Sunday Music Muse Day - Baden Powell, Snarky Puppy

This Sunday Music Muse Day finds us recovering from an extreme temperature swing, from a frigid  -5º on Saturday morning to a mild 47º at midday Sunday.  Whatever the weather, here are selections to warm your heart.  First up, Baden Powell Live in Berlin, a two CD set of a solo concert recorded in 2000.  The intimate nature of the concert lets the full beauty of this legendary master of Brazilian music surround you.  This collection is worth seeking out.

My next is selection is totally different.  Snarky Puppy Empire Central is also a 2 CD set of "live in the studio" recording of this large ensemble of musicians described as "a big funky, romping, muscular jazz band". In my opinion, their music bridges art-rock and jazz fusion in a good way.  I was a little put off my their cutesy name when I first heard about them through an article in a local weekly newspaper, but came to like them when I heard their music. The group sound takes center stage over flashy soloists. Again, they are well worth a listen, and I have several of CDs to prove it.

Hopefully our temperature will settle to a normal winter pattern.  In any case, find a warm cozy spot and enjoy some good music.  It warms the soul.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Gerry Gibbs, Snarky Puppy.

This Sunday Music Muse Day find our area experiencing varying weather from quick moving thunderstorms under severe storm warning to period period bright sunshines.  I'll be enjoying these CDs during it all.  First up is Gerry Gibbs Thrasher Dream Trio We're Back.  It's a concept album of Jazz Interpretations of his favorite R&B tunes from the 60's and 70's, including several by Steve Wonder, and Earth, Wind, and Fire.  I can't say I'm totally into this but it's an enjoyable casual listen.  It may lean too far toward smooth jazz for my taste.

Next is Snarky Puppy Immigrance, a solid outing from this musicians collective the blurs the boundaries of jazz and Alternative Rock.  There are always some interesting musical ideas in their music.  Worth checking out.

Rain or shine, listening to good music is the way to go.  Enjoy.

Mother's Day Sunday Music Muse Day - Emily Remler, Leni Stern, Dave Brubeck Quartet, Snarky Puppy

Happy Mother's Day to everyone.  Just by chance today's Sunday Music Muse Day features two females musicians, who to my knowledge are not mothers.  First is the late Emily Remler This is Me, a posthumous release by this female jazz guitarist, who was gaining acceptance and prominence when she died at the age of 32, in 1990, unfortunately from a drug overdose.  This final recording was released two months after her death.  As stated on the Allmusic site, "On her final session, This Is Me the guitarist incorporates pop and rock elements on her own terms -- maintaining her musical integrity and avoiding radio-oriented smooth jazz drivel altogether". By my ears I have to disagree with the last statement.  This sound like smooth jazz to me, plain and simple.  I remember having a earlier album Concord recordings which were more hard bop outings, much more to my taste.  So it goes.

Leni Stern Like One is another CD that I think I like her earlier music I have of hers.  Leni's music on this CD is jazz fusion at its middle of the spectrum, rather hit or miss.  Good playing but nothing that really grabs you.

My next selection should clear the music palate, The Dave Brubeck Quartet Time Further Out - Miro Reflections.  As review Scott Yanow on All Music states. "Unlike most sequels, Time Further Out is a worthy successor to Time Out.  Among the numbers introduced on this impressive set are "It's a Raggy Waltz" and "Unsquare Dance" (the latter an ancestor of Don Ellis' "Pussy Wiggle Stomp"). The selections, which range in time signatures from 5/4 to 9/8, are handled with apparent ease..."  This release CD has two extra cut, including a live version of the It's A Raggy Waltz.  It a great follow up to the classic Time Out.

My selection is Snarky Puppy Culha Vulcha, the latest from this hard to define group, as it states on their website, "After a decade of relentless touring and recording in all but complete obscurity, the Texas-bred/New York-based quasi-collective suddenly found itself held up by the press and public as one of the major figures in the jazz world. But as the category names for all three of the band’s Grammy® awards would indicate (Best R&B Performance in 2014, Best Contemporary Instrumental Album in 2016 and 2017), Snarky Puppy isn’t exactly a jazz band. It’s not a fusion band, and it’s definitely not a jam band. It’s probably best to take Nate Chinen of the New York Times’ advice, as stated in an online discussion about the group, to “take them for what they are, rather than judge them for what they’re not.”  These young guys caught my ear about a year ago with their Sylva release, and I agree their music stands it own merits. 

Again, Happy Mother's Day.  Try to think of music you mother enjoyed, and maybe shared with you. 

Sunday Music Muse Day - Young Miles, Dexter Gorgon, Snarky Puppy and Metrople Orkest, and Bob Sniider and Paul Hoffman

Today's Sunday Music Muse Day offering picks up from purchases I made last week, but I wanted time to give them a good listen.  First up is a group, and new CD, that is getting a lot of airplay on  my local jazz station, Jazz 90.1, Snarky Puppy and Metropole Orkest - Sylva.  the release is actually a CD + DVD package of a recording and filmed live performance in the Netherlands. Wikipedia states Snarky Puppy is a "fusion band" that "features a collective of nearly 40 musicians".   This is a very interesting and engaging CD with music that almost defies categories, it just exists on own merit.  Sometimes it sound like a soundtrack to a complex movie you haven't seen, but want to.  I found I enjoyed it best by listening to the CD as one suite, and not just tracks.    More enjoyable is the performance on the DVD.  It was truly incredible watching interplay of this large ensemble of Snarky Puppy and Metropole Orkest.   Snarky Puppy has played  the Rochester International Jazz Festival recently.  I remember their keyboard player, Cory Henry, dropped in the after-hours jam session.  I definitely will have to catch them live the next time they're in the area.

Here's a video of one of the tracks.  Youtube has the full concert.

The next selection is a nice find, Dexter Gordon - The Other Side of Round Midnight.  This CD is music done for movie Round Midnight, which Dexter Gordon starred in.  I haven't seen the movie since the week it open in NYC, in 1986, but I remember enjoying it, so I'll have to check it out again soon.  In a lot of ways it reminds me of my father's last days in Paris.  The CD is loaded with living legends of jazz, like Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock Billy Higgins, John Mclaughlin, Wayne Shorter, the late Tony Williams, and many more.  This CD is a great companion the movie.

Here is the trailer for Round Midnight, (too bad it's such poor quality)

The next selection took some time getting through, with pleasure, of course.  Miles Davis - Young Miles, a 4 CD set of Miles first five years of recording 1945-50.  Since I picked up on Miles Davis at his Bitches Brew stage, I'm always playing catch up on the his earlier recordings.  This set really help full a gap in my musical education.

My last selection is a another nod to local talent, guitarist, Bob Sneider, and Paul Hofmann, pianist, titled "Interconnection".  It is a nice mix of a few standards, and originals by Bob and Paul, the center piece being Paul Hofmann's  "Jazz Suite for Guitar and Piano".  The interplay between these talented musicians is just wonderful.  I'll be listening to this for years to come.

Here taste of the Jazz Suite.

Be sure to check these out,  if you have the chance.  Enjoy.