Asaf Avidan & The Mojos
Posted by: ariel on: January 6, 2010
A new year started, I kicked depression in the but, and now I’m ready for a new post.
Asaf Avidan & The Mojos – Poor Boy/ Lucky Man (2009)
I saw many live shows since my last post, including De La Soul in Paris with the beloved Raidjie, Zero 7 in Tel-Aviv, Al Foster again (I really love this guy, will post his live album next time). They were all fabulous, had a great time in all of them, especially De La Soul. But there was one I went to, that left me shocked with a pulse of 180 bps when the show was over, I was so surprised by the excelency of the music! These were Asaf Avidan & The Mojos.
Asaf Avidan is an Israeli singer who grew up in Tel Aviv, wanted to make cartoons for a living but at the end found his passion in music. He started to play his songs in small caffes and slowly slowly gained some reputation. He then recruited his band, The Mojos, which are fantastic! Asaf Avidan sings in English, stating that he prefers singing in English than in Hebrew, just because he likes it more.
He has such a penetrating voice, a truly unique sound. If people had to name a genre for their music, they will probably call it Rock, but don’t be afraid all the Rock haters out there, it’s not the generic Rock you hear everyday, it’s something different. I usually don’t listen to Israeli music because I haven’t grew up on Israeli music, but after hearing Asaf Avidan & The Mojos I think I’ll start paying more attention to the music created in my own country, I’m sure I’ll find some gems in here, be sure of that.
This is their latest album, just released recently. It’s really hard for me to post this one because it’s pretty new, but because I know you it will be difficult for you hear about them in any other way (unless you already know them them) I think I’ll allow myself this time to post it here. Go to their shows (they are starting to perform quite a lot abroad), buy their CDs, they are worth it, really.
RIP Orlando “Cachaito” Lopez
Posted by: ariel on: August 22, 2009
Cachaito – Orlando “Cachaito” Lopez (2001)
I have sadly just realized that one of my favorite artists has passed away on February 9, 2009 from a Prostate surgery complication.
Quote from Wikipedia:
“Born in Havana on February 2, 1933, Orlando “Cachaito” López first got actively involved in music when he was only nine years old. By the age of eleven he was involved with an orchestra with his aunt. His early desire was to play the violin, but his Grandfather Pedro insisted he take up the double bass, as there had been a long tradition of bassists in the López family – legend has it that there are over 30 bassists in its lineage; a trend that they did not want stopped.[1] He started learning the double bass on a cello, quickly moving onto a double bass when he was large enough. His musical career is said to have started when he was twelve, and at the age of 13, Cachaíto composed his first piece, a danzón called Isora Infantil. By the time he was 17 he replaced his uncle as the bassist with Arcana y sus Maravillas, a band that had been around since before Cachaito was born. He made such an impression on the group that he was asked to stay.
In the 1950s, he helped create the descarga style of music that is a mix between jazz-styled improvisation with Afro-Cuban rhythms, and by 1957 he was playing with the hugely popular Havana dance band, Orquesta Riverside. In the 1960s, he became a bassist with the National Symphony,[1] and was also a key member of Irakere, a Cuban experimental band that combined pop, classical, Cuban folk, African and jazz influences.
He was also a member of the Buena Vista Social Club (appearing in Wim Wenders’ documentary “Buena Vista Social Club”[1]). After a career spanning some 60 years, Cachaito was still touring and recording (including playing bass as part of a Cuban touring group also featuring Guajiro Mirabal, Aguajé Ramos and Manuel Galbán), and many considered him to be one of the finest bassists in Cuba.
López died in a Cuban hospital on February 9, 2009, of complications from prostate surgery. He was 76. “
Orlando made me love music again in a whole other way. I first discovered him through a post by Urbanology after posting myself the Buena Vista Social Club album which he appears in. Since then I couldn’t stop listening to him, everytime I put the album it’s always like the first time I listened to it. Orlando wasn’t a closed mind musician, he was a revoloutionary. He was able to modernize Cuban music in a very special way. You can tell all the sounds in each song were well thought out. He is one of the most talented musician I have stumbled on. He said in the Buena Vista Social Club documentary that he was able to predict the next note in a melody before it was played. I believe him.
His album “Cahachito” is sadly he’s only album released to date, Released by World Circuit Records. The album consists of the Funk legend Pee Wee Ellis, the well known Cuban singer Ibrahim Ferrer, the father of French Hip-Hop DJ Dee Nasty and many more! So now you can understand when I say that Cachaito was able to revoloutionize Cuban music with open minded music.
Do yourself a favor and listen to this album and even buy it, it’s one of those albums that are worth every penny in your pocket. My only regret is that I haven’t had the chance to see him live, oh well, in the next life maybe uh?
Ripping…..
Posted by: ariel on: August 13, 2009
I’m ripping a lot of CDs right now so get ready for some posts this week with a lot of music.
Zero 7 At Their Best (In my opinion at least)
Posted by: ariel on: August 2, 2009
Yeah, the real vacation has started. You will find me right now in Hong-Kong staying at my dad’s place, enjoying myself before my recruitment to the army. Sadly I’ve been given by the army only combatant options so you will find me in the next 3 years in the front line in this damn war with just everyone who wants to join in (which could be Iran very soon). But no worries, I delayed the recruitment to minimum October so I have time to clear my mind and get myself ready mentally for the service.
When It Falls – Zero 7 (2004)
Music helps a lot through that journey in Hong-Kong (it’s quite an intresting place to be honest), which is packed with adventures (and it’s only the first week i’m here). My album pick of the week is When It Falls by Zero 7. Yea I know it’s not their most recognized work out of the 3 albums they have released but it is their best in my opinion. It’s mostly Chill-out music, but not the boring kind, it will make you head tilt forward and backwards some times. The sounds put in this album are quite special, different from their 2 other albums (which are not bad, just different). Try listening to this album while drinking a cold beer with a cigar, you will think you’re in paradise (I have the luxury of having all of that along with the Hong-Kong skyline which is amazing). Very Recommended!
BTW many critics find this album quite medicore, don’t believe their bullshit, it’s AWESOME!
Another great Jazz Duo
Posted by: ariel on: July 22, 2009
The Complete Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington Sessions – Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington (1961)
Damn….I’ve been out for a long time I see. I was terribly busy with work, but now it’s over and the real vacation starts until my recruitment to the army, so in the meanwhile I’ll be posting some more awesome music for your souls.
Today’s album will be Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington. This one is very simillar to the previous Jazz Duo I posted but with the touch of Louis Armstrong it sounds a bit more happier and soulful. This is album will replenish you’re souls every morning, as it did to me every day before going to work for 9 hours in the hear of an Israelian summer (believe me it’s hot!!) and did it’s job just fine.
Look, I’ll sum it out quickly for you guys, there’s Louis and Duke in one album, ‘nough said. Go and download it right now and enjoy some quality music from two of the best Jazz musicians ever known to humanity, and even if you can, go and but the album, will make you only good.
Enjoy!
Another release by a genius
Posted by: ariel on: July 1, 2009
Progressions – Arts The Beatdoctor (2008)
You rmember my post a while back about Arts The Beatdoctor? Well he apparently released a new EP by the name of Progressions. This EP includes some beats of his and a remix of a song called Dreams by another dutch duo called Pax & Pry (You can download their albums at http://www.paxandpry.com/). This EP is really well done, Arts delivers us some more quality music, highly recommended.
I reuploaded his first album Transitions in Mediafire so you can all get another look at one of the best producers out there, and I’m not exaggerating.
TM Juke is the shit!
Posted by: ariel on: June 23, 2009
Maps From The Wilderness – TM Juke (2003)
I stumbled upon this artist just a few weeks ago and I just can’t get enough of him. He is a Classical and Jazz trained musician who took his specialty to produce some of the greatest beats I ever heard. It is quite surprising that I have never heard of him since he is so dope!
TM Juke is what every producer’s supposed to be like, you can hear the quality of each song he makes. This album I’m sharing with you today is possibly my favorite album of his. You’ll have Alice Russel appearing there along with some other unknown rappers who don’t disappoint. The music itself is very mellow and pleasant to the ear. The beats will make you go crazy along with some cool effects. Man…I’m on the hunt to find some more producers like him, which is quite a difficult task since you don’t find many good artists as him.
Recommended to every new born child and to every 105 year old Japanese elder, a must! (And it’s awesome for driving too!)
A New Beginning\Great Live Albums for Your Ears Pt. 1
Posted by: ariel on: June 13, 2009
- In: Funk| Jazz| Live Albums| Minimalist
- 3 Comments
I have seen in the last couple of days that my blog was missing an apeall. I tried finding what was the problem and found many things wrong with it: First, the posts themsef are missing some dedication, when I first opened this blog I promised myself that every post will be thought out and not just a run through in 10 minuts post. Secondly, I haven’t put my full attention to the design of the blog, which in my oppinion is quite important for people to want to stay. Third and last, I don’t have an About page! I noticed that latley when someone asked me what the hell is the blog supposed to be about and who the hell am I. So I decided to make a new start, a new oppening to the blog. I won’t erase my old posts because it’s quite funny to see how this blog and myself evolved in manners of age, language, taste of music and personality. You people said a teen goes through a period of change and self understanding, then here you have some proof.
I will start saying that I personally love live albums. There aren’t a lot of live performances here in Israel that apeals to me.Yes, there are good Israeli artists playing once in a while but I’ve seen them all. The last live shows I’ve seen were of Al Di Meola, Fred Wesley & The JBs, and the Al Foster Quartet, so now you will understand why I love live albums. Live albums are the alternative to being in the show, giving you the feel and taste of what a real live performance is supposed to be like, no mastering involved. Live albums are the only albums I can just lie down on the bed and listen to them without doing anything else. They are magical in everyway (the good ones of course). So I decided to start posting live albums, so you will have the pleasure of experiencing great live performances.
C’Etait Ici – Yann Tiersen (2002)
bought this album a year ago when I was visiting my family in France. This album is another live album from the legendary composer Yann Tiersen. He has 2 other live albums, one of which sucks and the other I will post in a nother time. It is quite a long show, including 29 tracks, and everyone of them is just beautiful. Every track has it’s own charm. The beauty of this live show is that it’s not played so you will dance and jump and sing along with the artist but just experience another kind of music, enjoyig the sounds made by the performers. It’s quite an exceptional album, you won’t hear it anywhere else.
Life On Planet Groove – Maceo Parker (1992)
I posted this album a while back but it deserves it’s place in this new beginning. It is my favorite live album, really my favorite. It has been introduced to me by my uncle. The album cover says it all “2% Jazz, 98% Funk”, it’s so groovy! This album features Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley, Pee Wee Elis, Candy Dulfer and a lot more! You can only shake you’re body when playing this album, it’s impossible to lay quitly and do nothing when the sounds of this album are coming through you’re speakers. I can only wish I was there (well I was close enough, at the Fred Wesley show). The beauty of this album is that it demonstrates the abilty to put order where chaos is presented. To be able to to play Funk is this manner and not go crazy is something very hard to do, I know i wouldn’t handle the pressure and let myself loose right on stage, the music has so much power! Maceo delivers one of the best shows I ever listened to, along with his past James Brown band members Fred Wesley and Pee Wee Elise, they all did a wonderful job. I will never get enough of this album, and I will always think of it as a very special album, and I will always keep it close to my heart. Long live Funky music!
Expect some changes to the look and feel of this blog in this upcoming week, I have some work to do.
This Is Smooth……
Posted by: ariel on: June 9, 2009
Jill Scott – Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds, Vol. 1 (2000)
So have you heard of You Got Me by The Roots? Of course you have!
This is how Jill Scott was first discovered by the world, and me! In my journey of discovering new music and new styles I stumbled upon this smoothness called an album. This is album is so relieving, so……damn i have no words to descrive it’s smoothness apart from telling you folks that it’s a must have experience, especially after a hard time or even during, it will bring you back to you’re senses through it’s (yes, again) SMOOTHNESS!!
I decided to attach a video of one my favorites Jill Scott song so you’ll get the touch of butter in your hears before hearing the actual album.
Do yourself a favor and go to your nearest shop and spend the damn 10$ on this fine fine album, and if you’re broke download this album right here. BUT! you’ll have to buy it eventually, and I trust you folks on this because I still beliveve in the kindness of humanity, so DO NOT dissapoint me!
Two Jewels of Acid-Jazz
Posted by: ariel on: June 4, 2009
Ahhhh Acid-Jazz….one of my favorites genre. It started to evolve only in the 90s with the help of many artists like The Brand New Heavies, Incognito, Jamiroquai, US3 and more. Todya I’ll introduce you to 2 of the most influencing albums to the genre:
Guru – Jazzmatazz Vol.1 (1993)
This album is more of Jazz-Hop than Acid-Jazz but people like to combine the two genres into one which is Acid-Jazz.
This album was first introduced to me as the savior from shitty music by the greatest of all Kazeroi in Rapdungeon. At the time when I was 15 I was listening to to more mainstream music, going with the flow, Britney Spears, Ricky Martin, 50 Cent, Eminem and more until one day I was watching MTV and saw a Mos Def track playing. I looked everywhere for some more Mos Def and stumbled upon Rapdungeon which had some Mos Def stuff in it. I kept visiting the blog for a while because I loved what was posted there. One day Jazzmatazz was posted, I downloaded it and fell in love. This album changed my whole perspective of music, seeing what was possible to make. The album is so groovy, so well done. Jazz and Hip-Hop were never combined so well, you won’t find an album that combined the two better than this one. The lyrics are really good, the music is amazing, and if you’re a Jazz-Hop fan then you’ll fall in love with it.
Ronny Jordan – The Antidote (1992)
This album has been first introduced to mee through my uncle. He asked me one day if I knew the song “So What” and I started laughing thinking he must think I’m stupid or something “Heal yeah I know this song, it’s a Miles Davis song, I’m not that an idiot”. Then he popped out this CD and put it in the CD player and asked me again “Do you know this version of So What?” “No…….But this is awesome!!!”, he played me So What by Ronny Jordan and staight away I went and ripped the CD to my MP3 player. This album is so groovy and so well done, a pure Acid-Jazz album. If you’re a fan of Acid-Jazz then you should get it right now. Ronny Jordan is a guitarist who was one of the more influental to this genre. He was also featured in the Jazzmatazz Vol.1 album and was also featured in the Jazzmatazz tour along with Guru, go check it out.
Speak out your minds