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

Jzzmusician, you and Frogman are going to have to get together and clarify the definition of "Fusion"; now when you add "any" two different elements you're talking about "fusion", but it took on a different meaning when referring to music. Are you saying this is that "fusion"?

Although I like the music, this "fusion" thing is a little hazy, unless you are talking about the kind of fusion Diz is famous for.



Enjoy the music.
o10,

Dizzy was instrumental with fusing Afro-Cuban rhythms with jazz and that's why I posted it.  I realize that the type of fusion we're discussing refers to a different type of genre but at the same time I thought it would be interesting to visit a type of fusion that started, I think sometime in the 40's and is now widely accepted.

Just a different perspective.

Bob

Jzzmusician, I have no problem with that, but I'm curious to hear what Frogman has to say about you stealing his word "Fusion".

I'LL have to add that one to my collection.


Enjoy the music.

Rok, this is the ultimate "Miriam Makeba". I have LP, don't think it's available in CD, but I haven't searched. It was recorded in 1960 when her voice was young and fresh.


        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miriam_Makeba_(album)


Enjoy the music
I guess I will have to start charging royalties for the use of the word 😊.  Of course, had the OP been reading carefully what has been written instead of always looking for a way to put some sort of negative slant on the topic that he, himself, brought to the table and now claims to not like (for reasons of allegiance more than musical, btw) he would notice that what jzzmusician wrote is exactly what I wrote previously; at least once.  

Great clip jzzmusician; and your commentary is exactly right.  Machito and his orchestra were one of the greatest of the Latin bands; and, of course, Dizzy is a great fit.

1977 in fusion coming up; sandwiched between Acman3's great post of DiMeola's Classic 1976 record and Alex's 1978 Jack DeJohnette, who for consistency as an artist has few peers.  Amazing drummer and classic ECM recording.

Beautiful clips by Rok of The Duke.  Those and the Weston clips made me think of the subject of "influence"; the influence of the music and style of one player on others.  The Ellington clips highlight what a brilliant musician he was and what a phenomenal band he had.  Listen to the impeccable ensemble playing with the beautiful sense of blend with matched vibrato; all the while letting the unique sounds of the key players (Hodges, Carney) come through.  A LOT of nuance in their playing creating a velvety sound with that great sense of swing.  Before anyone gets worked into a tizzy I will preface these comments as a point of interest;THIS IS NOT WYNTON BASHING:

Duke's band makes clear why, eventhough Wynton deserves tremendous credit for "keeping the flame alive" (in a way) as Rok says, why I when I listen to Duke's recordings and then to Wynton playing the same music I am always left with the feeling of "why?".  Why listen to Wynton's band playing this music when I can listen to Duke; just not on the same level.  Of course, that's not the only thing Wynton's band plays.  Thanks for the great clips, Rok. 

The above and Randy Weston make a case for why "influence" needs to be organic.  Alex makes a comment that I agree with.  I prefer Randy Weston's earlier recordings; they ring true to what HIS musical persona is.  In the intro to the later "jk blues" one hears a clear McCoy Tyner influence and on that and other later an overall Horace Silver influence with some Ahmad Jamal thrown in.  I don't hear Monk (?!) at all as Rok does; perhaps it's the presence of Booker Irvin that is why he makes the association.

I wish I could share the enthusiasm for Hugh Masekela.  I don't care for his brand of Africa meets West music which often ends up sounding like mediocre Smooth Jazz to me.  I find him to be a pretty good flugelhorn player with some problems as an instrumentalist; shaky intonation and limited technical facility compared to the greats on the instrument.  Greatest ever?  Not in my book.  "Stimela":  Yikes!  Barry White goes on a safari.  Not my cup of tea.

1977 soon.  Is that applause I hear? 😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃😃