Monday, September 19, 2016

Paul Desmond - First Place Again

The title of this set by alto saxophonist Paul Desmond refers to his having placed first once again in the alto chair in the Downbeat poll. Released in 1959, First Place Again is the result of an unexpected gathering of the rhythm section of the Modern Jazz Quartet: Percy Heath and Connie Kay, and Jimmy Giuffre 3 guitarist Jim Hall. The four musicians were all unexpectedly at home in New York and took full advantage of cheap, after-hours recording studio time to play out this set of standards and a pair of newer tunes, John Lewis' great blues, "Two Degrees East, Three Degrees West," and "East of the Sun (and West Of The Moon)," from a Princeton University theater work. The rest, including a fine reading of "Greensleeves," which is short and tight here, Cole Porter's "I Get a Kick out of You," J. Fred Coots' "For All We Known," "You Got to My Head" -- another Coots' tune -- and Sammy Cahn's "Time After Time," are done with an airy, amiable vibe, especially the work between Hall and the rhythm section, which is full of counterpoint and sharp accents. Desmond, of course, being at that time the king of melodic improvisation on the alto -- with the possible exception of Art Pepper's ascendancy -- is in fine form. His whimsical, breathy, dry tone is sharp, on the spot, and full of ideas as he quotes from a vast number of tunes. This is a thoroughly enjoyable and relaxed set if ultimately unmemorable. [Though the album was first released under the title First Place Again, it was reissued by the Discovery label in 1986 under the title East of the Sun. The track listing was the same, though the running oder was shuffled.] - by Thom Yurek, AMG

Artist: Paul Desmond
Album: First Place Again
Year: 1959 (Warner Bros.)
Label: Warner Japan (24bit remastered, 2014)
Runtime: 45:43

Tracks:
1.  I Get A Kick Out Of You (Cole Porter) 8:36 
2.  For All We Know (Fred Coots) 5:30 
3.  Two Degrees East, Three Degrees West (John Lewis) 7:25 
4.  Greensleeves (Traditional) 2:03 
5.  You Go To My Head (Fred Coots / Haven Gillespie) 6:25 
6.  East of the Sun (Euday L. Bowman) 5:42 
7.  Time After Time (Sammy Cahn / Jule Styne) 6:09 
8.  Susie (Paul Desmond) 3:50 *Bonus track

Personnel:
Paul Desmond (Alto Saxophone) 
Jim Hall (Guitar) 
Percy Heath (Double Bass) 
Connie Kay (Drums)

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Prem Joshua - Desert Visions

The album is a wonderful blend of East Indian, Arabic, African and Western music. The instruments and rhythms weave back and forth between the various influences in a spirited and lively manner. One track may have a hint of New Orleans Jazz balanced against the romantic and haunting sounds of the desert. Another track features East Indian vocals and tabla in a spirited dance with saxophone and flute. Overall easy to listen to ranging from sprightly to ambient in texture during the course of the album. - Product info

I stumbled onto this CD one day at a listening post and was at first drawn to it because of the cover. The album is a wonderful blend of East Indian, Arabic, African and Western music. The instruments and rhythms weave back and forth between the various influences in a spirited and lively manner. One track may have a hint of New Orleans Jazz balanced against the romantic and haunting sounds of the desert. Another track features East Indian vocals and tabla in a spirited dance with saxophone and flute. Overall easy to listen to ranging from sprightly to ambient in texture during the course of the album. - by Thomas Kryton, Amazon.com

Prem Joshua is one of the eminent world fusion musicians of the day. Upbeat, percussion-heavy, and influenced by jazz, pop, and Indian ragas, the reeling tracks on Desert Visions provide a stimulating background for vigorous yoga practice and dance. "Pagan Dance" in particular features a compelling jazz/raga melody that stays with the listener long after the dancing is finished. - AMG

Artist: Prem Joshua
Album: Desert Vision
Year: 1996
Label: New Earth Records
Runtime: 52:13

Tracks:
1.  The Raja's Ride (Prem Joshua) 5:30
2.  Daia (Prem Joshua) 7:50
3.  Hot Season (Prem Joshua/Rishi Vlote) 4:12
4.  Sarang (Prem Joshua/Manish Vyas/Rishi Vlote) 8:21
5.  Pagan Dance (Prem Joshua/Rishi Vlote) 1:26
6.  Jungle (Rishi Vlote) 3:01
7.  Kirwani (Prem Joshua) 5:24
8.  Desert Moon (Prem Joshua) 3:41
9.  Flight of the Swan (Prem Joshua) 8:55
10.  From Behind The Hills (Prem Joshua) 3:49

Personnel:
Prem Joshua (Soprano Saxophone, Bamboo Flute, Sitar, Swarmandal, Tambura, Santoor)
Manish Vyas (Tabla, Vocals, Harmonium and Pakhawaj) - 1,4,9
Rishi Vlote (Darbouka, Shaker, Keyboards, Bass, Vocals, Drums, Clay Pot, Frame Drum, Djembe)
Chintan S. Relenberg (Bass Guitar and Tabla) - 2,10
Jo Shiro Shunyam (Acoustic Guitar) - 2,9
Nadama Novak (Keyboards) - 2
Ravi Freeman (Keyboards) - 2
Bindu (Acoustic Guitar) - 2
Neera Halls (Vocals) - 2
Anadi Raval (Vocals) - 4
Adheesh Tivari (Drums, Bass and Keyboards) - 4
Meera Bhatt (Vocals) - 4
Azeema Bharti (Vocals) - 4

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