We haven't done an installment of Sunday jazz in awhile, so I think its about time once again. Today I'd like to feature Italian trumpeter Enrico Rava. While Enrico has had a very distinguished career and really helped open the eyes of Americans to the world of Italian jazz, I want to focus on one of releases that has really become one of my favorite jazz cds of all time.
Rava's 1996 release Italian Ballads is a wonderful album that combines elements of jazz with traditional Italian music. The work is heavily influenced by the traditional Italian songs, operas, and also music from Fellini's movies. It is not a traditional jazz album by any means, but rather a mix of styles into a unique album that combines the melodic traditions of Italian music with the musicianship and creativity of American jazz. He even incorporates traditional Italian instruments by using an accordion on the album played by Richard Galliano, who does an amazing job.
The first song, Il Cielo In Una Stanza, is by far my favorite on the album, and is I feel the best example of the combination of elements that I mentioned earlier. I find the song to be beautiful and even entrancing, and I usually just space out and listen whenever it comes on. -click on the link to download or click play to stream- Enrico Rava - Il Cielo In Una Stanza
And for your listening pleasure, a couple more tracks including the closing track titled O Mi Babbino Caro, a moving close to the album as Enrico plays his version of the famous Italian aria. All in all just a great album that has a unique sound to it and I think even those who don't traditionally listen to much jazz can enjoy. Enrico Rava - More
Well it's official, Kyle and I are now college graduates. While I am sticking around Evanston and working this summer, Kyle is off to Europe for a month before beginning work in Pittsburgh. So that means you're all stuck with just me for the next month plus. I hope I can keep things going on my own, but posts probably won't be quite as frequent.
Post-graduation post number one will be on an indie quartet out of Los Angeles named Silversun Pickups. As you've probably noticed, I'm not as big of an indie-rock person as Kyle, but these guys are a group that I've really come to enjoy. Their 2006 release Carnavas is a great album that showcases their songwriting abilities. The soft voice of Brian Aubert combined with their raw guitar sound gives them a unique blend that really comes of well, especially when combined with the backing vocals of bassist Nikki Monninger.
The first song is one which you might know, or at least have heard but don't know what it is. Their song Lazy Eye has been feature on many shows and soundtracks lately and is their main single. The song really demonstrates the bands ability to incorporate dynamics into their songwriting. The song just builds and builds as it goes on until it really explodes as Aubert suddenly switches from soft spoken singing to just belting out the lyrics.
The second song, Melatonin, is the opening track off Carnavas and I think it best demonstrates their use of rhythm to create unique songs and this is part of what sets them apart in the music scene.
And here's one more just to give you a little more taste of their styles, another favorite song of mine that features just a repeating beat over which the song takes shape and builds itself.
It's summertime, and what has more of a summer feel than reggae music. Of course everybody knows Bob Marley and the Wailers, but do you know who the original Wailers were? Two of them became legendary reggae artists in their own right: Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh. Tosh iwas from Kingston, Jamaica, and he wrote some of the big Marley hits including 'Get Up, Stand Up' ,as well as being much more of a political writer in his time. He ended up leaving the Wailers because of all the success Bob Marley was having (he believed it to be because Marley had a white father). Tosh was a very outspoken man, and in his solo career he released two groundbreaking reggae CD's entitled 'Legalize It' and 'Equal Rights'. Both of these CD's are usually put in the top 15 reggae CD's of all time, and there is good reason why.
Tosh's first album, 'Legalize It', is the only one I own...and it is quite a reggae masterpiece. He takes the dub style that defines reggae and incorporates it with great melodies and hooks that will stay with you well after you listen to the album. My favorite song on the album is 'Why Must I Cry', which is one of the few love songs that Tosh sang. The background vocals sound great behind Tosh's smooth tenor, and the dub is in full effect. Just try to not sway along to this tune...I dare you. The other tune I really dig on the CD is 'No Sympathy', which really speaks out as to what Tosh was feeling at the time. Listening to the whole CD is like listening to an era gone by (or perhaps still around). It is really quite interesting...listen to the album a few times, and then go back and pick out the lyrics...you will be pleasantly surprised.
Hopefully this will give you something other than Bob Marley to throw on at parties when you want some reggae...if you dig this, let me know...I've got plenty more reggae to choose from.
We haven't done an installment of Sunday jazz in awhile, so I think its about time once again. Today I'd like to feature Italian trumpeter Enrico Rava. While Enrico has had a very distinguished career and really helped open the eyes of Americans to the world of Italian jazz, I want to focus on one of releases that has really become one of my favorite jazz cds of all time.
