Sleepless In Seattle

Styles: Soundtrack
Year: 1993
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:26
Size: 84,8 MB
Art: Front

 1. Jimmy Durante - As Time Goes By (2:27)
 2. Louis Armstrong - A Kiss To Build A Dream On (3:01)
 3. Nat King Cole - Stardust (3:14)
 4. Dr. John & Ricky Lee Jones - Makin' Whoopee (4:08)
 5. Carly Simon - In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning (3:15)
 6. Gene Autry - Back In The Saddle Again (2:35)
 7. Joe Cocker - Bye Bye Blackbird (3:29)
 8. Harry Connick, Jr. - A Wink And A Smile (2:47)
 9. Tammy Wynette - Stand By Your Man (2:41)
10. Soundtrack - An Affair To Remember (2:31)
11. Jimmy Durante - Make Someone Happy (1:52)
12. Celine Dion & Clive Griffin - When I Fall In Love (4:21)

Sleepless in Seattle is a 1993 American romantic comedy-drama film directed and co-written by Nora Ephron, based on a story by Jeff Arch. It stars Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, alongside a supporting cast featuring Bill Pullman, Ross Malinger, Rob Reiner, Rosie O'Donnell, Gaby Hoffmann, Victor Garber, and Rita Wilson. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $220 million worldwide.  After Chicago architect Sam Baldwin loses his wife Maggie to cancer, he and his eight-year-old son Jonah start a new life in Seattle, Washington, but Sam continues to grieve. A year and a half later, on Christmas Eve 1992, Jonah who wants his father to find a new wife calls in to a radio talk show. Jonah persuades a reluctant Sam to go on the air to talk about how much he misses Maggie. Hundreds of women from around the country who hear the program and are touched by the story write to Sam. One of the listeners is Annie Reed, a Baltimore Sun reporter who is engaged to amiable Walter but feels there is something missing from their cordial relationship. After watching the film An Affair to Remember, Annie impulsively writes a letter suggesting that Sam meet her on top of the Empire State Building on Valentine's Day. She does not intend to mail it, but her friend and editor Becky does it for her and agrees to send Annie to Seattle.

Sam begins dating a co-worker Victoria, whom Jonah dislikes. Jonah, a baseball fan, reads Annie's letter and likes that it mentions the Baltimore Orioles, but he fails to convince his father to go to New York to meet Annie. On the advice of his playmate Jessica, Jonah replies to Annie, agreeing to the New York meeting. While dropping Victoria off at the airport for a flight, Sam sees Annie exiting from her plane and is mesmerized by her, although he has no idea who she is. Annie later secretly watches Sam and Jonah playing on the beach together but mistakes Sam's sister for his girlfriend. He recognizes her from the airport and says "Hello," but Annie only responds with another "Hello" before fleeing. She decides she is being foolish and goes to New York to meet Walter for Valentine's Day. With Jessica's help, Jonah flies to New York without his father's permission and goes to the Empire State Building searching for Annie. Distraught, Sam follows Jonah and finds him on the observation deck. Meanwhile, Annie sees the skyscraper from the Rainbow Room where she is dining with Walter and confesses her doubts to him, amicably ending their engagement. She rushes to the Empire State Building just moments after the doors to the down elevator close with Sam and Jonah inside. In spite of the observation deck being deserted, Annie discovers a backpack that Jonah left behind. As she pulls out Jonah's teddy bear from the backpack, Sam and Jonah emerge from the elevator, and the three meet for the first time. On the advice of the elevator operator, Sam indicates they should go and offers his hand to Annie. The three then enter the elevator together before the door closes. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleepless_in_Seattle

Sleepless In Seattle