It’s Officially Autumn, and you know what that means?
It’s Time 4 Jazz. This is an official Enjoy Music rule!
I know, we just spent Enjoy Music No. 14 going deep on some of my favourite jazz records from the past couple of years. And you’re probably thinking to yourself, “Slow Down, this is too much jazz.” In peace and love, I kindly request that you expand your mind, to realize that there is never too much jazz.
A good example: The ECM Catalog. That’s A Lot Of Jazz! ECM, of course, is the influential, endlessly deep label founded by Manfred Eichner in 1969, and has been the home to the likes of Keith Jarrett, Bill Frisell, Pat Metheny, Chick Corea, and you know, every other Big Name In Jazz from the 70s on. Not to mention the incredible list of Deep Cuts that truly pushed the art form forward in so many meaningful ways. ECM is the living embodiment of “never enough jazz.”
Just a quick Story About Jazz: My Life With ECM is interwoven around Keith Jarrett’s “The Köln Concert”, and the impact that that release had on me. I’m not talking about it as a pick this week, but I thought it was important to note here that it fundamentally changed the way I think about music, performance, improvisation, and what a human’s relationship to an musical instrument can look like. It opened a door that has never been closed; it created a divide in time, where there’s life before and after. I know how melodramatic this all sounds, but I’m not joking folks. I rarely do, especially when it comes to Jazz. There Is No Joking In Jazz.
Okay, so this week we’re talking about ECM Jazz, and ECM-adjacent Jazz. I know what you want to call it: you want to call it Dad Jazz. I get it. I, myself, am I proud father of two, and you know the moment the first one popped out, THE METHENY RECORDS CAME OUT. Sorry, “No Joking In Jazz”. Anyways, we’re talking Dad Jazz, aka Fusion, aka Ambient Jazz (all these genre names are exhausting), and it’s powerful hold on myself and countless others.
Enjoy Jazz!
John Abercrombie - Timeless (1975)
I know, I know, you’re going to roll your eyes at this, but the most appropriate describer for this song is “Epic.” If any of you are writers, I truly apologize. The final song on Abercrombie’s (alongside Jan Hammer and Jack DeJohnette, who you know, are not slouches either) 1975 classic record of the same name, Timeless is an incredible example of “fusion.” The fusion here is between jazz and, I don’t know, prog? Whatever’s going on here is working. Abercrombie’s playing in the first part of the second section is so unbelievably tasteful, restrained, lyrical. Also worth noting how necessary and supportive the rhythm section is here: the slow unfurling, and building of energy gently climaxes as Abercrombie passes it off to Hammer, who’s organ solo sends the song into outer space. I already mentioned ECM’s massive catalog, but it’s important to reiterate that when I say this song is a standout on the label, it means it’s a pretty significant piece. It’s So Easy To Enjoy Timeless!
Pat Metheny Group - Last Train Home (1987)
So when I think of “Dad Jazz”, this is it. This is the Platonic Absolute Dad Jazz piece. I know for a fact that at some point in my life, my children will absolutely make fun of me for liking this. I’ll be explaining to them the intricacies of Metheny’s playing, going deep on the sonic qualities of the Electric Sitar, while they sit in the back of the hover car, rolling their eyes and hoping I’ll put on Whatever The Local Hover Radio DJ Is Playing. Regardless of all of that, this is, in my opinion, some Very Beautiful Music. The wordless singing section, the brushes emulating the train sound, and YES, Pat’s incredible Electric Sitar playing: it all comes together in such an Enjoyable Way. All while being propelled by one of the most profoundly beautiful melodies I’ve ever heard. We’re going to go deep on Pat a little later this month (stay tuned for that one), but obviously we’re deep in his career by this point, and he knew EXACTLY what he was doing here. Enjoy Last Train Home!
Bill Evans & Jim Hall - Skating In Central Park (1962)
It ain’t Christmas Yet Folks, but this one just feels like cold weather. We’re dipping a little into the past here, but this one shares a lot of similar sensibilities with everything else we’ve already talked about: a beautiful interplay between a couple of players, and waves of melodies. Bill Evans is obviously One Of The Vibiest Jazz Artists Of All Time (this of course is a wildly crass way of saying he’s one of the most important piano players of all time), but don’t sleep on Jim! He’s got a real touch on this one, and on the whole album. Don’t sleep on Jim! Anyways, what can even be said about this record, or this song, that hasn’t been done a million times, in more a succinct way. This is a deeply transportive song, and as soon as summer fades, this one just feels right. Enjoy Autumnal / Winter Jazz!
Weather Report - A Remark You Made (1977)
Okay I take it back: this is the most beautiful song of all time. A couple weeks back I said John Martyn’s stunner “Couldn’t Love You More” was the most beautiful song of all time (possibly tied with Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence). Anyways, we’re here now, and actually this one is it. Once again, I’m stunned by the band here! These guys knew they were a supergroup, which you would assume would mean EGO everywhere. But Jazz is special in that way: the space they all give each other is astounding. Also, I know they knew they had Jaco on the bass, and when that’s the case you give him a few chances to stretch out his legs, but man, THEY LET JACO COOK. Every time a new section of this song gets introduced, it’s somehow more beautiful than the last. It’s like Pop music in that way, they just give you beautiful melodies over and over. It’s truly one of the easiest songs to listen to. Enjoy A Remark You Made!
Eberhard Weber - The Colours of Chloë (1974)
Another ECM classic, and the kind of song from their catalog that lends itself to the “ambient jazz” label, which is wild, considering “ambient” wasn’t even a thing yet. Anyways, this song is another stunning, expansive piece. Beautifully arranged, always moving in the best way possible, giving room to all the players, even if it feels like much more of a studio creation than a song like A Remark You Made (which sounds like A Band Playing A Song). I can’t emphasize this enough: If you’re digging into the ECM catalog, get familiar with Eberhard Weber. His records are foundational! God, when the piano comes in at 3:40 in this one, the lightness that it brings is like a breath of spring air. Enjoy The Colours of Cholë!
BONUS GUEST ENJOY CHOICE: LOVEFINGERS
Alright, it’s obviously safe to say that I’m a big fan of every single Guest we’ve had here at Enjoy Music. But having Andrew Hogge (Lovefingers) select a track for us is something incredibly special for me. Whether it’s his encyclopedic knowledge of Enjoyable Music, his forward-thinking label ESP Institute, his consistently Enjoyable radio show on Dublab, or, if you’re a deep enough head, his transformative blog, lovefingers.org, Andrew has done it all with so much class and style. When I look at the DJs who’s careers I would want to emulate, Andrew is it! Enough of my gushing, let’s pass it off to Andrew. Enjoy Lovefingers!
Bill Frisell, Ron Carter, Paul Motian - Pretty Polly (2006)
“Hard to pick one [song] but i was just listening to this and it’s a vibe in this moment 😎
I’ve been listening to this song/record since Andrew sent it over, and it’s been a beautiful soundtrack to this last week. Thank you again so much to Lovefingers! What an honour to have such an incredible selector in the mix. Keep up with Andrew’s DJ schedule here, and if you’ve got a few weeks to spend dedicated to listening to rare grooves, go listen to all of Andrews selections on his lovefingers.org blog here.
IN TEEN DAZE NEWS: I’ve got a couple things cooking that I’m excited to be able to share with y’all. First up, I’ll be playing my first set in LA after the big move on November 12. It’s a part of Dublab’s Vibing Time series on the rooftop of the Ace Hotel downtown. I’ll be playing Enjoyable Music from 2 to 7 PM, so definitely come by!
Next up, and speaking of Dublab: I’m starting my residency at Dublab next month! My monthly show is called Easy Listening, and will be the third Wednesday of every month, from 10 AM to Noon. Two hours of Easy Listening music, that will sound nice no matter what part of the world you’re in (but might sound Extra Nice if you’re in LA).
More shows are being worked on at the moment, so keep your eyes on this space!
Okay, what a great week. Hope this Dad Jazz finds a nice place in the soundtrack of your week. Love y’all, see you next week!
Aww, as a Dad I love that Pat Metheny song! The melody and song arc are unbeatable. Although my history goes back a bit. I remember my introduction to that song and watching the video on MTV in the late 80s. And then I played it a few times on my radio show at college in the more ambient portions of my show. I loved the lead line, it reminded me of the legato David Gilmour sound, and overall pointed to what I wanted out of electronic music at that point with the quick 16th note brushes and pulsy bassline, a little bit of an odd perspective I think.
Just getting to these Timeless Jazz Jams today -- truly Enjoyable picks, as usual. I now have a soundtrack for the rest of my week (including downtime with the kids!)