It began with Miles Davis and broke down with Kenny G. Jazz Fusion, and the various guises in which it revealed itself, began with the experimental fusion of jazz and rock of Davis' 1968 album Miles In The Sky . The likes of John McLoughlin, Herbie Hancock, Al Di Meola, Chick Corea, Bob James and so on continued in that avant garde vein. But other, more funk and soul oriented musicians, emerged in the 1970s, and many of the avant garde crowd also contributed to the rise of the more accessible form of fusion, the kind that would be [...]
Legendary jazz/pop pianist and keyboardist Ramsey Lewis, selects "one more tune" for all of those smooth and late night, silky shenanigans where having the light turned down low and the candles lit are all too real. Chicago, Illinois's favourite son has just returned home. RAMSEY LEWIS - Spring High
The In Yo' Face Crowd - Jazz elder-statesman Ramsey Lewis revisits a 1974 funk-fusion classic and reveals he's enjoying his second '70s just fine. Ramsey Lewis first made his name in the mid-1960s putting a funky, soul-jazz instrumental finish on top 40 fare such as "The In-Crowd" and "Hang on Sloopy". The formula garnered his trio (which included future Earth Wind and Fire founder Maurice White on drums) significant crossover success and made Lewis one of America's most successful jazz pianists. By the early 1970s, however, he'd tired of the acoustic trio format and embraced R&B fusion and funk....
Check him out at RamseyLewis.com Also visit his twitter page @RamseyLewis
UPDATE: Thought we'd re-post some of our more popular Christmas efforts; this one gets requests every year. This was one of the coolest albums of Christmas music ever. Originally released in 1962, this unassuming little compilation featured an all-star cast of jazz luminaries like Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, Duke Ellington and others. It was reissued on vinyl in 1980 (cover pictured above) but now it has disappeared into the mists of time. Don't bother looking for it on CD - [...]
This week, our wandering through the weekly wonders that tumble into view under the electronic/dance umbrella takes us down some intriguing avenues. In one direction, we've got a couple of hotshot producers/remixers who are calling in some heavy-duty favors in terms of the guest rosters on their new artist albums. On another front, there's an up-and-coming young electro-popper who pushes all the right buttons, and wrapping things up is an acid-jazz o.g. casting a fresh light on some of his former glories. Whichever way you choose to go, you're headed in the right direction. [...]
Well after another long hiatus from 'DROP ON A CLASSIC' I have returned my deepest apologies I have had a lot going on of late so sorting things out has been hard. But its not about me its about showcasing this great music and the story behind it. So this time we got Charizma and Peanut butter Wolf. These two guys are one of my favorite musical duos of all time and I feel they deserve my respect massively for getting me through so many tough times and great times with their crackin music. So here comes the breakdown but [...]
Down To The Bone's groove gets harder, funkier and juicier. Their music encompasses all that is funky, soulful and jazzy. As founder and producer of the band , Stuart Wade states that 'it's all about the groove....that is what gets people dancing, their toes tapping and their heads nodding.' 'Wade formed the band several years ago, where previous musical and business projects such as 'Internal Bass Records' and ' Think Twice ' had given him the necessary experience to reach his musical goals. In 2001 Wade decided to go solo with the band [...]
Born in Chicago, Illinois, USA, Ramsey Lewis projects his musical intelligence over a lengthy discography of jazzy numbers, soulful melodies and endlessly magical disco-perty and funk-errific tasty beats. Earth, Wind & Fire equally, change the rule book on modern day disco of that time, and infuse their own vision of twisted EWF melodies with drive, [...]
![RAMSEY LEWIS AND EARTH, WIND & FIRE – Sun Goddess [Columbia]](http://cdn.elbo.ws/posts/3400330_lg.jpg)
Born in Chicago, Illinois, USA, Ramsey Lewis projects his musical intelligence over a lengthy discography of jazzy numbers, soulful melodies and endlessly magical disco-perty and funk-errific tasty beats. Earth, Wind & Fire equally, change the rule book on modern day disco of that time, and infuse their own vision of twisted EWF melodies with drive, funk, and good old fashioned soul. Ramsey Lewis and Earth, Wind & Fire come together to make a traditional record of that era, in a name which personifies its sound as a whole. If you happen to have this on a 7" bit [...]
Surnommée la Reine d'ivoire de la musique soul , Teena Marie est une figure emblématique de la black music et de la Motown où elle a fait ses premières vocalises en tant que choriste en 1976 grâce au producteur Hal Davis (par ailleurs producteur des Jackson 5 et de Brenda Holloway). Trois ans plus tard elle sort son premier LP en collaboration avec Rick James , déjà bien en place à l'époque. C'est le début d'une longue collaboration entre les 2 artistes dont une histoire d'amour quelque peu mouvementé. Teena Marie [...]
UPDATE: Thought we'd re-post some of our more popular Christmas efforts; this one gets requests every year. Day 23 - This was one of the coolest albums of Christmas music ever. Originally released in 1962, this unassuming little compilation featured an all-star cast of jazz luminaries like Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, Duke Ellington and others. It was reissued on vinyl in 1980 (cover pictured above) but now it has disappeared into the mists of time. Don't bother looking for it on CD - [...]
I was at a cookout yesterday and Will Smith and Jazzy Jeff's "Summertime" came on. There really is no such thing as having an event during the season without hearing this and other classic summertime songs. So, right on time for the 4th, Mick Boogie Undrcrwn and Jeff teamed up to create this mixtape with almost 50 hits from De la Soul to Quincy Jones. Audible goodness for days. Check out the tracklist after the jump. Faze-O-Riding High Download audio [...]
The last ever photo of the Beatles together, as far as I know. Ringo and Paul wave goodbye, George looks exceedingly pleased, and John looks for Yoko (or perhaps Allen Klein). Tomorrow, 10 April, marks the 40th anniversary of Paul McCartney announcing the offcial disbandment of The Beatles. Of course, the Beatles were finished long before that. The final session for the Abbey Road album was, as the song had it, The End. And the guys knew it. Still, nothing was announced until 10 April 1970, when Paul unilaterally declared the Beatles kaputt. There [...]
UPDATE: Re-posted, by request. I added some more tunes from the Jingle Bell Jazz LP. Day 23 - This was one of the coolest albums of Christmas music ever. Originally released in 1962, this unassuming little compilation featured an all-star cast of jazz luminaries like Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, Duke Ellington and others. It was reissued on vinyl in 1980 (cover pictured above) but now it has disappeared into the mists of time. Don't bother looking for it on CD [...]
UPDATE: Re-posted, by request. I added some more tunes from the Jingle Bell Jazz LP. Day 23 - This was one of the coolest albums of Christmas music ever. Originally released in 1962, this unassuming little compilation featured an all-star cast of jazz luminaries like Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, Duke Ellington and others. It was reissued on vinyl in 1980 (cover pictured above) but now it has disappeared into the mists of time. Don't bother looking for it on CD [...]
The ever-prolific Anthony Valadez has been so kind as to bless this wee blog with a very special mix just for us. He's put together a soulful set featuring new and classic sounds side-by-side, including Beatlife faves Quadron, Replife and Comfort Fit. Download the mix below. Many thanks to A/V for showing us love! Tracklisting: bibo - lovers carvings (leatherette mix) ramsey lewis - jungle strut bonobo - the keeper (grasscut remix) quadron - unpatience replife - r u ready? blackalicious - swan lake comfort fit - exabyte (flako remix) [...]
One of the things I enjoy about reviewing new albums is that it sometimes opens my eyes to artists who might be a little unfamiliar to me. But it's also a pleasure when I rediscover a legendary three-time Grammy winner who is still a vibrant and active force in music. That would be Ramsey Lewis. Songs From The Heart; Ramsey Plays Ramsey , his debut on the Concord label, is a collection of many of his recent compositions. Specifically, it includes eight pieces from his score for the Joffrey Ballet Company's 2007 presentation of the ballet [...]
As you've no doubt learned from any imaginable media outlet over the last several days, today is National Beatles Remasters Day. Yep, 9/9/09 marks the release of the re-massaged material , and although the new CDs were already on display in the checkout line of my local grocery store yesterday afternoon, record shops everywhere are parlaying today's official street date with in-store Beatles galas. Take Amoeba , which is gearing up for a day of Beatles trivia, look-alike contents, auctions, giveaways and DJ sets across its three California locations. Get down to your local [...]
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