T. Willy Rye wrote:My disc seems to have arrived ripped from the barrios of Sacramento. I have to admit that I was woefully ignorant that such a hood would yield this bountiful pastiche of sounds. I knew that with this particular mixer at the helm that I would be in for a treat, but you sir, have exceeded my high expectations.
Track 1- A wonderful tropicalia jazz track that screams “Carnival!” kicks things off. I’m missing the scantily clad women sauntering around with fruit on their heads, but otherwise this track provides all the joy I need. I love the bass horn (bari ?) The sax comes in all bright, those percussions keep whispering to my loins. Man! Love…truly. They didn’t even need the flute, but I’m so glad they brought it in. To think I once dismissed the flute as the instrument of New Age and pretentious prog types. It’s becoming one of my favorite instruments.
This worked well as the opening track to Arthur Blythe's Lenox Ave. Breakdown so I figured it would work the same magic for my mix disc. I like the blend of the high (flute) and low (tuba) on that song. That's James Newman (f) and Bob Stewart (tb). James "Blood" Ulmer is the guitarist. It's a recent purchase so you probably saw me post something about it recently.
Track 2- Well, there’s only one way to go from there and that’s down, but fortunately it is not too steep a drop. Mostly this decline is due to the source song. I do not like “I Shot the Sheriff,” mostly due to overexposure and that bastard Eric Clapton, but this now is by far my favorite version. I really like the track best went it breaks away from the confines of the original melody. There is some hot playing on there!
Not an adventurous choice for you but I always think of Marley when I hear it as it was the first version I heard. This is Monty Alexander a Jamaican jazz pianist and yes I do like the music after they take off from the melody of the song.
Track 3- Bossa track, my best guess is Bebel Gilberto; very pleasant. It works much better when she sings in Portuguese. The lyrics all of a sudden sound a little
sappy In English, but it only diminishes my joy ever so slightly. Babymaking music.
Paula and Jacques Morelenbaum and Ryuichi Sakamoto, voice/cello/piano respectively with Vivo Sonhardo. The whole album is this beautiful.
Track 4- Great lively piano trio. Lots of frenetic energy on the ivories and nice brushwork on the skins. The bassist mostly just keeps the tempo going at a brisk pace, which is the right call because the pianist is the star here. Another very strong track!
Mose Allison's Devil In The Cane Field from an early album on Prestige.
Track 5 is the most perplexing one for me. The beginning is very promising, but with the tempo change comes almost a smooth 70s fusion feel; the kind that Horace Silver employed, I think unsuccessfully. The vocal almost sounds like the guy from XTC trying to do a sort of Dean Martin lounge. I might come around in future listens; it’s just messing with me a little bit right now.
That is indeed Andy Partidge and XTC from the recently reissued 45rpm Skylarking. It is a little loungy sounding, isn't it? I've always liked the music part of the song. It makes me think of a James Bond OST song when I hear it. This is The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul. I wasn't sure if you were a fan of the music and even thought it might be something you have but I put it on anyway because of the jazzy feel to it.
Track 6- Back on more familiar footing for me. Latin rhythms and the horns come in like a chorus to greet me. Yes, this is the shit! Play that trumpet, hombre and the sax just as inviting. Nothing fancy, just a perfect Latin jazz track firing on all cylinders. I’m agnostic by nature, but when the trumpet comes in toward the end seems like some evidence for a universal force that promotes good.
This is Cubanismo and Salsa Pilon and something I knew you'd like.
Track 7- I love this one. Some brooding almost soundtrack like piece. I’m not all that familiar with Ry Cooder’s work, but it seems like the sort of thing I imagine he would do. The vocals sound like David Hidalgo, but I don’t think they are. I love the sparse use of the organ.
This is my favorite non jazz obsession these days, Talk Talk with Ascension Day. David Hidalgo? Nope, Mark Hollis. If you like this I recomend their Spirit Of Eden and Laughing Stock albums and there are some threads floating around that I've revived or started if you need more detail.
Track 8- I know this track-a standard, but I can’t place it and it’s frustrating me. I love the frenzied lullaby intro. Another splendid pianocentric piece. The rhythm section interacts playfully with the pianist. Don’t want it to end.
The song is Theme For The Eulipians by Rhasan Roland Kirk but it's played by Jessica Williams and her trio. Normally I would place one of her originals in the mix but I love her version of this song and how many people cover RRK?
Track 9 – My guess, probably way off, is Lou Donaldson. I say this because it’s certainly is hard bop. Sax seems to be the featured instrument, but I also hear organ and guitar. Of course on those early 60s Lou records he has a tendency to hang back and let the young turks take over, which is not really happening here, though the organist (Babyface?) has a really nice solo. Of course I also remember you speaking of Shirley Scott recently too. This, as you probably already know, is right in my wheelhouse.
I can't fault your logical guesses but this is someone else, Fred Jackson from his Hootin' and Tootin' album, Preach Brother which is a good title for the song. This is the only album I have by him but the whole album is very good and doesn't stray from this style.
Track 10- This is another one with which I may need a little more time. The somewhat jerky rhythms make this sound more like a workout or exercise. I think I would love to see it performed live, but in a more passive listening experience, it feels like it doesn’t quite coalesce and therefore is a little more work than I want to expend. You can put this one on me; lazy.
Yes, it's a little difficult on the nerves, kind of like when children begin to run amuck. I had to put something in there to shake you up.
This is Joey Baron, Tim Berne and Howard Roberts and I think they call themselves Miniature on this date.
Track 11- It’s funny I think the same criticisms I have of the above track , could be leveled against this one and yet I like this one so much more. I think the difference is the ebullient horn which holds the piece together a little better than it’s predecessor.
Well the beat is a little more joyful for sure. This is from an old album by Abdullah Ibrahim (1983) with Kaya, the name of the song, album and band.
Track 12- Another hard bop winner with Latin rhythms and the vibes as a feature. I wouldn’t guess Hutch, but since he’s the only vibraphonist I can think of off the top of my head, I should probably keep my guesses to myself. Strong closer to a most satisfying mix.
This is from an underrated and dearly departed pianist Hilton Ruiz. It comes from an album he recorded as a tribute to all of his musical heroes. It has a lot of all-star players on it and the track is Guataca.
Really appreciate this, Six! A wonderful, well-crafted disc!
Glad you liked it. I didn't realise how much Latin flavored stuff I put on it until after it was done but I knew you wouldn't mind. You're pretty easy to make a disc for so I'm never worried about whether you'll like it or not.
1. Down San Diego Way - Arthur Blythe
2. I Shot The Sheriff - Monty Alexander
3. Vivo Sonhando-Dreamer - Morelanbaum2/Sakamoto
4. Devil In the Cane Field - Mose Allison
5. The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul - XTC
6. Salsa Pilon - Cubanismo
7. Ascension Day - Talk Talk
8. Them For The Eulipians - Jessica Williams Trio
9. Preach Brother - Fred Jackson
10. Jersey Devil - Baron, Berne and Roberts
11. Kaya - Abdullah Ibrahim
12. Guataca - Hilton Ruiz