Artist: Ed Bickert
Album: Third Floor Richard
Release Date: Jan 1989
Label: Concord Jazz
Genre,Styles: Jazz,Cool
Quality: APE(Im +.cue)
Size: 246 MB
Time: 52:12
AMG rating:
The appearance of pianist Dave McKenna on an Ed Bickert record is a guarantee that the quiet guitarist will be playing at his most passionate. Actually, McKenna is on just around half of this Concord set, but Bickert (heard in the company of fellow Canadians Neil Swainson on bass and drummer Terry Clarke) sounds generally inspired on such numbers as Duke Ellington's "Band Call," "Louisiana," "Tonight I Shall Sleep" and "This Can't Be Love." Fine straight-ahead jazz. ~ by Scott Yanow, AMG

     Artist: Louis Stewart & Heiner Franz
     Album: In A Mellow Tone
     Year: 1992
     Label: Jardis
     Format, Bitrate: MP3 320 kb
     Time: 50:00
     Size: 138 MB
     Covers: front, back, inside

     Artist:Mississippi John Hurt
     Album:Worried Blues
     Label:Rounder
     Year:1963
     Quality: MP3 320kbps | covers |
     Size: 92 MB
     Total time: 35:21

     This second of two sessions devoted to Mississippi John Hurt's first recordings followed the same pattern as its predecessor. Hurt did mostly blues, with an occasional spiritual number like "Oh Mary Don't You Weep." He sang in a fragile, yet powerful manner, backing his vocals on acoustic guitar in an equally simple, gentle manner with lines and riffs that often surpassed passages with far more intricate voicings. These two CDs restored into public circulation very valuable recordings. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide

     Artist: Oscar Peterson
     Album: Verve Jazz Masters 16
     Label: Polygram Records
     Year: 1952 - 1966
     Release: 1994
     Genre: Jazz
     Format, bitrate: Mp3 320 kb/s
     Time: 1:03:38
     Size: 146 Mb
     AMG rating:


     Vol. 16 of the Verve Jazz Masters series features pianist Oscar Peterson, who recorded prolifically for them from his start in the early '50s up to the early '70s. A single CD could never do Peterson justice, but this one, featuring 15 solid tracks, is evenly balanced between trio and guitar-accented small ensembles, with three big-band tracks added in. The hottest numbers are "Woody 'n You," his original (one of only three of his compositions) "Evrev," and "The Honeydripper." The jazz orchestras nearly consume Peterson during "West Coast Blues," "O.P.," and the stringy "Someday My Prince Will Come." No matter; it's the brilliant voice that listeners admire and are awed by that always shines through, and even though his discography for Verve is gigantic, this remains a good place to start, especially for the student or novice to Peterson's genius. ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide

     Artist: Cal Tjader
     Album: Sounds Out Burt Bacharach
     Label: Dcc Compact Classics
     Original Release Date: 1969
     Quality:Mp3, 192 kb/s
     Size: 58,93 MB
     Time: 31:09


     While the idea of vibraphonist Cal Tjader playing a set of Burt Bacharach tunes has very little potential in the first place, a disappointingly low level of achievement is reached on this rather sad set. Clearly recorded due to the influence of the commercial success of Wes Montgomery's A&M recordings, this CD reissue of a date originally made for Skye is quite a dud. Tjader plays well in spots but the material, and particularly the arrangements of Gary McFarland, Mike Abene and Alan Foust are so insipid as to make the vibist sound silly. Not only is Latin jazz absent from the set, but so is the spirit of jazz altogether. Even at the time, this weak pop music -- which includes inferior versions of such numbers as "What the World Needs Now Is Love," "I Say a Little Prayer" and "Walk On By" must have sounded instantly dated. ~ Scott Yanow, AMG

     Artists: Johnny Griffin Quartet & Richie Cole Group
     Album: From The Village Vanguard
     Format: DVD rip - VeryGood quality (wmv file)
     Studio: Storyville Films 26075 (Distr. by Naxos)
     Video: 4:3 color
     Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1
     Total time: 62 minutes


     Richie Cole has had a turbulent jazz career, beset by personal issues, as well as substance abuse problems. Cole, in the 70s and early 80s, was touted as the next bebop upcoming star. He re-invigorated the career of Eddie Jefferson, the noted jazz scat singer.

     At other times, his playing was erratic, and there were periods in which he largely disappeared from the national jazz scene. However, at the time of his Village Vanguard engagement in 1981, Richie was playing up a storm on his alto sax. He had the colorful sidemen, Bobby ”The Wild Man” Enriquez, on piano and the tasty licks of Bruce Forman, on guitar.>>>

     Artists - Stephane Grapelli and McCoy Tyner
     Album: One On One
     Year: 1990
     Format / bibrate: MP3 / 256 kbps
     Time: 43:36
     Size: 75.33 MB

     Artist: Oscar Peterson
     Album: The Complete Young Oscar Peterson (1945 - 1949)
     Label: RCA
     Year: 1995
     Genre: jazz
     Format, bitrate: Mp3 224 kb/s vbr
     Time: 1:35:59
     Size: 134 Mb
     AMG rating:

     These initial early studio tracks by pianist Oscar Peterson were recorded in Montrйal from 1945 to 1949. Peterson is featured mainly with a trio (occasionally replacing drums with guitar) and a quartet on four tracks. The two discs feature chronological sessions, finding Peterson forming his own identity, although still under the influence of Teddy Wilson and Art Tatum. All 32 tracks were originally recorded for Victor, with an emphasis on standards, boogie-woogie, and blues played with a rotating rhythm section of Canadian musicians. ~ Al Campbell, All Music Guide

     Artist:Coco Montoya
     Album: Suspicion
     Label: Alligator Records
     Year: 2000
     Genre: modern electric blues
     Format mp3 VBR, bitrate:320 kb/s
     Time: 55:16
     Size: 100.27 MB

     Альбом Коко Монтойи Suspicion был лучшим по продажам, во всяком случае, до 2000 года. Альбом получился несколько мягче, чем предыдущие и приобрел такой явный "техасский" оттенок. Может быть, это воспоминание о его великом учителе, Альберте Коллинзе? Во всяком случае у Монтойи все еще впереди. Для блюзмена пятьдесят, даже с гаком - это не возраст.

     Guitarist Coco Montoya started out playing rock & roll, and it shows. On his fourth album, the former John Mayall and Albert Collins sideman rocks his blues hard, with the occasional soul-flavored ballad thrown in for variety. The album kicks off on a note that's high-energy yet relaxed, as Montoya declares that "Enough Is Enough." "I Need Your Love in My Life" is as upbeat and cheering as can be, a sure cure for rainy-day doldrums. And with "Don't Take It Personally" and "You Didn't Think About That," Montoya certainly rocks out. But he's got a soft side too, as the smoky "Fool" and the tender "Nothing but Love" handily illustrate. Although, like his mentor Mayall, Montoya is an indifferent vocalist, he more than makes up for it with his guitar work, which is both expressive and technically brilliant--the blistering solo on "Beyond the Blues" is proof enough of that. Suspicion is Montoya's first album for Alligator Records, and it's unsurprisingly a bit smoother around the edges than his previous records for Blind Pig. Still, it's a strong effort all around, with touches of real warmth and sweetness. ~ Genevieve Williams

     Artist: Eldar
     Album: Re-Imagination
     Label: Sony
     Year: 2007
     Genre: Jazz, Contemporary Jazz, Post-Bop
     Format, bitrate: MP3@320 kbps
     Time: 52:40
     Size: 120.4 Mb

     Up to this point, Eldar Djangirov has been best known as a brilliant young acoustic pianist who is influenced a little by Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock. While Eldar has previously been heard mainly in trios, Re-Imagination is a bit of a departure, ranging from unaccompanied piano solos on "Tears" and "Dream Song" and a romping trio rendition of Oscar Peterson's "Place St. Henri" to a few electronic numbers on which Eldar adds synthesizers for color. Three selections have DJ Logic on turntables, interacting with the leader's keyboards. The electronic trappings may dismay Eldar's fans, but in general they are quite intelligent and reasonably creative. Even those numbers have strong displays of Eldar's acoustic piano playing, and he really digs into "South Bixel." One cannot blame Eldar for spreading his wings a bit, and fortunately no one gets hurt along the way. This CD was nominated for a Grammy award in 2007 for Best Contemporary Jazz Album.

     Artist: Eldar Djangirov
     Album: Eldar
     Label: Sony
     Year: 2005
     Genre: Jazz, Post-Bop
     Format, bitrate: MP3@320 kbps
     Time: 57:48
     Size: 126 Mb

     Eldar Djangirov, who was already a promising pianist at a very tender age, was able to immigrate along with his parents to the United States in order to better develop his amazing talent. After he appeared on the nationally syndicated radio program Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz at the age of 12, he was already displaying formidable chops for one so young. After two earlier releases for the small DD label, he recorded his major label debut in early 2004 for Sony Classical. Already able to play at furious tempos normally associated with greats like Oscar Peterson and the late Art Tatum, especially in the stunning opening rendition of "Sweet Georgia Brown," he sometimes has trouble restraining his ability to show off his technique, nearly overwhelming Bobby Timmons' soulful "Moanin'" at times. Better are his reserved but refreshing approach to "Nature Boy" and the superb original ballad, "Lady Wicks." Bassist John Patitucci and drummer Todd Strait provide excellent support for the young man on the trio tracks (especially in the introspective take of "'Round Midnight"). Tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker is added on the Latin-tinged original "Point of View." Like all players who demonstrate tremendous technique at a young age, critics will be watching Eldar Djangirov with great interest to see if he successfully builds upon his amazing gifts. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide

     Artist: The Manhattan Transfer
     Album: The Spirit of St. Louis
     Label: Atlantic / Wea
     Year: 2000
     Quality: FLAC/850kbs
     Size: 280 Mb

     That's St. Louis as in Louis Armstrong, to whom this album--comprised of pop and jazz songs associated with him--is dedicated. The clue to the album's style, however, is on the back cover of the CD booklet--it's an old 78 RPM test pressing with the original Atlantic Records logo. In other words, this is the Manhattan Transfer's version of low-fi.

     Instead of the hyper-slick productions found on the band's earlier albums, the songs here are mostly performed with minimal backing, and the overall aesthetic is dominated by sound effect loops, wheezing pump organ and accordion, comically honking saxophones, and piano and drums recorded as unrealistically as possible. In fact, with the exception of the group's trademark lush harmonies, this is all so eccentric it could pass for a Tom Waits album. Does it work? It certainly does on "Old Man Mose," which was born to be the soundtrack for an old Fleischer Brothers cartoon. As for the rest, it depends on how you feel about irony, but the answer in the end is yes--THE SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS is an audacious and occasionally brilliant album.

     Artist: Sarah Vaughan
     Album: O Som Brasileiro
     Years: 1996
     Original Release Date: 1978
     Label: Bmg
     Genre: Jazz Vocal
     Format, bitrate: MP3/192 kbps
     Size: 51.02 MB

     Sarah Vaughan was one of the best gifts USA has given to the world. Brazil had the privilege to be one of the most visited countries by Sarah Vaughan, mainly during the 70's. We enjoyed some brilliant concerts; some very popular, others absolutely formal and classic.
In Rio de Janeiro, where Sassy had plenty of friends and admirers even among musicians and singers and actors, Sarah Vaughan recorded some of her most exotic and interesting albums. That's the point: this one is simply the best!
Entitled "The Brazilian sound of Sarah Vaughan", recorded in 1977, produced by Duval Ferreira - one of the bossa-nova's mentors -, with the special participations of the composers and singers Milton Nascimento and Dorival Caymmi, this diamond brings some of the best Brazilian songs ever written (Jobim, Deodato, Marcos Valle, Vinicius de Moraes), some of our best musicians at their best (Hйlio Delmiro, Edson Frederico, Wilson das Neves, Oscar Castro Neves, Chico Batera); and eternal interpretations for our typical beat and peculiar sound, with sophisticated harmony and thrilling feeling, perfect for love and entertainment or diving under the excellence of the utmost Brazil has to offer with its music.

     Artist: Herbie Hancock
     Album: The Then and Now: The Definitive Herbie Hancock
     Release Date: Sep 23, 2008
     Label: Verve
     Type: Compilation
     Genre/Styles
     Jazz/Funk/Fusion
     Quality:mp3; 320 kbps
     Size: 183 mb

     The idea of collecting tracks off several of jazz legend Herbie Hancock's albums from the influential '60s Blue Note years through to his Grammy-winning 2007 album River is a nice idea that doesn't quite come together on Verve's Then and Now: The Definitive Herbie Hancock. Obviously designed to showcase the whole of Hancock's career post his 2007 Grammy win for River: The Joni Letters, Then and Now doesn't really give you the full picture. With only five tracks devoted to his '60s/'70s recordings (arguably his most essential and defining period), there's just not enough "then" here to really qualify this as a "definitive" collection. Not to mention that Then and Now basically ignores Hancock's '70s recordings, opting for merely an "edit" of "Chameleon" and the album version of "Watermelon Man," which comes out of chronological order near the end of the collection. Add in that you only get a live version of "Rockit" and you're left with less a definitive view of Hancock's career and more of a thumbnail sketch. ~ Matt Collar - Allmusic.com

     Artist: Carmen McRae
     Album: Can’t Hide Love
     Years: 1993
     Original Release Date: 1976
     Label: Blue Note Records
     Genre: Jazz Vocal
     Format, bitrate: MP3, 128 kb/s
     Size: 39.08 MB
     Total time: 40:46


      Carmen makes a strong foray into modern soul material, working here in a sophisticated style that's similar to that used by Marlena Shaw on some of her Blue Note sessions. The album features arrangements by Gerald Wilson, Dave Grusin, Johnny Mandel, and Thad Jones -- and the best cut is probably Carmen's hip cover of "Can't Hide Love". Other titles include "Lost Up In Loving You", "Would You Believe", "A Child Is Born", and "All By Myself". © 1996-2009, Dusty Groove America, Inc.

     Artist: Sonny Rollins
     Album: Next Album
     Format: FLAC & mp3 (320k/s)
     Size: 247 & 100 MB (scans)
     Year: 1972 (Milestone)
     Label: OJC (1987)
     Total time: 43:04

     Sonny Rollins first album after ending his six-year retirement is a particularly strong effort. The highpoint is a ten-minute version of "Skylark" that has a long unaccompanied section by the great tenor. Other memorable selections include "The Everywhere Calypso" and "Playing in the Yard." Rollins plays soprano on "Poinciana" and is heard using electronics (George Cables' electric piano) for the first time but this music is not all that different from what he was playing prior to his retirement. ~ Scott Yanow, AMG

     Artist: Sonny Stitt
     Album: Sonny Stitt Plays
     Label: Roost
     Quality: FLAC & MP3@320
     Size: 178 MB & 80 MB
     Time: 36:06

     Artist: James Brown
     Album: Living In America
     Label: Volcano
     Year: 1995
     Genre: Soul
     Format, bitrate: mp3, 320kb/s
     Size: 102MB

     LIVING IN AMERICA is a radical update of the classic James Brown sound, utilizing '80s/'90s production styles. From synth bass lines to guest rappers, turntable scratches and programmed rhythm tracks, the album is a virtual textbook of post-hip-hop recording techniques. This 180 degree stylistic turn could be viewed as either bold or opportunistic, depending on your inclination. You might miss the tightly-wound funk of the JB's, but you have to admire Brown for refusing to stagnate. Regardless of the backing, it's Brown's emotive grunts, shrieks and moans that are the centerpiece here, as on any of his other albums. For the faithful, that will be enough.