Friday, March 30, 2012

Various Artists (1987) -Songs Of Protest



Artist: various
Album: Songs Of Protest
Released: 1987
Quality: mp3 CBR 320
Size: 130 MB

”Of course there are too many noteworthy songs of protest to fit onto one collection, even (or especially) if you're limiting yourself to the '60s, as Rhino does on this compilation. Still, it does a good job of mixing monster hits by Barry McGuire, Sonny Bono, Dion, the Kingston Trio, the Temptations, and Edwin Starr with more obscure cuts. Country Joe's "I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-To-Die Rag" is here, as well as Sonny Bono's self-pitying "Laugh at Me," the pre-electric Donovan cover of Buffy Sainte-Marie's "Universal Soldier," and Manfred Mann's fine, overlooked cover of Dylan's "With God on Our Side." The most hard-to-find songs span the opposite ends of the spectrum. "It's Good News Week," a 1966 hit for the Jonathan King-led group Hedgehoppers Anonymous, is a lightweight catalog of social ills that retains considerable period charm. Far more earnest is Phil Ochs' "I Ain't Marching Anymore," represented here by the non-LP, electric folk-rock version released as a single in 1966. Although it made no commercial impact, it holds up to the best protest anthems of the era, both musically and lyrically.” ~ by Richie Unterberger, allmusic.com









Various Artists (2006) -From Boppin’ Hillbilly To Red Hot Rockabilly [4 CD]



Artist: various
Album: From Boppin’ Hillbilly To Red Hot Rockabilly [4 CD]
Released: 2006
Quality: mp3 CBR 320
Size: 121+119+117+120 MB

”This delightful and valuable set collects 120 tracks of vintage amped-up honky tonk and country boogie, beginning with releases from 1951 and stretching through to Elvis Presley's Sun years and the rockabilly explosion of 1955, effectively sketching out how what Carl Perkins called "country music with a beat" evolved and shifted into the monster known as rock & roll. Most of these sides are quite rare and many have never been anthologized before, so this box is sure to delight collectors, but the four discs also have a natural flow to them that keeps things from being too academic and makes this release a natural for a long road trip. What's apparent after only a few tracks is how much the blues was a part of hillbilly country, as was jazz via western swing, and the melting pot formation of popular American musical styles is demonstrated clearly here, even though few of these records were hits. Highlights include Forest Rye's "Wild Cat Boogie," Chuck Murphy's barrel house piano romp "They Raided the Joint," Charlie Adams' loose and fun "Cattin' Around," Rudy Gaddis' truly odd "Uranium Fever," as well as more familiar sides like Elvis Presley's "Mystery Train" and Johnny Cash's "Hey Porter." A wonderful collection that shows once again that no new musical style comes out of nowhere.” ~ Steve Leggett, allmusic.com





Thursday, March 29, 2012

TRACK OF THE DAY - Владимир Макаров

The Louisiana Repertory Jazz Ensemble (1982) -Alive and Well



Artist: The Louisiana Repertory Jazz Ensemble
Album: Alive And Well
Released: 1982
Quality: mp3 CBR 320
Size: 209 MB

"What distinguishes the Louisiana Repertory Jazz Ensemble from the hundreds of groups around the globe playing what is variously labeled Trad, New Orleans or Dixieland jazz is its absolute authenticity. And it has come as a revelation to all who thought they knew what the genuine article was. One thing it is not, for instance, is the all-pervasive, brash and brassy music which emanates from the bars and strip clubs of Bourbon Street. Despite a burgeoning international reputation, with appearances as far a field as Moscow and Hong Kong, and radio, TV and record performances, New Orleans is still the wellspring of the band's inspiration - both musically and environmentally. "We regard ourselves both as resuscitators of this musical tradition and a living part of it," explained Starr. The interaction between the musicians and the people they play for - many of whom actually danced to the bands whose repertoires the LRJE is reviving - is as important in creating the group's genuineness as the long hours spent delving into the archives for buried tunes." ~ Quavers




Wednesday, March 28, 2012

The Stumblebums (2011) -Fuck You Lady Gaga



Artist: The Stumblebums
Album: Fuck You Lady Gaga
Released: 2011
Quality: mp3 CBR 320
Size: 99 MB

Meet the brass band that no one wants parading down their street.
Even though they have a deep respect and admiration for the art of both Louis Armstrong and Nirvana; the Stumblebums reject nostalgia in favor of riotous spontaneity. Too punk for guitar and amps, The Stumblebums are known for ambushing innocent subway passengers and crashing bars with their post-apocalyptic Lower East Side punk brass sound.

Who are the mad men in The Stumblebums? Smidge Malone, a Puerto Rican punker with a bleached Mohawk from Queens, is a trumpet virtuoso whose vocals sound like the bastard child of Louis Armstrong and Tim Armstrong. From North Carolina comes the only Jewish drummer ever to be born in captivity, Johnny Ballz. Disco Ronnie, the Jersey white trash trailer park pimp, pumps out non-stop madness on the tuba. Together the three Stumblebums create a manic wall of musical sleaze, the perfect soundtrack for a night of dirty living.”
The Stumblebums













Los Angeles Negros (1996) -20 Grandes Exitos



Artist: Los Angeles Negros
Album: 20 Grandes Exitos
Released: 1996
Quality: mp3 CBR 320
Size: 157 MB

”Los Ángeles Negros (English translation: The Black Angels) is a Chilean music band that recorded primarily during the mid and late 1970s. Formed in 1967, the band released several albums after coming together through a local radio competition.
Their music was a blend of Latin Bolero and 1970s psychedelic funk.
The group had a number of hits in Latin America in the 1970s, such as "Y Volveré," "Pasión y Vida," and "Mi Niña".
The Beastie Boys sampled their song "El Rey Y yo" on the album Hello Nasty. Their song "Tu y Tu Mirar...Yo y Mi Canción" was sampled by producer 9th Wonder on a Jay-Z song off of The Black Album called "My 1st Song".”
Los Angeles Negros




Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Various Artists (2004 / 2006) -Enjoy The Greeks! / Enjoy The Greeks! Vol. 2



Artist: various
Albums: Enjoy The Greeks! / Enjoy The Greeks! Vol. 2
Released: 2004 / 2006
Quality: mp3 CBR 192 / 320
Size: 83 / 120 MB

An awesome compilation of garage rock'n-roll bands of Greece.









Monday, March 26, 2012

John Zorn (2012) -The Gnostic Preludes: Music Of Splendor



Artist: John Zorn
Albums: The Gnostic Preludes: Music of Splendor
Released: 2012
Quality: FLAC (tracks)
Size: 234 MB

”The Gnostic Preludes is the fourth chapter in the mystically influenced recordings that began with In Search of the Miraculous and continued with Goddess: Music for the Ancient of Days and At the Gates of Paradise. Despite the wide range of Zorn's mystical investigations throughout his career, these four records -- thus far -- have more in common with one another than the rest of his catalog. While all have featured different groups, the one constant is vibraphonist Kenny Wollesen (who also plays bells). Harpist Carol Emmanuel appeared in the Goddess ensemble. The addition of Bill Frisell to these proceedings feels essential for what Zorn was trying to accomplish with this particularly intimate group of compositions. His instantly recognizable tone; easy, laid-back, readily accessible style, and his ability to become an equal part of an ensemble make him an ideal choice. While the sleeve notes namecheck early music, early minimalism, and Debussy, they infer inspiration, rather than describe the music found here. In these compositions, simplicity is the key. "The Middle Pillar" walks a gorgeous line between Sephardic sources as well as those of 20th century Spanish music, from modern flamenco to guitarist Pepe Romero. "The Book of Pleasure," a soulful, laid-back chamber piece, contains elements of jazz, and to a lesser degree, Brazilian folk music. Given a less skeletal arrangement, it would not have been out of place on a Dreamers recording. The way Wollesen and Frisell dance around one another on "Music of the Spheres," with Emmanuel finding a middle space and canny ways to texture the backdrop, evokes everything from cinematic serial music to mellow surf! The harp and Wollesen's bells and vibes are the rhythmic centerpieces that Frisell's playing turns on in "Circumambulation." Here, patterns invert themselves just as they establish repetition, with truly colorful textural highlights by Wollesen. The interlocking grooves on "Sign and Signal," and the more subtle but equally rhythmic, almost heartbreakingly beautiful closer "The Invisibles" suggest that what Zorn was perhaps creating was a music so internally harmonic, it would tunnel through perception toward an intuitive comprehension of its intent. The Gnostic Preludes is poetic, deceptively simple, and spiritually vast in scope.” ~ by Thom Yurek, allmusic.com







Cerys Matthews (2010) -Tir



Artist: Cerys Matthews
Albums: Tir
Released: 2010
Quality: m4a VBR ~260
Size: 70 MB

”With TIR, Cerys breathes new life into old standards and old gems. The whole package is a treasure trove of life in music and pictures. Taking a mixture of songs, some Victorian, some hymns, some obscure, some traditional and some huge great hulking classics of iconic stature like Bread of Heaven, Sosban Fach, Myfanwy and even the National anthem. Presented here as if freshly written, with voice and little else apart from a tender appreciation and a thirst for their historical significance, including a duet with Bryn Terfel on Migldi Magldi.” ©







Sunday, March 25, 2012

Linda & The Big King Jive Daddies (2000) -Linda & The Big King Jive Daddies



Artist: Linda & The Big King Jive Daddies
Albums: Linda & The Big King Jive Daddies
Released: 2000
Quality: FLAC (tracks)
Size: 226 MB

”Linda & the Big King Jive Daddies is a full, nine-piece swing band from Tokyo. These hep cats from the East love the jump blues and swing of yesteryear with the enthusiasm and reincarnating powers that are unique to the Japanese for past American pop culture. Vocalist Linda is a perky joy, bringing sweet charm and husky delivery to such classics as "Route 66," "Jump, Jive & Wail," and "Caldonia." ~ Tom Schulte, Rovi




Friday, March 23, 2012

Chuck & The Crack-Pipes (2007) -One Lung Down



Artist: Chuck & The Crack-Pipes
Albums: One Lung Down
Released: 2007
Quality: mp3 CBR 320
Size: 74 MB

”…Originally I had wanted to call the album 'Drugs & Drugs & Rock 'n' Roll' but events overtook us. I got a fraught call from Chuck's wife Sonja. Chuck had collapsed and been rushed to Hospital. He eventually got diagnosed with a collapsed lung, which had apparently been leaking for some time and Chuck was in a very bad way. It was an anxious time for Chuck's family and friends as Chuck had to undergo an emergency operation. Without going into too many gory details, he was in hospital for a number of weeks and him being in Germany and me in England meant that a visit to see him wasn't possible at that time. So a few of us old mates would call him at the hospital every few days to see how he was doing. It was on one such call that I thought I'd make him laugh by suggesting a change to the title of the proposed album. When I was a teenager there had be a popular rockin' album by Gina and the Strollers called 'Five Cats Down'. I suggested that an appropriate title in this case would be 'One Lung Down'. Chuck, being Chuck laughed and thought it was a great idea. The following day Simon Nott, a mate of both mine & Chuck's called him up and was amazed to be treated to Chuck actually singing a brand new song down the phone! It would appear that the new album title had inspired Chuck to write the title track from his hospital bed! …” READ THE FULL STORY






Thursday, March 22, 2012

Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra (2012) -Walkin'



Artist: Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra
Albums: Walkin’
Released: 2012
Quality: mp3 CBR 320
Size: 132 MB

"I'd make time for Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra anytime," said no less an authority than the band's one-time producer, veteran reggae guitarist Dennis Bovell. Starting out in the late '80s as a ska revival group playing the streets and clubs of their hometown, the sharply suited Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra quickly became the flag-bearers for the Japanese ska scene. This movement gained popularity in the 1990s and included the arguably more "authentic" ska sounds of the Ska Flames (signed to Gaz Mayall's label in the U.K.) and the Determinations from Osaka. Like those two acts, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra's sound is largely instrumental, with powerful, punchy arrangements that re-create the jump-up energy of Jamaican ska originals such as the Skatalites. It's a sound as vibrant as any modern-day ska -- anywhere. ~ © allmusic.com





Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Jan Johansson (1968) -Musik Genom Fyra Sekler



Artist: Jan Johansson
Albums: Musik Genom Fyra Sekler
Released: 2006 (recorded 1968)
Quality: mp3 CBR 320
Size: 300 MB

Jan Johansson (16 September 1931 – 9 November 1968) was a Swedish jazz pianist. He is little known outside Scandinavia, and his records are not widely available, though Jazz på svenska (Jazz in Swedish) has sold more than a quarter of a million copies, and is the best selling jazz release ever in Sweden.
Johansson was a native of Söderhamn, in the Hälsingland province of Sweden. Studying classical piano as a child, he would also go on to master the guitar, organ and accordion, before turning on to swing and bebop as a teenager. He met saxophonist Stan Getz while at university. He abandoned his studies to play jazz full time, and worked with many American jazz musicians, becoming the first European to be invited to join the Jazz at the Philharmonic package.
In November 1968 Jan Johansson died in a car crash on his way to a concert in a church in Jönköping, Sweden. His sons, Anders Johansson and Jens Johansson, run Heptagon Records which keeps their father's recordings available.







Monday, March 19, 2012

Brad Mehldau Trio (2012) -Ode



Artist: Brad Mehldau Trio
Albums: Ode
Released: 2012
Quality: mp3 CBR 320
Size: 181 MB

“Ode is a collection of originals that I wrote specifically for my trio with Larry and Jeff,” says Mehldau. “I feel that what they bring to the music in the performance here is inseparable from the tunes themselves.” Most of the songs, he explains, “are tributes to someone else, and I began to think of them as odes, or poems that might be sung; in our case here it’s the singing only without all those pesky words.” Subjects include the late saxophonist Michael Brecker (“M.B.”), a character from the film Easy Rider (“Eulogy for George Hanson”), and the guitarist Kurt Ronsenwinkel (“Kurt Vibe”). ©






Sunday, March 18, 2012

Ben Prestage (2007) -Real Music



Artist: Ben Prestage
Albums: Real Music
Released: 2007
Quality: mp3 CBR 192
Size: 73 MB

”…On this, his fourth album to date, Prestage delivers a range of blues standards, from the rural blues of Blind Boy Fuller (Rag), Bukka White (Good Gin) and Robert Petway (Catfish Blues), coupled with a taste of the urban blues of Willie Dixon and Howlin' Wolf (Backdoor Man). Although steeped in all manner of blues traditions, this essentially blues based album does have its lighter moments in the traditional Darktown Strutter's Ball and Washboard Sam's Wrong Woman, both with an infectious foot-tapping goodtime groove, together with a short but sweet take on Buck Washington's Save the Roach for Me. Prestage also includes a couple of self-penned songs on REAL MUSIC, the title song and The Ambitious, both of which sit well alongside the standards.” © Northern Sky






Friday, March 16, 2012

Holly Golightly feat. The Brokeoffs (2012) -Long Distance



Artist: Holly Golightly feat. The Brokeoffs
Albums: Long Distance
Date of release: 2012
Quality: mp3 CBR 320
Size: 78 MB

”‘Long Distance’ is a new album only in name, as it contains re-recordings of songs from her solo output including covers of some of her favourite artists by popular request from her fans. Holly herself stated “I have picked some of my original band favourites and recorded this collection for old and new fans alike. The highlight for me was the chance to re-record ‘(You Ain’t) No Big Thing,’ the fantastic 1966 Sam and Dave classic that I first started performing live in 1995. It’s one of my all time top tunes, along with ‘My Love Is,’ the fabulous Little Willie John number, which we’ve given a wistful lone banjo accompaniment this time around.”.FULL REVIEW




Thursday, March 15, 2012

Ingrid Lucia (2004 / 2010) -Almost Blue / Midnight Rendezvous




Artist: Ingrid Lucia
Albums: Almost Blue / Midnight Rendezvous
Released: 2004 / 2010
Quality: mp3 CBR 320
Size: 132 / 88 MB

”Born into a family of street musicians, Ingrid Lucia sang in her family band, the Flying Neutrinos, from the age of eight, so she has music coursing deep in her soul. This sassy New Orleans native has a voice that's prompted thousands of comparisons to Billie Holiday. But despite her stylistic similarities to Lady Day, Lucia's delivery is upbeat, fun and just a bit naughty, in the true Big Easy tradition.
Ingrid Lucia grew up in a gypsy-style traveling family band, living in buses, boats and tents for the first eighteen years of her life. She started out as a dancer, but by the age of 8 she was singing in the band.”
©





Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Ruthie Foster (2012) -Let It Burn



Artist: Ruthie Foster
Album: Let It Burn
Released: 2012
Quality: mp3 VBR ~240
Size: 94 MB

”One of the gospel-blues scene's best-kept secrets for over a decade, Texan singer/songwriter Ruthie Foster finally achieved some long-overdue mainstream recognition when her 2009 sixth studio effort, The Truth According to Ruthie Foster, picked up a Grammy nomination. By putting down the guitar and concentrating entirely on her vocals for the first time in her career, her follow-up, Let It Burn, suggests she means business. It's a wise move, as her impassioned, soulful tones have always been her main selling point, and backed by an impressive array of musicians, including the Meters' rhythm section and legendary gospel act the Blind Boys of Alabama, they're allowed the freedom to showcase their versatility, whether it's channeling the velvety smoothness of Anita Baker on the atmospheric blues of John Martyn's "Don't Want to Know," matching the power of Aretha Franklin on the a cappella rendition of early 20th century folk standard "The Titanic," or echoing the spiritual leanings of Carleen Anderson on the harmony-driven opener "Welcome Home." Alongside the groove-laden old-school R&B of "Aim for the Heart" and the pure gospel of "Lord Remember Me," the latter is the only original composition, but John Chelew's inspired production ensures there's still plenty of invention elsewhere. Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" is rendered almost unrecognizable thanks to a gorgeously shimmering and reverb-laden arrangement, Pete Seeger's "If I Had a Hammer" is transformed into an authentic slice of New Orleans jazz, while Ike Stubblefield's rich organ riffs lend a hymnal quality to the likes of the Band's "It Makes No Difference" and the William Bell duet "You Don't Miss Your Water." Effortlessly classy covers of Adele's "Set Fire to the Rain" and the Black Keys' "Everlasting Light" show she isn't averse to more contemporary fare. But whichever era Foster picks and chooses from, Let It Burn always feels utterly timeless.” ~ by Jon O'Brien, allmusic.com






Monday, March 12, 2012

Various Artists (1996 / 1999) - Japanese Garage Bands of the 1960’s: GS I Love You / GS I Love You Too




Artist: various
Album: Japanese Garage Bands of the 1960’s: GS I Love You / GS I Love You Too
Released: 1996 / 1999
Quality: mp3 CBR 192
Size: 110 / 111 MB

“ the "GS" of the title is an abbreviation of "Group Sounds," as this genre was termed in Japan. Sure, you'd be challenged to find many (any?) collectors outside of Japan who had all of this stuff. This does not mean, though, that this is any less generic than many a standard '60s garage/psych/punk compilation from the U.S. or Europe, though the fidelity is certainly way better than the standard. In most respects these Japanese bands were the same as those from other lands in their catalog of fuzz riffs and basic variations of R&B-influenced rock patterns. It's a little strange to English-reared ears because of the accents, frequent mangling of English phrases, and off-kilter, bizarrely energetic transmutations of American and British rock cliches. ~Vol.1 & ~Vol.2 reviews @ allmusic.com








The Guaranteed Ugly (1997) -It's An Ugly! Ugly! World!



Artist: The Guaranteed Ugly
Album: It's An Ugly! Ugly! World!
Released: 1997
Quality: mp3 CBR 192
Size: 45 MB

“The information of The Guaranteed Ugly is still covered. Only we know is they are garage rock band and their attractive name Mr Ugly (bass & backing vocals) Angela Ugly (Organ) Professor Ugly (Drums, backing vocals) Agent Ugly (guitar, vocals)
I don't know why the real world is ugly ugly, but am not sure why this album was named like this by The Guaranteed Ugly. We may know why if we listen to their music. Let's go out from this ugly world to The Guaranteed Ugly world.”
©






Saturday, March 10, 2012

Cowboy Junkies (2012) -The Nomad Series Vol.4: The Wilderness



Artist: Cowboy Junkies
Album: The Nomad Series Vol. 4: The Wilderness
Release Date: March 2012
Quality: mp3 CBR 320
Size: 97 MB

”The title, The Wilderness, in some odd way seemed to define what these songs were actually "about": fragility, emptiness, loneliness, beauty, chance, loss, desperation, the delicate balancing act that makes up a life. They are about being lost in the wilderness of age, the wilderness of parenthood, in the wilderness of just trying to find meaning and substance, happiness and truth in one's day to day life. They are about standing alone in middle of it all, breathing in the cold still air and wondering.” ~ Michael Timmons, Cowboy Junkies





Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Paul McCartney (2012) -Kisses On The Bottom (Deluxe Edition)



Artist: Paul McCartney
Album: Kisses On The Bottom (Deluxe Edition)
Released: 2012
Quality: mp3 CBR 320
Size: 143 MB

”John Lennon famously disdained Paul McCartney’s music hall tendencies as “nice little folk songs for the grannies to dig”. But the Beatles’ appeal owed as much to solid roots in Tin Pan Alley tunemanship as rock bite and experimentalism, lessons in classic song structure embedded in them from their parent’s generation.

For his 35th post-Beatles album (counting Wings, classical, soundtrack and electronic works), McCartney pays homage to songs he first heard his father play on the family piano. The mood is of warm and cosy nostalgia, laced with the qualities of magic and emotion familiar from McCartney’s own works of whimsy. He loves this material, and it shows.

The apparently risqué title is cheekily lifted from the opening track, the Fats Waller classic I’m Going To Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter, rolled out as a loose, light jazz flight with a rippling piano solo from Diana Krall. Surrounding himself with a band of stellar jazz players, for the first time in his career the multi-instrumentalist opts only for the role of vocalist.

We rarely think of McCartney as a singer, because he is obviously so much more. The focus on interpretation exposes the ageing in his voice as it thins out in his high register but he performs with delicacy and nuance: understated, acoustic-flavoured arrangements allow him the space to sing with soft precision. The lower register of Irving Berlin’s Always suits him, and he delivers this dedication to a long-awaited love with the smoky conviction of a besotted and bedazzled old roué. When he sighs “my heart is forever yearning,” on Home (When Shadows Fall) it is impossible not to believe him.”
~READ FULL REVIEW @ http://www.telegraph.co.uk





Monday, March 5, 2012

The Jancee Pornick Casino (2011) -The Slice Of Your Loving



Artist: The Jancee Pornick Casino
Album: The Slice Of Your Loving
Released: 2011
Quality: mp3 CBR 320
Size: 101 MB

“'One of the most active surf/rock'n roll combos in Germany. And again it's 1. masterly, 2. fast, 3. repeatedly a hybrid deeply rooted in all forms of American guitar music bred in the 50's and 60's. but again they do their very own thing, fresh, fun-loving and with quite a nasty punch (maybe because the drummer writes all the songs?!) Somewhere between Velvetone, The Montesas and Surfpatrouille. Cool, man!' (Flight 13, Jan. 05) ©



BUY CD

The Jancee Pornick Casino (2008) -Pravda - The Truth About The Jancee Pornick Casino



Artist: The Jancee Pornick Casino
Album: Pravda – The Truth About The Jancee Pornick Casino
Released: 2008
Quality: mp3 CBR 320
Size: 97 MB

“'One of the most active surf/rock'n roll combos in Germany. And again it's 1. masterly, 2. fast, 3. repeatedly a hybrid deeply rooted in all forms of American guitar music bred in the 50's and 60's. but again they do their very own thing, fresh, fun-loving and with quite a nasty punch (maybe because the drummer writes all the songs?!) Somewhere between Velvetone, The Montesas and Surfpatrouille. Cool, man!' (Flight 13, Jan. 05) ©





BUY CD

The Jancee Pornick Casino (2007) -Chikatilo Boogie



Artist: The Jancee Pornick Casino
Album: Chikatilo Boogie
Released: 2007
Quality: mp3 CBR 320
Size: 108 MB

“'One of the most active surf/rock'n roll combos in Germany. And again it's 1. masterly, 2. fast, 3. repeatedly a hybrid deeply rooted in all forms of American guitar music bred in the 50's and 60's. but again they do their very own thing, fresh, fun-loving and with quite a nasty punch (maybe because the drummer writes all the songs?!) Somewhere between Velvetone, The Montesas and Surfpatrouille. Cool, man!' (Flight 13, Jan. 05) ©






Saturday, March 3, 2012

George Robert & Kenny Barron (2003) -Peace



Artist: George Robert & Kenny Barron
Album: Peace
Released: 2003
Quality: FLAC + cue
Size: 325 MB

“Swiss saxophonist George Robert is one of the top players of his generation, though he seems appreciated far more in Europe and Asia than in the U.S., probably because few of his recordings as a leader have been made for American labels. Known primarily for his brilliant work on alto sax, he opens this live duo date on soprano sax, with the phenomenal pianist Kenny Barron as his sole accompanist. The haunting ballad "Peace" is a superb opener, followed by a dancing "I Didn't Know What Time It Was." Barron launches the furious post-bop interpretation of "Softly, As in a Morning Sunrise," with Robert switching back to alto. The shimmering rendition of Mal Waldron's "Soul Eyes" is absolutely breathtaking. Barron has long been one of the most effective interpreters of the works of Thelonious Monk; both his playful approach to "Blue Monk" and his long introduction to "'Round Midnight" uncover new ground in each of these popular songs. The disc wraps with Barron's thoughtful ballad "Song for Abdullah," which Robert sits out. The brilliant sound of this DIW CD gives one the feeling of having a front row seat in the Geneva concert hall where it took place.” ~ Ken Dryden, allmusic.com




Ella Fitzgerald & Cole Porter (1978) -Dream Dancing



Artist: Ella Fitzgerald & Cole Porter
Album: Dream Dancing
Released: 1978
Quality: FLAC (tracks)
Size: 312 MB

”Originally released on Atlantic as Ella Loves Cole and then reissued on Pablo with two extra cuts from 1978, this set features the great Ella Fitzgerald (still in excellent form) backed by an orchestra arranged by Nelson Riddle performing an extensive set of Cole Porter songs. Fifteen years earlier Fitzgerald had had great success with her Cole Porter Songbook and this date, even with a few hokey arrangements, almost reaches the same level. Trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison and pianist Tommy Flanagan are among the supporting cast. Highlights include "I Get a Kick out of You," "I've Got You Under My Skin," "All of You," "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" and "Just One of Those Things."”~ Scott Yanow, allmusic.com




Thursday, March 1, 2012

The Found Cats (2003) -Full Gospel Rockabilly



Artist: The Found Cats
Album: Full Gospel Rockabilly
Released: 2003
Quality: mp3 CBR 256
Size: 95 MB

”Luke 15:24 - for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is FOUND. Does this sound as if The Found Cats have a message to tell? Yes it does. As so many before them they spread the word of the Lord by way of their music. The only difference is that The Found Cats play rockabilly. And pretty good too. What else can you expect, produced by Ralph Rebel, recorded at the Rebel Studio, released by Golly Gee. Neither have ever let us down before. So whether you are a church-going man or not, The Found Cats' music is worth your while.

This full length release consists of 15 gospel rockabilly tracks, all self-penned originals with lotsa rhythm and a message. Pete, Jeff, Tom and Rich take turns on the vocals, and they just might surprise you. Especially Pete's dark voice reminds of early Elvis recordings. Add to that Tom's fast bass plucking, Jeff's guitar picking, and what we find is rockabilly reborn. Rich is playing additional piano on a couple of tracks, most songs are straight forward authentic style rockabilly, with an occasional country ballad. The package comes with a four-folded cover, all lyrics included.”
~ ©