Kimberly Gordon Trio - Melancholy Serenade

Size: 124,4 MB
Time: 53:35
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2004
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front & Back

01. I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good (6:01)
02. As Long As I Live (4:51)
03. Mr. Sandman (4:04)
04. What Am I Here For (3:22)
05. In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning (3:52)
06. Too Close For Comfort (4:58)
07. I Ain't Got Nothin' But The Blues (6:02)
08. Melancholy Serenade (6:30)
09. Star Eyes (4:28)
10. Alfie (3:03)
11. Incurably Romantic (6:19)

Chicago native Kimberly Gordon makes a huge impression with her debut recording as a leader. It's not just the singer's rich alto voice that wins over the listener, but her ability to communicate. Joined by pianist Chris Foreman and bassist Joe Policastro, Gordon's selection of songs is adventurous, mixing standards, classic jazz compositions, and even pop of the 1950s and '60s. Few singers bother to learn the verse to Duke Ellington's "I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)," yet the song is transformed by her inclusion of this brilliant introduction. Policastro's fat- toned unaccompanied bass sets up her moving take of another gem by Ellington, "Ain't Got Nothin' but the Blues," in which she sounds like someone who has experienced the despair within its lyrics. She makes her voice sound like it has the wear and tear of a jazz veteran in her swinging treatment of "As Long as I Live," while playfully switching to a childlike chant for effect, then scatting to Foreman's Erroll Garner-like piano. Her approach to "Star Eyes" sidesteps the typical Latin vamp, as she romps through a straight-ahead bop interpretation. Most jazz vocalists avoid material like "Mr. Sandman," but her transformation of it into a slow ballad makes it work. "Too Close for Comfort" was a favorite of Ella Fitzgerald's, so it's no surprise that Gordon can't resist saluting the "First Lady of Swing." Many people think of Jackie Gleason as a comedian and television star, forgetting that he made many orchestral recordings as a bandleader. Gordon contributed masterful lyrics to his bittersweet ballad "Melancholy Serenade." Rarely does an artist sound so seasoned on a debut recording, this is yet another laudable CD issued by the tiny Chicago-based label The Sirens. ~by Ken Dryden

Melancholy Serenade

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Martial Solal & Dave Liebman - Masters In Bordeaux

Size: 103,9 MB
Time: 44:53
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Jazz
Art: Front

01. All The Things You Are (7:43)
02. Night and Day (9:30)
03. Solar (8:17)
04. What Is This Thing Called Love (7:03)
05. On Green Dolphin Street (5:07)
06. Lover Man (7:10)

This should have happened a long time ago. Veteran jazz icons Martial Solal and Dave Liebman had never played together before the the Paris jazz club dates that served as a warm-up of sorts for this set, Masters In Bordeaux, recorded at the Jazz And Wine Festival in Bordeaux, France.

Paris-based pianist Solal, ninety years old now, began his career in the 1950s, in small groups, big bands, and as a crafter of soundtracks. His style is a freewheeling brew of form and freedom, often stretching the familiar close to the borders of unfamiliarity, with a wit, grace and humor almost unmatched in jazz. Saxophonist Liebman, twenty years younger than his new partner here, nudged his foot into the doorway of a higher profile with Miles Davis, during one of the trumpeter's most avant and controversial periods, 'round about the time of the making of On The Corner (Columbia Records, 1972). Both artists can be called unconventional, both have had long and successful careers pushing their music to new places. And, judging from their recent output, the artists from different generations couldn't have more different musical personalities—Solal the crafty fox with a perpetual smile, laying down sunny sounds that contain surprising depths; Liebman bursting with intensity, gruff and robust.

This makes for a riveting contrast.

Liebman, better known perhaps for his soprano sax sound, alternates the straight horn here with his tenor sax. His soprano, on the "All The Things You Are," is sharp and searing, a bit rough around the edges; on tenor, on "What Is This Thing Called Love," he barks and blusters like a hungry Rottweiler. And Solal, as always, lays down a light-hearted, light-stepping backdrop as an accompanist, and sparkles the sounds out to the loveliest edge on his solos.

The set is all standards, but not a predictable note can be heard. These two masters are as spontaneous as can be, freewheeling and in the moment, the unique blending of the genius of their disparate artistries on full display. ~By Dan McClenaghan

Personnel: Martial Solal: piano; Dave Liebman: saxophones.

Masters In Bordeaux

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Ella Fitzgerald & London Symphony Orchestra - Someone To Watch Over Me

Size: 102,6 MB
Time: 43:52
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. People Will Say We're In Love (Feat. Gregory Porter) (3:14)
02. Someone To Watch Over Me (3:25)
03. They Can't Take That Away From Me (Feat. Louis Armstrong) (4:39)
04. Bewitched (3:34)
05. I Get A Kick Out Of You (4:15)
06. Misty (2:53)
07. Makin' Whoopee! (2:59)
08. These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You) (4:26)
09. Let's Call The Whole Thing Off (Feat. Louis Armstrong) (4:22)
10. What Is There To Say (3:28)
11. Let's Do It (Let's Fall In Love) (3:35)
12. With A Song In My Heart (2:56)

Ella Fitzgerald’s iconic vocals are given new life by marrying newly recorded string arrangements from the London Symphony Orchestra. Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, and conducted by James Morgan and Jorge Callandrelli, this new approach to Ella’s timeless music reinvigorates her catalog and is sure to excite and please long time Ella fanatics and classical music connoisseurs at the same time. Guest vocalist Gregory Porter also lends his incredible talent to "People Will Say We're in Love.”

Someone To Watch Over Me

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Herb Alpert - The Christmas Wish (With SYmphony And Choir)

Size: 125,5 MB
Time: 53:38
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Jazz Pop, Xmas
Art: Front

01. Joy To The World - Silver Bells (4:01)
02. Let It Snow - Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer (2:56)
03. Santa Baby (3:02)
04. Carol Of The Bells - We Wish You A Merry Christmas (3:58)
05. I'll Be Home For Christmas (3:47)
06. Silent Night (2:40)
07. Winter Wonderland (4:12)
08. Merry Christmas, Darling (3:30)
09. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town (2:36)
10. The Christmas Wish (3:48)
11. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (4:29)
12. The Christmas Song (3:30)
13. White Christmas (3:56)
14. What Are You Doing New Year's Eve (3:05)
15. Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring (4:02)

While Christmas is still several months away, the holidays’ gears are being oiled for the eventual arrival of holiday music. And, as many of you already know, there are never a lack of new holiday sets. It’s as if there’s an insatiable appetite for you. And the record labels are all too happy to supply that appetite with a lot of new music every year.

This year, one of the first out of the gate is from an old favorite, Herb Alpert. The last Christmas album from Herb Alpert came back in 1968, entitled Christmas Album. Along the way, Herb Alpert released many an endearing classic including his 1987 classic set (Keep Your Eye On Me) that gave us two radio hits. And of course, that entrancing cover of “Stranger On The Shore” played the deeper cut FM circuit well. But Christmas is why we’re here.

On September, Herb Alpert will release his first Christmas album in 50 years. The new album will be titled The Christmas Wish. It will provide fifteen familiar holiday classics. But this album will provide a twist. The songs will be delivered with the use of a ten-piece rhythm section, a 45-piece orchestra, and a 32-member choir to give it a much more distinct sound. Of course, Herb Alpert’s trumpet is the centerpiece of the package. ~By mattrowe

The Christmas Wish

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Nicole Zuraitis - Hive Mind

Size: 104,7 MB
Time: 45:05
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Jazz Vocals
Art: Front

01. Move On (4:45)
02. Out Of My Heart (4:25)
03. The Inscription (4:45)
04. Idle (6:45)
05. Jolene (4:28)
06. Sunny Side (4:46)
07. Failing (4:06)
08. Episodes (3:54)
09. Pure Imagination (4:25)
10. Shirley's Waltz (2:42)

Vocalist and pianist Nicole Zuraitis has made a name for herself internationally as a jazz singer and songwriter. Nicole will release her album “Hive Mind” in September 2017 with Dot Time Records. She is the 2016 winner of the New York City Songwiting Competition Coffee Music Project, 2015 finalist in the Sarah Vaughan International Vocal Competition at NJPAC, a 2014 winner of the ASCAP Herb Alpert National Young Jazz Composers award and a semi finalist in the National American Traditions Vocal Competition in winter 2015, taking home both the People’s Choice Award and the Johnny Mercer Award. Her world music folk band EVA tours internationally alongside folk legends Livingston Taylor, Melanie Safka and Tom Chapin. As a sidewoman she fronts the Dan Pugach Nonet, joined The Omar Hakim Experience as a vocalist at the Iridium Jazz Club, sung background vocals for Maz of Snarky Puppy, and had the great pleasure of singing with Bernard Purdie, Kung Fu and Elise Testone recently at the New Orleans Jazz Festival. She is a proud member of the Litchfield Jazz Camp faculty and has lead her band on the MainStage of the Litchfield Jazz Festival twice, as well as appeared as a sideman with the Carmen Staaf Quintet. In August 2017 she will sing with the Litchfield Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Jen Allen on the MainStage of the Litchfield jazz Festival. She holds a residency at the iconic jazz club 55 bar once a month and headlined the Blue Note Jazz Club in March 2016.

Hive Mind

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Organissimo - Live At The Speakez

Size: 127,6 MB
Time: 55:17
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Jazz Soul, Hammond Organ
Art: Front

01. Mister Walker (Live) ( 9:39)
02. Never Knew Love Like This Before (Live) ( 8:27)
03. Jan Jan (Live) (10:01)
04. Could It Be I'm Falling In Love (Live) ( 7:15)
05. Quem Diz Que Sabe (Live) ( 8:42)
06. Daddy James (Live) (11:12)

Since 2012, the SpeakEZ Lounge in Grand Rapids has hosted a Jazz Jam every Sunday night. The emcee and house drummer for the jam is none other than organissimo's Randy Marsh, so naturally organissimo performs there often.

Over the last few years, the band has documented these performances using a professional multi-track recording system. Originally these recordings were meant for organissimo's crowdfunding patrons as a bonus 'thank you' for their support. But in listening to the performances, the band decided they should be heard by more people.

Live At The SpeakEZ is in many ways a throwback to the days of the jazz clubs that dotted mid-century cities across America. It's where soul jazz and Hammond organ based jazz was nurtured and thrived, bringing jazz to the people at the local bar. In many ways, Live At The SpeakEZ is a continuation of recordings like Groove Holmes' Living Soul (recorded live at Count Basie's club in NYC), Johnny 'Hammond' Smith's Black Coffee (recorded live at the Monterey Club in New Haven, CT), and Jimmy Smith's Groovin' At Small's Paradise (recorded at the club of the same name in NYC). It captures organissimo in the moment, playing for the people, feeding off the energy of the audience, and just having a good time. And that's what music should be about!

Live At The Speakez

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Kirsten Orsborn - Songbird

Size: 120,3 MB
Time: 51:16
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

01. Songbird (4:01)
02. Let Me Keep Falling In Love (3:25)
03. Sentimental Reasons (3:42)
04. A Night Like This (3:42)
05. The Way We Were (2:59)
06. Say A Little Prayer (3:11)
07. Rainy Days And Mondays (3:27)
08. Mamma Didn't Raise No Fool (3:03)
09. Believing (4:18)
10. Something I've Never Heard Before (2:59)
11. When Will I See You Again (2:59)
12. Twisting The Night Away (2:43)
13. Only I (3:48)
14. Land Of A Thousand Dances (2:23)
15. Dance With My Father (4:30)

Kirsten age 20yrs has done many things from stage to TV, we hope you will all join us on Kirsten's journey, plenty of shows coming up dates always in the events panel,also more recordings of new songs that we hope to share with you all very soon,also has recorded a single for inspirato records which was released 7th may 2012,called one more step,kirsten also has had a rotary community award for all her charity work she has done, one year alone she attended over 30 charity shows to help raise funds,she has won many other awards for her vocals and awarded best up and coming female vocalist clubland awards in south wales,Kirsten stayed at no1 for the IMN charts in America with the song dance with my father,Kirsten is also known as the Forces New Sweetheart as she has performed many times now for the armed forces weekend twice in Sunderland/Bristol,and this year will be in Cardiff,.Kirsten travels to many places with her performing, KIrsten performed with The Batchelors for the start of there 50th anniversary tour in Cambridge. Kirsten performed with The American Drifters, Kirsten has been touring the Uk to many military bases e.g. Limpstone Commando Training base, Chelsea Pensioners London Royal Hospital, supports the royal sea cadets St Athens, also is very much involved in supporting project 65 degrees north with Peter Bowker amputee, Kirsten also has released a single called April Wine in 2014 for the charity BLESMA still available on amazon and itunes to download funds to to blesma. Kirsten is very much looking forward to all the projects she has lined up for this year, many new singles to record and lots of new places to visit. keep music alive.

Songbird

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Randy Weston Trio - Get Happy

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1955
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:21
Size: 85,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:45)  1. Get Happy
(2:55)  2. Fire Down There
(4:12)  3. Where Are You?
(3:10)  4. Under Blunder
(3:37)  5. Dark Eyes
(4:00)  6. Summertime
(5:19)  7. Bass Knows
(2:53)  8. C Jam Blues
(4:25)  9. A Ballad
(3:00) 10. Twelfth Street Rag

This early release from Randy Weston finds the pianist still in his formative stages. His supple technique is evident, along with key influences: Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, and Art Tatum -- their lessons not quite yet melded into an approach of Weston's own. As well, this 1955 date is from the period before Weston's time spent in Nigeria and Northern Africa, where he absorbed musical experiences that would help form the more distinctive approach that emerged in his playing in the 1960s. The set shows Weston's facility with standards, Ellingtonia, even ragtime, but, with several tracks coming in well under four minutes, the performances offer little room for development. The impression here is that of a pianist of great potential limbering up before the curtain rises for the show. The subdued rhythm support of bassist Sam Gill and drummer Wilbert Hogan adds to this effect. The level of interaction between the leader and his rhythm team is not great. The only real exception is the nice dialogue between the pianist and the bassist on the standard "Dark Eyes." Also absent are the writing skills for which Weston would later become known with trademark works such as "Hi-Fly" and "Little Niles." Weston's two originals on Get Happy are unremarkable, riff-based tunes that only reinforce the sense of this session's serving as a promising warm-up for better things to come. ~ Jim Todd http://www.allmusic.com/album/get-happy-mw0000177201

Personnel;  Randy Weston – piano;  Sam Gill – bass;  Wilbert Hogan - drums

Get Happy

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Machan - Machan

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2004
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:25
Size: 118,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:12)  1. Brazilian Heart
(4:53)  2. Everywhere I Go
(4:34)  3. Speak Low
(4:53)  4. You're My Joy
(4:48)  5. Time To Say Goodbye
(3:48)  6. Never My Love
(3:40)  7. Blossom
(5:50)  8. Got No Love
(4:44)  9. Never Thought
(3:24) 10. Talk To Me
(6:34) 11. So Little Time

Vocalist, Recording Artist, Performer, Composer, Educator.  When Machan sings whether as part of a finely tuned background ensemble, belting out a rock anthem or delivering a ballad in an intimate solo setting – listeners are moved by what Variety Magazine called her “seamless vocal style.” Her compelling vocal talents have graced live performances and recordings by some of the world’s most celebrated musicians. While on tour with Sting, Machan sang with him at The GRAMMY® Awards and Royal Albert Hall and she’s dazzled audiences around the globe on big stadium concert tours with Pink Floyd, Foreigner and Pat Benetar. She’s shared the stage with artists as diverse as Aretha Franklin, George Benson, Bobby Caldwell, Gov’t Mule, Billy Joel and Natalie Merchant, and was front woman for the acclaimed jazz ensemble, Hiroshima, for three years. Her work has attracted the attention of millions of TV viewers via appearances on Saturday Night Live, David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Jay Leno/The Tonight Show, Arsenio Hall and other major network shows.

“Blessed with a powerful voice, astonishing range and physical beauty, Taylor was spectacularly successful …” ~ Leonard Feather, Los Angeles Times, Playboy Jazz Festival

Machan started her career singing in coffeehouses and nightclubs at age 16 and, a year later, attracted a huge and loyal fan base in the NYC metro area as co-leader of a swing, bebop and jazz band, Za Zu Zaz. In 1979, she moved to NYC and landed a two-year gig as featured vocalist for the legendary Glenn Miller Orchestra. From there, her career took off and she enjoyed touring and recording all over the world for a couple of decades. Following her 2000 world tour with Sting, Machan was ready to finally record her own compositions. She recorded her first release, Machan (A440 Records, 2004), with the help of several musicians and producers such as GRAMMY Award winner Rick DePofi, renowned jazz bassist Brian Bromberg, and her husband, Danny Louis, keyboardist for Gov’t Mule. The CD – which reached #35 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Jazz Charts just one month after release – reflected her love of Brazilian music and her earliest influences (Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Judy Collins and her mother, who had a career as a jazz singer in Tokyo). Her second recording of originals, Motion of Love (NuGroove Records, 2007), featured performances with John Medeski, John Scofield, Randy Brecker and Danny Louis. In this recording, she revealed herself both musically and personally, offering lyrics with social commentary embedded into a range of diverse grooves. “As I’ve gotten older,” she says, “I can’t ignore what’s happening in the world or the way I feel about it. To develop as a songwriter, I want to speak my truth.”

“Miss Taylor, a striking-looking Eurasian, has an even more striking voice that she warms up with some adept scat singing, and eventually explodes in a display of vocalizing that takes off in the Yma Sumac manner.”~ John S. Wilson, The New York Times

In 2011, she was executive producer for The Motherland Project, a CD featuring Jackie Greene, Rachael Yamagata and other musicians who united to raise funds for victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami. A year later, she participated in The Hudson Valley Artists Hurricane Relief Project (a CD compilation with Medeski, Martin & Wood; Amy Helm; Gov’t Mule and others) to help Hudson Valley victims of Hurricane Irene. And, she sang with Natalie Merchant to support the release of Jon Bowermaster’s 2012 antifracking documentary film, Dear Governor Cuomo. “I love to support causes that speak to my value system or for the environment,” Machan says, “and I look forward to writing more music for film and television.” Her compositions in collaboration with keyboardist and producer Steve Gaboury have been featured on shows like The Oprah Winfrey Show, Anthony Bourdain's Parts Unknown, the Oscar winning film, American Beauty, starring Kevin Spacey and Annette Bening and the 2015 Golden Globe Award winning, Oscar nominated film Boyhood. She sang on the soundtracks for Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, Natural Born Killers and other films. And, Machan has developed impressive credits as a vocalist or composer for corporate campaigns for Oil of Olay, Cottonelle, Toyota, Sears and Duracell, among other clients. But, despite her accomplishments, Machan says, “I felt like there was a hole. I’ve had a lifelong goal to go back to school and get my degree. In the next chapter of my life, I would love to get a faculty position teaching music.” In 2013, Machan completed her undergraduate degree in Arts-Contemporary Vocal Performance at the State University of New York/Empire State College and received her master’s degree from New York University (NYU) in Theory and Composition- Songwriting/Film Composing in May 2016. She currently teaches at NYU’s Clive Davis School of Recorded Music and maintains a private teaching practice as well. She served as vocal coach for two major motion pictures – Vera Farmiga’s directorial debut, Higher Ground (2010) and Peace, Love and Misunderstanding (Bruce Beresford, Director, 2011), starring Jane Fonda and Catherine Keener.

“It’s funny how circles in your life go around. I didn’t go to college when I was younger, because I was already singing professionally when I graduated from high school. Back then, I thought, ‘why do I have to go to school? I’m already doing what I want to do! My recent big push to go back and get my undergraduate and master’s degrees accomplished a major goal for me.” “I love teaching,” she continues. “And, of course, I have always loved to sing. Being a composer offers me yet another creative outlet. At one point, I remember feeling like I was ‘all over the place,’ but now I see my diversity of experience as my strength,” Machan says. “Choosing to live as a creative person is a tough road to travel, and it requires you to be a survivalist. You’ve got to learn to develop and draw upon various aspects of your talents, not just one.” As an artist who embraces and excels in the creative life from all perspectives teacher, performer, producer, composer and entrepreneur Machan offers aspiring singers and musicians knowledgeable perspective, practical know-how and inspiration … the full package of what’s needed to really make a difference in music students’ lives. Along with teaching, Machan continues to work on new material for herself and hopes to release a new music project in 2017.

Machan

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Cedar Walton - Voices Deep Within

Styles: Piano Jazz 
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 56:42
Size: 130,1 MB
Art: Front

(6:42)  1. Voices Deep Within
(6:07)  2. Memories Of You
(8:22)  3. Another Star
(6:17)  4. Dear Ruth
(6:33)  5. Something In Common
(7:04)  6. Over The Rainbow
(6:29)  7. Naima
(9:05)  8. No Moe

Since 2001, Cedar Walton's regular excursions into Rudy Van Gelder's legendary Englewood Cliffs studio for the HighNote label have consistently resulted in some of this century's finest mainstream jazz recordings. On Voices Deep Within he continues the tradition, once again demonstrating the vitality and endurance of (t)his music. Despite his ever growing popularity and critical acclaim (and next month's NEA Jazz Mastership), Walton has not yet been elevated to his deserved place in the pantheon of the greatest jazz pianists alongside the somewhat senior Horace Silver, who he would eventually succeed in Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, and the slightly younger McCoy Tyner, who he preceded in recording with John Coltrane. And although this disc is unlikely to bring him the fame that his talent warrants, it will please both dyed-in-the-wool Waltonians and newcomers just beginning to appreciate his artistry. Walton, a prolific and prodigious composer of memorable melodies, an arranger of uncommon originality and a pianist with an immediately identifiable sound and style, is at his best here. He divides the date between slightly altered versions of his working trio (with Buster Williams sitting in for regular bassist David Williams and Willie Jones III in the drum chair previously occupied by Kenny Washington-Vocals, Lewis Nash and Joe Farnsworth, since the death of longtime Walton colleague Billy Higgins) and quartet (with Vincent Herring eschewing his customary alto saxophone exclusively to play tenor). The saxophonist's dark bittersweet sound is heard to good effect on four tracks, beginning with the opening title piece, a brightly swinging Walton original that recalls his Eastern Rebellion units featuring George Coleman or Bob Berg. The trio tracks, relaxed readings of Eubie Blake's "Memories Of You" and the leader's own "Dear Ruth," as well as romantic renderings of "Over The Rainbow" and "Naima," showcase Williams' lyrical bass and Jones' remarkably mature work with brushes, along with Walton's uncanny ability to put new twists on familiar material. The album's showpiece is a reworking of his earlier arrangement of "Another Star" an exciting tour de force that shines a bright light on the pianist's harmonic, melodic and rhythmic genius, with an engaging introductory vamp and countermelody that makes the Stevie Wonder classic his own. Herring's tenor swings melodically on this and two more quartet pieces the leader's "Something in Common" and Sonny Rollins' "No Moe" complementing the trio's superb sound nicely. ~ Russ Musto https://www.allaboutjazz.com/voices-deep-within-cedar-walton-highnote-records-review-by-russ-musto.php

Personnel: Cedar Walton: piano; Vincent Herring: tenor saxophone; Buster Williams: bass; Willie Jones III: drums.

Voices Deep Within

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Gary Peacock Trio - Eastward

Styles: Contemporary Jazz
Year: 1970
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:03
Size: 138,9 MB
Art: Front

( 9:51)  1. Lessoning
( 6:12)  2. Nanshi
( 8:31)  3. Changing
( 5:28)  4. One Up
(13:50)  5. Eastward
( 6:20)  6. Little Abi
( 9:46)  7. Moor

One of Gary Peacock's rare Japanese-only albums for Columbia really dynamic trio work that's a lot more powerful than the bassist's later sides for ECM! Gary's working here with Masabumi Kikuchi on piano and Hiroshi Murakami on drums in a mode that's got the open-ended, long flowing energy that would emerge most strongly in Japanese trio sessions a few years later a style that's exploratory, but never too free and perfectly suited to the tonal colors that Peacock's always brought to his work on bass. The set is sophisticated, yet never full of itself with a great juxtaposition of lyrical and modern moments, carved out here with a heck of a lot of power! Titles include "Eastward", "One Up", "Changing", "Moor", "Little Abi", and "Nanshi". © 1996-2017, Dusty Groove, Inc. https://www.dustygroove.com/item/759931/Gary-Peacock:Eastward

Personnel:  Bass – Gary Peacock;  Drums – Hiroshi Murakami;  Piano – Masabumi Kikuchi

Eastward

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Johnny Griffin / Art Taylor Quartet - The Jamfs Are Coming!

Styles: Saxophone And Piano Jazz
Year: 1977
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:19
Size: 86,1 MB
Art: Front

(16:23)  1. The Jamfs Are Coming, Wee Dot
( 1:22)  2. Wee
(19:33)  3. All The Things You Are

A pair of small nightclubs in Wihelmshaven, Germany provided the settings for these live performances led by tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin. Accompanied by drummer Art Taylor, pianist Rein de Graaff, and either Koos Serierse or Henk Haverhoek on bass, Griffin is in top form. His explosive original blues, "The Jamfs Are Coming" ("JAMF" is an acronym for a well-known but unprintable expression), is a powerful opener recorded in 1977, with pulsing solos by de Graaff and Taylor as well. Following an unaccompanied coda, Griffin rapidly shifts gears into a brief up-tempo rendition of "Wee Dot," which is unfortunately faded out. The one-minute chorus of "Wee" is a complete performance that evidently closed a 1975 set. The LP wraps with an inspired take of "All the Things You Are," in which Griffin dodges the head initially then squeezes in a lick or two from "Happy Birthday" and a series of other humorous quotes throughout this frenzied 20-minute workout. Due to the evident demise of the various labels which have issued this music, it will be increasingly difficult to acquire. ~ Ken Dryden http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-jamfs-are-coming-mw0000906358

Personnel:  Saxophone [Tenor] – Johnny Griffin;  Bass – Henk Haverhoek,  Koos Serierse;  Drums – Art Taylor;  Piano – Rein De Graaff

The Jamfs Are Coming!

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Cecil Payne - Casbah

Styles: Saxophone And Piano Jazz
Year: 1985
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:24
Size: 99,7 MB
Art: Front

(6:56)  1. Casbah
(6:54)  2. Carney
(8:18)  3. Wave
(5:52)  4. A Walkin' Thing
(3:36)  5. Time After Time
(5:49)  6. How Deep Is the Ocean
(5:55)  7. Bosco

This excellent effort is slightly unusual in that baritonist Cecil Payne (who doubles a bit on flute) is joined by a pianoless and drumless rhythm section (pianist Richard Wyands, guitarist Joe Carter and bassist Stafford James). The intimate setting suits Payne well, who is in top form on such numbers as Tadd Dameron's "Casbah," a song dedicated to Harry Carney (simply called "Carney"), Benny Carter's "A Walkin' Thing" and Payne's "Bosco." Cecil Payne remains one of the most underrated baritonists of the bop era; this small-label LP is a fine example of his talents. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/casbah-mw0000106743

Cecil Payne (baritone sax) Richard Wyands (piano) Joe Carter (guitar) Stafford James (bass)

Casbah

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Lisa Lovbrand - Let Me Love You

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:39
Size: 119,2 MB
Art: Front

(3:51)  1. Hot 'N' Cold
(3:26)  2. Ain't Givin' Up
(3:21)  3. No Maybes
(3:39)  4. I Will Wait For You
(2:40)  5. Truly
(4:27)  6. The Best Of Me
(3:58)  7. No Breaking Point
(5:57)  8. Tear Of Love
(3:54)  9. Don't Think Twice
(4:46) 10. Let's Get It On
(4:10) 11. We Just Met
(4:04) 12. Over The Rainbow
(3:21) 13. Lady 'Til The End Of Time

Born: in Stockholm on 27 October 1978. Background: Grew up in Dorothea in 1999 where she was named Miss Lapland. Recently released jazz album “Embrace Able”. Lives: Dorothea and Malibu in California. Qualifications: Studied at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. Acting Assignment: Four feature films, including the hit “Stuck On You” with Matt Damon. Current: With the feature film “Attack Force” in which Lisa plays the female lead in Steven Seagal. https://ujiyasu.wordpress.com/2010/05/02/lisa-lovbrand/

Let Me Love You

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Lester Young - The Jazz Giants

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1956
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:31
Size: 100,9 MB
Art: Front

( 9:35)  1. I Guess I'll Have To Change My Plan
(10:06)  2. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
( 6:54)  3. Gigantic Blues
( 6:49)  4. This Year's Kisses
( 9:06)  5. You Can Depend On Me

Even critics who feel (against the recorded evidence to the contrary) that little of tenor saxophonist Lester Young's postwar playing is at the level of his earlier performances make an exception for this session. Young was clearly inspired by the other musicians (trumpeter Roy Eldridge, trombonist Vic Dickenson, pianist Teddy Wilson, guitarist Freddie Green, bassist Gene Ramey, and drummer Jo Jones), who together made for a very potent band of swing all-stars. The five songs on this album include some memorable renditions of ballads and a fine version of "You Can Depend on Me," but it is the explosive joy of the fiery "Gigantic Blues" that takes honors. This set, a real gem, is highly recommended. ~ Scott Yanow http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-jazz-giants-56-mw0000192693

Personnel: Lester Young (tenor saxophone); Freddie Green, Herb Ellis (guitar); Buddy DeFranco (clarinet); Flip Phillips (tenor saxophone); Dizzy Gillespie, Roy Eldridge (trumpet); Vic Dickenson, Bill Harris (trombone); Oscar Peterson, Teddy Wilson (piano); Jo Jones All Stars , Jo Jones , Louie Bellson (drums).

The Jazz Giants

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Benny Green - Magic Beans

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:57
Size: 119,5 MB
Art: Front

(4:20)  1. Benny's Crib
(7:02)  2. Kenny Drew
(3:45)  3. Flying Saucer
(4:48)  4. Jackie McLean
(5:04)  5. Vanished
(4:11)  6. Harold Land
(5:35)  7. Magic Beans
(5:42)  8. Paraphrase
(4:45)  9. La Portuguesa
(6:40) 10. Further Away

Pianist Benny Green delivers his first album of all-original material with 2013's Magic Beans. Joining Green here is the superb rhythm section of bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington. Green has long evinced the influence of such jazz giants as Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell, and Magic Beans is no exception, with cuts like "Flying Saucer" and "Paraphrase" bringing to mind the angular bop lines of those artists. Similarly, as directly stated in the song titles, "Harold Land," "Kenny Drew," and "Jackie McLean" are also clearly on Green's mind, with the aforementioned tracks truly conjuring their titles' inspirations. Elsewhere, Green reveals an introspective, atmospheric side with the lyrical ballads "Vanished" and "La Portuguesa." Ultimately, Magic Beans is an urbane and swinging mix of straight-ahead small-group jazz that showcases Green's inventive original compositions and lithe, tradition-steeped jazz chops. ~ Matt Collar http://www.allmusic.com/album/magic-beans-mw0002475943

Personnel: Benny Green (piano); Kenny Washington (drums).

Magic Beans

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David Kikoski - Almost Twilight

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1999
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 66:35
Size: 152,7 MB
Art: Front

( 3:23)  1. Waiting For G.M
(12:17)  2. Rose Part 1&2
( 9:07)  3. Water
( 8:06)  4. Games
( 6:15)  5. Almost Twilight
( 7:13)  6. Betrayal
( 6:35)  7. Blues In The Face
( 7:30)  8. Opportunity
( 6:05)  9. Immediacy

Although David Kikoski has done great work as a member of Roy Haynes's band, he is at his absolute best in a trio setting such as this. His previous effort, The Maze, never managed to take flight; it was as though Kikoski's hands were tied by the quartet format. But here he returns in top form on his third Criss Cross release, an all-original trio outing. The formidable pianist is supported by John Patitucci on bass and Jeff "Tain" Watts on drums, the very rhythm section that appears on Joey Calderazzo's equally excellent trio album of the same year. "Rose, Part 1 & 2" ranks as one of Kikoski's most swinging, inspired compositions to date. Other highlights include the frenetic, polyrhythmic "Water," the funky and complex "Betrayal," and the ambitious rubato-to-swing "Opportunity." Patitucci's solos on the slow "Blues in the Face" and the up-tempo "Immediacy" are also show-stoppers, as is Watt's solo on the latter. At times, Kikoski's playing and writing can seem coldly technical, but he is nonetheless one of the most compelling pianists on the scene. Along with 1995's self-titled disc and 1998's Inner Trust, Almost Twilight is an essential entry in his steadily growing catalog. ~ David R.Adler http://www.allmusic.com/album/almost-twilight-mw0000619505

Personnel:  Dave Kikoski (piano);  Jeff "Tain" Watts (drums)

Almost Twilight

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Emi Meyer - Monochrome

Size: 102,4 MB
Time: 35:48
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2015/2017
Styles: Jazz/Pop/Soul Vocals
Art: Front

01. Odyssey (4:31)
02. If I Think Of You (3:34)
03. Monochrome (3:41)
04. I'd Rather Go Blind (3:51)
05. Paraiso (4:06)
06. Home (4:12)
07. Master Piece (4:17)
08. Flesh And Bones (3:18)
09. What A Wonderful World (4:14)

With an interesting blend of jazz, soul and pop, Tokyo-based singer/songwriter Emi Meyer has carved out a wide-ranging career in Japan with her songs featured in TV, movies and advertising, and her performances ranging from small jazz clubs to major stages throughout Asia. For her debut U.S. recording, Meyer combines music from a set recorded in Paris with Belgian pianist Eric Legnini's French quartet, and new originals recorded in Seattle and featuring guitarist Dan Balmer & pianist Dawn Clement. From her own compositions to classics like "I'd Rather Go Blind" from Etta James' songbook, Michael Buble's "Home," or "What A Wonderful World," Emi's intimate readings project poignancy and grace, tying them all together in an engaging package.

Monochrome

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Aaron Bing - Aaron Bing

Size: 98,6 MB
Time: 42:02
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Jazz: Smooth Jazz
Art: Front

01. Endless Moment (4:09)
02. Gentle Beauty (4:12)
03. New Beginning (3:48)
04. Where We're Supposed To Be (Feat. Jd Greer) (4:25)
05. Outside The Box (4:04)
06. On The Go (3:57)
07. Open Your Eyes (4:50)
08. Language Of Us (Feat. Taalib York) (4:14)
09. Imagine (4:25)
10. Gift Of Life (3:54)

When Aaron Bing plays, most people sit back and take notice. Bing wants his listeners to hear the best music possible, not categorize his musical style. His music is unlike any on the current Jazz scene. It combines several genres and creates a bran-new sound.

If you listen closely to his debut LP, one might say, you'll find R&B drum tracks as well as classical strings. "My music is multi-faced," he says. "It's a mixture of Jazz, R&B and classical. I wrote from my emotions and feelings. I went with what was true from my heart. I wrote and produced all of the songs on my album. My music represents who I am. When someone listens to my music they hear character... it reflects my personality."

What sets me apart from other Jazz artists is that I am just being myself. I'm not trying to follow a certain style. I have my own individuality, and I'm just being sincere in my craft."

Bing's music deeply intertwines with the emotion of love, joy, happiness and sorrow. However, there is a passionate and romantic feeling through his songs. "Feelings, emotions and what I feel in terms of the ups and downs of relationships or any other experiences I might go thru in life figure into my songs. When a song comes into my head, I pick-up my saxophone and play the melody. After that, I go over to the piano and start structuring a song."

Aaron Bing is an instrumentalist whose music will skyrocket in the industry. He is not afraid to belt out his scales and riffs with precise timing. We are sure that his super talent and abundance of self-confidence will keep him on the scene for a long time to come.

Aaron Bing

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Blossom Dearie - Blossom Dearie Sings (45th Anniversary Edition)

Size: 110,7 MB
Time: 47:09
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2017
Styles: Jazz/Pop Vocals
Art: Front

01. I'm Shadowing You (3:39)
02. Saving My Feeling For You (3:45)
03. Sunday Afternoon (3:41)
04. Somebody New (2:53)
05. I Like You, You're Nice (2:39)
06. Baby, You're My Kind (3:30)
07. Home (4:04)
08. Hey John (3:12)
09. You Have Lived In Autumn (2:56)
10. Flame To Fire (3:40)
11. Baby, You're My Kind (Work Lead) (3:25)
12. Home (Alternate Version) (4:04)
13. I Like You, You're Nice (Alternate Version) (1:54)
14. Sunday Afternoon (Alternate Version) (3:42)

Blossom Dearie wrote her first song, "Blossom's Blues," in late 1956, a coy response to similar songs from female singers of the era. The first and last lyrics she would ever write would be, "If you don't like my peaches baby, why do you shake my tree?"

In London, in the mid-60's, Blossom was visiting a friend when Brit-rocker Georgie Fame came on the radio. Her friend's children went wild and began to dance around the living room. Blossom was so taken that she sat down at the piano and began a melody, her friend, Sandra Harris, wrote the words, and Sweet Georgie Fame along with Blossom's earliest demo recordings of her own songs were born. From then on Blossom stayed on the music side and let talented friends supply the lyrics. Sweet Georgie Fame, and the real Georgie Fame stayed in England, but ten tracks, all written by Blossom Dearie, were about to make their way back home to New York.

From 1965-1970 Blossom recorded four albums for Fontana Records in England. After her tenure at Fontana ended she started to shop demo recordings, mostly of her own songs, around to record labels in Europe and the United States. In 1972 she crafted together a master tape that was to serve as a delivered album that a label could pick up and release on the spot. She financed, and friend (and fellow jazz artist) Bob Dorough produced. The studio was not exactly state of the art, the bathroom was across the street, but Michel Legrand stopped in, and Johnny Mercer hung out through most of the recording. The most notable of the tracks are "I'm Shadowing You" written with Mercer(pre-Watergate) as well as "Hey John" which was a thank you to new friend John Lennon for digging being on the same television show together.

It was at an unnamed record label in 1973 that the last denial took place. Either the label was not interested or they were offering a paltry sum for the master tape. According to Blossom, she said, "The hell with this!" Took her master, commiserated with her buddy Johnny Mercer, and decided to start her own label. He aptly named it "Daffodil Records" for her. Blossom was the second female artist to produce and shop her own master and the first successful female artist who headed her own record label.

A year after final recording Daffodil Records released, Blossom Dearie Sings. This was because, Blossom Dearie, Sings, Plays Piano, Writes the Songs, Arranges the Music, and Produces the Record wouldn't fit on the record sleeve. However that would be the template for the rest of the Daffodil catalog. Whitney Balliet of the New Yorker supplied the original liner notes starting by saying, "Everything about Blossom Dearie is just right.(musically)" He finished by remarking, "If things go askew or do not fit into her plans, they don't exist."

Blossom Dearie Sings is not just an album, but the determined effort of one of the world's most unique jazz artists to continue her career. Her way. For her fans. Around the time of this album's release Blossom played Carnegie Hall and transitioned from a nightclub entertainer to a concert performer. Thirteen more albums would follow on Daffodil as would hundreds of thousands of international miles of concert tours. All under the direction of Blossom herself.

Blossom's family and Daffodil Records are proud to offer this album remastered and in stereo with four bonus tracks.

Blossom Dearie Sings

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