#16 Mystic Voyage - Roy Ayers - by Profyousion
Wednesday, April 8th, 2009
mystic voyage
Right from the start, the track “Mystic Voyage” from the album of the same name is slick. Captivated… by what must be a synth string arrangement(no string credits in personnel info) we are musically given an example of this master vibists’ technique. Mellow understated jazz-funk.
Roy’s string arrangements are nothing short of remarkable in terms of authenticity in clarity and timbre.
#15 Theme for Relana - Gene Harris - by Profyousion
Saturday, March 14th, 2009
in a special way
I first got hip to Gene Harris from the “Astral Signal” album, released the previous year(’75). “In a Special Way” is his next, and between the two, the former was the more popular and hence, the more familiar.
Both albums mark a departure from a simpler production approach to one more complex. I like it!
“Theme for Relana” is an update in style reflecting the young-up-and-coming style to the jazz influenced music of the time.
#14 Stratus - Billy Cobham - By Profyousion
Wednesday, March 4th, 2009
spectrum
The driving drums and their trademark tonality underscore the Cobham technique. Add to this the distinctive fender-rhodes harmonics and driving bass line groove, and the stage is set for a “knock your socks off” performance. Stratus is definitely one of his best on the album.
Recorded in 1973, Spectrum is Billy Cobham’s debut effort as a bandleader.
Jazz purists of the time expressed a resistance to funk as viable part of the “straight ahead” jazz arena… fine, whatever! This is still undeniably jazz.
As pure funk, it’s too jazzy, and too jazzy and funky to be pure rock. Hence the “fusion” of all three, creating it’s own category.
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