The Weekend Spin [11/28/08]

Tags

African American, Female Vocalist, Herbie Hancock, Jazz, Jazz Fusion, Keyboards, Phil Collins, Raye Jones

At this stage of our extended “Thanksgiving Holiday,” it’s “Black Friday“! On today, I just chill for a moment to recover from the festive thanksgiving as family, friends and a zillion of others head out shopping for “Christmas” gifts. Today, we’ve come with another savoring palette of groves for “The Weekend Spin” It’s an opportunity collect our thoughts with some tasty jams before we hit the road headed home and back to work on Monday. Be safe and patient in your travels this weekend with love and peace!

Raye Jones

Raye Jones | Sista Girl’s Lament [Nu-Voice/Jazz Vocals] Weekend Spin

Sistah Girl’s Lament is the debut release from Raye Jones. Raye is a native of Philadelphia now residing in Wilmington, Delaware where she has been a staple in the world of jazz and the arts.  As Executive Director of the Christina Cultural Arts Center, she has been one of the driving forces in the continued establishment of creative arts in the area.

Now, Raye is stepping out to make a more personal statement on her new release.  Raye’s blues-influenced jazz style brings to life selections such as My Favorite Things, Never Can Say Goodbye, and her self-composed tribute to Phyllis Hyman, titled “We Miss You Phyllis“. – CDBaby.com

Various Artists | Legends: Live at Montreux 1997 [Blu-ray] (2005)

Tags

Blues, DVD, Jazz

Legends Live

Various Artists | Legends: Live at Montreux

Legends is one of the most musically accomplished super groups of all time. With Eric Clapton on guitar, Joe Sample of The Crusaders on keyboards, virtuoso saxophone player David Sanborn and super session players Steve Gadd on drums and Marcus Miller on bass, both of whom have done time in Clapton’s band, the group’s pedigree is extraordinary. Marcus Miller put the Legends band together for a European tour in 1997. They never made an album and this concert at Montreux is the only record of their stunning collaboration. The music is an intoxicating blend of jazz, blues and rock, which gives each of the players a chance to shine but also emphasizes the wonderful chemistry they create as a group.

Gordon Goodwin/Big Phat Band | Act Your Age

Tags

Big Band, Jazz

Jazz fans if you’re looking for musical spontaneity at it’s best, then Gordon Goodwin will do your ears justice!

Gordon Goodwin/Big Phat Band | Act Your Age [Hip Big Band/Jazz]

Gordon Goodwin

For the fourth recorded edition of his Big Phat Band, Grammy-winning Gordon Goodwin in “Act Your Age” continues to display dynamic big band writing executed with complete aplomb. A bevy of guest soloists is on display in tracks by the accomplished pianists Chick Corea and Dave Grusin, vocalist Patti Austin, and guitarist Lee Ritenour, who is also the producer of the CD. In addition, Goodwin illustrates his genuine appreciation of the legacy of the enduring jazz masters in the intriguing, cutting edge re-recording by Art Tatum of “Yesterday” , which is surrounded by his modern chart of the Jerome Kern classic tune. Goodwin’s bow to the recent past is his version of Herbie Hancock’s “Watermelon Man”, dressed in brand new clothes and arranged in a shuffle rhythm.

Program your TiVo from your cell phone

Tags

Mobile Phones, Technology

TiVo

I can’t watch TV without my TiVo, but the one thing I’m really lax about is actually programming the damn thing (Best Invention Ever: Season Pass).

In an effort to strip away all my excuses for not finding new shows and movies to watch, TiVo is introducing a mobile site at m.tivo.com (warning: link may not be live yet) that will let subscribers with Internet-connected DVRs schedule their TiVo’s remotely from their phones, just like they can today via their laptops. (The mobile site was created by Mobui).

Nucleus | Yuletide Jazz

Tags

Christmas Music, Jazz

Nucleus | Yuletide Jazz [Christmas/Jazz]

Nucleus | Yuletide Jazz

Unique jazz arrangements of popular Christmas tunes by Nucleus a San Francisco Bay Area-based jazz quartet, who have been playing together on and off for 10 years.

Yuletide Jazz is their first CD, and captures their talent for interpreting standards (in this case, Christmas Carols and other seasonal tunes) in a fresh approach and in various jazz styles.

Brandon Fields | Everybody’s Business

Tags

Jazz Fusion, Saxophone

Brandon Fields | Everybody’s Business [Jazz/Fusion/Revisited]

Brandon Fields

In retrospect, we all have good intentions when it comes to buying music. Whether new or old the determining factor for most music connoisseurs is for enjoyment, while others embellish music for the combination of pleasure and collection purposes. Once purchased, listen to and eventually stock on the shelves what I find most gratifying or maybe it’s a little eccentric on my behalf is having the option to go back and rediscover the intricacies, flaws and nuances that are embossed in these recordings that I may have or didn’t hear originally.

Thanksgiving Blessing’s to All

Tags

African American, America, Culture, Jazz, Thanksgiving

Charles Bibbs, Sharing

Hi Everyone, during this holiday season it’s truly and honor to be blessed with the opportunity and reach out  with appreciation to the one’s who make a difference in our lives. We “Thank You,” our beloved music enthusiasts for blessing us with your presence at “The Urban Flux” for the last few months. Your intuitive spirit is humbling, welcomed and highly regarded.

As a result, we have “hope” and “aspirations” that things will indeed improve in our economy and for a wealth content to overflow with enriching details about jazz, art and other relevant subjects on these pages for you to ponder and savor in the upcoming months. Stay tuned …

May the spirit of love, peace and blessings radiate from your soul this “Thanksgiving,” as you spend quality time with family and friends. Also, if you will consider extending with grace your love, time, money and friendship to those in need during this “Thanksgiving .” – Peace be with you, The Urban Flux

Return To Forever | Returns “Live”

Tags

Bass Guitar, Drums, Guitar, Jazz Fusion, Keyboards, Stanley Clarke

Return To Forever | Returns “Live” 2Disc-Set

Return To Forever

Also, guitarist Al Di Meola Brings The ‘World’ On 2009 Tour Schedule

New York, NY. (Top40 Charts/ Shore Fire Media) – Virtuoso guitarist Al Di Meola will be launching a national tour and releasing a new album in early 2009 with his new project, Al Di Meola and World Sinfonia. Joining a handpicked group of master musicians for both the tour and album, Di Meola makes a surprising turn into the romantic, producing a collection of moving tango-flavored melodies. Their work is on display on ‘La Melodia Live In Milano,’ available in America for the first time on January 8, 2009, just days before the start of the tour. The album features two songs by tango master Astor Piazzolla, for whom Di Meola admits he has been “carrying a torch” his entire career, as well as one each from Ennio Morricone and Andrea Parodi, and four by Di Meola himself. – RTF.com

Release Date: 11/24/2008

Ron Carter | Etudes

Tags

African American, Bass, Drums, Jazz, Piano, Ron Carter, Trumpet

Ron Carter | Etudes [Classic Modern Jazz]

Ron Carter, Etudes

Ron Carter is regarded as one of the greatest jazz bass players of all time. This album, Etudes, was originally issued 1983 on the Elektra/Musician label. Etudes features pianist Bill Evans, drummer Tony Williams & trumpeter Art Farmer.

Carter’s “Etudes” articulates jazz improv like no other! This comprehensive collection of music by Ron Carter is re-issued for the first time on Wounded Bird Records 2008. – Amazon.com

Alonzo Adams | Closing Note

Tags

African American, Alonzo Adams, Art

As an admirer of the legendaryRembrandt, Alonzo Adams captures the poetic flavor with a pensive quality, expressions and influences of rustic earth tones throughout his palettes. On the featured piece: “Closing Note,” Alonzo’s strokes encompasses the intimacy of an aspiring young pianist.

Alonzo Adams | Closing Note [Giclee/Limited Edition] Artist of The Week

Alonzo Adams