DIANNE REEVES — Art & Survival (1993) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Versatility has gotten vocalist Dianne Reeves in trouble. Those who feel she could be a great jazz singer want her to stick to scat singing and interpreting show tunes; others who enjoyed the light fusion and urban contemporary hits prefer that she look toward the future. Reeves does a little of both on her this set. Art And Survival includes her most hard-hitting message songs to date. The only problem is that Reeves' voice doesn't lend itself to shouts or expressing defiance; she sounds strained on "Endangered Species" and seems more like she's presenting a diatribe than expounding on a theme. Overall, Art And Survival is neither '90s revisited bop nor overtly commercial Quiet Storm fodder. Dianne Reeves is really seeking a middle ground between her two audiences, and if everything here doesn't work, at least she keeps forging ahead. Ron Wynn
Tracklist :
1 Old Souls 5:20
Drums – Joey Heredia
Electric Bass [Fretless] – Jimmy Johnson 
Lyrics By, Music By – Dianne Reeves
Music By – Eddie del Barrio
Percussion – Alex Acuna, Luis Conte, Munyungo Jackson
Piano [Acoustic] – John Beasley
Synth – Eddie del Barrio
2 Come To The River 5:36
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums – Abraham Laboriel Jr.
Guitar – Michael Thompson
Lyrics By, Music By – Diane Louie
Music By – Dianne Reeves
3 One More Time  5:37
Acoustic Bass – Andy Simpkins
Arranged By [String], Conductor – Jorge del Barrio
Concertmaster, Violin – Endre Granat
Contractor – Bill Hughes
Drums – Paul Kreibich
Lyrics By – Dianne Reeves
Music By – Eddie del Barrio
Piano – Frank Collett
4 Anthem 5:26
Arranged By, Conductor – Diane Louie
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums – Abraham Laboriel Jr.
Guitar – Charles 'Icarus' Johnson
Lyrics By, Music By – Dianne Reeves
Music By – David Torkanowsky
Percussion – Luis Conte
Piano [Acoustic], Electric Piano – David Torkanowsky
5 Freedom Dance 6:55
Backing Vocals – Dianne Reeves
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums – Abraham Laboriel Jr.
Guitar – John Pisano
Lyrics By – Jeanne Pisano
Lyrics By, Music By – Dianne Reeves
Music By – Eddie del Barrio
Percussion – Luis Conte
Piano [Acoustic], Electric Piano – David Torkanowsky
Soprano Saxophone [Solo] – Steve Tavaglione
Synth – Eddie del Barrio
6 Endangered Species 3:23
Backing Vocals, Arranged By [Backing Vocals] – Dianne Reeves
Drums [Trap] – Abraham Laboriel Jr.
Lyrics By – Jeanne Pisano
Music By – Dianne Reeves
Percussion – Alex Acuna, Luis Conte, Munyungo Jackson
7 Josa Lee 6:54
Acoustic Bass – John Patitucci
Arranged By [Music], Drums – Terri Lyne Carrington
Arranged By [Strings, Music] – Eddie del Barrio
Lyrics By – Dianne Reeves
Music By – Eddie del Barrio, Terri Lyne Carrington
Piano [Acoustic] – John Beasley
Programmed By – Erik Hanson
Trumpet – Ralf Rickert
8 Body And Soul 10:06
Arranged By – Eddie del Barrio
Bass – John Patitucci
Drums – Billy Kilson
Guitar – Pino Marrone
Piano – Kenny Kirkland
Words By, Music By – Ed Heyman, Frank Eytom, Johnny Green, Robert Sour
9 Silent Tears And Roses 6:49
Acoustic Bass – Andy Simpkins
Arranged By [Strings], Conductor – Jorge del Barrio
Concertmaster, Violin – Endre Granat
Contractor – Bill Hughes
Drums – Paul Kreibich
Lyrics By – Jeanne Pisano
Music By – Eddie del Barrio
Piano – Frank Collett
10 Lament For A Lonely Child 6:48
Acoustic Guitar – Pino Marrone
Arranged By [String, Musical] – Eddie del Barrio
Backing Vocals – Dianne Reeves
Bass – John Patitucci
Drums – Billy Kilson
Percussion – 'Bombo Le Guero' Luis Conte
Piano – Kenny Kirkland
Words By, Music By – Eddie del Barrio
11 Bird Alone 6:46
Acoustic Bass – Andy Simpkins
Arranged By [Musical, Strings], Conductor – Jorge del Barrio
Concertmaster, Violin – Endre Granat
Contractor – Bill Hughes
Drums – Paul Kreibich
Lyrics By, Music By – Abbey Lincoln
Piano – Frank Collett

GABOR SZABO — Femme Fatale (1978-1999) RM | Serie A Magyar Popsztori | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Released in 1981 on a small Hungarian label, this 1978 session recorded in Hollywood is the guitarist's final record. "Out of the Night" interestingly pairs him with pianist Chick Corea. But the remainder of the record is a standard late-'70s fusion date without Corea, highlighted by the Return to Forever intrigue of "A Thousand Times." Douglas Payne
Tracklist
1. Femme Fatale 8:18 (Gabor Szabo)
2. Zingaro (A. C. Jobim) 7:08
3. Serena (James Harrah) 3:38
4. A Thousand Times (Gabor Szabo) 9:13
5. Out Of The Night (Gabor Szabo) 8:06
Credits
Gábor Szabó - guitar
Chick Corea - piano (track 5)
Leon Bisquera - keyboards
James Harrah - guitar
Abraham Laboriel - bass
David Roney - electric bass
Hugh Moran - drums
Everette Bryson - percussion
Gary Grant, Jerry Hey - trumpet, flugelhorn
William Reichenbach - trombone
Kim Hutchcroft, Larry Williams - reeds
Lawrence Sonderling, Bobby Dubow, Ken Yerke, John Wittenberg,
Sheldon Sanov, Carol Shive - violin
Pamela Goldsmith, Arthur Royval, Michael Nowak - viola
Ronald Cooper, Ray Kelley - cello
David Campbell - arranger, conductor

JOE SAMPLE — Carmel (1979-1985) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Pianist Joe Sample is a pioneer at creating melodic and accessible pop-jazz. His recordings of the 1970s and '80s were consistently popular, especially this best-seller. Sample is joined on most selections by fellow Crusader Stix Hooper on drums, electric bassist Abraham Laboriel, percussionist Paulinho Da Costa, and, often, guitarist Dean Parks. Flutist Hubert Laws guests on "Midnight and Mist." The memorable melodies, clean harmonics, and Sample's fine playing make Carmel a high point among his solo recordings  Scott Yanow    
Tracklist & Credits :

JOE SAMPLE — Voices in the Rain (1980) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

There is a fair amount of variety on this reasonably enjoyable but not essential release from keyboardist Joe Sample. Most of the tunes fall into the area of funky crossover with strong melodies, danceable rhythms and few chances taken. Flora Purim takes the vocal on "Shadows" and is joined by two other singers for the spirited "Burnin' Up The Carnival." The acoustic "Sonata In Solitude" has violinist L. Subramaniam, guitarist John Collins and bassist Ray Brown, but that is a one-time departure on what is basically a commercial set geared for radio airplay. Scott Yanow    Tracklist & Credits :

JOE SAMPLE — The Hunter (1983) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Joe Sample returns to the smooth jazz style of his popular albums Rainbow Seeker, Carmel, and Voices in the Rain on 1983's The Hunter. The keyboardist fills up a studio with like-minded session musicians including trumpeter Tom Browne, horn players Chuck Findley, Jerry Hey, and Ernie Watts, guitarists Dean Parks, David Spinozza, and Phil Upchurch, bassists Abraham Laboriel and Marcus Miller, percussionist Paulinho Da Costa, and drummer Steve Gadd, and sets them loose on some rhythmic tracks with a rock/R&B feel. The beat is paramount, a constant augmented by funky, popping basslines, with guitar solos and horn charts overlaid. And, weaving in and out is Sample, on either acoustic or electric piano, finding room to solo extensively. The solos are more of the rock variety than what a conventional jazz fan would recognize, since they are anchored to the relentless beats. But Sample is one of the more accomplished players in smooth jazz, and his sidemen are able to support him and, when given the chance, match him in their playing. William Ruhlmann    Tracklist & Credits :

JOE SAMPLE — Oasis (1985) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Pianist Joe Sample, who has had easily the most successful solo career of any of the Crusaders, recorded a series of melodic and lightly funky sets for MCA in the 1980s. This particular outing (which is available on CD) is unfortunately quite weak due to the forgettable melodies. Sample is joined by Dean Parks, Carlos Fearing, David T. Walker and/or Barry Finnerty on guitars, either Wilton Felder, Abraham Laboriel or Nathan East on bass, drummer Ndugu, percussionist Paulinho Da Costa and occasional synthesizers and strings; he plays well enough, but the material is quite inferior. One song ("The Survivor") features Phyllis Hyman's over-the-top R&B singing. Otherwise, the program consists of lightweight instrumentals, pleasant but mundane. Get Sample's Carmel instead. Scott Yanow    Tracklist & Credits :

JOE SAMPLE — Roles (1987) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist & Credits :

THE ZAWINUL SYNDICATE — The Immigrants (1988) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Although Zawinul tried touring alone in the immediate wake of the breakup of Weather Report, he soon returned to a group format, first with Weather Update in 1986 and a couple of years later with the raffishly named Zawinul Syndicate. The multi-national Syndicate basically expands the Weather Report format into a sextet, with a rock guitar (Scott Henderson) replacing the sax, an extra percussionist on board to join WR's Alex Acuna, and more vocal support then ever -- and if a Wayne Shorter-like melody line was needed, Zawinul would play it himself on his new Korg Pepe wind synthesizer. If anything, The Immigrants burrows even further into the world-music bloodstream than WR ever did, with vocals in Spanish and wordless syllables on top of Zawinul's one-chord Third World grooves. There is also a heavier pop emphasis (again nothing new for Zawinul), including a recomposition of "Mercy Mercy Mercy" called "No Mercy for Me," now an assertive paean to self-reliance that is soulfully sung by the Perri sisters. Some of the tunes and grooves fall short of Zawinul's irresistible best, but "King Hip" swaggers at a high level and "From Venice to Vienna" -- another of Zawinul's nostalgic memoirs of Europe -- lingers hauntingly at the album's close. Richard S. Ginell   Tracklist & Credits :

BADI ASSAD - Chameleon (1998) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Badi Assad (bah-JEE ah-SAHJ) is very chameleon-like in her protean, changing character. On the fun, energetic opener "Rhythms of the World" Assad gives us worldbeat, acoustic guitar pieces with jazzy, almost scat-like vocals. Things are peaceful and serene for the instrumental (acoustic guitar, flute and percussion) "Butterfly." Lee Ritenour appears on guitar synthesizer for "Waves," while Assad, the multi-instrumentalist, syncopates a guitar pattern with her right hand and simultaneously performs a marimba solo with her left hand. For this piece, Assad provides breathy vocalizations and Portuguese vocals that recall Astrud Gilberto and some light bossa nova. The simple arrangements of guitar and vocals on her own "Ai Que Saudade d'Oce" and "Naked" are the most moving pieces here. Her delicate, expressive vocals and flamenco-tinged, acoustic guitar phrases are simply beautiful. Assad is sibling to the world music acoustic guitar pair Duo Assad. A fascinating showcase for her extraordinary ability is the rendition of George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." Finding new sadness and beauty in the piece, she performs an arrangement that includes bass and exotic percussion, including subtle chimes. Her elegant, lilting lyric and exquisite guitar work make for a truly winning combination on this peerless Brazilian album. by Tom Schulte
Tracklist :
1    Rhythms Of The World 6:15
Arranged By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young
Backing Vocals – Andre Manga, Debby Holiday
Guitar – Jeff Scott Young
Guitar, Vocals – Badi Assad
Percussion – Alex Acuña
Written-By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young
2    Butterfly 4:12
Arranged By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young
Flute [Gold] – Viviana Guzman
Guitar – Badi Assad
Percussion – Cassio Duarte
Written-By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young
3    Waves 4:52
Acoustic Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Arranged By – Badi Assad, Don Murray, Jeff Scott Young, Lee Ritenour
Guitar, Synthesizer – Lee Ritenour
Guitar, Vocals, Marimba – Badi Assad
Percussion – Cassio Duarte
Written-By – Badi Assad
4    Al Que Saudade D'ocê 4:00
Arranged By – Badi Assad, Carlinhos Antunes
Guitar, Vocals – Badi Assad
Percussion – Cassio Duarte
Written-By – Vital Farias
5    Naked 5:31
Arranged By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young
Guitar, Vocals – Badi Assad
Written-By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young
6    Naio Naio 5:23
Acoustic Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Arranged By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young
Backing Vocals – Andre Manga*, Debby Holiday
Didgeridoo – Steven Kent
Drums – Hilary Jones
Guitar, Vocals – Badi Assad
Mixed By [Assistant] – Jeff Shannon
Written-By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young
7    Rain Trance 1:25
Acoustic Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Arranged By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young, Sérgio Assad
Cello – Stephanie Fife
Drums – Hilary Jones
Guitar – Badi Assad
Viola – Virginia Lee Frazier
Violin – Carolyn Osbourn
Written-By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young
8    Waterfall 3:07
Acoustic Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Arranged By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young
Drums – Hilary Jones
Guitar, Vocals – Badi Assad
Written-By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young
9    Dolphins In The Blue Mist 3:06
Arranged By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young, Sérgio Assad
Guitar, Vocals – Badi Assad
Written-By – Badi Assad
10    Ponta De Areia 4:00
Arranged By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young
Guitar, Vocals – Badi Assad
Written-By – Fernando Brant, Milton Nascimento
11    While My Guitar Gently Weeps 5:10
Arranged By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young, Sérgio Assad
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Guitar, Vocals – Badi Assad
Percussion – Alex Acuña
Written-By – George Harrison
12    Flowing ... Into Formlessness 5:56
Arranged By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young
Didgeridoo – Steven Kent
Flute [Wood] – Viviana Guzman
Guitar, Vocals, Djembe, Wind Chimes [Key Chimes], Voice [Wind] – Badi Assad
Percussion – Cassio Duarte
Written-By – Badi Assad, Jeff Scott Young

DAVE GRUSIN / LEE RITENOUR - Harlequin (1985) WV (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Harlequin (Arlequim Desconhecido) 4:42
Composed By – Ivan Lins
Lyrics By – Victor Martins
2    Early A.M. Attitude 4:59
Composed By – Dave Grusin
3    San Ysidro 4:59
Composed By – Lee Ritenour
4    Before It´s Too Late (Antes Que Seja Tarde) 5:18
Composed By – Ivan Lins
Lyrics By – Victor Martins
5    Silent Message 6:09
Composed By – Dave Grusin
6    Cats Of Rio 5:18
Composed By – Don Grusin
7    Beyond The Storm (Depois Dos Temporais)     5:37
Composed By – Ivan Lins
Lyrics By – Victor Martins
8    Grid-Lock 4:03
Composed By – Lee Ritenour
9    The Bird 5:48
Composed By – Harvey Mason, Mike Lang
Credits :
Backing Vocals – Carol Rogers (faixas: 1, 4), Marietta Waters (faixas: 1, 4), Regina Werneck (faixas: 1, 4)
Bass – Abraham Laboriel (faixas: 5, 8), Jimmy Johnson (faixas: 1 to 4, 6, 7)
Drums – Carlos Vega (faixas: 1 to 4, 5, 6), Harvey Mason (faixas: 1, 4)
Guitar, Producer, Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Percussion – Alex Acuña (faixas: 1, 8), Paulinho Da Costa
Piano, Keyboards – Dave Grusin
Programmed By [Drums] – Harvey Mason
Programmed By [Midi-piano] – Randy Goodrum
Programmed By [Synthesizer] – Marcus Ryle
Vocals – Ivan Lins (faixas: 1, 4)

ANDY SUMMERS - Earth + Sky (2004) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

After two albums exploring the boundaries of jazz via the music of Thelonious Monk (Green Chimneys) and Charles Mingus (Peggy's Blue Skylight), ex-Police guitarist Andy Summers returns to original compositions with a new band that moves forward through a swarm of genres on Earth + Sky. Employing two keyboard players, John Novello and John Beasley, as well as drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, saxophonist Katisse Buckingham, and bassist Abraham Laboriel, Summers creates a body of work that looks through jazz, rock, and folk forms and is technology based while also using organic rhythms and atmospherics. While some might see this as retrenchment, Summers, unlike so many of the superchopper guitarists out there, is a melodist whose lyricism is inescapable in virtually everything he plays. Hence the effect of these tunes is chimeric, whether they begin with gorgeous, simple harmonic lines that are reminiscent of nursery rhymes (such as "Now I'm Free"), feature complex hypnotic guitar lines that are fully charged both modally and rhythmically (as in the title track), or are atmospheric pieces that could be serial selections in a film noir soundtrack (such as "I Choose You"). Summers has utilized his jazz chops to stunning effect here, in that he allows his guitar to be an architectural focal point of an ensemble rather than as the centerpiece of the music itself. Hence, whether he is engaging the trappings of fusion or acoustic balladry ("Roseville"), he weaves something complex, soulful, and memorable from the elements. Earth + Sky is another solid effort from a guitarist who is forever reinventing himself.
(This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa')
Tracklist:
1 Above the World 5:21
Andy Summers
2 Now I'm Free 5:26
Andy Summers
3 The Diva Station 5:44
Andy Summers
4 Return 4:30
Andy Summers
5 Earth & Sky 5:36
Andy Summers
6 Parallels 4:53
Andy Summers
7 Circus 5:44
Andy Summers
8 Roseville 4:59
Andy Summers
9 Red Stiletto 4:18
Andy Summers
10 I Choose You 4:31
Andy Summers
Credits:
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Guitar, Songwriter – Andy Summers
Keyboards – John Beasley, John Novello
Saxophone – Katisse Buckingham 

SADAO WATANABE — Birds of Passage (1987) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Altoist Sadao Watanabe is considered one of Japan's top jazzmen. Some of his recordings are quite commercial but this particular one finds him paying tribute to Charlie Parker with what was called "the great jazz trio:" pianist Hank Jones, bassist Ron Carter and drummer Tony Williams. The seven selections (four Bird compositions and three standards often played by Parker) are all given strong treatment by the quartet. Watanabe's true love is bebop and his solos here are very much in that tradition yet displaying a personality of his own. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Round Trip 5:51
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Guitar – Dan Huff
Keyboards, Arranged By – Russell Ferrante
Percussion – Alex Acuna
Saxophone – Sadao Watanabe
2 Pastral 6:05
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums – Dan Huff
Keyboards, Arranged By – Russell Ferrante
Percussion – Alex Acuna
Saxophone – Sadao Watanabe
3 Salvador 5:03
Backing Vocals – Alexandria Brown, Carl Carwell, Lynn Davis, Maria Leporace
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums – Carlos Vega
Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr.
Keyboards – Russell Ferrante
Percussion, Backing Vocals – Paulinho Da Costa
Saxophone, Backing Vocals – Sadao Watanabe
Synthesizer [Synclavier] – George Duke
4 Just A Touch 4:36
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums – Carlos Vega
Flute – Hubert Laws
Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr.
Keyboards – Russell Ferrante
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Saxophone – Sadao Watanabe
Synthesizer [Synclavier] – George Duke
5 Burung Burung "Birds" 5:39
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums – Carlos Vega
Flugelhorn – Freddie Hubbard
Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr.
Keyboards – Russell Ferrante
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Saxophone – Sadao Watanabe
Synthesizer [Synclavier] – George Duke
6 Birds Of Passage 5:24
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums – Carlos Vega
Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr.
Keyboards – Russell Ferrante
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Saxophone – Sadao Watanabe
7 Chaser 5:31
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums – John Robinson 
Keyboards, Arranged By – Russell Ferrante
Percussion – Alex Acuna
Saxophone – Sadao Watanabe
8 Tanza Night 5:05
Backing Vocals – Daniel Acuna, Diana Acuna, Jimmy Haslip, Petsye Powell, Regina Acuna
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums – John Robinson 
Keyboards, Arranged By – Russell Ferrante
Percussion, Backing Vocals – Alex Acuna
Saxophone, Backing Vocals – Sadao Watanabe