Richard Bona | Ten Shades of Blues

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African American, African Music, Bass, Richard Bona

Richard Bona | Ten Shades of Blues – [Indie Europe/Zoom, 2009]

Richard Bona, Ten Shades of Bues

Richard Bona’s 2009 album Ten Shades Of Blues appears ten years since his first project, Scenes From My Life (released in 1999). In the case of the Cameroonian bassist and singer, it’s not so easy to condense a decade into just a few short lines because the man is such a multiple character, with many lives impelled by his permanent curiosity and desire to play. And each of these traits lies at the heart of his latest recording, an album devoted to the Blues and its key notes that can be recognized in all cultures.

So here we have an album open to all kinds of encounters, a record on which Richard Bona is our guide taking us on a tour with his Indian, Country and Jazz musicians to the four corners of the earth! Universal.

..:: Source: Amazon.com ::..

Bennie Maupin Quartet | Early Reflections

Tags

African American, Bennie Maupin, Jazz, Saxophone

Bennie Maupin Quartet | Early Reflections – [Cryptogramophone, 2008]

Bennie Maupin Quartet, Early Reflections

Benny Maupin was there with Miles when Bitches Brew was born. His bass clarinet was the anchor that kept all that electricity hooked to the Earth. He was there when Herbie and the Headhunters blew our minds with Chameleon. He was there with Herbie’s Mwandishi band when they showed us that you didn’t have to be plugged in to be “electric“.

Benny’s been in so many places at so many times when great things happened, and that’s not a coincidence. Benny’s always been under-rated in my opinion.

This new album with a great young rhythm section showcases some great compositions by the master. And please note that the man has an incredible tone on all the instruments he plays. He’s the master of the bass clarinet. He blows the Tenor like no one else. His Soprano sound is so fat and beautiful it makes you wonder if that is a Soprano he’s playing, and his Flute sound is lovely.

This is not re-cycled Be-Bop. It’s original music by a man who was always great and has aged like a fine wine.

Get it. You’ll play it till you die. —John Grimshaw

..:: Source: Amazon.com ::..