Continuum – A Journey Through Jazz
Episode 9: Summer Groove Part 1
Welcome back fellow travellers to another journey through the Jazz continuum! This week it gets funky, I mean . . . seriously funky. It’s Summer time, so I wanted to make you a groove orientated ‘mix tape’ for you to bring to your next party, yacht outing, or road trip. Your family, friends, neighbours and people driving next to you in your car will love it and hopefully, so will you! I promise that it will keep you awake.
We start this week’s journey on a fairly mellow note with a beautiful rendition of Gershwin’s Summertime arranged by the vibraphonist Stephon Harris, perfectly capturing the feel of a summer morning or evening when the air has a certain coolness to it . . . then the heat picks up as we head to New Orleans with a few of the funkiest bands in the land: Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, and Papa Grows Funk – you just can’t get much funkier than this.
We then take an exotic excursion to Japan to hear some modern Funk-Jazz played on an ancient Japanese instrument called the Shamisen by a young man named Agatsuma – and then quickly travel back to the other side of the globe for some Afro-Cuban grooves delivered by Audio Caviar (a spin-off group from Earth, Wind and Fire created by Ralph Johnson) and a brand new recording to make you dance, from a dude named Diesler in the UK. We end the trip at a nightclub where you’ll hear some vintage Acid Jazz from Groove Collective and Incognito, and finish up with a brand new recording from the newly re-formed Jeff Lorber Fusion.
So, whatever you happen to be doing this Summer – you can take this show with you and play it over and over again to establish a solid groove that will hopefully make you joyfully move, as well as anyone you may be hanging out with.
I had so much fun, I’m going to do it again next week with a part two – so, if you have any comments, questions, suggestions or requests, please send them to me at scott@soulandjazz.com.
Enjoy the ride!
Continuum – A Journey Through Jazz
Episode 9 – Summer Groove Part 1
Artist – Track – Album – Year
Stefon Harris & Blackout Summertime Evolution 2004
Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen Too Damn Hot Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen 2002
Big Sam’s Funky Nation T.M.P. Peace, Love & Understanding 2008
Papa Grows Funk Shakin’ Shakin’ 2003
Big Sam’s Funky Nation Shake Yo Thang Take Me Back 2006
Agatsuma Shami’s Groove Beyond 2004
Audio Caviar 5th House Transoceanic 2004
Diesler Deepest Cuba Tie Breakers 2010
Groove Collective Runaway Child Dance of the Drunken Master 1998
Incognito I Can See The Future Future Remixed 1999
Jeff Lorber Fusion Water Sign Now Is The Time 2010
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