Jazz On The Beach 137
Larry Coryell, Horoshi Suzuki, Black Jazz & Tribe Records, less is more
Greetings, hope you’re having a good week wherever you are. Although Jazz On The Beach likes to think of itself as a local radio show, it has listeners from all over the world, and who knows, possibly beyond?
This week’s Jazz On The Beach features two tracks that have a stripped down simplicity that I really enjoy. There’s J.A.Z.Z. by the Brixton born and Harlem residing tenor saxophonist Ruben Fox from Introducing Ruben Fox (self-released 2021), a straight ahead trio recording with double bassist Russell Hall and drummer Evan Sherman that really swings.
The second is drummer Leon Parker’s fly (can we say that again yet?) version of Monk’s Bemsha Swing from Above And Below (Sony Music/Epicure, 1995), again a trio recording with pianist Jacky Treason and double bassist Ugonna Okegwo plus a little added percussion from Adam Cruz. Let me know if you like these two tracks as much as I do. And if so, share them with your friends.
From the ‘70s there’s music from two tiny independent labels whose influence has been immense - Detroit’s Tribe Records and Oakland’s Black Jazz Records. There’s a fantastic version of Eddie Harris’ Freedom Jazz Dance from pianist Harold McKinney’s Voices And Rhythms Of The Creative Profile (Tribe Records, 1974), pianist and Black Jazz founder Gene Russell’s deeply soulful title track from Talk To My Lady (Black Jazz, 1973) and guitarist Calvin Keys’ terrific Night Cry from Proceed With Caution (Black Jazz, 1974).
This week’s jazz rock fusion milestone is the fast flying Birdfingers, the opening track from Introducing The Eleven House With Larry Coryell (Vanguard, 1974). Although guitarist Coryell was a fusion pioneer, this is the album was where it all really came together with strong repertoire and a phenomenal band of trumpeter Randy Brecker, keyboardist Mike Mandel, electric bassist Danny Trifan and drummer Alphonse Mouzon.
There are some exciting new releases this week including We Bop! from the sensational alto saxophonist Sarah Hanahan, and Dutch pianist Daan Herweg’s rather wonderful Cloud Cathedrals. There are also two recent releases I’d missed such as the joyous Tuku from South Africa’s first all-woman professional big band The Lady Day Big Band, and Buenos Aires based alto saxophonist Yamile Burich’s excellent Ansiedad. Thanks to Phil Freeman for alerting me on those last two via his excellent Ugly Beauty: The Month in Jazz for Stereogum.
And finally, another opportunity to play a track from trombonist Hiroshi Suzuki’s Cat (Nippon Columbia Creative Sound Series, 1976). This time it’s Kuro to Shiro with pianist Hiromasa Suzuki, saxophonist Takeru Muraoka, bassist Kunimitsu Inaba and drummer Akira Ishakawa. If you regularly listen to Jazz On The Beach you’ll have heard Shrimp Dance and the title track Cat more than a few times, but the whole album is terrific.
Here’s the full playlist, hope you enjoy.
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You can listen live to Jazz On The Beach every Wednesday evening from 10.00pm - midnight* and to Blues Beach every other Thursday from 6.00pm - 7.00pm* on DealRadio.co.uk or via the TuneIn Radio app. (*UK time)
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Both shows are broadcast live from the Deal Radio Studio at 69a High Street, Deal, Kent CT14 6EH, a stone’s throw from the beach.
Jazz On the Beach and Blues Beach radio shows are sponsored by our good friends at 6 Park Avenue Coffeehouse & Bar, Deal and Wellingtons Coffeehouse & Bistro, Dover.
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