Sunday, 20 April 2008

musicology #133

instrumentalsweek #6

(Eddie Harris - Listen Here)

LISTEN

finishing up the ‘players’ with this masterpiece from Eddie Harris who, in his own words, defines it as

“A Latin jazz tune for dancing”

taken from his final recording session for Atlantic in April 1967.. reduced from 30 minutes to just over 7, (a mistake in my humble opinion), featuring the combined skills of percussionist’s Ray Barretto & Joe Wohletz, Richard Smith on drums, Melvin Jackson on bass duties, Jodie Christian on Piano and the man himself blowing up a storm on Tenor Sax.

another BIG tune on London’s Rare Groove dancefloors back in 86/7, (as well as being a million seller on initial release)

by the way, tomorrow is the start of a new theme goodbad&ugly, an alternative soundtrack/tribute to one of themusicologists most loved films.

Saturday, 19 April 2008

musicology #132

instrumentalsweek #5

(Rupie Edwards All Stars - Your New Love)

LISTEN

penultimate cut on the players selection and it's another pearl from Jamaica. a Winston Wright organ led version of one of themusicologists favourite pieces of early Reggae, singer Dobby Dobson's top ranking song 'Your New Love'

although a singer of some fine songs Rupie Edwards was and is better known for his skills as a producer, having worked with such luminaries as Johnny Clarke, The Heptones, Gregory Issacs, the great Joe Higgs and foundation DJ's U Roy and I Roy, (to name a few), and his contribution to the development of 'Dub' is sometimes overlooked. before the 'version' became the standard B-Side to every Jamaican 45, Rupie Edwards was experimenting with the instrumental and this one is an example of his capabilities.

(Probable Session Line Up)

Saxophone - Tommy McCook
Trombone - Vin Gordon
Drums - Carlton 'Santa' Davis
Guitar - Hux Brown
Piano - Gladstone 'Gladdy' Anderson
Bass - Clifton 'Jackie' Jackson
Organ - Winston Wright

Friday, 18 April 2008

musicology #131

instrumentalsweek #4

(The J.B’s - Hot Pants Road)

LISTEN

today’s top ranking 1972 cut is courtesy of the hardest working band in show business, none other than the J.B’s with a tune that epitomises Funk. BIG on London’s, Rare Groove, dancefloors back in 1986/7

(probable line up)

* Fred Wesley - trombone
* Jimmy Parker - alto saxophone
* St. Clair Pinckney - tenor saxophone
* Bobby Byrd - organ
* Hearlon “Cheese” Martin - guitar
* Robert Coleman - guitar
* Fred Thomas - bass
* John “Jabo” Starks - drums
* Johnny Griggs - congas

Thursday, 17 April 2008

musicology #130

instrumentalsweek #3

(Roland Alphonso - Jazz Ska)

LISTEN

this prime slice of Jamaican musicology comes from the King Edwards stable and features many of the best proponents of the Ska style. Baba Brooks, Arkland 'Drumbago' Parks, Lester Sterling and tenor sax king, Roland Alphonso.

Recorded and released on the King Edwards label in 1965 at the height of the genres popularity, (it would only be a year before Rock Steady became the 'in thing'), this is Ska at it's finest.

Wednesday, 16 April 2008

musicology #129

instrumentalsweek #2

(Mulatu Astatqe - Yegelle Tezeta, (My Own Memory)

LISTEN

been trying to get the ‘early post’ in for the last couple of weeks otherwise my day gets backed up with things to do….this weeks selection looks like providing the opportunity I’ve been waiting for so I’m grabbing it with both hands and flinging this one down when the sun is shining, the birds are singing and my, much loved children are here brightening up the day …

this fine slice of Ethiopian funk was recorded and released in 1969, (available on the Top Ranking CD Ethiopiques #4), and is credited to Ethiopia’s premier musicologist Mulatu Astatqe who arranged, produced and also played on the session along with what sounds like the cream of Ethiopia’s ‘modernists’….

Tuesday, 15 April 2008

musicology #128

instrumentalsweek #1

(Louis Armstrong & His Hot 5 - Muskrat Ramble)

LISTEN TUNE

after the lyrics of the socialcommentaryweek I feel like bathing in the waters of the instrumental for a while so with that in mind, this week, i'm leaving it the 'players' to 'speak the universal'

first up it's the father of 'popular music' Louis Armstrong accompanied by some of the greatest proponents of the New Orleans style Johnny Dodds, (clarinet), Johnny St Cyr, (Banjo), Lil Hardin, (Piano) and Kid Ory on trombone who together made up the worlds first 'super group..known collectively as the Hot 5.

Sunday, 13 April 2008

musicology #127

socialcommentaryweek #7

(Billy Bragg - Johnny Carcinogenic Show)

LISTEN

inishing up with this one from brother Bragg’s latest ’set’, Love & Justice, (the deluxe edition), a pucker selection of quality slices that is highly recommended. has to be the deluxe as it has the accoustic and the accompanied versions of each cut.

part of the inspiration for throwing down the social commentary selection has been my regular viewing of documentary’s made by Adam Curtis which are always to be found in the tray of themusicologist’s dvd player. each episode full of information on the how, who and why we find ourselves in the freedom trap of the 21st century.

‘The Power Of Nightmares’, ‘Century Of The Self’, ‘Pandoras Box’, ‘The Mayfair Set’ and ‘The Trap’ are not available on DVD, (surprise, surprise), but they are all out there available for consumption thanks to knowledge pirates who make an effort to share gems like these.

for me, the ‘Century Of The Self’ may be the most important as it outlines exactly how we, (the masses), have been sold into the slavery of a desires culture.

the truth is that in this ‘iwah’ the Economy is the deciding factor when it comes to making decisions/policies and so the pursuit of profit has become the bottom line.

a danger of the one ideology approach is that money doesn’t have a conscience and takes no responsibility.

I recommended tracking down all of the documentarys and watching them with your young ones because as the man says

“look i’m not responsible for the lessons children learn…….”

so if that’s the case then it’s up to us to help our children learn the truth..hard I know but nevertheless ESSENTIAL. one way is to use music…I know it works.

just like to add that your continued support on themusicologist is appreciated..

“saw some guy on the TV yesterday, selling poison by the ton,
how can you do such a thing the woman asked and he replied,
the secret is to hook em young,

look i’m not responsible for the lessons children learn,
i’m just responsible for giving my investors some returns,

here’s a message from the sponsors of the Johnny Carcinogenic Show,
the sponsors of the Johnny Carcinogenic Show,

you’d never belief just how much effort goes into,
adding some glamour to the brand,
to distract you from the damage that they do,
putting their products in your hand,

what other industry could ever get away,
with contaminating its best customers this way,
here’s a message from the sponsors of the Johnny Carcinogenic Show,
the sponsors of the Johnny Carcinogenic Show,

here’s a product that promises to do nothing but,
take your money and your soul,
poverty is toxic everybody knows,
no need to help it take its toll,

who will profit from the misery they sow,
not the grandchildren that you will never know,
here’s a message from the sponsors of the Johnny Carcinogenic Show,
the sponsors of the Johnny Carcinogenic Show,
the sponsors of the Johnny Carcinogenic Show, poverty’s toxic,
the sponsors of the Johnny Carcinogenic Show,
poverty’s toxic.