Have You Heard? [Childs, Metheny, Freelon, & Klugh]

Tags

Contemporary Jazz, Female Jazz vocalist, Guitar, Jazz Fusion, Piano

As you know by now, we love to explore something old and something new musically! That is beauty about jazz it never gets old, well at least form our perspective. Of course, some say older stuff sounds dated (audible wise). Regardless, the content of older music is enriching and everlasting.

Billy Childs | I’ve Known Rivers [Out of Print]

Billy Childs

Here’s a fun parlor trick: play this 1995 session for someone who doesn’t know Billy Childs and ask who the leader of the session is. Nine times out of ten, they’ll pick reedsman Bob Sheppard, whose soprano sax, clarinets, and flutes are at the foreground of every one of these eight tracks (not counting the recitation of Langston Hughes‘ poem of the same title, read by Warren Brown at the album’s beginning). This leaves pianist and composer Billy Childs sounding like nothing more than a sideman on his own album. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as the little-known Sheppard is actually a gifted soloist whose best work recalls the pan-musical sensibilities and lyricism of Rahsaan Roland Kirk‘s most delicate work, although he’s obviously nowhere near so distinctive a player. – AllMusicGuide

*If you know anyone that has this record by Billy Childs get a copy, it’s a remarkable record by one of today’s unsung composers, keyboardist and arrangers.

Pat Metheny Trio | Day Trip

Pat Metheny Trio

It was a collaborative tour de force that earned a standing ovation. Christian is an amazing musician and Antonio is the drummer of this generation, says Metheny. 35 year-old bassist McBride had played alongside Roy Hargrove, Freddie Hubbard and others, before stepping up to lead his own group; 36 year-old drummer Sanchez is a member of The Pat Metheny Group. On Day Trip, Metheny offers plenty of excitement in his solos and the trio cranks up the funk on “The Red One”, (a version of which was previously released on Metheny’s collaboration with John Scofield “I Can See Your House From Here”). However they generally eschew flash for a more easy-going groove; McBride calls it a softer, more traditional sound. Perhaps most eloquent among these tracks is the elegiac, folk-like melody of “Is This America?” (Katrina 2005). 2007 was an exceptional year for Metheny. – Amazon.com

Ledisi | It’s Christmas

Tags

African American, Christmas Music, Female Vocalist

Ledisi

The past year has been a whirlwind for Ledisi: Grammy® Award nominations for Best New Artist and Best R&B Album, an appearance in the feature film Leatherheads (staring George Clooney and Renee Zelwegger), TV appearance on CBS Saturday Early Show and two appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno with Prince and Sergio Mendes, three hit tracks – “Alright”, “In The Morning” and “Joy.” The new 12 track Christmas album includes many holiday favorites. Also includes 5 original songs written for the album. – Amazon.com

Motown songwriter Norman Whitfield dies

Tags

African American, Motown, Songwriter, Soul Music

Norman Whitfield

Motown songwriter and producer Norman Whitfield, whose credits include hits I Heard It Through The Grapevine and War, has died in Los Angeles. Whitfield – believed to be 67 – worked at the legendary label in the ’60s and ’70s, adding a rock edge to soul music.

Many of his hits were co-written with Barrett Strong, with whom he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. The pair won a Grammy in 1972 for Papa Was A Rolling Stone by The Temptations.