The Jungle

The jungle was never in Harlem. It was always in Midtown.

Stanley Clarke's The Dancer

I've never been a big fan of jazz fusion (mainly due to my indifference to guitar pyrotechnics from rock and the dated "sound effects" feel of groups like Weather Report), but Stanley Clarke is growing on me. I find this deceptively song, "The Dancer," to be hypnotic and multilayered in the best way. For a song from 1976, Clarke sounds like he's from the 1980s in because of the creative combination of Latin rhythms with electronic instruments and rock. It reminds one of the early forays into "worldbeat" by jazz artists as early as the 1950s, further proof of the importance and influence of jazz artists on popular culture and music. 

Tunde Adeleke on Afrocentrism

Historian Tunde Adeleke on Afrocentrism and its paradoxical nature. I've been revisiting some of the Afrocentric authors like Diop these days, while also reading some critiques of Afrocentrism here and there. 

I've Got You Under My Skin

Joe Henderson has been one of my favorite saxophonists for several years, but I never knew he recorded one of my favorite Cole Porter numbers! I also highly recommend the Bill Evans/Jim Hall duet for this standard, pure delight.

Straight Up and Down

I enjoy Chick Corea's earlier work quite a bit, although I am not a big fan of his style. I think Corea always knew how to surround himself with excellent sidemen, and he also understood composition and form even if at times his soloing leaves me wanting more. Anyway, this song, which is nothing like Eric Dolphy's masterpiece of the same name, features some noteworthy blowing from Joe Farrell, who almost sounds like Joe Henderson. "Litha" is also recommended.

If I Were A Bell

My last Miles Davis phase was probably around 5 or 6 years ago, but I am revisiting many of his classic recordings. Somehow, I completely forgotten about the utter lovely "If I Were A Bell" from Relaxin' and I realize what I fool I was to focus so much of my jazz trumpet appreciation on Lee Morgan. I love Morgan, but one cannot forget Miles! Red Garland's solo is incredible, not to mention Coltrane...Miles was always excellent with ballads and sentimental standards such as this one.