Artist - Illinois Jacquet
     Album - Memories Of You 4CD
     Label - Membran
     Years: 1945 - 1951, release - 2005
     Quality - MP3@320 kbps
     Size: 189+192 mb
     Total time - 45:13+44:24+44:00+46:32

One of the most important tenor-saxophonists to emerge during the 1940s, Illinois Jacquet was among the first to combine together elements of the two most important tenors (Coleman Hawkins and Lester Young) into his own style. He became a major influence himself when he took a solo on Lionel Hampton's 1942 recording of Flying Home that was filled with repetition and honking, thereby giving birth to rhythm & blues.

Due to Flying Home and other similar solos (including some on which he bit his reed to gain a screaming sound), Jacquet became a very popular attraction during the second half of the 1940s following stints with the big bands of Cab Calloway and Count Basie. He was always more than a honker for he was quite lyrical on ballads and a superior swing improviser who also appreciated bop.

The four-CD set Memories of You has all of the master takes from Jacquet's recordings as a leader from 1945 to early 1951. His exciting combos, which along the way also feature pianists Sir Charles Thompson and Bill Doggett, Russell Jacquet, Emmett Berry or Joe Newman on trumpet, baritonist Leo Parker and trombonist J.J. Johnson (plus Miles Davis and Fats Navarro on a big band date), swing as hard as the leader.

Plenty of explosive fireworks can be felt throughout these spirited performances. ~ Scott Yanow

    Artist: McCoy Tyne
    Album: Hip Toe: Live at the Musicians Exchange Cafe
    Label: Who's Who In Jazz/Universe Italy
    Year: 1987
    Release: 2004
    Style: Post-Bop
    Format mp3, bitrate: 224 kb/s vbr
    Time: 1:00:19
    Size: 74,3 Mb
    AMG Rating:

This 1987 live date from a Fort Lauderdale club is worth seeking. It kicks off with the thunderous contemporary Latin-flavored tribute "Senor Carlos" (dedicated to Santana), with Avery Sharpe's funky electric basslines and Louis Hayes' sparkling percussion. A long, sensitive reworking of "Loverman" mellows things considerably. The highlight of this CD is Tyner's gorgeous ballad "You Taught My Heart to Sing," which later had a lyric added by the great Sammy Cahn; this song has since become a regular feature of the pianist's live appearances and has the potential to become a standard. Also fresh is Tyner's dramatic approach to the often-recorded "What's New?" Several other originals by Tyner round out this enjoyable release, though there is a caveat: some copies of this CD are missing the closing track "Hip Toe," even though it is listed on the back cover. - Ken Dryden at AMG

    Artist: McCoy Tyner
    Album: Just Feelin'
    Label: Palo Alto
    Release: 1991
    Style: Post-Bop
    Format mp3, bitrate: 320 kb/s
    Time: 51:09
    Size: 117 Mb
    AMG Rating:

Pianist McCoy Tyner's first recording with his long-time bassist Avery Sharpe, this trio set with drummer Louis Hayes is somewhat obscure due to the Palo Alto label soon becoming obsolete. The music however deserved far better fate for this is a particularly strong set. Tyner performs two of his more basic originals (the title cut and "Blues For Basie") along with Sharpe's "Berliner" and four melodic standards. The project served as the real beginning of Tyner's current conservative but still lively music in which his formerly avant-garde style became very much a part of the jazz tradition. Worth searching for. - Scott Yanow at AMG

    Artist: McCoy Tyner
    Album: Bon Voyage
    Label: Timeless
    Release: 1987
    Style: Post-Bop
    Format mp3, bitrate: 320 kb/s
    Time: 54:30
    Size: 125 Mb

Not one of McCoy Tyner's better known CDs, this trio session is nevertheless one worth acquiring. The thunderous title track is not even hampered much by Avery Sharpe's switch to electric bass, though the bassist is far superior on "Summertime" where he can show off his bowing skills in a waltz setting. Tyner is at his lyrical best on "Don't Blame Me," accompanied by Hayes' soft brushwork; though his formidable technique is incredible on his solo performance of "Yesterdays," foreshadowing his brilliant solo CDs that he would record for Blue Note in the immediate future. Although six of the eight tracks are labeled out of order, this release is definitely one worth picking up. - Ken Dryden at AMG

     Artist: John Pizzarelli
     Album: After Hours
     Label: Novus
     Release: 1996
     Format, bitrate: MP3, 256 kbps
     Time: 46:26
     Size: 53 MB


"After Hours" is one of my very favorite John Pizzarelli CDs from my collection. It features himself on vocals and electric guitar, his brother Martin on bass and Ray Kennedy on piano, plus his Dad Bucky Pizzarelli on acoustic rhythm guitar, Harry Allen on tenor sax, Randy Sandke on trumpet and Joe Cocuzzo on drums. Its interpretations and arrangements are so welcoming. After one listen your ears will be requesting for one more listen, then two more! That's how good this album is.

You'll enjoy listening to these beautiful time-tested standards penned by the greatest songwriters and composers of all-time. Make it a very enjoyable listening experience as he sings two of Gershwins' classics "They Can't Take That Away From Me," and "But Not For Me," Rodgers & Hammerstein's "It Might As Well Be Spring," Gordon & Goulding "Mam'selle," Hillard & Mann's "In The Wee Small Hours," Caesar, Gray & Youmans' "Sometimes I'm Happy" and Kahn, Malneck & Signorelli's "I'll Never Be The Same."

John Pizzarelli is not only one of the greatest interpreters of the popular standards and a guitar master who plays with sensitivity and style, but also a composer in his own right for two of the tracks here are his very own original compositions "Be My Baby Tonight" and "Lullaby."

My very highlight from this collection is a classic from Sammy Cahn's creative songwriter's mind with its beautiful melody composed by Jule Styne "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry." Sammy Cahn was an eloquently brilliant lyricist who had a way with words and all his works are so remarkable. John Pizzarelli's heartfelt reading of this achingly beautiful song is one of the best interpretations ever recorded. It starts with a charming piano intro by Ray Kennedy then bridges and closes with the sparkling voice of John Pizzarelli's guitar, and of course in between, his soft and mellow vocals.

A very lovely listening affair.~ Rebecca*rhapsodyinblue*

ARTIST: Barbra Streisand
TITLE: Love is the Answer (Deluxe Edition)
LABEL: Sony Music Distribution
RELEASE DATE: September 29, 2009
Genre: Vocal Jazz
Quality: MP3 / Joint Stereo
Bitrate: 320 kbit/s / 44.1 Khz
Total Size: 252.12 MB

Even before their first session together, Barbra Streisand and collaborator Diana Krall designed Love Is the Answer as a deeply emotional record: "each song an exploration concerning matters of the heart." And with the arrangements of maestro Johnny Mandel simply drawing occasional shading around Streisand's expressive voice -- and often leaving her voice as the only instrument -- the album goes well beyond the usual saloon-song tropes to become a heart-wrenching experience with virtually every song. Additionally, although much was made of the collaboration, Krall's piano stays in the background, and Streisand's is the only voice heard. But the song choices also were tailored to maximize the emotional impact of Love Is the Answer, and Streisand's incomparable voice.>>>

ARTIST: Tim Sparks
ALBUM: Little Princess
YEAR : 2009
GENRE : Jazz|Traditional Jewish music
QUALITY : VBR Kbps
SIZE : 69,7 MB
[b]PLAYTIME : 49:20 Min
LABEL : Tzadik

Acoustic fingerstyle guitarist Tim Sparks has always set himself apart from the pack of his peers. Rather than rely strictly on playing blues or age-old folk and bluegrass tunes, or even following in the well-worn paths of John Fahey, Peter Lang, and Robbie Basho, Sparks has followed his muse down into the corridors of musical and cultural history. While no one can dent the influence of great jazzmen on his playing, one can hear the sounds of saxophonists, pianists, and of course the sounds of Yiddish folk and popular music, klezmer among them. In 2000, Sparks recorded Tanz, his third album for John Zorn's Tzadik imprint. It was a departure from his previous two in that it wasn't a solo but a trio record. His partners on that musical journey were veteran bassist Greg Cohen and master percussionist Cyro Baptista. The set was brilliant and innovative, creating an entirely new perspective on Jewish music from the beginning of the 20th century to the commencement of the 21st.

Artist: Steve Kuhn
Album: Mostly Coltrane
Year: 2009
Label: ECM
Format, bitrate: MP3 @320 Kb/s
Time: 01:17:23
Size: 177 MB

Альбом, практически целиком, является посвящением музыке Джона Колтрейна. Дело в том, что Стив Кун в 1960-ом году имел счастье быть первым пианистом в составе "John Coltrane's Quartet"... И эта встреча, и совместная работа с Джоном оставили в памяти Стива Куна самые яркие, значительные воспоминания за всю его долгую и успешную музыкальную карьеру. Для осуществления этого проекта, к трио присоединился талантливый тенор-саксофонист Джо Ловано, блестяще исполнивший замысел ещё раз вернуть нам музыку Колтрейна, её дух и магию, но одновременно превнося в неё и элегантный модернизм, и подчёркнутое уважение к мастеру.

     Artist: Herbie Hancock
     Album:Late Night Jazz Favorites
     Label: Stardust
     Year:2008
     Genre: Jazz/General, Jazz/Jazz Fusion
     Format, bitrate: mp3,320 kbps,covers
     Time: 60:59
     Size: 135 mb

     Artist: Dave Brubeck
     Album: Angel Eyes
     Label: Sony
     Years:1962-1965, release: 2000
     Quality: 320 kb/s
     Size: 94.5 mb

I heard this album in 1965, when I was 16. Not a bad introduction to Jazz. The best piano player, alto sax player, and drummer of all time. I got hooked immediately. You know I was listeneing to the pop music of the day. I put this on and heard Joe Morello with that outstanding cymbal playing on "Let's Get Away From It All", and I was astonished. I'm still astonished from Joe Morello. This is the best quartet of all time. Three players who are leaders and the bass. I only like Dave Brubeck with this quartet, and the drummer is what is driving him. Anyway, Dave Brubeck doesn't need me to criticize him, so let's move on. I wil tell you that the playing of "Angel Eyes", is absolutely the best reading of this song available. Period. You will feel like you are in a smokey cafe. It's so bluesy; don't tell me Dave Brubeck can't play the blues. It's unbelievable. I would buy the disc for this song alone. "Violets For Your Furs", is also a favorite. Great playing on these songs. The only thing I don't like about this album is the playing gets tedious on the other cuts, but that's my opinion. You may love the playing. The songs themselves are the things that are not enjoyable. In general, it's a great album and it's my first. I looked all over for this disc. I don't care what it costs. I would pay anything to have this. I'm so glad it's available. Also, the playing is extremely user friendly for the new person first listening to Jazz. I treasure this disc. ~ Steven Meyers

As with Dave Brubeck's Richard Rodgers set (My Favorite Things), his tribute to composer Matt Dennis was recorded partly in 1962 with the remainder three years later. Each of these seven standards (which include "Let's Get Away from It All," "Violets for Your Furs" and "Will You Still Be Mine?") are given superior and swinging treatments with fine solos from Brubeck and altoist Paul Desmond. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide