'Places and Spaces' is Donald Byrd’s fusion classic from 1975, and was
the culmination of the legendary trumpeter’s adventurous latter Blue Note
years.
He began recording for Blue Note in 1958, and over two
decades evolved from a top-notch hard bop trumpeter into a pioneer of
R&B/Funk fusion, leading the label’s own creative direction along a
similar path.
Donald first introduced elements of fusion to his
music with his 1969 album 'Fancy Free' and shadowed Miles Davis early-1970s moves with experimental sessions like 'Electric Byrd' and 'Ethiopian Knights'. It wasn’t until Donald hooked up with innovative producer Larry Mizell for his 1972 album 'Black Byrd' that
a new sound came into existence. The sound was funky and sultry, sophisticated yet accessible,
with intricate arrangements that allowed Donald's trumpet to soar over the top.
A string of commercial successes followed, reaching a creative peak with 'Places and Spaces', which is the fourth Byrd-Mizell collaboration which was co-produced by Larry and his brother Fonce Mizell. 'Places and Spaces' features some of the most enduring hits this legendary creative team conjured up,
A few weeks ago, I played 'Places and Spaces' for one of my granddaughters, when she heard the songs "Wind Parade", "Dominoes" and "Places and Spaces", she rattled off all the Hip Hop artists who sampled this album, since the early 1990s.
Blue Note Japan, in the UHQCD format, from masterings that Kevin Gray did for the Tone Poet and BN Classic LP releases. And they sound sweet! If you freeloaded the previously posted 'Blue Note 85 Reissues', you know what I'm talking about.
For the freeload, tell us what music have you turned younger people on to?
A string of commercial successes followed, reaching a creative peak with 'Places and Spaces', which is the fourth Byrd-Mizell collaboration which was co-produced by Larry and his brother Fonce Mizell. 'Places and Spaces' features some of the most enduring hits this legendary creative team conjured up,
A few weeks ago, I played 'Places and Spaces' for one of my granddaughters, when she heard the songs "Wind Parade", "Dominoes" and "Places and Spaces", she rattled off all the Hip Hop artists who sampled this album, since the early 1990s.
Blue Note Japan, in the UHQCD format, from masterings that Kevin Gray did for the Tone Poet and BN Classic LP releases. And they sound sweet! If you freeloaded the previously posted 'Blue Note 85 Reissues', you know what I'm talking about.
For the freeload, tell us what music have you turned younger people on to?
Around 2010, I was the project manager on the construction of a new facility near the coastline in southern Alabama. That summer, I had my high school aged son come work and live with me. Most nights, we would take turns managing the streaming system in our condo, and play for each other music that we wanted the other to experience. I took that opportunity to introduce him to James Booker, Professor Longhair, Earl King, Snooks Eaglin and various other rnb stars of New Orleans' music. Those nights have always meant a lot to me, and the other day, I listened to an interview that my son gave (his band is playing a gig in Houston and a local radio station had him on the air), and he brought up those nights as one of the first times he really felt a personal connection with music. Man, it really hit me hard when I heard that.
ReplyDeleteMy kids and their friends grew up in the 80s in the midst of glam rock, Whitney Houston, synth rock, and adjacent genres. When my kids' pals came over they knew they'd likely be treated [subjected] to music they'd never heard before. A lot of it was African, Jamaican, and Latin stuff—phases I was going through at the time. When we threw parties, I tended to DJ and most of the records were well received, especially by the dancers. A few of the LPs on heavy rotation for the benefit of the yoots included:
ReplyDeleteVarious artists - The Indestructible Beat of Soweto
Toots and The Maytals - Funky Kingston
Fela Anikulapo- Kuti & the Africa 70
Africando - Tierra Tradicional
Bob Marley & The Wailers - Catch A Fire
I'd also throw in funk and danceable soul sides: James Brown, Al Green and the like.
My kids have stayed in touch with a few of their buddies and it's been gratifying to hear from them how hangin' at the Pauling manse helped to inform their music tastes.
Until my retirement (in a few weeks), I taught a class where I got to do this. So much. Since the course text was Marcus' Lipstick Traces, all of that stretching back to Bascom Lunsford and the Carter Family through the Pistols. James Brown, New Orleans stuff, The VU, the Dolls, the Ramones, The Clash, LX Chilton, Alejandro Escovedo, Daeved Garza, Fela Kuti...that class may be the favorite thing I taught for 33 years
ReplyDeletethis^was eric...not sure why it keeps kicking me off ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
DeleteWhen my son was about 18, I lent him my truck to go to his Summer job. I had my Bob Wills' Tiffany collection in the tape player. At first, he didn't know what to make of it, but by the time he got home he was hooked!
ReplyDeleteIn a similar vein
DeleteWhen my eldest daughter got her driver's license, that summer her and her younger sister borrowed my car, and did a road trip up to Ottawa to see their grandparents. They came back Free Jazz fans.
Babysitting the 12 year old kid of really good friends of mine years ago -- Played him The Clash - "Sandinista". Apparently, it is still one of his favorite albums. A proud moment for me!
ReplyDeleteI was speaking with a young fellow I work with about mental illness and remembered there is a musical remedy available. I gave him my (mp3) collection of the Master Musicians of Jajouka / Joujouka (Morocco). He hasn't been the same ever since.
ReplyDeleteI really miss the blog "youandmeonajamboree" My niece who I looked after when she was younger heard an entire summer of various reggae and ska artists, and one of my nephews was into hip hop, so I gave him a grocery sack full of the ones I had for dj play at my job every year for 4 or 5 years until they were gone:
ReplyDeleteTurntablists, Dead Prez, all the Common and lots more. The other nephew got an awful lot of early Yardbirds,
Link
ReplyDeletehttps://workupload.com/file/NaPnsLDvzuZ
I'm hoping to turn younger folks on to new/old & in between music even now, especially now. Earlier this week I replaced my original stereo (it got retired about 40 years ago with the advent of cd's - a mistake) with an updated version. Right now listening to vinyl Charlie Parker - The Savoy Recordings Master Takes. Records, for me at least, are way better. Some of these old albums still sound nice. Fam is coming over this weekend, I'm thinkin' lotsa bop & assorted favorites. Thanks Babs
ReplyDeleteI don't know that I have ever turned anyone more than a year or two younger than I was... they were all friends, school mates and we pretty much all liked the same stuff.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Donald Byrd, all I have of his is 'Street Lady' so I look forward to listening to this.
Brian
I worked with a guy who was 25 years younger and a big fan of Tom Waits, blues and experimental music. Trout Mask Replica and Captain Beefheart in general blew his mind to shreds.
ReplyDelete