ELISABETH KONTOMANOU — Back to my Groove (2007) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

A dramatic vocalist who was born in France but sings in impeccable and unaccented English, Elisabeth Kontomanou is best known in Europe as both a singer and an actress. She has visited New York regularly and along the way has worked with Michel Legrand, Mike Stern, Toots Thielemans, and Jean-Michel Pilc, among others. Kontomanou has a powerful voice and is a fine jazz singer. On Back to My Groove, she performs Gustav Karlström's inventive arrangements to nine of her songs and two numbers from her sidemen. In addition to her impressive singing and the fresh material, some of which sounds like it could have been a standard in the '60s or '70s, Back to My Groove is of strong interest due to the instrumentation. Most selections utilize not only a rhythm section but the Quatuor Elysee String Quartet, a few horns (soprano saxophonist Sam Newsome is well featured) and a harpist. While there are some thoughtful performances, it is the more high-powered pieces, which include some challenging writing for the strings, that are of the greatest interest. Kontomanou gives one the impression that she could sing anything, making Back to My Groove a strong introduction to her music. Scott Yanow 
Tracklist :
1 Back to My Groove 6:13
Elisabeth Kontomanou 
2 What a Life 5:49
Elisabeth Kontomanou 
3 Where I'm Coming From 7:37
Elisabeth Kontomanou 
4 The Abuse 3:46
Elisabeth Kontomanou 
5 Black Angel 8:00
Elisabeth Kontomanou
6 You've Changed My World 5:19
Elisabeth Kontomanou 
7 Late Cold Night 4:04
Elisabeth Kontomanou 
8 Summer 5:14
Elisabeth Kontomanou 
9 My Love 6:52
Thomas Bramerie 
10 Dreams of Gold (Are Dreams of You) 3:47
Gustav Karlström
11 Peace on Earth
Elisabeth Kontomanou 
Credits :
Leon Parker - Percussion
Thomas Bramerie - Ac Bass
Orrin Evans - Piano
Donald Kontomanou - Drums
Marvin Sewell - Guitars
Sam Newsome - Saxophone
Gustav Karlstrom - Vocal 
Gregoire Maret - Harmonica
Isabelle Olivier - Harp
Pierrick Pedron - Alto Sax
David El Maleck - Tenor Sax
Daniel Zimmerman - Trombone
Elisabeth Kontomanou - Composer, Vocals

CORNELIUS CLAUDIO KREUSCH & BLACKMUDSOUND — Scoop (1998) ACT World Jazz Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The German jazz pianist, composer and producer is known for his versatile musicality and gift for composition. Kreusch regularly collaborates with leading musicians from various musical genres, including jazz, world music and classical music. His creative output includes projects such as the ‘Giant Steps Ensemble’ and collaborations with artists such as Bobby Mc Ferrin and Nils Landgren. In addition to his musical career, Kreusch also works as a music teacher and is involved in the further education of young talents. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Niles    1:50
2    Yarum    4:42
3    Salif    4:50
4    Scoop    3:03
5    Imbao    5:12
6    Pulse    1:26
7    Faith    3:30
8    Feel!    4:36
9    Wocai    3:16
10    Flame    1:50
11    Nomad    7:44
12    Jafro    9:20
Credits :
Acoustic Guitar – Johannes Tonio Kreusch
Bass – Anthony Cox
Bass Guitar – James Genus, Zaf Zapha
Drums – Camille Gainer
Drums, Percussion – Will Calhoun
Drums, Percussion, Voice – Cyril Atef
Drums, Vocals – Terri Lyne Carrington
Lyrics By – Cyril Atef (tracks: 5), Salif Keita (tracks: 3), Thomas Grimes (tracks: 7)
Music By – Cyril Atef (tracks: 5), Zaf Zapha (tracks: 5)
Music By, Composed By [All Compostions By] – Cornelius Claudio Kreusch
Piano – Cornelius Claudio Kreusch
Saxophone – Bobby Watson, Greg Osby, Ron Blake
Vocals – Elisabeth Kontamanou, Fra Fra Tribesmen, Richard Bona, Salif Keita
Voice, Rap [Rap'oetry] – Thomas Grimes

MIKE STERN - Voices (2001) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Most of Mike Stern's albums have been 100 percent instrumental; as a rule, he doesn't use vocalists because his guitar does all of the "singing." But Voices is an exception -- a highly engaging and memorable exception. This surprising and totally unexpected effort finds a 48-year-old Stern using wordless vocals in a manner that brings to mind fellow fusion guitarists Pat Metheny and Al DiMeola. Think of Metheny on Letter From Home and Still Life (Talking), or DiMeola on Orange and Blue, and one will know the type of approach that Stern is going for this time. While the wordless vocals that Stern uses on Voices add a lot to the album, his guitar is still the focal point. This isn't the type of project in which the leader brings in an acclaimed jazz singer like Dianne Reeves or Kitty Margolis and features her prominently on standards -- that isn't what he was going for. Ultimately, the vocalists who Stern employs (who include Arto Tuncboyaciyan and Elizabeth Kantomanou) are there to serve and compliment his guitar. If Voices were a cake, the vocalists would be the icing; the album still would have been meaningful even without them, but there's no doubt that they add a lot to it. Voices, which contains some of Stern's most lyrical and melodic playing, is full of world music influences. African and Spanish elements are incorporated, and Brazilian music is an especially strong influence. Going back to the Metheny and DiMeola comparisons, this album's world music influences will inevitably inspire comparisons to similar albums by those fellow fusion guitarists. But Stern is always his own man and his guitar playing never fails to sound distinctive -- Voices is most definitely a Mike Stern session. It's also one of the finest albums in his catalog. by Alex Henderson
1    One World 6:23
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Guitar – Mike Stern
Keyboards – Jim Beard
Percussion – Arto Tuncboyaciyan
Vocals – Elizabeth Kontomanou
Vocals, Bass, Kalimba – Richard Bona
2    The River 6:26
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Guitar – Mike Stern
Keyboards – Jim Beard
Percussion – Arto Tuncboyaciyan
Vocals, Bass – Richard Bona
3    Slow Change 7:13
Bass – Lincoln Goines
Drums – Dennis Chambers
Guitar – Mike Stern
Keyboards – Jim Beard
Percussion – Arto Tuncboyaciyan
Saxophone – Bob Franceschini
4    Wishing Well 6:10
Acoustic Bass – Chris Minh Doky
Acoustic Guitar [12-string ] – Jon Herington
Guitar – Mike Stern
Vocals – Elizabeth Kontomanou, Philip Hamilton
5    Still There 7:30
Bass – Lincoln Goines
Drums – Dennis Chambers
Guitar [Nylon String] – Mike Stern
Keyboards – Jim Beard
Saxophone – Bob Franceschini
6    Spirit 6:35
Bass – Lincoln Goines
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Guitar – Mike Stern
Keyboards – Jim Beard
Percussion – Arto Tuncboyaciyan
Rhythm Guitar – Jon Herington
Saxophone – Bob Franceschini
Vocals – Elizabeth Kontomanou, Philip Hamilton
7    What Might Have Been 5:32
Acoustic Bass – Chris Minh Doky
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Guitar – Mike Stern
Keyboards – Jim Beard
Vocals – Elizabeth Kontomanou
8    Leni´s Smile 5:31
Bass – Richard Bona
Guitar – Mike Stern
Keyboards – Jim Beard
Percussion – Arto Tuncboyaciyan
Vocals – Elizabeth Kontomanou, Philip Hamilton
9    Way Out East 7:04
Bass – Richard Bona
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Guitar – Mike Stern
Keyboards – Jim Beard
Saxophone – Michael Brecker
Vocals, Percussion – Arto Tuncboyaciyan

MIKE STERN - These Times (2004) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Combine the innovative guitar energy of legendary fusion master Mike Stern with old friends (bassist Richard Bona, drummer Vinnie Colaiuta) and new (saxman Kenny Garrett), and anything is bound to happen. But fans expecting raucous swinging and jamming the whole time may be surprised at the subtle lyricism and exotic explorations that define these times for their hero. Yes, his electric is crackling on the hypnotic opener, "Chatter," but it's in the crazy, exotic context of a Middle Eastern vibe inspired by Pakistani great Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (look out, Eddie Vedder!). Jim Beard's jumpy piano, Colaiuta's wild, New Orleans groove, and Garrett's swirling lines provide great support. Once Stern and company have the listener's attention, they can become seductive with more intimate affairs like the Joe Zawinul-influenced "Silver Lining," which features an exotic falsetto vocal by Bona, a former Zawinul Syndicate member who also propels the tune with his increasingly muscular basslines. Bona adds the same touch in a gentler way to the lush romance of "I Know You," featuring a soft-spoken harmony line by guest star banjo great Béla Fleck. This sequence of tunes sets the tone of the rest of the disc, which mixes more Khan-flavored gems (the colorful singalong "Mirage," featuring vocals by Elisabeth Kontomanou), soft ballads, and a sexy midtempo funk number that (gasp!) might translate to the smooth jazz format. Another highlight is the punchy bebop number "Remember," dedicated to Stern's longtime collaborator the late Bob Berg. Perhaps the only drawback is having Garrett on hand but only featuring him on three numbers. by Jonathan Widran
Tracklist:
1    Chatter    6:10
Mike Stern
2    Silver Lining    6:34
Mike Stern
3    I Know You    5:06
Mike Stern
4    Mirage    6:44
Mike Stern
5    If Only    5:31
Mike Stern
6    Street Rhyme    6:36
Mike Stern
7    Avenue B    6:13
Mike Stern
8    Remember (For Bob Berg)    6:02
Mike Stern
9    These Times    8:12
Mike Stern
10    What You Believe    6:45
Mike Stern
11    Last One Down    5:30
Mike Stern
Credits:
Lyrics By – Richard Bona (tracks: 5)
Musician – Arto Tuncboyaciyan, Bob Franceschini, Bob Malach, Béla Fleck, Dennis Chambers, Don Alias, Elisabeth Kontomanou, Jim Beard, Jon Herington, Kenny Garrett, Richard Bona, Victor Wooten, Vinnie Colaiuta, Will Lee
Producer – Jim Beard