John La Barbera Big Band - Caravan

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:52
Size: 121.0 MB
Styles: Big band
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[5:25] 1. Caravan
[5:00] 2. Voyage
[5:47] 3. Roman Notes
[9:36] 4. Atlantis
[5:27] 5. Forgotton But Not
[5:27] 6. Incompatible (Incompatibilidade De Gênios)
[4:52] 7. Accordin' To Gordon
[6:44] 8. Trinacria
[4:31] 9. Young Rabbits

John La Barbera's third Jazz Compass recording brings together the three La Barbera brothers – John, Pat and Joe – one of the "most formidable familial trios in jazz history." The CD features three original tracks by John La Barbera and covers ranging from "Caravan" to "Forgotten But Not" to "Incompatibilidade De Genios."

Pat La Barbera – Tenor & Soprano Sax; Brian Scanlon – Alto Sax, Flute; Rob Lockart – Tenor Sax, Flute; Bob Carr – Baritone Sax, Bass Clarinet; Kim Richmond – Alto Sax; Clay Jenkins - Trumpet; Willie Murillo - Trumpet; Bob O'Donnell - Trumpet; Wayne Bergeron - Trumpet; Ryan Dragon- Trombone; Eric Hughes- Trombone; Les Benedict- Trombone; Ken Kugler – Bass Trombone; Bill Cunliffe - Keyboards; Aaron Serfaty - Percussion; Tom Warrington - Bass; Joe La Barbera - Drums.

Caravan

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Susan Werner - Classics

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:33
Size: 81.4 MB
Styles: Piano jazz, Easy listening
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[0:31] 1. Prelude
[4:43] 2. A Hazy Shade Of Winter
[3:13] 3. Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)
[2:13] 4. The Wind
[4:20] 5. Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
[2:19] 6. Lonely People
[3:36] 7. Turn Turn Turn
[3:40] 8. All In Love Is Fair
[3:10] 9. Maybe I'm Amazed
[4:32] 10. Waiting In Vain
[3:10] 11. I Just Wasn't Made For These Times

Over the course of her colorful career, singer songwriter Susan Werner has cultivated a reputation as a daring and innovative songwriter with a killer live show. She boldly endeavors to weave old with new to create altogether new genres of music when existing ones do not suit her muse, and she regularly keeps audiences guessing and laughing simultaneously. Most of her work infuses traditional music styles and methods with her unmistakable contemporary worldview, constantly challenging listeners to experience music from a fresh and unexpected perspective. Susan Werner's Classics asks no less of her distinguished audience or herself.

With Classics, Werner delivers entirely new string arrangements of mainstream popular songs by top songwriters from a ''classical'' pop era - the sixties and seventies. Drawing on her unique training as a classical vocalist (she has a master's degree in music history and voice performance), and the diverse talents of esteemed Boston Symphony and Pops players, Classics sets a mood that highlights elegance and sophistication previously overlooked in the first lives of songs like Paul Simon's A Hazy Shade of Winter, Marvin Gaye's Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology), Paul McCartney's Maybe I'm Amazed and America's Lonely People.

Classics

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Donald Harrison - Free To Be

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:26
Size: 152.1 MB
Styles: Saxohone jazz, Straight ahead jazz
Year: 1999
Art: Front

[6:56] 1. Free To Be
[6:00] 2. Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise
[6:15] 3. Cissy Strut
[5:36] 4. Blue Rose
[5:08] 5. Again, Never
[3:50] 6. Duck's Steps
[5:52] 7. Indian Blues
[5:48] 8. Mr. Cool Breeze
[4:28] 9. Smooth Sailing
[6:28] 10. Slowvisor
[3:55] 11. Nouveau Swing (Reprise)
[6:05] 12. Feelin' Jazzy, Baby

On this engaging, 12-tune set, Donald Harrison amply demonstrates his stylistic range. Featuring a rich, buoyant alto sound (a fluent combination of Cannonball Adderley and Maceo Parker), he makes a striking '90s statement--everything from bebop to hip-hop is referenced (at times within the same piece), but the influences are creatively integrated, suggesting a continuity of jazz lineage, rather than a showy pastiche. Drawing from his stints with Art Blakey and Digable Planets, Harrison joins a flexible, loose-limbed swing with a solid groove to make the complex tunes flow effortlessly from his ensemble. From the fiery, Coltranesque salvos on "Indian Blues" to the smooth, George Benson-flavored "Mr. Cool Breeze," Harrison shows a command of both style and substance. This is strong contemporary jazz unafraid to reveal its heritage. ~Wally Shoup

Free To Be

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Gia Notte - Shades

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:21
Size: 129,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:28)  1. Caravan
(4:17)  2. Speak Low
(4:26)  3. Close Your Eyes
(4:59)  4. My Funny Valentine
(4:11)  5. Since I Fell For You
(5:39)  6. The Look Of Love
(3:37)  7. Love Me Or Leave Me
(4:41)  8. Autumn Leaves
(3:57)  9. I Wish You Love
(3:57) 10. Lover Come Back To Me
(5:49) 11. It Don't Mean A Thing
(5:13) 12. What'll I Do

Margie "Gia" Notte's debut recording, Just You, Just Me & Friends Live at Cecil's, (GNote Records, 2009) was an exciting standards-based journey. Her follow-up, Shades, also finds her interpreting some well-worn songs but the delivery and the arrangements make this more than a run-of-the-mill recording. While the adrenaline-fueled excitement from her live recording is hard to match in a studio setting, she substitutes this quality with a more polished delivery. Each arrangement shows a different side of Notte and the nuances she adds to these songs prove her to be an artist that is constantly growing. "Caravan" opens the album with a sense of intrigue and excitement that comes through in the music. Don Braden, who worked with Notte on her first album, returns for this record and contributes some flute work to this track. 

After a performance of "Speak Low," Notte's delivery gains a little sass and spunk as she sings "Close Your Eyes" over a comfortable, mid-tempo swing feel. Freddie Hendrix takes the first solo and saxophonist Guy Notte makes his lone album appearance on this track. Pianist Brandon McCune works in a tasty rising chromatic pattern at one point during his solo. "My Funny Valentine" is taken at a brisk tempo but Notte creates some space and stretches things out at the start of phrases to give the piece some elasticity. Bassist Tom DiCarlo and pianist Jason Teborek play a rising-and-falling riff in the background and Braden delivers some soulful saxophone work. "Since I Fell For You" has a bluesy feel to it and McCune and Braden seem right at home in this atmosphere. 

Kahlil Kwame Bell provides some percussive seasoning, with subtle shakers and wind chimes coming in and out of the mix, on "The Look of Love." This track is equally soothing and seductive thanks to Braden's flute work and Notte's delicious delivery. "Autumn Leaves" is taken at an extremely slow pace and drummer Cecil Brooks III holds it together with his brushwork. Notte's voice sounds bright and optimistic on "I Wish You Love," while "Lover Come Back To Me" proves to be a high point on the album. Brooks provides some hip New Orleans grooves and Hendrix's trumpet work is fiery and fresh. "It Don't Mean A Thing" begins with a mystical vibe as the band creates a continuous drone-like presence. Notte delivers some deep, earthy vocals in a Cassandra Wilson-esque vein and, once things start to swing, there is a parade of solos with Brooks and DiCarlo finally getting some space to show their stuff. Notte finds a balance between despair and hope as she sings "What'll I Do" and Braden's flute matches her mood as the album draws to a close. ~ Dan Bilawsky  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/shades-gia-notte-gnote-records-review-by-dan-bilawsky.php
 

Personnel: Gia Notte: vocals; Don Braden: tenor saxophone, soprano flute, alto flute; Jason Teborek: piano (2, 4, 6-10, 12); Brandon McCune: piano (1, 3, 5, 11); Tom DiCarlo: bass; Cecil Brooks III: drums; Freddie Hendrix: trumpet and flugelhorn; Guy Notte: alto saxophone (3); Kahlil Kwame Bell: percussion.

Shades

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Scott Hamilton Scandinavian Five - Live at Nefertiti

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:31
Size: 136,5 MB
Art: Front

(10:12)  1. Move
( 6:46)  2. Tenderly
(10:05)  3. Dear Old Stockholm
(13:37)  4. Bye Bye Blackbird
( 7:07)  5. In A Sentimental Mood
(11:42)  6. Blue Capers

Jazz isn't always about breaking new ground in terms of sound and genre. It's just as important to preserve the music of the masters, and nobody carries the torch of tradition more elegantly than tenor saxophonist Scott Hamilton. His heroes include Ben Webster, Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young in short, the founding fathers of swing saxophone playing. Paradoxically, Hamilton was something of a rare bird when he first emerged on the scene back in the seventies because of his emphasis on pre-modern jazz in an age of high-tech fusion. However, Hamilton stuck to his trade and throughout the years, he has steadily released a stream of delightful records on the renowned Concord Records. The release of Live at Nefertiti finds the saxophonist dipping into unknown waters, though not in terms of genre, where he's still swinging as strong as ever, Rather, his new course is in the shape of a new Scandinavian group gathered by Danish drummer Kristian Leth. The Scandinavian Five features two Swedish aces, pianist Jan Lundgrenand guitarist Ulf Wakenius, with Leth and Danish bassist Jesper Bodilsen rounding out the group. 

They are a stellar team that brings shimmer and depth to the recording whose intimacy is further enhanced by the live setting of the Swedish club Nefertiti. Denzil De Costa Best's "Move" heats things up from the beginning with Hamilton's honking saxophone and a lightning-fast guitar solo from Wakenius, who impresses with his technical skills and melodic invention. But no matter how hard the group is able to swing, Hamilton is, in essence, a ballad-man. This is reflected on the epic renderings of "Dear Old Stockholm" and "Bye Bye Blackbird," which feature the gorgeously romantic harmonizing of Lundgren. Hamilton is not only a storyteller, he is also a listener. In fact, all the musicians in the group listen to each other with great empathy, as can be seen in the DVD that accompanies the CD, an opportunity to experience the full show in sparkling color and sound. The whole package is hard to beat when it comes to getting an introduction to an important traditionalist who still plays the sounds from the past as fresh as if they were the music of tomorrow. ~ Jakob Baekgaard  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/live-at-nefertiti-scott-hamilton-stunt-records-sundance-music-review-by-jakob-baekgaard.php
 

Personnel: Scott Hamilton: tenor saxophone; Ulf Wakenius: guitar; Jan Lundgren: piano; Jesper Bodilsen: bass; Kristian Leth: drums.

Live at Nefertiti

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Eddie Higgins Trio - Dear Old Stockholm

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 74:29
Size: 171,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:06)  1. Moonlight Becomes You
(5:16)  2. More than you know
(4:31)  3. Nardis
(4:57)  4. Over The Rainbow
(6:00)  5. Dear old stockholm
(5:17)  6. I Remember Clifford
(6:19)  7. You And Night And The Music
(5:30)  8. If You Could See Me Now
(4:48)  9. Again
(4:03) 10. We will be together again
(7:11) 11. Wichcraft
(5:22) 12. It Never Entered My Mind
(5:19) 13. Stella by starlight
(4:45) 14. Blame it on my youth

By the time this album was recorded in 2002, veteran pianist Eddie Higgins had become one of the most popular pianists in Japan, thanks in no small part to the independent label Venus Records. To commemorate its 10th anniversary, Venus asked its fans which songs they would like to hear the Eddie Higgins Trio perform in their new album. Higgins chose 12 songs out of the top 25 and added two of his own choosing. It might be interesting for you to learn what songs are preferred by Japanese jazz fans. With a lot of ballads, this is in most part a mellow, relaxing album. Supported by the deep, tuneful bass of Jay Leonhart and sensitive drums of Joe Ascione, Higgins plays these popular songs with elegance and restrained passion. His musical ideas are always flowing and harmonies beautiful. Highlights include "Nardis" where the trio picks up the tempo and intensity, "Dear Old Stockholm" (the No. 1 choice of fans) and "Witchcraft" (swinging Sinatra number, anyone?). Great songs, wonderfully played. And as always the case with Venus Records, great sound. http://www.elusivedisc.com/Eddie-Higgins-Trio-Dear-Old-Stockholm-SACD/productinfo/VENSA0011/

Musicians: Eddie Higgins, piano; Jay Leonhart, bass; Joe Ascione, drums

Dear Old Stockholm

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Chester Thompson - Mixology

Styles: Jazz
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:18
Size: 155,6 MB
Art: Front

(3:42)  1. Clockwise
(4:46)  2. The Moontrane
(5:23)  3. Medallion
(4:57)  4. Miracle
(5:08)  5. Mr. T
(6:52)  6. Sista Strut
(6:30)  7. Speak No Evil
(5:15)  8. A Subtle One
(8:18)  9. Sweet Sixteen
(6:29) 10. You Leave Me Breathless
(9:53) 11. Squib Cakes (live)

Earthy, energetic & exciting - The musical style of organist / keyboardist Chester Thompson will take you for a ride! "Medallion" & "Sista Strut" display infectious dance rhythms and patented bottom end prowess. "Miracle", featuring Tower Of Power bandmate Ron E. Beck, pulls the heartstrings & his interpretation of the classic "You Leave Me Breathless" shows that emotion reigns supreme in the contemporary world of Chester Thompson. With Howard Wiley on saxophone, Barry Finnerty & Chris Cain on guitar, Mike Clark & Brian Collier on drums, Joel Behrman on brass and Kenneth Nash on percussion. ~ Editorial Reviews  http://www.amazon.com/Mixology-Chester-Thompson/dp/B009JI4I5W

Personnel :  Chester Thompson - Primary Artist, Hammond Organ; Chris Cain - Guitar, Vocals; Mike Clark - Drums; Kenneth Nash - Percussion; Brian Collier - Drums; Barry Finnerty - Guitar; Dr. Lonnie Smith - Hammond Organ; Ron E. Beck - Drums; Howard Wiley - Tenor Saxophone; Joel Behrman - Trombone, Trumpet

Mixology

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Paul Kuhn Trio - Blame It On My Youth

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:12
Size: 110.4 MB
Styles: Easy Listening
Year: 2001
Art: Front

[2:58] 1. I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face
[3:50] 2. Blame It On My Youth
[3:25] 3. On A Clear Day You Can See Forever
[5:09] 4. Blues Again
[3:33] 5. I've Got The World On A String
[2:59] 6. Lulu's Back In Town
[3:31] 7. The Very Thought Of You
[2:52] 8. The Surrey With The Fringe On Top
[5:05] 9. With A Song In My Heart
[3:04] 10. My Romance
[4:54] 11. Willow Weep For Me
[4:15] 12. But Not For Me
[2:31] 13. Broadway

Recorded in the SFB Studios in Berlin, this album by the Paul Kuhn Trio - Paul (piano, vocals), Paul G. Ulrich (bass) and Kurt Bong (drums) - features some of the great American popular songs which have made a lasting impression on Paul Kuhn in the course of a career spanning more than 50 years, songs such as Rodgers & Hart's 'My Romance', Gershwin's 'But Not For Me', Ray Noble's 'The Very Thought Of You' and Harold Arlen's 'I've Got The World On A String' performed with style and affection.

Blame It On My Youth

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Veronica Nunn - Standard Delivery

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:41
Size: 129.8 MB
Styles: Standards, Vocal jazz
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[3:47] 1. If I Had You
[3:26] 2. Surrey With The Fringe On Top
[3:36] 3. I Love You For Sentimental Reasons
[4:08] 4. A Foggy Day
[4:36] 5. I’ve Grown Accustomed To His Face
[4:16] 6. One Note Samba
[4:19] 7. I Can’t Give You Anything But Love
[5:53] 8. More Than You Know
[4:25] 9. Thou Swell
[1:47] 10. I Hadn't Anyone Til You
[4:37] 11. I’m Old Fashioned
[3:37] 12. Where Or When
[4:47] 13. That’s All
[3:20] 14. Honeysuckle Rose

"When you looked at an album cover in the old days," Veronica explains, "it told a story. The album cover and the title kind of prepped you for what you were about to experience, and I always felt that a jazz album isn't just the music that is played—it's the whole package. When you pull out that CD, it should be like a storybook. The cover and the album title kind of whet your appetite, and when you hear the songs, it takes you through an experience. It should all be an experience."

Like her previous release, American Lullaby (which focused on jazz interpretations of lullaby-like melodies), Standard Delivery is very thematic (its dominant theme being a jazz vocalist's relationship with time-honored standards). On Standard Delivery, Nunn puts her personal stamp on an abundance of classics from the Great American Songbook, including George Gershwin's "A Foggy Day," Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart's "Where or When," Dorothy Fields' "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" and Jerome Kern's "I'm Old Fashioned." Not every melody on Standard Delivery originated in Manhattan's legendary Tin Pan Alley; the album moves into Brazilian territory on Antonio Carlos Jobim's "One Note Samba," and "Honeysuckle Rose" was composed by the great stride pianist/singer Fats Waller. But everything on Standard Delivery is a well known standard, and everything on the album receives Nunn's personal touch." I don't want an album to be just a bunch of tunes that I randomly threw together," Nunn notes. "That's why I put a lot of energy into having a theme and a continuity when I record an album."

The fact that Standard Delivery sounds both spontaneous and focused has to do with not only Nunn herself, but also, with the presence of her working trio, which consists of acoustic pianist Travis Shook (who is Nunn's husband and frequent musical collaborator and is known for his 1993 debut album on Columbia Records/Sony Music), upright bassist Jennifer Vincent and drummer/percussionist Jaz Sawyer. Nunn's cohesive and highly sympathetic trio, which also appeared on American Lullaby in 2000, has been backing her for 13 years—and their presence is a definite plus throughout Standard Delivery.

Standard Delivery

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Derek Smith - Latin Expression

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:14
Size: 119.6 MB
Styles: Latin rhythms
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[4:21] 1. Mambo Inn
[6:19] 2. Poinciana
[5:18] 3. Mi Cancion
[4:45] 4. Alpinos
[4:41] 5. El Cumbanchero
[4:52] 6. Partido Alto
[3:00] 7. Son De La Loma
[3:37] 8. Besame Mama
[3:17] 9. So Danco Samba
[3:51] 10. Cubano Chant
[2:58] 11. Sempre Sim
[5:09] 12. Here We Go

The title of Derek Smith's Latin Expression falls somewhat short of the actual experience. It does not even begin to describe the utter joy that arises from the resonant, fluttering, dancing music that swathes the record. Perhaps "Latin Explosion" might have been more appropriate? Steel panist/vibraphonist Smith plunges, body and soul, into a veritable carnival of Afro-Caribbean sounds, acquitting himself with distinction.

To many it might have been a challenge to switch back and forth between pans and vibes and expect the same effect, but Smith has mastered the nuanced differences between the resonances of the two instruments. Accordingly, he employs a subtly different attack to gain an appropriate after-burn from phrase-ending notes on the pans, in order to make them hang. His sliding dynamics on the vibes create diaphanous echoes that follow notes sounded by furrier mallets, and the effect he achieves is wholly absorbing.

Nowhere is this more delightfully evident than on "El Cumbanchero." But the spirited kick in "Mambo Inn" comes a close second in the showcasing Smith's wizardry with the mallets. That is the first track on an album where the level of exuberance seems to rise song-after-song, peaking again on "Son de la Luna," Miguel Matamoros' classic son. Mongo Santamaria "Besame Mama" features a stellar turn by Smith on pans, with a wonderful, angular attack and rapid-fire runs that includes the higher register of the instrument. The song also grabs attention because of the empathetic relationship that Smith enjoys with pianist Jason Moen, who dazzles by mimicking a guitar on the keyboards, complete with strumming effects.

"So Danco Samba" retains its samba rhythm, thanks to fine work by bassist Aaron German and percussionists Colin Douglas and Mike Shannon. But surprisingly, the band turns it into a Caribbean feature as Smith rocks the pans. In the capable hands of this ensemble, Ray Bryant "Cubano Chant" is fashioned in a graceful vocal manner, also featuring Colin Douglas' exquisite percussion coloring. Jovino Santos Neto, who is fast gaining recognition for his extraordinary music, is represented by "Sempre Sim," which features a wonderful melody full of almost ghostly quarter tones in its harmony.

Derek Smith's own compositions—"Mi Cancion" and "Here We Go"—possess fine, strong melodies and auger well for the development of this hard-working musician, who will surely become a headline act in the realm of Afro-Caribbean music. ~RAUL D'GAMA ROSE

Derek Smith: steel pans, vibes; Aaron Germain: electric bass; Jason Moen; piano, keyboard; Colin Douglas: drums, congas, guiro; Mike Shannon: drums (8, 9, 11); Mark Rosenthal: cello, steel pans (4, 12).

Latin Expression

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Ilse Huizinga - Easy To Idolize

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2004
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 58:03
Size: 135,3 MB
Art: Front

(3:07)  1. That's All
(2:08)  2. The Sound Of Music
(3:00)  3. I Only Have Eyes For You
(5:04)  4. Willow Weep For Me
(2:50)  5. The Thrill Is Gone
(2:48)  6. Skylark
(3:48)  7. Easy To Love
(2:37)  8. Someday My Prince Will Come
(3:58)  9. Time After Time
(2:21) 10. Isn't It Romantic
(4:11) 11. The Nearness Of You
(2:20) 12. I'm A Fool To Want You
(2:57) 13. When You Wish Upon A Star
(3:16) 14. All The Things You Are
(3:19) 15. Somewhere - Over The Rainbow
(3:38) 16. A Child Is Born
(1:53) 17. I Love You
(3:06) 18. The Man I Love
(1:33) 19. What'll I Do

Leading newspapers in the Netherlands describe Ilse Huizinga as one of the most distinguished of the new generation of Dutch jazz singers. From the very beginning of her career with the release of her first album Out Of A Dream (1997) to her most recent Easy To Idolize (2003), media and audiences have spoken highly of her. Numerous articles, interviews and appearances on radio and television followed and connected her to a diverse and broad audience. She performed in Spain, Turkey, Switzerland, France and England. An old piano drew Ilse to music and at the tender age of six she received her first piano lessons. She took up singing lessons as a teenager and discovered the music and albums of Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday and Abbey Lincoln. Although her passion was aroused she decided against a career in music and enrollend in the University of Amsterdam to graduate in Public Administration. As a student however, she regularly took part in open mike nights at the famous jazz club Casablanca, in the heart of the Amsterdam Red Light District. Then and there she decided to follow her heart and become a professional jazz singer. 

Ilse went on to study at the Amsterdam Music Conservatory and performed in many venues in the Netherlands. On stage she met pianist/composer Erik van der Luijt, whom she married in 1998. Together they produce Ilse's four albums to date. Ilse and Erik have a daughter, Ellen, born in 2000. What others say: “A voice of which other singers only dream: full, clear and sensitive...” Nouveau “One of the most distinguished of the new generation of Dutch jazz singers. In the titlesong we get genuine coloratura, in This Can't Be Love she manages to fit entire octaves in a single syllable - great that the poignang lyrics meanwhile never suffer...” De Volkskrant “La Huizinga exhibits the hallmarks of a diva in the making. We are getting to know her better and better as one of the leading Dutch jazz singers...” http://musicians.allaboutjazz.com/ilsehuizinga

Easy To Idolize

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Eight To The Bar - Behind the Eight Ball

Styles: Swing, R&B
Year: 1998
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:45
Size: 98,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:09)  1. I'm Trumpin'
(3:55)  2. Party Life
(3:38)  3. Twistin' in the Wind
(3:21)  4. If My Mama Could See Me Now
(3:52)  5. All Talk No Action
(2:50)  6. I Want to Rock
(3:47)  7. Jump, Jive and Wail
(5:05)  8. Better Luck Next Time
(3:00)  9. Hold Tight
(3:57) 10. Them There Eyes
(3:10) 11. Ain't That Love
(1:54) 12. Nagasaki

A mix of mostly uptempo swing with lots of vocal harmonies and a few bluesy, more "West Coast" style tunes.

"Behind the Eight Ball" is our edgiest, most high energy swing CD! From the breathless pace of the opening, "I'm Trumpin'", to the final scat notes of the CDs closer, "Nagasaki", the CD is thrill packed with excitement. The band's classic "Twistin' in the Wind" tells the universal musicians' story of all the things that can go wrong at one gig, and guitarist Tommy Whalen's "Better Luck Next Time" adds his trademark blues influence to the disc. Lovers of Collin Tilton's tenor saxophone will appreciate the depth and breadth of his style, especially his soulful solo on Ray Charles' "Ain't That Love". If you're looking for swing that drives, this CD will satisfy you. ~ Editorial Reviews  http://www.amazon.com/Behind-Eight-Ball-Bar/dp/B00000I7FL
 

Personnel: Tommy Whalen (vocals, guitar); Cynthia Lyon (vocals, piano, organ); P.J. Plenninger (vocals, drums); Zanny Gaudet (vocals, percussion); Michael Corsini (vocals); Collin Tilton (tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone).

Behind the Eight Ball

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Junko Onishi - Musical Moments

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:24
Size: 150,0 MB
Art: Front

( 5:29)  1. Hat And Beard
( 3:39)  2. I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues
( 7:21)  3. Back In The Days
( 6:17)  4. Bittersweet
( 5:34)  5. Ill Wind
( 8:11)  6. Musical Moments
( 4:37)  7. Something Sweet, Something Tender
( 4:36)  8. G. W.
( 3:15)  9. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
(16:20) 10. So Long Eric, Mood Indigo, Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me

With the release of her 1993 Blue Note debut Cruisin', pianist Junko Onishi arrived as one of the most promising of Japan-born jazz musicians. Growing up in Tokyo, Onishi received classical piano lessons but became quite interested in jazz. She studied at Berklee and after three years moved to New York. Already a well-developed player, Onishi worked with Joe Henderson, Betty Carter, Kenny Garrett, and Mingus Dynasty before recording her debut as a leader. She considers her style to be based on Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, and Ornette Coleman; her other recordings from the '90s include 1994's Live at the Village Vanguard, 1995's Piano Quintet Suite, and 1999's Fragile. After Fragile, Onishi took a break from releasing albums to focus on developing her music. She returned over ten years later with 2009's Musical Moments. She followed that up a year later with her 2010 Verve debut, Baroque, which featured several Onishi originals as well as interpretations of some 20th century classical pieces, including "The Three Penny Opera." Bio ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/artist/junko-onishi-mn0000307945/biography

Personnel: Junko Onishi – Piano; Yosuke Inoue – Bass; Gene Jackson – Drums; Reginald Veal – Bass (#10); Herlin Riley – Drums (#10)

Musical Moments

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Deanna Kirk - Lost In Languid Love Songs

Size: 119,8 MB
Time: 51:23
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2012
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. I Wanna Be Loved (5:02)
02. Until It's Time For You To Go (4:33)
03. Once Upon A Summertime (4:59)
04. Summer Me, Winter Me (4:59)
05. Wouldn't It Be Loverly (2:47)
06. Gentle Rain (4:10)
07. These Foolish Things Remind Me Of You (5:24)
08. Song For Old Lovers (6:11)
09. They Say It's Wonderful (4:35)
10. Don't Look Back (2:26)
11. Labor Of Love (1:42)
12. Skylark (4:30)

If Deanna Kirk were not such a gifted singer, she's probably have made a damn good hypnotist. The mesmerizing sound of her lovely, feathery, voice—ethereal and yet conversationally phrased with naturalness—and the way she spins a lyric and creates a mood pulls you into the spells she casts. Images presented in the bonus track of the standard "Skylark" could paint a picture of the tender, fragile, lovelorn environs and personae she creates: "faint as the will o' the wisp"; "a meadow in the mist where someone's longing to be kissed"; "a blossom-covered lane." Rare is the song stylist who can paint such vivid yet elusive scenes with such specificity in the way she colors and intones even the most well-known words. A wistful sigh crystallizes the pang of a much-missed treasured romantic memory in "Once Upon a Summertime" and one can see clearly through the mist and tears the many sentiment-drenched items in the list song "These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You)." Yes, Lost in Languid Love Songs is a perfect title for this moody, brooding collection that immerses itself in longing and liquid dreaminess.

Deanna, a gifted jazz-influenced vocalist who seems to disappear for long stretches of time, caught my attention years ago with one of the earliest of her several albums and I was delighted to find her also re-emerging for some live Manhattan gigs in the last year or two. She's a captivating and unique in-person presence with very much her own presentation style and stance, and her gamine image and the (broken) heart on her sleeve come through—just through—her sweet and well-calibrated voice.

Most tracks have an element of sorrow; clouds seem poised to come into rain, and silver linings appear in them when things get gloomy. It never gets too weepy or wailing, as she has her own point of keeping on the communicative, storytelling side of the fence rather crossing over to play the "poor me" card. There's a grown-up kind of acknowledgment and acceptance of the struggles and pains that come with the territory called love and life. Annie Get Your Gun's "They Say It's Wonderful" is re-shaped to allow a more experienced point of view—not a first-timer at romance, but someone waiting for one of her romantic adventures to have a happier ending. You can get that in the way she implies the word "or" in the lyric's line, "so they say." Another show tune is the lightest/brightest spot, emotionally, with "Wouldn't It Be Loverly" from My Fair Lady getting some respite from gloom and doom as the character drifts into her reverie about a warm, comfy place. It gets its playfulness quotient.

The musicians are first rate. Pianist-arranger John di Martino provides attentive, simpatico settings that embrace the storylines of the material caringly and carefully. Though he's a prodigiously skilled jazzman who can be very cerebral, fleet in side trip improvisations, he's more reserved and cinematically sketching here. Joined by the excellent bassist Neil Miner and superb sax player Harry Allen (who gets many tasty moments that add much flavor), the band is completed with the percussion players Manolo Badrena and sensitive drummer Tim Horner. The playing throughout is same-page thoughtful and resonant with the exquisite vocals.

The only way Lost in Languid Love Songs loses its way is in the credits, with several songwriter credits having spelling errors or being incomplete. But there's no sense of incompleteness or inattentiveness with the way these languid love songs, a rewarding world to be willingly lost in. ~Rob Lester

Lost In Languid Love Songs

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Zim Ngqawana - Greatest Moments Of Zim Ngqawana

Size: 127,8 MB
Time: 54:46
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz: World Fusion
Art: Front

01. Qula Kwedini (4:19)
02. Tafelberg Carnival Samba (6:13)
03. Umzi Watsha (5:49)
04. Mozambique (4:09)
05. Long Waltz To Freedom (3:27)
06. Man And Woman (Duality Of Life) (4:36)
07. Old Blues (Early Harmonic Devices) (4:49)
08. The Widow (4:26)
09. Two To Tangle (Challenges Of Life) (3:10)
10. Unyangantathu (4:37)
11. Transformation (6:46)
12. Usizi Emnqamlezweni (2:20)

Zim Ngqawana is one of South Africa's leading jazz musicians. In addition to leading his own band, Ingoma, Ngqawana has played with such influential jazz musicians as Max Roach, Keith Tippett, Abdullah Ibrahim, and Hugh Masakela and with top-notch modern dance ensembles, the Free Flight Dance Company and the Moving Into Dance Company. South African daily newspaper the Star referred to Ngqawana as "the most visible, hardest working, younger man in jazz."

The youngest of five children, Ngqawana didn't begin playing the flute until the age of 21. He advanced quickly on the instrument. Although he left school before completing the university entrance requirements, his obvious talents enabled him to be accepted to Rhodes University. He subsequently earned a diploma in jazz studies from the University of Natal. While performing with the University of Natal's jazz ensemble, the Jazzanians, at the International Association of Jazz Educator's convention, he attracted the attention of American jazz musicians Max Roach and Wynton Marsalis. With their encouragement and support, he received a scholarship to the University of Massachusetts, where he studied with Archie Shepp and Yusef Lateef.

Returning to South Africa, Ngqawana performed with bands led by Abdullah Ibrahim and Hugh Masakela. In 1995, Ngqawana toured North America with his band, Ingoma, featuring pianist Andile Yenana. Ngqawana recorded his first two solo albums, San Song and Zimology, in Oslo, Norway, with Yenana and Norwegian musicians Ingebrigt Haker Flaten on bass and Paal Nilssan-Love on drums. Norwegian saxophonist Bjorn Ole Solberg was featured on San Song. Ngqawana recorded his third album, Ingoma, in South Africa with his band. ~ by Craig Harris

Greatest Moments

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Joseph Leo Bwarie - Nothin' But Love

Size: 118,3 MB
Time: 50:50
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2011
Styles: Jazz: Vocals, Swing, Big Band
Art: Front

01. Old Devil Moon (3:02)
02. Stand By Me (4:24)
03. If I Had You (4:44)
04. Frenesi (Featuring Bucky Pizzarelli) (3:20)
05. I Can't Give You Anything But Love (3:47)
06. A Lot Of Livin' To Do (3:28)
07. I've Never Been In Love Before (4:15)
08. Night And Day (3:26)
09. When The Sun Comes Out (3:37)
10. Umbrella A Fella With An Umbrella (Medley) (5:03)
11. What'll I Do (Featuring Bucky Pizzarelli) (4:27)
12. Falling In Love With Love (3:14)
13. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow (3:57)

Joseph Leo Bwarie's debut solo album Nothin' But Love is the result of a dynamic collaboration with legendary arranger and producer Charles Calello. Via an inspired grassroots campaign and a fast-growing fan following, Bwarie is increasingly gaining popularity in the jazz music scene. His music resonates with all generations proving refreshing, appealing and wonderfully timeless. Though an LA native, Bwarie's Nothin' But Love is already playing across the globe, quickly defining him as a new voice with a stunning take on the iconic and infections Capitol Records sound. With glowing reviews in multiple publications and a building momentum in the public eye with interest, airplay and online play in Europe, Asia, South America, the US and Canada, Nothin' But Love is destined to become a modern classic. Influenced by Ella Fitzgerald, Bobby Darin, Sammy Davis Jr., Julie London, Chet Baker, Mel Torme, Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra plus the spectacular sound produced by Nelson Riddle, Don Costa and Billy Mays, a highlight for Bwarie was performing in-studio with jazz guitar legend Bucky Pizzarelli and world-renowned Brazilian percussionist Paulinho da Costa.

Bwarie's creamy, dreamy, silky vocal style is pure perfection. --Arts Beat LA

The clarity of Bwarie's voice is pure and flawless, captivating the listener and invites them to experience something we haven't heard from singers in decades: honest, heartfelt and romantic songs. --Jazz Times

Nothin' But Love

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Sonny Black - Heart And Soul

Size: 105,2 MB
Time: 45:25
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2000/2015
Styles: Blues, Blues Jazz
Art: Front

01. Checkin' In (3:21)
02. Blues Is King (5:55)
03. Bluesology (4:40)
04. Kelly's Blues (3:49)
05. Rockin' With Bill (1:59)
06. Blues Walkin' By My Side (6:17)
07. Raggin' The Strings (1:20)
08. If I Ever Get To Heaven (3:56)
09. Would I Be Right (4:37)
10. Through Heaven's Eyes (5:00)
11. Grant's Groove (4:26)

b. William Boazman, England. Although separated by time and space from the roots of the blues, Black’s work, both as performer and as songwriter, is very much in the classic tradition. A strong guitarist and singer, Black led his Blues Band until the mid-90s when part of the group broke away to form the Mighty 45s. Black’s new band, the Dukes, quickly found favour with UK blues fans. He attracted critical acclaim for his second album, 2001’s Heart And Soul, not only in the UK, where Blues In Britain magazine considered it to be the Album Of The Year, but also in the USA. Readers of Blues In Britain also reacted favourably to Black and in 2002 voted him Best UK Blues Guitarist. Also in the early 00s, Black was voted Best Guitarist in the British Blues Connection Awards and received comparable recognition in magazines and on radio. Musicians who have played in Black’s bands over the years include Daniel Smith (keyboards/vocals), Dino Coccia (saxophone/drums) and Alan Glen (harmonica). In Black’s regular band of the early 00s were Bob Haddrell (keyboards), who also leads the Barcodes, George Pearson (bass/vocals) and Damon Sawyer (drums), with Lee Badau (saxophone) also making appearances.

Heart And Soul

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Richard Galliano & Sylvain Luc - La Vie En Rose: Rencontres Avec Edith Piaf Et Gus Viseur

Size: 116,7 MB
Time: 49:19
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. Douce Joie (3:31)
02. L'Accordeoniste (2:56)
03. Les Amants D'Un Jour (3:28)
04. La Chanson Des Forains (3:05)
05. Flambee Montalbanaise (2:38)
06. La Foule (3:07)
07. La Goualante Du Pauvre Jean (2:40)
08. L'Hymne A L'Amour (4:23)
09. Je M'En Fous Pas Mal (3:36)
10. La Vie En Rose (1:46)
11. Je Ne Regrette Rien/Passage (3:45)
12. Jeannette (2:56)
13. Mon Dieu/Aria (2:57)
14. Paris (2:42)
15. Sous Le Ciel De Paris/Je N'en Connais Pas La Fin (2:56)
16. Swing Valse (2:45)

Richard Galliano, one of the greatest accordionists of the modern era, and unimpeachable jazz guitarist Sylvain Luc collaborated in the ’90s before going their separate musical ways. The two musicians now reunite their talents for this duo project dedicated to the grande dame of French chanson. The result is a virtuoso jewel, showcasing and reawakening the freshness of the Piaf repertoire in this, the 100th anniversary of her birth.

La Vie En Rose

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The Cannonball Adderley Quintet - Why Am I Treated So Bad!

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 61:05

Size: 139.8 MB

Styles: Hard bop, Soul jazz

Year: 2006/2011

Art: Front

[ 0:13] 1. Introduction

[ 6:41] 2. Mini Mama

[ 7:49] 3. I'm On My Way

[ 7:48] 4. Why Am I Treated So Bad!

[ 5:16] 5. One For Newk

[ 2:22] 6. Yvette

[ 9:04] 7. The Other Side

[ 2:40] 8. The Scene

[ 7:00] 9. Heads Up! Feet Down

[12:08] 10. The Girl Next Door

By any stretch of the imagination, it would have been hard for Cannonball Adderley to follow up the stunning Mercy, Mercy, Mercy! with anything quite as strong or inspired. This set follows the exact same m.o. Producer David Axelrod invited a group of friends into the Capitol studios, supplied them with free booze, warmed them up, and brought out the band (the same lineup: bassist Victor Gaskin, drummer Ron McCurdy, pianist Joe Zawinul, cornetist Nat Adderley, and Cannonball on alto) to tear into a group of covers and originals. The better moments here include the Latin-tinged "I'm on My Way" (written by Nat and featuring a beautifully lyrical solo by him) and a cool little read of the Pops Staples tune the album is titled for (featuring a killer little Rhodes piano part by Zawinul with a mournful dual head by Cannonball and Nat). The other hard groover is Nat's "The Other Side," which takes the outside track in Cannonball's solo. Zawinul's tunes are starkly more original in contrast -- particularly "One for Newk" -- but sound less inspired somehow. The CD version issued by Capitol in 2006 contains two bonus tracks with workmanlike versions of Jimmy Heath's fine "Heads Up! Feet Down!" and an overly long take on the Blane-Martin standard "The Girl Next Door." The album doesn't quite live up to its predecessor, but it is a burner and Adderley fans are likely to want to own it. ~Thom Jurek

Why Am I Treated So Bad

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Sara Caswell - But Beautiful

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:53
Size: 137.1 MB
Styles: Post bop, Violin jazz
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[5:29] 1. The Way You Look Tonight
[6:01] 2. Moon And Sand
[5:39] 3. But Beautiful
[4:31] 4. Professor Abc
[5:16] 5. Black Nile
[4:37] 6. And So It Goes
[4:37] 7. Sometime Ago
[4:52] 8. Receipt Please
[4:20] 9. Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair
[5:18] 10. Bye Bye Blackbird
[4:45] 11. Straight No Chaser
[4:20] 12. Shenandoah

Jazz violinists are a rare breed, and female jazz violinist are, well, an even rarer one. The rarity of the species, then, makes a new album by violinist Sara Caswell even more welcome. But Beautiful features Caswell, pianist Lynne Arriale, bassists Larry Kohut and Jeremy Allen, and drummer Steve Davis on a varied set list of standards along with a few surprises. The album begins in a mellow, almost classical mode, seguing from "The Way You Look Tonight" to "Moon and Sand" to the title track. Caswell's technique is pristine here, but perhaps too careful, and one longs for a bit of careless excitement. But Beautiful takes an interesting detour on Wayne Shorter's "Black Nile," a piece with fun tempo shifts and, during the slower passages, a dark undercurrent. A similar deviation takes place on Thelonious Monk's "Straight, No Chaser," with Caswell offering something like a free jazz interpretation. Caswell's sister Rachel joins the band for vocals on Billy Joel's "And So It Goes," Ron Carter's "Receipt Please," and "Shenandoah." The most exciting of these is her scat workout on "Receipt Please," and how her tone nearly matches her sister's violin. But Beautiful is a solid album, and although it may have benefited from more challenging material, it will nonetheless be warmly greeted by jazz violin lovers. ~Ronnie D. Lankford Jr

But Beautiful

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