Artist/Album suggestions - Jazz, Jazz Funk,Soul, and the likes?

Off-topic
1

I just bought myself an iPod Mini, which is fantastic and really worth the money. It means that I’m now listening to my music collection more frequently, which is great, but I’m running out of music.

I’m looking for suggestions of good artists and/or albums in a style somewhere close to any of: jazz, jazz funk, soul, latin, etc.

Can you suggest any?

Here are some artists I like (in no order):

Charlie Hunter [solo, duo, trio, quartet, and quintet]
Directions in Groove
Buddy Rich Big Band
Louis Armstrong
Herbie Hancock
Miles Davis
Stevie Wonder
Tower of Power
Buena Vista Social Club
Dave Valentin
Irakere
Maceo Parker
Weather Report

Thanks,
Andrew

2

Anything by:
Stanley Clarke
Victor Wooten
Jaco Pastorious
Dave Brubeck Quartet

Is awesome.

3

Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Tom Waits.

4

If you like funk, which I know you do, i’d say try to find some Hot Lunch, if you can.

Also check out disco, I always found that to be in the same vein. Maybe I’m just an idiot, though.

5

If you like jazz, try some of the “acoustic string band” side of the genre, and the cross-over stuff between jazz and bluegrass. Some great playing.

Stephane Grapelli - Young Django
David Grisman - Hot Dawg (or really anything)
David Grisman and Martin Taylor - Tone Poems II
David Grier - Lone Soldier
Bela Fleck - Places
Bela Fleck and The Flecktones - Little Worlds
Matt Flinner - The View from Here
Phillips, Grier, and Flinner - either of their two albums
Mike Marshall & Chris Theile - Into the Cauldron

Not sure how much is available online, versus having to buy the CD and transfer it to your pod.

6

I like Burt bachrach, have you tried that?

And, although perhaps not your taste, U2 - try the best of 1980-1990 and the best of 1990-2002 albums. To get “a taste of U2” - try downloading “one”.

7

I like your taste in music. Of course those bands I listed aren’t all the ones I’m into and yes I am a fan of all of those. Did you know Vic rides a unicycle?? I have a picture of him on a giraffe if you’d like to see it.

Any particular albums from those artists? I think I’ll buy myself a copy of “School Days”, although my brother does already have it.

Will do.

I’ve heard some of Tom Waits’ stuff and really enjoyed it, and I’ve only heard of the other two. Any particular albums? I’ll be buying CD’s rather than downloading.

Thanks, I’ve only heard of Bela Fleck out of that list. I’ll look into them.

Thanks guys, this will give me plenty to browse through…now off to allmusic.com to see what they have to say about these artists’ albums…

More suggestions more than welcome.

Andrew

8

…well of course you’d like to see it!

Andrew

vic.jpg

9

For Billie and Ella, there can be no single album recommendation. Their collective discography is immense, and between them they define two distinct styles of jazz vocals that all since have come from. Billie…all feel, limited range, pain. Ella…deep theory, love of music, and precision control over an unbelieveable instrument. Box sets are demanded, but if you’re new to this and don’t want to shell out the bucks, I’d say Ella’s Cole Porter Songbook (the 2 disc set) is a great place to start. For Billie, the Ken Burns Jazz Collection is okay…harder to pick one with Billie, because she had hits and misses…was an addict which affected her music.

10

Thanks Tom.

bjornthegreat,
I’ve only heard of Burk Bachrach, I might try to download some. I’ll have a listen to some of my brother’s U2 stuff.

Andrew

11

on the slightly more electronically influenced side try:

Four tet
Cinematic orchestra
peace orchestra
Lemon Jelly
most people signed to ninja tune www.ninjatune.com
(let me check my media library a sec…)
Pest
Kid Koala
Mr Scruff
DJ Food
Funky Porcini
Freeworm(more what I’d call ethnic electronica…But funky none the less)
On the less electronic side:
Cherry poppin daddies
Fela Kuti
Senor Coconut!!!They do samba and cover people like kraftwerk and michael jackson…But samba. Amazing live band…

Kit