Dave Koz: Ultimate Christmas (2011)

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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320K
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Euge Groove: S7even Large (2011)

The seventh album from one of the best-selling contemporary jazz artists of the last decade contains his trademark contemporary grooves over a wide-ranging set.

Tracklist:
1. Track 01 4:45
2. The Funky Bunch 4:52
3. S7ven Large 5:26
4. Prayer 4 5:29
5. Days Of Soul 6:13
6. Gimme 6 5:02
7. Welcome To The Journey 4:49
8. Love Won't Let Me Wait 5:00
9. To The Nines 4:24
10. Ten 2 Two 6:21
Personnel:
Peter White Guest Appearance, Guitar (Nylon String)
Lee Thornburg Trombone, Trumpet
John Jubu Smith Guitar
Dan Needham Drums
Cornelius Mims Bass
Trevor Lawrence Jr. Drums
Gregg Karukas Orchestra Guest Appearance
Euge Groove Hammond B3, Mixing, Producer, Programming, Saxophone
Jeff Golub Guest Appearance
Tracy Carter Fender Rhodes, Piano
Rick Bruan Guest Appearance, Trumpet
Paul Brown Guest Appearance, Mixing
Ross Bolton Guitar
Seven Large
Depositfiles / FileServe @ 238 - 320K

Peter White: Caravan Of Dreams (1996)

Peter White is one of those rare artists whose unique sound and natural, unpretentious musical vision encapsulate all the charm, appeal, and excitement of his genre. However one chooses to label that style -- new adult contemporary, contemporary jazz, pop instrumental -- the English-born acoustic guitarist has struck rare chords, artistically, commercially, and emotionally, in becoming a melodic mainstay at the top of every radio airplay and sales chart known to soulful, smooth jazz since launching his solo career in 1990 with reveillez-vous. White's similarly warmhearted, instantly infectious Columbia debut Caravan of Dreams continues in the R&B vein of his previous two discs (1993's Promenade and 1994's Reflections), focusing on his trademark breezes while texturing street-smart synth grooves with a free-spirited all-star ensemble to create a whimsical musical travelog. While many of his best radio hits have been very saxophone oriented, for Caravan of Dreams, White made sure that his beloved guitar is in the forefront. And to better accentuate the urban sensibilities his previous albums only hinted at, he chose to collaborate with veteran producer Paul Brown, whose street vibe with Boney James has helped make the saxman one of rhythm and jazz's premier performers. Helping add spice to White's snappy strains and Brown's Midas urban flow is a perfect complement of contemporary jazz's usual suspects, James (on sax and WX-7 windsynth) to White's longtime reed player Dave Camp (on flute), Rick Braun (flьgelhorn) and urban gypsy guitarist Marc Antoine, who duets with White along the simmering, Latin-tinged edges of "Cafe Mystique." James adds a lush yet muscular harmony on tenor and soprano, respectively, to the laid-back hip-hop of the title track and the silky, romantic "Together Again." Lenny Castro's surefire percussion adds a lively rhythmic vibe to the summery pleasures of "Venice Beach," while the swirling passions of "Ready & Willing" showcase the guitarist at his most intimate. The explosive energy of "Long Ride Home," featuring artsy solo turns by Braun and Camp, perfectly reflects the drive-time lunacy of life on the road. ~ Jonathan Widran

Tracklist:

01. Caravan Of Dreams
(Featuring Boney James)
02. Together Again
(Featuring Boney James)
03. Venice Beach
04. Soul Embrace
05. Long Ride Home
(Featuring Rick Braun)
06. Just Another Day
(Featuring Basia)
07. City Of Lights
08. Cafe Mystique
(Featuring Marc Antoine)
09. Bittersweet
10. Lullaby

Personnel: Peter White (vocals, guitar, accordion, keyboards, synthesizer, mini-Moog synthesizer); Paul Brown (vocals, programming); D. Harvey, Basia (vocals); Marc Antoine (guitar); Dave Camp (flute); Boney James (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, synthesizer); Rick Braun (flugelhorn); Allan A. Sams, Michael Egizi (keyboards, programming); John Mahon (drums, timpani); Joel Rosenblatt (drums); Lenny Castro (percussion); Daddy Shakespeare, Paul Brown (programming).

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Fileserve @ 320K

Dave Koz & Friends: A Smooth Jazz Christmas (2001)

Cohesiveness is what separates this all-star Christmas release from the others. During the last four years, Dave Koz, vocalist Brenda Russell, pianist David Benoit, guitarist Peter White, and trumpeter Rick Braun have hit the road spreading holiday cheer among the smooth-jazz masses and their collaborative ease is palpable throughout these 14 tracks. Benoit is featured on "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," while Koz adds one of his best solos. Braun has the spotlight on "Little Drummer Boy," where Benoit shines too, and White highlights "Silent Night." All five players are credited for arrangements on most tracks, the craftiest of which is the '50's doo-wop of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," where you can almost hear the Drifters singing in the background. Russell also does a holiday version of her hit "Get Here," which is as powerful now as it was 10 years ago during the Gulf War. --Mark Ruffin

Tracklist:
01. Dave Koz, Peter White, David Benoit, Rick Braun, Brenda Russell / Smooth Jazz Christmas Overture 08:32
02. Dave Koz, Peter White, David Benoit, Rick Braun, Brenda Russell / The Christmas Song 04:55
03. Dave Koz, Peter White, David Benoit, Rick Braun, Brenda Russell / O'Tannenbaum/Sleigh Ride Medley 04:04
04. Peter White / Silent Night 04:34
05. Dave Koz and David Benoit / Beneath The Moonlit Sky 03:04
06. Rick Braun / Little Drummer Boy 04:27
07. David Benoit / Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 04:09
08. Kenny Loggins / December Makes Me Feel This Way 03:39
09. Brenda Russell / Boogie Woogie Santa Claus 03:19
10. Dave Koz and Peter White / Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 03:49
11. Brenda Russell, David Benoit and Dave Koz / White Christmas 03:22
12. Dave Koz / Eight Candles 03:36
13. Brenda Russell / Get Here 04:58
14. Dave Koz, Peter White, David Benoit, Rick Braun, Brenda Russell / 'Twas The Night Before Christmas 03:57
Personnel:
Bill Sharpe - Bass
Brenda Russell - Vocals
Brian Kilgore - Percussion
Bridgette Bryant - Vocals (Background)
Dave Koz - Sax (Alto), Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor), Handclapping, Main Performer
David Benoit - Piano
Esterlee Nicholson - Vocals (Background)
John Hendrickson - Handclapping
Julian Raymond - Handclapping
Kenny Loggins - Vocals
Nick Lane - Trombone (Bass), Trombone (Tenor)
Paula Salvatore - Handclapping
Peter White - Guitar (Acoustic), Accordion
Rick Braun - Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Handclapping
Sandy Simmons - Vocals (Background)
Stephen Theard - Drums
Buy at Amazon
Fileserve @ 320K

Paul Brown & Friends: White Sand (2007)

One of the leading Contemporary Jazz guitarists/producers in the world, Paul Brown makes his stunning debut on Peak Records celebrating his intense musical foundation with an elite group of friends. These `friends" include Al Jarreau, Boney James, Bobby Caldwell, Lina, Euge Groove, Rick Braun, Jeff Lorber, Jesse J and David Benoit. Brown has been creating distinctive, "hummable" tracks for years for other artists and has a keen instinct for knowing what his fans want to hear. On "White Sands", his third album as a solo artist, he has created some immediately identifiable tracks which are destined to be come instant crowd pleasers. A two time Grammy award winner, Brown was also named the "most played" artist in the 2006 year end charts for Radio and Records with his #1 track, "Winelight".

Tracklist:

1. White Sand (Jessy J) 4:21

2. The Rhythm Method (Paul Brown) 4:00

3. Makes Me Feel So Good (Paul Brown) 4:06
4. Ol' Skoolin' (Paul Brown) 4:25
5. Mercy, Mercy, Mercy (Paul Brown) 4:18
6. R 'n' B Bump (David Benoit) 4:27
7. I Say A Little Prayer (Paul Brown) 3:37
8. More Or Less Paul (Paul Brown) 4:39
9. For What It's Worth (Paul Brown) 3:36
10. Mr. Cool (Rick Braun) 4:09
White Sand
Hotfile / Depositfiles @ 320K