King Curtis - Azure

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 38:00
Size: 87.0 MB
Styles: Soul-jazz, R&B
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[2:34] 1. Close Your Eyes
[2:27] 2. Unchained Melody
[3:03] 3. Off Shore
[2:58] 4. Nearness Of You
[2:46] 5. Misty
[2:43] 6. Stranger
[2:35] 7. When I Fall In Love
[2:55] 8. It Ain't Necessarily So
[2:54] 9. Our Love Is Here To Stay
[2:27] 10. My Love Is Your Love
[2:47] 11. Sweet And Lovely
[3:04] 12. Azure
[2:04] 13. The Lone Prarie
[2:36] 14. Jay Walk

King Curtis' lone LP for the tiny Everest label eschews his signature gutbucket R&B approach in favor of a late-night, bluesy atmosphere that brilliantly captures the unparalleled soulfulness of his tenor sax solos. Ballads and standards spanning from "Unchained Melody" to "The Nearness of You" are vividly realized by the lush arrangements of Sammy Lowe, complete with vocal contributions from the Malcolm Dodds Singers. Still, it's Curtis' melancholy leads that command the spotlight, boasting the cerebral intricacy of jazz and the emotional heft of soul. ~Jason Ankeny

Azure

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Melanie De Biasio - No Deal

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 33:05
Size: 75.8 MB
Styles: Vocal
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[1:41] 1. I Feel You
[5:15] 2. The Flow
[4:02] 3. No Deal
[2:48] 4. With Love
[6:33] 5. Sweet Darling Pain
[4:22] 6. I'm Gonna Leave You
[8:21] 7. With All My Love

Among the buzzing cyber hive and unrelenting pace of modern life, there is a special place for albums that suspend time. Melanie de Biasio's first album in six years is seven songs of dark, transcendent music. Although deeply entrenched in jazz (she is a classically trained flautist and singer), No Deal's atmosphere lurks in the same place as This Mortal Coil's Lynchian glow, Portishead's sinister authority and Mark Hollis of Talk Talk's smoky self-titled solo album. Revered by many in her native country as the Belgian Billie Holiday, she defies this comparison to iconic jazz singers on her cover of Nina Simone's I'm Gonna Leave You – a track Biasio reimagines brilliantly with the neat, clipped enunciation of her bruised yet burly vocals. As the final patters of the album's send-off, With All My Love, dissolve into the ether, the eerie silence that's left is dizzying. ~Harriet Gibsone

No Deal

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Pat Giraud & Patrick Saussois - Et Maintenant...

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 44:57
Size: 102.9 MB
Styles: Swing, Gypsy jazz
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[3:23] 1. Et Maintenant
[5:06] 2. The Song Of Delilah
[3:39] 3. The Beginning Of June
[3:22] 4. Bluesette
[4:02] 5. Where
[3:47] 6. Miss X
[5:31] 7. Moonlight In Vermont
[3:23] 8. Amore Baciami
[5:14] 9. Canadian Sunset
[3:22] 10. Lady September
[4:04] 11. Blues For St Emilion

sorry. no album review found.

Et Maintenant...

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Maruja Muci - Dreaming In Caracas

Styles: Fusion, Bossanova, Contemporary Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:08
Size: 113,2 MB
Art: Front

(3:20)  1. I Keep On Dreaming
(3:23)  2. I Seek Your Heart
(2:36)  3. Caramba
(3:17)  4. Tanto
(2:38)  5. Fly Me To The Moon
(3:21)  6. Baubles Bangles And Beads
(2:43)  7. Venezuela
(4:02)  8. Mala Idea
(4:02)  9. Love Is In The Air
(3:26) 10. Velas Izadas
(4:16) 11. I'll Be Gone
(3:27) 12. Chovendo Na Roseira
(3:33) 13. Reprise
(4:58) 14. Adrian Holtz's Remix

Maruja Muci was born in Caracas, and it is this city which inspires the title of her first commercial release, "dreaming in caracas". An album that is full of beautiful songs in English, Spanish and Portuguese arranged in the best jazz-bossa-lounge style. The playing and production find the best of both the contemporary and the classic and create an eclectic and sultry style which is all her own.  Sony-Bmg is in charge of promoting and distributing this record in Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador. The General Production was managed by Maruja Muci, with collaboration from two exceptional Venezuelan musicians: José Manuel Pinto and Gonzalo Micó. Many other talented musicians also participated in this production such as Percussionist Joel "Pibo" Márquez, Theorbist Rubén Riera, Adrian Holtz who is winner of two ASCAP awards and also two Boston Music awards, Moby's "Hotel" musician Kurt Uenala and many others.  

"Hair", the musical, opened in Caracas in 1983, with Maruja starring as first ballerina and singer; from there she moved on to TV commercials where her voice and image were used for advertising campaigns such as "Pepsi" and "Alliance for a Drug free Venezuela", among others. In 1987 she obtained a Law Degree. It was not until 1993 that she returned to singing with the leading role of "Doña Virtudes" in the Spanish Zarzuela "La Gran Vía" After that she undertook classical singing lessons with her teacher, Florentina Adam, she has continued these studies ever since. In the summer of 2002, while in New York, she recorded the voice for José Luis Pardo's single "Mala Idea". José Luis is the guitarist and lyricist in the Grammy nominated Venezuelan band "Los Amigos Invisibles". This song would later become a hit in the United Kingdom as the re-mix version by the "Pound Boys" under the "Look At You Records" label.

Listening to Maruja's songs is listening to a clean, velvety and unaffected voice that wraps itself around the lyrics, it is a voice that tells stories while it sings and brings with it a sense of intimacy between the listener and the artist as if she is singing to you and you alone.  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/marujamuci

Dreaming In Caracas

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Charles McPherson - Manhattan Nocturne

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:50
Size: 137,2 MB
Art: Front

( 6:10)  1. Evidence
( 8:14)  2. You're My Thrill
( 6:39)  3. Morning Dance
( 8:15)  4. Primal Urge
( 7:07)  5. Blue n' Boogie
(10:12)  6. How Deep Is the Ocean?
( 7:08)  7. Manhattan Nocturne
( 6:02)  8. Fire Dance

Alto saxophonist/composer McPherson has been playing masterful bop and its extensions for several decades. He shows no signs of slowing down with this extraordinary set of eight compositions, half that he wrote, split into two bop or bop-informed standards, two low-key numbers, two in the mid-rhythmic range, and two modal ostinato-based figures as vehicles for improvising. All are spiced by the bubbling conga playing of Bobby Sanabria and solidly reinforced by the battleship dense musings of pianist Mulgrew Miller, bassist Ray Drummond, and drummer Victor Lewis, an undeniably brilliant backing ensemble. Listen to the fluidity of McPherson's on any of these cuts, and you'll know why he remains the eminent extension of Charlie Parker. McPherson concisely digs into "Blue'n'Boogie," then stands back and lets Miller, Drummond, and Lewis fly at about 200 mph. 

The Afro-Cuban cooker "Fire Dance" lets Sanabria loose, and the whole band really catches fire. The slower tunes are quite a contrast. The ten-plus-minute ballad "How Deep Is the Ocean?" features a ruminating refrain played in ultra dramatic proportions by the saxophonist. The dusky, sensual, black-hued title track and similarly shadowed "You're My Thrill," with Sanabria's skulking congas and Lewis's jungle rhythms transcending the obvious romantic notions, are outstanding examples of music that doesn't have to be burning to be compelling and sensational in its own way. This CD by McPherson is his best of the '70s, '80s, and '90s, and he's done some very good ones. The combination of seasoned, thinking musicians and excellent material, played to the hilt, is too good a combination for any jazz lover to resist. ~ Michael G.Nastos   http://www.allmusic.com/album/manhattan-nocturne-mw0000058419

Personnel:   Charles McPherson - alto saxophone; Mulgrew Miller – piano; Ray Drummond – bass; Victor Lewis – drums;  Bobby Sanabria - percussion

Manhattan Nocturne

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Eddie Allen - Summer Days

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 2000
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:44
Size: 144,0 MB
Art: Front

( 3:56)  1. Eye of the Hurricane
( 7:27)  2. You Were Never Lovelier
( 6:13)  3. You Say
( 7:46)  4. Summer Days
(11:01)  5. Always
( 8:07)  6. Stablemates
( 5:58)  7. Inner Glimpse
( 1:09)  8. Mystic Dreams
( 8:17)  9. The Crusade
( 2:47) 10. Later

Trumpeter Eddie Allen (also known as E.J. Allen) performs music ranging from hard bop to post bop on this enjoyable quintet date. Joined by Dan Faulk on tenor and soprano, pianist Anthony Wonsey, bassist Richie Goods, and drummer Cindy Blackman, with trombonist Steve Turre being a major asset on four of the ten songs, Allen performs six of his originals plus two standards and a pair of obscurities. The results are modern mainstream jazz of a high caliber, featuring an attractive blend between Allen's mellow horn and Faulk's reeds, a tight rhythm section, and some fine individual moments. ~ Scott Yanow   http://www.allmusic.com/album/summer-days-mw0000101472

Personnel: Eddie Allen (trumpet); Dan Faulk (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Steve Turre (trombone); Richie Goods (bass); Anthony Wonsey (piano); Cindy Blackman (drums).

Summer Days

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Dave Pike - Carnavals

Styles: Vibraphone Jazz
Year: 1962
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 78:10
Size: 188,3 MB
Art: Front

(4:43)  1. Sambolero
(5:37)  2. Sono
(5:16)  3. Serenidade
(4:32)  4. Carnival Samba
(5:20)  5. Philumba
(4:05)  6. Melvalita
(3:57)  7. Ginha
(6:08)  8. Sausalito
(7:46)  9. La Bamba
(3:39) 10. My Little Swede Shoes
(3:59) 11. Matilda, Matilda
(3:15) 12. Mambo Bounce
(2:26) 13. Limbo Rock
(3:49) 14. Calypso Blues
(4:47) 15. Cattin' Latin
(3:45) 16. St. Thomas
(4:57) 17. Jamaica Farewell

Dave Pike isn't one of jazz's more famous vibists he never became as well known as Milt Jackson, Lionel Hampton, Cal Tjader, Bobby Hutcherson, or Roy Ayers. Nonetheless, Pike is a talented, flexible player who has provided some memorable albums here and there. Two of them are Bossa Nova Carnival and Limbo Carnival, both of which were recorded in 1962 for New Jazz. In 2000, Fantasy reissued the albums back to back on the Prestige CD Carnavals. The sessions are equally appealing but quite different while Bossa Nova Carnival is a caressing, sensuous collection of songs by Brazilian composer João Donato, the grittier Limbo Carnival has more of a Caribbean orientation. 

Afro-Cuban salsa is an influence on Limbo Carnival, but calypso is an even greater influence and Pike, taking a hint from Sonny Rollins, combines jazz with calypso on Rollins' "St. Thomas" and Charlie Parker's "My Little Suede Shoes," as well as two songs that were hits for Harry Belafonte: "Matilda" and "Jamaica Farewell." On both dates, the vibist (who plays the marimba as a second instrument) is joined by some heavyweights Bossa Nova Carnival features, among others, Clark Terry on flugelhorn and Kenny Burrell on guitar, while pianist Tommy Flanagan, guitarist Jimmy Raney, and percussionist Ray Barretto are among the sidemen on Limbo Carnival. If you only have a few Pike CDs in your collection, Carnavals should definitely be among them. ~ Alex Henderson   http://www.allmusic.com/album/carnavals-mw0000104854

Personnel: Dave Pike (vibraphone, marimba); Clark Terry (flugelhorn); Kenny Burrell (guitar); Chris White (bass); Rudy Collins (drums); Jose Paulo (cabasa, bandero).

Carnavals

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The Mike Vax Big Band - Sounds From The Road

Size: 173,4 MB
Time: 74:30
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2009
Styles: Jazz: Big Band
Art: Front

01. Alex's Tune (6:28)
02. Seascape (5:22)
03. La Virgen De La Macarena (6:23)
04. Mr. Natural (5:26)
05. Pennies From Heaven (2:52)
06. I'm Glad There Is You (3:18)
07. On A Slow Boat To China (4:11)
08. Boney (6:07)
09. Baubles, Bangles & Beads (3:19)
10. Autumn In New York (6:26)
11. Variations On A Brazilian Folk Song (7:52)
12. Oblivion (5:07)
13. Malaguena (5:16)
14. All The Things You Are (Bonus Track) (6:17)

The traveling autobus—the road to the road—has frequently been used as a symbolic metaphor in movies, books, commercials and, of course, songs of all kinds. Bus travel seems to have an oddly romantic element. In the halcyon days of the barnstorming big bands, bus and car travel were the only direct ways to get to the gigs. Now that this bit of musical Americana is history, it takes awesome nerve for Mike Vax to briefly resurrect the concept of a bus-touring big band traveling America. And for world-class musicians to sign on to Vax's tour is testimony to the respect he garners from players.

Sounds from the Road has all the excitement (and then some) that one might expect from former Stan Kenton
lead trumpeter Vax and this crew of former Kenton, Maynard Ferguson, Woody Herman and other big band alums. Led by Vax's incredible lead and solo playing, this effort is a tour, alright—a tour de force of superb big band jazz and solo artistry.

Recorded live during the 2008 tour, Sounds from the Road sends up 14 first-class big band selections. As one might expect from a Kentonista, the arrangements are big, brash and full of brass balls. "Alex's Tune" kicks off the CD swinging hard and heavy. Other selections showcase the talents of big band stars such as trumpeters Carl Saunders
(on a beautifully Don Fagerquist-tinged "Autumn in New York") and Steve Huffsteter (who also offers up two terrific arrangements, the Oliver Nelson-esque "Mr. Natural" and trombone showcase, "Boney."). Songbook classics such as "Pennies from Heaven;" Kenton's own wonderfully arranged "I'm Glad There Is You;" the slickly arranged vocal "On a Slow Boat to China;" "All the Things You Are" and "Baubles, Bangles and Beads" are impeccably played with a balance and respect for subtle dynamics and shading. "Malaguena," "Variations on a Brazilian Folk Song" and "La Virgen de la Macarena" add the spicy Latin flair the Stan Kenton band delivered.

The rhythm section here, especially drummer Gary Hobbs, drives the ensemble to the heights of swing. Sadly, this was one of the last recordings by the legendary pianist/composer/arranger Bob Florence
.

Those believing that the epitaph is to be written for big band might reconsider, based on Sounds from the Road. It is testimony not only to the greatness of these wonderful musicians and composer/arrangers, but also the very concept of the jazz big band. Sounds from the Road sounds marvelous. ~Nicholas F. Mondello

Personnel: Kim Richmond: soprano sax, alto sax, flute; Pete Gallio: tenor sax, flute; Alex Murzyn: tenor sax, flute; Keith Kaminski: bari sax, alto sax, flute; Scott Peterson: bari sax; Joel Kaye: bari sax, bass sax, flute; Mike Vax (leader), Dennis Noday, Carl Saunders, Steve Huffsteter, Don Rader, Dan Fava: trumpet and flugelhorn; Roy Wiegand, Dale DeVoe, Scott Whitfield, Curtis Fox: trombone; Kenny Shroyer: bass trombone; Mike Suter: bass trombone, tuba; Bob Florence, Bob Kafka: piano; Chris Symer: bass; Gary Hobbs: drums; Dee Huffsteter: Latin percussion; Scott Whitfield, Ginger Berglund: vocals.

Sounds From The Road

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Lena Mentschel - In My Little Garden

Size: 96,8 MB
Time: 40:52
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

01. In My Little Garden (3:46)
02. Back Down (4:03)
03. 28 (3:53)
04. Glow In The Dark (3:43)
05. Tattoo #5 (4:29)
06. We're So Bold (3:34)
07. It Takes Time (4:09)
08. Some Things (3:13)
09. F. Sanity (4:13)
10. Closing Time (3:45)
11. Home (...With You) (1:59)

Line-up:
Lena Mentschel – Gesang
Chris Neuschmid – Gitarre
Michael Lagger – Klavier
Philipp Kopmajer – Drums
Valentin Czihak – Kontrabass

„In My little Garden is Lena Mentschels third and definitely most personal album-release. Eleven auto-biographic compositions give the listener a glimpse into the dreamy little soul-garden of a young woman, caught up in between rock’n'roll, fancy lemon butter cream cakes, total anarchy and freehold property.

Behind the thick walls of the maze which was carefully built around this garden, you can find some humorous short-stories – which of course speak about love in all its daft variations. But also, they speak about issues of a generation, that appears to be a bit lost in the chaotic „anything you want can be yours at anytime“ – century – where self-fullfillment plays such an important role, that people are on the edge of almost forgetting their own names. Love becomes a mystery, a fairytale from long gone ancient times. We fall in love, fall into despair, build mazes around our hearts and in the end we don‘t even manage to find our way back in.

And the first wrinkles show up around the anxoiusly happiness-seeking eyes – yet wisdom hasn‘t arrived yet. But then, quite unexpectedly, you become aware of the fact that everything is just a try. And well worth it, since nobody knows, what all of this is really about anyway. So here we go again, posting buddhist quotes and just move on…

On the record, various musical styles meet and seem to get along quite well – not even slightly worried about the Jazz / Pop – issue. A fantastic band (Michael Lagger (piano), Philipp Kopmajer (drums), Valentin Czihak (bass), Chris Neuschmid (guitars)) and a heart-warming singer create a unique sound, that every now and then tastes a bit like red wine and dark chocolate – one minute, you can feel a blue late summer melancholy – but then one minute later you’re already cruising down the west-coast in a convertible, drinking champagne.

In My Little Garden

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Rhoda Scott - Alone

Size: 120,8 MB
Time: 51:08
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 1997
Styles: Soul Jazz
Art: Front

01. Alone (5:19)
02. Reminiscence (6:18)
03. Soliloquy (Live) (3:23)
04. Bad Mattie (4:47)
05. All Clear (5:37)
06. Oh Lonesome Me (5:03)
07. This Year (4:28)
08. Stardance (4:47)
09. Motor Pool (5:19)
10. Barcarolle (4:04)
11. Epilogue (1:58)

The number of jazz musicians having adopted the organ are rather few in number, compared to other instruments used in jazz:: Fats Waller, Jimmy Smith, Bill Doggett, "Wild" Bill Davis, Lou Bennet, Jimmy McGriff, and naturally Rhoda Scott.
The latter achieves an original synthesis in her productions and in her music and she allows herself with grace and joy to combine themes which are typically jazz, other religious, but also themes from classical music played in jazz.
A minister's daughter, brought up in the classical music tradition, and having attended Manhattan School of Music in New York, surrounded by traditional Afro-American music, how could it be otherwise?
This is wat she demonstrates in her music. Thus it is not surprising to discover, other than her original compositions, wel-known jazz tunes, classical music themes or French airs at the same time as certain Gospels or Negro Spirituals.
All of this comes from the essence of her personality and the unique characteristics of the Hammond organ, so original on the level of jazz music.

Alone

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Ranee Lee - What's Goin' On

Size: 125,6 MB
Time: 53:59
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

01. What's Goin' On (7:13)
02. Echos Of The Heart (4:11)
03. Where Do You Start (7:27)
04. I Mean You (3:51)
05. It Will Be What It Will Be (5:13)
06. Lazy Afternoon (6:09)
07. Silent Tears (5:55)
08. White Gardenia (4:22)
09. One Love (4:08)
10. Song For You (5:25)

'What's Going On' is Ranee Lee's 12th recording for the Justin Time label. Along with several original tunes, the Juno Award winning Jazz vocalist tackles a varied repertoire. As well as paying homage to her Jamaican heritage with a solid rendering of Bob Marley's One Love, the album is also at times moody and reflective, her breathtaking version of Leon Russell's A Song For You features the Birds On A Wire String Quartet which adds a whole new dimension to the song, and there's the Bergman/Mandel classic Where Do You Start, or the title track, Marvin Gaye's stunning What's Going On. But it also swings, check out the self-penned It Will Be What It Will Be and Echoes Of The Heart. A truly beautiful recording (and beautifully recorded!).

What's Goin' On

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The Joe Gilman Trio - View So Tender: Wonder Revisited Volume 1

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 61:05
Size: 139.8 MB
Styles: Piano jazz, Contemporary jazz
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[8:15] 1. I Wish
[6:15] 2. Don't You Worry 'bout A Thing
[7:32] 3. Smile Please
[6:49] 4. That Girl
[6:33] 5. Sir Duke
[7:04] 6. Taboo
[5:21] 7. Send One Your Love
[6:39] 8. Love Light In Flight
[6:31] 9. Go Home

Joe Gilman's recording of the music of Stevie Wonder is not a tribute, but a reassembling of the music into vehicles for improvisation. His approach is fresh and his ideas delve into the possibilities of the art form we respectfully call jazz. Wonder's music contains beautiful melodies, adaptable harmonies, flexible forms and longevity. This is volume one of two releases of the recordings made of Stevie's music by this great trio.

View So Tender: Wonder Revisited Volume 1

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Hetty Kate - Dim All The Lights

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 40:02
Size: 91.7 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[5:26] 1. The Thrill Is Gone
[6:13] 2. In The Still Of The Night
[4:24] 3. Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered
[3:42] 4. Answer Me, My Love
[3:32] 5. Why Don't You Do Right
[4:58] 6. Cry Me A River
[5:22] 7. Something Cool
[2:54] 8. Wives And Lovers
[3:27] 9. I Get Along Without You Very Well

An intimate recording showcasing the 1950s songs of Peggy Lee, June Christy and Julie London, Dim All The Lights is Hetty Kate’s debut album.

Favourites from the Great American Songbook, including Cry Me A River and I Get Along Without You Very Well, are brought to life by Hetty’s seductive vocals and a select band of Melbourne’s finest jazz musicians. Produced by Mal Stanley, this classic collection is a tribute to the great singers of the past, from one of the most exciting young singers of today.

Hetty Kate vocals; Sam Keevers piano; Ben Robertson bass; James Sherlock guitar; Danny Farrugia drums

Dim All The Lights

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Chico Hamilton Quintet - Featuring Buddy Collette

Bitrate: 320K/s

Time: 43:37

Size: 99.9 MB

Styles: West Coast jazz

Year: 1955/2011

Art: Front

[2:14] 1. I Want To Be Happy

[5:20] 2. Spectacular

[5:07] 3. Free Form

[6:17] 4. Walking Carson Blues

[5:20] 5. Buddie Boo

[2:51] 6. A Nice Day

[4:15] 7. My Funny Valentine

[6:29] 8. Blue Sands

[3:31] 9. The Sage

[2:07] 10. The Morning After

The first thing the Chico Hamilton Quintet had going for it was unusual instrumentation. The quintet built its sound around the cello, and featured guitar, bass, either flute or clarinet (with the occasional sax), and Hamilton on drums, forgoing the sticks for brushes or mallets. The second thing was a style that wasn't quite jazz, exactly, but not as composed as classical (and definitely not as boring as third stream.) Many called it chamber jazz, an apt title for a group that applied counterpoint and melody to a lightly swinging beat. And the compositions from the group were abstract, modern works unlike what anyone else quite had in mind.

For a while, apart from a long-gone Mosaic set, the Quintet's music was pretty difficult to find. However, lately several import labels have put out compilations of their albums in various arrangements. Unfortunately it's still difficult to pick up the entire body of work from this masterful group without duplicating any sessions; some have these, some have those.

The Chico Hamilton Quintet Featuring Buddy Collette and The Chico Hamilton Quintet in Hi-Fi feature the original group with Carson Smith on bass, Fred Katz on cello, Jim Hall on guitar (in his first ever jazz group) and Collette on flute, clarinet, and sax.

This album has some of the best music the West Coast had to offer in the 1950s. The first half of the first album features lively originals that make use of the lightweight sound of the quintet; "A Nice Day" pretty much says it all in the title, a lively reworking of the "Miss Jones" changes. "The Morning After" is an energetic and insanely catchy little melody. In what would soon be a trademark approach to standards, "My Funny Valentine" is given a drastic reworking with Katz holding down the melody; "Blue Sands" channels the Middle East through mallets and flutes. The second half is a live set from Stroller's that focuses on more standard fare. But from early on Hamilton had assembled a group of sympathetic musicians who were willing to rewrite what a jazz group could be. ~David Rickert

Featuring Buddy Collette 

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Gino Vannelli - The Millennium Collection

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 48:20
Size: 110.7 MB
Styles: Pop-Rock, Adult Contemporary
Year: 2002
Art: Front

[3:24] 1. Fly Into This Night
[3:37] 2. I Just Wanna Stop
[4:21] 3. Living Inside Myself
[4:43] 4. Appaloosa
[3:48] 5. The River Must Flow
[2:50] 6. Crazy Life
[4:18] 7. One Night With You
[4:13] 8. Wheels Of Life
[4:30] 9. Love Of My Life
[3:06] 10. Mama Coco
[3:17] 11. People Gotta Move
[6:08] 12. Powerful People

20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Gino Vanelli collects a dozen of his soft rock and pop hits from the late '70s and early '80s, including "People Gotta Move," "I Just Wanna Stop," "Living Inside Myself," and "Powerful People." The compilation does a good job of presenting the different sides to Vanelli's sound, from the slick, slightly jazzy sound of his biggest hits to soft, romantic ballads like "Wheels of Life" to the somewhat awkward funk edge on tracks such as "Appaloosa" and "Mama Coco." Overall, this collection provides a more complete look at Vanelli's output from this era than The Best of Gino Vanelli, though it's not quite as comprehensive as The Ultimate Collection, which also includes some fun singles from a few years later, like "Black Cars." Still, if it's just the soft rock hits that you're after, 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Gino Vanelli gets the job done. ~Heather Phares

The Millennium Collection

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Ike Quebec - Heavy Soul

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1962
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:50
Size: 113,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:38)  1. Acquitted
(5:50)  2. Just One More Chance
(4:29)  3. Que's Dilemma
(5:28)  4. Brother Can You Spare a Dime
(6:31)  5. The Man I Love
(6:51)  6. Heavy Soul
(5:22)  7. I Want a Little Girl
(2:44)  8. Nature Boy
(5:54)  9. Blues for Ike

Thick-toned tenor Ike Quebec is in excellent form on this CD reissue of a 1961 Blue Note date. His ballad statements are quite warm, and he swings nicely on a variety of medium-tempo material. Unfortunately, organist Freddie Roach has a rather dated sound, which weakens this session a bit; bassist Milt Hinton and drummer Al Harewood are typically fine in support. Originals alternate with standards, with "Just One More Chance," "The Man I Love," and "Nature Boy" (the latter an emotional tenor-bass duet) being among the highlights. ~ Scott Yanow   http://www.allmusic.com/album/heavy-soul-mw0000126670

Heavy Soul

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Brian Charette - Learning To Count

Styles: Jazz, Post-Bop
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:38
Size: 157,6 MB
Art: Front

(5:04)  1. Air On A Sunny String
(7:19)  2. Hungarian Bolero
(7:40)  3. Juju
(6:29)  4. Lawrence Of Detroit
(8:56)  5. Milestones
(4:44)  6. Partita Boy
(6:29)  7. Flippin' The Bird
(8:16)  8. Two Slightly Different Indian Scales
(5:26)  9. Good Tipper
(4:39) 10. Empty Pages
(3:30) 11. Learning To Count

Hammond organist Brian Charette has a light touch compared to many of the jazz giants who played the instrument, yet one of the benefits is that he has developed a sound that is distinctively his own. For this studio session, Charette is joined by rising alto saxophonist Mike DiRubbo and drummer Jochen Ruckert, focusing mostly on his originals. The peppy "Air on a Sunny String" is a pulsing opener, displaying the leader's light touch in his breezy solo. "Hungarian Bolero" has an ominous, brooding air, with Ruckert's sensitive percussion providing the perfect backdrop. "Flippin' the Bird" is an easygoing bop vehicle, while "Learning to Count" is a blistering workout for the trio with DiRubbo's vigorous solo powered by Charette and Ruckert. The organist's buoyant midtempo setting of Wayne Shorter's "Juju" and his breezy, lighthearted take of John Lewis' "Milestones" bring new life to these venerable jazz favorites. The only lackluster track is Charette's interpretation of rocker Steve Winwood's "Empty Pages," a dated, repetitious number that resists the best efforts of the leader and DiRubbo to inject some life into it. ~ Ken Dryden   http://www.allmusic.com/album/learning-to-count-mw0002122525

Personnel: Brian Charette (Hammond b-3 organ); Mike DiRubbo (alto saxophone); Jochen Ruckert (drums).

Learning To Count

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Susan Egan - The Secret Of Happiness

Size: 102,1 MB
Time: 43:30
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2011
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

01. A Musical Apology (2:30)
02. All Things In Time (3:59)
03. Bridge Over Troubled Water (5:54)
04. Children Will Listen (Duet With Georgia Stitt) (2:48)
05. Cock-Eyed Optimist (3:04)
06. From The Stars (Isla's Song) (3:39)
07. I Have You (3:29)
08. Momsense (3:00)
09. Nina Doesn't Care (3:13)
10. The Me Of The Moment (3:40)
11. The Secret Of Happiness (2:54)
12. The Wanting Of You (5:15)

Best known for her Tony-nominated performance in Beauty and the Beast and her role as Meg in Disney's Hercules, star of stage and screen Susan Egan's fifth studio album, The Secret of Happiness, is a refreshingly tongue-in-cheek affair that showcases a sense of humor often absent from similar musical theater-based albums. Having given birth to two children since 2006's Winter Tracks, it's no surprise that her recently extended family appears to have provided much of the inspiration for its 12 theatrical tracks, whether it's the orchestral cover version of "Momsense," Christian comedian Anita Renfroe's YouTube sensation that reeled off her everyday sayings against a backdrop of The William Tell Overture; the emotive duet with producer Georgia Stitt on a rendition of "Children Will Listen," Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods Broadway number based on the relationship between child and parent; or the self-penned "Nina Doesn't Care," a delightfully self-deprecating account of her daughter's disinterest at having a Disney Princess as a mom. She's just as playful elsewhere, whether it's her simple acoustic take on Christine Lavin's regretful roll call of insults hurled during a fight ("And I was kidding when I said I hope the #103 bus hits and makes a pancake out of you"), her unique declaration of love on the heartfelt piano balladry of "I Have You" ("Newton had his apple/Michaelangelo had the Sistine chapel...I have you"), or her breezy jazz-tinged interpretation of Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific standard "Cock-Eyed Optimist." A gorgeously hushed and understated reworking of Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and the string-soaked self-help guide of the title track are proof, if any were needed, that she can play the leading lady just as well as the comic foil. But The Secret of Happiness is undoubtedly at its most endearing when it doesn't take itself too seriously. ~Review by Jon O'Brien

The Secret Of Happiness

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Ray Brown Jr. - The Best Of Ray Brown Jr.

Size: 140,6 MB
Time: 60:13
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Art: Front

01. On Broadway (5:24)
02. Can't Take My Eyes Off You (4:52)
03. Misty (3:18)
04. Sunny Side Of The Street (3:46)
05. Cheek To Cheek (6:04)
06. I Wish You Love (4:36)
07. Fever (5:38)
08. Everybody's Cryin' Mercy (4:04)
09. Lady Is A Tramp (3:17)
10. Ordinary Fool (4:29)
11. Oh Pretty Woman (3:31)
12. I'm Beginning To See The Light (2:41)
13. Who Can I Turn To (4:56)
14. Lullaby Of Birdland (3:30)

The adopted son of Ray Brown and Ella Fitzgerald, he was born in New York City, New York to Fitzgerald's half-sister Frances. Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra and many others were regular visitors during his childhood.

After moving to California when he was 10, Ray discovered a passion for the drums and for singing. He attended Beverly Hills High School where he sang with school groups which toured at local festivals and hospitals.

His father arranged for him to study with jazz percussionists Bill Douglass and Chuck Flores. Despite his jazz roots he admits that his interest in performing rock music was an act of rebellion. "I used to drive my parents crazy with this. I told my father a few years before he died, you know a lot of times I played that music 'cause I just wanted to see the look on your face.".

His mother's 1964 single "Ringo Beat" was inspired by her son's interest in rock music.

He moved to Seattle in 1971, studying with another drummer, Bill Coleman, Sr. It was at this time that Brown, Jr. began writing songs in addition to playing drums and piano.

In the late 1980s Brown toured the Pacific Northwest, Canada, Alaska, Japan, Korea and Guam performing in tours for the United States Department of Defense. Like his famous parents, Brown, Jr. says he loves performing on the road. He states,

"I love to tour. I've been able to see a lot of the world and I just absolutely enjoyed being able to be with different types of people, different cultures and to see the world. It's just kind of broadened who I am as a person, which eventually will filter down into the music, the influences.".

In 2001, Brown recorded his debut album Slow Down for Love on SRI Jazz, which reached the top 50 of the Gavin Report. His second album, Committed from the Heart, was released in 2003. His sound has been described as an adult contemporary pop sound layered with R&B. Ray Brown, Jr. wrote and arranged all the songs on both CDs.

Additionally in 2003, Brown debuted on the Las Vegas Strip, performing five nights a week in the Le Bistro Theater at the Riviera hotel and casino.

In 2007 he released the album Stand by Me.

In September 2008, Ray Brown Jr. released a duets-style album, Friends and Family, produced by Shelly Liebowitz, on SRI Jazz, a division of SRI Records. Vocal artists on this album include Jane Monheit, Melba Moore, James Moody, Maria Muldaur, Dr. John, Dionne Warwick, Freda Payne, Sophie B. Hawkins, Paul Williams, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Dave Somerville, Kim Hoyer, and Sally Kellerman. Additional instrumental performances appear on some of the album tracks with artists David "Fathead" Newman, James Moody, Dr. John, Dr. Lonnie Smith and jazz vibraphonist Terry Gibbs. Also included on the album is Brown's daughter Haylee singing "A-Tisket, A-Tasket", which song was made famous by her grandmother. There is also a bonus track with Ray's parents in a live version of "How High The Moon", with Ella Fitzgerald and Brown Jr. on vocals and Ray Brown (musician) playing bass. His style has been described as more RnB influenced material.

The Best Of Ray Brown Jr.

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Ross Wooldridge - Ross Wooldridge & His Tribute To The Benny Goodman Sextet

Size: 116,1 MB
Time: 49:47
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2012
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. Airmail Special (5:35)
02. Honeysuckle Rose (4:24)
03. Memories Of You (5:28)
04. Slipped Disc (3:32)
05. Running Wild (3:07)
06. Avalon (3:23)
07. After You've Gone (3:43)
08. Bernie's Tune (3:23)
09. Moonglow (3:27)
10. Flying Home (4:48)
11. Liza (3:19)
12. Goodbye (5:33)

Ross Wooldridge was born 1962 in Hamilton Ontario. He showed early musical ability, and was taking piano lessons by age four. He was self-taught on clarinet at age 13, and took saxophone at Ancaster High and Vocational School.Ross Wooldridge

While attending Mohawk College and Humber College (where he also picked up the flute), he honed his skills as a multi instrumentalist, arranger and composer. After finishing his education, he added to his portfolio of skills the titles of producer, conductor, transcription specialist and teacher.

He enjoys co-leading an excellent traditional jazz band known as the Dixie Demons with trombonist Dan Douglas, as well as a busy career of playing and recording with Jeff Healey and the Jazz Wizards, Alex Pangman and her Alley Cats, Jaymz Bee and the Royal Jelly Orchestra, Alfie Zappacosta, Terra Hazelton and her Easy Answers, and many other local artists. Ross has produced CD’s for the Dixie Demons and Alex Pangman, both of which have garnered rave reviews and continually receive airplay on JazzFm and other radio stations across North America.

Additionally, Ross is the leader/musical director of Toronto’s Galaxy All Star Orchestra, a big band specializing in the swing music of the 1930’s through the 1950’s. He has written many of the arrangements the band plays, and produced their CD “Tribute to the Kings of Swing” which is played regularly on JazzFm and other radio stations across North America. Their latest show is “Benny Meets Artie – A Tribute to the Big Bands of Artie Shaw and Benny Goodman”.

Another of Ross’s notable achievements is his critically acclaimed Tribute to Benny Goodman Sextet. This group was featured at a sold out concert presented by JazzFM and The Sound of Toronto Jazz Series in 2005, and they have been in demand ever since. They have released to excellent reviews a new CD for 2012, recorded at a concert performance.

As well as his extensive local resume, Ross has performed with and arranged music for a number of international stars, among them Ben E. King, the Drifters.Ross Woolridge Tribute to Benny Goodman Sextet

Instruments: Piano, Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute.

National Jazz Awards, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008.

Ross Wooldridge & His Tribute To The Benny Goodman Sextet

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