Showing posts with label Yellowjackets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yellowjackets. Show all posts

Sunday, March 3, 2024

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.



Saturday, April 3, 2021

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.


Friday, November 20, 2020

TriCycle by Flim and the BB's


 So that's where that came from! I always enjoyed the piece TriCycle by Flim and the BB's.  Learning the name, what CD it came from,  and who composed  it was too much trouble. Now I know! I love this modern jazz CD. The tunes are all instrumental, but happy and catchy.  I've been humming them as I go about my day.

TriCycle, the first tune on the list and the albums namesake, is my favorite. I can close my eyes and imagine a three-or-four-year-old peddling around the basement, stopping and starting as the music does. The only thing missing is the sound of a bell or horn. 

Next on the list is Cakewalk.  I'm not sure what a cakewalk is, but the music holds my attention. Lunch Hour Wedding is a very happy piece which moves you along from beginning to end, followed by Sweet Winds of change - even more happy music.  Thunder and Birdies, and Tell Me follow with clear, easy to follow beats. And High Wire! Oh my I like this one.  One can imagine a dare devil working the wire at a carnival or circus. Oh watch your step! The 8:29, Sam's Samba, and Eden complete the list.

 As I mentioned earlier, I really enjoyed this CD.  You can listen to it here on Youtube. 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.

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. Read a little more about the BB's on Wikopedia here.

Listen to some of ye YouTube recordings.  I'm sure you will enjoy Flim & the BB's.

Tuesday, July 9, 2019

Yellowjackets Samurai Samba


Oh! So that's where those tunes originated from.

 Yellowjackets Samurai Samba was frequently heard from Jim's office. I admit I enjoyed the jazz music, but I never put a name to it. Now I have the name forever - Yellowjackets!




The 1985 album was produced by Tommy LiPuma and Yellowjackets, with: 

  • Russell Ferrante, keyboards
  • Jimmy Haslip, bass
  • Ricky Lawson, drums/electric drums
  • Marc Russo, alto sax
  • Also, in later editions:
  • Carlos Rios, guitar
  • Michael Landau, guitar
  • Paulinho Da Costa, percussion
  • Bobby Caldwell, Marilyn Scott, Paulinho Da Costa and Carl Caldwell, vocals
  • Bobby Caldwell, lead vocal on “Lonely Weekend”
  • Paulo da Costa Jr., vocals on “Los Mambos”
Tracks include:
  • Homecoming (Ferrante)
  • Deat Beat (Ferrante/Haslip/Lawson/Russo) 
  • Daddy’s Gonna Miss You (Ferrante/Haslip/Lawson/Russo) 
  • Sylvania (Ferrante/Haslip/Lawson) 
  • Silverlake (Ferrante)  
  • Lonely Weekend (Ferrante/Curiale/Lawson/Caldwell) 
  • Los Mambos (Ferrante/Russo/da Costa)  
  • Samurai Samba (Ferrante) 

The jazz fusion band steps back to 1977 when guitarist Robben Ford was recording his first album.  He recruited to join him keyboardist Russell Ferrante, base guitarist Jimmy Haslip and drummer Ricky Lawson. The name Yellowjackets was selected by producer Tommy LiPuma from a list of suggestions from band members.

Band membership has changed over the years. Current members include Russell Ferrante, Bob Mintzer, William Kennedy and Dane Alderson. But the band remains true to its rasping saxaphone, deep bass, rythmic drums, and melodic keyboard sounds. Yellowjackets remains a popular jazz fusion band pleasing old and current generations of fans. Soloist Luciana Souza has added her own special flair.

The band has recorded close to 30 albums,been nominate for numerous awards, and evolved into its own jazz sound.  Check out the band's itinerary for a concert or workshop you don't want to miss.

Listen  to Yellowjackets Samurai Samba and more at its website, or take home some of its music from the amazon Buzz Store.