Magical mystery (John Di Martino) (LP 244)

John Di Martino Romantic Jazz Trio Magical Mystery (Vinyl - Venus Records, 2008) ***

Genre:  Piano Jazz

Places I remember:  Real Groovy Records (Auckland)

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Magical Mystery




Gear costume: the rest - being all Thelonious Monk tunes. 

Active compensatory factors: The arresting cover image snared me. And the vaguely Beatles inspired title. When I picked it up and read the back, I had to buy it.

The album is dedicated to two giants - Thelonious Monk and the Japanese writer Haruki Murakami. I'm a fan of both.

Having said all that, the brightest spot on the album is the one original track, as above.

It's not like the rest's bad or anything, it's just that if I'm going to listen to an album of Monk's music, I'll go to the source.

Where do they all belong? Modern piano jazz - that means it slots in beside Brad Mehidau in my collection.

Travelin' light (J J Cale) (LP 146)

Eric Clapton Reptile (CD - Reprise Records, 2001) ****

Genre: Blues

Places I remember: Kings Recording (Abu Dhabi). 

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Superman Inside




Gear costume: Travelin' Light is in the zone.

Active compensatory factors: The novelist,Haruki Murakami, is responsible for me owning this somewhat underrated album by Slowhand.

I'd picked up on Haruki's mention of the album as a great album to listen to while jogging. Of course, he's spot on.

Bookended by two EC instrumentals, there is nice overall feel to the album - it's relaxed, easy on the ear, oozes confidence, and is personal in a way that EC is seldom personal. 

Nothing incendiary on offer though, no guitar wig outs, but, yes, Haruki, great for jogging.

Where do they all belong? Back to vinyl next for EC - loads to come, solo, Blues Breakers and Cream of course.