When the Buena Vista Social Club album was released to great acclaim in 1997, it revived the careers of quite a few incredibly talented aging Cuban musicians. Like Ibrahim Ferrer, most of those musicians (who had been legendary in the '40s through the '70s) hadn't been performing professionally in decades. With the success of the Buena Vista Social Club, everything changed; they toured the globe, and plans for follow-up albums followed. Ibrahim Ferrer's was the second of what became a line of Buena Vista releases, all hoping to cash in on the success of the first. Ferrer's album is pleasant, the kind of album you could put on during brunch on a sunny morning. The album features many classic Cuban compositions. Original arrangers, musicians, and bandleaders were involved whenever possible. One standout is "Mami Me Gusto," a rolling upbeat tune by the legendary Cuban composer/bandleader Arsenio Rodriguez. On that tune Ferrer is lively and loose, and he is joined by Rodriguez's original pianist, the masterful Ruben Gonzales. The rest of the album is nice, but rarely as inspired or joyous as the original Buena Vista release. This is a much more romantic sounding album and on the right tunes, like "Aquellos Ojos Verdes," they really hit the mark; Ferrer shines and Gonzales sends glistening piano lines cascading down the keys. At age 63-plus, Ferrer was long overdue for a debut album, and as a result the disc communicates a feel of easy satisfaction. If you're looking for classy cocktail party music that will hold the attention of music fans, and won't bother the uninterested, look no further.

Fuse One was a group of jazz musicians who collaborated for two albums released on CTI Records and one album released on GNP Crescendo Records.
The albums Fuse One and Silk were produced by Creed Taylor. The first album was arranged by Jeremy Wall of Spyro Gyra, the second by Leon "Ndugu" Chancler of Weather Report and the third by David Matthews.
Membership was not concrete, but included Tony Williams, Joe Farrell, John McLaughlin, Stanley Turrentine, Wynton Marsalis, Larry Coryell, Lenny White, Paulinho Da Costa, Ronnie Foster, Stanley Clarke, George Benson, Todd Cochran, Leon "Ndugu" Chancler, Tom Browne, Dave Valentin, Jorge Dalto, and Eric Gale.
The liner notes to their first album described the group thus: "Fuse One is conceived as a forum in which major contemporary musicians perform according to their own musical disciplines and without the constraints that accompany leader responsibilities. Each player brings in new compositions and ideas."

Recording and performing together since the late '70s, Gene Bertoncini and Michael Moore once more undertake the daunting task of making a guitar-bass duet session attractive to listeners without being boring or maudlin. Like their earlier efforts, Two in Time successfully fills the bill. The interesting play list, with a balanced mix of slow and up-tempo tunes, contributes much to making this a satisfying session. The medley of "The Bad and the Beautiful" and "Laura," with most of the players' attention given to the latter, is intriguing in the way that it segues back and forth between Moore's dark, brooding bowing on "Laura" and Bertoncini's upbeat guitar. Moore also bows on "You've Changed" which is a highlight of his introspective but very lyrical approach to the music.

Thankfully there are a few exceptions to this: "Lay Another Log on the Fire" and "Take Off Your Shoes" are solid tracks where King simply does what he does best, sing the blues and wails on Lucille. While collectors might need this for their collection, they will most likely scoff at the ridiculous arrangements; casual fans can skip this one altogether.

Antoine "Fats" Domino Jr. (born February 26, 1928) is an American pianist and singer-songwriter. Domino released five gold (million-copy-selling) records before 1955. He also had 35 Top 40 American hits and has a music style based on traditional rhythm and blues ensembles of bass, piano, electric guitar, drums, and saxophone.

Hands free chromatic harmonica virtuoso and classical guitar player, singer, songwriter and arranger, composer Enrico Granafei has a long history of musical experience which encompasses both Classical and Jazz. Following in the tradition of the legendary Toots Thielemans, he has explored new possibilities for the harmonica, an instrument too often associated solely with Rock and Blues and on his new record he continues that journey. "For many years I have appreciated Enrico as a classical guitarist and jazz harmonica player but what he does playing the two instruments at the same time is absolutely amazing" - Bucky Pizzarelli.

Это первый из двух альбомов БиБи, записанный вместе со знаменитыми Crusaders (в 60-х Jazz Crusaders). Правильный выбор, наверное; никто лучше их не играет сплав джаза, блюза, фанка и южного соула. Уникальное звучание ритм-секции и отличные солисты плюс целая когорта звездных сессионных музыкантов. Даже странно, что оба эти альбома записаны только на Кинга; это больше похоже на The Crusaders featuring B.B. King, настолько характерно их звучание.

True, this 1973 vintage best-of album covers a ridiculously slim wedge of time in the blues king's long career. Yet this period was quite significant, for it marks the crest of B.B. King's initial entry into the pop music mass market -- and this album surfs succinctly, if not comprehensively, over the high points of his turn-of-the-decade winning...

But for The Soul Of The King, the lineup made a smart move, letting the A-list guests dictate the material. There's a heartfelt turn from Michael Lee on 'The Thrill Is Gone'. Mary Griffin and Taj Mahal combine their vocal and guitar talents on 'Paying The Cost To Be The Boss'. ... I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Soul of the King, from The BB King Blues Band and the title hits the nail on the head.

Although this 18-track compilation has plenty of fine music from the wealth of material B.B. King recorded in the 1950s and 1960s for the Modern label, it's uncertain how it intends to fit into the King canon. It's not exactly a true best-of, even if the "Best of" phrase in the title is taken only to apply to his Modern recordings. About half the songs were big R&B hits, but this CD doesn't have all of the ones King scored on Modern's behalf.