Claudia Burson - My Foolish Heart

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:04
Size: 116.9 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2004
Art: Front

[4:27] 1. Black Narcissus
[7:46] 2. Softly As In The Morning Sunrise
[7:20] 3. Little Sunflower
[9:05] 4. My Foolish Heart
[7:02] 5. East Of The Sun
[4:51] 6. Tres Oquideas
[6:02] 7. Street Of Dreams
[4:27] 8. C-Jam Blues

From the first note on this recording it's apparent that Claudia Burson has heard and absorbed the music of the great jazz piano tradition. Her art, however, lies in the fact that althoughthe tradition permeates her music, (shades of Erroll Garner, Bill Evans and McCoy Tyner) Claudia has a unique and instantly recognizable voice. She is a stylist who can breathe new life into a standard, magically infusing her soulfulness and personality into the music.

Claudia's talent was nurtured from her youth. She grew up in Fayetteville, Ark. - the heartland of America - where the corners of Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas meet. Her interest in music was sparked early on, and she began playing piano at age eight. Classical lessons followed, along with encouragement from her uncle, Kermit Burson, who was a professional guitarist. Claudia's musical training continued through her school years, and upon entering college she studied classical piano with Beatriz Pilapil at the University of Arkansas. In 1976, Claudia enrolled at Berklee School of Music in Boston, followed by a fruitful period of performance in Houston, Texas, where she met and played with people like Don Wilkerson and Arnett Cobb to name a couple.

Since returning to Fayetteville in 1998, Claudia has gained a regional following through her many performances. This CD marks her long-awaited debut recording as a leader. The recording has the advantage of showcasing Claudia with her working rhythm section, Steve Wilkes on drums and Mike Johnson on bass. The extraordinary empathy among these musicians was earned through a regular Sunday brunch gig at the local bistro, Copeland's Famous New Orleans Restaurant, and through countless club dates, festivals, and a featured performance in the Walton Arts Center's Jazz Series. Add to this mix musical cohort and multi-reed player Larry Cangelosi, and you have the quality ingredients for this project. Enough said. Let your ears do the rest! ~ Robert Ginsburg

My Foolish Heart

---

Ivan Lins - Intimate

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:48
Size: 127.7 MB
Styles: Brazilian jazz
Year: 2010/2015
Art: Front

[4:31] 1. Tanto Amor (Feat Till Bronner)
[4:16] 2. Arrependimento (Feat Antonio Serrano)
[3:05] 3. Sou Eu
[4:17] 4. No Tomorrow-Acaso (Feat Trijntje Oosterhuis)
[2:53] 5. Nosso Acalando-That's Love (Feat Take 6)
[3:45] 6. Dandara ( Feat Abaqondisi Brothers)
[4:21] 7. Liegaste (Feat Alejandro Sanz & Leonardo Amuedo)
[3:57] 8. Riosun-E A Gente Assim Tao So (Feat Till Bronner)
[3:40] 9. Diadema (Feat Jorge Drexler & Frits Landesbergen)
[5:33] 10. Le Dernier Mot-Bilhete (Feat Laura Fygi & Antonio Serrano)
[3:47] 11. Tchau, Tristeza
[4:46] 12. Meu Espelho-Crystal Clear (Feat Jane Monheit)
[4:35] 13. A Cor Do Por-Do-Sol
[2:14] 14. Maos De Fada (Para Valeria)

van Lins is complete musician, distinguished for his refined harmonies and great arrangements. As the most recorded Brazilian living artist, the composer began playing piano at age eighteen, very influenced by the music he heard in his childhood in the United States, jazz and bossa nova.

His harmonic construction, quite unusual in Brazilian music, is one of the features that would make Ivan Lins become so respected among musicians around the world. He had many successes as a singer and composer as is the case of "Abre Alas", "Somos todos iguais esta noite”, "Começar de novo" (“The Island”), “Vitoriosa”, many of them created by the artistic duo Ivan Lins and Vitor Martins.

The political atmosphere decisively influenced his career in the 70´s and remains and important issue at his work till now. Ivan Lins has released numerous recordings, all over the Globe. Always reflecting contemporary issues , his work is renewed and always brings new musical values and ideals, without losing his originality. From the second half of the 80´s on, Ivan Lins emphasized his international career, especially in the U.S. where he was recorded by major artists such as Sarah Vaughan, Quincy Jones, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae, Barbra Streisand and many others. In Brazil, Ivan is constantly recorded by many of the great artists, such as Elis Regina, Simone, Gal Costa, Emilio Santiago, Djavan, Chico Buarque, among many others. In 1991, together with Vitor Martins, Ivan founded the record label Velas , an independent and national record company. His label promoted remarkable releases, revealing great new artists such as Guinga, Chico Cesar, Lenine and establishing names such as Edu Lobo, Fatima Guedes and Zizi Possi, among many others. Eclectic in her musical performance, Lins also composed soundtracks for films, besides several tracks and themes for novels and series.

Intimate

---

Emmy Rossum - Sentimental Journey

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:52
Size: 96,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:51)  1. Sentimental Journey
(3:26)  2. The Object of My Affection
(2:19)  3. I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover
(4:09)  4. These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You)
(3:24)  5. I'll Be with You in Apple Blossom Time
(3:13)  6. Summer Wind
(2:16)  7. Many Tears Ago
(3:16)  8. All I Do Is Dream of You
(3:18)  9. Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out
(4:20) 10. Autumn Leaves (Les Feuilles Mortes)
(3:04) 11. Things
(3:43) 12. Pretty Paper
(1:28) 13. Keep Young and Beautiful [bonus track]

Singer/actress Emmy Rossum is an opera-trained singer best known for her work in the Showtime series Shameless and the 2009 film version of the stage musical Phantom of the Opera. Her 2007 debut album, Inside Out, featured a handful of dreamy, atmospheric original songs that framed her vocals in a kind of glossy mix of adult contemporary and new age pop. The album was an ambitious way to kick off a music career and proved Rossum to be a talented singer with a bent toward left-of-center pop aesthetics. On her 2013 sophomore album, Sentimental Journey, Rossum takes a somewhat more traditional if no less ambitious approach and delivers a series of standards from the '20s through the '60s. Conceptualized around the idea of taking her listeners on a journey through a calendar year, each song was picked to relate the emotions or general feeling about its accorded month. Essentially, Rossum has crafted an old-timey album of American popular song that once again showcases her trained vocal chops and knack for relating a song's emotionally resonant meaning. Included are such songs as "I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover," "I'll Be with You in Apple Blossom Time," "Autumn Leaves," and others.

Though somewhat reverent in tone, Rossum does employ some stellar backing musicians here, including Giulio Carmassi who, aside from adding some roiling piano accompaniment, also plays various horns, vibes, and melodica. The result is that while Rossum's style lands firmly in a cabaret, Broadway mold, the album has a looser, jazzier feel than one might expect from someone raised on opera and musical theater. ~ Matt Collar  http://www.allmusic.com/album/sentimental-journey-mw0002462356

Personnel: Emmy Rossum (vocals, background vocals); Joe Corcoran (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, banjo, percussion); Nikki Garcia (violin); Cameron Stone (cello); Giulio Carmassi (melodica, horns, piano, organ, vibraphone); Stuart Brawley (melodica, organ, percussion, bells); Matt Mayhall (drums, percussion).

Sentimental Journey

---

Tommy Emmanuel, Martin Taylor - The Colonel & The Governor

Styles: Crossover Jazz, Guitar Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:54
Size: 139,7 MB
Art: Front

(5:08)  1. I Won't Last A Day Without You
(3:53)  2. Jersey Bounce
(3:25)  3. Bernie's Tune
(5:26)  4. A Smooth One
(4:25)  5. True
(3:27)  6. Heat Wave
(3:53)  7. One Day
(5:02)  8. Lullaby Of Birdland
(5:18)  9. The Nearness Of You
(5:19) 10. Down At Cocomo's
(4:41) 11. The Fair Haired Child
(4:07) 12. Secret Love
(3:24) 13. Wonderful Baby
(3:20) 14. I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free

There's an implicit sense of mutual admiration behind the titling of this album collaboration between two of the world's gifted and certainly most decorated fingerpicking guitarists. Named in relation to Emmanuel's status as an honorary Kentucky Colonel and Taylor's lettered English roots, The Colonel & The Governor is primarily a collection of the duo's favorite jazz standards and pop classics, delivered in a way that betrays not only their shared virtuosity, but also their sense of playfulness. In the immediate years leading up to this release, while Emmanuel's studio output has been relatively sparse bar the impressive 2010 solo album Little by Little and the 2011 John Fahey nod that was All I Want For Christmas Taylor has been more prolific, collaborating with such jazz luminaries as Frank Vignola and Alan Barnes.

Although Emmanuel and Taylor are both notoriously comfortable in the art of genre-hopping, it's Taylor's gentle Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli-influenced jazz heredity that forms the basis of this set. So even though we're occasionally given brief glimpses of Emmanuel's accomplished folk and country leanings mainly through his tasteful rhythm-cum-lead playing it's clear that jazz is the order of the day on this release. When the duo run through "Jersey Bounce" a '40s swing hit for Benny Goodman and the jazz standard "Bernie's Tune," it's equally clear that Emmanuel is more than at home in this territory. Among the pop material on display here is the duo's inventive take on the early '60s Kathy Kirby hit "Secret Love." Built around Emmanuel's singular use of harmonics, it's a clear highlight of the disc. Elsewhere, Taylor contributes two original compositions to the album in the form of the tender ballad "True," and the addictive, Caribbean-influenced "Down at Cocomo's." More than anything it's the duo's sheer enthusiasm for guitar playing that resonates across this release, and although their audible nods of approval to each other's contributions can occasionally be distracting, this is an album that should impress any listener with guitar virtuosity high on their agenda. ~ James Wilkinson  http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-colonel-the-governor-mw0002491058

The Colonel & The Governor

---

Carol Saboya & Nelson Faria - Interpretam Canções De Antonio Carlos Jobim

Styles: Brazilian Bossa Nova
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:44
Size: 103,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:41)  1. Meninos, eu Vi
(3:44)  2. Ana Luiza
(3:18)  3. Estrada do Sol
(3:32)  4. Chansong
(2:29)  5. Canção em Modo Menor
(3:25)  6. Caminhos Cruzados
(2:25)  7. Fotografia
(3:45)  8. Estrada Branca
(2:15)  9. Foi a Noite
(3:32) 10. Bonita
(2:53) 11. Sem Você
(3:59) 12. Janelas Abertas
(3:18) 13. Espelho das Águas
(2:22) 14. Chora Coração

Having released three solo CDs, the first of which was the winner of a Sharp prize, Carol Saboya has also considerable international experience for her age, having performed in New York, Miami, and New Orleans (U.S.). In Brazil, she has participated in a number of important projects like the Homenagem a Braguinha (with Zé Renato), Novos Cariocas (with Daniel Gonzaga, and Bernardo Lobo), 40 Anos de Bossa Nova (with Roberto Menescal and Os Cariocas) and Homenagem a Cartola, (with Paulinho Moska, Nelson Sargento, Dona Zica, Dona Neuma, Delegado, Arranco de Varsóvia, Beth Carvalho, and Emílio Santiago).

The daughter of pianist/composer Antônio Adolfo, she released a single at age eight, shared with Mièle. As a child, she also participated in recording choirs for artists like Erasmo Carlos and Ângela Rô Rô. In 1989, she moved to Los Angeles, U.S., where she participated in Sérgio Mendes' Brasileiro, Grammy winner in the World music category. She participated in Aldir Blanc 50 Anos singing "Carta de Pedra" (Guinga/Aldir Blanc). She has also been participating in Antônio Adolfo's albums and, due to his work at the Brazilian section of IAJE, Saboya performed at the international meeting of the jazz schools in New Orleans. Her first solo album, Dança Da Voz (1997), won the Sharp prize in the category Revelação MPB. In 1999, she recorded an album with guitarist Nelson Faria which was dedicated to Tom Jobim's compositions, Janelas Abertas. The two of them were also released in Japan. In 2000, she released Sessão Passatempo. ~ Bio  https://itunes.apple.com/ca/artist/carol-saboya/id180101894#fullText

Interpretam Canções De Antonio Carlos Jobim

---

The Western Swing Authority - Now Playing

Styles: Country
Year: 2015
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:19
Size: 88,6 MB
Art: Front

(2:32)  1. Sweet Harriet
(3:16)  2. One of Us Is Lying
(2:21)  3. Swing Thing
(3:37)  4. Livin’ a Dream
(2:40)  5. Miss Molly
(2:26)  6. Old Dance Floor
(3:34)  7. Slow Boat To China
(3:58)  8. Rocket To the Moon
(2:01)  9. Bapadoodle
(2:55) 10. Cowtown Queen
(4:03) 11. Swingtime Lullaby
(4:51) 12. The Last Waltz

Call it truth in advertising. The Western Swing Authority do, in fact, play western swing, and they do so with real authority. Comprising seven seasoned session and touring players, they have earned multiple CCMA and Juno nominations (they won a CCMA last year as Roots Group of the Year) and Stateside accolades for the authenticity of their sound. They're managed by biz veteran Randy Stark, and it's nice to see they've now signed to eOne for their new (third) album, Now Playing. Most of the tunes here are group originals, with fiddler/singer Shane Guse a key contributor. Notable outside co-writers include Jason McCoy and Jason Blaine, while they serve up a fine version of Colin James' "Rocket To The Moon". Lead vocalist Stacey Lee Guse has just the right clarity in her voice for this genre, and co-producer and engineer Jason Barry does a fine job of balancing the components. A retro treat. The WSA recently played at the Ameripolitan Music Awards in Austin. Check their site for upcoming gigs. http://www.newcanadianmusic.ca/releases/n/now-playing/the-western-swing-authority/2015-03-03

Now Playing

---

The Kenny Drew Trio - Your Soft Eyes

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1982
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:32
Size: 93,1 MB
Art: Front

(3:55)  1. Forgotten But Not Gone
(9:55)  2. Alone Together
(5:11)  3. Your Soft Eyes
(5:22)  4. Evening In The Park
(7:40)  5. How Are Things In Glocca Morra?
(8:27)  6. Mads' Blues

Pianist Kenny Drew is accompanied by fellow expatriate drummer Ed Thigpen and the talented young bassist Mads Vinding on these 1981 sessions. The leader continued to grow as a player during his years living in Europe, evolving from a strong bop pianist into something more. He opens "Alone Together" with a tense, evocative solo before returning to familiar territory as the rhythm section joins him. His sprightly, brisk take of "How Are Things in Glocca Mora" is a nice change from the usual arrangements, with Vinding's walking bass prominent in the mix. 

The leader's two originals include the snappy "Evening in the Park" and the lush, intimate ballad "Your Soft Eyes." This rewarding CD seems to have been deleted from Soul Note's catalog, so it is well worth tracking down. ~ Ken Dryden  http://www.allmusic.com/album/your-soft-eyes-mw0000191760

Personnel: Kenny Drew (piano); Mats Vinding (bass); Ed Thigpen (drums).

Your Soft Eyes

---

Thierry Crommen - La Nouvelle Donne

Styles: Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:24
Size: 99,7 MB
Art: Front

(4:00)  1. Paris Tagine
(4:23)  2. Angel or Devil
(5:36)  3. Rouge Du Soir
(3:53)  4. Téo's Garden
(4:38)  5. La Nouvelle Donne
(3:23)  6. L'Hymne À L'Amour
(4:30)  7. C'Était Écrit
(6:10)  8. Rue Francval
(3:58)  9. Song In The Key Of 'K'
(2:48) 10. Un Air Qui Passe

Thierry Crommen is a diatonic and chromatic player from Belgium who is well known as a sideman to famous French pop stars. He has released several albums of more personal projects, with guitarist Jacques Stotzem in particular, but La Nouvelle Donne is his first solo release. Although there are many guest musicians here, the core of the instrumentation is Chris de Pauw on acoustic guitar, Erno on keyboards and Thierry himself on harmonica. La Nouvelle Donne (The New Deal) is an album of mostly instrumental tracks, and it veers heavily towards the romantic. The compositions are ambitious and often have a certain grandeur to them although the influences are many, from the North African feel of “Paris Tagine” to the French musette of “Un air qui passe”. 

Thierry Crommen is a fluent overblower, on diatonic so his choice of instrument is rarely dictated by the complexity of the themes but rather by the feel he is trying to evoke. And it works really well: his tone is masterful and sensitive on both instruments, his playing is spot on in accuracy and phrasing, and his improvisations are well led and inventive. As an added bonus, although the harmonica is undoubtedly the solo instrument here, the flair and feel of the sidemen are also outstanding, heard both in the clever support and the rare but often superb improvisations. Supposing you like both romantic jazzy music and heartfelt harmonica playing, La Nouvelle Donne is a great way to discover Thierry Crommen’s world. https://homerecordsbe.bandcamp.com/album/la-nouvelle-donne

Personnel:  Thierry Crommen - Harmonica, piano, saxophone; Chris De Pauw – Guitars; Erno - Piano

Guests: Marc Descamps – Drums; Jacques-Ivan Duchesne – Accordion; Thierry Fanfant - Double bass, electric bass; Jean-Pierre Froidebise - Goulot de bouteille; François Garny - Bass fretless; Ezequiel Paz – Voice; Philmarie – Voice; Patrick Steenaerts – Guitars; Jack Thysen - Bass fretless

La Nouvelle Donne

---

Bob Kindred & Larry Willis - Gentle Giant Of The Tenor Sax

Size: 151,1 MB

Time: 65:12

File: MP3 @ 320K/s

Released: 2010

Styles: Jazz: Mainstream Jazz

Art: Front

01. Juicy Lucy ( 6:00)

02. Warm Valley ( 9:43)

03. Ethiopia (10:01)

04. We See ( 6:42)

05. Blood Count ( 7:27)

06. Blue Moon ( 5:25)

07. The Things We Did Last Summer ( 9:42)

08. Anouman (10:09)

Bob Kindred traveled to the bucolic surroundings of Mapleshade's recording studio in rural Maryland to team with pianist Larry Willis for a session of more than 60 minutes' worth of "gentle" but not outdated jazz performances. In some respects Kindred is a throwback to Ben Webster and the tender side of Stan Getz. His playing recalls that distinctive rasping timbre and excellent rhythmic momentum that characterized Webster, especially in his later years. But Kindred also shows that he is not unfamiliar with the modern jazz idiom as he interpolates dissonant avant-garde improvisations throughout, such as on of Django Reinhardt's "Anouman" while still managing to retain that Webster breathy sax sound. But it's the sheer beauty of Kindred's tone and his consummate lyricism that will catch the ear of most listeners. His warm, full-bodied rendition of "The Things We Did Last Summer" is a throwback to the days when melody was important. No matter how many times it was improvised upon, saxophone players like Webster, Getz, Young and Hawkins always returned to the melody, the heart of the song. There's a feeling of deja vu as the opening measures of Billy Strayhorn's "Blood Count" slither from the speakers. Kindred's tenor takes on the sensuous, earthy sound of Johnny Hodges' alto, a sound he retains through most of this cut. Kindred's fingers deftly flit over the keys of his tenor on Horace Silver's "Juicy Lucy" slipping in modern jazz ideas in between measures of soul jazz. Very innovative and quite singular.

Regular Mapleshade and top jazz pianist Larry Willis, is the sole playing chaperon for Kindred on this set. He becomes Kindred's alter ego on such tunes as "Blue Moon" where Willis' jagged comping sets off Kindred's in depth exploration of this classic warhorse. His pensive pianism is highlighted by a lengthy solo on "Warm Valley". He also contributed his "Ethiopia" to the play list. This album perfects the merging of the styles of earlier saxophone greats with modern jazz ideas and is highly recommended.

Personnel: Bob Kindred - Tenor Sax; Larry Willis - Piano

Gentle Giant Of The Tenor Sax

---

Christina Gustafsson - My Move / The Law Of The Lady

Album: My Move
Size: 102,1 MB
Time: 44:00
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2009
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Your Smiling Face (3:10)
02. Take A Fall (5:06)
03. My Move (4:12)
04. Cotton Club Parade - I've Got The World On A String - I've Got The World On A String (2:57)
05. Standing Where The Changes Begin (4:59)
06. Winter Has Gone (4:27)
07. Modern Times - Smile (2:55)
08. South Pacific - Happy Talk (1:03)
09. Stormy Weather (5:15)
10. In The Light Of New York (4:49)
11. Smiling Hour (5:03)

Christina Gustafsson released her second album ‘My Move’ (Prophone) in April 2009. Half of the tunes on this CD are written by herself with lyrics by Cecilia Åse, Helena Davidsson and Stefan Danielsson. Her songs are rooted in jazz with influences from the American singer/songwriter tradition. The rest of the songs on the CD are Christina’s own arrangements of jazz standard favorites and the James Taylor’s hit Your Smiling Face. Co-producer is Pål Svenre, a well established name in Swedish popular music. Together with her musicians, the same musicians as on the debut album, Christina has established a personal sound which puts her in the top of Swedish successful jazz singers.

Christina released her debut album ‘Moments Free’ (Prophone) in 2007, an album that received great reviews by the critics. All music on the record is written by Christina with the exception ”Daydream” written by John Sebastian. On her debut album she has brought some of the most established musicians in Sweden. The guitar players Max Schultz and Erik Söderlind complete each other with great sensitivity and represents a major part of the albums character. Together with Calle Rasmusson (drums) and Martin Höper (bass) they performs the songs with great sense of style and there is place for both blues and a more lyrical approach. Pianist Daniel Karlsson appears on four of the tracks and adds his incredible energy and an never ending well of imagination. Christina produced this album together with Magnus Lindgren.

1994-1996 Christina lived in New York and studied at the Mannes College of Music. Here, she formed her first jazz quartet that played in clubs in Manhattan. Of the Swedish musicians Christina met in New York moved some of them to Sweden about the same time and with Karl-Martin Almqvist, Mattias Landaeus, Sebastian Voegler and Mattias Welin Christina formed in 1996 a Swedish quintet. The band played on jazz clubs in Sweden parallel with Christina’s studies to become a singing and improvisation teacher at the Academy of Music in Stockholm between 1996-99.

My Move

---

Album: The Law Of The Lady
Size: 117,5 MB
Time: 50:38
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2012
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front & Back

01. You Make It (4:54)
02. Breathing, Air And Such (6:09)
03. The Law Of The Lady (4:01)
04. Close To Here (5:42)
05. It Might As Well Be Spring (5:54)
06. Love You Too - My Own Way Out (4:42)
07. Sometimes (5:40)
08. Hours Passing By (4:35)
09. Love You Too (5:27)
10. I Need Someone (3:30)

This has nothing to do with the transition to democracy in Burma; instead, it's Swedish jazz singer Christina Gustafsson's third attempt at emerging from under the shadow cast by her much better-known sister, Rigmor. Sadly, it's unlikely to make much of a dent internationally.

The principal fault lies in drummer Calle Rasmusson's production; there is far too much of it. Rasmusson has assembled some extremely talented musicians, including two gifted guitarists, Erik Söderlind and Max Schultz, award-winning flautist Magnus Lindgren and pianist Adam Forkelid. They provide some memorable moments, but nothing ever really gels as a whole, the music remaining "on the page," bereft of spontaneity and feeling.

A pity, because Gustafsson has obviously made a big effort. She talks of pursuing a vision and wrote the music for eight of these ten songs, although, as on previous outings, the lyrics are credited to others—primarily, in this case, to Stefan Danielsson.

Sometimes Danielsson has problems with his English. On "Close To Here," he makes a valiant but doomed bid to rhyme magic wand with wonderland, while "Love You Too" comes up with a somewhat baffling proposition: "You seem to be waking an ongoing dream to ease the pressure on your self-esteem." However, fair's fair; there are fewer linguistic faux pas than on Gustafsson's two previous albums.

"The Law Of The Lady" is quite interesting: a catchy love song in which the female protagonist starts out in pliable, even narcissistic mode, Gustaffson singing "I am the sweetest thing that you will ever know," before changing tack and coming on like a veritable dominatrix with "I'll lay down what you do, I'll lay down what you want."

There is one golden oldie. This is Rodgers and Hammerstein's "It Might As Well Be Spring," from the 1945 movie State Fair. It's a regular part of Gustafsson's live act with her trio, but here the singer is upstaged by Lindgren's superb solo.

Vocally, Gustafsson is at her best and most self-assured on guitarist Söderlind's "My Own Way Out," a meditation on the end of a love affair with excellent lyrics by Danielsson.

Johan Setterlind's trumpet gives a lift to the '70s-ish "Hours Passing By," but no one can do much to save the closer, the nondescript, simpering ballad "I Need Someone," dominated by heavy-handed and wisely unaccredited piano.

Here and there light gets through, providing a glimpse of what might have been. Perhaps more will emerge next time around.

Personnel: Christina Gustafsson: vocals. Adam Forkelid, Daniel Karlsson: piano; Magnus Lindgren: flute; Erik Söderlind, Max Schultz: guitar; Johan Setterlind, Patrik Skogh: trumpet; Karin Hammar, Lisa Bodelius: trombone; Eva-Tea Lundberg: French horn; Fredrik Jonsson, Kristian Lind: bass; Calle Rasmusson: drums; Sebastian Notini: percussion.

The Law Of The Lady

---

Susana Sawoff - Bathtub Rituals

Size: 100,4 MB
Time: 40:19
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

01. The First Time I Knew (Feat. Helgi Jonsson) (4:10)
02. Oh Anthony! (Feat. Helgi Jonsson) (4:13)
03. A Jigsaw Puzzle On Our Love (4:12)
04. Salt (Bathtub Rituals) (Feat. Helgi Jonsson) (3:54)
05. How Happy We Are (4:20)
06. I Love Us (3:30)
07. Hold Me Through (Feat. Helgi Jonsson) (3:50)
08. After Winter Might Come Fall (Feat. Helgi Jonsson) (4:31)
09. Birds Of Prey (3:22)
10. I Can't Wait To Be Old (Feat. Helgi Jonsson) (4:11)

Listening to Susana's Album "Bathtub Rituals" is a bit like a musical Join-The-Dots. Eventually the whole picture emerges- and a rather beautiful picture it is. A unique journey to embark on with one trusted travelling companion, Susana's voice: soothing, warm, engulfing, sometimes melancholic but always by your side. The Songs can be described as a blueprint of Susana's microcosm. Its finely chiselled lyrics put the focus on the little things and act as a very personal looking glass on life. This magnification transforms Susana's microcosm into everyone's macrocosm for the length of the album, possibly a lot longer. Sparsely instrumented with only a classic Jazz-Trio setup (piano, bass, drums) and icelandic Guest Musician Helgi Jonsson, the songs achieve greatness through reduction, simmering down to the core of the story. A rare moment of clarity in this over-informed world. A musical calligraphy, if you will. Join the dots.

Susana Sawoff is a Singer and Pianist from Austria who performs throughout Europe with her Austrian-acclaimed colleagues Christian Wendt (Bass&Vocals) and Jörg Haberl (Drums&Vocals). Susana Sawoff has been nominated three times for Austria’s biggest Music-Award, the "Amadeus". She has performed amongst others at: Bix Jazzclub/ Stuttgart, European Jazznights/ Oslo, International Jazzfestival Murszene/ Graz, Opus Jazz Club/ Budapest, Porgy&Bess/ Wien, United Island Festival/ Prag, Jazzkaar Festival/ Estonia, Kaunas Jazz/ Lithuania, JazzGAP/Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Women in Jazz Festival/Halle and at the prestigious "Ö1 Stage" at the "Danube Island Festival". Her Solo Debut Album, Wrapped up in a little Sigh, was sold out and is now in its 3nd Edition.

Bathtub Rituals

---

Rodney Stepp & The Steppin' Out Band - Second Chance (Feat. Steve Cooper)

Size: 115,6 MB
Time: 49:50
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz: Smooth Jazz, Fusion
Art: Front

01. Steppin' Out (Feat. Steve Cooper, Staci McCrackin & Skypp) (4:14)
02. Genesis (Feat. Steve Cooper) (4:20)
03. Second Chance (Feat. Steve Cooper) (5:15)
04. Funk Funk (Feat. Steve Cooper) (4:37)
05. Trix (Feat. Steve Cooper) (5:31)
06. Into My Life (Feat. Steve Cooper) (4:05)
07. Three Way (Feat. Steve Cooper) (4:44)
08. Sheena's Song (Feat. Steve Cooper) (4:03)
09. All Synth (Feat. Steve Cooper) (5:00)
10. Imma B Alright (Feat. Steve Cooper) (3:39)
11. Steppin' Out (Rap Mix) [Feat. Steve Cooper, Staci McCrackin & Skypp] (4:18)

Rodney Stepp (born September 29,) is an American keyboardist, songwriter, producer, and entrepreneur. As a jazz, R&B/soul performer, Rodney's musical career has spanned more than 50 years and 5 continents, performing alongside Sister Sledge, Babyface, The Spinners, Ben E. King, Wayman Tisdale, Mary Wilson, Ronnie Dyson, Dionne Warwick, The Emotions, Patti LaBelle & The BlueBelles, Joe Tex and other notable artists.

The Soul-filled 70s
The Spinners
Rodney famously served as keyboardist and assistant musical director for the Spinners from 1974 – 1981 performing across the United States, Europe, Asia and Africa. Rodney can be seen in Muhammad Ali's "When We Were Kings" full-length documentary with clips of Rumble In The Jungle – the famous Ali-Foreman boxing match in Zaire, Africa where The Spinners performed with Sister Sledge, Etta James, Bill Withers, Jazz Crusaders and James Brown. Rodney also has appeared in TV Shows performing with The Spinners such as; Midnight Special, Rock Concert, Soul Train, American Bandstand, The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and Flip Wilson as host, Dinah Shore, Merv Griffin, Mike Douglas, Night Dreams with David Nelson (Ozzie & Harriet) and many more. You can also hear Rodney's keyboard wizardry on “The Spinners: Live” album recorded at the Latin Casino. Rodney may be most revered for his organ solo on The Spinners hit “Mighty Love.” He also re-joined the group in 1990 when they opened for Jay Leno at Caesars Palace, Oct. 1999 and again in 2004 at The Snake Pit Ball (Indy 500) in Indianapolis IN.

The Booming 90s
In the 90s Rodney expanded his company into the corporate music arena. Brooks Street Music became a creative production house providing music for radio jingles, TV advertisements, film, and corporate presentations. Rodney received ADDY awards in 1993 for Public Service Campaign, No Drug Zone for WTTV Channel 4, 1996 for the Hoosier Lottery, and 2004 for the Indiana State Museum Project. His corporate clients have included The Children’s Museum, Indianapolis Downtown, Inc., The Indiana Pacers, The Kentucky Lottery, The Hoosier Lottery, Hardees, Holiday Inn, ESPN, WXIN (Fox 59), Corporate Creations, Eli Lilly and Company, MZD Advertising, Bates USA, Delta Faucet, The Indianapolis Recorder and United Airlines.

The recognition for his music was coupled by recognition for his community service. Rodney was the recipient of The United States Congressional Record Award in July 2005, endorsed by Congresswoman Julia Carson, as well as receiving the Distinguished Citizens Award from the City of Indianapolis, Mayor Bart Peterson and the Distinguished Hoosier Award from the Governor of Indiana, Mitch Daniels.

Rodney’s resume includes performing as the keyboardist for a widely-popular local rock group, The Flying Toasters for 10 years. Rodney is performing with his band, “STEPPIN’ OUT BAND”, STEPP WALKER PROJECT, STACI McCRACKIN, and writing and producing various artists. Rodney has just co-written and produced a project on JOON WALKER, R&B Male Vocalist and national recording artist and is in the LAB working on his next album entitled, “SECOND CHANCE" for AZ IZ Records.

Second Chance

---

Diane Davidson - All Of Me

Size: 85,3 MB
Time: 36:25
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz Vocals, Dixieland
Art: Front

01. Sweet Georgia Brown (Feat. Dixie Company) (2:41)
02. At Last (4:15)
03. All Of Me (Feat. Dixie Company) (2:24)
04. What A Wonderful World (Feat. Dixie Company) (3:49)
05. Fly Me To The Moon (4:11)
06. S' Wonderful (3:34)
07. Route 66 (3:55)
08. As Long As There's Music (4:51)
09. On The Sunny Side Of The Street (3:24)
10. Who Can I Turn To (3:16)

Influenced by R&B, Opera, and Broadway, Diane's versatile voice has been described as soulful, sultry, and expressive. Her style is entertaining and engaging, making her a hidden musical treasure about to charm music lovers everywhere.

Finally...delightfully spirited...Jazz at it's finest! Performing with Dixie Company, Poland, Diane's performances of these classic jazz favorites are bright and simply fill the air with joy. Diane's classically trained voice projects purity and lightness, and has been described as soulful, expressive and dynamic.

All Of Me

---

Charlie Hunter Trio - Let The Bells Ring On

Size: 101,9 MB
Time: 43:44
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. Anthem: USA (4:04)
02. These People (4:19)
03. Pho-Kus-On-Ho-Ho-Kus (5:37)
04. Let The Bells Ring On (4:55)
05. Hillbilly Heroine Chic (4:50)
06. Welcome To Nutley (4:33)
07. Fellini Farm Team (4:38)
08. Ojai Housecoat Of Arms (3:31)
09. Vernel (4:21)
10. Spence (2:50)

The term “Charlie Hunter Trio” can mean a lot of different things, depending on who is playing alongside Hunter’s guitar/bass Novax and the drums of someone else. That meant a saxophonist in the 90s and the first half of the aughts. In 2007, John Ellis’ sax was replaced by Erik Deutsch’s keyboards (for Mistico) and now, that third member is Lounge Lizard and Jazz Passengers trombone specialist Curtis Fowlkes.

The association among the three goes back many years; Fowlkes appeared on Hunter’s Right Now Move quintet release from 2003 and Previte with Hunter make up the core players for their free-improv Groundtruther project. With Hunter once again getting the urge to expand from the duo format he’s enjoyed the last several years with drummer Scott Amendola, he called in Fowlkes to be that third voice.

On June 2, Hunter leads Fowlkes and Previte in this new/old trio from Let The Bells Ring On, expected for release June 2, 2015 on Hunter’s own Charlie Hunter Music.

It’s readily apparent from the above stream of “Those People”, an advance track from Bells, that the extra ‘voice’ instantly makes the music distinguishable from, say, the sparer encounters with Amendola. Fowlkes adds a jazzier presence that perfectly complements Hunter’s and Previte’s tough Memphis groove. The guitarist cedes nearly all the lead duties to the ‘bone player, but the rhythm work bubbling just underneath is just as attention-grabbing and Fowlkes plays locked closely attuned to his two-man, three instrument rhythm section.

Charlie Hunter continues to organically make happy music that’s hard to classify but easy to recognize as his own. No matter who rounds out that trio. ~S. Victor Aaron

Let The Bells Ring On

---

The Hot Club Of San Francisco - Veronica

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:46
Size: 97.9 MB
Styles: Swing, Gypsy jazz
Year: 2002
Art: Front

[3:34] 1. Veronica
[2:57] 2. I'm Not Impressed
[4:24] 3. Ersatz Samba
[4:06] 4. A Little Waltz For Misha
[3:29] 5. Swing This
[3:51] 6. Don't Panic
[4:00] 7. Yerba Buena Bounce
[6:32] 8. Swing '53
[4:54] 9. Giselle
[4:53] 10. DKST

Paul Mehling - Leader, Guitar; Isabelle Fontaine - Guitar; Evan Price - Violin; Jeff Magidson - Guitar; Sam Rocha - Bass.

Gypsy jazz, which promotes the swinging sounds made popular by guitarist Jean “Django” Reinhardt in 1930s Paris, carries a welcoming aura in each twang and pick of a guitar. Fans are drawn in by its lively rhythm, and Mehling and the crew take the next step in treating each audience member as a friend that they haven’t yet met. “While audiences may or may not be familiar with us, or our genre of music, we hope to establish an interplay and connection with them that they won’t find anywhere else, and which will stay with them.”

The five members of Hot Club take being San Franciscans—and the area’s influences and long list of contributions to the evolution of jazz—very seriously. These ties are evident while listening to their new song, where nods are given to local insider jokes like “vegan/pagan hipsters” and “high-tech chief execs” grooving together at everyone’s favorite urban getaways.

Paul Mehling says he and the rest of Hot Club feel a huge sense of indebtedness to the people in the Bay Area jazz scene that they’ve learned from, been inspired by, and have been a part of for more than 27 years. “We are extremely proud to not only be a part of this artistic tapestry, but we see our role in preserving and pushing it forward as an integral part of our purpose.”

Veronica

---

Jim Mullen - Somewhere In The Hills

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:24
Size: 140.6 MB
Styles: Guitar jazz, Funk
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[4:57] 1. Somewhere In The Hills
[6:58] 2. The Two Lonely People
[7:20] 3. Lush Life
[5:46] 4. Tender Is The Night
[7:28] 5. Without A Song
[5:06] 6. Lucky To Be Me
[4:30] 7. You're My Everything
[4:54] 8. Smile
[5:41] 9. The Night We Called It A Day
[3:17] 10. Medication
[5:24] 11. The Craw That Killed The Pussey O

Jim Mullen has a storied history. Born 1945 in Glasgow, Scotland, he played guitar and bass in the late '60s and '70s with Pete Brown, Brian Auger, Vinegar Joe and Kokomo, among others. Mullen formed Morrissey Mullen with saxophonist Dick Morrissey on sax around 1975, enjoying a 15-year partnership and becoming one of the top jazz-funk club bands of the '80s. Has been involved in solo projects since the '90s.

Somewhere In The Hills is the fourth album by Mullen's quartet, and that shows through their tightness of their playing. You can hear each individual in the band is well aware of the others and knows just when to stop, start and fade. The opening (title) track sees Mullen and pianist Gareth Williams playing a mid-paced toe-tapping tune where Mullen's guitar sings, not plays. The sleeve notes that accompany this album state that all these tracks are songs, because Mullen's guitar playing has a vocal intimacy. Yeah, sure. No, they really do! On the slow ballads like “The Two Lonely People” and Charlie Chaplin's "Smile" you'd swear his instrument was vocalising.

My favourite track is the super fast-paced “Medication”—every member of the band excels on this one—and do check out the slower but still quick “Without a Song,” where the other members of the group get to do solos. Mullen's jazz-funk material from the '80s was enjoyable, but I have to admit that this album is good jazz—hardly surprising when you consider the years this man has been playing. ~Johnny Wills

Jim Mullen - Guitar; Gareth Williams - Piano; Mick Hutton - Bass; Gary Husband - Drums

Somewhere In The Hills

---

Jan Shapiro - Back To Basics

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 30:26
Size: 69.7 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[4:56] 1. Change Partners
[4:18] 2. Squeeze Me
[3:58] 3. Our Love Is Here To Stay
[3:45] 4. Don't Be That Way
[3:18] 5. Sister Sadie
[3:22] 6. Beautiful Friendship
[4:45] 7. Be Anything, Be Mine
[2:01] 8. 's Wonderful

Jan began her music studies at the Saint Louis Institute of Music and continued by earning her Bachelor’s degree, graduating Cum Laude from Howard University, Washington D.C. and completing a Masters degree from Cambridge College, Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Her first major engagement at the Playboy Club in Saint Louis lasted more than six months–until she and her group went on the road, touring extensively. Subsequently she performed at the Camellia Room in the Drake Hotel, Chicago, the Hyatt Hotels in Washington D.C., and Atlanta, The Top of The Tower Club, New York City, Marriott Hotels in Florida, Washington D.C. and St. Louis, the Chase-Park Plaza Hotel, St.Louis, various Sheraton Hotels and Ramada Inns, and numerous hotels, supper clubs, and jazz clubs in Boston and the New England area. Jan was the guest vocalist for the prestigious Boston Globe Jazz Festival in 1987 and in 1990, leading off the Festival in 1990.

As a musician, Jan has developed competence as a vocalist, flautist, electric bass, piano and keyboards as well as percussion. She is versatile in style, singing jazz, soft-rock, pop, blues, and ballads with equal elan. As a songwriter, she has written and collaborated in writing some of the songs she performs. In addition, she composed the score of “Tales of Toyland”, a children’s production of Bob Kramer’s Marionettes of Saint Louis, which toured nationally. As a recording artist, she was the featured guest artist with the “Airmen of Note”–the official Jazz Ensemble of the United States Air Force, on a recording with international distribution. She has performed as a studio vocalist in recording numerous advertising jingles, TV spots and demos’ including recording with Len Dressler of the “Singers Unlimited” for the Broadway musical “Copperfield”.

Jan was a former faculty member of the Voice Department at Fontbonne College, Saint Louis, Missouri and in the Jazz Studies Department at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, Illinois. Jan is Professor of Voice at Berklee College of Music. She was also Chair of the Voice Department at Berklee from 1997 through May 2010. She has presented vocal clinics around the country including the International Association of Jazz Educators Conferences, and adjudicated high school jazz choirs in the New England area.

Back To Basics

---

McCoy Tyner - Reaching Fourth

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 34:00
Size: 77.9 MB
Styles: Piano jazz, Post bop
Year: 1963/1998/2012
Art: Front

[4:17] 1. Reaching Fourth
[5:42] 2. Goodbye
[5:56] 3. Theme For Ernie
[6:52] 4. Blues Back
[7:25] 5. Old Devil Moon
[3:46] 6. Have You Met Miss Jones

Pianist McCoy Tyner's second set as a leader has as of 1996 not been reissued on CD. Featured in a trio with bassist Henry Grimes and drummer Roy Haynes, Tyner performs two of his originals ("Reaching Fourth" and "Blues Back") plus three standards and "Theme For Ernie." One of the two most original and influential pianists to fully emerge in the 1960s (along with Bill Evans), McCoy Tyner's unique chord voicings and ease at playing creatively over vamps pushed the evolution of jazz piano forward quite a bit. This outing, although not as intense as his work with the John Coltrane Quartet, is generally memorable and still sounds quite viable 35 years later. ~Scott Yanow

Reaching Fourth

---

Rita Coolidge - And So Is Love

Styles: Jazz, Vocal
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:28
Size: 118,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:20)  1. Come Rain Or Come Shine
(5:27)  2. Save Your Love For Me
(6:02)  3. Cry Me A River
(3:22)  4. I Thought About You
(4:50)  5. We're All Alone
(4:41)  6. Estate
(3:54)  7. More Than You Know
(5:11)  8. Sentimental Journey
(3:32)  9. The Masquerade Is Over
(2:59) 10. I Don't Know Enough About You
(2:46) 11. Don't Smoke In Bed
(4:20) 12. Don't Go To Strangers

It seems increasingly common for once-popular artists to resurface years after their heyday. What's so interesting is how they resurface. Who would've imagined Rita Coolidge, like other popular '70s singers, re-emerging 30 years down the line as a singer of jazz classics? But Coolidge, like Debby Boone before her, has done exactly that, releasing a collection of classic songs on Concord Records. Backed by a small jazz combo, And So Is Love has a classy feel to it, but it's Coolidge's resonant vocals that bring the set together. While most of the material is older, and a number of pieces like "Cry Me a River" and "Come Rain or Come Shine" come from the golden age of song, she also includes Boz Scaggs' "We're All Alone" and makes it work. In fact, "We're All Alone" is one of the highlights of the album, with Coolidge transforming it into a lovely jazz standard. 

Her performance here also leads one to pause: are there other songs of recent vintage that would like old standards work just as well in a jazz context. Another icon from the past shows up Herb Alpert on "Estate" to lend his trademark trumpet style to the song's Latin mood. For old fans, mainstream jazz fans, and anyone who appreciates classy treatments of classic songs, Coolidge's And So Is Love is an enjoyable listen. ~ Ronnie D.Lankford,Jr.  http://www.allmusic.com/album/and-so-is-love-mw0000656613

Personnel: Rita Coolidge (vocals); Chuck Berghofer, Darek Oles, Dave Carpenter (bass instrument); Larry Koonse, Sandro Albert (guitar); Stefanie Fife (cello); Bob Sheppard (flute, alto flute, soprano saxophone); Ronnie Cuber (baritone saxophone); Herb Alpert (trumpet); Russell Ferrante (piano, synthesizer); Alan Pasqua (piano); Dave Samuels (vibraphone); Ralph Humphrey, Terri Lyne Carrington (drums); Alex Acuña (percussion).

And So Is Love

---

The Echoes Of Swing Orchestra - The Fusion

Styles: Jazz, Big Band
Year: 2003
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:27
Size: 123,1 MB
Art: Front

(3:24)  1. Everybody Shuffle
(3:16)  2. They Say
(2:14)  3. I Hear Music
(4:45)  4. Dickie's Dream
(2:54)  5. The Moon Looks Down And Laughs
(3:02)  6. I Cried For You
(4:28)  7. Lady Of Mystery
(3:26)  8. Etude In Gb, Op. 25, No. 9
(4:37)  9. This Heart Of Mine
(2:50) 10. It's Too Hot For Words
(3:25) 11. It's Like Reaching For The Moon
(3:51) 12. Trumpet Interlude
(4:07) 13. My Fate Is In Your Hands
(4:11) 14. Dry County Jump
(2:52) 15. Dreamy Mood

Considering that the Swing lives, guaranteed since 2000 the internationally staffed "Echoes of Swing Orchestra", the flawless in absolutely excellent sound and Arrangement Jazz presents the 1930's and 40. From the German trio "The Swingcats" and the Dutch "Echoes of Swing" a formation that has been the addition of "Orchestra" not only given, but has also earned it honestly in combo strength. The seven top-instrumentalist and singer Shaunette Hildabrand turn the clock back a good 65 years, and take you into the clubs and ballrooms of the great time of the swing in Chicago, Kansas City and Harlem. You have not the men see in Tuxedo and Ms. Hilda fire in elegant long black dress on the cover of the CD "The Fusion" to imagine the dim light and the couple who are closely entwined to "Lady Mystery" by Teddy Wilson, Harry Warrens dancing "This Heart Of Mine" and Thomas "Fats" Waller's "My Fate Is In Your Hands". With closed eyes you can see the "Echoes of Swing Orchestra" in dinner jacket with red carnation and his singer in sparkly dress.

But it also fly their skirts when the ladies on the floor of her dancers to Benny Carter "Everybody Shuffle" the Jitterbug and Swing Chris Hopkins' "Dry County Jump" are peppy rotated. The Americans Hopkins, alto saxophonist of the formation has the arrangements of the album with trumpeter Colin T. Dawson, the tenor saxophonist Frank Roberscheuten and pianist Bernd Lhotzky divided - and two titles himself wrote, including the best of the plate: the "Dry County Jump "and the smartest and funniest for my taste the 15 pieces," Dreamy Mood ". Here namely he Shaunette Hildabrand a jazz coloratura written on the vocal cords, which probably is (and as good) to hear a rarity. In fact, she is a jazz singer of format that maintains coolness with a soft vibrato, smoky lascivious and with this certain touch of. But it is probably her congenial opposite Colin T. Dawson on trumpet, Bernd Lhotzkys sparkling runs and the positive, relaxed attitude of the band involved. Echoes of Swing Orchestra: "The merger" may be recommended. ~ Frank Becker  Translate by google  http://www.omm.de/cds/jazz/echoes-of-swing.html

Echoes of Swing Orchestra:  Shaunette Hildabrand – Vocals; Colin Dawson – Trumpet; Chris Hopkins - Alto Sax; Frank Roberscheuten - Clarinet, Tenor Sax; Bernd Lhotzky – Piano; Dirk van der Linden – Guitar; Karel Algoed – Bass; Oliver Mewes - Drums

The Fusion

---