Sunday, March 22, 2015

Red Holloway Quartet - Nica's Dream

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:01
Size: 105.3 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 1984/1995
Art: Front

[ 4:19] 1. Reshma Rani Barnase
[10:25] 2. Lover Man
[ 7:52] 3. Love For Sale
[ 7:10] 4. Nica's Dream
[ 5:38] 5. Georgia On My Mind
[ 6:07] 6. 369 Blues
[ 4:27] 7. Wee

Doubling on tenor and alto, Red Holloway shows on this no-nonsense quartet set how strong an improviser he is within the world of bebop. Joined by pianist Horace Parlan, bassist Jesper Lundgaard and drummer Aage Tanggaard, Holloway plays two basic originals and five jazz standards, highlighted by a lengthy "Lover Man," "Love for Sale" and a speedy "Wee." ~Scott Yanow

Recording Date: July 7, 1984

Nica's Dream

Rose Room - Am I Blue

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:29
Size: 99.6 MB
Styles: Gypsy swing
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[3:04] 1. Me, Myself And I
[3:42] 2. China Boy
[4:31] 3. J'attendrai
[4:14] 4. Bossa Dorado
[3:25] 5. Sweet Sue
[5:41] 6. Am I Blue
[3:30] 7. Songe D'automne
[3:05] 8. 'deed I Do
[3:34] 9. Limehouse Blues
[5:08] 10. I'll See You In My Dreams
[3:29] 11. It's A Sin To Tell A Lie

Scottish Jazz Awards finalists Rose Room have become one of Scotland’s leading ensembles influenced by the Gypsy Jazz genre. Sharing a love of Swing music and the style of the great Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli, their“vigorous and vivacious” performances seem to go “down a storm” with any audience as their 1930s ‘Hot Club’ standards and self-penned originals are always served up with great energy and panache.

Based in Glasgow, the quartet features award-winning virtuoso violinist and vocalist Seonaid Aitken (who also performs with Scottish Opera, folk singer Roddy Woomble and recently orchestrated the music for the BBC/Richard Curtis film ‘Esio Trot’), guitar maker to the stars Jimmy Moon on double bass, and Danny Kyle Award-winners ‘Swing Guitars’ Tam Gallagher and Tom Watson on rhythm and lead guitars respectively.

Am I Blue

Mike Melvoin - Oh Baby

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:22
Size: 135.9 MB
Styles: Straight ahead jazz, Piano jazz
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[6:54] 1. There Is No Greater Love
[6:54] 2. The Melody Is You
[7:22] 3. You And The Night And The Music
[8:34] 4. Sandy
[5:13] 5. North Star
[7:55] 6. I'll Never Smile Again
[6:59] 7. Fifth Power
[5:29] 8. So In Love
[3:59] 9. Oh Baby

Oh Baby is about as good a jazz piano trio album as you’ll ever hear, at least in this millennium. Mike Melvoin is one of the unsung heroes of the music industry, a prolific composer/arranger/producer for countless albums, television shows and films. As a pianist he’s logged more hours in the recording studio than just about any pianist on the planet. He’s been President of NARAS, he’s been the musical director for the Grammy Awards, and now he’s going back to his first love, straight ahead jazz.

With the infectious swing of Ahmad Jamal, the acute harmonic sensitivity of Bill Evans and the deft dexterity of Chick Corea, Mike Melvoin is the consummate jazz pianist. And his sidemen are every bit his equal. John Guerin on drums has impeccable dynamic control that propels the beat but never overwhelms; his solos overflow with taste and musical sensitivity. Brian Bromberg on bass is a phenomenon of nature. The speed at which he plays double- and triple-stops would lead one to believe that he has three or perhaps four arms. And to top it all off, he has impeccable time.

Oh Baby is a fine album by an outstanding jazz pianist and jazz combo. Maybe Mike Melvoin should be onstage receiving a Grammy instead of directing the show. ~William Grim

Mike Melvoin, piano; John Guerin, drums; Brian Bromberg, bass; Tom Scott, alto and soprano saxophone

Oh Baby

John Lee Hooker - Hooker 'n Heat (2-Disc Set)

When this two-LP set was initially released in January 1971, Canned Heat was back to its R&B roots, sporting slightly revised personnel. In the spring of the previous year, Larry "The Mole" Taylor (bass) and Harvey Mandel (guitar) simultaneously accepted invitations to join John Mayall's concurrent incarnation of the Bluesbreakers. This marked the return of Henry "Sunflower" Vestine (guitar) and the incorporation of Antonio "Tony" de la Barreda (bass), a highly skilled constituent of Aldolfo de la Parra (drums). Sadly, it would also be the final effort to include co-founder Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson, who passed away in September 1970. Hooker 'n Heat (1971) is a low-key affair split between unaccompanied solo John Lee Hooker (guitar/vocals) tunes, collaborations between Hooker and Wilson (piano/guitar/harmonica), as well as five full-blown confabs between Hooker and Heat. The first platter focuses on Hooker's looser entries that vacillate from the relatively uninspired ramblings of "Send Me Your Pillow" and "Drifter" to the essential and guttural "Feelin' Is Gone" or spirited "Bottle Up and Go." The latter being among those with Wilson on piano. Perhaps the best of the batch is the lengthy seven-minute-plus "World Today," which is languid and poignant talking blues, with Hooker lamenting the concurrent state of affairs around the globe. "I Got My Eyes on You" is an unabashed derivative of Hooker's classic "Dimples," with the title changed for what were most likely legal rather than artistic concerns. That said, the readings of the seminal "Burning Hell" and "Bottle Up and Go" kept their familiar monikers intact. The full-fledged collaborations shine as both parties unleash some of their finest respective work. While Canned Heat get top bill -- probably as it was the group's record company that sprung for Hooker 'n Heat -- make no mistake, as Hooker steers the combo with the same gritty and percussive guitar leads that have become his trademark. The epic "Boogie Chillen No. 2" stretches over 11 and a half minutes and is full of the same swagger as the original, with the support of Canned Heat igniting the verses and simmering on the subsequent instrumental breaks with all killer and no filler. The 2002 two-CD pressing by the French Magic Records label is augmented with "It's All Right," with a single edit of "Whiskey and Wimmen." ~Lindsay Planer

John Lee Hooker vocals; guitar; Alan Wilson harmonica; Henry Vestine guitar; Antono de la Barreda bass; Adolfo de la Parra drums.

Not to be confused with the later live recordings Hooker made with Canned Heat at the Fox Venice Theatre (that's currently available on Rhino).

Album: Hooker 'n Heat (Disc 1)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:48
Size: 93.4 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Year: 1971/1991/2005

[3:21] 1. Messin' With The Hook
[4:31] 2. The Feelin' Is Gone
[4:46] 3. Send Me A Pillow
[4:04] 4. Sittin' Here Thinkin
[3:31] 5. Meet Me In The Bottom
[4:30] 6. Alimonia Blues
[4:55] 7. Drifter
[3:14] 8. You Talk Too Much
[5:26] 9. Burning Hell
[2:26] 10. Bottle Up And Go

Hooker 'n Heat (Disc 1)

Album: Hooker 'n Heat (Disc 2)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 45:05
Size: 103.2 MB
Styles: Electric blues
Year: 1971/1991/2005
Art: Front

[ 7:44] 1. The World Today
[ 4:24] 2. I Got My Eyes On You
[ 4:34] 3. Whiskey And Wimmen'
[ 7:39] 4. Just You And Me
[ 4:04] 5. Let's Make It
[ 5:05] 6. Peavine
[11:32] 7. Boogie Chillen No. 2

Hooker 'n Heat (Disc 2)

Bria Skonberg - Fresh

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:39
Size: 97.7 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz, Trumpet jazz
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[3:25] 1. Lovefool
[3:14] 2. Won't You Come Out And Play
[3:14] 3. Just One Of Those Things
[2:29] 4. Come On-A My House
[5:24] 5. Beau Dirk
[4:45] 6. I'll Never Be The Same
[2:47] 7. Almost Like Being In Love
[2:18] 8. Why Do Fools Fall In Love
[3:42] 9. Lucky Devil
[2:32] 10. L.O.V.E
[4:16] 11. Meet Me In Your Dreams
[4:29] 12. Mercedes Benz

Hailing from Chilliwack, BC, and now living in New York City, award winning trumpeter / vocalist / composer Bria Skonberg is "poised to be one of the most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation."- Wall Street Journal.

“Bria Skonberg’s new CD is like a breath of fresh air in a stuffy room…She has a voice that is pure and almost little girl in quality except on bluesey items where she displays some of the authority of Dinah Washington…This is a totally fun album and very contagious. There is never a dull moment…most of all there is the bright, inquisitive talents and spirit of Bria Skonberg who promises to be a mighty musical force.” ~ Marcia Hillman

Fresh

Ronnie Laws - Tribute To The Legendary Eddie Harris

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:04
Size: 84.9 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz, Funk-jazz
Year: 1997
Art: Front

[3:55] 1. Listen Here
[4:26] 2. Freedom Jazz Dance
[4:27] 3. Boogie Woogie Bossa Nova
[3:58] 4. Cold Duck
[4:27] 5. Sham Time
[5:21] 6. I Don't Want No One But You
[4:02] 7. Hip Hoppin
[6:24] 8. Compared To What

Ronnie Laws' performs eight songs associated with the late, great saxophonist Eddie Harris. In some spots Laws (whose other recordings are in the worlds of jazz-funk and pop) closely copies his early inspiration, but when he tries to sound like himself, he comes across as a fine improviser. Laws (who doubles on tenor and soprano) is joined by a rhythm section including pianist Vernell Brown, Jr.; trumpeter Oscar Brashear makes two welcome appearances (particularly on "Cold Duck Time"). This CD (which is highlighted by lightly funky versions of "Freedom Jazz Dance," "Hip Hoppin'," and "Compared to What") is the first Ronnie Laws release recommended for conservative jazz listeners. ~Scott Yanow

Tribute To The Legendary Eddie Harris

Anita O'Day With Oscar Peterson Quartet - Anita Sings The Most

Styles: Vocal And Piano Jazz
Year: 1957
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 33:45
Size: 77,8 MB
Art: Front

(2:55)  1. 'S Wonderful/ They Can't Take That Away From Me
(3:19)  2. Tenderly
(2:51)  3. Old Devil Moon
(2:32)  4. Love Me Or Leave Me
(3:36)  5. We'll Be Together Again
(2:03)  6. Stella By Starlight
(2:21)  7. Taking A Chance On Love
(2:36)  8. Them There Eyes
(3:56)  9. I've Got The World On A String
(3:39) 10. You Turned The Tables On Me
(3:53) 11. Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered

Anita O'Day recorded many rewarding albums in the 1950s when her voice was at its strongest, and this collaboration with the Oscar Peterson Quartet (comprised of pianist Peterson, guitarist Herb Ellis, bassist Ray Brown, and drummer John Poole) may very well be her best. Not only is the backup swinging, giving a Jazz at the Philharmonic feel to some of the songs, but O'Day proves that she could keep up with Peterson. "Them There Eyes" is taken successfully at a ridiculously fast tempo, yet the singer displays a great deal of warmth on such ballads as "We'll Be Together Again" and "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered." 

While Peterson and Ellis have some solos, O'Day is never overshadowed (which is saying a lot) and is clearly inspired by their presence. The very brief playing time (just 33 minutes) is unfortunate on this set, but the high quality definitely makes up for the lack of quantity. A gem. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/anita-sings-the-most-mw0000188608

Personnel: Anita O'Day (vocals); Herb Ellis (guitar); Oscar Peterson (piano); Milt Holland, John Poole (drums).

Anita Sings The Most

Bud Powell - The Best Of Bud Powell On Verve

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1994
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:08
Size: 131,5 MB
Art: Front

(4:42)  1. Lady Bird
(2:16)  2. Dance Of The Infidels
(3:13)  3. So Sorry, Please
(2:47)  4. Sweet Georgia Brown
(4:22)  5. Willow Grove (Willow Groove)
(2:25)  6. Tempus Fugit
(2:55)  7. It Never Entered My Mind
(3:37)  8. Bean And The Boys
(2:57)  9. Celia
(3:45) 10. Tea For Two
(3:28) 11. Star Eyes
(3:07) 12. April In Paris
(3:14) 13. Tenderly
(2:59) 14. All God's Chillun Got Rhythm
(4:57) 15. Stairway To The Stars
(3:49) 16. Just One Of Those Things
(2:27) 17. Parisian Thoroughfare


When approaching the work of pioneering bebop pianist Bud Powell, the most vexing question is where to start. In 1994, the year that would have been Powell's 70th had he not died tragically at the age of 42, Verve released a five-disc retrospective titled The Complete Bud Powell on Verve. That box set provides a great starting place for anyone with deep pockets, but for everyone else Verve also released this handy one-disc distillation. It won't be anywhere near enough for Powell fans or, really, for anyone who loves jazz piano, but it is a good place to begin. Most of the signature tunes are here the sprightly "Dance of the Infidels," the kitschily Oriental "So Sorry Please," the potboiler ballads "April in Paris" and "Tenderly," the astonishingly Bach-like "Tempus Fugue-It." 

Everywhere Powell's otherworldly grace and confidence are in evidence; while he made ample use of the jagged harmonic gestures and lightning speed that typified bebop playing, his compositions never sounded anything other than logical and his playing never sounded frantic or rushed. Of all the pianists of the period, Powell is the one who came closest to rivaling Charlie Parker in his ability to condense and exemplify the bebop movement. Highly recommended.~ Rick Anderson  http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-best-of-bud-powell-on-verve-mw0000117853

Personnel: Bud Powell (piano), Ray Brown, George Duvivier, Percy Heath, Curly Russell, Lloyd Trotman (bass), Art Blakey, Kenny Clarke, Buddy Rich, Max Roach, Art Taylor (drums).

Calacas Jazz Band - Gracias Por Cooperar

Styles: Dixieland, Swing, Vocal
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:21
Size: 106,8 MB
Art: Front

(0:48)  1. Intro (Exactly Like You)
(6:23)  2. After You've Gone
(4:25)  3. Bourbon Street Parade
(3:56)  4. I've Found a New Baby
(4:12)  5. All of Me
(3:23)  6. That's a Plenty
(3:33)  7. Sweet Georgia Brown
(7:46)  8. Some of These Days
(3:33)  9. Royal Garden Blues
(5:34) 10. My Bucket's Got a Hole in It
(2:42) 11. The Pink Panther Theme

The sextet Calacas Jazz Band, composed of Alejandro Hernandez (drums), Angel Leal (trumpet), Gary Anzures (tuba), Jasmine Luna (sax), Cristian Merino (banjo) and the elegant voice of Maria Arellano, make "Thank You For Cooperate ", a real treat for lovers of Cotton Club. Calacas Jazz Band manages to convey not just a good portion of joy for music, but also a new feel to the merger, a kind of thunderous dixieland, wearing a tuxedo in the style of New Orleans in the 20's. Certainly we can say that people do not stay seated while listening to this material. The result is cheerful and festive thanks to the hard copy of the repertoire, which includes memorable tracks like "The Pink Panther Theme" by Henry Mancini, "After You've Gone" Marion Harrys of pride, "My Bucket's Got A Hole In It "the country icon Hank Williams, to name a few. A nostalgic album begins his task with an authentic sound. Translate by google  http://eclecticmusic.entula.mx/node/41

Gerry Beaudoin - Sentimental Over You

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:03
Size: 112,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:06)  1. Witchcraft
(5:08)  2. Misty
(2:14)  3. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
(2:54)  4. Just in Time
(5:56)  5. I Got It Bad
(3:01)  6. What'll I Do
(2:40)  7. Seven Come Eleven
(5:26)  8. Chelsea Bridge
(3:10)  9. The Days of Wine and Roses
(3:15) 10. Shiny Stockings
(5:36) 11. This Love of Mine
(2:46) 12. Move
(3:46) 13. My Romance

This CD Sentimental Over You is the second in a three CD series of great songs from the Great American Songbook performed Tby the Boston Jaz Ensemble. The Boston Jazz Ensemble is an all-star group put together by award winning jazz guitarist Gerry Beaudoin. Boston has a jazz history that is long and legendary. When putting together this group Gerry chose the cream of the Boston jazz scene. Drummer Alan Dawson is best known for his stints with pianist Dave Brubeck and vibist Lionel Hampton but has performed with a who's who in the jazz world including Kenny Burrell, Tal Farlow, Ruby Braff, Dave McKenna,Scott Hamilton and a host of others. The three Boston Jazz Ensemble CD's also feature Alan on vibes. Pianist Paul Schmeling is the Chairman of the piano department at Berklee College Of Music. His performance credits range from vocalists Dakota Staton and Carol Sloan to Jackie McClean, Scott Hamilton, Ruby Braff and Herb Pomeroy. Bassist Bob Nieske is the jazz artist in residence at Brandeis University and a graduate of New England Conservatory. Jeff Stout from the Buddy Rich Band plays trumpet and flugelhorn , Fred Lipsius Grammy winning arranger from Blood, Sweat and Tears is on alto sax, and Dick Johnson a world reknowned clarinetist, flautist and the leader of the Artie Shaw Orchestra add's his considerable talent to this project. 

Leader,arramger and guitarist Gerry Beaudoin is a guitarist's guitarist having performed or recorded with John and Bucky Pizzarelli, Jack Wilkins, Jimmy Bruno, Howard Alden, Frank Vignola. Ronnie Earl,Duke Robillard and J.Geils. He has also performed or recorded with Eddie Cleanhead Vinson, Fred Lipius from the seminal jazz rock group Blood Sweat and Tears , Dick Johnson from the Artie Shaw Orchestra, legendary Kansas City pianist Jay McShann, Carol Sloan, and Jerry Portnoy from the Muddy Waters and Eric Clapton Bands. His 1998 recording Just Among Friends was " submitted for consideration for a Grammy nomination." He is a featured performer on the Mel Bay Productions DVD Cafe Benedetto and a member of the New Guitar Summit featuring Gerry alongside blues icon Duke Robillard and rock superstar Jay Geils from the J. Geils Band. In 1992 In A Sentimental Mood by the Boston Jazz Ensemble was released to critical acclaim and rave reviews. It relieved a Cadence Jazz Magazine Editors Choice Award and was soon followed by this CD Sentimental Over You and then Sentimental Christmas.  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/gerrybeaudoinandthebosto

Personnel: Gerry Beaudoin (guitar); Dick Johnson (cittern, flute, clarinet); Mike Turk (harmonica); Rich Lataille (alto saxophone); Fred Lipsius (tenor saxophone); Jeff Stout (trumpet); Paul Schmeling (piano); Alan Dawson (vibraphone, drums); Bob Nieske (acoustic bass)

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Arturo Sandoval - Swingin'

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:04
Size: 162.7 MB
Styles: Trumpet jazz, Afro-Cuban jazz
Year: 1996
Art: Front

[5:38] 1. Moontrane
[8:15] 2. Swingin'
[7:16] 3. Moment's Notice
[7:42] 4. Streets Of Desire
[6:08] 5. Real Mcbop
[6:26] 6. Weirdfun
[3:50] 7. Dizzy's Atmosphere
[7:31] 8. Reflection
[7:12] 9. Woody
[5:24] 10. It Never Gets Old
[5:40] 11. Mack The Knife

It seems remarkable that Arturo Sandoval never seems to win any jazz polls, for few trumpeters can come close to equaling his technique, jazz chops, and warm sound. On this advanced hard bop date, the music is strictly straight-ahead without any Latin rhythms. Sandoval matches wits quite successfully with clarinetist Eddie Daniels on two songs, tenor great Michael Brecker on three (including a memorable rendition of "Moment's Notice"), and veteran flügelhornist Clark Terry on a joyous "Mack the Knife." In addition, Sandoval pays tribute to Woody Shaw, John Coltrane, and Dizzy Gillespie. Other highlights include the moody "Streets of Desire" (on which Sandoval plays piano), the racehorse tempo of "Real McBop" (which has an impossible but impeccably played melody chorus), and Sandoval's humorous use of the plunger mute on "It Never Gets Old." All in all, this is one of Arturo Sandoval's finest recordings to date. ~Scott Yanow

Swingin'

Various - Loose & Juicy

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:07
Size: 130.8 MB
Styles: Hard bop
Year: 1997/2007
Art: Front

[3:07] 1. Jean Jacques Perrey - E.V.A
[6:08] 2. James Moody - You Follow Me
[5:28] 3. The Pazant Brothers And The Beaufort Express - You've Got To Do Your Best
[4:10] 4. Camille Yarbrough - Take Yo' Praise
[2:49] 5. The Pazant Brothers And The Beaufort Express - A Gritty Nitty
[9:35] 6. Bunky Green - Funk Ain't A Word
[5:02] 7. The Pazant Brothers And The Beaufort Express - Spooky
[6:47] 8. Elvin Jones - Someone's Rocking My Jazzboat
[2:47] 9. The Pazant Brothers And The Beaufort Express - Work Song
[4:44] 10. Sivuca - Ain't No Sunshine
[6:24] 11. Fatboy Slim - E.V.A. (Remix)

Loose and Juicy is a treasure chest of rare grooves for jazz, hip-hop, and funk enthusiasts. Cammille Yarbrough's track "Take Your Praise," was the source of Norman Cook's (Fatboy Slim) hit single "Praise You." Captured here on CD, Yarbrough captivates the listener with her poetic vocals and raw funk. Bunky Green's sizzling sax work on "Funk Ain't a Word" is one of many surprises from the Vanguard vaults that make the album worth buying. Jean Jacques Perry's spaced-out funk anthem "E.V.A." is sampled all over the contemporary rap world, including on Ice-T's "The Lane," House of Pain's "Fed Up (remix)," and Gang Starr's "Just to Get a Rep." In addition, Norman Cook fleshes out "E.V.A."'s drum and bass on an inspired big-beat remix to close the album. ~Ryan Randall Goble

Loose & Juicy

Vocation - Just Friends

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:53
Size: 98.2 MB
Styles: Vocal harmony group, A Capella
Year: 2008
Art: Front

[4:09] 1. Just Friends
[5:33] 2. Cheek To Cheek
[2:06] 3. When I Fall In Love
[2:40] 4. Ett Glas Ol (Round The Back Of The Arches)
[7:10] 5. Folj Mig Bortat Vagen
[5:24] 6. Bye Bye Blackbird
[3:35] 7. Fly Me To The Moon
[1:34] 8. Embraceable You
[4:34] 9. You Don't Know What Love Is
[6:04] 10. She's Leaving Home

The second CD from amazing Swedish vocal group VOCATION is filled with a great variety of ballads and standards as well as carefully chosen arrangers, all bring about the vocal group´s personality. The legendary singer Svante Thuresson´s GUEST APPEARANCE is an extra BONUS! An exciting homogeneous sound, good timing, their roots in jazz and love for group singing, make Vocation a worthy successor to the influential Swedish vocal group Gals and Pals.

Gunilla Hedin Soprano; Helena Insulander Mezzo; Josefin Nygren Alto; Rolf Pilotti Tenor; Jonas Åman Baritone; Johan Lundgren Bass.

Just Friends

Teddy Wilson - The Noble Art Of Teddy Wilson

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 74:32
Size: 170.6 MB
Styles: Piano jazz, Swing
Year: 2000
Art: Front

[3:57] 1. Shiny Stockings
[3:41] 2. Undecided
[2:22] 3. Like Someone In Love
[2:37] 4. Imagination
[2:22] 5. I Hadn't Anyone Till You
[2:25] 6. Fools Rush In
[2:44] 7. If I Had You
[2:51] 8. I've Got A Feeling I'm Falling
[2:38] 9. You're Blasé
[3:29] 10. When You're Smiling
[2:42] 11. Easy Living
[2:51] 12. Prelude To A Kiss
[2:24] 13. My Silent Love
[3:11] 14. You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me
[2:21] 15. Paradise
[3:06] 16. My Heart Stood Still
[2:24] 17. Serenata
[5:18] 18. Indiana
[2:30] 19. April In Paris
[4:14] 20. Deed I Do
[2:30] 21. Autumn In New York
[2:52] 22. Ain't Misbehavin'
[2:57] 23. Seranade In Blue
[5:54] 24. It's All Right With Me

This CD is comprised of all of the music from the former LP The Teddy Wilson Trio in Europe 1968, half of the selections from Masters of Jazz, Vol. 11 (the other half is an unrelated session from 1980), and six previously unreleased numbers. All of the music was recorded during an eight-day period in Copenhagen, featuring the great swing pianist Wilson with bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen and either William Schiopffe or Bjarne Rostvold on drums. Wilson's style is relaxed and basically unchanged from 1935, so the results are predictably excellent, swinging and absent of any surprises. Wilson's concise interpretations always pay respect to the melody and his variations are tasteful almost to an extreme. One can usually guess what is going to happen before it does. Still, Wilson was the master of this style and his playing is as pleasing as ever. ~Scott Yanow

The Noble Art Of Teddy Wilson

Lee Ritenour - Wes Bound

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:36
Size: 113.6 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz, Crossover jazz
Year: 1993/1999/2012
Art: Front

[5:50] 1. Wes Bound
[4:44] 2. Boss City
[6:03] 3. 4 On 6
[4:25] 4. A Little Bumpin'
[5:07] 5. Waiting In Vain
[4:32] 6. Goin' On To Detroit
[5:27] 7. A New Day
[4:12] 8. Ocean Ave
[4:43] 9. Road Song
[4:29] 10. West Coast Blues

Lee Ritenour, a superior studio guitarist, has recorded very few jazz albums throughout his career, preferring to play melodic pop and light funk. On the rare occasions when he has had an urge to perform jazz, Ritenour has been more than happy to show off the influence of Wes Montgomery; therefore, this tribute is a logical move, even if the results are not all that exciting. Ritenour mostly plays pieces from the later (and more commercial) half of Montgomery's career, along with four of his own originals that are sort of in the tradition. He also hedges his bet a little by throwing in a Bob Marley reggae tune. For jazz listeners who wish to sample some Lee Ritenour, this is one of his better recordings, but why purchase Wes Bound when there are so many more significant Wes Montgomery albums currently in print? ~Scott Yanow

Wes Bound

Nancy LaMott - What's Good About Goodbye?

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:07
Size: 85,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:01)  1. Too Late Now
(2:22)  2. If I Loved You
(5:11)  3. What's Good About Goodbye?/The Promise
(3:23)  4. Alone Together
(4:19)  5. Something You Never Had Before
(3:10)  6. What a Funny Boy He Is
(3:45)  7. Downtown
(3:04)  8. Don't Get Around Much Anymore
(3:43)  9. Your Love
(3:33) 10. We Live on Borrowed Time

The music of the late pop vocalist Nancy Lamott is recalled in this posthumously-compiled collection of studio recordings, demos and unreleased songs. Included are "Too Late Now," "The Promise," "Another Mr. Right," "Your Love," "We Live on Borrowed Time" and the title cut. ~ Jason Ankeny  http://www.allmusic.com/album/whats-good-about-goodbye-mw0000090236

Personnel: Nancy LaMott (vocals); Stephen Erdody (cello); Lawrence Feldman (tenor saxophone); David Friedman, Christopher Marlowe (piano); Jay Leonhart (double bass).

The Dutch Jazz Orchestra - Something To Live For: The Music Of Billy Strayhorn

Styles: Jazz, Big Band
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:54
Size: 117,3 MB
Art: Front

(1:41)  1. Fantastic Rhythm
(3:14)  2. A Penthouse on Shady Avenue
(3:42)  3. Let Nature Take its Course
(5:08)  4. Something to Live For
(2:05)  5. Everything Is Copasetic!
(5:00)  6. Day Dream
(3:35)  7. Hip
(4:18)  8. Blue House
(1:13)  9. Sprite Music
(2:16) 10. The Flowers Die of Love
(1:36) 11. Love, Love
(3:56) 12. Hipper-Bug
(5:20) 13. Pretty Girl
(4:24) 14. Chelsea Bridge
(3:20) 15. On the Wrong Side of the Rail Road Tracks

The fourth in the Dutch Jazz Orchestra’s series of albums devoted to songs composed and/or arranged by Billy Strayhorn focuses primarily on music written by Strayhorn for the theatre, beginning with the few surviving pieces from the concise show Fantastic Rhythm, produced around 1935, shortly after Strayhorn was graduated from high school. Also included are four songs written in 1953 for a surrealist play by Federico García Lorca, The Love of Don Perlimplim for Belisa in Their Garden, three of which  “Sprite Music,” “Love, Love,” “The Flowers Die of Love” were previously unrecorded. The fourth, “Wounded Love,” was introduced by the DJO on the first album in this series, Portrait of a Silk Thread. Strayhorn wrote “Everything Is Copasetic!” [sic] in 1962 for one of the annual shows presented by the Copasetics, a group of professional tap-dancers that he supervised, and “Wrong Side of the Railroad Tracks” for another show, Beggar’s Holiday. The other pieces, all of which were written for the Duke Ellington Orchestra, include the well-known “Chelsea Bridge” and “Pretty Girl,” presented in their unabridged form, the restful “Day Dream,” and world premieres of “Hipper-Bug,” “Blue House,” “Hip” and the 1942 arrangement of “Something to Live For,” featuring tenor saxophonist Toon Roos.

As on the other albums in the series, the DJO is letter-perfect, transcribing Strayhorn’s music with remarkable empathy and awareness. Soloists are excellent, with pianist Rob van Bavel showcased on “Fantastic Rhythm” and “Sprite Music” (both unaccompanied), clarinetist John Ruocco on “Everything Is Copasetic!,” trumpeter Mike Booth on “Hip,” alto saxophonist Albert Beltman on “Pretty Girl.” Roos is heard again with trombonist Martijn Sohier on “Blue House,” flugel Ack van Rooyen on “Hipper-Bug,” trombonist Hansjörg Fink and baritone Nils van Haften on “Chelsea Bridge.” There are half a dozen vocals by marvelous Marjorie Barnes, the best singer I’ve heard with any band in recent memory, and she’s outstanding on every one of them. Fans of good music in general and jazz in particular are indebted to musicologist and Strayhorn scholar Walter van de Leur for painstakingly canvassing the composer’s voluminous library to uncover so many wonderful treasures and to the Dutch Jazz Orchestra and conductor Jerry van Rooyen for making them available in such handsomely recorded new versions. ~ Jack Bowers  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/something-to-live-for-the-music-of-billy-strayhorn-challenge-records-review-by-jack-bowers.php

Personnel: Jerry van Rooyen, leader; Ack van Rooyen, trumpet, flugelhorn; Jan Oosthof, Ruud Breuls, Peter van Soest, Erik Veldkamp, Mike Booth, trumpet; Martijn Sohier, Ilja Reijngoud, Hansj

Kenny Burrell - Jazz For A Lazy Day

Styles: Guitar Jazz
Year: 2015
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 76:47
Size: 176,6 MB
Art: Front

(5:46)  1. D.B.Blues
(5:47)  2. Blues for Skeeter
(4:38)  3. Phinupi
(5:43)  4. Autumn in New York
(4:58)  5. Delilah
(4:38)  6. K.B.Blues
(3:46)  7. But Not for Me
(5:20)  8. Fugue 'N Blues
(3:10)  9. Why Was I Born?
(5:49) 10. Now See How You Are
(5:20) 11. Boo - Lu
(4:40) 12. Weaver of Dreams
(4:38) 13. Cheetah
(7:17) 14. Freight Trane
(5:09) 15. My Heart Stood Still

One of the leading exponents of straight-ahead jazz guitar, Kenny Burrell is a highly influential artist whose understated and melodic style, grounded in bebop and blues, made him in an in-demand sideman from the mid-'50s onward and a standard by which many jazz guitarists gauge themselves to this day. Born in Detroit in 1931, Burrell grew up in a musical family in which his mother played piano and sang in the Second Baptist Church choir and his father favored the banjo and ukulele. Burrell began playing guitar at age 12 and quickly fell under the influence of such artists as Charlie Christian, Django Reinhardt, Oscar Moore, T-Bone Walker, and Muddy Waters. Surrounded by the vibrant jazz and blues scene of Detroit, Burrell began to play gigs around town and counted among his friends and bandmates pianist Tommy Flanagan, saxophonists Pepper Adams and Yusef Lateef, drummer Elvin Jones, and others.

In 1951, Burrell made his recording debut on a combo session that featured trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie as well as saxophonist John Coltrane, vibraphonist Milt Jackson, and bassist Percy Heath. Although his talent ranked among the best of the professional jazz players at the time, Burrell continued to study privately with renowned classical guitarist Joe Fava and enrolled in the music program at Wayne State University. Upon graduating in 1955 with a B.A. in music composition and theory, Burrell was hired for a six-month stint touring with pianist Oscar Peterson's trio. Then, in 1956, Burrell and Flanagan moved to New York City and immediately became two of the most sought-after sidemen in town, performing on gigs with such luminaries as singers Tony Bennett and Lena Horne, playing in Broadway pit orchestras, as well as recording with an array of legendary musicians including Coltrane, trumpeter Kenny Dorham, organist Jimmy Smith, vocalist Billie Holiday, and many others. Burrell made his recorded debut as a leader on the 1956 Blue Note session Introducing Kenny Burrell technically his second session for the label, but the first to see release. From the late '50s onward, Burrell continued to record by himself and with others, and has appeared on countless albums over the years including such notable albums as 1957's The Cats featuring Coltrane, 1963's Midnight Blue featuring saxophonist Stanley Turrentine, 1965's Guitar Forms with arrangements by Gil Evans, and 1968's Blues The Common Ground.

Beginning in 1971, Burrell started leading various college seminars including the first regular course to be held in the United States on the music of composer, pianist, and bandleader Duke Ellington. He continued performing, recording, and teaching throughout the '80s and '90s, releasing several albums including 1989's Guiding Spirit, 1991's Sunup to Sundown, 1994's Collaboration with pianist LaMont Johnson, 1995's Primal Blue, and 1998's church music-inspired Love Is the Answer. In 2001, Burrell released the relaxed quartet date A Lucky So and So on Concord and followed it up in 2003 with Blue Muse. He celebrated turning 75 years old in 2006 by recording a live date, released a year later as 75th Birthday Bash Live! In 2010, Burrell released the live album, Be Yourself: Live at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, recorded at Lincoln Center's smaller club-like venue, followed two years later by Special Requests (And Other Favorites): Live at Catalina's. Besides continuing to perform, Burrell is the founder and director of the Jazz Studies Program at UCLA as well as President Emeritus of the Jazz Heritage Foundation. ~ Matt Collar & Al Campbell, Rovi  https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/kenny-burrell/id119995#fullText

Hank Jones - Solo 1976 A Tribute To Duke Ellington

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:47
Size: 103,1 MB
Art: Front

(3:30)  1. Just Squeeze Me
(2:32)  2. In A Sentimental Mood
(3:37)  3. Satin Doll
(3:58)  4. Prelude To A Kiss
(3:39)  5. What Am I Here For?
(3:39)  6. Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me
(2:36)  7. Sophisticated Lady
(3:14)  8. Oh Look At Me Now
(3:29)  9. Alone Together
(2:54) 10. Don't Blame Me
(2:29) 11. Gone with The Wind
(2:35) 12. My Heart Stood Still
(2:52) 13. If I Had You
(3:38) 14. The Very Thought Of You

The oldest of the Jones brothers, Hank Jones has been a supreme accompanist and underrated soloist. He's among the most accomplished sight readers in jazz, and his flexibility and sensitive style have kept him extremely busy cutting sessions and working in various groups and styles ranging from swing to bebop. He's worked with vocalists, played in big bands and done many solo, trio, and combo dates.

Born in 1918 in Vicksburg, Mississippi, Jones moved with his family to the Detroit area while still a child, and studied piano early, listening carefully to Art Tatum, Teddy Wilson, Earl Hines, and Fats Waller. He began playing in the midwest at age 13, and worked in territory bands. Jones met Lucky Thompson in one of these groups, and Thompson invited him to New York in 1944 to work with Hot Lips Page at the Onyx Club. Jones worked for a while with John Kirby, Howard McGhee, Coleman Hawkins, Andy Kirk, and Billy Eckstine, then began touring in 1947. He worked with Jazz at the Philharmonic, then accompanied Ella Fitzgerald from 1948 to 1953. Jones also cut many sessions for Norman Granz's labels in the late '40s and early '50s, many with Charlie Parker. He worked and recorded in the '50s with Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman, Lester Young, Milt Jackson, and Cannonball Adderley before joining CBS' staff in 1959. He worked on such programs as The Ed Sullivan Show and stayed with CBS until they disbanded the staff in 1976. He recorded several sessions with Savoy in the mid- and late '50s, playing with Donald Byrd, Herbie Mann, Wendell Marshall, and Kenny Clarke, among others. He also recorded solo and quartet dates for Epic. His quartet with Osie Johnson, Barry Galbraith, and Milt Hinton became one of New York's busiest during the early '60s, sometimes doing three dates a day. 

They cut albums for Capitol and ABC in 1958, though Galbraith missed the ABC sessions. Jones continued recording at Capitol, Argo, and Impulse in the early '60s, at times working with his brother Elvin. He made a host of recordings in the '70s. There were solo dates for Trio and Galaxy, and trio sessions for Interface and Concord, among others in the '70s. There were duo dates with Flanagan for Verve and Galaxy in the late '70s. Jones served as pianist and conductor for the Broadway musical Ain't Misbehavin in the late '70s. He also played in the Great Jazz Trio, originally with Ron Carter and Tony Williams. (Buster Williams replaced Carter on the trio's first recording date.) Jones continued with the trio into the '80s, though Eddie Gomez and Al Foster later became his mates, and Jimmy Cobb replaced Foster in 1982. The trio also backed Art Farmer, Benny Golson, and Nancy Wilson. Jones was the resident pianist at the Cafe Ziegfeld in the early '80s, and toured Japan with George Duvivier and Sonny Stitt. He kept his recording blitz going into the digital era. In 1989, he was named a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master. In 2004, he was awarded as an ASCAP Jazz Living Legend; five years later, he received a National Medal of Arts; and in 2009, Jones earned a Lifetime Achievement award at the Grammys. One year later, he died in the Bronx while in hospice, just a few weeks after returning from performance dates in Japan. Bio ~ https://itunes.apple.com/jp/artist/hank-jones/id121180?l=en

Friday, March 20, 2015

Mary Stallings & Cal Tjader - Rare Retro Sounds

Size: 80,5 MB
Time: 34:21
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. I'm Beginning To See The Light (3:04)
02. Why Don't You Do It Right (2:33)
03. Just Squeeze Me 8 But Don't Tease Me (2:34)
04. It Ain't Necessarily So (2:26)
05. I Didn't Know About You (3:46)
06. Honeysuckle Rose (2:06)
07. I'm Just A Lucky So And So (2:27)
08. Ain't Misbehavin' (3:05)
09. Mr. Blues (2:37)
10. Goodbye (2:37)
11. Mighty Rumblin' Blues (3:45)
12. God Bless The Child (3:15)

Greatly influenced by Carmen McRae, San Francisco native Mary Stallings is a passionate, robust singer who isn't nearly as well known as she should be. The niece of saxman Orlando Stallings, she started singing as a child and sang jazz in Bay Area clubs during her teenage years, when she performed with Louis Jordan & His Tympani 5 and shared the stage with such greats as Wes Montgomery and Ben Webster. One of Stallings' admirers was vibist Cal Tjader, whom she teamed up with in 1961 for Cal Tjader Plays, Mary Stallings Sings on Fantasy. But regrettably, albums by Stallings were few and far between. After stints with Dizzy Gillespie and Billy Eckstine in the 1960s, Stallings toured with the Count Basie Orchestra as a featured vocalist from 1969-1972. The singer was still in Basie's employ when, in 1971, she gave birth to her only child, R&B singer Adriana Evans (whose self-titled debut album on RCA was among the finest R&B releases of 1997). Pharoah Sanders became Evans' godfather, and Stallings went into semi-retirement from music to stay home and raise her daughter. Though she performed occasionally when Adriana was growing up, it wasn't until the late '80s that Stallings seriously resumed her career. She made a long overdue return to record stores with Clarity Recordings' 1990 audiophile release Fine and Mellow, and in 1994 Stallings signed with Concord Jazz and recorded I Waited for You. Some equally memorable Concord dates followed (including Spectrum in 1995 and Manhattan Moods in 1996), and Stallings' admirers were glad to see her recording regularly after so many years of obscurity. She was back on Clarity in 1998 for Trust Your Heart and returned in 2001 with the concert album Live at the Village Vanguard on MAXJAZZ. She then teamed with pianist Geri Allen for the 2005 Half Note release Remember Love. In 2010, Stallings delivered Dream on Highnote, featuring pianist Eric Reed, who also produced the album. ~by Alex Henderson

Rare Retro Sounds