SNOW DAZE – Jazz Selection by Lexis
Most people in Montreal (as I suspect most Northern cities) have a love and hate relationship with winter. We hate the fact that it’s cold, but mostly that it last 5 months. One thing we do love however, is the first few snowfalls of each year. I put together a …
Forgotten Treasure: Tarika Blue “Tarika Blue” (1977, Chiaroscuro Records)
The realities of winter are becoming much more evident these past few days. The cold wind is slowly breaking through the left over crispness of fall and the darkness of night has crept in and stolen more of the afternoon glow. I hate winter. He is a guest who overstays …
Political & Social Jazz mix by J.A.S.S
via J.A.S.S: Jazz, being a music by the people, for the people, has been involved in many political movements over the past century. Since times are ever so turbulent at the moment the Jazz Amnesty Sound System has dug through the crates and pulled out politicized jazz music from the …
Brilliant Compilation of the Mysterious Napoleon Cherry’s work
The subject of Music From Memory’s latest compilation release is the elusive and mysterious Philadelphian musician Napoleon Cherry (aka Cool Waters). Oddball funk biz TIP! In the late 80’s and early 90’s Cherry privately released two LP’s and an EP which form the basis of this retrospective, alongside an unreleased …
Eastern Europe Jazz Mix – Andy Williams (J.A.S.S)
A new chapter in the J.A.S.S series of truly amazing mixes. The Jazz Amnesty duo of Andy Williams and Luv has been making some heads turn across the globe! But this mix right here is a solo flight by captain ANDY WILLIAMS. An excursion into one of my favorite destinations for …
Future Classic: On the Corner “Versus”
via On The Corner Records: The release flows from two years out On the Corner and features the innovative and inspiring collaborators that have run with the label’s energy on this amble. The A side – ‘South of the River’ is a collection of diverse versions and remixes of tracks …
Tribute to PHIL COHRAN – Selected by Guilty
The mix tape starts off with an excerpt from The Spanish Suite. It is near forty-minutes covering both sides of a record by the same name. This piece was written by Cohran in dedication to Moorish Spain and their cosmos-oriented musical systems which was to enlighten Europe over the ages. …
Future Classic: Ash Walker “Augmented 7th”
I was going through this week’s releases and felt a bit dizzy from the amount of homework on my “to-listen” pile. Once I get sucked in to the worm hole even some great releases start sounding average, everything sort of levels off towards the middle. Everything sounds like a 7/10. But …
In Memory of Mark Murphy – Mix by Gilles Peterson
via Gilles Peterson: “With the sad news of jazz vocalist Mark Murphy’s passing earlier this week, Gilles pulled this mix out from the archives (2008)celebrating a unique voice in music, with a long and prolific career spanning 60 years and 40 albums. Rest In Peace, Mark Murphy.” 1 milestones ( …
Forgotten Treasure: Charles Mingus “Scenes in the City” (1957)
As I walked 5 hours alone today in New York City with nothing than other than music in my headphones to accompany me, I thought of sharing with you a song that is quintessentially NYC. “Scenes in the City” released in 1957 by double bassist, composer and jazz legend Charlie Mingus is …
Dave Pike (R.I.P) – The Essential Recordings
Dave Pike was a self-taught jazz vibraphonist who truly excelled at all styles. His passing reminds us that the number of musicians expanding musical horizons by innovating in many genres is fading and that such bold mastery should be cherished. Here are my favorite recordings from the man. Pike’s Peak …
“NINA”, a Beautiful Illustrated Children’s Book
Nina is a children’s book by Bruno Liance and Alice Brière-Haquet. And much like music icon Nina Simone’s oeuvre, it goes much deeper than most would. The story goes that, one night, Nina’s daughter Lisa cannot go to sleep, her mom chooses to tell her the story of her first …