Alison Gibbs

As the 70s drew to a close, the roots and dub sounds that had dominated the Jamaican music scene for much of the decade gave way to dancehall, a style that continued to find favour with reggae fans until the onset of the digital revolution of the mid-1980s. Aimed squarely at satisfying the demands of live audiences, songwriters largely abandoned the conscious lyrics that had typified the music of the preceding years, focusing instead on subjects which with their Jamaican audiences could readily identify.

Terry Gibbs - A Jazz Band Ball, Second Set (1957) {V.S.O.P. Records #40 rel 1998}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 245 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 96 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (jpg) -> 52 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1957, 1998 V.S.O.P. Records / Mode Records | #40 / Mode 123
Jazz / Bop / Cool / Vibes

This reissue is unrelated to another V.S.O.P. set simply titled A Jazz Band Ball. Terry Gibbs on vibes and marimba matches wits and creativity with Victor Feldman and Larry Bunker, both of whom double on vibes and xylophone. Assisted by pianist Lou Levy, bassist Max Bennett and drummer Mel Lewis, the intriguing frontline essentially plays bop, but with a great deal of color. The interaction between the vibraphonists, who are all featured and occasionally trade off, is the main reason to acquire this very interesting set.

Dr. Prof. Leonard King - Extending The Language (2005) {Uuquipleu Records 21485} (featuring James Carter & Gerard Gibbs}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 415 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 148 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 9 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2005 Uuquipleu Records / Strata Nova Prod. Inc. | 21485
Jazz / Groove / Jazz Blues / Jazz Funk / Drums / Organ / Saxophone

An eclectic mix of American, African, and Caribbean music with strong rhythmic aspects. This CD has the ability to make the listener jump, dance, and listen, depending on what mood the individual is in while cruising the grooves. Leonard King was born in Detroit, Michigan where he has been able to absorb the multi-cultural musics of the entire metro area. He has performed with many artists such as Donald Byrd, Johnnie Taylor, Al Green, Herb Ellis, Barbara Dane, Eddie Kendricks, Pigmeat Markham, James Carter, and many others.

Swing-to-boppers Gibbs (vibes) and DeFranco (clarinet) love playing unison melodies, and the sonorities of those two instruments coming together provides the springboard for this swinging music. It's all based on the witty compositions of Steve Allen, songs the general public have rarely heard. The combination fits all of the participants to a T.
This is mainstream jazz at its current best, but unless you're a hard core fan (or Steve Allen himself, ) you'd be hard pressed to say you know this material intimately. There are some familiar sounds, "Until I Left Chicago (I Never Had The Blues)" is similar to Louis Jordan's "Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby," while "Alabama Baby" strikes a pose akin to "Comin' Home Baby"…