Yvonne Catterfeld ,

(born 2 December 1979 in Erfurt, Thuringia) then in East Germany. At the age of 15 she started playing the piano and the flute, simultaneously taking first dance and vocal lessons. After the high school graduation she studied Pop and Jazz at the Felix Mendelssohn College of Music and Theatre in Leipzig for two years. In 1998 she eventually released her first recordings titled KIV, but the seven songs only found little to none professional response.

After her studies Yvonne participated in the singing contest Stimme 2000 (briefly performing under the name Vivianne), where she met manager and later BMG boss Thomas Stein, who offered her a contract with the sub-label Hansa Music. In 2001 she released her first official single, Bum, a cover of the same-titled All Saints track, but once again the record did not enter the charts. At least the following three single Komm zurück zu mir, Niemand sonst and Gefühle helped to expand Catterfeld’s popularity. In 2002 she became part of popular German soap opera Gute Zeiten, schlechte Zeiten, where she portrayed the role of Julia Blum until 2005. Pushed by her TV presence Yvonne finally found big success with her fourth single produced by Dieter Bohlen Für dich, which went to #1 of the German, Austrian and Swiss singles charts. Her first album Meine Welt saw similar success and was eventually certified Platinum. One year later she was able to reprise this success with Du hast mein Herz gebrochen and her second album Farben meiner Welt. ….Read More

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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Luz Casal ,

born November 11, 1958 at Boimorto, is a Spanish pop singer. She grew up in neighbouring Asturias, took singing, piano and ballet classes, and moved to Madrid to pursue a career as a musician.

She became famous in the early 1980s, and remained an important figure in Spanish pop music all through said decade and beyond, with her sound gradually maturing towards soft adult pop. She recorded a cover version of Étienne Daho’s French language song “Duel au Soleil” in Spanish called “Un nuevo día brillará”, which became a hit song.

In 1992 she enjoyed great success with her appearance in the soundtrack of Pedro Almodóvar’s acclaimed film Tacones Lejanos singing Agustín Lara’s theme “Piensa en mí”.

In January 2007, Luz Casal was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent an operation at the Ruber Clinic in Madrid.[citation needed], seven months later, she revealed to the Spanish media that she had overcome her disease.

Her first name, Luz, means “light” in Spanish. ….Read More

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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Melody Gardot ,

(born February 2, 1985 in New Jersey) is an American jazz singer, writer and musician in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She has been influenced by such blues and jazz artists as Judy Garland, Janis Joplin, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington and George Gershwin as well as Latin music artists such as Stan Getz and Caetano Veloso.

Some Lessons ,

After being hit by a car and suffering serious injuries in November 2003, Melody Gardot tried music therapy and learnt to play the guitar and write her own songs. From those sessions arose this independent EP in 2005. Not much has been published about the record.
The title song, “Some Lessons”, is considered autobiographical, as it contains lines such as “It’s a miracle that I’m alive(..)To think that I could have fallen/A centimeter to the left/Would not be here to see the sunset/Or have myself a time” and “Remember the sound of the pavement/World turned upside down”. That song, along with “Wicked Ride”, can also be heard on her Worrisome Heart album. The track “Down my Avenue” is partially sung in French. ….Read More

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Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

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Helen Folasade Adu ,

(born 16 January 1959), better known as Sade, is a British Nigerian singer-songwriter, composer, and record producer. She first achieved success in the 1980s as the frontwoman and lead vocalist of the popular Brit and Grammy Award winning English group, Sade. She is the most successful solo female artist in Britain, having sold over 50 million albums.
Soldier of Love is the upcoming sixth studio album from British soul, Pop, and R&B band Sade. It is their first new material since the 2000 multi-platinum Lovers Rock. The album is slated for release on February 8, 2010. The first single “Soldier of Love” premiered on December 8 on band’s official website. ….Read More

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Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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The Sea ,

is the upcoming second studio album by English singer-songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae. The album is set to be released on January 26, 2010.

According to Rae, some of the songs carry personal themes, mainly related to the death of her husband, Jason Rae. “Are You Here” is one of those songs. “I’d Do It All Again” was written two months before he died in January 2008 after the couple had had an argument, and is a testimony to the strength of her love for him.

“I felt like I was playing and composing using music to help me with all the different feelings he was feeling.” Corinne said that when she began to write “Are You Here” even though it might be better that the song was not released because it is very personal and intimate. ….Read More

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Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

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Hocus Pocus ,

Les nantais d’Hocus Pocus ont toujours fait la différence. Leur rap jazzy, positif et intelligent occupe une place à part au sein du rap français. Place 54, leur second opus, vient confirmer cette originale singularité.

73 Touches, leur premier album, est sorti en 2005 mais a eu une longue carrière de rééditions, remixs et, surtout, de concerts. Un courant d’air provincial balayant les stéréotypes, une formule magique qui a très vite pris. Autour du charismatique auteur-rappeur 20Syl, les Hocus Pocus ont créé un son unique (10 ans d’existence quand même !) grâce, notamment, à l’emploi de vrais instruments et à de très fortes références aux mondes jazz, funk et soul. Leur identité a alors séduit un public dépassant largement le cercle des fans de rap. Hocus Pocus, c’est d’abord du bouche à oreille avec, dés 2002, leur tout premier 8 titres « Acoustic HipHop Quintet » qui s’est écoulé comme de petits pains, sans aucune promo. C’est aussi l’extraordinaire chance de compter dans leurs rang les fameux C2C, collectif de DJ’s double champion du monde. ….Read More

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Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

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Tim Sparks ,

(born October 31, 1954) is an American acoustic guitar player, singer, arranger and composer.
Raised in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, he was given his first guitar when a bout of encephalitis kept him out of school for a year. The music he heard around him was traditional country blues, and the gospel his grandmother played on piano in a small church in the Blue Ridge Mountains, so that’s what he taught himself to play. ….Read More

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Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

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Michel Camilo ,

Pianist and composer Michel Camilo was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in 1954. Fascinated with music since childhood, he composed his first song at the age of five, then studied for 13 years at the National Conservatory. At 16, he became a member of the National Symphony Orchestra.

Seeking to expand his musical horizons, he moved in 1979 to New York, where he continued his studies at Mannes and Juilliard School of Music. His composition Why Not? was recorded by Paquito D’Rivera as the title tune for one of his albums, and The Manhattan Transfer won a Grammy Award for their vocal version in 1983. His first two albums were titled Why Not? and Suntan/In Trio. ….Read More

Michel Camilo Big Band – Caribe P1

Michel Camilo Big Band – Caribe P2

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Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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Crazy Love ,

released in 2009, is Canadian vocalist Michael Bublé’s fourth studio album
The album was recorded over a period of six months in Los Angeles, New York, and Vancouver (his hometown). Produced by David Foster, Bob Rock and Humberto Gatica, Michael Bublé describes Crazy Love as the “ultimate record about the inevitable roller coaster ride of relationships.”

The first single, “Haven’t Met You Yet,” written by Bublé, Alan Chang and Amy Foster (former collaborators), was released on August 31st, 2009. Weeks prior to this single, Bublé offered his audience an early glimpse at Crazy Love with a “playful” remix of “Baby (You Got What It Takes)”.

Crazy Love was named for Irish musician Van Morrison’s 1970 hit of the same title; a cover version is included on this album. ….Read More

Michael Buble – Crazy Love

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Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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Gary Burton – Quartet Live ,

The album features three original members and jazz legends Gary Burton, Pat Metheny and Steve Swallow along with another new member, and perhaps one of the most prominent jazz drummers of his generation, Antonio Sanchez. The 11-song album was recorded live at Yoshi’s Jazz Club in Oakland, CA.

Quartet Live! starts off with Chick Corea’s “Sea Journey,” one of many songs Corea wrote for the Burton group, and features songs written by Carla Bley (“Olhos de Gato” and “Syndrome”) and Keith Jarrett (“Coral”). Metheny’s composing talents are also represented here by tunes composed during his Burton Quartet years: the fast and furious “Missouri Uncompromised,” the haunting “B and G,” and “Question and Answer,” one of Pat’s most well-known pieces.

The story begins in 1967 when bassist Steve Swallow joined with vibraphonist Gary Burton to form the original Gary Burton Quartet. In the early 1970s, then 19-year old guitarist Pat Metheny joined Gary Burton – Quartet Live

Burton’s band and one of the most celebrated careers in music began. A decade ago Metheny discovered drummer Antonio Sanchez, inviting him to join The Pat Metheny Group, and the two have been playing together ever since.

The result is four legendary musicians, improvisers and composers all, each at the top of his game, bringing modern jazz history to life on Quartet Live!

Gary Burton – Quartet Live P1

Gary Burton – Quartet Live P2

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Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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Christopher Anton Rea (Chris Rea) ,

(born 4 March 1951) is a singer-songwriter from Middlesbrough, England, recognisable for his distinctive, raspy voice. Rea has sold over 30 million albums worldwide
Rea had not played the local music scene around Middlesbrough much, and had no real history of playing with any local bands. However, under the guidance of local club owner, and promoter John B. McCoy he managed to gain a record deal. Whatever Happened to Benny Santini? was Rea’s debut album, released in 1978. The first single lifted from the album, “Fool (If You Think It’s Over)”, is his biggest hit in the United States, peaking at number twelve on the Billboard Hot 100 and reaching number one on the Adult Contemporary Singles chart. “Fool (if You Think It’s Over)” was nominated for a Song of the Year Grammy, losing out to Billy Joel’s “Just the Way You Are”. Unlike most of Rea’s other singles, “Fool…” failed to appear on the UK Singles Chart on its first release and only reached #30 when re-released in late 1978 to capitalise on its US achievement. UK singer Elkie Brooks enjoyed greater success with “Fool..” in 1981 when she charted a single at #17. It was also the first record played by Radio Caroline,
after a long period off the air. A cover of “Fool…” by Kenny Craddock was used as the theme for BBC sitcom Joking Apart. ….Read More

Chris Rea – Still So Far To Go P1

Chris Rea – Still So Far To Go P2

Chris Rea – Still So Far To Go P3

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Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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Maximilian Herre ,

(born April 22, 1973 in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg) is a German musician who rose to fame as a member of the group Freundeskreis. ….Read More

Max Herre – Ein Geschenkter Tag

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Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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Flavio Sala ,

(Bojano, May 9 1983) Is guitarist classic Italian.
After studying under the guidance of Pasqualino GarziaIt was refined through Oscar Ghiglia in l ‘Accademia Musicale Chigiana of Sienna. Also encouraged and stimulated by repeated encounters with Alirio Diaz and Paco de LuciaFlavio Sala concert career began at the age of 18 years, winning the XXVI International Competition of guitar performance of Gargnano (Brescia) and subsequently the XXXVI International Competition “Michele Pittaluga” of Alexandria, the Audience Vote at San Francisco International Master Guitar Competition (2004), the 1st Prize at the XIV Concurso Internacional de Guitarra “Alirio Diaz” of Carora (Lara State, Venezuela – 2006), obtaining also ….Read More

Flavio Sala – Mi Alma Llanera

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Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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Ensemble Contraste ,

Café 1930 – Tangos is open to all influences. It was born on Buenos Aires pavements to become a universal music in Paris, London, New York and elsewhere. Contraste ensemble gives us original arrangements – arrangements refined with colors and suave harmony by Magali Léger, Karine Deshayes et le Choeur de Paris-Sorbonne

Ensemble Contraste – Café 1930 Tangos P1

Ensemble Contraste – Café 1930 Tangos P2

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Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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Chris Hunter ,

Closely inspired by David Sanborn (who he often sounds like on alto), Chris Hunter is best known in the U.S. for his work with Gil Evans. He started playing music when he was 12, and toured with the National Youth Jazz Orchestra at 19. After playing with Mike Westbrook (1978-1979), Hunter became a studio musician in Europe. He first played with Evans in 1983, which led to him moving to New York. In 1984, he toured with Evans, played with the Michel Camilo sextet, and began working with Mike Gibbs.

Chris Hunter – Bop City

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Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

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Angelika Niescier ,

(1970 in Szczecin, Poland) is a German Jazz–Musician (Soprano and alto saxophone, composition) and Bandleader Polish origin.
1981 Niescier moved to Germany. 1994 to 1998 she studied at the Folkwang Hochschule Essen. In 2000 she founded her Quartet Angelika Niescier-sublime (with, inter alia, Florian Weber), With whom she einspielte two much-acclaimed CDs. ….Read More

Angelika Niescier – Sublim 3

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Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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Katie Anne Noonan ,

(born 2 May 1977) is an Australian singer-songwriter. In addition to a successful solo career encompassing opera, jazz, pop, rock and dance, she sings in the groups george and Elixir and also duets with her mother, Maggie Noonan.
Katie Noonan grew up with a strong background in classical music with her mother, Maggie Noonan, being a well-known opera singer. She studied opera and jazz at the Queensland Conservatorium. ….Read More

Katie Noonan – Blackbird

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Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

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Melissa Stott ,

(born 1972) is a UK-born jazz singer-songwriter of English and Singapore-Chinese descent. Her songwriting style has been described as mainstream jazz with more contemporary flavours, and her music has been released on the FeetFirst Records label, by producer Leo Feigin of UK avant-garde label Leo Records.
The Picture (2007) is the title of the second album composed of 13 original pieces by Melissa Stott. Chris Parker, in the liner notes, states that “her material, dealing as it does with thoroughly contemporary emotional concerns, communicates with twenty-first-century audiences with all the ease of popular music.” The album features the original group with the addition of tenor sax and violin. ….Read More

Melissa Stott – The Picture

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Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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