Spyro Gyra: Point of View

 

I like a little jazz-funk. Its smooth rhythm stands as classic background noise for me. But I can't tell the difference between one of the instrumental pieces of Spyro Gyra's Point of View album and any other. I just can't! 

Any way, how did a band named after pond scum originate? When founder Jay Beckenstein was put on the spot for a name back in 1974, he grabbed a memory from biology class - spyro gyra. Yeah it's the name of a common algae, but it can also be used to describe the spiraling music of his band. Awesome name.  It stuck.

Now in its 50th year, the band consists mainly of saxophonist Beckenstein, keyboardist Tom Schuman, guitarist Julio Fernandez, Bass player Scott Ambush, drummer Lionel Cordew, and a handful of specialists called on as needed. The band, which originated in Buffalo, New York, grew to international recognition for its popular, smooth jazz acts.

The CD Point of View was released in 1989 by MCA Records. The jazz album style includes fusion, jazz-rock, and contemporary jazz pieces.  It includes:

• Slow Burn - Upon listening to this one, I remember it! It's the nice, soft jazz Jim used to play in his office while working.  I especially like the bells.
• Swing Street - upbeat with sax.  I like it but can't remember it.
• Fair Weather - Think I hear a little bit of flute? It seems to have a lot of attitude.
• The Unknown Soldier - To me, it is kind off stand-offish - if you can say that about a piece of music.
• Hannibal's Boogie - I like the name!  It seems like a bunch of jams. Nice, but not very cohesive.
• No limits - This seems totally different to me.  Very relaxing.
• Carolina -  Hmmm.  Just seems like more nice sounds thrown into a pot together.
• River Walk - Ditto.
• Swamp Things -  I like this one.  It is kind of funky like its name.
• Counterpoint - Oh! I recognize this one.  It's kind of sneaky.
• Gotcha - I like the smooth introduction followed by a swirl of music.

Being a non-jazz person, I can still see how my Jim liked Spyro Gyra. It was his go-to band for relaxing (and driving me crazy). I do like the names of each musical piece.  If they only included words I would be able to remember them. Sorry Spyro Gyra.  Please don't take the views of this music illiterate to heart.

Jazz lovers, go to the Spyro Gyra Website to learn more about this great band, hear tunes, find out when and where they are performing next.  The Wikipedia entry is also very interesting. I've got my eye on the April 20, 2024 Ludlow Garage performance in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Seeing this band in person is a real must do. 

Or. go to Ebay and purchase my copy of Spyro Gyra Point of View.  Help me whittle down my late husband Jim's collection of CDs.

The Further Adventures of Flim & the BB's

 

I LIKE the cover art for The Further Adventures of Flim & the BB's. How could anyone not? A Superman-esque body  topped by the heads of Flim and the BB's. And that big F on his chest says it all.  This is an album to be reckoned with! And you do.

Starting with the very first track of On The Avenue, the music grabs you. Just imagine the Flim giant strolling down a busy street and all the havoc he would cause.  Jim used to play this on the drive into work.  It's now stuck in my head as I drive along. Listen and you will hear what I mean. Do do do, do do do do do.....  I especially like the saxophone.

Next on the jazz album, released in 1988 by Digital Music Products Inc. (DMP), is Ireland. The stiff beat combines a sing-songy flute solo which stands out. The jazzy Jazz Patrol comes next. I like the piano solo. Cute Shoes follows. I can almost imagine dancing in cute, shiny red shoes. Ya' wanna' dance? One for Hermeto, Pharaoh, Five on the Floor, Curveball and If You Only Knew   continue the musical extravaganza. (Yes.  I call it an extravaganza because the tunes are big sounding and wonderful!)

Bathing Beauties comes next.  I can just imagine them strutting and posing to the music. The Coast Is Clear, Rokeby Garden, and Over and Out bring the album to a close with more tight toe-tapping tunes.

Listening to this CD brought back many good memories of Jim and his music. I will always associate Flim and the BB's with Jim.  If you would like to know more about Flim and the BB's visit the Wikipedia site here.  Listen to the tunes here on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9FF80C1BCB2AB2A0

 Flim and the BB's formed in the 1980s. The band included bassist Jimmy "Flim" Johnson, keyboard artist Billy Barber, percussionist Billy Berg  (the BB's), and reeds player Dick Oatts.

The band's TriCycle  made its appearance in 1982 at the beginning of the compact disc craze, and the BB's  were sought after by people first recording digital. Band members were happy to oblige, but not able to quit their day jobs. Listen to some of of the recordings. I'm sure you will enjoy Flim & the BB's.

Perspectives The Columbia Jazz Sampler

Oh, I remember some of these and the soft sound of jazz floating down from Jim's office. I often recognize music, but have a difficult time recalling the name or artist. Jim would be proud that musically illiterate wife could at least recall the tunes.

Perspectives The Columbia Jazz Sampler CD provides a delightful mix of soft, and sometimes toe-tapping, jazz from well-known jazz artists, including:

• Wynton Marsales - April In Paris
• Kimiko Itoh - Dindi
• Arthur Blythe - 
• As Of Yet
• The Zawinul Syndicate - No Mercy For Me (Mercy, Mercy, Mercy)
• Jean-Luc Ponty - New Resolutions
• Harry Connick, Jr. - Little Waltz
• Grover Washington, Jr. - Shivaree Ride
• Wayne Shorter - Daredevil
• Paquito D'Rivera - The Magic City (Miami)
• Harrison / Blanchard - Softly, As In A Morning Sunrise
• Kirk Whalum - Glow
• Branford Marsalis - Just One Of Those Things
• Full Circle - Sorcerer's Apprentice

Recorded back in 1987 for Columbia (when Jim was switching to CDs from vinyl records).  I'm surprised I enjoyed the CD. It's good relaxing music.