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Friday, December 29, 2017

The Complete Prestige 10-Inch LP Collection Thelonious Monk #jazz

Craft Recordings, the Catalog Division of Concord Music is proud to announce the release of Thelonious Monk’s The Complete Prestige 10-Inch LP Collection. Released December 15th, the limited-edition box set includes all five of the 10” vinyl LPs which the pianist recorded for the jazz label, spanning 1952 to 1954. Each album has been faithfully reproduced – from the jacket design to the LP labels – while the audio has been carefully restored and remastered by Joe Tarantino from the original analog tapes, with lacquer cutting by George Horn and Anne-Marie Seunram at Fantasy Studios. Rounding out the collection is a booklet with new liner notes by Robin D. G. Kelley, author of Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American OriginalThe Complete Prestige 10-Inch LP Collection will also be released in high-res and standard audio formats across all streaming and digital platforms.
Thelonious Sphere Monk (1917-1982), who would have turned 100 this year, remains one of the most highly regarded jazz artists in history, known for his unique style on and off the piano. Monk was a rule-breaker, pushing the limits of his genre, with his dissonant chords, unconventional melodies, and progressive rhythms. Initially dismissed an eccentric by the musical elite, Monk stood his ground and came to be celebrated for his complexities; considered by many to be a genius.
However, in the early ’50s, the artist was still struggling to find critical and commercial acceptance. In his liner notes, Robin D. G. Kelley refers to this era as the "golden years in terms of [Monk’s] creative output” but, he adds, "these were also dark times.” Following an unjust run-in with the law, the jazz musician’s cabaret card was revoked, preventing him from performing at New York clubs, and restricting his income. The artist’s fortune began to change, though, in 1952, when Prestige Records’ founder Bob Weinstock offered Monk a recording contract. Weeks later, the Thelonious Monk Trio  ̶  consisting of Art Blakey (as well as Max Roach on select tracks) on drums and Gary Mapp on bass, went to work in the studio, with a young Ira Gitler as producer. The resulting 10-inch LP release was Thelonious. By the fall of 1953, Monk returned to the studio, this time with a quintet, for Thelonious Monk Quintet Blows For LP, featuring Sonny Rollins on tenor saxophone. Thelonious Monk Quintet and Thelonious Plays followed in 1954. In the final 10-inch LP in this collection, recorded in October of 1954, Monk was actually a last-minute replacement for Elmo Hope at a Sonny Rollins session. But he ultimately received co-billing on the resultant 10” LP release, Sonny Rollins and Thelonious Monk.Also produced by Gitler, the LP includes an 11-minute jam of Vincent Youmans’ "More Than You Know” which, as Kelley puts it, became "the session’s masterpiece, a sublime dialogue between two great masters of modern music.”
These early albums in The Complete Prestige 10-Inch LP Collection offer an intriguing look into this distinctive and resolute artist before he found full acclaim and acceptance, and feature an impressive collective personnel that includes some of jazz’s finest. "Listening to these tracks more than sixty years after they were recorded, it’s stunning how compelling, modern and original Monk’s music still sounds, even through the filter of 21st-century ears,” observes the collection’s producer, Nick Phillips. "That’s the mark of a true musical genius, indeed.”

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Thursday, December 28, 2017

Happy New Year to the JazzHQ subscribers #jazz

A very Happy New Year year to all the visitors of  the JazzHQ blog, Facebook and Twitter. We're pleased that you found your way here and grateful if you've done it more than once.

Best wishes to you all. Good health and peace in the new year.



Friday, December 22, 2017

Merry Christmas from JazzHQ #jazz

Our very best wishes to all of you who took the time to visit JazzHQ during the year, whether at jazzhq/blogspot.com, twitter.com/jazzhq, or facebook.com/jazzhq.
White Christmas - The Drifters (Video/cartoon)
Sung by The Drifters. Cartoon by Joshua Held.
Featuring Bill Pinkney on lead bass and Clyde McPhatter on tenor.



Sing along:

Ooh
Doop doop, doop doo doop
Ooh
Doop doop, doop doo doop

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas,
Just like the ones I used to know,
Where those treetops glisten, and children listen,
To hear sleigh bells in the snow, the snow.

Then, I-I-I am dreaming of a white Christmas,
With every Christmas card I write,
May your days, may your days, may your days be merry and bright,
And may all your Christmases be white.

I-I-I am dreaming of a white Christmas,
Just like the ones I used to know,
Where the treetops glisten, and children listen,
To hear sleigh bells in the snow.

I-I-I am dreaming of a white Christmas,
With every Christmas card I write,
May your days, may your days, may your days be merry and bright,
And may all your Christmases be white.

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle bells all the way.
Ooooh.

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Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Under The Lake resurfaces with “Jazz, Groove & Attitude” #jazz


The jazz-funk outfit will release their fourth album on February 23, marking their 25th anniversary.
 
Description: Description: C:\Users\Dell User\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.Outlook\H2RL54ZY\UTL JGA FRONT_COVER.jpgLike the name of one of their seminal influences, The Crusaders, Under The Lake has crusaded in the name of rhythm and groove, making jazz-funk records that don’t fit neatly into any box. Powered by the dual-horn attack of tenor saxophonist David Evans and trombonist John Moak, and armed with eleven original new songs composed and produced by keyboardist Jayson Tipp, the Portland, Oregon-based group will release their fourth album, “Jazz, Groove & Attitude,” on February 23. The Mind In Overdrive label release that will be serviced and promoted on multiple jazz radio formats after the holidays coincides with the 25th anniversary of the band’s debut disc, “Dive In.” 
 
Relying on live instrumentation consisting of warm and earthy horn harmonies, danceable rhythm guitar riffs, rubbery bass lines and sturdy drum beats, Under The Lake sounds like a throwback to the vintage soul-jazz bands that pioneered the growth of contemporary jazz in the ‘70s and ‘80s. Although the group’s previous three platters garnered generous radio spins and chart action throughout the world in addition to receiving the plaudits of critics – from JazzTimes, Jazziz and the New York Daily News in the U.S. to major media outlets in France, Germany and Canada – Under The Lake didn’t veer from their path in order to tailor their records for commercial purposes. The tunes on “Jazz, Groove & Attitude” average nearly six minutes in length. The music has a lively energy and soulful edges as melodies and grooves develop and flow freely and spontaneously with ample time to simmer before erupting into a boil. The focus track at radio will be “George Is His Name,” a cut inspired by the late George Duke. Another song of note is “LJT,” which was written in honor of Team USA’s Lee Evans, John Carlos and Tommie Smith who are remembered for turning their 1968 Olympics medal ceremony into a fist-raised protest.  
 
Tipp said, “As a kid growing up in the ‘70s, the music that I enjoyed most tended to have a little more interesting chord changes and extended musical passages. When I began my recording career and formed Under The Lake in the early ‘90s, smooth jazz was at its height and we never fit neatly into that or any other format. After a couple of lengthy breaks as our lives went in divergent directions, I reformed the band with a plan to record again. I reflected on what music I really wanted to play and it just seemed natural to gravitate back to what had influenced me early on. Over the last several years, I had gotten a lot deeper into The Crusaders and Joe Sample’s catalog. As the band and material came together, having a tenor (sax) and trombone leading the melodies seemed to bring it all together.”
 
The rebooted Under The Lake lineup consists of Tipp, Moak (Ella Fitzgerald, Dave Brubeck, Randy Brecker, Diane Schuur, Branford Marsalis), Evans (Pete Fountain, B.B. King, Nicholas Payton, Gladys Knight, Four Tops, Temptations), drummer Brian Foxworth, bassist Kenny Franklin, guitarist  Evan Mustard, alto saxophonist Nat Caranto and special guest Joe Powers on harmonica.
 
After 1993’s “Dive In,” Under The Lake followed up two years later with “Up For Air,” took a decade-long “life” pause and regrouped to issue “People Together” in 2007. The unit has performed at top West Coast festivals and venues, sharing the marquee with contemporary jazz forces Sample, Billy Cobham, Stanley Jordan and Keiko Matsui. To pave the way for “Jazz, Groove & Attitude,” Under The Lake will play First Taste Oregon in Salem on January 27 and headline a tribute to The Crusaders at the PDX Jazz Festival in Portland on the album’s street date.     
 
Reflecting fondly on the occasion of Under The Lake’s silver anniversary while enthusiastic about what’s ahead, Tipp said, “Even after all these years, I still run into folks that remember the band or shows we’d done years ago. The music from the first few albums still gets played on various outlets. I think ‘Jazz, Groove & Attitude’ is the best collection of material I’ve assembled with some really talented musicians. I hope that people enjoy it, that it starts the ball rolling so we can build on the momentum, creating new opportunities for us to perform in front of more audiences in more places.”
                    
“Jazz, Groove & Attitude” contains the following songs:
 
“Breaking Through”
“Good Things”
“November 30th
“George Is His Name”
“Father’s Day”
“Second Time Around”
“LJT”
“Full Of Life”
“I Just Can’t Wait”
“Rise And Shine”
“September Groove”
 
 
For more information, please visit www.UnderTheLake.com.

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Monday, December 18, 2017

Smooth Jazz Chart - Weekly Top 20 - December 18, 2017 #jazz


TW - LW - Artist - Album - (Label)
1 - 1 - Rick Braun - "Around The Horn" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
2 - 2 - Boney James - "Honestly" - (Concord Music Group)
3 - 5 - Euge Groove - "Groove On" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
4 - 5 - Nick Colionne - "The Journey" - (Trippin 'N' Rhythm)
5 - 3 - Michael McDonald - "Wide Open" - (BMG)
6 - 4 - Paul Brown - "One Way Back" - (Woodward Avenue)
7 - 7 - Jeff Lorber Fusion - "Prototype" - (Shanachie)
8 - 10 - Norman Brown - "Let It Go" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
9 - 8 - Paul Hardcastle - "The History Of Paul Hardcatle (Trippin 'N' Rhythm)
10 - 11 - David Benoit & Marc Antoine - "So Nice!" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
11 - 9 - Najee - "Poetry In Motion" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
12 - 14 - Jonathan Fritzen - "Ballads" - (Nordic Night Records)
13 - 12 - Maysa - "Love Is A Battlefield" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
14 - 13 - U-Nam - "The Essential Collection" - (Skytown Records)
15 - 17 - Brian Simpson - "Persuasion" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
16 - 16 - Chuck Loeb - "Unspoken" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
17 - 15 - Carol Albert - "Fly Away Butterfly" - (Carol Albert Music)
18 - 18 - Dave Koz & Friends - "20th Anniversary Christmas" - (Concord)
19 - 26 - Gerald Albright - "G" - (Bright)
20 - 19 - The B. Christopher Band - "Four From The Sun" - (Big Bug Records)


Our thanks to smoothjazz.comVisit smoothjazz.com to view the latest complete top 50 chart. Visit smoothjazz.com to view the latest weekly chart recap.
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Monday, December 11, 2017

Smooth Jazz Chart - Weekly Top 20 - December 11, 2017 #jazz


TW - LW - Artist - Album - (Label)
1 - 2 - Rick Braun - "Around The Horn" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
2 - 1 - Boney James - "Honestly" - (Concord Music Group)
3 - 3 - Michael McDonald - "Wide Open" - (BMG)
4 - 4 - Paul Brown - "One Way Back" - (Woodward Avenue)
5 - 6 - Euge Groove - "Groove On" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
6 - 5 - Nick Colionne - "The Journey" - (Trippin 'N' Rhythm)
7 - 8 - Jeff Lorber Fusion - "Prototype" - (Shanachie)
8 - 10 - Paul Hardcastle - "The History Of Paul Hardcatle (Trippin 'N' Rhythm)
9 - 7 - Najee - "Poetry In Motion" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
10 - 9 - Norman Brown - "Let It Go" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
11 - 11 - David Benoit & Marc Antoine - "So Nice!" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
12 - 12 - Maysa - "Love Is A Battlefield" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
13 - 14 - U-Nam - "The Essential Collection" - (Skytown Records)
14 - 13 - Jonathan Fritzen - "Ballads" - (Nordic Night Records)
15 - 16 - Carol Albert - "Fly Away Butterfly" - (Carol Albert Music)
16 - 15 - Chuck Loeb - "Unspoken" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
17 - 17 - Brian Simpson - "Persuasion" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
18 - 42 - Dave Koz & Friends - "20th Anniversary Christmas" - (Concord)
19 - 18 - The B. Christopher Band - "Four From The Sun" - (Big Bug Records)
20 - 53 - Herb Lpert - "The Christmas Wish" - (Herb Alpert Presents"


Our thanks to smoothjazz.comVisit smoothjazz.com to view the latest complete top 50 chart. Visit smoothjazz.com to view the latest weekly chart recap.
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Monday, December 04, 2017

Smooth Jazz Chart - Weekly Top 20 - December 4, 2017 #jazz


TW - LW - Artist - Album - (Label)
1 - 1 - Boney James - "Honestly" - (Concord Music Group)
2 - 2 - Rick Braun - "Around The Horn" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
3 - 3 - Michael McDonald - "Wide Open" - (BMG)
4 - 4 - Paul Brown - "One Way Back" - (Woodward Avenue)
5 - 11 - Nick Colionne - "The Journey" - (Trippin 'N' Rhythm)
6 - 17 - Euge Groove - "Groove On" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
7 - 9 - Najee - "Poetry In Motion" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
8 - 5 - Jeff Lorber Fusion - "Prototype" - (Shanachie)
9 - 15 - Norman Brown - "Let It Go" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
10 - 12 - Paul Hardcastle - "The History Of Paul Hardcatle (Trippin 'N' Rhythm)
11 - 6 - David Benoit & Marc Antoine - "So Nice!" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
12 - 7 - Maysa - "Love Is A Battlefield" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
13 - 14 - Jonathan Fritzen - "Ballads" - (Nordic Night Records)
14 - 13 - U-Nam - "The Essential Collection" - (Skytown Records)
15 - 16 - Chuck Loeb - "Unspoken" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
16 - 8 - Carol Albert - "Fly Away Butterfly" - (Carol Albert Music)
17 - 24 - Brian Simpson - "Persuasion" - (Shanachie Entertainment)
18 - 28 - The B. Christopher Band - "Four From The Sun" - (Big Bug Records)
19 - 19 - Gerald Albright - "G" - (Bright)
20 - 22 - Julian Vaughn - "Bona Fide" - (Trippin 'N' Rhythm)


Our thanks to smoothjazz.comVisit smoothjazz.com to view the latest complete top 50 chart. Visit smoothjazz.com to view the latest weekly chart recap.
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