Artist: Mode Plagal
     Album: Mode Plagal II
     Format: APE & MP3 (320k/s)
     Size: 455 & 157 MB (scans)
     Label: Lyra
     Total playing: 68:15

Ebullient originality and improvisational skill describe the audibly provocative new CD by Greek jazz band, Mode Plagal. "Mode Plagal II" is the long-awaited follow-up to the group's 1995 album "Mode Plagal", on the alternative Ano Kato Records label. Full of inventive touces, this just-out album gives the listener a taste of jazz as seen through the eyes -and ears- of innovative Greek musicians. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Mode Plagal: Thodoris Rellos on alto saxophone, Kleon Antoniou on electric guitar, Antonis Maratos on electric bass, Takis Kanellos on drums and Angelos Polychroniou on percussion. These skilled musicians dared to "jazzify" Greek traditional music (demotika) and the outcome is indeed impressive. Conventional ingredients of the demotika have been enhanced with thick icings of jazz harmonies and distinctive bass lines. They have resourcefully taken a marginalised music and literally given it a new lease of life. And these audacious improvisers don't hide their influences either, instead, they put them on centre stage transforming these blatant borrowings into a newly emerging musical style that has the melodic appeal of fine jazz and the weightier rhythmic line of the Greek demotika tradition. By skillfully manipulating the musical time of a traditional tune from western Macedonia they come up with "Funky Vergina", an attractive example of jazz improv with sax, bass and drum solos intact. The best thing about this CD is that these guys bring conviction to what they do, and the penetrating clarity of their individual performances bears that out. Those who attended last week's performance at the Megaron know that all too well. With a set of personal modes and a radical approach, Mode Plagal have created a style that absorbs tradition, making it an integral part of their music without delivering pale imitations. Particulary delicious is the wonderfully arranges ethnic-tinged "Kalanta" - Christmas carols from Thrace - bolstered by shouting percussion and feather-light saxophone fillings. But if sustained intensity is what you're after, look no further than the stylistically diverse "Pikrodafni (...a blues)" which draws from the Epirot rhythmic heritage. This potent six-minute-plus track, featuring a dynamic sax lead and a driving drum beat, is exhilarating. There's also the more atmospheric "Salona", from Roumeli (continental Greece) where a sonorous sax solo takes the listener to the plains of the region, and the bluesy guitar riffs to Chicago's moody blues joints. What makes this CD, released on Lyra, well worth exploring? It's fresh, well-crafted and finally downright radical. Demotika ill never sound the same after Mode Plagal II. The band has pushed contemporary Greek music into new territories. As for Mode Plagal, keep your eyes and ears open, these guys are probably somewhere in town doing their gig... ~ Maria Paravantes, Athens News

     Artist: VA
     Album: Where Blues Meets Rock-Vol. 1
     Genre: Blues
     Styles: Blues, Modern Electric Blues
     Quality /Bitrate: MP3 / 320 kbit/s / 44.1 Khz / Joint Stereo
     File Size: 71,5+65,1 Mb








Прекрассный сборник от королей тяжёлого блюза...

     Artist: Various
     Title: Saudades De Tom & Vinicius
     Year: 2004
     Label: CID
     Format: MP3 320 kBit/s + CUE + LOG + Covers
     Size: ~ 79 MB


Vinнcius de Moraes was a fundamental figure in Brazilian music. As a poet, he wrote lyrics for a great number of songs that became all-time bossa nova and samba classics. As a composer, he wrote some good music, and as an interpreter, he left several important albums. From a musical family, he began very early to write poetry. At 14 he became friends with the brothers Paulo and Haroldo Tapajуs. With Haroldo, he composed the fox song "Loura ou Morena," recorded by the two brothers in 1932 with success for Columbia. In 1929 de Moraes enrolled in law school in Catete, Rio. Between 1932 and 1933 he wrote lyrics for ten songs that were recorded by his partners: seven with Haroldo Tapajуs, two with Paulo, and one with J. Medina (which was recorded by Joгo Petra de Barros). In 1933 he finished his college studies and released his first book, O Caminho Para a Distвncia. In 1935 he had his second book (Forma e Exegese) awarded, and in the next year, he became a cinema censor for the health and education cabinet. In 1936 he wrote Ariana, a Mulher and in 1938 headed to England, with an English government scholarship to study literature at Oxford University, and wrote Novos Poemas. At that time he was married by proxy. Read more...

     Artist: Natalie Cole
     Album: Take a Look
     Original Release Date: June 15, 1993
     Label: Elektra
     Size: 148MB (unpacked)
     Format, bitrate: MP3, 320 kbps
     Time: 64 minutes



   Those who questioned whether Natalie Cole had either the will or skill to succeed with another session of pre-rock popular music need wonder no more. There are another 18 jazz-tinged and early pop numbers, with some unexpected pleasures ("Calypso Blues," "It's Sand Man") and spectacular triumphs ("Cry Me a River," "Fiesta in Blue," "I'm Beginning to See the Light"). Cole is now completely comfortable with the pacing, flow, and sensibility of pre-rock material; she has no problems with articulation or delivery, either.
   ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide

     Artist: Jackie McLean
     Album: Rites of Passage
     Format: APE & MP3 (320k/s)
     Size: 374 & 130 MB (scans)
     Label: Triloka
     Total playing: 59:16


Recorded over two years after his "comeback" album, Dynasty, but using the same personnel, altoist Jackie McLean once again sounds in prime form. His intensity and passion had not declined through the years and his sometimes-abrasive tone had, if anything, become even more distinctive. With this particularly strong group (which has son Rene on tenor, alto and soprano, pianist Hotep Idris Galeta, bassist Nat Reeves and drummer Carl Allen), McLean pours his heart out on two of his originals plus pieces by Rene And Galeta. Outstanding no-holds-barred music. ~ Scott Yanow, AMG

     Artist - Billy Strayhorn
     Album - Lush Life
     Label - Red Baron
     Years - 1964/1965, release - 1992
     Quality - MP3@320 kbps
     Size - 155 mb
     Total time - 69:22



Although not initially released until 1992, 25 years after composer Billy Strayhorn's death, this is his definitive CD. Strayhorn is heard singing "Lush Life" while backed by the Duke Ellington Orchestra in 1964 (his voice is not strong but his phrasing is quite sincere), jamming on piano with flьgelhornist Clark Terry and Bob Wilbur (on clarinet and soprano) in a quintet, backing singer Ozzie Bailey, and taking a pair of piano solos ("Love Came" and "Baby Clementine"). These are very valuable and intriguing recordings, shedding some new light on a nearly invisible genius. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

   Artist: Various Artists
   Album: Antonio Carlos Jobim Songbook: Instrumental
   Year: 1995
   Label: Lumiar
   Size: 321 MB
   Format, bitrate: MP3, 320 kbps

   This double-album release brings a wide range of excellent Brazilian performers sharing Jobim's inspiring compositions, some of which may be new for bossa lovers. The strong point of this instrumental album is its inspired solos; the weak take form in the (fortunately only) two funkish/rockish renditions which seem to be commercial attempts. Disc one begins with a wonderful piano and flugel horn duo (Gilson Peranzzetta and Márcio Montarroyos) playing "Surfboard." "Meu amigo Radamés" is splendidly interpreted in the truest choro spirit by O Trio and Leandro Braga. Luiz Avellar exposes the haunting "Choro" with nothing but a short yet swinging solo. "Diálogo" is an special moment in this album, where accordion virtuose Sivuca dialogues lyrically with trombone master Vittor Santos in an exquisite orchestral environment. "Captain Bacardi" has a more aggressive samba feel with a beautiful flute solo by Mauro Senise. The second album features João Donato's wonderful arrangement for brass and piano trio for "Olha Pro Céu." "Tide" is another good moment, with a piano quartet led by José Roberto Bertrami. Hermeto Pascoal attacks his aggressive, swinging solos in his distinctive style on the hottest track of this album, "Tema jazz."
   Alvaro Neder

     Artist: Johnny Hartman
     Album: This One's For Tedi
     Label: Audiophile Records
     Original Release Date: 1981
     Format: mp3 320 kbps
     Size: 72 MB
     Total time - 36:30

Baritone singer Johnny Hartman's final recording (cut three years before his death) finds the 56-year-old singer still in prime form. Accompanied by pianist/arranger Tony Monte, guitarist Lorne Lofsky, bassist Chris Conner and drummer Craig "Buff" Allen, Hartman is as warm as usual on ballads, and also swings lightly on a few medium-tempo pieces. Among the ten selections heard on this CD reissue are "That's All," "Wait Till You See Her," "It Could Happen to You" and an effective rendition of "Send in the Clowns." It's a shame that Hartman could not know at this discouraging point in his career how famous he would become posthumously. ~ Scott Yanow, AMG