Ornette Coleman – "Of Human Feelings" (Antilles – AN-2001) 1982

We honkies ain't got the Funk, which when translated literally from the language of 'Jive',means honky don't get the smell of sex brother...just ask Old Gregg.Neither have they got Game, but sport is for persons unnamed who were too muscular for banking, but not stupid enough for the army. Lack of sporting prowess for that pale limbed youth cannot be remedied without a stiff course of illegal Steroids,which will lead to a horrifying case of round shoulders and early death,either that or a damn good bumming from the coach. 

Lack of "Funk" however can be helped somewhat by Ornette Coleman's foray into the world of Funk and Disco called "....Of Human Feelings". Gimmie some of that black creamy milk mother fuckers and move to the groove. On first listen one is struck by its bizarre Elevator music qualities,but that just lures in the casual listener,then infiltrates their reptilian brains with something strictly un-4/4. This is Disco music with a decidedly meandering purpose.A Vaccination against The Bee Gees. Now you can play Disco music without being embarrassed when your trendy chums ask "What the fuck is that you're playing???".....you can reply smugly..."It's Ornette Coleman man"......and still dance to some semblance of a marching beat which is necessary for da white man to express faux-joy of an evening.All after taking the knee of course to express unity with your black brothers.

I know there will be a bunch of Jazzers who think this is the worst Ornette album ever, but they ain't got the Funk have they,you dig?

Tracklist:

A1 Sleep Talk 3:31
A2 Jump Street 4:19
A3 Him And Her 4:15
A4 Air Ship 6:01
B1 What Is The Name Of That Song? 3:56
B2 Job Mob 4:51
B3 Love Words 2:50
B4 Times Square 6:00

DOWNLOAD your feelings onto a hard drive HERE!

Ornette Coleman – "Science Fiction" (Columbia – KC 31061) 1971

Just as 'Star Wars' isn't Science Fiction, it's Science Fantasy.Thee Ornetted Coleman album "Science Fiction",unlike like Star Wars, is a great work of  art,and that's an indisputable Jazz Science fact.

There are many things that should rest in the Fiction section alongside The Bible, the Koran,Harry Potter and...maybe....Dr. Seuss? Although I could swear I saw the Green Pants running through a wooded area near my home one sober evening.

One body of work that could never be erroneously filed on the Fiction Shelf would be the ground evaporating canon of Ornette and his various axes....like...er...WOW! This kat can play!

The Science part does apply, however as this masterwork is a cunning combination of control and freedom,or controlled freedom to put it more succinctly.

Tracklist:

1.What Reason Could I Give 3:01
2.Civilization Day 6:02
3.Street Woman 5:45
4.Science Fiction 5:05
5.Rock The Clock 4:52
6.All My Life 4:00
7.Law Years 5:29
8.The Jungle Is A Skyscraper 5:25

DOWNLOAD this fiction into fact HERE!

Ornette Coleman – "Dancing In Your Head" (Horizon – SP-722) 1977

Most dance music feels like having a herd of migrating Wildebeest dancing ON your head.The stuff inside is conveniently forgotten.

If you liked "Body Meta" then you'll like this one too,and so will your brain. A classic slice of free no-wave Ornette magic.

Tracklist:

A Theme From A Symphony (Variation One) 15:38
B1 Theme From A Symphony (Variation Two) 11:05
B2 Midnight Sunrise 4:28

DOWNLOAD to your head HERE!

Ornette Coleman – "Body Meta" (Artists House – AH 1) 1978

 As we were briefly on the subject of Ornette Coleman in the last post,I may as well cheer myself up,and seem intelligent at the same time by posting my favourite Ornette albums,and they were all done in the 1970's,like most of Miles's were. Before at least 1969 it was too bloody jazzy for me.

By 1977/8 Coleman had realized that free jazz was far more effective if one had a semblance of  what appeared to be an accessible time signature,and a rhythm section that hung around something  us normal humans can grasp hold of and go along for the ride.

This could have been a No-Wave group from lower Manhattan,but no, its Ornette Coleman and buddies showing that they had invented No-wave years earlier but decided to do something better.

The guitarist on here, Bern Nix, appears on many James Chance records,and with many others in that trendy Manhattan clique.

But...Having been in a slump,nay, a Beirut Slump.....note clever No-Wave  reference there...as in, Emotional Slump, of late,I have indulged in the time-honored practice of listening to miserable music,Nick Drake, Sandy Denny etc...you know where i'm coming from?..All this to the point of an unhealthy obsession....by the way always veer towards the Demo versions from these artists,but definitely dangerous to your health.

To get myself out of this slump, I put this album on at huge volume,and one detected sheer unadulterated 'JOY',from both myself and the musicians. Even better when i glanced at the sleeve notes,and noticed that this stuff wasn't just totally improvised....they had charts ffs!This stuff was composed!? Which can only enhance the connection for me. Although I did notice that Ornette is dead, like Drake and Sandy,who died in the year this was released....whoops I'm slipping back into my existential crisis again.....the answer....MORE Coleman, less Guinness!?

Tracklist:

A1 Voice Poetry 8:00
A2 Home Grown 7:36
B1 Macho Woman 7:35
B2 Fou Amour 8:31
B3 European Echoes 7:40

DOWNLOAD the joy of coleman HERE!