jazzbo

I'm leaning on the power of music in these days of pandemic strife and "QAnon" vicious insidious LIES. This particular Sanders release speaks to something inside me. . . a hope that "Love is Everywhere." Pharoah Sanders, "Wisdom through Music" Impulse/Universal Japan SHM-CD (2021).

Randy Weston "The Spirits of our Ancestors" disc 2 A few years ago I overdosed on Weston and haven't played him a lot since. A mistake. Life is better with Weston in it. I love his writing and playing, and Melba Liston arranges wonderfully for his compositions.

Johnny Griffin "Chicago/New York/Paris" Verve cd Acoustic Bass – Christian McBride Drums – Greg Hutchinson, Victor Lewis Piano – Kenny Barron Saxophone – Johnny Griffin Trumpet – Roy Hargrove

Fabiano do Nascimento "Danca Dos Tempos" Dusty Groove describes this nicely, but doesn't mention how great this disc sounds. (Well, it has the usual Dusty Groove “extra seasoning” in the description.) "A contemporary record, but one that's got an amazingly timeless feel – like the best early 70s material from Brazilian artists like Airto, Hermeto Pascoal, or Egberto Gismonti! The music of Fabiano Do Nascimento has a similar genre-breaking quality to these giants – not straight jazz, but very jazzy in parts – not traditional Brazilian roots, either – but very schooled in the strongest elements from decades of creativity on that scene – all wrapped up in this fresh, new blend that's completely mesmerizing right from the start! Most instrumentation is acoustic, and relatively simple – guitar, percussion, drums, and vocals – but the arrangements are wonderful, and fold these familiar elements together in ways that are completely unique. The legendary Airto guests on the record – but the vision here is clearly that of Fabiano Do Nascimento – as he mixes together works by Hermeto Pascoal, Baden Powell, and other Brazilian composers with some bold new ideas of his own."

Idle Hands "Solid Moments" Positone Records cd Same instrumentation as Grant Green's "Idle Moments" and perhaps an homage to that LP and perhaps also his "Solid" LP. Pretty nice.

Maybe it grows on one over the years (I've been listening to these sides from the CBS France set about 30 years) but I really like nearly all of this stuff, such variety, lots of humor.

I ordered a copy.

I got to be in the same room with my Dad for the first time in ten months today, which was great.. . but was "granted" because he has been doing so badly and "compassionate visits" were allowed. He actually seemed better than I had feared. If he could get his appetite back and if they can get his haemoglobin up somehow he would be able to mend more effectively. Neither of those things seem to be happening, but at least with visits from me and from my brothers yesterday he seems to want to "fight" more and we all genuinely enjoyed these visits. Not being with family is the hardest part of this pandemic for many who are otherwise well. On the way there and back I listened to: "Helen Merrill in Tokyo" She has such fascinating phrasing, I never tire of her. Una Mae Carlisle "Jazz Tribune" What a lovely woman and interesting singer and pianist; over the years I've bought all her official output. Ray Nance "Body and Soul" The "Triple Threat". . . love his trumpet and violin playing and singing, and probably would love his dancing too--he was known for it.

I think they use 78s. Originals, or copies of originals transferred by others. (These dates there would not be LPs as original sources). Over time I've come to realize that Chronogical Classics put out some pretty darned good sounding stuff. If they had original parts from the record labels they might have sounded a bit better, but they did very well with what they did use.

"Pepper Adams plays the Music of Charles Mingus" Great tunes. Thad Jones and Pepper Adams make a tight front line and solo very well (of course).

That was more than 4 years ago. A lot can change. . . . My best to Tony and his family. I cared for my Mom nearly full time during the last two years of her dementia.

Right now One of my favorite Pharoah Sanders, "Black Unity," the SHM-CD from Impulse/Universal Japan that came out last month.

Something very different for a change. Steven Wilson "The Future Bites" I haven't been crazy about his last few releases. . . nothing after "Insurgentes" has really connected with me. I keep trying because I recognize his big talent in many aspects of his work. So far this one sounds pretty good.

Couldn't decide which Helen Merrill to play. . . so decided on this compilation, "Autour do Minuit" which is the same as the Verve Compact Jazz release "Jazz After Midnight" but released by Gitanes Jazz from France. A well-chosen and well-sequenced listening through her years of Universal label recordings.

This is a bargain for Prime members on Amazon: A duo cd from Fabio Caramuru (pianist) and Pedro Baldanza (electric bassist), "Bossa in the Shadows." Don't expect traditional bossa nova. . .this a very exploratory session. And a seller on eBay has a handful of copies of this cd at a very nice price:

Another duo cd from Fabio Caramuru (pianist) and Pedro Baldanza (electric bassist), "Bossa in the Shadows." I really like this duo. Very well-recorded.

Zoot Sims "Warm Tenor" Pablo cd. Just what the title says--and a warm sounding disc as well, not a bad thing. Jimmy Rowles is wonderful here. He always is, but hey, he was a master.

Kenny Barron "Other Places" Gitanes Jazz cd Great band and always glad to hear Bobby Hutcherson in a tight small combo session

As I understand it the owner of the material can do what they wish with the work that Mosaic has done AFTER the Mosaic licence expires.

That has to be a bootleg cover. . . Miles from the late sixties and Sarah Vaughan!

Yes!

Thanks for the headsup! Pre-ordered.

Another of the new Impulse SHM-CD from Japan, Archie Shepp "Mama Too Tight" . . . . Lots of energy

I've been rolling tubes in my system sparked by a comment by the builder of my preamps and amps. . . . And man, I've come up with a very different set of tube complements and am really enjoying the sound! It's amazing the different sonic worlds these components can create if you embrace exploration. Warm, sunny music playing as I look out from my second story window at dozens of trees dusted with snow, a cold, serene tranquil world outside the window. I'm thankful for "46" and happy to be nice and warm. And thinking of my Dad, trying to send him mental waves of healing--I owe that man so much and admire him even more. Now playing Fernanda Cunah "Jobim at 90"