LANDGREN | WOLLNY | DANIELSSON | HAFFNER — 4 Wheel Drive II (2023) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

More about the album:
Four is a winner: that was the unanimous opinion of critics and audiences alike on the first album from German-Swedish supergroup 4 Wheel Drive. The eponymous debut disc from this band of bandleaders went straight to the top spot as best-selling jazz album in Germany for2019. And the media didn’t hold back with their praise either: "Four first-league jazz musicians with pure joy of playing and a love of good pop music", said ZDF's “heute-journal” about this spirited and enjoyable group, which combines trombonist/singer Nils Landgren, pianist Michael Wollny, bassist/cellist Lars Danielsson and drummer Wolfgang Haffner. AllAboutJazz, a leading American jazz website, asked whether this album might be worth adding to a listener's collection, and answered the question succinctly:"4 sure".

The same is manifestly true of the quartet's second studio album (there was also a live concert recording "4 Wheel Drive Live" in between, released in October 2019). In "4 Wheel Drive II", it is evident that things have shifted up a gear right from the start, with the rocky, pulsating opening track "Chapter II", straight from Wollny's compositional workbench. Landgren likes to let his trombone roar like a sports car engine. In similarly dynamic vein are pieces like Danielsson's final track of the album "The Wheelers", which, thanks to Haffner's nimble brushwork, makes you think you're on a high-speed train, or indeed Wollny's powerfully swinging "Spring Dance".

Compared to the first album, there has been another change, an increase in the proportion of original compositions written by all of the participants, as Lars Danielsson, who has contributed a sensitive, poppy ballad to the new album "Just Another Hour", remarks. Interpretations of worldwide hit songs were a factor behind the huge success of the debut album, but the ratio to original compositions here is getting closer to 50:50. That said, the fuel powering 4 Wheel Drive has remained the same: this band is all about creating music from deep within, and with like-minded people whom you can absolutely and implicitly trust to be in the driving seat. "It just flows," enthuses drummer Haffner, "we're a group of close friends with nothing we need to prove, we can just go for it. I've had so many magic moments with this band, it really is incredible!"

4 Wheel Drive was officially born at the end of 2017, at a special winter concert of the Jazz Baltica Festival, and Nils Landgren has described its entire history as having been blessed by "mutual respect and mutual love.". In the new album "4 Wheel Drive II", listeners are treated to several new moments of pure magic, continuing 4 Wheel drive’s illustrious story. For example, their new instrumental version of the Simon & Garfunkel classic "Sound of Silence", has something mysteriously Nordic about it. Or their newly-cast version of the surprisingly infrequently covered Genesis ballad "Hold On My Heart" putting it into a jazz context. If there's anyone who can sing a Phil Collins number without it being embarrassing, it's Nils Landgren. That idea also applies to Elton John's "Your Song" or Paul Simon's "Still Crazy After All These Years". The courage to approach pop tunes that have become so ingrained in many people's minds from a completely different perspective pays off in full. Because within 4 Wheel Drive are four originals at work, each of whom can be recognised from the very first note they play or sing.

Michael Wollny doesn't see the playing of popular hits as a burden in any way, but rather as a freeing-up. "Songs that are so well-known give you the opportunity to be completely open to the moment," says the pianist. "In this band, the song selection allows us great freedom. It's like our concerts, where anything can happen. Drummer Haffner agrees: "There's nothing wrong with interpreting a great song in your own way. If you do it with deep conviction, you are always going to connect with people." ACT
Tracklist :
1    Chapter II 3:05
Written-By – Michael Wollny
2    Still Crazy After All These Years 5:26
Written-By – Paul Simon
3    Hold On My Heart 5:17
Written-By – Mike Rutherford, Phil Collins, Tony Banks
4    The Sound Of Silence 5:43
Written-By – Paul Simon
5    Just Another Minute 3:46
Written-By – Lars Danielsson, Nils Landgren
6    Sunrise 4:14
Written-By – Nils Landgren
7    Spring Dance 3:01
Written-By – Michael Wollny
8    Fields Of Gold 4:46
Written-By – Gordon M Sumner, Sting
9    April Rain 5:22
Written-By – Wolfgang Haffner
10    Your Song 4:41
Written-By – Elton John & Bernie Taupin
11    The Wheelers 4:25
Written-By – Lars Danielsson
Credits :
Nils Landgren - Trombone & Vocals
Michael Wollny - Piano
Lars Danielsson - Bass & Cello & Guitar (on 5)
Wolfgang Haffner - Drums

ECHOES OF SWING — Blue Pepper (2013) Serie : Good Time Jazz | FLAC (tracks), lossless

Mit „Good Time Jazz“ besinnt sich ACT auf die All American Music der 1920/30er Jahre. Nicht aus Nostalgie, sondern um die (oft vergessenen) Roots in Erinnerung zu rufen. Denn wer die Vergangenheit nicht kennt, kann die Gegenwart nicht verstehen und die Zukunft nicht gestalten. Das Gute von gestern im neuen Gewand. Nicht nachgespielt, sondern innovativ interpretiert. Jazz der das Herz anspricht, bei dem die Finger schnippen und die Füße wippen. Mit Freude am Spiel. Unterhaltung im besten Sinne. ACT
Tracklistt :
1    Blue Pepper    3:09
Duke Ellington / Billy Strayhorn
2    Azzurro    3:45
Paolo Conte / Vito Pallavicini / Michele Virano
3    Blue Prelude    3:11
Joe Bishop / Gordon Jenkins
4    La Paloma Azul    4:00
5    Blue & Naughty    3:08
Greg Hopkins
6    Blue Moon    4:03
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
7    Black Stick Blues    3:35
Sidney Bechet
8    Blue River    3:30
Alfred Bryan / Joseph Meyer
9    Out Of The Blue    3:12
Bernd Lhotzky
10    Aoi Sanmyako [Blue Montain Range]    3:44
Ryoichi Hattori / Yaso Saijou
11    The Smurf    2:56
Bernd Lhotzky
12    Blue Gardenia    3:53
Lester Lee / Sidney Keith Russell
13    The Blue Medicine [Radovan's Remedy]    3:17
Colin Dawson
14    Wild Cat Blues    3:37
Fats Waller / Clarence Williams
15    Azure    3:51
Duke Ellington
Credits :
Colin T. Dawson - Trumpet, Vocals on 3, 8 & 12
Chris Hopkins - Alto Sax
Bernd Lhotzky - Piano, Celesta on 9
Oliver Mewes - Drums
Arrangements:
Dawson (3, 4, 10, 12, 13), Hopkins (5, 6, 7, 8, 14, 15), Lhotzky (1, 2, 9, 11)

TERRI LYNE CARRINGTON — The ACT Years (2015) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

"Oh man, she's got it! She's good, man! This little girl can play!" What Dizzy Gillespie recognized early on is now undisputed: Terri Lyne Carrington, born in 1965 in Medford, Massachusetts, is today regarded as "the most famous female jazz drummer in the world" (Spiegel Online). For almost 25 years, she has not only been at the forefront of the jazz world as a drummer but also as a composer, arranger, producer, and educator. She has played with jazz world stars including Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Al Jarreau, Stan Getz, David Sanborn, Joe Sample, Cassandra Wilson, Clark Terry, and Dianne Reeves. Her Grammy-winning career began with ACT. "The ACT Years" looks back on this time with 12 tracks and showcases the versatility of this fascinating drummer. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Jazz Is A Spirit 3:39
Terri Lyne Carrington
2    Manic Depression 5:26
Jimi Hendrix
3    Ethiopia 6:19
Joni Mitchell
4    Journey Of Now 4:15
Terri Lyne Carrington / Bob Hurst
5    Voodoo Child (Slight Return) 6:41
Jimi Hendrix
6    Omega 5:22
Jimmy Haslip
7    Burning Of The Midnight Lamp 3:41
Jimi Hendrix
8    Purple Haze 5:19
Jimi Hendrix
9    Mindful Intent 5:34
Terri Lyne Carrington
10    Middle Way 6:57
Terri Lyne Carrington
11    Samsara 7:23
Terri Lyne Carrington
12    If 6 Was 9 4:06
Jimi Hendrix
Credits :
Herbie Hancock - Piano
Nguyên Lê - Guitar
Greg Osby - Alto Saxophone
Adam Rogers - Guitar
Jimmy Haslip - Bass
Terence Blanchard - Trumpet
and many more

CHRISTOF LAUER | MICHEL GODARD | GARY HUSBAND — Blues in Mind (2007) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

"Blues in Mind is a chamber music gem and a promising opening for the musical year 2007." - JAZZPODIUM ACT
Tracklist :
1    Un Regalo Per Natale 4:57
Written-By – Michel Godard
2    The Kite 6:43
Written-By – Christof Lauer
3    Pan Fatigué 6:08
Written-By – Christof Lauer
4    First Bite 6:10
Written-By – Gary Husband
5    Suave Sospiro 5:30
Written-By – Michel Godard
6    At Least 2:42
Written-By – Christof Lauer
7    Blues In Mind 5:22
Written-By – Christof Lauer
8    Circe 1:48
Written-By – Christof Lauer
9    Angels Over City Square 7:43
Written-By – Gary Husband
10    De Cuir Et De Cuivre 4:01
Written-By – Michel Godard
11    One Prayer 5:55
Written-By – Gary Husband
Credits :
Christof Lauer – Tenor & Soprano Saxophones
Michel Godard – Tuba & Serpent
Gary Husband – Drums & Piano

NILS LANDGREN FUNK UNIT — Fonk Da World (2001) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Trombonist Nils Landgren covers a variety of funky styles on Fonk da World. There are a few throwaway vocals (the opening "Booty Rock" has some rap) but also some worthwhile soloing from Landgren, altoist Per Rusktrask Johansson, and the oversized rhythm section. Most of the songs are a bit lightweight (other than "Freedom Jazz Dance") and little unexpected happens so this set (which ranges from funky jazz to early fusion and soul-jazz) is not overly memorable. But used for background dancing or light listening, Fonk da World succeeds on its own limited terms. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Booty Rock 3:47
Written-By – Magnum Coltrane Price
2    Riders On The Storm 5:06
Written-By – The Doors
3    Mo Stuff 4:35
Written-By – Svensson, Landgren
4    Fonk Da World 4:55
Written-By – Svensson, Price, Landgren
5    Anytime Anywhere 5:54
Written-By – Svensson, Landgren
6    Rock It 2:53
Written-By – Hancock
7    Amtrak 4:29
Written-By – Price, Landgren
8    Freedom Jazz Dance 3:35
Written-By – Eddie Harris
9    Le Sunset 4:47
Written-By – Jesper Nordenström
10    What's Up, What's Up 4:46
Written-By – Niklas Gabrielsson
11    From Stockholm To Bejing 3:06
Written-By – Svensson, Landgren
12    New Morning 3:56
Written-By – Esbjörn Svensson
13    Calvados 6:16
Written-By – Robert Östlund, Ulf Engström
Credits :
Nils Landgren - Trombone, Fluegelhorn, Vocals
Magnum Coltrane Price - Fender Bass, Rap and Vocals, Synthesizers
Jesper Nordenström - Fender Rhodes Piano, Hammond B3 Organ, Synthesizers
Robert Östlund - Guitars, Hammond B3 Organ solo on ''Calvados'', Synthesizer, Vibraphone
Niklas Gabrielsson - Drums, Vocals, Congas on '' Fonk da world''

Guest Unit :
Magnus Öström - Percussion
Per Ruskträsk Johansson - Alto saxophone
Esbjörn Svensson - Fender Rhodes piano on '' What's up, What's up'','' Booty Rock'' and ''New Morning''
Oscar Traugott - Handclaps on ''What's up, What's up''