This
groundbreaking series brings together some of the greatest performances
of early jazz, illustrating that before jazz became a listener's
music of improvised solos it was the rhythm-driven dance music of
America, the rock and roll of its day. This album shows the incredible
variety of the 1920s jazz by bringing together diverse, often obscure
masterpieces by legendary small groups and large bands from both
city and country. Highlighted is the rich regional flavor of early
American jazz with showpieces by territory bands such as Ross De
Luxe Syncopaters, Taylor's Dixie Serenaders, and Roy Johnson's Happy
Pals along with classics by the pioneer New Orleans band of Louis
Dumaine, Sam Morgan and much more. This is an entertaining and illuminating
exploration of early jazz which traces its roots back to marching
bands, ragtime and vaudeville.
The legendary Greek composer, singer and musician in a full-length double CD program of new works, and songs from previous his
two recordings (Vrachnos Profitis and Agrypnia
) given a whole new perspective by the amazing ensemble he has backing
him up. One of the best recordings of 2004, from anywhere on the
planet. Highly recommended, especially for those who like creative,
roots-inspired progressive rock-folk music.
This album consists of 10 tracks that represent a spiritual jazz journey
looking back to Africa: the motherland, the roots of jazz, the
birthplace of black music and the ancestral origins of the musicians
themselves.
Individually the tracks - some of the best music of its type
ever recorded - are in demand in their own right, with most being
compiled for the first time. In the 1960's and 1970's many Afro
Americans started to look back to their roots and the roots of the music
for inspiration, direction and confirmation. Musicians
including Yusef Lateef, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, and many of the
artists on this compilation experimented with African instruments and
sounds during this period. It was a time of black celebration, the
'Afro' hairstyle was a prerequisite for hipness. The drum - the most
basic rhythm instrument and the foundation that almost all modern music
rests on - came from Africa. Indeed, Jazz music itself can also trace
its origins back to Africa; in fact scientists, historians and
archaeologists have suggested that the entire human race took its first
steps in Africa and evolved from there. The music contained on this
album, whilst rhythmically strong is also imbued with haunting melodies
and spiritually uplifting shades. A major factor behind the making of
this music was a reaction against a society based on commercialism and
insincerity: this is music with a message, music of substance, music
that demands the listener be drawn in. It's music that you can really
feel…music that moves and fulfils you, leaving you spiritually uplifted.
This album is not just about selecting and bringing together a
collection of in demand Jazz cuts…it's about inviting the listener on a
musical journey back to Africa, back to ancient civilisation. Enjoy the
ride.
This
anthology features the predecessors and contemporaries of Django
Reinhardt and Charlie Christian with an emphasis on the jazz guitar
duet. Working within their seldom recorded solo or duet performances,
master guitarists such as Eddie Lang, Lonnie Johnson, John Cali
and others couple melodic sophistication with the kind of economy
and restraint rarely achieved today in such compositions as Teasin'
The Frets, handful Of Riffs, Chicken A La Swing, Feeling My Way
and others.
Today, “World Music” has become a standard concept and the
surpassing of borders between jazz musicians and other musical cultures
goes without saying. One of the foundations for the development of
jazz into world music was established by MPS during the sixties. With
the series “Jazz meets the world”, initiated by Joachim-Ernst Berendt,
meetings between jazz musicians and other musical cultures were
started. The Irene Schweizer Trio played with musicians from India,
George Gruntz worked with Arabic and Toni Scott with musicians from
Bali. The MPS-series “Jazz meets the world” is still one of the most
important concepts between jazz and traditional music from India, Bali,
Cuba, Tunisia, Spain, Brazil and Japan.
