Here’s a horn based ska band from Detroit that obviously has a true appreciation for the 60s ska sound and its reflections through the 2-tone revival of the late 70s/early 80s. Here’s a cool, danceable instrumental. Flip f’real with The Articles!
“Mr. Pink“ (play)
This will be my last or first posting for Steve Coleman depending on how you’re reading this blog.
Throughout these albums Coleman features jazz stars such as Marvin “Smitty” Smith on drums, Cassandra Wilson on vocals, saxophonists Branford Marsalis and Gary Thomas, Geri Allen on keyboards, and Dave Holland on bass.
Here’s some stoopifying funk for your trunk from the 1988 release Sine Die:
Here’s 2 tracks from Steve Coleman‘s 1990 Rhythm People: The Resurrection Of Creative Black Civilization:
For an explanation of why he gives his music away for free download, read this. — an excellent statement, in my opinion.
Very much in step with Miles Davis’s “On The Corner” and “Pangaea” era funk-jazz but with cutting edge 80s synthesizer, here’s my favorite track from Steve Coleman‘s 1986 release:
Speaking of early 70s Miles, this is exactly what I’m talking about:
For myself, the “m-base” funk sound of Steve Coleman and friends hits the nail on the head. Beautiful cutting-edge jazz harmonics and improvisation sitting inside the funkiest of pockets.
Enjoy this sub-set from his 1981 ahead-of-its-time release Drop Kick:
Tschanz — featuring the great Don Byron on clarinet!
Altoists Steve Coleman and Greg Osby are very much on the same page. Here are my 2 favorite tracks via Steve Coleman’s page from “Cipher Syntax” by the group Strata Institute fronted by both Coleman and Osby.
From Steve Coleman’s Black Science:
The X Format (Standard Deviation)
Turbulence
Black Phonemics
More bumpin’ alto saxophone driven m-base jazz-funk.
One of my favorite contemporary jazz composers/band-leaders/saxophonists Steve Coleman has put up nearly all he’s recorded under his name. It’s really awesome stuff. And what a gift!
I’ll start off by introducing you to “Ascending Numeration” from his group’s 2002 release “Alternate Dimension Series I.”
I don’t know about you, but this stuff feeds my ear what it’s most hungry for. And I got the munchies.