Didier Lockwood - Out Of The Blue

Styles: Violin Jazz
Year: 1985
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:54
Size: 87,6 MB
Art: Front

(4:31)  1. Legs
(6:23)  2. Cello Britten
(2:57)  3. Martinique
(3:12)  4. I Can't Tell You To Begin
(4:20)  5. November Song
(3:55)  6. Out Of The Blue
(6:49)  7. Round About Midnight
(5:43)  8. B. Train Blues

Violinist Didier Lockwood showed great potential when he first arrived on the scene, but despite some good sessions, he has not yet become the pacesetter one originally expected. 

This is one of his better recordings, a quartet outing with pianist Gordon Beck, bassist Cecil McBee and drummer Billy Hart. Other than "'Round Midnight" and an obscurity, all of the music is by either Lockwood or Beck, although much of it is fairly straight-ahead (as opposed to Lockwood's earlier fusion-oriented dates) Worth searching for. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/out-of-the-blue-mw0000188326

Personnel: Didier Lockwood - violin; Gordon Beck - guitar; Cecil McBee - bass; Billy Hart - drums

Out Of The Blue

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Arnett Cobb - Funky Butt

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:44
Size: 136.7 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 1980/2014
Art: Front

[4:30] 1. Jumpin' At The Woodside
[5:53] 2. Satin Doll
[4:06] 3. Georgia On My Mind
[5:46] 4. Funky Butt
[6:22] 5. I Got Rhythm
[5:50] 6. September In The Rain
[6:07] 7. Isfahan
[4:43] 8. Radium Springs Swings
[4:25] 9. Jumpin' At The Woodside [take 1]
[7:23] 10. Funky Butt Blues [take 1]
[4:33] 11. I Got Rhythm [take 2]

Arnett Cobb, a tenor from the 1940s who (like Illinois Jacquet) fused together some of the most exciting aspects of swing and early R&B, is in typically exuberant form on this quartet set with pianist Derek Smith, bassist Ray Drummond and drummer Ronnie Bedford. Cobb is warm on the ballads but the stomps (particularly "Jumpin' at the Woodside" and "I Got Rhythm") are what make this record most memorable. ~Scott Yanow

Funky Butt

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Tubby Hayes - No Blues – The Complete Hopbine ‘65

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2023
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 95:41
Size: 219,5 MB
Art: Front

(17:42) 1. Night And Day
( 9:22) 2. It Never Entered My Mind
( 9:19) 3. I Remember You
(15:15) 4. On Green Dolphin Street
(19:39) 5. No Blues
( 5:15) 6. What's New?
(19:08) 7. Have You Met Miss Jones?

"Who the fuck are you?" said Tubby Hayes, encountering Ron Mathewson on the bandstand of London's Hopbine club an hour or so before the start of the gig which this album chronicles. "I'm the bassist," said just turned twenty-one year old Mathewson, who had been booked to deputise for the Hopbine's regular bassist that night.

"Well, we'll see about that, won't we?" said Hayes.

So began a relationship in which Mathewson later became a permament member of Hayes' quartet and the bassist in all of his bands, large and small, up until Hayes passed in 1973.

The full story is told in an interview Mathewson gave, not long before he passed in 2020, to Hayes historian Simon Spillett, the author of the 24-page liner booklet accompanying the 2-CD live album No Blues: The Complete Hopbine '65. It is Mathewson's tape archive which we have to thank for this, the first complete recording of the gig, which has previously been released in bits and always with poor audio. Not only is the Jazz In Britain release the first complete recording, it is the only one on which sound restoration has raised the audio to a quality befitting the music.

And the music is superb. Many people consider Hayes to have been at his peak circa 1965, when, as Spillett observes, one hears the inspiration of Hayes' hero John Coltrane mixed in with Hayes' gift for Stan Getz-like balladry. In 1965, too, Hayes was still in good physical shape, before the effects of longterm heroin use kicked in. When he concludes his 44-chorus solo on Miles Davis' "No Blues" there is every suggestion that he could have maintained the energy level for another 44 choruses. There are similarly ecstatic performances of Cole Porter's "Night And Day" and Bronislaw Kaper's "On Green Dolphin Street," on which Hayes' is joined by fellow tenor saxophonist Tommy Whittle, organiser of the one-night-a-week jazz club in the back room of the Hopbine pub. There is balladry as well, with a gutsy exploration of Richard Rodgers' "It Never Entered My Mind."

Once again, John Thurlow and his dedicated team at not-for-profit Jazz In Britain are to be thanked for bringing a chunk of immortal magic back into the public domain.
By Chris May https://www.allaboutjazz.com/no-blues-the-complete-hopbine-65-tubby-hayes-jazz-in-britain

Personnel: Tubby Hayes: saxophone, tenor; Kenny Powell: piano; Ron Mathewson: bass, acoustic; Dick Brennan: drums.

No Blues – The Complete Hopbine‘65

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Jo Harrop - The Path Of A Tear

Styles: Vocal And Trumpet Jazz
Size: 115,8 MB
Time: 49:26
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2024
Art: Front

1. Beautiful fools (4:25)
2. Whiskey or the truth (5:42)
3. A love like this (5:41)
4. Traveling light (4:38)
5. The path of a tear (le chemin d'une larme) (3:10)
6. You'll never be lonely in Soho (4:53)
7. If it wasn't for bad (3:29)
8. Too close to the sun (4:16)
9. Hurt (3:44)
10. Goodbye (5:46)
11. Stay here tonight (3:36)

The Path of a Tear is Durham-born singer and songwriter Jo Harrop's fifth album release on the Lateralize label, which was established in 2018. Harrop's first album was Songs For The Late Hours (Lateralize, 2019), a download-only release on which she and her guitar, piano and bass trio arranged and played a selection of Tin Pan Alley songs, including the Gershwins' "How Long Has This Been Going On," which showcased Harrop's voice well.

Her second album, the first on CD, was Weathering the Storm (Lateralize, 2020) which was jointly credited to Harrop and Jamie McCredie who accompanied her on guitar, giving the music a sound which blurred the boundary between folk and jazz. Again, there were no songs by Harrop or McCredie but the ones they played were rather more modern than those on the previous album, including "Take It With Me" by Tom Waits, "Guilty" by Randy Newman and "If" by David Gates.

Harrop's third album, The Heart Wants (Lateralize, 2021) was a pivot point of her career, as she is credited as a composer of eight of its thirteen tracks, having used the opportunity presented by Covid to work on the album which she had longed to make for years. In addition, a plethora of musicians and singers made the music on the album far richer than on any previous Harrop album. Her fourth album, When Winter Turns To Spring (Lateralize, 2022) was jointly credited to Harrop and pianist and arranger Paul Edis who penned and/or arranged this musical journey through a year's weather.

In several ways, The Path of a Tear differs from Harrop's previous albums. Firstly, the album was recorded at The Village Studios Studio D, Los Angeles, in September 2023, making it the first Harrop album to be recorded outside of the UK. Secondly, it was produced by Larry Klein, who plays bass and has previously produced albums by Joni Mitchell, Madeleine Peyroux and Herbie Hancock among others. He was married to Mitchell for a period in the '80s and '90s. He is also a four-time Grammy winner. Thirdly, no musician from any previous Harrop album plays on the album. All of the musicians here have impressive track records as jazz players.

Of the album's eleven tracks, eight were co-composed by Harrop. The other three are "Travelling Light" by Leonard Cohen, "If It Wasn't For Bad" by Leon Russell, and "Goodbye" by Steve Earle. As is fitting, Harrop's voice dominates the album, rather than the musicians who accompany her. She has the uncommon knack of sounding as if she has experienced every emotion that she sings about. Where The Heart Wants was an album about love and life, as its song titles suggest, The Path of a Tear focuses more on the pain of love; it is a measure of her talent that Harrop conveys the ups and downs of love with equal credibility. Even when she is singing about being hurt, her voice makes beautiful listening. Sure to be one of the year's best.By John Eyles
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-path-of-a-tear-jo-harrop-lateralized

The Path Of A Tear

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Love Suggestions - Piano Night

Styles: Smooth Jazz
Size: 119,5 MB
Time: 52:13
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Art: Front

1. Hey Girl (5:11)
2. Treasure (4:18)
3. Come & Get It (5:26)
4. What Makes You Beautiful (4:37)
5. Feel This Moment (4:24)
6. It Goes Like This (5:02)
7. Turn The Night Up (5:27)
8. Clarity (4:34)
9. See You Again (4:37)
10. Mirrors (4:28)
11. My Kind Of Night (4:07)

Konstantin Klashtorni created this series for lovers to spend nice evenings together. Sax Night is the next to come out, probably this year. This collection is more R&B orientated. The first album of this series Piano Night was released in 2013.

Konstantin comments꞉ “I had in mind just a simple instrumental R&B style with nice melodies on it instead of repetitive, closer to rap melodies, R&B artists use to lay down. Smooth Jazz by itself is an instrumental R&B, but with much more elements of Funk, unlike straight SJ. I eliminate that "Funk" element, and instead I incorporate a nice romantic, melodious approach.″

Keeping that in mind the introducing Hey Girl enjoys with a mellifluous and fluid sound pitching the rhythm through a suburban undertone. Treasure comes with a whirring hum preparing the magic of the song marching to your ears.

Come & Get It shares the title with famous songs. This interpretation of the talking phrase remains unobtrusive supple. What Makes You Beautiful shines with a harmonious flute choir and smooth piano play embedded in silky strings. The ideal love present.

Konstantin has a keen sense for melodies flattering your ears like Feel This Moment. Consistent with the principles of harmony the song achieves its impression. It Goes Like This struts anew Konstantin's prowess featuring an array of great sonic synth sounds. Turn The Night Up is the melody for the moment, when you lead your partner down the path to happiness.

The addictive Clarity wallows gleefully in the synth sounds of the 80's. See You Again has the melodious approach of a soulful love ballad. Sometimes I miss this human component even with such a nice horn arrangement. Ancient cultures describe Mirrors as reflection of the shadow soul. Konstantin brings this darkness to the surface. My Kind Of Night struts along on a sax and synth infused vibe.

Piano Night Love Suggestions is a delightful alternative to Konstantin Klashtorni's own series. This album is created with the loving couple in mind.
http://www.smooth-jazz.de/flashback/LoveSuggestions/PianoNight.htm

Piano Night

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Didier Lockwood - Best of Les Années JMS

Styles: Violin
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 74:12
Size: 171,6 MB
Art: Front

(4:45)  1. Juggling in Central Park
(5:29)  2. Polish
(5:07)  3. Tip Tap
(5:25)  4. Cousin William
(2:57)  5. Martinique
(6:49)  6. Round About Midnight
(5:02)  7. Cote Jardin
(5:43)  8. Le Solo
(5:46)  9. Nuages
(3:59) 10. La Ballade Irlandaise
(4:21) 11. Angelito
(2:32) 12. Lune Froide
(6:11) 13. The Kid
(8:28) 14. Pork Chops - Live
(1:32) 15. Zebulon Dance

Didier Lockwood (born February 11, 1956) is a French jazz violinist. He was born in Calais and studied classical violin and composition at the Calais Conservatory. However, his brother Francis made him receptive to forms of music other than the classical and he quit his studies in 1972. Didier was entranced by the improvisation of Jean-Luc Ponty on Frank Zappa's King Kong album and took up the amplified violin. He joined the progressive rock group Magma, touring and notable featured on their 1975 Live/Hhaï album. Lockwood was also influenced by Polish violinist Zbigniew Seifert and Stéphane Grappelli, whom he joined on tour. 

Didier Lockwood in concert (1992)He has also played with Quebecois fusion group Uzeb on their Absolutely Live album. He is famous for exploring new musical environments and for performing various sound imitations on his amplified violin, such as seagulls or trains. On July 23, 1982, in Montreux, Switzerland, he performed in concert with guitarist Allan Holdsworth, drummer Billy Cobham, bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce, and keyboardist David Sancious. Didier Lockwood created a string instruments improvisation school, CMDL (Centre des Musiques Didier Lockwood), in 2001. He is married to singer Caroline Casadesus Throughout 2006 Didier has been touring with Martin Taylor the Jazz guitarist. In these performances it is noticeable to see that he is very involved in improvisation. https://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/didierlockwood

Best of Les Années JMS

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Pentatonix - Pentatonix (Deluxe Version)

Styles: A cappella,Pop, R&B
Year: 2015
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:06
Size: 125,1 MB
Art: Front

(2:35) 1. Na Na Na
(2:53) 2. Can't Sleep Love
(2:57) 3. Sing
(3:42) 4. Misbehavin'
(3:14) 5. Ref
(2:41) 6. First Things First
(3:43) 7. Rose Gold
(3:14) 8. If I Ever Fall In Love
(2:54) 9. Cracked
(3:11) 10. Water
(2:56) 11. Take Me Home
(3:37) 12. New Year's Day
(4:14) 13. Light In The Hallway
(2:51) 14. Where Are Ü Now
(3:03) 15. Cheerleader
(2:40) 16. Lean On
(3:33) 17. Can't Sleep Love (feat. Tink)

Their sharpness and soul made PTX one of the most popular and well-known a cappella groups outside of The Barden Bellas. The vocal quintet takes a creative leap forward here crafting originals with the same energy, detail, and richness that made their cover songs so beloved. “Sing” and “Na Na Na” show that PTX are pop maestros, creating magic with just voice, handclaps, and beatbox. They float effortlessly between styles “Misbehavin’” takes its cues from doo-wop, “Ref” can fit in with any EDM set, and “First Things First” feels like a lost Timbaland track. To close the album, PTX include their takes on pop hits “Where Are Ü Now,” “Cheerleader,” and “Lean On.”~Editors' Note https://music.apple.com/us/album/pentatonix-deluxe-version/1035387084

Pentatonix (Deluxe Version)

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Bria Skonberg - What It Means

Styles: Vocal And Trumpet Jazz
Size: 127,7 MB
Time: 55:24
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2024
Art: Front

1. Comes Love (4:30)
2. Sweet Pea (3:40)
3. Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans (4:13)
4. The Beat Goes On (6:51)
5. In The House (6:23)
6. Cornet Chop Suey (4:44)
7. Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) (5:27)
8. Days Like This (3:23)
9. Petit Fleur (4:35)
10. Elbow Bump (7:05)
11. Lullabye (Goodnight My Angel) / A Child is Born (4:29)

Trumpeter and vocalist Bria Skonberg says the great joy of music has always been in sharing it. “I love to perform. I love to prepare songs in ways that surprise and delight listeners.” WHAT IT MEANS is Skonberg’s heartfelt homage to the music and traditions of New Orleans. Most of the musicians on the album are from New Orleans; Ben Jaffe on sousaphone, singer Gabrielle Cavassa, trombonist Ethan Santos, Guitarist Don Vappie, drummer Herlin Riley, bassist Grayson Brockamp, and saxophonist Rex Gregory.

One of the most famous songs about the Crescent City is, ‘Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans.’ By shortening the title to WHAT IT MEANS Skonberg transforms it into a broader statement, encouraging her audience to consider what truly matters to them personally.

Not everything on WHAT IT MEANS is from the world of jazz. John Lennon’s ‘Beautiful Boy’ took on new meaning when Skonberg had her first child. There are tunes by Billy Joel, Sonny Bono, and Van Morrison.

Skonberg’s wah wah mute is used to great effect on the 1939 jazz standard ‘Comes Love.’ Aurora Nealand’s soprano saxophone echoes Sidney Bechet, but it’s smoother, without Bechet’s gritty vibrato. Ben Jaffe’s sousaphone evokes New Orleans parade music. The mood shifts with Chris Pattishall’s piano solo, transporting the music to Cuba. Skonberg is mute-less and playing beautiful unison lines with the band, and engaging in an animated call and response with drummer Herlin Riley.

Skonberg’s playing is marked by crisp articulation and a powerful attack, perfectly capturing the spirit of Louis Armstrong’s 1926 recording ‘Cornet Chop Suey.’ Don Vappie’s banjo helps preserve the authentic feel of Armstrong’s Hot Five.

‘In the House’ was one of the original compositions Skonberg wrote for the album, and it’s a beaut. It sounds more hard bop than traditional New Orleans jazz, but It really shows off her trumpet chops. I like the way she switches from playing with a mute, and then not. Pattishall’s melodic piano and the bass work from Grayson Brockamp make this one of the album’s highlights.
I have never liked Sonny Bono’s ‘The Beat Goes On.’ Skonberg is a much better singer, but I thought this is a song that should be left to the ashes of history until I heard her band resurrect this sixties turkey and give it life. Rex Gregory’s tenor saxophone has a lot of fun with the melody. Skonberg’s trumpet playing is a delight. It’s obvious she’s having fun on this album. Ethan Santos’s trombone playing adds a lot to this tune.

Skonberg wanted to record some pop songs from her past that she loved, and I respect that. I don’t have as warm a spot in my heart for some of those pop hits from the past. There is a lot to enjoy on Bria Skonberg’s WHAT IT MEANS. It is a wonderful tribute to the music and the history of New Orleans.By Tim Larsen https://jazzviews.net/bria-skonberg-what-it-means/

Personnel: Bria Skonberg – Trumpet & Vocal; Don Vappie – Guitar, Banjo (track 6); Chris Pattishall – Piano; Grayson Brockamp – Acoustic Bass; Herlin Riley – Drums, Percussion; Aurora Nealand – Soprano Saxophone (track 1); Rex Gregory – Tenor Saxophone, Bass Clarinet (tracks 4,8-10); Ethan Santos – Trombone (tracks 4, 8-10); Ben Jaffe – Sousaphone (tracks 1, 10); Gabrielle Cavassa – Vocal (track 8)

What It Means

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Janey Clewer - Love

Styles: Vocal
Size: 136,7 MB
Time: 58:21
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2012
Art: Front

1. Love (4:34)
2. Fallin' In Love (4:13)
3. Won't Go Back (4:52)
4. Two Shooting Stars (4:19)
5. Can't Let You Go With My Heart (3:43)
6. Impossible (3:40)
7. Call Me Romantic (4:14)
8. God's Perfect Plan (3:52)
9. Only Time Will Tell (3:51)
10. Forever Valentines (4:27)
11. Exposed (4:13)
12. Lovers Are Never Lost (3:36)
13. The Last Words You Said (4:00)
14. If Only For Tonight (4:40)

Love is Janey's latest compilation album, with 4 new releases. The title track, LOVE, features Peter Cetera, Bill and Tamara Champlin, Marc Jordan, Joe Chemay, Jaimee Paul and Janey on vocals; the great musicianship of Vinnie Colaiuta on drums; and Bruce Gaitsch and Tommy Denander on guitars.

The bonus track “If Only For Tonight” is a song to benefit the children of Japan. All proceeds from this song will be donated to the Kids Earth Fund, a worldwide non-profit that benefits children who have been the victims of war, crime and environmental contamination. More specifically, the money raised will benefit the children of Tohoku who were victims of the March 11, 2011 tsunami. http://www.janeyclewermusic.com/love

Love

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Michael Bublé - Love

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2018
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:04
Size: 104,3 MB
Art: Front

(4:03)  1. When I Fall In Love
(3:22)  2. I Only Have Eyes For You
(3:02)  3. Love You Anymore
(3:50)  4. La Vie En Rose (Feat. Cécile McLorin Salvant)
(4:25)  5. My Funny Valentine
(3:17)  6. Such A Night
(3:40)  7. Forever Now
(3:42)  8. Help Me Make It Through The Night (Feat. Loren Allred)
(3:08)  9. Unforgettable
(2:50) 10. When You're Smiling
(3:05) 11. Where Or When
(3:38) 12. When You're Not Here
(2:57) 13. I Get A Kick Out Of You

With his supple vocal chops and nonchalant charisma, Michael Bublé became the preeminent neo-crooner of his generation. Influenced by classic singers such as Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett as well as more modern artists (most notably Harry Connick, Jr.), Bublé can believably sell old-school jazz standards and adult contemporary pop songs alike. Bublé was introduced to the music of the swing era by his grandfather, who filled his ears with the sounds of the Mills Brothers, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and others. As Bublé eagerly absorbed the recordings, he began to realize that he wanted to be a singer and that this style of music, virtually foreign to his own generation, was what he wanted to perform. With his grandfather's assistance, Bublé soon learned a whole catalog of tunes and gained experience and exposure by singing as a guest with several local bands. While still in his teen years, he won the Canadian Youth Talent Search, released several independent albums, and performed in a musical revue titled Swing that traveled across the U.S. It wasn't long before Bublé was introduced to Grammy-winning producer David Foster and signed his first major recording contract with Reprise Records. The two Canadians began work on a major debut album that would incorporate Bublé's aptitude for pop standards into songs that spanned several decades. His self-titled debut was released in early 2003 and featured jazzy takes on old standards like "Fever" and "The Way You Look Tonight," as well as newer classics like Van Morrison's "Moondance" and the Bee Gees' "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart." Further exposure ensued with a world tour and appearances on several television programs like NBC's Today Show, in which he sang a duet with host Katie Couric. He finished off 2003 with an EP of holiday material, Let It Snow, and began 2004 with the live CD/DVD set Come Fly with Me. In 2005, It's Time was a number one hit in Canada, Japan, Italy, and Australia, and made the Top Ten of both the U.K. and U.S. charts. 

Later that year he released the live album Caught in the Act. The holiday-themed album Christmas followed in 2006, with the studio effort Call Me Irresponsible dropping in 2007. Bublé returned in 2009 with the live concert album/DVD Michael Bublé Meets Madison Square Garden, which documented the singer's first-ever performance at the storied New York City venue. The studio effort Crazy Love, featuring duets with Sharon Jones and Ron Sexsmith, followed in October 2009, becoming his third multi-platinum album in the U.S. In 2010, Bublé released the six-song EP Special Delivery, as well as the expanded Crazy Love: Hollywood Edition. The holiday album Christmas appeared in late 2011, featuring duets with Shania Twain, the Puppini Sisters, and Thalía. Within a few weeks of release, the album topped Billboard's Top 200. In 2013, Bublé released the Bob Rock-produced To Be Loved, which featured a mix of standards, most contemporary, along with three Bublé originals. Guest vocalists including Reese Witherspoon and Naturally 7 appeared on the album, which became his fourth consecutive chart-topper in the U.S. and also his fourth Grammy winner. Buoyed by the album's success, he set out on a massive tour, debuting in June of 2013 with ten shows at London's O2 Arena, and playing North America, Europe, Australia, South America, Asia, and Africa over the next two years. In 2015, he began working on new studio material; the resulting album, Nobody But Me, was released the following year. Co-produced by Bublé himself, the album featured the usual smattering of jazz standards as well as a cover of the Beach Boys' "God Only Knows." It also included three new songs co-written by Bublé and a duet with Meghan Trainor, "Someday," written by Trainor and One Direction's Harry Styles.By Aaron Latham https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/love-deluxe-edition/1436702494

Love

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Pentatonix - The Lucky Ones

Styles: A cappella,R&B
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:18
Size: 83,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:26) 1. Happy Now
(3:20) 2. Love Me When I Don't
(3:15) 3. Coffee In Bed
(3:24) 4. Be My Eyes
(2:54) 5. A Little Space
(3:27) 6. Side
(2:47) 7. Bored
(3:55) 8. Exit Signs
(2:57) 9. Never Gonna Cry Again
(3:37) 10. It's Different Now
(3:11) 11. The Lucky Ones

It’s safe to say there was a rise in appreciation for acapella music in the year 2012. Yes, the year of the famous “Cup-Song” from the movie “Pitch Perfect.” That little tune was stuck in everyone’s head thanks to Anna Kendrick, and if you didn’t know how to make the cup motions, someone was eager to teach you. There was another important thing happening in 2012, however. Five acapella singers out of Arlington, Texas, dropped their first official album as ‘Pentatonix’ just a year after winning NBC’s ‘The Sing Off’ and signing with Sony Music. There are five of them, and they’re named after the pentatonic scale an “x” sounded cooler at the end. Not to be overlooked, the group’s sound is incredible. As of 2017, Scott Hoying, Kirsten Maldonado, Matt Sallee, Mitch Grassi, and Kevin Olusola make up Pentatonix. Each singer brings something entirely different to the table, which is why their latest album, “The Lucky Ones” was predictably a great listen. This album felt like nothing short of a jubilant merry-go-round ride in the middle of the park. Let’s say it’s a sunny day, too, because the vibe is just that upbeat and positive. The established pop singers zealously inch toward finding their sound as this is only their second original album. Though they are routinely celebrated for their abstract covers of other hits, it’s a new year. Who are we to question change?

Lyrically, what Etta James would call “a Sunday kind of love” is radiant through songs on the project like “Coffee In Bed,” “Love Me When I Don’t” and “Bored.” There’s a reinforced and naturally pleasant theme of relying on a significant other for comfort. Musically, all three songs have little to no instrumental aid, and each beat is created through beatboxing and/or recorded harmonies. Watching the group’s music video for “Coffee In Bed” was a quick reminder of how extensive and fascinating acapella can be. The video starts with showing the five vocalists in different bedrooms, each with a cup of coffee in hand. They sing a beat that favors “Mr. Sandman” by The Chordettes. Listening to Kevin beatbox will make you forget percussion instruments even exist, and Mitch’s high-pitched runs never fail to excite listeners. The lyrics: “You spend every Saturday morning / Stuck on replay of last night / I won’t take your words as a warning / And I’ll pick you up every time” point towards that theme of being there for your significant other. The camera cut from one singer to the next throughout the music video, and suddenly you see all the layers of the song in one listen as if you were right there in the studio when it was recorded. This emphasis set “Coffee In Bed” apart from the rest of the album.

Of course, no matter what day of the week it is, relationships are often complicated and filled with awkward silences and heated arguments sometimes even a need for space or independence altogether. The sentimental track “It’s Different Now” starts with a soft piano playing as Kirsten Maldonado serenades listeners. The lyrics: “I rewind out conversations / Listen between every line / To relieve my superstition / I only reveal, it’s only a sign” set the tone for the singer’s breakthrough and the rest of the group comes together for the chorus. Their voices in unison paint the picture of the support they have for each other even through robust lyrics of independence, thus preparing listeners for the last track on the album “The Lucky Ones.” This song is all about looking back on the quintet’s progress over their last decade together.

As far as the album’s re-listenability goes, it’s not really timeless. Once again, this is just the beginning of Pentatonix writing and singing their original music. Some of these songs should be played on the radio multiple times, and some are to be enjoyed just once, like a tour of an art museum. Even though the songs are distinct in their production, there wasn’t much variety in their overall sound. A track like “Side” with a slower progression felt like a breath of fresh air after a lot of the same buoyant music. This exhale can be seen as a good thing or a bad thing, depending on the listener. This doesn’t speak to the songs’ quality as much as it does the choice of songs on a project. Nonetheless, it still deserves the attention it’s receiving. The best way to describe Pentatonix is a five-piece jigsaw puzzle. Each piece is carved in a way that is so unique and special, but when connected with the other four, it just makes more sense. “The Lucky Ones” artistry is truly a blessing to even the earliest Pentatonix fans a reminder that the group is still committed to their musical journey and their repertoire.~ Madison Smith https://www.ninertimes.com/arts_and_entertainment/album-review-the-lucky-ones/article_a4f68196-73d2-11eb-b6fa-67b4fc142bf4.html

The Lucky Ones

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George Benson - Dreams Do Come True: When George Benson Meets Robert Farnon

Styles: Vocal And Guitar
Size: 102,4 MB
Time: 44:02
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2024
Art: Front

1. At Last (4:12)
2. A Song For You (3:36)
3. Pretend (3:59)
4. A Long Time Ago (4:32)
5. Love Is Blue (4:16)
6. My Romance (4:07)
7. Autumn Leaves (4:19)
8. Can't We Be Friends (3:01)
9. My Prayer (4:35)
10. Yesterday (4:18)
11. One Goodbye (3:01)

When the best intentions are to put a record release on hold for whatever the cause, occasionally those masters are overlooked and/or lost for an indefinite period of time. Multi Grammy winning and Hollywood Walk of Fame recipient, guitarist/vocalist George Benson, spent over a decade with Warner Bros. Records including his crossover (Pop, R&B and Jazz) classic in 1976, Breezin’, and Dreams Do Come True: When George Benson Meets Robert Farnon, a 1989 project saluting the song standards in various genres through the years. However, the masters on Dreams Do Come True slipped thru the cracks for 35 years before the original recording was finally found.

Now the time is getting closer for an extraordinary collaboration bridging Benson’s jazzy scat and guitar and a richly soulful vocal delivery with Farnon’s orchestral arrangements. The Canadian born Farnon, who passed at age 87 in 2005, arranged for many vocal legends including Tony Bennett and Lena Horne. This updated version of Dreams Do Come True (Rhino/Warner Music) is retouched up with love by Benson’s friend co-producer Randy Waldman. Meanwhile, fans can experience a sneak peak of Benson and Farnon from these long, lost sessions, teaming up on the R&B disco flavored, big band edged “Love is Blue,” the first French single release that hit #1 on the U.S. charts in 1968.
https://news.theurbanmusicscene.com/2024/07/dreams-do-come-true-when-george-benson-meets-robert-farnon/

Dreams Do Come True: When George Benson Meets Robert Farnon

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Alina Bzhezhinska - Inspiration

Styles: Harp Jazz
Size: 124,6 MB
Time: 54:25
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2018
Art: Front

1. Wisdom Eye (2:52)
2. Blue Nile (5:40)
3. Los Caballos (7:49)
4. Spero (2:17)
5. Annoying Semitones (4:33)
6. Winter Moods (4:29)
7. Following a Lovely Sky Boat (4:49)
8. Lemky (8:02)
9. After the Rain (4:48)
10. Journey in Satchidananda (9:03)

Harpist Alina Bzhezhinska was born in the Ukraine and studied art and classical music in Poland and the USA before settling in London. She has performed internationally with many leading orchestras and opera companies and is also an acclaimed tutor of her chosen instrument with teaching posts in London and Glasgow.

The versatile Bzhezhinska has also established a successful career as a jazz harpist and has worked with saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings and vocalist Niki King among others. She has twice recorded with the Stan Getz inspired New Focus ensemble co-led by the Scottish musicians Konrad Wiszniewski (saxophones) and Euan Stevenson (piano).
More...https://www.thejazzmann.com/reviews/review/alina-bzhezhinska-inspiration

Inspiration

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Didier Lockwood - Live In Montreux

Styles: Violin Jazz
Size: 97,4 MB
Time: 42:20
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1980
Art: Front

1. Fast Travel (7:15)
2. Flyin' Kitten (7:42)
3. Ballade De Fees (5:01)
4. Zebulon Dance (3:57)
5. Adgc (5:59)
6. Four Strings Bitch (3:46)
7. Turtle Shuffle (8:36)

Released at the time in Europe by MPS and in the U.S. by the now-defunct Pausa label, the music from violinist Didier Lockwood's 1980 Montreux Jazz Festival set is in both cases out of print. Lockwood, who can play like Stephane Grappelli, here opts for fusion in a sextet that also includes tenor saxophonist Bob Malach and keyboardist Jan Hammer. Lockwood's unaccompanied "Four Strings Bitch" is a highlight of this well-played date.By Scott Yanow
https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-in-montreux-mw0000919790#review

Personnel: Violin – Didier Lockwood; Tenor Saxophone – Bob Malach; Guitar – Marc Perru; Drums – Gerry Brown; Bass Guitar – Bo Stief

Live In Montreux

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Steve Grossman & Harold Land - I'm Confessin'

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1992
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:14
Size: 115,3 MB
Art: Front

(6:27)  1. Vierd Blues
(7:43)  2. Circus
(5:47)  3. I'm Confessin'
(6:22)  4. Sandrow
(8:01)  5. Born to Be Blue
(8:48)  6. Let's Cool One
(7:05)  7. San Francisco Holiday

?I'm Confessin' finds adventurous Chi-town tenor man Steve Grossman pairing up with journeyman jazz legend Harold Land on a muscular set of standards and originals. This a no nonsense but eminently cerebral outing that makes the most of the two leads' knack for inventive, angular, and energetic improvisation. To these ends they dive headlong into the midtempo blues swinger "Vierd Blues," race each other to the finish line on the burning Grossman original "Sandrow," and play it cool on Thelonious Monk's "Let's Cool One"." Individually, they both get a chance to shine with Grossman nailing down the title track and Land holding down the afterglow hours on the ballad "Born to Be Blue"." Joining in the fun are pianist Fred Henke, bassist Reggie Johnson, and drummer Jimmy Cobb. ~ Matt Collar https://www.allmusic.com/album/im-confessin-mw0000747079

Personnel: Steve Grossman (tenor saxophone); Fred Henke (piano); Reggie Johnson (bass instrument); Jimmy Cobb (drums).

I'm Confessin'

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Deborah Dery - Blossom time

Styles: Vocal And Piano Jazz
Size: 106,5 MB
Time: 46:19
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2024
Art: Front

1. Darn that dream (5:32)
2. Sinai (7:58)
3. Devil may care (6:11)
4. Good morning heartache (6:04)
5. Wu-Wei (7:06)
6. Caravan (4:03)
7. Tea for two (3:10)
8. Wu-Wei alternate take (6:11)

Deborah's gentle vocals combined with the jazz violin of Asciano's Number and the virtuoso playing of double bassist Michael Edwards immerse the listener in an atmosphere of calm, tranquility, rest and relaxation.

Personnel: Deborah Dery- vocals, piano, arrangements

Blossom time

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Jo Harrop - Songs For The Late Hours

Styles: Vocal
Size: 80,1 MB
Time: 34:28
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2019
Art: Front

1. You’re not the kind (2:27)
2. More than you know (4:44)
3. You turned the tables on me (3:34)
4. How long has this been going on (3:59)
5. I want a little sugar in my bowl (2:19)
6. Fine & dandy (2:30)
7. Sophisticated lady (5:07)
8. Easy street (3:29)
9. Two for the road (3:15)
10. You taught my heart to sing (3:02)

Lateralize Records are immensely proud to announce the release of The Heart Wants, the much-anticipated first self-penned solo album by Jo Harrop.

Written and recorded over the last year when the world came to a sudden standstill in the wake of the pandemic, The Heart Wants is an album about love and life, about losing and then finding oneself in the silence after the applause has faded away.

Although she has built a reputation as an intuitive interpreter of other people’s songs, Jo Harrop would be the first to admit that she always lacked the confidence to reveal her own songs to the world. With no shows in her diary, she started working on what would eventually turn out to be her first album of original material with producers Hannah Vasanth and Jamie McCredie alongside a guest list of world-class musicians including Christian McBride, Jason Rebello and Troy Miller.

“In an unexpected moment of stillness, when the world came to a sudden stop and confusion, frustration and fear seemed to sweep across the earth, I finally began to work on the album that I had longed to make for many years,” Harrop explains. “Ideas that I had talked over with Hannah and Jamie began to unfold, and emotions that I’d always pushed aside began to spill onto the page.”

From the sublime chamber pop of If I Knew to the Muscle Shoals soul of Hold On,

The Heart Wants will no doubt come as quite a surprise to anyone who thought Jo Harrop was only capable of singing jazz ballads.

“I sent my first lyrics to Paul Edis and we wrote If I Knew, which became the key that unlocked the door to creating this album. ‘The heart wants what the heart wants’ was something that Hannah had said to me late one night after a show, and somehow it just stuck inside my head. Each song is a true story about the dreams and desires, doubts and regrets and trials and tribulations of the human heart.”

Born in Durham and raised on a heady musical diet of Nina Simone, Billie Holiday and Aretha Franklin, Jo Harrop cut her teeth as a session singer, working with a host of iconic artists including Neil Diamond, Rod Stewart and Gloria Gaynor.

After moving to London, she quickly established herself as one of the most unmistakable voices in British jazz. Having signed to London-based jazz label, Lateralize Records, she recently received a raft of rapturous reviews for Weathering The Storm, her debut with guitarist, Jamie McCredie. The Guardian dubbed it ‘a little gem of an album: simple, modest and perfect,’ whilst BBC 6 Music’s Iggy Pop fell in love with her voice, calling her “a very fine jazz singer.”

Beyond the mellifluous perfection of her chocolate and cream voice, there is always a beautifully bruised intimacy at the very heart of Jo Harrop’s music. It’s almost as if she’s staring directly into your soul when she sings. This may only be her second LP, yet she sounds as if she’s already lived a thousand lifetimes.

“When I was a teenager, my dad took me to see Tony Bennett live in Newcastle,” she recalls. “I was so moved and so inspired, I realised that I needed to sing. I wanted to be able to touch people with my music in the same way. The loss of dear loved ones in recent years has opened my heart and given me more reason to sing and to write than ever before, which is why I felt the time was right to record my first album of original songs. I pour all of the sad stuff into my music and it somehow comes out in the way that I sing and write, so it really is a form of catharsis for me.

“These songs feel timeless, but they also reflect where we are here and now, caught up in life’s bittersweet journey. Music has been my whole world for as long as I can remember; it has always had the power to transport me and to move me deep inside, and I want to create the same emotional connection with people who hear my songs.”

The Heart Wants was released through Lateralize Records on Limited Edition heavyweight vinyl and CD on 8th October 2021 with a live launch at London’s Cadogan Hall on 5th November 2021.https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/jo-harrop/

Songs For The Late Hours

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Ruby Braff - I'm Shooting High CD1 And CD2

Album: I'm Shooting High CD1

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Size: 137,8 MB
Time: 59:58
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2000
Art: Front

1. Liza (4:42)
2. Love Walked In (5:04)
3. You Took Advantage of Me (4:23)
4. The Lady Is a Tramp (3:12)
5. Romance in the Dark (6:03)
6. All My Life (5:39)
7. Where Are You? (4:25)
8. Jeepers Creepers (6:24)
9. You've Changed (4:09)
10. Dream Dancing (4:50)
11. Wouldn't It Be Loverly? (5:52)
12. Get Me to the Church on Time (5:09)

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Album: I'm Shooting High CD2

Size: 143,3 MB
Time: 62:22

1. I'm Shooting High (3:21)
2. Trav'lin' Light (3:57)
3. Happy Talk (3:43)
4. Younger Than Springtime (5:01)
5. I'm Crazy 'Bout My Baby (And My Baby's Crazy 'Bout Me) (4:29)
6. My Shining Hour (5:43)
7. Indian Summer (5:49)
8. You're a Sweetheart (4:03)
9. Dickie's Dream/Love Me or Leave Me (4:53)
10. Shoe Shine Boy (6:22)
11. Memories of You (6:04)
12. I Got Rhythm (8:51)

Ruby Braff began his jazz career as an out-of-time traditionalist playing with veteran jazzmen of an earlier age, and rose to establish his own standing as one of the handful of leading artists playing in traditional and mainstream idioms.

He did so on the back of one of the most beautiful instrumental sounds in jazz, a prodigious gift for phrasing melody, and an acute harmonic sense which revealed his awareness of more modernist developments in jazz. Louis Armstrong remained his touchstone and only avowed master, but his playing also reflected the influence of musicians like Bix Beiderbecke and Bobby Hackett. His musical voice, though, was always very much his own.

He was born Reuben Braff in Boston, and was self-taught on his instrument. He said that he wanted to play saxophone, but his father bought him a cornet instead. His trumpet style, which largely eschewed high-note pyrotechnics in favour of a softer exploration of the middle and bottom registers of the instrument, reflected that original love of reed rather than brass sonorities.

He began working in local clubs in the Forties, and was recruited for the band led by the veteran clarinettist Edmond Hall at the Savoy Cafe in Boston in 1949. He made the move to New York in 1953, and was soon in demand for gigs and recording sessions in a traditional and mainstream vein.

His loyalty to traditional jazz at a time when the focus had shifted to more modern styles starved him of work for a time in the Fifties, but he returned to prominence with an All-Star touring band created by pianist and jazz impresario George Wein. Wein remained a loyal backer of the cornetist, and featured him regularly on his international tour and festival circuit.

He worked with major band leaders like Buck Clayton, Benny Goodman and Bud Freeman as a young man, and in turn became something of a musical mentor to a new generation of young mainstream musicians in the Seventies, including saxophonist Scott Hamilton and guitarist Howard Alden.

In the Eighties and Nineties he made a series of recordings for the major mainstream jazz labels Concord Jazz and Arbors, and formed highly-regarded duo partnerships with pianists like Mel Powell, Ralph Sutton, Dick Hyman, Ellis Larkins and Roger Kellaway.

Braff worked with singer Tony Bennett for two years from 1971-73, then formed a very popular and artistically successful band with guitarist George Barnes. The relationship ground to a halt in 1975 in characteristic fashion when Braff fell out with his collaborator.

That pattern of alienating those around him was repeated on many occasions. Braff may have made some of the most beautiful music in jazz, but his own character was precisely the opposite. He was notorious for his abrasive and insulting behaviour to other musicians, promoters and even fans, a tendency made all the worse by his failing health over many years (he suffered from emphysema, glaucoma and heart problems).

He was the headline artist at the first Nairn Jazz Festival in northern Scotland in 1990, and his appearance at the 2002 event was to be the last performance of his life. He cancelled a subsequent scheduled concert at the Brecon Jazz Festival in Wales and returned home. He was never fit enough to perform in public again.https://www.allaboutjazz.com/musicians/ruby-braff/

I'm Shooting High CD1, CD2

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Pat Metheny - Dream Box

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Size: 129,5 MB
Time: 56:05
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2023
Art: Front

1. The Waves Are Not The Ocean (5:39)
2. From The Mountains (8:20)
3. Ole & Gard (6:33)
4. Trust Your Angels (5:28)
5. Never Was Love (5:57)
6. I Fall In Love Too Easily (5:08)
7. P.C. of Belgium (5:00)
8. Morning Of The Carnival (6:42)
9. Clouds Can't Change The Sky (7:14)

Guitarist Pat Metheny pushes the boundaries of musical exploration once again with Dream Box, Featuring nine "found tracks" for the quiet electric guitar, this collection showcases Metheny's spontaneous creativity and unique musical vision. During a deep dive into his own musical archives, Metheny unearthed a folder on his laptop's hard drive containing forgotten recordings that surprised even him. As a result, Dream Box takes a departure from his previous works, presenting a blend of compositions that captures the essence of Metheny's artistic ingenuity.

Metheny's discography is a testament to his influence and talent, with 50 recordings and 20 Grammy wins across twelve different categories. From his groundbreaking album New Chautauqua, (ECM, 1979), which redefined instrumental steel-stringed Americana, to his exploration of free-improv in Zero Tolerance for Silence (Geffen Records, 1994) and the innovative use of technology in The Orchestrion Project, (Nonesuch, 2013) Metheny consistently pushes the boundaries of what a solo performer can achieve.

Dream Box follows the path of Metheny's previous solo baritone guitar recordings, One Quiet Night (Warner Bros, 2003) and What's It All About, (Nonesuch, 2011) but with a fresh twist. The album's title holds multiple meanings, symbolizing the jazz slang for a hollow-body guitar while capturing the dream-like quality of Metheny's musical vision. As he explains in the liner notes, the music in Dream Box exists in an elusive state, often discovered apart from any particular intention, resembling the dream logic that is coherent yet hard to pin down.

The album opens with "The Waves Are Not the Ocean," introducing the gentle and introspective nature of the record. Metheny's sparse chords and melodic lines create an intimate atmosphere, drawing the audience into his musical world. "From the Mountains" follows, with its majestic Latin-tinged melody, showcasing Metheny's ability to evoke a wide range of emotions through his compositions. Throughout Dream Box, Metheny displays his mastery of the electric guitar, effortlessly navigating intricate melodies and harmonies. The tracks "Trust Your Angels" and "Ole & Gard" demonstrate his lyrical and expressive playing style, paying homage to his mentors Jim Hall and Charlie Haden.

After the first four original compositions, Dream Box presents two elegantly rendered covers. The first is an inventive interpretation of Russell Vernon Longstreth's (aka Russ Long) lesser-known yacht rock classic, "Never Was Love." Metheny strips away the glossy pop artifice, revealing the intricate bluesy melody's sophisticated nature. The second cover, Sammy Cahn's "I Fall in Love Too Easily," resonates with echoes of pianist Bill Evans' rendition on his album Moon Beams (Riverside Records, 1962). Metheny's delicate use of reverb adds an extra layer of multifold voices as he skillfully navigates the single-string melody, chord changes, and innovative bridges. The album also features Luiz Bonfa's "Morning of the Carnival" ("Manha de Carnival"), a standard that Metheny approaches with fidelity to the original while infusing subtle samba and cumbia rhythms.As Metheny presents the melody, he artfully juxtaposes contrasting melodic voices, culminating in a warm and poignant solo performance. The album concludes with "Clouds Can't Change the Sky," a captivating ballad that showcases Metheny's ability to weave multiple melodic voices and create a rich sonic landscape.

Dream Box emerges as yet another standout achievement in Pat Metheny's solo discography. It showcases his ability to unveil his musical visions and demonstrate his exquisite technique on the electric guitar. The album presents a dream-like musical world, where emotions and melodies intertwine, culminating in a truly immersive sonic experience. By Nenad Georgievski https://www.allaboutjazz.com/dream-box-pat-metheny-bmg

Personnel: Pat Metheny: electric guitar, baritone guitar.

Dream Box

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Chris Flory Quintet - The Chris Flory Quintet Featuring Scott Hamilton

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:42
Size: 141.2 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[6:32] 1. The Lady's In Love With You
[7:26] 2. Girl Talk
[6:02] 3. Hit And Run
[5:14] 4. Born To Be Blue
[7:02] 5. Who Cares
[4:45] 6. After Hours
[4:46] 7. Moonlight In Vermont
[6:43] 8. Happy Feet
[6:03] 9. Isn't It A Lovely Day
[7:03] 10. Perdido

Chris Flory, one of the top straight ahead jazz guitarists of the past 35 years, reunites with legendary saxophonist Scott Hamilton to make a stunningly beautiful small group swing CD. The quintet includes Larry Ham on piano, Lee Hudson on bass, and Chuck Riggs on drums. Flory’s stellar career has included gigs with veteran jazz musicians such as Benny Goodman and Illinois Jacquet as well as singers Maxine Sullivan and Rosemary Clooney.

Chris Flory: guitar; Scott Hamilton: tenor saxophone; Larry Ham: piano; Lee Hudson: bass; Chuck Riggs: drums.

Guitarist Chris Flory was there in the ‘70s as one of the young musicians playing mainstream swing and, as part of that generation, he has kept the legacy of mainstream swing guitar alive while simply playing in his own musical personality. One of the top straight ahead guitarists of the past 35 years, throughout this CD, in this reunion with Scott Hamilton, Chris Flory brings out the best in Scott and vice versa, making this disc one of the high points of their recent careers. ~Scott Yanow

The Chris Flory Quintet Featuring Scott Hamilton

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