Thursday, July 1, 2010

Improvisation 101: Catching the Musical Wave
















“Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul.”


Improvisation focuses on carrying one’s personal reality into a moment of sublime pulsation and consciousness in which one can develop a greater understanding towards whatever action is being concentrated on. The combination of awareness and thoughts can enable a musician to know he or she can act within a range of ideas that can best fit the situation; even if this moment has yet to be experienced. This can result in uncharted territory for an artist of any kind.

The art of improvisation has been utilized by tradesman for many centuries. Composers, artists, authors, poets, film directors and musicians have all explored this magical craft. The skills can apply to several talents and forms of communication, which express artistic, scientific and cognitive qualities. This can result in the creation of new practices, ideas, patterns and structures.

“There's no right or wrong, just some choices that are better than others." - Wynton Marsalis

There is something unique about artists or bands that get together to “jam.” Quite simply, there is nothing like it. Making sure every live performance remains fresh and different is quite an achievement for a musician. The Dropa Stone, an "experimental jam-rock" band originally from South Florida has a similar approach to their live performance. Simply performing a set list of the same songs in the same fashion every night can be a grueling task, but allowing things to be fresh, “tight but loose,” can push the songs to morph and magnify itself with each show. Within each song is an ability to push the limits and see what is and isn't possible. It can enhance one’s individual prowess on an instrument. This is the point when separate entities combine together to form one source of inspiration.

Composed written music to that of improvised music may seem to be exact opposites, but in Jazz they combine to form a unique mixture. "You've got to find some way of saying it without saying it." - Duke Ellington.

This is important because it illustrates the important of songwriting. Without a song, there is no vehicle for exploration or experimentation. This has been true for all genres of music from classical to jazz, to blues to rock.

This approach is a great technique when constructing new songs, experimenting on hypotheses or drawing paintings. Some of the most magnificent creations in human history have been as a result of taking chances; “on the spot magic.” Great songs have been born as a result of that one riff, one groove, one bass line that pops out of nowhere. Another jazz legend, Thelonious Monk's Straight, No Chaser is an example of an intricate composition that was built from an improvised line.

There is something about entering the unknown which is both nerve wracking and enlightening at the same time. Sometimes you miss just slightly, sometimes you fail and sometimes you exceed with grand results. How do you know if you don’t try?

The true value of improvisation can be drawn from an artist’s individual creativity and that process of physical expression is what we call…..MUSIC.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

What Was Your First Miles Davis Album?



I usually check in here on Thursdays or Fridays, so we missed Miles Davis' birthday anniversary by at least one day. I'll still share something on my mind to mark what would have been Miles' 84th.

The first Miles Davis album I heard was Live-Evil. How scary is that?

For those unfamiliar with Miles' recorded works, it's an unconventional place to dip your toe into the water. It's electric, dense, deliberate — but ultimately glorious in its mash-up of crunchy hard rock guitar, funk and disregard for expectations. As a budding percussionist I was forever changed by Airto's avant-garde use of traditional Brazilian instruments.

From Live-Evil it was on to Get Up With It, with its organ drones and plaintive, electronically-treated trumpet blasts. Then Live At the Fillmore and Dark Magus. All records from Miles Davis' electric period — and all not in the usual Top Ten Miles Davis lists.

By that time, someone had already given me a copy of Kind of Blue, but I don't think I had even opened it. This was 1976-77, and I was into hard rock, Sly Stone and Jimi Hendrix. Electric Miles made sense to me.

That's why the upcoming deluxe re-release(s) of Bitches Brew have my mouth watering. Remastered songs, unreleased tracks, DVDs of his band from that period (1970): It's all a treasure trove of the DNA of Miles' electric period. Though I still have my vinyl copy, as well as various CD versions, I'm excited to listen again to how it all started and put it into the context of what came after. As for the extravagant packaging: some of us still dig getting all the cool things that come in big vinyl-album-size boxes after years of opening those ridiculously small CD cases with tiny print and lame album cover art.

Is it a blatant attempt to sell even more Miles Davis records? Maybe. But Miles Davis albums will probably sell no matter what record companies do to market them. And for that we can be grateful.

What was your first Miles Davis album?


By: Felix Contreras
NPR.Org

Sunday, May 23, 2010

In Support of Danny Tate

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

The Dropa Stone Planning to Record New Album in 2010










Music News Wire 2/17/2010 – Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Nashville -


THE DROPA STONE PLANNING TO RECORD NEW ALBUM IN 2010

Known for their avant-garde sound, rock quartet
THE DROPA STONE
announced plans on Wednesday to enter the studio in the late spring to record a full length album of new material.

Music News Wire reports the band is currently writing and preparing dozens of new songs to include on a new album that will showcase the group’s musical versatility, chops and song writing. According to singer/guitarist Jon Meyers, the songs have been pouring out a rapid rate and touch on several genres, including strong elements within their rock sound; reggae, jazz, blues and funk.

The band recently introduced Justin Henry as a permanent member prior to their travels in the west coast, which saw them perform at venues such as the Viper Room in West Hollywood, California. Taking the role of lead guitarist, Henry brings his blues, jazz and progressive rock roots into the fold. Henry performed live and wrote sporadically with the members for more than year before officially announcing his permanent involvement with The Dropa Stone.

Meyers revealed the band’s focus currently is on song writing and preparing for the album, but said to be on the lookout for select show dates around Florida and the Southeast through the summer. Fans may get a small glimpse at some of the new songs, but Meyers warned the majority will be held under lock and key until the release date. Small teaser clips showing some of The Dropa Stone’s new songs have been posted online at the bands Youtube, Facebook and Myspace pages.

“We are really excited to enter the studio in the spring and show everyone what we have been working on the last couple of months. We have evolved immensely since our days as a trio and the initial E.P. We are really focused on the song writing and execution. I think fans will be very pleased,” Meyers said.