HUONG THANH — Mangustao (2004) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Vietnamese vocalist Huong Thanh rose to fame in the new millennium as her nation's premier jazz talent. Thanh was brought up in a musical household steeped in the cai luong tradition. Mentored by her father, famed vocalist Huu Phuoc, Thanh was trained in the complex musical style blending the demands of a complex tonal language with operatic expression and storytelling. She studied formally in Saigon, beginning at age 13. By 16 Thanh had taken the stage in her first of many cai luong productions. Touring throughout Europe matured Thanh as a musician, and offered opportunities to be exposed to different musical styles. Thanh often returned to Vietnam, recording with some of the nation's most renowned talents. On one such trip she was introduced to guitarist Nguyên Lê, who introduced her to the world of jazz. Thanh joined Lê's Tales from Vietnam project, which toured Europe extensively and released highly acclaimed material exploring traditional Vietnamese music with jazz sensibilities. In 1999 Thanh applied the valuable experience she gained with Tales from Vietnam to her solo career. Moon and Wind, her debut disc, was released by the ACT label that year, to rave reviews. With each release that followed, Thanh earned a larger audience for her special brand of jazz. Following Dragonfly (2001) and Mangustao (2004), Huong Thanh's fourth disc, Fragile Beauty, was released in 2007. The album peaked at number two on World Music Charts Europe, generating Thanh's strongest sales yet. Evan C. Gutierrez
Tracklist :
1    Perfumed Flower (Hoa Thơm Bướm Lượn)    6:35
2    The Mountain And The Source (Thoả Nỗi Nhớ Mong / Sông Cầu Nước Chảy Lê Thê)    5:21
3    In The Pagoda (Vào Chùa)    6:44
4    The Blue Dome Of The Sky    6:37
5    Heave Ho ! (Hò Nện)    3:47
6    The Courting (Lý Đò Đưa)    5:13
7    Cold Winter, Faraway Land    5:54
8    South Delta Song    4:57
9    Moon Boat (Ngồi Tựa Mạn Thuyền)    5:45
10    Like A Guitar With No Strings (Hát Ru Nam Bộ)    3:36
Credits :
Acoustic Bass [Pizzicato], Arco Bass – Michel Benita
Choir – The Barbès Faith Choir
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Synthesizer, Sampler, Computer, Producer, Arranged By, Engineer, Mixed By – Nguyên Lê
Fretless Bass [Electric] – Michel Alibo
Goblet Drum [Zarb], Cajón, Daf, Udu, Tambourine [Rek], Ghatam [Gatam] – Bijan Chemirani
Oboe, English Horn – Paul McCandless
Oud – Dhafer Youssef
Percussion [West Indies Percussion Like Ti Bwa, Tambu Ka, Chacha] – Bago
Piano, Electric Piano – Dominique Borker
Singing Bowls [Tibetan Bowls], Bells [Tuned Bell], Gong [Gongs], Chimes – François Verly
Strings – The Barbès Deluxe
Trumpet – Paolo Fresu
Vibraphone, Marimba – Illya Amar
Vocals – Huong Thanh
Vocals, Guimbri, Tabla, Cymbal [Hand Cymbals] – Karim Ziad
Zither [Đàn Bầu], Flute [Sao (transverse), Tiêu (straight Bamboo Flutes)], Lute [Dan Tam (3-strings Fretless), Dan Nguyêt (moon Shaped)], Zither [16-strings Dan Tranh] – Hao Nhiên
Zither [Đàn Bầu], Zither [16-strings Dan Tranh], Lute [Dan Kim] – Duong Tam

YOUN SUN NAH = 나윤선 — Lento (2013) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Singers who are able to shake up an entire genre are rare. Korean Youn Sun Nah is such a phenomenon, as "Lento" proves. "A miracle", "great art", "enchanting" or "world-class singing" is what the local press has said about the singer in recent years. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Lento 3:04
Written-By – Alexander Scriabin, Youn Sun Nah
2    Lament 3:40
Written-By – Youn Sun Nah
3    Hurt 5:22
Written-By – Nine Inch Nails
4    Empty Dream 4:20
Written-By – Vincent Peirani, Youn Sun Nah
5    Momento Magico 5:32
Written-By – Ulf Wakenius
6    Soundless Bye 3:44
Written-By – Youn Sun Nah
7    Full Circle 3:36
Written-By – Vincent Peirani, Youn Sun Nah
8    Ghost Riders In The Sky 4:58
Written-By – Stan Jones
9    Waiting 3:30
Written-By – Caecilie Norby, Lars Danielsson
10    Arirang 4:25
 – Korean Traditional
11    New Dawn 3:42
Written-By – Youn Sun Nah
Credits :
Accordion, Melodica [Accordina] – Vincent Peirani
Bass, Cello – Lars Danielsson
Guitar [Guitars] – Ulf Wakenius
Percussion – Xavier Desandre-Navarre
Vocals – Youn Sun Nah

MURIEL ZOE — Red and Blue (2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The German singer and songwriter is best known for her mixture of jazz, folk and pop. She convinces with a warm and expressive voice and profound lyrics that often deal with personal and emotional topics. As a versatile artist, she has already released several solo albums and participated in various musical projects. Her music is characterised by subtle arrangements and an intimate, melancholic atmosphere. Muriel Zoe is firmly established in the German jazz and singer-songwriter scene and is appreciated for her gentle yet powerful interpretations. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Bye Bye Blackbird    3:27
2    You Go To My Head    4:35
3    Up Jumped Spring    3:07
4    Lovesong No.1    3:12
5    My One And Only Love    5:35
6    Round Midnight    4:00
7    Don't Explain    4:11
8    Willow Weep For Me    5:34
9    You Don't Know What Love Is    4:18
10    Second Time Around    2:13
11    Happiness Is Just A Thing Called Joe    2:48
12    The Masquerade Is Over    2:47
13    All The Way    3:45
14    Autumn Leaves    3:15
Credits :
Muriel Zoe – Vocals, Guitar
Matthias Pogoda – Guitar
Michael Leuschner – Trumpet
Johannes Huth – Bass
Michael Verhovec - Drums

SOLVEIG SLETTAHJELL | SLOW MOTION QUINTET — Pixiedust (2006) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

CD of the month February 2006: "Solveig Slettahjell's 'Elfenstaub' (Pixiedust) is pretty much the hottest drug in terms of vocal jazz that is currently available from Scandinavia" (STEREOPLAY) ACT
Tracklist :
1    Hope Is The Thing With Feathers 3:11
Written-By – Dickinson, Slettahjell
2    Faith, Trust And Pixiedust 3:13
Written-By – Slettahjell
3    Have A Little Faith In Me 4:54
Written-By – John Hiatt
4    Milo 4:55
Written-By – Kjellsby
5    Home 2:43
Written-By – Kjellsby
6    Little Wonder 3:44
Written-By – Kjellsby
7    Don't Explain 4:11
Written-By – Herxog Jr., Holiday
8    Count The Days 5:04
Written-By – Kjellsby
9    Starpillow 5:10
Written-By – Kjellsby
10    Sleepy Pixie 3:48
Programmed By [Loops] – Peder Kjellsby
Written-By – Kjellsby
11    When You Wish Upon A Star 3:34
Written-By – Harline, Washington
Credits :
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass – Mats Eilertsen
Arranged By – Slow Motion Quintet
Drums, Percussion, Drum Machine [Electron STS-1], Keyboards [Casio SK-5] – Per Oddvar Johansen
Grand Piano, Organ [Hammond], Autoharp, Keyboards [Casio SK-1], Synthesizer [Sid-Station] – Morten Qvenild
Trumpet, Programmed By [Loops] – Sjur Miljeteig
Vocals – Solveig Slettahjell

MIGHTY SAM McCLAIN & KNUT REIERSRUD — Tears Of The World (2015) FLAC (tracks), lossless

The Norwegians also have the blues: on "Tears Of The World," guitarist Knut Reiersrud and his band collaborate with 72-year-old Southern singer Mighty Sam McClain, delving into the original music of the deep South of the USA. This album impressively demonstrates that energetic R&B, soul, and blues know no boundaries of origin. Mighty Sam McClain passed away on June 16, 2015. "Tears Of The World" became his final recording and a testament to his legacy. The blues and soul world mourns the loss of a great artist. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Tears Of The World 2:52
Written-By – Willie Hale
2    Please Mr. Foreman 2:41
Written-By – John Lee Carter
3    Jewels 4:22
Written-By – Erik Hillestad, Knut Reiersrud
4    Living In The Key Of G 3:23
Written-By – Jeff Wasserman, Knut Reiersrud
5    Que Sera, Sera 4:39
Written-By – Jay Livingston, Ray Evans
6    Friends 5:18
Written-By – Sam McClain, Pat Herlehy
7    Too Proud 5:12
Written-By – Carlene Carter
8    Apples [Don't Fall Far From The Tree] 4:39
Written-By – Jeff Wasserman, Knut Reiersrud
9    I Wish I Had A Girl Like You 3:00
Written-By – Willie Hale
10    Somebody Help Me 3:38
Written-By – George Papageorge, Sam McClain
11    Things Ain't What They Used To Be 3:46
Written-By – George Papageorge, Sam McClain
12    Promised Land 5:43
Written-By – Jeff Wasserman, Knut Reiersrud
Credits :
Mighty Sam McClain - Vocals
Knut Reiersrud - Guitar, Harmonica, Piano (2,8) & Vocals (5)
Bjørn Holm - Guitar
David Wallumrød - Hammond Organ, Wurlitzer, Piano & Prophet 5
Nikolai Hængsle Eilertsen - Bass
Andreas Bye - Drums
Håkon Kornstad - Saxes & Flute
Martin Horntveth - Timpani & Tubular bells + Strings