We often hear about electronic music influenced by jazz, afro or latin beats.
Munich-based drummer, Dj and producer Christian Prommer's "Drumlesson" project works the other way around : he and his musicians start with classic tech/house anthems and re-adapt them to a "real" modern-jazz format.
Drumlesson Vol.1, released in 2008, was a nice surprise, he does it again this year, exploring tunes from the likes of Carl Graig, Laurent Garnier, Dj Rolando or Dennis Ferrer & Jerome Sydenham among others.
Contrary to the first opus, Drumlesson Zwei is a bit more produced which to me explains why some of the tracks lack some of the freshness and spontaneity found in the Vol.1. Still, if this second Lp is uneven, some reworks are truly outstanding like the explosive "Groove La Chord", a rework from a classic techno track from Aril Brikha.
Below Christian Prommer's "Groove La Chord" version :
And to compare, the original track from Aril Brikha :
We mentionned in late 2009 José James & Jef Neve remarkable live jazz project paying tribute to Alice and John Coltrane (we even included it in our 2009 favorite records even though it was only a live act, check the link for the full Brussels live video).
At the same time they signed on the legendary Impulse! Recordings label and were supposed to release an album this year. So here is "For All We Know".
Contrary to what I expected this record is not a studio version of their Coltrane project, but their interpretation of 9 timeless jazz classics. The sensibility of Jef Neve's piano play and the mesmerizing baritone voice of José fit perfectly together. The duo manages to create an intimate soul-stirring musical atmosphere that should appeal to many jazz fans.
Almost all of the record was recorded in one take during a half-day-long session in a Belgian studio, thus preserving the spontaneity of each adaptation.
Among the standards they decided to refresh let's mention their fantastic version of "Autumn In New-York" from Vernon Duke, the sweet cover of George & Irva Gershwin's"Embraceable You" made famous by Billie Holiday, the bluesy take of Andy Razah & Don Redman's "Gee Baby, Ain't I Good To You" or the juicy "Just Squeeze Me (But Please Don't Tease Me)" from Duke Ellington & Lee Gaines made famous by Ella Fitzgerald.
So after his own second album "Black Magic", released earlier this year and which explores nu-soul and abstract beats, and then the phenomenal live show he recently gave in Paris (review here) to promote it, José once again demonstrates the extent of his talent with this album focusing on his pure jazz side.
A true moment of refinement and class!
The duo is perfoming in many countries this summer, all dates here!
Below a small video with José & Jef discussing this album, you can also listen to several tracks among which "Autumn In New-York" HERE.
For all our parisians readers out there I wanted to highlight the exceptional line-up of this year La Villette Jazz Festival that will take place early september.
Among others : - Gil Scott-Heron , who will be there for his second parisian date of the year (not to be missed for those who could not attend his recent phenomenal gig at the New Morning, review here)
- two promising acoustic sessions from the explosive soul/funk singer Alice Russel
- a great afrobeat evening with Jimi Tenor and Kabu Kabu joined by the legendary drummer Tony Allen with whom they released a great album last year.
- a special nu-jazz set with one of the most gifted contemporary jazz pianist, Robert Glasper joined by nu-soul singer Bilal (I guess Robert will be playing Rhodes for the occasion, reflecting his nu-soul side).
- a contemporary jazz evening with the talented italian saxophonist Stefano Di Battista preceded by the funky french jazz pianist Eric Legnini.
Full listing and booking info on the festival site.
En Français dans le texte : Je tenais à signaler la programmation exceptionnelle du Festival Jazz A La Villette 2010 qui se tiendra début septembre. Derrière la légende Gil Scott-Heron qui nous gratifie d'une seconde date parisienne après son come-back inoubliable au New Morning il y a quelques jours (compte-rendu ici), la direction artistique du festival nous a concocté diverses surprises alléchantes. Entre autres : - deux sessions accoustiques de l'explosive chanteuse soul/funk Alice Russel - une soirée afrobreat de haut vol réunissant Jimi Tenor et son groupe Kabu Kabu et l'éternel batteur de Fela, Tony Allen, avec qui ils ont enregistré un superbe album l'an passé. - un set nu-jazz associant le brilliant pianiste de jazz Robert Glasper (jouant probablement du Rhodes pour l'occasion) et le chanteur nu-soul Bilal - une soirée jazz qui verra le pianiste français Eric Legnini, au jeu souvent très funky, ouvrir la voie pour un concert de l'excellent saxophoniste italie Stefano Di Battista. Toute la programmation et les modalités de réservation ici.
Everyone knows about the "Nu-Soul" movement blending beautiful soul voices with groove, beats and modern musical productions techniques. Sade, Maxwell, Eryka Badu, D'Angelo or Raphael Saadiq are some of the well-known artists that have created this great musical space.
Next to it a relatively more underground scene has been emerging these past few years trying to perpetuate the "old-school" soul/funk sound from the 60's/70's.
Several independent labels like Stones Throw, Ubiquity, Truth&Soul, just to name a few, have been promoting a myriad of bands from all over the world.
Listening to their records it is sometimes difficult to believe that these artists are contemporary as their mastering of original "rough" productions techniques coupled with their love and culture of Soul/Funk golden age allow them to recreate a musical atmosphere very close to the 60's/70's.
Mixing young musicians to forgotten stars from the 70's that offer themselves a second career (think of Lee Fields or Charles Bradley) they offer a wide range of styles (Classic Soul, Funk or even instrumental jazz/funk). As their ancesters they deliver their full force on stage as we mentionned it several times in our live reviews (see our Menahan Street Bands & Lee Fields or Gizelle Smith & The Mighty Mocambos live reviews for the most recent ones).
As far as I know there is no particular name to define this genre, so I'll call it "Nu-School" to distinguish it from its "Nu-Soul" sister.
In this selection I tried to pick some tracks of my "Nu-School" favorite artists. You may already be highly familiar with them, if not I hope I hope that it will tease you enough to make you want to dig deeper into their work and go see them live!
Enjoy! (you can listen or dwld the podcast on divshare or listen to the track by track streaming on the 8-track player)
In this podcast you'll listen to (in order) : Aloe Blacc, The Soul Snatchers, Gizelle Smith & The Mighty Mocambos, Nicole Willis & The Soul Investigators, Mayer Hawthorne, Lee Fields & The Expressions, Greyboy Feat. Quantic & Sharon Jones, Breakestra, Speedometer, The Bamboos Feat. Alice Russel, Poets Of Rhythm, The New Mastersounds, El Michels Affair, Menahan Street Band.
You can check all of our podcasts/selections here.
It's been almost 10 years.
We had to wait such a long time to have the immense pleasure of seeing Gil Scott-Heron back in France, in his beloved "New Morning" venue in central Paris.
So time has been passing by, the man has been going through his fair share of struggles, but him and his eternal talent have not "disappeared" as he joked during his hilarious intro speaches.
To add to the legendary tone of this very special evening, Gil was supported by long-time companions from "The Midnight Band" and "Amnesia Express" years, Glenn Turner (Keyboards, Harmonica), Brian Settles (Saxophone, Flute) & Tony Duncanson (Congas).
Together they offered two separate concerts in the same evening, each lasting just shy of 2 hours.
I attended both shows, each were identical as far as the tracklisting is concerned, focusing on classics with only "I'll Take Care Of You" from the recent album "I'm New Here".
Gil Scott-Heron (first set)
1 Blue Collar 2 Winter In America 3 We Almost Lost Detroit - Work For Peace Medley 4 Three Miles Down 5 I'll Take Care Of You 6 Did You Hear What They Said 7 The Other Side (Part I, II & III) 8 The Bottle 9 "encore", don't remember which track it was, please help if you were there!
Gil started alone on stage and after only three notes from his unseparable Rhodes Keyboards and the first two lines from "Blue Collar", if anybody in the audience still had any doubt, they were reassured : Gil is really back.
His unique deep & hoarse voice still carries the same amount of emotions than it did 10, 20 or 30 years ago. Even more touching was the genuineness of his interpretation (for each track of the show). He's been singing these classics a million times, but he still truly "feels" his decades-old socially-conscious lyrics and he should as, for most of them, they sadly still are particularly relevant these days.
"Winter In America" was also sung alone at the Rhodes and introduced with a tale he made classic over the years, the "meeting between the seasons". The band came on stage for the medley blending one of my favorite Gil's song, "We Almost Lost Detroit", with "Work For Peace".
Making the audience laugh between each song with his always well-found quips about different subjects (his digression about the icelandic volcano was particularly funny), Gil also had us participate to help singing the easy chorus from the beautiful song "Three Miles Down" depicting the miners terrible work environment(audio below).
Brian Settles
Glenn Turner
His band stood up to his standard : flute and tenor sax solos full of sensibility from Brian Settles, energetic harmonica parts from Glenn Turner or the final crazy 7-or 8-mn long congas impro in the middle of "The Bottle" by Tony Duncanson (reminding me of live explosions from the late Ray Barretto) were all brilliant.
Not much to add after such a fantastic moment, ah yes, something I was wondering yesterday night : if there were more Gil's, the world would surely be a better place!
Below a few treats : videos of the medley "We Almost Lost Detroit-Work For Peace" from the second set and audio streaming of "Three Miles Down". Hope you'll like it!
Part 1 :
Part 2 :
"Three Miles Down", with a little help of the New Morning audience, the superb lyrics (not the easy chorus!) can be found (here) :
A few add-ons :
- If you want to know more about Gil's work, I suggest you watch the great 1-h long documentary done by the Bbc a few years back, youtube streaming here.
- If you're into "socially-conscious" soul/funk, you may also enjoy listening to our recent "Lyrics Do Matter" selection/podcast assembling some of our favorite tracks in that space.
- Finally for the french fans who missed the show yesterday, be aware that Gil will be performing early July at Gilles Peterson's Worldwide Festival in Sète, and in early september in Paris at La Villette Jazz Festival (tickets should be on sale in June).
This blog is first and foremost about my love for "black" music in its widest sense, but as I said in our first folk podcast post (available here), I'll be mentionning indie/folk favorites from time to time as it also is an essential part of my musical universe.
This week one my favorite band in that space, Toronto-based collective Broken Social Scene, has finally released on the label Arts And Craft an outstanding 4th album titled "Forgiveness Rock Record".
Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning are still at the helm of their resplendent ensemble but there have been several changes in the making-of.
The core band is tighter (7 main members on this record) and they left their canadian homebase to record this album in Chicago with local indie-scene musician and producer John McEntire. Some thing did not change however, they sticked to to their "collective "spirit by having lots of guests and "additional members" participate in the record such as well-known former members Leslie Feist and Emily Haines and several windy-city's alternative rock scene musicians.
So what does it sound like?
This album is definitely closer from traditional "indie rock" than their previous works, with most tracks being true "songs" with vocals as opposed to the more abstract "compositions" distinctive of their fantastic ealier productions.
The brilliant opening anthem, "World Sick", symbolizes this. If the band is immediately identifiable notably through their mesmerizing deluge of guitar sounds and deep extended intro and outro, the power radiating from the amazing chorus feels "indie" in its primal sense. So does the heavy like "Forced To Love" that should rocks quite a bit when performed live or "Water In Hell".
Still, their unique melancolic ambient sound signature is never far way and keeps meandering gently deep inside this record. It sounds all the more this way in more laid-back songs like "Sweetest Kill" and "Romance To The Grave".
The band has evolved and explores new territories with "Forgiveness Rock Record". Overall this new indie atmosphere is more cheerful than what they had accustomed us to, but the feeling of fragility and humanity radiating from this new masterpiece is as vibrant to me.
Below an overview of the record starting with the massive "World Sick" :
The band recently started a world tour, check their myspace page for all dates.
(I'm actually desperatly looking for a ticket for their May gig in Paris as it got sold out before I woke up!)
It seems the classic 60's/70's soul/funk revival movement keeps getting bigger and bigger, and we love it!
After Lee Fields, Sharon Jones or more recently Gizelle Smith & The Mighty Mocambos, here comes another old-school soul/funk album called "The Outsiders Are Back", first LP from Milwaukee-based Kings Go Forth.
To be honnest this album is not a complete surprise as some of the album's tracks, such as the smashing "One Day", were released during these last two years as singles or appeared in nu-funk compilations (like Soulshaker).
Still, the 10-member band led by bass player Andy Noble and veteran singer Black Wolf reach a new level with this LP, released on the independant label Luaka Bop Records, that should appeal to many classic soul/funk lovers.
Using old-school productions technics, the band offers amazing vocals (with backing chorus perfectly answering Black Wolf's truly touching leading voice) and a brilliant rythmic section.
Also worth noting is the diversity of soul music styles that can be found in this record : from funky hits like "One Day", "Now We're Gone" or "Get A Feeling" to mid-tempo melancolic tunes like "Fight With Love" or "High On Your Love", or disco-style Tom Moulton's remix of "Don't Take My Shadow".
I hope they'll be touring in Europe in the coming months, for the moment Us audience can check their tour dates on their site (and they should as I heard their live acts stand up to the quality of their releases).
Flying Lotus (Steven Ellison) is one of the most sought-after avant-gardist electronic music producer.
Several highly acclaimed Ep's and two first albums ("1983" and "Los Angeles") had many people categorize his musical style as "abstract hip-hop" but various high-profile collaborations like on José James latest Lp, "Black Magic", showed that the man can wear many (musical) hats. The richness and diversity of sounds found in "Cosmogramma" confirms he breaks all musical codes. To me this is his most interesting production to date, a must-listen.
We're talking about a real "Album" here, meaning a musical piece where it's difficult to extract such and such individual track.
Actually I should use the word "journey". To me the best travel experiences require a bit of effort (to adapt to a new environment), open-mindedness (to leave any prejudices aside) and sensibility (to be able to "feel" the unknown). Well these also probably are essential components to fully enjoy "Cosmogramma".
No clearly identifiable musical styles, no easy melodies or chorus, but an exquisitely dreamy musical atmosphere blending discontructed beats, creative keyboard waves, mesmerizing voices samples or bits and pieces of spititual jazz. Get ready to enter a brand new musical country!
In 2009 one of my favorite Lp was Bibio's "Ambivalence Avenue" which also was a musical ufo transcending electronic musical genres. I have a feeling that I already enjoy "Cosmogramma" as much if not more.
You should try it, really.
Below "And The World Laughs With You" Feat. Radiohead's Thom Yorke (but once again keep in mind that on this record each track is only a piece of an amazing puzzle):
Bologna-based Dj/Producer LTJ X-Perience (Luca Trevisi) is well-known to most nudisco/slow-motion deephouse lovers for his multiple productions and great re-edits on various labels like Irma or the absolutely stunning Super Value (you can check lots of his works on his soundcloud page).
I wanted to highlight 3 of his recent productions all released these last couple of months which I find symbolic of the current high-quality nudisco/re-edits musical space
Trip To Your Mind Ep (Arision Records)
The first Ep, released on Arision Records is a case in point in the "art" of re-edit. LTJ X-PERIENCE reworked of one of my favorite disco-funk anthem : "Trip To Your Mind" from Hudson People.
To me the result is what a good re-edit is all about : keeping the spirit of the original song intact and adding a groovy contemporary feel to it. Below you'll find a youtube player of the original song and a soundcloud player of LTJ X-Perience version to make your own opinion :
LTJ X-Perience re-edit :
Original track from Hudson People :
Secret Service Ep (Slazy Beats Recordings)
Thesecond Ep deals with the other part of this musical space i.e. nudisco/slo-motion house.
"Secret Service" is a 2-track Ep released by LTJ X-Perience under the pseudonym of "The Beatdown Soundmachine" on the relatively new Slazy Beats Recordings label run by 4 passionate guys from Australia, Netherlands, Usa and Denmark. I actually urge you to check their blog where you'll find lots of infos on what's goin on in this mid-tempo electro scene.
Back to this record : deep groovy tempos, short & heady vocals, funky basslines and guitars samples : my definition of this type of house!
Below a soundcloud player of the second track, "Groove Is On My Mind" (I bet it is!) :
Super Value Special Edits 09 Ep(Super Value) Last but not least his last production for his amazing Super Value label. Super Value Special Edits 09 lies in between groove and slo-mo house. I did not identify the several samples (especially the cool jazzy vibes on the first track) he used in these tracks but all I can say is that this Ep is another brilliant production from the Super Value crew.
Starting and closing with 2 classic groove jewels (Ben E King's "Street Tough" and Howard Johnson's "Keepin' Love New"), this 6th part or our mixes serie is mostly filled with great re-edits from several gifted remixers expert in giving a second youth to timeless funky vibes!
Tracklisting :
Ben E. King - Street Tough (Written By Willie Hutch) (Start to 4mn10s)
World's Famous Supreme Team - Hey Dj (4mn11s to 6mn35s)
Ackryte - Wouldn't Do(Instr.)(Rework of Bobby Caldwell's What You Won't Do For Love)(6mn36s to 8mn19s)
Bee Gees + Guitar (Rayko Edit)(8mn20s to 13mn10s)
George McRae & Gwen McRae - Mechanical Body (Super Value Edit)(13mn11s to 17mn25s)
The Geisha Boys - The Bose (17mn26s to 22mmn20s)
Mr Beatnick - What's Goin On Reconstruction (22mn21s to 24mn15s)
Darondo - Didn't I (Trishes Edit)(24mn16s to 28mn05s)
Jimi Hendrix - Foxy Lady (Rob Tex Mix)(28mn06s to 31mn20s)
Tiger & Woods - Gin Nation(Edit Of Imagination's Music & Lights)(31mn21s to 36mn40s)
Roberta Flack & Donnie Hathaway - Back Together Again (Super Value Edit)(36mn41s to 44mn 24s)
Howard Johnson - Keepin' Love New (44mn25s to end)
While reviewing on the blog "Triangulations", the fantastic latest album from Scuba, I mentionned that the experimental Uk dubstep space was one of my favorite electro area at the moment alongside nudisco.
Well, this new release from Marl Kennedy, aka Ramadanman (and Pearson Sound) brings more fuel to this already hot fire.
Only 22 years-old, Mark Kennedy has not only already released several innovative experimental dubsteb Ep's but is also one of the three creators of the Hessle Audio label alongside fellow producers Pangaea and Ben UFO.
Halfway between an album and a simple Ep, this 6-tracker release is a great digest of the multiple outcomes offered by current experimental dubstep productions.
Dark minimal sound & complex percussions in "I Beg You", puzzling drums and melodic synths in "No Swing", weird bubbling bass and avant-garde rhythm in "Tumble". But to me the icing on the cake is the beautiful "Don't Change For Me" closing the record. Deepness with a big "D"! an amzing deep synth line and vocal sample supported by a heavy drum&bass rythm. What a pearl!
Short extracts below (my favorite track "Don't Change For Me" is the 6th one) :
What a week on the afrobeat front in Paris!
After Femi Kuti earlier this week (review and full live video here), I went to see Canadian band The Souljazz Orchestra and French combo Fanga at the Cabaret Sauvage, which is one of my favourite venue in Paris (a cosy antique circus tent inviting to exotic cultural journeys).
Fanga's Martal Reverdy & Korbo
Fanga opened the show with a 1-hour energetic set of "rough" afrobeat.
The band, originating from south of France (Montpellier), is well-known by fans of the french underground afro-scene. They have already been releasing 3 great albums since 2003 but are first and foremost famous for their remarkable live acts. And I guarantee yesterday's gig did not depart from these good principles!
They were 7 members on stage (singer, guitar, bass, baritone sax, percussions, drums, keyboards) and focused on tracks from their latest Lp (Sira Ba), released in November 09.
Fanga's Rajaneesh Dwivedi & Korbo
Their authentic afrobeat sound, spiced up by Korbo's enthusiastic vocal flow and the powerful playing of their baritone sax player, Martal Reverdy, quickly set fire to the audience.
Alternating groovy hypnotic moments with classic explosive afrobeat vocal chorus, Fanga left me with no doubt : they clearly are playing in the big league alongside afro-scene reference bands like Antibalas!
Please check their site for more infos, albums extracts and tour dates.
Souljazz Orchestra's Ray Murray
In an ebullient room came the turn of canadian band The Souljazz Orchestra to spread its afro-funk message.
Souljazz Orchestra's Marielle Rivard, Steve Patterson, Ray Murray & Zakari Frantz
Alternating between funk, afrobeat and spiritual jazz the band has made a name for himself these last few years for the quality and diversity of their productions and their remarkable live performances.
They were 6 on stage (keyboards (Rhodes/Nord), baritone sax, tenor sax, alto sax, chorus singer/percussion, drummer).
Souljazz Orchestra's Pierre Chrétien
One of the originality of the band is their explosive sax trio and the absence of bass and guitar which are somehow replaced by Pierre Chrétien's mesmerizing Nord keyboard's playing.
Yesterday they let aside the spiritual jazz part of their most recent Lp to focus on their dancefloor-oriented afrobeat and funk tracks.
On the afrobeat side they played some of their classic cuts like "Mista President" or "Freedom No Go Die", but also surprised the audience with truly creative covers from Fela's "Rofoforo Fight" and "Odoo".
Souljazz Orchestra's Philippe Lafrenière
On the funk side they made a great tribute to James Brown and also played several tracks that (correct me if I'm wrong guys) were new like the cool "Stand Up And Be Counted", sung by Marielle Rivard.
The musical excellence of each of the band musicians is truly outstanding, a special note to Philippe Lafrenière drumming performance and funky vocals! Loved it!
After almost 3hours of really high-quality afro grooves, as everyone was preparing to head home and probably dream of a feet-massage, the 2 bands decided to extend the musical feast by starting a refreshing jam session!
Starting with Manu Di Bango's classic "African Battle", the half-an-hour jam went on with Fela's eternal "Water No Get Enemy" and "I.T.T."
Thanks a lot to both bands for this truly special moment!
No need to add that you should check out each of these band next live dates!
Below two quick videos of "Mista President" and jamsession of "Water No Get Enemy" :
P.S. : you can also check our recent afrobeat playlist called "Long Live Afrobeat" highlighting the vitality of this musical scene!
Femi Kuti and his band were playing yesterday night at the Casino de Paris, which is a beautiful classical mid-sized theather in central Paris.
A long-time fan of Femi's work, I had not been attending one of his gig for at least 3 or 4 years, so I could not resist the temptation!
Femi and his Positive Force band were 14 on stage. Most band members were rather young, probably coming from a new generation of musicians that Femi, true to the tradition of his father, keeps nurturing in his legendary homebase, "The Shrine" in Lagos, Nigeria. The band focused on tunes from their latest release "Day By Day" but also played tracks from previous albums.
They alternated between some of their killer afrobeat classics such as "Sorry Sorry", "Beng Beng Beng" or "Shotan" and lighter west-african grooves, typical of Femi's style and omnipresent in the "Day By Day" album. For instance please check in the live video below like the wonderful version of "They Will Run", which was my favorite song in the show.
French slam artist Abd-Al-Malik also joined the band as a guest to add his fresh and spontaneous lyrics flow on the track "Do You Know".
As usual with Femi, his stage presence, charisma and powerful voice were outstanding. His unique alto-sax and clarinette sound and the sincerity of his humanist and fraternal message also made of this concert a great moment.
There is only a small hitch to me : I've always found that Femi's concerts lack a bit of improvisation. His band is mostly "supporting" him, they do it very well for sure but I would enjoy a bit more "crazyness", which you often find in many contemporary afrobeat bands shows. This was the case again this time, apart from 3 or 4 planned solos from his guitarist, trombone and tenor sax players, there were no moment of improvisation.
This small remark apart, the man confirmed again yesterday that he is a cornerstone of the current musical afro scene.
And good news for you! If you were not there you can still enjoy this evening as the always tasteful french-german tv network Arte had the good idea to make a video recording of the gig and broadcast it for free on its website, (or player below) :
Attempt of tracklisting (I need help at the end! Use the comment section) :
- Do Your Best (start to 10mn31s)
- They Will Run (splendid version) (10mn32s to 16mn44s)
- Do You Know Feat. Abd Al Malik(16mn45s to 29mn10s)
- You Better Ask Yourself (29mn11s to 35mn31s)
- Eh Oh (35mn32s to 38mn52s)
- Oyimbo (38mn53s to 42mn32s)
- If Them Want To Hear (with long intro speach) (42mn33s to 50mn10s)
- Can't Buy Me (50m11s to 56mn04s)
- Shotan (56mn05s to 62mn50s)
- Inside Religion (62mn51s to 73mn01s)
- Sorry Sorry (73mn02s to 81mn59s)
- Beng Beng Beng (with long funny speach inside) (82mn00s to 92mn00s)
Encore part :(need some help to identfy the tracks here, they may be new actually) :
-Beng Beng Beng Break (92mn08s to 95mn01s)
-Did not recognize this one! (95mn02s to 98mn54s)
-This one neither (98mn55s to 102mn23s)
-This one neither (102mn24s to 106mn04s)
-Final Instrumental break : (106mn05s to end)
"Joy" is a well-titled groovy hard-bob jazz album recorded live by french saxophonist Sylvain Beuf and his new sextet band.
Sylvain is a veteran musician of the Parisian underground jazz scene, having sided over the years with many big names, he has been releasing several great records in a trio mode with his two inseparable friends Diego Imbert (contrebass) and Franck Agulhon (drums).
For this new project he decided to change the rules, moving on to a more ambitious sextet format.
Experienced trombone Denis Leloup and alto-sax player Pierrick Pédron joined the trio alongside pianist Jean-Yves Jung, to give life to Sylvain' 10 brand-new composing written under the (always!) powerful creative forces of Love.
The album was then recorded live during 4 nights at Dunkerke's Jazz Club (in northern France) and is now out on independent labels "Such prod/Harmonia Mundi".
This record is really well balanced, alternating between really funky-bop" tunes like "Sushi", "Trouble In My Glass", "Smile" or "Spatio Temporis" and more relaxed melodic gems like "Joy" or "Baikal Lake".
The quality of composings and arrangements gives an almost perfect breathing space to the talent of each of these 6 outstanding musicians. In a word this is contemporary nu-bop as I love, melodic, spontaneous and funky!
I did not see their recent show in Paris, I'm really looking forward to the next one. All their concert dates here.
Below a deezer streaming of two of my favorite tracks from the album, "Smile" and "Trouble In My Glass" :
Spring is here (at least supposed to) and I thought it was a good excuse to make another reggae selection.
Listening to "I Need (More) Reggae" you'll find several beautiful songs at the twilight zone between soul and reggae, like this eternal cover of "Ill be around" by Otis Gayle, Joh Holt's "For the Love Of You", Marcia Griffiths' "Mark My Word", Tomorrow's Children's "Sister Big Stuff" or Cedric Im Brooks' "Chicken".
But that's not all! there are classic sunny reggae pearls like The Ethiopians' "Train To Ska-ville" or Zap Pow's "Sunshine People" and you may also enjoy relatively more classic spiritual riddims as Black Uhuru's "Satan Army Band" or The Gladiators' "No Wrong Idea".
Finally a couple of groovy dancehall/dub-like tracks, Frankie Paul's "What About Us" and one of my favorite song from Gregory Isaacs, "Temptation", close the trip. Actually not entirely as I could not resist to add this wonderful acoustic version of Gilberto Gil's "A Novidade", where brazilian music meets Jamaican rythms.
Enjoy! (and if you liked it you may also enjoy our first reggae playlist here)
Playlist streaming below (44mn long) or through the 8-track player :
Tracklisting : Otis Gayle - I'll Be Around John Holt - For The Love Of You Derrick Harriott - Go Away Dream Tomorrow's Children - Sister Big Stuff Nicky Thomas - Lonely Feeling Cedric Im Brooks - Chicken Zap Pow - Sunshine People Marcia Griffiths - Mark My Word The Ethiopians - Train To Ska-Ville Black Uhuru - Satan Army Band The Gladiators - No Wrong Idea Gregory Isaacs - Temptation Frankie Paul - How About Us Gilberto Gil - A Novidade (Live Accoustic)
