King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys - This Is It!

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:33
Size: 81.4 MB
Styles: Swing, Jump blues
Year: 1980
Art: Front

[4:15] 1. Mr.Blues Is Coming To Town Oh Babe
[3:04] 2. Squeeze Me
[2:22] 3. Lovin' Machine
[2:31] 4. Bongo Boogie
[3:22] 5. Fish Man
[2:48] 6. House Party
[2:33] 7. Jumpin' From 6 To 6
[2:45] 8. This Is It
[2:46] 9. Why Don't You Do Right
[3:17] 10. Train Kept A-Rollin'
[3:14] 11. Bad Bad Whiskey
[2:32] 12. Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee

“The aristocrats of Rhythm & Blues" King Pleasure are one of the most popular jazz & swing bands in the world made famous by Ronnie Scotts clubs, performing classy numbers in Louis Jordan & Eddie Cleanhead style. They have a stunning range of instrumental ability, 7 recorded CDs and have performed internationally giving show-stealing performances with their unique mix of 1940s Kansas City Jazz and Blues, presented with the most exciting stage performance extant.

From humble beginnings as a group of school friends in a coffee shop in Walsall, King Pleasure have made themselves a household name in the UK and around the world with their fantastic jazz and blues rhythms, crazy on-stage antics, musical humour and total professionalism.

Unusually the original band-line up decided, over that infamous coffee, which of them was going to play what instrument. They then went out and bought the instruments and set about learning them! Originally known as Some like it Hot, they won competitions and began gigging in Birmingham, and over the ensuing 20 years have gone through several line-up and name changes, recorded 7 CDs and proved themselves to be the superb marketable band that they are today.

This Is It!

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Tom Lellis, Toninho Horta - Tonight

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:06
Size: 126.2 MB
Styles: Latin jazz
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[4:25] 1. Maybe September
[4:13] 2. Dindi
[3:55] 3. An Infinite Love (Infinite Love)
[4:08] 4. My Romance
[4:31] 5. Let's Face The Music And Dance
[3:17] 6. In The Still Of The Night
[2:47] 7. Fly Me To The Moon
[4:45] 8. Tonight
[3:39] 9. Dreamwalking
[5:15] 10. Three For Marie
[2:45] 11. The Nearness Of You
[4:23] 12. Summertime
[3:52] 13. I Love You
[3:05] 14. Over The Rainbow

This is Tom Lellis’ seventh album as leader (rather disappointing output, considering the immensity of his talents as singer and keyboardist, since those seven releases span 27 years). It is also his fourth to include Brazilian guitar virtuoso (and sometime vocalist) Toninho Horta. On previous platters, additional players surrounded Lellis and Horta. Here they are left solely in one another’s company, and the results are sublime. Indeed, if lustrous pearls set against black couture represent the height of understated elegance, then Lellis and Horta are, in combination, the Audrey Hepburn of Latin-fused jazz.

As they wind their leisurely way through 11 standards and three originals, Lellis’ inherent Mark Murphy-ness remains strongly, often startlingly, evident. It is, however, softened—or perhaps “lulled” is a better word—by the gentle seductiveness of Horta’s guitar. The covers are so consistently gorgeous that it is impossible to elevate one above the others, though “Dindi” and “My Romance,” on which Lellis sings the English lyrics as Horta counters in Portuguese, are uniquely stunning. As for the originals, two—the grand “An Infinite Love,” at once cloud-soft and sharply angular as it explores love’s limitless magnitude, and “Dreamwalking” (sort of a modern-day “Girl From Ipanema,” praising a passing, and perceivably unattainable, goddess)—were cowritten by Lellis and Horta. The third, “Three for Marie (3/4 Marie),” is Lellis’ own, and cunningly suggests a mellower, more sensuous “Waltz for Debby.” ~Christopher Loudon

Tonight

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Sonny Clark Trio - S/T

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 48:33
Size: 111.1 MB
Styles: Hard bop, Piano jazz
Year: 1957/1988/2014
Art: Front

[9:50] 1. Be-Bop
[4:20] 2. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
[3:41] 3. Two Bass Hit
[6:00] 4. Tadd's Delight
[6:31] 5. Softly As In A Morning Sunrise
[4:52] 6. I'll Remember April
[4:18] 7. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
[3:59] 8. Two Bass Hit (Alternate Take)
[4:59] 9. Tadd's Delight (Alternate Take)

Sonny Clark (piano) Paul Chambers (bass) Philly Joe Jones (drums). Rudy Van Gelder Studio, Hackensack, NJ, October 13, 1957

Pianist Sonny Clark sounds very much at home on this trio set with bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Philly Joe Jones. Sticking to bop standards, Clark essentially plays his version of Bud Powell, carving out his own approach to the influential style. The CD reissue adds three alternates to the six selections and includes such gems as "Two Bass Hit," "Be-Bop" and "Tadd's Delight." ~Scott Yanow

Sonny Clark Trio

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Joanne Klein & Marc Smason - You're My Thrill

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:28
Size: 131.6 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2000
Art: Front

[ 3:40] 1. Too Close For Comfort
[ 5:57] 2. Agua Je Bebe
[ 4:38] 3. I'm A Stranger Here Myself
[ 4:37] 4. Inch Worm
[ 3:59] 5. Slap That Bass
[ 9:35] 6. You're My Thrill
[ 4:34] 7. If I Had A Ribbon Bow
[ 4:53] 8. The Kind Of Man A Woman Needs
[ 4:56] 9. We Deserve Each Other
[10:35] 10. Shira

A veteran of cabaret, musical theatre, and concert, JOANNE KLEIN combines her diverse talents to present an innovative blend of music, theatre, comedy and lyricism. From jazz to pop, swing to R&B, classics to originals, everything she touches becomes a fresh look at the world. Energetic, versatile and clever with a sophisticaed flair, Ms Klein is very musical, very zany, and above all, totally entertaining.

MARC SMASON, trombonist/vocalist, has performed throughout the world with such masters as Big Joe Turner, Benny Green, Sam Shepard, Julian Priester, Martha Tilton, Jeff Johnson, the Funk Brothers, Andy Statman, Perry Robinson, Sonny Simmons and the Ivar's Clams. His playing encompasses many styles including jazz, latin, klezmer and R&B.

You're My Thrill

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Lee Oskar - Before The Rain

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:21
Size: 99.3 MB
Styles: R&B-Funk-Soul
Year: 1978/2011
Art: Front

[8:15] 1. Before The Rain
[5:32] 2. Steppin'
[7:20] 3. San Francisco Bay
[3:43] 4. Feelin' Happy
[4:45] 5. More Than Words Can Say
[6:54] 6. Sing Song
[6:49] 7. Haunted House

Here's why all serious music lovers still need a turntable: there are so many worthwhile LPs from the '60s and '70s that will probably never be reissued on CD. Before Avenue Records came into the picture, it seemed unlikely that Lee Oskar's solo albums of 1976-1980 would ever be reissued on CD -- labels usually reissue titles they think there is a heavy demand for, and Oskar's solo efforts weren't the mega-blockbusters that War's albums were. But Avenue pleasantly surprised listeners in the '90s by making Oskar's solo output available on CD, including 1978's Before the Rain. Did this album outsell War classics like Why Can't We Be Friends? and All Day Music? Hardly. Reissued in 1995, this mostly instrumental album deserved to come back into print simply because it is good. From a commercial standpoint, the problem with Before the Rain is that it's difficult to categorize -- is it funk, pop-jazz, quiet storm, or fusion? Arguably, Before the Rain is all of those things, and Oskar's harmonica playing is expressive whether he is getting mildly funky on "Steppin'" or being mellow and laid-back on "More Than Words Can Say" and the title track. "Steppin'" certainly isn't typical of funk instrumentals; the tune opens with bagpipes -- not exactly an instrument that one ordinarily associates with funk. But then, Oskar is no stranger to multiculturalism; how many harmonica players who were born in Copenhagen, Denmark, went on to play with one of the top soul/funk bands of the '70s? Before the Rain may not have set the world on fire when it was first released in 1978, but it was certainly nice to see the album making its CD debut in 1995. ~Alex Henderson

Before The Rain 

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Barb Gordon - For The Record

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:17
Size: 157,6 MB
Art: Front

(2:50)  1. Down With Love
(4:21)  2. Like A Lover (O Cantador)
(3:37)  3. Joy Spring
(6:39)  4. Lullaby of The Leaves
(5:57)  5. When You Wish Upon A Star
(4:16)  6. Get Used To It Baby
(6:22)  7. My Funny Valentine
(4:03)  8. On A Clear Day (You Can See Forever)
(4:10)  9. Erev Shel Shoshanim
(6:05) 10. My One and Only Love
(3:42) 11. I Was Doing All Right
(4:08) 12. Love and Affection
(4:42) 13. No Regrets
(4:40) 14. Over the Rainbow
(2:38) 15. Tight

Five years ago my mother asked me to learn her favourite jazz tune, Lullaby of the Leaves. She had danced to it as a girl at a dance and fell in love with the song. I learned Lullaby of the Leaves within the remaining months of my mother’s life. Her love of the song and the memories she associated with it inspired the theme for the collection of songs on this album; which is about recording "for the record" favourite songs introduced to me by family, friends and colleagues over the years. For me, it reflects the passage of time and the passing of time. As colourful autumn leaves record the fleeting lives of plants throughout past seasons, For the Record is about memories associated with the songs we have recorded, while sharing some of the great music of decades past. Much appreciation and thanks to all involved in this project; and for the support of my family, friends, clients and colleagues. 

To name but a few; Freddie, Sam, Michael Maxwell, Adrean Farrugia, Jeff Wolpert, Bob Morgan, Rich Davis, Joe Guss, Laurie Gray, Sarah Maxwell, Marlane Oliver, Cindy Brooks, Lisa Pappo, Donna Holmes, Michael Kleinman,  Lisa Briones, Josie Roussel, Anne Parr, Wainer et al., Andrew Z., Julie P. and Chris C., Max and Mireille, Rochelle T. (and the turtles),  Terry Cade, Elaine Overholt, Bonnie Brett, Shelly Merel, Beny Maissner, David Young, Leonard Levy, MJ Farber, Izzie Davis, Barry, Alan, Dad, and last but not least, Afi “the Dude” Doodle. To Sybil Doris Levy Gordon: A magnificent woman inside and out. My source, my inspiration and my best friend. Miss you, Mom.  http://www.barbgordonsings.com/for-the-record.html

For The Record

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Bruce Mathiske - And Guitar

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2004
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:19
Size: 104,3 MB
Art: Front

(3:43)  1. Eleanor Rigby
(2:40)  2. The Shae Strut
(2:55)  3. Caravan
(3:31)  4. Gumboots
(3:46)  5. Soft Day In Athlone
(3:38)  6. The Arrival
(3:38)  7. Manha De Carnival
(4:30)  8. Barcenheads Bay
(3:17)  9. What A Wonderful World
(3:11) 10. St Thomas
(2:44) 11. The Top
(4:30) 12. Dawn
(3:08) 13. They Can't Take That Away

Bruce Mathiske is a virtuoso solo guitarist from Australia. With a dexterous finger span, he plays lead, rhythm, and bass at the same time. The technique gives a solid impression of more than one guitarist playing, and has made him one of Australia's stars of the instrument. He has picked up a pair of Best Guitarist awards in his homeland, as well as numerous other prizes, including one for Best Soloist and another for Best Overall. The guitarist began music lessons when he was seven years old, while living in the rural area of Swan Hill. At the age of about 15 or 16, he relocated to Bendingo, where he devoted a few years to the specialization of classical guitar. After settling later in Queensland, he became a student of Neville Khan and earned a diploma in sight reading, composition, improvisation, theory, and arranging.  

One of Mathiske's major influences is Chet Atkins. He devised a way to blend his growing interest in jazz with Atkins' solo style. He devoted ten hours daily to the practice of his technique for half a dozen years. His solo work reflects a combination of Atkins' influence, his own jazz interests, and his classical studies. Mathiske's other inspirations include B.B. King, Lenny Breau, Barney Kessell, Robin Ford, and Leo Kottke. He has toured North America, Japan, and Europe. Appearances have included numerous festivals, among them the Cork International Jazz Festival, the Glasgow Jazz Festival, and the London Guitar Festival. In addition, one of his concerts was recorded for broadcast on BBC Radio.  http://www.sputnikmusic.com/bands/Bruce-Mathiske/61528/

And Guitar

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Mel Tormé - The Great American Songbook, Live At Michael's Pub

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 1992
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:36
Size: 150,6 MB
Art: Front

(4:08)  1. You Gotta Try
(3:04)  2. Ridin' High / I'm Shootin' High
(4:04)  3. You Make Me Feel So Young
(5:29)  4. Stardust
(3:04)  5. I'm Gonna Go Fishin'
(3:10)  6. Don't Get Around Much Anymore / I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart
(6:10)  7. Sophisticated Lady / I Didn't Know About You
(4:35)  8. Rockin' In Rhythm
(7:14)  9. It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing
(4:11) 10. A Lovely Way To Spend An Evening
(5:38) 11. I'll Remember April / I Concentrate On You
(4:28) 12. Autumn In New York
(4:24) 13. Just One Of Those Things / Green Dolphin Street
(2:44) 14. All God's Chillun' Got Rhythm
(1:05) 15. The Party's Over

Mel Tormé, 67 at the time of this recording, proves to still be very much in his musical prime. His range remains impressive, his creative abilities have grown through the years and his breath control is remarkable; as proof Tormé holds some very long notes at the conclusion of some of the ballads. This live set finds Tormé backed by what he dubbed "the Great American Songbook Orchestra," his usual trio plus a dozen horns. The band gets "Ya Gotta Try" as an instrumental and Tormé sits in on drums on "Rockin' in Rhythm" but otherwise the orchestra sticks to its anonymous role in the background. 

The singer wrote ten of the 15 arrangements and programmed plenty of variety in moods and tempos for his voice including a seven-song Duke Ellington mini-set. His masterful interpretation of "Stardust" is a highpoint. Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-great-american-songbook-live-at-michaels-pub-mw0000109885

Personnel:  Vocals – Mel Tormé;  Alto Saxophone, Clarinet – Adam Brenner;  Alto Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet – Jack Stuckey;  Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet – Dave Schumacher; Bass – John Leitham ;  Drums – Donny Osborne; Leader, Piano – John Colianni;  Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet – Jeff Rupert, Jerry Weldon;  Trombone – Rich Willey, Timothy Newman, Tom Artin;  Trumpet – Frank London, John Walsh, Bob Milikan, Ross Konikoff .

The Great American Songbook, Live At Michael's Pub

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Willis 'Gator' Jackson - After Hours

Styles: Soul, Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2004
File: MP3@256K/s
Time: 79:39
Size: 145,9 MB
Art: Front

( 5:00)  1. Secret Love
( 6:56)  2. When My Dreamboat Comes In
( 5:53)  3. She's My Love
(10:29)  4. After Hours
( 5:36)  5. What Will I Tell My Heart
( 2:40)  6. The Song Of Ossanha
( 6:38)  7. Sunny
( 5:29)  8. Girl Talk
( 2:57)  9. Ode To Billie Joe
( 5:14) 10. Sometimes I'm Happy
( 2:00) 11. Soul Grabber
( 3:35) 12. Rhode Island Red
( 8:25) 13. Alfie
( 2:51) 14. I Dig Rock And Roll Music
( 5:48) 15. These Blues Are Made For Walki

Like Arnett Cobb, Willis "Gator" Jackson was a hard-blowing tenor saxophonist who had no problem making the transition from the honker school of the '40s and early '50s to the soul-jazz and organ combos of the late '50s and '60s. The '60s, in fact, were an extremely productive time for Jackson, who recorded for Prestige throughout that decade and got into the studio often. A 79-minute CD that Fantasy assembled in 2004, After Hours offers two of Jackson's '60s LPs back to back: 1963's Loose and 1967's Soul Grabber (both of which employ Carl Wilson on organ and underscore Jackson's fondness for the Hammond B-3). While Soul Grabber is heard in its entirety, one of the songs from Loose ("Y'all") was omitted due to space limitations. During the '60s, Jackson wasn't afraid to look in a variety of places for material  his repertoire ranged from original compositions to Tin Pan Alley to Burt Bacharach/Hal David, Bobby Vinton and Motown. 

Jackson seemed to realize that worthwhile popular music was worthwhile music regardless of the source, and on After Hours, Gator finds the jazz potential in everything from "Secret Love" and "Sometimes I'm Happy" to Bobbie Gentry's "Ode to Billie Joe," Bobby Hebb's "Sunny" and Peter, Paul & Mary's "I Dig Rock and Roll Music." Jackson's tenor dominates the album, but on Bacharach/David's "Alfie," the saxman plays a custom-made instrument he named the "gator horn" (which he described as "somewhere between an alto sax, a soprano sax and a French horn"). Parts of this CD were obviously designed to reach soul and rock fans, but thankfully, Gator knew how to make some commercial moves without sacrificing his skills as an improviser. While After Hours falls short of essential, this is a solid, pleasing disc that Jackson's hardcore fans will enjoy. ~ Alex Henderson  

http://www.allmusic.com/album/after-hours-mw0000265899

Personnel: Willis "Gator" Jackson (tenor saxophone, horns); Willis "Gator" Jackson; Bill Jones (guitar); Lawrence Wright (drums); Wally Richardson, Lloyd Davis (guitar); Haywood Henry (baritone saxophone); Dud Bascomb, Frank Robinson, Sammy Lowe (trumpet); Joe Hadrick (drums); Lawrence Wright, Bob Bushnell, Bill Jones , Carl Wilson .

After Hours

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Oscar Peterson - The Will To Swing (2-Disc Set)

This is great overview of Oscar Peterson's career before his stroke, that sadly seems to be gone out of production now.

A mixture of 50's 60's and 70's recordings. Highlights include the appropriately titled "swingin' 'til the girls come home" with Herb Ellis on Guitar and Ray Brown on Bass. "C Jam Blues" the opening track from the famous Night Train album with Ed Thigpen on drums and Ray Brown on Bass and "A Child is born" and the ironically titled "A Little Jazz exercise" from the brilliant solo Piano album "Tracks". Also on the album is Petersons version of "Ill Wind", which was his tribute to his idol Art Tatum. ~S J Buck

Album: The Will To Swing (Disc 1)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:26
Size: 149.8 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 1991

[4:35] 1. Fine And Dandy
[5:43] 2. Tenderly
[2:54] 3. Fascinating Rhythm
[5:40] 4. Swingin Till The Girls Come Home
[2:57] 5. 9/20 Special-Live (1956 Hollywood Bowl)
[6:17] 6. Gypsy In My Soul
[4:00] 7. When Lights Are Low
[6:56] 8. Con Alma
[5:33] 9. Ill Wind
[5:51] 10. Whisper Not
[8:09] 11. In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning
[3:51] 12. Something's Coming
[2:54] 13. Daahoud

The Will To Swing (Disc 1)

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Album: The Will To Swing (Disc 2)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:13
Size: 163.1 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 1991
Art: Front

[5:52] 1. Waltz For Debbie
[3:21] 2. C Jam Blues
[4:08] 3. Nightingale
[3:53] 4. Place St. Henri
[5:28] 5. Wheatland
[5:15] 6. I've Got A Crush On You
[2:04] 7. Lulu's Back In Town
[6:05] 8. Little Girl Blue
[7:51] 9. Nica's Dream
[5:16] 10. Naptown Blues
[6:02] 11. Wave
[2:34] 12. A Child Is Born
[2:42] 13. A Little Jazz Exercise
[5:16] 14. Once Upon A Summertime
[5:20] 15. Younger Than Springtime

The Will To Swing (Disc 2)

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Scott Hamilton - Swedish Ballads... & More!

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 51:42

Size: 118.4 MB

Styles: Saxophone jazz

Year: 2013

Art: Front

[9:53] 1. Dear Old Stockholm

[6:16] 2. Swing In F

[5:13] 3. You Can't Be In Love With A Dream

[7:50] 4. Trubbel

[7:52] 5. Stockholm Sweetnin'

[8:23] 6. Minsoldat (My Soldier)

[6:12] 7. Bluesioktaver

Since long before the present flowering of native talent, Scandinavia has been a very jazz-friendly place. Miles Davis borrowed a Swedish folk song and called it Dear Old Stockholm. Quincy Jones wrote one of his first compositions, Stockholm Sweetnin', there in the 1950s. Both are among the seven numbers on this delectable set by the great American tenor saxophonist and a trio led by Jan Lundgren. Hamilton is famous for the consistent excellence of his playing but this time, sparked by Lundgren's inspired piano solos and crystal-clear accompaniment, he really surpasses himself. There may be a few more potential jazz standards here, too.

Swedish ballads … & more

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Nicole - All Jazzed Up

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 35:18
Size: 80.8 MB
Styles: Crossover jazz, Saxophone jazz
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[2:28] 1. Fly Me To The Moon
[3:44] 2. On The Sunny Side Of The Street
[3:36] 3. At Last
[2:28] 4. L-O-V-E
[2:43] 5. Something Stupid (Flute Duet)
[3:10] 6. Mack The Knife
[2:31] 7. For Once In My Life (Alto Saxophone Solo)
[3:09] 8. Dream A Little Dream
[2:57] 9. Cheek To Cheek
[1:52] 10. Hit The Road Jack
[3:37] 11. Save The Last Dance For Me (Alto Saxophone Solo)
[2:56] 12. Me & My Shadow (Soprano & Alto Sax Duet)

Nicole van Rensburg is a versatile musician, performing a variety of usical genres from Jazz and Pop to African, Country, French, Rock and Afrikaans music. This singer, saxophonist and flautist gracefully alternates between pure instrumental pieces and spectacular vocal songs, and is equally at home taking centre stage with a Cabaret performance, or performing background entertainment while guests are dining or networking. She also offers dinner dance entertainment, performing classic contemporary dance songs.

Born and bred in Pretoria, Nicole’s musical started music lessons at the age of nine, whilst her passion for singing was established when she was fourteen. Shesuccessfully completed her B. Tech Degree in Jazz from the Tshwane University of Technology. She was the overall winner of the Pretoria beeld Eisteddfod in 1999 and 2001 in the vocal category, and was also overall winner of the Reach for the Stars competition in 1998 and 2000 in the instrumental category. Upon invitation, Nicole performed a two week concert tour with young up and coming artists in Japan in 1999. She was also part of the National Big Band for Vocals and Saxophone at the Standard Bank Youth Jazz Festival in Grahamstown in 2002 and 2004. Her sensational voice and warm and engaging stage personality, coupled with her professionalism and client focus, has created a great demand demand for her as a live performer, with numerous corporate and private functions as well as weddings under her belt. Corporate entertainment experience includes performances at large-scale functions for ABSA, Daimler Chrysler, Peugeot, Liberty Life, FNB, Emperors Palace and Standard Bank, to name but a few. Nicole has also performed as guest artist on numerous TV shows, including Noot vir Noot (3 times), Felicia and Pasella.

All Jazzed Up

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Tal Farlow - Night And Day

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:10
Size: 121.7 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[2:41] 1. Gibson Boy
[3:27] 2. Everything I've Got
[4:12] 3. I Remember You
[4:20] 4. Night And Day
[3:48] 5. Fascinating Rhythm
[1:40] 6. Autumn Leaves
[3:04] 7. This Is Always
[3:32] 8. My Old Flame
[2:50] 9. These Foolish Things
[3:45] 10. There Will Never Be Another You
[2:54] 11. Tea For Two
[3:00] 12. With The Wind And The Rain In Your Hair
[3:39] 13. You And The Night And The Music
[3:57] 14. How Deep Is The Ocean
[3:00] 15. Just One Of Those Things
[3:14] 16. Stompin' At The Savoy

Talmadge Holt Farlow, 7 June 1921, Greensboro, North Carolina, USA, d. 25 July 1998, Sea Bright, New Jersey, USA. Although his father was an amateur musician, Tal Farlow did not begin playing guitar until 1942, working as a professional sign-painter for several years. Before the decade was out he had achieved a sufficiently high standard to be hired by cabaret singer Dardanelle, vibraphonist Margie Hyams and clarinettist Buddy De Franco. In 1950, by now a fleet and inventive guitarist inspired by Charlie Christian, he joined forces with another vibes player, Red Norvo, thus beginning a long-running and fruitful, if intermittent, musical partnership. The third member of this group was Charles Mingus. Although he initially struggled to keep up with Norvo’s startling speed, Farlow developed a technique that in turn made him the fastest guitarist of his era.

In 1953 Farlow worked with Artie Shaw, and later in the decade led his own trio on recordings for Blue Note Records and Verve Records, including work with Eddie Costa, but he drifted into retirement from music and concentrated on his career as a sign-painter. In the late 60s he made a handful of festival appearances, returning to fairly consistent public performances in the late 70s. In the 80s he resumed his working relationship with Red Norvo, touring the USA, UK and Europe and delighting audiences, many of whom had been alerted to this fine musician’s talents through a 1981 television documentary, Talmadge Farlow. Farlow’s breathtaking speed and fluent technique were highly influential, inspiring young guitarists such as John McLaughlin. ~bio from oldies.com

Night And Day

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Stephanie Porter - Mood Swings

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:09
Size: 131,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:58)  1. Cheek To Cheek
(5:00)  2. Until I Met You
(4:38)  3. Get Out Of Town
(5:05)  4. Body And Soul
(5:51)  5. Blues In The Night
(3:10)  6. Easy Living
(4:01)  7. Dream Dancing
(4:50)  8. Misty
(4:33)  9. Daddy-O
(4:49) 10. Here's That Rainy Day
(4:03) 11. Undecided
(5:05) 12. A Lady Never Cries

Seattle native Stephanie Porter, an outstanding jazz vocalist with a clear, sultry tone and a bright and appealing stage presence, has had a passion for music her whole life. From 1996 to 2000, Porter opened for a multitude of national acts (including Chaka Khan, Living Colour, Cameo, Glen Fry, Michael McDonald and Kansas), as a member of the popular disco group, “Hit Explosion.” During this time, she also recorded “My Heart Belongs to Daddy,” which ascended to the top 100 of the Gavin Jazz Chart. National Public Radio station, KPLU (88.5 FM), still features a number of songs from her critically-acclaimed album, Mood Swings, nationwide. 

The album has been sold in over 25 countries. A longtime figure in the Northwest jazz scene, Porter has worked with over 50 groups as a freelance vocalist and is often spotlighted as a featured or special guest artist in some of the region’s top venues. She has also performed at numerous festivals and special events. In addition to the Northwest, she has performed in venues across the country, as well as Canada, France and England. Her latest album, How Deep is the Ocean, is a brilliant showcase of her amazing talent as a vocalist.  http://jazzafterhours.net/The_Scene/concerts/stephanie-porter-quintet

Personnel:  Stephanie Porter - vocals; Lance Buller - trumpet (1, 8); Jay Roulston - trumpet (2, 5, 7, 9, 10); Gary Shutes - trombone (2, 5, 7, 9, 10); Jay Thomas - alto sax, flute (2, 5, 7, 9, 10); Bill Ramsey - baritone sax, bass clarinet (2, 5, 7, 9, 10); Mike West - tenor sax, flute (2-11); Bob Hammer - piano (1-3, 5-11); Craig Hoyer - piano (4, 12); Chris Woitach - guitar (1, 3, 4, 11); Traci Haveskeland - cello (12); Larry Holloway - bass (1, 2, 5, 7-10); Dan O’Brien - bass (3, 4, 6, 11); Greg Williamson - drums (1-11).

Mood Swings

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Seamus Blake - Way Out Willy

Styles: Straight-ahead/Mainstream, Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:01
Size: 119,3 MB
Art: Front

(11:40)  1. Fear of Roaming
( 8:44)  2. Badlands
( 7:52)  3. Trust in You
( 8:39)  4. Way Out Willy
( 8:20)  5. Hoi Polloi
( 6:44)  6. The Jupiter Line

It's been six years since Seamus Blake's last recording for Criss Cross, and the tenor saxophonist wasn't thinking about a new one until approached in 2006 by label owner/producer Gerry Teekens. The result, Way Out Willy, has the spontaneous feel of a session more focused on improvisation than composition. That's not to say the six Blake originals are anything but thoroughly engaging. But in a time where his contemporaries are often approaching the modern mainstream through more complex compositional constructs, Blake's writing is more concise. With the exception of the burning modal 5/4 "Badlands and the broodingly expansive 9/4 "Hoi Polloi there are no irregular or shifting meters to be found, nor are there any long-form episodic pieces. With compositions ranging from the insistently swinging "Fear of Roaming to the gently lyrical "Trust in You, the rhythm-heavy title track, or the simmering "The Jupiter Line, it ultimately all comes down to the players. With guitarist Lage Lund and pianist Dave Kikoski, Blake has two strong foils, capable of exploring improvisational possibilities at length without losing focus or sense of purpose. Drummer Bill Stewart (the "Willy in "Way Out Willy ) is as elastic, responsive and melodic as ever, while bassist Orlando LeFleming best known for his work with singer Jane Monheit demonstrates a side to him that's rarely been heard on record. 

Blake, still in his mid-thirties, is a powerful player possessing that rare ability to develop lengthy solos that are both visceral and cerebral. Few artists are capable of delivering near-perfection every time but Blake is one of them, with nary a misstep here and a consistent ability to create a clear narrative with every solo. Kikoski, with nearly twenty appearances on Criss Cross as a leader or sideman, is the closest thing to a label house pianist. His own Limits (2006) was an album of great conversational depth, and he brings that same aesthetic to this date. Working with another chordal instrument, in this case Lund, is always a challenge but the two are never anything but complimentary. As unequivocally strong as everyone is on the date, it's Lund who stands out, if only because he's a younger player with a small but increasingly significant discography that includes Marcus Strickland's Twi-Life (Strick Muzik, 2006) and two superb guest spots on trumpeter Ingrid Jensen's At Sea (ArtistShare, 2006). Like Blake and Kikoski, Lund is a master of construction, with a warm tone that's reminiscent of Pat Metheny, but far less processed. 

His solo on "The Jupiter Line, in particular, builds in intensity through use of repeated motifs that gradually lead from one place to the next in logical but exciting fashion. Way Out Willy is an unassuming and thoroughly satisfying set filled with improvisational prowess that's never superfluous. Blake's strength as a writer is his ability to create a diverse set of contexts that encourage the many strengths of everyone involved. ~ John Kelman  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/way-out-willy-seamus-blake-criss-cross-review-by-john-kelman.php
 

Personnel: Seamus Blake: tenor saxophone; Lage Lund: guitar; David Kikoski: piano; Orlando LeFleming: bass; Bill Stewart: drums.

Way Out Willy

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Luca Sestak - Lost in Boogie

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:05
Size: 115,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:32)  1. E-Flat Flyer
(3:45)  2. My Rock 'n Boogie
(3:36)  3. Quiet Blues
(3:02)  4. The Fives
(3:43)  5. Boogie 99
(2:45)  6. Go Str8 4 It
(3:54)  7. Boogie Woogie Stomp
(2:39)  8. Sunny Sunday
(1:55)  9. Stressed Student's Stride
(2:13) 10. Tribute to Jay Mcshann
(3:11) 11. Roberta (How Do You Feel)
(3:13) 12. Daydream (What a Day for a Daydream)
(3:20) 13. Swanee River Boogie
(5:01) 14. How Long Blues
(4:09) 15. Silent Night Blues (Silent Night, Holy Night Blues)

Luca was born on January 10, 1995 in Celle (Niedersachsen). At age 7 he was introduced to the piano by his father, but didn’t show much interest. For that reason two years later his parents sent him to a piano teacher who still gives him classical lessons. In 2008 Luca took part in the local piano solo competition “Youth plays music” and won 1st prize with advancement to the State Contest level. After two years of classical piano lessons Luca accidentally discovered jazz and with that also the Blues and Boogie Woogie. He self-trained and studied his first pieces of this music style and presented them at various occasions with great success. 

At age 11 he published some of his pieces on the internet platform YouTube where they quickly achieved great popularity. With rising recognition numerous performances at festivals and concerts followed in his home country as well as abroad with big-name pianists of the genre such as Silvan Zingg, Vince Weber, Bob Seeley, Frank Muschalle and Ben Waters. From 2010 to 2012 Luca presented his own concert series under the name of “Blues im Schaf” in Karlsruhe. Luca recorded his first CD album “Lost in Boogie” in August 2010 which was published in November of that year. 

One year later, Luca participated in the biggest Boogie Woogie Festival of the world in Laroquebrou, France. In 2014 Luca released his second album NEW WAY. Today Luca’s program contains mainly his own compositions and interpretations in which he expresses his unmistakable style. He includes in these the most varied directions of music from the blues and boogie through jazz and funk all the way to pop, rock and the classics. Bio ~ http://www.piano99.net/en/info/about

Lost in Boogie

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Mel Torme - At The Crescendo: Complete Recordings 1954 & 1957

Size: 145,8+140,0 MB
Time: 61:12+58:49
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2011
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

CD 1:
01. From This Moment On (1:41)
02. September Song (2:50)
03. That Old Black Magic (3:14)
04. Get Out Of Town (3:22)
05. My Shining Hour (3:03)
06. Goody Goody (2:27)
07. County Fair (5:12)
08. This Christmas Song (3:04)
09. A Stranger In Town (3:25)
10. I Wish I Were In Love Again (2:08)
11. Moonlight In Vermont (2:26)
12. You're Driving Me Crazy (2:12)
13. Bernie's Tune (3:05)
14. Our Love Is Here To Stay (2:24)
15. Old Devil Moon (3:16)
16. Blue Moon (2:35)
17. Have You Met Miss Jones (2:47)
18. Jeepers Creepers (3:00)
19. Mountain Greenery (2:25)
20. Imagination (3:21)
21. Get Happy (3:02)

CD 2:
01. It's Only A Paper Moon (3:11)
02. What Is This Thing Called Love (4:03)
03. One For My Baby (4:44)
04. Love Is Just A Bug (2:31)
05. A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square (2:52)
06. Autumn Leaves (3:03)
07. Just One Of Those Things (2:29)
08. The Girl Next Door (2:58)
09. Lover Come Back To Me (2:43)
10. Looking At You (2:49)
11. The Tender Trap (3:23)
12. I'm Beginning To See The Light (2:23)
13. It's All Right With Me (4:26)
14. Manhattan (3:14)
15. Taking A Chance (1:59)
16. Home By The Sea (1:52)
17. It's De-Lovely (2:42)
18. Tenderly (2:19)
19. I Wish I Was In Love Again (2:29)
20. Nobody's Heart (2:28)

One of those singers who could sing a grocery list and make it work, Mel Tormé never met a song he couldn't at least make memorable, and in most cases, he did a whole lot more than that. Tormé wasn't a singer who fed off of glitz and flash, and his vocal work was full of such subtle and effortlessly inventive phrasing that it's easy to miss how he never sings a successive verse exactly the same in a song, working the edges of the melody so deftly that it all seems naturally right, even if what he's really doing is working his vocals like a veteran horn player. What this means is that Tormé, who had his successes in the recording studio, certainly, was really at his most transcendent as a vocalist in a live setting, and these two sets, recorded three years apart in 1954 and 1957 at the Crescendo on Sunset Strip with the Al Pellegrini Trio (1954) and the Marty Paich Quintet (1957), are the perfect proof of that. This is Mel Tormé in his element giving classics like the Gershwins' "Our Love Is Here to Stay" an almost perfect reading, feeding the melody the intimacy it cries for, scat singing (a Tormé specialty) his way through "Bernie's Tune" like a jazz trumpet player, and approaching "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" with just the right touch to bring out its inherent dignity. He does more of the same to two of his own compositions, the brilliant "Stranger in Town" and the so-good-it-seems-like-it's-been-around-forever holiday classic "The Christmas Song." Graceful, warm, and spry, Tormé's singing always fits his material, and he gently bends the melodies, shifts emphasis on the rhythm, and elegantly turns phrases in subtle little ways on song after song during these performances, but it's all done with such seemingly effortless ease that he appears to be singing everything straight and true. He isn't. A close listen to what he's doing reveals continual and delightful surprises, all of them carrying the song where it really wants to go. With 41 tracks on two discs, this is both a great introduction to Tormé's elegant vocal universe and a historic pairing of his two Crescendo nights in a single package, which, amazingly, no one has thought to do before. ~Review by Steve Leggett

At The Crescendo CD 1
At The Crescendo CD 2

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Michael Hershman - Undercovers

Size: 119,5 MB
Time: 51:20
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz: Saxophone Jazz, Smooth Jazz
Art: Front

01. Any Day Now (4:02)
02. Back To You (4:08)
03. And You Care (4:04)
04. Soull Deep (3:41)
05. Jade (4:37)
06. Undercovers (4:58)
07. You Know How It Is (3:47)
08. Love Is New (4:33)
09. Romantic Cruise (4:18)
10. Beside You (4:14)
11. Her Groove (4:32)
12. If For A Moment (4:19)

Funky, hip, soulful, melodic, original jazz. Featuring a wide array of great performances by great musicians including exciting horn & string sections All lead/solo soprano & alto sax by Michael Hershman - all songs composed by him as well...

"Michael Hershman is a remarkable talent! He can repeatedly achieve whatever musical goals that may lie ahead, again and again, indefinitely. It is hard to imagine anyone in "the industry" with a lick of sense passing on the opportunity to mine the gold lying there in wait." - (Doug Mackey Music Editor - Tacoma Weekly)

"Michael's music is as beautiful and sexy as he is while he performs it." ( Melony Denise Cunningham Executive Producer – KLAY

"Mike is one of the greatest horns players I've heard." – (Ike Turner Ike Turner Revue)

"Michael Hershman is the best saxophone player that I've ever heard and I love his CD." – (Step Stephan Wonn ESPN)

"Michael is a fabulous saxophonist and a great composer. His appeal to the audience is astounding." – (Armen Rominov Tour Manager - Sea of Japan Tour "98")

Undercovers

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Clare Teal & Grant Windsor With Special Guest Pee Wee Ellis - In Good Company

Size: 107,9 MB
Time: 46:57
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. I'll Be Your Baby Tonight (4:17)
02. I Get Along Without You Very Well (4:57)
03. Inarticulate Speech Of The Heart (4:24)
04. A Kiss To Build A Dream On (3:37)
05. Lover Man (5:15)
06. Come Together (4:14)
07. The Nearness Of You (5:09)
08. Don't Go To Strangers (5:39)
09. I Got You (I Feel Good) (5:28)
10. My Neighbourhood (3:51)

Following on from the success of 'And So It Goes', Clare and Grant invited saxophone legend Pee Wee Ellis into the studio to make an 'as live' totally organic album. In Good Company was recorded over 2 days and is a collection of songs that have inspired, or influenced Pee Wee, songs that he has enjoyed playing throughout his vast career or that he has indeed written himself, not to mention a couple of random offerings that are there purely because they came up in conversation at the time!

In Good Company

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James Edward Cole III - The Jam Session

Size: 101,3 MB
Time: 43:37
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz: Smooth Jazz
Art: Front

01. The Jam Session (4:20)
02. Along For The Ride (4:08)
03. Smooth Move (3:56)
04. Moving To A Newer Level (3:34)
05. Better Than Before (4:55)
06. The Composer (5:27)
07. Not Far To Go (3:08)
08. Close To The Border (3:31)
09. No Two Ways About It (3:04)
10. Off The Ground (3:36)
11. Just Having Fun (3:53)

This is a composition of smooth jazz that has an acoustic guitar and keyboard sounds to it. A nice mellow sound that you will enjoy listening to if just out riding out on trip to get away and relax. I hope you will enjoy it.

The Jam Session

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