Acid Jazz Happens

A well-known and much beloved editor for this fine blog once queried “Whither jazz?” Funny he should ask, cuz I don’t have a clue. Ask me about the past. Jazz goes where it wants to and where it’s accepted. Creatives will journey forth and the hope its followers will appear. But for every Snarky Puppy band there are hundreds of sound shifters without the recognition that could motivate them further. After all, the starving artist gig wears out its welcome and grates on the soul as quick as you can say “waitress job.” So jazz follows a unique trajectory, catering to a certain population that embraces improvisation above all, and doesn’t mind that a tune sounds different every time it’s played. Mostly grey hairs. And this population is a relatively small one. And getting smaller. Jazz appeals to a limited demographic these days due to all those young people milling about. Jazz is so yesterday, for Boomers. It’s a dense foreign language to youthful ears and whatever attracted their parents and grandparents no longer translates the sex appeal it once held.

So, whither jazz? At least for a period represented in this week’s playlist – mostly 21st century – it is getting hooked up to atypical non-jazz genres: electronica, funk, hip hop, and other musical dialects that bring together a younger audience. And it’s called “acid jazz.” If you can define it then you know what it is. Myself, I’m not sure. Though the music gathered here today, rendered in a jazzy manner, just might give a clue as to more contemporary directions.

Runlisto
Al compás del mundo
#175,
4-10-25 – acid jazz, etc

01 Greyboy Allstars - Ruffneck Jazz (USA)

02 Kamal and the Brothers - Brotherhood (USA)

03 Up, Bustle & Out - Poncho Cafe (England)

04 Kamasi Washington - Final Thought (USA)

05 Josh Roseman Unit - If I Fell (USA)

06 Papo Vazquez - The Reverend (USA-Puerto Rico)

07 Malachi Thompson and Africa Brass - The Chaser in Brazil (USA)

08 Radio Citizen - Night Part I (Germany)

09 NOMO - All the Stars (USA)

10 dZihan & Kamien - Homebase (Austria)

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Comments

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