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Jazz for aficionados

Jazz for aficionados

I'm going to review records in my collection, and you'll be able to decide if they're worthy of your collection. These records are what I consider "must haves" for any jazz aficionado, and would be found in their collections. I wont review any record that's not on CD, nor will I review any record if the CD is markedly inferior. Fortunately, I only found 1 case where the CD was markedly inferior to the record.

Our first album is "Moanin" by Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers. We have Lee Morgan , trumpet; Benney Golson, tenor sax; Bobby Timmons, piano; Jymie merrit, bass; Art Blakey, drums.

The title tune "Moanin" is by Bobby Timmons, it conveys the emotion of the title like no other tune I've ever heard, even better than any words could ever convey. This music pictures a person whose down to his last nickel, and all he can do is "moan".

"Along Came Betty" is a tune by Benny Golson, it reminds me of a Betty I once knew. She was gorgeous with a jazzy personality, and she moved smooth and easy, just like this tune. Somebody find me a time machine! Maybe you knew a Betty.

While the rest of the music is just fine, those are my favorite tunes. Why don't you share your, "must have" jazz albums with us.

Enjoy the music.
orpheus10
tyray
1,031 posts
 

This is a fascinating youtube video of:

Unesco Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock talks with Elvis Costello of how “Watermelon Man” when Mongo Santamaria infused #afrocuban rhythms to the song, Watermelon Man reached a whole new audience combining #jazz with #afrocuban music.

Mongo Santamaria was referring to a guaguanco (a subgenre of Cuban rumba) that in Cuban slang was called a guajira which is pronounced "gwah-HEE-rah". In late 1962, when Herbie Hancock temporarily filled in for Chick Corea in Santamaria’s band, Hancock played his new song "Watermelon Man".

When Santamaria joined in on the congas, he infused the track with this specific Latin rhythm, turning it into a massive hit. To see Herbie Hancock recount how Mongo Santamaria and trumpeter Donald Byrd helped shape the Afro-Cuban groove of  ’Watermelon Man’.

 

 

Funny thing is, as a kid growing up, we called this type of latin rhythm a Boogaloo.

 

Latin boogaloo (or bugalú) is a 1960s musical genre born in New York City’s East Harlem, emerging from the blending of Afro-Cuban rhythms with African American R&B, soul, and doo-wop. It is celebrated for its bilingual lyrics, infectious "funky cha-cha" beats. 

 

@curiousjim I hope you like this...

@stuartk,

Good on you on getting the Merason. I sold my Laiv Harmony µdac to save up for it’s big brother the Laiv Harmony dac.

And to @frogman, good to hear from you!

 

 

tyray
1,031 posts
 

Mongo Santamaria - Watermelon Man 

And yep, I have this album.

 

 

Mongo Santamaria - La Bamba - full album 1963

 

tyray
1,031 posts
 

@acman3,

Discovering these two Bassists is like and as much similar to when I first discovered Ron Carter. Thank you.

Niels Pedersen & Sam Jones - Double Bass (1976).

 

 

 

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
5,962 posts
 

@tyray 

What a great video!  I wish I was there.  I have the HeadHunters album Herbie was referring to and that tune is the best part of the album.
 

Thanks for sharing, you put a big smile on my face.

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
5,962 posts
 

Listened to a couple of Gigi Gryce albums this morning until I started sweating. The preamp has 2 dual triode’s in it and is class A. The amps have 2 dual triode’s in each and are class A/B with the bias around 10 watts.  They heat up to 130°-150° degrees and sure heat up the front of the house. Oh and it’s nearing 90° Outside.

Sigh.

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