Swap a CD: 15 Recently Posted CDs

5ive The Album - The Five

The Five — 2009-11-22T09:50:47-05:00

Through the first half of the '90s, teen pop pretty much laid low, apart from Take That's dominance in England. They went virtually unheard in America, clocking in their only hit in 1995 minutes before they broke up, but they had enormous influence in the U.K., paving the way for the Spice Girls, All Saints, the Backstreet Boys, Boyzone -- and Five. Like Take That, Five is British and walks the line between rap-influenced dance-pop and adult contemporary ballads. Both sound a little calculating, but Take That had genuine charisma, which is something Five is still striving to achieve on their eponymous debut album. Charisma is something that could have carried them through the stretches of mediocre material, but it's not needed for the big guns -- "Slam Dunk (Da Funk)," "When the Lights Go Out" and "Got Da Feelin'." All three are expertly constructed singles that are delivered professionally by the group. They're infectious, catchy, perfect for the radio. They do leave a lingering impression that any similar boy band could have cut them and been equally successful, but this trio of singles show that, given the right producers and songwriters, Five is capable of turning out teen pop every bit as irresistible as *N Sync, even if they can't compete with Take That, the Backstreet Boys, and the Spice Girls (which the rest of the album proves). ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

For You - Kirk Whalum

Kirk Whalum — 2009-11-22T08:50:40-05:00

Tenor saxophonist Kirk Whalum will involve you in his great sax experiences on his latest hit album entitled For You whether you want to be involved or not. As one of the most in-demand contemporary jazz saxophonists on the jazz scene today, the warmth, intonation, and presence of his playing benefits ten classic compositions from some of the best composers in music. This distinct concept reaps the momentum established by Whalum's previous hits, Joined at the Hip and Colors, but is immensely different from those endeavors, offering a collection of melodies rooted in the mystery of love. Recorded in-studio with live interplay from Paul Jackson, Jr. on guitar, Paulinho Da Costa on percussion, Ricky Lawson on drums, and Greg Karukas and Ricky Peterson on keyboards. Whalum is passionate, sensuous, and in the pocket on Marvin Gaye's "I Want You" and will deeply affect you with his sax works on Stevie Wonder's "All I Do." For a contemporary take on some classic songs, this CD is sure to collect positive comments for some years to come. ~ Paula Edelstein, All Music Guide

Compact Jazz Getz and Friends - Stan Getz

Stan Getz — 2009-11-22T02:55:15-05:00

Yesterday Today and Forever - Shorty Rogers and Bud Shank

Shorty Rogers and Bud Shank — 2009-11-22T02:42:15-05:00

Other than an album cut for the Japanese Atlas album the previous month, this was trumpeter Shorty Rogers' first jazz record in 20 years; he had worked in the interim as a fulltime studio arranger. Rogers is in pretty good form on the quintet date although occasionally overshadowed by altoist Bud Shank (who doubles on flute). The rhythm section (pianist George Cables, bassist Bob Magnusson and drummer Roy McCurdy) is excellent, the repertoire (highlighted by "Budo," Tiny Kahn's "TNT," "Wagon Wheels" and Shorty's "Have You Hugged A Martian Today") is full of vehicles for swinging improvisations and the musicians sound fairly inspired. Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

A Tone Parallel to Harlem - Claude Bolling

Claude Bolling — 2009-11-22T02:41:02-05:00

Carnegie Hall Salutes the Jazz Masters Verve at 50 - Various Artists

Various Artists — 2009-11-22T02:04:46-05:00

Verve Records celebrated the 50th anniversary of Norman Granz's first Jazz at the Philharmonic concert with an all-star get-together at Carnegie Hall. Different groups of top players from Verve's legacy (both past and present) had opportunities to perform, and this CD has many of the highlights. Pianist Peter Delano plays "Tangerine" with a trio; Dee Dee Bridgewater sings "Shiny Stockings" with the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band; Hank Jones pays tribute to Art Tatum; Abbey Lincoln sings "I Must Have That Man"; Joe Henderson meets up with Antonio Carlos Jobim (who made his final concert appearance) on "Desafinado";"Manteca" features trumpeter Roy Hargrove and trombonist Steve Turre; pianist Yosuke Yamashita pays tribute to Bud Powell; Betty Carter scats on "How High the Moon"; Herbie Hancock and John McLaughlin play a restrained acoustic version of Bill Evans' "Turn out the Stars"; Hargrove teams up with altoist Jackie McLean and guitarist Pat Metheny for "The Eternal Triangle"; organist Jimmy Smith revisits Oliver Nelson's arrangement of "Down by the Riverside"; Art Porter and Jeff Lorber play some crossover, and J.J. Johnson contributes a few trombone solos. Not that many special moments occur (too many of the original Verve stars had long since passed away) but jazz historians and bop fans may want to get this one. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Covering All the Bassists - Various Artists

Various Artists — 2009-11-22T02:03:42-05:00

Thinking of You - Alex Acuna & The Unknowns

Alex Acuna & The Unknowns — 2009-11-22T02:00:45-05:00

Live Wires - Joe Deninzon

Joe Deninzon — 2009-11-22T01:57:52-05:00

Mostly Blues - Lionel Hampton

Lionel Hampton — 2009-11-22T01:57:04-05:00

Considering that this program features such songs as "Someday My Prince Will Come," "Take the 'A' Train," "Honeysuckle Rose" and "Gone with the Wind," its title is rather inaccurate; in fact only three of the nine songs are actually blues. In any case, vibraphonist Lionel Hampton is in fine form as the dominant soloist in a quintet also including pianist Bobby Scott and guitarist Joe Beck. Even as he entered his 80s, Hampton still displayed youthful vitality and enthusiasm. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Ashes to Ashes - Joe Sample

Joe Sample — 2009-11-22T01:54:53-05:00

Joe Sample's recordings throughout much of his career have been consistent and quite interchangeable. Backed by a semi-metronomic if usually grooving rhythm section, Sample's acoustic piano on this Warner Bros. CD is almost always in the lead, playing easy listening jazz-pop. The lightweight melodies are quite easy to take, and serve as excellent background music. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Learsons Return - Marlon Jordan

Marlon Jordan — 2009-11-22T01:32:44-05:00

Marlon Jordan, just 19 at the time of this CD, displays a lot of 1965 Miles Davis in his style. His tenor-saxophonist Tim Warfield is most influenced by John Coltrane and Wayne Shorter, the original compositions would not be out-of-place on a vintage Blue Note album and the young rhythm section (pianist Peter Martin, bassist Tarus Mateen and drummer Troy Davis) sounds straight out of the mid-1960's, which is around the time period that they were born. As with most jazz musicians fortunate enough to be documented at an early age, the musicians let their influences show. The music is enjoyable enough with pianist Martin (who ranges from McCoy Tyner to Herbie Hancock and Monk) taking solo honors. Marlon Jordan shows obvious talent and potential but at this early point in his career he was emulating Miles Davis ("Inside The Harem" sounds straight from Sketches Of Spain) and Wynton Marsalis ("In A Mellotone" could pass as a dead ringer) much too closely. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Sachi - Szakcsi

Szakcsi — 2009-11-22T01:18:34-05:00

One for Dewey - Sal Marquez

Sal Marquez — 2009-11-22T01:16:23-05:00

Dreams Beyond Control - Spyro Gyra

Spyro Gyra — 2009-11-22T01:15:51-05:00

Spyro Gyra mostly sticks to their formula of danceable melodic music on this GRP release but there are a few temporary departures. The harmonica of the talented Howard Levy is used prominently on "Breakfast at Igor's," two different horn sections pop up on a few songs and there are a pair of throwaway pop vocals from Alex Ligertwood. However, longtime Spyro Gyra fans have little to fear for the solos of saxophonist Jay Beckenstein and vibraphonist Dave Samuels are predictably pleasant, the light funk rhythms push the ensembles and the band's sound remains distinctive, familiar and comfortable. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide