Music on Top

Arturo Sandoval: I Remember Clifford (1992)

2011-11-21T04:26:00.000-08:00

I Remember Clifford is a 1992 album by Arturo Sandoval, the second album he made after fleeing from his native Cuba.

The entire album is a tribute to Clifford Brown, who was a great influence on Sandoval; Brown was an influential, highly-rated and much-loved jazz trumpeter who died in an auto accident in 1956, when he was only 25 years old.

The album is named for Clifford Brown who was killed on June 26, 1956 in a car accident which also killed pianist Richie Powell, the younger brother of Bud Powell.

Sandoval's written tribute to Brown in the liner notes for the album ends:

Everybody that I've spoken to, who knew Brownie, coincided in describing his heart and his simplicity as an artist. Modesty, feelings, dignity and virtuosity; not a bad legacy. ... It is with all my heart and soul that I offer this sincere effort to one of the greatest trumpet players of all time; a man who left his mark as a person and as an artist. It is named after a threnody written by Benny Golson, I Remember Clifford, also written in memory of Brown.

In addition to an especially poignant rendition of the Golson piece (using only a trumpet and piano - a pointed tribute to the two musicians who died together), the album contains a long list of Clifford's best-known standards (some composed by Brown himself). One final inclusion is a new composition, I Left This Space For You, written by Sandoval in tribute, in which Sandoval plays only a restrained melody, leaving "this space for him" (in Sandoval's words). One very unusual feature, heard on five of the tracks, is the use of overdubbing to create a trumpet 'choir' of four harmonized trumpets, all played by Sandoval (a concept credited to Orlando 'Papito' Hernández, who had experience with multiple trumpets from his time playing with Herb Alpert). The 'choir' is used to play arrangements of some of Brown's own brilliant original solos; the different trumpet lines are so closely synchronized it is hard to believe they were not reproduced electronically. Sandoval's own phenomenal playing features in his own solos, especially on "Cherokee", which he takes at a pace a hair faster than Brown's own impossibly-fast original.
The album received two nominations in the 1992 Grammy Awards ('Best Jazz Instrumental Performance - Individual or Group', and 'Best Arrangement on an Instrumental', for Cherokee). It was picked by critic Leonard Feather as one of the ten best jazz albums of 1992.

Tracklist:

1 Daahoud 4:57
2 Joy Spring 5:42
3. Parisian Thoroughfare 5:58
4. Cherokee 5:09
5. I Remember Clifford 4:12
6. The Blues Walk 6:47
7. Sandu 5:19
8. I Get A Kick Out Of You 5:13
9. Jordu 8:27
10. Caravan 4:28
11. I Left This Space For You 5:51

Personnel:

Arturo Sandoval, Trumpet
Kenny Kirkland, Piano
Charnett Moffett, Bass
Kenny Washington, drums
Ernie Watts, Tenor Saxophone (tracks 1, 4, 7, 9, 10)
David Sánchez, Tenor saxophone (tracks 3, 6, 8)
Ed Calle, Tenor Saxophone (track 2)
Félix Gómez, Keyboards (track 5)
Gary Lindsay, Arrangements (except on track 9)
Alberto Naranjo, Arrangement on Jordu

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Kouichi & Friends feat. Tommy Katona: Texas (2011)

2011-11-21T02:05:00.000-08:00

This CD is highly recommended if you like: SRV, Jimi Hendrix, ZZ TOP, Michael Landau...

Tracklist:
01. Texas [6:03]
02. Labyrinth [3:25]
03. Oh! My Life [3:49]
04. KTB Shuffle [2:56]
05. Bright Moments [3:30]
06. Otokono Blues [5:03]
07. Akiko [5:37]
08. Beautiful Day [4:36]
09. Austin Boogie (feat. Double Trouble) [4:34]
10. Shine On [4:54]
11. For My Daughters [1:41]
Personnel:
Kouichi Morita: Guitar,Vocals (Track 3,6,8 ), Chorus
Tommy Katona: Guitar, Chorus
Tim Neilley: Bass, Chorus
Clint Hooks: Drums, Vocals(Track 1,10 ), Chorus
Guest:
Brandon Katona: Lead Guitar (Track 4 )
Kouichi Morita: Guitar (Track 9)
Tommy Shannon: Bass (Track 9)
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Tommy Schneller: Smiling for a Reason (2011)

2011-11-20T06:12:00.000-08:00

Tommy Schneller - a Saxplayer and Singer from Osnabrueck, Germany. I worked and recorded with national and international Bluesartists and also released 3 CDs with my own project. The "Tommy Schneller Band " has worked all over Europe on Festivals and on Clubtours. Beside my project and the work beeing a freelance musician. I'm a part of a project called "Bluesnight". www.bluesnightband.de. Here I get the chance to play with national and international Blues Funk & Soul Artists every month. It's a lot of fun and I made great friends and contacts all over the world. In 2006 the online travel company Reise.com picked one Song "barefootin in the sand" that I wrote years ago together with my friend Jan Hirte for a TV Comercial.

On 4 November the new album "Smiling for a reason" was released and appeared to the market. The album was produced by Henrik Freischlader and recorded in the studio of Martin Shepherd. A soulful, funky, bluesy refreshment awaits you!

Tracklist:
01. Cleaninglady Blues (5:58)
02. Smiling For A Reason (3:45)
03. You're My Place To Be (4:23)
04. Shaky Lies (4:44)
05. Sweetest Touch (4:25)
06. Blues For The Ladies (5:57)
07. Can't Go On This Way (3:58)
08. Never Found Me A Girl (3:34)
09. Dog's Life (4:19)
10. Get Closer (5:30)
Personnel:
Tommy Schneller (saxophone, vocals)
Henrik Freischlader (guitar, bass, drums, backing vocals)
Gregor Barrett (Fender Rhodes, organ)
Max Klaas (percussion)
Gary Winters (trumpet)
Dieter Kuhlmann (trombone)
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2011-11-20T05:06:00.000-08:00

CLG08K4U3LFMEJ4T5O61

Mario Biondi & The Unexpected Glimpses: Due (2011)

2011-11-19T04:02:00.000-08:00

Italian jazz-soul vocalist Mario Biondi was born of artistic stock in the Sicilian city of Catania. His great grandfather was a respected painter, his grandmother a singer, and his father a popular songwriter. Biondi sang throughout his childhood, first performing in public at age 12 in church, and soon singing in public squares before hundreds of people. From there he competed in the Festival della Canzone Siciliana, taking third place. Biondi's musical pursuits earned him the opportunity to perform alongside such Italian vocal greats as Califano, Bongusto, and Fiorello, as well as American legend Ray Charles. As word of his talent and skill got out, Biondi found himself collaborating with groups like the Change, Mario Brothers, and Funky Company on recordings and tours. Given his powerful and unique voice, it was not long before Biondi was encouraged to pursue a solo career. Featuring material inspired by American R&B artists like Lou Rawls, Luther Vandross, and Donny Hathaway, Biondi's debut record was released in 2006 on the boutique label Family Affair. Handful of Soul featured the single "This Is What You Are," which went immediately into heavy rotation throughout Italy and the U.K. A year later Biondi performed the song at the important Sanremo Festival in Italy, bolstering the record's popularity and helping to push it into Billboard's European Top 100 chart. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez, Rovi

Tracklist:
CD 1:
1. Blue Skies
2. Won't You Come Back
3. Life Is Everything
4. In The Sun
5. My Girl
6. The Door Is Still Open To My Heart
7. What's Happening Brother
8. Free
9. Dreaming
10. Funny How Time Slips Away
CD 2:
1. Mother Earth
2. All I Really Want
3. Do You Want Me To Stay
4. All You Have To Do
5. More Than You Could Ever Know
6. Where Are You
7. Lullaby
8. Everytime I Think Of You
9. Under That Sky
10. Finale In Dissolvenza
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Patti Austin: On The Wat To Love (2001)

2011-11-18T03:40:00.000-08:00

After affiliations with CTI (1976-80), Qwest (1981-88), and GRP (1990-1994), Patti Austin, as she passed the age of 50, seemed to have moved permanently from the soul jazz divisions of major labels to independents like Concord Jazz (for whom she made In and Out of Love in 1998) and even more modest recording affiliations (her last album, Street of Dreams, was handled by Platinum Entertainment). It is therefore something of a surprise that she has landed back at Quincy Jones' Warner Bros.-distributed Qwest label for her 15th album, On the Way to Love. It's also good news, since a singer of Austin's talent (and there aren't many of those) deserves the exposure possible through major-label distribution. The question, of course, is what sort of commercial compromises it entails. The answer is that Qwest's vision for Austin, one she seems to endorse enthusiastically, is to take her right back to the kind of quiet storm/adult contemporary/smooth jazz approach that characterized most of her earlier Qwest releases in the 1980s. Paul Brown, Boney James' producer, has been brought in, and, not surprisingly, the saxophonist turns up on "If You Really Need Me Now," a track that also features Austin's old duet partner (and Qwest labelmate) James Ingram. Siedah Garrett, another Qwest stalwart, co-wrote the title song, and Austin herself contributed to the writing of three songs, among them "Love's Been Kind to Me Lately," an attractive pop song that, like many here, may be more welcome on contemporary jazz stations than anywhere else. The songs indulge in street argot here and there, but this is an upscale effort for the most part, music for middle-aged Terry McMillan fans who aren't Waiting to Exhale anymore, but still don't want to work up a sweat. It's not bad, but Austin can do much better. -- William Ruhlmann

Tracklist:
01. Girlfriend (4:02)
02. What Can I Say? (4:17)
03. On The Way To Love (4:00)
04. Love's Been Kind To Me Lately (3:37)
05. Make It Right (4:27)
06. If You Really Need Me Now (4:28)
07. Playin' Arround (3:55)
08. Let Me Be Me (4:26)
09. Southern Rain (4:31)
10. Tell Me Why (4:33)
11. Love's Been Kind To Me Lateley (Unplugged) (3:38)
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Bob Baldwin: NewUrbanJazz.Com 2 / Re-Vibe (2011)

2011-11-17T10:00:00.000-08:00

Those listeners brand new to the special urban groove of the wonderful Bob Baldwin need only flip on the first track of his latest CD, ‘Re-Vibe’, to find out what this terrific musician is all about. Titled ‘Thanks For Stopping By’, the song (in Bob’s own words and in little over 2 minutes) perfectly sums up the ethos of this consummate performer.

Of course Baldwin has long been at the cutting edge of contemporary jazz. His 2008 project ‘NewUrbanJazz.com’ served to redefine the genre and led to the legitimization of R & B tinged vocals within smooth jazz. Truth to tell Baldwin has been pioneering his unique vibe since he first hit the scene in 1988 with ‘The Dream Featuring Bob Baldwin’. Since then his often overlooked discography has been adorned with musical gems and now ‘Re-Vibe’ raises the bar yet another notch.

The variety of ‘Re-Vibe’ is delightful and is epitomized by the melodic yet rhythmic lilt of ‘Get Over It’ which features everyone’s favourite flute player Ragan Whiteside. Her own solo album ‘Class Axe’ remains a real Smooth Jazz Therapy favourite and when she returns to add some magic to ‘Get A Little (Jazz In Yo’ Ear)’ its her silky backing vocal that grabs the attention. In fact the tune is built around a streetwise rap from Bo Valentine and as the CD moves closer to the urban vibe that sums up Baldwin like no other, the silkily soulful ‘All Over You’ shimmers with a stunning vocal from Glen Jones.

‘Arabian Sweets’ also includes flute from Whiteside and, as the title suggests, is replete with (jazzy) eastern promise while elsewhere ‘For Grover and George’ provides Baldwin with the opportunity to tip a hat to Washington Jr and Howard respectively. The track also showcases top notch sax from the ubiquitous Darren Rahn yet despite the superb guest performances that generously populate the album its Baldwin’s own contributions that remains centre of everything. In this respect there is none more so than his ultra tight playing on the mid tempo title cut and later ‘Cosmic – Tology’ allows him to deliver another slice of hip virtuosity.

Later, ‘Burnin (In My Brain)’ finds Baldwin in a funk induced haze and although ‘Every Breath Is A Gift’ is a masterpiece of rhythm and melody it’s the warm, inviting singing voice of Porter Carroll II that adds a velvety quality to the retro tinged ‘Are You Ready’.

The brassy ‘Uptown Situation’ finds Freddy V in fine form on sax, the always excellent Barry Danielian on trumpet and some predictably great keys from Baldwin. When trumpet duties pass to the up and coming Joey Sommerville, he plays a significant part in making Baldwin’s version the Alicia Keys smash ‘Unthinkable’ sound brand new. It is right up there with the best that the collection has to offer yet even better and snatching the honours of Smooth Jazz Therapy top tune is ‘Morning’. Used to bring ‘Re-Vibe’ to a deliciously contemplative close, melodic smooth jazz doesn’t get better than this.

‘Re-Vibe’ from Bob Baldwin comes highly recommended. Check it out.

Tracklist:

01. Thanks For Stoppin' By [02:27]
02. Uptown Situation [06:03]
03. Get Over it [05:50]
04. For Grover and George [05:54]
05. Unthinkable [04:52]
06. All Over You [04:39]
07. Get A Little (Jazz In Yo Ear) [04:30]
08. Cosmic-Tology [07:00]
09. Arabian Sweets [05:27]
10. Burnin' [05:27]
11. Are You Ready [05:17]
12. Re-Vibe [05:00]
13. Every Breath Is A Gift [05:16]
14. Morning [04:59]

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Ron Carter: Ron Carter’s Great big Band (2011)

2011-11-17T00:32:00.000-08:00

Throughout his illustrious career, the legendary Ron Carter has played it all jumping in headlong as an integral member of Miles Davis s classic 60s quintet, anchoring the groove for almost every CTI Records session in the 70s, then launching into multifarious new projects, including his cello-infused, chamber-jazz nonet and his piano-guitar-bass trio. But in his lifelong calling to find the right notes, Carter had never recorded a big-band album. So, the time was ripe for the 73-year-old maestro of the upright bass to break new ground. The result is the delightful and swinging album Ron Carter s Great Big Band, set into motion by esteemed arranger Bob Freedman and Somerled Charitable Foundation trustee Wendy Macdonald (who serves as producer) and featuring an all-star cast of supporting musicians.

Carter says the big-band album was more accidental than intentional. Having done every conceivable recording under my name, the only project I hadn t done was leading a big band. Wendy likes the way Bob writes and asked him to do a project featuring his arrangements. Once he agreed, he asked me to be a part of it. I figured, hey, I ll give it a shot. Recalling Carter signing on to the venture, Freedman says, Ron was up to it and into it. He was eager in his own reserved way.

As it turns out, Carter and co. provided the endeavor with an absolute commitment to musical sublimity. The 17-piece band, with the bassist serving as the rhythmic rudder with his steady, warm-toned pulse and Freedman leading as the conductor, delivers a vibrant outing of 13 tunes that buoy with a spirited freedom. The music exudes refined elegance and sonic power as well as opens a window onto a new approach to big-band performance. Ron took on the role of bass player/leader as though he d been doing it forever, says Freedman, who over the years has written arrangements of songs for many of Carter s recordings.

Assembling the band for this date was a joint effort by Carter and Freedman. The bassist insisted on using two of his frequent rhythm mates, pianist Mulgrew Miller and drummer Lewis Nash.

As for the horn sections, Carter suggested designating section leaders who would then fill in the rest of the musicians needed for the section. For woodwinds, alto and soprano saxophonist Jerry Dodgion was enlisted. He, in turn, called on Steve Wilson for second alto, Wayne Escoffery and Scott Robinson on tenor saxophones, Jay Brandford on baritone saxophone and English horn player Charles Pillow. Trombonist Jason Jackson filled the four- bone section with Steve Davis, James Burton III and Douglas Purviance, and trumpeter Tony Kadleck manned his section with fellow trumpeters Greg Gisbert, Jon Owens and Alex Norris.

The creation of the songbook for the band was another joint effort, with Freedman and Carter bringing to the table music that the latter says would be what people who like big bands would like to hear.

Ron Carter s Great Big Band opens with an upbeat, swinging take on the Duke Ellington s classic Caravan, with later renderings of Dizzy Gillespie s Con Alma treated to an apropos Latin hue, and W.C. Handy s Saint Louis Blues, for which Freedman wrote sections with different musical colorings all to playful effect.

Tracklist:
01 – Caravan
02 – The Eternal Triangle
03 – Pork Chop
04 – Opus one Point Five
05 – Con Alma
06 – Sail Away
07 – Opus Number one
08 – Sweet Emma
09 – Saint Louis Blues
10 – Line for Lyons
11 – Footprints
12 – The Golden Striker
13 – Loose Change
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Alex Gunia & Peace: 9866 (2004)

2011-11-16T08:09:00.000-08:00

Alex Gunia's album 9866 is definitely the most interesting work in the genre of electronic Jazz in the last few years.

9866 is a statement for the modern, European Jazz, which easily competes with this field’s international artists. With this album Gunia and Peace claim their deserved place in Jazz in an impressive manner.
”The first Peace Album was the compulsory part, 9866 to me in the free program. I never went into so much detail during the production process as with this work. I wanted to find my limits as a producer as well as a musician, in matters of content as well as in matters of sound... but at the same time I was interested in realizing the whole concept of the music in every moment of the production process... almost never a single solo player is in a dominant position... this is not about the joy of making music or handmade grooves, this is about a piece of art which puts the listener into a peculiar euphoric, melancholic and at the same time hoarse mood...“ (Alex Gunia)
The final result, which Alex Gunia has worked out over the course of more than 2 years in his own Cologne studio and in that of Bugge Wesseltoft in Oslo, far exceeds all expectations.
”The possibility to work on 9866 in Bugge’s studio put me in a position where I could immediately work the musical inspirations, which I had collected in Oslo, into the album... this city is so full of inspiration that I can now understand very well why so much great music comes out of Norway... I believe that this melancholic feel which, the country has, talks to the Russian part of my soul... I am very happy to have been able to catch some that atmosphere and vibration on my album...“ (Alex Gunia)
”To me as producer the mood and the color of the music were most important with 9866. From the beginning on I tried to run some kind of red treat through all the pieces without repeating myself. I feel it is very important that pictures come into the listener’s mind…as many as possible, and as colorful as possible.
To me the design of the sound was most important...“ (Alex Gunia) The musical presence of Nils Petter Molvaer and Bugge Wesseltoft on 9866 is a part of the whole thing and snugly fits into the entire concept of the whole production.
”Working with Bugge and Nils Petter was a dream come true, because these two musicians can hardly get enough recognition for what they have done to modernize Jazz. While yesterday’s visionaries bore us with Future-Jazz and pseudo-modern spoken lyrics, we find many new things of real relevance in Scandinavia. ...and still I think we managed to tie the work of both them (Wesseltoft/Molvaer) neatly into the whole concept of 9866.” (Alex Gunia)
9866 has the potential to become a classic. Alex Gunia and Peace have managed to put a piece of European musical innovation on a record which is second to none.

Tracklist:
01.- Big Beat
02.- Propheadz
03.- Below Zero
04.- Say Grace
05.- B-Chill
06.- Reaktor 5
07.- Godoz
08.- The Spirit
Personnel:
Alex Gunia: musical directions, guitars, sound treatment, programming
Michael Klaukien: drums, programmings, live-played loops
Ralph Pompe: basic bass
Philipp Sutter: fender rhodes, synthesizer, keyboards
Special guests:
Nils Petter Molvaer: trumpet
Bugge Wesseltoft: piano, sythesizer
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[Re-Up] Chikenfoot: III (2011)

2011-11-16T06:49:00.000-08:00

The sophomore effort, with the sophomoric title, Chickenfoot III, shows this super group, in the words of Sammy Hagar’s buddy, Chef Emeril Lagasse, kicking it up a notch. While the band, which features Hagar, along with guitar wizard Joe Satriani, bass player Michael Anthony and Red Hot Chili Pepper’s drummer Chad Smith, did well enough with their debut album to earn a Gold album for sales of over a half a million copies, they should go platinum this time around.

The album features better music, guitar solos and, yes, even lyrics, which was one of the major knocks on the first effort.

The band are still having a ton of fun and rocking their balls off, but they are very serious about the music they are pumping out. While the first album still had the stink of ‘experiment’ and ‘getting to know each other’, musically, this one fits like a glove. Chickenfoot are a band and this album proves that this is more than just a weekend recreation for the four talented musicians.

Tracklist:
1. Last Temptation
2. Alright, Alright
3. Different Devil
4. Up Next
5. Lighten Up
6. Come Closer
7. Three and a Half Letters
8. Big Foot
9. Dubai Blues
10. Something's Gone Wrong
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[Re-Up] Dimension: 24 (2011)

2011-11-16T01:35:00.000-08:00

The brand new studio album of j-fusion legends from Tokyo released in November 2011.

Tracklist:
1.Make A Splash
2.Upside
3.Free Spirits
4.The Winds Of Change
5.The One
6.Tears
7.Walk On
8.Sense Of Touch
9.Green Day
10.Together
Personnel:
Akira Onozuka: Keyboards, Piano, Fender Rhodes, Programming
Kazuki Katsuta: Alto & Soprano Saxophone
Takashi Masuzaki: Electric & Acoustic Guitar
Teppei Kawasaki: Electric Bass (1,2,3,4,6,7,9), Wood Bass (8,10)
Hiroyuki Noritake: Drums (1,2,4,7,8,9)
Satoshi Bandoh: Drums (3,5)
Taro Yoshida: Drums (6)
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The Veldman Brothers: Spreadin' Around (2011)

2011-11-15T06:30:00.000-08:00

"The Veldman Brothers": A solid band moulded around "bloodbrothers" Gerrit and Bennie Veldman: Gerrit on guitar, Bennie on Hammond and bluesharp together with Marco Overkamp on drums and Donald van der Goes on bass. Infinite energy, visible joy, tangible synergy; music played from the guts: a mean and tight rhythm-section that forces Gerrit and Bennie Veldman into fabulous measures as singers, soloists and entertainers. Four talented musicians with massive experience, influenced by each other and by original heroes like the Vaughan Brothers, Muddy Waters, Jimi Hendrix, Elmore James, Howlin' Wolf, Jimmy Smith and the Fabulous Thunderbirds. "The Veldman Brothers" follow these tracks respectfully: with covers, with their own songs and above all with a highly recognizable "Veldman Brothers-sound". You I'l find "The Veldman Brothers" playing festivals as well as small blues joints and already they have managed to abash the audiences at every major bluesclub and festival in Holland.Their first record "Home" was rewarded "Best Blues album of 2007" by dedicated internet-sites and radio-stations. In 2011 The Veldman Brothers recieved 4 nominations from The Dutch Blues Foundations- Dutch Blues Awards 2011. Blues, rhythm and blues, swing-blues and delta-blues, blues with a touch off rock and blues with a twist off soul or funk. "The Veldman Brothers" won't recognize any limits and obey to only one golden rule: "It has to be pure and straight from the heart". "Blues and roots straight from the heart". Make sure that you've seen, heard and felt "The Veldman Brothers".

Tracklist:

01. Spreadin' Around
02. Heading For The Door
03. Need To Know
04. Leavin'
05. Evil
06. Target
07. B-Low
08. Everyday I Play The Blues
09. Tell Your Daddy
10. Say You There
11. Questions

Personnel:

Gerrit Veldman (Guitar, Vocals)
Bennie Veldman (Hammond, Bluesharp)
Donald van der Goes (Bass)
Marco Overkamp (Drums)

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Randy Brecker With The Danish Radio Big Band: he Jazz Ballad Song Book (2011)

2011-11-14T06:16:00.000-08:00

On The Jazz Ballad Song Book, trumpeter Randy Brecker, the Danish Radio Big Band and Danish National Chamber Orchestra approach the slow, wistful side of this repertoire as one dimension among others. They expand their view outside of standards to include film works, lesser-known tunes and original compositions.

As featured soloist, Brecker displays the colossal tone, impeccable chops and searching impulses that have gifted bands from those led by pianist Horace Silver to singer Bruce Springsteen. His drive makes "All Or Nothing At All" a demand rather than a lament. He stretches out harmonically on his own tunes, with a funky bridge on "Foregone Conclusion" and a spacious theme for "I Talk To The Trees." More traditional ballad settings on "Cry Me A River" and "Skylark" showcase tenderness without sentimentality especially on "Skylark," where Brecker recasts the melody in disillusioned long tones.

Brecker stays extroverted, even as the intimacy of trumpeter Miles Davis' 1961 Columbia recording looms over "Someday My Prince Will Come" (down to Wynton Kelly's piano solo, orchestrated for strings and woodwinds). After a clear melody statement, Brecker opens up with packed runs and dejected crushes of dissonance. Per Gade's milky guitar is an effective foil, taking as much pleasure dipping into the lower register as it does sailing into higher, Wes Montgomery-inspired territory. Jesper Riis' arrangement also explores contrasts between bitter undertones in the strings and some Nelson Riddle-style shouting from the band.

Textured charts surround the trumpet heavyweight, flawlessly interpreted by the Danish groups and rarely settling into predictable accompaniment. Several soloists from the DR Big Band also get their own impressive say. Icy violins, biting sax counterpoint and a hard-edged swing on trombonist Peter Jensen's setting of "All Or Nothing At All" torch any sentimental associations of the tune. Pelle Fridell's baritone sax is heard in both half-time and double-time passages, along with allusions to modernist composers during an ominous deconstruction in triple meter. Occasionally some arrangements rely upon cliche, for example the syrupy, vibrato-laden violins of "The Immigrant/Godfather" or the rhythmic but otherwise generic introduction to "Goldfinger," where John Barry's theme proves better suited for screen heroics than studio improvisation.

Yet these moments are few and far between original touches such as a chirpy piccolo leading the elephantine ensemble on "The Immigrant/Godfather," the sleek surfaces of "I Talk To The Trees" or trombonist Vincent Nilsson's arrangement of the little heard but affecting "This Is All I Ask." Following Henrik Gunde's piano, two tightly muted trumpets weave around Brecker's open horn, with dark tuba and tapping triangle underneath. The effect is uncluttered, silken but strong, and builds beautiful tension, before the release of lush strings. When Brecker steps back from double-time for a few halting notes, the effect is similarly arresting. Peter Fuglsang's smooth alto sax dueting with Brecker makes an ideal coda.

Thelonious Monk's beloved "Round Midnight" is a fitting end to any collection of ballads. Here it sports the slowest tempo on the disc, as well as the catchiest swing. The massive, transparent ensemble and Brecker's subtle yet dynamic reimagining also sum up this album's strengths (even if the superfluous Latin feel also points to its occasional excesses). The Jazz Ballad Song Book strikes a satisfying balance between re-imagined standards, tasteful explorations and straightforward big band brawn.

Tracklist:

1 All Or Nothing
2 Cry Me A River
3 Someday My Prince
4 Foregone Conclusion
5 Goldfinger
6 Skylark
7 I Talk To The Trees
8 This Is All I Ask
9 The Immigrant
10 Round Midnight

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Stanley Jordan: Friends (2011)

2011-11-14T02:59:00.000-08:00

There is no guitarist quite like Stanley Jordan, a star from the moment Blue Note Records launched its second life in 1985 with his own commercial debut, The Magic Touch. In response, a respected reviewer stated that the lanky 26-year-old fresh from several years spent refining his craft as a Manhattan street busker had extended the limits of the guitar, adding that few players in the history of music of music have brought an instrument to a more radical crossroad.
He reached the public for reasons pertaining both to his astonishing chops (his sui generis touch technique, a pianistic approach that enabled him to play melody, chords and basslines simultaneously), exemplary musicianship, and consistent devotion to melodic and creative imperatives. But at a certain point in the early 90s, Jordan retreated from his career, and although he soon returned to public performance he operated without a label until 2008, when he released State of Nature on the rising-star Detroit-based indie Mack Avenue.
Whether playing in public or in the studio, it has been Jordan s intention to make his own inventions the primary focus of the occasion. But on his forthcoming release,Friends [Mack Avenue] (said friends include guitar heros Mike Stern, Bucky Pizzarelli, Charlie Hunter, and Rusell Malone; saxophonists Kenny Garrett and Ronnie Laws; and violinist Regina Carter), Jordan is a consummate team player, prodding and igniting the flow on an 11-piece program that runs a 360-degree gamut of stylistic food groups.
At 52, Jordan has something consequential to SAY in each genre, as though he s thought deeply about each mode of expression over many years. Highlights include a four-to-the-floor, George Benson on steroids cover of Katy Perry s I Kissed A Girl (without overdubbing, Jordan plays the melody on piano while chording for himself on the guitar), an idiomatic investigation of Bela Bartok, a lively samba for Laws, and various ebullient, spectacularly executed interactions with each member of his guitar cohort. ~ Ted Panken

Tracklist:

01. Capital J [6:40]
02. Walkin' The Dog [6:10]
03. Lil' Darlin' [5:39]
04. Giant Steps [4:30]
05. I Kissed A Girl [5:43]
06. Samba Delight [5:26]
07. Seven Come Eleven [5:29]
08. Bathed In Light [7:45]
09. Romantic Intermezzo From Bartok's Concerto For Orchestra [8:29]
10. Reverie [3:56]
11. One For Milton [4:07]

Personnel:

Stanley Jordan: guitar, piano (5, 9);
Bucky Pizzarelli: guitar (3, 6);
Mike Stern: guitar (4);
Russell Malone: guitar (6, 11);
Charlie Hunter: guitar (2, 5);
Regina Carter: violin (7, 9);
Kenny Garrett: soprano sax (1, 8);
Ronnie Laws: soprano sax (7);
Nicholas Payton: trumpet (1, 8);
Christian McBride: bass (1, 8);
Charnett Moffett: bass (5, 6, 10);
Kenwood Dennard: drums (1-8, 10, 11)

=============

320K

Radka Toneff: Butterfly (2008)

2011-11-11T00:22:00.000-08:00

Collection of live recordings of Radka's concerts. As she only released 3 albums in her far too short carriere, recordings like these are wonderful treasures supplying the picture of a unique Artist.

Tracklist:
1. It's Been a Long Long Day 4:12
2. Pre-Dawn Imagination 3:58
3. Antonio's Song 4:16
4. Nature Boy 3:47
5. Sometime Ago 5:42
6. Like That 4:37
7. The Butterfly 2:11
8. Before Love Went Out of Style 2:53
9. Black Coffee 4:31
10.My One and Only Love 5:37
11.He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother 6:18
12.Don't Weep for the Lady 3:33
Personnel:
Radka Toneff -vocals // Jon Balke / Steve Dobrogosz-Piano // Jon Eberson - Guitar // Arild Andersen - Doublebass // Jon Christensen / Alex Riel - drums
Recordings from 1977 to 1982
Tracks 1 to 3 recorded by NRK, Oslo, October 1st 1980
Tracks 4 to 6 recorded by Danish Radio, July 5th 1982
Tracks 7 to 12 recorded live at the Kongsberg International Jazzfestival, July 2nd 1977
=================
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Jon Durant: Dance Of The Shadow Planets (2011)

2011-11-10T09:42:00.000-08:00

Guitarist Jon Durant brings a unique sense of texture and melody to his intsrument. His distinctive "cloud guitar" soundscapes and engaging lead work have graced numerous CD recordings and film soundtracks.
"Cool, very cool. If you like David Torn, Michael Brook, Robert Fripp, Tony Levin, Eno, Steve Tibbetts, Steve Hackett each at their infinite guitar, textural guitar, "cloud guitar", guitar soundscaping, reverby, echo delay, loops, sustainesque best . . . then Jon Durant is for you." EER Reviews

Jon Durant's unique compositions explore elements of jazz, rock, new age and minimalism, creating a wholly unique space.

Tracklist:

01. Forbidden Ardor
02. Oblique Lines
03. Dance of The Shadow Planets
04. Boonyi
05. Event Horizon Of The Formless
06. Warm Rain
07. Irreducible
08. Unexpected Consequences
09. Chaos Magic

Personnel:

Jon Durant: Guitar
Colin Edwin: Fretless Bass
Caryn Lin: Violin
Jerry Leake: Percussion

===============

320K

James Moody: Return from Overbrook (1956 - 8)

2011-11-10T01:48:00.000-08:00

Two of James Moody's better albums from the 1950's are reissued in full on this single Chess CD: Last Train From Overbrook and Flute 'N The Blues. The former session features Moody (on tenor, alto and flute) backed by ten horns and a four-piece rhythm section on a variety of strong straightahead material (including the title cut, "What's New," "Tico-Tico" and "The Moody One") while the latter is a septet outing that also has solos by trumpeter Johnny Coles, trombonist William Shepherd and baritonist Pee Wee Moore along with three memorable vocals from Eddie Jefferson. Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow

This 1996 US CD on MCA/Chess/GRP 18102 features two whole albums by James Moody which were on Leonard and Phil Chess's Jazz label offshoot "Argo".

It breaks down as follows (63:54 minutes):

Tracks 1 to 10 are "Last Train From Overbrook", a 1958 USA-Only LP on Argo 637 [Mono]
Tracks 11 to 20 are "Flute N' The Blues", a 1956 USA-Only LP on Argo 603 [Mono]

The 1st generation analogue master tapes have been remastered by one of Universal's top engineers ERICK LABSON and the sound quality is superb throughout. The 16-page booklet has a preamble by Dave Usher (Argo and Chess producer) and further liner notes by Bob Blumenthal (a Jazz critic for The Boston Globe) - it also pictures album sleeves and label close-ups and has discography information on the sessions where known. Moody was primarily an Alto and Tenor Saxophone player, but he also excelled on the flute. His session men included Johnny Coles on Trumpet, William Sheppard on Trombone, Numa "Pee Wee" Moore on Baritone Sax with Jimmy Boyd on Piano, John Lathan on Bass and Clarence Johnston on Drums. The "Last Train From Overbrook" album is entirely instrumental, but three tracks from "Flute 'N The Blues" - "Birdland Story", "Parker's Mood" (lyrics above) and "I Cover The Waterfront" feature Eddie Jefferson on scat vocals. The title comes from his turbulent stay at the "Overbrook" Mental Institution in New Jersey and the music is imbibed with his journey of redemption from that awful place and mindset. Now in his late 80's, Georgia-born James Moody played in the USA as late as 2009 and this CD reissue certainly shows why he's still such a draw.
It's now quite a rare disc, but well worth seeking out - especially given the wonderful sound quality.

PS: Erick Labson has over 900 mastering, audio restoration and remastering credits to his name (including almost all of the huge Chess catalogue) and if you click on the 'Tag' marked "Erick Labson Remasters" attached to this review, you will see a pictorial list of over 80 other titles that he's been involving in (I've also reviewed many of them). ~ Mark Berry, Reckless Records Store, London

Personnel:

James Moody (alto, tenor sax)
Johnny Coles (trumpet)
Eddie Jefferson (vocals)
Junior Mance (piano)
Numa Moore (baritone sax)
William Shepherd (trombone)
Sonny Cohn (trumpet)
Bill Atkins (alto sax)
Red Holt (drums)
Others

Tracklist:

01 Last Train From Overbrook
02 Don't Worry 'Bout Me
03 Why Don't You
04 I'm Free a.k.a. What's New?
05 Tico-Tico
06 There She Goes
07 All The Things Your Are
08 Brother Yusef
09 Yvonne
10 The Moody One
11 Flute 'n The Blues
12 Birdland Story
13 It Could Happen To You
14 I Cover The Waterfront
15 Body And Soul
16 Breaking The Blues
17 Parker's Mood
18 Easy Living
19 Boo's Tune
20 Richard's Blues

=============

320K

MP3 Downloads Taylor Swift - Spark Fly

Yuichiro Oda: East Blues (2011)

2011-11-10T00:05:00.000-08:00

YUICHIRO ODA was born in Kagoshima, Japan. He started playing the guitar when he was 10 years old. He discovered a love for music and became proficient in such styles as pop, jazz and classical at an early age. He created unique guitar playing method called "Flashing Sword". In 1992 he performed for an audience of 1,700,000 at "Tokyo Fire Work Festival" with jazz legends such as Walter Bishop Jr. who's an original member of Charlie Parker Band, Paul Jackson Jr. who was playing with Sarah Vaughan for over 20 years, and Alan Chip White who's an original member of Tom Waits Band. His first album, "ODA 1” was produced by George Duke and ODA collaborated with legends such as Tom Scott, Ernie Watts, Louis Johnson, and Larry Carlton in the album. He was invited to "Finland Airlines Europe Jazz Festival" in 1996 and 1999. In 1999 He moved to New Jersey, U.S.A.. and he built his own recording studio. In 2000 BMG released his greatest hits album, "The Best of ODA". He performed for Nippon Club Charity Fund Raiser in New York City in 2002. Oda was a featured guest artist for "Philadelphia Film Festival" in 2003. In 2005 he started touring with his band. In Japan he's known as a composer. In early 80’s he established an outstanding sales base and earned national recognition. His first big hit "American Feeling” was chosen by Ministry of Education to be part of the authorized music taught to Japanese students. Oda shared his song writing and producing talents with many artists including: Ryuichi Sakamoto, Seiko Matsuda, Anri, Toshihiko Tahara, and Hidemi Ishikawa. Oda has also composed songs for feature films, TV programs, and animations. In 1982 his song "Dirty Hero" sung by Rosemary Buttler was included in a feature film produced by a major motion picture company, Kadokawa. In 1992 he composed and performed “Hizashi(Little sunshine)” for Fuji Sankei Group’s 40tth Anniversary Event “MOMA (New York Museum of Modern Art). He also composed and performed the official theme song, “Forever More” for Nagano Olympic Games in 1998. Over 800 songs have been released so far. Please visit www.odastudio.com for more information.

Tracklist:
01. My Heart Is Crying [6:43]
02. Good Time Blues [4:04]
03. Somewhere My Love [7:10]
04. Test of Life [3:34]
05. Jump Tonight [4:22]
06. Radio Days [4:16]
07. East Blues [3:41]
08. Desert Blues [3:33]
09. Yes Blues [5:27]
10. Will You Miss Me [5:05]
11. Thank You Baby Blues [3:47]
12. Country Drive [2:17]
===============
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Bob Enevoldsen: Smorgasbord (1956)

2011-11-09T01:15:00.000-08:00

Bob Enevoldsen (1920-2005) was undoubtedly one of the most versatlie performers in the Hollywood jazz scene. But his talent was so multifaceted that besides the fact that he was a completely schooled instrumentalist, he also developed into an impressive and gifted arranger.
Recorded in Hollywood, August 8 and November 25-29, 1955.

Personnel:Bob Enevoldsen (valve trombone, tenor sax, bass); Marty Paich (piano, accordion, organ); Larry Bunker (vibes, piano, drums); Howard Roberts (guitar); Red Mitchell (bass, piano); Don Heath (drums)

Tracklist:
01. Iron Works (B. Enevoldsen)
02. Loaded With Bass (B. Enevoldsen)
03. Topsy (I. Berlin)
04. Blues & Rhythm (B. Enevoldsen)
05. Don't Be That Way (B. Goodman / E. Sampson / M. Parish)
06. Ding Dong, The Witch Is Dead (H. Arlen / E. Y. Harburg)
07. Swingin' On A Star (J. van Heusen / J. Burke)
08. Swinger's Dream (M. Dougald)
09. My Ideal (R. Whiting / N. Chase / L. Robin)
10. How Low The Tune (B. Troup / B. Enevoldsen)
11. John's Jumble (B. Enevoldsen)
12. You're In Love (B. Troup)
13. Thinking Of You (H. Ruby / B. Kalmar)
14. No Time For Love (D. Davidson)
15. Mr. Know-It-All (B. Troup)
16. Oh! Look At Me Know (J. Bushkin / J. Devries)
17. Bob's Boy (B. Gordon)
=============
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Stefano Bollani (feat. NDR Bigband): Big Band! (2011)

2011-11-08T08:03:00.000-08:00

Stefano Bollani (born 5 December 1972, Milan) is an Italian jazz pianist from Milan.

He made his professional debut at fifteen and received his diploma in piano from the Conservatorio Luigi Cherubini in Florence. He performs classical music, smooth jazz, avant-garde jazz, Brazilian jazz, and pop rock. In 1998, Musica Jazz magazine voted him Best Jazz Talent of the Year and later he would be awarded for jazz by a New Swing group in Japan. While he is mostly known for his collaborations with Enrico Rava, he has made several albums as a leader, and has been favourably acknowledged by several long established jazz musicians, such as Martial Solal. The album Mi ritorni in mente, includes an interpretation of the standard "Nature Boy" which has been acclaimed by many.

He is married to the Italian singer Petra Magoni.

Tracklist:
01. Storta Va (10:56)
02. Elena E Il Suo Violino (8:19)
03. Il Barbone Di Siviglia (11:16)
04. La Sicilia (6:44)
05. Quando La Morte Verra' A Prendermi (16:55)
==============
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Embryo: Father Son And Holy Ghosts (1972) [Reissue 2003]

2011-11-08T02:12:00.000-08:00

Somewhere in the musical cavern sandwiched between perhaps Amon Duul II and Miles Davis lies a very underrated band from Germany called Embryo. "Father Son & Holy Ghosts" is the third album released by Embryo and marks for this music lover one of the finest pieces of work to have come out of Germany in 1972. This is not prototypical German underground prog but very much eastern world influenced raga psych prog rock. Embryo utilize a fantastic range of instruments with marimba, vibraphone, flutes, saxophone, violin, a very versatile percussion arsenal on hand.

Tracklist:
01. The Special Trip
02. Nightmares
03. King Insano
04. Free
05. The Sun Song
06. Marimbaroos
07. Forgotten Sea
08. You Don't Know What's Happening (Bonus track)
=============
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Beyonce Featuring Andre 3000 - "Party"

2011-11-07T19:06:00.000-08:00

Top Hits Music : Beyonce Featuring Andre 3000 - "Party" Video, Music Lyrics and Music Downloads

Top Hip Hop Songs November 2011

Beyonce Featuring Andre 3000 - "Party" Lyrics
Party Lyrics

[Kanye West]
You a bad girl and your friends bad too, oh
We got the swag sauce, she drippin’ swagu
You a bad girl and your friends bad too, oh
We got the swag sauce, she drippin’ swagu

[Beyonce]
I may be young, but I’m ready
To give you all my love
I told my girls you can get it
Don’t slow it down, just let it go

So in love
I’ll give it all away
Just don’t tell nobody tomorrow
So tonight,
I’ll do it every way
Cause knockin’ til the morning light

Cause we like to party, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Cause we like to party, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Cause we like to party

Your touch is driving me crazy
I can’t explain the way I feel
Tuck down with the radio on
And the night belong to us
Just hold me close, don’t let me go

So in love
I don’t care what they say
I don’t care if they talking tomorrow
Cause tonight’s the night, uh, uh, uh ooh
That I give you everything
Music knockin’ ’til the morning light

[Andre 3000]
Set the scene, three thousand degrees
Ain’t worried ’bout them f-ck niggas over there, but they worried ’bout me
I got a homeboy named Butta and another homeboy, that nigga named Cheese

Fuck wit’ me baby, I make it milk ’til it drip down yo’ knees
Spit this shit fo’ rillo, brain brillo
Kiddo say he looks up to me, this just makes me feel old

Never thought that we could become someone else’s hero
Man, we were just in the food court, eating our gyro
Yesterday, that’s the way, every single mornin’ I try to pray

Grandmom ‘n them, they never forgot, and nothin’ else really mean nuttin’ to me
I ain’t stuntin’ to beat, talkin’ to me?
Girl, why you f-ckin’ wit’ me? Move on, ain’t nuttin’ to see
Pssh, always somethin’ to salt, I’m the raw, off the rip

Beyonce Featuring Andre 3000 - "Party" found in http://tophits-music.blogspot.com/2011/11/beyonce-featuring-andre-3000-party.html

‘Cause of him, all of them, will remem, ber the men
And that they fell in love with rap, black like havin’ your cousin back
Blue like when that rent is due, cream like when I’m lovin’ you
Yeah

[Beyonce]
So in love
I’ll give it all away
Just don’t tell nobody tomorrow
Cause tonight’s the night
That I give you everything
Music knockin’ ’til the morning light

Cause we like to party, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Cause we like to party, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
Cause we like to party

[Kanye West]
You a bad girl and your friends bad too, oh
We got the swag sauce, she drippin’ swagu
You a bad girl and your friends bad too, oh
We got the swag sauce, she drippin’ swagu

MP3 Downloads Beyonce Featuring Andre 3000 - Party

Taylor Swift - "Spark Fly"

2011-11-07T18:32:00.000-08:00

Top Hits Music : Taylor Swift - "Spark Fly" Video, Music Lyrics and Music Downloads

Top Country Songs November 2011

Taylor Swift - "Spark Fly" Lyrics

Spark Fly Lyrics

The way you move is like a full on rainstorm
And I'm a house of cards
You say my name for the first time, baby, and I
Fall in love in an empty bar

And you stood there in front of me just
Close enough to touch
Close enough to hope you couldn't see
What I was thinking of

Drop everything now
Meet me in the pouring rain
Kiss me on the sidewalk
Take away the pain

'Cause I see, sparks fly whenever you smile
Get me with those green eyes, baby
As the lights go down
Something that'll haunt me when you're not around

'Cause I see, sparks fly whenever you smile
So reach out open handed
And lead me out to that floor
Well, I don't need more paper lanterns

Take me down, baby bring on the movie star
'Cause my heart is beating fast
And you are beautiful I could wait patiently
But I really wish you would

Drop everything now
[Taylor Swift - Spark Fly Lyrics found in http://tophits-music.blogspot.com/2011/11/taylor-swift-spark-fly.html ]
Meet me in the pouring rain
Kiss me on the sidewalk
Take away the pain

'Cause I see, sparks fly whenever you smile
Get me with those green eyes, baby
As the lights go down
Something that'll haunt me when you're not around

'Cause I see, sparks fly whenever you smile
I run my fingers through your hair
And watch the lights go out
Just keep your beautiful eyes on me

Gonna strike this match tonight
Lead me up the staircase
Won't you whisper soft and slow
I'd love to hate it
But you make it like a fireworks show

Drop everything now
Meet me in the pouring rain
Kiss me on the sidewalk
Take away the pain

'Cause I see, sparks fly whenever you smile
Get me with those green eyes, baby
As the lights go down
Something that'll haunt me when you're not around

'Cause I see, sparks fly whenever you smile
Sparks fly, baby smile, sparks fly

Seether - "Tonight"

2011-11-07T18:19:00.000-08:00

Top Hits Music : Seether - "Tonight" Video, Music Lyrics and Music Downloads

Top Rock Songs November 2011

Seether - "Tonight" Lyrics

Tonight Lyrics

I’m not gonna waste this
This opportunity’s mine
I’m sick of complaining
About a beautiful life

How did we get here?
Did we forget all the things inside?
And how do we stay here?
Do we embrace all the things denied?

I feel so alive tonight
You got me feeling sublime
I want to yell it from the rooftops down
Until it’s over, and we’re older

For my entertainment
You tell a whimsical lie
To keep me complacent
You knock me down with a smile

How did we get here?
How do we pretend everything’s alright?
And how do we stay here?
Do we erase all the fear inside?

I feel so alive tonight
You got me feeling sublime
I want to yell it from the rooftops down
Until it’s over, and we’re older

Like sugar and cyanide
These worlds are gonna collide
I want to yell it from the rooftops down
Until it’s over, and we’re older

So take me, but go slow
Let me hide somewhere I know
And let this seed grow
Until we finally call this home
So take me, but go slow
Let me hide somewhere I know
And let this seed grow
Until we finally call this home

If I was to die tonight
Would it tear you apart?
Would you yell it from the rooftops down?
Until it’s over, and you’re older

I feel so alive tonight
You’ve got me feeling sublime
I want to yell it from the rooftops down
Until it’s over, and we’re older
Like sugar and cyanide
I want to make it collide
I’m gonna yell it from the rooftops down
Till it’s over, and we’re older

MP3 Downloads Seether - Tonight

Dave Koz: Ultimate Christmas (2011)

2011-11-07T13:40:00.000-08:00

Ultimate Christmas is the fourth seasonal album from California smooth jazz saxophonist Dave Koz in his accomplished 21-year solo career. Longtime fans will probably already own at least one, or in some cases, even three, copies of the majority of material on offer, as other than the brief instrumentals that bookend its 18 tracks ("Welcoming Thee Season," "Welcoming the New Year"), every single number has previously appeared on either 1997's December Makes Me Feel This Way, 2001's A Smooth Jazz Christmas, or 2007's Memories of a Winter's Night. While this compilation, therefore, remains largely inessential for the audiences who flock to his annual Smooth Jazz Christmas tours, it's a perfectly serviceable introduction to his interpretive talents for those wanting an overview of his yuletide-themed output. Most of the classic Christmas standards you'd expect to hear make an appearance, from hymns including "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and "O Tannenbaum," to traditional favorites like "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "The Christmas Song," to more contemporary tunes such as an impassioned bluesy rendition of Charles Brown's "Please Come Home for Christmas" (featuring guest vocals by American Idol finalist Kimberley Locke) and the album's sole original composition, the charming Parisian folk of "Eight Candles (A Song for Hanukkah)." The tasteful smooth jazz arrangements, on the whole, offer few surprises, but there are occasions when Koz and his impressive guest list of collaborators (including pianist David Benoit, guitarist Peter White, and trumpeter Rick Braun) bring something new to the table, such as the chilled R&B slow-jam treatment afforded to "White Christmas," the subtle flamenco guitars and bossa nova beats of "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town," and the campfire acoustics of "Sleigh Ride," while the highlight appears courtesy of "Silent Night," which bravely waits two minutes before its sparse fingerpicking guitar hooks are joined by Koz and the gorgeously soulful tones of singer/songwriter Brenda Russell. The fact that so much of Ultimate Christmas is already available limits its appeal, but it's still a charming body of work that establishes Koz's reputation as the master of festive smooth jazz. ~ Jon O'Brien

Tracklist:
01. Welcoming the Season (Prelude) - 1:14
02. Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town - 2:54
03. The Christmas Song (feat. Peter White, David Benoit, Rick Braun and Brenda Rusell) - 4:56
04. Sleigh Ride - 3:21
05. White Christmas (feat. Kelly Sweet) - 3:18
06. Winter Wonderland - 4:30
07. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing (feat. Brian Culbertson) - 3:52
08. Little Drummer Boy (feat. Rick Braun, Peter White and David Benoit) - 4:22
09. Please Come Home For Christmas (feat. Kimberley Locke) - 3:44
10. Silver Bells - 3:50
11. Eight Candles (A Song For Hanukkah) - 3:34
12. Deck The Halls - 3:42
13. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas (feat. Peter White) - 3:49
14. O Tannenbaum (O Christmas Tree) - 3:48
15. Silent Night (feat. Peter White, Rick Braun and Brenda Russell) - 4:32
16. I'll Be Home For Christmas - 4:10
17. Auld Lang Syne - 1:52
18. Welcoming the New Year (Coda) - 1:25
==============
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Mesedski, Scofield, Martin, Wood: Live - In Case the World Changes its Mind (2011)

2011-11-07T09:36:00.000-08:00

With significant pressure on artists to look for new territory to mine and new collaborations to explore, it’s always great to see those that have worked well kept as ongoing concerns, like guitarist John Scofield‘s first-encounter with jam band darlings Medeski, Martin & Wood on the superb A Go Go (Verve, 1998). The now-named Medeski Scofield Martin & Wood still reconvenes occasionally, with its follow-up, Out Louder (Indirecto, 2006), a more free-wheeling alternative to its predecessor’s focus on Scofield’s particularly fine writing. Five years later, In Case The World Changes Its Mind strikes the perfect balance between form and freedom. Recorded on tour in 2006, while some of the same songs also appear on the European double-disc version of Out Louder, they’re different versions. If that bonus, EP-length live disc gave fans a taste of MSMW in performance, then In Case The World Changes Its Mind is the real deal, its groove-laden, 115-minute set of 11 tunes equitably split between MSMW’s two studio discs, with an extended jam thrown in for good measure, along with a gospel-drenched version of “Amazing Grace.”

Scofield may be working his softer side lately on his relaxed A Moment’s Peace (EmArcy, 2011), but he’s in incendiary form here, in particular on a searing version of “Miles Behind,” where his wah-driven guitar goes head-to-head with John Medeski‘s grittily overdriven electric piano, bolstered by a nuclear groove from bassist Chris Wood and drummer Billy Martin that seems always on the edge of a precipice—threatening to dissolve into complete anarchy at times, but always pulled back from the brink at the last possible moment. Medeski’s piano also drives the greasier title track, though he mixes it up with a melodica in the front line with Scofield, who’s featured in an extended duo with the second line-informed Martin, the guitarist’s complex voicings and angular phrases leading to some visceral slide playing. Both these songs from Out Louder are considerably expanded in length here; exemplifying one of MSMW’s major MOs: taking ideas stemming from jams and turning them into tunes.

The material from A Go Go is given equal chance to expand, in particular the 11-minute set-closer, “Hottentot,” where Medeski’s swirling organ work is at its best, though his remarkable command over tone and texture—an analog fan’s wet dream—is a cornerstones throughout. A Go Go‘s title track is equally compelling, while a medley of that album’s “Deadzy” and Out Louder‘s “What Now” blends idiosyncrasy with straightforward boogie to great effect.

But the centerpiece of In Case The World Changes Its Mind is the 25-minute “Walter Hanuman,” starting with a sprawling N’awlins jam that takes its good time getting to the core of Out Louder‘s “Hanuman,” stretching inexorably towards a fiery climax, only to wind down with an extended outro defined by Medeski’s mad-scientist synth and Scofield’s reverse-attack loops. MSMW may only convene occasionally, but with MMW driving Scofield to places he’d never find otherwise, and the guitarist lending MMW a stronger compositional focus, it’s the perfect combination, with the whole of In Case The World Changes Its Mind clearly greater than the sum of its considerable parts.

Tracklist:

Disc 1:
1. A Go Go
2. Deadzy
3. What Now
4. Tootie Ma Is a Big Fine Thing
5. Cachaca
6. In Case the World Changes It’s Mind
7. Miles Behind

Disc 2:

1. Little Walter Rides Again
2. Hanuman
3. Amazing Grace
4. Southern Pacific
5. Hottentot

Personnel: John Medeski: keyboards; John Scofield: guitar; Billy Martin: basses; Chris Wood: drums, percussion.

===========

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Kora Jazz Trio: Kora Jazz Band & Guests (2011)

2011-11-07T01:23:00.000-08:00

Since they started out, eight years ago, the Kora Jazz Trio have toured all over the world and released three remarkable recordings. Today, the pianist Abdoulaye Diabaté continues to pioneer the astonishing dialogue he initiated involving two solo instruments emblematic of radically different musical cultures – the Western piano and the African kora. He has brought new band members to the fore, all the better to develop and explore new musical pastures. The Kora Jazz Band is therefore a new generation Kora Jazz Trio – a formation that brings us new sonic textures, new breathing space and greater scope. The heart of this ensemble is built around Abdoulaye Diabaté on the piano, Soriba Kouyaté on the kora (who made his name as a sideman playing with Paolo Fresu, Ray Lema and Salif Keita – replacing Djeli Moussa Diawara currently involved in other personal projects) and Moussa Sissokho on the percussions – a man who has managed to make his name as one of the most prominent percussionists of his generation. Three musicians bring their unexpected contribution to different tracks: Andy Narell on the steel pan, Omar Marquez on the timbales and Manu Dibango on the marimba (yes that’s right, your eyes are not deceiving you ; this will be a revelation for many).

Tracklist:

1. All Blues (5:01)
2. Kuma (6:40)
3. Banekh (5:28)
4. Madiba (7:00)
5. Oye Como Va (4:44)
6. Ewagne (4:07)
7. Catarina (6:31)
8. Mandjou (3:43)
9. Soukou-Papaye (3:59)
10. Spain (4:51)

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320K

MP3 Downloads Wale Featuring Jeremih & Rick Ross - "That Way"

Wale Featuring Jeremih & Rick Ross - "That Way"

2011-11-06T05:59:00.000-08:00

Top Hits Music : Wale Featuring Jeremih & Rick Ross - "That Way" Video, Music Lyrics and Music Downloads

Top Hip Hop Songs November 2011

Wale Featuring Jeremih & Rick Ross - "That Way" Lyrics

That Way Lyrics

chorus:
i apologize, i recollect your name!
oh baby i don’t know your name!
and let me tell you that ‘em heels
really complement your frame!
look at your body baby!
uhuu, ah, and i gotta catch my plane!
say you miss me and you wishing for some private time,
girl, can we get that way?

Don’t remember how i met her,
but i know i won’t forget her,
if love hurt is fault, then i know i won’t see heaven.
she say she’s from seattle, she’s twenty and some ‘
and before i get to tia I’m sure to make her rain!
then i back up all my plan’.
we spend some time, get some wine, have some miles from’
i told her this is overrated, but i ‘, baby!
gotta get back to the.. you know we’re finally famous
.. I’m heading to some money,
.. all the rubbers in your luggage, i know I’
You’ll probably find someone, but you’ll never find another!

chorus:
i apologize, i recollect your name!
oh baby i don’t know your name!
and let me tell you that ‘em heels
really complement your frame!
look at your body baby!
uhuu, ah, and i gotta catch my plane!
say you miss me and you wishing for some private time,
girl, can we get that way?

got all my sway shoes, I’m in a great mood,’
know she’s shining bright, got all my’
she’s my billie jean, ‘, marry jane.
..vegas to l.a., brings a lot of joy,
bugatti boy that’s ‘
our fuss has used to drip,
i used to rap a’
but it was written.. for this king to exist.
pack the bags’ entrepreneurs,’

chorus:
i apologize, i recollect your name!
oh baby i don’t know your name!
and let me tell you that ‘em heels
really complement your frame!
look at your body baby!
uhuu, ah, and i gotta catch my plane!
say you miss me and you wishing for some private time,
girl, can we get that way?

Kevin Eubanks: Spiritalk 2 Revelations (1995)

2011-11-06T04:30:00.000-08:00

Two years after releasing the original Spiritalk, Kevin Eubanks reunites the same group of musicians for another collection of organic fusion compositions. Drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith, regardless of what one might think of him in general, simply smokes in situations like this. He is absolutely unchained, playing with the energy (and seemingly the limbs) of two or more men. Smith and Eubanks interact like McLaughlin and Cobham, or Morse and Morgenstein.

Tracklist:
01. Faith 7:06
02. Like The Wind 5:08
03. Whispers Of Life 6:31
04. Revelations 7:29
05. Earth 2:42
06. Sun 4:25
07. Moon 1:47
08. Being 7:52
09. Passing 7:08
Personnel:
Kevin Eubanks - guitar
Kent Jordan - alto flute
Dave Holland - bass
Robin Eubanks - trombone
Gerald Moore - guitar
Marvin Smith - drums
Gene Jackson - drums
===========
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Dimension: 24 (2011)

2011-11-05T23:51:00.000-07:00

DIMENSION are a Japanese electric jazz group formed in Tokyo in 1992. The group comprises Takashi Masuzaki (Guitar), Akira Onozuka (Keyboards), Kazuki Katsuta (saxophone).

DIMENSION released their first album, Le Mans, as TV Program for the 24 Hours of Le Mans soundtrack, in 1992. Then they has released 20 albums of original work in past 15 years, and performed at Tokyo Jazz Festival, Seoul Jazz Festival and more music festivals. All albums are highly regarded and win best jazz prize of Japanese jazz music magazine "ADLIB" many times. Also, they has played a lot of recordings and sessions as solo musician for other artists. Their new project is under # 24 of Dimension discography.

Tracklist:
01. Make A Splash [07:18]
02. Upside [07:09]
03. Free Spirits [05:32]
04. The Winds Of Change [06:31]
05. The One [05:38]
06. Tears [05:20]
07. Walk On [06:19]
08. Sense Of Touch [06:18]
09. Green Day [05:33]
10. Together [04:36]
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Big Will & the Bluesmen: Hard Times (2011)

2011-11-05T04:01:00.000-07:00

A traditional blues band from the Netherlands inspired by great musicians as Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson and John Lee Hooker.

On this album you'll find eleven original compositions from Big Will & the Bluesmen. Among those are four acoustic tracks. All songs are based on the Delta / Chicago tradition with true, authentic bluessounds. Special guests are Peter Struijk, Henk Heijlema and Gerbrand Schoenmaker and they've managed to add something really special to the music.

The band has 5 members:

Big will - plays the blues harp like you’ve never heard before.
Alex - has a very unique voice and plays the slide guitar that will get you inspired.
Jos - knows his power shuffle it lifts the band up to a different level.
Henk - plays the bass like a madman!
Gerb - pianoman Deluxe!

"All musicians want to speak through their instrument which is what makes the harmonica such a valuable tool for playing the blues. Its tonal capabilities are unique, so that you can make it sing, speak, talk, moan, cry, bark, growl, beg for mercy or just about anything else." ~ Jerry Portnoy (harpist at the Muddy Waters band.

Tracklist:

01. Hard Times [06:56]
02. Same old blues [05:49]
03. Waiting on a train [03:32]
04. Leave it all behind [05:37]
05. Seven days [03:23]
06. Laura Song [01:24]
07. On my Way [03:37]
08. Big Will Theme [02:06]
09. Drifting and driving [04:13]
10. Sweet lovin woman [04:11]
11. Release my soul [04:06]

Total time: 00:44:58

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320K

James Carter Organ Trio: At the Crossroads (2011)

2011-11-04T01:26:00.000-07:00

At the Crossroads, saxophonist James Carter's third disc for the Emarcy, is the first for the label with his Organ Trio, which has been together since 2004. Produced by Michael Cuscuna, it's an indelible portrait of Detroit's historic jazz scene, envisioned in the present while looking ahead. All trio members -- Carter, organist Gerard Gibbs, and drummer Leonard King, Jr. -- either reside or come from there. This disc also showcases Carter's development from his earliest days shedding in the Motor City to his current status as a jazz virtuoso.

Numerous guest appearances -- from Detroit and elsewhere -- underscore this. It kicks off in true B-3 grit-and-gravy mode with a twist on "Oh Gee," a knotty bop burner that is one of several tracks with guitarist Bruce Edwards; its head is played at a breakneck tempo, the trio's interplay and Carter's solo in the middle move in and out of the honking and bar walking tradition of Detroit's Hastings Street clubs, but pushes it into its post-bop terrain. "JC Off the Set," by Gibbs, is a ballad written in response to Carter's earlier composition "JC on the Set," and the organist is impressive with his innovative arpeggios and his sense of swing. King's "Lettuce Toss Yo' Salad" is the wildest cut here; a variation on straight-ahead hard bop, it takes intense turns by Carter squawking and squalling with King, making his cymbals and snare sound simply greasy with Gibbs' sprinting bass runs and instinctive fills. Big Maybelle's "Ramblin' Blues" is one of three vocals by veteran Detroit singer Miche Braden. With Carter playing flute and alto in addition to tenor, fellow Detroiter Vincent Chandler on trombone, and trumpeter Keyon Harrold, Braden gets her soul-blues on. She also shines on the gospel nugget "Tis the Old Ship of Zion," and reveals her shining jazz chops on "The Walking Blues." Other highlights (though there isn't a weak moment here) include a reading of B-3 jazz innovator Sarah McLawler's tune "My Whole Life Through," which is shimmering, pure blues-jazz with some gorgeous work by Gibbs and King; Jack McDuff's "Walking the Dog," and the closing read of Julius Hemphill's "The Hard Blues," which features guitarist Brandon Ross. Nocturnal, funky, and and slow for a long cut -- it clocks in at nearly ten minutes -- the interplay between Carter and Ross with Gibbs' rumbling bass notes is exciting before things get really wild. When the tune moves outside, King holds it down tight as the other three try to send it over the cliff. At the Crossroads delivers what its title promises: a portrait of the Organ Trio at the point where they look back at B-3 jazz history and move it ever forward.

Personnel:
James Carter - saxophones
Leonard King Jr. - drums, vocals (10)
Gerard Gibbs - organ

Guests: Miche Braden - vocals, Brandon Ross - guitar, Bruce Edwards - guitar, Keyon Harrold - trumpet, Vincent Chandler - trombone, Eli Fountain - tambourines.

Tracklist:
01.Oh Gee
02.JC Off The Set
03.Aged Pain
04.The Walking Blues
05.My Whole Life Through
06.Walking The Dog
07.Lettuce Toss Yo' Salad
08.Misterio
09.Ramblin' Blues
10.Come Sunday
11.Tis The Old Ship Of Zion
12.The Hard Blues
==============
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Michel Godard Quartet: Una Mora (1996)

2011-11-03T09:36:00.000-07:00

Michel Godard (3 October 1960, Héricourt, near Belfort, France) is a French tuba player and jazz musician.

Godard was admitted at the age of 18 to the Philharmonic Orchestra of Radio-France. His ability to produce overtones ("multiphonics") and musicality leaves the listener surprised at how light a seemingly cumbersome tuba can sound. In 1979 he picked up also the ancestor of the tuba, the serpent.

On the classical side, Michel Godard played since 1988 with the Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra, the French National Orchestra, the Ensemble Musique Vivante, and, recently, the ancient music Ensemble La Venice and "XVIII-21Musique de Lumieres". He was also a member of the "Arban Chamber Brass" quintet (notably touring Japan, the U.S., Africa) and interprets works from the solo repertory, too. He gives international master classes.

On the jazz side he was a member of the French National Jazz Orchestra from 1989 to 1991. Since then Godard has been involved in numerous creative projects with Michel Portal, Louis Sclavis, Enrico Rava, Michael Riessler, Horace Tapscott, Christof Lauer, Kenny Wheeler, Ray Anderson, Rabih Abou-Khalil, Sylvie Courvoisier, Simon Nabatov, Linda Sharrock, Pierre Favre, Misha Mengelberg, Gianluigi Trovesi, Willem Breuker, Gabriele Mirabassi, the ARTE Quartett and more recently in a quartet with co-tubist Dave Bargeron.

As a composer, Michel Godard was commissioned by Radio France, Donaueschingen Music Festival and French Ministry of Cultural Affairs.
Michel Godard also played and recorded with the pipeband of the Normandy town Quimper, with reggae star Alpha Blondy and with Canterbury rock musicians John Greaves and Pip Pyle.

Tracklist:

01.- Samai for Nabil
02.- Ferma l'ali
03.- Triton et demi
04.- G.A.
05.- Crasse - Tignasse
06.- Gracias a la vida
07.- Bal au château
08.- Viable
09.- Una mora

Personnel:

Michel Godard: Tuba
Sylvie Courvoisier: Piano
Tony Overwater: Bass
Mark Nauseef: Drums

==============

320K

Patti Austin: The Real Me (1988)

2011-11-03T01:09:00.000-07:00

And how! Austin tackles standards such as "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" and "They Can't Take That Away from Me," and succeeds brilliantly. Her version of Comden, Green, and Bernstein's "I Can Cook, Too" is enough by itself to make this a pick.

Personnel: Patti Austin (vocals, sound effects, background vocals); David Pack (vocals, guitar, congas, percussion, background vocals); Michael McDonald (vocals, piano, background vocals); Howard Hewett, James Ingram, Tata Vega (vocals, background vocals); David Lindley (guitar, slide guitar); Earl Klugh (guitar, classical guitar); Chuck Berghofer, Nathan Kaproff, James Getzoff, Dan Neufeld, Harris Goldman, Alan DeVeritch, Joy Lyle, Franklyn D'Antonio, Arthur Royval, Richard Elegino, Charles Veal, Vicki Sylvester, Barry Gold, Henry Ferber, Don McInnes, Hershel Wise, Sid Sharp, Harry Shlutz, Cynthia Morrow, Ray Kelley, Nils Oliver, Arnold Belnick, Jacqueline Brand, Bonnie Douglas, Arni Egilsson, Stephen Erdody, Gayle Levant, Daniel Rothmuller, Evan Wilson, Michael Markman (strings); Bruce Hornsby (accordion); John Rotella (clarinet); Dan Higgins (woodwinds, saxophone); Ernie Watts (saxophone, tenor saxophone); Greg Huckins, Michael Brecker (saxophone); Jon Faddis (trumpet, flugelhorn); Gary Grant, Jerry Hey (trumpet); Bill Waltrous, Bill Reichenbach Jr. (trombone); Red Callender (tuba); David Benoit (piano, keyboards, synthesizer); Richard Tee (piano, synthesizer); Greg Phillinganes (synthesizer, bass synthesizer); C. Roscoe Beck (upright bass); Burleigh Drummond (drums, snare drum, percussion); George Perilli (drums, percussion); John "J.R." Robinson , Jeff Porcaro, Vinnie Colaiuta (drums); Paulinho Da Costa (shaker, percussion, sound effects); Luther Vandross, Amy Holland (background vocals)

Tracklist:

01. I Can Cook Too (5:14)
02. Stockholm Sweetnin' (1:37)
03. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes (4:15)
04. True Love (3:49)
05. Across The Alley From The Alamo (3:47)
06. How Long Has This Been Going On (4:07)
07. Lazy Afternoon (5:46)
08. Love Letters (3:55)
09. They Can't Take That Away From Me (3:59)
10. Mood Indigo (3:26)
11. Cry Me A River (4:21)
12. Someone Is Standing Outside (3:59)
13. Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most (5:08)
==========
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Club des Belugas: Swop (2008)

2011-11-02T02:33:00.000-07:00

Eagerly awaited 2008 album from Club des Belugas, the fourth overall. This beautifully produced CD comes packed with 16 stunning Jazz-flavored tracks including two bonus tracks: a re-mix by the multi talented Tape Five and a re-sing (which means different lyrics and different melody on the same musical playback) by London based cool school Jazz singer Iain Mackenzie. Also features musical appearances from Dean Bowman, Anna-Luca, Brenda Boykin, Reiner Winterschladen, Philipp Schug, Dirk Sengotta and others. Club Des Belugas have stepped up to the plate and pulled out another hit album similar to St‚phane Pompougnac's Hotel Costes, Jose Padilla's Man Ray, Claude Challe's Just Good Music and Saint Germain des Pres Cafe.

Tracklist:

01. What Is Jazz (5:16)
02. It's A Beautiful Day (3:28)
03. Frankie (4:20)
04. Peace With Come With Sleep (Triple Bass Mix) (4:29)
05. Some Like It Hot (4:43)
06. Puttin' On The Ritz (Club Des Belugas Remix) (4:07)
07. She Said No (4:26)
08. Cats' N Boys (3:42)
09. Wearing Out My Shoes (6:29)
10. Second Sight (4:24)
11. Take Three (4:09)
12. It Don't Mean A Thing (4:28)
13. The Road Is Lonesome (4:06)
14. A Men's Scene (4:24)
15. What Is Jazz (Tape Five Remix) (4:40)
16. Cats' N Girls (Cats' N Boys Re-Sing) (3:41)

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320K

Trombone Shorty: For True (2011)

2011-11-02T01:19:00.000-07:00

Troy “Trombone Shorty" Andrews, once again, incorporates all of the fun but none of the fussy formalism of the New Orleans tradition in his new recording, For True.

A contemporary, and vividly frisky, blending of funk, R&B, pop, hip hop, jazz and fusion, Trombone Shorty's second national release is due today from Verve Forecast. Andrews wrote or co-wrote each of the 14 tracks on For True, produced by Galactic saxophonist Ben Ellman, and in many ways the album mirrors the talented horn player's Grammy-nominated, Billboard jazz chart-topping 2010 release Backatown. That is to say, it's great dance music—simultaneously aware of its roots, and willing to transcend them.

One in which it doesn't: For True is peppered with guest stars, something that might work to broaden the audience for Andrews—something he richly deserves—but could also, I feared, lead to a compilation-style unevenness. I needn't have. Trombone Shorty, a force of nature, more often than not simply blows past such worries.

“Buckjump," the shotgun-shack rattling opener, pairs Andrews with Rebirth Brass Band—perhaps the most famous of the Crescent City's brass bands—and Fifth Ward Weebie, a local rapper who combines R&B and bounce. The song, goosed along by a rubbery bass line courtesy of Mike Ballard from Andrew's band Orleans Avenue, builds outward from street-parade sass into a repetitive hip-hop cadence that only makes it more irresistibly danceable.

The connection with the New Orleans funk-jazz jam band Galactic, by the way, goes beyond Ellman's work at the mixing board. Drummer Stanton Moore appears on both “Lagniappe Part 1, and Part 2." Moore and Ellman's band mate Robert Mercurio plays bass on “Mrs. Orleans," which also features Kid Rock—who memorably raps about “Fats' rings" and “Endymion kings." And a few of the songs, notably the thumping instrumental “Dumaine Street" (maybe the best cut here), wouldn't sound at out of place on a Galactic project.

“Encore," undulating and aggressively fonky, is punctuated by the wailing slide cry of Warren Haynes (The Allman Brothers, Gov't Mule), and Andrews' Lenny Kravitz-esque vocals. (Kravitz himself plays bass on the subsequent “Roses," a tune that strongly recalls “Show Me Something Beautiful" from Backatown.) “Nervis" is one of those great 1970s-era space-grooves, featuring Ivan Neville (on clavinet!) and uncle Cyril Neville (The Meters, the Neville Brothers). Jeff Beck, with whom Trombone Shorty appeared during this year's New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, stops by for the R&M romp “Do To Me," unleashing a torrent of microtonal brilliance.

I'll double check, but I think that's all of them. His over-stuffed guest list probably speaks as much to Andrews' desire to move beyond convention as it does to the current trend of cravenly appealing to a mass audience by, well, over-stuffing the guest list. Really, though, his is such a unique and doggedly appealing voice—on the trombone, trumpet and mic—that Trombone Shorty scarcely needs the help.

Check out the title track, which smacks of Dick Dale by way of the West Bank, courtesy of a whoa-man surf guitar turn by Pete Murano. The chorus to “The Craziest Things," all whoops and hollers, sounds like a house party, set to a series of impossibly bright brass blasts. “Unc" has a late-night tango-type mystery, while the sensual, stop-start soul of “Then There was You" (featuring singer Ledisi; there's one more!) allows Andrews an opportunity for some muscular, spit-flying outbursts. On “Big 12," he layers horns on top of horns until the entire song trembles with an almost angry menace.

In the end, though they don't necessarily slow Trombone Shorty's momentum on For True, those big names still felt unneeded. There's a combustible energy to his work, a volatile joy, that stands on its own. ~ allaboutjazz.com

Tracklist:

01. Buckjump (feat. Rebirth Brass Band, 5th Ward Weebie, Ben Ellman & Charlie Smith) [04:03]
02. Encore (feat. Warren Haynes - guitar; co-write w/Lamont Dozier) [04:03]
03. For True [02:53]
04. Do To Me (feat. Jeff Beck - guitar) [04:37]
05. Lagniappe Part 1 (feat. Stanton Moore - drums)[01:09]
06. The Craziest Things [03:19]
07. Dumaine St. [02:37]
08. Mrs. Orleans (feat. Kid Rock - vocals; Robert Mercurio - bass) [03:21]
09. Nervis (feat. Ivan Neville - vocals and clavinet; Cyril Neville - vocals) [03:09]
10. Roses (feat. Lenny Kravitz - bass) [03:02]
11. Big 12 (feat. Ben Ellman - harmonica) [03:22]
12. UNC [02:54]
13. Then There Was Tou (feat. Ledisi - vocals) [04:33]
14. Lagniappe Part 2 (feat. Stanton Moore - drums) [01:37]

===============

320K

Diane Schuur: The Gathering (2011)

2011-11-01T03:34:00.000-07:00

It would, after 19 previous albums and two Grammy awards, be presumptuous to suggest that Diane Schuur has finally found her niche. Still, there’s no denying that this 10-track collection of classic country tunes, each wrapped in an understated jazz arrangement, represents Schuur at her absolute best. The Gathering finds the 57-year-old singer at her most subdued, eschewing the pyrotechnics that have defined much of her earlier work in favor of a softer, stripped-down style that, emphasizing her voice’s natural beauty, is ideally suited to the material. The power and range are still there: Look no further than the sustained note that closes “Why Can’t He Be You” to appreciate that Schuur has lost none of her vocal might. But she clearly appreciates that too much flashy grandstanding would compromise the fragility of such ache-fueled gems as “Am I That Easy to Forget,” “Nobody Wins,” “Healing Hands of Time” and “Til I Can Make It on My Own.”

Notable guests enhance various tracks, including Vince Gill, Alison Krauss, ace guitarists Mark Knopfler and Larry Carlton and saxophonist Kirk Whalum. But, like Schuur, all are disinterested in personal showmanship, concerned only with the integral allure of these bruised pieces. “Today I Started Loving You Again,” arguably the standout among a stellar assortment of covers, provides an ideal case in point, with Carlton’s searing intro and Gill’s temperate vocal accompaniment essential to the track’s stunning holism.

Tracklist:

01. Why Can't He Be You 4:55
02. Healing Hands Of Time 5:30
03. Beneath Still Waters 4:34
04. Til I Can Make It On My Own 3:13
05. Don't Touch Me 3:54
06. Today I started Loving You Again 4:54
07. Til I Get It Right 3:10
08. Am I That Easy To Forget 3:34
09. When Two Worlds Collide 3:14
10. Nobody Wins 3:18

Personnel:

Diane Schuur - vocals, piano
Eddie Bayers - drums
Michael Rhodes - bass
Steve Gibson - guitar
Mike Rojas - Wurlitzer piano
Eric Darken - vibes
Carmella Ramsey - background vocals

Guests:

Kirk Whalum - tenor sax on track
Mark Knopfler - guitar
Steve Buckingham - guitar
Alison Krauss - background vocals
Larry Carlton - guitarVince Gill - background vocals

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MP3 Downloads Nicole Scherzinger - "Don't Hold Your Breath"

Lalah Hathaway: Where It All Begins (2011)

2011-11-01T01:41:00.000-07:00

The artwork for Where It All Begins, Lalah Hathaway's second Stax album, features a striking collage of her father Donny's album covers, with Lalah cleverly inserted in place of her father on most of them. In addition to family photos scattered throughout the booklet, Lalah maintains a looking-back theme with a naturally heart-rending version of her father's "You Were Meant for Me," the original of which was issued as a single a few months prior to his tragic passing. Lalah also reaches back 20 years for a hushed but powerful remake of her own "I'm Coming Back," her fourth charting single, first released in 1991. Otherwise, Where It All Begins picks up where 2008's Self Portrait left off, though the pop-R&B-type moves -- buzzing synthesizers, harder beats -- are a little more pronounced. "If You Want To," a gleaming disco-funk track co-written by Rahsaan Patterson, is the best of that lot; the remainder of the album's highlights are relatively subdued, led by the gliding, atmospheric title track -- a stunning throwback to lyrically inward, sonically otherworldly soul-jazz of the `70s. There's also a pleasant surprise in the form of "Wrong Way," an uplifting number driven by bright acoustic guitar and a big chorus. It could easily fit into the playlist of a mature-rock radio station. ~ Andy Kellman

Tracklist:
1. Strong Woman 3:08
2. Where It All Begins 5:46
3. My Everything 4:13
4. Small Of My Back 4:48
5. If You Want To 3:29
6. Always Love You 4:09
7. Lie To Me 4:34
8. This Could Be Love 4:54
9. Wrong Way 3:46
10. You Were Meant For Me 4:04
11. I'm Coming Back (feat. Rachelle Ferrell) 6:59
12. Dreamland 5:19
============
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Nicole Scherzinger - "Don't Hold Your Breath"

2011-10-31T19:50:00.000-07:00

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Nicole Scherzinger - "Don't Hold Your Breath" Lyrics

Don't Hold Your Breath Lyrics

You can’t touch me now
There’s no feeling left
If you think I’m coming back
Don’t hold your breath
What you did to me boy I can’t forget
If you think I’m coming back
Don’t hold your breath

I was under your spell for such a long time couldn't break the chains
You played with my heart tore me apart with all your lies and games
It took all the strength I had but I crawled up on my feet again
Now you’re trying to lure me back but no those days are gone my friend
I loved you so much that I thought someday that you could change
But all you brought me was a heart full of pain

You can’t touch me now
There’s no feeling left
If you think I’m coming back
Don’t hold your breath
What you did to me boy I can’t forget
If you think I’m coming back
Don’t hold your breath
Don’t hold your breath

I was worried about you but you never cared about me none
You took my money and I knew that you, you could kill someone
I gave you everything but nothing was ever enough
You were always jealous over such crazy stuff

You can’t touch me now
There’s no feeling left
If you think I’m coming back
Don’t hold your breath
What you did to me boy I can’t forget
If you think I’m coming back
Don’t hold your breath
Don’t hold your breath

Move on don’t look back
I jumped off a train running off the tracks
Love is gone face the facts
A bad movie ends and the screen fades to black

What you did to me boy I can’t forget
If you think I’m coming back

You can't touch me
You can’t touch me now
There’s no feeling left
If you think I’m coming back
Don’t hold your breath
What you did to me boy I can’t forget
If you think I’m coming back
Don’t hold your breath

Nicole Scherzinger Don't Hold Your Breath lyrics found in http://tophits-music.blogspot.com/2011/10/nicole-scherzinger-dont-hold-your.html

You can’t touch me now
There’s no feeling left
If you think I’m coming back
Don’t hold your breath
What you did to me boy I can’t forget
If you think I’m coming back
Don’t hold your breath

Jessica Sutta - "Show Me"

2011-10-31T19:37:00.000-07:00

Top Hits Music : Jessica Sutta - "Show Me" Video, Music Lyrics and Music Downloads

Top Dance Songs November 2011

Jessica Sutta - "Show Me" Lyrics

Show Me Lyrics

[Jessica Sutta]
Say say what you wanna say say
Tell it to me every day day
But if you don't show me
Words words all they are is words words
Stupid poetry and first first do do you even know me
But first thing that I saw in your eyes
Did you mean, was it all your lies
All your lies, about, about have you ever thought
About how this is supposed to go...yeah
So do you know, do you...ohhh...

[Chorus]
Love is not a gimme gimme,
If you really with me you gotta
Show me, show me
Show me, show me
Tell it to me with your mouth
But when it all comes down
You gotta show me show me
Show me, show me
If you say it feels right say it to me all night
I don't think you understand
Love is not a gimmie gimmie
If you really with me you gotta show me
Show me, show me
Show me love...

[Jessica Sutta]
Eyes eyes open up your eyes
Don't hide what you got inside inside
If you wanna know me
Hey hey I'm not gonna stay stay
Keep it with you night and day day
No if you don't show me
Everything hidden in your heart
All your feels every single part
About, about have you ever thought
About how this is supposed to go Yeah
So do you know, do you Ohhh...

Jessica Sutta Show Me lyrics found on http://tophits-music.blogspot.com/2011/10/jessica-sutta-show-me.html

[Chorus]
Love is not a gimme gimme,
If you really with me you gotta
Show me, show me
Show me, show me
Tell it to me with your mouth
But when it all comes down
You gotta show me show me
Show me, show me
If you say it feels right say it to me all night
I don't think you understand
Love is not a gimmie gimmie
If you really with me you gotta show me
Show me, show me
Show me love...

[Bridge]
Everything you got is everything you need...

Everything you want is inside of me...

[Chorus]
Love is not a gimme gimme,
If you really with me you gotta
Show me, show me
Show me, show me
Tell it to me with your mouth
But when it all comes down
You gotta show me show me
Show me, show me
If you say it feels right say it to me all night
I don't think you understand
Love is not a gimmie gimmie
If you really with me you gotta show me
Show me, show me
Show me love...

MP3 Downloads Jessica Sutta - "Show Me"

Patti Austin: Havana Candy (1977)

2011-10-31T03:10:00.000-07:00

CTI was having its troubles financially at the time. They recycled arrangements for all their artists and limited their budgets. Austin sang this undistinguished material with as much conviction as she could muster, but the general pallid air lingering over the production also affected her vocals. -- AMG

Tracklist:
01. That's Enough For Me (5:50)
02. Little Baby (4:15)
03. I Just Want To Know (4:57)
04. Havana Candy (4:37)
05. Golden Oldies (4:44)
06. I Need Somebody (4:32)
07. We're In Love (4:03)
08. Lost In The Stars (5:02)
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Aaron Williams & The Hoodoo: 10:49 (2011)

2011-10-30T06:08:00.000-07:00

Decades ago, before the first rock and roll idols turned music into a product, musicians played music the way cobblers mended shoes and carpenters built homes. It was a trade—like any other job, and men did it for work, for wage. Young men would pack their station wagons with gear and travel from city to city to play their songs. For these musicians, it was not only all they wanted to do but all they could do. They were not in search of fame or fortune. It was simply a life in music. Welcome to the world of Aaron Williams and the Hoodoo.

Since their beginning as a trio in 2008, the world of Aaron Williams and the Hoodoo has drastically changed. Riding on the success of their debut CD “It Ain’t Easy,” the band is revving up for its sophomore release, “10:49.” The band’s debut “It Ain’t Easy” brought many awards, including Blues/Rock Album of the Year, as named by Real Blues magazine. The band was nominated for Blues Artist of the Year by the Wisconsin Area Music Industry and six Madison Area Music Awards, walking away with five: Blues Artist of the Year, Blues Song of the Year (“Drinking Blues”), Blues Album of the Year, Instrumentalist of the Year (Erick Shackelford—drums), and the highly coveted Artist of the Year. Continuing their forward surge, without a new CD under their belt, the band took Blues Artist of the Year at the MAMAs and received their second WAMI nomination for Blues Artist of the Year in 2011. 2012 promises even more for these talented young bluesmen.

The band’s new CD “10:49” promises break-out on a new level for the band. With well-known and respected radio promoter Frank Roszak on board, “10:49” will be hitting the airwaves across the nation. The title cut was inspired by Aaron’s father, late bluesman “Cadillac” Joe Andersen and sets the tone for the CD. Heavy on roots rock and “Hoodoo blues,” “10:49” will propel Aaron Williams and the Hoodoo even farther in their career. The lead vocals of guitar slinger Aaron Williams on “10:49” prove that the band continues to evolve into a national caliber touring band. Eric Shackelford on drums and Z on bass and hand percussion provide the rhythm section that helps to create the hypnotic, pulsing grooves for which this band is rapidly becoming known. These three young men have a real love for what they do, and it shows in the songs they write and perform. As declared by the Toledo City Paper, “. . . this isn’t your grandpa’s blues act.” Aptly coined “blues and roll” by “Ole Harv” of (NPR) WVPE 88.1, Aaron Williams and the Hoodoo’s sound is set to capture a new generation of blues lovers by storm.

Tracklist:

1. Boom Boom 5:02
2. Sick and Tired 3:51
3. My Turn 6:11
4. Red Head Women 3:54
5. 10:49 3:44
6. Devil's Playground 4:49
7. It Is What It Is 4:38
8. Let Me Love You 3:32
9. Tease Me, Please Me 4:49
10. She's Good At What She Does 3:41

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Enrico Rava: Tribe (2011)

2011-10-29T05:36:00.000-07:00

Since his return to ECM with Easy Living in 2003, the grand master of Italian jazz has gone from strength to strength, in a series of truly exceptional recordings including Tati, The Words and The Days, The Third Man, and New York Days. Enrico Rava is currently playing at a peak of lyrical invention, and his newest Italian quintet is amongst his strongest ensembles. Gianluca Petrella, Rising Star Trombonist in the Down Beat Critics Poll of 2005, is retained from The Words and the Days line-up and he has a front-chemistry with Rava which burns in this project. Fast-moving, quick-witted exchanges abound. Enrico has always encouraged younger musicians, and pianist Giovanni Guidi (born 1985) is a real find, a player of creativity and imagination: "When I notice the gifts of a young musician, I immediately involve him in my groups. This is not motivated by altruism," Rava insists. "Giovanni Guidi is like Bollani and Petrella: he astounds me every time." Bassist Gabriele Evangelista (b. 1988), another young player of promise, works splendidly alongside widely-experienced drummer Fabrizio Sferra, whose resume includes work with Chet Baker, Paul Bley and Kenny Wheeler. Material on Tribe includes new and old tunes by Rava and a brace of collective improvisations. The album was recorded at Arte Suono Studio in Udine in October 2010, with Manfred Eicher producing.

Tracklist:

01. Amnesia
02. Garbage Can Blues
03. Choctaw
04. Incognito
05. Cornettology
06. F.Express
07. Tears For Neda
08. Song Tree
09. Paris Baguette
10. Planet Earth
11. Tribe
12. Improvisation

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Steve Weingart & Renee Jones: Dialogue (2011)

2011-10-28T00:08:00.000-07:00

In the making of my third album, 'Dialogue', I enjoyed many first time experiences. One was developing some of the music in co-writing with my wife, Renee Jones. It is her first time recording bass and vocals on an entire project with me. Renee's participation in this music brought about another level in our friendship/marriage. We decided that since everything went so well, we would make our partnership the core of this work, and make plans to tour together in support of this album. Also very noteworthy was my experience with drummer, Simon Phillips who, during the initial stages became co-producer. Because we shared a lot of common ground in our musical tastes, it was very easy to work together. I think that companionship is quite evident upon listening to the very high production value Simon brought to this album, -not only in his musical performance, but also in engineering and mixing the album. My good friends, Steve Lukather, Victor Wooten, and Lenny Castro graciously brought their voices to this album as well. It was quite an experience working with these guys as well as my friends and great musicians, Mike Miller-guitar, and Katisse Buckingham-saxes & flute, who appear throughout this album. I'm very proud of this body of music. I am also honored that we all shared such good and positive experiences in the making of this CD. I learned that you cannot underestimate the power of friendship, and I know my fond and happy memories of these sessions will live forever. ~ Steve Weingart

Tracklist:
01. Village [05:29]
02. Restless [04:59]
03. Back Down [05:36]
04. Eethray [05:24]
05. Lighthouse [05:03]
06. Busy Day [05:35]
07. Empty Chair (for Zawinul) [03:04]
08. Spider Web [05:26]
09. Tell Tales [04:55]
10. Do Note Move [05:43]
11. Dialogue [05:21]
Personnel:
Steve Weingart - Piano, Keyboards, Vocals;
Renee Jones - Electric Bass, Vocals;
Simon Phillips - Drums;
Mike Miller - Electric Guitar ; Bouzouki on 'Busy Day';
Katisse Buckingham - Saxes & Flute;
Lenny Castro - Percussion (Tracks 01, 04, 06, 09, 11);
Michael O'Day - Additional percussion on 'Dialogue'.
Special Guests:
Steve Lukather: electric guitar on 'Busy Day', Acoustic guitar on 'Dialogue';
Victor Wooten: electric bass feature and solos on 'Do Note Move'.
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Savoy Brown: Voodoo Moon (2011)

2011-10-27T07:07:00.000-07:00

"I believe the songs on Voodoo Moon are the best I've written since the early 70's. It is modern blues rock but with more song orientation than normally associated with the genre." Kim Simmonds
This is a strong statement from one of the architects of the British Blues movement, a movement that has and will continue to influence the musical landscape. But Simmonds knows of what he speaks.

After 45-years, thousands of concerts and millions of albums sold worldwide, Savoy Brown is one of the beacons of outstanding new, original music steeped in the history of blues and rock 'n' roll.

Voodoo Moon speaks cleary to this history and the future of what great artists can do. Simmonds woodsheds like a journeyman, always reaching for higher ground. He can be found in his own backyard White Cottage studio most every morning when Savoy Brown is not on the road.

Simmonds is constantly writing songs and working on his playing - both electric and acoustic. He has taken to solo performances since 1997 which is one the greatest of artistic challenges. He has also been painting since 2001(???) which gives him another creative challenge. But most of all, Simmonds challenges himself to continually be a living artist.

"My motivation is to reach for that spirit I had as a young boy," says Simmonds. "I think that's always good to hold onto. Constantly practicing, writing and playing live - raw, naked in a sense - brings creativity and perspective, as well as inspiration."

Begun at White Cottage Studio in 2010, finished and mastered earlier this year at SubCat studio near his adopted hometown of Oswego, New York, Voodoo Moon reflects a lifetime of living and loving the blues. His new, local lineup of talent - Joe Whiting (vocals/sax), Pat DeSalvo (bass) and Garnet Grimm (drums) - rehearse faithfully; and it shows. Fans and promoters report this is one of, if not the best live concerts and and new music in the ever-evolving lineup of Savoy Brown. Voodoo Moon has the magic mojo that shines for all to see and hear.

Tracklist:
1. Shockwaves
2. Natural Man
3. Too Much Money
4. She's Got The Heat
5. Look At The Sun
6. 24/7
7. Round And Round
8. Voodoo Moon
9. Meet the Blues Head On
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Michael White: Spirit Dance (1971) / Pneuma (1972)

2011-10-27T05:13:00.000-07:00

It seems strange that Michael White (no relation to the New Orleans clarinetist of the same name or the funk-oriented drummer) never became better known. A potentially major violinist in the early days of fusion, he managed to successfully avoid becoming famous. White, who was born in Houston, grew up in Oakland. He gained some attention when he was part of the John Handy Quintet that was the hit of the 1965 Monterey Jazz Festival. White recorded three albums with Handy and then formed his own early fusion group Fourth Way, a band that never achieved more than regional fame. In the early '70s, he had opportunities to record with Pharoah Sanders, McCoy Tyner (appearing on Song For My Lady), and Joe Henderson but, despite his obvious talent and his ability to bridge the gap between avant-garde jazz, spiritual music, and rock, White eventually was totally overshadowed by Jean Luc-Ponty. He has lived in the San Francisco Bay Area up to the present time, emerging from obscurity briefly to join in on an unrecorded mid-'90s reunion with the Handy Quintet and a released duet album with Bill Frisell (Motion Picture). Michael White recorded five albums for Impulse as a leader during 1971-1974, but all are long out-of-print. -- AMG

Review Pneuma 1972

This ground-breaking jazz violinist demands much from his listeners, opening with a difficult Afro-jazz symphony. He finds a groove after that, helped by four female singers who augment the basic quartet. The leader shares the spotlight, too much considering his jazz violin is what makes this album noteworthy. -- AMG

Tracklist:

1. Spirit Dance 3:17
2. The Tenth Pyramid 4:37
3. John Coltrane Was Here 6:04
4. Ballad For Mother Frankie White 7:18
5. Samba 8:57
6. Unlocking The Twelfth House 7:23
7. Praise Innocence 3:16
8. Pneuma, Part One 5:12
9. Pneuma, Part Two 4:53
10. Pneuma, Part Three 4:05
11. Pneuma, Part Four 4:09
12. Pneuma, Part Five 1:38
13. Ebony Plaza 9:11
14. Journey Of The Black Star 2:51
15. The Blessing Song 6:14

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Chris Duarte Group: Blues in the Afterburner (2011)

2011-10-27T01:28:00.000-07:00

Chris's recordings have always been rooted firmly in the blues with a rock and roll edge which further established Duarte as one of the rare musical talents of his generation. Blues In The Afterburner continues in the tradition of smokin' blues with doses of heavy psychedelia throughout. Blues In The Afterburner contains a heavy load of Duarte 's legendary blues guitar chops over a diverse set of grooves and lyrical themes.

Tracklist:
01. Another Man (5:10)
02. Make Me Feel So Right (4:34)
03. Bottle Blues (5:03)
04. Milwaukee Blues (4:17)
05. Hold Back The Tears (7:02)
06. Summer's Child (5:18)
07. Searching For You (4:25)
08. Black Clouds Rolling (7:53)
09. Don't Cha' Drive Me Crazy (3:40)
10. Born To Race (6:10)
11. I've Been A Fool (3:57)
12. Prairie Jelly (6:00)
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Jan Akkerman: Minor Details (2011)

2011-10-26T01:29:00.000-07:00

A new Jan Akkerman album is always a revelation, not least because he is not the most prolific of players in terms of album releases. Minor Details is the follow-up to 2003's 'C.U.' (yes, it is that long ago) and has been produced 'virtually' via the Internet together with his regular band mates and germinated whilst on tour in Brazil last year. The production doesn't suffer at all for this. In terms of Akkerman's hallowed guitar-ing, the Focus days do seem as distant a memory as Thijs van Leer with hair and this 70 minute plus offering continues the jazz fusion vibe of his late 1980s albums and indeed that of its immediate predecessor.

Guitarophiles may debate the man's current 'tone' and technique, even the familiar motifs, but there is no denying he has never lost his way with a melody or an intriguing song title. In places there is a definite Steely Dan thing going on (notably 'Dinner Time') and a Santana-esque 'Searching For Angela'. 'Joy' - with Akkerman deploying wah - features one of two guest appearances from Dutch jazz trumpeter Eric Vloeimans in a Miles Davis-fuelled funk romp. But only on 'Mena Muria' is there anything approaching a Focus vibe (as in 'Focus I' and Focus II'). It's just a pity that, again, Akkerman has failed to interrogate his hard drive and offer up some arguably superior fusion work that he brought to the UK back in 2000. There may be a lack of killer melodies on this album aka 'Cotton Bay' on 'C.U.' (although the broody 'Kharmah Chantalah' comes close) but overall it smacks of a good groove and well suited to warm weather and late nights. In that context there is nothing really of revelation here, just plenty of examples of Akkerman's good taste and his cohorts' fine musicianship. It will mostly appeal to his loyal fanbase. Job done.

Tracklist:

1. Free wheeling
2. Beg Sir
3. Dinner time
4. Love train
5. Blind baby
6. Minor details
7. Joy
8. Fernando's minibar
9. Kharmah chantalah
10. Searching for Angela
11. As long as you're near
12. San Frisky
13. The Arrogant Frogs
14. Mena Muria

Personnel:

- Jan Akkerman / guitars
- Coen Molenaar / keyboards
- Wilbrand Meischke / bass
- Marijn van den Berg / drums
- Eric Vloeimans / trumpet on "Joy" and "The Arrogant Frogs"

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Steve Lukather: Luke (1997)

2011-10-25T06:57:00.000-07:00

"Welcome to the 3rd installment. You will find this record to be a bit of a departure from my other two because I really wanted to do something different. Maybe because my life is just different now and when I began writing and recording for this record I was in a rather introspective, life-evaluating space. Consequently, my approach to the whole reord, musically and sonically, just seemed to take another direction. I was inspired by all the music I grew up listening to and how it has influenced and chronicled different phases of my life and it came out liberally and deliberately on the record. In fact, I think this record is the closest amalgamation of all the different facets of me than anything I have recorded in the past, thus the original title. I experimented with some different instrumentation and recording techniques this time. All the tracks were recorded live except for vocals and a few other oddities. The solos that I do have on the record like Tears of my own shame and Blue bird were kept intact with all their imperfections as to keep the approach REAL and honest. I decided to focus on other aspects of my music this time. You hear sounds like pedal steel guitar, harmonicas, Mellotrons and some different guitar tones and rawer-sounding bass and drum parts. I mixed all this in with some modern recording techniques. I even purposefully distorted the vocals on some occasions... so there is nothing wrong with your system (haha). I think we captured the spirit of where I seem to be coming from at this time. I want to thank ALL of the musicians and Tom for their input and keeping me from myself when it was necessary, for making me keep things I would normally "fix" and maybe "fix" the edge right out of. I also want to thank Elliot Scheiner for coming in and mixing my album and putting some fresh ears on it.

See ya on the road!!" (Luke)
Tracklist:1 The real truth (Lukather, Waybill)
2 Broken machine (Lukather, Soussan)
3 Tears of my own shame (Lukather, Soussan)
4 Love the things you hate (Lukather, Soussan)
5 Hate everything about you (Lukather, R. Crowell)
6 Reservations to live (The way it is) (Lukather, Waybill)
7 Don't hang me on (Lukather, Soussan)
8 Always be there for me (Lukather)
9 Open your heart (Lukather, Goodrum)
10 Bag o'tales (Lukather, Soussan)
11 Blue bird (Stephen Stills)
Personnel:

Steve Lukather, Gregg Bissonette, John Pierce, Jim Cox, Phil Soussan, Maxie Anderson, Alfie Silas Duno, J.D. Maness, Pino Palladino, David Paich.

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3 Cohens: Family (2011)

2011-10-25T00:13:00.000-07:00

One Family – One Music.
The remarkable story of 3 Cohens siblings, Yuval, Anat and Avishai, continues with the release of 'Family' on Anzic Records, October 11, 2011. It is obvious that the Cohens would have some sort of telepathy and symbiosis on the bandstand and in the studio, but the level of interplay and musical cooperation that exists between the siblings on 'Family' can only be described as astounding. Their individual virtuosity, creativity and exceptional taste only serve to enhance the music that primarily stems from their mutual respect and love for one another, as family, and as musicians. Recorded in Brooklyn, 'Family' features the three Israeli horn players in league with a swinging New York rhythm section: pianist Aaron Goldberg, double-bassist Matt Penman and drummer Gregory Hutchinson. The sextet is joined by iconic vocalist Jon Hendricks for the vintage "On the Sunny Side of the Street" and "Roll 'em, Pete."

Personnel:
Anat Cohen - Tenor Saxophone & Clarinet
Avishai Cohen - Trumpet
Yuval Cohen - Soprano Saxophone
Aaron Goldberg - Piano
Matt Penman - Bass
Gregory Hutchinson - Drums
**Very Special Guest: Jon Hendricks - Vocals
Tracklist:
1. Shufla de Shufla (6:39)
2. Blues For Dandi's Orange Bull Chasing An Orange Sack (7:41)
3. With The Soul Of The Greatest Of Them All (Dedicated to Charles Mingus) (9:40)
4. The Mooch (7:15)
5. Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans (7:24)
6. Rhapsody In Blake (4:24)
7. On The Sunny Side Of The Street (5:12)
8. Tiger Rag (4:06)
9. Family (5:32)
10. Roll ‘Em Pete (5:02)
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Trilok Gurtu: Bad Habits Die Hard (1995)

2011-10-24T02:05:00.000-07:00

Trilok Gurtu's band is fantastic at this point in his career. All the instrumentalists are superb. The album flows very well from piece to piece. The guitarist David Gilmore (not Pink Floyd) is subtle and freely focused with his solos. Trilok astounds as always, but even more so on this record.

Tracklist:
01. 21 Spices 9:33
02. Bad Boys 8:38
03. Returning Home 12:50
04. Siddhi 11:15
05. Watapa 7:50
06. Bad Habits Die Hard 10:06
07. Carlinhos 13:33
Personnel:
Trilok Gurtu - drums, tabla, voice, clay drums & percussion
Bill Evans - tenor sax, soprano sax
Mark Feldman - violin
David Gilmore: guitar, voice
Andy Elmer - piano, electric piano, synthesizer, voice
Chris Minh Doky - bass, voice
Produced by Trilok Gurtu, Kurt Renker & Walter Quintus
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Lyubomir Denev Jazz Trio And Petko Tomanov (1979)

2011-10-24T00:01:00.000-07:00

A brilliant composer, conductor and jazz pianist, Lyubomir Denev is one of the brightest figures in Bulgaria’s music life. He creates different genres of music, giving a lot of concerts and working for theatre and film productions in Bulgaria and abroad. Let’s kick off with a piano piece entitled The Biography of a Flower, in the performance of Lyubomir Denev.

In 2011 Lyubomir Denev turned 60 years. On that occasion the Sofia Music Week International Festival presented his works in a programme called “Lyubomir Denev and Friends”. What you are just about to hear is two pieces for solo voice and big band from the cycle Aphorisms based on the epigrams of popular Bulgarian poet and satirist Radoy Ralin. Coming up first The Past, followed by Hamlet’s Agonies in the rendition of Militsa Gladnishka and the BNR’s Big Band, conductor Lyubomir Denev.

Lyubomir Denev has graduated from the National Academy of Music in the capital, where he studied orchestral conducting under Professor Konstantin Iliev. Lyubomir Denev has conducted all of Bulgaria’s big symphony orchestras. For some 10 years he was conductor at the State Music Theatre. Since 1986 he has been a freelance musician. “I am a true ‘music nomad’- I’m changing genres all the time”, the composer says about himself.

“I feel as a link in a big chain, as part and parcel of a long tradition, Denev adds. As a performer and composer, I keep this tradition alive in a very natural manner. This is my identity. In my earlier works, one could catch elements from the style of great Bulgarian composers, such as Pancho Vladigerov, Lyubomir Pipkov, Konstantin Iliev and Marin Goleminov. An artist discovers his or her personal style slowly. Until he or she gets to that point, an artist’s style is stratified by various influences. I’ve composed pop, jazz and musicals as well as film, theatre, choral, chamber and symphonic music. What’s characteristic of my style is improvisation, which has got its place even in sonatas and choral songs. I often use the mode peculiarities of Bulgarian folklore and its metro rhythmic patterns, maybe because I’ve majored percussions at the class of Prof. Dobri Paliev. Some of my colleagues sense a sort of tolerance in my solo and chamber works. I attribute this to the experience I’ve gained in the musical and theatre genres. My stage works are 11 in total, including opera and ballet”.

Lyubomir Denev has authored the first Bulgarian rock musical called Tomorrow At Ten. His opera Love’s Labour’s Won inaugurated the New Verdi Theatre in Cairo, Egypt. His musical The Law of the Jungle was presented at St Denis University Centre in Paris back in 1993. We offer you now A Song of Bagira the Panther from The Law of the Jungle in the rendition of Olga Mihailova-Dinova.

Lyubomir Denev is known as a jazz pianist in Europe, the USA, Asia and Africa. He plays in different formations, working on many projects for solo piano and creating jazz improvisations. We are going to listen next to a jazz improvisation of Sarabande by George Friedrich Handel.

Next year viewers in Germany will be able to see the premiere of an impressive international project called The Salvation with the participation of Lyubomir Denev.

“In 2009-2010 I was invited to the Villa Concordia International Art House in Bamberg to join an international project. With the support of the Culture Ministry in Bavaria, we came up with a Bulgarian- German project dedicated to the rescue of Bulgarian Jews during World War II. The Salvation was indeed the first project on that topic, which recently has been of interest to modern-day artists. It’s a grand work for orchestra, singers and actors. We’ve called it ‘passion’. Its premiere is going to take place in Berlin in October 2012. At the moment we’re working on a programme for the Plovdiv Jazz Nights Festival. We are going to offer the cycle Aphorisms for a jazz trio”.

The last piece is called A Century-Old Conclusion, another ‘jazz aphorism’ of Lyubomir Denev, in the rendition of Militsa Gladnishka and the BNR’s Big Band.

Tracklist:

A1 Suite - I Movement 6:35
A2 Ritual Dance 6:10
A3 Scherzo 5:55

B1 Ballad About The River 10:07
B2 Pastoral 3:35
B3 Tribe Puti 5:05

Personnel:

Bass Guitar – Danail Draganov
Drums, Vibraphone, Xylophone, Percussion – Boris Dinev
Flute, Piccolo, Saxophone [Tenor] – Petko Tomanov
Piano, Fender Piano, Clavinet, Melotron, Mug Sinthesizer, Percussion – Lyubomir Denev

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Randy Brecker: Toe to Toe (1990)

2011-10-21T00:47:00.000-07:00

Randy Brecker is essentially a fine hard bop trumpet soloist, but one versatile enough to fit into nearly any setting, including in the pop world, funk bands, and electronic fusion. He studied classical trumpet and attended Indiana University. Brecker was with Blood, Sweat & Tears in 1967, and spent 1968-1969 playing with Horace Silver's quintet. He also appeared with the big bands of Clark Terry, Duke Pearson, Frank Foster, and the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis orchestra. After playing with the early fusion group Dreams in 1969, he worked with Larry Coryell's Eleventh House and Billy Cobham, in addition to keeping very busy with studio work. He teamed up with Michael Brecker in the popular funk-oriented Brecker Brothers (1974-1979); in the '80s he often collaborated with his wife, pianist/vocalist Eliane Elias; and in the '90s he toured with the reunited Brecker Brothers. But Randy Brecker still sounds best when in a freewheeling bebop combo, and fortunately he occasionally records in that type of spontaneous setting.

Tracklist:
1.Mr. Skinny [Brecker] 5:36
2.Trading Secrets [Brecker] 5:10
3.It Creeps up on You [Brecker] 4:53
4.The Glider [Brecker] 6:04
5.Toe to Toe [Brecker] 4:54
6.It's up to You [Brecker] 5:50
7.What Is the Answer [Brecker] 4:41
8.Lost 4 Words [Brecker] 6:14
Personnel:
Victor Bailey - Bass (Electric)
Jim Beard - Arranger, Bass, Drum Machine, Drum Programming, Keyboards, Mixing, Producer
Regina Belle - Vocals (Background)
Michael Brecker - Sax (Tenor)
Randy Brecker - Arranger, Electric Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Mixing, Producer, Trumpet, Vocals
Dennis Chambers - Drums, Drums (Snare)
Dag Haeggqvist Executive Producer
Jon Herington Guitar
Bashiri Johnson - Percussion
Darryl Jones - Bass
Mark Ledford - Arranger, Vocals, Vocals (Background)
Bob Mintzer - Clarinet (Bass)
============
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Patti Austin: End of a Rainbow (1976)

2011-10-21T00:13:00.000-07:00

A professional since the age of five, Patti Austin was a protégé of Dinah Washington and Sammy Davis, Jr. A 1969 single for United Artists titled "Family Tree" cracked the R&B Top 50. Austin cut her debut LP, End of a Rainbow, for Creed Taylor's CTI label in 1976, followed by Havana Candy in 1977 and Body Language in 1980. She sang lead vocals for Japanese koto player Yutaka Yokokura on "Love Light" in 1978, did a duet with Michael Jackson on "It's the Falling in Love" for Off the Wall, and sang "The Closer I Get to You" on Tom Browne's album in 1979. Austin dueted with George

Benson on "Moody's Mood for Love" in 1980. She sang backgrounds for sessions by Houston Person, Noel Pointer, Ralph McDonald, Angela Bofill, and Roberta Flack.

Austin did vocals on Quincy Jones' The Dude LP in 1981, and was featured on the hit "Razzamatazz." She inked a solo deal on Jones' Qwest label, and her 1982 LP Every Home Should Have One included the number one pop hit (number nine R&B) "Baby, Come to Me," which got widespread exposure via the ABC soap opera General Hospital. The follow-up single, "How Do You Keep the Music Playing," was the theme for the film Best Friends. Both songs paired Austin with James Ingram. She continued recording for Jones' Qwest label through the '80s, but couldn't recapture her pop or R&B success, despite working with several top producers, including Jam & Lewis in 1985.

Austin switched to GRP in 1990 and recorded Love Is Gonna Getcha, with the singles "Through the Test of Time" and "Good in Love." She subsequently recorded Carry On and Live in 1991 and 1992. Street of Dreams followed in 1999 and On the Way to Love appeared in summer 2001. Her lovely tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, For Ella, appeared in spring 2002. Nearly five years later, Avant Gershwin was issued. After a decade on the jazz side of the fence, Austin returned more to the pop side with 2011’s Sound Advice, produced by Greg Phillinganes. -- AMG

Originally issued in 1976, "End Of A Rainbow" was Patti's solo debut album for CTI Records. Although not a commercial success, this album was one of the first ever to be exclusively devoted to the Quiet Storm "sound" that was just-then blossoming. Patti's soulful, tender and at times wistful and melancholic vocals are nothing short of exquisite. Patti wrote all eight tracks herself and CTI boss Creed Taylor obviously spared no expenses in getting the best session players for this cult classic. Now that it's available on CD "End Of A Rainbow" definitely deserves a reappraisal.

Tracklist:

01. Say You Love Me (6:07)
02. In My Life (4:23)
03. You Don't Have To Say You're Sorry (3:40)
04. More Today Than Yesterday (5:33)
05. Give It Time (3:27)
06. There Is No Time (3:44)
07. What's At The End Of A Rainbow (2:55)
08. This Side Of Heaven (3:06)
09. Sweet Sadie The Savior (6:26)

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J.J. Johnson - J.J. Johnson Plays Mack The Knife & Other Kurt Weill Songs (1961)

2011-10-20T05:44:00.000-07:00

This release contains the complete LP Plays Mack the Knife, appearing here on CD for the first time ever, it presents Johnson fronting a quartet that includes Andre Previn on piano, Red Mitchell on bass and Frank Capp on drums playing songs by the celebrated Kurt Weill. As a bonus, we have added another complete LP by Johnson, Trombone and Voices, which also appears here on CD for the first time ever. Although we are aware that the concept and arrangements on this bonus album might seem outdated, we believe that J. J.'s solos clearly merit it being reissued.

Personnel: J.J. Johnson (trombone), Andre Previn (piano), Red Mitchell (bass), Frank Capp (drums).

Tracklist:
01. Bilbao Song [From Happy End]
02. Barbara Song [From The Threepenny Opera]
03. Overture [From The Threepenny Opera]
04. Seerauber Jenny [From The Threepenny Opera]
05. Mack The Knife [AKA "Moritat"] [From The Threepenny Opera]
06. Surabaya-Johnny [From Happy End]
07. Wie Man Sich Bettet [From Rise And Fall Of The City Of Mahagonny]
08. Unzulanglichkeit [From The Threepenny Opera]
09. Portrait Of Jenny
10. Only The Lonely
11. Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child
12. In A Sentimental Mood
13. Get Out Of Town
14. I'm Glad There Is You
15. You're My Girl
16. To The Ends Of The Earth
17. What Is There To Say
18. Lazy Bones
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Salvatore Casaluce: Grigio Verde (2011)

2011-10-20T00:10:00.000-07:00

The new project of young italian guitarist Salvatore Casaluce with his interpretations on various movie themes.

Tracklist:
1. Il nero futuro di orfeo (5:36)
2. Policarpo (4:19)
3. Il buono il brutto il cattivo - estasi dell'oro (5:14)
4. Sospetto ensemble (4:25)
5. Grigio verde part one (2:40)
6. Grigio verde part two (3:25)
7. Suite piovani - fellini (9:54)
8. Ottobre 2010 (3:18)
9. Taxi driver (6:12)
10. X years rome (5:13)
11. Amarcord (2:18)
12. Metti una sera a cena (4:35)
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Vince Agwada: Basic Blue (2011)

2011-10-19T03:04:00.000-07:00

Chicago guitarist, composer and producer Vince Agwada has worked the Chicago music scene for over 25 years. This heavily blues and rock oriented musician has worked with artists like Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Magic Slim, Otis Rush, Syl Johnson and Sammy Lawhorn, to list but a few. Of his many awards the most standout one was when, in 1996, Agwada was listed as one of the top 40 Blues artists under 40 by Living Blues Magazine. Basic Blue is his second release as a leader.

Agwada has a heavily rock driven feel to his blues. Seriously punched and driven by drummer Clyde Davis whose vicious two fisted style plays well with Agwada's thick chordal ala-Jimmy Hendrix guitar textures, Agawada approaches his music with a pedal to the metal take no prisoners attitude. Orlando Wright's bass is totally locked into the ensemble so perfectly it's almost impossible to pull the sound of his instrument from the guitar textures. It's as if he and Agwada are one instrument.

Most of the tunes are of the power thrash-blues style, at which Agwada excels. Both "Chi-Town State Of Mind" and "Blindsided," the lead in tracks on the CD, are of this style and open the disc perfectly. There is, however, some diversity. "President," for example, has a nice half-beat style that is accentuated by the addition of Roosevelt Purifoy's keyboard work. The instrumental "Head Too Tight" adds Michael Jackson's spiced up saxophone into the almost pop-oriented backbeat, and "Shake It Up" has a three horn wind section that further helps to eliminate any monotony that might ensue. The down tempo "Black Rain" is so swampy you may have to play the track a number of times before you want to leave; it's that inviting.

Agwada obviously knows what he's doing and plays his hand extremely well on this disc. For seriously diehard blues fans this disc will thrill.

Personnel: Vince Agwada (guitar, vocals), Roosevelt Purifoy (keyboards), Bill "The Buddha" Dickens (bass), Vic Jackson (bass), Andre Howard (bass), Orlando Wright (bass), Clyde Davis (drums), Steve Gillis (drums), Brady Williams (drums), James Knowles (crums), Michael Jackson (saxophone), Hank Ford (saxophone), Bill McFarland (trombone), Kenny Anderson (trumpet), Joshua Scott (organ), Billy Blaylock (percussion), Larry McCray (guitar), Sugar Blue (harmonica), Russ Green (harmonica)

Tracklist:

01. Chi-Town State Of Mind [0:05:00.04]
02. Blindsided [0:04:39.37]
03. President [0:03:25.17]
04. Big City Blues [0:07:13.08]
05. Head Too Tight [0:05:53.80]
06. Black Rain [0:08:53.76]
07. Shake It Up [0:07:25.86]
08. Basic Blue [0:04:05.26]
09. Sirius Biz [0:05:22.05]
10. Right On Time [0:04:39.50]
11. Train [0:03:32.90]
12. She Never Said... [0:05:30.34]

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320K

Vince Agwada: Eyes of the City (2008)

2011-10-14T08:37:00.000-07:00

"Eyes of the City” is the long awaited, self-produced debut release from veteran Chicago-based guitarist/singer/composer/producer Vince Agwada that finds the journeyman guitarist tearing loose on an exciting 13-song collection of Blues, Rock, Jazz and R&B based numbers that will blow your socks off.

Check out Agwada’s muscular fretwork on such scorching tracks as “Blooze” and “I’m Coming Home” and you’ll soon discover why this great player is the guitarist of choice for some of the best known names in the blues. Other highlights include “Ellie” with its strong contemporary jazz feel, and the magnificent “Come on In” that features some of Agwada’s vicious slide work. Harmonica virtuoso Sugar Blue guests on the majestic “Rain,” while “It’s a Shame,” “Car Wash Blues,” and “Hard to Cry” find Agwada putting his personal stamp on some of the most engaging contemporary blues to be released this year. “Eyes of the City” is a terrific new album that marks the coming of age of a truly unique artist.

Vince Agwada has been a fixture on the Chicago Blues scene for over 25 years. He has toured the United States, Canada and Europe with many of Chicago's premiere acts including Bernie Mac, Buddy Guy, Koko Taylor, Zora Young, Jimmy Johnson, Son Seals, Junior Wells, Valerie Wellington, The Dells, Sugar Blue, Larry McCray, and Magic Slim as well as his own outfits, One Eyed Jax, and the Vince Agwada Band. In 1996 he was voted one of the top 40 Blues artists under 40 in the country by Living Blues Magazine (issue 120).

Tracklist:
01. It's a Shame [0:05:23.41]
02. Blooze [0:05:18.00]
03. Does it Really Matter [0:04:28.97]
04. Car Wash Blues [0:06:16.10]
05. I'm Coming Home [0:06:31.89]
06. Rain [0:07:59.14]
07. Confidence Man [0:04:58.30]
08. Tubed Out [0:04:02.96]
09. Hard to Cry [0:07:32.90]
10. Come on In [0:05:58.00]
11. Ellie [0:07:35.06]
12. Bottle [0:04:12.16]
13. Eyes of the City [0:06:43.36]
============
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Lenny White: Renderers of Spirit (1996)

2011-10-14T02:01:00.000-07:00

Drummer Lenny White doesn't explore much new territory on Renderers Of Spirit, which contains nothing that will make you forget that he played drums on the legendary Bitches Brew sessions for Miles Davis, or that, along with Stanley Clarke, Chick Corea and Al DiMeola, he helped define 1970s jazz-fusion as Return to Forever.

But even though the compositions here survey what amounts to the by-now familiar R&B meets jazz domain, White and company make the journey enough of a comfortably swinging stroll to make it worth the trip. White's sound and plump backbeat on drums in "Ho-Cake" sound straight outta hip-hop (that is, before they dissolve in a limpid pool of what's now called "smooth jazz"), and bassist Victor Bailey bounces off the walls in his own title, "Pick Pocket."

Renderers includes contributions from fellow Miles alumni Foley and Bennie Maupin, Stanley Clarke, George Duke, and Michael Brecker (In fact, "Countdown 2000" would not sound out of place on Davis' album Tutu). It closes with a challenging jazz-funk mind-meld of Jackie McLean's "Dr. Jackyle" wih Sly Stone's "Africa Talks To You," and also includes covers (with vocals) of Burt Bacharach's "Walk On By" (which nominally works) and of Christopher Cross' "Sailing" (which absolutely does not).

Tracklist:

01 - Whew! What A Dream
02 - Ho-Cake
03 - Walk On By
04 - Pick Pocket
05 - Savant
06 - Sailing
07 - The Abyss
08 - SwingTime
09 - Beggin'
10 - Countdown: 2000
11 - Dr. Jackle/Africa Talks To You

Personnel:

Geri Allen - Piano
Victor Bailey - Bass, Arranger
Don Blackman - Organ, Synthesizer, Keyboards, Fender Rhodes
Michael Brecker - Saxophone
Randy Brecker - Trumpet
Jerry Brooks - Bass
Dean Brown - Guitar
Stanley Clarke - Tenor, Bass Solo
Jon Dryden - Synthesizer, Arranger
George Duke - Moog Synthesizer
Vince Evans - Synthesizer, Piano, Arranger, Keyboards, Fender Rhodes
Foley - Lead Bass
Javon Jackson - Sax (Tenor)
Dechown Jenkens - Guitar
Mark Johnson - Guitar, Vocals
Darryl Jones - Bass
Mark Ledford - Guitar, Trumpet, Arranger, Vocals
Kim Lesley - Vocals (bckgr)
Pete Levin - Synthesizer, Arranger, Keyboards, Programming, Orchestration
Bennie Maupin - Clarinet (Bass), Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor)
Jean McClain - Vocals (bckgr)
Audrey Northington - Vocals
Nicki Richards - Arranger, Vocals
Patrice Rushen - Synthesizer, Piano, Keyboards
Michael "Patches" Stewart - Trumpet
Danny Walsh - Saxophone
Lenny White - Organ, Arranger, Cymbals, Drums, Keyboards, Programming, Producer
Bernard Wright - Synthesizer, Piano, Keyboards, Moog Synthesizer
Pookie Zari - Synthesizer

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320K

Gary Willis: Actual Fiction (2007)

2011-10-13T08:49:00.000-07:00

One might be forgiven for thinking that bassist extraordinaire Gary Willis has the titles of the first two songs on Actual Fiction the wrong way round. "Cartoon Fetish is a slightly frantic drum 'n' bass rave with a Prodigy-like bullishness that would be ideal to rock a party and rattle your neighbors' windows. The wonderfully titled "Smells Like a Party is an irresistible piece of head-bobbing funk of the type Prince cooks up, and would make a great soundtrack for a cartoon.

Whatever the titles, the music on Actual Fiction certainly transports the listener to some interesting places. "PodCast starts life as a gently trippy number which Willis turns on its head with a prodigious solo, ably supported by David Gomez on drums. Willis employs spacey effects quite liberally throughout the album, though when the music is reduced to drums and bass and stripped of these layers the bass really rips.
Willis' bass playing is pretty staggering throughout Actual Fiction, no more so than on the beautiful slow number "Say Never, where the bass lines are as smooth and rich as hot chocolate and as ethereal as a walk in the clouds. Willis takes the solo up to racing speed but without disturbing the chill-out ambience of a track which has the feel of Joni Mitchell's title tune from Hejira (Asylum, 1976).
The great bassist Jaco Pastorius graced Mitchell's album and his spirit is infused in no small measure through much of the music on Actual Fiction. Willis' playing on "Eye Candy recalls vividly Pastorius on Weather Report's Black Market (Columbia/Legacy, 1976), and his style in general owes much to the hugely influential Pennsylvania-born bassist. It is also fair to say that Willis' playing on this album hails from the same planet as Pastorius: not of this world.
Impressive, too, is the way Willis subtly shifts the mood of a song by altering the weight and pace of the rhythm as on "Take Me to Your Leader, where the intensity rises and falls in large, slow-building waves. The contribution of drummers David Gomez and Kirk Covington is considerable, and it is easy to forget that there is ever only one other musician accompanying Willis.
There is much to enjoy on Actual Fiction: strong compositions which sound radically different from each other, smoking funk riffs, a lot of energy and quite marvelous bass playing. Following the excellent Slaughterhouse 3 (Abstract Logix, 2007) it appears that Willis is in a rich vein of form. Here, Gary Willis has crafted an adventurous album and a very fine one at that. - All About Jazz

Tracklist:

1. Cartoon Fetish
2. Smells Like a Party
3. PodCast
4. Say Never
5. Eye Candy
6. Take Me to Your Leader
7. Mean Streak
8. If Only It Could Talk
9. Tio Loco
10. Based on a True Story.

Personnel:

Gary Willis: electric bass, sound effects, "everything else"
David Gomez: drums (3, 7)
Kirk Covington: drums (1, 2, 5, 9, 10)

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320K

Tony MacAlpine: ST (2011)

2011-10-13T06:58:00.000-07:00

T-Mac is back with his first official solo album since 2001’s Chromaticity. It’s his 13th solo disc in a career spanning 25 years. This self-produced new release is the heaviest thing he’s ever done, and it’s full of jaw-dropping shred, soothing classical flourishes, skull-bludgeoning rhythms, and epic 8-string guitar action.

With a 10-year hiatus behind him—and having worked off and on with Ring of Fire, CAB, Steve Vai, Planet X, and Devil’s Slingshot—MacAlpine now returns to center stage. As a classical pianist who multitasks in jazzfusion, funk, and metal, he brings a unique and harmonically rich point of view to his compositions. Planet X bandmate and drummer extraordinaire Virgil Donati guest stars on three tracks and their chemistry is super strong. The technical, melodic, and rhythmic concoctions these guys create together make for an intense listening experience.

Drummer Marco Minnemann plays on “Fire Mountain,” “Dream Mechanism,” “Pyrokinesis,” and “The Dedication.” He brings to this record the kind of super chops and musicality that made him a finalist for the Dream Theater drummer auditions. MacAlpine handles the rest of the drum programming, and gets some of the best guitar tones of his career using his 7- and 8-string Ibanez guitars through a Hughes & Kettner TriAmp. What he lacks in sonic earthiness, he makes up for with a smooth clarity that highlights the nuances in his playing.

MacAlpine moves seamlessly from high-intensity, alternate-picked passages to rubbery legato lines, angular harmonies, and brutal riffs. This is offset by the peaceful serenity of compositions like “Flowers For Monday,” a lovely Di Meola-esque duet for acoustic guitar and piano. “The Dedication” quotes 19th-century German composer Robert Schumann, and once again demonstrates MacAlpine’s knack for blending Romantic-era classical music with his own artistic vision.

On first listen, it’s a very hard and in-yourface record, but with repeated listens, one can’t help but notice the harmonic sophistication, passion, and the high level of intricate compositional prowess. Tony MacAlpine is one of the best instrumental records of the year, and it ranks right up there with his 1994 disc, Maximum Security.

Tracklist:

1."Serpens Cauda" 4:22
2."Oludeniz" 5:15
3."Fire Mountain" 4:23
4."Dream Mechanism" 4:18
5."Ten Seconds to Mercury" 4:35
6."Flowers for Monday" 3:04
7."Angel of Twilight" 5:02
8."Pyrokinesis" 3:56
9."Blue Maserati" 4:41
10."Summer Palace" 4:35
11."Salar de Uyuni" 5:39
12."The Dedication" (Robert Schumann) 4:22

Personnel:

Tony MacAlpine – electric guitar, seven-string guitar, eight-string guitar, keyboard, drum programming, bass guitar (except track 2), production
Virgil Donati – drums (tracks 1, 5, 10)
Marco Minnemann – drums (tracks 3, 4, 8, 12)
Philip Bynoe – bass guitar (track 2)

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