NGUYÊN LÊ — 3 Three Trios (1997) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Nguyên Lê is a fusion guitarist who has versatility, leaves space, and does not mind caressing a melody now and then. On 3 Trios, he is heard with three different trios, all of which are impressive and engage in close interplay with the leader. Scott Yanow
"Three trios - and each of them sounds diverse, as if the virtuosity of three guitarists is at play." - ROLLING STONE ACT
Tracklist :
Three Trios    (9:43)
1    Silk    3:24
2    Silver    2:29
3    Sand    3:50
4    Dance Of The Comet    6:02
5    Foow    7:50
6    Kinderhund    3:31
7    Woof    6:56
8    Idoma    5:27
9    La Parfum    5:39
10    Blue Monkey    6:09
11    Straight No Chaser    3:35
Credits :
Nguyên Lê - El. & Electroacoustic Guitars, Guitar-Synth and E-bow
Marc Johnson - Acoustic Bass
Peter Erskine - Drums
Dieter Ilg - Acoustic Bass
Danny Gottlieb - Drums
Renaud Garcia-Fons - Acoustic Bass

CÉLINE BONACINA TRIO inviting HIMIKO PAGANOTTI | PASCAL SCHUMACHER | MINO CINELU — Open Heart (2013) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

World jazz excursions on the baritone saxophone with heart and open ears. Virtuoso and with long breath for growling low notes, Céline Bonacina "simply blows her listeners away" (Jazzthing). ACT
Tracklist :
1    Souffle D'un Songe    1:42
Composed By – Céline Bonacina
2    Circle Dance    4:34
Composed By – Céline Bonacina
3    Wild World    5:01
Composed By – Céline Bonacina
4    Bayrum    4:09
Composed By – Céline Bonacina
5    So Close So Far 6:30
Composed By – C. Bonacina
Vocals, Composed By – H. Paganotti
6    Watch Your Step 4:44
Composed By – K. Reveyrand
7    Out Of Everywhere    5:04
Composed By – Céline Bonacina
8    Pierrot 3:30
Composed By – K. Reveyrand
9    Desert    6:05
Composed By – Céline Bonacina
10    Open Heart    3:10
Composed By – Céline Bonacina
11    Snap The Slap    2:47
Composed By – Céline Bonacina
12    Lonely Dancer 5:00
Composed By – Céline Bonacina
Bass – Lars Danielsson
Composed By – M. Wollny
Piano – Michael Wollny
Credits :
Artwork [Cover Art] – Mimmo Paladino
Baritone Saxophone – Céline Bonacina
Drums – Hary Ratsimbazafy (tracks: 1 to 7, 9, 10)
Electric Bass – Kevin Reveyrand (tracks: 2 to 10)
Glockenspiel – Pascal Schumacher (tracks: 1)
Percussion [Special Guest] – Mino Cinelu (tracks: 3, 9)
Producer, Mixed By – Nguyên Lê
Vibraphone [Guest], Glockenspiel [Guest] – Pascal Schumacher (tracks: 4, 5, 7)
Vocals – Himiko Paganotti (tracks: 2, 4, 5, 9, 11)

CASSANDRA WILSON — Traveling Miles (1999) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

A tribute album by Cassandra Wilson to Miles Davis seems like a very logical idea, but this CD is actually less than one would expect. Wilson's deep voice gives a downbeat feel to the music, her lyrics for such Davis-associated songs as "Miles Runs the Voodoo Down," "Seven Steps to Heaven," "ESP," "Tutu," and "Blue in Green" are forgettable, and her interpretations smooth down most of the melodies, robbing them of their personality. Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" and "Someday My Prince Will Come" fare better, but most of the set (which includes three unrelated originals) is as boring as Cassandra Wilson's voice. Despite the presence of some notable all-stars (including Steve Coleman, Stefon Harris, Regina Carter, and Pat Metheny), this is a misfire. Scott Yanow

Tracklist :

1. Run the Voodoo Down – 4:36 

(Miles Davis, Cassandra Wilson) 

2. Traveling Miles – 4:52

(Wilson) 

3. Right Here Right Now – 5:57

(Marvin Sewell, Wilson)

4. Time After Time – 4:08

(Rob Hyman, Cyndi Lauper)

5. When The Sun Goes Down – 6:05

(Wilson)

6. Seven Steps" – 6:44

(Victor Feldman, Davis) 

7. Someday My Prince Will Come – 3:53

(Frank Churchill, Larry Morey) 

8. Never Broken – 5:13

 (Wayne Shorter, Wilson)

9. Resurrection Blues (Tutu) – 6:11 

(Marcus Miller, Wilson) 

10. Sky & Sea (Blue in Green) – 5:24 

 (Davis, Wilson) 

11. Piper – 5:03

 (Wilson) 

12. Voodoo Reprise – 4:15.

(Davis, Wilson, Angelique Kidjo)

Credits :

Cassandra Wilson – vocals, acoustic guitar

Doug Wamble – acoustic guitar

Eric Lewis – piano

Jeffrey Haynes, Kevin Breit – acoustic, electric, resophonic & e-bow guitars, electric mandolin, mandocello, bazouki

Lonnie Plaxico – acoustic bass

Marcus Baylor – drums, percussion

Marvin Sewell – acoustic, classical & electric guitars, bazouki

Mino Cinelu – percussion

Perry Wilson – drums

Vincent Henry – harmonica

Dave Holland – bass

Olu Dara – cornet

Steve Coleman – alto sax

Pat Metheny – classical guitar

Angelique Kidjo – vocals

Regina Carter – violin

Stefon Harris – vibraphone 

JACKY TERRASSON — What It Is (1999) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This set is a bit of a departure for pianist Jacky Terrasson who has generally been heard in acoustic trio formats. Terrasson utilizes a variety of other musicians in larger ensembles for mostly original works (other than Ravel's "Bolero"). Among his sidemen are tenor-saxophonist Michael Brecker (who gets off a couple intense solos), flutist Jay Collins, Mino Cinelu on percussion and guitarist Adam Rodgers, among others; Xiomara Laugarts sings on "Better World," and on a few numbers, Terrasson plays a bit of electric piano. Overall, this set is open to the influences of world music and more funk-oriented jazz, yet Jacky Terrasson still sounds quite creative, explorative and individual. An intriguing program. Scott Yanow    Tracklist & Credits :

GIL EVANS & THE MONDAY NIGHT ORCHESTRA — Live at Sweet Basil (1985-1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Gil Evans ran into his share of would-be defenders of his "tradition" when he began experimenting with rock songs and electronic instruments in the '70s and '80s. One of jazz's greatest arrangers was suddenly viewed as a charlatan in certain circles, and a band loaded with great players was now being dismissed as a crew of frauds. This second volume of songs done live during the band's long run as Sweet Basil's regular Monday night attraction proves decisively that neither Evans nor his band lost anything. The versions of Shorter's "Parabola" and Hancock's "Prince of Darkness" are multi-faceted and compare favorably with almost anything done by any previous Evans aggregation. It may not have been "cool," but it was most assuredly great jazz. Ron Wynn    Tracklist & Credits :

MILES DAVIS - We Want Miles (1982-2014) Jazz Collection 1000 – 2CD / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Davis's second recording since ending his six-year retirement was one of his best of the 1980s. Unlike his bands from the 1970s, this particular unit leaves plenty of space and plays much more melodically. Guitarist Mike Stern lets loose some fury, but electric bassist Marcus Miller is not reluctant to walk now and then in a straight-ahead fashion, drummer Al Foster and percussionist Mino Cinelu are tasteful, and Bill Evans gets in a few good spots on soprano. As for Davis, he was gradually regaining his earlier form. This double LP is highlighted by "Back Seat Betty," a side-long investigation of "My Man's Gone Now" and two versions of Davis's childlike "Jean Pierre." by Scott Yanow
Tracklist 1 :
1 - Jean Pierre 10:43
2 - Back Seat Betty 8:17
3 - Fast Track 15:19
4 - Jean Pierre 4:01
- Bonus Track -
5 - Ursula 2:08
6 - Aida 12:19
Tracklist 2 :
1 - My Man's Gone Now 20:17
2 - Kix 18:46
- Bonus Track -
3 - Fat Time 13:07
Credits:
Miles Davis (trumpet and keyboards)
Bill Evans (tenor, soprano saxophone)
Mike Stern (electric guitar)
Marcus Miller (electric bass)
Al Foster (drums)
Mino Cinelu (percussion)

MILES DAVIS - Star People (1983-2001) RM / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

On this 1983 release, Miles Davis rediscovers the blues. He really stretches out on "Star People," making dramatic use of silence and placing each note carefully. "Come Get It" is also memorable although "U 'n' I" (which had the potential to catch on) is only heard in a truncated version. In general Davis is in fine form on this set and, although saxophonist Bill Evans is barely heard from (many of his solos were edited out), the contrasting guitars of Mike Stern and John Scofield hold one's interest. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 Come Get It 11:01
2 It Gets Better 10:06
3 Speak 8:26
4 Star People 18:43
5 U 'n' I 5:53
6 Star On Cicely 4:26
Credits:
Composed By – Miles Davis
Drums – Al Foster
Electric Bass – Marcus Miller, Tom Barney
Electric Guitar – John Scofield, Mike Stern
Percussion – Mino Cinelu
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Bill Evans
Trumpet, Keyboards – Miles Davis

MILES DAVIS - Decoy (1984) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 This rather streaky set of music features Miles Davis with keyboardist Robert Irving III (who has since slipped into obscurity) and guitarist John Scofield contributing most of the compositions and the other solos. There are some moments of interest (Branford Marsalis is heard on some cuts on soprano), but it is doubtful if anyone will be reviving "Robot 415," "Freaky Deaky," or "Code M.D." anytime soon. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:

1 Decoy 8:33

Arranged By – Robert Irving III
Drums – Al Foster
Electric Bass – Darryl "The Munch" Jones
Percussion – Mino Cinelu
Soprano Saxophone – Branford Marsalis
Synthesizer, Programmed By [Electric Drum Programming] – Robert Irving III
Trumpet – Miles Davis
Written-By – R. Irving III
2 Robot 415 0:59
Arranged By – Miles Davis, Robert Irving III
Percussion – Mino Cinelu
Synthesizer, Bass [Synthesizer Bass], Programmed By [Electric Drum Programming] – Robert Irving III
Trumpet, Synthesizer – Miles Davis
Written-By – M. Davis, R. Irving III
3 Code M.D. 5:56
Arranged By – Robert Irving III
Drums – Al Foster
Electric Bass – Darryl "The Munch" Jones
Guitar – John Scofield
Percussion – Mino Cinelu
Soprano Saxophone – Branford Marsalis
Synthesizer, Programmed By [Electric Drum Programming] – Robert Irving III
Trumpet – Miles Davis
Written-By – R. Irving III
4 Freaky Deaky 4:30
Arranged By – Miles Davis
Drums – Al Foster
Electric Bass – Darryl "The Munch" Jones
Percussion – Mino Cinelu
Synthesizer – Miles Davis
Written-By – M. Davis
5 What It Is 4:32
Arranged By – Miles Davis
Drums – Al Foster
Electric Bass – Darryl "The Munch" Jones
Guitar – John Scofield
Percussion – Mino Cinelu
Soprano Saxophone – Bill Evans 
Trumpet, Synthesizer – Miles Davis
Written-By – J. Scofield, M. Davis
6 That's Right 11:11
Arranged By – Gil Evans, Miles Davis
Drums – Al Foster
Electric Bass – Darryl "The Munch" Jones
Guitar – John Scofield
Percussion – Mino Cinelu
Soprano Saxophone – Branford Marsalis
Synthesizer – Robert Irving III
Trumpet, Synthesizer – Miles Davis
Written-By – J. Scofield, M. Davis
7 That's What Happened 3:31
Arranged By – Miles Davis
Drums – Al Foster
Electric Bass – Darryl "The Munch" Jones
Guitar – John Scofield
Percussion – Mino Cinelu
Soprano Saxophone – Bill Evans 
Trumpet, Synthesizer – Miles Davis
Written-By – J. Scofield, M. Davis
 

GONG - Gazeuse! (1976-2015) Mini LP SHM-CD Universal Japan / RM / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Gazeuse! was the first in a successful line of strictly jazz-rock sessions for percussionist Pierre Moerlen and company -- compositions that stressed jazz more than rock and which generally strayed away from lyrical content. This 1976 recording, also released under the title Expresso, was the band's first completely instrumental album, a companion piece to the later, somewhat warmer Expresso II, which is quite similar in sound and structure. To say Gazeuse! is percussive is an understatement. Drummer Moerlen is accompanied by brother Benoit and Mireille Bauer on vibraphones with Mino Cinelu playing other assorted percussion. "Percolations" is a showcase for this foursome: Part one, a display of beautiful vibes and xylophones; part two, a technically superb drum solo. Pierre's playing is fierce in this second part, exhibited by some truly volatile drumming near the close. Allan Holdsworth is the sole guitarist on the album and contributes two of his own compositions. His "Night Illusion" is a standout and reminiscent of Bill Bruford's Feels Good to Me on which Holdsworth collaborated around the same time. Longtime Gong member Didier Malherbe adds spice to the proceedings with jazzy flute on "Shadows Of" and prominent sax on the slightly funky "Esnuria." by David Ross Smith  
Tracklist:
1 Expresso 5:58
Written By, Drums – Pierre Moerlen
2 Night Illusion 3:42
Written By, Electric Guitar – Allan Holdsworth
3 Percolations 10:02
Written By, Drums – Pierre Moerlen
4 Shadows Of 7:48
Written By, Electric Guitar – Allan Holdsworth
5 Esnuria 8:02
Written By, Drums – Pierre Moerlen
6 Mireille 4:13
Written By, Bass Guitar – Francis Moze
Credits:
Bass, Piano, Gong – Francis Moze
Congas, Percussion – Mino Cinelu
Drums, Vibraphone, Marimba, Glockenspiel – Pierre Moerlen
Guitar – Allan Holdsworth
Saxophone, Flute – Didier Malherbe
Vibraphone – Benoit Moerlen
Vibraphone, Marimba, Glockenspiel – Mireille Bauer

PHILIPPE SAISSE - Masques (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist:

1 Me & The Boyz 4:31

Alto Saxophone – Andy Snitzer

Baritone Saxophone – Roger Rosenberg

Bass [Upright] – Chris Minh Doky

Drums – Poogie Bell

Electric Piano, Synthesizer – Philippe Saisse

Flugelhorn, Trumpet – Chris Botti, Tony Kadleck

Trombone – Michael Davis

2 Masques 4:57

Fretless Bass – Pino Palladino

Piano, Synthesizer – Philippe Saisse

3 Madison Rose 5:14

Bass [Upright] – Chris Minh Doky

Drums – Poogie Bell

Percussion – Mino Cinelu

Piano, Synthesizer, Vocals – Philippe Saisse

4 Feelin' Kinda Sexy 4:36

Bass [Upright] – James Genus

Piano, Keyboards – Philippe Saisse

Trumpet – Chris Botti

Vocals – Yvette Cason

5 Proko-Groove 6:47

Guitar – Nick Moroch

Piano, Synthesizer – Philippe Saisse

Soprano Saxophone – Kenny Garrett

6 Secret Garden 1:10

Piano – Philippe Saisse

7 Wolverine 5:26

Alto Saxophone – Andy Snitzer

Electric Guitar – Nick Moroch

Synthesizer – Philippe Saisse

8 Maurice & Igor 5:42

Flute [Alto] – Roger Rosenberg

Fretless Bass – Marcus Miller

Piano, Synthesizer, Drums, Drum Programming – Philippe Saisse

Soprano Saxophone – Kenny Garrett

Trombone – Michael Davis

9 Prelude 6:15

Fretless Bass – Victor Bailey

Piano, Synthesizer, Drum Programming, Sampler [Sampled Vocals] – Philippe Saisse

Soprano Saxophone – Bill Evans 

Trombone – Michael Davis

Trumpet – Chris Botti

10 Images 6:10

Acoustic Guitar – Jonathan Butler

Bass [Upright] – Chris Minh Doky

Drums – Poogie Bell

French Horn – John Clark 

Piano, Synthesizer, Vocals – Philippe Saisse

11 Will You Ever Know 2:46

Piano – Philippe Saisse

Tenor Saxophone – Kirk Whalum

AL DI MEOLA – Pursuit of Radical Rhapsody (2011) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Al Di Meola has enjoyed an impressively long career as a recording artist. The guitar virtuoso was only 22 when he recorded his first album as a leader, Land of the Midnight Sun, back in 1976 (although he had joined Chick Corea's Return to Forever at 19), and a 56-year-old Di Meola was still going strong when 2011 arrived. Di Meola's playing has evolved along the way; the shredding, intensity, speed, and pyrotechnics of his early albums were replaced by a more lyrical and introspective approach that shows some awareness of Pat Metheny yet is distinctively Al Di Meola. But one thing about the guitarist that hasn't changed is his affection for world music, which was a major influence on early albums such as Land of the Midnight Sun, Elegant Gypsy, and Casino, and is also a strong influence on his 2011 release Pursuit of Radical Rhapsody. This excellent album is jazz-rock fusion, but it is also world jazz; Di Meola maintains a decidedly international perspective throughout the CD, incorporating everything from Argentinian tango to Spanish flamenco to Middle Eastern and North African music. Afro-Cuban salsa is also part of the equation, and two of Di Meola's guests are people with definite Latin credentials: bassist Charlie Haden (let's not forget Haden's Revolution Music Orchestra of the '60s and '70s, or the boleros he played on 2000's Nocturne), and Havana-born pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba. The Afro-Cuban influence is especially strong on "Gumbiero" and "Destination: Gonzalo," although "Gumbiero" also incorporates flamenco and tango elements. Most of the material on Pursuit of Radical Rhapsody was composed by Di Meola himself, but two exceptions are the Beatles' "Strawberry Fields" and Harold Arlen's "Over the Rainbow." And Di Meola, behaving like the jazz improviser that he is, genuinely interprets those well-known popular songs and brings something personal to the table instead of playing the type of lame, note-for-note covers that smooth jazz (which Di Meola has adamantly stayed away from) is infamous for. Granted, Di Meola is by no means a jazz purist or a straight-ahead bebopper; he never claimed to be Barney Kessel or Tal Farlow, but his mentality is very much an improviser's mentality, and that mentality serves him consistently well on Pursuit of Radical Rhapsody. Alex Henderson

Tracklist :

1. Siberiana 8:28

2. Paramour's Lullaby 7:45

3. Mawazine Part1 2:07

4. Michelangelo's 7th Child 7:30

5. Gumbiero 6:18

6. Brave New World 1:54

7. Full Frontal Contrapuntal 4:52

8. That Way Before 3:06

9. Fireflies 4:01

10. Destination Gonzalo 5:16

11. Bona 6:00

12. Radical Rhapsody 5:02

13. Strawberry Fields 4:09

14. Mawazine Part2 2:54

15. Over the Rainbow 3:04

World Sinfonia is :

Al Di Meola - acoustic and electric guitars,percussion,keyboards

Fausto beccalossi - accordion

Kevin Seddiki - 2nd guitar parts

Gumbi Ortiz - percussion

Peter Kaszas - drums,percussion

Victor Miranda - acoustic upright baby bass

Special Guests :

Charlie Haden - acoustic bass on tracks 13,15

Peter Erskine - drums on tracks 4,10,12,

Gonzalo Rubalcaba - piano on tracks 5,10,12,13

Barry Miles - string arrangements,additional keyboards

Mino Cinelu - percussion on tracks 3,4,13,14

Hungary's Sturcz String Quartet :

Gabor Csonka - violin

Viktor Uhrin - violin

Gergely Kuklis - violin

Gyula Benk - viola

Andreas Strurcz - cello