Igor Bril & The All-Star Soviet Jazz Band - Live at the Village Gate (1989) [MFSL]
EAC Rip | WavPack (image+.cue+log) - 321 MB | MP3 CBR 320 kbps (LAME 3.93) - 209 MB | Covers includes
Genre: Jazz | RAR 3% Rec. | Label: Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab (MFCD 861), 1990

"During October and November 1988, an all-star quartet comprised of some of the then-Soviet Union's top bop-based jazzmen made their initial tour of the United States. They recorded this CD at their final stop, the Village Gate in New York. Altoist Alexander Oseichuck displays a fiery sound influenced by Phil Woods and he is at his best on a duet with pianist Igor Bril on "My One and Only Love." Guitarist Alexei Kuznetsov gets "It's Alright with Me" as an unaccompanied solo and sounds excellent on the five quartet tracks while bassist Victor Dvoskin is fine in support. But the most impressive voice is Igor Bril, particularly during his three solo piano features. "Dance of the Seagulls" is impressionistic and on a thoughtful "Body and Soul" Bril hints at times at Erroll Garner. Best is his tour-de-force "Journey into the Blues" which evolves from relaxed stride to doubletime, stoptime and finally boogie-woogie straight from Albert Ammons. A surprising and recommended release."

Johnny Coles - Little Johnny C (1963) Audio Wave XRCD24 AWMXR-0006
EAC Rip | WV (image+.cue+log) - 254 MB | Scans | MP3 CBR 320 kbps (LAME 3.98) - 93 MB
Genre: jazz, hard-bop | RAR 5% Rec. | Label: Blue Note | # AWMXR-0006 | 2010

Although this Blue Note session (reissued on CD in 1996) is led by trumpeter Johnny Coles, pianist Duke Pearson (who contributed the arrangements and five of the six compositions) really functioned as leader. The typically impressive Blue Note lineup (which includes Leo Wright on alto and flute, tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, bassist Bob Cranshaw, and either Walter Perkins or Pete LaRoca on drums, in addition to Coles and Pearson) handles the obscure material with creative invention.

Pierre Moerlen's Gong - Downwind (1979)
EAC Rip | WavPack (image+.cue+log) - 238 MB | MP3 CBR 320 kbps (LAME 3.93) - 106 MB | Covers includes
Genre: Canterbury Scene/Progressive Rock | RAR 3% Rec. | Label: BMG Ariola (251 138), 1992

"The impressive Downwind is the first release from the band under its new moniker, Pierre Moerlen's Gong, as Moerlen assumes creative control and dominance. The release marks a return to vocals/lyrics, which proves only partially successful. Moerlen's voice is a hit on the opener, the rocking "Aeroplane," and the collective vocals on the fast-paced, percussive "Jin-Go-Lo-Ba" are right on target. His singing is weak, though, on "What You Know" and detracts from the song's quality. Mick Taylor makes his only appearance here with an exceptional guitar solo. Downwind is also a return to compositions dominated by rock structures and styles, the jazz element minimal this time around. The instrumental cuts are sublime: "Emotions" and "Xtasea" are relaxing; "Crosscurrents" and "Downwind" are energetic and exciting. The title cut is easily the highlight of the album, featuring guest appearances by Steve Winwood (Moog, synth) and guitarist Mike Oldfield. At almost 13 minutes, this thrilling composition resembles the early work of Oldfield, particularly strains of "Tubular Bells, Pt. 1," and specifically the section used for the film The Exorcist. On "Downwind," Moerlen's percussives are ablaze, recalling his "Percolations" performance from Gazeuse. Bassist Hansford Rowe is prominent, and saxophonist Didier Malherbe, a longtime Gong staple, makes his only appearance on the album."

English | 100 pages | HQ PDF | 99.00 Mb