Digitally remastered by Bob Norberg (October 1990, Capitol Recording Studios). Louis Prima was an innovator without equal. Jump blues/jazz icons Louis Jordan and Slim Gaillard shared Prima's penchant for combining R&B with swing and good humor, but Prima's cross-section of influences ...

"The Chairman of the Board" died in May of 1998, yet his music sounds as vital and relevant today as ever. Released on the 10th anniversary of his death--in coordination with a slew of DVD releases commemorating the singer's acting ...

Recording information: Bennett Studios, Englewood, NJ; Capitol Sutdios, Hollywood, CA; EMI Abbey Road Studios, London, England; Grandma's Hosue, Malibu, CA; The Studio at The Palms, Las Vegas, NV. Photographers: Gia Prima; Mark Seliger; Reuben Cox; James Minchin. Arranger: Jorge Calandrelli. Personnel: Tony Bennett ...

Although the most popular contemporary jazz tends to fall into the "lite" category, trumpeter Chris Botti avoids painting himself into this corner by sticking with an approach more reminiscent of Chet Baker. For his 2004 album, WHEN I FALL IN ...

These stars share the stage to pay homage to the master of blues. NTSC/Region 0. Limited edition DVD/CD combo! Blues legend B.B. King is joined by some of his musical friends in this 1987 live performance. Joining the guitarist on stage ...

Along with Dave Koz and Gerald Albright, Boney James has carved out a nice niche for himself as one of the most popular smooth jazz saxophonists ever. Now, Mr. James has gone and done a concept album, with the (eternal) ...

All tracks have been digitally remastered using 20-bit technology. For an artist of Sinatra's stature, an artistic peak is a thing of no uncertain majesty. Such a peak was reached on ONLY THE LONELY, with the invaluable assistant of arranger Nelson ...

This eclectic collection of songs encompasses jazz, bebop, swing, doo wop, rock & roll, and gospel; all are trimmed in an attractive pop texture. These 16 compositions are taken from the vocal quartet's albums, which span 12 years (1975-1987). Each ...

This extensive compilation of vocal tracks from the latter part of Louis Armstrong's career features many of his most popular performances, including the 1960s hits "Hello Dolly" and "What a Wonderful World," and his wonderfully relaxed duet with Bing Crosby ...

Getting his big break as Sam Cooke's replacement in the Soul Stirrers, vocalist Johnnie Taylor may have started out in gospel, but he truly hit his stride (at least as a viable pop artist) when he shifted to R&B and ...

Jazz singer/songwriter Michael Franks is an artist most jazz fans feel strongly about one way or another. His unique, romantic poet-cum-laid-back hipster approach to jazz signing is breezy, light, and languid. It's also uniquely his own, though deeply influenced by ...

Continuing to alternate between his various different guises, Hardcastle 6 is the third album in as many years from jazz-funk pioneer Paul Hardcastle, following 2009's regular solo effort, Zero One, and 2010's sixth installment of the Jazzmasters series. Like the ...

Track Listing: Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow; Santa Claus Is Coming To Town; Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas; I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm; Christmas Song, The; Little Drummer Boy, The; Frosty The ...

The follow-up to 2009's Good Day, 2012's Here We Go features more of the nylon-string guitarist's relaxed and joyful smooth jazz. Audio Mixer: Jan Fairchild. Recording information: Cookie Jar Studio, Van Nuys, CA; Defrost Music, Encino, CA; Valerian Studio, Sherman Oaks, CA. Photographer: ...

As the driving force behind the Rippingtons' diverse but instantly recognizable contemporary jazz sound since the mid-'80s, founder, composer, and guitarist Russ Freeman has always drawn from his technical expertise and passion for new hardware and software to fashion rich ...

There's nothing particularly Appalachian about this set, other than the cover, really, but it is a graceful and balanced holiday album featuring Mark O'Connor's brilliant fiddle playing on several Christmas classics, along with friends and guests Renée Fleming, Alison Krauss, ...

Esperanza Spalding's Chamber Music Society reached the number one spot on Billboard's Contemporary Jazz Chart and netted her a Best New Artist Grammy. Radio Music Society is a companion piece to its predecessor. In addition to her regular band featuring ...

Recording information: Bý Studios, Los Angeles (06/2011-07/2011); Bý Studios, Los Angeles (12/2009-03/2010). Photographer: Raj Naik. Arranger: Brian Bromberg. Personnel: Brian Bromberg (acoustic bass, electric bass); Vinnie Colaiuta (drums). Audio Mixers: Tom McCauley; Brian Bromberg.

Liner Note Author: Doug Ramsey. Recording information: Van Gelder Recording Studio, Englewood Cliffs, NJ (03/22/2012). Personnel: Joey DeFrancesco (organ); Larry Coryell (guitar); Jimmy Cobb (drums). Audio Mixer: Rudy Van Gelder.

After his wildly successful DARE TO DREAM album, the iconic New Age performer Yanni decided to rein in the dense, propulsive, synthesizer-heavy element of his music, opting for a more intimate, piano-led sound on 1993's IN MY TIME. The stylistic ...

Recording information: Kilgore Studios, New York, NY (05/31/2011-06/02/2011); MSR Studios, New York, NY (05/31/2011-06/02/2011). Photographer: Stefan Falke. Arranger: Matt Munisteri. Personnel: Catherine Russell (vocals); Matt Munisteri (guitar); Dan Block (clarinet, alto saxophone); Andy Farber (tenor saxophone); Jon-Erik Kellso (trumpet); John Allred (trombone); Mark ...

Recording information: MIXart Studios; Ventura Digital Audio. Photographer: Bruno Robitaille. Arrangers: Susie Arioli; Jordan Officer. Personnel: Susie Arioli (vocals). Audio Mixer: Bill Szawlowski.

Hot House is the seventh recording by the duo of pianist Chick Corea and vibraphonist Gary Burton. This time out, Corea and Burton picked pieces by some of their favorite composers -- mostly from the jazz world, of course -- ...

Despite the sometimes syrupy background vocals (courtesy of arranger Shorty Rogers), CHRISTMAS ALBUM is a fairly straightforward Herb Alpert outing, with plenty of uptempo numbers given the Brass's good ole Mexican cantina treatment. The rub here, naturally, is that the ...

Michael Buble's third major US release (including the mostly live COME FLY WITH ME) stays on message--this young Canadian loves the lush, swaying music of his parents' and grandparents' generations. Buble's albums, however, are much more than mere back-in-the-day exercises. ...