BFT253 - April

[tkeith]

Hola!  Matthew (new guy presenting this month) is having issues logging in (got locked out b/c he tried to use his screen name).  I'm starting the thread for him and we're hoping he'll be along shortly.

Available here:  https://thomkeith.net/blindfold-tests/2025-blindfold-tests/

[felser]

Thanks Thom and Matthew!  Quick scan through the cuts reveals that this sounds like a bracing listening experience!  Lots of flute.

[T.D.]

Based on a preliminary quick scan conducted at work, this BFT will be most enjoyable!

[felser]

1 – Pleasant enough but faded into the background for me on the soprano solo.  The recitation seems to have great meaning to the speaker, though I’m not sure what he was referring to.

2 – Stylistically, this is certainly in my wheelhouse, all Coltrane/Sanders-ish.  The alto/soprano combo makes me think of the Grubbs Brothers (The Visitors), but I don’t think it’s them.  I think I’m familiar with the song (though not the version), just have to remember what it is.  Very strong cut overall, I hope I have it on the shelves somewhere!  This one will bear repeated listening from me.

3 -  Nice lighter follow up to the previous cut.   The guitar solo to me is just functional, though I like his tone and his comping.  The saxophone solo is excellent, a modern player who nonetheless listened to Ben Webster in his formation.  Maybe Joe Lovano?

4 – Very dramatic!  I like it fine, though it’s not my “thing”.

5 – “Straight No Chaser”, not familiar with  this version.   First thought was Herbie Mann,  but I don’t think it’s him.  Another pleasant cut, though the bass soloing goes on much too long.

6 – I want to like it.  I prefer the flute on this to the one on the previous cuts.  Cut is leaning too much on sort of clunky Afro-Cuban rhythms, though not without its appeals.  Enjoying the organ and especially the vibes when they show up.  An unlikely spot for the “A Love Supreme” riff to show up mid-song.  But then it just sort of ends without resolution or fade, so in the end it’s not a winner for me.

7 – Really good for what it is, but not my sort of thing at all.

8 – More to my liking.  Up the alley of those Grant Green 70’s BN albums where he played the best hits of the day with excellent small group backing.  Not much improvisation on those, but great sounding music.  I listen to them frequently as background music, and could see myself listening to this also. Really enjoying this, wouldn’t mind having it on my shelves, along with cut #2.  

9 – No thanks. Sounds like mash-up of several songs, eventually landing on “Truckin’”, but by way of “Green Onions” and “Peter Gunn”.  I like all of those songs, but not this. 

10 – Not for me.   Can’t relate at all to this cut except for the trumpet solo.

Thanks for the interesting BFT, and I especially await the reveal or ID of cuts 2 and 8.

 

[Matthew Wade Shapiro]

My name is Matthew Shapiro, the guy who curated this playlist. Looking forward to hearing more feedback!

[T.D.]

#3 is a tune I strongly associate with Rahsaan, though (a) it's surely not him on this selection; (b) I can't recall the name of the piece, or the recording I (possibly wrongly) have in mind. 🥴

[JSngry]

1 hour ago, Matthew Wade Shapiro said:

My name is Matthew Shapiro, the guy who curated this playlist. Looking forward to hearing more feedback!

Howdy! Let's have fun!!!

[Dub Modal]

Greetings welcome Matthew! Thanks for putting one of these together. 

1. Love the intro. Is the flautist the lead? Obviously a new production, and a glossy one at that. Love all the elements here. Bassist is a highlight, while the pianist seems content to blend in, not a bad thing. I'm not sure if the soprano sax player is the same as the flautist at the moment. They're together at the end but it could be dubbed? That sax was on point though regardless. 

2. Sounds like another recent production based on the drumming and how it's recorded. Piano sound is excellent. Great playing. No guesses. 

3. Like a lot of what's going on in the beginning here. Dave Stryker maybe? One thing about this production is that I'm listening to the guitarist's comping as much as the horn solo bc the volume levels are just about even. Makes following the horn a little difficult, which is a shame bc they're playing well. Same thing during the bass solo although the guitarist has toned down a bit. 

4. So far all of these sound like recent recordings. Nice. Oh no - strings! And dramatic ones at that. Oof. Sorry, those take some of the fun out of it for me. I thought the piano intro was building into something pretty interesting but the strings and tympanis bring in an orchestral seriousness that falls a little flat for me. YMMV. Soundtrack composition? 

5. Monk - Straight No Chaser. But with flute and live. Interesting. Spaulding? Good little session here. 

6. Sounds like Santana. More flute! Woot! Live again as well. With a vibes player. I dig the tune. Familiar but I can't name it. Synth/organ player adds some welcomed texture and dimension. I'm wishing there was more percussion to lively up this backing beat which is a little metronome-ish. 

7. Rapping vocals reminiscent of Digable Planets. I'm sensing some West Coast vibes from their cadence as well. I wouldn't mind hearing something like this live. Soprano sax again FTW. 

8. Reminds me of latter day Chico Hamilton songs but a little smoother around the edges. Maybe it's one of those? I love those albums btw. More hit than miss IMO. The guitarist is playing well and the organ is accenting effectively. This is some Sunday afternoon chill out music for sure. 

9. Tried and true blues rhythm. A little derivative but what isn't these days. Playing is professional. Guitar takes this to rock territory, while the sax has that retro R&B vibe going. 

10. Vocals related to Emmit Till maybe? Effective! Music is good too. No guesses though. 

Hard to guess a lot of these but appreciate the what I think is majority newer selections. Kudos man and thanks again 🍻

[Milestones]

Number 2 is Coltrane's "Liberia."  I imagine it's pretty recent, and can be found on one of the many Coltrane tribute albums--or can be viewed as jazz standard (as it should).  I was thinking it's a bit like Kenny Garrett, but certainly not Kenny on his own Trane tribute. 

Good stuff.  You can't beat Coltrane himself, but I nearly always enjoy others playing his music.  

Number 3...this tune sounds very familiar.  Rather good tune, nice performance.  That does sound quite a bit like Lovano--most of the time, but not always.  I don't think it's him.  It seems to me that many tenor saxophonists have adopted elements of his style.  

[felser]

5 hours ago, Milestones said:

Number 2 is Coltrane's "Liberia."  I imagine it's pretty recent, and can be found on one of the many Coltrane tribute 

Track #1 from this. Track #9 on my December BFT!  No wonder it sounded so familiar and so good to me, LOL!  The whole album is strong, but the cuts with the guest artist greatly benefit from his presence.

Edited 6 hours ago by felser