MIX /// Jazz & Palmwine vol. 1

A colored and jazzy trip with afro, latin and caribbean flavors.

Yusef Lateef in Nigeria (African tradition + jazz experiment, 1983)

(Landmark LLP-502).

Flute and tenor sax player Yusef Lateef (1920-2013) just passed away, so here's a post dedicated to this real sound explorer (before being a jazzman), who integrated eastern or african influences in many of his recordings. Famous for his deep, free and spiritual music all along the 60's and 70's in the US, he also directly enriched his open-minded approach spending years in Nigeria in the early 80's.

Johnny Copeland - Ngote (Poly Rythmo cover, 1985)

(FIEND47).

If you follow muzzicaltrips you probably know already the Poly Rythmo funky bomb "Ne te Fache Pas". But could you imagine to find it covered by a jazz-blues american musician? I could not, so it was a real surprise when I discovered this cover version.

Frank Valmont & Synchro Rhythmic Ecclectic Orchestra - Malere (Creole jazz, 1975)

(Moshe Naim Records - MN 30.023). 

Here's a promo copy of a Frank Valmont track "Malére", perfectly balanced between west indies unique rhythms and 70s modern jazz.

Meeting with Lansiné Kouyate and David Neerman (Afrojazz, 2012)

Kouyate-Neerman, Palmwine Mandingo Party, Nuits Sonores 2012.

This unique musical experience is based on a duo: Kouyate, balafon player from Kangaba in Mali, and Neerman a french vibraphone player. More than a cultural meeting, the dialogue between this two cousin instruments is here pretext to creative explorations in rhythm and melody. Taking roots in both jazz and mandingo tradition, the created atmosphere is definitely modern: although recorded in an analog studio, the second album integrates the balafon with breaks and vibraphone effects research. The title "Skycrapers and Deities" reflects perfectly the approach, linking up modernism and tradition, concrete and mysticism, human and god. 

Ornette Coleman - Midnight sunrise (joujouka jazz, 1977)

(Horizon 722).

This one is for ears looking for free expriments. From his 1959 "Free Jazz" LP, which open great perspectives in US jazz during the 60s, Ornette Coleman did not stop to innovate.  As many free jazz musicians, looking for african roots could take part in the approach. So Dancing In Your Head LP includes an interesting experiment with musicians from Morocco, the Master Musicians of Joujouka, recorded between 1973 and 1975. Being a sufi brotherhood, music from Joujouka aims to reach a trance (a kind of mystic musico-therapy also present in  Gnaoua culture) and naturally allows jazzy experiments. And I guess it's not just by chance that the cover artwork represents 2 faces of the same head.

Viglietti - Tropicos (Political song from Uruguay, 1974)

Daniel Viglietti (1939) is a very popular and politically committed artist from Uruguay. He experienced jail in 1972 due to his socialist views and had to exile during military dictatorship (1973-84), which led him to travel worldwide denouncing uruguayan situation with his songs.

Caraibes Jazz Ensemble (Jazz from Guadeloupe, 1986)

(FLVM 3086).

Breeze is a rare creole jazz fusion album from the 80s. Recording took place in Henri Debs studio in Guadeloupe.

Sabu Martinez - Jazz Espagnole (Afrocuban jazz, 1961)

(ALLEGRE EAB-145).

One of the best latin(and)jazz LP from the cuban conga player Sabu Martinez (1930-1979). The album is produced by Al Santiago, Allegre label founder.

Jazz et Vin de Palme - Emmanuel Dongala (1982)

Jazz et Vin de palme (Jazz and Palm wine) is composed by 8 novels from congolese writter Emmanuel Dongala who lived in the US during the 60s.

MIX /// Friday Night Prayer - A soulfull journey into jazz by Flah (Spiritual 70s)

A special post with a fine jazz selection from DJ Flah, specialized in jazz, spiritual jazz, jazzfunk, Brazilian grooves. This mix was recorded in his basement, probably one the greatest underground place I know in  Paris to enjoy a jazz vinyl listening sessions (or to spin records during uncontrolled private parties...).

Randy Weston live @ Saint Louis Jazz, Senegal (2007)

A meaningful experience to listen to Randy Weston in Africa...
Being one of the most "african" among the US jazzmen (from Tanger jazz club in the late 60s to Nigeria's FESTAC in 1977) this was his second performance at Saint Louis Jazz Festival (Senegal). His African Rhythms Trio is composed by Alex Blake (bass) and Neil Clarke (drums) both perfect sidemen of this innovative and explorative genius. "African Cookbook" (first track played on the veideo). An this concert ended with Ablaye Cissoko (Kora player from Saint Louis) joining the trio, as a direct (and natural) link to african musical heritage.

Duke Ellington - Liberian Suite (Independance jazz, 1947)

(CBS 20AP 1501).

Liberia was declared a republic in 1847. This west african country has been created by freed american slaves "coming back" to Africa, which represents a unique (and controversial) experience.

To celebrate the centennial  in 1947, the liberian government ordered Duke Ellington to compose a suite for the occasion.

Michael White - The Land of Spirit and Light (Fela Kuti afrojazz cover, 1974)

(IMPULSE! - AS-9241).

Russ Henderson - Caribbean Carnival (Tropical jazz, 1966)

(Allegro ALL 817).

Russ Henderson, piano and steel pan player, moved from Trinidad to England in the 40s. For this LP he gathered musicians from West Indies to play some really fresh and rythmic versions of calypso and blue beat standards.

Chris McGregor 's Brotherhood of Breath (Southafrican jazz, 1971)

(RCA Neon NE2).

This is a unique album from jazz pianist Chris McGregor, including sax player Mtutuzel Dudu Pukwana, both from South Africa. The band (as it is) was created in London in 1970, and takes you here to a "free jungle jazz trip"...

A Date with Lee Morgan at Both/And Club (Hard bop, 1970)

(Trip Jazz TLP-5037).

A Lee Morgan (1938-1972) live session from 1970 on this uncommon LP. It was recorded just few months after the famous "Live at the Lighthouse" session, with the same musicians.