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Ramsey Lewis & Nancy Wilson - Simple Pleasures
SOUL + JAZZ FUSION | FLAC | CUE | LOG | PNG ARTWORK | 348MB | 54:42
Narada Jazz 2003
Цитата:| Ramsey Lewis and Nancy Wilson's 1984 project, The Two of Us, featured synth pop, smooth jazz, and disco-lite covers of tunes such as Paul McCartney's "Ram." While it was a solid attempt at mid-'80s mainstream pop radio airplay, it had little to do aesthetically with the jazz heritage that Lewis and Wilson built their careers on. Fast-forward to 2002 and you find the duo teaming up again on Meant to Be, an album of straight-ahead acoustic jazz. Some fans of The Two of Us may be a little disappointed with the classicist nature of the project, but anyone who's enjoyed the varied work of these two legends should revel in the lush sound they've achieved. Both Lewis and Wilson's careers have been marked by their ability to bring jazz to a wider audience by focusing on the melodic elements innate to well-composed songs. Here, they apply this to such jazz-friendly tunes like Van Morrison's "Moondance" and Blossom Dearie's "Peel Me a Grape." But it is the oft-overlooked jazz standard "Did I Ever Really Live" that defines the slightly melancholy tone of the album. Meant to have been recorded on September 11, 2001, the session was postponed for obvious reasons and when the musicians finally made it into the studio, the song's lyrics had taken on a more sanguine, heartbreaking meaning. Both Lewis and Wilson have aged well, with their abilities growing stronger and more assured. Wilson's voice is still as gorgeous and bell-tone pretty as ever, but reveals just the hint of a throaty fuzz that only deepens the beauty of her delivery. Lewis also fares well, filling out the tracks with his mature piano playing and compositions that reflect the best of his mid-'60s work. ~ Matt Collar, All Music Guide |
Ramsey Lewis - Grand Piano
Nancy Wilson - Lead Vocals
Leon Joyce Jr. - Drum Kit
Kirk Tracy - Trombone
Orbert Davis - Trumpet
Henry Johnson - Rhythm Guitar
Alejo Poveda - Congas, Percussion
Steve Eisen - Flute, Tenor Saxophone
Llew Matthews - Fender Rhodes, Electric Piano
Larry Gray - Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass, Cello
TRACKLISTING:
01. Peel Me A Grape
02. Truthfully
03. Did I Ever Really Live
04. Velvet Night
05. A Moment Alone
06. Moondance
07. Meant To Be
08. Piano In The Dark
09. Time Peace
10. First Time Love
11. Tanquissimo
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Ramsey Lewis Trio - Time Flies
CONTEMPORARY JAZZ | FLAC | CUE | LOG | PNG ARTWORK | 385MB | 63:32
Narada Jazz 2004
Цитата:| The fourth album on Narada Jazz from Ramsey Lewis, Time Flies is in effect a contemporary redo of his career. The themes that have been important in his music over the decades are each given some room (thus, there are classical, gospel, R&B, and straightforward jazz pieces here). At the same time, older songs are reworked with aspects of contemporary styles. Finally, the third dimension of changes here is the span of old Lewis classics, covers of other artists, and a few new items penned specifically for Time Flies. The album opens with a bit of Brahms, which subtly morphs along the way into some smooth jazz reminiscent of a Bobby McFerrin composition in some ways. Similarly, a bit of Bach makes its way into straight jazz piano and perhaps a bit of a bossa nova later in the album. "Second Thoughts" is a new number, taking cues (perhaps coincidentally) from Piazzolla's tango aesthetic. The classic "Wade in the Water" is given a reworking in rhythm (courtesy of Ramsey's son Frayne), as is "The In Crowd," which gets a jumping round of percussion and clapping that could almost pass as "Got to Give It Up" to a casual bypasser. "Open My Heart" and "Hosanna" let Lewis go somewhat easier on the piano as he complements the gospel numbers with a grand dose of choir singers. Moving back to straightforward jazz piano, listeners get treats in the originals "Hide & Seek" and "Last Dance," both of which showcase his still-present chops in fine light. There's a little something for everyone on this album, making a fine stand at covering the multitude of styles and moods covered by Lewis over the past four decades or so. Fans of Lewis should pick it up as something other than a standard greatest-hits album, and newcomers to his sound may find it a worthwhile single-disc introduction to the variety encompassed by his catalog. ~ Adam Greenberg, All Music Guide |
Ramsey Lewis - Leader, Grand Piano
Kevin Randolph - Hammond Organ
Buddy Fambro - Lead Guitar
Leon Joyce Jr. - Drum Kit, Hand Drums
Alejo Poveda - Bongos, Congas, Percussion
Larry Gray - Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass, Cello, Flute
TRACKLISTING:
01. Poco Allegretto From Symphony #3 In F Major
02. Second Thoughts
03. Wade In The Water
04. Open My Heart
05. Air From Suit #3
06. Hide & Seek
07. Midnight At The Oasis
08. Last Dance
09. Estrellita
10. The In Crowd
11. Hosanna
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