WHAT AM I LISTENING TO THIS WEEK?

Everyone has different musical tastes. Many of you, like me, listen to different genres and sub genres. Of course there are those who only listen to one type of music and if that is the case well maybe this post is not for you.

I tend to lean most towards jazz. Thats my passion. However I do listen to everything from classical to heavy metal to hip hop to the blues. In so saying, in my listening voyages I come across some very interesting records that I would like to share with you. If you enjoy them great if not well then at least you’ve have listened to something different. No harm in that.

This post and more to follow will bring to your attention some of the albums I’m currently listening to. Check them out. You may find something you like. That is my hope.

Cameron Graves – Planetary Prince

This artist is new to me but he plays the type of jazz sub-genre that I love (funky fusion grooves with jazzy and technically forward overtones). That’s a mouthful. Cameron is a progressive jazz pianist coming out of the LA jazz scene. This group (Kamasi Washington (ts) Philip Dizack (tp) Hadrien Feraud (b) Ryan Porter (tb) Ronald Bruner Jr. (d)) come out swinging and don’t stop till it’s over. There is something cool in every track and each musician is top notch. This is Cameron’s first project as a leader. There is a follow-up album Planetary Prince – The Eternal Survival -EP released in 2018.

Nate Smith – Pocket Change

Those of you who haven’t seen Nate Smith on YouTube have been missing out. This is one funky drummer. He reminds me of a Bernard Purdy of James Brown fame but on steroids. If you haven’t checked out Kinfolk where he is in a group setting you should. If you like old school down and dirty funk you will like that album.

On this album Nate is solo. I know, you’re thinking a whole album of just the drums? Well If you know Nate you will know that when he plays the drums solo he creates by piecing together arrangements and crafts a cohesive track out of that. This is a short album with pieces running from :59 to 4:46. You won’t be bored though. If you like funky technical rhythms this one is a kicker.

Herbie Hancock – Man-child

Late last summer on one of my vinyl show voyages I was fortunate enough to find an original pressing of this gem. Previously I was more a Herbie Hancock fan from the Miles Davis days but this album really introduced me to the Hancock of the 70s and before the Future Shock thingy. I have since gone back to check out more 70s HH. This album gives a good image of the funky groovy music of those days without being too cliche or dated. The group is fantastic and very cohesive.

Charenee Wade – Offering – The Music of Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson

I have really never been a vocal music fan. No matter the genre. Never really followed it much. Ya I know shocking. Of course there are many great singers but in my collection of music there are very few vocal repertoire. This album struck me for a few reasons. I was actually looking for a good Gil Scott-Heron album and came across this. I enjoy this one because it showcases Gil’s music, the music and the mood has that jazzy R&B groove and Charenee has got enough feeling and class to pull it all together. This is really good sit and listen music.