Manha da Carnaval

 

A recent bossa nova obsession has increased my interest in various interpretations of various classics. Kenny Dorham's "Una Mas" is a classic, but this live performance of "Manha da Carnaval" is "cooking." The band even occasionally drops the samba rhythm for a more straightforward swing, but everything comes together brilliantly.

Japanese Black Orpheus

Hideo Shiraki has come across my radar after reading a book on jazz in Japan. In addition to recommending several interesting jazz musicians from that part of the world, it also forced me to rethink my assumptions of the derivative or imitative character of jazz from Japanese musicians. So far in my listening, Shiraki is one of the more interesting musicians who, clearly influenced by bop, managed to bring his own unique style or approach to the musical idiom. 

Con Valor

A lovely kompa tune alluding to Black Orpheus.