Haruhiko Gotsu – Dare Devil

January 29, 2015 / Rudy Carrera / Leave a comment

Peter Brötzmann was my introduction to free jazz. The genre is full of brutal music, and it seems that Herr Brötzmann is its (vodka) king. It’s for a good reason. He is a tireless skronker, has more energy in his 70s that many fellow travelers do in their 30s. He also knows whom to collaborate with.

In this piece for the Japanese record label DIW (an old favorite of mine), he collaborates with Shoji Hano, Tetsu Yamauchi and Haruhiko Gotsu in a piece that melds free jazz together with a sort of broken blues. Yes, it’s a mess, but a lovely one.

[Video] Zoot Sims – A Time For Love (1984)

January 26, 2015 / Rudy Carrera / Leave a comment

Though I love racket in all its forms, I’m also trying to wind down this evening. The gentle tenor sax of Zoot Sims has placed me into a very pleasant mood.

[Article] John McLaughlin on Miles Davis, Mahavishnu and More

January 24, 2015 / Rudy Carrera / Leave a comment

For my money, John McLaughlin is the reigning king of jazz fusion. In this article for Relix Magazine, he speaks on his time with Miles Davis during what I feel was his coolest period, as well as with his own band, Mahavishnu Orchestra, and what he’s been up to since then.

[Video] Titi Winterstein Quintet – Jazz Manouche (1973)

January 21, 2015 / Rudy Carrera / Leave a comment

Titi Winterstein was the undisputed king of Sinti Swing. What’s that? Well, the Sinti are a group of gypsies related to the Manouche, who gave the world another rather fine musician – Django Reinhardt.

This is a great example of Gypsy jazz.

[Video] Miles Davis & John Coltrane – So What – Live Jazz (1959)

January 20, 2015 / Rudy Carrera / Leave a comment

Most of the time, you will find some tasteful rarities here. Today, a couple of giants are gracing these pages: Miles Davis and John Coltrane, playing live and tearing things up. Miles was already beginning to peak (and didn’t stop until near his death), and John was just beginning to make a name for himself. Enjoy!

[Video] Mark Nauseef / Miroslav Tadić – The Wind Cries Mary

January 4, 2015 / Rudy Carrera / Leave a comment

Two wonderful jazz musicians in Mark Nauseef and Miroslav Tadić do an admirable job tackling the work of Jimi Hendrix.

[Video] Foltin and Nikola Kodjabashia – To Whom Do You Belong Now?

January 3, 2015 / Rudy Carrera / Leave a comment

Foltin are one of the most innovative groups in the Republic of Macedonia. I’ve always wondered why those into Rock-In-Opposition music didn’t gravitate to their quirky music much sooner. Nikola Kodjabashia is a Macedonian pianist currently based in the United Kingdom who works primarily composing avant-garde music. How this pairing could produce such sumptuous, smoky trip-hop not out-of-place in any New York jazz bar is beyond me. Well worth seeking out!

[Video] Salvatore Bonafede – Ástor Piazzolla

January 1, 2015 / Rudy Carrera / Leave a comment

Salvatore Bonafede is an Italian pianist who records for Red Records. He dedicates this particular piece to the great Nueva Tango bandoneonist, Ástor Piazzolla.

[Video] Aleksandar Pejovski – Black Raindrops Upon The Flower Blossoms [live]

December 31, 2014 / Rudy Carrera / Leave a comment

The final post of the year, and it’s a sublime cut. Aleksandar Pejovski is a pianist from Skopje, Macedonia who records for local label PMG Recordings. I thank my friend Biljana Vasileva for this treasure. A good way to wind down the year.

Have a Happy 2015!

[Video] Ray Stephen Oche & His Matumbo – Ikwunmonko Okoitiho

December 28, 2014 / Rudy Carrera / Leave a comment

A killer work from Ray Stephen Oche, thanks to my online friend PBK, whose own music is rather tasteful. For more on this trumpeter, check out this entry at OKAfrica.com.