Archive for the ‘Music’ Category

My favorite record lately is ‘Heart of a Legend’ by Chico O’Farrill, published in 1999 on the Milestone label. I played it constantly last week. O’Farrill is one of the most interesting names in Latin jazz music, and this record has an overall excellent quality of tracks, with ‘Trumpet fantasy’ and ‘Sing your Blues away’ as highlights. I am seriously in love with Latin jazz lately and O’Farrill plays in a variety of styles: he combines a big band sound with improvisation and free jazz, and the result is unique and a pleasure to listen to. Maybe this is my all-time favourite Latin jazz record, I am not sure.

The funny thing is, O’Farrill was the major influence of one of my other favorites, Cal Tjader. It’s a pity that many of O’Farrill’s recordings are out of print, but this record offers some good highlights for those unfamiliar with his work.

Have you been making out ok?

Listening to the voice of Al Green
is like stepping out of a long, white limousine
straight on top of the clouds. The moon slides
by to shine new boots. Your white suit
crinkles like dust under the hooves
of the pooling sun. The warm
leather of a smile creaks
on the ceiling, Jesus is waiting,
the angels dealing.

When you step through the diamond door,
he looks up from the mirror,
with a banknote in his hand and says
‘are you the one I’ve been looking for?’

His voice, a silk broom of rays,
swindles the cracks of the world.

Sweet Jesus, just a white snort away
from eternities dollaring pearls.

M.H.Benders, 18-09-2008

At the moment I am busy collecting old and new Carribian and especially Cuban music through the internet. People often know only the stuff Ry Cooder brought into the light which is a pity because that is just the tip of the iceberg. Cuba has a long jazz, bigband and latin tradition with plenty of brilliant artists. Here are some records I have listened to this week:

 

This record is from 1995, predating the Cooder hype. It’s a very good record with very soulful music, quite simular to the Cooder sound. Best song for me is ‘Borombon’ which has a great Bigband sound and a very good instrumental interlude.

This is one of my favorite Cuban records. It’s a collection of music from the older orchestras. Orquesta Aragon, one of the most legendary Cha Cha Cha ensembles, with a typical ‘big brass’ sound – really wonderful! Chepin and his Oriental Orchestra is another must have. ‘Son Mis Bodas Di Oro’, the opening song, is fantastic.

It’s a record from 1994 but most music on it was made in the 70′s. Very mellow and creative latin american jazz, with swinging and slowdancing songs on it. Tjader was the master of the Virbraphone. Almost all songs are domatinated by that instrument but boy, he knew how to play it really well.

 

Vicentico Valdes is not too well known but beats me why, because he was a fantastic singer and musician. This record is from 2003 and is a great collection of songs. ‘Obsesion’ is probably my favorite song – this record is a must have for people who love the ‘old’ cuban sound.

 

One of the greatest themed records in my collection is ‘Atomic Platters: Cold war music from the golden era of homeland security ‘. For anyone who is interested in propaganda from the 50′s and 60′s this record is simply a must-have. Besides that, the music is simply awesome. A selection of pretty rare and weird songs, such as ‘Atomic Nightmare’ from the Talbot Brothers of Bermuda and the weird ‘Satellite Baby’ by Skip Stanley. And what about some romance in the Fallout Shelter? Just listen to Billy Chambers!

The album doesn’t entirely consist of songs, also radio commercials are included, from the government program ‘Civil Defense Spot’ where musicians warn Americans what to do in case of a nuclear attack. One of those is Johnny Cash.

In these times where Cheney tries to to ignite a new Cold War this cd is a good start to get in the mood for it. Do we need to get in the mood for a cold war? Well if we believe the Pilgrim Travellers, ‘Jesus is gonna hit us like an Atom Bomb when he comes’…

One of the more interesting funk/soul figures of the 70′s was doubtlessly Les McCann, who often collaborated with Eddie Harris on various records. Anyone who enjoys 70′s sounds, funk or soul must absolutely get acquinted with the work of Les McCann:



Together with Ovis Wright McCann is one of the important underrated soul artists of the 70′s area. I have no idea why, since his work is excellent and just as good or even better than the work of others that got much more recognition.

Eddie Harris is one of my all-time favorite Jazz musicians. He tends to be rather underrated and was far more inventive and important as jazz critics made him. One of his best albums, I think, is ‘Excursions’:

This records consists of recordings made between 1966 and 1973. Many of the tracks are simply brilliant. It starts off with ‘Drunk man’ which is where Tom Waits got his inspiration from. The record mixes hard bop, fusion, free jazz, funk and several other styles. On the cover we see Harris as a drag queen, also a rather unique feature. I never get tired of playing this record: it’s simply jazz at its best. Best song is probably ‘Turbulence’…