Manu Katché - Neighbourhood

In the mid '80s Manu Katché’s amazing drumming style got indeed noticed by artist such as Peter Gabriel and Sting, with whom he toured and recorded extensively. These inspiring collaborations propelled Katché to an impressive and prolific career as a studio drummer. His list of credits is both impressive and diverse as Katché always provides superb unique grooves to any recording. After having played with his share of popular musicians he blossomed into the contemporary jazz scene as a backing force on many recordings for the ECM record label and finally he joined the label and released “Neighbourhood” in 2005 with the help from some of the same ECM stars he recorded with. The reflective, ardently lyrical mood of Katché's compositions is both naive and thoughtful and his percussive backing fierce yet subtle, carefully keeping a gentle pulse that paves the way for the space and dynamic reach of the group as a whole, beautifully recorded by the master of the ECM sound Jan Erik Kongshaug. Musicians: Manu Katché on drums, Jan Garbarek on saxophones, Tomasz Stanko on trumpet, Marcin Wasilewski on piano, Slawomir Kurkiewicz on bass.

Track Listing:

1. November 99

2. Number One

3. Lullaby

4. Good Influence

5. February Sun

6. No Rush

7. Lovely Walk

8. Take Off and Land

9. Miles Away

10. Rose

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Jennifer Warnes - Famous Blue Raincoat 20th Anniversary Edition

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Best known for such pop hits as the Oscar- and Grammy winning duets "(I've Had) The Time of My Life," with Bill Medley, from the film Dirty Dancing, and "Up Where We Belong," with Joe Cocker, from the film An Officer and a Gentleman, Jennifer Warnes has earned her greatest acclaim for this landmark collaboration “Famous Blue Raincoat” with songwriter/poet Leonard Cohen in what remains the ultimate tribute to Cohen's music. Warnes' voice is the perfect vehicle for Cohen's poetic lyrics of romantic longing and resigned despair. Her sweet timbre and sensuality complement to perfection the sharp edged, painfully romantic, tragic, fatalistic themes that have marked Cohen's finest and most characteristic compositions, many of which are featured on this collaboration. Cohen himself states: "Her voice is like the California weather--filled with sunlight, but there's an earthquake behind it". The re-mastered album offers four tracks not on the original release. Musicians: Jennifer Warnes on vocals, Roscoe Beck on bass, guitar and keyboards, Jorge Calderón, Richard Feves, Warren McRae and Dave Stone on bass, Jack Bruno, Vinnie Colaiuta on drums, Mitch Watkins, Gary Chang, Russell Ferrante, Bill Ginn, Oliver Marland, Smitty Smithm Bill Payne and Van Dyke Parks on keyboards, Robben Ford, Michael Landau, Doyle Bramhall, Greg Leisz, David Lindley, John Miles, Dean Parks, Fred Tackett and Stevie Ray Vaughan on guitars, Larry Brown, Deric Dyer, Steve Forman and Lenny Castro on percussion, Dave Boruff and Paul Ostermayer on saxophone, plus strings and background vocals.

Track Listing:

1. First We Take Manhattan

2. Bird on a Wire

3. Famous Blue Raincoat

4. Joan of Arc

5. Ain't No Cure for Love

6. Coming Back to You

7. Song of Bernadette

8. A Singer Must Die

9. Came So Far for Beauty

10. Night Comes On

11. Ballad of the Runaway Horse

12. If It Be Your Will

13. Joan of Arc

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Hector Zazou- Songs from the Cold Seas

Hector Zazou (July 11, 1948—September 8, 2008) was a prolific French composer and producer. His vanguard legacy is sophisticated, jazzy, lyrical, charming, witty, avant-garde and cutting-edge framed with sparse instrumentation, unusual and eclectic instrumental timbres and colors with a distinctive combination of ritualistic, tribal, ethnic vocals and cinematic synthesizer textures. Zazou also incorporated the vocal talents of prominent artist in contexts far removed from their usual environments. His austere, somber and somewhat cold but equally enchanting “Songs from the Cold Seas” is a collection of songs depicting Arctic regions through his artistry and that of “Nordic” artists. Guest Artists: Björk, John Cale, Jane Siberry, Suzanne Vega, Lena Willemark, The Ainu Dancers of Hokkaido on percussion, Siouxsie Sioux, Brendan Perry and Barbera Googan. Musicians: Hector Zazou on guitar, keyboards, programming and electronics, Jan Johan Andersen on harmonica, Angelin Tytot, Budgie and Brendan Perry on percussion, Balanescu Quartet Strings, Pierre Chaze, Marc Ribot, Lone Kent and Barbara Gogan on guitar, B.J. Cole on pedal steel guitar, Guy Delacroix and Sara Lee on bass, Mark Isham on trumpet, Sargo Maianagacheva, Ivan Sopotchine and Jerry Marotta on drums, Ale Möller on mandola, Orlan Mongouch on balalaika, Harold Budd, Patrick Morgenthaler, Guy Sigsworth on piano, Renaud Pion on bagpipes, woodwinds and keyboards, Sakharine Percussion Group, Noriko Sanagi on koto, Sissimut Dance Drummers, Elisabeth Valletti Harp, Mari Kaasinen, Kirsi Kahkonen, Demnine Ngamtovsovo, Catherine-Ann Macphee, Tchotghtguerele Chalchin, Elisha Kilabuk, Claudie Amirault, Lioudmila Khandi, Sirpa Reiman, Marina Schmidt, Vimme Saari, Koomoot Nooveya and Tokiko Kato on vocals. Nice cover and design by Russell Mills.

NOTE: This album is not available digitally.

Track Listing:

1. Annukka Suaren Neito
2. Visur Vatnsenda-Rosu
3. The Long Voyage
4. Havet Stomar
5. Adventures in the Scandinavian Skin Trade
6. She's Like a Swallow
7. The Lighthouse Sioux
8. Oran Na Maighdean Mhara
9. Yaisa Maneena
10. Yakut Song
11. Song of the Water

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Jorge Pardo & Chano Dominguez - 10 de Paco

"10 de Paco", released in 1995, is a tribute to legend flamenco guitarist and composer Paco De Lucia, featuring ten of his greatest compositions performed "sans" guitar by flamenco jazz musicians Jorge Pardo and Chano Dominguez who are part of a group of emerging musicians from the 80's referred to as "Los Jovenes Flamencos" (The Young Flamencos). Pardo and Dominguez are dominant figures in this fusion of flamenco and jazz resulting in an unprecedented and explosive combination of enchanting melodies, rhythms and improvisation. These two musicians have managed to amazingly transport the rooted music of Spain, which is mostly centered on the acoustic guitar, to their respective instruments flute, saxophone and piano and “10 de Paco” serves as the perfect conduit for this genre. Musicians: Jorge Pardo on flute and saxophone, Chano Domínguez on piano, Tino Di Geraldo on percussion, Javier Colina on bass, Luis Dulzaides on percussion and drums, El Conde on handclapps and Chonchi Heredia on vocals and handclapping.

Track Listing:

1. Solo Quiero Caminar
2. Chiquito
3. Rio Ancho
4. Zyriab
5. Tumbona
6. Se Me Partió la Barrena
7. Almoraima
8. Playa del Carmen
9. Monasterio de Sal
10. Cancion de Amor
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Kittyhawk - Collection

Some fans of the group Kittyhawk have complained that the MP3's being sold don't sound as good as they should. One alternative would be to acquire this amazing collection, which sounds pretty good. Then you could complement with the missing tracks by downloading them. This collection also serves as a huge sample of this band's amazing creative work and unique sound. It comprises songs from the bands first three albums. There are bo songs from the 4th album entitled "Not a Moment Too Soon". Musicians: Paul Edwards: Chapman stick & vocals, Daniel Bortz: cello, fretless and fretted Guitar, Chapman stick, Richard Elliot: saxophones and lyricon and Mike Jochum: drums & percussion. Additional Musicians: Randy Strom: Chapman stick and Piano, Dan Desousa: keyboards, Steve Reed: percussion and Brandon Fields: saxophones.

Track Listing:

1. Bad Oscar
2. Blue Rider
3. Pavane
4. Chinese Fire Drill
5. Trutina Amor
6. Mariner
7. Big City
8. Bells of Talison
9. Kilimanjaro
10. Melting the Heart of a Winter Spirit
11. Fanfare for the Common Man
12. Race for the Oasis
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Kittyhawk - Not a Moment Too Soon

Kittyhawk last release marked the end of an era for a group that had characterized itself with a unique blend of instruments and a sound prevailing with singularity. “Not A Moment Too Soon” shifted the group's sound into an emphasis on synthesizers and drum machines to the point that it makes you wonder if this is the same band thus culminating the cycle for this wonderful band. Musicians: Paul Edwards: Chapman stick & vocals, Daniel Bortz: cello, fretless and fretted Guitar, Chapman stick, Richard Elliot: saxophones and lyricon and Mike Jochum: drums & percussion. Additional Musicians: Randy Strom: Chapman stick and Piano, Dan Desousa: keyboards, Steve Reed: percussion and Brandon Fields: saxophones.

Track Listing:

1. Laetoli Wakers

2. Seven Pillars

3. Harmony in Red

4. Le Luxe

5. Darkness and Light

6. December People

7. Not a Moment Too Soon

8. Goodbye Variations

9. Jamaican Hearts

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Kittyhawk - Fanfare

Fans of saxophonist Richard Elliot will be surprised that the artist famous for his Smooth Jazz sound once belonged to Kittyhawk, a group known for the unique blend of jazz and rock through a peculiar instrumentation, which consisted of the wide spread use of the Chapman stick (string instrument developed by Emmett Chapman), multi-layered guitars, soaring saxophone and Lyricon (electric wind instrument), harmonized or doubled by wordless vocals backed by powerful drums and bass groves. On “Fanfare” released in 1985 the sound of the band had softened up a bit perhaps due to the wide success of the sane Smooth Jazz Elliot moved to later on. Nonetheless this album still remains a landmark in the band’s short-lived span. Musicians: Paul Edwards: Chapman stick & vocals, Daniel Bortz: cello, fretless and fretted guitar, Chapman stick, Richard Elliot: saxophones and Lyricon and Mike Jochum: drums & percussion and Dan de Sousa: keyboards. The track "Fanfare for a Common Man", which is a version of Aaron Copland's classical work is not available for sale on the download version of the album but it is available on the Kittyhawk Collection.

Track Listing (as it appeared on the original album):

1. Fanfare for the Common Man (track doesn't appear on the version sold)

2. Pavane

3. Melting the Heart of a Winter Spirit

4. Trutina Amor

5. Bad Oscar

6. Blue Rider

7. Apollo

8. Mariner

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Kittyhawk - Race For The Oasis

Kittyhawk came about in the 80’s when Fusion, the genre, was either going out of style or it had evolved for the most part, into uneventful music. Although a lot of releases from that era sound dated, Kittyhawk’s Fusion style remains as vital as it did when their albums were released proving that their style and music complexity were a reflection of their talents and their uniqueness. “Race for the Oasis”, which came out in 1981 continues the unique blend of powerful drumming and soaring saxophone and vocals beautifully enhanced by fretless guitars and the singular use of the Chapman Stick Touchboard, a string instrument developed by Emmett Chapman which later was made even more famous by bassist Tony Levin (of King Crimson and Peter Gabriel fame). Musicians: Paul Edwards: Chapman stick & vocals, Daniel Bortz: cello, fretless and fretted Guitar, Chapman stick, Richard Elliot: saxophones and lyricon and Mike Jochum: drums & percussion. Additional Musicians: Randy Strom: Chapman stick and Piano, Dan Desousa: keyboards, Steve Reed: percussion and Brandon Fields: saxophones.

Track Listing:

1. Race for the Oasis

2. Wind, Sand and Stars

3. Bells of Talieson

4. Kings Crossing

5. Mo

6. Arroyo

7. Kilimanjaro

8. Mighty Steel, Modern Love

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Kittyhawk - Kittyhawk

Kittyhawk founders Daniel Bortz and Paul Edwards came together through their mutual interest in the Chapman Stick Touchboard developed by Emmett Chapman. Bortz and Edwards enlisted two other like-minded instrumentalists, drummer Michael Jochum and saxophonist Richard Elliot who these days enjoys great success as a solo smooth jazz artist. Kittyhawk then released their debut album in 1980 and quickly evolved into a group that captivated audiences for their unique sound and instrumentation. Wordless vocals are often doubled or harmonized with saxophone as the drums provide a powerful support to the multi-layered guitars and Chapman stick that enhance the harmonic content. Musicians: Paul Edwards: Chapman stick & vocals, Daniel Bortz: cello, fretless and fretted Guitar, Chapman stick, Richard Elliot: saxophones and lyricon and Mike Jochum: drums & percussion. Additional Musicians: Randy Strom: Chapman stick and Piano, Dan Desousa: keyboards, Steve Reed: percussion and Brandon Fields: saxophones.

Track Listing:

1. Islands

2. Never Once

3. Chinese Fire Drill

4. Once Upon a Time

5. Big City

6. Wooed But Not Wed

7. Piper's Romp

8. Aerial View

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Vince Gill - These Days - Little Brother - The Acoustic Record

Disc Four: “Little Brother” (The Acoustic Record) is the forth set of Vince Gill’s 4-CD outing “These Days”. It’s an all-acoustic and bluegrass-flavored group of ten songs full of banjos, dobros, mandolins, white southern gospel, and mountain music paired with simply recorded country ballads, all of which portrays a side of Vince Gill we rarely hear. On this disc Gill’s talent remains at his peak as his deep respect and reverence for his musical traditions along with his ability to write, play, and sing like an old master create the perfect close-out statement for this ambitious 4-CD set. But in spite of the departure from his usual country format, Gill’s songwriting and production approach make this “Acoustic Record” yet another landmark release dictated by his artistic signature amicable to all music lovers. Vince Gill on vocals and acoustic guitar solos│guests: The Del McCoury Band and Guy Clark│drums: Chad Cromwell and Billy Thomas│bass: Michael Rhodes, Michael Bub and James Allan Bartram│acoustic guitars: Jeff White, Del McCoury and Vince Gill│electric guitars: Tom Britt│mandolin: Ronnie McCoury and Vince Gill│harmonica: Jim Hoke│banjo: Robbie McCourey and Charlie Cushman│piano: John Hubbs│fiddles: Michael Cleveland and Jason Carter│dobro: Jerry Douglas│background vocals: Jeff White, Del McCoury, Sonya Isaacs, Gene Miller, Vince Gill, Kim Keyes and Will Owsley. Produced by Vince Gill, John Hobbs and sound engineering Justin Niebank.

Track Listing:
1. All Prayed Up
2. Cold Gray Light of Gone
3. A River Like You (sampled above)
4. Ace Up Your Pretty Sleeve
5. Molly Brown
6. Girl
7. Give Me the Highway
8. Sweet Augusta Darlin'
9. Little Brother
10. Almost Home
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Vince Gill - These Days - Some Things Never Get Old - The Country & Western Record

Disc Three: “Some Things Never Get Old” (The Country & Western Record) is the third set of Vince Gill’s 4-CD “These Days”. These are ten of the best classic fiddle-steel honky-tonk country songs you’ve ever heard done the way only country singers can and Gill delivers these performances in a way that even skeptics of country music would fell the temptation to sing along and enjoy. These songs are also a testament of the depth and versatility of Vince Gill's craft as a songwriter. Musicians: Vince Gill on vocals and electric guitar solos│guests: Emmylou Harris, Patty Loveless, Alison Krauss, Dan Tyminski and Jon Randall│drums: Eddie Bayers and Chad Cromwell│bass: Michael Rhodes│acoustic guitars: Richard Bennett, Al Anderson and Vince Gill│electric guitars: Billy Joe Walker Jr., Stewart Smith and Vince Gill│fiddle: Stuart Duncan│tic-tac and gut string guitars: Richard Bennett│steel guitar: Buddy Emmons, John Hughey and Paul Franklin│organ and keyboards: Pete Wasnerand John Hubbs│percussion: Erik Darken│background vocals: Dawn Sears, Andrea Zonn, Wes Hightower, Linda Maness, Jon Randall, Patty Loveless, Alison Krauss, Dan Tyminski, Leslie Satcher and Lee Ann Womack,│plus horns arranged by Michael Omartian and Jim Horn. Produced by Vince Gill, John Hobbs and sound engineering Justin Niebank.

Track Listing:

1. This New Heartache

2. The Only Love

3. Out of My Mind

4. The Sight of Me Without You

5. I Can't Let Go

6. Don't Pretend with Me

7. Some Things Never Get Old (sampled above)

8. Sweet Little Corrina

9. If I Can Make Mississippi

10. Take This Country Back

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