vibes Archives - JAZZ IMPRESSIONS

Routes: A Jazz Impressions Podcast – Episode 10

In our bumper anniversary 10th edition we pay tribute to two jazz giants: percussion legend James Mtume and vibes wizard Khan Jamal. But which route best connects them? Via the West Coast, or the astral plane? Dan travels through time and Ollie through space, on a cosmic journey that passes Philly, pharaohs and psychedelic beanies.

Thanks for indulging us for 10 episodes, and stay tuned for more astral traveling this year. Roads? Where we’re going, we only need Rhodes.

You can also find us on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts!

Tracklists below (SPOILERS!)

Routes: A Jazz Impressions Podcast – Episode 6

In this tribute episode, we join the dots between Stanley Cowell’s heartfelt composition ‘Sienna: Welcome My Darling’ and Chick Corea’s swirling, impressionistic ‘Litha’. Plus we delve into Sweden, beekeeping and the discography of L. Ron Hubbard – and be sure to listen out for Ollie’s uncanny impression of a shakuhachi.

Also available on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts!

Tracklists below (SPOILERS!)

Routes: A Jazz Impressions Podcast – Episode 4

In episode 4 we connect two very different tracks recorded 10 years apart – the free-leaning post-bop of Eric Dolphy’s ‘Green Dolphin Street’ and the dark, funky, cinematic vibes of Gary Burton’s ‘Las Vegas Tango’. Plus hip-hop and samples and films, oh my!

Find us on Soundcloud, Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts!

Tracklists below (SPOILERS!)

Routes: A Jazz Impressions Podcast – Episode 2

Welcome back to Routes: A Jazz Impressions Podcast! In this Blue Note heavy episode, we discuss an underappreciated gem from master vibesman Bobby Hutcherson, the compositional talents of Joe Chambers, the lyrical side of Freddie Hubbard and the legacy of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. Also, there’s a special guest appearance from a squeaky garage door trying to imitate Wayne Shorter.

Alternatively find us on Soundcloud, Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts!

Tracklists below (SPOILERS!)

Bobby Hutcherson – Rosewood

For those who have been following our musical journey so far, the name Woody Shaw should sound familiar. A fantastic trumpeter and composer, we first encountered his compositional talents on Jackie McLean’s ‘Sweet Love Of Mine’ and more recently his contributions to the first draft of Andrew Hill’s album Grass Roots. Vibesman Bobby Hutcherson is also a frequent Jazz Impressions favourite and so it was only a matter of time until we’d end up meeting both Shaw and Hutcherson on the same record.

Bobby Hutcherson – Black Heroes

Our last post explored We Insist! Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite (1960), a pivotal work which set the blueprint for many protest records to follow. Bobby Hutcherson’s album Now!, released on Blue Note in 1970, was one of those records which continued to build on the powerful political and musical statement Roach had made ten years prior.

Bobby Hutcherson – Maiden Voyage

In his last post, Dan focussed on the fantastic track ‘Ghetto Lights’ from Bobby Hutcherson’s debut album as leader on Blue Note. Today’s post is another offering from the master of vibes, this time from his third album Happenings (1966) which saw him taking more of a commercial approach in comparison to his previous two albums which were much freer and avant-garde.