Fans of Bela Fleck and the Flecktones need not wait any longer. All the hits are here in one convenient package. And for those not yet familiar with this unique brand of Fleck-flavored banjo driven bluegrass/jazz/pop/country, than ‘Greatest Hits…’ serves as the perfect introduction. Spanning their career from 1990 to 1998’s ‘Left of Cool,’ cuts from all six of their highly eclectic recordings are included. The Grammy winning ‘The Sinister Minister’ kicks things off and leads us through the best of this highly original and entertaining band featuring banjo at the lead with harmonica, synthaxe drumitar and more and as an added bonus, two previously unreleased tracks are also included. Guest artists Dave Matthews and Paul McCandless also add to this millennial celebration as does steady band mates Future Man and Victor Wooten. Doesn’t get any better than ‘Greatest Hits of the 20th Century!’

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Featuring percussion and vocalist Bill Summers, drummer Jason Marsalis and trumpeter Irvin Mayfield, Los Hombres Calientes is a HOT New Orleans based group mixing African rhythms, Latin music, funk and modern jazz into an incredibly rich and soulful musical environment. What separates this ensemble from any in jazz is their unique sound. Irvin Mayfield’s spark filled trumpet at the lead is truly amazing and the cohesive and polyrhythmic drumming of Jason Marsalis at the pulse is reminiscent of legend Elvin Jones. Veteran percussionist Bill Summers, who accents every beat, graces all eighteen selections with an amazing touch which creates perfect textures throughout. Also featured on Los Hombres Calientes is Victor Atkins on piano, Yvette Summers on percussion vocals and bassist Edwin Livingston who add their impressive marks to the fun. ‘Los Hombres Calientes’ is a creative force - a force that is enticing and energizing and most of all, profound.

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The vocal style of Tony Bennett and the music of Duke Ellington is a can’t-miss combination. Add to that the backing of the Ralph Sharon Quartet, orchestral accompaniment and a guest appearance by trumpet talent Wynton Marsalis and it gets even better. Bennett tastefully tributes Ellington on this 14 track collection of such timeless classics ‘In a Sentimental Mood,’ ‘Caravan,’ ‘Prelude to a Kiss’ and ‘Mood Indigo’ and it is yet another clear illustration of Tony Bennett’s great artistry. ‘Tony Bennett Sings Ellington Hot & Cool’ is perfect for anyone who simply appreciates music of the highest quality!

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Subtle, sparse and solo is ‘The Melody at Night, With You,’ the latest from piano maestro Keith Jarrett. His chosen material is once again standards (with the exception of his own ‘Meditation’) but this time presented in a whole new a most flattering light. Recorded solo at his home studio, Jarrett isn’t dazzling us with his improvisational prowess, but rather his attention to simplicity, and of course, melody. Jarrett has previously recorded selections ‘Blame it on My Youth’ and ‘Don’t Ever Leave Me’ but never in such a tender and intimate context. Also included are the graceful ‘I Loves You Porgy,’ and ‘Someone to Watch Over Me’ along with the lesser jazz oriented ‘Shenandoah’ and ‘My Wild Irish Rose.’ Jarrett fans who savor his concluding ‘Over the Rainbow’ or ‘Danny Boy’ from earlier works will be delighted with an entire recording expressing a similar sentiment. Showing yet another side of the brilliant Keith Jarrett, ‘The Melody at Night, With You’ is simply beautiful!

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Reunited for the fourth time, Brad Mehldau and his trio featuring Larry Grenadier on bass and Jorge Rossy on drums continue to astound. As with ‘Art of the Trio, Vol. 2,’ Mehldau and company are captured live at the famed New York Village Vanguard and deliver, as usual, a jaw dropping set of music that combines traditional standards, originals and so much more. Mehldau has received his share of accolades and quite deservedly so. He is the ‘real’ deal and this trio is unlike any other in jazz today. ‘Trio 4…’ displays the group’s innate chemistry as they communicate musically through various song forms, dynamics, and motifs. Whether Mehldau is developing a polyrhythmic version of ‘All The Things You Are’ or laying down an easy and sweet rendition of the classic ‘I’ll Be Seeing You,’ the trio magically adapts while staying true to the composition at hand. It is quite evident these musicians are quite serious but yet still subtle in their approach. Perhaps the greatest attribute to ‘Art of the Trio, Vol. 4’ is the ability of Mehldau, Grenadier and Rossy to continue to evolve. The Brad Mehldau trio is jazz and most definitely, art at its best!

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When Michael Brecker puts out a record it is always exciting. And when it is his first recording with Hammond B-3 that’s even more exciting! Whether he is playing funk, world music, symphonic variations or jazz, there is electricity hailing from the speakers when he is blowing the saxophone. ‘Time Is Of The Essence’ might be his greatest solo outing since his debut recording from the mid-80’s and features a mighty band consisting of Hammond B-3 wiz Larry Goldings, master guitarist Pat Metheny and dynamic drummers Elvin Jones, Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts and Bill Stewart. Each drummer is featured on several tracks offering diverse yet brilliantly solid percussive foundations for Michael, Pat and Larry to freely move, groove and interpret all nine crisp selections. Along with two attractive Metheny originals, the majority is intelligent and hard swinging jazz penned by Brecker. Michael’s playing commands each tune with his tenor blowing concise and heavy lines while Goldings’ B-3 lays down an almost perfect bed of chords and rhythmic comping along with tasteful solos. Metheny is also in a rare bass-less environment that lets the guitarist move a bit differently whether he is supporting the group playing textured patterns or performing one of his masterful improvisations. ‘Time Is Of The Essence’ is an intense recording that aims to please fans of high-energy jazz who appreciate amazing musicianship.

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