Music

Jazz Instrument

Personnel includes: Tito Puente (piano, timbales); Vicentico Valdes, Graciela, Gilberto Monroig, Abbe Lane, Santos Colon, Rolando La Serie, La Lupe, Manny Roman, Machito, Bobby Capo, Miguelito Valdes, Sophy, Azuquita, Celia Cruz, Tony Vega, Cheo Feliciano, Menique, Oscar D' Leon, Hector Lavoe, India, Tito Nieves, Domingo Quinones, Jose "El Canario" Alberto, Millie P., Ismael Miranda (vocals); Lionel Hampton (vibraphone); Mongo Santamaria, Willie Bobo (percussion); Woody Herman, Cal Tjader, Charlie Palmieri, Candido, Cachao, George Shearing, Hilton Ruiz, Steve Turre, Giovanni Hidalgo, Ray Barretto, Johnny Pacheco, James Moody.Includes liner notes by Mark Holston. Personnel: Tito Puente (vibraphone, timbales, percussion); James Moody (vocals, tenor saxophone); Manny Roman, Gilberto Monroig,... Less

Personnel: Allan Holdsworth (guitar, synthaxe); Rowanne Mark, Clair Holdsworth, Craig Copeland (vocals); Alan Pasqua (piano); Chad Wackerman (keyboards, drums); Steve Hunt (keyboards); Jimmy Johnson, Bob Wackerman (bass); Vinnie Colaiuta (drums); Jeffrey Ocheltree. Includes liner notes by Matt Reniscoff. Personnel: Allan Holdsworth (guitar, synthesizer); Clair Holdsworth, Rowanne Mark, Craig Copeland (vocals); Alan Pasqua (piano); Chad Wackerman (keyboards, drums); Steve Hunt (keyboards); Vinnie Colaiuta (drums).Audio Mixers: Allan Holdsworth; Robert Feist.Liner Note Author: Matt Resnicoff. Recording information: Front Page Recorders; Music Grinder; The Brewery. Photographer: Ed Colver.Unknown Contributor Role: Jeffrey Ocheltree.A true masterpiece, Secrets is the massive culmination of... Less

Composer: Femi Kuti. Photographer: Bernard Matussiere.Fela Kuti is generally considered to be the inventor of Afrobeat, a propulsive, highly danceable music that borrows from American soul, R&B, funk, and jazz, but is deeply rooted in traditional African folk as well. This superior, two-disc compilation collects material from across the Nigerian performer's stunning career, beginning with a handful of recordings from 1972 and continuing up to 1989. Funky, passionate, and technically precise, yet free-spirited and given to extensive improvisation, Fela's music runs on webs of percolating percussion, bobbing bass, wiry funk guitar, cacophonous and sultry horns, and call-and-response choruses.In addition to being a musical visionary, composer, and multi- instrumentalist, Fela was also a... Less

Personnel: Sonny Rollins (saxophone); Jim Hall (guitar); Coleman Hawkins (saxophone); Don Cherry (cornet); Herbie Hancock (piano); Bob Cranshaw (bass guitar); Roy McCurdy, Stu Martin (drums); Candido Camero (congas).Those not willing to make the leap of purchasing the six-disc COMPLETE RCA/VICTOR RECORDINGS will find an excellent distillation of that box set in the beautifully compiled two-disc set THE ESSENTIAL SONNY ROLLINS: THE RCA YEARS. Rollins began recording for RCA in the early 1960s, following a much-discussed hiatus from the studio, during which time he could sometimes be found at night on New York City's Williamsburg Bridge reeling off free improvisations. In fact, one of Rollins's best albums from the RCA period is called THE BRIDGE (which pairs him with the stupendous... Less

Personnel includes: Louis Armstrong, The Esquire All-Americans. Producer: Hank Hoffman. Compilation Producer: Steven Gates.Recorded between 1932 and 1970. Includes liner notes by Stephanie L. Stein.Liner Note Author: Stephanie L. Stein.Recording information: Camden, NJ (01/26/1933- 05/29/1970); Chicago, IL (01/26/1933- 05/29/1970); Los Angeles, CA (01/26/1933- 05/29/1970); New York, NY (01/26/1933- 05/29/1970); Town Hall, New York, NY (01/26/1933- 05/29/1970). Illustrator: Al Hirschfeld.More Greatest Hits contains 18 well-known selections from Louis Armstrong's recordings for RCA Victor, including "Boy from New Orleans," "I've Got the World on a String," "High Society," "When You're Smiling," "Pennies from Heaven" and "Please Stop Playin' Those Blues, Boy." It's certainly nothing close to... Less

Mannheim Steamroller: Chip Davis, Carol Davis, Almeda Berkey, Jackson Berkey, Arnie Roth, Chuck Penington, Roxanne Layton, Ron Cooley. Additional personnel includes: Mason Williams (guitar). Engineers include: Clete Baker, Brian Ackley, Simon Tindall.All tracks have been digitally mastered using HDCD technology. Released in 1999, this two-disc set draws material from two-and-a-half decades of recordings by composer Chip Davis's amazingly successful act, Mannheim Steamroller. Specializing in synthesizer- heavy takes on classical and--most famously-- Christmas music, Steamroller is well represented here by tracks ranging from the delicate "Morning" to the funky "Four Rows of Jacks" to the festive "Wassail, Wassail." Since longtime fans of Davis's ensemble will already own most or all of... Less

Personnel: Tony Bennett (vocals); Diana Krall, Dixie Chicks, Elton John, George Michael, James Taylor , John Legend, Juanes, k.d. lang, Michael Bublé, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Sting, Tim McGraw, Elvis Costello, Barbra Streisand, Billy Joel, Bono , Celine Dion (vocals).

2 LPs on 1 CD: LIBRA (1967)/ANOTHER EARTH (1968). Personnel: Gary Bartz (saxophone); Jimmy Owens (trumpet, flugelhorn); Charles Tolliver (trumpet); Albert Daily, Stanley Cowell (piano); Richard Davis, Reggie Workman (bass); Billy Higgins, Freddie Waits (drums); Pharoah Sanders. Personnel: Gary Bartz (alto saxophone); Pharoah Sanders (tenor saxophone); Jimmy Owens (trumpet, flugelhorn); Charles Tolliver (trumpet); Albert Dailey, Stanley Cowell (piano); Frederick Waits, Billy Higgins (drums).Audio Remasterer: Joe Tarantino.Liner Note Author: Orrin Keepnews. Recording information: Plaza Sound Studios, New York, NY (05/31/1967- 06/25/1968). Unknown Contributor Roles: Frederick Waits; Gary Bartz; Jimmy Owens; Albert Dailey; Pharoah Sanders; Reggie Workman; Richard Davis ; Stanley Cowell; Billy... Less

Nils Landgren: Nils Landgren (trombone); Magnus Lindgren (vocals); Ray Parker, Jr. (guitar); Ida Sand (keyboards); Magnum Coltrane Price (bass guitar); Wolfgang Haffner (drums).Licence to Funk is the eighth album by the Nils Landgren Funk Unit, and again, the Swedish trombonist reconfigures the band's personnel to keep things fresh. He keeps the rhythm section of German drummer Wolfgang Haffner and bassist Magnum Coltrane Price and adds reedman Magnus Lindgren, keyboardist and vocalist Ida Sand, and -- the biggest surprise here -- Detroit guitarist Ray Parker, Jr., author of the hit single "Ghostbusters," who had retired from music in the early '90s and then reappeared on Landgren's collaboration with pianist Joe Sample, Creole Love Call, in 2005. After the previous record's... Less

Personnel: Scot Ray (trombone); Jeff Gauthier (electric violin); Nels Cline (electric guitar); Steuart Liebig (bass); Alex Cline (drums, percussion). Recorded at Castle Oaks Studio, Calabasas, California on May 24 & 25, 2002.Personnel: Scot Ray (trombone); Nels Cline (electric guitar); Steuart Liebig (contra guitar, double bass); Jeff Gauthier (electric violin); Alex Cline (drums, percussion). Audio Mixer: Rich Breen .Liner Note Author: Scot Ray.Recording information: Castle Oaks Studios, Calabasas, CA (05/24/2002/05/25 /2002).Photographe r: Rich Breen .Trombonist Scot Ray leads a West Coast consortium of like-minded musicians on this superb 2003 release. And while the trombonist possesses monstrous chops, this jazz fusion-style effort presents somewhat of a multi-faceted outlook. Here,... Less

Personnel: Wallace Roney (trumpet); Gil Goldstein (conductor, keyboards); Antoine Roney, Ravi Coltrane (tenor saxophone); Harvey Estrin, Lawrence Feldman, Chris Hunter, Robert Steen, Andrew Sterman (flute, recorder); Eric Wyrick, Liang-Ping How, Sandra Park (violin); Louise Schulman, Maureen Gallagher (viola); Richard Locker, Eugene J. Moye, Jr. (cello); Geri Allen (piano); Clarence Seay (bass); Eric Allen (drums); Steve Berrios, Steve Thornton, Valtinho Anastacio (percussion). Producers: Matt Pierson, Gordon Meltzer, Reo Macero.Recorded at Power Station and Hit Factory, New York.Personnel: Wallace Roney (trumpet); Eric Wyrick, How Liang-Ping, Sandra Park (violin); Maureen Gallagher, Louise Schulman (viola); Richard Locker (cello); Chris Hunter, Robert Steen, Lawrence Feldman, Andrew... Less

Personnel includes: Red Holloway (vocals, alto & tenor saxophones); Frank Wess (tenor saxophone); Dr. Lonnie Smith (organ); Melvin Sparks (guitar); Paul Humphrey (drums).Recorded at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey in February 2003.Personnel: Red Holloway (vocals, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Melvin Sparks (guitar); Frank Wess (tenor saxophone); Dr. Lonnie Smith (organ); Paul Humphrey & the Cool Aid Chemists (drums).Audio Mixer: Rudy Van Gelder.Liner Note Author: Tony Outhwaite. Recording information: Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, NJ (02/11/2003/02/12 /2003).Editor: Rudy Van Gelder. Photographer: John Abbott .Once upon a time, jazz players like saxophonist Red Holloway went out of fashion whenever their style of choice -- bop, soul jazz -- made way for the... Less

Personnel: John Coltrane (soprano & tenor saxophones); Tommy Flanagan, Wynton Kelly, McCoy Tyner (piano); Paul Chambers, Steve Davis (bass); Art Taylor, Jimmy Cobb, Elvin Jones (drums).Recorded between May 4, 1959 & October 26, 1960. Includes liner notes by Nat Hentoff.This pithy yet effective compilation was part of a late-'60s/early-' 70s "Best Of..." campaign from Atlantic Records that also boasted single-LP installments from the label's jazz elite, including Mose Allison, Ray Charles, Herbie Mann, Eddie Harris, the Modern Jazz Quartet, Charlie Mingus, Charles Lloyd, Hank Crawford, Ornette Coleman, and David "Fathead" Newman. To modern consumers, the six-song track list may seem a bit wanting. However, Atlantic Records co-founder and jazz aficionado Nesuhi Ertegun knew exactly what he... Less

Personnel: Eric Darius (vocals, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, background vocals); Eric Darius; Chris Taylor, Robert "Wah Wah" LeGrand (guitar); Michael Crain (keyboards, bass synthesizer, drum programming); Ken Navarro (keyboards, drums, drum programming, percussion programming); Gary Grainger (bass instrument, electric bass); Todd Cory (background vocals); Jay Rowe (keyboards); Andre Webb (drums); Kevin Prince (percussion). Audio Mixers: Ken Navarro; Michael Crain.Liner Note Author: Eric Darius.Recording information: Crainium Productions; Panda Studio, Clearwater, FL; Positive Music Records.Sneer if you must, but the simple fact is that smooth jazz hath charms to soothe the savage beast (if not the snobby music critic). At its best, it can offer the perfect... Less

Personnel: Dave Brubeck (leader, piano); Tony Bennett, Louis Armstrong, Carmen McRae, Jimmy Rushing; (vocals); Paul Desmond, Bobby Militello (alto saxophone); Jerry Bergonzi (tenor saxophone); Gerry Mulligan (baritone saxophone); Bill Smith (clarinet); Norman Bates, Eugene Wright, Ron Crotty, Bob Bates, Jack Six, Michael Moore (bass); Chris Brubeck (electric bass); Joe Morello, Carl Tjader, Lloyd Davis, Joe Dodge, Alan Dawson, Butch Miles, Randy Jones (drums). Producers include: Dave Brubeck, Chris Brubeck, George Avakian, Teo Macero, Cal Lampley. Compilation producers: Russell Gloyd, Didier C. Deutsch.Recorded between 1949 & 2002. Includes liner notes by Joel Lewis.This double-disc overview collects 31 tracks selected by Dave Brubeck and provides an excellent overview of his long career... Less

ALTERED STATE features cover art by Peter Max. Yellowjackets: Bob Mintzer (saxophone, EWI); Russell Ferrante (piano, keyboards); Jimmy Haslip (bass guitar); Marcus Baylor (drums).

Personnel: George Benson (vocals, guitar); Jorge Dalto (piano, Clavinet); Ronnie Foster (electric piano, mini-moog); Phil Upchurch (guitar, bass); Stanley Banks (bass); Harvey Mason (drums); Ralph MacDonald (percussion). Recorded at Capitol Records, Hollywood, California from August-November, 1976.Personnel: George Benson (vocals, guitar); Phil Upchurch (guitar); Jorge Dalto (piano, Clavinet, keyboards); Ronnie Foster (electric piano, keyboards, mini-Moog synthesizer, Moog synthesizer); Harvey Mason, Sr. (drums); Ralph MacDonald (percussion). Audio Mixer: Al Schmitt.Audio Remixer: Lee Herschberg. Recording information: Capitol Records, Hollywood, CA (08/1976- 11/1976). Photographer: Ken Veeder.This follow up to Benson's first cross-over success, BREEZIN', is Benson and producer Tommy... Less

Full title: 65th Birthday Celebration: Live At The Blue Note In New York City.Recorded live at the Blue Note, New York, New York in April 1995.To celebrate his 65th birthday, the influential flutist Herbie Mann played for a week at the Blue Note in New York, along with some of his favorite musicians. Among the many guests on this CD are such notables as trumpeters Claudio Roditi and Randy Brecker, altoists David "Fathead" Newman, Paquito D'Rivera and Bobby Watson, fellow flutist Dave Valentin, Tito Puente on timbales and several rhythm sections. Alternating between Brazilian music, vintage funk jazz (such as "Memphis Underground"), a catchy boogaloo blues ("Dippermouth") and a few straight-ahead tracks ("Au Privave" and "Jeep's Blues"), the flutist sounds as if he had a great time. The... Less

Jovino Santos Neto Quinteto: Jovino Santos Neto (piano); Harvey Wainapel (clarinet, saxophone); Chuck Deardorf (bass); Mark Ivester (drums, percussion); Jeff Busch (percussion). Recorded live at the State Theatre, Olympia, Washington. Includes liner notes by Paul De Barros. Personnel: Jovino Santos Neto (piano); Harvey Wainapel (clarinet, saxophone); Mark Ivester (drums, percussion); Steve Fortuna (drums).Audio Mixers: Rick Carroll; Ric Vaughan; Sam Hofstedt; Steve Revilak.Liner Note Author: Paul De Barros.Recording information: The State Theater Olympai, WA (04/08/2000). Editor: Chuck Strouss. Photographer: Chris Chappell. Arranger: Jovino Santos Neto.

Personnel: Bela Fleck (banjo); Matt Mundy (mandolin); Connie Heard, Mary Kathryn Vanasdale (violin); Kristin Wilkinson (viola); Grace Bahng (cello); Dennis Solee (clarinet); George Tidwell (trumpet); Robert Barry Green (trombone); Edgar Meyer (piano, acoustic bass); Victor Wooten (acoustic & electric basses); Future Man (drums, acoustic percussion, wind); Kenny Malone (drums, percussion); Chick Corea, Jerry Douglas, Bruce Hornsby, Paul McCandless, Branford Marsalis, Tony Rice, Stuart Duncan, Sam Bush.Engineers: Bil Vorndick, Bernie Kirsh, Dave Sinko.Recorded from January to March 1994. Includes liner notes by Bela Fleck.All songs written by Bela Fleck except "Arkansas Traveler" (P.D.)."Cheeseball s In Cowtown" was nominated for a 1996 Grammy Award for Best Country Instrumental... Less

Personnel includes: Red Holloway (vocals, alto & tenor saxophones); Frank Wess (tenor saxophone); Dr. Lonnie Smith (organ); Melvin Sparks (guitar); Paul Humphrey (drums).Recorded at Van Gelder Studio, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey in February 2003.Personnel: Red Holloway (vocals, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Melvin Sparks (guitar); Frank Wess (tenor saxophone); Dr. Lonnie Smith (organ); Paul Humphrey & the Cool Aid Chemists (drums).Audio Mixer: Rudy Van Gelder.Liner Note Author: Tony Outhwaite. Recording information: Van Gelder Studios, Englewood Cliffs, NJ (02/11/2003/02/12 /2003).Editor: Rudy Van Gelder. Photographer: John Abbott .Once upon a time, jazz players like saxophonist Red Holloway went out of fashion whenever their style of choice -- bop, soul jazz -- made way for the... Less

Personnel includes: Walter Beasley (vocals, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, keyboards, programming); Myron Davis (various instruments); Larry McClellan (trombone); Chuck Loeb (keyboards, guitar, percussion, programming); Benjamin Love (Fender Rhodes piano); Phil Davis, Kavin Hoo,Dow Brain (keyboards, programming); Jeff Lockhart, Tyrone Chase (guitar); Avery Johnson, Will Lee (bass); David Cole (drums); Ricardo Monzon (percussion). Producers include: Walter Beasley, Myron Davis, Josh Honigstock, Dow Brain, Chuck Loeb.Engineers include: Walter Beasley, Joshua Honigstock, Kavin Hoo.Personnel: Walter Beasley (vocals, saxophone, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, keyboards, drum programming); Abria Smith (spoken vocals); Chuck Loeb (guitar, keyboards, drum programming, percussion... Less

Personnel: Boots Randolph (saxophone); Roddy Smith (guitar); Doug Moffet (flute).Audio Mixers: Tim Smith ; Tim Smith .Audio Remasterer: Glenn Meadows. Recording information: The Groovehouse, Nashville, TN.Photographer: G.W. Austin.

Personnel: Red Rodney (flugelhorn), Chris Potter (alto & tenor saxophones), Garry Dial (piano), Jay Anderson (bass), Jimmy Madison (drums).Recorded at BMG Studio B, New York on May 13 & 14, 1992. Includes liner notes by Red Rodney and Bob Belden. Personnel: Red Rodney (flugelhorn); Chris Potter (saxophone, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Garry Dial (piano); Jimmy Madison (drums).Liner Note Authors: Bret Primack; Red Rodney; Bob Belden.Recording information: New York, NY (05/13/1992/05/15 /1992).Director: Roy Spangenthal. Editor: Jeremy Kipnis. Photographers: William Gottlieb; Jay Manis; Stanley Schnier. Arranger: Bob Belden.Red Rodney's final recording (cut two years before his death) finds the 64-year-old sticking exclusively to flugelhorn and still displaying strong chops. Performing... Less

Personnel: Bucky Pizzarelli (acoustic guitar, 7-string guitar); Frank Vignola (guitar); Sara Caswell, Aaron Weinstein (violin); Valerie Levy (viola, cello); Jessy Levy, Jesse Levy (cello); Jerry Bruno, Martin Pizzarelli (bass instrument). Audio Mixer: Jim Czak.Liner Note Author: Max Wilk.Recording information: Nola Studios, New York, NY (01/28/2008- 01/29/2008). Author: Max Wilk.Arrangers: Dick Lieb; Russ Kassof. Thankfully, this collaboration between legitimate jazz string players and legendary veteran guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli does not suffer from sugary saturation, as these sessions were conceived and played with large amounts of taste, class, and substance. Cellist Jesse Levy, violist Valerie Levy, and violinists Aaron Weinstein and Sara Caswell are all capable of swinging this... Less

Chick Corea Akoustic Band: Chick Corea (piano); John Patutucci (acoustic bass); Dave Weckl (drums).Recorded at Clinton Recording Studios, New York, New York.Personnel: Chick Corea (piano, keyboards); Dave Weckl (drums).Liner Note Author: Chick Corea.Recording information: New York, NY (01/02/1989/01/03 /1989).Arranger: Chick Corea.To get back to the traditional style that originally inspired them, Chick Corea and his trio that formed the nucleus of the Elektric Band of the '80s unplugged themselves to form the Akoustic Band. This self-titled disc, with John Patitucci (bass) and Dave Weckl (drums), offers a very muscular approach to tried-and-true standards like "Autumn Leaves," "Sophisticated Lady" and "Someday My Prince Will Come." Corea's nimble, percussive piano style mates well with... Less

Personnel: Bireli Lagrene (guitar, vocals); Maurice Vander (piano); Chris Minh Doky (bass); Andre Ceccarelli (drums).Recorded at Studio Davout, Paris, France on June 9 & 10, 1997. Includes liner notes by Fara C.Throughout his career, Bireli Lagrene has often confounded expectations. He started out as a brilliant young Django Reinhardt impressionist; a few years later, he switched to rock-oriented fusion, and then returned to straight-ahead jazz with a more original (if blander) voice than he had displayed in his Django days. On this 1997 set Blue Eyes, a tribute to Frank Sinatra, Lagrene not only plays with swing and subtlety in a conventional quartet (with pianist Maurice Vander, bassist Chris Minh Doky, and drummer André Ceccarelli), but sings a few numbers quite effectively. The 13... Less

Personnel: Sonny Rollins (saxophone); Jim Hall (guitar); Coleman Hawkins (saxophone); Don Cherry (cornet); Herbie Hancock (piano); Bob Cranshaw (bass guitar); Roy McCurdy, Stu Martin (drums); Candido Camero (congas).Those not willing to make the leap of purchasing the six-disc COMPLETE RCA/VICTOR RECORDINGS will find an excellent distillation of that box set in the beautifully compiled two-disc set THE ESSENTIAL SONNY ROLLINS: THE RCA YEARS. Rollins began recording for RCA in the early 1960s, following a much-discussed hiatus from the studio, during which time he could sometimes be found at night on New York City's Williamsburg Bridge reeling off free improvisations. In fact, one of Rollins's best albums from the RCA period is called THE BRIDGE (which pairs him with the stupendous... Less

Personnel: Harry Connick, Jr. (vocals, piano); Rev. James Moore (vocals, organ); Wynton Marsalis (trumpet, piano); Ben Wolfe (bass).Recorded at Sony Music Studios, New York, New York in September 4-8, 1998.Personnel: Harry Connick, Jr. (vocals, piano); James Moore (vocals, organ); Wynton Marsalis (trumpet, piano).Audio Mixer: Gregg Rubin.Liner Note Author: Harry Connick, Jr.Recording information: Sony Music Studios, New York, NY (09/04/1998- 09/08/1998). Photographer: Palma Kolansky. Arranger: Harry Connick, Jr.British filmmaker Michael Apted's most acclaimed work is the series of Seven Up documentaries which trace the life arc of a group of children that the director checks back with every seventh year. Harry Connick, Jr. has followed a similar route, putting out 11, 20, 25, and in 2001,... Less

Personnel: Little Milton (vocals, guitar); Warren Haynes, Keb Mo', Will McFarlane, Dave Alvin, G. Love, (guitar); Clayton Ivey (B3 hammond organ, wurlitzer); David Hood, Allen Woody, Jim Prescott (bass); Matt Abts, George Lawerence (drums, percussion); Jeff Clemens (drums); Jerry Smith & The Children Of Israel, Jewel Bass, Freddie Young, (background vocals).Muscle Shoals Horns: Harvey Thompson, Doug Moffat (tenor saxophone); Jim Horn (baritone saxophone); Steve Patrick, Jim Williamson (trumpet); Charles Rose (trombone). WELCOME TO LITTLE MILTON was nominated for the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album.Personnel: Little Milton (guitar); Jerry Smith, Freddie Young, The Children of Israel, Jewel Bass (vocals, background vocals); Dave Alvin, Aaron Love, Keb' Mo', Warren... Less