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Jazz for aficionados

Jazz for aficionados

I'm going to review records in my collection, and you'll be able to decide if they're worthy of your collection. These records are what I consider "must haves" for any jazz aficionado, and would be found in their collections. I wont review any record that's not on CD, nor will I review any record if the CD is markedly inferior. Fortunately, I only found 1 case where the CD was markedly inferior to the record.

Our first album is "Moanin" by Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers. We have Lee Morgan , trumpet; Benney Golson, tenor sax; Bobby Timmons, piano; Jymie merrit, bass; Art Blakey, drums.

The title tune "Moanin" is by Bobby Timmons, it conveys the emotion of the title like no other tune I've ever heard, even better than any words could ever convey. This music pictures a person whose down to his last nickel, and all he can do is "moan".

"Along Came Betty" is a tune by Benny Golson, it reminds me of a Betty I once knew. She was gorgeous with a jazzy personality, and she moved smooth and easy, just like this tune. Somebody find me a time machine! Maybe you knew a Betty.

While the rest of the music is just fine, those are my favorite tunes. Why don't you share your, "must have" jazz albums with us.

Enjoy the music.
orpheus10

Showing 13 responses by chazro

chazro's avatar
chazro
635 posts
 
Here's one from my side of town!  If yr feeling adventurous and are in the NYC area, this band's playing at Carnegie Hall tonight!  The Dafnis Prieto Big Band.  This is the title tune from his latest, the tune features his old boss; Henry Threadgill.  The tune is a 'bolero', Paquito D'Rivera sez a bolero is just a ballad with a side order of rice & beans!;)  A beautiful tune from an outstanding new release!  
https://youtu.be/zn3Vfz87FtY

I return you to yr regularly scheduled programming!;)
chazro's avatar
chazro
635 posts
 
While I kinda/sorta understand why some people don't care for drum or bass solos, for some reason it surprises me when it comes to Jazz fans.  The essence of Jazz is self-expression and musical development.  Seems like an incredible disservice to all the bass and drum players!  And totally contradictory to the inherent sense of exploration required to play it.  Here's the thing, so many listeners automatically 'turn off' their ears as soon as they hear a bass or drum solo, as if they're ALL being played by the same guy!  An Elvin Jones solo is a little different than the guy from Iron Butterfly bangin' away for a whole side!  Want a more reasonable comparison, listen to the sure cure for insomnia solos of maestro Ron Carter vs. a Jaco Pastorious.  Silly comparisons, I know, but it seems just as silly, to me, to lump ALL bass & drum solos into the same group.  BTW, in the Latin music I listen to I often come up against the same mindset when discussing percussion!  It surprised me to learn that is what is often a very precise music is often perceived as a 'racket'!;)  
chazro's avatar
chazro
635 posts
 
If yr talking about genius-level pianists, who happen to be of Latin descent, along with Gonzalo Rubalcaba there's:
Danilo Perez
Michel Camilo
Chano Dominguez
Hilario Duran
...and of course, Maestro Chucho Valdes.
There's so many more terrific Latin pianists but if the word 'genius' is being used, these would be the 1st ones that spring to mind.  These guys have been around for awhile so they've all got extensive discographies, a veritable treasure chest of very high-level music, for the more musically adventurous music-lover!;)
chazro's avatar
chazro
635 posts
 
Gonzalo Rubalcaba may very well be the '1st among equals' in this group we're discussing but as I mentioned before, they all have very extensive discographies.  They've all gone through 'electric' phases, big band phases, small combo and of course, solo phases.  What yr doing, buying a grab bag of records is the best way to check ANY artist out as it's close to impossible to know what's up from a single recording.  My 1st Gonzalo record is an import from Cuba, the GR Proyecto, he was a very young man and VERY deeply into the Return To Forever/Weather Report/Irakere sound.  Very loud, electric, rhythmically challenging, and very exciting stuff.  To get where he is TODAY, from where he started, lets just say he's had an outstanding, very illustrious, accomplished career and regardless whether its Fusion or acoustic, its always been excellent!
chazro's avatar
chazro
635 posts
 
Roberto Quintero's one of the great percussionists, and has been for quite some time.  I have ton's of records with him on them.  Hey, he's in the Dafnis Prieto video I just posted!
chazro's avatar
chazro
635 posts
 
Not that they mean much, but sometimes the Grammys get it right.  Congrats to Wayne Shorter, & bandmates Brian Blade, John Pattitucci, and Danilo Perez for the Jazz win!  And a special shout-out to a favorite; Dafnis Prieto, and his Big Band, for the win in Latin Jazz!  Prieto's having a banner year!
https://youtu.be/rWm1s3ze8d4
  


chazro's avatar
chazro
635 posts
 
Here's one of Roberto; alongside his equally-legendary cousin Luisito (a monsta playa, recently toured with Corea but's primarily known for his work with the Spanish Harlem Orchestra).  Incredible percussionists!
https://youtu.be/Sm0FxCxheoA

chazro's avatar
chazro
635 posts
 
https://youtu.be/zfGAn-xm1Ss
chazro's avatar
chazro
635 posts
 
"The women is not a singer, period."  wow, kinda arrogant, no?  Sounds like yr pissed off at Krall but yr taking it out on poor Astrud!;)
chazro's avatar
chazro
635 posts
 
James Carter played Ben Webster in the soundtrack to Kansas City

https://youtu.be/Em_o69_cZng
chazro's avatar
chazro
635 posts
 
So which Avishai Cohen are you going to see, the bassist or the trumpet player!?  Both outstanding musicians!;)
chazro's avatar
chazro
635 posts
 
Phil Woods/Michel Legrand - Images - The 2nd side of this album (feat. the jazz suite heard here) 
https://youtu.be/Hjldo10HiRo

...and the Long Yellow Road by the Toshiko Akiyoshi/Lew Tabakin Big Band both formed mushroom clouds in my young mind when I 1st heard them!
https://youtu.be/3II64EHzMqg

Still do!!!;)


chazro's avatar
chazro
635 posts
 
Jim McNeely's a beast of an arranger!  2 favorite records are the one he made with his longtime boss; The Phil Woods Quintet Plays The Music Of Jim McNeely and his own; Jim McNeely Tentet - Group Therapy (You've NEVER heard a version of Silent Night like his, guaranteed!).  I know dropping videos is SOP around here but I was surprised to see that there aren't any cuts from these 2 records available.  Great music!
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