Music on Top

Baron Browne & Vinny Valentino: Double B Double V (2011)

2012-03-02T01:04:00.001-08:00

Double B Double V is one fabulous CD that combines the power of funk with the elegance of jazz: improvisation, trading and soloing but all within a groove that will keep you moving.

Personnel:Vinny Valentino - Guitar
Tom Coster - Keys
Chrissy Poland - Vocals (9)
Baron Browne - E Bass
Joel Rosenblatt - Drums

Tracklist:

01 - You Don't Say 3:49
02 - I Like The Way You Think...Sometimes 3:20
03 - Don't Count On Me 5:30
04 - A night in Amalfi 5:25
05 - Remember The Time 4:46
06 - Alter Ego 4:01
07 - No Strings Attached 5:00
08 - Give Me the Night 4:29
09 - Shake Me 5:00

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[BY REQUEST] - Joe Farrell: La Catedral Y El Toro (1977)

2012-03-01T01:58:00.006-08:00

Signed to Warner Bros. in 1977, Farrell, who had been a valued sideman, had also released a few albums under his own name. On CTI, he released albums like Moon Germs, Song of the Wind, and Outback. But like many artists of his type, he was only as good as his producers and the album's premises. Ralph McDonald and William Eaton produced La Catedral Y El Toro. Despite the authoritative title, this is a fairly standard fusion set. The title track aims for Chick Corea-like expansion and excitement, but the production renders it listless, even Stanley Clarke's bass solo sounds enervated. "Promise Me Your Love" is trademark low-key and soothing McDonald and Eaton, with guitarist Eric Gale and Richard Tee's keyboards ably assisting Farrell's fluid soprano and tenor sax solos. Even halfway before it's over, it's apparent that La Catedral Y El Toro's most notable facet is how it squanders the eye-popping talent and Farrell's gifts. "Cyclone Rider" and Patti Austin's "Is It Asking Too Much" both feature Farrell as little more than a bystander on his own album. The final track, "Imagine Me," is a feather light offering featuring his often-captivating flute work falling into off notes and lack of energy. La Cathedral Y El Toro also features the talents of bassist Anthony Jackson and drummer Steve Gadd, among others. This 1977 effort is a case of Farrell not clicking with his producers, and that fact makes this less than recommended.

Tracklist:
A1 La Catedral Y El Toro - Drums [Orchestra Snare Drum] – Chris Parker (2), Guitar – Jay Berliner, Piccolo [Bass] – Stanley Clarke, Saxophone [Soprano] – Joe Farrell, Synthesizer – Kenneth Bichel* 9:52
A2 Promise Me Your Love - Saxophone [Soprano, Tenor] – Joe Farrell 4:32
A3 Disco Dust - Percussion [Additional] – Rubens Bassini, Saxophone [Tenor] – Joe Farrell 4:37
B1 Cyclone Rider - Saxophone [Tenor] – Joe Farrell, Synthesizer [Mini-moog] – Dave Grusin 6:06
B2 Is It Asking Too Much - Flute, Oboe – Joe Farrell 6:02
B3 Imagine Me - Flute – Joe Farrell, Percussion [Additional] – Rubens Bassini 6:04
Personnel:

Arranged By, Conductor – William Eaton
Bass – Anthony Jackson
Congas, Percussion – Ralph MacDonald
Drums – Steve Gadd
Engineer – Richard Alderson
Engineer [Assistant] – Eddie Heath Jr.*
Guitar – Eric Gale
Horns – Alan Rubin, Barry Rogers, Brooks Tillotson, Dave Taylor*, George Young (2), Jim Buffington, Michael Brecker, Paul Faulise, Randy Brecker, Ray Alonge, Ronnie Cuber, Tony Miranda, Tony Price (2), Victor Paz
Mastered By – George Marino
Mixed By – Ralph MacDonald, Richard Alderson, William Eaton
Piano – Richard Tee
Producer – Ralph MacDonald, William Eaton
Strings – Alan Shulman, Alfred Brown, Avram Weiss, Charles Libove, David Nadien, George Duvivier, Harry Cykman, Joe Malin, Julien Barber, Kermit Moore, Max Ellen, Max Pollikoff, Regis Iandiorio, Sanford Allen, Selwart Clarke

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[UPGRADE] - Akira Jimbo: Smile Smile (2011)

2012-02-29T01:50:00.009-08:00

New album release from Akira Jimbo including a track "It's My Time" and more. Band includes guitarists Allen Hinds and Carl Verheyen.

Tracklist:
1. SMILE SMILE
2. SOUTH OF THE BORDER
3. CHEER UP!
4. TOKYO COOL
5. MUSE
6. SHADE OF THE SUMMER
7. TOMODACHI
8. IT`S MY TIME
9. SAKE OF LOVE

Personnel: Akira Jimbo (drums) , Abraham Laboriel (bass) , Otmaro Ruiz (piano) , Allen Hinds (guitars) , Carl Verheyen (guitars)

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[EXCLUSIVE] - Akira Jimbo: Jimbo De Cover (2012)

2012-02-28T00:27:00.000-08:00

For me this is a strange mix of movie soundtracks, musicals, Ravel's Bolero, etc. I'm not sure that the record has become something very good, but it is interesting and curious, especially in the acoustic cuts. Akira's technique is amazing, Abe and Otmaro are also on their heights. Enjoy!

Tracklist:1. HE`S A PIRATE
2. MISSION IMPOSSIBLE
3. GYMNOPEDIE NO.1
4. LIBERTANGO
5. BOLERO
6. JAMES BOND THEME
7. CONCIERTO DE ARANJUEZ
8. PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
9. UEWO MUITE ARUKOU
Personnel:
Akira Jimbo - drums
Abraham Laboriel - bass
Otmaro Ruiz - piano, keyboards
P.S. If you want to post it on your blog/s please use my links. Thank you!
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Jack DeJohnette: Sound Travels (2012)

2012-02-27T05:57:00.000-08:00

Drummer/pianist/composer/bandleader Jack DeJohnette turns seventy this year, and his longevity on the scene is only eclipsed by the astonishing variety of settings in which he's worked. Since emerging from his hometown Chicago, the ubiquitous drummer has played with important artists including saxophonist Charles Lloyd, trumpeter Miles Davis and pianists Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett (with whom he still works today). And then there are his wonderfully eclectic Special Edition groups—always on the cutting edge. Although anyone could hear his crisp technique, what makes DeJohnette such a powerful and profound drummer is his telepathic ability to find the right groove—the vital rhythmic center, the musical middle path—that augments the swing factor of whatever musical context in which he's working.

DeJohnette's gifts as a multidirectional musician are on full display on this nine-track recording that dances and trances in myriad tones and tempos. At this stage of his career, DeJohnette has nothing to prove, drum-wise, so the overall tantric timbre of Sound Travels is mostly mid-tempo, with some ballad selections. But this does not mean that the CD is a snoozer—far from it. Thanks to DeJohnette's uncanny (for an American) mastery of Afro-Latin rhythms and the melodic nature of his drumming—made manifest by his also being an acclaimed pianist—the leader opens and concludes Sound Travels with two solo piano selections: the Asian-tinged, bell-intro'd, "Enter Here," and the reflective, Cape Town-cadenced "Home"—a nod to the great South African piano master Abdullah Ibrahim. Save for the hypnotic "Oneness," laced with guest vocalist Bobby McFerrin's vivid vocalese, the Spain-sketched blues "New Muse," and "Dirty Ground"—a Mardi Gras Indian, Big Easy shout-out christened by Tim Ries' second line soprano sax phrases, topped by the Crescent City-style vocals of Bruce Hornsby—the remainder of Sound Travels is a percussive, Pan-African affair.

"Salsa for Luisito," is a sexy medium-tempo track featuring spry, pixie-ish vocals from bassist Esperanza Spalding that would be welcome in New York's Spanish Harlem or Miami's Calle Ocho. On "Sonny Light" and the title track, DeJohnette delivers a Calypso-coded "big up" to the West Indian-descended Saxophone Colossus, Sonny Rollins. "Indigo Dreamscapes"—first heard on DeJohnette's Parallel Realities (MCA, 1990), featuring guitarist Pat Metheny and keyboardist Herbie Hancock—is revived here in a more organic, acoustic setting, highlighted by guest Jason Moran's probing pianism and Ries' silken tenor.

Throughout Sound Travels, DeJohnette—particularly with Venezuelan percussionist Luisito Quintero—establishes the groove, morphing and shaping it, and extending it with such seeming ease and panache that is reminiscent of that old commercial tag line "so advanced its simple." But then, that's what masters like Jack DeJohnette do. ~ Eugene Holley, Jr.

Tracklist:

1. Enter Here [02:24]
2. Salsa for Luisito [06:56]
3. Dirty Ground [04:49]
4. New Muse [06:06]
5. Sonny Light [05:40]
6. Sound Travels [01:43]
7. Oneness [05:59]
8. Indigo Dreamscapes [08:05]
9. Home [04:34]
Personnel:
Jack DeJohnette - piano (1-7, 9), drums (2-6, 8), resonating bell (1), vocal (2), keyboards (3);
Tim Ries - tenor saxophone (2, 3, 5, 8), soprano saxophone (3, 4);
Ambrose Akinmusire - trumpet (2, 4, 5);
Lionel Loueke - guitar (2, 3, 5, 6);
Esperanza Spalding - bass (2-6, 8), vocal (2, 3);
Luisito Quintero - percussion (2-8), vocal (2);
Bruce Hornsby - vocal (3);
Bobby McFerrin - vocal (7);
Jason Moran - piano (8)
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The Ford Blues Band: The Ford Blues Band (1991)

2012-02-27T01:08:00.007-08:00

For years now I have been performing and recording with a number of different blues artists. During that time I began to get ideas of my own as to what I thought would make for a good modern blues band. As I produced more and more projects for Blue Rock'It and other labels, these ideas became clearer. Finaly, I decided that it was time to call together Ronnie,Mark, and Garth to help me develop my Ford Blues Band concept.With no rehearsals, in just a little over twenty hours, we had completed this project. Everyone contributed to make the most of my basic ideas. Several of the songs were done in one take and we recorded it all as live as possible. A couple of these songs are Mark's, and a couple are pretty much straight ahead. "Insurance" is actually an arrangement by my brother Robben Ford. And then there were the special efforts of Garth, who not only played guitar but engineered at the same time.All in all, I am quite happy with the final product and I hope that those who isten to it will enjoy it as well.--Patrick Ford

Tracklist:
1. Shuffle For Walter 2:31
2. Parchman Farm 3:38
3. Self Preservation 4:56
4. Mojo Boogie 3:29
5. Down In Mississippi 4:07
6. Blues Are Back 2:36
7. One Way Out 3:58
8. Take Out Some Insurance 3:50
9. Too Late 3:30
10. Alabama March 5:12
11. Crying For My Baby 2:43
12. I Gotta Know 3:09
13. Can't You See 2:48
14. Cadillac Walk 3:55
Personnel:
Patrick Ford - Drums,Vocals
Mark Ford - Harp,Vocals
Garth Webber - Guitar,Vocals
Ron Gurewitz - Bass
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John Tropea: A Short Trip To Space (1977)

2012-02-26T01:03:00.000-08:00

One of the best fusion albums of the '70s! I picked this up on LP right after it went out of print and then proceeded to grab about 15 copies of it whenever I could find it cheap. I never thought it would come out on CD, but there it was a few years ago. Thank you, Japan! The cover artwork by Larry Laslo is really cool (from a time when cover art meant something), and the music is great if you like jazz fusion with an emphasis on melody. Tropea is at his best here, with great melodies like Skip Scarborough's "Can't Hide Love," Don Grolnick's "You Can't Have It All," and Tropea's own "Blue Too" (one of my all-time favorites) and "Short Trip to Space," a fascinating and complex tune that actually sounds like its title. The production is excellent, with a double-drum setup featuring Steve Gadd and Rick Marotta on most of the tunes that adds a lot of depth to the sound. Boosting the treble on your system will help this set sound even better. One detraction: "The Funk You See Is the Funk You Do" is not the LP version but a hacked up single version with very noticeable edits. It's not a great loss, although the tune is rather amusing and it sounds better in its complete form.

Tracklist:
1. The Funk You See, Is The Funk You Do
2. Can't Hide Love
3. Southside
4. You Can't Have It all
5. Short Trip To Space
6. Blue Too
7. Love's Final Moment
8. Twist Of The Wrist

All song arranged and orchestrated by John Tropea, except "You Can't Have It All" arranged by Don Grolnick, orchestrated by John Tropea, "Blue Too" arranged by John Tropea, strings and horns orchestrated by David Spinozza, "Love's Final Moment" arranged and orchestrated by Mike Mainieri, "Twist Of The Wrist" arranged and orchestrated by David Spinozza

Personnel:

guitar : John Tropea
keyboards : Don Grolnick, Leon Pendarvis
vibes : Mike Mainieri
bass guitar : Will Lee
acoustic bass : Richard Davis
drums : Rick Marotta, Steve Gadd
percussion : Rubens Bassini, Ralph MacDonald
Michael Brecker : tenor saxophone solo
Randy Brecker : trumpet solo
harp : Margaret Ross
vocals : Ron Cartalemi, Jeffrey Kawalek, Will Lee, John Tropea
background vocals and hand claps : Charlie Blackwell, Duncan Cleary, Brian Drake, Bruce Goldberg, Bill Guerra, Lani Groves, Will Lee
horn section I
(except 3,7) : Alan Rubin, Jon Faddis, Randy Brecker (trumpet, flugelhorn), Lewis Del Gatto, Michael Brecker, George Young, Lou Marini (reeds), Tony Price (tuba), Dave Taylor, Sam Burtis (trombone)
horn section II
(on 3) : Lou Del Gatto (flute), Elen Sieling (trumpet), Jeanne Dindberg (alto saxophone), Jeff King (tenor saxophone)
horn section III
(on 7) : Lewis Del Gatto (english horn), Ron Jannelli (bassoon), George Young (flute), Jim Buffington, Earl Chapin (french horn)
string section : Gene Orloff, Kermit Moore, Jessy Levy, Joe Malin, Aaron Rosand, Selwart Clarke, Theodore Israel, Noel Da Costa, Guy Lumia, Gerald Tarack, Lewis Eley, Peter Dimitriades

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The Gray Sargent Trio: Shades of Gray (1993)

2012-02-25T01:58:00.004-08:00

Throughout this enjoyable set, guitarist Gray Sargent is the epitome of cool, unhurried, and relaxed no matter what the tempo. Sargent is accompanied by bassist Marshall Wood and drummer Ray Mosca and, on half of the set, great pianist Dave McKenna. The music falls between swing and bop, sounding both spontaneous and fully under control. Sargent, who has a very appealing sound, uplifts each of the standards and some of them (particularly the ones with McKenna) swing quite hard. ~ Scott Yanow

Tracklist:
1 Let's Get Lost (Loesser, McHugh) 4:59
2 Gray Haze (Sargent) 3:52
3 Don't Take Your Love from Me (Nemo) 7:15
4 I Know Why/My Foolish Heart (Gondon, Warren) 6:57
5 A.P. In the P.M. (Sargent) 4:08
6 You Don't Know What Love Is (DePaul, Raye) 8:31
7 A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square (Maschwitz, Sherwin) 6:25
8 This Time the Dream's on Me (Arlen, Mercer) 5:11
9 My Ideal (Chase, Robin, Whiting) 6:19
10 Long Ago (And Far Away) (Gershwin, Kern) 5:02
11 Love Is a Many Splendored Thing (Fain, Webster) 5:02
Personnel:
Gray Sargent - g
Marshall Wood - b
Ray Mosca - dr
With special Guest Dave McKenna - p [# 3, 6, 7, 9 & 10]
Recorded at Skyline Studios, New York, New York ; February 1-2, 1993
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EXCLUSIVE - Akira Jimbo: Smile Smile (2011)

2012-02-24T05:22:00.001-08:00

New album release from Akira Jimbo including a track "It's My Time" and more. Band includes guitarists Allen Hinds and Carl Verheyen.

Tracklist:
1. SMILE SMILE
2. SOUTH OF THE BORDER
3. CHEER UP!
4. TOKYO COOL
5. MUSE
6. SHADE OF THE SUMMER
7. TOMODACHI
8. IT`S MY TIME
9. SAKE OF LOVE

Personnel: Akira Jimbo (drums) , Abraham Laboriel (bass) , Otmaro Ruiz (piano) , Allen Hinds (guitars) , Carl Verheyen (guitars)

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Carles Benavent: Un, Dos, Tres (2011)

2012-02-24T03:10:00.004-08:00

Carles Benavent was born in 1954 in the Poble Sec neighborhood in Barcelona. A totally self taught jazz bassist, he founded the group, "Musica Urbana" with whom he recorded two albums. He came to create a new form of playing the electric bass "Flamenco style", using the pick to create a special type of alzapua (style of plucking the strings with the finger and pick). He is one of the priveleged geniuses that is sought out by a long list of artists such as Chick Corea, Miles Davis and Paco de Lucia (to name a few), and with the ladder he recorded "Paco de Lucia interperpreta a Manuel de Falla". Since then the interaction between the two musicians has been consistent and fruitful.

Tracklist:
01. Don 3:41
02. Bailas? 5:17
03. Novembre 5:03
04. Tirititran Catalan 4:54
05. Flamenquillo 5:05
06. Scenes D'infants 3:12
07. Punt I Final 4:09
08. Mario 5:44
Bonus Tracks:
09. Cara Bobo 4:57
10. ASsolas 3:34
Personnel:
Carles Benavent - bass, electric and acoustic guitars
Roger Mas - acoustic & electric pianos
Roger Blavia - drums & congas
Special guests:
Jorge Pardo - flute on track 7
Tino Di Geraldo - indian tablas on track 6
Ravid Goldschmidt - hang on track 4
Raynald Colom - trumpet on track 7
Matthew Simon - trumpet on track 9
Xavier Figuerola - tenor sax on track 9
Sergi Verges - tuba on track 9
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Jason Sadites: Weve (2009)

2012-02-23T01:55:00.004-08:00

Following up his first release 'Orbit', Jason returns with 11 brand new instrumental fusion tracks! This incredible CD features performances by many of the worlds top musicians, including Kenny Aronoff, Tony Levin, Marco Minnemann, Gregg and Matt Bissonette, Jerry Marotta, Chad Wackerman and Brett Garsed among others! Along with the aformentioned players, Jason displays stunning performances throughout the CD, weaving his strong melodies, tight harmonies and amazing solos over the songs incredible grooves. If you are a fan of great instrumental songwriting combined with truly inspirational performances, this is a CD you won't want to miss!

Tracklist:
01. Swart 3:45
02. Self Evolving System 3:43
03. Weave 4:44
04. Oddly Enough 4:32
05. Is It Safe To Go In There 4:30
06. Fluid 3:54
07. Silent Repercussion 1:03
08. That's Gonna Leave A Mark 3:33
09. Afterthought 4:32
10. Reversal 3:56
11. Memetic Hazard 5:01
Personnel:
Jason Sadites (Guitar)
Tony Levin (Bass and Chapman Stick [Tracks 1-5,9,11])
Matt Bissonette (Bass [Track 6])
Martin Motnik (Bass [Track 8])
Kenny Aronoff (Drums [Track 1-3])
Marco Minnemann (Drums [Tracks 4,5,11])
Gregg Bissonette (Drums [Track 6])
Chad Wackerman (Drums [Track 8])
Jerry Marotta (Drums [Track 9])
Brendan Colameco (Drums [Track 10])
Brett Garsed (Guitar Solo #1 [Track 5])
Carlo De Lorenzi (Organ [Track 4])
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Richard Bona: Reverence (2001)

2012-02-22T01:16:00.000-08:00

Richard Bona was born in a little village in West Africa. His mother was a singer and his grandfather was both a singer and musician. Those talents were passed down naturally. By the time Bona was of school age, he spent plenty of hours performing at church. At home, his hunger for the world of music found him making his own flutes, drums, and even a decent guitar. As a teenager he moved to a large city where he soon found a way to get his fill of jazz and the chance to play real instruments and learn to read and write music. On this 2001 album, Reverence, his second full-length recording, all of those years of surrounding himself with music shine through. Even though the lyrics aren't in English, fans from the United States seem to enjoy the album. Bona's songs on Reverence are jazz, but done in a world style, with the flavor of his homeland proudly holding a large spot. The numbers on this recording carry styles of fusion and American jazz, but also offer African pop, Latin, jazz-rock, and even some orchestral arrangements. ~ Charlotte Dillon

Personnel: Richard Bona (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, flute, keyboards, fretless bass, percussion); Pat Metheny (guitar, acoustic guitar); Oz Noy (guitar, wah-wah guitar); Grace Paradise (harp); Louise Schulman (violin, viola); Shmuel Katz (violin); David Cerutti (viola); Maxine Neuman, Richard Locker (cello); Alan Cox (flute); Sheryl Henze (bass flute); John Moses (bass clarinet); Aaron Heick (soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Michael Brecker (tenor saxophone); Etienne Stadwijk (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, keyboards); George Whitty (piano, keyboards); Edsel Gomez (piano); Vinnie Colaiuta (drums); Luis Quintero (percussion).

Down Beat (11/01, p.57) - 3.5 stars out of 5 - "...An intimate and nuanced affair...suggesting sunny, white beaches and blue-green waters..."

Tracklist:1 Invocation (A Prophecy)
2 Bisso Baba (Always Together)
3 Suninga (When Will I Ever See You?)
4 Ekwa Mwato (Affirmation of the Spirit)
5 Sweet Mary (Everyone Has a Choice)
6 Reverence (The Story of a Miracle)
7 Te Misea (A Scream to Save the Planet)
8 Muntula Moto (The Benediction of a Long Life)
9 Laka Mba (Plea for Forgiveness With the Pride of Lions)
10 Ngad'a Ndutu (Widow's Dance/Celebration of a New Life)
11 Esoka (Trust Your Heart)
12 Mbanga Kumba (Two Cities, One Train)
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Tom Browne: S' Up (2010)

2012-02-21T02:26:00.000-08:00

Consider the songs in our hearts that inspire us toward uplifted continence; melodies that ring out in a manner that is soulful ... even funky! Now think of an artist; an artist who George Benson describes as "joy filled in expressiveness" and "believable in any musical style," topping the jazz and adult contemporary / R & B charts with his kickin' trumpet and rich jazz melodies. That artist ... is trumpeter Tom Browne.

Browne began to carve a path for his musical future early on, studying via scholarship under Murray Karpilovsky (principal trumpeter with the NBC Orchestra directed by Arturo Toscanini.) A student at the co-joined High School of Music and Art / Performing Arts in New York (renowned courtesy of the motion picture entitled "Fame,") Browne became a regular on the New York jazz scene and had the fortune of learning first hand from masters like Jimmy Nottingham, Richard Williams, Woody Shaw and Freddie Hubbard. Browne soon played his first pro level performances as sideman to jazz greats Weldon Irvine and Sonny Fortune for which he earned domestic and international recognition. It was no surprist that Downbeat Magazine would single out his "warm trumpet" during the review of Fortunes' 1976 "Infinity Is" album.

Then in 1978, Browne led a traditional jazz quintet at the Breezin' Lounge, an uptown New York nightclub indirectly affiliated with George Benson. Through contacts made by Jimmy Boyd, Bensons' former and Brownes' subsequent manager, Browne was offered several solo recording contracts and ultimately signed with Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen on the newly formed GRP Record label. There he recorded six solo projects including several hits. His debut release "Browne Sugar" (1979) dominated the jazz charts for many weeks while "Love Approach" (1980) and "Magic" (1981) each earned gold album status and spawned hits like "Funkin' For Jamaica," "Thighs High" and "Secret Fantasy." Browne went on to win prestigious Billboard honors of Best Instrumentalist, Best Jazz Cross-Over, Best Jazz Artist-Trumpet and Best Jazz Solo Album.

In 1986, Browne opted for a label change, primarily because his new found walk as an evangelical Christian redirected much of lyrical expression found in works on the previous labels. A recording was produced for Malaco Records that reflected his inner spirit. That CD was called "No Longer I."

While still performing, Brownes primary career path shifted towards another love; commercial aviation. Browne flew for many years as a charter and airline captain, most recently with a FedEx Feeder Company on ATR72 and Fokker F-27 aircraft.

Tom Browne re-emerged in a solid recording career in 1994, recording for the Hip-Bop Record Label. There, He released his first in a series of recordings for Hip Bop entitled "Mo' Jamaica Funk." Subsequent releases for the label include "Another Shade of Browne" which features him in a "straight-ahead jazz" setting with Ron Carter, Idris Muhammad and Billy Childs (1996) and "R & Browne" (1999) which received outstanding "Jazziz Magazine" reviews. Tom performs here with label mates Lenny White and Michael Urbaniak. In 2003, Hip Bop released "The Tom Browne Collection" which let the listening audience know that Browne is doing well and playing better than ever!

Today, Tom Browne can be found on tour as a solo act with group, or packaged with artists like Roy Ayers, Wayne (Jazz Crusaders) Henderson regularly.

His new CD entitled "S' Up" features Fred Wesley and Groove Collective and was released August 31, 2010.

Tracklist:

1. Lament
2. Freeway
3. T's Groove
4. Rolling
5. I'll Be There
6. Miss Mary
7. From Above
8. Three Chords and the Truth
9. (East) Kakalak Swang
10. When Will They Learn...
11. Soul Strut

Personnel: Onaje Allan Gumbs, Spaceman Patterson, Bill Ware, DJ Logic & Groove Collective, Pablo Vergara, Jay Rodr, Fred Wesley, Tom Browne, Jay Rodriguez, Al MacDowell, Gensi Siriasi, Chris Theberge, Chuggy Carter, Barney McAll

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Wynton Marsalis: Selections From Swinging Into The 21st (2011)

2012-02-20T09:51:00.002-08:00

In celebration of Wynton Marsalis' 50th birthday, Columbia compiled tracks from the trumpeter/bandleader's nine albums released between 1999-2000, better known as the Swingin' into the 21st series. The single-disc 2011 collection Selections from Swingin' into the 21st features a mix of large- and small-group sessions from such albums as The Marciac Suite, Standard Time, Vol. 4: Marsalis Plays Monk, Standard Time, Vol. 6: Mr. Jelly Lord, At the Octoroon Balls: String Quartet No. 1, the box set Live at the Village Vanguard, and others. Billed as Marsalis' picks of some of his favorite tracks from each album, also included are highlights from his 2002 orchestral and big-band piece All Rise. The best cuts from the Swingin' series were the small-group sessions where Marsalis and his septet got to stretch out with longer solos and inspired group interplay, as on the rollicking New Orleans second-line number "Juba and a O'Brown Squaw" from Live at the Village Vanguard and "King Porter Stomp" from his Jelly Roll Morton album Mr. Jelly Lord. Also engaging are the slightly more modern tracks, including the two roiling, cubist Thelonious Monk numbers "Hackensack" and "Green Chimneys," which Marsalis worked up for Marsalis Plays Monk. To some extent, Marsalis' extended large-ensemble pieces don't work as well in the compilation and by design should really be sought out within the context of their full recordings. That said, taken on their own merits, such pieces as the bluesy "Loose Duck" from The Marciac Suite and the lyrical violin-led ballad "Morning Song" are superb orchestral jazz pieces that showcase the urbane and always swinging mind of Marsalis. ~ Matt Collar

Tracklist:
01. The Cat In The Hat Is Back [09:33]
02. Loose Duck [07:17]
03. Northbound-Southbound [02:53]
04. A Hundred And A Hundred, A Hundred And Twelve[07:49]
05. Observation Car [05:07]
06. Mademoiselle d’Gascony [06:02]
07. Morning Song [02:32]
08. Awakening [02:19]
09. Rampart St. Row House Rag [04:49]
10. King Porter Stomp [03:11]
11. The Pearls [03:51]
12. Hackensack [03:05]
13. Green Chimneys [04:43]
14. Juba And A O’Brown Squaw [04:26]
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[By Request] PSP: Vigilante (2010)

2012-02-20T02:26:00.000-08:00

This is the new opus of PSP (Simon Phillips, Pino Paladino and Philippe Saisse) released on 2010.

Simon Phillips: In 2009, Phillips joined with keyboardist Philippe Saisse and bassist Pino Palladino in forming an instrumental jazz/funk rock trio: Phillips Saisse Palladino or PSP, who toured in Europe in 2009 through 2010, spotlighting the talents of each performer in the songs chosen for their set list. Phillips also performed on Joe Satriani's album Super Colossal, appearing on multiple tracks. Phillips appears in Alan Parsons' Art & Science of Sound Recording educational video series, as well as the program's single "All Our Yesterdays". He played in the Michael Schenker Group album In the Midst of Beauty and took part to the band's 30th Anniversary world tour in 2010. Phillips is featured on Hiromi Uehara's 2011 album, Voice.

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Jimmy Ponder: Somebody's Child (2007)

2012-02-20T01:40:00.010-08:00

When you count up the years and numbers, few if any authentic jazz guitarists have sustained as long, consistent, fruitful or interesting a recording career as Ponder. His many efforts for the Muse and High Note labels have set high standards for musicality with integrity, and this recording leaves no doubt as to his continued excellence. This is as diverse a jazz recording, leaving pop trappings completely aside, as Ponder has ever conceived. He does great modern jazz works such as a picture-perfect read of Woody Shaw's mainstream classic "Moontrane," the Victor Feldman/Miles Davis hard bop evergreen "Seven Steps to Heaven," replete with a witty off minor repeated lead chorus, and his second attempt (first done on Something to Ponder) for the cerebral Pharoah Sanders modal circular incantation, a near ten minute take of "The Creator Has a Master Plan." For someone closely identified as a good ol' soul-jazz plectrist, longtime fans will be pleased about the opening track "Kickin' Da Bobo," a reference to prison slang. There's a Latin variation of the usually balladic "Wild Is the Wind," a main version and reprise of Ponder's poignant "Somebody's Child," and pianist Sonny Barbato leading, with Ponder's rhythm guitar setting up Bill Lee's cute "Who Will Be the One?" from a film of son Spike Lee. There's a Brazilian flavored guitar duo, more ballads including the beautiful standard "Too Late Now," three different drummers including producer George Heid and Cleveland's Greg Bandy roiling rhythms during "Creator," and Ponder's fluid, dynamic guitar leading his group of fellow Pittsburghians all the way. While those quite familiar with Ponder should enjoy the broad-based approach of this recording from top to bottom, even they could be surprised how thoroughly enjoyable this date is. ~ Michael G. Nastos, AMG

Tracklist:
1 Kickin' Da Bobo
2 Moontrane
3 Too Late Now
4 Wild Is the Wind
5 Seven Steps to Heaven
6 Somebody's Child
7 Who Will Be the One
8 Somebody's Child Reprise
9 There Will Never Be Another You
10 The Creator Has a Master Plan

Personnel: Jimmy Ponder (guitar); Douglas Malone (viola); Howard Alexander, Sonny Barbato (piano); Jeff Grubbs, Tony De Paolis, Dr. Mike Taylor (bass instrument); George Heid, Greg Bandy (drum)

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Eddie Daniels: To Bird With Love (1987)

2012-02-19T01:12:00.005-08:00

	Following his remarkable classical/jazz recording Breakthrough, clarinetist Eddie Daniels performed a set of Charlie Parker tunes with pianist Fred Hersch, bassist John Patitucci and drummer Al Foster; "This Is the Time" (an abstract rendition of "Now's the Time" has pianist Roger Kellaway sitting in. Daniels' playing is often quite remarkable throughout the program and the highlights include "East of the Sun" (which finds Hersch utilizing a synthesizer to simulate strings), "Just Friends," "Passport" and a Bird medley of three of his blues lines. Recommended. Personnel: Eddie Daniels (clarinet); Roger Kellaway, Fred Hersch (piano); John Patitucci (bass); Al Foster (drums); Steve Thorton (percussion). Tracklist: A1 She Rote 4:35 A2 East Of The Sun 6:02 A3 Just Friends 6:18 A4 Old Folks 6:27 B1 Little Suede Shoes 5:19 B2 Passport 4:20 B3 Repetition 4:10 B4 Bird Medley (Cheryl, Au Privave, Bird Feathers) 4:35 B5 This Is The Time 4:20 ============ 320K Turbobit Depositfiles

Following his remarkable classical/jazz recording Breakthrough, clarinetist Eddie Daniels performed a set of Charlie Parker tunes with pianist Fred Hersch, bassist John Patitucci and drummer Al Foster; "This Is the Time" (an abstract rendition of "Now's the Time" has pianist Roger Kellaway sitting in. Daniels' playing is often quite remarkable throughout the program and the highlights include "East of the Sun" (which finds Hersch utilizing a synthesizer to simulate strings), "Just Friends," "Passport" and a Bird medley of three of his blues lines. Recommended.

Personnel: Eddie Daniels (clarinet); Roger Kellaway, Fred Hersch (piano); John Patitucci (bass); Al Foster (drums); Steve Thorton (percussion).

Tracklist:
A1 She Rote 4:35
A2 East Of The Sun 6:02
A3 Just Friends 6:18
A4 Old Folks 6:27
B1 Little Suede Shoes 5:19
B2 Passport 4:20
B3 Repetition 4:10
B4 Bird Medley (Cheryl, Au Privave, Bird Feathers) 4:35
B5 This Is The Time 4:20
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The Ford Blues Band: In Memory Of Michael Bloomfield (2002)

2012-02-18T01:30:00.000-08:00

Following their 2001 tribute to Paul Butterfield (credited to Robben Ford & the Ford Blues Band), the Ford Blues Band pick 13 tracks they feel best-represent the harmonica bandleader's illustrious — but short-lived — guitarist, Mike Bloomfield. Interspersed with five fascinating but brief interview snippets of Bloomfield chatting about his first employer and playing blues in general, the band, with help from brother Robben Ford, guitarist Chris Cain, and a sparingly utilized horn section, judiciously choose many obscure selections from the guitarist's diverse projects. "Jimi the Fox" comes from the little-known Two Jews Blues, "Peter's Trip" was a tune included on the B-movie soundtrack to The Trip, and "Next Time You See Me" as well as "The Ones I Loved Are Gone" were originally found on Bloomfield's seldom-heard and generally disappointing solo album, It's Not Killing Me. This band not only resurrects these forgotten gems, they bring them alive with sizzling authority. Ford burns on a version of East-West's "I Got a Mind to Give up Living," guest harmonica player Andy Just sounds scarily like Butterfield on a supercharged "Blues With a Feeling," and the horn-infused cover of the Electric Flag's "Groovin' Is Easy," featuring female backing vocals, nearly outdoes the original. Guitarists Cain and Ford do a terrific job re-creating Bloomfield's terse style without aping it and these reinterpretations never seem rote. The recording quality is crisp but not slick, the performances are scintillating, production by drummer Patrick Ford is lean, and the arrangements bring out the best in these tunes. Except for shoddy graphics that look like they were thrown together overnight, this is an inspired project that will hopefully expose Bloomfield's music to another generation.

Tracklist:
1. Interview 0:18
2. Killing My Love 4:35
3. 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy) 5:43
4. Stop 3:21
5. Next Time You See Me 2:41
6. Interview 0:17
7. I Got A Mind To Give Up Living 5:18
8. Interview 0:11
9. Groovin' Is Easy 3:33
10. Peter's Trip 2:06
11. The Ones I Loved Are Gone 3:11
12. It's About Time 6:20
13. Jimi the Fox 3:33
14. Mary Ann 5:04
15. Interview 0:23
16. Blues With a Feeling 3:47
17. Interview 0:23
18. Blues for MB 4:19
Personnel:
Robben Ford - Both Guitar,Vocals
Patrick Ford - Drums
Volker Strifler - Guitar
Dewayne Pate - Bass
Andy Just - Harp
Chris Cain - Guitar
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Chuck Loeb: Between 2 Worlds (2009)

2012-02-18T01:06:00.012-08:00

Creatively, Chuck Loeb has had his ups and downs over the years. Some of his albums have been disappointing, but other Loeb releases have been a lot more memorable. The self-produced Between 2 Worlds, it turns out, is among the veteran guitarist's more consistent efforts -- not to mention one of his more organic. Excessive production has been a problem for Loeb at times; having a great deal of production and programming is fine for electronica, new age, and hip-hop, but it can become quite an albatross in a medium such as improvisation-driven as jazz. Thankfully, Loeb doesn't overproduce on Between 2 Worlds, and his lyrical guitar playing has plenty of room to breathe this time. In terms of production, less is undeniably more on an album that emphasizes pop-jazz but also contains some straight-ahead post-bop. Between 2 Worlds, which was recorded in New York City and Berlin, Germany, tends to be commercial, although it is tastefully commercial. "360" and "Early Turns to Late," for example, fall into the easy listening category, but they have some substance and avoid becoming outright "elevator muzak"; the same goes for Brazilian-flavored items such as "Hiram," the title track, and Antonio Carlos Jobim's "Sу Tinha de Ser Com Vocк" (which features singer Carmen Cuesta). Meanwhile, "Let's Play" and "The Great Hall" (as in Jim Hall) are straight-ahead post-bop, and this 65-minute CD moves into funky soul-jazz territory on "Mittens" and the boogaloo-ish "Let's Go" (both of which feature saxophonist Eric Marienthal, formerly of Chick Corea's Elektric Band). Between 2 Worlds isn't a remarkable album, but it is definitely a good, satisfying album -- and the fact that Loeb's guitar playing isn't suffocated by an unnecessary amount of production is obviously a plus. ~ Alex Henderson

Personnel: Chuck Loeb (guitar); Lizzy Loeb, Carmen Cuesta (vocals); Eric Marienthal (flute, saxophone); Till Bronner, Nathan Eklund (trumpet); Dieter Ilg, Gerald Veasley, Will Lee (bass guitar); Dave Weckl, Wolfgang Haffner (drums); David Charles, Bashiri Johnson (percussion); Pat Bergeson, Brian Culbertson.

Tracklist:
01. Let's Go feat. [Brian Culbertson & Eric Marienthal] (6:48)
02. Hiram [feat. Will Lee] (5:46)
03. Mittens [feat. Till Bronner & Eric Marienthal] (6:43)
04. Between 2 Worlds (5:37)
05. Oh No You Didn't [feat. Lizzy Loeb] (4:22)
06. Let's Play (5:19)
07. So Tinha De Que Ser Com Voce [feat. Carmen Cuesta] (4:21)
08. The Great Hall (6:56)
09. Mean Old Man (7:10)
10. 360 (5:40)
11. Early Turns To Late [feat. Pat Bergeson] (6:14)
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Chuck Loeb: Presence (2007)

2012-02-17T23:48:00.007-08:00

Though he occasionally branches out into other styles, Chuck Loeb is at heart, a pop-oriented smooth jazz guitarist. Presence finds Loeb smack in the middle of his comfort zone. "Llevame" adds some Latin percussion and murmured female vocals, "The Western Sky" incorporates a vaguely new age synth wash, and "The Music Outside" flirts a bit with quiet storm R&B, but at heart, this is utterly straightforward smooth jazz with Loeb's laid-back, tasty soloing front and center. Even the pair of pop covers, Steely Dan's "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" and James Taylor's "Shed a Little Light," are transformed into showcases for Loeb's inimitable style. Unapologetically mellow and buffed to a high-sheen gloss, Presence is smooth jazz for folks who think they just don't make smooth jazz records like this anymore.

Tracklist:
1 Good to Go - Loeb, Snitzer 5:17
2 Rikki Don't Lose That Number - Becker, Fagen 5:37
3 Window of the Soul - Loeb 4:07
4 Starting Over - King, Loeb 6:14
5 Llevame - Cuesta, Loeb 4:29
6 Presence - Loeb 5:45
7 The Music Outside - Dion, Loeb 6:08
8 The Western Sky - Loeb 5:04
9 Hangin' with You - Loeb 4:26
10 Mr. Martino - Loeb 4:54
11 Shed a Little Light - Taylor 5:24

Personnel: Chuck Loeb: guitars, keyboards, fender and synth bass, drum and percussion programming; Lizzy Loeb: flute; Wolfgang Haffner: drums; Nathan Ecklund: trumpet and trombone; Dave Mann: saxophone, flutes and horn arrangement; Ron "Buttercup" Jenkins: bass guitar; Will Lee: bass; Matt King: piano; Brian Killeen: bass; Josh Dion: drums and percussion; Carmen Cuesta: vocals; Carl Carter: bass; Mike Ricchiuti: piano and Rhodes; Till Bronner: trumpet and flugelhorn; Christian Diener: acoustic bass; Mitchel Forman: strings and string arrangement; Andy Snitzer: alto ax; Tom Schumann: piano; Brian Dunne: drums

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Ahmad Jamal: Blue Moon (2012)

2012-02-17T04:45:00.001-08:00

It is tempting to say that, at age 82, Ahmad Jamal carries on getting better and better, but that would be to miss the point. The pianist long ago reached a level of perfection from which it is simply not possible to get better. It is a level, however, to which he habitually returns. In 2010, Jamal released one of the most sublime albums in his long and splendid career, the quartet set A Quiet Time (Dreyfus Records). Two years later, he has released another one every bit as great.

The signature elements of Jamal's style—elegance, lyricism and sophistication on one side; vibrant, ostinato-driven grooves and riffs on the other; all heard, more often than not, during the course of a single tune—are not just still present on Blue Moon, they are still waxing. So too is Jamal's gift for writing arrangements which bring the sound of surprise to even the most familiar material. To all intents and purposes, Richard Rodgers' and Lorenzo Hart's "Blue Moon" here becomes a Jamal original, and so, among others, does Dizzy Gillespie's "Woody'n You."

For the Blue Moon sessions, Jamal stayed with a quartet but tweaked A Quiet Time's personnel. The wonderfully inventive percussionist Manolo Badrena is retained, but bassist Reginald Veal and drummer Herlin Riley replace James Cammack and Kenny Washington. Riley and Badrena have form with Jamal: Riley first came aboard on Live at the Montreal Jazz Festival 1985 (Collectables), and Badrena a year later, on Rossiter Road (Atlantic, 1986).

These three guardians of the groove interact with each other, and with Jamal, with micro-sensitivity. They are adept, too, at following Jamal's turn-on-a-pinhead arrangements. The quartet moves immaculately from the liquid to the lusty, from a whisper to a shout and back again, like birds of paradise in close formation. As Jamal observes in an All About Jazz 2012 interview, the simpatico between Badrena and Riley makes them an unusually effective percussionist /drummer team-within-a-team.

While nine of the 11 tunes on A Quiet Time were Jamal originals, on Blue Moon he returns, in the main, to the arena in which he first made his name: singular interpretations of Broadway show tunes, songs from the movies, and jazz standards. Of the Jamal compositions—"Autumn Rain," "I Remember Italy," "Morning Mist," divine, each of them—only "Autumn Rain" has previously been recorded, on Rossiter Road. Jamal has also previously recorded three of the half-dozen standards: Gillespie's "Woody'n You" was first heard on At the Pershing: But Not for Me (Argo, 1958), Bronislan Kaper's "Invitation" on Rhapsody (Cadet, 1965), and Johnny Mercer's "Laura" as part of a medley on Live in Paris '92 (Dreyfus). The Blue Moon readings, as you would expect, are new minted and fresh garbed.

Jamal's critical acceptance in the mid 1950s was hard won and helped by the support of trumpeter Miles Davis, who, along with a number of widely reported endorsements, is said to have told his pianist of the time, Red Garland, to "play like Jamal." (True or not, Davis certainly valued the Jamal-like qualities inherent in Garland's playing). The then dean of American critics, The New Yorker's Whitney Balliett, on the other hand, reviewing a Carnegie Hall performance in 1958, found listening to Jamal to be "trying work."

Balliett was, most of the time, an informed and intelligent critic, and it is strange that he so totally did not get Jamal. Maybe Balliett had eaten something earlier that did not agree with him; the historical record can be a perverse beast. In any event, Jamal's genius was officially recognized in the US in 1994, when he was named a Jazz Master by the National Endowment of the Arts. Many other honors have followed.

Entrancing and uplifting, Blue Moon is destined to make lovers of Jamal's pianism go weak at the knees all over again.

Tracklist:

1. Autumn Rain
2. Blue Moon
3. Gypsy
4. Invitation
5. I Remember Italy
6. Laura
7. Morning Mist
8. This Is the Life
9. Woody'n You

Personnel: Ahmad Jamal: piano; Reginald Veal: double bass; Herlin Riley: drums; Manolo Badrena: percussion

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Peter Erskine: Sweet Soul (1991)

2012-02-17T01:22:00.001-08:00

Six of the 11 selections on this CD (most of which were written by drummer Peter Erskine, Vince Mendoza, or Kenny Werner) feature Joe Lovano on tenor (and in one instance soprano) in a quartet with pianist Werner, bassist Marc Johnson, and Erskine; Lovano (who would soon hit it big) already sounds quite mature and creative. Three of the other numbers have slightly larger groups (with guitarist John Scofield, tenor saxophonist Bob Mintzer, and trumpeter Randy Brecker appearing on some of the cuts), Dave Brubeck's "In Your Own Sweet Way" is taken by the Werner-Johnson-Erskine trio, and the brief "But Is It Art?" is a drum solo. Throughout the date, the solos uplift the material and make this CD a worthy purchase for listeners who enjoy challenging but sometimes accessible post-bop music.

Tracklist:
01. Touch Her Soft Lips And Part 6:58
02. Press Enter 8:24
03. Sweet Soul 9:41
04. To Be Or Not To Be 9:18
05. Ambivalence 4:58
06. Angels And Devils 6:05
07. Speak Low 5:48
08. Scolastic 7:40
09. Distant Blossom 6:20
10. But Is It Art? 2:00
11. In Your Own Sweet Way 7:03
Personnel:
Peter Erskine - drums
Marc Johnson - bass
John Scofield - guitar
Bob Mintzer - tenor sax
Kenny Werner - piano and synths
Joe Lovano - tenor and soprano saxes
Randy Brecker - trumpet
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[Re-Post] Vicky Almazidu & Milcho Leviev: Quiet Love (2004)

2012-02-16T11:03:00.004-08:00

Vicky Almazidu is a jazz singer, educator, recording artist, and lyricist. Her second album, “Quiet love” was released in 2004 and received the 2005 Golden Feather Award for contribution to Bulgarian culture. The CD features 11 songs and compositions by Milcho Leviev. The most prominent Bulgarian jazz musicians took part in the recording. The album was initially presented at the Sofia Jazz Peek 2004 ( Bulgaria ) and then in Thessaloniki , Greece. Their performances at the Dimitria (Apolonia Art Festival) in Thessaloniki and their concert at “Bulgaria Hall” during Sofia Music Jam received considerable acclaim.

Tracklist:
1. We are in Love Again
2. Lydian Riff
3. A Question
4. 213-985-3763
5. Pavane for a True Musical Prince /Don's Song/
6. Sad a Little Bit
7. For Frederic and Bill /In Time/
8. Dark Desert Wind
9. Diamond Rings /Cricket's Song/
10. Samba Deborah
11. Quiet Love
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MSM Schmidt: Transit (2007)

2012-02-16T01:23:00.000-08:00

Hard to believe the guy is an amateur... The strenght of this record lies in the fact that the songs are really good. Then the stellar line-up takes them to another dimension. Excellent contemporary jazz/melodic fusion album.

Tracklist:
01. Journey To Fukuoka
02. Little Joe
03. Country X
04. Song for Michel (dedicated to Michel Colombier)
05. Rizma
06. Interlude
07. Caroline
08. Slow Moves
09. X-Press (More than words Kin Sey)
10. Sphere
11. Falling Down
12. Country X Acoustic version

Personnel: Vinnie Colaiuta, Kirk Covington, Wolfgang Haffner & Joel Rosenblatt (Drums); Dave Carpenter, Jimmy Earl, Ric Fierabracci, Jimmy Haslip, Will Lee & Ernest Tibbs (Bass); Scott Henderson & Mike Miller (Guitar); Mitchel Forman, David Garfield & Scott Kinsey, Kai Thomsen & MSM Schmidt (Keyboards); Brandon Fields, Steve Tavaglione & Ernie Watts (Saxophone); Rick Braun & Walt Fowler (Trumpet); Brad Dutz (Percussion); Judd Miller (EVI)

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