Various Artists – Jazz Fusion (1996)

FrontCover1Jazz fusion, fusion, or jazz rock is a musical genre that developed in the late 1960s from mixing funk and rhythm and blues rhythms with the electric instruments, amplified sound, electronic effects and playing styles of rock music together with jazz’s complex time signatures (which were derived from non-Western music) and jazz’s complex chord progressions and altered and extended chords. Fusion musicians typically create extended instrumental compositions based around a melody and a chord progression and lengthy solo improvisations. Fusion songs use brass instruments such as trumpet and saxophone as melody and soloing instruments. The rhythm section typically consists of electric bass (in some cases fretless), electric guitar, electric piano/synthesizer (in contrast to the double bass and piano used in earlier jazz) and drums. As with jazz forms that preceded fusion, all of the instruments–including the rhythm section instruments–are used as soloing instruments and all demonstrate a high level of instrumental technique.

FusionJazzThe term “jazz-rock” is often used as a synonym for “jazz fusion” as well as for music performed by late 1960s and 1970s-era rock bands that added jazz elements to their music. It is different from the UK Canterbury Scene’s progressive rock (“prog”) and other forms of prog-jazz fusion, in which extended prog instrumentals use improvisation and take on a jazz-influenced feel. After a decade of popularity during the 1970s, fusion expanded its improvisatory and experimental approaches through the 1980s, in parallel with the development of a radio-friendly style called smooth jazz. Experimentation continued in the 1990s and 2000s. Fusion albums, even those that are made by the same group or artist, may include a variety of musical styles. Rather than being a codified musical style, fusion can be viewed as a musical tradition or approach. (by wikipedia)

And this is just a sampler with Jazz Fusion … maybe it´s time for you to discover this kind of music … certainly not the worst idea. ! Most of the tracks were recorded during the Seventies … a golden decade for Fusion Jazz !

BackCover1Tracklist:
01. George Benson: Take Five (1974) (Desmond) 3.43
02. Herbie Hancock: Watermelon Man (1974) (Hancock) 5.00
03. Earth Wind & Fire: Love Music (1978) (Scarborough) 3.57
04. Astrud Gilberto: Zazueira (1971) (Ben) 3.42
05. Keith Jarrett: Common Mama (1972) (Jarrett) 8.12
06. Ned Doheny: To Prove My Love (1976) (Doheny) 4.50
07. Ramsey Lewis: Tequila Mockingbird (1977) (Dunn) 5.27
08. George Duke: Look Waht You Find (1979) (Duke) 4.46
09. Deodato: Super Strut (1973) (Deodato) 4.58
10. Stanley Clarke: Rock N Roll Jelly (1979) (Clarke) 2.36
11. Hubert Laws: Family (1980) (Laws) 7.30
12. Lee Ritenour: Theme From Three Day Of The Condor (1976) (Grusin) 4.07
13, Bill Withers: Use (1985) (Withers) 3.49
14. Santana: Tales Of Kilimanjaro (1981) (Santana/Peraza/Rekow/Pasqua) 3.29
15. Weather Report: Black Market (1976) (Zawinul) 6.14
16. Grover Washington Jr.: Love Like This (1992) (Roman/Cox) 4.49

CD1*
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Tray1

Ramsey Lewis Trio – Bach To The Blues (1964)

FrontCover1The title does a good enough job of summing up the range of styles that Ramsey and his trio would use to please the crowds during their countless engagements in the early 60s – taking tunes from a variety of settings, including classical, and infusing them with a soul jazz style dripping in blues, and bound to make any tune instantly likeable! The trio on the set is Ramsey’s famous one with Eldee Young and Red Holt – and Richard Evans joins the group on bass on 2 tracks.(by dusty groove)

For this set by pianist Ramsey Lewis, bassist Eldee Young (Richard Evans plays bass on two songs when Young switches to cello), and drummer Red Holt, the group performs five original themes based on classical music, along with four blues-oriented tunes. Although a touch lightweight, the music is enjoyable enough and certainly superior to most of Lewis’ output in the 1970s and ’80s.  (by Scott Yanow)

RamseyLewisTrioPersonnel:
Issac “Red” Holt (drums)
Ramsey Lewis (piano)
Eldee Young (bass, cello)
+
Richard Evans (bass on 05. + 09.)

BackCover1Tracklist:
01. For The Love Of A Princess (Lewis) 3.48
02. Why Don’t You Do Right (Green) 4.20
03. Misty Days, Lonely Nights (Lewis) 3.21
04. Bach To The Blues (Edwards) 2.30
05. Travel On (Young) 3.44
06. Dance Mystique (Lewis) 5.30
07. Sadness Done Come (Lewis) 3.52
08. You’ll Love Me Yet (Lewis) 3.06
09. Peace And Tranquility (Young) 5.36

LabelB*
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