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Showing posts with the label Jazz Fusion

6875. Stuart Hamm - Dr. Gradus Ad Parnasum

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From: Radio Free Albemuth ; Year: 1988; Genre: Classical/Jazz Fusion One of the odd things I have discovered concerning Stu Hamm is that only musicians seem to know who his is and wot he plays. I mean, he's played on a lot of albums from a lot of artists; mainly guitar shredders like Joe Satriani and Steve Vai. Most would likely know about Jaco Pastorius, Victor Wooten, or Steve Bailey before they'd remember Stu Hamm; not to take a single thing from those axe slingers, he is just every bit as good as them in my opinion. But, when you hear his solo works he really just blows you away with not just how great of a player he is, but how inventive and original his playing and style are. After hearing much of his records I was amazed how many odd and new sounds he could make with his bass guitar. Anyway, this one comes off of one of my favourite albums of his. Radio Free Albemuth's title was taken from the Philip K. Dick novel of the same name, as well as the lion's share of...

6868. Weather Report - Punk Jazz

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From: Mr. Gone ; Year: 1978; Genre: Jazz Fusion Don't know why I have not been listening to as much Weather Report as I used to. At that, the last time I chose one of their songs was over three years ago, and it was one off of this record to boot. For the last couple of decades I consumed a lot of the Weather Report material as well as associated acts and artists; Wayne Shorter and, of course Jaco in particular. I'm thinking that it might have to do with delving into other Fusion bands and players that've taken up my attention. Like Mahavishnu Orchestra, Return to Forever, Herbie Hancock and his Head Hunters, as well as all of their related bands and solo artists, which is extensive if you think about it. It is a real treat every time one of Joe Zawinul and Weather Report's music pops on my playlist; still enjoy it a lot. Anyway, this is one of Jaco Pastorius' songs, and whilst being a tour d'force in bass guitar virtuosity, all of the other band members get to ...

6866. Stanley Clarke - Quiet Afternoon

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From: School Days ; Year: 1976; Genre: Jazz-Funk/Jazz Fusion Had a few in mind for today, but went with this beautiful piece of music from his album of renown: School Days .     Hear Quiet Afternoon on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Rush - The Colour of Right     My song pick 2 years ago today: Paul Revere & The Raiders - Steppin' Out     My song pick 3 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - Tainted Blood   My song pick 4 years ago today: Bob Welch - Church   My song pick 5 years ago today: Hawkwind - Starshine   My song pick 6 years ago today: Neil Young & Crazy Horse - Milky Way   My song pick 7 years ago today: Smokey Robinson and The Miracles - Tracks Of My Tears My song pick 8 years ago today: Blancmange - Living on the Ceiling My song pick 9 years ago today: Dick Dale and his Del Tones - The Wedge My song pick 10 years ago today: Gin Blossoms - Found Out About You My song pic...

6829. Sonny Rollins - I Wish I Knew

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From: Here's to the People ; Year: 1991; Genre: Cool Jazz/Jazz Fusion Most into jazz and associated genres are most likely aware of the passing of jazz giant Sonny Rollins a couple of days ago. It is just so mind-blowing to think of all the music, musicians, and history he experienced in his 95 years on this Earth, let alone all of the decades he was active. To think, that he took a large part in and saw all the new forms of jazz and the people he played with. It is a rarity to see an active musician touring for so many years, especially in jazz live so long. He definitely will be missed and then some. Anyway, I had a lot of music from many eras to choose from for this song pick. My thoughts went to the '60s or '70s, but then I have noticed that jazz, overall, at least here in the U.S. was kind of in the background by the 1990s, so I checked out one of his albums from the early part of the decade. I have to say, I am overjoyed that I did so. This one in particular I found a...

6805. Dr. John - Pots on Fiyo (Filé Gumbo) / Who I Got to Fall On (If the Pot Get Heavy)

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From: The Sun, Moon & Herbs ; Year: 1971; Genre: Jazz Fusion It always puts me in a good mood when I play one of Dr. John's albums. This one mixes Dr. John's signature New Orleans sound with some jazz and rock. I have to agree with the artist: it is best to listen to this one at night with the lights off; just adds to the mystique.   Hear Pots on Fiyo (Filé Gumbo) / Who I Got to Fall On (If the Pot Get Heavy) on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Rahsaan Roland Kirk - Slow Groove     My song pick 2 years ago today: Sly Stone - His Eye Is on the Sparrow   My song pick 3 years ago today: Roy Eldridge and Benny Carter - Close Your Eyes   My song pick 4 years ago today: Jigsaw - One Way Street   My song pick 5 years ago today: Red Hot Chili Peppers - Goodbye Angels   My song pick 6 years ago today: Triumph - Somebody's Out There   My song pick 7 years ago today: Primus - DMV My song pick 8 years ago today: Al ...

6782. Funkadelic - Adolescent Funk

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From: Hardcore Jollies ; Year: 1976; Genre: Jazz Fusion/Psychedelic Soul/Funk Going with one of my favourite funk bands for today's pick; sure I have picked a lot of P-Funk, but I am certain that there is no such thing as too much P-Funk, especially the Funkadelic side of things 😁. This is kind of a mellower, jazzier piece that leans into their psychedelic soul background, which makes for a great song to bring this legendary album to a close.     Hear Adolescent Funk on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Lynyrd Skynyrd - Ain't No Good Life     My song pick 2 years ago today: Johnny Rivers - Secret Agent Man   My song pick 3 years ago today: Rush - Resist   My song pick 4 years ago today: Heart - The Oldest Story in the World   My song pick 5 years ago today: Cream - Sitting on Top of the World   My song pick 6 years ago today: Van Der Graaf Generator - Forever Falling   My song pick 7 years ago today:...

6745. 2NU - Spaz Attack

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From: Ponderous ; Year: 1991; Genre: Jazz Fusion/Funk Trying to think of a different song to pick today, but this one that I have not heard in ages just keeps playing in my brain, so, what the heck? Right? I remember hearing this one a lot back then on the radio; I really think it is the overall weirdness and genre defying sound that really made this one, and others from the group, as popular as it was. Well, that and the hilarity of the narrator's inner monologue.   Hear Spaz Attack on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: The Winery Dogs - Gaslight     My song pick 2 years ago today: Herbie Hancock - Palm Grease   My song pick 3 years ago today: Wayne Shorter - Blues a la Carte   My song pick 4 years ago today: Sam & Dave - Soul Man   My song pick 5 years ago today: Hawkwind - The Phenomenon of Luminosity   My song pick 6 years ago today: The Cure - A Forest   My song pick 7 years ago today: The Temptations - ...

6705. Herbie Hancock - Fat Albert Rotunda

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From: Fat Albert Rotunda ; Year: 1969; Genre: Jazz Fusion I haven't the foggiest as to why, but whenever I get the urge to listen to something by Herbie Hancock I immediately gravitate to his Fat Albert Rotunda record. I mean, I love other albums of his just as much or more, but this one just seems to always just "go with mood, vibe, etc." It was just one of those collections of music that seemingly encompassed most sensibilities. I mean, it is extremely technical and if you like complex music, then it'll work for you, or if you like jazz that is more "accessible" or something to just enjoy in the background, it is equally as good in those aspects. You know, I cannot remember hearing anyone say they do not like Herbie Hancock's music.... Anyway, this is obviously the title-track and fits the above description. From wot I understand this record and song were used for the primetime cartoon special:  Hey, Hey, Hey, It's Fat Albert , which, in turn, led...

6656. Béla Fleck & the Flecktones - Frontiers

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From: Béla Fleck and the Flecktones ; Year: 1990; Genre: Jazz Fusion/Bluegrass Apparently I have not chosen one of their songs in quite some time; in around six years to be exact. Strange, with them being a favourite of mine, I guess I should rectify that today. It's kinda odd how Béla Fleck & the Flecktones have not released a new album, as far as I am aware, for almost 15 years. At least they are still together and performing, again, as far as I am aware. Anyway, here's one from their debut album, which came out in 1990. Doesn't seem that long ago to me, but that was actually 35 years ago... wow.    Hear Frontiers on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Sly and the Family Stone - Spaced Cowboy     My song pick 2 years ago today: Wings - Again and Again and Again   My song pick 3 years ago today: Iron Maiden - Run to the Hills   My song pick 4 years ago today: Paco De Lucía - De Madruga (Seguiriyas)   My song pic...

6639. Herbie Hancock - Suite Revenge

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From: Death Wish: Original Soundtrack Recording ; Year: 1974; Genre: Jazz Fusion/classical Had Herbie Hancock's work on my mind most of last night and today. He has always been one whose music just mesmerizes me; a modern classical composer at the same level as the greats in my opinion. Anyway, it never clicked with me that he wrote the soundtrack to the original Charles Bronson epic Death Wish . Honestly, I have not watched the film for a long time, so it's not all that surprising I suppose. Really like the playful naming of the overall title with the play on words "sweet revenge," but with it being a suite of music the homo-phonetic sound of the two words was I guess too much to resist for Mr. Hancock. Suite Revenge is a collection of 5 shorter pieces of music (a): Striking Back , (b): Riverside Park , (c): The Alley , (d): Last Stop , and (e): 8th Avenue Station .   Hear Suite Revenge on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: The Jimi Hendrix Expe...

6611. Traffic - Walking in the Wind

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From: When the Eagle Flies ; Year: 1974; Genre: Progressive Rock After reading an article about Steve Winwood and his music it got me in the mood to listen to some more. When the Eagle Flies was basically the final studio album from Traffic, not counting the one-off 1994 reunion album Far from Home . Walking in the Wind has a great, infectious groove with Winwood's amazing organ and synth playing on top; such a nice track to have going whilst working.    Hear Walking in the Wind on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Megadeth - Killing Time     My song pick 2 years ago today: Chicago - Colour My World   My song pick 3 years ago today: Devo - Shout   My song pick 4 years ago today: Ebony Rhythm Band - Get Yourself Together (Smiling Phases/Sunshine of Your Love Medley)   My song pick 5 years ago today: Genesis - Harold the Barrel   My song pick 6 years ago today: The Kinks - Apeman   My song pick 7 years ago...

6598. Lighthouse - Disagreeable Man

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From: Can You Feel It ; Year: 1973; Genre: Progressive Rock/Jazz Rock Had the Canadian Jazz/Rock band Lighthouse on my mind since last night. They are one of the main bands known for having a full horn section along with Chicago and Blood, Sweat & Tears, and as such have a lot of similarities on the surface, but also have a very unique sound. This track uses a lot of middle eastern/Spanish modes that makes quite an exotic blend of tones and musical ideas.   Hear Disagreeable Man on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Redbone - The Witch Queen of New Orleans     My song pick 2 years ago today: Karussell - Nachtkind   My song pick 3 years ago today: Aerosmith - Lightning Strikes   My song pick 4 years ago today: Jim Croce - Box No. 10   My song pick 5 years ago today: Johnny Nash - I Can See Clearly Now My song pick 6 years ago today: The Cult - Sweet Soul Sister   My song pick 7 years ago today: Jethro Tull - Pied ...

6589. King Crimson - The Great Deceiver

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From: Starless and Bible Black ; Year: 1974; Genre: Progressive Rock One of my favourite tracks from Starless and Bible Black , which, once more, I erroneously believed I had already chosen. As you could, or mayhap could not surmise, is a song referencing Satan himself and those, (like in organized religion), listen to him, his lies and deceptions. Although I believe that many in positions of power willfully follow or give blame to some supernatural force, when, in fact, they are the ones perpetrating said deceptions without any input from such a being. Anyway, as with all the King Crimson music from the 1970s, this one is very technical with tonnes of changing time signatures and interesting melodies overlapping.    Hear The Great Deceiver on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Geddy Lee - Gone     My song pick 2 years ago today: Tommy Roe - Dizzy   My song pick 3 years ago today: Funkadelic - Super Stupid   My song pick 4...

6578. Stanley Clarke - Life is Just a Game

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From: School Days ; Year: 1976; Genre: Jazz Fusion/Funk/Rock Life is Just a Game is the final track from Stanley Clarke's landmark School Days record, and wot a great way to bring the disc to a close. Every single musician does an exquisite job; I especially love the guitar playing, which in my opinion is absolutely perfect for this piece of music.     Hear Life is Just a Game on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Blancmange - Don't Tell Me     My song pick 2 years ago today: Huey Lewis & The News - If This Is It   My song pick 3 years ago today: Lenny Kravitz - Rock And Roll Is Dead   My song pick 4 years ago today: Marillion - The Space...   My song pick 5 years ago today: Hawkwind - Last Man on Earth   My song pick 6 years ago today: Janis Joplin - Kosmic Blues My song pick 7 years ago today: Van Morrison - Wild Nights My song pick 8 years ago today: Van Halen - Best of Both Worlds My song pick ...

6563. Earth, Wind & Fire - Be Ever Wonderful

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From: All 'n All ; Year: 1977; Genre: Soul/R&B/Jazz Fusion Finally got finished installing my stereo in my car; one of the best artists out there to test an installation is without a doubt Earth, Wind & Fire. Of course it sounds awesome, glad I got it all completed before 9:00 pm; don't want to aggravate the neighbours. 😁 Anyway, this is yet another amazing song; Verdine White's bass playing in particular is something to behold, he really kills it.    Hear Be Ever Wonderful on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Cyndi Lauper - Money Changes Everything     My song pick 2 years ago today: Jimmy Buffett - Come Monday   My song pick 3 years ago today: Cab Calloway and His Orchestra - Minnie the Moocher   My song pick 4 years ago today: G.C. Cameron - It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday   My song pick 5 years ago today: Funkadelic - Cosmic Slop My song pick 6 years ago today: The Psychedelic Fur...

6522. Chuck Mangione - Feels So Good

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From: Feels So Good ; Year: 1977; Genre: Jazz Fusion/Latin Jazz As of late a lot of music legends have passed, especially this year thus far. Found out that jazz maestro Chuck Mangione is the latest, he passed away a few days ago. He was mostly known in jazz circles and the flügelhorn is the instrument he is most associated with, although he played many others. This instrumental is probably his most famous composition, which has made its way not only on radio, but television, film and other media; chances are you've heard at least part of this one.   Hear Feels So Good on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Green Day - F.O.D.     My song pick 2 years ago today: Van Halen - Dreams   My song pick 3 years ago today: Blue Öyster Cult - The Great Sun Jester   My song pick 4 years ago today: King Crimson - Lady of the Dancing Water   My song pick 5 years ago today: Klaatu - Dog Star   My song pick 6 years ago today: Steely ...

6520. Sun Ra - Space is the Place

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From: Space is the Place ; Year: 1973; Genre: Avant-Garde Jazz/Jazz Fusion/Funk Felt like going way, way... way out there for today's song pick; couldn't go out much farther than the great Sun Ra. He has always reminded me a lot of Mingus, probably should be the other way around with Sun Ra being in the business long before Charles Mingus , but I heard and became a fan of Mingus quite a bit prior to hearing Ra for the first time. Anyway, to most not accustomed to the freer forms of jazz this probably would be 21 minutes of disjointed music and odd sounds, but was, even in '73, a boundary-pushing, tip-of-the-spear artistic jazz. Whilst not everyone's cup o' tea, most who love experimental music would find definite interest here.   Hear Space is the Place on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Taco - Singin' in the Rain     My song pick 2 years ago today: Big Maybelle - Candy   My song pick 3 years ago today: David Bowie - Sweet Thing/...

6515. War - H2Overture

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From: Deliver the Word ; Year: 1973; Genre: Jazz Fusion/classical This bemusingly titled first track on this album is pure joy to the ears. Every aspect of it is truly gorgeous; the only criticism I can think of is that I wish it was twice as long. I guess that's wot the "repeat" function is for, but it takes a lot of times for me to go to the next song.   Hear  H 2 Overture on YouTube.         My song pick 1 year ago today: Def Leppard - Rocket     My song pick 2 years ago today: Jigsaw - Just Another Clown   My song pick 3 years ago today: Living Colour - Sunshine Of Your Love   My song pick 4 years ago today: Kansas - All The World   My song pick 5 years ago today: Stevie Wonder - Part Time Lover   My song pick 6 years ago today: 30 Seconds to Mars - Echelon My song pick 7 years ago today: Blind Melon - Deserted My song pick 8 years ago today: Forest - Graveyard My song pick 9 years ago today: Billy Joel - Laura My...