This utterly compelling documentary about Jazz legend Clark Terry went up on Netflix this week and if you are a music fan, jazz or otherwise or just a lover of inspirational documentaries then sit back and rejoice in the wonder that is CT. I had tears of pure joy running in my eyes during and after. It’s been on my mind all day. Beautiful film.
Plot Summary
The film follows 89-year-old jazz legend, Clark Terry (Quincy Jones’s first teacher) over four years – to document an unlikely mentor-ship between Terry and a driven, blind piano prodigy, Justin Kauflin, 23. Clark, mentored Miles Davis as a young musician and is among the few performers ever to have played in both Count Basie’s and Duke Ellington’s bands. In Keep On Keepin’ On, as Justin is invited to compete in an elite, international competition while battling terrible stage fright, Clark’s health takes a critical turn for the worse. Over the course of filming, Clark loses his sight, which deepens his bond with Justin. As clocks tick, we are suddenly witness to two great friends tackling the toughest challenges of their interwoven lives. The film captures the passing of the torch from a cultural icon to potentially his last student, inspiring viewers in climactic, cinematic fashion.
The film features insight into this great man from the following, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Terri Lyne Carrington, Dianne Reeves, Wynton Marsalis and Clark Terry’s wonderful wife Candy.
The mighty Reggae Archive Records have come out all guns a blazing with this release. Sceptre – Essence Of Redemption (Ina Dif’rent Styley) LP
I had total missed this one during my years of reggae buying. So it’s such a pleasure to have it released on vinyl. It’s a beautiful copy too with an informative inlay which adds so much to the listening experience when you can read about the history of the artists when the speakers rumble. The music is tight and raw but also adds some quirky edges with touches of jazz and soul in the mix. Mainly political with a strong message on the environment, this recording is still very apt in today’s times.
Originally released on the one time only label Gray Diamond Records in 1984
Here’s the players of instruments and the track line up.
Bass and horns by Lenford March (Blacka)
Rhythm & Keyboard & Horn by Jean March (Jeanus)
Bongo& Percussion by Michael Johnston (Raiswa)
Sax & Percussion by Kenny Reid (Juicy)
Vocals by I & All
Studio Musicians Drums Brian Blake
Drums Tony Gold
Guest Toaster Beverley (Ina Dif’rent Styley)
Side A
1. Ina Dif’rent Styley
2. Pestilence and Bombing
3. Nucler Disaster
4. Play The Music
5. Get Up and Go Side B
1. Essence of Redemption
2. Goodbye
3. Right Time Coming
4. Me On My Own
5. Soul Searching
Founded in 1981 in Britain’s second city Birmingham, the band Sceptre were part of a thriving local music scene, a scene that for the most part revolved around live shows in the region’s community centres, university campuses, pubs and nightclubs. Neglected by major labels, many bands went unrecorded and of those that did get documented most managed to release just one or two singles. Fortunately, Sceptre recorded and released an entire album, 1984’s “Essence of Redemption Ina Dif’rent Styley”.
So glad I never missed out on this true inspiring piece of work. Big respects to the Reggae Archive camp.
My look into the British reggae scene can be listened to on Mixcloud. Here is Raw British Roots & Dub Part 5 which features the Reggae Archive release of the found recordings of Capital Letters – Reality Dub . Part 6 soon come.
“Sagittarius and my name is Michael. Take my hand, come with me, baby, to Love Land”
The Floaters were big on the Star Signs announcing their zodiac sign with their name before they started singing their turn on the classic Float On. Larry was always my favourite.
What was it with the obsession in Horoscopes and Star Signs in music. The seventies and late 60’s were the main culprits. Songs about it, albums dedicated to them, having the band line up on the cover with name and Astrological sign. The signs were everywhere. Is it still done today? I have to say I’ve not noticed it. Be way too cheesy now I guess. It seemed so normal to be singing about constellations, astrological and the concept of the zodiac. Outer worldly, mystical and maybe spiritual! I’m in no way a believer in your star sign makes you who you are but it did influence an unimaginable amount of music and artists. Here just tiny few.
By the way if the music is awesome is it acceptable or a bit weird to be listening to a star sign other than your own? hehe
Roy Ayers happy to show his birthday month off with tunes such as Virgo Vibes, Virgo Red but then went off to say “It Ain’t Your Sign It’s Your Mind” three times! Once on Everyone Loves The Sunshine LP and then again with Wayne Henderson on Prime Time and my favourite version on his You Send Me album from 1978
Roy Ayers – It Ain’t Your Sign It’s Your Mind
Gary Mcfarland took it a whole lot further and dedicated an whole album to it. Scorpio And Other Signs. 12 signs 12 tracks. I do wonder if it was a concept which was added later as all the tracks have normal names with a star signs in brackets tagged on after.
A1 Take Care…Beware (Capricorn)
A2 Whatever – Whenever (Aquarius)
A3 Days Dipped In Dreams (Pisces)
A4 Trying To Find A Way (Aries)
A5 No Other Way (Taurus)
A6 Thanks, But No Thanks (Gemini)
B1 Sad Eyes (Cancer)
B2 Long Live The King (Leo)
B3 Close Your Eyes And Follow Me (Virgo)
B4 Can’t Help Dancing (Libra)
B5 Runaway Heart (Scorpio)
B6 I Don’t Need The Rain To See The Rainbows (Sagittarius)
Johnny Hammond did an LP called Forever Taurus which I thought would of been his birth sign especially having the Bull on the cover but he’s down as being a Sagittarius like me, being born in December.
Now on to American funk group Sun out of Dayton, Ohio. They did a different take on it and fashioned themselves as cosmic space men from the future and as you can see from the back cover of their 1979 LP for Capitol Records called Destination: Sun they had some fun with it.
Terra Nomen: Byron Byrd
Solar Signum: Aquarius
Terra Nomen: Ernie Knisley
Solar Signum: Virgo
Then there’s the transcendent Soul Zodiac from 1972 on Capitol Records by The Nat Adderley Sextet which features his brother Cannonball Adderley and having the signs spoken word by Rick Holmes. A superb LP. Here’s a few recording but if you want to hear yours just click here Youtube and they are all there for your listening pleasure.
Even the Prog Rockers were at it with Psychedelic Rock band The Zodiac doing a concept album on Elektra Records in 1967 called Cosmic Sounds which features Cyrus Faryar‘s narration over the blissful sounds. Check the tracklist, the star signs get a sub-title too, I’m The Versatile Daredevil which with the music makes for a comic tale hehe.
Aries – The Fire-Fighter
Taurus – The Voluptuary
Gemini – The Cool Eye
Cancer – The Moon Child
Leo – The Lord Of Lights
Virgo – The Perpetual Perfectionist
Libra – The Flower Child
Scorpio – The Passionate Hero
Sagittarius – The Versatile Daredevil
Capricorn – The Uncapricious Climber
Aquarius – The Lover Of Life
Pisces – The Peace Piper
I’m sure Pharaoh Sanders was at it too here’s a bliss mellow tune from his 1990 album of the same name Moon Child where he sings about signs about the Moon in the stars.
Here was just a few examples, sure Sun Ra must of gone total mental for it but I could go on and on and have to stop somewhere. If you know more and would like to add them in the comments, please feel free too. Be nice to hear your thoughts.
The legend Johnny Clarke recorded this heart-wrenching deep love song on Mad ProfessorsAwira label back in 1985 on the Give Thanks LP.
The lyrics are so profound and sincere calling for his love of his life to “Come Back To Me”
This tune crushes me every single time I listen to it. So deep and heartfelt.
Oh then the dub hits.
Oh my days!!
My records are all over place, all genres mixed up together. There’s no order, no idea where records are anymore. Thousands of vinyls pushed into shelves leaving me scratching my head every time I get the urge to hear something. Got by like this for years. I like it really but deep down I knew I need to do something about it.
I’ve just summons up the courage to start sorting the collection. A long job but so far very enjoyable. A section I’ve started first is the Broken Beat Nu-Jazz tunes.
Can’t believe it’s been 10/15 years since I last listened to them. Time really does fly by too fast. It was a great scene at the time. A real exciting time for music, beat patterns changed, different music styles fused together. There was so much new music filtering through, maybe too much in the end as it all got some what over saturated.
Seeing all this music I’ve not touched for many years gave me the urge to start getting all nostalgic and excited about listening and recording some of my favourite ones. The real bangers* I think. The following mix is a small section of Nu-Jazz and Broken Beat tunes I think are pretty stone cold classics. See what you think, any you liked at the time?
The Far Out tunes are sublime, the label is mostly famous for it’s Brazilian Samba Jazz music but every so often they drop some blinding Nu-Jazz dance cuts. Also Earth Project had a great run of house, broken and jazz inspired tunes too with the Everyday People – I Can’t Sleep tune being of my favs at the time. Afronaughts mix smashed it.
“If a Song is extremely tight or just unbelievably awesome. It is a banger”
Tracklist as follows
The Underwolves – In The Picture (Intega Broken Boogie Remix) – JCR [Playlist EP] Difusion – Shadows On The Sun – Far Out Recordings Papillon – Chase Your Tail (Main Mix) – Far Out Recordings Uschi Classen Ft Kimra – Now Illuminate (Green Fridge Rub) – Earth Project Hopper – Flightime – Arision [Be Arisionable] Everyday People – I Can’t sleep (Afronaught Main Mix) – Earth Project Vikter Duplaix – Lust For Life – Hollywood Records [International Affairs V1.0] Extended Spirit – Propulsion – Dialog Recordings [Solid Water] Steppah Huntah – Walk This Step (Seiji’s Black Forest Gateaux) – Compost Records Zuco 103 – Treasure (Gerds 4lux Remix) – Life Enhancing Audio [Modified]
Hope they bring back some memories, get your feet moving and bring a smile to your face.
Mad Mongos Music 