Lloyd Miller should be given a statue for the work he did in developing World Music and ethnic jazz. Here he is discussing working with Iranian music in a jazz context. Brilliant material.
Jazz
[Video] Mickey Hart / Diga Rhythm Band – Razooli (Studio Version)
Mickey Hart made his fame as a drummer for the Grateful Dead, whom I enjoyed greatly (at least in their live settings). He was also a big fan of Indian music, and really did a lot with his Diga Rhythm Band project to promote it. In this track, it sounds like exotica, innovative Latin percussion, and a touch of India deep inside.
He is joined in this track by Indian tabla player Zakir Hussain.
[Video] Max Roach / Archie Shepp – Force
Perhaps the greatest drummer jazz ever produced, Max Roach is heard here collaborating with the equally innovative Archie Shepp. The less I say about the politics of this otherwise awesome album, the better, however.
[Video] Archie Shepp Quartet – Go Down Moses (Let My People Go)
After enduring the comments section of a few websites where atheists who wouldn’t know religion if it bit them on the ass, and Pentecostal/Evangelicals who are running a very close second, I needed a bit of a spiritual cleaning. Thank you, Archie Shepp. Perfect timing!
[Video] Ganelin, Chekasin, Tarasov – Semplice (II)
I really owe all of my passion for Eastern European/Soviet Improvisational and Experimental music to one man: Leo Feigin of Leo Records. It was through his introduction, via his catalog and a few letters back and forth, that I was introduced to such artists as Vyacheslav Ganelin (the Ganelin Trio’s leader, now based in Israel), Sergei Belichenko and Roman Stolyar, a friend to this day.
Here is the Ganelin Trio near the peak of their improvisational powers. Vladimir Tarasov and Vladimir Chekasin join in.
[Video] Alexander Von Schlippenbach Trio – Pakistani Pomade (1972)
Alexander Von Schlippenbach is one of the luminaries in the world of free jazz. He’s a fine pianist who makes full and absolute use out of his weapon of choice.
[Video] Carlos Santana & Mahavishnu John McLaughlin – A Love Supreme
This is not a cover of the John Coltrane classic in a traditional sense, but Carlos Santana and John McLaughlin of the Mahavishnu Orchestra bring out the heart of the great master’s work here beautifully.
Seek out this album, as it’s a masterpiece.
[Video] Vagif Mustafa Zadeh – Jazz Compositions
Those who know me well, say, for at least 15 years, know that I have tried throughout my life to be a champion for Soviet Jazz. They had something exquisite that the world didn’t have full access to until the end of Communism. One of these treasures hailed from Azerbaijan.
With the passing of B. B. King a few days ago, I was reminded of a story when the legendary blues guitarist came to the Soviet Union to watch a jazz festival. After seeing Vagif Mustafa Zade play, he named the stunned pianist as the ‘true king of the blues’. Vagif would die at age 35 in 1979, suffering a heart attack while performing onstage at a concert in Uzbekistan.
May his memory be eternal.
Many thanks to Funked Up East for their incredible selection of Soviet music.
[Video] Cuncordu e Tenore de Orosei – Voch’e Notte (with Paolo Fresu)
Cuncordu e Tenore de Orosei are a vocal group out of Corsica, a land famous for its gorgeous tradition of polyphonic singing. They’re joined here by trumpeter Paolo Fresu, another son of Sardinia for a new release on Buda Musique which should be out very soon.
[Video] Joe Zawinul – The Soul of a Village
This was a thoroughly unexpected find, though I’m indebted to my dear Rididillo Theitalian, who finds treasures like this on a daily basis.
Joe Zawunil cut this odd piece well before his triumphant work with Miles Davis during his fusion period, and fronting his own band, the ever-amazing Weather Report.
A Miscellany Of Tasteful Music 