RUDRESH MAHANTHAPPA — Samdhi (2011) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

In his liner notes to Samdhi, saxophonist and composer Rudresh Mahanthappa states flat-out that his earliest jazz influences were Grover Washington Jr., David Sanborn, the Brecker Brothers, and the Yellowjackets. What those acts had in common was their direct expression of emotion in melodic forms; their use of electric instruments; and their use of soul, R&B, and funk. Mahanthappa's exploration of jazz eventually expanded to the tradition, from bop to modal to free and post-bop along the way. That said, he's also pointed the way in his journey by adding elements of the Carnatic tradition of South Indian classical music into his playing and compositions. "Samdhi" is a Sanskrit word that translates as "twilight," but its meaning extends to a spiritual context, to the phase that exists between when one age is destroyed and another is born. On this album, Mahanthappa -- who in recent years has also become fascinated with the electronic sounds of dance music as well as hip-hop -- has seamlessly woven together all of his musical interests. This is an electro-acoustic band, whose members include former M-Base guitarist David Gilmore, electric bassist Rich Brown, drummer Damion Reid, and Indian percussionist "Anand" Anantha Krishnan. Mahanthappa plays alto and works loops, sonic processing, and samples via a laptop as well. Samdhi is full of beautifully written tunes, dicey, sophisticated improvisation, and abundant grooves. What's immediately apparent upon listening is how tight and communicative this meld of new jazz, Indian music, and electronic fare really is. While tunes like "Playing with Stones" and "Breakfastlunchanddinnner" get deep into the soulful expression and funkiness of '70s and early-'80s jazz (the latter with a knockout solo by Gilmore), these tunes also have moments when Indian music and its modal spaciousness play a role, too. In "Killer," the swerving, tight-turn head is pure Indian polychromatic invention. And halfway in, Mahanthappa processes his own saxophone solo and doubles it tonally. "Still-Gas" even more effectively marries Indian music to jazz improvisation, even as Gilmore and Brown vamp on forward-looking funk. The ballad "For All the Ladies," with its subdued but rumbling percussion by Krishnan and Reid, is dynamic, melodically rich, and emotionally abundant. Mahanthappa's electric band is completely thrilling throughout Samdhi, playing more as an ensemble than as a soloist's backing group. Ironically, it is their precision that makes this blur of styles a many-colored and textured thing that feels whole and specific as jazz. Fusion? Indeed. But despite the ugly tinge that word has in relation to jazz, it is redefined here because fusion has never sounded like this before.
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-

A new dimension in the fusion of electro-acoustic jazz and Indian music from the alto saxophonist of the year 2011 (Downbeat Crtitics Poll). ACT
Tracklist :
1    Parakram #1    2:26
Composed By - Rudresh Mahanthappa
2    Killer    6:16
Composed By - Rudresh Mahanthappa
3    Richard’S Game    2:07
Composed By - Rich Brown
4    Playing With Stones    8:01
Composed By - Rudresh Mahanthappa
5    Rune    3:10
Composed By - David Gilmore
6    Breakfastlunchanddinnner    7:29
Composed By - Rudresh Mahanthappa
7    Parakram #2    5:18
Composed By - Rudresh Mahanthappa
8    Ahhh    8:21
Composed By - Rudresh Mahanthappa
9    Meeting Of The Skins    3:33
Composed By – Anantha Krishnan / Damion Reid
10    Still-Gas    9:00
Composed By - Rudresh Mahanthappa
11    For My Lady    1:56
Composed By - Rudresh Mahanthappa
12    For All The Ladies    7:36
Composed By - Rudresh Mahanthappa
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Liner Notes, Producer – Rudresh Mahanthappa
Cover – Tony Cragg
Drums – Damion Reid
Electric Bass – Rich Brown
Electric Guitar – David Gilmore
Kanjira, Mridangam – "Anand" Anantha Krishnan

NGUYÊN LÊ — Tales from Viêt-nam (1996) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Blending Western fusion jazz with Eastern structures and dissonance, Nguyen Le constructs a compelling pastiche. Perhaps most interesting is Huong Thanh's vocal in Vietnamese. Tim Sheridan

"A captivating symbiosis of ethno-sounds and refreshing jazz dynamics" - (MAX) ACT
Tracklist :
1    The Wind Blew It Away (Qua Câu Gio Bay) 7:30
– Traditional
Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
Arranged By [Assistant] – Dominique Borker
2    The Black Horse (Ly Ngua O) 4:10
– Traditional
Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
3    Don't You Go Away My Friend (Nguoi Oi Nguoi O Dung Vê) 7:26
– Traditional
Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
Arranged By [Assistant] – Dominique Borker
4    Trông Com (The Rice Drum) 4:04
– Traditional
Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
Arranged By [Assistant] – Dominique Borker
5    Hen Ho (Promise Of A Date) 5:24
– Traditional
Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
6    The Banyan Tree Song (1. Ly Cai Da/2. The Pillow (Cai Gôi)/3. The Hill (Trèo Lên Quan Dôc) 8:19
– Traditional
Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
7    Spring Of Life (Hoai Xuân) 3:21
Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
Written-By – Tô Man Châu
8    Ting Ning 3:42
– Traditional
Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
9    Mangustao Pt. 1 4:36
Written-By, Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
Written-By, Arranged By [Assistant] – Dominique Borker
10    Mangustao Pt. 2 5:54
Written-By, Arranged By – Nguyên Lê
Written-By, Arranged By [Assistant] – Dominique Borker
Credits :
Acoustic Bass [Accoustic] – Michel Benita
Drums – Joël Allouche (tracks: 1, 2, 6, 9)
Drums, Percussion – Steve Argüelles (tracks: 2, 3, 4, 10), Trilok Gurtu (tracks: 5, 8)
Lute [Moon Lute] – Thai An (tracks: 3)
Percussion, Marimba, Piano, Keyboards – François Verly
Performer [Sapek Clappers, Dan Bau], Zither [Dan Tranh], Flute [Sao Flute] – Hao Nhien
Producer, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Tracking By [Overdubs], Programmed By – Nguyên Lê
Saxophone, Flute [African], Alto Flute, Bass Flute, Concertina – Simon S. Hansen
Tracking By [Overdubs] – Pierre Bengon-Lours, Stéphane Luginbuhl, Valérie Abrial
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Paolo Fresu
Vocals – Huong Thanh

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