Jan Garbarek Group - Twelve Moons

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1993
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:38
Size: 173,8 MB
Art: Front

( 7:37)  1. Twelve Moons
( 6:33)  2. Psalm
(10:20)  3. Brother Wind March
( 8:39)  4. There Were Swallows...
( 5:51)  5. The Tall Tear Trees
( 6:24)  6. Arietta
(11:58)  7. Gautes-Margjit
( 4:56)  8. Darvánan
( 7:32)  9. Huhai
( 5:43) 10. Witchi-Tai-To

Recorded in 1992, this album emphasizes production value and slick performances. Largely a feature for Jan Garbarek's soprano sax (he only plays tenor on three tracks), each song is dreamy and quite mystical. Compositionally, TWELVE MOONS is a curious blend of light jazz and Norwegian folk melodies. This is especially apparent on "Psalm" and "Darvanan," both of which feature female vocalists, while "Huhai" borrows from a traditional folk tune. 

Fans of Garbarek's penetrating, English horn-like soprano sax sound are treated to some inspired playing throughout, and drummer Manu Katche, best known for his work with Peter Gabriel and Sting, shines on every track. Additionally, there is nice interplay between Garbarek and the band on "Witchi-Tai-To," a remake of a tune first recorded by the saxophonist on a '74 album of the same name. https://www.allmusic.com/album/twelve-moons-mw0000107592   

Personnel: Jan Garbarek (soprano & tenor saxophones, synthesizer); Agnes Buen Garnas, Mari Boine (vocals); Rainer Bruninghaus (piano, synthesizer); Eberhard Weber (bass); Manu Katche (drums); Marilyn Mazur (percussion).

Twelve Moons

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Grant Green - Talkin' About

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1964
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:55
Size: 94,6 MB
Art: Front

(11:41)  1. Talkin' About J.C.
( 7:26)  2. People
( 7:42)  3. Luny Tune
( 7:36)  4. You Don't Know What Love Is
( 6:29)  5. I'm An Old Cowhand

On the heels of Matador and Solid, two of his most advanced albums, Grant Green decided to continue the more modal direction he'd begun pursuing with the help of members of Coltrane's quartet. Accordingly, he hooked up with organist Larry Young, who was just beginning to come into his own as the first Hammond B-3 player to incorporate Coltrane's modal innovations into his own style. Talkin' About is the first of three albums the Green/Young team recorded together with Coltrane drummer Elvin Jones, and it's exceptional, one of the most underrated items in Green's discography. With just a basic organ trio lineup, the album works a fascinating middle ground between the soul-jazz of Green's early days and the modal flavor of his most recent work. Though Young's style wasn't quite fully formed yet, he's no longer the in-the-pocket Jimmy Smith disciple of his earliest sessions; his playing here is far more adventurous than the typical soul-jazz date, both harmonically and rhythmically. Jones and Young often play off one another to create an intricate, percolating pulse that's miles ahead of the standard soul-jazz groove. The trio's interplay is best showcased on Young's Coltrane tribute, "Talkin' About J.C.," a monster jam that's worth every one of its nearly 12 minutes, and the cheerful "I'm an Old Cowhand," popularized as a jazz tune by Sonny Rollins. Meanwhile, Young and Green positively shimmer together on the ballad numbers, "People" and "You Don't Know What Love Is." It all makes for a terrific album that ranks in Green's uppermost echelon. ~ Steve Huey https://www.allmusic.com/album/talkin-about%21-mw0000259010

Personnel: Grant Green (guitar); Larry Young (organ); Elvin Jones (drums).        

Talkin' About

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John McLaughlin With Shakti - Natural Elements

Styles: Fusion
Year: 1977
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:34
Size: 93,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:47)  1. Mind Ecology
(5:58)  2. Face To Face
(1:58)  3. Come On Baby Dance With Me
(7:03)  4. The Daffodil And The Eagle
(4:28)  5. Happiness Is Being Together
(3:52)  6. Bridge Of Sighs
(7:02)  7. Get Down And Sruti
(3:22)  8. Peace Of Mind

The third and final Shakti recording from the '70s. The songs here are shorter than those on Shakti and Handful of Beauty, but no less impressive. The novelty of combining Eastern and Western musical styles had worn off and McLaughlin sounds comfortable. This allows for memorable compositions and interchanges, rather than the blistering virtuosity that characterized the first two releases. From the intense ("Daffodil and the Eagle") to the joyful ("Happiness Is Being Together"), Natural Elements stands as a milestone in McLaughlin's illustrious career. ~ Robert Taylor https://www.allmusic.com/album/natural-elements-mw0000031689

Personnel:  John McLaughlin – guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals;  Zakir Hussain – bongos, dholak, percussion, tabla, timbales, triangle, vocals;  Lakshminarayana Shankar – viola, violin, vocals;  Vikku Vinayakram – ghatam, kanjeera, percussion, vocals

Natural Elements

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Marion Meadows - Soul City

Styles: Jazz, Smooth Jazz
Year: 2018
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:15
Size: 108,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:50)  1. Soul City
(3:56)  2. Dreamin
(4:42)  3. You
(3:34)  4. Merry Go Round
(5:28)  5. Time After Time
(3:56)  6. Consequences
(5:28)  7. Be With You
(4:49)  8. Samba De Playa
(4:06)  9. No Wind, No Rain
(6:21) 10. Only

Smooth Jazz Superstar Marion Meadows is without question one of the most popular and unique talents on the jazz scene today. Marion has sold close to one million albums in his brilliant career. His constant string of radio hits and relentless touring have garnered legions of fans, and his appearances with such varied artists as The Temptations, Michael Bolton and Will Downing are a testament to his broad audience appeal. Soul City, Marion's most intimate and heartfelt album to date, is a star-studded event that takes the listener on a sensuous journey through a soundscape of brilliant original compositions and masterful improvisations. The album is co-produced by Marion's long time hit-making collaborators, Chris "Big Dog" Davis (Will Downing, Gerald Albright, Maysa), Rahni Song (Najee, Melba Moore, Freddie Jackson) and Dave Love. Soul Traveler, Marion's previous Shanachie release, debuted at #1 on the Smooth Jazz charts, and garnered 3 top 10 Smooth Jazz Radio singles. Highlights include the funky "Soul City" featuring Norman Brown, the deeply sensuous ballad "Be With You" with vocals by the amazing Will Downing, "Merry Go Round" featuring Smooth Jazz icon Peter White and much more! ~ Editorial Reviews https://www.amazon.com/Soul-City-Marion-Meadows/dp/B077K49GS2

Soul City

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Jimmy Raney - Jimmy Raney Visits Paris

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:15
Size: 115.1 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 1958/1989/2017
Art: Front

[4:30] 1. Tres Chouette
[4:34] 2. Imagination
[4:01] 3. Dinah
[3:01] 4. Love For Sale
[5:17] 5. Have You Met Miss Jones
[4:50] 6. What's New
[4:18] 7. Fascinating Rhythm
[4:42] 8. Too Marvelous For Words
[2:32] 9. Cherokee
[4:05] 10. Everything Happens To Me
[4:22] 11. Night And Day
[3:58] 12. Someone To Watch Over Me

Bass – Jean-Marie Ingrand; Drums – Jean Louis Viale; Guitar – Jimmy Raney; Piano – Maurice Vandair; Tenor Saxophone – Bobby Jaspar; Trumpet – Roger Guerin. Recorded in Paris, February 10, 1954.

It is a mid-winter's day, 1954. The French publication, Jazz Hot", comes out with the French jazz poll results: Jimmy Raney has just been voted "Number One Guitarist". That same evening, the Jazz Club U.S.A. tour plays a one-night stand in Paris. One of the featured groups is the Red Norvo Trio. Featured with the trio was Jimmy Raney. Some weeks later this LP was cut with Bobby Jaspar, Maurice Vandair, Jean-Marie Ingrand and Jean Louis Viale. These Paris recordings gave the American audiences an opportunity to hear not only more of Raney's fine style and sound, articulated as always with brilliance and taste, but also something of what was going on in jazz across the ocean.

Jimmy Raney Visits Paris mc
Jimmy Raney Visits Paris zippy

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Etta Cameron - Sunrise

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:51
Size: 98.1 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2016
Art: Front

[5:05] 1. Mayday
[3:53] 2. There Is Nothing Like A Rainy Day
[3:17] 3. Warming Up
[3:29] 4. Forgotten Days
[6:23] 5. The Gambler
[3:17] 6. Eenie Meenie Minie Moe
[3:05] 7. Bossa Novissima
[5:45] 8. Lucky Me
[4:54] 9. For You My Love
[3:38] 10. San Francisco Sunrise

Etta Cameron (b. Ettamae Louvita Coakley, November 21, 1939, Nassau, Bahamas – March 4, 2010, Aarhus, Denmark) was a Bahamian–Danish singer. She especially sang jazz and gospel, and left her mark in the Danish music culture through her entire career from her arrival in Denmark in the 1970s. She was made a Knight of Dannebrog in 1997. Etta Cameron was also well known as one of the judges in the first two seasons of Scenen er din, the Danish version of the American TV show Star Search. She came to Denmark from the DDR, but found herself unable to leave East Berlin for five years, after a performance commitment during which time she had lost her passport.

Etta died on March 4, 2010 after a long illness. She had two children, Debbie and Steve. Debbie Cameron is following her mother's footsteps and is going for a singing career.

Sunrise mc
Sunrise zippy

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Aldo Romano - Inner Smile

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:25
Size: 110.9 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[4:08] 1. Positano
[5:12] 2. More
[4:09] 3. Kind Of Autumn
[3:31] 4. Anny's Lullaby
[3:37] 5. Il Piacere
[5:32] 6. Old Devil Moon
[4:00] 7. Inner Smile
[8:50] 8. My Funny Valentine
[2:06] 9. Where Is Aldo
[2:55] 10. E Si Sogna
[4:19] 11. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You

Although born in Italy, Aldo Romano moved to France with his family at a young age. He was already playing guitar and drums professionally in Paris in the '50s when he heard Donald Byrd's group with drummer Arthur Taylor. Since then, he has dedicated himself to the drums and contemporary jazz. In Paris jazz clubs like le Chat Qui Pêche and the Caméléon, Romano has accompanied visiting Americans like Jackie McLean, Bud Powell, Lucky Thompson, J.J. Johnson, and Woody Shaw while also exploring free music with Don Cherry and Gato Barbieri, Frank Wright and Bobby Few, Michel Portal, François Tusques, Jean-Louis Chautemps, and Steve Lacy. Romano's boundless curiosity for any living music brought him in contact with electric jazz in the '70s, playing at the Riverbop with longtime associate/bassist Jean-François Jenny-Clark, in addition to François Jeanneau, Henri Texier, Charlie Mariano, and Philip Catherine. In 1978, he released his first album as a leader with Claude Barthélémy (Il Piacere, OWL), followed by 1980's Night Diary with Didier Lockwood and Jasper Van't Hof, and 1983's Alma Latina with Philip Catherine. In 1980, Romano brought pianist Michel Petrucciani to the world's attention, introducing him to the producer of Owl Records. His Italian roots were lovingly remembered with the foundation of his Italian Quartet with Paolo Fresu, Franco D'Andrea, and Furio Di Castri. The quartet recorded To Be Ornette to Be and Water Dreams (Owl) and Non Dimenticar, a collection of Italian songs (Verve). Palatino -- named for the Rome-Paris night train -- also includes Fresu, with Glen Ferris on trombone. Intervista (Verve, 2001) -- with bassist Palle Danielsson, saxophonist Stefano di Battista, and Brazilian guitarist Nelson Veras -- is a magnificently played overview of his musical career, with Ornette Coleman-ish tunes, Latin-American compositions, and operatic arias; a bonus CD contains a charming interview. ~ Francesco Martinelli

Inner Smile mc
Inner Smile zippy

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Carl Filipiak - Hotel Real

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:49
Size: 120.9 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz, Fusion
Year: 1997
Art: Front

[ 7:57] 1. Hotel Reál
[ 5:27] 2. Mayberry
[ 6:11] 3. Cause We've Ended As Lovers
[ 4:45] 4. Hey Jimi
[ 5:49] 5. Song For Irene
[ 5:11] 6. Theme From The Lottery Incident
[ 6:43] 7. Blues In O
[10:43] 8. Cause We've Ended As Lovers (Alternate Version)

Guitarist Carl Filipiak developed both as a guitarist and a composer throughout the 1990s without achieving much fame. He jams "Blues In O" like a credible straightahead jazz musician, hints at Pat Metheny in some other spots and has a few fiery rockish fusion solos too. The music is certainly helped by the inventive playing of drummer Dennis Chambers and keyboardist Paul Soroka while three different tenor-saxophonists make one appearance apiece. Overall, this is stimulating music easily recommended to open-minded fusion collectors. ~Scott Yanow

Hotel Real mc
Hotel Real zippy

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Little Anthony & The Imperials - The Best Of Little Anthony & The Imperials

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 31:29
Size: 72.1 MB
Styles: Doo wop, R&B
Year: 1996
Art: Front

[3:05] 1. I'm On The Outside (Looking In)
[2:24] 2. Goin' Out Of My Head
[2:13] 3. Hurt So Bad
[2:36] 4. Take Me Back
[2:32] 5. I Miss You So
[2:06] 6. Hurt
[2:49] 7. Better Use Your Head
[2:29] 8. Gonna Fix You Good (Everytime You're Bad)
[2:15] 9. It's Not The Same
[2:38] 10. Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind
[3:03] 11. The Ten Commandments Of Love
[3:01] 12. Help Me Find A Way (To Say I Love You)
[0:13] 13. Careful Driving

13 top tracks-including the "Careful Driving" Announcement-highlighted by the hits Goin' Out of My Head; Hurt So Bad; Take Me Back (single version), and more.

The Best Of Little Anthony & The Imperials mc
The Best Of Little Anthony & The Imperials zippy

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Erik Truffaz - Out of a Dream

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:48
Size: 114,4 MB
Art: Front

(2:01)  1. Down Town
(7:36)  2. Out of a Dream
(5:59)  3. Beaute Bleue
(6:24)  4. Wet in Paris
(5:21)  5. Porta Camollia
(5:49)  6. Indigo
(3:55)  7. Saisir
(3:23)  8. Elegie
(5:24)  9. Samara
(2:12) 10. Up Town
(1:42) 11. Betty

In the next step of his evolution as a pioneering jazz figure, French trumpeter Erik Truffaz continues his exploration of modern dance rhythms informed by drum ‘n’ bass and hip hop as well as gripping rock ‘n’ roll with his quartet on The Walk of the Giant Turtle. This CD is Truffaz’s fourth U.S. release, following up last year’s remarkable Mantis, and featuring a video on the making of the album. Joining Truffaz on the new disc are his long-time quartet, Patrick Muller on piano and electronic keyboards, Marcello Giuliani on bass and Marc Erbetta on drums. In a European interview Truffaz said that The Walk of the Giant Turtle (recorded in Lausanne in January 2003 and mixed in Paris) was based on ensemble improvisation. He remarked that the music “is not too cerebral.” He explained that the rock-fueled passion and power on three tracks (the heavy rocking, abrasive “King B,” the wah-wah-driven “Next Door” and the crunching/ cooking “Seven Skies”) came from two sources. First, Giuliani is the guitarist in a rock group named Aquarius. Secondly, Truffaz said that he came of age as a rock fan: “I listened to Led Zeppelin much more than Miles Davis [when I was younger].” The tunes teem with pockets of tension/release, rich sound textures, distortion and even Hendrixian guitar-like exchanges. Throughout, Truffaz soars above the combustible mix. The Walk of the Giant Turtle features Truffaz and company delivering fluid groove tunes like the lead-off “Scody (Part 1)” and “Scody (Part 2).” Also in the mix are lyrical beauties such as the slow-and-stretched “Turiddu” with seductive bass line and Rhodes atmosphere, the coolly alluring “Belle De Nuit,” and the captivating title tune that is at once delicate and spiritual with a gently sketched trumpet melody and Ravel-like piano counterpoint.

Born in 1960, Truffaz was inspired to play music by his saxophonist father who led a dance band. He took up the trumpet as a youngster and joined his father on the bandstand. As his technique grew, Truffaz linked up with other bands before being introduced to Miles Davis’ classic Kind of Blue album. This led him to study music at the Geneva Conservatoire in Switzerland where he learned to perform classical works by the likes of Mozart and Verdi. In addition to playing in the Orchestre de Suisse Romande, Truffaz played in cover bands while also writing his own jazz-infused music. In 1990 he formed a jazz band called Orange and the following year won France’s prestigious jazz award, the Prix Special. As a leader of his self-named group, Truffaz recorded his first album Nina Valeria and appeared on stages throughout Europe, including the Montreux Jazz Festival. Since the mid-‘90s, Truffaz has been a mover-and-shaker on the European creative improvisational scene. He signed with EMI France in 1996 and recorded three dynamic electro-acoustic recordings, Out of a Dream, The Dawn and Bending New Corners. He was introduced to North American audiences in 2000 with the CD The Mask, a compilation of his three EMI France albums that was followed by Revisité, a DJ-dance remix album of The Mask. The forward-sounding Mantis was released in 2002. The trumpeter has been likened to Miles Davis (from his In a Silent Way and Bitches Brew days), though Rolling Stone critic David Fricke writes, “Truffaz plays less like Miles than a jazz-rock [Brian] Eno, making rapturous atmospheres from a minimum of notes.” In Fricke’s review of Revisité, he concluded that the remixes “affirm the depth and durability of Truffaz’s fusion: a jazz with brawn, soul and plenty of wide open space.” Mantis, which featured guitarist Manu Codjia and guests Anouar Brahem on oud and Mounir Troudi on vocals, scored big points with open-eared jazz critics. Eugene Holley, Jr. commented on Amazon.com: “Truffaz and company create a compelling sound collage that dances and trances.” Bill Milkowski, writing in JazzTimes, heralded Truffaz’s music as “nastier than smooth jazz and naughtier than straightahead.” He added: “This is intelligent, uncompromising music happening in the now, played by musicians with serious chops, fertile imaginations and the courage of their convictions.” Talking to URB magazine, Truffaz explained that he continues to grow as a musician, taking lessons from the jazz and pop past and looking ahead to create new music. He said, “I’m not trying to be this or that. I just try to be myself, taking inspiration from the things I love.” On The Walk of the Giant Turtle, the trumpeter does just that: create a meld of jazz, pop and rock music that is dance-floor hip, rock-house blazing and new-jazz cool. https://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/eriktruffaz.

Personnel:  Trumpet – Erik Truffaz;  Alto Saxophone – Cyrille Bugnon;  Bass – Marcello Giuliani;  Drums – Marc Erbetta;  Flugelhorn – Erik Truffaz;  Piano – Patrick Muller;  Tenor Vocals – Cyrille Bugnon

Out of a Dream

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Nicki Parrott - Close To You

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2017
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:46
Size: 174,2 MB
Art: Front

(3:11)  1. Walk On By
(4:43)  2. Alfie
(3:19)  3. Close To You
(3:05)  4. Raindrops Keep Fallin' On My Head
(3:01)  5. Wishin' And Hopin'
(5:12)  6. A House Is Not A Home
(3:10)  7. You'll Never Get To Heaven
(3:12)  8. Wives And Lovers
(3:34)  9. The April Fools
(2:30) 10. There's Always Something There To Remined Me
(4:02) 11. Make It Easy On Yourself
(3:51) 12. Do You Know The Way To San Jose
(3:30) 13. The Girls In Love With You
(3:32) 14. I Say A Little Prayer
(3:46) 15. What The World Needs Now Is Love

Born in Newcastle, Australia, Nicki started her musical training at age four with the piano, followed by the flute, soon after. Nicki switched to double bass at the age of 15. After graduating high school she moved to Sydney to study jazz at the New South Wales Conservatorium of Music where she began to play with Australian musicians such as Mike Nock, Dale Barlow, Paul Grabowsky, Bernie McGann, and Ten Part Invention. She also toured Australia with Russian musicians Daniel Kramer and Alexander Fischer and American trumpeters Bobby Shew and Chuck Findley. She continued her studies with various bassists including visiting artists Ray Brown and John Clayton. Nicki was the recipient of two awards, a scholarship to Pan Pacific Music Camps at the age of 16, and first place in the 1992 Jazz Action Society’s Annual Song Competition for her composition “Come and Get It,” which is the opening track of Nicki and her sister Lisa’s debut CD, “Awabakal Suite”. She was also nominated for the annual Australian Young Achievers Award by the Arts Council of Australia who granted her the funds to come to New York to study with Rufus Reid. Nicki came to New York in May 1994.  In June 2000, Nicki began performing on Monday nights at the Iridium Jazz Club with the legendary guitarist and inventor, Les Paul. 

As part of the Les Paul Trio, Nicki worked side-by-side with guitar greats from Paul McCartney, Slash, Steve Miller to fellow Aussie, Tommy Emmanuel. Since then she has performed with such notable musicians as Michel Legrand, Joe Wilder, Randy Brecker, Clark Terry, Jose Feliciano, Bucky Pizzarelli, John Pizzarelli, Dick Hyman, Patti Labelle & the New York Pops Orchestra, Harry Allen, Marlena Shaw, David Krakauer, Ken Peplowski, Ann Hampton Callaway, Bill Mays, Scott Hamilton, Lillian Boutte, Larry Carlton and Houston Person, just to name a few. Nicki has also performed in several Broadway shows such as Avenue Q, Imaginary Friends, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Summer of ’42 and Jekyll and Hyde and has made several television and documentary appearances including The Gossip Girls, Chasing Sound and Thank You Les, which recently debuted on PBS. In 2007 and 2008, Nicki received back to back honors for Swing Journal’s Best Jazz Vocal Album (Moon River and Fly Me to The Moon, respectively). In 2010 her album Black Coffee (Venus) received Swing Journal’s Gold Disc award. In 2012, Nicki headlined the Fujitsu Concorde Jazz festival after the release of her eighth CD from Venus Records, Sakura Sakura. She is currently recording her 16th release for the label. Nicki has performed at most major festivals around the globe including the Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival, Newport Jazz Festival, Jazz in July at the 92nd Street Y, Litchfield Jazz Festival, Detroit Jazz Festival, the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival and the Newport Beach Jazz Party, Jazz Ascona and Bern Jazz Festival in Switzerland and many others. http://www.nickiparrott.com/biography.html  Nicki Parrott - Close To You   2017

Close To You

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Red Garland - The P.C. Blues

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1957
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:57
Size: 98,5 MB
Art: Front

( 7:29)  1. Ahmad's Blues
( 6:26)  2. Lost April
( 5:49)  3. Why Was I Born?
(13:18)  4. Tweedle Dee Dee
( 9:53)  5. The P.C. Blues

P.C. Blues is a trio album from 1957 that features pianist Red Garland with bassist Paul Chambers (the "P.C." in the title), and drummer Art Taylor. 

In addition to the four original titles (which are highlighted by a sensitive version of "Lost April" and the lengthy "Tweedle Dee Dee"), Garland's feature on a 1956 Miles Davis record, "Ahmad's Blues" (which features him with Chambers and drummer Philly Joe Jones), adds to the value of this thoughtful but swinging release. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/pc-blues-mw0000075514

Personnel: Red Garland (piano); Paul Chambers (bass); Art Taylor, Philly Joe Jones (drums).

The P.C. Blues

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Lynne Arriale - Nuance - The Bennett Studio Sessions

Styles: Piano Jazz 
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:12
Size: 127,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:46)  1. Wrapped Around Your Finger
(5:02)  2. I Mean You
(3:57)  3. Longing
(4:04)  4. Crawfish & Gumbo
(7:39)  5. Ballad Of The Sad Young Men
(5:21)  6. Carry On
(5:36)  7. La Noche
(6:22)  8. Yada Yada Yada
(4:24)  9. I Hear A Rhapsody
(5:37) 10. A Night In Tunesia
(2:18) 11. A Gentle Soul

Known strictly as a jazz piano trio artist, Lynne Arriale breaks that mold with the addition of trumpeter Randy Brecker, and it is a welcome complement. This is not to say her piano-bass-drums recordings had run their course far from it. What the seasoned and literate brass man brings to the table ignites Arriale's innate passion, and inspires her dream sequence style of playing into a netherworld of darker passion and modernist ideas that are startling in their pure inventiveness. She's stretching further, reaching for deeper energy, and plays beautifully in tandem with her new partner. Bassist George Mraz is also along for this ride, as able as any player on his instrument ever, a fact seemingly lost on far too many listeners and critics. Of the six originals penned by the pianist, "Longing" and "Yada Yada Yada" certainly live up to and reflect their titles perfectly, from serenely sad to bobble head chatter respectively. "Crawfish & Gumbo" uses modified New Orleans funky strut and swing via the drumming of Anthony Pinciotti with Mraz on top, while a quick stairstep motif with only slight Latin inference informs "La Noche." 

The band tackles Sting's "Wrapped Around Your Finger" in a terrific modal framework and mysterious mood, with Arriale's piano remarkable in its Arabic, flashing style contrasting Brecker's even pace. This is an exemplary interpretation, as is "I Mean You" with the entire band playing brilliant, staggered phrases more pronounced than its writer Thelonious Monk originally conceived. Arriale's Bill Evans influence blossoms during her regal, free, and ethereal version of the standard "I Hear a Rhapsody," while she and the musings of the consistently refreshing Brecker use another slight modality, changing up Dizzy Gillespie's "A Night in Tunisia." A DVD performance with differently programmed tracks and stretched out versions of everything on the CD is available, and in 5.1 surround sound to boot. More and more rewarding upon repeat listenings, this recording fronted by one of the more skilled pianists in modern jazz and a criminally underrated trumpeter commands attention from start to finish, and deserves grand accolades, including a strong candidacy for Jazz CD of 2009. 

~ Michael G.Nastos https://www.allmusic.com/album/nuance-the-bennett-studio-sessions-mw0000815379

Personnel:  Lynne Arriale (piano); Randy Brecker (trumpet, flugelhorn); George Mraz (bass instrument); Anthony Pinciotti (drums).

Nuance - The Bennett Studio Sessions

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Kate Rusby - Ghost

Styles: Vocal, Folk
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:58
Size: 138,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:56)  1. The Outlandish Knight
(5:43)  2. The Youthful Boy
(4:11)  3. We Will Sing
(5:43)  4. The Bonnie Bairns
(3:39)  5. Three Jolly Fishermen
(5:06)  6. I Am Sad
(4:17)  7. Martin Said
(4:50)  8. After This
(4:49)  9. The Magic Penny
(5:42) 10. The Night Visit
(5:08) 11. Silly Old Man
(5:48) 12. Ghost

Ghost received generally positive reviews from music critics. Writing for The Daily Telegraph, Martin Chilton stated that the album has a "pleasing freshness", partly down to the blending of Stevie Iveson's electric guitar with more traditional folk instrumentation.

Uncut's Neil Spencer said that, while the album gives the listener the impression they have heard much of Ghost before, Rusby's "many fans won't mind". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_(Kate_Rusby_album)

Ghost

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Ray Brown, Milt Jackson - Ray Brown, Milt Jackson

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:13
Size: 92.1 MB
Styles: Bop, Big band
Year: 1965/1982
Art: Front

[5:30] 1. Lined With A Groove
[4:33] 2. For Someone I Love
[4:15] 3. Dew And Mud
[6:15] 4. I Just Can't Fool Myself
[4:49] 5. Lazy Theme
[5:12] 6. Now Hear My Meaning
[6:01] 7. In A Crowd
[3:35] 8. Monterey Mist

Bass, Leader – Ray Brown; Drums – Al Heath, Grady Tate; French Horn – Ray Alonge; Piano – Hank Jones; Saxophone – Danny Bank, Jerome Richardson, Jimmy Heath, Phil Woods, Bob Ashton, Romeo Penque; Trombone – Jimmy Cleveland, Tom McIntosh, Tony Studd, Urbie Green; Trumpet – Ernie Royal, Eugene Young; Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Clark Terry; Vibraphone [Vibes], Leader – Milt Jackson.

Ray Brown, Milt Jackson mc
Ray Brown, Milt Jackson zippy

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Roni Ben-Hur, Santi DeBriano - Our Thing

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:48
Size: 130.0 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[6:14] 1. Green Chimneys
[3:55] 2. Milonga For Mami
[4:27] 3. Our Thing
[4:30] 4. Fotografia
[5:43] 5. Afroscopic
[5:19] 6. Anna's Dance
[4:40] 7. Isabella
[5:08] 8. Earl's Key
[7:29] 9. Suave
[5:27] 10. Ela É Carioca
[3:50] 11. Let's Face The Music And Dance

Roni Ben-Hur: guitar; Santi Debriano: acoustic bass; Duduka Da Fonseca: drums, percussion.

Together on disc for the first time, this unusual trio fabulously expresses the passionate emotionality, worldly diversity, and musical virtuosity that defines the contemporary jazz of New York City. Guitarist Roni Ben-Hur, bassist Santi DeBriano, and drummer Duduka Da Fonseca converged on the NYC jazz scene in the 1980s, and have been influencing the sound of the jazz metropolis ever since. This New York-based all-star trio features artists, well-known to jazz fans as leaders and sidemen, who have consistently performed at clubs and festivals, received high press accolades, and gained significant collective jazz and world radio spins for their releases

Our Thing mc
Our Thing zippy

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Spanky Wilson, The Quantic Soul Orchestra - I'm Thankful

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:40
Size: 81.7 MB
Styles: Funk/Soul/Jazz
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[4:01] 1. I'm Thankful (Part 1)
[3:38] 2. A Woman Like Me
[3:14] 3. Blood From A Stone
[3:25] 4. Don't Joke With A Hungry Man (Part 1)
[3:24] 5. Don't Joke With A Hungry Man (Part 2)
[4:13] 6. That's How It Was
[3:01] 7. Message To Tomorrow
[3:44] 8. Waiting For Your Touch
[2:56] 9. You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover
[4:01] 10. I'm Thankful (Part 2)

Since she burst onto the scene in the late 1960's, Spanky Wilson has performed and recorded with the likes of Marvin Gaye, Sammy Davis Jr., Lalo Schifrin, Jimmy Smith, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, Pretty Purdie, and Willie Bobo. Renowned as a soul, blues, and jazz singer, she's released seven albums under her own name, and tracks like "Sunshine Of Your Love" and "You" have become DJ and collector favorites worldwide. "I'm Thankful" is a stunning collection of 21st century jazz, funk, big band, and soul music. "A dance floor-filling salute to the tough bumpin' sound of the Meters and James Brown's JBs" - Now Magazine. "Filled with burbling bass lines, a stabbing horn section, sweeping strings, and chunky guitars...proof that they haven't yet built machines that can replace human musicians" ~Creem.

I'm Thankful mc
I'm Thankful zippy

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Les McCann, Joja Wendt - Pacifique

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:25
Size: 97.1 MB
Styles: Bop/Soul/Jazz
Year: 1997
Art: Front

[5:05] 1. What's Goin' On
[4:15] 2. Amazing Grace
[2:40] 3. Little Blue Volkswagen
[2:39] 4. Pacifique
[4:12] 5. Bare Blues
[6:38] 6. Prince Of Peace
[2:14] 7. Cold Duck Time
[4:28] 8. What A Wonderful World
[6:48] 9. With These Hands
[3:23] 10. Come Rain Or Come Shine

Les McCann carried on with his music despite suffering a serious stroke in 1995, although he often needed the help of a second keyboardist. While McCann's first recording after his stroke, Listen Up!, was little more than a workmanlike reminder that he was back, his second, Pacifique, is a joy despite, or perhaps because, of its unusual, stripped-down format. The CD consists of a series of duets where Les comps on Fender Rhodes electric piano, exercises his gravelly voice, and finds a helping hand and soulmate in the rollicking acoustic piano of European keyboardist Joja Wendt. Many of the tunes are remakes, often fine ones, of past McCann rousers like "What's Goin' On," "With These Hands," and a rumbling, scatted "Cold Duck Time" (in memoriam, Eddie Harris). Ever a devotee of the sacred and the profane, Les offers deeply felt renditions of "Amazing Grace" and "Prince of Peace" (formerly known as "The Longer You Wait") almost back-to-back with some lascivious blues, while also celebrating life with "What a Wonderful World." Pacifique is probably the best, most truthful record Les has made in at least 20 years, for at last, the real bawdy, devout, soulful, swinging Les McCann is back. ~Richard S. Ginnell

Pacifique mc
Pacifique zippy

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Julian Lage - Modern Lore

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:32
Size: 97.4 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2018
Art: Front

[3:56] 1. The Ramble
[3:51] 2. Atlantic Limited
[5:26] 3. General Thunder
[4:09] 4. Roger The Dodger
[3:59] 5. Wordsmith
[3:54] 6. Splendor Riot
[3:30] 7. Revelry
[3:00] 8. Look Book
[4:09] 9. Whatever You Say, Henry
[2:16] 10. Earth Science
[4:17] 11. Pantheon

Julian Lage: guitars; Scott Colley: bass; Kenny Wollesen: drums, vibraphone; Tyler Chester: keyboards; Jesse Harris: maracas, casio, acoustic guitar.

As a young guitar prodigy, Julian Lage often went to gigs at the Bay Area jazz club Yoshi's. There he would sit up front, put his head on stage and watch admiringly. Backing his early heroes at Yoshi's were two musicians who now form a trio with Lage. Double bassist Scott Colley and drummer Kenny Wollesen performed on Lage's 2016 album Arclight (Mack Avenue Records) to wide acclaim. The threesome reunites here for Modern Lore, with Lage's friend and collaborator Jesse Harris involved again. Nowadays it's others who lean close to the stage and gaze enrapt at Lage. Collusions with the likes of Chris Eldridge and Nels Cline have seen him mixing bluegrass, pop and jazz, with a hint of classical, even avant-garde. But whereas Arclight found Lage delving into early twentieth century tunes, Modern Lore seeks out the very foundations of rock music and digs deep. The acoustic guitar having been his early tool of choice, Lage indulges a love of the Telecaster here, like he did on Arclight. The sound has an unfussy clarity, as if Lage is playing your living room with his Fender and a home-made amp. The work of Chicago-based Bill MacKay often comes to mind when Lage finds a similar purity of melody. The two also share a style of lucid strumming, where each crotchet or quaver really counts for something.

So to the album's title, Modern Lore. This more than hints at the present-day mixing with a sense of learning. Opening cut "The Ramble" bears this out, when a strutting bass intro and rattling rhythm sticks give way to Lage in B.B. King mode. Catchy bluesy chords lead to a pinging solo, with notes so sparkling they might be freshly dew-dropped. You also get a hint of fuzzed-up Jimmy Page and John Abercrombie's pure picking. Retro this is not, refined it certainly is. Julian Lage is the ultimate jazz curator, with history in his fingertips. He conjures bygone eras, shakes off their dust, then hands you them anew. Each cut brings something new to the party. "Roger The Dodger" mixes funky chords and refined solos, "Wordsmith" rumbles into true rock 'n' roll and "Revelry" is like the air of a folk ballad. More revelations come on "Earth Science" when Lage seems to drill his fretboard into your very core with metallic rigour.

Tagging this collection as some kind of 'jazz-rock' outing would be simplistic and gruff. For sure it moves Lage into new arenas, but when did he ever remain static? Modern Lore is a perfect paean to the electric guitar and all its sensual traditions. ~Gareth Thompson

Modern Lore mc
Modern Lore zippy

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Nino And April - Sing The Great Songs

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 30:37
Size: 70.1 MB
Styles: Easy Listening
Year: 1964/2011
Art: Front

[2:26] 1. Tea For Two
[2:09] 2. I'm Confessin' That I Love You
[2:34] 3. Honeysuckle Rose
[2:57] 4. Stardust
[2:32] 5. All The Things You Are
[2:59] 6. St. Louis Blues
[2:24] 7. Whispering
[2:26] 8. Begin The Beguine
[2:08] 9. My Blue Heaven
[2:09] 10. Who
[3:18] 11. I Surrender Dear
[2:31] 12. I Can't Give You Anything But Love

Nino Tempo & April Stevens (Antonino and Carol LoTempio) are a brother and sister singing act from Niagara Falls, New York. Formed in the early 1960s when Nino Tempo and April Stevens signed as a duo with Atco Records, they had a string of Billboard hits and earned a Grammy Award as "best rock & roll record of the year" for the single "Deep Purple". "Deep Purple" is notable for April Stevens' speaking the lyrics in a low, sweet voice during the second half of the song while her brother sings. When the duo first recorded the song as a demo, Tempo forgot the words, and Stevens spoke the lyrics to remind him. The producers thought Stevens' spoken interlude was "cute" and should be included on the finished product, but according to Stevens, her brother was not as easily convinced: "He didn't want anyone talking while he was singing!"

Producer Ahmet Ertegün had originally intended "Deep Purple" to be the B-side of a song called "I've Been Carrying A Torch For You So Long That It Burned A Great Big Hole In My Heart": he was dubious of Tempo's belief that it would be a hit, calling it "the most embarrassing thing" the duo had ever recorded. When radio stations preferred "Deep Purple," Ertegun relented, and so "I've Been Carrying A Torch ..." held the distinction of being the longest title of a flipside of a Billboard number one record, until Prince's "When Doves Cry" in 1984 had "17 Days ..." on its flipside.

Despite being considered "rock and roll," "Deep Purple" also reached number one on Billboard's Adult Contemporary singles chart. The record was followed by a series of singles of more oldies in a similar style: "Whispering", "Stardust", "Tea for Two".

Sing The Great Songs mc
Sing The Great Songs zippy

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