Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Clifford Jordan Sextet - Half Note

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:22
Size: 113.0 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 1995
Art: Front

[8:42] 1. Holy Land
[5:39] 2. Glass Bead Games
[9:58] 3. St. Thomas
[8:59] 4. Rhythm-A-Ning
[9:18] 5. Midnight Waltz
[6:43] 6. The Highest Mountain

Tenor saxophonist Clifford Jordan was long an underrated player with a sound of his own and a style that hinted at the avant-garde while being well grounded in hard bop. On this live set (recorded at New York's Half Note), Jordan explores high-quality material (including "Holy Land," "St. Thomas," "Rhythm-A-Ning" and his "The Highest Mountain") with pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Sam Jones and drummer Albert "Tootie" Heath. An excellent example of Jordan's music. ~Scott Yanow

Half Note

Joanna Rimmer - Dedicated To... Just Me!

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:24
Size: 156.6 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[3:18] 1. I'm Gonna Lock My Heart And Throw Away The Key
[5:02] 2. I'm Confessin'
[4:34] 3. Caravan
[5:08] 4. I Concentrate On You
[4:17] 5. Dancing In The Dark
[5:19] 6. More Than You Know
[3:20] 7. I Wish I Was Back In My Baby's Arms
[7:53] 8. Midnight Sun
[2:59] 9. Pick Yourself Up
[4:14] 10. Pannonica
[3:27] 11. All Of You
[4:25] 12. In A Twilight Zone (Instrumentally Known As Monk's Mood)
[6:10] 13. Over The Moon
[5:17] 14. Nature Boy
[2:55] 15. Just You, Just Me

Joanna was born and grew up in Southport, England. At 6 she began studying Ballroom Dancing seriously, competing all around the ballroom dancing circuit every Sunday with her dance partner. In 1980 they took 5th place in The World Juvenile Championships at the Royal Albert Hall in London. At 7 Joanna found an old Anita O’Day record at home, and remembers falling immediately in love with “old-fashioned “music. This passion for Jazz in all it’s many forms would remain with her, as would a growing passion of anything from yesteryear, hence today her beloved collection of original antique clothing of the 20’s to the 70’s which she uses when singing.

Soon after leaving school Joanna began working as a fashion model and for the following 10 years modelled all over the world with the “Elite Agency” doing shows, editorials etc. After the modelling ended she began singing and in 1999 won a talent competition in England. From the year 2000 Joanna began singing full-time and became the vocalist of “The Red Cat Zazou Band” from Sanremo. Besides doing many gigs around Italy with “The Red Cat” she recorded with them 12 signature tunes in 2001 for the popular T.V. cabaret show,”Zelig” on Italia Uno. Since then she has also had the pleasure in working with some rather well known jazz musicians such as; Riccardo Zegna, Charlie Mariano, Stefano Bollani, Paolo Fresu, Pietro Tonolo, Andrea Pozza, Andrea Dulbecco, Walter Paoli, among many. Joanna has worked various times for Pepi Morgia including the,”Pigro Music Festival 2001”.She has collaborated at numerous Jazz Festivals around Italy and England and in the past year has partnered Bruno Lauzi and also sang at a book review of Giuseppe Conte at Teatro Carlo Felice. At the end of 2002 Joanna appeared singing with her own group on the programme, “La Poesia Incontra La Musica” on Rai Uno.
Joanna sings on a regular basis with, “The Red Cat Zazou Band” performing jazz of the 20’s and 30’s, and of course with her own band made up of Riccardo Zegna, Aldo Zunino and Alfred Kramer and Anrea Dulbecco performing mainstream jazz standards plus original pieces. As far as inspiration goes Joanna is inspired by most of the best singers and musicians of the jazz world from the 1920’s to the 50’s, especially those of Afro-American race.

Dedicated To... Just Me!

Les Baxter His Orchestra & Chorus - Voices In Rhythm

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 23:44
Size: 54.3 MB
Styles: Easy Listening
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[1:43] 1. Wake The Town And Tell The People
[1:58] 2. Pennies From Heaven
[1:58] 3. It's Only A Paper Moon
[2:14] 4. These Foolish Things Remind Me Of You
[1:43] 5. I May Be Wrong But I Think You're Wonderful
[1:58] 6. Walkin' My Baby Back Home
[2:07] 7. The One I Love Belongs To Somebody Else
[1:47] 8. September In The Rain
[2:21] 9. I'll Be Seeing You
[1:48] 10. I Never Knew
[1:40] 11. Once In A While
[2:20] 12. Linger A While

Voices in Rhythm is not the reissue to begin an appreciation of composer, pianist, and bandleader Les Baxter. His unique and sometimes bizarre approach to easy listening music is absent on this session, originally recorded for Reprise Records in 1962. This straight reissue features 12 tracks, mainly standards, including "September in the Rain," "Pennies From Heaven," and "These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You)." Those expecting anything like the exploratory Space Escapade or Ritual of the Savage should stick with Baxter's Capitol recordings. ~ Al Campbell

Voices In Rhythm

Butch Miles Sextet - Miles And Miles Of Swing

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:51
Size: 137.0 MB
Styles: Swing, Cool jazz
Year: 1978/2015
Art: Front

[6:58] 1. Cherokee
[5:45] 2. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
[6:01] 3. Take The 'a' Train
[5:28] 4. The King
[5:05] 5. Sweet Lorraine
[7:10] 6. For The Boss
[4:32] 7. Broadway
[4:29] 8. I'm Getting Sentimental Over You (Alt Take)
[6:08] 9. Take The 'A' Train (Alt Take)
[4:28] 10. Broadway (Alt. Take)
[3:41] 11. I Surrender, Dear (Previously Unreleased)

Bass – Milt Hinton; Drums – Butch Miles; Flugelhorn – Marky Markowitz; Piano – John Bunch; Tenor Saxophone – Al Cohn, Scott Hamilton. Recorded at Mastertone Recording Studios Inc., New York, Fall 1977.

Drummer Butch Miles' recording debut as a leader was his first of five Famous Door releases. Miles leads an all-star mainstream sextet also including both Scott Hamilton (during his brief pre-Concord days) and Al Cohn on tenors, flugelhornist Marky Markowitz, pianist John Bunch, and bassist Milt Hinton. Equally influenced by Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa, Miles gets in a few good spots, but mostly lets his top-notch sidemen blow. With the exception of the spontaneous "For the Boss," the repertoire is comprised of material from the swing era, including "Cherokee," "The King" (originally a feature for Illinois Jacquet with Count Basie's Orchestra in the mid-40s) and "Broadway." An excellent set with a jam session feel, this LP from the defunct Famous Door label will be difficult to find. ~Scott Yanow

Miles And Miles Of Swing

Annie Ross & Pony Poindexter - With The Berlin All-Stars

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:34
Size: 99.7 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2004/2016
Art: Front

[ 4:36] 1. Saturday Night Fishfry
[11:40] 2. All Blues
[ 4:54] 3. Home Cookin'
[ 6:23] 4. Jumpin' At The Woodside
[ 3:39] 5. Moody's Mood For Love
[ 4:01] 6. Goin' To Chicago
[ 8:18] 7. Twisted

Annie Ross & Pony Poindexter With The Berlin All Stars Feat. Carmell Jones And Leo Wright, Recorded At The Tenth German Jazz Festival In Frankfurt.

With The Berlin All-Stars

Four Tops - 50th Anniversary: The Singles Collection 1964-1972 (3-Disc Set)

2013 three CD collection from the iconic Motown quartet. For the first time ever, on the occasion of the group's 50th anniversary with Motown Records, every single from the Four Tops classic period is now in one package. This set contains each A- and B- side, from their first hit to the moment they left the storied label, as well as collector's bonus tracks. Featured among the set's 78 tracks are the group's 16 #1 Pop and R&B hits, from 'Baby I Need Your Loving' to '(It's The Way) Nature Planned It,' and the smashes in-between. Recognizing the group's undying popularity in England, the collection also includes 14 singles issued only in the U.K., from duets with the Supremes to the U.K. Top Three hit 'Simple Game' that featured backing by the Moody Blues. Four Tops: 50th Anniversary: The Singles Collection 1964-1972 is accompanied by a booklet filled with detailed information about each single, reproductions of spectacular-looking picture sleeves from around the world, and classic and rare photos of the world's most beloved male vocal groups.

Album: 50th Anniversary: The Singles Collection 1964-1972 (Disc 1)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 77:32
Size: 177.5 MB
Styles: Soul-R&B-Pop vocals
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[2:43] 1. Baby I Need Your Loving
[2:31] 2. Call On Me
[2:52] 3. Without The One You Love (Life's Not Worthwhile)
[2:53] 4. Love Has Gone
[3:01] 5. Ask The Lonely
[2:27] 6. Where Did You Go
[2:42] 7. I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)
[2:42] 8. Sad Souvenirs
[2:44] 9. I Can't Help Myself
[2:45] 10. It's The Same Old Song
[2:24] 11. Your Love Is Amazing
[2:43] 12. It's The Same Old Song
[2:51] 13. Something About You
[2:21] 14. Darling, I Hum Our Song
[2:43] 15. Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)
[3:06] 16. Just As Long As You Need Me
[2:44] 17. Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever
[2:16] 18. I Like Everything About You
[2:58] 19. Reach Out, I'll Be There
[3:13] 20. Until You Love Someone
[2:35] 21. Standing In The Shadows Of Love
[2:37] 22. Since You've Been Gone
[2:59] 23. Bernadette
[3:01] 24. I Got A Feeling
[2:34] 25. 7-Rooms Of Gloom
[2:34] 26. I'll Turn To Stone
[2:51] 27. You Keep Running Away
[3:29] 28. If You Don't Want My Love


Album: 50th Anniversary: The Singles Collection 1964-1972 (Disc 2)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 77:49
Size: 178.2 MB
Styles: Soul-R&B-Pop vocals
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[2:47] 1. Walk Away Renee
[2:29] 2. Your Love Is Wonderful
[2:51] 3. If I Were A Carpenter
[2:33] 4. Wonderful Baby
[2:59] 5. Yesterday's Dreams
[2:47] 6. For Once In My Life
[3:05] 7. I'm In A Different World
[3:06] 8. Remember When
[2:32] 9. What Is A Man
[2:57] 10. Don't Bring Back Memories
[2:35] 11. Don't Let Him Take Your Love From Me
[2:35] 12. The Key
[2:49] 13. It's All In The Game
[2:26] 14. Love (Is The Answer)
[3:12] 15. Still Water (Love)
[2:42] 16. Still Water (Peace)
[3:13] 17. River Deep, Mountain High
[3:04] 18. Together We Can Make Such Sweet Music
[3:05] 19. Just Seven Numbers (Can Straighten Out My Life)
[3:09] 20. I Wish I Were Your Mirror
[2:48] 21. You Gotta Have Love In Your Heart
[3:16] 22. I'm Glad About It
[2:28] 23. You Gotta Have Love In Your Heart
[3:23] 24. In These Changing Times
[3:07] 25. Right Before My Eyes
[2:33] 26. McArthur Park Part 1 (Mono)
[3:06] 27. McArthur Park Part 2 (Mono)


Album: 50th Anniversary: The Singles Collection 1964-1972 (Disc 3)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:08
Size: 172.0 MB
Styles: Soul-R&B-Pop vocals
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[2:57] 1. A Simple Game Single Version (Mono)
[3:15] 2. L.A. (My Town) Single Version (Mono)
[3:35] 3. I Can't Quit Your Love Single Version (Mono)
[2:55] 4. Happy Is A Bumpy Road Single Version Stereo
[3:58] 5. Nature Planned It Single Version
[2:43] 6. I'll Never Change Single Version
[2:38] 7. Mame
[4:04] 8. Do What You Gotta Do
[3:19] 9. Can' Seem To Get You Out Of My Mind Single Version
[2:53] 10. Without The One You Love Uk Single Mix
[3:30] 11. Without The One You Love
[3:00] 12. You Stole My Love Single Version (Mono)
[4:08] 13. It's Got O Be A Miracle Single Version (Mono)
[3:17] 14. Let's Make Love Now
[2:39] 15. Walk With Me, Talk With Me Darling
[2:04] 16. Love Feels Like Fire Single Version (Mono)
[4:41] 17. Reach Out And Touch (Somebody's Hand)
[4:30] 18. Where Would I Be Without You, Baby
[3:18] 19. So Deep Within You
[3:12] 20. I Am Your Man Single Version
[2:40] 21. I Can't Help Myself (Italian Version)
[3:00] 22. Gira, Gira (Italian Version)
[2:42] 23. Walk Away Renee (Italian Version)


Kenny Wheeler - All the More

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:03
Size: 144,9 MB
Art: Front

( 6:31)  1. Phrase One
( 6:00)  2. All the More
(10:14)  3. Mark Time
( 6:53)  4. Introduction to No Particular Song
( 9:36)  5. The Imminent Immigrant
( 6:04)  6. Nonetheless
( 8:24)  7. Kind of Bill
( 9:17)  8. Summer Night

Kenny Wheeler's gorgeous trumpet anchors these tracks, but also attracting attention here is the understated beauty and subtle adventurousness of John Taylor's piano. With that kind of combination in his playing, Taylor is a perfect match for Wheeler, who has straddled a few divides in his time. Much of this disc features the ethereal ECM-ish music Wheeler has made his trademark, but some of it harks back to Wheeler's earlier days as a pillar of the English "free music" scene along with John Stevens, Derek Bailey, Evan Parker, and another refugee from the edge, bassist Dave Holland. On "All the More" Wheeler plays with fire and resorts here and there to some of the expanded techniques that those musicians were and are searching for. Here, of course, such effects are thoroughly integrated into the fabric of conventional jazz form, so that they do not jar but add an emotional fire to the musiTo hear Wheeler's immense sound in full glory, don't miss "Summer Night," where it is washed in the ebbs and flows of Joe LaBarbera's drums but still comes through sharply, clearly, beautifully. ~ Robert Spencer ttps://www.allaboutjazz.com/all-the-more-kenny-wheeler-soul-note-review-by-robert-spencer.php

Personnel: Kenny Wheeler (trumpet, flugelhorn); John Taylor (piano); Furio Di Castri (bass); Joe La Barbera (drums).

All the More

Barbara Jay, Lee Gibson and Tina May - The Ella Fitzgerald Songbook Revisited

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2001
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:52
Size: 133,2 MB
Art: Front

(2:50)  1. I Got Rhythm
(4:25)  2. Duke's Place
(4:19)  3. Lullaby In Rhythm
(4:44)  4. What's New
(4:17)  5. Close Your Eyes (Instrumental)
(4:13)  6. Lil Darling
(3:38)  7. Still We Dream
(3:55)  8. Lullaby Of Broadway
(4:04)  9. Peel Me A Grape
(4:40) 10. I Only Have Eyes For You
(4:35) 11. When The Sun Comes Out
(5:05) 12. Some Cats Know
(3:36) 13. Lady Be Good
(2:25) 14. Perido

Barbara Jay comes from a musical family. Her father played trumpet with many of the leading bands of the time. She took to singing naturally at an early age and was soon to be singing with the big names herself  Ronnie Scott, Don Lusher, Tommy Whittle, Digby Fairweather and Kenny Ball's Band on T.V. As a solo Jazz singer she has shared the billing at Ronnie Scott's Club with Horace Silver, Pharoah Saunders and Dave Holland. She also appears in Cabaret on The Saga Ruby Cruise Ship and P&O Oriana. In 1970 she was chosen to sing with the legendary Benny Goodman and his orchestra, with whom she appeared at many of the major European cities, ie. Paris, Milan, Copenhagen, Zurich etc. In 1993 Barbara devised the very successful "Ella Fitzgerald Songbook Show" which has appeared at major venues and festivals throughout Britain and also with her own quartet at the Pizza on the Park Knightsbridge. Barbara has reached a point in her career where she enjoys singing without having to indulge in gimmickry or momentary trends... an enjoyment that she passes on to her audience. 
http://www.barbarajay.co.uk/about.html

Personnel:  Barbara Jay, Lee Gibson, Tina May (vocals) Tommy Whittle (ts) Steve Waterman (flghn) John Pearce (piano) Jim Richardson (bass) Bobby Worth (drums)

The Ella Fitzgerald Songbook Revisited

Bill Mays - Mays At The Movies

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:21
Size: 145,5 MB
Art: Front

(7:34)  1. I've Never Been in Love Before
(4:58)  2. The Shadow of Your Smile
(8:47)  3. Pure Imagination
(8:13)  4. Love Theme From Spartacus
(6:35)  5. Judy
(6:51)  6. The Summer Knows
(6:57)  7. There's a Small Hotel
(4:58)  8. You Leave Me Breathless
(8:22)  9. Charade

Bill Mays has spent much of his career as a first-call studio pianist in Hollywood, accompanying singers like Sarah Vaughan and Al Jarreau, and playing on movie soundtracks. Moreover, his most recent CDs have involved his innovative third-stream group, The Inventions Trio, with trumpeter Marvin Stamm and cellist Alisa Horn. As a result, Mays's profile may be a bit lower than some who spend more time in the jazz performance spotlight. But he's also one of the most intelligent, fluent, and interesting players around. Mays never mucks with a tune just for the sake of putting a personal stamp on it there's always the sense that thoughtful creative choices have been made For example, in the opening "I've Never Been in Love Before," Mays changes the chord center four times, which not only adds new dimensions to an overplayed tune, but musically captures the blissful disorientation of the first-time lover. Similarly, on the next warhorse, "The Shadow of Your Smile," Mays's elegant, succinct playing strips years of schmaltz from the song; with the addition of the verse, he helps highlight its original beauty. 

Mays's compositional gifts are also on display here with the spirited "Judy," the tribute to his wife that's been heard in two movies so far. The delightful Willie Wonka anthem, "Pure Imagination," has some temporal twists that bring out its lopsided structure (that nine-bar bridge, for instance), while this band digs deep into {Michel Legrand = 8674}}'s "The Summer Knows" usually played as a ballad and swings it hard. Mays also does his homework, going back to Alex North's version of his "Love Theme from Spartacus" to restore what many other pianists, including Bill Evans, choose to cut from the piece. Given the consistently excellent quality of this music, it's surprising that this group didn't rehearse until you consider the caliber of bassist Peter Washington and drummer Billy Drummond, both busy, classy players who enhance any number of trio recordings. The artful delegation of their splendid solos adds color on tunes like "There's a Small Hotel" and "Charade," the burning closer, as does Mays' playful but subtle quoting. All told, Mays at the Movies is a thoroughly engaging CD, providing more evidence that Mays's position in the top tier of pianists remains secure. ~ Dr Judith Schlesinger https://www.allaboutjazz.com/mays-at-the-movies-bill-mays-steeplechase-records-review-by-dr-judith-schlesinger.php
 
Personnel: Bill Mays: piano, vocal; Peter Washington: bass; Billy Drummond: drums.

Mays At The Movies

Buddy Montgomery - Live At Maybeck Recital Hall, Volume 15

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1991
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:49
Size: 154,2 MB
Art: Front

(5:25)  1. Since I Fell For You
(5:19)  2. The Man I Love
(5:23)  3. A Cottage For Sale
(3:35)  4. Who Cares?
(4:49)  5. The Night Has A Thousand Eyes
(5:45)  6. How To Handle A Woman
(5:59)  7. What'll I Do ?
(5:45)  8. You've Changed
(4:04)  9. Money Blues
(6:52) 10. By Myself
(3:54) 11. This Time I'll Be Sweeter
(4:52) 12. Soft Winds
(5:00) 13. My Lord And Master / Something Wonderful

The sole surviving musical Montgomery brother goes it alone for the microphones at Maybeck, demonstrating that he has more than enough of the solid musicianship and abundant technique that seems to go with the territory in this series. The only hangup is that Montgomery's solo ruminations, however accomplished, aren't all that compelling here. The usual blend of idioms bop-based with frequent immersions in earlier styles, mostly stride and classical derivations are lavished upon a collection of standards; "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes" has an intriguing alternate re-harmonization of the tune. However, it is Montgomery's own tunes, "Who Cares" and "Money Blues," that deliver something resembling a personal signature, getting into some down-home bluesy rhetoric. Of course everything is superbly recorded. ~ Richard S.Ginell  http://www.allmusic.com/album/live-at-maybeck-recital-hall-vol-15-mw0000274726

Personnel: Buddy Montgomery (piano).

Live At Maybeck Recital Hall, Volume 15

Monday, October 3, 2016

Jonah Jones Quartet - I Dig Chicks

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 27:13
Size: 62.3 MB
Styles: Trumpet & vocal jazz
Year: 1959/2010
Art: Front

[2:02] 1. I Dig Chicks
[1:55] 2. Mandy, Make Up Your Mind
[2:10] 3. Marchetta
[1:59] 4. Tangerine
[2:38] 5. Cecilia
[2:19] 6. Blue Lou
[1:55] 7. Chlo-E
[2:26] 8. Lillette
[2:16] 9. Judy
[2:34] 10. Louise
[2:21] 11. Linda
[2:33] 12. Rosetta

The cover of this LP gives males three good reasons to "dig chicks." Trumpeter/vocalist Jonah Jones continues his "swinging with a shuffle" formula, performing 11 songs named after women, plus the title cut (which has one of his six vocals of the date). Jones, pianist Teddy Brannon, bassist John Brown and drummer George Foster have a good time romping on such numbers as "Mandy, Make Up Your Mind," "Tangerine," "Blue Lou," "Rosetta" and some lesser-known tunes. The overall results may be a bit lightweight and predictable, but the trumpeter gives this album enough exciting moments to make it worth getting. ~Scott Yanow

I Dig Chicks

Claire Daly - Swing Low

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:01
Size: 114.5 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 1999
Art: Front

[0:45] 1. Swing Low
[3:59] 2. I've Got The World On A String
[5:56] 3. I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face
[4:41] 4. For All We Know
[4:26] 5. You Make Me Feel So Young
[5:39] 6. Lady's Blues
[6:17] 7. The Chooch
[4:14] 8. Sharp Turn
[4:40] 9. I Wished On The Moon
[5:20] 10. I Thought About You
[4:00] 11. Little Old Lady

Claire Daly, baritone saxophone; Eli Yamin, piano; Dave Hofstra, bass; Peter Grant, drums; George Garzone, tenor saxophone (3, 7, 11).

Oh, how I’d love to use this disc as part of a blindfold test for those who roll their eyes or otherwise show their disdain when the discussion turns to women in Jazz who do anything other than sing or play the piano. I can almost picture the looks of shock and disbelief as I disclose that this baritone saxophonist’s name is Claire Daly and that she is the leader on this exemplary quartet/quintet date. What is the Jazz world coming to, the nay–sayers may wonder, when a woman not only chooses to play an instrument as large and unwieldy as the baritone but does so as well as any of her male counterparts. After two decades of gigging around New York and going on the road with various groups including the marvelous all–woman big band, DIVA, this is Daly’s first recording under her own name, and it’s a debut that is long overdue. To put it as concisely as possible, she’s something else. On the breezy opener, “I’ve Got the World on a String,” Daly’s unruffled approach and burnished tone remind one of the fabled Bostonian, Serge Chaloff. Elsewhere, as on “For All We Know” or “You Make Me Feel So Young,” she stirs memories of one of the greatest (and most sadly neglected) baritone masters of them all, Sweden’s Lars Gullin. But while the influence exerted by those giants (as well as by Cecil Payne, Pepper Adams and such recent poll–winners as Nick Brignola and Ronnie Cuber) is inescapable, Daly’s no robotic clone. She has found her own voice, and it’s as bold and persuasive as anyone else’s — male or female. She’s as comfortable with burners as she is with ballads, never overlooks a melodic phrase, has a gorgeous sound and always swings — low or high. Daly also has a keen sense of humor, as she shows on Rahsaan Roland Kirk’s playful ”Lady’s Blues,” on which she uses some squeals, honks and even a Kirk–style whistle to make her point. Daly invited Boston–area tenor George Garzone to sit in on three tracks, and he’s a standout on Lerner and Loewe’s “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face,” his own composition “The Chooch,” and the ironically chosen finale, Hoagy Carmichael’s “Little Old Lady” — which Daly is anything but. We haven’t mentioned the rhythm section, but should, as Yamin, Hofstra and Grant are impeccable in support and deliver consistently impressive solos whenever their turn comes around. Apart from its 49:57 playing time, the session as a whole is near–perfect. I do wish that Daly had been able to include at least one more highly appropriate standard, “Close Your Eyes,” because if you can do that, while opening your ears, you’ll hear an awesome baritone saxophonist who’s as dynamic and resourceful as any you can name. If you like the baritone, you’re gonna love Claire Daly. Encore! ~Jack Bowers

Swing Low

Matt Stansberry & The Romance - Let's Brighten It Up

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 29:49
Size: 68.3 MB
Styles: R&B, Soul
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[4:47] 1. Brighten It Up
[3:39] 2. Tonight
[3:55] 3. In Your Arms
[4:09] 4. Bad World
[3:59] 5. She's Got It
[3:57] 6. Love Wins
[5:21] 7. You Bring It Out

"Let's Brighten It Up" is the debut, seven song EP from Matt Stansberry & The Romance. These songs are inspired by 50s rock and 60s motown soul. This project isn't simply copying older music, but rather using those legendary sounds to fuel a revival of classic music with a modern twist. “A ten-piece homage to 1950s and 60s soul and blues that is an energetic, electric and absolutely earth-quaking musical assault. This is a big time sound from a big time band. Look for big things from Matt Stansberry & The Romance.” - Jivewired “The title track bridges the gap between ’50s pop and soul, beaming like sunshine with a good amount of shimmy. “She’s Got It” is similarly infectious. Other offerings play more like straight soul — “Tonight” and “In Your Arms” recalls what contemporaries like Mayer Hawthorne and Fitz and the Tantrums are doing.” ~ Oklahoma Gazette

Let's Brighten It Up

Nóis 4 - Bom Dia

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:42
Size: 122.9 MB
Styles: Brazilian jazz
Year: 2004
Art: Front

[4:14] 1. A Rã
[4:16] 2. Pára-Raio
[3:41] 3. Chovendo Na Roseira
[4:32] 4. Bom Dia
[5:13] 5. Insensatez
[3:24] 6. Procurando Tu
[4:28] 7. Atrás Da Porta
[5:32] 8. Três Vendas
[4:57] 9. Dindi
[3:52] 10. Que Maravilha / S' Wonderful
[3:36] 11. É Doce Morrer No Mar
[5:50] 12. Vestidinho / Canto Pra Cira

NOIS 4 recorded Bom Dia (pronounced 'Bom Jeeaa') live over a long weekend, and though writing/arranging duties are shared among the collective, production detail fell to drummer and percussionist Chris Wells. Taking much of their material from such superstar composers as Antonio Carlos Jobim, Dorival Caymmi and Jackson Do Pandeiro, the album could have been a 'Greatest Hits' of Brazilian music, but the obvious songs have been discarded in favor of overlooked gems. Bom Dia is a beautifully engaging album. The dominant ingredients are the lilting voice of Monica Vasconcelos intertwined with Getzian saxophone of Ingrid Laubrock. The songs are perfectly balanced, plaintive yet affirming, profound yet light. It will be played over and over again.

Bom Dia

Steve Dobrogosz, Anna Christoffersson - Covers

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 65:06
Size: 149.0 MB
Styles: Piano jazz, Jazz vocals
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[4:15] 1. Ave Maria
[4:26] 2. Jealous Guy
[4:07] 3. Ooh Child
[6:08] 4. Lika A Hurricane
[5:16] 5. Just The Way You Are
[5:40] 6. I Have Nothing
[4:42] 7. Through The Morning, Through The Night
[3:58] 8. Somewhere
[5:24] 9. I Heard It Through The Grapevine
[5:09] 10. A Song For You
[5:44] 11. Dig Me A Grave
[6:16] 12. All Around
[3:54] 13. Akikaze Ni

Anna Christoffersson - vocal, Steve Dobrogosz - piano.

Steve Dobrogosz grew up in the American south (Raleigh, NC) where his training as a classical pianist paralleled his fascination with popular music. After moving to Stockholm in '78 he became part of Scandinavia's jazz scene as both pianist and composer. His 1982 duo album "Fairy Tales" with Norwegian singer Radka Toneff is widely regarded as a classic. The Gothenburg Post compared his music to Gershwin and Porter, writing "Dobrogosz's songs are melodic masterpieces, with a harmonic sophistication seldom found in music today."

In the 90s Dobrogosz shifted focus to notated composition and his reputation grew as a modern representative of tonal lyricism. His first major choral work Mass (1992) has now been performed in over 40 countries. Dobrogosz's oeuvre includes over 1000 compositions in a broad spectrum of genres. His duo recordings with Anna Christoffersson received two Swedish Grammy nominations.

Covers

Charlie Christian - The Immortal Charlie Christian

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1992
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:54
Size: 103,2 MB
Art: Front

(9:00)  1. Swing to Bop
(6:12)  2. Up on Teddy's Hill
(7:38)  3. Kerouac
(2:28)  4. Guy's Got to Go
(4:57)  5. Lips Flips
(3:00)  6. Blue n' Boogie
(3:12)  7. Hot House
(2:45)  8. Groovin' High
(2:50)  9. Dizzy Atmosphere
(2:48) 10. All the Things You Are

Aside from the name being misspelled on front and back cover, guitarist Charlie (not Charley) Christian was at the forefront of the bebop revolution. These ten tracks show why, and also gives rise to the notion of Christian being the first to wield an amplified electric guitar. The CD has a nice range of bop classics, three written by co-conspirator Dizzy Gillespie, two originals of Christian's, a lone standard, and a tribute to Jack Kerouac. This collection represents not only a smidgen of what Christian did before his career was tragically cut short, but opens a window into his grand contributions to jazz. Though only an appetizer and a bit flawed, it is tasty. ~ Michael G.Nastos http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-immortal-charlie-christian-mw0000122348

Personnel:  Bass – Nick Finton;  Drums – Kenny Clarke;  Guitar – Charlie Christian;  Piano – Kenny Kersey, Thelonious Monk;  Tenor Saxophone – Don Byas;  Trumpet – Dizzy Gillespie, Hot Lips Page, Joe Guy

The Immortal Charlie Christian

Brenda Boykin - The Time In The World

Styles: Vocal, Soul
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:39
Size: 149,0 MB
Art: Front

(4:22)  1. Feel Me
(4:35)  2. Mambo Jambo
(4:05)  3. This Maybe Game
(3:46)  4. Don't Take My Love Away
(5:08)  5. Where Is It Written
(4:31)  6. I'll Be With You
(4:40)  7. Stone Mad
(4:20)  8. El Ritmo
(4:04)  9. Pa-Pade Swing (Koko Chanel Club Mix)
(3:58) 10. Dancing All Night
(3:57) 11. All the Time in the World
(4:16) 12. La Diva
(3:56) 13. Ninety Nine 'n a Half
(4:56) 14. U Don't Love Me (I Don't Care)
(3:59) 15. And You Know How

Brenda calls it "Bourbon and Cornbread," the musical mixture of jazzy sweetness and down-home sass that marks her as "the most authentic and most inventive female jump blues vocal stylist of her generation," according to blues historian Lee Hildebrand. Brenda Boykin has earned a sterling reputation in the San Francisco Bay Area as a masterful interpreter of jazz and blues material gleaned from big bands, old blues hands, and honky tonk heroes. Boykin has firmly established herself as an unsurpassed vocal talent whose elixir of bourbon and cornbread - sounds from silk to sandpaper delight both new listeners and purists who compare her to the giants of the past. A native of Oakland, California, Boykin's first musical experience came through the youth choir of the North Oakland Missionary Baptist Church, one of the many houses of the lord where raucous, heart-felt sounds of the faithful still ring out on the wide streets of the East Bay flatlands. The church strains can still be found in her rich, husky contralto, effortless power and controlled vocal passion. After studying the clarinet in high school Boykin entered the University of California at Berkeley - and though studying psychology and social welfare gravitated toward the jazz bands working on and near campus. Boykin worked Bay Area jazz and blues hot spots that helped her expand her musical horizons.

With the encouragement of family friend and guitarist Sonny Lane, Boykin began to dig in with the blues people at Oaklands's legendary Eli's Mile High Club. The famous North Oakland night spot has been for many years the heartbeat of East Bay blues life, with giant figures including Percy Mayfield, Lowell Fulson and Jimmy McCracklin gracing the small stage alongside lesser-known stalwarts including guitarist and arranger Johnny Heartsman, Sonny Lane and Mississippi Johnny Waters.Under tutelage of Lane, Waters and drummer Francis Clay an influential force in the great Muddy Waters bands of the late '50's and early '60's - Boykin absorbed the laid back, call-and-response magic of the late night urban blues. "Boykin does delightfully unfamiliar things with familiar tunes," said the East Bay Express in 1988, "using her rhythmic authority and arranger's sensibility to create exciting new version" of tunes from Basie, B.B., Buck Owens and everybody in between. She often cites Sarah Vaughn as a major influence, but Brenda Joyce Boykin is certainly not a devotee to any one stylist or genre. She says that the incomparable blue balladeer Bobby "Blue" Bland, whose string of hits dates back to the early '50s, has had an enormous impact to her vocal approach. She also gives a nod to Brenda lee and Elvis Presley, LaVern Baker and even the "divorcee music" of Nancy Wilson and Dakota Staton.

Boykin has won rave reviews for her repeat performances at the venerable Monterey Jazz Festival, the more boisterous Monterey Bay Blues Festival, the San Francisco Blues Festival, the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival in Davenport, Iowa, the DuMaurier Jazz Festival in Vancouver, and the Umbria Jazz Festival in Italy. For many years she has performed duets with her "musical soul mate" Eric Swinderman, a sensitive guitarist who accompanies Boykin on material ranging from New Orleans rhythms to jazz standards. Boykin has performed countless times with Home Cookin', a small combo with a changing roster that has included guitarists Anthony Paule and Steve Freund, pianists Steve Lucky and Caroline Dahl, bassist Tim Wagar and drummer Tyler Eng. For the past three years Boykin has also taught singing workshops at the Rhythmic Concepts Jazz Camp, alongside a roster of the San Francisco Bay Area's most celebrated and dedicated jazz musicians. Boykin has mastered all of the crafts of a complete vocalist, she has a rich voice, a masterful grasp of musical dynamics, and a natural, unforced empathy with her listeners. "Part of showmanship is to turn to the guitar player and bass player and exchange some energy, look him in the eye and say 'Yeah, Baby,'" Boykin told Blues Revue in 1995. "I'm like the party master. The way a hostess gets at a house party. I'm walking around making sure the energy is up in every part of the room." In 1997 Brenda received a BAMMIE nomination for Best Vocalist of The Year. http://www.last.fm/music/Brenda+Boykin/+wiki

The Time In The World

Charlie Mariano - Reflections

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1974
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 53:15
Size: 122,3 MB
Art: Front

( 5:38)  1. Glenford Crescent
( 8:30)  2. Naima
( 7:16)  3. Brother Muthaiah
( 4:26)  4. Spanish Dance No.2
( 5:44)  5. Blue in Green
( 4:46)  6. Thiruvarankulam
( 5:56)  7. Chile
(10:55)  8. Rambling

Charlie Mariano's career can easily be divided into two phases. Early on he was a fixture in Boston, playing with Shorty Sherock (1948), Nat Pierce (1949-1950), and his own groups. After gigging with a band co-led by Chubby Jackson and Bill Harris, Mariano toured with Stan Kenton's Orchestra (1953-1955) which earned him a strong reputation. He moved to Los Angeles in 1956 (working with Shelly Manne and other West Coast jazz stars), returned to Boston to teach in 1958 at Berklee, and the following year, had a return stint with Kenton. After marrying Toshiko Akiyoshi, Mariano co-led a group with the pianist on and off up to 1967, living in Japan during part of the time and also working with Charles Mingus (1962-1963).

The second phase of his career began with the formation of his early fusion group Osmosis in 1967. Known at the time as a strong bop altoist with a sound of his own developed out of the Charlie Parker style, Mariano began to open his music up to the influences of folk music from other cultures, pop, and rock. He taught again at Berklee, traveled to India and the Far East, and in the early '70s settled in Europe. Among the groups Mariano has worked with have been Pork Pie (which also featured Philip Catherine), the United Jazz & Rock Ensemble, and Eberhard Weber's Colours. Charlie Mariano's airy tones on soprano and the nagaswaram (an Indian instrument a little like an oboe) fit right in on some new agey ECM sessions and he also recorded as a leader through the years for Imperial, Prestige, Bethlehem, World Pacific, Candid (with Toshiko Akiyoshi in 1960), Regina, Atlantic, Catalyst, MPS, CMP, Leo, and Calig, among others. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/artist/charlie-mariano-mn0000207133/biography

Personnel: Charlie Mariano: alto, soprano sax;  Eero Koivistoinen: tenor, soprano sax;  Jukka Tolonen: electric guitar;  Ollo Ahvenlahti: piano, electric piano;  Pentti Hietanen: piano;  Pekka Sarmanto: acoustic bass;  Heikki Virtanan: electric bass;  Esko Rossnell: drums;  Reino Laine: drums;  Sabu Martinez: congas, percussion

Reflections

Sunday, October 2, 2016

Tina Marx - Shades Of Love

Size: 101,3 MB
Time: 34:51
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. I Thought About You (2:24)
02. Meditation (4:20)
03. Cheek To Cheek (3:56)
04. Dear Heart (3:38)
05. Fever (3:56)
06. Lullaby Of Birdland (2:42)
07. Night And Day (3:20)
08. Brazil (2:47)
09. Bluesette (2:28)
10. Can't Take That Away From Me (2:25)
11. Moonglow (2:47)

Tina Marx grew up in South Jersey, but has made Colorado her home. Tina has been in several rock bands, sung backup vocals for Motown legend Chuck Jackson and performed on many local recordings. She has spent much of her career fronting the variety dance band, “Tina Marx & The Millionaires”. Coming from a musical theatre background, jazz standards has always been one of Tina’s passionate genres with influences from Natalie Cole, Diana Krall, Peggy Lee, Nancy Wilson and Ella Fitzgerald. As an Indie artist, “Shades of Love” is Tina’s newest solo album of “Timeless Jazz Standards”. Although she won’t abandon her pop rock fans, she has branched out into a vocal jazz genre, recording with a talented group of Denver musicians, Bob Montgomery (piano), Raoul Rossiter (drums), Jon Cullison (Upright bass), Mark Harris (saxes, flute) and Rick Jordan (trumpet). The body of the CD was recorded back in 2007. Later, producer/arranger, Anthony Walker, wrote vocal and horn arrangements which brought it all together into a cohesive new sound. You can be sure that this will not be the last CD that we will hear from this songstress, Tina Marx.

Shades Of Love

Chuck Loeb - Unspoken

Size: 137,9 MB
Time: 59:27
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2016
Styles: Jazz: Smooth Jazz
Art: Front

01. Cotton Club (Feat. Jeff Lorber) (5:04)
02. Natural Light (Feat. Andy Snitzer) (6:06)
03. Unspoken (Feat. Brian Culbertson) (6:11)
04. Happy Hour (Feat. Mitchel Forman) (6:02)
05. Affinity (Feat. Everette Harp) (5:17)
06. Treetops (Feat. Jeff Lorber & Eric Marienthal) (5:06)
07. Si Se Puede (Feat. Till Bronner) (5:32)
08. Way Up High (Feat. Carmen Cuesta) (3:03)
09. Cut And Run (Feat. David Mann) (5:51)
10. Voramar (Feat. Eric Marienthal & Pat Bianchi) (7:24)
11. Via Verde (Feat. Christina Loeb) (3:45)

The Hitmaker Is Back! With over 30 top ten Smooth Jazz radio hits to his credit, including an incredible 20 #1s, Chuck Loeb is truly an icon and pioneer of the Smooth Jazz genre. Unspoken features guest appearances by Smooth Jazz superstars Brian Culbertson, Jeff Lorber, Everette Harp and Eric Marienthal, plus the great Will Lee (of David Letterman fame). In addition, the album features vocals by Carmen Cuesta (Mrs. Loeb), whose sensuous vocals have resulted in her own growing fan base.

"Timeless...will deeply satisfy any listener who enjoys Smooth Jazz." -- Allmusic

"The Clark Kent of jazz guitar." -- New York Times

Unspoken