Jeff Babko: Broject (featuring Toss Panos) (2004)

You've probably heard JEFF BABKO's keyboard playing, whether you know it or not. He's the blond guy in the band on JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE, every weeknight on ABC TV (with Cleto & the Cletones). This past spring's FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL, last summer's SUPER BAD, and 2005's THE 40 YEAR OLD VIRGIN featured his piano/keyboard work. Keyboard hero George Duke personally tapped Jeff to be his 2nd keyboardist, as well as 80's super-sessioneers Toto having Jeff replace founding member David Paich on their 2000 European tour.

He's also toured with James Taylor, and can be heard on his new "COVERS" CD, toured with Shelby Lynne, and is featured on the live record with guitar legends Larry Carlton and Robben Ford-- together for the first time. And his cooperative band Shogun Warrior has been captivating local listeners for 6 years now- the band has featured Mike Elizondo, Abe Laboriel, Jr. Matt Chamberlain, and Ndugu Chancler over the years.

Babko's also responsible for the quirky, edgy keyboard work on Larry Carlton's genre-bending CD, FIRE WIRE.

TOSS PANOS is the drummer who gained fame with the Michael Landau Trio, recording the landmark Michael Landau Live 2000 record. He also gained prominence with Toy Matinee and Steve Vai, and currently demonstrates his drumming innovation with Robben Ford. He operates a very popular recording studio in North Hollywood, California, and is a hero to Los Angeles drummers.

BROJECT is Babko's OWN CD which features Panos-- where they lets loose and cranks it up with his friends.

These associates include David Fiuczynski, Mike Landau, Simon Phillips, Toss Panos, Mike Elizondo (Dr. Dre, Fiona Apple), and Albert Wing (Frank Zappa).

Some call it "fusion"-- some call it "electric jazz." If you dig Miles "On The Corner" and "Live/Evil," or Herbie Hancock, Jeff Beck-- or any other high energy instrumental music, YOU'LL DIG "BROJECT!"

Personnel: Jeff Babko (keyboards); Michael Landau (guitar); Toss Panos (drums); David "Fuze" Fiuczynski (guitar).

Tracklist:

1. Yeah, Randy!

2. Frash Right

3. 9-1-1

4. Yours

5. Vegas

6. Busted Video Game

7. Kabuki Oogie Oogie

8. Moopshack

9. United Nations

10. Jojo's Lullaby

Broject

Rapidshare / Hotfile @vbr

Charles Lloyd: In Concert Paris 1967 (1994)

During 1966-1969, Charles Lloyd led one of the most popular groups in jazz, a unit that played at the rock palace Fillmore West in San Francisco and toured the U.S.S.R. Lloyd's music, although generally a bit melodic, was not watered-down and managed to catch on for several years during a time when jazz was at its low point in popularity.

Personnel:

* Charles Lloyd - Flute, Tenor & Alto Saxophone
* Keith Jarrett - piano
* Ron McClure - bass
* Jack DeJohnette – drums
Tracklist:
01 - Days and nights of waiting (Lloyd) - 6:55
02 - Lady Gabor (Szabo) - 12:31
03 - Sweet Georgia brigt (Lloyd) - 32:34

Part 1 - Part 2 (RS) flac

Sema'j: Just Chill (2010)

Sema’j, born James is a lefty. So to go along with the idea that lefty’s play guitars backwards, he changed his given name backwards, pronounced se –ma- j. Sema’j plays R&B, Blues, and Smooth Jazz. A lover of the 70’s music he has put together his CDs with funky but smooth riffs.

Tracklist:
01. Maputo (4:53)
02. Easy (5:05)
03. Return Of The Mac (4:59)
04. Do You Feel Me (4:06)
05. Just Chill (4:26)
06. There Goes My Baby (3:56)
07. For The Cool In You (4:53)
08. Too Close (4:20)
09. No Ordinary Love (4:46)
10. Joy And Pain (5:19)
11. Sexual Healing (4:58)
12. Way You Make Me Feel (4:25)
Just Chill
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Anthony Jackson - Yiorgos Fakanas: Interspirit (2010)

For over 40 years Anthony Jackson has been the bassist's bassist; the man most admired by his peers for his groundbreaking groove work in jazz and pop with the likes of Billy Paul, the O'Jays, Buddy Rich, Roberta Flack, Chaka Khan, Chick Corea, Steely Dan, Donald Fagen, Paul Simon, Al DiMeola, Quincy Jones, Steve Khan's Eyewitness, Luther Vandross, Lee Ritenour, Michel Petrucciani, Pat Metheny, Michel Camilo, Mike Stern and Wayne Krantz. Jackson's conception and invention of the 6-string contrabass guitar led to further lauding from his low-end colleagues and resulted in the global standardization of extended-range basses, changing the sound of contemporary music from the bottom up. Additionally, Anthony's landmark use of a pick and flanger pedal on the O'Jays' smash, For the Love of Money, revealed a unique sound and approach that remains one of his signatures. About the only milestone missing from Jackson's remarkable career is a solo album. Being neither a composer, nor known for taking solos, however, Anthony has resisted countless offers (beginning with one from Quincy Jones in 1978). Until now.

Jackson's close friend, celebrated Greek composer/bassist Yiorgos Fakanas, proposed a project featuring the two bassmen, for which he would compose contemporary chamber music utilizing a rhythm section, horn section and string quintet. Jackson would then be able to define his role. This appealed to Anthony's uncompromising commitment to artistry, and he consented, choosing two of his strengths: Reviving and advancing his picking technique to fully interpret Fakanas's extremely challenging melodies (including double tracking them, often an octave apart), and providing the written as well as improvised bass lines behind soloists - a skill at which he is without equal. Fakanas, highly accomplished in his own right, would contribute all (five) of the bass solos. Recorded in 2009, in Athens and Connecticut, the CD brings together many of Greece's finest jazz and classical musicians - including alto saxophonist Takis Patarelis and trombonist Antonis Andreou - while starring such international heavyweights as drummer Dave Weckl, guitarist Frank Gambale, keyboardist Mitch Forman and saxophonist Tony Lakatos.

The nine-track disc erupts via the volcanic opener, Inner Power, with Weckl's double-time fusion-funk groove fueling Jackson's fearless flatpick foray through the tortuous melody. In divine contrast is Anthony's palm-muted quarter-note swath beneath Forman's synth solo, further engaged by Jackson's spontaneous reharmonization. Anthony and Yiorgos (on fretless) explore Wayne Shorter's Footprints through theme and variation, before brightly coloring the pleasing Cuore Vibes Part 2 with chord melody. On both tracks, the duo's differing approaches to their instrument are clearly audible. Summoning Isaac Hayes and Bob James' CTI days, the soul-tinged title track pivots on Jackson's bass line melody and Fakanas' ensemble counterpoint. Meanwhile, the brooding Seviglia recalls Return To Forever and Anthony's pivotal precision pick work with Al DiMeola, while showcasing his best pick-and-flange tone to date.

All credit is due Fakanas for recognizing Jackson's original voice and for creating a touchstone vehicle for his one-of-a-kind talent. Interspirit's impact is immediate, while its deep layers demand repeated listenings. Either way, spread the word: Anthony Jackson's solo statement has arrived!

Tracklist:

1. Inner Power 8:40

2. Footprints 9:06
3. Cuore Vibes Part 1 1:31
4. Cuore Vibes Part 2 10:09
5. Interspirit 9:41
6. Seviglia 10:01
7. Caldera 8:41
8. Ionio II 8:10
9. Parhelia 7:54
Interspirit
Rapidshare / Hotfile @ 320K

The Chris Walden Big Band: Home of my Heart (2005)

A young big band conductor. A rarity to be sure, but not necessarily an oxymoron. Chris Walden proves that in this album, a surprisingly versatile primer of the big band. Walden can use traditional techniques, with a soloist over the top of a soft backing of horns, as you'll hear in the Christopher Cross-penned "Rainy Day in Vancouver," as well as his own Film Noir series. He can invoke the spirit of Tadd Dameron's bop big bands, which you'll get glimpses of in "Cherokee." He can cover old Jimmy Van Heusen classics and film scores with ease, adapt the intricacy of four to a large ensemble, and even force the old Star Wars pieces to fit into a classic-'60s big band sound. The playing on the part of the band is spotless and finessed. They can slink and smash equally well, and support and solo in turn. There's a quiet big band renaissance movement afoot, and Walden, while not necessarily standing at the forefront to force it upon the listener, very ably shows off what a big band can do, and how well it can be done. ~ Adam Greenberg

Adapters: Jeremy Lubbock; Alan Broadbent.

Personnel: Chris Walden (drum programming); Chris Walden (flugelhorn, programming); Christopher Cross (guitar); Rob Lockart, Rob Lockhart, Rick Keller, Tom Petersen (saxophone); Kevin Richardson, Kyle Palmer (trumpet); Jacques Voyemant (trombone); Dave Carpenter (double bass); Tony Pia (drums); Tierney Sutton (vocals); Mitch Holder (guitar); Frank Marocco (accordion); Pete Christlieb, Jeff Driskill, Brian Scanlon, Bob Sheppard, Brandon Fields (saxophone); Wayne Bergeron, Ron King, Roger Ingram, Bobby Shew, Carl Saunders (trumpet); Alexander Iles, Arturo Velasco, Richard Bullock, Bruce Otto, Bryant Byers, Bob McChesney (trombone); Alan Steinberger (piano); Peter Erskine (drums); M.B. Gordy III (percussion).

Tracklist:

01. Cherokee

02. Rainy Day In Vancouver
03. Film Noir - Part I
04. Film Noir - Part II
05. Film Noir - Part III
06. Mulholland Falls
07. Here's Looking At You
08. Star Wars
09. Home Of My Heart
10. Feet First
11. Here's That Rainy Day
12. How Long Has This Been Going On
13. Nonino
14. You Took Advantage Of Me
15. Stolen Moments
16. Dr. Stefan Frank
Home of My Heart

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Gerald Albright: Pushing the Envelope (2010)

There are sax players and there is Gerald Albright. Gerald has this legendary signature sound, which contrasts him favorably from any other contemporary musician. He is Mr. Groove of R&B, contemporary and straight-ahead jazz. Since the ’80s Albright is a highly requested session musician and his busy tour schedule speaks for his unbroken popularity.

His recent albums are Groovology (2002) and Kickin’ It Up (2004) on GRP, followed by New Beginnings (2008) and Sax for Stax (2009) on Peak Records, both GRAMMY® nominated in the category of Best Pop Instrumental Album. His new album Pushing The Envelope is scheduled for release June 15, 2010 on Heads Up International.

Albright arranged and produced the album and performs soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones, flutes, bass guitar, and keyboards, and also handles synthesizer, EWI and drum programming. But he is not a one-man-band. Albright is joined by Tracy Carter and Luther “Mano” Hanes, guitarist Ricky Watford and drummer Ricky Lawson.

Gerald starts the album with the ultra-funky What Would James Do? Albright’s personal tribute to the godfather of soul James Brown features Fred Wesley, J.B.’s trombone player. This is triple A. Finest quality music.

Tracklist:

01. What Would James Do?

02. Get On The Floor

03. Bobo's Groove

04. Capetown Strut

05. Close To You

06. I Found The Klugh

07. Embrace The Spirit

08. The Road To Peace (A Prayer For Haiti)

09. Highway 70

10. From The Soul

Pushing the Envelope

Rapidshre / Hotfile @320K

Billy Cobham: Drum 'n' Voice 3 (2009)

Chaka Khan and Gino Vannelli are amongst the super guests of the long awaited album "Drum'n'Voice Volume 3" by world-class jazz/fusion drummer Billy Cobham. Produced between Milan and legendary Capitol Studios in Los Angeles by Nicolosi Productions, (also known as the breakthru group "Novecento"), this new album contains stunning performances from legendary artists such as George Duke, Alex Acuna, John Scofield, Brian Auger, Bob Mintzer and Novecento itself. Once more Cobham delivers an amazing creativity and listening experience that unveils its unique style in playing drums and percussions. at the beginning of 2010 "Drum'n'Voice Live Tour" will see the light with part of the artists performing. The album will be available soon for digital downloads across all the main online retailers.

Tracklist:
01 - Electric Man (Feat. Brian Auger)
02 - Alive (Feat. Chaka Khan)
03 - Roller (George Duke, Bob Mintzer)
04 - We The People (Feat. Gino Vannelli, Alex Acuna)
05 - Destiny (John Scofield, Brian Auger, Alex Acuma)
06 - I'd Like To Change (Feat. Novecento)
07 - Dreamer (Feat. Bob Mintzer)
08 - Route (Feat. Novecento)
09 - Stratus (Feat. Bob Mintzer, Novecento)
Drum n Voice vol. 3
Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 (RS)