Artist: Van Morrison with Georgie Fame & The Dallas Jazz Orchestra
     Album: Live At Montreux Jazz Festival '89
     Label: DAT record
     Year: 1989
     Format, bitrate: MP3@320 kbps
     Time: 1:52:46
     Size: 191 Mb



     The Dallas Jazz Orchestra (DJO) is a jazz big band based in Dallas, Texas, founded by Thom Mason and Galen Jeter. Since its beginning in 1973, the DJO has produced numerous notable recordings, two of which were Grammy nominated, and has performed internationally in concerts and jazz festivals, such as the Montreaux Jazz Festival.
This release full live performance by Van Morrison with Georgie Fame and DJO at Casino de Montreux, Switzerland 1989 July 17th . The music is mostly blues- and jazz-oriented with the highlights including " Bonnie & Clyde," " King Porter Stomp".

     Artist: Ella Fitzgerald
     Album: Lady Time
     Label: OJC/Pablo
     Year: 1978, release: 1995
     Quality: MP3@320 kbps
     Size: 91,8 mb
     Total time: 42:54



     This CD places Ella Fitzgerald (then 60) in an unusual setting. Joined only by organist Jackie Davis and drummer Louie Bellson, she tackles a wide variety of material that ranges from "I'm Walkin'" and "I Cried for You" to "Mack the Knife" (which did not need to be remade) and "And the Angels Sing." Not one of her more essential releases, Lady Time does show that even at this fairly late stage in her career, Ella Fitzgerald could outswing just about anyone.

     Artist: Magnificent Seventh's Brass Band
     Album: Authentic New Orleans Jazz Funeral
     Label: Mardi Gras Records
     Years: 1994
     Quality: MP3@192 kbps
     Size: 96.18 МБ
     Total time: 72:07

Уникальнейший компакт диск, о похоронной процессии в Новом Орлеане, играют настоящие музыканты, которые обслуживают это ритуальное действие. Стиль Second Line. Брасс бэнд играет в два сузафона, интересная трактовка известных джазовых тем.

     Certainly one of the most unique sights in New Orleans is that of a traditional jazz funeral in progress. The brass band is decked out in stately uniforms and is led through the streets by a professional mourner, who leads the crowd in song and dance. The bereaved accompany the casket, while other members of the funeral procession follow. This second line winds its way through the streets en route to the body's final resting place, where the music goes from solemn to joyous and the celebration begins for the one freed from earthly troubles. This CD takes the listener through all parts of such a service, with an informative narration by Milton Batiste, one of the great figures in the brass band tradition in New Orleans. These include the wake of inspirational gospel tunes, followed by the dirges, as the crowd accompanies the casket en route to the final resting place, and the joyful sendoff as the preacher cuts loose the body and the soul of the parishioner goes on home to be with the Lord. Batiste himself was accorded this traditional ceremonial tribute when he passed in March of 2001.>>>

     Artist: Rova::Orkestrova
     Album: Electric Ascension
     Label: Atavistic Records
     Year: 2003; release: 2005
     Format, bitrate: mp3, 320
     Time: 63:49
     Size: 144 mb

     Artist: Various Artists
     Album: The Best Of 70 Years Blue Note
     Label: Blue Note / EMI Belgium
     Year: 2009
     Format, bitrate: mp3, 320kb/s
     Size: 2CD - 133 & 150 MB

     Artist: Artie Shaw
     Album:Swing With Artie Shaw
     Label:Reader's Digest(4LP Set)
     Years: 1938-1941; release:1969
     Format, bitrate:MP3 256 (LP-rip)
     Time: LP 1-37:10; LP 2-36.35; LP 3-39.14; LP 4-40:30
     Size: LP 1-70.4 MB; LP 2-69.3 MB; LP 3-75.0 MB; LP 4 plus scans- 82.1 MB
     AMG Rating


     Artie Shaw's first big band was quite unusual, originally comprised of four horns, a string quartet and a four-piece rhythm section. This unimaginatively titled LP-set (whose chatty liner notes unfortunately do not include personnel and date information) has the first 49 recordings by this fine orchestra, featuring vocals by the forgettable Wesley Vaughn, Peg LaCentra and the young Tony Pastor but more importantly, successfully matching together the horns with the strings on such enjoyable numbers as "Japanese Sandman," "Sugar Foot Stomp" and "The Skeleton in the Closet." Pity that this potentially great orchestra did not catch on. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

     Artist: Arturo Sandoval
     Album: Time For Love
     Label: Concord Records
     Year: 2010
     Format: MP3 192 Kbps
     Time: 1:07:41
     Size: 97MB
     AMG Rating:

     Arturo Sandoval is a true maestro: despite his reputation as a bop-based trumpeter who plays jazz inspired by his native Cuban tradition, he has delved deeply into tango, swing, and electric jazz in his long career. He is also a fine pianist and percussionist. That said, the notion of him recording a collection of classical pieces, standards, and ballads with a trio and a string orchestra as backing is more than a bit of a surprise. Nonetheless, that’s what A Time for Love basically is. Sandoval claims that this is the realization of a 20-year dream. He wanted it bad enough to make and release the record himself, but fate stepped in. Pianist Shelly Berg heard the demos and brought him to Concord’s Greg Field, who in turn brought in Grammy-winning arranger Jorge Calandrelli. They co-produced while Calandrelli arranged eight of the nine string charts -- Berg arranged the other and brought in his trio to back up Sandoval.

     The classical readings include Fauré’s “Aprés un Reve" and “Pavane,” Ravel’s "Pavane Pour une Infante Defunte" (with Chris Botti on second trumpet), and Astor Piazzolla's “Oblivion” (with Monica Mancini on vocals). All reveal the emotional depth of Sandoval's playing, not just his technical acumen. While his fiery jazz playing can emote, it is often overshadowed by his expertise. Here, it is softness and tenderness without sentimentality that speak to the listener. The standards such as “I Loves You Porgy,” the shimmering swing in “Speak Low,” and the deep romance in the Johnny Mandel-Johnny Mercer classic “Emily” seemingly come from the vocal jazz tradition. Yet in them one can readily hear what Sandoval claims are his two greatest inspirations for this album: trumpeter Bobby Hackett's playing with the Jackie Gleason Orchestra, and the album Clifford Brown with Strings. The musical economy of those influences is reflected in the emotional weight and complex lyrical dimension carried in each note by Sandoval; the arrangements serve to heighten that revelation rather than overtake it. There are two very satisfying bonus tracks included as well, “The Windmills of Your Mind,” a stellar duet with Berg, and Cole Porter's “Every Time We Say Goodbye,” with Kenny Barron guesting on piano. It’s tempting to call A Time for Love Sandoval's masterpiece, but that is based on the sharp contrast with virtually everything else in his catalog; only time will reveal whether or not it is. For now, what is certain is that it is one of them.

     Artist: Donny McCaslin
     Album: Soar
     Label: Sunnyside
     Year: Apr 4, 2006
     Format, bitrate: mp3, 320kb/s
     Size: 123MB
     AMG rating:

     Donny McCaslin, who was originally a John Coltrane-inspired tenor saxophonist, has certainly grown as an adventurous improviser in the years since he debuted. On Soar, he begins and ends the set with a Panamaniam folk song, contributing seven originals of his own. McCaslin utilizes the wordless vocals of Luciana Souza on some of the ensembles and there is solo space for guitarist Ben Monder and pianist Orrin Evans, but the leader is the main star much of the time. His music is haunting, unpredictable, melodic in spots, and beyond simple categorization. It is consistently intriguing and inventive.

     Produced by saxophonist Dave Binney, Soar showcases McCaslin’s silken sax sound, and his equally adept flute work, are supported by an all-star array of musicians headed by label mates Luciana Souza from Brazil, and guitarist Ben Monder, along with Curacao percussionist Pernell Saturnino, Pat Metheny drummer Antonio Sanchez, pianist Orrin Evans, bassist Scott Colley, trumpeter Shane Endsley and Luis Bonilla. The 9 tracks reflect McCaslin’s musical diversity, and his rare ability to blend seemingly far-flung styles. The opening selection "Tanya" is a spirited 'percussion discussion with Saturnino propelling McCaslin to festive Sonny Rollins/"St. Thomas" style heights. "O Campeao," "Be Love," and the title track, are syncopated in similar fashion, contrasted by the "In a Silent Way" plectral shadings of "Grafton," "Laid Bare," "Push up the Sky," and the dreamy ballad "Hero as a Boy." The concluding composition, "Merjorana Tonosiena," closes the CD with an Afro-Andean dance vibe that is festive and folkloric.

     Artist: Chico Buarque
     Album: Para Todos
     Label: BMG-Ariola
     Years: 1992-1993; release: 1994
     Format, bitrate: mp3,VBR
     Time: 36:41
     Size: 47,9 MB


     Of the early stars of MPB (música popular brasileira), Chico Buarque was one of the first to become a certifiable pop star. With his warm, nasally croon, elegant phrasing, and considerable skill at lyric writing, Buarque (who is handsome to boot) became extremely popular with women, who loved his understated sensuality. However, Buarque was uncomfortable playing the role of pop star, preferring to be seen as a serious artist. Throughout his career, he's managed to have the best of both worlds, but not without some significant bumps along the way. Still, he remains a towering figure in Brazilian pop music, one of the country's greatest singer/songwriters and interpreters of the samba.

     Artist: Ahmed Abdullah’s Dispersions of the Spirit of Ra
     Album: Traveling the Spaceways
     Label: Planet Arts
     Year: 2004
     Format, bitrate: mp3@320kb/sec
     Time: 70:36
     Size: 164.4MB
     AMG Rating

     Traveling the Spaceways is as beautiful an homage to Sun Ra as it gets. However, the rapturous chaos and truculence that characterized so many of the maverick composer's performances and recordings should not be expected. While this side of Sun Ra is not completely obliterated, trumpeter/arranger Ahmed Abdullah chose to concentrate on his Ellingtonian bent. The music sways with style, and the voicings are often enthralling. The opening track, "We Travel the Spaceways," sets the tone, each musician playing a clear and distinctive role thanks to Abdullah's deft arrangements. He emphasizes cohesion and elicits a fine group effort from a tight ensemble. Although Abdullah delivers some tasteful choruses, the trumpeter often defers to other bandmembers to fill the solo spots. Therefore, listeners are treated to some memorable interventions by outstanding soloists. Baritone saxophonist Alex Harding is adequately ferocious on "21st Century, Pt. 3," trombonist Craig Harris is visceral and soulful on "New Horizons," and violinist Billy Bang is simply dazzling on "They Plan" -- these last two compositions sharing a deeply moving quality. The recording also prominently features vocalists and poets, and once again Abdullah succeeds by making the vocal parts an integral and indispensable component of the music. The songs and poetry blend remarkably well and often contribute greatly to the mood of the pieces. With this remarkable outing, Abdullah outdid himself and achieved remarkable results that should not be overlooked. Back on Saturn, the master can be proud of this tribute.