Jazz Ballads Jazz Piano

For those familiar with trombonist Nils Landgren and his Funk Unit, a band whose music is rooted in the fertile soil of Afro-American rhythm and blues and jazz, Ballads may come as a bit of a surprise, albeit a very pleasurable one. After two decades of working with some of the best players in jazz, funk, and soul jazz trombonist Nils Landgren has earned his reputation as one of the most expressive, forceful players on the international scene. His work with Thad Jones’ legendary big band as lead trombonist, and in combo settings with Jones in the early 80s certified his status as one of the leading jazz trombonists on the European scene.

There is something timeless in the performance of a jazz ballad. By nature, they are very open to unique interpretation. Drummer Tony Moreno inherited an appreciation for ballads from his mother, a professional harpist, which eventually led to Moreno regularly performing them with his Trio. After twenty years of leading the group, Moreno has compiled some of his mother’s favorites to record with the trio on their debut album, Ballads Volume 1.

Eric Legnini Trio - Ballads (2012) {Discograph ‎6149782}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 227 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 113 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (png) -> 21 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2012 Anteprima / Discograph ‎| 6149782
Jazz / Contemporary Jazz / Cool / Straight-Ahead Jazz / Piano

After venturing into funk-soul territory with 2011's The Vox, Belgian pianist Eric Legnini returns to more traditional jazz fare with his ninth studio album, Ballads. Joined by bassist Thomas Bramerie and drummer Franck Agulhon, its 15 acoustic tracks include covers of popular standards penned by the likes of Duke Ellington ("In a Sentimental Mood," "Prelude to a Kiss"), Ira Gershwin ("I Can't Get Started"), and Kern & Harbach ("Smoke Gets in Your Eyes"), alongside five original compositions.

As the title implies, this McCoy Tyner release is a low-key, after-hours affair. Far removed from the intensity of work with then-boss John Coltrane, Tyner stretches out on a fine mix of standards and bebop classics. The pianist, of course, always had his own fleet and rich way with ballads, in spite of the galvanizing marathon solos he became known for on live dates and his later experimental recordings with Coltrane. His ballad style is even touched with a bit of sentimentality, which thankfully is kept in check by a bevy of tasteful lines. Backed by the topnotch rhythm tandem of bassist Steve Davis and drummer Lex Humphries, Tyner finds the room to develop classic statements on highlights like Monk's "'Round Midnight," Ellington and Strayhorn's "Satin Doll," and Parker's "Star Eyes." On more easeful tracks like "For Heaven's Sake," Tyner utilizes his block chord approach to meditative and romantic effect…