KUDSI ERGUNER — Ottomania : Sufi - Jazz - Project (1999) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The first world music project that blends classical music from the Ottoman Empire with Western improvisation and jazz rhythms. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Semai    5:48
Written-By – Mesut Cemil Bey
2    Sufimaj    4:37
Written-By – Kudsi Erguner
3    Dua    12:55
Written-By – Kudsi Erguner
4    Free Space    7:47
Written-By – Kudsi Erguner
5    Nefes    9:06
Written-By – Kudsi Erguner
6        Hi-Jaz    9:18
Written-By – Kudsi Erguner
Credits :
Bendir, Goblet Drum [Zarb], Tabla, Daf, Percussion [Traditional] – Bruno Caillat
Double Bass – Yves Rousseau
Drums – Mark Nauseef
Kanun – Hakan Gungor
Kemenche – Derya Turkan
Lute [Ud] – Mehmet Emin Bitmez
Ney, Producer, Executive-Producer – Kudsi Erguner
Saxophone – Christof Lauer
Tambura [Tanbur] – Necib Gulses
Tuba, Serpent – Michel Godard

Gwilym Simcock — Instrumation (2014) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Since his Mercury Award-nominated solo work "Good Days at Schloss Elmau" at the latest, pianist Gwilym Simcock has belonged to the spearhead of jazz in Great Britain. With "Instrumation", the Valais-born pianist presents himself not only as a piano virtuoso, but also as a creative creator of elegant jazz orchestra compositions. The leading British daily newspaper The Guardian praised the recording, which is divided into two suites, in the highest terms and awarded it 4 stars. The Financial Times also enthusiastically celebrated the "masterful expansion of his flourishing and rhythmic pianostyle". On "Instrumation" Simcock plays out his vein for romantic-classical art music. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Clunky    8:10
2    Interlude #1    3:07
3    Columns    8:06
4    Interlude #2    2:34
5    Industrial    9:35
6    Overture    5:56
7    The Theme    5:46
8    Mr. Bricolage    4:26
9    Long Road    7:36
10    Dance!    4:08
Credits :
Cello – William Schofield (tracks: 6-10)
Double Bass – Yuri Goloubev (tracks: 1-5)
Drums – Martin France
Guitar – John Parricelli (tracks: 1-5)
Orchestra – City of London Sinfonia (tracks: 1-5)
Piano – Gwilym Simcock
Violin – Thomas Gould (tracks: 6-10)

TORE BRUNBORG — Snow Slow (2015) FLAC (tracks), lossless

The play with proximity and distance, relaxation and intensification, surrealism and truth, sounds, and moods characterizes "Slow Snow." The album tells of the calm and contemplation before the storm, which can, however, culminate ecstatically in the next moment. A warm lyricism develops deep from the soul of the pieces. With "Slow Snow," Brunborg has achieved an impressively soulful ACT debut that also showcases him as a great pianist. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Shelter    5:08
2    Tune In    5:48
3    History    6:18
4    Tree Strong, Tall Swaying, Swinging, Sighing    5:45
5    Now's The Time    2:10
6    Wherever You Go    4:06
7    Lost And Found    3:19
8    Liquefied    6:47
9    Slow Snow    3:50
10    Light A Fire Fight A Liar    4:34
Credits :
Artwork [Cover Art] – Olafur Eliasson
Double Bass – Steinar Raknes
Drums, Electronics – Per Oddvar Johansen
Guitar [Guitars], Electronics – Eivind Aarset
Composed By, Producer, Tenor Saxophone, Piano – Tore Brunborg

NIELS-HENNING ØRSTED PEDERSEN — The Unforgettable NHØP Trio Live (2007) FLAC (tracks+.cue) lossless

 Two wonderful live recordings of the great, legendary Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen with his preferred trio of recent years, which also show guitarist Ulf Wakenius in top form. A fitting tribute to an unforgettable artist. "Sensational album - dreamy and unforgettable." - STEREOPLAY ACT

Niels Pedersen became one of the most heralded jazz bassists of his generation, playing with Bud Powell and Sonny Rollins while gaining international acclaim for his many recordings with Oscar Peterson. But the phenomenal bassist, whose sound is readily identifiable with a note or two, especially shined as a leader. This live CD documents a pair of concerts with guitarist Ulf Wakenius (who also worked with Peterson) and drummer Jonas Johansen, the first five tracks from 1999 and the last six from Pedersen's final recorded concert in March 2005, just a few weeks before his sudden death from a heart attack. The first set shows the bassist's many musical interests, blending his intricate solo arrangement of a piece by Baroque composer Johann Sebastian Bach with his own mellow "Memories," a brisk samba treatment of the standard "The Song Is You," Wakenius' up-tempo cooker "Lines" and a subtle but virtuoso setting of "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square." The latter performance fits seamlessly with the one from six years earlier. The intricate interplay between Pedersen and Wakenius is amazing in "You and the Night and the Music," with Johansen's alternating between brushes and sticks. Their inventive approach to Charlie Parker's "My Little Suede Shoes" is another highlight, while Pedersen's love of his homeland is evident in a pair of lush arrangements of folk songs from Denmark and Scandinavia. This superb release wraps with an easygoing setting of "Our Love Is Here to Stay" in which both Pedersen and Wakenius dazzle the audience with their formidable technique. Both concerts are intimately recorded and this is easily one of Niels Pedersen' best CDs as a leader. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    The Bach Piece 1:27
Arranged By – NHØP
Written-By – J.S. Bach
2    Memories 1:40
Written-By – NHØP
3    The Song Is You 4:27
Written-By – Kern/Hammerstein
4    Lines 6:55
Written-By – Ulf Wakenius
5    A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square 7:32
Written-By – Maschwitz, Sherwin
6    You And The Night And The Music 9:26
Written-By – Dietz/Schwartz
7    My Little Suede Shoes 5:44
Written-By – Charlie Parker
8    NHØP Presentation    0:34
9    I Skovens Dybe Stille Ro 3:38
Arranged By – NHØP
Written-By – Danish Folk Song
10    Jeg Gik Mig Ud En Sommerdag 9:08
Arranged By – NHØP
Written-By – Scandinavian Folk Song
11    (Our) Love Is Here To Stay 7:24
Written-By – George Gershwin
Credits :
Bass – Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen
Drums – Jonas Johansen
Guitar – Ulf Wakenius

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