Dissecting The Jazz Dial

Last night as part of my 3rd birthday show, I played an hour of
some of the finest melodic jazz offerings in a special feature
called "The Jazz Dial".

The audio can be heard here, and here's a rundown of the
tunes featured and the stories behind them.

Carmen Lundy - "Time Is Love"

A jazz vocalist I have adored for as long as I can remember
since hearing her on the radio when living in London at a very
early age.

I don't know what makes it superb, is it her vocals, or the
superb piano chords? Maybe it's both, and the amazing
musicians including brother Curtis Lundy on bass.

The opener from her 1985 debut album showcases her ability of
allowing her smile to shine through in audio form,
and over 25 years it continues to shine through song.

Still yet to receive the mass recognition she deserves.

The Frank Ricotti All-Stars - "Live At The Limping Whippet"

This lively instrumental offering made an appearance in the late 80s
Yorkshire Television drama "The Beiderbecke Connection", based on
a woodwork teacher who in his spare time is obsessed by jazz performers
such as Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker and Bix Beiderbecke.

The soundtrack was nominated for a BAFTA in 1989, and was released
on CD which became part of my mum and dad's record collection,
and was a fine introduction to jazz as a four year old.

The tune itself caught the attention of the late 
Humphrey Lyttleton who championed it on his BBC Radio 2 show.

Gregory Porter - "Black Nile"

What can be said about this guy, that hasn't been said before?

The most exciting jazz vocalist, no, most exciting vocalist full stop
has two albums to his belt and a run of sell-out tours that manage to run
out of tickets quicker than Chelsea FC hire and fire their next manager.

From his debut album "Water" this is his re-interpretation of a
composition by jazz saxophonist Wayne Shorter.

Jules Garner - "Misty"

I'll be honest, I find this version of the delightful standard
a tad sweeter than the Erroll Garner original which itself
is legendary.

Maybe because this rendition by Jules Garner is played in a lower key?

Made famous by Clint Eastwood and the film "Play Misty For Me"
this continues to be recognised as one of the best known jazz
piano pieces, and has been performed artists ranging from Sinatra,
Johnny Mathis, and Ella Fitzgerald.

An ideal listen in the not so warm temperatures.

Sachal Studios Orchestra - "Take Five"

The Dave Brubeck original never seemed to be off my Dad's
record turntable back in the day, and to be honest who could
blame him?

The well know compostion gets the sub-continental treatment
from an album which also features Indian interpretations of
"The Girl From Ipanema" Dave Grusin's "Mountain Dance",
and even "Misty".

The Bryan Ferry Orchestra -  "Do The Strand"

The Roxy Music front man has recently turned his abilities
to "Dixie Music", re-arranging his well-known tunes in a
1920s jazz style on his "Jazz Age" album.

Really well produced and modified to make it sound like
it was recorded 90 years ago, convincing enough to fool
the listener into thinking they are the original versions
of the glam-rock anthems.

What has to be the funniest, and most innovative album of 2012.

The Paris 1940s - "Mama Do"

And in a similar vein this Midlands outfit, give the jazz treatment
to Pixie Lott's number one hit.

Also worth checking out their cover of "The Ace Of Spades".

Monday Michiru - "Inspiration"

There's nothing more exciting than discovering something
new and enjoyable in a record shop, and it was in one such
emporium in 2002 that I was introduced of the delights of
Japanese jazz.

American/Japanese vocalist Monday Michiru has the
advantage of being born into a jazzy family, with her dad
being the late jazz saxophonist Charlie Mariano, and her
mother, jazz pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi.

This is one of many fine offerings from Monday's "Four Seasons"
album which is up there as one of the best of the jazz albums
of recent.

Quantic Soul Orchestra and Alice Russell - "Feeling Good"

Another superb outfit who always deliver, with their finest
singer Alice Russell on their cover of the standard made famous
by Nina Simone, and Muse amongst a long list of others.
 
Quantic's cover of "Feeling Good" gives the song a breezy
uptempo interpretation and the Brighton vocalist adds
to what could be one of the finest jazz cover versions.

Chilly Gonazales - "Rideaux Lunaires"

There aren't many present day performers who can be labeled
as "a master of all trades", but one such exception is Chilly Gonzales.

Not content with just being an actor, director, hip-hop performer,
the Canadian artist has recently released a second solo piano 
album and with gems such as the above track, he could
easily make a living as a jazz pianist alone.

An amazing use of a superb instrument and with every track
on the "Solo Piano II" album lasting under three minutes,
it's the perfect introduction for anyone wanting to discover
jazz who may not have done so before.

Peggy Lee - "Bewitched"

It wouldn't be Blam Jam if I didn't include at least one theme tune,
and this interpretation of the 1960s sitcom by Peggy Lee could
be even better than the one used in the show itself.

Jazztronik - "Nana"

More jazz from Japan and one of the standouts from Ryota Nozaki's
2005 album "Samurai".

A predominantly instrumental offering that gives way into a
hypnotic finale, blending in real instruments with spiritual sounding
electronic effects.

I've yet to hear a bad album from this outfit.

Jamie Cullum - "Pointless Nostalgic"

The man who has brought jazz to a new generation, not just
through his music, but through his Radio 2 show as well.

The title track of his 2002 debut album, was the first I heard
of him via a jazz compilation CD, and the blend of amazing piano
arrangements and witty vocals has broken the boundaries of jazz
and blended it with just about every other music imaginable.

Lisa Stansfield - "Down In The Depths"

Last up, a woman I have loved since seeing her perform her 1989
number 1 "All Around The World" on Going Live! many moons ago.

The Rochdale vocalist's cover of the Cole Porter standard
"Down In The Depths" was recorded as part of a special compilation
album in 1990 to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS, and I love the
musical arrangement throughout, with the best bit being the piano
chords near the end.

Thanks so much for reading, and I hope it's given a fair explanation of
the audio itself, and possibly the most inspiring musical genre I know of.