Artist - Big Bill Morganfield
     Album - Ramblin' Mind
     Label - Blind Pig
     Year - 2001
     Quality - MP3@256 kbps
     Size - 85,42 mb


     With his debut, Rising Son, Big Bill Morganfield firmly established himself as following in the footsteps of his famous father (that's Muddy Waters, in case you hadn't heard). The album, an impressively performed collection of original songs and lesser-known Waters compositions, was notable for simultaneously staying true to the electric blues style Waters helped pioneer, while also showcasing Morganfield's distinctive voice. True, his music sounds a lot like his father's; however, that's due not to slavish imitation, but to a desire to master a very traditional style of music to which the rules are well understood, if not always followed to such great result. Thus, with Ramblin' Mind, Morganfield's musical voice emerges more strongly and distinctly than ever before. It helps that this album features more originals; nine of the 14 tracks were penned by the younger Morganfield, and none is by his father. This makes for a greater variety of material and a chance for Morganfield to stretch his songwriting wings; while the usual electric blues is to be expected, there's also a bit of swing ("Mellow Chick Swing"), the cheerful "People Sure Act Funny," and the sultry "Dirty Dealin' Mama," which almost ought to earn the album a parental advisory sticker. Overall, Morganfield has proven that not only was the success of Rising Son not a fluke, but that following Muddy's footsteps doesn't mean riding on his coattails. ~ Genevieve Williams, Amazon.com

     Artist: Herbie Hancock
     Album: Speak Like a Child
     Recording date: Mar. 6 & 9, 1968
     Label: Blue Note
     Quality: FLAC & MP3@320
     Size: 201 MB & 83 MB
     Time: 37:12

     The key to Speak Like a Child is in Hancock's graceful, lyrical playing and compositions, which are lovely on the surface and provocative and challenging upon closer listening.

Artist: Erskine Hawkins
Album: The Original Tuxedo Junction
Rating AMG: 5

Recording Date: Sep 12, 1938-Jan 10, 1945
Label: Bluebird/RCA
Genre: Jazz, Styles: New York Blues, Swing
Time: 68:00
Format/Bitrate - flac (rapidshare.com)
Size: 2х100+77 Mb

Желаю всем приятного прослушивания.

     Artist: Jimmy Forrest
     Album: Forrest Fire
     Rating AMG: 4
     Recording Date: Aug 9, 1960
     Label: New Jazz/OJC
     Genre: Jazz, Styles: Hard Bop, Soul-Jazz
     Time: 39:39
     Format/Bitrate - flac (rapidshare.com)
     Size: 2х100+70 Mb

     Уважаемый lex. Примите мои поздравления с днем рождения! Желаю Вам счастья и здоровья!
За последнее время мне понравился этот альбом. Надеюсь, что в Вашей коллекции его нет (ну да нет - все у него есть - прим. членов Клуба), и Вы получите удовольствие от его прослушивания.

     Желаю всем приятного прослушивания.

     Artist - Paris Combo
     Album - Motifs
     Label - DRG/Polydor
     Genre - swing-jazz-gypsy-romano-french
     Year - 2005
     Quality - MP3@192 kbps
     Size - 72 mb
     Total time - 50:05

     A celebration of contemporary Paris, reflecting influences of blues, swing, Gypsy, flamenco, and North Africa. It is a jazzy and sexy version of the rootsy chanson tradition. Quintet of Paris-based musicians fronted by Belle du Berry, who writes the lyrics and most of the group's music. Billboard Magazine has said they have the "coolest sounds on either side of the Atlantic."
     It wouldn't be exactly accurate to call Paris Combo a throwback to the 1930s, despite singer Belle du Berry's jazzy, period-perfect crooning style and the fact that guitarist Potzi coifs himself in explicit homage to Django Reinhardt. But it wouldn't be exactly inaccurate, either, and there's nothing wrong with that. David Lews' trumpet snakes and sizzles, almost always with a mute, through the songs' decorously swinging melodies while du Berry drops her lyrics in an expressive but rather dry voice and drummer Franзois Jeannin and bassist Mano Razanajato keep the grooves powerful but light. The irony is that, although Potzi is the one who most dresses the part of a retro jazz cat, he's actually the band's utility man, laying down Django-style chord solos one minute and swinging out in a more modern style the next, while pulling various tones and attacks out of his bag of tricks from time to time. But the band is smart enough to always keep the sonic focus on the sweet, dry voice of du Berry, whose clever lyrics and flawless accuracy make every song a low-key delight. Recommended.

     Artist: Eberhard Weber
     Album: Pendulum
     Label: ECM
     Year: 1993
     Genre: Jazz, Bass
     Format, bitrate: mp3@320 Kbps
     Time: 52 min
     Size: 117 Mb

     Эберхард Вебер - беловолосый эльф контрабаса. Этот альбом для меня примечателен в первую очередь тем, что именно с него началось мое знакомство с этим прекрасным музыкантом. Помню, что уже первое прослушивание произвело на меня неизгладимое впечатление. Положительных эмоций и еще большего чувства восщищения добавила информация о том, что вся музыка, сыграна действительно им одним и действительно только с использованием одного единственного инструмента, контрабаса и электроконтрабаса. На мой взгляд, самое главное достоинство этого альбома в том, что музыкант не только продемонстрировал технические возможности инструмента, а создал именно что музыку, слушать которую одно удовольствие.

     Although this is essentially a solo bass date, Eberhard Weber's use of overdubbing and an echo unit turns his bass into an orchestra of sorts. Since he is a strong composer, covering a wide span of moods during this set of melodic originals and avoiding the use of his effects as gimmickry, Weber creates an introverted but accessible program whose appeal should stretch beyond just lovers of bass solos. Scott Yanow, AMG

     Artists: Toots Thielemans, Pepper Adams, Kenny Drew
     Album: Man Bites Harmonica
     Label: Riverside/OJC
     Years: 1957-1958, release - 1992
     Quality: MP3@320 kbps
     Size: 103 mb (with covers)
     Total time: 40:03

     Although he plays guitar exclusively on two of the eight selections included on this CD reissue, it is Toots Thielemans' harmonica playing that is most unique. He holds his own on a hard bop blowing date with baritonist Pepper Adams, pianist Kenny Drew, bassist Wilbur Ware and drummer Art Taylor, jamming on such songs as "East of the Sun," "Struttin' with Some Barbeque" and "Isn't It Romantic." Even four decades later, no jazz harmonica player has dethroned the great Toots. ~ Scott Yanow, AMG

     Artist: Carmen McRae
     Album: The Great American Songbook
     Year: 1972, release 1990
     Label: Atlantic
     Format, bitrate: MP3@320 kbps
     Size: 156 MB
     Total time: 1h 20m 41s


     On this popular two-LP set, singer Carmen McRae interprets songs by Duke Ellington, Cole Porter, Michel Legrand, Warren & Dubin, Henry Mancini, and Jimmy Van Heusen, among others, but it is her rendition of a humorous Jimmy Rowles novelty ("The Ballad of Thelonious Monk") that is best remembered. Joined by pianist Rowles, guitarist Joe Pass, bassist Chuck Domanico, and drummer Chuck Flores, McRae had what was at the time a rare opportunity to record a live, spontaneous, jazz-oriented set. She sounds quite enthusiastic about both her accompaniment and the strong repertoire, which includes "At Long Last Love," "I Only Have Eyes for You," "Sunday," "I Cried for You," and "I Thought About You." ~Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

    Artist: Quincy Jones
    Album: The Color Purple - Original Soundtrack
    Year: 1985
    Label: Quest Records
    Format, bitrate: MP3, 320 kbps
    Time: 1:22:01
    Size: 184 MB
    All Music Guide Rating:

   For the first time and only in our Club! Introducing the Original Soundtrack to the magnificent classical legendary Steven Spielberg's film THE COLOR PURPLE, produced by the 20th century music genius Quincy Jones. Each tune in this shining sountrack is filled with the same captivating black music richness, as is the film itself. The styles range from jazz, blues and gospel to traditional African motives, which is amplified by perfect numerous talanted musicians playing, gospel chores breathtaking singing, many-voiced "honey" Tata Vega, and great Spielberg's whistling in person.
   Впервые и только в нашем Клубе! Представляю Original Soundtrack к великолепному, ставшему уже классикой, фильму легендарного Steven Spielberg THE COLOR PURPLE, продюсированный музыкальным гением 20го века Quincy Jones. Каждый трек в этом блестящем саундтреке наполнен таким же пленящим богатством музыки чёрных, как и сам фильм. В нём встречаются все стили музыки чёрных, от джаза, блюза и госпела до традиционных африканских мотивов, что дополняется безупречной игрой огромного количества талантливых музыкантов, захватывающим пением хоров госпела, многоголосной "honey" Tata Vega, и насвистываниями великого Спилберга собственной персоной.

   The score for THE COLOR PURPLE reflects the beauty of Quincy Jones' personal commitment to both the film and his own artistry.
   To successfully accomplish his assignment Quincy spent numerous days on the set of the film, in dailies, and several weekends with me in the editing room attempting to discover what secrets lay at the heart of THE COLOR PURPLE and searching for the inspiration that would provide us both with the musical voices of Celie, Mr., Nettie, Shug, Sofia, Harpo, Old Mr., Squeak, Grady, Miss Millie and that old dilapidated mailbox which became the eleventh character in THE COLOR PURPLE. Even that begged for a theme.
   Quincy did us all proud. He and a gifted armada of musicians, arranger/conductors, vocalists and technicians went to work in a fever pitch and one day returned with over 100 minutes of source music, songs and score. The results for me were tear inspiring.
   It is music so lucid that one not only hears it, but sees it too.
   Quincy Jones has added another milestone to a career already unparalleled in today's recording industry. He has again, given us all something to sing about.
      STEVEN SPIELBERG

   Artist: Joe Pass
   Album: Virtuoso Live
   Label: Pablo Records
   Year: 1991, release - 1992
   Genre: Solo guitar jazz
   Format, bitrate: mp3, 320 kbps
   Time: 54:00
   Size: 76,5 Мb

   Fast forward through the â?˜70s and â?˜80s. I am sure that the powers that be titled this disc Virtuoso Live! in order to ride the coattails of the critical success of the original four releases. That is just fine. A lesser artist may not have pulled it off. But Joe Pass operated at such a high level that it is quite justifiable that Pablo title this archival release as such. Pass is captured in his solo element on stage in the intimate confines of a small bar in Hollywood. He crosses the full expanse of time and style by including the â?˜20s (”Indiana”), â?˜30s (”Love for Sale”), â?˜40s (”Whatâ?™s New”), â?˜50s (”Mack the Knife”), and â?˜70s (”Just the Way You Are”). Pass makes no attempt to complicate these pieces.

   Artist: Joe Pass
   Album: Virtuoso #4
   Label: Pablo Records
   Year: 1973, release - 1993
   Genre: Solo guitar jazz
   Format, bitrate: mp3, 320 kbps
   Time: 52:00 + 52:00
   Size: 103 Мb + 104 Мb

   The distinction for Virtuoso #4 is that the majority (save one piece, “Indian Summer”) were recorded using an acoustic guitar. Pass solidifies his dense command of the popular song and jazz standard. While most critical centers consider Virtuoso #4 inferior to Virtuoso , I say they came from the same place and we are lucky to have then on disc. Leftovers? Not!
         By C. Michael Bailey

   Artist: Joe Pass
   Album: Virtuoso #2
   Label: Pablo Records
   Year: 1977, release - 1987
   Genre: Solo guitar jazz
   Format, bitrate: mp3, 320 kbps
   Time: 56:56
   Size: 135 Мb

   For the second installment of his Virtuoso series, Pass chose pieces of a more contemporary nature than present on Virtuoso. Pass mixes things up here with the ground zero of Hard Bop (“Giant Steps,” “Grooveyard,” and “Joy Spring) new jazz standards (“On Green Dolphin Street”) and the contemporary (David Gate’s “If” and Morris Albert’s “Feelings”).