Sunday Music Muse Day - Esperanza Spalding, Brad Mehldau

After a little break in weekly Sunday Music Muse Day, here's two selections worth checking out. First, Esperanza Spalding Emily's D+Evolution. If you're tuned in to the buzz about Kate Bush's tune "Running Up that Hill", used in the Netflix series Stranger Things, you'll enjoy this unique outing by a young multi-talented musician.  She's best know as a highly awarded jazz bassist and college music instructor.  This could be a concept album and "Emily" a alter-ego.  In any case, It a very densely produced modern style. I find the vocal styling hard to follow without reading the lyrics, but that could be my old ears. My favorite tune is the tune " Unconditional Love (Alternate Version) with blistering guitar solo by Matthew Stevens.

Second, is Another CD that could seen as  concept album, Brad Mehldau Jacob's Ladder.  Again, Brad Mehldau best known as jazz pianist, the music on this CD draw heavily from progressive rock music of the 70s, ike Rush's "Tom Sawyet", Yes "Starship Trooper, to take a journey in a different music direction.

So,  both my selection are taking a several listening explore, but they're growing on me.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Terje Rypdal, Miroslav Vitous, Jack DeJohnette, Iro Haarla

This Memorial Day, belated Sunday Music day finds a weekend of ECM listening, a touch of old, Terje Rypdal, Miroslav Vitous, Jack DeJohnette, and new (at least to me) Iro Haarla Northbound. I had a vinyl record of the Rypdal & company CD, but I sold all my collection. I haven’t heard of Iro Haarla before a recent post to the group. I’m settling in to enjoy both.

This Iro Haarla is totally new to me. I just picked up on the strength of being a ECM release and having a harp on it. It definitely a ECM record introspective in a adventurous way.

Please take a moment to remember the true meaning of this Memorial Day, and commit to fighting for a better tomorrow to honor their sacrifice. Peace.

Sunday Music Muse Day - John Scofield, Nels Cline & Julian Lage

Today Sunday Music Muse Day  presents guitar three guitarists, one solo and a two in a duet.  First is John Scofield in his self titled solo outing for ECM, his first for ECM and his first solo release in his nearly fifty year professional career.  This is much anticipated release, by me and other long time fans. It is a introspective  collection showing Scofield eclectic taste in his tune selection, a jazz standard, traditional, country, and pop, plus originals.  He choose to use just electric guitar and looper (a device for live performance over dubbing).  Over all,  I can't say this solo effort is totally engaging. It feels more like a afternoon of noodling. It maybe be unfair to it compared to John Abercrombie first solo ECM album, Characters, (one of my all time favorite albums) make with full studio overdubbing, this Scofield session come off as nice but not memorable. I would like to hear as more fully realized solo effort from Scofield, I think he still it in him.

The duet CD is Nels Cline & Julian Lage Room. This too is more introspective listening experience,  a 4/5 star online review states, 'Each track has its own character, but the entire album is permeated by the two guitarists' inventiveness and sensitive accompanying ability."  I would agree this, this intimate session at times reminds me of John McLaughlin solo pieces on his My Goals Beyond. Well worth seeking this out this 2014 release.

Enjoy.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Oran Etkin, Marius Neset, and Lionel Loueke

This Sunday Music Muse Day has me featuring two young band leaders that are new to me, but shared a sideman in common, guitarist Lionel Loueke.  First, Oran Etkin kelenia, an Israeli musician who's group sound "developed over the course of a decade ...working with various African musicians in the US and in Mali'.." (from the liner notes). The core quartet is Etkin on tenor sax, clarinet, and bass clarinet, Balla Kouyate on balafon (West African gourd-resonated xylophone), Makane Kouyate, on calabash (large gourd), and Joe Sanders on bass. The CD also features musician guests, including Lionel Loueke on various tracks and plays various African instruments and a cello and violin.  Another incentive to try this CD was the label mentioning it was heard on "PRI's Afropop Worldwide" radio program, which alway a favorite of mine for modern African pop music not normally heard the on radio. Thus CD is definitely worth a listen on that point alone.

Next up, with a Lionel Loueke connection, is Marius Neset Circle of Chimes, a eight piece group lead by the Norwegian saxophonist and recorded on January 2016 in Copenhagen. Again, this group I may not have picked up on except for guitarist Loueke.  I'm glad I did it has some interesting ensemble music all composed and arranged by Marius Neset.  It's nice to step outside my usual tastes and try something new.

I'll be giving bot of these CD plenty of listening. 

Sunday Music Muse Day - Art Lande, Jan Garbarek - Bobo Stenson Quartet

This Sunday Music Muse Day find us celebrating Mother's Day, so first happy Mother's Day to all mothers, past, present and future. This week's selection are two classic ECM recording with a musician in common.  Art Lande / Jan Garbarek Red Lanta the duet session with Lande on piano and  Garbarek on flutes, soprano and bass saxophones. This is a early ECM release from 1973, with all tunes composed by Art Lande.  It sounds fresh as if recorded yesterday.  I'm seen the cover for years but never cross a copy of the album or CD before, although I have many of recording feature Jan Garbarek as a leader and sideman.

By second selection is Jan Garbarek - Bobo Stenson Quartet, another early ECM recording from 1974.  This features Garbarek as co-leader on soprano and tenor saxophones, with  Bobo stenson on piano, Palle Danielsson on double bass, and Jon Christenson.  I recognize this bass and drum duo from many ECM sessions.  The title tune, Witchi-Tai-To, written by Jim Pepper who ..."adapted the song from an ancient peyote chant that he learned from his Native American grandfather. " I remember it as counter culture anthem covered my many groups like Oregon and others.

So, again, here's wishing everyone a happy, peace, and loving Mother's Day.

Robot Sunday - Trying to get back on track

For Robot Sunday the finished (?) ink for a robot drawing from blow up of a sketch book drawing. Finishing this hasn't been like pulling teeth. I just can't seem to sit and and apply myself.  I want to preserve the ink drawing, so I need to take it to work to use the oversize scanner. Just one more delay, then I have to figure out a background.

More to follow.

Sunday Music Muse Day - The Hot Club of San Francisco, Don Aliquo/Clay Jenkins Quartet

It's May 1st and looking like spring is finally here to stay. flowers and blooming and the grass has grown enough that I couldn't ignore not mowing it. So, after, some yard work I enjoyed these two selection. First up, The Hot Club of San Francisco Postcards from Gypsyland. Obviously this group is inspired the music of  legendary Quintette du Hot Club de France ("The Quintet of the Hot Club of France") with Gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grappelli.  This nice 2006 release does the original icons proud.  Worth seeking out if you like music of The Hot Club of France. I also thought packaging was eye catching.

Next up, Don Aliquo/Clay Jenkins Quartet New Ties and Bind Trumpeter Clay Jenkins ia local artist who I've seen perform with Trio East with Rich Thompson and drums and Jeff Campbell on bass.   This quintet is new to me, but a solid unit with assembly of solid veteran players.  I'll enjoy this listening to CD for long time.

So, happy May Day, and onward to summer.