Artist: Ian Bousfield & IMI Yorkshire Imperial Band
     Album: The Versatile Virtuoso
     Label: Dyen
     Year: 1992
     Format, bitrate: Mp3, 128 Kdps
     Time: 58.55
     Size: 53 mb

     One of the truly great trombone players of his generation displays all his attributes and more on a fine solo release � very well accompanied by his old brass band Yorkshire Imperial and some friends on the keyboard and percussion who add variety and colour.
     Bousfield is a superb technician of the bone � something he readily displays on tracks such as �Bolivar� and �Rhapsody for Trombone� as well as a superb lyrical player on tracks such as ��Autumn Leaves�, �Pavane� and �The Summer Knows�. He even has time to rip through the old war horse �Bluebells of Scotland� in a manner old man Pryor would been proud of. He has a superb clean and pure trombone tone throughout the whole of his extensive range.
     An interesting mix and choice that is superbly realised and shows off all his talents � you can see why he has been in such demand on the orchestral circuit and why he now holds the top dog position in Vienna. All this and he displays a fine mullet haircut on the cover too!

     Artist: Ray Anderson
     Album: Where Home Is
     Label: Enja
     Year: 1998, release: 2008
     Format: mp3
     Time: 135.63 MB
     AMG rating


     Trombonist Ray Anderson's Pocket Brass Band is aptly named, not only because of its size and instrumentation (the other members are Lew Soloff on trumpet, Bobby Previte on drums, and Matt Perrine on sousaphone), but also because the group's sound is so deeply rooted in New Orleans. In fact, with its funky/military drum sound and penchant for ensemble improvisation, the group often sounds like a chamber version of the raucous second-line jazz bands of the past. The result is delightful; Anderson draws from a seemingly bottomless bag of growls, mutters, and shouts, and sometimes threatens to abandon a tune's harmonic structure altogether in order to pursue his tonal vision. But as adventurous as he and Soloff get, their sound is never abrasive; it's too joyful for that. Highlights include Anderson's funky "Bimwa Swing," a barnstorming rendition of Thelonious Monk's "I Mean You," and an insinuating mid-tempo take on Scott Joplin's "Pineapple Rag." Wonderful.

     Artists: Albert Mangelsdorff, Bill Watrous, Jiggs Whigham & Kai Winding
     Album: Trombone Summit
     Label: MPS
     Year: 1980
     Format, bitrate: mp3
     Size: 102MB


     Four different trombonists along with a good rhythm section (pianist Horace Parlan, bassist Mads Vinding and drummer Allan Ganley) team up for a variety of originals, "Blue and Sentimental" and a medley of blues themes. While Kai Winding, Bill Watrous and Jiggs Whigham are easily complementary, the avant-gardist Albert Mangelsdorff is the wild card on this stimulating session, keeping the music from being too comfortable or predictable. The 'bones are heard interacting together as a quartet and in trios and duets. The results are somewhat unique; pity that this LP has been out of print for quite awhile.

     Artists: Slide Hampton and The World of Trombones
     Album: Spirit of The Horn
     Label: MCG Jazz
     Year: 2002; release: 2003
     Format, bitrate: mp3 192 kbps
     Size: 91,38 mb
     AMG Rating:

     There are only a handful of instruments -- the cello being the most often used -- that can be multiplied into a satisfying, self-contained orchestra, and Slide Hampton occasionally proves that the trombone can be added to that short list. This get-together, recorded live in Pittsburgh (with all proceeds going to the jazz program at the Manchester Craftsmen's Guild, an arts and learning center for minorities), marked the first time in over 20 years that Hampton had recorded with his World of Trombones ensemble (though they have gigged in the interim). Expanding his forces from nine to 13 horns, including four bass trombones and his own horn, plus a four-piece rhythm section, Hampton conjures a fine, mellow, robust set of textures, yet not without the trademark edgy dissonances that give his sound a distinctive tang (as in the almost sinister, bass-grounded "A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing"). Hampton, who turned 70 a few days before this gig, still sounds pretty agile, holding his own with the formidable Bill Watrous in a swift chase down "Cherokee" lane. The centerpiece of the CD is a series of six jazz standards -- J.J. Johnson's "Lament," "Basin Street Blues," "April in Paris," "Lester Leaps In," John Coltrane's "Moment's Notice," and Herbie Hancock's "Dolphin Dance" -- grouped together under the loose tag "Tribute Suite." It's not really a unified "suite" per se; any standard could have been slipped into the lineup without disturbing the concept. So never mind the pretensions, just enjoy the ever-shifting voicings of "Lester Leaps In," the easygoing lope of "Dolphin Dance," or the way "Basin Street Blues" manages to combine Hampton's sophisticated harmonies with a 1920s-style banjo underpinning. The master also gives way to Max Seigel's strutting arrangement of Richard Carpenter's "Walkin'" (retitled "Walkin' 'N' Rhythm"), where the solos all go to the bass trombonists. And yes, guitarist (and banjoist!) Marty Ashby, as well as pianist Larry Willis and bassist John Lee, get in some profitable solo time amidst this mighty herd of 'bones. ~ Richard S. Ginell, All Music Guide

     Artist: Lester Bowie's Brass Fantasy
     Album: Twilight Dreams
     Label: Venture Records
     Year: 1987
     Format: mp3
     Size: 82MB

     Long the LP of myth and legend, Twilight Dreams first came into my life as a fable. As a young trumpet player, the tale of mystical all brass free-dixie re-imaginations of pop standards like Thriller (heard by a friend of a friend of a friend...) seemed just beyond the realm of grasp that when I accidentally stumbled upon a copy of this at a rather shoddy used record store on the L.E.S. shortly after my move here, there was no way i was going to let it pass me by. Enjoy.

     Lester Bowie's Brass Fantasy, which is comprised of four trumpets, two trombones, French horn, tuba and drums, has rarely lived up to its potential on records. Bowie has enjoyed having the band take pop tunes ("Personality" and "Night Time Is the Right Time" on this album) and distort (and sometimes satirize) them but one imagines that this approach works better in concert than on record. There are some strong moments on this hard-to-find LP (such as Bowie's trumpet-drums duet with the late Phillip Wilson on "Duke's Fantasy") but this is a hit-and-miss affair.

     Artist: The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
     Album: Shout Me Out
     Label: Fable/Lightyear
     Year: 2000
     Format, bitrate: mp3 320kbps
     Size: 158 MB

     "Deservedly rising in public consciousness and critical acclaim from its West Coast cultish following, the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra (CHJO) possesses a quality that distinguishes it from other big bands: an unforced inherent swing. Taking a cue from Basie minimalism combined with a hard drive, CHJO can't help but ooze blues from every beat and every measure. The composition "Shout Me Out" assumes a Hefti-ish heavily accented anticipation of the beat, a la "Li'l Darling." "Plunger Mute Syndrome," once again a blues, arranges for an alternating brass-and-sax give-and-take as Basie piano tickles fill the fourth measures, just before 22-year-old trombone wunderkind Isaac Smith goes gutbucket with astounding results. On "Nice To Meet You," pianist Bill Cunliffe introduces the tune with a signature Basie-like single-note improvisation, backed by Jim Hershman's Freddie Green-like rhythm guitar, Christoph Luty's walking bass and Jeff Hamilton's lightly prodding drumwork.

Just as the listener thinks that CHJO captures and retains the spirit of Basie, the band includes an original ballad, "Yellow Flowers After," that transforms the band's exuberance into an expression of loss akin to "I Remember Clifford." Charles Owens' lilting remembrance of his friend on "One For Horace Tapscott" reworks a fairly simple phrase into a soaring soprano sax flight supported elegantly by Bill Cunliffe and Jeff Hamilton before the band intensifies the feeling through crescendo and extended climax.

After ten big band arrangements that inspire the individual musicians to a high degree of unity and personalized solos, the biggest surprise is the conclusion: John Clayton's virtuosity on Antonio Carlos Jobim's "How Insensitive," the nuances of Clayton's style accented by Hamilton's sensitive percussive like-mindedness."

     Artist: Red Callender
     Album: Speak Low
     Label: Fresh Sound Records
     Year: 1956, 1958
     Format, bitrate: mp3 256kbps
     Time: 44:05
     Size: 83MB
     AMG rating:

     The tuba in jazz is a rare avis with few practitioners. Ray Draper, Bernard McKinney, Howard Johnson, Joe Daley, Bob Stewart, and Marcus Rojas are among the most prominent, but bassist Red Callender was prominently using it in modern mainstream jazz before them all. This precious reissue from Fresh Sound brings back in print his Crown label LP from 1956 Speak Low, and The Lowest, originally on the Metrojazz label from 1958. To have them both on one CD is wondrous, though the total time of 44 minutes is a bit skimpy for full price. These are sextet and septet recordings with tuba, French horn, guitar, flute, clarinet, and rhythm section featuring the peerless bassist Red Mitchell, a great choice. They comprise a witty, ear turning, neat instrumentation and a true sonic treat. How the high woodwinds and low-end brass complement each other is nothing less than remarkable. The best evidence of this unseemly union is heard on "A Foggy Day," with bowed overcast bass, a bell chime like Callender, and beautiful counterpoint between the mysterious instruments perfectly evoking a steamy lighthouse scene on Hermosa Beach. Very much like Yusef Lateef of this time period, the exotic tone of "Speak Low" meshes Buddy Collette's flute with the tuba and understated percussion. Both are definitive pieces of conceptual jazz brilliance, and highlight the 1956 sessions. There's also the exquisitely melancholic "In a Sentimental Mood," and Callender's original "Cris," epitomizing California cool. The four tracks from 1958 sport the septet, featuring muted trumpeter Gerald Wilson and pianist Gerald Wiggins, also with Collette and Mitchell. They do a pensive, long distance, West Coast viewpoint on "Autumn in New York," a fun "Dedicated to the Blues" fronted by flute and tuba with trumpet chiming in after the fact of the melody, and an irresistible bopper "The Lowest," exhibiting the most energy of the disc. There are those who don't much care for the tuba in any context, and others who've had difficulty swinging with it. Callender had few problems, either wielding it or making it sound assured and cohesive on this recommended recording.

     Artists: Eladio Reinón Latin Jazz Octet with Bebo Valdés
     Album: Acere
     Label: Fresh Sound Records
     Year: 1998
     Format, bitrate: mp3 320kbps
     Size: 128MB



The type of record you put on when you want the music to make you feel good, for a long time. Recorded in 1998 it's about as graceful as you can get, a descarga record that just grooves and grooves and grooves; five of the tunes are over nine minutes long. Bebo is on cruise control, his piano figures settling the mostly Spanish band into a groove, letting the soloists take their time. And his improvisations, they're the thing you wait for.
Highly recommended. ~ Peter Watrous, 2008-06-04

     Artist: Irakere
     Album: Cuba Libre
     Label: Far Out Recordings
     Year: 1980; release: 2010
     Genre: Jazz, Latin Jazz, Afro-Cuban Jazz, Jazz-Funk
     Format, bitrate: mp3 320kbps
     Size: 88,7 MB

The Great Forgotten Treasure of Latin Music from Multi Latin Grammy Award Winners and Legendary Cuban band Irakere It’s with great pleasure that Far Out Recordings can re-issue this extremely rare, cult record from one of the finest bands to emerge from Cuba. Stepping out of Brazil Joe Davis has been digging through the dustiest crates to re-discover one of the very best Latin American records

Recorded in Japan in 1980 and released as a Japanese exclusive vinyl LP ‘Cuba Libre’ was composed, arranged and produced by the remarkable Japanese musician Chikara Ueda. With almost the entire original line up in place including Chucho Valdes, Arturo Sandoval, and Jorge Alfonso this is a record of sublime quality that retains all of the authentic essence and beauty of Cuban music

Among the most influential Latin bands Irakere’s mix of fiery funk anthems and sophisticated jazz has rarely sounded better than on these six classic and uniquely Cuban tracks. ‘Cuba Libre’ is one of Irakere’s finest moments. Never before released on CD, this is the first ever release outside of Japan for ‘Cuba Libre’ and with stunning re-mastering and music of glorious quality this is an essential and significant re-issue of one of Latin music’s holy grail collector’s items. A vital 45 minutes in the history of Cuban music

     Artist: Steve Davis
     Album: Eloquence
     Label: Jazz Legacy Productions
     Year: 2009
     Format, bitrate: mp3, 320kbps
     Size: 114 MB
     AMG Rating:

     Steve Davis has distinguished himself as one of the first-call trombonists in New York City, while he has also been an important contributor to the group One for All, though he has an extensive discography as a leader as well. These 2007 sessions find Davis in top form, with a dream rhythm section anchored by the ageless pianist Hank Jones, with bassist Nat Reeves and drummer Joe Farnsworth. Davis' rich tone and fluid technique are evident in the run through "Yardbird Suite," while the loping treatment of "How Deep Is the Ocean" works equally well. Davis' one original is the soulful, gospel-flavored "The Blues," which adds trumpeter Roy Hargrove and vibraphonist Steve Nelson. Jones contributed "Minor Contention" (which also includes the expanded lineup), a snappy vehicle that at times suggests Horace Silver. There are plenty of compelling interpretations of standards and timeless jazz compositions, while the driving post-bop take of "When the Saints Go Marching In" is a refreshing change, particularly with Davis' amusing insertions of song quotes.

   Artist: Airmen of Note
   Album: Reeds & Rhythm
   Year: 1997
   Format, bitrate: mp3 320kbps
   Time: 51min 38sec
   Size: 108 MB

   "Presenting the debut recording of Reeds & Rhythm, a nine-piece ensemble featuring the five saxophone and four rhythm section members of the 18-piece Airmen Of Note. Reeds & Rhythm has evolved over the past few years in a rather unusual way. It began by performing several selections during concerts as a way of giving the brass players a short rest. Due in part to the tremendous response received, we decided to expand the repertoire, and in 1995 performed a feature segment at the annual U.S. Navy Band Saxophone Symposium held at George Mason University. Next, we developed a dedicated saxophone showcase for the Note's Jazz Outreach Program, which offers clinics and workshops to musicians of all ages throughout the nation. As always, the arrangements presented here by Mike Crotty are outstanding. His voicings and treatment of the colors, textures and energy of this saxophone and rhythm section is uniquely Airmen Of Note. It is with great pride that we present our debut recording... Reeds & Rhythm."
   Pete BarenBregge; Director, Airmen Of Note

     Artist: Oscar Castro - Neves & His Orchestra
     Album: Big Band Bossa Nova
     Label: Audio Fidelity
     Year: 1962
     Genre: Brazilian Jazz; Bossa-Nova
     Format: mp3, 128 kb/s (vinyl rip)
     Size: 32 Mb

     Few musicians in the world today can boast a career that reflects a lifetime of accomplishments as diverse, rich and acclaimed as those Oscar Castro-Neves has achieved. Renowned as a composer and arranger for his sophisticated harmonic concepts and the exquisite texture and color of his orchestrations, he is equally well known for his distinctive guitar style and as an accomplished record producer who has worked with dozens of major artists in a wide range of jazz, popular, Brazilian and classical idioms.

     As a solo artist, Oscar has recorded many albums, including Big Band Bossa Nova, Tropical Heart, Maracujб, Brazilian Scandals, More Than Yesterday, and Oscar. Today associated with Mack Avenue Records, Oscar has recorded Playful Heart and, his current release, All One, for the label. "I drink from many founts," Oscar says metaphorically, explaining his insatiable desire to explore the widest possible realm of music influences. On All One, as he has demonstrated throughout his career, the logic of his artistic wanderlust becomes abundantly clear once again. The album documents the inherent music genius that has made Oscar Castro-Neves one of the world's most complete musicians of his generation.

     Artist: Joao Donato
     Album: A Bad Donato
     Label: Blue Thumb Records
     Year: 1970
     Format: MP3; bitrate: 192 kbit/s
     Size: 37 MB

     A wickedly funky album from Joao Donato -- quite different than his earlier bossa sessions, and recorded in LA with a sweet jazzy bounce! The album's overflowing with great keyboard work -- and Joao plays both piano and organ, in a group that includes percussion from Emil Richards, who also produced the set with this mad skittish edge that's awash in crazy and off-kilter rhythms! Deodato helped a bit with the arrangements, too -- and the album's got an electric feel that's somewhat similar to Deodato's own work on CTI, but a lot more messed up -- and with that sense of odd instrumental placement that we love so much in Donato's classic Quem E Quem album! Tracks are all pretty darn great -- and titles include "Mosquito", "Bambu", "Cade Jodel", "Lunar Tune", and "The Frog", nicely done here in a funky version! ~ Dusty Groove America.

Artist: Nilson Matta
Album: Walking With My Bass
Label: Blue Toucan Music
Year: 2006
Genre: Jazz, Brazilian Jazz
Format, bitrate: mp3 320K
Time: 67:32 min.
Size: 95746 KB


Bassist Nilson Matta in a tour de force with Ivan Lins, Joyce, Kenny Barron, Rosa Passos and many more. Nilson of course, is the bassist with Trio Da Paz. His new release is aptly titled Walking with My Bass.

Nilson Matta's got plenty of great musical friends in this world — and thankfully, a good number of them showed up in the studio to help him with this batch of Brazilian-tinged jazz tunes! The record's overflowing with great contributions from a lineup of players that includes Brazilian artists Rosa Passos, Ivan Lins, Joyce, Joao Bosco, Mauricio Einhorn, Fil ó Machado, Cyro Baptista, Robertinho Silva and Duduka Da Fonseca — as well as American jazzmen Kenny Barron, Harry Allen,Vic Jurys, Anne Drummond and Jeff Tain Watts and many more! — and throughout it all, Nilson's at the helm, working in round, warm acoustic basslines and solos that tie together the talents and styles present on the record. Most arrangements are by Matta, but Ivan Lins, Joyce, and Joao Bosco helped out a bit too — and titles include "Nana," "Berimbau," "Night & Day," "Creek," "Samba Sem Voce," "Jade," "Perfume De Cebola," "Here's That Rainy Day" and "I Only Have Eyes For You," sung in English by Joyce!