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