When Ronnie Laws first started recording as a leader in 1975, one of the saxman's strongest allies was Wayne Henderson. That trombonist and founding member of the Crusaders (originally the Jazz Crusaders) was an expert when it came to combining the accessibility of soul and funk with the freedom of jazz, and his guidance proved to be a definite asset when he produced early Laws albums like Pressure Sensitive (1975) and Fever (1976). The popular Grover Washington, Jr. was a strong influence on Laws, whose appreciation of Mr. Magic asserts itself on everything from the funky "Let's Keep It Together" and the gritty "Captain Midnite" to Bobby Lyle's alluring "Night Breeze." This isn't to say that Laws was a Washington clone, or that he unaware of other soul-jazz saxmen like Eddie Harris and David "Fathead" Newman. Laws, in fact, was quite recognizable himself on both tenor and soprano.

UK Grindcore pioneers NAPALM DEATH are delighted to announce their upcoming studio album release “Throes of Joy in the Jaws of Defeatism”, to be released on September 18th, 2020 via Century Media Records. “Throes of Joy in the Jaws of Defeatism” is the highly anticipated follow-up to 2015’s acclaimed “Apex Predator – Easy Meat” album, was again recorded with longtime producer Russ Russell and features artwork by Frode Sylthe

The Look of Love is the fourth solo album of Trijntje Oosterhuis and the second jazz album by Trijntje and was released on November 20, 2006. The album was released in Japan on January 17, 2007 under the artist name Traincha with a bonus song "Anyone Who Had a Heart (live)". The album consists of Burt Bacharach covers and has been recorded with the Metropole Orchestra.

With nearly 450 years of tradition, the Staatskapelle Berlin is one of the oldest orchestras in the world. Daniel Barenboim has served as its music director since 1992, and in 2000 the orchestra appointed him Chief Conductor for Life. Having already performed important cycles such as Beethoven, Brahms and Schumann together, Daniel Barenboim and the Staatskapelle turned their focus toward Anton Bruckner's last six Symphonies, performed in the Philharmonie Berlin in the course of only one week in June 2010.

On Beyond Standard, her fifth album and the second one under the group name Hiromi's Sonicbloom, the always adventuresome pianist doesn't so much pay tribute to standards such as Duke Ellington's "Caravan" and Rodgers and Hammerstein's "My Favorite Things" as break them apart, put them back together in a way that best pleases her and generally deconstruct the whole idea of paying homage to old songs.

Although the Crusaders could not have known it at the time, their recording of "Street Life" (which features a memorable vocal by Randy Crawford) was a last hurrah for the 20-year old group. Their recordings of the next few years would decline in interest until the band gradually faded away in the '80s. However this particular set is well worth picking up for the 11-minute title cut and there is good playing by the three original members (Wilton Felder on tenor, soprano and electric bass, keyboardist Joe Sample and drummer Stix Hooper) along with guitarist Barry Finnerty; horn and string sections, plus additional guitarists are utilized on Sample's commercial but listenable arrangements.

Art Pepper - Straight Life (1979) {Galaxy OJCCD-475-2 rel 1990}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 251 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 118 Mb
Full Artwork @ 600 dpi (png) -> 87 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1979, 1990 Galaxy Records / Fantasy | OJCCD-475-2
Jazz / Post Bop / West Coast Jazz / Saxophone

Altoist Art Pepper recorded many albums for the Galaxy label during 1979-1982. Straight Life is pretty definitive and serves as a perfect introduction to Pepper's second (and most rewarding) period. Not only is there a superior version of Pepper's famous title cut but very emotional (and explorative) renditions of "September Song" and "Nature Boy." The quartet also featured pianist Tommy Flanagan, bassist Red Mitchell, and drummer Billy Higgins. Brilliant music.