Cæcilie Norby & Lars Danielsson — Just The Two Of Us (2015) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 The magic of intimacy: The dream couple of jazz in an intimate duet: "A virtuoso acoustic album" (Spiegel Online) and a "small, sparkling, musical gem" (Deutschlandradio). ACT
Tracklist :
1    Both Sides Now 5:32
Written-By – Joni Mitchell
2    Double Dance 4:57
Written-By – Cæcilie Norby, Lars Danielsson
3    Liberetto Cantabile 4:27
Written-By – Cæcilie Norby, Lars Danielsson
4    Sad Sunday 4:45
Written-By – Cæcilie Norby
5    Cherry Tree 3:37
Written-By – Cæcilie Norby, Lars Danielsson
6    And It's Supposed To Be Love 4:28
Written-By – Abbey Lincoln
7    Wild Juju Child 3:09
Written-By – Cæcilie Norby, Lars Danielsson
8    Toccata 3:28
Written-By – Cæcilie Norby, Lars Danielsson
9    Wondrous Story 3:07
Translated By – John Irons
Written-By – Carl Nielsen, Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig
10    Wholly Earth 2:47
Written-By – Abbey Lincoln
11    Sarabande 2:29
Written-By – Lars Danielsson
12    Ghost Lullabye 3:10
Written-By – Cæcilie Norby
13    Hallelujah 5:03
Written-By – Leonard Cohen
Credits :
Bass, Cello, Guitar – Lars Danielsson
Kalimba [Sansula] – Cæcilie Norby (tracks: 9)
Marimba – Lars Danielsson (tracks: 6)
Percussion – Lars Danielsson (tracks: 7)
Udu – Cæcilie Norby (tracks: 10)
Vocals, Percussion – Cæcilie Norby

LARS DANIELSSON — Libera Me (2004) SACD, Hybrid | APE (image+.cue), lossless

This intriguing set features the compositions and bass playing of Lars Danielsson. The music is beautifully recorded, often sparse (à la ECM) and thoughtful. The instrumentation varies from track-to-track even if the mood tends to stay quiet and reflective. Soprano-saxophonist David Liebman is featured on "Libera Me," singer Caecilie Norby has a guest pop vocal on "Newborne Broken," and the Danish Radio Concert Orchestra is heard with their huge string section on a few numbers, sometimes sounding a little sleepy. Other than a few spots for Nils Petter Molvaer's introspective trumpet, most of the other solos are by bassist Danielsson. This melodic set works well as both background music and for close listening although it develops slowly. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Asta    5:38
Written-By – Lars Danielsson
2    Suffering    6:39
Written-By – Lars Danielsson
3    The Teacher    2:49
Written-By – Lars Danielsson
4    Newborn Broken    5:35
Lyrics By – Cæcilie Norby
Music By – Lars Danielsson
Voice – Cæcilie Norby
5    Libera Me    7:19
Arranged By – Lars Danielsson
Written-By – Gabriel Fauré
6    Shimmering    6:01
Written-By – Lars Danielsson
7    Granada    6:29
Written-By – Lars Danielsson
8    Both Sides Now    3:15
Written-By – Joni Mitchell
9    Forever You    4:03
Written-By – Lars Danielsson
10    Bird Through The Wall    2:13
Written-By – Lars Danielsson
11    Cornelia    6:48
Written-By – Lars Danielsson
– BONUS TRACK –
12    Asnah    7:22
Cello, Sampler – Lars Danielsson
Drums – Jon Christensen
Orchestra – DR Danish Radio Concert Orchestra
Percussion – Xavier Desandre Navarre
Sampler – Jan Bang
Trumpet – Nils Petter Molvær
Voice – Cæcilie Norby
Credits :
Acoustic Bass, Cello, Piano, Producer – Lars Danielsson (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 5)
Conductor – Frans Rasmussen
Cymbal [Cymbals] – Anders Kjellberg (tracks: 2, 4)
Drums – Jon Christensen (tracks: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8 to 10)
Guitar – Carsten Dahl (tracks: 2, 9), Lars Danielsson (tracks: 4)
Orchestra – DR Danish Radio Concert Orchestra
Percussion – Jon Christensen (tracks: 6, 10), Xavier Desandre Navarre (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 5)
Piano – Tobias Sjögren (tracks: 4)
Sampler [Samples] – Jan Bang (tracks: 6)
Saxophone [Soprano] – David Liebman (tracks: 5)
Trumpet – Nils Petter Molvær (tracks: 1, 6, 10)
Vocals – Cæcilie Norby (tracks: 4)

WOLFGANG HAFFNER – Shapes (2005) Serie ACT : Nu Jazz | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

 "The almost meditative instrumental music between jazz and lounge is addictive" (STERN)
Tracklist :
1    Faithless    7:23
2    Shapes    5:20
3    Crusin    4:59
4    New Life    3:36
5    Desire    4:23
6    Blue Bar    4:31
7    Ning    4:32
8    Space Calzone    8:35
9    Some Other Time    4:36
10    24 Hours    3:36
11    Tomorrow Never Knows    4:47
12    Silent Way    4:39
Credits :
Wolfgang Haffner – Drums, Keyboards, Programming
Nils Landgren – Trombone
Sebastian Studnitzky – Trumpet, Piano, Keyboards
Frank Kuruc – Acoustic & Electric Guitar
Lars Danielsson – Acoustic & Electric Bass, Cello

LARRY CORYELL & PHILIP CATHERINE JAZZ AT BERLIN PHILHARMONIC XI — The Last Call (2021) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The two guitar icons Larry Coryell and Philipp Catherine share a long history and, despite their different musical backgrounds on both sides of the Atlantic, a close musical kinship. Recorded on January 27, 2017, as part of the "Jazz at Berlin Philharmonic" series, "The Last Call" is the final recording of Larry Coryell, who passed away four weeks later on February 19, 2017. It serves as an echo of a very special relationship between two highly accomplished guitarists, filled with creative compatibility, enthusiasm, and deep mutual understanding. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Larry Coryell and Philip Catherine–    Miss Julie 7:14
Written-By – Larry Coryell
2    Larry Coryell and Philip Catherine–    Homecomings 6:58
Written-By – Philip Catherine
3    Larry Coryell and Philip Catherine–    Manhã De Carnaval (From Orfeu Negro) 7:07
Written-By – Antônio Maria, Luiz Bonfá
4    Larry Coryell and Philip Catherine–    Jemin-Eye'n 5:28
Written-By – Larry Coryell
5    Philip Catherine and Jan Lundgren–    Embraceable You 4:54
Written-By – George Gershwin
6    Larry Coryell and Lars Danielsson–    Bags' Groove 6:43
Written-By – Milt Jackson
7    Larry Coryell, Philip Catherine, Lars Danielsson, Jan Lundgren and Paolo Fresu–    Green Dolphin Street 9:31
Written-By – Oscar Peterson
Credits :
Artwork [Cover Art Based And Inspired By A Work Of] – Alain Biltereyst

ARVE HENRIKSEN - Cartography (2010) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

A shifting cast of characters, with live sampling man and album co-producer Jan Bang at the centre, provides a series of soundscapes, an ambient-experimental map of moods, for the uniquely liquid, singing trumpet lines of Arve Henriksen to scale and explore. Some tracks are recorded live in concert, others are studio creations. Singer David Sylvian reads his own poetry on two cuts. ecm
Tracklist :
1    Poverty And Its Opposite 5'36
(Arve Henriksen, Audun Kleive, Jan Bang)
2    Before And Afterlife 6'42
(Jan Bang, David Sylvian, Arve Henriksen)
3    Migration 5'41
(Arve Henriksen, Jan Bang)
4    From Birth 2'44
(Jan Bang, Arve Henriksen, Audun Kleive)
5    Ouija 2'40
(Arve Henriksen, Erik Honoré, Jan Bang)
6    Recording Angel 6'23
(Jan Bang, Arve Henriksen)
7    Assembly 3'55
(Arve Henriksen, Erik Honoré, Jan Bang)
8    Loved One 4'04
(Arve Henriksen, Jan Bang)
9    The Unremarkable Child 2'04
(Arve Henriksen, Jan Bang)
10    Famine's Ghost: Part One - Part Two 4'28
(Arve Henriksen, Ståle Storløkken, Jan Bang, Erik Honoré, Audun Kleive)
11    Thermal 2'27
(Audun Kleive, Jan Bang, Arve Henriksen)
12    Sorrow And Its Opposite 4'29
(Asbjørn Arntsen)
Credits :
Arve Henriksen - Trumpet, Voice, Field Recording
David Sylvian - Voice, Samples, Programming
Jan Bang - Live Sampling, Samples, Programming, Beats, Bass Line, Dictaphone, Organ Samples, Arrangement
Eivind Aarset - Guitars
Lars Danielsson - Double-Bass
Anna Maria Friman - Voice
Audun Kleive - Percussion, Drums
Erik Honoré - Synthesizer, Samples, Field Recording, Choir Samples
Helge Sunde - String Arrangement, Programming
Arnaud Mercier - Treatments
Trio Mediaeval - Voice Sample
Vérène Andronikof - Vocals
Vytas Sondeckis - Vocal Arrangement
Ståle Storløkken - Synthesizer, Samples    

TRILOK GURTU — The Glimpse (1996) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Easily the best album to date by talented jazz/world music percussionist Trilok Gurtu, The Glimpse is a brilliant blend of musical styles paying tribute to the Indian drummer's dearly departed friend, jazz legend Don Cherry. Like Cherry, Gurtu's multicultural influences are often central to his compositions, and with guest musicians like Morocco's Jaya Deva (a member of Cherry's band), India's Geetha Ramanathan Bennett, and Bulgaria's Teodosii Spassov, this is his most ethnically diverse album to date. Nearly every track here is a standout, from the Moroccan groove of "Cherry Town" and the dazzling spoken percussion of "1-2 Beaucoup" to the melancholy balladry of Ornette Coleman's "Law Years." A must-have for fans of world-jazz fusion. Bret Love
Tracklist :
1. Cherry Town 5'16
Trilok Gurtu
2. 1-2 Beaucoup 5'45
Trilok Gurtu
3. Law Years 7'53
Ornette Coleman
4. A Ilha Do Caju 6'34
Nando Carneiro
5. Future Heat 10'52
Trilok Gurtu
6. Glimpse 6'49
Trilok Gurtu
7. Don 9'38
Trilok Gurtu
Credits :
Trilok Gurtu - Vocals, Drums, Tabla, Percussion
Jaya Deva - Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Gnaoua, Qaraqaba
Geetha Bennett - Vocals
Paolo Fresu - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Lars Danielson - Cello, Bass
Andy Emler - Piano, Harmonium
Nando Carneiro - Guitar
Teodosii Spassov - Kaval

V.A. — Hendrix in the Spirit of Jazz (2017) FLAC (tracks), lossless

„When I die, I want people to play my music, go wild and freak out and do anything they want to do.“

Jimi Hendrix’s wish has been posthumously fulfilled. Although he had such misfortune in life, and died in 1970 at a mere 27 years of age, his immortal music has continued to be played ever since his death - very much in the spirit of that quote. Countless musicians in rock, pop and jazz have been influenced by Hendrix, and many have overtly based their own music on his. Among the ACT family of artists, several have been inspired by his music, and have found their own individual ways to play it. In November of this year this icon of the 1968 protest movement, this pioneer of rock would have been 75. A good reason, then, for ACT musicians to gather together for a retrospective called “Hendrix in the Spirit of Jazz”, to let the unique spirit of this genius of the electric guitar soar again.

Pride of place here goes to Nguyên Lê. 25 years ago, he was the first artist to have an exclusive contract with ACT, in its first year of existence. As a self-taught guitarist, the Vietnamese-French musician is stylistically close to Hendrix, and the American has discernably influenced Lê’s instantly recognizable world music, which innovatively blends elements from Europe, Asia and America. Indeed, one of Lê’s very greatest successes was the 2002 CD “Purple – Celebrating Jimi Hendrix”. His versions of “1983…(A Merman I Should Turn To Be)” and “If 6 Was 9” form the centre of “Hendrix in the Spirit of Jazz”.

Lê is immaculate in the way he lives up to the challenge of the title, taking all the freedom and danger of Hendrix’s rock music, and using the subtle craft of the jazz improviser to enhance it. Alongside Lê, Terri Lyne Carrington is a pivotal figure in this recording. Hendrix's themes are sometimes furiously rocky, sometimes soulful or atmospherically dream-like, and she not only propels them from the drums, she uses her voice to express his lyrics, which she also expands with thoughts of her own.

And the other ACT stars on this album demonstrate what a kaleidoscope of colours, a diversity of styles and and lively cosmos Hendrix's pieces can become: whether it is Bugge Wesseltoft transforming “Angel” into a tender solo piano ballad, or his Finnish pianist colleague Iiro Rantala in a trio with Lars Danielsson on bass and Peter Erskine on drums on “Little Wing”. Or it can be the unique Youn Sun Nah’s “Drifting”, intoning an irresistible call of longing, or her soulful Swedish sister-in-jazz Ida Sand, wonderfully expressive in “Manic Depression”. From the NDR Bigband rocking out on “Voodoo Chile” to the ACT Family Band - Cæcilie Norby, Céline Bonacina, Wolfgang Haffner, Lars Danielsson with Nguyên Lê again – performing the most famous Hendrix anthem “Purple Haze” in front of an ecstatic audience celebrating the 20th birthday of ACT.

“Hendrix in the Spirit of Jazz” is an anthology which shows that Hendrix’s music is as alive as it ever was – maybe even more so. And what it does -musically at least - is to encourage listeners to ‘go wild and freak out and do anything they want to do’. ACT
Sources
1 Angel 5:21
Album: Everybody Loves Angels (ACT 9847-2)
Musicians: Bugge Wesseltoft - piano

2 Little Wing 4:52
Album: How Long Is Now (ACT 9823-2)
Musicians: iiro Rantala - piano / Lars Danielsson - bass / Peter Erskine - drums

3 Are You Experienced 7:29
Album: Polska (ACT 9557-2)
Musicians: Leszek Mozdzer - piano & celesta / Lars Danielsson - bass / Zohar Fresco - percussion / Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra conducted by Marcin Natecz Niesiotowsky / Ewelina Serafin - flute solo

4 Drifting 4:35
Album: She Moves On (ACT9037-2)
Musicians: Youn Sun Nah - vocals/ Marc Ribot - guitar / Jamie Saft - keys / Brad Jones - bass / Dan Rieser - drums

5 1983 ... (A Merman I Should Turn To Be) 6:02
Album: Purple - Celebrating Jimi Hendrix (ACT 9410-2)
Musicians: Nguyên Lê - guitars & guitar synth / Terri Lyne Carrington - drums & vocals / Michel Alibo - bass / Bojan Z - piano

6 If 6 Was 9 4:02
Album: Purple - Celebrating Jimi Hendrix (ACT 9410-2)
Musicians: Nguyên Lê - guitars / Terri Lyne Carrington - drums & vocals / Bojan Z - fender Rhodes / Aida Khann - spoken words / Michel Alibo - bass

7 Manic Depression 3:25
Album: True Love (ACT 9481-2)
Musicians: Ida Sand - vocals & Wurlitzer / Magnus Lindgren - bass clarinet / Ola Gustafsson - guitars / Peter Forss - bass / Per Lindvall - drums

8 Little Wing 3:51
Album: Million Waves (ACT 9221-2)
Musicians: Nguyên Lê - guitar / Dieter Ilg - bass / Danny Gottlieb - drums

9 Voodoo Chile 5:15
Album: Bravissimo - 50 Years NDR Bigband (ACT 9232-2)
Musicians: NDR Bigband conducted by Rob Pronk / Howard Johnson - tuba & arranger / Stephan Diez - guitar

10 Purple Haze 14:04
Album: The ACT20 Jubilee Concert (ACT 6015-2)
Musicians: ACT Family Band: Cæcilie Norby- vocals / Nguyên Lê - guitar / Celine Bonacina -baritone sax / Lars Danielsson - bass / Wolfgang Haffner - drums

Music composed by Jimi Hendrix
Compiled by Marco Ostrowsky
Mastered by Klaus Scheuermann
Cover art design: Siggi Loch 

ULF WAKENIUS — Notes from the Heart : Music of Keith Jarrett (2006) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

In spite of the success of pianist Keith Jarrett over his long career, his compositions generally have not been explored very frequently by other jazz musicians. Guitarist Ulf Wakenius, recognized for his work as a leader and being a member of the Oscar Peterson Quartet, explores 14 of Jarrett's works, playing acoustic guitar and occasionally overdubbing a rhythm line. He's accompanied by Lars Danielsson (who plays bass, cello, and piano) and drummer Morten Lund. The relaxing ballad "Memories of Tomorrow" is a gentle bossa nova that translates very well into a guitar-driven vehicle. "The Windup" is a playful calypso with a touch of funkiness, while Danielsson's spacious piano provides the perfect complement to Wakenius in the duo performance of the bittersweet ballad "Mon Coeur Est Rouge." Lund's drumming is consistently attentive and never overdone. For jazz fans who have never embraced Keith Jarrett's music, this brilliant tribute to his compositions may open their ears to appreciate his lyrical, often striking style of writing. Ken Dryden

Tracklist :

1 Memories Of Tomorrow 5:36

2 Dancing 5:14

3 Innocence 4:33

4 The Windup 4:19

5 My Song 4:14

6 Mon Coeur Est Rouge 3:43

7 Everything That Lives Laments 4:59

8 The Cure 4:58

9 So Tender 7:42

10 U-Dance 5:10

11 Prayer 4:05

Credits:

Acoustic Guitar [Acoustic Guitars], Liner Notes – Ulf Wakenius

Composed By – Keith Jarrett

Double Bass, Cello, Piano – Lars Danielsson 

Drums – Morten Lund

YOUN SUN NAH — Lento (2013) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

STAVROS LANTSIAS — Diary of Dreams (2011) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Tracklist :
1     An Other Life (Mia Alli Zoi) (Dedicated to Ennio Morricone) 8'24
Stavros Lantsias
2     Midnight Walk (Nihterinos Peripatos) 5'48
Stavros Lantsias
3     Restless (Anisihia) 3'54
Stavros Lantsias
4     Alone 5'12
Stavros Lantsias
5     Intro to the River of Time by Lars Danielsson 0'49
Stavros Lantsias
6     The River of Time (To Potami Tou Hronou) 4'11
Stavros Lantsias
7     Unknown Land (Agnosti Hora) 3'37
Stavros Lantsias
8     Dance with the Wind (Horos Me Ton Anemo) 4'41
Stavros Lantsias
9     In This Boat (Mes' Aftin Ti Varka) 3'24
Manos Hadjidakis
10     Topkapi 4'03
Manos Hadjidakis
11     Growing Apart 5'03
Stavros Lantsias
12     Intro to Beyond by Peter Erskine 1'24
Stavros Lantsias
13     Beyond (Pera) 7'28
Stavros Lantsias
14     Walking (Dedicated to Peter Erskine) 4'27
Stavros Lantsias
Credits :
Bass – Lars Danielsson
Cello – Renato Ripo (pistas: 1,6,8)
Drums – Peter Erskine
Lyre – Yiorgos Kaloudis (pistas: 7)
Oboe, English Horn, Clarinet, Alto Flute, Flute – Chris Bleth (pistas: 1,2,3,6,7)
Orchestra – Athens Camerata (pistas: 1,2,3,6,7,8, 13)
Piano – Stavros Lantsias
Soprano Saxophone – Dimitris Houndis (pistas: 8,13)
Violin – Sergiu Nastasa (pistas: 7)