I heard, from a source now forgotten, that Courduroy was being signed to
Blue Note Records. I was pretty flabbergasted by that bit of news, I
actually didn't really believe it, so it may actually be untrue. I
personally find very little about Courduroy to be pleasing, exciting, or
good. An acquired taste I suppose.
Since everyone else seems to be contributing info and such, here's my two
cents. Some recent releases I've had the pleasure of enjoying:
Fat Jazzy Grooves 11, is it just me or is New Breed really getting to
become a quality label? Six songs on this one, for the most part all great
selections. Includes The Khromozomes, Beats of San Francisco, and some
others.
Instinct's Bossa Brava compilation is (as CK Smart mentioned) a quality
collection of new Latin-flava tunes. The groups are all quality (though I
can't see how Rad. fits into this album, but oh well). Personal favorites,
Reminiscence Quartet and the original mix of "Vibe P.M." by Mondo Grosso.
Though this isn't all that new, Wagon Christ's full length LP, Throbbing
Pouch, is pretty enjoyable. I'm a sucker for double LPs anyway, and I'm
into the rhythm changes and eclectic samples. The clarinet (or is it bass
clarinet) loop on "Reedin'" gets a thumbs up from me (used to play clarinet
& bass clarinet in the school band...)
If anyone has seen anything on the Lollop label from Japan, pick it up!
There is a compilation/sampler of Lollop acts out, as well as a couple EPs
I believe. One of my faves is the Reflection "Spiral Beats" EP. Four
tracks, each one a winner, lots of funky, smooth bass, and hard and heavy
beats, on the downtempo tip, but good on the dancefloor. DJ Takemura has a
good deal to do with Lollop, but I cannot recall what exactly.
The latest Jazzmatazz, which was being discussed earlier on the list,
finally found its way to my PO Box. I wouldn't call this groundbreaking or
all that innovative, nor would I even venture to say that about the first
Jazzmatazz (can somebody please explain to me why people seem to think that
album was so good?), but this one is at least a little bit more musically
developed. The best tracks in my opinion are all the little interludes with
the Solsonics, the music just sounds good. The Chaka Khan track is nice,
the Donald Byrd track "Traveler" or something like that is pretty good too,
nice muted trumpet playing, and a solo too! (golly!) The Jamiroquai track
sucks (again, this is just my opinion), all J.K. does is sing "la la la" in
the background a few times. It has that Jamiroquai sound to it, but in the
end, so what?
Well, that's all I can do for now. Maybe there can be some kind of volley
started with the reviews on the list. With all the music out there, every
bit of critique is helpful...
Wishing you the best,
Gordon
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