Friday, September 5, 2014

Sarik Peter Trio - Jazz Request Show

Size: 153,3 MB
Time: 65:47
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. Sex Machine - So What (4:49)
02. Allegro Barbaro (4:47)
03. Hotel California (5:36)
04. Ode To Joy (4:54)
05. Don't Give Up (4:46)
06. Theme From 'Mission Impossible' (5:47)
07. Lacrimosa (7:06)
08. Rehab (5:33)
09. Teardrop (7:15)
10. Can't Buy Me Love (4:34)
11. The Winner Takes It All (6:21)
12. Don't Stop Me Now (4:12)

The Jazz Request Show concerts began in 2010 and have been popular ever since. Every three months, we play the songs requested earlier by our audience. No matter what the original style or genre of the song was, we play a jazz version of it.

Peter Sarik, jazz pianist, composer, teacher
He was born in Cegléd-Hungary, in 1972.
He studied at the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music, where he got his degree in 1997.
Throughout the years, besides the jazz he has proved himself in almost all genres:
he has played classical, popular, Latin, and world music.
Nowdays he’s leading his own Trio and workind together with several artists and bands.

As a composer, he has had huge international success: his compositions received awards in United States and United Kingdom.

Jazz Request Show

John Taylor - Demons And Angels

Size: 74,3 MB
Time: 31:34
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Folk/Rock
Art: Front

01. The Day I Said Goodbye (2:11)
02. Bible In The Drawer (4:07)
03. Promised Land (3:12)
04. Taste The Rain (2:55)
05. Streetlights (2:49)
06. Autumn (3:30)
07. Heavens Collide (3:17)
08. I Will Be Your Friend (2:40)
09. Different Ways (4:06)
10. The Last Gunfight (2:43)

This is John’s fifth studio album with a new collection of songs following in the footsteps of past releases with some stripped back acoustic songs and some with a full band.

Scottish acoustic singer/songwriter John Taylor was born and raised in Glasgow where he played in many bands before going solo as a singer/songwriter. John Released his first album “Bring the stars alive” in 2009, “A place called Paradise” in 2010 and “Sorrow and Sunshine” in 2011 and plans to release his fourth album in 2012.

John's song "Pull you through" was placed in Golden globe and Emmy winning show "Californication" and sent it into the itunes singer/songwriter charts around the world including No 1 in Sweden, the top 5 in Canada, France, Norway and the Netherlands and the top 10 in Germany, Spain, and Switzerland and no12 in the USA. John released his fourth album in California in June 2012 where he also made his TV debut on the CBS network and shot two music videos as part of a documentary filmed by Bruce Springsteens photographer Joseph Quever. video's of John's song "Pull you through" had more than 500,000 hit's on youtube after the show.

In August 2013 John had his song "Break my bones" placed in hit USA TV show Necessary Roughness and again in December 2013 and March 2014 in the Hit show Revenge reaching viewing figures of over ten million. Safe to say John is on his way up as an independant artist and will release his latest album on September 5th 2014.

Demons And Angels

Sydney Claire - All Ella

Size: 113,2 MB
Time: 48:21
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz/Blues Vocals
Art: Front

01. Frim Fram Sauce (2:38)
02. Manhattan (3:57)
03. Slap That Bass (3:11)
04. Makin' Whoopee (4:44)
05. Blue Room (2:13)
06. It's Only A Paper Moon (2:20)
07. They All Laughed (2:44)
08. Let's Do It, Let's Fall In Love (3:39)
09. They Can't Take That Away From Me (3:49)
10. Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered (4:27)
11. Summertime (3:30)
12. Dream A Little Dream (4:02)
13. Rocks In My Bed (3:31)
14. Black Coffee (3:29)

Sydney Claire is an American singer with a long, rich history in jazz and blues. Born and raised in Louisiana, the birthplace of jazz, Sydney Claire is known for her rich, deep, bluesy, soulful voice and fresh vocal interpretations of The Great American Songbook. Critics have described Sydney Claire as the "songstress with the warmest, richest voice of sultry low notes mixed with the feeling of a young girl's innocence and amazing soul stirring vibrato." Her voice is a modern day Ella Fitzgerald. She is being described as the female equivalent of Harry Connick, Jr. and Michael Buble.

Sydney Claire's debut solo artist studio album ALL ELLA is a fourteen track album including such jazz and blues standards as Bewitched, Bothered, & Bewildered, Slap That Bass, Summertime, and Rocks In My Bed. While Sydney has been singing professionally her entire life, the past 20 years have been strongly focused in jazz and blues. Sydney's voice is truly one of a kind. A real joy to the listener. Sydney Claire's voice possesses a remarkably commercial sound with a real and substantive technique that only a lifetime of singing and performing could garner. The industry is taking notice of this iconic Louisiana voice. The new voice of the 21st century.

Sydney's inspiration comes from the rich sounds of such great jazz legends as Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, King Oliver, Count Basie, and Cab Calloway. Sydney's blues inspiration comes from the late great Leadbelly, particularly his Black Betty from his Library of Congress recordings, an obvious influence on her blues track Rocks In My Bed.

All Ella

John Tropea - Gotcha Rhythm Right Here

Size: 170,9 MB
Time: 73:21
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz Funk
Art: Front

01. Gotcha Rhythm Right Here, Pt. 1 (2:15)
02. Black Eyed G's (4:21)
03. Soul Surfin' (4:51)
04. 7Th Avenue South (5:27)
05. Chili Wa Man (5:50)
06. Always In My Heart (6:11)
07. Side By Two (6:34)
08. Bikini Beach (6:46)
09. Les Is Moe' (5:45)
10. Nyc Direct 2014 (7:21)
11. Hip To The Hips (5:19)
12. Gotcha Rhythm Right Here, Pt. 2 (6:43)
13. Boulevard Strut (5:53)

Members: John Tropea (guitar), Lou Marini (sax), Chris Palmaro (Hammond B3), Anthony Jackson (Bass) and Clint de Ganon (Drums).

John Tropea is one of the most admired and highly regarded guitar players of his generation. His playing shows a vast knowledge and respect for the tradition of the instrument as well as an original style that continues to define how the guitar best serves a wide variety of musical styles. He is a musician’s musician who attracts the finest players for his own projects.

Tropea has written for and played with major recording artists from around the world. In his long career, his contributions to other artist’s successes have been numerous, including his solo work with Deodato, (2001 theme), projects with Laura Nyro, Harry Chapin (Cat’s in the Cradle), Paul Simon (Fifty Ways), Alice Cooper (Goes to Hell), Eric Clapton (Journey Man), Dr. John, and many others. He is also a composer, arranger, and producer whose vital work is ably demonstrated by his personal projects. Tropea has a deserved worldwide reputation as an artist of quality among both audiences and other musicians.

Gotcha Rhythm Right Here     

Charles Brown - In A Grand Style

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 40:29
Size: 92.7 MB
Styles: Urban blues, West Coast blues
Year: 1989
Art: Front

[4:03] 1. One Never Knows, Does One
[4:20] 2. Stand By You
[4:54] 3. Black Night
[3:09] 4. You Gave Me Everything But Love
[4:19] 5. Give Me A Woman
[3:33] 6. Hard Times
[1:02] 7. Charles Chopin Liszt
[6:45] 8. Sorry Baby
[3:54] 9. Stumbled And Fell In Love
[4:28] 10. Wouldn't It Be Grand

This posthumously released material -- mostly classic and classy love songs -- puts an exclamation point on the career of a true American music legend, a legitimate grand master in more ways than one. It is not, as the back cover states, a "solo piano album." Charles Brown does, in fact, sing on all the cuts save one, but there's no rhythm section or soloist to help. It's simply Charles Brown, all soulful, with light-colored blues, gently swinging but by himself. There are classics like "Black Night," "Stumbled and Fell in Love," the curious "One Never Knows, Does One?" and Little Walter's slightly raucous "Give Me a Woman." Brown's classical background on "Charles' Chopin Liszt" unleashes a cascading, tinkling, arpeggiated side rarely heard. Other intros also showcase this part of Brown's musicianship. Everything on the record, except for "Liszt," is a slow, cigarette-type smoldering blues that is sometimes downhearted, other times hopeful. But the lyrics of Brown's original "Wouldn't It Be Grand" speaks volumes about his hope for our future: "Wouldn't that be grand, if and when we die, we unite together in the sky/Get together, take our stand, glory land/Wouldn't that be grand." ~Michael G. Nastos

In A Grand Style

Vanessa Pinheiro - S/T

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 48:08
Size: 110.2 MB
Styles: Latin jazz vocals
Year: 2000
Art: Front

[3:16] 1. De Papo Pro Ar
[4:15] 2. Monção
[5:10] 3. Vidigal
[3:33] 4. Informações De Bordo
[3:48] 5. Pobres Mortais
[3:33] 6. Agua De Beber
[4:05] 7. Ponto Final
[4:43] 8. Temporal
[4:17] 9. Sol Na Varanda
[4:18] 10. Nos Teus Olhos
[3:32] 11. Ver No Que Vai Dar
[3:33] 12. Roda Viva

Vanessa Pinheiro, born 1980, is a Brazilian singer and songwriter from Brasília. Pinheiro has released two solo albums, both produced by world renowned jazz bass player Arthur Maia. Her music is influenced by MPB and Bossa nova.

Vanessa Pinheiro

Toots Thielemans - Two Generations

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 46:28
Size: 106.4 MB
Styles: Bop, Contemporary jazz
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[3:18] 1. Bluesette
[4:57] 2. Bé Bé Créole
[4:11] 3. Monologue
[4:12] 4. Two Generations
[3:51] 5. Why Did I Choose You
[6:44] 6. Uncle Charlie
[3:49] 7. Friday Night
[6:11] 8. T.T
[3:43] 9. Inner Journey
[5:28] 10. L'éternal Mari

This date featuring harmonica virtuoso Toots Thielemans with guitarist Philip Catherine, pianist Joachim Kuhn, and others is a bit unusual in that almost all of the music was composed by the players, save a Brazilian-flavored take of "Why Did I Choose You." The leader's very popular "Bluesette" features just harmonica and guitar, while his "Be Be Creole" (introduced by Toots as "Blues for Lulubelle") and "Uncle Charlie" are curious blends of jazz, rock, and blues. The remaining works by Thielemans and his friends are not as strong, making this overall a CD that can be bypassed by all except the most rabid Thielemans fans. ~Ken Dryden

Two Generations

Stacy Sullivan - At The Beginning

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:46
Size: 89,2 MB
Art: Front

(2:22)  1. You Must Believe In Spring
(3:08)  2. Your Face, Your Smile
(2:16)  3. Have Had
(3:19)  4. Come The Wild, Wild Weather
(3:38)  5. At The Beginning
(3:08)  6. Carpet Ride
(3:09)  7. Ship In A Bottle
(3:09)  8. On Broadway
(2:26)  9. Don't Move A Muscle
(2:34) 10. I Know A Place
(2:29) 11. Always/Remember
(4:23) 12. Someone To Watch Over Me
(2:37) 13. Once Upon A Time

Los Angeles cabaret performer Stacy Sullivan's debut album features a variety of both familiar and unfamiliar material, all dealing with life's vagaries, especially the ups and downs of romance. Sullivan has a lovely voice  pure and smokey. She is also quite adept in the use of dynamics, as her vocal delivery fits the emotion being expressed in the lyrics. Having worked in musical theatre, Sullivan possesses a strong voice that can be heard in the last row of the balcony. However, she uses it with discretion, singing with passion, but rarely with gusto. Even on a tune like "Someone to Watch Over Me," where a little exuberance is justified, Sullivan holds back. She lets loose on sister Heather Sullivan's joyous "Carpet Ride," with background supplied by the energetic bowing of Stephanie Fife's cello. 

But it's the folksy-done ballad material  such as "Ship in a Bottle," "Once Upon a Time," and the Irving Berlin medley "Always"/"Remember" which brings out that sweet, sincere quality of Sullivan's vocal style. John Boswell, who appears on most of the LML label's cabaret releases, is here with his piano and arrangements. Veteran harpist Corky Hale puts in an appearance, adding to the album's class. At the Beginning is tasteful cabaret delivered by one of the better practitioners of the style. Watch out for the last track it's not over when one thinks it is. After a couple of seconds, Sullivan is joined by her young daughter for a giggling coda. Perhaps for her next album, listeners can hear more of the power in her voice waiting to be let loose. ~ Dave Nathan  http://www.allmusic.com/album/at-the-beginning-mw0000055186

Personnel: Stacy Sullivan (vocals); David Boswell (guitar); Stefanie Fife (cello); John Yoakum (flute, piccolo, clarinet, soprano & alto saxophones, English horn); Corky Hale (harmonica); John Boswell (piano, synthesizer, background vocals); Bob Mair (bass); M.B. Gordy (drums, percussion).

Al Viola - If You Love Me, Really Love Me

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 23:28
Size: 54,4 MB
Art: Front

(1:43)  1. I Love You Much Too Much
(2:22)  2. He's My Guy
(2:09)  3. Comme Ci comme Ca
(2:24)  4. The End Of A Love Affair
(2:54)  5. Black Coffee
(2:07)  6. Sing A Song Of Sadness
(2:26)  7. Lover Man
(3:25)  8. If You Love Me, Really Love Me
(2:17)  9. A Sunday Kind Of Love
(1:37) 10. All Or Nothing At All

A reliable guitarist with a cool tone, a hard-swinging style, and strong technical skills, Al Viola had been an asset to every session that he appeared on, and there have been many. Viola played in a jazz band while in the Army (1942-45), where he met Page Cavanaugh. When they both decided to move to California after their discharge in 1946, they teamed with bassist Lloyd Pratt to form a trio that was very popular during the next three years, appearing in a few Hollywood films (including "A Song Is Born") and recording frequently. The trio accompanied Frank Sinatra on a few occasions during 1946-1947, and when the combo broke up, Viola started working on and off with Sinatra though 1980. In addition, Viola became a very busy studio musician in Los Angeles, performing on the soundtracks of a countless number of films (including playing the prominent mandolin part in The Godfather), television shows, and commercials. 

Among his more jazz-oriented associations have been engagements with Bobby Troup, Ray Anthony, Harry James, Buddy Collette, Stan Kenton, Gerald Wilson, and Terry Gibbs among many others; in addition to Collette, Viola also recorded in the 1950s and '60s with Jimmy Witherspoon, Helen Humes, and June Christy. In the 1980s, Viola had a reunion with Cavanaugh and soon they were working together on a regular basis in a Los Angeles area club as a trio with bassist Phil Mallory; this association continued into the late '90s, when Viola dropped out of the group. In his career, Viola led three albums, unaccompanied solo dates for Mode (from 1957, reissued by VSOP) and Legend, plus a Frank Sinatra tribute album for PBR (1978); highlights of the latter two sets were reissued on a CD by Starline. Shortly after being diagnosed, Viola succumbed to cancer on February 21, 2007. He was 87. Bio ~ https://itunes.apple.com/pt/artist/al-viola/id36785276#fullText

If You Love Me, Really Love Me

Al Grey - Night Song

Styles: Trombone Jazz
Year: 1962
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 33:20
Size: 76,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:19)  1. Blues In The Night
(6:08)  2. Stella By Starlight
(4:52)  3. The Way You Look Tonight
(4:12)  4. Through For The Night
(5:22)  5. Stardust
(4:28)  6. Night And Day
(2:55)  7. Laughing Tonight

Trombonist Al Grey was famous as “the last of the big time plungers,” for his mastery at using a plumber's plunger to manipulate the color of his instrument. The result was a soulful quality that sounds as if he's singing the blues. Grey rose to prominence as a soloist and gifted accompanist to singers, particularly on bluesy numbers. His unique style developed over years spent playing with many great bands ” such as those of Lionel Hampton and Count Basie,” and his illustrious career spans some of the great periods in the history of jazz, including swing and bebop. Grey came from a musical family. His father, a multi-faceted musician himself, was determined to have young Al learn to play a brass instrument. As a child, Grey often resented being forced to practice, but soon realized its benefits by landing well-paying jobs. Later, while playing in the Navy band during World War II, Grey met trumpeter Clark Terry. The two became lifelong friends and would eventually play in various bands together. Grey joined Benny Carter's band right out of the Navy in 1946. Carter's innovative arrangements and driving swing served as an education for Grey. He also played with Jimmie Lunceford before joining Lionel Hampton's big band. 

It was with Hampton that he began experimenting with the plunger. Hampton noticed the trombonist's facility with the technique as Grey accompanied vocalist Sonny Parker one night, and insisted that Grey keep it as a permanent feature of the band. Dan Morgenstern of the Institute for Jazz Studies notes that jazz musicians often try to squeeze new sounds out of their instruments. This started as far back as King Oliver in New Orleans, who used to hold a child's sand pail in the bell of his trumpet. The plunger became recognized as a very effective device for such purposes. Trombonist Sam Nanton of Duke Ellington's band was recognized as a master plunger, but he died in 1947 without revealing the secrets to his own technique. From that point, Grey became the heir to the plunger tradition. After several years with Hampton, Grey played a year-long stint with Dizzy Gillespie's band, learning the language of bebop, and then joined Count Basie's orchestra in 1957.

Basie's emphasis was on simplicity, and he discouraged some of the fast-playing bebop elements Grey had recently developed. During the recording of “Making Whoopie,” Basie cautioned Grey against overplaying, saying “my goodness don't try to play all you know in one number.” But Grey's individual style meshed perfectly with Basie's orchestra, and “Making Whoopie” would become the trombonist's signature piece. Grey excelled at mixing little blues licks in among the phrases of singers with perfect timing and sensitivity. He honed this unique ability during his early years with the Basie orchestra. Before long, his colorful technique as an accompanist was highly prized among famous singers, including Lena Horne, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. Eventually, Grey grew restless with the demands of playing in a large ensemble and left Basie's group to experiment with his solo style. Grey also developed a passion for teaching. 

He created a jazz summer camp in his hometown of Pottstown, Pa., where he recruited other jazz greats in to help him teach swing to high school students. Among them were drummer Max Roach, saxophonist Jimmy Heath and pianist Billy Taylor. Grey's students included accomplished professionals, such as Wynton and Delafayo Marsalis, whom he taught his famous plunger techniques. According to fellow Basie alumnus and tenor saxophonist Frank Foster, Grey made an immense contribution to the jazz trombone. “He played a great role in changing the conceptualization of the trombone as an instrument in jazz,” said Foster, adding that Grey revived and elaborated upon the plunger technique “and influenced lots of young players to get into it.” Fortunately, Grey understood the importance of passing his secrets on to younger trombonists, ensuring that this craft will maintain its place in jazz. Grey died on March 24, 2000. Bio ~ http://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/algrey

Personnel:  Al Grey – trombone; Billy Mitchell - tenor sax; Dave Burns – trumpet; Bobby Hutcherson – vibraphone; Earl Washington – piano; Herman Wright – bass; Otis "Candy" Finch – drums; Philip Thomas - conga

Night Song

Abdullah Ibrahim - Dukes Memories

Styles: African Jazz, World Fusion
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:27
Size: 97,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:40)  1. The Wedding
(3:56)  2. Black And Brown Cherries
(3:27)  3. For Coltrane
(3:10)  4. In A Sentimental Mood
(7:18)  5. Angelica-Purple Gazelle
(6:13)  6. Star Crossed Lovers
(4:21)  7. Way Way Back
(4:08)  8. Virgin Jungle
(6:10)  9. Water Edge

South African pianist Abdullah Ibrahim recorded several tributes to his mentor Duke Ellington, and Duke's Memories is certainly one of the finest. Adroitly choosing some under-recognized beauties of Ellingtonia, adding a standard, and mixing in a few originals, Ibrahim delivers a well-balanced and frequently gorgeous program. The opening "Star Crossed Lovers" includes a heart-rending alto solo by one of the best saxophonists few people know (Carlos Ward), and the obscure, jaunty "Way Way Back" is given a delightful, in-the-pocket reading. Tracks five through nine are from a live date, beginning with Ibrahim's moving, stately "The Wedding," which he seems to have recorded on virtually every album he issued during the '80s; it receives one of its better renditions here. The leader, as is his wont, tends to stay in the background, eschewing the star soloist role and preferring to direct the quartet from the keyboard, though he steps out front with some rich playing on "In a Sentimental Mood." A rippling medley of Ellington's "Angelica" and "Purple Gazelle" closes out the album in delightful fashion, rounding out a deeply felt performance. Recommended. ~ Brian Olewnick  http://www.allmusic.com/album/dukes-memories-accord-mw0000187902

Personnel:  Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute – Carlos Ward; Bass – Rachim Ausar Sahu; Drums – Andrei Strobert; Piano – Abdullah Ibrahim

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Trish Hatley - Sing, Ask And It Is Given

Size: 82,8 MB
Time: 35:19
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2010
Styles: Jazz Vocals, Blues, Bossa Nova
Art: Front

01. I'm Getting Better Everyday (2:23)
02. Attitude Of Gratitude (3:22)
03. Doin' The Right Thing (2:14)
04. I'm In The Process (2:59)
05. Good Good Vibrations (3:03)
06. Gettin' Better (3:29)
07. I Love Myself (3:00)
08. Sing, Ask And It Is Given (3:32)
09. I'm Living In Peace Snd Ease (2:57)
10. I'll Raise My Vibration (3:23)
11. Pure Desire (Fill In The Blanks) (2:22)
12. I'm Living In The Positive (2:31)

Trish Hatley captivates and enchants her listeners with her soaring vocals and effervescent style. Whenever Trish performs, her unique sense of phrasing and drama absolutely fascinates all assembled. Known for bringing to the Northwest first-class music programs, Trish has been an active part of the Northwest music scene by “makin’ it happen!” Trish’s talents as a jazz vocalist and entertainer are equaled by her history as a producer and catalyst for the local jazz scene. Jazz Sundays at the Conway Tavern, which lasted for half a decade, was Trish’s project. She’s produced shows such as The Great American Songbook, Isn’t It Romantic, A Fifth of Jazz and Women In Song. In addition to her work with Trish Hans & Phil, Trish has her own quartet that she loves to work with. A large loyal following keeps Trish’s music scenes warm and friendly. Trish brings an exhilarating sense of showmanship to the stage, always leaving her fans wanting more.

Sing, Ask And It Is Given

Ahmad Jamal & Yusef Lateef - Live At The Olympia June 27, 2012

Size: 147,2+99,3 MB
Time: 63:29+42:46
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Mainstream Jazz
Art: Front

CD 1:
01. Autumn Rain (Live) ( 8:14)
02. Blue Moon (Live) ( 8:33)
03. The Gypsy (Live) ( 4:08)
04. Invitation (Live) (11:12)
05. I Remember Italy (Live) ( 7:43)
06. Laura (Live) ( 5:00)
07. Morning Mist (Live) ( 8:21)
08. This Is The Life (Live) (10:14)

CD 2:
01. Exatogi (Live) (13:36)
02. Masara (Live) ( 6:31)
03. Trouble In Mind (Live) ( 3:45)
04. Brother Hold Your Light (Live) ( 5:56)
05. Blue Moon (Encore) (Live) ( 3:37)
06. Poinciana (Live) ( 9:18)

This set from the legendary jazzmen Ahmad Jamal and Yusef Lateef proves that these veteran musicians have ideas that are as fresh as any they have ever had. Live at the Olympia is available as a 2 CD and DVD set, with the first disc featuring a set by Jamal at the piano with his quartet, featuring Reginald Veal on double bass, Herlin Riley on drums, and Manolo Badrena on percussion. Lateef joins this quartet on the second disc, adding his own distinctive brand of woodwind playing and singing to the trio’s eclectic sound. Following is the album trailer:

The first disc is perhaps the more consistent of the two, with Jamal and his trio locking into a set of familiar tune formulas. Jamal performs three of his own compositions—“Autumn Rain,” “I Remember Italy,” and “Morning Mist”—along with several standards. While Jamal’s original tunes are certainly interesting and competently executed, the disc’s most memorable cuts are the group’s creative renderings of jazz standards: a somewhat fragmented Latin feel on “Blue Moon,” a driving, in-the-pocket rendition of “Invitation” that allows Jamal and company to stretch out, and a stop-and-start rendering of “Laura.” As would be expected from an artist of Jamal’s caliber, the playing on these cuts is excellent; Jamal presents his signature bursts of Monk-tinged dissonance, and continually trades musical cues with his bandmates, all the while maintaining a lyrical sensibility and technical precision (as is evident in the rhythm section’s lock-step groove on “Invitation” or Jamal’s blistering right hand runs during “Blue Moon”). A performer known more for his renderings than his compositions, it is no wonder that much of the strongest playing on this side occurs when the band reimagines tunes written by other composers.

The best moments on the second disc occur when the late saxophonist, flautist, and vocalist Lateef pushes Jamal’s group out of their musical comfort zone, as he does on his mostly free-form composition “Exatogi,” seamlessly transitioning to his somewhat more conventional “Masara,” although this cut is complete with dissonant flute yelps. Lateef further pulls the group into a gospel-tinged hard bop idiom, contributing vocals on “Trouble in Mind” and “Brother Hold Your Light.” He does not appear, however, on the album’s last two tracks: a reprise of “Blue Moon” and Jamal’s signature 1963 hit, “Poinciana.” Had Lateef been more prominent on this set, it may have felt like he had an actual presence in the band (particularly since his name is included in the album’s title), rather than serving simply as an excellent and challenging guest performer.

Although the listener may desire more of Lateef’s challenging presence, this is still a strong record. In a contemporary jazz scene replete with consistent releases by perennial favorites playing in their long-maintained signature styles, Live at the Olympia showcases two veteran performers who were still at the top of their games. The group’s reinterpretations of the standards that they play in this concert will have collegiate jazz combos everywhere scrambling to find the grooves that this band was able to lock into, while their originals provide a study in advanced jazz composition, even if they do not lend any additions to the standard repertoire. This is a solid release by accomplished jazz masters. ~Reviewed by Matthew Alley

Live At The Olympia June 27, 2012 CD 1
Live At The Olympia June 27, 2012 CD 2

Laurie Antonioli - Songs Of Shadow, Songs Of Light: The Music Of Joni Mitchell

Size: 140,1 MB
Time: 59:52
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. People's Parties (2:38)
02. Rainy Night House (4:57)
03. Barangrill (3:24)
04. Eastern Rain (4:24)
05. Cold Blue Steel And Sweet Fire (4:49)
06. Both Sides Now (5:15)
07. Hissing Of Summer Lawns (4:54)
08. Woman Of Heart And Mind (5:00)
09. This Flight Tonight (4:31)
10. River (5:02)
11. I Don't Know Where I Stand (4:33)
12. California (4:30)
13. Marcie (5:47)

The concept of a jazz-informed program of Joni Mitchell tunes isn't exactly novel anymore. Herbie Hancock's high profile River: The Joni Letters (Verve, 2007) took home two Grammy Awards; vocalist Tierney Sutton got some well-deserved attention when she put her own spin on Mitchell's work with After Blue (BFM, 2013); somewhat under-the-radar releases from artists like David Lahm and Rachel Z have made something of an impact on a smaller scale; and numerous other albums that aren't necessarily built around Mitchell's work have been sprinkled with her songs.

Joni Mitchell has become something of a lodestar for a jazz community that appreciates the range of her artistry, power of her music and words, and arc of her career, moving from folk singer to heart-baring emotional conduit to jazz-informed songstress to post-modern poetess and idol. Taking all of that into consideration, it's easy to see why so many have found comfort, promise and possibility in the experience of interpreting her work. But the question that still remains Does the jazz world really need another album of Joni Mitchell songs? is a valid one. In theory, it does not. But when the album in question is shaped by the voice of Laurie Antonioli, the answer is yes.

Antonioli's Songs Of Shadow, Songs Of Light is an invaluable collection that looks at some of Mitchell's infrequently-covered work with a truthful gaze. Only two numbers "Both Sides Now" and "River"—are covered with regularity. The other eleven tunes, including "Marcie," "Eastern Rain," and "People's Parties," are largely ignored, and that's a shame. In the right hands in this case, Antonioli's hands they're works of pure magic. This music is putty in those hands, but Antonioli doesn't bend the songs into radically new and unrecognizable shapes. She works an angle that's highly sympathetic to Mitchell. The tone and timbre of her voice are extremely well-suited to Mitchell's music, she captures the spirit of the songs, and her longtime working band finds a way to deliver those songs in faithful-yet-original fashion.

Much is often made of a singer's need to live within the songs and stories he or she spins, but many simply pay lip service to that idea without truly thinking about it. Antonioli thinks a good deal about it and actually does it. She inhabits every song that she sings, threading herself into fabric of the music. That's been apparent on every one of her releases, but never more than here. Hearing her work with pianist Matt Clark and multi-reedist Sheldon Brown on "I Don't Know Where I Stand," listening to her confidently bring "Barangrill" to life, and feeling her vulnerability on "River" are just a few examples of the way she makes this music her own without having to paint over what Mitchell created in the first place. Antonioli's stunning Songs Of Shadow, Songs Of Light is true to Joni Mitchell and true unto herself. ~Dan Bilawsky

Personnel: Laurie Antonioli: vocals; Matt Clark: piano, Hammond B-3, Fender rhodes; Dave Mac Nab: guitar; John Shifflett: bass; Jason Lewis: drums; Sheldon Brown: bass clarinet, clarinet, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone; Theo Bleckmann: vocals (1).

Songs Of Shadow, Songs Of Light

Tommy Dorsey - The Sentimental Gentleman Of Swing (Original Songs Remastered)

Size: 281,4 MB
Time: 120:31
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2013
Styles: Jazz: Big Band, Swing
Art: Front

01. It's Right Here For You (3:05)
02. Lovely Lady (3:06)
03. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (3:24)
04. After You've Gone (2:57)
05. Sleep (2:47)
06. Three Moods (2:56)
07. You (2:47)
08. Alone (3:33)
09. Head Over Heels In Love (2:45)
10. You Can't Cheat A Cheater (2:56)
11. For Sentimental Reasons (3:22)
12. Ja Da (2:22)
13. One Night In Monte Carlo (3:04)
14. Tiger Rag (2:49)
15. Weary Blues (3:18)
16. Just A Simple Melody (2:38)
17. Got A Bran' New Suit (2:26)
18. Barcarolle (2:55)
19. Keepin' Out Of Mischief Now (2:46)
20. Weary (3:13)
21. You Are My Lucky Star (3:38)
22. I Picked A Flower The Color Of Your Eyes (3:25)
23. Another Perfect Night Is Ending (2:59)
24. I've Got A Note (2:46)
25. Rhythm In My Nursery Rhymes (2:42)
26. Close To Me (3:05)
27. Maple Leaf Rag (2:32)
28. Two Hearts Carved On A Lonesome Pine (3:12)
29. Down With Love (2:45)
30. Love Will Live On (3:22)
31. The Day I Let You Get Away (2:51)
32. Hymn To The Sun (2:38)
33. Please Believe Me (3:10)
34. Tea On The Terrace (2:48)
35. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You (3:35)
36. I'm Shooting High (2:37)
37. It's Written In The Stars (3:28)
38. Pagan Star (3:23)
39. I'm In A Dancing Mood (2:47)
40. Take Me Back To My Boots And Saddle (3:21)

Thomas Francis "Tommy" Dorsey, Jr. (November 19, 1905 - November 26, 1956) was an American jazz trombonist, trumpeter, composer, and bandleader of the Big Band era. He was known as "The Sentimental Gentleman of Swing", because of his smooth-toned trombone playing. Although he was not known for being a notable soloist, his technical skill on the trombone gave him renown amongst other musicians. He was the younger brother of bandleader Jimmy Dorsey.

The Sentimental Gentleman Of Swing

Bobby Broom - Upper West Side Story

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 59:55
Size: 137.2 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[6:50] 1. D's Blues
[4:54] 2. Upper West Side Story
[8:46] 3. After Words
[6:58] 4. Minor Major Mishap
[6:24] 5. Lazy Sundays
[3:25] 6. Fambrocious (For Fambrough)
[7:43] 7. Father
[6:12] 8. Call Me A Cab
[8:40] 9. When The Falling Leaves..

One of the top guitarists of his generation, Bobby Broom's preferred setting is a small group, while he excels in the demanding trio setting with bassist Dennis Carroll and drummer Kobie Watkins (with Makaya McCraven replacing him on three songs). Upper West Side Story includes nine originals, none of which is likely to become a jazz standard, but all of which are stimulating. "D's Blues" has an engaging hard bop hook that pulls the listener in immediately, while "Upper West Side Story" suggests a walk in Manhattan on a breezy spring day, with an infectious Latin undercurrent. The loping "Minor Major Mishap" takes its time to develop, though Broom's intricate solo bustles with energy. "Fambrosicous" is dedicated to the late bassist Charles Fambrough, an engaging vehicle that starts as bop but detours into some wild improvising. "When the Falling Leaves..." is a subdued ballad with a melancholy air, with the rhythm section providing soft, spacious accompaniment that completes the mood that Broom seeks. Recommended. ~Ken Dryden
 

Jo Stafford - Starring Jo Stafford

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 33:57
Size: 77.8 MB
Styles: Vocal
Year: 1953/2011
Art: Front

[2:53] 1. Serenade Of The Bells
[2:54] 2. On The Alamo
[2:57] 3. No Other Love
[2:43] 4. Red River Valley
[2:51] 5. Ivy
[3:04] 6. Fools Rush In
[2:49] 7. A Sunday Kind Of Love
[2:42] 8. The Gentleman Is A Dope
[2:26] 9. Symphony
[2:48] 10. Tumbling Tumbleweeds
[2:47] 11. You Keep Coming Back Like A Song
[2:57] 12. Day By Day

Starring Jo Stafford is a 1953 album by Jo Stafford,with Paul Weston and His Orchestra accompaniment by The Starlighters and The Pied Pipers. Jo Stafford was an American singer of traditional pop music and jazz standards whose career ran from the late 1930s to the early 1960s. Stafford was greatly admired for the purity of her voice and was considered one of the most versatile vocalists of the era.

Starring Jo Stafford

Mike LeDonne Quintet/Trio - The Feeling Of Jazz

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 67:55
Size: 155.5 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 1990
Art: Front

[ 8:18] 1. Ready Rudy
[ 7:26] 2. The Feeling Of Jazz
[ 9:33] 3. Point Of View
[ 6:09] 4. Ninth Avenue
[ 8:22] 5. Bock To Bock
[ 6:59] 6. Song For Margaret
[ 6:06] 7. My Ideal
[10:17] 8. Blues For Edith
[ 4:41] 9. Action

Pianist Mike LeDonne's second recording is most notable for the outstanding and contrasting playing of trumpeter Tom Harrell and baritonist Gary Smulyan. While Harrell is lyrical and melodic, Smulyan is forceful and swings quite hard. With bassist Dennis Irwin and drummer Kenny Washington offering stimulating support, the three lead voices are in top form. LeDonne contributed three fine originals and, other than the standard "My Ideal," the other four songs (Duke Pearson's "Ready Rudy?," Duke Ellington's "The Feeling of Jazz," Buddy Montgomery's "Bock to Bock," and Wynton Kelly's "Action") are all superior obscurities. Easily recommended to straight-ahead jazz fans. ~Scott Yanow

Mike LeDonne (P); Tom Harrell (Tp / Flh); Gary Smulyan (Bs); Dennis Irwin (B); Kenny Washington (D). Recorded January 2, 1990 in Englewood Cliffs, NJ, USA by Rudy Van Gelder

The Feeling Of Jazz

Ricardo Silveira & Vinicius Cantuaria - RSVC

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 44:17
Size: 101.4 MB
Styles: Latin jazz, Guitar jazz
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[4:15] 1. Preciso Falar Com Você (We Need To Talk)
[5:44] 2. Sessão Das Onze (Wanderley)
[5:03] 3. A La Dori
[4:41] 4. Perritos
[4:24] 5. Pé Direito (Right Foot)
[4:11] 6. Dia De Sol (Sunny Day)
[5:47] 7. Mais Nada (Nothing More)
[2:07] 8. Matuto
[3:50] 9. É O Fim (It's The End)
[4:10] 10. Trilha Polar (Polar Trail)

RSVC is the first ever collaboration of two amazingly talented Brazilian guitarists, Rio de Janeiro based Ricardo Silveira and Brooklyn based Vinicius Cantuária, featured here in a series of duets. Recorded in Rio, and co produced by the players and Eduardo Chermont, RSVC features six original compositions and also features the vocals of Vinicius as well as the debut vocal performance by Ricardo, who is primarily known for his wonderful guitar skills. Singer, guitarist, composer, drummer, and percussionist, Vinicius Cantuária is a well-known Brazilian musician who moved to New York in the mid-90s. He has proved himself in a number of fields, directly or indirectly linked to Brazilian music as leader of the rock band O Terco and later as one of the most important downtown New York figures, collaborating with artists such as Brian Eno, Laurie Anderson, Brad Mehldau, Arto Lindsay, Bill Frisell, Marc Ribot, David Byrne and Ryuichi Sakamoto. For over thirty years, guitarist Ricardo Silveira has earned international acclaim by bridging the music of his native Brazil with contemporary American jazz. In constant demand as a studio musician and musical director, Silveira has collaborated with countless masters and is equally renowned as a composer and solo artist.

RSVC

Susan Smith - Fine and Mellow

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:35
Size: 121,4 MB
Art: Front

(3:47)  1. Teach Me Tonight
(2:54)  2. Between the Devil & the Deep Blue Sea
(5:18)  3. I Can't Get Started.
(4:04)  4. My Little Boat/O Pato
(3:16)  5. Baubles, Bangles and Beads
(4:17)  6. Dindi
(2:56)  7. Willow Weep for Me
(4:00)  8. Fine and Mellow
(3:44)  9. 'Til There Was You
(4:40) 10. Don't Explain
(3:14) 11. Time After Time
(4:13) 12. Meditation
(3:10) 13. Wild Is the Wind
(2:55) 14. Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye

This album is my baby, something I have wanted to create for a long time. They are jazz songs from great artists of the past. When I was a child and my parents went out I would go through their entire record collection listening to the fantastic singers and arrangements, I have picked out a some of my favourites for this album. All the songs are classics that stir memories for those who remember them and newcomers to jazz.  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/suesmith1