Laura Põldvere & Tõnu Naissoo Trio - Memories Of Tomorrow (2012)

The brilliance of a gemstone awakened in the Baltic Sea! A rising vocal star discovered by Tõnu Naissoo. The heartfelt voice of this Estonian songstress is now available to you... Her name is Laura Põldvere. She is a vocalist who is literally a diamond in the rough, discovered in her native Estonia by Tõnu Naissoo, an important Sawano artist. Her rich voice and rich mid-range style may be unique in today's female vocal world where only "cutesy girls" dominate, but her unrestrained scat singing is also worth listening to, and you can feel her extraordinary talent. The exoticism that the way the words sound is also a big attraction. And above all, it's great that Tõnu Naissoo himself leads the backing trio. The repertoire this time is full of Beatles, Hancock, and Bacharach, but the Joni Mitchell on track 4 is a nice choice that only Tõnu would have produced. And the title track is the best of all. Keith's incredibly beautiful solo performance recorded at the Cologne concert is revived with new life here. Tõnu's unchanging devotion to Keith is sure to make any enthusiast smile. The little bird in Tõnu's hands, who is now approaching the level of a master, is a Baltic diva. I want to keep watching over her for a long time. ~ by Hiiragi Kitami, jazz-sawano.com. 

Atelier Sawano, AS 123, 2012
Recorded November, 2011 at Eesti Rádio 2 Studio, Tallinn, Estonia 

Musicians:
Laura Põldvere - Vocals
Tõnu Naissoo - Piano
Taavo Remmel - Double Bass
Ahto Abner - Drums 

Tracks:
01. My Shining Hour {Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer} (2:59)
02. Memories Of Tomorrow {Stanley Cornfield, Keith Jarrett} (4:28)
03. What Game Shall We Play Today {Neville Potter, Chick Corea} (4:19)
04. A Case Of You {Joni Mitchell} (4:17)
05. Triste {Antônio Carlos Jobim} (5:02)
06. Maiden Voyage {Mark Murphy, Herbie Hancock} (7:12)
07. A Night In Tunisia {Jon Hendricks, Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Paparelli} (5:37)
08. Falling Grace {Stanley Cornfield, Steve Swallow} (3:47)
09. Alfie {Burt Bacharach, Hal David} (6:17)
10. The Fool On The Hill {John Lennon, Paul McCartney} (6:12) 

Total Time: 50:14 

Credits:
Producer - Tõnu Naissoo
Recording, Mixing & Mastering - Teet Kehlmann
Photography - Henri Siht, Tõnu Naissoo
Design - Loud Minority 

Falling Grace

Andrea Marcelli Trio featuring Thomas Clausen - Sundance (2008)

Sometimes, when listening to a record for the first time, I like to play a simple game. Without checking the liner notes, and just by listening to the music, I try to figure out who the leader in the band is. Here’s a nice trio with Thomas Clausen/p, Davide Petrocca/b and Andrea Marcelli/dr, and after a few songs, it becomes clear that the guy doing most of the work and display here is the Marcelli, who seems to be giving a workshop on various drum styles and deliveries. Now, mind you, there’s nothing about Clausen’s piano playing that is to be ashamed of; he’s got a nice rich touch, sort of like a pared down Bill Evans lyricism and romanticism, and Petrocca’s bass work is sublime and supportive. But on this collection of standards and originals Marcelli goes between orchestral arrangements of something like "A House Is Not A Home" to very hip brush work to driving high hats and snappy latin snares on other pieces. It’s fun just to sit back, listen, and wonder "Just what is this cat going to try on the NEXT tune?" Enriching music here, and highly creative for those with ears to learn. ~ by George W. Harris, jazzweekly.com. 

Storyville Records, 101 4275, 2012
Recorded 3rd February, 2008 at the AudioCue TonLabor in Berlin, Germany 

Musicians:
Andrea Marcelli - Drums
Davide Petrocca - Acoustic Bass
Thomas Clausen - Piano

Tracks:
01. A House Is Not A Home {Burt Bacharach} (6:05)
02. Waltz For Debby {Bill Evans} (4:32)
03. Strawberry Moments {Andrea Marcelli} (6:27)
04. Con Alma {Dizzy Gillespie} (4:12)
05. Sundance {Andrea Marcelli} (4:38)
06. Just In Time {Jule Styne} (4:36)
07. The Bridge {Andrea Marcelli} (5:15)
08. Sempre Amore {Duke Ellington} (7:12)
09. All Of You {Cole Porter} (5:34)
10. After The Rain {Andrea Marcelli} (4:03)
11. Caro Mio Ben {Guiseppe Giordani} (4:21)
Bonus Tracks:
12. O Cessate Di Piagarmi {Alessandro Scarlatti; Arr. Andrea Marcelli} (3:53)
13. More {Riz Ortolani, Nino Oliviero} (3:52) 

Total Time: 64:40 

Credits:
Producer - Andrea Marcelli
Recording Engineer - Rainer Robben
Mixing Engineer - Rainer Robben, Andrea Marcelli
Digital Mastering - Jan Erik Kongshaug
Art Direction, Graphic Design - Paul G. Kohler 

Toots Thielemans, Thierry Lang Trio - Cully (1989 & 1990)

Great live work from this famous jazz harmonicist -- a player who often gets standout moments in larger ensembles, or on well-known recording sessions -- but who we especially like in a small combo mode like this! The CD features two different live sets -- recorded a year apart, but each featuring the same core group -- and each with very long tracks that really lets Toots stretch out and do his thing! There's nobody like Thielemans at all -- which you'll know if you've ever heard him on record (which you probably have!) -- and here, he wins us all over again, as he stretches out with well-crafted solos on tracks that really push towards the ten-minute mark. The rest of the group features Thierry Lang on piano, Ivor Malherbe on bass, and Marcel Papaux on drums -- and titles include "Estate", "Sno' Peas", "Stella By Starlight", "Days Of Wine & Roses", "I Do It For Your Love", and "Weaver Of Dreams". © Dusty Groove, Inc. 

TCB Records, TCB 02442, 2019
Recorded 11th March, 1989 (#1,3,4,6) & 31st March, 1990 (#2,5,7)
by Radio Suisse Romance Live at Cully Jazz Festival, Switzerland 

Musicians:
Toots Thielemans - Harmonica
Thierry Lang - Piano
Ivor Malherbe - Bass
Marcel Papaux - Drums 

Tracks:
1. The Days Of Wine And Roses {Henry Mancini, Johnny Mercer} (8:26)
2. A Weaver Of Dreams {Jack Elliott, Victor Young} (7:58)
3. I Do It For Your Love {Paul Simon} (8:50)
4. Stella By Starlight {Ned Washington, Victor Young} (10:06)
5. My One And Only Love {Guy Wood, Robert Mellin} (8:59)
6. Estate {Bruno Brighetti, Bruno Martino} (10:31)
7. Sno' Peas {Phil Markowitz} (9:34) 

Total Time: 64:24 

Credits:
Producer - TCB Music SA
Executive Producer - Barbara Frei Schmidlin / TCB
Concert Producer, Radio Recording, Liner Notes - Yvan Ischer / RTS
Recording, Digital Editing & Mastering - Blaise Favre
Recording Engineer - Pierre Resin [Radio Suisse Romance]
Photos - Jos L. Knaepen, Gerald Bosshard
Graphic Artwork - Juan Carlos Villaroel, Natasja Wallenburg 

Excess applause where possible has been trimmed/faded out to enhance listening. 

A Weaver Of Dreams

Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson - Kidney Stew (1969-1978, 1996)

Here’s another remastered compilation of Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson output spanning the years 1969 through to 1978 by Black & Blue Records and released in 1996. It is accurately packaged with more information, liner notes and photos. Most remarkedly, it includes two additional tracks Person To Person and Alimony Blues from a session in 1972 with Al Grey & Wild Bill Davis. Eddie truly showcases his versatility as great altoist and jazz-blues singer. 

Black & Blue Records, BB 878.2 ND 215, 1996
Recorded 28th March, 1969 (#1-10) at Pathé Studio, Paris, France
Recorded 28th July, 1972 (#11,12) at Seed Studio, Vallauris, France
Recorded 14th July, 1978 (#13,14) at Black & Blue Studio, Nice, France 

Musicians:
Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson - Alto Sax, Vocals
Al Grey - Trombone (#11,12)
Hal Singer - Tenor Saxophone (#1-10)
Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis - Tenor Saxophone (#13,14)
Jay Mc Shann - Piano (#1-10)
Wild Bill Davis - Organ (#11,12)
Bill Doggett - Organ (#13,14)
T. Bone Walker - Guitar (#1-10)
Floyd Smith - Guitar (#11,12)
Roland Lobligeois - Bass (#1-10)
Milt Hinton - Bass (#13,14)
Paul Gunther - Drums (#1-12)
J.C. Heard - Drums (#13,14)

Tracks:
01. Kidney Stew {Leona Blackman, Eddie Vinson} (3:04)
02. Wait A Minute Baby {Eddie Vinson} (3:16)
03. Old Maid Boogie {Eddie Vinson} (3:49)
04. Somebody's Got To Go {B.B. Broonzy} (3:20)
05. Things Ain't What They Used To Be {Mercer Ellington, Ted Persons} (4:50)
06. Wee Baby Blues {Pete Johnson, Big Joe Turner} (3:21)
07. Juice Head Baby {Eddie Vinson, Louis Zito} (4:35)
08. I Had A Dream {B.B. Broonzy} (3:40)
09. I'm In An Awful Mood {T-Bone Walker} (3:20)
10. Please Send Me Someone To Love {Percy Mayfield} (4:12)
11. Person To Person {Eddie Vinson} (2:55)
12. Alimony Blues {Eddie Vinson} (5:44)
13. Hey Little Doggey {Bill Doggett} (7:24)
14. Totsy {Eddie Vinson} (5:25) 

Total Time: 58:55 

Credits:
Recording Engineer - Serge Remi
Digital Remastering - Gilbert Préneron
Photograph - Jean-Pierre Tahmazian
Design, Liner Notes - Jean-Marc Fritz, Jean-Michel Proust
English Translation - Jeff and Patricia Kresser 

Alimony Blues

Eddie Vinson - Cleanhead Blues (1995)

These numbers are the perfect synthesis of jazz and the blues; clean-cut sounds from Cleanhead. Eddie Vinson had been recently 'rediscovered' when most of these tracks were recorded. A new lease of life is evident as he takes a few blues classics for a spin. The quality of the 'sidemen' here is notable as is their willingness to let Eddie stretch out and take center stage. T-Bone Walker, for example, confines himself to accompaniment, adding a second instrumental voice as Vinson sings, and soloing in his riff-based, dramatic style. ~ Liner Notes. 

Orbis Records, BLU NC 057, 1995
Recorded 28th March, 1969 (#1-10) in Boulogne-Billancourt, France;
Recorded July, 1978 (#11,12) Nice, France 

Musicians:
Eddie Vinson - Alto Saxophone, Vocals (#1-10)
Hal Singer - Tenor Saxophone (#1-0)
Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis - Tenor Saxophone (#11)
Jay McShann - Piano (#1-10)
Bill Doggett - Organ (#11,12)
T-Bone Walker - Guitar (#1-10)
Roland Lobligeois - Bass (#1-10)
Milt Hinton - Bass (#11,12)
Paul Gunther - Drums (#1-10)
J.C. Heard - Drums (#11,12) 

Tracks:
01. Wee Baby Blues {Pete Johnson, Big Joe Turner} (3:20)
02. Wait A Minute Baby {Eddie Vinson} (3:14)
03. I Had A Dream {B.B. Broonzy} (3:38)
04. Kidney Stew {Leona Blackman, Eddie Vinson} (3:02)
05. Old Maid Boogie {Eddie Vinson} (3:47)
06. I'm In An Awful Mood {T-Bone Walker} (3:18)
07. Juice-Head Baby {Eddie Vinson, Louis Zito} (4:34)
08. Things Ain't What They Used To Be {Mercer Ellington, Ted Persons} (4:48)
09. Somebody's Got To Go {B.B. Broonzy} (3:19)
10. Please Send Me Someone To Love {Percy Mayfield} (4:12)
11. Hey Little Doggey {Bill Doggett} (7:23)
12. Totsy {Eddie Vinson} (5:24) 

Total Time: 50:08 

Kidney Stew

Al Grey & Jesper Thilo Quintet - Al Grey & Jesper Thilo Quintet (1987)

This studio session in which the great swing trombonist Al Grey leads a fine quintet through a set of mostly standards is exactly what journalist Eddie Cook calls "Happy Jazz" in the liner notes. Grey is right at home with tunes such as "God Bless the Child," "The Girl From Ipanema," and "A Night in Tunisia." The surprise of the session is "On the Sunny Side of the Street," which is played at a slow though compelling pace. Grey came to favor the tenor-bone front line in his small groups, and the Dane, saxophonist Jesper Thilo, does a commendable job as his partner. Thilo's thick, rich tone recalls Coleman Hawkins, a perfect foil to the trombonist's brash, brassy sound. While Grey's best work was performed as a big-band sideman, both with Dizzy Gillespie and Count Basie, his excellent solo work here and in other intimate settings is nonetheless an important part of his discography. His unique tone and style are in full bloom, and this recording should appeal to anyone who enjoys the sound of the jazz trombone in a joyous, no frills, and straight-ahead role. ~ by Steve Loewy, AMG. 

Storyville Records, STCD 4136, 1987
Recorded Sunday 10th August, 1986 at Studio 39, Copenhagen, Denmark 

Musicians:
Al Grey - Trombone
Jesper Thilo - Tenor Saxophone
Ole Kock Hansen - Piano
Hugo Rasmussen - Bass
Alex Riel - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Just Jazz {Al Grey; Arr. Don Sickler} (5:25)
2. God Bless The Child {Arthur Herzog, Jr., Billie Holiday} (6:13)
3. The Girl From Ipanema {Jobim, Gimbel, De Moraes} (6:49)
4. I'm Hungry, Sabrina {Al Grey} (5:07)
5. The Vanguard Groove {Al Grey} (7:11)
6. A Night In Tunisia {Gillespie, Paparelli, Robin} (7:13)
7. On The Sunny Side Of The Street {Fields, McHugh} (6:55) 

Total Time: 44:56 

Credits:
Producer - Arnvid Meyer
Executive-Producer - Karl Emil Knudsen
Engineer - Hans Nielsen
Layout - Chris Olesen 

Just Jazz

Horace Silver Quintet & Trio - Blowin' The Blues Away (1959, 2004)

Blowin' The Blues Away is one of Horace Silver's all-time Blue Note classics, only upping the ante established on Finger Poppin' for tightly constructed, joyfully infectious hard bop. This album marks the peak of Silver's classic quintet with trumpeter Blue Mitchell, tenor saxophonist Junior Cook, bassist Gene Taylor, and drummer Louis Hayes; it's also one of the pianist's strongest sets of original compositions, eclipsed only by Song for My Father and Horace Silver and the Jazz Messengers. The pacing of the album is impeccable, offering up enough different feels and slight variations on Silver's signature style to captivate the listener throughout. Two songs - the warm, luminous ballad "Peace" and the gospel-based call-and-response swinger "Sister Sadie" - became oft-covered standards of Silver's repertoire, and the madly cooking title cut wasn't far behind. And they embody what's right with the album in a nutshell -- the up-tempo tunes ("Break City") are among the hardest-swinging Silver had ever cut, and the slower changes of pace ("Melancholy Mood") are superbly lyrical, adding up to one of the best realizations of Silver's aesthetic. Also, two cuts ("Melancholy Mood" and the easy-swinging "The St. Vitus Dance") give Silver a chance to show off his trio chops, and "Baghdad Blues" introduces his taste for exotic, foreign-tinged themes. Through it all, Silver remains continually conscious of the groove, playing off the basic rhythms to create funky new time patterns. The typical high-impact economy of his and the rest of the band's statements is at its uppermost level, and everyone swings with exuberant commitment. In short, Blowin' the Blues Away is one of Silver's finest albums, and it's virtually impossible to dislike. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide. 

Blue Note Records, TOCJ-6421, 2004
Recorded 29th August (#1,6), 30th August (#3,4,5) and 13th September (#2,7), 1959
at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey 

Musicians:
Horace Silver - Piano
Blue Mitchell - Trumpet (#1,3-6)
Junior Cook - Tenor Saxophone (#1,3-6)
Gene Taylor - Bass
Louis Hayes - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Blowin' The Blues Away (4:45)
2. The St. Vitus Dance (4:09)
3. Break City (4:57)
4. Peace (6:03)
5. Sister Sadie (6:19)
6. The Baghdad Blues (4:53)
7. Melancholy Mood (7:09) 

All compositions by Horace Silver 

Total Time: 38:19 

Credits:
Producer - Alfred Lion
Recording Engineer - Rudy van Gelder
Cover Design - Reid Miles
Cover Illustration - Paula Donohue
Liner Notes - Ira Gitler 

Blowin' The Blues Away

Jan Lundgren Trio - A Touch Of You (1998)

Here we have another excellent early Jan Lundgren Trio release on the Japanese Alfa Jazz label in 1998. For this trio Jan, whilst in New York is joined by bassist Peter Washington and drummer. Billy Drummond. Together they interpret and probe a vibrant selection of eight jazz standards close to Jan's heart, as well as showcasing three of his own compositions that include the evocative title track "A Touch Of You". The interplay between these unique musicians is superb, from start to finish the listener no doubt will be truly captivated, enjoy! 

Alfa Jazz, ALCB-3934, 1998
Recorded 29th & 30th April, 1998 at Avatar Studio, New York 

Musicians:
Jan Lundgren - Piano
Peter Washington - Bass
Billy Drummond - Drums 

Tracks:
01. Blues For Raz {Jan Lundgren} (5:45)
02. Love You Madly {Duke Ellington, Luther Henderson} (4:46)
03. Willow Weep For Me {Ann Ronell} (7:30)
04. Cleopatra’s Dream {Bud Powell} (5:15)
05. A Touch Of You {Jan Lundgren} (4:44)
06. Midnight Waltz {Cedar Walton} (4:52)
07. The Time Is Now {Jan Lundgren} (5:12)
08. While My Lady Sleeps {Bronislaw Kaper, Gus Kahn} (6:47)
09. Tranquille {Oscar Peterson} (5:45)
10. Fingers {Thad Jones} (5:17)
11. Lotus Blossom {Billy Strayhorn} (3:42) 

Total Time: 61:35 

Credits:
Producer - Satoshi Hirano
Co-producer - Kyoko Aikawa
Recording Engineer - Alec Head
Mastering Engineer - Mitsuo Koike
Liner Notes [Japanese] - Yasukuni Terashima 

A Touch Of You