Billy Cobham Power Play

What a difference a day or two makes. At first I was ready to throw Billy Cobham Power Play out the window. I found the jazz tunes tiresome after a few minutes. Not the least bit relaxing. I was all set to give it a thumbs down.

However I played the CD again a few days later, and behold - I liked it!  Released in 1986, the jazz music is described as post bop and fusion, Cobham takes his drumming talent and drives a steady, interesting beat. So on the second time I listened to the CD, I enjoyed the beat and the music it wraps around. Who knows how I will feel about the music if I listen to it one more time. But I know Jim would have enjoyed this CD.

Titles on the album include:

• Times of My Life
• Zanzibar Breeze
• Radio Active
• A Light Shines in Your Eyes
• Summit Afrique
• The Foundation ("Isisekelo Zulu")
• Dance of The Blue Men / The Nomads
• The Debate ("Indaba")
• The Conflict ("Ingxabano")
• The Little One ("Omncane")
• The Promise... Unity ("Isithembiso... Umanyano")
• Desiccated Coconuts
• Tinseltown
• Schmagofatz

I almost wish there were some vocals to go with some of these wonderful names.  Listen to the master drummer here.

Running in the Family

Who knew? Probably everybody on the planet but me. The tunes on the CD Running in the family, released in 1987,  were written and performed by Level 42.  It was nice to hear long-ago, familiar, toe-tapping pieces like Children say, Running in the family, To be with you again, and Freedom someday.  But as I've said many times before, I can remember a tune, but titles and artists - forget it.

Somebody wrote that the contemporary pop / rock music was a step away from Level 42's original blues style music.  Even if it were true, I remember the songs continuously playing on the radio. So it must have been a successful move.

The English band formed in 1979 - 80, and gained popularity throughout the 80s, and disbanded in 1994. The band reunited in 2001 and continue to play today. Current members include Mark King, Mike Lindup, Nathan King, Sean Freeman, and Pete Ray Biggin.

I liked this CD, even though the music sounded a bit dated.  I might actually listen to it again.

Intruding on a Silence

RELAXING and ENJOYABLE. Colin Chin's CD Intruding on a Silence is far from an intrusion.  It's  a perfect picture of Jim Fisher, sitting at his desk on a spring day, a gentle breeze coming through the open window, and this music wafting through the house. All is right with the world....

Chin, a talented composer, synthesist  and guitarist, presents soft tones that leave you in peace. The electronic tunes carry a melody which you can hum along to and carry throughout the day.

I'm not usually drawn to new age or electronic music, but I enjoyed this. The list of tunes on the CD include:

• In Heaven's Wake
• Ayers Rock
• Farewell to Innocence
• The Belly of the Beast
• Point of  Egression
• A March Through the Queens Garden
• In Search of Things Lost
• Love Sonnet
• The Alluvial Plains

All worth a listen. 

Released in 1990 on the Narada Mystique label. Chin's work is mostly from the 80s and 90s.

CD 101.9 Presents Columbia & Sony Jazz Collection

Hmmmm.  How did I miss this CD? As I sat and listened to its mellow jazz sounds, I realized I really liked it.  I must have been busy chasing little kids around in circles.

The 101.9 Presents Columbia & Sony Jazz Collection includes tunes by the following artists:

• Grover Washington, Jr. - Strawberry Moon
• Ross Traut / Steve Rodby - Up On The Roof
• Full Circle - Music For Little People
• Takeshi Itoh - This Is The Night
• Milton Nascimento - La Bamba
• Ramsey Lewis -Bernice
• Wynton Marsalis - Lazy Afternoon
• Kirk Whalum - The Promise
• The Zawinful Syndicate - And So It Goes
• Hubert Laws - I Love My Daddy
• Eddy Gomez - Forever
• Steve Gadd - Strength

Every song on the CD was enjoyable. A quick look showed the individual recordings difficult to find. I especially enjoyed the jazzy version of Up On the Roof and La Bamba.

Released in 1989. Take a chance to listen to the CD if you get a copy of it. I hope you enjoy it.

Wes Montgomery - Compact Jazz

The CD Wes Montgomery - Compact Jazz is a collection of the great jazz guitarist's work, posthumously released in 1987 by Verve Records. After returning home from a national tour, he passed away unexpected at the young age of 43.

I truly enjoyed the music of this self-taught musician. The warm tones and chords of his playing, intertwined with popular songs of the day - as well as his own compositions - made me smile. My favorites were  Sunny, The Shaddow of Your smile, and Goin' Out of My Head. Guess it says something about my age, that I can remember the original vocal tunes.  Highlighted by Montgomery's musical additions, the tunes sounded much more amazing to me.

I hope you can obtain a copy. You won't want the music to end. LISTEN HERE