An impulse propelled, fan financed recording of New York Jazz landmark club, Gregory's favorite jazz singer, Kitt Moran. Bossa Novas, Ballads, and Swinging standards and originals, recorded at New York's Nola Recording Studio.

Sounds of Blackness have performed on 5 continents, at the White House, and at various international events including Opening Ceremonies for the Olympics. Sounds of Blackness has recorded or performed with such artists as Prince, Usher, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Sting, Elton John, Luther Vandross, Bob Dylan, and Aretha Franklin, to name a few. Lightyear. 2005.

In the mid-70s, as the lead singer of legendary group El Chicano, Arvizu and the band came to be known as premier ambassadors of the East LA sound - an amalgam of rock, jazz, R&B, and Latin groove. "Friend For Life" is Arvizu's story strung into a dozen songs - sung both in Spanish and English - songs of love, despair, and survival. A recording that's both intimately personal and dance floor approachable. Produced by Ry Cooder (Buena Vista Social Club, Chavez Ravine, talking Timbuktu). RIYL: Buena Vista Social Club, Santana, War.

The keyboard legend and beloved member of the Buena Vista Social Club returns with a dynamic second album that brings continued vitality to the burgeoning Cuban music renaissance. Marked by an animated playing style that ranges from suave and urbane to impishly playful, Gonzalez' musicianship - at 82 years of age - has a personality and panache that is as endearing as his facility is astonishing.

Inside by David Sanborn

Without question, high-octane swing was the rock & roll of the 1930s. Listening to these radio shots recorded live by Goodman's 1937-1938 orchestra (his best) and small group (also his best), one is immediately struck by the lighthearted urgency of the players as well as the animated response of the crowd. At this stage in jazz's development, the interaction between audience and artist was vital (only later to be cooled by bebop), and Goodman's band consistently delights and electrifies the crowds. With Gene Krupa providing the heavy backbeats and the band turning up the heat behind Goodman, the music here has a vigorous "rock" quality that goes beyond mere dance music: it almost seems at times that the band is purposely trying to incite and inspire, very "rock-oriented" goals. And the trio and quartet? Simply incredible, mischievous and mirthful, yet absolutely flawless. This two-CD set (complete with a few rarities) is a thrilling snapshot of Goodman's bands in action, energizing and entertaining, more concerned with execution than innovation. Considering Goodman's reputation as a meticulous perfectionist and the bands' acute familiarity with most of these tunes, the spontaneity and spark of these cuts are amazing. Both Goodman and his fast-rising trumpeter Harry James never fail to take things to the next level either. <I>--Marc Greilsamer</I>

Pete Rock, producer extraordinaire, MC and Hip Hop royalty. At the dawning of the 1990s, Pete Rock manned the boards and his MC counterpart C.L. Smooth handled microphone duties on two of the most influential and timeless contributions to Hip-Hop ever released. 1992’s Mecca & The Soul Brother and 1994’s The Main Ingredient have gone on to shape and influence an entire generation of music listeners as well as producers such as The Neptunes, Kanye West, Just Blaze and 9th Wonder. <P>Constantly producing and remixing music’s brightest stars (Nas, Public Enemy, Mos Def and Talib Kweli, Notorious B.I.G., Run DMC, Q-Tip, Mary J. Blige) and having released a classic solo album Soul Survivor (1998) and Instrumental excursion Petestrumentals (2001) Pete Rock returns With Soul Survivor 2. <P>Acting as MC, and producer Pete Rock has assembled a cast of Hip Hop’s most talented artists to deliver more than just a sequel to Soul Survivor. Pete teamed up with Dead Prez to create "Warzone", a club and street anthem for 2004 reminiscent of the heyday of Public Enemy and NWA when the music had so much soul that you couldn’t help but dance to it, but at the same time it also presented a strong social message. Recently reunited, Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth have crafted a summertime anthem titled "Love Thing", which brings to the forefront Justin Timberlake back-up singer Denosh. Other standout collaborations with Pete Rock on the album include the poignant Pharoahe Monch on "Just Do It", the soulful North Carolina group Little Brother on "Give It 2 Ya", and Slum Village’s certified head banger "Da Villa". The album also features collaborations with Talib Kweli, Kardinal Offishall, RZA, GZA, Postaboy, J-Dilla, Black Ice, Leela James, Skillz and Krumbsnatcha.