24 September 2010

Music Corner - September

INCOGNITO - 30th Anniversary Concert Live in LONDON 2010 (2DVD9)

VERY RARE DVD
Incognito is far more than just a band. The sound visionary Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick has been pioneering in the mercurial acid jazz scene, and as a talent factory, Incognito has rolled out the red carpet for vocal prodigies, such as Jocelyn Brown and the best musicians from the British groove community. Short-lived musical trends have done nothing to damage the popularity of this multi-cultural band with their driving rhythms and elegant melodies and they have become a trademark all over the world, especially live. In this vein, "Bluey" Maunick celebrated Incognito's 30th birthday on stage at the London INDIGO2 with a thrilling concert in summer 2009.

It was a fantastic night: with their blend of soul and jazz, funk and fusion almost 30 musicians, with several surprise guest appearances, electrified the audience. Thanks to the contagious energy and the virtuoso solo numbers, each song became something special. And as if this band hadn't given us enough variety already, the strings of the Millennia Ensemble provided a delightful additional interplay of sound. Incognito didn't just celebrate 30 years of first-rate music and continued success with this performance - they also gave their fans an unforgettable gift.
DVD with Dolby Digital 2.0/5.1 and DTS 5.1.

DAVE KOZ & PHIL PERRY - Live In The Strand (Released 2002)

RARE DVD
Bring together the music scene's hottest young sax player and one of soul's most sterling new vocalists. Then capture these two show-stoppers onstage on a great night. That's Dave Koz and Phil Perry, Live at the Strand. This intimate show capture's Phil's voice and Dave's sax on a warm spring night at a jumping nightspot, alternating solo spots and sharing the stage. It's a show full of personal charm and musical thrills, a delightful blend of Cool Jazz, Warm Soul, and hot R&B.

STANLEY JORDAN TRIO - The Paris Concert 2007

RARE DVD
As one of the most gifted guitarists of his generation, Stanley Jordan has often been referred to as the ''uncontested master'' of the two-handed tap technique so-called due to his ability to play rhythm and melody simultaneously, like a pianist.

This spectacular talent gained him fame and respect all over the world. Stanley Jordan is, however, much more than a top-class expert. His interpretations of the grand repertoire of guitarists from Bird and Trane to John and Paul are true masterpieces, which boldly blend tradition and new age. But the strength and depth of his multi-faceted diamond-like music stem from his early and unshakable - belief in the power of his art. For Stanley, making music has not only been about entertainment, but rather has a spiritual element to it as well, as he regards it as highly therapeutic.

Recorded in July 2007 at the New Morning venue in Paris alongside Charnett Moffett and David Haynes, the trio provides the crowd with a breathtaking performance.

LARRY CORYELL - A Retrospective Live 2007

RARE DVD
Filmed in concert at Hollywood's The Avalon, the focus is on Coryell's blues-laden impressions of Jazz and Rock.
Larry Coryell grew up in the Seattle area and became heavily involved with drugs while attending the University of Washington. He moved to New York in 1965 and took his habit with him. His music didn't audibly suffer for it, as Coryell carved a legendary place for himself in the nascent fusion and jazz-rock arenas. He battled his substance abuse and since the '80s has managed a successful career.

STEVE LUKATHER & EDGAR WINTER - Live At North Sea Jazz (Released 2010)

RARE DVD
Steve Lukather & Edgar Winter - Live At North Sea Jazz Festival It was the coming together of two musical giants, both with their unique style. When these 2 extraordinary musicians, Steve Lukather and Edgar Winter, came together on stage at the North Sea Festival, they had already achieved legendary careers in their own right.
Steve Lukather started as a studio musician before becoming a founding member of rocband 'Toto'. His guitar style and influence can be heard on numerous albums of notable artists such as Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney and Chicago. Having been influenced by Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton, Steve developed a guitar style, which paid tribute to both Rock and Jazz styles, playing with such perfection and intensity that you can still spot his influence among a thousand other guitarists.
Edgar Winter is the younger brother of Johnny Winter. Having debuted at the Woodstock-Festival, he also fusioned Rock, Blues and Jazz since his first great successes in 1970. Working with musicians such as Rick Derringer, David Lee Roth and Ringo Starr, he was equally well prepared to team up with Steve Lukather. Together with Phil Soussan (Bass) and Gary Ferguson (Drums) the concert at the North Sea Jazz Festival was not only a firework of improvisation, but an intense demonstration of the perfection and skills of Lukather and Winter. Feeling totally free from stylistic barriers, this concert is a perfect symbiosis of these two talents, presenting the best of Winter's collection ("Fly Away", "Frankenstein") and some breathtaking highlights penned by Lukather (as exemplified in his tearful tribute to Toto-Drummer Jeff Porcarco in "Song for Jeff"). A specific standout among the many other highlights of this concert is the medley of Rock'n Roll classics. Summing up the genius of these two outstanding artists, their improvising on songs such as “Johnny B Good” and “Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On” remaining as colorful, fresh and dynamic, never to be heard before. A brilliant evening of musicality quality as you will never experience again.

NOSSO TRIO - Vento Bravo Live 2005 (FUSION Band from Brasil)

VERY RARE DVD
On their own work, Vento Bravo, Nosso Trio shows its own face. Of course there are technical tour de forces, but the music always dominates. The arrangement is dedicated to the dazzling talents of the three musicians. Even before the song's theme, Kiko Freitas sets a percussive tempo, Ney Conceição pays tribute to the late great bassist Nico Assumpção and Nelson Faria shows why he studied with Joe Diorio. After this impressive short prelude, "O Barquinho" proves to have the qualities of a true jazz standard with the smooth guitar solo and an obstinate bass solo. On Nelson Faria's composition "Partindo pro Alto" the trio shows how technique can serve a complicated piece of music. The three musicians take the solo spot in an amazing way without losing contact with the relaxed but challenging theme. The beautiful ballad "Balada p'a Nadia" brings a moment of peace before the title track "Vento Bravo" demands full attention with a complicated rhythm scheme on which Kiko Freitas works his way towards a dazzling drum solo. The song is followed by another rhythmical tour de force on which the three musicians improvise around the simple sounding theme. "Fala Negão" is again a wonderful ballad on which Nelson Faria performs one of his outstanding solos, perfectly accompanied by his two fellow musicians.
Vento Bravo is another example of good and intelligent Brazilian jazz that deserves much more attention than it gets. The DVD was recorded Live at the Teatro Maria Clara Machado, Rio de Janeiro, 2005 without the public . The production although simple, was very well executed, particularly the performance of the three musicians.

BASS DAY Live '98

RARE DVD
Features performances from Michael Manring, Andy Gonzalez, Francis Rocco Prestia, Victor Wooten and many others. Special Feature: A comprehensive photo gallery of this historic event.

Four of the best bass players around gathered in NYC on Bass Day '98 to show off their skills for their colleagues and fans. First up, Michael Manring plays a solo set with four different instruments, all in different tunings, including one piece in which he plays all four basses at once. Mr. Gonzalez lays down some Afro-Cuban music with the help of Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Bobby Rodriguez. Next, Mr. Prestia, accompanied by three Tower of Power members, takes the stage and lays down some TOP classics such as "Oakland Stroke," "Squib Cakes," and "What is Hip?" as well as some his own stuff. Finally, Victor Wooten, accompanied by the great Mr. Burbridge on his finale, proves why he was Bass Player of the Year for 1997 and 1998.