New Years Recommendations. Posted on: 08/01/12 Category: Blog

This is just a start. I mean I’m starting with the dessert here because most of these albums are recent and I truly believe it’s good to go back to understand where all this beautiful music’s roots lie. After you listen to this then maybe you will be keen to check out guys like Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Bud Powell, Dexter Gordon etc… But for now… 

All of this is on YouTube , Spotify, available for download etc. Let me know what you think. 

The problem I think most people have is they don’t understand that this music is more often a conversation that starts with a melody and then constantly evolves through group improvisation rather than just simple repetitive Melodies. As a musician I truly love both but I also don’t want to hear or play  nursery rhymes until I die. 

I feel that where there is beauty, exploration and progression there is true magic in music . 

Kenny Garrett – Beyond the wall
So deep, inspired by oriental music

Pat Metheny – The Way Up
60 minute continuous piece. A million beautiful melodies

Aaron Parks – Invisible Cinema
Like the soundtrack to a storm

Avisha Cohen – Seven Seas
Amazing Double Bassist/composer from Israel. So beautiful. Melodies and Rhythm is amazing.Every album Is amazing

Christian Scott – Anthem 
Amazing young trumpet player from New Orleans. Another deep album

Dhafer Youssef – Abu Navas  Rhapsody 
Amazing Ud player/singer  from Tunisia. Listen to the tune odd elegy 

Gretchen Parlato- lost and found
Sweet vocals . Listen to her cover of holding back the years originally by simply red

Terence Blanchard – Choices
Important album for me. Featuring the thoughts and words of Dr. Cornel west. So inspiring.

Wynton Marsalis – Blood on the fields
Pulitzer prize winning album from one of the most important trumpeters of all time. Amazing .Try listening to it in full as it’s a story, like a movie. 

Wayne Shorter Quartet – beyond the sound barrier
The most Vibrant, evolving group full of the greatest improvisers and fearless musicians who also happen to be virtuosos . Under the leadership of the deepest man in music (to me!) since John Coltrane.