Record of the week - Jazz - Police: Most Wanted
Jazz.
A frightening word to some.
But it needn’t be. With a little bit of time and a pair of open ears, you too can be transported into a sensuous, shining, intelligent and limitless world where moods change, ideas are welcomed and instruments really speak. Like anything really satisfying in life it might seem complicated compared to your usual diet, but it’s more than worth the trouble. So jump on board and let me be your guide to thing the call
Jazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz….
We start our voyage with John Coltrane, building on a theme (like a chorus in a pop song) and then
really flying at some speed but never making a mistake. After this fizzing whizz through the city, we have a play around with ‘My favourite things’ the song from Mary Poppins with swings, rolls and bounces on a sea of sunshine. Jazz at it’s most accessible.
Next up we get into Miles Davis: a magician. This is live. Starting slowly we suddenly slide into a complex world of shifting beats and labyrinthian solos. This is a deep wood, unknown territory which gets darker, funky and electric. Wah wah guitars and Indian drums are stalking. A melding and mashing of rock, funk and world music where smoke swirls and sex is in the air.
You’ll feel a bit muzzy by now a and you’ll need the crisp, clean cocktail served up by a Duke no less. Duke Ellington and friends show us a different, more urbane style: a dash of blues, onto a pouring of show tunes, all lightly stirred to perfection by those nimble fingers. Would you like a bit of romance? Here’s Thelonious Monk, a witty, funny, silly and friendly man to walk us round ‘April in Paris’. The way his piano skirts around and underneath the other players and the tune is one quite lovely. See you’ve got the spring in your step again, the sun is shining and a coffee on the Champs-Élysées is on the cards. C’est Magnifique!
Miles is back and now he’s in his role as seducer. Eloquent as a love letter, as soft as holding hands, as calming as glass of wine.
Now we’ve had a good rest and a drink or two, let’s kick of our sexy shoes and dance. An irresistible beat raises up from our seat. We are charmed into a torrid tango and doesn’t it feel fine!
After frugging with the beatniks, man, it’s time for BED. Miles wrote this for his lover and you can certainly feel it.
I’ll leave you now, hopefully with a smile on your face, and some memories to treasure. I’m glad you took the time. And remember fellow traveller, watch out for the jazz police; they watch out for you.
Yours most sincerely
Trevor x