Victor Feldman - Suite Sixteen (1955)

Spring is here! Have a nice day!

Philippe Mall - Nature Boy (2001)

01. Suite for John Coltrane, Part 1 (Philippe Mall)
02. Suite for John Coltrane, Part 2 (Philippe Mall)
03. Suite for John Coltrane, Part 3 (Philippe Mall)
04. Nature boy (Eden Ahbez; Philippe Mall)
05. Der Krieger (Philippe Mall)
06. It's easy to remember (Philippe Cornaz)
07. Strange lullaby (Philippe Mall)
08. Trinity (Philippe Mall)
09. Seven for eleven (John Goldsby)

Philippe Mall: ts, Ephrem Luchinger: p, Christian Weber: b, Dominik Burkhalter: dr, Samira Mall - Darby: Vocals on Nature Boy

This is a recording of a small European label named Altrisuoni. I had the luck to discover these excellent musicians from Switzerland that play high class jazz, mostly in the Coltrane style (of the middle period), having deeply dug into it, for not to play nonsense or boring stuff.

So, believe me, you can have a seriously soulful and groovy jazz album!

Peter Weniger - Metropole Orchestra (1995)

1. There is No Greater Love
2. Together Again
3. There Will Never Be Another You
4. Rosemarie's Baby
5. Yesterdays
6. On Green Dolphin Street
7. In A Sentimental Mood
8. What is This Thing Called Love
9. Dear Old Friend
10. Less Is Best (Rob Pronk)

Rob Pronk arranges fantastically the standards and conducts this fine Dutch Jazz Orchestra (big band plus string section). Peter Weniger seems to had been highly inspired and his playing is superb.
The result can be also entitled as 10 symphonic jazz poems for saxophone and orchestra!

A true 5 stars recording for your pleasure!

Howard Johnson's Nubia (1995)

The Pharoah Sanders Spirit through the baritone sax sound and a group of very positive energy.
You may also pay attention to the bassist's song, Gasheia, where she sings wonderfully, accompanying herself with her bass...

01. Arrival
02. You Gotta Have Freedom
03. The Creator Has a Master Plan
04. Gasheia
05. Lower Egypt
06. Venus
07. Think About the One
08. Such is Love/Little Rock Prophet
09. Come Along

Howard Johnson - baritone saxophone & voice, Sarah Seidel - voice & flute, Johannes Georg Bahlmann - piano, Sabine Worthmann - bass, Wolff Reichert - drums, Kojo Samuels - congas & african percussion, Dumisani Mabaso - african percussion

Corea.Concerto (1999)

Spain, arranged for Sextet and Orchestra
(composed and arranged by Chick Corea; orchestration assistance by John Dickson)

1. Part I: Opening & Introduction
2. Part II. Spain Theme
3. Part III. Conclusion

Chick Corea, Piano, London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Steven Mercurio
featuring ORIGIN: Avishai Cohen (Double Bass), Jeff Ballard (Drums), Bob Sheppard (Flute, Tenor Sax), Steve Wilson, (Soprano,Sax), Steve Davis (Trombone)

Concerto No. 1 for Piano & Orchestra
(composed and orchestrated by Chick Corea)

4. Part one
5. Part two
6. Part three

Chick Corea, Conductor & Piano
London Philharmonic Orchestra,
Avishai Cohen (Double Bass), Jeff Ballard (Drums)

Chick Corea, this outstanding musical personality of the twentieth century, offers us these two fine works: The well known "Spain" in a new, widely acclaimed as successful, brilliant orchestration and his first Concerto for Piano and Orchestra that surprises with its stylistic maturity and integrity.
Corea mentions Gulda as an inspiration for composing the concerto and that he chose the exact instrumentation as the Mozart piano concertos orchestrations (plus, of cause, the double bass and drums). After all, I believe that the classical music listener, in this very satisfying modern music work, will recognize musical themes similar to those of Spanish composers like Manuel De Falla, plus an American style of composing, perhaps reminding of Dvorak, Barber, Gershwin or Prokofiev. Enjoy them! - imitonios

Paul Bley, Evan Parker, Barre Phillips (1995)

01. Poetic Justice
02. Time Will Tell
03. Above The Tree Line
04. You Will Oscar, You Will
05. Sprung
06. No Questions
07. Vine Laces
08. Clawback
09. Marsh Tides
10. Instance
11. Burlesque

A monumental recording showing what "free collective improvisation" is. The three veterans got in the studio (Bley and Parker had not played together before) and the result was this amazing album.
(Read more in this review by N. Dorward at amazon.com)

Don Grolnick - Nighttown (1992)

It is not only the nice tunes or the artistry of playing that makes this album unique, but the building of a dark, exciting atmosphere...
A modern jazz statement!

Heart of Darkness 6:31
What Is This Thing Called Love? 6:13
One Bird, One Stone 6:20
Night Town 8:15
Genie 7:25
Spot That Man 5:25
The Cost of Living 8:09
Blues for Pop 9:01

With Randy Brecker, Joe Lovano, Marty Ehrlich, Steve Turre, Dave Holland, Bill Stewart.

Ana Belen - Lorquianas 1 & 2 (1998)

Ana Belen: Lorquiana, Poemas de Federico Garcia Lorca
(Direccion de Arreglos Musicales: Michel Camilo)

1. Son de Negros en Cuba (Camilo, Lorca)
2. Romance de la Pena Negra (Fito Paez, Lorca)
3. Herido de Amor (J.M. Serrat, Lorca)
4. Pequeno Vals Vienes (L. Cohen, Lorca)
5. Nocturnos de la Ventana (P. Guerra, Lorca)
6. Siete Corazones (A. G. de Diego, Lorca)
7. Romance de la Luna (Ch. Dominguez. Lorca)
8. Cancion Tonta (k. Veneno, Lorca)
9. Muerto de Amor (J., A., y J. Carmona, Lorca)
10. Por tu Amor me Duele el Aire (J. Ruibal,Lorca)
11. Cancion del Gitano Apaleado (K. Veneno, Lorca)
12. Alma Ausente (V.M.S. Jose, Lorca)


Ana Belen: Lorquiana, Canciones Populares de F. G. Lorca
(Direccion de Arreglos Musicales: Chano Dominguez)

1. Los Cuatro Muleros
2. Zorongo Zitano
3. La Tarara
4. Anda Jaleo
5. Las tres Hojas
6. Sevillanas del Siglo XVIII
7. Los Pelegrinitos
8. Los Mozos de Monleon
9. Romance de Don Boyso
10. Las Morillas de Jaen
11. En el Cafe de Chinitas
12. Nana de Sevilla

I have no words about Ana's rich, natural voice and her noble, elegant interpretations of these beautiful "canciones". Are they part of any "Great Spanish Songbook" ? -imitonios

Lalo Schifrin - Intersections (Live - 2000)

"The appeal is immediate... density of texture, rhythmic virtuosity and emotional palette." -Richard Palmer
Includes the most fascinating "Scheherazade" of my music library! Lalo magically turns it into a groovy bossa, then makes it swing or go Cuban and so on! -imitonios

1. Intersections
2. Scheherazade Fantasy
3. Naima
4. Tokyo Blues
5. Bells
6. Spartacus
7. The Baroque Connection
8. Donna's Dream
9. Basin Street Blues

Christian McBride (b), Jeff Hamilton(dr), Olivier Peters(ts), David Sanchez (ts, ss), James Morrison (tp), WDR Radio Orchestra Cologne

Abraham Burton/Eric McPherson Quartet - Cause and Effect (1999)

I could call it post-modal...
(With honest and clear intentions!)

1. Nebulai
2. Dad
3. Cause And Effect
4. Forbidden Fruit
5. Punta Lullaby
6. The Last Laugh

Abraham Burton:ts, James Hurt:p, Yoshuke Inoue:b, Eric McPherson:dr.

Tenors of Yusef Lateef and Archie Shepp (1992)

An inspired collaboration of the two giants...

1. You Know What I Mean 6:34
2. Monk Remembered 5:13
3. Thong 13:40
4. Selim 7:11
5. Dr. Emillio 8:37
6. In the Valley 4:48
7. Odd a Little 10:24
8. Ammons Remembered 2:49

Yusef Lateef, Archie Shepp, Stephen McCraven (dr), Tom McClung (p), Avery Sharpe (b), Adam Rudolph (perc), plus Tony Vacca, tamborine on the track "Ammons Remembered"

Charlie Sepulveda - Algo Nuestro (1993)

1. El Gringo 4:22
2. Mal Social 9:19
3. Algo Nuestro 5:47
4. Puerto Rico 6:13
5. Nina's Mood 7:45
6. Mastery of All Situations 5:09
7. La Mentira 5:13
8. Episode from a Village Dance 5:35
9. Mr. BB 5:13

Algo Nuestro (Our Thing) is an excellent blending of Latin lyricism, strong post-bop harmonies and solos plus solid Puerto Rican and Antillano rhythms.
As the title indicates, it was an ambitious but successful effort of expanding the latin jazz idiom towards modermism, but since then, this Bronx born native Puerto Rican trumpeter, unfortunately, has not recorded anything like this (as a leader).

With Charlie Sepulveda (tp), David Sanchez (ts, ss), Edward Simon (p), Andy Gonzalez (b), Adam Cruz (dr), Richie Flores (congas, bongos), Steve Turre (trb) on Eddie Palmieri's "Puerto Rico" and a few guest percussionists and bassists.

Horace Silver - A Prescription for The Blues (1997)

1. A Prescription For The Blues 5:14
2. Whenever Lester Plays The Blues 6:35
3. You Gotta Shake That Thing 5:15
4. Yodel Lady Blues 6:42
5. Brother John And Brother Gene 4:42
6. Free At Last 6:27
7. Walk On 6:26
8. Sunrise In Malibu 5:01
9. Doctor Jazz 5:30

This was a fine jazz date by the great master and his group of top players: Michael and Randy Brecker , Ron Carter and Louis Hayes.
I am sure that you will feel, in their playing, the spiritualism added here by Horace's prescription of blues:

• Forgive and bless your enemies and forgive and bless yourself
• Count your blessings and be grateful for what you have
• Get your head into some music
• Get your head into some comedy
• While striving to overcome your problems, involve yourself in some activity or entertainment that will give toy a temporary break of your stress
• Pray for yourself and get your family and friends and prayer groups to pray for you
• Reach out and help someone who needs help

(CD booklet contains lyrics for all songs in case of vocal interpretation)

Steve Coleman

The man has a concept!

For those who don't already know about it, Steve Coleman offers his music for free.
Visit m-base and download a significant part of his discography.
'Black science' and the 'Tao of Mad Phat' could be easily recommended. (Read also his essays...)

P.S. You may need your whole body to listen to this music...

Brad Mehldau - Live in Tokyo (2004)

1. Things Behind The Sun 4:37
2. Intro 2:42
3. Somemone to Watch Over Me 9:55
4. From This Moment On 7:55
5. Monk's Dream 7:59
6. Paranoid Android 19:29
7. How Long Has This Been Going On? 9:00
8. River Man 8:59

This is one of Mehldau's best albums!

On this live recording, Brad Mehldau leaves the regular postbop logic behind and handles the songs with a very inventive manner, using an amazing vocabulary that seems to have been derived from the piano repertoire of the classical music composers, in a way that you probably have not heard before. Don't miss that gem!

If I were a bell...

Some beautiful voices in smart albums:

1. Rigmor Gustafsson: Alone With You (Swedish snaps!)
2. Malia: Young Bones (Afro-British Young Lady)
3. Lisa Ono: Dans Mon Île (Japanese Charm in French bossa!)
4. Roberta Gambarini: Easy to Love ...The new princess!
5. Mario Biondi: A Handful of Soul (A Lounge Jazzman)
6. Queen Latifah: Trav'lin' Light (Big and Classy!)


Enjoy!

Mp3 Jazz Places

Here are some fine links for Jazz Mp3 downloads:

1. Sunny side of the street
2. JazzMan!
3. Six by Six


Have Fun!