Al Jarreau got his start playing in a jazz trio led by
pianist/keyboardist George Duke, so it is fitting that Jarreau pays
tribute to Duke, who passed away in 2013, on his 2014 album My Old
Friend: Celebrating George Duke. It was while working as a vocal rehab
counselor at a hospital in San Francisco in the late '60s that Jarreau
began singing with Duke's trio. It was also due in part to the
popularity of these early performances that both musicians' storied solo
careers were launched. On My Old Friend: Celebrating George Duke,
Jarreau delves into a batch of Duke compositions with a select group of
guest artists, many of whom also had connections to Duke. Joining
Jarreau here are such luminaries as Gerald Albright, Lalah Hathaway,
Jeffrey Osborne, Dianne Reeves, and others. Similarly, backing Jarreau
at various times is a superb ensemble of musicians including bassist
Stanley Clarke (who also produced the album), keyboardists John Beasley
and Patrice Rushen, guitarist Paul Jackson, Jr., and drummer John "J.R."
Robinson. In fact, Duke himself makes an appearance here via the
wonders of modern technology on the languidly romantic "Bring Me Joy."
Elsewhere, Jarreau turns his sonorous, joyful voice to such Duke songs
as "Sweet Baby," "No Rhyme, No Reason," "You Touch My Brain," and more.
Ultimately, My Old Friend: Celebrating George Duke is a heartfelt
tribute album that, as with many of Jarreau and Duke's previous albums,
feels fresh, warm, and full of love. Matt Collar
Tracklist :
1 My Old Friend 4:57
Backing Vocals – Jeffrey Osborne, Katriz Trinidad, Patrick Lundquist, Porcha Clay
Bass – Stanley Clarke
Drums – John Robinson
Featuring – Gerald Albright
Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr.
Keyboards, Piano – Patrice Rushen
Producer – John Burk, Stanley Clarke
Saxophone – Gerald Albright
Vocals – Al Jarreau
Written-By – John Lang, Richard Page, Steve George
2 Someday 4:21
Bass – Marcus Miller
Drums – John Robinson
Featuring – Dianne Reeves
Guitar – Jubu
Keyboards – John Beasley
Producer – John Burk, Marcus Miller
Vocals – Al Jarreau, Dianne Reeves
Written-By – George Duke
3 Churchyheart (Backyard Ritual) 4:56
Bass, Bass Clarinet, Programmed By – Marcus Miller
Drums – John Robinson
Featuring – Marcus Miller
Guitar – Jubu
Keyboards – John Beasley
Lyrics By – Al Jarreau
Music By – George Duke
Producer – John Burk, Marcus Miller
Trumpet – Mike Cotton
Vocals – Al Jarreau
4 Somebossa (Summer Breezin') 4:41
Backing Vocals – Patrick Lundquist
Bass – Stanley Clarke
Drums – John Robinson
Featuring – Gerald Albright
Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr.
Keyboards – Greg Phillinganes
Lyrics By – Al Jarreau, George Duke, Patrick Lundquist
Music By – George Duke
Percussion – Lenny Castro
Producer – John Burk, Stanley Clarke
Saxophone – Gerald Albright
5 Sweet Baby 4:31
Backing Vocals – Patrick Lundquist
Bass, Backing Vocals – Stanley Clarke
Drums – John Robinson
Featuring – Lalah Hathaway
Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr.
Keyboards, Piano – Greg Phillinganes
Percussion – Lenny Castro
Producer – John Burk, Stanley Clarke
Vocals – Al Jarreau, Lalah Hathaway
Written-By – George Duke
6 Every Reason To Smile / Wings Of Love 3:51
Backing Vocals – Fred Martin, Katriz Trinidad, Patrick Lundquist, Porcha Clay
Bass – Stanley Clarke
Drums – John Robinson
Featuring – Jeffrey Osborne
Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr.
Keyboards, Piano – Patrice Rushen
Producer – John Burk, Stanley Clarke
Vocals – Al Jarreau, Jeffrey Osborne
Written-By – George Duke, Jeffrey Osborne, Peter Schless, Stanley Clarke
7 No Rhyme, No Reason 4:05
Drums – Rob Bacon
Featuring – Kelly Price
Keyboards – Brandon Coleman
Percussion – Lenny Castro
Producer – Boney James
Programmed By – Boney James
Vocals – Al Jarreau, Kelly Price
Written-By – George Duke
8 Bring Me Joy 4:36
Bass – Alex Al
Drums – Omari Williams
Featuring – Boney James, George Duke
Guitar – Rob Bacon
Keyboards – George Duke
Percussion – Lenny Castro
Producer – Boney James
Tenor Saxophone – Boney James
Vocals – Al Jarreau
Written-By – George Duke
9 Brazilian Love Affair / Up From The Sea / It Arose And Ate Rio In One Swift Bite 4:46
Backing Vocals – Fred Martin, Katriz Trinidad, Patrick Lundquist, Porcha Clay
Bass – Stanley Clarke
Drums – John Robinson
Featuring – Dianne Reeves
Guitar – Paul Jackson Jr.
Keyboards – Patrice Rushen
Percussion – Lenny Castro
Producer – John Burk, Stanley Clarke
Producer [Additional] – Chris Dunn
Vocals – Al Jarreau, Dianne Reeves
Written-By – George Duke
10 You Touch My Brain 4:44
Backing Vocals – Patrick Lundquist
Bass – Marcus Miller
Drums – John Robinson
Featuring – Dr. John
Guitar – Jubu
Keyboards – John Beasley
Producer – John Burk, Marcus Miller
Vocals – Al Jarreau
Vocals, Piano – Dr. John
Written-By – George Duke
26.7.25
AL JARREAU — My Old Friend : Celebrating George Duke (2014) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
1.5.25
CHRISTIAN McBRIDGE BAND — Sci-Fi (2000) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless
Tracklist :
1. Aja (Fagan, Becker) 6:46
2. Uhura's Moment Returned (McBride) 6:18
3. Xerxes (McBride) 7:56
4. Lullaby For a Ladybug (McBride) 7:28
5. Science Fiction (McBride) 6:50
6. Walking On The Moon (Sting) 6:43
7. Havona (Jaco Pastorius) 7:12
8. I'll Guess i'll Have To Forget (McBride) 6:10
9. Butterfly Dreams (Stanley Clarke) 6:43
10. Via Mwandishi (McBride) 8:02
11. The Sci-fi Outro (McBride) 1:13
Credits :
Christian McBride – Bass (Upright, Electric), Keyboards
Ron Blake - Sax (Tenor, Soprano)
Shedrick Mitchell – Piano, Electric Piano
Rodney Green – Drums
Herbie Hancock – Piano (on "Xerxes" and "Lullaby For a Ladybug")
Dianne Reeves – Vocalese (on "Lullaby For a Ladybug")
Toots Thielemans – Harmonica
James Carter – Bass Clarinet
David Gilmore – Guitar (Acoustic, Electric)

7.4.25
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
4.3.24
DIANNE REEVES — I Remember (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
When she wants to sing jazz, Dianne Reeves has always had the ability to
reach the top of her field, but she has long seemed unable to make up
her mind between jazz, R&B, world music, and pop. This Blue Note
disc fortunately finds her mostly sticking to jazz and in consistently
superb form. Reeves' treatments of such numbers as "Afro Blue" (which is
particularly memorable), "Love for Sale," "Softly As in a Morning
Sunrise," "How High the Moon," and McCoy Tyner's "You Taught My Heart to
Sing" all border on the classic. Joined by such illustrious sidemen as
pianists Billy Childs, Mulgrew Miller, and Donald Brown; bassists
Charnett Moffett and Chris Severin; and drummers Billy Kilson and Marvin
"Smitty" Smith, plus guest appearances by vibraphonist Bobby
Hutcherson, altoist Greg Osby, and guitarist Kevin Eubanks, Reeves
sounds inspired by the company. If only she would stick to this
direction. Highly recommended. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Afro Blue 4:49
Bass – Chris Severin
Drums – Billy Kilson
Percussion – Bill Summers, Luis Conte
Saxophone – Justo Almario
Written-By – M. Santamaria, O. Brown Jr.
2 The Nearness Of You / Misty 3:12
Arranged By – Dianne Reeves
Bass – Chris Severin
Drums – Billy Kilson
Piano – Billy Childs
Written-By – Garner, Carmichael, Burke, Washington
3 I Remember Sky 4:23
Bass – Chris Severin
Drums – Billy Kilson
Piano, Arranged By – Billy Childs
Written-By – Stephen Sondheim
4 Love For Sale 3:43
Arranged By – David Torkanowsky
Bass – Chris Severin
Drums – Billy Kilson
Piano – Billy Childs
Written-By – Cole Porter
5 Softly As In The Morning Sunrise 4:52
Alto Saxophone – Greg Osby
Arranged By – David Torkanowsky
Bass – Charnett Moffett
Drums – Marvin Smitty Smith
Percussion – Ron Powell
Piano – Donald Brown
Vibraphone – Bobby Hutcherson
Written-By – Hammerstein, Romberg
6 Like A Lover 5:37
Acoustic Guitar – Kevin Eubanks
Wind Chimes – Ron Powell
Written-By – A. Bergman-M. Bergman, D. Caymmi
7 How High The Moon 4:05
Arranged By – Richard R. Cummings
Bass – Charnett Moffett
Drums – Terri Lyne Carrington
Percussion – Ron Powell
Piano – Mulgrew Miller
Written-By – Lewis, Hamilton
8 You Taught My Heart To Sing 6:14
Bass – Charnett Moffett
Drums – Marvin Smitty Smith
Piano – Mulgrew Miller
Written-By – M. Tyner, S. Cahn
9 For All We Know 8:02
Bass – Charnett Moffett
Drums – Marvin Smitty Smith
Piano – Mulgrew Miller
Written-By – Coots, Lewis
+ last month
REBECCA PIDGEON — The Raven (1994) Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless
Tracklist : 1. Kalerka 3:02 Backing Vocals – Coco Kallis, Paul Miller 2. The Witch 2:47 Backing Vocals – Coco Kallis, Paul Miller 3....
