Jimmy Smith, Stanley Turrentine - Prayer Meetin'

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:04
Size: 126.1 MB
Styles: Soul jazz, B3 Organ jazz
Year: 1963/2004
Art: Front

[5:43] 1. Prayer Meetin'
[9:23] 2. I Almost Lost My Mind
[3:42] 3. Stone Cold Dead In The Market
[6:09] 4. When The Saints Go Marching In
[7:37] 5. Red Top
[6:27] 6. Picnickin'
[8:50] 7. Lonesome Road (Aka Lonesome Road Blues)
[7:11] 8. Smith Walk

Drums – Donald Bailey; Guitar – Quentin Warren; Organ [Hammond] – Jimmy Smith; Tenor Saxophone – Stanley Turrentine. Recorded on February 8, 1963 at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey.

Playing piano-style single-note lines on his Hammond B-3 organ, Jimmy Smith revolutionized the use of the instrument in a jazz combo setting in the mid-'50s and early '60s, and arguably his best albums for Blue Note during this period were the ones he did with tenor sax player Stanley Turrentine. Recorded on February 8, 1963, at Van Gelder Studio in New Jersey, and featuring Quentin Warren on guitar and Donald Bailey on drums in addition to Smith and Turrentine, Prayer Meetin' is a delight from start to finish. Forming a perfect closure to Smith's trio of albums with Turrentine (Midnight Special and Back at the Chicken Shack were both released in 1960), Prayer Meetin' was the last of four albums Smith recorded in a week to finish off his Blue Note contract before leaving for Verve. The blues roots are obvious here, and the Smith-penned title track might even be called jazz-gospel, but the single most striking cut is a version of Ivory Joe Hunter's "I Almost Lost My Mind," with both Smith and Turrentine building wonderful solos, suggesting new pathways for organ and sax as complementary instruments. ~Steve Leggett

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Lurlean Hunter - The Velvet Voice Of Lurlean Hunter (2-Disc Set)

Lurlean Hunter (vcl), Al Nevins, Manny Albam, Phil Moore, Jimmy Giuffre (dir), Ernie Royal, Joe Newman, Harry Edison (tp), Urbie Green (tb), Hal McKusick, Frank Wess, Al Cohn, Bud Freeman (saxes), Herbie Mann (fl), Hank Jones (p), Jim Hall (g), Milt Hinton, Trigger Alpert (b), Osie Johnson (d). Original sources: CD 1, tracks #1-12 from the RCA Victor 12" LP "Lonesome Gal" (LPM 1151), CD 1, tracks #13-24 from the VIK 12" LP "Night Life" (LX 1061), CD 2, tracks #1-12 from the VIK 12" LP "Stepping Out" (LX 1116), CD 2, tracks #13-23 from the Atlantic 12" LP "Blue And Sentimental" (SD 1344). 24-Bit Digitally Remastered.

Lurlean Hunter (1928-1983) was, with all her skills, one of the most underappreciated singers in America. Other singers, who held her in universal high regard, were in no doubt as to her quality. A singers singer, she was revered for her near perfection in vocal styling, technique, and delivery, gifts she blended into a captivating combination. This distinction is self-evident in the four albums she recorded during her career: Lonesome Gal (1955), Night Life (1956), Stepping Out (1957), and Blue and Sentimental (1960). On them she is accompanied by orchestras filled by some of the best New York jazz musicians. The skillful writing was provided by a handful of top arrangers, including Quincy Jones, Marion Evans, Manny Albam, Al Cohn, Ernie Wilkins, Phil Moore, and Jimmy Giuffre. All of them with the exception of Cohn and Wilkins also conducted their own scores. Throughout she is refreshingly unselfconscious, her voice strong and firm, her conception mature and intelligent and her phrasing meaningful. Blessed with fantastic intonation, effortless ease and innate musicianship, she also had an innately lyrical approach to the songs she sang, and they flowed out of her like something made of rich velvet, done in exquisite taste.

Album: The Velvet Voice Of Lurlean Hunter (Disc 1)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 78:32
Size: 179.8 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2012

[3:59] 1. Lonesome Gal
[4:56] 2. Alone Together
[3:13] 3. It's You Or No One
[3:40] 4. You Don't Know What Love Is
[2:37] 5. You Make Me Feel So Young
[2:57] 6. My Heart And I Decided
[5:05] 7. It Never Entered My Mind
[3:11] 8. Brief Encounter
[2:19] 9. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
[4:40] 10. A Stranger In Town
[3:01] 11. But Not For Me
[4:10] 12. On Green Dolphin Street
[3:59] 13. Georgia On My Mind
[2:25] 14. What A Difference A Day Made
[3:06] 15. That Old Feeling
[2:38] 16. Gentlemen Friend
[2:05] 17. Have You Met Miss Jones
[3:52] 18. It's The Talk Of The Town
[3:25] 19. Night Life
[2:39] 20. It Could Happen To You
[2:00] 21. Sunday
[2:58] 22. Like Someone In Love
[3:01] 23. Moondrift
[2:27] 24. This Time The Dream's On Me

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Album: The Velvet Voice Of Lurlean Hunter (Disc 2)
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:50
Size: 157.6 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2012
Art: Front

[2:12] 1. Steppin' Out With My Baby
[2:39] 2. Easy To Love
[2:18] 3. I Feel So Smoochie
[2:37] 4. Kiss Me Again
[2:17] 5. Old Devil Moon
[2:34] 6. If I Could Be With You
[3:25] 7. Blues In The Night
[2:58] 8. Nobody's Heart
[2:41] 9. You Do Something To Me
[2:48] 10. Under A Blanket Of Blue
[2:13] 11. Oh! Look At Me Now
[2:49] 12. Some Other Time
[3:04] 13. Blue Turning Grey Over You
[2:46] 14. If You Could Love Me Now
[3:15] 15. My Kinda Love
[3:25] 16. Crazy He Calls Me
[3:31] 17. Just Imagine
[3:43] 18. Blue And Sentimental
[1:49] 19. The Song Is You
[5:31] 20. Then I'll Be Tired Of You
[3:47] 21. Fool That I Am
[4:06] 22. We'll Be Together Again
[2:09] 23. As Long As I Live

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Paquito D'Rivera, Christopher Dell, WDR Big Band - Benny Goodman Revisited

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 76:23
Size: 174.8 MB
Styles: Latin jazz, Big band
Year: 2009/2016
Art: Front

[ 8:39] 1. Slipped Disc
[ 6:45] 2. Let's Dance
[ 7:49] 3. Memories Of You
[ 7:23] 4. Stompin At The Savoy
[ 5:39] 5. Benny @ 100
[ 8:19] 6. Don't Be That Way
[15:28] 7. Soft Winds
[11:27] 8. Sing Sing Sing
[ 4:48] 9. Goodbye

This 2009 recording Benny Goodman Revisited is one of several fine tributes to Benny Goodman that have been made over the years. Eddie Daniels also recorded a terrific homage, Benny Rides Again but what sets this apart is the superb nature of the arrangements and the WDR Big Band at whom you can throw almost anything and they will throw it right back at you with just as much force. Remember also this record was made during the Michael Abene years (as arranger and conductor) at one of the most prominent Big Bands in Europe and, indeed, the world as well. This is actually more than a mere musical tribute; it is a tableau featuring two extraordinary musicians (clarinettist Paquito D’Rivera and the vibraphonist Christopher Dell) playing the parts of two extraordinary characters vibraphonist Lionel Hampton and clarinettist Benny Goodman, who led several of the greatest Big Bands in the history of music.

Paquito-D'Rivera-Benny-Goodman-RevisitedIt is a tall order not only to play that music well, but also to recreate the aura of the Benny Goodman Big Band with flair and panache. But that’s exactly what you get when the forces of the WDR Big Band under the baton of Michael Abene combine with Paquito D’Rivera as well as Christopher Dell. These musicians play with unbridled skill that melds together with the Goodman songbook of endlessly evolving compositional virtuosity and what a grand celebration in music it is. Voluptuous melodic lines rub slinkily against clawed and harmonically arresting performances by the Big Band. Woodwind and reeds soli soar breathlessly and Paquito D’Rivera needs but a gentle prod with a note or a phrase to unleash his fluttering solos.

True Memories of You, Stompin at the Savoy and Sing Sing Sing are exceptional in their expressive intensity but if brightness only occasionally falls from the air the majority of Mr Goodman’s works, with their volte-face humour and open-hearted delight in the unexpected and in their swing, reflect a joy in compositional wizardry. Such qualities are dazzlingly articulated by Paquito D’Rivera and Christopher Dell (when called upon to solo), and, of course, the great WDR Big Band, with one performance after another of crystalline brilliance and musicianship. Hear the gloriously perky and resilient opening to Sing Sing Sing or the way Paquito D’Rivera conveys the mock grandeur of Stompin at the Savoy almost as if the dancers of the Savoy were relishing it all over again.

The musicians capture all of the music’s grandeur (its simultaneously elegiac and assuaging use of sixths and thirds) and is warm conciliatory in the slower, more statuesque movements before firing off the finales’ testy and explosive whimsy. These performances are clearly a prime love for Paquito D’Rivera and Christopher Dell, as well as the WDR Big Band. They will also surely be a prime love for all connoisseurs of Benny Goodman’s music as well, which is why this is an essential recording on many fronts. ~Raul de Gama

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The Ames Brothers - Amor

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:29
Size: 88.1 MB
Styles: Easy Listening, Group harmony vocals
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[2:31] 1. Amor
[2:22] 2. Frenesi
[2:49] 3. Ella
[2:09] 4. Quizas, Quizas
[2:57] 5. Besame Mucho
[2:20] 6. Maria Elena
[2:38] 7. Tres Palabras
[2:15] 8. Adios Mariquita
[2:13] 9. Mi Lo Dijo Adel
[2:52] 10. Tu Solo Tu
[1:55] 11. Brazil
[2:31] 12. La Ultima Noche
[2:43] 13. Cancion Mixteca
[2:10] 14. Amapola
[2:07] 15. Lisboa Antiqua
[1:49] 16. Perfidia

A close-harmony vocal quartet with few equals during the '50s, the Ames Brothers hit number one in 1950 with "Sentimental Me," and found their biggest hit three years later with "You, You, You." Though they were indeed a family group, the Ames Brothers' surname was actually Urick. Joe, Gene, Vic and Ed were all born within four short years of each other in Malden, Massachusetts. After winning a few talent contests in their hometown, the group moved to Boston and began performing in nightclubs. They soon made the leap to New York and even Los Angeles, and signed to the Coral label in late 1958. After a few moderate hits, the Ames Brothers hit big in early 1950 with a double-sided number one hit, "Rag Mop"/"Sentimental Me." The B-side eventually triumphed over its flip, and the group hit again later in 1951 with "Undecided." The biggest hit of the Ames Brothers' career was 1953's "You You You," and their continued success during 1954 with "The Naughty Lady of Shady Land" bore fruit in the form of their own television program.

Though the quartet continued to record throughout the '50s, the dawn of the rock era definitely damaged their career; the group managed two Top Ten hits in 1957 ("Tammy," "Melodie d'Amour"), but then folded in 1959. Ed, the youngest Ames brother, continued a performing career and appeared as an Indian named Mingo on the Daniel Boone TV series before hitting the Top Ten as a solo act with 1967's "My Cup Runneth Over." He also appeared on Broadway.

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Charlie Parker - Bird After Dark

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:58
Size: 128.1 MB
Styles: Bop, Saxophone jazz
Year: 2002
Art: Front

[2:47] 1. All The Things You Are
[3:23] 2. Lover Man
[3:10] 3. This Is Always
[3:21] 4. Embraceable You
[3:07] 5. My Old Flame
[3:46] 6. Out Of Nowhere
[2:46] 7. Don't Blame Me
[3:28] 8. How Deep Is The Ocean
[8:57] 9. Slow Boat To China
[3:17] 10. Out Of Nowhere
[2:56] 11. How High The Moon
[5:00] 12. White Christmas
[4:36] 13. East Of The Sun
[2:07] 14. These Foolish Things Remind Me Of You
[3:10] 15. Goodbye

Bird After Dark combines tracks off several of alto saxophonist Charlie Parker's various Savoy label sessions, including Newly Discovered Sides and Bird at the Roost: The Savoy Years, Vol. 1. Given that these albums go in and out of print, this budget compilation seems like an acceptable addition to Parker's catalog -- though diehards will still want to seek out the original albums. ~Matt Collar

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Lou Donaldson - Everything I Play Is Funky

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 38:43
Size: 88.6 MB
Styles: Soul-jazz, Saxophone jazz
Year: 1970/1995
Art: Front

[5:26] 1. Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky (From Now On)
[6:37] 2. Hamp's Hump
[7:12] 3. Over The Rainbow
[6:44] 4. Donkey Walk
[6:27] 5. West Indian Daddy
[6:15] 6. Minor Bash

Alto Saxophone – Lou Donaldson; Bass Guitar [Fender Bass] – Jimmy Lewis; Drums – Idris Muhammad; Guitar – Melvin Sparks; Organ – Charles Earland, Lonnie Smith; Trumpet – Blue Mitchell, Eddie Williams. Recorded on August 22, 1969 & January 9, 1970.

Although purists might not find it as much to their taste as Midnight Creeper, Everything I Play Is Funky is easily one of the best examples of Lou Donaldson's commercially accessible period of the late '60s and early '70s. Donaldson's forays into funk and R&B-driven soul-jazz could sometimes sound stiff, but the grooves here -- which feature many of the same players -- are consistently limber and unforced. And, typical of the style, the grooves (not adventurous improvisation) are what make the album tick. For once, Donaldson's attempt at an R&B cover -- in this case, the Lee Dorsey-sung, Allen Toussaint-penned "Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky (From Now On)" -- is pulled off well enough to make for an entirely convincing statement of purpose. That number kicks off an entertaining program also highlighted by three Donaldson originals -- the cooking funk number "Donkey Walk," which seems to inspire the fieriest solos on the record, the cheery calypso "West Indian Daddy," and the hard bop-flavored "Minor Bash." There's also a version of "Over the Rainbow" done in Donaldson's caressing, melodic ballad style, and the simple funk vamp "Hamp's Hump." It's a nicely varied assortment, all anchored by the percolating rhythm section of guitarist Melvin Sparks, bassist Jimmy Lewis, and drummer Idris Muhammad (Charles Earland and Dr. Lonnie Smith switch off on organ, and Blue Mitchell and Eddie Williams do the same on trumpet). This is the sort of record that modern-day Donaldson disciples like the Sugarman Three cherish, and one of his few truly consistent efforts in this style. Recommended wholeheartedly to funk and rare-groove fans. ~Steve Huey

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Pierre Swärd & The Hammond Jazz'n Soul Group - Jazz'n Soul

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:17
Size: 163.2 MB
Styles: B3 Organ jazz
Year: 1996
Art: Front

[4:55] 1. Get On Down To The B3 Sound
[5:24] 2. Griff's Groove
[6:25] 3. Freedom
[4:46] 4. Mr. Clean
[4:51] 5. September Times
[3:19] 6. Groovin'
[5:45] 7. Lady's Blues
[6:12] 8. Can't Get Satisfied
[6:06] 9. Ps Blues
[7:58] 10. Mc Scott
[8:21] 11. Jazz'n Blue
[7:09] 12. Watermelon Man

Pierre Swärd (B3-org); Jan Ottesen (g); Hans Rolin (dr); Per Grebacken (ts-bs) (1.4.8); Per Johansson (as) (5.6). Recorded 1991-1995 in Stockholm (1.2.3.4.5.6.7.9.10.11.12), Recorded in Rättvik (8).

Pierre has been playing Hammond organ since 1969, and in recent years he has been a dedicated Nord C2D player. Pierre's organ playing has been in huge demand and featured in numerous live, TV and radio performances as well as album recordings.

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Chano Dominguez - Over The Rainbow

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 68:31
Size: 156.9 MB
Styles: Piano jazz
Year: 2017
Art: Front

[6:53] 1. Django
[5:17] 2. Drume Negrita
[5:15] 3. Evidence
[9:37] 4. Gracias A La Vida
[7:11] 5. Hacia Dónde
[5:11] 6. Los Ejes De Mi Carreta
[6:18] 7. Mantreria
[9:03] 8. Marcel
[6:02] 9. Monk's Dream
[7:39] 10. Over The Rainbow

Over the Rainbow is a genius effort from a historic musician who continues his storied narrative here in America. We are honored and grateful he is here. It is a giant leap forward on a musical pilgrimage with no end. His offerings along the way have a unique organic presence that reminds us that we all emanate from a colorful palate of cultures worldwide, but exist as a single canvas of humanity. As we express each color as unique and beautiful, we search for ways to have them blend together, to add and subtract them, to create an interaction of unity going forward. Dominguez continues to draw from the cultures and people that inspire his creative genius, and apply them to a tangible form we can all understand, and aspire to emulate. There is a maturity in his playing on this record, a thoughtfulness that pays homage to the multiplicity of musical currents that rise to the top during solo performance. To a listener unfamiliar with the work of Mr. Dominguez, it serves as a sampler of his stunning virtuosity, and joyous fusion of flamenco and jazz. To those already engaged in his musical voyage, it represents a snapshot along the way to new horizons, behind the moon, beyond the rain. ~Paul Rauch

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Big Band Swing Express - The Big Band Hits (You've Never Heard Before)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 54:50
Size: 125.6 MB
Styles: Big band
Year: 2013
Art: Front

[5:28] 1. Silk Socks
[4:59] 2. Shoo In
[4:35] 3. A Few Notes On The Blues
[4:23] 4. No Rain
[4:50] 5. Chuck's Wagon
[5:48] 6. Sweet Water
[4:41] 7. Ken's Special
[5:33] 8. From 1 To 12
[5:39] 9. Like Blues
[4:49] 10. Li'l Dipper
[4:01] 11. Mighty Max

The Big Band Swing Express invites you to Get Aboard and experience "The Big Band HITS you've never heard before. All of the tracks are original compositions from the late Ken Farrar that were never released until now. Everything you like about Big Band music is represented here from the soft intimate melody of Sweetwater to the finger-snapping toe-tapping hot swinging sounds of the Big Bands best.

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Roy Clark, Joe Pass - Roy Clark & Joe Pass Play Hank Williams

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:13
Size: 117.3 MB
Styles: Country/Jazz/Pop
Year: 1994/2006
Art: Front

[4:13] 1. Hey, Good Lookin'
[4:56] 2. I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You)
[4:30] 3. Your Cheatin' Heart
[3:11] 4. Blues For Hank
[3:44] 5. Cold, Cold Heart
[4:48] 6. Jambalaya (On The Bayou)
[3:28] 7. Long Gone Lonesome Blues
[4:43] 8. Why Don't You Love Me
[3:23] 9. Honky Tonk Blues
[4:49] 10. There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight
[4:17] 11. I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive
[5:06] 12. Kaw-Liga

At first glance, this project, which would be Joe Pass' final recording, might seem a bit unlikely. Pass is teamed up with country guitarist Roy Clark to play a set of Hank Williams tunes, but the date is actually quite successful. Clark has long been a closet jazz player; many of Williams' tunes have attractive chord changes, and Pass had his longtime rhythm section (rhythm guitarist John Pisano, bassist Jim Hughart and drummer Colin Bailey) serving as a solid foundation. Such songs as "Hey, Good Lookin'," "Your Cheatin' Heart," "Long Gone Lonesome Blues" and "There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight" work quite well in this setting. Since Clark (a brilliant guitarist himself) had long been a Joe Pass fan, the results are both competitive and complementary. Recommended. ~Scott Yanow

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Scaramouche - You And The Night And The Music

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 41:42
Size: 95.5 MB
Styles: Gypsy jazz
Year: 2017
Art: Front

[4:42] 1. You And The Night And The Music
[3:47] 2. Carinhoso
[3:48] 3. Just One Of Those Things
[5:37] 4. My Funny Valentine
[3:57] 5. Love For Sale
[4:00] 6. My Favourite Things
[3:41] 7. Ceci N'est Pas Un Blues En Mineur
[3:44] 8. You're Not There (Paquito)
[4:33] 9. Jardin À L'arbre Du Vent
[3:47] 10. Everybody Wants To Be A Cat

Inspired by the Django Reinhardt's music, Scaramouche play jazz manouche in a different and personal way, but always with the simplicity and joy of this style, which will not be able to stop moving your legs. Their repertoire travels from the classic cafes of Paris to the funky, rumba and bossa manouche, offering a diverse and broad vision of gypsy swing.

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June Christy - Day Dreams

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:18
Size: 108.3 MB
Styles: Vocal jazz
Year: 1995
Art: Front

[2:43] 1. I Let A Song Go Out Of My Heart
[2:44] 2. If I Should Lose You
[2:44] 3. Daydream
[3:03] 4. Little Grass Shack
[2:48] 5. Skip-Rope
[2:58] 6. I'll Bet You Do
[2:47] 7. The Way You Look Tonight
[2:59] 8. Everything Happens To Me
[3:13] 9. I'll Remember April
[2:43] 10. Get Happy
[3:05] 11. Somewhere (If Not In Heaven)
[2:25] 12. A Mile Down The Highway (There's A Toll Bridge)
[2:54] 13. Do It Again
[2:50] 14. He Can Come Back Anytime He Wants To
[3:34] 15. Body And Soul
[3:39] 16. You're Blase

This CD includes all of singer June Christy's Capitol recordings from 1947-50 outside of the Stan Kenton Orchestra, including four previously unreleased titles. Christy, a subtle and cheerful improviser, was always willing to take chances, and her repertoire here ranges from novelties and jazz standards to a version of "Everything Happens to Me" on which she is backed by a typically radical arrangement by Bob Graettinger. In addition to the performances with orchestras led by Frank DeVol, Bob Cooper, Pete Rugolo and Shorty Rogers (highlighted by "Get Happy"), there are also two songs from her 1955 duet date with pianist Stan Kenton that were released on this CD for the first time. June Christy is in superior form throughout this highly enjoyable and somewhat historical set. ~Scott Yanow

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Dennis Angel - On Track

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 43:30
Size: 99.6 MB
Styles: Contemporary jazz
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[3:56] 1. Soul Strut
[3:55] 2. I Like It Like That
[4:22] 3. My Love
[4:09] 4. Take Me Away
[4:44] 5. Serenity
[4:23] 6. Jubilation
[4:31] 7. Tea For Two
[4:40] 8. Sunset Cafe
[4:20] 9. This Song's For You
[4:25] 10. Dream Dancer

Dennis Angel: flugelhorn; Gottfried Stoger: tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute; Jason Miles: piano, keyboards; synthesizers, strings; percussion and arrangements; Kenny Barron: piano (1, 8); Will Lee: electric bass; James Genus: acoustic bass; George Porter, Jr.: electric bass; Amanda Ruzza: electric bass; Tom "Bones" Malone: trombone; Romero Lubambo: acoustic guitar; Nick Moroch: guitar; JT Lewis: drums; Brian Dunne: drums; Adrian Harpham: drums; Bashiri Johnson: percussion; Cyro Baptisata: percussion; Maya Azucena: vocals; James D Train Williams: vocals; Pamela Friggs: vocals; Rebecca Angel: vocals.

New York flugelhornist and composer Dennis Angel presents a collection of funk, Latin-tinged and contemporary jazz sounds in a musical package of smooth-styled jazz featuring pianist of note Kenny Barron on the light and savvy On Track. A lawyer by profession with a New York City suburban law firm, Angel delivers his third album as leader and his second collaboration (Timeless Grooves, Timeless Grooves Records, 2012) with pianist and producer Jason Miles who also provides the arrangements along with saxophonist Gottfried Stoger. Angel's soft flugelhorn voicing seems the perfect fit for the soft smooth repertoire of the disc which contains nine originals and a beautiful rendition of the standard "Tea For Two" featuring daughter Rebecca Angel on vocals.

The personnel listing for the ten-piece album features a variety of players and vocalist performing in formats from quintets to an eight-man ensemble with Barron appearing as special guest on a couple of originals. The music opens up on the funky-tinged "Soul Strut" with Barron, Angel and saxophonist Stoger driving the music on this single release. The following "I Like It Like That" picks up the beat featuring Maya Azucena on vocals and a cast of eight laying down a tasteful groove. With music and lyrics by the leader, the love song "My Love" is voiced by James D Train Williams as Angel provides the flugelhorn background on one beautiful song.

Keyboardist Miles is pronounced on the electric piano and the Hammond B3 organ, augmented by Cyro Baptisata on percussion and others on the light "Take Me away," while the smooth jazz chart of "Serenity" features the soprano voice of saxophonist Stoger with accompaniment from the leader, drummer Brian Dunne finishing off another charming piece of music. The carnival-like "Jubilation," is one of the standout pieces of the disc highlighting brisk moments from Angel and Stoger on the flute, the electric bass of Amanda Ruzza and powerful solos from acoustic guitarist Romero Lubambo.

The swinging cool hard-driving beats of "Sunset Café" mark this one, the funkiest song of the set featuring Barron and Stoger's strong tenor statements. The session begins to close on the high-energy soul jam tune "This Song's for You" which showcases bassist George Porter Jr., and finalizes on the slightly disco-styled finale piece "Dream Dancer," capping off a splendid set of smooth and swing-driven jazz. A finesse player on the flugelhorn, Dennis Angel drives the music right On Track with this engaging outing of smooth jazz, touching on a variety of styles while displaying multiple rhythm sections and solid solo performances by a core cadre of fine players, very nice indeed! ~Edward Blanco

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Harry 'Sweets' Edison, Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis - Harry 'Sweets' Edison, Eddie 'Lockjaw' Davis

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:42
Size: 141.2 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz, Trumpet jazz
Year: 1976/1997
Art: Front

[9:18] 1. Opus Funk
[9:32] 2. Robbin's Nest
[8:04] 3. Candy
[5:28] 4. C Jam Blues
[7:25] 5. Lullaby For Dancers
[7:45] 6. Lester Leaps In
[6:08] 7. Spotlite
[7:59] 8. Blues Walk

Bass – Hugo Rasmussen; Drums – Svend-Erik Nørregaard; Piano – Kenny Drew; Tenor Saxophone – Eddie Davis; Trombone – John Darvill; Trumpet – Harry Edison. Recorded July, 1976 - Rosenberg Sound Technic, Denmark.

Although trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison gets top billing on this Storyville LP, he is only on half of the selections and none of the ones that feature tenor saxophonist Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis and vocalist Richard Boone (who mostly sings his three features straight). Leonardo Pedersen's Jazzkapel (a Danish 11-piece group) is a small big band that sometimes bows in the direction of Count Basie and backs the three guests. Actually nothing all that essential occurs but Edison and Davis completists and fans of mainstream jazz may want to get this set. ~Scott Yanow

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Dena DeRose - A Walk In The Park

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 60:07
Size: 137.6 MB
Styles: Jazz vocals
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[5:02] 1. Meditation
[5:54] 2. All My Love
[5:45] 3. How Deep Is The Ocean
[4:42] 4. Home (With You)
[5:35] 5. All The Way
[6:08] 6. The Lonely Ones
[6:08] 7. In The Glow Of The Moon
[6:22] 8. Imagine
[6:45] 9. A Walk In The Park (With James)
[2:33] 10. I Could've Told You
[5:08] 11. I Concentrate On You

A dynamic and innovative pianist, a compelling and original singer, and a creative and sophisticated composer and arranger, DeRose debuts on MAXJAZZ with A Walk In The Park. Her fifth release, A Walk In The Park is her much-anticipated and requested first trio recording . The trio here is first-rate: Martin Wind on bass and Matt Wilson on drums. All arrangements are by DeRose, who produced the CD and wrote three of the eleven tracks. DeRose selected little-known songs by Al Jolson and Duke Ellington in addition to well-known standards and - representative of her era – even an iconic song by John Lennon.

"Even as a roomful of female jazz singers have eclipsed her in terms of recognition and popularity, Dena DeRose is hardly a well-kept secret. A singer and pianist of uncommon intelligence and musicality, she is a darling of numerous critics. But A Walk in the Park, her MaxJazz debut, should endear her to a much wider audience. The first of her albums to showcase her in her most natural setting, the trio. It captures her easy intimacy and assertive charm in a way that her previous efforts haven't. DeRose recalls Shirley Horn in the way she makes her piano playing a seamless extension of her vocals. But she's considerably more animated than that beloved artist, here roiling the keys to spur bassist Martin Wind and drummer Matt Wilson and there making judicious use of trills and scat effects and a catch in her voice. The songs range from smartly turned out rarities like Al Jolson's "All My Love" and Duke Ellington's "The Lonely Ones" to freshly voiced standards like "All the Way" and "How Deep is the Ocean." John Lennon's "Imagine," which is too stunted harmonically to ever make it as a jazz standard, is a misstep, but it's the only one in an otherwise flawless performance." ~Lloyd Sachs

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Stephen Guerra Big Band - Namesake

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:17
Size: 165.5 MB
Styles: Big band
Year: 2010
Art: Front

[4:25] 1. Black Nile
[8:07] 2. Joonji
[7:08] 3. Want A Cracker
[6:54] 4. A Pair And A Spare
[7:19] 5. A Promise Not Forgotten
[5:53] 6. Red Means Go
[8:46] 7. Ten Years
[8:09] 8. Dex's Dilemma
[5:21] 9. Three Brothers
[3:41] 10. Winter Wonderland
[6:29] 11. Flower

Steve Guerra is the Managing Director of the Henry Mancini Institute (HMI) and a Lecturer in the department of Studio Music and Jazz at the FROST SCHOOL OF MUSIC. He is also the director of the award-winning FROST Studio Jazz Band and teaches classes in jazz conducting and repertoire, composition, arranging, and saxophone. He formerly served as the director of FROST MusicReach and launched many of the programs that continue today.

Under Dr. Guerra’s leadership, the Henry Mancini Institute has appeared in numerous PBS specials, major-label record releases, and high profile live events throughout the United States including a recent performance with John Williams, Kristen Chenoweth, and Matthew Morrison in Beverly Hills, California. Dr. Guerra, in collaboration with Dean Shelly Berg and Resident Conductor and Artistic Coordinator Scott Flavin, strives to create innovative learning and performance opportunities for HMI.

In high demand as a composer and arranger, Dr. Guerra has been commissioned to write music for Dave Koz, Ben Folds, Carmen Bradford, the National Symphony Orchestra, the Greater Manchester Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra, and the Air Force Band of the West. In December 2016, he traveled to Japan as the assistant orchestrator for Japanese music sensation Yoshiki’s Classical Tour. He has served as a composer‐in‐residence throughout the U.S., thanks to the Commission Project and the National Endowment for the Arts. Dr. Guerra has also performed alongside many jazz greats, including Phil Woods, Al Grey, Snooky Young, Marshall Royal, Louis Bellson, and Jeff “Tain” Watts. He was a featured soloist on the Clark Terry Young Titan’s of Jazz 2003 release Live at Marihan’s and the Louie Bellson Big Band release, Louie and Clark Expedition 2. In addition to the Stephen Guerra Big Band critically acclaimed first album Namesake in 2009, he also contributed to the New Hampshire Jazz Orchestra’s 2015 release Swingin’ for the Holidays.

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Al Cohn - Stay Where You Are

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 77:57
Size: 178.5 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2017
Art: Front

[3:30] 1. Mediolistic
[4:20] 2. Just One Of Those Things
[3:15] 3. My Blues
[6:10] 4. The Front Line
[3:26] 5. I Ain't Got Nobody
[9:19] 6. Earthy
[3:22] 7. When Your Lover Has Gone
[3:56] 8. A New Moan
[6:12] 9. I Wouldn't
[3:19] 10. Round Midnight
[3:09] 11. More Bread
[6:27] 12. Soft Winds
[2:47] 13. The Song Is Ended
[3:09] 14. Crimea River
[4:09] 15. Plain Bill From Bluesville
[7:12] 16. What's Not
[4:06] 17. Blue Lou

An excellent tenor saxophonist and a superior arranger/composer, Al Cohn was greatly admired by his fellow musicians. Early gigs included associations with Joe Marsala (1943), Georgie Auld, Boyd Raeburn (1946), Alvino Rey, and Buddy Rich (1947). But it was when he replaced Herbie Steward as one of the "Four Brothers" with Woody Herman's Second Herd (1948-1949) that Cohn began to make a strong impression. He was actually overshadowed by Stan Getz and Zoot Sims during this period but, unlike the other two tenors, he also contributed arrangements, including "The Goof and I." He was with Artie Shaw's short-lived bop orchestra (1949), and then spent the 1950s quite busy as a recording artist (making his first dates as a leader in 1950), arranger for both jazz and non-jazz settings, and a performer. Starting in 1956, and continuing on an irregular basis for decades, Cohn co-led a quintet with Zoot Sims. The two tenors were so complementary that it was often difficult to tell them apart. Al Cohn continued in this fashion in the 1960s (although playing less), in the 1970s he recorded many gems for Xanadu, and during his last few years, when his tone became darker and more distinctive, Cohn largely gave up writing to concentrate on playing. He made many excellent bop-based records throughout his career for such labels as Prestige, Victor, Xanadu, and Concord; his son Joe Cohn is a talented cool-toned guitarist. ~ Scott Yanow

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Kenny Dorham - Blues In Bebop

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:47
Size: 166.6 MB
Styles: Bop, Trumpet jazz
Year: 1998
Art: Front

[2:49] 1. The Jitney Man
[2:51] 2. Bebop In Pastel (Take 3)
[2:32] 3. Fool's Fancy
[2:53] 4. Bombay
[2:42] 5. Ray's Idea
[2:31] 6. Serenade To A Square
[2:34] 7. Good Kick
[2:25] 8. Seven Up
[2:39] 9. Blues In Bebop
[2:50] 10. Bebop In Pastel (Take 2)
[2:51] 11. Bebop In Pastel (Take 4)
[2:53] 12. Conglomeration
[2:52] 13. Bruz
[2:38] 14. Roll 'em, Bags
[4:34] 15. Scrapple From The Apple
[3:54] 16. Barbados
[3:14] 17. Be Bop
[6:39] 18. Saucer Eyes
[5:35] 19. Man Of Moods
[6:21] 20. Bringing Up Father
[4:21] 21. Groovin' High

Kenny Dorham was a solid and forward-thinking modernist when he emerged in the mid-to late 1940s. The trumpeter was overshadowed throughout his career by the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Clifford Brown, Lee Morgan, and Freddie Hubbard, and became the epitome of the word "underrated." Dorham never recorded as a leader for Savoy other than co-leading the Be Bop Boys with altoist Sonny Stitt, so this single CD is just a sampling of his sideman appearances. Definitely not for completists since all but the Bebop Boys date issued here are incomplete, one wonders who the disc is aimed at, particularly since Dorham's most significant work was made a little later on for Blue Note. The trumpeter is heard with the Billy Eckstine Orchestra playing "The Jitney Man"; performing eight numbers (plus two alternate takes) with the Be Bop Boys (a quintet also including altoist Stitt and pianist Bud Powell); on three songs with a band headed by vibraphonist Milt Jackson and including the pioneer jazz French horn player Julius Watkins; on three tunes from a February 12, 1949 broadcast by the Charlie Parker Quintet (and available in much more complete form elsewhere), and on four of the selections from a 1956 album by baritonist Cecil Payne. The bop and hard bop music heard throughout this CD is consistently enjoyable, but the reissue is a bit of a frivolity. The Be Bop Boys date should have been coupled with some other unrelated all-star sessions instead, with the other Dorham sideman dates being reissued in full in more logical sets. ~Scott Yanow

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Emma Harris - Lovelife

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:11
Size: 112.6 MB
Styles: Jazz/blues vocals
Year: 2004
Art: Front

[4:36] 1. My Funny Valentine
[2:55] 2. Perfidia
[5:12] 3. Conscious
[4:16] 4. How Deep Is The Ocean
[3:20] 5. The Rock
[6:31] 6. Desert Kiss
[4:30] 7. Can We Pretend
[2:47] 8. A Sunday Kind Of Love
[5:45] 9. Nell's Song
[4:15] 10. Try A Little Tenderness
[4:59] 11. Dimming Of The Day

I come from a musical family and was brought up on a combination of Reggae and Motown. I started singing at the tender age of five when I went to primary school in North Wales. My headmaster noticed in assembly that I could sing in tune and from there on I was encouraged to do solos in church and school concerts. At seventeen years old I was invited to sing in a reggae band with my Mum (who has a great voice) and Dad on guitar. I had a lot of fun singing harmonies but the band didn't last long.

Six months later the Sax player from the reggae band, David Gunn came round to my house and said "You have a great voice, would you like to sing in a Jazz band?" I said "I would love to but I don't know a thing about Jazz or a single Jazz song. Dave came round every week for months and taught me loads of Standards until one day he announced I was ready to do a gig with the band (whom I had never met, that's Jazz for you) the next week. I turned up, thought I was coming down with flu cause I felt so ill from nerves, walked on stage, head swimming and was introduced to the band.

As the band played the intro I thought "I'm never going to get through this", then I opened my mouth, the song came out with a life of it's own, all my nerves dissapeared and that was the beginning of my very long love affair with Jazz. From then I started a six year stint singing with the Jazz outfit 'Eyebrow Music', singing the songs of greats like Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn and Billie Holiday.

In 1995 Emma moved to the Southwest and went on to explore the Blues spending 3 years gigging with 'Blues Express', a five piece Delta/Chicago style Blues band. Here her warm husky voice was often compared to that of Bonnie Raitt and on a long night, Janis Joplin. It was during this Blues phase that she developed the Bluesy Gospel style that she is well known for now.

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Tito Puente - Carnaval En Harlem (Remastered)

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:02
Size: 84.8 MB
Styles: Latin jazz, Afro-Cuban jazz
Year: 1966/2010
Art: Front

[2:50] 1. Mi Trompeta Tropical
[3:37] 2. Mirame Mas
[2:03] 3. Downtown
[2:19] 4. Pompo
[3:29] 5. Cuando Calienta El Sol
[3:28] 6. Carnaval En Harlem
[3:19] 7. Rumba En El Patio
[1:56] 8. Jumpin' With Symphony Sid
[2:40] 9. Como Esta Miguel
[3:41] 10. Letargo
[3:15] 11. Bluesette
[4:18] 12. Corta El Bonche

Tito Puente was a musical pioneer, mixing musical styles with Latin sounds and experimenting in fusing Latin music with jazz. Born on April 20, 1923, in New York City, Tito Puente, donned the "King of Latin Jazz," was a pioneering force in Latin music, known for fusing styles and putting a big-band spin on traditional Latin music. In 1948, Puente formed a band that would become known as the Tito Puente Orchestra. A decade later, he released his best-selling album, Dance Mania (1958). His most notable songs include "Babarabatiri," "Ran Kan Kan" and "Oye Como Va." By the end of his decades-long career, Puente was deemed a musical legend in Latin music and jazz circles. He died in New York City in 2000, at age 77.

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