Artist: Gary Peacock & Marc Copland
     Album: Insight
     Label: Pirouet
     Year: May 2005-Oct 2007
     Release: 2009
     Format, bitrate: mp3, 320kb/s
     Time: 58:26
     Size: 122MB


     Peacock and Copland, bass and piano: a dream paring for inner visions and deeper musical perceptions. Two brothers in spirit, playing with deep-toned power and keyboard finesse, have made the perfect choice of classic standards to interpret. Two instruments carry out an intensive, sensitive musical dialogue with beautifully opalescent interwoven parts, creating a jazz atmosphere of enormous but quiet strength. An encounter filled with inner intensity and a clarity in which many secrets are hidden. The finest sort of jazz chamber music.

    Artist:Gigi Gryce
    Album: The Rat Race Blues
    Label: Prestige/New Jazz, Original Jazz Classics
    Year: 1960, CD 1991
    Format: mp3@320 kb/s
    Size: 95MB w/scans
    Time: 40:21
    AMG rating:



Gigi Gryce's next to last album before permanently dropping out of jazz has been reissued on this CD. With trumpeter Richard Williams, pianist Richard Wyands, bassist Julian Euell, and drummer Mickey Roker also part of what was a working quintet, Gryce (underrated as a soloist and a particularly strong composer) had one of his finest bands. The group swings its way through two of Gryce's lesser-known originals and three then-recent obscurities. Interesting and generally fresh straight-ahead jazz.

          Artist: Terumasa Hino
          Album: Journey Into My Mind
          Year: 1973
          Label: Sony (Master Sound ser.)
          Quality: FLAC + MP3@320 Kbps
          Size: 222 + 87 Mb (cov.)
          Total time: 38:52


One of the greatest early 70s recordings from Japanese trumpeter Terumasa Hino – a richly organic session that builds from spare trumpet and percussion, into a fuller, more spiritual sound! Hino starts out the set working in almost Don Cherry territory – blowing alongside some slight accompaniment on percussion, bells, and drums in an earthy, introspective mode – before a larger group moves in to sweep up his horn, and push the album with a tremendously soulful spirit. The mix of styles gives the record a wonderful depth – one that's sometimes missing in Hino's other work, but which makes this set a real standout from the time. Other players include Hidehumi Toki on sax, Motohiko Hino on drums, and Hideo Miyata on alto and flute – and titles include "Oriental Dance", "Thanks Toko", "Reve Provencale", and "Open Vision".

     Artist: Erroll Garner
     Album: Jazz Ballads
     Label: Membran Music
     Year: 1945-1954; release: 2004
     Format, bitrate: mp3, 320 kbps
     Time: 1h, 1 min, 13 sec + 1h, 2 min, 24 sec
     Size: 148+157 mb.



     Я в отпуске. Отдыхаю от работы, компьютера и прочих безобразий Цветочная лавка (как Вы, наверное, заметили) временно закрыта, а вот пятничные баллады всё-таки порадуют благодарных слушателей. Эрролл Гарнер, прошу любить и жаловать.

     Artists: Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Stitt, John Lewis
     Album: The Modern Jazz Sextet
     Label: Verve
     Year: 1956, release - 1999
     Quality: MP3@320kb/s
     Size: 70,6 mb
     Total time: 42:37

   

Producer Norman Granz was a near-genius at matching together jazz musicians in such a way that they would stimulate each other to play above their heads. He always loved jam sessions, but it did not take too much insight to realize that putting trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie and altoist Sonny Stitt together with a strong rhythm section would result in some explosive music. The fireworks really fly on this LP during versions of "Tour De Force," "Dizzy Meets Sonny," "Mean to Me" and "Blues for Bird," with time out taken for a ballad medley. Bebop at its best. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

     Artist: Walter Trout
     Album: Common Ground
     Release: July 6, 2010
     Label: Megaforce
     Quality: mp3, 320 kbps
     Time: 62 min 54 sec
     Size: 138 mb

     This album is a little bit different for Walter, some slower, mellower songs that are more R&B than rock. No shortage of in-your-face guitar solos, though! A fine dose of variety from this blues-rocker! Highly recommended for blues-rock-R&B fans!

     Provogue Records has announced a July 6 US street date for Walter Trout’s nineteenth solo album COMMON GROUND, release in Europe a bit later. From the origins of his career as a sideman for Percy Mayfield and John Lee Hooker, through his tenure with Canned Heat and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, and then a successful solo career that has seen the release of 18 albums thus far, Walter Trout has emerged as one of America’s musical treasures. He has enjoyed a career that spans 35 years, and has performed in front of millions. BBC Radio One placed Trout at number six on their Top 20 guitarists of all-time, offering tribute to a player whose place in history continues to become more significant as the years go on. On titling the album COMMON GROUND, Trout shares, “In this modern world which seems to be so filled with polarization, disagreements, and cruelty, I feel that it is important that we try to find SOME place where we can bond and come together in our common humanity!”
     Trout’s 19th solo album COMMON GROUND was produced by John Porter (The Smiths, B.B. King, Buddy Guy), and straddles the worlds of Rock and Blues. His vocal intonation and affinity for timeless riffs deliver a collection of tracks that are destined to be instant classics. These songs simply are the core essence of feeling, and demonstrate Trout’s keen ability to craft moving compositions as a songwriter and lyricist. On working with Porter, the musician reflects, “John Porter has an uncanny ability to draw performances from me that I didn’t know that I was capable of. I would play a solo or sing a song and think that I had done well, and John would just say to me: ‘that was good – but I know you can do better!’ And I would try it again, only to find out that he was right! He is really brilliant at what he does.” Drummer Kenny Aronoff, bassist Hutch Hutchinson and pianist John Cleary join Trout as his backing band for the sessions that delivered this special recording.

     Artist: John Coltrane
     Album: Blue Train
     Year: release 1957/remaster 2003
     Format: FLAC - Lossless, Cue, Log
     Label: Blue Note Records
     Time: 59:25
     Size: 325 MB
     AMG Rating:


Although never formally signed, an oral agreement between John Coltrane and Blue Note Records founder Alfred Lion was indeed honored on Blue Train -- Coltrane's only collection of sides as a principal artist for the venerable label. The disc is packed solid with sonic evidence of Coltrane's innate leadership abilities. He not only addresses the tunes at hand, but also simultaneously reinvents himself as a multifaceted interpreter of both hard bop as well as sensitive balladry -- touching upon all forms in between. The personnel on Blue Train is arguably as impressive as what they're playing. Joining Coltrane (tenor sax) are Lee Morgan (trumpet), Curtis Fuller (trombone), Kenny Drew (piano), Paul Chambers (bass), and Philly Joe Jones (drums). The triple horn arrangements incorporate an additional sonic density that remains a trademark unique to both this band and album. Of particular note is Fuller's even-toned trombone, which bops throughout the title track as well as the frenetic "Moments Notice." Other solos include Paul Chambers' subtly understated riffs on "Blue Train" as well as the high energy and impact from contributions by Lee Morgan and Kenny Drew during "Locomotion." The track likewise features some brief but vital contributions from Philly Joe Jones -- whose efforts throughout the record stand among his personal best. Of the five sides that comprise the original Blue Train, the Jerome Kern/Johnny Mercer ballad "I'm Old Fashioned" is the only standard; in terms of unadulterated sentiment, this version is arguably untouchable. Fuller's rich tones and Drew's tastefully executed solos cleanly wrap around Jones' steadily languid rhythms. Without reservation, Blue Train can easily be considered in and among the most important and influential entries not only of John Coltrane's career, but of the entire genre of jazz music as well. [In the spring of 1997, The Ultimate Blue Train CD was released, boasting 20-bit remastered audio as well as one alternate take of both "Blue Train" and "Lazy Bird." ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide
   

    Artist: Gigi Gryce
    Album: Nica's Tempo
    Label: Savoy Jazz
    Year: 1955, CD 1998
    Format: mp3@320 kb/s
    Size: 98MB w/scans
    Time: 42:36
    AMG Rating:


     Oh...if these sessions could have only been issued in separate long forms with the bands that are included. Nica's Tempo comprises six tracks with Gigi Gryce's groundbreaking big band, and another four ostensibly as a member of the Thelonious Monk quartet, all from 1955. Each band showcases the estimable compositional and arranging genius of Gryce, as well as his unique sound on the alto saxophone. In this CD format, the music serves a purpose in displaying Gryce's many talents, but ultimately leaves the listener wanting more. What the orchestra tracks offer in terms of an advanced concept paired with extraordinary musicianship is indisputably brilliant. The combination of Gryce with Monk is unparalleled in another way, the brief but fruitful joining of jazz masters that helped both of them grow, while attaining a symbiosis that Monk only reached briefly with Coleman Hawkins, Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, and later in extensia with Charlie Rouse. Gryce is perfectly situated in his element, able to not only exploit the individualism of his bandmates, but play his slightly tart alto sax in a manner that very few have ever imagined....

     Artists: Bill Watrous & Patrick Williams
     Album: Someplace Else
     Label: Soundwings
     Year: 1986
     Format: MP3 320kbps
     Total time: 46:49
     Size: 101 МБ



Bill Watrous recorded two albums for Soundwings during 1986-87, both of which showcased his trombone with orchestras arranged by Patrick Williams. On this diverse set, Watrous performs a few standards (including "There Is No Greater Love" and "Come Rain Or Come Shine") along with works inspired by classical music ("A Tribute To Debussy" and "Adieu Mon Petite Table" which is an aria made famous by Maria Callas). Watrous displays his pretty tone and impressive technique but, other than the repertoire, few surprises occur. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

     Artists - Ann Richards & Stan Kenton Orchestra
     Album - I Hear Music
     Label - Total Recording
     Years - 1957/1958, release - 1995
     Quality - MP3@320 kbps
     Size - 77 mb
     Total time - 35:58




Ann Richards was a better singer than she was often rated but her career fell short of its potential. She was self-taught on piano and started taking singing lessons when she was ten. Richards began singing professionally in the San Francisco Bay area and had a short stint with Charlie Barnet. Richards joined Stan Kenton's band for a few months in 1955; they were married and she was a part-time singer throughout their marriage (which lasted until 1961). When their marriage ended (a breakup that she never really recovered from), Richards recorded a few pleasing and swinging albums on her own for Capitol, Atco and Vee Jay; however, Richards' life became aimless, and she committed suicide at age 46.