Originally posted by Serial_Apologist
View Post
What Jazz are you listening to now?
Collapse
X
-
I was chuffed to be able to acquire a CD copy of a 1983 album by Brazilian pianist / singer Tania Maria called "Come with me."
I must admit that Tania Maria was my route in to contemporary jazz when I was about 17. For me, Brazilian jazz sometimes has uneasy connotations with the Getz / Gilberto combination providing what was probably the very first attempt at Smooth Jazz. Tania Maria's earlier albums offered an approach which took it's cues from the likes of Oscar Peterson with Charlie Byrd type guitar but "Come with me" kicked this all in to touch with a funkier approach which probably needs to be taken in to context with what Miles was doing at the same time. This is a more urban and contemporary Brazil and, I dare say, far more exciting.
Without doubt "Come with me" is one of the great summer records and it offers some of her hardest swinging recordings. This is a Brazilian music which can take on the more romantic aspects you might expect but, more interesting, offers the contrast of some really hard grooving numbers. Listening now, the thing that strikes you about her music is the fact that each successive chorus cranks up the excitement with her often employing catchy vocal riffs over her piano playing. For me, "Come with me" is one of the great jazz-fusion records of the 1980s and it remains hugely enjoyable. There are more straight ahead numbers like the duet with guitarist Eddie Duran on "Embraceable me" which is far more inventive than I recalled it at the time. But it is tracks like this which I keep returning to time and time again. This track is one of the best - quite incredible to sense how much head of steam she has built up before the tune returns to it's head.
Subsequent albums became increasingly commercial with the follow up "Love Explosion" being pretty credible 1980's pop. There is a live album called "Wild! 2 which is as good as "Come with me" and the later studio album "Outrageous" is worth while hunting down too.
It always struck me as odd how the Picante subsidiary of Concord records seemed to be so hip and on the money whereas the main label itself tended towards the more mainstream albeit with very high production standards and consistency. My Dad loved Concord records yet it always seemed difficult for me to reconcile that Carl Jefferson would also sign someone like Tania Maria who was so steadfastly contemporary.
Comment
-
-
Originally posted by Ian Thumwood View PostThis is the Tania Maria track which always impressed me. I love the popping quality of the electric bass:-
Comment
-
-
I came by the new Henry Lowther's Still Waters CD last night. Barry Green took over after Pete Saberton's death in 2012, otherwise it's the line-up of Henry, Pete Hurt, Dave Green and Paul Clarvis. Paul reckons it's better than the first and only other recording of this band, so, knowing they can do their stuff, I'm looking forward to the listen. Henry provides the humour we've come to associate with his introductions in the liner notes. Here's the one for "Amber":
"Amber is dedicated to Barry and his wife Rosie's new baby daughter. Calling her Amber means that if they were ever to have a son called Red they'd have a complete traffic light set".
Comment
-
-
Originally posted by Serial_Apologist View PostPretty far out stuff by your usual... STANdards, Stan!
Maybe, I'd not thought about it! You see I know nothing about jazz and just follow the performers whose playing I know and love, and go where their music wants to take me. I acknowledge Jackie McLean liked to explore different avenues and this is an example of his adventurous nature.
Last edited by Stanfordian; 20-04-18, 12:41.
Comment
-
Comment