BFT 248 - Time To Play!!!

[JSngry]

It's November, and here's your link to this month's version of fun:

https://thomkeith.net/blindfold-tests/current-tests/

Prelude (optional):

 

[felser]

1 – Nice retro feel, leadoff cut from this .  Fun listening.

2 – “Hey Jude”.  If Paul McCartney was dead, he’d be rolling over in his grave.  Cut #7 from this. 

Morbidly fascinating.  I love having the December BFT slot, because no matter how weird my selections get, they sound mainstream compared to some of Jim’s from the previous month!

3 – “Trains and Boats and Planes”, lovely Bacharach/David composition.  Dionne Warwick did an exquisite version which should have been a bigger hit than the #22 it achieved in 1966.   This version is cut #8 from this.

4 – No idea.  Hey, I had a good run through the first three cuts!   Romeo and Juliet for the hip-hop crowd.  This is good for the type of thing it is, but way outside my domain.

5 -  “You Don’t Know What Love Is”, beautiful song.  Not sure on the version.  I think I like it OK, but the fidelity is really bizarre on this cut – I assume it’s from vinyl or tape or something.   The pianist does much more for me than the singer.

6 – Works for me OK, though I don’t love it.  I should probably know the composition, but I don’t recognize it right off.  Old-time tenor player, and for that matter, fairly old-time organist, early Shirley Scott/Johnny Hammond Smith era or even before that as far as grounding.

7 – It’s pretty good, and I should probably know it.  Not a big fan of the keyboard sound or the choppiness of the rhythm (partial relief for me when the bass started walking).  I like the tone of the tenor player.   The trombonist is really good.

8 – “How Long Has This Been Going On”.   Sounds like it should be Kai Winding or someone like that, but I can’t find it.  Interesting MOR version.

9 –Is this cut a point of personal privilege rather than a true test?  I can’t stand it,and couldn’t in 1976 when I graduated college (just kidding 😊).  Cut #11 from this:

Thanks, invigorating as always!

 

Edited November 1 by felser

[JSngry]

6 hours ago, felser said:

1 – Nice retro feel, leadoff cut from this .  Fun listening.

It is that, and it's also a prayer, as well as a promise/warning. Anything you want? Is that what's happening halfway through the tenor solo? Things happen when you pray for anything you want, so let's see how it works out...

2 – “Hey Jude”.  If Paul McCartney was dead, he’d be rolling over in his grave.  Cut #7 from this. 

But Paul WAS dead, remember!!!! And besides, how long into this performance before he even recognizes that it's his tune? And what would he think? Maybe that this was along the lines of what he was imagining for "Carnival Of Light"...only to eventually/suddenly feel the sting of some of the most fuquitous big band music ever!

Morbidly fascinating.  I love having the December BFT slot, because no matter how weird my selections get, they sound mainstream compared to some of Jim’s from the previous month!

This is probably my second-most commercial BFT ever. The first was, ironically, the one I did in December 2012, BFT 105. Tempis Fugit!!!!!

3 – “Trains and Boats and Planes”, lovely Bacharach/David composition.  Dionne Warwick did an exquisite version which should have been a bigger hit than the #22 it achieved in 1966.   This version is cut #8 from this.

Any thoughts about the perfomance at hand?

4 – No idea.  Hey, I had a good run through the first three cuts!   Romeo and Juliet for the hip-hop crowd.  This is good for the type of thing it is, but way outside my domain.

It's also for the big band crowd. Listen again!

5 -  “You Don’t Know What Love Is”, beautiful song.  Not sure on the version.  I think I like it OK, but the fidelity is really bizarre on this cut – I assume it’s from vinyl or tape or something.   The pianist does much more for me than the singer.

The sound processing is quite intentional. The singer is not named on the label of the record, but doesn't need to be. I'm not at all a "fan", but this record works for be in ways I don't understand.

6 – Works for me OK, though I don’t love it.  I should probably know the composition, but I don’t recognize it right off.  Old-time tenor player, and for that matter, fairly old-time organist, early Shirley Scott/Johnny Hammond Smith era or even before that as far as grounding.

Depending on who/what you believe, WAAAAY before that!

7 – It’s pretty good, and I should probably know it.  Not a big fan of the keyboard sound or the choppiness of the rhythm (partial relief for me when the bass started walking).  I like the tone of the tenor player.   The trombonist is really good.

"Choppy" is not a word usually used to described the players under consideration, but ok. The tenor player's tone is indeed likable, some would say unmistakable!

8 – “How Long Has This Been Going On”.   Sounds like it should be Kai Winding or someone like that, but I can’t find it.  Interesting MOR version.

That's always a question worth asking,,,,

9 –Is this cut a point of personal privilege rather than a true test?  I can’t stand it,and couldn’t in 1976 when I graduated college (just kidding 😊).  Cut #11 from this:

This BFT begins with a prayer, and finally ends with an answer., one that is about as unambiguous as possible.

Thanks, invigorating as always!

 

Thank you for being a dependable first-responder!

[JSngry]

Good seats still available!

[Dan Gould]

What a difference a year makes. Last year, a great side-long jam by masters (and another cut IIRC).

This year ... this. Missing the throw-up emoji right about now.

 

TRACK 1:

I have never had any urge to listen to the Headhunters and I still don't. Zero stars.

TRACK 2:

See #1, only more so.

TRACK 3:

Compared to the others, 5 stars. Reality? 2 or 2 1/2.

TRACK 4:

All I can hear is the Office Space scene where they are uploading the software to steal the fractional pennies for themselves. Zero stars.

TRACK 5:

NO

TRACK 6:

No guesses, 2 1/2 stars

TRACK 7:

Also 2 1/2 stars, and agree with Felser that trombonist is strong.

TRACK 8:

2 stars.

TRACK 9:

How appropriate: I couldn't stand this BFT either.

Like I said, what a difference a year makes.

[JSngry]

5 minutes ago, Dan Gould said:

What a difference a year makes. Last year, a great side-long jam by masters (and another cut IIRC).

This year ... this. Missing the throw-up emoji right about now.

And next year is likely to be different still.

In what way, hell if I know. Gotta get there first!

Very glad to hear the appreciation for the trombonist, though. It's not a household name.

[T.D.]

I'll go in stages due to time limitations and reluctance to take notes. I peeked at the IDs of 1-3 after listening but before posting.

#1: Not a big fusion listener (and, perhaps weirdly, I listen to a lot more Euro-jazz/rock than US fusion), but this is fun. Nowhere near confident enough to guess, but the ID is not surprising and would have been one of the "usual suspects".

#2: This is a gas. First 3 minutes or so, I thought it was some kind of Euro-avant-garde outfit with shades of musique concrete / acousmatics. Then the melody started and that went out the window. Thought of Ra in places, but not with this tune and so many guitars. Never would have ID'd the performer. Might not make it through a whole album of this, but again had fun.

#3: Not bad, though this arranger is not represented in my collection and generally not my cup of tea. Wouldn't have guessed the leader, though he is well represented in my collection...doesn't sound like "stereotypical" X. Wouldn't have guessed the composer, but after seeing the reveal thought "oh, yeah" in hindsight.

#4: Started out not liking this because of hip-hop intro, but the lyrics are clever so it grew on me. Like the female chorus a lot. The big band sections are another plus. Again a big departure from my usual listening, but enjoyable. Probably could sleuth based on the lyrics, but will wait for enlightenment from another poster or the reveal.

 

Liking the BFT so far. Definitely in the "discovery" category rather than guessable, but that's OK.

[JSngry]

1 hour ago, T.D. said:

I'll go in stages due to time limitations and reluctance to take notes. I peeked at the IDs of 1-3 after listening but before posting.

#1: Not a big fusion listener (and, perhaps weirdly, I listen to a lot more Euro-jazz/rock than US fusion), but this is fun. Nowhere near confident enough to guess, but the ID is not surprising and would have been one of the "usual suspects".

I'd call it "funk" instead of "fusion", but at this point in time, what's in a name? It is fun, yes (even though it does get weird, which to me is part of the fun)

#2: This is a gas. First 3 minutes or so, I thought it was some kind of Euro-avant-garde outfit with shades of musique concrete / acousmatics. EXACTLY!!!! Then the melody started and that went out the window. Thought of Ra in places, but not with this tune and so many guitars. Never would have ID'd the performer. Might not make it through a whole album of this, but again had fun.

No, not a whole album of this (nor a double album, which it is! There's only one other thing on there that I like, and it ALMOST got included instead of this one), but this is a wonderful cut for me precisely because of that intro, and then the band. And fwiw, there's only one guitar!!!

#3: Not bad, though this arranger is not represented in my collection and generally not my cup of tea. Wouldn't have guessed the leader, though he is well represented in my collection...doesn't sound like "stereotypical" X. Wouldn't have guessed the composer, but after seeing the reveal thought "oh, yeah" in hindsight.

I go back a long way (chronologically) with this arranger, and no, not one of my favorites either. But this cut kills me because of the mood, the vibe, which is as much a matter of chart as well as soloist.

#4: Started out not liking this because of hip-hop intro, but the lyrics are clever so it grew on me. Like the female chorus a lot. The big band sections are another plus. Again a big departure from my usual listening, but enjoyable. Probably could sleuth based on the lyrics, but will wait for enlightenment from another poster or the reveal.

If you do want to sleuth and you know the name of the big band piece being used here, you could probably find it without too much trouble, maybe?

 

Liking the BFT so far. Definitely in the "discovery" category rather than guessable, but that's OK.

Glad you're enjoying this much , hopefully the remainder will please as well!

And remember, AFAIC, this is not a guessing game. I know a lot of people enjoy approaching it like that, and that's cool, but if anybody comes in and gives all impressions and no guessing at all, hey, that's ALL good!!!!

Come back when you're ready!

[T.D.]

Jim, I can't really make out the Michigan (sub)map on the BFT page, but Pontiac seems to be highlighted.

Any significance to that? 

[JSngry]

Not on my part, no. I think that's Thom Keith's doing. He's a car guy this year, it looks like. 😀 

[T.D.]

I didn't notice any of the Jones bros. playing, fwiw. 😆

[JSngry]

Me either!!!!

[felser]

On 11/6/2024 at 8:59 PM, T.D. said:

 I listen to a lot more Euro-jazz/rock than US fusion)

 

+1.  Soft Machine, Colosseum, If, early Nucleus (most of whom moved on to Soft Machine), etc.  

[JSngry]

I still listen to funk. Feels like an organic (although not generational) part of the continuum. James Brown changed the world by being totally in it.

Fusion not so much, if at all. Exception being the early organic gonzo shit, and Weather Report, who was also organic and above the world by being totally in it. They were fusions but certainly not Fusion. And time is proving them right.

That other stuff...I'm sure it's relevant to it's own world, but my world is not that one. So I "appreciate" it. But it's not organic to me.

Not that anything really is, but I fell in and never needed to get out.

[T.D.]

When I was a teenager I got into a lot of fusion (Mahavishnu, RTF, Weather Report) in "real time" as it was being released. But I got tired of it, seemed like there was a lot of bombastic and overly loud music being made (not fair to single these guys out because they're excellent musicians, but Al Di Meola, Larry Coryell and Billy Cobham, for instance, sometimes gave that impression).

Never got into funk as much as I should have, so I haven't heard a lot and am inclined to underrate the genre.

The Euro jazz-rock stuff I mostly discovered the past few years, surprisingly found that I dig it a lot more than contemporaneous US fusion. Never woulda thunk it.

 

Back on topic, I listened to the rest (5-9) of the BFT and will soon post impressions. Probably sacrilegious (especially if he's well-known), but the organist in #6 sounds a trifle too much "roller rink" or "ball park" (I grew up in Chi. area and heard a lot of Nancy Faust playing in Comiskey Park and Chicago Stadium 😆) for my taste. Tenor is very good, though.

Edited November 9 by T.D.

[JSngry]

15 minutes ago, T.D. said:

Probably sacrilegious (especially if he's well-known), but the organist in #6 sounds a trifle too much "roller rink" or "ball park" (I grew up in Chi. area and heard a lot of Nancy Faust playing in Comiskey Park and Chicago Stadium 😆) for my taste. Tenor is very good, though.

Do go on!

[Big Al]

FWIW, I couldn't download this to my computer but I was able to listen to it directly from the site. Now for the ramblings:

1. I'm just gonna go ahead and pat myself on the back here and say I figured this one out without actually owning this or having heard it before. As soon as the groove started, I thought "man, this has a sweet Head Hunters groove!" Then the vocals came on and I heard "God Make Me Funky" and did a Discogs search. I was right! This rarely happens, and even if it is a gimme, I'm gonna enjoy this little victory! Track 1 from this.

2. No idea. Lost interest quickly.

3. No idea but I sure hope it's been ID'd by the time you read this! Lovely groove, lovely horn voicings. I could listen to this all day!

4. Gonna be interesting to find out what this is, I feel like I've heard it before. And if that's the case, I'm questioning why I don't own this! I'll just go ahead and guess Robert Glasper. I've heard very little from him but this sounds like something I imagine him creating.

5. Why can't all singers be this cool? I'll take this every day and can't wait to find out who it is!

6. This sounds like a mid-60's Verve date with Grady Tate on drums. Or maybe Walt Wanderley (which would fill that bill). Did Walt ever record with a sax? I dig it, regardless!

7. Oh I DIG this! It's got that mid-80's sound I enjoy! Is this a Carla Bley big band date? I sure hope so!

8. Yes please! More of this! Maybe a Kai & JJ date on Impulse?

9. Now THIS is how you close a BFT! The Godfather! Can't stand it, indeed! I've always loved JB's ability to make an entire composition based on one groove, one chord, no lyrics other than rhythmic exhortations, and it's one of the grooviest things you'll ever hear!

This was a fun BFT, which yours usually are, but I applaud the consistency of quality tunes you give us every time!

On 11/1/2024 at 9:40 AM, felser said:

3 – “Trains and Boats and Planes”, lovely Bacharach/David composition.  Dionne Warwick did an exquisite version which should have been a bigger hit than the #22 it achieved in 1966.   This version is cut #8 from this.

I never had any interest in this album until this moment. Glad you ID'd this, Fel "Z"!

[JSngry]

2 hours ago, Big Al said:

FWIW, I couldn't download this to my computer but I was able to listen to it directly from the site. Now for the ramblings:

1. I'm just gonna go ahead and pat myself on the back here and say I figured this one out without actually owning this or having heard it before. As soon as the groove started, I thought "man, this has a sweet Head Hunters groove!" Then the vocals came on and I heard "God Make Me Funky" and did a Discogs search. I was right! This rarely happens, and even if it is a gimme, I'm gonna enjoy this little victory! Track 1 from this.

Quite, indeed!

2. No idea. Lost interest quickly.

When you lost interest, did you stop listening? Because it goes through a few changes along the way.

3. No idea but I sure hope it's been ID'd by the time you read this! Lovely groove, lovely horn voicings. I could listen to this all day!

Yes it has. The LP/CD as a whole is interesting, if not consistently great (or even good....), but if you don't pay too much, it's a worthy addition just to get the good stuff. The leader is at times playing very freely, not like "free jazz" but free from the usual licks they bring to a lot of records. A really good flow.

4. Gonna be interesting to find out what this is, I feel like I've heard it before. And if that's the case, I'm questioning why I don't own this! I'll just go ahead and guess Robert Glasper. I've heard very little from him but this sounds like something I imagine him creating.

Not Glasper or Glasper adjacent. To be honest, I had never heard of this group until this record, and was hard-pressed to fin anything else like it in their catalog. But I think this one is a gem, and you may well recognize the source material that this one is built off of!

5. Why can't all singers be this cool? I'll take this every day and can't wait to find out who it is!

It is a singer whose name you have almost certainly heard,on a record you almost certainly haven't, one that has the singer's name totally uncredited.

6. This sounds like a mid-60's Verve date with Grady Tate on drums. Or maybe Walt Wanderley (which would fill that bill). Did Walt ever record with a sax? I dig it, regardless!

Now that's an interesting guess. Interesting but not accurate!

7. Oh I DIG this! It's got that mid-80's sound I enjoy! Is this a Carla Bley big band date? I sure hope so!

Hate to dash your hopes, but...no, not that.

8. Yes please! More of this! Maybe a Kai & JJ date on Impulse?

Maybe Kai & JJ on A&M CTI, those were pretty weird sometimes. But this is not that (although I do find it pretty weird). I will say that it's a known player and a pretty obscure record.

9. Now THIS is how you close a BFT! The Godfather! Can't stand it, indeed! I've always loved JB's ability to make an entire composition based on one groove, one chord, no lyrics other than rhythmic exhortations, and it's one of the grooviest things you'll ever hear!

Yes, that's how I feel about it. This cut and a few others from around this time are examples of weightlessness in the funk. Of course, after weightless ness at the apex of the ark comes a return to Earth, but here....it is sublime.

This was a fun BFT, which yours usually are, but I applaud the consistency of quality tunes you give us every time!

 

Thank you for the kind words, and for taking the time to listen and then comment, Appreciate it!

[Quasimado]

#6 is interesting - tenor may be Clifford Jordan, maybe late 1980's ... like to hear more ...

[JSngry]

Interesting, yes, but Clifford Jordan, no.

But you're not toxically wrong, let's say that!

[Dub Modal]

Glad to finally get to this. Hate I missed last month's all together. 

1. Sounds Hancock-ish with that Headhunters style break beat. No doubt this has been sampled. Vocals start and I'm convinced I've heard this before. God made me funky! It is the Headhunters. I love this tune and the album it's from. Sweet stuff. 

2. Hey Jude...mixed with some electronic wizardry. Interesting. No guesses. 

3. Lovely congas in the intro. Familiar melody too. The horns sound great together. 

4. Sun Ra-ish intro for a few seconds. Good flow from the MC. Sounds like 90s hip hop for sure but no guesses. I don't recognize this voice. 

5. More great congas. Restrained production as well. Rhythm comes in and makes me think this is from this century even though the vocal cadence is old school. No guesses but intrigued. 

6. B3 player who goes for the bass lines, always welcomed. Nice song. 

7. This sounds like 80s Miles at least when it starts. But it's not and I don't recognize the horn player at the moment. Those synths though....

8. Left field opening. No idea who this is...

9. The Godfather himself. Good God!!! 

 

Thanks for the BFT. Good stuff and some intriguing sounds. 

[JSngry]

4 hours ago, Dub Modal said:

Glad to finally get to this. Hate I missed last month's all together.  It was a good one. Above average imo!

1. Sounds Hancock-ish with that Headhunters style break beat. No doubt this has been sampled. Vocals start and I'm convinced I've heard this before. God made me funky! It is the Headhunters. I love this tune and the album it's from. Sweet stuff. 

You nailed it all around!

2. Hey Jude...mixed with some electronic wizardry. Interesting. No guesses. 

Felser Id'ed it right off, as should be expected of anybody of a certain age.

3. Lovely congas in the intro. Familiar melody too. The horns sound great together. 

They sound quite great together imo! And there's a bit of a story there...

4. Sun Ra-ish intro for a few seconds. Good flow from the MC. Sounds like 90s hip hop for sure but no guesses. I don't recognize this voice. 

Release date was 2001, so close enough. No idea who these people are, they were just on the record...but I was taken immediately and have remained so ever since,

5. More great congas. Restrained production as well. Rhythm comes in and makes me think this is from this century even though the vocal cadence is old school. No guesses but intrigued. 

Another one from 2001. I think you are right to be intrigued. I know I was!

6. B3 player who goes for the bass lines, always welcomed. Nice song. 

Some very interesting comments about this one, especially about the organist!

7. This sounds like 80s Miles at least when it starts. But it's not and I don't recognize the horn player at the moment. Those synths though....

There is a connection to Miles in here, but not like that!

8. Left field opening. No idea who this is...

If Paul McKee was still around here, he might know it, but other than him...It's a piece of what I think of as "avant-garde muzak".

9. The Godfather himself. Good God!!! 

God made him funky!!!!!

 

Thanks for the BFT. Good stuff and some intriguing sounds. 

As always, thanks for playing, and any further thoughts (should you have them) are always welcome.

[Quasimado]

#6 Something about this reminds me of Sun Ra ... I don't have anything of him playing organ like this ... which would mean that the tenor could be John Gilmore - although the things I have of him are a little stronger (?).

[JSngry]

There ya' go!

[JSngry]

About halfway through the month and we've had four solid IDs and one more artist(s) IDed. Plenty of time for new/additional comments.

So far so good. Thanks, and keep it goin'!!!