Paquito D'rivera Song For Maura

As closely associated as he still is with Cuba, from which he defected in 1981, Paquito D’Rivera has often chosen to express his affection for the music of Brazil. Song for Maura (named after his late mother) is the latest example, a collaboration with that country’s Trio Corrente: Fabio Torres (piano), Paulo Paulelli (bass) and Edu Ribeiro (drums). On January 27, 2014, Paquito D’Rivera and Trio Corrente’s new album “Song For Maura” won the “Best Latin Jazz Album” at the 56th annual GRAMMY Awards. Trio Corrente members accepted in person the GRAMMY award on the GRAMMY pre-telecast broadcast through GRAMMY Live.

Not a greatest-hits album (like he was shooting for hits) nor a thoroughgoing anthology of Paquito D'Rivera's Columbia period (only the first five of his seven albums are covered), the word "taste" is an intriguing choice, though at 74 minutes the CD is a bit more than just a taste. But then, since Sony has done a real number on his catalog by not reissuing those first five albums, A Taste is all that CD buyers can sample from Paquito's first American recordings.

Paquito D'Rivera's alto and clarinet skills were ably displayed on this session, which featured him working in Afro-Latin, salsa, funk, swing and hard bop. Compositions ranged from intense, jam-flavored numbers with torrid solos, like "Recife's Blue" and the title tune, to introspective ballads, group pieces with rhythmically explosive sections and numbers displaying classical influences. The unifying force was D'Rivera, who also played tenor, but was most prominent on clarinet, doing both swing-oriented and looser, freer solos. While not as strict a jazz vehicle as his Columbia dates, this session presented a more eclectic, versatile Paquito D'Rivera.

Masahiko Togashi - Song For Myself (1974) {2015 DSD Japan East Wind Masters Collection 1000 Series UCCJ-9136}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 162 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 97 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 194 Mb | 5% repair rar | DSD Mastering
© 1974, 2015 East Wind Music / Universal Japan | UCCJ-9136
Jazz / Avant-Garde Jazz / Chamber Music / Drums

Reissue with the latest DSD remastering. The intimate nature of the title is very apt on this one – as the album features spare duets between drummer Masahiko Togashi and other Japanese musicians – including the great Sadao Watanabe on flute, and either Masahiko Satoh and Masabumi Kikuchi on piano! The sound is open, and sometimes a bit free – but in a way that's very inventive, and never too overpowering – as Togashi finds a way to really keep things grounded, and work in the best collaborative spirit with each musician. A real standout on the East West catalog of the 70s – and titles include "Haze", "Fairy Tale", "Song For Myself", and "Song For My Friends".

Jack Wilson - Song For My Daughter (1968) {2014 Japan SHM-CD Blue Note 24-192 Remaster TYCJ-81089}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 282 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 107 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 251 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24bit 192kHz remaster
© 1968, 2014 Universal Japan / Blue Note | BN 75th The Masterworks | TYCJ-81089
Jazz / Cool / Post Bop / Piano

Reissue. Features the high-fidelity SHM-CD format (compatible with standard CD player) and the latest 24bit 192kHz remastering. On Song for My Daughter, his third record for Blue Note, Jack Wilson "changed with the times," to paraphrase one of the record's songs. Like many of his peers on the label, Wilson pursued a pop direction as the '60s drew to a close, which meant he covered pop hits like "Scarborough Fair/Canticle" and "Stormy," and that he recorded the album with a large band augmented by a string section. It is a testament to Wilson's strengths as a pianist that he doesn't get lost in this heavy-handed setting and manages to contribute some typically graceful moments, including the lovely title song.

Daniel Zamir is probably one of the most influencial and busy musicians in Israel. Zamir is a virtuoso sax player / composer of what could be defined as “Jewish Jazz”, fusing together elements of Jewish sounds and high quality jazz, together with ethnic and world music elements. Zamir’s albums are the most successful jazz albums ever to be recorded in Israel, with high acclaim from the media and critics and with tremendous sellings.