Stuff I've Been Listening to 23 - More Jazz

 

Nala Sinephro-space 4 (2021)

I've made a post about Jazz before but its high time for this new one featuring some musicians new and old. Straight ahead, fusion, funk, experimental, and a few things in between. Like Nala for example. I LOVE this track from her Space 1.8 album. She's a harp player who gets it. This one features Nubya Garcia!

R+R=Now - Change of Tone (2018)

This is a super group w/ Robert Glasper, Terrace Martin, Christian aTunde Adjuah, Derrick Hodge, Taylor McFerrin, and Justin Tyson

Bobbi Humphrey- Set me at ease (1975)

OG Bobbi Humphrey on the flute and featuring the Mizell's and Dorothy Ashby

James Mason- Rhythm of life (1977)

Found this joint via Egon and man it grooves!

Esperanza Spalding - Formwela 3 (2021) 

Been following since the myspace days and love how she continues to play and grow

Lonnie Liston Smith-Bridge through time (1980)

You know, Lonnie has so many incredible jams. First heard this through The Conscious Daughters

What is this? This series is called "Stuff I've been listening to" and this is my place to share music that I listen to while I work, process, decompress, and live life. Some of it is new, some old. But I'm always listening. I share in the hopes that you will find something that inspires you. Please share with a fellow music lover.

Emma Jean Thackray-Rain dance/wisdom (2020)

I love how Emma Jean mixes jazz with electronic, house, funk, and hip hop. Shout out to the UK jazz scene!

Horace Silver-I've had a little talk (1972)

Song for my father is one of my all time favorites but when I heard Osunlade play thisssss?!

Destiny Muhammad Trio- Blue in Green (2022)

Destiny is an ILL harpist and vocalist from the Bay Area! Dig how she plays Miles and her own!!

Alfa Mist - Galaxy (2020)

Alfa Mist is an incredible UK producer and piano player, peep this remake of Eddie Henderson's classic

Madison Mcferrin- No time to lose (2017)

Madison is the next in line after Taylor and Bobby to show and prove. She can compose, produce, and sing!!

Did you miss the last installment of this series? 

Stuff I've been listening to 22: Instrumentals

Stuff Ive been listening to 21: Raps

Stuff Ive been listening to 17: Soul

Stuff Ive been listening to 19: UK Artists

Stuff Ive been listening to 20: Remixes

Keep listening to new and old music. There are tons of great artists still coming out with music. If you're not sure where to look, check out your local DJ, playlists, mixes, and your local independent radio stations.

Takuya Kuroda- Do they know (2016) 

I came across Takuya through vocalist Jose James and always dug this track

Amel Larrieux - Try your wings (2007)

Love Amel since Groove Thory, since Infinite Possibilities, Bravebird, Morning. Peep this remake of the Blossom Dearie song from 1958

Yussef Kamaal- Live at Brownswood studio (2016) Individually these cats are amazing but their joint album "Black focus" is incredible.

Agggh, there's so many great jazz records. Some you might of slept on or never heard of are artists like Meshell Ndegeocello, Kokoroko, Yazmin Lacey, Melissa Aldama, Grover Washington, or Butcher Brown. I wanna give a special shout out to this legend though.

Roy Hargove - Poetry (2003)

This was the first album that really got me hearing how dope Roy was, then I started to see his name with so many other great artists. Rest In peace brother Roy! Stay tuned for the next "Stuff I've been listening to" and drop a comment if there's someone you recommend!

Doom Cannon - Amalgamation

 

Just heard Giles Peterson play this cat and immediately thought "who is that?!". Doom Cannon!

Here is my last post about what I'm listening to: Remixes

Stuff I've been listening to - 19 (UK artists)

 

Greentea Peng - Dingaling (2021)

It feels like I've been listening to a lot of UK(British) artists lately from a few genres but mostly hip hop and soul. Here are a few of those artists. Hearing how they do their own thing and flip soul, hip hop, jazz, or house really trips me out sometimes. One of my biggest wishes is for more US based MCs, vocalists, and producers to collaborate with them. Got some folks I should hear? Leave a comment!

Yusef Dayes & Tom Misch - Storm before the calm (2020)

Cleo Sol - Sweet Blue (2019)

Little Simz-Backseat  (2016)

Eric Lau-Masamba (2017)

Kokoroko- Carry me home (2021)

Nayana IZ - TNT (2020)

Sault - Little boy (2020)

Andrew Ashong - Never dreamed (2013)

I wish I could tell you where everyone is from but I do not always know. And I'm trying to include artists from the past 5-10 years mostly. If we were going back in time I would include artists like Soul 2 Soul, Massive Attack, Radiohead, Loose Ends, or Sade.

Omar - I want it to be (2016)

Zilo - Show me whats mine (2021)

Blue Lab Beats - Memories (2019)

Hawk House - Chill pill (2014)

Hollie Cook - That very night (2011)

Shout out to Osunlade, Gilles Peterson, Vanessa Warren, Thinkbeat Radio, and the Colors YouTube channel for some of the gems!

The previous "Stuff I've been listening to" was about HOUSE music

Stuff I've been listening to- SOUL music

Stuff I've been listening to- JAZZ

Butcher Brown Tiny Desk

 

Been a fan of Butcher Brown for a minute and they're still rockin! Take a listen.

Jazz is Dead + Gary Bartz

Love how they're doing this. And I need to go listen. Jazz is Dead is a collab btwn Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Adrian Younge and various musicians such as Gary Bartz, Doug Carn, Azymuth, Marcos Valle, and Roy Ayers.

Heres a bunch of recent Jazz I've been listening to.

 

Mo' Better Blues (1990) - Movies I Love 2

 

Possibly my favorite Spike Lee film. Or at least in the top 3. This is a love story with a whole lot of good music. Check out this article where the two leading ladies Indigo and Clark talk about the film in retrospect, as this film is 30 years old y'all!

 So much to say about Denzel's smooth status in this. His confidence and his flaws. There's a lot in this about Brooklyn of course. And a ton about friendship and ART! I love the little nods to Trane, to the Five percenter's, to colorism, monogamy, sexism, and the consumption of Black Art. Please watch this if you're a fan of Spike, Jazz, or Black Artists. 

Watch the trailer, and listen to the soundtrack!!!!! Bradford Marsalis, Bill Lee, they all do their thing on it!

Check out my last fav movie: RAD

What is this? This is a part of my blog where I share my favorites films. I enjoy them for their pacing, action, comedy, drama, lighting, acting, score, so many things. I grew up as a lover of cinema going with my parents, friends, and by myself. I'm no scholar but I bet I could find a movie we both love to talk about. Stay tuned for more.....

Stuff I've been listening to 15 - (Jazz)

Mary Lou Williams (Piano)  Lorez Alexandra (Vocals)
 
India Arie remake of a classic(Guitar/Vocals) 
Milt Jackson (Vibes) - Enchanted Lady  Dorothy Ashby (Harp/vocals)
 
Keyon Harris(trumpet/vocals) feat Georgia Anne Muldrow
 
Christian Scott! (Trumpet) 
Kev Choice (Piano) -Oakland Baby!!
Terrace Martin (Keys, Vocals)
Moses Boyd (Drums)

This is a very short mix of a bunch of old and younger jazz musicians. Please check out the previous post of music I've been listening to HERE

Orange Keys - Music Inspired

This is not the first time I've made some artwork inspired by music. But I thought I'd do some new music inspired artwork. This one is inspired by the piano, keys, etc. I painted it with gouache. You want a print? Here it is:

LINK

Here are some old music inspired artwork:
Boombox character Design
Esperanza Spalding Type
Donald Byrd Portrait

Stuff I've been listening to - 12

Wow, I must have listened to this song 20 times playing the bridge over and over. Gabby Wilson aka H.E.R. is an incredible musician and deserves every single praise and or accolade. These are a bunch of songs I've had on repeat recently. You can see the last "Stuff I've been listening to" HERE
Temani really gives a different style on this one. Unlike any voice i've heard recently.
This is an old one, but I've been listening to a lot of house lately. Good vibes please! Both Yvette and Spinna did their thing on this! Makes me want to dance every time I hear it.


Destani Wolf's voice is a thing to behold. I've been in the same room as her while she sang and it just lifts you off the ground. Headnodic of Crown City Rockers produced this incredibly vibe filled beat.
This entire EP is fire. Just head nod material from start to finish!
Anthony Valadez, shout out to RecordBreakin!
A group of giants! R+R=Now
Again, found them via RecordBreakin!

Wanna hear more? Here is "stuff I've been listening to" 11

Black is Beautiful 3 (2017)- Memphis Minnie

Black people have given SO MUCH to what is American culture. That just needs to be said and folks need to be reminded of it. This is a piece of Memphis Minnie, one of many of the women who pioneered what today is Blues, Jazz, Swing, and Rock. She was born in 1897 in Algiers, Louisiana and grew up in Mississippi. She got her first guitar at the age of 8 or 10 and began a life as a musician in her early teens. She began playing with what was known as Jug bands Back in the day it was extremely rare to own an electronic device that played music, so live musicians played at homes, parties, bars, on the street, etc. She recorded her first song in 1929 and would go on to record around 200 songs with a career that spanned decades. She was known to be an extremely talented picker with the guitar and was one of the early pioneer is Blues to use an electric guitar. She was married to and played with Kansas Joe, she like so many migrated to Chicago. Known as the Queen of the country blues she played until her early 60s and needs much much more attention and credit. Some of her big tunes include "when the levee breaks, Hoodoo lady blues, I'm a bad luck woman, Bumble Bee, and if you see my rooster. Some cats still play her songs today.

Sources: Memphis Music hall of fame, MemphisMinnie.com, Youtube

Also check out:

Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Type musical 4- Melody

Type Musical 2- Repetition/Reputation

Repetition/reputation

Jazz Collage: Portraits & Typography (2010-2013)

Here is a collage of most of the portraits and type I did over the past two or three years related to Jazz Musicians of the past and present. I cannot remember how I started this but I do remember wanting to try out some things whether they failed or worked. Weird styles, different color patterns, some of my favorites, etc, etc. Anyways, like many I found jazz through hip hop and for that I am truly grateful. It not only opened my mind to a different musical patterns, but different religions, philosophies, and world views.

Portraits: Lto R : Cassandra Wilson, Madlib, Etta James, Roy Ayers, Meshell Ndegeocello, Oliver Nelson, Amel Larrieux, John Coltrane, Dorothy Ashby, Nujabes, Freestyle Fellowship, Patrice Rushen, Bobbi Humphrey, Headnodic, Esperanza Spalding, Pharoah Sanders, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Jose James, Abbey Lincoln, Dizzy Gillespie, Muhsinah, Mulatu Astatke, Eligayehu "Gigi" Shibabaw, Jneiro Jarel, Celia Cruz

Type: L to R: A-Amel Larrieux, B-Bebel Gilberto, C-Coltrane, D-Digable Planets, E-Esperanza Spalding, F-Freddie Joachim, G-Guru, H-Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, I-Invisible Skratch Piklz, J-Jneiro Jarel, K-Kat 010, L-Linda Oh, M-Miles Davis, N-Nina Simone, O-Oliver Nelson, P-Pancho Sanchez, Q-Quadron, R-Robert Glasper, S-Stuyvesants, T-Thelonius monk, U-Ulysses Owens Jr, V-Vinia Mojica, W-Wayne Shorter, X- nadie, Y-Yesterdays New Quintet, Z-Zelia Barbosa

 Some of my favorite songs from over the many Jazz posts are: and disclaimer, you might not think of some of these cuts as Jazz, but they are to me. Look out for more Jazz artwork and Posters soon.

John Coltrane-Aisha
Patrice Rushen-Before the dawn
Mulatu Astatke-Tezeta
Meshell Ndegeocello-Aquarium
Madlib-Dear God and Stepping into Tomorrow
Dorothy Ashby-Drink
Oliver Nelson-Stolen Moments
Zelia Barbosa-Pedro Dina
Amel Larrieux-We can be new
Roy Ayers-Aint got time
Bobbi Humphrey-My little girl
Headnodic-Something feat Rashaan Ahmad
Donald Byrd-Places and spaces
Hypnotic Brass Ensemble-Sankofa
Vinia Mojica-Sands of time
Digable Planets-Pacifics (NY is red hot)
Robert Glasper-FTB

If you would like to see who else I drew or painted click the tags "Jazz" "typography" and/or "Jazz Portraits"

Jazz Portraits 30- Shirley Scott (Organ)

Wow, cant believe its been so long so I posted a Jazz related piece. Here's a lady Ive been listening to and getting acquainted with. Ms Shirley Scott, a wonderful organ and piano player who was an incredible band leader, band member, and an all around talented musician who I feel does not get enough praise. Some of my favorites by her include "Shirley" (w/ her husband Stanley Turrentine), Carla's dance, 411 West, and Soul Song. There is also a good segment on NPR's piano jazz with her as well. RIP.

Jazz Portraits 29-Meshell Ndegeocello (revisited)

This is a print, so if you'd like a copy of this original 11"x17" piece, go here to the store.

I decided to revisit Meshell for fun and because I felt i could improve on the last illustration of her. I know the songs i list in my piece are not all Jazz Songs, but that is the beauty of music. What is Jazz really? What is any musical genre? Sure there are rules, but often people don't even know what they want to see or hear until they experience it, then it changes the rules with out asking permission.

About this piece. I decided to mix up various photos of her and I know it does not look exactly like her, but that wasn't the point. The point was to have fun and just interpret through my lens. Also, I wanted to share her music with any of you music lovers who are not yet familiar with her sound.

I've been a fan of her music for quite some time, if you get a chance, support her by getting one of her many and diverse records. One love!

Jazz Portrait 28- Donald Byrd (Trumpet)

I can't believe I have not done a new Jazz Portrait since October. A compilation poster of all the portraits and the typography thus far will be ready soon for your viewing and purchasing enjoyment. In the meantime, this one is available as an 11" x 17" digital print.

 The design stems from blah blah blah. Nada, it was fun to create,punto. And the words are of some of my favorite Donald Byrd songs. Please support his music.

I think the first time I was introduced to Byrd (Rest In Peace) was through Black Moon out of Brooklyn. Like many hip hoppers of the time I was eager to find out where the hell these sounds they were using came from. I found that other groups such as Digable Planets, Gangstarr, Dilla, and more were sampling his work and it opened my mind to his music. I wont do a whole bio but he played traditional and fusion, and he's one of the few Jazz musicians like Ron Carter who played WITH hip hop groups instead of complaining about how they didnt get this or that. Don Was (Blue Note) wrote a nice piece about him. And peep this concert of him performing with The Blackbyrds( I think), a group of young musicians from Morehosue college who he took under his wing.Annnd the Mizell Brothers!

If anyone has connects to his family, let me know. I would love to work with them to work towards his memory. RIP.

Dig this? Check out this one of Bobbi Humphrey

Also, peep this 2009 collab w/Joy Liu and Sake 1

Typography 25- Ulysses Owens Jr. (drums)

Just getting hip to Ulysses Owens Jr. and his sound. I found him via The Revivalistist and his drums are clean, rhythmic, and I can already tell i'll be hearing more about this cat in the near future. Look for him in the Christian McBride trio. U is for "Ulysses". Check out "Party time" , "Good and terrible", and this ill brush practice.

Jazz Portraits 27- Jaspects (band)

My my my what a group this is. I'm just starting to delve into their sound. Yes I'm late. But then, I started....right? Jaspects is a group of cats who met at Morehouse, see Vanessa Warren's write up on them from the Polkadot LP. They play hella instruments, they rhyme, sing, and they got fashion sense. What else could you ask for in a Jazz Band? Um, so the songs i'm feeling by this multi-instrumental, multi-talented ensemble are "Fallin", West End Station, Be-Hop, and My way to love. If you're just tuning in, Ive been working on this Jazz Series of (Rough) portraits and typography for more than a year and its almost done. If you have not heard of some of the musicians like this group, check out what the individual members are up to. I found Henry Conerway III of Jaspects on twitter for example. From one artist to another...

Typography 24- Oliver Nelson (Saxophone)

The first time I heard Oliver was on a Blue note Compilation my mom had. Not as well known to me and still a bit of a mystery, I dug up some new favorites from him such as Disillusioned, Black, Brown, and beautiful, and Melissa. My favorite song by him is "Stolen Moments".

Typography 23- Linda Oh (Bass)

Found Ms Linda Oh while checking out the "Girls In the Band" flick. I'm new to her stuff, but you can hear the good things that are about to come from her. Peep this performance of Monk, her songs Morning sunset, "Deeper than Happy", and the remix