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Randy Weston is the living legend for Jazz. As a soloist, his piano is so distinctive with his percussive touch, but he also shows his creativity as a composer and as a band leader.
In this recording, he teamed up with Melba Liston, who he had collaborated with from early 60s, and large group of big name musicians. Weston's ability to create timeless music and blend rhythmic sounds with African influence marks him one of the true originators of Jazz. On this recording, you could hear him playing Fender Rhodes, as well as acoustic piano.
The album was nominated for Grammy for Best Jazz Performance by Big Band in 1974 (the award went to Woody Herman's Giant Steps, the another funky electric big band recording)
Side A:
1. Hi Fly
2. In Memory Of
3. Sweet Meat
4. Jamaica East
Side B:
1. Tanjah
2. The last Day
Randy Weston.info: Tanjah
Going along with Afro-Jazz theme, this is "Irakere", released by Columbia Records in 1979. Irakere is Afro-Cuban Jazz group led by pianist and keyboadist Jesus "Chucho" Valdes and saxophonist Paquito D'Rivera. This was recorded at Newport Festival in NYC and Montreux Jazz Festival, and all tracks are composed and arranged by Valdes. The combination of drumming and brass is so energetic, so many change of tempo, and styles, from chanting to drumming to solos. In every tracks, you could find "break" to chop it, if you are in to chopping beats. But not in a commercial way, in a style of natural Cuban rhythm, jam session.
Though this album is everything about Latin-Jazz, it is so interesting to hear that there is a section in the middle on "Misa Negra", that Chucho Valdez plays acoustic piano in classical arrangement. Also interesting enough, the last track "Aguanile" is featured on Grand Theft Auto Vice City soundtrack: Radio Espantoso.
Personnel:
Chucho Valdes: Piano, keyboard
Paquito D'Rivera: Alto sax, Soprano sax, Flute
Arturo Sandoval: Trumpet, vocals
Carlos Averhoff: Tenor sax, Soprano sax, Flute
Jorge Varona: Trumpet
Carlos Emilio Morales: Guitar
Oscar Valdes: Percussions, vocals
Carlos del Puerto: Bass
Jorge "El Nino" Alfonso: Percussions
Armando Cuervo: Percussions
Enrique Pla: Drums
Side A:
1. Juana Mil Ciento
2. Ilya
3. Adagio
Side B:
1. Misa Negra (The Black Mass)
2. Aguanile
Also recommending this release for Cuban-Jazz, Afro-Latin Jazz
Nueva Vision - Latin Jazz From The Cuban Label EGREM / AREITO - compiled by Jazzanova and Erik Ott
I was lucky enough to pick this original copy. The cover is not so in great shape, but it's the record that matters the most. This is Babatunde Olantunji "Drums of Passion", released in 1959 by Columbia Records. Olatunji's sound, particularly this recording, is one of the earliest to introduce African rhythm and sounds to US and influence some of great Jazz musicians including John Coltrane, Yusef Lateef, and Dizzy Gillespie. He formed strong friendship with Coltrane, in fact, Coltrane's last live recording was Olatunji Center of African Culture in Harlem in 1967, where Olatunji had found. It was also considered one of the first "world music" recording in the US.
The album consists of sitraightforward drums, percussions and chorus. Delightful and rhythmic drumming joined with vibrant chant in harmony. Not quite the same as Batucada or Afro-Latin rhythm of drumming. It is relaxing, but also intensifying, energetic, so many sounds and voices coming together as one. The essential, must-have album, I would say.
There is a CD reissue that you could pick up
Side A:
1. Akiwowo
2. Oya
3. Odun de! Odun de!
4. Jin Go Lo Ba
Side B:
1. Kiyakiya
2. Baba Jinde
3. Oyin Momo Ado
4. Shango
The site below is a great reference of Olatunji
African Music Encyclopedia: Babatunde Olatunji
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This album is incredible, not only exploration into spiritual afro-Jazz, but also features ensemble of greatest musicians at that time. Led by drummer Albert Tootie Heath of Heath brother (along with tenor saxphonist Jimmy Heath, and bassist Percy Heath of Modern Jazz Quartet), his first recording as a leader, the session includes number of 60s heavyweight musicians including Herbie Hancock, Don Cherry, Mtume, and Ed Blackwell. The album was originally released by O'Be Records, but later reissued several times (as Herbie Hancock's reissue). The original is out-of-print.
The tracks are modal, percussive, and has cosmic, spiritual vibe and fire. Personally, I consider this album is one of the recordings that have led to Jazz in 70s with more post-bop, spiritual, african sound and rhythm influence seen in labels such as Strata East, Black Jazz, Impulse, Milestone, and ESP. Recommend for black Jazz / spiritual Jazz listners.
Personnel:
Albert "Toudie" Heath as Kuumba - Drums
Buster Williams as Mchezaji - Bass
Don Cherry as Msafari - Trumpet
Mtume - Conga, Drums
Herbie Hancock as Mwandisi - Piano
Jimmy Heath as Tayari - Tenor & Soprano Saxphone, arranger
Ed Blackwell - Percussion
Billy Bonner as Fundi - Flute & Percussion
Side A:
1. Baraka
2. Maulana
Side B:
1. Kawaida
2. Dunia
3. Kamili
In this recording, he teamed up with Melba Liston, who he had collaborated with from early 60s, and large group of big name musicians. Weston's ability to create timeless music and blend rhythmic sounds with African influence marks him one of the true originators of Jazz. On this recording, you could hear him playing Fender Rhodes, as well as acoustic piano.
