CD-Charts Position 111
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If I Could Do It All Over Again I'd Do It All Over You

CD-Charts > Music > Jazz
by: Caravan

Release Date February 26, 2001
Something has provoked me to write a review of this, the first I've done in ages - I think that 'something' is the complexity of an album that entirely failed to be what I expected it to be when I bought it. Prior to getting it, I had heard only 'In the Land of Grey and Pink', which became an instant favourite. I confess to having expected more of the same, but 'If I Could Do It All Over Again...' is not the same at all.

As yet I have only listened to it a few times, it's true, but at the corresponding stage of my aquaintance with 'Grey and Pink' I had got a handle on Caravan's "English", "pastoral", "progressive" sound (words which come up a lot in the other reviews), and fallen utterly in love with it - but 'All Over Again' still ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 112
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Savane

CD-Charts > Music > Jazz
by: Ali Farka Toure

Release Date July 17, 2006
I have not heard any of this kind of African blues music before and I have to say I am intrigued - is this what blues was originally like, or something that has evolved as a fusion of blues and african music, or something different entirely.

Whatever it is, what is true is that listening and making music is worth more that analyzing it and writing about the results.

Ignore the reviews about it being the best blues album ever etc etc and just buy it and listen to it. It's a good, atmospheric, interesting record.

CD-Charts Position 113
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The Nightfly

CD-Charts > Music > Jazz
by: Donald Fagen

Release Date April 24, 1984
The Nightfly has always been right at the top of my list of favourite albums, as good as any of Fagen's work with Steely Dan. Superb craftsmanship in every department, from writing to lyrics to arrangement to musicianship.
Now the DVD-Audio format brings new heights of listening pleasure, making full use of the multi-channel capabilities, but with the same understated excellence that created the music in the first place. Steely Dan / Fagen solo always created multi-layered sound, and the channel separation really highlights the sheer number of elements to the music, compared with standard stereo.

If you already have the standard CD and are wondering whether it is worth getting the DVD-Audio version (and of course assuming your player ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 114
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Mingus Ah Um

CD-Charts > Music > Jazz
by: Charles Mingus

Release Date February 08, 1999
This is a rarity - a Mingus album with no duff tracks at all - everything is spot-on.The eclecticism of the music and its execution are breathtaking - if you need music to wake you up, try Boogie Stop Shuffle (so that's where they got the Mission Impossible theme from!).The gentler side of Mingus emerges beautifully on the slower tracks such as Pork Pie Hat.As for the recording - how did they manage such stunning sound? OK,it's remastered, but compare it to Monk CDs from the same time and it leaves them behind - vibrant,balanced,clear and dynamic - a must-buy!

CD-Charts Position 115
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Encanto

CD-Charts > Music > Jazz
by: Sergio Mendes

Release Date June 23, 2008
Two years ago Sergio Mendes came back into the mainstream with the Grammy-winning "Timeless" co-produced by wil.i.am with songs featuring Erykah Badu, Stevie Wonder, Jill Scott, John Legend, Justin Timberlake and several other international stars. That album, by virtue of its all-star pop line-up and co-producer had a more hip-hop "flava" to it.

Though wil.i.am returns on "Encanto," most of the new album sounds remarkably like Mendes's classic albums from the 60's and 70's with updated technology. It's like a trip back in time when Brasil '66 was heating up the pop charts.

Ledisi, Carlinhos Brown, Jovanotti, Juanes, Gracinha Leporace, and Vanessa da Mata, along with Siedah Garrett, Natalie Cole and wil.i.am possess the right vocalizations ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 116
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Caravan

CD-Charts > Music > Jazz
by: Caravan

Release Date February 04, 2002
With their 1968 debut album, Caravan set their own high benchmark for musicianship and creative endeavour, if not for subsequent commercial success. These are wonderful Hammond organ dominated songs sets, with the distinctive voice of Pye Hastings to the fore, superbly supported by Richard Sinclair's wonderfully 'English' vocals. Dave Sinclair's organ dominates the overall sound, but his cousin's tasteful bass, Hastings' precise rhythm guitar and Richard Coughlan's excellent drumming in occasionally challenging time signatures create a wonderful wall of sound with plenty of light and shade. Jimmy Hasting's outstanding flute playing graces "Love song". "Place of my own", "Ride", "Magic Man", and "Cecil Rons" are very evocative of Canterbury's own interpretation of psychedaelia. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 117
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Those Things Deluxe

CD-Charts > Music > Jazz
by: Miguel Migs

Release Date July 21, 2008
This was the strap line that first introduced me to the talents of Miguel Migs quite a few years back now on one of the early Nude Dimension releases. Boy did the strap line not disappoint and nor did Mr Migs, and the same can be said today. "Those Things" is quite with out a doubt one of the best buys I have made in a long time, and has been played pretty non stop since. This guy has just got better and better. So if the strap line has got you, and this is your first introduction to the talents of this brilliant DJ/Producer than my job is done...enjoy, and be enlightened!

CD-Charts Position 118
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Stranger On The Shore - The Best Of

CD-Charts > Music > Jazz
by: Acker Bilk

Release Date February 26, 2008
What a class act this man is! a fantastic kalaidascopic cornacopia of a rollercoaster into the smoky realms of Jazztopia! with a cherry on top! I recommend this cd to everyone who has yet to worship at altar of Acker in the church of Bilk!. What people also don't realise is that Acker is also a greco roman wrestling champion at several different weights but gave up to concentrate solely on music, for that we should be gratefull my friends! also a special mention to Chris Barton who plays baritone on several of these tracks and is a very underated musician in his own right. If you like Acker I recommend you try Chris Barton's album " When Sally met Chris, the Stable sessions ". A modern jazz classic!

CD-Charts Position 119
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The Essential Collection - Django Reinhardt & Stephane Grapelli

CD-Charts > Music > Jazz
by: Django Reinhardt, Stephane Grapelli

Release Date April 17, 2006
What a class act this man is! a fantastic kalaidascopic cornacopia of a rollercoaster into the smoky realms of Jazztopia! with a cherry on top! I recommend this cd to everyone who has yet to worship at altar of Acker in the church of Bilk!. What people also don't realise is that Acker is also a greco roman wrestling champion at several different weights but gave up to concentrate solely on music, for that we should be gratefull my friends! also a special mention to Chris Barton who plays baritone on several of these tracks and is a very underated musician in his own right. If you like Acker I recommend you try Chris Barton's album " When Sally met Chris, the Stable sessions ". A modern jazz classic!

CD-Charts Position 120
Average Rating:

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Talking Timbuktu

CD-Charts > Music > Jazz
by: Ali Farka Toure, Ry Cooder

Release Date March 28, 1994
A beautiful mixture of music from Mali, the most recognisable African music,and the superb guitar of Ry Cooder.
If you only listen to one track try track 5, Amandrai.
Put a do not disturb sign on your door, Turn off the lights, sit back and be smothered in the lovely slow and smooth playing.
Any music lover cannot fail to enjoy it. Also try Niafunke and The River also by Ali Faka Toure