Artist: Kevin Eubanks
     Album: Turning Point
     Year: 1992
     Label: BLUE NOTE
     Formt/bitrate: MP3,320Kbps
     Size: 132 Mb.




Turning Point is a highly appropriate title for this album. After recording his share of commercial fluff for GRP, Kevin Eubanks switched to Blue Note with this heartfelt CD and strived for excellence instead of going out of his way to avoid it. Creativity, personal improvising, and spontaneity are main ingredients of the album, which unites the talented electric and acoustic guitarist with bass explorer Dave Holland and drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith, among others. Like so much intellectual jazz, Point requires several listenings in order to be fully appreciated. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide

     Artist: Gerry Gibbs Sextet
     Album: The Thrasher
     Label: Warner Bros.
     Reacording Date: Dec 4, 1995,Dec 5, 1995
     Format/bitrate: MP3 320 Kbps
     Size: 135 Mb.




Gerry Gibbs, son of the famous bebop vibes giant, Terry Gibbs, here displays an extensive (one might almost say exhaustive) knowledge of jazz in all its sundry forms and glories. Track 10, Ravi, Marc & Gerry's version of "In A Sentimental Mood" by Duke Ellington is an absolute masterpiece for the ages, a burst of transcendent poetry, beautiful beyond description, like John Coltrane & Stephane Grappelli jamming in heaven. ~ Amazon.com

     Artist: Sam "The Man" Taylor
     Album: Swingsation
     Year: 1999
     Format, bitrate: MP3,320 kbps
     Size: 57,3 MB





Like fellow saxophone player Hal Singer, Sam "The Man" Taylor" moved easily between jazz and Rhythm and Blues (with early rock and roll overtones), although his rough, hard driving way with the horn usually finds him classified as an R&B icon. This bargain-priced album goes a long way to support the R&B labeling. Joined by another sax player who often found himself moving between jazz and R&B, baritone Haywood Henry, this album catches Taylor in three sessions he made for MGM Records in March of 1955 and November of 1956. In addition to Henry he is joined by other habitues of the R&B world like Lloyd Trotman on bass and Freddie Washington on piano.

     Artist: Various Artists
     Album: I Remember Bebop (The Complete Recording Sessions)
     Label: Columbia/SMM
     Year: 1977
     Release: 2003
     Format, bitrate: mp3, 320 kb/s
     Size: CD1: 134MB; CD2: 122MB




     Eight different pianists (Al Haig, Duke Jordan, John Lewis, Sadik Hakim, Walter Bishop, Jr., Barry Harris, Tommy Flanagan and Jimmie Rowles), all survivors from at least the 1950s (and in a few cases the '40s) performed two to four selections apiece from the bop era for a tribute which comprises this out-of-print two-LP set. Everyone is in fine form; Haig, Lewis and Jordan are heard unaccompanied while the other pianists play with trios. None of this music has been released elsewhere, making this consistently satisfying and well-conceived set worth picking up. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

     Artists: Elvin Jones & Jimmy Garrison
     Album: Illumination!
     Year: 1963
     Label: Impulse!
     Time: 30:57
     Format: MP3@320 kbps
     Size: 83 mb (RS.com, with 5% file recovery)
     Includes Covers + Scans
     AMG Rating:



     Until it was reissued in 1998, this was one of the more elusive Impulse sets of the 1960s. Recorded in 1963 and co-led by John Coltrane's drummer and bassist (Elvin Jones and Jimmy Garrison), the music is most significant for introducing Sonny Simmons (alto and English horn) and Prince Lasha (flute and clarinet), who are joined in the sextet by underrated baritonist Charles Davis and Trane's pianist McCoy Tyner. Each of the musicians except Jones contributed an original (there are two by Davis); the music ranges from advanced hard bop to freer sounds that still swing. While Garrison's contributions are conventional (this was his only opportunity to lead or co-lead a date), Jones is quite powerful. However, it is the playing of both Simmons, who tears it apart on English horn during "Nuttin' Out Jones," and Lasha (when is he going to be rediscovered and recorded again?) that make this early "New Thing" date of greatest interest. -- AMG

     Artist: Various Artists
     Album: A Tribute To Cole Porter
     Label: EMI
     Year: 1991
     Format, bitrate: mp3, 320kb/s
     Size: cd1:118MB; cd2:117MB






     

     Artist: Barney Kessel
     Album: Guitarra (LP)
     Label: RCA
     Year: 1970
     Format, bitrate: mp3, 192 kbps
     Size: 53mb
     Time: 36:46



When confirming that this album is OOP I first thought I had identified it as an obscure recording called "Reflections In Rome" since, like "Guitarra" it was recorded in Rome in 1969 with what appears to be the same supporting cast of European artists. However, "Guitarra" has an entirely different collection of songs than what I found for the "Reflections..." album. Yet I could find no internet information on any album called "Guitarra". So, whether this is somehow one in the same as the other recording from Rome, or whether it is, as it seems, a second recording done the same year by the same musicians in the same location, it seems that either one is OOP and not easily found in the blogosphere. (thanks to ARKIVER)

     Artist: Chris Potter's Underground
     Album: Ultrahang
     Label: ArtistShare
     Year: 2009
     Format, bitrate: mp3, 192 kbps
     Size: 91 MB (incl. jpeg of front cover)
     AMG Rating:

     Chris Potter's Underground have stayed the course over five years, proving to be a very compelling electric-oriented funky jazz band with a big twist. Since the recording South that Potter did with fellow saxophonist David Binney, the jagged, angular, zig-zag-type melodies that Potter has composed stand him head and shoulders above all of his peers in modern music. Retaining electric keyboardist Craig Taborn and electric guitarist Adam Rogers, Potter works with them because they are able to keep pace with his lightning-quick lines and interval-leaping concepts without even a glimpse of a misstep. Drummer Nate Smith plays unorthodox grooves in odd meters to add further complexity that never sounds disjointed or haphazard. Potter's incredible vision of what jazz can be starts with the spare beat and sax in bizarro world via the pronounced guitar of Rogers stewed in a New Orleans-type shuffle on the title track; adds shout-out choruses in a 5/4 rock beat with many unison sax/guitar lines during "Time's Arrow"; and works out a chunky, funky dissolution in mixed odd meters for "Small Wonder." The bluesy, slanted, complex, and extended-cycle melodies melting into sky-soaring concepts most closely reflect the Binney effect on "Facing East." A loose jam stomp-down identifies "Boots"; a harder beat in Headhunters/Funkadelic terrain with no bass -- though it seems Taborn assimilates that role -- cements the band as "Rumples" gets down; and Potter moves to bass clarinet for the thinly veiled cover of Bob Dylan's "It Ain't Me, Babe." On this recording, Rogers is far more steel-cased, rip-roaring, and on fire than his previous efforts, playing many tandem lines with the leader. Taborn languishes in the background, yet cleverly plays a role that expands the rhythmic content of the group. Potter has been at the forefront of progressive and contemporary jazz since the founding of this ensemble, one that all younger listeners should champion, and deserves high marks in the annals of new jazz as presenting one of the more innovative approaches in the decade of the 2000s. Ultrahang comes highly recommended. ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide

     Artist: Sarah Vaughan
     Album: Pop Artistry of Sarah Vaughan
     Label: Mercury
     Year: 1965
     Release: 1966
     Format, bitrate: FLAC
     Time: 30:49
     Size: 200MB




This album of pop songs sung by jazz great Sarah Vaughan was recorded in 1965 and features "Yesterday," "What the World Needs Now Is Love," and "If I Ruled the World."

     Artist: Chris Rea
     Album: The Road To Hell And Back (The Farewell Tour)
     Label: Universal Int.
     Year: Oct 23, 2006
     Release: 2007
     Genre: Blues Rock
     Format, bitrate: 720x400, 29.97fps,XviD,874 Kb/s – MP3 128 Kb/s
     Time: 110 min
     Size: 802 Mb

     The DVD captures a brilliant performance on Chris Rea's farewell tour. Set over 2 nights recorded at the Symphony Hall in Birmingham Academy, during his last UK tour and includes performances of classic hits such as, 'Josephine', 'Road To Hell' 'Fool If You Think Its Over' and some of the amazing blues music Chris is so well know for. You can’t help but focus on Chris, his guitar and that flawless voice. The performance is bare, stripped down and, in my mind, is all about the music, his and the band's fabulous talent.

     Artist: Jack Wilkins
     Album: Merge (2 CDs)
     Label: Chiaroscuro Records
     Year: Feb 1977,Oct 31, 1977
     Format, bitrate: mp3,192 kbps
     Size: 114mb
     Time: 76:58
     AMG Rating:
     

     This CD reissues nine of the ten selections that were formerly out on two LPs: The Jack Wilkins Quartet and You Can't Live Without It. The only cut left off is a guitar/piano duet by leader Jack Wilkins and Jack DeJohnette. The earlier date features Wilkins, flugelhornist Randy Brecker, bassist Eddie Gomez, and Jack DeJohnette (on drums for all but one tune). Although they play three group originals, the most memorable performances are their versions of "Falling in Love With Love" and Chick Corea's "500 Miles High." The later session -- which has Wilkins, Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker on tenor, pianist Phil Markowitz, bassist Jon Burr, and drummer Al Foster -- is more of a jam session. The sextet romps through lengthy versions of Tommy Flanagan's "Freight Train," "Invitation," "What Is This Thing Called Love," and the ballad "What's New," and there are many exciting solos. This very enjoyable CD is most highly recommended to listeners who think that the Brecker Brothers can only play funk. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

   Artist: Dr. Arthur Wagner – Narration, Cecil Lytle - Piano
   Album: The Naked Gershwin
   Label: UC TV Rip
   Year: 2006
   Format, bitrate: 720x480 30 fps-DivX 792 Kb/s-MP3 128 Kb/s
   Time: 71:44 min
   Size: 472 MB

   A special tribute to the Gershwin brothers. A reading by Dr. Arthur Wagner & music by Cecil Lytle, Rob Thorsen & Brett Sanders.

   Pianist Cecil Lytle, narrator Arthur Wagner and guests present The Naked Gershwin, a hilarious and educational program of music and letters to, from, or about George and Ira Gershwin. This is the 11th annual concert benefiting the Rebecca E. Lytle Memorial Scholarship Fund.
   UCTV-Cart.tv

   Artist: Various Artists
   Album: Creme De La Crиme
   Label: Sheffield Lab
   Year: 1984
   Format, bitrate: VBR, Lossless FLAC
   Time: 38:08 min
   Size: 240 MB

   On the first cut, "Amanda," which chronicles the great trek westward by wagon train, the sense of spaciousness provided by the Emmeline puts you smack in the middle of the Great Plains. At several points during the song, there is a loud thwack on the bass drum, which is in dynamic contrast to the rest of the track. While always musical, the bass doesn't really kick in until you turn the volume up to 10 or 11 o'clock, (if volume goes from 7 o’clock to 4 o’clock) where most systems shine. At that point, the electric bass on "The Higher You Rise" becomes punchy, solid, and deep. On "Blackbird," the delicate tone of the strings and piano is beautiful, as are the string bass and drums on "Cripple Creek Breakdown." In terms of sheer musical enjoyment, the brassy bite of Harry James' big band horn section on "Corner Pocket" was just plain swinging'. The drive of the brass and Thelma Houston's great vocals had me dancing—or at least thinking about dancing—on "I've Got The Music In Me."
   One magazine review at the time of the CD release

   Artist: Joe Pass
   Album: Whitestone
   Year: 1985
   Release: 1987
   Label: Pablo
   Format, bitrate: mp3, 192 kbps
   Size: 58 mb
   Time: 40:33

REPOST with a new link from Mr. pguppgdn

   This is an unusual set for Joe Pass, a pop-oriented Brazilian date. He is joined by rhythm guitarist John Pisano, keyboardist Don Grusin, either Abraham Laboriel or Nathan East on bass, drummer Harvey Mason and percussionist Paulinho Da Costa. The material is not as strong as Pass' earlier Brazilian set Tudo Bem, featuring originals by Andy Narell, Grusin, Pisano and Milton Nascimento, along with a few obscurities. Pass sounds fine, but the overall results are not too substantial or memorable. A lesser effort.
   ~ Scott Yanow, AMG