BILL EVANS — The Alternative Man (1986) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The fact that Bill Evans' years as a Miles Davis sideman had so positive an effect on him is evident on The Alternative Man -- an unpredictable fusion date that, although overproduced at times, is full of spirited blowing and adventurous composing. Ranging from the reggae-influenced "The Path of Resistance" to the addictive "Let the Juice Loose!" to the angular "Jojo," Evans' material is consistently impressive. A Michael Brecker disciple but definitely his own man, Evans tends to be robust and aggressive on tenor and more reflective on soprano. Guest John McLaughlin (electric guitar) is characteristically persuasive on the poetic "Flight of the Falcon." Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1    The Alternative Man 5:45
Bass Guitar – Mark Egan
Drums – Danny Gottlieb
Electric Guitar – Jeff Golub
Keyboards – Mitchel Forman
2    The Path Of Least Resistance 4:37
Drums – Danny Gottlieb
Electric Guitar – Sid McGinnis
Keyboards – Clifford Carter
Percussion – Manolo Badrena
Vocals, Composed By – Clifford Carter
3    Let The Juice Loose 5:40
Bass Guitar – Marcus Miller
Drums – Danny Gottlieb
Electric Guitar – Hiram Bullock
Percussion – Manolo Badrena
Trumpet – Lew Soloff
4    Gardiners Garden 4:30
Bass – Mark Egan
Electric Guitar, Composed By – Chuck Loeb
Percussion – Danny Gottlieb
5    Survival Of The Fittest 3:25
Acoustic Guitar – John McLaughlin
Bass – Mark Egan
Drums – Danny Gottlieb
Grand Piano – Mitchel Forman
Keyboards – Clifford Carter
Percussion – Manolo Badrena
6    Jojo 6:21
Composed By – Rich Meitin
Drums – Danny Gottlieb
Electric Guitar – Sid McGinnis
Keyboards, Composed By – Clifford Carter
Percussion – Manolo Badrena
7    The Cry In Her Eyes 5:41
Bass Guitar – Marcus Miller
Drums – Danny Gottlieb
Electric Guitar – Dave Hart, Hiram Bullock
8    Miles Away 5:24
Bass Guitar – Marcus Miller
Drums – Al Foster
9    Flight Of The Falcon 7:23
Acoustic Guitar – John McLaughlin
Bass – Mark Egan
Drums – Danny Gottlieb
Grand Piano – Mitchel Forman
Keyboards – Clifford Carter
Percussion – Manolo Badrena

DANNY GOTTLIEB — Aquamarine (1987) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist:
1. Aquamarine (Doug Hall) 4:59
2. Monterey (Danny Gottlieb, Joe Satriani) 4:22
3. The Aviary (Danny Gottlieb, John Abercrombie) 4:39
4. Alaska (Danny Gottlieb, Doug Hall) 6:52
5. Waterfall (Doug Hall) 3:08
6. Being (Mitchell Forman) 6:27
7. Duet (John McLaughlin) 3:28
8. Upon A Time (John Abercrombie) 4:54
9. Peace Of Mind (John McLaughlin) 3:33
Credits:
Personnel:
Bass – Mark Egan (tracks: 2, 4, 5, 9)
Drums – Danny Gottlieb
Guitar – Jeff Mironov (tracks: 4), Joe Satriani (tracks: 2), John Abercrombie (tracks: 1, 3, 8), John McLaughlin (tracks: 7), Steve Kahn (tracks: 1)
Keyboards – Mitchell Forman (tracks: 2)
Keyboards, Producer, Engineer, Mixed By – Doug Hall (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 5)
Percussion – Cafe (tracks: 1, 2, 5)
Saxophone – Bill Evans (tracks: 4, 5)
Vibraphone – Dave Samuels (tracks: 5)

ANDY SUMMERS - World Gone Strange (1991) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist:

1 World Gone Strange 6:30
2 Ruffled Feathers 4:29
3 Bacchante 6:20
4 Song For M 5:02
5 Rhythm Spirits 6:09
6 Somewhere In The West 5:11
7 But She 4:58
8 The Blues Prior To Richard 4:48
9 Oudu Kanjaira 5:21
Marimba – Mike Mainieri
Percussion – Nana Vasconcelos
Soprano Saxophone – Bendik
10 Dream Trains 1:49
Créditos
Bass – Tony Levin, Victor Bailey (faixas: 4, 6)
Drums – Chad Wackerman
Guitar – Andy Summers
Keyboards – Mitchel Forman
Percussion – Manolo Badrena (faixas: 1, 3, 9), Mino Cinelu (faixas: 1, 3, 9)
Piano, Vocals – Eliane Elias (faixas: 1, 3)
Producer – Mike Mainieri
Written-By – Andy Summers 

ANDY SUMMERS - Synaesthesia (1993-2007) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

During his post-Police musical career, guitarist Andy Summers has compiled a series of altogether distinctive, fusion-based solo outings marked by his shrewd compositional pen and laudable technical acumen. Moreover, Summers displays a somewhat lyrically driven guitar sound, teeming with animated lines, a rubato-like methodology, and bone-crushing crunch chords, as evidenced on this 1995 release. Here, the artist garners strong support from ex-Cream drummer Ginger Baker, along with notable session musicians Mitchell Forman (keyboards), Jerry Watts (bass), and Greg Bissonette (drums). More importantly, the guitarist integrates strings (the Trouserfly String Quartet) into this rather vibrant mix, consisting of Afro-Cuban rhythms, wailing lead soloing, East Indian modalities, and more. Otherwise, many of these works convey an eerie or foreboding musical environment, largely due to a potpourri of discordant themes and portentous musings. by Glenn Astarita
Tracklist:
1 Cubano Rebop 5:31
Percussion [Over Dubs] – Greg Bisonette
Remix – Eddie King
2 Chocolate Of The Desperate 1:10
3 Meshes Of The Afternoon 4:54
Arranged By [Quartet] – Charlie Bisharat
Cello [First] – Steve Richards
Cello [Second] – Larry Corbett
Strings – The Trouserfly String Quartet
Violin [First] – Charlie Bisharat
Violin [Second] – Joel Derouin
4 Monk Hangs Ten 4:09
Drums – Greg Bisonette
Remix – Eddie King
5 Umbrellas Over Java 6:32
Arranged By [Quartet] – Charlie Bisharat
Bass [Acoustic] – Andy Summers
Cello [First] – Steve Richards
Cello [Second] – Larry Corbett
Strings – The Trouserfly String Quartet
Violin [First] – Charlie Bisharat
Violin [Second] – Joel Derouin
6 Low Flying Doves 5:44
7 Invisible Cities 5:49
8 Synaesthesia 5:01
Piano – Andy Summers
9 I Remember 4:09
Credits:
Bass – Jerry Watts
Composed By, Arranged By – Andy Summers
Drums – Ginger Baker (faixas: 1 to 3, 5 to 9)
Guitar – Andy Summers
Keyboards – Mitchell Forman

MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA - Mahavishnu (1984) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

John McLaughlin resurrected the esteemed old Mahavishnu Orchestra for his mid-'80s quintet, even getting old mate Billy Cobham to fill the drum slot on the band's first album. But this is an entirely different conception than any of the '70s Mahavishnu outfits. The sound is cooler, less strident, more thoroughly dominated by advanced electronic textures -- including a sleekly elegant digital guitar played through a Synclavier. Instead of a violin, Bill Evans contributes some swirling and sometimes bop-flavored work on saxes, and McLaughlin gets mobile but not overly combustible support from keyboardist Mitch Forman and bassist Jonas Hellborg. The homages continue; the opening of "Nostalgia" is exactly that, a throwback to "In a Silent Way" as filtered through digital gear. While this is undeniably prog-minded, beautifully played electric music, it is not terribly absorbing; the quality of the material and the intensity level aren't too high. by Richard S. Ginell
Tracklist
1 Radio-Activity
2 Nostalgia
3 Nightriders
4 East Side West Side
5 Clarendon Hills
6 Jazz
7 The Unbeliever
8 Pacific Express
9 When Blue Turns Gold
Credits:
Bass Guitar [Fretless, Fretted] – Jonas Hellborg
Composed By – John McLaughlin
Drums, Percussion – Billy Cobham
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Mitchel Forman
Guitar [Digital Guitar, Les Paul Special], Synthesizer [Synclavier II] – John McLaughlin
Percussion [Additional] – Danny Gottlieb
Performer [Flute, Uncredited] – Hari Prasad Chaurasia (tracks: 9)
Performer [Tabla, Uncredited] – Zakir Hussain (tracks: 9)
Piano [Yamaha Blow Torch], Synthesizer [Yamaha DX7] – Mitchel Forman (tracks: 5)
Producer – John McLaughlin
Synthesizer [Synclavier II, Yamaha DX7], Piano – Katia Labeque (tracks: 9)
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute – Bill Evans

BILL EVANS - Petite Blonde (1992) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

JOHN SCOFIELD - Blue Matter (1987) APE (image+.cue), lossless

 One of the top jazz guitarists from the mid-1980s on, John Scofield has always had a very recognizable sound and the ability to combine together R&B/funk with advanced jazz. He is the lead voice throughout most of this release, performing eight of his originals with a group also including keyboardist Mitchel Forman, electric bassist Gary Grainger, drummer Dennis Chambers, percussionist Don Alias and (on three of the numbers) Hiram Bullock on rhythm guitar. Although not for jazz purists, who should get his slightly later Blue Note releases instead, this set should interest guitar freaks.  by Scott Yanow
Tracklist
1 Blue Matter 5:47
2 Trim 7:33
3 Heaven Hill 4:28
4 So You Say 4:34
5 Now She's Blonde 5:32
6 Make Me 2:53
7 The Nag 4:18
8 Time Marches On 7:32
Credits
Bass – Gary Grainger
Drums – Dennis Chambers
Guitar – John Scofield
Keyboards – Mitchell Forman
Percussion – Don Alias
Rhythm Guitar – Hiram Bullock (tracks: 1, 5, 6)
Written-By – John Scofield

ANTHONY JACKSON | YIORGOS FAKANAS – Interspirit (2010) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

American electric bass guitarist Anthony Jackson has been playing with European musicians for quite some time -- note his collaboration with the Turkish-born pianist Fahir Atakoglu in the 2000s. Here he teams with Greek musician and fellow bass guitarist/composer Yiorgos Fakanas for a set of retro-jazz fusion music that is far from typical. Armed with a large ensemble of contemporary all-stars and lesser known Europeans, Jackson and Fakanas create new music reflective of '70s New York supercharged funk à la the Brecker Brothers, and the mid-period John McLaughlin style of classically oriented jazz that incorporates horns, acoustic strings, and synthesizers. With keyboardist Mitch Forman, guitarist Frank Gambale, and drummer Dave Weckl, the band expands horizons past strictly European traditional or ethnic strains, using them tastefully, while also having a go at getting down with good old rhythm & blues dance beats with big-band type charts. Jackson -- an underrated force on his instrument if there ever was one in the post-Jaco Pastorius era -- plays with a lithe, liquid confidence that almost puts him in the background, yet his unique pulse is ever present. Where the heavier, rhythmic-oriented tracks stand out ("Inner Power" and "Caldera"), the more romantic "Seviglia" with Gambale's Spanish acoustic guitar, and the pretty "Ionio II" evoke the composed, film noir essence of Fakanas. A fully formed and modified chart on Wayne Shorter's "Footprints" is stunning in the way it pays respect to the original version, but takes poetic license in the lengthy introduction, punctuated by the atmospheric flute playing of Takis Paterelis. While things seem a bit calculated, there are many inspired moments and surprises galore, sure to please those who grew up with fusion and who might enjoy nodding their heads or dancing to instrumental jazz. Michael G. Nastos 
Tracklist :

1. Inner Power 8:39

2. Footprints 9:06

3. Cuore Vibes Part 1 1:30

4. Cuore Vibes Part 2 10:08

5. Interspirit 9:40

6. Seviglia 9:58

7. Caldera 8:40

8. Ionio II 8:10

9. Parhelia 7:54

Credits

Acoustic Guitar – Frank Gambale (tracks: 6)

Alto Saxophone – Takis Paterelis (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9)

Baritone Saxophone – Todor Tzachev (tracks: 1, 7)

Bass – Anthony Jackson (tracks: 1,2, 4 to 9), Yiorgos Fakanas (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 9)

Cello – Vangjel Nina (tracks: 3, 4, 6, 8)

Composed By, Arranged By, Producer – Yiorgos Fakanas

Contrabass – Tasos Kazaglis (tracks: 3, 4, 6, 8)

Drums – Dave Weckl (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 9)

Flute – Takis Paterelis (tracks: 2, 5)

Guitar – Frank Gambale (tracks: 1, 5, 7, 9)

Keyboards – Mitch Forman (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 9)

Percussion – Enrique Bu (tracks: 5 to 9)

Piano – Mitch Forman (tracks: 4, 8)

Soprano Saxophone – Takis Paterelis (tracks: 2, 8)

Strings – String Quartet "+Kinisis", The

Tenor Saxophone – Sam Marlielrili (tracks: 1), Tony Lakatos (tracks: 4 to 7, 9)

Trombone – Velislav Stoianov (tracks: 1, 7), Antonis Andreou (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 9)

Trumpet – Mihail Iosifov (tracks: 1, 4 to 7, 9), Manos Theodosakis (tracks: 1, 7)

Viola – Elias Sdoukos (tracks: 3, 4, 6, 8)

Violin – Franc Shestani (tracks: 3, 4, 6, 8), Odysseus Korelis (tracks: 3, 4, 6, 8)