Artists: Wycliffe Gordon and Martin Erickson
   Album: You And I
   Release: 2008
   Label: Bluesback Records
   Format, bitrate: MP3, 192 Kbs/s
   Time: 60:52
   Size: 81.8 МБ

   This album features two internationally recognized and recorded jazz artists: Wycliffe Gordon on trombone, piano and vocals, and Marty Erickson on Tuba. Check out their individual websites at www.wycliffegordon.com and www.martytuba.com for the most complete information including biographies, photos, schedules and discography.
   The artists met while performing with the Brass Band of Battle Creek, a professional Brass Band based in Battle Creek, Michigan which assembles thirty-two of the finest musicians in the world (28 brass and 4 percussion) to perform concert tours and record CDs.
   This CD features two tunes based on the old "street musician" idea: "Back Home Again in Indiana" and "I'm Going to Sit Write Down and Write Myself a Letter" use only trombone, tuba, voice and "brushes on a box" (in this case--a cajon) to simulate the street jam session. On "Multiphonic Intoduction" and "BaloozieVocalisetusietoon tune" the players trade cadenzas singing and playing simultaneously before this great Wycliffe original.
   "You and I" also features two arrangements and one original tune by jazz pianist/composer Ronald Newman, who plays on this CD. Pay attention in particular to his chart on "My Romance," which starts with a trombone and tuba low brass choir (with Wycliffe and Marty overdubbing all parts) and morphing into an upbeat Latin feel.
   Overall, this CD simply finds the groove on every tune, and you can't help but smile in the listening; especially when Wycliffe scat sings with his own special "lyrics!"
   ~ cdbaby.com

     Artist - Duke Ellington
     Album - Duke Ellington & His Orchestra - 1946
     Label - Classics
     Year - 1946, release - 1998
     Quality - MP3@320 kbps
     Size - 121 mb
     Total time - 75:17




For the casual listener, "best of" collections are a good way to explore Duke Ellington's legacy. But if you're a serious collector or a completist, it's important to be aware of Classics, a French label that put out more than 30 CDs of the Duke's work in the 1990s. Regrettably, Classics generally skipped alternate takes; but even so, it was nice to see a label reissuing Ellington's master takes chronologically. This rewarding CD focuses on Ellington's recordings of 1946, when his orchestra boasted such heavyweights as trumpeter Cat Anderson, alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges, tenor saxman Al Sears, baritone saxman Harry Carney, trombonist Lawrence Brown, and drummer Sonny Greer. It was in 1946 that the Duke recorded his last two sessions for RCA Victor, and this CD spotlights those two sessions before offering two pieces from an October 23 session for Musicraft ("Magenta Haze" and "Diminuendo in Blue") and several V-disc recordings from a November 23 concert at Carnegie Hall in New York, where Ellington's orchestra performed "The Golden Cress" and "Sultry Sunset" as well as the interesting, four-part "Deep South Suite." The suite's fourth part is the well-known "Happy Go Lucky Local," an infectious blues track that became the basis for Jimmy Forrest's 1951 smash "Night Train" (which was speeded up and covered by the Godfather of Soul James Brown in the early 1960s). Most of the material on 1946 is instrumental, although Ellington features singer Marion Cox on pleasing arrangements of "St. Louis Blues" and "Lover Man," and fares equally well with singer Kay Davis on "I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance With You." While 1946 falls short of essential, the selections are definitely rewarding and prove that the late 1940s was a creatively successful, if underrated, period for the Duke.

    Artist: Buddy Guy
    Album: Hold That Plane
    Label: Vanguard Records
    Year: 1972
    Format, bitrate: Mp3, 320 kb/s
    Time: 38:58
    Size: 54,8 mb (full covers)

   In my opinion, Guy is at his best with slow blues, which is what comprises most of this album. The title cut is right up there with songs like "One Room Country Shack" and "A Man and His Blues". In addition to composing a more jazzed up version of "My Time After Awhile" Guy also manages to put a unique and enjoyable spin on the Muddy Waters classic "I'm Ready". Another standout is "You Don't Love Me" a smooth soul-blues cut reminiscent of the Chess years.
   Perhaps Hadley wasn't quite sure what to make of this Guy record (I'm a little tempted to believe that he didn't actually listen to it). It's a bit of a departure more subdued and soulful as a whole. Nevertheless, I can't see how any genuine blues lover can dislike Hold That Plane! Do yourself a favor and give it a listen. You won't be disappointed.
   ~ J.M. m, Amazon.com

    Artist: Buddy Guy, Junior Wells & Junior Mance
    Album: Buddy and the Juniors
    Label: MCA Records
    Year: 1970
    Format bitrate: Mp3, 192 kb/s
    Time: 42:01
    Size: 60,4 Mb (full covers)




   Strange, off-the-cuff set originally issued on Blue Thumb pairing Buddy Guy and Junior Wells with jazz pianist Junior Mance and no rhythm section. Guy plays acoustic guitar, Wells plays amplified harp, and the hoary setlist includes "Hoochie Coochie Man," "Five Long Years," and "Rock Me Mama."
   

    Artist: Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers
    Album: Des Femmes disparaissent / Les Tricheurs
    Label: Polygram Records
    Year: 1958
    Release: 1977
    Format, bitrate: Mp3, 160 kb/s
    Time: 47:31
    Size: 55,2 Mb

            EVERY DAY IS AN OSCAR PETERSON DAY!

   The bulk of this CD has the soundtrack of a 1958 French film titled Des Femmes Disparaissent. Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers (which at the time consisted of the drummer-leader, trumpeter Lee Morgan, tenor-saxophonist Benny Golson, pianist Bobby Timmons and bassist Jymie Merritt) perform 18 mostly brief sketches that were co-written by Golson and Blakey. Although the music is generally inconclusive and fragmented, fans of the Jazz Messengers will find these performances of some interest. The last five selections are from a different French film of the period, Les Tricherus. One number has Lionel Hampton (on drums) jamming in a quartet with clarinetist Mezz Mezzrow. The other songs have pianist Oscar Peterson, guitarist Herb Ellis, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Gus Johnson joined on one tune apiece by tenor-saxophonist Coleman Hawkins, trumpeters Roy Eldridge and Dizzy Gillespie and tenorman Stan Getz; Eldridge is also part of the Getz track. Of these, Dizzy on "Mic's Jump" fares best.
   - Scott Yanow AMG

   Artist: Dewey Redman
   Album: African Venus
   Label: Evidence
   Year: 1994
   Format/Bitrate: MP3/320
   Size: 116mb


   By the time African Venus was recorded in 1992, Dewey Redman was combining the fire of his earlier playing with a gentler, melodic approach. On "Satin Doll," "Mr. Sandman," and "Take the 'A' Train," Redman glides along in a more traditional bop vein, while the title track and Ornette Coleman's "Turnaround" sound more like the fiery Redman of Look For The Black Star or Tarik. Joining Redman on this date are Charles Eubanks (piano), Anthony Cox (bass), Carl Allen (drums), Danny Sadownick (percussion), and Joshua Redman (tenor saxophone), on three tracks. Not an essential disc, but far from a throwaway.
   ~ Al Campbell, All Music Guide

   Artist: Bob Mintzer Big Band
   Album: Old School: New Lessons
   Label: Telarc Jazz
   Year: 2006
   Format, bitrate: MP3, 320 Kbps
   Time: 64:03
   Size: 124 MB

   Old School, New Lessons presents live performances by saxophonist Bob Mintzer's large ensemble of top-flight New York musicians augmented by his bandmates the Yellowjackets on two tracks ("Mofongo" and "Mosaic") and by vocalist Kurt Elling on two others ("My One and Only Love" and Coltrane's "Resolution"). Except for the latter, the highly melodic compositions are all Mintzer's, several having been recorded earlier by the Yellowjackets alone.
   The program also includes such tracks as "Not Quite Yet," a sprightly tune cleverly constructed over a recurring two-note bass figure; "Runferyerlife," a blazing line over modified "Rhythm" changes; "March Majestic," a jaunty melody with intriguing melodic accent shifts that's anchored by a New Orleans street cadence; and the loping, funk-steeped "Go Go." On "Mofongo," with the big band punctuating the Yellowjackets' bristling performance, Mintzer transfers his virtuosity to the EWI.
   Excellent improvised solos complement Mintzer's writing. In addition to the leader and Yellowjackets pianist Russell Ferrante, the players with the most solo space are tenorist Bob Malach, trumpeter Terell Stafford and pianist Phil Markowitz.
   ~ David Franklin

    Artist: Jeff Beck
    Album: There and Back
    Label: Epic
    Year: 1980
    Format, Bitrate: MP3, 320 kbps
    Time: 35:11
    Size: 81,7 mb + 3% recovery


    There and Back, Jeff Beck's first new studio album in four years, found him moving from old keyboard partner Jan Hammer (three tracks) to new one Tony Hymas (five), which turned out to be the difference between competition and support. Hence, the second side of this instrumental album is more engaging and less of a funk-fusion extravaganza than most of the first. If it were anybody else, you'd say that this was a transitional album, but this was the only studio album Beck released between 1976 and 1985, which makes it more like an unexpected Christmas letter from an old friend: "Everything's fine, still playing guitar."
   ~ William Ruhlmann, AMG

   Artist: Shams
   Album: Legendary album with MUBORAKSHO
   Label: Kailas Records
   Year: 2004
   Format, bitrate: mp3, 192 kbps
   Size: 95 Mb

   Поддержу "восточную" тему, затронутую by mr. Robinzon . Мне приходилось неоднократно бывать в Средней Азии, и характерная для неё музыка мне очень близка. Хочу познакомить вас с творчеством малоизвестной памирской группы "Шамс" ("Солнце") с вокалистом Муборакшо. Я так и не нашёл никакой информации об обстоятельствах его гибели. Но слышал, что Муборакшо погиб во время какой-то политической смуты в пограничном с Киргизией районе.

   It is hard if not impossible to classify the disks which apparent simplicity veils from our view the sincerity and depth so rare nowadays. Such is indeed the case of CD recorded by the Pamirian outfit Shams ("Sun") with leading vocals by Muborakshoh.
   This group has long become classical in the East, however, it is almost unfamiliar to Russian audiences with rare exception of musical highbrows from St.Petersburg and Moscow.
   Refined, profoundly lyrical, exquisite and unique in its perfection this is only a few epithets by which listeners try to describe their impressions of Shams. This music conceals the essence of Pamirian sous, the charms of snow mountains, the purity of mountain streams, dazzling sunshine and deep-blue sky. The songs of the CD are akin to beautiful pearls on a string of sincerity and straightforwardness. Like halfforgotten pictures of childhood arising in our inner eyes, they reveal the universe of our own soul. This is the music of Heart, not of Mind.
   Sarodbek Lalmo.

    Artist: Jeff Beck
    Album: Wired [Remastered]
    Label: Epic
    Year: 1976
    Remastered: 2001
    Format, Bitrate: MP3, 320 kbps
    Time: 37:21
    Size: 85,5 mb + 3% recovery
    AMG Rating:

    Released in 1976, Jeff Beck's Wired contains some of the best jazz-rock fusion of the period. Wired is generally more muscular, albeit less-unique than its predecessor, Blow by Blow. Joining keyboardist Max Middleton, drummer Richard Bailey, and producer George Martin from the Blow by Blow sessions are drummer Narada Michael Walden, bassist Wilbur Bascomb, and keyboardist Jan Hammer. Beck contributed no original material to Wired, instead relying on the considerable talents of his supporting cast. Perhaps this explains why Wired is not as cohesive as Blow by Blow, seemingly more assembled from component parts. Walden's powerful drumming propels much of Wired, particularly Middleton's explosive opener, "Led Boots," where Beck erupts into a stunning solo of volcanic intensity. Walden also contributes four compositions, including the funk-infused "Come Dancing," which adds an unnamed horn section. While Walden's "Sophie" is overly long and marred by Hammer's arena rock clichйs, his "Play With Me" is spirited and Hammer's soloing more melodic. Acoustic guitar and piano predominate the closing ballad, "Love Is Green"; Beck's electric solo gracefully massages the quiet timbres. Wired is well balanced by looser, riff-oriented material and Walden's more intricate compositions. . . .

    Artist: Buddy Guy
    Album: The Complete Chess Studio Sessions (2cd)
    Label: MCA/Chess Records
    Year: 1960 - 1966
    Release: 1992
    Format, bitrate: Mp3, 320 kb/s
    Time: 2:18:48
    Size: 323 Mb (full covers)
    AMG Rating:

   Here's everything that fleet-fingered Buddy Guy waxed for Chess from 1960 to 1966, including numerous unissued-at-the-time masters, offering the most in-depth peek at his formative years imaginable. Stone Chicago blues classics ("Ten Years Ago," "My Time After Awhile," "Let Me Love You Baby," "Stone Crazy"), rockin' oddities ("American Bandstand," "$100 Bill," "Slop Around"), even a cut that features guitarist Lacy Gibson's vocal rather than Guy's ("My Love Is Real") — some 47 sizzling songs in all.
   ~ Bill Dahl, AMG

   Artists - Frankie Laine and Buck Clayton
   Album - Jazz Spectacular
   Label - Sony/Columbia
   Year - 1955, release - 1999
   Quality - MP3@320 kbps
   Size - 108 mb
   Total time - 50:07




   Pop singer Frankie Laine always liked jazz and he had a long-time friendship with trumpeter Buck Clayton. They teamed up for this well-intentioned LP with a variety of top jazzmen including pianist Sir Charles Thompson, tenor-saxophonist Budd Johnson, trombonist Urbie Green and (on a couple of numbers) guest trombonists J.J. Johnson and Kai Winding. Although Clayton and the jazzmen sound fine, Laine's vocals are certainly an acquired taste and not on the same level as his sidemen. Highlights include "You Can Depend on Me," "Taking a Chance on Love" and "Roses of Picardy."

    Artist: Buddy Guy
    Album: This Is Buddy Guy [Live]
    Label: Vanguard Records
    Year: 1968
    Format, bitrate: Mp3, 256 kb/s
    Time: 40:00
    Size: 64,7 Mb (full covers)


    Being a long time companion and guitar player for Muddy Waters, this is one of Buddy's first releases on his own. If not so electrified and exciting as his later recordings this is deep true blues, showing completely his talents, skills and involvement in the live act . Recommended for all Buddy Guy fans.

    Artist: Oscar Peterson
    Album: Trio in Transition (2LP)
    Label: Mercury records
    Year: 1965 - 1966
    Release: 1976
    Format, bitrate: Mp3, 320 kb/s
    Time: 1:23:45
    Size: 192 Mb

            EVERY DAY IS AN OSCAR PETERSON DAY!

   By the mid-'60s, Oscar Peterson was a man out of time. While the scene moved through bop, modal, and post-bop, and continued on into the stratosphere behind the avant-garde, Peterson maintained his trio and the style of jazz his fame had been founded on: stunning interpretations of other people's music. Maybe Peterson was over-recorded. Maybe his music had become repetitive and somewhat dull compared to what the Young Turks were doing. But no one listening to this version of "Moaning" could possibly conclude that this man had lost a step. This is a perfect picture of a pianist in his thundering prime, together with the musicians of his most famed unit. While Bill Evans withdrew farther and farther into his own head, and men like Monk tinkered with large bands, Peterson brought the people the funk. The first disc of this is live, and stands up well among his other live records. The second is a session from Chicago, maybe not his best, but still better than most. Someday, the world will rediscover this man and his wonderfully beautiful music.
   Rob Ferrier, AMG

   Artist: John Coltrane
   Album: Last Giant: The John Coltrane Anthology
   Label: Rhino (R2 71255 Compilation 2CD-Set)
   Year: 1946-1967
   Release: 1993
   Format, bitrate: mp3, 320 kbps
   Time: 2:06:26
   Size: 257.4 Mb

   Несомненно 2 компакт-диска - маловато, чтобы вместить богатейшее наследие великого музыканта. И тем не менее эта компиляция даёт хорошее представление о музыкальной карьере Джона Колтрейна (John Coltrane).

   This deluxe two-CD set is a major disappointment. It contains a few revelations (a brief 1946 recording of "Hot House" featuring a 20-year-old John Coltrane, an aircheck with Dizzy Gillespie and a rare side by Gay Crosse & the Good Humor Six in 1952) but mostly repackages familiar material and includes nothing from Coltrane's very important years with Impulse. Why weren't all four of the 1946 sides included and why are only the first 90 seconds heard from Coltrane's final performance before it fades out? The accompanying booklet is quite attractive but this set (which will greatly frustrate completists) only gives an incomplete picture of the great saxophonist.
   ~ Scott Yanow, AMG

   Director: Vladimir Vorobjev / Владимир Воробьёв
   Title: When The Sants Go Marshing In / Когда святые маршируют
   Year: 1990
   Film studio: Lenfilm (Ленфильм)
   Genre: Musical, Drama
   Language, subtitles: Russian, English
   Video: AVI, 1399 Kbps, 25.0 fps, 640x480 (1.33:1), DivX
   Audio: MP3 128 Kbps, 44100 Hz, 2ch
   Time: 1:31:27
   Size: 1008 MB

   Life has scattered participants of the first Leningrad jazz-bend. On the eve of the jazz-club's 30-years anniversary one of enthusiasts tries to gather them...
   Many Leningrad jazz musicians of that time have acted in this film. One of leading roles was executed by the great russian jazzman David Semyonovich Goloschokin. He also has written music to this film.

   Ленинградский джаз-клуб готовится отметить свое тридцатилетие и юбилей основателя клуба, первого руководителя джаз-банда Алексея Сокольникова. Один энтузиаст решил найти весь первый состав этого коллектива и пригласить его на праздник. Но это не так-то просто сделать, к тому же существует некая загадка, таящаяся в прошлом, и послужившая в свое время причиной распада коллектива…

    Artist: Buddy Guy
    Album: Live The Real Deal
    Label: Jive Records
    Year: 1996
    Format, bitrate: Mp3, 256 kb/s
    Time: 59:42
    Size: 93,7 Mb (cover)
    AMG Rating:

    As close as Buddy Guy's ever likely to come to recapturing the long-lost Chess sound. Cut live at his popular Chicago nightspot, Buddy Guy's Legends, with guitarist G.E. Smith's horn-leavened Saturday Night Live Band and pianist Johnnie Johnson in lush support, Guy revisits his roots on sumptuous readings of "I've Got My Eyes on You," "Ain't That Lovin' You," "My Time After Awhile," and "First Time I Met the Blues." No outrageous rock-based solos or Cream/Hendrix/Stevie Ray homages; this is the Buddy Guy album that purists have salivated for the last quarter century or so.
    ~ Bill Dahl, AMG

   Artist: Buddy Guy
   Album: My Time After Awhile (compilation)
   Label: Vanguard Records
   Release: 1992
   Format, bitrate: Mp3, 192 kb/s
   Time: 1:01:56
   Size: 87,1 Mb (covers)
   AMG Rating:

   Artist: Hank Jones
   Album: Upon Reflection: The Music of Thad Jones
   Label: Verve
   Release: 1994
   Format, bitrate: MP3@320
   Size: 171 MB
   Time: 75:16


   Out of print in the U.S. 1994 release from the Jazz piano great finds Hank, alongside George Mraz and brother Elvin, paying tribute to his younger brother, the late trumpeter Thad Jones. 10 tracks including 'Thad's Pad', 'Lady Luck' and 'Mean What You Say'.
   ~ Universal

   You gotta go back to a time when Gregg Allman was sentient to find an artist carrying on his departed brother's legacy with the soulful empathy that pianist Hank Jones brings to the compositions of Upon Reflection-The Music of Thad Jones. Third brother/drummer Elvin (with bassist George Mraz, who used to play with Thad) completes this classiest of reunions. And the loving ensemble bop they make flows with the life-giving richness of real blood.
   ~ David Hajdu

    Artist: Jeff Beck
    Album: Blow by Blow
    Label: Epic
    Year: 1975
    Format, Bitrate: MP3, 320 kbps
    Time: 44:40
    Size: 102 mb + 3% recovery
    AMG Rating:

    "Многим понравился Blow by Blow, потому что это был упрощенный Маклафлин и усложненный рок-н-ролл. Это был один из тех альбомов, что делаются так легко. Было много исполнителей, желавших играть, и превосходный материал. За четыре дня мы записали все. А наложения заняли четыре года! Джордж Мартин просто не знал, за что берется. Я взял и положил на его стол пленки. Он задумчиво посмотрел и сказал, что в этом может что-то быть".
    Джеф Бек

    Blow by Blow typifies Jeff Beck's wonderfully unpredictable career. Released in 1975, Beck's fifth effort as a leader and first instrumental album was a marked departure from its more rock-based predecessors. Only composer/keyboardist Max Middleton returned from Beck's previous lineups. To Beck's credit, Blow by Blow features a tremendous supporting cast. Middleton's tasteful use of the Fender Rhodes, clavinet, and analog synthesizers leaves a soulful imprint. Drummer Richard Bailey is in equal measure supportive and propulsive as he deftly combines elements of jazz and funk with contemporary mixed meters. Much of the album's success is also attributable to the excellent material, which includes Middleton's two originals and two collaborations with Beck, a clever arrangement of Lennon and McCartney's "She's a Woman," and two originals by Stevie Wonder. George Martin's ingenious production and string arrangements rival his greatest work. . . .