LEE RITENOUR — Rhythm Sessions (2012) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Lee Ritenour's Rhythm Sessions is, in a roundabout way, a companion album to 2010's Six String Theory. For that record, he sought out a slew of guitar greats to celebrate their joint love for the instrument. Here, Ritenour assembles another top-flight cast for a set of tunes that range from fusion to pop, from contemporary jazz to post-bop and more. "The Village" places the guitarist with George Duke, Stanley Clarke, drummer Dave Weckl, and percussionist Munyungo Jackson. The fusion groove is nocturnal, slippery, even bluesy. Kurt Elling joins Dave Grusin, Nathan East, and Will Kennedy for an elegant reading of Nick Drake's "River Man." Ritenour's revisioning of Herbie Hancock's "Fat Albert Rotunda" showcases just how savvy he is at adapting a jazz-funk classic for the 21st century without sacrificing its vigor. The band -- Patrice Rushen on acoustic piano with Debron Johnson on Rhodes, Marcus Miller and Melvin Lee Davis on basses, Rob Bacon on rhythm guitar, and Oscar Seaton on drums -- rock it up a bit while keeping the ensemble and rhythmic interplay fluid, yet firmly in the pocket. Ritenour surprises by including two tunes by the European piano trio E.S.T.: "800 Streets by Feet" and "Spam-Boo-Limbo." In both cases, he uses the harmonic elasticity of the originals to dig inside their hardwired, interlocking grooves. He reveals them as rife for contemporary jazz as well as post-bop. Chick Corea stars on his own shimmering "Children's Song," with Ritenour playing classical guitar augmented by drummer Peter Erskine and Chuck Bergdorfer on bass. This set is not all cover tunes, however; Ritenour contributes three fine compositions -- "July" (a breezy little funk tune with excellent bass work by Melvin Davis), "Rose Pedals" (a crossover classical jazz piece), and "Dolphins Don't Dance" (a limber, Latin-tinged modern jazz tune with Larry Goldings on B-3). The set closer is a reading of Grusin's elegant, R&B-flavored "Punta del Soul," featuring the three young winners of his Six String Theory Guitar & Rhythm Section Competition. Rhythm Sessions underscores Ritenour's ability to place himself in any jazz ensemble -- he's almost chameleon-like -- without sacrificing his unique voice or ability as a soloist. This utterly unique recording in the contemporary jazz genre is a fine showcase for his skills as a bandleader.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist :
1.    The Village  5:06
Acoustic Bass – Stanley Clarke
Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Drums – Dave Weckl
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Synthesizer [Moog] – George Duke
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Percussion – Munyungo Jackson
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Lee Ritenour
2.    River Man  4:35
Arranged By – Ariel Mann, Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenour
Bass – Nathan East
Drums – Will Kennedy
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Dave Grusin
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Vocals – Kurt Elling
Written-By – Nick Drake
3.    Fat Albert Rotunda  4:43
Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Drums – Oscar Seaton
Electric Bass – Marcus Miller, Melvin Lee Davis
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Deron Johnson
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Percussion – Munyungo Jackson
Piano [Acoustic] – Patrice Rushen
Rhythm Guitar – Rob Bacon
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Herbie Hancock
4.    800 Streets By Feet  3:25
Acoustic Bass – Christian McBride
Arranged By – Ariel Mann, Lee Ritenour
Drums – Wesley Ritenour
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Guitar, Keyboards, Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Dan Berglund, Esbörn Svensson, Magnus Öström
5.    Children's Song #1  5:16
Acoustic Bass – Chuck Berghofer
Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Classical Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Drums – Peter Erskine
Piano – Chick Corea
Piano [Additional] – Alan Pasqua
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Chick Corea
6.    La By Bike  5:44
Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Bass – Melvin Lee Davis
Drums – Sonny Emory
Electric Organ [Hammond B3] – Larry Goldings
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Lee Ritenour
7.    Maybe Tomorrow  3:41
Arranged By – Ariel Mann, Lee Ritenour
Bass Guitar – Tal Wilkenfeld
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Engineer [Additional] – R.J. Benjamin
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Keyboards, Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Vocals – Zamajobe
Written By – Benjamin Einziger, George Purviance, Paul Fried, Stephanie Eitel
Written-By [Uncredited] – Kelly Jones
8.    Spam-Boo-Limbo 4:01
Arranged By – Ariel Mann, Lee Ritenour
Bass – Tal Wilkenfeld
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Piano – John Beasley
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Dan Berglund, Esbörn Svensson, Magnus Öström
9.    July  4:54
Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Drums – Sonny Emory
Electric Bass – Melvin Lee Davis
Electric Organ [Hammond B3] – Larry Goldings
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Lee Ritenour
10.    Rose Pedals  3:53
Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Bass [Yamaha Silet Bass] – Nathan East
Drums – Will Kennedy
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Piano [Acoustic] – Dave Grusin
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Lee Ritenour
11.    Dolphins Don't Dance  6:50
Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Drums – Peter Erskine
Electric Organ [Hammond B3], Pedalboard [Bass Pedals] – Larry Goldings
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Piano [Acoustic] – Alan Pasqua
Synthesizer, Programmed By – Ariel Mann
Written-By – Lee Ritenour
12.    Punta Del Soul  5:29
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass – Michael Feinberg
Arranged By – Lee Ritenour
Drums – Selim Munir
Electric Organ [Hammond B3] – Hans De Wild
Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Piano [Acoustic], Arranged By [Additional] – Demetrius Nabors
Written-By – Dave Grusin

STEPS AHEAD — Magnetic (1986-2013) RM | Serie Jazz Best Collection 1000 – 10 | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The last Steps Ahead recording to feature Michael Brecker, this album finds the band exploring the use of electronic instruments and synthesis. Michael Brecker's use of the Akai E.W.I. (electronic wind instrument) is astonishing. Paul Kohler
Tracklist :
1.    Trains 7:31
Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Guitar [Guitar Synthesizer] – Chuck Loeb
Bass – Victor Bailey
Drums [Acoustic, Electric], Percussion – Peter Erskine
Engineer – Malcolm Pollack, Neil Dorfsman, Rick Kerr
Engineer [Assistant] – Jamie Chaleff, Ken Steiger, Rick Begin
Guitar – Hiram Bullock
Mixed By – Malcolm Pollack
Programmed By [Synthesizer Programming] – Robby Kilgore
Synthesizer – Kenny Kirkland
Tenor Saxophone [Steiner Ewi] – Michael Brecker
Vibraphone [Synthi-vibes], Keyboards – Mike Mainieri
Written-By – Mike Mainieri
2.    Beirut 8:15
Bass – Victor Bailey
Drums [Acoustic, Electric], Percussion – Peter Erskine
Engineer [Assistant] – Scott Ansell
Engineer, Mixed By – James Farber
Guitar, Guitar [Guitar Synthesizer] – Chuck Loeb
Programmed By [Synthesizer Programming] – Robby Kilgore
Saxophone [Steiner Ewi, Oberheim Xpander] – Michael Brecker
Vibraphone [Synthi-vibes], Keyboards – Mike Mainieri
Written-By – C. Loeb, M. Brecker, M. Mainieri, P. Erskine, V. Bailey
3.    Cajun 6:16
Banjo – Peter Schwimmer
Bass – Victor Bailey
Drums – Peter Erskine
Engineer [Assistant] – Scott Ansell
Engineer, Mixed By – James Farber
Guitar, Guitar [Guitar Synthesizer] – Chuck Loeb
Programmed By [Synthesizer Programming] – Robby Kilgore
Tenor Saxophone [Steiner Ewi, Oberheim Xpander] – Michael Brecker
Vibraphone [Synthi-vibes] – Mike Mainieri
Written-By – Michael Brecker
4.    In A Sentimental Mood 3:30
Engineer – Joe Barbaria
Engineer [Assistant] – Bridget Daly
Keyboards – Mike Mainieri
Mixed By – Michel Sauvage
Programmed By [Synthesizer Programming] – Phil Ashley
Saxophone [Steiner Ewi, Oberheim Xpander] – Michael Brecker
Written-By – Duke Ellington
5.    Magnetic Love 5:33
Backing Vocals – Diva Gray, Janis Pendarvis, Jocelyn Brown
Drum Programming – Jimmy Bralower
Engineer – Jay Rifkin, Joe Barbaria, Malcolm Pollack
Engineer [Assistant] – Bridget Daly, Jamie Chaleff, Robin Lane
Guitar – Paul Jackson
Lead Vocals – Dianne Reeves
Mixed By – Michael Brauer
Synthesizer – Mike Mainieri, Scott Martin 
Synthesizer [Synclavier Sampling] – Andy Topeka
Synthesizer, Synthesizer [Sequencing] – Phil Ashley
Tenor Saxophone – Michael Brecker
Written-By – Mike Mainieri, Scott Martin 
6.    Sumo 5:50
Bass – Victor Bailey
Drum Programming – Jimmy Bralower
Drums, Percussion – Peter Erskine
Engineer – Neil Dorfsman, Rick Kerr
Engineer [Assistant] – Kevin Killian, Rick Begin, Tim Purvis
Guitar, Guitar [Guitar Synthesizer] – Chuck Loeb
Mixed By – Tom Lord-Alge
Programmed By [Synthesizer Programming], Piano – Robby Kilgore
Tenor Saxophone [Steiner Ewi] – Michael Brecker
Vibraphone [Synthi-vibes] – Mike Mainieri
Written-By – Michael Brecker
7.    All The Tea In China 5:03
Bass – Victor Bailey
Engineer – Andrew Heermans
Engineer [Assistant] – Tim Purvis
Guitar – Chuck Loeb
Mixed By – Tom Lord-Alge
Programmed By [Oberheim Xpander Programming] – Robby Kilgore
Synthesizer – Mitchel Forman
Synthesizer, Percussion – Peter Erskine
Tenor Saxophone [Steiner Ewi, Oberheim Xpander] – Michael Brecker
Vibraphone – Mike Mainieri
Written-By – Peter Erskine
8.    Something I Said 4:23
Bass – Victor Bailey
Drums, Synthesizer – Peter Erskine
Engineer – James Farber
Engineer [Assistant] – Ken Steiger, Scott Ansell
Guitar – Chuck Loeb
Mixed By – Malcolm Pollack
Piano [Acoustic], Synthesizer – Warren Bernhardt
Tenor Saxophone – Michael Brecker
Vibraphone [Synthi-vibes] – Mike Mainieri
Written-By – Peter Erskine
9.    Reprise (Magnetic Love) 1:15
Written-By – Mike Mainieri, Scott Martin 

JACO PASTORIUS — Anthology : The Warner Bros. Years (2014) 2CD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Anthology: The Warner Bros. Years’ is one of many retrospectives of bass genius Jaco Pastorius’ work that have been issued since his tragic death at the age of 35. Containing music from his time with the Warner Bros. label, the vast majority of the album is made up of selections from his sophomore solo studio release ‘Word Of Mouth’ and live albums ‘The Birthday Concert’ and ‘Invitation’.

Among the four tracks which are not from these albums, first up is a live version of ‘Okonkole y Trompa’ from debut album ‘Jaco Pastorius’. This recording comes from the Japanese release ‘Twins I & II’ and stays pretty close to the original as an atmospheric piece featuring some beautiful French horn. ‘Nativity’ from Weather Report and Return To Forever percussionist Airto Moreira’s 1977 album, ‘I’m Fine, How Are You?’, continues in the atmospheric vein before a more upbeat mood is struck on ‘Mood Swings’ from Mike Stern’s ‘Upside Downside’.

While the idea of seeing Jaco in other settings could well provide some interest, if there are only a couple of token examples his work with Joni Mitchell or Pat Metheny would almost certainly lend more insight than the selections here. All three of the tracks here were in fact included on 2003’s ‘Punk Jazz: The Jaco Pastorius Anthology’ alongside some of his work with Mitchell and Metheny as well recordings from the beginnings of Jaco’s career in an altogether more cohesive and informative compilation.

The only completely new material is a previously unissued recording of ‘Donna Lee’ from ‘The Birthday Concert’ session. Mainly serving the purpose of trombone feature, it feels like little more than a play through of the standard and you can see why it didn’t make the original album.

What is lacking in new material is somewhat made up for by the quality of the original albums. From the technical virtuosity of ‘Chromatic Fantasy’, to the superb ensemble sound of ‘Liberty City’ and compositional genius of ‘Three Views Of A Secret’, all facets of what made Pastorius such a fantastic musician are on show. However, they have been presented in a vaguely baffling way, presumably shifted around in order to warrant a compilation which is basically a triple album reissue of the aforementioned albums with double performances of tunes removed. The worst example of this is where ‘Chromatic Fantasy’ has been plonked carelessly between ‘Blackbird’ and ‘Word Of Mouth’, having the sole effect of destroying the intensity created by the segue on the original album. The fact that such a glaringly unmusical decision has made it onto this release is extraordinary.

A mercurial talent whose career was all too brief, you may think that there isn’t enough material in his back catalogue to warrant so many compilations. Anthology seems to lend some weight to that argument.

For a Jaco fan, there’s nothing much new here; to check out Pastorius for the first time, you’d be better off purchasing the albums separately and experiencing them as the artist intended. Joe Stoddart
Tracklist 1 :
1. Crisis 5:22
2. Blackbird 2:47
3. Chromatic Fantasy 3:19
4. Word Of Mouth 3:53
5. Three Views Of A Secret 6:09
6. John And Mary 10:53
7. Continuum 2:34
8. Liberty City 8:11
9. Soul Intro / The Chicken 8:00
10. Reza 10:36
11. Happy Birthday 1:48
Tracklist 2 :
1. Punk Jazz 4:35
2. Amerika 1:09
3. Invitation 6:42
4. Domingo 5:39
5. Sophisticated Lady 4:53
6. Fannie Mae 2:36
7. Eleven 0:25
8. Okonkole' Y Trompa 7:07
9. Nativity (Airto Moreira) 6:44
10. Mood Swings (Mike Stern) 6:06
11. Donna Lee (Previously Unreleased) 7:31    
feat: Jack DeJohnette, Mike Stern, Airto Moreira, Jaco Pastorius, Toots Thielemans, Michael Brecker, Hubert Laws, Wayne Shorter, Peter Erskine, Don Alias, Othello Molineaux, Bob Mintzer

AL JARREAU — Accentuate The Positive (2004) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although centered around songs from the 1940s, Al Jarreau's Accentuate the Positive is another stellar modern jazz album that continues the winning streak he began with his 2000 comeback, Tomorrow Today. Similar to his previous effort, the R&B-infused All I Got, the album features classy production from Tommy LiPuma and a natty cast of backing musicians, including bassist Christian McBride and guitarist Anthony Wilson, among others. Centered around Jarreau's still limber and evocative vocals, Accentuate moves from uptempo bluesy numbers like Eddie Henderson's "Cold Duck" to lush ballads, including "My Foolish Heart" and reworked standards, most notably "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive," turned here into a funky and expansive toe-tapper. This is a solid, poignant, and straight-ahead album that showcases Jarreau's unique gift in the best light possible and should appeal to longtime fans and contemporary jazz listeners alike.  Matt Collar
Tracklist :
1. Cold Duck 3:46
Bass – Christian McBride
Drums – Mark Simmons
Guitar – Anthony Wilson
Percussion – Luis Conte
Tenor Saxophone – Keith Anderson
Vocals – Al Jarreau
Written-By – Al Jarreau, Eddie Harris
2. The Nearness Of You 3:43
Bass – Christian McBride
Drums – Peter Erskine
Guitar – Anthony Williams
Keyboards, Arranged By – Larry Williams
Vocals – Al Jarreau
Written-By – Hoagy Carmichael, Ned Washington
3. I'm Beginning To See The Light 4:04
Drums – Peter Erskine
Guitar – Anthony Wilson
Organ [Hammond B-3] – Larry Goldings
Vocals – Al Jarreau
Written-By – Don George, Duke Ellington, Harry James, Johnny Hodges
4. My Foolish Heart 5:32
Bass – David Carpenter
Drums – Peter Erskine
Guitar – Anthony Wilson
Keyboards, Arranged By – Larry Williams
Percussion – Luis Conte
Vocals – Al Jarreau
Written-By – Ned Washington, Victor Young
5. Midnight Sun 6:01
Bass – Christian McBride
Drums – Mark Simmons
Guitar – Anthony Williams
Harmonica – Tollak Ollestad
Keyboards, Arranged By – Larry Williams
Vocals – Al Jarreau
Written-By – Johnny Mercer, Lionel Hampton, Sonny Burke
6. Ac-cent-tchu-ate The Positive 4:03
Bass – Christian McBride
Drums – Mark Simmons
Guitar – Anthony Wilson
Keyboards, Arranged By – Larry Williams
Percussion – Luis Conte
Tenor Saxophone – Keith Anderson
Vocals – Al Jarreau
Written-By – Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer
7. Betty Beop's Song 4:16
Bass – David Carpenter
Drums – Peter Erskine
Guitar – Anthony Wilson
Keyboards, Arranged By – Larry Williams
Vocals – Al Jarreau
Written-By – Al Jarreau, Freddie Ravel
8. Waltz For Debby 4:44
Bass – Christian McBride
Drums – Peter Erskine
Guitar – Anthony Wilson
Keyboards, Arranged By – Larry Williams
Vocals – Al Jarreau
Written-By – Bill Evans, Gene Lees
9. Groovin' High 4:11
Bass – Christian McBride
Drums – Peter Erskine
Guitar – Anthony Wilson
Keyboards, Arranged By – Larry Williams
Vocals – Al Jarreau
Written-By – Al Jarreau, Dizzy Gillespie
10. Lotus 5:11
Bass – Christian McBride
Drums – Peter Erskine
Guitar – Anthony Wilson
Keyboards, Arranged By – Larry Williams
Percussion – Luis Conte
Vocals – Al Jarreau
Written-By – Al Jarreau, Don Grolnick
11. Scootcha-Booty 4:26
Bass – David Carpenter
Drums – Peter Erskine
Guitar – Anthony Wilson
Piano – Russell Ferrante
Vocals – Al Jarreau
Written-By – Al Jarreau, Russell Ferrante 

DON GROLNICK — Weaver of Dreams (1990) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Don Grolnick was a busy session pianist/keyboardist who played on many kinds of dates, including jazz fusion and pop. But for a brief period in the late 1980s and early '90s, he detoured into playing post-bop. Weaver of Dreams was the first of his two CDs for Blue Note, featuring an all-star septet including the Brecker Brothers, Bob Mintzer, Dave Holland, Peter Erskine, and Barry Rogers. His intricate opener, "Nothing Personal," suggests the influence of George Russell, with its rapid-fire lines and unpredictable accents on trumpet and bass clarinet, along with the composer's tasty solo. There's a bit of reverb added to the unified trumpet and tenor sax in his "Or Come Fog," which touches briefly on its source, "Come Rain or Come Shine." Mintzer's wild bass clarinet is a highlight of the brisk setting of the standard "I Want to Be Happy," while the foot-patting treatment of "Weaver of Dreams" is a feature for the rhythm section alone. Weaver of Dreams lapsed from print, only to briefly reappear in a short-lived two-CD reissue. This is easily the finest recording led by Don Grolnick, who passed away in 1996. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1 Nothing Personal  5:44
Don Grolnick
2 Taglioni  8:41
Don Grolnick
3 A Weaver of Dreams  4:40
Jack Elliott / Victor Young
4 His Majesty the Bady  6:47
Don Grolnick
5 I Want to Be Happy  5:45
Irving Caesar / Vincent Youmans
6 Persimmons  6:54
Don Grolnick
7 Or Come Fog  5:23
Don Grolnick
8 Five Bars  7:20
Don Grolnick
Credits :
Bass – Dave Holland
Bass Clarinet – Bob Mintzer
Drums – Peter Erskine
Piano, Producer, Arranged By – Don Grolnick
Tenor Saxophone – Michael Brecker
Trombone – Barry Rogers
Trumpet – Randy Brecker

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

JOHN PATITUCCI — John Patitucci (1988) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Stepping out from the shadows of Chick Corea's Elektric and Akoustic bands, Patitucci made a pleasing solo debut here largely on the strength of his brilliant up-front soloing on electric and acoustic basses. Adept at the popular funk slapping manner on electric bass, darting fluidly and jaggedly up high on the Smith/Jackson five-string bass, Patitucci always executes with the moves and body English of a bass player even when his instrument is up in the guitar range. Patitucci's compositions are pretty good, too, thoughtful and not too reliant upon jazz-rock cliches. He gets a lot of expert help from a variety of hot sidemen, including the astonishing Chick himself (who also produced the package), Chick's drummer Dave Weckl, other drummers like Peter Erskine and Vinnie Colaiuta, and the heated tenor sax of Michael Brecker. Without a doubt, this first opus enhanced Patitucci's developing reputation at the time. Richard S. Ginell
Tracklist :
1. Growing 4:35
 John Patitucci
2. Wind Sprint 6:10
 John Patitucci
3. Searching, Finding 5:05
 John Patitucci
4. Baja Bajo 5:46
 Chick Corea / John Patitucci
5. Change Of Season 3:53
 John Patitucci
6. Our Family 3:01
 John Patitucci
7. Peace And Quiet Time 4:59
 John Patitucci
8. Crestline 5:13
 John Patitucci
9. Zaragoza 3:57
 Chick Corea
10. Then & Now 5:38
 John Patitucci
11. Killeen 5:15
 John Patitucci
12. The View 5:39
 John Patitucci
Credits :
Bass – John Patitucci
Drums – Peter Erskine, Vinnie Colaiuta
Piano, Producer – Chick Corea
Saxophone – Michael Brecker
Synthesizer – David Witham, John Beasley

PETER ERSKINE _ NGUYÊN LÊ _ MICHEL BENITA — E _ L _ B (2001) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Although there is close interplay between the three musicians and drummer Peter Erskine gets top billing, this set is primarily of interest due to the versatility of guitarist Nguyên Lê. Lê's playing ranges from a lazy introspective style similar to Bill Frisell to fiery and rockish improvising. The 11 group originals generally lack any memorable melodies and instead set moods in which the musicians improvise together. Despite the talk of the group being a democracy, Lê is mostly in the lead, with bassist Michel Benita having a fair number of solos and Erskine being in a supportive role. Much of this set is overly sleepy, leaving listeners waiting for something to happen but, despite the high musicianship of the musicians, little does. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1        ZigZag    5:56
 Nguyên Lê
2        Autumn Rose    6:39
 Peter Erskine
3        Pong    4:47
 Nguyên Lê
4        Country Boy    4:14
 Michel Benita
5        Now Or Never    3:59
 Peter Erskine
6        Sao Sen    6:14
 Nguyên Lê
7        Pirates    3:43
 Michel Benita
8        Meanwhile    6:33
 Peter Erskine
9        Bee    5:36
 Nguyên Lê
10        Bass Desires    5:17
 Peter Erskine
11        Free At Last    5:29
 Michel Benita
Credits :
Nguyên Lê - Guitar
Michel Benita - Bass
Peter Erskine - Drums

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

VINCE MENDOZA | ARIF MARDIN — Jazzpaña (1992) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

"JAZZPAÑA, the most ambitious recording project ever undertaken by Siggi Loch in a most active and extensive music business career, fuses American jazz and the flamenco music of Andalusia in a most imaginative, adventurous, and inspirational way. JAZZPAÑA is a showcase for the special compositional and arranging skills af Arif Mardin and Vince Mendoza, for the impeccable and dynamic section work of the WDR Big Band, for the exotic, extrovert artistry of Ramon El Portugues and Los Jovenes Flamencos, and for the assured and articulate playing of top jazz guest players Michael Brecker, Al Di Meola, Steve Khan, and Peter Erskine. Furthermore, JAZZPAÑA reveals Vince Mendoza as a composer and arranger of immense talent and imagination. This music inevitably prompts comparism with the classic Gill Evans - Miles Davis collaboration of 1959, Sketches of Spain. ...but Mendoza has his own individual identity, approaching the task of composing and arranging rather like a painter creating a landscape of canvas."
Nominated for two GRAMMY AWARDS in 1994. ACT
Tracklist :
1    El Vito Cante    3:44
2    Tangos    8:38
3    Entre Tinieblas    5:30
4    Tanguillo    7:46
5    Soy Gitano    4:49
6    Bulería    9:31
7    Suite Fraternidad (First Movement Generalife)    4:50
8    Suite Fraternidad (Second Movement Albacin)    8:22
9    El Vito El Gran Tamaño    9:19
Credits :
WDR BIGBAND conducted by Vince Mendoza
Guests:
Michael Brecker - Tenor Saxaphone
Al Di Meola - Electric Guitar
Peter Erskine - Drums
Dieter Ilg - Bass
Steve Khan - Electric Guitar
Freddie Santiago - Percussion

IIRO RANTALA | LARS DANIELSSON | PETER ERSKINE — How Long Is Now? (2016) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Rantala, Danielsson, and Erskine consciously move away from the classical piano trio playing concept. "How Long Is Now" features direct, groove-dominated pieces without excessive embellishments. One could call it honest music without a facade, emphasizing groundedness as a mark of quality. Its impact is derived from clarity and simplicity. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Voyage 4:18
Written-By – Kenny Barron
2    How Long Is Now? 3:59
Written-By – Iiro Rantala
3    Snapchat 4:10
Written-By – Iiro Rantala
4    Taksim By Night 4:50
Written-By – Lars Danielsson
5    Little Wing 4:53
Written-By – Jimi Hendrix
6    Trust 4:46
Written-By – Iiro Rantala
7    Assisi 5:35
Written-By – Iiro Rantala
8    Kyrie 4:19
Written-By – Johann Sebastian Bach
9    Each Breath 3:23
Written-By – Peter Erskine
10    A Nut 3:57
Written-By – Iiro Rantala
11    Bruno 6:12
Written-By – Iiro Rantala
12    Topi 4:00
Written-By – Iiro Rantala
13        Choral 2:41
Written-By – Lars Danielsson
Credits :
Bass – Lars Danielsson
Drums, Percussion – Peter Erskine
Piano – Iiro Rantala

CARLA MARCOTULLI with Dick Halligan — How Can I Get To Mars? (2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

On the sunny side of Jazz: Catchy songs by Grammy winner Dick Halligan and lively interpretations by the Roman singer Carla Marcotulli. ACT
Tracklist :
1    How Can I Get To Mars?    3:22
2    Easy Way    3:33
3    What Is Love    4:23
4    Lady Day    3:27
5    Rocco's Rhythm    3:20
6    When I Love Again    4:26
7    Do You Love Me?    3:35
8    Autoritratto    2:02
9    Waltz For Bill    4:45
10    I'm Through With Love    4:08
11    I Look At You    3:40
12    I Get Along Without You    4:27
13    OK    3:43
Credits :
Bass – Dave Carpenter
Drums – Peter Erskine
Vocals – Carla Marcotulli
Sandro Gibellini - Guitar
Dick Halligan - Piano
Quartetto Dorico

VINCE MENDOZA – Sketches (1994) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

The world premiere of 'Sketches' was the highlight of the JazzFest Berlin 1993. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Pavane (Pour Une Infante Défunte) 9:06
Composed By – Maurice Ravel
Sketches
Composed By – Vince Mendoza
2    Part 1    2:04
3    Part 2    8:12
4    Part 3    10:21
5    Part 4    7:05
6    Part 5    9:27
7    Part 6    5:22
8    Part 7    5:47
9    Part 8    4:43
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Charlie Mariano
Arranged By, Remix – Vince Mendoza
Artwork [Front Cover] – Georg Baselitz
Bass – Dieter Ilg
Drums – Peter Erskine
Guitar – Nguyên Lê
Orchestra – The WDR Big Band
Soprano Saxophone – Dave Liebman

MARTY EHRLICH · PETER ERSKINE · MICHAEL FORMANEK — Relativity (1999) Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

You might justifiably expect sparks to fly on this collaborative effort, given the careers of Ehrlich and his compatriots, trio members Michael Formanek and Peter Erskine. Unfortunately, it rarely happens, and while all three are exquisite players individually, this disappointing, often tepid recording stands as an opportunity not fully realized. In part it might be the result of different styles: Ehrlich, of course, is the more adventurous of the group, but Erskine, whose heart is usually in more commercial ventures, seems comfortable with the music. The pieces are all originals by the trio members, but there are times when a certain boredom pervades the music. To be fair, there are some aggressive, exciting moments, too, but they are the exception. Ehrlich continues to show remarkable versatility on alto and tenor saxophones, clarinet, and flute (where he is particularly lyrical). Steve Loewy
Tracklist :
1    Incident At Harpham Flat    6:42
 Michael Formanek
2    Eloi Lament    5:44
 Peter Erskine
3    Lucky Life    9:19
 Marty Ehrlich
4    The Pivot    6:52
 Marty Ehrlich
5    Holy Waters    5:52
 Michael Formanek
6    Round The Four Corners    6:41
 Marty Ehrlich
7    Jiggle The Handle    8:35
 Michael Formanek
8    Relativo    3:42
 Peter Erskine
9    Taglioni    6:04
 Don Grolnick
10    In A Child's Eyes    4:15
 Michael Formanek
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute – Marty Ehrlich
Double Bass – Michael Formanek
Drums – Peter Erskine

GORDON GOODWIN´S BIG PHAT BAND — XXL (2003) APE (image+.cue), lossless

Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band is a modern big band which successfully blends elements of jazz and rock. Goodwin, who serves as keyboardist, composer, arranger and conductor, has created music that proves to be consistently catchy to the listener and challenging to his musicians. The leader obviously loves a good laugh. The playful staccato brass and reeds are the centerpiece of "Hunting Wabbits" before it transforms into a brisk bluesy vehicle. "Horn of Plenty," his tribute to the late Latin jazz great Tito Puente, features trumpeter Wayne Bergeron, and "The Jazz Police" is a rockish but amusing slap at closed-minded critics and radio hosts. He also makes good use of special guests. The vocal group Take 6 is featured on swinging charts of the standards "Comes Love" and "It's All Right With Me." Clarinetist Eddie Daniels is showcased in the snappy "Thad Said No" and a delicious rearrangement of the well-known theme from Mozart's 40th Symphony. Singer Johnny Mathis, hardly a jazz singer, nonetheless has fun with R&B oldie "Let the Good Times Roll." Rarely are big bands like Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band so able to combine such a diversity of influences into such a tantalizing mix. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    High Maintenance 6:17
Featuring – Andy Martin, Eric Marienthal
2    A Game Of Inches 7:22
Featuring – Michael Brecker
3    Comes Love 5:32
Featuring – Brian McKnight, Take 6
4    Thad Said No 5:45
Featuring – Eddie Daniels
5    Hunting Wabbits 6:21
Featuring – Andy Martin, Gordon Goodwin
6    The Quiet Corner 6:21
Featuring – Gordon Goodwin
7    Horn Of Puente 6:19
Featuring – Wayne Bergeron
8    It's All Right With Me 4:45
Featuring – Eric Marienthal, Take 6
9    The Jazz Police 5:19
Featuring – Brian Scanlon, Carl Verheyen
10    Mozart 40th Symphony In Gm 8:08
Featuring – Eddie Daniels
11    What Sammy Said 7:51
Featuring – Bob Summers, Brian Scanlon
12    Let The Good Times Roll 3:31
Featuring – Johnny Mathis
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – John Yoakum (tracks: 3, 12)
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute – Eric Marienthal (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 11)
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Flute [Alto] – Sal Lozano
Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Flute – Jay Mason
Bass Trombone – Craig Ware
Double Bass [Ac Bass], Electric Bass – Richard Shaw
Drums – Bernie Dresel (tracks: 1, 4, 8 to 10), Peter Erskine (tracks: 2, 5 to 7, 11), Ray Brinker (tracks: 3, 12)
Guitar – Carl Verheyen (tracks: 3, 8, 9, 12), Grant Geissman (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 7, 10, 11)
Producer, Composed By, Arranged By, Piano, Saxophone – Gordon Goodwin
Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet – Brian Scanlon, Jeff Driscoll
Trombone – Alex Iles (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 11), Andy Martin, Charlie Morillas (tracks: 3, 8, 9, 12), Nick Lane (tracks: 3, 12), Steve Holtman (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 7, 10, 11)
Trumpet – Bob Summers (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 10, 12), Dan Fornero (tracks: 2, 5 to 7, 11), Dan Savant, Larry Hall (tracks: 8, 9), Pete De Siena (tracks: 3, 12), Stan Martin (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 7, 10, 11), Wayne Bergeron

STEPS AHEAD — Modern Times (1984) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

By 1984, Steps Ahead's personnel had stabilized with original keyboardist Warren Bernhardt rejoining the group and teaming up with tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker, bassist Eddie Gomez, drummer Peter Erskine, and vibraphonist Mike Mainieri; guitarist Chuck Loeb guests on one selection, as does Tony Levin, who is heard on the Chapman stick. This outing is very electronic and does not quite reach the heights of Steps Ahead's earlier Elektra album, but it certainly has plenty of spirit and power. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Safari    6:58
 Michael Brecker
2    Oops    6:20
 Mike Mainieri
3    Self Portrait    6:02
 Mike Mainieri
4    Modern Times    6:17
 Warren Bernhardt
5    Radio-Active    8:49
 Warren Bernhardt / Craig Peyton
6    Now You Know    6:25
 Peter Erskine
7    Old Town    6:19
 Mike Mainieri
Credits :
Bass – Eddie Gomez
Drums, Percussion, Drum Machine [DMX] – Peter Erskine
Guitar – Chuck Loeb (tracks: 6)
Keyboards – Warren Bernhardt
Saxophone – Michael Brecker
Vibraphone, Marimba – Mike Mainieri

V.A. — The Music of Eric von Essen, Vol. I (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

West Coast bassist/composer Von Essen died prematurely in his sleep of a heart attack at age 43 but left behind some 100 compositions, and many bandmates are dedicated to making sure his music gets heard. This is one of three proposed volumes that will assure Von Essen's sounds are known to a jazz public that probably never heard of him. That will change, for this is a wonderful initial outing, played by five different groups. Pianists Alan Pasqua and Alan Broadbent lead trios on two tracks apiece. Pasqua, with Dave Carpenter on bass and Peter Erskine on drums, uses an urgent ticktock to a light beat under a languid, beauteous piano melody on "Silvana," while "Blues For Carin'" is an easily swung, ultra-melodic number with Pasqua using Chick Corea or Thelonious Monk-like techniques. Broadbent swings "Blues Puzzle" with Putter Smith's bass way up in the mix, while the lament "Nowhere" starts with solo 88s, then Smith and drummer Kendall Kay join on this most pristine ballad. Electric guitarist Nels Cline and pianist David Witham lead a quartet for the urgent, modal to swinging "Peacemaker," as familiar a theme as the public might recognize, and the easy flowing waltz "For Me" sports some lustrous unison lines. Violinist Jeff Gauthier and acoustic guitarist Cline in finger-style mode use a chamber-style approach à la Oregon for "Incomplete Circle" in phrases of seven and four beats, while the slow waltz "Departure" has Gauthier in mournful yet optimistic spirits. Stacy Rowles plays poignant trumpet or flugelhorn with Larry Koonse's tender electric guitar in separate lines on the contemporary ballad "Love Song For Kirsi" and works in tandem on the easy, straight-ahead swinger "Benny" for Benny Golson, using phraseology from Golson's "Whisper Not." Tom Warrington, in Von Essen's spirit, evokes the composer's persona with a deftly plucked bass solo. If this is only a portent of future volumes to come, it's quite an auspicious starting point. One can only look at future issuance of Von Essen's musical brilliance with hope and grand expectation. Highly recommended. Michael G. Nastos   Tracklist & Credits :

V.A. — The Music of Eric von Essen, Vol. II (2001) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The second of three projected volumes of music by the late bassist/composer Eric von Essen, who passed away at the age of 43, is -- like its predecessor -- a purposely mixed bag. A composer of straight modern jazz tunes to gypsy blues-jazz to pop to pieces that border on theater and classical music, von Essen was nothing if not a lover of diverse musics, and well-versed in their compositional vocabularies. All of his work was equally possessed of movement, however; there was no stasis in his compositional language. Five different ensembles ranging from quintet to trio perform two pieces each, and add more to the mystery of von Essen the virtuoso musician. The first two pieces, "Blues for John" and "K," are post-bop tunes that soar with the aegis of modern electric post-bop jazz. Larry Koonse's electric guitar and Stacy Rowles' trumpet and flügelhorn are perfect foils for one another. As Koonse takes the edges and makes them sharper, Rowles rounds them into tight pockets of harmony. On "Petit Rayon" and "9/8/29," brothers Nels and Alex Cline, on acoustic guitar and drums respectively, team with Jeff Gauthier and Michael Elizondo on violin and bass to reveal the impressionistic side of von Essen's personality. Both pieces feel like sketches for orchestral pieces; they hold within their melodic lines large harmonic sonances. The primary strings, guitar and violin, are bridged by the counterpoint melody of the bass. Both works -- though their movement is fluid and medium tempoed -- are restrained until each of them cuts loose into a kind of modern gypsy swing with Django Reinhardt on one side and Pat Metheny on the other. The trio with Peter Erskine is the least successful here, but the material is not the problem. This group took exactly the same hushed approach to this type of material on the first volume, and it's a bit wispy to come completely to life on a recording. To take the record out, the Cline brothers electrically team with David Witham and Joel Hamilton, on piano and bass respectively, for a straight-up jazz romp with hot solos all around ("BC/Jezebel") and a ballad ("Marry Me") of such lyrical tenderness that it almost floats through the air without the music attached. It's gorgeous, hypnotic, and based on open tunings, so that a drone plays a large part in the body of its architecture. If it wasn't for the line coming back over and over again, you would swear you heard this tune inside your heart instead of through your stereo speakers. Not as overwhelming as the first volume, this disk -- aside from the two trio pieces -- is solid nonetheless. It also begs the question of just how deep von Essen's abilities ran because, so far, they seem boundless.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist & Credits :

ALAN BROADBENT WITH THE LONDON METROPOLITAN ORCHESTRA — Developing Story (2017) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist & Credits :

TIERNEY SUTTON — After Blue (2013) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tierney Sutton claims she had never really encountered Joni Mitchell until she heard the songwriter's 2000 album Both Sides Now, a collection mainly comprised of standards. (An album she holds in the same regard as Frank Sinatra's In the Wee Small Hours and Billie Holiday's Lady in Satin.) In 2011 she performed four of Mitchell's songs during a performance with the Turtle Island String Quartet; that gig set this project in motion. After Blue is Sutton's first offering that doesn’t include her regular band -- its members were involved with other projects at the time. Instead, her collaborators are a collection of jazz luminaries who include Peter Erskine, Larry Goldings, Ralph Humphrey, Hubert Laws, the TISQ, and Al Jarreau, who duets on "Be Cool" (the only track to feature one of Sutton's own musicians, bassist Kevin Axt). Sutton reads Mitchell by moving through the songwriter's various creative periods, embracing the singer/songwriter's jazz leanings in her phrasing, improvisation, and syncopation, and their shared love of the Great American Songbook. This last notion is evidenced by Sutton's version of "Don’t Go to Strangers" and "Answer Me My Love," both of which Mitchell poignantly delivered on Both Sides Now. She also seamlessly melds closer "Freeman in Paris" with "April in Paris." Other standouts include "Blue" and "Little Green" with TISQ, the fingerpopping "The Dry Cleaner from Des Moines" with Laws, Erskine, and Goldings, and the swinging, thoroughly re-envisioned "Big Yellow Taxi." On "Both Sides Now," she is accompanied only by Mark Summer's cello. For those accustomed to hearing Sutton re-interpreting standards from the golden era, After Blue retains her trademark gifts of phrasing, restraint, and emotional honesty. But as an album, it is just as remarkable as Herbie Hancock's The Joni Letters in its creative rapprochement of Mitchell's music with the jazz tradition, and reveals Sutton at a vocal and interpretive peak.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist :
1     Blue 4:11
Joni Mitchell
2     All I Want 3:28
Joni Mitchell
3     Court and Spark 4:57
Joni Mitchell
4     Don't Go to Strangers 5:56
Redd Evans / Arthur Kent / Dave Mann
5     The Dry Cleaner from Des Moines 5:15
Charles Mingus / Joni Mitchell
6     Big Yellow Taxi 3:06
Joni Mitchell
7     Woodstock 6:08
Joni Mitchell
8     Little Green 4:53
Joni Mitchell
9     Be Cool 5:50
Joni Mitchell
10     Answer Me My Love 3:45
Fred Rauch / Carl Sigman / Gerhard Winkler
11     Both Sides Now 5:11
Joni Mitchell
12     April in Paris/Free Man in Paris 5:36
Vernon Duke / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg / Joni Mitchell
Credits :
Acoustic Bass – Kevin Axt (faixas: 4)
Arranged By – David Balakrishnan (faixas: 1), Julie Bernstein (faixas: 8), Kevin Axt (faixas: 9), Mark Summer (faixas: 2, 11), Serge Merlaud (faixas: 10), Tierney Sutton (faixas: 9, 12)
Cello – Mark Summer (faixas: 1, 8)
Drums – Peter Erskine (faixas: 5, 9), Ralph Humphrey (faixas: 6)
Flute – Hubert Laws (faixas: 5, 9)
Guest – Al Jarreau (faixas: 9)
Guitar – Serge Merlaud (faixas: 4, 10)
Organ [Hammond] – Larry Goldings (faixas: 3, 5, 7, 9, 12)
Piano – Larry Goldings (faixas: 3, 5, 7, 9, 12)
Viola – Benjamin von Gutzeit (faixas: 1, 8)
Violin – David Balakrishnan (faixas: 1, 8), Mateusz Smoczyński (faixas: 1, 8)
Vocals – Tierney Sutton