GEORGE BENSON & AL JARREAU — Givin' It Up (2006) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Givin' It Up finds crossover jazz icons guitarist George Benson and vocalist Al Jarreau teaming up for a breezy, enjoyably melodic session that highlights both artists' long careers. Technically a duo album, it is Benson's first since signing with Concord Records. As such, it works as a nice reintroduction to both artists and even finds them reworking the Bobby Womack classic "Breezin'," which Benson originally covered on his 1976 album of the same name. Here listeners get Jarreau adding lyrics and vocals on a version that really evokes the classic '70s jazz-meets-R&B sound that was an original hallmark of smooth jazz. In that sense, Givin' It Up is a true joy for fans of that more organic, song-oriented approach to crossover music, with Benson and Jarreau digging in to such great songs as Seals & Crofts' "Summer Breeze," John Legend's "Ordinary People," and Darryl Hall's "Every Time You Go Away." Also adding some unexpected fun and celebrity sheen to the proceedings is an impromptu appearance by Paul McCartney, who joins in on Sam Cooke's gospel-inflected "Bring It on Home to Me." Throw in appearances by trumpeter Chris Botti, vocalist Patti Austin, pianist Herbie Hancock, and bassist Marcus Miller and Stanley Clarke, and Givin' It Up proves music is always fun with a little help from your friends. Matt Collar 
Tracklist :
1 – Breezin' 5:40

Arranged By – Larry Williams

Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Electric Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Guitar – Dean Parks, George Benson, A. Ray "The Weeper" Fuller
Keyboards – Larry Williams
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Vocal Percussion – Al Jarreau
Vocals – Al Jarreau, George Benson
Written-By – Al Jarreau, Bobby Womack
2 – Mornin' 5:02
Arranged By – Michael Broening
Backing Vocals, Vocal Percussion – Al Jarreau
Bass – Mel Brown
Drums – Michael White
Guitar – Freddie Fox, George Benson
Keyboards, Piano, Programmed By [Programming] – Michael Broening
Producer – John Burk, Michael Broening
Saxophone – Marion Meadows
Written-By – Al Jarreau, David Foster, Jay Graydon
3 – 'Long Come Tutu 6:37
Arranged By – Marcus Miller
Bass – Marcus Miller
Co-producer – Marcus Miller
Drums – Michael White
Guitar – George Benson
Keyboards – Patrice Rushen
Piano – Herbie Hancock
Vocals – Al Jarreau, George Benson
Written-By – Al Jarreau, Marcus Miller
4 – God Bless The Child 3:40
Featuring Jill Scott
Arranged By – George Benson, John Burk, Patrice Rushen
Bass – Marcus Miller
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Electric Piano – Patrice Rushen
Guitar – George Benson
Vocal Percussion – Al Jarreau
Vocals – George Benson, Jill Scott
Written-By – Arthur Herzog, Jr., Billie Holiday
5 – Summer Breeze 5:01
Arranged By – Larry Williams
Bass – Marcus Miller
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Guitar – Dean Parks, George Benson, A. Ray "The Weeper" Fuller
Keyboards, Piano – Larry Williams
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Vocals – Al Jarreau, George Benson
Written-By – Darrell Crofts, Jimmy Seals
6 – All I Am 3:23
Arranged By – Rex Rideout
Drums – Gregg Field, Ricky Lawson
Electric Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Electric Piano – Patrice Rushen
Guitar, Vocals – George Benson
Piano – Rex Rideout
Written-By – Phillip "Taj" Jackson, Rex Rideout
7 – Ordinary People 5:18
Arranged By – Michael Broening
Backing Vocals – Al Jarreau, George Benson
Bass – Mel Brown
Drums – Michael White
Guitar – Freddie Fox, George Benson
Keyboards, Piano, Programmed By [Programming] – Michael Broening
Producer – John Burk, Michael Broening
Written-By – John Legend, will.i.am
8 – Let It Rain 4:54
Featuring Patti Austin
Arranged By – Al Jarreau, Barry Eastmond
Arranged By [Background Vocals] – Patti Austin
Backing Vocals – Darlene Perry, Lorraine Perry, Maxi Anderson, Patti Austin, Sandra Simmons Williams, Sharon Perry, Valerie Pinkston
Bass – Marcus Miller
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Electric Piano – Patrice Rushen
Guitar – George Benson
Keyboards – Barry Eastmond
Percussion – Bashiri Johnson, Paulinho Da Costa
Producer – Patti Austin
Producer [Additional Production] – Barry Eastmond, Gregg Field
Rhythm Guitar – Dean Parks
Trumpet – Chris Botti
Vocals – Al Jarreau, Patti Austin
Written-By – Al Jarreau, Barry Eastmond
9 – Givin' It Up For Love 3:57
Arranged By – Freddie Ravel
Arranged By [Background Vocals] – Fred Martin, Freddie Ravel
Backing Vocals – Alethea Mills, Chavonne Morris, De'Ante Duckett
Clavinet, Drums, Electric Piano, Organ, Programmed By [Percussion], Synthesizer [Moog Bass], Synthesizer – Freddie Ravel
Guitar – George Benson
Producer – Freddie Ravel, John Burk
Rhythm Guitar – Michael O'Neill
Vocals – Al Jarreau, George Benson
Written-By – Al Jarreau, Freddie Ravel
10 – Every Time You Go Away 4:30
Arranged By – Larry Williams
Bass – Marcus Miller
Co-producer – Larry Williams
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Guitar – Dean Parks, George Benson, Michael Thompson
Keyboards – Patrice Rushen
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Piano – Larry Williams
Vocal Percussion – Al Jarreau
Vocals – Al Jarreau, George Benson
Written-By – Darryl Hall
11 – Four 5:15
Bass – Stanley Clarke
Co-producer – Chris Dunn
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Guitar – George Benson
Piano – Patrice Rushen
Vocals – Al Jarreau, George Benson
Written-By – Jon Hendricks, Miles Davis
12 – Don't Start No Schtuff 4:44
Arranged By – Joe Turano
Bass – Stanley Clarke
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Electric Piano, Organ – Joe Turano
Guitar – George Benson
Keyboards – Patrice Rushen
Vocals – Al Jarreau, George Benson
Written-By – Al Jarreau, Joe Turano
13 – Bring It On Home To Me 4:25
Featuring Paul McCartney
Arranged By – Randy Waldman
Arranged By [Background Vocals] – Fred Martin
Backing Vocals – Alethea Mills, Chavonne Morris, De'Ante Duckett
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Electric Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Electric Piano – Patrice Rushen
Guitar – Dean Parks, George Benson
Organ – Michael Broening
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Piano – Randy Waldman
Vocals – Al Jarreau, George Benson, Paul McCartney
Written-By – Sam Cooke

PATTI AUSTIN — The Real Me (1988) Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

And how! Austin tackles standards such as "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" and "They Can't Take That Away from Me," and succeeds brilliantly. Her version of Comden, Green, and Bernstein's "I Can Cook, Too" is enough by itself to make this a pick. William Ruhlmann
Tracklist :
1.    I Can Cook Too 5:11
Arranged By – David Pack
Arranged By [Horns] – David Pack, Greg Phillinganes, Jerry Hey
Arranged By [Vocals] – Patti Austin
Backing Vocals – Patti Austin
Bass [Synthesizer] – Greg Phillinganes
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Guitar – David Pack
Horns [Synthesizer] – Greg Phillinganes
Lyrics By [Additional Coda] – David Pack, Patti Austin
Saxophone, Woodwind – Daniel Higgins
Synthesizer – David Benoit
Trombone – Bill Reichenbach 
Trumpet – Gary Grant, Jerry Hey
Written-By – Betty Comden And Adolph Green, Leonard Bernstein
2.    Stockholm Sweetnin' 1:34
Arranged By [Vocals] – Patti Austin
Written-By – Quincy Jones
3.    Smoke Gets In Your Eyes 4:13
Arranged By – David Benoit, David Pack, Patti Austin
Arranged By [Vocals] – David Pack, Patti Austin
Backing Vocals – Patti Austin
Bass – Nathan East
Congas [Electronic] – David Pack
Drums – George Perilli
Keyboards – David Benoit
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Saxophone [Solo] – Ernie Watts
Written-By – Jerome Kern, Otto Harbach
4.    True Love 3:46
Acoustic Bass – Roscoe Beck
Arranged By – David Pack
Arranged By [Strings] – David Benoit
Arranged By [Vocals] – David Pack, Patti Austin
Drums – Jeff Porcaro
Harp – Gail Levant*
Keyboards – David Benoit
Percussion – George Perilli
Saxophone [Solo] – Michael Brecker
Vocals [Duet] – David Pack
Written-By – Cole Porter
5.    Across The Alley From The Alamo 3:44
Accordion – Bruce Hornsby
Acoustic Guitar, Baritone Guitar – David Pack
Arranged By – David Pack
Arranged By [Vocals] – David Pack, Patti Austin
Backing Vocals – David Pack, James Ingram, Michael McDonald
Body Percussion – David Pack
Lap Steel Guitar, Slide Guitar – David Lindley
Percussion [Bottle, Foot, Wall Banger] – Patti Austin
Percussion [Twang, Whistle, Shaker] – Paulinho Da Costa
Snare, Drum [Cardboard Box] – Burleigh Drummond
Written-By – Joe Greene 
6.    How Long Has This Been Going On? 4:05
Arranged By [Keyboards] – David Benoit
Arranged By [Strings] – Marty Paich
Conductor – Marty Paich
Harp – Gail Levant
Synthesizer [DX7] – David Benoit
Written-By – George & Ira Gershwin
7.    Lazy Afternoon 5:45
Arranged By – David Benoit, David Pack, Patti Austin
Arranged By [Vocals] – David Pack, Patti Austin
Backing Vocals – Patti Austin
Bass – Patti Austin
Classical Guitar – Earl Klugh
Drums – Jeff Porcaro
Flugelhorn [Solo] – Jon Faddis
Keyboards – David Benoit
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Percussion [Electric] – David Pack
Written-By – Jerome Moross, John Latouche
8.    Love Letters 3:53
Arranged By – David Pack
Arranged By [Vocals] – David Pack, James Ingram, Michael McDonald
Backing Vocals – David Pack, James Ingram, Michael McDonald
Bass – Roscoe Beck
Drums – John Robinson 
Guitar – David Pack
Piano – Michael McDonald, Richard Tee
Saxophone [Solo] – Ernie Watts
Synthesizer – David Benoit
Written-By – Edward Heyman, Victor Young
9.    They Can't Take That Away From Me 3:57
Arranged By – David Benoit, David Pack, Patti Austin
Arranged By [Horns] – David Benoit, David Pack, Jerry Hey, Patti Austin
Arranged By [Vocals] – David Pack, Greg Phillinganes
Drums – George Perilli
Keyboards, Synthesizer [Horns & Strings] – David Benoit
Saxophone, Woodwind – Daniel Higgins*
Synthesizer [Bass] – Greg Phillinganes
Trombone – Bill Reichenbach (2)
Trumpet – Gary Grant, Jerry Hey
Written-By – George & Ira Gershwin
10.    Mood Indigo 3:24
Arranged By – Patti Austin
Arranged By [Vocals] – Patti Austin
Backing Vocals – Patti Austin
Bass – Chuck Domanico
Clarinet – Johnny Rotella*
Conductor, Arranged By [Horns] – Jimmie Haskell
Guitar – Earl Klugh
Piano, Synthesizer – David Benoit
Saxophone – Gregory Huckins*
Trombone – Bill Watrous
Tuba – George Callender*
Written-By – Barney Bigard, Duke Ellington, Irving Mills
11.    Cry Me A River 4;18
Arranged By [Strings] – Marty Paich
Bass – Chuck Domanico
Conductor – Marty Paich
Harp – Gail Levant*
Piano – David Benoit
Synthesizer [Strings] – David Benoit
Trumpet [Solo] – Jon Faddis
Written-By – Arthur Hamilton
12.    Someone Is Standing Outside 3:54
Arranged By [Inspired By] – Jimmy Webb
Arranged By [Vocals] – David Pack, Patti Austin
Backing Vocals – Amy Holland, David Pack, Howard Hewett, James Ingram, Luther Vandross, Michael McDonald, Patti Austin, Tata Vega
Bass – Joe Puerta
Drums – John Robinson (2)
Piano, Synthesizer [DX7] – Richard Tee
Synthesizer [Strings] – David Benoit
Written-By – Jimmy Webb
13.    Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most 5:07
Arranged By [Strings] – Marty Paich
Conductor – Marty Paich
Harp – Gail Levant*
Synthesizer [DX7] – David Benoit
Written-By – Fran Landesman, Tommy Wolf

PATTI AUSTIN — Avant Gershwin (2007) Two Version | APE (image+.cue), lossless + FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

A staple of pop, R&B and jazz over the past thirty years, this impossibly versatile singer's 16 album career during that time rolls like a fascinating journey through those genres while also drawing wisdom and inspiration on occasion from The Great American Songbook. Avant Gershwin, Patti Austin's shimmering hour-plus tour de force through both familiar and obscure -- but always intriguing -- selections from the catalog of George & Ira Gershwin, is, for the record, not the first time she's dazzled with their songs. Her 1998 masterpiece The Real Me included "How Long Has This Been Going On?" and "They Can't Take That Away from Me." And her 2002 tribute album For Ella included "Love Is Here to Stay," "But Not for Me" and "The Man I Love." Recorded live before an audience at the Kölner Philharmonic in Köln, and Westfalenpark Dortmund, Germany over two evenings in 2006, Avant Gershwin is in many ways an extension of the Fitzgerald tribute; both find her performing with the vibrant, brassy and swinging backing of the WDR Big Band. Its centerpieces are the "Overture/Gershwin Medley" -- a twelve-minute, moodswinging romp through the big rhythm songs, "Clap Yo' Hands," "Fascinating Rhythm" and "I Got Rhythm" -- and the dramatic 17-minute "Porgy and Bess Medley," which casts Austin as the consummate musical theater performer. The latter begins with a gentle orchestral overture and a tender read of "A Woman Is a Sometime Thing" and a lush twist on the familiar "Summertime" before shifting into full swing mode on "There's a Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon for New York" and back to port for the start of "It Ain't Necessarily So" ahead of a theatrical finish. Beyond right on the money arrangements and Austin's always colorful phrasing, perhaps the most inspired element of the project is her impeccable song choice. Rather than settle for the songs everyone's heard ad nauseum, with the exception of "Swanee," she puts her own stamp on the lovelorn "I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise," the witty and delightful "Who Cares"and "Funny Face," and the heartbreaking "Love Walked In/Love Is Sweeping the Country." "Lady Be Good" provides a rousing, bold and brassy finish, with Austin doing the kind of sizzlin' scat that would do her idol proud. Who could ask for anything more? This CD was nominated for a Grammy award in 2007 for Best Jazz Vocal Album. Jonathan Widran
Tracklist :
 1. Overture/Gershwin Medley (12:19)
2. I'll Build A Stairway To Paradise (6:14)
3. Who Cares (6:34)
4. Funny Face (4:02)
5. Love Walked In/Love Is Sweeping The Country (5:35)
6. Swanee (5:13)
7. Porgy And Bess Medley (17:08)
8. Lady Be Good (6:52)
Credits :
Featuring – WDR Big Band Köln
Vocal - Patti Austin
Producer, Arranged By, Conductor – Michael Abene

MAYNARD FERGUSON - Primal Scream (1976-2004) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

An all-star cast assists Maynard Ferguson in this disco-tinged big-band outing. Ferguson's trademark trumpet playing is featured in all its screaming glory, and Mark Colby contributes a couple of high-energy sax solos. "Primal Scream" and "Invitation" sound as though they were lifted right off the mid-'70s disco dancefloor, complete with T.S.O.P.-type strings and pulsing rhythms. "Pagliacci," too, has the disco beat pounding underneath a Jay Chattaway adaptation of an operatic melody, with Bobby Militello featured on an energetic, overblown flute solo. Chick Corea's "The Cheshire Cat Walk" sounds like latter-day Return to Forever, as Corea's synth trades licks with Ferguson's horn over a familiar RTF rhythmic/chordal bassline sequence. The final cut, Eric Gale's "Swamp," stands out because of its reggae beat. This album was an obvious attempt to jump on the disco-funk bandwagon, and serves as a well-played, though dated, document of that era. by Jim Newsom
Tracklist :
1     Primal Scream 7:09
Jay Chattaway / Maynard Ferguson
2     The Cheshire Cat Walk 10:09
Chick Corea
3     Invitation 5:32
Bronislaw Kaper
4     Pagliacci 5:55
Jay Chattaway / Ruggero Leoncavallo
5     Swamp 7:24
Eric Gale
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Dave Sanborn
Bass – Gary King
Bass Trombone – David Taylor, Paul Faulise
Cello – Alan Shulman, Charles McCracken
Drums – Steve Gadd
Flute, Baritone Saxophone – Bobby Militello
French Horn – Brooks Tillotson, Earl Chapin
Guitar – Eric Gale, Jeff Mirenov, Jerry Friedman
Percussion – Ralph MacDonald
Piano, Synthesizer [Arp], Clavinet – Bob James
Producer – Bob James
Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Mark Colby
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Farrell
Trombone – Tony Studd
Trumpet – Marvin Stamm
Trumpet [All Solos] – Maynard Ferguson
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Bernie Glow, Jon Faddis, Stan Mark
Viola – Emanuel Vardi, Theodore Israel
Violin – Charles Libove, David Nadien, Emanuel Green, Frederick Buldivini, Harry Cykman, Joseph Malin, Max Ellen, Paul Gershman
Vocals – Hilda Harris, Lani Groves, Patti Austin 

LALO SCHIFRIN - Black Widow (1976-2001) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although he is best-known for film scores like Bullitt and Enter The Dragon, prolific composer Lalo Schifrin has always maintained a side career as a jazz musician. He racked up a massive success in this field in 1976 with Black Widow, a slick instrumental excursion that combined the musical dexterity of jazz with the dance-friendly rhythms of disco. This album found Schifrin turning his skills as an arranger and keyboardist to a set of material that matched up some unlikely but effective covers with a few originals. Highlights among the covers include "Quiet Village," which transforms the exotica classic into a slow-burning funk vamp dressed with plenty of spacey synthesizer, and "Moonglow & Theme From Picnic," which reworks these classic film themes by giving them keyboard-driven arrangements that are gently nudged along by an insistent beat. Black Widow also spawned a dancefloor hit with Schifrin's imaginative reworking of "Jaws," which transformed John Williams' spooky monster-movie theme into an ominous, percolating slice of nocturnal funk built on wah-wah guitar and Schifrin's elegantly jazzy keyboard excursions. In terms of the original tunes, the standout is the title track, a keyboard showcase that weaves surging strings around a funky bass groove that is fleshed out with all manner of synth and electric piano shadings. The strong disco edge to the proceedings may turn off jazz purists, but Schifrin's imaginative and stylish arrangements keep the music from succumbing to disco-beat boredom, and his expert backup band (including session stalwarts like Andy Newmark and John Tropea) attacks the material with energy and style to burn. The end result is one of the peak albums in Lalo Schifrin's lengthy catalogue and a necessity for anyone interested in his jazz work. by Donald A. Guarisco   
Tracklist:
1 Black Widow 4:15
Written-By – Lalo Schifrin
2 Flamingo 4:28
Written-By – Ed Anderson, Ted Grouya
3 Quiet Village 3:59
Written-By – Les Baxter
4 Moonglow / Theme From Picnic 5:36
Written-By – DeLange, Mills, Hudson
5 Jaws 5:47
Written-By – J. Williams
6 Baia 4:03
Written-By – A. Barroso, R. Gilbert
7 Turning Point 3:28
Written-By – Lalo Schifrin
8 Dragonfly 5:15
Written-By – Lalo Schifrin

- Bonus Tracks - 

9 Frenesi 3:53

10 Tabu 4:33

11 Baia (Alt. Take) 7:44

12 Con Alma 6:30

Credits:
Alto Saxophone – Joe Farrell
Arranged By, Conductor – Lalo Schifrin
Backing Vocals – Patti Austin
Baritone Saxophone – Pepper Adams
Bass – Anthony Jackson
Bass Trombone – Dave Taylor
Congas – Carlos Martin (tracks: 2 to 8)
Drums – Andy Newmark
Flute – George Marge, Jerry Dodgion, Joe Farrell
Flute [Solo] – Hubert Laws (tracks: 5)
Guitar – Eric Gale (tracks: 3), John Tropea
Guitar [Solo] – Jerry Friedman (tracks: 3)
Keyboards – Clark Spangler, Lalo Schifrin
Percussion – Carter Collins, Don Alias, Sue Evans
 Trombone – Barry Rogers, Billy Campbell, Wayne Andre
Trumpet – Jon Faddis
Violin – Charles Libove, David Nadien, Emanuel Green, Harold Kohon, Harry Lookofsky, Matthew Raimondi, Max Ellen, Paul Gershman