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Ronny Jordan – See the New
Ronny Jordan – So What
From The Antidote: Island 510883-2 [Buy]

This was the first “jazz” album I ever bought (and the second CD I ever bought after Beck’s Mellow Gold, but that’s another story). I don’t listen to The Antidote much now, but I’m told it’s a classic of its genre, at least according to Italian website thevibes.net:

“Sono trascorsi ormai molti anni da quando ascoltammo il primo album di Ronny Jordan, e soprattutto la sua straordinaria cover di “So What” di Miles Davis.

Da allora Ronny Jordan, londinese con genitori giamaicani, tra l’altro nominato per i Grammy Awards nella categoria chitarristi jazz, e’ stato considerato come uno dei fondatori del genere acid jazz soprattutto per la sua abilita’ nel mescolare jazz, funk ed hip hop. Nel corso della sua attivita’ rimangono celeberrime le sue collaborazioni con Guru e Dj Krush con i quali ha contribuito a creare sonorita’ personalissime.”

Brooklyn Funk Essentials – Brooklyn Recycles
Brooklyn Funk Essentials – Stickman Crossing the Brooklyn Bridge
From Cool and Steady and Easy: Dorado DOR 022 CD [Buy]

BFE, one of the definitive American hip-hop-jazz crossover artists. Here’s the collective from their debut long player from 1995. Featuring Joshua Roseman (tb), Paul Shapiro (sax), Bob Rockmann, (tp) Lati Kronlund (bass and drum programming) among others.

In 1995, their version of Pharoah Sanders’ The Creator Has a Master Plan was an underground hit. In 2005, they’re still going.

And while I’m here, a welcome to freeman as a new occasional audioblogger and constant provider of thought-food. Also check out iwasdoingalright, an ongoing and evolving account of the trials and joys of learning to play jazz trumpet. I can tell you that this site is very accurate. Ah, memories….

Courtney Pine – Oneness of Mind
From Underground: Antilles 537 745-2 [Buy]

Courtney Pine – Don’t X’Plain (Roni Size Remix)
From Another Story: Antilles 536 928-2 [Buy]

In the 1990s, the term “Acid Jazz” was used to justify a multitude of sins, and took the sheen off many triumphant musical moments. Now we’re in the 21st Century, perhaps we can bypass the hype.

Perhaps we can look back and pick out some of the great music to emerge from this grand meeting of dancehall head-nodders, rappers, Coltrane worshippers and Horace Silver tribute bands.

British saxophonist Courtney Pine probably needs little introduction. His albums, many featuring the cream of the crop of current straightahead players from the US, have sold remarkably well. Young, black and sharply dressed, Pine’s debut disc, Journey to the Urge Within, went Top 40 in the UK in 1987. And Mr Pine has not looked back since.