Recommendation thread

[Pharaohrock]

Please recommend records that you've heard just recently here, as you hear 'em....this should be interesting.

[jazzypaul]

Fred Hersch -- Live at the Village Vanguard. Fred's as amazing as ever. Nice mix of the semi-obscure (Miyako), the well known (Bemsha Swing) and quite a few Hersch originals. And, not to mention, Drew Gress and Nasheet Waits providing support.

and while I'm at it with things drew gress was on, although this one is about a year old at this point...

Drew Gress -- Spin and Drift. Quite possibly the most calm thing Tim Berne ever did, and absolutely gorgeous. I don't think anyone knew this existed...

and advanced warning: Christian McBride -- Vertical Vision. Excellent album, may be the best fusion album out since Weather Report's 8:30. do we always have to wait 26 years between decent fusion records?

[Pharaohrock]

....funny you should mention the infrequency of great fusion records. i have been listening to Lenny White's "Edge" record....for me this was the last great fusion record i've heard. i love this rec. it's freakin' intense!!

[Pharaohrock]

Foley, from Miles' last band, does this fantastic Prince-like version of "Kashmir." That alone is worth the price of admission. But then there is some serious groovin by Lenny all the way through....he's all over it here!

....and it's more R&B influenced fusion than rock-fusion (with a couple of house-party worthy grooves) , but far from smooth, and some rock thrown in for good measure also...all in all an infectious record, but only for the eclectic of heart.

personnel

Victor Bailey- bass
Patrice Rushen- piano (she sounds fantastic...one of those folks people mistakenly write off as being "nothing but" a studio musician. )
Benny Maupin- saxophones
Danny Walsh- saxophone
Nick Moroch- guitar

Dianne Reeves does a really haunting version of "It was a very good year" on Edge, too...

[Pharaohrock]

read Mark Corroto's review of the Hersch record if you haven't already Paul.....he told me it's a "must-buy"..

[bigHat]

Mingus Amungus - "Live in Cuba"

This CD is RIDICULOUS (Cat named Joshi Marshall on tenor sax)...

Also just listened again to Steely Dan's "Aja" last night...Anyone know who kicks out the beats at the end of that title track? DAMN!

That's good drummin'...

[Coypu]

Gordian Knot - Emergent, This album is amazing and moves in a gray zone in between, classical, fusion, prog rock, ambient and many other things. The music is everything from extremely calm and beutiful to ultra technical progressive fusion songs. The musicianship is top notch but never overdo it thanks to that Sean Malone is the main composer and he keeps things very down to earth.

[3pointdeli]

"Also just listened again to Steely Dan's "Aja" last night...Anyone know who kicks out the beats at the end of that title track? DAMN!"

steve gadd.

[lazy bird]

A few years ago, French jazz artists Louis Slavis (cl.), Henri Texier (b.) and Aldo Romano (d.) travelled across Africa to play with local musicians. After Their trip they made two albums based on their experiences in Africa. Their albums 'Carnet de routes' and 'Suite Africaine' are really supurb!! Sclavis, Texier & Romano is jazz trio at its best!

http://www.rattaymusic.de/releases/Label%20Bleu/Romano.Scla.Tex.Suite%20Afr.html

[omar zamora]

Paul,

I honestly found "Spin & Drift" to be a bit on the boring side, but I'll have to listen to it again.

Lazy Bird,

Those two Carnet De Routes albums are indeed amazing. And the photography that is included with the discs are beautiful.

[Square]

Orchestra Baobab - Specialists in All Styles
a band from western africa that just kills me. apparently they've been around for a long time (just got together again after something like 15 years) but i'd never heard of them until this cd. so far the title fits - there's all sorts of stuff going on here.

[Pharaohrock]

Overlooked records:

Victor Lewis Eeeyess! (w. Terell Stafford.)
Kevin Eubanks Live at Bradley's (James WIlliams is Baad here.)
Kevin Hayes- Go Round (Seamus Blake fans, you'll love his effects shit on track #3, plus- lotsa Rhodes here.)
Stephen Scott- Vision Quest (on ENJA, from 3 years ago, no one has heard this record but Scott is trying to emulate Jamal's trio as much as he can....)

[Pharaohrock]

any of Marc Cary's records are worthwhile...