Artist: Eddie Higgins
     Album: Portrait In Black And White
     Year: rec. 25, 26 March, 1996
     Label: SunnySide Records
     Format: MP3 @ 320 Kb/s;
     Time:55:30
     Size: 71.5+67.5 Mb;
     

REPOST

     Artist: Herbie Hancock
     Album: Dis Is Da Drum
     Label: Island / Mercury
     Year: 1995
     Format, bitrate: MP3, 320 Kbps
     Time: 55:08
     Size: 109 MB

In the 1970s, Herbie Hancock created a successful blend of jazz improvisation and contemporary funk rhythms in a succession of albums beginning with the classic Head Hunters. On Dis Is Da Drum, Hancock once again takes a dive into contemporary rhythms, in this case mid-'90s hip-hop. While the blend was not as commercially successful this time around as his crossover forays of twenty years earlier had been, the resulting music still proves to be well worth checking out. Employing cohorts like Bennie Maupin, Wah Wah Watson and multi-percussionist Bill Summers from the old days, and combining them with a huge roster of contemporary jazz, rap and hip-hop musicians, Hancock creates a surprising album full of samples, sequences, drum loops, and rhythm armies. Layered across the top are a variety of solos from Hancock himself, flutist Hubert Laws, trumpeter Wallace Roney, saxophonist Maupin and vocal snippets from various sources. The release of this album was delayed because of disagreements between the artist and his record company over the final mixes. It is, nonetheless, a recording that rewards repeated listening, from the updated version of "Butterfly," which made its first appearance on 1974's Thrust, to such irresistible gems as "Mojuba," "Bo Ba Be Da" and the title track. Not for jazzers whose ears and minds are closed to new sounds and ideas, but proof that jazz is a continually evolving music capable of absorbing the sounds of each new era and expanding its vocabulary as a result. ~ Jim Newsom, All Music Guide

     Artist: John Pizzarelli
     Album: With a Song in My Heart
     Label: Telarc
     Release: 2008
     Format, bitrate: MP3, 256 kbps
     Time: 43:21
     Size: 81 MB


John Pizzarelli salutes composer Richard Rodgers with this songbook including a dozen of his works. The vocalist/guitarist is accompanied by his trio, with Larry Fuller replacing Ray Kennedy, bassist Martin Pizzarelli, and drummer Tony Tedesco. Pizzarelli adds a personal touch to "I Like to Recognize the Tune" by altering Lorenz Hart's lyrics a bit, while also scatting up a storm in unison with his guitar. Bucky Pizzarelli is an added guest and soloist for "It's Easy to Remember," an intimate duet with the vocalist playing rhythm. Cesar Camargo Mariano takes over at the piano for the breezy bossa nova setting of "Happy Talk." Arranger Don Sebesky wrote the charts for the six tracks and a quartet of brass and reeds, highlighted by the snappy scoring of "The Lady Is a Tramp," recalling Pizzarelli's previous Telarc salute to Frank Sinatra (Dear Mr. Sinatra, in which he trades fours scatting with each of the horns). This release is a little short in the CD era, clocking in at just over 43 minutes, but there's never a dull moment. ~ Ken Dryden, AMG

Artist: Mark Turner
Album: In This World
Label: Warner Bros
Year: 1998
Format / Bitrate: MP3, 320kbps
Time: 60:20
Size: 114 MB




Backed by a stellar band that features such fine players as Brian Blade on drums and Brad Mehldau on piano, this sax player is given a daunting set-up on In This World. Thankfully, the promise pays off with a host of fine originals and a couple of surprising covers. Perhaps the most commendable aspect of Mark Turner's talent is his combination of melodic adventure and rich phrasing. "Mesa," the album's opening track, meanders from a relaxed melodic path to a switch-back road of surprises. And the closing rendition of the Beatles classic "She Said, She Said" is a deceptively breezy journey into the unknown. A fine horn voice in good form. ~ Tim Sheridan, All Music Guide

Artists - Charlie Shavers / Buck Clayton
Album - It Feels Good 2CD
Label - History
Years: 1937-1946, release - 1999
Size: Charlie Shavers - 136 mb; Buck Clayton - 126 mb
Total time - 63:27; 67:53

     Artists: Lee Morgan & the Clifford Jordan Quintet
     Album: Baltimore '68
     Label: Fresh Sound
     Year:1968, release: 2003
     Format, bitrate: mp3, 320 kb/s
     Time: 74:47
     Size: 176 MB
     AMG rating



Lee Morgan and Clifford Jordan worked together on several studio dates under the trumpeter's leadership, but this 1968 live date, organized and recorded by the Left Bank Jazz Society in Baltimore, was evidently their final documented recording together. As on most recordings made by this group of dedicated jazz fans, the microphones focus on the soloists, while the out-of-tune piano is distorted and somewhat relegated to the background. On the plus side, both Morgan and Jordan seem very energized by the setting and solo at length without showing signs of overplaying, especially in the exciting opener, "Straight, No Chaser." The rhythm section is a good one, with pianist John Hicks, bassist Reggie Workman, and drummer Ed Blackwell. It's easy for hard bop fans to overlook the slight audio shortcomings, so this Fresh Sound CD is warmly recommended. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide

ФИАЛКИ по СРЕДАМ (выпуск сороковой)

Composer: Igor Stravinsky, Modest Mussorgsky
Artist: James Crabb & Geir Draugsvoll
Album: Duos for Classical Accordions (Russian Music Arranged For Two Accordions)
Label: EMI
Year: 1996
Release: 1997
Genre: classical music
Format, bitrate: mp3, 320 kbps
Time: 1h, 6min, 29sec.
Size: 74+85 mb.

Прошу прощения, но на прошлой неделе мне так и не удалось достучаться до клуба, поэтому сегодня выкладываются два выпуска столь любимых мною "Фиалок..."
Ну и как говорится, что за "Фиалки..." без "Картинок..."? Сегодня мы будем слушать ещё одну оригинальную версию - дуэт аккордеонов. А помогут нам в этом замечательном деле два музыканта (оба, понятное дело, аккордеонисты) - James Crabb & Geir Draugsvoll. Впрочем, на альбоме, помимо "Картинок..." присутствуют фрагменты произведений другого русского композитора - Игоря Стравинского. Недаром альбом имеет подзаголовок - русская музыка, аранжированная для двух аккордеонов.
Итак, давайте знакомиться!

ФИАЛКИ по СРЕДАМ (выпуск тридцать девятый)

Composer: Various Composers
Artist: Various artists
Album: The Ultimate Classical Guitar Album (2 CD)
Label: Classic FM plc.
Year: 2008
Genre: classical music
Format, bitrate: mp3, 320 kbps
Time: 2h, 8min, 16sec.
Size: 156+137 mb.

Предлагаю Вашему вниманию довольно-таки неплохой сборник гитарной музыки, охвативший произведения различных авторов, как говорится, от барокко (Бах, Альбинони...) до рока (Джордж Харрисон). Что-либо комментировать я лично не берусь, а попросту включаю винамп, откидываюсь на спинку кресла и наслаждаюсь музыкой.
Чего и Вам желаю.

     Artist - Coleman Hawkins
     Album - The Hawk Returns
     Label - Savoy Jazz
     Year - 1954, release - 1994
     Quality - MP3@320 kbps
     Size - 77,7 mb
     Total time - 36:55



This CD features Hawkins on a dozen selections (all around three minutes long) performing with an odd group (organ, piano, bass, drums and sometimes a vocal group). Despite the potentially commercial backing, he really digs into the tunes and creates some magic. Pity that this CD only lasts around 36 minutes. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Coleman Hawkins teams up with an odd assemblage of musicians on THE HAWK RETURNS. Drummer Boddy Smith is joined by a pianist and an organist and there's even a vocal group accompaniment on Gershwin's "What a Difference a Day Makes." For some reason, there is no indication as to the personnel with exception to the drummer. Nonetheless, on this May 27th, 1954 date, Hawkins is inspired. His approach retains that classic thick, almost coarse tone that he made popular in the 1930s. However, he ventures outside of swing on songs such as "Last Stop," "Flight Eleven," and especially "Confessin'."
On the latter selection, Hawkins' solo could legitimately be labeled bebop. Unfortunately, the piano is somewhat out of tune on this recording. However, Hawkins' superb, highly energized performance more than makes up for this drawback; he really is on fire on all 12 tunes. The songs themselves are short and sweet, which by itself should be enticing to fans who may be sick of jazz soloists who tend to "overblow." ~ Album Notes

     Artist: Dick Wellstood
     Album: From Dixie to Swing
     Label: Classic Jazz
     Year: 1972
     Formate: MP3. VBR.
     Size: 65 mb
     AMG rating




Despite its title, this is essentially a trad LP, with pianist Dick Wellstood and his sextet jamming eight veteran songs, including "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans," "Royal Garden Blues," "The Sunny Side of the Street," and "Exactly Like You." One of trumpeter Doc Cheatham's first recordings in his later years (which found him finally becoming a renowned soloist), this album also features trombonist Vic Dickenson, Kenny Davern on soprano and clarinet, bassist George Duvivier, and drummer Gus Johnson. Excellent music. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

    Artist: Steve Kuhn
    Album: Watch What Happens
    Label: Concord Jazz
    Release: 1968
    Style: Post-Bop
    Format mp3, bitrate: 256 kb/s
    Time: 36:11
    Size: 66,5 Mb
    AMG Rating:

Like many pianists, Steve Kuhn seems to put out one quality disc after another but doesn't ever seem to get the attention he deserves. This beautifully recorded studio date from 1968, with bassist Palle Danielsson and drummer Jon Christensen, is a good example. Eschewing the typical easygoing approaches to Michel Legrand's "Watch What Happens," he launches into a very brisk bossa nova arrangement. J.J. Johnson's gorgeous ballad "Lament" was never in better hands as Kuhn delivers a shimmering but poignant performance; the piece segues into Gary McFarland's unjustly neglected "Once We Loved." A mini-medley of Burt Bacharach songs, "Windows of the World" and "Here I Am," with its unusual chanting introduction, has also stood the test of time. Carla Bley's "Ad Infinitum" delves briefly into the avant-garde but quickly reverts to post-bop. [The Japanese reissue of this long unavailable session, originally on MPS, retains the identical gatefold packaging of the LP, complete with photos and liner notes — a very nice touch.] - Ken Dryden at AMG

    Artist: Oscar Peterson
    Album: The Complete Clef Mercury Studio Recordings (1951-1953) vol. VII
    Label: Mosaic Records
    Year: 1951 - 1953
    Release: 2008
    Style: Mainstream Jazz
    Format mp3, bitrate: 320 kb/s
    Time: 1:01:00
    Size: 140 Mb
    AMG Rating:

EVERY DAY IS AN OSCAR PETERSON DAY !

Oscar Peterson appeared on hundreds of recordings produced by Norman Granz, though most of his early trio dates for Mercury and Clef were overlooked for CD reissue until the release of this thorough seven-disc compilation by Mosaic in 2008. It still represents only a portion of the pianist's considerable output for the two labels between 1951 and 1953. This collection was put together as a result of laborious detective work, assembling nine different sessions from tape masters and second generation reels, 78s, EPs and LPs, some of which came from collectors and libraries, while also including eight previously unissued performances...

     Artist: John Pizzarelli & The George Shearing Quintet
     Album: The Rare Delight of You
     Label: Telarc
     Release: 2002
     Format, bitrate: MP3, 256 kbps
     Time: 56:46
     Size: 74 MB
     AMG Rating:

     John Pizzarelli teams with the George Shearing Quintet to reveal their unique musical chemistry on The Rare Delight of You, a 15-track gem filled with the ambience of such great composers as Irving Berlin, Leonard Bernstein, Harry Warren, and the master himself, George Shearing. Pizzarelli, a master of the Great American Songbook, showcases his musical heirlooms -- buoyant, loving vocals and quality guitar skills -- alongside Shearing's authentic and full-spirited piano savvy with brilliant insight and freedom of expression without exceeding the boundaries of the original compositions. The results are tender, expressive, jazz renderings that resound with taste and class. The best-selling guitarist and his wife, Jessica Molaskey, co-wrote "I Predict" with Shearing and also co-wrote the title track, "The Rare Delight of You." The latter, a tender, love ballad with the potential to become a jazz standard, is a relaxing song that conjures a variety of loving moods. Among the more delightful and memorable songs are "September in the Rain" and "Be Careful It's My Heart." Pizzarelli delivers them with all their harmony and richness, quietly, softly in tune with the light and, at times, swinging piano accompaniment of Shearing. The group dynamic is also interesting since they've mastered an ever-changing body of arrangements. Great music attracts the best musicians and Shearing's Quintet: Dennis Mackrel on drums, Ted Piltzecker on vibraphone, Reg Schwager on guitar, and Neil Swainson on bass are among the attributes that make this CD a success. They immerse the listener in a variety of musical moods and set the tone on this one-of-a-kind musical terrain with a distinctive subdued passion. John Pizzarelli meets the same self-imposed standards he set on "Let There Be Love" and continues to deliver the goods with enthusiasm, earnest humility, and charm. ~ Paula Edelstein, All Music Guide

     Artist: The Real Thing
     Album: Pleasure Is An Attitude
     Label: Real Records
     Year: 1997
     Format, bitrate: MP3, 192 kbps
     Time: 57:19
     Size: 75,5 MB

     'Pleasure Is An Attitude' is the fifth album from the Norwegian quartet The Real Thing. They still keep the melodic and personal touch in their muisc, and here they have got this kind of confidence in their compositions that makes this to maybe their best album. All tracks are original made by the members. Melodic tunes where we from time to time can hear influence from nordic folk music. Instead of a complete big band (as they cooperated with on the album 'A Perfetc Match'), the original four memebers of the group have added a brass section of 6 horns in addition to Dick Jensen on percussion.
     The music of The Real Thing is mostly original compositions from the band members, and is influenced from american blue note jazz (like Jimmy Smith, George Benson and Wes Montgomery in addition to elements from modern popular music. The result is a mix of genres like swing, blues, soul, latin , funk and rock.      Wikipedia

     Enjoy !

     Artist - Stan Getz
     Album - Bossas and Ballads: The Lost Sessions
     Release - 1989
     Genre - Jazz
     Label - Verve
     Format/Bitrate - MP3/320 kbps; FLAC

     There has been no lack of previously unissued material by the late Stan Getz coming out on CD, but the opportunity to get a further taste of the great tenor saxophonist's exceptional final period is not to be passed on. Recorded two months before his death in 1989 (and two years after the brilliant club dates documented on Anniversary and Serenity), Bossas and Ballads finds him in top form, continuing his memorable association with pianist Kenny Barron.

     Artist: Wynton Marsalis
     Album: From The Plantation To The Penitentiary
     Label: Blue Note Records
     Year: , release March 6, 2007
     Genre: Jazz
     Format, bitrate: MP3 192Kbps
     Time: 58:26
     Size: 80,3 Mb



     On "Where Y'all At?," the last track off trumpeter Wynton Marsalis' 2007 studio album From the Plantation to the Penitentiary, Marsalis delivers a spoken word tirade against everything from the demise of socially conscious hip-hop and misguided politicians to America's commercial and capitalist culture. He asks, "All you '60s radicals and world beaters, righteous revolutionaries, Camus readers, liberal students, equal rights pleaders, what's going on now that y'all are the leaders?!" It's a stunning track that perfectly states what the oft-quoted and often outspoken Marsalis is angry about. While musically he may be a traditionalist, here we find him in a vitriolic, forward-thinking mood. Long an outspoken figure in the jazz world and a lightning rod for debate over what constitutes the so called "jazz tradition," Marsalis is less concerned about the direction of jazz music here and more about the direction of American society. Obviously spurred on by the war in Iraq, the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina (which ravaged his hometown of New Orleans), and what he clearly views as a gluttonous, vapid, misogynist and deeply racist American culture, Marsalis has crafted a bluesy, cerebral, soul-inflected album reminiscent of work by such iconic artists as Charles Mingus and Nina Simone. Adding weight to these comparisons is newcomer vocalist Jennifer Sanon, whose Simone-meets-Blossom Dearie style, featured throughout, adds a warm, melodic pathos to Marsalis' stark, spiritual and '50s Beat-influenced songs. This may not be the most musically avant-garde or boundary-pushing album, but it is a deeply personal and grounded creative statement, which is fascinating coming from an artist of Marsalis' stature and mainstream popularity. ~ Matt Collar, All Music Guide

     Умер легендарный музыкант и конструктор Лес Пол.
     Создатель самой популярной в мире модели электрогитары, новатор в сфере звукозаписи и техники игры на музыкальных инструментах, Лес Пол прожил 94 года. Он знал и впитал в себя всю музыку ХХ века; он же ее изменил и сделал такой, какой ее сейчас знаем и любим мы.

     The World Has Lost a Remarkable Innovator and Musician
     RIP Les Paul
     June 9, 1915 - August 12, 2009

---

     Artists: Les Paul & Mary Ford
     Album: 24 Greatest Hits
     Label: Compagnion LP6187291
     Format: Flac
     Size : ~ 100431 KB (LP-rip)

     INFO

     The husband-and-wife musical duo of Les Paul & Mary Ford enjoyed immense popularity in the 1950s, with their popular appeal based as much on their musical talent as the revolutionary recording techniques developed by Paul. Both were music industry veterans when they came together as a couple, both professionally and romantically.