Posts Tagged ‘music’

These are the five records I’ve played the most in November 2008 – not records that have appeared in that month.

‘Jazz Samba’ of Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd is one of the best Jazz records I own – They are samba’s and Bossa Nova played by the two American jazz musicians Getz and Byrd and the result is incredible – this is some of the smoothest, perfect jazz you will ever hear. It sends shivers down my spine every time i hear it and makes me wanna slowdance through the room with whomever is unfortunate enough to be there. Classic record.

‘Campanitas de Cristal’ from the legendary pioneer of Latin Jazz in the 40′s, Noro Morales, head of the famous El Marocco club. This is a record that can’t miss in anyone’s collection when you like Latin Jazz or Latin music. Great big band sound, tight performances, notable is the piano performance of Morales himself. Unfortunately this record is no longer available but it exists out there in digital form.

This is probably one of the best records of Chavela Vargas, one of the most tragic voices and great singers in the Mexican tradition. ‘Noche Bohemia’ an unmissable, grand record that did set a new standard for vocalists in the Mexican tradition. There are very few voices out there that sing on this level.

Aw, Maria Dolores Pradera, the most awesome Spanish voice in my opinion. This record is very very good. It infuses your bloodstream with a taste of ‘Mediterranee’ that’s so acute your ears will turn into gondolas and your brain into shrinking olive in the sun. Ay!

If you love the American sound, and I do, or if you like Bluegrass music this record is an absolute must have. It might not be the best bluegrass record out there but it is certainly a very good one and above all a very classical one. The best songs are ‘The other side of town’ and ‘Angry man’ – that last one is one of the best country/bluegrass songs I know.

Not in any particular order of favour:

Oana Catalina Chitu, Bucharest Tango, 2008

This is a great record that appeared on the Asphalt label. Oana sings old Bucharest Tango music as it was played before in Rumenia.

“Bucharest Tango” is a unique album, one that resurrects a lost music, the sound of Romanian Tango as played in Bucharest cafes and parks, restaurants and clubs across the 1930s. Oana Cătălina Chiţu (pronounce Kitsu) and her musicians combine the lost tango songs of that era with the folk ballads of Maria Tanase (1913-1963; the Romanian Piaf).

Oana was born in rural Romania and grew up listening to her father sing the lost tangos. Visiting relatives in Bucharest she found they had old gramophones and scratchy 78 recordings of the tangos. She began to memorise this beautiful, vanished music. At the same time she loved the songs of Maria Tanase, the tragic diva of Romania, whose voice once haunted the nation. No other singer of the younger generation from Romania has been able to approach both the tangos à la romanesque and Tanase’s ballads so authentically yet freely.

Probably the best Romanian accordion player these days – and already a living legend! A must have for all accordion admirers! Compilation from the archives of Electrecord, Romania.

The Album is the laibachian interpretation of Johann Sebastian Bach’s work The Art of Fugue (Die Kunst der Fuge). The majority of the material has been created already in 2006 and premierly performed the same year on June the 1st at Bachfest in Leipzig.

What is Melingo the Magnificent’s recipe? Take a pinch of Roberto Goyeneche, the passionate tango singer known as “El polaco”, for some true tango roots, mix him up with a bit of Nick Cave, the bad seed of the underground, some Tom Waits for an arty vibe, add a little Gainsbourg, and all these growling, throaty voices and lived-in faces will give you some idea of the devilish Melingo, an old rascal who isn’t actually that old, though he’s infinitely roguish.

His tango is built on a bed of rock. That’s the way it is in today’s Argentina. It began in the 80s when he was cutting his teeth on the turbulent alternative rock scene born of military dictatorship and collapsing moral order and featuring groups like Los Abuelos de la Nada (the ancestors of bugger all!) and Los Twist. So is Melingo off his head? It’s more complicated than that. The impish singer with the enormous voice is also a sparrow chilled by the damp morning mists of the river Plate.

Ok, this is probably maybe not the best Jazz record around but its definately one of the coolest Jazz records you could find. It’s really really groovy, atmospheric and totally blows my brains out.

Drummer Chico Hamilton introduced many top young players during his years as a bandleader, but few probably realize that Larry Coryell made his recording debut with Chico a year before joining Gary Burton’s quartet. This CD reissue brings back Coryell’s initial appearance on record, and at times he sounded oddly like Chuck Berry (especially on “The Dealer”). Also heard on this set are altoist Arnie Lawrence, bassist Richard Davis, organist Ernie Hayes (on two numbers), and, on his spirited boogaloo “For Mods Only,” Archie Shepp making a rare appearance on piano. Most of the performances still sound surprisingly fresh, especially the explorative “A Trip,” making this an underrated but worthy release.

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.

 

Wendo Kolosoy is one of the pioneers of Congolese Rumba, and one of my favorite African artists. I have been playing his music a lot lately. Kolosoy used to be a professional boxer but he turned to singing when he got too old to fight in the ring. Congolese Rumba is a mixture of African, latin-american and jazz influences and is simply one of the most soulfull music made in Africa nowadays. Check out this little excerpt from a documentary by Jacques Sarasin:

For people interested in contemporary eastern sounds, OMFO, who lives in Amsterdam, is interesting and his records are pretty good, I often play ‘We are the Shepherds’ it’s a great record!

Here is some live footage from OMFO: