Needless to say, I don't agree at all with the idea that it is forced. Many creative artists (not all) are always looking for new ways to express themselves, and as has been said countless times, art always reflects the time of its creation. I believe you have exactly backwards; it would be "forced" if the creative spirit were held back to reflect only the past. That doesn't mean that there isn't valid and great music being played currently that does reflect the past (Wynton). There is obviously also a lot of contemporary non-fusion jazz being created.
****If all Jazz players retired when they felt they were out of ideas, there would be no fusion****
A very strange comment. The move towards "fusion" (or whatever; remember, it doesn't have to be electric to be fusion) IS the new idea in a broad sense. Shorter's "The Three Marias" is unquestionably fusion; not electric, but rhythmically closer to a rock groove than the typical swing rhythm.
Anyway, simply more proof that trying to put a label on it simply takes away from the focus on whether it is good music or not. You like "The Crave"; so do I. I like "Nefertiti" too, and I feel no need to deem one better than the other. "The Crave" is infinitely more accessible; "easier" to take in with its tunefulness and simple rhythm. "Nefertiti" is far more abstract with far more sophisticated harmonies. Is one "better" than the other? Not in my book. Here in Brooklyn we have Brooklyn style pizza: old-school stick to your ribs, to the point, cheesy, pepperoni pizza. We also have brick oven baked, thin crust, fresh mozzarella and pancetta pizza. Which do I eat? Depends on my mood that day. Which is "better"? Hell if I know; or care.
****If all Jazz players retired when they felt they were out of ideas, there would be no fusion****
A very strange comment. The move towards "fusion" (or whatever; remember, it doesn't have to be electric to be fusion) IS the new idea in a broad sense. Shorter's "The Three Marias" is unquestionably fusion; not electric, but rhythmically closer to a rock groove than the typical swing rhythm.
Anyway, simply more proof that trying to put a label on it simply takes away from the focus on whether it is good music or not. You like "The Crave"; so do I. I like "Nefertiti" too, and I feel no need to deem one better than the other. "The Crave" is infinitely more accessible; "easier" to take in with its tunefulness and simple rhythm. "Nefertiti" is far more abstract with far more sophisticated harmonies. Is one "better" than the other? Not in my book. Here in Brooklyn we have Brooklyn style pizza: old-school stick to your ribs, to the point, cheesy, pepperoni pizza. We also have brick oven baked, thin crust, fresh mozzarella and pancetta pizza. Which do I eat? Depends on my mood that day. Which is "better"? Hell if I know; or care.