This web page was created to be
an educational resource for the style of music "Jazz Fusion". There are links,
audio samples, photos, charts and information on all of the Jazz artists listed
in the directory above.
( We are adding more jazz fusion
groups all the time - if you have a favorite group/recording not listed here
e-mail me here!)
For Big Band Fusion Charts visit
here!
Weather Report
Weather Report Biography
Weather Report was
an influential jazz fusion band of the 1970s and 1980s, pitting jazz with
R&B, funk, and rock elements while still retaining an extremely high level
of compositional and improvisational skills. Along with other groups that
were founded by Miles Davis alumni Return to Forever, Mahavishnu
Orchestra, Herbie Hancock's group, WR was one of the greatest innovators
of the jazz fusion genre at that time. They were also the most long-lived
and perhaps the most artistically successful (as cited by Ken Burns) of
the four groups.
The band was originally a
spin-off from the group of musicians associated with Miles Davis in the
late sixties and early seventies. The stable core of the group was the duo
of pianist Joe Zawinul and saxophonist Wayne Shorter, while the other
musicians were rotated, sometimes with almost every new album release.
Both Zawinul and Shorter had made their earlier marks as being among the
best composers in jazz, Zawinul in Cannonball Adderley's group and Shorter
in Miles Davis' group. Zawinul would later join Shorter with Miles Davis'
first recordings of fusion music, "In a Silent Way" and "Bitches Brew".
Initially, the band's
music featured extended improvisation, similar to Davis' Bitches Brew-period
work, and instrumentation included both a traditional trap set drummer and
a second percussionist (first Airto Moreira, later Dom Um Romão). The
group was unusual and innovative in abandoning the soloist-accompaniment
demarcation of straight-ahead jazz and instead featuring continuous
improvisation by every member of the band.
Reedman Wayne Shorter
furthered pioneering on the soprano sax (taking the torch from Sidney
Bechet's and John Coltrane's earlier efforts) and both Zawinul and
original bassist Miroslav Vitouš experimented with rock guitarists'
electronic effects, Zawinul on piano and synthesizers, Vitouš on upright
bass, often bowed, as a second horn-like voice.
Weather Report's self
titled debut album "Weather Report" won Down Beat's Album of the year in
1971. Although the album is generally softer than in later years (acoustic
bass and no synthesizers were used) it is still considered a classic of
early fusion. Their sophomore effort the following year, "I Sing the Body
Electric", featured their first use of electronics beyond an electric
keyboard (a synthesizer and sound effects were utilized). Part of the 2nd
album was recorded live in Japan which was taken from a Japanese-only
release at the time. The entire "Live in Toyko" double album would later
be released as an import and made available in the US.
Starting with 1973's "Sweetnighter",
Zawinul decided to abandon the (primarily) acoustic group improvisation
format and the band started to take a new direction. Weather Report became
more funk/groove oriented while adding more structure to both song and
improvisational sections. This change would prove to be not the best fit
for Vitouš' talents as his relative lack of interest in playing more
repetitive, funky vamps would become an issue (parts of "Sweetnighter"
employ an electric bass studio sideman). Eventually this lead to his
departure by the next album by a fretless electric bass player who was
playing with Chuck Mangione's group, Alphonso Johnson.
For its first 8 years of
existence the group had difficulty finding a permanent drummer, moving
through an approximate average of one drummer per year Alphonse Mouzon,
Eric Gravatt, Greg Errico, Ishmael Wilburn, Skip Hadden, Darryl Brown,
Leon 'Ndugu' Chancler, Chester Thompson, Narada Michael Walden and Alex
Acuña until Jaco Pastorius helped recruit Peter Erskine in 1978. Erskine
and Omar Hakim later on were the only Weather Report drummers that played
with the band more than 2 years.
Weather Report's breakout
album that established its hallmark sound would be "Mysterious Traveller"
from 1974. For the first time an electric bass (performed by Philadelphian
Alphonso Johnson) would be used on nearly every song. In addition, general
compositional technique would be greatly hightened and Zawinul would
exploit improvements in synthesizer technology on the recording. Some of
the extra musical effects beyond just the musical synthesizer playing
include crowd cheering (taken from an actual Rose Bowl game), space alien
sounds, and child-like cries (Zawinul's own son recorded in their home).
"Mysterious Traveler" would begin Weather Report's unprecedented string of
4 successive victories winning Down Beat's "Album of the Year" award.
"Tale Spinnin'", recorded
in 1975, made even further strides in utilizing technological improvements
in synthesizers. The album also showcased more of Wayne Shorter's soloing
to the extent that he probably solos more on that album than any other
Weather Report record. Shorter would also record the seminal latin-jazz
classic of the 70's "Native Dancer" under his own name that same year with
the Brazilian vocalist Milton Nascimento. The Weather Report effort won
the Down Beat best album award again and the Shorter/Nascimento effort was
runner up.
By 1976's Black Market,
the group's music evolved further from the open-ended funk jams into more
melody-oriented, concise forms. They also had achieved a greater
mass-market appeal by this time. Most notably, this album introduced
virtuoso bassist Jaco Pastorius into the group, who plays on two of the
album's songs. Alphonso Johnson (who plays on the other 5 songs) decided
to leave Weather Report to play with the Billy Cobham/George Duke Band (a
group that featured a young John Scofield on guitar). Black Market was
perhaps the most rock oriented studio effort by Weather Report, in part
due to former Frank Zappa sideman Chester Thompson playing drums on most
of the songs (he later would be recruited into the touring band of
Genesis). Black Market again won Down Beat's album of the year.
It was with Jaco Pastorius
that helped push the group to the heights of their popularity. With the
release of their biggest individual hit jazz standard "Birdland", from the
Heavy Weather album in 1977, Birdland would even make the pop
charts that year. The group also appeared on television with one of Don
Kirshner's Rock Concerts. Heavy Weather would prove to be the band's most
successful selling album while still retaining wide critical acclaim.
Pastorius would also establish a new standard in fretless electric bass
playing and add two compositions of his own into the song mix. Heavy
Weather would dominate the disc award scene and coup the last Down Beat
"Album of the Year" award for the group.
Jaco Pastorius appeared on
four more Weather Report albums, including Mr. Gone in 1978, 8:30 in 1979,
Night Passage in 1980 and their second self-titled album, (recorded in
1981 and) released in 1982. Pastorius departed the group in late 1981 due
to touring requirements that he had to fulfil with his own Word of Mouth
Big Band. By the time he left Weather Report Jaco had begun displaying
symptoms of manic depression which would leave him in serious trouble with
everybody.
Many of the group's
earlier albums had received the highest possible (5-star) record rating in
Down Beat's record reviews. However, in 1978 the group recorded the
controversial and experimental Mr. Gone, which received only a 1
star review from Down Beat magazine. The group arranged for a
rebuttal interview with the magazine to defend their efforts. Zawinul and
Pastorius were more defiant in their responses to the interviewer, Shorter
being more philosophical, and Erskine the most reticent of the four. Many
regard Down Beat's review of this album (which virtually everybody agrees
is not among Weather Report's best) as the most controversial single
review in the history of the magazine.
They would make a comeback
and follow up with their last album of the 70's. 1979's "8:30" is
considered to be one of their best, combining both live and studio
recordings on a double LP release. Despite the "Mr. Gone" controversy, the
band's follow up 8:30 tour was probably their most well attended. Zawinul
has been quoted as saying there were more stage hands hired for that tour
than at any other time in the band's history. The group toured
intentionaly as a quartet now, temporarily abandoning the percussionist
chair.
The band kept releasing
new albums once a year with various line-ups until 1986. A high quality
video ("Live in Japan"-VHS and Laser Disc only) featuring Omar Hakim on
drums, Victor Bailey on bass, and Mineu Cinelo on percussion was also
released around 1984. This video was never officially released on DVD and
is not currently available.
Weather Report did not
manage to match the critical or commercial success they enjoyed during the
70's during this decade. It was also becoming harder to market jazz fusion
as traditional jazz was making a comeback at the time. Shorter and Zawinul
mutually decided to disband in 1986 after recording their last album,
"This is This". Both would play jazz fusion with their own groups for a
time before moving on to new styles of music.
A "post band" Weather
Report double CD, "Live and Unreleased" was made available in 2002,
featuring vintage live recordings during the late 70's/early 80's with
various personnel. As of September, 2006 Columbia/Legacy has also released
the first ever Weather Report boxed set called "Forcast: Tomorrow". It
includes 3 CDs of mostly pre-released material and a DVD of the entire
September 28th, 1978 performance in Offenbach, Germany (with Erskine and
Pastorius) not previously available.
Other former members of
Weather Report include bassists Alphonso Johnson and Victor Bailey,
drummer and percussionist
Alex Acuña, percussionists Manolo Badrena
and Robert Thomas Jr., and drummers Peter Erskine and Omar Hakim.
It is with first with
Miles Davis, then with Weather Report that keyboardist Josef Zawinul
became synonymous with the jazz fusion era, contributing a number of
genre-defining compositions. One such song is the band's signature tune "Birdland"
from the band's top seller Heavy Weather. Many consider Zawinul as the
best synthesizer player that jazz has ever produced, frequently employing
the use of over 10 keyboards with live settings of the band.
Wayne Shorter's role was
not as prominent as it was with Miles Davis during the 60's and this led
to some criticism of the group. However, he is still regarded as one of
the all time greats on both the tenor and soprano saxophone. At the urging
of Davis before he left his band, Shorter began using the soprano
saxophone and played it exclusively in Weather Report's debut recording.
Shorter is known as playing in an economical style in many of the WR
recordings.
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Joseph Zawinul
Jaco Pastorius
Some Of Weathers Reports CD's With
Jaco Pastorius
Wayne Shorter
Alex Acuna
Weather Report Drummers Photo (
Left to Right):
Chester
Thompson, Skip Hadden,Ndugu Leon Chancler, Alex Acüna, Omar Hakim, and
Peter Erskine.
Weather Report
(For a complete discography visit the
link below)
Weather Report: The
Annotated Discography
http://www.binkie.net/wrdisc/index.html
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|
As performed by
Weather Report. As composed by
Josef Zawinul. As arranged by Michael
Sweeney. Esprit (Marching Band). Band Level: 3. 6.75x10.5 inches.
Published by Hal Leonard. (HL.03745125)
Originally recorded by the
innovative jazz fusion group Weather Report, Birdland has become one of
the most popular jazz tunes ever. Michael Sweeney adds a few wrinkles and
a false ending but retains the joyful energy (and most importantly, the
percussion groove!) of the original.
Chart/Arrangement
Instrumentation:
•
Birdland
Instrumentation:
• Conductor Score (Full Score) (12 pages)
• Flute/Piccolo (2 pages, 16 copies)
• Bb Clarinet (2 pages, 16 copies)
• Eb Alto Sax (2 pages, 8 copies)
• Bb Tenor Sax (2 pages, 4 copies)
• Eb Baritone Sax (2 pages, 2 copies)
• 1st Bb Trumpet (2 pages, 8 copies)
• 2nd Bb Trumpet (2 pages, 8 copies)
• F Horn (2 pages, 8 copies)
• Bb Horn/Flugelhorn (2 pages, 4 copies)
• Trombone (2 pages, 8 copies)
• Baritone B.C. (Opt. Tbn. 2) (2 pages, 8 copies)
• Baritone T.C. (2 pages, 4 copies)
• Tuba (2 pages, 6 copies)
• Electric Bass (2 pages, 2 copies)
• Bells/Vibes (2 pages, 2 copies)
• Xylophone/Marimba (2 pages, 2 copies)
• Snare Drum (2 pages, 6 copies)
• Cymbals (1 page, 2 copies)
• Quad Toms (2 pages, 2 copies)
• Multiple Bass Drums (2 pages, 4 copies)
• Aux Percussion (2 pages, 2 copies)
$55.00
|
As performed by
Weather Report. Transcribed Score.
Authentic note-for-note transcriptions. 9x12 inches. 144 pages. Published
by Hal Leonard. (HL.00675520)
A collection of 14 of
their very best, including: Mysterious Traveller · Birdland · Palladium ·
Mr. Gone · Badia/Boogie Woogie Waltz Medley · Brown Street · 8:30.
Songs Include:
•
8:30
•
A Remark You Made
•
Badia/Boogie Woogie Waltz Medley
•
Birdland
•
Black Market
•
Brown Street
•
Mr. Gone
•
Mysterious Traveller
•
Night Passage
•
Palladium
•
Procession
•
Pursuit Of The Woman W/ Feather
•
Sightseeing
•
Young And Fine
$18.95
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Steely Dan
By Don Breithaupt
About the Author
Don Breithaupt is a studio musician and
songwriter based in Toronto. He is the co-author of Precious and Few:
Pop Music in the Early '70s and Night Moves: Pop Music in the Late
'70s. A Berklee College of Music alumnus and three-time Juno Award
nominee, he has written extensively on music and film for the National
Post. Don's web site is located here:
www.breithauptbrothers.com/main.html
33 1/3 is a series of short books about a
wide variety of albums, by artists ranging from James Brown to the
Beastie Boys. Launched in September 2003, the series now contains over
50 titles and is acclaimed and loved by fans, musicians and scholars
alike.
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Aja was the album that made Steely
Dan a commercial force on the order of contemporaries like Fleetwood
Mac, the Eagles and Chicago. A double-platinum, Grammy-winning
bestseller, it lingered on the Billboard charts for more than a year and
spawned three hit singles. Odd, then, that its creators saw it as an
"ambitious, extended" work, the apotheosis of their anti-rock,
anti-band, anti-glamour aesthetic. Populated by thirty-fi ve mostly jazz
session players, Aja served up prewar song forms, mixed meters
and extended solos to a generation whose idea of pop daring was Paul
letting Linda sing lead once in a while. And, impossibly, it sold.
Including an in-depth interview with Donald Fagen, this book paints a
detailed picture of the making of a masterpiece.
Review:
"It was only a matter of time before a
clever publisher realized that there is an audience for whom Exile on
Main Street or Electric Ladyland are as significant and
worthy of study as The Catcher in the Rye or Middlemarch.
The series... is freewheeling and eclectic, ranging from minute
rock-geek analysis to idiosyncratic personal celebration." The New
York Times Book Review
Review:
"Ideal for the rock geek who thinks liner
notes just aren't enough." Rolling Stone
Review:
"One of the coolest publishing imprints on
the planet." Bookslut
Uncut
|
Review:
"These are for the insane collectors out
there who appreciate fantastic design, well-executed thinking, and
things that make your house look cool. Each volume in this series takes
a seminal album and breaks it down in startling minutiae. We love these.
We are huge nerds." Vice
Review:
"A brilliant series... each one a word of
real love." NME
Review:
"Passionate, obsessive, and smart."
Nylon
Review:
"Religious tracts for the rock 'n' roll
faithful." Uncut
Review:
"We... aren't naive enough to think that
we're your only source for reading about music (but if we had our way...
watch out). For those of you who really like to know everything there is
to know about an album, you'd do well to check out Continuum's 33 1/3
series of books." Pitchfork
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The Art Of Steely Dan
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The Art of Steely
Dan features analysis of more than 130 classic note-for-note intros, riffs
and comping grooves, as well as discussion of Steely Dan's melody,
harmony, rhythm, form, instrumentation and lyrics. In addition to all
this, there is also a discography and a resources section to provide a
plethora of other info about the band.
Size 9x12 inches.
 |
"Not at all what I was expecting.This
is a very academic dissection of songs which is incredibly boring. Many
times the examples don't match the text! "
Contents:
Parker's Band
Green Earrings
Time Out Of Mind
Gaucho
Aja
Babylon Sisters
Glamour Profession
My Rival
Third World Man
Doctor Wu
Black Cow
Sign In Stranger
Home At Last
I Got The News
Fm
Josie
Here At The Western World
Gaslighting Abbie
What A Shame About Me
Two Against Nature
Cousin Dupree
Black Friday
Bodhisattva
Deacon Blues
Hey Nineteen
Kid Charlemagne
My Old School
Peg
Reeling In The Years
Bad Sneakers
Your Gold Teeth II
Negative Girl
Janie Runaway
Almost Gothic
Jack Of Speed
West Of Hollywood
Do It Again
Rikki Don't Lose That Number
$17.95
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The Best Of Steely Dan
|
The Best Of Steely
Dan -
Transcribed Score
$19.95
|
About The Best Of
Steely Dan - Transcribed Score
By Steely Dan. Transcribed Score (Authentic transcriptions of all
instruments). Softcover. Published by Hal Leonard. (675200)
ISBN 0793525314. 10 songs from this highly acclaimed
jazz/rock supergroup. Songs include: Reelin' In The Years * My Old School *
Deacon Blues * Peg * Aja * Hey Nineteen.
About Transcribed Score:
Transcribed Scores are vocal and instrumental arrangements of music from
some of the greatest groups in music. These excellent publications feature
transcribed parts for lead vocals, backup vocals, lead guitar, rhythm
guitar, bass, drums, and all of the various instruments used in each
specific recording session. All songs are arranged exactly the way the
artists recorded them.
Contents:
Aja
Black Friday
Deacon Blues
Kid Charlemagne
My Old School
Peg
Reeling In The Years
Hey Nineteen
Do It Again
Rikki Don't Lose That Number
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|
The
Steely Dan
Internet Resource
>> |
www.granatino.com/sdresource |
Marvin Stamm
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"Stammpede"
.jpg)
This is one of the rare
albums top session trumpet player Marvin Stamm has recently made available
again. Originally released in 1983 on Palo Alto Jazz, an all-star group of
musicians includes: Chris Palmaro, Kenny Ascher, Marcus Miller, Ronnie
Zito, Susan Evans, Lou Marini, Dave Tofani, Ronnie Cuber, Allen Rubin, Jim
Pugh, John Tropea and Kacey Cisyk.
The recording was produced
by Jack Cortner and all the tunes were written by Chris Palmaro and Jack
Cortner. The writing is outstanding with a unique mix of latin jazz,
fusion, and bebop. Palmaro delivers tasty synth blending expertly with the
horn section.
Marvin Stamm is quite
remarkable on flugelhorn and trumpet. He can play with a very fluid legato
as well as using imaginative and innovative improvisational lines. A world
class trumpet player!
Hear audio samples and
purchase CD at CD Baby
here! |
|
www.marvinstamm.com |
www.marvinstamm.com |
Chick Corea
These CD's Are All Available
from Amazon.com!
|
Click On CD Graphic To
Purchase |
This album along with RTF
Romantic Warrior is among the best of 70's fusion, all the players are
incredible, Chick Corea on keyboard, Al Dimeola on guitar, Stanley Clarke
on bass and Lenny White on drums, it doesn't get much better than this. I
love the sound of Chick's Fender Rhodes electric piano, it sounds like a
powerfull percussive bells and the sounds he get from the ARP and MOOG
synthesizers are classic and of course his piano playing is incredible.
This CD is full of great compositions, Stanley Clarke's "Dayride" is one
of his better pieces - a mix of funk, latin and jazz. Corea's "No Mystery"
is a masterpiece and the Spanish flavored Celebration Suite is such fun to
listen while Lenny White's drum solo intro to the suite is great.
All the pieces on this
album are an example of a high level of virtuoso playing, the guys were
young, full of fire and technique which of course they wanted to show off,
but that's not all they had to offer there is a lot of thoughtful passion
going on, well crafted compositions and lively enthusiasm in the playing
that is so much fun to listen to. |
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Click On CD Graphic To
Purchase
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Originally released in
1976, Return To Forever's Romantic Warrior could be described as
the high-water mark of jazz fusion's commercial popularity, reaching a
spot on the Billboard charts and garnering the group a fanatical following
of fans attracted to the band's technical prowess and bombast. Released on
the heels of the breakup of the
Mahavishnu Orchestra, Romantic Warrior
still sounds like a standard-bearer for jazz fusion, full of flashy solos
and complicated arrangements that seem like collages of different moods,
meters, and tempos. The album is much closer to the progressive rock of
Yes,
Emerson Lake & Palmer, or
King Crimson than anything from the jazz
realm. Return to Forever's rhythm team of bassist
Stanley Clarke and drummer
Lenny White, who gives the group a subtly
funkier sound than most of their contemporaries. Still, it's pianist
Chick Corea, using a veritable arsenal of
keyboards and effects, and guitarist
Al DiMeola, only 21 at the time of this
recording, who define Romantic Warrior as a fusion landmark. This
reissued edition comes with improved sound and a brief reminiscence by
Corea in the liner notes. --Ezra Gale |
|
Click On CD Graphic To
Purchase |
The second recording by
Chick Corea's
Elektric Band was the first to feature altoist
Eric Marienthal and guitarist
Frank Gambale in addition to bassist
John Patitucci, drummer
Dave Weckl
and the leader/keyboardist. Unlike most other fusion groups, these
musicians displayed original musical personalitites and Corea's
compositions tended to be memorable. This is one of The Elektric Band's
better releases. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
|
Click On CD Graphic To
Purchase |
...one of Chick Corea's
best albums to date and certainly one of the best by the Elektric Band.
Dave Weckl on drums, John Pattitucci on Bass, Frank Gambale on Guitar,
Eric Marienthal on Saxes and, of course, Chick on keyboards. This album
happened right after Chick purchased his Yamaha SY99 and his
experimentations with it are just outstanding. (just listen to "99
Flavors"!) Dave Weckl plays the entire beginning of "Jammin E
Cricket" alone (the bass licks are sampled and triggered by electronic
drum pads). It's absolutely wild. If you like jazz with a rock/funk/latin
edge, then buy this album! NOW!!! |
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Jeff Lorber Fusion
CD's
Jeff Lorber is one of the top
jazz-fusion keyboard players of the late 70s & early 80s. He had numerous jazz
albums that made the regular Billboard album charts. He still makes albums &
even recently won a Grammy. His very first two albums were originally on the
Inner City label in 1977. Most people are unaware that Saxophonist Kenny G was
Jeff's saxophonist for Jeff's early fusion projects...and Kenny G could burn!!!!
Click on CD images above for links to Amazon.com where you can purchase these
CD's! Here is a
link to amazing YouTube video of the Jeff
Lorber Fusion in action!
Charts
Jeff Lorber BB Chart
Jeff
Lorber -
City
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City |
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As composed by
Jeff Lorber. As arranged by
Mike Tomaro.
Jazz Ensemble Library.
Published by:
Hal Leonard(HL.07010156)
From the Jeff Lorber album,
'Wizard Island,' this fusion chart provides a terrific medium groove for big
band. The head features a Trumpet and Tenor duet and the opening Guitar lick is
also cued in the Piano part.
Jazz Ensemble Library
Price: $50.00
U.S.
Another Jeff Lorber BB Chart
Composed by
Jeff Lorber - Arranged by
Bill Fulton.
This is an arrangement of Jeff Lorber's funk
classic... from one of his jazz fusion albums from the late 70's. His
music and concepts were groundbreaking and are one of the reasons I fell in love
with jazz. This features tenor 1 and trumpet 2.
For other jazz fusion BB charts visit here!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dave Weckl/Jay Oliver
Book Description - Minus Keyboards
Here is a chance for you to "sit-in" with the Dave Weckl band playing charts
derived from the Weckl album Rhythm to the Soul. Each book contains a special
play-along CD of the original pieces, but with the instrument in question
omitted. That way the player gets to play with the band and experience the
delight of music making with professionals. The book itself includes a complete
chart of the player’s part, detailed explanations of how to perform the music,
term definitions, concepts, musical examples and copious performance tips. With
this book/CD, aspiring players get the chance to play with Dave Weckl, Jay
Oliver, Tom Kennedy, Buzz Freiten, Frank Gambale, Bob Malach and Steve
Tavaglione, and learn a wealth of techniques for expanding their musicality and
playing finesse.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Vinnie
Colauita
Click On CD Graphic To Purchase
Vince (Vinnie) Colaiuta is a
versatile and well-rounded musician. A drummer by profession, Colaiuta's
collaborations involve many of the great names in pop, rock, and jazz: Al Kooper,
Chick Corea, John Patitucci, Herbie Hancock, the late Frank Zappa, and countless
others.
Vinnie's Solo CD opens with a
funky, metallic, jazzy rocker called "I'm Tweeked" and then moves into hip-hop
and world beats, through some straight jazz and then back into some rock-jazz
tinged sounds. Vinnie's drumming is excellent and the song structure is strong
enough to keep your attention.
www.vinniecolaiuta.com
Drummers For Jesus
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rob Whitlock
www.robwhitlock.com
Tribal
Tech
After twelve years of working
together and eight critically acclaimed albums, Scott Henderson and
Gary Willis of Tribal Tech, have proven they are visionary composers, as
well as world class players. In recent years, Henderson has been named the #1
Jazz Guitarist, by both Guitar World and Guitar Player's Annual Reader's Polls.
Bass Player magazine referred to Willis as "one of the most vital bass voices of
the 90's", while Guitar Player's Annual Reader's Poll has listed Willis among
the top three bassist in the Jazz Bass category for the last two years in a row.
While they've always had the following of loyal jazzers, the band has steadily
attracted the attention of rock and rollers, as well, seducing them with their
sometimes big, dark wall of sound and their bad boy attitude toward "happy
jazz". Tom Hamilton of Aerosmith says that Tribal Tech "kicks ass!".
Packed houses in the U.S., Europe and South America show he is obviously not the
only one who thinks this. Rounding out the dynamic foursome is the awesomely
talented, turbo-driven Kirk Covington on drums and the very gifted Scott Kinsey
on keyboards. The coming together of such talented players could only result in
the creation of a band like Tribal Tech. A band that grabs you by the throat and
won't let go until they've shaken you out of your musical complacency with a
roar of energy.
Scott Henderson
SCOTT
HENDERSON-GUITAR BOOK
Use this number
ISBN: 0-7935-1125-9
when ordering the book
at your local book store
A complete note-for-note
transcription book with an introduction mainly about the composing end of
things. Performance notes for each tune, included both the guitar and bass
lines.
The songs:
Big Girl Blues
Caribbean
Elvis At The Hop
Mango Prom
Nomad
Peru
Rituals
Signal Path
Spears
Sub Aqua
ITEM: 00-27516
Territory: B
UPC: 038081293004
ISBN 10: 0739045067
ISBN 13: 9780739045060
|
|
ALFRED PUBLISHING
has released Henderson's two instructional
videos;
"Jazz Fusion Improvisation" & "Melodic Phrasing"
on one DVD entitled:
"Scott Henderson - Jazz Rock Mastery" |
www.scotthenderson.net
|
SCOTT
HENDERSON-GUITAR BOOK
Use this number
ISBN: 0-7935-5884-0
when ordering the book at your local book store
|
|
A complete
note-for-note transcriptions for guitar and bass. 10 pieces from the
three albums: Illicit,
Face First and
Reality Check.
Introduction and performance notes for each tune. Included both the
guitar and bass lines.
The songs:
Black Cherry
Jakarta
Revenge Stew
Root Food
Slidin' Into Charlisa
Stella By Infra-Red High ..P..N.. Beam
Susie's Dingsbums
The Crawling Horror
Torque
Worlds Waiting
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Use this number
ISBN: 0-7935-9165-1
when ordering the book
at your local book store
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A unique method for over 500 different voicings
Unique color-coded system
Understand chord functions and their harmonic
possibilities
Inversions, extensions, alterations and substitutions
Increase your harmonic vocabulary for accompaniment,
composing and chord-melody playing
|
www.scotthenderson.net |
Alex Acuna And The Unkowns
Woodman 
In Your Eyes
To purchase this CD visit
here
(Audio samples soon on the CD
below)
Credits for Alex Acuna and the Unknowns CD
Tom Moculey Engineer
Neil Oda Producer
Lou Pardini Piano, Vocals
John Pena Bass
Hector "Rudy" Regalado Percussion
Otmaro Ruíz Keyboards, Vocals
Michito Sanchez Percussion
Ramon Stagnaro Guitar
Tiki Vocals (Background)
Efrain Toro Percussion, Drums, Programming,
Producer, Arranger
Dante Young Vocals (Background)
Carlos Santana Guitar
Alex Acuña Percussion, Arranger, Drums,
Producer, Main Performer, Vocals
Diana Acuna Vocals
Cocho Arbe Keyboards
Luis Conte Percussion
Paulinho Da Costa Percussion
Pedro Eustache Flute, ?
Brandon Fields Saxophone
Peter Haden Engineer
Abraham Laboriel Bass
Danilo Lozano Flute
Steve Reid Engineer
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David Garibaldi
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Future Sounds
At long last, the secrets of
David Garibaldi's groundbreaking funk/jazz fusion drumming techniques are
presented in this innovative book and CD. Whether you play rock, heavy
metal, jazz or funk, you'll learn how to incorporate Garibaldi's
contemporary "linear" styles and musical concepts into your playing as you
develop your own unique drumset vocabulary. Funk/Jazz techniques are
highlighted in chapters on development of the "Two Sound Level" concept,
Four-Bar Patterns, Groove Playing and Funk Drumming, followed by a series of
challenging exercises which include 15 Groove Studies and 17 Permutation
Studies. These techniques are combined with modern musical ideas that will
help you build a solid foundation and add finesse to your bag of tricks.
$ 17.50
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Dan Dobek
"... The gift that God has given us to
be creative... flavors the whole creative process..."- Dan Dobek
Defining Dan Dobek's music is a little like trying to
explain electricity. "Well, it's the invisible force, it seems to come
from some mysterious place and it sort of energizes everything, and it's
very powerful, one might say of both, and be right." But beneath the
awkward search for words that work is a deeper force, the source of
inspiration for Dan's profound talents as a composer and performer of
dazzlingly beautiful instrumental music.
"Incredibly gifted
composer/keyboardist with great fusion material" - David Arivett CJA Network
Still Standing (Prelude)
Free People (Are You Free?)
Eddie Did You Reach Out?
Aaron's Song
To purchase this CD visit
here!
For more CD's/ info about Dan Dobek visit:
www.dandobek.com
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Randy Bernsen
Randy Bernsen has played to audiences all
over the U.S., Europe, Japan and Southeast Asia. He brings with him an exciting
fusion guitar sound and a musical message. He's been privileged to work with the
best - Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Toots Theilemans, and Michael Brecker. He was also guitarist for legendary jazz keyboardist/composer
Joseph Zawinul and the Zawinul Syndicate fusion band. Randy toured with the
Zawinul Syndicate from 1990 to 1992 and recorded "Lost Tribes" with the group. Randy also recorded and played
with the late great Jaco
Pastorious
Very fusionesque version of the
Beatle's song "Come Together"!
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Come Together |
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From the CD "Live
In San Miguel"
Jazz with a funk reverence.
"Live" fusion with traces of Mike Stern and Weather Report...
![[ CD cover ]](images/fronthalfsma.jpg)
To purchase this CD visit
here!
For more info on Randy Bernsen please visit:
www.randybernsen.com
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Niacin
Jazz fusion super group Niacin, composed of star
rock bassist Billy Sheehan, keyboard guru John Novello, and funk rock drummer
Dennis Chambers, has both returned fusion to its roots with the resurrection of
the venerable Hammond B-3 organ and given it a shot in the arm with an injection
of hard rock sensibility. Formed in the mid-1990s, the group has continued to
produce albums and tour into the 2000s, racking up accolades along the way--even
as its members nurture solo careers and contribute to other bands.
B-3 guru John Novello was ssked to sum up his
band's sound in a sentence, he told the Boston Globe's Steve Greenlee
that Niacin is "sort of a progressive retro fusion band" and that it was
"guaranteed not to play elevator music.!" By all accounts, the group has
more than succeeded: critics have raved about the group's high energy sound,
unusual for a trio.
Elbow Grease
Lucy In The Sky
http://www.niacinb3.com
http://www.keysnovello.com/flash.html
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Seawind
This influential
late-'70s pop/jazz outfit boasted in-the-pocket grooves, clever horn
charts, and Pauline Wilson's signature vocals set to lyrics that (more
often than not) clearly communicated a Christian worldview.
Their horn section ranked with Tower of Power as one of the most sought
after for studio sessions for many artists.
Pauline Wilson – Lead Vocals
Bob Wilson – Drums
Bud Nuanez – Guitar
Ken Wild – Bass
Larry Williams – Keyboard, Sax, Trombone
Jerry Hey – Trumpet and horn arrangements
Kim Hutchcroft – Sax
"It gives me great pleasure to re-introduce this great group to the
general public and we are very proud to have them as members of the CJA
Network! I consider Seawind to be one of the best contemporary jazz
groups to surface out of the 1970’s! The group could play and sing
gritty, Tower of Power type funk songs with top notch horn arrangements
then lay down excellent Brazilian flavored Sambas, jazz fusion, and
excel at both vocal and instrumental jazz! - David Arivett ( Jazz
Keyboardist/Composer)
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Audio Samples
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Light The
Light |
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Enchanted
Dance |
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Morning Star |
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Imagine |
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Free |
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Follow Your
Road |
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Audio Samples
The Devil Is A
Liar
Praise (Part One)
Make Up Your Mind
He Loves You
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Campanas De
Invierno
Angel Of Mercy
Hallelujah
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Yes, it's true! The long-awaited Reunion CD recording
is finally finished and is now available for only $15 + shipping & handling!
This 12 song CD includes beautifully performed, updated 2009 arrangements
of "Follow Your Road", "Free" ,
"Devil Is A Liar" and "He Loves You"
(which also features vocalist
Al Jarreau).
Please
e-mail us today
for ordering information.
It has been 29 years since
Seawind's last new release!!
 .....
(New CD cover and back cover)
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www.seawindjazz.com
E-mail Seawind! |
www.seawindjazz.com
E-mail Seawind! |
Tom Coster
(Click On CD Graphic To Purchase)
Tom Coster is an
American keyboardist and composer. Detroit-born and San
Francisco-raised, Coster played piano and accordion as a youth,
continuing his studies through college and a productive five-year stint
as a musician in the U.S. Air Force Band.
Coster has played with and/or composed for many groups and musicians
including The Loading Zone, Gabor Szabo, Carlos Santana, Billy Cobham,
Third Eye Blind, Coryell/Coster/Smith, Claudio Baglioni, Stu Hamm, Boz
Scaggs, Zucchero and Bobby Holiday, Joe Satriani, Frank Gambale, and
Vital Information. Coster also produced several solo contemporary jazz
and fusion jazz recordings. ( Check them out above by clicking on the CD
graphics)
Some of Coster's best known compositions include "Europa (Earth's Cry,
Heaven's Smile)", "Flor D'Luna (Moonflower)" and "Dance, Sister, Dance (Baila
Mi Hermana)" performed by Santana, and "The Perfect Date" performed by
Vital Information.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Adam Nitti
Adam Nitti has
performed or recorded with a diverse collection of world class artists
throughout his career, including the Dave Weckl Band, Steven Curtis Chapman,
Mike Stern, Peter Erskine, Phil Keaggy, Susan Tedeschi, Scott Henderson, Wayne
Krantz, Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin, and Heather Headley. He has likewise
earned his reputation as a distinguished studio bassist and recording artist
based out of Nashville, TN. A passion to inspire excellence in musicianship led
Adam into co-founding
www.MusicDojo.com, the first-ever interactive online music school. Adam is a
tireless educator and touring clinician and is also a regular columnist for both
Bass Player Magazine and Bass Musician Magazine. He has been featured in
hundreds of music publications around the world and continues to bring unique
voice and perspective to the bass playing community.
(Click on CD graphic to hear
audio clips)
www.adamnitti.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Michael
Urbaniak
Leader, Composer, Arranger , Violinist, Saxplayer &
Multi- instrumentalist
Miles Davis, George Benson, Herbie Hancock, Quincy
Jones, Larry Coryell, Kenny Garret, Kenny Barron, Ron Carter, Eumir
Deodato,Stephane Grappelli,Oliver Nelson, Lenny White, Larry Young, John
Hendricks, Joe Williams, Elvin Jones,Buster Williams, Joe Henderson, Johny
Griffin, Ted Curson, Astor Piazzolla, Freddy Hubbard, Tom Browne, Steve Gadd,
Anthony Jackson, Victor Bailey, Omar Hakim, Bernard Wright, Marcus Miller and
many others.
www.urbaniak.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kiko
Loureiro
Hot Fusion Guitarist!
Kiko released his first solo
album, “No Gravity”, the album was recorded May 2005, in Germany, with the
production help of Dennis Ward, and is comprised of thirteen instrumental
tracks. “No Gravity” has the participation of the drummer Mike Terrana, while
Kiko played multi-instruments on this project including guitars, acoustic
guitars, bass, keyboards, piano and percussion. Now Kiko through Boosweet
Records releases his second solo project “Universo Inverso” in the USA and
Canada, a high octane jazz fusion style release with world class performances by
Kiko, Cuban born pianist virtuoso Yaniel Matos, bassist Carlinhos Noronha, and
drummer Cuca Teixeira. The compositions are fiery and diverse with Brazilian
Samba and Cuban Latin influences, among other styles.
On his new album Universo Inverso the
guitarist decided to work in a quartet formation, bringing music from the
Jazz/rock and Jazz areas. It's the right music for Kiko to show his exceptional
talent. He can play a thousand notes per minute like Al DiMeola, next he shows
that he also studied the basics of Wes Montgomery…
In this quartet we find Yaniel Matos (Havana, Cuba) behind the keyboards. He
mainly works in the Cuban music scene (salsa) and also participates in Carlinhos
Brown's band for the album Carlito Marron. To develop his jazz skills, he
studied with giants like Wynton Marsalis and Anthonio Hart. In Brazil he's one
third of the Mani Padme Trio (with Zeca Assumpção, bass and Ricardo Mosca,
drums). Living in Brazil for the past half decade, he established himself as a
wonderful and tasteful pianist. On bass is Carlinhos Noronha, a well known name
in São Paulo's music scene. He's playing bass since he reached the age of 9
years old; also adapting knowledge of choro and samba, which made him an all
round musician. Edgard "Cuca" Teixeira is on drums. He's well known from his
work with Marina Lima and more recently Maria Rita. He also worked with Hermeto
Pascoal, Dominguinhos, Raul de Souza, Leo Gandelman and jazz artists from the
United States like Lee Konitz, the late Michael Brecker and Joe Lovano, to name
just a few.
www.kikoloureiro.com.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tom Hemby
Tom Hemby is a
Guitarist, Producer, Songwriter, and Programmer. Tom has lived and worked
in Nashville as an active musician for the past 29 years. His touring career
has
evolved into a recording career as a studio guitarist/ producer/
songwriter.
Tom’s recording credits include artists:
Michael English, Kenny Loggins, former Doobie Brother Michael
McDonald, Amy Grant, Donna Summer, Vince Gill, Peter Cetera, Barry Manilow,
Faith Hill, Brian McKinight, Steve Winwood, Glenn Shorrock (Little River
Band), Michael W. Smith, BeBe & CeCe Winans, and many, many more.
In 2004 Tom’s solo acoustic
instrumental CD “Chasing The Wind” won Tom a Dove Award!
You can hear audio clips
here.
"Tom's fusion chops on electric
guitar are as good as any one I have ever heard. I put him right up there with
fusion guitar greats Frank Gambale, John Mclaughlin, and Kiko Loureiro...simply
amazing guitar licks and great writing" - David Arivett CJA Network
Tom's new electric guitar
project "In The Moment" (which is
due for release soon 2009!) is a outing of great jazz fusion and
will feature a "who's who" list of famous guest artists and musicians! You
can preview audio clips of this new recording project
here!
www.myspace.com/tomhemby
www.tomhemby.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mark Soskin
(Free Download! -
entire album!)
This is a killer album by pianist Mark Soskin,
he teams up with Bennie Maupin, Oscar Brashear, Snooky Young, George Bohannon,
Mel Martin, Ray Obiedo, Paul Socolow, Harvey Mason and Sammy Figuero, at times
sounding like the Jeff Lorber Fusion group or the Headhunters. The LP was
released in 1980 on Prestige Records and produced by Orrin Keepnews.
Mark has many other recording projects - for
more information visit his web site:
www.marksoskin.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
John
Abercrombie
(Click On CD Graphic To Purchase)
"I have loved this album for
years. It is a superb piece of modern jazz; and a personal favorite of mine.
There's so much contrast and color in this music. There's some far-out blowing,
a lovely ballad, and some swinging trio - all rich in atmosphere and moods that
twist and turn. Yet it never seems forced or overly clever; the music flows
effortlessly from beginning to end. Need I say it?, but of course it's all
played with great sensitivity and utter conviction by the remarkable trio of
John Abercrombie, Marc Johnson and Peter Erskine.
The compositions are all fascinating. Most are by John Abercrombie, but they're
all outstanding. ('Remember Hymn' is gorgeous. This one was included in the Real
Book - can't recall if it's in vol.2 or 3.) The Vince Mendoza tune is great and
Marc Johnson's 'Furs on Ice' is wonderful here; much preferred to the later live
version on the 'Abercrombie/Johnson/Erskine' album.
This album has, I think, some of John Abercrombie's tastiest playing. Strong
clean tones, with lines that are so articulate. His playing seems filled with
purpose, and has, to my mind, more substance, and (importantly) more emotion
than in later albums. The acoustic guitar tones are rich and detailed - lovely
stuff; thankfully no horror plugged-in sounds here! He also uses the guitar
synthesizer to great effect, and always with taste. In fact I think it's his
best work on the instrument.
And Mike Brecker! Oh my... he's in absolutely killing form on the tracks he
appears on. Talk about power! Talk about taste; and that big, big tone. He is
definitely inspired here; no doubt by the great music and exceptional musicians
he was working with.
This album deserves much greater recognition. Though the prevailing mood might
be a little dark or somber, it is nonetheless an absolutely delightful album. "
(Click On CD Graphic To Purchase)
"John Abercrombie emerged in the
shadows of McLaughlin and Di Meola. He is subtler and, in some ways, more
restrained and accomplished. The result here on his ECM debut is a session that
really stands the test of time: TIMELESS indeed! I am particularly fond of the
title track and the acoustic pieces (there are two here and they are
sophisticated entries in the same vein as Mahavishnu's "Thousand Island Park"
and Return to Forever's acoustic material: if only fusion had done MUCH MORE of
this it would not have mutated into a parody of itself).
The sound of the record is tight, energetic, yet somehow mellow. Jack DeJohnette
is superb throughout, Jan Hamer makes a rare appearance on Hammond B3 and just
sizzles! On the up-tempo side is "Lungs" an opening burner that settles into an
exploratory groove. On the mystical, searching side is the title track that
takes a simple motiff and weaves a long gorgeous story that has much more to do
with what we think of as the "ECM sound" than "fusion". This should be your
first stop on the way to discovering the rich discography of John Abercrombie.
Five Stars (meaning: EVERY track is superb, no clunkers, no filler)"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jan Hammer
(Click On CD Graphic To Purchase)
To pop music fans, keyboardist
Jan Hammer is best known for his work on the soundtrack of the stylish '80s cop
series Miami Vice. But Hammer also achieved considerable success in the jazz
fusion world, both on his own and as a charter member of John McLaughlin's
legendary Mahavishnu Orchestra. Though jazz purists often decry major portions
of his solo work, Hammer has undeniably left his mark, both musically and
commercially.
'Black Sheep', released in 1978
was the first album by this artist I ever heard and indeed it's very atypical of
Jan Hammer. So is 'Hammer' from 1979.Strictly speaking about 'Black Sheep' the
album is a wild mixture of musical styles, starting out with the brazen heavy
metal of "Jet Stream" while the title song and the pretty "Silent One" are
catchy mid-tempo pop that could've easily come off of the Melodies album."
Waiting No More" and "Between The Sheets Of Music" are the most musically
interesting as they both showcase an up-tempo fusing of blues, funk and fusion
set to quirky arrangements. Hammer himself takes on the lead vocals himself on
"Hey Girl" which almost has a certain punk edge (?????)while he takes another
hard rock turn on a metallic cover of Jimi Hendrix's "Manic Depression".
Brecker
Brothers
|
(Click On CD Graphic To Purchase)
On Out
of the Loop,
Randy and
Michael Brecker
stepped up to the plate with their second long-player of the '90s, 20 years
after their first foray into the jazz-funk-fusion realm. The album is
surprisingly strong, and any fears of a paint-by-numbers attempt to cash in
on past glories are quickly dispelled with the opening "Slang," which is
reminiscent of
Amandla-era
Miles. Here, as
throughout the disc,
Michael's sax solo
burns with abandon, while brother
Randy's trumpet
glides across a tastefully smooth and melodic terrain. "African Skies" has a
decidedly
Yellowjackets feel,
with
Michael again turning
in a remarkably energetic solo turn. The set-closing "And Then She Wept"
features
Randy's attractive
flügelhorn, as does the
Eliane Elias-produced
"Secret Heart," where
Michael's soprano sax
and EWI share the spotlight. "Scrunch" is a funky piece of programmed
hip-hop over which the brothers
Brecker play a riff
similar to those they and the Average White Band delivered in the mid-'70s.
Both
Randy and the late
Michael Brecker went
on to make names for themselves in the jazz world after fronting their
brotherly band in the '70s, earning the respect of critics and jazz fans
alike. With Out of the Loop, they made a solid musical statement in a
contemporary format, one they helped create and in which they proved to be
masters. ~ Jim Newsom, All Music Guide |
(Click On CD Graphic To Purchase)
The new compilation,
Sneaking Up Behind You: The Very Best of The Brecker Brothers, kicks off
with those two tunes, then winds through a brief history of the band, in the
process stirring up fond memories of the latter days of the attempted
jazz/rock marriage. It's an exhilarating trip, at times dated (clavinets and
disco high-hat patterns) but always fiery and musically impressive. On that
first album, Randy's trumpet and Michael's tenor sax were augmented in the
front line by future superstar David Sanborn's distinctive alto saxophonics.
Other musicians passing through the band included bassists Will Lee and
Marcus Miller, drummers Harvey Mason, Lenny White and Terry Bozzio, and
keysmen George Duke and Don Grolnick.
The writing was strong, the soloing incredible (Michael in particular
showing the facility for which he would be come renown), the funk
relentless. These guys followed in the steps of Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea
and Weather Report to lead fusion's second wave. |
|
 |
Intermediate/Advanced.
Be like Mike! For years, musicians have been requesting a high quality
funk/fusion Play-A-Long of well- known recorded hits; this is it! The Grammy
winning Brecker Brothers band has successfully blended jazz, electronics,
and contemporary rhythms into exciting, energetic jazz that has become
accessible to popular audiences without compromising quality. Produced by
former Brecker Brothers Band keyboardist George Whitty, these tracks contain
"killer" electronic sounds and are awesome to play with.
Rhythm Section: Produced and Played by George Whitty
| Listen to sample tracks from
Volume 83 here. |
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(Click On CD Graphic To Purchase)
www.randybrecker.com |
Together with his saxophonist brother,
Michael, trumpeter
Randy Brecker was one of the forefathers of funk-fusion. With honorary other
brother,
David Sanborn, they
combined be-bop technique,
James Brown-rhythms,
and rock & roll energy into an amalgam that would be a blueprint for a
generation to come. For his previous outing,
Hanging in the City,
Randy Brecker adopted an alter ego--Randroid--in an attempt to inject
hip-hop elements into his urban music-scape. For this recording, he returns
to the more exciting, frenetic funk that he helped originate, restricting
his trendiness to largely-programmed beats. Fortunately, George Whitty and
Zach Danziger provide truly organic sounding grooves redolent of some of
Jazzanova's best
work. The title tune opens the set with baritone player Ronnie Cuber working
out in the best
Tower of Power
tradition. Throughout, he and famed JB Fred Wesley add plenty of grease to
the proceedings. There is no need for Randy Brecker to worry about his
street cred; he and his brother defined urban music with records like this,
providing the raw materials for the hip-hoppers to sample. --Michael Ross |
Jean Luc Ponty
The
French-born violinist Jean-Luc Ponty bridged the old jazz styles of
Stephane Grappelli and
Joe Venuti and
contemporary stylists such as the late
Noel Pointer and
Regina Carter. He was
schooled in the classics, played with
Frank Zappa in the 1960s
and with the
Mahavishnu Orchestra and
George Duke in the '70s.
Although his violin and his electrified violectra were staples in the fusion
era, his musicality was solidly based in the classics and jazz.
www.ponty.com
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