Silky Denims

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Bobby Pierce - The Long Road Back

Size: 118,9 MB
Time: 51:18
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2009
Styles: Smooth Jazz, Jazz Organ
Art: Front

01. Bobby's Back (7:14)
02. One For Duff And Dink (5:48)
03. Frenchie (6:15)
04. The Good Life (5:49)
05. The Long Road Back (5:00)
06. Invitation (8:48)
07. Seems So Long (4:51)
08. John Brown's Body (7:30)

Organ combo historians might be the only ones who remember Bobby Pierce, the Columbus, OH native and peer of Don Patterson, Eddie Baccus, and Hank Marr. His only other album for the Cobblestone/Muse family of record labels came out back in 1972, Introducing Bobby Pierce. It's long out of print, a collectors item for sure, and a reminder of the chitlin' circuit club scene where his central Ohio home was a focal point. At the time of this recording, he is based in Los Angeles, playing music in jazz, gospel, or classical settings after being devoted to a life apart from music for the better part of four decades. Pierce returns with this tasteful set of swinging originals and soulful covers with a formidable band, including the excellent tenor saxophonist Rickey Woodard, guitarist Frank Potenza, and drummer Clarence Johnston. They give Pierce more than ample support, and in fact exceed expectations of regular sidemen. Pierce tends to be laid-back, but when he cuts loose and jams out -- you know he is redoubtable, as are his talented bandmates. Tunes like the bop-oriented title track and the soul-pop ballad "Seems so Long" with the leader's vocals, definitely reflect how Pierce had been off the scene, while the cool blues "Bobby's Back" is representative of their unified teamwork, and how the organist missed grooving. Woodard is a sound, fundamental saxophonist who is a joy to hear; he should be more often. His solos stand out above the post-Sonny Rollins crowd, but on the funky off-minor rocker "One for Duff & Dink," he commands the attention he deserves. Potenza is also a world-class player whose taste level ranks right up there with peers like Pat Martino and Russell Malone. When he swaps lines with Woodard on the nine-minute swinger "Invitation," you know he and Woodard are true experts in the soul-jazz style. Pierce himself lays in the cut, poised and reserved for the most part, but during the classic Sacha Distel ballad "The Good Life," he springs into action with a flurry of notes that fly in the face of the slower pace, as if the good life is indeed what he is living. The funky boogaloo "Frenchie" moves to a jazzier swing, where Pierce again is a bit more animated and forceful. "John Brown Body" takes the group into an area of church orientation where the leader has been centered in recent times, frequently quoting Nat King Cole's "Send for Me" in the process. Hopefully, Bobby Pierce will do another recording sooner than the some 35 years it took to produce this one, and it will be just as satisfying. ~Review by Michael G. Nastos

The Long Road Back

Dean Grech - We Got Lost

Size: 121,4 MB
Time: 52:25
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Smooth Jazz, Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Shake It Around (4:11)
02. We Got Lost (4:17)
03. Nothing More (4:19)
04. You Don't Know Me Well (3:55)
05. I Don't Think So (5:04)
06. Playa Rosa (5:55)
07. Feeling I Can't Undo (3:49)
08. Suddenly (3:52)
09. Let's Go (5:05)
10. Wishing You Were Here (4:04)
11. Love Song (4:38)
12. Altercation (3:12)

This album is cutting edge with it's variety of passion filled vocals, Top Notch song Writing, and instrumental pieces executed with position, these tracks groove like a well oiled machine
The CD features stellar performances from this amazing collection of musicians:

Dean Grech -Vocals/Guitar
Greg Vail - sax
Hans Zermuelhen - B3, Piano, Rhodes
Hal Ratliff - Rhodes, Piano
Mitch Manker, Ron Robbins, Andrew Carney - Trumpet and Flugal Horn
Rick Shaw, Koko Powell - Bass
John Ferraro, Peter Pfiefer Drums

We Got Lost

The Marty Nau Group - At The Bouquet Chorale

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 70:10
Size: 160.6 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[6:04] 1. At The Bouquet Chorale
[5:19] 2. Airmail Special
[5:38] 3. Rainy Day
[6:56] 4. Cadillac Jack
[8:07] 5. Door Number Three
[6:05] 6. Slash And Burn
[6:18] 7. Saucy Susan
[5:59] 8. Calling All Cars
[6:58] 9. Samba Nau
[6:14] 10. Delawareness
[6:28] 11. The Mooche

Listeners who hear At the Bouquet Chorale without looking at the liner notes may be excused if they think they are hearing triple. Marty Nau is a fine bebop altoist, based in Washington, D.C., whose main playing idol has always been Phil Woods. Much to his joy, he was able to persuade Woods to be on this set along with Vince Lardear, a third altoist who also sounds a little like Woods (though not as much as Nau). Backed by a fine local rhythm section, the three altos romp on a variety of basic material and originals that often utilize standard chord changes. Some of the songs just feature two altoists in different combinations and on the closing "The Mooche," all three horn players switch to clarinets quite effectively. But the hottest numbers have all three battling with each other. It is to their great credit that Nau and Lardear hold their own with the great Phil Woods. Recommended. ~Scott Yanow

At The Bouquet Chorale

Shaynee Rainbolt & Donn Trenner - Two For The Road

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 43:55
Size: 100.5 MB
Styles: Cabaret, Easy Listening
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[3:10] 1. Lucky To Be Me
[4:27] 2. Midnight Sun
[3:36] 3. In The Glow Of You
[2:22] 4. The Years Kisses
[3:45] 5. Yesterday / Yesterdays
[4:11] 6. Down In The Depths
[7:52] 7. I Will Wait For You / Watch What Happens
[6:44] 8. Memory Of The Rain / Come In From The Rain
[2:33] 9. There's No You
[3:07] 10. Two For The Road
[2:03] 11. Thanks For The Memory

Singer Shaynee Rainbolt has teamed up with musical director, conductor, and pianist Donn Trenner for a month of Fridays at the Metropolitan Room. Trenner has had quite an illustrious career, having worked with some of the biggest names in music and show business, among them Bob Hope, Shirley MacLaine, Ann‑Margret, Lena Horne, Anita O’Day, José Feliciano, and Steve Allen. Originally from California, for the past several years Rainbolt has been performing fairly steadily in New York venues and internationally, garnering MAC and Bistro Awards along the way. Having seen her perform many times over the years, I can say that in this engagement she is doing her best, her most mature work to date.

Mind you, I thought she was good when I first heard her seven years ago, but now everything has fallen into place: she brings to each song a combination of solid musicianship and equally strong lyric detail, with nary a misstep or infelicitous choice; what’s more, her voice has deepened into a beautiful burnished gold. I don’t know whether this growth stems from her collaboration with Trenner or is simply the latest stage in her ongoing artistic development. Some of each I should think. But whatever the source, it’s pretty wonderful to see. ~Roy Sander

Two For The Road

Nicole Lvoff - Here's That Rainy Day

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:46
Size: 109,9 MB
Art: Front

(2:51) 1. Too Marvelous For Words
(4:35) 2. Black Orpheus
(4:43) 3. Darn That Dream
(4:35) 4. Here's That Rainy Day
(4:02) 5. Whatever Lola Wants
(5:02) 6. Fever
(3:13) 7. Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise
(4:51) 8. Sometimes I'm Happy
(5:08) 9. Angel Eyes
(3:45) 10. Caravan
(4:57) 11. Don't Explain

A native of Santa Barbara, California, Nicole grew up in a classically trained household of musicians. Her father was a violinist who graduated from Juliard and her mother is a classical pianist who graduated from the University of Texas and Berkeley School of Music. A singer with some background in piano and flute, Nicole is drawn to a wide variety of jazz music spanning from the 1920s to the ‘60s. “I like finding old songs that people rarely perform like ‘Put the Blame on Mame’ from Gilda, and ‘Don’t Explain’ composed by Billie Holiday. I also love Cole Porter and, of course, the beautiful melodies of Jobim.” Her first album is musically exciting and melodically haunting. Arranged by Woody DeMarco, also the pianist on the album, “Here’s That Rainy Day” is full of hidden gems and beloved treasures.

The album opens with an exciting arrangement of “Too Marvelous For Words.” Nicole’s vocals are effortlessly fun and the band joins in with the same excitement. Jon Crosse, Paul Anka’s musical director, plays the saxophone as well as flute, clarinet and trumphet on the album. “Here’s that Rainy Day” is an enchanting interplay of flute and vocals over a bossa nova beat. Check out the ever so sassy “Fever” with a funky groove and ever so sultry vocals. “Whatever Lola Wants” and “Caravan” involve the entire ensemble, introducing Lorenzo Martinez on bongos and shakers. To be sure, these high energy songs are some of the highlights on the album. The album ends with the haunting “Don’t Explain,” where there are only vocals and piano. It is reflective and heartbreaking, ending the album with beautifully expressed emotion. “Here’s That Rainy Day” is Nicole’s first album, and definitely an eye opener to a singer with a voice that is full of honest sweetness and warmth. Welcome to Nicole Lvoff’s first album, “Here’s That Rainy Day.” We hope you enjoy it as much as we’ve had making it. And we look forward to hearing more from this vocal chanteuse. We have a feeling there is more to come…rain or shine! http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/NicoleLvoff

Here's That Rainy Day

Maria Jacobs - Art of the Duo

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:13
Size: 86,7 MB
Art: Front

(3:45) 1. Alone Together (feat. Bob Fraser)
(4:49) 2. Small Day Tomorrow (feat. Bob Fraser)
(4:24) 3. Too Close for Comfort (feat. Bob Fraser)
(4:10) 4. It Could Happen to You (feat. Steve Cipriano)
(3:34) 5. Summertime (feat. Steve Cipriano)
(2:30) 6. Nearness of You (feat. Steve Cipriano)
(4:30) 7. Poetry Man (feat. Steve Cipriano)
(2:57) 8. I Will (feat. Tony Dumas)
(6:29) 9. Yeh Yeh (feat. Dan Maier)

Simplicity in jazz performance is a sure bet when one has the chops to deliver. Jazz vocal in a duet format is one of the more exposed configurations, one where the singer liability is great. All mistakes, mis-steps and wrong notes are readily audible. Cleveland, Ohio native singer Maria Jacobs' fourth release features seven voice-guitar duets and one each with acoustic bass and piano. Jacobs is most refreshing because her voice is not over-trained and contains just enough grit to give it a lived-in sound that makes it at once familiar and friendly with a hint of sex and satin. Her rugged alto has a fearless quality that compliments the nine standards present here. Jacobs, accompanied by guitarist Bob Fraser give the Schwartz/Dietz standard "Alone Together" a rigorous, almost roadhouse treatment that pushes the song to the edge of jazz.

"Alone Together" translates into Bob Dorough's ballad, "Small Day Tomorrow," played with equal grit, though lighter on the rigor. "Too Close for Comfort" swings with a mighty momentum and played with greater finesse and a lighter touch. Jacobs responds in kind until the coda, where she pulls out all the stops and belts out the ending. Jacobs pairing with guitarist Steve Cipriano provides a bouncing "It Could Happen to You" and a downright piquant "Summertime." The two remain pious on Phoebe Snow's signature "Poetry Man," where Cipriano's shimmering chords cradle Jacobs voice in the verse. The disc closes with the two non-guitar duets, Jacobs and bassist Tony Dumas on a strolling take of the Beatles' "I Will" and a slightly churchy treatment of "Yeh Yeh" accompanied by pianist Dan Maier.

The Art of the Duo delivers a readily enjoyable catalog of the great American Songbook, presented in a fresh and refreshing manner.~ C.Michael Bailey

http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=44177#.UtLL3LRc_vs

Personnel: Maria Jacobs: vocals; Bob Fraser: guitar (1-3); Steve Cipriano: guitar (4-7); Tony Dumas: bass (8); Dan Maier: keyboards (9).

Art of the Duo

Judy Blair - Sunshine

Styles: Jazz
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:17
Size: 132,3 MB
Art: Front

(5:14) 1. La Fete
(9:08) 2. Chez Gaby
(7:02) 3. Sunshine
(7:08) 4. Lookin' Up
(6:45) 5. It's Only You
(8:21) 6. Lucky Blues
(4:37) 7. This Love's for You
(8:58) 8. Passage

Judy wrote or co-wrote all the songs on this project, recorded at Audio Dallas in Garland, Texas in 2005. This CD exhibits the full spectrum of her artistry as singer/songwriter/musician. She is joined by her brother Donny Blair (guitar), Abdu Salim (tenor sax, flute), Christian Ton Ton Salut (drums), and special guest artist, blues great Lucky Peterson. From the upbeat jazz swing of La Fete to the beautifully sensitive ballad It's Only You, this soulful CD has something for everyone.

http://www.judyblair.com/?section=products

Sunshine

Cannonball Adderley - Them Dirty Blues

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1960
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:06
Size: 117,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:06) 1. Work Song
(7:16) 2. Jeannine
(4:21) 3. Easy Living
(7:10) 4. Them Dirty Blues
(5:29) 5. Dat Dere
(4:42) 6. Del Sasser
(5:35) 7. Soon
(5:52) 8. Work Song (Alt Take)
(5:30) 9. Dat Dere (Alt Take)

Quite familiar to the world’s jazz audience, "Dat Dere," "Work Song" and many more were brought to us by the Adderley brothers. This reissue brings together two sessions, recorded February 1 and March 29, 1960 in New York and Chicago. The New York date features Bobby Timmons, while the later, Chicago date substitutes Barry Harris. Originally issued as Riverside 1170, this reissue adds two alternate tracks from the February New York date with Timmons on piano. They’re not much different from the originals, perhaps with a little less spirit. Cannonball Adderley was in fine form, leading with fluid saxophone energy through expressive scenes and lyrical thoughts. Nat Adderley, with a rougher tone and equally quick attitude, follows up with similar expression. The ensemble romps, for the most part, with tight counterpoint that emphasizes the group’s autonomy over individual efforts. Soloists receive full support from the rest of the quintet each time up. At one point, the band gets so quiet during one of Sam Jones’ bass solos that you can hear Louis Hayes’ unused drumstick fall to the floor. The sound reproduction is quite clear, the mood is loose with a blues feel, and each soloist turns out a stellar performance.

~ Jim Santella http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=6061#.UtaYlbRc_vs

Personnel: Cannonball Adderley- alto saxophone; Nat Adderley- cornet; Barry Harris, Bobby Timmons- piano; Sam Jones- bass; Louis Hayes- drums.

Them Dirty Blues

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Tina May, Nikki Iles, Tony Coe - More Than You Know

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 55:37
Size: 127.3 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[5:53] 1. The Touch Of Your Lips
[5:32] 2. Very Early
[6:47] 3. More Than You Know
[5:18] 4. Ocean
[5:37] 5. Sometime Ago
[4:30] 6. Cruel September
[5:20] 7. November Girl
[4:50] 8. What Kind Of Fool Am I
[5:59] 9. My Man's Gone Now
[5:47] 10. So Long Big Time

Voice, piano and tenor saxophone or clarinet; with an odd setup like that, you just don't know what to expect. In the case of these three, however, the chances are that it will turn out to be an interesting, quirky and, above all, enjoyable hour's music. And it is. In the first place, they have performed together so much that they must enjoy each other's company. That enjoyment includes a shared sense of what is possible with this tiny format and complete trust in one another's musical instincts. Tina May has a fine, expressive voice, with immaculate pitch, clear diction and no annoying mannerisms. Nikki Iles plays the piano with a crystalline touch and a technique that enables her to cover for the missing double bass when necessary. Coe is one of today's best clarinettists, in any idiom, with an inquisitive, slightly irascible saxophone style that is quite inimitable. The result is like overhearing an intelligent, often witty three-way conversation. ~Dave Gelly

More Than You Know

Eddie Palmieri - S/T

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 36:35
Size: 83.8 MB
Styles: Latin jazz
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[ 7:13] 1. El Dia Que Me Quieras
[10:31] 2. Ritmo Alegre
[ 6:51] 3. Páginas de Mujer
[ 6:05] 4. No Me Hagas Sufrir
[ 5:53] 5. Ven Ven

Eddie Palmieri, known for his charismatic power and bold pioneering drive, has a musical career that spans over 50 years as a bandleader of both Salsa and Latin Jazz orchestras. Born in Spanish Harlem in 1936, Eddie began piano studies at an early age, as did his celebrated older brother, the late Salsa legend and pianist, Charlie Palmieri. For Latin New Yorkers of Eddie’s generation, music was a vehicle out of El Barrio. At age 11, he auditioned at Weil Recital Hall, next door to Carnegie Hall, a venue as far from the Bronx as he could imagine. Possessed by a desire to play the drums, Palmieri joined his Uncle’s orchestra at age 13, where he played timbales. Says Palmieri, “By 15, it was good-bye timbales and back to the piano until this day. I’m a frustrated percussionist, so I take it out on the piano.”

Eddie Palmieri’s musical style is paradoxical in nature: married to preserving the core fundamentals of latin orchestral tradition, he is possessed by a bold innovative drive and seeks all opportunities to challenge these very traditions. Eddie’s unique vision and distinctive arrangements have paved the way for ground-breaking compositions, ensuring a unique musical legacy. Eddie has one of the most actively touring Salsa and Latin Jazz orchestras to date, tours of which have taken him to Europe, Asia, Latin America, Australia, North Africa and throughout the Caribbean. A true powerhouse of brilliance, he has shown that time is infinite with respect to his repertoire, as he continues to captivate live audiences throughout the world.

Eddie Palmieri

Tchavolo Schmitt - Miri Familia

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 50:59
Size: 116.7 MB
Styles: Gypsy jazz
Year: 2000
Art: Front

[3:06] 1. Rêves D'automne
[4:27] 2. The Sheik Of Araby
[4:26] 3. Oh, Lady Be Good
[5:26] 4. Sonny Boy
[3:35] 5. Jean-Paul Blues
[2:26] 6. Valse Pour Nous
[4:02] 7. After You've Gone
[5:54] 8. Miri Familia
[4:04] 9. Jersey Bounce
[4:47] 10. Djieské
[4:33] 11. Seul Ce Soir
[4:09] 12. Just One Of Those Things

Ever since the early years of the Quintet of the Hot Club of France and its leader, the trailblazing Gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt, Gypsy (or manouche) jazz combos have been characterized by a number of idiosyncratic factors: no drums, multiple guitars (all acoustic), and arrangements that combine a powerfully swinging rhythm with the dark modalities of traditional Gypsy melodies along with jazz standards. The Alsatian guitarist Tchavolo Schmitt takes some of those characteristics to something of an extreme on this album, which features a sextet comprised of five guitars and a bass. Since the other guitarists all play rhythm, this leads to a curiously flat musical texture and a rather one-dimensional sound (the slightly ramshackle production quality doesn't help much in that regard). But it also means that Schmitt has an absolutely rock-solid rhythmic foundation with which to work, and it serves him very well on material like the original blues composition "Jean-Paul Blues" and a particularly energetic and tuneful rendition of "After You've Gone." "Jersey Bounce" starts off with a promisingly jaunty strut, but bogs down a bit toward the end. The title track is a lovely ballad, also composed by Schmitt, and it is perhaps the finest demonstration of his musical maturity, a quality that permits him to take as much pleasure in long, nicely shaped melodic lines as in the virtuosic stunt-guitar pyrotechnics for which the genre is best known. Fans of Gypsy jazz will love this album, but newcomers may want to start with something a bit more varied in texture. ~ Rick Anderson

Tchavolo Schmitt (guitar); Gogo Berbedes, Mandino Reinhardt, Sony Reinhardt, Hono Winterstein (guitar); Gautier Laurent (bass instrument).

Miri Familia

Victoria Rummler - Am I Am

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:13
Size: 87,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:16) 1. Guys With Ties
(3:48) 2. Home Is Inside
(3:22) 3. Teach Me Tonight
(3:28) 4. Friends Old And New
(2:48) 5. Frere Jacques
(4:18) 6. Am I Am
(3:19) 7. Island Of Nowhere
(1:47) 8. Blue Boots
(3:57) 9. Italy Blues
(4:10) 10. Over The Rainbow
(3:55) 11. Love Day

A clear, sensual voice that runs the gamut of notes and emotions. Steeped in nuance and free of technical limitations, Victoria Rummler's music is refreshingly fun and joyous. Born near Detroit, USA, Vicki has been a Euro-convert for almost twenty years. Her musical experience began with a fascination for the piano at age six which led to many years of lessons, competitions, accompaniment and a profound appreciation that is still very much alive today. She began singing in children’s groups and a church choir that toured Mexico and Central America. Studying clarinet, dance, and theater in the USA, she took off for Germany after completing her Bachelor of Arts degree in music at Williams College in 1988.

She worked with a performance art group in Munich and went on to Paris in 1993, where she discovered her passion for vocal jazz, honing her craft with Michele Hendricks, Laurence Saltiel and Roger Letson. In 2004, she was invited to record with cutting-edge electro a cappella group “Les Grandes Gueules” on their second album for SONY-BMG, “Vocal Extreme.” Since deciding to concentrate on her solo career, Vicki’s musical personality has evolved by leaps and bounds. Her first solo album, "Twinkle," was released in 2004 to rave reviews on both sides of the Atlantic. Her sophomore album, currently in preparation, takes her music one step further, with more personal lyrics and arrangements that reflect all her musical influences throughout the years, from blues to African and bossa nova. Vicki's live performances are ebullient and virtuosic, and her rapport with the audience is playful yet genuine.

Perhaps as a result of this strong connection with her listeners, Victoria Rummler's master classes and "creative singing" workshops are also highly in demand. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/victoriarummler1

Am I Am

Diane Hubka - West Coast Strings

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:30
Size: 130,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:10) 1. West Coast Blues (feat. Anthony Wilson & Bobby Pierce)
(4:54) 2. Moondance (feat. Mimi Fox)
(3:18) 3. Brigas Nunca Mais (feat. Peter Sprague)
(4:53) 4. Peace (feat. Larry Koonse)
(3:48) 5. Warming to Spring (feat. David Eastlee & Barry Zweig)
(4:08) 6. It Ain't Necessarily So (feat. Anthony Wilson & Bobby Pierce)
(5:35) 7. Amanacer (feat. John Pisano & Peter Sprague)
(4:04) 8. Never Let Me Go (feat. Larry Koonse)
(4:27) 9. Moon Ray (feat. David Eastlee & Barry Zweig)
(4:22) 10. They Say It's Spring (feat. Ron Eschete & John Pisano)
(3:24) 11. Slow Hot Wind (feat. Ron Eschete)
(5:36) 12. A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing (feat. Mimi Fox)
(4:45) 13. Someone Else Is Steppin' In (feat. Anthony Wilson & Bobby Pierce)

This Blue Ridge Mountain-bred artist grew up in Western Maryland in a musical family and learned violin, trombone and guitar from an early age. After college Diane Hubka moved to Washington, DC where she frequented local jazz clubs Blues Alley, One Step Down and Mr. Y's Soul Kitchen, absorbing the sounds of local legends Charlie Byrd and Shirley Horn, hearing national acts, as well as honing her own skills in those rooms. In 1986 she moved to New York City and was awarded a one-year jazz fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts for private study with vocalist Anne Marie Moss. She also studied piano, voice and guitar privately with premier NY jazz artists Barry Harris, Harold Danko, Connie Crothers, Sheila Jordan, Jay Clayton, Howard Alden and John Hart. A dynamic member of New York City's jazz scene for two decades, the award-winning vocalist relocated to Los Angeles in 2004. Diane's newest CD, West Coast Strings (SSJ Records) features the singer with a far ranging program of music with eight West Coast master guitarists, plus soul-jazz veteran, Bobby Pierce guesting on Hammond B-3.

Hubka also plays guitar on three tracks. "Brigas Nunca Mais" finds Hubka singing this Jobim song in its native language with clear diction and a soft tone that allow the intricate guitar work of Peter Sprague to shine, while Hubka keeps the rhythm guitar work flowing underneath. Hubka's bass lines and chords are clear and flowing under Sprague's active solo; this particular song has no bassist, so the subltiles of Hubka and Sprague are in full view. Sprague's nylon-strung guitar lines are energetic and pushing the beat, but never rushing. He builds each line and develops clear motifs and allows the phrases to breath as he climbs the neck to a logical climax. Hubka's gentle swaying phrasing of the final statement of the melody is very much in tune with the heritage of this Jobim selection. "Amanhacer" is penned by guitarist John Pisano and his wife Jeanne, his 'Guitar Night,' at various California venues has been going on for sixteen years now and features a different, outstanding guitarist each week with John's trio. Pisano's inclusion and contribution to West Coast Strings is fitting and in line with the overall energy and comrodiray of the entire project. The melody and lyrics are very enjoyable and fits right in with the surrounding standards. Hubka conveys the emotion behind the heartwarming lyrics and ensemble provides an easy bossa feel for her to sing on. Peter Sprague and John Pisano's guitar work are both featured in this selection. Sprague takes the first chorus with his usual confidence of developing a line, both in shape and time. Pisano's soft steel stings follows with a relaxed development of ideas, combined with his soft singing of each well placed note. Hubka takes the melody out leaving the listener feeling joyous and positive.

"It Ain't Necessarily So" is the serious toe tapper of the set with the thumpin' organ feel from Bobby Pierce and fine guitar work from Anthony Wilson. Everyone on this tune is pulling the blues out of this Gershwin classic and it is Hubka's vocal control and delivery on this selection, which is the highlight of the set. Wilson's warm guitar tone and control is strong and propels the selection with bop ornamented blues licks and bends. Pierce keeps his solo brief, but concise and swingin,' Kendall Kay's drums and Pierce's quarter note feel is in the pocket and makes good use of that triplet feel! ~ Geannine Reid http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=46262#.UtLIMbRc_vs

Personnel: Diane Hubka: vocals, guitar (3, 8, 11); Anthony Wilson: guitar (1, 6, 13); Mimi Fox: guitar (2, 12); Peter Sprague: guitar (3, 7); Larry Koonse: guitar ( 4, 8); Barry Zweig guitar (5, 9); David Eastlee: guitar ( 5, 9); John Pisano: guitar ( 7, 10); Ron Eschete: guitar (10, 11) Bobby Pierce: Hammond B-3 (1, 6, 13); Jeff D’Angelo: bass ( 4, 5, 9, 13); John Leftwich: bass (7); Kendall Kay: drums (1,4, 5, 6, 9, 13); Enzo Tedesco: drums ( 3, 7).

West Coast Strings

Paul Moran - Smokin B3

Styles: Hammond Organ
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:36
Size: 136,9 MB
Art: Front

(5:44) 1. Got To Get You In My Life
(6:01) 2. Mission Impossible
(4:51) 3. History
(6:45) 4. A Night In Tunesia
(5:44) 5. Hamond Strut
(5:06) 6. Rock Steady
(5:21) 7. It Was Only Yesterday
(5:21) 8. I Shot The Sheriff
(5:03) 9. Grind It
(3:30) 10. The Cat
(6:06) 11. For Funk's Sake

"This is a good player on a good organ reflecting a 'feel happy' sound. In this age of over amplified everything it's great to find the real deal! It's enjoyment all the way." ~ Jimmy McGriff
Paul Moran is currently Musical Director for Van Morrison, playing Hammond B3 organ, Acoustic Grand Piano, Keyboards, Trumpet and Flugel Horn. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/paulmoran

Smokin B3

Joe Cohn - Two Funky People

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:02
Size: 135,6 MB
Art: Front

(4:51) 1. Solar
(7:12) 2. But Not for Me
(4:24) 3. Quite Sip
(4:23) 4. Two Funky People
(5:19) 5. Mr. George
(4:51) 6. Serenata
(6:55) 7. Ask Me Now
(4:52) 8. High on You
(6:09) 9. Days of Wine and Roses
(4:18) 10. Motion
(5:43) 11. You and Me

Guitarist Joe Cohn is the prodigiously talented son of famed tenor saxophonist Al Cohn. Some may find it odd that on his debut recording fellow guitarist Doug Raney appears alongside him on many of the tracks. The two-guitar format is somewhat reminiscent of Joe Pass's recordings with rhythm guitarist John Pisano, although here Raney is quite prominent throughout as a solo voice. Telling the two guitarists apart will in fact require a good deal of concentration on the part of most listeners. In general, Cohn is the faster and more rhythmically adventurous of the two; his tone is brighter and more dry than Raney's. One would have hoped for more of a Joe Cohn showcase rather than a date on which another guitarist, a second "funky person," practically shares top billing. That said, both Cohn and Raney are fantastic straight-ahead players and they make beautiful music together, aided by Dennis Irwin on bass and Barry Ries on drums.

Four of the tracks are seldom-played gems by Al Cohn, including the title track. Another, "Motion," is by Doug Raney's famous father, Jimmy Raney. (Perhaps it is the famous dads connection that brought these two together.) Other tracks include the classics "But Not for Me," "Solar," "Days of Wine and Roses," "Ask Me Now," and "Serenata." Thad Jones's mid-tempo burner "Quite Sip" is Cohn's one trio feature, and a great one. ~ David R.Adler

http://www.allmusic.com/album/two-funky-people-mw0000252103

Two Funky People

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Hilde Louise Asbjornsen - Manesjuk

Size: 90,5 MB
Time: 38:30
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2012
Styles: Jazz Vocals, Jazz Pop
Art: Front

01. Frampeik (3:01)
02. Vanilje (3:59)
03. Manesjuk (3:34)
04. No E Det Goymt (3:08)
05. Du Held I Meg (4:32)
06. Gjer Det Igjen (4:02)
07. Min Mann (2:53)
08. Alt For Fort (4:12)
09. Alaska (3:39)
10. La Det Bli Natt (5:25)

Jazz and cabaret singer Hilde Louise Asbjornsen was born in Sykkylven, Norway, in 1976. Bringing to mind such cool vocal jazz artists as Billie Holiday and June Christy, she released her debut album, Eleven Nights and Two Early Mornings, in 2004. Birdie Blues followed in 2005. In 2006, Asbjornsen released No Vil Eg Vake Med Deg, a tribute to iconic Swedish vocalist Monica Zetterlund. ~Biography by Matt Collar

Manesjuk

Hot Club Of Los Angeles - Django's Tiger

Size: 111,5 MB
Time: 47:24
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Gipsy Jazz
Art: Front

01. Django's Tiger (3:41)
02. Montagne St Genevieve (3:43)
03. Blues In Minor (3:59)
04. Manoir De Mes Reves (6:15)
05. Minor Swing (3:04)
06. Menilmontant (4:15)
07. Bossa Dorado (4:19)
08. Artillerie Lourde (4:21)
09. Tchavalo Swing (4:35)
10. Stomping At Decca (2:57)
11. Troublant Bolero (6:10)

The Hot Club of Los Angeles plays gypsy jazz, the style of music pioneered by the Belgian guitar virtuoso and composer Django Reinhardt (1910-1953.) The group's seven members (Carl Byron, piano/accordion/vocals; Jim Doyle, drums; Frank San Filippo, upright bass; Peter Kavanaugh, guitar; Bob Ricketts, guitar; Jeff Ross, guitar; Cliff Wagner, violin) are all acclaimed southern California-based musicians with backgrounds in jazz, blues, country, rockabilly, pop, rock, folk and world music.
Recording and performing as the Hot Club of Los Angeles, these multi-faceted players draw inspiration from Django's group, the Quintette du Hot Club de France and the array of other great gypsy jazz musicians who laid the groundwork for this infectious musical genre. Spanning the spectrum of gypsy jazz styles, Django's Tiger include several of Reinhardt's own pioneering compositions--including the classic "Minor Swing"--along with newer classics by contemporary gypsy jazz masters such as "Tchavolo Swing."

Django's Tiger

Stanley Turrentine - Dearly Beloved

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 44:21
Size: 101.5 MB
Styles: Hard bop, Saxophone jazz
Year: 1962/2008
Art: Front

[5:28] 1. Baia
[4:39] 2. Wee Hour Theme
[6:48] 3. My Shining Hour
[5:11] 4. Troubles Of The World
[8:47] 5. Yesterdays
[7:10] 6. Dearly Beloved
[6:15] 7. Nothing Ever Changes My Love For You

Stanley Turrentine was fresh from his brilliant playing on Hammond B-3 maestro Jimmy Smith's Midnight Special and Back at the Chicken Shack sessions when he officially signed with Blue Note Records in 1960, but although the hard bop sax/organ template (which later came to be called soul-jazz) seemed to fit Turrentine like a glove, his first sessions for the label found him working with a more standard jazz format highlighted by a piano-led rhythm section. On Dearly Beloved, though, paired with his eventual wife, Shirley Scott, on the B-3 and the alert and sensitive drumming of Roy Brooks, Turrentine found the perfect pocket for his big, soulful, and slightly raw and bluesy sax tone, and for those only familiar with his later pop crossover recordings with CTI Records, it's a pretty revelatory set. Tracked at a June 8, 1961 session (and released on LP a year later in 1962), Dearly Beloved features a lightly funky and midtempo take on Ary Barroso's "Baia" and a gorgeous and moving version of Turrentine's own ballad composition, "Wee Hour Theme," the perfect example of how jazz is never more than a thought away from being the blues. Scott and Turrentine ended up working together on some 15 albums for the Blue Note, Atlantic, Prestige, and Impulse labels before the decade ended, but this one, for all practical purposes, got the ball rolling on their creative collaborations, and it remains one of Turrentine's finest Blue Note outings. ~Steve Leggett

Dearly Beloved

Sarah Partridge - You Are There: Songs For My Father

Bitrate: 320K/s

Time: 54:50

Size: 125.5 MB

Styles: Vocal jazz

Year: 2006

Art: Front

[4:14] 1. You And I

[4:57] 2. My Buddy

[2:42] 3. Wouldn't It Be Loverly

[4:12] 4. Stormy Monday Blues

[4:01] 5. Lullaby Of Birdland

[4:18] 6. Dancing In My Mind

[3:31] 7. Roll 'em Pete

[3:29] 8. You Are There

[3:41] 9. The Folks Who Live On The Hill

[4:18] 10. Where Or When

[5:52] 11. Out Of This World

[4:19] 12. Why Did I Choose You

[2:32] 13. Stars Fell On Alabama

[2:37] 14. We'll Be Together Again

Sarah Partridge dedicated her You Are There CD to her late father. She performs songs that he loved, tunes he might have loved, and numbers that she wished she could have sung for him. Some of the performances are quite touching, most noticeably "My Buddy" and "We'll Be Together Again," but this is more a celebration of his life and of Partridge's jazz abilities than a downbeat affair. While a few of the songs seem unnecessary, most noticeably an odd boogaloo version of "Stormy Monday Blues" and a re-creation of Joe Williams' blues phrases on "Roll 'Em Pete," highlights include a rhythmically tricky rendition of "Wouldn't It Be Loverly," "Lullaby of Birdland," Dave Frishberg's haunting "You Are There" and "Stars Fell on Alabama." Daniel May leads a fine rhythm section (with Tony De Paolis and Jeff Grubbs alternating on bass) and trumpeter Sean Jones has three welcome guest appearances. A nice CD overall by a subtle and skilled jazz singer. ~Scott Yanow

You Are There - Songs For My Father

Midnight Serenaders - A Little Keyhole Business

Bitrate: 320K/s

Time: 62:39

Size: 143.4 MB

Styles: Swing

Year: 2013

Art: Front

[4:13] 1. Ain't She Sweet

[4:27] 2. St. Louis Blues

[3:49] 3. When I Drink Your Wine

[3:16] 4. My Honolulu Girl

[4:29] 5. Your Mama Loves Plinkin'

[3:22] 6. I Heard

[4:23] 7. Old Man Mose

[5:05] 8. Tinkerin' Tom

[3:13] 9. Fascinating Rhythm

[3:13] 10. The Way You Woo Me

[3:36] 11. In The Jailhouse Now #2

[4:13] 12. My Heart Belongs To Daddy

[4:34] 13. Tutti Frutti

[3:14] 14. Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me

[4:30] 15. There Ain't No Sweet Man Worth The Sale Of My Tears

[2:54] 16. Making Wiki Waki Down In Waikiki

Proving that hot jazz and vintage pop of the 1920's and 30's is as relevant as ever in the present day, the Midnight Serenaders provide an infectious and irreverent take on the raucous and carefree music of "The Jazz Age." The band formed in 2005, putting together a sound reminiscent of the small swing combos popular during the 20's and 30's, adding a Hawaiian flavor with the inclusion of ukulele and Hawaiian Steel guitar, with lots of clarinet and muted trumpet. Led by the charming frontline of crooner/rhythm guitarist Doug Sammons and ukelele-strumming chanteuse Dee Settlemier, the Serenaders' repertoire consists of specially chosen gems from the past, as well as vintage sounding original songs. The Midnight Serenaders are based in Portland, Oregon and perform at clubs and events throughout the Pacific Northwest, continuing to delight audiences with their brand of hot retro swing. This latest recording captures the band in their prime with new Hawaiian Steel guitarist Doc Stein, along with special guests Andrew Oliver on piano and drums, Aquiles Montas on guiro, and the vocal trio Libertine Belles on vocals.

A Little Keyhole Business