Best Soul-Jazz & Boogaloo
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"DOWNING'S smooth and masterful vocal ability, with that baritone voice of his..this is surely sophisticated soul at its very best...this album will truly ease or remove the weight of the world off your mind and transport you to a dimension of utter peace..a most perfect way to relax..by your lonesome or better yet..with that very special someone..this particular effort is more compact than his other recent outputs. "DEEP AS THE OCEAN", is a light flowing song of an eternal pledge of love. The concluding piece here is the quizzing, gentle.."DOES YOUR MOMMA KNOW ABOUT ME", though it's a remake, it's completely new to me, it's the first I ever hear this song and I do love this one.. ONE statement: though I do love his remakes, I see WILL is increasing the amount on each of his recent albums..ONE or TWO is fine for me..not FOUR or more..it would do him well to keep the remakes to a bare minimum..."
"And as a Chicago Stepper I am comfortable with stating "This Song is For You" is without a doubt Will's best stepper track ever."
"It's exactly what I knew it would be....great music from Will Downing."
"He has that magic in his voice that will soothe the most agitated in people and coupled with a glass of fine wine or with the one you want to be with and the evening is on and poppin'!!!"
"I love Will Downing's spin on the remakes "Saving all my love" and "Closer than close"."
"Cool, soothing, smooth sounds of Will Downing, make listening a way to unwind from a hectic day."
"I listen to this CD constantly, especially while driving."
"Thank you seller, I love Will."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Beautiful voice, great range and her music choices are exceptional."
"Heard her latest album, bought it and decided to try her earlier stuff."
"She is a tremendous live performer also."
"I am not as big a fan of the upper tempo songs, like Soul Records, compared to the more musical, like Free or I Do. Go to Maxophone and buy the set and show your support for her and all of these people making music the right way."
"What an amazing talent and with so much heart and sincerity."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Eric Darius made a rather large splash a few years ago, but Vincent seems to have already eclipsed his predecessor's success."
"LOVE this album!!"
"I bought it because I love the title track but all of the other selections are excellent as well."
"He plays every instrument on his albums and plays them ALL as if he's been playing for 30 years, and if you saw him live you'd think he had been performing and charming audiences for at least that long."
"He's groovy and handle that sax with ease."
"Great CD by a very talented sax player."
"First heard Vincent in Catalina in 2013."
"Amazing."
Best Neo-Soul
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"My initial thoughts upon hearing these samples were that Jarrod Lawson feels like a combination of the sleekness & pure melodic sweetness of Pete Belasco, with the mellowness & soulfulness of Will Downing with an accent of Take 6; kicked up and licked up to another level so high that it requires you to climb as you can only see the bottom of the journey he is preparing for the juvenescent flight your ears, your mind, your emotions, your sighs, are about to embark upon. This was so very intriguing, so once I learned that his earliest and strongest influences are the late, great Donny Hathaway and the virtuoso that is Stevie Wonder, it made perfect sense why his sound is as such and Jarrod Lawson is such an outstanding compliment to these masters of their craft. As the tutelage of his father and emulation of the aforementioned predecessors would naturally provide the backdrop and mindset for excellence, they are not the only materials woven into his enriched fabric that gives & presents to us what we are enjoying right now."
"I was so caught up in his musicianship along with the rest of his band that the lyrics took a backseat for a moment. I am an avid music lover and I have NEVER heard anything close to this style/lyrics."
"Such a wonderful creative ride...Each song in itself has so many twists and turns....such colorful music...Musical genius...Thanks for sharing your gift with us all Jarrod...All of my friends have been put on...Keep on doing what you do!"
"Classic case of not judging a book by its cover."
"I kinda get a Eric Benet / Trombone Shorty / John Legend feel from his music."
"jarrod is a nod to the old soul singers who sings with depth.i am blessed 2 have come across his project.it is high quality music."
"Jarrod Lawson has the top acoutics, instruments, vocals and song choices."
"I could go on and on but the actual description for this instrument called a "voice" is PERFECTION."
Best Acid Jazz
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Fans of sixties lounge music will find something here, as well as new listeners of modern DJ Rob Garza."
"If you're a huge fan, like I am, feel the warm embrace of pre-activism Thievery Corporation in its more lounge roots before wandering through the rest of the incredible works these two have amassed."
"Almost every track is a winner and there are a lot of tracks."
"Just perfect vibe for evening cocktails, dinner parties, happy hour on the deck in summer time."
"Would have been nice to get 180g vinyl, but regardless it's a great album and way better than having to hunt down a second-hand copy of the original pressing on ebay for inflated prices."
"Terrible quality 3 vinyl all came warp."
"This product skipped on me."
Best Live Recordings
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"No one sings this like Judy Jacobs."
"I had it before and loan to a friend and they love it and I had to place an order again."
"I remembered enjoying Judy Jacobs performing Agnus Dei at Benny Hinn crusades, so I bought this CD."
"And she also has so many others...Days of Elijiah...God Can Work a Miracle For You.... My God Is....Jesus......every time I start the cd to hear one song, I end up listening and singing to the entire albumn!"
"Great CD; I play it any time I'm in the car."
"Judy Jacobs is one of the very best gospel singer, powerful and anointed voice."
"Judy has a powerful voice, and I love her worship album."
Best Cool Jazz
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I enjoyed this..."
"I think that Boney James shows how Christmas feeling should be with Christmas Time Is Here and The Christmas Song."
"A most excellent Christmas CD."
"never get tired of this cd, very Funky sound like Christmas!"
"gets you in the mood, Bobby Caldwell make a debut."
"added to my x-mas collection great cd."
Best Smooth Jazz
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The album cover says it all.......Wow!"
"This was my first exposure to Marion Meadows' music -- what a treat!"
"I loved it and will probably purchase more cds by this artist."
"This artist is amazing, first was introduce to his jazz music a year ago, and have recently saw him perform in Pittsburgh, Pa., and he was great."
"Marion really brings home the soothing sounds on this CD."
"If you're into jazz give it a try."
"Mr. Meadows provided background music for a dinner party one night, and those guests loved the CD, too."
"If you are a Marion Meadows fan, this CD is a must have."
Best Jazz Fusion
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Gregg Karukas is one of my favorite contemporary jazz artists."
"It has been pretty clear that when Gregg Karukas drops a new CD, it's going to be awesome."
"This is my second Karukas album."
"Love it!"
"Saw him in Charlotte and love the click he's on and the cast he's rolling with."
"I have enough "smooth" Jazz music and have been searching for upbeat Jazz music."
"Great arrangements and performance."
"Gregg Karukas has knocked it out of the park, with Soul Secrets."
Best Traditional Jazz & Ragtime
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Yes, Morton was known to stretch facts to suit him, but his ability to cite other musicians, songs and even discuss his approach to music is the true value of these recordings - dare I call them the pearls? One of the interesting things that my pianist who listened to this set with me pointed out was when Morton was talking he was invariably playing or vamping on his piano during the narrative. He did not do everything claimed in these recordings, but he certainly knew many of the folks whom he mentions, and also has some incredible insights into personalities, events and music that are well worth listening and considering."
"But putting that aside, I think you'll be enraptured by the intimacy of the piano playing and the stories Morton tells about the development of music, Storyville, race riots, parade jobs, and so on."
"Originally issued by Rudi Blesh on his Circle label in 1948 or so as 12-inch 78s, then as 12 LPs, now in a critical edition with fine historical context."
"Don't listen to this if you are easily offended."
"What a voice."
"And this is the rediscovery of Jelly Roll by Alan Lomax at the Library of Congress."
"A priceless time capsule filled with hours of musical mastery and drunken paranoid braggadocio."
"A must have for jazz music lovers."
Best Vocal Jazz
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"So, bob that hair, fire up a cigarette and Charleston your pants off, this CD promises to be a good time!"
"Bought this as a gift for a friend, along with the Boardwalk Empire Vol."
"this cd is so lively BUT IT DOES NOT PLAY ON MY CD PLAYER IN THE HOUSE IT ONLY PLAYS ON MY CAR CD why?"
"G00d music for my senior dance class -ages 70 to 80 to 90."
"This is a great collection of artists showing how things could get during that period, although subtle by today's standards."
"good assortment of 1920s music."
"The lyrics are somewhat naughty for the 1920s, but mild for today."
"Very good deal for price- long song list."
Best Swing Jazz
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"First off a little perspective: I'm a jazz fan and I'm a swing dancing fan and occasional swing DJ."
"If you only get one compilation of Big Band Swing/Jazz, this should be the one."
"I wasn't as familiar with these recordings (as i bought this to get a better idea of what was considered a swing hit- to widen my musical spectrum), so I cannot comment on that aspect- whether these are original or re-recorded."
"Many old cuts are over processed - maybe in the interest of reducing hiss, producing weird, noisy artifacts."
"We already owned some of the songs on other CD's that we have in our collection of music, but this "album" had many songs that were hard to find elsewhere."
"If you like big band music you will probably like this album but don't let the name fool you."
"This album includes almost all of my favorite artists from that period -- Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Arty Shaw."
Best Latin Jazz
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Some great Latin Jazz here to enjoy."
"This is a Collection from one of the great Legends of Latin Jazz music."
Best Brazilian Jazz
![Inflikted [Special Edition] [Explicit]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/4149ND4ePnL._SS600_.jpg)
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Received in good condition."
"Amazing album."
"Love this CD!"
"Well, perfect to me because Max is my god :) Good riffs by Marc Rizzo, lots of energy, classic Max in there!!"
"Max Cavalera continues to rip your face off with heavier s***."
"My god,what can be said not for the Mumford crowd (yeah)."
"Just as heavy as I expected, and it sticks to what metal should be."
Best New Orleans Jazz
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Yes, Morton was known to stretch facts to suit him, but his ability to cite other musicians, songs and even discuss his approach to music is the true value of these recordings - dare I call them the pearls? One of the interesting things that my pianist who listened to this set with me pointed out was when Morton was talking he was invariably playing or vamping on his piano during the narrative. He did not do everything claimed in these recordings, but he certainly knew many of the folks whom he mentions, and also has some incredible insights into personalities, events and music that are well worth listening and considering."
"But putting that aside, I think you'll be enraptured by the intimacy of the piano playing and the stories Morton tells about the development of music, Storyville, race riots, parade jobs, and so on."
"Originally issued by Rudi Blesh on his Circle label in 1948 or so as 12-inch 78s, then as 12 LPs, now in a critical edition with fine historical context."
"Don't listen to this if you are easily offended."
"What a voice."
"And this is the rediscovery of Jelly Roll by Alan Lomax at the Library of Congress."
"A priceless time capsule filled with hours of musical mastery and drunken paranoid braggadocio."
"A must have for jazz music lovers."
Best Avant Garde & Free Jazz
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The percussion and electric guitar keep this sounding current and modern, even though the acoustic strings are often associated with classical music."
"This is a great album!"
"Traditional Jewish music meets surf rock meets contemporary jazz."
"Half of the group (Mark Feldman, Erik Friedlander & Marc Ribot) have their own Book of Angels releases. Those who don't (Cyro Baptista, Joey Baron & Greg Cohen) are long time John Zorn collaborators. Perhaps because most of these musicians played on the initial "Bar Kokhba" album and on the "50th Birthday Celebration" live release, this group has chemistry. I don't recall being as moved by a Jazz violin since hearing Stéphane Grappelli play with Django Reinhardt's Quintette du Hot Club de France."
"Zorn's stated goal with the new Masada songbook was not to make a band the focus of the project but rather the music and in this he really succeeds-- covering a range of moods and influences while being both uniquely Jewish and uniquely John Zorn (and readily identifiable as Masada). And really, these are the keys to what makes this record fantastic-- great playing and great support as a band whose level of interaction is a mix between near psychic response and Zorn's unique exertions over them (everything from switching accompaniment from arco to pizzicato to not at all to conducting triangle strikes and extending brilliant solos)."
"This is just superb - great grooves as ever (Zorn can conjure up perfect basslines at will it seems - 'Lilin' springs immediately to mind, but the Masada Books contain so many others), intense yet always sensitive drumming and percussion, and, of course, endlessly beautiful soloing and comping from Ribot, Feldman and Friedlander."
Best Compilations
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Yes, Morton was known to stretch facts to suit him, but his ability to cite other musicians, songs and even discuss his approach to music is the true value of these recordings - dare I call them the pearls? One of the interesting things that my pianist who listened to this set with me pointed out was when Morton was talking he was invariably playing or vamping on his piano during the narrative. He did not do everything claimed in these recordings, but he certainly knew many of the folks whom he mentions, and also has some incredible insights into personalities, events and music that are well worth listening and considering."
"But putting that aside, I think you'll be enraptured by the intimacy of the piano playing and the stories Morton tells about the development of music, Storyville, race riots, parade jobs, and so on."
"Originally issued by Rudi Blesh on his Circle label in 1948 or so as 12-inch 78s, then as 12 LPs, now in a critical edition with fine historical context."
"Don't listen to this if you are easily offended."
"What a voice."
"And this is the rediscovery of Jelly Roll by Alan Lomax at the Library of Congress."
"A must have for jazz music lovers."
"If you play Ragtime piano or just love to listen REAL piano masters."
Best Bebop
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It becomes new again when performed on the sitar by a band of Indian musicians."
"Waht a great Eastern slant on standards."
"A magnificent interpretation of jazz and pop classics."
"These are some of the most interesting interpretations of well-known jazz standards I have ever heard."
"The sitar , the violins and the drumming make for a very different version of these jazz classics."
"Excellent for what it is, a bold mixture of cultural musical instruments and rhythms."
"I've listened to this music almost daily and never cease to be amazed."
"For anyone who loves music from the subcontinent this is a find."
Best Modern Postbebop
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Fringe progressive jazz."
"Don't be fooled by the cover."
"I think Hiromi rolls out the best jazz fusion on the decade, both with Sonic Boom and with her trio."
"This new record is more about monstor playing going full out on everybodies part. I think fans of Hiromi new and old will really enjoy this album."
"And of course the cliche of Japanese life is that it so conformist that it shrivels the creative impulse like a dried prune. Having said that, however, I found I couldn't wade my way through Time Control in a single sitting. I don't retract anything I said about her - she is a wonderful musician and a great musical personality - but I think she is still young as a composer. It's always risky getting a bunch of crack journeymen in a room and letting them rip."
"all in all a very impressive disc, with the extra star left dangling with the suspicion that an artist of this calibre might be capable of greater dazzlement and perhaps more memorable composition."
"Weaving through complex time signatures and changes as facilely and easily as most people cross the street, this album is by turns stark, startling, and lush."
Best Live Recordings
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Marcia Ball is a very good entertainer, and this album is a wonderful example of her work."
"I never buy live and I know better."
"Great album, Marcia rocks!"
"I would have wished for a slightly "rougher" production with a smaller band (just bass, drums and guitar for example) that would highlight her fantastic piano work."
"If you like boogy woogie piano and New Orleans blues, get you some Marcia Ball!"
"This woman is amazing."
"We discovered, also, on a long trip home from the airport in the middle of the night, that this CD is great for keeping a very sleepy driver awake!"
"A lively cd, her music is fun, kinda blues, kinda cajun and kinda honky-tonk."