STEVE KHAN - Tightrop (1977) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

What do you get when you have a superb rhythm section, saucy keyboards, a hot and brassy mini-horn section, and one very tasteful jazz- and chops-laden guitarist all come together with some jazz and some fusion in mind? You have the magic of Steve Khan and the Brecker Brothers coming together. With folks like this, and Steve Gadd and Bob James too, you have a formula for success.
Khan's compositions are smooth yet lively enough not to bore. His unique drive, and pristine flourish and tone on his modded Fender Telecaster, and even his deft acoustic work, all come together to make a very satisfying blend of sexy jazz and funked-up, be bop fusion. Yet there is that special touch that only Steve Khan can add that makes his releases a signature sound on each outing. If you listen closely, you will hear Larry Coryell-ian riffs and stylings (as Khan and Coryell used to jam together, and did record together).
Much ado is made about Mike Stern's guitar work in the '80s and '90s, but one listen to Khan and you will immediately hear who his big inspiration was. Next time you pick up an old Stern release you stand a good chance of seeing the words "produced by Steve Khan." by John W. Patterson   
Tracklist:
1 Some Punk Funk 5:20
Piano [Acoustic] – Don Grolnick
Written-By – Steve Khan
2 Darlin' Darlin' Baby (Sweet, Tender, Love) 6:29
Written-By – Gamble & Huff
3 Tightrope (For Folon) 5:44
Written-By – Steve Khan
4 The Big Ones 6:02
Alto Saxophone [Solo], Soloist – Dave Sanborn 
Written-By – Randy Brecker
5 Star Chamber 5:19
Written-By – Steve Khan
6 Soft Summer Breeze 5:00
Written-By – Eddie Heywood, J. Spencer 
7 Where Shadows Meet 3:40
Written-By – Steve Khan
Credits:
Alto Saxophone – Dave Sanborn (tracks: 2, 3, 5)
Arranged By – Bob James (tracks: 2, 6), Steve Khan (tracks: 1, 3 to 5, 7)
Bass – Will Lee
Clavinet – Don Grolnick (tracks: 3 to 5)
Drums – Steve Gadd
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Bob James (tracks: 1, 4, 5), Don Grolnick (tracks: 2, 3, 6, 7)
Guitar – David Spinozza (tracks: 3, 7), Jeff Mironov (tracks: 2, 4 to 7), Steve Khan (tracks: 1 to 4, 6, 7)
Percussion – Ralph MacDonald
Producer – Bob James
Synthesizer [Oberheim Polyphonic] – Bob James (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 7)
Tenor Saxophone – Mike Brecker (tracks: 1, 3, 4)
Trumpet – Randy Brecker (tracks: 3, 4)
Twelve-String Guitar [Electric] – Steve Khan (tracks: 1, 5, 7)

MÁRCIO MONTARROYOS & STONE ALIANCE - Márcio Montarroyos & Stone Alliance (1977) Mp3

Márcio Montarroyos is an excellent Brazilian musician with an extensive resumé as a session man for Brazilian and international top musicians. Some of his later releases fell in a somewhat abusive commercial line, but this one preserves his musicality and adventurousness. A Brazilian fusion jazz album, originally recorded in 1977, it benefits from the international excellence of such musicians as Steve Grossman, Gene Perla, Don Alias, and the Brazilians Hermeto Pascoal, David Sion, and Dom Bira, among others. Mixing the American standard "A Child Is Born" (Thad Jones) with those musicians' originals, the album keeps a cohesive quality and creative improvisations provided by the amazing range of expression of each of its individual components. by Alvaro Neder

Tracklist:

1 Hey Bicho, Vamos Nessa 4:48

Congas [Uncredited], Cowbell [Uncredited] – Don Bira

Written-By – Steve Grossman

2 Rua Da Boa Hora 4:48

Percussion [Uncredited] – David Sion  

Written-By – Marcio Montarroyos

3 A Child Is Born 4:34

Written-By – Thad Jones

4 On The Foot Peg 5:51

Written-By – Marcio Montarroyos

5 Menina Ilza 6:39

Written-By, Piano [Uncredited], Flute [Uncredited] – Hermeto Pascoal

6 Risa 5:23

Written-By – Don Alias

7 Libra Rising 3:22

Written-By – Steve Grossman

8 The Greeting 4:10

Written-By – Don Alias, Erasto Vasconcelos

Credits:

Bass, Electric Piano, Synthesizer [Strings, Moog], Keyboards, Piano – Gene Perla

Congas, Drums, Guitar, Voice, Percussion – Don Alias

Percussion, Surdo, Voice, Cowbell [Bell], Cowbell – Erasto De Holanda Vasconcelos

Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Piano – Steve Grossman

Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Piano, Percussion, Synthesizer [Moog], Voice, Mellophone – Marcio Montarroyos

MÁRCIO MONTARROYOS - Magic Moment (1982) Mp3

Tracklist:

1 - Patamar (Márcio Montarroyos)  

2 - Magic moment (Márcio Montarroyos)  

3 - Sabor da tarde (Márcio Montarroyos)  

4 - In what direction are you headed? (H.Mabern)  

5 - Pedra bonita (Márcio Montarroyos)  

6 - Makenna beach (Márcio Montarroyos)

Arranged by Marcio Montarroyos

Credits:

Marcio Montarroyos - flugelhorn (1,2,3,4,5), keyboards (1), trumpet (4), electric trumpet (6)

Lincoln Olivetti - piano (1,2,3,4), oberheim (3), keyboards (5,6)

Victor Biglione - guitar (1,2,3,4,5)

Jamil Joanes - bass (1,2,3,4,5,6)

Ivan Conti - drums (1,2,4,5,6)

Ariovaldo Contesini - percussion (1,2,4,5)

Ricardo Silveira - guitar (2,3,4,5)

Picole - drums (3)

Marcos Resende - keyboards (6)

Jorge Robison - guitar (6)

Chacal - congas (6)

MIKE CATALANO - A Manhattan Affair (2007) APE (image+.cue), lossless

A follow-up of sorts to his 1989 debut A Rio Affair, A Manhattan Affair features pianist/composer Mike Catalano performing his crisp and breezy smooth jazz that touches on melodic rock, lightly funky R&B and bossa nova. Joining Catalano here are not only his superb rhythm section of bassist Will Lee and drummer Peter Erskine, but also a bevy of name artists and longtime Catalano associates including guitarist Chuck Loeb, trumpeter Randy Brecker, keyboardist Bob James, bassist Nico Assumpção and others. Fans of organic '70s fusion and contemporary pop should find much to enjoy here as Catalano delivers a sparkling afterglow version of "Beauty and the Beast," turns the Beatles' "Fool on the Hill" into a perfect soft rock noir ballad and showcases vocalist Ivan Lins' deeply emotive vocals on the atmospheric Brazilian classic "Dindi." Similarly engaging are such catchy Catalano originals as the cinematic and danceable "Take Me Back to Rio," the smoky ballad "Lelena," the driving Weather Report-esque "Moonlight in Baja" and the moodily funky lead-off single "Smooth as Silk." These are refreshing, often lushly arranged and endlessly melodic cuts that make the most of Catalano's tasteful keyboard chops. by Matt Collar  

GERALD ALBRIGHT - Sax for Stax (2008) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

ERIC GALE - Forecast (1973) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Eric Gale's 1973 Forecast album on the Kudu label is one of his most varied texturally. Produced by Kudu label boss Creed Taylor, the rhythm tracks were arranged by Gale, and the horns and strings by Bob James. Taylor surrounded Gale with the cream-of-the-crop of the current session players: jazz's most soulful drummer, Idris Muhammad, was in the house for most of the album, and Rick Marotta filled out the rest. Saxophonists included Joe Farrell, Pepper Adams, and Jerry Dodgion (an underrated ace who made his name with Curtis Amy on his Pacific jazz sides in the early '60s), and trumpeters included Randy Brecker and Jon Faddis. Hubert Laws and George Marge sat in the flute chairs, and James played piano and synths. Gale, for his part, was blended into a meticulously arranged and gorgeously orchestrated set of mixed tempo originals, and a pair of carefully chosen covers: "Killing Me Softly," by Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel, and Antonio Carlos Jobim's and Aloysio de Oliviera's deeply moving "Dindi." Gale's single string lines bite harder than some of the Brazilian counterparts, but because his blues inflection is so pronounced against the lush strings, keyboards, and horns, it works wonderfully. Gale's own grooved out "Cleopatra," and the otherworldly funk and blues feel of "White Moth," are just off-kilter enough to add a labyrinthine dimension to the album. Gale was a tear when he was on Kudu, and this album is the first example of his particular brand of street tough yet bedroom romantic soul-jazz for the label. by Thom Jurek 
Tracklist:
1 Killing Me Softly with His Song 3:37
Charles Fox / Norman Gimbel
2 Cleopatra 4:50
Eric Gale
3 Dindi 7:21
Antônio Carlos Jobim / Aloysio de Oliveira
4 White Moth 5:57
Eric Gale
5 Tonsue Corte 4:18
Eric Gale
6 Forecast 7:48
Eric Gale
Credits:
Arranged By [Rhythm Section], Guitar – Eric Gale
Arranged By [Stings & Horns], Piano, Organ, Percussion [Bass Marimba], Synthesizer – Bob James
Baritone Saxophone – Pepper Adams
Cello – George Ricci, Seymour Barab
Congas, Percussion – Ralph MacDonald
Congas, Tambourine – Arthur Jenkins
Drums – Idris Muhammad, Rick Marotta
Electric Bass – Gordon Edwards
Electric Bass – Bill Salter
Flute, Piccolo Flute – Hubert Laws
Tenor Saxophone – Joe Farrell
Tenor Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Jerry Dodgion
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – George Marge
Trombone – Alan Ralph, Garnett Brown, Tony Studd
Trumpet – John Frosk, Jon Faddis, Marvin Stamm, Randy Brecker, Victor Paz

DAVE GRUSIN / DON GRUSIN - Sticks and Stones (1988) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This set works very well. Dave Grusin and his younger brother Don Grusin use a variety of keyboards to create a series of colorful duets. Other than Dori Caymmi's "Southern Wind," all of the fairly spontaneous yet well-planned performances are originals by one or both of the brothers. Even listeners who are not that much into electronics will find much of interest on this melodic and funky, yet often unpredictable set.  by Scott Yanow
Tracklist:
1 Birds With Long Legs 5:03
Dave Grusin
2 Pico Pica 4:57
Don Grusin
3 Sailing at Night 4:19
Don Grusin
4 River Song 5:10
Dave Grusin / Don Grusin
5 Sticks and Stones 6:08
Dave Grusin / Don Grusin
6 Glissade 5:18
Dave Grusin
7 Good Ol' Boys 7:28
Don Grusin / Waylon Jennings
8 This Little Pig's Got the Blues 5:28
Don Grusin
9 Dog Heaven 04:49
Don Grusin
10 Southern Wind 4:15
Dori Caymmi
11 North-Tribal Step Dance 4:48
Dave Grusin
Credits:
Synthesizer [Yamaha DXIIFD, DX7, TX816, TX7, Roland D-550, MKS20 and Super Jupiter, Sequential Circuits Prophet V.S.], Drum Machine [Yamaha RX5, Studio 440], Electronic Drums [Roger Linn - Linndrum], Piano [Steinway and Yamaha], Sampler [Emax Emulator], Computer [Atari 1040 ST], Software Instrument [Hybrid Arts Smpte Track] – Dave Grusin, Don Grusin

DAVE GRUSIN / DON GRUSIN - Sticks and Stones

 (1988) GRP / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless 

O Púbis da Rosa

ROBIN McKELLE - Mess Around (2010) APE (tracks), lossless

Robin McKelle's previous recordings featured a big band, with her vocal stylings leaning on the pop side of jazz. While effective to a degree, she sounds similar in this setting, where this band is stripped down, a small horn section remains and electric keyboards still give the music a retro feel. Her tune choices are all over the map, copping soul and pop tunes with a funky underpinning, rarely swinging although occasionally shuffling, and featuring McKelle's coarse, gritty, at times supple, sophisticated voice. Her accompanying musicians are cream-of-the-crop up-and-comers, including keyboardist Xavier Davis, bassist Tim Lefevbre, saxophonists Mark Gross and Alex Harding, as well as two appearances by veteran Houston Person. Inspired by Ray Charles, the title track takes on a boogaloo facade with Wurlitzer organ, but a similar beat is thrust into Leonard Cohen's "Everybody Knows." Better suited for ballads as "Cry Me a River," McKelle does have that blue-eyed soul thing going on, but it's the amalgam of the Beatles meeting James Brown through "The Girl from Ipanema" during her version of "Eleanor Rigby" that shows where McKelle is really coming from. A credible effort if not somewhat been there/done that by others, it's to Robin McKelle's plus side that she is seeking new vibes out of something created in her old soul.  by Michael G. Nastos 
Tracklist:
1     Mess Around    4:33   
Robin McKelle
2     I Can't See Nobody    3:52   
Barry Gibb / Robin Gibb
3     Never Make a Move Too Soon    4:21    
N. Hooper
4     Everybody Knows    5:05   
Leonard Cohen
5     Angel    6:07     
Robin McKelle
6     Until the Day I Die    4:58 
Robin McKelle
7     Cry Me a River    4:38
Arthur Hamilton
8     Lonely Avenue    3:24 
Doc Pomus
9     Eleanor Rigby    3:21    
John Lennon / Paul McCartney
10     I Just Want to Make Love to You    4:24    
Willie Dixon / Gordon Gano
11     Since I Looked in Your Eyes    3:35    
Robin McKelle
Credits
    Alto Saxophone – Travis Sullivan
    Arranged By – Alain Mallet, Fred Wesley
    Baritone Saxophone – Alex Harding
    Bass – Tim Lefebvre
    Drums – Mark McLean
    Flugelhorn – Scott Harrell
    Guitar – Marvin Sewell
    Keyboards – Alain Mallet, Xavier Davis
    Organ – Adam Klipple
    Tenor Saxophone – Houston Person, Mark Gross, Michael Tucker
    Trombone – Jeff Galindo, Nelson Foltz
    Trumpet – Ravi Best, Scott Harrell
    Vocals – Robin McKelle