Tord Gustavsen Quartet, Rez Abbasi Acoustic Quartet

First, apologies for skipping a Sunday Music Muse Day post last week.  I just wasn't up for it.  So, let's move ahead to this week.  First up is Tord Gustavsen The Well.  This is a 2012 ECM release and in the ECM tradition, it's an introspective piano music experience, which, when you're in the mood, it is nice to listen to. 

Next is Rez Abbasi Acoustic Quartet, actually a rerun of an old blog post. I missed a live solo gig at he proformed at Eastman Museum last week, so I put this on my CD player to make up for That. I'll forgive Res, who wrote the CD  liner notes, for sounding like a pretentious jerk in thinking he doing anything but reinventing the wheel. I was at the beginning of jazz fusion, which he wrote on the liner, that he skipped that period when he was studying jazz.  When you're late to the party, you don't get to disrespect the pioneers who came before you.  Time will tell if Abbasi's music stands the test of time. I like the tunes Rez selected, all are instantly recognized and associated with the jazz-fuzion musician who wrote them. . It's worth listening to.

 So, that it for this week Sunday Music Muse Day.  Have a great week. Peace.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Artemis, Kevin Eubanks & Stanley Jordan

Welcome to my Sunday Music Muse Day post, First up is Artemis Arboresque, the third album by "a jazz group composed of seven renowned female musicians" (as if this still needs to be the first thing to said about the group). This is the second CD I have of them, and I enjoy their modern jazz sound. I hope to see them live someday.

Next up, is Kevin Eubanks and Stanley Jordan Duet. The simple title says it all, this is laid-back guitar music featuring original tunes and few jazz standards. Several tunes find each taking a turn at the piano.  I won't say it the most exciting session, but worth giving it a listen. Also, I like the simple cover art illustrations by Keith Henry Brown.

We're getting a little bit of heatwave, so grabbing a cold drink and settling in an AC'ed room listening to some cool jazz, might be just the thing.  Enjoy and Peace.

Jerry Granelli, Marc Johnson

Still enjoying the warm afterglow of our trip  to "The Dome",  Airbnb, in Cooperstown, NY.  I didn't get a chance to visit a local record/CD shop there, but I had these CDs planned for this Sunday Music Muse Day, already. First up, Jerry Granelli Dance Hall. The drummer and leader's name didn't ring a bell with me at first, but seeing guitarists Bill Frisell and Robben Ford listed as side men, made this CD worth a try. (On second look at my blog posts I do have one of his CDs, "One Day at A Time", with a group including Robben Ford and Ralph Towner playing only keyboard synthesizer)  It seems this 2017 release was a follow-up to a Granelli recording, "A Song I thought I Heard Buddy Sing" they did together in 1992. They recalled, "there was spark for this work - wanting to hear them play rhythm and blues." After hearing this, I want to hear more, too. This is a great CD, with a nice mix of tunes and excellent playing.

Next up, Marc Johnson's Bass Desires Second Sight. Somehow, with apologies to leader & bassist, Marc Johnson, I used to always regard this as a Frisell or Scofield recording, mainly due to my guitar music bias.  I had the first Bass Desires album, and this 1987 release, but sold both when I sold my vinyl collection.  I have a CD of the 1st, so getting this CD was a no-brainer,   I'm happy to say, I've learned to appreciate Johnson's bass playing and his strong writing talents on his follow-up recordings. I like this second outing, but don't think it's as strong as the debut release.  Still, this CD was worth buying.

Again, when ever possible take a break from the chaos, and clear your mind and calm your soul.  Music it is a great help.  Peace.