Jackie McLean - New Soil

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1959
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:34
Size: 88,5 MB
Art: Front

(11:18)  1. Hip Strut
( 7:34)  2. Minor Apprehension
( 7:24)  3. Creasy
( 6:47)  4. Sweet Cakes
( 5:28)  5. Davis Cup

Jackie McLean's New Soil, is not the most acclaimed album in the classic Blue Note catalogue, but this 1959 release deserves more attention that it gets, being supremely well-played, well-written and within the limitations of its time well-recorded. This vinyl reissue, remastered from the original tapes by the good folks at Acous-Tech, is part of a series of albums fifty titles in all, so far that includes some of the most well-known Blue Note recordings from the 1950s and '60s, and may well represent the finest production runs of these albums ever, though that come at a price: fifty dollars each, for two 45 RPM LPs.

At this time, McLean was still feeling his way between Charlie Parker idolatry and finding his own sound. He's about half way there on this date, even as he admits his stylistic debt to his master in the liner notes. McLean's playing is solid and assured throughout, and his two writing credits on the album reveal a musician capable of complete statements. Trumpeter Donald Byrd steals the opener, the softly swinging blues, "Hip Strut," with his gorgeous, burnished lower-register solo, slowly working it over the staccato theme. Pianist Walter Davis Jr.. an unsung keyboard hero if ever there was one carries the tune through with a bluesy workout, before comping Paul Chambers bowed bass solo to wrap it up. McClean's "Minor Apprehension" is as close to a penultimate hard-bop song as you'll ever hear: fast, hard swinging and aggressive, with standout turns from the frontline. 

It's Drummer Pete La Roca who turns it upside-down, when he drops the melody, rhythm and pace from his solo, to play a series of abstract triplets, only to recapitulate the theme with the horns for a final bar before it's over. Davis' "Greasy" opens with a boogie-woogie piano line that would be right at home on a Bull Moose Jackson platter, setting up some fine straight-ahead blues playing. Of course, all of these basics can be heard on ten dollar CD version of this album, without breaking the bank, which begs the question: What are you getting for your fifty dollars, and is it worth it? Rudy Van Gelder in whose studio this and most other Blue Note records of the era were recorded has a mixed legacy as an engineer. His best quality recordings and New Soil is among them capture the horns with all of their overtones and shadings intact. 

Byrd's solo on "Hip Strut" is perfect example of capturing not just the notes, but his horn's gorgeous and distinctive bronze tone. The drum solo on "Minor Apprehension" reveals the kit in natural space and depth. Even the piano the perpetual RVG Achilles Heel sounds passably good (not great, but decent enough). For the collector who loves this record and has the equipment to hear all the detail that it has to offer, New Soil is worth hearing. ~ Gregg Simmons  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/new-soil-jackie-mclean-blue-note-records-review-by-greg-simmons.php#.VE_X6clZi5g
 

Personnel: Donald Byrd: trumpet; Jackie McLean; alto sax; Walter Davis Jr: piano; Paul Chambers; bass: Pete La Roca; drums.

New Soil

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Dan Cray Trio - Over Here Over Heard

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:05
Size: 131,0 MB
Art: Front

( 7:14)  1. That Old Black Magic
( 8:24)  2. At Least
(10:26)  3. Useless Landscape
( 7:41)  4. Barbara
( 8:12)  5. More Than You Know
( 6:34)  6. Hammer Head
( 8:30)  7. Moon River

Often, when a trio plays jazz, it covers classics or performs original material written by the leader usually the pianist. On Over Here Over Heard, the Dan Cray Trio does both and pleases a live audience in the process. The trio brings some varied credentials. Cray was a finalist in the 2003 Montreux Jazz Festival Solo Piano Competition. His associations have included Kurt Elling and the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, and he has released three studio albums with his trio, the previous being Save Us (Bluejazz, 2005). Clark Sommers is a bassist who has performed at jazz festivals in the United States, Ireland, France and Canada. He's performed with Elling and Kevin Mahogany, and shared billing with Tony Bennett, Diana Krall, B.B. King, The Staples Singers, Koko Taylor and Buddy Guy. Greg Wyser-Pratte started on piano and played trumpet for nine years before turning to drums. He graduated Northwestern University in 1998 with a bachelor of music degree in jazz studies. As a student or professional, he has worked with Max Roach, Rufus Reid and the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, among others. The Harold Arlen-Johnny Mercer classic, "That Old Black Magic," is given a fresh, invigorating treatment. Cray carries the lead throughout, but Sommers and Wyser-Pratte engage proudly. The drummer really comes through during the song's climactic conclusion. Cray does more than justice to Horace Silver's "Barbara." 

This upbeat selection is one of the more enjoyable pieces on a recording that's loaded with them. Cray's piano is exceptional, while Wyser-Pratte's mix on the toms, snare and cymbals adds a nice complement. Already engaging, the song comes to a high-energy conclusion. If there's one disappointment on the disc, its that the bass doesn't come through clearly at low volume. The acoustic bass can get lost in the background any recording by large ensemble, especially with a horn section. However, in a trio, it should be more clearly audible without having to raise the volume, boosting the subwoofer or employing equalization. Still, Over Here Over Heard is an enjoyable collection of seven tracks. All run more than six and a half minutes, giving the musicians plenty of room to operate. ~ Woodrow Wilkins  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/over-here-over-heard-dan-cray-crawdad-productions-review-by-woodrow-wilkins.php#.VE0iXslZi5g
 

Personnel: Dan Cray: piano; Clark Sommers: bass; Greg Wyser-Pratte: drums.

Over Here Over Heard

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ACQ (Amy Cervini Quartet) - Famous Blue

Size: 119,0 MB
Time: 51:13
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2007
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Because I Told You So (4:47)
02. How He Sings (5:22)
03. Sliding Down (4:43)
04. Famous Blue Raincoat (6:54)
05. No Moon At All (4:43)
06. Mushaboom (5:52)
07. Extraordinary Machine (3:49)
08. Don't Fence Me In (6:27)
09. Don't Explain (5:29)
10. Holiday (3:02)

The ACQ (Amy Cervini Quartet) is an exciting addition to the New York City jazz scene, stretching the boundaries of traditional vocal jazz repertoire and creating new sounds.

Their debut album features songs by Leonard Cohen, Jonatha Brooke, Edgar Meyer, Fiona Apple, Leslie Feist, Weezer, a new young composer/arranger/producer Oded Lev-Ari and some standard jazz repertoire by Cole Porter and Billie Holiday.

Amy Cervini is a regular at New York clubs including Birdland, The 55 Bar, The Knitting Factory, The Jazz Standard, Cornelia Street Café and Joe’s Pub. She has also appeared at numerous clubs and concert halls around the world; from Toronto to Tel-Aviv. Ms. Cervini is currently a member of the New York-based vocal jazz group, Monday Off that released their long awaited, self-titled sophmore CD in December 2006. Amy has also been featured as a back-up vocalist with the New York band Pharaoh's Daughter.

Amy made her Carnegie Hall debut in 2002 singing with the New York Pops Orchestra as part of their 25th Anniversary Gala Celebration. She shared the stage with Bucky Pizzarelli, Christine Ebersole, Peter Appleyard and sang in the debut performance of a selection from a new musical written by Kathie Lee Gifford. Ms. Cervini also premiered the part of “Obum” in Patricia Burgess’ jazz opera, “Reflections of the Watermoon” at New York City’s Merkin Hall. Amy is also a member of Numinous+, a group conducted by Joseph Phillips and featuring his compositions.

Famous Blue

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Art Sherrod Jr. - Seasons

Size: 118,4 MB
Time: 50:16
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2009
Styles: Jazz: Smooth Jazz
Art: Front

01. To The Floor (Feat. U-Nam) (4:23)
02. Thinking Of You (Feat. Will Downing) (4:51)
03. Just Chillin' (Feat. Gerald Albright) (4:09)
04. You're The One (Feat. Tracy Hamlin) (4:12)
05. Everything Will Be Alright (3:52)
06. Seasons (Feat. Chuck Loeb) (4:37)
07. On Sunday Morning (4:16)
08. East Coast Steppin' (3:31)
09. That's The Way Of The World (4:05)
10. Anytime (Feat. Frank Mccomb) (3:40)
11. Smooth Groove (Feat. Marcus Johnson) (4:34)
12. We Fall Down (3:59)

Seasons is Art Sherrod Jr.'s second studio album and the music is somewhere between smooth R&B and urban, with incredible talent surrounding. Tracks include To The Floor, You're The One, Seasons, East Coast Steppin'; We Fall Down and more!

Sherrod delivers a sequence of spine chilling gems that sit somewhere between smooth R & B and urban jazz. In fact Seasons includes contributions from several A list performers but rather than puzzling at just how Sherrod has managed to assemble so many great artists in the same place at the same time, it is adequate to luxuriate in the sublime artistry his musicality so effortlessly engenders. --Dennis Poole, Smooth Jazz Therapy and Smooth Jazz Vibes

The smooth, saxy sounds of Art Sherrod Jr will make your heart melt and your feet dance. After one listen you will instantly become an Art lover... --Donna Jean Rumbley, Promotions Director, Smooth Jazz WSMJ 104.3 Baltimore

. . . Art Sherrod Jr is about to become an International star. All you other saxophone players beware . . . Art Sherrod Jr has arrived! --Kevin Opher, KFM Entertainment Group, Baltimore

Seasons

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Abe Lagrimas Jr. - Rhythm & Uke

Size: 106,0 MB
Time: 45:12
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. Good Times (3:04)
02. Run (3:09)
03. A Neighborhood Stroll (6:37)
04. United In Prayer (4:39)
05. Back At It (5:07)
06. The Code (3:20)
07. Blue-Kulele (3:12)
08. Stay With Me (5:34)
09. I'll Remember April (5:53)
10. Namida No Kiss (4:32)

Personnel: Abe Lagrimas, Jr. (ukulele and drums), Hamilton Price (bass)

"Rhythm & Uke" is the 4th ukulele release from Na Hoku Hanohano Award winning recording artist Abe Lagrimas, jr. The album takes the listener back to Abe's musical roots: the drums. The importance of rhythm in the song is captured well with just the stripped down instrumentation of drums (performed by Abe) and acoustic bass. Abe then adds his masterful ukulele artistry in melody and improvisation to complete the selections. Each "full band" selection is then followed by a solo ukulele piece, which offers listeners an insightful sense of peace.

Rhythm & Uke

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Kayo - Manhattan Sunset

Size: 144,4 MB
Time: 62:10
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz: Vocals, Piano
Art: Front

01. 59th Street Station B Line (Feat. Patrick O'leary, Eric Halvorson & Nick Hempton) (3:56)
02. Tarte Aux Fraises (Feat. Patrick O'leary & Eric Halvorson) (5:02)
03. June In Paris (Feat. Patrick O'leary, Eric Halvorson & Giuseppe Milici) (6:36)
04. Runaway Thought (Feat. Patrick O'leary, Eric Halvorson & Nick Hempton) (4:33)
05. Komorebi (Feat. Russell Malone, Patrick O'leary & Eric Halvorson) (7:56)
06. Kojyo No Tsuki (Feat. Patrick O'leary & Eric Halvorson) (5:10)
07. Gorilla In Safari Motel (Feat. Patrick O'leary & Eric Halvorson) (4:39)
08. Saga Of Harrison Crabfeathers (Feat. Patrick O'leary & Eric Halvorson) (4:12)
09. Manhattan Sunset (Feat. Patrick O'leary & Eric Halvorson) (5:24)
10. Midday Sun Shower (Feat. Patrick O'leary, Eric Halvorson & Nick Hempton) (5:09)
11. Cafe Gitane (Feat. Patrick O'leary, Eric Halvorson & Giuseppe Milici) (6:41)
12. My Melancholy Baby (Feat. Patrick O'leary) (2:46)

Manhattan Sunset, the sixth studio album from pianist Kayo Hiraki, highlights a seasoned player drawing upon her various influences and varied interests within jazz. From the opener, 59th Street Station B Line, an angular her composition reminiscent of Monk's medium-tempo bop, to Midday Sun Shower, with its funky &sweet, contemporary jazz stylings, the album ferries listeners through a pleasantly diverse array of genres within the jazz idiom. Tarte Aux Fraises and Runaway Thought (sound track from the film 'Birth Day'), both jazz waltzes, feature strong trio work, as bassist Patrick O'Leary and drummer Eric Halvorson lend stimulating support to Kayo's piano solos as they build steam. The latter song also highlights saxophonist Nick Hempton, who plays elegantly throughout the record. Manhattan Sunset features additional guests appearances from world-renowned guitarist Russell Malone, lending his striking talents to the hypnotic Komorebi (Sun-beams streaming through the leaves of trees), and Italian harmonica player Giuseppe Milici, who deftly handles the melancholy ballad, June in Paris and image of sidewalk cafe in Paris, Cafe Gitane. The album is mostly comprised of originals, but two standards (Saga of Harrison Crabfeathers and My Melancholy Baby) along with a traditional Japanese folk song, Kojyo no Tsuki, are standouts as well.

Manhattan Sunset

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Darius Rucker - Home For The Holidays

Size: 100,6 MB
Time: 42:53
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Holidays, Country
Art: Front

01. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow (2:54)
02. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (3:36)
03. What God Wants For Christmas (3:35)
04. You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch (3:26)
05. Baby, It's Cold Outside (With Sheryl Crow) (3:43)
06. I'll Be Home For Christmas (3:51)
07. O Come, All Ye Faithful (4:02)
08. Winter Wonderland (2:46)
09. Candy Cane Christmas (3:20)
10. Please Come Home For Christmas (4:09)
11. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (3:49)
12. White Christmas (3:37)

Three-time GRAMMY Award winner Darius Rucker is releasing his first Christmas album, Home For The Holidays, today, October 27. Produced by Frank Rogers, the 12-track album includes Rucker’s unique spin on holiday classics such as “Winter Wonderland,” “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” and “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow,” as well as two original songs, “Candy Cane Christmas” and “What God Wants For Christmas” that Rucker co-wrote. Among the album’s highlights is the seasonal favorite, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” featuring special guest Sheryl Crow.

“We wanted to make one of those records that a fan of R&B music would put it on and go, ‘That’s a good Christmas record!’ And a fan of Country music would put it on and go, ‘That’s a good Christmas record,’” says Rucker. “And a fan of pop music would put it on and go, ‘That’s a pretty cool Christmas record!’ I’m hoping it’s one of those records that people just love. I want fans to love it and play it for their kids. I’m hoping that there’s some kid who is two years old today, and when he’s 14 and they ask him what reminds him of Christmas, he says, ‘The Darius Rucker Christmas record.’ That would be awesome!”
In addition to recording his Christmas album, Rucker is finishing work on his fourth solo county album, to be released in early 2015. The album’s debut single “Homegrown Honey” is currently climbing the Country charts.

Home For The Holidays

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Reifegerste Trio - Am I

Size: 109,3 MB
Time: 46:50
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

01. Yesterdays (6:58)
02. Promises (2:31)
03. Time After Time (5:06)
04. Georgia On My Mind (6:14)
05. Am I (3:17)
06. Eleanor Rigby (5:26)
07. Dream On (5:08)
08. The Water Is Wide (3:51)
09. Wrong And Right (6:13)
10. Amazing Grace (2:02)

This is the Berlin based jazz and blues trio’s highly anticipated first studio album - the previous live album “Live at Oxident” was released in 2007 - yet the fans of the trio’s traditionally made acoustic music found it more than worth waiting for :

‘Am I’ was recorded live in only two days in the living room of a long-time fan who let the trio use his exquisite Bechstein piano.

Out of this intimate and private atmosphere emerged an album portraying the outstanding musical talent of pianist Chris Szachnowski (Poland) and of the extraordinary saxophone player Joe Kucera (Czech Republic).

One can feel the magic of the wee hours of the morning, how a glass of wine may have been put down while the wall clock gently ticked away the time in the background…

On ‚Am I’ the Reifegerste Trio not only interprets jazz and blues classics in their uniquely impressive manner as they show at their concerts; it also has some surprises in store:

Gentle hues of electronic sound pearls, recorded and mixed in Simone Reifegerste’s own Backyard Princess Studios.

Am I

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Russell Garcia - Russell Garcia & His Four Trombone Band

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 69:17
Size: 158.6 MB
Styles: Trombone jazz
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[3:13] 1. I'll Never Forget What's Her Name
[2:13] 2. But Beautiful
[3:04] 3. Dancing On The Ceiling
[2:33] 4. The Boy Next Door
[3:58] 5. Just One Of Those Things
[2:48] 6. Zigeuner
[2:57] 7. Limehouse Blues
[2:03] 8. Lush Life
[5:28] 9. Lover, Come Back To Me
[2:33] 10. Ramona
[2:27] 11. Someone To Watch Over Me
[3:01] 12. What Is This Things Called Love
[2:30] 13. Toreador
[2:42] 14. They Can't Take That Away From Me
[2:24] 15. He's Funny That Way
[3:04] 16. I've Got You Under My Skin
[1:50] 17. All Of A Sudden My Heart Sings
[2:22] 18. Somebody Loves Me
[3:00] 19. September In The Rain
[3:11] 20. These Foolish Things
[2:44] 21. Love For Sale
[5:35] 22. Medley
[3:28] 23. Out Of This World

A two-fer CD containing:
Tracks #1-12, from the 10" album "Four Horns and a Lush Life". Recorded in Holywood, November 14, 1955. Russel Garcia (cond,arr); Frank Rosolino, Herbie Harper, Maynard Ferguson, Tommy Pederson (tb); Dick Houlgate (bs); Marty Paich (p); Red Mitchell (b); Stan Levey (d).

Tracks #13-23, from the 10" album "Frances Faye-I'm Wild Again". Recorded in Holywood, November 14, 1955. Russel Garcia (cond,arr); Frank Rosolino, Herbie Harper, Maynard Ferguson, Tommy Pederson (tb); Al Hendrickson (g); Gerry Wiggins (p); Red Mitchell (b); Chico Hamilton (d); Frances Fayes (vcl).

"Russell Garcia's Four Trombone Band can easily be compared to some of Stan Kenton's brass experiments, and more directly Slide Hampton's World of Trombones ensembles. This single-CD compilation features instrumental tracks reinventing a variety of standards and many selections featuring vocalist Frances Faye, with either pianists Marty Paich or Gerry Wiggins, respectively, in the rhythm sections. Garcia directs these substantive musicians on his unique arrangements, where the music jumps up and grabs your ears with the ineffable cool and swing typical of mid-'50s West Coast jazz. Detroiter Frank Rosolino relocated to California during this time, as Tommy Pederson and Herbie Harper were establishing themselves as session men, while Maynard Ferguson is heard here, not on trumpet, but valve trombone -- and all the participants sound like they are having a really good time.

Garcia conducts this music, and puts the bandmembers through their paces, cleverly adding and subtracting measures during his original "I'll Never Forget What's Her Name," loading up staccato phrases for the 'bones during "Limehouse Blues," writing strong unison charts for the melodies of "Lover, Come Back to Me" and "Ramona," and offering a strict arrangement of Noël Coward's "Ziguener." Baritone saxophonist Dick Houlgate is the only other horn on these dates, and guitarist Al Hendrickson is the other front liner on the selections with Faye. The vocalist is straight-laced, stoic, effortless like peer Peggy Lee, and very solid. While fairly typical on well-known standards and a seamless seven-song medley, she steals the show from the trombones on the Mary and Norman Kaye-penned wordplay of the Latin-pop novelty tune "Toreador" and a calypso take of "I've Got You Under My Skin," and she revives the lost introductory lyrics of "Love for Sale." Chico Hamilton is greatly responsible for the tropical beats in his pre-boogaloo period, hopping up "Out of the World" as Faye glides along while his drum work is busily active.

This is one of three Fresh Sound reissues showcasing the underappreciated Russell Garcia, only recognizable to California audiences in the main, but now with an opportunity like peers Bill Holman and Onzy Matthews  to be known and revered on a larger scale some 60 years later." ~Michael G. Nastos

Russell Garcia & His Four Trombone Band   

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Maceo Parker - Roots Revisited

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 64:27
Size: 147.5 MB
Styles: Soul-jazz, Saxophone jazz
Year: 1990/2008
Art: Front

[ 3:55] 1. Them That Got
[10:46] 2. Children´s World
[ 5:39] 3. Better Get Hit In Yo´ Soul
[ 5:53] 4. People Get Ready
[ 8:10] 5. Up And Down East Street
[ 4:13] 6. Over The Rainbow
[ 6:16] 7. Jumpin´ The Blues
[ 5:27] 8. In Time
[ 3:54] 9. Them That Got (Alternate Master)
[10:09] 10. Funky Christmas

Altoist Maceo Parker has spent most of his career in R&B funk bands, most notably those led by James Brown, George Clinton, and Bootsy Collins. This CD gave him a chance to stretch out as a leader, and his soulful horn immediately brings to mind Hank Crawford and (to a lesser extent) Lou Donaldson. With a strong backup group that includes Pee Wee Ellis on tenor, trombonist Fred Wesley, and Don Pullen on organ, Parker enthusiastically plays over infectious grooves with just one funky departure ("In Time"). Roots Revisited is a throwback to the 1960s soul-jazz style and Maceo Parker gives one the impression that, if called upon, he could hold his own on a bebop date. ~Scott Yanow

Roots Revisited

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Polly Bergen - The Early Years

Bitrate: 320K/s

Time: 72:24

Size: 165.8 MB

Styles: Vocal

Year: 2007

Art: Front

[2:09] 1. Honky Tonkin'

[2:33] 2. Mount'n Boys Have Fun With Mount'n Girls

[2:30] 3. Oh Them Dudes

[2:30] 4. I Got Tookin

[2:52] 5. Just The Way You Are

[2:20] 6. I Put My Head In The Lion's Mouth

[2:45] 7. Tonda Wanda Hoy

[3:23] 8. Out Of Sight Out Of Mind

[2:13] 9. Apple On A Pear Tree

[2:49] 10. Don't Let Our Love Die On The Vine

[2:44] 11. No One Else Will Ever Know

[2:15] 12. Let's Make Love

[3:24] 13. Someone To Watch Over Me

[3:59] 14. Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe

[3:43] 15. Little Girl Blue

[2:51] 16. The Way You Look Tonight

[2:55] 17. A Woman Likes To Be Told

[2:33] 18. I Thought Of You Last Night

[6:03] 19. When The World Was Young

[3:06] 20. The Wayward Wind

[2:12] 21. How Little We Know

[2:22] 22. Too Close For Comfort

[2:21] 23. It's All Yours

[2:40] 24. Darling I Belong To You

[3:00] 25. One Little Mistake

Mostly known as a TV and film actress, Polly Bergen recorded several album of pop standards in the 1950s and '60s, as well as using her expressive voice onstage in musicals. This rare collection features recordings from the very beginning of her career, showcasing tunes from 1950 through 1956. The looks and poise of a 1950s Vogue model; the mentholated singing voice; the actress' approach to words all these helped launch Polly Bergen on a career that began in the late 40s and still thrives today. This CD includes almost every side she cut before 1957, when she burst into prominence with an Emmy-winning TV portrayal of the legendary torch singer Helen Morgan. Earlier on, Bergen had recorded a scattered pile of hillbilly tunes (the by-product of her birth in Tennessee), novelty kitsch, and a fine first album of torch songs, heard here in its entirety.

Polly Bergen (vocals); Joe Venuti (violin); Matty Matlock (clarinet); George Tibbles (piano). Additional personnel: Ramey Idriss (guitar); Paul Toenniges (bass instrument); The Mellowmen & Orchestra, The Joe Leahy Orchestra, Morty Stevens & His Orchestra, The Orchestra, George Tibbles, Joe Venuti, Matty Matlock. Audio Remasterer: Robin Cherry. Recording information: Los Angeles, CA (1950-1956); New York, NY (1950-1956).

The Early Years

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Barbara Carroll - This Heart Of Mine

Styles: Jazz, Vocal, Cabaret
Year: 1994
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:58
Size: 151,5 MB
Art: Front

(6:33)  1. The Way You Look Tonight
(5:16)  2. Never Let Me Go
(6:41)  3. In Some Other World
(6:06)  4. This Heart Of Mine
(5:44)  5. I Wanna Be Yours
(5:06)  6. Sweet Lilacs
(6:01)  7. Medley: On Second Thought/Why I Can't
(3:13)  8. Lester Leaps In
(6:32)  9. Some Other Time
(4:23) 10. Rain Sometimes
(5:59) 11. Whenever A Soft Rain Falls
(4:19) 12. It's Like Reaching For The Moon

This is one of the better later recordings by Barbara Carroll. A bop-based pianist and a cabaret singer, Carroll balanced her two very different skills quite well throughout the date. There are a few instrumentals along the way (including "The Way You Look Tonight" and "Lester Leaps In") which team her with Jerome Richardson (heard on tenor and alto) and Art Farmer (on the trumpet) along with drummer Joe Cocuzzo and either Jay Leonhart or Frank Tate on bass. The overall music is more jazz-oriented than some of Carroll's recordings and her soft-spoken vocals are generally a delight; however, it is her swinging piano that consistently takes honors. A fine all-around set that serves as a good introduction to the music of Barbara Carroll. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/this-heart-of-mine-mw0000120021

This Heart Of Mine

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Dan Cray Trio - Save US

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 69:33
Size: 159,7 MB
Art: Front

(5:54)  1. Don't You Worry 'Bout A Thing
(5:36)  2. When You Wish Upon A Star
(4:38)  3. Just One Of Those Things
(5:31)  4. If You Could See Me Now
(7:51)  5. Farther From That
(7:27)  6. Trinkle Tinkle
(6:06)  7. Night Dreamer
(6:10)  8. Summer In Central Park
(7:30)  9. Without A Song
(6:38) 10. Good Morning.Goodbye
(6:07) 11. Good Morning.Goodbye

Jazz's modern mainstream has to preserve tradition while exploring unique approaches. It's got to grow. A lot of folks translate the concept of uniqueness into something "far out" and "hip" and "never before attempted." But stretching the boundaries of jazz to its limits has drawbacks. Some push too far and become alienated. Some water down the jazz with outside sources that prove discomforting. Many of today's innovators simply sell out. If they turn away from the core music that brought us here, then they've failed. Dan Cray preserves the straight-ahead tradition with his Chicago-based piano trio, yet he finds new ways to interpret it. Like a poet or a painter who searches constantly for new ways to express himself without losing his core focus, the pianist has succeeded in recreating Cole Porter, Thelonious Monk, Wayne Shorter, and Horace Silver with aplomb. They're the same old songs, but they're interpreted with a fresh, new outlook. 

The trio's version of "Just One of Those Things" makes a dramatic impact. Cray moves the familiar theme in suite-like fashion through different scenes that reflect changing moods. Together, the threesome forges ahead with widely different approaches for one theme. The pianist's dynamic strides give the piece new life. After establishing the tune of a standard piece, Cray likes to jazz it up. Isn't that what it's all about? He takes each piece on a whirlwind ride, alters its texture to the foundation, and reinterprets it with authority. Meters change, moods fly back and forth, and the scene varies. 

His fresh approach comes loaded with a fiery, percussive piano attack one moment and a suave, comforting layer of harmony the next. Cray's "Good Morning" and "Good Bye" evoke misty moonlit impressions with introspective leanings that evolve into a confident strut along with powerful reflections. "Trinkle Tinkle" comes loaded with a refreshing new texture as the trio drives it with raw power. "Night Dreamer" appears before us with an exotic façade that remains personal and up close. "Summer in Central Park" finds the trio floating along on its laissez-faire theme with added sparks entering the scene to fire this way and that. Cray builds each of his selections from the ground up, transforming them from the usual to the unique without ever losing sight of tradition. Highly recommended. ~ Jim Santella  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/save-us-dan-cray-blujazz-productions-review-by-jim-santella.php#.VE6qLclZi5g

Personnel: Dan Cray: piano; Clark Sommers: bass; Greg Wyser-Pratte: drums.

Save US

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Lucky Thompson - Lucky Thompson Meets Oscar Pettiford

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1956
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:28
Size: 153,0 MB
Art: Front

(5:02)  1. Tom-Kattin
(4:04)  2. Old Reliable
(5:13)  3. A Lady's Vanity
(4:05)  4. Translation
(4:40)  5. Nr#1
(3:12)  6. Nr#2
(4:37)  7. Good Luck
(4:38)  8. Tricotism
(3:58)  9. Bo Bi My Boy
(4:34) 10. Body and Soul
(3:54) 11. Op Meets Lt
(3:10) 12. Dancing Sunbeam
(2:51) 13. Little Tenderfoot
(4:47) 14. The Plain but The Simple Truth
(3:34) 15. Mister Man
(4:02) 16. Once There Was

Lucky Thompson (1924-2005) has probably been the most underrated tenorist of his generation. After an active period in both the New York and Los Angeles scenes during the Forties, his career began to suffer all kind of in and outs, and from 1949 up to 1954 Lucky’s name rarely appeared on jazz club marquees. Fortunately, since that year the ‘unlucky’ Lucky Thompson would temporarily find what he was looking for. Lucky described the sessions at hand as the first “I got the freedom and the men I desired.” Here he blows his heart out in one of the most sustained examples of creative, soulful improvisation ever recorded. It is a hard-swinging set powered by Lucky’s big tone and beautifully built ideas, featuring the strength and driving pulse of Oscar Pettiford’s bass.  http://www.freshsoundrecords.com/lucky_thompson_meets_oscar_pettiford-cd-4490.html

Lucky Thompson Meets Oscar Pettiford

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Marlene VerPlanck - One Dream At A Time

Size: 130,6 MB
Time: 55:35
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2010
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Haven't We Met (2:43)
02. In April (4:00)
03. Some Fine Day (3:50)
04. You Can Depend On Me (3:12)
05. I'm Falling For You (4:31)
06. Rio Carioca (4:53)
07. Quietly (3:12)
08. There's No Holding Me (2:50)
09. The Heather On The Hill (3:49)
10. What A Difference A Day Made (4:22)
11. But Beautiful (4:17)
12. As Far As I'm Concerned (2:43)
13. Moon Dreams (3:37)
14. Invitation To The Blues (4:19)
15. One Dream At A Time (3:10)

Marlene Ver Planck paid tribute to the great American songbook. Ver Planck, who grew up in Newark, NJ, listening to Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald on WNEW radio, collaborated throughout her long career with her husband, arranger, composer, and conductor Billy Ver Planck. Her 2000 CD, My Impetuous Heart (DRG), her 17th album, reunited her with some old friends, including jazz pianist Hank Jones and special guests jazz pianists George Shearing and Marian McPartland and guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli. Ver Planck's career was a long string of success stories, which showcased her as a versatile singer with a gorgeous, pliable voice that knew how to tell a story.

She started singing at age 19. Her career stretched back to the '50s when she worked with Tex Beneke and Charlie Spivak. Her first big break came in 1955 when she teamed up with pianist Hank Jones, flutist Herbie Mann, trumpeter Joe Wilder, bassist Wendell Marshall, and drummer Kenny Clarke on I Think of You with Every Breath I Take on Savoy Records. She met her husband while performing with Charlie Spivak's band, then both moved over to the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra. Tommy Dorsey died in 1956, so the Ver Plancks decided to stay in New York City to pursue studio work with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Tony Bennett, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Blood Sweat and Tears, and Kiss. Millions of people outside the jazz world first heard Ver Planck's voice, though, doing jingles in the '60s : "Weekends were made for Michelob/Yeah!" and "Winston tastes good like a cigarette should!" and "Mmm good/mm-mm good/that's what Campbell's Soups are/mm mm good." After thousands of commercial jingles and hours and hours of studio session work in New York, the Ver Plancks decided to settle down in their house in Clifton, NJ, and began performing and recording together.

Their first recording together was A Breath of Fresh Air, arranged, produced, and conducted by Billy Ver Planck in 1968. In 1976, Marlene Ver Planck hooked up with North Carolina-based composer/pianist Loonis McGlohon, who hired her to do two installments of a radio show he co-hosted called Alec Wilder's American Popular Song. Afterwards, she recorded Marlene Ver Planck Sings Alec Wilder, and later, after Wilder's death, she appeared on the radio show The American Popular Singers, co-hosted by McGlohon and opera singer Eileen Farrell. Ver Planck performed at Carnegie Hall, Michael's Pub, and the Rainbow Room in New York City. She appeared on Entertainment Tonight, The Today Show, and CBS's Sunday Morning. In The Digital Mood, featuring Ver Planck, Mel Torme, and Julius La Rosa with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, became the first big band CD to go gold in the '90s. Ver Planck planned to record again in late 2001 in tribute to her love for the music of Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, and Cole Porter. ~Biography by Robert Hicks

One Dream At A Time

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Simon Curphey - With You

Size: 115,9 MB
Time: 50:16
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Blues/Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Too Much (5:55)
02. Beautiful (4:19)
03. Message (5:24)
04. Gone (5:11)
05. With You (5:29)
06. Sally (4:06)
07. Open Up (4:22)
08. More (6:48)
09. Sailor (6:30)
10. Endings (2:08)

Simon Curphey is one of Australia’s most fascinating and enigmatic 'low profile' singer/songwriters of the last 30 years. For his latest album (With You) Simon has managed to assemble an eclectic ensemble of seasoned musicians and singers from all over the world to create a totally unique and brutally honest body of work.

Simon Curphey – Guitar, Vocals
Kintsho Tshabalala – Percussion
Susie Ahern – Backing Vocals
Zenzile Tshabalala – Ululation Vocals
Paul McAuslan – Saxophone, Keyboards
Don Nadi – Keyboards, Drum Programming
Peter German – Bass Guitar
Scott Lambie – Drums
Marcus Satchell – Bass Guitar
Sam Keevers – Keyboards
George Butrumlis – Piano Accordion

With You

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Tyrone Clark - Music In The Grain

Size: 162,7 MB
Time: 70:34
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz: Contemporary Jazz, Smooth Jazz
Art: Front

01. Hello Alaadeen (13:15)
02. Fay Fay ( 4:20)
03. Midwest Girl ( 8:36)
04. Nutty Peach ( 6:37)
05. Traveling ( 5:31)
06. Brazilian Dance ( 7:22)
07. Drive Thru ( 6:46)
08. Who Knows Ville ( 7:48)
09. Sing And Pray (10:15)

In a musical career spanning nearly 40 years, Tyrone Clark, born in Chicago, has played professionally since he was eighteen. Although adept in a variety of musical genres, Clark’s concept and interpretation of playing is stylistically best described as rooted in the Kansas City jazz tradition. Described by a fellow musician, Clark is one of the few who impeccably delivers that style. He is a “full” bassist and always right there – “just when you need him.” His sure drive and sense of rhythm and melody impress audiences and musicians alike.

Such proficiency has placed Clark on stage and in studio alongside such talents as: Author Prysock, Hank Crawford, Eddie Harris, Benny Golson, Cyrus Chestnut, Nicholas Payton, Milt Jackson, Billy Taylor, Max Roach, Kevin Mahogany, Luqman Hamza, Lisa Henry, Ahmad Alaadeen, Ronnel Bright, The Pete Eye Trio, and The Madden Brothers.

Along with Cyrus Chestnut and Nicolas Payton, Clark was among the musician featured in the 1997 Robert Altman production of “Kansas City,” the soundtrack of the movie, and the follow-up extended release, “The Music of Kansas City.” In addition to a number of pop and gospel recordings, Clark’s jazz studio work includes accompaniment for vocalist Lisa Henry and saxophonist Ahmad Alaadeen on their respective releases. Additionally, Clark has toured Japan, Europe and throughout the United States.

Music In The Grain

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Johnaye Kendrick - Here

Size: 133,2 MB
Time: 57:22
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Your Flowers (5:23)
02. You're Mine (4:23)
03. I Will Wait Forever (3:48)
04. Here (6:36)
05. Love (5:35)
06. A Thousand Nights (5:42)
07. He Finds Me Beautiful (2:40)
08. The Water (5:40)
09. Placebo Effect (5:23)
10. You're So High (You're So Low) (4:26)
11. I Am Not Afraid (3:41)
12. Standing Still (3:58)

The Seattle singer Johnaye Kendrick’s talent centers in the modern jazz tradition: On the first several tracks of her first record, “Here” (Johnygirl), her light and accurate voice quickly establishes authority in tone, improvisation, swing feeling. If you’re interested in singers like Gretchen Parlato and Luciana Souza, go directly to her. But jazz these days is sometimes best defined as a connection to other things, and this record lives at the point where the strategies and sonic dimensions of jazz plug into much else: R&B and bossa nova, songs without drums, creeping ballads or laments; new reshufflings of very old ideas in American music.

Still, everything here comes down to the settled and centered quality of Ms. Kendrick’s voice. She’s organically connected to her band, which includes the pianist Dawn Clement, the bassist Chris Symer and the drummers Byron Vannoy and D’Vonne Lewis. But on one of the strongest tracks, “I Am Not Afraid,” Ms. Kendrick sings in long tones, with only her harmonium and multitracked vocals for accompaniment. It’s easy to imagine most of these songs done that way, or with voice alone.

Here

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John MacMurchy - Silent Partner

Size: 101,9 MB
Time: 43:53
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. The Stars Were Out Of Order (8:11)
02. Salon B (4:30)
03. Wabash Blue (7:02)
04. Nightwalker (6:13)
05. Neverwhere (6:20)
06. A Good Day To Be Happy (5:44)
07. Westville Road (Michelle Unexpected) (5:51)

John MacMurchy plays tenor saxophone and clarinet with flawless technique, wonderful tone, and fluid, melodic phrasing on seven thoughtful, original compositions.

"John MacMurchy is a fleet, accomplished reedman with a knack for writing and arranging. John's got everything together and balanced out when it comes to: Tone, technique extraordinaire, and seemingly endless ideas."

As well as leading his own ensembles John has been a sideman for Henry Mancini, Cleo Laine, John Dankworth, Linda Ronstadt, Peter Appleyard, and Guido Basso as well as a host of R&B stars. Well versed in the classical and early twentieth century repertoire, jazz is his first and lasting passion. You might hear diverse influences in his music but the compositions are cohesive and original. "I don't know whether to think of John MacMurchy as a player who writes or a writer who plays. That he does both exceptionally well is demonstrated on his recent CDs." - Ted O'Reilly

"John's vision of music exudes clarity; of companionship between musicians, of sound, of musical ideas, of execution, of music. It's an honest sound that John uses to converse with the listener. Nothing is hidden, it's all there on the table: heart, experience, pleasure, life."

"John is solidly within the jazz tradition, with a solid grasp of the too-often forgotten need to swing."

Silent Partner

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Barry Manilow - My Dream Duets

Size: 84,9 MB
Time: 36:12
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Pop
Art: Front

01. The Song's Gotta Come From The Heart (With Jimmy Durante) (2:06)
02. Goody Goody (With Frankie Lymon) (2:12)
03. Dream A Little Dream Of Me (With Mama Cass) (3:07)
04. I Believe In You And Me (With Whitney Houston) (3:53)
05. Sunshine On My Shoulders (With John Denver) (4:33)
06. Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart (With Judy Garland) (3:17)
07. Moon River (With Andy Williams) (3:33)
08. The Look Of Love (With Dusty Springfield) (4:10)
09. The Candy Man (With Sammy Davis Jr.) (3:04)
10. I Wanna Be Loved By You (With Marilyn Monroe) (2:14)
11. What A Wonderful World/What A Wonderful Life (With Louis Armstrong) (3:59)

At 71 years old, Barry Manilow has reached the age when he can do anything he pleases, and what pleases him is singing along with old records by dead singers. That's all My Dream Duets is: Manilow brushing off his old cabaret routine so it can spruce up vintage records by Jimmy Durante and Judy Garland. He's not the only new element on these electronically rejiggered duets -- instrumentation, usually synthetic, sometimes as incessant as the drum loop that runs underneath "The Candyman," has been added -- but he's the notable addition, crooning full verses in addition to sliding in some corny asides. For all his showboating, he doesn't do much to distract from his idols. Time and time again, the singer who stands out on My Dream Duets is the original vocalist, the one who cut the track originally and stamped it indelibly with his or her own personality. Manilow recedes out of deference but also practicality: he's not duetting with a living singer; he's singing over an existing track and tailoring his performance to suit established contours. Consequently, there's not much dynamism here, but it's also not stiff because Manilow is so over the top. Perhaps that's Barry's natural response because there's nothing left for him to do but ham it up on the margins but, ultimately, that means My Dream Duets isn't much more than an exceedingly odd curiosity. ~Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine

My Dream Duets

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