Bringing together some of the most popular songs on the Tru Thoughts catalogue and a sprinkling of timeless instrumentals, from world-respected acts including Quantic, Bonobo, Alice Russell, Nostalgia 77, Belleruche, Hot 8 Brass Band and Stonephace (featuring the Portishead guitarist Adrian Utley), the compilation is packed with quality. Alongside these Tru Thoughts signings, past and present, you’ll also find an impressive roll call of guest artists, including rising UK soul singer of the moment Andreya Triana (Ninja Tune); BRIT nominated blues/jazz singer Beth Rowley (Universal),whose 2009 debut album went Top 10 in the UK charts; and remixer Ashley Beedle.

Performance of anthology. Platée is Marc Minkowski's speciality, which had dug up it of a too long sleep in 1988 for a recording unsurpassed otherwise by this production of the Opera of Paris. Hilarious, but especially moving, Paul Agnew's Platée is a model of spiritual singing, it is necessary to see the dark Madness of Delunsch to believe it and invaluable Leguérinel's Momus.
Minkowski takes all his world of a spicy baguette and Pelly put the bases of his method: crazy ballets, moved reading, the score falls naturally in its ropes and he will renew such a happiness no as with his trilogy Offenbach.

Keepin' It Real is an aptly titled disc by Rod Piazza & the Mighty Flyers. Among the 13 tracks are edgy performances of such blues standards as "Good Morning Little School Girl," "Baby Please Don't Go," and "Pretty Thing," but it's the six originals that really ignite this set. Since the band had been working out these songs during live shows, the tracks were usually captured in one take when they finally played them in the studio…..

Maxwell's solo debut has been a long time in coming, but it been worth the wait, as he neatly sidesteps the curse of the non-vocalist bandleader. Bringing in Darrell Nulisch for one vocal ("Heart Attack") only distracts from this fine instrumental showcase for David's prodigious abilities. Maxwell literally sparkles on the gospel-ish sanctified shout of "Sister Laura Lee," the New Orleans strut of "Breakdown On the Bayou," the boogie woogie classic "Honky Tonk Train" and "Manhattan Max," trading licks throughout with guest stars Ronnie Earl, Duke Levine and saxman supreme Mark "Kaz" Kazanoff, basically the cream of the New England blues mafia. The fact that Maxwell has learned his slow blues lessons well is exhibited on the Pete Johnson tribute, "Down at P.J.'s Place," "Deep Into It" and a seven-minute-plus rendition of Avery Parrish's "After Hours." This is more than just an impressive debut; this is a record of great playing and uncommon musical depth.

Art Taylor - Taylor's Wailers (1957) (ft. John Coltrane) {Prestige 20bit K2 Japan Remaster}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC+CUE+LOG -> 225 Mb
Full Artwork @ 400 dpi (png) -> 70 Mb
© 2006 Prestige / Victor Japan | VICJ-41382
Jazz / Hard Bop / Bop

Five of the six selections on this CD reissue feature drummer Art Taylor in an all-star sextet of mostly young players comprised of trumpeter Donald Byrd, altoist Jackie McLean, Charlie Rouse on tenor, pianist Ray Bryant, and bassist Wendell Marshall. Among the highpoints of the 1957 hard bop date are the original version of Bryant's popular "Cubano Chant" and strong renditions of two Thelonious Monk tunes ("Off Minor" and "Well, You Needn't") cut just prior to the pianist/composer's discovery by the jazz public. Bryant is the most mature of the soloists, but the three horn players were already starting to develop their own highly individual sounds. The remaining track (a version of Jimmy Heath's "C.T.A.") is played by the quartet of Taylor, tenor saxophonist John Coltrane, pianist Red Garland, and bassist Paul Chambers and is a leftover (although a good one) from another session.