HutchFan

I wish I would've had the chance to see/hear those guys perform back then. I was in high school in the mid-80s -- and only just beginning to dip my toes into jazz at that point.

I think this Phalanx record -- with Blood Ulmer & George Adams -- is astounding and magnificent. I included it my survey. But it doesn't feel like a "regular" Blood Ulmer record. With George Adams, they go somewhere else. So... there's that.

Trombone – Luis Bonilla Saxophone – Ivan Renta Keyboards – Arturo O'Farrill Bass – Andy McKee Drums – John Riley

That's a fantastic story. A sort of double name/double life. I had no idea. Thanks for sharing it, Late. I'm also interested in the reissue... if anyone has any new news.

Fair enough. I can only respond by saying that it's not self-evident to me. I try my best to have "big ears" -- but everyone has their limits. This, apparently, is (one of) mine. I still spin the records occasionally. Maybe, one day, it'll take. Who knows? And, if not, there are many, many other fish in the jazzsea, no?

I agree that Ronald Shannon Jackson and Blood Ulmer are important artists who made important musical contributions during the 1980s. But I've never been able to find my footing with either of them -- or Ornette's electric bands either. That aesthetic just doesn't appeal to me. I've listened to Tales of Captain Black again and again and again. Same with Odyssey. No headway. Same with the Harmolodic disc on Ornette's In All Languages. ... It's just not my cuppa, I guess. So that's why they're not included in my survey of faves. But thanks for bringing them up. Just because I don't groove to it doesn't mean that others won't have their minds blown by them. I wonder: Maybe it would be different if I heard them live? Because I haven't. Just records.

Now spinning a disc that just arrived in the mail yesterday: This 1994 Milestone CD is a reissue of two LPs by Brazilian guitarist Francisco Mário: Conversa de Cordas, Couros, Palhetas e Metais (1983) and Retratos (1986). Gorgeous music, comparable to Baden Powell's -- although Mário's feels a bit more folky/choro-influenced and less samba-y. I suppose this isn't "Jazz," but it's certainly a cousin -- if not a closer relative. (And the music features some heavyweights from the Brazilian jazz world, including bassist Zeca Assumpção and percussionist Djalma Correa.) Think of a Brazilian version of the band Oregon, and you'd be in the right neighborhood.

Now:

Interesting. I had no idea that there was more music from A Drum Is a Woman. That's a BIG bummer that Sony hasn't seen fit to release it. Maybe some day? Hopefully!?!

O.K. Thanks. That definitely sounds weird good.

NP: Weird good? Or just plain ol' garden-variety weird?

Looks interesting. What's it sound like?

Today, I've been streaming music by the Brazilian guitarist Sebastião Tapajós: Violão & Amigos (RCA, Brazil, 1978) and Sebastião Tapajós - Pedro Dos Santos (Trova, Argentina, 1972)

Now listening to this ECM classic:

Prompted by comments from @soulpope on another thread: This is one of his favorites -- and I think it's brilliant too.

Very sad news. R.I.P.

Fantastic list, Pim! There's a lot of overlap in terms of our faves -- but there's also quite a few albums here that I don't know. I'll give them a listen. Yes indeed. More great stuff!

Any of them, really. She was remarkably consistent, and (at least here in the U.S.) her albums sold very well, so it's easy to find her LPs for just a few dollars. She's also an artist whose work "translates" well to anthologies. That said, the first Nancy Wilson album that made me sit up and take notice was Hollywood My Way. It includes astounding versions of Mancini classics -- "Moon River," "Days of Wine & Roses" -- plus a bunch of other hit songs from movies of the day. Yesterday's Love Songs, Today's Blues features Nancy Wilson with Gerald Wilson's Orchestra. Terrific. On a @JSngry recommendation, I recently picked up Tender Loving Care -- with Billy May arrangements. Also wonderful. NP: Good one! So true!