Eclectic Grooves

William S. Fischer- Circles I don't know how many of you have actually heard this one, but a DJ/music junkie friend of mine turned me on to it several years ago. There is an incredibly eclectic melange of styles represented here that runs the gamut from ambient electronic moog experiments to funky jazz fusion recalling Tony Williams "Emergency" sessions . William S. Fischer was an arranger for Herbie Mann and Nat Adderly records before Herbie gave William the opportunity to record his own record for his Embryo label. The personnel on this one is top-notch- Billy Cobham- Drums, Ron Carter-Bass, Hugh McCracken and Eric Weissberg on gutiars, William Fischer- moog synthesizer and Bill Robinson- vocals. "Patience Is Virtue" combines a commanding Eugene McDaniels-inspired vocal with an infectious funky rock groove. "Saigon" pummels you into submission with a rapid-fire tempo combined with Axelrod-inspired orchestral flourishes that is guaranteed to get your ...

When I picked up the latest issue of Wax Poetics , my head was overloaded with new musical ideas for this blog. For those of you who have never heard of Wax Poetics , it's one of the most artistically creative and entertaining zines focusing on jazz, funk, soul and hip-hop from the past and present. Previous covers of Wax Poetics have featured such heavy hitters as James Brown, Isaac Hayes, The Meters and David Axelrod. The April/May issue of Wax Poetics features an engaging interview with Steve Reid , one of the most trailblazing drummers/percussionsists in the musical pantheon. Reid got his start in music at age seventeen when Martha and the Vandellas came to play at his high school. Their drummer was a no-show, so Reid sat in and eventually became a member of their touring band, even playing on a couple of Martha and the Vandella's hit songs "Dancing In the Street" and "Love Is Like a Heat Wave". After a year of touring and recording with Martha and the...