Debbie Harwood - Peaches - So This Is Love

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:52
Size: 116,7 MB
Art: Front

(3:39)  1. Down In Splendour
(3:51)  2. Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime
(3:45)  3. If You Go Away
(4:33)  4. It Wouldn't Have Made Any Difference
(3:11)  5. Anyone Who Had a Heart
(6:10)  6. Over My Head
(5:12)  7. Blue Day
(3:22)  8. I'll Never Fall In Love Again
(3:38)  9. Go
(4:13) 10. Stay
(4:44) 11. So This Is Love
(4:28) 12. Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered

An album of Debbie’s favourite love songs spanning 50 years. Featured singers: Debbie Harwood, Margaret Urlich, Kim Willoughby, Betty-Anne Monga, Leza Corban and Vicki King. Produced by: Debbie Harwood & Stephen Small http://www.debbieharwood.co.nz/Albums.html

Personnel:  Producer, Arranged By [Vocals] – Debbie Harwood; Acoustic Guitar – Rikki Morris; Bass – Cameron Fisher; Drums – Troy McGovern; Electric Guitar – Eddie Pausma; Percussion – Jay Foulkes; Piano, Keyboards, Guitar [Odd Guitars] – Stephen Small

Peaches - So This Is Love

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Ramsey Lewis - Songs From The Heart: Ramsey Plays Ramsey

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:06
Size: 172,8 MB
Art: Front

(8:58)  1. To Know Her Is To Love Her
(7:17)  2. Touching, Feeling, Knowing
(4:02)  3. Clouds In Reverie
(5:46)  4. The Spark
(8:33)  5. Conversation
(5:44)  6. The Way She Smiles
(9:39)  7. Exhilaration
(5:06)  8. The Glow Of Her Charm
(4:22)  9. Rendezvous
(4:16) 10. Long Before She Knew
(8:30) 11. Sharing Her Journey
(2:48) 12. Watercolors

Whether considering his style jazzy pop or popular jazz, Chicagoan Ramsey Lewis has always kept one foot firmly in the jazz mainstream, often tapping to a gospel beat. Here the pianist has recorded an all-original set that will satisfy both audiences by mixing classical elegance with blues preaching. Backed by veteran colleagues, bassist Larry Gray's technical prowess and drummer Leon Joyce's exuberant beats perfectly complement their leader's serene composure. Culling tunes he wrote for the ballet To Know Her..., and from a suite for piano trio and string quartet, Lewis presents them in pared-down versions. Tracks like the episodic "To Know Her is to Love Her," the lush, through-composed "Clouds in Reverie," the uptown swagger of "The Way She Smiles" and a pensive solo rendition of "Long Before She Knew" all from the ballet demonstrate his encyclopedic grasp of voicings and techniques, delicately expressing his train of musical thought. Rounding out the menu are numbers like "The Spark," "Conversation" and "Rendezvous," varying the mood from gentle to festive. Live at New York's BB King's (Nov. 28, 2009) only confirmed that little, if anything, of what this talented trio plays needs fixing in the mix. Revisiting "To Know Her," "The Way She Smiles" and "Conversation" along with an arrangement of a movement from Brahms' second symphony, by the fifth number, a Ray Charles-style rendition of "Wade in the Water," things got funky and stayed that way, segueing through spirituals like "Precious Lord," Duke Ellington's "Come Sunday" and "Motherless Child" as well as snippets of soul-jazz standards like "On Broadway," "Listen Hear" and "After Hours." The encore, starting with an obligatory stab at "The In Crowd," followed by a succession of bluesy vamps, more than satisfied the house. ~ Tom Greenland https://www.allaboutjazz.com/songs-from-the-heart-ramsey-plays-ramsey-ramsey-lewis-concord-music-group-review-by-tom-greenland.php

Personnel: Ramsey Lewis: piano; Larry Gray: bass; Leon Joyce: drums.

Songs From The Heart: Ramsey Plays Ramsey

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Keith Jarrett - Backhand

Styles: Piano, Flute Jazz
Year: 1974
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 39:45
Size: 91,2 MB
Art: Front

( 9:07)  1. Inflight
(11:40)  2. Kuum
( 7:49)  3. Vapallia
(11:08)  4. Backhand

Recorded at the same sessions as Death and the Flower, this out-of-print LP, whose music has not yet been reissued on CD, features pianist Keith Jarrett's exciting but underrated American group of the 1970s, a quintet with tenor saxophonist Dewey Redman, bassist Charlie Haden, drummer Paul Motian and percussionist Guilherme Franco. The group (with Jarrett occasionally switching to flute and Redman to the bizarre-sounding musette) is in typically exploratory, yet often melodic form on lengthy renditions of four of Jarrett's inside/outside originals. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/backhand-mw0000915428

Personnel:  Keith Jarrett - piano, flute, percussion; Dewey Redman - tenor saxophone, musette, percussion; Charlie Haden - bass; Paul Motian - drums, percussion; Guilherme Franco - percussion

Backhand

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Duchess - Laughing At Life

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2017
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:26
Size: 128,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:11)  1. Swing Brother Swing
(3:49)  2. On the Sunny Side of the Street
(6:08)  3. Laughing at Life
(3:14)  4. Everybody Loves My Baby
(4:27)  5. Stars Fell on Alabama
(3:43)  6. Give Him the Ooh La La
(3:07)  7. Where Would You Be Without Me
(5:59)  8. Creole Love Call
(3:30)  9. Hallelujah I Love Her (Him) So
(5:02) 10. Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye
(3:07) 11. Strip Polka
(4:57) 12. Here’s to the Losers
(2:58) 13. We’ll Meet Again
(2:07) 14. Dawn (Bonus Track)

Jollity seems to be at a premium these days, so thank God for DUCHESS. This fizzy vocal trio is the antidote to all things grim, bringing joy to the masses one smile and song at a time. Amy Cervini, Hilary Gardner, and Melissa Stylianou three of the most captivating vocalists around today clearly appreciate great music laced with good humor. With their trio debut DUCHESS (Anzic Records, 2015) they delved into a brand of Boswell Sisters-inspired music that you just don't hear much in the here and now. That overwhelmingly positive presentation smart and sassy in conception, polished and pert in execution put DUCHESS in a different category from all of the other vocal jazz groups out there in the mix. Oded Lev-Ari laid the groundwork with his arrangements, tapping into an appealing retro sound; the stylishly swinging trio of pianist Michael Cabe, bassist Paul Sikivie, and drummer Matt Wilson brightened the picture around and beneath the vocalists; guitarist Jesse Lewis and saxophonist Jeff Lederer added their inimitable instrumental voices to a number of tracks; and the three frontwomen put merriment front and center in their music. That turned out to be a formula for success, so DUCHESS saw no need to rock the boat here. 

While there are tweaks to the cast on this sophomore date Jared Schonig picks up where Wilson left off on drums, bassist Matt Aronoff takes the baton from Sikivie, clarinetist Anat Cohen and trombonist-vocalist Wycliffe Gordon join in as special guests on two songs apiece everything basically works off of the same template used for the group's debut. The result? More high times, womanly wit, tight harmonies, unadulterated swing, and welcome surprises. Laughing At Life starts in a pure jazz vein that's heightened by Lederer's horn ("Swing Brother Swing") and ends with a breezy tone that's established through Lewis' guitar work ("We'll Meet Again," "Dawn"). A bevy of musical gems rest between those points. Some, more or less, stay on the straight and narrow ("On The Sunny Side Of The Street"); many, however, do not. The ladies of DUCHESS let their hair down from time to time, capitalizing on bawdy themes with a nudge and a wink (Johnny Mercer's "Strip Polka") and impressing with rapid fire lyrics and turn-on-a-dime movements ("Everybody Loves My Baby"). And when they're not riding high over a cooking band or engaging in musical high jinks, they melt the heart ("Stars Fell On Alabama"). Simply put, this is a class act. DUCHESS' blend of the silly and sophisticated adds up to one satisfying musical sum. ~ Dan Bilawsky https://www.allaboutjazz.com/laughing-at-life-duchess-anzic-records-review-by-dan-bilawsky.php

Personnel: Amy Cervini: vocals; Hilary Gardner: vocals; Melissa Stylianou: vocals; Michael Cabe: piano; Matt Aronoff: bass; Jared Schonig: drums; Jesse Lewis: guitar (1, 3, 6, 7, 9-11, 13, 14); Jeff Lederer: (1, 3, 11, 12); Anat Cohen: clarinet (4, 13); Wycliffe Gordon: trombone (5, 8), vocals (5, 8).

Laughing At Life

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Eddie Harris - Eddie Harris Goes To The Movies

Styles: Saxophone Jazz 
Year: 1962
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 27:08
Size: 62,9 MB
Art: Front

(3:16)  1. Laura
(2:45)  2. Moonglow
(2:19)  3. Be My Love
(2:35)  4. Gone With The Wind
(2:12)  5. Secret Love
(3:00)  6. These Foolish Things Remind Me Of You
(2:16)  7. Tonight
(3:24)  8. The More I See You
(2:31)  9. Green Dolphin Street
(2:47) 10. I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry

Eddie Harris Goes to the Movies is the fifth album by American jazz saxophonist Eddie Harris. Recorded in 1962 and released on the Vee-Jay label the album features Harris performing orchestral arrangements of many motion picture themes of the era. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Harris_Goes_to_the_Movies

Personnel:  Eddie Harris - tenor saxophone; Unnamed Orchestra conducted by Dick Marx

Eddie Harris Goes To The Movies

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Rein de Graaff Quintet - New York Jazz

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1989
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:13
Size: 84,5 MB
Art: Front

( 3:56)  1. Fifty Six
(10:07)  2. A Monk's Dream
( 3:27)  3. Wail
( 5:49)  4. Solar
( 4:36)  5. 81st and 1st
( 8:17)  6. Au Privave

Pianist. Dutch self-taught pianist who's made himself one of Europe's best session players. De Graaff led a trio from 1959 to 1962, then joined The Jazzopters for a year. He then headed his own quartet until 1964, at the same time playing with Erwin Some and Gijs Hendriks. De Graaff formed a new group in 1964 that stayed together until the '80s. He also played with a number of visiting American musicians, among them Hank Mobley, Lee Morgan, Johnny Griffin, Art Taylor, Clifford Jordan, Cecil Payne, Dexter Gordon, Clark Terry, Sonny Stitt, Philly Joe Jones and Arnett Cobb. He made several appearances in New York, and was awarded the Dutch National Jazz Prize in 1980. 

~ Ron Wynn https://www.allmusic.com/artist/rein-de-graaff-mn0000980075/biography

Personnel:  Piano – Rein De Graaff; Baritone Saxophone – Ronnie Cuber; Bass – Sam Jones; Drums – Louis Hayes; Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Tom Harrell

New York Jazz

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Steve Lacy - Steve Lacy Plays Monk

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1969
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 36:16
Size: 83,2 MB
Art: Front

(7:11)  1. Thelonious
(4:22)  2. Ruby My Dear
(5:56)  3. Light Blue
(2:13)  4. Epistrophy
(6:46)  5. Epistrophy (Part 2)
(3:56)  6. Mysterioso
(5:49)  7. Friday the Thirteenth

This reissue of a 1969 French date makes its very first appearance on CD and its debut as a U.S. release some 25 years after its original issue on the BYG label as Epistrophy. Plays Monk is also the first record Lacy made after taking up residence in Paris. His band for the outing features the legendary Italian drummer Aldo Romano, the pianist Michel Graillier, and bassist Jean-François Jenny-Clark. There are five unusually complex Monk tunes here "Thelonious," "Ruby My Dear," "Light Blue," "Mysterioso," and "Friday the Thirteenth" and two versions of "Epistrophy." This is easily Lacy's "straightest" album from the period, and he stays melodically and harmonically close to Monk's original compositions in the heads before taking off somewhere else in the solos. But Lacy keeps to the notion of repetition, syncopation, and melodic invention that Monk did, and the band is nearly symbiotic in its communication around and with him. The music here is a delight and a revelation all at the same time. The sound is warm and full and the transfer is solid. ~ Thom Jurek https://www.allmusic.com/album/plays-monk-mw0000325440

Personnel:   Soprano Saxophone – Steve Lacy;  Bass – Jean-Francois Jenny-Clark; Drums – Aldo Romano;  Piano – Michel Graillier

Steve Lacy Plays Monk

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Peter Skellern - Sentimentally Yours

Styles: Vocal And Keyboards Jazz
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 73:42
Size: 171,5 MB
Art: Front

(3:18)  1. Too Much, I'm In Love
(3:31)  2. Raining In My Heart
(4:25)  3. They Can't Take That Away From Me
(4:21)  4. Still Magic
(3:23)  5. Love Is The Sweetest Thing
(4:08)  6. Isn't This A Lovely Day
(3:55)  7. Where Do We Go From Here
(4:32)  8. The Continental (You Kiss While You Dance)
(3:27)  9. When Somebody Thinks You're Wonderful
(3:48) 10. Skylark
(3:08) 11. Deep Purple
(3:53) 12. The Way You Look Tonight
(4:28) 13. Over Her
(2:35) 14. Two Sleepy People
(3:53) 15. You And I
(3:36) 16. Cheek To Cheek
(3:15) 17. While I'm Away
(2:44) 18. Sweet Words
(4:14) 19. Put Out The Flame
(2:58) 20. Night And Day

A composer, singer, and musician, Peter Skellern played trombone in a school band and served as organist and choirmaster in a local church before attending the Guildhall School of Music, from which he graduated with honors in 1968. Because "I didn’t want to spend the next 50 years playing Chopin," he joined the vocal harmony band March Hare which, after changing their name to Harlan County, recorded a country-pop album before disbanding in 1971. Married with two children, Skellern worked as a hotel porter in Shaftesbury, Dorset, before striking lucky at the end of 1972 with a self-composed U.K. number three hit, "You're a Lady." The album Not Without a Friend consisted entirely of original material (aside from a rendition of Hoagy Carmichael's "Rockin' Chair"), and another U.K. hit single with the title track to 1975's Hold on to Love established Skellern as a purveyor of wittily observed if homely love songs of similar stamp to Gilbert O'Sullivan. He earned the respect of Beatles fans (already manifested following Derek Taylor's production of Not Without a Friend) when George Harrison assisted on Hard Times and the title number was later recorded by Ringo Starr. A minor hit in 1978, "Love Is the Sweetest Thing" (featuring Grimethorpe Colliery Band) was part of a tribute to Fred Astaire that won a Music Trades Association Award for Best MOR Album of 1979. Skellern subsequently wrote and performed six autobiographical programs for BBC television, followed by a series of musical plays (Happy Endings), and also hosted the chat show Private Lives in 1983. A year later he formed Oasis with Julian Lloyd Webber, Mary Hopkin, and guitarist Billy Lovelady in an attempt to fuse mutual classical and pop interests, but the band's recordings failed to make a major impact. In 1985, Skellern joined Richard Stilgoe for Stilgoe and Skellern Stompin' at the Savoy, a show in aid of the Lords Taverners charity organization. This led to the two entertainers working together on several successful tours and in their two-man revue, Who Plays Wins, which was presented in London's West End and New York City. After becoming disenchanted with the record business for a time, in 1995 Skellern issued his first album in nearly eight years. Originally conceived as a tribute to the Ink Spots, it eventually consisted of a number of songs associated with that legendary group, and a few Hoagy Carmichael compositions "just to break it up." He later wrote sacred choral music and was ordained as a deacon and priest in the Church of England. After developing an inoperable brain tumor, he died in February 2017 at 69 years of age. ~ Rovi Staff https://www.allmusic.com/artist/peter-skellern-mn0000687269/biography

Sentimentally Yours

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Greta Panettieri - With Love

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2018
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:40
Size: 122,1 MB
Art: Front

(5:17)  1. Vivere
(6:08)  2. Goodbye Stranger
(4:47)  3. Attimo Per Attimo
(5:11)  4. Easy
(5:15)  5. Anonimo Veneziano
(4:38)  6. Se Io Fossi Un Angelo
(4:42)  7. Never Can Say Goodbye
(4:35)  8. La Voce Del Silenzio
(4:10)  9. Please Don't Go
(3:41) 10. Against All Odds (Take A Look
(4:12) 11. Anima

A real playlist of memories: Friday November 9 comes out "With Love", the new album by Greta Panettieri, one of the best voices on the world scene, which is breaking the box offices of Italian and foreign theaters and festivals. From Vasco to Phil Collins, from Lucio Dalla to Supertramp, from Pino Daniele to Stelvio Cipriani: in the new album the young singer and composer has indulged in arranging with her producer Andrea Sammartino some of her favorite tracks:"The songs we decided to reinterpret are great successes that belong to our past: they have a strong reminiscent power for us and already from the first notes they are able to bring us back in time, like a quantum leap, making us experience the same emotions of those years."After the two tours in Russia, the sold out of the Italian tour and the collaboration with Toquinho who wanted Greta next to him on stage for a long series of concerts, Greta's vision has changed a lot: "I understood how important the elective affinity with my audience: as a girl I was extremely shy, now thanks to the music I can connect with the spectators, who at every concert feel more and more free to go wild, sing and live the live as a moment of great joy and sharing. I dedicate this record to them and to the emotions that make me feel each time, with love, just as the title indicates. " Already with the lucky album "Non Gioco Più" Greta Panettieri had brought to the sounds of jazz so many fans of pop and light music that, fascinated by his voice, they let themselves be conquered by the new arrangements and also by the different moments of improvisation. Thanks also to a band of great musicians and an interplay curated, pressing but at the same time soft and harmonious, even "With Love" is an invitation for the many music lovers to be conquered by the charm of jazz sounds. At the same time, the album is a real more melodic and pop journey in which Greta succeeds in conferring a new, original and refined look, to well-known pieces that have made the history of Italian and international light music.

"At the beginning of the 2000s I was approaching the jazz world as a young promise, but in the United States many producers and record companies, including Larry Williams and David Novik, were convinced that I had a huge potential even in pop. over 10 years I wanted to accept the challenge and have fun making this journey in pop with my musicians. "  In the tracklist of the album: "Vivere" (Vasco Rossi), "Goodbye Stranger" (Supertramp), "Attimo per attimo" (Antonio Amurri), "Easy" (Lionel Richie), "Anonymous Venetian" (Stelvio Cipriani), If I I was an angel (Lucio Dalla) "," Never Can Say Goodbye "(Clifton Davis)," The Voice of Silence "(Mogol / Limiti)," Please Do not Go "(Harry Wayne K. Translate By Google http://www.gretapanettieri.com/with_loveIT.html

Personnel: Greta Panettieri : Voice; Andrea Sammartino : arrangements, piano, organs and guitars; Daniele Mencarelli: Electric bass and Contrabasso; Alessandro Paternesi : Battery; Flavio Boltro: Tromba su "Vivere" e "Anonimo Veneziano"; Itaiguara Brandao: Chitarra su "Goodbye Stranger"

With Love

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Marc Jordan - On a Perfect Day

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:04
Size: 108,4 MB
Art: Front

(2:53)  1. On a Perfect Day
(3:30)  2. I Have No Doubt
(7:41)  3. My TV
(3:54)  4. She Doesn't Mean That Much to Me
(3:55)  5. Avalina
(2:35)  6. Hell of a Ride
(6:38)  7. Too Far to Turn Back Now
(2:42)  8. Wounded
(3:26)  9. Butter Lane
(4:36) 10. I'll Never Love Like That Again
(5:11) 11. The First Time

What is the nature of creativity? Is creativity an attribute, or is it a state of being? What ist the impetus for creative risk and exploration? Is it a problem solving or aesthetic expression?  And can a hindrance eventually become the unique signature of one’s creativity? Perhaps being forced to express oneself in a certain way rather than choosing to do so is, in the end, the thing that metamorphoses creativity into artistry. Marc was born in Brooklyn NY the son of singer Charles Jordan and grew up in Toronto Canada. In 1978 Marc was signed to Warner Music in Burbank California by Steely Dan Producer Gary Katz and signed as a staff writer for Irving Almo pub. , Geffen Pub. and Warner Chappell Music in Hollywood. Jordan spent 16 years in LA writing song for and with Diana Ross, Chicago, Kansas, Manhattan Transfer, Kenny Loggins, Amanda Marshal, Amy Sky, Bette Midler, Natalie Cole, Roch Voisin, Canadian Tenors, Shawn Colvin, Olivia Newton-John, Joe Cocker, Bonnie Raitt, Josh Groban, Cher and Rod Stewart including the worldwide #1 hit Rhythm Of My Heart. Jordan has won numerous ASCAP, Juno, Socan and Smooth Jazz awards over the years. His songs have been on 35 million CD’s and he has recorded 14 CD’s of his own material on various labels including Warner Bros., Atlantic. RCA, and Blue Note. Jordan has numerous film credits and is the chair of the song writing dept at Norman Jewison’s Canadian Film Center. Marc starred himself opposite Olivia Newton-John in the film SCORE A HOCKEY MUSICAL which opened the Toronto Film Festival. Jordan is currently writing with Rod Stewart for Rods upcoming CD  and is on the advisory board of Humber College. At the request of his estate, Marc has been writing songs using unpublished works of Oscar Peterson and hopes to be finished the new works this year..Marc continues to tour himself and with the writers group Lunch At Allens. https://marcjordan.com/biography/

Personnel:  Marc Jordan: Lead Vocals; Chris Bilton: Piano, Organ, Rhodes, Synths/Programming, Bass, Melodica, Hand Claps; Shane Fontayne: Electric Guitar, Baritone Guitar; Mike Francis: Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Dobro; Pat Buchanan: Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Slide Guitar, Ukulele; Dan Dugmore: Pedal Steel, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar; Lyle Molzan: Drums; Ricky Fataar: Drums; Michael Rhodes: Bass; Colleen Allen: Saxophone; David Travers-Smith: Trumpet; The Biblical Wasteland Singers: Background Vocals; Ezra Jordan: Background Vocals;
Jerry Bilton: Percussion

On a Perfect Day

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The Oscar Peterson Trio - Tristeza On Piano

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 1970
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 44:42
Size: 103,7 MB
Art: Front

(3:12)  1. Tristeza
(6:45)  2. Nightingale
(6:13)  3. Porgy
(5:21)  4. Triste
(3:33)  5. You Stepped Out Of A Dream
(6:11)  6. Watch What Happens
(8:49)  7. Down Here On The Ground
(4:37)  8. Fly Me To The Moon

At the beginning of this set Oscar Peterson so overwhelms the normally gentle "Tristeza" that it almost becomes a parody. Fortunately, the remainder of the bossa nova-flavored LP is more tasteful. Even if Peterson is overly hyper in spots, he is able to bring out the beauty of such songs as George Gershwin's "Porgy," Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Trieste," and "Watch What Happens," in addition to stomping through the straight-ahead "You Stepped out of a Dream." ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/tristeza-on-piano-mw0000188657

Personnel:  Oscar Peterson – Piano; Sam Jones – Double bass; Bobby Durham – drums

Tristeza On Piano

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Debbie Harwood - Soothe Me

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 40:16
Size: 92,7 MB
Art: Front

(2:25)  1. We Kiss In A Shadow
(3:03)  2. Oh, You Crazy Moon
(3:19)  3. Soothe Me
(4:42)  4. Don't Explain
(3:57)  5. Willow Weep For Me
(3:02)  6. Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered
(2:47)  7. Kissing Bug
(4:27)  8. Every Time We Say Goodbye
(4:05)  9. Don't Want That Man Around
(4:27) 10. September In The Rain
(3:55) 11. Exactly Like You

Soothe Me is the superb solo debut from iconic Kiwi artist Debbie Harwood. The album is an evocative collection of soul-soothing songs of love and life from a time gone by set to a backdrop of subtle rhythms of post WWII swing. Harwood has always had a fascination with the music from the period after the Second World War, especially the music of pianist and big band leader Stan Kenton. Soothe Me was self-produced in two weeks at the renowned Helen Young Studio in Auckland with the help of some vintage Neumann microphones. Sony. 2005. ~ Editorial Reviews https://www.amazon.com/Soothe-Me-Debbie-Harwood/dp/B000AA4KH4

 

Thank You Dave!

Soothe Me

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Kyle Eastwood - Songs from the Chateau

Styles: Jazz, Post Bop
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:27
Size: 116,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:49)  1. Marciac
(6:37)  2. Moon over Couronneau
(5:21)  3. Café Calypso
(5:07)  4. Soul captain
(6:21)  5. Andalucía
(5:12)  6. Over the line
(5:50)  7. Tonic
(5:09)  8. Aperitif
(5:56)  9. Down at Ronnie´s

Kyle Eastwood's career encompasses the writing of film soundtracks, as well as the life of a jazz composer, bandleader and bassist. On those seemingly rare occasions when he isn't working, Eastwood spends much of his time in France. Songs From The Chateau is his fifth album since 1998's debut, From There To Here (Sony), and his fourth for British Candid label. It finds Eastwood recording in the country he loves, at the 15th century Chateau Couronneau in the Bordeaux region. From drummer Martyn Kaine's first emphatic beats on "Marciac," this album simply bursts with energy and, to maintain the French theme, joie de vivre. It's full of strong compositions from Eastwood, and virtuoso playing from every musician, but never feels forced, or competitive: no showboating, no unnecessary technical complexity. The range of styles is wide, demonstrating the influences from across the world that Eastwood has absorbed into his writing and playing. "Moon Over Couronneau" has a dreamlike, ethereal quality, and a standout acoustic piano solo from Andrew McCormack 99. "Café Calypso" is an irresistibly cheerful number, with some jaunty playing from Graeme Blevins and Graeme Flowers. "Soul Captain" is another celestial tune, thanks in particular to Blevins and Flowers' haunting horn lines. Once more, the melody is enticingly simple and insistent. The lovely "Andalucia" is driven by Eastwood's simple, repeated, acoustic bass riff and Kaine's fluid, more complex, percussion. Flowers' trumpet flies over the top, evoking the vastness and beauty of the Andalucian countryside, while Eastwood's solo adds a touch of North African spirit. "Down At Ronnie's" is inspired by London's Ronnie Scott's Club. It's a loose, funky, jam-band, kind of number, that wouldn't sound out of place in an Average White Band set. "Tonic" takes inspiration from more mainstream jazz sources with McCormack and Blevins' beautiful contributions channeling the spirit of Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond.  While Songs From The Chateau is an album of varied moods, rhythms and beats it continuously evokes one particular emotion joy. Eastwood and his band create music from the heart: uplifting, reflective and beautiful. ~ Bruce Lindsay https://www.allaboutjazz.com/songs-from-the-chateau-kyle-eastwood-candid-records-review-by-bruce-lindsay.php

Personnel: Kyle Eastwood: acoustic bass, electric bass; Andrew McCormack: piano, electric piano; Graeme Flowers: trumpet, flugelhorn; Graeme Blevins: soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone; Martyn Kaine: drums.

Songs from the Chateau

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Chico Freeman - Spirit Sensitive

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:34
Size: 146,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:15)  1. Autumn in New York
(5:39)  2. Peace
(7:42)  3. A Child Is Born
(7:24)  4. Lonnie's Lament
(4:19)  5. You Don't Have to Say You're Sorry
(7:00)  6. Wise One
(6:21)  7. It Never Entered My Mind
(8:52)  8. Close to You Alone
(7:36)  9. Carnival
(4:21) 10. Don't Get Around Much Anymore

This set was a change-of-pace for Chico Freeman for it features the usually adventurous tenor (who doubles on soprano) mostly playing warm versions of standards.

The CD reissue adds four previously unissued selections (including a pair of Coltrane tunes, "Lonnie's Lament" and "Wise One") to the original program. With pianist John Hicks, bassist Cecil McBee and either Billy Hart or Don Moye on drums offering fine support (vibraphonist Jay Hoggard sits in on "Carnival"), Freeman pushes at but does not break the boundaries of hard bop. Highlights include "Autumn in New York" (a duet with McBee), Horace Silver's "Peace," "It Never Entered My Mind" and the bassist's "Close to You Alone." ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/spirit-sensitive-mw0000204353

Personnel:  Chico Freeman - tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone; Cecil McBee – bass; John Hicks – piano; Billy Hart - drums; Famoudou Don Moye - drums

Spirit Sensitive

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Elmo Hope - A Night in Tunisia

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2015
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 103:03
Size: 237,6 MB
Art: Front

( 6:29)  1. Something for Kenny
( 6:18)  2. Barfly
( 7:32)  3. Like Someone in Love
( 5:47)  4. B's A-Plenty
( 6:00)  5. Boa
( 4:51)  6. Minor Bertha
( 2:58)  7. Tranquility
( 3:55)  8. Eejah
(10:50)  9. I Love You
( 4:56) 10. Low Tide
(10:41) 11. Elmo's Blues
(10:16) 12. A Night in Tunisia
( 4:21) 13. Stellations
( 8:42) 14. Somebody Loves Me
( 6:32) 15. Low Tide - Alternate Take
( 2:46) 16. Pam

Overshadowed throughout his life by his friends Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk, Elmo Hope was a talented pianist and composer whose life was cut short by drugs. His first important gig was with Joe Morris' R&B band (1948-1951). He recorded in New York as a leader (starting in 1953) and with Sonny Rollins, Lou Donaldson, Clifford Brown, and Jackie McLean, but the loss of his cabaret card (due to his drug use) made it very difficult for him to make a living in New York. After touring with Chet Baker in 1957, Hope relocated to Los Angeles. He performed with Lionel Hampton in 1959, recorded with Harold Land and Curtis Counce, and returned to New York in 1961. A short prison sentence did little to help his drug problem and, although he sounds fine on his trio performances of 1966, he died a little over a year later. Elmo Hope's sessions as a leader were cut for Blue Note, Prestige, Pacific Jazz, Hi Fi Jazz, Riverside, Celebrity, Beacon, and Audio Fidelity; his last albums were initially released on Inner City. Hope was also a fine composer, although none of his songs became standards.~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/artist/elmo-hope-mn0000145307/biography

A Night in Tunisia

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Bernadette Seacrest and Her Yes Men - Live

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2005
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 70:30
Size: 162,1 MB
Art: Front

(5:54)  1. Summertime
(5:13)  2. Nobody's Crying
(5:35)  3. Caravan
(4:19)  4. So Cruel
(5:50)  5. Early In The Morning
(3:12)  6. Temptation
(4:55)  7. Smoking Cigars
(4:31)  8. Tango
(5:15)  9. Money
(4:30) 10. When The Sun Comes
(5:00) 11. Fever
(5:08) 12. Wrong Turn (Studio Version)
(4:30) 13. Money (Studio Version)
(3:44) 14. Man's Ruin (Studio Version)
(2:47) 15. Rain (Studio Version)

Bernadette’s creative path reads like the back story to a mid-century Hollywood heroine: Ballerina, Fashionista, Hell Kitten, Sultry Chanteuse. She spent her childhood in California and New York studying classical dance with the renowned Los Angeles Ballet, San Francisco Ballet and American Ballet Theatre until an injury drove her love of drag and pageantry north east and underground. Coming of age amidst the gutter glam and jewel-toned ink of New York and L.A.’s early 80’s street punk scene the ballerina scraped by as a sometimes fetish model, makeup artist, clothing designer and stylist. In 1993 Bernadette declared Albuquerque home and in 2001 made her musical debut with one of the hottest roots-rockabilly bands in the Southwest, the Long Goners. Working closely with singer-songwriter Pat Bova, she belted out rebellious anthems in the style of Janis Martin and Wanda Jackson. Together, they shared the stage with rockabilly’s most iconic acts to include Hank Williams III, Jonathan Richman, Big Sandy and many more. 2003 found the burgeoning chanteuse ready to wrap her voice around the more complex musical terrain of jazz. She collaborated with acclaimed bassist and composer David Parlato while forming the new band Bernadette Seacrest and her Yes Men. The combo’s first album “No More Music by the Suckers” was released in 2004 and features desire drenched jazz standards as well as original songs by Michael Grimes and Pat Bova. The band toured extensively upon the album’s release, playing to packed audiences across the U.S. and France. They were featured on NPR and Swing City Magazine described the album as “…an attempt for a one time rockabilly kitten to break into the modern day jazz scene and break the mold, an endeavor she unconsciously accomplishes.” Their second album, “Live in Santa Fe” was released in 2005 and magically captures the smoke-filled room acoustics of a sold out live performance. In 2006 Bernadette followed her heart to Atlanta where a new project arose Bernadette Seacrest and her Provocateurs with guitarist/songwriter par excellence, Charles Williams and journeyman bassist Kris Dale. In 2009 “The Filthy South Sessions” was released to critical acclaim. The album’s collection of songs range from the All Mighty’s drinking habits to an epic lament about a diner at the end of the world, with stops in between. 

The arrangements are an amalgam of jazz, rockabilly and swing noire elements that elude all descriptors, allowing each musician’s considerable talent to shine through. During this era, Bernadette was awarded Best Atlanta Vocalist twice by Atlanta’s leading alternative press publication “Creative Loafing”. With new album in hand, Bernadette and her boys went on to tour exclusively in France. In 2012 The Provocateurs disbanded and Bernadette went solo. With bass player extraordinaire Kris Dale as musical director, they crafted a different approach to their next album released in 2016 under the title “Lust & Madness” an unconventional and bracing body of work inviting repeated visits to the dark wells of the soul. Like an all-consuming novel, we consider life’s twists, plights and circumstances…with Bernadette’s seductive voice guiding us all the while atop raw and sparse instrumentation. Bernadette’s allure continues to foster a constellation of talented friends as Atlanta’s local heavy hitters Big Mike Geier (AKA Puddles Pity Party) and legendary Hall of Fame inductee Francine Reed appear on two separate tracks. A Bernadette Seacrest “show” is better described as a coveted experience for the quietly informed. Her willing subjects recoil, laugh and blush as she relentlessly exorcises the demons of doubt, inhibition and lowered expectations born of life’s bludgeoning routines. Fans smile knowingly while newcomers are buffeted through songs with each new effort seeming to top the last. When the lights come up, they carry their experiences home in a beguiled state of wonder. Something has been restored and reclaimed. It’s authentic…. it’s intimate….. and we are blessedly reminded of how music can make us feel when we’re lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. http://bernadetteseacrest.com/biography

Live

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Peter Skellern, Mary Hopkin - Oasis

Styles: Vocal
Year: 1984
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:09
Size: 110,1 MB
Art: Front

(2:17)  1. Prelude [Instrumental]
(4:20)  2. If This Be The Last Time
(3:57)  3. I Wonder Why
(4:20)  4. Hold Me
(5:45)  5. Oasis
(6:33)  6. Sirocco
(5:03)  7. Who Knows?
(5:06)  8. Weavers Of Moonbeams
(5:17)  9. Loved And Lost [Instrumental]
(4:27) 10. True Love

Oasis is a studio album by 1980s group Oasis (not the 1990s rock band of the same name). The album was recorded at Solid Bond Studios and Trident II Studios in London. It was mixed at Trident II Studios. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oasis_(Oasis_album)

Personnel:  Peter Skellern - vocals, keyboards, synths; Mary Hopkin - vocals; Julian Lloyd Webber - cello; Bill Lovelady - guitar; Mitch Dalton - guitar; Andy Pask - bass; Charlie Morgan - drums; Tristan Fry - marimbas; Frank Ricotti - percussion
 

Thank You Dave!

Oasis

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Vinny Golia Quartet - Take Your Time

Styles: Saxophone Jazz 
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 71:12
Size: 167,5 MB
Art: Front

( 6:20)  1. That Was for Albert 10
( 7:20)  2. Otolith
(11:18)  3. On The Steel
( 3:15)  4. That Was for Albert 11
( 9:45)  5. Welcome Home
( 8:38)  6. Parambulist
(14:00)  7. A Guy We All Used to Know
(10:31)  8. Even Before This Time

After yesterday's review, here is another great quartet, with Vinny Golia on saxophones, Bobby Bradford on cornet, Ken Filiano on bass and Alex Cline on drums. As I might have written once, Golia is one of those musicians whose playing really opened my ears many years ago, because of his power to be lyrical and emotional while at the same time trying out new things. So I always look out with anticipation for his new projects. Like good wine, this music also has body and substance, while being fluid. All tracks have composed elements without having real themes, but offer structured character as the basis for the band's interaction. Another characteristic is that all four musicians play all the time, with only few exceptions. This adds to the density of the sound and the intensity of the music, which spans the whole range from bop to free jazz. And needless to say, four fantastic musicians. Not a real musical breakthrough, but consistent high quality music. Recommended. http://www.freejazzblog.org/2012/04/vinny-golia-quartet-take-your-time.html

Personnel: Vinny Golia - soprano, alto and tenor saxophone; Bobby Bradford - cornet; Ken Filiano - bass; Alex Cline - drums

Take Your Time

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Harold Ashby - Scufflin'

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2000
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:25
Size: 121,0 MB
Art: Front

(5:45)  1. Scufflin' (take 2)
(6:33)  2. Earma Jean
(7:46)  3. Salty Mama
(5:13)  4. When Sunny Gets Blue
(3:15)  5. Stealing
(9:54)  6. Quiet Nights
(7:29)  7. Get Down
(6:26)  8. Scufflin' (take 1)

Other than a scarce album for Masters of Jazz from 1959, this was Harold Ashby's debut as a leader. The underrated tenor saxophonist, one of Duke Ellington's finest soloists during his final decade, is teamed with three other alumni of Ellington's bands (trombonist Booty Wood, bassist Aaron Bell, and drummer Sam Woodyard), plus pianist Raymond Fol. The original program (six Ashby originals) is augmented by a new alternate take of "Scufflin'," plus a previously unreleased "When Sunny Gets Blue." Ashby's warm tenor is equally welcome on both warm ballads and jumping originals, blending in well with Wood's colorful trombone for a high-quality mainstream swing set. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/scufflin-mw0001152758

Personnel: Tenor Saxophone – Harold Ashby;  Bass – Aaron Bell; Drums – Sam Woodyard; Piano – Raymond Fol;  Trombone – Booty Wood

Scufflin'

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Pamela Joy - L'aparela

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:26
Size: 107,4 MB
Art: Front

(3:51)  1. Everlasting Arms
(3:53)  2. Beautiful Things
(3:50)  3. Creature
(2:43)  4. Psalm 23 (The Lord is My Shepherd)
(3:05)  5. Things That Last
(3:23)  6. Speak Your Mind
(3:10)  7. Help My Unbelief
(4:01)  8. Fires
(4:18)  9. Deep Seas
(3:19) 10. Remind Me
(4:14) 11. Jacob's Ladder
(3:38) 12. Lord Over Everything (Easter Song)
(2:56) 13. As I Have Loved You

“The seductive warmth of her voice, her elegant phrasing, creative arrangements, thoughtful musicianship and her ability to swing with the best of them will intoxicate any lover of good singing and jazz.” ~ Cabaret Exchange http://www.pamelajoyjazz.com/home.html

L'aparela

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