Jazz for aficionados
Acman, "Free Jazz", should be free; I'm sure I wouldn't think that way if I was on the set feeling all the vibes, but since I'm not..... Chicago Underground, was interesting; easy to listen to, I like the combination of instruments. I'll have to hear more in order to form an opinion, but they're off to a good start. Enjoy the music. |
****Frogman's leading this parade**** I am? I thought O-10 was, since he brought up the topic. Lead? Too scary, given recent history here 😬. But, hey, somebody has to do it. I already expressed my opinion that a chronological perspective is key; that will be the focus of my "lead". Why? Again, because if we are going to get "in depth", I believe it's necessary in order to get a handle on what exactly "fusion" is and to avoid blurring the lines between it and what is doen mistakenly referred to as fusion, but is actually the sub-genre "smooth-jazz" which in my humble opinion is mostly a bunch of insipid dreck. If we are just going to post a bunch of examples of fusion that we each like with no "method", then I will have to surrender the mantle of leader to Rok 😉. "Fusion", in the loosest sense, is the combining of any two or more genres. However, we should stick to fusion that has its roots in jazz, otherwise this discussion will be all over the place. Example: Chick Corea's "Return To Forever" is a great example of fusion; Santana's "Abraxas" is not, it is a rock recording with Latin flavor as part of the recipe. The hallmarks of good jazz, very high level of craft, emphasis on improvisation, and strong compositional values are not there; these are the things that define good fusion. It is no coincidence that many of the trailblazers of the fusion movement were Miles Davis alumni; yet another example of why Miles is considered one of the greatest artists that ever lived. Acman3 already posted a clip of Tony Williams' "Lifetime". Tony Williams is a monster drummer and his playing on Miles' classic 60s quintet recordings which didn't have any obvious "fusion" leanings give hints of where his head was at and where he would eventually go as a player. His album recording of the music that Aman3 posted was recorded just a few months before Miles' "Bitches Brew": https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxeiY5kXz8Y In 1971, guitarist John McLaughlin who played on "Bitches a Brew" and in Tony Williams' "Lifetime" would record this along with drummer Billy Cobham on drums who would go on to record his own classic Fusion recors as a leader: https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PLGwOiqHPWpWbhNB5g-OEcyrXy3voSP8ya&v=boOu0L45M44 That same year the great Wayne Shorter and Joe Zawinal would co-lead and release Weather Report's debut album and turn the Jazz world on its head. Probably the most important band in the genre: https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PLiXS2f7h4Agp1atJsGwIoPIZ4Sf0LYfbd&v=lve3au9opGM |
I just read some of the most recent posts. I had not read them before posting my most recent. A couple of thoughts: While I certainly have no issue with discussing any and all genres while any one genre is being discussed "in depth" (not!), I must say that my concerns are being borne out. Iow, are we going to discuss fusion "in depth" or not? There's an awful lot to listen to and discuss. Are we moving on (back) to Coltrane and are we going to just "skim over" fusion. O-10, you never cease to amaze me; or, should I say?....confuse me. After all the recent comments that I have made about my distaste for political correctness you state that I am "always politically correct"? I could be "politically correct" and be patient with that comment or I could ask what I would normally ask which is "what planet do you live on?". I will give your questions re "musical bounds" an honest answer when I have some time. In the meantime, how about 1972 in Fusion? |
