Pim

Monk, Strayhorn or Mingus: it’s always great to hear Mr. Lacy interpret those greats. This lovely duet with the to me unknown Eric Watson is another great one. Highly accessible but still exciting enough to keep your attention the full 60 minutes. Watson provides some excellent guidance on these classic compositions

I have finished the book by Gasset. I am only on page 150 of Spinoza. The ethics is probably one of the most complicated philosophy books. It is more studying than reading but I enjoy every letter. If a philosopher is complicated and I don't like it I can't get through it but Spinoza is from another world. It is bizarre how someone in that time could think so revolutionary. A true genius. It is not for nothing that Einstein said that he believed in the God of Spinoza. I will continue reading and I must say that the translator's notes help enormously. However, I like to alternate with lighter fare. That is why I keep this one next to me. Written in the third century after Christ, this book contains a great deal of biographical information about all kinds of ancient philosophers who have been forgotten. I always find it fascinating to read books from this period because they give an enormously vivid picture of what life was like at that time. And that often resembles our current life more than you would think

I see what you mean and agree to a certain degree. In some cases it’s hard to say if a person is fully responsible for it, in other cases it’s more obvious. I do know for my own life that in the periods I experienced serious setbacks and emotional events, it helped me to keep structure and discipline in life rather than admitting to certain bad habits.

I have never understood the whole principle behind diet pills. Maybe I misunderstand it (and please explain it to me) but aren't you mainly concerned with treating the symptoms? It's just like a smoker who takes a puff from the inhaler to take an extra hit. Or someone who has a burn-out due to stress who starts taking tranquilizers. In addition, I have serious doubts about the effect of those pills and I can't imagine that it is healthy. Pills of course sound like the easiest solution, but really losing weight is usually a matter of a disciplined attitude to life in the long term. That really means that you have to exercise a lot and eat healthily. We eat healthy dinners at least 6 days a week. I don't eat cake, chips, candy or cookies. I only drink beer in the weekend and really in moderation. I exercise 4 times a week (CrossFit), walk for an hour 4 times a week and try to take the bike as often as possible. Now I realize that I may have a very strict lifestyle. and I understand that this is not the right way for everyone. yet I am convinced that the best way to lose weight is: more exercise and healthy eating. and then structurally and not for a period. I know quite a few people who are not prepared to make that sacrifice and find such a life boring. that is everyone's own choice and I respect that. but then you have to accept for yourself that you are fat and run certain health risks. the science behind gaining weight is very simple: you consume more calories than you burn. of course I realize that some people have a medical condition that makes them overweight. they can't do anything about it. however, that is not the majority. And Dan: to you I could only say: great job losing so much weight! I thinks those last few pounds will get off much slower. Just maintain your lifestyle and be patient 💪

Definitely. Their supportive and subdued playing helped creating that MJQ sound. This one’s a personal favorite of mine:

Big fan of both John Lewis and Milt Jackson here. They were both great and complemented each other nicely. The MJQ were a pretty unique group with a distinctive sound. I could see why one could like or dislike them. But they definitely fill up an important piece of Jazz history. Glad to own a lot records by them.

Yes I think that cover is among the most beautiful in the Blue Note catalogue. And that surely says something.

I think I could see why. It’s not an easy listen, in my opinion it’s even less accessible than say Don Cherry’s BN stuff. Some Other Stuff sounds abstract and unstructured. It took me quite some listens to appreciate. Now that I do I still have to listen with full focus.

I’ve streamed a couple of them but none of them made a very lasting impression. Not that their bad or something but they just didn’t have something that really stuck with me.

Yes it is. It’s great, though not as outstanding as for instance Now He Sings Now he Snobs or Oblique. But still highly recommended

There’s still one avaible from Kupiku.EU they all ship from Japan with the same shipping rates so you could still get that one as well.

One of the items on my wishlist. Great stuff

+1

Yeah yesterday in Utrecht it was an amazing experience. The addition of Anja Lechner works out perfectly. now onto this one: the cover reminds me immediately of the excitement I felt during the Arab spring revolutions. I really had a feeling something was about to change in the Middle East for a while. A year later I visited Egypt under Morsi and I already felt things weren’t turning out good. And if you look at those countries now: Egypt, Yemen, Syria, Libya…. It all turned out the wrong way. Even Brahems Tunisia is off worse now than under Ben Ali. It makes me sad. Brahems music suits excellent for that mood. Great record.

Ah that’s a shame (and probably a missed opportunity). Well there’s a few explanations for that choice though I am not sure any of them make sense… see them as a reflection of my seriously twisted personality 😜 1. when it’s not recorded analog but digital I do not necessarily want it on vinyl. I do know from experience (Vijay Iyer LP) that the ECM vinyl sounds great. 2. The music runs only 60 minutes but that means 2 LPs and standing up after every two songs… this kind of music makes me want to stay in my chair. 3. I own all of his other works on cd which leads to a weird neurotic satisfaction when it looks like this: oh and theirs a fourth reason as well: they didn’t bring enough vinyl copies which I found rather silly. It’s no secret vinyl is popular and I saw tens of potential customers walk away dissapointed.

Thanks for explaining!

Anouar Brahem, Dave Holland, Anja Lechner and Django Bates. It was a magical experience. The addition of Lechner on cello was an excellent choice and the interaction between Brahem and Holland was highly enjoyable. Immediately bought the cd and had it signed by them, standing in a queue like a Belieber for Justin Bieber.

Someone around could probably explain to me what those Braxton math like codes mean? His compositions are also titled in a certain manner. What’s the meaning behind it?

Ah that Noah Howard is a lovely live date. I believe it was reissued on cd lately right? Enjoy!

Everytime I spin this one I am amazed by its fresh and original sound. It sounds way ahead of its time. One of the most memorable jazz groups if you’d ask me.