A Message To Our Politicians

"It ain't what it seems when it's a single sided system". That is what my favorite artist, Jay Kay (Jamiroquai's leader) sings in the conclusion of this piece. 

The tune I want you to listen today it is called Scam. It is part of the album The Return Of The Space Cowboy that maybe is the second album that I most like of the band.

Released in 1994, Jamiroquai's lyrics where still committed to safe environment and to promote their political ideas. Here, in "Scam" they express their dissatisfaction with their contemporary politicians as much as ever. This song is about politicians who do not keep their promises, who abuse of their power, who are corrupt. And as the British group states, this makes you "have to be a schemer if you wanna love the life you have to live".

People, please check the lyrics if you do not understand English quite well because it is worthwhile.

This is a message for all politicians, specially the Spanish ones. In five days we are having general elections, and I suppose that many Spaniards are feeling like Jay.

Listen, take a while and think about it.

Playlist- Jazz Moods 2

This week new playlist is now available at Spotify for you.

In a similar way to the last week one, the groove starts with some Fusion classics as Miles Davis, Return To Forever, Dave Grusin or Pat Metheny. The thing gets acid with Incognito and Jamiroquai, to finally fall in funkier tunes from Gil-Scott Heron, Barry White and Level 42.

Enjoy!

Jazz Moods 2 (Open in Spotify)

       

 

The Crossing- Eumir Deodato (2011)

The Crossing, Deodato's last work has been recorded with the collaboration of great artists: Al Jarreau, Billy Cobham, John Tropea, the Italian Novecento, Londonbeat, Airto Moreira and Paco Sery.

The album tracks are combination of funk and smooth Latin bossa. In my opinion, even that Deodato has surrounded itself by Jazz Fusion geniuses like Cobham, Airto or Tropea; the result has been a compilation of maybe too Smooth tunes, but also very lively and some of great quality.

"Double face" is the star track, the one released first as a single. The melody is opened with Jarreau’s usual vocal jams. The chorus (“Double feature/Double creature/That will teach ya… Double do ya/ Double fool ya/Hallelujah”) has been strongly criticized for its simplicity; although it has to be said that it's pretty catchy. Eumir, for its part, dazzles us with his two piano solos, both very rhythmic. It reminds me to that kind of 80’s disco tunes; a song obviously composed to be danced.

Much better is the collaboration with Jarreau and Novecento: “I want you more”. Here, Dora Nicolosi sings with a seductive and warm voice. A perfect melody for driving at night under the street lights...

Another good piece to pay attention in this album is “Summertime” (versioned from the one composed by George Gershwin for the opera Porgy and Bess), where Tropea finally really shows off his guitar skills in a pure Santana style.

The Crossing- Eumir Deodato (Open in Spotify)

Note: Pay attention to the blog tomorrow because I’ll upload this week playlist! Sorry for this six-day gap without posting anything, it has been a busy week. 

Funk da world!

Playlist for AJH November

It is a rainy day here in Valencia. Perfect for staying at home, just relaxing listening to music and creating a new playlist.

Frequently, I use to collaborate in making a monthly Spotify playlist for Acid Jazz Hispano, a Spanish site where you can find a lot of information about Acid Jazz and other Jazz genres.

For this month of November I have included great tracks and I hope you will like them. Some of the artists are: Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, George Duke, Marcus Miller, Eumir Deodato, Gil Scott-Heron, Chuck Mangione and Miles Davis.

Just click on this link that will open you the Playlist for AJH November in Spotify.

And if you want to listen to the whole playlist made up by more contributions of other users: Acid Jazz Hispano 2011-11

Enjoy your weekend!