What Are You Listening To? October 2019

[JazzyRandy]

Nicole Mitchell - Mandorla: Awakening II: Emerging Worlds (2017)


Chamber music infused Jazz with the backdrop of being the companion piece to a science-fiction story penned by Ms Mitchell, who is also the composer and flautist. .

source
Composer and flutist Nicole Mitchell has released her magnum opus with the provocative and stirring Mandorla Awakening II: Emerging Worlds. The single suite is a musical dramatization of the futuristic allegory that Mitchell wrote for the album. It is a short story set in the year 2099 and is about the symbolic struggle between the decaying and violent old order and the peace and vibrancy of an egalitarian society. ... The members of the ensemble build together poignant and kaleidoscopic sonic images with their distinctive expressions that reflect sublime camaraderie and brilliant individuality
...
The overarching theme of this exquisite composition is not about an esoteric tomorrow, it is urgently contemporary.

 

[Zeeba Neighba]

Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not (2006)

 

[JazzyRandy]

Herbie Hancock - Takin' Off (1962)

 

[Unsomnambulist]

Ezra Collective - You Can't Steal My Joy (2019)

 

[JazzyRandy]

Ben Williams - Coming Of Age (2016)

I hope this bassist releases a new album soon.

 

[Unsomnambulist]

Glenn Branca - The Third Ascension (2019)



Wow, this is like classical punk music. Stunning.

 

[axolotl]

Soheil Nafissi ~ Lyra & Hymn (2011)



I transcribed this text literally, from the back cover of the CD:

The troubadour Soheil Nafissi is fond to Persian poetry and here like his first release, he reinterprets contemporary Iranian poesies. The recording of this album has been made far from the city-struck and in the peaceful atmosphere of his home out of Tehran.

 

[JazzyRandy]

Joe Henderson - Canyon Lady (1975)

This is very good, but let me give the floor to someone else ...

Absolutely, positively phenomenal. Two days ago I picked up this album after having ordered it the week before. I was having a really shitty day. I was irritable, depressed, and it was cloudy and dismal which of course only compounded the situation. When I returned home I put on this c.d. even though I didn't feel like listening to anything. I'm not exaggerating when I say that after only the 2nd cut I was at the direct opposite of the mood spectrum.
...
"Canyon Lady", contains 4 sensational pieces that are all latin in flavor. All four pieces are sonic tapestries that captivate and intoxicate to the core. George Duke plays electric piano and is the perfect complement to Joe's ethereal sax playing. All the other musicians are stellar as well. This is a fusion essential.

This stuff is a healer, plain and simple.

I can't say anything more convincing than that.

 

[JazzyRandy]

Eric Dolphy - Far Cry (1962)

 

[Unsomnambulist]

Last Exit - Iron Path (1988)

 

[JazzyRandy]

The Ray Draper Quintet featuring John Coltrane - The Ray Draper Quintet featuring John Coltrane (recorded 1957, released 1960)

 

[JazzyRandy]

Gregory Porter - Take Me To The Alley (2016)

Re: this burst of listening. For the past few days, I've decided to ignore/abandon/forget everything that isn't absolutely necessary to keep life possible. The upside is I have been a mental vegetable and indulged myself in things like reading, music, and tv.

The downside is the reaper is going to come for his due soon and there will be hell to pay.

 

[Unsomnambulist]

Stone From The Sky - Break A Leg (2019)

 

[Ojai Sam]

Herb Jeffries - Say It Isn't So (Bethlehem 1957)

Herb Jeffries had one of the most diverse careers of any artist. From acting to singing to songwriting, Herb (born Umberto Alexander Valentino) covered a lot of bases in his 100+ years. Wikipedia hits the highlights, among which were first black cowboy actor and vocalist with Duke Ellington.

This album finds the deep-voiced singer backed by lush strings arranged by Russ Garcia. Herb was married to exotic dancer Tempest Storm (no relation to Gale) but no word on who modeled for this album cover.

 

[axolotl]

Gregory Porter - Take Me To The Alley (2016)

Re: this burst of listening. For the past few days, I've decided to ignore/abandon/forget everything that isn't absolutely necessary to keep life possible. The upside is I have been a mental vegetable and indulged myself in things like reading, music, and tv.

The downside is the reaper is going to come for his due soon and there will be hell to pay.

We are all allowed a reset, Randy. Maybe even several of them.

There is a purpose to them, as well. One may know, or have an inkling, or nary a hint as to what's happening.

Still, the universe is good, and the purpose will become clear, or at least reveal the path ahead.

At least, it has been that way for me over the last 2.5 years.

Spoiler

YMMV, and I could be way off.

 

[axolotl]

Alan Hovhaness ~ Shālimār (Piano Solos) (1988)


Performed by the Composer

 

[JazzyRandy]

One For All - Too Soon To Tell (1997)

 

[JazzyRandy]

Tedeschi Trucks Bands - Signs (2019)

Kofi Burbridge, co-lead singer, passed away after this was recorded, just before it was released.
I know Susan is the true lead singer for the band, but it's going to be very different listening to future albums and going to future shows.

 

[Ojai Sam]

Alan Hovhaness ~ Shālimār (Piano Solos) (1988)


Performed by the Composer

My mistake, all these years I thought it was Composed by the Performer.

 

[axolotl]

My mistake, all these years I thought it was Composed by the Performer.

Hmm....

...I usually leave that remark to/for improvisers, such as Keith Jarrett.