Artist: Mother Earth
     Album: Satisfied
     Label: Wounded Bird Records
     Year: 1970, release: 2005
     Quality: mp3; 192 kb/s
     Size: 49,31 mb
     Total time: 37:50



By the time of Satisfied, Mother Earth had become pretty much a vehicle for Tracy Nelson plus backing band. There's just one original on this set, Nelson's "Andy Song," and the album sticks to a loose but R&B-focused groove, sometimes stretching the songs out in a fashion that probably would have been more tightly edited had such an approach not been in vogue in 1970. Nelson's vocals are consistently strong and stirring, and the material is commendably diverse, though overall it's just an okay album that could use a little more oomph. The white R&B vibe is tempered by strong streaks of gospel, New Orleans music, and even a bit of jazz, particularly on the smoother parts of "Groovy Way."

     Artist: Robert Lucas
     Album: Usin' Man Blues
     Year: 1990
     Label: AudioQuest
     Quality: mp3@VBR ~213K/s
     Size: 86,2 MB (with all covers)
     Time: 55:42






West Coast vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Robert Lucas has been forging a path for himself in the blues world since his much-hailed 1990 self-produced debut cassette, Across the River. Lucas, based in Long Beach, California, records for the Audioquest label out of San Clemente. >>>

     Artist: Bernardo Sassetti
     Album: Ascent
     Label: Cleanfeed (CD046)
     Year: 2005
     Format, bitrate: mp3, 256 kbps CBR
     Time: 1:06:29
     Size: ~136 MB
     AMG rating



The emphasis is on ballads during this program despite an occasional departure. Pianist Bernardo Sassetti and his Trio 2 (which is really a quintet) feature strong contributions from vibraphonist Jean-Francois Lezй and especially cellist Ajda Zupancio. Much of their music is quietly emotional and tinged with melancholy while never being sleepy. While one can think of some similarities to Bill Evans, Sassetti has a fairly original conception and can be quite dramatic. Ascent is a subtle recital that grows in interest with each listen. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

     Artists:Ivo Papasov & His Bulgarian Wedding Band
     Album - Orpheus Ascending
     Label - MIDI Inc.Japan / Hanibal
     Genre: Folk, World, & Ethno, Jazz
     Year: 1989 / Release: 1990
     Quality - MP3@320kbps
     Size: 107 MB (Rapidshare)
     Total time - 54:02

A little while before the klezmer explosion of the 90's there was Ivo Papasov and his Bulgarian Wedding Band. More Bulgarian than klezmer per se, this music nonetheless evokes a similar spirit, especially with Papasov's frenetically intense and beautiful clarinet runs and vocalist Maria Karafizieva's impassioned singing. He employs an electric and slightly funky rhythm section which, while arguably diluting the true nature of the music, does serve to make it extremely listener friendly, providing a solid ground for the wilder instrumental forays. The compositions tend to alternate from whiplash tempos to languidly mournful dirges; for every joyful wedding there's a sad funeral. No post-modern self-consciousness here, his band skitters through the rapid dances with a barely contained exuberance and shows deep respect on the laments. Papasov's solo feature, "Ivo's Dream", is a breathtaking showcase of his control, depth of feeling and sheer virtuosity and Nechko Neshev's accordion work is a joy throughout. Listeners who enjoyed many of the jazz/rock/klezmer hybrids which manifested in the 90's on labels like Tzadik owe it to themselves to check out one of the antecedents to that music, this hugely fun wedding band. Orpheus Ascending is a marvelous, impossible-to-dislike album. ~ Brian Olewnick, All Music Guide

     Artists: David Maxwell,Louisana Red
     Album: You Got To Move
     Label: Blue Max
      Recording date:Aug 26, 2007
     Release date : Sep 1, 2009
     Genre/styles:blues/modern electric blues
     Format/quality: mp3/ 320 kbps / 44,1Hz / Stereo
     Playtime: 46:39
     Size: 112 Mb
     AMG Rating:



Iverson Minter, aka Louisiana Red, is a living legend of the blues who can't be stopped when he gets on a roll with either uptown electric or acoustic rural blues. In tandem with veteran and criminally underrated pianist David Maxwell, Red gives proof positive that the natural blues is still alive and well, even without a bassist or drummer. It also shows that Red can still pitch up a fuss on his own, distinctively singing and playing his stylized, instantly recognizable guitar that bears his unmistakable bent-note technique. Maxwell is always in tune with rambling boogie-woogie or straight-up urban blues techniques so much a part of the whole American blues continuum. What makes their alliance very compatible is that they know blues so stone-cold well that they can riff off it in original ways, and play Minter's compositions that suggest other classic tunes yet have something to say that is new. This is an excellent recording, highly recommended to all blues lovers who keep tradition close at hand in the new millennium.~Michael G. Nastos,AMG

    Artist: Bill Evans Trio, Lee Konitz & Warne Marsh
    Album: Crosscurrents
    Label: Fantasy/OJC
    Genre: Piano Jazz
    Format mp3, bitrate: 320 kb/s vbr
    Time: 50:42
    Size: 88,1 Mb (full covers)
    AMG Rating:

This superior set was a logical idea. One of pianist Bill Evans' earlier influences was Lennie Tristano so on the date Evans' trio (with bassist Eddie Gomez and drummer Eliot Zigmund) was teamed with Tristano's two top "students": altoist Lee Konitz and tenor saxophonist Warne Marsh. The quintet performs four standards (all of which fit easily into Evans' repertoire) plus "Pensativa" and Steve Swallow's "Eiderdown." Konitz and Marsh always worked very well together and their cool-toned improvising makes this outing by Bill Evans something special. The CD reissue adds three alternate takes to the original program. Recommended. - Scott Yanow at All Music Guide

     Artist: Richard "Groove" Holmes
     Album: Onsaya Joy
     Label: Flying Dutchman
     Release: 1975
     Genre: Hard Bop, Soul Jazz
     Format, bitrate: mp3/320 kbps
     Size: 96 MB

     One of Holmes' all time massive recordings, featuring the great groovy title track -- "Onsaya Joy" -- a monster jam that goes on for fifteen minutes, and doesn't stop grooving at all! A solid jammer, and better than most other funky jazz recordings from this period. Groove never lets up, and the album's an essential addition to any funky jazz collection!
© 1996-2010, Dusty Groove America, Inc.

     Artist: Oscar Peterson
     Album: Oscar Peterson 1950 - 1952
     Label: Classics
     Years: 1950-1951, release: 2003
     Quality: MP3@320 kbps
     Size: 159 mb
     Total time: 73:51
     AMG Rating

В 1950 году Питерсон записывается в серии дуэтов с басистами Рэйем Брауном и Мэйджором Холли. Талант Питерсона стал очень заметным, и в 1952 году он получил национальное признание, когда с басистом Рэйем Брауном и гитаристом Хербом Эллисом организовал популярное джазовое трио. В 50-е годы Питерсон, по опросам читателей и критиков ведущих
Oscar Peterson, after making his initial recordings in his native Montreal during 1945-1949, was presented by Norman Granz at a Jazz at the Philharmonic concert in 1950 and hit it big. At first he was featured in duos with either Ray Brown or Major Holley on bass. This CD begins with three selections from a Carnegie Hall concert on September 16, 1950, with Brown including extended versions of "Carnegie Blues" and "I Only Have Eyes for You." Seven studio recordings by the same duo precede the first five recordings by the Oscar Peterson Trio with Brown and guitarist Barney Kessel. This CD's final session has most of the selections recorded by Peterson and Brown with guitarist Irving Ashby on January 26, 1952; Kessel would not officially become the group's guitarist until the following month. Although more swing-oriented than he would become (and showing off the influence of Nat King Cole), Oscar Peterson was already a great virtuoso and rapidly developing his own voice on the piano. These formerly rare recordings are well worth acquiring.

    Artist: Milt Jackson
    Album: Sa Va Bella (For Lady Legends)
    Label: Warner Bros.
    Genre: Mainstream Jazz
    Format mp3, bitrate: 320 kb/s
    Time: 57:45
    Size: 132 Mb
    AMG Rating:

Gentleman Milt Jackson pays tribute to a cross-section of female singers whom he has admired for over a half a century on this unpretentious straight-ahead CD. Moreover, Milt is enough of a gentleman not to mention any names in the booklet, presumably so as to not leave anyone out. But you can tell by many of the titles just whom he is referring to; needless to say, "A Tisket A Tasket" cannot refer to anyone else but Ella, "What a Difference a Day Made" is Dinah Washington, etc. Pianist Michael LeDonne, bassist Bob Cranshaw and drummer Mickey Roker make up the first-class, lightly swinging rhythm section, and Etta Jones' smoky vocals decorate three of the tunes as ambassador for her gender. Best of all is when the MJQ stalwart loosens his tie and gets to jam a bit on his own funky "Blues for Queen 'D.'" The great vibraphonists of jazz tend to age very well, and at 74, Jackson is very much on his game here. - Richard S. Ginell at All Music Guide

     Artist: Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters
     Album: Living in the Light
     Label: Stony Plain
     Year: 2009 , release Jun 2, 2009
     Genre: Contemporary Blues, Soul-Blues
     Format, bitrate: mp3/320 kbps
     Time: 78:19
     Size: 91 MB + 82 MB

     Congratulations to Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters for their nomination of "Living in the Light" as one of the Blues Award's "Best Contemporary Album of 2009,"and to Ronnie for his nomination in the "Best Instrumentalist - Guitar" category.
~Mark Gallo, Jazz Review

     Artist: Curtis Fuller
     Album: Curtis Fuller with Red Garland
     Label: JVC Compact Discs
     Year: 1957, release: 2007
     Format, bitrate: MP3, 320kbps
     Time: 44:26
     Size: 110 MB
     AMG rating


This CD reissue features trombonist Curtis Fuller in a quintet with altoist Sonny Red, pianist Red Garland, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Louis Hayes performing a pair of originals, two blues and a couple of ballad features. Red is outstanding on "Moonlight Becomes You" (one of his finest recordings) while Fuller does a fine job on "Stormy Weather." Even with the new material, this set has a feel of a jam session; the blend between the trombone and the alto is particularly appealing. Despite the overly critical liner notes (written in 1962), this is an excellent hard-bop oriented date.

    Artist: Ray Brown
    Album: Jazz Cello
    Label: Verve
    Genre: Mainstream Jazz
    Format mp3, bitrate: 320 kb/s vbr
    Time: 37:23
    Size: 71,3 Mb (covers)
    AMG Rating:

On the last day of August and the first day of September 1960, bassist Ray Brown recorded his third album for the Verve label, focusing most of his attention upon the cello while Joe Mondragon handled the bass. The 11-piece band on this date was conducted by arranger Russ Garcia and included reed players Paul Horn and Bob Cooper as well as pianist Jimmy Rowles. The results were typical of late-'50s West Coast mainstream jazz: familiar ballads and friendly, uplifting standards, tidily performed. Some of the tunes reach back to the 1920s, with "Rock-A-Bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody" serving as a surprisingly hip link with vaudeville as Brown's pizzicato maneuverings are punctuated with punchy blasts from reeds and brass. If one takes the time to place this recording within an historical context, an impressive evolution reveals itself. The first bassist to cross over to cello on records in modern times is believed to have been Oscar Pettiford, while Fred Katz popularized the warm-toned instrument through his work with drummer Chico Hamilton. The progression of jazz cellists since then is impressive, from Ray Brown, Sam Jones, Percy Heath and Ron Carter to Abdul Wadud, David Holland, David Darling, David Eyges and Diedre Murray. By the first decade of the 21st century, an unprecedented number of improvising cellists had appeared, making Ray Brown's 1960 Jazz Cello album seem like a sunny little episode in the foundation of a fascinating modern tradition spanning several generations. - arwulf arwulf at All Music Guide

     Artist: Al Haig
     Album: Meets Master Bop Saxes:Wardell Gray-Stan Getz
     Label: Definitive records, Spain
     Year: rec.Apr 1948-Jun 21, 1949 / rel.Oct 17, 2000
     Format: MP3 @ 320 Kb/s
     Time: 71:26
     Size: 156 Mb
     AMG rating:

     Artist:Tony Scott, Bill Evans
     Album: A Day in New York
     Label:Fresh Sound Records, Spain
     Year:rec.November 16, 1957/ rel.2003
     Format:MP3 @ 320 Kb/s
     Time: 59:06, 71:13
     Size: 123 Mb, 146 Mb
     AMG rating: