German electronic/jazz band: Boris Meinhold (guitar, synth), Tim Kroker (drums), Sebastian “Hagen” Demmin (keyboards; worked as a live keyboarder with Daft Punk), Lisa Bassenge (vocals), Stefan Rogall (programming), and Paul Kleber (kontrabass)....
Leela James (born June 2, 1983 in Los Angeles, California) is an American R&B, soul, and neo soul singer-songwriter. James cites legendary singers James Brown, Roberta Flack, Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway, Gladys Knight, Mavis Staples, and Stevie Wonder as her influences. Her deep, rich, gritty vocals have drawn comparisons to Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, and Tina Turner....
Following two acclaimed albums largely composed of covers and standards, mercurial jazz-pop singer Madeleine Peyroux has created her first album consisting entirely of original songs. Working with her longtime producer and bandleader Larry Klein, along with other co-writers including Steely Dan’s Walter Becker, Joe Henry, and second-generation jazz guitarist Julian Coryell, Peyroux has done a remarkable job of maintaining the sound and mood of her earlier work. Highlights include the opening acoustic shuffle “Instead,” a perky bit of affirmation that showcases Peyroux’s startlingly Billie Holiday-like phrasing, while the atypically rough-edged “You Can’t Do Me” takes a page from Cat Power’s recent fusions of Memphis soul and indie rock desperation...
The new JAZZ CLUB series is an attractive addition to the Verve catalogue. With its modern design and popular choice of repertoire, the JAZZ CLUB is not only opened for Jazz fans, but for everyone that loves good music. This collection by the elegant Ella Fitzgerald features 18 tracks including ‘A-Tisket A-Tasket’, ‘Lullaby Of Birdland’, ‘The Lady Is A Tramp’ and more. 2006....
Swedish singer Rigmor Gustafsson’s three previous ACT recordings have all concentrated on other composers’ material and all had titles including the word ‘you’ (On My Way to You, I Will Wait for You and Close to You); this is a departure in that it contains nothing but originals (some co-written), but it continues the appropriately intimate, confessional ‘you’ theme....
Issued in late 2008, OUR BRIGHT FUTURE finds singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman unveiling another assured set of light, welcoming folk-pop. As its title implies, the album is a largely hopeful and optimistic affair, with Chapman’s warm, wavering vocals perfectly showcased on thoughtful tracks such as “Sing for You” and “Thinking of You.” Those reminded of 1980s and `90s Joni Mitchell records will find that notion to be more than mere coincidence–FUTURE is produced by Larry Klein, who worked on many of those Mitchell outings, and brings a similar airy-yet-substantial quality to Chapman’s gentle song....
For his new album Volume 10, “Yeux Revolver” (N°4 in 1985) singer has been helped by the chic Bertrand Burgalat (Christophe Willem) & also Lulu Gainsbourg, Serge’s son, who composed “Quand Je Suis Seul”, his friend Fabrice Aboulker (”Les 1001 Vies D’Ali Baba”) & Christophe Casanave (Najoua Belyzel)… The album includes 2 duets, Marc Lavoine loves them : the first with Valérie Lemercier, “La Grande Amour” & the second with his 11-year-old daughter Yasmine, “Lentement”. Recorded in Paris & Los Angeles, this album includes the rhythm section by Elvis Costello’s Imposters, bassist Davey Faragher & drummer Pete Thomas....
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