Tag Archives: Jazz

Christian Scott – Stretch Music

by ·

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

Rhythmic contemporary jazz

Moods

Fresh Jazz

Thoughts

Surprised I'm just learning about this dude cause he's right up my alley. This album features contemporary compositions rooted in post bop, incorporating elements of hip hop and rock seamlessly. Other reviews applaud the drumming but I think the varied but always strong songwriting is the real standout: ‘twin’ a rhythmic post bop thing, ‘perspectives’ a quiet piece made engaging by a shimmering layer of keys is the perfect lead into the rocking ‘west of the west’ where rocking electric guitar cuts right through the calm. The later half of the album mellows into more traditional post bop carried by strong playing.

I wasn't left with much memory of his trumpet playing but I think that's a good thing as he thrives in versatility. Utilizing tasteful effects when appropriate or a bit of technical flexing in others. His solos are never imposing like certain bandleaders.

It's great and I'm looking forward to checking more out from him. In 2015 I was consumed by kamasi, this is equally as good as the epic.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Christian-Scott-aTunde-Adjuah-Introducing-Elena-Pinderhughes-Stretch-Music/release/7525224

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1JnHCqqu64

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiGfTWngK54

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktU_X7CDaBM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_byDM5lpDlA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8FLvHFUbTY

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Christian Scott – Stretch Music

Description: Album Review of Christian Scott – Stretch Music


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Oliver Nelson – The Blues And The Abstract Truth

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Post-bop

Moods

Cooking with oli

Thoughts

Damn fine post-bop from damn fine players.

Album opener 'Stolen Moments' is a fantastic track, Yearnin is another good one. Bill Evans is on this but his solos feel a little subdued. However the brass features some fine playing from both Hubbard and Dolphy. The whole thing jives together nicely, recommended for post-bop fans.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Oliver-Nelson-The-Blues-And-The-Abstract-Truth/release/1567084

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44DfWE0gatQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlkkQiZ-gV4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2jqUl27ogY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tNZ6AG0xWc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8yiZvdXJlk

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Oliver Nelson – The Blues And The Abstract Truth

Description: Album Review of Oliver Nelson – The Blues And The Abstract Truth


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

The Durutti Column – The Return Of The Durutti Column

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

electric guitar and bass over a very basic midi drum machine

Moods

A sunny day noodle with friends

Thoughts

Plays like a personal jam amongst friends. There are shapes of songs here and lots of melodic lines to grip on to which keeps it somewhat engaging. I like the basic drum machine, it's like an incompetent robot drummer. Adds this synthesized layer to ‘Katherine’ that adds so basic it stands as a nice supplement to the pleasant, wistful reverb driven guitar playing.

This came out in 1979 and I can see it being hugely influential then as the electric guitar was still finding itself. Listening to it almost 40 years later it holds up well. I think there's a whole scene of bedroom musicians and chillwave artists striving to create the same thing.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/The-Durutti-Column-The-Return-Of-The-Durutti-Column/release/807151

Listen!

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The Durutti Column – The Return Of The Durutti Column

Description: Album Review of The Durutti Column – The Return Of The Durutti Column


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

 

Gene Ammons’ All Stars – The Big Sound

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Sax centered bop

Moods

background music at a jiving dinner party with the neighbors

Thoughts

Lots of ammons here, a tenor player I wasn't familiar with. He's good, great in fact, but this is limited in enjoyment as I'm not crazy about bop overall.

Coltrane plays Alto on the real McCoy which is a curiosity on its own.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Gene-Ammons-All-Stars-The-Big-Sound/release/2884852

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6GHN_-NWL8

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TH07y7nLF1g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zm7cFZIMs04

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

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Gene Ammons’ All Stars – The Big Sound

Description: Album Review of Gene Ammons’ All Stars – The Big Sound


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Szun Waves – New Hymn To Freedom

by ·

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

Modern atmospheric jazz rock with electronic textures

Moods

Live at pompeii for spiritual robots

Thoughts

A modern spiritual jazz-rock record. Effective  use of synths modernizes things and adds an interesting texture. Perhaps the only true rock element is the percussion which feels like it keeps things moving forward in rock fashion.  Couple of highlights:

Fall into water- spacey and patient.

High szun maybe a bit more rock oriented. Certain tension is maintained with a noisy keyboard layer. Works while patient solos build around it.

Quite enjoyed this release.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Szun-Waves-New-Hymn-To-Freedom/release/12494167

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAO60apkxEo

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdaHQESTu4U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R12-Qn4g72Q

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Txraa21q8FQ

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Szun Waves – New Hymn To Freedom

Description: Album Review of Szun Waves – New Hymn To Freedom


Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Lee Morgan – Caramba

by ·

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

post bop

Moods

jivey dinner party

Thoughts

The title track stands out but the rest I thought was just ok, good from a post-bop perspective.

Great instrumentation, especially Morgan's trumpet playing, so it's hard not to enjoy if you're into jazz.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Lee-Morgan-Caramba/release/3094292

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArqJanZPY9A

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXDRzy2Xip4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGn3HKIlj4s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBx9ktBnb4E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbTtUHi6bxM

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Lee Morgan – Caramba

Description: Album Review of Lee Morgan – Caramba


Rating: 3 out of 5

 

Francis Lai – Un Homme Et Une Femme (Bande Originale Du Film)

by ·

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

Sounds like?

French Samba

Moods

Cigarettes on the Champs-Elysées

Thoughts

I liked parts but the samba is kinda corny overall

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Francis-Lai-Un-Homme-Et-Une-Femme-Bande-Originale-Du-Film/release/2608416

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SRzGV1Vtgk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTPpwZ1-ELc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e8jjXaMkus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlIGpTti3UQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljt5kCbuGhA

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Francis Lai – Un Homme Et Une Femme (Bande Originale Du Film)

Description: Album Review of Francis Lai – Un Homme Et Une Femme (Bande Originale Du Film)


Rating: 2 out of 5