Austin Hanks - Alabastard

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2017
Time: 55:32
Size: 127,8 MB
Label: Alabastard Enterprises
Styles: Americana/Country Rock
Art: Front

Tracks Listing:
 1. Toughest Part of Me - 4:36
 2. Worth the Fight - 4:29
 3. Delta Torches - 4:43
 4. I'll Go Crazy - 2:12
 5. Alive and Untied - 3:57
 6. Bone, Muscle, and Blood - 4:10
 7. Lakeside - 4:09
 8. Rise Above - 4:12
 9. Aching Need - 4:07
10. Savior Self - 5:49
11. Birmingham - 5:17
12. Risin' Water Blues - 4:34
13. This Ain't No Jukebox - 3:12

Austin Hanks may set his music in country, rock and blues settings, but at root, he’s a soul singer. After leaving his native Alabama, he had a cup of coffee in Nashville before a writing deal with EMI turned him into a Los Angeles-based expat. But he brought his Southern roots with him, and they shine brightly in the blue soul of the opening “Toughest Part of Me,” as Hanks realizes that scar tissue can patch a broken heart. He lays himself on the line with a cover of James Brown’s “I’ll Go Crazy,” but he’s more regularly prone to seeking second chances, doubling back on “Delta Torches” and grasping for emotional ignition on the Springsteen-ish “Worth the Fight.”
Hanks doesn’t wallow, but neither does he make starry-eyed pronouncements. There’s self awareness, and perhaps even optimism in “Rise Above” and the blues-rock “Savior Self,” but Hanks is pushing his way forward rather than celebrating his arrived. The album’s title, which abbreviates “Alabama Bastard,” hints at the in-between place of cultural emigrants and the outsider emotion it creates. He turns nostalgic for “Alive & Untied,” with a warm organ intro that develops into a full-blown Muscle Shoals sound, and though there’s a party vibe to the New Orleans roll of “Lakeside,” there’s more here than pickup trucks and beer. Fans of ZZ Top, the Allmans, Skynyrd and Sons of Anarchy (for which Hanks penned “Sucker Punch”) will enjoy this one. [©2017 Hyperbolium]

Alabastard 

Rick Wurzbacher - The Essence

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2003
Time: 48:48
Size: 112,5 MB
Label:  Top Shelf Jazz
Styles: Jazz/Bebop/Guitar Jazz/Hammond B3
Art: Front

Tracks Listing:
 1. Kettle of Fish - 5:17
 2. Smooth and Sexy - 6:03
 3. Comin Home Baby - 4:46
 4. Blues for Stevie Ray - 5:43
 5. Crusin' at 35,000 - 5:32
 6. The Essence - 7:27
 7. Two Bowls of Rigatoni - 5:16
 8. Mac Tough - 8:40

Jazz organ trio featuring Rick Wurzbacher on Guitar, the incredible "Papa John" DeFranceso on B-3 Organ and Glenn Ferracone on percussion. Groove Be-bop, blues, jazz, swing and much more. If you love organ trios, this is the one to get.
RICK WURZBACHER One of the most exhilarting guitarists to make his enterance into the "Big Leagues" in 2002. Primarily influenced by his good friend, mentor, and guitar virtuoso Pat Martino, as well as the late Stevie Ray Vaughn, Rick puts it right in the pocket. His playing genuinely demostrates "The Essence" of his soul. After playing and recording with Joey DeFrancesco, Rick's next logical step was to record a studio album with....
"PAPA" JOHN DEFRANCESCO Legendary Jazz Organist, "Papa" John DeFrancesco is truly on one of the worlds greatest Hammond B-3 Organ players of all time. This incredible musician has been driving jazz, blues, and bebop for more than 40 years with his heart-pounding bass lines, rhythmic dexterity and breath taking solos. You can feel his deep groove from begining to end as "Papa" creates an enormous sound with his own drummer....
GLENN FERRACONE Serious Rhythm, versatility, and creativity best describe this awesome percussionist. Glenn wears many hats including performer, teacher, clinician, and recordist. His awesome performace on this record clearly shows his high level of excellence in his craft. From swing to blues to driving jazz, you will enjoy Glenn's signature sound all the way through, as he emphasizes his great collective effort of this album.

The Essence

Mojo Machine - Surrender to the boogie

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2017
Time: 40:46
Size: 99,7 MB
Label: Self Released
Styles: Blues/Chicago Blues/Blues Rock
Art: Front

Tracks Listing:
 1. Get Down to the Nitty Gritty - 4:04
 2. Still a Fool - 6:27
 3. Gangster of Love - 4:08
 4. Gougoune's Boogie - 3:49
 5. Rollercoaster of Love - 6:17
 6. Talking That Talk - 3:59
 7. Big Shot - 7:36
 8. No Wasting Time - 4:22

10 years of existence, more than 500 concerts in France, Switzerland, Belgium, and three albums on the clock, the Mojo is a well oiled machine...The engine is still running, always on the road, they're preparing a 4th album for 2017.
On stage, they are sincere and unbridled. It's rough, it stains, it sweats, it breathes the blues, the juke joints, it makes you want to swing, dance, surrender to the boogie. This blues will grab you once and won't ever let you go...

Surrender to the boogie

Mini - Fruit Pebbles

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2011
Time: 41:16
Size: 94,5 MB
Label: 3 Bajnok Bt.(2011)
Styles: Progressive Rock, Eclectic Prog, Jazz Rock/Fusion
Art: Full

Tracks Listing:
 1. Gozhajo - 2:50
 2. Siralyok - 5:08
 3. Ejfeli nap - 9:23
 4. Ne felj! - 3:41
 5. Kodben - 7:26
 6. Kereszteslovag - 4:06
 7. Delelott - 3:55
 8. Halovanykek gondolat - 4:44

Mini, perhaps the longest standing Hungarian progressive rock band, was founded in 1968 and, excluding a period of inactivity in the 80s through the 90s, still exists. Their leader, Torok Adam on his own ensures Mini’s high standards, despite the variations in the sound caused by the numerous changes in the line-up. After the first few years’ of covering international rhythm and blues and progressive rock hits, Mini gradually developed their own repertoire. By 1972 they were already one of the finest local progressive acts, using the striking combination of the flute, Hammond and bass. It may sound strange, but, compared to other artists, they were quite fortunate to have an opportunity to record in a professional environment. Fruit Pebbles compiles all the fine tracks from this early, classic period. Gatefold sleeve and insert with notes and lyrics.

Fruit Pebbles

Krzak - Extrim

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2008
Time: 56:49
Size: 130,8 MB
Label: Metal Mind
Styles: Progressive Rock, Classic Rock, Blues Rock, Fusion
Art: Full

Tracks Listing:
 1. Krzak - 2:57
 2. Kattowitz - 4:49
 3. Evolving - 3:07
 4. Lakis - 4:53
 5. Wysoki Lot - 5:59
 6. Blues In D - 4:47
 7. W Bajkowym Swiecie Ksiecia Basu - 8:07
 8. Forma 47 - 4:56
 9. 4. Numer - 9:39
10. Extrim - 5:17
11. Andrea - 2:12

Extrim – pierwsza od 25 lat studyjna plyta zespolu Krzak, wydana w maju 2008, nakladem wytworni Metal Mind Productions. Album nagrano podczas trzech sesji w Studio Music Projekt w Katowicach oraz studio HH Poland w Gliwicach. Do tytulowego utworu "Extrim" nakrecono teledysk.
Plyta dostepna jest w dwoch wersjach: standardowej oraz digi, zawierajacej 2 bonusowe nagrania.

Extrim

Erja Lyytinen & Heikki Silvennoinen - Live 2016

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2016
Time: 66:20
Size: 153,3 MB
Label: Tuohi Records
Styles: Blues
Art: Front

Tracks Listing:
 1. Baking Song - 4:40
 2. The River - 4:27
 3. You Should Know - 4:26
 4. Silloin Nyt Aina - 5:34
 5. Love Laboratory - 4:38
 6. Sun Don't You Shine - 4:53
 7. I Can't Hold Out - 2:59
 8. Four Thousand Miles - 5:03
 9. 09. Erja Lyytinen & Heikki Silvennoinen - Pohjoinen Jaa.mp3 -    
10. 10. Erja Lyytinen & Heikki Silvennoinen - Rakastatko Viela Kun On Ilta.mp3 -    
11. Have You Ever Loved A Woman - 5:02
12. Crossroads - 4:18
13. Singing The Blues - 8:56
14. Rock Steady - 5:02
15. I Loved Another Woman - 6:15

Erja will be touring together with Heikki Silvennoinen! Heikki is a guitar player, singer and an actor, who along the great actor?s skills is a world class guitar player. Heikki was a guitarist and a songwriter in several notable Finnish bands back in the 1970s and 1980s such as Tabula Rasa and Q-Stone and has also recorded plenty of solo albums. He is best known in Finland as a member of comedy group Kummeli which started a television show in 1991.Erja and Heikki will get together for extensive 26 shows all over the Finland from down South Tammisaari all the way to Lapland, Rovaniemi. The tour is 27th Jan to 25th Feb 2016.The touring band is Erja Lyytinen vocals & guitar, Heikki Silvennoinen vocals & guitar, Juha Verona bass, Harri Taittonen keys & hammond, Kai Jokiaho drums.

Live 2016

The Chuck Hall Band - Blues Dawgs

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 1995
Time: 53:37
Size: 123,1 MB
Label: Velveeta Records
Styles: Rockin Blues/Modern Electric Blues/Texas Blues
Art: Front

Tracks Listing:
 1. Learn to Crawl - 3:22
 2. Milk Run - 3:08
 3. Talk to Me - 4:28
 4. Good Mind to Quit You - 4:04
 5. Standing in the Doorway - 3:46
 6. Baby Do You Wanna - 3:53
 7. Don't Lose Your Cool - 5:10
 8. You Knock Me Out - 3:45
 9. Travelin' South - 5:06
10. Here Comes the Heartbreak - 4:32
11. Texturizer - 2:44
12. Little Boy Blue - 5:00
13. Hideaway - 4:34

Musicians:
Chuck Hall — guitar & vocals;
John Moore — bass & vocals;
Ebbert Gepner II — drums & vocals.

Musicians have the talent and passion for their art that distinguishes them among their peers.When you hear these musicians play, you know it’s the real thing. The Chuck Hall Band creates art in the form of music. The recipe they use is simple: Start with blues that’s so greasy it clogs the arteries in your ears. Stir in generous portions of refined talent and raw passion, add a dash of showmanship sprinkled with a touch of salty humor and cook on high heat until it smokes. Serve steaming hot. The result is a spicy musical feast that satisfies and always leaves you wanting more.
The chef, Chuck Hall, was born in Louisiana and raised on the Texas side listening to the likes of Lightnin’ Hopkins, Muddy Waters, Freddie King, and Albert King as well as many others. Since moving to the Valley in 1984, he has become a well-known and respected musician. As a 35+ year veteran in the music business Chuck has played with some of the best, opening shows for Albert Collins, B.B. King, Johnny Winter, Albert King, Willie Dixon, Robert Cray, Gregg Allman, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, and many others. He recently opened for Charlie Musselwhite and Robert Cray again! In addition, he has written over 100 songs and more than half of the band’s playlist is original material. Chuck’s unique talent and uncompromising dedication to his craft have earned him accolades among fans and critics. He won “Best Blues Guitarist” in Arizona two years in a row, and his song “Young Boy” was selected Best Song by Soundboard magazine. He also was inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame in 2000. His most recent offerings include a two-disc compilation CD and the ‘Live in Sweden’ disc. The Rhythm Section of The Band Is comprised of John Willis on bass and vocals along with Ron James on drums and vocals, is rock solid and precise and is the perfect complement to Chuck’s raw, in-your-face guitar style. Both John and Ron are accomplished musicians in their own rights but the mixture of these talents is what makes the music seem larger than life. Let the Chuck Hall Band serve you a helping of a musical Texas-style stew that only they know how to cook. You’ll know it’s the real thing from the first bite! - Courtesy of ‘Arizona Music Scene’ Chuck Hall has been a mainstay in the Phoenix music scene for over 30 years. Born in Louisiana and raised in Texas, he began playing at age 10 and played in a number of bands in the Dallas area in the 70’s and 80’s. Hall arrived in Phoenix in 1984, and after a two year stint with Texas Red and the Heartbreakers, he formed Chuck Hall and the Brick Wall, which would firmly establish him as a musician, songwriter and showman.

Blues Dawgs

Ruby Braff - The Master Takes (The Best Original Jazz Masters)

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2013
Time: 44:07
Size: 101,1 MB
Label: ATF Media
Styles: Mainstream Jazz/New Orleans Jazz
Art: Front

Tracks Listing:
 1. Wonderful - 5:54
 2. I Wish i Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate - 4:09
 3. Ad Lib Blues - 4:27
 4. Hustlin' and Bustlin' for Baby - 3:47
 5. There's a Small Hotel - 2:46
 6. When it's Sleepy Time Down South - 5:18
 7. Shoe Shine Boy - 2:33
 8. Flaky - 3:09
 9. Fine and Mellow - 7:03
10. What's The Reason (I'm Not Pleasing You) - 4:56

One of the great swing/Dixieland cornetists, Ruby Braff went through long periods of his career unable to find work because his music was considered out-of-fashion, but his fortunes improved by the 1970s. A very expressive player who in later years liked to build his solos up to a low note, Braff's playing was instantly recognizable within seconds. Braff mostly worked around Boston in the late '40s. He teamed up with Pee Wee Russell when the clarinetist was making a comeback (they recorded live for Savoy), and after moving to New York in 1953, he fit easily into a variety of Dixieland and mainstream settings. Braff recorded for Vanguard as a leader, and with Vic Dickenson, Buck Clayton, and Urbie Green. He was one of the stars of Buck Clayton's Columbia jam sessions, and in the mid-'50s worked with Benny Goodman. But, despite good reviews and occasional recordings, work was hard for Braff to come by at times. In the 1960s, he was able to get jobs by being with George Wein's Newport All-Stars and at jazz festivals, but it was not until the cornetist formed a quartet with guitarist George Barnes, in 1973, that he became more secure. Afterward, Braff was heard in many small-group settings, including duets with Dick Hyman and Ellis Larkins (he had first met up with the latter in the 1950s), quintets with Scott Hamilton, and matching wits with Howard Alden. He remained one of the greats of mainstream jazz until his death in 2003. ~ Scott Yanow

The Master Takes

Steve LaSpina Quartet - Story Time

Bitrate: 256K/s
Year: 2010
Time: 59:13
Size: 108,5 MB
Label: SteepleChase
Styles: Jazz/Post-Bop
Art: Front

Tracks Listing:
 1. In The Sky -  6:17
 2. Story Time -  9:08
 3. That Day -  7:26
 4. Fanfare -  6:53
 5. Skylark - 11:52
 6. Scott's Bop -  6:08
 7. It's No Party  Without  You -  5:11
 8. Il Volo Di Florindo -  6:15

Here’s another captivating CD by Steve LaSpina, a highly talented and imaginative composer and resourceful leader as well as the outstanding bass instrumentalist.
On his composition, Mark Gardner writes, “ His writing is neither fussy nor over-emphatic. It allows everyone to ‘breathe’ while enhancing the listener’s enjoyment… ”
Steve LaSpina has been a prominent bassist on the New York and national scene for over thirty years.
During that time, he has played and recorded with many great musicians in jazz history. He was a regular band member, toured and recorded with saxophonists Benny Carter, Stan Getz and Phil Woods, vocalists Joe Williams and Mark Murphy, trumpeters Clark Terry, Chet Baker and Randy Brecker, and guitarist Pat Martino. He has spent the last decade traveling around the world and recording with the legendary guitarist Jim Hall, has appeared on six of his recordings, including These Rooms featuring Tom Harrell.
LaSpina has appeared on many of the world’s foremost jazz festivals, including the North Sea and Umbia Jazz Festivals. He has been featured on a number of prominent jazz recordings such as the Return with Pat Martino. He ha also recorded several CD's and albums under his own name, including The Road Ahead featuring Jim McNeely on the Ram Record label and Distant Dreams on the SteepleChase label featuring Fred Hersch and Ben Monder.
A respected teacher, LaSpina has been on the faculty at William Paterson University since 1999 and prior to that taught for seven years at New York University and The College of St. Rose. He is also a busy clinician, with presentations at The Berklee College of Music Skidmore Jazz Institute and annually at the William Paterson's summer jazz Workshop.
LaSpina also has a great dedication as a composer of both jazz and classical music. He has been featured as a guest composer by the Jazz Composers Collective of New York City, and was awarded a Jazz Fellowship by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts for performance and composition. He has recorded over 75 original tunes on the Steeplechase and Ram record labels.

Story Time

Bluesquamperfect - Bluesquamperfect

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 1982
Time: 38:04
Size: 88,2 MB
Label: SR
Styles: Rock,Kraut Rock,Blues, Soul
Art: Front

Tracks Listing:
 1. Give Me Your Very Soul - 2:57
 2. Have a Good Time - 4:08
 3. David's Blues - 5:45
 4. Couldn't Stand it No More - 5:42
 5. Have Mercy - 5:31
 6. Hot Funk - 2:49
 7. Can't Be no More - 6:02
 8. My Music is My Treasure - 5:06

BLUESQUAMPERFECT die Kultgruppe in Sachen Live-Musik lasst auch in diesem Jahr wieder die Buhnen beben: wie gewohnt mit einer schonen Garnitur aus witzigem, spritzigem und groovigem Showprogramm.
Die Zutaten bestehen aus fetzigen wie auch gefuhlvollen Eigenkompositionen aus der Feder von Rolf "Royce" Langenbach, wie z.B. „Light up the night“, „Sweet love“ und „One fine day“, gewurzt mit einer Prise individuell arrangierter Stucke bekannter Blues -, Soul - und anderer Gro?en, wie den Bluesbrothers, Stevie Wonder, Wilson Pickett, Rolling Stones, Hey Lewis, Gloria Gaynor, Joe Cocker, U2, Tina Turner und Eric Clapton.

Bluesquamperfect

John Galgano - Real Life Is Meeting

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2012
Time: 44:17
Size: 102,3 MB
Label: Doone Records
Styles: Progressive Rock/Neo Prog
Art: Front

Tracks Listing:
 1. Real Life Is Meeting, Pt. I -  2:06
 2. Bigger On The Inside -  3:30
 3. Lucky For Me -  2:53
 4. This Is How It Happens -  3:28
 5. The Only Thing -  3:07
 6. Look Around -  3:56
 7. 1000 - 19:11
 8. Real Life Is Meeting, Pt. II -  4:28
 9. Hidden Track -  1:32

Musicians::
John Galgano - Bass guitar, vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards;
Laura Meade - Vocals;
Paul Bremner - Electric guitar solos on “The Only Thing” and “Look Around”;
Brian Coralian - Drums on “Lucky for Me” and “1000”;
Greg DiMiceli - Drums on “This is How it Happens”;
Shawn Bishop - Backing vocals, keyboards, percussion;
John Raimondo - Drums on “Bigger on the Inside,” “The Only Thing” and “Look Around”;
Chris Baldini - Lead vocals on “Look Around”;
Greg Meade - Electric guitar solo on “Lucky for Me”.

John Galgano is a founding member of art-rock group, IZZ, and has been one of the band’s primary songwriters throughout its career. Real Life is Meeting presents eight tracks varying in styles and instrumentation, from the catchy, art-pop flavor of “Bigger on the Inside,” to the experimental, synth-based “The Only Thing,” to the 19-minute piece “1000,” all the while taking the listener in unexpected directions.
Real Life is Meeting showcases Galgano’s humor, his introspective and confessional lyrics, and his surprising song structures. In turns breathtakingly adventurous and heartrendingly beautiful, this music represents a musician and songwriter unencumbered by any preconceived ideas. The result is a fluid, naked, and daring collection of universal musings set to music - meditations on what it means to be human in the 21stcentury.
Galgano also recently played bass on Renaissance keyboardist Jason Hart’s new release, I and Thou’s Speak. Galgano has performed with IZZ at many art-rock festivals in the United States and Canada and has played bass for Hart while serving as the opening act during two Marillion Weekends (2007, 2011).

Real Life Is Meeting

Sun Travellers - Excursions

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2010
Time: 42:08
Size: 96,6 MB
Label: Self Released
Styles: Progressive Rock/Crossover prog
Art: Front

Tracks Listing:
 1. A Thousand Stars - 4:31
 2. Calypso - 3:55
 3. Shades of Madness - 5:08
 4. Skywalker - 6:03
 5. Insomnia (part 1) - 1:58
 6. Miss Escapade - 4:48
 7. Spirit Dance - 5:03
 8. Mirrors - 3:39
 9. Company Man - 5:54
10. Insomnia (part 2) - 1:04

Dutch based outfit SUN TRAVELLERS is an international band, which was formed by Italians Luca Giustiniani (guitars, bass) and MarcAntonio Spaventi (keyboards, drums), Swedish Paul Ehn (keyboards, vocals) and Scotsman Gordon Todd (vocals) in 2006. All four are engineers with an education in music technology, and it was while first recording for local artists and then later teaching in Audio and Web classes that the foursome started to develop and explore their own material.
Their debut album Excursions was released in the spring of 2010.

Excursions

Elvin Bishop - Elvin Bishop's Big Fun Trio

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2017
Time: 42:37
Size: 100,1 MB
Label: Alligator Records
Styles: Blues
Art: Front

 1. Keep on Rollin' - 4:36
 2. Honey Babe - 2:46
 3. It's You, Baby - 2:10
 4. Ace in the Hole - 2:34
 5. Let's Go - 4:35
 6. Delta Lowdown - 3:00
 7. It's all Over Now - 3:35
 8. 100 Years of Blues - 4:53
 9. Let the Four Winds Blow - 3:24
10. That's What i'm Talkin' About - 5:02
11. Can't Take No More - 3:17
12. Southside Slide - 2:40

A lot has happened since guitar legend Elvin Bishop released his last album, 2014’s Grammy-nominated Can’t Even Do Wrong Right. He was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, and soon after into the Blues Hall Of Fame. He won the Living Blues Award for Best Blues Album Of 2014 and three 2014 Blues Music Awards: Album Of The Year, Song Of The Year (for the title track) and The Elvin Bishop Band took the award for Band Of The Year. His new album – Elvin Bishop’s Big Fun Trio – is among his very best musical ideas ever. The music is rootsy, spirited and soulful, performed by serious musicians hell-bent on having a good time. Prior to the group recording a single lick, A Prairie Home Companion brought them onto the program in November 2015. Elvin Bishop’s Big Fun Trio features Bishop’s down-home delivery, deep blues picking and slide guitar, playfully meshing with Welsh’s piano and guitar licks and Jordan’s soul singing and propulsive cajón playing. The album’s laidback, front-porch vibe mixes four rollicking Bishop originals with three co-writes and five raucous, well-chosen covers. And because one can never have too much fun, Bishop’s pals Kim Wilson, Charlie Musselwhite and Rick Estrin stop by the sessions, each adding his distinctive harmonica talent (and in Musselwhite’s case, vocals too) to a song. Born in Glendale, CA on October 21, 1942, Bishop grew up on a farm in Iowa before relocating to Oklahoma when he was ten. He first got hooked on the blues listening to late night R&B radio as a teenager, and began collecting, listening to and absorbing blues music. Once Bishop realized that many of his favorite records were recorded in Chicago, he used his 1959 National Merit Scholarship as a way to get closer to his blues heroes by enrolling in the University of Chicago—its campus surrounded by dozens of black blues clubs. As a founding member of The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Elvin helped create a groundbreaking band that introduced Chicago blues to the rock audience for the first time. With the release of East/West in 1966, the band's popularity hit an all-time high, paving the way for groups featuring multiple virtuoso guitarists, like The Allman Brothers Band and Derek and the Dominos. Towards the end of the 1960s, Elvin decided to move on, heading for the San Francisco area, embarking on a solo career. He recorded first for Fillmore Records, then Epic and then for Capricorn, where his career took off. He charted with Travelin’ Shoes before scoring big in 1975 with Fooled Around And Fell In Love (the song reached number three on the pop charts and was recently prominently featured in the blockbuster film, Guardians Of The Galaxy). After a seven-year recording hiatus, Elvin returned to his blues roots in 1988, signing with Alligator and releasing five albums between 1988 and 2000. Entertainment Weekly described Bishop’s music as “sheer, unpretentious joy.” After a few releases on other labels, Bishop returned to Alligator with 2014’s Can’t Even Do Wrong Right, and with it he once again turned the music-loving world on its head. Reviews poured in from NPR’s Fresh Air, Rolling Stone, Living Blues, No Depression and many others. He appeared on TBS-Television’s CONAN and performed twice on A Prairie Home Companion (the second time, in 2015, with the Big Fun Trio). He toured across the country, bringing his smile-inducing blues music to eager fans around the world. Now, with Elvin Bishop’s Big Fun Trio, Bishop confidently debuts his new -- yet satisfyingly familiar -- sound, ready to share the group’s happy-go-lucky vibe with listeners near and far. The trio’s instrumental, vocal and songwriting talents guarantee a boisterous good time. Living Blues says the music is “rousing, swaggering and rollicking.” In other words: Big Fun.

Elvin Bishop's Big Fun Trio

Lotus - Lotus

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 1975
Time: 52:23
Size: 120,6 MB
Label: Duck Your Music

Styles: Progressive Rock,Jazz-Rock Fusion
Art: Full

Tracks Listing:
 1. Eelass-Ooles -  3:11
 2. Bonnalat -  2:16
 3. at El-yago 9-3 -  2:50
 4. Zero -  3:47
 5. Mac -  2:12
 6. Musen -  1:41
 7. Ungersk Dans -  2:29
 8. Gatta Gatta -  3:05
 9. Marschvals -  4:43
10. Chicos Shuffle -  2:59
11. Sketan -  5:29
12. Tappen -  3:00
13. Gatsby -  1:50
14. Baldakinens Skrack - 10:39
15. Chicos Shuffle -  2:05

Musicians:
Anders Lindvall - guitar, vocals;
Robert Larsson - guitar;
Claes Ericsson - keyboards;
Stefan Berggrensson - bass;
Henning Öfverbeck - drums.

The style of this little-known Swedish quartet from the mid-70's is hard to describe as it escapes most comparisons; the closest would be FINNFOREST, and perhaps Danish fusion band SECRET OYSTER. This is fusion at its best: energetic instrumental jazz-rock featuring dual guitars, electric piano/Hammond organ, bass and drums, and stunning musicianship all around. After the release of their second album in 1976, the band, alas, split up. Although the tracks on their first album are rather short, each one is chock full of ideas and beautiful catchy melodies based on tight, 70ish-like jazzy grooves, all charmingly and distinctively Swedish. Their second album, "Vera O'Flera", which features a guest musician on sax, is in the same vein but much more fusion oriented and perhaps a bit less convincing. The CD versions of both albums contain extra tracks: 5 live bonus tracks on the first (among them a scorchy 10-minute number) and two studio tracks on the second.If you're a fan of early ZAPPA, circa "Hot Rats", or like bands such as KEBNEKAISE, FINNFOREST, KULTIVATOR or TRETTIOARIGA KRIGET, don't let LOTUS pass you by, especially their first album. "You can play any note you like, but you've got to know why you're playing it." So says Chico Lindvall, guitarist of Lotus. Good advice for up and coming guitarists who are obsessed with speed playing. I cannot believe this fabulous instrumental album has but one other review.This is a monster of melodic, grooving fusion instrumentals. What a shame that these Swedish lads never reached a wider audience. Their material is compelling and well played, they sound like an early version of what are today referred to as "jam bands." This is one of those vocal-less albums where the individual playing is colorful enough that you never miss singing.
The remastered CD versions includes 5 live bonus tracks recorded in 1975 along with a band history. As the bio says, if you enjoy energetic dual guitar rocking fusion played with obvious joy, you must hear Lotus.

Lotus

Lotus - Vera O'Flera

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 1975
Time: 38:32
Size: 88,4 MB
Label: Duck Your Music (2004)
Styles: Progressive Rock/Jazz-Rock Fusion
Art: Full

Tracks Listing:
 1. Baldakinens Skrack / Dance Hall Frenzy - 7:42
 2. Konflikter / Conflicts - 2:26
 3. Fattigmansbeat / Poor Man Beat - 3:56
 4. Na...Jag Ger Upp / Fuck - I Give Up - 4:17
 5. Regn / Rain - 6:59
 6. Till Jenny / For Jenny - 2:09
 7. Fontanen / The Fountain - 4:14
 8. Ba Ba Vita Lamm / Bah Bah Little Lamb - 0:55
 9. Krosamos / Red Whortleberry Jam - 0:49
10. Na...Jag Ger Upp Igen / Oh No - I Give Up Again - 2:25
11. Sista Repan / Last Rehealsal - 2:36

Musicians
Anders Lindvall - guitars, vocals;
Claes Ericsson - keyboards;
Lerker Allgulander - bass, vocals;
Hakan Nyberg - drums.

Their debut self-titled album of two years prior was great and I gave it four stars. I think I like this second one even better. Whereas the first album's shorter punchier songs were more immediate the marvelous Vera is more mature. These songs are longer with more room to expand, slightly more refined, moving more towards jazz fusion but no less exciting. This album ROCKS and the playing is incredible. All of these guys, but especially guitarist Chico Lindvall, have to be some of the most criminally under-rated musicians of their day. I keep having to lift my jaw back up after it hits the floor. But, this is not just a technical noodle-fest, the songs are very pleasing and emotional. As Chico said, "you can play any note you like, but you have to know why you're playing it." Exactly!
We start with the longest song "Dance Hall Frenzy" at near 8 minutes with a mid tempo groove. The jamming begins as the solos are traded back and forth from guitar to keys with ease. The bass is well to the forefront on this recording and the drums not so overwhelming, kind of the opposite how they do things today when you generally hear all drums and whimpy bass. Next is "Conflicts" and this is mostly a keyboard showcase with the big bass again. "Poor Man's Beat" picks up speed and keeps rolling, first with keys and then Chico lets rip with the electric. We even get a funky bass solo in this track! "F-ck, I Give Up" is next (title edited for modesty!) and features some nice alto sax, piano, and acoustic guitar in a laid back traditional jazz mode. "Rain" begins with piano mimicking the sound of falling rain I suppose. Just after two minutes the band comes roaring in and we get some wild solos over driving rhythms. Some of the nuances this drummer pulls off just thrill me. "For Jenny" is a short expressive guitar showcase (electric and acoustic) no doubt inspired by someone special to Chico. The man can play magic. "The Fountain" is a very tight jazz rock number. "Bah Bah Little Lamb" is a strange one-minute joke that shows the boys may have toked up a little before the session. "Red Whortleberry Jam" is an even shorter acoustic guitar ditty to close the regular album.
Two bonus tracks are included on the 2004 reissue. "Oh No I Give Up Again" is another acoustic solo piece that is quite nice. "Last Rehearsal" sadly appears to be just that. A poorly recorded live studio piece that was likely their last jam? It features a nice Chico solo. Very sad that this marvelous group made only two albums.
This is an album that deserves a proper reissue. The 2004 DYM version sounds OK but features a criminally lame slip cover and nothing else! They don't even give you an inner sleeve for the disc. Just the outer cardboard cover.

Vera O'Flera

New Heathens - Hello Disaster

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2010
Time: 38:03
Size: 87,8 MB
Label: Self Released
Styles: Rock/Americana/Roots Rock
Art: Front

Tracks Listing:
 1. Crybaby - 2:41
 2. I Thought you were my Friend - 4:27
 3. Responsible - 3:04
 4. Thankless War - 3:21
 5. Don't Think i can't stop (Just Because i Don't) - 3:22
 6. Pig Pen - 3:36
 7. Only Gets Better - 4:22
 8. Feelin' Lucky Again - 3:40
 9. Proud Highway - 3:18
10. 27 Years - 3:28
11. Bastard like Me - 2:40

Recently the mailbox was blessed with a CD by a band from New York called the New Heathens. Not to be confused with Band of Heathens but equally as good, totally different in sound and with some luck maybe as successful. "Hello Disaster" will floor you. Truth be told during the 1980's the Del Lords, the Smithereens, the Rave-Ups et. al. were "real" alt-country staples. The fact that Eric "Roscoe" Amble, guitarist for the Del Lords, produced and played some tasty guitar on `Hello Disaster' may have something to do with why this has become a staple today. Not since the Bottlerockets `Radar Gun' has Americana roots music that rocks like this. And rock it does; from the opening note to the last. Nate Schwebber's vocal's ebb and flows with the album's mix of beer soaked rock and roll and cool country rhythms. `Hello Disaster' has more hooks than a tackle box and more ways to bait you in.
The new heathens There is something about the unbridled joy of playing rock'n'roll. The first chords and beats that come together in a basement or garage start in motion a ball that will keep moving as long their is momentum. For some, the garage disappears a bit as time moves on and playing is perfected. For others, they clearly develop move of a mastery of instruments but never lose that heart pounding, beat driven simplicity that is the calling card of the Big R, little n, Big R. That memory, and ability to craft three/four minute power punches, is the stuff that drives New Heathens sophomore album effort, 'Hello Disaster".
It rattles and rolls ("Feelin' Lucky Again", "27 Years"), glides and shuffles ("Thankless War", "Only gets Better" and burns rubber ("Crybaby", "Proud Highway"). Whether the electric becomes acoustic ("Bastard Like Me") or the pound of the beat gently sways ("I Thought You Were My Friend"), 'Hello Disaster stays close to the garage electrical outlets that housed the jangle of 60's guitars. For New Heathens, that works. The band brings the best of the final four decades of the last century and shines them up with their own sound stamp.

Hello Disaster

Raphael Wressnig - Captured Live

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2017
Time: 59:50
Size: 138,7 MB
Label: Peppercake
Styles: Hammond B3 Organ/Jazz/Soul/Funk
Art: Front

Tracks Listing:
 1. Intro - 0:31
 2. Slivovitz for Joe - 8:43
 3. Soul-Jazz Shuffle - 5:08
 4. All That I've got (feat. Deitra) - 5:00
 5. Wichita Lineman - 4:35
 6. Mustard Greens - 8:37
 7. Soulful Strut - 6:14
 8. A Change is Gonna Come - 5:38
 9. Banana Boogaloo - 8:13
10. It's Your Thing - 7:07

After the success of his last studio album "The Soul Connection" feta. Igor Prado, Austria's B-3 organist number 1 proudly presents a new live album! "Captured Live" is a musical ecstasy lasting over nine songs. Raphael Wressnig, his soul gift band and special guest Deitra Farr bring the "heavy organ soul & funk" from the stage straight into your living room!

Captured Live

New Heathens - Heathens Like Me

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2006
Time: 39:20
Size: 90,8 MB
Label: Self Released
Styles: Rock/Roots Rock/Americana
Art: Front

Tracks Listing:
 1. Getaway Baby - 4:04
 2. 141 - 4:28
 3. When She's Wasted - 4:17
 4. Back to Jesus - 4:18
 5. Doomed Generation - 3:13
 6. Red, White and Blues - 3:37
 7. Goodnight Paterson - 4:29
 8. July 1, Near Helena, MT - 3:02
 9. Kansas Romeo - 3:34
10. For Cryin' Out Loud - 4:13

The NJ-based New Heathens definitely have an East Coast, rootsy bar band sound going for them, but they distinguish themselves with the character-rich tunes and their gritty sound. "Getaway Baby" opens their debut disc with an endearing blast of boozy, blue collar rock & roll. Rough-hewn guitar riffs and a pounding backbeat lend a Faces/Stones-type sound to this sweet, sweaty number. But the lyrics, about a woman's abusive relationship, are far more ambitious and interesting than the typical bar band fare. Singer/songwriter Nate Schweber displays even more of his street poet smarts in the second song, "141," which deals with a white kid moving to New York City and settling in Harlem. Schweber loves to write colorful, richly detailed songs that traverse the American scene. The moody, slightly Smithereens-like "Doomed Generation" follows Hunter S. Thompson's life from Kentucky to Colorado to San Francisco. "July 1, Near Helena, Mt" is a wild, rocking story about restless Montana teenagers, while "Goodnight Paterson" serves as an affectionate look at the decaying urban city of Paterson, NJ. Although a song like "She's Wasted" offers a pretty standard, although quite rocking, look at a girlfriend whose "second home is at [a] bar, Schweber digs deeper lyrically on numbers like "Back to Jesus" and "Kansas, Romeo." The former deals with a quest of spiritual happiness while the latter investigates a controversial Kansas rape case involving a mentally challenged young man. Guitarists Butch Phelps and Domenick Tiziano play key roles in the band as their muscular playing stands as a potent counterpoint to Schweber's (occasionally wordy) storytelling. Schweber's working man lyrics, the band's Jersey home and their old-school rock & roll sound might draw comparisons to early Springsteen, but the more apt comparison would be to New York punk-fueled roots rockers the Del Lords and the Hangdogs. Comparisons aside, the New Heathens' impressive first release is a powerful, memorable effort.

New Heathens

Snowball - Follow The White Line

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 1980
Time: 35:50
Size: 82,6 MB
Label: Sireena Records
Styles: Profressive Rock
Art: Full

Tracks Listing:
 1. I Can't See The Light - 4:19
 2. New Generation - 3:52
 3. Let Me Be Me - 3:57
 4. Put Down - 3:52
 5. Follow The White Line (Part I) - 7:24
 6. Follow The White Line (Part II) - 4:35
 7. I Wanna Be A City Boy - 4:03
 8. Forgive Your Mother, Brother - 3:44

This is one of the coolest records from the bygone daze that I've heard in recent times. They are the German band Snowball, with links to bands Passport, Saga and Nektar. They started life off as a jazz rock band, featuring a mix of German, British and American musicians. Cress and Schultze were previously with Passport, while one of the original members was Roye Albrighton, previously with Nektar. Snowball released three albums in their tenure: 1978's debut 'Defroster', 1979's 'Cold Heat' and this final set from 1980 'Follow The White Line'. The band's sound changed during the course of those three years. From progressive jazz rock to blues rock, to a more commercial hard rock sound by the time Snowball got to this album. The personnel had changed too, with former Tax bassist/vocalist Ewald 'Wally' Warning joining in on this one. 'I Can't See The Light' is a sensational piece of early 80's pomp, with Balance styled zaniness, and some very cool synth work from Schultze. I believe sax player Eddie Taylor is doing the lead vocals here, and he sounds fantastic! 'New Generation' chugs along nicely, and there's no trace of their jazz rock origins to be found. 'Let Me Be Me' with its big piano/wurlitzer sound is very American sounding, perhaps as a rough guide: Joe Cerisano and Silver Condor! Snowball go for broke with the fast-paced and excellent 'Put Down', think Speedway Boulevard and Balance meeting at the crossroads! The title track is split into two parts. The first is a 7 minute instrumental while the second part takes on a funkier style though not quite heading off into jazz rock territory. 'I Wanna Be A City Boy' sounds like commercial southern rock in the vein of Wet Willie.. and bands of that ilk. It works well for these geographically challenged Germans! The closer 'Forgive Your Mother, Brother' meanders for the most part. Ballad for about three quarters, it follows an AOR like structure but never rises to a crescendo, despite sounding quite good.
The band continued through until the end of 1981 before jacking it in. Cress went on to Saga for a bit, Warning went back to a solo career playing Caribbean flavoured reggae/rock, while Schultze moved ahead with another band, the new age inspired Cusco. Schultze passed away in 2011 aged 66. If you get the opportunity to listen to this, don't let it pass you by!

Follow The White Line

Felipe Cazaux - Never Go Down

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2013
Time: 32:19
Size: 74,4 MB
Label: Self Released
Styles: Rock/Blues Rock/Hard Rock
Art: Front

Tracks Listing:
 1. Believe In Yourself - 3:52
 2. Got The Devil - 2:45
 3. Feel Alright - 3:02
 4. Heart Of Daylight - 4:25
 5. Another Song For You - 3:42
 6. Never Go Down - 3:32
 7. I Can't Do More - 2:58
 8. Groove Man - 4:10
 9. Melting In The Sun - 3:49

Gravado por Klaus Sena e Lucas Guterres no estudio Magnolia Producoes
Mixado e Masterizado no Klaus Haus Studio

Ficha Tecnica:
Composicao: Felipe Cazaux
Producao: Felipe Cazaux e Klaus Sena

Felipe Cazaux – Voz e Guitarra
Hamilton Castro – Baixo
Ricardo Pinheiro – Bateria

Gravado por Klaus Sena e Lucas Guterres
no estudio Magnolia Producoes, Fortaleza – CE – Brasil
Mixado e masterizado no Klaus Haus Studio – Sao Paulo – SP – Brasil

Never Go Down

Snowball - Defroster

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 1978
Time: 39:45
Size: 91,9 MB
Label: Sireena Records
Styles: Progressive Rock/Jazz-Rock Fusion
Art: Full

Tracks Listing:
 1. Hold on - 3:19
 2. Tender Storm - 4:04
 3. Devils Demons - 5:17
 4. Country Dawn - 5:54
 5. Backfire - 3:03
 6. Lilli Henry - 4:28
 7. Paradise - 5:46
 8. Defroster - 4:50
 9. Shade - 3:02

SNOWBALL was founded by four of the most distinguished European musicians. Drummer Curt Cress shortly before left DOLDINGER'S PASSPORT. Together with Dave King (bass, keyboards), who amongst others played with VOLKER KRIEGEL, DONNA SUMMER and WOLFGANG DAUNER he built the core of this new supergroup. Keyboarder Kristian Schultze, also from PASSPORT, joined them. The quartet was complete with Roye Albrighton, guitar-player and singer for long years of the band NEKTAR. The debut ""Defroster"" was released in 1977, here is in on cd for the first time.

Defroster

Larry Schneider - Freedom Jazz Dance

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 1996
Time: 68:13
Size: 156,3 MB
Label: SteepleChase
Styles: Jazz/Saxophone Jazz
Art: Front

Tracks Listing:
 1. What is this thing called love? -  5:18
 2. Days of Wine Abd Roses - 11:25
 3. The Inch Worm -  6:16
 4. Peggy's Blue Skylight -  7:52
 5. Freedom Jazz Dance -  6:09
 6. Angel Eyes -  9:54
 7. Mercury and Venus -  5:39
 8. The Surrey with The Fringe On Top -  3:18
 9. You Don't Know What Love Is -  8:06
10. All the Things You Are -  4:11

Larry Schneider’s latest outing for SteepleChase is a pianoless trio format which provides the tenorman with more freedom and space.
“ Larry Schneider is one of the select minority who consistently rises to the challenge implicit in this type of trio. He thrives in the looseness of the context and the choices it affords him .” (Mark Gardner)

Freedom Jazz Dance

Reto Burrell - Side A and B

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2017
Time: 50:54
Size: 117,8 MB
Label: TOURBOmusic
Styles: Rock/Country Rock/Americana
Art: Front

Tracks Listing:
 1. Shake It - 3:32
 2. Chasing the Wild - 4:36
 3. How Many Doubts - 4:02
 4. Swimming in Stars - 3:34
 5. Ticket to Fly - 3:38
 6. I Hate Goodbyes - 3:06
 7. Red Red Wine, Pt.2 - 3:12
 8. When It Comes to Town Tonight - 3:50
 9. You're Still Alive - 3:22
10. Seize the Morning Light - 2:58
11. Sweet Lover - 3:31
12. Three Monkeys - 4:10
13. A Reason to Stay Here - 3:15
14. Gladiators of Society - 4:01

De Zwitserse troubadour Reto Burrell brengt met Side A & B zijn twaalfde solorelease uit. Voor het gemak heeft Burrell dit album in twee kanten gesplitst. Hij deelde niet alleen de muziek in, hij had gelijk een titel voor het schijfje. Op kant A staan zeven nummers die de Zwitser met een groep muzikanten opnam. Naast de hulp van bevriende musici is het toch vooral Burrell die de nummers vol speelt. Schrijven, uitvoeren en produceren, hij houdt de zaken graag in eigen handen. De nummers zijn uptempo, kunnen stuk voor stuk in een rokerige en naar goede whisky ruikende balzaal gespeeld worden. De muziek zal enthousiast onthaald worden door het meelevende en zingende publiek.

Side A and B

Danny Worsnop - The Long Road Home

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2017
Time: 37:43
Size: 87,4 MB
Label: Earache Records
Styles: Rock/Country Rock
Art: Full

Tracks Listing:
 1. Prozac - 3:27
 2. Mexico - 3:11
 3. I Feel Like Shit - 2:18
 4. Anyone But Me - 4:08
 5. High - 3:51
 6. I Got Bones - 3:17
 7. Quite a While - 3:33
 8. Don't Overdrink It - 2:34
 9. I'll Hold On - 3:29
10. Midnight Woman - 3:41
11. Same Old Ending - 2:56
12. The Man - 3:49

Danny Worsnop, a vocalist who returned to Asking Alexandria in the recent past, has released his new solo album. The name of this country album is “The Long Road Home”.

The Long Road Home

Martin Taylor - Artistry

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 1996
Time: 50:07
Size: 115,3 MB
Label: Linn Records (AKD020)
Styles: Jazz/Smooth Jazz
Art: Front

Tracks Listing:
 1. Polka Dots And Moonbeams - 8:05
 2. Stella By Starlight - 4:38
 3. Teach Me Tonight - 3:08
 4. The Dolphin - 5:46
 5. Georgia On My Mind - 4:57
 6. They Can't Take That Away From Me - 3:50
 7. Here There And Everywhere/Day Tripper - 4:50
 8. Just Squeeze Me - 3:18
 9. Gentle Rain - 3:49
10. Cherokee - 3:29
11. Certain Smile - 4:13

Nimble fingered Martin Taylor is back with a collection of jazz standards arranged for solo guitar. While Mr. Taylor's virtuosity is obvious, especially on the classically influenced "Gentle Rain", he is let down by both his repertoire choices and the recording process.The song selection here feels like a more formal guitar recital; whether it's Duke Ellington, Gershwin, Hoagy Carmichael, or the obligatory Beatles tune, so much of the material presented here has already been recorded by other great guitarists. Perhaps the intention was to invite comparison with the likes of Grant Green, Joe Pass or Kenny Burrell; if so, one may question the wisdom of such a choice.Finally, there's the sound quality itself; simply put, there is far too much distracting string noise (especially considering that Mr. Taylor is playing a guitar built specifically for him) and too much fooling around from song to song with the guitar's tone.Martin Taylor is a clearly gifted, master musician; sadly, this particular effort is hampered by technical flaws and a "play it safe" repertoire. "Artistry" will be welcomed by guitar aficionados looking for new `licks', the rest of us may hope for a project that better represents his obvious talent.

Artistry 

Sammy Nestico - A Portrait of Sammy

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2005
Time: 61:15
Size: 140,4 MB
Label: Fenwood Music
Styles: Jazz/Big Band, Swing
Art: Front

Tracks Listing:
 1. Dark Orchid - 4:51
 2. Freckle Face - 6:17
 3. Veronique - 4:29
 4. Swingin' On The Orient Express - 5:05
 5. Lisette - 4:11
 6. Time Stream - 3:57
 7. Katy - 3:18
 8. A Cool Breeze - 5:31
 9. A Warm Breeze - 7:12
10. Out Of The Night (Dark Orchid) - 5:49
11. Satin 'n Glass - 4:36
12. 88 Basie Street - 5:53

The Portrait of Sammy shown on the cover of renowned composer/arranger Sammy Nestico's newest album shows a man grinning from ear to ear, clearly enjoying what he does and relishing the fruits of his enduring success. And why not? Sammy has been at the top of his game for nearly half a century, and he shows no signs of slowing down at age 81. Ten of the fifteen selections on Portrait were recorded last year with an orchestra comprised of world-class jazz musicians from southern California bolstered by a 26-piece string section, creating an ambiance reminiscent of the Netherlands Metropole Orchestra.
Even with strings attached, Nestico seldom forgets to swing, nor did he do so in winning four Grammy Awards for the incomparable Count Basie Orchestra while serving as the Count's chief arranger some three decades ago. On the other hand, the strings do little to enhance the environment, and (my opinion, judge for yourself) Sammy's purpose would have been better served without them (and with a tad less reverb as well). For proof, listen to "Freckle Face, "Time Stream, or "Kiji Takes a Ride! (no strings), "A Warm Breeze (recorded in '04 with Germany's superb SWR Big Band), "Satin 'n' Glass (transcribed in 1985 with Rob McConnell's Boss Brass minus Rob), or the album's "bonus track, the groovy "88 Basie Street, gleaned from the '78 album Dark Orchid to showcase the late Pete Jolly on piano. The personnel on that track, by the way, is mind-blowing—Warren Luening, Conte Candoli, and Snooky Young in the trumpet section; Bob Cooper, Bud Shank, and Jack Nimitz among the reeds; Bill Watrous on trombone; and Jolly, Chuck Berghofer and Louie Bellson in the rhythm section. There's a second version of "Dark Orchid (which opens the album), this one recorded in 2000 under its alternate name, "Out of the Night, and featuring solos by flutist Hubert Laws, guitarist Paul Jackson Jr., drummer Vinnie Colaiuta and pianist Randy Kerber. There are no strings (or vocalists), and I found this earlier version the more agreeable because of it. That session also produced the lovely "Lisette, on which soprano Dan Higgins glistens. "Freckle Face, which spotlights trumpeter Luening, is from the Basie book, as are "Warm Breeze, "Time Stream, "Satin 'n' Glass and "Basie Street. Dick Nash's elegant trombone is front and center on the tender "Katy, written for Basie's wife, who had recently passed away. Guido Basso's warm flugelhorn garnishes "Satin 'n' Glass while Tom Scott is showcased on EWI on "Dark Orchid and "Orient Express, tenor sax (with guitarist Dean Parks) on "A Cool Breeze. Tenor Pete Christlieb complements Luening on "Tangerine, pianist Tom Ranier on "Veronique, Luening and bassist Trey Henry on the bustling "Time Stream.Given his many successes over so many years, Sammy Nestico has every reason to smile. And if his colorful Portrait isn't entirely blemish-free, he need make no apology. He has earned the right to paint it his way. Much of what is presented here is splendid. My aversion to strings, which Sammy evidently deems necessary, may not be shared by other listeners—and as they are conspicuous on only five tracks, that's hardly enough to dampen one's pleasure. In sum, a handsome Portrait that any jazz lover should be pleased to hang in his or her music library.

A Portrait Of Sammy

Reform - Reveries Of Reform

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2011
Time: 106:26
Size: 244,4 MB
Label: Self Released
Styles: Progressive Rock/Jazz-Rock Fusion
Art: Front

Tracks Listing:
 1. Another Happy Landing -  8:01
 2. Tax Vobiscum -  6:22
 3. Mitsuhirato -  7:04
 4. I Furuskogen -  8:11
 5. Nuclear War -  6:21
 6. The Faithful -  7:48
 7. Madame Riot Lajath - 10:21
 8. Little Vienna -  9:14
 9. Align -  9:47
10. Three Part Dream -  7:08
11. Uncle Urri II -  6:23
12. From The Hilltop And Beyond - 19:41

Musicians:
Jesper Bergman - bass, vocals;
Peter Akerberg - guitar, keyboards;
Magnus Ramel- keyboards;
Mattias Lennestig - keyboards;
Anders Bergman - drums.

Reveries of Reform is the latest Transubstans Records release from Swedish prog rock/jazz-fusion act Reform. The band is comprised of Jesper Bergman (electric bass and vocals), Peter Akerberg (electric guitar and assorted keyboards), Anders Bergman (drums), Magnus Ramel (keyboards), and Mattias Lennestig keyboards). Reveries of Reform is the bands sixth album overall, and also features guest musicians and composers such as Bill Ohrstrom, Ake Eriksson, Per Tjernberg and Ralph Lundsten.
With 2 CDs, there's a lot of material to take in here, but it's well worth taking that journey. Fans of 70's acts like Weather Report, Return to Forever, Brand X, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Camel, Yes, Genesis, and Lifetime will especially love the long instrumental pieces here, such as "Tax Vobiscum", "Another Happy Landing", and I Furuskogen". Extended musical passages featuring gorgeous electric piano, synths, and lyrical guitar will instantly remind of the great fusion and prog bands of the classic era. The vocal tracks don't work as well, like "Nuclear War", as Bergman's singing isn't quite up to the task, but thankfully the majority of the CD is instrumental. "The Faithful" with some sizzling wah-wah guitar licks and tasty piano, and the wonderful "Madame Riot Lajath" mixes fusion with some lovely Camel styled prog rock. That mixing of prog with jazz again surfaces on "Uncle Urri II", as tasty electric piano, floating synths, and legato guitar lines make up the majority of the mix. Reveries of Reform was a pleasant surprise, filled with sumptuous prog and exciting jazz-fusion that scratches that itch for vintage sounds of the 70's. No doubt I'll be investigating some of this Swedish bands back catalog after hearing this one.


Reveries Of Reform

Utopia - Utopia

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 1973
Time: 37:21
Size: 86,4 MB
Label: Malesh Records/Long Hair (2017)
Styles: Progressive Rock/Krautrock
Art: Full

Tracks Listing:
 1. What You Gonna Do? - 6:39
 2. The Wolf-Man Jack Show - 5:04
 3. Alice - 3:09
 4. Las Vegas - 4:16
 5. Deutsch Nepal - 3:03
 6. Utopia No. 1 - 3:59
 7. Nasi Goreng - 5:35
 8. Jazz-Kiste - 5:33

Musicians
Lothar Meid - bass, vocals;
Olaf Kübler - saxophone;
Kristian Schultze - keyboards;
Jimmy Jackson - organ;
Joe Nay - guitar;
Chris Karrer - guitar;
John Weinzierl - guitar;
Renate Knaup-Krötenschwanz - vocals.

Recorded at the same time (July 1972) at the same studio (Bavaria Studios, Munich) as Amon Düül II`s well known and of their best efforts 'Wolf City', Utopia was a common project by Amon Düül II producer and musician Olaf Kübler (saxophone, moog) and Düül bass player Lothar Meid. Using the synergy of the parallel sessions with the Wolf City recordings, Olaf Kübler appreciated Düüls singer Renate Knaup-Krötenschwanz as singer of 2 of the album tracks and Düül heads Weinzierl and Karrer on guitar and violin. There is also a different version of Deutsch-Nepal on the album. As Olaf Kübler reminds Deutsch-Nepal was originally planned to record only for the Utopia album. Musically Utopia has a lot in common with the Düül records 'Wolf City' and 'Viva la Trance' and slightly early Passport and Embryo influences. It's a very worthy and satisfying record with a hypnotic charisma. Originally released in December 1973. Remastered from original master tape and with a true and honest making of story. A masterpiece.
Track by track review:
The first track 'What You Gonna Do' is a straight-ahead rocker with Renate Knaup singing with her nice and distinctive noise. 'Wolf-Man Jack Show' is a weird song, with Jimmy Jackson at the mysterious 'Choir Organ' (giving off a stranger sound than Mellotron choirs), which he actually utilised on many tracks to good effect. The bass riff here is almost snatched straight from THE BEATLES ' Come Together' played German style. One of the albums highlights. 'Alice' is a sweet love song. The tune itself is care-free and up-lifting and has Lothar playing Mellotron flutes. It reminded of Kevin Ayers. 'Las Vegas' is a hippy-sounding jam with congas, jazzy sax playing and a nose-flute.'Deutsch-Nepal' is a remake of the song of the same name of 'Wolf City'. It's heavy sound and strange vocal from guest Rolf Zacher makes it an excellent example of Krautrock. 'Utopia No. 1' is another hippy jam but features those searing organs from Jimmy Jackson and Falk Rogner too, Olaf Kübler toying around with a Moog Synth and bizarre echoed vocals from Meid. Very lovely stuff. 'Nasi Goreng' is a Hammond-heavy instrumental with strong melodies and light oriental moments. It reminds a lot to Viva la Trance 'Im Krater blühen die Bäume'. 'Jazz-Kiste': probably the master-piece composition of the album starring PASSPORT's Christian Schulze on electric-piano and Embryo's Edgar Hofmann playing amazing 'wah-wah' soprano sax almost troughout.
[green-brain-krautrock.de]

Utopia

Arbatel - Sumerios

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2008
Time: 43:21
Size: 99,3 MB
Label: Mylodon Records
Styles: Progressive Rock/Eclectic Prog
Art: Full

Tracks Listing:
 1. Alabanza - 3:18
 2. Preludio (Nibiru) - 3:06
 3. Encuentro con Shamash - 6:45
 4. Marduk - 4:34
 5. Llanto de Tiamat - 3:27
 6. La Batalla (Fin de un Mundo) - 5:02
 7. Base Espacial Ki - 7:38
 8. Creacion del Obrero Primitivo - 6:33
 9. Mortaja de Humo (Destino Final) - 2:51

Gamadion is the 2004 debut by this Mexican progressive rock band. Most of the album is instrumental and comes from the quartet of keys, guitar, bass and drums. The music gets stronger toward the end of the album where there are guest vocalists and a guest on violin and viola. Sumerios (2008) is Arbatel’s superior second CD. Opera-trained Rosario Maza joined as lead vocalist. Her vocals are often wordless or spoken word; there are no typical pop vocals, and the music is heavily instrumental. There is a strong resemblance to Il Balletto di Bronzo’s famous Ys album and to Le Orme’s Contrappunti, the latter itself influenced by ELP, and Arbatel add an original flavor to it all.

Sumerios 

Teenage Fanclub - A Catholic Education

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 1990
Time: 39:46
Size: 91,7 MB
Label: Paperhouse Records
Styles: Alternative Rock
Art: Front

Tracks Listing:
 1. Everything Flows - 5:13
 2. Everybody's Fool - 2:55
 3. Catholic Education - 2:34
 4. Eternal Light - 4:12
 5. Heavy Metal - 2:15
 6. Critical Mass - 2:48
 7. Too Involved - 2:39
 8. Don't Need a Drum - 3:18
 9. Every Picture I Paint - 3:23
10. Catholic Education 2 - 3:02
11. Heavy Metal II - 7:22

Musicians:
Norman Blake – Vocals, guitar;
Gerard Love – Vocals, bass;
Raymond McGinley – Vocals, guitar;
Francis MacDonald – Drums;
Brendan O'Hare – Drums.

A Catholic Education is the debut album by Scottish alternative rock band Teenage Fanclub, released in 1990.
The album received positive reviews from UK music journalists and critics.[2]
In contrast to the group's later work, the album has a very dark, abrasive, and cynical tone and incorporated a grunge and heavy metal influenced sound. As well, the album's two title tracks are direct attacks on the Catholic Church, which are unique for an otherwise apolitical band. The opening track, "Everything Flows", is a mellow powerpop-influenced song (unlike the rest of the album) that provides a sort of blueprint for their later work.[3]
"Everything Flows" was later included in the compilation albums Deep Fried Fanclub and Four Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty-Six Seconds – A Short Cut to Teenage Fanclub. Those were released in 1995 and 2003, respectively.

A Catholic Education

Sojourn - Lookin' for More

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 1985
Time: 66:15
Size: 170,1 MB
Label: Rewind Records
Styles: Melodic Rock/AOR
Art: Front

Tracks Listing:
 1. Lookin' for More - 3:10
 2. Blame It On Mtv - 2:56
 3. Healing Wings - 3:26
 4. Lives Upon the Shore - 3:30
 5. The Sun Back Home - 4:12
 6. Holding On to You - 4:47
 7. We Were So Young - 4:19
 8. I've Been Runnin' - 3:54
 9. Heartache Runaway - 2:48
10. Pick Up the Pieces - 3:32
11. I Could Love You More - 2:34
12. Ceilo Bay - 2:45
13. When My Ship Comes In - 3:50
14. I'll Be There - 3:07
15. Lost You in the Wind - 4:49
16. I Still Need You - 4:16
17. Straight On - 3:22
18. Two Strikes - 4:48

Rewind Records are pleased to announce in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Sojourn: 'Lookin' For More', the groups 1985 debut with ten bonus tracks predating album's sessions from 1982-1984. Sojourn's history is indeed a colorful one from appearing on the now legendary compilation 'Hot Nights In The City' to a prized spot opening for Mr. Mister.
This Utah foursome received radio airplay not only on a local level but throughout the United States and Europe making them one of the premier AOR bands of the day.

Lookin' for More

The Bluesmasters - Blues Sky Rain

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2017
Time: 54:02
Size: 123,9 MB
Label: DMO
Styles: Blues/Rockin Blues
Art: Front

Tracks Listing:
 1. Another hero - 4:44
 2. Blues Sky Rain - 4:23
 3. Getaway - 3:17
 4. Moonshine Woman - 3:30
 5. Something about You - 4:37
 6. Lies - 2:49
 7. Way Back When - 2:55
 8. Come Back to You - 3:09
 9. Goodbye Letter - 4:40
10. Too Late to Pretend - 3:54
11. Trainwreck - 3:33
12. Sundown Blues - 3:03
13. High and Low - 3:08
14. Blues Rocket - 1:43
15. I'm Not Him - 4:29

Known for his work with Jefferson Starship on their biggest hit ("We Built This City"), vocalist Mickey Thomas gives the blues a go via this recording in tandem with the Bluesmasters.

Blues Sky Rain

Miller and the Other Sinners - 3 Nights at the Strand (Live)

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 2016
Time: 74:40
Size: 171,3 MB
Label: Self Released
Styles: Rock/Roots Rock/Blues Rock
Art: Front

Tracks Listing:
 1. Rise -  6:09
 2. Just Ride - 11:00
 3. Born To Lose -  4:34
 4. Carolina Bound -  6:11
 5. Diggin' On Bill - 11:05
 6. Friend Of Mine -  6:02
 7. Movin' On -  9:00
 8. Day To Remember -  4:22
 9. Hope Finds A Way - 16:14

Bringing a blend of delta grit, southern soul, and roots rock.
"This makes it two in a row for David Michael Miller. His Poisons Sipped was one of last year’s surprise albums, introducing us to a songwriter, guitarist, and singer who is the whole package. Same Soil builds on that with its clear understanding of the blues, soul, and everything in between. Throughout it all, Miller’s guitar play-ing is more than solid, supplying the mojo for most of the songs. His deep growl is fiercely soulful and he soars into upper registers, calling to mind the late Chris Whitley at his finest. While working in what could loosely be called the blues, Miller covers a lot of ground. “All The Blues To You” is swampy funk. “Just Ride” shows off his patience in letting the groove control things. He and his band’s willingness to let the song grow, along with the incredible use of dynamics, is one of many aspects that make his music some of the best out there today. Miller handles all the guitar parts perfectly. Whether swinging slide work or on-the-money rhythm, it all fits. – John Heidt"
Welcome to the recording of a landmark night for Miller and The Other Sinners and the DHU Strand Theater, as we invite you to experience songs from the live recording of "3 Nights At The Strand". For 3 consecutive nights, Miller and The Other Sinners, a Western New York based, but nationally touring Southern Soul band, brought its blend of roots and soul music styles to the intimate Strand Theater in North Tonawanda, NY. All 3 shows were recorded and video taped live, and an album compiled of the best performances from each night made its way onto their new live CD entitled, "3 Nights At The Strand." These are intimate shows as the DHU Strand Theater is a smaller venue with no bad seats. Only 80 tickets were sold per show to insure a quality experience for the attendees.
Miller and The Other Sinners is founded by Western New York native, David Michael Miler, also co-founder of the DHU Strand Theater. In 2014, David released his first solo album, Poisons Sipped, in collaboration with members of the world famous Campbel Brothers, meaning it to be a local/regional release. This 12 song original record ended up getting international attention and made its way into the top 25 Blues Rock albums of 2014. His sophomore solo album, Same Soil, climbed as high as #3 on the Roots Music Report, making it the #3 top blues album played worldwide on radio with two songs making the top 50.
David has received worldwide press as well as numerous awards including the 2015 “Artist of The Year” by the Arts Services Institute of Western New York, Best Blues Male Vocalist by Night Life Magazine (2013, 2014 and 2015) and has shared the stage with artists such as Gary Clark, Jr., Jonny Lang, The Steve Miller Band, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Shemekia Copeland, James Cotton, the late Bobby Blue Bland, and many more. Vintage Guitar Magazine is excited about David Michael Miller and asked him to do an exclusive video for them with his 1938 Kalamazoo acoustic and doing an article on him in their January 2016 issue along side of reviews for Joe Bonamassa and Pat Metheny.
Since last September, David has been touring a 4 piece version of his band back and forth across the country with over 250 shows across 16 states. David is accompanied on the road by former Buddy Guy sax player of nearly 10 years, Jay Moynihan, playing both tenor and alto sax, guitar and EWI. Buffalo drummer, Deshawn D Ray Jackson has been holding down drums and percussion and recently, Niagara Falls bass player, keyboardist and producer Donta Myles, has joined the Sinners, filling out the touring band.
Due to a demand for a live recording, David saw an opportunity to do a series of intimate shows at the private DHU Strand Theater and rehearsal space. During "3 Nights At The Strand", each night was an experience with the 3 types of shows that David performs. You will see and hear several songs performed acoustically, you will experience songs done by the touring band that is paving the way for the larger festival/show band, and you will experience that festival/show band as well. They recorded songs from both albums as well as songs that will be recorded in 2017 for the first, Miller and The Other Sinners Official studio album

3 Nights at the Strand(Live)

Rick Braun - Night Walk

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 1994
Time: 48:25
Size: 110,9 MB
Label: Bluemoon Recordings
Styles: Jazz/Smooth Jazz
Art: Full

Tracks Listing:
 1. Night Walk - 5:19
 2. The Doctor - 5:06
 3. Madrid - 4:34
 4. Things Change - 3:56
 5. Fat Jack & Domino - 4:40
 6. Children Of The Night - 5:31
 7. Desire - 5:16
 8. Neon Dream - 4:53
 9. We'll Be Laughing - 4:03
10. Indians - 5:03

A native of Allentown, Pennsylvania, trumpeter Rick Braun first surfaced as a member of the jazz-fusion outfit Auracle, formed while he was a student at the prestigious Eastman School of Music. After two LPs the group disbanded, and Braun turned to songwriting, scoring a hit with REO Speedwagon's "Here with Me"; in time he directed his focus to contemporary jazz, issuing his solo debut, Intimate Secrets, in 1993. After touring with Sade, he returned in 1994 with Night Walk as well as the seasonal release Christmas Present. With 1995's Beat Street, Braun's popularity continued to snowball, with 1996's smash Body and Soul launching the NAC chart-topper "Notorious." A two-time winner of the Gavin Report's Smooth Jazz Artist of the Year award, he returned in 1998 with Full Stride. He also collaborated with Boney James on the 2000 release Shake It Up. Kisses in the Rain followed a year later, and Braun continued issuing albums throughout the decade of the 2000s, including Esperanto in 2003, Sessions, Vol. 1 in 2004, Yours Truly in 2005, RnR (a duo set co-led by saxophonist Richard Elliot) in 2007, and All It Takes in 2009. Braun offered up a change-of-pace recording in 2011 with the self-explanatory Sings with Strings, an album of standards featuring string charts by Philippe Saisse. In 2104, Braun returned to the groove-oriented instrumental smooth jazz of his early work with Can You Feel It. ~ Jason Ankeny

Night Walk

Lost Tales - A Volo Radente

Bitrate: 320K/s
Year: 1999
Time: 51:09
Size: 117,4 MB
Label: Mellow Records
Styles: Progressive Rock/RPI
Art: Full

Tracks Listing:
 1. Racconti perduti - 6:57
 2. Corno e avorio - 8:04
 3. A volo radente - 7:06
 4. Big ERTO in the Magic Valley - 6:24
 5. Tu lascia che sia - 6:04
 6. Verso il buio - 4:53
 7. Corona Borealis - 7:38
 8. Altre estati - 4:00

LOST TALES is a refined-sounding quartet from the romantic city  of Venice in Northern Italy. They have been active since 1989, remaining so to this day,
although they have thus far released just the one album. Their line-up comprises Andrea Simonetto, Stefano Berti, Giorgio Fontanella and Paolo Cordella.
Their only release to date is 1999's A Volo Radente, a highly promising debut that was recorded at the Blue Train Studio in Mira, Venice and released on the Mellow label. The tracks on this album display a strong relation to the classic
bands of the seventies. The music is characterised by elegant, romantic melodies and warm. A solid album that is highly recommended to anyone who loves the melodic and pastoral side of prog-rock.

A Volo Radente