Weather report; Spring is nestling happily between cool and warm, the way it should be, maybe a bit too dry for the farmers, April showers few and far between, happy days for cycling DJs.
Unsurprisingly I start with a tune that references London in the first line, thank you Eska! Your Joni-esque warble at the opening of "To Be Remembered" eventually gives way to something far more full throated and (conventionally) soulful. However it's not just vocal stylings you've learnt from Ms. Mitchell there's something of the same conversational narrative lyric style in this song with it's prosaic mentions of text messages and planting trees. However that's more of a compliment than a gripe and the long awaited album doesn't disappoint, and there's so much that's just Eska.
A good way to begin an opening sequence of tunes that have something of a questioning or searching quality in common. Joyce Elaine Yuille's "Chaos" and Liz Elensky's "Distractions" are both "jazz" songs that deal with the more uncomfortable side of life, whereas Bill Laurance's "Red Sand" is testimony to this musician's, to quote Lee Morgan, "search for the new land".
A little Jazz-dance classicism never goes amiss as we anticipate another Sunday Afternoon At Dingwalls session, now barely a month away. From the lesser known Don Scalletta Trio to the very familiar sound and shape of Miles' "Milestones"... still so fresh, bold and essentially modern. Dingwalls vibes run thick through the massive "discovery" of those days , Dansers Inferno, "Sombre Guitar". As far as I recall this was a discovery of original Soul Jazz duo, Alex and Stuart when they traded records from a shop in the nearby yard, but doubtless the tune may have a deeper history for someone; this would have been around 1990. Anthemic, bold and as happy as the title might say otherwise. "Billy Ballet" is the heavyweight in the pack, killer rhythms from Babatunde!
Brazilian music takes over the back to back sequence in the second hour. My love of Jobim's music deepens with every listen, having read his sister's excellent biography of it's hard not to be endeared to this passionate genius. A word not to be bandied about lightly, but I wouldn't hesitate to also describe Egberto Gismonti thus as well, though his music is not as easily accessible as Jobim's more mellifluous approach, both these Carioca composers could be described as fine distillers of Brazilian traditions as they draw influence from far and wide in Brazil's rich and diverse musical culture.
Azymuth need no introduction but Pela Cidade is an early work that only appeared on a soundtrack.... I love it! Moody, funky and swinging, a great ode to the urban!
The three vocal tracks that follow are all connected and highlight three of Brazil's greatest female singers, finishing with the queen of them all , the late great Elis Regina. Her interpretation of Lo Borges' "O Trem Azul" takes the tune to giddying new heights, Elis truly delivers a stunning vocal which combined with an arrangement from her then husband, Cesar Mariano, stands in complete contrast to Lo and Milton Nascimento's mellower original. Beforehand the minimal funkiness of Gal Costa's "O Vento" is followed by the plangent tones of Nana Caymmi rendering "Club Da Esquina No2" an emotional delight.
Soul tunes..... Michael Henderson, romantic singer and bass player for Miles Davis, and a tune that was featured by the great Ed Motta on a rather wonderful little feature of him talking music in his vinyl room. (I'll be chatting with Ed Motta on ntslive.com this coming Monday from 2pm, after my own show at midday!)
https://youtu.be/cpNK5H7QmFQ
Whilst on the subject of vinyl rooms, my friend James Vyner made a little film of me talking tunes at Forge Towers....
https://vimeo.com/123658175
Rounding off, a great Leon Ware song, and I love Coke Escovedo's version. Then a tune that had me reaching for the Discogs tab when I was reminded of it... looking back I often think to myself that a wiser man wouldn't have been so ready to shed various bits of vinyl when under the influence of a particular zeitgeist. Good music has a way of getting back at me! Maybe Jeff Tyzik's "Sweet Nothings" just conjured a memory or maybe I was just finally appreciating the groove and grace of Steve Gadd's drums!
Had to slot in a favourite from Manhattan Rhythm and a slice of The Rebirth before finishing with at least a taste of Azymuth's of Alex Malheiros.
Enjoy... and as Roland Kirk once put it, "bright moments".
1.Eska - To Be Remembered
2. Alex Puddu - Cruising By Night
3. Joyce Elaine Yuille - Chaos
4. Ajoyo - Tashikere
5. Bill Laurance - Red Sand
6. Liz Elensky - Distractions
7. Don Scalletta Trio - York's Sauna
8. Nanette Natal - Love Signs
9. Miles Davis - Milestones
10. Danser's Inferno - Sombre Guitar
11. Bishop Norman Williams - Billy Ballet
12. Antonio Carlos Jobim - Tempo Do Mar
13. Egberto Gismonti - Cristiana
14. Azymuth - Pela Cidade
15. Gal Costa - O Vento
16. Nana Caymmi - Clube Da Esquinha
17. Elis Regina - O Trem Azul
18. Michael Henderson - Going Places
19. Coke Escovedo - If I Ever Lose This Heaven
20. Jeff Tyzik - Sweet Nothings
21. Manhattan Rhythm - Sweet Lady
22. The Rebirth - Show 'Em
23. Alex Malheiros - Four Aces And A Joker
