Huong Thanh
Born in Vietnam, the internationally recognised singer is known for her fusion of traditional Vietnamese music with jazz and world music. She grew up in a musical family and later moved to Paris, where she collaborated with renowned guitarist Nguyên Lê to combine modern soundscapes with Vietnamese folk songs. Her albums such as ‘Dragonfly’ and ‘Fragile Beauty’ have been acclaimed worldwide and demonstrate her ability to transcend cultural boundaries. Houng Thanh has performed at numerous international festivals and is known for her emotional voice and her ability to interpret traditional music in an innovative way. She is recognised as one of the most important Vietnamese artists in the field of world music. ACT
Tracklist :
1 Ten Reasons For Loving You 7:14
Flute [Pi Thiu] – Dinh Cong Tuyên
Flute [Sao] – Hao Nhiên
Fretless Bass – Etienne Mbappé
Guitar, Synthesizer, Samples – Nguyên Lê
Shaker, Tabla – François Verly
Zither, Lute – Duong Tam
2 Bakida 4:43
Bass [Pizz], Arco Bass [5-string Acoustic] – Renaud Garcia-Fons
Guitar – Nguyên Lê
Zither [Đàn Bầu] – Duong Tam
3 Dragonfly 4:09
Cajón – Tino Di Geraldo
Guitar [Electroacoustic] – Nguyên Lê
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Fretless Bass, Shaker, Bongos, Darbouka – Richard Bona
Zither – Duong Tam
Zither, Chimes – François Verly
4 What The Bird Says 5:42
Bass – Etienne Mbappé
Bells, Chimes – François Verly
Fiddle – Duong Tam
Frame Drum – Tino Di Geraldo
Guitar, Synthesizer, Samples – Nguyên Lê
5 Two Sisters 5:04
Cello – Sophie Lechelle
Ensemble – The Barbès Deluxe Strings
Fretless Bass – Etienne Mbappé
Lute, Fiddle – Duong Tam
Lute, Zither – Hao Nhiên
Percussion – François Verly
Synthesizer, Samples – Nguyên Lê
Trumpet – Paolo Fresu
Viola – Martin Rodriguez
Violin – Raphaëlle Pacault
6 The Betel Tray 5:25
Bass [Pizz], Arco Bass [5-string Acoustic ] – Renaud Garcia-Fons
Bells, Gong, Singing Bowls [Tibet Bowls] – François Verly
Guitar, Mandolin, Synthesizer – Nguyên Lê
Zither [Đàn Bầu] – Duong Tam
7 Graceful Bamboo 6:59
Bass – Etienne Mbappé
Frame Drum – Tino Di Geraldo
Guitar, Synthesizer, Samples – Nguyên Lê
Lute – Hao Nhiên
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Paolo Fresu
8 Crossing The Valley 5:16
Backing Vocals – Richard Bona
Bass – Etienne Mbappé
Flute [Sao], Zither, Other [Cliquettes & Sapèques] – Hao Nhiên
Guitar, Synthesizer, Samples – Nguyên Lê
Zither [Solo] – Duong Tam
9 Drums In The Night 6:20
Bells – François Verly
Guitar, Synthesizer, Samples – Nguyên Lê
Lute, Guitar [Cai Luong], Percussion [Song Lan Woodblock], Zither [Đàn Bầu] – Duong Tam
10 Scent Of My Childhood 4:28
Cello – Sophie Lechelle
Ensemble – The Barbès Deluxe Strings
Guitar [Nylon] – Nguyên Lê
Piano – Dominique Borker
Viola – Martin Rodriguez
Violin – Raphaëlle Pacault
15.10.24
HUONG THANH — Dragonfly (2001) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless
20.3.24
VICTOR WOOTEN — Palmystery (2008) APE (image+.cue), lossless
Tracklist :
1 2 Timers 4:51
Harmonica – Howard Levy
Piano – Joseph Wooten
Written-By – Victor L. Wooten
2 Cambo 5:25
Bass [Low] – Anthony Wellington
Written-By – Amir Ali, Victor L. Wooten
3 I Saw God 4:20
Vocals, Percussion – Richard Bona
Written-By – Victor L. Wooten
4 The Lesson 5:55
Written-By – Victor L. Wooten
5 Left, Right, & Center 7:11
Written-By – Victor L. Wooten
6 Sifu 7:36
Bass – Regi Wooten
Written-By – Victor L. Wooten
7 Miss U 4:33
Bass – Alvin "Lil' Al" Cordy
Written-By – Victor L. Wooten
8 Flex 6:37
Bass [Thumb Solo] – Anthony "Flex" Wellington
Written-By – Victor L. Wooten
9 The Gospel 6:40
Vocals – The Woodard Family
Written-By – Joseph Wooten, Victor L. Wooten
10 Song For My Father 5:10
Written-By – Horace Silver
11 Happy Song 4:23
Written-By – Victor L. Wooten
12 Us 2 2:58
Written-By – Victor L. Wooten
Personnel:
Alto Saxophone – Rudy Wooten (tracks: 9, 11), Shawn "Thunder" Wallace (tracks: 6)
Baritone Saxophone – Jeff Coffin (tracks: 9), Karl Denson (tracks: 10)
Bass – Victor Wooten
Drums
– Dennis Chambers (tracks: 5), Derico Watson (tracks: 1 to 3, 8, 10),
Earl "Big E" Walker (tracks: 7), JD Blair (tracks: 1, 5, 6), Raymond
Massey (tracks: 11), Will Kennedy (tracks: 5, 9)
Guitar – Alvin Lee (tracks: 7), Mike Stern (tracks: 5, 6), Regi Wooten (tracks: 2, 8, 10, 11)
Keyboards – Joseph Wooten (tracks: 1 to 3, 6 to 9, 11, 12)
Tenor Saxophone – Jeff Coffin (tracks: 1, 9)
Trombone – Barry Green (tracks: 1, 9)
Trumpet – Rod McGaha (tracks: 1, 9)
Violin – Amir Ali (tracks: 2, 8)
Violin, Mandolin – Eric Silver (tracks: 1)
Vocals – Amir Ali (tracks: 2, 6), Saundra Williams (tracks: 2, 7)
Vocals [Low] – Alvin Chea (tracks: 6)
18.1.24
JACKY TERRASSON — What It Is (1999) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
This set is a bit of a departure for pianist Jacky Terrasson who has generally been heard in acoustic trio formats. Terrasson utilizes a variety of other musicians in larger ensembles for mostly original works (other than Ravel's "Bolero"). Among his sidemen are tenor-saxophonist Michael Brecker (who gets off a couple intense solos), flutist Jay Collins, Mino Cinelu on percussion and guitarist Adam Rodgers, among others; Xiomara Laugarts sings on "Better World," and on a few numbers, Terrasson plays a bit of electric piano. Overall, this set is open to the influences of world music and more funk-oriented jazz, yet Jacky Terrasson still sounds quite creative, explorative and individual. An intriguing program. Scott Yanow Tracklist & Credits :
12.1.24
JOE ZAWINUL — My People (1996) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless
If one must indulge in categories, My People, featuring the Zawinul Syndicate and a United Nations coterie of guests, probably belongs on the vast world music shelf, the links to so-called jazz now so tenuous as to be nearly, but not quite, invisible. On the percolating "Slivovitz Trail," "Orient Express," "Many Churches," and the Caribbean-tinged cleverly titled "In an Island Way," the music does suggest earlier versions of the Syndicate, and Joe Zawinul's nostalgic evocations of Wayne Shorter on the Korg Pepe reach back even further. Otherwise, Zawinul is looking entirely toward ethnic cultures for musical sustenance. The musical structures are linear, the rhythms full of intricacies welded to Zawinul's love affair with the groove, the synthesizer textures usually sparer than ever. There are vocals in several languages by Zawinul's longtime colleague Salif Keita (for whom Zawinul produced a great album in 1991), Syndicate percussionist Arto Tuncboyaciyan, a throat vocal specialist from South Siberia named Bolot, Thania Sanchez, Zawinul himself, and several others. When translated, the lyrics speak of joy and unity among the cultures, and there isn't any doubt that Zawinul's bubbling music feeds the message of uplift. Hear it; you purists may be jiggling along in spite of yourselves. Richard S. Ginell Tracklist & Credits :
JOE ZAWINUL + THE ZAWINUL SYNDICATE — World Tour (1998) 2xCD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
This version of the Zawinul Syndicate could swing harder than any Zawinul-led unit since the heyday of Weather Report, as this two-CD set -- taken from three concerts in Berlin and Trier, Germany -- triumphantly illustrates. Small wonder, for the lineup of the Syndicate looks almost like a Weather Report alumni gathering, with Zawinul, the brilliant percussionist Manolo Badrena from the 1977 Heavy Weather band, and bassist Victor Bailey, from the great '80s global-funk edition forming a quorum, with Paco Sery on drums and Gary Poulson on guitar filling out the ranks. Zawinul remains a marvel at 65, always in touch with the idea and feel of the groove, weaving spare, enigmatic electronic comments and spangled layers of synthesizers into the mix, creating a touching dialogue in "Zansa II" with Sery's kalimba. Some of the material stems from the early years of the Syndicate, and "Indiscretions" and "Two Lines" date all the way back to Weather Report. Among the greatest groovathons -- at last presented in full glorious concert length on CD -- are "Indiscretions," which gets the voodoo going in an insinuating manner, and "N'awlins," which manages to evoke the Crescent City R&B feeling in a swingingly original way. The set's two anomalies are "When There Was Royalty," a curious intermezzo consisting of Zawinul's polystylistic solo piano musings poorly recorded in his home studio on a Walkman, and "Success," a spoken poem by Erich Fried set against the stunning blend of Berlin church bells and electronics. For a souvenir of the state of Zawinul's art in the 1990s, this is the album to get. Richard S. Ginell Tracklist & Credits :
11.1.24
JOE ZAWINUL — Faces & Places (2002) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Keyboardist/composer Joe Zawinul's accomplishments with Miles Davis, Cannonball Adderley, and Weather Report, amid his revolutionary approach to synths, cannot be undermined. In some instances, artists such as Zawinul set paradigms of excellence and inventiveness that might seem difficult to repeat. Naturally, the listener shouldn't expect any performer to continually rest on his or her laurels, or abide by a proven or perhaps unwavering formula. To that end, Zawinul's 2002 solo effort seems to be a summarization of his recent jazz/fusion/world music stylizations, witnessed by his Zawinul Syndicate band. As this solo effort offers more of the same. Here, the keyboardist enlists a multinational cast of percussionists (including ex-Weather Report personnel), vocalists, and soloists for an album that more or less mirrors his recent output. Regrettably, few if any of these works impart a permanent impression. Many of these arrangements feature Zawinul's wily synth passages and otherworldly Vocoder (digital EFX) based vocalese. He pays homage to his former employer, Julian "Cannonball" Adderley, on the piece titled "The Spirit of Julian "C" Adderley." The basis for this production entails an array of rather predictable worldbeat-style discourses consisting of shifting percussion vamps, North African modalities, and quaint Austrian folk melodies. There are some touching moments to complement a few rousing opuses. Overall, there are some compelling musical events to coincide with what appears to be a hodgepodge of contrasting notions stitched together. Glenn Astarita Tracklist & Credits :
27.4.21
MIKE STERN - Voices (2001) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless
Most of Mike Stern's albums have been 100 percent instrumental; as a
rule, he doesn't use vocalists because his guitar does all of the
"singing." But Voices is an exception -- a highly engaging and memorable
exception. This surprising and totally unexpected effort finds a
48-year-old Stern using wordless vocals in a manner that brings to mind
fellow fusion guitarists Pat Metheny and Al DiMeola. Think of Metheny on
Letter From Home and Still Life (Talking), or DiMeola on Orange and
Blue, and one will know the type of approach that Stern is going for
this time. While the wordless vocals that Stern uses on Voices add a lot
to the album, his guitar is still the focal point. This isn't the type
of project in which the leader brings in an acclaimed jazz singer like
Dianne Reeves or Kitty Margolis and features her prominently on
standards -- that isn't what he was going for. Ultimately, the vocalists
who Stern employs (who include Arto Tuncboyaciyan and Elizabeth
Kantomanou) are there to serve and compliment his guitar. If Voices were
a cake, the vocalists would be the icing; the album still would have
been meaningful even without them, but there's no doubt that they add a
lot to it. Voices, which contains some of Stern's most lyrical and
melodic playing, is full of world music influences. African and Spanish
elements are incorporated, and Brazilian music is an especially strong
influence. Going back to the Metheny and DiMeola comparisons, this
album's world music influences will inevitably inspire comparisons to
similar albums by those fellow fusion guitarists. But Stern is always
his own man and his guitar playing never fails to sound distinctive --
Voices is most definitely a Mike Stern session. It's also one of the
finest albums in his catalog. by Alex Henderson
1 One World 6:23
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Guitar – Mike Stern
Keyboards – Jim Beard
Percussion – Arto Tuncboyaciyan
Vocals – Elizabeth Kontomanou
Vocals, Bass, Kalimba – Richard Bona
2 The River 6:26
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Guitar – Mike Stern
Keyboards – Jim Beard
Percussion – Arto Tuncboyaciyan
Vocals, Bass – Richard Bona
3 Slow Change 7:13
Bass – Lincoln Goines
Drums – Dennis Chambers
Guitar – Mike Stern
Keyboards – Jim Beard
Percussion – Arto Tuncboyaciyan
Saxophone – Bob Franceschini
4 Wishing Well 6:10
Acoustic Bass – Chris Minh Doky
Acoustic Guitar [12-string ] – Jon Herington
Guitar – Mike Stern
Vocals – Elizabeth Kontomanou, Philip Hamilton
5 Still There 7:30
Bass – Lincoln Goines
Drums – Dennis Chambers
Guitar [Nylon String] – Mike Stern
Keyboards – Jim Beard
Saxophone – Bob Franceschini
6 Spirit 6:35
Bass – Lincoln Goines
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Guitar – Mike Stern
Keyboards – Jim Beard
Percussion – Arto Tuncboyaciyan
Rhythm Guitar – Jon Herington
Saxophone – Bob Franceschini
Vocals – Elizabeth Kontomanou, Philip Hamilton
7 What Might Have Been 5:32
Acoustic Bass – Chris Minh Doky
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Guitar – Mike Stern
Keyboards – Jim Beard
Vocals – Elizabeth Kontomanou
8 Leni´s Smile 5:31
Bass – Richard Bona
Guitar – Mike Stern
Keyboards – Jim Beard
Percussion – Arto Tuncboyaciyan
Vocals – Elizabeth Kontomanou, Philip Hamilton
9 Way Out East 7:04
Bass – Richard Bona
Drums – Vinnie Colaiuta
Guitar – Mike Stern
Keyboards – Jim Beard
Saxophone – Michael Brecker
Vocals, Percussion – Arto Tuncboyaciyan
MIKE STERN - These Times (2004) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless
Combine the innovative guitar energy of legendary fusion master Mike Stern with old friends (bassist Richard Bona, drummer Vinnie Colaiuta) and new (saxman Kenny Garrett), and anything is bound to happen. But fans expecting raucous swinging and jamming the whole time may be surprised at the subtle lyricism and exotic explorations that define these times for their hero. Yes, his electric is crackling on the hypnotic opener, "Chatter," but it's in the crazy, exotic context of a Middle Eastern vibe inspired by Pakistani great Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan (look out, Eddie Vedder!). Jim Beard's jumpy piano, Colaiuta's wild, New Orleans groove, and Garrett's swirling lines provide great support. Once Stern and company have the listener's attention, they can become seductive with more intimate affairs like the Joe Zawinul-influenced "Silver Lining," which features an exotic falsetto vocal by Bona, a former Zawinul Syndicate member who also propels the tune with his increasingly muscular basslines. Bona adds the same touch in a gentler way to the lush romance of "I Know You," featuring a soft-spoken harmony line by guest star banjo great Béla Fleck. This sequence of tunes sets the tone of the rest of the disc, which mixes more Khan-flavored gems (the colorful singalong "Mirage," featuring vocals by Elisabeth Kontomanou), soft ballads, and a sexy midtempo funk number that (gasp!) might translate to the smooth jazz format. Another highlight is the punchy bebop number "Remember," dedicated to Stern's longtime collaborator the late Bob Berg. Perhaps the only drawback is having Garrett on hand but only featuring him on three numbers. by Jonathan Widran
Tracklist:
1 Chatter 6:10
Mike Stern
2 Silver Lining 6:34
Mike Stern
3 I Know You 5:06
Mike Stern
4 Mirage 6:44
Mike Stern
5 If Only 5:31
Mike Stern
6 Street Rhyme 6:36
Mike Stern
7 Avenue B 6:13
Mike Stern
8 Remember (For Bob Berg) 6:02
Mike Stern
9 These Times 8:12
Mike Stern
10 What You Believe 6:45
Mike Stern
11 Last One Down 5:30
Mike Stern
Credits:
Lyrics By – Richard Bona (tracks: 5)
Musician – Arto Tuncboyaciyan, Bob Franceschini, Bob Malach, Béla Fleck, Dennis Chambers, Don Alias, Elisabeth Kontomanou, Jim Beard, Jon Herington, Kenny Garrett, Richard Bona, Victor Wooten, Vinnie Colaiuta, Will Lee
Producer – Jim Beard
MIKE STERN - Who Let the Cats Out? (2006) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless
More than two decades into his solo career, Mike Stern, on his 13th
album as a leader, continues to prove why he's earned so many "Best Jazz
Guitarist" honors through the years. Stern's skills are undeniable, and
new ideas never fail to materialize when he's at work. But what makes
Stern stand out from the pack of virtuosic guitar technicians is that he
always insists on letting his, and his support team's, abilities serve
the music, not vice versa. On Who Let the Cats Out?, Stern and his
well-chosen crew spill out lick upon impressive lick, but they never get
so carried away with themselves that they lose sight of the tune's
purpose and structure. Grandiosity is never a factor here, although
there are dozens of occasions to applaud these musicians' chops. Richard
Bona, the Cameroonian bassist, has worked with Stern before, but here
he is given an expanded role, appearing on four tracks and contributing
his falsetto-style, scat-like vocals to three of them: On "All You
Need," one of the prettiest tracks on the record, Bona provides an
uplifting sensuality. He also shines on "We're with You," a ballad
featuring Stern on acoustic guitar. Devoid of pyrotechnics, this song of
support to those hurting utilizes synth-derived orchestration and a
mournful, quiet tone to bring home its emotionalism. Drummer Dave Weckl
-- who alternates throughout with the excellent Kim Thompson -- is
another major pacesetter here: On "Texas," the often-overdriven Weckl
restrains himself, his no-frills drums and Me'Shell NdegéOcello's
creative bass chasing Stern's skronky slide while Gregoire Maret's
harmonica provides the necessary borderland flavor. The title track, a
quasi-swing/bop showpiece, finds Stern -- peeling out some of his most
blazing, how'd-he-do-that? riffs -- and trumpet great Roy Hargrove
trying to outdo each other and calling it a draw. Stern's soloing
throughout the record is, in fact, ceaselessly imaginative: Whether
within a total funk exercise like "Roll with It," which borrows Victor
Wooten from the Flecktones for bass duties and spotlights sexy sax from
Bob Malach, or the moody ballad "KT," on which Stern's guitar escalates
in intensity alongside Jim Beard's soulful organ, Stern finds his place
within the song's architecture, then rises several levels above what's
required of him to present something unexpected and rewardingly
original. Only on "Blue Runway," the eight-and-a-half-minute closer,
with Anthony Jackson taking over the bass, do the players allow
themselves to approach tediousness. Overextending themselves as they
shift into hyperdrive, they turn the piece into a jam for its own sake.
An anomaly, it doesn't by any means detract from the album's overall
quality, though it does allow it to end on a disappointingly
self-absorbed note. by Jeff Tamarkin
Tracklist:
1 Tumble Home 8:14
2 KT 7:57
3 Good Questions 4:17
4 Language 7:03
5 We're With You 5:48
6 Leni Goes Shopping 4:38
7 Roll With It 5:02
8 Texas 7:04
9 Who Let The Cats Out? 7:44
10 All You Need 6:57
11 Blue Runaway 8:37
Credits:
Bass – Anthony Jackson, Chris Minh Doky, Meshell Ndegeocello, Victor Wooten
Drums – Dave Weckl, Kim Thompson
Guitar – Mike Stern
Harmonica – Gregoire Maret
Keyboards, Producer – Jim Beard
Saxophone – Bob Franceschini, Bob Malach
Trumpet – Roy Hargrove
Vocals, Bass – Richard Bona
31.5.20
LARRY COYELL - Spaces Revisited (1997) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless
+ last month
e.s.t. — Retrospective 'The Very Best Of e.s.t. (2009) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
"Retrospective - The Very Best Of e.s.t." is a retrospective of the unique work of e.s.t. and a tribute to the late mastermind Esb...