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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
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ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,326 posts
 
PS -
"Blues, Jazz, Fusion; what shall it be?"

How about all the above?

Hey O - Thanks for the Jean Luc Ponty Cosmic Messenger link.  I had saved that album to Spotify or Tidal a while ago.  Tried to listen and didn't care for it too much.  Just sounded dated and uninteresting.  Now tonight, this track (at least) I'm finding more agreeable.  

Re Mahavishnu, I think "visionary" is an apt term for them.  I blow hot and cold on 'em.  Sometimes that music is just too amped up and discordant; can find no rest there.   You realize Jerry Goodman from MO is also on that School of the Arts recording.  
frogman
7,528 posts
 
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vzx_G65OIIw

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=OrNc0FaOdzk


orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Ghosthouse, I go back to the time when I bought the album, and I'm surrounded by the memories of that time when "Mahavishnu" was hot. No, I don't have it on my "playlist"; that's reserved for some of the cuts off the best 100 jazz LP's or similar.

Fusion sounds good once in a blue moon but not on a consistent basis. The title "Cosmic Messenger" says it all; we're in outer stellar space or someplace only your imagination can take you.

Most good "jazz" is about human beings and things you can relate to; while good fusion is for exercising your tweeters, and imagination. Personally I prefer to get into one zone at a time.


Rok, knew cotton fields, juke joints, and the people who made the blues, while others wrote and observed from afar; especially when you're talking about the "Delta Blues". I could always read between the lines of what Rok wrote and that's where the foundation of the blues lies. That's why I proposed a work shop of sorts, to define what the "Blues" is to us individually; otherwise it's quite ambiguous.









ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,326 posts
 
I worked quite a bit on the Gulf but never lived there (nor up in the Delta area of MS).  I respect and appreciate what that first hand exposure would have given to Rok.  I'll use that to segue into something I'd been thinking about relative to your blues discussion: that is, making a distinction between "blues originals" and "blues interpreters".  Blues originals being just that ... the early musicians that heard that stuff and learned it as part of their culture (from the oral tradition) or even composed the music out of their own experience.  Blues interpreters being the modern, later musicians that "inherited" this music and didn't have much if anything to do with its origins...composing or experiencing the conditions that gave rise to it.  I don't have a problem enjoying blues interpreters but I suspect they don't get respect from all quarters.  

I understand what you are saying about "jazz jazz" vs fusion.  I don't think it HAS to be that way but fusion does too often seem to be about technical prowess and an intellectual exercise with little "heart".  I'm tempted to start a thread along the lines of "Fusion tracks with soul."  I really am curious about possible exceptions; i.e., fusion with soul.


Ciao  

 
acman3
4,327 posts
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuAMSE_xck4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F02mBkBoMQw
acman3
4,327 posts
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-092AmH4fs
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Since the "culture" is so intertwined with the music; as a matter of fact, the music is a result of the culture when speaking of "Delta Blues" (economic and social); when I hear the music, I hear all of this without any separation.

Blues interpreters (as you call them), have come along with a version that includes more rock, and therefore sounds better to more people; especially since the cultural element has been diluted.

I can understand why this would be preferred to the undiluted blues, and since music is for the music lovers pleasure and enjoyment, thus more popular.

"Fusion with soul", now there's a hybrid beast if I ever heard of one. "Weather Report", one of the leading proponents of fusion, might have accomplished that. Personally, I like soul and fusion on different plates, but that would be interesting for a new thread.
acman3
4,327 posts
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfNURSHTQU4

ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,326 posts
 
Hahaha....points well made, Acman. Thanks.

Zawinul and Weather Report certainly belong on that fusion with soul list. Partly, I think, because WR (early on, at least) was mostly about jazz with some "rock" seasoning. Later on, increasing amounts of funk being added to the stew.

Certainly seems like an injection of funk can’t help but give fusion some soul. Enjoyed that Crusaders clip. Made me want to listen to more by them. Must confess, heard OF the Crusaders but know next to nothing about their music.

So now I am wondering, assuming it’s possible to track the history of "fusion", where and when did it start to be associated with that sort of bleached-out, music-theory class, cerebral exhibitionism?
acman3
4,327 posts
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qId0lQJW5DY
acman3
4,327 posts
 
Many horns and vocal textures
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hnfriKoJEc

Add guitar and take out horns = rock stars

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Apq1A7bnrKI
acman3
4,327 posts
 
The guitars were a natural reaction to what was going on in popular music, and then there was Lifetime. Miles alumni John Mclaughlin and Tony Williams, joined by Larry Young, which you last heard on the"Unity"  recording Frogman played earlier.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxeiY5kXz8Y

BTW, a lot of people joined the Jazz side because of those guitar led fusion bands. They do sound dated though now. 
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,326 posts
 
Orpheus & Acman -
Wrote a lengthy reply about an hour ago. It didn’t survive. Must have messed up somehow. No desire to try and recreate the whole thing. In brief (if I can)...

O- I agree with your first paragraph about Delta Blues embodying a culture. I think what you write in your 2nd paragraph about blues interpreters applies to the 3rd gen blues players (e.g., Clapton et al) but think the 2nd gen players associated with the move north and early electrification of the blues were still close to their roots despite geographic distance. They knew very well whereof they spoke.

Acman - I found The Crusaders Gold on Spotify. 2nd track (Young Rabbits) started out with some spectacular piano and I was hopeful. Didn’t take long though before the music lost interest for me. I only made it to track 10. Not much there on a par with that video of Scatch that you posted. Those guys are obviously good musicians and maybe their music early on was better than in that gold collection. Didn’t seem to me the writing was up to the level of their individual talents. A simple melody over a groove with little elaboration. I got bored with it (as represented on that disc, anyway).

Maybe we can blame Chick Corea’s Return to Forever for the excesses of fusion. Kidding (sort of). There’s plenty of blame to go around. One thing for sure, I do not understand the fascination in some quarters with Al Di Meola. Every time I hear him, it sounds the same. Don’t own any RtoF or AD and don’t see any in my near future. I admire Stanley Clarke. Looking at that video of The Magician I found myself wondering if his fingers are registered with the police as lethal weapons.

I have tried listening to that first iteration of TW’s Lifetime, "Emergency". Found it difficult. Do like the 2nd iteration with the Alans, Pasqua and Holdsworth. Bought the 2 album compilation. I’m willing to give Lifetime #1 another shot. It’s saved on Spotify, I think.

By the way, not a Corea hater by any means. Have a couple of his LPs: Akoustic Band and EleKtric Band. There’s music in those recordings.

Thanks to you and O for the discussion and your patience with my replies.
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,326 posts
 
Wikipedia explained things...
The Jazz Crusaders (first LP, Freedom Sounds 1961) shortened their name in ’71 to The Crusaders. Certainly seems over the years their music "dumbed down" as they achieved more commercial success (least that’s how read it).

It’s this version of Young Rabbits (Young Rabbits ’71 ’72) from Pass The Plate that was on that Gold compilation CD. Joe Sample’s piano work knocks me out...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFn-fbNdjj4&ab_channel=jackofwg


ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,326 posts
 
Hey O - Remember posting the below (Dec 31 last year)?

The very best music is that which has withstood the test of time and repeats; no matter how many times you've heard it, it still sounds good.

Such music in my collection that exists, I will share it with you; The Jazz Crusaders, "Young Rabbits" is such a cut.
Another one by the same crew is "Freedom Sound"; that reminds me, I don't have enough of this good music.

I missed your post first time around.  Looked up Jazz Crusaders Freedom Sound today to see if it had gotten discussed.  Found your comments.  You are certainly right.  Got Freedom Sound the album (the title track, in fact) playing right now.  There's a 2 album CD with Freedom Sound and Lookin' Ahead.  Thinking I will be getting it.  Thanks again to you and Acman.
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Ghosthouse, it seems we're going on the same track in the right direction; I was just thinking this is a good time to help you with you're new collection.

The very best music is that which has withstood the test of time and repeats; no matter how many times you've heard it, it still sounds good.

That quote is quite valid; it makes for a play list that's so long, you're ready to hear the first one again by the time it comes around.

"The Jazz Crusaders" is one of everybody's favorite groups; they successfully went through a number of changes, coming up with something better each time.

Now is a good time for the rest of the 'aficionado's' to assist in helping you to build a choice collection without waste of money; meaning to buy albums that you later become dissatisfied with.


Enjoy the music.




frogman
7,528 posts
 
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nhFxzSMaXmE
frogman
7,528 posts
 
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RUOdt2JjChs

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=msw2TdJoaX8

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PY6VFUpa0lk
acman3
4,327 posts
 
Finally listened to Frogman's links. Thanks!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dKKqUZH0w0
acman3
4,327 posts
 
Good Morning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRkW3qwXdYI
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Ghosthouse, I would like to know what you have selected that stands the repeated listening test? After I hear them, I'll select from my collection CD's that I think you might like.

Happy listening.
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Do you have "My Spanish Heart" by Chick Corea? The reason I asked, is because this two album set has so much music in it, that you can't go wrong here.


    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KE_I6d5m9E

This is just one cut. That's only a fraction of all the elements this two CD set contains.


Enjoy the music.
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,326 posts
 
Orpheus - Thank you for asking. Happy to share. What I think I’ll do is just list all the jazz I have (not sure how large a collection that is, actually). Will mark my favorites. Please be patient. It will take a bit of time to get to this.

Meanwhile going to try to give a listen to the many links posted in just the last day or so...starting with your track from My Spanish Heart.

Done...

Don’t own, my Spanish Heart. Found the full album on YouTube. Listened to Armando’s Rhumba from your link first. Sounds gypsy to me...reminds me of a Django Reinhardt composition. Not exactly my cup of tea...nothing against Django. Started from the beginning with Track 1. Liked Track 2 and now on Track 3. A lot of varied styles in just the first 3 cuts. Thanks for the recommendation. Obvious classical influences (not to mention Flamenco) in Track 3. You are right...a lot of music and many different elements. Thanks for the recommendation. 
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,326 posts
 
Frogman -
Taj and Keb…Don’t Leave Me Here. Almost tells the history of the blues right there. Great track. I can definitely hear B.B. King doing a version of it.  Don’t know anything about the LP. (sampled your other tracks from it) Will enjoy looking at credits.

Acman -
Fusion Chromazone - Heard of Stern but don’t know much. Technically excellent but how much of this kind of thing can you really listen to. (no offense)

Return to Forever - The Musician…really like the horns. Hear similarities to Zappa’s Grand Wazoo. Wonder who was first? No guitar! Instead some bowed upright bass by Mssr. Clarke.

Billy Cobham’s Spectrum - I have this saved on Spotify. Never got into it all that much. Participation of Tommy Bolin was what led me to it.  Another LP (along with TW’s Lifetime #1) to revisit.

Thanks gents.




ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,326 posts
 
Frogman - Missed commenting on the Corea Quartet #1 first time around.  For whatever reason, this is interesting to me. Not sweetness and light throughout but not "shallow lyricism" either. Kinda meaty. Excellent musicianship of course. Reading about it on Wikipedia.  I will definitely be listening to the 3 Quartets in full very soon (like tonight, maybe). As I said, not a Corea hater; just never liked what I’d heard of his Return to Forever work.  

Thanks again to all.

frogman
7,528 posts
 
"Kinda meaty" is a good way to describe that piece by Corea. I understand your reaction to a lot of Corea’s other work. A lot of his stuff does have a quality about it that can give it a lite, even kinda cute, vibe. Personally, I wouldn’t call it "shallow" as his compositions and playing have also have a sense of sincerity. He definitely has a unique voice that is informed by his Spanish heritage and Classical music background. Several of his tunes have become standards and "Spain" is probably his most recognized. Great tune featuring perhaps the greatest jazz flutist that ever lived; well, my favorite at least, the great Joe Farrell:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=a_OEJ0wqt2g

One of my all-time favorite recordings, Stan Getz’s "Sweet Rain" features some of my very favorite playing by Corea as sideman:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3qGDF5gnjTU

ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,326 posts
 
I really didn't have Corea's music in mind when I made that "shallow lyricism" comment.  "Superficial" might have been the better adjective for what I was trying get at: a surface prettiness that doesn't require much effort to appreciate.  No depth so no digging required...no durability.  (I really should shut up now.  Getting in over my head.)

But yeah, I guess some of the Return to Forever compositions might strike me that way...again, didn't really have them in mind.  

I dud spend a good deal of time this evening listening to the full Quartets album on the main system via Tidal.  Listened to it straight through twice.  It definitely becomes more comprehensible with repeated listening.  Could end up being a "buy".

Gettting late for me.  Tomorrow I will check out those two links you just posted.  Thanks as always for your enlightening comments.   

Talking piano.  I was very impressed with Joe Sample on the couple of early Jazz Crusaders albums I listened to yesterday. 
frogman
7,528 posts
 
****  (I really should shut up now. Getting in over my head.) ****

Not at all.  I think your descriptions are excellent and an inquisitive attitude is something that makes for good exchanges. 
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Ghosthouse, it's important to me personally in regard to any selections you make from that 100 top jazz LP list. It will help me select albums from my collection that I have enjoyed a lot over the years.

Fellow Aficionados, I believe that this exercise will help juice up our present collection; now we'll catch those albums that got by us in the past.


Enjoy the music.
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,326 posts
 
Hola O -
I PM'd you this AM.  Please advise if you have not seen that.

Best regards.
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 
I saw a message, but not the list, post it here.
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,326 posts
 
The list is pretty long...sure you still want me to do it that way?  

ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,326 posts
 
O - These are CDs only. Equal number of titles (if you want to see them ) saved in Spotify and Tidal. Haven’t inventoried my LPs yet.

Key:

No X = very infrequent listening; in a few instances, never played

X = have spent limited time listening to this recording

XX = have listened to this repeatedly and like it

XXX = listen to this frequently - a favorite

XXXX = most favorite music


Title Musician Status

Invisible Cinema Aaron Parks XXX

The Awakening Ahmad Jamal Trio XXX

The Antisocial Club Alan Pasqua XXXX

The Bright Mississippi Allen Toussaint XX

Charming Snakes Andy Summers XX

The Golden Wire Andy Summers XXX

Mysterious Barricades Andy Summers XXX

Synaesthesia Andy Summers XX

The Last Dance of Mr. X Andy Summers XXX

Green Chimneys Andy Summers XXX

Earth + Sky Andy Summers XXXX

Rheomusi Araujo, Andersen, Vasconcelos XXX

Impulse Art Blakey Jazz Messengers

Portrait in Jazz Bill Evans Trio X

Sunday at the Village Vanguard Bill Evans Trio

Waltz for Debby Bill Evans Trio

Anatomy of a Groove Brazilian Groove Band X

CAB4 Brunel, MacAlpine, Chambers, Auger XX

Momentum Bunny Brunel XXX

Quartet Carles Benavent XXX

Northwest Christoph Oeding Trio XX

Never Too Soon Christoph Oeding Trio XX

Time Out Dave Brubeck

Bent Gary Willis XXX

Going Back Home Ginger Baker Trio

Beyond the Missouri Sky Haden & Metheny XX

Special Treatment Jazz Pistols XX

Live Jazz Pistols XXX

Soultrane John Coltrane

Blue Train John Coltrane X

Giant Steps John Coltrane XX

One Down, One Up - Live at the Half Note John Coltrane XX

A Love Supreme John Coltrane XX

Lush Life John Coltrane

A Go Go John Scofield X

The Sidewinder Lee Morgan

On Time Les McCann Ltd. XX

S/T Lyle Mays XXX

Street Dreams Lyle Mays X

Fictionary Mays, Johnson, DeJohnette X

Fly With the Wind McCoy Tyner

Shack Man Medeski, Martin & Wood X

Combustication Medeski, Martin & Wood XX

As Falls Witchita… Metheny & Mays XXX

Workin with the MD Quintet Miles Davis X

Sketches of Spain Miles Davis

Ballads & Blues Miles Davis

Kind of Blue Miles Davis XX

Bitches Brew Miles Davis XX

Joyous Lake  Pat Martino  XX

Watercolors Pat Metheny XX

Letter From Home Pat Metheny Group XX

The Road To You Pat Metheny Group XXX

Solstice Ralph Towner XXXX

S/T Rypdal, Vitous, DeJohnette X

S/T Sao Paulo Ska Jazz X

We Like It Here Snarky Puppy X

Albums #3 - #7 Soft Machine X

Come On In Steve Smith & Vital Information XX

First You Build A Cloud Summers & Verdery XX

Straight No Chaser Thelonius Monk

At Carnegie Hall Thelonius Monk Quartet w/John Coltrane

Believe It & Million Dollar Legs Tony Williams Lifetime (2) XXX

Five Years Later Towner & Ambercrombie X

One Night With Blue Note Various Artists XXX

The Incredible Jazz Guitar Wes Montgomery X


orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Ghosthouse, this is a very productive list; it tells me that "jazz jazz" might not be your cup of tea, but it also tells me that music you should be on the quest for, is new music that's not in my collection. In other words, we might be on the same quest for the same "new music".

It will take time to perform a thorough analysis of your list, and after I have completed it I will get back to you.

Out of curiosity, I would like to know what everyone else makes out of Ghosthouse's list?
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,326 posts
 
O - I think you are right on the money with your assessment of this "collection". Definitely a preference for "newer jazz" reflected in the list vs more classic jazz jazz. It reflects buying things I’d read about or heard and liked without any deeper understanding of the kind of "jazz" they represented or the full scope of the music that is jazz. I was sampling another area of music without real intent of developing a bona fide jazz collection.

Hopefully some of these titles will be new to you and give you some things to "audition"...even if you don’t feel compelled to add them to your own collection. Also wanted to add a note: some of the Andy Summers might not be jazz of any sort (though I don’t think that is the case with Earth+Sky). Vora by Rauelsson is, on further reflection, definitely not jazz but still some wonderful music I recommend giving a try.

I feel a bit sheepish monopolizing the discussion here. Apologies to the real aficionados and I beg everyone’s indulgence. On the other hand, I do value any feedback and maybe after a good break for discussion of other topics unrelated to my interests, I can post my "digital downloads" (saved Spotify/Tidal jazz content) for your review. Thanks for your time (thanks to everyone for theirs) and do take your time reviewing the titles. I very much hope you find something new that you will enjoy.


frogman
7,528 posts
 
The only suggestion that I have is to keep doing what you’re doing; the way that you’re doing it. You are a true music lover and your attitude reflects that. Imo, to be open to all that any music has to offer any listener needs to approach listening with, at least, a modicum of humility. How much there is to understand and appreciate is practically endless and the process needs to be about the music more so than about ourselven. You mention that you approached your foray into jazz without the intention of building a library. I also notice that you gave XX (like) to, among others, Coltrane’s "Giant Steps" and "A Love Supreme". I suspect that library will grow no matter what.
jafant's avatar
jafant
20,385 posts
 
You are on the right path- ghosthouse.

Happy Listening!
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

This is a new CD by Rich Perry, that rated over 4 stars, which is an excellent rating. The review says it's never to be played before midnight; I could use some more of that.


      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7naF8u2VUk&list=PLeMLh2SrfvbZhoWhqCIzU3PFT2mcY74zk


Mood music suits everybody's groove when the time is right, you can never have too much.

I wonder if Frogman knows Rich Perry?


Enjoy the music.
Post removed 
jafant's avatar
jafant
20,385 posts
 
John Chin
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,326 posts
 
Thanks for the encouragement, gents.

Still a few hours until midnight on the east coast, so in the interval before O’s Rich Perry gets played, you might be interested in "The New Standard" by Jaime Saft (piano) with Steve Swallow (bass) and Bobby Previte (drums). These all instrumental compositions seem like "jazz jazz" structure-wise but there’s definitely something very modern feeling in the performances. That was my reaction before reading the Wiki article which more or less confirms that impression. I have been enjoying this since first listening.

Some of the "modern" feel might have to do with Previte’s drumming and/or how the drums are recorded. Curious what others think about the drums on this recording and the album in general.

Frogman - If I recall correctly, you are upstate NY?? If that is correct, you might know a couple of these musicians. New names for me.

Here’s a track from the album...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvi4iKz-AOI&ab_channel=JamieSaft-Topic

acman3
4,327 posts
 
I like your list. One of my favorites from the last decade, you may like. Keeps getting better for me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyJJltEhvkc
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,326 posts
 
Thanks, acman.  Hope you (and others) will maybe find something new and likable in it.  Thanks too for the Pat Martino recommendation.  Pat and Joey D. - two Philly boys.  Mad talents both.  Pat is quite the story of overcoming.  Remarkable.  

BTW - I think you were the one mentioned following E.S.T. for quite some time.  Have recently been listening to and enjoying From Gagarin's Point of View and Tuesday Wonderland.  Magnus Ostrom's Searching for Jupiter is also very good.

Ciao
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

"I hear Brubeck"; it's for sure the piano man listened to Brubeck.

That's "jazz jazz" Ghosthouse, and I like it.
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Here is an album that's in almost everyone's collection, it just might be a point where music lovers come together;


                  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUy7UpLTKEQ&t=765s
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,326 posts
 
Cool, O.

Just to be sure we’re on the same sheet of music, we’re talking that Jaime Saft track "I See No Leader", right?

If yes, glad to get your endorsement ! (Not being sarcastic either.)

Seems like "Side 1" is piano and "Side 2" he switches over to organ. Overall  "The New Standard" is a strong album.

Now I gotta get acquainted with Brubeck, I guess.

I know the name but not his playing.
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 
We are on the same page;  here's Brubeck on piano, and Paul Desmond on alto sax;


              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsGSxbAB3qk
frogman
7,528 posts
 
Ghosthouse, thanks for the Jamie Saft clip. You are correct that, while I live in NYC, I do have a property in upstate NY. While I don’t know him nor Swallow or Previte personally I do know some of their work from their recordings with various other leaders; especially Swallow’s. In the case of Saft, I first heard him play several years ago when he was the piano soloist in a performance here in NYC of a chamber opera (!) by John Adams. That fact alone is indicative of the versatility of many of the musicians in the "experimental music" or "new music" scenes today. Also known as the "downtown scene" since the birthplace of this broad music category was "downtown" NYC. A lot of these musicians are excellent jazz players whose playing is informed by their interest and involvement in the modern classical, chamber and rock worlds.

I like Saft’s playing on your clip quite a bit and was not familiar with too much of his work including this recording; thanks for the introduction. I find him to have a rather unique approach. His rhythmic feel is not as "swingy" as a lot of other piano players and is probably a result of his interest in other genres; and I particularly like the way he uses flurries of notes where the shape of the flurries become the musical statements. Steve Swallow is legendary and someone that is worth checking out. He was one of the first prominent electric jazz bass players and longtime collaborator with composer/pianist Carla Bley. I agree with you about the drumming and the music in general; very modern in feeling. Previte is wonderful and while he definitely brings a modern approach to the proceedings Saft and Swallow are equal partners in that feeling of "modern". Thanks again for the clip! Carla Bley’s music I find to be an acquired taste, but interesting and her collaboration with Steve Swallow is definitely worth being familiar with.  Swallow's recordings with vibist Gary Burton is also worth checking out:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PAhThf3ot1Y

minorl
1,019 posts
 

I have to say, I have been reading this for some time and I quite enjoy the discussions. 

Jazz is my favorite music format, however, even after all these years (mine) of playing music (classical, Jazz, etc.) I have a really hard time classifying what exactly "Jazz" really is.

Initially, to me Jazz ("real Jazz") was all about improvisation.  However, I can't say that Bill Evans isn't jazz.  The Pat Matheny Group, Spyro Gyra. etc.

I'm listening (while working) to Spyro Gryra's Yosemite and realize that I still love this composition.

The list that Ghosthouse included above was a great list and sparked my interest on music that I never heard before.( John Coletrane's giant steps gets only two XX's?). ok.   I really benefit from and appreciated this type of respectful back and forth.  This is not only fun, but very informative.

I grew up (yes, I'm older) listing to music all the time. It was all over my mother's house.  Rock, Jazz, R&B, you name it. I played classical so, that was also in the mix.  Any and all music.  As long as it was good.

Take for example, the Jazz Crusaders' original version of street life, with Randy Crawford singing.  Wow!!!   I remember Robertson Audio in Los Angeles (really high end dealer) and many other dealers would use that track on vinyl to highlight what you can really hear on high end sound systems.  The information in the background you just can't hear on inferior equipment.  But the Jazz Crusaders were a staple in my neighborhood.  Joe Sample, and the crew were amazing.

Transition to Bob James music and his early stuff was/is very good.  However, since younger people didn't get into very long tracks, let alone DJs that simply wouldn't play music that lasted longer than 3 minutes (ask Pat Matheny about this issue), they transitioned over to more formulaic style of "jazz" and it started to be called "smooth Jazz".

Most of which I really don't care for.  However, I have heard some pretty good stuff.  I just wouldn't call it Jazz. 

As long as there are musicians out there that can play, and my hearing is still up to snuff, I will purchase and listen.  Love good music.  Eliane Elias also, not only great Brazillian music but she was a lover of Bill Evan's style and music.

Keep up this discussion.

This is really informative and fun.

Enjoy

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