Oskar Cartaya: My Music, My Friends, My Time (2004)

Rudy Mangual, Latin Beat, June/July 2004

"As far as I’m concerned, this is one of the best Latin jazz recordings of the year."

Product Description

my music – Starting with the clavé as the foundation of everything the music springs out of a lifetime of traveling the world playing, recording and creating music in a myriad of situations with an amazing blend of musicians who became -

my friends – The album is exciting and alive because of the contributions of the many brilliant musicians who gave generously of their talents including Alex Acuña, Claudia Acuña, Bobby Allende, Justo Almario, Eguie Castrillo, Luis Conte, Tito De Gracia, Alfredo De La Fe, Sheila E., Eddie Palmieri, Humberto Ramirez, Otmaro Ruiz, Michito Sanchez, Dave Valentin, Arturo Velasco, Kirk Whalum and many, many more. All who joined on the journey knew it was -

my time – It wasn’t ten years or even five years ago but now is the time. After twenty years of collaborating, composing, being the musical director, arranging etc. etc. for so many of his friends and peers now is the time for Oskar to come out front with his own vision. The results are fresh, original, and often astonishing.--Amazon

My Music, My Friends, My Time

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Alphonse Mouzon: The Survivor (1992)

First class recording, featuring a diverse and interesting line-up of jazz guest stars. Notables such as Lee Ritenour on guitar, Brandon Fields on alto sax, Russ Freeman on acoustic guitar, and many others work together to help Mouzon create a wonderful, joyous celebration of life through jazz. Extremely well recorded, the sound just pops out of the speakers and fills the house.

Tracklist:

01. Games People Play

02. Feeling Good
03. Two Lonely Hearts
04. All That Jazz
05. After the Rain
06. Survivor, The
07. It's Not over Yet
08. Soft and Gentle
09. Anticipation
10. In Hot Pursuit
11. Bedtime Stories

Personnel: Alphonse Mouzon (piano, synthesizer, drums, percussion); Phillip Ingram (vocals); Russ Freeman , Lee Ritenour (guitar, acoustic guitar); Gary Meek (soprano saxophone, alto saxophone); George Howard (soprano saxophone); Brandon Fields (alto saxophone); Ernie Watts, Kirk Whalum, Richard Elliot (tenor saxophone); Welton Gite (electric bass); Lynn Fiddmont, Sandra Simmons, Lynne Fiddmont, Portia Griffin (background vocals).

The Survivor

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Martin Taylor: Nitelife (2001)

This English guitarist continues his transformation from British-styled bebop master to Americanized contemporary jazz trendsetter with his second major-label release. While it's not as clean a recording as his last effort, Kiss & Tell, it's a much more focused disc, with more of Taylor's graceful and tasty guitar licks, and fewer featured guests. One of the sidemen, Kirk Whalum, who also coproduced, contributes two outstanding tunes, including the smooth, funky title track, and "Beboptimism," a tune with a traditional jazz melody over contemporary jazz rhythms and harmonies. Only Taylor's own "Green Lady" can be put safely in the tame smooth-jazz category, because there's a definite sharp edge to the most of the other tracks, particularly two of the cover tunes--Earth, Wind & Fire's "That's the Way of the World," with an unexpected key change towards the end, and a sumptuous version of the Isaac Hayes/Dionne Warwick hit "Déjà Vu," which experiments with tape loops, voices, and pretty much sounds like Taylor with Art of Noise. By a conservative count, this is Taylor's 40th album, but will probably the first to make a real impact across the pond in America. --Mark Ruffin

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Nitelife (RS) / Nitelife (HF) @ 320K

Patti Austin: Intimate (2007)

With a voice that is capable of convincingly interpreting virtually any style of material, Patti Austin is one of the most astoundingly gifted singers of her generation. Here Patti caresses twelve timeless melodies with great sensitivity and emotional depth, taking the listener on a warmly romantic journey.

From her wonderful version of the classic Stylistics hit Stop, Look, Listen to the first recording of the now standard Ivan Lins/Alan & Marilyn Bergman gem The Island, this collection takes the listener through the many passionate feelings of love found, lost, and renewed. Also featuring a superb version of Patti s own In My Life and a swooning take on Cry Me A River from her wonderful collection of standards, The Real Me. With Patti Austin's latest release Avant Gershwin currently heating up the jazz charts, there is renewed interest in her work, and Intimate Patti Austin presents a perfect overview of this remarkable artist s tender side. Featuring James Ingram, Kirk Whalum, David Foster, Bob James, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, and Dave Grusin.

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Intimate (RS) / Intimate (MU)

Ricky Lawson: Ricky Lawson & Friends (2001)

Grammy Award winning writer and former member of Yellow Jackets, Ricky Lawson, hailed as Modern Drummer's Best R&B Drummer of the Year (1999), with the help of his 'friends' conjures up a unique and engaging blend of R&B, Pop and Jazz quaranteed to satisfy a wide range of musical appetites. The list of participants is impressive: Phil Collins, the Emotions, Vesta Williams, Robben Ford, Al Jarreau, Sheila E., George Duke, James Ingram, and Donald Fagen are among the people who join Lawson on this CD.

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Ricky (RS) / Ricky (HF) @ 320K

Philippe Saisse: At World's Edge (2009)

Phillippe Saisse is a jazz piano master who has recorded, written and/or produced with such notables as The Rolling Stones, Kirk Whalum, Richard Elliott, Rick Braun, Warren Hill, Dave Koz, Paul Brown & Marc Antoine among others. A blend of smooth lyrical vibes with rock solid jazz-funk, At World's Edge goes much deeper and weaves together a rich melodic tapestry of progressive, impressionistic, and global threads. With guests: Angelique Kidjo, Kirk Whalum, Rick Braun, and Jeff Golub, this album plays easy on the ear but deep into the imagination.