NGUYÊN LÊ — Maghreb And Friends (1998) Serie : ACT World Jazz | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

A breathtaking combination of musical traditions celebrated through the experimentation and rigor of a solid Jazz album. Nguyen Le has made career by reinventing "World Jazz" with an authenticity that celebrates the philosophy that music is truly universal - especially in an international context. And he can play! Thrown any musical style, Le carves a lyrical path that rock, Jazz, funk or fusion audiences can admire. Even a precursory spin of this record displays a colorful array of instrumentation, imaginative arrangements, colorful melodies and the kind of synergy and experimentation you might expect from a ambitious Jazz recording. Jazz Radio Project
Tracklist :
1        Ifrikyia 5:31
Written-By – Karim Ziad, N. Lê
2        Constantine 6:20
Written-By – N. Lê, Youcef Boukella
3        Louanges 5:53
Written-By – Karim Ziad
4        Yhadik Allah 4:37
Written-By – B'Net H., Karim Ziad, N. Lê
5        Nora 6:30
Written-By – Karim Ziad, N. Lê
6        Funk Raï 5:15
Written-By – N. Lê
7        L'Arkha Li Jeya 6:41
Written-By – B'Net H., Karim Ziad, N. Lê
8        Guinia 5:43
Written-By – Dominique Borker, N. Lê
9        Nesraf 6:33
Written-By – Mohammed El Anka, Nguyên Lê
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Wolfgang Puschnig
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Stefano Di Battista
Artwork – Martin Noël
Bass [Gumbri], Vocals, Karkabas [Karkabous], Percussion [Taarjet, Bendir, Derbaka, Talkas] – Karim Ziad
Drums – Mokhtar Samba
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Fretless Bass, Zither [Vietnamese], Programmed By – Nguyên Lê
Flute [African Peul], Vocals – Ali Wagué
Flute [Vietnamese] – Hao Nhiên
Kora – Jean-Jacques Avenel
Mandola, Banjo [Algerian] – Djemaï Abdenour
Soprano Saxophone – Alain Debiossat
Synthesizer [Accordion-synth] – Cheb Mami
Trumpet – Paolo Fresu
Violin – Mejdoub Ftati
Vocals – Aziz Sahmaoui, Gaëlle Hervé, Marielle Hervé, Mehdi Askeur
Vocals [Vietnamese] – Huong Thanh
Vocals, Percussion [Taarijet, Bendir, Derbuka] – Mohamed Menni

HUONG THANH — Moon And Wind (1999) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

"The perfect fusion of Western rhythms and melodies with the unique soundscapes of the Far East" - (MUSIKWOCHE) ACT
Tracklist :
1    The Soaring Of The Heron    6:37
2    All Is Peace    4:19
3    One River, Two Streams    5:47
4    Lovers On The Mountain    5:27
5    Crossing The Bridge    4:49
6    Autumn Wind    5:12
7    Blackbird Song    5:32
8    The Awaiting    8:04
9    Going Back To Hué    6:20
10    The Source    5:01
Credits :
Huong Thanh - Vocals
Nguyên Lê - Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Fretless Bass, Synths & Computer Programming
Hao Nhiên Pham - Bamboo Flute, 3-stringed Lute (dàn dày)
Duong Tam - 16-Strings Zither (dàn tranh), Moon Shaped Lute (dàn nguyêt), Lotus Lute (dàn sen), Monocorde (dàn bau), Woodblock (song lan), Backing Vocals
Dominique Borker - Acoustic piano, Synths
Illya Amar - Sanza
Tino di Geraldo - Cajón, Frame Drum, Palmas
Karim Ziad - Gumbri
Paolo Fresu - Trumpet

V.A. : GLOBAL MAGIC — The Ultimate ACT World Jazz Anthology Vol. V (2006) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Esbjörn Svensson Trio–    Reminiscence Of A Soul 5:43
Bass – Dan Berglund
Drums – Magnus Öström
Piano – Esbjörn Svensson
Written-By – Svensson
2    Huong Thanh / Paolo Fresu / Nguyên Lê–    Two Sisters 3:45
Electric Bass – Etienne Mbappé
Instruments [Viet.instr] – Duong Chi Tam
Trumpet – Paolo Fresu
Vocals – Huong Thanh
Written-By – Lê
3    Jens Thomas / Triocolor–    Sakyi's Song 2:57
Bass – Stefan Weeke
Drums – Björn Lücker
Piano – Jens Thomas
Written-By – Thomas
4    Gerardo Nuñez / Renaud Garcia-Fons–    Un Amor Real 3:24
Acoustic Guitar – Gerardo Nuñez
Bass – Renaud Garcia-Fons
Written-By – Nuñez
5    Gilberto Gil / Trilok Gurtu / Toninho Ferragutti / Bugge Wesseltoft–    Tatá Engenho Novo 3:50
 - Traditional
Accordion – Toninho Ferragutti
Keyboards – Bugge Wesseltoft
Percussion – Trilok Gurtu
Vocals – Gilberto Gil
6    Richie Beirach / Gregor Huebner / George Mraz–    Around Dubrawuschka 3:56
Bass – George Mraz
Piano – Richie Beirach
Violin – Gregor Huebner
Written-By – Huebner, Beirach
7    Karim Ziad / Jean-Philippe Rykiel / Bojan Z. / Linley Marthe–    Alouhid 5:10
Guitar – Nguyên Lê
Piano – Bojan Z.
Synth – Jean-Philippe Rykiel
Vocals – Karim Ziad
Written-By – Ziad, Lê, Takfarinas
8    Soriba Kouyaté / Didier Malherbe–    Diya 4:53
Arranged By – P. Gaillot
Bass – Linley Marthe
Drums – Joël Allouche
Flute – Didier Malherbe
Kora – Soriba Kouyaté
 - Traditional
9    Kudsi Erguner / Yunus Balcioglu / Nguyên Lê / Renaud Garcia-Fons–    Twins 3:43
Drums – Karim Ziad
Guitar – Nguyên Lê
Ney – Kudsi Erguner
Vocals – Yunus Balcioglu
Written-By – Erguner
10    Paolo Fresu / Elena Ledda / Antonello Salis / Furio Di Castri–    Pregadoria From Sonos 'E Memoria 3:42
Accordion – Antonello Salis
Bass – Furio Di Castri
Trumpet – Paolo Fresu
Vocals – Elena Ledda
Written-By – Ledda, Palmas, Lobina
11    Peter Erskine / Nguyên Lê / Michel Benita–    Autumn Rose 5:02
Bass – Michel Benita
Drums – Peter Erskine
Guitar – Nguyên Lê
Written-By – Erskine
12    Actronic–    Hamlet # Belleforest 2:13
Electronics – Bert Wrede
Written-By – Wrede
13    Frank Möbus / Der Rote Bereich–    Zambujeira Do Mar 1:47
Bass Clarinet – Rudi Mahal
Drums – John Schröder
Guitar – Frank Möbus
Written-By – Möbus
14    Nils Landgren Funk Unit–    Baby Let Me Kiss You 4:41
Bass Guitar – Lars Danmark Danielsson
Guitar – Henrik Janson
Vocals – Nils Landgren
Written-By – King Floyd
15    David Binney / Chris Potter / Uri Caine / Scott Colley / Brian Blade–    The Global Soul 4:11
Alto Saxophone – David Binney
Bass – Scott Colley
Drums – Brian Blade
Guitar – Adam Rogers
Piano – Uri Caine
Tenor Saxophone – Chris Potter
Written-By – Binney
16    Sidsel Endresen / Bugge Wesseltoft–    I Think It's Gonna Rain Today 4:15
Piano – Bugge Wesseltoft
Vocals – Sidsel Endresen
Written-By – Randy Newman
17    Actronic–    Frontside Backside 3:50
Electronics, Bass – Bert Wrede
Written-By – Wrede
18    Eirik Hegdal's Dingobats–    Slowhymn 4:02
Bass – Mats Eilertsen
Drums – Sverre Gjørvad
Guitar – Thomas T Dahl
Saxophone – Eirik Hegdal
Tenor Saxophone – Njål Ølnes
Written-By – Hegdal

V.A. : MAGIC MOMENTS 1 — The Ultimate ACT World Jazz Anthology Vol. IV (2000) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Soriba Kouyaté / Paolo Fresu / Linley Marthe / Joël Allouche–    Massanicissé    4:11
2    Javier Paxariño / Glen Velez–    Cortesanos    4:55
3    E.S.T.–    Dodge The Dodo    4:36
4    Nguyên Lê / Renaud Garcia-Fons / Tino Di Geraldo / Carles Benavent–    Encanto    5:41
5    Kudsi Erguner / Christof Lauer / Michel Godard / Mark Nauseef–    Sufimaj    4:00
6    Schäl Sick Brass Band–    Malka Moma    2:46
7    Bazillus (2) Featuring Eddie Harris / Jamaaladeen Tacuma–    Back To Ed-E    3:48
8    Nils Landgren Funk Unit / Fred Wesley–    Six Beauties On A Rooftop    3:55
9    Gilberto Gil–    Oslodum    4:00
10    Jens Thomas / Paolo Fresu / Antonello Salis–    The Man With The Harmonica    3:08
11    Larry Coryell / Philip Catherine / Joachim Kühn–    Deus Xango    5:27
12    The Real Group / Toots Thielemans–    Vem Kan Segla Förutan Vind    3:36
13    Michael Riessler / Elise Caron / Jean-Louis Matinier / Pierre Charial–    Itinéraires/Verticalement    4:34
14    Huong Thanh / Nguyên Lê–    Lovers On The Mountain    3:22
15    Christof Lauer / Marc Ducret / Michel Godard / Gene Jackson–    Ferma L'Ali    5:47
16    Vince Mendoza / Charlie Mariano / Dave Liebman / WDR Big Band Köln–    Pavane    4:22
17    Steve Klink–    Mountain Blues    4:27
18    Sidsel Endresen / Bugge Wesseltoft–    Epilogue    1:43

NGUYÊN LÊ — Tales from Viêt-nam (1996) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Blending Western fusion jazz with Eastern structures and dissonance, Nguyen Le constructs a compelling pastiche. Perhaps most interesting is Huong Thanh's vocal in Vietnamese. Tim Sheridan

"A captivating symbiosis of ethno-sounds and refreshing jazz dynamics" - (MAX) ACT
Tracklist :
1    The Wind Blew It Away (Qua Câu Gio Bay) 7:30
– Traditional
Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
Arranged By [Assistant] – Dominique Borker
2    The Black Horse (Ly Ngua O) 4:10
– Traditional
Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
3    Don't You Go Away My Friend (Nguoi Oi Nguoi O Dung Vê) 7:26
– Traditional
Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
Arranged By [Assistant] – Dominique Borker
4    Trông Com (The Rice Drum) 4:04
– Traditional
Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
Arranged By [Assistant] – Dominique Borker
5    Hen Ho (Promise Of A Date) 5:24
– Traditional
Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
6    The Banyan Tree Song (1. Ly Cai Da/2. The Pillow (Cai Gôi)/3. The Hill (Trèo Lên Quan Dôc) 8:19
– Traditional
Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
7    Spring Of Life (Hoai Xuân) 3:21
Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
Written-By – Tô Man Châu
8    Ting Ning 3:42
– Traditional
Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
9    Mangustao Pt. 1 4:36
Written-By, Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
Written-By, Arranged By [Assistant] – Dominique Borker
10    Mangustao Pt. 2 5:54
Written-By, Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
Written-By, Arranged By [Assistant] – Dominique Borker
Credits :
Acoustic Bass [Accoustic] – Michel Benita
Drums – Joël Allouche (tracks: 1, 2, 6, 9)
Drums, Percussion – Steve Argüelles (tracks: 2, 3, 4, 10), Trilok Gurtu (tracks: 5, 8)
Lute [Moon Lute] – Thai An (tracks: 3)
Percussion, Marimba, Piano, Keyboards – François Verly
Performer [Sapek Clappers, Dan Bau], Zither [Dan Tranh], Flute [Sao Flute] – Hao Nhien
Producer, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Tracking By [Overdubs], Programmed By – Nguyên Lê
Saxophone, Flute [African], Alto Flute, Bass Flute, Concertina – Simon S. Hansen
Tracking By [Overdubs] – Pierre Bengon-Lours, Stéphane Luginbuhl, Valérie Abrial
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Paolo Fresu
Vocals – Huong Thanh

HUONG THANH — Mangustao (2004) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Vietnamese vocalist Huong Thanh rose to fame in the new millennium as her nation's premier jazz talent. Thanh was brought up in a musical household steeped in the cai luong tradition. Mentored by her father, famed vocalist Huu Phuoc, Thanh was trained in the complex musical style blending the demands of a complex tonal language with operatic expression and storytelling. She studied formally in Saigon, beginning at age 13. By 16 Thanh had taken the stage in her first of many cai luong productions. Touring throughout Europe matured Thanh as a musician, and offered opportunities to be exposed to different musical styles. Thanh often returned to Vietnam, recording with some of the nation's most renowned talents. On one such trip she was introduced to guitarist Nguyên Lê, who introduced her to the world of jazz. Thanh joined Lê's Tales from Vietnam project, which toured Europe extensively and released highly acclaimed material exploring traditional Vietnamese music with jazz sensibilities. In 1999 Thanh applied the valuable experience she gained with Tales from Vietnam to her solo career. Moon and Wind, her debut disc, was released by the ACT label that year, to rave reviews. With each release that followed, Thanh earned a larger audience for her special brand of jazz. Following Dragonfly (2001) and Mangustao (2004), Huong Thanh's fourth disc, Fragile Beauty, was released in 2007. The album peaked at number two on World Music Charts Europe, generating Thanh's strongest sales yet. Evan C. Gutierrez
Tracklist :
1    Perfumed Flower (Hoa Thơm Bướm Lượn)    6:35
2    The Mountain And The Source (Thoả Nỗi Nhớ Mong / Sông Cầu Nước Chảy Lê Thê)    5:21
3    In The Pagoda (Vào Chùa)    6:44
4    The Blue Dome Of The Sky    6:37
5    Heave Ho ! (Hò Nện)    3:47
6    The Courting (Lý Đò Đưa)    5:13
7    Cold Winter, Faraway Land    5:54
8    South Delta Song    4:57
9    Moon Boat (Ngồi Tựa Mạn Thuyền)    5:45
10    Like A Guitar With No Strings (Hát Ru Nam Bộ)    3:36
Credits :
Acoustic Bass [Pizzicato], Arco Bass – Michel Benita
Choir – The Barbès Faith Choir
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Synthesizer, Sampler, Computer, Producer, Arranged By, Engineer, Mixed By – Nguyên Lê
Fretless Bass [Electric] – Michel Alibo
Goblet Drum [Zarb], Cajón, Daf, Udu, Tambourine [Rek], Ghatam [Gatam] – Bijan Chemirani
Oboe, English Horn – Paul McCandless
Oud – Dhafer Youssef
Percussion [West Indies Percussion Like Ti Bwa, Tambu Ka, Chacha] – Bago
Piano, Electric Piano – Dominique Borker
Singing Bowls [Tibetan Bowls], Bells [Tuned Bell], Gong [Gongs], Chimes – François Verly
Strings – The Barbès Deluxe
Trumpet – Paolo Fresu
Vibraphone, Marimba – Illya Amar
Vocals – Huong Thanh
Vocals, Guimbri, Tabla, Cymbal [Hand Cymbals] – Karim Ziad
Zither [Đàn Bầu], Flute [Sao (transverse), Tiêu (straight Bamboo Flutes)], Lute [Dan Tam (3-strings Fretless), Dan Nguyêt (moon Shaped)], Zither [16-strings Dan Tranh] – Hao Nhiên
Zither [Đàn Bầu], Zither [16-strings Dan Tranh], Lute [Dan Kim] – Duong Tam

HUONG THANH & NGUYÊN LÊ — Fragile Beauty (2007) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

For sheer melodic and timbral beauty, there are few languages that can match Vietnamese -- like most tonal languages, it sounds like it's being sung even when it's being spoken, and the effect is like a series of delicate, tuned gongs being struck quickly in sequence. The language's inherent lyricism brings an added layer of complexity and beauty to the traditional and dramatic Vietnamese song repertoire, and on this album vocalist Huong Thanh adds yet another layer to those song traditions by teaming up with guitarist, producer, and arranger Nguyên Lê. Lê's arrangements are varied in tone and texture, but almost all are both strange and wonderful, and his guitar solos are exquisite. On "Weaving & Awaiting" there's a gorgeous moment at the end of his solo when Thanh's vocals come back in, but multi-tracked in close harmony; "Plantation Song" flows gently in a jazzy style; "The Swallows' Bridge" features lovely counterpoint between a Japanese koto and a fretless electric bass, over which dances a cool and complex horn chart. Perhaps the album's most beautiful track is the final one, "Tales of the Mountain," on which funky beats bump up against a gentle arrangement, tastefully restrained guitar, and Thanh's otherworldly voice. It's one of the most softly impressive songs on an album that is full of both sweet melodic beauty and subtly dense complexity. Very highly recommended. Rick Anderson  

"Behind Thanh's warm-hearted voice, guitarist Lê lays down subtle grooves that ingeniously bring together musicians and instruments from all over the world." - STEREOPLAY ACT
Tracklist :
1    Drifting On The Water    3:48
2    Weaving & Awaiting    5:58
3    Faithfulness    3:39
4    Plantation Song    4:22
5    The Five Calls Of The Night    5:03
6    Fragile Beauty    5:12
7    Rowing The Sampan    3:17
8    The Pavillon Of Crystallized Azure    4:54
9    At Dusk, From The West Balcony    4:18
10    Go Cong Blues    3:57
11    The Swallow's Bridge    6:23
12    Tales Of The Mountain    7:18
Credits:
Acoustic Bass [Pizzicato, Arco 5-string] – Renaud Garcia-Fons
Backing Vocals – Nguyên Van-Hong
Balafon [Trung] – Illya Amar
Bass [Fretless] – Etienne Mbappé
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Synthesizer, Computer – Nguyên Lê
Koto – Mieko Miyazaki
Percussion – Alex Tran, Francis Lassus
Piano – Dominique Borker
Recorded By, Mixed By, Producer – Nguyên Lê
Soprano Saxophone, Flute [Flutes] – Stéphane Guillaume
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Paolo Fresu
Vocals – Huong Thanh
Zither [Đàn Bầu], Zither [16-strings Dàn Tranh], Flute [Sao, Meo Bamboo Flutes] – Hao Nhiên Pham

HUONG THANH — Dragonfly (2001) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Huong Thanh
Born in Vietnam, the internationally recognised singer is known for her fusion of traditional Vietnamese music with jazz and world music. She grew up in a musical family and later moved to Paris, where she collaborated with renowned guitarist Nguyên Lê to combine modern soundscapes with Vietnamese folk songs. Her albums such as ‘Dragonfly’ and ‘Fragile Beauty’ have been acclaimed worldwide and demonstrate her ability to transcend cultural boundaries. Houng Thanh has performed at numerous international festivals and is known for her emotional voice and her ability to interpret traditional music in an innovative way. She is recognised as one of the most important Vietnamese artists in the field of world music. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Ten Reasons For Loving You 7:14
Flute [Pi Thiu] – Dinh Cong Tuyên
Flute [Sao] – Hao Nhiên
Fretless Bass – Etienne Mbappé
Guitar, Synthesizer, Samples – Nguyên Lê
Shaker, Tabla – François Verly
Zither, Lute – Duong Tam
2    Bakida 4:43
Bass [Pizz], Arco Bass [5-string Acoustic] – Renaud Garcia-Fons
Guitar – Nguyên Lê
Zither [Đàn Bầu] – Duong Tam
3    Dragonfly 4:09
Cajón – Tino Di Geraldo
Guitar [Electroacoustic] – Nguyên Lê
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Fretless Bass, Shaker, Bongos, Darbouka – Richard Bona
Zither – Duong Tam
Zither, Chimes – François Verly
4    What The Bird Says 5:42
Bass – Etienne Mbappé
Bells, Chimes – François Verly
Fiddle – Duong Tam
Frame Drum – Tino Di Geraldo
Guitar, Synthesizer, Samples – Nguyên Lê
5    Two Sisters 5:04
Cello – Sophie Lechelle
Ensemble – The Barbès Deluxe Strings
Fretless Bass – Etienne Mbappé
Lute, Fiddle – Duong Tam
Lute, Zither – Hao Nhiên
Percussion – François Verly
Synthesizer, Samples – Nguyên Lê
Trumpet – Paolo Fresu
Viola – Martin Rodriguez
Violin – Raphaëlle Pacault
6    The Betel Tray 5:25
Bass [Pizz], Arco Bass [5-string Acoustic ] – Renaud Garcia-Fons
Bells, Gong, Singing Bowls [Tibet Bowls] – François Verly
Guitar, Mandolin, Synthesizer – Nguyên Lê
Zither [Đàn Bầu] – Duong Tam
7    Graceful Bamboo 6:59
Bass – Etienne Mbappé
Frame Drum – Tino Di Geraldo
Guitar, Synthesizer, Samples – Nguyên Lê
Lute – Hao Nhiên
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Paolo Fresu
8    Crossing The Valley 5:16
Backing Vocals – Richard Bona
Bass – Etienne Mbappé
Flute [Sao], Zither, Other [Cliquettes & Sapèques] – Hao Nhiên
Guitar, Synthesizer, Samples – Nguyên Lê
Zither [Solo] – Duong Tam
9    Drums In The Night 6:20
Bells – François Verly
Guitar, Synthesizer, Samples – Nguyên Lê
Lute, Guitar [Cai Luong], Percussion [Song Lan Woodblock], Zither [Đàn Bầu] – Duong Tam
10    Scent Of My Childhood 4:28
Cello – Sophie Lechelle
Ensemble – The Barbès Deluxe Strings
Guitar [Nylon] – Nguyên Lê
Piano – Dominique Borker
Viola – Martin Rodriguez
Violin – Raphaëlle Pacault