Martin Denny was one of the prime practitioners of the musical style that became known as exotica (sometimes lounge music). Exotica attempted to create a sense of the wild and exotic through the invocation of another culture. Often this culture (usually Asian or Indian) was pretty much imagined by the musicians.
Continue reading Martin Denny: Exotica Art of the Album
Bill Laswell’s experimental dub series concludes with Book of Exit, a recording that seamlessly blends dub with Eastern music. Produced and arranged by Laswell, Dub Chamber 4 features vocals by Ejigayehu “GiGi” Shibabaw, drums and tabla by Karsh Kale, and percussion by Aiyb Dieng. Laswell , who also acts as producer/arranger, provides bass, guitar, and keyboards.
Continue reading Bill Laswell: Book of Exit, Dub Chamber 4by Marshall Bowden
Not a radical concept, but certainly an unexpected one given the musicians involved. Keith Jarrett had accomplished many things in his career up to 1983, but he was certainly not known as an interpreter of the Great American Songbook. He first came to the public’s attention in 1966 as a member of Charles Lloyd’s quartet, of which he was a member through 1968. During 1971-71 he worked with Miles Davis onstage and on recordings, playing electric piano and organ. He followed up with a duet recording with Jack DeJohnette, Ruta & Daitya, the last time he worked with electric keyboards. Continue reading Keith Jarrett Trio: Setting Standards
