‘Things can only get better‘ sang portly Labour party members in 1997, sweat cascading down their fat, pink little faces as they jiggled about in exuberant glee at the dawn of a new political era.  It all ended rather badly BUT the same cannot be said for the boys of GetJazzical who just keep on getting better!

Yes, the second episode, in a season that has already been described as ‘chronological’ and ‘sequential’ is upon us and it’s all about the music.  This might just be our finest musical hour.  It’s Beyonce fine.  Let’s have a delve and see what we’ve got:

Vijay Iyer – Galang:  A prominent jazz artist would never do a cover of the rapper M.I.A. I mean c’mon they’re nothing alike.  That’ll never happen.  Ever.

Westcott & Rodway – Song One:  Break out the Coronas and flick your nimble fingers in some air flamenco to a fun, strutting piece of jazz fusion.

Herman Chittison Trio – Ain’t Misbehaving:  Warm , snuggly old time jazz to get all loose to.

James Rhodes – French Suite #5, Allemande (Bach):  So, not much to say about the piece – I mean, it’s Bach.  Of course it’s aces.  Instead just listen to the playing – lovely and restrained when it needs to be and delightfully expressive where the score allows.  We’ll be featuring Mr Rhodes more in the future for sure.  TWEET HIM UP.

Beats & Pieces – Bake:  Straight from a 1950′s crime caper, seriously enjoyable bit of funky jazz.  Love it.

One reason you should listen to this episode:  We say the words “…well a violin can excite you, but I think only a cello can really fill you.” Need I say more? If you need more incentives then how about Vijay Iyer?  Voted the #1 Rising Star Jazz Artist and #1 Rising Star Composer in the Downbeat Magazine International Critics’ Poll for both 2006 and 2007.  You want more?  Ok, well we’ve also got Cornelius Dufallo – the man with coolest name in the world and an emotional violin attached to his capable hands.  The smooth Kelly Rosen (cigars optional) and the eclectic & talented Okkyung Lee.

More?  You want more?  This isn’t the 90′s people, didn’t you see the G20 protests?  Huh?  Well if you will insist on being greedy this I suppose we can probably give you one more reason to listen:  Balmorhea with the resonant, driving and emotive track ‘The Winter’?  In fact we’re feeling SO generous that you can download it for FREE below and it’s even legal so you don’t have to worry about your door getting kicked in by Darth Vader’s ugly baton-wielding cousins.  We’re so good to you.

Cornelius Dufallo
“Introduction” (mp3)
from “Dream Streets”
(Innova Recordings)

Buy at iTunes Music Store

Balmorhea
“The Winter” (mp3)
from “Rivers Arms”
(Western Vinyl)

Buy at iTunes Music Store