Artist: John Mayall
    Album: Back to the Roots (2cd extra tracks remastered)
    Label: Polydor / Umgd
    Year: 1971
    Release: 2001
    Format, bitrate: Mp3, 320 kb/s
    Time: 2:14:29
    Size: 313 Mb (covers)
    Bubu's Rating: 4,5 stars

   It's a sign of either how far downhill music has gone in 30 years, or how underrated he was as a singer in the first place, but John Mayall's voice comes off extremely well in this long-delayed CD reissue of Back to the Roots. The original double-LP set was an immediate favorite with Mayall fans, a relatively small but hardy bunch scattered around the globe — but Polydor in the U.S., apparently anticipating a lot of demand (probably owing to the presence on the album of Eric Clapton and Mick Taylor, then in the first flush of major stardom as a full-fledged member of the Rolling Stones, who had just reached the pinnacle of their careers as well), pressed far too many copies. The result was that it became a perennial in cut-out bins for years afterward. Ironically, it was that availability, at $1.99 to $3.99 in the early '70s — which did nothing for Mayall's or Polydor's respective ledger sheets — that turned Back to the Roots into the second-most-common way for prospective fans to discover the man's music (the most common was — and likely always will be — Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton) . . .

     Artist: Melody Gardot
     Album: Worrisome Heart
     Label: Verve Records
     Release: 2008
     Format, bitrate: MP3@320 kbps
     Time: 33:13
     Size: 78 mb



    Melody Gardot is a musical that these discoveries do not happen every day. A great singer, talented and with a voice that captivates at first hearing. I came to the attention of the young singer through an email sent by the reader Vinicius Ramalho.
    Melody Gardot has a history of a life marked by tragedy, for 19 years had a serious accident, was hit by a car when cycling back to his home. Result: multiple-fractures in the pelvic region, neck and head. To recover some of their old cognitive skills, the doctor recommended to make use of music as therapy. It was stuck to a bed that she composed and recorded the songs on the EP "Some Lessons: The Bedroom Sessions", was sold via the internet and also drew the attention of local radio. At 27 years, she continues fighting against the consequences of the accident that requires the constant use sunglasses (hypersensitivity to light and noise), and cane to support a device attached to belt which stimulates production of endorphins in your body, making its pain more bearable. The use of elements of Jazz, Blues and Folk in his compositions and his gentle way of singing, is reminiscent of two singers Norah Jones and Madeleine Peyroux. But the similarities between them stops there.
    "Worrisome Heart" is his first work after the EP, is undoubtedly one of the best albums released in 2008. Consistent, musically impeccable, the instrumental and voice in perfect sync, the album is a pleasant surprise for lovers of jazz and good music. Emphasis on the track "All That I Need Is Love", where Melody accompanying instrumental in a sensational scat. Soon post the other work of Melody Gardot.

    Artist: Various Artists & Oscar Peterson (guest star)
    Album: U.S.A. for Africa - We Are The World
    Label: Columbia Records
    Year: 1985
    Format, bitrate: Mp3, 192 kb/s
    Time: 42:06
    Size: audio 60,5Mb (covers) video 105Mb data 6,5Mb

          EVERY DAY IS AN OSCAR PETERSON DAY!

   Yes, yes, yes, a hundred times YES. It is true. Believe it or not, after almost 25 years I found out that dr. Peterson took part to the greatest musical stars reunion of the 20th century for ”USA for Africa” project. First when I red his name mentioned at AMG I thought it was a joke, but later checking carefully I realized that it was true. Although he’s not present in the video, he was there in the studio bringing he’s share (vocals only) to support the charity action.
   We present you here both the video and audio of the event as a token to this grand reunion and mostly to its purpose.

   Artist - Barney Kessel
   Album - Breakfast at Tiffany's/Bossa Nova/Contemporary Latin Rhythms 3LP/2CD
   Label - Collectables
   Years: 1962-1963, release - 2002
   Quality - MP3@320 kbps
   Size - 207 mb
   Total time: 64:33+30:41


   This double CD is more about Barney Kessel the studio player than Kessel the jazz guitar legend. Still, this compilation of three LPs originally released between 1961-1963 has some good music, and Kessel the jazz man is not entirely absent, even though the settings do not call for him to stretch out. Breakfast at Tiffany's is Kessel's handling of Henry Mancini's music from the classic Blake Edwards film with Audrey Hepburn. With a number entitled "Moon River Cha Cha," listeners pretty much know what's in store for them with this set: instrumental treatments of pop music that was riding high both on the airwaves and on the big screen. The tracks are brief and the playing doesn't stray far from the arrangements. The Bossa Nova session is a step closer to jazz, but the context is still a commercial one. Kessel surprises with a twangy personality right out of Steve Cropper's work with the MG's or Mickey Baker's extroverted solo work. Ray Johnson's cheesy organ is an ideal complement to Kessel's bluesy surf guitar. Contemporary Latin Rhythms is a jazz date, but still with a pop attitude. Kessel is the only soloist on the sunny, unassuming arrangements. The guitarist's spirited work on Tad Dameron's "Lady Bird" is a highlight that showcases Kessel's fluency in moving between chorded and single-note soloing. Students of Kessel's playing will find this compilation an intriguing display of the guitarist's range and adaptability. Fans of Kessel the jazz player, though, will want to stick with his fine series of releases for Contemporary from this same period.

   Artist: Zeus Faber
   Album: Scubason
   Label: Hearts of Space
   Year: 1993
   Release: 1993
   Format: FLAC+CUE+LOG+Covers
   Time: 54:00
   Size: 309 MB



   Working many late nights in the 2500 year old Swiss town of Basel, the two artists spun a creative tapestry of nautical sounds, electronic ambiences, and solid musicianship into a beautifully crafted album of journeys in the undersea world. Wanderer of the oceans, swimming peacefully for thousands of years. Between the continental shelf and sea level he changes color and pattern at will. Chameleon of the sea, this rare and beautiful fish leads a solitary life, wandering the depths of the world of Scubason. . . .

    Artist: The Modern Jazz Quartet
    Album: Immortal Concerts
    Label: Giants of Jazz
    Year: 1960
    Release: 1999
    Format, bitrate: MP3, 224 kbps
    Time: 71:03
    Size: 131MB

   Pianist John Lewis, vibraphonist Milt Jackson, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Kenny Clarke first came together as the rhythm section of the 1946 Dizzy Gillespie & His Orchestra and they had occasional features that gave the overworked brass players a well-deserved rest. They next came together in 1951, recording as the Milt Jackson Quartet. In 1952, with Percy Heath taking Brown's place, the Modern Jazz Quartet (MJQ) became a permanent group. Other than Connie Kay succeeding Clarke in 1955, the band's personnel was set. In the early days Jackson and Lewis both were equally responsible for the group's musical direction but the pianist eventually took over as musical director. The MJQ has long displayed John Lewis' musical vision, making jazz seem respectable by occasionally interacting with classical ensembles and playing concerts at prestigious venues, but always leaving plenty of space for bluesy and swinging improvising. Their repertoire, in addition to including veteran bop and swing pieces, introduced such originals as Lewis' "Django" and Jackson's "Bags' Groove." The group recorded for Prestige (1952-55), Atlantic (1956-74), Verve (1957), United Artists (1959) and Apple (1967-69) and, in addition to the many quartet outings, they welcomed such guests as Jimmy Giuffre, Sonny Rollins, the Beaux Arts String Quartet, a symphony orchestra conducted by Gunther Schuller, singer Diahann Carroll (on one piece), Laurindo Almeida, a big band and the Swingle Singers. Although the musicians all had opportunities to pursue individual projects, in 1974 Milt Jackson, tired of the constant touring and the limitations set on his improvising and he quit the group, causing the MJQ to have a final tour and break up. In 1981 Jackson relented and the Modern Jazz Quartet (which has recorded further albums for Pablo and Atlantic) became active again although on a more part-time basis. Connie Kay's health began to fade in the early '90s (Mickey Roker often filled in for him) and after his death in 1995, Albert "Tootie" Heath became his replacement.
    ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

    Artists: Pat Martino, Joey DeFrancesco, John Scofield
    Album: Umbria Jazz Winter 2002
    Label: ECM Records
    Year: 2002
    Format: AVI
    Time: 58 min
    Size: 700 MB

    His performance at UJ Winter – Orvieto - was one of the greatest successes of the last edition and the reason the Umbria Jazz Festival organisation has decided to call him again for the summer edition...
    Pat Martino is a musician who conveys a lot of energy, he attacks the notes and plays a powerful and accurate swing based on his melodic and rhythmic phrasing surrounded by the warm sound of his guitar. Thanks to his great poetic endowments and his incredible technical abilities he is considered as one of the most important living guitar players. His performances are very warmly received by all audiences.
    ~ History.umbriajazz.com

    Artist: Blood, Sweat & Tears
    Album: Blood, Sweat & Tears
    Label: Columbia/Legacy
    Year: 1969
    Format, bitrate: Mp3, 320 kb/s
    Time: 45:55
    Size: 112 Mb (full covers) & 71 Mb + 85 Mb
    AMG Rating:

REPOST with additional Mediafire.com links & additional tracks from Mr. dorfenheimer

   The difference between Blood, Sweat & Tears and the group's preceding long-player, Child Is Father to the Man, is the difference between a monumental seller and a record that was "merely" a huge critical success. Arguably, the Blood, Sweat & Tears that made this self-titled second album — consisting of five of the eight original members and four newcomers, including singer David Clayton-Thomas — was really a different group from the one that made Child Is Father to the Man, which was done largely under the direction of singer/songwriter/keyboard player/arranger Al Kooper. They had certain similarities to the original: the musical mixture of classical, jazz, and rock elements was still apparent, and the interplay between the horns and the keyboards was still occurring, even if those instruments were being played by different people. Kooper was even still present as an arranger on two tracks, notably the initial hit "You've Made Me So Very Happy." But the second BS&T, under the aegis of producer James William Guercio, was a less adventurous unit, and, as fronted by Clayton-Thomas, a far more commercial one. Not only did the album contain three songs that neared the top of the charts as singles — "Happy," "Spinning Wheel," and "And When I Die" — but the whole album, including an arrangement of "God Bless the Child" and the radical rewrite of Traffic's "Smiling Phases," was wonderfully accessible. It was a repertoire to build a career on, and Blood, Sweat & Tears did exactly that, although they never came close to equaling this album.
   William Ruhlmann & Bruce Eder, AMG

   Artist: Woody Herman
   Album: The Raven Speaks
   Label: Ojc /Fantasy
   Year: 1972
   Format, bitrate: MP3, 320 Kbps
   Time: 41:36
   Size: 83,2 MB


   The best of his Fantasy releases of the '70s, this well-rounded CD is highlighted by a great jam on "Reunion at Newport" and strong soloing from Herman (on soprano and clarinet), pianist Harold Danko, trumpeter Bill Stapleton and the tenors of Gregory Herbert and Frank Tiberi. The Herman orchestra performs a couple of modern ballads ("Alone Again Naturally" and "Summer of '42"), some blues and a few swinging numbers, showing off their versatility with expertise and spirit.
   ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

   Artist: Louis Prima & Keely Smith
   Album: Angelina
   Year: 1950
   Label: Viper's Nest
   Format, bitrate: MP3@320 kb/s
   Time: 1:07:24
   Size: 157,9 MB (+5% recovery)

   Louis Prima's album "Angelina", which contains re-recordings of Prima standards with Italian themes and lyrics. The woman on the cover is Angelina Prima, Louis Prima's mother.

   Swing may have been dead by 1950 but one cannot tell that from this excellent CD which has three radio broadcasts from the Louis Prima big band. Prima, an exciting performer, shows his versatility on a diverse program and takes quite a few hot trumpet solos while his wife Keely Smith (just 22 at the time) is heard on some ballads. However it is the sound of Prima's excellent and hard-swinging orchestra that is the biggest revelation; it is a pity that the personnel is unknown. The repertoire ranges from swing (the driving "Boogie in the Bronx" is most notable) and a few dixieland numbers to versions of Prima's hits (such as "Robin Hood" and "Angelina") and some standards. Taken from Prima's second of three periods (after he broke up his regular dixieland band of the 1930's and a few years before he hit it big in Las Vegas), this set is quite definitive of his music of the time.