Gato Barbieri, one of the most distinctive instrumentalists in jazz, is in top form on Que Pasa. Barbieri's tone and sense of melody is stunning–evoking a myriad of emotions with just one phrase. This is no more evident than on the opening track, "Straight into the Sunrise" which is dripping with sensual and moving lines that are unsurpassed in jazz today. Barbieri's rare ability to use his instrument to convey his emotions is amazing; it's as though he is baring his most intimate thoughts and feelings to the listener.
Anthony Ventura is the only big-band instrumantalist who could rightly rival the orchestras of Paul Mauriat & James Last. The only reason why many of our contemporaries have not heard of Anthony Ventura & his orchestra is because the albums that were released originally, many years ago, in the vinyl version, are no longer burnt into cds by the big record companies today. Since most people nowadays no longer own a record/vinyl player - it's all cds & more in today's days - these wonderful albums are fast disappearing with the mists of Time. Ventura's music selections are marked by style, romance & sophistication and by his harmonious & nostalgic melodies of very familiar tracks that have trickled down to us through the decades. ~ Sherna Bhumgara, Amazon
As one of the few roots bluesmen not afraid to experiment with different musical forms, Joe Louis Walker takes a substantial departure from the rest of his catalog on his third album in little over a year. Pasa Tiempo maintains Walker's blues roots, but infuses them with jazz, R&B and soul - most underpinned by a strong Latin vibe, as the title indicates - with stirring results. Much of Walker's contributions to this project rely on his gospel-hued vocals, with his guitar taking a decidedly supporting role. Certainly early Van Morrison is an influence, and the disc's opening track is a stirring soul-drenched version of the Irishman's "Sweet Thing." The singer/songwriter/R&B/jazz direction continues with covers of Boz Scaggs' "I've Got Your Love," John Hiatt's "Love Like Blood," and Otis Redding's "Direct Me," all relatively obscure tracks from these artists that Walker makes his own…
Sous le règne d'Henri III, Madeleine est la fille aînée de Pedro Gonzalès et atteinte comme lui d'hypertrichose congénitale. Rejetée par sa mère et contrainte de garder le silence en présence de Catherine de Médicis, son parcours est retracé. A travers ce roman, l'auteur interroge la mode du monstre de cour et lève le voile sur les mystères qui entourent Madeleine et sa famille. …