A vinyl find from 1963 on Prestige Records. Brother Jack McDuff is a jazz organist. One of those record labels that I trust for quality.
You just never know what you're going to find on a visit to the record store and I love stumbling across previously unknown vinyl from sixty years ago.
Reading the back cover liner notes, feels like I'm in a history class. That's the way it is with records from half a century ago. I'm fascinated with the designs of so many of these older recordings.
New directions in Jazz that I've been searching for. Modern Jazz, if that helps. But certainly not avante-garde.
I discovered Makaya McCraven (along with Ambrose Akinmusire), two or three years ago and have been interested in his music since.
I wish I had the words and ability to break down recordings. If you find yourself interested in Jazz paths beyond the traditional, then check it out.
It's on the International Anthem Records label. I love the packaging and visual presentation of their offerings. There's obvious dedication to quality here.
From 2016 .... the recordings release, not the songs .... and on compact disc.
A compilation of various musicians and their country-rock offerings from the late 1960's and 1970's. Musicians who may not have been well known outside of their local areas. But that doesn't lessen to songwriting or enjoyability of the listen.
Drawn to it because of the inclusion of Allan Wachs.
Edward Simon Group - 'Beauty Within'
And to think that just a few minutes earlier, there was a debate raging inside my head whether to stop and go into the record shop.
It's from 1994. A piano-jazz trio with trumpet added on three of the nine songs.
Eight of the nine songs are original compositions. That was huge in deciding to take a chance. I don't care to hear albums full of cover tunes. I want to hear new voices doing new things!!
The album review at All Music Guide mentions a Chick Corea influence and it's definitely heard through-out.
The shop owner asked if I had heard of this artist before. "Well no, just taking a chance." ..... "Ok I'll take two dollars off the price and if you don't enjoy it, bring it back for a 75% credit towards something else." ..... It doesn't appear that I'll be taking him up on that offer. It's a keeper for the collection.
An incredible vinyl find from a few days ago. From 1975. A jazz bassist.
Initially drawn in by Chick Corea's name on the cover. But it's the bass playing, often bowed here, and reminding personally of long-ago times and places, that is the exciting discovery.
This is why I often drive out of town to dig through bin and crates of previously owned records .... in hopes of finding long hidden and unknown gems.
I read yesterday, that Warren Bernhardt had passed away a few days ago at 82 years old.
I recall finding this record many years ago at Djangos in Portland. I haven't listened to it much since that day but suddenly here I am, forty years later, reading of his passing and thinking about life.
I know very little about his career other than he was a member of the jazz group, Steps Ahead and that he also played with Steely Dan.
Improvisational, piano Jazz on this recording that I am truly appreciating tonight.
Big Band Jazz. All Music Guide calls it a "fine collection."
The owner of the record store placed a little sticky note with the letters, "NM" on the cover .... It eventually dawned on me that he was grading its condition, NM for Near Mint condition. And he is correct. It's a beautiful black vinyl, free of dust, fingerprints, smudges and scratches. Looks like it's never been played .... Update: except for today.
Stumbled upon while digging through bins of vinyl records. My favorite pastime these days.
If it's on Blue Note, I assume it will be a rewarding listen. A proper assumption in this case. If nothing else, I wanted it for the cover photo.
Since it's on my mind lately, a playlist for when/if I retire. Not that I've made a decision or anything, but with each day, I do recognize my mortality and that I can't go on forever. ..... I can't, right? I mean maybe I can? Maybe I can be the first to break the mortality barrier? So anyway .....
Sunday evening random playlist, on the heels of a trip to check out the newest record store in town. That's two in a month. Both are small but both are something, which is a lot more than we had to this point.'
Listening on Youtube as the vinyl record is in transit, still a day or two away.
To begin with, I love the cover art. That's what caused me to listen hoping that I'd love the music as well. And you know what? I do!!
Beautiful and haunting. Deep roots in Celtic music. Often instrumental. Swirling violin (fiddle), piano and occasional vocals. A perfect end to the day, causing inspiration to sit and write words to a friend.
A find from earlier in the week in the new record store in town. It feels perfect for this moment, the mood I'm in and the very definite vibes of this evening.
'Music for the Other Head' by Brother J.T. & Vibrolux. From 1996 on the Siltbreeze Records label. I see it classified as Psyched...
