BEIRACH | HUEBNER | MRAZ — Round About Monteverdi (2003) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Following early interpretations of the music of Béla Bartók and Federico Mompou, pianist Richie Beirach is once again joined by violinist Gregor Huebner and bassist George Mraz for a series of stunning interpretations of classical music, though most of this CD is devoted to the compositions of early Baroque composer Claudio Monteverdi. The mournful opener, Lamento d'Arianna, is the only remaining fragment of Monteverdi's lost opera Arianna. Beirach opens Don Carlo Gesualdo's Responsorium No. 5 (from his Sabato Sancto) alone, then ducks out as the bowed strings work their magic. Palestrina's Chant opens elegantly, then Mraz switches to a pizzicato line, with Huebner gradually making his way from the outer fringes, with Beirach eventually adding a passionate improvisation. Beirach's moving improvisation of Monteverdi's Orfeos Lament is spacious, followed by a brief fantasy upon the theme featuring wild pizzicato violin and occasionally hand-muted piano in an intense setting. Mraz, who assisted Beirach and Huebner with their arrangements, is solely responsible for Fantasy on Fili Mi, Absalon, a composition by Heinrich Schütz. Rarely heard unaccompanied on bass, Mraz makes the most of this opportunity with a powerful effort. No exploration of Baroque music is complete with venturing into the works of Johann Sebastian Bach, and Mraz's solo improvised introduction to Siciliano is every bit as powerful. He accompanies Beirach's brilliant improvisation, though the theme is never stated until Huebner joins in, taking the music down paths its composer could have never imagined. This outstanding release will cause more than a few jazz fans to search out classical recordings of these timeless works if they aren't already familiar with them. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    Lamento D'Arianna 1:31
Arranged By [Arrangement By] – Gregor Huebner, Richie Beirach
Arranged By [Arrangement With Enormous Help From] – George Mraz
Composed By – Claudio Monteverdi
2    Responsorium #5 4:18
Arranged By [Arrangement By] – Gregor Huebner, Richie Beirach
Arranged By [Arrangement With Enormous Help From] – George Mraz
Composed By – Carlo Gesualdo
3    Eja Mater Fons Amoris 5:50
Arranged By [Arrangement By] – Gregor Huebner, Richie Beirach
Arranged By [Arrangement With Enormous Help From] – George Mraz
Composed By – Giovanni Battista Pergolesi
4    Chant 4:56
Arranged By [Arrangement By] – Gregor Huebner, Richie Beirach
Arranged By [Arrangement With Enormous Help From] – George Mraz
Composed By – Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
5    Ben Mio, Rimanti In Pace 4:35
Arranged By [Arrangement By] – Gregor Huebner, Richie Beirach
Arranged By [Arrangement With Enormous Help From] – George Mraz
Composed By – Claudio Monteverdi
6    Orfeos Lament 7:27
Arranged By [Arrangement By] – Gregor Huebner, Richie Beirach
Arranged By [Arrangement With Enormous Help From] – George Mraz
Composed By – Claudio Monteverdi
7    Fantasy On Orfeos Lament 1:14
Arranged By [Arrangement By] – Gregor Huebner, Richie Beirach
Arranged By [Arrangement With Enormous Help From] – George Mraz
Composed By – Claudio Monteverdi
8    Fantasy On Fili Mi, Absalon 2:48
Arranged By [Arrangement By] – George Mraz
Composed By – Heinrich Schütz
9    Dialog Orfeo Messanger 4:18
Arranged By [Arrangement By] – Gregor Huebner, Richie Beirach
Arranged By [Arrangement With Enormous Help From] – George Mraz
Composed By – Claudio Monteverdi
10    Around Dialog Orfeo Messanger 3:07
Arranged By [Arrangement By] – Gregor Huebner, Richie Beirach
Arranged By [Arrangement With Enormous Help From] – George Mraz
Composed By – Claudio Monteverdi
11    Sancta Mater, Istud Agas 6:06
Arranged By [Arrangement By] – Gregor Huebner, Richie Beirach
Arranged By [Arrangement With Enormous Help From] – George Mraz
Composed By – Giovanni Battista Pergolesi
12    Siciliana 5:59
Arranged By [Arrangement By] – Gregor Huebner, Richie Beirach
Arranged By [Arrangement With Enormous Help From] – George Mraz
Composed By – Johan Sebastian Bach
13    Fantasy On Lamento D'Arianna 4:31
Arranged By [Arrangement By] – Gregor Huebner, Richie Beirach
Arranged By [Arrangement With Enormous Help From] – George Mraz
Composed By – Claudio Monteverdi
Credits :
Artwork [Coverart ©] – Mimmo Paladino
Bass – George Mraz
Piano – Richie Beirach
Violin – Gregor Huebner

DAERR | SIEVERTS | JÜTTE — Germany 12 Points : Celebrating Ralph Siegel (2006) Serie : young german jazz | FLAC (tracks+.cue) lossless

"This is how schlager finally becomes fun." - STEREOPLAY ACT
Tracklist :
1    Du Kannst Nicht Immer 17 Sein    5:44
2    Dschingis Khan (Blue)    6:03
3    Griechischer Wein 3:12
Composed By – Udo Jürgens
Lyrics By – Michael Kunze
4    Ein Bisschen Frieden I    6:49
5    Dschingis Khan (Swing)    3:15
6    Do You Speak English    3:20
7    Theater    4:06
8    Dann Heirat Doch Dein Büro    3:20
9    Moskau    5:21
10    Dschingis Khan (Reggae)    2:28
11    Fiesta Mexicana    2:09
12    Ein Bisschen Frieden II    6:48
13    Lass Die Sonne In Dein Herz    2:58
Credits :
Arranged By – Bastian Jütte (tracks: 11 to 13), Carsten Daerr (tracks: 1, 4,7, 8,10, 11), Henning Sieverts (tracks: 2, 3, 4, 5, 9)
Artwork – Peter Krüll
Bass, Cello – Henning Sieverts
Composed By – Ralph Siegel (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 13)
Drums – Bastian Jütte
Piano – Carsten Daerr

TORBJØRN SUNDE — Meridians (1998) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    Arctic (Prologue)    5:04
2    Kjære Maren    9:46
3    Vertigo    6:55
4    Imensidão Do Mar    6:37
5    Rotation    7:14
6    Tell Us, Tellus    4:29
7    Confronting Hemispheres    5:51
8    Antarctic (Epilogue)    7:34
Credits :
Acoustic Bass – Bjørn Kjellemyr (tracks: 2 to 5)
Acoustic Guitar – Børge Petersen-Øverleir (tracks: 1, 8), Eivind Aarset (tracks: 3)
Alto Saxophone – Morten Halle (tracks: 7)
Bass Drum [Concert Bassdrum] – Joakim Nordin (tracks: 6)
Bongos – Manolo Badrena (tracks: 1), Rune Arnesen (tracks: 3, 5)
Chimes [Barchimes] – Joakim Nordin (tracks: 6, 7)
Congas, Tambourine, Triangle [Triangles], Cabasa, Finger Cymbals [Fingercymbals] – Manolo Badrena (tracks: 8)
Cowbell, Percussion [Jamblock], Percussion [Handdrum], Shekere, Finger Cymbals [Fingercymbals], Gong – Joakim Nordin (tracks: 7)
Drums – Per Oddvar Johansen (tracks: 6, 7), Rune Arnesen (tracks: 2 to 5)
Electric Bass – Geir Holmsen (tracks: 7)
Electric Guitar – Børge Petersen-Øverleir (tracks: 6, 7), Eivind Aarset (tracks: 5), Terje Rypdal (tracks: 2)
Fretless Bass – Geir Holmsen (tracks: 6)
Grand Piano – Bugge Wesseltoft (tracks: 4, 6, 7)
Grand Piano, Keyboards – Jon Balke (tracks: 1)
Keyboards – Bugge Wesseltoft (tracks: 2 to 7), Jon Balke (tracks: 8)
Percussion [Timba], Percussion [Indian Drums] – Celio De Carvalho (tracks: 8)
Shaker [Shakers], Flute [Flutes] – Manolo Badrena (tracks: 4)
Tenor Saxophone – Petter Wettre (tracks: 7)
Trombone – Torbjørn Sunde
Trumpet – Jens Petter Antonsen (tracks: 7)
Udu – Celio De Carvalho (tracks: 1)
Vocals – Torbjørn Sunde (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 6, 8)
Wood Block [Woodblocks], Triangle [Triangles] – Celio De Carvalho (tracks: 4)

CORNELIUS CLAUDIO KREUSCH & BLACKMUDSOUND — Scoop (1998) ACT World Jazz Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The German jazz pianist, composer and producer is known for his versatile musicality and gift for composition. Kreusch regularly collaborates with leading musicians from various musical genres, including jazz, world music and classical music. His creative output includes projects such as the ‘Giant Steps Ensemble’ and collaborations with artists such as Bobby Mc Ferrin and Nils Landgren. In addition to his musical career, Kreusch also works as a music teacher and is involved in the further education of young talents. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Niles    1:50
2    Yarum    4:42
3    Salif    4:50
4    Scoop    3:03
5    Imbao    5:12
6    Pulse    1:26
7    Faith    3:30
8    Feel!    4:36
9    Wocai    3:16
10    Flame    1:50
11    Nomad    7:44
12    Jafro    9:20
Credits :
Acoustic Guitar – Johannes Tonio Kreusch
Bass – Anthony Cox
Bass Guitar – James Genus, Zaf Zapha
Drums – Camille Gainer
Drums, Percussion – Will Calhoun
Drums, Percussion, Voice – Cyril Atef
Drums, Vocals – Terri Lyne Carrington
Lyrics By – Cyril Atef (tracks: 5), Salif Keita (tracks: 3), Thomas Grimes (tracks: 7)
Music By – Cyril Atef (tracks: 5), Zaf Zapha (tracks: 5)
Music By, Composed By [All Compostions By] – Cornelius Claudio Kreusch
Piano – Cornelius Claudio Kreusch
Saxophone – Bobby Watson, Greg Osby, Ron Blake
Vocals – Elisabeth Kontamanou, Fra Fra Tribesmen, Richard Bona, Salif Keita
Voice, Rap [Rap'oetry] – Thomas Grimes

V.A. — Piano Works : Romantic Freedom (2005) Serie Piano Works | FLAC (tracks +.cue) lossless

"ACT is on a mission to introduce the world to Europe's emerging jazz pianists." (The Guardian): The new retrospective "Romantic Freedom - Blue in Green" presents some of the world's leading piano virtuosos - solo, duo or in trio. A quintessence of the current piano scene, curated by Siggi Loch. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Bugge Wesseltoft–    Greensleeves    3:41
2    Joachim Kühn–    Adagio, Concert in A-Major, KV 622    5:17
3    Michael Wollny–    There Again    3:31
4    Brad Mehldau–    Resignation    5:29
5    Esbjörn Svensson–    Prelude In D-Minor    4:10
6    Leszek Możdżer–    Sanctus    5:18
7    Richard Beirach–    Musica Callada #15    2:28
8    George Gruntz–    My Foolish Heart    4:37
9    Kevin Hays–    Sacred Circles    6:05
10    Ramón Valle–    Andalucía    4:17
11    Jens Thomas–    Poverty    6:25
12    Eric Watson–    Exits    7:53