Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Soesja Citroen - Collected Songs

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:25
Size: 151,3 MB
Art: Front

(4:52)  1. My Town and Me
(2:53)  2. The Samba Calls
(5:41)  3. Love In Vain
(4:54)  4. You'll Take Care of Me
(3:37)  5. Good Old Jazz
(5:20)  6. Song for Ma
(3:11)  7. Just Another Man
(3:18)  8. Wise Women Know
(5:12)  9. Give Love One More Chance
(4:58) 10. Place of Silence
(4:13) 11. Tell Me No Fortunes
(4:05) 12. Don't Cry Baby
(4:38) 13. Sweet Companions
(4:14) 14. Sun In the Morning
(4:13) 15. Lonely Street

This height is mainly shaped by the extremely personal way in which she exercises her profession. Would it be that she ever worked as a psychologist, that she dares to be so exposed? There are of course more female singers, also in the Netherlands, who give their personal findings in the field of love and of life to publicity. But none does that like Soesja Citroen. In her thirty year career it took until 1998, before the singer dared to release an album, with those personal findings expressed in music and text. That was the album 'Song For Ma'. Meanwhile there are three: 'Soesja Sings Citroen' and 'Do not Cry Baby' have been added. They are bestsellers, because Soesja Citroen's repertoire on the stage consists mainly of pieces from these three albums. That is why it seemed to the singer a good idea to make a compilation of those songs. They now form the content of these 'Collected Songs' and are a great occasion for those who do not yet know Soesja Citroen, to get to know her. Again: the singer goes deep, gives her inner life full price in words and thereby she also succeeds in giving her music even more depth. Because what to think of this, words from her mother, that Soesja Citroen remembers, after her father left the family: 'Do not cry baby, I can not give you much hope. Daddy's gone now, so we must learn how to cope '. Or this, a nicer declaration of love after a heavy disappointment, is hardly there: "The joy and the laughter we seem to have lost, we can find once again, if we try. So give love one more chance '.  Soesja Citroen creates ballads that can be classed as classic without reservation. She gives the initiative herself, other singers, both on national and international level, can and should further develop this status. Translate By Google http://www.jazzenzo.nl/?e=670

Personnel:  Soesja Citroen: vocals;  Berend van den Berg: piano;  Joep Lumey: bass;  Joost Kesselaar: drums

Collected Songs

Eddie Gomez - Power Play

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 1988
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:31
Size: 100,1 MB
Art: Front

(5:39)  1. Power Play
(3:53)  2. Loco Motive
(5:15)  3. Spanish Flower
(5:04)  4. Mel
(5:46)  5. Amethyst
(5:02)  6. Mr. Go
(3:50)  7. Very Early
(3:58)  8. W. 110th St.
(4:59)  9. Forever

Eddie Gomez (born October 4, 1944) is a jazz bassist. He was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico; he emigrated with his family at a young age to the United States and grew up in New York. He started on double bass in the New York City school system at the age of eleven and at age thirteen went to the New York City High School of Music and Art. He went on to study with Fred Zimmerman. He played in the Marshall Brown-led Newport Festival Youth Band from 1959 to 1961, and was later educated at Juilliard.His impressive resumé includes performances with jazz giants such as Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Bill Evans, Gerry Mulligan, Benny Goodman, Buck Clayton, Marian McPartland, Paul Bley, Wayne Shorter, Jeremy Steig, Herbie Hancock, Tony Williams, Chick Corea and Carli Muñoz. Time Magazine lauded: “Eddie Gómez has the world on his strings”. Eddie Gómez would spend a total of eleven years with Bill Evans Trio which included performances throughout the United States, Europe, and the Orient, as well as dozens of recordings. Two of the Trio's recordings won Grammy awards. In addition, he was a member of the Manhattan Jazz Quintet.His career mainly consists of working as an accompanist, a position suited for his quick reflexes and flexibility.In addition to working as a studio musician for many famous jazz musicians, he has recorded as a leader for Columbia Records, Projazz and Stretch. Most of his recent recordings as a leader, are co-led by jazz pianist Mark Kramer. https://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/eddiegomez

Personnel:  Bass – Eddie Gomez; Drums – Steve Gadd,, Al Foster; Keyboards – LeeAnn Ledgerwood; Tenor Saxophone – Michael Brecker; Flute; Michael Cochrane - Soprano Saxophone – Dick Oatts; Flute – Jeremy Steig

Power Play

Nick Finzer - No Arrival

Styles: Trombone Jazz
Year: 2018
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:28
Size: 134,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:32)  1. Rinse And Repeat
(5:48)  2. Never Enough
(4:28)  3. Maria
(4:57)  4. Tomorrow Next Year
(5:40)  5. Soon
(5:10)  6. No Arrival
(5:36)  7. Pyramid
(7:34)  8. Only This, Only Now
(7:39)  9. The Greatest Romance Ever Sold
(6:59) 10. A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing

To say a musician has arrived is to create the ultimate paradox. For in that notion is the suggestion of reaching the upper echelon in the art form, but also an indication of the end of a journey and the start of stagnation. With the true seeker and master musician, there is no arrival; there's merely the act of moving forward, and trombonist Nick Finzer is keenly aware of that. While he's certainly come into his own over the past several years, Finzer isn't one to adopt such an idea as arrival. He's all about growth mindset, and that's why he continues to impress and evolve. On his first date for Posi-Tone, Finzer fronts a sextet of his peers on a program that showcases his chops, taste, pen, and panoramic outlook. He never repeats himself, yet everything seems to be of apiece. The opening coupling perfectly makes that point. "Rinse And Repeat" is all optimism, as Finzer creates a musical depiction of day by day life as the ultimate mulligan. Then, with "Never Enough," he subscribes to realism and reflection, addressing mortality with pensive purity. Both songs stand brilliantly on their own, but each also proves complementary to the other. As the album continues, Finzer adds more quality originals. But of greater note, he also finds a way to honor his influences without taking a step backward. With a personalized take on Leonard Bernstein's "Maria" he addresses the grip that West Side Story had on his heart strings from an early age, through a waltzing take on George Gershwin's "Soon" he honors trombone icon Curtis Fuller, on Duke Ellington's "Pyramid" he rides and glides atop a double-time bass line while shining light on his bandmates and this under-heralded gem, and in "The Greatest Romance Ever Sold" he tips his hat to the composer and the artist who's work introduced him to the song Prince and Maceo Parker, respectively. Then the curtain comes down down with an inflection-rich take on Billy Strayhorn's "A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing" that's as much about the man behind the music as it is about Ellingtonian trombone forebearers and mute masters like "Tricky Sam" Nanton. While Finzer most certainly deserves a good deal of praise for this one, it would be hard to understate the importance of the contributions from the rest of his crew. Lucas Pino's tenor saxophone and bass clarinet are stylishly indispensable, Victor Gould's piano glistens while getting to the heart of an idea, Alex Wintz's articulate guitar threads its way into all the right spaces, Dave Baron's bass bolsters this band from below, and Jimmy Macbride juices up the grooves, be they swinging or suggestive of other ideals. On No Arrival, man and band work off the same page. That sense of unity is but one of the many virtues of this date. ~ Dan Bilawsky https://www.allaboutjazz.com/no-arrival-nick-finzer-posi-tone-records-review-by-dan-bilawsky.php

Personnel: Nick Finzer: trombone; Lucas Pino: tenor saxophone, bass clarinet; Victor Gould: piano; Alex Wintz: guitar; Dave Baron: bass; Jimmy Macbride: drums.

No Arrival

Monday, January 28, 2019

Allan Holdsworth - Velvet Darkness

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1976
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 30:03
Size: 69,6 MB
Art: Front

(5:23)  1. Good Clean Filth
(2:46)  2. Floppy Hat
(4:21)  3. Wish
(3:06)  4. Kinder
(4:43)  5. Velvet Darkness
(3:10)  6. Karzie Key
(1:37)  7. Last May
(4:54)  8. Gattox

This debut solo release by Allan Holdsworth has an "in the raw," coarsely presented, jam-session quality complete with warts and all, as well as real gems of jazz fusion shining through. A first hearing of this release in its vinyl version might provoke laughter at how really bad it sounds compared to Holdsworth's other releases as well as his playing with other groups. As it turns out, Holdsworth himself abhors this release (considering it "a real terrible disaster"), and has taken legal action and had it removed from production for several reasons. The original label used rehearsal tapes to compile it, deeming it unnecessary to finance real sessions. During the recording session, Holdsworth had to hurry through each song and apparently never obtained the masters to go over before release. In essence, the original release was nothing more than a taped rehearsal, packaged by CTI as an album without Holdsworth's permission. This recording has been bootlegged by label after label, none of the musicians involved ever saw any royalties, and no legal paperwork exists. (The recording's known labels and release/re-release dates include CTI Records [1976], King Records [1976], Epic Associated Records [CD, 1990], King Records [Japanese-only CD, 1994], and CTI Records [Japanese-only CD, 1997]. Velvet Darkness was also released in 1997 on an unknown label in Japan as a bootleg CD; an original copy of the vinyl LP album had been transferred to the CD.) This 1990 release with alternate takes (just more pieces dredged up from the jam-session practice tapes) is indeed an interesting snapshot of young stellar musicians doing their thing in a laid-back but energetic fusion-funk-rock groove. It is for all the above reasons that this is indeed a completist/collectors item nowadays. Included are the now very rare recordings of Holdsworth playing acoustic guitar and violin, which he does very well. The alternate take of "Gattox" is a special treat, featuring Holdsworth soloing with an intensity and emotive power that echoes all the best dynamics jazz fusion could offer in the '70s. Obtaining this release second-hand is probably the only and most proper way to find it now. ~ John W.Patterson https://www.allmusic.com/album/velvet-darkness-mw0000204270

Personnel: Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Violin, Written-By – Allan Holdsworth;  Bass – Alphonse Johnson;  Drums – Narada Michael Walden;  Piano – Alan Pasqua

Velvet Darkness

Johnny Griffin - The Kerry Dancers and Other Swinging Folk (Remastered)

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1962 /2018
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:02
Size: 90,9 MB
Art: Front

(4:45)  1. The Kerry Dancers
(6:15)  2. Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair
(4:38)  3. Green Grow the Rushes
(4:56)  4. The Londonderry Air
(4:42)  5. 25 1/2 Daze
(5:11)  6. Oh, Now I See
(4:55)  7. Hush-A-Bye
(3:34)  8. Ballad for Monsieur

Many straight-ahead bop musicians would never consider recording traditional folk songs from the British Isles, but that's exactly what Johnny Griffin does on The Kerry Dancers and Other Swinging Folk and this Orrin Keepnews-produced album just happens to be one of his best releases of the 1960s. Joined by pianist Barry Harris, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Ben Riley, the big-toned Chicago tenor man turns his attention to four traditional folk melodies: "The Londonderry Air" (also known as "Danny Boy"), "Green Grow the Rushes" (a Scottish favorite), "The Kerry Dancers" (an Irish piece), and "Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair" all of which work perfectly well in an acoustic jazz setting. Not everything on this album (which was recorded in late 1961 and early 1962) is a folk song from the British Isles; the other half of the album ranges from Griffin's moody "Oh, Now I See" to the John Coltrane-influenced "25 1/2 Daze." On Riverside's original LP version of this album, Griffin's bop interpretations of folk songs were confined to side one while the other material was placed on side two. But when Fantasy reissued this album on CD in 2001 on its Original Jazz Classics imprint, there was no interruption between the folk and non-folk material you no longer had to get up and turn the record over. And that's just as well, because Griffin brings a jazz mentality to everything on the album; he is as hard-swinging and improvisatory on "The Londonderry Air" as he is on "25 1/2 Daze" and "Oh, Now I See." The Kerry Dancers and Other Swinging Folk is among the many Griffin releases that the Chicagoan can be proud of. ~ Alex Henderson https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-kerry-dancers-and-other-swinging-folk-mw0000016413

Personnel:  Johnny Griffin — tenor saxophone; Barry Harris - piano; Ron Carter - bass; Ben Riley - drums

The Kerry Dancers and Other Swinging Folk (Remastered)

Bernard Peiffer - Peiffer Interpreys

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1960/2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 32:03
Size: 74,6 MB
Art: Front

(3:32)  1. Come Along With Me
(4:37)  2. It's All Right With Me
(2:27)  3. Just One Of Those Things
(4:31)  4. You Do Something To Me
(5:32)  5. Let's Do It
(4:45)  6. I Love Paris
(2:25)  7. Montmartre
(4:11)  8. C'est Magnifique

Born 23 October 1922, Epinal, France, d. 7 September 1976, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Following intensive training as a classical pianist, Peiffer began playing jazz in distinguished company. While still a young man he played with Django Reinhardt, Hubert Rostaing and other European jazzmen and also with visiting Americans such as Rex Stewart, Don Byas and Sidney Bechet. By the end of the 40s he had become very well known in his native land, leading small groups and also working alone. Persuaded to visit the USA, he moved there in the mid-50s and thereafter commuted between the USA and Europe. An exceptionally accomplished technician, Peiffer’s solo playing was rich and sometimes florid. He was forward-thinking in his style, despite the swing era resonances of his early associations. He also composed much of his repertoire. His son Stephan Jean-Bernard assembled an album of old home recordings that was released in 2006 under the title Formidable...! https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bernard-peiffer-mn0000760255/biography

Peiffer Interpreys

Neville Dickie - Strut Miss Lizzie

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 77:44
Size: 181,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:54)  1. Strut Miss Lizzie
(4:59)  2. Two-Time Dan
(3:08)  3. Harlem Hotcha
(3:45)  4. All Muddled Up
(3:43)  5. Satanic Blues
(3:46)  6. It's Right Here for You (If You Don't Get It - Tain't No Fault O' Mine)
(4:08)  7. Cuddle Up Blues
(3:34)  8. Red Hot Mama
(3:42)  9. I've Got a Cross-Eyed Papa (But He Looks Straight to Me)
(3:22) 10. Candy Lips (I'm Stuck on You)
(3:27) 11. Dancin' Dan
(4:09) 12. Whisper Sweet
(3:30) 13. Gypsy Blues
(3:37) 14. Loose Feet
(3:59) 15. Cry Baby Blues
(2:46) 16. At the Jazz Band Ball
(2:44) 17. Home Again Blues
(3:22) 18. Weary Blues
(3:52) 19. Nobody Knows What a Red-Headed Mama Can Do
(4:01) 20. Virgina Blues
(4:07) 21. I Lost My Heart in Dixieland

Neville Dickie (born 1 January 1937 in Durham) is an English boogie-woogie and stride piano player. He has performed all over Europe and North America. After serving in the RAF, Dickie left Durham and moved to London, where he began playing piano for small wages in various pubs. It was only after Doreen Davies, who was head of BBC Radio 2, noticed him at a BBC audition that he took a notable stride in his musical career. He has played on hundreds of BBC Radio broadcasts. Dickie has produced scores of records and can be heard on hundreds of jazz recordings, as well as several recordings with the French pianist, Louis Mazetier. Dickie had a Top 40 UK hit single in 1969 with "Robin's Return" on the Major Minor Records label (MM 644). It reached number 33 on the UK Singles Chart. His album Back to Boogie (1975) has sold over 100,000 copies. Dickie formed a band called the Rhythmakers in 1985 and continues to perform with that group and with his trio. He appears regularly at festivals in the United States. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neville_Dickie

Strut Miss Lizzie

Christine Tassan et les Imposteures - Django Belles

Styles: Vocal And Guitar Jazz
Year: 2018
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:05
Size: 105,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:51)  1. La soirée du hockey / Hiver maudit
(4:05)  2. Mon pays
(3:44)  3. Fleurs de grésil
(4:50)  4. Oggi nevica (Reel Béatrice)
(3:41)  5. Tout l'monde a la grippe
(3:47)  6. Il est né le divin enfant / Joseph Joseph
(4:55)  7. L'hiver, Largo / Marie-Noël
(3:52)  8. Mele Kalikimaka
(4:01)  9. Marche de Casse-Noisette
(5:51) 10. Les neiges de Finlande / En tombant gentiment
(2:22) 11. Medley de Noël

It has been ten years since Christine Tassan et les Imposteures started tending their craft in the gypsy jazz milieu and performing standards, and there is no doubt that they are definitely here to stay. Pioneers in a domain usually reserved for men and precursors of the gypsy wave that swept across Québec, this all-woman quartet continues to reinvent this timeless music while integrating new ideas and influences with an originality and flair we have become familiar with. From standards to original compositions, the Imposteures’ musical arrangements innovate, rejuvenate and leave room for unbridled creativity from four talented and accomplished young women. Since their inception in 2003 the group has solidified their reputation. With more than 400 concerts in various venues and festivals, including numerous appearances in major events and tours across Canada and France, they have cultivated the adoration and loyalty of an ever growing fan base. We have had the chance to see them at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, at the Lévis Jazz Festival, at the Guitar Festival in Rouyn-Noranda, at the April in Paris Vancouver festival and in St-Pierre-et-Miquelon. On two occasions, their show has been taped and broadcasted by CBC Radio as part of the Concerts on demand, in Montreal and Saskatoon. 

Over the years, the band has shared the stage with illustrious gypsy swing musicians, including John Jorgenson, Tchavolo Schmit, Angelo Debarre, Rodolphe Raffalli and David Reindhart. In June 2014, they had the great pleasure to be invited at the Django Reinhardt Festival of Samois-sur-Seine (France), one of the most prestigious gypsy jazz festivals since it takes place in the town where the great manouche guitarist lived his last years. In front of more than 2000 enthusiastic people, they stood out with their “finesse” and “joie de vivre” as the very first women and furthermore Québécois gypsy jazz band to perform on this famous stage ! Their first two albums, De bon matin (2007) and Pas manouche, c’est louche (2010), achieved rapid critical acclaim. Only a few weeks after it was released, De bon matin went to the top of Radio-Canada’s Coup de Coeur hit list and reached number one on the Radio Couleur Jazz top 4. In turn, Pas manouche, c’est louche was nominated for Best Jazz Album Creation at the ADISQ awards, alongside other great artists such as Jordan Officer, Julie Lamontagne and Christine Jensen. On stage, we bear witness to four musicians who have mastered their talents. They improvise with ease, interpret their repertoire with dynamism, and blend their voices together in refined harmonies. 

But it’s their communicative energy and the personal bond between them that hits home the most. Christine Tassan et les Imposteures, are first and foremost four friends who have harnessed their energies and their voices to give rise to, year after year, the fruit of their creativity. Their third album, released in October 2012, follows in the same lively spirit. Like its two predecessors, it weaves together a clever mix of original compositions and standards, songs and instrumental pieces. The album brims with a ripe confidence that clearly reveals the evolution of the group. C’est l’heure de l’apéro marks the beginning of a new chapter for Christine Tassan et les Imposteures, who are once again touring Québec, Canada and the world to showcase their new sparkling and savory show. http://www.christinetassanetlesimposteures.com/en/the-band/

Personnel:  Christine Tassan: lead guitar, rhythm guitar, vocal; Martine Gaumond: violin, podorhythm, back vocal; Lise-Anne Ross: rhythm guitar, back vocal; Blanche Baillargeon: double bass, back vocal; Karine Gordon: trombone; Justine Verreault-Fortin: trumpet

Django Belles

Sunday, January 27, 2019

Roy Eldridge - Swngin' on the Town

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1960
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:10
Size: 84,8 MB
Art: Front

(2:43)  1. Bossa Nova
(2:23)  2. The Way You Look Tonight
(2:25)  3. Sweet Sue, Just You
(2:23)  4. I've Got a Crush on You
(2:59)  5. When I Grow Too Old to Dream
(2:39)  6. Dreamy
(4:13)  7. Honeysuckle Rose
(3:27)  8. All the Things You Are
(3:46)  9. Easy Living
(3:16) 10. But Not for Me
(3:05) 11. Song of the Islands
(2:46) 12. Misty

Recorded in June 1960, Swingin' on the Town was a bit of a retro affair at the time, since swing was no longer popular dance music, nor the cutting edge of jazz. Still, Eldridge was one of the best swing trumpeters of any era, and his music continued to deepen over the years; there was no reason for him not to play swing standards if he could still make them sound fresh. Throughout Swingin' on the Town, he does make it sound fresh. It helps that he's supported by bassist Benny Moten, pianist Ronnie Ball and drummer Eddie Locke, who keep things lively, but Eldridge is the focus here, and his performances are supple, swinging and charming. He doesn't do anything out of the ordinary, but he delivers the expected with grace. Not a major album in his catalog, but certainly an enjoyable one. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine https://www.allmusic.com/album/swingin-on-the-town-mw0000244272

Personnel:  Roy Eldridge - trumpet; Ronnie Ball - piano; Benny Moten - bass; Eddie Locke - drums

Swngin' on the Town

Ilonka - Holding On

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 26:23
Size: 61,4 MB
Art: Front

(3:09)  1. Holding On
(3:13)  2. His Love
(3:16)  3. Bigger Than Words Can Say
(3:17)  4. Good Day
(3:58)  5. Free to Live
(4:21)  6. My Second Chance
(5:06)  7. Safe

Growing up in South Africa, Ilonka journey led her to the U.S. to devote her life and voice to ministry. ilonka encourages women with the love of Jesus Christ by reminding them that their stories matter. Ilonka has performed worldwide as well as collaborating and performing on projects with Michael W. Smith, Rebecca St. James, Paul Coleman and Phil Keaggy, just to name a few. She has also served as a member of the Worship Team at Christ Community Church in Franklin, Tennessee for the past 7 years; has five albums: Fly, Holding On, Jesus Joy of Life, Ever & Ever, Classic Christmas, and her latest single Wash.  Ilonka is a member of The American Association of Christian Counselors and graduated in 2013 from Light Universities Biblical Counseling Degree Program. In 2012 she and her husband Bill opened a free Counseling Center in the Franklin area for women, serving those whom are often overlooked and under-resourced. For the past several years ilonka has worked with organizations such as World Vision, Women At Risk, Int. (WAR), Crisis Aid International and Bethany Christian Services as an artist and speaker. ilonka has also publicly shared the power and love of Jesus Christ on multiple Christian Television Programs with her testimony and music. https://store.cdbaby.com/artist/Ilonka1

Holding On

Michel Legrand - Paris Was Made for Lovers

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:16
Size: 82,1 MB
Art: Front

(3:37)  1. The Windmills of the Mind
(2:44)  2. The Summer of '42
(2:51) 3. I Still See You (Theme From "The Go Between")
(2:15)  4. Sea and Sky
(0:51)  5. Concerto for Cabs
(1:29)  6. The Street Where They Lived
(1:36)  7. Where Love Begins
(2:49)  8. In Love in Normandy
(2:30)  9. A Place in Paris
(2:38) 10. Old Lovers Never Die
(2:25) 11. On the Road (From the Film "The Lady in the Car")
(1:12) 12. Do You Come Here Often
(2:16) 13. They Simply Fade Away
(1:34) 14. Where Love Ends
(1:46) 15. Pavanne for People
(2:36) 16. Paris Was Made for Lovers

This Michel Legrand release contains his original soundtrack for the 1970 movie Paris Was Made for Lovers and updated versions of two of his best known celluloid themes, "Windmills of Your Mind" and "Summer of '42." These new takes on already well-tread material are pleasant at best, while the original soundtrack material is quite good. Particularly impressive are the vocal numbers "Paris Was Made for Lovers" (Legrand in decent vocal form), "A Place in Paris" (Matt Monro sounding like Tony Bennett), and "Sand and Sea" (Dusty Springfield at her best). There are some fine instrumentals, too, like the dramatic themes "Where Love Begins" and "Where Love Ends" and the Ravel-esque ballads "In Love in Normandy" and "They Simply Fade Away" (the latter two are based on the "Sand and Sea" melody). To break up the soundtrack's predominately melancholy mood, Legrand includes some respectable Dixieland jazz ("Concerto for Cabs") and bit of circus music ("Do You Come Here Often?"). Like '60s-era soundtracks by Mancini and Bacharach, Paris Was Made for Lovers succeeds with a winning mix of strong melodies, provocative arrangements, and a variety of styles; and even though it doesn't match the quality of top Legrand releases like The Thomas Crown Affair, it still is worth seeking out. ~ Stephen Cook https://www.allmusic.com/album/paris-was-made-for-lovers-mw0000239004

R.I.P.
Born: February 24, 1932, Bécon les Bruyères, France
Died: January 26, 2019, Paris, France

Paris Was Made for Lovers

Nate Najar Trio - Aquarela Do Brasil

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:50
Size: 133,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:27)  1. Canto De Ossanha
(5:10)  2. Carinhoso
(5:47)  3. Ligia
(5:30)  4. Aquarela Do Brasil (Brazil)
(4:14)  5. Amparo (Olha Maria)
(6:59)  6. Chovendo No Roseira (Double Rainbow)
(5:57)  7. Fotografia
(6:02)  8. Samba for Felix
(4:54)  9. Charlotte's Fancy
(8:45) 10. Canto De Ossanha (Extended Version)

Given that all the great jazz guitarists for many years have been plugged into the mains, with multiple results, it remains rare for a player to opt to be unamplified. There was Charlie Byrd, of course, and latterly our own very impressive Remi Harris. Now here’s another New Yorker Nate Najar. I had been aware of his skill from hearing his 2012 Candid release Blues For Night People, the latter composed by his inspiration, the brilliant Mr Byrd. This mixed set had a few Latin elements, but the new one is entirely devoted to the music and rhythms of Brazil not all classifiable under the ‘bossa nova’ heading. Nate’s actual power source is as before Tommy Cecil on bass and Chuck Redd on drums and vibes with the bonus on two tracks of sublime tenor from Harry Allen, evoking the early ‘fifties Getz innovations. Eight of the ten tracks are those enchanting melodies we’ve heard played or sung under varying titles four of them naturally by Tom Jobim himself. The jazz content is sometimes questionable, when Nate simply romps along on the tunes most deservedly on what must be the world’s best-known Latin song, the title track, which, in short, is Brazil. But on the three tracks where Chuck Redd moves on to the vibes, and the two with Allen’s tenor, the facile swing is there in abundance. This is a very useful CD for getting that party going.~  Les Tomkins – Jazz Rag Spring 2014 http://www.natenajar.com/reviews/

Personnel:  Acoustic Guitar [Unamplified Guitar], Leader – Nate Najar; Bass – Tommy Cecil; Drums – Chuck Redd, Duduka Da Fonseca; Tenor Saxophone – Harry Allen

Aquarela Do Brasil

Will Downing - The Promise

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2018
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:23
Size: 102,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:09)  1. Take It To The Cross
(4:26)  2. Look At Yourself (In The Miirror)
(4:47)  3. I Hear A Voice
(3:58)  4. You Blessed My Life
(4:18)  5. He Will Be There
(4:40)  6. What Would I Do
(5:11)  7. God Is So Amazing
(4:10)  8. God Will Show You The Way
(3:47)  9. Shout (A Celebration Of Life)
(4:53) 10. Changed

2018 release, the first gospel album from Will Downing. The Promise is the crowning achievement of an amazing career, a lifelong dream fulfilled! Widely known as The Prince Of Sophisticated Soul, Will Downing is an icon in both the R&B and jazz worlds. Having sold more than four million albums in his brilliant 30-year career, Will is now poised to add the Gospel audience to his legions of dedicated fans. ~ Editorial Reviews https://www.amazon.com/Promise-WILL-DOWNING/dp/B07GVXDHPD

The Promise

Saturday, January 26, 2019

Bob James - Foxie

Styles: keyboards Jazz
Year: 1983
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 33:18
Size: 77,1 MB
Art: Front

(6:46)  1. Ludwig
(2:50)  2. Calaban
(5:48)  3. Fireball
(6:09)  4. Zebra Man
(4:59)  5. Miranda
(6:44)  6. Marco Polo

Because so many of Bob James' albums have been devoid of integrity and epitomized musical prostitution at its most shameless, quite a few people in the jazz world (both fusionists and hard boppers) dismiss everything he's done since 1974. But it's best to judge the keyboardist on an album-by-album basis and not lump all of his releases together. Not a gem but certainly superior to Touchdown or Sign of the Times, Foxie has its moments. Some of the pop-jazz material is decent, including the delicate "Miranda," the reggae-influenced "Calaban," and the relaxed "Fireball." The playful "Zebra Man" employs David Sanborn on soprano sax; regrettably, he simply meanders and doesn't get a chance to stretch. None of the songs are brilliant, but with the exception of "Marco Polo," none of them are schlocky either. ~ Alex Henderson https://www.allmusic.com/album/foxie-mw0000645797

Personnel: Bob James - keyboards, synthesizer; David Sanborn - saxophone; Steve Khan - guitar; Marcus Miller, Will Lee - bass guitar; Peter Erskine, Steve Gadd - drums; Ralph MacDonald - percussion

Foxie

Monique Thomas Voices Of Praise - It's Time

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:10
Size: 146,0 MB
Art: Front

( 5:14)  1. Don't Stop Believin'
( 5:07)  2. Ordinary Day
( 5:12)  3. Who ?
( 6:18)  4. It's Time
( 3:50)  5. Praise You
( 0:54)  6. WWYG Interlude
( 4:20)  7. Don't Be Shy
( 6:32)  8. Feel Better
( 5:47)  9. Take Me Higher
( 4:27) 10. God Said It
( 5:02) 11. Where Will You Go ?
(10:22) 12. All I Need

Creativity and tradition are not opposed. Originating from Black American religious chants, Gospel is the major artistic expression of the spiritual culture, and its musical influence has long since gone beyond its religious confines : although we cannot attribute it with the paternity of jazz, it had a strong influence on this music and is at the very root of soul music. Inspired by and rooted in tradition, Gospel defies trends and brings with it a universal profoundness. From Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (USA), Monique Thomas very early joined the chorals of her local Baptist churches and in many of them became lead singer. Immersed in both the radition of spirituals and in contemporary soul, she developed her own interpretation of Gospel. Living in France since 1998, she has finally found the opportunity to lay claim to her culture with an original project in the European Gospel landscape. Voices Of Praise is a thoroughly modern approach to Gospel, both in its respect for tradition and in its intention of faith, and, with a modern orchestration, is directly linked to the blues, funk and R'N'B cultures. https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/moniquethomas

It's Time

David Murray Octet - Home

Styles: Saxophone, Clarinet Jazz
Year: 1982
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:53
Size: 84,7 MB
Art: Front

(6:01)  1. Home
(6:51)  2. Santa Barbara And Crenshaw Follies
(6:11)  3. Choctaw Blues
(9:14)  4. Last Of The Hipmen
(8:35)  5. 3-D Family

Although David Murray has recorded in many different settings throughout his busy career, his octet has always been perfect for his talents. More disciplined than his big band, yet containing more tone colors than his smaller combos, the octet allowed Murray to be exploratory yet occasionally look backwards. This set, his second with the band, has quite an all-star lineup: Murray on tenor and bass clarinet, altoist Henry Threadgill, trumpeter Olu Dara, cornetist Butch Morris, trombonist George Lewis, pianist Anthony Davis, bassist Wilber Morris and drummer Steve McCall. All of the brilliant players have their opportunities to make strong contributions to Murray's five originals (best known of which is "3-D Family"), and the leader's writing is consistently colorful and unpredictable. Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/home-mw0000649670

Personnel:  David Murray – tenor saxophone, bass clarinet; Henry Threadgill – alto saxophone, flute, alto flute; Olu Dara – trumpet; Lawrence "Butch" Morris – cornet; George Lewis – trombone; Anthony Davis – piano; Wilber Morris – bass; Steve McCall – drums

Home

Cab Calloway & His Orchestra - Swinging 40s

Styles: Swing, Big Band 
Year: 2000
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:57
Size: 101,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:17)  1. Russian Lullaby
(3:17)  2. 9:20 Special
(3:44)  3. The Very Thought Of You
(3:37)  4. Foo A Little Bally-Hoo
(2:28)  5. Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby
(3:57)  6. Frantic In The Atlantic
(3:07)  7. Blue Skies
(1:15)  8. Bojangles Steps In
(2:36)  9. Easy Joe
(6:22) 10. Ain't That Something
(1:16) 11. Everybody Dance
(2:57) 12. The Honeydripper
(3:07) 13. Let's Go Joe
(2:50) 14. The Jumpin' Jive

One of the great entertainers, Cab Calloway was a household name by 1932, and never really declined in fame. A talented jazz singer and a superior scatter, Calloway's gyrations and showmanship on-stage at the Cotton Club sometimes overshadowed the quality of his always excellent bands. The younger brother of singer Blanche Calloway (who made some fine records before retiring in the mid-'30s), Cab grew up in Baltimore, attended law school briefly, and then quit to try to make it as a singer and a dancer. For a time, he headed the Alabamians, but the band was not strong enough to make it in New York. The Missourians, an excellent group that had previously recorded heated instrumentals but had fallen upon hard times, worked out much better. Calloway worked in the 1929 revue Hot Chocolates, started recording in 1930, and in 1931 hit it big with both "Minnie the Moocher" and his regular engagement at the Cotton Club. Calloway was soon (along with Bill Robinson, Ethel Waters, Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington) the best-known black entertainer of the era. He appeared in quite a few movies (including 1943's Stormy Weather), and "Minnie the Moocher" was followed by such recordings as "Kicking the Gong Around," "Reefer Man," "Minnie the Moocher's Wedding Day," "You Gotta Hi-De-Ho," "The Hi-De-Ho Miracle Man," and even "Mister Paganini, Swing for Minnie." Among Calloway's sidemen through the years (who received among the highest salaries in the business) were Walter "Foots" Thomas, Bennie Payne, Doc Cheatham, Eddie Barefield, Shad Collins, Cozy Cole, Danny Barker, Milt Hinton, Mario Bauza, Chu Berry, Dizzy Gillespie, Jonah Jones, Tyree Glenn, Panama Francis, and Ike Quebec. His 1942 recording of "Blues in the Night" was a big hit. With the end of the big band era, Calloway had to reluctantly break up his orchestra in 1948, although he continued to perform with his Cab Jivers. Since George Gershwin had originally modeled the character Sportin' Life in Porgy and Bess after Calloway, it was fitting that Cab got to play him in a 1950s version. Throughout the rest of his career, Calloway made special appearances for fans who never tired of hearing him sing "Minnie the Moocher."

Personnel:  Alto Saxophone – Andy Brown, Chauncey Haughton, Hilton Jefferson, Jerry Blake; Baritone Saxophone – Greely Walton, Rudy Powell; Bass – Milton Hinton; Drums – Buford Oliver, Cozy Cole, J.C. Heard; Guitar – Danny Barker; Piano – Bennie Payne, Dave Rivera; Tenor Saxophone – Al Gibson, Ike Quebec, Teddy McRae, Walter Thomas; Trombone – Claude Jones, DePrieste Wheeler, Keg Johnson, Quentin Jackson, Tyree Glenn; Trumpet – Irving Randolph, Jonah Jones, Lamar Wright, Paul Webster, Russell Smith, Shad Collins

Swinging 40s

Friday, January 25, 2019

Harry James - Wild About Harry!

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2000
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:25
Size: 89,0 MB
Art: Front

(4:14)  1. Barn 12
(4:53)  2. What Am I Here For
(2:39)  3. Blues For Harry's Sake
(4:00)  4. Bee Gee
(3:22)  5. Blues On A Count
(4:14)  6. Kinda Like The Blues
(4:42)  7. Blues For Lovers Only
(3:11)  8. Countin'
(3:26)  9. Cotton Pickin'
(3:42) 10. Ring For Porter

By 1957, Harry James was in an artistic rut. Although he would occasionally try to come up with fresh material, he never did regain the stature he had in the 1940s. This Capitol LP mostly contains material arranged by Ernie Wilkins and the result is that the James band often sounds like Count Basie's. Buddy Rich's drumming helps uplift the band, altoist Willie Smith, tenorman Corky Corcoran and trombonist Herbie Harper have some good spots and James is in good form but the music is not all that memorable. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/wild-about-harry-mw0000869403

Personnel:   Trumpet – Harry James; Saxophone – Willie Smith, Corky Corcoran, Ernest Small, Francis Polifroni, Herb Lorden; Trumpet – Robert Rolfe, Don Paladino, Nick Buono, Ray Linn; Trombone – Robert Edmondson, Herb Harper, Robert Robinson; Piano – Larry Kinnamon; Guitar – Allan Reuss; Bass – Russ Phillips; Drums - Buddy Rich.

Wild About Harry!

Dave Brubeck - Jackpot

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1966
File: MP3@256K/s
Time: 52:56
Size: 97,4 MB
Art: Front

( 6:48)  1. Ace in the Hole
( 6:49)  2. Out of Nowhere
(10:25)  3. You Go To My Head
( 3:06)  4. Who's Afraid (of Virginia Woolf?)
( 7:03)  5. Chicago (That Toddling Town)
( 2:58)  6. Rude Old Man
(10:58)  7. Jackpot
( 4:44)  8. Win a Few, Lose a Few

Dave Brubeck really hits the jackpot here playing live in Las Vegas with his classic quartet that includes the legendary Paul Desmond on alto sax! Dave's studio records for Columbia are all pretty darn great but sometimes, there's a little something extra in his live dates for the label maybe a few more relaxed moments, or less overall concepts that give the group a bit more of a spontaneous approach in ways that almost take us back to the early years on Fantasy Records. Dave opens up the set with a trio number, and a bit more bluesy vibe than usual then Desmond comes in, and blows us away all over again with his impeccable tone and timing alongside rhythm from Eugene Wright on bass and Joe Morello on drums. Titles include "Win A Few Lose A Few", "Jackpot", "Rude Old Man", "Ace In The Hole", and "Out Of Nowhere".  © 1996-2019, Dusty Groove, Inc. https://www.dustygroove.com/item/570290/Dave-Brubeck:Jackpot

Personnel:  Piano – Dave Brubeck;  Alto Saxophone – Paul Desmond; Bass – Eugene Wright;  Drums – Joe Morello

Jackpot

Johnny Richards Orquestra - Kiss Her Goodbye

Styles: Jazz, Big Band
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 77:27
Size: 179,9 MB
Art: Front

(1:22)  1. Intro & Theme
(1:55)  2. Kiss Her Goodbye
(2:28)  3. On the Wagon
(2:05)  4. Juke Jumps
(2:19)  5. Shutters
(3:04)  6. Nightmare
(1:40)  7. Playground
(3:27)  8. The Baby's Missing
(1:35)  9. At the Beach
(3:35) 10. Another Chance
(3:48) 11. Grown Up
(3:20) 12. Special Friends
(1:02) 13. Emily
(1:53) 14. Confession
(2:51) 15. End Title
(3:13) 16. The Moon Was Yellow
(0:50) 17. Theme
(4:13) 18. Ochun
(3:42) 19. Estoy Cansado
(7:31) 20. Dimples
(4:21) 21. Laura
(1:19) 22. Theme
(6:41) 23. Dimples
(4:56) 24. Band Aide
(4:06) 25. Laura

Johnny Richards was a forward-thinking arranger who incorporated Latin rhythms and dissonance, spending the early decades of his career working on Hollywood soundtracks before moving to New York City to contribute charts to Stan Kenton and leading his own band. Yet Richards has been badly neglected in the CD era, with few of his albums being reissued. This compilation is an important addition to his legacy, for it centers around an important, never-before-released soundtrack to the film Kiss Her Goodbye, shelved by Warner Bros. after the film (shot in Cuba) was seized following Fidel Castro's 1959 takeover. The source material came from a test pressing given to Richards by the label, which was tracked down by Uptown owner Bob Sunenblick, MD, with substantial help from discographers Michael Sparke and Jack Hartley in the identification of the musicians and song titles. The first 15 selections were recorded for the soundtrack, though they were likely only excerpted in the movie, as is typically the case, even though all of them are under four minutes. Some of the highlights include the breezy "Juke Jumps" (with fine solos by Phil Woods, Jimmy Cleveland, Burt Collins, and Ray Copeland), the mellow ballad "Shutters" featuring the trombone section and muted trumpet, and the suspenseful "The Baby's Missing" (showcasing Gene Quill's explosive alto). It is a shame that the movie was never completed, but at least Johnny Richards impressive soundtrack is finally available. The only previously issued track is "The Moon Is Yellow" from an LP by the Luis Tiramani Orchestra, with the arrangement credited to Tiramani but very likely ghost written by Richards. The final nine songs come from a pair of 1959 NBC radio broadcasts, with his mellow, playful original "Dimples" and lush, richly textured setting of "Laura" (both heard in two separate performances), which best display the arranger's gifts. The detailed liner notes and period photographs add value of this valuable, long lost music. ~ Ken Dryden https://www.allmusic.com/album/kiss-her-goodbye-new-york-city-1958-1959-mw0002146822

Johnny Richards - composer;  Ray Copeland, Clyde Reasinger, Burt Collins, Jerry Kail - trumpet;  Jimmy Cleveland, Jim Dahl, Billy Byers - trombone;  Al Antonucci - French horn;  Phil Woods - alto sax;  Frank Socolow - tenor sax;  Billy Slapin - baritone sax;  Shelly Gold - bas sax;  Bobby Pancoast - piano; Chet Amsterdam - acoustic double bass;  Charlie Persip, drums.

Kiss Her Goodbye