Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Sunday, January 28, 2007

Saturday, January 27, 2007

reynardine




June Tabor's interpretation of this ballad is unadorned - and singularly beautiful.





Friday, January 26, 2007

sambach


Bach and samba - pianist Fred Hersch plays Tom Jobim's O Grande Amor. (From Live at the Bimhuis.)





Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Monday, January 22, 2007

Sunday, January 21, 2007

foresight


Michio Miyagi was one of the greatest champions of the Japanese koto, as a composer, performer, and innovator in design, tuning (and more). Here he is with an unknown violinist, playing one of his most famous compositions, Haru no Umi (The Sea in Spring)







* Pictured: Reiko Obata's koto. And thanks to these guys for the recording.

Saturday, January 20, 2007

reverie



Saxophonist Paulo Moura is in a class all his own - and proves it here with his reading of Sempre a sonhar.







(From the album Interpreta Radamés Gnattali.)

Friday, January 19, 2007

north by nordeste


Brazilian singer/composer Lenine is a favorite of mine, partly because he celebrates the rich culture of northeastern Brazil in all of his music. Today's track comes from an album he made with percussionist Marcos Suzano. It's called Caribenha Nação - Tuaregue Nagô. (More info. here.)







* Photo by Marisa Vianna

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

cross currents





Take 6 puts a jazz spin on Get Away, Jordan





Tuesday, January 16, 2007

candido


Candido Camero is one of the most influential Latin percussionists working today. I'm sure you've heard him - even if you're not a fan of Cuban music, or Latin jazz.

Today's cut comes from the LP Brujerias de Candido. It's called Ti-Chi-Can.





Monday, January 15, 2007

sunda


Indonesia has a truly vibrant pop music scene, still unexplored territory for most of us in the West. Here's a small gem by singer Neng Maria, titled Bohong Ah...!





Sunday, January 14, 2007

just enough


Stevie Wonder's Living for the City (from his 1973 release, Innervisions), is that rare thing: a "message" song with a groove that never quits.







* Photo of 5Pointz graffiti by Martin Fuchs

Saturday, January 13, 2007

veracruz










One of Mexico's greatest pop singers, Toña La Negra, performing El Cacahuatero





Friday, January 12, 2007

boreas




Jan Garbarek and the wind - Dis. (From the album of the same title.)





Thursday, January 11, 2007

Tuesday, January 09, 2007

massive


I'm in the mood for ska...

Gary Crosby's Jazz Jamaica All Stars - Ball of Fire





Monday, January 08, 2007

sinuous


French jazz pianist Jacky Terrasson's way of remaking standards has long fascinated me. Here he is, playing La javanaise






Saturday, January 06, 2007

33 & 1/3d


Today's post is about my reasons for starting this blog. It's simple, really - vinyl, groove, sound.

Tom & Dito - Tamanco Malandrinho





back to africa





Toumani Diabate's Symmetric Orchestra - Africa Challenge





Thursday, January 04, 2007

honey in the rock



A.C. Forehand and his wife, Blind Mamie Forehand, recorded this gospel blues in 1927. (Check Revenant Records for more.)









* Photo by Michael Reichmann

Tuesday, January 02, 2007