John Mcneil Embarkation (1995)

John McNeil had the idea of applying some of Gerry Mulligan's arranging principles to free jazz after arranging some of the late baritone saxophonist's music for a tribute band. Recruiting baritone saxophonist Alan Chase, bassist John Hebert, and the much in-demand drummer Matt Wilson, McNeil's experiment creates some provocative music. "Deadline" features a constantly shifting time signature, changing its mood throughout the piece, contrasting it with the more steady and loping "A Time to Go." McNeil's humorous take of "Bernie's Tune" (long a part of Mulligan's repertoire, though written by Bernie Miller) quickly takes it away from its roots for a wild ride on his horn into the world of free jazz. He also adapts Arnold Schoenberg's 12-tone classical music into his realm with his playful arrangement of "Schoenberg's Piano Concerto." Throughout the session the band is up to the challenges of McNeil's compelling music, producing a provocative CD that should open ears for decades to come.

After the strong success of the band, not only in Europe but also overseas, the band opted this time for English lyrics. Also, young Polish singer/guitarist Robert Amirian was chosen to join the new lineup (a new bass player was also added). The baptism in fire for this new lineup was a charity gig with Uriah Heep. So the idea of new arrangements of John Lennon songs was chosen and the band entered Wilanów Studio and registered several songs. Nine were chosen: seven by Lennon and two by Lennon and Paul McCartney. The band profoundly changes the songs to a progressive rock style (listeners can trace some Pink Floyd influences in some arrangements) and the results were the best possible. Not only progressive rock lovers but also Beatles fans will highly appreciate this CD, full of melodic, symphonic, and vigorous tunes.

The classic 1963 album Duke Ellington & John Coltrane showcased the rising jazz saxophone innovator performing alongside the long-established piano institution. While the pairing might have portended a dynamic clash of the musical generations, instead we got a casual, respectful, and musically generous meeting of like-minded souls. Similarly, while one might have assumed that Ellington would use his sidemen, instead producer Bob Thiele (who also produced similar albums for Ellington including pairings with Louis Armstrong and Coleman Hawkins) chose to bring in Coltrane's own outfit for the proceedings. Consequently, the duo is backed here at various times by bassist Jimmy Garrison and drummer Elvin Jones, as well as alternates bassist Aaron Bell and drummer Sam Woodyard…

John Zorn - Kristallnacht (1995) {Tzadik TZ 7301}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 236 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 101 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 15 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2005 Tzadik | TZ 7301 | Tzadik Archival Series
Jazz / Avant-Garde / Klezmer / Noise / Modern Composition

Recorded in 1993, Kristallnacht is Zorn's most powerful and unforgettable composition. This premiere work of Radical Jewish Culture features a virtuoso ensemble of creative Jewish musicians. Seven movements tell the story of the Jewish experience, survival through the Holocaust, the building of a Jewish state, diaspora Jewry and its attraction and resistance to assimilation, the rise of Jewish nationalism and the ultimate problems of fanatical religious fundamentalism. Seemlessly combining 12 tone classical composition, improvisation, noise and klezmer, this is a work not to be missed by anyone interested in new trends in modern music.

John St. John aka Roland Hanneman is a New Age, Ambient and Chillout music composer.
John St. John - The Wolf (1995). The warm summer wind carries to you in perfect harmony the haunting howling of the wolf and the soothing melodies of the piano, woodwins, and strings creating an atmosphere of total peace and tranquility. A sense of profound relaxationn fills your mind and body. This is a time to deam, to reflect… and to rejoice in the majesty of nature…

Not strictly a "greatest-hits" collection, Love Songs contains Elton John's most famous ballads, from "Your Song" and "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" to "Can You Feel the Love Tonight." Featuring two new songs, including the single "You Can Make History (Young Again)," Love Songs is designed for the casual John fan who is familiar with his songs through adult contemporary radio…