Off The Beaten Groove: In Heavy Rotation @ ARC Sound Room (November)

Off The Beaten Groove: In Heavy Rotation @ ARC Sound Room (November)

Continuing with our monthly installment of what’s in heavy rotation at the Audio Research sound room. Here are more select cuts that are being spun. Curated by the magical ears of Warren Gehl.

Sergio Mendez & Brazil ’77: Primal Roots, A&M LP/CD import, their Afro-Brazilian experimental (non-commercial) masterpiece and a  sonic reference in its original LP format.

Art Blakey: Buhaina’s Delight, Blue Note LP/CD, straight-up jazz with a smouldering attitude from the skinny-tie Kennedyesque early ‘60s era.

Gerry Mulligan: What Is There To Say?, Columbia LP/CD, essential late-‘50s Mulligan at his considerable, lyrical best.

Fiona Boyes/Mookie Brill/Rich DelGrosso: Live From Bluesville, Vizztone CD, unthrottled blues and recording as well

Van Morrison: Moondance, WEA/Rhino limited-edition reissue LP (orange vinyl), classic rock (very worthwhile if you don’t have a mint original pressing)

David Grisman (with various collaborators): Tone Poems I, II and III, Acoustic Disc CD, intimate bluegrass treatment of old and very old standards

Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez, Goran Sollscher (guitarist) and The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, DGG CD import (Germany), classical (main highlight: the swirling, exotically depicted Villa-Lobos Concerto for Guitar and Small Orchestra, a true reference piece)

Jimmy Webb: Ten Easy Pieces, Guardian CD (inverted polarity disc), soft rock (definitive renditions sung by the composer of “Wichita Lineman” at the piano)

Bebel Gilberto: Tanto Tempo, Crammed Discs double LP (import) EU/CD, down-tempo NuJazz/Bossa nova –yes, of that Brazilian Gilberto family

Buddy Guy: Blues Singer, Jive CD/LP reissue (import) EU, gritty blues-soul served up hot on an atmospheric platter.

Author: Sam Sadowsky