Saturday, November 16, 2013

Susannah McCorkle - Hearts And Minds

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 66:08
Size: 151.4 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz, Easy Listening
Year: 2000
Art: Front

[4:25] 1. I Can Dream, Can't I
[4:59] 2. Love Is Here To Stay
[4:39] 3. Love, Look Away
[4:02] 4. My Attorney Bernie
[3:14] 5. For All We Know
[4:19] 6. It Could Happen To You
[5:17] 7. Haunted Heart
[4:05] 8. What Did I Forget
[4:26] 9. Down
[5:29] 10. The Computer Age (In Motion)
[5:47] 11. Evolution
[3:14] 12. Feet Do Your Stuff
[5:26] 13. Do You Miss New York
[3:10] 14. Scars
[3:30] 15. I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire

Susannah McCorkle's 16th release available through Concord begins with "I Can Dream, Can't I" and ends with "I Don't Want ro Set the World on Fire," two highly desirous songs that may reflect the intentions of the dynamic vocalist, but needless to say after 15 successful releases cannot begin to measure the tremendous impact she has had as one of the most expressive singers on the jazz scene since the mid-'70s. McCorkle utilizes two rhythm sections, her longtime musical director/arranger/pianist Allen Farnham, guitarist Paul Meyers, and tenor saxophonist Dick Oatts on straight-ahead, Brazilian-influenced and swing compositions. They span nearly 70 years say a lot about human nature and what people feel and think about. She handles humor on three Dave Frishberg songs, tackles a funny song about depression on "Down," sings of fleeting romance and contemporary relationships on "For All We Know," and "Haunted Heart" and the Ivan Lins song "Evolution." Susannah McCorkle has the remarkable capability to bring rarely heard songs back to life through updated interpretations and 21st century appeal. ~ Paula Edelstein

Recorded at Sound On Sound Studios, New York, New York from March 28-30, 2000.

Susannah McCorkle (vocals); Allen Farnham (arranger, piano); Dick Oatts (tenor saxophone); Paul Meyers (acoustic & electric guitars); Steve Gilmore, Dennis Irwin (bass); Tim Horner, Vanderlei Pereira (drums); Thiago DeMello (percussion).

Hearts And Minds

Charlie Byrd - Blues Sonata

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 40:22
Size: 92.4 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 1962/2001
Art: Front

[6:58] 1. Polonaise For Pour Pietro Ballad In B Minor Scherzo ..
[4:59] 2. Ballad In B Minor
[9:05] 3. Scherzo For An Old Shoe
[5:23] 4. Alexander's Ragtime Band
[4:35] 5. Jordu
[4:49] 6. That Ole Devil Called Love
[4:30] 7. Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart

Though recorded on one day, at standard length for an LP, this is really two albums in one sleeve, showcasing two rather different formats for this highly original guitarist to pursue. "The Blues Sonata" is set up in a pseudo-classical three-movement manner, with a polonaise, ballad, and scherzo, and the liner notes refer to a sonata form of development. Well, sorry, but the classical trappings, if any exist, are worn very lightly by Byrd, his bassist Keter Betts, and drummer Buddy Deppenschmidt. "Polonaise Pour Pietro" t'ain't nothin' the blues, and a very fluid blues workout at that. "Ballade in B Minor" is Chopinesque in melodic influence only, including the brush-stroked improvisation segment, and "Scherzo for an Old Shoe" sets up as a Latinish number, then stays on one chord with an Andalusian strain. On side two, the scene abruptly becomes very urbane as Byrd switches to electric guitar, takes on Barry Harris' comping, bopping piano, and engages in straightforward swinging and balladeering without any textbook definitions getting in the way. "Alexander's Ragtime Band," "Jordu," and "Zing! Went the Strings on My Heart" are the merry swingers, "That Ole Devil Called Love" the relaxed ballad showcase. Whatever you call the music, the whole CD goes down easily and musically. ~ Richard S. Ginell

Recorded at Plaza Sound Studios, New York, New York on October 23, 1961.

Charlie Byrd (acoustic & electric guitars); Barry Harris (piano); Keter Betts (bass); Buddy Deppenschmidt (drums).

Blues Sonata

Indigo Swing - All Aboard!

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 45:32
Size: 104.3 MB
Styles: Swing
Year: 1998
Art: Front

[2:43] 1. The Indigo Swing
[4:01] 2. (Today's The Day) I'm Glad I'm Not Dead
[3:11] 3. How Lucky Can One Guy Be
[3:50] 4. Blue Suit Boogie
[2:58] 5. Baron Plays The Horses
[2:54] 6. That's Where My Money Goes
[2:58] 7. Hot In Harlem
[3:25] 8. Regular Joe
[3:17] 9. What's The Matter Baby
[3:43] 10. Violent Love
[2:11] 11. The Way We Ought To Be
[2:00] 12. Drinkin' It Up
[4:08] 13. So Long!
[4:07] 14. Memory Of You

In the fin-de-siecle dance clubs, Swing is the thing. Indigo Swing is a San Francisco outfit which has been working the neo-swing circuit non-stop. Actually, '90s swing is less a recreation of Artie Shaw-era Big Band music than the proto-R&B jump bands which followed in its wake. On ALL ABOARD!, Indigo Swing mixes originals and obscure "territory" gems ("Hot In Harlem," "Violent Love") in a relaxed yet driving style that does Louis Jordan proud. Special mention should go to William Beatty's fine rockin' piano along with Johnny "The Swing Lover" Boyd's insinuatingly weaselly vocals.

Recorded at Mobius Music Recordings, San Francisco, and Capitol Records, Studio B, Hollywood, California.

Johnny Boyd (vocals); Josh Workman (guitar, background vocals); Baron Shul (tenor & baritone saxophones); William Beatty (piano, background vocals); Vance Ehlers (acoustic bass); "Big Jim" Overton (drums).

All Aboard!

Maud Hixson - Love's Refrain

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:39
Size: 88,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:03)  1. With A Song In My Heart
(4:52)  2. There's Never Been A Day
(2:30)  3. A Ghost Of A Chance
(3:22)  4. Meet Me At No Special Place
(3:38)  5. Bad For Each Other
(4:26)  6. Here's That Rainy Day
(2:47)  7. Remind Me
(3:35)  8. Star Dust
(4:58)  9. Lotus Blossom
(3:23) 10. Lucky To Be Me

"Maud Hixson brings to these songs the casual sophistication they call for, so that they sound like what Ira Gershwin said a lyric should be “everyday conversation that happens to rhyme.” She brings out of them the wit and ingenuity the lyricists and composer used in handling the Tin Pan Alley formulas. She sings these great songs as their songwriters wanted. The song becomes not an occasion to display her gorgeously sultry voice but to inhabit the song and become the character the lyric portrays. As songwriters say, “She reads the lyric.” Her performance (and that of Rick Carlson) understated, sensuous, insouciant shows why such songs are the closest thing America has to a vital classical repertory of song."  ~ Philip Furia, author of The Poets of Tin Pan Alley: A History of America's Great Lyricists and biographies of Irving Berlin, Ira Gershwin, and Johnny Mercer.

"Maud is a wonderful singer. I like her angelic, peaceful way of portraying a song. And she has excellent taste in material. I congratulate her on her stellar CD!" ~ Meredith D’Ambrosio, jazz vocalist, musician, composer, and visual artist.

"Love's Refrain features the singer Maud Hixson, new to me. She has a calm, restrained, sweet delivery, and her enunciation is letter-perfect. Where others of her generation ornament their performances with percussion and horns, she stays out in the open, with only Rick Carlson's empathic piano as her colleague. Her time is good, her voice pleasing. And the standards she has selected are valuable a few surprises amid the monuments of Tin Pan Alley. I have often written snidely of singers who emoted through every song, who took their efforts at top volume, registering high numbers on a Jazz Richter scale. Hixson does neither of these things, and her CD is a pleasure to listen to." ~ Michael Steinman  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/maudhixson2

Love's Refrain

Anita Wardell Quartet - Until The Stars Fade

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2002
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:16
Size: 144,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:01)  1. Get Out Of Town
(8:15)  2. Love For Sale
(8:39)  3. Make Someone Happy
(6:41)  4. Yor Are Looking At Me
(5:55)  5. I Have Never Been In Love Before
(6:52)  6. For All We Know
(5:38)  7. People Will Say We Are In Love
(6:10)  8. With A Song In My Heart
(6:20)  9. Devil May Care
(4:41) 10. My Shining Hour

Anita Wardell is one of England's best-kept secrets, but with talent like hers she won't be a secret for much longer. Possessing a natural swing and scatting ability like Kitty Margolis but with the sensuality of Julie London, Wardell is the complete jazz singer. Her sidemen are extremely gifted soloists in their own rights, and hearing this album should make North American jazz fans with the wherewithal want to hop the next plane to Ronnie Scott's when Wardell's quartet plays there the next time.

Until the Stars Fade contains only standards, but they are all performed with new interpretations that make the tunes sound as fresh as the day they were composed. The latin groove is a particularly nice touch to Bobby Troup's tragically-neglected classic "You're Looking at Me." Nothing short of amazing is the complete reharmonization of Rogers and Hammerstein's "People Will Say We're in Love." In the hands of Wardell and company the tune sounds as though it were composed by Herbie Hancock or McCoy Tyner.

Wardell also knows how to sing a torch song, and her rendition of "For All We Know" is particularly lugubrious and poignant. But when it comes to scatting, Wardell is right up there with Kurt Elling and Mark Murphy. Her performances of "Devil May Care" (most recently recorded by Diana Krall), "I've Never Been in Love Before" and "My Shining Hour" are masterpieces of vocal improvisation. Anita Wardell is an amazing talent whose artistry deserves much wider recognition. Until the Stars Fade is a flawless recording of a great jazz singer at the top of her game. ~ William Grim 
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=10746#.UoJTA-Jc_vs

Personnel: Anita Wardell, voice; Robin Aspland, piano; Jeremy Brown, bass; Gene Caldarazzo, drums; Mark Taylor, drums

Until The Stars Fade

Keith Cooper Quartet - Hot Club & Trad Jazz

Styles: Gypsy Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:20
Size: 85,5 MB
Art: Front

(2:47)  1. Black And White
(2:15)  2. Duchess
(1:59)  3. H.C.Q. Strut
(2:20)  4. Limehouse Blues
(3:25)  5. Nuages
(2:28)  6. Shine
(2:53)  7. Sweet Georgia Brown
(2:54)  8. Swing '39
(1:49)  9. Canary Bank
(2:08) 10. The Continental
(1:47) 11. Lemon Yellow
(1:51) 12. Par 6
(2:05) 13. Roamin' In The Gloamin'
(2:06) 14. Something Tells Me (I'm Into Something Good)
(2:22) 15. When You Were Sweet Sixteen
(2:04) 16. While The Sahara Sleeps

We will appreciate any information on this artist or his album. Please put it in comments. Thank you.


Hot Club & Trad Jazz

Todd Murray - Stardust & Swing

Styles: Easy Listening
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:57
Size: 98,3 MB
Art: Front

(3:24)  1. It Might As Well Be Spring
(3:38)  2. Dream A Little Dream Of Me
(3:41)  3. Moonlight Becomes You
(3:31)  4. Patricia
(3:25)  5. The Girl From Waco
(4:04)  6. If I Ruled The World (with Douglas Sills)
(3:30)  7. Time
(3:16)  8. I Wanna Be Around
(3:05)  9. Stardust
(4:38) 10. I Fall In Love Too Easily
(4:49) 11. Teach Me Tonight (with Marilyn Maye)
(1:48) 12. Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams

(Los Angeles – October 11, 2008) You'll snap and swoon as Todd Murray swings and croons his way through the American songbook. His latest album, “Stardust and Swing,” romances the classics from “Dream a Little Dream of Me” to “I Wanna Be Around” to the stellar “Stardust.” Recorded in Capitol Record’s famed Studio A, “Stardust and Swing” is full of lush brass and string arrangements that bring new meaning to these exciting new renditions of American standards. In addition, Murray offers up a few original pieces as well as duets with guest artists Douglas Sills and the legendary Marilyn Maye. When Murray finished his last album, “When I Sing Low,” he began compiling a list of songs that evoked an emotional response in him. “Every time I heard a song that made me feel good…no matter how many times I have heard it over the years, I wrote it down. Before I knew it, I had more than 50 songs on the list,” says Murray. “I knew then, I would like to begin working on another album.” Before he made his final list, Murray added a few new tunes as well. Murray believes “it’s important to sing and foster new songs. There are songs of today that become the American standards of tomorrow. I don’t believe ‘those were the good old days’ or that everything was better in times gone by.” In addition, the album provided the opportunity for Murray to work with two of his favorite singers Marilyn Maye and Douglas Sills.

Murray says he always admired Marilyn Maye -- particularly her classic swinging tunes like “Get Me to the Church on Time,” “Washington Square,” and “The Lamp Is Low.” “Her singing makes me feel happy….and there is an irreverence in vocal artistry. I was thrilled when she agreed to do a duet with me on the album” explains Murray. As to working with Broadway star, Douglas Sills, Murray asks: “Who wouldn’t want to sing with the best leading man on Broadway?” The only challenge was finding a duet that would highlight both Murray’s deep bass-baritone voice and the expressive, emotional quality of Sills’dramatic bari-tenor voice. According to Murray, it was a real challenge. So rather than consider traditional duets, he reinterpreted “If I Ruled The World” as a duet. His unique arrangement feels as if two people were simply talking to each other about the romantic notion of ruling the world. The result is stunningly simple yet dramatically powerful.

One of the new tunes on the album is the whimsical “Patricia.” Murray wrote the song for his friend,world-renowned chef and writer, Patricia Wells. When Wells asked Murray to sing at her birthday party,he surprised her by writing the song. Murray recalls that she was so overjoyed that her mouth was wide open through the entire song. She now concludes her world-famous cooking classes by playing the song for her students.

Garnering much praise, Murray’s debut CD, “When I Sing Low,” was chosen as one of “Talkin’ Broadway’s” Top Ten Vocal CDs of 2002. His Los Angeles Cinegrill performances were named LA Weekly’s Pick of the Month, and OUT Magazine named him on the “Hot List” for hottest cabaret singer. Murray has performed numerous solo shows, as well as at New York City and Palm Springs Cabaret Conventions at Lincol, and Townhall’s “Broadway By The Years 1935.” In addition, Todd toured for several years as the bass in John Brack’s quartet and soloist in many Zurich based concerts. Murray was part of the first Broadway tour of “The Secret Garden,” starred Off-Broadway in NYGASP’s “The Gondoliers,” and has been seen in several productions at Papermill Playhouse. Most recently, he starred in the leading role in the west coast premiere of the Irving Berlin review “The Melody Lingers On.” His rendition of “Why Not Me” can be heard in Charles Busch’s major movie release “Die Mommy, Die.”

There's no mistaking or forgetting Murray’s smooth baritone voice and heartfelt regard for every lyric. Whether it's ripping through a blazing-hot big band number like his self-penned “The Girl from Waco” or wrapping his golden cords tenderly around “I Fall in Love Too Easily,” Murray knows how to woo and wow an audience and send them away with a swing in their step.  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/toddmurray2

Friday, November 15, 2013

Angela Galuppo - Angela Galuppo

Size: 125,2 MB
Time: 54:25
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Vocal Jazz
Art: Front

01. Tea For Two (4:00)
02. My One And Only Love (5:23)
03. I Only Have Eyes For You (4:48)
04. I Never Dreamed You'd Leave In Summer (4:31)
05. The Very Thought Of You (4:39)
06. Thank You For Being A Friend (3:53)
07. Eleanor Rigby (5:27)
08. The Only One (5:17)
09. S'wonderful (3:12)
10. I Feel For You (5:42)
11. Jesus Etc. (3:28)
12. Make Someone Happy (4:00)

Vocalist, songwriter (and actress) Angela Galuppo's debut recording under her own name (she also heads up Montreal pop/jazz ensemble St. Ange) is nothing short of sensational. What a voice! She makes each note count - drawing inspiration from her early idols, Ella Fitzgerald, Anita O'Day and Sarah Vaughn - but Galuppo's style and phrasing are entirely her own. Backed by a stellar band the recording is beautifully arranged "It's a jazz recording with tunes you wouldn't necessarily associate with jazz." Think Black Keys. Think Prince. "The album as a whole is moody, romantic, tender, intimate, lush and soothing," says Galuppo, "as an artist and a human being, I'm constantly evolving and changing, and learning about myself."

Welcome to the next chapter in the evolution of Angela Galuppo!!

Angela Galuppo

Najee - The Morning After: A Musical Love Journey

Size: 125,7 MB
Time: 54:35
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Smooth Jazz, Sax Jazz
Art: Front

01. Anticipation (0:23)
02. Rendezvous (5:01)
03. San Tropez (5:20)
04. In The Mood To Take It Slow (4:51)
05. Paseo Nuevo (5:41)
06. Champs Elysees (6:44)
07. Mafalala (4:20)
08. Trip To The Moon (5:12)
09. The Morning After (5:37)
10. Shinjuku (In Memory Of George Duke) (3:18)
11. W 72 And Broadway (8:05)

The latest album from Najee is titled The Morning After - A Musical Love Journey. It is filled with music that shows his versatility and it is a gem. He wrote or co-wrote seven of the 11 tracks on the CD. Demonte Posey was the other writer. Najee is the consummate musician as he plays tenor sax, soprano sax and flute on the album flawlessly.

He is backed by some of the best musicians anywhere. In addition to song writing on this project, Demonte Posey also plays keyboards. Bill Sharpe plays bass, Ray Fuller is on guitar, Daniel Powell is on drums, Lee Thornburg is on trumpet and flugelhorn, Nick Lane is on trombone, Brian Bromberg is on bass/acoustic bass and Nick Smith is on piano. The lead vocals are provided by Meli'sa Morgan who really does a splendid job on the romantic song In the Mood To Take It Slow.

Najee pays tribute to the late George Duke with the song Shinjuku. It is a song that brought memories of Japan and other places the two had performed together. Some of the other notable songs include: Rendezvous, SanTropez, Champs Elysees and the bluesy and sultry The Morning After. Najee has worked with some of the best in recorded music including: Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock and Chaka Khan among others. He usually delivers a good product and this album is no exception. The Morning After - A Musical Love Journey may be one of his very best and that is saying a lot.

The Morning After

Count Basie & The Atomic Band - In A Mellotone

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 51:21
Size: 117.6 MB
Styles: Big band
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[5:15] 1. Shiny Stockings
[2:37] 2. H.R.H. (Her Royal Highness)
[2:38] 3. Bag-A-Bones
[6:11] 4. In A Mellow Tone
[9:14] 5. The Midgets
[4:08] 6. Whirlybird
[2:48] 7. Basie Boogie
[6:16] 8. The Deacon
[4:08] 9. Cute
[8:00] 10. Ol' Man River

William ‘Count’ Basie was a man who, in his life time led two magnificent bands. The first began its existence as the Barons of Rhythm in 1935. His former leader, Bennie Moten, had died in that year and, using some of his sidemen. Basie had formed his own band in partnership with altoist Buster Smith.

At first it was a pretty ragged band, but Basie strengthened his line-up and, when the band made its New York recording debut in the following year it boasted such luminaries as trumpeter Buck Clayton, saxophonists Lester Young and Herschel Evans, vocalist Jimmy Rushing and a rhythm team of bassist Walter Page and drummer Jo Jones. They were joined by guitarist Freddie Green and this completed what became known as the All-American Rhythm Section.

Basie continued to lead his own orchestra until January 1950. In the next couple of years he fronted a particularly interesting octet but could not resist the sound of a big band at his back and. in 1952, reformed the orchestra. Miraculously, The Atomic Band was achieved with no loss in swing power: if anything, Basie's phenomenal instrument of a band swung even more than its predecessors.

Recording information: Kongresshaus, Zurich (02/03/1959); Theatre Beaulier, Lausanne (02/03/1959); Kongresshaus, Zurich (02/06/1959); Theatre Beaulier, Lausanne (02/06/1959).

Count Basie (piano); Freddie Green (guitar); Charlie Fowlkes (flute, bass clarinet, baritone saxophone); Frank Wess (flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Marshall Royal (clarinet, alto saxophone); Frank Foster, Billy Mitchell (tenor saxophone); Joe Newman, Snooky Young, Thad Jones, Wendell Culley (trumpet); Henry Coker, Al Grey, Benny Powell (trombone); Sonny Payne (drums).

In A Mellotone

Saskia Bruin - Step Inside Love

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 50:19
Size: 115.2 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[3:56] 1. The Look Of Love
[3:57] 2. And We Will Fly
[4:23] 3. Once I Loved
[3:01] 4. Feel Like Making Love
[3:16] 5. Step Inside Love
[3:47] 6. Wondering
[4:07] 7. You're My Thrill
[3:41] 8. Virginia Moon
[3:32] 9. I Got Lost In His Arms
[4:32] 10. Comes Love
[4:24] 11. Estate
[3:22] 12. Close Your Eyes
[4:15] 13. Carminhos Cruzados

Saskia’s new release includes the talents of Chris Ingham on Piano, Andrew J. Brown on Bass, Russell Morgan on Drums, Colin Watling on Soprano Sax, Phil Brooke and Andy Watson on Guitar and Heinz Hunt on Tenor Sax.

Born in Holland, Saskia Bruin has been living in the UK since 1987. Studying saxophone, jazz voice and jazz piano, she graduated with a music degree in 1995 and since has been active on the East Anglian gig scene. She has also enchanted audiences in California, Switzerland and Holland. Inspired by the seductive latin sounds of Eliane Elias, Bebel Gilberto and the alluring atmosphere of cool jazz, Saskia formed her own quintet in 2004 to play the great 20th century standards from Gershwin to Jobim, and has recently been incorporating her own original material.

Her debut album The Day Is Done, recorded in summer 2005, received a warm reception including Radio 2 airplay (Desmond Carrington BBC Radio 2, David Jacobs BBC Radio 2 and London’s newest radio station 102.2 Smooth FM).

Step Inside Love

Jeff Hamilton - Swing That Music

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 74:23
Size: 170.3 MB
Styles: Swing, Big band
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[4:53] 1. What'll It Be?
[5:11] 2. Ring 'dem Bells
[4:12] 3. Sweet And Lovely
[6:58] 4. No Moon At All
[4:23] 5. What Is This Thing Called Love?
[4:42] 6. Three Little Words
[3:09] 7. The Moon Was Yellow
[5:23] 8. I Double Dare You
[4:23] 9. Corcovado
[3:43] 10. Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
[4:35] 11. I Would Do Anything For You
[4:07] 12. It Don't Mean A Thing
[4:41] 13. Caldonia
[6:17] 14. Tea For Two
[3:37] 15. Our Serenade
[4:03] 16. Swing That Music

How fortunate I am, to play and record with close friends who are also my musical heroes! Dan Barrett, a consummate musician and close friend since our high school years, has always not only inspired me, but encouraged me to honor whatever talent I have, by giving it due self-effort. What better company to keep?. And I could not have had these results without his beautiful lyrical arrangements, and his help running the session. Thank You Dan.

The rest of my "chosen gang" is equally exciting to me. Technically, rhythmically and in imagination, Harry Allen is multi-dimensionally amazing! Randy Reinhart is a true professional, with exciting inspiration and leadership. Bryan Shaw somehow uses both sides of his gray matter with remarkable talent! Recording, and playing at the same time is, to me, like painting a masterpiece while taking dictation! How do you do that!?. Joel Forbes is the acoustic musician that any drummer should beg for. Besides Eddie Erickson's sensitive rhythmic vitality on guitar, I can think of no other musician who is more "a natural." His vocals are, well! just, "right." Dave Frishberg reminds me of a volcano, spewing forth truth, joy, inspiration, and the most valuable, amazing musical surprises! As a piano hobbyist, I hope that one day I will be able to "get out of the way" like Dave does, so that Music can surprise me as well! Rebecca Kilgore captures me with her love and her dedication to this music. She is the rare vocalist who imparts not only the most beautiful melodies, but also her joy in singing them. Oh yeah!and what a voice!

Randy Reinhart (cornet, trombone) ; Bryan Shaw (trumpet); Dan Barrett (trombone, cornet, valve trombone); Harry Allen (tenor sax); Dave Frishberg (piano); Eddie Erickson (guitar, vocals); Joel Forbes (bass); Jeff Hamilton (drums); Rebecca Kilgore (vocals).

Swing That Music 

Tamba Trio - Pure Bossa Nova

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 36:49
Size: 84.3 MB
Styles: Bossa Nova
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[2:18] 1. O Samba Da Minha Terra
[2:51] 2. Moca Flor
[2:18] 3. Consolacao
[2:24] 4. Influencia Do Jazz
[2:25] 5. So Danco O Samba
[3:01] 6. Quem Quiser Encontrar O Amor
[3:49] 7. O Amor Em Paz
[2:07] 8. So Tinha De Ser Com Voce
[3:29] 9. Sonho De Maria
[3:15] 10. Boranda
[1:35] 11. Samba De Uma Nota So
[2:01] 12. Batida Diferente
[2:26] 13. O Amor Que Acabou
[2:41] 14. Mas Que Nada

No one can argue that this collection of cuts by Brazil's Tamba Trio isn't a welcome one. It contains 14 tracks from albums recorded between 1962 and 1964, when the group was riding high in its native country and breaking through in Europe, Japan, and the United States (the latter to a lesser agree). The Tamba Trio featured pianist Luizinho Eça, bassist Bebeto (born Adalberto Castilho), and drummer Helcio Milito, who brought the music of their countrymen to the wide open ears of the world, whose listeners got behind the amazing combination of musicianship and three-part harmony that became this group's trademark. Eça is one of the most innovative pianists his country ever produced. He was schooled in classical music but was also a jazz pianist of astonishing vision, lyricism, and technical acumen. All three men did time singing with others and playing in various groups in Brazil until they began to rearrange the bossa nova for their particularly soulful, sophisticated, and swinging take. This volume assembles cuts from their early albums, especially the singles. There's Dori Caymmi's "O Samba da Minha Terra," Baden Powell and Vinícius de Moraes' "Consolação," and Edú Lobo's "Borandá," as well as tunes by Antonio Carlos Jobim with de Moraes ("Só Danço Samba") and Aloysio de Oliveira ("Só Tinha de Ser Com Você") and Newton Mendonça ("Samba de uma Nota Só"), as well as a young Marcos Valle with the truly classic "Sonho de Maria," written with Paulo Sergio. But it isn't just the tunes, all of which had been -- or would be -- covered by virtually everyone else on the Brazilian scene; it's the deep integration of hardcore swinging jazz, which was more rhythmically intense than what the Americans were doing.

Check the live version of "Só Tihna de Ser Com Você" -- which has its roots in the sounds of both Erroll Garner and Teddy Wilson, and with its extrapolated vocal harmonies (all done in a live setting in front of an audience), with dynamics that shift time signatures in the middle of phrases -- and you get an idea just how wild and new this stuff was, and in many ways remains. It is not a stretch to hear the roots of the less wily experiments of Gilberto Gil or even Valle here, and one can even make links in the chain to the compositional and arrangement methods employed by Os Mutantes early on (despite the music begin radically different). This music is dressed occasionally with flutes or saxophones, but nothing keeps the attention away from the shifting, gently insistent rhythmic invention that is countered by the stretched three-part harmony that keeps itself firmly in the tenor and higher baritone ranges (check "O Amor Em Paz"). The album's final cut is, of course, the biggest single that the band laid down, in Jorge Ben's "Mas Que Nada," with an arrangement they extrapolated on for 1964's "Borandá" by Edú Lobo. One can hear the roots of groups such as Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66 here, but this is more driving, more intoxicating, and -- truth be told -- more elegant without reining its elusive spirit down in an American recording studio. While the recording quality is fine, its transfer isn't perfect here, but that's beside the point. This collection is necessary because it is the only one listeners have.

Universal and its many labels are far more interested in collections and reissues than actual new releases these days, and they should deeply consider releasing the group's actual titles -- including the ones made in the late '60s with a different rhythm section as the Tamba 4, and those wonderfully early electronic samba records made by Eça in the early '70s. This is brilliant work, without a weak cut in the set, but it still only whets the appetite for more Tamba. ~Thom Jurek

Pure Bossa Nova

Helen Theophanous - Amici

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:45
Size: 114,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:18)  1. Dancing On the Ceiling
(5:23)  2. With Every Breath I Take
(5:32)  3. Polka Dots and Moonbeams
(4:49)  4. How Deep Is Your Love
(5:21)  5. The More I See You
(4:20)  6. April in Paris
(5:36)  7. I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance
(4:13)  8. Give Me the Simple Life
(4:13)  9. There's a Lull in My Life
(5:54) 10. My One and Only Love

Following her last sell-out show, Helen returns, this time with acclaimed saxophonist Renato D’Aiello and his quartet with exciting arrangements of jazz standards from their album “Amici”- songs by Jimmy Van Heusen, Rodgers and Hart, Harry Warren, Vernon Duke, Mack Gordon, Cy Coleman the BeeGees and more.. Great songs, a great band and great jazz guaranteed! Helen Theophanous has a background in classical, show and jazz songs, but jazz is her first choice. She has performed with many leading jazz musicians, most recently appearing regularly as featured singer at Ronnie’s Bar with the Renato D’Aiello quartet. An album “Amici” is due to be released this Autumn, with Renato’s inspired arrangements perfectly complementing Helen’s rich tones in songs by Jimmy Van Heusen, Mack Gordon, Cy Coleman ,Guy Wood and many more.

Claire Martin OBE said of Helen  “Stunning……classy…..”.
“Renato is a saxophonist with a passionate and poetic soul. He has all the virtues-a beautiful sense of time and pacing and a technique which effortlessly projects his brilliantly flowing ideas”  Ian Carr, Jazz Writer (Miles Davis Biographer).   http://londonjazz.net/ai1ec_event/helen-theophanous-amici-with-the-renato-daiello-quartet/?instance_id=

Kevin Dozier - Love's Never Lost

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:55
Size: 114,3 MB
Art: Front

(2:56)  1. If Ever I Would Leave You
(2:51)  2. Take Me To The World
(4:30)  3. Wonderful! Wonderful!
(4:39)  4. Falling Out Of Love
(2:40)  5. Almost
(3:09)  6. Always/Time Heals Everything
(2:31)  7. Sail Away
(3:00)  8. Love's Never Lost
(4:09)  9. Perfect
(4:21) 10. Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most
(2:41) 11. Hold To My Hand
(3:05) 12. What A Funny Boy He Is
(2:47) 13. I'll Tell The Man In The Street
(2:38) 14. I Hear Bells
(3:54) 15. The Journey

Kevin Dozier kicks off 2013 with the release of his album, “Love’s Never Lost". This collection marks his second major album release following the 2009 award-winning “Love-Wise”. Kevin was awarded the MAC and Backstage Bistro Awards for ‘Outstanding Vocalist’ in 2011. Most recently, Kevin made his acclaimed debut at 'Feinstein's' in NYC, was a featured performer at 'Jazz at Lincoln Center', 'The National Arts Club', and numerous 'Noel Coward Society' functions. He’s had sold-out runs at 'The Metropolitan Room', 'The Laurie Beechman Theatre', and 'Don't Tell Mama's' in NYC, and 'The Plush Room' and 'San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center' in San Francisco. Kevin's highly acclaimed debut album, "Love-Wise", is available on Itunes. "Love-Wise" made many of 2009's top album lists including Broadwayworld.com's Top 10 Vocal Albums of 2009 and WHLI radio’s Top 50 of 2009. 

Produced and arranged by Christopher Marlowe (arranger and musical director for Nancy Lamott), the album features love songs from the Great American Songbook. Kevin will be releasing his second album, produced by Paul Rolnick, with arrangements and musical direction by Alex Rybeck, on Feb 11, 2013 at The Metropolitan Room.  Kevin was born in Kentucky and grew up in Minnesota, Missouri, and Kansas. He proudly returned to New York City in 2005, after 10 years in San Francisco, where he was named "Male Cabaret Performer of the Year" in the San Francisco Cabaret Competition. He made his critically acclaimed NYC cabaret debut at 'Don't Tell Mama' in June of 2008, followed by several successful runs at 'The Metropolitan Room'. These performances garnered him a MAC Award nomination in 2009 for Best Male Debut Performance. Kevin worked professionally as a studio-singer for many years in Kansas City, MO. He has studied with Marilyn Maye, Gene Puerling, Marianne Challis, Scott Barnes, Jackie Presti, Richard Nickol, Kirby Shaw, Phil Mattson, Steve Zegree, and Bill Grace.
Kevin has worked as an executive with numerous Retail companies including Sephora, Williams-Sonoma, and Barnes & Noble. Currently he is a Senior Executive with Reed Krakoff, a division of Coach.   http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/kevindozier2
 

Tsuyoshi Yamamoto Trio - What A Wonderful World

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:56
Size: 128,1 MB
Art: Front + Back

(4:29)  1. Tea For Two
(2:59)  2. Cleopatra's Dream
(5:33)  3. Blues Of You
(5:51)  4. What A Wonderful World
(8:48)  5. Poinciana
(3:48)  6. Nanatsu No Ko
(6:29)  7. Caravan
(4:03)  8. Home On The Range
(3:00)  9. Like It Is
(5:15) 10. Speak Low
(4:07) 11. Tsuki No Sabaku
(1:28) 12. Little Blues

Since his stunning debut in 1974 with the now world-famous audiophile recordings for the Three Blind Mice label, Japanese pianist Tsuyoshi Yamamoto has built a career that now spans four decades. His brand-new trio album What A Wonderful World follows his previous release Gentle Blues , his first recording for Venus Records in 14 years. In fact, the 12 tracks in this CD were recorded on the day after 10 tracks on Gentle Blues were recorded. It is remarkable that Yamamoto and his trio recorded enough materials for two CDs in two consecutive days, but then again, he is a veteran pianist who doesn't like to repeat himself and prefers to record everything in a single take. This CD even contains several tunes that were included in the previous one, but they are justified as they are significantly different in terms of musical approach and presentation. The last three tracks are bonus tracks in which Yamamoto plays Fender Rhodes. As per the high standard set by Venus, the sound quality of this CD is also excellent with its signature heavy, gutsy sound. Recommended!  
http://www.eastwindimport.com/product-info.asp?CategoryName=Featured+Products&ProductID=2128

Personnel : Tsuyoshi Yamamoto (electric piano,piano); Hiroshi Kagawa (bass); Toshio Osumi (drums)

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Lorena Fontana - A Vision

Size: 118,5 MB
Time: 50:52
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Vocal Jazz, Brazilian Rhythms
Art: Front & Back

01. Gracias A La Vida (4:45)
02. Music Is An Isle (6:10)
03. Two Kites (4:10)
04. A Vision (5:14)
05. The Maestro (6:02)
06. Cinderella (5:09)
07. What I'm Worth (5:58)
08. The Father And His Child (5:13)
09. Estrada Branca (4:40)
10. Flor De Lis (3:26)

A Vision is the fifth album that Lorena Fontana, composer, lyricist and talented singer, recorded in her name. But this, unlike the previous ones , was made in the United States with equally talented musicians such as pianist Mitchel Forman, which we know for the wonderful work with Wayne Shorter, bassist Edwin Livingston , drummer Ralph Humphrey and saxophonist Michael Rosen. With this new work, the singer interprets ten songs with dramatic intensity, five of which are her composition, two by A. C. Jobim, chosen with intelligence in the vast repertoire of the great Brazilian composer and three more by Djavan, Cedar Walton and Violeta Parra, the splendid "Gracias a la vida" that the Chilean singer and songwriter left to posterity in 1966 just before her suicide . "The Maestro" was composed by Walton when the pianist was still part of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, but was recorded in a vocal version only in 1975. Lorena's interpretation has that fire that this song requires, though it saddens me that Cedar was unable to listen to this performance because he left us on August 19. I'm sure , knowing him personally, he would have been thrilled. If Lorena Fontana is an excellent singer, her scat chorus in "The Maestro" and in other songs are perfect, as well as her English is perfect, what makes her peculiar and unsurpassed are her skills as a writer. Her lyrics are magnificent, it would take just these few verses : " Waking to a song of inner calling , sipping from a cup still burning where hopes had been spilled on the floor, here each cloud is wrapped in silver lining and Gods up above in their silk dresses're dining" (A Vision) to say that Lorena Fontana, to whom I wish greater successes, is a musician of the most intelligent and sensitive kind always able to arouse strong emotions. ~Adriano Mazzoletti

A Vision

Tony Monaco - If You Were God

Size: 146,6 MB
Time: 62:38
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Vocal Jazz, Christian, Jazz Swing
Art: Front

01. Thank God For Jazz Music (3:41)
02. Easy Does It (3:09)
03. Down And Dirty (3:29)
04. I Love You Just The Way You Are (4:11)
05. I Know I'm A Sinner (3:17)
06. In A Moment (4:23)
07. A World Of Peace A World Of Love (3:25)
08. With God On My Side (4:04)
09. The Sacrifices Of God (3:28)
10. Forgive Them, Father! (4:11)
11. It's Nice To Be Nice (3:43)
12. Sheep Among Wolves (3:24)
13. No Problem! (3:04)
14. Would You Consider (4:21)
15. There Are No Time Clocks In Heaven (3:25)
16. If He's Not The Messiah (3:11)
17. If You Were God (4:05)

Tony Monaco is a Broadway song and dance man of Jewish, Irish, Italian decent whose amazing born-again Christian experience makes some of the major motion picture characters he's played pale by comparison. Born and raised on Manhattan's mean streets, Tony would ride the subway to the Paramount Theatre on Broadway to soak up Frank Sinatra and the Tommy Dorsey band. After the show he slipped his shoeshine box out from under his seat and beat it to 42nd street to dance on the corner for nickels and dimes like his hero Gene Kelly.

Dear Listener:
All these songs were written prior to 9/11.

“If You Were God,” “In A Moment,” and “Forgive Them, Father,” all seemed to take on a different meaning afterwards. But our recording session had been arranged in October, and with a heavy heart we assembled to present what had been inspired.

“A World of Peace, A World of Love” was written by our arranger Keith Droste many years ago for Pat Boone, but somehow never got recorded. It cried out for this time.

My son, Chris Monaco had painted the cover photo several years ago for a friend who was struggling with an illness and thankfully has recovered. It, too, seemed to symbolize the tragic time this world has experienced. I’m extremely proud to share his talent, and thankful his mother encouraged his study when he was a child.

My longtime collaborator Bob Corwin has sacrificed countless hours to transcribe the songs I sing to him, writing them down on paper. I’m forever indebted to him.

This album is dedicated to all those unsung heroes like yourself who with broken hearts pick up the rubble of your lives and like St. Paul “press on towards the goal” of the heavenly prize that awaits you.

In Hymn,
Tony Monaco

If You Were God

Larry Tamanini - Lookin' Into It

Released: 2011
Size: 88,0 MB
Time: 38:26
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Styles: Jazz Guitar/Organ trio
Art: Front

01. Cold Duck Time [4:13]
02. Blues For Larry [4:25]
03. Softly, As In A Morning Sunris [5:53]
04. The Voice [4:48]
05. Ain't It Funky Now [5:29]
06. Sunny [5:12]
07. Where Is The Love [3:33]
08. Back At The Chicken Shack [4:49]

"This classic organ trio impressed us. Listening to it is like coming home. Excellent, thank's !!"
Larry Tamanini lives in Doylestown, Pennsylvania and is from Bristol, Pennsylvania

Larry About himself on www.myspace.com/larrytamanini :

"... Its always been a task for one to write about oneself, at least for me it has been tough. I suppose its cliche’ to assume that one should " let the music speak for itself" Personally I’ve never been a fan of that saying. Music is special for me, its always been a joy to perform with other like minded spirits. I suppose it was natural to gravitate to jazz ,since interaction is of the utmost importance . I was lucky to have support and encouragement from my mother and father and there kindness was followed up with Pat Martino and Dennis Sandole. Thinking about it now i had no idea just how fortunate i really was.Through there tutelage i was able to finally get the courage to participate in jam sessions in philadelphia, it was at "Ortliebs Jazzhaus". That was my first introduction to interacting with world class players, who much like my parents, Dennis,and Pat were extremely supportive and insightful. It was there where i was able to perform with the likes of Mickey Roker, Trudy Pitts, Joey Defrancesco, and many other fantastic players. The jazz thing was the shit but i was always into other types of music. I’d like to think of myself as a chamealeon as far as being able to adapt to any musicial situation that i’m in, its something that i take a lot of pride in. These situations have opened doors to many collaborations with rock , r&b, hip hop , and funk projects that have introduced me to many great musicians that i wouldnt have met otherwise well the bio will continue , i just hope you like my tunes, thanks Larry "

Customer Reviews in itunes :
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/lookin-into-it/id453118852

*Great Local Talent here in Doylestown Pa ! (by Robert Dreher)
Larry can make anyone dig the smokin sounds of jazz , even a Rocker like me !
All the Best to you Larry , you hit this one out of the park ~ BIG TIME !

*All Class (by il lupo solitaro)
What can I say, this is a classic jazz recording!!! Refreshing, timeless, organic, classy... I am a big fan. Perfect balance of flavors and styles, top-notch musicians, accessible melodies.... All of the right ingredients. Highly recommended for any music lover. Looking forward to the future from this artist!!

*The best thing on today's scene (by QZOTO)
This album is one of the few and true down-home jazz records out on today's scene. The most soulful job done by three indivuduals working together. This album emulates the amazing sound Larry and his organ trio sound live. Everyone who likes Jazz, Blues, Soul, Funk, and just good music, i highly recommend this. Larry is one of the best guitar players on the scene and this album will prove it! A MUST BUY!!

Article about Larry Here:
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=41216#.UN5FTKxUN0w (Take Five with Larry Tamanini)

Line-Up:
Larry Tamanini :Guitar
George Laks :Organ
Byron Landham :Drums

My repost from old blog
Lookin'Into It


Bill Doggett - The Right Choice

Released: 1991
Size: 113,2 MB
Time: 49:10
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Styles: Jazz oriented R&B
Art: Big Front

01. Fur Piece [4:53]
02. Rough Neck [6:11]
03. Warm Breezes [4:08]
04. Mush Mouth [3:58]
05. Du-Da [4:55]
06. Things Ain't What They Used To Be [5:12]
07. I'm Ready [3:02]
08. The Wright Choice [5:23]
09. Honky Tonk (Parts 1 & 2) [4:52]
10. Just A Blues [6:33]

William Ballard Doggett was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.His mother, a church pianist, introduced him to music when he was nine years old. By the time he was fifteen, he had joined a Philadelphia area combo, playing local theaters and clubs while attending high school.Doggett later sold his band to Lucky Millinder, and worked during the 1930s and early 1940s for both Millinder and arranger Jimmy Mundy. In 1942 he was hired as The Ink Spots' pianist and arranger.Toward the end of 1947, he replaced Wild Bill Davis as the pianist for Louis Jordan's Tympany Five. It was in Jordan's group that he first achieved success playing the Hammond organ. In 1950 he is reputed to have written one of Jordan's biggest hits, "Saturday Night Fish Fry", for which Jordan claimed the writing credit.In 1951, Doggett organized his own trio and began recording for King Records. His best known recording is "Honky Tonk", a rhythm and blues hit of 1956 which sold four million copies (reaching No. 1 R&B and No. 2 Pop), and which he co-wrote with Billy Butler. The track topped the US Billboard R&B chart for over two months. He won the Cash Box award for best rhythm and blues performer in 1957, 1958, and 1959. He also arranged for many bandleaders and performers, including Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, and Lionel Hampton.As a jazz player Doggett started in swing music and later played soul jazz. His bands included saxophonists Red Holloway, Clifford Scott, Percy France, David "Bubba" Brooks, Clifford Davis, and Floyd "Candy" Johnson; guitarists Floyd Smith, Billy Butler, Sam Lackey and Pete Mayes; and singers Edwin Starr, Toni Williams and Betty Saint-Clair. His biggest hits, "Honky Tonk" (the Part 2 side of the record) and "Slow Walk" featured saxophonist Clifford Scott.He continued to play and arrange until he died, aged 80, of a heart attack in New York.With his instrumental hit "Honky Tonk" in February 1956, Bill Doggett created one of rock's greatest instrumental tracks. Although it generated scores of offers to perform in rock & roll clubs throughout the United States, Doggett remained tied to the jazz and organ-based R&B that he had performed since the 1930s. Continuing to record for the Cincinnati-based King label until 1960, he went on to record for Warner Brothers, Columbia, ABC-Paramount and Sue. This is the last album Bill Doggett recorded before his death in 1996, for Forevermore Records subsidiary, After Hours Records.

AMG Review :
Considering his popularity and influence, it is surprising how few Bill Doggett albums have been reissued on CD. This late-period effort, which features the organist with several medium-sized groups, is quite jazz-oriented while not wandering far from Doggett's early R&B roots. Among the key sidemen are trumpeter Eddie Preston, Bubba Brooks, and Howard Kimbo on tenors, altoists Bill Easley and Jimmy Cozier, and guitarists Gregory Townson and George Naha. In addition to the inevitable "Honky Tonk," Doggett plays "Things Ain't What They Used to Be," and a variety of basic originals. Fun music.
(~ Scott Yanow)

Line-up/Musicians:
- Eddie Preston / trumpet
- Bernard "Pretty" Purdie / drums
- Greg Townson / guitar
- Tony Williams / vocals
- Dennis Wilson / trombone
- George Naha / guitar
- David Bubba Brooks / tenor sax
- Howard Kimbo / tenor sax
- Jimmy Cozier / alto sax
- Haywood Henry / baritone sax
- Bill Doggett / organ
- Bill Easley / alto sax
- Leonard Gaskin / bass

Produced by: Greg Townson, Bill Doggett, Marty Duda

My repost from old blog
The Right Choice