DJ Stylus – The Vibe Conductor

After funneling huge chunks of my income to Dusty Groove for years, I finally had a chance to visit them in person. I’ve been to bigger spots and have had transcendent digging experiences elsewhere but I’ve not had a more significant, extended relationship with any shop outside of DC than Dusty Groove. They put an enormous amount of care into their stock and that discerning hand is prominently reflected in my collection. For this trip, I had to really blind myself to the beckoning shelves of enticing re-issues and left field jazz and soul bits from around the world. I could order all that stuff online from them like I usually do. If I was going to be there in person I had to focus on things that I’d miss if I weren’t putting my fingers through the bins. And I also had to grab a few instant gratification joints that I might not see again for a while.

IG Culture presents Zen Badizm (CD) [Another one that I had to find out about from Jahsonic.]

Beady Belle – Belvedere (CD) [This group CAN DO NO WRONG with me. I've been a stan since 2001 and they're completely incapable of making anything that isn't stunning. What I love about them is that every album is a unique experience that touches different styles from the others. You really never know what you're going to hear every time they drop a new record. Most of my favorite artists share this same characteristic. So many fans want their favorite groups to re-hash the stuff they love best. I prefer a gift-wrapped surprise package.]

D’Angelo – Live At the Jazz Cafe, London (CD) [More Japanese import action.]

Zo! & Tigallo – Love the 80′s EP (CD) [Y'all know what it is. And these joints are selling out everywhere too.]

Carmen McRae – You’re Lookin’ At Me: A Collection of Nat King Cole Songs (LP) [Sometimes they just jump out at you from the dollar bin.]

De La Soul – Buddy & Ghetto Thang (12″) [Don't see that picture cover too often. Might just frame this one for wall display]

Def Jef – Droppin’ Rhymes On Drums (12″) [Etta James + dancers in bleached denim + fast rap = mandatory vid embed]

K9 Posse – Ain’t Nothin’ To It (12″) [YESSS!!! I was on a hot streak. Word to Vernon.]

Phase N’ Rhythm – Swollen Pockets/Hook-N-Sling (12″) [I knew I could finish my odyssey at this point. I'd been looking for this for a long time. Wasn't cheap either, but worth it. It's out of print and I caught a promo. R.I.P. Paul C.!]

WATCH:

LISTEN:

Album sampler

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The homie Murph asks a question that has been haunting me for a minute.

Amazingly he’s launching this real talk missile from behind enemy lines. He’s definitely invested in fighting the good fight and I marvel at how he persists in the face of indifference.

In this case, his wake up call is too crucial to be ignored, even for someone like me who was devouring the Harper Brothers, Giant Steps and Headhunters in high school.

I don’t keep up like I used to. The last new jazz record I bought was indeed a Robert Glasper album, but it had been a long time since I sought out and tracked down the newest happenings in the jazz world. I still dig for classics but I don’t put in the same amount of work compared to the soul, hip-hop and electronic nuggets I’m always chasing.

I actually prefer to consume my jazz in the live setting. The dynamics of a jazz combo are more gratifying to me that way: observing how the pianist comps the changes, how the drummer embellishes the soloist’s lines, creating a push and pull conversation. Subconsciously though, there’s an element of doing my part to pay the life support bill. You can experience really great jazz for free in DC but occasionally I’ll pony up the big dough to catch someone who’s on my personal checklist of people I need to see. I’m acutely aware of the fact that few in my age range do the same thing, and pretty much no black people younger than myself have similar priorities.

As more and more jazz legends pass on, many of whom have labored in obscurity, I can’t help but see the future of hip-hop. It’s current state of inanity is rapidly digging a deep grave of obsolescence. By the time cats like Ken Swift, KRS-One or even EPMD are ready to take their final bow, will the generation raised on Weezy and Soulja Boy even care? Will black people ever acknowledge the amazing peerless career that The Roots have had or will they get one of those belated Lifetime Achievement Awards 20 years after their final record?

It’s really not looking good.

And if we really are on the way to discarding jazz like an old pair of shoes, there goes another huge component of a collective black soul that’s on its way to being a memory.

Just in time to pretend that it’s not getting cold outside.

1. Jazz Samba Encore – Saudade Vem Correndo
2. Visioneers – Runnin’ (extended)
3. Nicola Conte – Bossa per Due
4. Tom & Joy – Imagina
5. Evinha – Que Bandeira
6. Jeff Bradshaw – Soul of Bahia
7. Miyazawa – Anjos Ilrmaos (Rainer Truby Trio mix)
8. Jay Dee – Rico Suave Bossa Nova
9. Los Hombres Calientes – Brazilian Sugar
10. Los Hombres Calientes – Mulher Bahiana
11. Montefiori Cocktail – Gypsy Woman
12. Marcos Valle – Para De Fezer Besteira (4hero Mix)
13. Nature’s Plan – Broken Samba
14. Taylor McFerrin – The Song I Promised You
15. The Randy Watson Experience feat. Bilal – Can’t Hide Love
16. Karen Ramirez – Troubled Girl (MAW rmx)
17. Luisito Quintero – Aquilas Coisas Todas
18. The Rebirth – Talking Me Down
19. Nomumbah – Tudo Que Voce Podia Ser

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