CATHERINE RUSSELL — Strictly Romancin' (2012) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Vocalist Catherine Russell's fourth studio album, 2013's Strictly Romancin', is a swinging and bluesy collection of standards perfect for laid-back evening of romance or relaxation. Here, Russell frames her sultry, resonant voice with both small and large ensembles that dig into a variety of vintage-sounding arrangements. This is jazz and blues steeped in the kind of classic swing of artists like Bessie Smith, Dinah Washington, and others. Included are such songs as "I'm in the Mood for Love," "Ev'ntide," "Everbody Loves My Baby."  Matt Collar
Tracklist:
1. Under The Spell of The Blues (3:08)
2. I'm In The Mood For Love (3:44)
3. Wake Up and Live (2:27)
4. Ev'ntide (3:45)
5. Romance In The Dark (4:12)
6. I'm Checkin' Out, Goom'bye (2:25)
7. No More (3:12)
8. Satchel Mouth Baby (3:20)
9. Everything's Been Done Before (3:14)
10. Don't Leave Me (4:38)
11. I Haven't Changed A Thing (4:43)
12. Everybody Loves My Baby (3:23)
13. He's All I Need (3:34)
14. Watcha Gonna Do When There Ain't No Swing? (3:27)
Credits :
Catherine Russell - Vocals
Matt Munisteri - Guitar, Banjo, Vocals
Mark Shane - Piano
Andy Farber - Tenor Saxophone, arranger
Jon-Erik Kellso - Trumpet, Horn Arrangement
Dan Block - Alto Saxophone, Clarinet
John Allred - Trombone
Joe Barbato - Accordion
Aaron Weinstein - Violin
Carline Ray - Vocals
Lee Hudson - Bass
Mark McLean - Drums

CATHERINE RUSSELL - Inside This Heart of Mine (2010) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Catherine Russell's third album is definitely a throwback to vintage jazz, and honors her father Luis Russell, a premier big-band leader and music director for Louis Armstrong. It's a collection of old-time swing, slinky do-right blues, and reflective music that shows how much she's steeped in the tradition of classic African-American music. Considerable help is utilized from backup musicians like pianist Mark Shane, Matt Munisteri on guitar or banjo, and a horn section with trumpeter Jon-Erik Kellso, trombonist John Allred, and veteran tuba master Howard Johnson on select tracks. Russell's light yet strong voice is clear as a bell, her pleasant singing tinged with a bit of sly knowledge and a hint of bluesy regret. Vintage material suits her persona quite well as on the old-timey J.C. Johnson/Fats Waller-penned title track taking sweetness out of gloom, the downhearted "Troubled Waters," or the low-down "Spoonful"; Armstrong's cakewalkin' "Struttin' with Some Barbeque"; and the great jump blues tune "Quiet Whiskey" from Wynonie Harris. Then there's "We the People," a declaration of freedom that works well in the contemporary Obama era, and a wary cautionary tale, "Just Because You Can," telling those who flaunt their power or persona to be careful about what you wish for. Every track provides delight and surprise, as all great jazz should, while Russell's blues side keeps not only the swinging in check, but assures you the singer has led this life of ups and downs to the hilt. It's an extraordinary recording, and highly recommended for a wide audience.  by Michael G. Nastos 
Tracklist:
1 Inside This Heart of Mine 3:08
J.C. Johnson / Fats Waller
2 All the Cats Join In 3:38  
Ray Gilbert / Eddie Sauter / Alec Wilder
3 We the People 2:51
Joseph M. Davis / Paul Denniker / Andy Razaf
4 Troubled Waters 4:32
Sam Coslow / Arthur Johnston
5 As Long as I Live 3:33
Harold Arlen / Ted Koehler
6 November 3:50
Paul Kahn
7 Just Because You Can 4:09
Rachelle Garniez
8 Long, Strong and Consecutive 3:59
Mack David / Duke Ellington
9 Close Your Eyes 2:59
Bernice Petkere
10 Quiet Whiskey 3:00
Henry Glover / Wynonie Harris / Robert Charles Schell / Fred Weismantel
11 Spoonful 3:35
Willie Dixon
12 Slow as Molasses 4:43
Rachelle Garniez / Spencer Williams
13 Struttin' with Some Barbeque 3:19
Lil Hardin Armstrong / Don Raye
Credits
Accordion – Rachelle Garniez (tracks: 6)
Acoustic Bass – Lee Hudson (tracks: 1 to 5, 8 to 10, 13), Neal Miner (tracks: 6, 7)
Banjo – Matt Munisteri (tracks: 7, 11, 12)
Clarinet – Dan Block (tracks: 3, 12, 13)
Drums – Brian Grice (tracks: 1 to 4, 8, 13), Rob Garcia (tracks: 11, 12)
Guitar – Matt Munisteri (tracks: 1 to 10, 13)
Piano – Mark Shane (tracks: 1 to 5, 8 to 10, 13)
Saxophone – Dan Block (tracks: 1 to 3)
Trombone – John Allred (tracks: 1 to 3, 12, 13)
Trumpet – Jon-Erik Kellso (tracks: 1 to 4, 12, 13)
Tuba – Howard Johnson (tracks: 11, 12)
Violin – Sara Caswell (tracks: 6, 7)
Vocals – Catherine Russell