Jessie Ware – That! Feels Good! (2023) [Official Digital Download 24bit/48kHz]

Jessie Ware – That! Feels Good! (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/48 kHz | Time – 40:26 minutes | 523 MB | Genre: Pop
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © EMI

Jessie Ware’s 2020 release What’s Your Pleasure was one of the early pandemic’s great revelations — a pop album that successfully brought the movement, yearning, and euphoria of the dance club into everyone’s homes. It was a perfect setting for the British singer and songwriter’s voice, luxurious and sophisticated but still highly accessible.

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Liane Carroll – The Right To Love (2017) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Liane Carroll – The Right To Love (2017)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 46:36 minutes | 879 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Quiet Money Recordings

Liane Carroll’s talents, as singer, pianist and all-round musical force of nature, seemed to defy all efforts to capture them successfully on record. Until, that is, she began working with producer James McMillan. This, their fourth album together, displays a characteristic mixture of deceptive simplicity and emotional depth. Following the loose theme of attitudes to love, Carroll calls on songs by, among others, Stevie Wonder, Tom Waits, Jacques Brel and Hoagy Carmichael, whose I Get Along Without You Very Well provides the most touching moment.

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Leroy Hutson – Love Oh Love (1973/2018) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

Leroy Hutson – Love Oh Love (1973/2018)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 37:16 minutes | 637 MB | Genre: R&B, Soul
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Acid Jazz

After working as a writer and producer for such soul music stalwarts as Donny Hathaway and a stint replacing Curtis Mayfield as the lead vocalist in the Impressions, Leroy Hutson embarked on a solo career with 1973’s Love Oh Love. The album combines the kind of smooth soul music that Hutson performed with the Impressions with more ambitious and conceptual outings in the vein of Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder. When Hutson sticks to love songs, Love Oh Love is magical: “So in Love With You” combines a honey-sweet romantic vocal from Hutson with a spine-tingling string arrangement to create an elegant and heartfelt ballad, while the title track raises its tale of lost love to an up-tempo level with jazzy horns and a percolating rhythm arrangement. “As Long as There’s Love Around” is another effective romantic track that layers Hutson’s velvety vocals over a complex instrumental track that combines gentle strings and brash horns with an insistently grooving bassline. The progressive-minded tracks are less satisfying: “Time Brings on a Change” is a political commentary song whose use of a Martin Luther King sample is a little too gimmicky for its own good, and “Getting It On” is a funk instrumental that fails to work any memorable hooks into its pleasant groove. Despite these problems, nothing on the album is less than listenable and everything flows together nicely to create a cohesive (if somewhat short) album. In short, Love Oh Love is one of the most consistent albums in the Leroy Hutson catalog and a good introduction to his silky soul style.

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Leon Spencer – Where I’m Coming From (Remastered) (1973/2020) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Leon Spencer – Where I’m Coming From (Remastered) (1973/2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 33:46 minutes | 678 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Craft Recordings

Where I’m Coming From is the fourth and last album by jazz organist Leon Spencer recorded for the Prestige label in 1973.

The very definition of ‘70s soulful jazz, Where I’m Coming From has all the hallmarks of Prestige Records at its finest, with an all-star cast of sidemen (Welcome back, Idris Muhammed! Hello to Madlib’s uncle, Jon Faddis! Greetings to the funky flute of Hubert Laws!) recorded at Van Gelder’s studio and packed with down and dirty grooves top to bottom. From the opening cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition” through to the low-slung original headnodder “Where I’m Coming From,” with stops along the way for dips into the catalogs of Curtis Mayfield (“Give Me Your Love”), Marvin Gaye (“Trouble Man”) and the Four Tops (“Keeper Of The Castle”), Leon Spencer’s rippling organ lines sear this prime example of groove jazz.

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Livingston Taylor – Ink (2003) MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Livingston Taylor – Ink (2003)
PS3 Rip | SACD ISO | DST64 2.0 & 5.1 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 48:54 minutes | Artwork (PDF) | 2,69 GB
Features 2.0 Stereo & 5.1 multichannel Surround sound
FLAC 24bits/96khz  | 970 MB

While somewhat overshadowed by his more famous brother James, Livingston Taylor is a fine singer-songwriter in his own right–superficially, his voice recalls that of his sibling, but Liv is less moody, more folk-like. INK is a “tribute” album of sorts–instead of paying homage to a particular artist, Taylor interprets hit songs by various writers from several eras, leaning a bit toward classic R&B/soul hits. Songs made famous by Ray Charles, the Jackson Five, and Stevie Wonder are re-imagined via the gentle, genial imagination of Livingston Taylor.

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Lakshminarayana Subramaniam, Øystein Baadsvik & Jaakko Kuusisto – Journey (2018) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Lakshminarayana Subramaniam, Øystein Baadsvik & Jaakko Kuusisto – Journey (2018)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 58:35 minutes | 1,08 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © BIS

Called ‘the God of the Indian violin’, Lakshminarayana Subramaniam has collaborated with leading representatives of Indian and Western classical traditions, from Ravi Shankar to Yehudi Menuhin. But with a strong belief in music as a universal language he is also a leading figure in fusion music, collaborating with musicians of all genres and nationalities, from Stephane Grappelli or George Harrison to Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock.

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Ladies Of Soul – Live At The Ziggodome 2015 (2015) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

Ladies Of Soul – Live At The Ziggodome 2015 (2015)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 02:52:44 minutes | 2,01 GB | Genre: Soul
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Demp Music

A Dutch R&B/pop group that performs original songs as well as covers of R&B/soul hits, Ladies of Soul were formed by Trijntje Oosterhuis, Candy Dulfer, Glennis Grace, Berget Lewis, and Edsilia Rombley, who have known each other since childhood. They first got together for a series of Whitney Houston tribute concerts after the R&B diva’s death in 2012. The shows were so successful that the quintet organized an arena show for Valentine’s Day 2014, which sold out, resulting in a second sold-out show scheduled for the day before. Their resulting album, Live at the Ziggo Dome 2014, hit number two on the Dutch album chart, and the following year Live at the Ziggo Dome 2015 peaked at number three. The Ladies performed in Belgium later in 2015, with another Ziggo Dome concert planned for 2016.

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Lou Donaldson – Sweet Lou (1974/2014) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Lou Donaldson – Sweet Lou (1974/2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 35:02 minutes | 1,40 GB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Blue Note Records

Sweet Lou was recorded by saxophonist Lou Donaldson in 1974. Produced by Horace Ott and George Butler and recorded at Generation Sound Studios in NYC, the album features compositions by Donaldson as well as a few tunes by other jazz musicians.

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Johnny Mathis – Killing Me Softly with Her Song (1973) [Official Digital Download 24bit/192kHz]

Johnny Mathis – Killing Me Softly with Her Song (1973)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 39:57 minutes | 1,44 GB | Genre: Pop, Rock
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Columbia

The early 1970s was a tough time for established ballad singers, but Johnny Mathis, who was younger than his peers and Columbia Records labelmates like Tony Bennett and Andy Williams, weathered the lean times better than most. Some of the reasons why are suggested in this 1973 album. It wasn’t a big seller by any means, but this enjoyable, contemporary-sounding set made the charts. Basically, all Mathis did was turn on the radio and cut a bunch of soft rock and easy listening hits of the time the title song, a chart-topper for Roberta Flack, Bread’s “Aubrey,” Perry Como’s “And I Love You So,” the Stylistics’ “Break Up to Make Up,” Gladys Knight & the Pips’ “Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye),” Skylark’s “Wildflower,” Stevie Wonder’s “You Are the Sunshine of My Life,” the Carpenters’ “Sing,” and Diana Ross’ “Good Morning Heartache.”

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Laird Jackson – Quiet Flame (1994) [Japan 2016] SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Laird Jackson – Quiet Flame (1994) [Japan 2016]
SACD Rip | SACD ISO | DSD64 2.0 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 58:16 minutes | Front/Rear Covers | 2,37 GB
or FLAC(converted with foobar2000 to tracks) 24bit/88,2 kHz | Front/Rear Covers | 1,14 GB

Known for her personalized renditions of pop and jazz standards, jazz chanteuse Laird Jackson has also written her own music on top of her renowned covers. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Jackson grew up near Detroit and stayed in Michigan until she graduated from college. After that, she moved to New York City and started working on the club scene. Developing a reputation in the area for her fiery live shows, she recorded Quiet Flame in 1994 and released it the same year. Blending covers of 30’s and 40’s jazz standards with her own compositions, Jackson drew attention to herself with the record and hit the European jazz scene for a short period while promoting it. After that, she took the next eight years to put together another album, continuing to play live while taking care of personal projects at home. Ready to record again in the spring of 2002, the singer put together Touched out of several self-penned tracks as well as covers of Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, and many others.

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Khruangbin & Leon Bridges – Texas Sun (2020) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Khruangbin & Leon Bridges – Texas Sun (2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 20:57 minutes | 419 MB | Genre: Psychedelic, Soul, Country Rock
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Dead Oceans

Defying easy definitions, Houston’s Khruangbin (Thai for “airplane,” or more literally, “engine fly”) soar through influences as diverse as Thai pop, Morricone westerns, dub reggae and surf guitar with a constant undercurrent of 70s American soul. The result is an original hybrid awash in cutting edge psychedelia and atmospheric in the extreme—otherworldly instrumental “world” music expertly alloyed by the considerable talents of Laura Lee (bass), Mark Speer (guitar) and Donald “DJ” Johnson (drums). Their artistry lies in being an incredibly tight band making music that sounds loose and jammy.

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Kenny Burrell – The Road to Love (2015) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

Kenny Burrell – The Road to Love (2015)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 01:12:28 minutes | 800 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © HighNote Records

Few can claim the title of living legend. Kenny Burrell is just such a person. In fact he’s more he’s living history, past, present and future. His credentials are voluminous and accomplishments staggering, and he hasn’t stopped. Today, he is active recording and performing, a respected educator, and an elder statesman of the music. His legacy is pervasive. His soulful sound and approach have influenced virtually everyone claiming a jazz pedigree but extends to many outside the genre, a la Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, Steve Howe, Andy Summers, and Freddie King. Here Burrell is backed by some of his favorite West Cost colleagues in a varied program of standards and few originals by the leader himself, including one brand new composition. Also on hand is the exuberant voice of Barbara Morrison who brings her tremendous talent and personality to three tracks.

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Konstantin Reinfeld – Algiedi (2015) [Official Digital Download 24bit/44,1kHz]

Konstantin Reinfeld – Algiedi (2015)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 55:15 minutes | 606 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Mons Records

Harmonica and jazz? It would be hard to come up with more than a few names that have brilliantly combined these concepts together. The Belgian Toots Thielemans, a living legend on the chromatic harmonica would be leading the way, together with Stevie Wonder, with whom the instrument has gained access into the world of soul and pop.

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KC & The Sunshine Band – All In a Night’s Work (Expanded Version) (1982/2016) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

KC & The Sunshine Band – All In a Night’s Work (Expanded Version) (1982/2016)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:16:51 minutes | 1,69 GB | Genre: Disco, Soul, Funk
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Epic – Legacy

Digitally remastered and expanded edition featuring nine bonus tracks (one of them previously unreleased). All In A Night’s Work was the ninth studio album by the funk and disco group KC And The Sunshine Band, which was produced by Harry Wayne Casey and Richard Finch. The album was released in 1982 on the Epic label. The album had a more commercial sound than their 1981 album The Painter, with highlights that include “(You Said) You’d Give Me Some More” and “Party With Your Body”, two of the most joyous 80’s dance confections imaginable. The former features an intro that is strikingly similar to the one featured on Patti LaBelle’s “New Attitude” a couple of years later, and the latter’s lyrics (“Jazzercise is the latest trend”) are sure to prompt a smile. The album also includes “Give It Up’, which charted in the UK but failed to make an impression stateside, at least until it was added to KC’s next album, KC 10, a couple of years later. This expanded edition also includes covers of Stevie Wonder’s “Uptight” and Sly Stone’s “Thank You”, but after revisiting the rhythm and groove of All In A Night’s Work, we hope Casey never stops wanting to be our Boogie Man.

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Jumaane Smith – When You’re Smiling (2020) [Official Digital Download 24bit/88,2kHz]

Jumaane Smith – When You’re Smiling (2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/88,2 kHz | Time – 39:33 minutes | 493 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Zinn Music LLC

Jazz trumpeter and singer Jumaane Smith trained at the Juilliard School of Music 2001-2005 with Wynton Marsalis as his primary teacher. Jumaane’s credits include 5 Grammy Awards, an Emmy Award, performances at The White House, on the Grammy Awards with Stevie Wonder, on the Today Show, Tonight Show, Oprah Show, Good Morning America and American Idol. Albums featuring Jumaane have sold more than 40 million copies. Jumaane has also collaborated with Quincy Jones, and Herbie Hancock, Aretha Franklin and many others. Since 2005 Jumaane has toured and recorded extensively with Michael Bublé and currently performs with Harry Connick Jr.’s band on the syndicated daytime TV show “Harry”. In 2013 Smith toured as guest soloist for Jackie Evancho’s, “Songs of the Silver Screen” world tour.

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