WHAT AM I LISTENING TO THIS WEEK? Week 6

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

This week, as it’s been every week, we have a wide range of styles. You should know me by now. That’s how I roll.

ILL CONSIDERED – ILL CONSIDERED

This group is the definition of a jazz group without sounding too much like a jazz group. Even though their music is more edgy, more raw and less straight ahead they do embody the art of improvisation. Their aim is to create music that is unique to the moment. They create a loose structure or theme then improvise the hell out of it. Seems to be working for them. The first 3 tracks are standouts on this album.

TROY ROBERTS – NU-JIVE

I really like Troy’s playing, especially from his Nu-Jive recordings. They tend to be more on the funky fusion end of his vocabulary while his newer stuff is more contemporary. This album and the follow-up Nu-Jive 5 are great examples of a tight, talented and well rounded group playing some sophisticated stuff that doesn’t sound sophisticate. Standout tracks include Brotherlation, Shavon and Mademfalselle.

HIATUS KAIYOTE – CHOOSE YOUR WEAPON

After winning a Grammy with a track from their first album, this was the follow-up album. This Australian (future soul) group plays some very interesting music. I like that they add lots of variety and changes within each track. Stand out tracks include Shaolin Monk Motherfunk, Breathing Underwater and By Fire.

BEN WENDEL – WHAT WE BRING

Ok here is one for you jazz heads but with a little twist. His music is very contemporary but not so straight ahead. There is something structurally different about his music but in a very good and refreshing way. Very creative tracks. Stand out tracks include Spring and Song Song.

HARVEY MASON – CHAMELEON

Harvey Mason has been around a long time. There aren’t many jazz musicians past and present who haven’t had drummer Mason as a sideman (to name just a few; Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker, Ahmad Jamal, Eddie Henderson, The Headhunters, Chick Corea, Michel Legrand,  Lee Ritenour & Larry Carlton, John Legend, George Benson, Herbie Hancock and he was a member of Fourplay. Now he’s making waves with the today crowd.