Artist: Loren Mazzacane Connors
     Album: A Possible Dawn
     Label: hatHUT
     Year:1995-1997, release 1997
     Genre: Avantgarde
     Format, bitrate: Mp3, 192kbps
     Size: 85MB
     AMG Rating

     This disc of mostly solo electric guitar recordings by Loren Mazzacane Connors (there is one trio with Thurston Moore and Jean-Marc Montera to close the album) is not anathema to his acoustic guitar improvisations and his long, unhurried tonal studies. Quite the contrary: On an electric guitar, Connors can take the extreme the other way, elongating every note, nuancing every lonely tone for maximum timbral effect. The title, A Possible Dawn, is reflective of the fact that this music comes from the still darkness. In Connors' tone and sonic worlds, stillness and darkness are far from static things; they reflect and carry a movement inside them that can only be expressed intuitively rather than intellectually. They also carry within them images of sadness, and most of this music, like all his music, is colored in the hues of grief and sadness. It' s simple, really: Connors' music, from his most abstract improvisations to his renderings of folk songs, has always been deeply influenced by and embedded in the blues tradition. The songs here, and in the purest sense they are songs, are blues songs. This is a new kind of blues, open-ended and stridently intoned against the silence while at the same time coming out of it. A track like "Hawk," with its deceptively simple ostinato figure that moves along a line that is continually descending in circles like the bird coming in for the kill or the rumbling storm clouds of "Against Myself, Against the Sky" take the blues drone and pit it against the elements of nature and of the human fault line of endurance, of what is emotionally bearable. That line is nearly crossed on "Wall of Eyes," with its paranoia, comin'-to-git-me roll and slide along the lower register. But then comes the title track, one minute and ten seconds of shimmering hope as the line around the night sky begins to turn gray. These notes are stuttering, vulnerable, and tender. The last track is a half-hour trio between all three men, and it' s a free-form scrim and scrape, shimmer and whisper, scream and wail exercise in restraint, deep listening, and exquisite improvisation. This is one of Connors' finer records, and certainly worth owning. ~ Thom Jurek, AMG

     Artist: Ray Charles
     Album: The Definitive Ray Charles
     Year: 2001
     Genre: jazz, soul, rhythm and blues
     Label: Wea International
     Format: 320 kbps
     Size: 178+180 mb



     Альбом был бескорыстно предоставлен многоуважаемым rat24, я лишь слегка довел его до ума. Со "своим" пока туго, но, надеюсь, со временем коллекция клуба пополнится кое-чем интересным. Буду стараться!

     Forty-six tracks from 48 years – 40 of which are from the '50s and '60s, but them's the breaks – a definitive encapsulation of a definitive repertoire. ~ Charles Shaar Murray, Mojo, January 2002

     Artist: Horace Silver Quintet & Trio
     Album: Blowin' the Blues Away
     Label: Blue Note
     Recording Date: Aug 29, 1959, Sep 13, 1959
     Format/Bitrate: FLAC;MP3/320kbps
     Size: 305 & 101 MB (scans)
     Time: 42:18



Blowin' the Blues Away is one of Horace Silver's all-time Blue Note classics, only upping the ante established on Finger Poppin' for tightly constructed, joyfully infectious hard bop. This album marks the peak of Silver's classic quintet with trumpeter Blue Mitchell, tenor saxophonist Junior Cook, bassist Gene Taylor, and drummer Louis Hayes; it's also one of the pianist's strongest sets of original compositions, eclipsed only by Song for My Father and Horace Silver and the Jazz Messengers. The pacing of the album is impeccable, offering up enough different feels and slight variations on Silver's signature style to captivate the listener throughout. Two songs -- the warm, luminous ballad "Peace" and the gospel-based call-and-response swinger "Sister Sadie" -- became oft-covered standards of Silver's repertoire, and the madly cooking title cut wasn't far behind. And they embody what's right with the album in a nutshell -- the up-tempo tunes ("Break City") are among the hardest-swinging Silver had ever cut, and the slower changes of pace ("Melancholy Mood") are superbly lyrical, adding up to one of the best realizations of Silver's aesthetic. Also, two cuts ("Melancholy Mood" and the easy-swinging "The St. Vitus Dance") give Silver a chance to show off his trio chops, and "Baghdad Blues" introduces his taste for exotic, foreign-tinged themes. Through it all, Silver remains continually conscious of the groove, playing off the basic rhythms to create funky new time patterns. The typical high-impact economy of his and the rest of the band's statements is at its uppermost level, and everyone swings with exuberant commitment. In short, Blowin' the Blues Away is one of Silver's finest albums, and it's virtually impossible to dislike. ~ Steve Huey, AMG

     Artist: Crossroadz
     Album: Между...(Between...)
     Year: 1994
     Genre:Blues-rock, blues
     Format: mp3
     Quality: 320Kbit
     Size: 102Mb

     The band CROSSROADZ was formed in Moscow in 1990 by the renowned Russian Blues guitarist and vocalist Sergei Voronov. It was in East Berlin, at the age of 12, that Sergei first discovered the guitar. Along the way, by listening to tapes passed along by friends, he discovered his love for the blues. Among his earliest influences were the Rolling Stones and Muddy Waters.

     Crossroadz — один из немногих отечественных бэндов, востребованных за границей. ”Русский блюз мирового уровня”, ”элита российского ритм-энд-блюза”, ”харизма русского рок-н-ролла”, ”русские хендриксы с плантами” — все это пишут про них, Сергея Воронова и Ко. ”Русские” — это, конечно, громко сказано, потому что основной репертуар эти бородатые дядьки исполняют на аглицком. Они объехали весь мир, от Китая до Америки, оставляя за собой толпы влюбленных по уши пейзанок, пустые бутылки из-под водки и твердое убеждение, что Россия — родина рок-н-ролла.

     Artist: Revenko Band
     Album: Инструментальные версии песен DDT
     Genre: Instrumental/Acoustic Rock
     Year: 2008
     Format: MP3@320Kb/s
     Size: 110Mb

     Отличный аргумент против тех, кто привык считать Юрия Шевчука тривиальным рок-бардом, который использует музыку лишь в качестве безликого фона к своим витиеватым стихам. Украинский музыкант Алексей Ревенко вместе со своим ансамблем рискнул сделать версии известных песен Шевчука, начисто лишив их вербального компонента. Получились самостоятельные произведения, зачастую ушедшие от исходников довольно далеко… Альбом записан с благословения самого Юрия Шевчука. Это и неудивительно: Ревенко явно относится к вдохновителю данной пластинки с особым трепетом. Недаром в буклете альбома Алексей красуется в футболке с крупной фотографией лидера «ДДТ», что само по себе способно вызвать гомерический хохот у снобов. Смешного тут, однако, мало. К переработке всех 12 попавших на альбом песен Revenko Band подошел со всей любовью и старательностью. Как правило, структуру и композиционную цельность каждого творения Шевчука музыканты сохраняют (скажем, тот факт, что в «Революции» Ревенко с согруппниками оставили коду из «Марсельезы», говорит за себя). Когда же изначальная фактура треков разрушается, получается скомкано и размазано. Не сумел ансамбль передать (или изменить) настроение песни «Ты не один». В оригинале Шевчук то пропевает заглавную строку, то заменяет ее музыкальной цитатой. На этом и строится главная интрига. В инструментальной же версии по понятным причинам этого сделать не было возможным, оттого и пропала вся соль. Попытки же «Ревенко-бэнда» вводить в ткань шевчуковских вещей собственные импровизированные темы выглядят по меньшей мере забавными. Например, вступление к «Что такое осень» напоминает «Подсолнух» Павла Кашина. Но в целом как аранжировщики участники Ревенко-бэнда мыслят изобретательно и изощренно. Чего только стоит решение превратить «Не стреляй» в пышную балладу в стиле барокко (плюс ко всему, здесь также звучит мандолина!). Или отрывистые партии в финале «Ветра», напоминающие отнюдь не ураганные порывы, а воющие по щелям сквозняки. Запись «Ревенко-бэнда» довольно сложно использовать как повод попеть в караоке. Стоит только послушать неистовые композиции «Вороны» и «Метель» с солирующей партией рояля, чтобы отпало желание пьяно голосить с трудом припоминаемые тексты в буйной компании.

     Artist: Giovanni Mirabassi
     Album: Prima O Poi
     Label: Discograph / Minium
     Year: 2005
     Genre: Piano Jazz, Modern Jazz
     Format: FLAC (image + .cue)
     Time: 50:29
     Size: 416 MB


     « Perfect albums are as neatly prepared as a hold-up must be. They are pondered upon for a long time, lived out in dreams hundreds of times, our best friends are kept at close hand, and D day is long awaited for, everything unfolds in the most natural way. « Sooner or later », Giovanni was bound to do it. This Italian pianist of thirty five years old has been making his way in French jazz for twelve years now. A first successful « hold-up » in 1998 with his Architectures as polished as Beaudelaire’s poetry ; a second more thundering one in 2000, Avanti ! , revolutionary songs transfigured into jazz standards, another more dared, in 2003, « Air », an airy conversation between a piano, a trombone and a bugle. But there is always this marginality, so difficult to manage. Finally, D day… Louis Moutin mastering the beat, Gildas Boclй picking or sliding along the strings, Flavio Boltro whose sound would pierce through any safe, a new label, a deep need of oxygen, and there you have it ! To those who reproached him for not « playing jazz », for navigating too close to the dark banks of romanticism, Mirabassi responds through this amazing musical hold-up, nine jewels stolen in this humming atmosphere. >>>

     Artist: Various
     Album: Late Night Jazz Hour
     Label: Spa
     Years: 1952-1980, release:1993
     Playing Time: 01:09:49
     Total Size: 159,81 MB
     Quality: mp3@320 kbps + covers

     Artist:Blues Company
     Album:From Daybreak To Heartbreak
     Label: Inakustik (in-akustik)
     Quality: APE (image + .cue)
     Size:384 mb
     Total time:: 53:26

     One of the most interesting and experienced actual German bands. The Blues Company appeared on the blues scene in 1976. Although different changes on the band, they sound really effective, as they keep a personal stamp, perhaps due to the continuity of one of the founder member. Todor ‘Toscho’ Torodovic, who is the song writer, singer and guitar player. Todor uses different guitars which makes him get a bright chromatic quite different tones he employs in harmony with the type of song he plays. This time Torodic has chosen a Gibson L5 and a Fender Stratocaster with Fender Tone Master and Fender Pro Junior amps. The cd gathers eleven varied songs, intense and passionate but, over all, with a lot of groove and an incredible swing. VERY GOOD

     Artist: Alela Diane
     Title: To Be Still
     Label: Holocene Music
     Genre: Alternative Folk
     Bitrate: MP3 320 kbps
     Time: 00:38:32
     Size: 83 MB


     First released in 2004 as a private CD-R run then later re-released formally in 2006, the softly spooked-out acid folk of The Pirate's Gospel is a captivating debut from Alela Diane, whose enthusiasm and ability for a then-extremely-fresh learner on guitar is quite something. Recorded by her father, who also helps perform on many tracks along with other friends and family members, the disc showcases Alela Diane's knack for gentle, immediate melodies and her fine voice, possessed of a hint of twang that suggests a combination of Dusty Springfield and Kristin Hersh, with a rich maturity beyond her years. The high and lonesome catch on songs like "Foreign Tongue" and "Clickity Clack" is quite something, while the interplay of vocals and guitar on the latter is particularly beautiful. Like her contemporary Larkin Grimm, she brings older forms of music to life with vivid performances, sometimes striking imagery, and a love for surprising little touches, such as the line "And a choir of little children sing along" from "Pieces of String," which is, indeed, sung by two young kids. The title track may just be the standout among them all with its low, moody backing vocals and an appropriate hint of sea shanty atmosphere in the chorus, while guest banjo from Matt Gottschalk adds a further tinge of mysteriousness. It's important to note that the 2006 version of the album differs greatly from the private release -- the sequencing is somewhat altered, while a number of tracks are dropped, and a separate one, "Can You Blame the Sky?," is added. Both versions of the album are excellent but the earlier CD-R release is worth seeking out if one enjoys the later edition, especially for such fine songs as "Gypsy Eyes" and "Heavy Walls." ~ Ned Raggett, All Music Guide

     Artists - Steve Lacy & Mal Waldron
     Album: At the Bimhuis 1982
     Label: Challenge
     Original Release Date: July 11, 2006
     Quality: mp3@256 kbps
     Size: 89 mb

     The Bimhuis in Amsterdam is a special place in the world of modern jazz. It's known as the home of Dutch jazz masters like Han Bennink, Misha Mengelberg and Willem Breuker, but of course many other musicians from around the world have played there as well. For many of them, it's been the starting point for extended European tours.

     This is a magnificent addition to the body of work of both of the principals. Lacy and Waldron knew each other well. They worked together many times and frequently collaborated on versions of Monk's music.
This particular recording was made in 1982 by Sjaak Willemse, an employee of the Bimhuis, who was occassionally given permission to record events at that venue. Perhaps because Willemse was recording only a duo, the quality of the recording is surprisingly good.>>>

     Artists: Nat King Cole & George Shearing
     Album:Nat King Cole Sings/George Shearing Plays
     Label: Capitol
     Year: 1961
     Quality:mp3; 192 kb/s
     Size:79mb

     This 1961 recording is a wonderful collaboration between two jazz titans. In fact, it's a shame singer Nat "King" Cole and pianist George Shearing didn't make more albums together. Inviting Shearing to play on this record is an example of Cole's musical selflessness. (A noted pianist himself, Cole might have been insulted by Capitol's suggestion to work with Shearing. Thankfully, history proved otherwise.)

     Comprised of 12 tracks , NAT "KING" COLE SINGS/GEORGE SHEARING PLAYS combines the intimacy of a piano quartet with the immense sound of a string orchestra. A gentle, swaying "September Song" and a surprisingly subdued "I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)" are two fine examples of the record's relaxed mood. Cole and Shearing's interpretation of "Fly Me to the Moon" is especially stirring; performed as a slow ballad, Bart Howard's melody is captured in all its natural beauty on this rendition like never before. For fans of Cole and/or Shearing, this is a must-have disc.

     Artist - Count Basie
     Album - Count Basie 1947 - Brand New Wagon
     Label - Bluebird/RCA
     Year - 1947, release - 1990
     Quality - MP3@320kb/s
     Size - 116 mb
     Total time - 59:32



While French RCA put out a three-LP set documenting 48 of Count Basie's recordings for that label during 1947-50, its American counterpart instead just reissued 21 of those sides (all from 1947) on this highly enjoyable CD. Best are the octet and nonet recordings of May 20-21 but none of these tracks are weak. Trumpeter Harry "Sweets" Edison, the tenors of Paul Gonsalves and Buddy Tate and the long underrated baritonist Jack Washington star, along with vocalist Jimmy Rushing and the rhythm section. Even during what is sometimes written off as a declining period, the Basie orchestra was near the top in quality, if not popularity. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

     Artist: Joe Bonamassa
     Album: The Ballad of John Henry
     Label: Premier Artists
     Year: release February 24, 2009
     Format: MP3@320 Kb/s
     Size: 152 Mb.

     

     His guitar and voice carry equal weight as he runs through SRV-styled slow blues, a shuffle or two, acoustic numbers, covers, and originals -- everything that he's dabbled with on previous albums is pulled together here, making for his most varied album and possibly his best, even if that heaviness means that it's not necessarily the easiest to enjoy.

     Artist: Phil Woods
     Album: Sugan
     Label: Status (Prestige)
     Quality: FLAC & MP3@320
     Size: 229 MB & 98 MB
     Time: 43:17
     AMG rating:

     This CD from Fantasy's Original Jazz Classics series is essentially a bebop jam session. The quintet (altoist Phil Woods, trumpeter Ray Copeland, pianist Red Garland, bassist Teddy Kotick and drummer Nick Stabulas) performs three Charlie Parker compositions and three originals by Woods, but the melodies are quickly discarded in favor of heated solos. Woods and the greatly underrated Copeland work together very well, and Garland is a major asset both as a soloist and as an accompanist to the horns. This little-known date is quite enjoyable. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

     Artist - Count Basie
     Album - Hollywood - Basie's Way
     Label - Command Records
     Years - 1966/67, release - 1968
     Quality - MP3@320 kbps (LP-rip)
     Size - 67,8 mb (shareonall)
     Total time - app.32:00

    Artists: Oscar Peterson Quartet
    Album: Münchner Klaviersommer 1994
    Studio: TV Broadcast
    Year: 1994
    Format: avi, bitrate: 192 kb/s
    Time: 50 + 50 min
    Size: 1,36 Gb
    Bubu's Rating: ****

   The Munich Summer Piano festival, unique among the festivals in Europe, takes place every year in the Ballroom and Night Club at Bayerischer Hof Hotel, at the All Saints' Court Church, the State Opera, the Philharmonic a.s.o.
   The unique combination of different styles of music and also the most diverse selection of venues in Munich gave to the festival it’s distinctive face and made for it an immediate appreciation by the artists and especially by the enthusiastic audience. The goal was that always the best performers in the world, to be introduced in this festival, famous or unknown. Many of the public have discovered the artists and their shows mainly through the festival’s videos and television programs that were broadcasted - which is the case of this particular show.
   This is one of Oscar Peteron’s first live appearances after his stroke from 1993.
   Although his lefthand is weakened, his performance is brilliant.
   The show starts with the entrance and playing of the musicians one by one: first the drummer, second the bass player, third the guitarist and finally the master, which makes a beautiful approach for “There Will Never Be Another You”, the starting number. The highlights of the concert are Kelly’s & C-Jam Blues in the first part and “Sweet Georgia Brown” and Duke’s “Satin Doll” from the second part. After 80 minutes of playing the band gives two encores: the touching “Nighttime” and the lyric “City Light”.
   This is a must for each and every Oscar Peterson fan. The very good video and audio quality also recommends this concert.
- Bubu Hans

   Artists: Oscar Peterson Quartet
   Album: Words and Music
   Studio: TV Broadcast BBCFOUR
   Year: 1980
   Format: avi, bitrate: 175 kb/s
   Time: 46 min
   Size: 636 Mb
   Bubu's Rating: *****

   If in the world of accommodations there’s only one seven stars hotel: The Dubai Burj Al Arab, Oscar Peterson’s Words & Music video from BBC 4 has the 7 stars between Oscar’s video recordings.
   The reason is the fact that here we can see Oscar at his peak of maturity and skills not only as a brilliant musician, playing with guests and fellow musicians, but also as a cunning entertainer and a dezinvolt TV hoster…
   Just sit back, relax and enjoy. - Bubu Hans