The Manrilla Blog | Life. Art. Religion. Culture.

Jackie McLean has long been one of my favorite musicians. His tenacity on the horn is unparalleled. His sound has always irked my brother for some reason (he says he plays sharp). Whatever it may be, McLean has carved a platform to stand on in the jazz annals. Consequences is a one of those albums that most certainly is not background music. Find a copy, pour yourself a drink and give Consequences its due spin. (Google Search)

Picked up this Bob Marley anthology while waiting to go shoot in Chicago. I’m not a huge, pot smoking, dread-wearing Bob Marley fan but I do like his music. This is earlier Wailer’s work which features work with producers like Lee “Scratch” Perry and Leslie Kong. It also shows some early work with electronic synths. Good stuff. Pick it up.

Deep Song is the title to Kurt Rosenwinkel’s new CD. If you are unfamiliar with Kurt and his music check out his Web site or the iTunes Store to get some free previews. I really dig his sound, both his personal sound on his guitar and the sound of his music. It has a great story telling capacity to it - almost akin to reading a book. He’s a got a great crew on this set with Brad Mehldau on piano, Joshua Redman on tenor sax, Larry Grenadier on bass and either Ali Jackson or longtime associate Jeff Ballard on drums. The music really swings and has great energy. It’s too bad that some have labeled Kurt’s music as intellectual - it’s anything but that. I think it leaps off the disc and grabs you with great melodies and rhythms. Give it a listen.