Denise Perrier - The Second Time Around: Live!

Size: 134,4 MB
Time: 57:54
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2009
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. 's Wonderful (4:12)
02. You Better Love Me While You May (7:21)
03. Don't Touch Me (5:55)
04. Here's That Rainy Day (6:50)
05. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To (4:25)
06. Dindi (7:08)
07. Falling In Love With Love (4:52)
08. This Bitter Earth (7:24)
09. The Second Time Around (9:43)

The Second Time Around is the second album that Denise Perrier has recorded with tenor saxophonist Houston Person, and they go together like champagne and caviar.

Denise Perrier, who spent most of her thirty-year career performing in the San Francisco Bay Area and touring Europe, Latin America and Asia, harkens back to the time when a singer told the story and left the rest to the instrumentalists. She has a very welcoming straight-ahead style, concentrating on the standards and adding blues and Latin for variety. Her versatility, choice of material and dynamic stage presence make her very a very appealing and popular performer. No matter what the venue or musical configuration, Denise connects with audiences...that's her forte and why she is known 'the voice with a heart.'

Denise has a rich contralto voice and sings ballads and blues with equal artistry. She has performed in theatrical productions: 'Unforgettable,' a tribute to Dinah Washington, which toured the US and Europe; 'Blues in the Night' and 'In the House of the Blues,' in which she portrayed Bessie Smith; and the vaudeville musical 'One Mo' Time.'

Denise was featured in the Grammy-nominated CD, Color Me Blue, with Brother Jack McDuff, and has produced three previous CDs: I Wanna Be Loved, also with Houston Person, and East Meets West, which includes sides performed in Russia. Last year she came out with Live at Yoshi's; Blue Monday Party, which received critical acclaim and reached high on the jazz charts.

'Listening to her is like sipping the best glass of wine you ever had in your life. You savor every note that comes out of her mouth.'- Dee Spencer, pianist and professor of music.

The Second Time Around

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Mark Winkler - The Laura Nyro Project

Size: 121,0 MB
Time: 52:20
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. And When I Die (5:18)
02. Stoned Soul Picnic (5:21)
03. California Shoeshine Boys (3:08)
04. Time And Love (5:09)
05. Sweet Blindness (4:15)
06. He's A Runner (4:51)
07. Emmie (5:16)
08. Upstairs By A Chinese Lamp (5:05)
09. Buy And Sell (4:42)
10. Save The Country (3:41)
11. Billy's Blues (5:29)

The combination of a unique and beautifully au courant voice with an equally rare and manifold composing talent makes for compelling listening. When the voice is that of vocalist/songwriter Mark Winkler and the songs are by Laura Nyro, the resulting project reaches criticality rapidly. Winkler has been composing and recording for the better part of 30 years, releasing ten recordings and penning upwards to 150 songs in that time. His previous recording, Sweet Spot (Cafe Pacific Records, 2011) was praised widely and featured some of Winkler's most recent composing.

Presently, Winkler turns his attention to a project that has be percolating for some time. Laura Nyro (1947-1997) was a prominent '60s singer/songwriter who composed several notable songs made famous for other artists: Three Dog Night's "Eli's Coming," Blood, Sweat & Tears' (and Peter, Paul & Mary's) "And When I Die," and the Fifth Dimension's "Stone Soul Picnic" and "Wedding Bell Blues," as well as writing songs covered by Barbra Streisand, and Diana Ross and the Supremes. She was a part of the famous Brill Building machine, adding jazz and folk inflections to the "sound" during its heyday.

Winkler takes Nyro's "hybrid" Brill Building sound, adding his own elegance. The lion's share of the selections are arranged by Winkler's long-collaborating pianist Eli Brueggemann, who thoughtfully marries instruments and solos effectively into the families of these Nyro tunes. "And When I Die" is propelled by an assertive bass figure plucked by Dan Lutz, who is the common thread drawn through all of the ensemble pieces. "Stone Soul Picnic" has a gentle funk to it. Arranged by Winkler and pianist on this song, Rich Eames, "Picnic" is transformed into a light and hip stroll, well-suited to Winkler's beautifully unusual voice. Pat Kelly's guitar is svelte and precise, supplementing the song's jazz bona fides.

Winkler and arranger Eames make "California Shoeshine Boy" a gospel romp down the aisle at the church of rhythm and blues. Brueggemann's solo is two-fisted and muscular, challenging Winkler to his edgiest singing. The arrangement of "Time and Love" is cleverly based on pianist Ahmad Jamal's performance of "Moonlight in Vermont," while "Sweet Blindness" follows the same formula as the opening piece with a slick 4/4 stroll, accented by Bob Sheppard's tenor saxophone dueling with Nolan Shaheed's trumpet. John Mills and Elmer Hopper join Winkler with some swing vocals.

"Save The Country" and "Billy's Blues" are Winkler duets with pianist Eric Reed, who solidly puts the soul into the pieces, pushing Winkler to some of his best singing on the disc. The star among stars is Winkler's exceptional voice, one possessing that indefinable quality that makes it memorable without exactly understanding what is so superb about it. The Laura Nyro Project betrays the care and love Winkler and company put into the session; this is an excellent vocal outing by any measure. ~C. Michael Bailey

Personnel: Mark Winkler: vocals; Eli Brueggemann: piano (1, 3-6, 8) organ (1, 5); Rick Eames: piano (2, 3); Jamieson Trotter: piano (7); Eric Reed: piano (10, 11); Dan Lutz: bass; Pat Kelly: guitar (2); Anthony Wilson: guitar (7); Larry Koonse: guitar (5, 8, 9); Peter Buck: drums, percussion (1, 3-6, 8, 9); Dave Tull: drums, percussion (2); Michael Smith: percussion (7, 8); Bob Sheppard: tenor saxophone (1, 4, 5), flute(8); Nolan Shaheed: trumpet (5); Mitch Ellis: background vocals (2); Cheryl Bentyne: background vocals (7); John Mills: background vocals (5); Elmer Hopper: background vocals (5).

The Laura Nyro Project

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Novello - B3 Soul

Size: 145,0 MB
Time: 61:50
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2008
Styles: Jazz: Funk/Soul
Art: Front

01. Show Me The Honey (3:17)
02. B3 Soul (3:59)
03. Baila (3:23)
04. The Groove Suite Theme (3:26)
05. On The Way To Havana (3:24)
06. Candlelight (3:32)
07. Liquid Soul (0:16)
08. Salt & Pepper (4:39)
09. Say You Like It (3:07)
10. Apologize (7:51)
11. Feeling The Beat (3:50)
12. Funny Money (4:02)
13. Love & Happiness (5:06)
14. Transxpress (4:22)
15. The Message 2008 (7:29)

Every once in a while comes an authentic Jazz Man and a real Soul Man wrapped in one - who has the chops to blow mightly and the restraint to simmer and send a shiver through your bones. Novello has earned the highest of praise from peers such as Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock and Stevie Wonder, and has become known for his soulful signature Hammond B3 sound both her and abroad. Having lead renowned bands such as Niacin (with Billy Sheehan and Dennis Chambers), Novello now takes a turn back to his roots with his new album B3 Soul. With a streetwise serenade in both hands in all keys Novello will sneak into your heart, soothe you, and then set you free. "B3 Soul" - Listen, Feel, and Try not to smile!

B3 Soul

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Sue McCreeth - No Evil

Size: 135,1 MB
Time: 57:46
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Stormy Weather (5:40)
02. Honeysuckle Rose (3:54)
03. Without A Song (5:01)
04. Speak No Evil (4:20)
05. God Bless The Child (6:33)
06. Pretty Eyes (4:39)
07. Devil May Care (4:09)
08. Round Midnight (5:06)
09. Weaver Of Dreams (4:17)
10. Very Early (4:08)
11. Come Rain Or Come Shine (4:41)
12. The Man I Love (5:12)

For this, her third jazz recording, Sue takes the bold step of enlisting the support of just two core musicans, guitarist Jim Mullen and bassist Andrew Cleyndert, with Steve Waterman on trumpet and flugelhorn. Most of the songs are first or second takes. There is a clear vulnerability in her timbre, wistful on 'Come Rain or Come Shine' and 'The Man I Love', she turns up the passion, becoming almost anguished in her delivery on 'God Bless the Child' and 'Stormy Weather'. Steve Waterman adds just the right mellow soulfulness to 'Without a Song'. and a nicely measured solo on 'Weaver of Dreams' and a lovely flugelhorn solo on 'Very Early'. The overarching feeling is quality late night jazz vocals with Jim Mullen providing relaxed yet bluesy accompaniment thoughout. An album to treasure and to share with friends. ~Alan Musson, Jazz Kaleidoscope

No Evil

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Cedar Walton Trio - Manhattan After Hours

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 68:20
Size: 156.4 MB
Styles: Hard bop, Piano jazz
Year: 2003
Art: Front

[8:48] 1. My Heart Stood Still
[6:57] 2. Don't Blame Me
[5:55] 3. Relaxin' At Camarillo
[6:47] 4. Con Alma
[9:04] 5. Darn That Dream
[7:53] 6. Euphoria
[6:39] 7. I Want To Be Happy
[8:30] 8. Harpy
[7:43] 9. Like Someone In Love

Recorded in mid-November 2000, Manhattan After Hours was clearly intended as a sequel of sorts to the Cedar Walton Trio's Criss Cross Jazz release Manhattan Afternoon, which came together in December 1992. Manhattan After Hours contains seven rock-solid jazz standards and two original compositions by the trio's guest soloist, Australian tenor saxophonist Dale Barlow. The Walton Trio's signature sound owed fully one third of its sonority and cohesiveness to the presence of Trinidadian bassist Dave "Happy" Williams. Manhattan After Hours was among the last albums ever to include Walton's fellow modern jazz veteran drummer Billy Higgins, who passed away in early May 2001. During the first decade of the 21st century, Walton would continue to perform and record straightforward jazz of the highest order, in a welcome burst of creative maturity that has been documented on a series of albums for the HighNote label. Issued in several different editions with variable cover art, Manhattan After Hours is warmly recommended for nocturnal driving or staying up late with friends at home. ~arwulf arwulf

Manhattan After Hours

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Ida Sand - True Love

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 51:54
Size: 118.8 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[4:49] 1. Ventura Highway
[4:26] 2. Notice Me
[4:12] 3. The Weight
[4:02] 4. My Biggest Fear
[4:15] 5. As Long As You Love Me
[4:42] 6. Devil's Game
[4:00] 7. Heart Of Gold
[3:22] 8. Manic Depression
[5:30] 9. Loverman
[3:50] 10. Who's Gonna Help Brother Get Further
[3:30] 11. Redemption Song
[5:10] 12. True Love

The debut release of a Scandinavian singer has seldom been as surprising as that of the Swedish vocalist Ida Sand two years ago with her album Meet Me Around Midnight (ACT 9716-2). It simply didn’t sound at all like a typical Scandinavian record. What the critics and the public heard was, “the most soulful white female singer to come along in some time” – earthy, tart, deep black, and authentically bound to gospel and blues. Beside this, another basic difference to a lot of other singers is that Ida Sand plays piano, and her singing and piano playing go hand in hand. And so with the help of the world-renowned Swedish groove masters and ACT regulars Nils Landgren and Ulf Wakenius, a timeless album with universal appeal was created.

Ida Sand - vocals, grand piano, wurlizer; Ola Gustafsson - guitars; Mattias Torell - guitars; Peter Forss - electric & upright bass, violin; Per Lindvall - drums, percussion.

True Love

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Big Jay McNeely - Road House Boogie

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 43:50
Size: 100.3 MB
Styles: Jump blues, Soul-jazz, Saxophone jazz
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[2:47] 1. Blow Big Jay
[2:50] 2. Roadhouse Boogie
[2:42] 3. Willie The Cool Cat
[3:07] 4. Midnight Dreams
[2:29] 5. Hoppin' With Hunter
[2:33] 6. K & H Boogie
[2:23] 7. Gingercake
[2:26] 8. Boogie in Front
[2:35] 9. Junie-Flip
[3:00] 10. Jay's Frantic
[2:46] 11. Real Crazy Cool
[2:45] 12. Tondelayo
[3:14] 13. Deacon's Blowout
[2:36] 14. Let's Split
[2:29] 15. Just Crazy
[2:59] 16. Penthouse Serenade (When We're Alone)

His mighty tenor sax squawking and bleating with wild-eyed abandon, Big Jay McNeely blew up a torrid R&B tornado from every conceivable position -- on his knees, on his back, being wheeled down the street on an auto mechanic's "creeper" like a modern-day pied piper. As one of the titans who made tenor sax the solo instrument of choice during rock's primordial era, McNeely could peel the paper right off the walls with his sheets of squealing, honking horn riffs.

Road House Boogie

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Jim Altamore - License To Swing

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 50:29
Size: 115.6 MB
Styles: Vocal
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[2:47] 1. All Of You
[3:48] 2. Learnin' The Blues
[5:46] 3. Just One Of Those Things
[5:39] 4. New York State Of Mind
[3:40] 5. Nice N' Easy
[4:12] 6. Route 66
[3:39] 7. I'm Beginning To See The Light
[3:36] 8. All Right Okay You Win
[3:52] 9. Beyond The Sea
[5:34] 10. Call Me Irresponsible
[3:24] 11. The More I See You
[4:27] 12. You Stepped Out Of A Dream

Timeless standards…sophisticated style…seductive charm. A gifted singer who will satisfy your inner passions each time you hear his magic. This is how Jim Altamore is often described.

Jim Altamore is a versatile jazz singer of popular standards from what is known today as the Great American Songbook. “License to Swing” is the name of Jim’s debut cd. A collection of American standards set to a swing tempo. Jim pays a heartfelt thanks to some of his predecessors like Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Bobby Darin. He stays true to their fashion and keeps the finger snapping, swing feel in songs like “Learnin’ The Blues”, “Route 66” and “Beyond The Sea”. Accompanied by some the best musicians around, “License to Swing” is part of Jim’s story…..part of his life!!! ~ DJ Jim Stone, Host of the radio show…BIG BAND SWING

Jim Altamore's sound is smooth, rich and sophisticated with a classic charm. “License to Swing” was produced by Grammy Award winning producer Jack Kreisberg. Jim is backed by some of the best musicians around including: Rio Clemente, Steve Johns, Eric Johnson, Wayne Batchelor, Bill Easley, and Chembro Wilson.

License To Swing

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Courtney Fortune - Speak Love

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:29
Size: 107,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:57)  1. Care of Cell 44
(4:06)  2. I Wish You Love
(3:36)  3. Lost in the Memory
(4:22)  4. You're Starting To Feel Like Home
(3:40)  5. Close The Door
(4:28)  6. Speak Love
(3:25)  7. I Love The Way You're Breaking My Heart
(3:55)  8. Like Always
(3:30)  9. Dindi
(3:17) 10. Bitter Words
(4:07) 11. I'll Keep Waiting
(4:03) 12. Hello Love

The dark tones of Los Angeles-based singer Courtney Fortune's voice transition seamlessly from jazz to folk and pop on her debut album, Speak Love. Adapting her diverse musical interests at an early age, Fortune has garnered fans from the U.S. to Japan for her smooth voice and warm presence. Along with a collection of standards (including a lush \"I Wish You Love\"), half of the songs on Speak Love were written by Fortune or co-written with four-time Grammy-nominated composer and arranger Chris Walden, who also produced the album. Recorded at Capitol Studios in Hollywood,  Speak Love is an eclectic mix of musical influences that revitalizes and inspires loyal jazz fans while giving depth to the current popular music landscape.  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/jazzdownload.php?id=4561#.U2vAdiiwVOk

Recording information: Capitol Studios, Hollywood, CA (05/27/2008-05/16/2009); Castle Oaks Studios, Calabasas, CA (05/27/2008-05/16/2009).

Personnel: Courtney Fortune (vocals); Dean Parks, Andrew Synowiec (guitar); Alan Grunfeld, Tamara Hatwan, Julie Rogers, Sid Page, Jacqueline Brand, Roberto Cani, Bruce Dukov, Julie Gigante, Sarah Thornblade, Nicole Garcia, Caroline Campbell, Charlie Bisharat (violin); Shawn Mann, Jimbo Ross, Brian Dembow, Keith Greene (viola); Dennis Karmazyn, Larry Corbett, Stephen Erdody (cello); Jeff Driskill (clarinet); Chris Walden (trumpet, flugelhorn, synthesizer, drum programming); Till Brönner (trumpet); Bob McChesney (trombone); Christian Jacob (piano); Blake Angelos (keyboards); Gregg Field, Jamey Tate (drums); M.B. Gordy (percussion); Michael A. Harris (background vocals).

Speak Love

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Gina Hayes - Montage

Styles: Jazz, Bossa Nova
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:29
Size: 95,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:19)  1. The Shadow of Your Smile
(3:47)  2. Agua De Beber
(3:40)  3. Callin' On My Girls
(4:32)  4. You're My Everything
(4:28)  5. Alfie
(3:46)  6. Our World Of Love
(4:24)  7. When Sunny Gets Blue
(4:17)  8. Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
(4:20)  9. Sweet Dreams (Dulce Sueños)
(3:52) 10. Callin' On My Girls (Remix)

Gina Hayes is a native Texan, born and raised in San Antonio. She received a B.A. in Criminal Justice from the University of Texas in San Antonio. She is married to her wonderful and supportive husband, Rob, and together they have two special needs sons, Robby and Joshua. “They are my biggest influences and keep me close to God. They are so smart, but not in a way this world recognizes. I feel they have a divine purpose. I am a spectator to God\'s handiwork each day I am entrusted with the care of these special souls”. Gina has always enjoyed listening to and creating what she calls “real music.” She feels that music is a gift that is best expressed when it comes straight from the heart and is funneled through to the fingertips or vocal chords. Early in her life she was influenced by Carole King and Linda Ronstadt. She feels that they set the bar pretty high for female artists. Even today she loves to listen to and get lost in the lush, strong voices of Patsy Cline, K.D. Lang and Annie Lennox. Gina too, has a unique voice that is pure tone capped off with edgy soul. Her guitar playing is a lulling, melodic compliment to her warm, molasses timbre. 

But don’t let her warm, smooth voice fool you. Her songs pack a real punch, much like an emotional rollercoaster. Whether your reminiscing about a loved one or contemplating eternity, you can bet Gina has asked much of the same “life” questions you have. Join Gina on her journey of the “hows” and “whys” of this life. Her songs always lead to the one true assurance of God’s love. Gina has decided to devote her talent as a singer/songwriter to convey her faith in Jesus Christ. Gina feels that her Christianity has been her only true inspiration for her music. She has stated that, “My cornerstone influence are the scriptures from the Holy Bible. I am searching for meaning and purpose in my life, and my son\'s lives, in a world that is not always accepting of people with conditions they don\'t understand.” Gina invites you to spend some time trying the samples of her songs. If this bio is as far as you get, she wants you to know that there is hope for this life and you are dearly loved. May God richly bless you.  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/ginahayes2

Montage

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Alex Bugnon - Harlem

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:27
Size: 134,1 MB
Art: Front

(5:03)  1. Bridging the Gap
(5:09)  2. Pusherman
(5:13)  3. A Night In Tunisia
(3:37)  4. River Seine
(4:27)  5. Summer Soft
(4:19)  6. Lush Life
(6:37)  7. A House is Not a Home
(4:55)  8. Stompin' at Mikell's
(5:42)  9. Manhattan Lullaby
(5:32) 10. Up There on the Mountain
(5:16) 11. Jungle Bells
(2:31) 12. Witness

New York, NY…..Jazz pianist Alex Bugnon’s 12th and newest release, HARLEM, is sure to dispel any notion that he can be musically stereotyped.   Though he has been one of the most prolific and influential Smooth Jazz artists on the scene for more than two decades, HARLEM demonstrates that Alex’s virtuosity is anything but predictable. On this latest CD, Alex mixes it up offering the listener some of his own original compositions and flavoring the album with a playlist of classic tunes that he fashioned in his own inimitable style.  Alex pays homage to the likes of Dizzy Gillespie & Frank Paparelli (Night in Tunisia), Curtis Mayfield (Pusherman), Stevie Wonder (Summer Soft), Billie Strayhorn (Lush Life), and Burt Bacharach (A House is Not a Home).

A rare and uniquely gifted artist, Alex Bugnon has never shied away from the affiliation to the Smooth Jazz genre rather, he has resisted been compartmentalized when there is so much more to the man and his music. HARLEM is layered with his nuanced performances, beginning with “Bridging the Gap”, an original composition that lays the foundation, by offering the listener his signature musical styling and piano phrasing.   This is followed by a funky, neo-soul tribute to the classic hit of the 70’s, “Pusherman”.  Here you can clearly hear his early R&B, soulful influences garnered touring with artists like Patty Austin & James Ingram, Melba Moore and Freddy Jackson. Alex offers up a super cool version of the classic, “A Night in Tunisia” and employs Maysa’s distinctive and elegant vocals on the beautifully romantic tune, co-written with Martha Redbone, “River Seine”. 

On this album, Alex transitions from the present to the past with ease; from one side of the musical spectrum to the next, using his diverse musicality to bridge the genres, and in the process illustrates his absolute mastery of the keyboard.   He jams smooth and easy on the up-tempo rendition of “Summer Soft” and seamlessly steps into a highly sophisticated version of “Lush Life”.  Every one of the twelve tracks on this album presents a different side of the artist. HARLEM is an acknowledgement of Alex’s absolute love affair with music in all of its variances and a testament to his artistic evolution and unrestrained capacity for taking risks.  http://ejazznews.com/?p=20345

Harlem

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Kenny Garrett - Simply Said

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:21
Size: 138,4 MB
Art: Front + Back

(6:05)  1. G.T.D.S
(6:32)  2. Charlie Brown Goes To South Africa
(4:53)  3. Delta Bali Blues
(5:31)  4. Conversation With Hutcherson
(4:01)  5. Words Can't Express
(4:24)  6. Back Where You Started
(3:59)  7. Sounds Like Winter
(5:53)  8. Can I Just Hold Your Hand
(9:32)  9. Organized Colors
(6:01) 10. 3rd Quadrant
(3:23) 11. Simply Said

Since his late teens, Kenny Garrett has lived the kind of life most musicians only fantasize about. He's been a sideman for legends like Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, Woody Shaw, and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Emerging in the mid-'80s as one of contemporary jazz's most exciting and eclectic new solo artists, the saxophonist's albums have earned him worldwide recognition, four-star reviews, and top spots on reader polls and Rolling Stone's "hot list." Known for years primarily for his adventurous playing and sparkling improvisations, Garrett finally came into his own as a composer with his 1997 Grammy-nominated Warner Bros. release Songbook his first album comprised entirely of his own compositions. 

The concept behind Simply Said, Garrett's latest Warner Jazz release, must have been to further reflect his growth as a songwriter, keeping memorable melodies as the focus while exploring as the stylistically diverse performer has always done new exotic, rhythmic possibilities within the jazz framework. While Garrett has been very successful in the past covering the classics of influential artists (as he did on his previous Warners projects, 1993's Black Hope, 1995's Triology, and 1996's Pursuance: Music of John Coltrane), his growth as a songwriter has unleashed a desire to journey beyond what people might expect based on past projects. While Garrett kept his playing simple on lush, hypnotic ballads like "Can I Just Hold Your Hand?," "Sounds Like Winter," and "Words Can't Express," he and his core unit of gospel pianist/organist Shedrick Mitchell, acoustic bassist Nat Reeves, and drummer Chris Dave can't help but stir up the fires of the unexpected throughout the rest of the collection. 

Playful titles like "Organized Colors" (a nearly ten-minute piece incorporating a multitude of shades from silky and seductive to swinging and percussive), "Delta Bali Blues," "G.T.D.S" (aka "Give the Drummer Some"), and the whimsical piano, sax, and percussion jam "Charlie Brown Goes to South Africa" reflect the spirit Garrett was after here. Simply Said also features guest appearances by drummer Jeff Watts, electric bassist Marcus Miller ("G.T.D.S"), and Pat Metheny (who plays an atypical harmony role on "Yellow Flower" and "Sounds Like Winter"). ~ Jonathan Widran   http://www.allmusic.com/album/simply-said-mw0000667488

Personnel: Kenny Garrett (sopranino, soprano & alto saxophones); Mulgrew Miller (vocals, piano); Nat Reeves (vocals, acoustic bass); Jeff Watts (vocals, drums); Raymond Harris (vocals); Shedrick Mitchell (piano, organ); Pat Metheny (acoustic & electric guitars); Marcus Miller (electric bass); Chris Dave (drums); Bashiri Johnson (percussion).

Simply Said

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Hot Club De Norvège - Vertavo

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 41:04
Size: 95.3 MB
Styles: Swing, Gypsy jazz, String Quartet
Year: 1996/2005
Art: Front

[3:56] 1. Strings To Come
[2:05] 2. Spellbound
[2:40] 3. Gandhi's Revenge
[3:40] 4. Karlov
[2:27] 5. Femme Fatale
[4:39] 6. Blue Strings
[2:48] 7. Strictly Taboo
[5:54] 8. Fido
[2:09] 9. The Missing Link
[3:17] 10. Pascal
[4:24] 11. Fata Morgana
[3:01] 12. Oblivion

HOT CLUB DE NORVEGE is one of the original pioneers from the renaissance of the Django Reinhardt music in the 70-ies. Their starting point was the music of Django and the Quintette du Hot Club de France, mixed with gypsy folklore, waltzes and mainstram jazz, but also alternatives, like Frank Zappa, Carl Barks and Salvador Dalí. Today they have developed their own sound, and continue the search for a contemporary expression of the gypsy jazz.

HOT CLUB DE NORVEGE are famous to a large audience for their rare blend of virtuoso music and surrealistic humour, and they are touring world wide. They have performed and recorded with all the stars of the gypsy swing, from Stéphane Grappelli and Stochelo Rosenberg, to Jimmy Rosenberg, Angelo Debarre and Bireli Lagrene. They have also played with several classical ensembles and orchestras, from the Vertavo Quartet and Kristianssand Symphony Orchestra, to classical stars like Nigel Kennedy. Hot Club de Norvège have released more than 30 CDs, and DVDs.

HOT CLUB DE NORVEGE is: Jon Larsen (guitar), Finn Hauge (violin and harmonica), Per Frydenlund (guitar) and Svein Aarbostad (bass)

The Vertavo Quartet is internationally recognised as one of the most masterful string quartets playing today. Since their formation in Norway in 1984, their dynamic and deeply thoughtful performances have captivated audiences. In June 2005, the quartet was honoured with the Grieg-Prize: a prize bestowed on artists of high international standing and whose former recipients include Leif Ove Andsnes, Truls Mørk and the Grieg Trio. Just ten years previously in 1995 they had won First Prize at the 2nd Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition where they were also awarded the Audience prize and the Critics' prize.

Vertavo now play at all the major concert venues in the world. They tour extensively throughout Europe and also in Japan and the US. Their last US tour in 2013 included performances at Stanford Lively Arts, Chamber Music in Napa Valley and Lincoln Center. In the past year, tours and concerts have also taken them to Norway, Spain, Mexico, Sweden, Poland and the UK.

Vertavo String Quartet is: Øyvor Volle - violin; Annabelle Meare - violin; Berit Cardas - viola; Bjørg Lewis - cello.

Vertavo

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Jane Morgan - Jane In Spain

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 63:16
Size: 144.9 MB
Styles: Vocal
Year: 1959/2013
Art: Front

[3:14] 1. Granada
[2:23] 2. Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps (Quizás, Quizás, Quizás)
[3:08] 3. The Moon Was Yellow
[2:54] 4. What A Difference A Day Made
[2:28] 5. The Sound Of Music
[2:56] 6. C'est La Vie, C'est L'amour
[2:39] 7. You Belong To My Heart
[1:58] 8. If Only I Could Live My Life Again
[2:47] 9. Perfidia
[2:27] 10. It's Been A Long, Long Time
[2:48] 11. My Foolish Heart
[2:29] 12. Was It Day, Was It Night
[3:16] 13. Baia
[2:57] 14. Climb Every Mountain
[2:11] 15. I'm New At The Game
[2:15] 16. With Open Arms
[2:36] 17. Love Is Like Champagne
[1:57] 18. I'm In Love
[2:24] 19. Happy Anniversary
[2:48] 20. Magic Is The Moonlight
[2:43] 21. Adios
[2:59] 22. Be Mine Tonight
[2:12] 23. I Get Ideas
[2:37] 24. Let Me Love You Tonight

Vocalist Jane Morgan is known best for her lone Top Ten hit, "Fascination," drawn from the 1957 Billy Wilder film Love in the Afternoon. Born in Boston (as Jane Currier) but raised in Florida, Morgan was an early success as a singer in France. She made the transition back to America as a nightclub act, and signed to Kapp in the mid-'50s.Jane Morgan made her chart debut late in 1956, appearing alongside Roger Williams on "Two Different Worlds."

One year later she hit number seven with her theme "Fascination," based on the old French composition "Valse Tzigane." Both "The Day the Rains Came" and "With Open Arms" followed "Fascination" into the Top 40 during the late '50s, but Morgan had disappeared from the charts by the turn of the decade. (Her last hit was also a movie theme, for 1959's Happy Anniversary, directed by David Miller and featuring David Niven.) She continued recording for Kapp until 1962, and resurfaced four years later on Epic for Fresh Flavor, a rock-crossover LP that was only slightly embarrassing (her cover of "Good Lovin'" is a minor moment of kitsch). ~bio by John Bush

This 1959 LP finds her in a Latin way, singing Adios; Perfidia; Baia; Granada; Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps , and more. You also get a host of other tracks from 1957-59: My Foolish Heart; The Sound of Music; I'm in Love , and more, all on CD for the first time!

Jane In Spain   

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Karen Souza - Hotel Souza

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 37:50
Size: 86.6 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[3:45] 1. Paris
[2:33] 2. Night Demon
[3:56] 3. My Foolish Heart
[3:22] 4. Delectable You
[2:39] 5. Break My Heart
[3:43] 6. I Heard It Through The Grapevine
[3:55] 7. Wake Up
[4:14] 8. I´ve Got It Bad
[2:33] 9. Full Moon
[3:58] 10. Dindi
[3:08] 11. Lie To Me

There is no doubt that Karen Souza is poised to become recognized as one of the great new voices of jazz today. After the success of her remarkable debut album, Essentials, Karen decided to embark on a songwriting journey that took almost two years and led her far from her home in Buenos Aires to Los Angeles, where she joined with U.S. producer Joel McNeely. Famous for his work with immortal artists such as Tony Bennett, Peggy Lee, Al Green and Jaco Pastorius, McNeely has provided the arrangements with a sound that is both classic and modern a combination that is highly valued in this day and age.
Karen´s voice, intimate and sensuous as always, floats between clouds of strings and winds and creates an atmosphere that can only be described as vintage. One of the few versions found on this artist album is a very special rendition of "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" where Karen had the great fortune of performing with several musicians from Marvin's original band. Recorded at The Factory and on in the Century 21 studios in LA, this is an album that showcases Karen as an multifaceted artist about to embark on an exciting career. Hotel Souza is one of the most anticipated albums of the season.

Hotel Souza

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Darren Heinrich Trio - New Vintage Tunes For The Hammond Organ

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 74:13
Size: 169.9 MB
Styles: Organ jazz
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[4:56] 1. Lunar
[7:42] 2. Hicksville
[6:13] 3. Meanderthal
[7:18] 4. Willow
[4:50] 5. The Poledancer
[5:09] 6. I Don't Know
[6:24] 7. Slinky
[6:10] 8. Easy Autumn
[6:35] 9. Hello Goodbye
[5:21] 10. Three Shades Of Green
[5:39] 11. Meanderthal (Old School Version)
[7:50] 12. Willow (New School Version)

New Vintage Tunes for the Hammond Organ (2007) is perhaps a first for Australian Jazz - an album of entirely original material performed by an organ trio. The 10 tracks (and 2 bonus tracks), composed by Darren, run the gamut of the jazz spectrum in style. Swing, Funk, Boogaloo, Ballads and Blues all get a workout here and while Darren's influences may be evident to Hammond fans, the music is undeniably original and fresh. Produced by legendary US organist Tony Monaco during a visit to Australia, the album was recorded over two days by engineer Richard Belkener.

"Jazz organ is alive and well! In fact, since it's resurgence in the early 90s, Jazz Organ and the Soul Jazz movements continue to gain momentum. With the help of organist and producer Tony Monaco, Darren Heinrich makes his second contribution to the jazz organ discography with 'New Vintage Tunes for the Hammond Organ' his recording not only showcases his abilities at the Organ, but also highlights his compositional voice.

Darren uses two first class rhythm sections on this recording. Guitarist Steve Brien and drummer Andrew Dickeson, both faculty at the esteemed Sydney Conservatorium of Music, are "first call" musicians in Sydney. The second configuration of this trio consists of guitarist Simon Relf and drummer Tim Firth. Both Simon and Tim have an extensive performance background and are highly sought after in the Sydney Music Scene." Pat Bianchi, Jazz Organist, New York City 2008

"This album is my first to feature entirely my own compositions. The decision to record with two rhythm sections was simply due to the fact that I could not choose between them. Both line-ups have something special to offer, which I guess boils down to a traditional approach versus a more modern, looser feel. I love both styles and I think that the tunes work both ways. Of course, I ultimately had to pick between them and so here are what I feel are the best takes of each tune, with two alternate takes for the listener to compare and enjoy." ~Darren Heinrich

Darren Heinrich (Hammond B3) with Steve Brien (Guitar) & Andrew Dickeson (Drums) or Simon Relf (Guitar) & Tim Firth (Drums).

New Vintage Tunes For The Hammond Organ

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Vanessa Trouble - Too Darn Hot

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:27
Size: 104,3 MB
Art: Front + Back

(4:19)  1. Too Darn Hot
(3:01)  2. As Long As I Live
(4:22)  3. Moonglow
(2:13)  4. Let Yourself Go
(3:34)  5. Blue Until Tomorrow
(4:54)  6. Lover Man
(3:32)  7. I Wish You Love
(2:52)  8. Everything's Movin' Too Fast
(5:28)  9. The Look of Love
(1:42) 10. Puttin' On The Ritz
(4:31) 11. On a Slow Boat to China
(4:52) 12. Old Devil Moon

Vanessa is a vocalist and band leader bringing an energetic, nuanced sensuality to the American jazz and swing songbook and occasionally styling new classics. She’s honed her vocal and performance skills all over the country and abroad, fronting various jazz ensembles. Vanessa currently fronts her New York City based “modern retro” swing band, The Red Hot Swing that boasts an 11 years solid back-up band of Mark McCarron, guitar, Stefan Schatz, drums, Andrew Hall, bass, Michael Hashim, saxophone, and Marty Bound, trumpet. She performs regularly with notable guitarists Nick Demopoulos, James Chirillo and Steve Salerno, bassists Sean Smith, Neal Minor, Jim Whitney and Peter Weiss, pianists Don Stein, Bennett Paster and Michael Kanan, and trumpet virtuoso Charlie Caranicas.  http://www.last.fm/music/Vanessa+Trouble/+wiki

Too Darn Hot

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Buddy Bregman And His Orchestra - Swinging Kicks

Styles: Jazz, Swing, Big Band
Year: 1956
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:06
Size: 94,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:22)  1. Wild Party
(1:24)  2. Melody Room
(2:57)  3. Bada Blues
(2:11)  4. Kicks Swing
(1:51)  5. Melody Lane
(1:51)  6. Lost Keys
(1:28)  7. Go Kicks
(2:15)  8. Gage Flips
(2:50)  9. Derek's Blues
(1:36) 10. Mulliganville
(2:16) 11. Terror Ride
(3:46) 12. The Flight
(2:02) 13. Tom's Idea
(1:59) 14. Melodyville
(2:34) 15. Honey Chile
(1:18) 16. End Of Party
(3:18) 17. Kicks Is In Love

Best known as an arranger for singers and for commercial sessions, Buddy Bregman led one full-fledged jazz instrumental date, Swinging Kicks. Because many of the selections are brief (seven are under two minutes) and due to the intriguing titles, this seems a bit like a soundtrack to a film that was never made. However, few of the tracks seem truncated and there are some excellent solos along the way, particularly from Ben Webster, Conte Candoli, Herb Geller, Bud Shank, and Paul Smith. The personnel changes from cut to cut, ranging from a 19-piece big band with screaming trumpet playing from Maynard Ferguson and Conrad Gozzo to various combos, a Ben Webster/André Previn duet on "Kicks Is in Love," and a rapid workout for Paul Smith on "Go Kicks." Bregman uses some of the top West Coast jazz players and various musicians who were on Verve at the time, with Stan Getz making a guest appearance on "Honey Chile." Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow   http://www.allmusic.com/album/swinging-kicks-mw0000602261.

Personnel: Al Hendrickson (guitar); Herb Geller, Bud Shank (alto saxophone); Georgie Auld, Stan Getz , Ben Webster, Bob Cooper (tenor saxophone); Jimmy Giuffre (baritone saxophone); Conrad Gozzo , Conte Candoli, Maynard Ferguson, Pete Candoli, Ray Linn (trumpet); Milt Bernhart, Frank Rosolino, George Roberts , Lloyd Ulyate (trombone); André Previn , Paul Smith (piano); Alvin Stoller, Stan Levey (drums).

Swinging Kicks

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Lizz Wright - Salt

Styles: Neo-Soul
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:31
Size: 116,3 MB
Art: Front + Back

(5:07)  1. Open Your Eyes, You Can Fly
(3:25)  2. Salt
(5:51)  3. Afro Blue
(4:26)  4. Soon as I Get Home
(4:06)  5. Walk With Me, Lord
(3:35)  6. Eternity
(3:57)  7. Goodbye
(4:33)  8. Vocalise/End of the Line
(4:15)  9. Fire
(4:06) 10. Blue Rose
(4:23) 11. Lead the Way
(2:42) 12. Silence

Vocalist Lizz Wright delivers jazz that harks back to such luminaries as Nina Simone and Abbey Lincoln on her debut Verve release, Salt. Still in her early twenties, Wright has a warm, dusky voice reminiscent of Cassandra Wilson and similarly to Wilson seems interested in tackling an eclectic mix of jazz standards, traditional folk, and R&B. Early on, a folky afterglow-Latin version of "Afro Blue" takes center stage followed by the gorgeous "Soon as I Get Home," which betters the version from The Wiz. Wright fairs equally well as a songwriter with about half the album filled with her soaring, bluesy ballads. There is a melancholy yet positive '70s vibe that eminates from songs like "Fire," which resonates lyrically as well as melodically much like the personal/sociopolitical writing of another of Wright's obvious inspirations, Terry Callier. Perhaps a little too low-key to register very high on the pop radio scale, but invested with enough sanguine emotionality and chops to make Salt easily recommended to fans of the neo-soul movement. ~ Matt Collar  http://www.allmusic.com/album/salt-mw0000020164

Personnel: Lizz Wright (vocals); Myron Walden (alto saxophone); Derrick Gardner (trumpet); Vincent Gardner (trombone); Kenny Banks (acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes piano); John Cowherd (acoustic piano); Sam Yahel (Hammond B-3 organ); Sarah Adams, Ron Carbone, Crystal Garner, Judy Witmerr (viola); Ellen Westerman (cello); Adam Rogers (acoustic, electric & bottleneck guitars); John Hart (acoustic guitar, guitar); Brian Blade (acoustic guitar); Doug Weiss (acoustic bass); Brian Blade, Terreon Gully, (drums); Jeff Haynes (percussion).

Salt

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Johnny Hodges - With The Lawrence Welk Orchestra

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1965
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 28:24
Size: 72,5 MB
Art: Front

(2:13)  1. Someone To Watch Over Me
(2:31)  2. Misty
(2:34)  3. Fantastic, That's You
(2:35)  4. Stardust
(2:33)  5. I Can't Get Started
(2:10)  6. Haunting Melody
(2:08)  7. When My Baby Smiles At Me
(2:13)  8. Blue Velvet
(2:47)  9. Sophisticated Lady
(2:32) 10. Canadian Sunset
(2:17) 11. In A Sentimental Mood
(1:50) 12. I'm Beginning To See The Light

This was one of the oddest matchups and yet ended up being fairly logical. Altoist Johnny Hodges had one of the most beautiful tones ever heard and Lawrence Welk always loved beautiful music. This Dot recording features Hodges on a dozen standards while accompanied by a string section, brass and a rhythm section. The concise and melodic interpretations are indeed pretty and the arrangements (by a dozen different writers) are generally fine. Plus the album cover (which has a picture of the unlikely duo) is classic. ~Scott Yanow   http://www.allmusic.com/album/johnny-hodges-with-lawrence-welks-orchestra-mw0000022765

Personnel: Johnny Hodges (alto saxophone); Lawrence Welk (conductor).

With The Lawrence Welk Orchestra

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