Art Van Damme

Art van Damme & The Singers Unlimited – Invitation (1974/2015)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/88,2 kHz | Time – 36:35 minutes | 688 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © MPS

In the early 1970s, Oscar Peterson gave a demo tape to his friend and MPS label head Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer. It contained a recording of a vocal quartet from Chicago, Singers Unlimited. Enthralled, the MPS chief spontaneously booked the group. For the three-man, one-woman choir, it was the beginning of a successful international career. In the following years, MPS produced no less than 15 albums for the vocal virtuosos. In June 1973, MPS engaged accordion virtuoso Art van Damme (1920-2010) for a session with SU. Seldom mentioned in todays jazz literature, he brought the accordion into jazz. For Invitation, van Damme wrote instrumental arrangements for a combo (with MPS house bassist Eberhard Weber and Swiss drummer Charly Antolini). Singers Unlimited were recorded using the then revolutionary multitrack technology; their production was one of the most expensive MPS recordings. On the other hand, with its swinging easy-listening sound, the album was also one of the companys best selling efforts.

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Art Van Damme – Lullaby in Rhythm (1968/2015)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/88,2 kHz | Time – 34:12 minutes | 662 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © MPS

Lullaby in Rhythm is one of three albums he recorded in 1967 and 1968 in Germany with the MPS house rhythm section and his Chicago compatriot, guitarist Freddy Rundquist; German vibes player Heribert Thusek completes the front line of guitar/vibes/accordion and keeps the signature Van Damme sound intact. Lullaby in Rhythm offers a wide range of standards played with taste and unpretentious virtuosity.

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Art Van Damme – Ecstasy (1967/2015)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/88,2 kHz | Time – 33:16 minutes | 637 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © MPS

Ecstasy is one of three albums he recorded in 1967 and 1968 in Germany with the MPS house rhythm section and his Chicago compatriot, guitarist Freddy Rundquist; German vibes player Heribert Thusek completes the front line of guitar/vibes/accordion and keeps the signature Van Damme sound intact.

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Art Van Damme – Mit Art Van Damme in San Francisco (1966/2015)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/88,2 kHz | Time – 37:13 minutes | 664 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © MPS

The 1966 With Art Van Damme in San Francisco was the first of some 16 recordings Van Damme would make with Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer’s MPS. As had become his habit at this point in his career when he was on the road, the Chicago-centered Van Damme played with a local rhythm section. In this case, he picked the cream of the San Fran crop, musicians who had worked with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Stan Getz, Nat “King” Cole, and Benny Goodman. And with vibes player John Ray and guitarist Paul Miller joining Van Damme on the front line, Van Damme’s signature sound is intact. There’s a tasty mix of 12 standards and originals, with sizzling up-tempo versions of Old Black Magic and Runnin’ Wild. Van Damme runs virtuoso arpeggios on a beautiful interpretation of the ballad Here’s that Rainy Day, and he smokes a solo on the medium tempo early bop classic Robbin’s Nest. Two Van Damme originals grace the set, the minor key Ode to Cleavage with its mysterioso feel, and the jazzy Playing Around with the Blues. Van Damme plays with combination of virtuosity and economy, saying what he wants to say and not a note more.

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