In my ideal world, everyone would have access to a vinyl press in their own backyard. Cutting discs would be as easy as ripping a CD. Until that happens, I will be digging each month in the OurStage archives to bestow three artists upon you whose music I would love to hear on vinyl.
The Gonzalo Bergara Quartet
There is a difference between copying an artist’s style and paying respect to an influential musician’s sound through your own approach. The Gonzalo Bergara Quartet achieves the latter flawlessly, taking the listener back to a time when an unknown gypsy guitarist from Belgium by the name of Django Reinhardt was recording his own unique variation of jazz and swing music on shellac 78 rpm discs. The impassioned track “B-612” is a lighthearted instrumental romp accentuated by Gonzalo’s superior guitar skills and the full bodied resonation of Rob Hardt’s clarinet. Each seems to be talking back and forth to one another throughout the tune, creating a spirited conversation between two majestic instruments. Some incredible videos of the quartet can be found here, here & here. They perform all over the world, especially at Django festivals, so make sure to catch them live for a truly uplifting experience.
The Higher Concept
The Higher Concept are a worthy addition to the hip hop community, bringing with them intellectual lyrics, crisp vocal styling and a deep respect for the vinyl platter. Representing out of the mighty Shaolin, these three up-and-coming New York MCs know how to engage an audience with their upbeat style and hard dropping beats, seen here performing with a live band. “Meantime” and “Recycled Thoughts,” two powerful sample laden tracks, showcase the group spitting lyrics backed by lush arrays of strings and instrumentals. “What Would I Do,” a more down tempo cut featuring sharp production skills and a guest MC helping out on the mic, unleashes a beat one can’t resist hanging on to. Upon listening to the bulk of their recordings, one can hear that The Higher Concept makes music because it’s truly their passion and the tracks they lay down are ripe for a pressing on wax.
Alexis Baro
Alexis Baro’s trumpet is an extension of his creative being and he takes any opportunity to unleash the raw power this instrument holds within its chambers. His combination of jazz, funk and native rhythms evoke the spirit of fellow trumpeter Donald Byrd, circa his early 70’s Blue Note years when many of the label’s musicians began exploring realms beyond jazz in the galaxy of funk. Polished brass belting alongside a pound of fatback drums keeps a funky tone going throughout the aptly titled “Funky Bird.” The intensified arrangements on “From the Other Side” allow the band to brew up a groove of intergalactic proportions guaranteed to leave your senses reeling for days. The influence of Baro’s Cuban upbringing can be heard when he is laying down more definitive jazz compositions like “African Escape” and “Transitions,” both of which feature a heavy amount of palm slapping bongos and percussions. Alexis Baro has the flawless ability to shift between jazz, heavy funk and world-flavored rhythms while maintaining superior consistency and producing exceptionally well recorded material.
