I featured many “summer albums” during this season every year, maybe because the strong sunlight of summer days and the gentle breeze at night may amplify our imagination through sounds. I have selected three such summer albums again this year. I have picked out one superb Afro Cuban jazz and two classical masterpieces.
#184 Exhilarating Afro-Cuban Jazz by Brian Lynch
Bolero Nights / Brian Lynch Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra
(Venus Records SACD → VHGD-33)
An exhilarating Afro Cuban jazz album featuring an ensemble led by trumpeter Brian Lynch with two percussionists, whose passionate performance is perfect to listen to in the hot summer. The leader, Brian Lynch, was the last regular trumpeter in the Jazz Messengers. While making a name for himself as a talented main streamer, he has also played in many top Latin jazz bands since he arrived in New York in the ‘80s. The album recorded in 2008 is fully expressing Lynch’s Latin roots.
As the title suggests, the base of this album is the rhythm of “bolero,” and the performance is a romantic mix of lively rhythms and Latin melancholy. Brian Lynch’s performance brings the beauty of the melody to the forefront along with the stately ensemble of the five wind instruments. We can say that it is Lynch’s unique and amusing idea that Lynch’s original compositions such as ＜Afinque＞, as well as jazz tunes such as ＜Celia＞ by Charles Mingus and ＜Fire Waltz＞ by Mal Waldron, are turned into happy Latin jazz tunes. Furthermore, the exotic ＜Delilah＞ and the standard ＜I’m a Fool to Want You＞ are arranged romantically. Phil Woods joined as a guest playing a flowing alto saxophone solo for the three numbers. The recording is also remarkable, with each instrument clearly separated from the others, yet coming together in a musically cohesive groove. Each sound of percussion is also very vivid. This is an album you can experience the true joy of audio.
#185 Fantasia for Guitar by Rodrigo
Joaquin Rodrigo—Fantasia for a Gentleman, Concierto de Aranjuez / Narciso Yepes—García Navarro Conducting English Chamber Orchestra
(Universal Music SACD UCGG-9521)
When I listen to Joaquin Rodrigo’s “Fantasia for a Gentleman,” a hot summer scene comes up to my mind. It is not a particular summer piece, but it reminds me of “summer” may be because many landscapes I saw when I traveled southern Spain a few years ago still cross my mind. Since I was a little child, I have loved the guitar piece, “Recuerdos de la Alhambra” (composed by Tarrega), and we had a record of that piece performed by Andrés Segovia, a maestro of the world of guitar in Spain, at home.
Rodrigo wrote “Fantasia for a Gentleman” in response to Segovia's offer. The flow of Alhambra ⇒ Segovia ⇒ Rodrigo worked like a game of association, and before I knew it, the image of “summer music” may have taken root in my mind. Especially, the second movement named ＜Espanoleta＞ evokes the atmosphere of a gloomy summer afternoon. This piece is based on a melody written by Gaspar Sanz, a guitarist and composer active in the 17th century, which Rodrigo used as the base for a four-movement suite for guitar and orchestra. Narciso Yepes, who understands Rodrigo’s music most, is playing the guitar for this disc recorded in the latter half of 1970s. Yepes is also known for making Rodrigo’s another masterpiece, “Aranjuez Concerto,” popular. This is also coupled with the “Aranjuez Concerto.” CDs are also released, but I rather want to enjoy it on SACD, which separate the guitar sound more clearly.
#186 Poetic World Unique to Frederick Delius
Frederick Delius—In a Summer Garden / Sir John Barbirolli Conducting the Hallé Orchestra
(Warner Music TOGE-15081)
The music of Frederic Delius is like a softly colored watercolor painting. The melodies of woodwinds such as flutes and clarinets played along with soft harmonies of strings come and go one after another. “In the Summer Garden,” where the beautiful poetic world was uniquely expressed by Delius, was inspired by the beautiful garden of a house in Grez-sur-Loing, a village near Fontainebleau, southeast of Paris, and the beautiful scenery of the Rowan River flowing nearby.
Delius was born in Yorkshire, England, but has lived there since he got married in 1903. Time passes slowly with graceful timbres which is typical of Delius. Also included is “Summer Night on the River,” which depicts a scene on the Rowan River. John Barbirolli, who was also born in England and was one of the leading British conductors of the 20th century, is known for his lifelong love of Delius’ music, and this recording of his later years is also providing us the best expression. The SACD disc mentioned above probably has the best sound quality, but it has been discontinued, and now it is available on the 3-SACD set “Delius: Orchestral Works” (TDSA-218) from Tower Records. This is also an SACD hybrid disc, and the sound quality is equally superb.
About the Author
Masamichi Okazaki
Surrounded by various kinds of music from his childhood, Masamichi Okazaki joined Waseda University Modern Jazz Club. He started contributing articles to music magazines when he was a student. He covers wide range of music not only trad, modern and contemporary jazz, but also from pops to classics. He writes liner notes for CDs and LPs, and is a regular contributor to “JAZZ JAPAN,” “STEREO,” and others. He joined a big band, “Shiny Stockings,” as a saxophone player. He is a director of The Music Pen Club Japan (MPCJ).
