I’ve made a decision.
Everyone once in a while, when I just can’t stand not to do so, and I think that my audience just might appreciate it, I’m going to recommend a CD that isn’t jazz.
Now, give me a chance to explain myself. I know this is a jazz site, and I do want to keep it focused. However, take for example tomorrow’s review of Mongo Santamaria’s Our Man In Havana.
Jazz is pretty omnivorous. Jazz can absorb influences from an infinite variety of sources. There’s the Brazilian jazz of Eliane Elias, the Eastern European jazz of Miroslav Vitous, the chamber jazz of Eberhard Weber. And there’s Afro Cuban jazz.
The point I’m trying to make is that if someone loves jazz, and they’ve been exposed to a hybrid, like Afro Cuban jazz, maybe they’d appreciate having some great Cuban music pointed out to them. I know I would.
So, I’m probably not going to be recommending a great Steely Dan album from the 70s, even though I love Steely Dan. Actually, that’s a bad example. Someone who loves jazz fusion might very well appreciate being introduced to Steely Dan. Let’s try again. I’m not going to be recommending a country blues collection like the Alladin label sides of Lightning Hopkins (even though they kick ass) because it doesn’t necessarily follow that just because you enjoyed Scott Henderson’s fusion blues release Tore Down House, you’re going to dig acoustic country blues. The connection might be there, but it isn’t a strong enough connection to warrant a recommendation.
Anyway, I got kind of sidetracked there.
The point is, every once in a while, I’m going to recommend a non-jazz recording, but not in the main part of the site. I’ll put the review in the Loose Talk section, at least for now.
Readers, if you’d prefer I put these reviews in a non-jazz section in the main review section of the site, let me know, okay?
Thanks.