Saxophone Finger Alto

Hank Crawford - Mr. Blues (1967) {2013 Japan Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series 24bit Remaster WPCR-27470}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (image)+CUE+LOG -> 218 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 78 Mb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 17 Mb | 5% repair rar | 24-bit remaster
© 1967, 2013 Atlantic / Warner Japan / WEA / Rhino | WPCR-27470 | Jazz Best Collection 1000 Series
Jazz / Hard Bop / Soul Jazz / Jazz Blues / Saxophone

Features 24 bit remastering and comes with a mini-description. When Ray Charles' musical director has the words "blues" and "soul" in large type on the covers of his own releases, there's a strong chance that's what the listener will find inside. The Mr. Blues set from 1968 is Crawford and a small horn section playing rocking blues riffs with a crack rhythm section. Instrumental R&B doesn't get much hipper. Crawford's tough but lyrical sound – informed by a bebopper's command and facility – is tailor-made for this blues-charged music. Highlights include the title track, a cool, finger-popping "Route 66," a sleazy, churning "Lonely Avenue," and a couple of no-nonsense Crawford originals. A middle-of-the road "On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)" is the only departure from the set's satisfyingly gritty feel.

The RH Factor - Hard Groove (2003) [Verve]
EACRip | MP3 @320+Full HQ Artwork Scans -> 171 MB | FLAC (tracks)+No CUE+No LOG+Full HQ Artwork Scans -> 384 MB
© 2003 Verve | 065192 | Jazz / Jazz-Funk / Fusion

A new musical vision for ace jazz trumpeter Roy Hargrove has manifested itself in the form of Hard Groove. This neo-soul/jazz project showcases Erykah Badu, Common, D'Angelo, Marc Cary, and jam band icon saxophonist Karl Denson on a 14-track set that is laden with funk, groove, freestyle rap poetry, and sultry hip-hop/R&B mood swings. Hargrove's interesting horn and keyboard improvisations stem from extensive knowledge of each musician's work and, perhaps even more importantly, from close personal friendships developed as an underground club jam session warrior in N.Y.C. He also plays flügelhorn and percussion, and adds background vocals on several compositions. Opening with "Hardgroove," the set eases into a groove that is skillfully combined with Hargrove's meticulous riffs and segues into the band's free interpretation of an all-out jam session. "Common Free Style" is just that, a free rap session crammed with intimate details. This team-up works, and Common's prose style is exemplary in his choice of words and inspiring atmosphere. As one of the ladies who sings with the band, Grammy-winning Erykah Badu presents a valuable addition to the literature of hip-hop and jazz on several levels. On "Poetry," her rap is an entertaining and unpretentious chronicle of knowing the way to go in life, recounted with honesty and sincerity. Overall, Roy Hargrove has evolved as a hipper version of himself and given his listeners an entirely new musical direction than that heard on his Grammy-winning release Habana or his sensuous ballad recording Moment to Moment. Hard Groove is simply an exploration of his multidimensional musical attributes and his belated recognition of years of "open-eared moonlighting." In any case, the ultra-hip trumpeter manages not to alienate his die-hard jazz fans by intersecting with many of the icons of hip-hop, R&B, and neo-soul. Highly recommended.

The mysterious British band Iguana was formed in Southampton in early 70's and released one excellent album originally in 1972 on label Polydor Records. The sound of Iguana is rich and colorful, based on permanent juxtapositions of heavy, some what funky guitar sound and jazzy saxophone riffs – most of the songs are catchy and easy-to-get-into, in spit'e of their complex structures, alluding stylistics soul unique, sophisticated and richly orchestrated with vocals reminiscent of Mike Patto.

It seems as if Elton John was still settling on a discernable style on 1985's ICE ON FIRE. He brought in Gus Dudgeon, the architect of such elaborate, wide-screen productions as GOODBYE YELLOWBRICK ROAD, and his touch can be felt in the lush synthesized sound that dominates this record. Even the song credits, full of Simmons drums, synth-guitar, and Yamaha TX81C, attest to the slick production values…