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“What I am seeking is not the real and not the unreal, but rather the unconscious, the mystery of the instinctive in the human race.” – Amedeo Mondigliani

George Jazz Internet Jazz Radio
Releases added this week on heavy playlist rotation

Full releases newly added to internet station George Jazz on heavy rotation this week;

Claudio Scolari - Dreams & Emotions Of The City (2007)
George Benson - In Flight (1977 WB)
Jazzanova - The Remixes 2002-2005 (2005)
Lorez Alexandria - Break n' Bossa Chapter 7 (2005)
Marcos Valle - Apaixonada Por Voce (2008 Far Out)
Marcos Valle - Os Grilos (2008 Far Out)
Medeski, Scofield, Martin & Wood - Out Louder (2006)
Moca - Tempomat (2006)
Monty Alexander - Concrete Jungle The Music Of Bob Marley  (2006)
Nancy Wilson - Turned To Blue (2006)
O'Donel Levy - Bad Bad Simba (1973 Simba AIM Records)
Olga Konkova - Northern Crossings (2006)
Pat Metheny & Brad Mehldau - Metheny Mehldau (2006)
Rodney Kendrick - Dance World Dance (2005)
Romano Sclavis Texier - African Flashback (2006)
Rosa Passos - Rosa (2006)
Roy Hargrove & The RH Factor - Distractions (2006)
Sonny Rollins -  Without A Song - The 911 Concert (2005)
Soweto Kinch - A Life in the Day of B19 Tales of the Tower Block (2006)
Stefon Harris - African Tarantella (2006)
Stephan Oliva - Miroirs (2006)
Smith, Liebman, Esen & Jackson - Flashpoint (2005)
Sunlightsquare - Urban Sessions (2006)
Tomasz Stanko - Wolnosc w Sierpniu (2005)
Tomasz Stanko Quartet - Lontano (2006)
Torun Eriksen - Prayers and Observation (2006)
Torun Eriksen - Prayers and Observation (2006)
Trio Beyond - Saudades (2006)
Trio Gitano - Who Ate All the Tapas (2005)
Yellowjackets - Twenty Five (2006)
Yusef Lateef & Lionel Belmondo - Cully (2006)
Various -  Jazztronik Presents Jazztronica (2005)
Various - Messin Around A Decade Of Dancefloor Jazz (2006)
Various  - Break n' Bossa Chapter 7 (2005)
Various Artists - Young Soul Rebels (1992 BMP)

GeorgeFM – Its A Jazz Thing
Sunday 18th May 2008

1. Timothy William - Sanguine (2007 self release NZ) 
2. Elusive Tones of Wonder - Roland's Last Dance (2007 self release NZ) 
3. Dr Tree - Euginio (1975 self release NZ) 
4. Tomachi - Steak Sandwich (2003 self release NZ) 
5. Hot Grits - Bloody Number (2007 self release NZ) 
6. Buzz Bahdur - Dance of Shambu (2007 self release NZ) 
7. Miles From India - All Blues (2008 Times Sq Records) 
8. George Chisholm - Resolution (1985 ODE NZ) 
9. Sustenance - Monday the 18th (1983 Kiwi Pacific NZ) 
10. Norman Meeham - Dogs I Have Known (2008 ODE NZ) 
11. Chris Mason-Battley - Faces of the Land (2001 Parachute NZ) 
12. LA Mitchell - Never Wear White (2007 Intensity NZ) 
13. Whirimako Black - E Taku Tau Dindi (2007 Mai Music) 
14. Holly Hofman - Johnny Come Lately (2004 Capri Records) 
15. Mike Wofford Trio - Macedonia (2004 Capri Records)

Album of the Week – New Zealand Music Month

Norman Meehan – Modigliani
(2007 ODE Records NZ)

Norman Meehan’s 2002 release, The Bells, was one of my favorite NZ jazz releases of that year and I have been eagerly waiting for the follow-up.

Meehan has taken his inspiration for this release from the Italian artist Amedeo Clemente Modigliani (July 12, 1884 – January 24, 1920). I assume Meehan is an admirer of Modigliani’s paintings and sculptures but I could not find any reference to the track titles of this cd release in Modigliani’s work.

Pianist Meehan surrounds himself with bassist Nick Tipping, drummer Reuben Bradley and guitarist Daniel Ryland all of them incredible NZ musicians . Indeed this is very much a group performance, Meehan allows each musician his own space and because of that the release has a very open, unhurried even friendly feeling.

The beautiful slow melody of the Voices/Angels shows off Meehan’s subtle playing whilst enthralling the listener with his technique. My favorite track on the release is the mid tempo “Dogs I Have Known” where the band sound every bit as good as those piano led groups The Bad Plus, EST and The Neil Cowley Trio from the US and Europe. The CD has been on and off my playlist since it’s release and has grown on me over time. It really is that kind of cd, give it time and it’s subtle beauty will grow on you.