m Ricard

Following on acclaimed releases of Bellerophon and Phaeton, Christophe Rousset continues his revival of Lully's tragedies lyriques for the Aparte label with Amadis. One of the composer's finest scores, Amadis is a masterpiece of French Baroque music. It was Louis XIV himself who asked Lully and his librettist Quinault to base an opera on Montalvo's Amadis de Gaula. Avoiding the usual mythological subjects gave the composer and librettist an opportunity to expand the scope of the tragedie lyrique genre.

Recorded in 1962, this album comes from the heart of what I believe was Basie's most productive period. There are many noteworthy names among the sidemen, including Thad Jones on trumpet, Grover Mitchell on trombone, Sonny Payne on drums, and my favorite Basie sax section: Marshal Royal and Frank Wess on alto, Eric Dixon and Frank Foster on tenor, and Charlie Fowlkes on baritone. All of the tunes were composed and arranged by Neal Hefti, who also wrote the original liner notes (reproduced in miniature on the inside cover). ~ Amazon

James Moody - Return From Overbrook (1956-58) {Chess Original GRD-810 rel 1996}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 286 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 149 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 11 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1956-58, 1996 Argo / Chess / MCA / GRP | GRD-810
Jazz / Cool / Bop / Mainstream Jazz / Flute / Saxophone

Two of James Moody's better albums from the 1950's are reissued in full on this single Chess CD: Last Train From Overbrook and Flute 'N The Blues. The former session features Moody (on tenor, alto and flute) backed by ten horns and a four-piece rhythm section on a variety of strong straightahead material (including the title cut, "What's New," "Tico-Tico" and "The Moody One") while the latter is a septet outing that also has solos by trumpeter Johnny Coles, trombonist William Shepherd and baritonist Pee Wee Moore along with three memorable vocals from Eddie Jefferson. Recommended.

"Jazz for Japan" is a benefit album recorded in two days by 25 of the top jazz musicians in the world benefiting the earthquake and tsunami victims in Japan. The recordings took place in Los Angeles at Capitol Studios in Hollywood. Legendary and Grammy nominated performers include: Kenny G, George Duke, Rickey Minor, Tom Scott, Alex Acuna, Nathan East, Clarence McDonald, Ndugu Chancler, Billy Childs, Boney James, Lee Ritenour, Keiko Matsui, Steve Gadd, Bob James and many others. Larry Robinson, Jazz For Japan producer states: "This project came about after discussing the tragic aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan with my co-workers. I told them that many of the American Jazz musicians tour Japan numerous times a year…