knowledge
Smoothe da Hustler - 1996 - Once upon a Time in America
Last entry, DJ Tornado mentioned this album, so I figured I'd post it up. Gritty flow, gritty voice, gritty production - pretty much what you'd expect from New York, but Smoothe definitely has a unique style, as well as an ironic name. Fuck tennis, this brings the racket. You fuckers want this.
Eric Dolphy - 1961 - Fire Waltz
Recorded live in New York City in 1961. You know, I'd say that the phrase "Fire Waltz" fits Dolphy's playing quite well - these pieces are all very "red" sounding to me. Compositions by Mal Waldron, Dolphy & Booker Little. Exuberant improvisation that still contains strong elements of riffs and flows back to the underlying chords to great effect, making it much friendlier to the ear than many other avant-garde jazz recordings (not to say that it isn't challenging). You want this, too.