Montreux

This concert film captures beloved pianist and musician Dr. John performing a 1995 concert. The setlist includes "Iko Iko," "Gee Baby Ain't I Good To You," "Right Place, Wrong Time," "Goin' Back to New Orleans," "Mess Around," amd "Makin' Whoopee."

The Atlantic Family - Live at Montreux (1977) {Atlantic–Wounded Bird WOU 3000 rel 2014} (featuring Don Ellis)
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 548 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 188 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 67 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1977, 2014 Atlantic / Wounded Bird Records | WOU 3000
Jazz / Jazz Funk / Soul Jazz / R&B / Funk

This is a great collection of players taking off on some funky soul jazz. Most solos are pretty inspired and the horn arrangements are tight throughout. Now it’s time to get down to it - the last 5 minutes of this CD are worth the price of admission. During a 20 minute-plus, all out jam on the Average White Band classic Pick Up the Pieces, Michael Brecker takes things to a different level with one of the most goose bump inducing solos of his way too short career. If you are a fan of his or just appreciate those moments in life music where something special is captured, buy this CD.

Sadao Watanabe - Sadao Watanabe At Montreux Jazz Festival (1970) {2015 Japan Jazz Collection 1000 Columbia-RCA Series SICJ 64}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 345 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 120 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 283 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1970, 2015 Columbia / Sony Music Japan / CBS | SICJ 64
Jazz / Post Bop / Neo Bop / Saxopohone

Reissue with the latest DSD remastering. Comes with liner notes. A searing performance from Japanese jazz giant Sadao Watanabe – and key proof that he was a hell of a player in the years before he softened things up! There's a blissful post-Coltrane post-Miles sort of vibe going on here with Watanabe really jamming things up on the main track on the album – "Round Trip Going & Coming", which features incredible work on soprano sax, and eventually rolls into a kicked-up electric groove that has Sadao playing electric keys, alongside guitar, bass, and drums. Side two features slightly shorter tracks, but still with a great degree of exploratory freedom and fresh improvisation from Sadao – and titles include "Lament" and "Tokyo Suite: Sunset".

Ella Fitzgerald, 42 years after her recording debut, showed on this late concert recording that she still had the magic. Backed by pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Keter Betts, and drummer Bobby Durham, she sounds pretty strong at times, mostly singing veteran ballads but also getting hot on "Billie's Bounce."

Don Ellis' final record as a leader (he passed away from a bad heart in Dec. 1978) is a worthwhile effort. Ellis' large orchestra (four reeds, eight brass, one keyboard, two bassists, two drummers, two percussionists and a string quartet) performs six of the leader's originals and, although none of the songs are all that memorable, there are many fine solos. The main players are trumpeter Ellis, Ted Nash on tenor, alto and clarient and trombonist Alan Kaplan.

Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers Big Band - Live At Montreux and Northsea (1980) {2015 Japan Timeless Jazz Master Collection Series CDSOL-6305}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 286 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 103 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 186 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1980, 2015 Timeless Records / Solid Records Japan / Ultra-Vibe | CDSOL-6305
Jazz / Hard Bop

Reissue with the latest remastering. Features original cover artwork. Comes with a descripton in Japanese. A beautiful big band set from the great Art Blakey – but one that's got all the sharp focus of his small group sides by the Jazz Messengers! The lineup here is a great one – that very vibrant early 80s version of Blakey's group with Bobby Watson on alto sax, Bill Pierce on tenor, and James Williams on piano – augmented by Kevin Eubanks on guitar, Valerie Ponomarev on trumpet, and the Marsalis brothers rounding out the set with some extra horn work! The sound is strong and proud, and handled by Blakey with a tightness that's similar to his smaller group work of the time – but with a power that's simply incredible – especially when Watson's presence is made known on his tunes "Wheel Within A Wheel", "Linwood", and "Bit A Bittadose". Also features a take on Williams' "Minor Thesis".