Jack Costanzo at the Garden of Allah - Bongo Fever (Afrocuban jazz, 1959)

(Liberty LRP 3109).

Here's a spicy version of "Quiere" by Jack Costanzo recorded live at the Garden of Allah, a famous place frequently visited by Hollywood intelligentsia from the late 20s.

Jose Mangual & Carlos Patato Valdes - Understanding Latin Rhythms (Latin drums, 1974)

(LPV-337).

Top latin percussions musicians from New York 70s give a masterclass titled: Understanding Latin Rhythms. Pick up your instruments, listen and play.

Yusef Lateef in Nigeria (African tradition + jazz experiment, 1983)

(Landmark LLP-502).

Flute and tenor sax player Yusef Lateef (1920-2013) just passed away, so here's a post dedicated to this real sound explorer (before being a jazzman), who integrated eastern or african influences in many of his recordings. Famous for his deep, free and spiritual music all along the 60's and 70's in the US, he also directly enriched his open-minded approach spending years in Nigeria in the early 80's.

Johnny Copeland - Ngote (Poly Rythmo cover, 1985)

(FIEND47).

If you follow muzzicaltrips you probably know already the Poly Rythmo funky bomb "Ne te Fache Pas". But could you imagine to find it covered by a jazz-blues american musician? I could not, so it was a real surprise when I discovered this cover version.

Dane Belany - Motivations (Spiritual Afrofreejazz, 1975)

(Sahara 1005).

Here's a unique musical project auto produced by Dane Belany and release in New York by Sahara label. Influences are clear: dedicated to Frantz Fanon, and lyrics from several songs inspired by Aimée Cesaire or David Diop (senegalese pan-africanist poet from the 50s).

Let's learn to play the bongos like Mr. Bongo himself (Latin drum lesson, 60s)

(AVILA RECORDS JC-101).

In order to play an instrument, better to take advices from the masters.

Randy Weston - Tanjah (Afrojazz with Gnawa tinge, 1973)

(Polydor PD5055).

Entering Randy Weston spiritual world is a long story. Let's just have a glimpse at his special relation with the city of Tangier (Tanjah is local name).

After experiencing several african countries during the 60s, Randy Weston decided to move from New York to Africa. Tense politcal situation in Nigeria was cooling down his initial will to live in this english speaking country he already visited in 63 and 67. And finally, the great feedback and feeling he had during his 1967 concert in Morroco, additionnally to musical discovery of the Gnaoua, made him move there from the late 60s.

Roy Ayers Ubiquity - Evolution (Discojazz, 1975)

(Polydor PD14316).

At 72 years old, Roy Ayers is still playing his vibraphon live. Listening to the disco oriented track "Evolution" he played last weekend, reminded me of this 7", from the album "Mystic Voyage".

Ornette Coleman - Midnight sunrise (joujouka jazz, 1977)

(Horizon 722).

This one is for ears looking for free expriments. From his 1959 "Free Jazz" LP, which open great perspectives in US jazz during the 60s, Ornette Coleman did not stop to innovate.  As many free jazz musicians, looking for african roots could take part in the approach. So Dancing In Your Head LP includes an interesting experiment with musicians from Morocco, the Master Musicians of Joujouka, recorded between 1973 and 1975. Being a sufi brotherhood, music from Joujouka aims to reach a trance (a kind of mystic musico-therapy also present in  Gnaoua culture) and naturally allows jazzy experiments. And I guess it's not just by chance that the cover artwork represents 2 faces of the same head.

Charles Fox - Blue Pachanga (US Latinjazz, 1963)

(Gema 1183).

When the famous american composer Charles Fox plays "Just For Fun", it results a nice and sharp latin album from 1963, influenced both by classical and jazz elements.

Azuquita Y Su Orchesta - Guajiro Bacan (Fania, 1975)

(VAYA VS34).

Vaya records is a NY based label created in 1971 as sub-label from Fania records, with a focus on latin artists and productions with soul funk and jazz orientations. Here's a good illustration with an Azuquita track full of various influences: superfunky guitar, roots afrocuban voices and drums, and  guaguanco rhythm (original song was composed by Saoco).

Cora Funk (Fred Wesley and Lamine Conte, 1978)

(Eboni ER-00005).

The introduction of cora and djembe in an american disco-funk production is not always easy to achieve coherently, but here the blend of influences works pretty well, with strong african influence, thanks to top class musicians involved:

Sabu Martinez - Jazz Espagnole (Afrocuban jazz, 1961)

(ALLEGRE EAB-145).

One of the best latin(and)jazz LP from the cuban conga player Sabu Martinez (1930-1979). The album is produced by Al Santiago, Allegre label founder.

Jazz et Vin de Palme - Emmanuel Dongala (1982)

Jazz et Vin de palme (Jazz and Palm wine) is composed by 8 novels from congolese writter Emmanuel Dongala who lived in the US during the 60s.

Randy Weston live @ Saint Louis Jazz, Senegal (2007)

A meaningful experience to listen to Randy Weston in Africa...
Being one of the most "african" among the US jazzmen (from Tanger jazz club in the late 60s to Nigeria's FESTAC in 1977) this was his second performance at Saint Louis Jazz Festival (Senegal). His African Rhythms Trio is composed by Alex Blake (bass) and Neil Clarke (drums) both perfect sidemen of this innovative and explorative genius. "African Cookbook" (first track played on the veideo). An this concert ended with Ablaye Cissoko (Kora player from Saint Louis) joining the trio, as a direct (and natural) link to african musical heritage.

Duke Ellington - Liberian Suite (Independance jazz, 1947)

(CBS 20AP 1501).

Liberia was declared a republic in 1847. This west african country has been created by freed american slaves "coming back" to Africa, which represents a unique (and controversial) experience.

To celebrate the centennial  in 1947, the liberian government ordered Duke Ellington to compose a suite for the occasion.

Michael White - The Land of Spirit and Light (Fela Kuti afrojazz cover, 1974)

(IMPULSE! - AS-9241).

Ray Stephen Oche and his Matumbo - Interpretation of the Original Rythm (Afrojazz from Nigeria, 1970)

(ESP 155 501).

His African Name Owoicho Oche means: "God is the King".

A Date with Lee Morgan at Both/And Club (Hard bop, 1970)

(Trip Jazz TLP-5037).

A Lee Morgan (1938-1972) live session from 1970 on this uncommon LP. It was recorded just few months after the famous "Live at the Lighthouse" session, with the same musicians.