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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
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Ghosthouse, it's good to hear from you. I'm listening to "Travelers" right now; so far so good. I've never heard of any of the artists, but that doesn't mean anything. Yes the sound quality is very good; that's one of the things I like about current CD's. This music is quite listenable; that's something I can't say about a lot of current music.

Now I'm listening to the guitar on "Peaceful Warrior"; he's got his act together, and I like the way the whole group is integrated to produce pleasant sounds.   On "Peaceful Warrior" they decided to give the drummer some, near the end.

I can see how this music would draw you in after more than one listen. They kind of remind me of "Shadowfax" the group. Have you ever heard "Shadowfax"?

Like you said, "Not a heavy handed phrase in any of it"; my interpretation of that same phrase is "Needs a little more drama", but quite listenable.

Don't stay gone so long and;


Enjoy the music.
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,340 posts
 
Hello Orpheus -
Pleased you are giving Invisible Cinema a listen. Yes, I’ve heard Shadowfax but it’s been a while. Will have to go refresh my memory on them. I thought I heard shades of 80s Pat Metheny Group.  Your "pleasant sounds" and "needs a little more drama" are perhaps tactfully delivered criticisms but duly noted and worth considering. I think there’s a bit more drama to come as you listen past the first couple of tracks. Compared to some of that Windham Hill stuff, I’d say it’s got a bit more "heft" and depth but does tread close to "pretty" at times. Still, for me, it’s got a nice balance of accessibility and complexity. The musicianship is first rate, regardless. After posting, I was going to hedge my bet on calling it "jazz" but jazz ensemble playing seems appropriate. The compositions seem conventionally song-based and, obviously, not hearing too much improvisation - though I could well imagine improv aplenty in a live presentation. I’ll be interested whether it becomes something on regular rotation in your listening.
ghosthouse's avatar
ghosthouse
4,340 posts
 
A PS for O...
For something that’s a bracing counter to Invisible Cinema, check out Alan Pasqua’s "The Antisocial Club". I only learned recently that AP had played in the 2nd version of Tony Williams' Lifetime. The Antisocial Club is a more challenging listen than Cinema but not too far out there. Pretty sure it qualifies as "fusion".  Once again great musicianship and very good sound quality.

Here’s a link to track 1. Sucked me right in on the first notes of that bass.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFa7FZm9wMQ
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rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
https://youtube.com/watch?v=DFa7FZm9wMQ
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