Nat King Cole - From The Capitol Vaults (Vol. 4)

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:50
Size: 87,6 MB
Art: Front

(3:01) 1. Little Child
(2:49) 2. You Will Never Grow Old
(2:27) 3. You Are My Sunshine
(3:09) 4. True Blue Lou
(2:50) 5. We Are Americans Too
(3:03) 6. This Holy Love
(2:54) 7. Peace Of Mind
(2:19) 8. Steady
(2:28) 9. The First Baseball Game
(2:47) 10. Goodnight, Little Leaguer
(2:53) 11. The Right Thing To Say
(2:04) 12. Nothing Goes Up (Without Coming Down)
(2:28) 13. More And More Of Your Amor
(2:31) 14. Wanderlust

Continuing Capitol/UMe's ongoing roll-out of rare tracks by Nat King Cole comes the highly anticipated From The Capitol Vaults (Vol. 4) out June 16, 2023, just in time for Father's Day and Juneteenth. This fourth digital-only collection features 14 timeless tracks, 12 of which are available for the first time on streaming platforms.

From The Capitol Vaults (Vol. 4) highlights Cole's velvety smooth voice that is perfectly suited to some of the greatest love songs ever written, capturing him at his most engaging. From the dramatic and lilting "Little Child" (1951) to the charming romantic waltz of "You Will Never Grow Old" (1952), to the whimsical "The First Baseball Game" (1961), the fourth volume of From the Capitol Vaults shows a playful side of Cole's music. The bossa nova and samba of "More and More of Your Amor" (1964) perfectly captures the steamy tropical vibes as we enter the dog days of summer. His jazzy take on "You Are My Sunshine" puts a big band spin on the 1940 American standard by Jimmie Davis and Charles Mitchell.

His focus on harmony in music and in life allowed him to effortlessly inject a poignant and important Civil Rights message in the track "We Are Americans Too" (1956), featured on this compilation. Echoing the sentiments celebrated by the Juneteenth holiday toward emancipation, he conveys the well-documented struggle for equality in the eyes of his fellow Americans ("By the pick and the plow and the sweat of our brow / We are Americans too / We have given up our blood and bone / Helped to lay the Nation's cornerstone").

While he is best known as an iconic vocal legend, Nat King Cole is also remembered as being a loving father to his five children. His daughter Casey Cole told People.com in 2021, "We are so proud that our father touched the soul with his voice and was a quiet leader in the arts. He believed that he could bring harmony among people with his music. We want to continue that dream in a time when we really need it."

Cole's effervescent swing and moonlit balladry propelled him to the forefront of the most iconic performers ever to emerge from the jazz/pop sphere. An icon from the bygone Swing Era and Jazz Age, this volume is a great way to revisit and enjoy the Cole tracks that permeate our culture. But when it comes to American geniuses like him, digging a little deeper now and again is always an excellent idea.https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/capitolume-releases-from-the-capitol-vaults-vol-4-by-nat-king-cole-digitally-today-301852790.html

From The Capitol Vaults (Vol. 4)

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Papik Present: Sea Breeze - West Coast Rendez Vous

Styles: Smooth Jazz
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:02
Size: 138,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:19) 1. Chains Of Our Love
(3:51) 2. How Long
(4:08) 3. A Blur In A Morning Dew
(4:08) 4. I Shouldn't Say
(4:54) 5. Biggest Part Of Me
(3:50) 6. Bottom Line
(3:42) 7. I'm Counting On You
(4:36) 8. Movin' On
(3:26) 9. The Many Things I've Lost Along The Way
(3:52) 10. Wait Another Day
(4:03) 11. Never Too Late
(4:21) 12. Right Or Wrong
(3:34) 13. Walking By My Side
(4:31) 14. Miss Sun
(3:41) 15. My Favourite Song (Feat. Kenneth Bailey)

The Roman musician, composer, arranger and producer Nerio “Papik” Poggi is featured here regularly, and is one of my favourites.

I was therefore very excited when I saw that he had realized a new project, and that is this Sea Breeze. The “yacht rock” from the west coast of the USA is central to this.

Papik helped write most of the songs, and also recorded some covers. The opener 'Chains of our Love' was sung by Filippo Perbellini, and immediately sets the tone for this beautiful album, which was released by the Italian label Irma Records Group.

The relaxed atmosphere creates a real holiday feeling. This is followed by the well-known cover 'How Long' by Paul Carrack, now sung by Lo Van Gorp. The ballad 'A Blur in a Morning Dew' has vocals from Dario Daneluz, after which the relaxed mid-tempo of 'I Shouldn't Stay' was sung by Alan Scaffardi. ‘Biggest Part of Me’ is a song written by David Pack when he was a member of the band Ambrosia. Mario Rosini sang it.

This is followed by the original track 'Bottom Line', again with vocals by Lo Van Gorp. The ballad 'I'm Counting on You' is the next track with vocals by Dario Daneluz and sax by Carlo Maria Micheli. 'Movin' on' sounds a bit more funky, with vocals by Filippo Perbellini, followed by the ballad 'The Many Things I've Lost along the Way', which was sung by Alessandro Pitoni.

'Wait Another Day' is another relaxed track, with vocals by Lo Van Gorp. 'Never too Late' is a bit more mid-tempo with vocals by Dario Daneluz, after which 'Right or Wrong' was sung by Andrea “Satomi” Bertorelli. Alfredo Malabello then sings 'Walkin' by My Side', followed by the David Paich cover 'Miss Sun', which was recorded by both Boz Scaggs and Toto. Here David Florio takes care of the vocals. As a bonus track you will receive 'My Favorite Song' as a gift on this CD. Kenneth Bailey provides the vocals on this somewhat funky track.

Again a really cool CD, with relaxed West Coast music. If you like the music of Toto, Boz Scaggs, and smooth soul, this one is for you. Highly recommended!http://www.smooth-jazz.de/Patrick/Papik/WestCoastRendevous.htm

West Coast Rendez Vous

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Lin Rountree - The Message

Styles: Smooth Jazz
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:35
Size: 125,9 MB
Art: Front

(4:00) 1. Justified
(4:26) 2. Solid
(4:19) 3. It's You
(4:37) 4. A Little Closer
(3:36) 5. One You
(4:28) 6. To The Top
(6:05) 7. Can't
(7:12) 8. The Message
(3:51) 9. Nite Of Passion
(4:29) 10. Magic Hour
(3:57) 11. Back In The Day
(3:32) 12. Tree's Groove

We have to say that Lin Rountree‘s Fluid album was one of the best Smooth Jazz album in the past few years. Now he is back with a new one for 2023. It is called The Message, and you get 12 tracks with the trumpet as the lead instrument. Guests include Chris ‘Big Dog’ Davis, Ryan La Vallete, Algebra Blessett, Gary Johnson, and Greg Manning.

The set starts off with Justified. You will notice the New Jack Swing beat, which gives the track that extra bounce. This song is all about Rountree’s horns, the lead the hook and the change is horn heavy, and we are not mad at that!

Solid is up next. Ryan La Vallete if featured, and this is another groovy song with a funky beat. Rountree’s trumpet is bouncing off that beat, and La Vallete can really strum that guitar. This is a track that will put a smile on your face.

It’s You, in our opinion, is the best song that Lin has recorded. The change (the part right before the hook) and the hook arrangements are outstanding. The bass adds that extra layer of goodness, and you may have to play this twice to soak it all in.

We pick up the pace with A Little Closer. This is a Greg Manning produced track, and it is alright if you just want to get up and dance. Once again the trumpet arrangement is stellar, with some great ad libs toward the end.

Algebra Blessett is the featured vocalist on One You. Some people have been saying that R&B is dead. Actually, it is not, as it is living in the Smooth Jazz Genre. Tracks like this prove that point. If this was released as a single, it would chart on the R&B side.

To listen to the track To The Top is like being on a rollercoaster. There are several twists and turns here, and we are all about it. It starts out mellow, then on to a mid-tempo feel, with Ryan La Vallete adding some inspiring guitar play. After the song builds up a little, they break it all the way down. After that, they bring the energy, only to break it down again. They bring back the mid-tempo groove to close it out.

You know how artists like to add those interlude breaks between songs? Well, Can’t Wait is like a six minute interlude. That is until those guitar licks wake you up at the end.

The title track, The Message, is next. Gary Johnson is featured on guitar, and this is a slow jam that has a little bounce to it. Coming in at seven minutes, it gives the musicians time to do their thing. This track solidifies Rountree’s place as the top trumpet player on the scene right now.

Nite Of Passion is a Chris ‘Big Dog’ Davis production, and it has some interesting sounds throughout. Rountree is on point with the horn play, and the bassline really sets the tone as this track will be one of the standout pieces on the album.

It seems every Jazz album has at least one ‘jam session’ track, one where all of the musicians get to shine. Magic Hour is that track. Everything just comes together, leaving us with a versatile song that can be played at any occasion.

If you are ready for a little funk, then Back In The Day will do it for you. We are loving the horn arrangements, and do not sleep on the keys, as they are sort of in the background, but they really complete the song.

The album concludes with Tree’s Groove. This is a track has an R&B base, and it just shows of Rountree’s range as an artist. Something with a little different feel than the rest of the tracks on the album.

The Message is another winner for Lin Rountree. You can stream it in its entirety through your favorite service. https://simplyjazztalk.blog/review-the-message-by-lin-rountree/

The Message

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Stepanka Balcarova - Emotions

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:35
Size: 107,1 MB
Art: Front

(5:56) 1. Trust
(2:18) 2. Anticipation
(8:21) 3. Surprise
(7:15) 4. Anger
(7:14) 5. Fear
(7:22) 6. Disgust
(3:01) 7. Joy
(5:03) 8. Sadness

The newly formed quartet (cz/pl) of the Czech trumpeter Štěpánka Balcarová performs with the programme Emotions. It is a group of eight compositions. Each composition is inspired by one of the basic human emotions (joy, trust, fear, disgust, surprise, sadness, anger, expectation).


In the summer of 2023 this programme will be released on CD by the Czech label Animal Music. In addition to the author of the project, Štěpánka Balcarová, the quartet consists of two jazz players from Poland and Czech double bassist Jaromír Honzák.https://www.praha-vysehrad.cz/en/event/stepanka-balcarova-quartet-emotions-cz-pl

Personnel: Stepanka Balcarova - trumpet, flugelhorn; Nikola Kolodziejczyk - piano; Jaromir Honzák - double bass; Grzegorz Masłowski - drums

Emotions

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Manuel Valera Quintet - Vessel

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 69:26
Size: 159,8 MB
Art: Front

(7:21) 1. Blues For Kenny K
(8:20) 2. First Day
(7:39) 3. Pablo
(6:43) 4. Sunset
(7:17) 5. Garzonian
(5:16) 6. Alma
(8:42) 7. Crisis
(5:08) 8. Remembrance
(5:30) 9. Chance
(7:24) 10. Mr. Henderson

Cuban born and raised, pianist and composer Manuel Valera moved to the US in 1994, attending high school in Florida before moving to New York City in 2000 to study at the New School. His classmates included Robert Glasper, Mike Moreno, Michael Rodriguez, Marcus Strickland and E.J. Strickland. Fast company.

Valera's career as a leader moved up a notch when his band The New Cuban Express received a Grammy nomination in 2013 for Best Latin Jazz Album for their eponymous debut. Since then, Valera has continued to explore Latin and in particular Cuban-informed jazz with small and large ensembles, while also recording in non-Latin situations.

As a composer, Valera has made a feature of through-composition. But Vessel marks a departure from that. Recorded with tenor saxophonist John Ellis, trumpeter Alex Norris, bassist Hamish Smith and drummer Mark Whitfield Jr., Valera conceived the album rather like an old school Blue Note artefact, where the tunes and their changes, rather than the arrangements, are the platforms for improvisation. As Valera puts it in the sleeve notes: "You play the tune, you blow over the tune, then you play the tune again the improvisation is as important as the composition."

There is enough energy running through the ten tracks on Vessel to excite jazz fans from newbies to seasoned professionals. But the more one knows of jazz history, the more one is likely to get out of the disc. Valera wrote each of his nine originals (a tenth track is a cover of Kenny Kirkland's "Chance") in honour of a jazz musician he admires. Only one tune, "First Day," is a borderline pastiche of its inspiration, which is Wayne Shorter circa his role as a composer in the Miles Davis quintet of the mid 1960s. (Check the YouTube below: "First Day" sounds rather like something Shorter might have written the same day as "Masqualero"). The remaining tracks contain more subtle hints of their inspirations, Joe Henderson, Thelonious Monk, McCoy Tyner and post-Weather Report Shorter, among other heroes.

Primary soloists Valera, Ellis and Norris get plenty of space in which to stretch out and their work is consistently high caliber. Along with Valera, Ellis, whose soulful sound has been something to savour ever since his time with Charlie Hunter in the early aughties, is a particular joy. Norris' gutsy work is the business, too. And Smith and Whitfield are as tight as you like. By Chris May
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/vessel-manuel-valera-criss-cross

Personnel: Manuel Valera – piano.; Mark Whitfield Jr. – drums.; John Ellis – tenor saxophone, bass clarinet, flute.; Alex Norris – trumpet, flugelhorn.; Hamish Smith – cdouble bass.Sep 30, 2023

Vessel

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Kitty White - A New Voice In Jazz

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 74:15
Size: 171,2 MB
Art: Front

(4:51)  1. Skylark
(3:42)  2. Among My Souvenirs
(4:20)  3. If You Were Mine
(4:02)  4. So Many Beautiful Men
(4:25)  5. With The Wind And The Rain In Your Hair
(4:11)  6. With Every Breath I Take
(2:35)  7. Let's Go Around Together
(3:50)  8. Softly
(2:52)  9. Porgy
(3:33) 10. See Saw
(2:53) 11. Out Of This World
(3:29) 12. Talk Me Some Sweet Talk
(3:17) 13. Please Be Pacient
(2:13) 14. When The Wind Was Green
(2:25) 15. Of Thee I Sing
(2:53) 16. Where Or When
(3:09) 17. Forever Young
(3:01) 18. So Help Me
(2:24) 19. I Know That You Know
(3:21) 20. Lazy Afternoon
(2:25) 21. Dat's Love
(2:38) 22. It Was So Beautiful
(1:36) 23. Alone Together

Kitty White for years has been a nightclub favorite among audiences in Los Angeles, frequently singing sophisticated songs with well-traveled lyrics. Colorful, precise and imaginative, she has a remarkable voice that owes allegiance to no particular style. Aside from occasional side trips to San Francisco, Las Vegas, Chicago, and New York, Kitty has always stayed pretty much on home base, so it's not strange to find her here surrounded by groups featuring some outstanding West Coast jazz musicians. Impeccable in diction, phrasing and control, her work with them is a study in perfection.   http://www.jazzloft.com/p-46675-a-new-voice-in-jazz.aspx

Personnel:  Kitty White (vocals); Georgie Auld, Ted Nash (tenor sax, flute); Harry Sweets Edison (trumpet); Gerald Wiggins (piano); Benny Carter (alto sax); Larry Bunker (vibes, conga); Carlos Vidal (bongo, congas); Alvin Stoller (drums); Red Callender (bass)

A New Voice In Jazz

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John Jorgenson - After You've Gone

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 40:21
Size: 92.4 MB
Styles: Progressive bluegrass, Swing
Year: 1988/1992
Art: Front

[3:32] 1. You're Nobodys Sweetheart Now
[3:56] 2. Mabel
[5:44] 3. Mirror In Blue
[2:34] 4. Red Shoelaces
[4:53] 5. I've Found A New Baby
[3:20] 6. Crazy 'nout My Baby
[3:48] 7. Oh Baby!
[3:27] 8. Don' The Uptwon Lowdown
[4:46] 9. After You've Gone
[4:16] 10. Dr. Jazz

This release is a blend of the Django Reinhardt-Stephane Grappelli quintet of the Hot Club of France and David Grisman's Dawg music, the latter being no surprise since Grisman adds his distinctive mandolin to the CD. Jorgenson is a talented guitarist known for his tenure with Chris Hillman's short-lived Desert Rose Band, but he's also right at home with swing era gems like "You're Nobody's Sweetheart Now" and Reinhardt's "Mabel," and his own compositions "Red Shoelaces" and "Mirror In Blue" fit in beautifully. Violinist Daryl Anger, a veteran of Grisman's group and the Turtle Island String Quartet, is also no stranger to classic swing and performs well. Jorgenson's chops on clarinet may be news to some folks but he proves up to the task on a superb take of "I'm Crazy "Bout My Baby." ~Ken Dryden

After You've Gone

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Various Artists - JAZZ IN RIGA, Vol.1

Styles: Jazz
Year: 2023
Time: 101:42
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Size: 233,6 MB
Art: Front

(12:12) 1 Folk Song (Karlis Auzins Trio)
( 8:58) 2 The Concept Of Truth (Karlis Vanags Trio)
( 5:35) 3 The End Is The Beginning (Pauls Pokratnieks Quartet)
( 8:06) 4 Compromise (Liva Dumpe Sextet)
(11:18) 5 The Big Dripper (Alise Golovacka's Orbitrons)
( 6:26) 6 Prayer (M.A.S.A.)
( 6:33) 7 Elvis (Lupa)
( 8:31) 8 Variation 1 (Atis Andersons Organ Trio)
( 7:28) 9 Five Miles High (Mikelis Dzenuska/Uzvaras Bulvaris)
( 7:23) 10 Integration (Vadims Dmitrijevs Quintet)
( 5:48) 11 Medus Bauska (Matiss Cudars Trio)
( 3:46) 12 VI (Vestard Shimkus/Endless Roar)
( 9:31) 13 Hope (Double Yuriy Trio)

In 2017 a boom happened in Latvian and Baltic jazz history with the coming of Jersika Records, an independent jazz and improvised music record label. Since then, the Riga-based label has been delivering top-notch music records each year. Focusing mainly on Latvian musicians and bands with occasionally occurring exceptions such as Estonia-based American trumpeter Jason Hunter or Lithuanian saxophone virtuoso Liudas Mockūnas. Jersika Records has become a warm place for Baltic jazz.

In 2023, Jersika Records released its first various artists' compilation, Live at the M/Darbnīca vol.1: Jazz in Riga: Latvia 2022/2023. Kind of a lengthy title but informative. M/Darbnīca is Riga's famous jazz venue and cultural center where between August 2022 and January 2023 showcases of Latvian jazz musicians and bands took place. That is what this compilation is about. Thirteen acts were recorded for this compilation.

On the album, one catches vibes from post-bop and neo-bop, a blend of spiritual, smooth as well as fusion jazz along with experimental/avant-garde tunes, plus free improvisation and even rearranged folk material. It is all original stuff, played by top Latvian jazz musicians, some of whom team up with their buddies from across the globe, for instance Latvian vocalist and pianist Līva Dumpes' collaboration with Italian guitarist Massimo Imperatore and Amsterdam-based double-bassist Omer Govreen or trombonist Vadims Dmitrijevs' quintet.

The newest compilation opens Latvian jazz and improvised music doors for those who have never ventured into the Baltic region. Live at the M/Darbnīca vol.1 | Jazz in Riga | Latvia 2022/2023 is an eloquent chronicle of the Latvian jazz scene's renaissance. By Vitalijus Gailius
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/live-at-the-m-darbnca-vol1-jazz-in-riga-latvia-2022-2023-various-artists-jersika-records

JAZZ IN RIGA, Vol.1

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Flamenco Passion - A Tribute to Paco de Lucia

Styles: Contemporary Latin
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:51
Size: 96,1 MB
Art: Front

(6:12) 1. Candela (Feat. Mikkel Nordsø, Bjarke Falgren & Mathias Heise)
(8:01) 2. Navegando En El Aire #2 (Feat. Mikkel Nordsø, Bjarke Falgren & Mathias Heise)
(7:20) 3. Gambas Al Ajillo (Feat. Mikkel Nordsø, Bjarke Falgren & Mathias Heise)
(6:46) 4. Palenque (Feat. Mikkel Nordsø, Bjarke Falgren & Mathias Heise)
(6:38) 5. Camelia (Feat. Mikkel Nordsø, Bjarke Falgren & Mathias Heise)
(6:51) 6. Sale El Sol (Feat. Mikkel Nordsø, Bjarke Falgren & Mathias Heise)

The Danish ensemble Flamenco Passion joins forces with three world-class soloists – the master guitarist Mikkel Nordsø, violinist Bjarke Falgren, and harmonica player Mathias Heise – on their latest album, aptly titled “A Tribute to Paco de Lucia.”

Flamenco Passion is undoubtedly one of Scandinavia’s foremost fusion groups, with guitarist Poul Jacek Knudsen at the helm, accompanied by the talented bassist Nicolai Land and percussionist Anders Pedersen. This remarkable album pays homage to the late flamenco guitar icon, Paco de Lucia, whose influence has resonated deeply with countless flamenco artists and renowned jazz musicians like Chick Corea and George Benson. Within the repertoire presented, you’ll find original Flamenco Passion compositions, a piece by Paco de Lucia himself, and two tracks composed by the exceptional Mikkel Nordsø.

Poul Jacek Knudsen has graced numerous flamenco ensembles, both as a soloist and as an accompanist to vocalists and dancers. He has collaborated with famed Spanish artists such as Lucia Alvarez “La Piñona” and Lakshmi Basile “La Chimi,” as well as his guitar mentor Antonio Jero and the talented singer Juan Murube, who contributes palmas (handclaps) and jaleos (cheerful calls of encouragement) on this extraordinary album.

Mikkel Nordsø, a Danish guitar legend in his own right, not only leads his own band, the Mikkel Nordsø Band but has also had the privilege of playing alongside luminaries such as Palle Mikkelborg, Terri Lyne Carrington, George Duke, David Sanborn, and Lisa Nilsson, among others.

Renowned for his mastery of the violin, Bjarke Falgren is a musical virtuoso. He boasts four Grammy Awards and stands as one of Denmark’s most esteemed and recognized violinists. Throughout his career, Falgren has released 11 albums, contributed to television and theater projects, and collaborated with esteemed musicians like Mads Mathias, Mathias Heise, and Jacob Fischer.

Mathias Heise, hailed as one of the world’s preeminent harmonica players, clinched the title of Chromatic Harmonica World Champion in 2013. His exceptional talent has garnered him prestigious accolades such as The Danish Crown Prince Couple’s Stardust Award and the Ben Webster Prize, where he holds the distinction of being the youngest-ever recipient. Heise has recently had the honor of performing alongside harmonica player Antonio Serrano, who was once part of Paco de Lucia’s renowned ensemble. https://jazzjournal.co.uk/2023/08/28/flamenco-passion-a-tribute-to-paco-de-lucia/

Here’s the lineup for the album: Poul Jacek Knudsen: guitar/handclaps; Mikkel Nordsø: guitar , octave guitar; Bjarke Falgren: violin; Mathias Heise: chromatic harmonica; Nicolai Land: bass; Anders Pedersen: cajón/percussion; Juan Murube: jaleo/handclaps.

A Tribute to Paco de Lucia

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Tim Ray - Fire & Rain

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:07
Size: 172,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:49) 1. Bye-ya (Feat. John Lockwood & Mark Walker)
(6:13) 2. Stolen Moments (Feat. John Lockwood & Mark Walker)
(5:20) 3. No Worries (Feat. John Lockwood & Mark Walker)
(4:23) 4. The Meeting: The Jbug And The Kman (Feat. John Lockwood & Mark Walker)
(5:43) 5. Mojave (Feat. John Lockwood & Mark Walker)
(5:02) 6. Theodore The Thumper (Feat. John Lockwood & Mark Walker)
(9:09) 7. Fire And Rain (Feat. John Lockwood & Mark Walker)
(4:14) 8. Lawns (Feat. John Lockwood & Mark Walker)
(8:27) 9. Moon In The Sea (Feat. John Lockwood & Mark Walker)
(3:55) 10. Improv #1 (For Chick) (Feat. John Lockwood & Mark Walker)
(7:01) 11. Nighttime (Feat. John Lockwood & Mark Walker)
(5:53) 12. The Windup (Feat. John Lockwood & Mark Walker)
(4:52) 13. Fire And Rain (Radio Edit) (Feat. John Lockwood & Mark Walker)

Veteran educator and jazz pianist Tim Ray pays homage to some of his musical heroes with a piano trio album simply entitled Fire & Rain. It features various well-known standards from those who have been a major influence in his career, along with three original tunes added to the mix. Joining the pianist on this new adventure are familiar band mates, bassist John Lockwood and drummer Mark Walker, originally together for a Greg Abate concert and then for the Abate album Motif (Whaling City Sound, 2014). Since then, the group has performed as sidemen as well as a leading band of their own, gaining a reputation as one of the finest trio groups in the business.

Ray writes that the trio format is "one of the great ensemble innovations of the last century," further concluding that "What makes an ensemble of piano, bass and drums so satisfying is the harmonic space...the rhythmic and coloristic focus...and a sonic balance" infused into the music. Who's to argue? All of those elements seem to work out quite well here, resulting in an impressive and dynamic session of music one will revisit often.

One of Ray's musical influences was the legendary Thelonious Monk who he pays tribute to on the opening hard-swinging Monk piece "Bye-Ya," followed by the band's beautiful treatment of Oliver Nelson's oft-recorded standard "Stolen Moments." Antonio Carlos Jobim, another of Ray's heroes, is covered here with a performance of one of his lesser-known compositions "Mojave," which is one of the outstanding tracks of the set.

Other tribute pieces here include the Carla Bley song "Lawns" (actually a Bley tribute to the late pianist Larry Willis), Keith Jarrett's "The Windup" and Oscar Peterson's "Nighttime." The James Taylor title song "Fire & Rain" enjoys two performances here, with a lengthy nine-minutes plus track, and the final track, a radio edit version of less than five minutes duration.

Each player contributes an original tune to the album, with Ray's "No Worries," Walker's "Moon in the Sea," and Lockwood's "The Meeting: The Jbug and the Kman" rounding out the set. Fire & Rain is an exceptional recording by this trio, and goes a long way to not only affirming Ray's feelings about the trio format but also adding to their well-deserved reputation as one of the most formidable jazz trios around.By Edward Blanco
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/fire-and-rain-tim-ray-trio-whaling-city-sound

Fire & Rain

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Ron Bosse - Burning Room Only 2.0 (The Afterburners)

Styles: Guitar, Jazz Fusion
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 23:10
Size: 53,4 MB
Art: Front

(3:42) 1. Bossman (Feat. Randy Brecker, Jeff Lorber & Gary Novak) (The Afterburners)
(4:17) 2. Rumble Strip (Feat. Oz Noy, Jeff Lorber, Jimmy Haslip & Gary Novak) (The Afterburners)
(3:13) 3. Enter The Burn (Feat. Derek Sherinian, Jeff Lorber, Ben Shepherd & Gary Novak) (The Afterburners)
(5:02) 4. Zero-g (Feat. Mike Stern, Bob Mintzer, Ben Shepherd & Gary Novak)
(3:47) 5. Bossman (Feat. Lil' John Roberts, Jeff Lorber, Mononeon & Gary Novak) (The Afterburners V2)
(3:08) 6. Enter The Burn (Feat. Jeff Lorber, Ben Shepherd, Gary Novak & Norwood Pearson)

When jazz fusion guitarist Ron Bosse starts writing music for an album, he keeps writing, winding up with more songs than he can include on the album. That’s what happened with his “Burning Room Only” album that he wrote with Grammy-winning keyboardist and the project’s producer Jeff Lorber, which was issued last November.

The success of the Deep Cat Records album inspired Bosse to release a couple of tunes that were left off the disc that have the same “burning” theme in addition to releasing a few alternate versions of songs from the album featuring prominent and highly esteemed collaborators. By JGT Newsroom
https://jazzguitartoday.com/2023/06/new-release-from-jazz-fusion-guitarist-ron-bosse/

Burning Room Only 2.0 (The Afterburners)

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James Brandon Lewis/Red Lily Quintet - For Mahalia, With Love

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:36
Size: 165,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:00) 1. Sparrow
(9:21) 2. Swing Low
(9:52) 3. Go Down Moses
(8:17) 4. Wade In The Water
(8:52) 5. Calvary
(9:20) 6. Deep River
(9:02) 7. Elijah Rock
(8:35) 8. Were You There
(4:12) 9. Precious Lord

Tenor saxophonist James Brandon Lewis has been establishing himself in various contexts for the last few years, but his main focus lately has been on his Red Lily Quintet. Their first album, Jesup Wagon, (TAO Forms, 2021), was dedicated to African-American scientist, George Washington Carver. On their 2023 release, the group's music focuses on the work of the legendary gospel singer, Mahalia Jackson.

This tribute takes the form of interpretations of familiar spirituals Jackson often sang. The gospel-derived power of Albert Ayler also hovers over this music, most strongly on the opening track, "Sparrow," where Lewis' tenor and Kirk Knuffke's cornet plow into the melody with graceful, unhurried power, responding to each other as Ayler and his trumpeter brother Donald Ayler did in their time.

Other tracks have more involved structures. On "Swing Low," Lewis plays melodies and counter-melodies solo, before giving way to a growling undercurrent laid down by the rhythm section, cellist Chris Hoffman, bassist William Parker, and drummer Chad Taylor. This in turn leads to the horns returning with fiery intensity. "Go Down Moses" has Lewis and Knuffke swirling around each other in soulful dialogue over Parker's relentless walking bass while on "Deep River" the horns sway in jubilant harmonies over cello and bass plucks and thumping drums. Lewis and Knuffke answer each other like exuberant choir soloists in their call-and-response on "Elijah Rock" as the drums explode under them like a congregation shouting "Amen" to a preacher's fiery sermon.

This gorgeous music reaches back to the spiritual jazz legacy of Ayler, John Coltrane, and Pharoah Sanders and reconnects it beautifully to the passion and joy of gospel music as Mahalia Jackson and others performed it. It is a major triumph for James Brandon Lewis and his group.

The first edition of this album contains a bonus example of Lewis' many talents, a second CD presenting his composition for tenor sax and string quartet, "These Are Soulful Days," performed live by Lewis and the Lutoslawski Quartet. This extended piece weaves a blend of folk, spiritual and blues ideas into a rich fabric where Lewis' tenor can either sing placidly or lean in hard as the strings bend and breathe around him. The work reaches a high point in "Movement III" where Lewis wails the spiritual "Wade In The Water" as the quartet backs him with a choppy tango rhythm. It is all further proof of Lewis' marvelous versatility. By Jerome Wilson https://www.allaboutjazz.com/for-mahalia-with-love-james-brandon-lewis-tao-form

Personnel: James Brandon Lewis - Saxophone; Red Lily Quintet (cornetist Kirk Knuffke, cellist Chris Hoffman, bassist William Parker and drummer Chad Taylor)

For Mahalia, With Love

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Júlio Resende - Sons of Revolution

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:02
Size: 98,9 MB
Art: Front

(2:34) 1. Portugal Celebrates with Red Flowers
(2:38) 2. Liberdade Desgarrada
(3:17) 3. Mr. Fado Goes to Africa for the First Time
(4:08) 4. End of Colonial War! No Saudade
(5:03) 5. Mano a Mano - Now We Are Brothers
(4:53) 6. Peace at Last
(4:38) 7. Anagrama - The Retornados Love Two Lands
(3:37) 8. Portugal Dances Another Mariquinhas
(2:30) 9. Improvisation About Traz Outro Amigo Também
(5:26) 10. Fado Poinciana for Ahmad Jamal
(4:14) 11. A Casa Dela Her House

When he was a child, Júlio Resende ruined many of his father's vinyl records, as children at play may unintentionally do. But in due course he became one of the most accomplished pianists of his generation. The proof is his album Filhos da Revolução (Sons of Revolution), on which Resende went back to his father's roots to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1974 Portugese revolution what became known as the Carnation Revolution which overthrew country's right wing, authoritarian, colonialist dictatorship.

"Without the revolution, I wouldn't even exist. My father is from Angola, he emigrated to Portugal after the revolution, and met my mother. The freedom to express myself is one of the dearest things to me, and jazz is the music that enables that the most without any borders or restrictions," says Júlio Resende.

After Da Alma (Clean Feed, 2007), the first title under his own name, Resende recorded Assim Falava Jazzatustra (Clean Feed, 2009) and You Taste Like a Song (Clean Feed, 2011). He followed these albums with two incursions into fado. First, with a tribute to the great Portuguese singer Amália Rodrigues, Amália by Júlio Resende (Valentim de Carvalho, 2013), and Fado & Further (Valentim de Carvalho, 2015). The versatility of the pianist was demonstrated with two very different musical explorations: first, into poetry, Poesia Homónima (Valentim de Carvalho, 2016), and then with electronic music, Cinderella Cyborg (Sony Music, 2018). A further visit to fado music was Fado Jazz Ensemble (Sony Music, 2020).

To fully understand the new album, one needs to go back to 2007 and to Resende's first record under his own name. The song was called "Filhos da Revolução" (sons of revolution). The pianist showed his fusion skills: mixing tradicional Portuguese and African music, fado and jazz.

'Filhos da Revolução' was already an exploration of what it means to be Portuguese and what being a musician in Portugal means, linked to all Portuguese-speaking African countries and to all of this history, a combination of what was once, before war, and became what was more important to me, which is solidarity between people," says Resende. "The music refers to a certain moment in the history of the revolution, before or after, and tries to inspire improvisation from that spot. All themes are a starting point for a musical dialogue based on these ideas."

The presence of fado is well marked by the unique sound of the Portuguese guitar of Bruno Chaveiro (a regular with fado stars Carminho and Ana Moura) who joins Resende in a duet on the first two tracks, "Portugal Celebrates with Red Flowers" inspired on the classic fado "A Rosinha dos Limões" and "Liberdade Desgarrada."

The other two members of the quartet, André Rosinha (double bass) and Alexandre Frazão (drums and percussion) appear for the first time only in the third song, when the record turns to Africa, with "Mr Fado Goes To Africa For The First Time," followed by "End of Colonial War! No Saudade."

The sound of Bruno Chaveiro's guitar strings shines again on "Mano a Mano Now We Are Brothers" and "Peace at Last." The celebration of the union of those two "worlds" drove Júlio Resende to write "Anagrama The Retornados Love Two Lands."

"Portugal Dances Another Mariquinhas" is inspired by the popular fado "Casa da Mariquinhas," that was performed by big names like Alfredo Marceneiro or Amália Rodrigues. Other pre-revolution inspiration came from José Afonso's "Traz Outro Amigo Também" (1970), which lead to a brilliant "Improvisation About Traz Outro Amigo Também"

Resende also brought the fado to the jazz, with a magnificient version of "Poinciana," a creation by one of his idols, Ahmad Jamal. "'Fado Poinciana' is a song dedicated to Jamal, who passed away in 2023 and who was very inspiring for all pianists on the jazz scene. "This is a celebration and a tribute to the most famous song he played," says Resende. "What I wanted was to give a very personal and fado-like touch to something that didn't seem to have fado within it; but it does. Above all, the love that Ahmad Jamal gave us with his inspired music, full of silence, has a lot of freedom (jazz) and beauty within (fado)."

The final track is a ballad, dedicated to the singer-songwriters of the 1960s and '70s, and is the only vocal track, sung by Salvador Sobral (winner of the 2017 Eurovision Song Festival) with lyrics by João Monge.

The Carnation Revolution established democracy in Portugal and put an end to the colonial wars. After that day, Charlie Haden, who played at the 1971 Cascais Jazz Festival and dedicated "Song for Che" to the African freedom movements, was again welcomed to Portugal. Fifty years later, there is no better way to pay tribute to the Revolution, than an exciting and emotional album, presented in a global, modern jazz language.By Pedro Keul
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/sons-of-revolution-julio-resende-act-music

Personnel: Julio Resende - piano; Bruno Chaveiro - guitar, acoustic; André Rosinha - bass; Alexandre Frazão - drums

Sons of Revolution

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Shuteen Erdenebaatar - Rising Sun

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:13
Size: 110,8 MB
Art: Front

(6:21) 1. In a Time Warp
(5:34) 2. Ups and Downs
(3:08) 3. Summer Haze
(5:25) 4. Olden Days
(6:39) 5. An Answer from a Distant Hill
(5:53) 6. Rising Sun
(7:28) 7. Saudade
(7:41) 8. I'm Glad I Got To Know You

It is most invigorating and affirming to stand witness to new talent. New givers of themselves despite the cold, gale-force headwinds that rise up against most, if not all, artistic endeavors. Fortunately, Rising Sun, the more than mature and compelling Motema Music debut of pianist/composer Shuteen Erdenebaatar and her award-winning quartet, is one of those statements.

Let loose with three henchmen just as inquisitive and intent on making their stand: Erdenebaatar's second voice and foil Anton Mangold on-saxophones, flutes; controlled yet escapist at heart bassist Nils Kugelmann; and the muscular cadences of drummer Valentin Renner catch youthful fire and burn wildly through Erdenebaatar's eight substantive compositions.

The opening, "In A Time Warp," serves as Exhibit A. Symmetrical in design, the interplay between Kugelmann and Renner is not only a grand harbinger for Rising Sun but hopefully the music to come in the near and far future. Where Mangold takes the tune for its last two minutes is a thing of beauty. It is also the sound of someone ahead of his years, burning through concepts and conceits wantonly and joyfully.

Erdenebaatar, who wraps the world sounds of her native Mongolia and home base of Munich into a durable neo-classical whole, works and wrestles alongside Mangold on the thrill-a-minute "Ups and Downs." Propelled forward by Renner's boundless energy, the track moves with a fever pitch. Taking the whirlwind down a notch, the autumnal "Summer Haze" brings the pianist's confident playing and compositional style to the forefront. On the reflective "Olden Days," Mangold and Erdenebaatar duet like an old couple recounting the magic and mishap of their long lives together.

On flute, Mangold dances around Renner and Kugelmann's tightly wound, free form while the pianist injects a ruminative theme and highly contagious comping on "An Answer From A Distant Hill." Balancing perfectly the quartet's many leanings, it is the natural epilogue to the title track. Bluesy, exotic, and full of vigor, each player takes their thematic cue from a collective understanding that they're on to something bigger than themselves.
By Mike Jurkovic https://www.allaboutjazz.com/rising-sun-shuteen-erdenebaatar-motema-music

Personnel: Shuteen Erdenebaatar - piano; Nils Kugelmann - bass, acoustic; Valentin Renner - drums; Anton Mangold - saxophone, alto

Rising Sun

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Esther Phillips - Black Eyed Blues

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 33:52
Size: 77.5 MB
Styles: Soul/Blues/R&B
Year: 1973/2012
Art: Front

[5:30] 1. Justified
[3:29] 2. I've Only Known A Stranger
[6:41] 3. I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good
[6:09] 4. Black-Eyed Blues
[4:34] 5. Too Many Roads
[7:27] 6. You Could Have Had Me, Baby

Alto Saxophone – Jerry Dodgion, Pee Wee Ellis; Backing Vocals – Carl Carldwell, Joshie Armstead, Lani Groves, Tasha Thomas; Baritone Saxophone – Pepper Adams; Bass – Boz, Ron Carter; Cello – Alan Shulman, Anthony Sophos; Drums – Ian Wallace; Guitar – Charlie Brown; Percussion – Arthur Jenkins; Piano – Tim Hinkley; Trumpet – Jon Faddis, Marvin Stamm; Viola – Alfred Brown, Emanuel Vardi; Violin – David Nadien, Emanuel Green, Gene Orloff, Harold Kohon, Harry Lookofsky, Irving Spice, Joe Malin, Max Ellen. Recorded at Van Gelder Studios. Recorded July, 1973.

This was the third album that Esther cut for Creed Taylor's CTI album. It marked a change from the previous two in that the string arrangements were undertaken for the first time with this artist, by Bob James; it's a subtle but very important change. Secondly the material stretches out from the straight-ahead R&B to embrace a range of varying styles. This being the case, the album is not as 'immediate' as the previous two, but is just as satisfying when it yields all its nuances. My favourite tracks are her reading of Bill Wither's "Justified" which is a great version.There's a particularly sensual and burning version of "I've only known a stranger" and a straight ahead jazz version of Leonard Feather's "You could have had me baby".While I'm writing about it I should also mention the title track, which is a Joe Cocker track given a particularly good makeover. That's four out of the seven tracks mentioned already, so when you consider that there's a bonus unreleased track as well out of the remaining three,it makes you realise what good value it is. Add in an excellent set of sleeve notes, and this is another 'must have' Esther Phillips album! ~Dr.D.Treharne

Black Eyed Blues

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Greg Lamy & Flavio Boltro - Letting Go

Styles: Guitar And Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:15
Size: 123,0 MB
Art: Front

(4:05) 1. Bridge House
(5:21) 2. Coccinelle
(6:11) 3. Alba Marina
(4:51) 4. Let's Fly
(6:58) 5. My Dearest (For Camille, Part Ii)
(7:01) 6. Onirica
(4:50) 7. Enfin
(4:46) 8. Daddy & Daughter
(3:15) 9. Ikb 3
(5:54) 10. Chi Tene O'mare

After Bojan Z on “Observe the silence”, guitarist Greg Lamy continues his collaborations and presents a new album with trumpeter Flavio Boltro: since the beginning of the 90s, the Piedmontese has established himself as one of the key blowers on the European scene. He has been part of Michel Petrucciani’s sextet, Michel Portal’s quintet and Stefano di Battista’s quintet, among others.

For “Letting Go”, Flavio Boltro is fully involved in the conception of the album. With the trumpeter, Greg Lamy found a complicity that he had the opportunity to deepen during numerous concerts in Europe before considering a recording. “I knew we would meet in the studio,” says Flavio. This need to refine the automatisms and to live the emotions on stage is felt in the cohesion and spontaneity of the group. The group’s compositions are also shared: six by the guitarist, three by the trumpeter and one piece (chosen by Flavio Boltro), a composition by Pino Daniele, “Chi Tene O’Mare”, a title that reflects the ecological concerns of the moment.

“Letting Go” marks a clear evolution in the guitarist’s playing, which is distinguished by the care taken in the colours, in the play with space, in an increasingly refined sound, and the lightness of an accompaniment that avoids overload. Above all, the whole thing is designed to put the partner’s listening skills to the fore. An album of bewitching spontaneity all the themes are first takes! and a natural fluidity at all times.https://www.greglamy.com/album/letting-go/

Personnel: Greg Lamy – guitare; Flavio Boltro – trompette; Gautier Laurent – basse; Jean-Marc Robin – batterie

Letting Go

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Elina Duni - A Time to Remember

Styles: Voice, Jazz Contemporary
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:32
Size: 123,6 MB
Art: Front

(4:19) 1. Évasion
(4:39) 2. Hape Derën
(5:10) 3. A Time To Remember
(5:52) 4. Whispers Of Water
(4:10) 5. E Vogël
(2:11) 6. Dawn
(5:25) 7. First Song
(3:57) 8. Mora Testinë
(4:29) 9. Send In The Clowns
(4:21) 10. Mallëngjimi
(5:14) 11. Sunderland
(3:39) 12. I'll Be Seeing You

Someone once described Leonard Cohen's music as "uplifting in a peculiarly depressing way." The music of singer Elina Duni and guitarist Rob Luft is not depressing, though it certainly is uplifting. It is, however, full of tristesse, of sadness for things that are lost, be they people or places. This feeling goes deeper than mere nostalgia.

Listening to A Time To Remember and its predecessors, Duni and Luft's Lost Ships (ECM, 2020) and Duni's Partir (ECM, 2018), is at times rather like watching the final parting of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman's characters in Casablanca with a headful of mescalin. It is a heartbreaking experience, but it is so charged, and the artists' performances so immaculate, that the desire to experience it again is strong. Next time, however, one will, as it were, be on guard. Duni and Luft spoke about this aspect of their music, and its impact on audiences, in an interview they gave to AAJ in 2020.

Duni is of Albanian-Swiss heritage, and Luft is British, and they share an internationalist outlook and an empathy with victims of nationalism and authoritarianism, plagues that have viciously impacted on Europe and the Middle East since the turn of the millennium. Exile, loss and separation are recurring themes in the duo's songwriting. Like the earlier albums, A Time To Remember is a quietly powerful album (the YouTube clip below is indicative). It is performed by the same quartet as on Lost Ships Duni on vocals, Luft on guitars, Matthieu Michel on flugelhorn and Fred Thomas on piano and drums.

The material, once again, is a mixture of traditional Balkan songs and Duni and Luft originals. There are also three covers, of Charlie Haden and Abbey Lincoln's "First Song," Stephen Sondheim's "Send In The Clowns" and Sammy Fain and Irving Kahal's "I'll Be Seeing You." The twelve songs are sung in Balkan languages, French and English and fortunately, for these are lyrics which merit comprehension, the liner booklet gives English translations of them all.

It would be unfair to pick out any particular tracks for special praise. They are all marvellous. But mention has to be made of "Send In The Clowns." It is as affecting as the version of Charles Azvanour's "Hier Encore" which closed Lost Ships and which, Duni and Luft relate in the aforementioned interview, when they use it as an encore in Francophone countries, invariably has some people leaving the auditorium weeping. Be prepared.By Chris May
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/a-time-to-remember-elina-duni-ecm-records

Personnel: Voice – Elina Duni; Flugelhorn – Matthieu Michel; Guitar – Rob Luft; Piano, Drums – Fred Thomas (3)

A Time to Remember

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Javier Nero Jazz Orchestra - Kemet (The Black Land)

Styles: Trombone Jazz
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:25
Size: 164,0 MB
Art: Front

( 9:35) 1. The Blues Reincarnated
( 8:15) 2. Time
( 4:13) 3. Reflections On The Dark, Tranquil Water
( 8:04) 4. Discord
( 7:25) 5. Nostalgic Haiku
( 5:16) 6. Just Let Go
(10:34) 7. Kemet (The Black Land)
( 5:42) 8. One Day
(12:18) 9. Jam #3 (In C# Major)

On Kemet (The Black Land), trombonist/composer Javier Nero pays homage to a highly advanced African civilization that flourished before the Egyptian kingdom was established and thousands of years before the Greek and Roman empires that are hailed today as the pillars of modern/western culture. Even though Kemet is all but forgotten in 2023, Nero (whose name in Italian literally means "black") says that scholars from surrounding societies including the Greeks were once sent there to study the arts, sciences, literature, government and philosophy. To Nero, Kemet "represents the beauty humanity is capable of through the free and uninhibited exchange of ideas and information" sentiments he endeavors to express musically through nine of his multicolored compositions.

"Kemet," a vibrant salute to the once-trailblazing land, is the album's centerpiece, showcasing superb work by the ensemble, a wordless vocal by Nero and Christie Dashiell , an admirable trombone solo by Nero, and others to match by pianist Josh Richman and guest trumpeter Sean Jones. Nero plumbs the roots of jazz for the bracing opener, "The Blues Reincarnated" (news of whose demise escaped notice here) before focusing on "Time," making sure that each moment passes as pleasantly as possible thanks to a captivating arrangement and persuasive solos by Jones, soprano saxophonist Daniel Andrews and drummer Kyle Swan.

The enticing "Reflections on the Dark, Tranquil Water" (nice piano intro by Richman) includes the first of the session's five vocals, this one wordless, a samba-like midsection and inspired solos by Richman and Nero, while "Discord," which follows, is a melodious charmer that drops anchor about as far from disharmony as one could imagine. Dashiell sings on this one while Jones, Nero and Richman solo. "Nostalgic Haiku" is yet another even-tempered winner, using a quasi-Latin beat to underscore perceptive solos by Nero and guests Randy Brecker (trumpet) and Warren Wolf (vibraphone).

Nero, an award-winning trombone soloist, does the honors on the handsome ballad "Just Let Go," which precedes "Kemet" and another vocal, by Nero and Dashiell, on the gospel-tinged "One Day" whose astute solos are by flutist Ben Bokor and an unnamed trumpeter. Although soloists aren't listed, many are readily identifiable, as they are the orchestra's guest artists, while Nero (presumably) takes every trombone solo. The energetic finale, "Jam #3 (in C# Major"), is the longest track on the album, clocking in at more than twelve minutes, but none of that time is wasted, thanks to Nero's splendid chart and sharp solos by the leader and guests Jones and Tim Green (alto sax). While Nero's composing voice is strong, it is clear that he has listened to and learned from a number of well-known writers the names Charles Mingus, Bob Brookmeyer and Maria Schneider spring to mind and has used that knowledge to good advantage on Kemet.

When not writing, Nero spends most days in the trombone section of the Army Blues, the premer jazz ensemble of the U.S. Army, so it is hardly surprising to see that almost every member of his splendid Jazz Orchestra is also a member of the Army Blues. That is all that need be said about quality control. Given a band of that caliber, and Nero's superlative compositions and arrangements, there is simply no way that Kemet could be less than persuasive. By Jack Bowers
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/kemet-the-black-land-javier-nero-jazz-orchestra-outside-in-music

Kemet (The Black Land)

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Costel Nitescu - Entre amis

Styles: Violin
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:08
Size: 90,8 MB
Art: Front

(2:58) 1. Fast Heart Beating
(3:18) 2. Barbu Lautaru
(4:55) 3. Just One Of Those Things
(3:53) 4. The Nearness Of You
(3:09) 5. Black Nile
(6:10) 6. Oblivion
(3:28) 7. S'wonderfull
(5:02) 8. Someone To Watch Over Me
(3:45) 9. You Took Advantage Of Me
(5:48) 10. You Must Believe In Spring

The title of the opus is in no way misleading. And it was "in friends" that this album was forged. It is both the musicians who accompany the violinist and the composers of the songs with whom the artist has forged very strong ties since the time he interprets them with his instrument. He is accompanied here by Hugo Guezbar on guitar, William Brunard on double bass and cello, and with guests his special guests, bassist Dominique Di Piazza and Vincent Frade on drums. To stay with friends.

The performed composers were Cole Porter, Hoagy Carmichael, Wayne Shorter, and the first track of the album, Fast Heart Beating, was composed by the violinist. The filiation continues since Stéphane Grappelli, to whom the musician has already paid a vibrant tribute. And we must recognize that Costel Nitescu is unquestionably one of the very best gypsy jazz violinists in the world, with a fearsome sense of swing and charisma and that make all those who play with him become his friends.

For me, it is also an opportunity to present the label To Become Music, an independent label born in 2023 and with which we will have to count for the music that is swinging. And since we're friends, here's a great 10-track album that makes the difference. All the difference.
https://www.paris-move.com/reviews/costel-nitescu-entre-amis/

Entre amis

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Davy Mooney - Way Back

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:27
Size: 137,1 MB
Art: Front

(5:54) 1. The Ancient Song
(6:13) 2. Way Back
(6:08) 3. Bachian
(7:18) 4. In This Position
(4:57) 5. Meaning In A Streetlight
(6:50) 6. Wintry Mix
(5:07) 7. Liz
(6:25) 8. Doom Scroll
(5:36) 9. La Bruja
(4:54) 10. Checkup

One of the most valuable gifts of travel is to gain the friendship of those you meet from other cultures. For a musician, this is fundamental in widening a net of collaborators and musical inspiration. The recent pandemic shut down the populace's normal travel patterns, disrupting these exchanges.

On his new recording, Way Back, guitarist Davy Mooney celebrates the return of international travel and his renewed musical partnership with his collaborators in Brazil.Jazz is a language that is spoken all over the world. Speaking it is a way for Davy Mooney to find a connection in other places and with other people. Traveling back to his second home in Brazil, Mooney has recorded a fantastic album of unique original music on Way Back.https://www.amazon.ca/Way-Back-Davy-Mooney/dp/B0C1KQ5CLZ

Personnel: Davy Mooney - guitar, vocals (5); John Ellis - tenor saxophone, bass clarinet (1, 3, 6, 8, 9); Felipe Silveira - piano; Thiago Alves - bass; Paulinho Vicente - drums

Way Back

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