The Cinematic Orchestra hail from London, and their sound matches their name splendidly. Rare is the band who can work comfortably in both electronica and something akin to soundtrack music. Some try, but they don’t quite pull it off as elegantly as these lads do.
Jazz
[Article] Nina Simone Documentarian Reveals Singer’s Shockingly Violent Temper
Nina Simone was always worth celebrating as a wonderful musician. She was also, unfortunately, a bit of a monster to her daughter. What Happened, Miss Simone?, will show a balanced view of her public and private persona.
[Video] Fela Ramsome Kuti & The Africa ’70 – Afrodisiac
Quite a monster of an album by Nigeria’s finest, Fela Kuti. The track listing for this album is:
01 “Alu Jon Jonki” – 12:41
02 “Jeun Ko Ku (Chop ‘n Quench)” – 7:14
03 “Eko Ile” – 6:41
04 “Je’nwi Temi (Don’t Gag Me)” – 13:15
[Video] Keith Jarrett Trio – Here’s That Rainy Day (Rare)
Something melancholy from Keith Jarrett seems appropriate after hearing about the loss of a good friend yesterday afternoon.
The Skopje Connection – Branko, Branko, Branko (Live)
Three of the finest musicians Macedonia has to offer combine with Dutch cellist Ernst Reijsinger for an amazing concert I was privileged enough to attend.
The lineup for the evening:
Dzijan Emin – Melodeon
Luca Aquino – Trumpet
Georgi Sareski – Guitar
Ernst Reijseger – Cello
Enrico Blumer deserves a load of credit for making this collaboration happen. He has been a gift to the Skopje music scene.
[Video] Ornette Coleman – Faithful
In honor of the first Ornette Coleman LP I ever purchased. RIP.
A Truly Bad Day For The Arts
My friend Gummi from Iceland had posted that the legendary James Last, King of Easy Listening, had passed away. Of course many mourn his loss, but things got progressively worse of the past 24 hours.
Next was the loss of Christopher Lee, the best Dracula to ever appear on celluloid, and a man not to be trifled with in real life. Stage actor Ron Moody also died.
And it got worse. Ornette Coleman, who introduced the world to the concept of free jazz, died this morning. His albums, Foxhole and The Shape of Jazz To Come were formative listening for me.
The truly sad one doesn’t have a normal place here, as he was more of a TV performer. Dusty Rhodes, the professional wrestler who ‘won’ world titles during his stint in the National Wrestling Alliance, and who was known as an affable clown to WWE fans, also left this mortal coil. I grew up watching a lot of professional wrestling, as Saturday mornings were free before I played ball, cut the grass or read.
All will be missed.
[Music] Nat ‘King’ Cole, En Español
From Wikipedia:
I started out to become a jazz pianist; in the meantime I started singing and I sang the way I felt and that’s just the way it came out.
— Nat ‘King’ Cole, Voice of America interview
Few remember Nat ‘King’ Cole’s incredible piano playing abilities, but they certainly never seem to forget a his smooth, baritone voice, which handled languages outside of his native English with ease.
NPR dedicates a radio program to one of the smoothest voices jazz ever produced here.
[Video] Bruno Nicolai – De Sade ’70
Does it get any trashier than the movies of Jess Franco? Maybe, but those probably aren’t legal to show anywhere outside of Europe.
Italian film-score maestro Bruno Nicolai is responsible for this slab of fuzz. For more on the film, read here.
[Video] Mal Waldron Plays Erik Satie – Desespoir Agreable
Erik Satie is beautifully interpreted here by Mal Waldron’s trio, which includes him on piano, joined by Reggie Workman on bass and Ed Blackwell playing drums.
A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music 