Ralph Towner, Jan Garbarek, Eberhard Weber, Jon Christensen - Solstice (1975/2017/FLAC-HD)

 

Considered one of Ralph Towner's greatest albums, this 1975 release features the guitarist leading a quartet consisting of Jan Garbarek on saxophones and flute, Eberhard Weber on bass and cello and drummer Jon Christensen. Towner composed all the songs except for one contribution from Weber.

When Ralph Towner burst onto the contemporary jazz scene in the mid-70s, listeners were well aware of his awesome talent as a member of Oregon. But when Solstice was issued on the ECM label, it took the brilliant guitarist's caché to a much higher level, especially as a composer. With the otherworldly curved soprano sax and flute playing of Jan Garbarek, the precise drumming of Jon Christensen, and unique bass sounds of Eberhard Weber, the music on this album lifted the ECM/Euro-styled jazz and improvised music to a new realm of pure expressionism. Simply put – this music is stunningly beautiful. Of the many excellent recordings he has offered, Solstice is Towner's crowning achievement as a leader fronting this definitive grouping of ECM stablemates who absolutely define the label's sound for the time frame, and for all time.

 

 

Billie Holiday - Lady Sings the Blues (10 CD, 2009/FLAC)

 This 10-CD set covers many of Billie's studio and live performances

CD1 - I Cried for You

CD2 - Strange Fruit

CD3 - Do Your Duty

CD4 - Blue Turning Grey Over You

CD5 - If the Moon Turns Green

CD6 - God Bless the Child

CD7 - Willow Weep for Me

CD8 - I Get a Kick Out of You

CD9 - No Good Man

CD10 - A Foggy Day

VA - The Passion Of Charlie Parker (2017/FLAC-HD)

 Impulse!/Verve present “The Passion of Charlie Parker”, an album of iconic Parker songs transformed through the addition of lyrics to create a musical play that narrates Bird’s life. Produced by Larry Klein with lyrics by David Baerwald, the album features actor Jeffrey Wright in the role of Parker as narrator, with vocals provided by Wright, Gregory Porter, Madeleine Peyroux, Melody Gardot, Barbara Hannigan, Luciana Souza, Kurt Elling and Camille Bertault.

This ambitious project reimagines the music of Charlie Parker with lyrics that tell the story of Parker's life. Produced by Grammy winner Larry Klein (Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock) with lyrics by David Baerwald, the album features actor Jeffrey Wright portraying Parker as narrator, while Gregory Porter, Madeleine Peyroux, Melody Gardot, Barbara Hannigan, Luciana Souza, Kurt Elling and Camille Bertault lend their voices. The singers are backed by a superb band consisting of pianist Craig Taborn, saxophonist Donny McCaslin, guitarist Ben Monder, bassists Larry Grenadier and Scott Colley and drummers Mark Giuliana and Eric Harland.

 

VA - Membran Music's Jazz Ballads Series Vol. 1-5 (10 CD, 2004) [FLAC+320]

 A CD sets with the most beautiful ballads in the history of jazz.

Lyrical, imaginative, sensuous and melodic jewels from the art of music.

Precisely for those people who have maintained their taste for lasting musical values.

Jazz in its most gentle form.

Irrestible...

Jazz Ballads 1: Chet Baker & Gerry Mulligan
Jazz Ballads 2: Ben Webster
Jazz Ballads 3: Lester Young
Jazz Ballads 4: Clifford Brown & Sonny Rollins
Jazz Ballads 5: Don Byas

Anoushka Shankar discography [1991-2021]

 

A virtuosic performer and composer with an innovative spirit, Anoushka Shankar followed in the footsteps of her late father, Indian sitar legend Ravi Shankar, mastering the same instrument and blazing her own artistic path that encompasses both Indian classical traditions and progressive world music. Establishing herself as a formidable talent in her teenage years, she recorded a series of classically oriented albums for Angel Records in the early 2000s before branching out into more experimental territory with her Grammy-nominated 2005 release, Rise. Following this album, Shankar's output tended to focus on her own compositions and collaborations with a variety of artists ranging in genre from pop and jazz to electronic and flamenco. Signing with Deutsche Grammophon in the 2010s, she continued to explore progressive musical concepts with 2011's standout, Traveller, while also paying homage to her classical roots with 2013's Traces of You, on which she and her half sister -- pop and jazz singer Norah Jones -- honored their recently deceased father. As a performer, Shankar has played many of the world's greatest stages, from Carnegie Hall to the Royal Festival Hall and Sydney Opera House. In addition to her activism in support of both human and animal rights, she has also authored a biographical book about her father and written as a columnist for the Hindustan Times and the New Delhi magazine First City.

 

 

Miles Davis- In Stockholm 1960 [4 CD, 1992] [FLAC]

 

This remarkable four-CD set features John Coltrane with the Miles Davis Quintet just a short time before 'Trane went out on his own. Davis sounds inspired by his star tenor and although Coltrane was reportedly bored with the repertoire ("On Green Dolphin Street," "All Blues," "Fran-Dance," "Walkin'" and two versions of "So What"), he is at his most explorative throughout this often-stunning music. In addition, the rhythm section (pianist Wynton Kelly, bassist Paul Chambers and drummer Jimmy Cobb) had been together for two years and is really tight. Although currently out of print, it is well worth any foot work that may be needed in order to acquire it. This highly recommended set also includes a brief interview with Coltrane from this period.

Dexter Gordon - Swiss Nights Vol. 1-3 [FLAC]

The first of three volumes taken from the 1975 Zurich Jazz Festival features tenor saxophonist Dexter Gordon (with his reliable sidemen pianist Kenny Drew, bassist Niels Pedersen and drummer Alex Riel) stretching out on "Tenor Madness," "Wave," "You've Changed" and "Days of Wine and Roses." All of the performances are at least ten minutes long and there are some rambling moments, but in general, the music is quite rewarding. This was one of Dexter Gordon's prime periods.

Jaco Pastorius - JazzPoint Collection [6 CD, 1998] [FLAC]

Jazzpoint Records - German jazz, swing & fusion label founded in 1974 by Jan Jankeje and his wife Gertraud Jankejová.

It operates also as a record shop/mailorder specialised on releases in the fields of jazz, gypsy and world music.

 

 

Henry Threadgill - Novus & Columbia Recordings of Henry Threadgill & Air (8 CD, 2010/FLAC)

   

Only three jazz artists have won a Pulitzer Prize. In spring 2016, Henry Threadgill joined Ornette Coleman and Wynton Marsalis as Pulitzer laureates, when he was honored for In For A Penny, In For A Pound (Pi, 2015), the latest album by Zooid, his unconventional quintet (reeds, acoustic guitar, cello, tuba, drums).

“Unconventional” describes not just Henry Threadgill’s music, but his life.

Glenn Miller - The Complete Glenn Miller and his Orchestra (1938-1942) [13 CD, 1991/FLAC]

 

Every single Bluebird recording by the great bandleader, Glenn Miller, all in one convenient compact set. Thirteen CD's in all, and everyone packed to the max with music every bit as alive today as it was over 60 years ago. This is the sound that defined a generation and an era, all from one man who knew what the record buying and jukebox playing public wanted to hear.

Just so you know, every charted song Mr. Miller released is here - all 127 charted hits - except two: Solo Hop on the Columbia label, and Every Day's A Holiday which was on the Brunswick label (hence the reason for these two numbers not being included - they are not Bluebird or Victor releases!). Plus so many more songs that are, to me, every bit as good as the hits. Along with that there are some very good alternate takes on disc 13.