2 Jay Worthy

Vibraphonist Jay Hoggard gained his initial recognition for his playing in avant-garde and adventurous settings. By the late 80s, Hoggard had decided to explore hard bop and straight-ahead jazz. On this out of print but worthy CD, the vibraphonist recalls Bobby Hutcherson and Milt Jackson in spots, swinging on a variety of originals, Stevie Wonder's "You And I" and "Sonny's Themes" (which covers Sonny Rollins' "Alfie" and "Sonnymoon for Two"). The young Benny Green is a major asset on piano, bassist Marcus McLaurine and drummer Yoron Israel are excellent in support, and Hoggard's songs are full of variety and color.

2011 from the R&B superstar. Inspired by a diverse range of influences, from Fela Kuti to Debarge to Adele, this fourth full length solo release is her most diverse yet. The 60+ songs recorded for the album have been whittled down to the 12 that make up 4. This collection of very personal tracks reveals an artist who is unafraid to take chances…

Various Artists - Mark Lamarr Presents Mule Milk 'N' Firewater (2000) {Westside Records WESF103 rec 1953-1963}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 200 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 129 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 33 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1953-63, 2000 King / Federal / Deluxe | Westside Records WESA 801
Rock and Roll / Rhythm and Blues / Jump Blues / Doo Wop

This is an outstanding collection from the vaults of King and its subsidiary labels, Federal and Deluxe. These 24 tracks collect jump blues, doo wop, piano boogie, and outright bizarre novelties stretching from the late '40s through the early '60s. There is not a bad track on Mule Milk 'N' Firewater, featuring plenty of well-known names on mainly wild up-tempo songs by Roy Brown, Big Jay McNeely, Little Willie John, Hank Ballad & the Midnighters, and Jack Dupree. There are a few standouts amongst these rarities that may raise a few eyebrows. "Ring a Ling Dong" is from 1955 by Rudy Moore aka Rudy Ray Moore of Dolomite fame, and "Davy, You Upset My Home" finds a young Joe Tex vividly describing how his domestic situation is being torn apart by his girlfriend's unhealthy obsession with all things Davy Crockett! Unbelievable!

This two-CD set is an unusually successful sampler. Although there are a few hits among the 40 selections, many obscurities are also included, and not all of the big bands represented are major names, such as Tiny Bradshaw, Noble Sissle, Spud Murphy, Teddy Powell and Jan Savitt. The emphasis is very much on jazz, and this worthy reissue is overflowing with forgotten classics. The music is programmed in chronological order, so one can experience the evolution of big bands from Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson and Luis Russell to postwar recordings from Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman.

Jackie McLean - A Ghetto Lullaby (1973) {SteepleChase Digital Issue rel 1991}
FLAC (tracks) - 16bit/44.1kHz - Digital Download -> 264 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 104 Mb | Cover | 5% repair rar
© 1973, 1991 SteepleChase
Jazz / Post Bop / Hard Bop / Saxophone

Within a five day period in 1973, altoist Jackie McLean, who had only made one album (a live set) between 1968-72, cut enough material for five records. This worthy set features his intense style in a quartet with pianist Kenny Drew, bassist Niels Pedersen and drummer Alex Riel, recorded live at Montmartre in Copenhagen. Although the material – Drew's "Callin'," athe ballad "Where Is Love," a pair of William Gault songs and McLean's "Jack's Tune" – is not all that memorable, the altoist's passionate solos and very distinctive sound uplift the music and make this an advanced hard bop set worth acquiring.

Various Artists - Heavy Sugar: The Pure Essence Of New Orleans R&B (1952-1959) {3CD Set Fantastic Voyage FVTD051 rel 2010}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 574 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 357 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 10 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1952-59, 2010 Fantastic Voyage | FVTD051
Rhythm & Blues / Rock ‘n’ Roll / Rockabilly

Over the course of time, Heavy Sugar has been the title of a song, the name of a radio station, an independent movie and the primary ingredient for a rapturous recipe. How fitting it is that this latter description also epitomizes the ingredients that go to make up Heavy Sugar: The Pure Essence of New Orleans R&B. Just think, if the celebrity chefs of New Orleans were to whip up Heavy Sugar until the peaks start to form, then the hostesses on Bourbon Street would go that little bit further and add any flavour necessary to achieve a creamy finish.