Madness - Utter Madness
FLAC | EAC, LOG & CUE | Full Artwork Scan (400dpi .png) | Size: 415 MB | HF + FS
Cat#: Zarjazz JZCD 2 | Country/Year: UK 1986

Utter Madness is a greatest hits album by the British pop band Madness, released in 1986 at the time of their original split. It is a sequel of sorts to their earlier compilation Complete Madness (meaning the completed title is interpreted by some fans as "Complete and Utter Madness") and comprises songs from the latter half of their career. The new single "(Waiting For) The Ghost Train," which would become the band's final single of the 1980's, is featured here.

Guitarist John Scofield's music of the '80s blended together funk with post-bop improvising. Although not as timeless as much of his work of the '90s, there are always moments of interest on his many recordings. For Electric Outlet, Scofield performs eight originals (the best-known is "Pick Hits") with a notable quintet and also including altoist David Sanborn, trombonist Ray Anderson, Pete Levin on synthesizer and drummer Steve Jordan; there is no bassist, although the leader often plays basslines. Intriguing music.

Susan Hoeppner, Judy Loman and Friends bring us an exquisite collection of late romantic chamber music by French composers Jolivet, Debussy, Roussel, and Ravel. Each work features the rich flute sounds of Susan Hoeppner and Judy Loman's mastery on harp, but in a variety of instrumental groupings from Debussy's trio to Ravel's Introduction and Allegro for septet.

Francis Cabrel (born 23 November 1953 in Agen, France) is a French singer-songwriter and guitarist. Inspired heavily by Bob Dylan, he has released a number of albums falling mostly within the realm of folk, with occasional forays into blues or country. Several of his songs, such as "L'encre de tes yeux" and "Petite Marie" have become enduring favourites in French music. Others, such as "C'était l'hiver", about the suicide of a young girl, have since been covered by other artists such as Canadian Isabelle Boulay.

The fifth volume in the Concord Duo Series matches pianist Adam Makowciz and bassist George Mraz in a concert at the Maybeck Recital Hall; both musicians are virtuosoes originally from Eastern Europe who found fame in the U.S. On what is very much a duo set, Mraz gets nearly as much solo space as Makowicz. Their repertoire mixes together six fresh renditions of standards with four of the pianist's complex originals and the harmonically advanced music (which features plenty of close interplay) has enough variety to continually hold one's interest. ~Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Los Lobos - The Neighborhood
FLAC | EAC, LOG & CUE | Full Artwork Scan (400dpi .png) | Size: 457 MB | HF + FS
Cat#: Slash Records 828 190-2 | Country/Year: Europe 1990

The Neighborhood is the eighth album by the American rock group Los Lobos. Released in 1990. Contains contributions from among others Levon Helm and John Hiatt. Peaked at # 103 at the Billboard 200 in September of 1990.

There is a forceful strut to the unfolding patterns and shapes that swirl across the ten originals of this twin alto sax bash. Mahanthappa cites the undeservedly sidelined veteran Bunky Green as a major influence both favour a fruity tone and use modal scales as a starting point but there are many different shades to sustain interest, and the ensemble playing is top drawer. Green s wisp of blue smoke adds depth to the whirligig bustle of his young partner; Jason Moran fleshes out the lyricism with full-bodied piano. –FOUR STARS The Financial Times