Digitally remastered edition of this 1982 album from the Jazz/Pop icon. After a meteoric rise to fame as the leader of the Tijuana Brass, one of the most successful groups of the '60s, Herb Alpert focused on running A&M Records, the indie powerhouse he had founded with partner Jerry Moss. His second artistic journey began with the release of Rise, which climbed to #1 on the Billboard chart. His acclaimed album, Fandango, found Alpert returning to Mexican and Latin American sounds and rhythms, but with a modern sound. The result was one of the most acclaimed albums of his career, remaining on the Billboard Top Albums chart for half a year, and featuring the Top 40 hit 'Route 101.' ~ Amazon.com
Never Let Me Go: Quartets '95 & '96 is a new three-disc set featuring two late-career performances by saxophonist/composer Thomas Chapin, including his final New York concert before succumbing to leukemia in 1998 at age 40. Discs one and two capture Chapin's working quartet of the time, with pianist Peter Madsen, bassist Kiyoto Fujiwara and drummer Reggie Nicholson, performing at Flushing Town Hall in Queens on November 10th, 1995. The group played two selections from You Don't Know Me (Arabesque Records), as well as a wide variety of other material, including Artie Shaw's Moonray, Thelonious Monk's Ugly Beauty, Charlie Parker's Red Cross and Jimmy Webb's Wichita Lineman. In contrast, the third disc captures the first and only concert ever played by a later quartet featuring Madsen, bassist Scott Colley and drummer Matt Wilson at The Knitting Factory on December 19th, 1996. For what turned out to be his final performance in New York, this ensemble presented extended readings of three new pieces written specifically for its all-star lineup, as well as a version of his well-known composition Sky Piece and an arrangement of Roland Kirk's Lovellevellilloqui. ~ Amazon.com
KAREN SOUZA - HOTEL SOUZA
There is no doubt that Karen Souza is poised to become recognized as one of the great new voices of jazz today. After the success of her remarkable debut album, Essentials, Karen decided to embark on a songwriting journey that took almost two years and led her far from her home in Buenos Aires to Los Angeles, where she joined with U.S. producer Joel McNeely. Famous for his work with immortal artists such as Tony Bennett, Peggy Lee, Al Green and Jaco Pastorius, McNeely has provided the arrangements with a sound that is both classic and modern a combination that is highly valued in this day and age. Karen´s voice, intimate and sensuous as always, floats between clouds of strings and winds and creates an atmosphere that can only be described as vintage. One of the few versions found on this artist album is a very special rendition of "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" where Karen had the great fortune of performing with several musicians from Marvin's original band. Recorded at The Factory and on in the Century 21 studios in LA, this is an album that showcases Karen as an multifaceted artist about to embark on an exciting career. Hotel Souza is one of the most anticipated albums of the season. ~ Amazon.com