Artist: Johnny Winter
     Album: Hey, Where's Your Brother?
     Label: Virgin Records Us
     Year: 1992
     Genre: Blues
     Format, bitrate: mp3@320kbps
     Time: 54:33
     Size: 127 mb

     On the classic 1972 live album Roadwork, Edgar Winter immortalized the words, when introducing brother Johnny: "Everybody asks me...where's your brother?" It's a question that fans have besieged both Winters with for over two decades, and now Johnny gets a chance to return the tribute with his latest. Edgar does in fact guest on the sessions, blowing sax and tinkling keys on a few tracks, and dueting with big bro on a superb, seasonal rendition of "Please Come Home for Christmas." ~ Roch Parisien, All Music Guide

     Artist: Branford Marsalis
     Album: Contemporary Jazz
     Format: FLAC & mp3 (320k/s)
     Size: 472 & 169 MB (scans)
     Label: Columbia
     Total time: 73:54
     AMG Raiting:

     This album was much anticipated, for it would be Branford Marsalis's first since the death of his longtime pianist Kenny Kirkland. Happily, it is a knockout. While no one can entirely recreate the famed chemistry that existed between Kirkland and Marsalis, pianist Joey Calderazzo does a marvelous job handling the extraordinary complexity, energy, and beauty of Marsalis's music. Bassist Eric Revis and drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts, both of whom played on 1999's Requiem (which wound up being the last recording of Kirkland's life), carry on here in the spirit of their departed friend, fleshing out Marsalis's increasingly challenging ensemble concepts and -- most importantly -- swinging like men possessed."In the Crease" and "Tain Mutiny," with their unpredictable twists and turns, are indicative of the gravitas of Marsalis's work ever since he left his post at The Tonight Show. But the album's high point is a lengthy take of "Elysium," a tune that appeared on Requiem as a trio piece, an aesthetic choice necessitated by the sudden death of Kirkland who never had a chance to play on the track. Here the full quartet weighs in, deftly executing a dizzying series of tempo shifts and subtle cues, all seamlessly worked into a fabric of extended, burning improvisation. Finally, "Sleepy Hollow," a slow blues tucked away at the end of the program as a hidden track, sounds as though the band just let the tape roll as they warmed down from the session. It's a delightfully unrehearsed moment, perhaps a closing homage to Kirkland, drawn from deep down in the tradition. ~ David R. Adler, All Music Guide

     Artists: Джаз-ансамбль "Аллегро"
                    Nikolay Levinovsky, "Allegro" Jazz Band
     Album: Сфинкс / Shpinx
     Label: Мелодия
     Year: 1986
     Genre: Jazz-Rock
     Format: MP3@320 kbps
     Time: 68:32
     Size: 160 MB

     Кредо ансамбля осталось прежним. "Аллегро" - всё так же обладающий оркестровым звучанием ансамбль, где секция духовых соединяется с обильной и очень современной электроникой. Сохранилась и установка на программность, цикличность, развёрнутость сочинений.

     Artist: Rory Gallagher
     Album: Original Album Classics (5 cds)
     Label: Sony
     Year: 2008
     Genre: Blues/Rock
     Format, bitrate: EAC/CD Image | Flac+Cue | Covers
     Size: 1,7Gb

     Album Description:
     2008 five CD box. The Original Album Classics series, courtesy of Sony/BMG, packages together five classic albums from one of the most popular artists on the label's roster, housing them in an attractive slipcase. This set from the Irish guitar legend features the albums Deuce (1971), Calling Card (1976), Top Priority (1979), Jinx (1982) and Fresh Evidence (1988). 56 tracks.

     Artist: Eric Clapton
     Album: From The Cradle
     Label: Reprise Records
     Year: 1994
     Format MP3, bitrate: 224
     Time: 61'
     Size 99 Mb
     

     For years, fans craved an all-blues album from Eric Clapton; he waited until 1994 to deliver From the Cradle. The album manages to re-create the ambience of postwar electric blues, right down to the bottomless thump of the rhythm section. If it wasn't for Clapton's labored vocals, everything would be perfect. As long as he plays his guitar, he can't fail -- his solos are white-hot and evocative, original and captivating. When he sings, Clapton loses that sense of originality, choosing to mimic the vocals of the original recordings. At times, his overemotive singing is painful; he doesn't have the strength to pull off Howlin' Wolf's growl or the confidence to replicate Muddy Waters' assured phrasing. Yet, whenever he plays, it's easier to forget his vocal shortcomings. Even with its faults, From the Cradle is one of Clapton's finest moments. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

     Artist: Dianne Reeves
     Album: Quiet After The Storm
     Year: 1994, release:1995
     Genre: jazz vocal
     Format, bitrate: mp3, 160 kb/sec
     Time: 59:37
     Size: 80,8 МБ
     Total time: 59:11

     Dianne Reeves, who has always had a beautiful voice and the potential for greatness in jazz, has conducted a rather directionless career, performing many concerts filled with spontaneity while at the same time recording erratic albums that usually feature both veteran jazz ballads and newer material that is closer to pop and folk music. There are some strong jazz moments on this CD. "Comes Love" has an inventive arrangement that uses a riff from the Miles Davis version of "'Round Midnight" and a familiar rhythmic phrase from "Star Eyes" in surprising ways. "Detour Ahead" is fine and "The Benediction" ("Country Preacher" with Reeves's lyrics) is a sincere tribute to Cannonball Adderley (who makes a brief appearance on soprano via sampling) but on some of the other pieces Reeves wanders far away from jazz. She sings a couple of folk songs with guitarist Dori Caymmi, introduces the heartwarming if poppish original "Nine" and performs a very straight version of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" that makes the song sound like a Broadway show tune. Perhaps Dianne Reeves's eventual niche will be as a jazz-influenced folk-pop singer; someday she should probably make up her mind. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

     Artists: Modern Jazz Quartet
     Album: MJQ 40 Years [box set]
     Label: Atlantic / Wea
     Year: 1991
     Format, bitrate: Mp3 256 kbs vbr
     Time: 5:05:28
     Size: 492 MB

     To celebrate The Modern Jazz Quartet's 40th anniversary as a group, Atlantic came out with an attractive four-CD box set that has selections (programmed in chronological order) that cover the group's long career. Most of the selections come from the Atlantic catalog although they have leased a few numbers owned by other labels and, with the exception of four songs from a Japanese concert and one previously unissued performance, all of the music is readily available elsewhere. But this well-conceived set serves as a perfect introduction for new listeners and as a fine retrospective of this important group's legacy. All of the best-known compositions are included and they find vibraphonist Milt Jackson, pianist John Lewis, bassist Percy Heath and drummer Connie Kay (along with a few notable guests) playing at their peak. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

     Artists: Modern Jazz Quartet
     Album: The Complete Modern Jazz Quartet Prestige & Pablo Recordings [box set]
     Label: Prestige
     Year: 2003
     Format, bitrate: Mp3 256kbs vbr
     Time: 3:26:54
     Size: 481 MB; Cover: complete booklet
     AMG Rating:

     In typical Fantasy Records aplomb, this four-CD set collects the eight albums which the Modern Jazz Quartet either mentored or collaborated on during their tenure at the commencement and nadir of their reign as jazz's premier chamber ensemble. Beginning with the 1952 issue of Modern Jazz Quartet/Milt Jackson Quintet recording (the earlier Milt Jackson Quartet sides are not here for obvious reasons, as the band did not commence its fully developed form on them) featuring original drummer Kenny Clarke before Connie Kay replaced him, and ending with This One's For Basie in 1985; the association the MJQ had with Prestige was a monumental one... >>

     Artists: Milt Jackson & Lucky Thompson
     Title: Complete Sextet Sessions of Milt Jackson & Lucky Thompson
     Genre: Jazz, Bebop, Swing
     Label: Dark Blue Notes
     Year: 1956
     Format: Lossless, WAVs

     I am not sure if Fresh Sound or any other label already put all titles recorded in 2-day session in 1956 by Milt Jackson and Lucky Thompson, into a commercial album... but here is my compilation.
     With its all beauty, first class musicianship and very true recording by Rudy Van Gelder.

     Artist: Art Blakey
     Album: Holiday for Skins
     Label: Blue Note
     Year: 1958
     Quality: MP3 @ 320 kbps
     Size: 166 mb (RS.com)
     Covers + Scans
     Time: 67:00

     Art Blakey, who visited Africa several times, has been cited as saying jazz couldn't have happened there, that it could only have happened in America when and where it did, but Blakey was also fully aware of where those polyphonic rhythms and call-and-response patterns that underscore all of jazz came from. In the mid-'50s he began experimenting with large drum ensembles that slid African and Latin rhythms beneath hard bop horn and piano structures, resulting in a kind of worldbeat jazz hybrid years before the idea of worldbeat became codified as a musical concept...

     Artists - Lee Konitz & Gerry Mulligan
     Album - Konitz Meets Mulligan
     Label - Pacific Jazz
     Year - 1953, release - 1988
     Quality - MP3@320 kbps
     Size - 81,3 mb
     Total time - 38:38
     

     This 1953 recording captures Lee Konitz as guest soloist with the innovative Gerry Mulligan Quartet with Chet Baker at its creative peak. Konitz blends beautifully with some of the best playing of his career.
The first six tunes were recorded live at The Haig in LA and the rest were done in the studio the same week.

     Artists: Franz Koglmann & Lee Konitz
     Album: We Thought About Duke
     Genre: Jazz, Avantgarde
     Year: 1995
     Label: hatHUT
     Format: Lossless, WAVs
     Size: 247 MB

     Duke Ellington tributes, much like Cole Porter, George Gershwin, John Coltrane, and Miles Davis tributes, were a dime a dozen in the '80s and '90s. All too often, these Ellington tributes were unimaginative and predictable, sticking to the standards while ignoring the many lesser-known gems that were written by Ellington or his partner Billy Strayhorn. But predictability isn't a problem on We Thought About Duke, a cerebral post-bop date that trumpeter/flugelhornist Franz Koglmann co-led with alto sax master Lee Konitz. This is definitely one of the more daring Ellington tributes that came out of the '90s. Instead of inundating us with standards that we've heard time and time again, Koglmann provides arrangements of such underexposed Ellington pieces as "Love Is in My Heart," "Zweet Zurzday" (which he co-wrote with Strayhorn), and "Lament for Javanette." In fact, one could be a serious Ellington enthusiast and be unfamiliar with these compositions. The best-known song on the CD is "The Mooche," which Ellington unveiled in 1928. Although "The Mooche" can hardly be considered obscure, it hasn't been done to death а la "In a Mellow Tone" or "Cotton Tail." Koglmann's arrangements have strong classical/chamber music leanings, and his admiration for Gil Evans is evident. For those seeking an Ellington tribute that is adventurous rather than conventional, We Thought About Duke is highly recommended. ~ Alex Henderson, AMG

     Artist: Katharine Whalen
     Album: Katharine Whalen's Jazz Squad
     Label: Mammoth / Pgd
     Release: 1999
     Genre: jazz, neo-swing
     Format, bitrate: mp3, 320 kbps
     Time: 38 min, 24 sec
     Size: 90 mb

     Итак, друзья мои, вернувшись после каникул (новогодних-рождественских), решил я порадовать Вас чем-нибудь вкусненьким. А что может быть вкуснее старых добрых эвергринов в исполнении банджо-дивы из знаменитых Squirrel Nut Zippers?
     Предлагаю Вашему вниманию её первый сольный альбом. Итак...

     Singer and banjoist Katharine Whalen is one of the founding members of the Squirrel Nut Zippers, the North Carolina-based retro band whose joyful fusion of raw jump blues and hot jazz has been one of the most unlikely success stories of the 1990s. On her solo debut, Whalen steps out a bit (though not entirely) from the shadow of Billie Holiday, whose nasal, declamatory style has been a huge influence on Whalen from the beginning. She sings "'Deed I Do" and "There Is No Greater Love" in a somewhat warmer, sexier voice than usual; same with the finger-popping "That Old Feeling" (which, strangely, sounds like it was faded out halfway through the track). But she delivers "Yesterdays" with what almost sounds like a tribute to Holiday's delivery of the classic and controversial "Strange Fruit." The program ends with a strutting, ska-inflected version of "My Baby Just Cares for Me." Derivative or not, Whalen is a gifted chanteuse and a wonderful interpreter. Highly recommended. ~ Rick Anderson, AMG

     Artist: Harry James & His Big Band
     Album: The King James Version
     Label: Sheffield Lab 3
     Year: 1976 [Digital Remastered]
     Genre: Jazz, Big Band, Swing
     Format, bitrate: MP3@320 kbps + flac
     Time: 29:41
     Size: 65 Mb (flac - 170.7Mb)

     This is one of Sheffield labs first pressings. Very rare and collectiable. And it sounds great too. This is the first of our series of three albums by Harry James and His Big Band. This album was recorded 'on location' and features such standards as: "Cherokee," "Corner Pocket," "Sweet Georgia Brown," "Don't Be That Way," "Blues Stay Away" and four more. Grammy Nomination for Best Engineering.
     In late July 1976, trumpeter Harry James recorded enough music for two LPs. This particular set gives one a good sampling of his 1976 orchestra and finds James happy to emulate the swing sound of Count Basie. The arrangements, by Ernie Wilkins, Thad Jones, Ray Conniff, Dave Matthews, Rob Turk and Jimmy Haskell, lack any real surprises (other than the fact that James decided to record "Lara's Theme" from Dr. Zhivago), and the sidemen, other than drummer Les DeMerle, sound pretty anonymous. James was playing well enough this late in his career, but the solos, arrangements and material are quite routine and predictable. ~ Scott Yanow, AMG

     Artists: Chris Barber's jazz band
     Album: The best of dixieland
     Release: Live in 1954-55
     Label: Polygram Germany
     Genre: Traditional jazz
     Format: MP3, Вitrate: 320 Kbs/s
     Time: 57 min.
     Size: 127 MB


     British jazz trombonist Chris Barber celebrates his 60th year as a bandleader in 2008-2009. Inspired by the King Oliver Creole Jazz Band, Chris formed his first Barber New Orleans Band in 1949 at the age of nineteen. In 1953, along with Monty Sunshine and Lonnie Donegan, he joined forces with Ken Colyer. Then, with the replacement of Colyer by Pat Halcox, Ken Colyer's Jazzmen became Chris Barber's Jazz Band in 1954 and has been one of Europe's most successful traditional jazz bands ever since.
     Over the years, Chris Barber's Jazz Band evolved into the Chris Barber Jazz and Blues Band, a rich eight-piece group, blending brass, reeds, and electric guitar into a unique and unmistakable mix of blues and jazz. And despite being 'on the slide' since 1949, having performed over 10,000 concerts and made thousands of recordings, the Chris Barber Band keeps marching on, right into the 21st century. At the end of 2001 Chris extended his band with three more musicians into The BIG Chris Barber Band.

     Artists: Count Basie, Frank Sinatra
     Album: Frank Sinatra Meets Count Basie
     Label: Warner Bros UK
     Year: 1962
     Genre: Swing, jazz vocal
     Format, bitrate: mp3; 160 kbit
     Time: 33:11
     Size: 39,25 mb
     Total time: 33:05
     AMG Raiting:

     The long-awaited first collaboration between two icons, Count Basie and Frank Sinatra, did something unique for the reputations of both. For Basie, the Sinatra connection inaugurated a period in the '60s where his band was more popular and better-known than it ever was, even in the big-band era. For Sinatra, Basie meant liberation, producing perhaps the loosest, rhythmically free singing of his career. Propelled by the irresistible drums of Sonny Payne, Sinatra careens up to and around the tunes, reacting jauntily to the beat and encouraging Payne to swing even harder, which was exactly the way to interact with the Basie rhythm machine using his exquisite timing flawlessly. Also the members of the Basie band play a more prominent role than usual on a Sinatra record, with soloists like Frank Wess - in some of the finest flute work of his life and tenors Frank Foster and Eric Dixon getting prominent solo opportunities on several of the tracks. The record was criticized by some as a letdown when it came out, probably because Neal Hefti's charts rarely permit the band to roar, concentrating on use of subtlety and space. Yet the record's restraint has worn very well over the long haul it doesn't beat you into submission and it concludes with its best shot, a wonderfully playful treatment of "I Won't Dance." ~ Richard S. Ginell, All Music Guide

     Artist & Band: Reve Boheme
     Title of Album: The Best of
     Year of Release: Dec 4, 2006 (Audio CD (Jan 2, 2007))
     Country: Denmark
     Studio/Live: Studio
     Genre, Style: Jazz, Instrumental
     Type, Quality: MP3, VBR kbps
     Total Time: 01:03:23
     Total Size: 93.84 MB

     This amazing quartet from Copenhagen, Denmark, are having great success in their own territory with their seducing combination of Django spirit guitars, sax and vocals - now the time has come to conquer the world!

     Artist & Band: Rodolphe RAFFALLI
     Title of Album: Le Retour
     Year of Release: 27 octobre 2008
     Label: Fremeaux & Associes
     Studio/Live: Studio
     Genre, Style: Jazz, Guitar Swing
     Type, Quality: MP3, CBR 320 kbps; Covers
     Total Time: 58:41
     Total Size: 134.97 MB

     Rodolphe Raffalli goes back to his roots, returning to his first love and the exceptional musical fusion which characterizes his singularity: jazz, classical music and South American sounds. Rodolph entered the studios with completely new quartet, enabling him to bond once again with his musical pathway: South American music, classical harmony and the swinging rhythms of jazz. Backed by the zeal of pianist Joël Bouquet, the sensitivity of bassist Claude Mouton, the Latin originality of percussionist Abraham ‘Manfa’ Mansfarroll, Rodolphe Raffalli conveys his extraordinary sense of perception and array of colours.

     Artist & Band: Stefano Bollani
     Title of Album: Carioca
     Year of Release: 06-06-2008
     Label: Universal Music Italy
     Studio/Live: Studio
     Genre, Style: Jazz, Piano Jazz, Smooth Jazz
     Type, Quality: MP3, CBR 320 kbps; HQ Covers
     Total Time: 68:28
     Total Size: 157.48 MB

     Стефано Боллани (родился 5 декабря 1972 года в Милане) итальянский джазовый пианист из Милана.
     Он сделал свой профессиональный дебют на fifteen и получил диплом по специальности фортепиано Conservatorio Luigi Cherubini во Флоренции. Стефано исполняет классическую музыку, smooth jazz, бразильский джаз, рок-и поп-музыку. В 1998 году, журнал Musica Jazz, присвоил ему звание самого талантливого джаз исполнителя года.

     Artist & Band: Rocco Ventrella
     Title Of Album: Give Me the Groove
     Year of Release: 2006 (February 28, 2007)
     Label: Smooth Sounds Music
     Studio/Live: Studio
     Genre, Style: Jazz, Smooth Jazz, Saxophon
     Type, Quality: mp3, CBR 320 kbps
     Total Time: 51:56
     Total Size: MP3 - 118.88 Mb

     Rocco Ventrella hails from Bari, Italy. From 1983 until 2005 Ventrella played in the Big Band “J.S.O.” of Bari where he appeared with an impressive list of artists such as: Lee Konitz, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Benny Bailey, Chet Baker, Paolo Fresu, Enrico Rava, Tullio De Piscopo, Ernie Wilkins, Art Farmer, Maurizio Giammarco, Gianni Basso, Lee Konitz, Tony Scott, Dizzy Gillespie, G. Gaslini, D. Goykovic, Bob Mintzer and others.
     His first solo project was Tribute To Grover Washington, Jr. (2005) containing three tracks: Winelight, Let It Flow and Make Me A Memory. In addition, Ventrella has some new recordings featuring his own compositions, including the soulful and haunting I Receive Your Love. The surprising success of this album especially the positive reaction of critics encouraged Rocco to record Give Me The Groove (2007).
     Rocco Ventrella was accompanied on this album by Bruce Nazarian (bass, drums, keyboards), Renato Falashi (various keyboards, Hammond organ, piano) and other guest musicians. Bruce Nazarian also recorded, mixed and mastered the album at Gnome Sound Studios, USA, except Winelight and I Receive Your Love, which Rocco had already produced for his first project.