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Jazz is so good. I listen to jazz fusion mainly and I can’t believe some of the stuff I hear from relatively unknown artists.
I don’t have an issue with most mainstream music, but it does make it clear how much popular music is influenced by marketing rather than just the music.
I don't think they would be considered unknown except the fact that jazz seems not to be a mainstream music genre, but my uncle has introduced me to quite a few artists.
Stanley Clarke
Pat Metheny
Jaco Pastorius
I think you would probably know those. Plenty of good stuff from them. The others that stood out to me were:
Gabor Szabo
Al Di Meola
I tend to enjoy instrumental stuff in all genres and had not listened to much jazz before so it's great to have a plethora of "new" music to explore.
The musicianship is top notch, but I feel like it doesn't appeal to non musicians/music enthusiasts very much. I feel like that's a problem. Part of why I think Mozart was such a genius was because he could make extremely complex music sound so damn simple. Anyone could enjoy it at any level of music education.
Anybody that you'd suggest checking out?
Not who you asked, but I'm pretty new to jazz as a serious listener and my few recent finds, for whatever they're worth:
Alex Isley and Terrace Martin's I Left My Heart in Ladera has been on loop for a few days for me. Good album. If you're into the vocals, I'd recommend Salt Cathedral as well, though their sound has trended more Latin in recent years. It's still awesome.
Most anything Lee Ritenour is involved in, if you're into smooth, more traditional easy listening with great guitar.
But the biggest thing I've found is Japan has such a cool tradition of Jazz. Alter Ego, fox capture plan, LITE, Still Caravan, POLYPLUS, and Primitive Art Orchestra are a few new adds on my playlist.
Happy listening!
I’d like to add Ryo Fukui to this list. If you’ve not listened to the album Scenery, 2005 - do so at your earliest convenience!
My favourite song of the album is Early Summer, but the whole thing is an absolute bop!
Same
Can we get a Hinterland Who’s Who for Rats of Drugs? https://youtu.be/p2HipedgM3I?si=xFLr0W4lYLInChyl
