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The album "El Paradís de les Paraules" of the musician and Valencian singer Carles Denia, has been considered by the magazine "Sons" as the best album of Catalan folk music in 2011. The work itself has been to put music to the Arab-Valencian poets between the tenth and thirteenth centuries. The translation of texts from Arabic into Catalan has been the work of the prestigious Valencian poet Josep Piera, with the help of the philologist Joseph Gregori.

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This 74-minute CD was recorded in August 2007 at Louis 649, a small club in Lower Manhattan's Alphabet City section. Eli Degibri is an exceptionally melodic improviser with a big, bold tenor tone, Gary Versace is the MVP in any ensemble, and Obed Calvaire's quick hands, interactive instincts and powerhouse pulse on burners like “NY-TLV-NY,” “Pum-Pum” and “Shoohoo” are world-class. Although not a five-star masterpiece, Live at Louis 649 is a respectable document of Degibri's sax/organ encounters in downtown Manhattan.

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Ehud Asherie swings back into the neighborhood with "Upper West Side," his fifth project for Posi-Tone. This duo session spotlights Asherie's development as a pianist and unveils some new twists on some time-tested favorites. Everyone will smile with delight as saxophonist extraordinaire Harry Allen brings his sweet and soulful tastes to the music. And, while the session sings and soars, listeners will be delighted to discover just exactly what Ehud Asherie does on the "Upper West Side."

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Saxophonist Eric Marienthal is among contemporary jazz's busiest talents. On the day that It's Love was released, Marienthal also played a starring role on the Jeff Lorber Fusion entry Galaxy. The two albums reflect Marienthal's varied talents, as both a creative improviser and a lover of groove-oriented popular music. It's Love was produced by guitarist Chuck Loeb, who also appears throughout the set. Also in this studio band are Yellowjackets' keyboardist Russell Ferrante, drummer Gary Novak, and bassist Tim Lefebvre.

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This recording is most notable for documenting the young guitarist Pat Metheny's short but important stint as a member of vibraphonist Gary Burton's group. Actually Metheny at the time was the least known of the five players (which also include guitarist Mick Goodrick, bassist Steve Swallow and drummer Bob Moses) and his contributions are not as significant as those of Burton and composer Carla Bley who contributed all six of the originals. The moody music, which still sounds quite fresh, is highlighted by the title cut, "Ictus/Syndrome" and "Intermission Music."

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Eric Marienthal, the seasoned saxman behind such musical greats as Chick Corea, Lee Ritenour, The Rippingtons, The Jeff Lorber Fusion Band, has just one thing on his mind. It's Love. A key figure in both the contemporary and classic jazz circles, Marienthal delivers an album that is equal parts romantic and innovative. On his fourth solo release for Peak Records he has joined forces with producer Chuck Loeb to present a collection of romantic love songs guaranteed to become the soundtrack to any jazz lover's Valentine's Day.

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Although her UK debut at London's Vortex was in May 2009, South Korean singer Youn Sun Nah has been a figure on the French jazz scene since the mid '90s when she moved there to study jazz and French chanson.Voyage, her sixth release sees her deftly accompanied by some of the top names in European jazz. Youn Sun Nah really brings some much needed fresh air to vocal jazz music. To envision the beauty of her voice, you have to imagine Youn Sun Nah a hybrid singer who travels the boundaries of classical and jazz but also combines Korean roots with Western influences.

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The oud, or Arabic lute, is so integral to Arabic culture that it was used by ancient musicians and philosophers to define scales and served as a foundation for Arab music as a whole. Hence, it's no coincidence that Marcel Khalife achieved folk hero status playing this emblem of Arabic culture. Caress showcases an elegant musical marriage of Arabic, classical, and jazz influences for a complex yet accessible sound.

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Арсенал — созданный в 1973 году первый советский джаз-роковый коллектив, основатель — саксофонист Алексей Козлов. За время своего существования Арсенал приобрел широчайшую известность в СССР, неоднократно выезжал за границу, участвовал в теле— и радио программах, был участником и лауреатом многих, в том числе и зарубежных, джазовых фестивалей.

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Grover Washington, Jr., has long been one of the leaders in what could be called rhythm & jazz, essentially R&B-influenced jazz. Winelight is one of his finest albums, and not primarily because of the Bill Withers hit "Just the Two of Us." It is the five instrumentals that find Washington (on soprano, alto, and tenor) really stretching out. If he had been only interested in sales, Washington's solos could have been half as long and he would have stuck closely to the melody. Instead he really pushes himself on some of these selections, particularly the title cut. A memorable set of high-quality and danceable soul-jazz.

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This Impulse reissue is part of a remastered "twofer" series, combining two original albums by various jazz artists. The Pharoah Sanders reissue reviewed here comprises two 1973 releases, "Village of the Pharoahs" and "Wisdom Through Music". I've literally waited decades for "Village" to appear on CD. Until now, it has been available only as very expensive Japanese or European imports.