Gitanes

Giora Feidman & Gitanes Blondes - Very Klezmer
EAC+LOG+CUE | FLAC: 222 MB | MP3 CBR 320: 123 MB | Full Artwork | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: Pianissimo PM0925 | Country/Year: Germany 2012
Genre: Folk, World | Style: Klezmer

Argentine-born and Israeli-based, Giora Feidman has become the leading interpreter and performer of Eastern European klezmer. Despite his classical training with the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Feidman's clarinet playing is unrestrainedly and emphatically eclectic.

Stephane Grappelli & Stuff Smith - Stuff And Steff (1965) {Gitanes Jazz Productions 4400165102 rel 2002}
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© 1965, 2002 EmArcy / Gitanes / Universal Music | Jazz In Paris Series | 4400165102
Jazz / Mainstream Jazz / Continental Jazz / Violin

Violinists Stéphane Grappelli and Stuff Smith performed together on a few occasions, but this 1965 studio session, first issued by Barclay, was one of the more difficult dates to acquire until Universal Music reissued it on CD in 2002, as a part of their extensive Jazz in Paris series. With a solid rhythm section (pianist René Urtreger, bassist Michel Gaudry, and drummer Michel Delaporte) that pretty much sticks to a supporting role, it is clear that Smith's gritty tone rubs off on Grappelli as the session progresses.

Kenny Barron - Other Places (1993) {Verve-Gitanes Jazz 519 699 - 2}
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© 1993 Verve / Phonogram/PolyGram / Gitanes Jazz | 519 699 - 2
Jazz / Post Bop / Piano

In the 1990s, Kenny Barron was finally recognized as one of jazz's top pianists, recording a series of top-notch and consistently inventive releases. This CD has seven of Barron's originals in which he is teamed with Ralph Moore (tenor and soprano), vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, bassist Rufus Reid, drummer Victor Lewis, and sometimes percussionist Mino Cinelu. These fine performances help to define the modern mainstream of the period. In addition, there are a pair of standards ("For Heaven's Sake" and a lengthy version of "I Should Care") that are played as sensitive duets with Reid. Excellent and often exquisite music.

Stéphane Grappelli & Stuff Smith - Stuff And Steff (1965) {Gitanes Jazz Productions 4400165102 rel 2002}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 230 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 90 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 15 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1965, 2002 EmArcy / Gitanes Jazz Productions / Universal | 4400165102
Jazz / Standards / Continental Jazz / Jive / Mainstream Jazz / Violin

Violinists Stéphane Grappelli and Stuff Smith performed together on a few occasions, but this 1965 studio session, first issued by Barclay, was one of the more difficult dates to acquire until Universal Music reissued it on CD in 2002, as a part of their extensive Jazz in Paris series. With a solid rhythm section (pianist René Urtreger, bassist Michel Gaudry, and drummer Michel Delaporte) that pretty much sticks to a supporting role, it is clear that Smith's gritty tone rubs off on Grappelli as the session progresses.

Jean-Luc Ponty - Jazz Long Playing (1964) {Gitanes–Jazz In Paris 548 150-2 rec 1964}
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© 1964, 2000 EmArcy / Gitanes / Universal Music | Jazz In Paris Series | 548 150-2
Jazz / Mainstream Jazz / Hard Bop / Standards / Violin

These 1964 sessions marked jazz violinist Jean-Luc Ponty's recording debut as a leader. In spite of his choice of instrument, he was mainly influenced by bop musicians (especially saxophonists and trumpeters) rather than fellow Frenchmen, swing violinist Stéphane Grappelli. At this stage in his career, he chose mostly compositions by European musicians of his generation, along with tunes American jazz compositions that had stood the test of time.

Raymond Fol Big Band - Les 4 saisons (1965) {Gitanes 548 791-2 rel 2001}
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© 1965, 2001 EmArcy / Universal / Gitanes | 548 791-2 | Jazz in Paris 66
Jazz / Big Band / Bop

Raymond Fol's jazz arrangement of Antonio Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons" may have fallen into obscurity, but the French pianist's big band scoring of this classical favorite shows plenty of imagination. With a band of his fellow countrymen, along with expatriate Americans Johnny Griffin (tenor sax), bassist Jimmy Woode, and drummer Art Taylor, he casts a variety of moods, even within individual sections. In the first movement of "Le Printemps (The Spring)" he chooses an Afro-Cuban mood, while the second shifts to a smaller chamber jazz setting, showcasing guitarist Pierre Cullaz, vibraphonist Sadi, and the leader in turn.

Lionel Hampton - Lionel Hampton and His French New Sound, Vol.1 (1955) {Gitanes 549 405-2 rel 2000}
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© 1955, 2000 EmArcy / Universal / Gitanes | 549 405-2
Jazz / Bop / Swing / Vibes

Lionel Hampton joins forces with a number of top French musicians for this 1955 studio session, reissued in Verve's Jazz in Paris series. Three of the four compositions are Hampton's, swinging tunes arranged by Christian Chevalier. The first, "Voice of the North," is primarily for the leader's matchless vibes with the rhythm section, though individual soloists are featured, including fellow Americans Nat Adderley and Benny Bailey on trumpets and David Amram on French horn, as well as clarinetist Maurice Meunier and baritone saxophonist William Boucaya. It's just Hampton and the rhythm section (pianist René Urtreger, bassist Guy Pedersen, and drummer Jean-Baptiste Reilles) for the long workout of "À la French." The one standard of the date, "Crazy Rhythm," suffers from somewhat muddy sound, particularly the overly distant brass. Guitarist Sacha Distel, though admittedly intimidated by Hampton, rises to the leader's level of playing with a fine solo. Overall, this is an enjoyable if not quite essential CD by Lionel Hampton.

Lionel Hampton - Lionel Hampton and His French New Sound, Vol.2 (1955) {Gitanes 549 406-2 rel 2000}
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© 1955, 2000 EmArcy / Universal / Gitanes | 549 406-2
Jazz / Bop / Swing / Vibes

Lionel Hampton is joined by a number of top French jazz musicians plus Nat Adderley and American expatriate Benny Bailey for this 1955 studio session, playing Christian Chevalier's charts. "All the Things You Are" features the vibraphonist with the rhythm section, with strong solo efforts by guitarist Sacha Distel and pianist René Urtreger, along with the leader. The low-key, lengthy treatment of "I Cover the Waterfront" almost suggests a Jazz at the Philharmonic session, showcasing nice features for trumpeter Bernard Hullin, tenor saxophonist Maurice Meunier, Urtreger, and Hampton.