Silky Denims

Sunday, April 16, 2017

Terry Blaine & Mark Shane - Lonesome Swallow

Size: 154,9 MB
Time: 65:49
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2002
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Squeeze Me (3:56)
02. Lonesome Swallow (4:04)
03. I Got Rhythm (2:53)
04. My Handy Man (4:10)
05. Memories Of You (4:30)
06. Hate To Talk About Myself (2:48)
07. Willow Tree (3:11)
08. Am I Blue (3:26)
09. I'm Glad There Is You (4:30)
10. Jeepers Creepers (3:35)
11. River (Stay 'way From My Door) (4:38)
12. You Don't Understand (4:01)
13. Do What You Did Last Night (2:56)
14. 100 Years From Today (4:16)
15. Long About Midnight (3:16)
16. Shim Sham Shimmy Dance (2:04)
17. Don't Cry Baby (3:56)
18. Home (When Shadows Fall) (3:31)

Singer Terry Blaine likes to use her album releases as a vehicle for giving a nod to those who have influenced her. Among these are Ella Fitzgerald, Fats Waller, Lee Wiley, Helen Ward, Annette Hanshaw, Martha Tilton, Helen Forrest and Ethel Waters . For their fifth album together Blaine and long time accompanist Mark Shane have structured a program patterned after recordings made between 1929 and 1939 by Ethel Waters and J. P. Johnson for the Columbia label. With James P. Johnson in the mix, it's understandable why 1/3 of the play list belong to tunes by Fats Waller and Andy Razaf, including their lovely, underplayed "Lonesome Swallow". Blaine picks up several of the jazz influenced mannerisms that made Waters one of the top singers of her day before the movies beckoned, such as those cute second chorus embellishments. While at first hearing, these sound somewhat dated, they only add to the charm of Blaine's (and Water's) handling of these great tunes. Mark Shane captures the stride of James P. Johnson and the way Johnson used that device to highlight Water's vocal artistry, especially on such tunes as "Am I Blue" and "Willow Tree". There are a couple of ballads on the program, such as a lovely "Home (When Shadows Fall)", but mostly what we hear are the highly infectious rhythms of Blaine and Shane.

It's hard to imagine any two performers who can handle this material better than these two. With Blaine's dark, husky Lee Wiley like voice and Shane's delicate stride piano, this happy album is one that should be considered for the record collection. ~Dave Nathan

Personnel: Terry Blaine - Vocals; Mark Shane - Piano

Lonesome Swallow

Fabio Zeppetella, Emmanuel Bex, Roberto Gatto, Geraldine Laurent - Chansons!

Size: 120,6 MB
Time: 52:06
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. E La Chiamano Estate (5:36)
02. Bocca Di Rosa (5:13)
03. Buona Notte Fiorellino (1:11)
04. A Me Me Piace O' Blues (4:03)
05. Napule E (5:07)
06. Luna Rossa (6:09)
07. Avec Le Temp (3:27)
08. C'est Si Bon (5:01)
09. L' Ete Indien (7:00)
10. Les Temps Des Cerises (4:33)
11. Le Bon Dieu (4:40)

Chansons! is a musical conception similar to a diplomatic treaty or melodious embrace between cousins. Essentially, it's an innovative exchange between two neighboring worlds that have always eyed and inspired one other with reciprocal curiosity. Italy and France unite as allies on the musical front, gathering on the field four extraordinary talents: Fabio Zeppetella, Roberto Gatto, Géraldine Laurent, and Emmanuel Bex. This original quartet uniquely interprets eleven songs that best reflect the musical tradition of singer-songwriters belonging to these two countries. Starting from the highly popular jazz composer Bruno Martino, passing through the ever-present Fabrizio De André and Francesco De Gregori and arriving to Pino Daniele, another milestone; on the French scene are idols such as Jacques Brel, Leo Ferré, Yves Montand, and Joe Dassin. The quartet's interpretation is extraordinary and the songs on Chansons! enchant from beginning to end. While the harmonious complicity of Gatto, Bex, and Zeppetella is a well-known fact, the musical fluency added by the involvement of Laurent is unexpected, further enriching this innovative project. Also features compositions by: Vincenzo De Crescenzo-Antonio Vian, Henri Betti-André Hornez, and Jean-Baptiste Clément-Antoine Renard. Personnel: Fabio Zeppetella - guitar; Emmanuel Bex - organ, voice; Géraldine Laurent - alto sax; Roberto Gatto - drums.

Chansons!

Ray Gelato & The Enforcers - Energy!

Size: 105,3 MB
Time: 44:38
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Jazz, Swing, Vocals
Art: Front

01. The Barnyard Boogie (2:37)
02. I've Been Around The Block (2:16)
03. Medley That's My Home - Moonglow (4:25)
04. Dark Eyes (4:26)
05. Jack You're Dead (2:58)
06. The Gal Of My Pal (3:35)
07. Corn On The Cobb (3:07)
08. Teach Me Tonight (4:32)
09. Don't Toy With Me Baby (3:01)
10. The Best Things In Life Are Free (4:33)
11. Isfahan (4:24)
12. Medley Should I - You Rascal You (4:39)

Personnel:
Ray Gelato - Vocals, Tenor Sax
Danny Marsden - Trumpet
Andy Rogers - Trombone
Olly Wilby - Tenor & Alto sax
Gunther Kurmayr- Piano
Manuel Alvarez- Double Bass
Ed Richardson - Drums

Ray numbers amongst his fans such great artists as Van Morrison, Paul McCartney and Brian Adams. For good reason. Every concert, club date or event that Ray performs at transforms one back in time, to an era of music where musicians were not afraid to communicate and entertain.

Ray Gelato's brand new band, The Enforcers, encompasses all of the elements that Rays world wide fans love about him but in a compact, small combo format. The idea being to present a complete repertoire of new songs, old favourites and Ray’s critically acclaimed original tunes.

It's all here from Gelato's big toned, passionate tenor sax to his highly distinctive jazzy, Swingin' vocals. His driving rhythm section understands how to swing, rock and create excitement. The Enforcers make a huge sound for a small combo. All presented with a tough contemporary edge and the explosive energy that Ray is famous for. This is Swing and R&B music not stuck in the past but very much for now.

"He plays what he means and he means what he plays"- Jools Holland

Energy!

Jurgen Burdorf - Straight Up Guitar

Size: 100,0 MB
Time: 40:03
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Jazz Rock
Art: Front

01. Going Places (2:43)
02. October (5:36)
03. Feels About Right (3:52)
04. Flying Saucers (4:23)
05. Evening Glow (3:32)
06. Old Town (5:00)
07. New Frontiers (3:36)
08. Tender Logic (4:11)
09. Something's Buzzing (4:00)
10. Tides Of Time (3:06)

Straight Up Guitar, by Dutch guitarist Jurgen Burdorf (1980) it’s his second album as a leader and composer, after his debut Opening Lines, that was released in 2016.
The music of the Jurgen Burdorf Band is energetic, firmly grounded and smoulders under its surface. It is accessible and always has a tight groove. Jurgen loves all kinds of music and that can be heard in his compositions. Influences of jazz, roots, rock and a little bit of Eastern European folkmusic are mixed into a tasty stew. The band consists of Jurgen Burdorf on guitar, Dutch-Colombian keyboard player Tico Pierhagen (Aguabajo), bassist Hugo den Oudsten (Shirma Rouse, Sabrina Starke) and drummer Léon Klaasse (Powerplay, The Pilgrims).
Until 2015 Jurgen mainly worked as a freelance guitar player. In 2015 he started to write compositions that would end up on his debut album ‘Opening Lines’. The album was released in 2016 en gained an enthousiastic press response. Belgian website Rootstime.be wrote: “Burdorf is not only a gifted guitarist with a nice sound on top of that, but he’s also written 10 skillful and melodious compositions with a lot of variety.” In 2016, with the repertoire of Opening Lines, the band played ao on the known Dutch Jazz Festival Jazz In Duketown.

Straight Up Guitar

Alma Matters - Alma Matters

Size: 160,9 MB
Time: 69:33
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Jazz World Fusion
Art: Front

01. Intro ( 0:26)
02. The Unknown ( 5:47)
03. Shadow Woman ( 6:28)
04. Use It All (10:45)
05. Hold On ( 8:38)
06. Get Involved ( 5:24)
07. Nobody's Fault But Mine ( 6:37)
08. You'll Never Follow ( 5:52)
09. Gospel Sermon ( 8:15)
10. Wade In The Water ( 6:25)
11. Bridge Over Troubled Water ( 4:49)

A unique and ambitious recording project conceived and organized by Oakland-based vocalist/flutist/drummer/producer Jeff Weinmann, Alma Matters reflects the vibrant cultural diversity of the San Francisco Bay Area, and features some of the region's artists who have become leading voices in contemporary music. It's a collection of songs "with a message" interspersed with grooving, African- and Latin-infused instrumentals whose horn-laden melodies call out and unfold over a thick layer of drums and percussion. Co-produced by SF-based trombonist/recording engineer Jeff Cressman and Berkeley-born, now NY-based multi-instrumentalist Peter Apfelbaum, the recording draws heavily from the Bay Area's jazz scene - indeed, many of the participants came through the Berkeley High School Jazz Ensemble and/or Apfelbaum's world music big band, the Hieroglyphics Ensemble - but also draws from the local Gospel and Latin scenes as well. The multifaceted album includes re-imagined, Afro-Latin percussion-heavy covers of the spirituals "Wade In The Water" (done with a brass band and featuring Gospel singers Terrence Kelly and Destani Wolf) and "Nobody's Fault But Mine" (featuring Sandy Cressman's vocals and Apfelbaum's tenor sax over intermittent horn chorales and Josh Jones' congas) as well as Paul Simon's classic "Bridge Over Troubled Water" done as a vocal quartet with Apfelbaum on piano, and a reggae version of the 70's soul hit "Get Involved" featuring vocalist Tony Lindsay (Jeff Cressman's bandmate in the Santana band for years). The album also includes cinematically orchestrated originals by Apfelbaum, Sandy and Natalie Cressman (whose "You'll Never Follow" features fellow rising star Elena Pinderhughes on vocals) and trumpeter Erik Jekabson, and includes an churning, suite-like meditation on recycling, "Use It All", by Apfelbaum's latest band, Sparkler.

Alma Matters

The Carnegie Hall Jazz Band - The Carnegie Hall Jazz Band

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s

Time: 61:25

Size: 140.6 MB

Styles: Bop, Swing, Big band

Year: 1996/2006

Art: Front

[ 8:22] 1. In The Mood

[ 4:47] 2. It Never Entered My Mind

[ 7:05] 3. Shiny Stockings

[ 9:59] 4. Giant Steps

[10:05] 5. Frame For The Blues

[10:39] 6. Sing, Sing, Sing

[ 5:03] 7. Getting Sentimental Over You

[ 5:22] 8. South Rampart Street Parade

Alto Saxophone – Frank Wess (tracks: 1, 6); Alto Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute – Jerry Dodgion; Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute – Dick Oatts; Baritone Saxophone – Gary Smulyan; Bass – Peter Washington; Bass Trombone – Doug Purviance; Drums – Lewis Nash; Piano – Renee Rosnes; Tenor Saxophone – Lew Tabackin (tracks: 4); Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute – Ralph Lalama; Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Ted Nash; Trombone – Dennis Wilson, Slide Hampton, Steve Turre; Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Byron Stripling, Earl Gardner, Lew Soloff, Ryan Kisor. Recorded with a two microphone Cello recording system. Recorded at Sony Studios, New York City.

The ONLY recording of the CARNEGIE HALL JAZZ BAND is a rewarding experience to any jazz lovers ears. The music director for the ensemble was trumpeter Jon Faddis, and for the most part he has done an admirable job producing this along with Newport Jazz impressario, Goerge Wein. 8 tunes with 5 arrangers (Jim McNeely, Garnett Brown, Slide Hampton, Frank Foster and the unknown to my background at least, Randy Sandke). The band unlike others of its ilk, emphasizes classics (in the jazz and pop venues) instead of originals. However, there lies the knocking off of one star to this CD. The originals are not the way you might want to hear them played. Usually thats a good thing, but in some cases ,i.e. IN THE MOOD, the opening number, it can get a little jarring. That aside, the muscianship is top notch. Frank Wess, Jon Faddis, Ted Nash, Jerry Dodgion, Lew Tabackin, Renee Rosnes, to name a few in this band, turn in some fine solos.

This is not a "live" album even though it may look like it is at first glance. Recorded at Sony Music Studio B in NYC with a minimal amount of takes (according to the notes) with no post production or "mixing" which is a rarity today. ~Daddyojazz

The Carnegie Hall Jazz Band

Gigi MacKenzie - Skylark

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:58
Size: 157.9 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[3:32] 1. Moonlight In Vermont
[4:58] 2. The Shadow Of Your Smile
[4:09] 3. Small World
[4:35] 4. Embraceable You
[4:07] 5. Stranger In Paradise
[4:30] 6. Come Rain Or Come Shine
[4:19] 7. Let's Make A Go Of It
[4:29] 8. Cry Me A River
[4:45] 9. Blue Moon
[5:04] 10. Tenderly
[3:20] 11. Hey There
[4:18] 12. Skylark
[3:29] 13. Almost Like Being In Love
[4:54] 14. Good Morning Heartache
[4:53] 15. That's All
[3:30] 16. Moonlight In Vermont

Gigi brings a fresh style to beautiful jazz standards in this electrifying solo album. Her captivating sound that melds sprinkles of R&B with a good dose of modern jazz makes these songs breathe new life. Not only is her voice deliciously magnetic with a huge range, but a sense of intimacy unfolds as she accompanies herself on guitar, drums and percussion as well. These imaginative arrangements will make it feel as if you're hearing these great songs for the very first time.

Skylark

Wild Bill Davison - Rosetta

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:06
Size: 98.7 MB
Styles: New Orleans jazz
Year: 2016
Art: Front

[4:41] 1. When You're Smiling
[6:28] 2. Big Butter And Egg Man
[5:14] 3. I Want A Little Girl
[7:53] 4. Love Is Just Around The Corner
[3:36] 5. Memories Of You
[7:12] 6. Rosetta
[7:58] 7. C Jam Blues

During his 69th year, Wild Bill Davison led seven albums. The definitive Dixieland cornetist, Wild Bill was still in prime form in the mid-'70s, as he shows on this spirited pickup date in New Orleans. Best-known among his sidemen in the sextet are trombonist George Masso and the ancient bassist Ed Garland, while soprano saxophonist Noel Kalet and pianist David Paquette have remained unknowns. Seven veteran standards (mostly from the 1930s) are interpreted in typically spirited fashion by Davison. Recommended.

Rosetta

Peter Kavanaugh - Whisper Not

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:01
Size: 89.3 MB
Styles: Jazz guitar
Year: 2015
Art: Front

[4:11] 1. Whisper Not
[4:09] 2. Emily
[6:09] 3. Poinciana
[2:50] 4. Swing 48
[4:24] 5. Easy Living
[1:59] 6. Ask Me Now
[4:45] 7. On The Way To Your House
[4:25] 8. (I'm) Confessin’ (That I Love You)
[6:05] 9. Jitterbug Waltz

Peter Kavanaugh – Guitar; D.J. Bonebrake – Vibraphone (tracks 1-6, 8 & 9); Shawn Oshmiansky – Clarinet (tracks 8 & 9); Paul Eckman – Upright bass (tracks 1-6, 8 & 9); Jack Le Compte – Drums (tracks 1-6, 8 & 9); Michael Bolger – B3 Organ (track 7); Geoff Rakness – Upright bass (track 7); Mark San Filippo – Drums (track 7).

With “Whisper Not,” Kavanaugh creates a melodic, harmonically rich picture that showcases a guitar player with rare soul and finesse, as well as a bandleader with a unique yet accessible vision. The repertoire is an appealing collection of lesser-known nuggets from the jazz songbook, and unexpected elements appear right out of the gate with the title track’s pairing of sun-dappled vibraphone and toothy blues guitar tones.

The breezy bossa nova “Poinciana” surprises with nods to Esquivel and the twanging baritone guitar of a spaghetti western, while under Kavanaugh’s direction, Fats Waller’s “Jitterbug Waltz” descends to earth from a dreamy stratosphere where a clarinet trades lines with an interstellar Les Paul. Kavanaugh pulls out the syncopated bop with a take on Django Reinhardt’s “Swing 48” that sounds like the lost soundtrack to a cartoon short involving spies, gangsters and unsafe driving. The original composition “On the Way to Your House” has an infectious, playful melody and soulful call-and-response Hammond B-3 that shows Kavanaugh to be an artist who can both honor and build upon the great traditional jazz and blues genres.

Whisper Not

Gerry Mulligan - Gerry Mulligan Meets Johnny Hodges

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1960
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 33:25
Size: 76,8 MB
Art: Front

(5:47) 1. Bunny
(3:45) 2. What's The Rush
(7:28) 3. Back Beat
(4:02) 4. What's It All About
(5:16) 5. 18 Carrots For Rabbit
(7:04) 6. Shady Side

Gerry Mulligan's 1959 studio date with Johnny Hodges is one of the most satisfying sessions of his various meetings with different saxophonists for Verve, yet it was inexplicably the last to be made available on CD. With a hand-picked rhythm section consisting of pianist Claude Williamson, bassist Buddy Clark, and drummer Mel Lewis, and three originals contributed by each of the two leaders, everything gels nicely, though several tracks took more than three takes (in spite of liner note writer Nat Hentoff's assertions) to reach their final form. Mulligan contributed the gorgeous ballad "What's the Rush" (where he sat back to enjoy Hodges' solo and never plays his own horn), the easygoing swinger "Bunny," and the brisk cooker "18 Carrots (For Rabbit)," the latter which its composer would revisit with his Concert Jazz Band. The veteran alto saxophonist contributed the low-key ballad "Shady Side," the sassy blues "Back Beat" (later re-recorded by Hodges during a still unreleased 1960 studio meeting with Ben Webster), and "What It's All About," another potent blues. Throughout the date, the two saxophonists blend beautifully and complement one another's efforts, even though this was their only opportunity to record together in the studio. Sadly, no alternate takes or unissued numbers (at least two of which exist) have been added to this long anticipated reissue. ~ Ken Dryden http://www.allmusic.com/album/gerry-mulligan-meets-johnny-hodges-mw0000029368

Personnel: Gerry Mulligan (baritone saxophone); Johnny Hodges (alto saxophone); Claude Williamson (piano); Buddy Clark (bass); Mel Lewis (drums).

Gerry Mulligan Meets Johnny Hodges

Louise Rogers - Black Coffee

Styles: Jazz, Vocal

Year: 2010

File: MP3@320K/s

Time: 58:21

Size: 134,1 MB

Art: Front

(4:26) 1. Comes Love

(2:57) 2. Alice in Wonderland

(4:53) 3. Easy to Love

(3:43) 4. Sentimental Journey

(2:42) 5. Lazy Afternoon

(4:45) 6. Pennies from Heaven

(3:47) 7. Alright Okay You Win

(5:55) 8. Black Coffee

(3:43) 9. Ain't Misbehavin'

(3:45) 10. Happiness Is a Thing Called Joe

(4:40) 11. Skylark

(5:16) 12. When the Sun Comes Out

(4:13) 13. Be My Baby

(3:32) 14. Gentle Rain

Jazz vocalist Louise Rogers has been gradually winning over converts with her beautiful burnished tone, clear diction, flawless intonation, and impeccable musicianship. Her natural, unforced delivery harkens back to such pure singers as Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Chris Connor, and Doris Day. And while she may possess considerable technique and a capacity to improvise and scat up a storm like her most significant role model, Ella, Rogers takes a more relaxed and restrained approach on Black Coffee, her fifth recording overall and first for Chesky Records. https://www.amazon.com/Black-Coffee-Louise-Rogers/dp/B003TT72LO

...a pure incandescent voice, free of affectation or obvious influence... ~ Christopher Loudon, Jazz Times

Personnel: Louise Rogers (vocals); Paul Meyers (guitar); Billy Drummond (drums).

Black Coffee

Joe Locke - Present Tense

Styles: Vibraphone Jazz
Year: 2000
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:43
Size: 141,6 MB
Art: Front

(10:04) 1. Massada/Summer Night
( 8:31) 2. The Good Life
( 7:35) 3. Present Tense
( 8:42) 4. All Of You
( 2:38) 5. Heart Of Nowhere
( 6:53) 6. You Say You Care
( 6:24) 7. Beatrice Rose
(10:52) 8. Smoke And Mirrors

On his third CD, vibraphonist Joe Locke leads a solid quartet which includes pianist Kenny Werner, bassist Ron McClure, and drummer Ronnie Burrage. Locke's virtuosity on his instrument is demonstrated throughout the date. The opening medley begins with a solo by the leader of "Masada" (an introspective piece written by a friend of his, saxophonist Danny Wilensky) and the rhythm section joins him as he segues into a brisk take of the waltz "Summernight." Tenor saxophonist Larry Schneider is added on several tracks, including a dark but swinging take of "All of You" and a turbocharged run through "You Say You Care." Locke also wrote several originals, including the unpredictable "Smoke and Mirrors," which was originally written as an introduction to Miles Davis' "Nardis," and a brief duet with Werner, "Heart of Nowhere." This 1990 release was an early indicator of Joe Locke's arrival on the jazz scene, which was followed by many additional strong studio sessions as the 20th century drew to a close. Post-bop fans should consider this CD an essential acquisition. ~ Ken Dryden http://www.allmusic.com/album/present-tense-mw0000436629

Personnel: Joe Locke (vibraphone); Larry Schneider (alto & tenor saxophones); Kenny Werner (piano); Ron McClure (bass); Ronnie Burrage (drums).

Present Tense

Lucky Thompson - Lucky Strikes

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1964
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:51
Size: 91,9 MB
Art: Front

(5:52) 1. In a Sentimental Mood
(4:04) 2. Fly With the Wind
(5:11) 3. Mid-Nite Oil
(4:07) 4. Reminiscent
(4:51) 5. Mumble Neua
(6:40) 6. I Forgot to Remember
(4:08) 7. Prey-Loot
(4:55) 8. Invitation

This CD reissue serves as a perfect introduction to the talents of the underrated saxophonist Lucky Thompson. Heard on four songs apiece on tenor and soprano (he was one of the first bop-oriented soprano players), Thompson plays two standards and six originals in a quartet with pianist Hank Jones, bassist Richard Davis, and drummer Connie Kay. The playing time on this straight reissue of an earlier LP is a bit brief (just over 38 minutes), but the quality is quite high. Thompson's soprano solos in particular are quite memorable. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/lucky-strikes-mw0000649753

Personnel: Lucky Thompson (soprano & tenor saxophones); Hank Jones (piano); Richard Davis (bass); Connie Kay (drums).

Lucky Strikes

Irvin Mayfield - Irvin Mayfield

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:35
Size: 139,9 MB
Art: Front

(9:04) 1. The Great M.D.
(6:01) 2. Right Here, Right Now
(6:33) 3. Body And Soul
(6:55) 4. Immaculate Conception
(9:06) 5. Midnight Theme
(5:42) 6. You're My Everything
(8:50) 7. Lascivious Intervention
(3:25) 8. Giant Steps
(4:54) 9. Ninth Ward Blues

Trumpeter Irvin Mayfield released half a dozen albums before he was 25 years old. His youth, as well as his willingness to contribute his time and knowledge in the spheres of both classical and jazz studies, make him a popular figure in educational music clinics in his home state of Louisiana. He frequently participates in free clinics that serve hundreds of school children. In addition, he has presided over master classes and a variety of workshops in classical and jazz studies at the Chandler Jazz Festival, Loyola University, the University of North Carolina, and the University of New Orleans. A Crescent City native, Mayfield attended the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. He leads his own group, the Irvin Mayfield Sextet, as well as a modern jazz band called Los Hombres Calientes with Bill Summers. His performances have seen him sharing the stage with artists from a variety of genres, including Quincy Jones, Wynton Marsalis, Doc Cheatham, Chucho Valdes, Nicholas Payton, Ellis Marsalis, Moses Hogan, Ani DiFranco, and Terence Blanchard. Mayfield and Los Hombres Calientes earned an award from Billboard in 2000 for the group's eponymous debut. The New Orleans Museum of Art commissioned him to compose a jazz suite to accompany its exhibition of works by Gordon Parks. The result, "Half Past Autumn," was first played publicly in the summer of 2000 at the museum. ~ Linda Seida http://www.allmusic.com/artist/irvin-mayfield-mn0000084934/biography

Personnel: Irvin Mayfield - trumpet, bandleader; Peter Martin, Victor Atkins III – piano; Ellis Marsalis (track 3) – piano; David Pulphus - double bass; Delfeayo Marsalis – trombone; Donald Harrison - alto saxophone; Jaz Sawyer, Reuben Rogers, Adonis Rose, Troy Davis - drums

Irvin Mayfield

Saturday, April 15, 2017

Hank Jones, Frank Wess - Hank And Frank II

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:28
Size: 154.5 MB
Styles: Piano & Saxophone jazz
Year: 2009
Art: Front

[4:41] 1. Sunday
[4:54] 2. Lord Prepare Me
[6:30] 3. More Than You Know
[4:58] 4. If I Were A Bell
[4:39] 5. I Had The Craziest Dream
[6:31] 6. When Your Lover Has Gone
[3:05] 7. Chasing The Bird
[5:29] 8. Ill Wind
[5:52] 9. Jordu
[4:52] 10. The First Time I Saw Ella
[2:40] 11. Quintessence
[2:44] 12. You Don't Know What Love Is
[2:27] 13. Stay As Sweet As You Are
[3:43] 14. For All We Know
[4:16] 15. I'll Be Seeing You

Marion Cowings/Vocals; Ilya Lushtak/Guitar; Ilya Lushtak/Guitar; Frank Wess/Flute, Primary Artist, Sax (Tenor), Saxophone; John Webber/Bass, Bass (Upright), Guitar (Bass).

Hank Jones and Frank Wess retain the same rhythm section as their 2003 session for Lineage, except vocalist Marion Cowings is added on several tracks. Jones retains his masterful touch on piano even into his nineties, swinging effortlessly whether playing a breezy setting of "Sunday," a laid-back gospel-infused "Lord Prepare Me," or bop favorites like "Chasin' the Bird" and "Jordu." Wess' richly textured tenor dominates favorite ballads like "'More Than You Know" and "Ill Wind," while guitarist Ilya Lushtak, who works regularly with Wess and also took part in the earlier CD Hank and Frank, is generously featured, getting a bluesy edge with his spacious interpretation of "When Your Lover Is Gone." Cowings has been on the Manhattan scene for some time and served as vocal coach for Harry Connick, Jr., though he evidently has not been recorded very often. His easygoing vocal style never oversells the lyrics, though he is at his best in ballads like the old chestnut "Stay as Sweet as You Are." ~Ken Dryden

Hank And Frank II

JC Hopkins Biggish Band, Queen Esther - Underneath A Brooklyn Moon

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:08
Size: 89.6 MB
Styles: Retro Swing, Vocal Jazz
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[3:06] 1. Here Comes Love
[4:14] 2. One Never Knows
[3:36] 3. I've Got My Finger On A Star
[0:21] 4. Ice Cream Song
[3:51] 5. Underneath A Brooklyn Moon
[7:19] 6. Small Town
[3:22] 7. I Still Believe In Some Kind Of Love
[5:13] 8. Someday
[4:34] 9. Show Biz'ness
[3:29] 10. Settle Down

It isn't hard to understand why the neo-swing trend of the '90s (which favored a very ironic blend of jump blues and early rock & roll) ran out of gas and was pretty much dried up by the end of the decade. Although some quality bands came out of that trend (including the Cherry Poppin' Daddies and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy), there were plenty of amateurs who couldn't play their instruments and seemed to think that irony and cuteness was enough to carry them. Besides, the trend generally neglected the Benny Goodman/Duke Ellington/Artie Shaw side of things -- there's something wrong with bands that run around talking about a swing revival but can't play anything by Lionel Hampton or Glenn Miller. But despite all those things, there is no reason why younger artists shouldn't explore swing if they're good at it -- and Underneath a Brooklyn Moon is far superior to most of the neo-swing that was recorded in the '90s. Perhaps it is mixing apples and oranges to compare pianist/producer J.C. Hopkins and his Biggish Band to those '90s acts and insist that Hopkins is better than most of them; stylistically, Hopkins is going for something different -- instead of mixing jump blues with early rock & roll, this 2005 release recalls the '40s in a way that is much closer to Count Basie and Duke Ellington (minus the heavy focus on instrumentals and with some early bebop influence as well). But Hopkins definitely has the irony thing down -- not only in terms of his '40s-like attire, but also in terms of his often clever lyrics (which are skillfully handled by Queen Esther -- a big-voiced singer with a very bluesy, gritty take on jazz). Hopkins, however, isn't dorky about it; he and Esther show a genuine affection for different sides of '40s culture (the film noir darkness as well as the quaint romanticism). Underneath a Brooklyn Moon doesn't contain any standards; Hopkins wrote everything himself, and he shows considerable promise on this fun yet professional-sounding effort. ~Alex Henderson

Underneath A Brooklyn Moon

João Gilberto - Brasil

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 28:12
Size: 64.6 MB
Styles: Brazilian jazz
Year: 1981/2006
Art: Front

[6:34] 1. Aquarela Do Brasil
[5:18] 2. Disse Alguem (All Of Me)
[5:12] 3. Bahia Com H
[4:49] 4. No Tabuliero Baiana
[4:56] 5. Milagre
[1:20] 6. Cordiero De Nana

Bass – Jim Hughart; Cello – Anne Goodman, Rober Lebon; Drums – Joe Correro; Flute – Bud Shank, Eddie Cainf, Glen Garrett, Harry Klu; Harp – Stella Castellucci; Keyboards – Clare Fischer; Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa; Performer – Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethânia; Synthesizer – Michael Boddicker, Milcho Leviev; Viola – David Schwartz, Helaine Wittenberg, Marilyn Baker; Violin – Bonnie Douglas, Harry Bluestone, Isabelle Daskoff, Israel Baker, Jerry Reisler, John Wittenberg, Joe Goodman, Nathan Ross, Paul Shure, Bob Dubow, Bob Lipsett; Violin, Concertmaster – Gerald Vinci; Vocals, Guitar – João Gilberto.

I'll just make this a brief review. I've been a professional musician for 35 years. In the 1970's when I discovered this album, I was traveling all over the country with a show. I would play this LP constantly; I never got tired of it. Until I heard this, I had always thought of "Brasil" as a raucous, lounge or marching-band sort of tune. Then I heard these artists perform it, and I finally realized what a marvelous song it really was. There must be 100's of recorded version of it, but you'll never find a more beautiful, sophisticated version than this. Of course, the rest of the album is equally good. Great tunes, great singing, and as an added treat, the brilliant orchestrations of the great Claus Oegerman.

I have listened to this record for years on trips to the mountains, the sea; everywhere. It always gives me a placid, serene feeling. Decades later, the music still gives me chills. I cannot recommend this record enough, and I truly hope that someone else will enjoy it half as much as I have over the years. ~BJNick

Brasil

Judy Niemack - 2 albums: Blue Nights / Jazz Singer's Practice Session

Album: Blue Nights
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 73:38
Size: 168.6 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[4:09] 1. I Ain't Got Nothin' But The Blues
[5:15] 2. Bluesette
[5:28] 3. Blue
[5:11] 4. Interplay
[6:44] 5. Moanin'
[7:24] 6. Blue In Green
[5:27] 7. A Crazy Song To Sing
[6:23] 8. Lullaby Of The Leaves
[7:02] 9. In A Sentimental Mood
[5:47] 10. Night In Tunisia
[5:17] 11. Afro Blue
[9:26] 12. All Blues

Judy Niemack has released so many outstanding CDs that it seems unfathomable that this 2007 release for Blujazz is her first U.S. recording since Heart's Desire and only her third U.S. album overall. But she makes up for lost time with a typically adventurous outing, backed by guitarist Jeanfrançois Prins (her husband), pianist Jim McNeely, bassist Dennis Irwin, and drummer Victor Lewis, with guest appearances by saxophonist Gary Bartz and trumpeter/flügelhornist Don Sickler on selected tracks. Niemack's sassy take of Duke Ellington's "I Ain't Got Nothin' But the Blues" and her scatting in unison with Prins' guitar in a romp through "Bluesette" open the disc with a bang, but she cools things down with her intricate interpretation of Bill Evans' "Interplay," for which she supplied delightful lyrics. "A Crazy Song to Sing" has more of a vocalese quality, describing the appeal of performing Thelonious Monk's "Mysterioso," punctuated by Bartz's smoldering alto sax solo. "In a Sentimental Mood" is set up by an intriguing blend of guitar, flügelhorn, and alto sax, with Niemack delivering a captivating performance. Judy Niemack has been one of the most underrated jazz vocalists of her generation, and this brilliant effort should awaken critics who have unjustly overlooked her consistently excellent work. ~Ken Dryden

Blue Nights

Album: Jazz Singer's Practice Session
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:39
Size: 113.7 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 2004
Art: Front

[4:09] 1. Misty
[4:47] 2. Lullaby Of Birdland
[4:07] 3. How High The Moon
[3:07] 4. Wave
[5:07] 5. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
[3:14] 6. All Of Me
[5:08] 7. My Funny Valentine
[3:35] 8. Teach Me Tonight
[3:12] 9. One Note Samba
[2:59] 10. Summertime
[3:25] 11. Lover Man
[3:41] 12. I Got Rhythm
[3:03] 13. Bye Bye Blackbird

Judy Neimack has a strong magical voice that takes you to the martini bar where you can kick back and relax, oh wait -- you're supposed to be learning! She has chosen well-loved jazz standards, and shows you how it's done. Highly recommended! ~Mellani Day

Jazz Singer's Practice Session

Nicholas Payton - From This Moment...

Styles: Trumpet Jazz
Year: 1995
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:50
Size: 155,3 MB
Art: Front

(4:32) 1. In The Beginning
(6:13) 2. You Stepped Out Of A Dream
(6:49) 3. Fair Weather
(7:11) 4. Maria's Melody
(7:48) 5. It Could Happen To You
(4:51) 6. Little Re-Re
(4:47) 7. From This Moment On
(6:01) 8. Rhonda's Smile
(7:35) 9. The Sleepwalker
(4:09) 10. Blues For My Brother
(4:29) 11. Taking A Chance On Love
(2:22) 12. To The Essential One

The young trumpeter Nicholas Payton is featured on this CD as the only horn in a sextet also including guitarist Mark Whitfield, pianist Mulgrew Miller and vibraphonist Monte Croft. Best are Payton's melodic and very mature statements on the veteran standards "You Stepped Out of a Dream," "It Could Happen to You," "From This Moment On" and "Taking a Chance on Love." His six originals are less memorable, but overall, this is a pleasing date that finds the trumpeter showing a great deal of potential. Payton's tone, mixing aspects of Freddie Hubbard, Wynton Marsalis and New Orleans jazz in a post-bop setting, is quite appealing. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/from-this-moment-mw0000122038

Personnel: Nicholas Payton (trumpet); Monte Croft (vibraphone); Mulgrew Miller (piano); Mark Whitfield (guitar); Reginald Veal (bass); Lewis Nash (drums).

From This Moment...

Dexter Gordon Quartet - Stable Mable

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1975
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:04
Size: 112,8 MB
Art: Front

(7:55) 1. Just Friends
(8:15) 2. Misty
(7:48) 3. Red Cross
(8:20) 4. So What
(6:51) 5. In A Sentimental Mood
(9:52) 6. Stablemates

Dexter Gordon is in frequently exuberant form on this quartet session with pianist Horace Parlan, bassist Niels Pedersen and drummer Tony Inzalaco. The material, which includes "Just Friends," "Misty," "Stablemates" and "Red Cross," is familiar, but the veteran tenor sounds quite inspired throughout the joyous outing. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/stable-mable-mw0000181410

Personnel: Dexter Gordon (soprano & tenor saxophones); Horace Parlan (piano); Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen (bass); Tony Inzalaco (drums).

Stable Mable