​‘Fever’, first recorded in 1956 by Little Willie John, was covered by Peggy Lee 2 years later and immediately brought her international fame. The song is also featured twice on this compilation. A first time you get the recording from 1958 and a second version is a rare live recording from 1961 made during a concert in New York City. Peggy Lee was one of the greatest voices of her period. Her versatility is formidable on this compilation released by Bear Family in the series 'The Velvet Lounge'. The recordings were made in the period 1948 - 1962 and show Lee in genres such as swinging rhythm & blues, rock 'n' roll, light jazz and pop in both uptempo and ballad forms. Peggy Lee was also accompanied by highly professional orchestras, such as those of Dave Barbour, Gordon Jenkins, Nelson Riddle, Jack Marshall, Ralph Carmichael, Joe Hamell, Quincy Jones and Louis Prima. The 30 carefully selected songs are an anthology from the American Songbook. Songs like 'Alright, Okay, You Win', 'Lover', 'Heart (Corazon)', 'Jump For Joy' and 'Kansas City' speak for themselves. By the way, Lee knows how to leave her mark on all tracks. Even the often covered '(Ghost) Riders In The Sky (A Cowboy Legend)' is given extra shine by Peggy. Handsome is definitely an early version of 'Everybody Loves Somebody'. Peggy Lee already recorded it in 1948. Later in 1964, the song would give Dean a mega hit. The songs by Ray Charles that Peggy Lee covered also bear witness to a rare beauty. That applies to 'Hallelujah, I Love Him So' and certainly to the live performed 'I Got A Man (I Got A Woman)'. She presents a nice example of a compelling ballad with 'Uninvited Dream'. Cliff Richard recorded the ballad ‘I'm Lookin' Out The Window’ in 1962. The original version belongs to Peggy Lee, who recorded it for Capitol in 1959. Along with the aforementioned live versions of 'Fever' and 'I Got A Man (I Got A Woman)', the album closes with 'Yes, Indeed'.
Peggy Lee passed away on January 21, 2002 at the age of 81. The 38-page booklet contains Peggy Lee's biography as well as all the info about the tracks.
This compilation puts the impressive versatility of the legendary Peggy Lee in the spotlights in a fantastic way on the basis of 30 tracks. Recommended!

Strange but intriguing songs in the collaboration of the Japanese singer Ueda and the French Avantgarde band Poil.  Groundbreaking!

​After 'All Arms On Deck!' and 'Luna Umi!' is 'DbREAM' the third single from 'Etudes For Piano'. Short fragments fluctuate with fascinating and longer pieces, jazz and classical mix in a virtuoso way.

​The musical trio Kameel is back with the long-awaited album 'Trugschluss'. And what a kind! Patrick Steenaerts (guitar), Hans Mullens (bass) and Geert Roelofs (drums) again provide an obscene and lewd solid game of musical potpourri. Ten compositions, a melting pot that cuts deep into your musical bones. A labyrinth of styles and atmospheres, the trademark of this trio.

​Debut from the Greece jazz quartet written by Thomas Mitrousis. ‘The Seed’ has planted and will definitely be appreciated in the contemporary jazz scene.

​A fascinating refreshing album that avoids the predictable.

​An extraordinary vocal jazz stylist and interpreter of standards, blues, original compositions, and New Gospel music, Mercedes Nicole brings to her performances a unique personality and vocal quality. Her rich, expressive voice is deepened by a refreshing vulnerability and ardor. She reveals an unending passion for probing the lyric, melodic and rhythmic nuances of her material. 

​This ‘Satie Suite’ is the result of the meditation by pianist Fred Hersch. He surrounded himself with a bass player, a drummer, and a string quartet. The result is a calm album, in a meditative contemplation. 

​Our countryman Bram De Looze is joined on this new project by drummer Eric McPherson from NY and by Felix Henkelhausen from Berlin. Together they bring a mixture of traditional jazz, free improvisations and contemporary jazz. 

​This collaboration between jazz pianist Jeremy Monteiro and Hammond B-3 player Alberto Marsico is a reissue of an album from 2014. Three tracks were added, and this collaboration with guest artists, comes out well, and results in a catchy album. Try it out, you’ll love it!

On her eighth album, African-American jazz singer Nicole Henry brings a mixture of jazz standards and pop songs. It’s a very nice visiting card of her singing talent, and you can easily compare her to Natalie Cole. 

The idea for this debut album by clarinetiste & saxophonist Hillai Govreen and pianist Nitsan Kolko was born during the Covid pandemic in NYC. Back in their homeland, Israel, they began composing, and the result is melancholic and introvert music. But it sounds always quiet and there is enough room for improvisations. 

​This tenth album from the Dutch sax quartet Aardvark brings songs with experimental influences. They also used an original Adolphe Sax from 1860, and other rare instruments. For those who love experimental saxes!

​This second collaboration between crooner Tony Bennett and popstar Lady Gaga concentrates on the songs of Cole Porter. Again their collaboration brings out the best of both of them, and it’s a proof that artists from different backgrounds can deliver an album with timeless classics!

This sophomore album by the Arthur Posing Quartet brings original compositions that sound like Brad Mehldau. It is modern jazz, but with influences from different genres. And of course there is room for improvisations. 

​Brilliant debut from the Belgian band Nneema.  Warm and tender songs, eclectic with jazz and soul influences.  It makes me happy to hear such empathetic performances. Love it!

​This debut album by the Ramon van Merkenstein trio contains original compositions, and combines traditional with experimental styles. Sometimes melodic and sometimes surprising. 

​Amazing strange and intriguing compositions, that’s the least you can say, but so fascinating!

​Papik delivers here the third installment in the ‘Cocktail Italy’ compilation series. Again he updates Italian songs and breathes new life into them. Excellent work for those who Italian songs. It’s also a very romantic album, that makes me dream of a voyage to Italy. 

​This new album by British singer Sarah Jane Morris and Italian producer Papik contains mostly covers, but also 3 original tracks. It’s a very lovely album with a summer feeling, in soul, jazz & bossa nova style, that you can enjoy during this “Indian summer”. 

​The tracks on this new album by Stacey Kent have something in common. They all speak of the need to go travelling again. The lockdown did us no good, and after having listened to them, I’m planning to do just that!

​Seven duet renditions of jazz tracks by Eliane Elias, the late Chick Corea and Cuban pianoplayer Chucho Valdés on piano. For lovers of jazz piano with improvisations.

​There’s no doubt about it, this is John Armato’s very personal album. The perfect companion for a romantic dinner and a dance!

​This album brings a nice recreation, filled with jazz with a southern feel to it. A nice introduction to Tanya Dennis. I will listen to it on a regular base!

​On this thirteenth album by Viktor Lazlo, she and guitarist Chahine celebrate their common love for the tropics. So follow her on this musical trip to those southern places!