Jazz?
Jazz recommendations for anyone and everyone.
So, you wanna start listening to jazz? But you want to listen to interesting artists who you may or may not have heard before? Fusion jazz, you say? Experimental sound, you probe? well, well, have I got a little something extra special for you.
Hello, goobers! Let's talk about some of my favourite jazz albums and artists! YAY
Also, I'll be linking all the albums/artists down below--to either their spotify or youtube(sometimes i cant find it on spotify)
Shabaka and the Ancestors: Alrighty, so these guys are amazing. Like, seriously avant-garde type music, and honestly just so smooth on your ears(like much of jazz). Start off with the album 'Wisdom of Elders', it's borderline spiritual it's that yummy.
Shibusashirazu: A Japanese jazz orchestra, these guys have one of the most interesting sounds I have heard in a while. Chitei records described them as a 'multimedia jazz orchestra'. They draw on a lot of contemporary Japanese culture, and I really think they're worth a listen. One of my favourite albums is Shibuboshi, but I couldn't for the life of me find it on spotify.(i'll link the youtube). Unfortunately, finding their stuff isn't easy and a little confusing, so honestly just listen to whatever you can find, there's a lot of live performances on youtube. I will link their 2006 album's spotify link though, so you can find it easier.
John Coltrane: You simply can't go wrong with John Coltrane. One of the most influential jazz musicians of his time, he has a TON of music available easily, all of it very good. Start out with 'A Love Supreme' if you like, but tbh you could start anywhere and not go wrong. If you like him, his wife Alicia Coltrane also has some absolutely excellent stuff. I recommend her 'Journey in Satchidanada'.
Miles Davis: Another classic, everything is an absolute banger. 'Kind of Blue' was probably one of his greatest hits, and definitely worth a listen. 'Relaxin' With the Miles Davis Quintet' is one that really hits hard, and if you can try listening to the live performances. If you want to know more about Davis, there is a website dedicated to him which is really well made, really nice.
Snarky Puppy: Snarky Puppy have made waves in the jazz corner of the world, with very unique sounds. They aren't exactly jazz, they aren't exactly fusion--but they have some seriously good music. Give their album 'Culcha Vulcha' a listen.
Yussef Kamaal: Some more edible modern fusion jazz, the album 'Black Focus' is just great. Ten tracks, all available on spotify, all bangers. It's been described as 'a seamless weave of spiritual jazz funk'. A lot of the band's influences are garage pop, hip-hop, post Joe Harriott jazz--and to me, that was all pretty alluring. The song 'Mansur's Message' was one of my personal favourites, but to be honest there isn't one skip in the entire album.
Sonny Sharrock: Another wonderful artist, I specifically wanted to mention his album 'Black Woman'. Sharrock's known for his lyricism, and honestly if you're listening to any of the albums here, it should be this.
Billy Cobham: Another icon, I wrote his name here SOLELY for the album 'Spectrum' which I have been just obsessed with. He also has a great ton of other stuff which is great, give him a listen.
Alrighty, this is all I would recommend for now--this is hours and hours of listening material. Have fun, shark babies, I hope you become that obnoxious girl who makes everyone jealous from how much you feel the music. I have more recommendations, so pls ask if you want. My next recommendations list will probably be rock, or a closer look at one of the bands I listen to obsessively, but we'll see.
BYEBYE HAVE FUN
LINKS
'Wisdom of Elders' by Shabaka and the Ancestors:
'Shibusashirazu' on Spotify:
Shibusashirazu Live at Shangri-La on Youtube:
'A Love Supreme' by John Coltrane on Spotify:
'Journey in Satchidanada' by Alicia Coltrane on Spotify:
'Relaxin With the Miles Davis Quintet' on Spotify:
'Culcha Vulcha' by Snarky Puppy:
'Black Focus' by Yussef Kamaal:
'Black Woman' by Sonny Sharrock:
'Spectrum' by Billy Cobham:
That's all the links! Have fun!