Dave Bass No Boundaries

While subtlety isn't exactly his strong suit – especially live – it's also not what Dave Hole fans expect out of their Australian slide guitar slinger. The word "ferocious" best describes his over-the-fret, over-the-top technique, and what was merely intense on his studio albums gets kicked up a few notches in concert. Like George Thorogood, Hound Dog Taylor, or Rory Gallagher (whose vocal phrasing is also an influence), he's nailed his niche, best described as explosive Elmore James. Hole happily plays to his strengths without pushing the boundaries past where his fans comfortably expect.

This was flutist Dave Valetin's 15th release for GRP and, as with his previous ones, it features impeccable musicianship, subtle funk grooves, some heated Latin rhythms and rather lightweight melodies. Despite some passionate moments, the music always sounds a bit controlled, never exceeding prescribed time limits or emotional boundaries. There are some strong moments of interest on this relatively pleasing CD, particularly a restrained melodic statement by trumpeter Arturo Sandoval on "We'll Be Together Again" and a groovin' version of "With a Little Help from My Friends."

Pete Levin - Party In The Basement (1990) {Gramavision R2 79456}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 407 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 157 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 11 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1990 Gramavision | R2 79456
Jazz / Post Bop / Jazz Blues / Soul Jazz / Organ

Pete's first solo album for Gramavision was a tribute to Gil Evans, with whom Pete worked for 15 years. Much of the album is performed by an 8-piece all-star band - all alumni of the freewheeling Gil Evans Monday Night Orchestra.

Although Miroslav Ladislav Vitouš has had varying levels of success in the post-Weather Report years as bandleader, we can hardly help but marvel at this gem of a solo recording. With nary an overdub in sight and more than enough heart to spare, the Czech bassist plots an orchestral sweep through his precisely (at)tuned skills. Like the caron that disappeared from the end of his name before going international, it is a valley of possibility, and he our shepherd through its gallery of songs and tales.

Miles Davis - The Complete Miles Davis At Montreux (2002) {20 CD LongBox Warner 0927-41836-2 rec 1973-1991}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 7.60 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 2.67 Gb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 25 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1973-91, 2002 Warner Music Switzerland | 0927-41836-2
Jazz / Jazz Rock / Fusion / Experimental Big Band / Trumpet

Produced with loving care by Claude Nobs, founder of the Montreux Jazz Festival, with no edits or overdubs, this document of Miles Davis's Montreux performances shows through never-before-released material how Miles and company transformed his music live, with their fire, invention, and interplay. The list of sidemen on these dates is a who's who of today's superstars, including saxophonist Dave Liebman, guitarists John Scofield and Robben Ford, keyboardists Adam Holzman and Kei Akagi, bassist Michael Henderson, and percussionist Mtume. Most of the music on these discs features versions of Davis's fusion "hits." The funky and R&B-ish ditty "Ife" and the bouncy "Calypso Frelimo" are rendered with more gusto than their studio versions, as are the in-the-pocket, mid-'80s tunes "Star People" and "New Blues." A package this big has more than a few surprises, however. Chaka Khan lends her powerful pipes to Davis's unique cover of the Michael Jackson sleeper, "Human Nature," and "Al Jarreau" is an upbeat (though too short) tribute to the great vocalise master.

Neil Ardley - Kaleidoscope of Rainbows (1976) {Dusk Fire DUSKCD101, 24bit remastered rel 2005}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 328 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 131 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 25 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1976, 2005 Gull / Dusk Fire Records | DUSKCD101
Jazz / Experimental Big Band / Progressive Jazz / Third Stream

Considered by many to be one of the Great British Jazz recordings of the 20th Century, this acclaimed "Lost Masterpiece" has only had limited availability on CD. It was beautifully recorded in 1976, featuring the cream of British Jazz Muscians including Barbara Thompson, Tony Coe, Ian Carr & Paul Buckmaster. Now issued in all its glory via 24Bit 96 k/Hz digital remastering. When it was originally released, Karl Dallas in Melody Maker said: "This work is possibly the most significant piece of composition since 'Sgt.Pepper', 'Pet Sounds', 'Miles Ahead' and 'Tubular Bells'. Its beauty and sense of structure will mark it out in no uncertain terms as ONE OF THE GREAT MUSICAL ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUR AGE."