MAX MERSENY - WORLD TRAVELLER
A good five years ago alto saxophonist Max Merseny had a
sensational debut at age 23. His first album 'Thank Ya' All' was presented and
praised in the major German press, and nominated for the Jazz Echo prize, as
was the follow-up album 'Everlasting' (comparable to the US Grammy). Something
of a German David Sanborn, Max Merseny revitalised American Soul jazz of the Eighties,
modernized with elements of Rhythm & Blues and hip-Hop - his other two
musical passions. And this with a virtuosity and a groove which nobody had
expected from a German. His CD 'Word Traveller' follows this line rigorously,
this time with the help of keyboard player Federico Gonzàlez Pena, who came on
board as producer, co-author of three titles and as ingenious sound creator on
diverse keyboards and synthesizers. The group is completed by well-versed
guitarist Ferdinand Kirner, plus guests such as Grammy nominated rapper Phonte,
vocalist Tami Samantha Hayes, guitarists Mike Scott and Wah Wah Watson,
percussionist Alfredo Mojica and drummer Gene Lake. Rapper/turntablist Roger
Reckless is at the turntables.
DJANGO BATES AND FRANKFURT RADIO BIG BAND – SALUTING SGT.
PEPPER
Django Bates, in collaboration with the Frankfurt Radio Big
Band and Eggs Laid By Tigers, reimagines the seminal Beatles album Sgt.
Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. The opportunity to celebrate the 50th
anniversary of an album that is a landmark musically and culturally was a
challenge Bates couldn't resist. Holding on to the original structures and
keys, he gracefully folds his own colors, rhythms and sound into the music,
resulting in a thoroughly kaleidoscopic examination of this iconic album.
MARK MURPHY - MILESTONES
Mark Murphy was the finest, hippest male jazz singer I ever
heard. And I heard him a lot. Okay don't take my word for it. Dusty
Springfield, Scott Walker, Peggy Lee, Betty Carter, Sammy Davis Jr and Matt
Monro can also be listed among his close admirers, while Ella Fitzgerald was
moved to declare: "He is my equal". The recipient of the 1996, 1997,
2000, and 2001 Down Beat magazine readers jazz poll for Best Male Vocalist of
the Year, the six-time Grammy nominee was also popular with the British
record-buying public, and in the world section of the annual Melody Maker poll,
Mark was voted runner-up to Sinatra in 1965 and 1966. Enjoy this superb 2CD
compilation including Milestones, My Favourite Things and Why Don't You Do
Right?
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