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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
 

Brazil is really a very fascinating country in regard to African rhythms. I try to get to the source of these rhythms in Africa, but they no longer exist on the continent they came from, they only exist in Brazil; an example of that is the "Capoeira" rhythms in Brazil, it's a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics and music, and is sometimes referred to as a game.

Here's Capoeira:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8xxgFpK-NM

What I like best about Capoeira music is the Berimbau, here's Baden Powel with Berimbau:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n1R86mC6aA

Here we have "Virginia Rodrigues" accompanied by berimbau, her voice even sounds like the instrument, but with a profound sadness.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx2E5F_VYkA

Enjoy the music.
chazro's avatar
chazro
635 posts
 
Nice to see a request for modern Cuban Latin Jazz recs! There so much new, exciting music being created by my Cuban brethren I could easily make a long list but I'll just rattle off a few:
Elio Villafranca & the Jazz Syncopaters - The Caribbean Tinge - Recorded live at Dizzy's (Lincoln Center).
Manuel Valera & the New Cuban Express - Expectativas - The band was nominated for best Latin Jazz album 2013 Grammy's.
Pedrito Martinez Group - The band, led by white-hot first call percussionist Martinez (the man has played on so many records by others!). Their premier album is produced by Steve Gadd, smokin'!
Maestro Paquito D'Rivera, his discography is in itself a primer on Latin Jazz styles, has just released - Jazz Meets the Classics - another live recording from Dizzy's. A terrific record.
Lastly, I'll most enthusiastically recommend Alex Garcia's Afromantra - This Side Of Mestizaje - this is a great Jazz record, certain to be on most critics best of the year lists!
I'd have posted videos but I'm not at my computer, there's tons available on these 5 artists. Just as Jazz is a small word for an immense universe of music, Latin Jazz is a small term for an immense body of work. Made even more so when you factor in the different countries like Spain, Brazil, Columbia, etc.that all have thriving Jazz scenes happening. To the uninitiated, it's just a conga playing behind someone doing standards, but it goes so much further than that!
frogman
7,478 posts
 
Great post, Chazro. Thanks!
frogman
7,478 posts
 
Sabor!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=M5-3Tl8_prs
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
mon fardeau est grand!!

Cheers
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