Nice

Possibly a New Concept in Recorded Music Presentation – “Look-Scan-Listen”

23/12/2022 by Mike_H 4 Comments

The concept is the brainchild of Pete Oxley and Stuart Miller of The Spin Jazz Club in Oxford and the first example “Turnaround Volume 1” is now available. A collection of 12 well-recorded live tracks from this year’s performances at the club’s various venues. About a double album’s worth of music plus a Mystery Track that is subject to change from time to time. Streamed via access from a QR code. Priced at £20 (reduced to £15 at club gigs currently) It comes in the form of a sturdy A5-size hardback book with notes and explanation of the concept in the first few pages. There’s a two-page spread for each track of the album with pictures and artist details, dates, location etc. just like on an album sleeve, plus a QR code to scan, enabling streaming of the track in question. After the 12 sets of pages and codes, on an additional page is the code to a “hidden” bonus track which, it is planned, will be changed from time to time. There’s also an invitation to join the club’s mailing list so you know when a new Bonus Track is available (using the same QR code) and what club » Continue Reading.

The Jazz Times Top 40 New Releases of 2021

23/12/2021 by Mike_H 5 Comments

Their writers were asked to choose 10 new releases each. Albums and box sets released between November 9th 2020 and November 12th 2021. Jazz Times is an American magazine, so the list is slanted accordingly.

Results in coment to follow.

Chick Corea

11/02/2021 by Moose the Mooche 21 Comments

If anybody deserves a memorial thread…

A bit of lockdown Jazz for you cats

07/12/2020 by Junglejim 3 Comments

Stumbled across the ‘Live From Emmet’s Place’ postings this week. I think they are live streamed initially & then stay up on YouTube: the standard of playing is staggering at times as Emmet Cohen is joined by a selection of guests who sit in with his trio. Blimey! I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed watching YouTube this much. Vol 16 is probably my fave that I’ve checked out so far, but there is plenty to choose from. It features Patrick Bartley, who it turns out is rather good. Almost 2 hours worth, with a lot a variety. If this your thing, fill your boots!

ECM Join The Box Set. Art Ensemble Of Chicago And Associated Ensembles

17/12/2018 by Mike_H 1 Comment

Bought the “January 2019” edition of Uncut, just to see what was (and wasn’t) in their End-Of-Year lists. (Ho-Hum) and for the crossword, of course. Coverdisc disappointment as per, but I noticed among the reviews this bit of limited-appeal product. A 21-CD box (with 300-page booklet) of this very non-mainstream outfit. On sale at the usual rampantly-capitalist outlets for a surprisingly non-ECM price point of around 80 of your pre-Brexit spondulicks.

Many Afterworders will shrug their shoulders and say “So what?” or something more pithy. Personally, I’m tempted to fork over some of my readies, while they still have any value, and make some shelf space/ear space for it.

Two different vocal lines at the same time

06/08/2018 by Black Celebration 31 Comments

The Macca thread from @mousey made me revisit a great song of his, Wanderlust – and a particular aspect of it.

There’s a bit at 3:42 where he sings two vocal lines with different lyrics but they combine very sweetly. I find the new, second line overlapping the first deeply clever as it seems to convey a private frustration to counter the straightforward joyfulness of the main melody. A nice square meal.

“Oh where did I…go wrong, my love? What petty crime am I found guilty of?”

Nearly the same trick is in She’s Leaving Home – the words of regret from the parents. Without that part, the song would still be good but those counter melodies and lines turn into the classic song that it is.

Bringing us bang up to date with Soft Cell, Besdsitter has this too. The plaintive new line and melody overlapping the established chorus :

“I’m waiting .., for something…I’m only passing time.”

I hope I’m making myself clear on this but I’m aware I might not be (wouldn’t be the first time). Basically, I’m not just after good vocal harmonies – the songs I am on about are » Continue Reading.

That Kamasi’s an old rascal, innee?

23/06/2018 by Kid Dynamite 35 Comments

As if the advertised two hours plus wasn’t enough.

Anyone else found the hidden third disc for the new album yet?

Jim Mullen with Just East. Jazz @ The Chandos Arms

19/07/2016 by Mike_H 6 Comments

This was supposed to be a gig by singer Zoe Francis and guitarist Jim Mullen, backed by the 4-piece Just East. In the event Zoe Francis could not make it due to illness so it was Jim Mullen + Just East on the night. Jim Mullen – guitar Jeremy Shoham – alto & soprano saxes Neil Angilley – keyboard Phil Scragg – bass guitar Rick Finlay – drums

I arrived pretty much on the dot of 6pm (start time for these Sunday jazz gigs) and just had time to buy a pint before Just East set the ball rolling.

Continued in comments. Photo of Jim Mullen & Neil Angilley all my own work ©Mike Harrison 2016 Used here with my full permission.

View post on imgur.com

http://www.justeastofjazz.co.uk/

A heads up for the Jazzbos (and Jazzgrls)

05/05/2016 by Mike_H 15 Comments

You may (or may not) be interested to know of some remastered jazz reissues on the Fledg’ling Records label.

John Surman’s “Westering Home” (1972) and “Morning Glory” (1973) are scheduled to be available for purchase from May 20th. Twelve quid apiece from the Fledg’ling site, a bit (not much) less from the dodgers when they arrive.

In addition, “Chris McGregor’s Brotherhood Of Breath” (1971) and “Brotherhood” (1972) by Chris McGregor’s Brotherhood Of Breath are currently sale items for just 6 quid apiece from the site. That other place will charge you a few quid more for these two. Basically Brotherhood Of Breath were the mixed-race South African exile band The Blue Notes in big-band format, augmented by the cream of Britain’s jazz players of the time. “An energetic mixture of Duke Ellington, Charles Mingus and Sun Ra but retaining a unique feel due to the South African influences and the intelligent arrangements.”

Get ’em while they’re hot, cool cats.