Jazz ♫ Music only | In the now, or recently, or that you love...

[DarrylG]

WOODWIND, by JAN HARBECK QUARTET

from the album BALANCED

janharbeck.bandcamp.com

 

[MoreWatts]

Here's a really nice album percussionist Ray Barretto and friends did in 2003, The Orisha Suite. Allmusic: "The arrangements are tight, punchy, and full of dreamy escapes into harmony and poly-rhythmic complexities. But given that these works are so precisely composed, the spaces for solos and improvisations are even more profound.... A welcome, accessible, and phenomenally executed example of the genre in the modern day for anyone curious enough to check it out."

Leader is trumpeter Michael Philip Mossman, with altoist Paquito D'Rivera (who shows-up on albums I like, a lot ) and pianist Arturo O'Farrill. Mossman has been active in NYC since 1980, and has led 4 albums. This is pretty classic Barretto Latin bop. Please enjoy.

Michael Philip Mossman, The Orisha Suite, full album: YouTube link. ; Spotify link.

 

[DarrylG]

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[MoreWatts]

1973 was 50 years ago. Wait, what?

On his way to pop stardom, Argentinian saxophonist Gato Barbieri released 3 albums in 1973 that were a wonderful fusion of Afro Cuban and Latin American folk and jazz.

The first was Bolivia. Allmusic: “Utilizing….guitarist John Abercrombie, pianist Lonnie Liston Smith, drummer/percussionist Airto Moreira, and bassist Stanley Clark, Barbieri's musical reach is everywhere here….Ultimately, Bolivia is a sensual, musically adept, and groundbreaking recording."

Please enjoy a quick 37 minutes of Gato’s fine tones, from a half century ago.

Gato Barbieri, Bolivia, full album: YouTube link. Spotify link.

 

[VMAT4]

or

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[DarrylG]

 

[Kegemusha]

 

[MoreWatts]

At the dawn of the 21st century, the Grammy Awards selectors realized that Sonny Rollins had never won the award. He’d only received 1 music nomination, for his 1966 Alfie! film soundtrack. His 2000 album This Is What I Do, won the 2002 Grammy for Best Instrumental Jazz Album. A guilt award? Maybe, but it’s still a fine jazz album. Several of these tunes became staples in the string of excellent live albums Sonny produced this century.

Please enjoy the album whose cover is my ASR avatar. Jazz album recommendations is mainly what I do, here at ASR.

Sonny Rollins, This Is What I Do, full album: YouTube link. Spotify link.

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[DarrylG]

 

[MoreWatts]

1998 was 25 years ago. Wait, what?

Gonna do some posts about albums from 1998 and 1973 (you know, a quarter-, and a half-century ago). The 2nd 1973 post was saxophonist Gato Barbieri's Bolivia, upthread here. The 1st was Dave Brubeck's We're All Together Again For The First Time, upthread here.

I had 5 previous posts about albums from 1998. Chris Potter got a Grammy nomination for his saxophone work on pianist Joanne Brackeen’s Pink Elephant Magic, upthread here. Arranger Don Sebesky’s I Remember Bill: A Tribute To Bill Evans won a Grammy, upthread here. Trumpeter Erik Truffaz' electric Miles style EP The Dawn, upthread here. Altoist Phil Woods' The Rev And I, with tenorist Johnny Griffin, upthread here. Trumpeter Arturo Sandoval won the Grammy for Best Latin Jazz Album for Hot House, upthread here.

How about the 1999 Grammy winner for Best Instrumental Jazz Album? Allmusic: “Gershwin's World is a tour de force for Herbie Hancock, transcending genre and label, and ranking among the finest recordings of his lengthy career....From beautiful to funky, percussive to melodic, improvisational to tightly arranged, Hancock and cohorts take a wondrous journey through the music and world of Gershwin.” Guests include Wayne Shorter, Stevie Wonder on harmonica, soprano Kathleen Battle, and Joni Mitchell in a true jazz voice.

Please enjoy some fine Gershwin adaptations, from only a quarter century ago.

Herbie Hancock, Gershwin’s World, full album: YouTube link. Spotify link.

 

[Ralph_Cramden]

 

[DarrylG]

 

[MoreWatts]

Time Is Of The Essence, is a 1999 Michael Brecker album that earned a Grammy nomination for Best Instrumental Jazz Album in 2001 (it can take awhile for the Grammys to notice sometimes). Pat Metheny plays guitar, Larry Goldings organ, and drummers Elvin Jones, Bill Stewart and Jeff 'Tain' Watts rotate amongst songs. Yup, no bass. It works. Please enjoy.

Michael Brecker, Time Is Of The Essence, full album: YouTube link. Spotify link.