Jazz

[Selaws]

@supahypeag suggestiok of headhunters is perfect!

When i see these kind of genre specific questions pop up I always think of Miles Davis as he tends to have covered most jazz/other genre hybrids within his massive discography. For jazz-funk/soul look for 70’s-80’s era albums. So starting with ‘Bitches Brew’ through to ‘Amadla’ (there’s a lot to explore between these). His album ‘On the Corner’ would be the best IMO for the jazz-funk side of things.

 

[BB325]

I should also add that I am in love with Jiro Inagaki & Soul Media's "Funky Stuff" and 'Head Rock". Both of these are excellent! So I wouldnt be opposed to any Japanese Jazz either! In the meantime, I've got some ideas above throw into my listening queue. Thanks again.

 

[kafunis]

Crescent is a great album , if you're a Coltrane fan it's a must have .

I have a handful of Coltrane records, but somehow Crescent was one of those that is maybe a little underhyped so I haven’t given it the listen it deserves. Your post has definitely encouraged me to really explore it.

 

[kafunis]

Herbies early 70's output is great , also CTI label would be up your alley I think, heaps of that sort of stuff, just listen to any CTI album to get the vibe and see what sticks .

Hi All...long time lurker here and finally finding my way into jazz after a long struggle. If this is the wrong thread, I apologize. I just finished listening to Donald Byrd's "Street Lady" and loved every bit of it. I am really into funk/soul and have been looking for that "in-between" with jazz on the other end. Does anyone have any recommendations from here? Jazz is so damn deep that its overwhelming and "similar artists" isnt really fitting in jazz seeing how artists evolve so much over time within the genre. Any input is appreciated!

, Idris Muhammad play drums on a lot of that stuff and he has a couple of good albums himself, House Of The Rising Sun etc on CTI/Kudu label.

 

[jamieanderson1968]

Hi All...long time lurker here and finally finding my way into jazz after a long struggle. If this is the wrong thread, I apologize. I just finished listening to Donald Byrd's "Street Lady" and loved every bit of it. I am really into funk/soul and have been looking for that "in-between" with jazz on the other end. Does anyone have any recommendations from here? Jazz is so damn deep that its overwhelming and "similar artists" isnt really fitting in jazz seeing how artists evolve so much over time within the genre. Any input is appreciated!

Stop whatever you are doing and listen to Honky Tonk by Miles Davis. It is on Get Up With It. It will melt your brain.

 

[jamieanderson1968]

Idris Muhammad play drums on a lot of that stuff and he has a couple of good albums himself, House Of The Rising Sun etc on CTI/Kudu label

Yes definitely this

 

[supahypeag]

I should also add that I am in love with Jiro Inagaki & Soul Media's "Funky Stuff" and 'Head Rock". Both of these are excellent! So I wouldnt be opposed to any Japanese Jazz either! In the meantime, I've got some ideas above throw into my listening queue. Thanks again.

I don’t know if this is JAZZ because I’m awful at genre stuff, but @Skalap’s N&G record of the month selection was Mark de Clive-Lowe’s album Heritage Vol. 1. You might wanna check it out, along with Vol. 2.

 

[doncornelius]

Hi All...long time lurker here and finally finding my way into jazz after a long struggle. If this is the wrong thread, I apologize. I just finished listening to Donald Byrd's "Street Lady" and loved every bit of it. I am really into funk/soul and have been looking for that "in-between" with jazz on the other end. Does anyone have any recommendations from here? Jazz is so damn deep that its overwhelming and "similar artists" isnt really fitting in jazz seeing how artists evolve so much over time within the genre. Any input is appreciated!

I would recommend as your next choices two other Donald Byrd albums that sandwich Street Lady in the discography--Ethiopian Knights and Black Byrd.

If you like the former more, it probably means you enjoy improvisational music with soulful moods and funky rhythms. If you prefer the latter, the next step would be to explore funk and soul bands from the 70s and 80s with certain jazzy instrumental flairs.

 

[MikeH]

I would recommend as your next choices two other Donald Byrd albums that sandwich Street Lady in the discography--Ethiopian Knights and Black Byrd.

If you like the former more, it probably means you enjoy improvisational music with soulful moods and funky rhythms. If you prefer the latter, the next step would be to explore funk and soul bands from the 70s and 80s with certain jazzy instrumental flairs.

Ethiopian Knights is being re-released as either a Blue Note 80th or Tone Poet (can’t remember which off the top of my head) so I’d recommend grabbing that one for sure.

 

[doncornelius]

Ethiopian Knights is being re-released as either a Blue Note 80th or Tone Poet (can’t remember which off the top of my head) so I’d recommend grabbing that one for sure.

It came out as part of the 80th series and sounds wonderful.

 

[MikeH]

It came out as part of the 80th series and sounds wonderful.

Didn’t realize it was out already! Ugh. Blue Note is killing me this year with all the great quality reissues!

 

[BB325]

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. This gives me a bunch of avenues to go down to find what I connect with. My goal is to atleast get through a few of these today where i find time. Of course, I am open to more if someone has anything to add.

 

[BB325]

It came out as part of the 80th series and sounds wonderful.

I was in a store today and saw this so i can also confirm its out. Almost bought it without checking it out, but i thought I should atleast give it a listen first.

 

[bother]

I was in a store today and saw this so i can also confirm its out. Almost bought it without checking it out, but i thought I should atleast give it a listen first.

There are a few funky BN80 and tone poet releases right now. Mr Shing a ling is a tone poet and that's pretty funky, not fusion though but definitely some fun jazz.

 

[BB325]

Threw it in my list to queue up next. I had one other experience with Donaldson and enjoyed.

 

[stpaulbrowns]

I’ve been looking at that Miles Davis Complete Birth of the Cool reissue package for a couple of months now. For the most part, reviews had been pretty stellar. This weekend I was able to score a sealed copy for $20. I was pretty excited about it and for some reason decided to check out what the Hoffman forum had been saying about the quality of this reissue ... bad idea.

Miles Davis Complete Birth of the Cool Sessions on Vinyl - Hoffman

Cripes, those folks can suck the joy out of a chocolate sundae. Especially the jazzinistas. The Complete BotC looked to be a good choice to replace my noisy copy. (Hell, the booklet with new photos alone was probably worth it.) So, I guess I'll just have to take my worthless new BotC box, put on my headphones and listen in shame. Or not.

I would be interested in hearing from you slightly less jaded N&G jazz listeners about what you think of the new reissue ... even if you agree with the Angry Mob over at Hoffman.

 

[BB325]

Its funny you mention the Hoffman forums. Before I asked my Noob-ish question about recommendations for funkier Jazz, I was looking there and found it overwhelming. It felt like no matter what thread I ventured into, it was negativity. Glad I came here...you all have been awesome to a Noob like myself.

 

[jamieanderson1968]

Its funny you mention the Hoffman forums. Before I asked my Noob-ish question about recommendations for funkier Jazz, I was looking there and found it overwhelming. It felt like no matter what thread I ventured into, it was negativity. Glad I came here...you all have been awesome to a Noob like myself.

Here, it feels like everyone remembers starting out exploring a new genre and loves to share ideas and suggestions. Hoffman, not so much...

 

[Nee Lewman]

Huffman is great if you are digging in for a particular release or want to know the end all info, but it is way too snobbish and negative over there for me.

 

[Dark Star Boogie]

Hi All...long time lurker here and finally finding my way into jazz after a long struggle. If this is the wrong thread, I apologize. I just finished listening to Donald Byrd's "Street Lady" and loved every bit of it. I am really into funk/soul and have been looking for that "in-between" with jazz on the other end. Does anyone have any recommendations from here? Jazz is so damn deep that its overwhelming and "similar artists" isnt really fitting in jazz seeing how artists evolve so much over time within the genre. Any input is appreciated!

Headhunters for sure or any of Hancock’s other work from that era as well. The live album Flood is great too.

If you want albums a little more on the jazzy side of this funk/jazz vibe go with Miles Davis’ late 60’s albums like Filles de Kilimanjaro, In A Silent Way, A Tribute To Jack Johnson (less jazz and definitely an early 70’s release), and also Bitches Brew! Even Miles in the Sky is worth mentioning, although my least favorite of all the Davis albums listed thus far.

On The Corner is like funk and world music melded with jazz improvisation and comes highly recommended.
It’s an experience, for sure.

Freddie Hubbard’s Red Clay, First Light, and Straight Life are good ones to check out too. More jazz than funk in that equation, but definitely albums moving away from the hard bop and post bop sound of the 60’s.