PETER APFELBAUM & THE NEW YORK HIEROGLYPHIS — It Is Written (2005) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

"Stroke of genius" - (FONOFORUM) ACT

Saxophonist Peter Apfelbaum gathered together a new version of his Hieroglyphics for this record date, inspired by rediscovering fragments of music left over from the 1970s. Influenced strongly not only by avant-garde jazz but world music, the Hieroglyphics are, at times, reminiscent of Abdullah Ibrahim's groups, open to the rhythms, harmonies, and melodies of American, Latin, European, African, and Asian music. While the band has a strong group sound, Apfelbaum's nine originals cover a wide variety of music including the vocal-dominated "Titiwa" (featuring Abdoulaye Diabate), a number showcasing the leader on harmonium, some ensemble-oriented pieces, and others with short and fiery solos. Although not for the jazz purist, there is plenty of spirit to these performances, serving as an opportunity for Peter Apfelbaum to look both backwards and forward simultaneously. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Prelude    1:15
2    Labile (Unfolding)    2:20
3    Rainbow Sign    7:20
4    Apparition/Projectiles    14:25
5    Song Of The Signs    6:00
6    Petroglyph Extension    3:15
7    Shotgun Bouquet    12:00
8    It Is Written    5:25
9    Titiwa    7:50
Credits :
Acoustic Bass – John Shifflett
Alto Saxophone – Craig Handy
Bass – Patrice Blanchard
Bass Saxophone – Norbert Stachel
Bata – David Frazier, Josh Jones
Caxixi – Dafnis Prieto
Cover, Artwork – Martin Noël
Drums – Aaron Johnston, Deszon X. Claiborne
Electric Guitar – Trey Anastasio
Guitar – David Phelps, Viva de Concini, Will Bernard
Pandeiro, Caxixi, Bells – Cyro Baptista
Piano, Organ, Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Harmonium, Melodica, Bata, Performer [Qarqabas], Composed By – Peter Apfelbaum
Tenor Saxophone – Jessica Jones, Peck Allmond, Tony Jones
Trombone – Jeff Cressman, Josh Roseman, Natalie Cressman
Trumpet [Slide] – Steven Bernstein
Violin – Charles Burnham, Juliana Cressman
Vocals – Abdoulaye Diabate
Vocals, Harmonium – Jai Uttal

GEIR LYSNE — Aurora Borealis : Nordic Lights (Suite for Jazz Orchestra) (2002) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Aurora Borealis Suite - Intro    2:31
2    Aurora Borealis Suite - Part I    9:01
3    Aurora Borealis Suite - Part II    12:26
4    Aurora Borealis Suite - Part III    16:19
5    Aurora Borealis Suite - Part IV (Coda)    7:26
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Klaus Graf
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Morten Halle
Artwork – Peter Krüll
Baritone Saxophone – Bernhard Seland
Bass Trombone – Ketil Hovland
Conductor, Composed By – Geir Lysne
Double Bass, Bass, Tuba – Jan Olav Renvåg
Drums, Percussion – Kenneth Ekornes, Knut Aalefjor
Flute, Piccolo Flute – Ketil V. Einarsen
Guitar – Hallgrim Bratberg
Keyboards – Jørn Øien
Performer – Geir Lysne Listening Ensemble
Tenor Saxophone – Andi Maile, Fredrik Ø. Jensen
Trombone – Christian Jaksjø, Helge Sunde, Jørgen Gjerde
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Eckhard Baur, Frank Brodahl, Marius Haltli, Ole Jørn Myklebust

KEVIN HAYS — Open Range (2005) Serie Piano Works – III | FLAC (tracks+.cue) lossless

"Open Range is one of the most remarkable solo works of the past decade" - (JAZZTHETIK) ACT

Kevin Hays' departure from his birthplace (New York City) for Santa Fe, NM, helped inspire this collection of originals, most of which are piano solos. Hays' longtime jazz fans are in for a surprise, as this session is a great departure from his earlier recordings as a leader. The introductory track, "Open Range," has a lonely, somewhat pastoral feeling, sounding more like a classical piano sonata. "Nursery Rhyme" consists of enchanting variations on its brief opening theme in a hushed setting. "Harmonium" begins with the sounds of children playing in the distance on the shoreline, with Hays playing the keyboard with one hand and alternately dampening and plucking the strings with the other. "Homestead" is a bit erratic, with the echo of the piano in the distance and Hays' odd vocal chant, which may be easier to enjoy than the singing of Keith Jarrett, though it still is somewhat annoying. Hays does a better job singing in his subdued, richly textured interpretation of the old chestnut "You Are My Sunshine," though he gets carried away by overdubbing a harmony vocal and string sample. "Humming Bird Song" is an unusual miniature, with Hays accompanying a distorted-sounding Native American chant. Obviously, this must have been a very satisfying session for Kevin Hays, and it is well worth investigating despite its occasional distractions. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    Open Range    2:28
Composed By Kevin Hays
2    Homestead    3:23
Composed By Kevin Hays
3    Desert Blues    7:38
Composed By Kevin Hays
4    Humming Bird Song    2:18
Composed By Kevin Hays
5    Improvisation    7:15
Composed By Kevin Hays
6    You Are My Sunshine    5:39
Composed By – Jimmy Davis / Arranged By – Kevin Hays
7    Fire Dance    4:23
Composed By Kevin Hays
8    Nursery Rhyme    6:31
Composed By Kevin Hays
9    Meditation    4:29
Composed By Kevin Hays
10    Harmonium    3:02
Composed By Kevin Hays
11    Sacred Circles    6:05
Composed By Kevin Hays
Credits :
Piano, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Vocals – Kevin Hays

JUKKA PERKO AVARA — Invisible Man (2016) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Exceptional: Right from the start, the lineup grabs your attention: saxophone, acoustic guitar, and electric guitar. Elegiac soundscapes are unfolded, with a Finnish melancholic but always hopeful mood. The music draws its strength from tranquility. Its significance isn't measured by how loudly it's shouted. "Invisible Man" is an atmospheric road movie in which strong melodies dictate the plot. Entertaining, gripping, profound, and contemplative, Avara evokes deep emotions. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Invisible Man (Teemu Viinikinen) 2:33
2    Like Father Like Son (Teemu Viinikinen & Jukka Perko) 5:34
3    Tears In Heaven (Eric Clapton & Will Jennings 3:04
4    He Left The Road (Teemu Viinikinen, Jarmo Saari & Jukka Perko) 5:04
5    Pimento (Teemu Viinikinen & Jukka Perko) 5:25
6    Sweet Solitude (Teemu Viinikinen) 3:11
7    Nameless Angel (Jukka Perko) 4:07
8    Awakening (Jukka Perko) 4:10
9    Helmi (Jarmo Saari) 4:11
10    Open Door (Jarmo Saari & Jukka Perko) 4:18
11    Don't Give Up (Peter Gabriel) 4:32
12    Pavane (Gabriel Fauré) 4:55
Credits :
Acoustic Guitar – Teemu Viinikainen
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Jukka Perko
Electric Guitar – Jarmo Saari

MATTHIAS SCHRIEFL — Six, Alps & Jazz (2012) Serie : young german jazz | FLAC (tracks), lossless

With the "perfect snack for open ears and a musical soul" (Wolfgang Puschnigg), Matthias Schriefl - "the phenomenon" (Jazzthetik) - turns to his own Allgäu homeland and folk music with his characteristic creative fearlessness. On "Six, Alps & Jazz", the Wildschütz reaches out to the urban jungle fighter, Hausmusi marries the club sound, and results in a truly innovative, improvised New Folk Music. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Langenwanger Intro    0:52
 Traditional
2    S'Deandl Vom Wintergrea    2:11
 Traditional
3    Am Schnackar Bichl 6:07
Written-By – Matthias Schriefl
4    Andachtsjodler    3:41
 Traditional
5    Ländlesgruaß 6:15
Written-By – Matthias Schriefl
6    Steinegger's Allerlei 3:10
Written-By – Florian Trübsbach
7    Les Alpes Vues De Paris 4:38
Written-By – Daniel Casimir
8    S'isch Mer Alles Oi Ding    6:51
 Traditional
9    Langenwanger Reprise    2:06
 Traditional
10    Bald Ischs Halb Simmne 3:57
Written-By – Matthias Schriefl
11        Der Vorarlberger Problembär 6:39
Written-By – Matthias Schriefl
12    Punzenjodler    4:37
 Traditional
13    Luschtig, Luschtig 4:27
Arranged By – Schriefl
Written By – Haffner, Scholl-Rohrmoser
14    Schlofliadle    4:08
 Traditional
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Oboe, Piccolo Flute, Flute [Schwegel], Clarinet – Florian Trübsbach
Artwork [Cover Art] – Gerwald Rockenschaub
Bassoon – Federico Aluffi
Bassoon, Baritone Saxophone – Gregor Bürger
Clarinet – Gregor Bürger (tracks: 2 to 4, 6, 10 to 14)
Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Flute, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone – Heiko Bidmon
Clarinet, Contra-Alto Clarinet – Niels Klein
Double Bass – Alexander Morsey (tracks: 2, 4)
Drums – Bodek Janke (tracks: 3, 4, 6, 8, 13)
Flute, Flute [Schwegel] – Martin Seiler
Flute, Tenor Saxophone, Piccolo Flute, Clarinet – Peter Heidl
French Horn – Jeffrey A. "jam" McGuire (tracks: 5, 7), Priska Schriefl (tracks: 1, 3, 8, 9, 14)
Recorded By [Vocals] – Nico Raschke (tracks: 4)
Tenor Saxophone – Federico Aluffi (tracks: 2 to 5, 7 to 10, 14), Martin Seiler (tracks: 4, 6, 12, 13), Niels Klein (tracks: 5, 7 to 9)
Arranged, Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Euphonium, Sousaphone, Alphorn, Vocals – Matthias Schriefl
Tuba, Flugelhorn [Bass-flugelhorn], Flugelhorn, Alphorn – Johannes Bär
Vocals – Priska Schriefl (tracks: 14)