This week's music diary has some jazz selections to mix in with the regular alternative-prog-metal rock. Bit off a little more than I could chew, probably only half the music was listened to because the list was about 170 tracks.
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Music of Note
Slow experimental atmospheric moody rock/jazz from a group based in Norway, they would have fit well in the Soft Machine era despite this being a 2019 release. Intriguing, well suited for background listening, though it isn’t just simple wallpaper. There is depth. The lo-fi nature of the recording adds to the mystique, whether it was intentional or not. Definitely plan to check out the latest release.
Alternative metal sounds from a three-man group based out of California. Lots of speedy finger work and high velocity drumming, but with decent production and change-ups to keep it interesting.
There isn’t much progressive rock coming out of Spain which, if this is any indication, is too bad. It’s smart captivating tuneful rock.
No, the title does not refer to Covid as this was a 2017 release. The Helio’s are a funk/jazz and space rock band with more than just a few Miles Davis tricks. Most every track is delicious. My only complaint is that they could have extended them a little longer. Connect three or four of these numbers together and you'll get what I mean.
High level world jazz music. Who are these people? Have no clue, but this modern version of a cross between Miles Davis’ formations and Weather Report is absolutely scintillating. Marilyn Mazur’s vocals and masterful percussion blend with the well-performed instruments perfectly. More, please!
Interesting Music
The first selection I heard is the very fine song “Machines and Men”, but this is an unplugged version. The only problem with unplugged stuff is that much of their work is crafted with dynamics in mind and doesn’t translate to acoustic.
Ayreon is the work of Dutchman Arjen Anthony Lucassen for a bulk of the writing, singing, and musicianship. Much in the style of Uriah Heep, he has a theme running through the album as a rock opera format. It has the elements of compelling rock, but it’s hard to get a visceral connection. The music seems to be less than the sum of the parts due to overproduction.
You could lump much of this work in the mold of David Bowie, Spoon, and Cake to name just a few. It’s catchy fun extravagant pop from the former lead singer of The Walkmen assuming you’re in the mood for that kind of thing. For me, small doses are good.
A keyboardist in the manner of Rick Wakeman, he features lots of synth and Moog in his long compositions. Not a one-note performer, he has capable back up to round out the keyboard centric songs.
An acoustic jazz quartet featuring Joshua Redman, Aaron Parks, Matt Penman, and Eric Harland, it’s pleasant dinner music. Nice bouncy coordinated modern jazz. Once in a while, that’s just fine. The meat might be hiding under the vegetables, but you won’t get acid indigestion.
This Swiss metal group has been around for over 25 years, so they know how to craft music without falling into the repetitive trappings other metal groups frequently make.
Not sure how to pigeonhole this band. Some moments rock with the special arrangements and quirky song structures, but others just drone. There are compelling songs, just not enough to get a special rise. This being a 2004 release, checking something more recent is in order.
Solo effort by the James Farm member. Like the JF, the compositions are likeably easy to listen to. He’s ably assisted by other musicians on percussion, bass and guitar, so it’s not all just piano. Initial listening didn’t inspire but further listening changed the first impressions, possibly because the simple compositions weren’t so simple after all. He has a sneaky Lyle Mays infectiousness. Actually, many of the guitar passages have the essence of Pat Methany.
You never know what you’re going to get from BL, but you know it will be interesting. Here you get four ensemble tracks clocking in at about 60 minutes. And what an ensemble: Herbie Hancock, Pharoah Sanders, and a cast of four (!) drummers. Comparisons to Weather Report would be fair.
An alternative metal band with a history of misfortunes (members leaving, dying), they are eminently listenable. They know better than to just pound out a wall of noise and will give songs a chance to breathe.
Another alternative metal band that “gets it”. The Chicago band has been around (the name comes from a hockey drill) and creates the right emphasis in the right places to produce powerful songs.
Elements of this quartet of rockers from the east coast are reminiscent of The Replacements, the notable garage band of the 80’s and 90’s
Not So Great
A frenetic musical adventure. Instrumentals with an Allen Holdsworth feel minus the dominance of guitars. Ranges from hard rock to something ECM would put out. Some work, some don’t. As fascinating and different as it is, it isn’t something I’m likely to revisit.
One of the Elephant Six collective of independent artists, this 2018 release from the Athens, Georgia band has some of those licks of the IRS days but not relying on the jangle guitar work prevalent those days. The songs are simple, a rudimentary placid and not very exciting structure. It’s not a stinker, just uninviting.
3 comments:
You have to reach way back to the 90's to find most of her stuff, but Riz Maslen, who performs as Neotropic, makes some very melodic electronic music that goes deep and rewards concentrated listening.
I was once a fan of New Model Army but I have discovered recently that they got better and better with time. Worth checking out their more recent stuff.
Nguyen Le is a previously unknown artist to me, but his best stuff would fit right in with the glory days of ECM. I'm sure you would enjoy his work
Nick Moss and the Flip Tops are one of the better bar bands to play the rockin' blues. They wear the influence of boogie woogie on their sleeve. The best of their stuff would make a great road tape, if you remember those.
Nightmares On Wax has a whole slew of worthwhile recordings at the intersection of electronic and dance music. Not boring, but might no be everyone's cup of tea.
Nicky Sudden is a great lost rock artist whose best moments are reminiscent of Neil Young. I'm especially fond of his more recent work because maturity came with more attention to detail. Warning: His singing voice is not his best feature, but once you get used to it you notice the real talent behind his songs.
I will check these out! Haven't heard of any of them which sounds like an opportunity to find more nuggets. Thanks.
My playlist has been a little too metal rock centric. But I must say, on the jazz side, the "Marilyn Mazur’s Future Song - Live Reflections" album and the "Aaron Parks - Little Big II: Dreams of a Mechanical Man" album are simple amazing.
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