The Quarantined Jazz Voyager

The Quarantined Jazz Voyager requests that you remain vigilant in maintaining your health as exposure to the variants is on the rise again as society rushes to get to the 2019 party before Covid. Those who have it without masks can spread it, even those who have been vaccinated.

With that said, I am listening to a new young drummer on the rise who has taken the torch and remixed some of the classic jazz compositions by the legendary performers of the 20th century.

Deciphering The Message is the Chicago-based drummer, producer, and beat scientist Makaya McCraven puts a modern bounce on Blue Note classics by a host of artists who recorded on the label. Released on November 19, 2021 on vinyl, CD, and digital download, you can stream the playlist Deciphering The Message: The Originals.

With this project McCraven is an educator making available to his peer audience the opportunity to not only hear what he heard in his remixes but to experience the original compositions. He honors these jazz masters in their tradition while offering a good listen to vibe with.

Track Listing | 42:00

  1. A Slice Of The Top (aka Sliced Off The Top) ~ 3:13 [from A Slice Of The Top by Hank Mobley]
  1. Sunset (aka Son Set) ~ 3:49 [from Whistle Stop by Kenny Dorham]
  1. When Your Lover Has Gone (aka When You’ve Left Your Lover) ~ 2:12 [from A Night In Tunisia by Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers]
  1. Ecaroh (aka Revlis) ~ 2:58 [from Horace Silver Trio by Horace Silver]
  1. Tranquillity (aka Corner Of The World) ~3:40 [from Components by Bobby Hutcherson]
  1. Wail Bait (aka Wait Bail) ~ 2:10 [from The Memorial Album by Clifford Brown]
  1. Coppin’ The Haven (aka At The Haven Coppin’) ~ 2:36 [from One Flight Up by Dexter Gordon]
  1. Frank’s Tune (aka De’Jeff’s Tune) ~ 3:38 [from Easterly Winds by Jack Wilson]
  1. Autumn In New York (aka Spring In Chicago) ~ 5:56 [from Blue Lights, Vol.1 by Kenny Burrell]
  1. Monaco (aka Monte Negro) ~ 2:25 [from ‘Round About Midnight At The Cafe Bohemia by Kenny Dorham]
  1. Mr. Jin (aka Mr. Gin) ~ 2:58[from Indestructible by Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers]
  1. C.F.D. (aka D.F.C.) ~ 3:18 [from Something Personal by Jack Wilson]
  1. Black Rhythm Happening ~ 3:35 [from Black Rhythm Happening by Eddie Gale]
Personnel All the original musicians appear on this remix album with the addition of the players listed below:
  • Makaya McCraven ~ Bass, Percussion, Drums
  • Joel Ross ~ Vibraphone
  • De’Sean Jones ~ Tenor Saxophone, Flute
  • Jeff Parker ~ Guitar
  • Matt Gold ~ Guitar
  • Junius Paul ~ Bass, Percussion
  • Marquis Hill ~ Trumpet
  • Greg Ward ~ Alto Saxophone

CALIFORNIA JAZZ FOUNDATION

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The Quarantined Jazz Voyager

In our ongoing practice of social distancing and wearing our masks, this week’s selection comes the very talented interpreter and vocalist Nnenna Freelon who has delivered her latest Time Traveler. The songs for the album were recorded over a span of two years on March 13~15, 2018, October 24, 2018, August 20, 2020 and September 3, 2020. It was released on May 21, 2021 on the Origin Records label.

The album was recorded at Manifold  Records in Pittsboro, North Carolina, Overdub Lane, Durham, North Carolina and Tedesco Studios in Paramus, New Jersey. It was produced by Nnenna Freelon, with musical direction by Miki Hayama. The engineers were Jason Richmond (1~6, 8~11), Ian Schreier (1,3~5,7,9) Tom Tedesco (1~3,8) and John Plymale (2,8).

The cover design and layout was by John Bishop, photography by Chris Charles, clothing stylist ~ Katina Bryson, makeup ~ Sharon Davis, hairstylist ~ Anes El and henna and face artist Shemora Sheik made up the production team.

She draws from her life story the songs of her youth and has helped her navigate the process of loss and healing and steps through an imagined doorway where past, present and future collide. She reminds us of a time when grace and elegance were a standard and that is timeless. There is a reverence in the lyrics that was lost in my youth but has been captured with age.

Tracks | 55:03

  1. I Say A Little Prayer For You (Burt Bachrach/Hall David) ~ 5:07
  2. Marvin Medley: If This World Were Mine/Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing/Ain’t No Mountain High Enough ( Marvin Gaye, Ashford & Simpson) ~ 6:05
  3. Just You (Nnenna Freelon) ~ 5:32
  4. Betcha By Golly Wow (Thom Bell, Linda Creed) ~ 4:54
  5. Time In A Bottle (Jim Croce) ~ 6:59
  6. You Make Me Feel Brand New (Thom Bell, Linda Creed) ~ 5:06
  7. Moon River (Henry Mancini, Johnny Mercer) ~ 5:57
  8. Time After Time (Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne ~ 4:58
  9. Come Rain Or Come Shine (Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer) ~ 5:55
  10. Time Traveler (Freelon,Curry,Robinson, Scott) ~ 4:30
Players
  • Nnenna Freelon ~ Vocals
  • Miki Hayama ~ Piano 1,3,5,7,8 Rhodes 2,4,9 Synth 2,8
  • Chuckey Robinson ~ Keyboards 10,11
  • Brandon McCune ~ Hammond Organ 1,3
  • Keith Ganz ~ Guitar 2~6,8~11
  • Noah Jackson ~ Acoustic Bass 1,3~5,7,9
  • Gerald Veasley ~ Electric Bass 2,8
  • Lance Scott ~ Electric Bass 10,11
  • E. J. Strickland ~ Drums 1,3~5,7,9
  • Adonis Rose ~ Drums 2,8
  • Jon Curry ~ Drums 10,11
  • Beverly Botsford ~ Percussion 2,4,8
  • Trineice Robinson-Martin ~ Background Vocal
  • Kirk Whalum ~ Tenor Saxophone, Flute 4
  • Shana Tucker ~ Cello 5

CALIFORNIA JAZZ FOUNDATION

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Requisites

It happened like this; I was choosing several albums to listen to for my next column when a delightful surprise showed up at my door. After auditioning it, I wanted to share my thoughts with you. I first heard this morning’s subject of discussion by Dexter Gordon, One Flight Up (Blue Note BLP 4176/BST 84176) in 1967 during one of my Saturday visits to Record Rendezvous in Cleveland, Ohio. This was his sixth Blue Note album and his second release since moving overseas from the United States. Dexter was a staple on the jazz scene since the forties when he was a member of Billy Eckstine’s Big Band. He was a major influence for two other tenor giants, John Coltrane, and Sonny Rollins. He moved abroad because he was treated more fairly and as an equal than in the US.  There was also plenty of work for him and other musicians in some of the best jazz clubs Europe and France had to offer.

In this album, the tenor saxophonist leads a first-class ensemble of Donald Byrd on trumpet, Kenny Drew on piano, Neils-Henning Orsted Pedersen on bass, and Art Taylor on drums. My copy used in this report is the 2021 Blue Note Tone Poet Series Stereo Audiophile reissue sharing the original catalog number.  Side One is occupied by Donald Byrd’s Tanya allowing the tenor, trumpet, and piano three lengthy solo opportunities. The rhythm section opens with a brief introduction segueing into a dreamy collective theme. Dexter works his magic first on nearly six minutes of immaculate execution. Donald follows, appealing at every turn on the next reading. Kenny speaks proudly with a firm articulation on the finale that keeps us captivated by Neils-Henning’s and Art’s stylish foundation ahead of the quintet’s closing chorus and gentle dissolve.

Side Two starts with Kenny Drew’s, Coppin’ The Haven. The trio eases into the song with a brief introduction leading to Byrd and Gordon stating the melody to the rhythm section’s infectious beat. Dexter crafts the opening solo with a touch of the blues that sustains its momentum until the conclusion. Donald comes in next with an exquisite reading as smooth as glass. Kenny serves up an impressive final statement preceding the climax. The album ends with the beautiful 1939 standard, Darn That Dream by Jimmy Van Heusen and Eddie DeLange. This is a gorgeous quartet performance opening with a gentle trio introduction. Dexter is the centerpiece here and he produces a beautifully seductive melody and tender first reading.  Kenny expresses a gentle warmth on the second interpretation, then Gordon returns to close with a sensuously smooth ending.

One Flight Up was recorded by the French engineer, Jacques Lubin.  This Tone Poet reissue was supervised by Joe Harley, and the mastering is by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio. The sound quality is spectacular with refreshing clarity and a stunning soundstage that transports the musicians to your listening room. The record was pressed on 180-gram audiophile vinyl and is silent until the music starts. Then, the gatefold photos inside could adorn any wall proudly. Over his nearly forty-year career, Dexter recorded for a host of labels, Bethlehem, Columbia, Decca, Dial, Dootone, Prestige, Savoy, and SteepleChase. However, it was the five years he was at Blue Note (1961-1966) that are among his finest records in my opinion. He passed away on April 25, 1990, at age sixty-seven from kidney failure and cancer of the larynx. If you’re a Hard-Bop fan, I highly recommend One Flight Up by Dexter Gordon. It’s an excellent album where the music speaks to you in a way that’s rewarding listening for any jazz library!

~ Darn That Dream – Source: JazzStandards.com
~ Dexter Gordon – Source: Wikipedia.org
© 2021 by Edward Thomas Carter

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