J.c.owens

The Jimmy Owens - Kenny Barron Quintet - You Had Better Listen (1967) {Atlantic-Collectables COL-CD-6170 rel 2001}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 216 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 82 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 11 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1967, 2001 Atlantic / Collectables | COL-CD-6170
Jazz / Hard Bop / Trumpet / Piano

Kenny Barron and Jimmy Owens' first recording was a solid debut. The exciting title cut, "You Had Better Listen," composed by Jimmy Owens, is good, basic, uptempo jazz, nothing fancy, no frills. The Jimmy Owens-Kenny Barron Quintet doesn't condescend like some jazz artists tend to do; casuals can groove, relate, nod their heads in approval and feel righteous about it. Owens plays some beautiful trumpet scales, while Barron keeps busy banging chord progressions. The other members of the quintet are Benny Maupin (tenor sax, flute), Chris White (bass), Freddie Waits (drums on tracks one, two and four), and Rudy Collins (drums on tracks three through five).

French guitarist/producer U-Nam is again standing tall and looming large on the smooth jazz scene with another creative gem called C’est Le Funk. In addition to dazzling us with his graceful and funky instrumental work (and one funky delivery with vocals from Tim “TiO” Owens), the album is loaded with strong production and presence. Wasting no time putting the groove into high gear from the start, the guitarist leads off with a driving track called “Smoovin’,” continues plowing ahead with the party groover “Something’s Up” and strutting right through the super-funky, hook-rich title track which features Nivo Deux (Nivo Deux is actually a project organized by U-Nam and wife Shannon Kennedy focusing on the incorporation of 80’s Pop, Smooth Jazz, and Electro-Funk).

Neoclassical guitar godfather Yngwie Malmsteen returns to fine form with 2008's PERPETUAL FLAME. Joining the ranks of the Rising Force for this outing are vocalist Tim "Ripper" Owens (of Judas Priest/Iced Earth fame) and ex-Dream Theater keyboardist Derek Sherinian. With Malmsteen aptly handling both guitar and bass duties, PERPETUAL FLAME finds the infamous Swede burning up the fretboards with his screaming vibrato, seemingly impossible unison runs, and trademark harmonies.