What are you listening to and WHY might anyone be interested? (Vol. XI)

Zimerman is one of my favourite Chopin interpreter.

His barcarolle and 1& 4 Ballades are one of my fave.

Excellent digital recording with great clarity without losing the natural tonal balance. Seamless top to bottom rare mid to late 80s digital DG recording that does not have any distortions or congestions anywhere. 

Tom Scott: Intimate Stranger 1977 release

Laid back easy West Coast jazz. It seems perfect for a hot lazy summer afternoon.

Plus I love Steve Gadd's drumming through this album.

Kuma,

You should play Zimerman's Wlatzs (he was very young when he recorded them) and then compare it to Tharaud's performance.

Playing Vivaldi's Four Season on a Philips Vinyl. Quite refreshing after a long yard work in the heat.

Haim,

Unfortunately the Waltzer was not the best of Zimerman's effort for Chopin. The entire set lacking in dynamics and life. ( saccharine sweet puppy love nightmare! ) Granted he was only 20 when he recorded it and I am not aware that he ever re-recorded them again. 

For me, the one I enjoy the most for Chopin Waltzes is by Malcuzynski. Have you heard this one? 

There's something refreshing about his playing. A lot more interesting thing going on rhythmically and he does not make these familiar tunes as a throw away nor make them common. Even his *flowery pieces*  have a sense of scale and purpose.

I'll get to Tharaud's Waltzes at some point but Chopin Waltzes are not a kind of music I'd reach out often. 

Tom Scott: Streamlines 1987 recording

Now with GRP label. Laid back down tempo funk. Grusin/Rosen influence everywhere.

Sheffield Lab mastered digital recording sounds great.

Second release from the GRP in 1988.

Virtually the same personnels and line up. But not as good as the Streamlines.

Gil Scott-Heron: Pieces of a Man 1971 recording

He had a such a great supporting musicians in this album: Ron Carter for bass, Barnard Purdy for drums, Hubert Laws for flute etc...Still hoping to find the original pressing in a decent condition. 

'The Revolution will not be televised' now is so terribly out of date, but the rest of the groovy tunes stood the test of time. 

Listen to Pretty Purdy's drum work in this tune. 

On youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sRcsW37MvE

Kuma, thanks for bringing him up.

Gil Scott-Heron & Brian Jackson - Secrets  1978 recording

A much more commercial and he explores into an easy jazz. A lot less grits and smoooooth. 

Easy on ears but I think I prefer his earlier edgier solo work. 

Relaxed downtempo tune with a breathy sax:

Vinyl

Carly's debut LP. 1971 recording.

This album contains one of my favourite tune by her: "That's The Way I've Always Heard It Should Be"

During workout - overwhelming jazz album, worth a try for people who haven't heard it...

Breakfast treat..

Streaming | FLAC Download from Bandcamp

Imbue by Androcelli (2014)

Ambient electronic to start the day, this one described as pychedelic, psychill and so on, It's certainly easy to listen to. 

"How long" by Ace

remember that get your groove back and give it play.

Streaming | FLAC

(2009)

Streaming | Deezer Elite

(2010)

I never paid much attention to this at the time so I thought I would give it a play now.

SHM CD rip

Another £7 classic LP from that River in South America:

Richard

On CD:-

Santana 4 due out before the end of the year. Recorded with the original band members. Carlos starts to mix it next month.

On vinyl. After sitting unplayed for eons I have put this LP on several times over the last couple of months.