Changing Earth

'Changing Earth' by Matthew Halsall.

An EP from 2022. Four songs of beautiful jazz trumpet. 

Discovering his 2011 album titled: 'On the Go' 2012's Fletcher Moss Park' is what initially fueled my search for other directions in jazz. His music isn't a radical shift, but it was enough to edge me to look for new voices. It all has resulted in finding artists like; Makaya McCraven, Jeff Parker and Ambrose Akinmusire ...... So far that is. I haven't stopped looking.

I'm hoping there's much more to discover.

The aforementioned, 'Fletcher Moss Park.'

Because the four song EP just wasn't enough. That's the eternal condition and complication with music you enjoy. Never getting enough.

Kenny Wheeler

Kenny Wheeler and the John Dankworth Orchestra - 'Windmill Tilter: The Story of Don Quixote.' Just arrived on my doorstep a few days ago. A 2021 reissue of a 1969 album. On 180-gram black vinyl.

 

Kenny Wheeler is a jazz trumpeter. In places I hear this sound or tone that I've come to associate in my thoughts with movies from the 1960's that have underlying themes or feelings of loneliness. It's a sound that I love.

The audio quality is incredibly good!! And the cover art is what initially caused me to seek out song samples.

Time For Some Trumpet

Markus Stockhausen - 'Cosi Lontano ... Quasi Dentro.'

On vinyl, from 1989 and on the ECM Records label. Contemporary jazz. 

Markus Stockhausen is a trumpet player. The sounds are improvisational, avante-garde and often minimalist. Also playing on the record is bassist, Gary Peacock, who can be heard on many of ECM's jazz offerings and was a part of Keith Jarret's trio.

This record was found in the used bins of the record store, but the vinyl is in pristine shape. Like it has never been played in the thirty-three years since it was released.

On The Radio

Sometimes you hear things for the first time on the old school radio station. Driving around town this afternoon I was introduced to: 'Sunbath' by Woody Shaw. Trumpet fueled and soulful. I read that it's from 1975. Woody Shaw - Sunbath

Prior to that, I heard a piano ballad tune called, 'Fix It' sung powerfully and beautifully by Lady Blackbird. Lady Blackbird - Fix It. The opening piano notes had me thinking of the classic song, 'Peace Piece' by Bill Evans but then she starts singing and not to lessen Bill Evans by one ounce, but WOW!! It's from an album titled, 'Black Acid Soul' and it's been ordered without any additional research or song sampling. This voice deserves to be coming through my speakers with the volume turned up. 

Mathias Eick

'Skala' from Mathias Eick. On ECM Records from 2011.

ECM's motto, 'The most beautiful sound next to silence.' ..... I've probably mentioned that here a time or two previously.

Trumpet player.

My continuing search for new sounds and directions in Jazz has led to the discovery of Mathias Eick.

And a bonus with beautiful cover art!! Which has become a general necessity these days to be added to my collection.  

AND it's on vinyl!!! 

There's two additional recordings currently in the mail. It appears that I'm officially hooked. 

49th Parallel

Neil Swainson Quintet - '49th Parallel'

A recent vinyl reissue of this 1989 album arriving at my front door. I'm really loving when that happens.

I love the packaging on this record. Gatefold sleeve with liner notes and an interview. Just the way that it all is presented ..... catches my eye.

Previously unknown Jazz sounds. Neil Swainson is a bass player. Original songs except for one Joe Henderson cover. And there's a bonus download track to be found in the packaging.

It's amazing how there's always something old, especially with Jazz, that's exciting and unique to discover. That's new to one's ears.

Trumpeter Woody Shaw's final studio recording.

I do wish that they had kept the original 1989 album cover for this reissue. I would have purchased that upon first sighting, no song samples needed .....

London Jazz News Review

Webster Young

I've become a huge fan in the last year of Jazz trumpet. I would much rather hear a trumpet than a saxophone ….. and that's considering that John Coltrane is my all-time favorite Jazz artist.

I don't actually have this in my collection. (Yet anyway.) Listening to it via YouTube. I love the muted trumpet on this. But what really grabbed my attention and shouted, LISTEN TO ME!!! ….. is the cover artwork. A search is underway to find this on vinyl. Compact disc is not good enough for this beautiful cover photograph!!!

From 1957, which I read somewhere recently is considered as the greatest year ever for Jazz recordings.

Melodic, beautiful and soulful!! A very enjoyable listen. There's a sense of sitting in a Jazz club, taking this in.

On the Prestige Records label, which is right there with Blue Note Records when it comes/came to consistently great Jazz recordings and cover art.

All Music Guide Review

New Direction in Jazz

Ambrose Akinmusire's 2014 recording, the imagined savior is far easier to paint.

I see the title in lower case lettering wherever I seek information.

On the Blue Note Records label which rarely disappoints the listener.

Completely new sounds for me. The alternative directions in Jazz that I've been searching for. Stunning and wildly imaginative!!! An extreme pleasure to take in.

Ambrose Akinmusire is a trumpet player.

All About Jazz Review ...... Because lacking the proper vocabulary, I'm at a total loss to describe these sounds.