“Blue in Green” by Miles Davis

I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately.  

You know: about the “big” questions.  What’s next? How to approach that potentially life-altering decision, and of course the biggest of them all: what does it all mean?

Such an exercise is less about finding exact answers than it is about developing self-awareness.  After all, as James Arthur Ray pointed out: “The journey of true success and lasting leaderships begins with the inward journey to the soul.”

What’s a journey without music to accompany you? Better yet, what’s a moment of reflection without Jazz?  

As I take the road on this “inward journey”, I’m bringing along Mr Miles Davis on the trumpet, Mr John Coltrane on the saxophone, Mr Wynton Kelly on the piano, Mr Paul Chambers on the bass and Mr Jimmy Cobb on the drums.

Good travel companions indeed.

Title: Blue in Green / Artist: Miles Davis / Album: Kind of Blue (1959)

“Dance Naked Under Palmtrees” by Mo Horizons

Despite the rather ominous bassline, I can’t help but feel reinvigorated by this track.  The sequencing of the instruments is pure genius.  The cloudiness of the dark bass undertones slowly makes way for some brighter sounds….Sort of a slow escape from captivity.

To “Dance Naked Under Palmtrees” sounds to me like a metaphor for a newfound sense of freedom. 

 But what do I know?  I’ll let you call it.

Title: Dance Naked Under Palmtrees / Artist: Mo Horizons / Album: Remember Tomorrow (2001)

“Al Vaiven de Mi Carreta” by Afrocubism

Afrocubanismo was a term coined in 1920s Cuba to describe a movement that worked to recognize and promote the Cuban historical link to Africa.  Its focus on “Black Culture” resulted in a far-reaching impact on Cuban literature, poetry, painting, and of course music.  At the heart of the movement, was an expression of the struggle for Cuba’s independence from Spain, slavery and the quest for a national identity.  90 years after its first shout, Afrocubanismo echoes on with “Al Vaiven de Mi Carreta”.

When the Cuban and Malian legends got together to record for the first time, producer Nick Gold from World Circuit Records described it best: “It was as though the musicians had been holding back their ideas and energy for that moment… The group had never played together before but the music just poured out and it continued to flow…”.

As for Cuban and African instruments sounding good together, no surprises there, I suspect they were meant to be together in the first place.

Viva Cuba…..et Vive le Mali.

Musicians:

Cuba: Eliades Ochoa, Osnel Odit, Virgilio Valdes, Jorge Maturell, Jose Angel Martinez, Eglis Ochoa

Mali: Toumani Diabate, Kasse Mady Diabate, Bassekou Kouyate, Lassana Diabate, Djelimady Tounkara, Baba Sissoko

Title: Al Vaiven de mi Carreta / Album: AfroCubism (2010)

“Corcovado” by Joao Gilberto / Stan Getz / Astrud Gilberto

Putting the magic of the music itself aside, Corcovado is a classic by default when you read the production credits.  The song boasts no less than four pioneers of the genre on the same record: Astrud Gilberto on the vocals, Stan Getz on the saxophone, Jobim on the piano and Joao Gilberto on the guitar and vocals.   This was originally recorded and released in 1964 on probably the greatest bossa nova album ever: “Getz/Gilberto”.

The lyrics are in both Portuguese and English with Astrud providing an English intro to the song, and Joao continuing in Portuguese from then on.  You can sense a slight hesitation in the way Astrud sings in English, but the beauty of her voice overshadows any imperfections in her pronunciation:

Quiet nights of quiet stars,

Quiet chords from my guitar,

Floating on the silence that surrounds us,

Quiet thoughts and quiet dreams,

Quiet walks by quiet streams,

And a window that looks out on Corcovado,

Oh! How I lovely……..

Stan Getz’ melodies on the saxophone evoke a bittersweet longing experienced by someone who is reminiscing about good times spent in his favorite place on earth.  In this case, he is referring to the mountain that towers over Rio de Janeiro: “Corcovado”.

This is one of those songs that stands out in so many ways, that you love it more with every listen.  

Take your time with it…

Title: Corcovado/ Artist: Stan Getz/J. Gilberto/A. Gilberto/ Album: Getz/Gilberto (1964)

“At Last” by Etta James

1961 was a great year. Etta’s magic was first brought to my attention during my college years as a good friend of mine was rehearsing to sing a live cover of “At Last”.

That voice…

Title: At Last / Artist: Etta James / Album: At Last (1961)

“Dreamy Smiles” by The Dining Rooms

There is an infinite number of formulas used to create music.  Truly great musicians have a knack for coming up with new formulas rather than staying in the tried and tested creative lanes.  It is in this spirit of experimentation and innovation that bands like “The Dining Rooms” shine the brightest.

Jazzy, sensual and dripping with emotion, “Dreamy Smiles” is a friendly reminder of how incredible “that smile” was. 

This song is beautiful enough to take you back in time, but short enough to let you to move on.  

Nostalgia without the sadness.

Just how it should be.

Title: Dreamy Smiles / Artist: The Dining Rooms / Album: Tre (2003)