Tag Archives: Jazz-Funk

Mulatu Astatke – Éthiopiques 4: Ethio Jazz & Musique Instrumentale 1969-1974

by ·

★★★★★ = Classic, essential listening

Sounds like?

World music that combines jazz, African rhythms, and spiritual elements into something distinct.

Moods

Beautiful, original, sultry, spiritual – this is timeless music that transcends classification.

Thoughts

I struggle to describe this as I think boxing it into descriptors would do it a disservice. Instead I've jotted some feelings in the mood section but encourage listening during evening hours, adds to a warm atmosphere with positive spirits. More lively then not.

Great playing throughout. The solos feel a little too defined as opposed to the looseness I prefer in jazz but each has crafted them so well that they never suffer.

Classic and essential listening that welcomes revisits.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Mulatu-Astatq%C3%A9-%C3%89thiopiques-4-Ethio-Jazz-Musique-Instrumentale-1969-1974/release/724788

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtwLr7FtBlE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjZuX3XBGAo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIjZngfgv10

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgilX6AUClY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGeqiB73H90

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Mulatu Astatke – Éthiopiques 4: Ethio Jazz & Musique Instrumentale 1969-1974

Description: Album Review of Mulatu Astatke – Éthiopiques 4: Ethio Jazz & Musique Instrumentale 1969-1974


Rating: 5 out of 5

 

People Plus – Third Space

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Electro jazz

Moods

Spacey electro jazz – quite nice

Thoughts

A record that is both chilled out and energetic –  ambient down tempo textures meets tight jazz-like instrumentation. Longform instrumental songwriting makes this a record for specific audiences. But it's quite nice overall.

Jungle room has a Radiohead meeting in the aisle vibe. O.S.C.1. is a tropical dub thing.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/People-Plus-Third-Space/release/13594488

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4E8qrwv6wU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cr9GkR_o6w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9dY6chQ7Wc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBruPwYpObI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUy5rDnjwi0

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People Plus – Third Space

Description: Album Review of People Plus – Third Space


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Donald Byrd – Ethiopian Knights

by ·

★★★★★ = Classic, essential listening

Sounds like?

jazz with funk rock chops

Moods

Top notch jazz-funk

Thoughts

these are long cuts that give way to extended jams. Patience is rewarding:

'the emperor' is funky strum guitar and groovy picking bass line gives way to solos from xylophone and Byrd on trumpet. It's great.

'Jamie' is a brief chilled out piece in comparison, gospel like at times with the organ.

'Little rasti' brings back the groove where things are ever so slightly dirtier (think as if it were the late show at a jazz club as opposed to a cleaner early show on 'the emperor'). Things kick off with a drum solo and then get into a groovy set of solos this time include Wawa guitar, keys and of course a very confident Byrd.

I'm hard pressed to think of better funk rock jazz from this or any of the era. On par with Miles and a must for fans of the genre.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Donald-Byrd-Ethiopian-Knights/release/890204

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtKcvoeO2vA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhiYaTLP8xM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAycZvJwtIA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av4j96aEDAA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvHQGXdvbDc

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Donald Byrd – Ethiopian Knights

Description: Album Review of Donald Byrd – Ethiopian Knights


Rating: 5 out of 5

 

Quincy Jones – Walking In Space

by ·

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?

soulful jazz arrangements

Moods

big band jazz-funk

Thoughts

Arrangements are rich and instrumentation as good as any with exceptional guitar work (best displayed on the bluesy standout 'love and peace').

However it's missing a certain rawness the great jazz-funk of the era holds, limits the appeal.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Quincy-Jones-Walking-In-Space/release/2560746

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWoqvBFeCrI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebvHk62DUtA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJgTzLsvCKQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXQ4r4y3Wdc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aASXNyc6xmY

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Quincy Jones – Walking In Space

Description: Album Review of Quincy Jones – Walking In Space


Rating: 2 out of 5

 

Max Graef Band – Dog

by ·

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

Jazzy punk funk by amateurs

Moods

An enjoyable jazzy dance punk record

Thoughts

The basic but prominent bass work give this an 80s dance punk vibe like the minutemen or that other LES stuff like the ESG. Keys and rhythm provide an accessible jazz funk but it remains grounded.

A great hybrid of those two styles, nothing inventive but it's a fun record with an easy amateur feel that's appealing.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Max-Graef-Band-Dog-/release/7837490

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXorVKlYj1Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sBDwyynSBL4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9P5lvySQLo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TRBQec5A7U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8RSUcX2zV0

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Max Graef Band – Dog

Description: Album Review of Max Graef Band – Dog


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

The Crusaders – Crusaders 1

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

groovy jazz funk rock (fusion?)

Moods

Crack open a can of that smooth 70s groove

Thoughts

polished and slick fusion that's pretty straightforward rock at times. Lots of brass and 70s funk licks. A little too slick and jazzy at times for me to call it a record I love (that might be one of my problems with fusion is that it sits in the middle) but I can dig this groove, that drummer is so in the pocket it's ridiculous.

Love some parts – keys solo on Georgia cottonfield. The chilled out funk on so far away, an album highlight.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/The-Crusaders-Crusaders-1/release/2447492

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J84IiZ6WfGI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OahE2GGaGq4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHGlEvEtbuU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jXsPUB-Qf0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfSp5gcFf9w

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The Crusaders – Crusaders 1

Description: Album Review of The Crusaders – Crusaders 1


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Eddie Henderson – Heritage

by ·

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

Jazz rock fusion

Moods

Jamming: as if the head hunters were playing under miles direction during his electric period.

Thoughts

Great fusion. Starts out groove focused and adds dark space as the album goes on. The later tracks remind me an awful lot of miles fusion, not a lot of other records are able to capture that sound.  

Patrice rushen is on keys, awesome! I always appreciated her solo work but I've gained a new respect here. She wrote one of the better tracks Kudu. I like the tight rhythm work too, Dr. mganga is a prime example of this.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Eddie-Henderson-Heritage/release/823311

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaStlmO_AbQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb3yT74C1cE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psxzgnUiWT4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJzwXA0N6fk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6JPtqhR770

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Eddie Henderson – Heritage

Description: Album Review of Eddie Henderson – Heritage


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Ronnie Foster – Two-Headed Freap

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

tight keys driven funky soul jazz rock

Moods

Groover

Thoughts

Real good keys playing, dude lays it down. Like the rest of the atmosphere though wish he would breakup the super tight and quick keys playing into something chiller at times (kind of happens on let's stay together but it's a little to direct, I appreciate his loose-r approach when it feels like he's just letting the scales fly).

Overall this works with the rest of the band laying down groovy soulful tight jams. Feels like a record that would translate well to fans of modern jam bands.

On repeat listens I really only like the first half as the similar and quite busy playing started to get fatiguing.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Ronnie-Foster-Two-Headed-Freap/release/7659623

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul08TkjnuEo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKWHH5j-iOc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWp6ngco92c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhhpMvmCTtw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_Y9MDo5Tc0

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Ronnie Foster – Two-Headed Freap

Description: Album Review of Ronnie Foster – Two-Headed Freap


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Donald Byrd – Places And Spaces

by ·

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

energetic jazz funk, has a bit of disco too

Moods

70’s

Thoughts

I like the Donald Byrd + Mizell brothers brand of hip jazz funk that he was cranking out in the 70s (excellent article by bluenote that lays out the history  http://www.bluenote.com/spotlight/disco-byrd-donald-byrd-in-the-70s ). This is one of the better albums if that era, sounds a little dated but the smooth soul still works.

There's an excellent interplay between the musicians. Even with Byrd himself, he'll drop in for a trumpet solo but it never feels fully focused on him; more just part of an overall vibe. Tracks feature super tight drumming, string arrangements, picking bass, Byrd's trumpet hovering around and sometimes cheesy lyrics (my only major fault).

Night Whistler is probably my favorite where an effect laden trumpet loop adds some interesting character.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Donald-Byrd-Places-And-Spaces/release/435058

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1vDcSPs_6I

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3bdrBPFh2Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nU1PyzEVPdg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chxtrT591oU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tFRIsRbEO0

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Donald Byrd – Places And Spaces

Description: Album Review of Donald Byrd – Places And Spaces


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Wes Montgomery – A Day In The Life

by ·

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?

Light guitar driven jazz

Moods

Wedding cocktail reception

Thoughts

A bunch of covers done in this kinda corny, guitar driven light jazz; overly dramatic string arrangements don't really help things much.

As much as I don't like this record I do include these tracks in mixes when entertaining. Easily recognizable melodies in this 'soft’ format serve well as background music.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Wes-Montgomery-A-Day-In-The-Life/release/10040768

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjHiSePn1ts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86oaCxW2daU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0KZk2Ojxn8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJyarNALJFc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Vp4O3fOLy8

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Wes Montgomery – A Day In The Life

Description: Album Review of Wes Montgomery – A Day In The Life


Rating: 2 out of 5