_forumlogo.png.a607ef20a6e0c299ab2aa6443aa1f32e.png)
mhatta
-
Posts
437 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Donations
0.00 USD
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Blogs
Posts posted by mhatta
-
-
Michael Cuscuna was not selected for the NEA Jazz Masters after all (even though he had been fighting an illness for several years and did not suddenly pass away). I am very surprised.
I hope that a proper biography will be written, including Cuscuna's work outside of jazz (such as producing Bonnie Raitt, which I liked). I feel that only Cuscuna himself could have written such a book.
-
Just for fun, I tried having Claude AI output a review of the best jazz album of 2023 (because the current data cutoff is Apr. 2024, so AI doesn't know much about this year). The personality (or lack of personality) is similar to reviews on Bandcamp, etc.
-----
"The Territory" by Mary Halvorson
A masterful display of avant-garde jazz guitar, this album showcases Halvorson's unique approach to composition and improvisation. Her signature bent notes and complex rhythmic structures are woven into compositions that manage to be both challenging and surprisingly accessible. The interplay between Halvorson's guitar and the horn section creates fascinating textural landscapes, particularly on standout tracks like "Incarnadine" and "Motion Picture.""In Common 4" by Walter Smith III & Matthew Stevens
This collaboration brought together an exceptional lineup including Kris Davis, Dave Holland, and Terri Lyne Carrington. The album strikes a perfect balance between structured composition and free improvisation. The quintet's interpretation of space and timing is remarkable, especially in pieces like "Familiar Signs" where the musicians demonstrate their ability to both lead and support with equal skill."Today and Tomorrow" by Lakecia Benjamin
A powerful statement from the alto saxophonist, this album bridges traditional jazz with contemporary influences. Benjamin's fierce, soulful playing is backed by an all-star band including Ron Carter and Patrice Rushen. The album particularly shines on "Amerikkan Skin," where Benjamin's passionate saxophone work addresses social justice themes while maintaining musical excellence."Live at the Detroit Jazz Festival" by Wayne Shorter & Terri Lyne Carrington
One of Wayne Shorter's final recordings, this live album captures the legendary saxophonist in brilliant form alongside Carrington, Leo Genovese, and esperanza spalding. The performances are both exploratory and deeply emotional, especially on the extended version of "Endangered Species." This recording serves as both a celebration of Shorter's legacy and a testament to his continued innovation until the end."Phoenix" by Melissa Aldana
The Chilean saxophonist delivered a compelling album that showcases her evolution as a composer and bandleader. Her tenor saxophone tone is warm and commanding, while her compositions demonstrate sophisticated harmonic understanding. The album's centerpiece "The Bluest Eye" is particularly notable for its narrative arc and emotional depth. -
I like some of them (e.g. Patricia Brennan Septet's
Breaking Stretch is good, but mainly because of Mark Shim's gritty tenor), but I still don't think they're the kind of “jazz” I like. It's good music based on different aesthetics.
I guess I'm getting old and I'm starting to lose touch with the younger generation's sensibilities. Being an old fart is sad. -
8 hours ago, jazz man said:
How is the sound quality on this disc? I can see from the liner notes that "reprocessing was accomplished through the use of the Cedar de-clicker"
Apologies for the question, as it doesn't really have to do with the mosaic
I heard it on Spotify. It sounds just fine. But I'm not really an audiophile, though...
-
Dave Liebman is a great musician who deserves A LOT respect, and he is Miles Davis' possibly second-to-best saxophonist, but I personally have never been into his music. His partner, Richie Beirach, is similar I feel. I don't really know why.
I think this is their best performance.
-
I listened to the whole thing. Overall, I think it's a DeJohnette show. The drums have tremendous drive. Henderson is also great, especially on the first song. McCoy seems a bit overwhelmed. The bass isn't really audible.
-
I listen to it via Apple Music streaming, I can hear bass. But somewhat muffled. It reminds me of Dexter Gordon's "The Squirrel".
-
45 minutes ago, ghost of miles said:
Anybody else here on Bluesky? It's really begun to take off again over the past couple of weeks. I joined a few days ago (davidbrentjohnson.bsky.social) and am trying to connect with more jazz folks. Mark Stryker's there now, along with Nate Chinen and Ethan Iverson, but I haven't seen a large migration yet of musicians, writers, fans, etc.
https://bsky.app/profile/mhatta.bsky.social
I gave up on X/Twitter because it was too toxic. It's not a bug, it's a feature. I usually write in Japanese (and in many cases about my day job), but I'm also using Bluesky. I also write about jazz sometimes. If you comment in English, I'll reply in English.
-
Perhaps Debut?
-
On 10/26/2024 at 1:50 AM, medjuck said:
Great piece about Stinson that features long quote from out own David Brett Johnson:
Great writing indeed. I've never seen a photo of Stinson before. I see that Bobby Hutcherson's ‘Now’ was a memorial to Stinson.
On 10/26/2024 at 4:59 AM, felser said:What differences do you hear due to Stinson replacing Carter? Great article, btw.
I don't really know much about bass playing, but when playing with Miles, I feel that Stinson's playing is more orthodox, or like a steady jazzy walking style. On the other hand, when comparing him to others, you can see the uniqueness of Ron Carter, who seems ordinary but is actually very individualistic.
-
I think it was seven years ago that I happened to be in San Jose in the summer and went to see the San Jose Jazz Fest. When I heard the song “Bitter Sweet Samba” (which almost every Japanese know without the song title because it is the theme song of a famous radio program in Japan), I thought it might be a copy band of Tijuana Brass, but it was Herb Alpert himself. Is he already 90 years old or something?
-
Kinda off topic...
I went to Paris last week, so I visited Rue de Clichy. According to Peter Pullman's ‘Wail’, the Francis Paudras family lived with Bud Powell at 64 Rue De Clichy. Now there is a bistro or sports bar on the ground floor, but it looks like the upper floors are still residential. I wonder what floor they lived on.
-
I had only heard her name before, but I had never heard her music. It seems that you can listen to her 3 leader dates on some music subscription services, except for the Discovery album. Her rhythm was a little stiff, but I think she had a considerable knowledge of harmony (she played songs by Shorter, for example). The fact that she played piano in the Mary Moore Tyler Show band is a career similar to Michael Wolf (the band leader of the Arsenio Hall Show).
-
On 10/3/2024 at 7:15 AM, adh1907 said:
I am getting so many pop ups on that site these days, I am not sure it is being actively maintained and it is difficult to read. It was a Michael Fitzgerald project, wasn’t it? Is he still in charge?
jazzdisco.org has been a project by 3 Japanese jazz enthusiasts, including yours truly. I haven't been very active recently, but I'm thinking of getting back into it.
Sorry about pop-ups -- I recommend you to use ad blockers.
16 hours ago, Brad said:Speaking of Michael Fitzgerald, does anyone know what happened to him? I haven’t heard from him in ages.
Looks like he was active as of at least 2022.
-
Very interesting release indeed.
What worries me a little is that Orville O'Brien recorded Art Blakey's Live! At Slug's N.Y.C. at the roughly same time at the same venue, but the sound quality is not so good. It's probably better than bootleg, but I wonder how it sounds about this one.
-
On 9/24/2024 at 1:14 AM, colinmce said:
Could be, yeah, but I always felt like Ornette would benefit from a Bootleg Series-type program more than most.
Heartily agree. For example, I I sometimes dream of Ornette Coleman The Bootleg Series Vol. X: Skies of Americas because Ornette has performed Skies of America several times over the years with various orchestras, all different. Some have leaked as bootlegs.
-
I didn't really like him as a tenor sax player, but I think he is the greatest jazz composer. His music had its own inherent beauty and charm, but he also left a lot of room for other people to interpret it freely (in that sense, I think he was similar to Cole Porter and Carla Bley). Bud Powell's interpretation of I Remember Clifford is a good example. RIP Maestro.
It seems that the history of "modern" jazz is about to truly come to an end.
-
RIP. I wish he recorded more, considering his excellent performance with Kenny Dorham's band, but he must have had a long and full life.
A fine example of Mr. Edghill's tasteful drumming. I wonder where the unreleased tapes of this session have gone? -
14 hours ago, soulpope said:
🥳🔥"Fire Eater"🔥🥳 ....
Everybody(I guess) loves Fire Eater! At least I love it!
-
17 hours ago, Chuck Nessa said:
Playing through some Signature dates
Oscar Pettiford's (just 21 years old) solo in the latter's The Man I Love is unforgettable. Even his intense breathing is recorded.
This album was both my introduction to Dexter Gordon and my introduction to jazz. I think it formed in my mind an inescapable image of what jazz is.
-
Cobb & Jacquet, with Dex, Buddy Tate and Budd Johnson (and Hank Jones Trio)...very saxy! Everybody seem to have a ball.
-
Chico Freeman has been a bit of enigma for me...Chico plays really great when he is playing with Cecil McBee (Spirit Sensitive is a good example). Playing slow or fast, he is howling at the world, a tenor man with a presence that rivals his father's. But without Cecil, he seems to be just another member of the band. I don't know why there is such a difference even though this is the same person.
-
I think Steinberg SpectraLayers Pro 10 can do that.
-
24 minutes ago, jlhoots said:
What % of this is already "released".
All performances from July 26, 1963 are released in a bootleg called "Another In Europe" (So What).
July 27, 1963 is the official "Miles In Europe" (CBS).
From July 28, 1963, only 2 tunes ("If I Were A Bell" "So What") are released in "Another In Europe". So the other 2 are newly unearthed.
Actually, the July 25 performance in Paris was also recorded, but the tape is missing in the ORTF archive. I hoped they could locate it, but well...
Both sets from October 1, 1964 are released in a bootleg called "In Paris 1964" (So What). But the sound quality is terrible (I guess it's from radio airchecks), so I hope they could improve it (hopefully with master tapes from ORTF).
So, well, maybe 90%? BTW, the music is a top notch.
Strata-East: The Legacy begins
in New Releases
Posted
Sense of Values! Keno Duke is criminally underrated. I have very little information about him, but what kind of life did he lead?