Jeff Hamilton Trio - Live From San Pedro

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:42
Size: 122.9 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz
Year: 2018
Art: Front

[4:35] 1. Sybille's Day
[6:09] 2. Poinciana
[3:21] 3. Hammer's Tones
[5:33] 4. I Have Dreamed
[6:33] 5. In Walked Bud
[4:34] 6. Gina's Groove
[5:33] 7. Brush This
[4:36] 8. Benissimo
[5:49] 9. Gary, Indiana
[6:54] 10. Hoosier Friend

Christoph Luty: bass; Tamir Hendelman: piano; Jeff Hamilton: drums.

Jeff Hamilton Trio has been together for over 17 years and this is their first live recording for Capri! It was recorded in the intimate setting of Alva's Showroom in San Pedro California before an audience of friends and die-hard fans. The tunes are made up of 3 standards including a delightful version of Poinciana, I Have Dreamed from the team of Rogers and Hammerstein and Thelonious Monk's In Walked Bud as well as originals by Hamilton, John Clayton, Tamir Hendelman, Matt Wilson, Joe La Barbara and Georg Robert. The CD is dedicated to Jeff's mom who passed away 16 days after the recording was made.

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Lorez Alexandria - Singing Songs Everyone Knows

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:27
Size: 85.7 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 1960/2005
Art: Front

[2:46] 1. Just One Of Those Things
[2:53] 2. Then I'll Be Tired Of You
[2:05] 3. Lush Life
[2:35] 4. Sometimes I'm Happy
[2:57] 5. Long Ago And Far Away
[2:14] 6. But Beautiful
[4:19] 7. I'm Beginning To See The Light
[3:03] 8. I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me
[3:35] 9. Spring Is Here
[4:18] 10. Angel Eyes
[3:01] 11. Better Luck Next Time
[3:36] 12. I Don't Know What Time It Was

Lorez Alexandria recorded very few sessions in the 50's and sixties, and it's a shame since she was one of the best swinging jazz singers of the period. A fine jazz and swing singer, Alexandria is backed here by a big band, which she does a wondeful job ineracting with. Alexandra swings right along and scats her way thru an amazing set, making this one of her finest all around sets. A few of the highlights include Better Luck Next Time, a haunting Lush Life, and But Beautiful. It is nice to hear alexandria backed by a swinging big band, instead of the usual small group setting. A wonderful re-issue. ~Aaron B.

Singing Songs Everyone Knows mc
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Terry Lower - Step By Step

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:31
Size: 154.6 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[5:09] 1. Step By Step
[5:31] 2. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
[6:05] 3. Seabiscuit
[5:53] 4. You Don't Know What Love Is
[5:14] 5. Teach Me Tonight
[5:30] 6. Cry Me A River
[5:55] 7. Yesterdays
[5:24] 8. Spartacus Love Theme
[4:48] 9. Sobwena
[4:24] 10. Theme From 'summer Of 42'
[4:47] 11. Caravan
[8:45] 12. Harlem Nocturne

A deftly melodic pianist with an ear writing for lush arrangements, Terry Lower has long been the consummate sideman supplying his lithe improvisational touch and superb arranging skills to bandleaders across Michigan and beyond. On Lower's superb 2005 solo effort Step by Step, we find the journeyman pianist leading a stellar cadre of similarly-minded post-boppers through an urbane and fiery set of originals and standards. Joining Lower here are bassist Ray Tini, drummers Larry Ochiltree and Jim "Shaft" Ryan, as well as trumpeter Rob Smith, trombonist Earlie Braggs and saxophonist Doug Horn. Often reminiscent of the high-energy groups of the late drummer Art Blakey, Lower's group tackles his own crisp and well-balanced septet original compositions including the boppish "Seabiscuit" and the Latin inspired "Sobwena." Changing gears, Lower also delivers some more intimate moments as on his funky, blues-inflected, afterglow trio take on the ballad "You Don't Know What Love Is" and the elegiac "Cry Me a River." This is great modern jazz. ~Matt Collar

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Joyce Cooling - Revolving Door

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:51
Size: 105.0 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[5:43] 1. Mildred's Attraction
[5:14] 2. Cool Of The Night
[5:44] 3. Revolving Door
[6:17] 4. At The Modern
[5:44] 5. Come And Get It
[3:55] 6. I'll Always Love You
[5:04] 7. Little Sister
[1:39] 8. In Case Of Rain
[4:26] 9. Jesse's Bench
[2:00] 10. One Again

On her previous album, This Girl's Got to Play -- which was inspired by the soul-searching she did post 9/11 -- this popular San Francisco-based smooth jazz guitarist made an ongoing commitment to making music about things that matter. Joyce Cooling's early album titles were cute twists on her name, but the Revolving Door she's referring to on this diverse and heartfelt disc goes into some deep territory; it's about the cycle of mental illness, which she knows intimately about due to growing up with a brother who was schizophrenic. That sounds like heavy stuff for an artist in a genre that's usually about happy escapist music, but Cooling finds a way to balance the darker edges with the joyful breeziness that has long endeared her to fans. First the shadier stuff, off the smooth path: the title track is a seductive and emotional blues-drenched expression featuring some of her most gutsy, heartfelt playing ever; it's reminiscent of some of Larry Carlton's brilliant fusions of smooth jazz and real blues. Though it only runs for over a minute, the simple and percussive acoustic tune "In Case of Rain" delves into some interesting Brazilian territory, while "Jesse's Bench" more fully explores her talent for gritty emotional digging on the acoustic. Powered by trippy and hypnotic backing vocals, "Cool of the Night" is all vibey, atmospheric, exotic, retro, and has an irresistible straight-ahead drum brush-driven groove. These songs show tremendous artistic growth for both her and her longtime keyboardist partner Jay Wagner, but Cooling's bread and butter will always be lighthearted gems like the opening tune "Mildred's Attraction," and the jubilant, brass-enhanced "At the Modern." The guitarist always includes a few pleasant vocals in the mix, and the most memorable one here, on the sparsely arranged live track "I'll Always Love You (Ode to the Audience)" directly addresses her love affair with the fans. They'll be giving a lot of love back thanks to the magic of this collection. ~Jonathan Widran

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Benny Golson - Gone With Golson

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:35
Size: 92.9 MB
Styles: Bop, Saxophone jazz
Year: 1960/1994
Art: Front

[4:49] 1. Stacatto Swing
[6:48] 2. Autumn Leaves
[6:37] 3. Soul Me
[8:35] 4. Blues After Dark
[9:22] 5. Jam For Bobbie
[4:21] 6. A Bit Of Heaven

Bass – Tom Bryant; Drums – Al Harewood; Piano – Ray Bryant; Tenor Saxophone – Benny Golson; Trombone – Curtis Fuller. Recorded in Hackensack, NJ; June 20, 1959.

Shortly before the formation of The Jazztet, tenor-saxophonist Benny Golson and trombonist Curtis Fuller teamed up for this quintet set with pianist Ray Bryant, bassist Tommy Bryant and drummer Al Harewood. Although Golson contributed three of the six songs ("Blues After Dark" is the best-known one), the emphasis is on his playing; the tenor is quite heated on the uptempo blues "Jam for Bobbie." The CD reissue adds "A Bit of Heaven" (originally on a sampler but part of the same session) to the original program, a fine example of hard bop of the late '50s. ~Scott Yanow

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Rick Braun - Intimate Secrets

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1992
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:55
Size: 108,4 MB
Art: Front

(3:10)  1. In A Dream
(4:48)  2. China Blue
(6:34)  3. Corazon De Fuego
(3:11)  4. Laura
(4:43)  5. Shy One
(4:10)  6. Oceanna
(5:17)  7. Midnight Caller Theme
(4:47)  8. Oh, Calico, When You Were Young
(3:51)  9. Intimate Secrets
(3:43) 10. Guardian Of The Dreamer
(2:36) 11. While You Were Gone

?Rick Braun has composed, produced and performed all the music on Intimate Secrets. The songs are arranged and performed by Rick with percussion, keyboards and bass as the backdrop for his sterling flugelhorn and muted trumpet. Acoustic electric guitar, piano and a dash of synth even out the total sound. In these original compositions we hear Rick's solo horn breezing its way over gentle accompaniment. His music engenders a sense of easy freedom, shared companionship and total acceptance... https://www.allmusic.com/album/intimate-secrets-mw0000090058

Personnel: Rick Braun (vocals, trumpet, flugelhorn, French horn, keyboards, bass synthesizer, percussion); Todd Sharp (guitar, acoustic guitar); Jeff Golub (acoustic guitar, steel guitar); Todd Smallwood (electric guitar); Doug Norwine (tenor saxophone); Brad Fiedel (piano); Cliff Hugo (fretless bass); Pascal Nabet-Meyer (percussion)

Intimate Secrets

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Kathy Troccoli - Heartsongs

Styles: Vocal 
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:17
Size: 115,3 MB
Art: Front

(4:23)  1. Dance With Me
(4:14)  2. Never Can Say Goodbye
(3:08)  3. Feelin' Groovy
(4:13)  4. It Might Be You
(4:43)  5. Let's Stay Together
(4:51)  6. Overjoyed
(3:53)  7. In My Life
(5:00)  8. Your Song
(4:10)  9. Up On The Roof
(4:19) 10. I Won't Last A Day Without You
(3:17) 11. I'll Have To Say I Love You In A Song
(4:00) 12. What A Wonderful World

Crossing acoustic elements similar to Eva Cassidy and subtle jazz stylings hinting of Norah Jones, uber alto crooner, Kathy Troccoli, adds a dash of Sarah Vaughan vocal coloring and creates a unique sound on this collection of "heartsongs" from the eclectic songbooks of James Taylor, Stevie Wonder, Carole King, Elton John, Al Green, and The Beatles. ~ Editorial Reviews https://www.amazon.com/Heartsongs-Kathy-Troccoli/dp/B003JLA4M6             

Heartsongs

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Donald Brown - Sources of Inspiration

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1990
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:35
Size: 120,7 MB
Art: Front

(6:54)  1. Capetown Ambush
(6:28)  2. Overtaken by a Moment
(6:22)  3. Do We Have to Say Goodbye?
(6:46)  4. Embraceable You
(6:36)  5. New York
(7:03)  6. Phineas
(4:15)  7. The Insane Asylum
(8:09)  8. The Human Impersonator

With the exception of "Embraceable You" (one of two songs on this CD that are "bonus" cuts not on the LP version), pianist Donald Brown wrote all of the material. The strong quintet (which also features Eddie Henderson and altoist Gary Bartz) really digs into the diverse originals which are often reminiscent of a Blue Note date circa 1967.  ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/sources-of-inspiration-mw0000612773

Personnel:  Donald Brown – piano;  Eddie Henderson - trumpet, flugelhorn;  Gary Bartz - soprano saxophone, alto saxophone;  Buster Williams – bass;  Carl Allen – drums

Sources of Inspiration

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Gary Smulyan Nonet - Saxophone Mosaic

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1994
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:20
Size: 127,7 MB
Art: Front

(7:48)  1. Apache Dance
(8:20)  2. Olivia's Arrival
(6:55)  3. Speculation
(8:10)  4. The Wind
(5:28)  5. Smoke Signal
(5:54)  6. Stockholm Sweetnin'
(3:09)  7. Springsville
(9:32)  8. Fingers

Gary Smulyan has gradually emerged as one of the top successors to the deep-toned baritonist Pepper Adams. For this Cross Cross CD Smulyan uses a saxophone section partly drawn from the Mel Lewis Orchestra (Dick Oatts on alto and soprano, altoist Billy Drewed, tenors Ralph Lalama and Richie Perry and baritonist Scott Robinson) and a fine rhythm section. The arrangements of Bob Belden are a major factor in the date's success as he successfully revives a variety of obscurities from the 1950s including Quincy Jones's "Stockholm Sweetnin'," Johnny Carisi's "Springsville" and Horace Silver's "Speculation" in colorful fashion. Whlie some of the songs are primarily features for Smulyan, the other saxophonists also have their chances to be heard and, even if the liner notes unfortunately do not identify the exact soloists, this is a well-conceived and easily recommended bop session. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/saxophone-mosaic-mw0000177782

Gary Smulyan Nonet: Gary Smulyan (baritone saxophone); Bob Belden (conductor); Dick Oatts (soprano & alto saxophones, flute); Billy Drewes (alto saxophone, flute, clarinet); Ralph Lalama (tenor saxophone, flute, clarinet); Richie Perry (tenor saxophone); Scott Robinson (baritone saxophone, bass clarinet); Mike LeDonne (piano); Dennis Irwin (bass); Kenny Washington (drums).

Saxophone Mosaic

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George Cables - Quiet Fire

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1995
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:19
Size: 131,6 MB
Art: Front

(6:18)  1. Uncle Bubba
(5:41)  2. Quiet Fire
(9:54)  3. My Ship
(7:20)  4. Fried Bananas
(8:06)  5. Waltz For Monday
(5:56)  6. You Stepped Out Of A Dream
(7:07)  7. Naima's Love Song
(6:53)  8. The Decrepit Fox

?George Cables primarily focuses on jazz compositions in this 1994 trio session with bassist Ron McClure and drummer Billy Hart. His dazzling technique is heard full force in Gary Bartz's slinky, driving blues "Uncle Bubba," while his treatment of former boss Dexter Gordon's "Fried Bananas" (based on the chord changes to the standard "It Could Happen to You") is a rollicking affair as well. Pianist John Hicks'"Naima's Love Song" isn't all that well known, but Cables' sensitive Latin interpretation, with great support from McClure and Hart's light touches make it a piece worth greater exploration in the jazz world. The trio dives headlong into Freddie Hubbard's rapid-fire modal composition "The Decrepit Fox" (a hilarious name for such a demanding piece!), turning in a fiery performance. Cables' one original, "Quiet Fire," is a cooking post-bop affair as well. The pianist's lyrical side is apparent in the standard "My Ship," while the intriguing calypso introduction to "You Stepped Out of a Dream" leads into a pulsating samba treatment. Highly recommended. ~ Ken Dryden https://www.allmusic.com/album/quiet-fire-mw0000406524

Personnel:  George Cables – piano;  Ron McClure – bass;  Billy Hart – drums

Quiet Fire

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Coleman Hawkins - Supreme

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:05
Size: 149.0 MB
Styles: Bop, Saxophone jazz
Year: 1995
Art: Front

[17:08] 1. Lover Come Back To Me
[10:09] 2. Body And Soul
[16:42] 3. In Walked Bud
[ 9:05] 4. Quintessence
[10:30] 5. Fine And Dandy
[ 1:27] 6. Ow!

Bass – Gene Taylor; Drums – Roy Brooks; Piano – Barry Harris; Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins. Recorded live on September 25, 1966 at Left Bank Jazz Society, Baltimore, MD.

Recorded live at the Left Bank Jazz Society in Baltimore, Maryland on September 25, 1966, this CD by tenor saxophonist and jazz icon Coleman Hawkins is a testament to both his skills at improvisation and his ability to convey deep emotions from music of several jazz genres. The Hawk is very ably supported by Barry Harris, a gifted pianist, Gene Taylor on bass, and Roy Brooks on drums (Brooks also served as the producer).The 6 tracks on this CD present a wide range of jazz styles, from the more traditional ballads popular in the 1930s and 1940s to a brief but delightful bit of bebop. ~Karlojazz

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Renée Geyer - Renéessance

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:25
Size: 115.4 MB
Styles: Soul, R&B
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[3:52] 1. Dedicated To The One I Love
[3:46] 2. Heading In The Right Direction
[3:52] 3. Say I Love You
[3:16] 4. Stares & Whispers
[4:22] 5. It Only Happens (When I Look At You)
[5:03] 6. It’s Too Late
[4:30] 7. If Loving You Is Wrong (I Don’t Wanna Be Right)
[3:35] 8. Standing On Shaky Ground
[3:52] 9. Difficult Woman
[3:47] 10. Baby I’ve Been Missing You
[4:27] 11. It’s A Man's Man's Man’s World
[5:56] 12. Sitting In Limbo

Renéessance (subtitled An Acoustic Journey, the Best of Renée Geyer) is the fourteenth studio album by Australian soul and R&B singer Renée Geyer. The album contains newly recorded acoustic versions of songs Geyer has previously recorded in addition to some new material.

Upon release, Geyer said “I’ve avoided doing this album for a long time for the simple reason that I’ve already done these songs. I finally said yes ’cause we agreed to do it live at my keyboard player’s house: just set up like an acoustic gig and play. People tend to like the intimacy of that. It has a certain energy and I think it works.” adding “A lot of these songs were not necessarily that easy to put into an acoustic form, some of them are there because I do them every night and I love them forever, some are on there because they’re important songs in my career. I’m just hoping I did justice to them all.”

Renéessance mc
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Bruno Marini, Luca Boscagin, Paolo Mappa - 70 Steps To 60s

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:46
Size: 127.7 MB
Styles: Pop-Jazz
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[4:22] 1. Green Onions
[5:05] 2. Behave Yourself
[3:54] 3. Comin' On Baby
[4:33] 4. Sundown
[5:17] 5. Hit The Road Jack
[7:46] 6. House Of The Risin' Sun
[6:08] 7. Lonely Avenue
[6:33] 8. Smoke On The Water
[5:02] 9. Scuttlin'
[2:54] 10. The B3 Alchemy
[4:08] 11. PDA

Bruno Marini is a Baritone saxophone and Hammond organ player. He has performed with: Jack McDuff, Shirley Scott, Steve Lacy, Gary Bartz, Anthony Braxton, Benny Golson, Joe Henderson, Sal Nistico, Hal Singer, Paul Jeffrey, John Tchicai, Joe Lovano, Clark Terry, Nat Adderley, Chet Baker, Bill Dixon, Kenny Burrell, Mal Waldron, Herbie Goins, Donald Garrett, Bobby Durham, Jimmy Cobb, Joe Chambers, Albert "Tookie" Heath, Han Bennink, Steve Ellington, Jimmy Carl Black...

Luca Boscagin is a guitarist and composer and arranger. He started playing on stage in 1989 with the big band "Jazzset orchestra". After studying with Dodo Castelli he developed his interest in improvvisation and took several lessons with two of the foremost italian guitarists Tolo Marton and Sandro Gibellini. What influenced luca the most was listening to vynil albums of many artists, not caring much about the genre, developing a taste for good music, crossing the borders of styles. Led Zeppelin, Genesis, E.L.P, King Crimson, Wishbone Ash, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix, Albert king, Miles Davis, Wes Montgomery, Stravinsky, Ravel were among luca's favourite choices.

70 Steps To 60s mc
70 Steps To 60s zippy

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Denis Solee - All Of You

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:18
Size: 96.9 MB
Styles: Smooth jazz
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[3:35] 1. Mack The Knife
[3:42] 2. All Of You
[3:10] 3. It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)
[4:24] 4. That Old Black Magic
[3:47] 5. I'm Beginning To See The Light
[2:55] 6. Exactly Like You
[3:23] 7. Lover
[3:24] 8. On A Clear Day (You Can See Forever)
[4:04] 9. Love For Sale
[2:59] 10. Thou Swell
[3:46] 11. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart
[3:04] 12. This Can't Be Love

Denis Solee has been around for some time and plays a great saxophone. This, along with the backup of the Beegie Adair Trio, makes for very pleasant listening.

All Of You mc
All Of You zippy

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Lee Konitz - Sometimes I'm Happy

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 117:35
Size: 269.2 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2018
Art: Front

[3:55] 1. I Can't Get Started
[2:16] 2. Sweet And Lovely
[4:26] 3. I Remember You
[3:03] 4. Easy Living
[6:14] 5. Donna Lee
[5:46] 6. Background Music
[2:58] 7. Skylark
[5:31] 8. Two Not One
[5:20] 9. Stairway To The Stars
[6:56] 10. Foolin' Myself
[5:25] 11. Topsy
[6:18] 12. You Go To My Head
[4:49] 13. There Will Never Be Another You
[6:09] 14. Billie's Bounce
[7:24] 15. Crazy She Calls Me
[3:12] 16. Nursery Rhyme
[6:01] 17. Still Foolin' Myself
[7:40] 18. All Of Me
[5:31] 19. Subconscious Lee
[8:07] 20. Sunflower
[7:17] 21. Don't Squawk
[3:06] 22. Ronnie's Line

One of the most individual of all altoists (and one of the few in the 1950s who did not sound like a cousin of Charlie Parker), the cool-toned Lee Konitz has always had a strong musical curiosity, leading him to consistently take chances and stretch himself, usually quite successfully. Early on he studied clarinet, switched to alto, and played with Jerry Wald. Konitz gained some attention for his solos with Claude Thornhill & His Orchestra (1947). He began studying with Lennie Tristano, who had a big influence on his conception and approach to improvising.

Konitz was with Miles Davis' Birth of the Cool Nonet during their one gig and their Capitol recordings (1948-1950) and recorded with Lennie Tristano's innovative sextet (1949), including the first two free improvisations ever documented. Konitz blended very well with Warne Marsh's tenor (their unisons on "Wow" are miraculous) and would have several reunions with both Tristano and Marsh through the years, but he was also interested in finding his own way; by the early '50s he started breaking away from the Tristano school. Konitz toured Scandinavia (1951), where his cool sound was influential, and he fit in surprisingly well with Stan Kenton & His Orchestra (1952-1954), being featured on many charts by Bill Holman and Bill Russo.

Konitz was primarily a leader from that point on. He almost retired from music in the early '60s but re-emerged a few years later. His recordings have ranged from cool bop to thoughtful free improvisations, and his Milestone set of Duets (1967) is a classic. In the '70s and '80s, Konitz increased his recorded output, issuing consistently stimulating sessions for such labels as SteepleChase, Philogy, Soul Note, and others.

Sometimes I'm Happy mc
Sometimes I'm Happy zippy

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Kirk Knuffke - Cherryco

Styles: Cornet Jazz
Year: 2017
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:29
Size: 147,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:57)  1. Roland Alphonso
(5:52)  2. The Sphinx
(7:20)  3. Art Deco
(4:58)  4. Remembrance
(4:11)  5. Golden Heart
(2:55)  6. Lonely Woman
(6:58)  7. Jayne
(7:44)  8. Song in D
(4:28)  9. Paris Ambulance Song
(5:14) 10. Angel Voice
(3:46) 11. Mind and Time
(3:59) 12. Cherryco

Cherry-co was the title of a tune by Don Cherry which first appeared on the 1966 album The Avant Garde, a revolutionary piece of work jointly authored by Cherry and John Coltrane. The title, was in part a punning reference to the jazz standard Cherokee, in part a conflation of Cherry and Co(ltrane). Kirk Knuffke, the virtuosic NYC-based cornetist, has a new album CherryCo consisting of tunes by Cherry and Ornette Coleman seven by Cherry and five by Coleman, and is in the company of two experienced master craftsmen of rhythm, bassist Jay Anderson and drummer Adam Nussbaum, working with both of them for the first time. With a strong musical sensibility, both melodic and rhythmic, the trio plunges deep into the progressive universe of these composers, taking the opportunity to innovate as well while re-shaping the tunes with a tweak of their own. With a full-bodied acoustic sound and an infallible understanding of one another’s movements, the band begins this journey to the past with the reggae-ish Roland Alphonso by Cherry, who composed it for the Jamaican tenorist referred to in the title. After blowing the theme’s deep-seated melody with crisp delicacy, Knuffke embarks on a trippy improvisation that will keep you engaged and enthralled, at the same time that stimulates his peers to push forward. After Anderson’s loping bass solo and the reinstatement of the theme, the final vamp briefly allows Nussbaum to intensify his unostentatious brushed attacks.

Coleman’s shape-shifting The Sphinx is obstinate and animated in equal measure. The drummer's  percussive intro has the feel of a march throughout, preparing the ground for the brisk melody that erupts from Knuffke’s cornet. Well accompanied by Anderson’s playful game, he engages in a funk rock backbeat when the time to improvise arrives, but just until they decide to make another adjustment toward a hasty swinging flow. When Knuffke regains the spotlight again, Nussbaum throws in lots of cymbal and snare drum whisks. In the same vivid spirit, Cherry’s Paris Ambulance Song stands out through gracious coordination. By the end, we have Knuffke and Anderson trading fours with the drummer which they also do on Coleman’s Jayne, but this time expanding it into eight bars. This last tune, delivered with strong Latin accents, swings aplomb, propelled by a rhythm section that moves constantly in the pocket. Mood variations are constant throughout the recording. If Art Deco feels like a gentle jazz standard and grooves along with sweet-sounding solos, Remembrance, a blues-based piece packed with Latin touches, funk, and swing, gains a stimulating African pulse whenever Nussbaum operates with mallets. In contrast, Golden Heart displays bouncing unisons uttered by cornet and bass on top of a fluid rhythm, carrying an inherent Arabic feel attached. The session ends with the title track, which is made of three different layers juxtaposed with as much elegance as freedom. The cornetist pours out multiple creative ideas taken from the freebop compendium and beyond, and the tune gradually decelerates toward the finale. Cherryco, a collection of classic jazz tunes given a passionate and tasteful contemporary treatment, is a treat for the ears. http://www.londonjazznews.com/2017/06/cd-review-kirk-knuffke-cherryco.html

Personnel:  Kirk Knuffke (Cornet); Jay Anderson (Bass); Adam Nussbaum (Drums).

Cherryco

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Sandi Patty & Kathy Troccoli - Together

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:20
Size: 124,8 MB
Art: Front

(2:38)  1. Together (Wherever We Go)
(3:53)  2. The Last Day
(5:07)  3. Embraccable You
(3:47)  4. A Foggy Day
(3:55)  5. Come Rain Or Come Shine
(4:36)  6. Summertime
(6:12)  7. You Made Me Love You
(4:27)  8. I Remember
(4:52)  9. They Can't Take That Away From Me
(3:07) 10. The Trolley Song
(4:25) 11. The Man I Love
(4:36) 12. Somewhere Over The Rainbow
(2:38) 13. Get Happy/Happy Days Are Here Again

Best known for their popularity in the Christian music market, these two singing dynamos create a nearly religious experience combining Troccoli's love for Judy Garland's legendary performances and Patty's attachment to Gershwin, and then meeting in the middle for two brand new odes to nostalgia, the passion ballad "The Last Day" and the lush, almost tearful "I Remember." These two new numbers were produced and arranged by Robbie Buchanan, and while they are nice tunes covering the theme of looking back, they pale in comparison to the standards. Their performances are exquisite, but some of the credit needs to go to the slew of arrangers and musical settings they work with. Orchestra Indianapolis, which backs the snappy, big band brassy explosion of Gypsy's "Together (Wherever We Go")" and tener but dramatic renditions of "Summertime," "The Man I Love" and "Over The Rainbow," is arranged by Bob Krogstad. Mark Gasbarro works wonders with both The Crown Project (small band) on "They Can't Take That Away From Me" and "Embraceable You" as well as the Project's big band with snazzy arrangements of "Come Rain or Come Shine," "A Foggy Day," and the sly, spunky brassy percussiveness of "The Trolley Song." This labor of love's tag line "A Celebration of Classic Popular Songs from Garland To Gershwin" says it all. It's hard to miss with such fine material, but even harder when those singing it have felt the passion of every note. ~ Jonathan Widran     https://www.allmusic.com/album/together-mw0000244558 

Together

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Red Garland, Ron Carter, Philly Joe Jones - Crossings

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1977
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:38
Size: 91,0 MB
Art: Front

( 5:10)  1. Solar
( 5:23)  2. Railroad Crossing
( 5:18)  3. Never Let Me Go
( 5:17)  4. Oleo
( 7:02)  5. But Not for Me
(11:26)  6. Love for Sale

Amazingly enough, this set (reissued on CD) was the first time that pianist Red Garland and drummer Philly Joe Jones recorded together in a trio setting, even though they had both been a part of Miles Davis' first classic quintet. With bassist Ron Carter completing the group, they perform five standards and the bassist's "Railoroad Crossing." This is one of Garland's best later dates (Philly Joe often pushes him), and the highlights include "Solar," "Oleo" and "Love for Sale." ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/crossings-mw0000309769

Personnel: Red Garland (piano); Philly Joe Jones (drums);  Ron Carter (bass).

Crossings

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Houston Person - The Opening Round

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:20
Size: 127,1 MB
Art: Front

(9:03)  1. Sweet Sucker
(6:25)  2. Let's Stay Together
(7:07)  3. Can't Help Lovin' That Man
(6:33)  4. What's Going On?
(4:37)  5. When A Man Loves A Woman
(8:33)  6. Blue Spring
(8:07)  7. Song For A Rainbow
(4:55)  8. Shenandoah

A fun and personable mix of jazz and soul classics plus a couple of originals by guitarist Rodney Jones, Houston Person's The Opening Round: Groove Masters Series, Vol. 1 isn't a jazz album for the ages, but it's start-to-finish entertaining. It's a straight-up groove album, with Person in front of a four-piece organ combo anchored by the legendary Bernard "Pretty" Purdie on drums next to ex-Waitresses-bassist-turned-session-star Tracy Wormworth. Joey DeFrancesco, a disciple of the late Jimmy McGriff, adds funky Hammond B-3 throughout, and the song selection seems to have been chosen specifically to highlight his interplay with Person. Heavy on the '70s soul classics, it features effective though hardly groundbreaking takes on classics like "What's Going On," "Let's Stay Together," and "When a Man Loves a Woman," staying close to the original melody lines but thankfully not replicating the original vocal parts on sax the way that so many smooth jazz lamers do. Moving back a bit, Person essays both the Showboat standard "Can't Help Lovin' That Man" and, surprisingly, the old folk tune "Shenandoah," which he and the group transform into a bittersweet, elegiac theme. ~ Stewart Mason https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-opening-round-groove-masters-series-vol-1-mw0000599160

Personnel: Houston Person (tenor saxophone); Rodney Jones (guitar); Joey DeFrancesco (Hammond b-3 organ); Tracy Wormworth (electric bass); Bernard "Pretty" Purdie (drums).

The Opening Round

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Donald Brown - Cause and Effect

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1991
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:03
Size: 156,2 MB
Art: Front

(6:03)  1. The Power of the Drums
(6:25)  2. I Should Care
(7:45)  3. A Free Man?
(8:08)  4. Cause and Effect
(6:58)  5. Theme for Mandela
(7:09)  6. Black Narcissus
(7:14)  7. Daddy's Girl Cynthia
(7:12)  8. The Smile of the Snake
(6:23)  9. Man in a State of Nature (Part 1)
(4:44) 10. Man in a State of Nature (Part 2)

A really wonderful little album from pianist Donald Brown deeply soulful, and in ways that go beyond just his work on piano! There's some great higher-concept ideas going on here bits of culture and philosophy folded into the music, courtesy of recitations by Marlon Saunders on a handful of tracks the oft-overlooked legacy of soul jazz that extended well past the 70s, at a time when this sort of music was often an expression for deeper thoughts in the years before hip hop dominated such territory too strongly. 

Brown's got some great help on the date too tenor from Joe Henderson, flute from James Spaulding, and vibes from Steve Nelson plus bass from Ron Carter and drums from either Kenny Washington or Carl Allen, both the kind of players who get the rhythmic pulse of the record right. Titles include "A Free Man","The Power Of The Drums", "Black Narcissus", "Man In A State Of Nature", "Daddy's Girl Cynthia", and "Cause & Effect". (Out of print.)  © 1996-2018, Dusty Groove, Inc. https://www.dustygroove.com/item/497070

Personnel: Donald Brown (piano), Marlon Saunders (vocals, narration), Joe Henderson (tenor saxophone), James Spaulding (flute), Steve Nelson (vibraphone, marimba), Ron Carter (bass), Carl Allen, Kenny Washington (drums), Rudy Bird, Donald Eaton (percussion), Lenora Helm (background vocals).

Cause and Effect

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