Dan – Solomon Burke – “Won’t You Give Him One More Chance” From the slightly Cuban sounding twelve string guitar to the back up vocals I found this track to be a little gem. It’s short, sweet and groovy. I was going through my Solomon Burke Atlantic Records collection and it really stood out. I discovered Burke through his later recordings and he had such an unusual career, with interesting pockets of Blues, Soul & Gospel, making this earlier track a fresh discovery for me.
Enrico Rava – “By the Sea” – I’ve been meaning to play this at a Sesh because the guitar work mesmerizes me. The whole track/album is pretty lush and beautiful but I never really “got” John Abercrombie before hearing this. Here he seems like several guitarists but I think it is his play with effects that creates the remarkable layers within in the song. The Seshjawners do not catch who this is, though several of them should have.
Travis – Trondheim Jazz Orchestra – “Den lunefulle / Den eldste / Langaakeren” – Exotic mix pointillistic, Sufjan-ish feeling, but instrumental. Some strong fiddle work, and voice, but wordless vocals and possibly not an orchestra sized band. I’m thinking only a few musicians. I say fiddle because it sounds more folky or rootsy in its tone quality, though the parts are really difficult and kaleidoscope like. Some interesting orchestral effects in the middle. The trumpet player is doing some Bart trumpet bag of techniques as well. The band is from Norway and is worth more delving based on this tracks vibe.
Nawi – Weird sounds that are blending well with my fish tank bubbler. Moody. Boris – “Rainbow” – I haven’t heard of them either, but I like the ambient vibe and the vocals. The guitar tears through that vibe with a really dirty, nasty sound. It’s like an aural zipper that splits the other sounds down the middle.
Bart – Houston Person – “Pain” (Live 1973) – Some Houston Person I don’t have, but on the list to find. One specialty search category of mine is Organ Combo/Soul Jazz obscurities. Most of these artists put out an album(s) every year and they aren’t well reissued. Someone like Houston Person has like 30-40 albums from the late 60’s-the end of the 70’s and they are what I call genre hits. Meaning their genre is specific and popular, but it usually isn’t specific albums that are popular. Instead I look for Cover Art, band mates and songs, but they are all fun and exciting, good for throwing on for many occasions.They often have contemporary (of their release) cover songs – like on a recent Grant Green (who is also on this track) purchase “Betcha By Golly Wow” I picked up. The lengthy, locked in groove and rhythmic sophistication is a draw. And its the predecessor to Instrumental R&B and Smooth Jazz yet with intense vitality which never graduated to the next form. This style tends to get negative critical reviews, but I love the rhythmic intensity and commitment to positive repetition.
Found Sounds 