Lionel Hampton & Stan Getz - Hamp & Getz

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 51:35
Size: 118.1 MB
Styles: West Coast jazz, Saxophone jazz, Marimba jazz
Year: 1955/1987
Art: Front

[9:15] 1. Cherokee
[8:07] 2. Ballad Medley
[6:46] 3. Louise
[8:23] 4. Jumpin' At The Woodside
[6:12] 5. Gladys
[7:43] 6. Gladys (2)
[5:05] 7. Headache

The cool tenor of Stan Getz and the extroverted vibraphonist Lionel Hampton might have seemed like an unlikely matchup but once again producer Norman Granz showed his talents at combining complementary talents. Hampton and Getz really battle hard on "Cherokee" and "Jumpin' at the Woodside" and, other than a ballad medley, the other selections on this CD (which include two previously unreleased performances) are also heated. Classic music from two of the best. ~Scott Yanow

Hamp & Getz

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Lili Araujo - Arribacao

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 48:28
Size: 111.0 MB
Styles: Latin jazz vocals
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[5:01] 1. Tapete Azul
[4:19] 2. Lendas Do Mar
[4:42] 3. Coisas Demais Por Fazer
[5:03] 4. Todas Aquelas Coisas
[3:53] 5. Roma
[3:32] 6. Luz Da Lua
[5:46] 7. Consciência
[4:39] 8. Arribação
[3:53] 9. Novamente
[3:43] 10. Tem Palmeira
[3:53] 11. Na Gafieira

After consolidating her career in Europe, the young Rio de Janeiro born and bred singer and songwriter Lili Araujo came back to Brazil in 2008 and launched her debut album, “Arribação”. Composed by eleven unique tracks, her work is a mix of choro and samba – rythms that were part of her childhood in the outskirts of Rio. To that were added the jazz conception, elements and instruments. At only 26, Lili came on the scene, blending references as she created her own musical identity.

The artist, graduated in canto popular at Escola de Música Villa Lobos, in Rio, emmigrated to Viena, Austria, in 2006 and it was in Europe that her career took off with important appeareances and presentations in jazz clubs, festivals and european theatres such as Tunnel Live Jazz (Viena), Theater am Spittelberg (Viena), Reigen (Viena), Birdland (Viena), Porg & Bess (Viena) and Blue Note (Paris). In 2008 the singer wanted more and launched her debut album “Arribação” with austrian record label Oficina Records. She came back to Brazil in the middle of that year, where she performed launching shows from this album at Modern Sound, Sala Baden Powell, Cinematéque, Sala FUNARTE São Paulo and Estrela da Lapa. She also had wonderful appraisals from the specialized press. In the middle of 2009, sponsored by the austrian company SKE/AKM, she went on a little tour of Europe with the concert, passing through Viena, Schwaz (Tyrol), London, Lausanne, Lisbon and Stockholm.

More than 40 musicians took part on the making of this first CD, including well known instrumentalists such as harmonica player Gabriel Grossi, multi-instrumentalist Dirceu Leite and drummer Marcio Bahia. It also featured young talented instrumentalists such as Guto Wirtti (bass), Joana Queiroz (clarinet), Gabriel Gestzi (piano), Rodrigo Villa (bass), Rafael Barata (drums), Marcelo Caldi (accordion), Vitor Gonçalves (piano), Bernardo Ramos (electric and acoustic guitar) amongst others.

Arribacao

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The Hi-Lo's - And All That Jazz

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 38:13
Size: 87.5 MB
Styles: Vocal harmony
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[3:08] 1. Fascinatin' Rhythm
[3:16] 2. Small Fry
[2:36] 3. Something's Coming
[3:13] 4. Love Locked Out
[2:55] 5. Lady In Red
[3:12] 6. Agrogically So
[2:45] 7. Some Minor Changes
[4:31] 8. Then I'll Be Tired Of You
[4:05] 9. Mayforth
[2:14] 10. Moon-Faced, Starry-Eyed
[3:36] 11. Summer Sketch
[2:36] 12. Of Thee I Sing

The late 1940s and early 1950s were liberating years for harmonic vocal groups. The rise of the suburbs and collapse of the big bands pushed singing groups to go out on their own. Some groups like the Ravens, the Orioles, the Platters and others influenced by the Mills Brothers and Ink Spots took a gospel-based r&b approach and wound up swaying a generation of doo-wop and soul artists. Other groups like the Four Freshmen and the Encores modeled themselves after the Modernaires, Six Hits and a Miss, and the Mel-Tones. They straddled jazz and pop, eventually influencing the Beach Boys, the Four Seasons and other rock groups. Among the hippest of the latter set were the Hi-Lo's. ~Matt Myers

This CD contains the most swinging album ever made by the Hi-Lo’s: “And All That Jazz” (1958), in its entirety. This acclaimed jazz close-harmony vocal quartet featured Grammy award-winning arranger/composer Gene Puerling.

Featuring: Gene Puerling, Clark Burroughs, Bob Morse, Bob Strasen (vcl) with The Marty Paich Dek-Tette, feat. Jack Sheldon (tp), Bob Enevoldsen (v-tb), Vince DeRosa (fhr), Herb Geller (as), Bill Perkins (ts), Bud Shank (bs), Clare Fischer (p), Joe Mondragon (b)

And All That Jazz

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Stan Kenton - Summer Of '51

Styles: Jazz, Vocal, Big Band
Year: 1951
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:33
Size: 115,8 MB
Art: Front

(0:44)  1. Artistry In Rhythm
(2:23)  2. Machito
(3:17)  3. Stardust
(2:45)  4. Gone With The Wind
(4:10)  5. Eager Beaver
(2:43)  6. Autumn Leaves
(4:32)  7. Minor Riff
(2:11)  8. Collaboration
(4:34)  9. Painted Rhythm
(3:40) 10. Viva Prado
(3:24) 11. Love For Sale
(5:34) 12. Intermission Riff
(3:31) 13. Blues In Riff
(2:54) 14. Easy Go
(2:23) 15. Lover
(0:39) 16. Artistry In Rhythm

When one thinks of Stan Kenton's 1951 music, it is of his huge Innovations Orchestra which sported a full string section and played very advanced works. However later in the year Kenton cut back to a conventional 19-piece band, a unit that was only together six months and made few studio recordings. This collector's CD features the all-star orchestra broadcasting from the Hollywood Palladium and it is particularly interesting to hear the unit interpreting some of Kenton's earlier hits. With such distinctive soloists as Maynard Ferguson, Shorty Rogers, Milt Bernhart, Art Pepper and Bob Cooper (plus a couple of vocals by Jay Johnson), the highlights include fresh versions of "Machito," "Eager Beaver," "Collaboration," "Painted Rhythm" and "Intermission Riff."

~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/summer-of-51-mw0000192651

Personnel:  Alto Saxophone – Art Pepper, Bud Shank; Baritone Saxophone – Bob Gioga; Bass – Don Bagley;  Drums – Shelley Manne; Guitar – Ralph Blaze;  Piano – Stan Kenton;  Tenor Saxophone – Bart Calderall, Bob Cooper; Trombone – Bart Varsalona, Bob Fitzpatrick, Dick Kenney, Harry Betts, Milt Bernhart; Trumpet – Chico Alvarez, John Howell, Maynard Ferguson, Ray Wetzel, Shorty Rogers; Vocals – Jay Johnson

Summer Of '51

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Kiki Ebsen - Scarecrow Sessions

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:53
Size: 98,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:43)  1. You Don't Know What Love Is
(5:40)  2. If I Only Had A Brain
(2:59)  3. Missing You
(4:11)  4. Moon River
(3:00)  5. Comes Love
(3:09)  6. Tea For Two
(2:01)  7. Codfish Ball
(4:13)  8. Laura
(2:43)  9. Easy To Love
(0:48) 10. Prelude
(4:54) 11. St Louis Blues
(4:27) 12. Over The Rainbow

Let me start off but stating the obvious: Vast talent does not equate to popularity. Fortunately in singer, songwriter and keyboardist Kiki Ebsen’s case, her vast talent has led to a string on elegant albums and respect of her musical contemporaries. The Southern California-based Ebsen is a classically trained vocalist from the California Institute of Arts, but she honed her talents as MIDI tech and keyboardist for the band Chicago. Ebsen, the daughter of the late actor Buddy Ebsen, has also toured extensively with Al Jarreau, Peter Cetera and Christopher Cross, among others.Red marked Ebsen’s 1994 debut as a solo artist. She’s demonstrated her keyboard prowess and jazz/adult-comtempoary vocal chops on four additional projects from 2000’s Love Loud to The Beauty Inside in 2011. While Ebsen is an accomplished songwriter, she explored a mixture of covers in 2005’s Cool Songs Vol. 1. Her upcoming release Scarecrow Sessions allows Ebsen to turn her talented arranging chops on a collection of jazz standards. 

This time, Ebsen pulls inspiration from her later father and presents the songs as a father’s day gift in his honor. She’s also assembled an all-star band to assist, with John Patitucci on bass, Chuck Loeb on guitar and producer David Mann on sax. The results are touching and heartfelt. “Missing You” displays the grace and elegance required of a touching tribute from daughter to father. Ebsen’s unaccompanied piano is simply memorizing, yet doesn’t overshadow her lovely vocal stylings. “If I Only Had a Brain” is a sweetly comical nod to Buddy Ebsen’s almost-famous role in the movie, The Wizard of Oz. (Her father was replaced as the Tin Man, when he developed a severe allergy to the makeup.) Ebsen also takes on the heady task of updating “Moon River,” and her efforts pay off. She adds a sophisticated sheen to the classic, while paying homage to Buddy Ebsen’s role is the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s. “Comes Love” finds Ebsen mixing blues and jazz effectively. 

Her version of the song evokes Marvin Gaye and Joni Mitchell. Ebsen and band then leap into “St. Louis Blues” boasting a full swing mood. The song, the first one Buddy Ebsen taught her on piano, allows Ebsen a chance to stretch both vocally and on piano. It soounds like the boys in the band took great joy in trying to keep up with her. Kiki Ebsen’s finale, “Somewhere Over The Rainbow,” is a perfect close for an album dedicated to the man who was originally cast to play the Scarecrow, only to be recast briefly as the Tin Man. Scarecrow Sessions emerges as an excellent tribute to Buddy Ebsen on Father’s Day, and a treat to listeners any day of the week.  http://somethingelsereviews.com/2014/06/14/kiki-ebsen-scarecrow-sessions-2014/

Scarecrow Sessions

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The Buddy Rich Big Band - Big Swing Face

Styles: Jazz, Big Band
Year: 1967
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 69:47
Size: 162,7 MB
Art: Front

(3:43)  1. Norwegian Wood
(5:34)  2. Big Swing Face
(2:44)  3. Monitor Theme
(3:16)  4. Wack Wack
(4:51)  5. Love For Sale
(2:52)  6. Mexicali Nose
(4:16)  7. Willowcrest
(5:40)  8. The Beat Goes On
(5:06)  9. Bugle Call Rag
(2:38) 10. Standing Up In A Hammock
(2:58) 11. Chicago
(2:33) 12. Lament For Lester
(3:44) 13. Machine
(4:44) 14. Silver Threads Among The Blues
(4:40) 15. New Blues
(3:28) 16. Old Timey
(4:07) 17. Loose
(2:43) 18. Apples (aka 'Gino')

Big Swing Face not only reissues the second recording by Buddy Rich & His Big Band but doubles the program with nine previously unissued performances from the same engagement at the Chez Club in Hollywood. Rich's orchestra was in its early prime, displaying a very impressive ensemble sound, charts by Bill Holman, Shorty Rogers, Bob Florence, Bill Potts and others, and such soloists as altoist Ernie Watts (a newcomer), trumpeter Bobby Shew, Jay Corre on tenor and the remarkable drummer/leader. Even with the presence of "Norwegian Wood" and "The Beat Goes On" (the latter features Rich's teenage daughter Cathe on a vocal), this is very much a swinging set. Rich has some outstanding solos and lots of drum breaks but does not hog the spotlight; he was justifiably proud of his band. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/big-swing-face-mw0000648562

Buddy Rich Big Band: Buddy Rich (drums); Quinn Davis (alto sax); Ernie Watts (alto sax, flute); Jay Corre, Robert Keller (tenor sax, flute); Marty Flax (baritone sax), Bobby Shew, Yoshito Murakami, Charles Findley, John Scottile (trumpet); Jim Trimble, Ron Meyers (trombone); Bill Wimberly (bass trombone); Ray Starling (piano); Richard Resnicoff (guitar); James Gannon (bass). Reissue producers: Bob Belden, Dean Pratt. Personnel: Buddy Rich (drums); Richie Resnicoff (guitar); Ernie Watts (flute, alto saxophone); Robert Keller , Jay Corre, Bob Keller (flute, tenor saxophone); Quinn Davis (alto saxophone); Marty Flax (baritone saxophone); Chuck Findley, John Scottile, Yoshito Murakami, Bobby Shew (trumpet); James Trimble (trombone); Bill Wimberly (bass trombone); Ray Starling (piano); Cathy Rich (vocals).

Big Swing Face

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Carl Fontana & Jiggs Whigham - Nice 'n Easy

Styles: Trombone Jazz
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:36
Size: 158,6 MB
Art: Front + Back

( 6:45)  1. The Touch of Your Lips
( 8:50)  2. Sweet Lorraine
( 7:22)  3. Take the Coltrane
( 8:07)  4. Here's That Rainy Day
(10:13)  5. If I Only Had a Brain
( 9:15)  6. Nice 'n Easy
( 5:45)  7. It Could Happen to You
( 6:39)  8. Incident
( 5:36)  9. Cape Clip So

Recorded in 1997, Nice 'n' Easy finds Carl Fontana joining forces with another veteran trombonist: Jiggs Whigham. Together, Fontana and Whigham form a two-trombone front line, and they have a solid rhythm section that consists of pianist Stefan Karlsson, bassist Tom Warrington, and drummer Ed Soph. These days, two-trombone attacks are a rarity, and anyone who has a high opinion of the sessions that trombonists J.J. Johnson and Kai Winding co-led in the '60s knows how regrettable that is. So, when two skilled trombone veterans like Fontana and Whigham get together, it is a happy event. Fontana is the older of the two; born in 1929, he was 14 when Whigham was born in 1943. Both of them bring a lot of experience to the table, and they enjoy a strong rapport when they turn their attention to original pieces, as well as Duke Ellington's "Take the Coltrane" and some overdone standards (including "Sweet Lorraine" and "It Could Happen to You"). Those who have listened to Fontana and Whigham extensively should have no problem telling them apart; both are recognizable. 

But even so, it is a good thing that the liner notes tell you which trombonist is soloing first on a particular song  that way, novices will know for sure. On Nice 'n' Easy, the trombonists do not sound like they are trying to compete with one another. There are no duel-to-the-death battles; in fact, most of the performances tend to be relaxed and easygoing (which is why Nice 'n' Easy is an appropriate and accurate title). Fontana and Whigham always share a friendly, good-natured dialogue on this rewarding disc. ~ Alex Henderson  http://www.allmusic.com/album/nice-n-easy-mw0000245872

Personnel: Carl Fontana (trombone); Jiggs Whigham (trombone); Stefan Karlsson (piano); Ed Soph (drums).

Nice 'n Easy

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Hank Mobley - Workout

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 45:50
Size: 104.9 MB
Styles: Hard bop, Saxophone jazz
Year: 1961/2006
Art: Front

[ 9:58] 1. Workout
[10:44] 2. Uh Huh
[ 7:28] 3. Smokin'
[ 5:16] 4. The Best Things In Life Are Free
[ 6:58] 5. Greasin' Easy
[ 5:23] 6. Three Coins In The Fountain

This is one of the best-known Hank Mobley recordings, and for good reason. Although none of his four originals ("Workout," "Uh Huh," "Smokin'," "Greasin' Easy") caught on, the fine saxophonist is in top form. He jams on the four tunes, plus "The Best Things in Life Are Free," with an all-star quintet of young modernists -- guitarist Grant Green, pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Paul Chambers, and drummer Philly Joe Jones -- and shows that he was a much stronger player than his then-current boss Miles Davis seemed to think. [Some reissues add a version of "Three Coins in the Fountain" from the same date, originally released on Another Workout.] ~Scott Yanow

Workout

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Hot Club Of Columbia - Swing 42

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 62:04
Size: 142.1 MB
Styles: Gypsy jazz
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[3:44] 1. Swing 42
[3:30] 2. Billet Doux
[3:51] 3. Minor Swing
[4:14] 4. Undecided
[5:46] 5. Manoir De Mes Reves
[3:54] 6. J'attendrai
[4:42] 7. Tears
[7:45] 8. Dr. Jazz
[4:03] 9. Lulu Swing
[3:15] 10. Viper's Dream
[5:51] 11. Slide Sister Slide
[2:51] 12. Swing De Paris
[5:27] 13. One Stolen Night
[3:06] 14. Belleville

Eventually everything old is new again. If you survey today’s music scene you will observe a fusion of music happening. Elements of rock, blues, jazz and ethnic folk music are being combined in a variety of ways. This reminds us of when jazz was blooming. Classically trained musicians such as Eddie Lang, Joe Venuti and Stephane Grappelli were inflecting jazz music with their classical heritage. Likewise Django Reinhardt was infusing traditional folk music from the gypsy camps in France into jazz. Swing 42 fuses classically trained musicians with jazz musicians to create hot club jazz.

Swing 42

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Shannon Gibbons - S/T

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 41:40
Size: 95.4 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 1987/2010
Art: Front

[3:16] 1. This Could Be The Start Of Something Big
[4:48] 2. But Beautiful
[3:07] 3. This Can't Be Love
[5:56] 4. Lately
[5:26] 5. Make Someone Happy
[3:02] 6. Just In Time
[6:08] 7. My One And Only Love
[3:28] 8. There Will Never Be Another You
[6:22] 9. You Don't Know What Love Is

Recording information: 39th Street Studio, NY (05/11/1987). Shannon Gibbons (vocals); Cecil Bridgewater (trumpet); Kenny Barron (piano); Rufus Reid (acoustic bass); Ben Riley (drums).

Shannon Gibbons

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Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra - Talk About The Weather

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 47:19
Size: 108.3 MB
Styles: Swing, Folk, Roots
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[3:30] 1. Drinking Coffee Rag
[4:39] 2. Soleil
[3:49] 3. Junk On The Radio
[3:48] 4. Crazy Country Fool
[4:32] 5. Hey Mr Landlord!
[4:08] 6. Small Town Blues
[4:27] 7. Killed By Love
[4:07] 8. High Speed Train
[5:20] 9. I'm Feelin' Blue
[4:06] 10. Penny Drop Mambo
[4:48] 11. Don't Kick That Oven Door

There’s always something to be grumbly, opposed to and misanthropic about. While this may seem bleak for humanity in general, it’s great news for blues’ musicians who wish to sing about more than love and drunkenness. Long queues at the supermarket? There’s a tune right there. The council has rerouted your favourite bus a 15 minute walk away from your house? Get out the guitar. The possibilities are endless, unfortunately.

Distilling the essence of disgruntlement into song, however, is a special kind of talent, particularly if a songwriter is to avoid hitting the same downbeat note. It requires spinning a sense of joy and satisfaction from subject matter that is often resolutely unromantic, such as the weather, rogue landlords and the HS2 rail network.

Step forward Rob Heron and the Tea Pad Orchestra. A combination of offbeat, quirky lyrics and wonderfully tight and inventive musicianship raises their new album Talk About The Weather firmly out of the humdrum. Heron’s smokey, expressive vocals and keen sense of dynamics inject a sense of continuity into a varied repertoire of upbeat ragtime and swing numbers, country songs and a mambo. There is a real sense of fun and occasion that runs throughout the album.

Drinking Coffee Rag tells the sorry tale of one man’s descent into coffee addiction, while Junk On The Radio bemoans the vacuousness of modern media. Hey Mr Landlord and High-Speed Train tackle some of the more pressing political and social issues of our time. Penny Drop Mambo evidences the group’s flair for a broad variety of musical styles and Heron showcases his talent as a straight up crooner on I’m Feeling Blue, a simple, sparse song about love and loneliness. Sometimes the meaning of the blues is just that straightforward. ~Rachel Devine

Talk About The Weather

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Ken Peplowski - Noir Blue

Styles: Clarinet And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:48
Size: 141,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:31)  1. The Best Thing For You
(5:13)  2. Home With You
(5:38)  3. Bourbon Street Jingling Jollies
(6:44)  4. Riverboat Shuffle
(6:17)  5. Love Locked Out
(4:00)  6. If Not For You
(8:31)  7. Multi-Colored Blue
(6:20)  8. Noir Blue
(6:35)  9. Nobody Else But Me
(7:56) 10. Little Dogs

Ken Peplowski has much to say; not in the sense that he jabbers incessantly, as many men with horns (and embouchures for hire) sometimes do. However, in erudite and leaping ululations, and in warm, wafting glissandos he sings of the gaiety and sadness of life. This he does through clarinet or tenor saxophone, depending on the echo and longevity he wishes his harmonic monologues to have. An old soul, with a spectacular perspective on the past, Peplowski lives in a place called the "near future"; just close enough for him to cast shy, but frequent glances into the ever-present. His song is tinged with a glimmering shade of sadness, but as a wry epicure, he seems to always smile just beyond the wet guise of his reeds. If all this seems contrary to a musician schooled on the waxed floors of swing, it bears mention that the Peplowski eschews unnecessary chatter and hollow garrulousness for meaningful tributaries of sound that always have a harmonic confluence with the poetry of melody and utterly surprising rhythm . He is a not-so-distant disciple of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, of Hoagy Carmichael and therefore Bix Beiderbecke. Not in emulating their music, but certainly in his understanding of the alchemy of sound that made them special beacons that called across the ocean of music. This is why he can hear and reveal in genteel manner a bolero once hidden in "Bourbon Street Jingling Jollies." Or where he might skip and swing with eloquent grace (including a quick wink at Charlie Parker somewhere in the middle chorus) as he romps through the "Riverboat Shuffle," where others might end up with a wild and loud rant. 

On Noir Blue, which might well be something to savor for a considerable length of time, the clarinetist and saxophonist finds that he is closer to the deep azure of the Duke that otherwise imagined. Not that anyone is complaining. Ray Noble "Love Locked Out" and Strayhorn's "Multi-Colored Blue" come in complimentary shades of indigo, the latter an elemental lament with a deeply cathartic wail in its tail. "Noir Blue" is equally moving and inhabits the same realm and yet gives credence to the ancient belief that the blues is nothing but deep sorrow turning into joy and at Peplowski's hand, seemingly turning on a dime if that. Such is his mastery of emotion and his ability to curve the air with feeling. Peplowski is not alone in this wonderful adventure. Surrounding himself with a group of musicians who subscribe the identical point of view, he forges an alliance that can only further his joyous cause. Pianist Shelly Berg, bassist Jay Leonhart and drummer Joe LaBarbera are old souls too. They dive into the same well of emotions with Peplowski, plunging into sorrowing hues and bursting out; soaring into the bubbling spray of elation with him. Together they make the experience of Noir Blue something truly unforgettable. ~ Raul D’Gama Rose  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/noir-blue-ken-peplowski-capri-records-review-by-raul-dgama-rose.php#.U-f98GNryKI

Personnel: Ken Peplowski: clarinet, tenor saxophone; Shelley Berg: piano; Jay Leonhart: bass; Joe La Barbera: drums.

noir blue

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Freda Payne - Come Back to Me Love

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:00
Size: 147,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:23)  1. You'd Be so Nice to Come Home To
(3:54)  2. Haven't We Met
(3:52)  3. Lately
(5:24)  4. Come Back to Me Love
(3:23)  5. Whatever Happened to Me
(3:48)  6. You Don't Know
(5:21)  7. Save Your Love for Me
(3:55)  8. Guess I'll Hang My Tears out to Dry
(6:10)  9. The Island
(3:32) 10. I Should Have Told Him
(4:25) 11. I Just Have to Know
(5:38) 12. Midnight Sun
(4:47) 13. Spring Can Really Hang You up the Most
(4:23) 14. I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water

In 1970, the spirited R&B/pop singer Freda Payne had a monster success with "Band of Gold," a bouncy love-gone-wrong song that was probably the first top 40 hit ever written about impotence. Decades later, with undiminished pipes, beauty, and impressive energy, Payne returns to the spotlight with this big-band outing from Mack Records on its Artistry Music imprint. Arranged and conducted by the brilliant pianist Bill Cunliffe, Come Back to Me Love features a full complement of brass and horns together with a cushion of violins, violas, cellos, and a guitar, vibraphone, and harp. It's an elaborate yet tasteful backdrop for the 14 songs in the session. 

These include six written by Gretchen C. Valade, the founder of Mack Records, whose lyrics are clever and ring true, but whose melodies don't rise to the classic level of "You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To," "The Island" and "Midnight Sun" (Note: the "Lately" on this track list is not by Stevie Wonder.) Payne's versatile voice, with its echoes of Dinah Washington, Marlena Shaw and Nancy Wilson, sounds best when belting through a blazing arrangement of "I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water," or sensuously wrapped around a beloved standard like "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry." 

It's ironic, given the luscious colors of all those horns and strings, that one of the album's standouts would be this simple quartet arrangement of ..."Tears" (bass, piano, brushes, guitar). Moreover at least to these ears Payne never sounds better than she does on "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most," which is just a duo with Cunliffe's eloquent and lyrical piano. Perhaps the intimacy of the setting makes the communication deeper and more direct; maybe Payne just had a special love for the song. It's also possible that things in the studio were simply more relaxed when it was recorded. In any case, it's a moving and memorable beauty, the crown jewel of a thoroughly enjoyable and versatile collection. ~ Dr Judith Schlesinger  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/come-back-to-me-love-freda-payne-mack-avenue-records-review-by-dr-judith-schlesinger.php#.U-ZoS2NryKI
 

Personnel: Freda Payne: vocals; Bill Cunliffe: piano, synth; David Stone: bass; Dan Lutz: bass; Jonathan Richards: bass; Curt Bisquera: drums; Joe LaBarbera: drums; Walter Rodriguez: percussion; John Chiodini: guitar; Alisha Bauer: cello; Vanessa Freebairn-Smith: cello; Pete Christlieb: saxophone; Tom Peterson: saxophone; Keith Fiddmont: saxophone; Brian Scanlon: saxophone; Bob Sheppard: saxophone; Nick Mancini: vibraphone; Bob McChesney: trumpet: Carl Saunders: trumpet; Bob Summers: trumpet; Kye Palmer: trumpet; John Papenbook: trumpet; Bijon Watson: trumpet; Jeff Driskill: flute; Ben Devitt: trombone; Andy Martin: trombone; Bob McChesney: trombone: Ira Nepus: trombone; Briana Bandy: viola; Scott Hosfeld: viola; Jessica Vanvelzen Freer: viola; Amy Shulman: harp; Clayton Haslop: violin; Sharon Jackson: violin; Peter Kent: violin; Barbara Porter: violin; Erica Walczak: violin; John Wittenberg: violin; Judy Yoo: violin.

Come Back to Me Love

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Fred Hersch - Floating

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:36
Size: 134,2 MB
Art: Front

(5:41)  1. You & the Night & the Music
(5:48)  2. Floating
(2:01)  3. West Virginia Rose (For Florette & Roslyn)
(5:52)  4. Home Fries (For John Hebert)
(6:34)  5. Far Away (For Shimrit)
(6:27)  6. Arcata (For Esperanza)
(7:03)  7. A Speech to the Sea (For Maari
(6:05)  8. Autumn Haze (For Kevin Hays)
(6:11)  9. If Ever I Would Leave You
(6:49) 10. Let's Cool One

There's no arguing the considerable merits of pianist Fred Hersch's Alive at the Vanguard (Palmetto Records, 2012) or his Alone at the Vanguard (Palmetto Records, 2011), trio and solo efforts respectively, both recorded live at the legendary Village Vanguard, home of so many classic live sets. Hersch is at the height of his artistic powers in the place. It seems a consensus opinion that "Live" is better, an idea that has picked up credibility with the technical evolution resulting in very nearly studio quality sound for the documentation of concert recordings. No more murky sonics injected with those "tinkling ice, background chatter" crowd noises that can be heard on so many of the live offerings from yesteryear. But let's not downplay the studio, especially in Hersch's case. His Whirl (Palmetto Records 2010) isn't Hersch's most lauded recording that accolade probably goes to his ambitious larger ensemble offering Leaves of Grass (Palmetto Records, 2005). But Whirl is a studio piano trio recording put together to perfection to simulate a tight live set. And Floating is more of that, with the same trio Hersch joined by John Hebert on bass and drummer Eric McPherson going even deep in that mode of operation. The trio opens with a touchstone, the familiar "You and the Night and the Music," laid down in an unfamiliar way spiced up and rollicking. Saucy. A version to bring a smile, that gives way to the title tune, a Hersch original. 

The sound is a fluid, frictionless momentum that does indeed evoke the sensation of weightlessness, of notes floating on clouds. Music played on the moon. Hersch is a marvelous tune-smith, writing in a variety of styles and moods, while maintaining the cohesion of the "set." "West Virginia Rose," dedicated to Hersch's mother and grandmother, plays with Appalachian themes. "Home Fries" slides down south to Louisiana with its second line New Orleans feel, and is dedicated to bassist Hebert, who hails from the Baton Rouge. The trio really lets go and lets it rip on the tune, before moving into the wistful, delicately drawn "Far Away," a piece that Hersch wrote for the late Israeli pianist Shimrit Shoshan. The pianist's touch here is deft and delicate beside McPherson's subtle brushwork and Hebert's steady, dreamy patience on the bass. Three more distinctive originals are played out before the trio shifts back to the familiar, with a gorgeous, understated version of Lerner and Lowes' "If Ever I Would Leave You," and then closing with Thelonious Monk's "Let's Cool One," sounding refined and playful and devil-may-care on this perfect close out to a superb piano trio set. ~ Dan Mcclenaghan  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/floating-fred-hersch-palmetto-records-review-by-dan-mcclenaghan.php#.U-hTTmNryKI

Personnel: Fred Hersch: piano; John Hebert: bass; Eric McPherson: drums.

Floating

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Yvonne Sanchez - My Garden

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:33
Size: 116,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:26)  1. The Girl
(4:18)  2. Just For Us
(3:37)  3. Voa Voa
(3:09)  4. Sunshine
(4:09)  5. Pieces
(2:58)  6. Under the Moon and the Stars
(4:13)  7. The Song
(4:09)  8. Roses
(3:33)  9. Skylight
(4:03) 10. Rainbow
(4:03) 11. Dito's Lullaby
(7:49) 12. Meu Jardim (My Garden)

Yvonne Sanchez first performance was in Poland as a percussionist with the Polish rock star legend Joseph Skrzek. Later during her German stay, she started to play bass guitar and piano, but regardless her passion for musical instruments she never planned to become a vocalist until she moved to Prague in 1994 and whithin one year she had her premiere as a jazz vocalist at the reonouned Reduta jazz club in Prague. In 1997 she won the poll held by the Czech magazine Harmony which covers classical, jazz and world music as the best jazz singer and in 1998 Yvonne was awarded with Vocalist of the Year by the Czech Jazz Society. Yvonne Sanchez has always talked about Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Billie Holliday in particular as her main inspirations but except her passion for jazz standards in 1998 she started a new project called “Brazilian Groove” interpreting songs based on Latin American rhytms such as Bossa Nova and Samba, especially written by her favorite Brazilian composer, Antonio Carlos Jobim. Yvonne Sanchez co-produced and arranged her first album “Invitation” in 2001. 

The album was recorded with Robert Balzar Trio, one of the best and most well respected jazz musicians in Czech Republic. “Invitation” was a great success and was considered by critics and audiences as one of the best jazz records ever to be recorded in the Czech Republic. “Invitation” received a nomination for the 2002 Czech Grammy awards in the jazz and blues category. In 2008 Yvonne recorded and produced her latest album “My Garden” (Warner Music) presenting herself for the first time as a songwriter. “My Garden was recorded with international musicians and is a fusion of jazz, latin and world music. “My Garden” received great reviews from critics and was nominated for the Andel award (equivelant of a Grammy) in the categories for the Best Album of the year and the Jazz Album of the year. Less than a year of the release, My Garden reached gold sales.Yvonne’s latest work is a live album recording with Brazilian guitarist Pedro Taglini. The album was recorded in Prague in October 2011 and will be released through Supraphon records. Songs about love is a beautifully arranged album which include love songs such as “The look of Love”, “Cry me a river” and a couple of original compositions by Yvonne Sanchez. Yet another musical treat from Producer/Singer/Composer Yvonne Sanchez.Yvonne Sanchez has performed in Russia, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Turkey, Cyprus, France, Germany, Austria, Luxemburg, England, Portugal, Israel, Brazil, Cuba and the USA. Bio ~ http://yvonnesanchez.eu/yvonne-sanchez-bio.html

My Garden

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Joe Zawinul - My People

Styles: World Fusion, Big Band
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:39
Size: 127,0 MB
Art: Front

(1:52)  1. Introduction  to a Mighty Theme
(6:03)  2. Waraya
(6:36)  3. Bimoya
(3:20)  4. You Want Some Tea, Grandpa ?
(4:12)  5. Slivovitz Trail
(2:29)  6. Ochy-Bala / Pazyryk
(7:53)  7. Orient Express
(4:53)  8. Erdäpfee Blues (Potato Blues)
(6:13)  9. Mi Gente
(4:48) 10. In An Island Way
(4:15) 11. Many Churches

If one must indulge in categories, My People, featuring the Zawinul Syndicate and a United Nations coterie of guests, probably belongs on the vast world music shelf, the links to so-called jazz now so tenuous as to be nearly, but not quite, invisible. On the percolating "Slivovitz Trail," "Orient Express," "Many Churches," and the Caribbean-tinged cleverly titled "In an Island Way," the music does suggest earlier versions of the Syndicate, and Joe Zawinul's nostalgic evocations of Wayne Shorter on the Korg Pepe reach back even further. Otherwise, Zawinul is looking entirely toward ethnic cultures for musical sustenance. The musical structures are linear, the rhythms full of intricacies welded to Zawinul's love affair with the groove, the synthesizer textures usually sparer than ever. There are vocals in several languages by Zawinul's longtime colleague Salif Keita (for whom Zawinul produced a great album in 1991), Syndicate percussionist Arto Tuncboyaciyan, a throat vocal specialist from South Siberia named Bolot, Thania Sanchez, Zawinul himself, and several others. When translated, the lyrics speak of joy and unity among the cultures, and there isn't any doubt that Zawinul's bubbling music feeds the message of uplift. Hear it; you purists may be jiggling along in spite of yourselves. ~ Richard S.Ginell  

http://www.allmusic.com/album/my-people-mw0000613149

Personnel includes: Joe Zawinul (vocals, keyboards, programming); Bolot (vocals, topshur); Richard Bona (vocals, bass); Arto Tuncboyaciyan (vocals, percussion); Salif Keita, Thania Sanchez, Burhan Ocal (vocals); Duke Ellington (spoken vocals); Bobby Malach (tenor saxophone); Mike Mossman (trumpet, trombone); Cheick Tidiane Seck (keyboards); Gary Poulson, Amit Chatterjee, Osmane Kouyake (guitar); Matthew Garrison (bass); Paco Sery, Tal Bergmann (drums, percussion); Alex Acuna, Trilok Gurtu, Rudy Regalado, Michito Sanchez, Souleyman Doumbia (percussion); Ivan Zawinul (programming); Djene Doumbouya, Assitan Dembele, Beto Sabala, Kenny O'Braian, Lucho Avellaneda (background vocals).

My People

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Coleman Hawkins And Roy Eldridge - Live At The Opera House

Styles: Trumpet And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1957
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 73:55
Size: 171,5 MB
Art: Front

( 7:58)  1. Bean Stalkin'
( 2:50)  2. The Nearness Of You
( 2:27)  3. Time On My Hands
( 7:17)  4. The Walker
( 6:00)  5. Tea For Two
( 2:23)  6. Blue Moon
( 2:19)  7. Cocktails For Two
( 7:55)  8. Kerry
( 7:27)  9. Bean Stalkin'
( 2:36) 10. I Can't Get Started
( 2:12) 11. Time On My Hands
( 7:22) 12. The Walker
(15:04) 13. Stuffy

This CD contains the two complete sets by the Coleman Hawkins/Roy Eldridge quintet recorded it the fall of 1957 at the "Civic Opera House" in Chicago (stereo) and at the "Shrine Auditorium" in Los Angeles (mono). The "Hawk" is still imperial here, and there is also a particularly welcome bonus in the fine form of Roy Eldridge on both concerts - not always the case during his career. Another astonishing surprise is the rhythm section, which consists of three quarters of the "Modern Jazz Quartet": John Lewis, Percy Heath and Connie Kay. They swing hard, proving they were versatile enough to change their style when accompanying their two elders. Making a great closing performance for a CD full of outstanding playing is a very rare version of "Stuffy," with Coleman and Roy, plus JJ Johnson, Stan Getz, Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, Herb Ellis and Jo Jones. ~ Editorial Reviews  http://www.amazon.com/Live-Opera-House-Roy-Eldridge/dp/B002LTNWWG

Personnel:  Bass – Percy Heath;  Drums – Connie Kay;  Piano – John Lewis;  Tenor Saxophone – Coleman Hawkins; Trumpet – Roy Eldridge

Live At The Opera House

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Eddie Chamblee - Chamblee Special

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 66:42
Size: 152.7 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[3:09] 1. Chamblee Special
[4:26] 2. Without A Song
[2:39] 3. At Your Beck And Cal
[3:57] 4. And The Angels Sing
[4:38] 5. Whisper Not
[3:13] 6. Flat Beer
[4:10] 7. Sometimes I'm Happy
[3:57] 8. Stella By Starlight
[4:34] 9. Stella By Starlight (2)
[2:22] 10. Strollin' Sax
[4:34] 11. Stardust
[2:37] 12. Swing A Little Taste
[4:00] 13. Robbin's Nest
[4:22] 14. Doodlin'
[4:16] 15. Village Square
[2:14] 16. Lone Gone
[3:23] 17. Lester Leaps Again
[2:11] 18. Solitude
[1:51] 19. Back Street

This CD brings together two excellent sessions that Chamblee made in Chicago in 1957 and 1958, fronting a septet of outstanding category that had previously served as a very efficient backing group on some of the recordings made by his wife Dinah Washington. They were most certainly not just mere blowing sessions in the studio but effective and exciting arrangements executed with enormous precision and swing.

Throughout these sessions we can hear Chamble in his triple facet of impressive honker, excellent composer and quality arranger. Apart from the splendid labours of the leader, on many of the themes that appear on this CD we can hear other experienced jazzmen such as Joe Newman, Johnny Coles, Charlie Davis or Jack Wilson. A very suitable example of the extraordinary quality of a musician who made some of his best performances fronting small combos, the type of formation that allowed him to demonstrate his great musical qualities and his enormous capacity for swinging.

Tracks #1-5: Johnny Coles (tp), Julian Priester (tb), Eddie Chamblee (ts), Charlie Davis (bs), Jack Wilson (p), Richard Evans (b), Charlie Persip (d).
#6-9: Joe Newman (tp) and Osie Johnson (d) replaxe Coles and Persip.
#10-19: Flip Ricard (tp), Julian Priester (tb), Eddie Chamblee (ts, vcl #11), Charlie Davis (bs), Jack Wilson (p), Robert Wilson (b), Charlie james Slaughter (d).
Recorded in Chicago, 1957 (1-9) and 1958 (10-19).

Chamblee Special

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Paul Horn - Plenty Of Horn (2-Disc set)

While still a member of the Chico Hamilton Quintet, Paul Horn recorded two albums for the Dot label that were later reissued on Impulse and most recently came out in the late 1970's on this two-LP set. Switching between flute, clarinet and his cool-toned alto, Horn is in excellent form on the wide-ranging material which reflects the influence of Hamilton's chamber jazz approach but also contains some hard swinging. The settings range from a quartet to a ten-piece group that utilizes a string quartet and a 12-piece mini big band. Among the sidemen are drummer Hamilton, cellist Fred Katz, vibraphonist Larry Bunker and pianist Gerry Wiggins, but most of the emphasis is on Horn's playing (particularly on flute); he also contributed five originals. Worth searching for, this music has not yet been reissued on CD. ~Scott Yanow

Bass – Don Bagley, Don Payne, Hal Gaylor, Red Mitchell; Celesta – Gerry Wiggins; Cello – Fred Katz, Ray Kramer; Claves – Larry Bunker; Congas – Mongo Santamaria; Drums – Chico Hamilton, Gene Estes, Mel Lewis, Osie Johnson, Shelly Manne; Flute, Piccolo Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Flute [Alto] – Paul Horn; French Horn – Dick Perissi, Vince DeRosa; Guitar – Billy Bean, John Pisano; Piano – Calvin Jackson, Dick Katz, Fred Katz, Gerry Wiggins; Tuba – Red Callender; Vibraphone – Larry Bunker; Viola – DavidSterkin; Violin – Dan Lube, David Frisina;

Album: Plenty Of Horn (Disc 1)
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 60:49
Size: 139.3 MB
Styles: Hard bop
Year: 2011

[3:39] 1. A Soldier's Dream
[4:27] 2. Day By Day
[4:06] 3. To A Little Boy
[5:46] 4. Siddartha
[2:55] 5. Pony Tale
[3:30] 6. House Of Horn
[3:50] 7. Sunday, Monday Or Always
[3:30] 8. The Golden Princess
[4:37] 9. Interlude
[2:55] 10. Pony Tale
[4:34] 11. Lover Man
[3:53] 12. Mood Improvisation
[4:46] 13. Chloe
[4:10] 14. Romanze
[4:04] 15. A Parable

Plenty Of Horn (Disc 1)

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Album: Plenty Of Horn (Disc 2)
Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 53:33
Size: 122.6 MB
Styles: Hard bop
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[3:53] 1. Blues For Tom
[4:06] 2. Yesterdays
[2:41] 3. The Smith Family
[4:06] 4. Invitation
[3:32] 5. Tellin' The Truth
[2:24] 6. Effervescense
[3:56] 7. Reminescense
[2:06] 8. Exuberance
[4:19] 9. Ebullience
[7:46] 10. Give Me The Simple Life
[4:22] 11. Willow Weep For Me
[2:58] 12. Jive At Five
[4:28] 13. My Old Flame
[2:50] 14. Swedish Pastry

Plenty Of Horn (Disc 2)1

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Jean Bonal - Jazz Loves Paris By Night

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 42:24
Size: 97.1 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[2:42] 1. Pétales
[2:21] 2. We'll Meet Again
[2:07] 3. Flor Do Brazil
[2:25] 4. Tenderly
[2:19] 5. From The Beginning
[3:15] 6. The Gambler
[3:11] 7. San Paolo
[2:22] 8. Still Swinging
[2:48] 9. Spleen
[2:09] 10. Bruno
[2:01] 11. Phelippe
[2:11] 12. Anatole
[2:53] 13. Caco
[2:49] 14. Tendresse
[2:23] 15. Retour
[2:15] 16. Minha Querida
[2:05] 17. Superstition

Le jazz est une affaire de passion, de feeling, presque de militant, témoin la carrière de Jean Bonal dont le jeu de guitare est nourri, entre autres de Charlie Christian et Django Reinhardt : ses premières séances d'enregistre-ment datent de 1946 pour la fameuse marque "Savoy" avec Michel de Villiers et André Persiani. Il participera même à des cessions privées avec Jeff Gilson (alors clarinettiste), puis pour Eddie Barclay (sous la marque Blues Star, encore une légende !) avec les nouvelles étoiles du Hot Club de France, et fera aussi les belles heures du Caveau de la Montagne et du Boeuf sur le toit. Depuis Jean Bonal a travaillé et enregistré avec tout le gotha du jazz français, notamment Alix Combelle, André Ekyan, Stéphane Grappelli, mais aussi du jazz américain, de Don Byas à Nelson Williams, Art Simmons, Jonah Jones, Buck Clayton (trompette chez Count Basie) avec lequel il enregistre deux 33 tours. Il a même à son palmarès un moment d'anthologie; une séance historique, le rêve de tout jazzman digne de ce nom : une authentique jam session avec Charlie Parker, Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, à la grande époque ! De quoi peut-on rêver après cela ! Rien d'étonnant donc à ce qu'il ait obtenu de multiples récompenses dont déjà un prix SACEM en 1982 avec "Guitare à la carte", une mention spéciale de l'Académie du jazz en 1998 pour son "Histoire de la guitare dans la musique de jazz" et le prix de la SACEM de la musique instrumentale de variétés en 1993. Nous tenions a couronner la carrière de Jean Bonal; nous avons eu la chance de pouvoir réunir quelques uns des grands jazzmen français qui ont jalonné sa carrière .

Jazz Loves Paris By Night

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