AL JARREAU — All I Got (2002) Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Al Jarreau hits you with all he's got on his second release for the GRP/Verve recording label. The 11-song program, appropriately titled All I Got, features Jarreau's imaginative vocal stylings, lots of innovative urban sensibilities, and top-tier performances from a stellar band that includes his longtime musical director, Freddie Ravel, and a duet with guest star Joe Cocker. Urban innovation is more than a buzzword here. The urban sound of producer Paul Brown imparts a soulful message on such songs as "Random Act of Love,""Secrets of Love," the title track, and the very hip a cappella rendition of "Route 66," each of which reflects Jarreau's pioneered use of unfolding a musical story layer by layer. A prime example is his reverse take on street violence called "Random Act of Love," something this world desperately needs. Instead of just another range of excessive scatting and vocal gymnastics, Jarreau presents his listeners with real-world concepts that make a difference in your interpretations of these aural pleasures. He becomes a vehicle of revelation on the gospel-tinged "Feels Like Heaven to Me." On the other side of his musical personality is the lovely fullness of "Until You Love Me" and "Jacaranda Bougainvillea," both of which feature a string orchestra set against an oasis of vocal skills. Overall, All I Got showcases the award-winning Jarreau's unmistakable stylistic diversity in settings that are fluid, soulful, jazzy, and romantic. In some ways, the music even exceeds the versatility heard on the critically acclaimed Tomorrow Today. Paula Edelstein  
Tracklist :
1.    Random Act Of Love 4:45
Arranged By – Steven Dubin
Producer [Produced By] – Steven Dubin
Written-By – Nelson Jackson, Siedah Garrett, Steven Dubin
2.    Life Is 4:00
Arranged By, Co-producer [Co-produced By] – David "Kahlid" Woods, Paul Brown
Written-By – Al Jarreau, David "Kahlid" Woods, Paul Brown
3.    Never Too Late 4:04
Arranged By – Jerry Hey, Paul Brown
Written-By – Al Jarreau, John Stoddart, Paul Brown
4.    Feels Like Heaven 4:38
Arranged By – Steven Dubin
Arranged By [Vocal Arrangement] – Sherree Ford
Producer [Produced By] – Paul Brown, Steven Dubin
Written-By – Manuel Seal, Siedah Garrett, Steven Dubin
5.    Lost And Found 4:52
Arranged By – Paul Brown
Arranged By [Horns Arranged By] – Jerry Hey
Written-By – Al Jarreau, Tom Canning
6.    Secrets Of Love 4:36
Arranged By – Rex Rideout
Co-producer – Rex Rideout
Written-By – Milton Davis, Rex Rideout
7.    All I Got 5:31
Arranged By – Al Jarreau
Arranged By [Horns Arranged By], Co-producer [Co-produced By] – Jerry Hey
Written-By – Al Jarreau, Arno Lucas, Chris Walker, Freddie Ravel, Joe Turano, Jota Morelli, Ross Bolton
8.    Until You Love Me 4:40
Arranged By [Orchestra] – Bill Meyers
Arranged By, Co-producer [Co-produced By] – Rex Rideout
Concertmaster – Bruce Dukov
Strings – Berj Garabedian, Bruce Dukov, Charlie Bisharat, Dan Smith, Darius Campo, David Stenske, Denyse Buffum, Evan Wilson, Eve Butler, Haim Shtrum, John Wittenberg, Larry Corbett, Margaret Wooten, Mark Robertson (3), Matt Funes, Michele Richards, Peter Kent, Steve Richards, Susan Chatman, Suzie Katayama
Written-By – Rex Rideout
9.    Oasis 6:20
Arranged By – Paul Brown, Ricky Peterson
Arranged By [Additional Arrangement By] – Jerry Hey
Written-By – Al Jarreau, Ricky Peterson
10.    Jacaranda Bougainvillea 4:46
Arranged By – Jerry Hey, Paul Brown
Arranged By [Strings Arranged By], Co-producer [Co-produced By] – Jerry Hey
Concertmaster – Bruce Dukov
Strings – Berj Garabedian, Bruce Dukov, Charlie Bisharat, Dan Smith, Darius Campo, David Stenske, Denyse Buffum, Evan Wilson, Eve Butler, Haim Shtrum, John Wittenberg, Larry Corbett, Margaret Wooten, Mark Robertson, Matt Funes, Michele Richards, Peter Kent, Steve Richards, Susan Chatman, Suzie Katayama
Written-By – Al Jarreau, Arno Lucas, Chris Walker, Freddie Ravel, Joe Turano, Jota Morelli, Ross Bolton
11.    Route 66 2:34
Arranged By – Al Jarreau
Written-By – Bobby Troup

JEAN-LUC PONTY — Le Voyage : The Jean-Luc Ponty Anthology (1996) 2CD | Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Ponty has worked with Frank Zappa and John McLaughlin, has provided brilliant violin work as a session player, and has had a terrific run as a bandleader. This two-disc set dips into Ponty's Atlantic Records releases, tracing the development of Ponty's particular brand of jazz fusion and providing a very nice look at his career as a bandleader. A few of the cuts seem a bit watery and thin, but this has more to do with the original recording and mixing than the performances or mastering -- Rhino's mastering department has provided the usual quality of production here. Jean-Luc Ponty is a notable performer in the jazz arena, one who has a clear vision and strong ideals when it comes to his music -- he likes to test his boundaries and explore new possibilities. A notable collection. Steven McDonald
Tracklist 1 :
1. "Question with No Answer" – 3:29   
2. "Bowing-Bowing" – 4:53   
3. "Echoes of the Future" – 3:11   
4. "Aurora, Pt. 2" – 6:15   
5. "Waking Dream" – 2:26   
6. "Renaissance" – 5:48   
7. "New Country" – 3:09   
8. "Enigmatic Ocean, Pt. 2" – 3:37   
9. "Enigmatic Ocean, Pt. 3" – 3:43   
10. "Mirage" – 4:54   
11. "Egocentric Molecules" – 5:49   
12. "Cosmic Messenger" – 4:41   
13. "Ethereal Mood" – 4:04   
14. "I Only Feel Good with You" – 3:17   
15. "No Strings Attached" (live) – 6:02 
Tracklist 2 :
1. "Stay with Me" – 5:36   
2. "A Taste for Passion" – 5:25   
3. "Once a Blue Planet" – 4:05   
4. "Forms of Life" – 4:49   
5. "Rhythms of Hope" – 4:03   
6. "Mystical Adventures, Pt. 4" – 0:47   
7. "Mystical Adventures, Pt. 5" – 5:06   
8. "Jig" – 3:58   
9. "Final Truth, Pt. 1" – 4:55   
10. "Computer Incantations for World Peace" – 5:41   
11. "Individual Choice" – 4:57   
12. "Nostalgia" – 5:03   
13. "Eulogy to Oscar Romero" – 2:34   
14. "Infinite Pursuit" – 5:59   
15. "In the Kingdom of Peace" – 4:04   
16. "Caracas" – 3:51   
17. "Forever Together" – 5:46
All songs by Jean-Luc Ponty.
Personnel :
Jean-Luc Ponty - Autoharp, Violin, Electric Piano, Organ, Synthesizer, Bass Synthesizer, Keyboard Bass, Electronic Percussion
Joaquin Lievano, Peter Maunu - Guitar, Guitar Synthesizer
Daryl Stuermer, Dan Sawyer, Martin Atangana, Allan Holdsworth, Scott Henderson , Jamie Glaser - Guitar
Allan Zavod - Piano, Clavinet, Organ, Keyboards, Synthesizer
Patrice Rushen - Piano, Clavinet, Organ, Synthesizer
Chris Rhyne - Piano, Keyboards, Synthesizer, Bass Synthesizer
Wally Minko - Piano, Keyboards
Mokhtar Samba - Drums, Cowbells, Timbales
Norman Fearrington, Ndugu, Ray Griffin - Drums, Percussion
Mark Craney - Drums
Abdou M'Boup - Cowbells, Shaker
Paulinho Da Costa - Percussion

MELODY GARDOT — The Absence (2012) Two Version | Decca – 2792657 EU + SHM-CD Decca – UCCU-1351 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Melody Gardot's 2009 sophomore effort, My One and Only Thrill, sustained the sultry, atmospheric vibe of her critically acclaimed 2006 debut, her 2012 follow-up, The Absence, is a bit of a creative departure for the vocalist. Apparently inspired by her world travels, and specifically by a trip that brought her to the desert around the city of Marrakech, the album moves her away from smoky, small-group jazz and into a bright, if still bedroom-eyed, rhythmically exotic sound. Produced by guitarist/composer Heitor Pereira, the album is a lush, somewhat orchestral album that finds Gardot delving into various Brazilian, Spanish, and African-influenced sounds -- including bits of samba, tango, bossa nova, and calypso -- that evince her global journey. However, rather than simply making a standards album, Gardot continues her all-original approach, offering up new literate and passionately delivered compositions that bring to mind the work of such similarly inclined artists as Antonio Carlos Jobim, Paul Simon, Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, and others. Although there are a few name musicians who help add spice to Gardot's musical caravan here, including percussionist Paulinho Da Costa, drummer Peter Erskine, and bassist John Leftwich, primarily it is still Gardot's burnished and yearning vocal style that takes the helm on these tracks. Matt Collar  
Tracklist :
1    Mira 4:16
Written-By – Gardot
2    Amalia 3:03
Written-By – Pereira, Gardot, Roy
3    So Long 3:50
Written-By – Gardot
4    So We Meet Again My Heartache 4:32
Written-By – Gardot
5    Lisboa 5:27
Written-By – Gardot
6    Impossible Love 3:49
Written-By – Gardot
7    If I Tell You I Love You 3:35
Engineer [Recording, Assistant] – Glenn Barratt
Written-By – Gardot
8    Goodbye 3:41
Written-By – Harris, Gardot
9    Se Voce Me Ama 4:56
Written-By – Pereira, Gardot
10    My Heart Won't Have It Any Other Way 2:24
Written-By – Gardot
11    Iemanja 4:00
Written-By – Gardot
12    The Willow (Bonus Track) 7:00
Written-By – Roy
Credits :
Backing Vocals – Alfie Silas Durio, Ali Witherspoon, Bill Cantos, Bill Maxwell, Louis B. Price, Phil Roy, Tata Vega
Bandoneon – Coco Trivisonno
Bass – John Leftwich
Clarinet – Ron Kerber
Conductor – Nick Glennie Smith
Drums – Jim Keltner, Peter Erskine
Flute, Bass Clarinet, Clarinet, Alto Flute – Dan Higgins
Orchestrated By – Ladd McIntosh
Percussion – Paco Arroyo, Paulinho Da Costa, Yolanda Arroyo
Piano, Melodica – Larry Goldings
Piano, Portuguese Guitar – Melody Gardot
Producer, Arranged By, Vocals [Additional], Guitar [All], Piano, Percussion – Heitor Pereira
Saxophone [Slide], Tuba – Doug Webb
Trombone – Andrew Lippman
Trumpet – Harry Kim, Ramon Flores

JOE SAMPLE — Rainbow Seeker (1978-1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Back in 1978 when this set was recorded, fusion (the mixture of jazz improvisation with rock rhythms) was declining. Keyboardist Joe Sample, best-known for his work with the Crusaders, was in the process of being one of the founders of "contemporary jazz," an idiom that has since solidified into smooth jazz. Sample emphasized catchy melodies, light funk rhythms, appealing chord changes and a pop sensibility. For this accessible release, Sample is joined by the late legendary guitarist Billy Rogers, bassist Pops Popwell, his old Crusaders drummer Stix Hooper, a horn section and several guest guitarists. All eight tunes (which include "Fly with the Wings of Love" and "Islands in the Rain") are by the leader, who is heard throughout in melodic form, setting up a variety of light grooves that serve as superior background music. Scott Yanow    Tracklist & Credits :

JOE SAMPLE — Carmel (1979-1985) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Pianist Joe Sample is a pioneer at creating melodic and accessible pop-jazz. His recordings of the 1970s and '80s were consistently popular, especially this best-seller. Sample is joined on most selections by fellow Crusader Stix Hooper on drums, electric bassist Abraham Laboriel, percussionist Paulinho Da Costa, and, often, guitarist Dean Parks. Flutist Hubert Laws guests on "Midnight and Mist." The memorable melodies, clean harmonics, and Sample's fine playing make Carmel a high point among his solo recordings  Scott Yanow    
Tracklist & Credits :

JOE SAMPLE — Voices in the Rain (1980) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

There is a fair amount of variety on this reasonably enjoyable but not essential release from keyboardist Joe Sample. Most of the tunes fall into the area of funky crossover with strong melodies, danceable rhythms and few chances taken. Flora Purim takes the vocal on "Shadows" and is joined by two other singers for the spirited "Burnin' Up The Carnival." The acoustic "Sonata In Solitude" has violinist L. Subramaniam, guitarist John Collins and bassist Ray Brown, but that is a one-time departure on what is basically a commercial set geared for radio airplay. Scott Yanow    Tracklist & Credits :

JOE SAMPLE — The Hunter (1983) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Joe Sample returns to the smooth jazz style of his popular albums Rainbow Seeker, Carmel, and Voices in the Rain on 1983's The Hunter. The keyboardist fills up a studio with like-minded session musicians including trumpeter Tom Browne, horn players Chuck Findley, Jerry Hey, and Ernie Watts, guitarists Dean Parks, David Spinozza, and Phil Upchurch, bassists Abraham Laboriel and Marcus Miller, percussionist Paulinho Da Costa, and drummer Steve Gadd, and sets them loose on some rhythmic tracks with a rock/R&B feel. The beat is paramount, a constant augmented by funky, popping basslines, with guitar solos and horn charts overlaid. And, weaving in and out is Sample, on either acoustic or electric piano, finding room to solo extensively. The solos are more of the rock variety than what a conventional jazz fan would recognize, since they are anchored to the relentless beats. But Sample is one of the more accomplished players in smooth jazz, and his sidemen are able to support him and, when given the chance, match him in their playing. William Ruhlmann    Tracklist & Credits :

JOE SAMPLE — Oasis (1985) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Pianist Joe Sample, who has had easily the most successful solo career of any of the Crusaders, recorded a series of melodic and lightly funky sets for MCA in the 1980s. This particular outing (which is available on CD) is unfortunately quite weak due to the forgettable melodies. Sample is joined by Dean Parks, Carlos Fearing, David T. Walker and/or Barry Finnerty on guitars, either Wilton Felder, Abraham Laboriel or Nathan East on bass, drummer Ndugu, percussionist Paulinho Da Costa and occasional synthesizers and strings; he plays well enough, but the material is quite inferior. One song ("The Survivor") features Phyllis Hyman's over-the-top R&B singing. Otherwise, the program consists of lightweight instrumentals, pleasant but mundane. Get Sample's Carmel instead. Scott Yanow    Tracklist & Credits :

DIZZY GILLESPIE | LALO SCHIFRIN — Free Ride (1977-1993) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although Lalo Schifrin is justifiably praised for his soundtrack work, many jazz purists turn up their noses at his jazz dates, such as his '60s work with Jimmy Smith and Wes Montgomery. The things that make Schifrin an anathema to the diehards -- the huge orchestras, the pop and soul riffs, the general air of over the top theatricality -- are all over 1977's Free Ride, his reunion date with Dizzy Gillespie. (Schifrin had been Gillespie's arranger in the late '50s.) In fact, Free Ride is so painfully dated that it's transformed into cockeyed cool, just the sort of record ironic hipsters should listen to while they're reading the novelizations of '70s cop shows that they bought for a bundle off of eBay. Gillespie plays with his usual wit and panache, but most of the time, he sounds like a sideman on his own album; the real focus of Schifrin's arrangements is the funky wah-wah guitars and ARP synthesizer solos that take center stage on tracks like "Fire Dance" (which sounds exactly like it should be the theme for a Charlie's Angels spinoff) and the mellow disco of the closing "Last Stroke of Midnight." Occasionally, Gillespie gets to break out on his own album, with the lovely solo on "Love Poem for Donna" his particular standout. For what it is, Free Ride is really quite good (guests include Lee Ritenour and future star Ray Parker, Jr.), but it's very much a record of and for its time. Stewart Mason  Tracklist + Credits :

DAVE GRUSIN / LEE RITENOUR - Harlequin (1985) WV (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Harlequin (Arlequim Desconhecido) 4:42
Composed By – Ivan Lins
Lyrics By – Victor Martins
2    Early A.M. Attitude 4:59
Composed By – Dave Grusin
3    San Ysidro 4:59
Composed By – Lee Ritenour
4    Before It´s Too Late (Antes Que Seja Tarde) 5:18
Composed By – Ivan Lins
Lyrics By – Victor Martins
5    Silent Message 6:09
Composed By – Dave Grusin
6    Cats Of Rio 5:18
Composed By – Don Grusin
7    Beyond The Storm (Depois Dos Temporais)     5:37
Composed By – Ivan Lins
Lyrics By – Victor Martins
8    Grid-Lock 4:03
Composed By – Lee Ritenour
9    The Bird 5:48
Composed By – Harvey Mason, Mike Lang
Credits :
Backing Vocals – Carol Rogers (faixas: 1, 4), Marietta Waters (faixas: 1, 4), Regina Werneck (faixas: 1, 4)
Bass – Abraham Laboriel (faixas: 5, 8), Jimmy Johnson (faixas: 1 to 4, 6, 7)
Drums – Carlos Vega (faixas: 1 to 4, 5, 6), Harvey Mason (faixas: 1, 4)
Guitar, Producer, Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Percussion – Alex Acuña (faixas: 1, 8), Paulinho Da Costa
Piano, Keyboards – Dave Grusin
Programmed By [Drums] – Harvey Mason
Programmed By [Midi-piano] – Randy Goodrum
Programmed By [Synthesizer] – Marcus Ryle
Vocals – Ivan Lins (faixas: 1, 4)

JOE PASS AND PAULINHO DA COSTA - Tudo Bem! (1978-1985) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

After countless solo guitar albums for Pablo, Joe Pass performed this welcome change of pace, a set of Brazilian tunes. Joined by fellow guitarist Oscar Castro Neves, bassist Octavio Bailly, drummer Claudio Slon, percussionist Paulinho da Costa and keyboardist Don Grusin, Pass plays warm solos on a variety of Brazilian tunes. Highlights include three songs by Antonio Carlos Jobim (including "Corcovado" and "Wave"), Deodato's "Tears," and Luiz Bonfa's "The Gentle Rain." A melodic and infectious date that has been reissued on CD. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Corcovado 6:20
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Vinícius de Moraes
2     Tears (Razao de Viver) 3:32
Deodato
3     Wave 10:08
Antônio Carlos Jobim
4     Voce (You) 3:10
Ronaldo Bôscoli / Roberto Menescal
5     If You Went Away 3:04
Marcos Valle
6     Que Que Ha? 4:11
Don Grusin / Octavio Bailly, Jr.
7     The Gentle Rain (Chuva Delicada) 4:11
Luiz Bonfá / Matt Dubey
8     Barquinho 6:11
Ronaldo Bôscoli / Roberto Menescal
9     Luciana 4:55
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Gene Lees / Vinícius de Moraes
10     I Live to Love 3:20
Oscar Castro-Neves / Luverci Fiorini / Ray Gilbert
Credits :
Bass – Octavio Bailly Jr
Drums – Claudio Slon
Guitar – Joe Pass, Oscar Castro Neves
Keyboards – Don Grusin
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Producer – Norman Granz

GATO BARBIERI - Ruby, Ruby (1977-2007) Verve Originals / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Charming and romantic fit the description of Gato Barbieri and the work he presents here, the album Ruby, Ruby. The production of the record, mastered and engineered handsomely by Herb Alpert, is very lush and beautiful to a lasting degree. Barbieri turns his first song, "Ruby," from an early-on haunting love ballad to an appealing and gripping all-out Latin jam session. This theme happens to find itself playing roles several times over throughout the record. The musicianship explored is captivating and adventurous, taking the listener on a passionate journey to whatever part of the soul he or she wishes to find or dares to pursue. A soaring sound at times, with Barbieri's splendid, racing saxophone melody lines. "Nostalgia" brings the delicate and eloquent guitar work of Lee Ritenour, who also takes part in the creation of "Sunride" and bits of "Ruby." As with most jazz records, percussion is responsible for playing a key role in the inception of the groove and depth of the material. Because of this album's Latin context, Barbieri does a wonderful job inspiring his friends in the rhythm section to come to life. Joe Clayton plays the textured conga on "Latin Reaction," and Lenny White leads a band of fellow passionate drummers, including Paulina da Costa, Steve Gadd, Steve Jordan, and Bernard Purdie. The entire atmosphere of the record changes smoothly in texture and tempo, drifting like a channeling stream from subdued and slow to rampant and passionately loud. Certainly, Barbieri intended it to be a delight of the first degree in the Latin scene, and one listen should win the hearts and minds of the listener. Conjuring up romance and scenes of a starry night in Latin America, this music is the soul of Latin music at its peak in the late '70s. A soothing and ethereal delight, even considering its only weakness: the lack of words and lyrics. by Shawn M. Haney  
Tracklist :
1 Ruby 6:29
Written-By – Heinz Roemheld, Michael Parish
2 Nostalgia 5:25
Written-By – Gato Barbieri
3 Latin Reaction 4:58
Written-By – Marvin Gaye
4 Ngiculela - Es Una Historia - I Am Singing 5:45
Written-By – Stevie Wonder
5 Sunride 5:55
Written-By – Gato Barbieri
6 Adios 4:42
Written-By – Gato Barbieri
7 Blue Angel 5:46
Written-By – Gato Barbieri
8 Midnight Tango 4:27
Written-By – Herb Alpert
Credits :
Bass – Chuck Domanico (tracks: 7), Eddie Guagua (tracks: 6), Gary King
Congas – Joe Clayton (tracks: 3)
Contractor [Strings] – David Nadien
Drums – Bernard Purdie (tracks: 7), Lenny White, Steve Gadd (tracks: 5), Steve Jordan (tracks: 6)
French Horn – John Gale, Peter Gordon , Tom Malone
Guitar – David Spinozza, Joe Caro, Lee Ritenour (tracks: 1, 2, 5)
Keyboards – Eddy Martinez
Organ – Don Grolnick (tracks: 3)
Percussion – Cachete Maldonado, Paulinho Da Costa (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 7), Portinho (tracks: 6)
Piano – Don Grolnick (tracks: 1)
Producer, Arranged By – Herb Alpert
Synthesizer – Ian Underwood (tracks: 2 to 4)
Tenor Saxophone, Arranged By – Gato Barbieri
Trombone – David Taylor, Paul Faulise, Wayne Andre
Trumpet – Herb Alpert (tracks: 2)
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Alen Rubin, Jon Faddis, Lou Soloff, Marvin Stamm

JOÂO GILBERTO - Amoroso + Brasil (1993) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Two of the influential João Gilberto's LPs (Amoroso and Brasil) are combined on this single CD. The former session is pretty definitive with Gilberto interpreting four of Antonio Carlos Jobim's compositions (including "Wave" and "Triste") and four other songs (highlighted by "Besame Mucho," "Estate," and an odd 31-bar rendition of "'S Wonderful"). The strings (arranged by Claus Ogerman) are unnecessary but Gilberto proves to be in prime form. The later album also has its moments of interest (including a Brazilian version of "All of Me") and finds Gilberto backed by Johnny Mandel arrangements and assisted by singers Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, and Maria Bethania. Overall there is not much variety throughout this gently swinging program but these are a pair of Gilberto's better post-1970 recordings. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
        Amoroso    (1977)
1    'S Wonderful 4:10
Written-By – George & Ira Gershwin
2    Estate 6:27
Written-By – Bruno Brighetti, Bruno Martino
3    Tin Tin Por Tin Tin 3:40
Written-By – Geraldo Jacques, Haroldo Barbosa
4    Besame Mucho 8:46
Written-By – Consuelo Velazquez, Sunny Skylar
5    Wave 4:41
Written-By – Antonio Carlos Jobim
6    Caminhos Cruzados 6:14
Written-By – Antonio Carlos Jobim
7    Triste 4:19
Written-By – Antonio Carlos Jobim
8    Zingaro 6:22
Lyrics By – Chico Buarque
Music By – Antonio Carlos Jobim
    Brasil    (1981)
9    Aquarela Do Brasil 6:34
Written-By – Ary Barroso
10    Disse Alguém (All Of Me) 5:18
Written-By – Gerald Marks, Haroldo Barbosa, Seymour Simons
11    Bahia Com H 5:13
Written-By – Denis Brean
12    No Tabuleiro Da Baiana 4:50
Written-By – Ary Barroso
13    Milagre 4:57
Written-By – Dorival Caymmi
14    Cordeiro De Nanã 1:20
Written-By – Mateus E Dadinho
Créditos
Arranged By, Conductor – Claus Ogerman (faixas: 1 to 8), Johnny Mandel (faixas: 9 to 14)
Bass – Jim Hughart
Cello – Anne Goodman (faixas: 9 to 14), Rober Lebon (faixas: 9 to 14)
Concertmaster – Israel Baker (faixas: 1 to 8)
Contractor – Stan Fishelson (faixas: 9 to 14)
Contractor [Orchestra] – Frank De Caro (faixas: 1 to 8)
Drums – Grady Tate (faixas: 1 to 8), Joe Correro
Flute – Bud Shank (faixas: 9 to 14), Eddie Cainf (faixas: 9 to 14), Glen Garrett (faixas: 9 to 14), Harry Klu (faixas: 9 to 14)
Harp – Stella Castellucci (faixas: 9 to 14)
Keyboards – Clare Fischer (faixas: 9 to 14), Ralph Grierson (faixas: 1 to 8)
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa (faixas: 9 to 14)
Performer – Caetano Veloso (faixas: 9 to 14), Maria Bethania (faixas: 9 to 14)
Synthesizer – Michael Boddicker (faixas: 9 to 14), Milcho Leviev (faixas: 9 to 14)
Viola – David Schwartz (faixas: 9 to 14), Helaine Wittenberg (faixas: 9 to 14), Marilyn Baker (faixas: 9 to 14)
Violin – Bonnie Douglas (faixas: 9 to 14), Harry Bluestone (faixas: 9 to 14), Isabelle Daskoff (faixas: 9 to 14), Israel Baker (faixas: 9 to 14), Jerry Reisler (faixas: 9 to 14), John Wittenberg (faixas: 9 to 14), Joe Goodman (faixas: 9 to 14), Nathan Ross (faixas: 9 to 14), Paul Shure (faixas: 9 to 14), Bob Dubow (faixas: 9 to 14), Bob Lipsett (faixas: 9 to 14)
Violin, Concertmaster – Gerald Vinci (faixas: 9 to 14)
Vocals, Guitar – João Gilberto
Notas
Tracks 1-8 previously released as Amoroso
Tracks 9-14 previously released as Brasil 

YELLOWJACKETS - Samurai Samba (1985) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

T he hive is alive with the sound of saxophones, but it’s still all about the groove on Samurai Samba. Keyboardist Russell Ferrante chooses soft keyboard textures, the rhythm section of Haslip and Lawson keep things funky, and Russo’s saxophone comments on the action but doesn’t drive it the way he would on Shades. Otherwise, there’s not much that separates this Samba from their other moves: you have the crossover pop song (“Lonely Weekend”), intoxicating grooves (“Homecoming,” “Deat Beat”) and soulful, smooth jazz (“Daddy’s Gonna Miss You,” “Silverlake”). Since I’m naturally distrustful of jazz, I tend to watch a band that will slip a “Sylvania” and “Silverlake” onto the same album with a raised eyebrow. 

My tastes tend to run more traditional, which is to say I favor the sly dissonance of bop and its related offspring. Yellowjackets do that too, on the closing “Samurai Samba” of all places, but making an album with a little something for everyone only makes everyone a little happy. Of course, as I’ve said before, I have a big blind spot when it comes to jazz, and the ‘80s saw a transitional period where jazz, funk and pop music got swirled together into a kind of supermarket samba that initially attracted new listeners to jazz. If you ask me, the new listeners were people in silly turtlenecks with unpronounceable audiophile components (“The D is silent...”) who were convinced that jazz was the audio equivalent of wheat germ, but I don’t know why you would ask me. It is interesting, however, that jazz critics who would pore over every note recorded by Miles Davis or John Coltrane and gush at the achievements of Weather Report and Pat Metheny would seldom devote a fraction of the energy to breaking down the work of Yellowjackets or Tom Scott. But then I tend to lump jazz into one big bucket, and clearly there’s a little jazz elf at work in the bucket rolling some of the jazz grapes to one side and some to another. And that’s how I started with a hive analogy and ended up with a grape-rolling elf in a bucket. web

Tracklist:

1. Homecoming 5:13

Russell Ferrante

2. Deat Beat 5:25

Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip / Ricky Lawson / Marc Russo

3. Daddy's Gonna Miss You 4:33

Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip / Ricky Lawson / Marc Russo

4. Sylvania 4:14

Russell Ferrante / Jimmy Haslip / Ricky Lawson

5. Silverlake 5:45

Russell Ferrante

6. Lonely Weekend 4:20

Bobby Caldwell / Joseph Curiale / Russell Ferrante / Ricky Lawson

7. Los Mambos 4:24

Paulinho Da Costa / Russell Ferrante / Marc Russo

8. Samurai Samba 5:18

Russell Ferrante

Credits:

Vocals – Bobby Caldwell, Carl Caldwell, Marilyn Scott, Paulinho Da Costa

Bass [5-string] – Jimmy Haslip

Drums, Drums [Electric] – Ricky Lawson

Guitar – Carlos Rios, Michael Landau

Keyboards – Russell Ferrante

Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa

Saxophone [Alto] – Marc Russo

MILES DAVIS - Tutu (1986-2001) Deluxe Edition / 2CD / RM / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The controversial but memorable Tutu is mostly a duet between Miles Davis and the many overdubbed instruments of producer Marcus Miller (although violinist Michal Urbaniak, percussionist Paulinho da Costa, and keyboardist George Duke are among the other musicians making brief apperaances). Certainly the results are not all that spontaneous, but Davis is in top form and some of the selections (most notably the title cut) are quite memorable. by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:

1-1 –Miles Davis Tutu 5:15

Written-By – Marcus Miller
1-2 –Miles Davis Tomaas 5:32
Written-By – Marcus Miller, Miles Davis
1-3 –Miles Davis Portia 6:18
Written-By – Marcus Miller
1-4 –Miles Davis Splatch 4:45
Written-By – Marcus Miller
1-5 –Miles Davis Backyard Ritual 4:49
Written-By – George Duke
1-6 –Miles Davis Perfect Way 4:32
Written-By – Gamson, Strohmeyer
1-7 –Miles Davis Don't Lose Your Mind 5:49

Written-By – Marcus Miller

1-8 –Miles Davis Full Nelson 5:05
Written-By – Marcus Miller
Live Performance From Nice Festival, France, Previously Unreleased
2-1 –Miles Davis Octet Opening Medley 15:11
('Theme From Jack Johnson' / 'Speak' / 'That's What Happened')
Written-By – John Scofield, Miles Davis
2-2 –Miles Davis Octet New Blues 5:23
Written-By – Miles Davis
2-3 –Miles Davis Octet Maze 10:15
Written-By – Erin Davis
2-4 –Miles Davis Octet Human Nature 9:01
Written-By – Bettis, Porcaro
2-5 –Miles Davis Octet Portia 7:56
Written-By – Marcus Miller
2-6 –Miles Davis Octet Splatch 17:07
Written-By – Marcus Miller
2-7 –Miles Davis Octet Time After Time 7:26
Written-By – Lauper, Hyman
2-8 –Miles Davis Octet Carnival 4:17
Written-By – Neil Larsen
Credits:
Arranged By – George Duke (tracks: 1-5), Marcus Miller (tracks: 1-1 to 1-4, 1-6 to 1-8)
Bass Guitar – Marcus Miller (tracks: 1-5)
Design [Original] – Susan Welt
Drums – Vincent Wilburn, Jr. (tracks: 2-1 to 2-8)
Drums, Percussion – Omar Hakim (tracks: 1-2)
Electric Bass – Felton Crews (tracks: 2-1 to 2-8)
Electric Violin – Michal Urbaniak (tracks: 1-7)
Guitar – Robben Ford (tracks: 2-1 to 2-8)
Instruments [All Other] – George Duke (tracks: 1-5), Marcus Miller
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa (tracks: 1-1, 1-3 to 1-5), Steve Thornton (tracks: 2-1 to 2-8)
Percussion [Additional] – Steve Reid (tracks: 1-4)
Programmed By [Synthesizer, Additional] – Adam Holzman (tracks: 1-1 to 1-8), Marcus Miller (tracks: 1-1 to 1-8)
Saxophone – Bob Berg (tracks: 2-1 to 2-8)
Synthesizer – Adam Holzman (tracks: 2-1 to 2-8), Robert Irving III (tracks: 2-1 to 2-8)
Synthesizer [Additional] – Bernard Wright (tracks: 1-2, 1-7)
Synthesizer [Solo] – Adam Holzman (tracks: 1-4)
Trumpet – Miles Davis (tracks: 1-1 to 1-8)
Trumpet, Synthesizer – Miles Davis (tracks: 2-1 to 2-8)

PAULINHO DA COSTA – Agora (1977-1991) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Brazilian-born percussionist Paulinho Da Costa's first album as a leader is very much an album of its era, for good and bad. Da Costa is the preeminent Brazilian percussionist of his time, and his kinetic grooves, built on a variety of traditional Afro-Cuban percussion instruments, power these six lengthy workouts. Indeed, on the hypnotic "Terra," his percussion is nearly the only instrument. However, the rest of this album tends toward standard mid-'70s jazz-funk. As a result, the album sounds terribly dated, all wah-wah guitar, Fender Rhodes electric piano, and ARP synthesizer. On the other hand, this is not necessarily a bad thing, especially for those into camp '70s nostalgia. More to the point, as camp '70s nostalgia goes, this is really quite good! Da Costa and his primary writing partner, arranger Claudio Slon, turn out to be masters at creating percolating jazz-funk grooves with the melodic savvy of the best Brazilian pop, for a best of both worlds feel. On both the sweet bossa nova disco of "Toledo Bagel" and the carnival-style percussion and chanting of the closing "Ritmo Number One," Da Costa and his group (featuring special guests like Greg Phillinganes and Lee Ritenour, for the full mid-'70s fusion experience) are entirely at ease, loose and funky but still entirely slick. Those phobic to memories of avocado shag carpeting will want to avoid Agora, but it's worth checking out for both hipster ironists and Brazilian jazz fans. Stewart Mason     Tracklist + Credits :

THE BRECKER BROTHERS - Detente (1980) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The epitome of cool, the Brecker Brothers were one of best-selling jazz fusion outfits of the mid-'70s to the early '80s. Randy Brecker (trumpet/flügelhorn) and Michael Brecker (tenor sax) were ubiquitous session players and also members of the New York band Dreams. By the mid-'70s, they started recording under their own name. Their subsequent albums, The Brecker Brothers, Don't Stop the Music, and the live Heavy Metal Be-Bop all find the group doing challenging melodies in a genre that often played it too stupid. Detente finds them during a time when jazz playing was starting to get more lucrative. Keyboardist and producer George Duke was behind the boards for Detente. Although the Brecker Brothers and Duke are probably mainstays in any jazz fusion collection, their styles aren't analogous. Some of the tracks here clearly prove that point. "You Ga (Ta Give It)" and "Not Tonight" both come off as a little too radio-friendly. Not surprisingly, the best cuts here have both the classic intelligent Brecker Brothers sound as well as George Duke's production prowess. The sophisticated and funky "Tee'd Off" gets the Brecker Brothers on more familiar terrain and features a sinewy guitar solo from the underrated Hiram Bullock. The highly charged "Squish" and "Baffled" both display Randy Brecker's singular arranging skills. "Dream Theme," arranged by Michael Brecker, is the album's best song, reflective yet not melancholy, with his saxophone felt and flawless throughout. The last track, "I Don't Know Either," has solos from both of the Brecker Brothers, and displays the level of skill that many jazz outfits simply didn't possess. Detente features work from a litany of jazz players, including Neil Jason and Steve Jordan in addition to Duke. Despite a few lukewarm tracks, Detente is well worth picking up. by Jason Elias 
Tracklist:
1 You Ga (Ta Give It) 4:30
Composed By – Randy Brecker
Vocals – Carl Carwell, D. J. Rogers
2 Not Tonight 3:57
Composed By – Michael Brecker, Neil Jason
Lyrics By – Neil Jason
Vocals – Carl Carwell
3 Don't Get Funny With My Money 4:33
Lyrics By – Luther Vandross
Music By, Lyrics By – Randy Brecker
4 Tee'd Off 3:43
Composed By – Michael Brecker
5 You Left Something Behind 4:00
Lyrics By – Debra Barsha
Music By – Randy Brecker
6 Squish 5:51
Composed By – Randy Brecker
7 Dream Theme 5:39

Composed By – Michael Brecker

8 Baffled 5:21
Composed By – Randy Brecker
9 I Don't Know Either 5:48
Composed By – Michael Brecker
Credits:
Bass – Marcus Miller, Neil Jason
Drums – Steve Gadd, Steve Jordan
Guitar – David Spinozza, Jeff Mironov
Keyboards – Mark Gray, George Duke, Don Grolnick
Percussion – Airto Moreira, Ralph MacDonald, Paulinho da Costa
Producer – George Duke
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Michael Brecker
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Randy Brecker
Vocals – Carl Carwell, D. J. Rogers

CLAUS OGERMAN / MICHAEL BRECKER - Cityscape (1982) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

German-born composer and arranger Claus Ogerman, born in 1930, must rank as one of the most versatile musicians of the twentieth century. When he was at his peak in the 1970s, writing everything from ballet scores to arrangements for Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim, diva Barbra Streisand, and jazz/R&B saxophonist George Benson, there was hardly a radio station on the dial where his music wasn't heard during the course of a typical day -- and he's still quite active. The key to his success has been his ability to stay in the background behind the musician he's working with and yet create something distinctive. This 1982 collaboration with the late jazz saxophonist Michael Brecker is one of his most successful works, not least because the overlap between the extended harmonies of jazz and the chromaticism of the late German Romantic polyphony in which Ogerman was trained is large enough to allow Brecker to operate comfortably -- his improvisations seem to grow naturally out of the background, and the intersections between jazz band and orchestral strings come more easily here than on almost any other crossover between jazz and classical music. The mood is nocturnal and reflective. Brecker at this point had not yet made an album as a bandleader; he was primarily known to those who closely followed jazz and R&B session musicians. The album was originally billed as a release by Claus Ogerman with Michael Brecker. Yet notice how skillfully Ogerman eases the fearsomely talented young saxophonist into the spotlight. The highlight of the album is a three-part suite called In the Presence and Absence of Each Other, and in its middle movement, track 5, the saxophone is silent until about a minute before the end -- yet everything in the piece leads up to this magical explosion of lyricism. The packaging describes this album as a "virtual concerto for saxophone and orchestra with jazz rhythm section," but it's a little more complicated than that -- actually, it's a concerto for jazz band, with saxophone leader, and orchestra. That creates several layers, and it is precisely in handling these layers where jazz/classical crossovers tend to fail -- and where Ogerman succeeds. A very sweet experience for listeners from either side of the divide. by James Manheim  

GRORGE DUKE – 1977-1984 (9 Albums, Japanese Remasters 2014) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

George Duke - From Me to You

George Duke was never a myopic jazz purist -- the keyboardist/singer/producer/composer always had a healthy appreciation of soul, funk, and rock. Nonetheless, instrumental jazz was his main focus prior to 1977. It was in 1977 that Duke placed jazz on the back burner and made vocal-oriented R&B his top priority. The album that marked this change of direction was From Me to You, which was the first of two R&B-oriented releases that Epic put out for the artist in 1977 -- the second was the superb Reach for It. This LP contains a few noteworthy fusion instrumentals, including the driving "Up on It" and the contemplative "Seasons." But From Me to You is an R&B album more than anything, and Duke lets the funk prevail on vocal-oriented tracks like "Sing It" and "Carry On" (which he revisited when he produced Flora Purim's Carry On LP in 1979). Occasionally, this album is excellent, although most of the time, it is merely decent -- on From Me to You, Duke doesn't wear the soul/funk hat as confidently as he did on subsequent R&B-oriented projects like Reach for It, Don't Let Go, and Follow the Rainbow. This record is a bit uneven, although it has more plusses than minuses and is worth hearing if you're among Duke's hardcore fans. Alex Henderson

Tracklist :
1. From Me to You (Duke) - 1:45
2. Carry On (Duke) - 4:36
3. What Do They Really Fear? (Duke) - 4:28
4. 'Scuse Me Miss (Duke) - 3:37
5. You and Me (Duke) - 3:41
6. Broken Dreams (Duke) - 2:50
7. Up on It (Duke) - 9:05
8. Seasons (Duke) - 5:45
9. Down in It (Duke-Clarke-Sembello-Chancler) - 1:22
10. Sing It (Duke) - 4:10
Credits:
George Duke - keyboards, vocals, percussion (5)
Stanley Clarke - acoustic bass (1,8), electric bass (7,9)
Byron Miller - electric bass
Leon "Ndugu" Chancler - drums
Mike Sembello - electric and acoustic guitars
Diane Reeves - vocals (5,6)
Maxine Willard Waters, Julia Tillman Waters, Jessica Smith - background vocals

George Duke - Reach for It 

By 1977, the jazz content of George Duke's albums had decreased considerably, and soul and funk had become his main priorities. Reach for It has more to offer from an R&B standpoint than a jazz standpoint, though the fusion it does contain is first rate -- including the Latin-influenced "Hot Fire" and "Lemme at It" (an aggressive gem that's in a class with some of the keyboardist/pianist's best work with the Billy Cobham/Duke Band). Reach's heavy R&B content resulted in Duke facing the same accusation as George Benson, Patrice Rushen and other improvisers who moved away from jazz in the '70s -- that he was a sellout. But none of this CD's R&B content comes across as contrived or formulaic. In fact, Duke is downright inspired on the haunting "Just for You" and the Parliament-influenced title song. Even so, it's always regrettable when a gifted improviser pretty much abandons jazz -- and Duke is a prime example. It should be stressed that the high rating awarded this CD is primarily from an R&B standpoint -- and that those strictly interested in hearing Duke playing jazz would be better off investing in earlier efforts like Faces in Reflection. Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1. The Beginning (Duke) - 1:50
2. Lemme at It (Duke) - 4:14
3. Hot Fire (Chancler) - 5:31
4. Reach for It (Duke) - 4:54
5. Just for You (Duke) - 4:28
6. Omi (Fresh Water) (Duke) - 4:50
7. Searchin' My Mind (Duke) - 3:12
8. Watch Out Baby! (Duke-Chancler-Sembello-Clarke) - 5:25
9. Diamonds (Duke) - 6:45
10. The End (Duke) - 1:07
11. Bring It on Home (Duke) - 4:25
Credits :
George Duke - keyboards, vocals
Leon "Ndugu" Chancler - drums, remo roto toms, timbales, vocals (4,8)
Charles Icarus Johnson - guitar, vocals (4,9)
Deborah Thomas, Dee Henrichs, Sybil Thomas - vocals
Manolo Badrena - congas, bongos, percussion
Mike Sembello - guitar (8)
Raul de Souza - trombone (6)

George Duke - Don't Let Go

With a hot funk band and a big hit, "Reach for It," behind him, George Duke appears mostly in his persona as R&B star on this ebullient package of sometimes Latin-inflected '70s funk. The centerpiece is a self-parodic bit of shuck and jive called "Dukey Stick," which became a number four hit single on the R&B charts (at his gigs, Duke used to flaunt a gaudy, lit-up, perhaps phallic wand, the "Dukey stick," during this number). The percussion section is pretty potent, staffed by Leon "Ndugu" Chancler and Sheila Escovedo in her pre-pop star days; they even get a Latin workout of their own simply titled "Percussion Interlude." While some of Duke's considerable keyboard and electronic prowess breaks through now and then, this album is mainly aimed at the R&B market, as the preponderance of soul vocals indicates. As such, it is a cut or two above the routine fare of the time, though not as infectious as its predecessor Reach for It. Richard S. Ginell
Tracklist :
1. We Give Our Love (Duke-Chancler-Miller-Johnson) - 4:33
2. Morning Sun (Duke) - 4:15
3. Percussion Interlude (Chancler-Escovedo) - 2:02
4. Dukey Stick (Duke) - 6:07
5. Starting Again (Duke) - 4:30
6. Yeah, We Going (Chancler) - 3:41
7. The Way I Feel (Duke) - 4:45
8. Movin' On (Duke) - 4:23
9. Don't Let Go (Duke) - 3:26
10. Preface (Duke) - 1:30
11. The Future (Duke) - 3:28
12. Dukey Stick Part 1 (Duke) - 3:35
13. Dukey Stick Part 2 (Duke) - 4:43
14. Dukey Stick (12" Single Version) (Duke) - 8:07
Credits :
George Duke - keyboards, vocals, narration
Leon "Ndugu" Chancler - drums, narration (4), timbales
Byron Miller - bass, narration (4)
Charles "Icarus" Johnson - guitar, narration (4)
Sheila Escovedo - congas, percussion, nrration (4), vocals
Josie James, Napolean Murphy Brock - vocals
Petsye Powell, Pattie Brooks - background vocals
Roland Bautista - rhythm guitar (9)
Wah Wah Watson - Hot Licks (1)
Carol Shive - violin
Jody Geist - viola (10)

George Duke - Follow the Rainbow

When George Duke made the transition from jazz instrumentalist to R&B star in 1977, he received both negative and positive reviews. R&B-oriented publications tended to provide favorable reviews-even glowing ones-whereas much of the jazz media routinely trashed soul/funk efforts like 1979's Follow the Rainbow. To many jazz critics, Duke was a sellout-a virtuoso who had forsaken creativity and was pandering to the lowest common denominator in order to enjoy financial security. But truth be told, jazz musicians don't have the market cornered on creativity. Follow the Rainbow is, in fact, a creative album, and it's an album that has very little to do with jazz. The LP includes a few fusion instrumentals, including the Brazilian-flavored "Festival." But 90% of Follow the Rainbow is devoted to R&B, and anyone who judges it by those standards instead of jazz standards will have to agree that Duke is triumphant on sweaty funk tunes ("Party Down," "I Am for Real") as well as mellow soul ballads and slow jams like "Say That You Will," "Straight From the Heart," and the Earth, Wind & Fire-influenced "Sunrise." This album is consistently excellent, but it isn't recommended to jazz snobs -- only those with a healthy appreciation of 1970s soul and funk will enjoy this album. Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1. Party Down (Duke-Champlin) - 3:10
2. Say That You Will (Duke) - 3:06
3. Funkin' for the Thrill (Miller) - 4:03
4. Sunrise (Duke) - 4:45
5. Festival (Duke) - 6:43
6. I Am for Real (May the Funk Be with You) (Duke) - 5:19
7. Straight from the Heart (Duke) - 3:53
8. Corine (Duke) - 6:02
9. Pluck (Duke) - 4:48
10. Follow the Rainbow (Duke) - 1:28
11. I Am for Real (May the Funk Be with You) (Single Edit) (Duke) - 3:35
12. Pluck (Single Edit) (Duke) - 3:25
Credits :
George Duke - vocals, keyboards
Byron Miller - bass, vocals (3)
Ricky Lawson - drums
Charles Icarus Johnson - guitar
Sheila Escovedo - percussion, vocals
Napolean Murphy Brook, Lynn Davis, Josie James - vocals
Everybody - narration

George Duke - A Brazilian Love Affair

George Duke had been fairly visible in the R&B world thanks to funk gems like "Reach for It" and "Dukey Stick" when he ventured to Rio to record A Brazilian Love Affair, a superb date employing such greats as singers Flora Purim and Milton Nascimento and percussionist Airto Moreira. Although not the return to instrumental jazz some hoped it would be, this heartfelt effort does contain its share of jazz-influenced material. From a jazz standpoint, the CD's most noteworthy songs include Nascimento's "Cravo e Canela," the charming "Brazilian Sugar," "Love Reborn," and the exuberant "Up from the Sea It Arose and Ate Rio in One Swift Bite." Meanwhile, Nascimento's vocal on the ballad "Ao Que Vai Nascer" is a fine example of Brazilian pop at its most sensuous. But however one labels or categorizes this music, the album is clearly a labor of love from start to finish. Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1. Brazilian Love Affair (Duke) - 7:23
2. Summer Breezin' (Duke) - 4:49
3. Cravo e Canela (Nascimento-Bastos) - 3:06
4. Alone-6AM (Duke) - 1:07
5. Brazilian Sugar (Duke) - 5:34
6. Sugar Loaf Mountain (Duke) - 4:10
7. Love Reborn (Duke) - 4:28
8. Up from the Sea It Arose and Ate Rio in One Swift Bite (Duke) - 5:24
9. I Need You Now (Duke) - 4:43
10. Ao Que Vai Nascer (Nascimento-Brant) - 3:31
11. Caxanga (Nascimento-Brant) - 4:10
12. Brazilian Love Affair (Single Edit) (Duke) - 3:52
Credits :
George Duke - piano, synthesizers
Milton Nascimento, Simone, George Duke - lead vocals
Byron Miller, Jamil Joanes - bass
Roberto Silva, Ricky Lawson - drums
Chico Batera, Airto Moreira, Sheila Escovedo - percussion
Toninho Horta, Roland Bautista - guitar
Raul de Souz, Bill Reichenbach - trombone
Jerry Hey - trumpet, flugelhorn
Larry Williams - alto saxophone
Lucinha Lins, Zeluiz, Flavio Faria, Lucia Turnbull, Flora Purim, Josie James, Lynn Davis - vocals
Murrey Adler - string contractor

George Duke - Master of the Game

Although George Duke first made his mark as a jazz instrumentalist, late-1970s classics like Reach for It, Don't Let Go, and Follow the Rainbow made it clear that he could also be an expressive R&B singer. But he didn't want to handle all of the lead vocals himself; so during that period, his role was that of a producer/keyboardist/songwriter who was more than happy to share the lead vocals with Lynn Davis, Josie James, and others. Davis enjoyed a lot of exposure on R&B stations when, in 1979, Duke featured her on "I Want You for Myself," the haunting single that made Master of the Game one of his best-selling albums. Her charismatic performance makes the listener wonder why she never had a solo career; the talent was certainly there. This album contains a few jazz fusion instrumentals (including the Latin-flavored "Dog-Man"), but it's an R&B release first and foremost -- and those who like Duke as an R&B artist will find this album to be enjoyable, if less than essential. "I Want You for Myself" and the mellow, Stylistics-influenced "Every Little Step I Take" are gems, but most of the other selections are merely decent instead of excellent. On the whole, this album isn't in a class with Reach for It, Don't Let Go, or Follow the Rainbow, which are arguably his most essential R&B-oriented albums. But it has more pluses than minuses and is worth having in your collection if you're a serious fans of Duke's late 1970s/early 1980s output. Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1. Look What You Find (Duke) - 4:45
2. Every Little Step I Take (Duke) - 3:49
3. Games (Escovedo-Duke) - 3:14
4. I Want You for Myself (Duke) - 6:38
5. In the Distance (Duke) - 2:24
6. I Love You More (Duke) - 3:06
7. Dog-Man (Duke) - 4:40
8. Everybody's Talkin' (Duke) - 4:19
9. Part 1 - The Alien Challenges the Stick (Duke-Miller-Lawson-Myles) - 2:27
10. Part 2 - The Alien Succumbs to the Macho Intergalactic Funkativity of the Funkblasters (Duke-Miller-Lawson-Myles) - 6:59
11. I Want You for Myself (Single Edit) (Duke) - 3:55
12. Every Little Step I Take (Single Edit) (Duke) - 3:43
Credits :
George Duke - vocals, keyboards
Byron Miller - bass
Ricky Lawson - drums
David Myles - electric guitars, sitar, 6 & 12 string acoustic guitars, Ovation
Sheila Escovedo - percussion, drums
Napoleon Brock, Lynn Davis, Josie James - vocals
Jerry Hey - trumpet, flugelhorn
Ray Obeido, Roland Bautista - guitar
Gary Herbig - alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute, piccolo
Bill Reichenbach - trombone, bass trombone
Fred Washington - bass (3)
Gary Grant - trumpet (7)

George Duke - Dream On

On his R&B-oriented records of the late '70s, George Duke often shared the lead vocals with such band members as Lynn Davis, Josie James, and Napoleon Brock, but none of them are employed on 1982's Dream On, which finds him handling most of the lead vocals himself. And that isn't a bad thing, because Duke is a soulful and charismatic singer -- there is no reason why he shouldn't hog the microphone on his own albums. Unfortunately, he doesn't have a lot of first-rate material to work with on this competent, if uneven and unfocused, LP. Dream On isn't a bad album; sleek R&B ballads like "I Will Always Be Your Friend," "Let Your Love Shine," and "You" are pleasant, but they aren't remarkable, and while Dream On simmers, it never burns and never explodes. Even "Son of Reach for It (The Funky Dream)" -- a sequel to Duke's 1977 smash "Reach for It" -- isn't all that exciting. The best thing on the record is a remake of the mellow soul ballad "Someday," which he had previously recorded for 1975's I Love the Blues, She Heard My Cry. Again, Dream On isn't a disaster, but it isn't one of Duke's more impressive albums either. This LP is strictly for completists. Alex Henderson
Tracklist :
1. Shine On (Duke) - 5:13
2. You (Duke) - 4:39
3. Dream On (Martin-Pilate) - 4:02
4. I Will Always Be Your Friend (Duke) - 3:28
5. Framed (Duke) - 3:20
6. Ride on Love (Duke) - 5:26
7. Son of Reach for It (Miller-Duke-Chancler-Johnson) - 4:26
8. Someday (Duke) - 3:53
9. Positive Energy (Duke) - 3:35
10. Let Your Love Shine (Duke) - 4:31
11. Shine On (Single Edit) (Duke) - 3:53
12. Ride on Love (Single Edit) (Duke) - 3:58
Credits :
George Duke - lead vocals, piano, keyboards
Byron Miller - bass
Leon "Ndugu" Chancler - drums
Paulinho da Costa - percussion
Mike Sembelo, Charles "Icarus" Johnson - guitar
Carl Carlwell, Sybil Thomas, Dee Hendricks, Deborah Thomas, Flora Purim, Jean Carn - background vocals
Jerry Hey, Gary Grant - trumpet, flugelhorn
Bill Reichenbach - trombone
Larry Williams - saxophone
Strings:
Charles Veal,Jr. - concertmaster
Rosemary Veal - contractor
Mari Botnick, Bonnie Douglas, Henry Ferber, Ron Folsom, Franklin Foster, Bob Sanov, Carol Shive, Dorothy Wade, Ken Yerke, Sheldon Sanov, Paul Shure, Endre Granat, Arnold Belnick, Marcia Van Dyke - violin
Rollice Dale, Denyse Buffum, Virginia Majenski, Barbara Thomason - viola
Julie Buffun, Paula Hochhalter, Dennis Karmazyn, Danny Rothmuller, Nils Oliver - cello

George Duke - Guardian of the Light

Coming to the close of his tenure with Epic records, Duke's great work seemed to be overshadowed by bunk. At the same time, he was becoming an in-demand producer with assignments from Jeffrey Osborne, Phillip Bailey, and Deniece Williams filling his schedule. Guardian of the Light reflects that strain. Released in 1983, Guardian of the Light also had the added baggage of a hard-to-follow concept of a fictional character's mystical exploits. This being George Duke, although the idea is odd, he was sure to get some good songs done here. It doesn't come easily however. Despite the good intentions, "Light," "Shane," and "Reach Out" differ little from the melodically challenged songs that typified his post-Brazilian Love Affair efforts. That being said, Guardian of the Light does include a classic. The gorgeous and soaring "You (Are the Light)" has Duke giving a particularly strong vocal performance. Duke also does one of his best Rhodes solos on the track as well. "Born to Love You" is also very affecting. This album closes with the rock-influenced and surprisingly effective "Fly Away." This effort is worth seeking out for its highs, but the middling work does seem to win out here. Jason Elias
Tracklist :
1. Overture (Duke) - 1:38
2. Light (Duke) - 3:23
3. Shane (Duke) - 3:14
4. Born to Love You (Duke) - 3:10
5. Silly Fightin' (Duke) - 5:07
6. You (Are the Light) (Duke) - 4:16
7. The War Fugue Interlude (Duke) - 1:13
8. Reach Out (Duke) - 4:57
9. Give Me Your Love (Duke) - 4:19
10. Stand (Duke) - 2:14
11. Soon (Duke) - 2:43
12. Celebrate (Duke) - 3:54
13. Fly Away (Duke) - 4:03
14. Reach Out (12" Single Version) (Duke) - 6:54
Credits:
George Duke - vocals, keyborads
Louis Johnson, Byron Miller - bass
John Robinson, Leon "Ndugu" Chancler - drums
Michael Sembello, Charles Fearing, Johnny McGhee - guitar
Paulinho da Costa, Steve Forman - percussion
Craig Harris - vocorder programming
Jeffrey Osborne, Lynn Davis, Portia Griffin, Patti Austin,
George Duke - background vocals
Jerry Hey, Gary Grant - trumpet, flugelhorn, piccolo trumpet
Larry Williams - tenor saxophone
Lou McCreary - trombone
Lynn Davis, Rachelle Fields, Portia Griffin, George Duke - handclaps
Strings:
Paul Shure, Charles Veal - concert master
Murray Adler, Israel Baker, Brenton Banks, Sherrill Coltrin Baptist, Bonnie Douglass, Assa Drori, Reginald Hill, Karen Jones, Nathan Ross, Sheldon Sanov, Robert Sushel, Mari Botnick, Henry Ferber, Ron Folsom, Franklin Foster, Bob Sanov, Carol Shive, Dorothy Wade, Ken Yerke, Endre Granat, Arnold Belnick, Marcia Can Dyke, Charles Veal, Jr - violin
Rollice Dale, Denyse Buffum, Virginia Majenski, Barbara Thomason, Allan Harshman, Myer Bello, David Schwartz - viola
Douglas Davis, Raymond Kelley, Jan Kelley, Earl Madison, Julie Buffum, Paula Hochhalter, Dennis Karmazyn, Danny Rothermuller, Nils Oliver - cello
George Del Barrio - string conductor

George Duke - Rendezvous

 Most of this album consists of the same general early 1980's danceable R&B funk fare and pop balladry that marked the rest of his catalog around this time, most of it on the smoother side. But on "Better Ways" George Duke throws down some truly NAS-TAY funk-rock with a scathing message and "Ipanema Lady" heads back to sunny Rio. Then again "Got To Get Back To Love", "Take It All" and the synth-spiked "Secret Rendevous" aren't bad period funk either, if a little commercial. Warning: NOT FOR JAZZ LISTENERS! But everyone else (especially fans of 80's funk) enjoy!  Andre S Grindle
Tracklist :
1. Got to Get Back to Love (Duke) - 5:31
2. Stay Awhile (Duke) - 2:59
3. Secret Rendezvous (Knight) - 4:53
4. Thinking of You (Duke) - 4:10
5. Take It On (Duke-Anderson) - 3:55
6. She Can Wait Forever (Leib) - 4:01
7. Better Ways (Duke) - 4:25
8. Your Life (Duke) - 2:49
9. Ipanema Lady (Duke) - 3:41
10. Secret Rendezvous (Single Edit) (Knight) - 4:11
Credits:
George Duke - vocals, piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Clavinet, keyboards, Moog & ARP synthesizers, electronic drums, programming
Ernie Watts, Gary Herbig - tenor saxophone
Jerry Hey, Gary Grant - trumpet, flugelhorn
Chuck Findley - flugelhorn
Bill Reichenbach - trombone
Larry Williams - flute, piccolo
Mike Sembello - guitar, background vocals
Paul Jackson, Charles Fearing - guitar
Stanley Clarke - piccolo bass
Nathan East, Byron Miller - bass
Steve Ferrone - drums, hi-hat
John Robinson, Leon "Ndugu" Chancler - drums
Paulinho da Costa - percussion, background vocals
Lynn Davis, Josie James, Oscar Castro-Neves - background vocals