Chesky Records Iso

Ramon "Mongo" Santamaria was an Afro-Cuban Latin jazz percussionist. He is most famous for being the composer of the jazz standard "Afro Blue", recorded by John Coltrane among others. In 1950 he moved to New York where he played with Perez Prado, Tito Puente, Cal Tjader, Fania All Stars, etc. He was an integral figure in the fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms with R&B and soul, paving the way for the boogaloo era of the late 1960s. His 1963 hit rendition of Herbie Hancock's "Watermelon Man" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998. His album Mambo Mongo was released on Chesky Records in 1993.

Structures is a relaxed album of jazz standards and original compositions from this formidable trio, all captured with Chesky's world-renowned minimalist recording techniques. "These world-class improvisers create a vibe of calm thoughtfulness, subtlety and delicate interaction on Structures", according to the album's liner notes.

Standing at the crossroads of Scottish Folk and Modern Pop, singer/songwriter Rebecca Pidgeon has recorded three wonderfully imaginative albums with Chesky Records over the last decade. In each of Rebecca's distinct recordings she demonstrates an uncanny ability to span a wide range of vocal and song styles, while consistently propelling her signature sweet voice. Now commemorating the best from each album, this collection offers you the individual titles that together create an exciting mosaic of this amazing singer/songwriter.

Beat Kaestli turns his attention to the Great American Songbook on Invitation, his auspicious debut for Chesky Records. Recorded at St. Peter's Church in Chelsea, this stirring collection of jazz standards is the perfect showcase for Kaestli's hauntingly beautiful voice, which falls somewhere in the Chet Baker-Kenny Rankin range. His voice is imbued with clarion articulation, naturally relaxed phrasing and uncanny feeling.

Jazz vocalist Louise Rogers has been gradually winning over converts with her beautiful burnished tone, clear diction, flawless intonation, and impeccable musicianship. Her natural, unforced delivery harkens back to such pure singers as Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Chris Connor, and Doris Day. And while she may possess considerable technique and a capacity to improvise and scat up a storm like her most significant role model, Ella, Rogers takes a more relaxed and restrained approach on Black Coffee, her fifth recording overall and first for Chesky Records.

The Conga Kings are back with their second Chesky Records release to prove that these master congueros have more rhythmic tales to tell. Featuring Candido Camero, Carlos "Patato" Valdes and Giovanni Hidalgo, Jazz Descargas is a spontaneous celebration of modern rhythm and melody, a joyous colloquium of jazz and Afro-Cuban sounds by the likes of Machito, Dizzy Gillespie and Tito Puente. Historically, musically and conceptually, this rhythmic dream team is creating the genuine article. The Conga Kings are joined on Jazz Descargas by special guests Phil Woods, Mario Rivera, Chocolate and Jimmy Bosch.

David Hazeltine makes his second contribution to Chesky's acclaimed New York Sessions series with this stunning set of compositions by revered Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim. The combination of the sophisticated elegance of a jazz piano trio, delicate arrangements and Chesky's renowned recording techniques presents Hazeltine (and Jobim) like you've never heard before.

What a totally delightful laid-back jazz quartet outing! No free jazz, no unwhistlable tunes, no overpowering drums (in spite of Cobb being the leader) – just ten mostly ballads, played in a super-relaxed fashion and reproduced with a realism in hi-res surround that fulfills the label’s slogan of “You can hear the difference”.

Listening to the Mysterious Shorter SACD in Surround Sound, you'll discover some interesting takes on Shorter's music. As Bob Belden suggests in the liner notes, they've taken some of his upbeat compositions and arranged them to take advantage of the Organ, Guitar, Sax and Trumpet in the group. The SACD also does a fine job of reproducing the performances. It definitely provides a "you are there" level of performance and Chesky's minimalist recording approach with no compression and overdubs offers a nice change of pace from the very compressed sounds we all too often hear in many of today's conventional audio disc releases. Weather Report and Jazz fans will enjoy this one.

Take three Chinese musicians schooled in the ancient art of traditional music making. A tradition that evokes images of romance and mystery. Add the futuristic, yet always musical sound of a synthesizer and apply state-of-the-art Chesky sonic technology. The result? I Ching: Of The Marsh and The Moon. This instrumental recording offers melodies that are at times distressingly beautiful, rhythmically driving and lushly melodic. This is World music meeting New Age. This is I Ching.