Jennifer Scott & Brasileira - Sonho Meu

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 66:16
Size: 151.7 MB
Styles: Brazilian jazz vocals
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[3:33] 1. Corrida De Jangada
[4:19] 2. Sonho Meu
[5:36] 3. Agua De Beber
[6:31] 4. Voce Es Com Deus
[4:32] 5. Aguas De Marco
[5:01] 6. Lua Soberana
[4:31] 7. Romaria
[7:31] 8. Loro
[5:54] 9. Meu Pais
[6:18] 10. Gema
[5:42] 11. Once I Loved
[6:43] 12. A Felicidade

I’ve got to admit that I have a deep and abiding lack of interest in Brazilian jazz, especially when it’s played by non-Brazilians. So I thought I’d start with Sonho Meu by judging its cover—which is wonderful. Local painter and jazz maven Eric Metcalfe is a musician himself, and his jungle-toned cover image manages to be both lushly tropical and stimulatingly abstract. No mean feat.

In fact, Metcalfe’s untitled graphic must have put me in such a good mood that I ended up liking long stretches of Sonho Meu, contrary to whatever expectations I might have had. It helps that the band here, anchored by singer and pianist Jennifer Scott’s husband, René Worst, on bass, is so stellar that it’s not worth singling out individual contributions; everyone plays brilliantly. And as the bandleader, Scott has chosen her material well: too many Braz-jazz efforts never escape comfortable mediocrity, but Scott operates on the assumption that diversity is as desirable as ease. The fierce intimacy evident on a voice-and-bass version of Egberto Gismonti’s “Loro” embodies the love that has carried Scott and Worst through some recent health scares; meanwhile, the singer’s vocal duet with percussionist Pepe Danza on “Romaria” draws on the lonesome tones of country music, albeit with a side of feijoada rather than chuckwagon beans.

There are moments here that come too close to the middle of the road for my left-field tastes, but on the whole Sonho Meu is carefully crafted, engagingly performed, and beautifully recorded. Given the calibre of the participants, I shouldn’t be surprised—but I am, and delightfully so. ~Alexander Varty

Jennifer Scott: Vocals, Piano & Ukulele / Bill Coon: Guitars, Cavaquinho / Cory Weeds: Tenor Saxophone / Rene Worst: Acoustic & Electric Bass / Nino DiPasquale: Drums & Percussion / Pepe Danza: Percussion & Vocals

Sonho Meu

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Joshua Breakstone - With The Wind And The Rain

Bitrate: 320K/s

Time: 65:05

Size: 149.0 MB

Styles: Guitar jazz

Year: 2014

Art: Front

[6:59] 1. Some Kinda Mean

[6:17] 2. I Told You So

[9:11] 3. Short Story

[7:37] 4. Be Anything

[6:51] 5. La Verne Walk

[6:15] 6. La Villa

[8:21] 7. The Very Thought Of You

[7:53] 8. Visitation

[5:37] 9. With The Wind And The Rain In Your Hair

Prolific recording artist Joshua Breakstone delivers his twentieth album as leader tipping his hat to a major influence in his professional life, the late Japanese promoter and bassist Mitsuru Nishiyama, to whom With the Wind and the Rain, is dedicated. A guitarist of note with at least fifty tours of Japan under his belt, his experience performing in a format where the late bassist played the cello in an essentially expanded rhythm section, left Breakstone with a desire to document the sound and this effort is the result. To accomplish this, the leader performs with a standard guitar-trio and adds veteran bassist/cellist Mike Richmond to the mix making for a 14-string (cello, bass, and guitar) rhythm section and quartet on four of the nine-repertoire set. ~Edward Blanco

With The Wind And The Rain    

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Ruth Brown - Miss Rhythm

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 29:56
Size: 68.5 MB
Styles: R&B
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[1:45] 1. This Little Girl's Gone Rockin'
[2:30] 2. Just Too Much
[2:44] 3. I Hope We Meet (On The Road Some Day)
[2:25] 4. Why Me
[2:27] 5. Somebody Touched Me
[2:07] 6. When I Get You Baby
[2:33] 7. Jack O'diamonds
[2:31] 8. I Can't Hear A Word You Say
[2:40] 9. One More Time
[2:33] 10. Book Of Lies
[2:58] 11. I Can See Everybody's Baby
[2:35] 12. Show Me

Ruth Brown's second LP is a minor masterpiece, built around a handful of hit singles and B-sides from the prior year ("Book of Lies," "Just Too Much," "When I Get You Baby," "This Little Girl's Gone Rockin'," "Why Me") and containing a pair of current single sides, "Jack O' Diamonds" and "I Can't Hear a Word You Say." Brown is amazing in her range, from the upbeat, romantic "I Hope We Meet (On the Road Someday)" to the jaunty shouter "Why Me" -- her timbre ranges from sweetly romantic to hard and raspy, and listening to the transformations, between the smooth, quick tempo "Just Too Much" to the hard, lusty "Somebody Touched Me," one thinks of a distaff Sam Cooke. Brown's accompaniments may have lacked the polish of Cooke's sides, and she wasn't really shooting for pop-crossover success (though she saw some). Her singing even overcomes excessively pop-oriented arrangements on "When I Get You Baby." At various times, in her upper register, Brown recalls Clyde McPhatter's falsetto singing, while in her middle and lower registers, as on "I Can't Hear a Word You Say," she comes up with a power that could melt a microphone stand. ~Bruce Eder

Miss Rhythm

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The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra (With Sammy Nestico) - Swingin' Together

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 61:29
Size: 140.7 MB
Styles: Big band
Year: 1998
Art: Front

[2:24] 1. Dimensions In Blue
[7:09] 2. Who's Sorry Now
[5:59] 3. The Blues Machine
[6:38] 4. 88 Basie Street
[3:38] 5. Fascinatin' Rhythm
[3:35] 6. Ya Gotta Try
[3:24] 7. Sweet Georgia Brown
[5:41] 8. It's A Wonderful World
[6:59] 9. Smack Dab In The Middle
[6:54] 10. A Warm Breeze
[3:58] 11. The Wind Machine
[5:05] 12. Some Musings By Sammy

Recorded live in Beachwood Ohio, this was a great night performing the compositions of one of the greatest big band composers, Sammy Nestico.

For almost 30 years, The Cleveland Jazz Orchestra has been Northeast Ohio’s premier jazz voice. Led by Sean Jones, the CJO promotes jazz in its historical and contemporary forms, through concerts with gifted jazz musicians, arrangers, composers and educators in northeast Ohio. The CJO aims for worldwide recognition in cooperation with guest artists, and looks to shepherd young musicians toward the future of jazz. This season exemplifies this mission and vision through a variety of new music, new compositions and arrangements, and a stellar line-up of well-known guest artists and young up-and-coming talent! Enjoy—Hear It! See It! Feel It! -

Swingin' Together

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Footprints Feat. Joan Carroll - The Island

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:20
Size: 120,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:52)  1. Morning
(3:10)  2. Giant Steps
(5:04)  3. Blackberry Winter
(3:17)  4. Haven't We Met
(3:51)  5. Rio de Janeiro In Blue
(4:59)  6. Save Your Love For Me
(5:51)  7. Lush Life
(4:26)  8. Sugar
(2:47)  9. Time After Time
(4:38) 10. My One And Only Love
(2:32) 11. Four
(6:49) 12. The Island

Footprints first started playing together in 1999 and recorded their CD, The Island, that same year. Individually, they are all working musicians involved in many different musical projects. Steve Glaeser plays drums, Jim Kalson plays electric bass, Andrew Langham plays piano, Morgan King plays tenor saxophone and Joan Carroll is the vocalist. They just finished recording a new CD that will be available in Spring 2004. Steve Glaeser is the founder of Footprints and a veteran of the San Antonio jazz scene. He is an accomplished musician and can easily play any style from Dixieland to rock 'n' roll. Steve is happiest playing jazz and is comfortable working with combos and big bands. He has performed with such jazz notables as Clark Terry, Monty Alexander and Jackie King and has played jazz festivals all over the U.S.

Joan Carroll is an accomplished jazz vocalist and has been singing professionally for 19 years. Joan has studied voice and jazz improvisation and is well known for her sensitive phrasing and excellent intonation. She is comfortable working in groups ranging from a duo to a big band. She performed in the Musical Offerings Jazz Meets Classical XIII Concert in San Antonio in 2000. Joan also hosts "The Jazz Voice" weekly radio program on KRTU. Morgan King is active as a freelance musician and has performed with entertainers such as Mel Torme, Bob Hope, Johnny Mathis, Sarah Vaughan and many others. He has toured with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra under the direction of Buddy Morrow and made European and Far East tours with Eartha Kitt. Morgan has a BM from Berklee College of Music and an MM from Southwest Texas State University. Morgan is active as a clinician, adjudicator and solist. Andy started playing the piano at the age of 8 and eventually studied at the University of North Texas and Southwest Texas State University. Since then, Andy has performed with a diverse group of artists in many genres, that includes performances with jazz superstars such as Randy Brecker, Ravi Coltrane, Dewey Redman, Tom Harrell, Gary Bartz, Jason Marsalis, Larry Coryell, John Abercrombie, Sam Rivers and Mike Stern. His credits also include performances with Willie Nelson, Robert Earl Keen, Johnny Bush, Larry Gatlin, Charo, The Drifters, and The Platters. Andy is also the former pianist and Musical Director for Country Music Hall of Fame member Ray Price. As a studio musician, Andy has played on over 50 albums and appeared on several jingles for clients that include Burger King, Toyota, and Coors Light. 

His theater credits include performances with the touring Broadway musical Aida.  Jim Kalson started playing the bass at the age of 10 and was soon touring the country with his family band. In those early years they shared the stage with artists like George Jones and Tammy Wynette, The Statler Brothers, Bobby Goldsboro and Ronnie Milsap. Jim branched out on his own when he turned 18 and has since played mostly jazz and contemporary pop music. Some of the jazz artists he's performed with extensively include Paul English, Joe Locascio and David Caceres. Jim has been featured with jazz legends such as Jon Faddis, Ndugu Chancler and Paquito D' Rivera. He has many studio credits. Some of the jingles he's played on include Taco Cabana, Bud Light, Red Lobster, Coca Cola and Call Notes. Jim has done albums with Little Joe y La Familia, Rick Cavender, Jazz PR and Ron Wilkins to name a few. Some of his theater credits include the touring Broadway musicals Grease and A Chorus Line. Jim is currently Professor of Electric Bass at UTSA and St. Mary's University.   http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/footprints2

The Island

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Janet Planet - Of Thee I Sing

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:52
Size: 117,3 MB
Art: Front

(3:08)  1. Rhode Island Is Famous For You
(3:48)  2. Manhattan
(5:18)  3. Old Cape Cod
(3:36)  4. Moonlight In Vermont
(3:46)  5. Love On A Greyhound Bus
(3:44)  6. Way Down Yonder In New Orleans
(3:52)  7. My Kind Of Town (Chicago Is)
(1:58)  8. Gary, Indiana
(4:08)  9. Song Of Wyoming
(2:40) 10. Chattanooga Choo Choo
(3:31) 11. Home On The Range
(2:10) 12. Deep In The Heart Of Texas
(3:42) 13. (Get Your Kicks On) Route 66
(4:24) 14. San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Flowers In Your Hair)

Jazz singer, Janet Planet, prepared to record a collection of songs that celebrates the sites, cities, and landscape across the United States. Her forth concept album, Of Thee I Sing reminds us of the industrious spirit and natural beauty that made our country great. The song selection takes the listener on a journey  through the quaint little villages of Cape Cod to the canyons of Wyoming; New York to New Orleans; copper mining in Arizona, whiskey distillation in Kentucky, lobstering in Maine; a stroll along Chicago’s lakefront, through the Bronx Zoo, and across San Francisco’s Golden Gate. It is to be an American story in quintessential American form…jazz.

Drawing from varied resources (the Great American Song Book, folklore, the 1920’s, the 1960’s, and today), these are songs about places and people…songs about coming home and falling in love…songs about change. “Whenever our country has faced challenge or adversity, music has always been the great communicator,” says Ms. Planet. “This is an important time in our nation’s history, politically and financially. My hope is to take listeners to a place where we remember the goodness in people, our commitment to community, the beauty of our land, and a love for the place we call home.” ~ Allen/James Design   http://news.allaboutjazz.com/jazz-singer-janet-planet-to-record-album-celebrating-america.php#.U36Tsyioqdk

Musicians: Janet Planet (vocals), John Harmon (piano), Tom Theabo (guitar), John Gibson (bass), Tom Washatka (saxophone), Danny Lueck (drums).

Of Thee I Sing

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David Hazeltine - Inversions

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:10
Size: 148,8 MB
Art: Front

( 6:53)  1. Aki's Blues
( 7:00)  2. For Cedar
( 7:19)  3. A Lil' Bit
( 7:18)  4. Inversions
( 8:33)  5. Loverman
( 7:13)  6. Dave's System
(10:08)  7. Everything I Love
( 9:43)  8. Tin Tin Deo

David Hazeltine seems to get lost in the shuffle of so many modern jazz pianists on the scene. In demand as a sideman, and prominent in his role with the group One for All, Hazeltine's own quintet consistently offers well-defined, mainstream modern jazz. Perhaps Inversions will be the breakthrough, due to the usual high-caliber musicianship, the repertoire he has chosen to interpret, and the unique sound of the band. With vibraphonist Steve Nelson present, the sound is brighter, fuller, and deeper. One for All mate Eric Alexander plays a thickly cut tenor that never seems to dissipate, making Hazeltine's piano all the more supportive and substantive.

Hazeltine's tribute to Cedar Walton, "For Cedar," shows his love for modern post-bop, while the hot Latin-infused title track has the band truly turning up the wick. Always mindful of the tradition, Hazeltine includes two tasteful standards, but the majority of the music is based in easy swing to hard bop. At the center is his clever, centered, never overwhelming piano playing, distinctive for those who choose to listen closely. Never a poll winner or critics' darling, David Hazeltine simply makes a brand of straight-ahead jazz that is interesting and original within accessible, comfortable parameters. ~ Michael G.Nastos   http://www.allmusic.com/album/inversions-mw0001987886.

Personnel: David Hazeltine (piano); Eric Alexander (tenor saxophone); Steve Nelson (vibraphone); Joe Farnsworth (drums).

Inversions

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Bob Wilber - New Clarinet In Town

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 38:18
Size: 87.7 MB
Styles: Dixieland, Swing
Year: 1960/2006
Art: Front

[3:26] 1. Swing 39
[5:40] 2. The Duke
[2:53] 3. Blame It On My Youth
[6:53] 4. Benny Rides Again
[5:27] 5. Django
[2:39] 6. All Too Soon
[3:07] 7. Clarinade
[3:17] 8. Lonely Town
[4:51] 9. Upper Manhattan Medical Group

Bob Wilber - clarinetist, saxophonist, and bandleader - has done it again. He is featured here with a quintet consisting of Charlie Byrd (guitar), Dave McKenna (piano), George Duvivier (bass) and Bobby Donaldson (drums), as well as a string section conducted by Dean Kincaide. On this rare Classic Jazz release, originally released in 1960, the group swings through nine tracks including "The Duke," "Benny Rides Again" and "Upper Manhattan Medical Group."

Bob Wilber (clarinet, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone); Charlie Byrd (guitar); Peter Dimitriades, Jesse Tryon (violin); George Brown (viola); Sidney Edwards (cello); Tony Miranda (French horn); Dave McKenna (piano); Bobby Donaldson (drums).

New Clarinet In Town

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Søs Fenger - On Holiday

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 35:48
Size: 82.0 MB
Styles: Easy Listening, Jazz vocals
Year: 1992
Art: Front

[3:03] 1. You Better Go Now
[4:19] 2. I'll Be Seeing You
[3:21] 3. You Let Me Down
[3:27] 4. I Wonder Where Our Love Has Gone
[3:57] 5. Maybe You'll Be There
[4:43] 6. The Man I Love
[3:44] 7. I'm Pulling Through
[5:50] 8. I Cover The Waterfront
[3:22] 9. Gloomy Sunday

Fenger, Danish singer, was a member of various rock bands in the 1980s, including Love Construction and News. She made her debut as soloist with the lp Winter Days (1989), among others contained the song Watching you, which achieved great commercial success as a single. Fenger moved stylistically and effortlessly to jazz vocal music on the CD On Holiday (1991), which spotlighted Billie Holiday songs to soft, swinging pop.

On Holiday

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Kenny Dorham - Mack The Knife

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 41:52
Size: 95.9 MB
Styles: Trumpet jazz
Year: 1961/2013
Art: Front

[3:00] 1. Mack The Knife
[3:08] 2. Alone Together
[7:35] 3. Blue Spring Shuffle
[4:37] 4. I Had The Craziest Dream
[4:35] 5. Lotus Blossom
[5:08] 6. Old Folks
[5:03] 7. My Ideal
[8:44] 8. Blue Friday

Note: This album was originally released in 1961 as "Quiet Kenny". It has been remastered, renamed and the track sequence changed but this is essentially the same album. The following review is for "Quiet Kenny".

In the liner notes of Quiet Kenny, former Downbeat magazine publisher Jack Maher states that trumpeter Kenny Dorham's music is not necessarily the demure, balladic, rapturous jazz one might associate as romantic or tranquil. Cool and understated might be better watchwords for what the ultra-melodic Dorham achieves on this undeniably well crafted set of standards and originals that is close to containing his best work overall during a far too brief career. Surrounded by an excellent rhythm team of the equally sensitive pianist Tommy Flanagan, emerging bassist Paul Chambers, and the always-beneficial drummer Art Taylor, Dorham and his mates are not prone to missteps or overt exaggerations. One of Dorham's all-time best tunes "Lotus Blossom" kicks off the set with its bop to Latin hummable melody, fluid dynamics, and Dorham's immaculate, unpretentious tone. "Old Folks," a classic ballad, is done mid-tempo, while the true "quiet" factor comes into play on interesting version of "My Ideal" where Dorham gingerly squeezes out the slippery wet notes, and on the sad ballad "Alone Together." The rest of the material is done in easygoing, unforced fashion, especially the originals "Blue Friday" and the simple swinger "Blue Spring Shuffle" which is not really a shuffle. Never known as a boisterous or brash player, but also not a troubadour of romanticism -- until he started singing -- Dorham's music is also far from complacent, and this recording established him as a Top Five performer in jazz on his instrument. It comes recommended to all. ~Michael G. Nastos

Mack The Knife

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Bastien Mayras - Salaam Bossa

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 65:39
Size: 150.3 MB
Styles: Flute jazz, Latin jazz
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[4:44] 1. Les Roses De Beauvais
[4:58] 2. En Paix
[1:08] 3. Flutucada Do Sol
[7:38] 4. La Pluie
[7:17] 5. La Maison Grande
[7:40] 6. Nos Anciens
[6:55] 7. Salaam Bossa
[1:05] 8. Nuages
[6:13] 9. Sauveterre
[7:46] 10. Le Voyage D'aicha
[3:27] 11. Koan
[6:44] 12. Salaam Bossa Ghost

"Bastien Mayras, french musician, plays flute since the age of 6. Self tought musician, he plays also bass and saxophones in different projects.

He fell in love with jazz and brasilian music many years ago. After being playing with all the brasilian musicians of Paris for several years, he planned to record an album in tribute to the brasilian music and culture. He composed and arranged all the songs and playes flute, alto flute and piccolo on this album.

Salaam bossa is a jazz/brasilian album offering either strong tracks with great arrangements and solos or very quiet tracks played with deep feeling and musicality. This project is a colored and spicy album, filled with samba, bossa nova, but also some bahian rythms, giving swing and energy to the tunes, with virtuosity and delicacy. It's been recorded during a live session, as a meeting between friends coming from different backgrounds and cultures playing together in a grateful tribute to the brasilian and the jazz music.

This is the kind of album you can listen very carrefully or leave it spreading around peaceful vibes when you want to relax and chill out."

Salaam Bossa

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Katrine Madsen Swing Quintet - I'm Old Fashioned

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:48
Size: 125,6 MB
Art: Front

(5:08)  1. Bye Bye Blackbird
(6:23)  2. Somewhere over the Rainbow
(7:24)  3. A Time for Love
(4:17)  4. I'm Old Fashioned
(3:15)  5. I Get Along Without You Very Well
(4:17)  6. The More I See You
(5:40)  7. All of Me
(4:54)  8. Smile
(3:14)  9. Katrine's Blues
(5:55) 10. I've Got the World on a String
(4:15) 11. It Don't Mean a Thing

Katrine Madsen (born 7 March 1972 in Århus ) is a Danish jazz singer, composer and teacher. She studied at the Royal Academy of Music in Aarhus. In 1994 she formed the group Swing Quintet which debuted with I'm Old Fashioned in 1996, which was followed by Dream Dancing in 1997. She has also appeared in Ed Thigpens Ed Thigpen Rhythm Features, has toured with Lars Moller on saxophone, Jan Lundgren piano, Jesper Bodilsen on bass and Morten Lund on drums in different contexts. In spring 2000, she starred in DR 's television series The spider as nightclub singer, in which she also starred on the soundtrack. In the same year came the album My Secret which got good reviews. On her tour in the My Secret, she was accompanied by guitarist Jacob Fischer and bassist and her husband Jesper Bodilsen. Katrine Madsen has repeatedly worked with Swedish musicians. On the release of Magic Night 2001 allied herself with the Stockholm orchestra Bohuslän Big Band, which also led to a tour in Scandinavia. She has also sung with Claes Crona Trio and Svante Thuresson. About Katrine Madsen wrote Dagbladet Information in April 2003: She has style, [...]. No doubt about it. A singer since the mid-90s preferably have felt called into the classic American jazz tradition with romantic ballads as a specialty. In suited her dark, airy voice and gentle, easy-going style itself, reminiscent in the direction of Shirley Horn, Ruth Cameron and Anita O'Day. And as the great jazz vocal tradition offers, she has arrogated a fragile vibrato that makes her sound older and more old lady-like; an effete quality [...]. The debut album of 1996 was also a manifesto titled I'm Old Fashioned.

At the sixth album Close to You was turned down for the big bigbandlyd in favor of a more intimate musical space. The record total again Madsen's usual rhythm section with Jesper Bodilsen and Morten Lund. This time they were supplemented by Bodil's and Lund's regular trio pianist Stefano Bollani partner and saxophonist Hans Ulrik and Swedish trumpeter Mårten Lundgren. Here binds Madsen way with old standards like Ellington's In a sentimental mood, Burt Bacharach Close to you, and Lennon / McCartney And I love her. The album was nominated for a Danish Music Award Jazz Year vocal release 2005. On release Box of Pearls 2005 Allied Katrine Madsen again with Claes Crona Trio and Svante Thuresson to a collection vocal duets. This studio album was nominated for this year's vocal release for Danish Music Award Jazz in 2006. http://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katrine_Madsen   (Translate by Google)

Players: Katrine Madsen(vo), Finn Odderskov(ts), Hans Esbjerg(p), Jesper Bodilsen(b), Hans Brockstedt(dr)

I'm Old Fashioned

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Cæcilie Norby - Silent Ways

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:52
Size: 114,2 MB
Art: Front

(3:27)  1. Stepping Stone
(3:53)  2. Winter Lady
(3:20)  3. In My Secret Life
(4:39)  4. Papa Was a Rolling Stone
(3:55)  5. Diamonds and Gold
(3:52)  6. Like a Rolling Stone
(4:46)  7. Hurt
(5:08)  8. Hearts and Bones
(3:28)  9. Silent Ways
(4:08) 10. Have You Ever Seen the Rain
(5:03) 11. Black Hole Sun
(4:09) 12. Hymnen

From a classical upbringing, to pop, jazz funk and jazz, Norby listens solely to her heart and evaluates the musical quality of melodies fully free of genre restrictions. It is a path between worlds that her ACT debut 'Arabesque' (9723-2) defined two years ago: She wrote her own lyrics to classical works, from Rimski-Korsakov and Ravel to Michel Legrand, and transported them to jazz with the aid of her husband Lars Danielsson and their band. Now, with her second ACT album 'Silent Ways' she goes back in the other direction to some extent.

She selected a dozen of her favourite singer/songwriter melodies including 'Hymnen' by herself and her husband, and charged them up with classical and jazz influences. A powerful, thrilling, convincing mix, on the classics like Bob Dylan's 'Like A Rolling Stone', John Fogerty's 'Have You Ever Seen The Rain' and Paul Simon's 'Hearts And Bones', on the earthly tracks like Barrett Strong's 'Papa Was A Rolling Stone', the originally bulky works like Tom Waits' "Diamonds And Gold", the Indie-rock anthem "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails genius Trent Reznor or on the loungey title track 'Silent Ways' composed by Wolfgang Haffner, to which Norby contributes her wonderful lyrics. It is 'the sound of the new, European jazz' that vocalist Caecilie Norby stands for like no other, the way she best defines it.  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silent-Ways-Caecilie-Norby/dp/B00C1GBPIM.

Personnel: Cæcilie Norby / vocals; Lars Danielsson / cello, bass, acoustic guitars, tambourine; Leszek Mozdzer / piano; Nguyên Lê / electric guitars, electronics; Robert Mehmet Ikiz / drums & percussion

Silent Ways

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Ray Charles - Forever

Styles: R&B
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:28
Size: 113,5 MB
Art: Front

(4:14)  1. A Song For You
(3:42)  2. I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town
(3:10)  3. Ring Of Fire
(3:42)  4. Come Rain Or Come Shine
(4:14)  5. They Can't Take That Away From Me
(4:09)  6. Till There Was You
(4:07)  7. Isn’t It Wonderful
(5:04)  8. None Of Us Are Free
(4:29)  9. Imagine
(4:57) 10. If 1 Could
(4:02) 11. So Help Me God
(3:35) 12. America The Beautiful

Commemorating Ray Charles' deserved appearance on a U.S. postal stamp, Concord's 2013 CD/DVD set Ray Charles Forever rounds up various highlights from the entirety of Charles' career. This is true for both the CD and the DVD, with the latter containing live clips that loosely correspond to the music on the CD, but the emphasis here is on the CD which spotlights not Ray's hits, but Ray singing standards of all kinds. Everything from Leon Russell's "A Song for You," Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire," and John Lennon's "Imagine" to "America the Beautiful," "They Can't Take That Away from Me," and "Till There Was You" are here, and they're familiar enough to compensate for the curious selections from late in Charles' career, such as the lite-funk of "Isn't It Wonderful." 

Generally, there is an overabundance of latter-day tracks over half of the cuts date from 1993 or later; his '50s and '60s prime is represented by a mere two tracks ("I'm Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town" and "Come Rain or Come Shine," respectively)  which does mean this not only lacks big hits (no "I Got a Woman," "Hit the Road Jack," "Georgia on My Mind") but it also isn't quite representative of Charles' peerless musical synthesis, where he blurred boundaries between R&B, gospel, jazz, blues, and country. What shines through is Ray's versatility as a vocalist, as he still sounds powerful and compelling even when his surroundings are synthetic, and that forceful, distinctive vocal style is not a bad way to remember Charles at all. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine   http://www.allmusic.com/album/ray-charles-forever-mw0002570341

Forever

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Ron Carter - It's The Time

Styles: Jazz, Bop
Year: 2000
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:17
Size: 122,6 MB
Art: Front

(2:52)  1. It's The Time
(4:55)  2. Eddie's Theme
(5:42)  3. Mack The Knife
(5:17)  4. Candle Light
(5:36)  5. Softly As In A Morning Sunrise
(8:17)  6. I Can't Get Started
(4:23)  7. Super Strings
(7:52)  8. My Ship
(5:59)  9. Laverne Walk
(2:20) 10. It's The Time (TVCM Version)

It's the Time is a Japan-only solo album by legendary American jazz bassist Ron Carter. With the appearance of the title track as well as Carter himself in a coffee commercial, there was a resurgence in his popularity in Japan, with this album of new recordings the result. ~ Ian Martin   http://www.allmusic.com/album/its-the-time-mw0001630634

Personnel:  Ron Carter-bass;  Mulgrew Miller-piano;  Russell Malone-guitar

It's The Time

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Eva Sur Seine - Eva Sur Seine EP / Singin' Django EP

Album: Eva Sur Seine EP
Size: 48,1 MB
Time: 20:33
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Jazz Vocals, Gipsy Swing
Label: ESS Music
Art: Front

01. Bernies Tune (2:56)
02. Une Belle Histoire (5:06)
03. Stompin' At The Savoy (2:37)
04. Je Me Voyais Déjà (3:22)
05. Flambée Montalbanaise (2:42)
06. Dream Of You (3:46)

Eva sur Seine is a collaboration between the young and talented jazz singer Eva Scholten (‘86) and the Thomas Baggerman Trio consisting of Thomas Baggerman (‘88), Max Baggerman (‘90) and Machiel Willemsen (‘70).

The combination of Eva’s refined voice and the gentlemen’s virtuoso gypsy jazz creates a very unique and personal sound, which is often compared to musical greats such as The Rosenberg Trio and Ella Fitzgerald. Their repertoire comprises contemporary songs, reworked pieces by Django Reinhardt, French Chansons and Jazz standards.

This young band is currently regarded as one of the most promising talents in the Netherlands.

Eva Sur Seine EP

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Album: Singin' Django EP
Size: 48,1 MB
Time: 20:33
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Jazz Vocals, Gipsy Swing
Art: Front

01. Bernies Tune (2:56)
02. Une Belle Histoire (5:06)
03. Stompin' At The Savoy (2:37)
04. Je Me Voyais Déjà (3:22)
05. Flambée Montalbanaise (2:42)
06. Dream Of You (3:46)

Singin' Django EP

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Andre Previn - Don't Worry Be Jazzy By Andre Previn

Size: 276,0 MB
Time: 118:33
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Piano Jazz
Art: Front

01. Sophisticated Lady (2:53)
02. Solitude (2:54)
03. A Touch Of Elegance (3:14)
04. Do It The Hard Way (4:04)
05. I Could Write A Book (4:51)
06. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart (3:24)
07. I'm Talkin' With My Pal (5:01)
08. Taking A Chance On Love (5:13)
09. It's A Great Big Town (3:33)
10. The Love I Long For (3:35)
11. What Is There To Say (3:53)
12. It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) (3:20)
13. April In Paris (3:42)
14. Autumn In New York (3:49)
15. I Can't Get Started (5:20)
16. Cabin In The Sky (3:59)
17. I Like The Likes Of You (3:43)
18. Round About (4:35)
19. Ages Ago (3:48)
20. Bewitched (5:36)
21. What Is A Man (3:19)
22. That Terrific Rainbow (6:03)
23. What Am I Here For (2:44)
24. A Portrait Of Bert Williams (3:32)
25. I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good (3:22)
26. Le Sucrier Velours (3:00)
27. Perdido (2:33)
28. Prelude To A Kiss (3:07)
29. Satin Doll (2:56)
30. Zip (3:38)
31. Take Him (3:35)

One of the most versatile musicians on the planet, André Previn has amassed considerable credentials as a jazz pianist, despite carving out separate lives first as a Hollywood arranger and composer, and then as a world-class classical conductor, pianist, and composer. Always fluid, melodic, and swinging, with elements of Bud Powell, Oscar Peterson, and Horace Silver mixed with a faultless technique, Previn didn't change much over the decades but could always be counted upon for polished, reliable performances at the drop of a hat.

He started piano lessons in his native Berlin before the Nazi threat forced his family to move to Paris in 1938 and the U.S. the following year. Settling in Los Angeles, the wunderkind Previn began working as a jazz pianist, an arranger for MGM, and a recording artist for Sunset Records while still in high school -- and by his 18th year, his first recordings for RCA Victor had racked up substantial sales. Originally swing-oriented, Previn discovered bop in 1950 just before his induction into the Army. Upon returning to Los Angeles, Previn went into overdrive, gigging as a jazz pianist, scoring films, and playing chamber music. Forming a smooth boppish trio with Shelly Manne and Leroy Vinnegar, Previn scored a huge crossover hit with an album of jazz interpretations of My Fair Lady, which in turn led to a series of likeminded albums of Broadway scores and kicked off an industry trend.

By 1962, Previn started to make the transition away from Hollywood toward becoming a full-time classical conductor, dropping his jazz activities entirely. He stayed away from jazz for 27 years, with the exceptions of a handful of sessions with Ella Fitzgerald and classical violinist/dabbler Itzhak Perlman. Indeed, in 1984, he was quoted as saying that jazz was "an expendable art form" for him. But in March 1989, shortly before resigning from the Los Angeles Philharmonic in a dispute with management, Previn returned to jazz with a trio album for Telarc with Ray Brown and Joe Pass, showing that he had not lost an iota of his abilities. Subsequently, he returned frequently to the studio as a jazz pianist for Telarc, Angel, Deutsche Grammophon, and DRG when not freelancing as a conductor or composing classical scores. ~Biography by Richard S. Ginell

Don't Worry Be Jazzy By Andre Previn

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Simone Kopmajer - The Best In You

Size: 132,5 MB
Time: 56:40
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

01. Blue Bayou (4:13)
02. Shoes (4:38)
03. All The Words Are Gone (5:10)
04. The Best In You (4:35)
05. Inseparable (3:29)
06. Lucky Mojo (3:49)
07. Up Here On The Rooftop (3:55)
08. Wichita Lineman (6:05)
09. I Dream Of You (3:27)
10. A Perfect Love (5:54)
11. Stay (4:09)
12. Our Love Is Light (6:07)
13. Mr. Wonderful (1:06)

It was Simone’s idea to take the great songs of different generations and put all together in what could be considered a level playing field. «I love to sing the great jazz standards,» the 20-something Austrian native tells me, «but, great as they are, I don’t want to sing them exclusively.» Thus she mixes it up–going seamlessly from the music of Prince and Motown to that of the Gershwins and Rodgers & Hart. She varies between the old and new, which is entirely logical considering that virtually all of them are considerably older than she is. She also includes music from both Broadway and Nashville–also a logical choice considering that New York and Tennessee are roughly equidistant from Vienna.

Simone takes an evocative country-folk song associated with Alison Kraus, and, with her stunning voice and the combined musicality of herself and co-producer/pianist John di Martino, makes it into something even more special. «I was driving from one show to another in the States, when I heard it on the car radio.» she reports, «I couldn’t get all the details, but I eventually figured out what the song was. Before I could find the sheet music, I wrote out the chords myself.» It’s a beautifully sung and even haunting performance–in more ways than one.

The new CD also includes three excellent original songs, my favorite of which is «Didn’t You Say.» «It’s about these men that promise you all kinds of things, and then in the end, they don’t deliver anything.» She tells me it’s inspired by real relationships, and I tell her she’s too young to be so cynical. However, the Count Basie-style beat provided by the combination of di Martino and ace rhythm guitarist helps negate any possible ill will, and «Didn’t You Say» turns out to be a real romper after all.

Meet a fresh, young singer from Austria, whose US debut in the year 2000 was hailed as "captivating“. Jazz legend Ira Sullivan calls her “a great young talent” with a big future in Jazz.

Simone, now 25 years old, grew up in a family of musicians and started to sing, in her father's band when she was 12. At the same time she studied piano, though singing remained her first love. Early on, she entered and won various talent contests and even made appearances on television in her native land, Austria. As a young performer, she twice toured the Netherlands with the “Euro Big Band” and later appeared in several International Jazz Festivals.

Influenced by some of the great American vocalists, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Jon Hendricks, Simone has developed into a true Jazzsinger, a singer who uses a wide variety of rhythms and excels in her very individual style of scatting. Laurie Antonioli says that “Simone is an excellent musician, with soulful and hip improvising. She digs in and isn't afraid to take risks with the music”.

Simone received her Masters Degree from the University for Music and dramatic Arts in Graz, Austria where she had the opportunity to work with such Jazz luminaries as Mark Murphy, Sheila Jordan, Michele Hendricks, Jay Clayton and the New York Voices.

The Best In You 

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Akiko Tsuruga - Sweet And Funky / Oriental Express

Album: Sweet And Funky
Size: 122,3 MB
Time: 52:44
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2007
Styles: Soul-Jazz, Hammond Organ
Art: Front & Back

01. Booga Lou (3:58)
02. Broadway (5:47)
03. DLG (5:19)
04. Meanie Queenie (5:12)
05. Mushi-Mushi (5:28)
06. Polka Dots And Moonbeams (5:54)
07. Saving All My Love For You (5:41)
08. Stormy Weather (4:35)
09. Sweet And Lovely (6:25)
10. Where Is The Love (4:21)

Japanese-born Akiko Tsuruga has lived in New York since 2001. Sweet and Funky is her breakthrough CD, showing that she can hold her own with virtually every other jazz organist. Her style fits well into '60s/'70s soul-jazz and hard bop styles, grooving like Charles Earland, Jimmy McGriff, Jimmy Smith and the other great organists of the era without directly copying any of them. She swings her way through standards, blues and three originals, never losing her momentum, drive or flow of rhythmic ideas. Guitarist Eric Johnson (who takes plenty of fine solos), drummer Vince Ector and percussionist Wilson "Chembo" Corniel all have plenty of experience in this type of organ group and keep the music swinging and grooving. Based on the performances on Sweet and Funky, Akiko Tsuruga ranks as one of the top organists around today and, with luck, this is only the beginning. ~Review by Scott Yanow

Sweet And Funky

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Album: Oriental Express
Size: 123,5 MB
Time: 53:02
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2009
Styles: Soul-Jazz, Hammond Organ
Art: Front & Back

01. Bright Eyes (3:48)
02. Closer I Get To You (3:19)
03. Dreamsville (4:28)
04. Frim Fram Sauce (4:55)
05. J's Groove (4:22)
06. Killing Me Softly With His Song (5:26)
07. Magic E (5:43)
08. Oriental Express (4:42)
09. Sidewinder (6:18)
10. Take It Easy (5:48)
11. Teach Me Tonight (4:06)

With her third release as a leader, Japanese-born jazz organist Akiko Tsuruga demonstrates her growth as a player, having distilled the essence of many of the giants of the instrument, including Jimmy Smith, Charles Earland, Mel Rhyne, Brother Jack McDuff, and others. One of relatively few women who has gained exposure playing jazz organ, Tsuruga shows a surprising maturity at the instrument, using a wide variety of dynamics, while her adventurous spirit shows in her improvising and choice of rhythms. Two of her sidemen on these sessions, tenor saxophonist Jerry Weldon and drummer Rudy Perschauer, were members of McDuff's final band and their presence no doubt stimulated the young organist. Also making important contributions are guitarist Eric Johnson and percussionist Wilson Chembo Corniel, both of whom appeared on her previous 18th & Vine CD Sweet and Funky. Her breezy setting of "The Frim Fram Sauce" (a hit for pianist Nat King Cole during the '40s) and funky Latin setting of Lee Morgan's "Sidewinder" are obvious highlights. She's equally adept handling standards like "Teach Me Tonight" and Henry Mancini' lush ballad "Dreamsville," both of which prominently feature Johnson. With this outstanding effort, Akiko Tsuruga is easily one of the fast rising stars on jazz organ. ~Review by Ken Dryden

Oriental Express

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Marty Grosz & Hot Winds - The Classic Sessions

Bitrate: 320K/s

Time: 68:07

Size: 155.9 MB

Styles: Swing, Contemporary jazz

Year: 2009

Art: Front

[4:37] 1. Pardon Me Pretty Baby

[4:12] 2. Rent Party Blues

[3:13] 3. Just One Of Those Things

[3:25] 4. I Must Have That Man

[5:50] 5. Maori

[3:33] 6. I Just Couldn't Take It Baby

[6:49] 7. Wabash Blues

[3:27] 8. Under A Blanket Of Blue

[2:57] 9. My Blackbirds Are Blubirds Now

[5:28] 10. Caught

[3:26] 11. Love And Kisses

[9:22] 12. Riverside Blues

[4:15] 13. The Panic Is On

[5:08] 14. When Buddha Smiles

[2:17] 15. I Gotta Get Up And Go To Work

Rhythm guitarist Marty Grosz has been a central figure squarely placed in the vintage/traditional/swing era/hot jazz style. He's in many ways a one-of-a-kind artist as a performer, while priding himself as an archivist, historian, and song excavator. The Hot Winds band that Grosz surrounds himself for this recording is loaded with multi-instrumentalists like Scott Robinson, Dan Block, and Vince Giordano, wielding an array of woodwind and brass instruments, especially from the clarinet family. Yes, everything on this recording is from that bygone era of jazz, while the tracks are filled with the counterpoint and layered ideas that sparked the initial forays into improvisation that makes jazz vital, enjoyable, unique, and exciting. What Grosz and crew accomplish is pretty much major league in terms of how they sustain interest through and through by mixing and matching front-line instruments, conceiving a new way to play these tunes with every twist and turn. Check out their "fusion" of three different melody phrases during the upbeat original "Love & Kisses," a load of fun for all. Fans of Fats Waller can't be denied their ebullience, and this combo is no different on the bluesy instrumental "Caught" or the uptown strutter "The Panic Is On," with vocals from Grosz. Some very obscure numbers are discovered, like the lively car chase tune "My Blackbirds Are Bluebirds Now" featuring a ribald vocal from Giordano, the straight Chicago-style Rev. Thomas A. Dorsey composition "Riverside Blues," Duke Ellington's "Rent Party Blues" with two clarinets and the banjo of Grosz, and the quite unknown blues "When Buddha Smiles," featuring baritone sax, C-melody sax, and the peckhorn. The one non-swing entity "Maori" is in a calypso beat with the spirited banjo of the leader slyly jutting and ducking. Perhaps the one song that stands apart is the resurrected Ethel Waters song "I Just Couldn't Take It Baby," with the singing of the leader digging deep into the black bottom spectrum. Robinson's clarinet, soprano, baritone sax, or cornet, Block's clarinet, alto, baritone sax, and bass clarinet, Giordano's upright bass, tuba, bass sax, and the mysterious Panic Slim on trombone for five tracks allow the variations and diverse sounds closer to a full-blown big band. For those who enjoy early period jazz as it was invented, this is a marvelous example of how it should be, and still can be done. ~Michael G. Nastos

The Classic Sessions 

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